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Everyone has that friend. You know, the one that you feel obligated to hang out with from time to time to maintain your friendship, for one reason or another. It's not a person that you would want to live with, nor is it the first person you think to invite on a road trip. They aren't someone you have a special bond with, and they're not someone you consider your best friend that you want in charge of the ring at your wedding.

But they do.

For some reason, that person looks up to you. They see you as their best friend - and if they could, they would spend every waking moment with you rehashing all your old memories. They would want to talk about everything you've ever done together, everything they've ever done that might interest you, and they want to discuss every single subject under the sun.

But you don't.

When you set aside time to spend with them, you go out of your way to ensure you won't be forced to spend a great deal of time with them. You make sure it's in a public setting, so there are distractions, and a chance they may see someone else they know. And of course, you wouldn't be the least bit offended if they wanted to chat with the person they know and maybe even leave your play date to hang out with them.

But they won't.

They want to take a crazy, impulsive weekend trip with you to a remote location that requires you are limited to interaction with only each other. They will tell you everything they've done in the past ten years, down to what they ate last weekend when they were on the phone with their Uncle Joe while playing Xbox and reading up on the latest sci-fi thrilled that he just has to see when it comes out next November, which happens to be the same day as his college professor's son's birthday you get the picture. They want to share everything with you, and all you can think about is the next rest stop where you can spend an absurd amount of time in the restroom stall by yourself. While they're telling you about their dad's new deck and how you just have to drive across the country with him to see it, you have to stop torturing yourself by counting the minutes until you're back home, without them and listen.

Here's what you do you have to resist the urge to just grunt out an occasional "uh-huh" when they take a breath before their next rant, and really listen. I've found that when you listen to their story, and throw in a contributing comment or two, they'll be less tempted to rush into their next tale, and will actually finish up the conversation

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