MikeR

Just came across this thread. Another guy perspective: If he's talking about sex in the first few messages, that's what's on his mind, You have to wonder how interested he is in a relationship. Now as a guy, we all want sex sooner or later, but if we are looking for a relationship first, then we should be able to control ourselves for a while. Someone else wrote here that our actions are more telling than our profiles. It's true. If the guy is talking about sex, that's what he's looking for. He may turn out to be a decent guy who also wants a relationship, but just be aware. You might (probably) have to sift through a lot of dirt to find your gem. Mike

Donna, Yes, all the concerts are Sundays. The park is on Old York Road on the southwest end of Bridgewater (not far off Rte 202). Depending on where you are in CT, traffic can be good or bad. If you can stay away from the Merritt or 95, you should be fine (I used to live in Monroe so I know the CT roads a bit). Mike

C'mon, really? No one? Mike

Duke Island Park has summer concerts every week and it's a perfect place for a bago. We could get together for a picnic before the concert. There are open fields, picnic tables, playgrounds for the kids, etc. It's a really nice place and I go there often. I play volleyball there Saturday mornings in the summer (co-ed if anyone is interested - recreational but fairly good level of play). No alcohol allowed (but I've done it, discretely). We could all bring some food and drink, get there in the afternoon and hang out until the concert starts. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Details of the concert are below and the website is: http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/eventsPrograms/concert/Concert.html If this type of music isn't your thing, there are other groups every week (the list this year isn't as good as other years, IMO) Reply here if you are interested. Mike July 26 19th Annual Bayou Fest featuring THE VooDUDES 5:30pm - 6:30pm New Jersey's own Mardi Gras Party Band, the VooDUDES will strut their musical stuff to kick off this year's Bayou Fest. A mixed bag of Creole Soul, Swamp Funk, and Bayou Boogie, the VooDUDES incorporate elements of R&B, boogie-woogie, Zydeco, Latin, honky-tonk gospel, southern folk, and island music into their own distinctive blend of what can only be described as Louisiana music with a New Jersey accent.

Linda5, How would they know he's dead unless you tell them? I'm not a big FB user but maybe a post saying he passed away and you keep the site for the uses you described. You could invite those who actually knew him to write about their memories of him. I think it's great that you write to him there. You know he's reading your posts. If only he could reply ... Mike

Today is 9 years since Cathryn passed away. It seems like a lifetime ago. She has faded quite a bit from my children's memories and, yes, a bit from mine, too. My daughter, who was 4 at the time, has a friend who lost her mother about two years ago. Her friend is still struggling with grief and some of my daughter's other friends suggested that she talk to this girl, "because you understand". My daughter told me about it and then said, "Dad, I don't really understand. I don't really remember mom. I don't think I understood what happened back then." It's true. At 4 years old, she didn't have an understanding of death.Even though she knows her mother "intellectually" - that is, from all the times I told her about her mother, looked at photos and videos, told and retold stories of her life - she doesn't really KNOW her mother. More so, she doesn't feel the grief. Now, that's a good thing for her - so much potential pain that isn't there. But it hurts me to hear it. Early on I struggled with this, knowing that it would happen.After all, how much does anyone remember of their life before 4 years old? I had reconciled it, for the most part. But it still hurts now that it's "official". So, 9 years and she is slowly receding. I don't want that, but I can't stop it from happening. Every year I have taken this day to remember her, visit some of the places that were important to us and to pray for her. But the impact of the day is less than it was last year, and that was less than the year before. I suppose that's good in a way but, again, it hurts. Life is good these days ... but not great. There's something missing. You know. Without a doubt, she was the best thing that ever happened to me so it follows that her death was the worst. It still amazes me how much this one thing affects us - without end. There really is no "getting over" it, is there? Mike

Count me in. My daughter has a soccer game at noon but it's close to Snuffy's so I think I can work around it and be there for at least a while. WAW and I talked about hiking a number of times but I never did get to go with her. Coincidentally 5/4 will be 9 years for me. Ugh. Mike

Anyone? I know you're out there! Mike

Hi all, My daughter will be away this weekend so I find myself with a rare free weekend. I haven't seen any bagos in NJ for some time (used to be a regular crowd that got together frequently) so I thought I would take the initiative and see if anyone was interested for this weekend. There's not much time to debate the location or date so I'll just put this out there: I was thinking about Saturday night, 4/11 at, say 7pm in Central NJ (near where I live, of course!) There are two places I thought of that would be easy enough for a last minute thing. Both are within a mile of each other and are on Rte 22 in Bridgewater, very convenient to 287, 78, 202/206: Houlihan's 1288 US-22 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Buffalo Wild Wings 970 US-22 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Neither is gourmet food but we're here for the company, right? I think both can accommodate us without difficulty. If you are interested, reply here.with your preference for location. We'll pick the most popular site. Mike

Hi All, I am a long time member of YWBB (MikeR there and MikeR here - creativity is not my strong suit ). Nearly 9 years for me - seems like forever. Glad to see that there continues to be a place for us. Thanks to those who got this going. Mike