AH..... BUT YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD

You ARE the same Hardy that spends his money to have sex with women whose appearance you rate on average a 5.5, right--lol- that still is the funniest thing to me that you pay to have sex with women, 61 reviews and counting, and your average appearance rating score is 5.5- AND YOU PICKED THEM!...but I digress  

Hardy, my friend. This is the most ridiculous line of argument. It does not logically follow.

I gave money to a local school board candidate 15 years ago. As a result of that very generous donation, we met. Had I never paid the money, I would not have spent 2 hours in an intensive session outlining my views and hearing hers. She lost and has never entered the political arena again. Today, she is a very dear friend. The Hardy rule says that my very real frienship is somehow tainted because it was initially based on me giving her money some 15 years ago-- ridiculous.

About 12 years ago, I heard about a woman who was in need from my pastor at church. I met with her and gave her a sizeable amount of money which  she appreciated and was helpful to her at a time she had given up hope. Today, this woman is a good friend of mine and of my family. She was able to get herself out of her predicament largely because of my generosity. Over the years, I have come to admire her tremendously- the respect I have for her ability to change her life for the good has benefited my spirit in ways you will clearly never comprehend. And the feeling is very mutual. Her kids, her husband have all become a valuable addition to my life and me to theirs. The Hardy rule says because our relationship started with me giving her money it is somehow tainted-- again ridiculous.

In my earlier post I mentioned a provider I've known for 9 years. We had a pay 4 play arrangement for the first 2 years. Been friends with her ever since and have not paid her another dime- not because I'm not willing or able but because she doesn't want it. She makes a small fortune from guys like you and likes having me in her life. What can I say. We talk on the phone like friends- we go to dinner like friends- we've been to Vegas like friends(she paid her own way and even arranged for a suite at Bellagio). We hang out like friends- she introduces me when we're out as her best friend- she seeks my advice on business, politics and wine like friends and I seek her advice on women, gambling, cooking(she's a gourmet) like friends. The Hardy rule says that this woman is not really my friend nor am I hers. I know of no other descriptor to give this relationship other than what it is-- we're very good friends.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it could be an elephant... But more often than not, it's a duck.

It's clear you have ruled out having a friendship with people to whom your initial contact was predicated on a financial transaction-- too bad for you because you may very well be missing out on knowing some great folks in a way that transcends the almighty dollar.  




-- Modified on 9/19/2007 11:25:14 PM

providers that have comforted me in times of emotional stress.  Whether money exchanged hands or not, they acknowledged my emotional need.  (Actually in one instance, it was a very long phone conversation where much soul bearing on both sides of the line occurred.  The subject was VERY personal on both our parts.  Had we been in person, the nature of the encounter would not have been different...  and I count that as something a friend would do... and NO money was exchanged).  

My point is, there is not one yardstick measure of friendship as friendships come in a variety pack... not the large jumbo homogenous king size...  

Can I go back and forth with a friendship?  I think so - or at least I would hope...

Heck, I've had serious bust ups with some friends.... and a year or two later, seen them... and the friendship renews - maybe in some instances better than before... so why should this be any different?

but sometimes they do happen.... just as I do not look for friends in the lawyers I use, or the dentist or doctors I frequent... but it does happen.... and often when you are really not expecting....