Michelle or not Michelle

When I get my mind set on doing something I can't think about anything else until I have accomplished what I've set out to accomplish. For example the other day after a Sunday night service at the church I had it pre-set in my mind that immediately after the service I needed to go to the university library and print off some papers that I needed for my first class Monday morning. After the service I went to grab my coat from the coat rack when a very attractive girl struck up a conversation with me. I was nice and polite and we bantered back and forth for a minute or two. But the whole time I was thinking “I've gotta get to the library and print off my papers.” After a short conversation I told her I had to go do something and she asked for my name. In return I asked for her name and she said it was Michelle. I said I hoped to see her around again sometime and headed for the library.
 
It was about the moment when the first paper popped out of the printer that I realized I had made a huge mistake. Here was this friendly and attractive girl who was obviously interested in me who I had just blown off to go and print off a few papers. I could have talked to her longer and just gotten up earlier in the morning and printed off my papers before class, or I could've at least asked for her phone number. But no, printing off three papers for botany took precedence above all else. I ran back to the church to see if she was still there. The church was locked and nobody was inside.
 
So ever since this happened I've been trying to find Michelle. But the problem is I only kind of remember what she looks like. I remember thinking she was attractive, she had light brownish hair and a lighter tone of white skin. But distinct facial characteristics are a blur.
 
So to help narrow down the search I've come up with this game called “Michelle or not Michelle.” The game is as simple as it sounds. Whenever I'm out and about I look at girls and decide whether they're Michelle or not. For most girls it's pretty easy. “Black girl, she's not Michelle. Hispanic, not Michelle. Red head not Michelle. President of the university, definitely not Michelle.”
 
But sometimes there are girls that might be Michelle so I have to stop and really look at them to figure out if they're Michelle. And sometimes I have the problem of having my thoughts become words that are said out loud. Like at Subway a couple of days ago I saw this girl that I thought might be Michelle. I looked her up and down for a moment and then shook my head and said “No” out loud and walked away. At the time this happened I didn't think anything was wrong with what had just transpired, but when I looked back on the experience I realized how terrible it must have been for that girl. Some guy walks up and starts analyzing you from head to toe. You would probably think “This guy is checking me out.” But then that guy shakes his head, says “No” and then walks away. What would you think? She was probably crushed!

So now I'm trying to find the girl from Subway so I can explain what happened and apologize. The only problem is I don't exactly remember what she looks like. So I've come up with this game called “Girl from Subway or not girl from Subway.”

This post was originally written December 2010