Friday, January 26

Way out of The Comfort Zone

I recently received an email through MySpace from someone who went to school with me in Manila. He was planning a trip to London and was wondering if I wanted to meet up. You know, chat about old times, reminisce about Manila... all that jazz.

My first impulse was to completely freak out and puke up a little bit. Emailing old pals and seeing how their lives are now is all good, being able to appreciate commonality from a safe distance through a computer screen is fine, but actually engaging with them and socialising? Taking time out of my busy TV schedule to meet up?? What was with this guy? Problem is, he had asked me this once before and I had completely ignored him. So I thought to ignore twice would just be rude. I gave the guy my number and said that i might be free that weekend, but I was pretty busy so the chances weren't so high. (translation: keeping options open so I didn't freak out about what on earth we would ever have in common to talk about)

Skip forward to today where I have a missed call on my phone and a voicemail from a very deep-voiced sounding guy who vaguely resembles this guy I once knew back in my pre-teens. I start shaking. It's him. He's here. And he actually wants to meet up. Tomorrow.

(Oh why do I have to live in a city where people actually visit as tourists? Why can't I live in some random town like Wigan that no-one would ever dream of going to?)

I really didn't think he would call. I really did think I had a get-out-of-jail-free card.

But what is wrong with this picture? I've been waxing lyrical about my time in Manila for weeks now, going on about how I never have anything in common with people here. Why can't I just get my butt in action and meet up with someone who shares a small part of my past?

So this is where I take a massive deep breath and give the guy a call. I just might need some dutch courage.



*small print: fyi, he doesn't think it's a date. And Conrad is coming too. Just in case you were wondering.

6 comments:

Dawn said...

I think this is so awesome! It will be a great time, I promise you. Go for it!! I'm planning to meet up with old grade school and high school friends this summer in Minnesota. It'll probably be a one time thing, but it'll be fun - to see how old we've gotten, for one thing!

Anonymous said...

I'd be hesitant, too. Memories are memories... meeting the person at a different point in your life adds new memories. I hope they're good ones! Glad Conrad's going. Have fun!!!

Preya said...

Rachel--no one has EVER come to visit me in Colorado:( I used to be sad about that, but considering that I look like a frumpy mess most of the time (what's there to dress up for?), I'm kind of glad. I mean, I like going out into the world and meeting people on my terms, when I look and feel my best. But, still, it would be fun to see old friends more often!

Sherry said...

Have fun, hope it's not too awkward. It is funny though, you always say, "come visit!" but when they do, it's weird.

Dawn said...

Let us know how it turns out!

Kristen said...

I hope you have a good time meeting up with your old pal. But I can sympathize. I think if any of my old friends from high school were to ever contact me, I'd figure out some excuse to not have to see them. It's wierd, but I feel the same way.

Hope it went well...and glad that he realizes that it is NOT A DATE. :-)