NJ FOLKS: Tuesday - Sept 29th: Next Inconvenient get together dinner!!

REASON: A few of you have mentioned you’d like to get together for a dinner. We can sit around, meet each other, share our trials and tribulations and maybe a few laughs. While we want to help each other lose, maybe we can also help each other gain  … a new friend or two (or 5).

Since everyone had a good time the first time around, we are trying to capture lighting in a bottle again.

Each time we do this, I will try to “move" the location - since no one location will be convenient for everyone.

This time, we are going to meet at Old Man Rafferty’s in New Brunswick at 5:30 p.m.. It is understandable that not everyone can be here at this time, so come WHENEVER !! We probably won't order until 6:30 p.m..

I have contacted Old Man Rafferty (OMR), and I have reserved a table of 25. They can accommodate more if needed. Please let me know if you are thinking of coming. I need to give a “final (?)" head count the day (or two) before. Again, I understand if things come up at the last minute, and you cannot make it. OR at the last minute you decide to come (like someone did the last time, and HAD A BLAST).

For information concerning Old Man Rafferty’s (and menu) please click

(http://www.oldmanraffertys.com/ ).

They said there are PUBLIC PARKING LOTS NEARBY and THERE IS A FEE to park there. OMR Manager (Chris) did not know the cost.

In the meantime, for the “newbies" here are some meeting request. I hope I don't offend anyone - it's not meant to be that. Just helpful. 

(1) If you want a separate check, please let the server know prior to taking the orders. It’s a hassle to ask the server to do this later on. And some places won’t do this if the crowd is too numerous. (OMR said they can only do this up to 8 people)

(2) Usually when we do a group meeting, I like to divide check by the total  number of folks at the table, instead of trying to figure out who had what. (If someone brings more than one person, they multiple the total owed by the number of people they have). Now I understand if you only order a coffee and someone else has a Filet Mignon with a 5 lbs Lobster – then we can address that more diplomatically.

(3) Please bring CASH (unless you want a separate check). And please make sure you have an assortment of bills. It’s really difficult to make change when everyone brings only 20’s.

(4) Bring a CAMERA!! Even if you are like me and camera shy, you’ll still want to take some photos of the folks who are there. I don’t have one or I would.

(5) Bring “proof" of your former self. Nothing says “how far you have come" like older photos. Even if you lost only 1 pound, bring your “before" pictures (and at the last meeting we all agree we hate that word only. Be proud of any amount of weight you lost).

(6) Please feel free to post and link this on any other forum you peruse (ex. Lapband, Rant and Rave, Realize band, RNY, VBG, VSB, etc).

Remember this is a GROUP effort. Please feel free to add your suggestion and/or voice your opinion on any suggestion. AND NO HARD FEELING – this is meant to be a pleasant experience.

I forgot to include this .. I didn't want to leave anyone out !!

And for those who haven’t had the operation yet – you too are more the welcome to come. In fact, you are encouraged to come!! This would be a ‘true-life’ learning experience to see “life after the operation". You will be able to hear our ups and downs be, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as you want. Other “up-comers" have come, and found it interesting and educational.

And finally, significant others/kids are also welcomed (while you may want to leave them behind to they can really enjoy themselves – it’s up to you)