Like letters from an intimate but mysterious and transient friend, a new Kocot volume appears every two or three years, always anticipated but never quite expected, and brimming with strange surprise.
But as well as the five permanent members, there is a transient population of friends and occasional visitors.
Some things are transient, like a friend's strong opinion or a current circumstance or pressure.
Friends are often transient and inconsistent.
They are like friends in a transient city such as New York City, people to hang out with on weekends, but not worth a followup once they move on.
Unlike Syria's other, better-known attractions, there isn't anything to see here, specifically; the cafe's appeal lies more in the authentic atmosphere – one where you instantly feel like a family friend rather than a transient random punter.
There, as frocked Catholic priests thrust themselves over the base's ten-foot-high fence in nonviolent civil disobedience, I became friends with some young transients on their way down to Florida.
You may make lasting friendships, I know I have, but others are transient and even turn quickly if new friends find more compatible travel pals.
Like many other friends I met during this transient period in my life, I haven't seen him in a while, but every so often, mostly on holidays, he'll call just to say hi.
Because it is so transient, I tend not to want to make friends.
Last week on Haight Street, a destination for tourists and transients alike, a female friend's request to use the restroom was denied at 7 out of 10 randomly selected shops.
