Grumpy old man

Just got back from the party at S's. Yes, I stayed late. Yes the food was marvelous. Yes there were plenty of obnoxious people there. I really begin to wonder if I'm just a grumpy old man or what. There were a few incidents which just really put me in a funk. One prick of an incompetant manager showed up and insisted on watching football all evening because he's in a 'fantasy football' league or six, and wanted to know how his imaginary teams were playing imaginary games. What a prick. At least he left early. E came late, after the poker game started, so, as usual for our games, the chip leaders all contributed chips from our stacks for her to play with. Mostly, one other and me. She then proceded to kick our asses. Betting wildly, and pulling out great hands at the last card. That wasn't so much the problem, but the other player was really grousing about it. He's not one of our regulars, and he's a bit competative for my tastes. As the last three of us were finishing out the poker game, the others started a game of Seven Deadly Sins, a trivial pursuit clone game based on moral vices. It turns out that this gang had all been big players of this game previously, but at various game nights that I wasn't a part of. That kind of rankled. Then E started showing photos (0n her cell phone) of various parties she's had this week. Only she made a point of passing them by me, and showing them to everybody else. Just when I was begining to think that we were begining to be back on civil footing again. My mistake. It was probably just an oversight, but it shows me that I don't even figure in her thinking at all. In the end, the only company I enjoyed for the whole night was S. I was glad to see E again, and was getting on well with her until the end. Maybe I just need some time away from the rest of those people.
In the deadly sins game, one of the 'challenges' was to put moisturizer on all four of your cheeks. No problem. But I made the comment that I was the only one that had a wife to have to explain why my ass smells fruity. I should have known better. I get home, and Wife is pissy that I spent so much time there, when I see these people all day at work. That I see them more than I see her. But then again, she sleeps in another room than me, sleeps all morning before I go to work, and stays up long after I go to bed watching tv or reading. Today, I had to wake her at 1 to go do some cat-sitting for a friend. Half the day gone. Needless to say, she didn't notice the fruity cheeks. Either pair. Welcome home.

In more ways than one, this party will stick with me for a while. Both in memories, and from the cabbage, baked beans, and refried bean dip (three dishes, not all at once.)