howmanylicks: The problem is that my status doesn't change right away. So when I start a game, I see myself listed as a friend and am still green for several moments. I've gotten invites in that time and I hate declining.
Me thinks this has nothing to do with your special situation, being your own friend. By that, you only see what may happen to ev1.
When the status changes, this has to be transported between several servers at WGT and furtheron to the local display of your friends, which is you, too, in this case. So, at least two program cycles pass between the action and their visibility. Same to your friends inviting you: You'll only see their request with some delay: Their PC, WGT server(s), your PC. Add internet transport times, too.