It's the weekend at last! And a pensive one at that as I was set to thinking: It's painful yet bittersweet when friends come and go through different stages of your life.

To the outside world, I may come across as friendly and chatty but I don't make friends easily. For me it's always a very personal experience - friends are the people who'll listen to us when we're in need and kick our ass when we've done wrong. It's a class that is different from family where there is filial piety and obligation and deeper emotions when it concerns lovers/companions/partners. Unlike these, friends are people that you can be the most comfortable with.

This year, I've already had a few new friends leave. Oh, the kick-ass ass farewell parties that've been thrown! I know it's selfish to say so but why is it that when you've discovered that you share a lot more in common and have grown closer to people, it's time for them to move on? It's bloody unfair! So there are telephones, the email, skype, carrier pigeon, whatever...and nothing, absolutely nothing beats having a person around to shoot the breeze with.

On the flip side of that, are the friends that've become more of an acquaintance. I guess, I'm lucky in some ways. Over the years, I've maintained an intimate group of friends from different places in my life who've become so much a part of my little world that at times I can't imagine being without them. Then there are the relegated friends.

Relegated? How do you relegate friends? For me, it's a sanity saving thing. Have you ever had the feeling after hanging out with certain people over a period of time that you don't really know them after all? Or that they are hiding things from you? Who really knows anyone anymore? I've always been curious about people and I'm a constant seeker of answers - I'll prod, question, research and generally be a bloody pain in the ass until I figure you out.

What I really, really hate is when people are not honest. What is there to hide anyway? Every one of us comes with baggage and a few skeletons that we do not wish to reveal but excessive secrecy is ludicrous. Granted, your skeletons are yours to closet but please, at least be open enough to express an honest opinion and share when you have to. Have an opinion, make a statement, ask a stupid question! Friends being friends, will naturally make fun and tease mercilessly but no one will think less of you - not unless you make it so. I've come across annoying friends like that - fence sitters, you say you have an open mind. You don't.

Then there are the competitive ones. While I respect the need to improve oneself, it's an awfully tiresome act to keep wanting to best your buds. And the contrary ones who'll say one thing and do another...what the hell?!

People have told me that sometimes friends distance themselves when things get tough or when there are disagreements. But shouldn't things be ironed out? If everyone distanced themselves when there is adversity, won't we all be lonelier? Then what is the point of having friends? If you cared enough about the people around you, won't you want to call them out to talk? Not everything leads to a confrontation but sometimes confrontations are necessary to get things out in the open. Only then will you know whether you truly have a friend.

But for every fair-weather friend encountered, it's heartening to know that there are real friends that you can rely on no matter what. Ones who can be counted on to tell you that you look fat in that outfit, listen to you yammer, give you a shoulder to cry on or faint when you tell them of your latest exploit :o)

In this, I concur with the novelist, George Eliot when she says, "Perhaps the most delightful friendships are those in which there is much agreement, much disputation, and yet more personal liking."

You know you are bored when:

1. Work becomes a monotonous rather than fulfilling;
2. People around you wig out over every little thing;
3. You dream up new and inventive names for your buddies....It's fun with words time!

I've got one resident egghead that's been deemed slutty, one slut who's covert about their intentions, one geek who's bitchy as all hell and one who's a wildcard. There is the Cluess Know-it-All, the Evil Angel, the Expired Teenager, Happy Spanky (this one has to be seen to be believed!), Bland Spice, Local Foreigner, Serious Clown, Armchair Sportsperson and the list goes on...

Then there are the people who I've met along the way that seem to have consistent discrepancies or who seem to face consistent uncertainties. And wait, it gets better with consistently inconsistent people who are conspicuously absent at gatherings.

It's fairly obvious that there's some fuzzy logic involved in this but, damn, it is entertaining :o) And while many people may not be as fond of my lists, it's ok. It'll be awfully nice if we can agree to disagree on our mutual differences ;o)

Imagine this: Your date comes to your door dressed to the nines, he brings you flowers, he looks all sexy and flashes you that killer smile. Yea, the one that brings a twinkle to his eyes and a hint of mischief. Your heart trips. You are dressed in your seductive best, all made up, you feel confident, alluring, ready for anything. He holds the door for you, he drives you around, ushers you to an exclusive restaurant with gorgeous table settings for two. There is romantic music playing in the background, you have a wonderful time at dinner, he twirls you around the floor when your song comes up. Caught up in the moment, the night can get only better...

And this only happens once a year.

Doesn't that just suck?

Each year, as it draws closer to that dreaded day, millions of people are struck by the sudden need and the irrepressible urge to buy flowers, have romantic dinners, suddenly go crazy and declare their love for each other and blah, blah, blah... Valentine's day or rather V-day. It's like the golden carrot for many stores/flower shops/spas/restaurant/whatever, you name it, they've got a package ready for you and your other half. At an exorbitant sum.

A cynic? Well, yes. How can I not be? It's simply stupid that people choose one day out of an entire year to declare their romantic intentions. I am saying - save your money people! That girl or boy that you've been making googly eyes at? Send them flowers, drop them a note, go for coffee, do SOMETHING, anything...and here's the kicker: You can do it at anytime!

So what's the deal with Valentine's? Is that the only day that you can show some extra care and thought to the person that you love? Oh pur-lease...grow up and get a new brain. I know that many people are prone to the sheep mentality of 'hey everyone's doing it, so should I!" but this is bloody ridiculous. By now, some of you readers are probably thinking, oh this poor girl, she's never had a valentine her entire life. Not true.

What I am saying is that romance, regardless of the day or time should be celebrated any time you deem so. It just happens - or make it happen! What happened to carpe diem? That opening scenario? Just imagine how you would feel if you get to experience that every once in a while. I'm not saying that this should happen all the time but little dashes of romance, a small note, an intimate gesture speaks volumes. What happened to that? I have friends who've declared many a time that they would prefer not to get flowers/candy or any such thing. Or even laugh at the poor soul who professes love but I sometimes wonder; is that really what you'll do? That's bloody cruel! Could we be so devoid or detached from our feelings that a mere sincere expression will throw us in disarray? How silly is that?

Deep down, I do believe that every woman or man, regardless of that hard shell that they exhibit for the world to see, wants to be loved. And something as simple as a - Hi, how was your day? from a loved one could brighten up your day tremendously. I mean, how can you say that you have been in love when you have never even experienced something as simple as that? It's one of those heart-grabbing moments that everyone should experience :o)

So, don't fret unnecessarily about Valentine's day. Make that a decadent girls/boys night out instead. Save the real juice for that someone special. What's the harm in showing that someone special your intentions? Take them out, wine, dine, romance - enjoy each other and everything. At your own time or all the time. Spread some romance!

Sometimes I wonder: Does anyone actually believe that if you don't do anything, you can't get hurt? While I think that this can be true in very few situations, I do believe that if you don't do anything, chances are that things many deteriorate or fall even further from your control.

Call me a control-freak but I'd rather have some modicum of control in a situation than adopt a passive aggressive stance any day.

Lately I've been getting that restless feeling again. It's part wanderlust and I guess it's also time to move on to seek greener pastures. I like going to work and feeling like a useful member of society but then again, I am also looking for job satisfaction – something that I am losing at a much faster rate these days. Luckily for me, I know what I want to do. Now all I have to do is be more active in my endeavors.

On one hand, I feel a little sad that things have come to this. I like my job and I really do think that there is more room for development but then again it's heartbreaking when there are insecure people who constantly think that you are trying to undermine them. Or get their job. It drives me nuts! I don't WANT your bloody job!!! What I am, is ambitious enough to want a job that offers me more responsibility and room for development and driven enough to put everything into the job at hand.

What I really, really detest are idiots who constantly try to play silly games around me. Unfortunately, in order to come out of situations like this, you also have to play the game. I'm sorry to disillusion anyone but I feel that sometimes, hypocrisy is a necessary evil. You play the game or risk getting majorly screwed. Competition is constant and it's a good way of keeping us on our toes. Sometimes it drives a person to strive harder and be better. Other times, it just makes people go the other way. Oh well...enough ranting.

And if anyone has any ins into any marcom/PR/communications/writing jobs, you know where to find me.

...and you, and you and you and you and most definitely YOU...it's certainly one of the most awaited for presents this year. It is my very own annual Jeannetticus Blossom calendar! Packed with the all the goodness that a year heralds and a hot guy to wake up to each month :o)

Since many of you won't be able to see it and I'm not gonna haul it around...I figured this is a much better way.

A billion thanks to Jean!!! Oh and for the trivia queens in us all, you can try to name the guys...it'll be a hoot!