Flowers are EXPENSIVE

So tonight I took part in the time honored ISU tradition of Campaniling. Yes “awwww, how cute.” Anyways moving on to the fun story I have to tell. Of course I had every intention of buying Rachel a flower and I did this but I decided that it would be best just to go to HyVee at about 11:30 and buy it.

I didn’t end up leaving till 11:40 so i was already pressed for time. I rushed to HyVee possibly speeding and get into the HyVee parking lot. My first thought is to park on the side of the lot that is nearest the flowers, makes sense right? Well then I’m realizing that there isn’t any cars parked there. Thinking about it further I realize that the door on that side is locked at night. I quickly (but safely) go to the other side of the lot, park, get out, and go into the store.

When I get inside I see 4 people from Harwood. I wave and go along in my hurried way to the flowers (it’s now 11:45ish). They didn’t see me wave and call out to me. I’m thinking, sorry guys more important things on my mind… I wave back and keep walking. They call out again and turn around to get my attention I wave again and just think “Sorry no time to chat, got to buy a flower.” So Danny, Audra, Kate, or Grant, if you read this, sorry and I’m sure that at least Danny and Grant understand.

I rush over to the flowers and frantically look for the roses (yes cliché, but the right choice). They aren’t with the flowers in the outside section, no they have to be deeper in the floral section. I find them, pause to look at the price $5 for one flower! Really price wasn’t and object at the time, I quickly look over my choices and find one that is just starting to fully bloom (much more than a bud but not with it’s pettles completely fanned out). I find one and quickly head back to the registers.

This is when the story gets a little more stressful. I get to the lone open checkout to see 4 people in line, 4 people all with full baskets. I look at my watch and it is now 11:48. I think to myself, “It’s ok I’m only like 5 min away” I wait, and I wait and I wait. It seemed like FOREVER. The first two people in line both got cigarettes. Not the time to be buying smokes I HAVE TO BUY A FLOWER! AT this point it’s 11:52 and I’m starting to think of a way to speed this up. I figure one of three things must happen a) I have to calmly but firmly ask everyone in line if they would be kind enough to let the poor guy at the back with the lone rose to go through. I look at the line see a bunch of college guys and think to myself…. nope what’s plan b? b) I find an employee beg them to open a register for me…. no one around except the one cashier and I’m not losing my place in line dammit… c) I wait till 11:55, I drop the rose, don’t even put it back, and run to my car.

C is what I went with. Every second now I’m looking at my watch only to hear someone at 11:53 “I can help people over here!” SUCCESS, but wait! Someone behind me is trying to grab that coveted register spot. Not going to happen tonight guys. I barge in make sure I’m first and hand the cashier the flower. He then proceeds to try to talk to me, I’m thinking “Thanks sell me the flower, please! I just need to buy it and go!” He then asks me “oh, how much is this?” Again faced by the rising price of roses as we approach Feb 14 “V-Day” I just say “$5.” I don’t have time to haggle or even discuss the price. He then starts talking about the price and “wow that’s an expensive flower.” He’s really going as fast as he can despite the talking but damn it, it really appeared like he was trying to kill me.

Finally I get out, run to my car, and drive off. This whole time mind you I’m on the phone with Rachel talking about the swans in Lake Laverne. Really I love to talk to her but at the moment I just wanted to get to the Campanile to meet her. It was quite the internal conflict.

I rush back to campus with Rachel wondering where I am (it’s quickly approaching zero hour). I park my car near by and run to the Campanile. Seconds before the clock begins striking midnight I get there, with the flower, body intact.

Am I really complaining about the price of the flower? No, but damn it made a pretty good story despite the misrepresenting title! :)