Star talk

[averygoodun42]

In the beginning...
And previously...


I was intrigued by the prospect of volunteering, but at the same time, felt weird about being a high school student invading a college institution. However, within the week I had dropped my dunce level high school science course and signed up to audit the University's Introductory Astronomy course that Justin was taking. After that, it was only a matter of time.

The professor of the course was one of the most boring speakers on the planet Earth. He was a decent enough teacher, but it was a struggle to get through the class without falling asleep to his drone. Being in the dark, dark planetarium in a comfortable chair was looking like it would be even more challenging to stay conscious.

I arrived at the planetarium for the course's first star talk a little late, parking at the meters by the back door. As I walked down the curved hall, who should appear but Geoff.

I smiled at him and he smiled back, pointing his finger at me casually.

"You're Justin's friend... Becky, right?"

I shook my head. "Elizabeth."

He grimaced. "Sorry. Why did I think it was Becky?" he asked rhetorically. Because I was late for class, and slightly disappointed that our first meeting obviously hadn't impacted him the same way it had me, I just shrugged and told him not to worry about it.

Without further ado, we parted ways and I found my way into the theater, taking a seat in the back by the console. I was somewhat surprised that the professor wasn't anywhere to be seen. Half a minute later, though, I saw someone enter the console from the back.

It was Geoff.

I didn't have much time to wonder about that before he started talking, though. And when he talked... all I could do was listen. His voice was projected through the sound system, and the magnification accentuated the pitch perfect quality of his voice. And when he made a joke about minding the exits, I was a goner.

I spent the next hour absorbing everything he said and wondered how it was that I seemed to be the only one getting his jokes. Yes, it was a dry humor, but his timing was perfect and the subjects relevant. He brought the stars to life without patronizing us. It was obvious that he'd done the talk so often he knew it by heart, but he obviously loved it, and loved passing the information on to us.

Immediately after the lecture, I walked over to the front office and signed up.


Next

Comments

[timestep.livejournal.com]

I have a question, but I will be a patient listener to the story to see if the answer reveals itself during the course of the tale. I'd rather see the answer arrive than to force it.

If the answer doesn't come, I'll ask later.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Okay, although you could ask now and I'll be sure to work it in later. If it fits, that is. ;-)

[keladry_lupin]

Hmmm ... talk starry to me. How many times during that semester were you in the planetarium? Thank goodness you guys got a break from the boring professor, when you were in there!

*cocks eyebrow* And did you make sure Geoff knew it was you who got his jokes?

Becky/Rebecca makes me think of redheads. Dunno why.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

"So Orion is a hunter, and he's looking down at Lepus the Hare with a club in his hand. Is he going to catch the rabbit? No! Rabbits are fast; clubbing is slow. So, why is Orion standing there with a club in hand if he's going after a rabbit? Well, see those two stars, Betelgeuse and Bellatrix, that make up these big, broad shoulders? And see the little bitty triangle of Meissa that makes up his head? Obviously, Orion isn't all that bright with that small a head."

*pause*

"Kiww the wabbit, kiww the wabbit, kiww the wabbit..."

I think we were in the planetarium every fourth class or so, but I really can't remember. Not every star talk was given by Geoff, though. Most were done by the TA. And no, I didn't let him know till years later just how funny he was. (Though he told me tonight that if he didn't get any response from the audience, he didn't bother working it. So he must have heard me (and maybe there were others) giggling, cause it was a hilarious hour I spent in there!)

[keladry_lupin]

Okay, if I'd heard a good Elmer Fudd impression, I would have been snorting -- loudly -- with laughter. What a goober!

[junewilliams7.livejournal.com]

(giggles madly....) of course it was twue wuv!! planetarium joke from Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, back when they had a Laserium show: "and you can plug in your earphones to listen to the music in the privacy of your very own skull!"

our first meeting obviously hadn't impacted him the same way it had me

how does Geoff remember your first meeting?

[timestep.livejournal.com]

That was the question!

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Of course it was! :-D Love at first laugh!

He doesn't. I don't think. Okay, I asked him, and he remembers meeting me, but not really having any recollection beyond the "must recruit!" factor that came with all eager people.

[junewilliams7.livejournal.com]

hmm.... well, does he remember when he first realized he wanted to marry you? (waits patiently for next chapter)

[kribu.livejournal.com]

Ohh, planetarium and star-talk love! :-)

[bluzkat.livejournal.com]

I've been reading your story and am enjoying it tremendously. The only thing better than a romance is an actual, real life romance. ~ sigh ~

BTW, since I keep reading your journal and dropping in, perhaps it makes sense for me to friend. Hope that's OK.