Whats the next step after friendship?

I would say that I have a pretty healthy social life. Between the wife and I, we plan or get an invite to a lunch, a dinner, or some other activity almost everyday. I have about 20 people that I would call close friends that I see on a regular basis. Which leads me to my main thought tonight... What comes after friendship?

As far as I know there really is no other step after friendship unless one is talking about a significant other and then marriage is the next step. That is not what I am getting at though, I am referring to friendships that have developed and matured into near siblinghood.

It seems like I've known my friends now for so long that they've become more like brothers and sisters than just friends. I care about what is going on in their lives like my brothers and sisters, I know just what to say to make them mad or to make their day. So what do I call these people in my life? Friendlings? Broends and Fristers? For now I'm sticking with 'friends' until better terminology is invented.

So here is to great friends and family that make life more fulfilling!

-Just Ben Shewell

Fictional Sports Teams

Today like most days a portion of my thoughts shot to the future and to where no man has gone before... yes, to Star Trek. Also in my thoughts today were the upcoming NBA playoffs. You could see how logically the two thought topics collided in one of my synapses and suddenly I was thinking about a basketball team comprised totally of Star Trek characters. Of course all the characters would be in their prime and from different times and regions of space so this would have to be a game arranged and refereed by the Q.

Without further ado this is my list of Star Trek characters I would put on the same basketball team and what position they would play:

Coach - Data -- The only being to ever beat Sirma Kolrami the Zakdorn at a game of Strategema would make great game plans and keep his cool no matter what the refs called.

Assistant Coach - Geordi La Forge -- Geordi and Data would always come up with a brilliant and surprising play in just the same way that they found ways to defeat enemies in difficult situations.

Point Guard - James T. Kirk -- Kirk's ingenuity and belief that there is no such thing as a 'no win' scenario make him the ideal pick to run the plays when the action is on the court.

Shooting Guard - Jean Luc Picard -- Picard is cool under pressure and quick to evaluate the best action. Picard doesn't hesitate to make a move when a move is available.

Shooting Forward - Spock -- Fast, strong, agile, precise, intelligent, and level headed are the characteristics that make Spock the perfect fit the shooting forward position. Spock could calculate just how to deal with opponents and have the physical prowess to dominate.

Power Forward - Worf -- Worf is big, strong, and fast. In addition to having the right physique for the position Worf can be mean. Worf's warrior disposition and training make him ideal for rough inside play.

Center - Odo -- Who wouldn't want a shape-shifter at center? You need someone to block shots, his hands are way up there. You need someone to block the middle, he is super wide in the paint when he needs to be. You just would not be able to get near the basket without Odo in your face.

Of course the other Star Trek characters would have roles to play as well. The team's back up players would include Riker, Sisko, Sulu, Scotty, and Tuvok. Wesley Crusher would be the team towel/water boy. Cheerleaders would include Crusher, 7 of 9, Jadiz Dax, Kira, Uhura, and Lwaxana.

Team Federation would be completely capable of taking on any other team assembled within the Star Trek universe and I would be a season ticket holder.

-Just Ben Shewell