To:  Oliver Kurland [rkurls @pdc.com]
From:  Thomas Moorfield
Sent:  Thursday,  2.57 pm

Going to roll these together, in an attempt for the ‘world’s longest email'
title.

Um - Becka says hi. Took her about ten minutes to get round to asking why I
was looking so chirpy - apparently I'm obvious. I'd say 'I hope you don't
mind' but - you don't, do you? (That being said in a tone of voice where I'm
checking my conclusion as much as asking). Told her I'd been emailing with
someone, and that we were going to meet up next time you came through.
Pleaded the fifth on everything else she asked, so I cannot be responsible
for anything she imagines. You do, you know. Make me smile.

Canteen food still sucks, but it was good to spend some time with her - her
parents are up in Lothian, so she went home for almost the whole break -
just came back to do the final edits on her dissertation. From the sounds of
it, she's had a good break. The weather's being lovely today - proper
'spring has sprung' style, so we sat in the quad for a couple of hours
catching up. Back to work now though. Well - in a bit. Got to try for that
world title first ;)

> Phoenix update:  Sat most of the day and did long distance stuff with
> Janet over a borrowed cell and e-mail.  Todd flushed every time he saw me, and I
> was ever so thankful we didn't share a flight out.

I can imagine - awkward in the extreme.

> Had lunch with Victor and got caught up on some gossip from the NY office.
>
> Um, there's a rumour that the KI office in London (up until now strictly
> admin and manufacturing of something--nothing I've ever had any contact
> with at any rate) is going to start up an overseas outreach office.  Something
> about the expense of sending people like me to England all the time,
> because of the sheer number of schools.  I'm looking into it, see if it has any
> basis or is just someone's pipe dream.

*blinks* - I can see the logic, if you're over here every month or so. Not
half as cool as New Zealand though.

I never asked [this would be me being an idiot again] - but - how often
*have* you been to London - you sound pretty at home with the UK, but - is
it a regular trip? Do you even like London?  Want a native guide? I kind of
forget sometimes that this is a place people come to on holiday, as well as
a place people work and live and study ;)

> Got to the airport and my flight was cancelled, had to wait for a red eye
> so I didn't get to my apartment until almost four.

*ouch*

>  So I told her I'd be in late and fell asleep.  Had a dream that you'd freaked 'cause
> I didn't get in touch, so I called, hoping you'd be hanging around, but not so.

Wish I'd been home. And the idea that you rang - and that I was in your
dreams, even if in the role of 'panicking guy' - is making that grin come
back.

> I just took a long look around my apartment, trying to see what a stranger
> would.  It's...a little empty.

Is that by choice? Minimalism in interior design? Or just how things have
ended up?

> Nothing much on the walls, except for a few nice prints I got at a gallery
> downtown, sort of impressionistic.

Originals not posters, and you go to galleries ... this where I 'fess up to
being an uncivilised schmuck, at least as goes for art? ;) - I always seem
to end up visiting museums rather than art galleries, when I'm doing that
sort of thing. Have you ever been to the British Museum? I've lost a few
days in there in the past.

> Book case, crammed with paperbacks and my old anthro texts.  The living room is
> like a narrow rectangle, so I've got the couch and the TV down at one end,
> the computer table and a chair at the other.

In the interests of [oh God this is a sappy thought - shoot me?]  - what you
were saying about going to the movies and watching the same TV shows? What
sort of shows *do* you watch?

> The kitchen is tiny and spotless, because the only thing I do in there is
> wipe the counter and make toast.

Well, at least it's not trying to hatch new life forms like ours was ;)

> There's a short hall, leading to the bedroom and the bathroom--the one
> thing I *love* about this place is the bathroom.  Big tub with an extra shower
> head at the other end?  I don't know how they did the plumbing, but when
> you turn on the shower you get sprayed from two angles, and it's amazing.

That sounds good. Glorious in fact.

We have a scuzzy student bathroom to go with the rest of the house -
although at least the shower is electric so we're not fighting over the hot
water and it ends up with *some* pressure behind it.  Do you know Eddie
Izzard's stuff at all - shower controls and toaster dials? The place I lived
in my second year, the bit about 'everyone in south London! Stop using
taps!' was pretty much spot on ;)

> The walls and the carpets are all done in shades of blue....which sounds
> like it would be dark in here, but it isn't.  There's lots of windows and
> I get good light.  If I was smart I'd have plants.  :P

You travel too much to have plants - you’d need a plant sitter and that's
just excessive ;)

> My office is tiny.  Just my desk, three filing cabinets and a shelf.  Not
> even room for a second chair.  But it has a door and my degree is on the
> wall, so that's cool.  :-)

That and you're not *in* it half the time, huh?

> Got mail from my dad when I got home tonight.

He sounds like a cool guy - I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far
from the tree, to resort to cliché.

> It wasn't until I came out so spectacularly and she declared that I was
> going to hell and he disagreed.
>
> So I was eighteen and gay and my parents were fighting about the state of
> my soul.  My dad said I was what I am, and that I was still me.  My mom said
> I was an agent of the devil and must be made to repent.

*ouch*

I'm glad you had your dad - that must have been - that's a bad situation.

My parents are the sort of middle class, middle income, middle of the road
people the Socialist Workers have on their hit list - sometimes though I’m
glad they're nominally Church of England and not, in fact, remotely
religious.

> So I killed my parent's by being gay.  Yay me.

I thought KI frowned on the whole murder thing?

I know - not really the time to be flip. Sorry.  No idea what to say though.
Just - wish it wasn't so?

> Dad says I did no such thing,

I'd listen to your dad - it's his marriage.

> Still, my mom and my sister spent a lot of time reading their Bibles and
> my dad spent a lot of time talking to me.  Guess which matters more to me?

He sounds like a good parent - a good person.

> And I think maybe he's bi, but we don't talk about it.  :P

Apple, tree, ahem.

Although if they're right and there is a genetic component to the wiring, it
could be.

> Um, that was a load of stuff for you to think about.

Yes, and thank you for telling me. I'm not entirely sure what I *do* think,
past - well - what I just said, your dad sounds cool, organised religion
strikes again, and you sound like you've made peace with a tough situation.

> Other random Oliver facts to leave you with:  I always put on my left shoe
> first, I always buy paperbacks used, but hard covers new, and I can't walk
> past a used bookstore without going in.  My favourite colour is green, and
> I think I'm really tired now.

The bookstore thing? I ain't helping you overcome that addiction - in fact,
I'll join in ;)   I'd suggest hitting Charring Cross Road, but that's really
taken a beating the last couple of years - practically nothing left. [I was
always kind of disappointed that 84 is now a Pizza Hut or something equally
banal] Plus, I probably shouldn't put myself into temptation. I very rarely
buy hardbacks - I actually prefer paper - easier to carry, easier to read.
I'll buy a second copy of things second hand so I can lend one out if I
really like a book, and I can't stand people turning down the corners of
pages.

Today's random selection : It bugs me eating with mismatched cutlery, I
didn't master chopsticks till I was 19, I've never eaten proper sushi, but
the supermarket stuff didn't impress me. If you asked me for my favourite
colour I'd say red, because I always have, but seeing as my shirt, my
trousers, my shoes, my bag, half my folders, and the karabiner I have my
keys hanging off are all shades of blue, I think maybe I mean blue. I
thought the Harry Potter movies were kinda poor, but the books weren't bad
and some of the merchandising is cool. That's why I have a Ravenclaw shield
on my keyring. I should really take the key from my old bike lock off there,
in fact. I have a piece of turquoise on a cord around my neck that I pretty
much never take off - you couldn't see it for the shirt and tie but it was
there. I bought that for myself just before I left Albuquerque.

> > First up : thank you for the phone message - Found it when I got home
> > last night, and - thanks. Weird to hear your voice. Good weird.
>
> Glad you got it and weren't stressing.  LOL on it being weird to hear my
> voice.  :-)

Weird and real and - wish I'd been there to get the call.

> > > I don't mind hearing it.  :-)  But truthfully, I was stalling. I had *no* idea
> > > what to say to him, and it just came out.  I was trying to figure out if he
> > > was a closet case, or trying to wind me up, or what the hell was going
> > > on.  And I was pissy 'cause I just wanted to go to sleep, and I
> > > mad 'cause I had to share a room with a stranger, and I was....well.
> > > I wasn't in the best frame of mind.  So, I stalled.  :P
> >
> > So, you’re saying it was your subconscious trying to be
> > nicer-than-standard?
>
> So?  'm a very very nice guy.  Even to jerks.  :P  I'm super nice to
> people I like.  ;-)

Cool ;)

> > ;) - or is that salesman-brain trying to figure out why someone's asking
> > something, what they want?  I still think most people would have just
> > told him to fuck off and mind his own business.
>
> Hadn't thought of that.  Hmmm.  Could have been sales guy making a break
> for it, now that I think about it.  But I think I was mostly panicked and
> stalling. :P

Sales guy using his powers for the good?

> > I'm - I don’t know if 'blown away' is the word, but - you are
> > something - thank you, and yes, and yes, and - you do realise I'm grinning
> > like a nutter here?
>
> Really?  Cool.  ;-)

Really - then, and again now. I guess I really am obvious ;)

> > > You've been peeking at the plans again, or I have a leak in the
> > > organisation.  *makes note to search for leak*
> >
> > Well, I don't work for you yet, so it can't be here - maybe
> > there's a mole!
>
> Eek a mole!  Er--that could be an issue for the world domination thing.
> As far as I know I'm the only one with access to The Plan (tm) and that would
> mean the mole is...well, me.  Oh oh.

You didn't *look* small and black and furry, but then you didn't look like
the Dark Lord Chula either, so the moral of this story is : appearances are
not to be trusted.

> Leather trousers?  No.  Well, not soft leather.  It gets all warm and sort
> of clings and feels really nice.  *Oliver's brain has gone off to a happy
> place.  We are trying to get it back.  Your patience is appreciated.*

LOL - good trip?

> > > > Um - that you still owe me a photo?
> > >
> > > Oh right.  Photo.  Will see what I can do in the morning.
> >
> > Thanks ;)
>
> Found a couple that might do.  I've got peanut butter cookies too, so I'll
> hit the post office on my way to work.  Which is the direction I'll be
> headed in very soon.

Ohh - cookies and [no, I'm not going to say 'letching materials' because
that would be juvenile. Bad brain.] photos - thanks! - I'll keep an eye out
for it and be sure to open it well away from greedy housemates.

> > > I need you to, Tom.  Can't do what you want--more, less--unless you
> > > tell me what you need.
> >
> > Thing is, that kind of requires me to know, and I'm not sure that
> > I will, or that I do. [The grammar of that sentence is vile, but you
> > take my meaning?]
>
> Okay, that makes sense.  I guess...just tell me if you get uncomfortable,
> or if there is something you want.

I will. Same goes for you though, yeah?

> > > Umm.  Yeah.  I'm sorry?  I mean....damn, not easy to read that
> > > in a public room, I'll bet.
> >
> > Yeah - I'm going to have to invest in a few long shirts to wear
> > to the labs- ;)  It was - a little awkward, but - worth it for the
> > reading it over at home later.
>
> :D  :D
>
> That's all, just a big grin.  :D

Like that's a *bad* thing.

> > Do you know yet, what's happening with London? Meetings and stuff
> > -and more to the point when - which evening I should be keeping clear
> > for our date?
>
> I fly in really late on the 19th, so that's out, then have stuff all day on
> the 20th (Friday).  Saturday I'm clear from about three pm on, and Sunday
> I'm free entirely.  Maybe....Can I call you when I get in, if it's not too
> late?  And dinner on the Saturday?  If we can swing dinner or a phone call
> or something on Friday night, that would be great too.  You'll be pretty
> tied up with school, I expect, though.

Well - the 22nd is that trip to the Brecon's, so if you still want to go
climbing with a bunch of strange students, I'll grab a guest place for you
in the bus.

I've got an American Literature seminar on Friday afternoons - we're scheduled
to finish at five, but most of the time we abandon the attempt about
four-ish. I suspect by that point we'll all be resigned to our fates - it'll
be mostly revision by that point. Um - the point of that sentence? Phone me?
Please?  And - if you want to meet on Friday, I'll be there. I can be in
central London by, say, 6.30? Seven if the seminar runs on and the lights
are against me getting home and back over to the station.

> > I was thinking about it - about me getting so sort of tied up about it -
> > don't know if you want me to go into the workings,  but I think
> > maybe it'll come more easily once we've actually been together. All I
> > can think to compare it too is doing a strip for someone - the difference
> > between doing that in your bedroom, with them right there and you can
> > see their face, and hear them and all that, and doing the same thing for a
> > one way mirror. Which makes it sound so sinister and  - it's just the not
> > *knowing*, at least not at the moment you have to hit send - does that
> > make sense? It sort of made sense in my head.
>
> Yeah, it makes sense.  Well, it did after I got the striptease image out of
> my head.  Woke me up, Tom.  Purrrr.

My turn to grin ;)

> > I guess I don’t have a whole lot of experience to draw on here -
> > and you're making me feel like it's going to be ok - that it doesn't
> > have to get in the way of whatever's going to happen. Makes me feel like....
> > like you wouldn't mind if I leant on you, or took your hand in mine.
>
> That?  I so wouldn't mind.  And yeah, right now I feel like it's all going
> to be okay.

That’s - good. :)

> > Want to wrap my arms around your waist and just be still, take it
> > all in for a moment.
>
> Oh yes.  Please?

This would be me imagining doing just that, sliding my arms around you,
moving so I can rest my head on your shoulder, imagining feeling you in my
arms, feeling you breathing. This is me with a smile spot welded to my face.

> Good morning.  :-)  Hope your day is going well.

So far, I like today. It can stay.

I really need to get some work done this afternoon - I've got to get myself
over to Richmond to see a man about a bike later. Finding something decent
second hand is a little more complicated than I expected.  If I do get it,
I'll ride over to give it a spin, and send you another instalment of 'random
factoids' or something.

> I'm off to the post office, then to work.  I have no idea what it's going
> to be like today, but I'll be around.

Hope it's good whatever turns out to be on the to do list ;)

Take care,

Tom.
*********
Remember : You are not a salmon.



To:  Thomas Moorfield
From:  Oliver Kurland [rkurls @ pdc.com]
Sent:  Thursday, 8:12pm

God, I'm sorry.  I said I'd be around most of the day and then all hell
broke loose at work.  I spent my day in a tiny, hot room with four other
people, trying to decide which project to cut.

God, I hate that.

It's not like KI doesn't do any good--they do (and note the lack of 'we'
there, I feel very removed from it all at the moment).  But sometimes it's
just so frustrating to see good programs get cut.  Part of the trouble is
money--KI doesn't make anything, really, from doing this stuff in the Third
World.  It's pretty much corporate philanthropy, with is pretty fucking
cool, when you think about it.  They make their money, tons of it, from the
manufacturing and distribution centres, and then use a small percentage of
it to send me around the world getting other companies to invest in the aid
projects and to convince people to go there and do the actual work.  It's
not like there are tons of us, either--three offices doing the paper work
and setting things up, making the deals and getting government permissions,
a handful of people doing what I do--going to the job fairs, going to the
conferences, doing the damn seminars all over the place....and then it all
comes down to numbers.

Money numbers, people numbers, not enough cash, not enough bodies and now
there's a village in the middle of nowhere that's not getting a new school
and two new water pumps.

Just hate this.

On the upside, I got to spend my lunch hour getting grilled by Janet--I
think I must be as obvious as you.  :D  Told her I met a guy in England, she
got all defensive of her Dave for a bit, but couldn't argue with my 'stupid
puppy look' I think is what she called it.

Made it to the post office, so you should get cookies and some other stuff
in about a week...gah that seems like a long time.  Just looked at my
calendar--I won't get to see you for five weeks yet.  That’s just....yuck.
*sigh*

Maybe we can work our way up to a weekly phone call or something.  :-)

Supper tonight was.......are you ready?  Sitting down?  Holding onto the
desk?  Roast duck.  A very small roast duck, with asparagus and boiled
potatoes and corn.

I cooked.

*proud grin*

Tonight, I'm going to get my laundry done, look into booking regular time on
the wall at my gym, and possibly read a book--oh, no I'm not.  It's
Thursday, which goes to a question you asked a little later about TV.  :P

Other than that, I'm going to charge my cell phone, charge the Palm, balance
my bank book, and plan tomorrow.

And check back for replies at a disgustingly frequent rate, given it's past
midnight for you and I don't have any hope of hearing from you before
tomorrow.

Maybe 'puppy' was accurate.   Huh.

> Going to roll these together, in an attempt for the 'world's longest
> email' title.

Going to see if I can break it.  ;-)

> Um - Becka says hi. Took her about ten minutes to get round to
> asking why I was looking so chirpy - apparently I'm obvious. I'd say 'I
> hope you don't mind' but - you don't, do you?

Nope, and I'm going with you not minding either.  Told Janet your first
name--she kept calling you 'Brit boy' and I had to stop her.  :P  Say hi
back to Becka for me.  ;-)

> Pleaded the fifth on everything else she asked, so I cannot be responsible
> for anything she imagines. You do, you know. Make me smile.

:-)  You make me smile, too.  And look like a puppy, apparently.  *rolls
eyes*

> > Um, there's a rumour that the KI office in London (up until now strictly
> > admin and manufacturing of something--nothing I've ever had any contact
> > with at any rate) is going to start up an overseas outreach office.
> > Something about the expense of sending people like me to England all the
> > time, because of the sheer number of schools.  I'm looking into it, see if it
> > has any basis or is just someone's pipe dream.
>
> *blinks* - I can see the logic, if you're over here every month or so. Not
> half as cool as New Zealand though.

Yeah, it does make sense.  The flip of it though?  Don't know if they would
transfer staff over or hire all new.  That's why I'm looking into it.  Worst
case is that I'll not be doing business trips to London in a year.  Best
case (making a huge presumption on you staying there and wanting me around)
is that I could transfer in.

> I never asked [this would be me being an idiot again] - but - how often
> *have* you been to London - you sound pretty at home with the UK, but - is
> it a regular trip? Do you even like London?  Want a native guide?

I've been to London about....eight times (?)  in the last year and a half.
I've been to Dublin twice, Manchester three times, and Birmingham once.

I like what little I’ve seen of London--I usually fly in for a week, spend
four days working, then have a day or two half days to myself.  Honestly?
Three of the times I've been I spent my half days sleeping, and the rest
(full days) were spent walking around, seeing all the really typical
American-in-London things--Westminster Abbey, Big Ben----that sort of thing.
You wanna show me the London you know?  I'd love that.

> >  So I told her I'd be in late and fell asleep.  Had a dream that you'd
> > freaked 'cause I didn't get in touch, so I called, hoping you'd be
> > hanging around, but not so.
>
> Wish I'd been home. And the idea that you rang - and that I was in your
> dreams, even if in the role of 'panicking guy' - is making that grin come
> back.

:D  How many times did you listen to it?  C'mon, you can tell me.  :P
(Unless it was only once and you deleted it, in which case, make up some
flattering number for me.  Heh.  My evil aura wants you to think I have a
tender ego.  :P )

> > I just took a long look around my apartment, trying to see what
> > a stranger would.  It's...a little empty.
>
> Is that by choice? Minimalism in interior design? Or just how things have
> ended up?

Bit of both, honestly.  Peter was more into the 'make a house a home' things
and the stuff on the walls, the cluttery homey bits were his.  I just tend
not to think about it, and it doesn't bother me until I've spent a lot of
time 'away' and I walk into 'home' that's really not a hell of a lot
different than what I just left.

Except it's got my books, my couch, my bed.  :-)

> > Nothing much on the walls, except for a few
> > nice prints I got at a gallery downtown, sort of impressionistic.
>
> Originals not posters, and you go to galleries ... this where I
> 'fess up to being an uncivilised schmuck, at least as goes for art? ;) - I
> always seem to end up visiting museums rather than art galleries, when I'm doing that
> sort of thing. Have you ever been to the British Museum? I've lost a few
> days in there in the past.

I spent about six hours there once, missed my meals and everything.  I think
I managed to see about an eighth of it.  :-)

> In the interests of [oh God this is a sappy thought - shoot me?]
> - what you were saying about going to the movies and watching the same TV
> shows? What sort of shows *do* you watch?

Not sappy.  :-)  Kinda sweet.  Um, let's see.  It's Thursday, so that's CSI.
CSI Miami on Monday.  Buffy and Angel, because I'm not blind nor made of
stone.  I've got BBC America, but the only times I've turned it on have been
Saturday afternoons--Charlie's Garden Army.  Yeesh.  Oh, and Two Pints of
Lager, which I thought was pretty funny, actually.  What should I look for?
Any recommendations?  I tend to prefer dramas that are dramas not soap
operas in disguise, and cop shows.    :P

> > There's a short hall, leading to the bedroom and the bathroom--the one
> > thing I *love* about this place is the bathroom.  Big tub with an extra
> > shower head at the other end?  I don't know how they did the plumbing, but when
> > you turn on the shower you get sprayed from two angles, and it's amazing.
>
> That, sounds good. Glorious in fact.

It's *amazing*.  Really.

> We have a scuzzy student bathroom to go with the rest of the house -
> although at least the shower is electric so we're not fighting
> over the hot water and it ends up with *some* pressure behind it.  Do you
> know Eddie Izzard's stuff at all - shower controls and toaster dials?

Um, nope.  Sorry.  :P

> The place I lived in my second year, the bit about 'everyone in south
> London! Stop using taps!' was pretty much spot on ;)

I'll take your word for it.  :-)

> > My office is tiny.  Just my desk, three filing cabinets and a
> > shelf.  Not even room for a second chair.  But it has a door and my
> > degree is on the wall, so that's cool.  :-)
>
> That and you're not *in* it half the time, huh?

Yeah, there's that as well.

> > Got mail from my dad when I got home tonight.
>
> He sounds like a cool guy - I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far
> from the tree, to resort to cliché.

*grin*

> > My mom said I was an agent of the devil and must be made to repent.
>
> *ouch*
>
> I'm glad you had your dad - that must have been - that's a bad situation.

Yeah, not so much fun.

> My parents are the sort of middle class, middle income, middle of the road
> people the Socialist Workers have on their hit list - Sometimes
> though. I'm glad they're nominally Church of England and not, in fact,
> remotely religious.

They sound...nice.  And stable, and like they want the best for you.
They'll come around, I'm sure.  Sounds like Seth isn't helping things along,
though.  Maybe if *he* gets it they'll all chill out about it.

> > So I killed my parent's by being gay.  Yay me.
>
> I thought KI frowned on the whole murder thing?

Damn typos.  :P  Twerp.

> I know - not really the time to be flip. Sorry.  No idea what to
> say though. Just - wish it wasn't so?

That's good.  :-)

> > And I think maybe he's bi, but we don't talk about it.  :P
>
> Apple, tree, ahem.

Except the part where I'm totally not into girls at all, and just want a
chance to get at your....country.  Climb some rock, yeah that's it.

> Although if they're right and there is a genetic component to the
> wiring, it could be.

*nod*  Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

> The bookstore thing? I ain't helping you overcome that addiction
> - in fact, I'll join in ;)   I'd suggest hitting Charring Cross road, but
> that's really taken a beating the last couple of years - practically
> nothing left. [I was always kind of disappointed that 84 is now a Pizza Hut or
> something equally banal] Plus, I probably shouldn't put myself into
> temptation. I very rarely buy hardbacks - I actually prefer paper - easier to carry,
> easier to read. I'll buy a second copy of things second hand so I can lend one out if I
> really like a book, and I can't stand people turning down the corners of
> pages.

Oh my God, you know what's worse?  Cracked bindings.  *shudder*  I hate
seeing a broken spine.  Eek.  But oh yes, I can see a little book spree on
one of these trips.  :-)

> Today's random selection : It bugs me eating with mismatched cutlery, I
> didn't master chopsticks till I was 19,

I, ummm....can't use them.

> I've never eaten proper sushi, but
> the supermarket stuff didn't impress me,

I *love* sashimi.  Yumma.

> If you asked me for my favourite colour I'd say red, because I always have,
> but seeing as my shirt, my trousers, my shoes, my bag, half my folders, and
> the karabiner I have my keys hanging off are all shades of blue, I think maybe
> I mean blue.

:D That is so you.  And that just sounds stupid, but it is.  You, I mean.
Not stupid.  Right, babble off.

God, you're cute.

> I thought the Harry Potter movies were kinda poor, but the books weren't
> bad and some of the merchandising is cool. That's why I have a
> Ravenclaw shield on my keyring. I should really take the key from my old
> bike lock of there, in fact.

*does not mention the Harry Potter glass wear collection in his kitchen or
the Hogwarts wrist watch on his arm.*

> I have a piece of turquoise on a cord around my neck
> that I pretty much never take off - you couldn't see it for the shirt and
> tie but it was there. I bought that for myself just before I left Albuquerque.

That's cool--I don't wear anything other than my watch, though I used to
wear my class ring.

> > > ;) - or is that salesman-brain trying to figure out why
> > > someone's asking something, what they want?  I still
> > > think most people would have just told
> > > him to fuck off and mind his own business.
> >
> > Hadn't thought of that.  Hmmm.  Could have been sales guy making a break
> > for it, now that I think about it.  But I think I was mostly panicked
> > and stalling. :P
>
> Sales guy using his powers for the good?

Could happen!  Hey, I should get the design team onto sales guy--oh wait,
that would be suit sales guy.  Never mind.  :-)

> > > I'm - I don’t know if 'blown away' is the word, but - you are
> > > something - thank you, and yes, and yes, and - you do realise I'm
> > > grinning like a nutter here?
> >
> > Really?  Cool.  ;-)
>
> Really - then, and again now. I guess I really an obvious ;)

You're...making me feel warm.

> > Leather trousers?  No.  Well, not soft leather.  It gets all
> > warm and sort of clings and feels really nice.  *Oliver's brain has gone
> > off to a happy place.  We are trying to get it back.  Your patience is
> > appreciated.*
>
> LOL - good trip?

Oh yeah.  You better believe it.  ;-P

> Ohh - cookies and [no, I'm not going to say 'letching materials' because
> that would be juvenile. Bad brain.] photos - thanks! - I'll keep
> an eye out for it and be sure to open it well away from greedy housemates.

LOL!  Only one of them even comes close to being 'letching material'.  But,
have fun!

> > Okay, that makes sense.  I guess...just tell me if you get
> > uncomfortable, or if there is something you want.
>
> I will. Same goes for you though, yeah?

Yeah.  I know. :-)

> > I fly in really late on the 19th, so that's out, then have stuff
> > all day on the 20th (Friday).  Saturday I'm clear from about three pm
> > on, and Sunday I'm free entirely.  Maybe....Can I call you when I get in, if
> > it's not too late?  And dinner on the Saturday?  If we can swing dinner
> > or a phone call or something on Friday night, that would be great too.
> > You'll be pretty tied up with school, I expect though.
>
> Well - the 22nd is that trip to the Brecon’s, so if you still want to go
> climbing with a bunch of strange students, I'll grab a guest place for you
> in the bus.

Yes!  Please!   *ahem*  That would be great.

> I've got an American Literature seminar on Friday afternoons - we're
> scheduled to finish at five, but most of the time we abandon the attempt
> about four-ish. I suspect by that point we'll all be resigned to our
> fates - it'll be mostly revision by that point. Um - the point of that
> sentence? Phone me? Please?

Yes.

>  And - if you want to meet on Friday, I'll be there. I can be in
> central London by, say, 6.30? Seven if the seminar runs on and the lights
> are against me getting home and back over to the station.

Yes.  Frankly the thought of being that close and not seeing you makes me
feel a little off balance.

> > > Want to wrap my arms around your waist and just be still, take it
> > > all in for a moment.
> >
> > Oh yes.  Please?
>
> This would be me imagining doing just that, sliding my arms around you,
> moving so I can rest my head on your shoulder, imagining feeling you in my
> arms, feeling you breathing. This is me with a smile spot welded
> to my face.

Make me breathless.  Want to hold you, Tom.  Want to feel your arms around
me.

> I really need to get some work done this afternoon - I've got to
> get myself over to Richmond to see a man about a bike later. Finding
> something decent second hand is a little more complicated than I expected.  
> If I do get it, I'll ride over to give it a spin, and send you another instalment
> of 'random factoids' or something.

Get the bike??  How did the rest of your day go?  Man, you must be getting
so close with your dissertation...I hope...I hope everything is calm and
going well.  Let me know if you need me for anything.

Missed you today.  Sorry about the meetings and stuff--would much rather sit
and send you e-mails.

G'night Tom.

Talk tomorrow.

Oliver


***Week Five***


To:  Oliver Kurland [rkurls @ pdc.com]
From:  Thomas Moorfield
Sent:  Friday, 1.39pm


> God, I'm sorry.  I said I'd be around most of the day and then all hell
> broke loose at work.

You don't need to apologise, you know? You do have things to do *other* than
keep me entertained, I know this ;)

Plot world domination for one ;)

>I spent my day in a tiny, hot room with four other
> people, trying to decide which project to cut.
>
> God, I hate that.

<snip the detail>

That's got to be hard - a lack of money is a dangerous thing. Does it make
you feel any better to think that what they do, and the work that *you* do
means that however many other projects do happen?

> On the upside, I got to spend my lunch hour getting grilled by Janet--I
> think I must be as obvious as you.  :D  Told her I met a guy in England,
> she got all defensive of her Dave for a bit, but couldn't argue with my
> 'stupid puppy look' I think is what she called it.

Hee - damn - you know that I'm grinning again, yeah?

I should probably say something sensible [she's pleased for you? Worried
that I'm some foreign Lothario destined to break your heart? Given you her
blessing?] but I'm kinda stuck on the puppy thing ;) - For the sake of my
sanity tell me she doesn't picture you as a cocker spaniel - lie if you have
to.

> Made it to the post office, so you should get cookies and some other stuff
> in about a week...gah that seems like a long time.  Just looked at my
> calendar--I won't get to see you for five weeks yet.  That’s just....yuck.
> *sigh*

Do your Evil Overlord Powers involve time manipulation? I could go for that
being in about a week, and then the two weeks or so between that and my
exams taking, ohh, three, four months?

> Maybe we can work our way up to a weekly phone call or something.  :-)

That would be - that would be wonderful.  Except for the part where the
phone bills arrive. I'm going to stuff that thought back into the closet.

That would be great; full stop.

> Supper tonight was.......are you ready?  Sitting down?  Holding onto the
> desk?  Roast duck.  A very small roast duck, with asparagus and boiled
> potatoes and corn.
>
> I cooked.
>
> *proud grin*

The shock! The horror!  ;P  Go you! - No firemen this time?

> Tonight, I'm going to get my laundry done, look into booking regular time
> on the wall at my gym, and possibly read a book--oh, no I'm not.  It's
> Thursday, which goes to a question you asked a little later about TV.  :P

God - reminds me - must force myself to face the laundrette. Um - I'm not
*that* scuzzy! I just tend to put it off as long as possible - do one
mammoth run - and without a bike to wheel it over ... I should probably stop
talking ...

> Other than that, I'm going to charge my cell phone, charge the Palm,
> balance my bank book, and plan tomorrow.

Sounds ferociously organised ;)

 > And check back for replies at a disgustingly frequent rate, given it's
> past midnight for you and I don't have any hope of hearing from you before
> tomorrow.

Sorry - didn't get the bike last night - he was wanting £100 for it, which
is a little bit more than I really have - and it needed a new front wheel,
new tyres, and probably new break cables - the connections looked really
dodgy, and I just don't have the cash for the parts, or the time to play
Bike-Surgeon.  Plus he lived *miles* from any bus route. Total waste of
evening, really.

However, I did go see one this morning, and I am now the proud owner of a
bike once again - it's cheap, it's not pretty, but it runs, and it's a poly
frame, so it's not a total tank. And most importantly it's in a condition
where I rode it home from the guy's house. I want to re-wrap the handlebars,
and give it a once over with the WD40, but that's mostly me fussing. It took
a chunk out of my morning, but - just knowing I can go for a ride later has
given me a boost, plus getting down here, with two panniers full of folders,
took no time at all. I think I may be a bike addict ;)

 > Maybe 'puppy' was accurate.   Huh.

Golden Retriever maybe? :P

> > Um - Becka says hi. Took her about ten minutes to get round to
> > asking why I was looking so chirpy - apparently I'm obvious. I'd say 'I
> > hope you don't mind' but - you don't, do you?
>
> Nope, and I'm going with you not minding either.  Told Janet your first
> name--she kept calling you 'Brit boy' and I had to stop her.  :P  Say hi
> back to Becka for me.  ;-)

*smiles* I will do, and I'm grinning again, that you *want* to give out my
name to your colleagues ;).

> >  You do, you know. Make me smile.
>
> :-)  You make me smile, too.  And look like a puppy, apparently.  *rolls
> eyes*

;D

> > > Um, there's a rumour that the KI office in London (up until now
> > > strictly admin and manufacturing of something--nothing I've ever had any
> > > contact with at any rate) is going to start up an overseas outreach office.
> > > Something about the expense of sending people like me to England all
> > > the time, because of the sheer number of schools.  I'm looking into it, see if
> > > it has any basis or is just someone's pipe dream.
> >
> > *blinks* - I can see the logic, if you're over here every month or so.
> > Not half as cool as New Zealand though.
>
> Yeah, it does make sense.  The flip of it though?  Don't know if they
> would transfer staff over or hire all new.  That's why I'm looking into it.
> Worst case is that I'll not be doing business trips to London in a year.  Best
> case (making a huge presumption on you staying there and wanting me
> around) is that I could transfer in.

Ah - yeah.  [Wafting over the assumptions simply because they're not anything
controllable] - Yes, I quite see why you want to keep an eye on the project.
Or not-project.

> > I never asked [this would be me being an idiot again] - but - how often
> > *have* you been to London - you sound pretty at home with the UK, but -
> > is it a regular trip? Do you even like London?  Want a native guide?
>
> I've been to London about....eight times (?)  in the last year and a half.
> I've been to Dublin twice, Manchester three times, and Birmingham once.

I've never been to Ireland - it's on the list though ;)

> I like what little I’ve seen of London--I usually fly in for a week, spend
> four days working, then have a day or two half days to myself.  Honestly?
> Three of the times I've been I spent my half days sleeping, and the rest
> (full days) were spent walking around, seeing all the really typical
> American-in-London things--Westminster Abbey, Big Ben----that sort of
> thing. You wanna show me the London you know?  I'd love that.

Yeah - I think I do :D - That and get you out to the country, to climb
something.

> > >  So I told her I'd be in late and fell asleep.  Had a dream that you'd
> > > freaked 'cause I didn't get in touch, so I called, hoping you'd be
> > > hanging around, but not so.
> >
> > Wish I'd been home. And the idea that you rang - and that I was in your
> > dreams, even if in the role of 'panicking guy' - is making that grin
> > come back.
>
> :D  How many times did you listen to it?  C'mon, you can tell me.  :P
> (Unless it was only once and you deleted it, in which case, make up some
> flattering number for me.  Heh.  My evil aura wants you to think I have a
> tender ego.  :P )

Double figures.  That's all my pride will let me say.

> > > I just took a long look around my apartment, trying to see what
> > > a stranger would.  It's...a little empty.
> >
> > Is that by choice? Minimalism in interior design? Or just how things
> > have ended up?
>
> Bit of both, honestly.  Peter was more into the 'make a house a home'
> things and the stuff on the walls, the cluttery homey bits were his.  I just tend
> not to think about it, and it doesn't bother me until I've spent a lot of
> time 'away' and I walk into 'home' that's really not a hell of a lot
> different than what I just left.
>
> Except it's got my books, my couch, my bed.  :-)

Those last are the key things, huh?

I'm having evil thoughts. I probably *shouldn't* start looking around
charity shops for the ugliest, least hotel-like, knickknacks I can find to
burden you with, should I?

> >  Have you ever been to the British Museum? I've lost a few
> > days in there in the past.
>
> I spent about six hours there once, missed my meals and everything.  I
> think I managed to see about an eighth of it.  :-)

Sounds about right ;)

> > In the interests of [oh God this is a sappy thought - shoot me?]
> > - what you were saying about going to the movies and watching the same
> > TV shows? What sort of shows *do* you watch?
>
> Not sappy.  :-)  Kinda sweet.  Um, let's see.  It's Thursday, so that's
> CSI. CSI Miami on Monday.  Buffy and Angel, because I'm not blind nor made of
> stone.  I've got BBC America, but the only times I've turned it on have been
> Saturday afternoons--Charlie's Garden Army.  Yeesh.  Oh, and Two Pints of
> Lager, which I thought was pretty funny, actually.  What should I look for?
> Any recommendations?  I tend to prefer dramas that are dramas not soap
> operas in disguise, and cop shows.    :P

CSI? Check on the Buffy [Buffy for the Spike?]- although we don't have Sky,
so I'm probably a gazillion seasons behind, and I can't watch Angel, which
I don't think the BBC bought. The other regular thing for me is Farscape -
I'll watch anything Trek if it happens to be on when I sit down, but I'm not
that fussed.  Mike watches Eastenders religiously - which is a British
soap - no idea if you have it in the US - so I end up seeing about one
episode in three.  Comedies I'd recommend : Spaced, and Black Books - I
don't think I’ve ever seen Two Pints of Lager - I'll look out for it
though.

> > We have a scuzzy student bathroom to go with the rest of the house -
> > although at least the shower is electric so we're not fighting
> > over the hot water and it ends up with *some* pressure behind it.  Do
> > you know Eddie Izzard's stuff at all - shower controls and toaster dials?
>
> Um, nope.  Sorry.  :P

If he was a book, I'd send you a copy.  If you get the chance - I think he's
great - I like Billy Connolly a lot to. Similar kind of humour, I think.

> > My parents are the sort of middle class, middle income, middle of the
> > road people the Socialist Workers have on their hit list - Sometimes
> > though I'm glad they're nominally Church of England and not, in fact,
> > remotely religious.
>
> They sound...nice.  And stable, and like they want the best for you.
> They'll come around, I'm sure.  Sounds like Seth isn't helping things
> along, though.  Maybe if *he* gets it they'll all chill out about it.

He is - or he was - stoking the fire a bit. Haven't heard from them since
Dad phoned about the cheque, and that was strictly business. I do wonder
if that pimp shot maybe shook something lose. Hope so. It would certainly be
easier on my Mum's nerves if he wasn’t feeding her paranoia. It's not
entirely him being malicious - it's just him being a twit.  [If I say it
often enough I might not kill him ...thus rendering myself unemployable by
most large companies.]

> > > And I think maybe he's bi, but we don't talk about it.  :P
> >
> > Apple, tree, ahem.
>
> Except the part where I'm totally not into girls at all, and just want a
> chance to get at your....country.  Climb some rock, yeah that's it.

LOL - climb some rock. Yeah.

Mmhmm

Never into girls at all? - Not even as a teen?

There's a couple of girls from school who can say 'I went out with Tom', but
that was pretty much 'on paper', where I wanted a girlfriend, because that's
what you do ... never went much past hand holding and some bad kissing. ...
and I was better than not having a boyfriend at all. Ahh school. Worst years
of my life.

> > The bookstore thing? I ain't helping you overcome that addiction
> > - in fact, I'll join in ;)   I'd suggest hitting Charring Cross road,
> > but that's really taken a beating the last couple of years - practically
> > nothing left. [I was always kind of disappointed that 84 is now a Pizza Hut or
> > something equally banal] Plus, I probably shouldn't put myself into
> > temptation. I very rarely buy hardbacks - I actually prefer paper - easier to carry,
> > easier to read. I'll buy a second copy of things second hand so I can lend one out if I
> > really like a book, and I can't stand people turning down the corners of
> > pages.
>
> Oh my God, you know what's worse?  Cracked bindings.  *shudder*  I hate
> seeing a broken spine.  Eek.  But oh yes, I can see a little book spree on
> one of these trips.  :-)

I'm not allowed to buy any new - well - new to me - books until I know
where the next cheque's coming from. Or until finals are over and I
*need* to fill up on pulp - which ever comes sooner.

> >  I didn't master chopsticks till I was 19,
>
> I, ummm....can't use them.
>
> > I've never eaten proper sushi, but
> > the supermarket stuff didn't impress me,
>
> I *love* sashimi.  Yumma.

Call me ignorant, but - how'd those two fit together?

> > If you asked me for my favourite colour I'd say red, because I always
> > have, but seeing as my shirt, my trousers, my shoes, my bag, half my
> > folders, and the karabiner I have my keys hanging off are all shades of
> > blue, I think maybe I mean blue.
>
> :D That is so you.  And that just sounds stupid, but it is.  You, I mean.
> Not stupid.  Right, babble off.

Red? Blue? Or the whole thought process?

> God, you're cute.

*makes like a puppy*?

> > I thought the Harry Potter movies were kinda poor, but the books weren't
> > bad and some of the merchandising is cool. That's why I have a
> > Ravenclaw shield on my keyring. I should really take the key from my
> > old bike lock of there, in fact.
>
> *does not mention the Harry Potter glass wear collection in his kitchen or
> the Hogwarts wrist watch on his arm.*

Cool - I didn't notice that [assuming you wear it all the time] - um - did I
just mortally offend?

> > I have a piece of turquoise on a cord around my neck
> > that I pretty much never take off - you couldn't see it for the shirt
> > and tie but it was there. I bought that for myself just before I left Albuquerque.
>
> That's cool--I don't wear anything other than my watch, though I used to
> wear my class ring.

Class ring as in a great big gold-and-stone carbuncle?

I can imagine heavy silver jewellery - maybe a thumb ring - suiting your
hands.

> > > > I'm - I don’t know if 'blown away' is the word, but - you are
> > > > something - thank you, and yes, and yes, and - you do realise I'm
> > > > grinning like a nutter here?
> > >
> > > Really?  Cool.  ;-)
> >
> > Really - then, and again now. I guess I really an obvious ;)
>
> You're...making me feel warm.

Warning! Warning! Feedback loop locked and cycling!

['Cos yeah, that made me smile too ;)]

> > Ohh - cookies and [no, I'm not going to say 'letching materials' because
> > that would be juvenile. Bad brain.] photos - thanks! - I'll keep
> > an eye out for it and be sure to open it well away from greedy
> > housemates.
>
> LOL!  Only one of them even comes close to being 'letching material'.
> But, have fun!

Damn but you've got me curious now. I'll just have to be patient, won't I?

> > Well - the 22nd is that trip to the Brecon’s, so if you still want to go
> > climbing with a bunch of strange students, I'll grab a guest place for
> > you in the bus.
>
> Yes!  Please!   *ahem*  That would be great.

I will do. First meets on Wednesday, and we should be sorting out the trip
bookings then.

> >  And - if you want to meet on Friday, I'll be there. I can be in
> > central London by, say, 6.30? Seven if the seminar runs on and the
> > lights are against me getting home and back over to the station.
>
> Yes.  Frankly the thought of being that close and not seeing you makes me
> feel a little off balance.

So it's not just me then? ;D

Um- whereabouts are you staying? I mean - what part of London?

> > > > Want to wrap my arms around your waist and just be still, take it
> > > > all in for a moment.
> > >
> > > Oh yes.  Please?
> >
> > This would be me imagining doing just that, sliding my arms around you,
> > moving so I can rest my head on your shoulder, imagining feeling you in
> > my arms, feeling you breathing. This is me with a smile spot welded
> > to my face.
>
> Make me breathless.  Want to hold you, Tom.  Want to feel your arms around
> me.

Yes.

> Get the bike??

Got *a* bike ;) Normal service can now resume.

> How did the rest of your day go?

Schlepped over to this guys house, didn't buy a bike, figured seeing as I
was up in Richmond I might as well get something out of the trip, and
treated myself to Chinese, sitting on the river bank, just watching the
world go by and idly thinking that I should have taken a camera, and then
home for another round with the Great Walt Whitman. Poetry is *not* my
strong point. I'm pretty confident about answering whatever comes up on the
novels, but - well - the tutor's given us the nudge that at least one on WW
is a shoo-in for the paper. Yay for the tip, Boo for the subject of the tip...

> Man, you must be getting so close with your dissertation...I hope...I hope
> everything is calm and going well.

At this rate, I'll have the main work done by the end of Saturday, and then
Sunday I try and proof read this monster, and Monday I give it to Terry -
that's my tutor - and hope I can fix what needs fixing before 3pm  next
Friday. Writing it's a bitch, but talking to Becka yesterday especially -
the actual subject matter - I can find my way around.

>  Let me know if you need me for anything.

Need you to make me smile, need you to keep talking to me, need you to not
be a figment of my impending nervous breakdown ...

> Missed you today.  Sorry about the meetings and stuff--would much rather
> sit and send you e-mails.

Pesky work, getting in the way ....

It's ok - I was working, and chasing bikes, and all that good stuff.  Which
isn't to say I wouldn't rather you were sending me emails...

Hopefully you're having a better day than yesterday.

Take care

Tom
*********
Remember : You are not a salmon.



To: Thomas Moorfield
From:  Oliver Kurland
Sent:  Friday, 10:30am

Hey you,

Look, I've got about thirty seconds before I get tossed into another
meeting.

Got your e-mail, have only had a chance to skim it..........umm yay on the
bike!

I'll reply in full as soon as I can--I just wanted to let you know I'm
thinking about you.  And it makes me happy to see your name in my inbox.


Oliver



To:  Thomas Moorfield
From: Oliver Kurland [ rkurls @ pdc.com]
Sent: Friday, 9:22 pm

Hey Tom,

> > God, I'm sorry.  I said I'd be around most of the day and then all hell
> > broke loose at work.
>
> You don't need to apologise, you know? You do have things to do
> *other* than keep me entertained, I know this ;)
>
> Plot world domination for one ;)

Ah yes, we can't forget the Master Plan.  Though I'm willing to ditch world
domination in favour of entertaining you, to tell the truth.  I think that
might mean that I'm not really cut out for the Overlord of the World thing.
You can still wear the leather trousers for me, though.  :-)  Mmmmmm leather
trousers and nothing else.......

Sorry, brain shut off there for a moment.

Any way, yes.  Lack of e-mail, blame work.

How's your work coming?  Good day?  Good ride?

> >I spent my day in a tiny, hot room with four other
> > people, trying to decide which project to cut.
> >
> > God, I hate that.
>
> <snip the detail>
>
> That's got to be hard - a lack of money is a dangerous thing. Does it make
> you feel any better to think that what they do, and the work that *you* do
> means that however many other projects do happen?

Yeah, it does, and I have some good news on that front--after two days of
manipulating numbers and weighing cost/human benefits etc etc the guys in
charge (and I had *nothing* to do with this) decided to scale back two
projects instead of eliminating one for the other, so people will have fresh
water this year, and hopefully a new library next year.  Yay!

> > On the upside, I got to spend my lunch hour getting grilled by Janet--I
> > think I must be as obvious as you.  :D  Told her I met a guy in England,
> > she got all defensive of her Dave for a bit, but couldn't argue with my
> >'stupid puppy look' I think is what she called it.
>
> Hee - damn - you know that I'm grinning again, yeah?
>
> I should probably say something sensible [she's pleased for you? Worried
> that I'm some foreign Lothario destined to break your heart? Given you her
> blessing?] but I'm kinda stuck on the puppy thing ;) - For the sake of my
> sanity tell me she doesn't picture you as a cocker spaniel - lie
> if you have to.

LOL!  I told her you were a nice guy and hard working.  I'm sure she thinks
you're some studly construction worker or something, instead of a hot
student, but that's all right.  And definitely no spaniels.  My eyes aren't
that big and sorrowful--I'm a happy puppy. :P

> > Made it to the post office, so you should get cookies and some
> > other stuff in about a week...gah that seems like a long time.  Just
> > looked at my calendar--I won't get to see you for five weeks yet.  
> > That’s just....yuck. *sigh*
>
> Do your Evil Overlord Powers involve time manipulation? I could go for that
> being in about a week, and then the two weeks or so between that and my
> exams taking, ohh, three, four months?

Would that it were true.

*bounce 'cause I know something you don't know*  Er...because I haven't told
you....

Right.

And I probably shouldn't tell you until it's for sure, which means Monday
morning at the earliest.  (But it's possible I might be getting another trip
to London if the trip trading goes the way I want it to.)

> > Maybe we can work our way up to a weekly phone call or something.  :-)
>
> That would be - that would be wonderful.  Except for the part where the
> phone bills arrive. I'm going to stuff that thought back into the closet.

Um, remember me?  The guy in the suit, with the corporate job?  I can handle
the phone bill.  :-)  You can pay me back by cooking for me in New Zealand.
:P

> That would be great; full stop.

Yup.  It would.  :-D

> > Supper tonight was.......are you ready?  Sitting down?  Holding onto the
> > desk?  Roast duck.  A very small roast duck, with asparagus and boiled
> > potatoes and corn.
> >
> > I cooked.
> >
> > *proud grin*
>
> The shock! The horror!  ;P  Go you! - No firemen this time?

Nope, just me!  I did *good*!

> > Other than that, I'm going to charge my cell phone, charge the Palm,
> > balance my bank book, and plan tomorrow.
>
> Sounds ferociously organised ;)

Keeps me from pacing. ;-)

> > And check back for replies at a disgustingly frequent rate, given it's
> > past midnight for you and I don't have any hope of hearing from you
> > before tomorrow.
>
> Sorry - didn't get the bike last night - he was wanting £100 for it, which
> is a little bit more than I really have - and it needed a new front wheel,
> new tyres, and probably new break cables - the connections looked really
> dodgy, and I just don't have the cash for the parts, or the time to play
> Bike-Surgeon.  Plus he lived *miles* from any bus route. Total waste of
> evening, really.

Man, that just bites.  What a...well, you said it wasn't a total waste, but
still.  Not like there wasn't other stuff you could have done with your
evening.

> However, I did go see one this morning, and I am now the proud owner of a
> bike once again - it's cheap, it's not pretty, but it runs, and
> it's a poly frame, so it's not a total tank. And most importantly it's in
> a condition where I rode it home from the guy's house. I want to re-wrap the
> handlebars, and give it a once over with the WD40, but that's mostly me
> fussing.

I can just see you making it all pretty.  LOL

> It took a chunk out of my morning, but - just knowing I can go for a ride
> later has given me a boost, plus getting down here, with two panniers full
> of folders, took no time at all. I think I may be a bike addict ;)

Yay!!

>  > Maybe 'puppy' was accurate.   Huh.
>
> Golden Retriever maybe? :p

Oh, loyal to a fault and will do anything for a good belly rub.

Uh... let me think on this.

> > Nope, and I'm going with you not minding either.  Told Janet your first
> > name--she kept calling you 'Brit boy' and I had to stop her.  :P  Say hi
> > back to Becka for me.  ;-)
>
> *smiles* I will do, and I'm grinning again, that you *want* to give out my
> name to your colleagues ;).

"Tom?  His name is 'Tom'?  Why is your name more old fashioned and stuffy
than his?"

Janet's thinking is a little weird.  :P
And yeah, I want to tell everybody your name.  /insert puppy bouncing here.

> > Yeah, it does make sense.  The flip of it though?  Don't know if they
> > would transfer staff over or hire all new.  That's why I'm looking into
> > it. Worst case is that I'll not be doing business trips to London in a year.
> > Best case (making a huge presumption on you staying there and wanting me
> > around) is that I could transfer in.
>
> Ah - yeah.  [Wafting over the assumptions simply because they're
> not anything controllable] - Yes, I quite see why you want to keep an eye
> on the project. Or not-project.

Still digging, haven't found anybody that knows anything at all yet.  Which
just means that *nothing* is going to happen for months.

> > I like what little I’ve seen of London--I usually fly in for a week, spend
> > four days working, then have a day or two half days to myself.  Honestly?
> > Three of the times I've been I spent my half days sleeping, and the rest
> > (full days) were spent walking around, seeing all the really typical
> > American-in-London things--Westminster Abbey, Big Ben----that sort of
> > thing. You wanna show me the London you know?  I'd love that.
>
> Yeah - I think I do :D - That and get you out to the country, to climb
> something.

Wonderful!  Yeah, wanna climb something.  :D

> > :D  How many times did you listen to it?  C'mon, you can tell me.  :P
> > (Unless it was only once and you deleted it, in which case, make up some
> > flattering number for me.  Heh.  My evil aura wants you to
> > think I have a tender ego.  :P )
>
> Double figures.  That's all my pride will let me say.

*beam*  Think you can hear my voice now if I tell you I miss you and I want
to hold you?

> > Bit of both, honestly.  Peter was more into the 'make a house a home'
> > things and the stuff on the walls, the cluttery homey bits were his.
> > I just tend not to think about it, and it doesn't bother me until I've
> > spent a lot of time 'away' and I walk into 'home' that's really not a
> > hell of a lot different than what I just left.
> >
> > Except it's got my books, my couch, my bed.  :-)
>
> Those last are the key things, huh?

Yup.  The books, mostly.  :P

> I'm having evil thoughts. I probably *shouldn't* start looking around
> charity shops for the ugliest, least hotel-like, knickknacks I can find to
> burden you with, should I?

LOL!  I'm always saying I should be bringing things back from all these
trips, getting *something* in here that shows what I do.  :-)

> > > In the interests of [oh God this is a sappy thought - shoot me?]
> > > - what you were saying about going to the movies and watching the same
> > > TV shows? What sort of shows *do* you watch?
> >
> > Not sappy.  :-)  Kinda sweet.  Um, let's see.  It's Thursday, so that's
> > CSI. CSI Miami on Monday.  Buffy and Angel, because I'm not blind nor
> > made of stone.  I've got BBC America, but the only times I've turned it on have
> > been Saturday afternoons--Charlie's Garden Army.  Yeesh.  Oh, and Two
> > Pints of Lager, which I thought was pretty funny, actually.  What should I look
> > for? Any recommendations?  I tend to prefer dramas that are dramas not
> > soap operas in disguise, and cop shows.    :P
>
> CSI?

Stands for Crime Scene Investigator.  It's, not surprisingly, about
investigating crimes.  It's hard science as deduction, really neat.

> Check on the Buffy [Buffy for the Spike?]-

Or the Xander, or the Giles, or the little bits of Wes from season three,
Angel in seasons one to three....I'm a bit of a Buffy slut.

> although we don't have Sky, so I'm probably a gazillion seasons behind,
> and I can't watch Angel, which I don't think the BBC bought.

So you haven't seen the 'new' Wes?  Glurble.

> The other regular thing for me is Farscape -

Have heard of it but haven't watched--didn't it get cancelled?  Oh, and I
watched Firefly, until it got cancelled, too.  Joss Whedon, space cowboys.

> I'll watch anything Trek if it happens to be on when I sit down,
> but I'm not that fussed.

Same

> Mike watches Eastenders religiously - which is a British
> soap - no idea if you have it in the US -

We do, save us all.  *shiver*

> so I end up seeing about one episode in three.  Comedies I'd recommend :
> Spaced, and Black Books - I don't think I’ve ever seen Two Pints of Lager -
> I'll look out for it though.

I'll look for them.  :-)

> > >Do you know Eddie Izzard's stuff at all - shower controls and toaster
> > dials?
> >
> > Um, nope.  Sorry.  :P
>
> If he was a book, I'd send you a copy.  If you get the chance - I
> think he's great - I like Billy Connolly a lot to. Similar kind of humour,
> I think.

Wasn't Billy Connolly in an American show, years ago?  Scottish?

> > They sound...nice.  And stable, and like they want the best for you.
> > They'll come around, I'm sure.  Sounds like Seth isn't helping things
> > along though.  Maybe if *he* gets it they'll all chill out about it.
>
> He is - or he was - stoking the fire a bit. Haven't heard from them since
> Dad phoned about the cheque, and that was strictly business. I do wonder
> if that pimp shot maybe shook something lose. Hope so. It would
> certainly be easier on my Mum's nerves if he wasn’t feeding her paranoia.
> It's not entirely him being malicious - it's just him being a twit.  [If I say it
> often enough I might not kill him ...thus rendering myself unemployable by
> most large companies.]

Let me know how it's going, yeah?  Don't like to think about you having
family stress on top of school.  Vent at me if it'll help.

And if I take over the world I'll let you be a henchman even if you off
Seth; though most companies won't, you're right.

> > > > And I think maybe he's bi, but we don't talk about it.  :P
> > >
> > > Apple, tree, ahem.
> >
> > Except the part where I'm totally not into girls at all, and just want a
> > chance to get at your....country.  Climb some rock, yeah that's it.
>
> LOL - climb some rock. Yeah.
>
> Mmhmm

Heh.  Yeah.

> Never into girls at all? - Not even as a teen?

Nope.  Played Spin the Bottle once when I was about thirteen; the only time
I ever kissed a girl.  Though I did wind up taking a girl to the prom--she
asked me, she knew I wasn't going to be her 'boyfriend'...we just went, and
danced and it was cool.

> There's a couple of girls from school who can say 'I went out
> with Tom', but that was pretty much 'on paper', where I wanted a
> girlfriend, because that's what you do ... never went much past hand holding and some
> bad kissing. ... and I was better than not having a boyfriend at all. Ahh
> school. Worst years of my life.

Nod of head.  Sympathy.  Agreement.  All of that and more.

> > Oh my God, you know what's worse?  Cracked bindings.  *shudder*  I hate
> > seeing a broken spine.  Eek.  But oh yes, I can see a little  book spree
> > on one of these trips.  :-)
>
> I'm not allowed to buy any new - well - new to me - books until I know
> where the next cheque’s coming from. Or until finals are over and I
> *need* to fill up on pulp - which ever comes sooner.

But you can help me pick out stuff, yeah?

> > >  I didn't master chopsticks till I was 19,
> >
> > I, ummm....can't use them.
> >
> > > I've never eaten proper sushi, but
> > > the supermarket stuff didn't impress me,
> >
> > I *love* sashimi.  Yumma.
>
> Call me ignorant, but - how'd those two fit together?

Which two?  Sashimi is the raw fish in the sushi without all the yicky rice
and wrapping, and the chopsticks are only good for spearing stuff.  I'm an
American, I can get away with eating raw fish with my fingers.  :P

> > > If you asked me for my favourite colour I'd say red, because
> > > I always have, but seeing as my shirt, my
> > > trousers, my shoes, my bag, half my folders, and the
> > > karabiner I have my keys hanging off are all shades of blue,
> > > I think maybe I mean blue.
> >
> > :D That is so you.  And that just sounds stupid, but it is.
> > You, I mean. Not stupid.  Right, babble off.
>
> Red? Blue? Or the whole thought process?

The blue and the thought process.  :-)

> > God, you're cute.
>
> *makes like a puppy*?

Drooling?

> > *does not mention the Harry Potter glass wear collection in his
> > kitchen or the Hogwarts wrist watch on his arm.*
>
> Cool - I didn't notice that [assuming you wear it all the time] -
> um - did I just mortally offend?

Nah, it's meant to look pretty spiffy--the watch face has a metal cover over
it on hinges, with a engraved H.  The 12, 3, 6 and 9 are the crests from the
four Houses.  It's *cool*.

> > > I have a piece of turquoise on a cord around my neck
> > > that I pretty much never take off - you couldn't see it for the shirt
> > > and tie but it was there. I bought that for myself just before I left
> > > Albuquerque.
> >
> > That's cool--I don't wear anything other than my watch, though I used to
> > wear my class ring.
>
> Class ring as in a great big gold-and-stone carbuncle?

Actually, it was plain, just a gold band with an oval flat surface engraved
with the school seal.  Pretty nice looking.  People often took it for either
a signet ring or a wedding band.

> I can imagine heavy silver jewellery - maybe a thumb ring - suiting your
> hands.

Thumb ring?  *Looks at hands*  Huh.  Never thought of that.  And silver?
Hmmmm. I'll ponder that.

> > You're...making me feel warm.
>
> Warning! Warning! Feedback loop locked and cycling!
>
> ['Cos yeah, that made me smile too ;)]

We are bordering on pathetic.  :D :D

> > LOL!  Only one of them even comes close to being 'letching material'.
> > But, have fun!
>
> Damn but you've got me curious now. I'll just have to be patient, won't I?

Uh huh.  >;-)

> > Yes.  Frankly the thought of being that close and not seeing
> > you makes me feel a little off balance.
>
> So it's not just me then? ;D

Not just you.

> Um- whereabouts are you staying? I mean - what part of London?

Um, in Mayfair?  The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel.  Is that good?  I've never
been there before.  At least, not that hotel.

> > How did the rest of your day go?
>
> Schlepped over to this guys house, didn't buy a bike, figured seeing as I
> was up in Richmond I might as well get something out of the trip, and
> treated myself to Chinese, sitting on the river bank, just watching the
> world go by and idly thinking that I should have taken a camera, and then
> home for another round with the Great Walt Whitman. Poetry is *not* my
> strong point. I'm pretty confident about answering whatever comes
> up on the novels, but - well - the tutor's given us the nudge that at
> least one on WW is a shoo-in for the paper. Yay for the tip, Boo for the subject
> of the tip ...

But at least you didn't talk yourself out of reading it and then winding up
with not knowing any of it.  Um, did that make any sense?

> > Man, you must be getting so close with your dissertation...I hope...I
> > hope everything is calm and going well.
>
> At this rate, I'll have the main work done by the end of
> Saturday, and then Sunday I try and proof read this monster, and Monday I
> give it to Terry - that's my tutor - and hope I can fix what needs fixing before 3pm  next
> Friday.

Yay!  Go you!  Tell you what, get it all proofed by Sunday night and I’ll
write you a present for Monday.  On this account.  If you want.  If you
don't want, that's okay too.

> Writing it's a bitch, but talking to Becka yesterday especially -
> the actual subject matter - I can find my way around.

Great.  :-)

> >  Let me know if you need me for anything.
>
> Need you to make me smile, need you to keep talking to me, need
> you to not be a figment of my impending nervous breakdown ...

M' here.  Smiling and being all puppy-ish.  And not a figment of anything.

I want you, Tom.  Want to climb with you, talk to you, make you tea if you
want.  Want to touch your cheek when you sleep.

> > Missed you today.  Sorry about the meetings and stuff--would much rather
> > sit and send you e-mails.
>
> Pesky work, getting in the way ....

Yeah, darn job.  :P

> It's ok - I was working, and chasing bikes, and all that good
> stuff.  Which isn't to say I wouldn't rather you were sending me emails...
>
> Hopefully you're having a better day than yesterday.

Wasn't bad.  Better now that I'm home and writing to you.

I'm going to get the last of the laundry done and head to bed early.  I'm
going to do apartment stuff tomorrow morning, then I'm headed downtown to
have lunch in a cafe, by myself, with a book.  Maybe sit in the park and
take in the sun.

> Take care

You too.
G'night,

Oliver



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