The Yellow Rose of Texas

Friday was my last day at BDP. It was marked by emotions I hadn’t counted on, mostly, nervousness. It was actually very overwhelming.

All day I kept hearing giggling, smirking and outright laughter from my co-workers to the left and when I chanced by their desks, I saw my photos on various computers, ready for photoshop editing. By the time 5:30 rolled around, I was shaking. The tradition is that Josie bakes a cake and the office supplies the wine. We all gather in the conference room, give the defector a card signed by all, a speech is given by a higher member of staff, preferably a director, and then a gift is proffered, usually a gag or an architecture book. We have the wine, the cake and then everyone bails to the pub, where the real party starts.

When the appointed time came, I walked into the conference room to find every single person in the office was there, which I’ve never seen before. (Bear in mind I’ve been to 12 of these functions) I guess because it’s Christmas, they decided to forego on cake, chips and dip and up the ante to pate, cheeses and imported meats. It was lovely. Even if it was Tesco’s Finest… My boss (not the one that made the interior designer cry) gave my speech, which was both funny and embarrassing. I was mostly amazed that he managed to be in office long enough to make it to the party. He’s usually flung to the far corners of Ireland, but I did notice he was deliberately in office all afternoon. It’s a good strategy to leave on the day of the Office Christmas Party apparently. Anyway, he gave the speech, there was much laughter and much blushing (only by me however) and then he handed me an envelope saying he had no idea what was in it, but it must not be very good because it was my gift and it was very flat. Inside I found a card with my photo on it as the Lone Star in the Texas State Flag, and the words “Our Yellow Rose of Texas” above it. One of my co-workers (but he’s a laaaady) has called me that since my first day of work. This is also the man that bonds with me over his favorite team, the Dallas Mavericks, rich in irony for both of us. (He’s 5’-2” and I know nothing about basketball) Evidently, that’s how I’m to be known in BDP history. Josie brought me a dozen yellow roses and a bottle of wine to kick the events off. Such a sweet woman. It was so unexpected and after she told me that she’d miss me but understood that I was going on to something much better for myself, I about cried. And that was just the beginning! So, I opened the card and read the little blurb and then focused on the last line. I read it three times, shook my head and said in what to me sounded like my sister’s voice “you got me a trip to a spa!”, which they indeed did. A day in a very posh spa south of Dun Laougheire, which we all know to be my favorite place on earth at this moment. I was, and still am, blown away by this gift; absolutely overwhelmed. I really had never expected such a generous gift. Mind you, they chose the ‘Detoxification Package’, but still… funny or not, it’s just too much. I’m in no way giving it back, I’m just saying… I’d have gone quietly with much, much less.

So off to the pub we went for drinks before dinner. It was like I turned 30 again: I wasn’t allowed to buy my own pints and people were actually queuing and arguing about who got to buy me the next one. I had to beg Stephen for a water so I could make it to dinner. I had glasses of the new Guinness (fake) micro-brew Brew 39, which does indeed taste like a micro-brew. Think Guinness only a little bit sweeter. It’s nice. They’ve started this new program where they’re going to work on new recipes and distribute them for 6 weeks, with the intention of selling more beer. I mean, finding a new favorite for people. Yeah… it’s purely altruistic.

We all changed into our Christmas clothes and made our way to the restaurant only to find that our table wasn’t ready, would we mind waiting in the pub next door? Um, no. So, late for our 8:30 seating, we were finally seated at a comfortable Irish time of 10:30. Some of the revelers were, at this point, over served. (Boss Girl saw one of the Engineers drinking wine out of the bottle) The office manager sat next to me and cried. People have been unforgivably rude to her and have done nothing but complain about the party since she announced where we were going. Although everyone was hoping for another trip, I’m happy with the dinner, they weren’t. In fact, it was said to her that the engineering boys would rather have the cash so they could go to the pub. Poor girl… She eventually pulled it together and we had what I deemed a pretty good meal. Pheasant, whipped root vegetables, and potatoes. Of course potatoes. It’s one of the best restaurants in the city, the big hot spot, so the fact that we got in made me happy. However, it has to be said, they’re much stronger on appetizers and desserts than on mains. I get a do-over later this week though, so we’ll see…

After dinner, during dessert, people started table hopping, which loosened the room up and enabled me to escape from the middle of the long table for 20 and go talk to people. Dessert was served, more wine was had and then I was being told to make my way to the pub next door. As I got up to leave, Boss Girl informed me that it was 1:30 and she sincerely doubted that said pub would be open. She was right. We ended up walking to a club about 8 blocks away, ok, maybe 6 blocks, but still. When they opened the door for me, I wasn’t quite expecting to enter the titanic, but that’s exactly what it reminded me of. This club is so ornately decorated, with wood paneling on the walls, marble staircases, chandeliers, potted palms, it’s a shame it’s an after hours club frequented by drunk and stoned college students. We got a drink and watched what I can only describe as the whitest dance floor on earth. I’m not Martha Graham but dear me… the kids need some MTV. I think it was after they played MC Hammer that I decided to leave. Can’t Touch This was followed by Girls Just Want to Have Fun and not a shred of Irony. At least there was no white man’s overbite. Co-worker Tony walked me out and put me in a cab. As I said good bye to everyone, they hugged me, wished me well, and told me (repeatedly, so I believe them) that it was really great working with me. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, but the next day, I woke up smiling. It was better than I could have hoped for.