It has been a really long day, followed by a dinner out with multiple margaritas, so I am ready post my first LBT Rants and Raves post.

I won't follow the herd anymore. Ever. I stopped doing that years ago when I realized that I made every decision based upon how I could make the most people happy (or prevent conflict). That's simply not healthy. And it takes all the fun out of life.

I hate absolutes. Absolutely hate them. I can't stand to lump a group of people together for any reason. All people at LBT are not sweet and perfect. All people at OH are not cheerleaders and ***** supporters. All Muslims are not extreme radicals. Not all of us Texas women are Southern Belles (ok so that one is debatable). All women are not subservient (ok I know you ladies agree with that one). We are all, quite simply, just people.

I don't want to be told I have to do something because it is the Christian thing to do. Are you my priest? My rabbi? My high priestess? Where do people get off on judging other people????? I don't freakin' get it. Each of us have own spirituality or lack of it. Each of us have our own moral core - although some are harder to identify than others. Don't attack me because I don't agree with you - hire a yes-man for that job - it doesn't pay enough for me to take it. And don't push your personal belief system off on me.

I like most people. Really I do. And I get along with most people. Some people just get to me, and I don't have to like them. There is no rule about that. There is only one person on my bad list at the moment, and if I ever get a personal apology that person will come off the list. You and I don't have to like the same people or have the same ideas to be friends. I prefer friends who are different from me. If I wanted everyone to be like me - well then I would become a hermit(ess) and just have ME for companionship.

I love our differences. I love the passion in which so many of us debate what we believe in. I just hate the herd mentality that says we all have to believe the same thing, or like the same people, or hate the same people....because ya know what? We don't. We are different. Our differences make us unique and teach us more about life than any book will.

And one more thing. I rarely drink and I really love Margaritas! :whoo:

It has been either outright said or implied that we're Wendell's patsies. We're not. He doesn't ask us or tell us to do anything.

Of course, you do realize that they will NEVER believe that.

I'm a Dr. Gary Korus follower. I choose to take my direction in medical matters from someone who has gone to medical school and has a license.

I agree with WASa. There are alot of folks joining us lately that typically hang out on OH. I don't think that anybody has been attacked here. I think we debate things pretty logically.

Hey, I'm a Dr. William Neal follower!

Nice to see another person who actually follows their licensed doctor's advice! :eek:

I am not fond of fruity drinks; too sweet for me. I prefer scotch rocks or a very dry wine.

I like sweet drinks. I never really cared for the taste of alcohol.

That was cute. I like this page the best:

Beware of the troll - a guide to online trolling

Great site - very enjoyable! Any plans for the weekend?

One MAJOR difference. Wendell never did anything illegal.

That's correct.

One more thing that I might add, I never, ever advised anyone to ignore their doctor's advice and take mine instead.

So, wait. You "shut your mouth" by starting a thread? How does that work, exactly?

I call that "OH logic" for obvious reasons.

Great site - very enjoyable! Any plans for the weekend?

Tonight, I'm making hubby a nice romantic dinner and getting rid of the kids. One is 21 and the other is going to his High School football game.

Tomorrow, playing in a card tournament, just for fun, not anything super serious. We're all bringing nibbles and cocktails. Should be a good time. About 20-25 people.

And about the cliques....

I am a firm believer that the only people that don't see cliques are either 1) completely blind and stupid, or 2) in the clique.

I agree. It's one or the other. Maybe both.

As a completely impartial person on both boards, I would like to add the following. When I originally joined OH, everyone was up in arms saying things such as "we know this new person is Deelightful" and other garbage. My first thought was I'm 32 and they act younger than me. Not knocking anyone's age but that's what I thought. It doesn't take much common sense to know that the board was at war. You've built friendships over years and that's one thing. I was personally mislead by Sandy back in May after my surgery. I was personally contacted by her regarding Wendell. I'm not on either side. Right is right. Now Wendell may have disagreed with you all on different matters and sent pm's that weren't nice. At least it was in private and not on the board for newbies to see. Who cares if he eats candy all day? What idiots did you think were going to follow him against the advice of their nutritionist or surgeon? I am upset because you all never gave us newbies the credit of having common sense.

Just to clarify, I do not eat candy all day. :eek:

I did too, when I was at OH. I took the avatar down over there because I got tired of the picture, and the next day I got accused of being KabukiCoyote (who is WASa here) and Dee. Some of the folks at OH thought that they were the same person, too. Apparently, it's a major sin to not have your picture as your avatar or not tell where you're from. It can't just be that someone was tired of their picture or that they don't want to be exposed to their real-life friends, family, and co-workers. Nope, it HAS to be that they are someone's sockpuppet. So freakin' paranoid, it's crazy. :phanvan

I never did "get" the sock-puppet thing.

I use my real name, and I use one I.D. per board, and it's always the same one.

Like I said, I don't get it.

Wendall, I think we all can agree that it is no one's business what you eat. This band journey is very personal and all we can do is give each other our honest experience and opinions and trust that all SENSIBLE people will follow their doctor's orders.

My nutritionist says if you want a candy bar, have one. A piece of birthday cake? Go ahead. This is a LIFELONG journey not a DIET. She just says to make good choices MOST of the time.

At least she apologized to you. I never got an apology from her. And if you couldn't tell by that statement, yes, I do hold grudges. I may not mention my grudge to someone's face, but I never forget what they did.

You should see the email that LaraNicole sent to me.

oh, wait...

....you did.

Wendall, I think we all can agree that it is no one's business what you eat. This band journey is very personal and all we can do is give each other our honest experience and opinions and trust that all SENSIBLE people will follow their doctor's orders.

Gee, what a CONCEPT!

You should see the email that LaraNicole sent to me.

oh, wait...

....you did.

Awe come on Wendell, let us all see it. We have heard what a "sweetheart" she is. I'm sure it's very nice and supportive......