Another Update....

I had another talk with my housemate last night and told her that I have come to the conclusion that, like it or not, I am going to have to accept that when I am stuck working the weekend shift schedule there are going to be times when she and the circle of friends go out and do things together and enjoy themselves while I'm stuck at work all because I can't get away early for the same reason that I couldn't on Saturday.  


Anyway, she wondered what can be done for future events so that I will be able to make it and I said to simply set the time later - 7:30 PM instead of 5:30 PM.  That way I don't have to depend on this co-worker being there so that I can leave early.  However, it's unlikely that they will do this - again proving my point that their words [we hope you can come, we want you to come] say one thing, but their actions [setting the time for 5:30 PM instead of 7:30 PM] say something totally different to me.


She suggested that if the situation arises again and I'm stuck at work because of the issue concerning my co-worker, when I get off, I should call and find out where they are - if they've gone to Starbucks or somewhere else.  My thought on the subject is that I shouldn't have to call and find out if they've gone elsewhere after dinner - if they really want me to join them, they should have the courtesy and consideration to call me and let me know that they're going wherever and ask me to meet them there when I leave work.


I said that otherwise they should just leave me out - don't bother to invite me to attend an event at a time that they know I'm unlikely to be able to get away from work for and don't even let me know anything about it.  She wasn't thrilled with the idea of keeping a secret from me, but if I don't know about it, then I can't feel left out.  


There are 2 birthdays in August among the circle [one is my housemate's] so I don't know how this is going to be handled when they take place.  I doubt that they will set the time on the Saturday that each is celebrated to 7:30 PM so that I can make it without needing to be able to get away from work early.  If they really want me there, instead of inviting me out of a sense of feeling obligated to, they will set it for 7:30 PM.  


When mine rolls around later this year it's on a Tuesday.  If asked, I'm going to tell them that I don't want any kind of celebration since it would have to take place on a weeknight to accommodate my work schedule and I don't want to inconvenience them since some of them work during the week.  


This is all I have for now - I need to go take a shower and get ready to head to the grocery store to pick up a couple of items I forgot yesterday along with something my housemate needs.