I am in the process of writing a ten page paper in my room when I realize I need a break both for mental sanity and for coffee. My roommate, Parker, a friend across the hall, Trevor, and I all walk over to Union Grounds. It is about that time of night when Union Grounds is crowded with late night studiers who need a boost of energy. In typical white girl fashion, Parker and I are waiting on our pumpkin spice lattes.
Parker proceeds to sit on the back of the couch in the Union Grounds lobby, facing backwards. (See beautifully sketched diagram.) Naturally, I flip her legs, causing her to fall backwards onto the seat portion of the couch (See other beautifully sketched diagram). Trevor and I giggle, but the flip was subtle enough that we didn't draw attention to ourselves.
Fast-forward five minutes later to when I too decide sit on the back of the same couch. Parker, seeing a prime opportunity for revenge, decides she will flip me over just like I did to her. However, due to my *coughcough* smaller stature, Parker overestimated the amount of force needed to flip me. So instead of just falling into the couch, I did an entire backflip, slamming my head against the coffee table and landing flat on my back on the Union Grounds floor. Needless to say, every person within a fifty foot radius was laughing. At me. Definitely not with me. How can I blame them? I was laughing so hard on the floor that I couldn't even get up. My boisterous fall was dramatic enough to draw a round of applause. And that was the last time I broke out into hilarious laughter.
wonderful description. thanks.
ReplyDeleteFirst I'd like to comment that I love the stick figure diagrams of what happened that evening at Union Grounds. I've totally had those moments where you're goofing around with friends and someone just takes it too far, and you end up on your face. As humiliating as it seems in the moment I find myself laughing at the situation even if I am the one everyone is staring at. Although, I can imagine it must have been quite awkward when everyone was looking at you facedown on the ground. Oh well! I am sure you provided great entertainment for late night snackers and for that I applaud you!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I would like to complement you. I had no idea you could draw! Wow, consider me impressed! Second, I'm kind of surprised people at Union Grounds laughed. Every time I have been in a public setting and someone fell (or flipped over a chair?), everyone I was with was too awkward to laugh. Instead, it got completely quiet until someone rushed over and asked if the "victim" was alright. But I supposed your situation plays to the relief theory and superiority theory of laughter. Also, everyone was probably so delirious from studying and all strung out on caffeine. Next time you fall, make sure that I am around - I'd love to see it!
ReplyDeleteI, too, really enjoyed the diagrams. They were really helpful as I was trying to picture how everything happened. But I can definitely identify with this. Although I've never actually been backflipped over a chair, I've had similar experiences in public where my friends and I have created an embarrassing scene that has caused onlookers to laugh. I'm not going to lie, I probably would have laughed also if I had witnessed this. But I think I would have laughed with you or at the situation, not at you in particular. I do hope there was no serious brain damage so you were able to continue studying after you got in some laughter and caffeine. It sounds like a great and eventful study break!
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