i'm not a stalker...

...but I feel like one some days!

See, I have an acquaintance at work that needs to become my friend, but he could NOT be more quiet, introverted and a generally keeps-to-himself kind of guy. He's actually quite chatty when you get him to talk, but otherwise you wouldn't even hear him make a peep! I'm not making him out to seem very interesting, am I?

Well, let's just trust my judgment, kids. He's good people, and we'll become friends if we ever get to talk for more than 2-minute increments in the kitchen/copy room. However, since that's our only current social interaction at the office...this is how it goes down (here's where I start to feel stalker-ish):

I can see the door to the kitchen/copy room from my office. Therefore, I can see when my coworker/friend enters said room (mostly to pick up copies, if you must know), so in order to facilitate little chats here and there, I have developed a tendency to print stuff and leave it to be picked up whenever it strikes my fancy, which usually coincides with my friend visiting the copy room to pick up his own printing.

Now, I realize this might seem a bit scary. Honestly, I happen to think it's VERY funny as well...and the bottom line is that we actually usually have a decent chat or two every week thanks to my planning efforts. Someday if we really become good friends, I'll tell him about this and we'll have a good laugh.

For now, I just laugh at myself, especially when I miss him (he's quite a fast walker) and wonder how many other people do this sort of thing around the office...especially when there's a crush involved (which is not what I'm saying is involved here...but the social scene at the office is a bit dry, so give me a break).

I mean, don't get me wrong...it's not like this is a completely one-sided friendship development plan. We met for drinks one afternoon a couple of weekends ago, at his suggestion, and we chatted for 2 hours. I'm just sayin'...

Besides, I'm the marketing girl. And it's part of my JOB to make sure people are enjoying their job, getting the support they need...and building relationships among coworkers is all part of that.

But go ahead...let me have it...I'm a strong girl...I can take it!

Oh, one other thing: I tend to think this is very much a girly behavior...but I'm curious to know if the male population of my readers has/would ever demonstrate such antics.

Discuss.