TBM
Several years ago I had the misfortune to share an office with a bloke who was to all who worked with him the most boring man in the world, hence the nickname we gave to him, TBM. Terminally Boring Man.

He wasn't nasty or evil or anything, but just his very presence made you dislike his entire being. He went through life trying very hard to be friendly with people, which was probably his main problem as it was always obvious he was trying too hard, if you get what I mean. He was certainly a bit odd.

Anyhow, one day TBM came into the office, late as usual, and deposited on his desk, in a prominent position, a small, polished wooden box. He said hello, and looked pointedly at the box. I didn't rise to the bait.

Some time later, I was sitting working when TBM cleared his throat and said, "Would you like to see my soldiers?"

Bemused, I replied, "Er, OK then".

Whereupon he brought over his wooden box, opened it up and displayed the contents to me. A collection of battle-dressed fantasy figures made from cast lead.

"I painted them myself", he beamed. "I'm especially proud of this one", he said, lifting a particular figure out of the box. I made the appropriate noises of approval, then escaped from the office.

OK, I have interests and hobbies. But I don't play with toy soldiers and live in some Dungeons and Dragons fantasy world. I find that somewhat disturbing. And he was 33 at the time, FFS.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, because after he left (he just disappeared one day without finishing his PhD, and we later heard he'd got a job in the Netherlands) we discovered a load of books in his desk drawer. They had titles like "Making Friends", "Coping with Depression", "How Not to Appear to be a Complete Cunt" and so on.

We felt quite sorry for him then. For about 10 minutes.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 9:54, 7 replies)

awww
I do feel quite sorry for him. At least he tried.
Which is more than I can say for some of my ex-ceolleagues (I will expand with a proper story soon)
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 11:04, closed)

hehehe
A chap where I work was, brace yourselves, "European dungeons & Dragons Champion"

He is leaving because he has to move into town, which is about 5 miles from work, and cannot drive, and therefore cannot get to work anymore.
(Halfy By light alone, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 11:34, closed)

Playing with toy soldiers is one thing
but it takes a very special person to bring them in to work to show his coworkers. Did getting beaten up at school not teach him a lesson?
(Bearded Whumpus In chav Britain, schoolgirl offers sweets to YOU!, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 12:11, closed)

@ Halfy...
Erm, has he never heard of buses? Or cycling?

Jeez, reminds of my jobcentre days when it proved repeatedly impossible to get people to apply for jobs in the next bloody town / village because they had 'no transport'.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 24 Jan 2008, 12:35, closed)

I feel sorry for him
but then I didn't know him
(misskitty reeks of sex and turpentine; laudanum afternoons, Sat 26 Jan 2008, 5:39, closed)

He'll do alright in the Netherlands
he could be the most exciting person at his new office!

Yup I work with the dutch, yes they're boring. Not quite German boring but not far off.
(golddust QOTW now revolves around being a cunt, Thu 31 Jan 2008, 9:26, closed)

Bah
I'M 33.
And I collect, paint and game with Citadel minatures.
Still...I'd never take them into my place of enslavement as (I'd long suspected and you just clearly illustrated) that the utter awesomeness of my mighty space ork army would be wasted on plebs.
(St Sepulchre's Belle tolled for thee on, Thu 31 Jan 2008, 13:24, closed)