Anxiety Plans

Today's chicken-and-egg conundrum: Do I never make plans with people because I am bad at it or am I bad at making plans because I never do it?

Recall that yesterday a friend stopped by my office because he and his advisor are visiting someone in my department. Taken by surprise, I was sort of incoherent and didn't make conversation well. (One of these days I will have to draft some talking points for assorted unexpected social situations.) He suggested lunch, and I gave him my phone number. He called last night; I didn't hear the phone, missed the call, and called back about an hour later and left a message with 3 suggestions for lunch today. I even suggested that we might go see Star Wars.

I have heard nothing back, and now I need to figure out how to plan my day. (His phone went directly to voicemail; did some weird network problem keep him from getting my message? Am I being dissed? Did my phone drop the call mid-message? Or is it just typical mathematician flakiness?)

As an added wrinkle, I am having my hair cut this morning at 10:30. This adds to the anxiety, as I am seeing an unknown stylist. (Yes, I know. But I REALLY NEED a haircut NOW.) I selected the salon based on its location -- I saw it when I was on a walk the other day, and any time I can get something done by walking (instead of driving), that's always a plus in my book. (Yes, I do drive to school every day; shut up. I have a lot of things to carry. And I like to wear nice shoes.) Of course the problem here is that yes, the salon is within walking distance, but as a trade-off there is nowhere to park nearby. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but when you throw in the logistics of undecided lunch plans, the 20-minute walk home might further complicate things.

I should send him a text message, right?