Friday Study Sesh

It's Friday at 3:30pm. Ground floor Corbett Center. It's slow, not that I expected anything more out of a Friday afternoon. Most everyone here is studying alone on their laptops. A couple of people are on the desktops. Almost everyone not having a conversation has their headphones in.

Some guy in a plaid shirt has been on the phone making multiple phone calls. He looks fairly frantic, darting eyes and big hand gestures. He’s too far away for me to hear, but I think I can safely assume they’re business calls.

A girl in a polka dot dress keeps looking at me. I think she’s doing her field observation as well. Awkward.

The other people around me include:

            Serious Student, who looks very intense about the paper she’s writing.

            Acid Wash Denim Shirt, who looks like she’s struggling with her stats

homework.

            The Bagel Workers, who are cleaning house.

            The Trio, 3 women deep in conversation.

And of course a constant trickle of people passing through.

Bagel Workers are having animated conversation, enjoying the fact that it’s almost quittin’ time, Serious Student is still working intently, and Acid Wash looks as though she has been defeated. Polka Dots has left me to observe the room on my own, but maybe I’ll see her again next week.

A new face enters the scene. He’s wearing a blue shirt. He ‘s trying to chat up some pretty girl, but doesn't seem to be having much luck.

Bagel workers have all left by now and Serious Student has switched to checking tumblr and her texts. There are only about 8 people left of the original 20(ish). Blue shirt gave it his all, but leaves unsuccessful. Someone at the ATM looks very frustrated, like the machine can’t go fast enough for her busy lifestyle, which I've noticed is how most people act towards the ATM.

One of the Trio looks as though she might cry, while the other two look sympathetic and as if they’re trying to offer her advice. Acid Wash has dived back into her statistics with new fervor, but Serious Student is still slacking.

Soon they will both get up and leave. But not before I do. I shall leave them to their studies for now, and hopefully see them again next week.

Enough With The T-Shirts

The gray storm clouds cover the sun. No one present objects to this coverage. Even so the humidity in the air is still enough to make a person run to an air conditioner. Chirping birds chatter about in the trees. On this dreary afternoon, only a handful of people socialize in this deserted place. Behind me, sitting on the tables outside the restaurant, are two twenty-something women, The Chatterbox and Chatterbox’s Friend. Most people present are wearing grey shirts including The Chatterbox. Another twenty-something woman, Phone Lady, is present but on the far opposite side of the place. Phone Lady is talking on her phone and appears to be relaxed on the bench. Her conversation cannot be heard. There are no gentlemen present.

In the far off distance, a clock tower tolls to tell the time that thirty minutes have past. The tolls silences The Chatterbox. The place is engulf in silence for a minute or two. After the moment of silence The Chatterbox continues her chatter.

A yellow shirt twenty-something gentleman casually walks across the place. On the left entrance enters Blue, a twenty-something wearing a blue shirt, and T-Shirt, a twenty-something women wearing a t-shirt. Blue and T-Shirt walk into the restaurant. The Chatterbox and Chatterbox’s Friend take no notice, too interested into their conversation. Phone Lady is still on comfortable as always on the bench, talking. Another phone talker enters the place. Mr. Red wears a red shirt and talks in a low whisper on the phone. He disappears into the one of the buildings surrounding the place. A white shirt & tie man, a professor no doubt, and his student enters. They talk inventively while walking into the same building Mr. Red disappeared into.

A black t-shirt twenty-something gentlemen walks along the building. Blue and T-Shirt leave the restaurant. They find a table outside the restaurant and begin talking. Mr. Black T-Shirt seems at ease while smoking a cigarette. A pair of polo wearing students run into Mr. Professor, a green shirt and tie older looking gentlemen. Red and Blue Polo Student appear very happy as they talk with Mr. Professor. It is concluded that they have not seen each other for quite some time.

The Middle Group, a group consisting of ten middle school students, approach the statue. More than half wearing matching grey t-shirts. The Middle Group squeezes around the statue for a picture. Afterward they take a break under the surrounding trees. The Middle Group looks tired. From bits and pieces heard, they have been on their feet for the whole day and the heat is wearing them down. Not everyone in the group is wore down. A couple of male students are energetic as they tease and joke with the other students.

Due to the Middle Group’s loud chatter, The Chatterbox and The Chatterbox’s Friend leave. Another set of middle school students arrive. These Students also pose with the statue. Unlike the Middle Group, These Students are not wearing the matching grey t-shirt. Only three students are wearing the grey t-shirt.