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Cleaning up the friends list

Ended up cutting out a raft of friends. I’m running outta time; figure I have some 11,500 days left here, if I’m lucky. Can’t be with people that drag me down.

I’m running outta time


It’s been so long since I’ve seen most of my friends that I realized I’d an opportunity to whittle down the people in my life. I’m running outta time to do the things I wanna do. And the things I gotta do.

After all, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.  Without Alison to ground me, I worry that my worst instincts will take over.

Johnny I’ve known for 25 years. Invited him over the other day.

Me: I think our friendship’s run it’s course, man.
Johnny: What? What’re you talking about?
Me: You tried to con RE Mike outta his cut for that last deal I sent to you.
Him: (shrugging) Who is he to us, Logan?
Me: I sent him to you. That means he’s someone to me. $500,000 is a lotta hurt, man.
Him: We’ve known each other over two decades, Logan.
Me: And that’s why I’m cutting you out. I deserved better than this. Thanks for trying to help Alison. But she never woulda wanted you to be part of our lives after what you did. Lemme walk you out.

The Devil stopped by not soon afterward.

Him: This is the first time you’ve ever invited me over in all these years.
Me: Considering you didn’t ask for my address, I assumed you knew where I live.
Him: (laughing) You know I like knowing things.
Me: Good. I’m here to tell you that I think we’ve outgrown each other. I’m a different person from the kid you met alla those years ago.
Him: Are you really, Logan? You and I are different from the rest of the world. We need each other.
Me: I only need the kid. The rest of the world can burn. And this is for the kid.
Him: I’ve never hurt you and I’d never hurt the kid. (scoffing) You’re gonna raise your kid to be like everyone else? In a world of sheep he can be more than we ever were.
Me: He’s my son, and – more importantly – Alison McCarthy’s son. That means he’ll be better than alla us.

Of course, there are those friends without whom I couldn’t imagine life.

Me: You still working in the Upper West Side?
Bryson: Oh, I shifted over to the design department at The Olive Garden. I’m taking care of all of their interiors.
Me: Wait, do you get free food? Can I get free food? Answer the second question first.
Him: (laughing) Yes, and yes. Just tell me when you have time.
Me: For friends, I find time. For free food I have time.
Him: Great, we have a nice bar too.
Me: You had me at, “Free food.”

Location: a red chair in front of her desk
Mood: kinda sick
Music: Don’t say you’ll stay, cause then you go away

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8 replies on “Cleaning up the friends list”

Hi Logan, it has been a while since I commented on your blog. I have not stopped reading your posts though ? So you have cut friends out of your life and kept some friends in your life. Sometimes friendships run their course. It sounds like your friendship with Johnny had run its course. Do you miss him? Bryson sounds like a good friend. Who sings the song Don’t Say You’ll Stay, Cause Then You Go Away? I have not heard of that song and I haven’t clicked on your link as I am currently listening to Baby I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton. When I finish listening to this song, I’ll click on the link so I may know the answer to my question before you answer it, if you do ?

Holy cow! I meant to reply to this when I read it on the road but it slipped my mind and I just remembered it now. I’m the worst. Sorry!

Yes, Bryson is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I just spoke with him recently.

And that lyrics is from an old song I loved called, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,” which I think you’d enjoy if you heard it.

I think old and dear friends can be comfort friends in difficult times as they know us well. My oldest and dearest friend is in rehab until 28th November. I spoke to her a few days ago. She sounded well. Your recommendation that I listen to Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover led me to a podcast by Angie Smith called Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole. There is a book with the same title by Angie Smith. I read a few paragraphs of the first page and it felt comforting. Perhaps it would comfort you too?

P.S Not replying is ok!

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