(Hindsight Diary Entry)
1st January 2001.
A Whole Millennium passed over us last night and we became a 21st instead.
I managed to complete the swamp level section on Tomb Raider about 2:30am this morning, while everyone else was tucked up in bed. Stupid woman, I had to give up in the end and ring the premium rate number for the official walk through. It was so simple when I realised there was a coin to locate (that's a new feature to watch out for again).
The Party was really good last night. It wasn't quite what I'd hoped for, but no party ever has lived up to that, yet. Although I haven't given up on the idea of them, I think I'll be limited to kids stuff for awhile yet.
The kids all enjoyed themselves, and I was pleased and proud of the way ours behaved in the situation - I hadn't had to tell any of them off at all, not even once and I was watching for an opportunity to do just that all night.
The Adults were all friendly, I knew a small group as friends, who were all there last night (which already seems days ago).
I particularly like Jane and Gavin.
Sarah was a delight, though she and Razor were somewhere else last night, I think. Sarah has a great sense of humour, I like her and Razor's attention to K (apparently Razor's even said that K's his favourite player on the Formby pitch).
Of course, these were more like my Husbands friends. The men all met first, originally meeting at the local football training grounds, watching their kids learn how to play. Someone, possibly Gavin, suggested they all go for a drink while they waited on Monday training nights.
(they'd also rallied to ensure that Monday training nights continued when the Manager started to complain and threatened to cancel them.... I wonder if he's upset that he misses out on these Monday 'drinks' with the 'boys'.)
I won't see my friends now until school starts again. Sheila and Claire would have been great to go to the party with, different friends though.
Who do I like in work?
Donna and Tony.
Donna is so straightforward, typical Yorkshire lass, no sides to her, says what she means and means what she says and does so beautifully. I can have a laugh with Donna and know she'll tell me straight if she thinks I'm wrong in any way. I like that about Donna, she's honest.
How could I not like Tony?
We have such great laughs, he's the best part of working till 6am in the morning every weekend.
(Remembers - half lit large and apparently empty store)
There are 'stacked cages' dotted around the aisles but are completely empty apart from two lone figures, one on each side of shelving, near the front of the store.
A figure half climbs the shelves (without disturbing the front facing) and peers over the top
Below is a man, he's opening a box at his feet
In the half gloom the figure carefully and quietly climbs back down and picks up a box, then tip toes around the end of the aisle ... noiselessly.
"Boooo!"
The grey figure jumps and they both try to catch the box while laughing
"Oi You!", I say laughing, "I was sneaking around to catch You out!"
"Ah well... " Tony taps the side of his nose, trying to keep a straight face, "You didn't".
I pull a determined face (like Popeye) , "Well we'll have to see about that,
(thinking: If I'm Popeye, that makes you Olive! And I don't eat spinach) anyway, how much more have you got to do now?" (think again: Yes, I've noticed, How is this playing? - I'll be 'annoyed') I look at the spaces where the cages he should have are clearly not. Then look at Tony to watch his response.
Tony stands up and leans against the shelving behind him, the aisle behind that is empty too.
(Yes I'm playing, watch this... )
"I get special treatment you see", Tony replies
(But I make some rules and you have to agree in order to play with me)
"Oh, how does that work?" I ask
(thinking: Oh, you want me to tell you, before you agree. This could be fun, and she's waiting for an answer)
"Well, I'm sleeping with all of the managers, so they let me have easy aisles every night".
(All but one of the managers are men)
"Really?"
(barely holding the laughter back: huge grin, short breaths, obvious amusement - like Santa)
Tony keeps a straight face when he half asks, "Yes..?"
(thinking, she's spotted something funny about that)
(wondering: does he realise how funny that is? This could get funnier!How can I check without alerting him in advance?)
"What, ALL of them?"
(see if he changes that)
(he thinks) (she thinks: is that mental calculation or what is he having to think about?)
(he shakes his head and repeats) "Yes.. ?"
(let's see how he reacts to this)
"I didn't know you were like that"
('that' said with a flip of the wrist)
They both laugh as he realises and denies being gay.
Just then, an announcement is made over the PA system, the New Manager is asking for a member of staff to go to his office, upstairs, for a chat.
They both listen then relax, Tony says, "I'd laugh if he'd asked for me then, after what we'd just been saying".
Oh how I laughed!
Another New Years Day,
Time to reflect on the people who've meant a lot in our lives and still do.
Have the kids had their 'Best Christmas Ever'?
I think mine did, that means I'll have to figure out how I could do better in time for this year.
