6 minutes
Friends,
It’s been a week of surprises. A week of firsts. A week of blog material.
I took Wednesday off to accompany my son on a ‘class field trip.’ Now, he is in college in the Running Start Program, and this ‘field trip’ was a mandatory assignment for the class. The teacher did have a van to shuttle people the 35 miles to Western Washington University, but my kid wasn’t comfortable with spending an hour with four adult females in a van.
I don’t blame him. With society the way it is today and social media arguing that men are more dangerous than wild bears- it was just easier to keep him away from a potentially bad experience.
And this way I got a day off and a couple of hours to hang out with my kid.
We arrived early, as we are known to do, and got to walk the college campus and explore before his class started. Beautiful campus. Lots of kids. Great library.
A few things I learned in my three hours
Cash is bad
Cash is no longer a viable currency. It’s dirty, a direct reflection of the corruption of American society. Used only by the insanely rich to show off their endless wealth.
Shit. I didn’t know that. I thought the wealthy had a Black card with no limit. Apparently, the creased $20.00 at the bottom of my purse proves that I’m on the path to a whole new world of the rich and famous.
I’ve been wearing my jeans wrong
The appropriate length of pants is now mid-calf. We do live in the PNW, where rain is a staple weather and puddles are used as mirrors, but I didn’t know we had to transition into a new fashion. I thought we were still wearing rainboots and sweatshirts, a comfortable look that I very much enjoy.
I only bring this up because with the ‘high water’ has come a revival of colorful socks. I’m not upset by this. I have always been drawn to outrageous socks. They were a way to exert my independence when I wore a military uniform. As long as I didn’t have to take off my boots, please know I was wearing mismatched socks of all different colors and pictures.
This brings us to the shoes. Sandles with socks! Even when wearing flip-flops. It seems counterproductive to me, but who am I to argue with fashion?
Real coffee out. Dirty Chi’s in
15 different flavors of Dirty Chi’s to be exact. I honestly thought Chi was a flavor. A drink all to itself. I was wrong. Along with the wrong jean length, apparently, I don’t know how to drink my coffee.
I asked for a medium-drip coffee with room for cream and sugar.
They looked at me like I was an executioner. Posed to lop off the head of their viewpoint of the world through the rose color lens of true intellects.
I ended up ordering the Dirty Chi. And then she asked me how many shots of expresso I wanted in it. Three or Four? Dear god, friend, even for me, that is a lot. But I was panicking. I already attempted to hand her cash and was cowering under her disapproving glare, so I said four.
Two days later, I’m still paying for that moment of indecision.
It gets better… there’s a courtyard.
Vampires
While my son was touring with his classmates, I wandered down to the courtyard to engage in my favorite pastime- people-watching. Posed with a notebook, my mother’s favorite pen she doesn’t know I stole, and plenty of time… I found a bench and observed.
My favorite group was the clan of vampires. Dressed in all black and with enough silver to take down a pack of werewolves, they headed to class as a small army of death. The military would have been proud. They stayed in step, their feet never more than a few inches off the ground as they floated across the college campus.
It was impressive. I kind of wanted to follow.
The Dance Team
The amazing dance team came in a close second to the vampires. Now this team had energy. A LOT of energy. Here’s the kicker… they were not a normal dance team.
Nope. They didn’t believe in choreographing their movements. That would stifle their individuality. Instead, it was a group of like-minded people who allowed the music to talk to them, and their bodies would follow.
Particularly entertaining while they played Eminem’s ‘Superman’ song. Everything from gymnastics to interpretive dance to yoga made this team something to watch.
Actually, I had no idea who to watch. It was a kaleidoscope of movement and random grunts and cries. I walked away when vertigo threatened me with a nasty headache, and my stomach got queasy. It might have been the four shots of espresso, but better safe than sorry.
And finally, the unnamed group
I almost hesitated to mention them because I didn’t know who they were. But they had a table, and I spent some time watching, so I would be dishonest if I ignored their moment in the limelight of college campus life.
They were serving hot cocoa and celery to anyone who would sign their petition. What was the petition for? I don’t know for sure. I never got close enough. They were next to the dance team, and I was afraid I would get in the way.
But from what I understand, it had something to do with the cost of college. Or maybe the lack of representation? Or maybe it had to do with bathrooms. I don’t really know, I couldn’t read their banner because the wind kept blowing it. But there was a music symbol! I did see that. Or it was a happy face.
I might have forgotten to mention it, but they had hot cocoa and celery. Seems like an odd combination, but perhaps that’s the whole idea. To break free from conventional thinking and embrace new possibilities?
Obviously, they managed to catch my attention.
Conclusion of the day
The experience left a lasting impression on my child and me, sparking discussions about college campus life and its pros and cons. As he prepares to enter the world of higher education, we contemplate what experiences he hopes to have, his understanding of meaningful conversations, and the potential financial advantages of attending a four-year.
We headed to Olive Garden to discuss the pros and cons of Socialism, whether there ever could be a time it would work, and how it has failed repeatedly.
Great way to end a day with my kid.
I wonder if we will go back. If we do, I want to find the vampire club. I have questions.
Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.
If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. A historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman who must choose between accepting what is written in history books or seeking out the truth behind the tales. Limited edition copies are now available on my website
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