I’ve Become Human and Learned to Socialise Again

I’ve Become Human and Learned to Socialise Again

With adults, not two year olds

Jerv, Fabien and me at Wednesday night trivia Photo by Jerv Nai Matras

It all started last Saturday with Chipmunks. Sunday was Michael the movie. I woke up Monday to rain, rain and more rain. The plan to meet Medium writer Jerv Nai Matrap and his partner Fabien at the beautiful botanic gardens was washed down the drain and replaced by a comfy cafe at the Queensland University. Yay. I didn’t have to drive.

Tuesday was still “raining ropes” but eased in the afternoon. As usual, I drove up to trivia at Burpengary while Keeley caught the bus and train to make it in time to host. I don’t have teammates. Part of the fun of the evening is giving me a name to play under. Keeley started this weekly tradition and everyone gets on board to create a funny moniker for me.

Since I was very early I started chatting to a French exchange student I met a couple of weeks ago who decided to join me to play. That’s not quite true. I “stole” him from his host family. I enjoyed his company. His English was much better than my French. I thought I’d be able to avoid the funny naming ceremony. What was I thinking?

I think our little team was named something like Mum’s French Butler. Jules asked me, “What is a butler?” I had no idea what the French equivalent is, so I replied, “A manservant.” We played well together, except we (I) got stick on what American state uses the abbreviation ME. I started with Maine and went through the other seven and couldn’t decide quickly enough. Yes, it was Maine. You can’t win them all.

Jerv and Fabien joined me for trivia at Kallangur. We surprised ourselves by just missing out on third position. Sadly, no prize for 4th. But, geez, we had fun. Keeley stayed home with the boys. She had a sore throat and was losing her voice and the baby was sick too. Jerv had the same sore throat and no voice, so it must be “something going round”. Without Keeley as host, I was able to name our team myself — Not Mum Tonight.

Thursday was spent at the doctor’s completing my Advance Health Directive. Keeley had to sign it and agree to what I had chosen. She didn’t, so it has to be amended. The boys were at their dad’s on Thursday night, giving Keeley and me some peace and quiet. I cooked up spicy pork belly with spicy honey sauce. As you can guess, it was sp… sp… spicey! Sticky soy rice and Kewpie mayonnaise toned down the spice factor and made it not only edible, but really tasty.

And now, today, I made it to a girls’ lunch by an old friend. Fortunately I only knew one other girl. She’s a great grandma and has her 8 month old twin boys, and their dad, her grandson living with her on a part time basis.

My lunch

We had lots is common. another girl recognised me from Wednesday night trivia. (I had the same clothes on) so the three of us chatted for the next two hours. It was a delicious lunch at the Shingle Inn where I chose the pumpkin soup, citron tart, and an iced latte.

Rashnee, Trudi and me at lunch today.

Rashnee couldn’t believe I didn’t recognise her from trivia as she goes every week. She says she’s the only brown woman there. I explain my prosopagnosia, I have trouble recognising faces even if they are familiar.

Tomorrow I am going to see Michael the Musical, which I am sure I will want to share.

Until then, goodnight and thanks for reading.