I played hookie this morning (shame on me) and didn't get into work until after lunch. It happens. Soon after, my cell phone rang. It was Bob. Note: Bob only calls me for pencams. Seeing his name appear on my celly, I said:

 Me: "Uh huh."

Bob: (starts laughing)

 Me: "Mmm hm."

Bob: "Christine I just wanted to call and say goodbye."

 Me: "Sure Bob."

Bob: "You have no idea how busy I've been... I kept thinking about you          as I was packing things up this week but I just ran out of time, you          know how it is."

 Me: "Mmm hm."

Bob: (laughs again)

 Me: "Bob I can't believe you're leaving!"

Bob: (laughs again)

 Me: "Actually it's my fault, I had heard that you were leaving and had          wanted to plan something for you but just couldn't get it together,          I'm so sorry."

Bob: "No no, I've been so busy too, seriously."

 Me: "So... when are you outta here."

Bob: "Well, I'm at the airport right now."

 Me: "You're what?!"

Bob: (laughs again)

 Me: "What time do you board?!"

Bob: "Oh they've already started."

 Me: "GOD BOB. So I guess you really ARE leaving, huh!"

And Bob just kept laughing at me. I shouldn't be so surprised, as I'm leaving too and we've both been talking about this forever. Aside from Rich C., the two of us have been in Taipei the longest of all the other people we used to hang out with when we first met each other in 1995 -- Ed, Albert, Lisa, Roger, Jim, Eyee, Fran, George, Harriet, Martin, Ann, Keith, Nelson, Bean, Christina, Yvonne, and so many others.

Fixtures of Taipei, the two of us were called.

Not so any more, eh? Change is good. It's just that some people -- like uh, well me and Bob -- take a little longer than others. LOL. It's really not about the economic downturn, or the people, or the environment, or whatever it is that we feel is frustrating about being here. Taipei is a GREAT city. Lots to do and see, with so much going on all the time. We both agreed on that. I'd even consider retiring here after all is said and done.

All it is, is, we need a change and WHY am I always talking on behalf of Bob?!

I'm weird like that. I don't do that with anyone else. ANYWAY. Though we've lived only two blocks away from each other for awhile now, we don't really see each other all that much, ran in different crowds over the years. But as I said to him on the phone, Bob was like my silent pillar of strength. Knowing that he was right up the street from me was a good feeling.

"The world is so small," he said before he got off the phone, "... I really wouldn't be surprised if one day we all ended up together again." True. Very true. Still. I am sad that he is gone (I still can't believe he called me from the DEPARTURE GATE), but happy for him that he is moving on. Now it's my turn. WOAH.

Wow... I'm still a little shocked that this is really happening... somebody hit me!

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