Yep - takers (your &quot;friends&quot;). That&#39;...

Yep - takers (your "friends"). That's what I used to attract in romantic relationships. You nailed it - they get what they need, then walk right away. Last relationship I had, when the money ran out, so did she. That was back in 2003 and that's when I yanked myself off the relationship market. It gets lonely at times, but I'm definitely happier in the long run - what little I have in my wallet these days stays there & the games are LONG gone. LOL!

Same here with "friends", too. They come and go - mostly go, especially when tough times come along.

I can definitely understand why you've been staying away from blogging - it takes more courage than I can even imagine to put yourself out there. I'll tell you one thing, though - you've helped me a great deal over the years with the blogs. Lots of life lessons and a voice of understanding, especially from a fellow generation X'er (1971 - 41 for me will come in about 3 weeks) - not to mention your priceless sense of humor. ;)

Thank goodness you & your BF are still together - I don't mind telling you that there's a few women from high school and my young adult life that I wish I had a second chance with. Main problem is, the ones I've managed re-connect with are either married, have children (who I wish I had more patience with, but just don't), both of the above or just are set entirely in their own lives - I guess what I'm saying is, try not to waste the 2nd chance you have with your BF by weighing it down with negative expectations. As a fellow pessimist, trust me, I know it's easier said than done - I guess I'm just coming from a place of realized mistakes & blown opportunities.

Come September 20th, I'll be hopping a train for New Orleans from Maricopa, AZ (my mother & I are splitting expenses - probably the one family member that hasn't written me off, though even she used to let years go by without contact) for the 2nd time in as many years. And, like last year, one of the stops on the way just so happens to be El Paso - if the stop were longer than half an hour or so, I'd suggest a short meeting, if for nothing else than to buy a round & say thanks.

But, in any case, just know that you've got a grateful listener here that'll be hanging out whenever you're ready to post again. :)

If you'd like, give me a blast at Facebook - I've linked to it in my username here (name's Mark - "SwingMan1937" is actually my YouTube handle, but I use that in the Facebook URL for folks following me from YouTube).