on today's walk

I usually don't write about ordinary neighborhood walks. It's boring. Boring for you Dear Readers, and boring for me. But every once in a while something happens.

Someone is opening a Barre studio in the old Bethlehm Globe Times building. I'm full of glee. It's last use was a video store. Both are extinct. Hopefully the barre studio holds up better.

I've been interested in barre for a while. It is no secret that I have minimal balance, and the flexibility of a 2x4. If I get on the floor it takes a lift to get me off. It's just totally unpleasant. I've often wondered if barre would help. I hear it's hard.

Everyone also knows my dislike of a gym. So is a dance studio—barre started in ballet—a gym? Maybe, maybe not. Some people don't think dance is even exercise. Yeah, right. (Like Baryshnikov and Missy Copeland aren't athletes.) But then those same people say walking isn't exercise.  Hell, I've had people in the medical profession tell me that.

I digress. I always digress.

Anyway, a few months ago I notice that a barre studio opened at the top of Wyandotte Street in the same building as Sherwin Williams paint. It's a dance studio. It's probably only a mile away, but I can't walk there. It's a highway with no shoulders or sidewalks. Certain death is not an exercise option. After some research I decided not to go. I also don't want to make a commitment to drive somewhere several times a week.

This is also about a mile away, and it does have sidewalks. And only crossing the 5-points is sketchy. It's probably going to be expensive. I'm sure their target market is the university, not the locals. After all, the locals don't have discretionary income.

I'm hoping they have some free classes when they open. Or at the very least discounts. Maybe a groupon.