More London adventures coming your way! Saturday night I ventured into south London (sauff London as the locals pronounce it!) for a cocktail party at a friend of a friends new flat. I managed to put on a skirt and boots so I was presentable enough for a smart/casual evening even though it was a bit nippy and my bare legs weren’t quite used to the exposure. On the tube down to Kennington, I sat reading a book to pass the time on the invariably long and boring ride. As the car filled with passengers, one man in his late thirties/early forties sat down next to me, and his friend (as I was to discover) stood in front of me – due to the lack of space. The one sitting said, “Quit trying to read upside down” to his mate and this was my cue to look up, which I did. They had smiling faces and twinkles in their eyes, both of them, so they did, so I knew they were harmless. They began a series of questions which made me laugh. With my own questions as well as answers I cheekily bantered with them until their stop, which they were good enough to point out ahead of time so as I wouldn’t be worried about them following me (which was exceedingly considerate). They were from Newcastle where the people are known as Geordies. Far more friendly and approachable than Londoners, they were pleased that a stranger was willing to have a chat – in London you only talk to strangers if you’re a crazy person, or a tourist, or me (haha). They made their exit and I continued on to my cocktail party. Arriving an hour and half after the time suggested on the invite, I was slightly embarrassed to discover I was the first guest! So much for my grand entrance. Within about 10 minutes, rafts of people turned up, so it wasn’t the big awkward deal it could have been. As mentioned earlier, it was a friend of a friend who invited me and I met this friend though a colleague. This colleague has on previous occasions mentioned how wonderful he thinks I am and how he would like to snog me etc etc. On this evening however, after far too much wine, he proceeded to cross the line and gasp “I love you” once or twice – which I have to say just made me angry with him. My usual diplomatic self did not blast him with “Fuck off you pathetic wanker – you don’t know me well enough to say that, and saying it won’t make me love you. Stop wallowing in self-pity over the fact that we are not an item or ever will be and leave me alone” which is what I wanted to say (or something to that effect). Instead I made a timely exit. The journey home was long and relatively uneventful, but I made it there safely which is what matters.

Sunday I was invited to a meal at another friend’s place. It being sunny and mild I decided to take the longer bus route to the tube. Upon arrival at the station, the passengers were disembarking the bus and polite Canadian that I am, I offered the man in front of me to get off first – he declined so down the stairs I skipped. Walking into the station I hear “Excuse me, hello!” behind me. Turning around, knowing whom it would be, I face the man I had just spoken to. He says “would you like to have a friendship with me?” I say “no” and continue walking – he says, “its ok, I’m married” – I say “no”. Fucking hell! What are the odds on this happening to me on such a regular basis – I must give off some stinker of a pheromone or something. Luckily he did not pursue his interest in my friendship and I made my way uninterrupted to the meal (except for the part when I got lost and had to have my friend come get me to guide me back! – but that’s par for the course!)