I'm Back Again

I’ve been away and lots has happened, here’s a quick recap;
Nnenna and Sara have been kicked Americas Next Top Model,
I’ve finished a major project at work,
My nineteen year old nephew died,
Bought an alpaca,
Bought Robbie Williams and Boy from Oz tickets,
I’ve edited my way through to the end of another alpaca magazine,
Had a bar-b-que in the pouring rain (very English)
I saw Germany win against Ecuador in the world cup,
And I went to a wedding

So… let’s look at the last two.

I’m English, but now live in Australia, so how did I end up watching a Germany football match until two in the morning? I have been asking myself that question all week while sitting at my desk feeling like death warmed up. Although the answer is really very simple, my good friend, Edna Wilt asked me to help her support her home team. Off to the bierkeller (pub) we trotted with hubby and buddy to have a few bevvies (we were actually served by a guy called Jurgen who spoke German) and grub followed by cheering on of the Germans. It was a good an Okay game, but the Ecuadorians were outclassed by the Germans and the final score was 2-0. It was only after the game we learned they had fielded their second team to save energy for when they play England.

In late May I took a very brief trip back to the UK (three and half days) to visit the folks back home, but most of all to attend the wedding of a very good and old friend of mine. If fact, so close, that we were first loves. Anyway…I turned up at the pre wedding drinks the night before to surprise the groom. After a big hug and a couple of drinks, I retreated to my hotel for much needed sleep. The next day I went to the wedding. Being the ex-girlfriend I decided to go dressed in red. UK fashions didn’t let me down and despite being spring/summer all the ladies were dressed in beige or pale blue, or even both! The wind howled, but the rain stayed away, I was freezing even though I was the only one who had come from winter.

The groom arrived, followed shortly by his family whom I hadn’t seen for years. They were really pleased to see me and I got hugs. We all filed inside for the service. The bride arrived wearing an ivory drop waist dress with beaded bodice and chiffon overskirt. The bouquet was made up from blue and white flowers, it was quite nice actually. The service came and went with little drama regardless of the girl how stood up and sang a song a capella. By the time she was only half way through many faces screamed ‘kill me now’. Anyway…the photos were skipped due to the wind, I popped out back to escape and caught up with the grooms niece (when I met her she was three, now she in her twenties, smokes, swears like a trooper and has appeared nude on a calendar). The reception, food and speeches followed (the brown rice broke my teeth). During his speech the Father of the Bride waxed lyrical about his daughter and how lucky they were to have a new son etc. etc. blar-de-blar then toasted them with the wrong surname. In fact, he toasted the new couple by her first married name (faux pas one). The assembled crowd giggled nervously.

After the speeches the Groom mother (who is in her 70’s) decided to make a graceful exit before the ‘youngsters started getting on down’. I popped out to say goodbye as well as the groom, his sister and niece and the bride. After we had said our goodbyes the Mother of the groom turned to the bride, took her hand in hers and said ‘Welcome to the family Jodie’. Now the bride is called Karen (faux pas two) I pulled a ohh-no face and slinked away, the niece cracked up laughing and the mother in law ignored it. The bride however had a face like a slapped arse and thunder clapped above her head.

I spent the rest of the day moving away when I saw the bride…it was only far I think…and catching up with the grooms family. At about ten o’clock I left, but not before the bride giving me a hug and saying ‘Groom is SOO happy you could make it’. The meaning of the lack of ‘We’ was not lost on me.

(764 words)