Realm not acting as though it exists and also not showing friends list

I am more than aware that the realms are down again. However, this time it is acting as though I am not even a part of a realm and is also not showing my friends list.

These things do happen. But there should be better communication from Mojang as a whole. If and when they need to do major updates or as soon as they come across issues like this. It seems as though a lot of people need to have issues (which is going to include a lot of angry people) before any information is given.

Customers/Consumers/Gamers appreciate transparency when the services paid for are not functioning as expected.

A mass email to players that there will be maintenance or that there are issues would solve a lot of angry messages from happening.