Measure of a friendship

"The real success of our personal lives and careers can best be measured by the relationships we have with the people most dear to us. . . " – Mary Kay Ash

As soon as I read this quote, I got to thinking about the relationships I have with all of you.

I joke in my myspace profile: "I only add people I know. I’d say sorry, but then I wouldn’t mean it...and that’s not fun for anyone." Well, it’s true. I have added a few bands that I’ve never personally met, but I like their music. Other than that, I know everyone at varying depths.

I have my "myspace top friends" but in my growing list of friends, I have:
-Friends from work
-Friends from college
-Friends from high school
-Friends I’ve met in my travels
-Friends I talk with regularly
-Friends I wish I talked to more

A friend and I have been trying to find time to get together for over a year now. In college we lived across town and saw each other almost every day. We currently live less than a mile from each other and have not been able to meet up. At first it really made me nervous about our friendship – if we were stronger friends, wouldn’t we find the time to meet up even for a quick hello? But then I starting thinking about our relationship. We don’t have to see each other every week, month, or even year for me to know that he’s still a my friend. I would still do anything for him, and I’d like to think that if I really needed to see him he’d come running.

So the same goes to you. I may not be lucky enough talk to you every day, I may not see you often, but if you ever need a friend – I’m here.

You think you’ve got jokes?

There seems to be some confusion in the world about what constitutes sarcasm, what’s mean, and what’s just a really bad joke. I keep hearing conversations and feel like it is my obligation to educate bad jokers.

Example 1: "Have fun at Target. No pun intended."
Reality: Nowhere in that statement is there a pun or even what might be mistaken as a pun. Maybe it was the word of the day and you don’t know how to use "pun" in a sentence. Bottom line - not funny, buy a dictionary.

Example 2: Asking someone after your first date for a discount at his/her job – even as a joke.
Reality: Not funny. Makes you appear cheap…and implies quid pro quo. Unless he/she actually provides a service for money/dinner, not a good thing to ask.

Example 3: Telling your girlfriend how many hot nurses were at your morning conference.
Reality: Plan to sleep at your place, or maybe one of those hot nurses will take pity on you and let you sleep there. Brag about this with your buddies, not someone you’re dating.

Example 4: While mingling at a party, someone you meet mentions she just started a new job. You ask, "Was your last job a stripper?"
Reality: This might be funny in your head or if you know the girl, but it is not what you call "sarcastic." It’s a bad joke that will leave you with a kick to the pants or a drink in your face.

I don’t claim to be the funniest gal out there, but I hope this provides a comedy compass for everyone out there. Good luck!

Blueprinting my novel

I'm on my way to being one of the greatest writers of our time.

Well, kind of.

I've enrolled in a writing class. Specifically, it's called "Blueprinting your novel." I have some ideas, I've just always been terrible at where to start. I usually end up typing a bunch of stuff without a real plan or outline. Then I take twice as long just going back, gathering my thoughts, revising, etc.

So after this class I should hold all the secrets in blueprinting a novel and will write the next great novel.

Mary Beth Knight
Future Author Extraordinaire

Please, take this personally

I have a few goals this year (not resolutions) but what I didn't officially add was to make my friendships more thoughtful and personal. It's such a small thing to some, but I plan to:

1) be more organized with birthdays and anniversary dates. Seriously, I never remember anniversaries of my own relationships and a few years ago I almost forgot my own birthday...so you can imagine how many of my friends' info I remember.
and

2) take the time to send personal messages. I love getting e-mails from friends, but there's nothing like a good ol' fashioned letter or card. Nothing can top a 41 cent little gift that speaks volumes by just saying, "Hello, good friend! I was thinking about you." It's a lost art and since I love stationary - I'm bringing it back!

How do I plan to achieve these added goals?

Well, I bought yet another daytimer/planner with high hopes of actually using it for more than a week. So far I've left it either in my car or on my dresser 4 out of the 10 days since purchase. Whatever. I'll use this thing....not like last time...or the time before...or...shut up.
One item I've managed to somewhat keep up with is an address book. But since so many of us are still in that point in our lives where we move around, I'm pretty positive every address I have is out of date.

So, no pressure but if you'd like to share your info, please send me your birthday, any anniversaries, and current address. I will promptly put your info in my planner and address book.