Well, hello!

We had a work thing yesterday. Not the monthly company-wide thing that I've mentioned before, but specific to our team. My team is split over two cities, so half of them needed to travel to attend. And many of them did... only to leave at lunchtime and not participate in the fun stuff during the afternoon.

Anyway, that's by the by and not really the reason for this post. We ended up at the Christmas Market, had a few drinks then moved on to a decent bar just down the road, which was showing the World Cup matches.

I managed to get talking to this stunning-looking blonde woman. I don't think she was single, though she never mentioned anyone and there was no ring. Plus, a guy hovering nearby seemed a little protective or possessive of her. She never introduced us, so I'm guessing it's a work colleague who has the hots for her. I kinda recognise the signals from when I was that guy out socialising with QC2 and she was being hit on.

Anyway, recognising that I was probably too drunk and still not certain that she was single, I made my excuses and left.

But this morning, it brought a smile to my face. It's the first time I can remember in ages that I saw someone in real life that provoked something plus I also managed to get talking to her. And while I appreciate that I was drunk, I do remember this morning that she resembled AH, albeit much more attractive, with shoulder-length hair rather than the short 'do that AH typically sports.

Talking

It was a social day yesterday. First I met a few co-workers, including my boss, Stalky Guy and Brusque Guy. I wasn't really in the mood for it - I've never really gotten over my boss's favouritism of Stalky and Brusque, plus he's let me down a few times when it's really mattered.

Saying that, I'm going to require a favour off the boss soon, plus I really need to get out of the house more and talk to people, so I figured that it was only a few hours. It turned out not to be so bad, plus the timing was good as I was meeting GM to go and see a film.

We had a brief chat after the film, which was great. I had been talking about getting some people out socialising - The Crowd, mainly. It might be a few weeks though there is appetite to get everyone together. GM was talking about potentially bringing out AH and an ex-FwB of his. I don't know that the numbers will work. We still have Covid restrictions and could only have 6 people out. FC, Mrs FC, S, his girlfriend (presumably), GM and myself. If S doesn't invite his girlfriend, that frees up one slot. If it were my choice, I'd choose AH every time. I just never warmed to GM's ex-FwB, I don't know why. I don't dislike her either, by the way, I just didn't click with her .

Of course, GM and I swapped "don't feel like you're stuck in the house, if you're bored come over to mine" messages at the end. I don't think he has cabin fever - he seems socially active on some really interesting looking stuff, but more if he's a bit lonely or needs a chat.

Hello!

I was surfing IMDB today when I came across a photo of British actress Helen George. She's best known for "Call the Midwife", a drama that's not really my cup of tea. But do you know something? She really reminds me of GM's friend AH. Due to various things that have happened with GM, AH doesn't come out any more.

That's a shame. AH was always good fun and, as far as I am concerned, easy to talk to. I always give a lot of time to people that I can communicate with.

Phew.

KfW2 arrived at my house earlier than expected. Well, to be honest, I wasn't expecting her to show up at mine at all, but she did. So by my reckoning, that made her about two hours early. That's unheard of with KfW2. She's, at best, on time. At worst, she can be hours late, though the only time I can remember her being overly late for me was her own birthday night out. That was about 45 minutes.

I cracked open the posh gin and the posh mixers that I'd been saving for a special occasion, rustled up some dinner and we spent a pleasant few hours sipping drinks and munching away. I ordered a cab and we made our way to the prearranged bar to meet S, GM, FC, Mrs FC and a friend of GM's - AH. They had beaten us there by a matter of minutes, but the bar was rammed. It was the good weather, so any bar with a decent outside area was going to be busy. Once FP arrived, we made the executive decision to go to a different bar.

And it was a good night. In fact, it was a great night. Barring KfW2 going home earlier than expected (she was really quite drunk, plus her and her husband had managed one of the most convoluted arrangements ever), it was everything that I had expected. To be honest, when this particular crowd of people get together, it's always a great night out. It was part of the reason why I insisted that KfW2 came out instead of waiting for another time (see this post).

I'm sure KfW2 and FP were surprised when AH managed to drag me up to dance and I didn't put up a lot of resistance. I was more than tipsy at this stage.

It was the first time that KfW2 and FP had met AH and she seemed to get favourable comments from both. I really like her - she's super easy to talk to, but she doesn't come out with GM as much as any of us would like.

GM and I spoke about it the next day. GM invites her out because she works long hours and is becoming more and more reclusive when she used to be very social. She seems to get along with us brilliantly, even if she's extremely picky about which bars we go to. GM also reckoned that she simply need to let her hair down and chill out... have an evening where she could switch off and enjoy herself. Funnily enough, that was part of the reason I wanted KfW2 out. I think she's burned out as well - lots going on at work, plus hectic personal life (with not a lot of help from family).

And I know that KfW2 had a really good time. In fact, everyone had a good time. And that made me happy.