wah, didnt plan for this double entry for today. just happened to read a pretty interesting blog post else where, and here's my 2 cts worth on it:

first and foremost, within a circle of friends, there is no one person who is more impt than the rest.

all are equal, obviously, and if one shld desire to meet up with the rest (because that person can now afford the time to), then the person shld initiate an outing, or at least indicate his/her interest of having one.

the person also shldnt work on the assumption that the other friends have full knowledge of his/her own (busy) schedule unless he/she makes it known to others.

further, that same person shld never expect to sit around, hoping that an invitation will fall from the sky - afterall, why must others always be the one doing the co-ordinating? (planning for an outing is not only time-wasting but annoying as well, having to check with all other members of the group just to confirm an outing.)

there must also be some common understanding that the other friends may be busy with their own lives too, because some of them are either working, or seeking job applications - which therefore means they wont have time to continually check if someone else's schedule is less hectic.

failing the above, that person shld NOT conclude that he/she has been outcast by the group and that the group has been uncompromising. social disengagement as we know, is a two way process. unless the person decides to outcast his/herself, he/she can still be involved in a social group.

the final point i'd like to make is - everyone has to adopt a proactive role to keep a friendship going. so perhaps the question to ask urself is, have you done so?