'HOWEVER MANY FRIENDS.......

......You think you have, divide the number in half and then subtract two."

This advice was given to me by one of the many lawyer-mentors who have enriched my life.

It is, however, very difficult for me to practice because I have this kind of PollyAnna belief in the good spirit of everyone around me.

I am getting better at it, though. This past week, had I not already divided and subtracted, I would have had to scratch two off the list. But thanks to my mentor, I had already identified these two guys, in two different spheres, (I don't think they are even acquainted with one another) as non-starters.

Fellas, you know who you are (If you have to wonder, it's not you.). Slimed by those who posed as friends, but not surprised, because I already knew who you were. Loyalty didn't leave the building. These guys never brought it with them. I'm just another week smarter.

(And, yes, I do know this is too cryptic to decipher....But it made me feel a lot better to write it.)