My friend Amber (better known as Amboogie) shared an article by Christine Hassler about spring cleaning for relationships.  Lately, I’ve been culling “friends” from my Facebook account - folks I decided that I really didn’t want to share in the details of my life.  I’ve also been much more judicious when it comes to accepting friend requests, but I digress.

In her piece, Ms. Hassler identifies several ways to identify toxic friends: (more…)

I miss my friends.  Terribly.

My two closest friends - Will and D - live elsewhere.  Actually, I guess I’m the one who really lives elsewhere.  I’m the one who’s moved.  Twice.

Will, whom I’ve known longer, is still in Virginia.  He’s a friend and brother all rolled up into one.  We’ve been friends for 7 years now and seen each other at our best and worst.  (I’m not just tossing out a tired cliché here.  Take this literally.)  And we’re so similar that sometimes it’s like talking to a male version of myself.

Will actually lived right across the hall from me in our dorm building, Dominion Hall, for about 4 months before we even spoke to each other.  I’d see him at the elevator, or see him walking to or from our building, but we never really spoke.  Perhaps a quick “hello” or nod of acknowledgment as we passed each other, but that was about it.  (more…)

I said I’d have my website up by January 23rd - which would be today.  Here’s the update: It’s not up yet.  But it’s okay - sometimes you have to revise your plans a bit.  What’s most important is that the site is finally well under construction after months of putting it off, and it should be finished soon…ish.  I want to have it finished before January is out.  Gotta admit, I’m excited.

As for rehashing the past, my trip to Charleston was fabulous.  It was so wonderful to see my mom and to see friends from high school that I hadn’t seen in several years.  My friend, the bride, looked gorgeous, and I’m so happy for her and her new hubby.

The best thing about our friendships is that sense of shared history.  You can turn to that friend and say, “Remember that time when … ?” and the other person knows exactly what you’re talking about because they were there, living that moment right along with you.

Life is good.

You might recall that I currently live in the middle of nowhere.  Well, when you’re in the middle of nowhere and you have even the slightest acquaintance within 1 hour of you, you meet up with them.  Seriously.  Do it.  You just might have a fabulous time.

I just got in from having dinner and coffee with a new friend. He’s actually my fraternity brother, and while we’ve known each other for about 3 years and have several friends in common, we never really traveled in the same circle.  We were friendly, but we didn’t become friends until just a few weeks ago.  Our friendship, for me at least, was solidified tonight.  But that’s not exactly what this post is about.  I’ll get to it.  (more…)

I recently wrote about friends who don’t reciprocate and listed several ways that those friends can give their social awareness a jump start.

But what should the person always extending himself or herself do?  The way I see it, you have three options:  (more…)