My high-level update

Life can be complicated sometimes.

Part of the reason I haven't posted much recently is because I'm finally becoming aware of exactly how much information about me is out there on the interwebs. In a time when employees are Googling your name left-and-right, it's usually better to be safe, right?

Recently, I've been much more active on Twitter than any other social networking site. I gave up Facebook. I rarely check MySpace. And does anyone actually USE LinkedIn for anything?

These past few months have been a roller-coaster. Things happening so fast I barely have time to take a break. I finished the first project for Nokia. and I'm just starting on the second. The holidays were amazing. I took some trips down to Florida and up to North Carolina to visit some friends. I've gone to birthday parties, New Years parties, and just-because parties.

I've been much more social these past few months than I have in the past year. Even though work is slamming me hard upside the head, I've been very careful to take time out of my week to reconnect with friends, new and old. I even helped put together a Birthday BBQ for a friend this past weekend. That's important to me... staying connected with people who have been there in the past when you've needed their help. 

A good test to see how well someone's "really" your friend is simple: 

1. Get stranded downtown with no car.
   
2. Call up your "close" friends and explain your situation.
3. See who will drop what they are doing and come pick you up.

I was actually in that situation a few years ago. I called ~4 people and asked for their help. Their response?

1. Ring. Ring. Ring. Voicemail!
2. Um... You know I live in Lousiana, right?
3. I'm out with my GF right now... Sorry.
4. I'm on my way buddy. Hang tight.

Number 1? No problem... I miss calls from time to time.

Number 2? Legit. I just wanted to vent. Thanks for taking my call Drew.

Number 3? You're a conditional friend, and I can't believe I'm still talking to you.

Number 4? Despite our differences, you've always come through for me when I've needed it.

As one of my best friends told me the other day... I need to be more selective about who I let in my front-row. Who is giving me advice? Who am I influencing? Who will be there when I need him or her to be there the most?

Hate to say it, but this past weekend was the final straw. I think it's time for Number 3 to go...