Well, NewLeaf I have zero interest in thinking 16 or 18 yrs. old. The only good thing for me at those ages, I was in a highly artistic productive mode...I won some poetry and art poster contests. And was biking..um about 5-6 kms. each ride.

As for boys, how I felt about my looks, then...awkward. I was your scholastically smart, but geeky, friendly girl.

Forget it. I actually began to peak in life growth, how I look and think from early 30's onward.

May I submit something? many of those geeky girls who I knew, who weren't the flirting type, who didn't have a wonderful figure at that time...have blossomed into something incredible.... 20-30 yrs. later. I have met them. They have great relationships with their hubby/partner, some have children and most of these gals have good careers.

In a way it was useful for you to understand what it means to be courted by...the wrong (anonymous) parties. Maybe some of those puppy men on the Internet were pulling your leg. Many guys on the Internet do enjoy pulling wool over each other, play pranks...I see it all the time on the cycling Internet forums. It's a different culture when a bunch of men don't really know you on the INternet. Their joking on you gets sillier/wilder and there's false flirtation at times. It can be quite cruel...hey let's see what this old xxxxx is worth...Let's see how "smart" she is.