friendship?

Maybe it's just getting older, who knows, but my definition of what makes a friend is rapidly changing. I'm getting a little tired of the self absorption and pussy footing around, I've been very lucky in my life I've met a number of people in my life that I don't have to pussyfoot around, we mutually enjoy each other's company and don't have to make considerations for their feelings. In recent months I've now had three incidents where I've done something for a friend, and that has been treated like a slap in the face.

1.)bought tickets to a concert for myself and a friend 6 months ago, 2 days before the concert which took place on a long weekend he tells me that he isn't going, being the long weekend it was impossible to find someone else whose schedule would let them go.

2.)bought a birthday present for someone who is having a rough year, but not too rough, Sent her a nice letter on her birthday, however I realized that she has not corresponded with me once in 6 months. I returned the birthday present and made a donation to Amnesty international.

3.)I've lent movies, books, and given furniture to a young couple starting out on their lives. Not once have these people chosen to initiate contact with me, or make any effort to return my belongings to me even though they've had some of my stuff now for almost 2 years.

Meanwhile, people who truly are friends are always available to me, always supportive and always have an interesting story.