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.

Is it?

I needed to go to the local shopping centre and I've pretty much not left the house in three weeks because of the illness. It's a lovely day here, so the thought of wandering around for an hour, listening to music and getting in some provisions and clothes was very appealing.

I showered, dressed and left the house. As I approached the bus stop, this very attractive redhead turned the corner. She was dressed in green - a green hoodie, green yoga pants and running shoes. But she looked familiar. I was convinced it was Attractive Neighbour, but as she got closer, doubt began to creep in. I didn't want to stare, so just continued walking.

She got into a car with a guy and they drove off. There are no open shops or restaurants near me, so I am convinced they were walking a local trail that's a few hundred metres away and were just returning to where they'd parked their car.

So, it's a couple of hours later, and I still can't say for certain that it was Attractive Neighbour. But if it wasn't, then AN has a doppelganger.

Oh la la!

I was going through some old email conversations with USHW when I happened upon a link that she'd sent which pointed me towards Attractive Neighbour modelling wedding lingerie from many years ago.

Attractive Neighbour is probably too high maintenance for my tastes, but as slim redheads go, she's up there with the best of them, in my opinion.

Three's a crowd.

I had another sex dream last night. I lived at one of my previous addresses and was having an affair with CH. Whilst having loud sex, someone rang the doorbell. When I answered, it was Attractive Neighbour and she joined us for some adult fun.

Obviously, it was very frustrating. While I've not thought about CH recently, there was a lot of lust there. Attractive Neighbour, as her name suggests, is very attractive, even if I don't ever recall thinking of her in a sexualised way.

It also reminded me of a back-and-forth email conversation that USHW and I had years ago that followed a similar train of thought.

Too late

Years ago, when I had Attractive Neighbour as a, well, neighbour, we were on the hunt for a new housemate. We'd had issues before, selecting the first person who came through the door and it wasn't really a good fit. So, this time around, we'd made a point of seeing potential housemates over, I think, five days then we would decide on the best. It was still no guarantee that it would work out, but at least we'd be selecting the best from a bunch of people rather than the first person to reply to our advert.

On the third day, we interviewed two people. An English pilot and a Scottish doctor. The pilot was, quite frankly, an idiot. He reminded me of a roommate I had when I'd lived abroad and I was not in a hurry to repeat that mistake. However, the doctor was a breath of fresh air. She was outgoing, friendly, intelligent and funny. This was in stark contrast to most of the people we'd seen so far. My gut was to ask her immediately to move in, but MfW was adamant that we'd see out the other two days.

Suffice it to say, when we were chatting a few days later, the doctor was still my number one choice. It was MfW2's as well. Sadly, though, when I called her to let her know that the place was hers if she wanted it, she'd made alternative arrangements. If memory serves, I think she suggested that she couldn't hang around despite the fact that we were very clear about when the decision would be made.

And so, we settled for our second choice, who wasn't that bad, but he moved out about nine months later for a new job and we ended up getting NSU in, which is another matter entirely.

A random memory that popped into my head when I was doing some gardening earlier.

Lookalikes.

On a forum, a question was posed... "Post a picture of someone who is your type". Well, not a question per se, but a statement.

I think I have two 'types', both similar. One would be a tall, athletic brunette. So, Charisma Carpenter, Allison Stokke, KfW2, Daniela Ruah, Morena Baccarin and possibly Alison Brie and Jessica Alba etc. The other would be a petite version of that - Kate Mara, Cristin Milioti or Anna Kendrick.

Someone posted a picture of a redhead. She's possibly an adult actress and I don't know her name, but she really reminds me of Attractive Neighbour. And not in a "squint and you might see a resemblance" like I've mentioned before with Anna Kendrick and CAB, for example. But a genuine, "they do actually look alike" resemblance. Pity I can't find that photo now.

Being nosey.

Attractive Neighbour's Instagram account popped in a "people you might be interested in" list, so off I went for a nosey. AN has been busy! She's been involved in several projects that anyone based in the UK is more than likely aware of. And, of course, there are some celebrities pictured with AN, including blog favourites Lucrezia Millarini and Ellie Taylor.

And that took me off again to ES's Instagram account (she commented on some of AN's posts), but that's for another time.

It also answered the question of whether AN had bought a house per her admission to me a few years ago. It appears she has!

Just random stuff.

I was browsing Reddit this morning when I saw a screenshot of a local property website. The post itself was complaining about the number of long-term letting options versus short-term (i.e. Air BnB).

What stood out, though, was that Attractive Neighbour's place is up for grabs. Now, the last time I was communicating with AN was when I messaged her on Plenty of Fish all those years ago. She admitted, at that time, that she would be moving on soon. I've no idea if she did, or if this listing is her only now moving on.

Still a pleasing distraction seeing as I am still bothered by the KfW2 thing.

Tired.

It's been an eventful 24 hours. I got to indulge in my "women in scrubs" perving for reasons that I'll not go into at this point in time. Specifically, a stunning brunette doctor who I was talking to.

I was out with KfW2 and her workmates last night. It was a fun night. Some of her team can be a bit weird, but I was a big hit with the team's female members. I was in one of those moods where I was flirty, cheeky and confident, and I've no idea where that came from. No single women, though.

It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, KfW2 and I as the last people standing, and instantly the dynamic between us changed once the co-workers left for busses, trains and taxis. Where before, we were friendly, it became more tactile, close, and intimate, but in a completely platonic way. Not like it would have been with CH.

We found a quiet spot and chatted. KfW2 voiced concern that she was calling in too many favours. I repeatedly told her that we were friends, and not a series of transactions (which is true, even if I do sometimes complain about the books not balancing) and I would always help out where I can. And I pointed out a few times recently that she's done me a favour/given me advice. She really wasn't convinced though.

Then she asked me about being alone. And did I want to meet someone? A woman? And did I not want kids? And we talked about that for a bit as well, though I did have to remind KfW2 that we've had these conversations before. Sadly, she only had one suggestion: Plenty of Fish, which we've done before with no success, and she was that toasted, I bet she doesn't remember anyway.

It's a little disappointing that she hasn't remembered this from the times we've covered all this before, though she was drunk.

And I told her, with zero ambiguity, that I loved her and that her friendship was extremely valuable to me. A sentiment that she returned. We've said this to each other before, too.

It might only have been 45 minutes, but this is exactly the kind of thing that we haven't had in years. It only seems to happen in pubs, it doesn't happen when we're alone under other circumstances.

I also found a selfie that I took of us. It's out of focus (as was I, last night), but had it been in focus, it would have been a really nice photo of us both. However, I think it gives off the wrong vibe. It has a very couple-y feel to it.

On my way back home from the perving at cute doctors thing, I passed Attractive Neighbour in the street. A nod, a glimmer of recognition on her part and that was it. On any other day, I might have slowed to see if she'd stop for a chat, but I'm operating on three hours of sleep, a hangover that's threatening to kick in, being awake from 5 AM and wanted to get home.

I can barely keep my eyes open, but I fear that the happenings will not end soon and it will be a long day.

Ungentlemanly thoughts.

I've found myself going to bed later and later. I think it's a leftover from being off work for nearly four weeks over the Xmas period.

Typically, it's because I'm watching a film or reading a book. Last night, it was Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen. It was reasonably enjoyable, but one of the final shots of the film was Michelle Dockery in a short skirt and boots.

Mmmm... short skirt and boots. Definitely giving me ungentlemanly thoughts.

Kinda reminds me of a picture that Attractive Neighbour used in one of her Tinder appearances.

Swipe, right?

I did another sweep through Tinder this morning, bored, hungover and horny and desperately trying to will myself out of bed for work. For the first time in a long time, Attractive Neighbour popped up on my feed. I, of course, swiped right. I don't think I'm her type. I'm not even sure she's my type (I get a high maintenance vibe off her), but I'm a sucker for a pretty face and AN is pretty.

Back to back.

It's not often I swipe right on women on Tinder. It's even rarer that I do it twice in a row. But tonight was one of those nights. Back to back swipes on... Attractive Neighbour and Sister's University Friend!

Now, don't get me wrong, Attractive Neighbour is an extremely attractive woman, and the little interaction I had with her was very positive in that she was easy to talk to, but I feel she's too high maintenance for me. She's all posh frocks and cocktails. I'm a bit more basic than that. Plus, I really don't think I'm her type.

Sister's University Friend looks like she might be a better match. I think she's more attractive. I think she's picky in her own way, but we do at least seem to share some hobbies and taste in pubs.

Further random pondering.

I think that I've previously said that online dating where I live is a pretty frustrating affair. The same people pop up again and again, especially on the dating apps (Tinder, Bumble etc.)

For reasons that I don't understand, I might see the same people numerous times per week. For others, a few times per year. Attractive Neighbour, my sister's university friend, a couple of local, minor, celebs all seem to pop up every few months or so. I assume they do some dating, it doesn't work out and they eventually return. Or maybe they don't meet anyone and delete their accounts? Who knows?

One such girl was an attractive blonde woman with a great figure. We never matched, of course, but she frequently popped up and, if her pictures were anything to go by, she lived nearby. And then she stopped appearing. I hadn't seen her online for maybe a year, until a few weeks ago, when she appeared again.

No new pictures, but one important change to her profile: she now has a child. Was that the reason for the year or so's hiatus?

In itself, the story's not that interesting, more something I noticed and pondered and you all know, Dear Readers, that I've posted enough ponder here before. But the reason I was prompted into it was that I think I've just seen her at my local Tesco, doing some shopping. She was wearing a mask, but it seemed to be her, pushing a pram.

We made eye contact, but I don't think she recognised me. I was wearing a hat and mask, mind you.

Questionable Actions

In a state of boredom and avoiding some really dry online training courses that I had to do for work, I fired up Tinder. My location has been reset to my hometown, the free "roaming" boost seemingly ended.

London-based people looking for women through Tinder/do online dating - do not take for granted the standard of dating profile you have to wade through compared to what I am used to.

There were some attractive women in my queue, though with little to say for themselves in their profiles. No hook ups and no one-night stands, you say? Quelle surprise!

And then, who should pop up but E's sister. She had plenty to say for herself and lots of pictures as well! I noticed that with Attractive Neighbour tool. It must be something to do with people who are used to having their photo taken - AN, ES, and the local celebrities that pop up sometimes all seem to have more photos on display than the average woman.

I must message ES and find out if she's having any luck (prediction: she won't be). I've swiped right, not because I want to date ES, but for some banter if she does the same.

Random musings.

I've no idea what algorithm Tinder uses or how it works behind the scenes, but in the middle of a global pandemic with no real end in sight (we could be self-isolating in May or even June at least) I have to wonder why people still seem to be using Tinder.

Of course, the irony is that I can only comment on it because I have been browsing it as well. That how I know, for example, that Attractive Neighbour is active again. Yes, I swiped right, but if we do match, then what?

Six weeks of chat? A semi-irresponsible date where were 3 feet/1 metre apart at all times?

That would be just my luck - get a match, swap some messages, hit it off, go for a walk where we're three feet apart at all time and find that we're amazingly attracted to each other.

It's unlikely, of course. I've swiped right on AN loads of times with no match ever being made. Why would this time be any different?

Oh, hello!

The first time I saw Attractive Neighbour on Tinder (or Plenty of Fish, I can't remember, but one of the dating sites/apps), one of her pictures showed her in a short-ish skirt with knee-high boots. I've always been a fan of the short-ish skirt and boots combo, so I was a fan of this particular picture, more than others of her. I recall expressing that appreciation to USHW at the time. USHW had always encouraged me to make more contact with AN, but she was never interested in me, though I sometimes wonder if a friendship could have been formed.

Regardless... at work a few days ago, as I was leaving for lunch, I walked past a pretty girl wearing a short-ish tartan skirt and knee-high boots. I think she's new. I don't recall ever seeing her before.

Kinda, sorta like this (similar boots in black, skirt lower in the waist and lower on the leg):

It made my day, the shallow person that I am.

Home.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of moving into a quite spectacular city centre apartment with stunning views. You know, the kind you often see on young adult comedies. We managed to get a great deal on the place and while it wasn't perfect (some of the walls between apartments were terribly thin), the positives outweighed the negatives.

In fact I got the keys around this time and spent the entire afternoon moving and unpacking.

This was the place where one of ES's previous boyfriends had lived (hence us having slept in the same bed, albeit a few years apart). It was also the place where I met Attractive Neighbour, and where R2 had lived in an adjacent unit previously.

In a conversation with AN a year or so ago, we both admitted that we didn't get to meet our neighbours as much as we would have liked. Our expectations of apartment living, in that regard, didn't get met.

Obviously, I had to live with MfW2, UF, Heating Guy and TV Guy which posed problems (and I'm still disappointed that the Scottish doctor turned us down which led to Heating Guy moving in. But all-in-all I loved the place, if not the people I shared with.

Hah!

In the past, while in a mischievous mood, I've sometimes sent provocative messages just for the reaction. And more often than not, I got exactly the reaction I wanted with replies coming back "You evil bastard", "You're evil" etc.

Bored today in work with a light workload, I was surfing through some old emails specifically ones where I'd been talking about Attractive Neighbour (I'd passed her this morning while I was on the bus and she was looking as good as ever).

It turns out that a specific conversation about AN had evolved into more "aggressive" banter that has left me wholly frustrated.

My comeuppance has arrived and I was its' deliverer.

Dreams.

Whilst out with E last night (I'll post more on that another time), she mentioned that her sister wouldn't join us - she was off on a girly weekend somewhere. ES would come out the next time I was out with E, though.

For years, E refused to let us meet her little sister - a model and dancer - and we teased her about it. E's sister is nice and we're friendly. Personality-wise, she reminds me a little of Sports Girl - that kind of flaky, free spirit, bonkers kind of girl that SG is (though hopefully without being twisted).

Anyway, the real reason I was making this post was to comment on a dream I've had a few times. E's home, she invites out her sister and her sister turns up, along with Attractive Neighbour. AN and I have super chemistry and we end up back at hers for a night of adult physical fun.

AN is very attractive, but even though I swipe right on her on Tinder (and I did this morning), I can't say she really floats my boat. I think it's the assumption that she's high maintenance, judging by her online dating profiles and profile pictures (she's not a jeans girl).

Enjoyable dreams, but not one likely to happen in the real world.

Out of time.

Facebook reminded me of a picture that I had shared on Facebook, a good few years ago now. As part of the photo being posted, I had a conversation with R2.

Bear in mind that there's already a web being weaved where I last lived - Attractive Neighbour knowing E's Sister, E's Sister dating the prior occupants of the house where I lived so even before ES and AN knew each other, they'd spent time literally 5 metres apart, albeit with a wall between them.

But the comments on the photo also reminded me that R2 had admitted to also living next door, in the same housing development, though she'd moved on just before I moved in.

Or, as I prefer to say... I've slept in the same bed as ES and lived beside R2, only not at the same time.