You know how sometimes you 'admit' things, but really those things are kind of adorable and who could judge you for them, anyway? "I admit, I sure do look forward to Tuesdays, which is the day the New York Times publishes its weekly science supplement!" or "I admit, I sure do like actually bringing my car to a complete stop when I see people waiting at a crosswalk!" Right. So this is actually kind of dorky.
Ever since I moved to my new neighborhood, almost every night I walk down the block to the elementary school and swing on their swing set for like, a half an hour while listening to my ipod. It's just really relaxing, and I don't have a yard, so unless I'm taking the trash outside I don't really have a valid reason to just mill around, so swinging/music listening just kind of works for me.This is a sizable dork upgrade from my previous apartment, where I could only ipod dance indoors because I lived across the street from a biker bar and couldn't really enjoy leisurely strolls in the evening.
So, back to this new place. Despite being a woman with a job tangentially related to education, I am always afraid that I come across to neighbors as a total kid lurer, so I always try to look really blase while I'm swinging. I'm mean, yeah, I'm here swinging again and everything, but it's pretty much an accident I end up here three or four nights a week. Whatevs, I'm breezy.
But my FAVORITE part about these outings is that most nights I'm there, so is Awkward Tennis Guy!!! ATG is not cute, so don't momentarily get your hopes up, as I did. He is just a dude, with roughly the same work hours as me and roughly the same lack of familial commitments who practices tennis against the wall of the school every night. He is pretty average at it, but I'm sure there are better swingers/music listeners than me out there, so I can't really judge. But tonight, I was running late and when I arrived, ATG was leaving. I was super excited because I've always thought he must think I'm a weirdo for never acknowledging him or our shared Sabor de Soledad. I practically skipped up to ATG, waved and said "Hi!" But ATG just stared at the ground, shook his head at me and walked away. He is probably painfully shy, but I think my ego was still bruised.
I'll probably skip the swings for a little while. I should probably study for the GRE or something anyway.
Self-fulfilling prophecy... Awkward Tennis Guy. Had you dubbed him Approachable Tennis Guy I think your "Hi!" would have gone over better. You should only skip the swings if there are some of those springy animals you can sit on... and, I can't stress this enough, studying is not the answer.
ReplyDeleteCunado, I think you're right. Studying is never the answer.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, this "confession" does make you kind of extra adorable.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep on swingin'. Maybe you really made ATG's day, but you caught him off guard so he didn't have a smooth response.
Also, you know how you think people think you're a kiddie lurer? I always feel like store clerks think I'm a shoplifter. So it makes me feel a little self-conscious, which probably comes across as a guilty conscience.
I always think people think I'm a shoplifter, too! Then again, I feel guilt about everything I come in contact with usually.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't help when I went into a snooty eyewear store on Hyde Park Square, where the clerks refused to acknowledge or greet me but did follow me around passive aggressively. And I had been prepared to shell out some dough for cool frames!
ReplyDeleteYou lose, Eye One.