The fact of the matter is, hun, everyone is lucky to have just one or two people they can truly count on to be there, to take an extra step for them, etc. While I was out of the country, I realized, despite this large number of friends I'd started to feel like was a family to me, only two, and then by the end of my leave, three, people actually kept in contact with me while abroad, actually emailed me back, actually seemed happy when I could take the time to call them, and actually bothered to make time to see me right when I returned. Two of those people I've known for five years. The other is my long lost lil sister. Thats just life. And its not spiteful (most of the time) people just have lives, their own worries, their own concerns. Ultimately they probably feel the same about you as you do about them, just cause we rarely see the things we do ourselves. So while it sucks not to be invited, not have people wonder how you are and make that initiatial contact, not to go out of their way, its just life. You said you could count 4 people you feel are genuinely concerned--be grateful for them, and just let the rest go. Not in some nihilistic way, but don't attach yourself to the idea that all these people should be doing something else in relation to you. People come and go in our lives, sometimes repetively. Take the good when it comes, and let the bad go--at least thats what Buddhism teaches us.

And if you want to travel, do it. Its amazing, and not nearly as expensive as one would think.

Hope that helps, if just a lil bit.

Namaste,
Kristen

--
"A road is made by people walking on it; things are so because they are called so." -Chuang Tzu

I agree with her completly. People have there own lives. I even have a few friends i thought that were like blood and always be together, like 5 friends that would always talk to me, but once something makes it difficult to comunicate (distance, time, work) things drop fast. Most people i see wont get out of there way for 2 minutes to respond to IM's even. It turns out that you may only have 1 or 2 friends that will call back, asside from a love one.

As far as traveling, doo it. I am probably hitting up Nashville soon just because i have never been, and i found tickets for like $120. why the hell not.

--
Peace To Your Geese

Don't feel neglected...you didn't contact me...but I still read your journal...and we haven't spoken in ages. Blows your theory to bits, huh?

People don't always stay in touch, but it's not because they are being vindictive...it's just that life moves on for everyone...

Be happier in yourself. 4 people is a lot of people when you get right down to it.



--
"Bind me in Time
That I may grow in the Present
Whilst keeping in my heart those precious memories of the Past.
As for the Future, it is a mysterious path indeed."
Click Here To Exit The Food Chain

i guess i don't need to write a journal now b/c mine would've been a mirror image of yours. hop on amtrak and get your ass down here...i had a party that no one showed up to, so that means i have a case of wine to kill, and i think that you would like to help me with that...

Well.. I -am- related to 3 of them...

but thanks

--
-Dagonus

Beware the new American Gods; Safety and Efficiency. In their names we will be made slaves.

I'm sure glad I wasn't an abortion. How about you?

"Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

well, 3 of the 4 I said I'm related to :-/

I'd don't like letting things go. I'm as stubborn as they come .

Thanks though.

--
-Dagonus

Beware the new American Gods; Safety and Efficiency. In their names we will be made slaves.

I'm sure glad I wasn't an abortion. How about you?

"Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

Yea... We've only been talking about getting together for what.... 2 years now? :-/ You're in Baltimore now right?

--
-Dagonus

Beware the new American Gods; Safety and Efficiency. In their names we will be made slaves.

I'm sure glad I wasn't an abortion. How about you?

"Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

nah, i'm in richmond. about four and a half hours away from you. and i think brent and carl are in williamsburg, so if you come down here, i'll tell him to come up here, and then it'll be almost like a mini reunion type of thing! i'd say right after thanksgiving would probably work pretty well...

You know where I am anytime you feel like having a chat hun.

--
"Bind me in Time
That I may grow in the Present
Whilst keeping in my heart those precious memories of the Past.
As for the Future, it is a mysterious path indeed."
Click Here To Exit The Food Chain