Cyber Friends...many hidden layers

FYI-for whomever wants/needs/to know/is curious "how it works": The thread got "pulled" because STEPHANIE, as the originator of the thread, requested the OH Moderator to do so. She started the thread to be something POSITIVE-esp for newbies, but to be enjoyed by everyone. It got infected, by PAUL, and we all know what happened after that. KARLA restarted the POSITIVE thread and some folks have reposted their stories for everyone to enjoy. I, for one, hope it can STAY positive.

I have been an active OH member for 8 years. I've seen ALOT of people come and go. Sadly, some of the hatefulest people ever seem to be the current lot. On a POSITIVE note, I have been blessed with a fabulous FAMILY OF CHOICE, with people I met right here too-people I would take a bullet for. I spent the whole day with a slew a some of those people today-people who totally GET me, KNOW me, and LOVE me, despite how I AM. I had to get out of every "comfort zone" I had, but it has been SO worth it. I pray everyone can someday be as blessed as I am.

Gina, thank you for posting this...   I was looking for that post so I could share the sweet message I had posted on that (the positive story) about my hubby, with my hubby....  I was sitting over here getting incredibly frustrated because I couldn't find the post anywhere...  NOW it all makes sense.

What a crappy thing for Paul to do...  While I'm glad I didn't read it, because he probably said something hateful about me too, I'm more sorry that others lost the opportunity to read the story....

LISA-I hope you can find the type to retype your story. I have followed you since "the beginning" and you have such  a wonderfully sweet spirit and are such an inspiration. I know KARLA restarted the "positive thread" yesterday, and I'm sure there will be future ones. "Newbies" aren't the only ones who need inspirations-"Veterans", like me, can SURE get inspired too, ya know!!!

Thank you Gina and, as always you are such a blessing to talk to!  Take care!

Alot of what i say is tongue in cheek, which is very hard to come across in typed conversations....im hardly ever serious....i just hate to see anyone wronged.....

im in such a wonderful, loving honeymoon mood....ive been telling almost complete strangers....i love you.....im just so dang excited and happy

 Kat.....I don't read alot of the posts on here due to just things like that.    No one has the right IMHO to make fun of anyone's weight !!!   We do need to REMEMBER where we came from.    We could ALL gain our weight back if we aren't careful.     I remember when I came to these messageboards over 4 1/2 yrs ago.    It was amazing !!!  too bad it has changed so much.    Don;t get me wrong Kat....there was occasionally drama then too but just not as often.   I usually only read posts that I can be helpful on.   Trust me.....my toes have been stepped on more than I care to remember but that is OK.    It is what it is.   I am here to support and encourage others just like it was done to me.    Maybe sometimes others are having a bad day by their responses to others.   Please don't leave us too.....way too many have dissapeared.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Obviously Kat, your post was directed at me.  May I defend myself?  I STARTED the original thread in order to HELP people who are looking into WLS and wanted them to see some positive role models.  It quickly turned ugly when Paul started viciously attacking the women of the board.  I personally have a long history with him.  He has repeatedly presented himself as someone who has been very successful and would be a great "catch".  My remark of him being 350 lbs and wearing a size 5X was to point out that he's lost over 200 lbs and still wears the clothes of a much larger person.  It was NOT an attack on his current weight.  It was an attack on his perception of how great and professional he thinks he looks.  If I still wore my size 24 clothes when I actually wear a size 8 I wouldn't look too "professional" either.  I posted an EDIT to that original statement purposely so no one would get the wrong idea.  Obviously I didn't make myself clear.  I also reported the thread and asked that it be REMOVED by the moderator which it was.  So, if I offended anyone with my comment, I am extremely sorry for that was NOT the intent.  Having been overweight my entire life I certainly don't condone that behavior.  I should of never stooped to his level and played the "attack" game but again it was NOT directed at his weight.  It was actually a compliment to the fact that he's lost so much weight but that he needed to learn to dress appropriately since he's so intent on finding a woman who wants a "professional successful" man.

SHAME ON YOU, STEPH!!!

Don't you know it is perfectly fine for a disgusting person to call another on here a 'cu**' and to say that she is beaten by her husband and the man is not a real man.. and on and on... 

but heaven forbid the WEIGHT word is used.

Have you learned your lesson, now????

To those of you who feel that too many of us are being negative towards Paul...think of what your reaction would be if someone attacked your "sister"...would you say it was okay for her to be verbally sexually assaulted and you would just say ignore it?  That is what you are saying we should have all done when Paul started this.  It was a positive post until he jumped in.  Yes, he knows how to push buttons because he's done it all over the various OH boards.  I'm sorry if some of you haven't made connections with other OH'ers.  I am glad that I have.  I've made some lifelong friends on here.

I am going to block Paul because he's just poison.

Karla