Today's people-watching session brought to you by the letters 'O M G'!!

Today, I completed my first week of school.  This is kinda fun.  The bulk of my classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I only have one class on Friday mornings.  I dropped Em off at school and headed to the campus to just relax in the cafeteria before class started.  I had my Starbucks and decided to check out the food choices offered by the school.  Turns out, it's best to eat before I leave the house, I'm afraid.  Anyway, as I sat at one of the tables in the dining area, I began to look around and take it all in.  Until now, it has felt somewhat rushed as I scramble from one class to the next, making sure I am not late and trying to figure out the best way to lug all those books around.  This is the first opportunity I've had to observe my surroundings and watch the other students in their various groups scattered around the cafeteria.

I chose a table near the coffee shop, where I had a pretty good view of most of the tables in the dining area.  Just then, I noticed a young man walk by me and head toward a gal who was waiting for him at a small table about 30 feet from me.  What drew my attention was the jingling I heard from the chain attached to his belt that disappeared into his pocket, where I'm sure it was attached to his wallet.  Really?!?  You haven't read the "You Might Be A Redneck If..." on this particular fashion statement, Sir?  What was even more amusing was that he had on a leather vest with more chains, a tattoo crawling up his neck, and a leather skull-cap.  The pants were a little tight and he was sporting a full beard, so he sort of looked "biker" on top, "skinny jeans" on the bottom.  Odd combination.  When he took off his jacket, I noticed that the jeans were so tight, he had "back butt" showing just above the studded belt that cinched his jeans so tight.  I could see this was only going to get worse if he sat down.  It did.  He didn't seem to notice or be bothered by it at all.  Sadly, this is not an uncommon sight among girls, but for biker boy? Not a good look.

As I watched people around me, I noticed that each table attracted a certain type of student.  There was a table of five or six boys playing a card game that looked a lot like Pokemon or "Dungeons & Dragons".  The cards were all laminated and the boys looked like the cast of "Big Bang Theory".  At another table were ten or fifteen kids who all had weird hair - dread-locked, ultra-spiked, or dyed various shades of blue, purple, green and orange.  Most of them had layers of bulky clothing or long coats on...very "earthy" looking.  Next to them was a table of kids who all had so many piercings that I'm sure I heard a faint whistling coming from their general direction.  Scattered throughout the room, I noticed older people - more my age - sitting at tables alone, faces buried in textbooks.

People-watching fascinates me.  Even in my classes, a few students have stood out.  Yesterday, in my Accounting class, the man next to me was falling asleep.  I say "man" because he looked to be in his early 30's. Most of the students are "just kids".  You know, 'cause I'm old and I can call them that.  Anyway, this man had longer hair than me, nearly down to his waist; he had a full beard that touched his chest; he was overdressed for the class with a heavy jacket and a sweatshirt underneath that.  The classroom was far too warm for that much insulation and the sun was shining outside.  No wonder he fell asleep.  He bobbed and jerked his head up and down for about a half hour and then gave in and was fully asleep, his head nearly touching the desk.  And in the front row, no less!

My computer class is chock full of interesting people.  We have 'Barbie', Gigantor the she-man, the Potty Mouth, the Slacker, the "what-did-he-say?" guy, and the loud mouth.  Barbie has long, black, curly hair that she is constantly flipping from one side to the other....constantly.  Gigantor the she-man is an interesting character.  I'm actually not sure if he/she is a man or a woman.  He looks like a large woman.....sometimes....but then speaks with a very low voice that can only be male.....I think.  Reminds me of the Arnold Schwarzenegger character on Total Recall when he disguised himself as 'woman' to get through security unnoticed.  Last, we have the Potty Mouth.  She is a tiny little lady about my age who laughs nervously every time she says the "F" word.  Which she says a lot.

The Slacker is never on time, never brings his books to class, and always asks questions that the instructor JUST answered and outlined VERY clearly.  I don't think he made it past the 6th grade, really.  Then there's the "what-did-he-say?" guy.  He just looks lost.  Every time the instructor pauses, he asks, "What did he say?"  or "What page is that on?"  Every time.  Last but not least is the loud mouth.  This is the girl who learned everyone's name on the first day and loudly greets us by name as we file into the room.  "HI BILL!! HI HEIDI!! HI JAMES!! HI STEFANI!"  And then sits there giggling through the entire class as she attempts to entertain Bill, Heidi and James.

I really am learning.  Truly.  I simply cannot resist sharing these observations with you.....the world through an old lady's eyes!