magicbeans. nothing if not awkward.

So who wants to apply as my partner for the next season of The Amazing Race? Anyone?

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Tonight was Shannon's last night in NYC. She invited people to meet up at Union Pool in Williamsburg for drinks. She and Erika were sitting in the big corner booth when I arrived. Along with Erika's friends Christian and Leila and a girl named Marisa. And eventually Hanna, Shannon's roommate from the year before me.

We all moved outside, and I noticed someone waving from just beyond my field of clear vision (which is only about 25 feet), but figured it must be someone from RISD. This is Williamsburg after all. It was Nadav, who says he sees me everywhere, but always on a train going in the opposite direction, or having just gotten into a cab, or such, and Shay who is moving to New York next month and was here looking at apartments.

Kate.S came and went, with a boy who looked a little bit too much like me for me to be totally comfortable with. Holladay, who in the last two months I've probably run into more than anyone else from RISD, showed up. She asked me about my breakup. 'I've never really had a long-term relationship,' she told me, 'I'm trying to figure them out.'

Chris called. 'Are you guys still there?'

'Yeah, and a bunch of other RISD kids. I just got another drink, so I'll be here for a bit.' He showed up. People left. We took a big group picture in the photobooth.

It's the first time I've been in a photobooth since Chicago. That's all twisted up with pointless crushes. With Holladay asking about relationships. With exchanging phone numbers with Shay.