B.F.F., by Michael Davis – Straight No Chaser #140
November 13, 2009 Michael Davis 1 Comment
Everyone who knows me knows that Denys Cowan is my best friend. Denys and I have been boys for almost 20 years, since I was 1. Jean, you do the math.
I have a very select group of people I call friends. It’s real hard for me to make friends. It’s not because of anyone else, it’s me. I’m real hard to befriend.
I know that.
I know I’m a bit of a dick but I can’t help it.
I have too much invested in my friends to just be buds with everyone. I have a zillion Facebook requests to become ‘friends’ and for the most part I just ignore them. The only reason I’m even on Facebook is because some idiot was talking smack about me on Dwayne McDuffie’s site and being the guy I am I had to respond, so I had to join Facebook.
I take the word ‘friend’ very seriously. Because I meet you does not mean that you and I are now friends. I just can’t do that. It’s not in my DNA.
What’s funny about that is I consider some people I have never met friends. Those people include, Russ Rogers, Vinnie, Reg, Marc and his new lovely wife Kathy and my editor on a couple of books I’m writing, Tom.
I just think that a friend is just as important and sometimes more important than family. I mean a friend is someone you can count on…period.
My friend Mike Stradford is the coolest guy on the planet, in fact if it’s possible he may be even cooler than me. We became friends because I know a woman who said, “ You should meet Mike Stradford.” She was right.
I realize that’s how I’ve met most of my friends in the last 25 years, since I was minus 4. You keeping up with the math Jean? I’ve met my friends because someone I knew was wise enough to think. “ This person won’t think Michael Davis is a crazy asshole.”
Last Sunday, my friend Lana introduced me to Rick Yune at a Hollywood awards ceremony. Rick is a no joke action star but for some strange reason he and I became fast friends.
This is my favorite time of the year. The holidays are here and all is right in the world. I have a new friend and life is good. My sappy point is this; if you have REAL friends then you truly are wealthy beyond words.
No fire and brimstone today. No rant about injustice or the sheer stupidity of the GOP. Nope, this is a simple story about how very cool it is to just have friends.
Elayne Riggs
November 13, 2009 - 5:05 am
I had an outpatient procedure done a couple weeks, for which I needed someone to escort me afterwards (anesthesia and so forth), and I suddenly realized that if Robin couldn’t help me out (he had been ill the day before) I didn’t actually have a Backup Buddy. I was just talking about this yesterday with Cheryl Harris, who’s now in Atlanta. For all that NYC is a big place, I don’t seem to have many local friends any more. Maybe it’s because my best friend Leah died a few years ago, but I really do feel more alone now than I ever have. So amen to your sentiment here.
Reg
November 13, 2009 - 7:34 am
Wow, Michael. You have no idea how this has blessed me. This has been a week plus of battles on the j.o.b. and other life areas so reading this brought in some greatly needed sunshine. I am TRULY honored to be counted among the number. And it is most definitely returned. For real…brother.
Re: Rick Yune… you lucky so and so! I can’t wait to see Ninja Assassins!!
Martha Thomases
November 13, 2009 - 8:17 am
mmmmm…. Assassins.
Friends, as I’ve said before, are the family you get to choose. I’m grateful every day (or try to be).
Thanks, sweetie, for the reminder.
Shane Kelly
November 13, 2009 - 10:35 am
I concur with Reg…This column today, is the type of fresh air that everyone needs, now and again.
You sir, are a friend, regardless of distance. Friends are “clutch” and will always come through for you, and vice versa.
Acquaintances come and go, family NEVER leaves, it is the select group of friends that you WANT to be with, around, and seek out to touch bases with. I am glad to count you among my small group of friends Mike. I really am.
Tony Isabella
November 13, 2009 - 11:31 am
Sometime I hope to own a “Michael Davis Signal Watch” so you can rescue me when I do something stupid…like drink that experimental serum Professor Potter is working on.
McCarthy
November 13, 2009 - 12:00 pm
Kevin McCarthy likes this.
Vinnie Bartilucci
November 13, 2009 - 2:40 pm
If this is how you react to being friended on Facebook, I can’t WAIT to hear what you do to the people who ask you to work on their fields in Farmville.
Marc and Kathy Fishman
November 13, 2009 - 4:01 pm
Michael,
As Kathy and I were out the door here on our honeymoon, I jumped on the site to read your article, a friday tradition, even if I’m not wasting time at work…
We’re elated to be called your friends. Even if I think you’ve got your eye on my Zatanna. She’s not asian. Hands off. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words. Note… even if we have to drive out to the left coast at some point… WE WILL meet. WE WILL party. And WE WILL sip on some cherry coke.
Much love, friend.
Marc and Kathy
Reg
November 13, 2009 - 8:09 pm
“Folks, Let’s give it up for Vinnie ‘Cushy Ripples’ Bartilucci! He’s gonna be here all week!”
Dang, man.. with friends like you…. 😀 😀
BTW, Buckaroo Banzai – Across the Eighth Dimension is in my top 5 movies list. And E.E. ‘Doc’ Smith’s Lensman and Pohl’s Heechee (wow. that brings back memories) series are in my top 10 of all time favorite sci-fi books.
We could be friends.