people watching, where the hell am I? Options

[*paperplane*]

This is such an odd town. I'm currently sitting in Starbucks trying (and failing) to write an English paper, and I keep getting distracted by what's going on outside the window.

Currently, I'm watching a bride and her bridesmaids (the groom is probably around there somewhere, but dresses are easier to distinguish) towards a white limo, with people taking pictures of them. It looks as though they just got married on campus which is odd, because I cannot imagine why anyone would possible want to do that. Plus in order to get to the limo, they had to walk around people protesting next to the arch. I have no idea what's being protested, or it they are actually protesting, but people have been standing over there for an awfully long time. They're not doing a very good job of making their cause known, though, because while they have a big poster board, everything is in relatively small font, and I can't even begin to make out words. Typically people protest the war and shit there, but are much more obvious about it. On St. Patrick's Day, PETA was promoting "going green" with girls in tiny leafy green bikinis. Now the limo is gone, but it looks like people from the wedding are coming downtown.

I don't understand why people dress so badly. There's some girl right outside who's wearing wide legged white capris with gold lettering on the ass, that really just looks like dirt. They're easily one of the least attractive items of clothing I've seen in a while. Most people here go around in t-shirts and work out shorts, then tiny ugly dresses at night. I don't understand. Particularly when the former outfit is accompanied by Uggs. It's not acceptable. There is an interesting divide here of girls who dress like sorostitutes (and usually are sorostitutes)/fratty looking guys and plaid-clad hipsters. This really is an odd place for a "music scene," because most people are really boring, bitchy, and quintessentially Greek (not as in the nationality). I think it's some sorority's Mother/Daughter weekend (they seem to have these things an awful lot), and I'm fairly certain that was who I saw taking photos in front of the arch earlier. It kind of disgusts me how all the girls look the same, and how their parents encourage them to be like this (though to be fair, my father would probably be elated if I wanted to join, because he was in a fraternity).

Most interestingly, though, was the "marching band" of hipsters that came by a couple of times earlier. I'm upstairs, so I couldn't hear too much but the trombone and assorted jangly noises, but the way they paraded around with silly instruments was pretty amusing. I found the facebook event a couple of days ago though (here if you're interested...dunno if it'll work), so I knew what was going on. I wish I'd taken a picture, but I was too busy trying to see who I recognized.

Okay, now there's another group of people arond the arch, this one taking pictures of a guy and a girl in caps and gowns. It doesn't make much sense since no one should be graduating right now. Oh holy f**k, they're doing cheerleading moves! People also keep stopping and taking pictures with the bulldog statue below me. There's a bunch of them downtown. I don't know why. This one is Roman looking, but has school colors; most of them are much more random.

If you read any/all of that and are wondering what the point of this topic is...oh well. I'm really just observing what a strange place this is. I never really feel like I belong to the dominant culture, but then I'm also seeing all these odd things, like hipster parades and bike gangs. I really ought to try getting something done on my paper.


Edit: pictures of my view (terrible, but they're from my phone. Also, I thumbed them but can take out the tags if they're still to big)

click to enlarge

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[DoubleJ]

Interesting read indeed. I find myself people watching all the time. For instance, while I was on my way to Soho Friday night, I saw a monk on the train I was on. I thought it was very random to see a monk on the nj transit train in Hoboken.

[vintage-toile]

a wedding outside a starbucks?
nice one!

[S-Majere]

The perks of being a wallflower.

[libertie]

click to enlarge

That's really strange, because I totally get lost in doing that, too. I'll be sitting on a bench somewhere and realize I've been there just watching people walk by the whole time. It's fascinating.

[S-Majere]

^ And you start making up their life-stories in your head.

[Jeng]

ugly uggs are everywhere yo, i like this topic, you describe everything well :D

[The-March-Hare]

Your campus is pretty. I like the big Dawg.

Anyway, I lov epeople watching. I can't wait for Summer, so I can go and lay on campus and watch people go past. In the Sun. Yum.

[karmakiller]

Ahhhhhhhhh, I hate uggs.

[Elba]

I love my Uggs; they're so comfy.

[*paperplane*]

Do you wear them with shorts?

James, that is the only pretty part of campus. Not that most of what's in those pictures is even campus.

[lkajsfklajskds]

^ And you start making up their life-stories in your head.

OMG, i so do that when im on the subway!

[Tung]

Great read Nicki.

You know what's a huge turnon. Girls who wear Ugg's with skirts.

[The-March-Hare]

Great read Nicki.

You know what's a huge turnon. Girls who wear Ugg's with skirts.

Ewwwwwww.

INCORRECT.

That is like, the uniform of the spoiled rich kids who go to my school. Hoodie + Denim mini + uggs + pashmina + hair that take half an hour to look like it took no time at all.

SIGH.

[Tung]

Ewwwwwww.

INCORRECT.

That is like, the uniform of the spoiled rich kids who go to my school. Hoodie + Denim mini + uggs + pashmina + hair that take half an hour to look like it took no time at all.

SIGH.

Sorry to be offtopic here Nicki, but I like materialistic things, if you haven't notice that yet James

[*paperplane*]

Oh I don't care if you're off-topic, I'm just pleased people took the time to read and enjoy that.

I find skirts and uggs really repulsive, though. But I don't understand why anyone would wear a pashmina with a hoodie.

[Tung]

I don't know. But I just think this is kinda hot.



Edit: I just noticed the pictures you added to the post. I like the bulldog statue. Looks awesome lol.

[The-March-Hare]

That would be a bullDAWG, Tung. They're from Georgia, it's all very tragic.

And I don't understand why people want to look like they have the feet of a yeti, which is only accentuated when they wear a skirt. And yes, Nicki, the pashoodie concept is mystifying and bizzare.

[*paperplane*]

With legs that skinny, she could be wearing about anything and it'd work.

Georgia is tragic *sigh*

[brooklyneast05]

that chicks legs are nasty

[The-March-Hare]

With legs that skinny, she could be wearing about anything and it'd work.

Georgia is tragic *sigh*

Truesay.

And I was just kidding. You know I lov my inner redneck. Rae and I sat up for hours the other night singing Rascal Flatts loudly to keep Luke awake. fun times.

[*paperplane*]

Yes, but you know I'm not. Rascal Flatts are so disgusting. Not to mention you so didn't live in a redneck part of Georgia.

[misoshiru]

I love my Uggs; they're so comfy.

me tooooo.


sadly enough, starbucks isn't really a "music scene" anymore. did you read the article in the NY Times?

[*paperplane*]

Oh no, I meant Athens not Starbucks. What article?

[misoshiru]

oooh. okay. I think there was an article in the NY Times last week on how Starbucks used to be a venue for relatively unknown artists or more eclectic music styles - at least the CDs they used to sell. But lately (as in the past year or two), it's gone mainstream and many people think that Starbucks has sold out. Here's the link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/business...usic&st=nyt