My friends know that I am an ass@#$%

I'm taking the cue from my friend Jennifer today and am writing something.  She wrote a blog post today and had not for a long while.  It was raw and honest.  I appreciate that.  Jennifer hates when I call her Jennifer.  Because her name is Jennie.  I call some of my other friends names they may or may not like.  I think that is my true test of knowing that I have a real friend.  If I am comfortable enough to be an asshole.  My real friends know my inner asshole.  How does that sound?  It has been a while since I have.  Who cares?  No one, I'm sure.  Lest I sound bitter and insecure, let me explain.  I think some people do care, but I have gotten to the point where I have just thought how silly it is to write about me running.  It is just something that I do.  Running that is.  Meaningful to me, meaningless to others.  Running is one of the hardest things I do.  Okay one day, horrible the next...great on occasion.  Other than fitness, the best thing that has happened is the friends I have made.  I used to call them running friends.  Now I just call them friends.  Our common bond is running.  Or is it?  Could the bond be the stories, problems and discussions we have had while running?  Solving the worlds and our problems within a 5 mile run?  Maybe not solving, but just making everything seem better during that time.  Sometimes you just know someone is going through shit and no discussion is necessary.  Just running and talking about other things or nothing at all.  Over time, you realize who your friends are.  Just as in life you realize the same.  You also get to know who isn't really a friend.  They will blow smoke up your ass on occasion but you know the world revolves around them and their needs.  Even if you don't ask for anything, they are not there.  Yet they want attention.  They need it.  They disappear until they need again.  I've said it before, with true friends all you need is a "you okay?", and that is it.  Answer "yep" and run on.  The knowledge that someone actually gives enough of a shit to ask is sufficient.  Simple.   Enough of that.  I appreciate my friends.  The people in my life that this applies to, I want to say thank you.  I hope I have done the same for you.  I'm keeping this short and sweet.  The end.