So here I am with my second question for you all. I answered a bunch of questions, so now I am asking one for you all

There is a guy I find very attractive. Let's call him Joe. He is naturally outgoing and friendly. I recently joined an organization with him and he is the leader of the group. (that's how i met him) There was recently a multi-day event that our group was part of, and at the last minute he messaged me to invite me. This may have just been part of his duties as the group leader, but I am not sure. I thought it was thoughtful. But at this event, when Joe barely spoke to me, gave everyone a high five except for me, accused me and my partner of cheating when we were playing games, and giving me one to two word answers to questions, I came home from this event positive that he barely knew I existed. I felt left out, and excluded. I was a little confused too because he had seemed vey nice, and during this event he sure made his way around to everybody, it seems and I got to know a whole lot of people, and everyone else was very nice. During this larger event, he wasn't in charge of anything, so he wasn't busy with that kind of thing. But I was pretty sure that, even if there was a lot going on, if he was interested, he'd actually acknowledge my presence, and not barely even look at me, especially when I spoke to him.
Luckily he was the only one doing that, and I was able to get along and have a great time talking to the other people.

In complete contrast to that experience, the next times i saw Joe, he told me that I looked very nice, and noticed that I changed my hair (my own friends didn't even say anything), and asked me questions about myself and actually being very nice to me now. I am definitely on my guard around him, but curious.

Do you guys have any insights into why someone as friendly and outgoing as him would act this way? why is he being all nice now? Do you think he just is "trying to be nice" like he thinks that I need compliments or something?

Maybe at first he was nervous around you, did he seem nervous or like he didn't care? If its the latter, maybe he knew you were interested in him and he wanted to show disinterest to make you like him more, or chase him more, at least think about him more. Looks like he was successful

heh, hmm. well neither, i couldn't tell. maybe nervous? honestly I have no idea, because I haven't known him long so I dont know what he is like when nervous! And I don't know if i would have been utterly confused if he didnt start suddenly paying me compliments, in direct contrast to ignoring me. I had left the event thinking, "ok, well he's not interested" and i was planning to move on... but now he's talking to me and being all nice, so i'm like, "huh?!"

Maybe he was getting a feel for you, testing you around a larger group of people. Watching how you react, to get to understand what you are like or into, before he decided if he wanted to escalate more with you.

ok boys, thanks so far for your really positive, kind feedback but I saw this guy again and he's back to not knowing I exist. I guess I should just forget about him, unless you have any tips. I mean if a guy is not interested, he's not interested.

However, I guess I'm somewhat curious as to why he felt compelled to pay attention to me the last couple times, and tell me I look good. Maybe he thought i was just some sad charitable case in need of a compliment. That makes me feel annoyed because it's pretty patronizing if that's the case. He clearly doesn't think I'm attractive.

Thanks again guys, I really do appreciate hearing the man's perspective on this situation. and again do not feel bad for just coming right out and saying he's not interested - clearly i'm already thinking that's the case. now i just have to figure out how to see him without being distracted by him