Lotte's Birthday

The Tall South African called me right after work to chat for over an hour, which was great to talk to him as always... I find it funny how when we talk, every time I think the conversation should end, there always seems to be something else to say.  Although strange as we were talking about how rubbish he is in relationships, because he becomes insecure.  Makes sense on some level, as when you don't care what people think, because they're not important to you, you're not insecure with them.  You really don't care what they think.  Yet, when they do become important to you, you care very much what they think, and hence the insecurity comes in...  Probably just doesn't help that the Tall South African, for all his bravado, is somewhat insecure in general.

 Of course, as much as I enjoyed talking to him, there was this part of me that wonders in the back of my head, "So why are you talking to me about all this?"  It amazes me how he's known this girl for years, been in a relationship with her for months, and still seems completely incapable of having a real conversation with her.  Oh well, not my problem...

 As we were talking, the Young Dutchman popped up online to say "Caek!"  That made me laugh, as I knew exactly what he was talking about.  I assured him that I was going to our friend Lotte's house for birthday cake later on, as today was her birthday.  

 As I related this back to the Tall South African (I can't do two things at once, so I just had to tell him who I was talking to and what I was saying), he realised that he'd completely forgotten Lotte's birthday (he's her former housemate!  He's known her for YEARS!), and seemed a bit upset about that, as apparently he's never forgotten her birthday.  Although, instead of getting off the phone with me and calling her, he just stayed on talking to me.  {Sigh!}  Sweet that he likes me so much, but still obviously a boy who needs a woman in his life to organise it!

Turning back to the Young Dutchman, we agreed when we would both be setting out, and how much we were looking forward to seeing each other.  I know I see him all the time, but somehow, ever since he's started at Google, I have felt like I've really been missing him.  It's a little bit like when he started at Oxford, I really just missed him a lot.

Since I stayed on the phone with the Tall South African way longer than I should have, I had to race to make it there in time, and ended up grabbing a cab to get there on time.  But once I did make it there, was rewarded by the familiar sight of the tall, long back of a favourite Dutch person standing in the doorway when I made my way in.  Just ran in and hugged him from behind, I was so happy to see him.  Got a hug in return.  Don't know why I've missed him so much (hadn't I just been at a party with him less than a week ago?), but nonetheless, it was good to see him again.

Spent the evening chatting with him and a guy who was a professional cyclist, who had gotten into cycling after he'd been hit by a car and had been in a wheelchair for months.  Cycling became a key part of his rehab (as it is for me), and he'd really just taken to it.  Funny how life works out that way...  I got the sense of how much of a pro he was when I asked him about the Olympics and he said, "Well, a few of my friends were competing..."  Oh yes, the rest of us just bought tickets, you had your friends competing...

Had a nice evening chatting to people (there were only about 10 of us there), but as such it was an early night for everyone, and we all headed home around 10 PM.  Although to be honest, maybe an early night is not the worst idea ever, eh?