Creatures of Habit

In high school, my AP Psychology teacher didn't assign seats.  After the first few weeks of school, we all pretty much sat in the same seats anyway, because we are creatures of habit.  We like familiarity.  There were a few times during the year when either I or my best friend, Ross, would try to sit somewhere else, and we thought it was exceedingly hilarious when another student would get indignant and go, "Hey, you're in MY seat!"  We were tempted to respond with something cheeky, like, "There are no assigned seats, remember?" ... but we were unpopular enough as it is, and returned to "our" seats if someone didn't like us mixing things up. =p

Anyway, I've noticed that I've quickly formed some habits after moving to Austin.  My friend Jocelyn started working in the day care at the local Gold's Gym so I gave her a ride home yesterday.  I went on autopilot and started heading back to my place instead of her apartment.  It's amazing how quickly habits form: We arrived in Austin in the afternoon of July 8, our stuff got here July 19, and we got our garage on August 1.  We finally got Internet at the end of July.  ("I see you scheduled for this day because we said it was available, but we actually can't do it for another 2 weeks."  ... yeah, I know how it goes. -_-)  So to me, it feels like life here officially began about two weeks ago.  Three and a half, if you start from when our stuff got here and I actually met a few neighbors.

Do you go to the gym?  Have you developed workout habits there?  Do you feel possessive of some of the cardio machines there?  Is there one you always work out on, and when you get to the gym and someone else is working out on it, you feel kind of awkward, like, "Oh, great, now I have to go work out on a different machine.  One I don't love so much."  And maybe ... or maybe not ... you can't decide whether you should take the machine right next to yours, or space yourself away from the stranger who is unknowingly using your machine?

Okay, so I think too much when I work out.

In American Fork, there was a particular elliptical machine I always used - the one on the end.  I don't like the treadmill because my knees get achy.  Here in Austin, I quickly found a machine I've used just about every time I've worked out.  It's the fourth one in, because it's exactly where the fan on the wall hits my head and helps me cool down while working out.  It's also right in front of the TV, so I get to .... watch .... ESPN .... because ........ Well, no, there's nothing great about the TV my machine is in front of.  I just read books anyway. ;)

Do you guys have funny habits about things you use in public places, too?  Like is there are particular chair at the pool you always leave your stuff by?  Is there a machine at the gym that's "yours" too?  Or am I just crazy?

I wouldn't mind just being crazy. ;)