friday out in Frankston! (OMG what was I thinking?)

I have to tell you about the night out I have just had......I am still incredibly amused by the whole thing...although I am trying to avoid sleeping in case I have nightmares!

I arranged to meet a friend from work at 7pm. I thought at an Italian restaurant but she thought at the pub. In hindsight we should have started at the pub and ended at the restaurant.

One bottle of red purchased at the bottle shop and into the restaurant we go. The food was ok, we shared a pizza and it was just that.....nothing special like I am used to. (yes I am a food snob when I eat out.....especially on a Friday.) The conversation was quite good and after 1/2 a bottle of red each it was flowing quite nicely. I felt that there was something that she wanted to say but was not quite ready.....

After almost 2 1/2 hours we headed to the pub where the guitarist was playing.....or so we thought! I parked my car and in we went. I haven't paid a cover charge in years! Tonight I did. $7 and we headed to the bar. I got onto the non-alcoholic and my work friend had a shot of bourbon with a splash of coke.....ewww!

In amongst all of this a young puppy came-a-calling. This guy was 21 and he told us many a time! He insisted on buying us drinks - mere fact we had full glasses. In fact having a conversation with this guy was very much like trying to converse with a goldfish. The 3 second rule definitely applied with this guy. "do you want a drink?" "no, thankyou"

"do you want a drink? Can I buy you one?" "no, it's ok but thankyou."

"are you right for a drink?" "no, I'm ok"

At first I thought the pup was interested in me. WRONG! My friend was "cute" and the pup wanted to know if he could kiss her. When reminded that she had told him that she was 40 he decided that wasn't important. We then said it would be like kissing his mother......nothing..... The best part was the fact that he asked permission to kiss my friend from me! Once he realised that he was not going to be given permission, he left....

In amongst all of the non-action with the young pup, my friend decided that this was the time to let loose about her marriage. I copped an earful. I haven't met the husband and so could only stand there and nod my head and make the right noises. Not really much help. (I also decided that she might just be high maintenance......just putting it out there. Got no real ideas about it though, it was just my gut thought.)

I know that my friend wanted a BIG night out as she is bored with home....she never goes out, but I couldn't do that. 11.10 I was ready to get out the door. I told my friend and she agreed, although a little reluctantly.

If the music had been decent, the crowd just a little older (maybe by 10 years!) and there weren't so many idiots out, I might have wanted to stay. I had a good night really.......I think I did before the pub!

tea for two

Last night I went out for dinner with the social group that I am a member of but it didn't quite work out the way I planned.

This particular group usually book into a particular restaurant but decided to change venues - new place for some variety. I arrived at the venue and saw people I knew at a table so I sat down with them. Another guy arrived in and joined us.

It wasn't until a second guy and girl joined us that I registered that I might not be with the group that I thought I was going to meet - by which stage I had brought a glass of wine and was enjoying a good catch up. This last guy and girl were meeting the other group of people that I thought I was catching up with.

The group I was sitting with had booked into the restaurant and HAD been part of the social group, which was how I had met them all, and they were having a casual catch up which I had stumbled upon. As I know many of these people well I didn't think anything of it! It wasn't until the current social group people showed up that I realised the confusion. It was awkward there for a moment or two.

I moved between the two tables and it was ok......but it was weird.

set up

Saturday night I believe I was invited out to dinner as part of a set up. Interestingly I said 'yes' to an invitation to dinner for a person's birthday.....I don't know this person. I thought there might be few people there. Few is the word we need to focus on. 8 altogether.

Actually the conversation went like this
Friend: Are you doing anything on the 19th?
Me: Not at this stage (was 4 weeks ago!)
Friend: We're going out to dinner are you interested in coming?
Me: Sounds good. Where are we going?
Friend: Not sure at this stage. I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Me: No worries. What time?
Friend: Probably early. It's So and So's birthday.
Me: Who's he?
Friend: You remember? He came to a bbq at our house.
Me: Not really.......(thinking it is now too late to pull out of dinner....bugger!)

I sat next to the birthday boy - I was interested in catching up with the people that I did know but didn't really get much of a chance.......

This man is nice enough except for one thing that will drive me to distraction. He is, in my opinion, sickly sweet. Maybe I am picky but that is something that I would rather be.

I could be reading way to much into it.....maybe it was just his birthday and I was invited a long to even up the numbers. That's it.......

I was right!

My suspicions were right......Violet sent me a text last night asking if I was going to the online group party on Saturday and could I give her a lift........

She's only interested in me for my car.......well actually that's pushing it a lot!

Well I realised that I was going to be elsewhere on Saturday night.

In all honesty I don't think that I would ever turn up to another online group party. Been there, done that. Don't have time in my life for that much desperation......

I truly hope she meets someone.

last night

Last night I went to a social group outing - a different group to who I have met up with before.

Summaries first -
Age group: 50s - so I was out of my depth there! There were 8 of us all up. Then two other ladies arrived.....
Venue: a very old fashioned social club where every man, his wife and their children were! The food was excellent - home cooked Italian, but the ambience - well.........
Host: nice guy who did more than enough for all of his guests.
Potentials? I spent some of the night talking music with one guy for most of the night who seemed interesting. He was a little under 50 but disappeared to talk on the phone......

NOW let me tell you about two of the women who arrived later. I seriously think I have had something tattooed on my forehead that I can't remove which states "come and chat to me about your issues". I believe this is only really visible to people I have just met!

First lady - let's call her Ita. Mid 40s. She is from a traditional Italian background (hence Ita) and is an only child. Last year she stopped her job to become an advocate for her mother. Her mother had fallen and broken her neck and spent a great deal of time in hospitals etc. Her father has lost some of his standard functioning abilities. She was quite upbeat about everything but did she TALK. I didn't know anyone else there so I couldn't chat to anyone else - but they all moved around and away...........she kept talking.

Finally a new lady appeared - Violet late 30s mid 40s - who provided me with some interesting cultural differences between Chinese culture and Australian culture in the world of internet dating. It was fascinating to hear those differences BUT this lady is so intense about the social world and finding a partner.

Violet explained her usage of online dating sites and how she has found it hard to find the serious daters and those that are online for something extra. I understand this - one of the reasons I won't go near online dating sites now......too much hard work just in the sorting process - I think it is a full time job to read those profiles and get an understanding of what is true and what is false. BUT Violet was very angry about the fact that the government allows flase advertising on these sites.

I was amused by the visual thought of the Prime Minister checking the website ads before they are published to check if the people really are single.........

I tried to explain that it is reliant on honesty, which is hard to find, and it is private enterprise. This was when she told me about China 10 years ago (when she last lived there) and online services. ANYONE who has their name on these sites is single. They have either never married or they have been married and have sought a divorce. Either way they have a Certificate of Singleness. (What?)

Violet was adamant that it was a much better system as you knew why everyone was there. They were seriously looking for a long term relationship. None of this extra on the side. The idea of a married person seeking extra really made her angry. She told me it was immoral (agreed) and in China, illegal. (well 10 years ago - I wouldn't know now).

She was thinking about petioning the government to have a law enacted to make online dating sites only for single people..........

She spoke to me for an hour - and somehow in amongst all of this I found myself contemplating meeting her at a social night run by one of the online agencies next Saturday! I am sure I am busy. I don't think I could have another night of such intensity.

I think if I looked at one of the sites I will find her ad very easily. She practically told me what was written on there. The most striking feature was the fact that she has written 'looking for a serious relationship. No others should apply'. Apparantly this hasn't turned away the others looking for extra.

Each evening she spends about an hour looking at male ads......then she told me about how much of a rip-off the purchasing of stamps was.

In summary of Violet - she wants to find a serious man who will understand her very traditional values. If you know of anyone please get them online NOW!

Back to the group - a nice bunch who actually do more walking than dining. The man who runs it was telling me about all the relationships that have formed under his caring eye........

I'll keep you posted.

grumbling

Went out to dinner last night which was a fun catch up with some staff from work. Being so overworked at the moment I feel lucky to make an occasional lunchtime.

Got home, went to bed and finally asleep by 11.30pm only to be woken at 12.30 and not able to sleep again until 4.30am! So cross. BUT the fun didn't end there. The grumbles hit my insides.

I might just tell you that there is nothing like the internal machinations of something really untoward working it's way through your system. Pain, incredible pain.......and you know those grumbles only leave one of two ways........I didn't like either but was only really persecuted with one way that involved my lower half.

I ended up going to work for 4 hours this morning as I have a theory group who are sitting their external exam tomorrow.........final class and all. Also my Year 12 Group kids had an assessment task that needed to be done for their overall grade. I left at 11am and got home by 11.30 and slept on the couch until 12.45. Feel so much better.

Going back to the theory class....the kidlet turned up this morning with the other three gentlemen. They gentlemen should pass really well. I don't think she will. Poor poppet - she is under pressure from her mother to do well in everything and so she is pushed to succeed. The kid doesnt know if she is coming or going....hence what happened on Sunday.

I've been sitting and reading assignments for the past hour and loving the fact that I am just about up to date.......Year 12s to do next.

aaargh for the the reports

I still haven't finished those pesky year 8 and 9 reports. To be honest I can't be stuffed. I know that I don't have to be in at the work place Monday and I can't find the motivation. I would rather sit and do my own thing.

Actually the house work looks inviting.

I really need to finish my reports - I'm having hallucinations about the beauty of housework!

Today - after the reports are done and I've emailed them to my buddy.....(lucky her) and I've done some of the neglected housework (4 weeks since the vacuum cleaner and I have had a date) I am going to a dvd night. Have no idea what we are watching but it will be great.

One bonus of tonight is a catch up with a girl that I had dinner with last night. You would think we would have talked out everything last night but we were at a 'meet at dinner'.

There is nothing like meeting 5 other single people over dinner in a nice restaurant. I laughed when I saw her, as did she. The others at the table thought we had met at other dinners as two of the men said they had a few times. We explained that we were in a book club together but it came out, not my intention, that we knew each other through a social club.

We might debrief together. I already have my views of the gentlemen that I met. I might just see where she lies in the same situation - do we have the same taste in men?

It feels great to be out there again. Not much at this stage but I need to get out and mix with single people again.

Oh dear - off to report write. I think I might just have to do the vacuuming...........decisions. I apologise to all those who left the comments about finishing - I promise it will be done NOW!

Cooking up a storm

Its Frogdancer's birthday today and she is having a party.

The invitation was to bring a bag of chips to share (own drinks etc) and then we'll get pizza for dinner.

I think I've outdone myself. I've made hummus. It tastes so good. A friend of mine gave me a tin of chick peas and three tins of butter beans. I still don't know why but she decided I needed to have them. Still thinking of what to make with the butter beans but the hummus is awesome.

I've got mini choc chip, choc-fudge muffins in the oven at the moment. They will soon be covered in choc frosting. It's a chocolate explosion in your mouth.

I have to thank taste.com.au as it is my most favourite recipe place. You can type in a tricky ingredient and suddenly all these recipes come back to you.

tgif

Friday afternoon and I am LOOKING forward to a quiet night. Have to go out for an appointment. Thinking what to have for dinner - might be something very easy but home cooked.

Student teacher - had a good lesson today with the 11s. Her plan, as described yesterday, was quite good but she was nervous when presenting this. We discussed it and looked for better ways of standing etc. Sometimes, as I said to her, you have to believe that you can even though you think you might not be able to.

Tomorrow is a babe's head wetting which should be fun. We have the staff function tomorrow night. Some of my favourites will be there but a few wont be. I am not sure if I REALLY want to go. I might put my head in there for a short time and then go off to something else.

Sunday is lunch out in the Dandenong Ranges. Beautiful!

I contemplated taking work home to correct etc but realised that I am too jiggered to do anything and it will just be a 'bag of guilt' that is transported from one venue to another. I will get the work done on Monday and Tuesday.

Frogdancer has tagged me so be prepared for some facts about me.......and you might get tagged.

Can I have fries with that?

I started the soup diet that Frogdancer went on a few weeks ago. Now I know what she meant about irritation - I want anything that is not soup and has carbohydrates in it.

Cake.

Bread.

Pasta.

Cheese would be good too!

I am surprised that I am not craving sweet things. I thought that I would.

Tonight I can have a potato for dinner with butter (?) but I will have lots of lettuce, raw tomato and some carrot with it. I might even splurge for some pumpkin! That is after I have had a bowl of soup. (urgh! - ONLY after 3 serves of it. They were very big bowls.)

Now I know that there are those that would be reading this that might be a little concerned about my dietary habits and having a balanced diet. I am eating lots of vegies and fruit. At the moment I have not had any carbs or protein.

Why am I doing this?

Well through the report writing times and crazy concert/recital times I ate lots of cakes, biscuits (sweet and savoury), chocolate and indulged in too much wine, full cream hot chocolates and sweet coffee. I also had lots of take-away food but I did try to be healthy (stir fries, noodles etc). This has continued on during the holidays. I indulged to my hearts content.

Now that I am back at work I thought that it would be a good time to cleanse the body of its cravings for all of the above mentioned stuff. (cant write them down again - I just want to eat them instead!) Then I will re establish my healthy eating plan that I have. It's all about balance but I wanted a fast result to the cravings etc. It's also a bonus that I might lose a few kgs this week but that was never my primary focus.

I'll just let you know what the eating plan is for the next few days....tomorrow (day 3) is fruit and vegie day. Day four I can have BANANAS and milk. (I am very excited about that!) Day five I have steak and tomatoes. Day six - More beef and vegies (I'm thinking stirfry!!!!!!!!) Then finally day Seven - BROWN RICE (oh the carbs!) fruit juice and vegies.

You have to eat the soup all the time as well. The soup is made up of carrots, tomatoes, beans, peppers and celery. It's quite nice but I am over it! (5 more days of soup, glorious soup).

Have I mentioned the soup enough? Do you have an understanding of my position? I'm not hungry - I just want carbs and NO SOUP!

dancing the night away

Thanks to Vanessa I have changed my counter. No one will be able to see the numbers on there and I have a better idea of where everyone comes from. I still haven't got any idea where the numbers on the 4th of July went. What I am thinking is that they were all Americans and ex-pat Americans who gathered at my site and then went out and haven't come home yet.

Last night I went out to "The Laundry" with a friend of mine who was child-free for the night. We went to the "Funkiest first Saturday of the month" - Soul-a-go-go. This is a benefit night run by my most favourite radio station PBS fm. (Those who are interested try www.pbsfm.org.au and listen into the streaming). This radio station is run by volunteers and plays all genres of music that is NOT classical or top 40. Every week they give me my dose of jazz, funk, metal, soul country and gospel. Recently they had a grid change and my 2nd favourite show was taken off as it didn't have enough listeners. I subscribe to the radio station and I went with my most favourite show (Blue Juice - Sundays 11am-1pm), maybe I should've gone with my 2nd.

We got there at 9pm and we both went looking for our second wind, me as a school marm, and she as a nana (our descriptions of ourselves). The place was fairly empty but within the hour the place was starting to groove. By 11pm it was elbow room only. We left our "bus stop" chair and got up for a boogie. Soul music upstairs - funk downstairs. After a good hour of dancing my feet were sore - we were dancing on polished cement and there was no give and I was in VERY TALL boots.

We had a sit down - having found the bus stop again, and I ended up talking to a very drunk 20 year old boy. He and I laughed about his jacket (still not sure what he said but I smiled and nodded my head) then I finally heard what he was saying. He was telling me that he loves dance music as well as this stuff. "This stuff has a happy trance to it so you want to move to it." (We were listening to soul) I am still trying to work out the concept of happy/sad trance....... I might have to listen to it with a purpose now.

Finally my most favourite dj from the station got up to mix the tracks.

Just an aside I thought I knew who the djs had been before then but got them all wrong so I stopped trying to work out which one was my favourite one........

Can I just tell you all that once I worked out who my favourite was I realised he is gorgeous! Mohair Slim is his name. I am very impressed that my taste in listening is supported by eye-candy as well. And he can move! I wonder if he is single.........

Enough day dreaming....

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (oi, oi, oi)

I dedicate this post to the great Australian Yob!

Last night I went to dinner with the social group that I have told you about many a time. This time I took myself off to a group that were a slightly older age group - try something different and see what happens.

Where I sat on the table was interesting - the other end of the table EVERYONE was involved in conversation. At my end it took some time until the conversation actually got started and that wasn't until another lady joined me along with a much older, very nice, but technologically challenged, man.

I had arrived late and so had limited spaces to choose from, all at the one end. Here was what I had to choose from in terms of seating. Between 3 men who were rather loud and seemed a bit icky (one man had a really bad fitting and obviously cheap toupee on - I did my best not to laugh!), a man sitting opposite them who was well dressed and very quiet, or further up from him another man who looked as though his clothes were given to him by a giant.

I chose the well dressed man. I sat down and went through the pleasantries and then found out that that was pretty much it for conversation! This man could answer any question put to him but struggled when it came to continuing the conversation in any other direction.

I was very pleased when the lady sat next to me and the technologically-challenged man joined us. (She sat next to me with the 3 loud men on her other side, he sat on the other side of the well-dressed man next to the giant-dressed man). Once these two joined me we had conversation flowing like nothing else. We talked movies, music, current affairs, cameras and photography, cats and dogs, and pretty much anything in between. I enjoyed their company greatly.

I was also well entertained by the three men sitting opposite. (I am speaking with my tongue firmly placed in my cheek.)

We were at a Thai restaurant and we had a choice of banquet (4 Thai banquets or 3 Chinese banquets) or a la carte. I went a la carte and had beautiful Tom Yum Soup, basil and chili stir-fry, and a banana dumpling - all very yum. Those sitting near me also went a la carte. The three men went with a Thai banquet and chose one of the four based on the quantity of food that would be placed in front of them. In the words of one of the men "I am so hungry so I need lots of food to make me feel better!"

They asked me if I would join them in the banquet and when they told me why they chose what they did, I declined politely.

I need to say that the restaurant was packed and there were only two waiting staff. Meals came in interesting timings. I got my tom yum very quickly, as did the others who had ordered it, but the 3 men had to wait and wait and wait. They complained and talked about leaving as they were so hungry and were not being looked after adequately. Ok - they had to wait about 45 minutes from ordering to when the food arrived....... When their entrees finally arrived there was a huge cheer from them including a "you beauty" in a thick Aussie accent from Toupee man. The other two chimed in with "about bloody time" etc. All other diners had a quick sideways look at us - I was rather embarrassed.

Main meals came in reverse order to that - the banquet people got theirs first and again another cheer from the men. I was rather pleased that they had their meals as this meant that they were very quiet as they hoovered down their food. The type of conversation that they thought was appropriate contained many a sexual innuendo, a racist comment or even talk about stupidity of those of the female gender. Watching them eat, although a little disconcerting, was a relief in comparison to listening to their conversation.

When we, the a la carte diners, finally got our food, the men were a little foul and the woman next to me said quietly "bloody yobs!". I had a quick laugh and we continued with our dinner conversation. I then noticed that her body language was quite direct - she had turned her back to the 3 men and was facing us in the conversation.

Desserts came and the 3 men got their banana fritters with A scoop of ice-cream. The lady next to me also had a banana fritter but she had TWO scoops of ice-cream. Did the men rant and rave about that! Then they caught sight of my dumpling (steamed in a banana leaf) and off they went about weird looking food.........

Then they left, after paying.

It became very quiet as soon as they walked out the door. The volume on our table was quite subdued.

I know that all cultures have loud, obnoxious people who are rather embarrassing but the great Australian Yob is a doozy!

[Just an aside, I hope you like the change in my layout. I have also spent some time narrowing down the number of tags that I am using as I was getting a little confused. A little more narrowing is coming and I will be quite happy.]

a different crowd for dinner

I went out for dinner last night. When I left the neighbours were out the back with every light ablaze. When I came home they were still there but it was VERY, VERY quiet. I had a great night's sleep and I have no idea what time they all clambered into their own house. This is progress for me!

Dinner was at an inner city pub. It was a great night. I went with the social group and had myself a ball. Actually the usual suspects were nowhere to be seen. I don't think this was the type of place for Healer Man or Teacher Lady. It was really nice to be somewhere and not have to hide from their dulcet, sweet tones. I caught up with a few people I haven't seen for ages and met a few others that were quite nice too. It was a very different crowd and one I think I will track down more often.

The food at this particular venue was yummy but the delivery time for food was just all wrong. A number of people on my table had warm chicken salads or calamari salads and their food came out really quickly. I had a burger which was very yummy and it was freshly made so it took a little longer than the toss together salad mix with fish/chicken. The intriguing meal in terms of time ordered to time to table was bangers and mash. I am not sure when sausages and mashed potato became a gourmet item that takes forever to cook but last night it took abut 30 minutes from ordering to the time it arrived on the table. (This is compared to the 10 minutes for the salads and 15 for my burger.) The girl who had it said it was worth the wait. Thank goodness.

There were a large number of women there as part of the social group and we all looked around the venue at the large numbers of men there. If the conversation at my end of one table was anything to go by then we were all laughing at the situation.

In the front bar there was a large screen where some rugby match was being televised. Every male that was there was hugging their alcoholic beverage tightly and calling out whenever something heroic happened. Suffice to say these men were not able to see the ladies in the room. They confirmed their state of being by leaving when the game was over. The ones who stayed were not desirable and had their beer goggles firmly attached to their faces. Well avoided!

There were two other tables FILLED with men in the dining room with us. Not one of them were interested in any woman in the place as we were not men. They were beautifully dressed, well spoken men and I felt disappointed that I didn't have a chance with them. I did have a great moment with three gentlemen from their table. I went to order a hot chocolate with a shot of baileys (this is my dessert). As the barman was making it two men came to order lattes. They watched the man making my hot chocolate. The barman asked if I wanted marshmallows. That's when it got amusing.

"Is that yours? You realise that marshmallows will make you fat." asked one man. His partner then chimed in with "That smells like it has liqueur in it. Does it?" I went on to explain that it was a hot chocolate with a shot of baileys in it. "That sounds delicious." " I don't think you will be able to finish that." "It's so nice compared to our boring lattes." "If you can't finish it then come on down to my table and I'll help you." (Please note I have colour coded so that you can see the two of them chatting to me.)

At this point another man from their table joined us and he asked what was going on. Purple man, with some assistance from blue man, told him about the fact that "this lady is having a hot chocolate with a shot of baileys AND she has marshmallows too!" "How decadent! Will you be able to finish that? I think you will need some help."

The barman was having a jolly time, laughing at the reactions this drink order was getting. He then handed me my drink and told me that I had to come back and give him the rating on this hot chocolate.

I enjoyed the hot chocolate, although if I did go back and rate it I would have to say that it was too sweet with too much chocolate.......oh well. As the purple and blue men left they gave me a wave but they didn't ask about the chocolate. I was disappointed that I couldn't gloat to them.

success at dinner.

Last nights dinner and movies went quite successfully.

Healer Man tried, unsuccessfully, to engage me in conversation the MINUTE he sat down at the table - despite the fact that I was talking to another person at that time. I think the fact that I ignored him totally might have told him that he needed to wait.

Healer Man had also brought a book to share with Pharmacy distributor. I think the book was something to do with natural psychology - or something along those lines.....two other people asked him about the nature of the book and he suddenly was in his element looking for ways to heal the world naturally.

Teacher Lady was there too and she was in moderate form. I sat two people away from her and didn't really engage her in conversation. She was fairly calm until the Tall Dasher walked in. She changed her personality completely. "Hi Tall Dasher" she squealed. He greeted her with a deep "How're you going Teacher Lady?" and then went and sat at the other end of the table AWAY from her. There were 6 people between her and Tall Dasher but that didn't stop her bringing him into the conversation. She yelled out to him quite proudly.

Now Tall Dasher has become an interesting character for me to observe. The first time I met him (I was only there as another woman had told me he was 'perfect' for me and he might be the father of my children - no pressure!) he was dominant. Every conversation was something he was able to contribute a fair amount to. I realise that he was probably nervous and felt that he had to prove himself. I wasn't really taken by his personality, I didn't mind his looks though.

Next time I met Tall Dasher he was very quiet - he had almost done a complete u-turn. I didn't talk to him much but watched him talk to others out of the corner of my eye. What I observed was that he was starting to find his feet and was starting to listen as opposed to just talk.

Last night I had a quick chat to him - I realised that I am NOT his type. As soon as he had the chance he moved to the other end of the table where a red head was sitting. This is the second time I have seen him spell bound by a red head - I think that is what grabs his attention. But the thing that I did see and approve of was the fact that he looked to say hello and then goodbye to everyone. His sense as a social being was something that I appreciated. When people were disappearing to go and see whatever movie they had chosen (I saw Miss Pettigrew - it's ok but not a dazzler!) he got up to say goodbye to them. Not something that I have seen within the social club much and it was quite refreshing.

My obligations as a host (basically event organiser) are now over. I feel much relieved that it has all finished. I don't have to make sure that people are sitting next to someone they will chat to, don't need to book venues and definitely don't need to worry about money at the end of a meal. I also can now go to events without feeling obligated. It is brilliant! I might actually feel a bit happier about the social group again!

last night

I went out for dinner last night and it was a very interesting experience.

I arrived late and was on a different table to people I knew quite well (hi K and Foo) but I was soon surrounded by people that (as I might have described previously) were on the strange scale. I am on the strange scale and I can move from just a little weird to "Where the hell did that come from?" bizarre. I generally try to tone it down a little when I am out and about - you don't want to scare off the natives.

Let me describe the people I sat with as best as I can. I was opposite Nice Woman who I haven't seen in a while but I don't know her that well, we talked for a little bit but it was hard to make conversation. She and I didn't really get into anything challenging and she was keeping her comments very polite.

Next to me, on my right, was a man I would like to describe as Mr Smarmy. He goes to many a dinner but never eats. He is there to socialise, drink and basically check out the women. He finds me a challenge to deal with as I speak my mind. I have done it all my life - I am not one who is afraid to call the a spade a bloody shovel. I also tower over him in height and probably weigh a few kilos more than him, that could intimidate anyone.

Down the way opposite the Mr Smarmy, and beside Nice Woman was the Power Pack. She came in and was rude to everyone from the beginning. I wasn't there right when she arrived but I can tell you she was a Power Pack all the way through. At one point she asked Nice Woman to get the movie guide from someone else. Nice Woman got the guide and was reading it as she thought she might like to go and see a movie. Power Pack waited a good 5 minutes and then snapped at Nice Woman "Well I did ask you to get the guide for me. What are you doing?" I couldn't help myself at this point and countered her aggressive question with "What's wrong with your telepathy? Nice Woman was reading and you should have been able to read her mind." Power Pack didn't quite round on me but she was pretty damn close. I was amused.

During this excitement Toy Boy came in. Toy Boy is so named as he is a good 10 years younger than me, but flirts like nothing else. The fun part is when I actually flirt back - and being the quiet, shy, retiring type that I have described earlier - it throws out his sensibilities. He isn't sure if I am serious or not.......but he keeps coming back for more. His body language indicates that he is interested somewhat in me, but if I pushed him he would run for the hills. I should also state that I am one of the few people Toy Boy even considers talking to. He thinks that there are only a few people in the world worthy of his company, lucky me!

When he arrived he ordered something from the menu and then complained bitterly about the standard of food that he got. Toy Boy does this often so I jacked up about it last night, but without getting nasty. I asked him why he was so fussy. No real answer. When the waiter came back to get the plates and asked if everything was ok, Toy Boy said it was fine. I asked him why he didn't really say something to the staff if it was that bad. No answer.

My dinner was very entertaining as Toy Boy and Mr Smarmy chatted behind my head about women in general and some poor wench who actually dated Mr Smarmy, Power Pack bitched at anyone that was within striking distance and Nice Woman stared vaguely into the distance. While this was going on K and Foo were making faces at me from the next table.....Thanks guys!

When we got to the main reason for the night - birthdays of many of the people there (popular month is May) we had Teacher Lady jump up and direct proceedings. She is a natural leader, Teacher Lady, but she is a right royal pain in the bum. It is her way or the highway. She directs everything - from seating arrangements, why I was on the other table as we don't see eye to eye, to cash flow. Teacher Lady got the wait staff to bring out a cake she had purchased and then asked everyone to contribute a bit of money towards the purchase of it. I don't mind doing this if I know in advance. I did it last night but it left me in a little bit of a bad mood.........She then put candles on the cake and said "Everyone sing!"

Teacher Lady was very close to Healer Man. Healer Man is a little off centre. He is into natural therapies and actually practices but can't stop himself from trying to heal the whole population. If you have a heavy cold in your chest it is something to do with the emotional baggage you can't throw off. I was interested in Healer Man at one stage until I found out how vehemently he believes this - he told me that breast cancer is due to the inability to nurture. I find that really hard to stomach......You can have your beliefs but don't try to shove them down my throat. The ironic twist with Healer Man, who believes that you should try to resolve so much of your life to live healthily (true) is that he is a VERY ANGRY man. So many people are scared to get on his bad side - they don't want to be black listed by him.

The closeness between ANGRY Healer Man and domineering Teacher Lady means that most people feel unable to express their opinions, especially if they're opposite. If you mixed that in with the aggression of Power Pack, last night was an absolute hoot! I'm glad I went so I have something to blog about.