hufflepuff scuffle

After prepping my room for tomorrow's Open House, I left @ 3 on the dot, went for 14 laps, then met S. at home so we could drop the truck off at the Truck Fixing Place. Then we came home and collapsed on the bed. I was fuming from a letter I got in the mail from the RM, who claims there have been "reports" that the dog is barking again. Cited no specific times, dates, or durations of the barking, but threatened us with "action" if it continues. I've already had one run-in with this RM, a year ago. It was the morning of my 29th birthday, in fact; one minute Ken Momochi and I were having breakfast at Zippy's, the next minute I was on my feet shouting into my phone and Momochi was offering his standard service ("Want me to kick his ass?"). I have no desire to discuss anything with the RM again, ever. That's how horrible a 5-minute conversation it was. The man is a complete jackass.

Anyway, my dog may or may not be the source of the barking, but I knew I had to calm down before communicating my frustrations with anyone. I hate the RM and I don't handle it well when people are upset with me, let alone for something that may not even be my fault. The fact that it's an us-against-them deal and I have not been offered a chance to dispute the claim or even ask for specific documentation of the episodes royally pissed me off.

So S. and I were collapsed on the bed (this story is not really about the RM or the dog), him preoccupied about the truck and me angry and worried about Association sanctions, but somehow we managed to cajole each other out of bed and into our running shoes and finally, out the door. And I'm glad we got out, despite the fact that I was tired from sprint-swimming and being mad at the RM, and S. was tired from work. Usually we run on different days or take different routes, mostly because he is more a runner than I am (e.g. he can run three nonstop miles no problem, I have conquered the world if I run one) and also because (this one's stupid) I don't like people listening to me huff and puff after the first block. But we went together this time, huff, puff and all, in a way pulling each other along a short circuit around our area - the culmination up Ward Ave.

Got back and I was so much less stressed. I guess it is true that exercise relieves tension. Previously, it only added to my stress levels, most likely because I hated physical activity with a big fat passion. Swimming and hiking are fun personal challenges, but running - anywhere - is still No Picnic. But I have to say it's a lot easier to get my butt off the couch now than it was before. I am somewhat intrinsically motivated, but a lot of my mental workout momentum comes from shallow, extrinsic motivators like being able to wear shorts again and my brother going "Is that a bicep? When'd you get that?"

And now I'm off to write a letter. Reminder to self: You are calm. You are cool. You are collected.