#BlogLife27 - What do people see when they look at you?

I had this friend that I knew and our families got on well together. I thought that I wanted to be popular and have a lot of platonic male friends.

I didn't realise that very few men are capable of a platonic friendship with a female. I don't know if it's a respect thing or it's an I'm-so-in-awe-of-you I won't try it on.

But friends of mine managed to have guys in their lives that didn't cross the line. I rarely did. I was typically inappropriately grabbed or told something gross.

I was always upfront. I repeated it continuously. My view is friends are non physically intimate. I was purely after a friendship, nothing more.

Anything else can be touchy-feely. Anyway this mate of mine was always clowning around and making himself out to be the greatest guy in the world.

I saw past it because when he wasn't in crowds, he was a completely different person. He was sweet, kind and considerate.

My friends didn't like him though because they only saw that arrogant side, he showed to them. In fact his ego almost cost us our friendship.

I had always defended him, saying you have to look underneath, he has real substance. I started calling him every week, not because of a crush.

I never saw him in a romantic light, he was just a good pal. Maybe I just wanted to see a good guy up close. I didn't really have anyone like that around me.

Could that be why I tried so hard to maintain a constant bond? Out of the blue I got a message from his girlfriend stating.. Stay away from my boyfriend or else.

I didn't really understand it. Thinking back though, with the calls and the card that I gave him with the message.... Thank goodness for your eyes and ears..

She got the wrong impression. I wrote that because him and his brother were one of the few people I had opened up too and they had actually paid attention and not shut me down.

I am no homewrecker so I promptly called him up but he wasn't around so I just had the most awkward conversation with his papa.

Hahaha!! I said could you please pass on the message, that I will be leaving him in peace from now on and my intention was not to cause trouble.

I can't stop laughing because his papa, took my side and was livid with his son, apologising for his son's behaviour and stating he would make his son fix whatever it was.

I kept telling him there was no need but he insisted and I quickly mumbled a goodbye, relieved it was over. My ex-friend called me up and asked to meet.

He wouldn't take no for an answer, so reluctantly I agreed and we had a really frank discussion. He had wrongly assumed I had a huge crush on him.

I had to correct him and say that I even went so far as to avoid making an effort in my appearance so that he would know I wasn't ever holding a torch for him.

He made the colossal mistake of throwing my name in his girlfriend's face whenever they fought. Stating that at least....wants me..

I could have killed him!! No wonder he girlfriend despised me. I couldn't blame her, after what he confessed. Eventually it was all sorted out and I backed off somewhat.

We were still friends but I respect boundaries and if my friendship, made his girlfriend insecure. I wasn't about to make it worse.

I still cared about him and sure he made an error in judgement but he was still a great guy.

I don't know why I ended up reminiscing. I didn't need to be surrounded, all I really required was genuine, respectful buddies.

I have a lot of vanity and I do take a lot of opportunities to broadcast my abilities but it is just my armour. The more mud that gets slung my way, the more of an egotistical brat I'll become :D

I'm thinking I give off many first impressions..

Stand-offish

Sarcastic

Unapproachable

Giggly

Jokester

Direct

Pessimistic

Awkward

Clumsy

Death-stare is my favourite one. That means steer clear, keep walking, avoid eye contact. Do not get close. This is not a drill people. 

It all depends on my frame of mind.

#BlogLife18 - How do you know when you've found the one?

Relax! I'm not about to dole out dating advice... Though if that's what you want. I could try.. But what I mean by the title is. 

Q1. How do you know if you have picked the right Blogging Group?

All I keep hearing since I emerged from the shadows and joined social media was find, pick, choose a group. Different people have recommendations but I haven't seen any specifics.

As I said on Twitter. I just quit the one I joined and should have done it ages ago because it wasn't the right fit. (Side note, why are viscount biscuits so good)?

Maybe my expectations are unrealistic as when I hear the word group. I think about get-togethers and a more friendly atmosphere where people are talking and joking.

That was not my experience. It was random questions from bloggers, which was expected, except that the monetary type questions were addressed and the personal ones, not so much.

It was also I found more of a cold environment. Follow for Follows, Comments for Comments. Look I get that it is about sharing your work, having it recognised and getting attention. 

Alright. Congratulations. You have a whole bunch of shallow comments and follows. Truly well done. Your blog isn't so empty anymore.

Wonderful, marvellous, fantastic. Only one issue. It doesn't mean a damn thing! It was all obligation and reciprocity but maybe you're accepting of that.

Your argument could be. Listen SS, I just needed to get going and now visitors can see how popular I am and they'll be more inclined to get involved and I'll continue to grow. Blah blah!

You know what mystery person I'm talking too? You could be absolutely correct. What do I know? My blog family is yet to grow to it's potential..

But every single sweet one of those people, are here because they want to be. Not because I'm commenting on their blogs or following them.

They checked my page and decided hmm. You know, not bad at all. I'll see how it goes and subscribe or bookmark the site. Now I may not be as "beloved" as you seemingly are..

But I sure am not surrounded by fakes! My value in myself continues to grow. Can you say the same?

(Hmm this is the second BlogLife that has turned out ranty. Not intentional but maybe it is a hormonal thing. I'm having bad cramps, nausea and tiredness at the moment).

I'm not here to make your decisions for you or tell you not to join a group. I am saying the annoying thing is I am going to be known as the Runaway Blogger..

As I'm going to have become a member of loads of them and then leave to find something more me.

I'm not a new blogger but neither am I established. I am somewhere in between. The best advice I saw was look at the details.

Look at the rules, the numbers of participants and how often they post. At least that will be a start. I didn't even know Facebook recommended other groups to follow.

I've never really done that before. I did it for a game, to get advice but that is it. I'm sorry that I can't give any answers but it is a learning curve for me.

I can only share my journey and maybe you will relate or understand me better. Bahaha I just thought of something. 

I expect I'll be rejected from a few of them due to my blog not being picturesque or profitable. :D

*Shrugs*

Fancy joining me in a pizza party?

I don't know if you have ever tried garlic chicken pizza and it might sound odd as a flavour but it is creamy and delicious, so that is what I having for an early dinner.

Happy Easter to all of you :) and save me some chocolate because I didn't buy any eggs. The only type I really fancied were the mini ferrero eggs and I couldn't see them :(

Q2. I know I'm being nosey but what are you up to for Easter?

A) I was going to go away but it didn't turn out that way.

B) Be vewy vewy quiet. I'm hunting for wabbits. But it's duck season. No it's wabbit season. No it's Elmer Fudd season....

C) It's all about the feast. I have prepared delicacies and I have my hidden stash of chocs hidden in three different places so no-one can get their greasy mitts on it.