Re: A Message from the Moderator

[Guest guest]

Hi Angelo,

It's Leaner!! Wow, it's so good to hear from you. Wecome, welcome, welcome. And congratulations to your family on the new baby. I remember when Israel was born - how the time is flying. Another reason for you to stay in shape!!

Angelo, I have a comment about your message. There has been a little tension on the list lately, but as you well know, normally this is the most supportive place a person can be whilst living La Vida BFL. Undoubtedly things will revert to normal and we'll all be a bunch of happy campers again.

However, your suggestion about using the list as a Q an A format and sending personal congratulations ONLY to the member concerned, I think is a bit sad.

In the first place, we have a Q and A resource, the EAS Hotline. And secondly, as long as I can recall, this group has always been extremely encouraging and the backslaps we receive from each other are very motivating. When I completed my 2000 Challenge, for example, I felt like a Queen for the Day with all the great messages that were posted. People enjoy the public recognition of their hard work - otherwise they wouldn't submit their progress ;-). Remember, we used to have a Sarge who kicked butt, and Nic who really laid down the law, and what about Walt who used to leave a spiritual message to inspire us daily? Those members stamped their personalities onto the group dynamic and made it a fun place to be. It still is. Removing messages of congratulations, I feel, will alter the spirit of the group and that would be a great shame. It's only natural to feel close to people who are sharing the same lifestyle and to want to congratulate them for their achievement and the accomplishment of their goals. I feel a Q and A format would remove all signs of "personality" from this list, and I for one would miss the people I have come to know through their messages.

Anyway, that's just my opinion. It's fantastic to have you back and again, congratulations for baby Cimone. All the best, .