This entry was originally posted in August, 2001.

This was an email that I received from my friend Dave. I believe it was after I hadn’t talked to him in quite a long time. I haven’t talked to him in quite a long time again… perhaps I HAVE been ostracized.

You poor bastard. I just knew it. Come on Terry, give me a hug. There, there. Next time call me or face the rest of your life ostracized from my friendship.

You will be all alone and helpless. A damaged ship traveling rough seas on the oceans of life. A rudderless, bilge-water engorged, sinking ship drifting slowly beneath the waves of your own existence. God, do you need my friendship! How lucky you are to have found me at such a precipitous moment in this voyage called LIFE. I will do all I can to help you Terry, but you must cease and desist from flogging me with your ever-growing ignorance. Help ME help YOU, Terry!

There on the horizon…up ahead…is that an island? It is! An island with food, and shelter… everything you need to live, breathe, thrive and survive. As you get closer, you peer out across the water with your telescope at what appears to be some sort of fence or sign. You strain your bloodshot, watery eyes to their maximum. And there, painted on some old, sun-bleached wood is the word:

Dave

I miss that guy.