An evening with Ben

No this isn't a really uber sappy romantic blog. Just to let you know how it went with Ben and I. We didn't go out yesterday for coffee afterall. He had to go to a meeting and then work on a drafting assignment. It's kewl though. He did call me twice, apologized, and made sure I was doing alright.

Today I ran into him between one of my classes and a meeting and we just had a moment to say hi. Then I saw him in Lab. He asked if it would be possible for him to take me out tonight after Lab and I was so stressed and in the middle or working I said probably not. But.. I actually got all my work done and had a good start that we were able to go out.

Unfortunately, he had such a horrible time in Lab with the industrial machine and some other stuff was on his mind so by the end of lab he was in a pretty unhappy mood. I kind of noticed because usually in lab he's more chipper and loud. But tonight he was extremely quiet and reclusive. Needless to say at first he wasn't in the best of moods.. but invited me to have dinner with him nonetheless. It took him a while to get out of his funk but soon we were outside eating ice cream and having a good time talking.

We talked for quite some time and lost track of time in fact. I don't really know if he's interested, or just wants to be friends. I'm assuming at least friends because he does make an effort, he calls, and seems to enjoy my company. But he hasn't given me any signals really whether or not, like I said, he's interested. I mean sure there are a couple times he's mentioned that I was cute. For example, the other night when we were driving Lori home, he made mention that he knew me because I was in his lab, otherwise we'd never have met. But I contradicted him in saying that I'd seen him at Orientation and in the halls and I'm sure eventually we'd meet. He thought it was sweet that I'd noticed him from the beginning and said that I was hard to miss as well, but not in a bad way. So I guess that's a compliment. Tonight he kept noting how straight my back was and what great posture I had. I guess that's good too. I must insert a Kudos here for Mom and Dad.. thank you for teaching me good hygiene, manners, etiquette, and posture!

I'm trying very hard to take this slow. But everytime I'm near him my heart skips a beat, I get all giggly, butterflies flutter uncontrollably in my stomach, and I just swoon. He's so good looking, he's funny, and he's very interesting. Le sigh... I mean, I think it's a good policy to find out more about a person and more about their personality before you continue the relationship (be it friend or romantic). So far, I like Ben and I'm not ashamed to admit. It confuses me a bit but I'd really like to get to know him more. I really would. So.. I'll just take it one day at a time and see where it'll go.

The Lighting UnderGrad

So a couple weeks ago we had our Departmental meeting, orientations, and safety seminars. Now.. there were a lot of meetings and two days filled learning about safety at the Krannert Center. Boring you say?... yeah kind of for the most part. Some of it was interesting and some of it was funny. But the icing on the cake was the Uber Cute Transfer undergrad lighting student. I remember first spotting him at the Tech. Theatre Orientation meeting. I just remember thinking.. "oh!... he's a cutie" (and he is one of the few in my department). Of course being the way I am, when I see a cute boy and am stuck in a room for longer than 5 minutes, I can't help but visually appreciate him through out the duration of my or his being there.

Nevertheless.. I saw him repeatidly throughout the following Safety Sessions and a couple of the social functions. I didn't know his name, I just new he was adorable and I wanted oh so badly to meet him. One Thursday afternoon we were having our 'weekly' shop meeting and I came waltzing over to the table where we all meet and lo and behold, he's there. I got all giggly and smiley and wondered.. "what is the lighting guy doing at the costume shop meeting?" Apparently he was supposed to be there for Lab and didn't know he didn't have to attend this week. However, this did mean that he would be in Costume Lab and that was a guaranteed I'd see him and possibly work with him at least one day a week throughout the semester. hehehe! JOY!

The first night he was in lab was interesting. Kelly, the 3rd year Grad who is teaching the class didn't need my help so I worked on feathers. I sat in my little corner with fellow 1st year Grad, Pam, and we chatted, stitched, and I watched the undergrads and of course, the Lighting Guy. I was in for a shock. He was quite loud, some what obnoxious, funny, and farely in your face. This of course excited me because.. well.. I'm not any of those things. Well I can be funny.. but not often. So I got to look at him for a couple hours, listen to him talk, and just drink in his presence for a bit.
Well, last night at Lab I showed up to work early as usual because I'm uber punctual and crazy like that. But!... it's a good thing I did. The lighting guy like the time before showed up early. He walked in and my heart skipped a beat, I got flushed, and butterflies flew in droves through my inerds. He then proceeded to walk right up to me and say hi. I, of course, returned the greeting and was about to turn back to my stitching when I seized the day. I asked him his name and introduced myself. He then took hold of the opportunity, planted himself on the stool next to me, and we had a nice 10-15 minute conversation.

We talked about Hot Topic and why he hated it. We talked about Goths and Punks and such. We discussed where we were from and how I had moved from Dallas to Urbana (definately quite the drastic change). Again, I carpe diemed and blurted, "Do you dance?" To my surprise he replied, "Who doesn't?!" I told him about the HighDive and he seemed interested in going. Before he got up to go attend lab as it was time for lab to start, he made mention that he'd have to get my number.

So for the rest of lab, which is 3 hours by the way, i floated on a cloud, worked on a crazy apron, and talked with Pam. After lab while I was cleaning up and after having just put my stuff away, I walked out into the stitching room and he was standing there waiting for me. He asked when HighDive took place and I told him on Tuesdays. Quickly he connected that it was in fact Tuesday and with an evil grin on his face, I asked if he wanted to go. I tried giving him directions but it was easier for me just to pick him up. He drew me a map, I gave him my number and he gave me his. With only an hour to get ready.. I flew home.

So I've never ever in my lifetime gotten ready for something so quickly. I arrived hom 5 minutes before 9, jumped in the shower, shaved, picked out an outfit, did my hair, put on my make-up, dressed, and was ready to leave by 9:30. I was impressed with myself. My heart was going a mile a minute and my knees were weak, but I was just so excited to be going out with a cute guy for one.

I picked him up and we headed out to the HighDive. We met up with my friends Lori to let her know we were there since I was going to give her a ride home later that evening. Once inside, we spotted Rose and her friend Tracey and we stopped and shmoozed for a while. But I didn't want Ben, oh yeah I forgot to mention, his name is Ben. hehehe. Anyways.. I didn't want Ben to be bored so I plucked him up and we headed out to the dance floor. At first I felt a little akward dancing to Techno because I haven't dance to Techno in a while, I'm used to dancing to Industrial. But after a song or two I got into the groove and Ben and I tore up the dance floor. We danced quite a bit. It was nice to have someone to dance with, er.. next to, who not only was a decent dancer, but could keep up with me.

Between spurts of dancing we'd sit and talk.He bought me a drink and we talked a lot about why I don't like people and why I don't like talking to people. He explained a lot of his theories to me and how he's an artist and how he evaluates people. It was a really interesting conversation. It's funny, he did most of the talking but I didn't mind, I wanted to know as much as possible about him.

Once it got to be about midnight, I dragged Lori from the club and the three of us left. In the car Lori questioned Ben, being quite the motherly figure. I dropped her off first and then drove Ben home. But he didn't seem to want to get out. He kept talking to me andasking me questions. It was nice to have someone who doesn't mind spending time with you. I felt special. We didn't really flirt, I think I did most of the flirting. So I'm not sure where he stands on that. I do have to keep telling myself to slow down. I don't want to scare him away or at the very least, ruin what could be a wonderful friendship. But we talked.. alot. He invited me in but as we couldn't find a parking spot and we both had to get up early for class/work, we decided to call it a night, but... we'd get together the next day (today) for coffee (but tea for me) and continue our conversation.
I had a wonderful time. I haven't felt this great in a while. I mean, I know that when I see him later today I'm not going to be fickle, change my mind, and decide I don't like him anymore. I know what he looks like in the dark, with flashing dance lights, and in full sunlight. I'm very excited about Ben.. we'll just have to see how it goes.

I'll let you know how it goes this afternoon.

Bristol Renaissance Festival

Good Morn me Lords and Ladies. Welcome to me blog once again! Yesterday me friend and I traveled up to Wisconsin to visit a Renaissance Festival and oh what a time was had. The drive took only about three hours which didn't seem that long as we rocked out to Assemblage, VNV, Apop, the D, and other great bands.

Bristol was very much like Scarborough, except, it wasn't nearly as hot! lol. We had quite a good time. We saw many a show, watched a wonderous Parade, purused many shops, feasted upon scrumptious Turkey Legs and Meade, and battled each other to test our chivalric ability. It was quite an experience as usual and uber fun.

I spoke with a lady who sells masks and discussed some of their ideas and how other artisans crafted their masks. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. The lady even said that If I sent samples or pics to the owner of the shop, I may even be able to sell my wares next year. How exciting! I better get cracking and making more masks!

I had a really good time and glad that I decided to go. It was well worth the time, effort, and money. They always are. God save the Queen!