WatPub
Amy and Adam
Originally uploaded by sfllaw.
Because Waterloo students are often out in far corners of the world when they are on work-terms, there are efforts to get them to meet. These culminate in social gatherings called WatPubs, which are an excuse to get together and talk. In fact, years ago, apenwarr organised some of the Montréal gatherings.
Anyway, on Thursday, holdenk swung by my desk late after work and invited me to the Markham meeting. "What time does it start," I asked. "At about seven," came the reply. So we were already ten minutes late. But it was fine to be tardy because Holden is one of the organisers.
I drove into Unionville, which seems to have turned itself into a tourist town. When a municipality's website has a big Valentine's Day heart on the front page, you know they're up to something. We found the bar at which to meet.
Inside, we looked around until we found a large group of young, geeky people sitting in a corner. "Aha," I thought, "that must be them." And I was right! Nothing says University of Waterloo like a bunch of dorky boys talking about computers. I sat down beside Tim, Graham, and John and introduced myself.
When they got around to asking what year I was in, I had to admit that I was an imposter. That caused a small ruckus around the table, and Amy declared that I had to leave. But I eventually convinced them that I wasn't so bad and that I should stay. After a bit of conversation, I started moving around the table in order to converse with everyone. This seemed to strike the girls as a good idea, so we all eventually talked to each other.
Some people had more technical discussions than others. For instance, three of the computer science students griped about their courses. Meanwhile, Adam in actuarial science stole a heart-shaped decoration for his girlfriend. Because nothing says "I love you" like purloined goods.
Some photographs were taken, all of which are horrible, because of the magical powers of flash photography. Still, it gives that charming, tipsy-in-a-bar feel that is so valued these days.
With any luck, none of our descendents will ever discover them.