It's snowing heavily

... and I have the immense satisfaction of my Hermione-ish planning being a success, because I booked Vlatko the driver to pick Irene and me up every morning at 7.30 this week. No taxi stress! Ha!

We had the bestest evening yesterday, stuffing ourselves with unhealthy things, drinking wine and having fun (Irene, Stefanie, Petra&Georg, Ursula and me). I only slept 5 hrs, but it was more than worth it. Plus, having eaten only ham, cheese etc. made for very little debris afterwards. *sighs happily* I love my gang of friends here.

ETA: Having winter tyres would have made the drive to work a bit easier I suppose. Anyway we got there without having to get out of the car and push. Vlatko the driver promised he'd change the tyres ASAP. *eyeroll*

Due to the heavy snow I cancelled dinner tonight with Mr H -- we'd originally planned to meet at a reception and go on to dinner from there, but I then I had doubts whether I had an invitation, checked, and it turned out I don't. The reception is at some outlandish place somwehere in Skopje's hinterland, so he can't come and get me, and I frankly don't need the hassle of trying to get a taxi.

Argh.
Just as I was writing this down, he called me. Did I really cancel only because of the weather?
Yes, of course, don't be silly.
Because , if you don't want to have dinner with me for other reasons...
Don't be SILLY! OK, OK, just let me know when and where, and I'll be there, you stupid sod.
Beg your pardon?
I said I'll be there you stupid sod, if only to prove a point. (He actually sounded pleased with that. I probably ought to call him names more often)

Just to avoid misunderstandings here: 1) I'm fully aware that "I need a friend" means neither interest nor real friendship, but is merely another expression for "I'm feeling lonely and miserable and don't want to spend an evening on my own". 2) Given the state he's in, I feel sufficiently sorry for him to play along -- not that it'll be any real help, because playing friends might provide some relief for a few hours at best, but if he feels that this is what he needs, so be it. I like him sufficiently to let myself be used as a "social dummy".

ETA the second: And guess what, just when I'd organized transport for tonight and informed him that I had, I got a message "Sorry, have to cancel tonight -- dinner tomorrow at 8?" My answer was no, because enough is enough. Playing friends is one thing, being taken out of and put back into the box is another. Shit, now I'm really, really angry.

ETA the third: No, I didn't reconsider -- what did you think? I just wanted to say that I'll be having a very nice evening. First, Irene and I will walk home together, then I'll do home sports, then I'll prepare a very nice pasta sauce (zucchini, tomatoes, tuna, olives), and we'll have dinner and rewatch A Room with A View. I'm tired anyway, and today's weather just begs for a lazy evening in with ze boyz.

I iz a waste of tax payers' money

Pre-lunch appointment and lunch cancelled due to snow, and I'm in a procrastinating mood. So I'm basically wasting tax payers' money, but at least I'm doing so sitting at my desk. I'm sure the waste would be a lot more unforgiveable if I went home early.

So let's see what I had to say in previous years, on or close to 16 December.

16.12.2003:
The world is governed by a bunch of frustrated men who don't have a clue about real life.
Still true. Such wisdom in a person of only 39 summers... ;-)
21.12.2007:
It was the first earthquake I'd ever consciously experienced, and I must say I didn't like it in the least. That feeling of the house being lifted for a moment... *shudders* Not one of my favourites. But it was only 5,7, just the right thing for a beginner ;-)
Still remember that, and yes, it was awful. The second one probably too, but I slept through it, because it occurred some time around 2 a.m. on the 26th. Ze boyz slept through it as well. So much for the vaunted, feline 6th sense...
16.12.2008:
Then I put my back out last night, for no apparent rason, it just happened, and it hurts really, reallly bad. Got an injection today, which helped a bit, and painkillers for the night, so I hope everything will be all right soon.
That was awful, too. And boy was I pissed-off at the doctor who told me I had to lose weight and exercise. The nurse who gave me the painkiller shot struck a blood vessel, and the resulting giant bruise hurt way longer than the poor, squashed nerve.
18.12.2009:
I should have gone to Pristina today, but had to cancel the trip, so this is a completely appointment-free, blessedly quiet day at work.
And there was snow, too, last year, same as today. There was also a crush, an impressively big one which also caused me quite a lot of unhappiness. The crushee, though, was/is a wonderful, warm-hearted person who never succeeded in making me as angry as Mr H did today. (Bastard. And once again with feeling: BAAAAA-STAAAAARD)
What say? Third time's the charm? Let's hope so.