Go! Smell the old friends and new predicaments!
May 31st, 2008 by Purple13
I drove down to Cambridge last night (friday) to pick up my two kids from their grandparents - a 2 hr 10 min drive on a good day.
When i arrived, I learnt that my old school friend had just taken over a pub in the next village, so after the kids were asleep, I drove down to pay a surprise visit and catch up on old times. We’ve not seen each other for over a year yet it was like yesterday.
Whilst catching up on events, he asked if i’d help him with a hog roast the next weekend at his pub - he’d overbooked himself and what had started as a small event for a few friends had evolved into a mini-steam rally with another friend bringing his trio of steam traction engines.
So here’s the dilemma - do i spend another weekend away from Mandy and the family and make a 250 mile round trip to help him out or do i not?
Old friends with all the old predicaments. He won’t mind if I can’t make it and isn’t expecting me but it would be nice to surprise him and help him get started with his new venture as a landlord.
What do you reckon and have any old friends put you in a similar predicament after a chance meeting?
I had just called up an old friend this morning and catched up a little about each other..
As B.T said - its good to talk.
It’s Good To Talk - the exact same phrase used by a telephone company in Malaysia as its slogan..
Hmmm….it would be hard, but I would be honest and ask if there is something else that I could do just not on that weekend or when the next event is and that you would love to help. If he is really your friend, he will understand.
Hi Clinically’ - I’m sure he would but you still want to be able to help don;t you?
Yes, and if he responds differently I wouldn’t think he was a very good friend or something is up. During these past couple of years, I’ve evaluated my friendships to figure which were healthy (mutually giving) and which ones weren’t. I have friends at different levels. Well, I now have e-friends, long time friends, friends I can tell anything to, friends that we just hang out and have fun (no do real depth, but fun), etc.. You get the picture. I hope that helps and doesn’t confuse.
It depends how much he means to you I reckon Jonathan.
Bottom line is, it was a chance meeting and its not as if he planned to ask you for help so won’t really miss your assistance if you’re not there.
But, personally I always grab opportunities like this. New people, new situation, I’d regret it if I didn’t go.
Take the wife and kids! Make a weekend of it!
Sounds like an ideal opportunity to peddle some low quality photo-jigsaw’s
counts me out then doesn’t it.
What happened to taking the family along? Bring the family. At the very least, find a sitter for the kids, and take wifey. Make it a date day/night. Yah!
your real names not Steve is it? - that’s exactly what he said. Trouble is - we never know till last minute what our Ex’s are planning - will we won’t we have the kids etc. It’s bad enough trying to fit in Grandparents and of course Fabulous Photo Gifts needs to be manned.
is there any reason you cant take the family with you….
you could have a nice family day out, help your friend and still do something with the kids……
you never know……
also a bit tricky as the whole point of the event is a hog roast to raise money for a charity - and they are all vegetarian. I suppose they could have stuffing - thats usually veggie - just the fact it was cooked inside the pig.
Perhaps not.
they could go to the movies….
LOL Jonathan… after reading all these comments, I have no idea what to advise except to do what feels right in your heart. What would make YOU happy? Ask yourself that one.
Hi Ange - it seems i’ve been saved from a moral dilemma as Mandy has ‘booked me’ to do a photo gifts display stand at a big dog show near us - pets are a popular theme on our photo gifts so we’ll see what happens. Hope its indoors - weathers not looking to good.