Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.
Czech Proverb
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington (1732 - 1799)
Thier often comes times in our lives where we are forced to assess our friendships and loyalities and with whom they lay upon. Recenlty I have been examining those not within the mainstream of my friends, but people on the outside who have suddenly showed up for almost nowhere with intent on standing tall. My point in question, my once distant friend and now partner with the police department Ross. I have known him for quite some time and only recently working with him closely and being responsible for each others lives, have I realised what a stand up guy he is, he has since we were in boyscouts, had his shit together, he has always known how to act, how to dress, what is socially accpetable to say and when, and he is a great mediator in a crisis. Ross and I have been spending a good deal of time together lately hitting the bars and clubs together, we have a few laughs, enjoy a few good beers, and enjoy our favorite vice, a fine cigar, he is a man of culture, class, and most importantly dignity,and if I have come to relish in the fact that I have him watching my back, he's going to go all the way if nessecary and he no bones about it, he's ready to do whats right anytime any place.
Now we come to Art, my former boss, Art and I have always been cordial with one another, hanging out outside of work and we drop one another a call ever so often, but lately, Art has proven himself to be ultra reliable. He called me out of the blue the other day while I was downtown doing research, and asked if I wanted to do anything, I told him I was downtown and that I would be taking the train home, he immediately asks if I would like a ride from the train station. I was shocked, art lives miles from the station but at the drop of a hat, he would drive all the way out to pick my sorry ass up, thats a kind of bond that few people share, let alone with me. When he gets me, which was dead on time might I add, he suggests we go and get lunch. So we head over to this BBQ joint by my house and have some gyros, now I pay for lunch which drives art insane. Arts a great guy, however he has for the last few years, been self sufficient, he lives with his grandparents, pays for his own food, his car, everything, and he never asks for a cent from anyone, he is a man of humility, and a man of his own means, I respect Art for this, he knows where he came from and works for everything he has, thats why he can't fall off the wagon and thats why he is going to be a success, because he always been willing to work for his goals, and pick himself up for his falls. Art agrees to this because I state that he picked me up so I feel obligated, he insists on leaving the tip, thats class, he knows when to give and when to recieve, and thats a rareity today.
Next is my crew from UIC, people I have known for my two year tenure on campus. Phil, my roommate from a brief period, has been like a brother to me, always backing me up in awkward situations, he recently got me working out in the gym, and he calls me up whenever he has a second just to check on me, he is a brother above and beyond. Today he taught me the principles of hacky sak and how to flip someone, way the fuck over my head, he looks and acts like jack black, but I swear to god that he has moves like fucking jackie chan. Art, is the polish/mexican eclectic drummer of the local band Twice By Chance, and another standup guy, this fellow is hillarious, dropping probably the best one liners and joke I have ever heard, and sharing some tales that while bizzare at times, both make you laugh your ass off, and question your very existence, Art is kind of a laid back surfer type only he don't surf! he got this girlfriend named Barb, who is just your garden variety sweetheart, small town girl from rural lowa with charm and class, and she is just a wonderful person overall, she gets along great with everyone, and is aspiring to be a teacher which I think is just fantastic, she is supportive of both her students and art and is more than willing to compromise, she doesn't nag and is always around to answer questions, because believe me she knows everything. Also in this mix is Bob, a great guy, while a bit of a stoner, Bob is a standup guy who is a big fan of his mothers native Scotland, and visits often, he is a party animal but is also a quiet genius in his own right, he is the professor of street smarts, and thier is probably nothing that happens in chicago he doesn't know about, he knows every local band, the best bars, the areas to visit, and most importantly, to run from, and he does all of this inspite of recently loosing his father after a long battle with cancer. Bob has recently confessed to me that he is thinking about becoming a cop, and moving to Scotland, which I think is just fantastic, he has the mindset that builds a great officer.
Then we come around to the Freshmen. Now while usually the rule of thumb might be to just let them die on thier own, a handful of them really impress me with their style and zeal. Peter is this legimate polish fellow who is in metrosexual denial, but thats cool because he balances that with a sense of humor and is a die hard snowboarder, and a dedicated caddy to the rich and famous. His friend from High School is Anna, a lovely little polish girl who while at time can be a little dim, is really a bright medical student who is really into to just living her life, she doesn't let much bother her and thats a rare gift these days. Her friend Megan is another enigma, on the surface she might seem anti-social, but she is just a wealth of information about art, music, cinema, and other finer higher things in life, but she is not a snob about it, like other supposed experts in the field. She sings in a band and acts in plays and is just all around a great gal
Now we come to ozzie and harriet themselves, Dave and Trina. Dave is Einstein jr, thiers no other way to put it, he is absolutely brillant and he knows it to, and is very reluctant to admit it, but he shines in just about everything. He is a great social commentator and shares many of my more fringe politcal views, but knows when to demonstrate them and to speak up. His girlfriend Trina is just lovely, she has this life about her that just isn't found in anyone else, she is a little shy at times and unsure of herself, but she works hard, she takes care of her disabled mother, and even finds time to care for her niece while her older sister works downtown. These two are the textbook T.V couple, the next Stone family, and if they ever break up, watch out and keep your head down because the fucking world is ending. I love these two because they give me hope that a kind, gentle,moral, and creative family is still possible in a society mired by excess and defficientcy.
I just created this little rant to give you all some insight to the people in my life, I will be back soon with another rant in the near future.
Czech Proverb
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
George Washington (1732 - 1799)
Thier often comes times in our lives where we are forced to assess our friendships and loyalities and with whom they lay upon. Recenlty I have been examining those not within the mainstream of my friends, but people on the outside who have suddenly showed up for almost nowhere with intent on standing tall. My point in question, my once distant friend and now partner with the police department Ross. I have known him for quite some time and only recently working with him closely and being responsible for each others lives, have I realised what a stand up guy he is, he has since we were in boyscouts, had his shit together, he has always known how to act, how to dress, what is socially accpetable to say and when, and he is a great mediator in a crisis. Ross and I have been spending a good deal of time together lately hitting the bars and clubs together, we have a few laughs, enjoy a few good beers, and enjoy our favorite vice, a fine cigar, he is a man of culture, class, and most importantly dignity,and if I have come to relish in the fact that I have him watching my back, he's going to go all the way if nessecary and he no bones about it, he's ready to do whats right anytime any place.
Now we come to Art, my former boss, Art and I have always been cordial with one another, hanging out outside of work and we drop one another a call ever so often, but lately, Art has proven himself to be ultra reliable. He called me out of the blue the other day while I was downtown doing research, and asked if I wanted to do anything, I told him I was downtown and that I would be taking the train home, he immediately asks if I would like a ride from the train station. I was shocked, art lives miles from the station but at the drop of a hat, he would drive all the way out to pick my sorry ass up, thats a kind of bond that few people share, let alone with me. When he gets me, which was dead on time might I add, he suggests we go and get lunch. So we head over to this BBQ joint by my house and have some gyros, now I pay for lunch which drives art insane. Arts a great guy, however he has for the last few years, been self sufficient, he lives with his grandparents, pays for his own food, his car, everything, and he never asks for a cent from anyone, he is a man of humility, and a man of his own means, I respect Art for this, he knows where he came from and works for everything he has, thats why he can't fall off the wagon and thats why he is going to be a success, because he always been willing to work for his goals, and pick himself up for his falls. Art agrees to this because I state that he picked me up so I feel obligated, he insists on leaving the tip, thats class, he knows when to give and when to recieve, and thats a rareity today.
Next is my crew from UIC, people I have known for my two year tenure on campus. Phil, my roommate from a brief period, has been like a brother to me, always backing me up in awkward situations, he recently got me working out in the gym, and he calls me up whenever he has a second just to check on me, he is a brother above and beyond. Today he taught me the principles of hacky sak and how to flip someone, way the fuck over my head, he looks and acts like jack black, but I swear to god that he has moves like fucking jackie chan. Art, is the polish/mexican eclectic drummer of the local band Twice By Chance, and another standup guy, this fellow is hillarious, dropping probably the best one liners and joke I have ever heard, and sharing some tales that while bizzare at times, both make you laugh your ass off, and question your very existence, Art is kind of a laid back surfer type only he don't surf! he got this girlfriend named Barb, who is just your garden variety sweetheart, small town girl from rural lowa with charm and class, and she is just a wonderful person overall, she gets along great with everyone, and is aspiring to be a teacher which I think is just fantastic, she is supportive of both her students and art and is more than willing to compromise, she doesn't nag and is always around to answer questions, because believe me she knows everything. Also in this mix is Bob, a great guy, while a bit of a stoner, Bob is a standup guy who is a big fan of his mothers native Scotland, and visits often, he is a party animal but is also a quiet genius in his own right, he is the professor of street smarts, and thier is probably nothing that happens in chicago he doesn't know about, he knows every local band, the best bars, the areas to visit, and most importantly, to run from, and he does all of this inspite of recently loosing his father after a long battle with cancer. Bob has recently confessed to me that he is thinking about becoming a cop, and moving to Scotland, which I think is just fantastic, he has the mindset that builds a great officer.
Then we come around to the Freshmen. Now while usually the rule of thumb might be to just let them die on thier own, a handful of them really impress me with their style and zeal. Peter is this legimate polish fellow who is in metrosexual denial, but thats cool because he balances that with a sense of humor and is a die hard snowboarder, and a dedicated caddy to the rich and famous. His friend from High School is Anna, a lovely little polish girl who while at time can be a little dim, is really a bright medical student who is really into to just living her life, she doesn't let much bother her and thats a rare gift these days. Her friend Megan is another enigma, on the surface she might seem anti-social, but she is just a wealth of information about art, music, cinema, and other finer higher things in life, but she is not a snob about it, like other supposed experts in the field. She sings in a band and acts in plays and is just all around a great gal
Now we come to ozzie and harriet themselves, Dave and Trina. Dave is Einstein jr, thiers no other way to put it, he is absolutely brillant and he knows it to, and is very reluctant to admit it, but he shines in just about everything. He is a great social commentator and shares many of my more fringe politcal views, but knows when to demonstrate them and to speak up. His girlfriend Trina is just lovely, she has this life about her that just isn't found in anyone else, she is a little shy at times and unsure of herself, but she works hard, she takes care of her disabled mother, and even finds time to care for her niece while her older sister works downtown. These two are the textbook T.V couple, the next Stone family, and if they ever break up, watch out and keep your head down because the fucking world is ending. I love these two because they give me hope that a kind, gentle,moral, and creative family is still possible in a society mired by excess and defficientcy.
I just created this little rant to give you all some insight to the people in my life, I will be back soon with another rant in the near future.
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