Dream a little dream.

Last night I had a somewhat half-remembered dream. Its theme was something that I've had before, albeit infrequently. In it, I'm failing my university degree. I'm trying to find a solution to this, trying to find out how to pass exams, coursework etc. all within a few months and without any help from my lecturers or advisers. This was the pattern last night.

At the same time, I was also trying to organise our work's Christmas party, though with limited success.

KfW2 featured somewhere, but upon waking this morning there was only a fleeting memory that she was involved.

I've had the university dream before, as explained above. I usually wake up disorientated after it, almost in a panic until I realise that I left university many, many years ago and I did indeed pass my exams.

Planning

I sent a question to S and GM, asking what their plans were on NYE. GM is working on Jan 1st, so he's extremely unlikely to be out. S has read the messages and question, but has not replied. I'm betting he has something planned with his other friends, but he could at least say something.

It's starting to anger me how he doesn't reply. It's been a factor with him within the last few months. Don't start me on the absolute rubbish he posts on Facebook though. He can add a witty or pithy reply to a stranger, but he can't answer a friend. Sigh.

I'm kinda resigned to staying in, though there is an outside chance that I can talk FP into hitting our local favourite aka the CB pub. Not that I'm expecting to see CB there - it's just a reference for you, dear reader.

Further pondering,

"It's Christmas - who would you happily sleep with, given half the chance?"

That was the question posed on a forum I frequent. The membership is mostly male.

My reply was "The amount of girls I would happily sleep with at this point in time is an enormous list."

It was a sentiment shared by quite a number of people.

I didn't go into details, but off the top of my head I thought of CH, GM's ex that I've mentioned recently, a good portion of our HR department, a couple of managers of teams next to me in work, a girl that Stalky Guy pointed out on Instagram, MMBF and FBS. And who knows how many celebrities.

And that's just people who've been on my mind over the past week or so. I need to meet someone.

Pondering the annual quandary.

It's that time of year, after the Xmas stuff is all over and done with, that my thoughts turn to New Year's Eve.

This year, I'm not sure there will be any takers, but I'm going to ask anyway. I might get FP, for a change. GM and S are unknowns. Anyone else is unlikely.

I've always liked NYE socialising. I like seeing out the old year with its good and bad and looking forward to the unknown, the potential of something more, better etc. I seem to be in the minority in making this a celebration.

Plus, I've always had much more luck in meeting people on NYE than any other single night - QC1, R2 and a few others not mentioned on the blog. There's a different vibe on NYE than other nights that encourages people to mingle more, I think.

Let's get physical.

Going through my memories on Facebook today and I see a post I made six years ago that CC commented on.

Specifically, she suggested that we hit the gym together.

I'm not a gym person, so I always fobbed her off. Actually, that's not entirely accurate. I told CC that I was not a gym person and that if she came up with something else we could do, then I would consider it.

It turned out that she couldn't... and it took CC herself another five years or so to go to the gym.

Unfortunately, CC is going through a tough time right now, mentally. I think this is fallout from her breakup with her boyfriend in the summer, but I've told her to pick up the phone and call if she wants to chat. She's suggested that she might call over during the holidays. I hope she does come down.

Detox.

Years ago, on an impromptu night out with MM and MMBF, the conversation revolved around exes. Specifically, MM was talking about an ex of MMBF. MMBF was being coy about the actual details, but I got the impression that this ex was not good for MMBF. She as good as admitted it without explaining why.

I was asked for a guy's view of it.

"Well, I can't say anything for sure as I don't know the details, and I'm not asking for them"

I paused.

"But if someone is in your life and they're causing you pain or being negative, then get rid of them. Distance yourself from them if you can."

MM nodded.

"See? I told you. Don't talk to him anymore MMBF, he's no good for you."

The reason for this reminiscing? Well, MMBF posted on Facebook - a seasonal message with a pic of her current boyfriend... whom I believe is the negative influence mentioned a good few years ago. Interesting.

Missing

Since I moved into this house, the guy across the road has been somewhat of an enigma. He appears to have had a succession of short-lived or temporary jobs, all similar in nature - taxi driver, food delivery etc. That meant that he was often cleaning out his car, throwing whatever rubbish was there all over the street, in front of his house and mine.

At the same time, there were often a string of cars appearing at the house, picking up passengers, tooting their horn and generally being loud.

But it dawned on me the other day that I've not seen him in some time - probably since early summer. The car is gone, the street is tidier and quieter and the visitors have all but disappeared.

I can see into their front room and the TV is no longer dominated by football.

I wonder where he has gone to?

Gossip

Stalky Guy was quick to message at the weekend to gleefully inform me that GM's attractive, blonde ex that I mentioned recently, got off with an ex-colleague at the Xmas Party after-party.

I know that this guy had, a few years back, pursued the ex for a while after GM had broken up with her (possibly encouraged by CH), but I didn't think he'd been successful.

The guy in question seems to be very Marmite (for those of you not in the UK, this means he divides opinion and there's usually no middle ground - in this case you like him or you dislike him). I think he's OK (though my interaction with him was minimal, but CC and Quiet Girl think he's a massive dick).

The morning after.

It was the work Xmas party last night. KfW2 didn't go in the end - she's not feeling well at the moment. I was back home and binge-watching some TV all night, so I wasn't there either, despite GM's ex-gf (I mentioned her a few posts back) trying to talk me into turning up later for a few drinks.

Strangely, apart from JB, there's been little posted on Facebook.

Hello! Oh, erm... nevermind.

I took a cheeky half day today to meet up with a few people I used to work with... plus potentially Nerdy Girl. In the bar where we agreed to meet, I was mesmerised by someone who looked like CH. My eyesight is not great, so from roughly 30m away, it certainly looked like her. Roughly the same build, same hairstyle and same mannerisms. Should I go and talk to her? I had another idea. I sent a text message.

"Your absolute twin is in the bar"

A reply wasn't long coming back.

"Nope, not me."

I did a scouting mission and got within ten metres. It wasn't CH, but the resemblance was uncanny.

I explained the above.

"Take a picture of her!"

"I'm not taking pictures of random women in the pub FFS"

"Just do it. Sneak it if you have to."

In all honesty, I'd already taken a sneaky photo. I sent it to her.

"OMG! It totally is!"

"You have no idea, CH. Mannerisms and everything. It's crazy how much she is like you."

And CH went quiet.

But you know what? It was a good afternoon that ended too soon.

As a side note, Nerdy Girl turned up.

"Look at how much side-boob this jumper gives me!"

"Ummm... do you mean profile?"

"Yes, that!"

"And surely it's the bra doing the work, not the jumper?"

"Yes, that too!"

A conversation ensued. It was decided that Nerdy Girl had a profile not unlike Christina Hendricks out of Mad Men. I'm not sure I agree. Nerdy Girl is busty and has curves for sure, but not to Hendricks' level (and that's not a bad thing).

And a potential avenue for a new job opened up. A potential significant pay-rise and a chance to work with some people that I know. All I have to do is get past the interview. Though this is all just talk right now. if anything's going to happen, I might have something to share in February.

Just another random thought.

A random thought crossed my mind today of a night, in my past, where I turned down a night out with BW and FBS (amongst others) in order to go to D's house and drink and play a new video game that we'd bought. I can't remember who suggested that, with FBS it would have been guaranteed sex. D might have said something while we were gaming. BW may have said something the next day (though I think he might have tried it on with FBS himself at some stage). I'm pretty sure that it never crossed my mind on my own, though.

That wouldn't happen today, I tell you.