If you are flying because your passenger wants to go somewhere (and you
don't have a legitimate reason to go as well...and even if your passenger
doesn't give you a penny) you are being given an opportunity to log time
that you might not otherwise be logging...this is considered
compensation.
Does this "opportunity" not exist in other circumstances?
Such as?

Right now I am not flying. But the opportunity to log time that I might
not otherwise be logging exists right now, since I can go to the airport
and go flying. I can even take my wife.

Or I can choose not to.

The opportunity exists.

Every time I fly I have the opportunity to log time I might otherwise not
be logging. Every time I wake up I have the opportunity to fly.
You're splitting hairs. The difference is that there is no concern
regarding "commonality" if you are solo.

The FAA splits hairs. In fact they split short hairs. And I never
mentioned being solo. I can take my sister to visit a friend while I
enjoy the fall colors. No commonality. This is an opportunity to log time.

Jose
--
"Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where
it keeps its brain." (chapter 10 of book 3 - Harry Potter).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.