Last Thursday I had 'it'
Last Thursday night I had 'it'. I am not exactly sure what 'it' is, but I had 'it' anyway. And when I have 'it', I am like bait to a swarm of barracudas. Not kidding!I went out with my friend who clears land mines around the world. He's an explosives removal expert. He has first-hand knowledge of what a land mine can do to a person. He was an adult when he lost his leg while clearing a particularly difficult area in Lebanon. He knows what these things do to people - especially children.
He now visits the Congo regularly to work on multiple projects. He was in Brussels for a meeting before jetting off to Kinshasa again and we had a chance to catch up. As always, he was charming and interesting. And as usual, he thought there would be more to the evening. There's no doubt that he looks and acts like Indiana Jones of the land mine crusaders and is dashing and ruggedly handsome to an extent. He doesn't whinge about his issues and you wouldn't even know he's lost an extremity due to a high-tech prosthesis which is adjusted regularly for natural changes. He's a great friend but I am loathe to get involved with him - for so many reasons - travelling all the time, lives in England, oh, and he works a mortally dangerous job. So, for years we have just been friends.
Last Thursday, there we were at the Hairy Canary and I got a text message from a guy I met through the Xpats web site. It appeared that he was out and about too and within 10 minutes, he showed-up at our table and introduced himself to land mine guy in a propriatary way. Ah. Yes. Sticky situation. My mines friend expected one-on-one conversation (adoration, attention, worship) and this other guy apparently finds me irresistible - (as usual :-)). The Xpats guy a handsome, slim whipper-snapper who at 42 still has the bounce of a frat boy on Friday night out. He's funny and charming, likes to race motorcycles and has a fast car. Nice bod'. Hmm. Indiana Jones vs. Valentino Rossi (or Fernando Alonso - whichever sport you prefer.
I had Bunny Dog with me and he was no help in deciding how to extricate myself from this situation with grace. He was a bit subdued because he had run up the stairs at the metro and run around to the investigate the escalator and clipped his paw. No blood, very little squeak. (Vet visit, antibiotics and several days of walking like a sad gimp followed) But the clean cut didn't seem to hamper him that night.
I could see both men eyeing each other as if each was ready to slip a Mickey in to the other's drink. So, what do I do next? I do something so totally me.
I couldn't help it. There was a table in the corner with 4 nice-looking Greek guys -who spoke English very well, probably worked for the Commission. One of them came to the bar to buy a round for his table and he spotted Bunny Dog. It was love at first sight. He has a dog just like Bunny Dog. He asked me a few questions, hovered around a bit. Promptly got the evil eye from one of the two bull fighters at my table, and he shuffled off with his drinks. Dreamy. When I came out of my flirty cloud, I realised how inappropriate that was. So me though. Both men had sat there and watched me flirt shamelessly with yet another man. So what? If I haven't learned by now...
My Horoscope in Vanity fair - they actually call it 'Planetarium' said the following 'Trouble brewing between your 11th and 5th houses .....likely it's a conflict between your need for intimacy and your desire to keep your options open, your commitments short-term, and your life your own.' Gee got me in one...
The rest of the time at the Hairy, the Greek man and I stole every chance we could to sneak a peek at one another. I was almost bold enough to walk over and ask for his business card, but thought better of it. For once.
I was escorted by both men offering to walk me to the metro - separately - but there's only one me. So both of them walked me to the metro and then the fatal faux pas, Valentino Rossi was taking the same metro as I needed to take. Indiana Jones kissed me on the cheek and whispered, something exasperating - I didn't listen well enough....Then he went down to the opposite platform.
When I was on one platform with the Valentino Rossi guy (Who was on his way home to Stokkel - legitimately- get your mind out of the gutter) We could see Indiana Jones on the other side - a serious scowl on his face. Don't think I will be seeing him again soon. Be careful out there Indiana Jones.
Valentino Rossi is very nice and cute and will be a great friend to me. However, I do think Lara and I have to go to The Hairy Canary on Thursday night and investigate the Greek contingent. This time, I will leave Bunny Dog at home :-))
posted by Brussels Confidential @ 8:19 AM
<< Home