Being here in New Jersey is the first time I have ever lived outside of my hometown of Brooklyn, New York – not counting the three months I lived in San Diego, California. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about some of the friends I have left behind – and I realize that I miss them.

I used to be able to make plans with people like Brain, Lisa and Kevin, Christine, Rob, Andrew, Mike and Lonnie – and be able to see them within the hour. Now, if I want to make plans to spend time with them – it is an all-day affair. It takes me close to three hours to get to and from Brooklyn – so even having lunch with one of them would take me six hours of travel time. Since I moved here, I have only been to Brooklyn four times – because getting there and back is such a trek.

Don’t get me wrong, I speak to them on a regular basis, but it is really not the same. Over the phone, I can’t give Brain a high-five when a sexy woman passes us by. I can’t clink beer bottles with Lisa and Kevin for a toast. I can’t hug Christine hello. I can’t get on stage and sing Mustang Sally with Rob. I can’t go for beer and wings with Andrew and Mike – and I can’t, as we say in Brooklyn, “whack a few down” with Lonnie.

There were times when I was asked to come to Brooklyn to spend the day. But when I think about how long the trip is – I sometimes decide against it. It is an hour-and-a-half to New York Penn Station – and then another hour into Brooklyn. I am not saying my friends are not worth it – I just found the trip to get there annoying. But now that I am missing them more than usual – I will try my best to make more of an effort to head back to my “old stomping grounds” for a weekend of hanging out with my old “crew.”

I think, after a year and three months living in New Jersey, I am actually, for the first time getting “homesick.” Not in the way that I want to move back to Brooklyn, but just in the sense that I miss hanging out with my friends. Sure, I have made great new friends here like Henning, David, Avery and Joe – but what I wouldn’t give to throw one of my old parties and see all their familiar faces in my house.

I miss you guys – and I promise – I will see you real soon.