This story is inspired by an actual event. One day, in about the third week of the first uni semester, a strange lone man entered our class and casually took a seat. He looked like he had a rough day. His hair was all over the place, he had large bags under his eyes, and he was dressed in black from head to toe. When I first saw him, I thought that he was a guest speaker for the class. But then I thought that a guest speaker would have some sort of speech in tow, or at least be carrying a little USB drive, this man was just carrying a plastic bag, and it didn’t look like it had anything in it. So I just came to the conclusion that he must be trying out different classes before the census date, and was using this lesson as a trial, to see if it was worth enrolling in. He wasn’t hurting anyone, he seemed harmless enough, nobody asked him his name, not even the lecturer, and he even participated in the class discussion. Basically, he sort of, kind of, blended in. But after that class, nobody we never saw him again. Turns out, this man wasn’t a university student, he was just a random who liked to walk through the uni campus, and just attend any old class he felt like. I must say, I’ve been sad not have seen this man since that strange day in class, but tonight, while driving home from The Emerging Writers’ Festival, I saw him. I saw him walking down Alexandra Parade, with his little plastic bag. I almost wanted to follow him, just to see where he lived. I know, that’s creepy. Whats more so, is that I wanted to follow him for more than just an hour, I want to follow this man for an entire day! But, seeing as that would make me somewhat strange, and perhaps put me in a bit of trouble, I’ll just have to settle for my imagination. Here is a journal of his life.
MONDAY:
Went to school today. Felt like learning Math. Needed something concrete after the waffle I heard in first year philosophy. I don’t know why I do it to myself. I thought it would be entertaining. I thought wrong. It was interesting though, seeing the new crop of first years having their fantasies, and life as they know it, shut to pieces. Happens every time. I used to find this funny, but now it’s just plain sad. They’re losing their will to fight. They’re too becoming too passive. To complacent. I fear for them.
Math calmed me down.
TUESDAY:
Went to a marketing class today. A post grad marketing class. Kind of fun. The lecture was on blogging. The guest speaker was actually doing his PhD on blogging. Whilst the session was interesting, I think they neglected to go into further insight into the medium. The whole three hours seemed to have been a crash course in blogging. Surprised as to how many in the class actually didn’t have a blog. Seems like I have found a sample of the Gen Y population who are not even characteristic of Gen Y. I should do my PhD.
WEDNESDAY:
Skipped school as it was a nice day, thought I would sit in the Botany Garden instead. Someone threw money in the plastic bag. I buried it in the ground. Money doesn’t grow on trees but that doesn’t mean you can’t find it in the most peculiar of places. I wish I had a camera to capture the moment someone finds that $5.00 note. I wonder what it would mean to them?
THURSDAY:
Skipped school again. Too many people, needed my space. Needed time to think.
FRIDAY:
Went to a night class. It’s the last week of semester. Every class I went to today had cakes and Coke. Went to walk it off tonight. Lovely night. A tad crisp. It’s funny though. I have the strangest sensation that someone is following me…
Tags: Random
You should have followed him. Never know what could happen!! An Adventure could have awaited you, and it certainly would have been a more exciting read.
No doubt about! I’ve forgotten I’ve written this!! I was trying to base it on a man who had just shown up in my class at uni. He actually wasn’t an enrolled student and he just showed up in class and just started to take part in the discussion on arts marketing…the thing is, I think he was homeless…it was really such a bizarre experience. Anywho, next time I see him, I’m going to suss him out a bit more for you.