Why do they do that? Expect help for free - just because you're/I'm an acquaintance/friend??? It aggravates me so much!

I hope the thing you're doing will end without more complications and that you can extricate yourself smoothly. Since I'm not on speaking terms with the oaf that blew up at me unfortunately I can't - well maybe I can tell him off if he didn't block my email. But I doubt I'd get any peace from that. It would just start it up all over again. Best for me just to forget him/this and be proud of myself for standing up for myself.