Upon reflection ...

I must be missing something myself, I don't see anything pulled on that post, at least yet.... Amy

Hey I just want some peace around here, we all deserve a little or at least I do Amy

"What I learned in the recent Fray?" Or, I was reminded -------* -*That even while believing In the Support, Shared Love and Compassion For people on this site, I have a Very, Very Unattractive Dark Mean-Streak And can be the most "Evil Biotch Badger" around When someone comes poking in holes! -*That One of my arms may do the work of the Saints While the Other does the work of the Sinners, And that leaves me in the middle With the heart of a common man Struggling with ambi'DEX'terity. -*That some folks Over Here Are seemingly "just plain, down-home folk" But actually have a constant "Sales-rep, Soft influence" on the whole. Sort of like "Sleeper Cells." -*That Anyone can set up an account And become a "member" of "Any Message Board" Public or Private, Under an assumed identity And just hangout there, Letting time pass, Reading and observing un-noticed. (that hotmail and Yahoo mail is somethin' else!) (and you do have to dump your cookies Or enter from an office computer at another IP address) -*That "Mock-Humble Pie" can be consumed in public, But only until others point out that it is "Mock." -*That there is not a "Crow-Flavored" Protein Shake. (Thank you Michele, I'm laughing still.) -*That Google's "cached pages" Are a frighteningly effective "Stalker Tool." And that once posted, Things don't just disappear on the web. -*That, Sincere Concern, Focused Cruel Intentions And Playful Humor Are Not mutually exclusive Aims. -*That If I ever see another Apology, Disingenuous or Otherwise, That I should copy and paste it quick! -*That this site, Like Fitday.com and other cyber locales Is a good place to get ideas, info, and plan, But what matters Is how you use that work in the outside, Non-Cyber World. And last, but not least- -*That Protein Shakes in general, like other things, Are best served Cold. One can be "Over it, Even when it's Not Over." I suspect that this play has an act left yet, And then the curtain call to boot. I'm just waiting for the reviews to come out at the "after party." In the meantime? Even if we are all just "Maze-Mice" In some project not designed for Our true benefit, We still effect the outcome a little I think. So - "Race me to the wheel?" It's fun! I'm off to the support pages and catching up with Board buddies. Best Wishes- Dx

I leaned over and picked up two cents, so I thought I would put them here! Read all the posts, read SM Rant that I was sent, and this is what I have to contribute. I agree with what Susan Maria has to say for the most part. I agree that she also throws in news of her products that she sells. After all, she does run a business, has first-hand experience in the weightloss (or non-weightloss) issues - and has made some very good choices in her products she sells. I truly believe her intentions are honorable. I think some "nasties" have been attributed to the website she runs and I don't know if people were just jumping on the band wagon or not when remarks were posted. Things like that happen!.. a lot. We're human and it may make us feel "involved" or our opinion "important".. at least for the post-moment. Maybe it goes back to former moments of not being listened to enough. I don't know, just a guess. I think we should get onto something more positive as of today. Our mission and first importance should be support, empathy, sympathy, compassion or whatever word we choose, toward each other. Negativity takes up a lot of enery, better used for warding off temptations in our daily living-I know I have many. I'm still floating on a sea of "wish I were back in the first 8 months". My baby steps have just now shown me that I have a lot to learn in my future and I'm 4 years out this month. I have a LONG WAY TO GO physically and mentally because of my poor choices. I am thankful for Susan's bluntness, because she states things I haven't wanted to look at most of the time. May we all have a wonderful day today, tomorrow and remaining "lean" years. Fondly, Marilyn R.

One interesting thing I saw from reading all the responses is that we may disagree among ourselves, but deep down we still care and support each other. Call us a name, and everyone Over Here suddenly bans together. It's like having a crazy half-brother. We can call him crazy, but no one else can. Them is fighting words.... Perhaps the best outcome was the way the Obesity Help posters actually came together -- newbies and grads alike. It's been a while since I've seen so much agreement to disagree. Joni

Perhaps DX and I can be the crazy half-brother on a rotating basis. "Perhaps the best outcome was the way the Obesity Help posters actually came together -- newbies and grads alike." Perhaps the underlying purpose of the rant: to forge greater solidarity. Let me grab and guitar and everyone can join me in a little Kumbeya! Nowhere Man/Ph/Jay

Damn family reference! Kumbay-frickin-ya to you and yours!

INCOMING!!!!! Nowhere Man/PH/Jay (who knows the value of a good chair)

I'd rather be strumming here than fiddling while Rome is burning somewhere else. I already have three brothers, but sure, I'd be proud to count you and DX as part of the family. You may want to rethink it at your end. (Evil laugh) Joni