There's a heavy little thunderstorm rolling up the valley towards us. I'm comparing its location out the window to the weather radar on the news website and feeling sorry for the people on the freeway. The 21st Century is grand.

Rebecca, I'm going to say, don't worry about it. If there are only two people in a lane, then it doesn't matter if you are fast or slow. The only time it matters is if you are circle swimming.

My suggestion is to be there at the very beginning of swim time -- then you can be a person in the lane moving and other people will enter your space. Easier to manage.

wait don't you always effectively circle swim when sharing a lane?

I got earwormed with "When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2, and then I sang through most of it, and I made myself sad.

Seriously, if I haven't gotten sick already...

That is my general feeling, really. As long as I'm a relatively healthy person? I'll take some risks.

Crap. I'm going to have to throw out some flour.

wait don't you always effectively circle swim when sharing a lane?

No. I mean you can, but mostly we don't. We split the lane -- one person stays on one side and one on the other. Circle swim, at my gym and the other pools I've been at, are a special hell reserved for when it's crowded with 3 or more per lane.

If you have questions or doubts, ask the life guard for help. They can either move people around or explain how it works at your gym.

For the first little while, it was totally worth it to be in the pool before others got there, until I understood the system.

It was like the mean tweets segment from late night.

Uhg, I'm sorry,

I hate circle swim. HATE. And what Kat said. Pick a side of the lane and stick to it. Anyone who initiates circle swim on a person who is already in the pool and picked a side when there are only 2 of you is a clueless twit you can school or an asshole you can yell at. Ditto, a third who initiated circle without checking in with previous 2. I hate those people. I always want to ask "Do you walk into traffic without looking too? Why are you alive still?"

But possibly am opinionated and cranky. And spoiled; the pool staff totally watch out for me. They've told me I'm one of a very few that they'll share a lesson lane with for private lessons. Usually they claim the whole lane. And, um, they've put up the lesson lane sign for me when the pool is full for family swim and people are veering into lanes. Lifeguards sometimes get tired of yelling.

Finished ceiling touch ups. Buying more paint tomorrow.

well it may be for nothing. I am not sure I will even be able to swim more than 2 lengths. who knows maybe just one. An it all depends on me getting up at 5am, so you know.

Hubby had an electrocardiologist disconnect a faulty node in his heart, and the afib went away.

What, they can just unplug it? Wow.

My sister has a-fib too, and the meds keep it under control. I hope it all works out as easily with your mom, Sean.

Rebecca, I hope things get easier soon at your household.