We all have that one friend who always seems to depend on us for everything, but creates a narrative that we are dependent on them. They tell everyone how our lives would be without them, and act like they are the center of our universe. I have such a friend, and I have named him Boomer Ungle in my blog posts.
Boomer Ungle is the quintessential advice-giver. He has an opinion on everything, from how to do business to how to manage my personal relationships. He tells me why I failed in my ventures, and how I can do better next time. He even tells me how I should raise my children, and how I should interact with my spouse. In short, he has an advice for everything, and he’s not shy about sharing it with me and everyone else around.
At first, I used to get irritated with his constant advice-giving. I felt like he was trying to impose his views on me, and I resented that. But over time, I realized that his behavior was more about him than it was about me. He needed to feel important, and he did that by making me feel like I needed him.
It’s ironic that Boomer Ungle sees himself as the one who is indispensable to me, because the truth is that I don’t really need him. Yes, he’s been a friend for a long time, and we’ve shared some good times together. But I don’t rely on him for anything, and I don’t feel like my life would be significantly worse without him.
In fact, whenever Boomer Ungle starts his narrative about how much I depend on him, I can’t help but laugh. I find it amusing that he can’t see the truth, and that he has to create a story to make himself feel important.
But despite all of this, I’ve come to accept Boomer Ungle for who he is. I don’t take his advice seriously, but I listen to it with a sense of detachment. I recognize that he’s trying to be helpful, even if his advice is often misguided.
And so, I’ve decided to call him Boomer Ungle in my blog posts. It’s a term that captures his essence, and it’s become a running joke among my friends. They all know who I’m talking about when I use that term, and they often chuckle at the mention of it.
In the end, Boomer Ungle is just another part of my life. He’s not the most important part, but he’s there, and he’s a reminder that we all have quirks and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are. And even though he may drive me crazy at times, I’m glad to have him as a friend.
AnandNataraj 