Jun 02 2007
Hanging Chad
Soap Opera Sunday, friends!
As I was trying to tackle this particular Soap Opera, it became clear that this one is just so many soap operas within a soap opera. Much too soapy to possibly fit into one post. So, I’m making it June’s Soap Opera—a series, of sorts, that will last the whole month. Unless it’s extremely unpopular, or if I get really bored with it. Plus, one day I may run out of Soap Operas! Then what would I do on Sundays? So I suppose it’s better to stretch it out, huh?
I was heading towards the laundry room in my apartment complex–not to do laundry, because that would have been totally out of character for me, but rather to buy candy. As I approached the laundry room, I could hear singing. Opera-impersonating singing. Not terrible, but certainly not professional. I thought there must be a hilarious gathering of people in the laundry room (not totally unheard of in these parts), but when I opened the door, there was just one person. One completely embarrassed person, singing while he was doing his laundry.
It didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous.
He laughed and introduced himself as “
He asked me what I was doing so late, so I explained that I had rented the movie “The Rocketeer” because some guys had told me that I looked EXACTLY like Jennifer Connelly in that movie, so I wanted to see what she looked like, since I hadn’t seen her in anything since Labyrinth. And now I was stopping by the laundry room to get some candy out of the vending machine, because who can watch a movie without chocolate?
“Well, I hope that you took it as a compliment—the Jennifer Connelly thing, I mean. As I recall, she was beautiful in that movie.”
“Well, I guess I’d better go see, then!” I headed out the door, but stopped to say, “Do you wanna come watch it with me?” (*gasp* Had I really just been that bold?)
“Uh, no.” He replied. “I’ve got this laundry… and it’s late.” (*gasp* Had I really just been brushed off?)
I reported this meeting to my roommates, all of whom knew who he was. And, awkwardly enough, they were all in love with him. And, by the way, Chad had been right. My roommates were exceptionally pretty women, so the competition would be fierce. Still, the guy was hot, and had that special, intangible something, so I wasn’t going to give up just yet.
The next time I saw him was at a college dance. He was dancing. With a group of guys. To Abba’s “Dancing Queen.” Hmmm, okay. I guess he was the gay one, then. Well, that was that. Still, I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. He looked my way and smiled a few times, but stuck with his group of friends.
Later that night, when I got home, my roommates had a bunch of people over. Okay, they had a bunch of GUYS over (we didn’t have very many female friends…) There were guys from the Italian, French, and Russian Houses. And yeah, Chad was there too. But I really didn’t talk to him. There were many attractive young men in the room and there was much flirting to be done. hahaha.
At one point in all the chaos of a tiny apartment filled with a million occupants, Chad grabbed my hand and pulled me outside.
“Okay, I know it’s last minute, but I was wondering if you would go out with me tomorrow night.”
I was a bit stunned, but readily accepted, hoping I wasn’t coming across as TOO eager…
So we went out. Apparently, he wasn’t gay. Just a lot of fun. (I think that the only truly fun guys I’d known up until that point were gay, so this was new for me.) He was an art major–oh, how I dug the starving artist thing! And starving he was. He drove a clunker that was older than I was. He was on full scholarship, fortunately, but could barely afford his next meal. Still, he had a well-stocked “date” fund. The boy knew his priorities.
He took me to dinner and then “disco skating” (random, but really fun…). He was funny, flirty, charming, and (did I mention?) gorgeous.
When he dropped me off that night, I wasn’t ready for the night to end. He walked me inside my apartment which had no lights on except for my roommate’s crazy green lava lamp, which was strangely romantic in the moment. I remember being certain that he was going to kiss me. I remember the way he looked into my eyes, and then slowly looked down at my lips, and then back to my eyes.
But he didn’t kiss me.
Instead, he said goodnight and left.
*We lived in BYU’s Foreign Language Housing, where you had to be proficient in both English and at least one other language. (Most of us were Americans who spoke foreign languages, but there were a handful of foreigners who spoke English plus their native language.) Inside your respective “House” you could not speak anything but your assigned language. In return, you got school credit and great language training, plus the “prestige” of living there, as the application process was brutal, and only a few were selected. It was a fun place to live, despite it being excrutiatingly demanding, because you knew that the people you met would likely be cultural, intelligent, and interesting. Though, of course SOME of us weren’t. hahaha.
pretty AND fluent in Italian?
Li odio molto!
(I am the jealous type.
)
My husband has a big crush on Jennifer Connelly. I can understand. She’s quite lovely.
I can’t wait to hear the ‘rest of the story’.
You have indeed left us hanging…
well chad was a big tease eh?
Does your husband read this blog?!
Ahhhh, college dating. Don’t I ever not miss that. lol
Alright, I’m hooked!
Must. Know. More.
“Apparently, he wasn’t gay. Just a lot of fun.”
ha ha ha.
Ooh…The Brillig Mini-Series!
Should I warn you about “ending anxiety?” Nah…you’ll figure it out.
But you see, THAT is why I never asked guys out. Even pretty girls get turned down and my fragile ego couldn’t have handled it.
Can’t wait for the next piece!
u do this every sunday???
interesting… ok, now I’m waiting on the next installment. hehe
I’m apparently a BIG idiot. Do you live in Utah? Boy am I going to feel like a moron if you live in Utah. How did I miss that? *laughs* I’m going to have to reevaluate my skill set, I think “attention to detail” may have to come off. *shake head and mutters something about age*
Beautiful and a linguist, I knew it! Very fun post.
I don’t know whether to give into the enthralled feeling, or the writhing feelings of envy because you’ve had such a more interesting life than I have. =P
Ooh, I can’t wait for next Sunday! You’re such a great storyteller.
And, eerie. I dated a guy named Chad when I lived in BYU’s French House. But I’m 12 years older than you, and my gorgeous, flirty Chad was a philosophy major who rode a cream-colored Harley. Maybe I should start my own Soap Opera Sunday….
How can you leave us hanging like that????
By the way, that’s a great concept for foreign language training.
You know I’m already wincing and preparing myself for the blow right? HAHA. I love this story and I’m so excited for Soap Opera June!
No, not you too. Look what that darn Butfrly started.
Ok,if Chad ends up coming out later than our lives have some eerie parallels. I was “dating” Scott but each time we’d go out the evening never ended in a kiss. When I finally got up the nerve to ask him why thats when he came out to me.
Can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
I am loving the sunday soaps! How apropos on the final day of Pride, heehee.
I wanna know about the hot guy! It’s going to be excruciating having to wait allll month to hear the whole story. How could you do this to us??
Non vedo l’ora di leggere la prossima puntata!
(Sorry, just couldn’t resist!
)
Rebecca,
Hahahaha. I hate you too, hon. But just so we’re all clear, “fluent” is a HUGE overstatement, as is “pretty.”
Jenn IH,
Uh, yeah. I should have clarified that upon seeing the movie, I learned that I actually look NOTHING like her, except that we both have dark hair. hahaha.
Ba Doozie,
Indeed, among other things…
Jennifer,
hahaha. I don’t know that he “reads” it, but he has the link. I’d never put anything up here that I didn’t want him to see… so never fear! hahaha
Paige,
Yeah, the only good thing about college dating is writing about it on your blog ten years later.
Jennifer Playgroupie,
Haha. Thanks!
Super Des,
Glad you enjoyed that… Seriously, though. It seemed like anyone who was fun and uninhibited and interesting was gay!
Butrfly,
Ya know, I really should have put up a HUGE disclaimer, announcing that while it is series-esque, it will in no way be as interesting, terrifying, fascinating, or addicting as your Punjabi series!!!! Mine is just because I can’t fit it all into one week, not because it’s worth dragging out!
Shaz,
Yep. Every Sunday I open up my embarrassing past and write true “soap operas” from my life, all of which are embarrassing and ridiculous…
viciousrumors,
Hahaha. I am indeed in Utah. It’s a fact that would be easy to miss, since I don’t exactly fit the Utah mold. But yeah, we’re neighbors!
Lady MacLeod,
Again, “beautiful” is quite the overstatement, but linguist fits, I guess… sorta. I “speak” four languages and I’ve studied well over ten, but the only ones I’m particularly good at right now are English and Spanish…
Kimberly,
Hahaha, you’re so funny. Well, Chad definitely made my life “interesting” but not in ways that should make you at ALL jealous! Haha.
Luisa,
Holy Crap! That IS eery! How funny! And my sister lived in the French House right around the time you would have! Did you know a feisty red-headed Jenny who took herself way too seriously and had all sorts of anger issues?
Lawyer Momma,
Well, it WOULD be good language training if I’d ever bothered to actually keep any of the rules…
Kateastrophe,
Yeah, you oughtta brace yourself. You know I have to tell that part of the story where you figure in so prominently… You also know that I love you, right?
Worker Mommy,
hahahahaha. Wow, Scott sounds like a real catch! Yikes! And about the Butrfly thing, refer back to my response to her comment. It was never intended to be terrifying, fascinating, gut-wrenching the way hers is! I just couldn’t fit all the drama into one week’s post.
Nanette,
Hahaha. Glad you’re enjoying the soaps. And yeah, wasn’t it nice of Pride to schedule things around my blog post?
Jessabean,
Well, it’s because I want to torture you…
MoodswingingMommy,
Glad you’re looking forward to it! And you, my dear, actually DESERVE the title of linguist, whereas I’m just a wannabe.
Are we comparing now? No. I love your story. Just because it doesn’t make you out to look like a who-ray, doesn’t mean it’s not worth dragging out!
hahaha!
No, I don’t remember a Jenny, but that’s not surprising, since I was too boy crazy to be focused on many females at that point. But, other than the red hair, she sounds like my doppelganger.
I forgot to praise you for the brilliance of the title of this post!
Personally, I think you should give an award to anyone that can tell you what a “hanging chad” is without looking it up first. *grins*
Oooooo…I can’t wait to read what happens next! I’m at the edge of my seat!