At first glance they're very similar, but when you really think about it they're worlds apart.

A true friend will be there for you when you need them, whether that be on the phone / email / IM for some advice / consolation, or in person if you need help with some static you're having, to help with moving to a new place, or to give you a hand digging a grave, er, I mean fixing a fence in your backyard.

A true friend will not judge you by what they hear from others, or even by what they see themselves. They will understand your situation if you're in a bad place, or at least try to, and help you deal with it.

A true friend will keep in touch with you when you quit your job (or even just take a needed sick day off) or if you move to another state. The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" does not apply to them.

A true friend may even get angry with you sometimes if you're just having a really bad day and are being less than cooperative, or just downright unpleasant, but they will understand and forgive you for it.

A true friend knows that all of the above is reciprocal.

I'm a great friend to have. I know that sounds conceited, but it's true. If I'm your friend, I will do anything within my power for you. You can tell me anything and feel secure in the knowedge that it will go no further than our conversation. I'm not one of these gossiping bitches that spreads your dirt around for the amusement of others. Maybe it's alot to ask, but I also expect those same considerations in return from my "friends", and if I feel that I cannot reasonably expect them from you, then I must have been mistaken about which group I had placed you in. At best I'll just add your name to the acquaintances list, say "what's up?" to you once in a while and not give you a second thought. At worst, if you try to fuck me in any way, I'll "dead" you forever, and I do not give second chances. I guess I'm just temperamental like that, and I can hold a grudge for a lifetime.

I know hundreds of people. It amazes me how many names and faces you can accumulate over the years, from various schools, jobs and neighborhoods, and if you're even slightly active on the internet, as most people are nowadays, that number has the potential to increase exponentially. From those hundreds of people that I know, I can honestly name less than a handful of them that I feel I can truly call my "friends" and welcome into my life with an embrace. Some I've known for years, and some I've only just recently met but they've already proven themselves. The rest are just "people that I know", an ever-lengthening list, and those I keep at arm's distance.

That is sad, yes, but at the same time I'd rather be realistic about it and know where I stand with people. I don't like surprises. I'd rather know in advance who I can and cannot rely on in a pinch. I'd rather know in advance who I can and cannot tell something personal or private and expect it to not become public. I'd rather know in advance who I can and cannot call with some good news, or bad news, and have them genuinely share in it with me.

Less than a handful...

I woke up a few hours ago (after passing out on the couch, probably due to turkey overload) with these thoughts on my mind. Maybe it's because it's Thanksgiving and I'm feeling mushy and sentimental, I don't know, but to those few to whom I alluded above I dedicate this post. For those few I am truly grateful on this Thanksgiving and each day thereafter.

Robert Millan, Pete & Jamie Nantista, Jay Reynolds, PJ Dutra ... I love you guys.

B t M

Firstly, let me welcome you to what I hope will be an interesting place to visit. I don't get to sit here at this computer very often, but when I do I will try to update this page with whatever fascinating tidbits of my life I think you may be interested in. That said, I cannot promise you that my life will contain any fascinating tidbits at all. It could very well turn out to be dull - we'll just have to wait and see.

Now, since this is my 1st post here, I suppose an introduction is in order. My name is Bill. Some may know me as "Bill the Moose", or even just "Moose", for reasons that I may or may not get into later. I'm 37 years old (as of this posting - I'll probably be older as we go along this blogging journey together) and I recently moved to sunny Virginia (actually it's been pissing rain for the last 2 days, damned Thanksgiving nor'easter) after living in New York City, or "Ground Zero" as it has come to be known, for my entire life. I am a traffic safety engineer for a contracting company that works in conjunction with VDOT to keep you good people driving safely on the roads and interstates.

For the sake of brevity, I think I will wrap this up for now. I don't want to divulge too much of myself so early in the game - then you'll have nothing new about me to learn and look forward to reading about. It's also Thanksgiving morning and I've got alot to do today. People will be arriving in a few hours expecting to eat some bird, and that takes a bit of preparation on all of our parts.

For those of you who celebrate it, enjoy your Terkeeday as much as I hope to! For those who don't celebrate it, enjoy your Thursday as much as I hope to!

B t M