what are we missing here?

I was browsing through the roster of members and surprised at the amount of members there actually were. I was also a litttle disheartened by the fact that a great deal of them have not posted anything in a year or more. Our Oregon forum seems to lack something. If you go to the Calif. board, they have pages of posts in a single day. It's true that they have a bigger population there, but still there seems to be no comparison. What happened to everybody? Maybe when you get to your goal and are maintaining your weight you no longer need the support. Or maybe some have thought that the Oregon board was kind of dead. I'm beginning to think so too. Anyone have any ideas how we can liven things up, besides draping some faulty Christmas lights around your neck while standing in the rain? That would give ya a jolt! Jer

Hi Jerry! I have been wondering the same thing. I recently moved here from California and loved all the activity on their board. Hmmmm.... what can we do to generate activity? Give away prizes?? Tell nasty jokes?? Oh! We could begin by talking politics! LOL I really don't know, but I sure would like to hear more from others. Thanks for bringing it out of the closet! Joy

Hi Jerry. I'm with you and Joy. Joy and I are trying to get some interest going in starting up a support group near us, but we haven't had any responses yet to Joy's post. Maybe you would be interested? I post alot to the Christian messageboard, and we're a pretty lively group, but I would love to see more people posting here. Let's keep posting and see if we can get some lurkers to take action and keep the Oregon board going. Peg

Gee, Peg! Should we take it personally? Maybe we will find a few people to join our group. Just hang in there. I had a great time having lunch with you the other day. It was nice to finally meet you! Joy

I would love to have an informal support group that meets at a restaurant or someplace. We could all have a drink, a big slice of cheezecake, and a nice big plate of pasta! OK, just kidding! LOL I think Beaverton is a little far for me as I live near Oregon city. If we could find a place that is central to all wanting to meet, that would be great. Jer

Maybe the opening page needs a facelift? Tummy tuck? LOL I agree, when I first came on the Oregon site, I wasn't too impressed with the activity. I don't know what we can do to improve it, but maybe someone does. Ellen

I'm here too just checking in to see whats new Annette V

Hey Annette! Thanks for speaking up! Keep posting. Maybe we will start a trend! Joy

I agree Jerry. I have often wanted to say the same thing, but didn't know how to say it. You did a good job! As someone who is pretty much to my goal and maintaining, I still need and enjoy the contact with my fellow Oregonians. It really makes my day to know that someone else has gotten the green light to get surgery, or is taking their baby steps as a post-op. When I attend the support group at Good Sam I am usually in a room with at least 15 people. Some new faces some old, but in these past ninteen months I have only met maybe five people that actually post on this forum. I guess all of those great people that are at those meetings just "lurk" or maybe don't come on here? I wish they would! I have never been a joiner. I am still that way, but without a doubt it was very significant to encounter a group of people that really have walked in my shoes. I have a loving family and a great life, but my experiences as an obese person have been something I have not ever talked about to even my closest people in my life. It has been a long road to where I am today, and having a place to share that journey to me is helpful. I know that many people feel the need to get on with life, and not necessarily identify themselves as a WLS patient forever. I feel that too sometimes, but for me checking in with my peers is one of the tools that keeps it real for me. It keeps in my everyday life a reminder of where I came from and where I want to stay. Joy I love to talk politics...don't temp me. I'm very opinionated! Patty

Patty, Great picture! You look wonderful! ARRGHHH!! I have to listen to my DH talking politics all day long! I really don't need any more! It would get interesting though, wouldn't it? Religion and politics are a no no for me. Yes, I agree about the importance of having contact with others who share our experience. It does keep it real. Wow! Look what happened. We started a subject tonight and people are coming out of the closet! COOL! Joy