He moved to Castres for work - a really good opportunity, but I have to admit I was sad to see him go. I've missed having a friend to call on for drinks at the last minute, or someone to come see obscure films with me. Having an opportunity to catch up has been great. And a legitimate reason too - I had to travel down to the south west for work.
So, as you'd expect, we caught up over some bottles of good (no, great) wine and worked our way through a few bottles of champagne too. We got drunk and went and stood in his garden, looking at stars and naming constellations. I'm pretty certain that part of this flu that I'm feeling must be a hangover!
We giggled like schoolgirls over ridiculous things and talked about the great times we'll share in the future - when I 'settle down' and he, finally, is living in the same country as his lovely boyfriend.
We had some very welcome sunshine too, and did some touristy things. All in all, it was really special.
Spending time with LPF made the email I came home to even more, erm, crappy. Crappy isn't really the word. I'm not sure what the word is.
See, the thing is, the email confirmed that the event which I've been really hoping wouldn't happen is actually taking place - recession or no recession.
Yes folks, it's the company 'christmas' party.
Officially it's not a christmas party, being in March and all - but it really is instead of a christmas party...thus it's known as the christmas party. Anyway, it's on March 13th.
Why, I hear you ask, am I so bothered about the company party?
Well, it's like this. The company party is a 'with partners' event. Everybody brings their husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends and significant others.
Every single year - even during the crazy boyfriend years - I've been to this event alone. On my own. Single. Without partner. Unattached. Strange.
I'm not sure I can do that again.
Anyone got any smart ideas?
36 commentaires:
Darling - don't worry! I'll come as your partner. I can hoof it with the best of them! (and I don't know how many gay dances I've been to so I know the moves)
You got three options, as I see it: 1) don't go, 2) take someone who isn't a partner, and you can either admit it or have a laugh pretending (see below), or 3) get yourself a boyfriend pronto.
With option 2, your theatrical sensibilities could kick in big time. You could stage a huge fight in the middle of dinner that involved the throwing of soft food, or the 'boyfriend' could propose to you over the PA, in which case there are further dramatic options depending on whether you say yes or no.
I recommend option 3, but sometimes life deals other cards. I'd personally go for 1, but I'm the antisocial type, and I don't think you are...
I'll go as your partner.
But only the proviso that I get to wear 7" stilettos, a huge Tina Turner wig and insist on being called Talula.
I'll even eat like a pig and attempt to drink wine from my stiletto (and fail), before passing out face-first in the soup.
You could always rent.
Although I'd go with Ben's offer. Hell, I'm even considering throwing my own Christmas Party just to see Ben follow through......
Just take a good friend - male of female
Or don't go, there is always a way out
I hate firms do 's with a vengeance ,you work wit hem , never really want to socialise with em
Aims; I bet you know the moves! There's no surprise there!
Lola; I think 3 seems sensible yet unachievable; 1 is unfortunately not an option, so it looks like I have to go for number 2...which brings me on to Ben...
Ah Ben, I'm so, so, so very tempted. I haven't said no just yet...
Rob; renting would be an option, but I'm guessing it would be fairly obvious, no?
VM, I'm with you all the way...hate company do's, especially when attendance is 'expected'....think the 'phone a friend' thing is ideal!
Still Christmas? Works for me ...
Take along a friend. Or take the Simpsons sock boy?
Have you seen Lars and the Real Girl?
Alternatively, as your party is on the Ides of March dress as Julius Caesar and tell everyone you thought it was fancy dress. They'll be too distracted to notice you have no partner.
Hmmmm...
Oh alright then.I'll go with you.I just want to be clear from the outset that I expect loads of funny business.
David - they know how to drag it out here!
12oti - HSS is coming nowhere near my colleagues....eek!
Victor - Lars and the real girl is great; but it may mark me out as weird? Caesar on the other hand....
HQ - funny business it is then!
Hire some one, it works with suits!
Brett, renting a suit or renting a boy in a suit - sounds fair to me....erm...
how about I come to Paris that weekend and play the role of the loud, obnoxious, American boyfriend??
CB, that sounds good to me. And very funny.
And it's not like you'd have to stretch yourself too far to fit into that role, is it? he he
Am I being thick ? What's wrong with taking LPF ?
KP, I suggested, he accepted, but logistically it's impossible.
Getting from south west france to Birmingham for a 7pm kick off is pretty near impossible without taking time off...and he just started new job, so no hay possible. Unfortunately.
Ah, I see.
Complicated stuff that pan-european lark.
March 13th, 1900hrs, Brum. Right, I'll make some calls......
If you are coming to Brum I can make it there
Take me I havent been to a Christmas party for years
Do you scrub up well, young Henry?
Look at me getting offers from all sorts now. Ooh the choice... Well, maybe not. Maybe just Henry and CB-who-is-in-minneapolis-therefore-a-bit-far-for-a-friday-night-out.
But who needs choice when the goods on offer are quality?
I scrub up particularly well
What would you like to know?
You have mail by the way
Je parle francais et un peu allemand aussi
Hey, why can't we ALL go with you? Bet no one's taken an entire army of bloggers to the works' do before.
Sweary - can you imagine the scene! ridiculous, but fabulous at the same time....
I was going to 'up' Ben's idea (you know LaTanya can BRING-IT-ON) but seeing as it's in Birmingham, I'll don my best sari and play the part of a local
Now, LaTanya, that's funny.
Although I'd rather see you in a tina turner wig and stilettos...
I think the "army of bloggers" idea is an excellent one - count me in!
I'm sure there's another friend out there you can steal to take to the party :-) :-)
Amy, you'd all be so shocked/stunned/gobsmacked that no-one would ever drop by these pages again!
Big C - you offering?
'Cos if you are, I'm accepting.
Send me a ticket and I will go with you, I have the most wonderful dress
D; I'm not going with anyone who will look better than me.....so you're absolutely ruled out. Sorry sweetie!
I'm with Victor - I like the whole Roman theme with lots of wine drinking and a guest draped in a Roman toga.
Poutalicious, sounds good to me too!
Can you skip? I hate holiday parties. I was SO grateful I got to skip this year's for my husband's company. (And ours are always in January or February.) So he went alone.
Homer Simpson Socks? (I'm ducking your punch.)
Louise, you're well advised to duck madame!!
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