Crazy Days

The crazy days have just begun... (who sang that? did I make it up?). After spending almost an entire week on surreptitious emails about plans for Penny's farewell and three lunch hours and a Thursday evening trying to find the perfect gift, the whole thing finally came to fruition yesterday. It went reasonably well - she didn't suspect anything but hell it was hard to muster verve for the occasion. Apart from many staff needing to leave before the presentation (our CEO insisted no earlier than 5pm), Faun, V1 and I were exhausted by the whole occasion that it was hard to spark a party. Still, we did our bit and we pulled off as much as we could.

Later, though, were were supposed to get lubricated at the pub before heading to karaoke, as per Penny's wishes. Instead, the lady of the moment chose to go to the Swans game at Homebush with Mick, the sound guy, which made more sense when I found out they've been secretly going out for a few weeks. The only problem I have is that Mick asked Gill out early last month and he has been flirting with Jess to the point where J has fallen for him... only to have him turn and take Penny. Why do people do this, I wonder?

The gathering petered out after Penny left to go to the game so I played a game of pool against James (he won - I think I like playing on his side rather than against him) and then left with Clint and V1, who were going to catch a taxi to dread pirate Rod's place. Then Clint decided against it and V1 and I didn't want to go without him because we're not fully 'in' with Rod so instead we caught a train and V1 came over to my place and we chatted for a couple of hours.

Tonight we are going to La Campana for Naomi's prenuptial gathering of female persons (hen's night) where we will eat tapas and paella and watch a Latino stripper strut his stuff. Apparently. I hope we eat first. Following that, some salsa dancing. Woo! The Vanessas want to sit next to me so I have a feeling I will have a posse of Vanessas flanking me. It's weird that I've become somewhat popular in the sense that I am their ticket 'in' with the other girls. I mean, I sit next to Joey and I play soccer with Gill and Melissa on Sundays as well as Wednesdays and I often converse with Dina. I haven't spoken too much to Naomi lately but we play soccer on Wednesdays and we've often chatted at the pub ... and we had that poker night a couple of months back.

It started me thinking about the nature of popularity. I've never been popular because I tend to tell things like it is rather than expend effort on 'diplomacy' (which I find eventually ties me in knots). Which is not to say I walk around blabbing bluntly - I've learnt the art of when to conceal and when to reveal. Anyway, only recently I believe people have started to appreciate my honesty, because the world is full of spin and lies and fake tan. Hmm. I am more popular but I don't have as many close, trustworthy friends as I used to. I think I'd rather it the other way around. 'Oh well, what the hell,' sang McWatt.