it’s beginning to look like i’m making some headway in my quest to find friends, to connect with other sentient beings as i drift through this strange land where i always feel like a stranger.

but then i remember that i am only forming these connections with those i am paying for various services. Among them are…

the hepatologist

and the retinalogist

and the hematologist

and the dermatologist

and the pulmonologist

and the jungian psychologist

and the internist

and the hair stylist

and the personal trainer

and the landlord (and her daughter and her dog)

and the bartender at the sushi bar, the only bar i like to frequent, but not for much longer because i am not really supposed to drink alcohol. i am not sure how i will replace her

and the manager of the Japanese diner near work, with the great salad bar.

and the Uber driver who was playing John Coltrane on his car radio as he drove me from the retinalogist to my workplace

although they are not (yet) my friends, nor do i expect them to eventually become my friends, it all adds up to the illusion of a social life. suddenly out of nowhere, i am feeling widely popular and greatly in demand.