Those among us who indulge a wild passion for some sort of eclectic or specialized pursuit or interest are sometimes confronted with the uncomfortable need to identify a certain friend as either a fellow who shares our own particular passion or a companion with whom we enjoy other activities. For some years, I've referred rather awkwardly to my "Tolkien-friends" and my "regular friends." But now, thanks to my friend Barbara, I have a much better description for those of my friends who don't love fantasy fiction. They are: "Friends Who Live in the Real World."