Interesting Dean. Sometimes being curmudgeonly is endearing, like British SitCom character Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, or Basil in Fawlty Towers. As I got older I "lost" my "friends" from my youth and many acquaintances picked up on the way from school, college, workplaces etc, particularly since March 2020. Go figure. Sometimes I wistfully mourn when recalling shared experiences and good times but generally am content in my own company and headspace, a hermit sometimes but, BUT when a new kindred spirit enters my orbit, stimulating and inspiring me to reach out and engage, I go for it. Very rewarding with none of the expectations attached to more kinetic relationships. Many newer acquaintances / friends are virtual, from vastly different backgrounds and geological locations but feel more compatible, genuine, warts and all. Maybe we project onto others based around an ideal and that can make us vulnerable but we subconsciously want that? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
My best friend and former bandmate is my son's Godfather - although we physically meet up rarely, maybe twice a year, we catch up every month for a chat to share news and offload.
Works for us. 45 years and still bonded like brothers who never had sibling rivalry or jealousy. Someone I can seek counsel from if needed in any situation.
They say you can choose your friends but not your family. True.
Interesting Dean. Sometimes being curmudgeonly is endearing, like British SitCom character Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, or Basil in Fawlty Towers. As I got older I "lost" my "friends" from my youth and many acquaintances picked up on the way from school, college, workplaces etc, particularly since March 2020. Go figure. Sometimes I wistfully mourn when recalling shared experiences and good times but generally am content in my own company and headspace, a hermit sometimes but, BUT when a new kindred spirit enters my orbit, stimulating and inspiring me to reach out and engage, I go for it. Very rewarding with none of the expectations attached to more kinetic relationships. Many newer acquaintances / friends are virtual, from vastly different backgrounds and geological locations but feel more compatible, genuine, warts and all. Maybe we project onto others based around an ideal and that can make us vulnerable but we subconsciously want that? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
My best friend and former bandmate is my son's Godfather - although we physically meet up rarely, maybe twice a year, we catch up every month for a chat to share news and offload.
Works for us. 45 years and still bonded like brothers who never had sibling rivalry or jealousy. Someone I can seek counsel from if needed in any situation.
They say you can choose your friends but not your family. True.
But I can "adopt" brothers and sisters too.
You'll do mate.