I think the hosts also often set the mood. I've met the hosts of the other social that meets there and they are very friendly and open. While the hosts at this social basically took our money and said hello.

When we describe swing socials to newbies, we always point out that each social will have a different feel to it even if the group of people involved are the same. As human beings, our moods are always changing, so that affects the chemistry among couples at any get-together.

The Fountain of Youth is in Florida. They have a wesbsite for it. It's about 15 acres in size.

welcome back! So what caused such a long break?

So did you make it to the Rooster?

I wasn't here for a lot of these discussions, so it's just like a new thread to me - and I'm not the guy who's dredging up old threads to throw in my 2 cents...

I do like the party invites feature on SZC... probably my favorite feature.

We were talking about this the other day, and I'm glad we started with clubs before we really started trying to use the ad sites or we would be totally frustrated. The best luck we've had with SLS is using it to see who's going to be at a party and contacting those we think we might be interested in ahead of time (or them contacting us). Plus even if there was no contact a lot of times it gives a conversation starter : "hey don't you have a picture of you with xyz in your profile?".

Thank you very much for the kind words. We've been asked how we got into swinging a lot, so I figured I'd write it all out. Thank you for sitting through it all...

Thank you very much for your kind words. Feel free to link others to it who you think might be interested in it. We've been asked about swing clubs a lot, and I originally wrote this for a blog I was going to start, then never did. Once I discovered Swinger's Board and started getting involved in it, I thought that this was a natural place to put it. I'm not into shameless self-promotion, but if anyone would like to link people to this entry, feel free to do so. Thank you again for the comments!

I think it narrows down to. So many people and opportunities.Very few actual meetings.... I see why so many get to the point/place of, lets just go to the clubs.

We just can't get to a place where we give up the add sites. It does work, but its only occasionally with couples. We fair better actually setting up, arranging and meeting.. singles, in reality. It seems like we find the house party/club invites our best venue. With that, we can go at our choice anytime. The same with clubs

The kids are already taken care of before we meet there. Although we were turned down once, as they had to leave early. Babysitter troubles As we were told after the female of a couple returned from making a call out in her car. They did leave, we just didn't get a sense she was anything less than honest about it.

One thing we noticed about the new Swinger Zone, 90% party invites.... Can't say thats a bad thing

You have a very good, understanding.

If only more people could read this...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.

Your very captivating, to say the least. We have many things in common.

All those people can't be wrong Julie. We're often our hardest critics. No matter who or how many tell me I'm nice looking....I'll always be that 4 eyed nerdy kid from junior high.

Tell me about it. This is (at least) my 7th stylist in 6 years! I think I've gotten more compliments on my hair today than I have in the last year or more... and one of those was from another hairdresser that we met while out at a wine tasting tonight.

That's great Julie. Sometimes a little ego boost is just what we need to see our self image in a more appropriate light.

Congrats on finding someone who does good hair...that ain't easy!

From our experience, it's always a good time! We've had times where we've explored and played with others and just as many where it was just us. Either way it was a great night spend with some great people.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Julie, when you said that you don't see the change because you saw it every day. It's much the same as when we notice our hair changing color. We know it didn't happen overnight, we just don't notice the gradual change because we see it in the mirror every day, and to our perception, nothing is changing. About 12 years ago, I lost a dramatic amount of weight (50lbs in 7 months,) and even though I saw that I was a smaller size, I kept seeing that 'spare tire' around my middle. I haven't varied more than 6 or 7 lbs since then, and I still have that little bit of a gut, but I can live with it.

Congratulations, by the way. I can tell you that it's never easy to lose and keep it off. Good job!

I'll vouch for the "not seeing the change".

I lost a total 80 lbs on Atkins, and I've kept it off for the last 5 years, and took off another 8 lbs this summer.

It took about 3 years before I stopped seeing myself as I was even part time. I think I've finally accepted my current size and see that size just in the last year.

I always think of "The Matrix" with all the mumbo-jumbo about "residual selves". But I think it has a ring of truth. In this case, the longer you had the weight, the harder it is for your brain to recognize and accept the new image and subsequently swap it out for the old image.

There is always more to the story. Right now we are taking time off to work on My shyness issues(from childhood) and her guilt issues(from childhood) Maybe, one day, there will be more to tell.

I was the heavier weight (or an even heavier than that weight) for close to 10 years. I am currently the smallest I've been in at least 10 years... so yes I guess it will take some getting used to.

Thank you both for your kind words.