Old friends

One of the things that's been coming up more and more in my thoughts is how much I miss my old friends.

OK, I wasn't the most popular guy in high school. (Wasn't the least either, but...) I had a few people I considered very good friends, who I'd trust with... pretty much anything. I haven't seen most of them in at least a decade.

Erik Kinservik - incredible drummer, hyperintelligent... what more can I say other than he really *was* a great friend. He would be able to give you reasonable opinions - and wasn't afraid to tell you "Man, you're an idiot." Of course, other times (*cough*gidgetbreakup*cough*) he knew he had to let you ramble a bit... He had the people skills, he seemed to be able to learn anything he wanted to. Last I read (finding his resume online was a surprise) - he had been doing engineering, some management, nothing surprising...

Julie Brost... Yes, I know... the person (gorgeous and smart, what a combo) who put up with me and a seeming constant crush through high school. Yet you were still a friend. One of the best things you ever told me was, as far as people talking about me hanging around you, "I don't care what they think." Outside of wanting to fall to the ground and worship you at that point, I never knew what to make of it - except that you were a very special woman. Last we'd talked - when I was in WI, as I recall - you'd gotten married (lucky guy) to Kelly ("Yes, it's a guy, I haven't changed that much!") and were buying a house. I can only keep hoping life has been, is, and will be wonderful - if anyone ever deserves it, it's you...

Troy Hughes - man, where are you? The world needs that cockeyed grin and "what the hell" attitude.

John Wiley - OK, you moved away before high school. Last I heard, you were in the Navy, heading for Japan. I knew ya since Kindergarten... what ever happened to you, oh master troublemaker?

Diana - Gorgeous smile, sparkling personality and - not surprisingly, given the company on this blog entry - intelligent... now dealing with the same thing my wife is, the ravages of Multiple Sclerosis. If anyone *didn't* deserve that, it's you... another person who didn't mind if I hung around on occasion. Didn't do enough of it, though...

Geni Nemeth - yeah, I should have made sure that one lady heard me say I'd pay for your movie ticket. Someone else I regret never dating... if you would have gone along with it. Still... just like everyone else in this list, it seems, smart and beautiful.

How'd I end up around these folks? I couldn't tell ya. But they put up with me - welcomed me, accepted me as a friend... and you all still hold a dear place in my heart.

I miss you all.