Post #79: Dealing With Interpersonal Relationships and Conflict [In A Sensible Manner]

Can I actually do that?  Well, if the events of the past few days are anything to go by, the answer's a resounding no.  Let's rewind (cue: the noise of a cassette screeching ...) - right.  I have a real issue about being let down, which is why I tend to not cancel one-on-one social occasions even if I really don't want to go. I suppose it all dates back to being the odd one out at school and people ridiculing/bullying me.  The trouble is with being an Aspie is that feelings often completely inexplicably overwhelm me and try as I might to address them in a sensible manner, I often flounder.

Yesterday afternoon I met up with my husband and son to enjoy a convivial drink in The Club (not the particular one rap superstar 50 Cent referred to in his song, to the best of my knowledge) but when I drew near I was greeted by the sound of a lone bagpiper and a military drum.  Inside was literally teeming with noisy, sweary, shouty military people replete with nationalistic placards.  I could hardly hear myself think and our autistic son was terrified by the din.  Five minutes after I arrived the 'leader' of the group addressed the assembled troops and stated: "The management here aren't letting our drummer in, so we're off to Wetherspoons - it's either all of us or none of us, drink up lads!" it was uttered in such a menacing tone that my husband was immediately concerned.  The noise level got no better and the category A swearwords emanating from a neighbouring table made me so annoyed that I, leaving the venue, vociferously told them to stop using such abusive language.  I'm not sure that they were suitably chastened, but I'm glad that I did it.

We're complaining ...

*Update*

Our comments were duly noted by The Club's manager and he is taking the appropriate steps to address the issue as we weren't the only ones to raise the issue.

Post #78: Expectations Of Socialising

I wrote this Tweet this morning:

It pertains to the way I feel about socialising; ergo - I just cannot do it any more. Saying that, it'll save me money in the long term. My preferred company seems to be geeky blokes these days.

Post #25 - A (Working) Day In The Life (Of An Aspie) - The Afternoon: Part Two

So, it's nearing home time.  Pretty much always I'll leave the office at 16:58, well unless there's anything urgent pressing, but I have my trusty work laptop with me in my heavy bag, which since the change from rucksack to laptop/messenger bag, has been killing my shoulder.  I'll walk back to the mainline station - a different one to the one I arrived on this morning (such is the wonder of London connections!)  It's a busy and very touristy area, so there are always crowds blocking my path or taking impromptu snaps of famous landmarks.  The one thing I can't fathom is why there are always so many people hanging around drinking on the pavement outside pubs?  I mean, I'm more than aware that the smoking ban has forced people out in the open air, but surely paying £5 for a pint of lager and having to sup it in the discomfort of the street isn't much fun, is it?



I dislike bicycles who fail to stop at pedestrian crossings too - it's one of my biggest bugbears.  Please obey the road safety laws and stop scaring people trying to cross the road.



I like to arrive at the terminus early and find a spot near a side barrier to stop people crashing into me whilst they're running for their trains.  Once the train appears on the destination board then it's a scramble for the platform.  I like to sit in the two-seat spaces as there's nobody in front of you and my legs can be stretched out accordingly.  Once I had a guy with a bag of fish sat in front of me who wouldn't budge at all.  My journey sometimes takes up to forty minutes to complete, so my legs were stiff by the end of it.

I arrive at my station and walk back home.