Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Are You Excited?
There are now three days left until I leave for Philadelphia. It is three short days in the city of Brotherly Love where I will get my fill of Yellow Fever and Malaria Vaccines, and meet my fellow volunteers. Leaving Peoria, the Midwest, and the general American culture is rapidly becoming more of a reality; and while I become a bit nostalgic for all these things that I love and make my life comfortable, it is my family and friends that I try to cherish the most in these last several days. Aside from all the sentimental mush that holds a place in my mind, there has been a funny/awkward situation that has been repeating quite frequently within the past week. To be truthful this situation has been happening since mid - January, though it has really exploded within the last 12 days as I have been a man about town on the Peoria social scene.
The situation goes as follows:
I am sitting at the bar of one of Peoria's most exclusive 19 and up drinking establishments. As I fix my ascot and order another snifter of Grand Mariner, DJ Jonathan Fienstien drops track #5 from "Now That's What I Call Music #18" After a spell of popping and locking, I run into an old friend from High school that I have not seen for a while.(The period of time ranges anywhere from 1- 4 years.) I begin by making small talk but the problem with small talk is that it generally leads to questions about future plans/what are you doing now. I feel a little bashful in this situation because I know what is coming next. They ask me what I am doing after graduation and then, WHHAAAP! - The trap has been sprung, breaking their leg and pinning them into a conversation about .... me. While I can show flashes of arrogance (i.e - dedicating a blog to myself, and asking others to read it) I don't want to be the focal point of conversation for an extra ordinary amount of time. We all know people who know no other conversation topic than themselves, and let's face it - we talk about them behind their backs. In any regard, I try to end the conversation when they ask me, "Are you excited?" I certainly am, for many obvious reasons, but when you hear this question enough you try to think of funny/disappointing responses - tell me if this one works well:
" Whatever..... It's a job."
The situation goes as follows:
I am sitting at the bar of one of Peoria's most exclusive 19 and up drinking establishments. As I fix my ascot and order another snifter of Grand Mariner, DJ Jonathan Fienstien drops track #5 from "Now That's What I Call Music #18" After a spell of popping and locking, I run into an old friend from High school that I have not seen for a while.(The period of time ranges anywhere from 1- 4 years.) I begin by making small talk but the problem with small talk is that it generally leads to questions about future plans/what are you doing now. I feel a little bashful in this situation because I know what is coming next. They ask me what I am doing after graduation and then, WHHAAAP! - The trap has been sprung, breaking their leg and pinning them into a conversation about .... me. While I can show flashes of arrogance (i.e - dedicating a blog to myself, and asking others to read it) I don't want to be the focal point of conversation for an extra ordinary amount of time. We all know people who know no other conversation topic than themselves, and let's face it - we talk about them behind their backs. In any regard, I try to end the conversation when they ask me, "Are you excited?" I certainly am, for many obvious reasons, but when you hear this question enough you try to think of funny/disappointing responses - tell me if this one works well:
" Whatever..... It's a job."
