College is a strange place.
The population is so much broader and diverse than what I was previously accustomed to.
No one really cares what you do or look like, and no one takes note of any of this. People simply pass you by, taking no note of your existence.
This makes people watching considerably easier.
With my first year of college coming to an end, I have noticed several intriguing “characters” around campus.
The first, and most prevalent, of which are the celebrity look-alikes. Sitting in the cafeteria on several occasions, I have spotted Al Roker, that guy from “Numbers,” and Tarzan. In this list, I am careful not to include the one Britney Spears sighting on Halloween. That turned out to be a guy dressed in a skimpy Catholic school girl uniform.
As if that wasn’t traumatizing enough to become a reclusive hermit, living in the hills adjacent to campus, this does not come close to culminating my observations.
Aside from the alleged scholarship scammers, there are many types of people that appear more frequently than the celebrities and can all be seen by simply walking across campus towards the cafeteria.
For example, the guitar players that sit across from the Technology building confuse me. I sometimes wonder if I am supposed to throw money in their cases. They aren’t bad, but as of now, not one of them is the next Eric Clapton. Someday, when I am feeling ironic, I just might climb the stairs of the building and shout from the second story, “Freebird!” and see if any of them actually play it for me. (Yes, I know Clapton had nothing to do with Freebird, don’t email me.)
Across the quad and the outdoor stage, I’ve often spotted the elusive hippie, clad in tie-dye shirt, vest, and torn bell-bottom jeans and complete with a headband. I don’t really have much to say about them. Someday, I hope to talk to one, absorb their good vibes, and learn all about peace and love.
Today, outside the library, I was approached by an individual by the name of Tony. He walked up to me, introduced himself, and explained that he “walks around campus and talks to people about God.” He made pleasant conversation, even though I didn’t have much of an opinion. It was, however, out of the ordinary for a stranger to initiate conversation with me, yet even still, I give props to Tony for breaking the aggregate that so often is college life.
Quite possibly on the opposite side of the spectrum, I once had a close encounter with what seemed to be a real-life vampire (in the flesh?). The fact that it was broad daylight should have been a clear indicator that this, in fact, was not a supernatural being. Nevertheless, I pulled out the garlic necklace and wooden stake that I carry around with me everywhere I go. Just in case.
Completing my cross-campus journey, I arrived in the student center where I hoped to buy a soda from the vending room. This room is divided into two sides. The left side sells drinks and food items. The right side displays several aging arcade games, and on any given day, attracts a frenzy of nerds in their natural habitat. On one occasion, I even happened upon a Magic card tournament of some sorts. I had thought those went out of existence after Y2K.
Jim Morrison was right after all.
“People are strange, when you’re a stranger.”
So be friendly to people and try and take their point of view. They may not seem so strange after all.
