Friends
Okay, its time for another brief glimpse into the world of me...
Now that classes are over, things are still incredibly busy! I spent this evening with the Alumni Association Board for the College of Engineering. Lots of interesting things were discussed, and I got to meet up with some people I hadn't seen in a while (its amazing how much networking I've done...it seems like everywhere I go I know someone!).
Anyway, Sr. Design is ramping up, and we're looking pretty good for our January 5th phase 1 prototype. For those who haven't heard what we're doing, check out harnessthegrid.com for more info. It hasn't been updated in a while, but there's at least some information there. If you want more info that we haven't made public on the site yet, just ask!
And now for the stuff that I find the most interesting. As is no surprise to some, there's this girl. (How many stories have started out that way?) We met some time ago, but I noticed her long before we actually became friends - when she first came into a tribunal exec meeting. She caught my attention and never let it go. Then, some time later, she got talked into being part of a date auction, and I decided to take a chance. And with my Charlie Brown luck, I took the chance, but not my checkbook....Needless to say, I didn't win the auction, but I got a hug, and had the courage to ask her out!
We went out a few times, and had a good time - as nervous as I was, I'm surprised I didn't pass out and have a good time at the hospital. But she told me she wasn't interested in a dating relationship. She asked if I was mad, and I said "No, disappointed, but not mad." I drove back up to campus, and ran into some friends, and hung out with them for a while. All I can remember is one moment during the "dinner" (which consisted of water and sorbet) when all that was going through my mind was "WOW" and that I had found this amazing girl who made me feel like I never had before. So, disappointed doesn't fully describe what I was feeling.
So, I went on with life, and we still talked and such at school - but nothing much outside of that - I needed some time to stand back up after falling for her. The only problem is, I never made it. Oh sure, I made it seem like I was cool with just being friends, but when a person lights up a room when they walk in, and can ALWAYS bring a smile to your face, just friends is hard to deal with. So I was determined to make this friendship as close as I could.
I don't know exactly how or when it started, but over the summer we ended up spending a lot of time together just talking during the day. Not much outside of that, but I so looked forward to every moment I got with her, and I started looking for reasons to talk to her about something, just so we could get off-topic and spend an hour or so talking. And then, somewhere along the line, we started doing things outside of just talking at school - going different places, spending time doing similar activities, and just getting closer.
And then I experienced one of the worst feelings I can remember - watching her go out with another guy. I don't know if it was anything, or what it was, but I didn't like it at all. It was like the life just drained out of me, my happy-go-lucky attitude turned glum and dark. So for a few days, I avoided contact (not too hard since she was on coop) and I found that I didn't like that either.
So I started looking for reasons to call her, trying to find something we could do together, and just anything to see if she was interested in me. All of a sudden, things seemed to be falling into place - we'd spend 30 minutes on the phone talking about things, or hang out for a little while. Then we'd spend lots of time on the phone, invite each other to things we normally do alone or with other groups of people, enjoy being with each other, and never run out of things to say.
Now, this brings us up to tonight, and by now, I need to let her know how I feel - hoping and praying with everything in me that she feels at least some of the same things I do. For what seemed like forever (probably a month in reality) I tried to find the right time, the right place, and the right words to say. Most of all, I don't want to ruin the friendship that we've developed. So, after the meeting I mentioned way up there at the beginning of the post, as I'm driving her back to her house, I take some deep breaths - there are some awkward moments of silence in the car, and....she starts talking about something else. I don't even remember what - all I was thinking was how to get the conversation onto what I needed to say. Luckily, it was short (whatever it was about), and before she could get out of the car, I let me know that I needed to tell her something.
As with most stories (and continuing with a little bit of my Charlie Brown luck - which, I just realized I wore my Snoopy boxers today, so it only makes sense that my luck would run this way) - there is good news, and bad news. The bad news is that all of the planning of the right words to say, yeah, right out the window. And, she isn't interested in a dating relationship yet - just friends for now. The good news: there are some mutual feelings there, enjoying spending time together, lots of similar interests, and a willingness to do anything for the other person - no questions asked.
So for now, I don't think I can ask for anything more! I can spend time with someone who I love spending time with, and continue to build this awesome friendship. I honestly didn't think I would take it this well, but I've had a smile on my face since I started the conversation I was nervous about all evening! I walked her to her door, and got a hug goodnight, and I was on cloud nine. The only thing that would have made it better is if she wanted to go into a dating relationship, which, would have been cloud 30 or 40....if those exist.
This has been a really long post, and thanks for making it this far. I've never felt better about not being in a dating relationship with someone I care for very deeply, and I really don't have any words to describe how I feel right now other than the "WOW" that I had from our second date. Its incredible. So, Em, if you're reading things - you're amazing, and I look forward to whatever is to come!
And that's the way it is...
Now that classes are over, things are still incredibly busy! I spent this evening with the Alumni Association Board for the College of Engineering. Lots of interesting things were discussed, and I got to meet up with some people I hadn't seen in a while (its amazing how much networking I've done...it seems like everywhere I go I know someone!).
Anyway, Sr. Design is ramping up, and we're looking pretty good for our January 5th phase 1 prototype. For those who haven't heard what we're doing, check out harnessthegrid.com for more info. It hasn't been updated in a while, but there's at least some information there. If you want more info that we haven't made public on the site yet, just ask!
And now for the stuff that I find the most interesting. As is no surprise to some, there's this girl. (How many stories have started out that way?) We met some time ago, but I noticed her long before we actually became friends - when she first came into a tribunal exec meeting. She caught my attention and never let it go. Then, some time later, she got talked into being part of a date auction, and I decided to take a chance. And with my Charlie Brown luck, I took the chance, but not my checkbook....Needless to say, I didn't win the auction, but I got a hug, and had the courage to ask her out!
We went out a few times, and had a good time - as nervous as I was, I'm surprised I didn't pass out and have a good time at the hospital. But she told me she wasn't interested in a dating relationship. She asked if I was mad, and I said "No, disappointed, but not mad." I drove back up to campus, and ran into some friends, and hung out with them for a while. All I can remember is one moment during the "dinner" (which consisted of water and sorbet) when all that was going through my mind was "WOW" and that I had found this amazing girl who made me feel like I never had before. So, disappointed doesn't fully describe what I was feeling.
So, I went on with life, and we still talked and such at school - but nothing much outside of that - I needed some time to stand back up after falling for her. The only problem is, I never made it. Oh sure, I made it seem like I was cool with just being friends, but when a person lights up a room when they walk in, and can ALWAYS bring a smile to your face, just friends is hard to deal with. So I was determined to make this friendship as close as I could.
I don't know exactly how or when it started, but over the summer we ended up spending a lot of time together just talking during the day. Not much outside of that, but I so looked forward to every moment I got with her, and I started looking for reasons to talk to her about something, just so we could get off-topic and spend an hour or so talking. And then, somewhere along the line, we started doing things outside of just talking at school - going different places, spending time doing similar activities, and just getting closer.
And then I experienced one of the worst feelings I can remember - watching her go out with another guy. I don't know if it was anything, or what it was, but I didn't like it at all. It was like the life just drained out of me, my happy-go-lucky attitude turned glum and dark. So for a few days, I avoided contact (not too hard since she was on coop) and I found that I didn't like that either.
So I started looking for reasons to call her, trying to find something we could do together, and just anything to see if she was interested in me. All of a sudden, things seemed to be falling into place - we'd spend 30 minutes on the phone talking about things, or hang out for a little while. Then we'd spend lots of time on the phone, invite each other to things we normally do alone or with other groups of people, enjoy being with each other, and never run out of things to say.
Now, this brings us up to tonight, and by now, I need to let her know how I feel - hoping and praying with everything in me that she feels at least some of the same things I do. For what seemed like forever (probably a month in reality) I tried to find the right time, the right place, and the right words to say. Most of all, I don't want to ruin the friendship that we've developed. So, after the meeting I mentioned way up there at the beginning of the post, as I'm driving her back to her house, I take some deep breaths - there are some awkward moments of silence in the car, and....she starts talking about something else. I don't even remember what - all I was thinking was how to get the conversation onto what I needed to say. Luckily, it was short (whatever it was about), and before she could get out of the car, I let me know that I needed to tell her something.
As with most stories (and continuing with a little bit of my Charlie Brown luck - which, I just realized I wore my Snoopy boxers today, so it only makes sense that my luck would run this way) - there is good news, and bad news. The bad news is that all of the planning of the right words to say, yeah, right out the window. And, she isn't interested in a dating relationship yet - just friends for now. The good news: there are some mutual feelings there, enjoying spending time together, lots of similar interests, and a willingness to do anything for the other person - no questions asked.
So for now, I don't think I can ask for anything more! I can spend time with someone who I love spending time with, and continue to build this awesome friendship. I honestly didn't think I would take it this well, but I've had a smile on my face since I started the conversation I was nervous about all evening! I walked her to her door, and got a hug goodnight, and I was on cloud nine. The only thing that would have made it better is if she wanted to go into a dating relationship, which, would have been cloud 30 or 40....if those exist.
This has been a really long post, and thanks for making it this far. I've never felt better about not being in a dating relationship with someone I care for very deeply, and I really don't have any words to describe how I feel right now other than the "WOW" that I had from our second date. Its incredible. So, Em, if you're reading things - you're amazing, and I look forward to whatever is to come!
And that's the way it is...