I have permission!

I got permission to use the swimming cat image! I promised I would tell people where I got it:

http://www.swimmingcats.com

It's right there on the front page. The cat pictured is a Turkish Van, and I must tell you I am jonesing for a Van right now. :-)

I also said I'd credit the site. I've put a comment on the userpic, so that anyone who's looking at my userpics will see that. LJ doesn't let me give the image any alt text, does it?

I'm pretty sure this permission does not automatically extend to everyone. But feel free to ask. The web site owner was very nice about my query!

Checked out the Y this morning

Junk Mail Santa had brought us a coupon good for a "free 1-week pass" at the local Y. Try it, see how you like it. Must be redeemed by 31 January.

So yesterday I drove over on my way to work. Can't park anywhere NEAR the place. Signed the waiver stating I had inspected the premises and found them safe (ha! I wasn't past the front desk!) and got my card.

This morning I went in to swim. Pool is maybe a touch warmer than the outdoor one at Fremont High. Much more comfortable stepping out of it, of course. Staff very friendly. Locker room just as nice (although the Y has a swimsuit spinner to get the water out). Less crowded at Fremont High, though the Y swimmers were perfectly nice about the passing and all. The Y's lap swim runs an hour later in the morning. More walking to and fro at the Y: the main door is at the south end of the long building, all available parking is up at the north end, and OF COURSE the women's locker room is the northernmost thing inside the place. And no, you can't enter at any other door. Not good.

My feet hurt again and I didn't stand on the pool bottom once. Either it's the extra walking at the Y or it's the kicking in the water. Should go back to the Fremont pool again and see.

If I swim three times a week, the prices for the Y and the Fremont High pool are roughly equivalent. Swimming at Fremont is no commitment; I can go any time and pay my daily entrance fee. But to swim at the Y, starting next Wednesday, I'd have to join.

Chlorine level: Fremont wins.
Cold: Y wins.
Companionship: Might get to swim with gs at Fremont sometimes, so Fremont wins.
Crowding: Fremont is ahead but summer might see a reversal.
Friendliness: Y wins.
Parking/walking: Fremont wins.
Price: Fremont wins on the no-commitment angle. (2x/week is noticeably cheaper.)
Actually Exercising: Y wins because of the price commitment.
Timing: Y wins hugely.

Not a clear-cut decision. I'll give myself the rest of my Y free week to make it, and then *poof* I have an exercise program.