Now here's something to smile about!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=40X_XkmqGao

I can't wait! Co-worker Diane and I have decided to see the movie together when it comes out, since we read and discussed the book. She sent me the link for the trailer and I almost squealed with delight. (Not a good thing, when you work in a library.) Then I did squeal with laughter, forty-two seconds into the clip.

All the fangirls are commenting at YouTube over Lee Pace, whoever he is. I'm much more excited about Ciaran Hinds, who plays Joe. *wriggles like a happy puppy*

I'm going to be smiling for days.

Being me, I am already doubting how genuine all this is, but I must squee anyway ... if for no other reason than the novelty.

The friendly, funny, good-looking fellow in my Personal Finance class now has a name: Craig.

Tonight was the last night of class, and after weeks of saying hello and exchanging smiles, I really wanted to introduce myself. But the timing was never right -- he's tall and lean and polished, I'm lumpy and awkward and goofy, so I didn't want the entire class looking on with scorn at my presumption. Goodness knows why, but he actually seemed to be interested in me. After class was over, I started walking with Paul (teacher) towards the business building, which is where his office is, where Dad teaches on Tuesday nights, and where I park. Craig took one step in the opposite direction, but then backtracked and joined us as we crossed campus. The three of us chatted the whole way, and after a few more minutes of loitering and talking outside the business building, I took a chance by heading towards my car in a different direction than the path Paul was taking.

Craig followed.

I'm sure my smile was reaching mammoth proportions by then, and I didn't hide it. (I did, however, refrain from happydancing as we walked.) Holy cow, he's walking with ME! He wasn't walking with Paul, he's walking with me!!! We talked, mostly about our education and future plans. We reached the pedestrian overpass, which is just over the hedge from my parking lot, and Craig asked if I was parked in the big lot on the other side of the boulevard. I sincerely wished I had been, so I could keep talking to him, but I said no, and we chatted for a few more minutes. He shook my hand again and we said goodbye, see you around hopefully.

(Gosh, I hope so.)

The sweetest thing was that I caught him looking back towards me as he walked away. Twice. Which, of course, means that I was looking over my shoulder towards him. Three times. (Chandler Bing moment: I walked right into a car that was parked in the lot.)

I can't squee too loudly, because he didn't ask for my phone number, but then again, I didn't ask for his. Despite a semester of saying hello and smiling -- almost always initiated by him, since I would never dare to look a beautiful man like him in the eye normally -- I choked when I opened my mouth to ask for his number. Years of disinterest and rejection will do that, I'm afraid.

Even if I never see him again -- hey, even if I do see him again and he turns out to be a nightmare -- I am never going to let myself forget those fifteen minutes of being on Cloud Nine tonight, when a cute boy walked out of his way, all the way across campus, so he could keep talking to me.