The Houses of Parliament

Monday night, I wasn't doing much, just taking some late calls and recovering after the weekend. When the Young Dutchman popped up on Skype, and dragged me into an hour-and-a-half video chat, because of course we need to have video chats on days when I haven't put on any make-up or done my hair. But it's the Young Dutchman, so whatever.

Anyway, in the course of conversation, he suddenly came up with this great idea that we should go to a panel discussion on internet copyright law being held at the Houses of Parliament the next night. So after work, I met up with the Young Dutchman and his friend David (who I also know and like very much) at a pub nearly Westminster for a drink, and then we went on to this talk in Parliament. Fun being in this amazing, beautiful setting, totally boring talk. (The Young Dutchman was getting really into it, but it was a panel discussion where everybody was too focused on making their own point, rather than listening to anybody else). So I played with my iPad and discovered Twitter.

Then afterwards, there was a drinks reception held in one of the dining rooms downstairs, so we went for drinks, chatted to some random people, and had a bunch of free drinks. I found it very funny that when I was standing in a group with the Young Dutchman and David and one of the organizers, the organizing guy kept talking to me and directing all comments to me, even though the Young Dutchman and David were obviously a lot more into the topic. I guess I was just better-looking than they were!

We were having such a great time, that when they kicked us out of the drinks reception, we dragged the organizer and one of the panelists off to the O&C for even more drinks. Enjoyed that until our random guests left somewhere around midnight, and then the Young Dutchman, David and I ended up in the silent library, chatting our heads off and writing silly letters with the quills. (Yeah, great use of the silent library, right?) But the Young Dutchman and I always do that, we just end up chatting by the fire there for hours, it's sort of our special spot. I even made David a "Get Out of Jail Free" card to give to his girlfriend later to hopefully buy him some leniency for what was turning into quite a great night.

I was surprised as none of the staff ever came looking for us, so finally at around 3 AM we were starving and figured we should go out looking for food. So we caught a cab to Old Compton Street, and actually found a place that seated us and served us burgers at 3 AM. I couldn't believe it, when we left around 4 AM even more people had come in, and the place was hopping! And given that this was the day of Mardi Gras, even though it was after midnight, I had one last Diet Coke to send off as I went into the 40 days of Lent.

Finally caught a cab home with David and collapsed into bed sometime after 4 AM, but had to start work on time the morning after. No hangover (thank goodness for that burger!) but just not enough sleep.

I couldn't believe it when the Young Dutchman caught me online later that afternoon to ask what I was up to that night, I nearly cowered under my chair, I don't think I could handle another night like that! (Luckily, I think he got the hint, and let me be without asking me to come out). I love him dearly, but keeping up with him can be exhausting...