So today as I beavered away at my occupation, I heard tell of an Edmonton Twitter users' meetup, or "Tweetup." I asked @mastermaq when it was, and how he heard about it, and he said it was tonight and that he had organized it! After reading about it on the Edmonton Tweetup website, I resolved to attend.
It was good times. Great location (the Billiard Club), great food, great people. Met one individual in particular, by the Twitter name @kwirq, who was VERY fun to talk to. We talked video games, VMs, OSes, sci-fi books, transhumanism, and others. Fascinating. I was glad I attended.
Alas, nature's call waits for no man. I excused myself to pay my bill and visit the little boys' room.
Now, the bill was not extortionate by any stretch, and at any rate I had checked my accounts before leaving home and I was aware of the levels of my finances. "No problem," thought I, "well covered." Not so, said the money machines. "You haven't the funds, you great big loser!" said the text scrolling across the screen "WTF???" said I!
This glorious new iPhone contraption I have has internet access and a decent web browser wherever I go, which I took advantage of to once again consult my accounts. "$9" said they.
OMGWTFBBQ????
As it turns out, my car insurance had come out of my account between me leaving home and paying my bill! On top of this, I had recently bought a pricey birthday present, and I had forgotten to submit my hours to the purse-holders last week. I went from little money to practically none during my brief absence from my home, putting me in quite a spot!
I went pee, as I couldn't face this malarkay on a full whatnot.
Next, I phoned Phil. As usual he owes me money, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Trying to convince him that he should withdraw some cash and come meet me, he revealed that once again he magically had no money at all.
What to do? What to do, I asked. Try to convince the barman to let me leave my credit card and come back tomorrow, I guess. Oh, dear. This was the first time I had encountered such a situation, and it was rather stressful.
Lo and behold, standing beside me in my time of trouble and doubt, was good @Kwirq. As he asked what the problem was, I had an inkling he already knew, and a great wave of embarrassment and depression flooded over me. In my absolute honesty, I recounted the whole damned dirty situation, and sure enough he reached for his wallet.
Long story short, poor @Kwirq paid half my bill, amidst my vague protestations. We exchanged phone numbers etc., I had him phone my number so he would see it was real, and I assured him that not only would I get him his money in the next couple of days, but also that drinks and nibbles would definitely be on my tab when next we should meet!
The moral of this story, I suppose, is that not only are some people fundamentally more decent and generous than modern times lead us to believe (even internet people who we have only just met!), but also perhaps too trusting! Of course I will pay our dear @Kwirq back - with interest! - and of course I would have done the same thing in his place (I'm a softie like that). But in these times... It could be argued that I have the "gift of the gab" - I can talk myself into or out of many situations. How does @Kwirq know that I am trustworthy? He doesn't, of course! It's an astounding leap of faith.
Now I promised certain individuals a "short" blog entry, and here I am, rambling on. Blame my penchant for flowery extrapolation, or blame my susceptibility to my surroundings and the Clockwork Orange on the projector. At any rate I've rambled on too long. So let's sum up: thank you to @Kwirq, screw you to fate, and shame on you to dear old Canadrian. Ah, c'est la vie.