The grass is always greener on the other friends

I have a rant I've been saving up for a while and, since I've not much to do this afternoon, I thought I'd put it out in the universe today.

*"My other friends do x, y and z for me . . ."

Have you ever had one of those friends who is FOREVER talking about what his other friends do for him that's so fucking spectacular? Yeeeeaaahhhh. I have a couple of those people in my life right now and it is wearing on my nerves big time. It's like: I am working overtime so I can take a real vacation this fall and I am in the process of trying to buy my first house. Sorry that I don't have a shitload of money to throw around on entertainment purposes. Whenever someone drops a story on me about the awesome financial things his other friends do for him, three things occur to me: a) he's bragging like a jerk; b) he could be lying and/or greatly exaggerating; and c) there is an ulterior motive. I don't think people just tell the stories they tell for no reason-- even if they aren't aware, there's usually some secondary motive going on. So I feel like when someone tells me how his other friends take him to extravagant dinners and pay his bill, he's telling me as if to say "hint, hint" in my direction. To that my rebuttal is: how shallow are you that I have to buy your friendship in order to hang out with you? I had a friend once tell me a story of how one of her other friends would take her out to expensive meals and buy her expensive wine using an alimony check. I thought, "What part of this story is supposed to sound classy and impress me? It sounds trashy and under-handed . . ." When did the hallmark of being a good friend become how much money you can wave at a person? I don't get it. Nor do I get the need to be incredibly gauche by bragging about one's gifted meals and cocktails to other people. I think the next time someone drops one of those obnoxious stories on me, I'm going to outright ask, "Why are you telling me this?" It would be amusing to see the response.

I can't believe the holiday weekend is virtually over. Soon enough, I will be getting ready for bed and for another week of slaving. I am hoping very strongly that I get the house I've offered on this time. It's the best offer I've made so far-- not that that is a guarantee. The market can be unpredictable and aggravating.

Ok. I'm starving and ready to go eat. I've been reading Colonel Sun, Kingsley Amis' follow-up to the Bond series after Ian Fleming's death. And so far, it's pretty damn good.