I'm always kind of amused by the perfectly attractive young women who scurry into the enclosed cubicles to change at the gym, then I feel sad that they feel they have to hide. I know, I know, everyone's modesty levels are different, but they all look so freaked out. I'm not doing show tunes, people, I'm just changing my clothes.

edit: And yes, I suppose I should be dismayed that I qualified the scurrying people with "perfectly attractive", as if I think that ugly people, by whatever definition, *should* be hiding to change clothes. But I'm not dismayed, except in being sad that *they* think they're hideous and need to hide.

I totally stole that metaphor from some poster's experience with a spanx thing on TT. It was a hilarious tale.

And so, so apt. Especially when some poor woman is trying to put one on or off a sweaty bod. Hell, I feel that way about my suit at times.

I have to admit, someone asked me a question in the locker room once, and I turned around and nearly blurted what I was thinking, which was, "Oh, tits."

Speaking of other people's kids... I just spent an hour on the phone with the 16 yr old son of my best friend from high school. We started talking sci-fi and he got all chatty. He's having heart surgery this summer and is looking at 2-3 weeks of little activity. I may have to get him some Fringe DVDs.

I admit I have some worries because my kids would jump into the first windowless van they saw for a bag of skittles. And frankly, most child kidnappings and sexual abuse are relatives so I don't think the signs are necessarily to prevent pedophiles from hanging around but rather to keep it as child-friendly as possible. Much like the places who want to stay adult-friendly and quiet by asking that you keep your children under control.

I get it. Everyone needs their space and their are exceptions. But as a parent, I like the idea of having a place where my kid (especially the one that gravitates towards adult strangers and has ZERO social filters) won't bother adults who do not want to hear about what year certain lego themes were released and how much they cost.

I've been thinking about the playground issue and I'm going to ramble a bit to work it out. This is not directed at any particular post anyone made, just some thoughts.

There are certain areas that are delineated for specific population use. Playgrounds "reserved" for children and their caregivers and/or guests, certain clubs or resorts "reserved" for adults. I think that both address a need/want - one for parents/caregivers to feel somewhat safe in knowing that there aren't potentially dangerous people hanging around and one for couples to be able to vacation without the sometimes disturbing presence of children.

However, as both a parent and an adult, I don't really like the idea, or at the very least the way this particular incident occured, of being not allowed somewhere either because I have children with me or not with me.

Before I had children, I loved hanging out at playgrounds. Sometimes I watched the kids play, but mostly *I* felt safer there than maybe in the middle of the park where, in my mind, there was more danger. I wanted to read my book, have my lunch, or whatever? I liked to go to playgrounds.

(I should interject here that in Michigan and in LA, park and playground were interchangeable.Parks were the playgrounds and vice verse.)

Like others, I *get* the rules and why they are there and I even to a degree like them, but at the same time I also feel like behavior should dictate the need for law enforcement intervening. Shithead teenagers skateboarding everything and bothering/hurting the little kids? Yeah - take em away. Random Empress eating a turkey sandwich? Praise her name and give her a tiara.

Again, this is based on my experiences with parks/playgrounds where the playstructure wasn't gated and probably there weren't a lot of other seating options.

And I'm pretty sure Cash I just said exactly the same thing, but she was, as is often the case AND the style of the time, more eloquent and smarter than I.

For a total change of pace, check out this brilliant dog:

[link]

That move she does? Is called a chimney. Color me impressed.

I don't go into a stall to change, but when I'm at the gym, it's not social for me. I want to get in there and get back out so I can pick up some groceries and go home and maybe eat dinner before 9pm. The idea of engaging in naked small talk time? I'd prefer it if you gave me a paper cut and poured lemon juice on it.

I am a prude. I am an enemy of fun.

Before I had children, I loved hanging out at playgrounds. Sometimes I watched the kids play, but mostly *I* felt safer there than maybe in the middle of the park where, in my mind, there was more danger. I wanted to read my book, have my lunch, or whatever? I liked to go to playgrounds.

Yep, that's how I feel too. But as I said, I get the desire for parents to feel safe. It just makes me sad.