So ded, so ded

When did I last have two no-sports days in a row? I can't remember. It was worth it, though -- I wanted to go to the gym yesterday, but then Mr H called, and I had to go and see Lola, too, and no intention of cancelling the girls' night out with Pinar and Elena. So no sports.

So, Mr H.
It was easily the nicest evening I've ever had in his company, even though it didn't start too promisingly: after saying hello --  we'd met in a bar on the riverside promenade but left immediately because the music was too loud for talking -- and setting out in search of a less music-infested place, somehow ... the Austrian employee at [...] came up, and he started the "how can you be friends with this person, and I don't know whom to trust anymore" thing again.
I stopped, but withstood the temptation to grab him by the front of his jacket (it was rather strong -- the temptation, not the jacket). And I said, "I'm going to say this once, and only once: I'm taking this I-can't-trust-you shit very personally. If that's really what you think, I suggest we say goodbye here and now, and don't you contact me ever again. When ... says something about you, I listen, but neither do I discuss you with him nor do I repeat anything you've ever said to me. And you'll have to trust me on this, or else goodbye."
That had the desired effect, and we went to have a very light pre-dinner (for him) and snack (for me, because I was still full from lunch).
And lo and behold, we had a great two hours, and a very animated discussion, mostly about politics and ethics and Macedonia.
Of course the subject of ... the Austrian turned up again, but in a much more rational manner.
Mr H: Honestly, what do you think of him? Do you think he's a strange person?
Me: Well that depends on how you define strange. I think that ... (another Austrian guy working for [...]) is a lot stranger.
Mr H: True, but he doesn't hate me.
Me: Point taken. And yes, he is a bit strange, but then I guess he's seen a lot of disturbing things in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan. Unless properly handled, such experiences can be quite a blow to a person's psyche. Still, that doesn't explain the deep personal hatred.
Mr H, glumly: No it doesn't.
Me: Did you kind of accidentally sleep with his wife?
Mr H, bristling: No, of course not, not in the last two years... I mean, before, who knows...
Me: Exactly. That's why I said accidentally.
Mr H: Hmm... Where is she from?
Me: Ukraine
Mr H: Ah. Then that's a no.
Me: What? Are you saying you never had sex with a Ukrainian woman?
Mr H: That's what I'm saying. And something I've come to regret, once I went there and saw those women.

Another interesting result of our conversation: I was right about Carla, Mr H's personal assistant.
Last time I saw ... the Austrian and his wife (not fucked by Mr H TM) he told me that Carla was in hospital with a nervous breakdown, because Mr H had shouted at her. I thought that was more than a little strange -- she had not given me the impression of being the kind of shy violet who'd break down if her boss shouted at her. And, given the whole situation, I very much doubted he'd do such a thing now, even if he'd done so in the past.
If what Mr H told me yesterday is true (and considering my previous doubts re. Carla, I tend to think it is), the story goes like this: Carla's contract expires at the end of this year. She asked him to extend it, and he said no, because her performance hadn't been up to his standards (OK, that's debatable, but he's the boss). So she threatened to contact the Powers That Be Above Mr H, and when that didn't yield any results, the last resort was to go on sick leave until he's gone, because the interim-boss-to-be had already promised to extend the contract. A two-week illness is hard to fake, so it was the nervous breakdown. And not enough with that, she somehow succeeded in involving the press in Mr H's country of origin, telling stories about him using physical violence against her.
The whole thing is so sordid and disgusting and... well, simply beneath even the lowest moral standards.
And of course everything makes sense now: Carla and I had our very pleasant lunch/dinner at the beginning of October, i.e. exactly the time when her contract-related trouble with Mr H started.
I told her that I liked him, and that was porobably the reason for her to break off any contact with me and use excuses like lots of work, illness etc.
Two-faced bitch.

OK, nuff said about Mr H. (There might be more tomorrow, because apparenty we're going to have dinner tonight, so brace yourselves)

The girls' night out with Pinar and Elena was fantastic. I'd intended to leave around 10, but in the end we sat, drinking and chatting and generally having a great time, till 11.30, when both Pinar and I were so tired that we almost fell asleep at the table.
Well into the third whisky, Pinar asked, "So, generally speaking, do you think it's a good or a bad idea to pursue a man? I mean, like asking him out and showing one is interested?"
Opinions were exchanged -- more or less: do it if you feel like it, but obviously the fact that we live in the 21st century doesn't mean the guys can take it -- and then I said, "I think I know who we're talking about. If it is who I think it is, I'm afraid it won't make much of a difference. So I'd advise you to go as far as you're feeling comfortable with, especially in case he turns you down."
I'd bet a large sum of money that it's Mr H. *sighs* Poor Pinar. Poor me, as a matter of fact.
Maybe we should team up and proposition him together? Now there's an idea...

And dinner again

...tonight at 7.30.
Why NOW?????
Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. His Highness will even pick me up, because we're going to a place outside Skopje.
And yes, I am squeeing.

Went to vet with Lola today, to get the second vaccination and the chip. She was being a very good girl. Impossible to get a taxi so I had to call Blerim to pick us up with the Embassy car and drive us bak to Lola's Alexandra's place, and then me back to the Embassy.

OK, tennis now, then home for express beautification.
Then dinner. *wibbles*