The Friend Rule

The Friend Rule
I think it's safe to say that I run with a pretty sarcastic crowd with a good sense of humor. We can laugh at ourselves and can admit when we've done something moronic or embarrassing.

But what we don't do it make fun of each other. There are plenty of people in the world to judge and praise ourselves for being better/funnier/smarter than. Even if we may not be, it's easier to look at a friend and say "You're so much prettier than her." The other girl can go on thinking she's fabulous and you've just boosted a friend's ego. No harm done.

I was hanging out with Stephanie's new boyfriend recently and as the conversation went on I kept getting closer to strangling him. I couldn't explain it – he was nice enough and she likes him. But then it hit me – he was teasing me and being a jerk to Stephanie. He thought he was hilarious - I did not. There were plenty of other people to make fun of and he picked his new friends. Not ok.

Maybe he didn't know the Friend Rule.

But then I got together with an old friend last week. We hadn't been hanging out for a while and I couldn't really remember why. Until he started off picking on friends. And his specialty is not just teasing friends. He's mastered the art of picking out specific weaknesses, bringing them to the spotlight, and making fun in front of everyone….even when no one is laughing and I'm beyond pissed. Ah yes, that's why we don't hang out anymore.

I just don't understand. Friends are supposed to be there to support you and tell you how fabulous you are - not make you feel self conscious. To actually look someone in the eye and tease them for their hobbies, a recent break up, their hair, the phone they have, the car they drive, etc. It's personal and no one feels good.

So here's to my friends! I will always tell you how fabulous you look, how smart you are, and how special you are to me. Because it's true and that's what friends do.

El Paso

Last night I got back from a recruiting trip to El Paso. Laugh it up kids, it actually wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.


We actually stayed at an old historic hotel downtown called the Camino Real. It was recently restored is the Dome is kind of an El Paso hot spot. I was the idiot taking 30 pictures like some tourist. It was just too beautiful to not share. I can't add all the pictures, but you get the idea.

The view from the outside to the top. We were on the 9th floor.

Fountain outside the hotel.

The pick up and drop off area.

The upstairs art gallery. I was afraid I'd get kicked out if I took pictures of the actual art.

The Dome. Hotel restaurant and bar.

Look at the detail - so pretty!

You can't be serious...

Geez, I haven't written a blog in a while. Mostly because the week I posted the blog about work/life balance, I had to work that weekend and every weekend since, not to mention staying until 7 or 8 every week night. Screw work/life balance, right?

Anyway, tonight I had a recently rare opportunity to go out on a date. I met a guy last weekend at a friend's party - younger (25), but I thought could be entertaining at least.

He lives in Fort Worth and I live in Dallas, so we met in the middle. The date wasn't as awkward as I was expecting. Dinner didn't run out of conversation as quickly as I assumed, the standard "smile and nod" seemed to be working, and we even hung out for a couple hours after dinner playing pool and driving around downtown. I wouldn't say we clicked, but it wasn't the worst date I've been on.

So then I was on my way home when I got this text from him:
"Hey since I took you out, can I get some free fossil stuff? ;-) "

Well, as some of you may know, I have a bit of a temper and an especially short fuse when it comes to stupid boys. This was no exception.

But rather than going with my gut of driving back to Fort Worth just to bitch slap him, or responding with something to the effect of "You should count your lucky friggin stars you even got to take me out"... I've decided silence is deafening.

I will pretend he was joking and chalk it up to a really poor (and early) attempt at humor. Lucky for both of us, I will not be speaking with him again for figure it out.

Seriously - who says that??