There is this beer commercial on now that flips back and forth between a group of guy friends sitting around, watching a game and not saying anything to each other and a group of girl friends together all chatting and gossiping. After my last trip to Harry’s I could not agree with the profound meaning of this commercial more.

Harry is the one friend around here I still see on a regular basis. We try to get together once a week and see a movie at Crossgates. Afterwards, or if there is nothing good playing, we go over to his house to hang out for the rest of the day. Usually hanging out consists of watching another movie, watching the glories of cable, or playing either Tekken or Halo. The only time we seem to talk is when we are eating (that is, of course, if we aren’t already eating in front of the TV).

My parents ask me what’s new with my friends all the time. Usually, unfortunately, I have no idea. I’m really not good at digging that sort of stuff out unless it is at least partially volunteered. But when I got to thinking about it though, I don’t really care. Just being around a friend, laughing at the same stupid shit, constitutes “quality time” for me. Even though nothing ever exciting happens, it is surprising how irritable I tend to get when I haven’t seen Harry in a few weeks.

It’s an odd thing, being a man.