Shall We Be Friends?

I want to be your friend

Do you want to be my friend too?

 

I’m not quite sure how to begin this post.  Wait, actually, I do.  I want to preface things by saying that my husband was is fully aware (and supportive) of every app and website I’ve joined, in my pursuit of finding myself a friend.  Or three.  And that when I first embarked upon this journey, mah boo thought I was stepping out on my man.  Shaking my head.  Alright, moving on.

So yes.  Building upon my earlier post, for the last 6 to 8 weeks, I’ve been trying to make friends.  And in this day and age, that basically translates into seeking people out online, and introducing oneself electronically, all in the hopes of “connecting”.  An entirely new concept for me.  Something I’ve never done before because, you know, I’m in my 40s and I’m old school, and I’ve never been particularly fond of people to begin with.  Let me regale you with what I’ve been doing to achieve all that.  And the results thereof.

No judging, ok?

A N D    N O    L A U G H I N G

Denim Jumpsuit (AmiClubwear) | Bomber Jacket (purchased in Sarawak) | Blue Booties (GX by Gwen Stefani) | Oversized Sunnies (Poshmark) | Lipstick (Leo @ Kylie Cosmetics)

A cursory search on the world wide web yielded page upon page of dating websites.  Places where you meet your soulmate.  Or if you want to get laid.  Or be a part of some kinky game.  I’m not judging, believe me.  Your likes and dislikes are your prerogatives.  What I am bitching about, however, is the dearth of websites wherein you can actually connect with people.  Be it on a professional level.  Or based on shared interests.  To network, and perhaps build upon that initial contact to (hopefully) acquire a friend with time.

Because these websites are so misleading, I tell you.  They preach networking and making friends that you can eventually meet IRL (I got with the programme) when in reality, it’s mainly only about girl + girl hooking up.  Or girl + girl + (surprise, unexpected) guy hooking up.

S   I   G  H

I felt very stupid, yes. 

Naive and gullible, and stupid.

Not that I’m blaming the website per se.  Much.  It’s the users themselves who shape what they’re looking for ultimately, yes, but for someone like me who is earnestly trying to expand her network to beyond her husband, her children, and her parents, it has been a frustrating ordeal.  For instance, I don’t think I’ve ever received as many nude images or pictures of genitalia in my entire life as I have over the previous two months.

Nor have I ever been so exposed to such an onslaught of interesting (and I use that term loosely) words.  Unicorn.  FFM.  MMF.  DDF.  420 friendly.  Good lord.  All I wanted was a friend.

And learning that a Gender Nation Glossary exists out there.

I was not expecting any of this.

My head, it spun.

So, my dear friends, the conclusion of my friend-finding mission thus far is, well, that there is no conclusion.  I’m sorry.  I know it’s anti-climatic but that’s the gospel truth.  The sum of my endeavours spanning numerous websites and quite a number of apps, across a period of almost two months, I’ve come up empty.  Yup, empty.  It’s enough to drive a woman to find a friend the old fashioned way.  At the gym?  Starbucks (but I’d have to learn to drink coffee first, I suspect)?  The bookstore?  Perhaps even the park?  I don’t know.

Please do not get me started on networking events.  I’m not fond of them because (a) I don’t drink; (b) I don’t like crowds; (c) I don’t like networking; and (d) I don’t like people so no networking events.

Onward ho to my awesome gig now Jodie and her ladies, and Eve.

We began this Charlie’s Angels week with Natalie Cook on Monday.  And today, we have Dylan Sanders.  Tough and tomboyish, eclectic and cool, into grunge and band tee shirts, anything with a 70s vibe, jumpsuits, denim, and a very bold lip.

Eve, Teens (the world according to eve)

Everything Eve’s wearing should look all wrong together but hell if they don’t come together in the most chaotic of aesthetic bliss. From the stripes to the processions of ruffles and the B&W graphic print of palm trees on her pants, she is absolutely rocking her Dylan look.

Sheela, 40s (sheela writes)

Full disclosure: at this point, the entire side zipper had come apart and my jumpsuit was about to flap down over my chest, and torso, completely exposing me to the world.  Welcome to the dark (and creative) side of blogging.

Jodie, 50s (jodie’s touch of style)

This outfit of Jodie’s harkens not only to Dylan but also the original trio of ass-kicking Charlie’s Angels, in particular the character played by Kate Jackson.  In part gamine and boyish, in part whimsical and charming.  Utterly female.

Nancy, 60s (jodie’s touch of style)

Nancy and I are onesie twins this time around, hers leaning towards the plush side of burgundy in the softest, most feminine of fabrics.  She’s far from a wallflower though as clearly evidenced by that grungy denim jacket and equally hip boots with side buckles.

Charlotte, 70s (jodie’s touch of style)

I can imagine Dylan wearing this as her version of  a power suit.  Making deals.  Wining and dining.  Getting the upper hand over egotistical megalomaniacs out to take over the world, without breaking a sweat.  And then breaking down into a goofy dance routine.

To date, you’ve seen us play Natalie Cook as well as Dylan Sanders, do you have a fave between these two fabulous ladies?  Or is Alex Munday (concluding the series on Friday) your muse?  Do tell.

Seriously though, if you have any ideas on how to lift myself out of this empty nest funk (and I say that because I really do want to make new friends, and not because it’s expected of me to have a social life), I would welcome them with open arms.

Please do also join in the discussion and leave me a comment, because many most of my posts are inspired by what you say, how you feel, your thoughts.

 

Love, Sheela

p/s my photos are by Sofia Touassa

I link up here.