gratitude for friendship

For weeks, I'd been perplexed by my heightened emotions. Last week, sitting in agony while I waited from afar to hear if friends had been laid off, looking at pictures of the fun from over the years, reading notes on why I respect each and every one of them -- it was obvious.

• Noel for her being my West Coast momma
• Arti for her immense heart
• Dean for his humor and his willingness to be "that" friend when I needed someone
• Tripti for her frankness and always sharing a laugh
• Scott for his wit and demonstration that being oneself is awesome
• Manka for her enthusiasm and ability to be a big sis to all
• Gabriel for his ability to strive towards a better self
• Genevieve for her healthy neurosis with a touch of cynicism that makes me say "yea, it's not just me"
• Angela for her wonderful flair and spunk
• And all the rest whose names don't appear but know they're in my heart

I saw many of these people at Arti's wedding, And at Arti's wedding and felt my heart breaking at the thought that I wouldn't be able to sametime them or send a smart-ass remark regarding some email. It was obvious that I was grateful to each of them, for making me feel like I have a family in LA, even though my blood relatives are so far away. To each of my friends, to the ones who stayed at CG and the ones who have moved on to new pastures... I love you all!

P.S. I'm finishing book #9 entitled "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris. Hiliarious book about the random encounters in life, which reminds me of my own random encounters. Like yesterday. As I walked to the bus stop, I smelled the distinct aroma of "Ode Du Funky Feet." I halted, and moved away from the smell. I then noticed the source of the odor -- a homeless man with some serious anger issues. He spit at a small Asian woman who obviously had had a small stroke and was struggling to walk up a hill, he growled at another petite black woman, and lastly jumped in front of a white dude and started thrusting his chest at him in a threatening manner. His pattern: attempt to aggravate people who looked non-threatening. Turns out, the white dude called the cops on him. So much for non-threatening.