Rules to Visiting Your Friends (Or Just Me.)

Sooooo... I'm really annoyed. I have friends. Friends who have moved away.

Ok, fine. I am a friend. I have moved away. FINE. But here is a Golden Rule to follow when "going home," visiting family, or traveling to a town where you know these said friends reside.

DO NOT, I mean, DO NOT expect your friends to have time to spend with you if you have not given them the proper "heads up" that you will be in town. WE have lives too. We are NOT just sitting around, twiddling our thumbs thinking, "Gee, I sure wish (insert egotistical friend's name here) would appear. Until then, I shall wait." We have JOBS with SCHEDULES that require us to BE THERE. SO, don't show up in town on a Friday and call me talking about "I'm in town!! Do you want to come over here tomorrow??"

Here's what I'm going to think: YOU don't want to see ME. You want ME to see YOU. And see how cute the new baby is or how happy you and your new boyfriend are. PLEASE. You came this way for a reason. And spending time with me was obviously not in your picture perfect weekend. 

And don't even think about trying to give me a guilt trip; "Well I'm leaving tonight, so..." or try to blame it on me, "Are you ever going to see me??" YES. It's called PLANS. Oh, and please, don't squeeze me into your "already made" plans. "We are going to the wharf on Saturday, you can just meet us there!" Oh, I can, can I? Oh that's right, I'm just sitting around, waiting for your phone calls all day...

So, If I know I am traveling to Los Angeles, and I know I have a few friends who live there who I would love to see, I follow these 5 Simple Rules to Respecting Friends I Wish to Visit:

RULE #1: I tell them as far in advance as possible, considering they have a life too, that I will be in town from Day 1 - whenever, and can they get together?

RULE #2: I DO NOT get mad if they do not have time. I simply express my disappointment, and hope for next time. (Chances are, if you followed RULE#1 you're friends will do what they can to make the time for you.)

RULE #3: I DO NOT expect them to drop everything for me just because I am in town!! I am not a Princess. Repeat: I AM NOT A PRINCESS.

RULE #4: Make plans together. DO NOT expect the people you are visiting to tag along onto your plans. They live there. If they wanted to do it, they would.. on their own time. Ask your friends what you guys should do, or make suggestions. DO NOT say: "We will be at the mall, if you want to see me."

RULE #5: DO NOT MAKE YOUR FRIENDS FEEL GUILTY IF YOU CANNOT GET TOGETHER! They want to see you too! If you find yourself at this juncture, you DID NOT FOLLOW THE RULES. Please re-read post and get it together.

Hopefully this will reach the hands of those I am trying to reach.. In any case, I know someone out there knows what I'm talking about!!

xo