Olympians and YCC

On our way back from YCCs this year, we were told that the Olympic divers from North Carolina would be coming back around the same time that we were coming back. We thought this was just a rumor, but maybe it was true! We didn't know.

So anyway, we get off of the plane and start walking up the escalator to where people get met by friends/family to be picked up, and we see a whole slew of reporters and friends and people waiting at the end of the walkway.

At this point, we realize that the rumors are true, and my mom turns to me and says "wouldn't it be funny if they were right behind us?" and I laugh and turn around to see two people wearing USA attire and their Olympic passes right behind us. And we all kinda freak out and try to decide what to do, since we don't want to stand in front of them the whole walk towards people, but either way we are definitely going to be awkwardly in the way... So our whole group of six decides to slow down so that we aren't making a wall in front of these two people everyone wants to see and let them pass us.

So we just walk along behind them as they get filmed and clapped for and cheered. Having come back from our own tournament, we all pretend as though everyone has just heard the great news that we just got back from Minnesota and finished fifth and start waving to the crowd too. I start waving to people we pass and make eye contact with a dude who claps pointedly at me.

And that is how I got in the way of returning Olympians and how my very own waving arm was on the news.

edit: here is photographic evidence of the awkwardness that got documented by the news: http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics32/800/ZU/ZUBBDJIDTFXISSV.20120814012228.jpg

Ipods and Doors

On my way to class, I was walking behind this girl in my class who was listening to her ipod. She and I were walking about the same speed, until we got to the door of our classroom, when she slowed down to the point where she was essentially stopped. So I am just stuck behind this girl who isn't moving and is blocking the entire doorway to our classroom, and she's listening to music so I can't ask her to move or open the door.

I clear my throat and she doesn't hear me, so I just stand insanely close to her until she opens the door, which took her at least two minutes to do. And when she finally did open the door, she only opened it wide enough for herself to go in, and let it shut behind her.

So I was left, still standing outside our classroom with a door shut in my face. Good way to start the day at 8am!

Joggin and Fives

i was running down franklin tonight and i was passing a homeless man who started to wave when we were in close proximity. it was one of those greetings where he just lifted his hand, and since my mind is always programmed for high fives, i went for the high five.
but then pulled his hand away right before contact and i nearly hit him in the face as i ran by. i tried to make it seem like i was just waving, but he totally knew...so i just kept running.

note to self: homeless men usually dont just go for high fives while you are running by, so do not try to high five them. same is true for strangers in general... life lessons.

Halloween 2012

i acquired a tiger onesie for halloween, and decided to wear it to class all day on halloween under my sweatshirt.

in my first class i took off my sweatshirt and was wearing the onesie and taking notes when my teacher asks who is going to franklin street that night. so i raised my hand and she asked me what i was going to be, and i said "this" and gestured to myself. she asked me to stand up and show the class, so i got up and stood in the row in the middle of my classroom.

then, she chooses to inquire: "tell us a little about yourself"

not knowing what direction to go with this i freeze and think of every possible way to answer this question:
do i tell my whole life story and waste a class period? do i just say my name? do i tell her my plans for the evening? do i tell her what my major is? do i explain how i came into possession of a tiger onesie? do i tell her that i ate a piece of pie for breakfast today and that it was extremely delicious? do i say a few key features? what are my key features? DO I EVEN HAVE KEY FEATURES?? OH MY GOODNESS WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE??

im freaking out so i decide, for some reason, just to say "i am a tiger." and immediately sit back down.

crisis averted.

Stair Slippin' in 175

how to avoid making lasting semester impressions: a brief guide.
dont miss the last step on the stairs of your classroom and stumble out with an exclamation and flail your arms wildly as you exit the room.

Reenactments

i was washing my hands in an empty bathroom, and thinking back to a recent conversation in which i had said something stupid.

so, like any sane person, i decided to reenact this scenario so that i can do it better in my head.

as required with any good conversation reenactment, gestures, movements and facial expressions are necessary. as i am mid concentrated facial expression and wild hand gesture with paper towel, someone walks into the bathroom.

i avoid eye contact, throw away my paper towel prop, and leave with a new scenario to replay in a different empty room later...

Swim Meet Volunteering

as a team, pleiades is trying to get money so we do some volunteering. friday, we were helping time for a swim meet in Koury. i had class at 11, so a teammate and i were going to switch shifts halfway through--i was to work from 9:15-10:15ish, and her from 10:15-12ish.

to start off this experience, i missed the first bus up to Koury. so i catch one that doesnt go quite there and start to walk. most of the way through this walk i realize that i dont know where Koury is. i am already about 5 minutes late.

i know its near the dean dome, so i walk there...and subsequently pass Koury 3 times. finally, i actually read the sign on the top of the building and feel like an idiot for the second time that day.

i go inside and see the guy who is signing people in, so i sign in, and he gives me directions to "go down the stairs, and then turn right when i see the other volunteers." i head off down the stairs, and walk down this hallway, but very shortly i reach the pool without seeing any volunteers.

i am in khakis, a jacket, and wearing a backpack. clearly i am not about to go swimming. shockingly, the swimmers i am standing directly next to also notice this. i slowly back away and retreat to the stairs.

Thrice. i feel out of place.

eventually, i retrace my steps and have to be let through a set of locked doors to find the other volunteers, but horrrayyy! we are united!

these two women come out and describe how to time, saying that if you have the same color timer as someone else you will be working together so give them to your friends! she gives me a pair of black timers, and since i am sitting at a table with ONLY ONE OTHER GUY and EVERYONE ELSE IS PAIRED UP i hand him the other timer. he pretends as though he doesnt see me giving him this timer, and refuses to take it.

i think maybe he didnt see me, so i try again, but he takes my slight flailing of the timer in front of his face to mean that he should check his texts, so i give up and awkwardly hold on to two timers. i guess i wouldnt want to work with me either.... jerkbutt.

finally, it is time for me to go to class, and my teammate to fill in. she calls me just as the meet is about to start, and as i remember how i struggled to find things, i literally run down the hall to try to find her.

and as i am on the phone, running, i turn a corner and slam into two swimmers. directly.. two very attractive tall swimmers. as i apologize and take another step, i hear my teammate call me from the direction i just came...aka right back directly past these two gentlemen i just plowed into.

i leave Koury, shamed. and with five lovely reminders that i will always have a dysfunctional life.