The Times They Are A...
Last night I went out drinking with a group of longtime friends. I'm fortunate that about 10 guys from my high school are still close friends, still meet up every other week or so for nights on the town, and all live relatively close together. It's not a hassle when somebody organizes an impromptu drinking night or poker game, and we know that we can count on each other when the chips are down.
So last night we went out to celebrate two guys who just graduated from law school. It was a great night, we played some beirut, almost got into a fight because some assholes tried to cut the line, and talked about lives and careers until late in the a.m. Not to mention I participated in the only double overtime beirut game I think I've ever seen.
But during the night I learned two things. One of my friends had just spent two weeks vacationing in Europe. Another one was leaving for L.A. on Wednesday and would be gone for a full year.
And I didn't know a thing before tonight. And man, it hurt to know that.
I can chalk it up to several possibilities.
Our friends don't talk as often as we used to.
We're not as close as we used to be.
I've been preoccupied with work and personal matters the last few months, and have been too self centered to ask what was going on in the lives of my friends.
I lean towards the last option.
But regardless of the answer, hearing these things hurt. A lot.
Maybe it's the end of an era, the days where carefree drinks and hanging out just don't happen anymore. The days where you can't simply show up at a buddy's house to watch the World Poker Tour for three hours, giving each other crap about rotisserie teams and girlfriends and crummy jobs.
Life changes whether we want it to or not. I can't say whether the ignorance was my fault, or simply an inevitability. But it still stung like hell. I'm getting older. And I don't know whether it's my fault or something I just can't prevent.
But it's probably something I have to live with. Whether I want to or not.
On a good note, I went out for dinner with a bunch of my cousins who were in town to celebrate my newest baby cousin, who's pretty much the cutest thing ever. She even has a little stuffed monkey to play with. She played with it, threw it around, and chewed on it.
I wish I had a stuffed monkey.
Last night I went out drinking with a group of longtime friends. I'm fortunate that about 10 guys from my high school are still close friends, still meet up every other week or so for nights on the town, and all live relatively close together. It's not a hassle when somebody organizes an impromptu drinking night or poker game, and we know that we can count on each other when the chips are down.
So last night we went out to celebrate two guys who just graduated from law school. It was a great night, we played some beirut, almost got into a fight because some assholes tried to cut the line, and talked about lives and careers until late in the a.m. Not to mention I participated in the only double overtime beirut game I think I've ever seen.
But during the night I learned two things. One of my friends had just spent two weeks vacationing in Europe. Another one was leaving for L.A. on Wednesday and would be gone for a full year.
And I didn't know a thing before tonight. And man, it hurt to know that.
I can chalk it up to several possibilities.
Our friends don't talk as often as we used to.
We're not as close as we used to be.
I've been preoccupied with work and personal matters the last few months, and have been too self centered to ask what was going on in the lives of my friends.
I lean towards the last option.
But regardless of the answer, hearing these things hurt. A lot.
Maybe it's the end of an era, the days where carefree drinks and hanging out just don't happen anymore. The days where you can't simply show up at a buddy's house to watch the World Poker Tour for three hours, giving each other crap about rotisserie teams and girlfriends and crummy jobs.
Life changes whether we want it to or not. I can't say whether the ignorance was my fault, or simply an inevitability. But it still stung like hell. I'm getting older. And I don't know whether it's my fault or something I just can't prevent.
But it's probably something I have to live with. Whether I want to or not.
On a good note, I went out for dinner with a bunch of my cousins who were in town to celebrate my newest baby cousin, who's pretty much the cutest thing ever. She even has a little stuffed monkey to play with. She played with it, threw it around, and chewed on it.
I wish I had a stuffed monkey.
posted by Jason Pinter at
1:45 AM
6 Comments:
Damn, I hate that feeling... At the same time, what Beruit?
Makes you feel so damn isolated and out of the loop. Who will form the collective consciousness if you lose touch with those who have been so pivotal? Your hard drive is erased.
Growing up sucks. It's inevitable, but in the long run, the friendships you sustain are that much more special.
I'll second the stuffed monkey!
ah Beruit, Beer Pong... were you in the city last night?
Yep, it's the end of an era, and I think it's harder on guys then girls. Like JT says, the friendships you can sustain are that much more special...but I think you meet new friends along the way for each "era" of your life and you're richer for it. If you're lucky, one or two will be keepers. Congratulations on your little cousin!
I see my best friend about once every three years. And she lives just 10 miles away. But between kids, jobs and personal projects, that's the best we can manage.
But I know we'll always be connected, because when we see each other, we just pick up whereever we left off as though no time had passed at all.
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