i hate garfield...

not to be confused with another mr puddins decree, screamed from atop a bookcase, but monday's are the only thing i think i have in common with that damned cat. i really do hate mondays. i sit here at my desk, drowning in deadlines, trying desperately to get it all done... and all i can think about is friends...

just recovered from an incredible night with 2 close friends my wife and i share time with. they're both younger than us, but so alive, friendly, honest and genuine. this fledgling relationship got older quicker-than-snot last month when we decided to plan a cruise with them. how f**king cool is that? in november, we're all going to basking in the Caribbean sun and loving it. these are 2 good people that we didn't even know 8 months ago, and we're already planning trips to gawd knows where to do gawd knows what involving diving, snorkeling, trekking and more. did i also mention that we're all so giddy with excitement it's almost nauseating?

today's society, with it's busy days, busy streets, busy people, just doesn't afford too many friendships. average job tenure is 3 years. no gold watches. imagine for a moment how many people you've known just in passing between you career(s).... sick to realize that many of those people could've been friends for life. i choose very carefully. i choose very few. the ones i do choose i hold very dear and close to my heart.

these 2 vacation-cruisers are keepers. our time with them has been nothing just joyous. no need to pretend to be interested in what they say. laugher comes easy. outings are casual, and shit, they actually call us to say they'll be late, or they're leaving the house now... be there soon...

i've heard that woman say you'll know your future husband if he opens the car door for you. i've heard men say that you'll know your future wife if she unlocks the door for you as you walk around the car as you ready yourself to get in...

i say that you'll know good friends as the ones who are kind enough just to call.

... and for the record, mr puddins approves of both of them wholeheartedly