Working It Out On The Inside: You Don't Know Me But...

It was a biting thirty-something degrees and so windy I could hardly keep my balance. I had also conveniently forgotten my coat at the apartment and the only clothes I donned were a t-shirt and thin, breatheable gym pants. I was delighted about my trip back to the rec center that I had so carelessly avoided for many weeks.

The gym was crowded but I managed to find a vacant elliptical machine and began hopping to-and-fro while jamming to the new Radiohead album. I spotted a fellow on an exercise machine whom I had seen numerous times at the rec but paid no attention to previously. I guess I had seen him enough times to notice that his hair color was different. He had a thin, lanky frame and an attractive face that was covered slightly by his tousled hair. I watched him as he listened to his iPod and exercised furiously. I imagined him listening to some hip, indie English band. I watched him until he finally glanced over at me. (Why is it that every time you look at someone, they look back?) I immediately switched my eyes back to the television set as if he didn't just catch me staring. After a few seconds, I looked in his direction again and we met eyes another time. This happened about two more times.

Normally my gaydar is impeccable and I can tell if a guy is gay in about .02 seconds but for some reason it was having trouble processing this particular person. Surely a straight guy wouldn't return my curious glances more than twice, right? He eventually got off the machine and began walking on a treadmill. The rec had just intalled new treadmills that come equipped with individual televisions. He immediately tuned his to Project Runway which to me was an unmistakable indication of his sexuality. Elated, I hopped of my elliptical and made my way to the treadmill next to his and tuned my television to Project Runway as if to say, "Yeah, me too."

When he finished his running, he started to exercise on an abdominal contraption near the stairway. In order for me to leave I had to pass him one last time. I told myself that if he watched me pass by, then it's for sure I wasn't imagining the whole thing. And sure enough, he looked.

In true stalker fashion, I arrived at my house and did a search for every gay guy at the University of North Texas. I found him on the third page and called my friends to ask if I should send him a message or not. Brittany told me it was too early...so I sent it anyway. It read:

"Subject: You Don't Know Me

I normally don't do this, and I'm aware that it may seem a bit creepy but I saw you at the rec center tonight and wanted to tell you that you're very cute.

That is all.

- Patrick (not a weirdo)"

And tonight he responded back by saying, "I saw you too and the feelings are mutual. Coffee? Marriage? Kids?"

Unfortunately I made that last part up. He never responded. And now I'm terrified to return to the rec center for fear of running into the cute guy who now thinks I'm a creepy and obsessive facebook stalker. And I'm willing to admit that's not far from the truth. How embarrassing.

Here are some more pictures from the Christmas break:

Cat arm mustache

Tree in my front yard

Out in ATX for Emily's 22nd birthday. Beauty Bar is the best place ever. It's a club/bar themed like a vintage 60's hair salon. They play the best music.