For good times and bad times

Funnily enough, once you're single, you miraculously discover your friends again. It's like you've come out of a coma or something. Or it may be because they're relieved that yes, thank god she's free of that relationship, and we can finally get back to normal. Or, perhaps, they actually genuinely care, and they know exactly what it feels like, and what you really need right now is a good drinkin' and bitchin' session. 'Cause that what friends are for, Anney sings.


Whatever it is, I found myself practically inundated with invites...alright, maybe it just felt like it. It had been many a year since I'd seen my old friend from high school, Sophea. It was just on Friday that I was messaged by Julie, one of my other old friends (how about that?), asking whether I'd be free to have dinner at a local restaurant, along with Sophea. Why, yes, I'd love to. No sooner had I said yes to that invite, there was a text from one of the guys I met at Wako, asking whether I was doing anything 'cool' that night as well. Hmm, bit late there, I'm afraid, this girl's got plans. I did feel slightly guilty turning him down though, as I did sort of mention that I'd be free, but you know, it's first come, first served with me these days. Hee hee, god I'm conceited. Oh, and I suppose I should mention there was an email from what's his face, asking if I wanted to watch a movie with him that night, would you believe. God, the audacity. Thankfully I'd already had plans. Take that ya bastard.


Hmm, yes, wasn't I the popular one. Anyway, it was a warm reunion between the three of us at the buzzing restaurant, it felt a little surreal seeing Sophea again after so long, and feeling awestruck at her stories about working and living abroad in London, which is something I've longed to do, but just never had the gumption to do it, damn it. Well, at the very least visit the place. I had a miniature bottle of shiraz to go with my rump steak, and it was just a pleasant evening reminiscing about good old times. I actually felt like I'd been missing out on these girly get togethers, and I hadn't even realised.

The hour was growing late, and Sophie dropped Julie off, and then we drove back to my place which was just down the road. Funnily enough, we still lived in the vicinity of each other, yet only recently had managed to catch up. I suppose we just let life carry us away for a while. It seemed a little early for bed, and the next thing I know, Sophie and I were just sitting there in the car in my driveway continuing our conversation, and generally talking shit for the next 2 hours. And we would've continued talking into the small hours of the morning if she hadn't wanted to go the bathroom. Hee hee.

I finally got in past midnight, and for some reason, I was smiling to myself. And it was then I realised how much I enjoyed having the company of friends, and that too, it was

the first genuine smile I've had since my break up.

Bittersweet

I was going to go on hiatus with this blog... Vay broke up with me last week, pretty unceremoniously I might add, the bastard. As you can probably tell, we've been on the rocks for a while... although I hadn't thought things were that bad. Sure we fight and all, but which one of us can say they haven't thrown a tanty or two? Anyway, I'm not going to dedicate this post to all that just yet. No, there'll be plenty more where that came from, that's for god damn sure. But for now, let me regale you with something surprisingly delightful, just two days after he broke it off...

There I was in the office, it was a quiet Friday afternoon, and someone was meant to organise the monthly food and wine festival, and they hadn't. I was pretty annoyed I couldn't score free booze. I just wanted to drink my woes away, and now I had to pay for it. I wanted something a little different and where I wouldn't feel out of place. Somewhere that served hard spirits wouldn't go astray either.

When the weight of the world has got you down
and you want to end your life.
Bills to pay, a dead-end job,
and problems with the wife.
But don't throw in the tow'l,
'cuz there's a place right down the block...
Where you can drink your misery away...
At Flaming Moe's.... (Let's all go to Flaming Moe's...)
When liquor in a mug (Let's all go to Flaming Moe's...)
can warm you like a hug. (Flaming Moe's...)
And happiness is just a Flaming Moe away...
Happiness is just a Flaming Moe away...

The place that came to mind was a little known venue called the Absinthe Salon, in Surry Hills. Absinthe eh? I thought. I had been saving this secret den for an outing with what's his face, but that's what he gets for ruining it. Anyway, I digress. It was a mysterious small bar, easily missed, which also sells Absinthe by the bottle and all its paraphernalia. I arrived around 6 and was discreetly buzzed in.

As it was fairly early, I got my own French provincial-looking table, close to the mirror, and a wall painting of the infamous green fairy. There was only one other couple (asian, as well, just to rub it in) at the time, and I had a slight pang as I was reminded of my new-found singularity. Thank god I was here for the absinthe. A lady graciously tended to me, and arranged a special glass in front of my fountain of ice water. She then proceeded to inquire about my preferences, but seeing as I was a total amateur, I went with her suggestion of a pale yellow coloured Spanish Obsello, which she assured me was a good one to start with as it wasn't too strong, in alcohol or flavour. It was still 50% though. Hmm, yes. I'll have one of those, thanks.

She poured the shot, and I arranged a small sugar cube on top slotted spoon and placed it carefully over the glass, under the spout of the fountain. It was one of those drip ones, with a tiny tap, where you top up the shot with ice water, melting the sugar at the same time, until it gradually becomes cloudy or "louche". Well isn't this lah dee dah. Oh, the extravagance.

I sipped it slowly, and let it do its magic. The taste reminded me of liquorice, and probably some kind of chinese medicine. I'm sure I've had it before. Maybe the secret ingredient was cough syrup.

I felt like an artist or a writer, looking for inspiration. The small room filled up surprisingly quickly, god, how did all these other people know about this place? Damn it, can't a girl get some privacy these days? After my first glass, I requested another brand of absinthe, just for comparison, you see. I was feeling quite adventurous by then. A gentlemanly waiter recommended a chocolate/coffee perfumed absinthe, and it too was poured in a fresh glass. By this stage I was feeling quite confident, like I do this every Friday. People around me were fascinated by the experience, I heard comments like, "Does it really give you hallucinations?" and "It feels so clandestine". Funnily enough, I had thought that I'd be intoxicated quite quickly, but I actually feeling quite alright. I was vaguely disappointed that I hadn't seen anything fairy-like at all, but the night was still young.

I managed to navigate my way to Chinatown and browsed the markets, and bought myself a pair of shoes. I don't know why, it seemed like the thing to do. After a while I thought I'd better eat something, even if I didn't have much of an appetite. (I've read that break ups can be so traumatic that it even slows your heart down, and that's why you lose your appetite and sleep, god, even mX was out to get me).

I trawled the streets until I stopped by the decorated Japanese restaurant, Wako where they had some kind of Wine Buffet promotion happening, for only $29. Wine buffet eh? God, what a concept, hee hee, it was almost too good to be true. I was ushered in and was seated in a secluded part of the restaurant. The korean girl was cute, as she tried to explain the concept, you could tell she was trying hard.

Horst: Homer, could ve have a word with you?
Homer: No.
Horst: I must have phrased that badly. My English is, how you say, inelegant. I meant to say, may we have a brief friendly chat.
Homer: No.
Horst: Once again, I have failed. [consults phrasebook] We request the pleasure of your company for a free exchange of ideas.
Homer: [runs away in panic]

Apparently there was a choice of selected whites and reds, and they would bring out various small dishes of food, and you would eat and drink to your heart's content. (the wines were even self serve, for god's sake, it was an alco's paradise). The catch was, there was a time limit of 2 hours. Not that I was complaining, god no.

She had laid out my first round of dishes (and it was surprisingly a lot), and I was enjoying my first glass of semillon sauvignon blanc in a massive wine glass. Well I guess they didn't call it a wine buffet for nothing. A group of three guys had sat down next to my table, and they had also ordered the same meal deal. One of the guys was looking over at my table to see what kind of dishes I was getting, and I laughed as he commented that I seemed to be getting more than what they were getting as a group.

As the wine flowed, the dishes kept coming out (I remember struggling to finish the food), and the next thing you know, we were talking like old friends meeting up for dinner. It was just so random and surreal. I was even invited to sit at their table, but I still felt a little shy. I was surprised to find out they worked in the same street, and for fun, I had to guess what they did for a living, just based on a couple of clues. We asked each other where we usually eat for lunch and where we go for coffee and it was fun having something in common with total strangers... we even had a little debate about open source vs proprietary software, and what brands our wallets were. It was a strange coincidence that out of all dates, times and places, they would be seated next to me, and actually strike up a conversation. Hmm, maybe I was emitting innocent, single girl vibes. At first I was actually ready to settle in for a quiet dinner for one, but it was so nice having that company to talk to, especially with how I was feeling recently. It was about 9:30pm by the time we were done with our buffets (I hadn't even had a chance to try the other wines) and one of guys even kindly escorted me back to Central station, and I even enjoyed his conversation on the way there. It made me realise that I could have fun on my own, and maybe that life wasn't so bittersweet after all.