happy hour n. 

official definition: a period of time, usually in late afternoon and early evening, during which a bar or lounge features drinks at reduced prices. 

unofficial definition:  time spent with friends and strangers where you simply hang out, have a few cocktails and talk about life’s stuff … or simply spend some solo time drinking one too many.

Damn.  I missed our happy hour date once again!  I feel so far away and out of touch.  Happy hours and such, it was what we did together.  I always looked forward to the end of the days and beginning of the evenings.  We talked about boys and girls, work and family, art, music, films, and nothing in particular.

How the heck are we going to keep in touch now?  I mean really keep in touch.  With you in australia / the suburbs / new york (circle one) and me in spain / the city / LA (circle one)…it's just not the same.  Sure there are the quickie cell phone calls - oh, oh I’m losing you... And the abbreviated emails - u r gr8 c u!  Of course there will be the occasional visits - that weekend’s booked, then there’s so and so’s wedding, and then the baby’s due, but how about next...uh, February?  

But what about the day-to-day?  Like what new cd are you listening to?  Who's your new friend?  What great film did you see?  Some gossip you heard?   What's the latest and greatest?

When it comes to friends, nothing beats being in the same place.  But since I can't be there....I'm staying in touch anyway.