An email went around this morning at work, saying that another staff member was leaving - the 29th in our section since the last new staff were taken on board, there have been a couple of Survivor-like tribal merges cutting us down from three floors to one - it's hard to say whether we were overstaffed or understaffed beforehand, we seem to be taking as many customer calls as we ever did...
Anyways, the latest evictee is KWE, off overseas next week or something, and although I haven't had much to do with her the last hmm six or so months, and even before that she was a bit stand-offish, I remember the first time out socialising with her, she was like 'well, I can't really think of you as a friend because you are a workmate' - LOL some things just stay seared in your mind - despite that, she was part of my initial intake, and I wanted to see her off with at least one Friday night drink.
The email went around our team this morning, but had actually been sent out to the team leaders on Wednesday - so I wasn't mentally 'prepared' for going out lol. But wanted to make an appearance at least.
The evening was due to start at 5.30, and what with my late shifts this week, I didn't get out of the office until 7. The place was in the Valley, but a venue I hadn't heard of before - as I was heading down that way I was thinking to myself, 'I hope this is a bar rather than a restaurant, it's been a tiring week and I want to ease into the evening, and boy is it just me or is it freaking humid tonight?' Always lots of thoughts in my head.
Got past Brunswick Street, the place was a bit further down from there, and suddenly seemed in the midst of the homeless. Mission Australia and Salvation Army shops - boarded up windows, and a second hand record store. A couple, he with head in hands, she comforting him, on a metal bus stop seat - hard to say whether they were homeless or stressed 'normal' people.
Then suddenly luxury car dealerships - but further than the internet map I checked earlier in the day seemed to place this starting point for the evening. I walked back - it WAS down that path. Uncertainty clawing at me, I see the flyer for eight dollar cocktails, and I wonder whether I want to head in. All I want is a beer, I don't want a night club. I hesitate for a minute, and then head in.
It is worse than I thought. Barely lit, people sitting on cushions around low tables, white netting curtains surrounding each individual group. I go back to the front desk, ask for 5.30 bookings under the names that I can think of, both first and last. No booking has been made under any of my workmate's names, is there anyone I can ring, are you sure this is the right place, do you know how many people were under the reservation.
I am tired, I just wanted a quiet drink to either ease into the night or to at least make an appearance, my inferiority complex makes an appearance (in hindsight, the girl on the front desk was perfectly helpful, but at the time I was there she just seemed superior), and I think to myself I was just an add-on member of the party, they won't miss me if I don't show. As always, Pauly on the periphery - if not in fact, then most importantly in my own mind. Plus it's an hour and a half after they started, they could have kicked on to another bar already.
I bail, I feel I would be ill at ease in a dimly lit cushions and curtains superior restaurant. There will be other times, with people at work that I am closer to than KWE. Christmas party season is almost upon us. And other such lame excuses. I was tired, I was hot, I was uncomfortable. I bailed from the evening, and its potential.
It was a long week.
Pauly
Anyways, the latest evictee is KWE, off overseas next week or something, and although I haven't had much to do with her the last hmm six or so months, and even before that she was a bit stand-offish, I remember the first time out socialising with her, she was like 'well, I can't really think of you as a friend because you are a workmate' - LOL some things just stay seared in your mind - despite that, she was part of my initial intake, and I wanted to see her off with at least one Friday night drink.
The email went around our team this morning, but had actually been sent out to the team leaders on Wednesday - so I wasn't mentally 'prepared' for going out lol. But wanted to make an appearance at least.
The evening was due to start at 5.30, and what with my late shifts this week, I didn't get out of the office until 7. The place was in the Valley, but a venue I hadn't heard of before - as I was heading down that way I was thinking to myself, 'I hope this is a bar rather than a restaurant, it's been a tiring week and I want to ease into the evening, and boy is it just me or is it freaking humid tonight?' Always lots of thoughts in my head.
Got past Brunswick Street, the place was a bit further down from there, and suddenly seemed in the midst of the homeless. Mission Australia and Salvation Army shops - boarded up windows, and a second hand record store. A couple, he with head in hands, she comforting him, on a metal bus stop seat - hard to say whether they were homeless or stressed 'normal' people.
Then suddenly luxury car dealerships - but further than the internet map I checked earlier in the day seemed to place this starting point for the evening. I walked back - it WAS down that path. Uncertainty clawing at me, I see the flyer for eight dollar cocktails, and I wonder whether I want to head in. All I want is a beer, I don't want a night club. I hesitate for a minute, and then head in.
It is worse than I thought. Barely lit, people sitting on cushions around low tables, white netting curtains surrounding each individual group. I go back to the front desk, ask for 5.30 bookings under the names that I can think of, both first and last. No booking has been made under any of my workmate's names, is there anyone I can ring, are you sure this is the right place, do you know how many people were under the reservation.
I am tired, I just wanted a quiet drink to either ease into the night or to at least make an appearance, my inferiority complex makes an appearance (in hindsight, the girl on the front desk was perfectly helpful, but at the time I was there she just seemed superior), and I think to myself I was just an add-on member of the party, they won't miss me if I don't show. As always, Pauly on the periphery - if not in fact, then most importantly in my own mind. Plus it's an hour and a half after they started, they could have kicked on to another bar already.
I bail, I feel I would be ill at ease in a dimly lit cushions and curtains superior restaurant. There will be other times, with people at work that I am closer to than KWE. Christmas party season is almost upon us. And other such lame excuses. I was tired, I was hot, I was uncomfortable. I bailed from the evening, and its potential.
It was a long week.
Pauly
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