And…we’re…back!

Thank you for your patience.

Now, grab whatever libation strikes your fancy, throw on your most comfortable headphones, and strap in for part 2 of our Mark pentalogy.  Today we begin with my response to, “What drove you to drink today?”

The answer?

Friendships, Facebook, and confrontation.  See, some friendships improve and deepen with age, much like the very spirits, wines, and beers which drive this endeavor.  Other friendships stall and shift in the direction of acquaintance, both parties perfectly content with the development.  Certain friendships fade away slowly, much like the resonance of a prayer bell, eventually becoming a vague, positive memory.  And occasionally things really change abruptly and for the worse.  When the latter happens, as it did for me, a decision must be made…to confront or not to confront?  Then, if one confronts, is the confrontation in the spirit of breaking up or reconciling?  But, I really don’t want to deal with any of this shit right now.  So…not to confront.  (But I know I should.)  And, do I want to reconcile or break-up?  (The very question points me in the direction of the answer…and again, I don’t want to deal with that.)  So, a quick Manhattan followed by a double Old-Fashioned it is!

In this episode, Mark and I discuss levels of friendship, and it seems like they shake-out as follows:

1. Kidney-giving level

• Unequivocal kidney giving
• Kidney giving with hesitation
• Kidney giving as a last resort (i.e. “If no one else will, I suppose…”)
• Begrudging kidney giving with the option of holding it over the receiver’s head (i.e. “Can you lend me $100?”  “Sorry, I don’t have it right now.”  “Oh, okay.  How’s my kidney treating you?”)

2. Premium level

• Frequent hang-out, in home
• Frequent hang-out, not in home, one check
• Frequent hang-out, not in home, separate checks
• Occasional hang-out, and all is well in the world

3. Acquaintence level

• Infrequent hang-out, no time limit
• Infrequent hang-out, time limit
• Rare hang-out

4. Facebook level

• Frequent interaction
• Infrequent interaction
• Unfollowed
• Unfriended

The drink?  Wigle Four malt whiskey old fashioned

The music?  “I’ll be there for you,” by The Rembrandts and “Just a Friend,” by Biz Markie

We present to you, “You Say He Just a Friend. (Mark, pt 2)”

  No kidney for you. And separate checks! Good day. I…said…good…day!