You know who I'm writing about, and no, I'm not being creepy. Well, no more than the rest of you. You've seen them in the library, overheard them as they walked down 14th Street, in class, on the Corner. These are those people you might never be, but you're so aware of their presence you can't help but feel something toward them: contempt, jealousy, inexplicable attraction, amusement. The people that add a little variety to our everyday experiences. Our missed connections.
The girl in Arch's. She prefaced every comment, question and whine with the word "baby" when talking to her significant other.
I am behind the counter, insanely jealous of the love you two obviously share, confident enough to flaunt in front of everyone's face. From the moment you two entered Arch's, the word "baby" would not stop resonating in my head - though partly because of your constantly repeating it. Not just the word but also the way you said it, dripping with love so thick it was almost tangible. Thank you for showing me what I lack. All I want now is a girl who doesn't even know my name but just refers to me exclusively as BABAY.
The guy walking down Virginia Avenue. Walking is probably not the word ... stumbling haphazardly maybe.
I sit, drinking a bottle of red wine on my porch alone. So intrigued by this carefree exhibition of drunkenness. He even began running at one point ... not running so much as stumbling a little bit faster. Granted, this 'run' barely lasted 10 seconds, but still, I was impressed by his awesome display of athleticism. If I hadn't been too concerned with finishing my Herding Cats wine, I would've longed to meet him, to run-stumble with him, to accompany him to the destination he wanted to arrive at so desperately.
The crashed-out, and I can only assume Engineering student in Clemons Library. Apparently her bedroom from time to time as she showed clear comfort sleeping so contentedly in a chair. But it wasn't the fact that she was sleeping that drew me to her. It was her carefree air, mouth hanging open. How selfless to offer her body as a home for all sorts of insects, dust and just general disgusting Clemons air. I'd prefer the B.
The girl, hunched over in class, taking notes like a typewriter. How does her pen move so quickly across her notebook? Her handwriting is so small and yet she keeps flipping, page after page after page, filled with the professor's words. What is the professor saying that is so profound yet seemingly unimportant to me?
I'm impressed, even flabbergasted. I want to strike up a conversation but know that would just distract her, and her attraction would probably fade away as quickly as the pen left the paper. All I can hope for now is that her notes will be a part of the study guide that saves me when the final exam sneaks up at the end of the semester.
And of course, the drunken buffoon in my house circa midnight, also known as a roommate.
I'm hiding from partygoers in the safety of my room. But, wise beyond your years, you knew where to find me and how to make an entrance. Charging through my door and giving a figurative middle finger to the inventor of doorknobs, you decide to crash in headfirst and disturb my work. As quickly as you entered, you disappeared again, down the hall. I hurried out to follow you and found you leaning against a wall letting the contents of a 40 pour onto my floor. That spot will forever be a testament to man's ability to get exceedingly drunk and live to tell about it.
Some of these people I might meet, even become friends with. Others I've perhaps terrified. Others might still be delicately snoring in the musty second-floor Clemons air.
Ian's column runs biweekly Wednesdays. He can be reached at i.flatt@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | January 8, 2025Whether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | January 6, 2025What the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
