A friendship that lasts a lifetime is worthy of 9999 clicks of the gratOodle! 

O.K., so we are only somewhat half way through our lives, but I know this friendship will last on into our old age.  When we were about 20 years old and both in University in different cities, HL came to visit me and we attended an Operetta that a friend of mine was performing in.  I still remember the performance - it was Die Fledermaus.  A comedy.  Well, I am recalling it as a comedy.  The production was quite amusing and the Opera company's mishmash of costumes from different periods added to the sense of mirth.  We laughed and laughed and at times we may have drowned out the chorus.  I remember thinking, right there in the balcony, that years and years from that date, we would still be attending plays or operas together and we would be the two eccentric ones sitting in the balcony, laughing out loud at the pure joy of sharing the experience of the arts with each other.  Our friendship has continued to be a delight.  HL has a curious way of looking at the world and the world becomes a much richer place for me when I am in her company.  She thinks deeply about what is in front of her and notices the things that generally go unnoticed.  It is what makes her such an interesting person.  And in her presence, I experience so much more of the world. The depth and breadth of her knowledge fuelled by her inquisitiveness makes her a terrific conversationalist.  It is always an adventure when I am with HL.  And who else would satisfy my weird passion for taking photos of road signs from a speeding car?  (Watch for the coffee table book.)