Year in Review

I've had more than a few drinks, so I'll try and keep this brief because typing is a real problem at the moment. Teehee. 

But, a quick recap from last year's NYE post: I had said that I wanted/needed to lose some weight and get some house stuff done. And I've actually accomplished that to a certain extent. 

The weight loss has been mostly diet-based, so next year I want to increase my activity levels. 

I want to get more house stuff done and I want to be more social.

And while it wasn't called out specifically in last year's post, being more social was something I wanted to do, and I did that a bit by going to more gigs. I used to go to gigs quite regularly but Covid ruined that, like the rest of my social life and like my social life, it hasn't recovered since we came out of the second lockdown as evidenced by this holiday's lack of any quality communication with KfW2 or The Crowd.

Despite the recent loneliness, I think 2025 has been quite productive, so I'm low-key optimistic about 2026.

Happy New Year, dear reader. I hope 2026 is a great prosperous year for you and your families. 

Party mood.

A series of memories popped into my head a few minutes ago. I think I've posted about one of them before: AM invited FBS to our New Year's Eve gathering at a party two hours away. But it wasn't just that one evening that popped into my head, there were many times where BW and I had gone to visit AM and QC1 at their student house and ended up having a great time. 

I recall sharing cigarettes and conversation with QC1 in the stairwell of the local student's union, parties in AM's flat and a few dalliances with friends of AM and QC1, even though I had the largest crush on QC1. 

I presume these memories all popped into my head because of the specific night FBS came with us, which was a New Year's Eve, probably around this time. We'd have been on the bus on the way there. 

Good times. 

Chatty, chatty.

It was 11 AM before CC called. Thankfully she seemed to be in no mood for hanging around because, despite her claims that she was only awake, she was at my house inside of 30 minutes.

A quick brunch and I was back home by 1 PM. Thankfully, she was in decent form: more conversation and less lecturing than usual, which  I was grateful for. 

Last resorts.

I've heard nothing from anyone over the holidays - KfW2 messaged on Xmas Day, promising a phone call which hasn't yet materialised. The Crowd went quiet after my probing about a quiet night out between Xmas and New Year. And my planned brunch date with Nerdy Girl fell through with no rescheduling.

So I've been "forced" to get in touch with CC to see if she wants to do brunch tomorrow, just to tick that "socialising" box. She does, but will call me in the morning. 

I predict about 10:30, because she usually isn't awake before then. 

Rack 'em up.

When I was last out with D, FBS etc. we were talking about a gig that D and I went to earlier in the year. It wasn't a genre of music that I usually like, but D had a spare ticket and I wanted to get out of the house more.

It also helped that the artist in question was an attractive woman with a great rack.

"Didn't think that was your thing," queried FBS.

"Attractive women with great racks? I'm all for it." 

D pulled out his phone, did a search and showed FBS. 

"I don't think that's a great rack," she mused.

 I've stated plenty of times before that FBS has a great rack. Or she did when she was 21.

"Oh, it's great all right," confirmed D. 

 "Well, I disagree," sniffed FBS.

 So, yeah. We're going to see her again in a few month's time when she tours Europe.

Hmmm...

A sex dream last night. The details are vague. I recall nothing about the overall dream apart from the fact I was having sex with an attractive but slightly chubby Asian woman. This was then replaced with another Asian woman, though more athletic with a bigger chest. And then I woke up.

Dressed up

I've started watching "House" over the holidays. Jennifer Morrison is in it. I only know her from "How I Met Your Mother", but in the early episodes, she wears waistcoat a lot. I've mentioned my admiration for women in trouser suits before, but there's also an element of women in waistcoats. I don't know why I like the suits and/or waistcoats... I just do.

Quick Xmas Digest.

I was meant to be meeting Nerdy Girl this morning for coffee/brunch, but she messaged last night to say that she'd be in no fit state to meet "early" today. "Early" was 11 AM. She was out drinking and dancing.

I'm in two minds about this. On one hand, I wanted to be more social this Xmas holiday, plus she was going to introduce me to her girlfriend. She's been dating her for over a year, so I've heard a lot about her, but we've never met.

On the other hand, my social battery is low, having spent the past two days at my sister's house. I had great fun over the past few days, but as an introvert

I've also (finally) heard from KfW2: a brief message on Xmas Day and a few other, random messages, mainly asking questions about places to eat. Not for us, I hasten to add. At least, not that she's admitted. She's promised a phone call in a few days, though.

Oh, and I was messaging with E, too. She's not had a great Xmas, having been in A&E for most of Xmas Day, but it sounds like it wasn't urgent and she'll be OK in a day or two once the meds kick in.

I've got another week off, but there's nothing planned. Maybe an outside chance of something with The Crowd and possibly KfW2, but I'm not holding my breath. 

Merry Xmas!

Happy Christmas all! I hope that Santa has been really good to you (or will be, depending on where you are in the world).

I'm going to have a long hot bath (a proper long, hot bath, USHW, not "our" kind), make some brekkie and this afternoon, I'll head to my sisters for Christmas lunch.

Santa, once again, completely ignored my wish for Jessica Alba.

 

 

So have some  attractive women in backless dresses.

More than a feeling.

I still haven't heard back from KfW2. That's a text message from over a week ago and a missed call that hasn't been returned. Ordinarily, I'd bitch about it but that'd be it. But as I said in one of my most recent posts, this year feels worse than it has done in some time.

I was insanely pleased a few months ago when KfW2 called. I'd sent a few text messages asking about her availability and she called me back a few days later, concerned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I haven't seen you in a bit and wondered if you were free for dinner or drinks."

She pondered through a few things and suggested a possible end of November date or something after that, with her eldest son for Christmas, like we did a few years ago.

"Whatever suits you."

I didn't mean that. I don't want to be bundled into something else, just so she can tick a box. I don't like feeling like I'm a box that needs ticked. I'd like to see her because she wants to come out and be my company. 

But, regardless, those plans never turned into anything. I could have chased her up, but I know that she simply forgot, or she was double-booked.

But the point being that I don't want to go back to work in two weeks time and think that I've done nothing. That's happened before where I've enjoyed my time off, but I've barely left the house, done some gaming, watched some TV and then gone back to work with nothing really to show for the time away.

And part of that is seeing people - being social. Not family, but those others close to me. And those who are close to me, I'm seeing less frequently. And that's also a factor in how I'm feeling.

Sigh.

I know the last few posts have been bitching about my loneliness and my inability to get KfW2 out. But it does feel like it's hitting me a bit more this year than it has done in the past few years. I am nearly always lonely at Christmas, but it feels different this year.

It's a more specific loneliness - I want to meet someone. I've had holidays like that before, with that loneliness, but it's been a few years since it hit me like this.

KfW2 is bearing the brunt of it on the blog. I'm trying to scratch that itch by being social, by getting KfW2 or The Crowd out to the pub.

It's not really her fault, nor is it her fault that I can't get her out for dinner or drinks. Well, it kinda is, but she has her own life, kids, and a medical condition to manage. And I understand that. Doesn't mean that I have to like it.

Hangin' on the telephone

I did call KfW2 earlier, but she never picked up. I didn't leave a message. I never leave a message. She'll see the missed call notification and call me back, hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Party On (cont'd)

It goes without saying, of course, that I'll cave and I'll message KfW2 and try to arrange something social before the new year. I'm guessing* tomorrow when I am out doing some clothes shopping.

If we do, magically, manage to arrange something, it won't be before Xmas at this stage. She's always too busy to arrange something like that at short notice, and I'm pretty sure she was out last night and is out again tonight. But there's a possibility that she might be available in that window between Xmas Day and New Year's Eve.

I've already got tentative plans with Nerdy Girl for brunch or lunch in the same period and I threw out a suggestion to The Crowd in our group chat this morning for something similar.

*that's when I've decided it will be 

Party On.

I got my big Christmas shop delivered yesterday and it dawned on me this morning that it's about 80% snacks and party food. At this stage, there is little to no chance that I am going to be doing any hosting. I haven't done any in this house since before Covid. So why did I buy all this food, enough for over a week, if I know that no-one will be calling? Habit? Hope?

I keep thinking about meeting KfW2 for a drink, like we used to do every year, but really it's the complete lack of anything that's been planned this year. And Facebook tells me that it's our 15th Facebook anniversary as friends today, reminding me of some of our best nights out.

I don't know how that makes me feel. Not good, for starters. It's not a good time of year for me with feeling lonely. I've reached out to The Crowd about meeting after Xmas. I'm toying with contacting KfW2, but if I am being honest, I'm tired of asking.

'Member?

It's an anniversary of sorts... a couple, actually. Firstly, it's ten years since I moved into this house. It's not the date anniversary, but it was the third Friday of December. I'd been at a work thing with KfW2 and spent the entire day massively hungover. The actual date was yesterday. 

It's a similar anniversary to meeting Chloe. Again, not the date which is actually the 15th, a few days ago, but yesterday being the third Thursday of the month was when I met Chloe on a night out with S, GM and FC. She was out on her own work event, being chatted up by some guy who didn't work with her, but was maybe related to someone she worked with? Those details are vague, but I was quite drunk that night.

And while I'm at it, I can't recall if I ever stated this, but Chloe reminds me of the blonde woman from the "threesome" dream post last week. Similar figure, smile etc.

Big Sigh

KfW2 featured in a dream last night. In it, I was trying to spend time with KfW2 but she kept asking for favours, which I would gladly do, but when I tried to make arrangements to see her, she'd ask for another favour. And so, when I woke up, I felt a little down because it felt, in the dream, that KfW2 was using me with no payoff.

She doesn't do that IRL, of course, but it has been frustrating trying to get her out for a Christmas drink. 

Cheers!

So, my plan of getting Quiet Girl, Stalky Guy etc. out to CB Pub actually worked. Originally, QG was going to call her husband to get a lift home around 7 PM and offered me a lift, too. But then I threw out the CB Pub proposal and everyone accepted.

"You know, I could be talked into that..." pondered QG.

"I didn't ask you cos you said you were going home, but you're more than welcome to join us."

"Well, it is on the way home."

And with that, I ordered a taxi. 

We only stayed for a couple of drinks, but that was the plan. I was home around 10 PM, and quite drunk. My alcohol tolerance has plummeted this past year.

QG's friend was also in the office, but she didn't join us at the drinks reception. Apparently she left, mid-afternoon. I've not seen or spoken to her since the work event where she might have slapped my ass and asked me to text/call her.

It's still so quiet.

Quiet Girl will be coming into the office tomorrow, she announced earlier. There's a drinks reception afterwards, but I'm kinda hoping that I can talk people into leaving that and going somewhere more public and neutral.

For the people I have in mind, CB Pub is the prime location. It's on the way home for three of us: Stalky Guy, QG and myself, and a few others. That's a long shot, mind you, but depending on how things go tomorrow, I'll throw it out as a suggestion.

*smug*

On my way back from doing some tasks yesterday, I got talking to my next door neighbour. The one who looks good in yoga pants, not her husband.

 We were chatting for quite some time and towards the end, I admitted my age. I didn't just blurt it out, it came up in conversation. Yoga Pants Neighbour was shocked.

"Really? I thought you were my age. You look easily ten years younger." 

I'm going to be honest, dear reader, my ego was well and truly stroked. It's not the first time someone has thought I'm younger. Chloe was equally surprised when I admitted how old I was. 

But it's always nice to hear.

And now I've typed that out, I'm getting deja vu. Have I had this conversation with YPN before? 

It's oh, so quiet.

We have a work thing on Wednesday in the office. It was OK last year, though I do recall an attractive woman in a stunning backless dress. I am, by default, against socialising things in the office. I much prefer getting people into neutral spaces where I feel people let their hair down a little more.

I've just messaged Quiet Girl to see if she's going. I've not seen her in months, and it'd be great to catch up. She said she'd think about it and see if other people were going, but not, I noticed, her redhead friend who may have asked me to call her. 

So, potentially seeing QG on Wednesday. 

Planning ahead, looking back.

Facebook reminds me that it's the anniversary of the first Xmas Day out to the local Xmas market with KfW2 that also involved Mr KfW2 and CC. But most importantly, I received a drunken but extremely sweet voicemail from KfW2 at the end of the evening as she was in the taxi home, telling me how much she thought I was great.

I miss those days of our friendship, when getting her out to be social wasn't so much of a chore and hard work. It's less that two weeks until Xmas and she still hasn't confirmed any Xmas plans, despite promising to. I'll follow up with her later, or tomorrow, but I don't remain optimistic. I already know she's fully booked next weekend, which is probably our last opportunity before Xmas.

Not going out.

Yeah, so nothing from S at all (unsurprisingly), so I sat in, watched The Flash (the film version, not the TV programme) and munched on snacks. It's actually quite good for a film supposedly stuck in development hell for years.

Still tbc

It's 7:55 PM and I've not heard from S. So I am going to assume that he's not going top be in contact and even if he is, I am rapidly settling into "cocoon mode" which means only a guaranteed snog from Jessica Alba could persuade me to leave the house.

tbc

Just back from lunch with G. As always, it was great catching up. As of now, I've heard nothing from S about going out tonight. The weather's awful here, so currently, my plan is to stay inside, turn up the heat and chill.

If S does get in touch, I'll reconsider, but I am not being proactive about this.

Eye in the sky.

Random stuff I just found out... I am on Google Maps satellite view. Kinda cool, eh? I'm cutting the grass in my back garden. You can't see me clearly, and unless you understood the context of what's in the picture, you'd likely never even know, but still...

Well, the nerd in me thinks it's kinda cool. 

Plans

I'm meant to be meeting G for lunch tomorrow. I've not heard anything yet, but I expect a confirmation soon.

I'm also, supposedly, meant to be meeting S and his unrequited love tomorrow evening. It's S's birthday soon, and she usually comes to visit around this time. But these arrangements were made the last time The Crowd were out, so I don't know if they're still going ahead.

I describe her as S's unrequited love, but I think he's well over her by now, at least from a romantic perspective. They are close enough friends. I think I've explained all that before, so I won't go into it again.

S's unrequited love and I get along great. It'd be great to see her again... it's been a few years since we've chatted. But I'm not holding my breath that S will be in touch, and if he is, I'll play it by ear. Maybe go out for a few drinks and see what happens. I've done an awful lot of drinking over the past few weeks and it's reminded me how much I don't like being drunk, but I do like the social, people watching, aspect of it. Maybe I'll try and get home early in preparation for a chill Sunday.

Suits you.

I mean to post yesterday that I did, in fact, fit into my old, nice, suit. And despite the unfortunate circumstances that meant I was wearing it, I did feel quite good about myself.

I was just about able to fit into the suit, but for good reasons rather than bad ones, and all to do with the weight loss. So that means that I currently weigh less than I did when I bought this suit which, if memory serves, was late 2013. 

I got several nice comments from my brother-in-law's family about how well I was looking. 

Lightbulb.

When my sister dropped me off home last evening after the funeral, she used her oft-used phrase:

"You know where we are, don't be a stranger."

I've posted before about how her... laziness? means that she rarely visits me. And by that I mean steps across the threshold for a cup of tea or a chat. In the ten years I've lived here (anniversary in a few days time), I can easily say I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times she's made a social visit that wasn't a direct invite by me.

I gestured to my house.

"You know the same applies here, right?"

Not accusatory, just a suggestion. It looked like a lightbulb moment.

"Oh yeah. That's right. Good call." 

And with that, we bade each other goodbye and I went into the house as she drove off. Will this make a difference?

Dream a trois.

I didn't sleep well last night. It was after 4 AM before I finally dropped off to sleep, but I woke this morning to the end of a dream that I think I've had before in various flavours. It's actually based off a real life incident from back in 2005.

In real life, the people from the online hobby met up in London one weekend. During that weekend, USHW and I shared a room and a bed. Originally it was meant to be F, but she had to pull out for reasons I can't remember. Anyway, on the Saturday night, after we'd parted with everyone else at the pub, we got back to the hotel and were chatting in our room.

Someone started knocking on the door - it was a woman from the online hobby. I'd never met her before this day nor had I communicated with her, but she was friends with a guy that I sorta knew.

Anyway, we invited her in, we chatted and drank for a bit before I went to sleep. The next day, when USHW and I were talking, we decided that she'd come looking for a hookup with me and got blind-sided by us sharing a room. 

That's what happened in real life. In the dream, it wasn't the blonde woman who knocked on the door, but K. I ended up having a threesome with USHW and K and we all fell asleep contented. K woke me early the next morning, dragged me to the shower and fucked me. I dried off, leaving K to her shower and returned to bed where USHW was stirring.

When K left the bathroom to get dressed, I was going down on USHW. K got angry/jealous, hurriedly dressed herself and left and that's where the dream ended.

In real life, USHW and I never had sex. I had fucked K on another occasion that I think is pretty well documented on this blog. However, I have had variations of that dream before with different women. So I was in a combo mood this morning of being super-tired and super-horny and that's made me super-grumpy.

Suits you.

The funeral is tomorrow, so I need to dust off the suit, tie and shoes. The question is, though, which one?

I've mentioned, in passing, that I've been on a weight loss journey this year. It was kicked off by another funeral roughly around this time last year. I couldn't fit into my suit, that I hadn't worn since FP's funeral a few years back. I was disappointed for a few reasons. 

Firstly, I liked the suit. It was one that KfW2 helped me pick out and I never felt as self-conscious in it as I did in other suits. I think because of KfW2's influence and her approval. I know USHW often posted positiver comments when she saw me in the suit and CH's eyes near popped out of her head when she saw me in it at work events. So not being able to fit into it was disappointing. 

Secondly, when I went to buy a new suit, I had to look at jackets and trousers several sizes up. I had put on a lot of weight since Covid.

I made the executive decision there and then to buy a cheap suit and start thinking about proper weight loss.

So here we are, a year later. I've lost a significant amount of weight. I've probably not been this weight in at least a decade or longer, so I am extremely confident that when I try on the older suit at lunchtime that it'll fit again.

Oh dear (Part 2)

The bad news came through this morning which means I have a funeral to attend later this week. From chatting to my sister, it's likely to be Wednesday or Thursday. From a selfish perspective, Thursday suits me better. Past funerals for that part of the family have turned into drinking sessions, and I already have Friday booked off as personal leave, so a Thursday funeral would work.

Oh dear.

I'm expecting some bad news today. It's something I've been expecting for about a month now, but it look like things will be resolved by tomorrow at the very latest. It's not something that's going to impact me, but will impact my sister and her family. It might require some time off work, but I've been keeping a day's holiday in my back pocket for exactly this occasion.

Plans

G sent a message a few hours ago. I thought it was going to be a last-minute thing, because I knew he'd be home this month, but it wasn't. It was about next Saturday. Was I free for lunch?

I am, so we quickly made arrangements. Roll on next weekend.

Sadly, I think the days of us meeting for drinks are over. He used to stay with his Mum when he came over, but family circumstances have changed so he stays with, or near, his sister who's 20 miles away. 

That's not conducive to hitting a decent pub, having half a dozen pints and getting a taxi home. Which is a massive shame. He was great company for putting the world to rights over a few drinks and we've had our own adventures in the past. I've blogged about a few of them here.

Vibes

I met up with some ex-colleagues last night for a catch-up. It wasn't a particularly drunken or late evening. Left the house at 5 PM and I was home by 11 PM. We grabbed some food then hit a favourite bar of mine. I think I've posted about the bar before, I've been to it many, many times over the years.

One of the barmaids has been mentioned here, too, I think. She's been serving in the bar for easily 15 years. I still recall a couple of stories involving GM and another ex-colleague who's dropped off the radar these days (thankfully).

It was just a decent night of quiet pints and chat, no real newsworthy moments apart from the cute woman who sat at the table beside us who was giving off serious Anna Kendrick vibes. However, she was easily half my age.

I was also sat with my back to the majority of the pub, so I definitely missed out on loads, but I was happy enough chatting and didn't really need the distraction.

Circling.

It seems to be that a memory or a blog post prompts other memories, these days. This time, it's FA2 and QC3. I think I've mentioned before that QC3 and I were attracted to each other. We both knew it, but we never acted upon it. I don't know that I ever regarded her as girlfriend material, but I did want to have sex with her. However, the timing was bad.

Around the time that our mutual attraction became apparent, QC3 was ready to move away, to Glasgow. In the remaining time, maybe three or four weeks, while we saw plenty of each other, it was always in group company. We never thought of going on a date or going out without anyone else, I think we were each expecting the other to make the first move. On the eve of QC3 actually moving, we managed the grand total of one kiss, while we were out with D and he was at the bar or in the toilet.

I did visit her a few months later, we did share a bed, we were both naked and cuddling when I woke but I don't think we slept together. I returned home and we never spoke of it again.

About a month later, the thing with FA2 started and that was it.

QC3 lasted about a year in Glasgow, possibly slightly less, before she returned home by which time I was dating FA2. I'll be honest, I never really stopped wanting to fuck QC3 even when I was dating FA2, but I was dating FA2, so I never made any moves. 

FA2 and QC3 saw each other a bit - I was still going for drinks with D etc. and QC3 was our friend. I think FA2 suspected something, she seemed more keen to get to know QC3 than anyone else. But I don't think she heard about our orbiting from anyone else.

But that's a long-winded story about QC3 who kick started my thing with pierced belly buttons. I'd seen it loads of times. She also had a ring of tattoos around her navel and a super flat stomach. She wore plenty of crop tops to show off her midriff long before any attraction between us. It wasn't just about that one time seeing her naked.

But I'd never admitted to FA2 that it was QC3 who started that appreciation, but I do wonder if FA2 got her belly button pierced because she thought (correctly) I wanted to fuck QC3, and QC3 had piercings and tattoos.

(I think I also was influential in FA2 getting a tattoo a few years later - I had always said that I wanted to get one done, but could never find a design that I liked. We had split up by that stage, though.)

Are you sitting comfortably?

Well, I am! My chair was finally delivered this morning. I had hoped that it would be here over the weekend, but sadly not. Add in an hour's work building it, which hasn't done my back any favours at all, and now I can finally (again) sit in a chair with some back support. Bliss!

Ring, ring.

Following on from yesterday's early morning memory of FBS, I had a similar memory this morning of FA2. I slept well last night, but I dreamed of FA2 in some capacity, though I can't remember what. However, the memory in question was a Saturday afternoon. FA2 had gone out shopping. For reasons that I can't remember, I wasn't with her. I might have been playing football.

Anyway, I remember FA2 arriving home and me helping her into the house with the shopping. As I closed the front door with the last of the shopping, FA2 kissed me.

"I got myself a present, but I think you'll like it," she grinned.

"Show me, show me!"

She pulled up her jumper to reveal a newly-pierced belly button, a ring. I've always been a fan, and FA2 knew this. I wasted no time in taking FA2 upstairs for some adult time fun where I spent a lot of time looking and playing with her new piercing. 

She'd never voiced any interest in getting her navel pierced, so I was always dubious about whether it was done for her or me. I had, however, expressed an appreciation of it (that might have been kickstarted by QC3). However, I never asked her about it and I enjoyed it while it lasted. She had it removed about a month later because she was allergic to the metal in the ring and never got it replaced. 

Toasty

Well, it's finally done. Arguably, it's something I should have done ten years ago, but the first part of the house renovation is complete. I got lucky, too. The previous system was old and in really bad shape and I am genuinely surprised that it never just packed up.

I gave USHW a running commentary from my office, which I didn't leave for the entire day until I inspected the work.

And I'm hoping for a good night's sleep, because I only got about 3 hours last night. And due to that memory/thought about FBS, I've been... frustrated all day long. 

Urgh.

I don't know why, but I feel physically ill. I think it's nerves or something with the guys doing the work in the house, but I've spoken to the main guy and all the work I wanted done is being done, even if it's not specifically called out in the quote.

This had bothered me over the past few weeks, which I'd shared with USHW. But that shouldn't be a problem now, so why do I feel nauseous?

Top of the morning.

I didn't sleep last night. I had to be up early to prep for the work guys who arrived at 8 AM, but a recurring thought/memory I had last night as I was trying to get to sleep was a night at FBS's back in the day. At this stage, we'd fooled around a bit - kissing, but no sex. However, each time, I made sure FBS was on top so I could stroke her back.

On this particular evening, as we settled into this pattern, she made a decision. I was going to be on top, this time. And that's how it panned out. But it was different, and not just with me being on top. She was a little more aggressive, grinding against me, hooking her legs around me. It was a definite prelude to sex, though it would be another few weeks before we took that step.

So... yeah. A pleasant if somewhat frustrating thought that popped into my head several times in the early hours of this morning. 

Girl Crush.

Years ago, USHW posted on her blog about a "girl crush" on fitness model Jamie Eason. We'd also chatted about her elsewhere, and I can't recall which came first, though it doesn't really matter for the sake of this story. Jamie Eason was (is) is an attractive woman with short blonde hair and a physique you can only get in the gym. And the surgeon, if her rack is anything to go by. Which reminds me of another conversation that USHW and I had.

Anyway, here is the model in question:

 Very attractive, I think you'll agree.

The reason that this all popped into my head this morning was because I came across (no pun intended) Taylor Wild, an adult entertainment actress that gave off similar vibes - attractive, great physique, short blonde hair, albeit heavily tattooed.

Bah.

KfW2 called last night. She had promised to call on Wednesday, but in all honesty, those promises don't carry a lot of weight these days. I don't mean that maliciously - she's got three kids, all of whom have their own hobbies, it's bad time of year with her husband working in retail and she has ADD which means she's extremely forgetful.

So we were chatting. I was telling her about recent things - social things, family things etc. and prompted her for her plans in December, gently reminding her that I'd love to see her again. And then that started a long list of social things she already has on for December. 

That's the frustrating part. She suggested maybe doing something with her eldest son, but that's just me being crowbarred into something rather than getting her on her own. The last time she suggested that (this time last year), her son didn't book his flights home in time and the plan got forgotten. It's not that long ago I directly asked for us to do something because it had been a while since we saw each other and IMO we don't see each other enough these days.

She just is incapable of planning anything too far in the future. 

Not bad.

Yesterday was a long, but fun, day. It started at lunchtime, with a meal and a few drinks with co-workers. Sadly, and unlike other teams I've worked with, people drifted off quite quickly once the meal was done. However, with lots of budget remaining, we spent it on expensive (and delicious) cocktails.

Then, at 7 PM, D and his wife arrived. I said goodbye to the two work colleagues and went to the gig, which was excellent. However, my back was really sore, just from the standing. I really need to get someone to look at it. I think I need to see my GP first and then use that as a basis to get any further treatment through my private health insurance.

I've spent the day chilling and watching the two Knives Out films. They were quite fun. 

Laughing it off.

Years ago, CH asked me if I'd "give her one". "Her" being KfW2. It's not a conversation that I've thought about in a long time, but it was the basis of a dream last night.

In it, KfW2 had asked me what CH had said and I told her and KfW2, rather than take it badly, she laughed it off. I doubt few women would take it in good grace. Would she have been amused by CH's own admission (that she would, too, if she were that way inclined)?

Would CH like to hear that I'd admitted to someone else that I'd "give her one"? I think she might, actually.  Or rather, she'd have liked it ten years ago. 

I can't think of too many other women who would.

Woohoo!

The chair is on its way! I'm hoping for a Friday delivery. I'm out all day tomorrow, firstly for a work thing, then for a gig where I'm likely to meet D and Opinionated Guy. So Friday would be prefect.

Remembering Back.

A semi-remembered dream last night that featured someone who may or may not have been Recruitment Bird. If it wasn't her, then it was someone who physically resembles her: blonde, pretty, petite, nice figure. I barely recall any other details of the dream other that it featured someone who may have been RB prominently.

Urgh.

What is the phrase? "A watched kettle never boils"? I'm sat here, hunched in my broken chair, trying to get some work done, all the while staring at Outlook in the hope that I get an email telling me that my new chair has been despatched and is on its way to me.

Hurry up, damnit. 

Bad Internet

It's been one of those days. My office chair broke late last night, so I've been hunched over my desk, my back killing me. One of my tasks for today was to look at my private health cover and see if I can get my back seen to. I used it for my foot earlier this year, so I'm not sure how much credit is left.

I emailed the chair people and they were quick to reply, but my chair is well out of warranty, so I can't see them helping too much. And I spend so much time in it that I kinda need a new chair as a matter of urgency. My choice was to order a new one from the same people, that might get here at the weekend, or go to Ikea at the weekend for a Markus. I don't find the Markus to be that great, but it would at least be more back support than I currently have.

It took me an hour to order the new chair. Specifically, it took me an hour to pay for the chair. I tried to pay in instalments, denied. I tried another card. Denied. Then Klarna demanded that I scan a passport. I'm not a fan of that, but I need the chair. Nope, that refused to work as well. I went back to the basket and just paid it all upfront. Hurrah. That worked. let's hope they didn't lie about their delivery times and I'll have the chair by the weekend.

Then I went off to register with a gas supplier. The work I've been talking about getting done in the house is an upgrade of my heating system. So my new gas supplier sent a letter with my details and said if I registered an online account, I could do paperless billing, make payments online etc. I'm all for that. I do it for other household bills. But denied again. "We've got your details, but can't create the account. Contact your gas suppliers" FFS. What's going on with the internet this evening that everything is fucked?

So I've managed to be super pro-active this evening but not accomplish anything. 

I need to take a break from the PC because my back is killing me, but I'll be back later to check my private health. 

Raincheck.

A phone call first thing this morning from the guy doing the work to my house. Can I wait until next Monday? Apparently some woman needs urgent help, so they'd like to swap me and her, if possible. It is, he assured me, my choice. I swapped. I would have liked it done this week, but my commitments on Thursday with the possibility of Wednesday's work overrunning were still on my mind.

The guy assured me that it was definitely a one day job, but the way my luck has been going recently, I'm, not so sure. 

So I agreed to the swap and the work will be done next Monday instead.

Sigh.

I'm feeling out of sorts for the past while. A funk like I've not had in a long time. Loneliness is a factor, the time of year is a factor - I've never made it a secret that I dislike Christmas (or rather then expectations that come along with this time of year) and work is a factor.

I have that much annual leave still to take that I'll be on a 3-day week from next week and it can't come soon enough.

There's stress from the house stuff too. The move from Tuesday to Wednesday, given my plans on Thursday is causing stress. It shouldn't stress me too much. If the work needs two days instead of one, cancelling my plans on Thursday should be trivial, even if I don't want to do that.

Am I feeling like this cos I'm worn out and my defences are down or am I worn out because I am feeling like this? I think it's the former - all the stuff is hitting me at the same time, when I am tired and in need of some downtime.

And hopefully once I get the work done on Wednesday, that'll make things easier and will free me up for a very long weekend of recharging.

Eyes up here.

I can't remember if I posted about this before. I'm convinced I have, but a search through my posts hasn't returned any results.

"This" is London Girl's cleavage. She posts quite a lot, and a lot of her photos, specifically her selfies, are taken from above. And in those selfies, she shows off a lot of cleavage.

No real comment, just a thought that popped into my head when I was browsing Facebook earlier today.

Oh dear.

The final part of this house project was due to take place on Tuesday, but has just been postponed until Wednesday. That might be inconvenient if the work lasts longer than a day, which is why my own schedule has changed - another customer's project requires more work than expected.

If the work at my house can be done in a single day, then great. But it requires more than a day then that's going to be problematic as I have a work thing to attend on Thursday afternoon.

Whaaaaat?

I think I might have had an interesting dream last night. FA2 featured. I think sex with FA2 featured. But CH also featured. A heavily pregnant CH. I don't know what the context is around CH's presence in this dream. But the FA2 aspect was, if my memory isn't playing tricks on me, a semi-memory kinda thing. A recollection of some of the lusty afternoon sex we would typically have at the weekends.

Well, I say "lusty" but that wasn't FA2's thing. "Lustier" is probably more accurate. I'd be a little more energetic in these sessions than I would be first thing in the morning or at night.

but still... pregnant CH? 

Oh la la!

For the first time in a long time, a familiar face* appeared on Tinder today. It was Blonde Emma Willis (have I describe her as that on the blog or is that just what I call her to USHW?) I've swiped right, of course, cos she's pretty and I am a sucker for a pretty face. I don't know that we're suited... a gut feeling... but it's been that long since I've had a date that I kinda feel I almost need to swipe on those that I think are cute regardless.

*Familiar, but cute. There are plenty of women I see on Tinder regularly that are not swipeable. 

Yay!

I'm not gonna lie, I was slightly apprehensive about meeting FBS, D etc. last night. It was the pub thing, more accurately, the alcohol intake. My tolerance is pretty much zero these days, so the thought of six hours of necking pints had me a little worried.

It was all for nothing, though. Seven pints across nearly six hours meant I was drunk but not as bad a I thought I was going to be.

It was great catching up with the guys. The highlights, for want of a better word, was a running gag that lasted all evening about a euphemism for blowjobs, much to our amusement and FBS's puzzlement. And a debate (I hesitate to call it an argument) with Opinionated Guy who insisted he share our taxi, despite him living in the opposite direction to myself and FBS. He's shared before, because FBS is too nice to tell him to fuck off, but it was my taxi last night and I had no hesitation in telling him where to go.

I hope he'll learn this in future. It feels like we do all the work for him - arrange nights out, get him home etc. and he does nothing.

Grande.

When I go into the office, I tend to treat myself to a Starbucks. It's literally on the way from the bus stop to my office. However, I've not been in the office for a few weeks due to people being off on holiday or me deciding not to go in due to a lack of sleep.

Anyway, I rocked up to the counter and ordered my usual.

The girl took my order, I swiped my card, thanked her and trundled off to the collection zone.

A few minutes later the barista called out my name.

I was confused. I hadn't given the cashier my name.

"You're Ruuude, aren't you? That's your name?" she asked, coyly.

"Yeah"

"I thought so. That's your drink."

"Oh..." I was still confused. "Thank you!" I smiled at her.

Cute woman remembers my name despite me only visiting a shop once a week, and I've not been in in weeks. She's just being professional, but it proper made my day. 

Let's see.

I've already asked Quiet Girl if she's going to go to the next work night, which is in two weeks time. She's not said anything yet, which is unusual. I'm torn. I'd like to go out. I've said it before, but she's good company and I don't really go out enough. But I have two gigs on either side of the work night, and it's been a while since I've done two nights in a row, never mind three.

And there's still my ongoing back pain. I should look into that once I get this work project from hell out of the way in a few weeks.

Cheers!

Friction Guy replied, so it looks like we've got a core group and a rough time for meeting and a place to meet.

I'm not interested in the drinking. I hate being drunk and my ability to drink alcohol is now non-existent probably due to the fact that I've lost a fair bit of weight this year and I've done little to no socialising, so I am out of practice.

And the nights out with D, FBS etc. always seem to involved a lot of alcohol. We tend to meet around 6 PM these days and call it a night around midnight. That's six hours of drinking. The night out a few weeks ago with The Crowd was just over three hours and I was extremely tipsy.

Let's see how this turns out. 

Hurrah!

I think the first stage of the work is pretty much done. All the connections have been connected, the holes are not holey and it's just the surface tidy up that needs completed.

Roll on getting a confirmed date for the second part in just overt a week's time and for the work to be done hopefully within 2 weeks.

Let's go.

I hadn't heard from D, FBs etc. about this coming weekend so I sent a WhatsApp message to make sure we were all still coming out. FBS and D were quick to reply, in the positive. I've heard nothing from Friction Guy or Opinionated Guy as yet, but they're secondary. If it just turns out to be me, FBS and D, that'll still be a good night.

Just talk.

KfW2's just off the phone. Another car journey, but not with the kids. This time she's travelling for work - a mere 222 mile journey, roughly. She sounds like she's having a hard time of it. She said as much the last time I saw her in person, but despite her talking to her managers, nothing's improved.

She keeps saying that she's going to look for a new job, but she hasn't as yet. That's not a criticism. I know that I've been guilty of not doing exactly that when things have been bad at work. Imposter syndrome is something that KfW2 and I have in common.

But, given her lengthy car journey, she was in no rush to end the call and neither was I. We chatted for about 45 minutes. No sign of a night out, but she's been busy with family stuff that might ease after this coming weekend.

It's always nice to hear from her. 

It's a gas, gas, gas.

The house work continues. There are guys out the front with a massive sledgehammer and a concrete saw making a hell of a racket. So, despite my pessimism this morning, it looks as if phase 1 of this work will be completed on time - by this Friday.

Phase 2 will begin in a few weeks, but I won't get confirmation of actual dates until 21st November. 

The heat is on.

I have two days booked off work at the end of the month, and two weeks booked off at Xmas. I still have about half a dozen days still to take this calendar year, and I plan to take them all. I've been feeling a little burned out at work over the past month or so.

That's not going to change any time soon. We were just given an urgent project that needs to be completed in just under three weeks and it's going to be a disaster. Add into that my manager being way out of his depth and, I hate to say it, stupid. It may be a language barrier (English is not his first language), it may be cultural, but he has a habit of not listening when he gets stuff explained to him if he already thinks he knows the solution.

That's not just me saying that. I've had at least three other people imply something similar over the past few weeks and frustration is starting to build from all parties. 

Still... once this project is finished, I can take these remaining personal days. 

Party Time.

Tonight was the night that I suggested to KfW2 that we went out for dinner and drinks, which she says she couldn't do for family reasons. so she pondered other dates which we've yet to talk about.

But that reminded me that we're getting into social season. As stated a few days ago, G's home, so there's an outside chance of seeing him tomorrow. I still have to message M, which will probably be a midweek coffee or pint.

I have at least four things to do this month - meeting FBS, D etc. next weekend, a gig to go to on the 27th, a possible work thing on the 28th and another gig on the 29th with my brother-in-law.

There's also the possibility of something with KfW2, but I doubt that'll happen until December, if at all. 

And December will be busy too - another work thing, out with S/The Crowd, the potential KfW2 thing if it doesn't happen in November and another gig. And I'm sure I've forgotten something else. 

I feel tired already. 

Pick me up

So with all the stress from earlier and considering the work's not completed despite what I was told, I need something to cheer me up. Enjoy some pictures of attractive women in suits.

A lot of nerve (con't)

I had assumed that most of the work would be complete by the end of today. And then, over the next few days, they'd tidy up, fill in the holes they've dug etc. and re-surfaced the footpath.

However, it's 2PM. I've not seen a workman since before lunch and there's still a lot of digging and pipe laying to be done. Not that I'm complaining because the work has started at least, but if there's an expectation that I keep space free in front of my house (which there was) then I need better information because I was led to believe it was a one-day installation with tidy up taking up to five days to complete.

A lot of nerve.

The workmen haven't arrived yet, but the guy from across the street has already knocked on the door to say he hasn't forgotten about his second car, but he's lost his keys and there's a tow truck coming. That alleviates some of the anxiety/stress.

I still need to knock on my neighbour's door and ask her to move her car, but I am aware it's still early, so I'll leave it until 9 AM.

I've no idea when the workmen are due to arrive, but hopefully it won't be until after the neighbours have moved their cars.

[Update: 915] She's still not out of bed, which is frustrating because on any other day, she'd be up and about by 8 AM. By my reckoning, I've tried to talk to her half a dozen times since mid-afternoon yesterday. Sigh.

[Update 2: 940] The tow truck has just arrived. At least that's one problem solved, and the workmen haven't shown up yet. 

[Update 3: 1000] The tow truck guy couldn't help - there was no space to hook up the car, so the best he could do was push it back a few metres. And my neighbour still isn't out of bed, otherwise he could have pushed it back quite a bit and made loads of room. However... the workmen have turned up and the lack of space is inconvenient but not a blocker to them doing the work. All that stress and effort for nothing.

Still nervy.

So the guy from across the street only moved one of his cars. I'm hoping he moves the other tonight or before the workmen show up tomorrow. Annoyingly, my direct neighbour (not the one mentioned earlier) decided she wasn't going to park in her driveway, as she ways does, but has parked her car in the space vacated by opposite guy which, to be fair, is right in front of her house.

I've knocked on her door four times this afternoon and evening to no answer and my most recent and last attempt, all the lights were out. So she's either gone to bed or she's gone out.

There's an outside chance that the workmen will refuse to do the work if there are no parking spaces in front of my house tomorrow, which is causing some anxiety, but I can say honestly that I've made the effort to arrange the space and it can't be held against me if my neighbours are uncooperative.

Nervy.

I barely slept last night. I think it was nerves because I had to talk to a few neighbours about work that I'm getting done to my house tomorrow. Now, I have no issues with my direct next door neighbours - they're lovely. 

It's the people who live directly opposite me that were causing anxiety. I've no reason to think badly of them, but I've never actually spoken to them in the ten years I've lived here and the thought of rapping on their door to ask a favour filled me with dread. 

They do, however, own three cars and a motorhome, that takes up more than their fair share of parking space in the street, and that's what I needed to chat to them about. 

Thankfully, while I was talking to my direct neighbour, they came out of the house and I was able to ask them to move their cars for tomorrow. 

So, all sorted. Phew.

Out of the blue.

For some reason, M popped into my head earlier.

"I should see if he's free for a coffee or a beer,"  I pondered.

Then I made a mental leap.

"It's been ages since I heard from G. I should see how he's getting on"

So I sent G a message. Coincidentally, he's home this weekend on a flying visit. He had "stuff" going on (non-serious) that meant he hasn't been back in a while. I had assumed he had been back but family stuff had kept him from being in touch.

He doubts he'll have the time to meet up, but will be in touch if he does. We're still swapping messages though, catching up.

Oh, K.

A bit of a weird dream last night that involved K and KfW2. Specifically, it involved KfW2 heavily suggesting that I sleep with K, off the back of K and KfW2 having a girly chat. 

I suspect that I did, though I don't remember that bit actually being part of the dream. And it ended the same was as it did in real life: K wanted to take it further, I couldn't give that to her and we stopped being friends. 

KfW2 was apologetic and explained that K never suggested that was wanted anything other than just something physical.

And then KfW2 and I went out for dinner and drinks, KfW2's treat to apologise for what happened.

Remember when?

I was bored at work and spent the afternoon re-reading some email conversations with USHW from back in the day. Specifically, the interactions with Ideas Girl when she was drunk and supposedly flirting and the period of time after Sports Girl admitted she "liked" me.

It was kind of bittersweet. I really enjoyed my conversations with USHW for starters.  The Ideas Girl chat was funny, even though she was really quite rude. I recall sharing one such chat with KfW2 who suggested that I "bone her and get it out of your system". When I suggested that I don't something like that before and it didn't work out well (K), I was surprised that she didn't ask follow-up questions.

Oh really?

GM featured in last night's dream. I can't remember the start, but in it, GM broke up with his girlfriend. Or rather, his girlfriend broke up with him. He asked me to collect a gift that he'd made for her where it transpired that he was planning on proposing to her. And at the same time I found out that she had been cheating on him.

GM did break up with his girlfriend in real life about two months ago. I don't know if there was any cheating involved. From the sounds of it, it was just that the relationship had run its course. 

Cuddle up.

Semi-broken sleep last night, but I woke with a sense of something... not intangible, but vague. I know how I felt this morning, so while there was a vague thought (I don't think it was dream-related) of FA2, FBS and a couple of others not named on this blog, it wasn't about them specifically.

The thought I woke to was being under the covers, in bed, cuddling with a woman while the room was cold. Fairly specific, don't you think? Well, that's kinda where I was this morning, sans naked woman for cuddling. The bed was warm, the room was cold. But it was the missing part that provoked the reaction. I miss that. I wanted that this morning.

Wonderful

It's ten years to the day that Sports Girl admitted that she liked me, looking stunning in her Wonder Woman costume. I think it had more overtures than that. We were, after all, friends. She left the bar shortly afterwards and I shared the update with GM, admitting that I was attracted to her, but in a purely physical way.

It would never have worked out. She had weird ideas about sex... conflicting ideas about sex and I'm not sure casual sex was her thing either. And she was not girlfriend material, at least for me. She and GM got together about 5 months later.

But that Wonder Woman costume... 

What?

Randomly, Chloe popped into my head this afternoon. Dunno why. It's now, what, nearly three years since our one and only meeting? I've never seen her out and about, since. She's never popped up on my social media feeds the way others have (SUF, for example). And yet, randomly, I thought of her this afternoon. Or rather, I remembered the evening where we met, then I thought of her.

Zzzz

Another semi-remembered dream from last night, but the details are long gone. FA2 might have featured, but in what capacity, I really couldn't tell you. I don't think it was sexual.

This isn't a post about the dream itself but more that I've more dreams, or I've remembered more dreams, over the past few days than in the past six months combined.

Is it related to quality of sleep? I've slept really well since buying the new mattress, despite the back pain. But it's not been great over the past week. A change in the weather and the change in clocks maybe?

So what?

Another weird dream last night. I was rich and lived in a large house. For some reason, I was hosting two concerts, one in the front lawn and one in the back garden. Alanis Morissette and P!nk respectively. While Alanis Morissette was doing her sound check in the front, I was chatting to P!nk at the back. We were comparing stories of our respective times in New Zealand, for reasons I don't understand.

She was saying things that didn't make sense or at least what she was saying wasn't tallying with my own experiences of New Zealand and also while she was "P!nk" in the dream, physically it was actually V.

And I kinda understand why V featured. She's popped up in my Facebook feed over the weekend in fancy dress for Halloween, and that's brought back some fond memories of the night we met her at her friends' bar while she was dressed as Alice in Wonderland and looking mighty fine. I think. My memory of who she was meant to be that evening has always been awful.

And it was the realisation that it was physically V, not P!nk is when I woke this morning. 

Looking back.

I dreamt of SJ last night. I know the name might not immediately ring a bell even though she's featured on the blog before, but she was someone that I went to school with. A friend on whom I developed feelings for when I was around 17 or 18. I'd say it was my first, adult crush. I'd dated previously, had a girlfriend even, but SJ was something else.

We were close, but I never saw anything in her behaviour to indicate that making any kind of move would result in anything other than failure.

On top of that, I was still finding out who I was. I was unsure of myself, certainly immature while she appeared to have her head screwed on, know what she wanted from life.

So, yeah, the dream... we met again despite not having seen each other in 20-odd years and immediately settled into our old rhythm. Later, at a party, I tried to confess two things to her: my original crush from years ago and that I'd like to take her on a date. But I talked around the subjects without ever getting to the point, though I'm sure she knew what I was getting at and just wanted me to say it outright. The memory fades before any resolution to the dream happened.

It's been ages since I thought of SJ. She's one of the few people from school that I'd love to have a drink/coffee with now that I'm not already in contact with.

Back to front.

One comment of note from this morning's breakfast with CC was her talk of breast reduction surgery. She's complaining of back pain and was attributing this to the size of her boobs. CC (the first C stands for "chesty") has huge boobs. I couldn't even begin to tell you what size she is, but it's big.

But I'm not sure that the back pain is specifically related to her chest. She's never complained of back pain before and given my own experiences, I'd be more included to say that her issues are similar to mine: being completely sedentary. Although I spent money on a proper desk and chair setup.

CC works from her sofa or her dining room table, neither of which are going to do her any favours. 

Of course, I'm not a doctor, so I could be completely wrong. I think she's hoping that having her back pain's cause diagnosed as her chest means that she can get a boob reduction for free/cheap. I'm not sure that's how it works.

Time after time after time

In news that will shock no-one who knows CC, she didn't just want to borrow my drill. She wanted to borrow me, too. I could make a euphemism about giving CC a good drilling on two of her beds, but I don't have the energy. That's not a euphemism either.

Regardless, the favour took about a quarter of the time she thought it would, so I'm back in my house after breakfast and drilling and all within two hours of leaving.

Time after time

CC was meant to pick me up 5 minutes ago to go for brunch. Actually, that's the secondary reason, she really wants to borrow my drill, so I suggested 11 AM.

Unsurprisingly, a call came about half an hour ago. 

"Are we still on for 11?" CC asked.

"Yup, I'm starving"

"Can we do 1130 instead?" It wasn't really a question. 

So even with an extra hour in bed last night, CC still has trouble getting up. I've never met anyone like her for struggling to get out of bed. This isn't a weekend or a hangover thing. She's like this 7 days a week, often not starting work until after 10 AM.

I am starving though. 

Itchy feet.

While I can't say that it's surprising because I've not spoken to her in years so have no idea what her thought processes are, the attractive athletic blonde woman that I knew from primary school (I can't remember if I gave her a blog name) has announced that she's moving to Australia.

Not visiting, not travelling... moving. It's an interesting move at our age (she's only a few days younger than me), though I do believe that she's divorced (or separated at least) and her kids are now adults. I wonder why she made the decision?

I'm kinda jealous. I'd love to have the money and the freedom to do that. 

Little miss.

I think I dreamed of QC2 last night, but the details of the dream are gone, or were never there. Just a vague memory of QC2 and a feeling that I miss her.

It might be a dozen years since I last saw her, and it's not like we had a falling out... we just never met for drinks ever again. She butt dialled me about ten years ago - the day after I moved into my current house, actually. But that never led to anything, sadly... and that was that. 

She's not on social media any more and I'm not going to send a text or call a 12 year old number that might not even be hers anymore.

Onwards.

The house stuff continues at pace. The first of two steps is pencilled in for the first week in November. I'm waiting to hear back about the second stage, but I'm hoping it'll be the week after. There are a few queries on the scope of the work in the second stage that may add a little more time and expense, but it's this piece of work that has driven the entire project.

Hopefully it'll all be nailed down by the end of the afternoon. 

Time out

Despite being really busy, I'm also in a bit of a motivational slump at work. Nothing bad has happened, I'm just completely de-motivated. I do have a lot of time off still to take. I think it's like 9 days still to take, and that doesn't count the time I already have booked off at Xmas.

I could, in theory, work a 4-day week between now and the end of the year, but while I'll probably end up doing something like that, I don't want to book the time now. I'd rather react as we get into party season and take time off accordingly.

I'm half expecting either The Crowd or KfW2 to suggest a trip to the Christmas market, which will likely be a Sunday, which means a Monday off is required.

Still, taking Friday off is tempting. 

Night out.

It was a great night out. I was a little apprehensive when I first arrived at the bar and it was packed. While I've been out in bars over the past year or so, I've never been out when it's been really busy so the brief flicker of anxiety/discomfort was something new to me.

FC and Mrs FC were the first to arrive. Mrs FC was quick to ask if I'd lost weight. GM was the next to arrive. S was an hour late. He'd gone out drinking with other friends and took his time joining us.

We went to two bars - arguably my two favourite bars in the city centre. And it was great people watching. And I'm not gonna lie, it was great seeing cute women. There seemed to be a lot of women in skirts and boots too which was a bonus. 

There was one woman sitting at the table next to me in the second bar who was giving off serious Anna Kendrick vibes, but they weren't giving off "open to talking" vibes.

We called it quits around midnight, which was just right for me in terms of time and drunkenness.

What?

I think I've posted before about an evening where I ended up washing FBS's hair after we'd been painting her front room. She was only in her bra and jeans, and somehow her pressing into me as I washed her hair felt more intimate than when we actually had sex.

Well, I had a dream last night, and I can barely remember any of the details, but that was the feeling I woke to this morning - something inexplicably intimate that wasn't your normal intimate interaction.

Let's go!

The plans for the house move on. The sales guy has been out with engineering drawings that are, thankfully, showing my original request rather than the suggestions offered up by the engineer when he came out.

Once the paperwork is processed, I'll get a firm date on when the work can be done, but the sales guy reckons around 4 weeks from today. Result!

Watching.

I am looking forward to Saturday night. If I am being honest, I'd say that I am as excited about being in the city on a Saturday night as I am about seeing The Crowd in... years? I can't even remember the last night I saw them. Was it the Chloe night? I'm struggling to recall if I've seen them since.

It looks like GM is going to drive, and might leave early, but I've already suggested meeting earlier than we used to and leaving town before it becomes impossible to get a taxi. 

But sitting in a bar, on a Saturday night people watching and having fun is something I've missed as much as the company itself. Is it the potential of meeting new people? Maybe. I've always had great success in chatting to new people with GM. It's definitely at the back of my mind.

Bell curve.

Back when this blog was in its infancy, I had a rather large crush on Catherine Bell. In particular, she'd done a photoshoot for, I think, FHM, and it contained one of my favourite photos of a celebrity. She was wearing a tiny pair of white shorts and a grey bra, and it was taken on a ship. Here's an old blog post with those pictures.

Well, a few days ago, she posted on her Instagram about it and shared some photos not seen before (at least by me). Sadly, none of her in the cute shorts/bra outfit, but nice pictures nonetheless.

Talkabout...

KfW2 called. She was out walking her dog. We got into the small talk, but she quickly asked the question

"Was there any reason you wanted to go out in November?"

"Well, yeah, I've not seen you in ages and I know you're super-busy in October, so I thought maybe try and nail something down for November."

"Mmmm." She thought out loud about her plans for November. I think she had assumed that there was something I specifically wanted to chat about, that there was something wrong and part of the reason for calling was checking in on me.

"We could maybe do the last weekend in November. I'd have to wait and see though about this other thing [that she had explained to me]."

The conversation continued. We chatted for about 45 minutes. As usual, it was great hearing from her, but I'd still love to see her in person.

YES!

There was one hiccup in my productive long weekend. I had meant to schedule a follow-up hone call about some work I wanted done to my house. I had a guy out a few weeks ago to chat about it and he needed some expertise advice.

For some reason, I dropped off his radar. I had assumed the worst. That might have been an influence on my funk from yesterday. I did make the call today, though, and everything seems good. He's coming back at the end of the week and I should be able to get the paperwork signed, nail down a date and get the work done, hopefully before the end of November.

That means that the other plans I have for the house can start early next year, if I can maintain this motivation. 

Whoops.

I took yesterday off work to recharge, and I have to say I had a pretty good, productive, relaxing weekend that seemed to be doing the job just nicely. I even got some new clothes shopping done. But it all just disappeared mid-evening. And I don't know what, if anything, brought it on, but the funk hit quickly and it hit hard.

And that's carried into today. Hmmm... it's going to be a long day.

Boo!

I sent KfW2 a message inquiring about her availability next month. if she was free on the dates I suggested, would she like to do something? Grab dinner and drinks maybe?

Sadly, she's busy next month. it's her eldest daughter's school exams which I'd completely forgotten about. 

That probably means it'll be the Christmas party period before we see each other, at least in an adult social setting. 

Well, what do we have here?

One of the blockers in getting The Crowd out for drinks has been GM. Rather, this unspoken rule that it's everyone or no-one. It's similar with FBS, D etc.

But GM has been the most difficult to pin down. We can never agree dates, but GM has never been that upfront about suggesting alternatives or sharing his availability.

I was genuinely surprised at how easy it all came together on Monday evening.

I was also extremely surprised when GM started posting in the WhatsApp group earlier today suggesting places to meet. This is unusual and, as a result, I am suspicious.

Surprise, surprise.

Randomly, earlier today I discovered that FP had an Instagram account. FP, like me, was not a big social media kind of person. It was not under his real name, which is why I don't think it registered sooner, even if it was listed under the "suggested for you" section.

There are a few familiar names in there - Attractive Neighbour, FBS and S are the top 4 (along with FP). All of their accounts are locked down, though.

I don't appear in any of FP's Instagram posts, though there are at least a couple of pictures where I'm sure I'm floating around behind the camera somewhere.

I miss FP. It's his birthday soon.

First time.

I saw this picture of Emma Bunton on Instagram earlier. I'm digging it for a number of reasons - she's an attractive woman, she's in a trouser suit and that mesh top/bra combo is also a winner.

It's the mesh top/bra combo that's prompted this post, though. This was the type of top that FA2 wore the first night we slept together - a green sheer top with green Wonderbra. It wasn't the type of thing that FA2 usually wore.

Nail on the head.

One of the topics covered by Nerdy Girl and myself last night as we did a slightly-longer than usual walk was what we're currently watching on television. I mentioned Supergirl. I know that Nerdy Girl has watched those DC TV programmes in the past.

"It's rubbish but attractive women in short skirts and boots keeps me interested."

"I thought you'd be more into the sister character?"

I was surprised. She hit the nail on the head, though I don't ever recall having a chat with NG about my taste in women.

Absolutely super.

 

I've started another run through of Supergirl. It'll take a while - 6 seasons, 126 episodes of roughly 45 mins per episode. But I'm bored and there's nothing new tickling my fancy. And, y'know, attractive women in short skirts and boots.

I should point out, if you haven't already guessed by my posts and comments on women that Chyler Leigh is much more my physical preference than Melissa Benoist, but it's hard to beat that skirt/boots combo.

Awww...

Sadly, the magic seems to have worn off. Quiet Girl has already shared that she won't be attending our work's Halloween party at the end of the month.

Only a minor setback given my recent successes in getting people to agree to meet.

And I've reached out to KfW2, so let's see where things go from there. 

As if by magic...

Out of the blue, a WhatsApp message from FBS giving a list of dates she's free in November. A quick reply from D, a suggestion by me and I think we could have nailed down a date, unless Friction Guy throws a spanner in the works!

So, with The Crowd and now this lot arranged, I should definitely work on KfW2. 

Penned in.

Quite surprisingly, it's all come together with The Crowd. We're agreed to go out in 12 days time, on the Saturday. I'm already looking forward to it.

If this is all coming together, I should try and get KfW2 out, too. Not on the same night, obviously, but maybe the start of next month. I know she's busy this month with family stuff and Halloween.

And there's a night out with D, FBS etc. that'll probably happen in November. 

Pencilled in.

After sending out a message to The Crowd a few days ago to somewhat generally positive responses, we might have even arranged a date: 18th October. It's the only date this month that FC is available. I'm free and I think S is, too.

If nothing else, I think we should meet even if the others can't make it. 

Urgh.

I think it's fair to say that I'm not feeling 100% today. I'm not hungover, at least not in the traditional sense. I don't really get hungover. But I am definitely still tired, despite being in bed from around 10PM and not waking until after 9AM. I will probably be mentally muggy all day, and it's not a feeling I like.

Bit it was fun, even if the numbers were low because of Storm Amy. 

Quiet Girl's just texted to find out how it was. I'll reply once I get some coffee.

Weather or not.

Storm Amy might be troublesome tomorrow. Quiet Girl has already said that she's re-evaluating her attendance at our work thing tomorrow. I'm still keen to go out, but I do see this weather keeping a lot of people away. I wouldn't be surprised if it was cancelled, but I'd hate if it was cancelled at the last minute.

Party time?

After D's attempt to get us out soon, I took the plunge and sent a message into the WhatsApp group with The Crowd about meeting for drinks soon.

S was quick to reply in the affirmative and so, surprisingly, was GM. Nothing as yet from FC or Mrs FC, but maybe this time we'll get something sorted. I'd be surprised if we saw each other this month, but maybe the start of November? That feels doable.

GM's already suggested a Christmas night as well. Hopefully we can do both.

It's been a while.

It was QC2's birthday yesterday. She's an older woman by about 10 months. It's nearly ten years since we had any kind of contact, and even that was a mis-dial. I miss our semi-frequent meetups at a pub for a few drinks and a chat.

Actually, now that I think about it, I really do like meetups for a few drinks and a chat. 

Sigh.

I went to visit my sister last night. I've not seen her in about a month, but that's not a surprise. I've posted before about the one-sided nature of our relationship. I do get an annual invite for Christmas dinner and the odd BBQ. They've asked me to do them favours like babysit or house-sit. But as I think I've blogged before, they never show up at my house, they never make a phone call just to be in touch.

And as I left their house last night after an enjoyable couple of hours conversation, my brother-in-law said "don't be a stranger".

I never am - I'm the one who always makes the effort, and it always frustrates me when they say something like that, or when their solution to my loneliness is to go and visit them. There's more to it than that. It frustrates me that they don't get that. It's not like they never visit other people. They do.