Pacman Run 2010

Because Emily has been off of work recently and around the house this week, I went into the office today. I was rather hoping that being in the office would make me more productive, but in truth I was just bored out of my mind. I had a conference call where I was relieved when another woman on the call IM'd me, "I'm not following this, are you?"

I was surprised though when she made the comment that she wasn't following because Crazy Lady "was too smart for her". Ummm...Crazy Lady actually seems like one of the dumber people I've ever met. Although perhaps I should consider that comment was made sarcastically...

Finally, it was time to go to the pub, so I raced out of the office. I got there, dressed in my shirt from last year's Pacman run, and noted that I probably should have asked for a new shirt this year, as the new shirts were way cooler than the old ones.

The rules this year were slightly different than in years past, in that while the basic concept remained the same (run between beer stops without getting caught by the ghosts), this year there were three beer stops instead of two, and they didn't tell us where they were. Which, in my view was a major mistake, as I ended up going all of the way to Covent Garden looking for a beer stop, having been misdirected by people, and missed a lot of the action during the run. I got caught twice by ghosts, and then finally having made it to each beer stop only once, headed back to the pub. Not the best Pacman run, but lessons learned for next year, I suppose...

When I got back to the pub, I saw a familiar face standing at the bar that made me happier than an over-exited puppy: Matt was here!!!

He had a similarly enthusiastic reaction upon seeing me, and insisted on buying me a Guinness (even though I still owed him a drink from ages ago). We spent some time catching up, where I found that he'd gotten the new job he'd wanted, and was spending lots of time travelling and seeing family. Just sounded like everything was hunky dory there.

We then moved outside (as it was getting very crowded in the pub) and I found myself very torn between wanting to talk to Matt and going to find Roofie's brother (who is fast becoming one of my favourite people to spend time with). In the end, I suppose it was a null choice, as I ended up mostly talking to Cookie and her boyfriend James.

We survived the circle (which went on for way too long), and then returned to the pub. As I was making my way across the room, I saw Roofie's brother standing at the bar, and he visibly perked up when he spotted me still making my way across the room. I like that he's always so glad to see me, but what does that really mean in terms of how much he likes me?

Oh well, I suppose I should be glad for the simple things in life: There's a guy out there who seems to enjoy my company as much as I do his, and the rest of it will sort itself out in time. Although it does make me realise how foolish I've been to have passed up all of Roofie's invitations to come out before this, as I could have met his brother ages ago! That will teach me...

I then returned to conversation with Matt and Cookie over in a corner of the pub, with Matt offering helpful suggestions on my dating life, as always. Apparently he sees no problem with me dating a 25-year old, pointing out that his own girlfriend is only 24. Indeed, why does nobody raise an eyebrow when a 31-year old man dates a 24-year old girl, but if it's a 31-year old girl dating a 24-year old man, everyone starts talking about "cougars"? I did feel a bit better when Cookie pointed out that James was only 25, made me think that perhaps a younger option isn't out of the question.

After we'd been sitting in the corner for a while, we decided to circulate and talk to other people. Admittedly I somehow just got stuck talking to James and Pork Pie again. Boring.

Eventually made my way around to Roofie's brother, and had a good time talking to him for a bit. As everyone was starting to talk about going out for food (we were in Chinatown, after all), or onto O'Neill's, Roofie's brother started talking about how he really should go home, as he had a big day with a big presentation the next day. Given that I was planning on heading home shortly myself, I laughed and assured him that he was allowed to go home. So we kissed and said good-bye (perhaps with a bit too much lingering physical contact?) with assurances that we would see each other next week.

Shortly after, Matt decided to go home too (as he'd been drinking Diet Cokes all night, aside from the one Guinness I bought him). I then found myself talking to Nat, and feeling a bit guilty about the fact that I hadn't done a very good job of talking to her, particularly when I'm likely to miss her leaving drinks on Thursday.

As I was standing there chatting, someone came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. Naturally I assumed it was Princess, as he's usually the only one who is so openly physically affectionate with me (as he is with nearly everyone). So I reached up behind me, giving him a hug and a kiss and stroking his hair for a bit, in the same sort of affectionate way I always would with Princess. Imagine my surprise when he speaks and I realise it's the Giant Australian! He's never normally so physically affectionate with me, so this is a surprise. Still, kind of sweet, in a way...

At this point, the pub really starts emptying out. Everyone is either headed to a Chinese restaurant for food, or to O'Neills. The Giant Australian is going to O'Neills, but I have to admit that all the people I'd really want to hang with (Matt and Roofie's brother) have gone home, so I beg off too, and the Giant Australian doesn't protest, but kisses me goodnight. Time to try and make it home at a moderately reasonable hour (or at least avoid taking the night bus!)