When worlds collide

When I was in college, my friend Isa, used to tell me that she hated when her worlds collided. She liked have separate circle of friends, who did not know each other well. She liked having her school work not interfere with her volunteer work. Separate worlds kept you sane because each one was like a oasis from the other.

I have never followed this rule, or at least not consciously. But the one place I have drawn a distinct line is between work and everything else. So it is always a little disconcerting when you run into someone from work in a non work setting. However, for the past three weekends, it seems fate has intervened and the line between the two worlds have blurred.

Three weeks ago at N's bacherlorette party, I ran into an assistant professor,Br, in my department. I was in the Improv Asylum with my bucket of beer, when I standing next to me I see his wife. Instead of ignoring her, I said "Hello." This act may have been a mistake as I could see annoyance flash on her face. She did not recognize who I was (even though I have talked to her multiple times) and the only thing she could say is my husband is over there. Well, really I just wanted to say "Hello" and did not have a burning desire to talk to him. After the show was over, and N had been the shining star in a skit, we mulled around waiting for everyone to finish using the restroom. Br, came to talk to me with my candy necklaces and drunk bride-to-be by my side. N gave him a little pat on his tousche. Luckily, for me he did not even flinch. He chatted and showed me a poster that had a picture of his friend on it. And then we talked about science. Yes, I was 3 vodka tonics and 2 beers into the night and I was talking about cellular metabolites.

The next weekend seemed harmless enough. ET#2 and her man came to Boston and we ran a road race. It was a warm day, so by the end of the race I was rather sweat laddened. At the finish line was A, a Russian guy from the proteomics lab downstairs. He was so excited to see me and he gave me a big hug. Two days later, I went down to his lab to borrow a screwdriver. He said "ET#1, I did not know you ran. I was checking your time and it was good. My time did not come on the computer. Why is that?...." We talked for about 15 minutes. I told him that the Champion Chip had to be on his shoes and he could not carry it in his pocket. He told me that this was his and his girlfriend's first road race and they were so excited about it. Now, when I see him in the hallway, I get an extra big smile and wave.

What could possibly happen this past weekend? I spent most of my time at home or in the lab so there was no possibility for a random sighting and yet there was fate intervening again. SS had her first road race on Sunday morning. AC and I went to cheer and entertain her on her run. At the end of the race they were serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and beer. It was nice. They made the race as a little community party. Kids came for the pony rides and bouncy house. Old sweaty Irish men hugged each other and congratulated each other on a good race. I wanted a hot dog even though I did not register for the race. The nice man gave me two, extra charred. I was happy. The three of us were walking back to SS's house with hot dog's and soda in hand. I had put mustard on one and ketchup on the other, so I was alternating bites from either one. And then I heard my name. It was a prof from my department, DW. Yet again some awkward small talk. Luckily for me I was with friends, so cutting the conversation short was not terribly rude.

I understand that Boston is a small city and running into people you know is inevitable, but here is my problem with it: I am terribly vain. Why is it that I have to run into work people when I am incredibly drunk adorned with penises, sweaty and nasty from running, or double fisting and stuffing food in my mouth? Why can't I run into them at the very least when my hair is washed? Sigh. I think Fate is telling me that I need to do a better job of keeping my worlds separate or at the very least start behaving more normaly in public.