Soooo, I had a free day today, like….FREE…. My computer was getting updated, my kids were off with friends, hubs at work…. I could clean my house or do something ….well… for ME! I pondered for all of 30 seconds and decided to take care of my aching back..so massage it was! I went online and was surprised to find appointments available at the prestigious Burke Williams (a place I can only afford with gift certs). If you have never been, it’s a nice experience. You can plan a good 4 hours there between the jacuzzi, sauna, services provided, shower, misting room and did I mention the QUIET ROOM??? Just the sound of that alone brings peace to my soul. It’s a room where it’s….QUIET! There are reclining chairs with individual spaces and you can sit and read, or just lay back, close your eyes (cucumbers provided) and wait for your service.
I was so excited by this, I packed my bag and headed out.
When I walked in I gave myself 90 minutes to settle in and just relax.
As soon as I walked in, I could smell the aromatherapy they vent through the place. Decompression was already in play.
I walk up to the receptionist who asks my name. As she’s looking, she starts furrowing her brows ever so slightly. She asks the spelling of my name…. “oh, it’s with a C?…okay….” whew…..
Oh…yes, here you are… ummmm… we actually have you scheduled for TOMORROW at noon…not today……
……………………………… WHATTTT??????
Dammit…that’s what I get for booking before coffee…..
Do you have ANYTHING for today? I ask with the most hopeful smile possible… Thankfully they had something at 4 so I took it and said I would be back. And I left….and went to my car and thought, “Well NOW what?”
Shaking my head, I drive to a remote location and sit in the parking lot about 2 miles away…. I finally decide to go to the gym and at least walk on the treadmill. But as luck would have it, my gym is kind of swanky, so I decide to check their app for classes. Turns out I’m just in time for a Barre Fusion class that I have been curious about, but conveniently missed many times… As I hesitate to actually walk in, I tell myself the Spa mixup happened for a reason…. How hard could it be I say to myself, followed by my consolation that I can walk out if it becomes out of my league. Luckily, I came in just in time to tell the instructor I have never done this before and she smiles and tells me what to grab before she starts.
Within minutes I’m up on releve squeezing a ball between my legs at the barre with sweat dripping everywhere it can find a pore on my body. The irony in all this is, as a dance photographer, I have had MANY a dancer on releve, the higher the better… but in this instance its my first time I’m doing everything in my power just to stay upright.
Thankfully, I was able to breathe my way through the class and even get a thumbs up from the teacher who happens to have a ballerina for a daughter AND we have friends in common. So cool and so thankful for my choice to walk in.
After class, I ordered a sandwich from the swanky restaurant in the gym and I went to my car so I could find another remote location to eat my sandwich. I still had time to kill.
Even though I still had plenty of time after lunch, I decided to just head over to the spa and just sit in the jacuzzi and take my sweet time before my massage. As soon as I get there, I put everything in my locker and start changing into my suit. I reach into my back and pull out my suit…or errr uhhh…my TANK TOP?? Dammit… I thought that was my swim suit.
I half decided I’d just jump in with nothing, but that thought didn’t even fully develop before I started shoving everything back into the locker except my purse. As I walked OUT of Burke Williams with puzzled faces looking at me, I explain I forgot my suit in my car (a total blatant lie, I admit). As I exit the doors, I do the walk of shame and embarrassment over to Sports Chalet and buy a suit off the rack. As I walk back into Burke with tags hanging off my new items, I quickly confess this isn’t my day and duck through the door…or rather walk INTO the door…. I pushed when I should have pulled…. (shoot me now).
As I get back to my locker, I start changing into the new suit which isn’t going up as easy as I thought…. quickly realizing it’s probably one size too small, I accelerated into “fuck it” phase and powered that suit over my body. I was over it all. That jacuzzi was just 10 feet from me and dammit, I was going in!
Finally able to dip my toe in the water, it felt hotter than I expected. So I took my time and soon I was fully immersed and happy to be there…. Until I feel something over my head looming… as I open my eyes and look up, maintenance decided to fix the flickering candle BATTERY as the flicker had flicked out I guess… Determined not to let it phase me, I make my way over to get some water and a cold towel to put over my eyes. As I make my way over I see a lady (also in the jacuzzi) texting someone intently.
Now I’m just curious about something…. If you have this wonderful facility available to you to help you relax, and you pay a premium for it is there a reason on ANY level that you feel the need to bring your ball and chain WITH YOU? I was saddened by this, because my whole reason for coming was to decompress and get away from any form of communication so I could reset my brain and come back just a little better than when I left.
After this, I left and decided to just plant myself in the Quiet Room to seriously check out and not have to look at another person. As I walk in the room I see about 5 bodies in there all sitting back, relaxing. I take my spot in the last chair and pull out my book. After a while I close my eyes and off in the distance I hear someone talking quietly…to someone ON THE PHONE….. Now I’m a bit more bummed…. But found myself wondering still why are we so attached to our phones? And do you NOT see the sign that says QUIET ROOM?? Thankfully, my massage lady came and grabbed me. I grumpily stated my dismay about the phones to which she was shocked to know anyone had their phones out as this is a no phone arena (supposedly).
My massage was lovely and the lady made me think a bit, which I believe I needed to do. Just reflect a bit.
As I walk back to the dressing area, I can’t help but see two girls sitting on the couch in their robes taking Selfies and giggling. I shake my head in disappointment and change and leave.
This was NOT a normal day at Burke Williams by any means, normally, people follow etiquette. But this day was just a tad more than I was willing to handle. If massage therapist didn’t sense my stress and throw some stone massage into the mix, I might have charged out and complained.
We are becoming a completely self absorbed society and it’s really sad. These people were genuinely unaware and unconcerned about breaking etiquette because they were so afraid to be missing out on the world for 2 hours that they couldn’t plant their phones.
I did the best thing I could. I told people I would be off the grid, here is where I will be, call the front desk if you need to get ahold of me.
Guess what? NOT ONE CALL!!!
All that said, I’m glad that I was able to look back at my day and realize that shit happens and you can get through it and come out a better person.
My day is coming to a close and I’m rather enjoying it as I watch my husband play his guitar to his old band songs, Mission Delores (my fav) as I sing along to all that I can remember. Twenty years together gets you a lot of good memories!
Put your phones away people. Enjoy the moment!
Mom of two grown ass girls and married to a short guy who is funny and cooks really well! I’m a photographer by trade, so you can say I’m a bit “peopley”. My favorite sessions are the one on ones where I just get to chat and find out about my clients. I’m blessed with what I get to do every day! Blessed by the support of my husband and kids, and blessed by the ongoing support and encouragement of my friends who are always lifting me up.