Picking up the Spare

Well the last few days have been rather hectic, so here's a little back story.

Wedneday evening, had dinner with S, T & SJP before seeing Horrible Bosses. Such a good film. Loads of laughs, characters you can relate to and a semi naked Jennifer Aniston! What more do you want? Better than the Hangover! A big claim, I know!

Thursday was pretty boring, apart from my brother, H, getting his new iPhone4 from A. She was a star, helping him out with it all, even keeping the last one aside until he got there. She's an awesome sales consultant! I can't fault her. Thought it might have been weird her seeing my family (most of whom turned up! Sorry A, I didn't know. Thought it was just gonna be Mum and H) but it was fine, beside them complaining about Southend constantly (they're more used to shopping in Basildon.)

Friday was another lad's night out in the pub, though this time swapping out SJP (who was knackered from work) for D, a friend I met whilst with A. It was nice to spend some time with D, chatting, getting to know each other better, especially as I'm going to be his daughter's God-Father, along with A. The night was just full of laughter and chats, followed by me and D walking from my flat in Leigh-on-Sea to D's in Southend. A crazy feat to attempt at 1am whilst drunk, but we managed it.

Saturday started with a thought of being tired and hungover, however, my brain had other plans. I was wide awake and felt fine! Not since my birthday in May have I drunk as much and to not suffer any side effects is amazing. I used to enjoy going out and having a few drinks, but the past 6 months haven't allowed for that, mostly due to lack of funds, but partly due to the fact that I drove whenever we'd go out. I don't mind, but sometimes you see how much fun everyone around you is having, partly being relaxed due to alcohol, and I feel a little self aware of how much of a prat I'll look, though I'd know A would be quick to point out that that's never stopped me before. lol

That's the thing about me and A. We still have a laugh and can take the mickey out of each other, despite not being involved. This is why we'll be able to become great friends.

Saturday night involved another lad's night with S, T and SJP. T had a free house, I had a Domonio's meal deal voucher. That plus some more alcohol and some Wii and PS3 meant we were heading for a good night in! Black Ops and Mario Kart mayhem!

So after all of that, you'd think that I'd be wanting to enjoy a nice relaxing Sunday, but alas. I had football training for the first time in about two months! I was excited to go, but also apprehensive because I haven't seen my football mates since me and A announced we were engaged and would have to inform them that we've split up, but also because I wasn't looking forward to two hours of running, jumping, push-ups and all the other pressures of pre-season training that are required to shift the weight that's usually built up over the summer. Well, was I relieved when only eight of us turned up? So we had a little 4v4 in the hot sun, which still wasn't ideal but it was nice to just have a little run around and kick a ball.

The highlight of the weekend though came in the afternoon. Me, A, D and his financee J, plus their gorgeous daughter, P, all went bowling! It was awesome! I haven't been bowling since me, S and A went a back at the beginning of the year. Whilst it was all fun and we were having a laugh, I think we all secretly wanted to win (or at least not come last) then we played a few games of pool. I'd started out quite well at bowling, getting a double strike and I was rewarded by A with a playful kick. That's something that I'm enjoying at the moment. Me and A being playful with each other despite not being in a relationship anymore. We can still have a laugh and joke about. J had commented whether it was weird hanging out together, but we've both said that we get on well and can have a laugh. Personally, it's not that much different than when we were together, except I have to remind myself that I can't randomly grab her and kiss her, and, I'll admit, there were a few moments when that's what I wanted to do, but I held back.

It was a great few days, just being able to relax and have fun. Getting to know T and D and becoming better friends and reconnecting with A. Sometimes you do need to step back and see the bigger picture and I've found that me and A look set to become, at least, great friends. Though, if I'm honest, she was my best friend when we were together. I felt able to tell her anything. I hope that we can continue heading towards that.

"A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities." ~ William Arthur Ward