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The Appalachian plays role of cupid |
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Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
I’m not quite sure how this whole Win-A-Date contest ever got started, but the feeling of being “The Man” for a short two weeks was hard to beat.
It started with a few harmless ads in the newspaper and then the fliers started falling from the rooftops.
With the added publicity of going on air with “Appalachian Awesome” at WASU on Friday, it was hard to get around this town for a few days.
Everywhere
I looked, paparazzi were snapping photographs for their sleazy
publications. I stayed out of sight for the days leading up to the date
so the town wouldn’t be left in a state of chaos.
Although I initially wasn’t sure what kind of response the advertisements and fliers would create, I felt
confident.
I first thought I would receive a few hundred submissions for the Win-A-Date.
I obviously underestimated the count, because I believe there were more than 3,000 submissions this
year.
I know; it’s hard to believe.
One would assume every available lady on the Appalachian State University campus would respond to
such an opportunity.
Alas, not every lady has a computer.
From the thousands of submissions we received, our editorial board was able to slim it down and
choose a very suitable candidate for the date.
After receiving the news the editorial board had picked a winner, I called my date, senior Asia G.
James, to make plans.
Now, I had seen Asia working at Crossroads Coffeehouse or Whitewater Café from time to time.
We always had the same quick smile and conversation with each other - nothing to dampen the mood
but enough to make some sort of contact.
I wasn’t quite sure what sort of mutual feelings we had, but I enjoyed the small talk.
On Wednesday I picked up the pink carnations donated by Log House Florist before continuing on to
her apartment to pick her up.
My friend and fellow Appalachian photographer Paul Nickens met me at her apartment complex. I
hadn’t been nervous up until a few minutes before the date.
I knocked at her door and when she opened, Paul snapped an awesome photo of me handing her the
carnations.
When I picked her up, it was a relief for both of us. For the first time, we actually met each other.
With the pressure of officially meeting off our backs, our date could continue to Casa Rustica, which
graciously donated two entrees to the Win-A-Date tradition.
Asia had never been to Casa Rustica before, so I was very excited to accompany her to her first
experience at the Italian restaurant. We were seated at the best table by the fireplace.
I believe our first topic of conversation was meat. I’m not really sure how it came up but I think I asked
her if she was a vegetarian. I was just glad we didn’t end up going to The Peddler.
She decided on the penne pasta with pesto sauce and I found myself going for the penne pasta with
the traditional meat sauce. As always, Casa Rustica treated us warmly and the meal was wonderful.
I felt connected to Asia from the beginning. She mentioned she was from Haiti and I was immediately
intrigued by her past.
We talked a while about her background and when she came to the United States, and then shifted to a
bit of political talk. I found it very easy to talk to Asia.
After a few more minutes of conversation, we found we shared a love of travel and women’s soccer, as
well as a certain bodily rejection to a president named “W.”
As I was very curious, I inquired as to why she decided to submit for the Win-A-Date contest.
Her answer was awesome.
Apparently, one day last week, she was with a friend in the student union when I walked by them. We
casually traded ‘hellos’ and I went into The Appalachian office.
She, on the other hand, picked up our latest newspaper and opened it to the second page. And what
did she find staring right back at her at the bottom of the page?
It was a little bit of sunshine. It was a little bit of me.
She had obviously noticed an advertisement picturing me wearing some of the sickest shades you can
find on the market today. Feeling like it was destiny, she submitted to the Win-a-Date and we found
ourselves at dinner together.
Asia was more than I could have asked for.
I was optimistic going into the evening but once we started talking, I knew she was something special.
She was beautiful and intelligent.
She was well traveled.
She was incredible conversation.
Bottom line, she laughed at my jokes.
And that made me a happy man.
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