The Company You Keep, Part the Second (D-G)

[dslartoo]

Partially stolen from murnkay, who traditionally does an end-of-year post in which he says something nice about everyone on his friends list, and partially inspired by the meme that's going around lately where one leaves a comment in someone's journal and then they tell you what they think of you. Phrasing stolen from the Badger Lord arkhamrefugee, because I liked the way it sounded.

I surround myself with interesting and intelligent people. For the most part, if you are on my friends list, it's because you are a cut above ordinary human beings. So here is what I think of all of you, and why I read your journals.

If you missed yourself, Part One (A-C) can be seen here.

Here is part two.

The Company You Keep, D-G

demonlet: Laris is yet another one of alliath's friends, and her compatriot in a lot of the evil they do together. Oops. I meant the fine works they plot together. I do not know her that well, though.

deza: Another one of those unfortunates for whom drama seems to have an unhealthy fascination, deza copes with it rather nicely, despite efforts by her abusive and foolish ex-husband to muddle the waters. She is, from all accounts, a wonderful and loving mother to her kids. She is currently attached to tall_man, who seems to treat her well, which is good. She's had far too little of that. She is also a Naughty Librarian (tm).

digitaldevil: A recent acquaintance, Andy's one of my new coworkers and is incredibly cool. Warped sense of humor and a very laid-back approach to life which I quite envy. It annoys me that I will not be working more with him because our schedules simply won't intersect.

digitylgoddess: The Goddess is fickle. The Goddess is fiery. The Goddess is intelligent and sarcastic and beautiful and (from all accounts) a talented singer, although I've not heard her sing. Above all, the Goddess is digityl. She is more geeky than thou and is proud of it. All must worship the Goddess.

drinxalot: At first glance, Kevin is the sort of person I usually hate: a frat boy type, slightly rednecky right-winger who drinks heavily. But I got to know him well during the many years I was in Athens and he's become quite a good friend to me. More proof that nothing is absolute and even people you usually dislike can be cool if you give them a chance.

dyanearden: I believe it was Diane's voracious love of reading that first connected me with her journal. I continue to read it because of her well-written entries, continuous suggestions of good reading, and entries that push me to think about things I normally find strange or objectionable. She also posts some lovely pictures infrequently.

elttobretaw: Posts so infrequently of late that I am not sure why I am still reading. Seems like a cool enough person when she does, though.

eminor9th: An amazingly talented guitarist and songwriter, Jason is the guitarist for Atlanta band RATL and has become quite a good friend to me in the past year due to his frequently accompanying us to trivia on Friday nights. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of music and is a steadfast and loyal friend once you get to know him. Inspiring to me not only because of his skill and energy displayed onstage, but also because he is always pushing himself to change and grow beyond what he is now.

errindel: Jeremy's another one of those people I met on the Ytsejam mailing list eons ago and finally met for the first time at ProgPower USA several years back. He has more devotion and iron will in his little finger than I will ever have in my entire body (the man is a running MACHINE) and impeccable taste in music. He's also damn smart, as he managed to snag the lovely sarbah77.

es: I don't know what ES does for a living, but she really ought to be considering a career as a psychologist or psychiatrist. I have seldom met someone with such a keen and thoughtful mind. ES has an amazing talent for asking interesting and thought-provoking questions and prodding you to explore new venues of mental activity. She's also amazingly even-tempered and seems to have an abiding affection for her partner the Badger Lord arkhamrefugee.

evilgerbil: Manda is another person I met on the Ytsejam mailing list (that or the IRC channel devoted to same). A talented artist and webdeveloper, I recently reconnected with her after several years when I had no idea what she was up to.

foldedsoup: The truly annoying thing about Dave is that I only really discovered how cool he was when he was about to move out of state. Before that he'd just been a friend of a friend, somebody I heard about periodically. I wasted a lot of years when I could have been hanging out with him, shooting the breeze about comics, pop culture, filmstuff, baseball, and geeky stuff, all of which he's got an encyclopedic knowledge of. Next time you're in town, man, make sure you look me up.

foxmagic: I have tremendous respect and admiration for Brian, who pulled up stakes in California and left a high-paying job to pursue his dreams, relocating across the country to settle in Celebration, Florida, a community on the outskirts of Disney World and (I believe) partially owned by the Mouse. It was reading about his journey and the diary he kept during said journey that first got me interested in his life. His knowledge of Disney is second to none, his talents as a photographer and documenter are extraordinary, and he's got a talent for spinning tales. He also introduced me to the wonderful webcomic Faux Pas, which I love.

ga_sunshine: Jen has a warm and giving spirit and an incredibly sweet nature. If she has a fault, that would be it: that she is too trusting and too quick to befriend those who might be unworthy of her time. Cross her and you'll regret it, but call her friend and you'll have somebody at your back till the end of time. Devoted to her kids and doing quite well as a single mother.

grunion: Jay is somebody I have known for more than fourteen years and is one of the best friends I have ever had. I roomed with him for years and there hasn't been a day that I've spent time with him that he hasn't had me laughing about something. Sardonic, quick-thinking, with a mind that jumps from point to point so fast you can barely follow, he's a true friend to me and somebody I am continuously grateful to have around to help keep me sane. He also taught me the joys of listening to Jimmy Buffett, got me hooked on Animaniacs, Band of Brothers, "Pirates! Gold" and Sid Meier's "Civilization", and has helped me thrash out tons of computer issues over the years. He is also one of the strongest people I know, having survived crap this past year that would have broken a lesser person. Also incredibly devoted to his wife jamietw and treats her like a queen. He's been at her side through every minute of the illnesses that have ravaged her for the past year. I would take a bullet for Jay without hesitation.

guigar: Brad is the creator/writer/artist of Greystone Inn, a well-written and -drawn online comic strip. I have the unofficial role of proofreader for his strip. When I met him a couple years ago at Dragon*Con he was very friendly and cool, and I see no reason to think that's changed.

gwynraven: Gwyn I continue to read because she posts interesting spiritual and pagan-related stuff that makes me think, though I really have little in common with her.

gypsy_dreams: Recommended to me by ashtreza, whose judgement of people is usually impeccable. Haven't known her long enough to say much, other than that she seems to have a keen intellect and a slightly warped view of life. Good enough for me.

I shall continue these tomorrow. If you're further down in the alphabet, be patient, your turn's coming. :)

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Currently playing: Jonn Serrie -- Upon a Midnight Clear. Currently this is probably my favorite Christmas album.