Monday, September 9, 2013

The Conversation... and the Races

First day of class here at BYU.  I decided to make conversation while sitting in my chair waiting for class to begin.

(Turning to the guy next to me who was wearing solid colored shorts)

Me:  Excuse me, I've noticed a lot of guys wearing solid colored shorts this semester.  Is it some kind of uniform or something?

(I really just wanted to make conversation.  I knew that they weren't any kind of uniform.)

Guy #1:  Actually I just got off my mission a few weeks ago and my sister says that they're in, so I bought some.

(I now suspect this guy is gay)

Me:  Oh, OK (smile).  I thought maybe it was BYU Men's chorus being "cool" or something.  I've been out of the states for 4 months and I feel like this is a very new thing.

(Guy #2 enters the conversation)

Guy #2:   I just brought some red pants back from Europe, but people think I'm gay when I where them.  I am not gay!

(Guy #1 looks a bit uncomfortable.  I had a big smile on my face.)

Me:  Oh, is that right?

Guy #2:  Yeah, some chick who asked if I was gay went up to me and was like, "What's your major?"  And I was like, "Computer Science."  And then she was like, "I figured, your pants were a red flag."  And I was like, "What?! You thought I was gay and that I majored in computer science?!"  (smirk) Gay guys don't major in computer science.  I don't want to wear them anymore.

(I'm majoring in computer science)

Me: No shame bro, no shame.  You wear those pants.


So the guy hasn't thought too much about people like me.  Was I at all mad at him?  No.  Did I tell him I'm gay?  Not yet.  It's the culture around here that makes this guy talk the way he does.  He probably doesn't have any openly gay friends, so what does he base his language and tone off of?  Those around him of course.  Me being gay is no secret (clearly), but I'm being careful to not just avoid burning bridges, but to build them.  The guy is just ignorant.  Heck, I used to be ignorant, and I am gay.  I see a great learning opportunity at hand, so I'll do my best to deal with it properly :)

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I'm back in the states!  The Disney races were great!  I ran the Dumbo Double Dare which means one day I ran a 10k, and the next day I ran a half-marathon.  With jet lag and my body rejecting Amercian food, there was no way I could PR.  I vomited during the 10k, which was fun.

Running through Angel Stadium during the half-marathon.
Running through California Adventure during the 10k

Running through Cars Land during the 10k


I promise I didn't pee myself, though if I did I would gladly admit it.
Drinking the cups of water they hand out while running
is no easy task.  You fellow runners understand :)


After the 10k with my dad, sisters, brother in law, and our awesome friend Greg.

After the half-marathon with my two awesome sisters and our awesome friend Greg.
 I miss my cute Chinese family.
My last night with the cute couple I lived with while in China this summer.

I still have jet lag and school has started, so adjusting has been a bit interesting, not to mention waking up at 3:00am for the Disney races.  I'm still setting up all of my audio/video stuff, but I'll be back on YouTube soon enough.  It's good to be back!