• Update on the potluck in the park with Gail Vaz-Oxlade

    Posted on July 15th, 2009 Saver Queen 15 comments

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    Just a quick update – I know that everyone has been interested to hear about how the pot-luck in the park was with Gail Vaz-Oxlade.  I was concerned about the weather, because it was calling for day-long thunderstorms, however shortly before Gail arrived, the weather cleared up and became an absolutely beautiful day!  ”We brought the sun with us,” Gail announced as she arrived with her kids. It was sunny, warm, and just lovely.  I was also concerned about the strike, but it turned out to be a non-issue as well.  We did have to occupy a new space, since the location I had chosen was inhabited by several homeless people, and my permit had been rendered null, but that issue was easily resolved as there was a nearby covered area that was just as suitable.  Furthermore, I had initially been concerned that there would be a huge mass of people, but as it turned out, we had a perfectly sized group – I would estimate we had about 40-50 in total.

    Gail was the gregarious, funny, warm, and kind-hearted person that you know and love from the show. She was exceptionally gracious and a whole lot of fun.  It was wonderful to meet her and many of the other people I regularly hear from on Gail’s blog, such as psychsarah and h-u-g. Several of the Gail club members were there, including one who came dressed in her work apparel – as a clown!

    Gail shared some interesting tidbits from the show, reminding us that we only see “snippets” but the conversations take hours to complete and often involve long arguments.  Gail says, though, that she’s never lost her temper on a couple. She also told me that she keeps the couple in her heart the entire month, so that it’s a very exhausting process.  She also said that meeting her fans and followers is the best part of the job.  One gentleman at the pot-luck said that if it wasn’t for Gail, he wouldn’t be married, and he wouldn’t have his beautiful baby boy.  It just goes to show the kind of impact that Gail has on others’ lives!

    It was a lovely group of people and everyone brought delicious and nutritious food.  Thank you everyone for your contribution, and for coming to participate in the day’s events! I hadn’t planned anything exactly like this before, so I was very pleased to see it come together so nicely, and bring forth such a wonderful group.  I hope to make in an annual event!

    The Saver Queen

    Till Debt Do Us Part, Uncategorized
     

    15 responses to “Update on the potluck in the park with Gail Vaz-Oxlade”

    1. ter July 15th, 2009 at 22:12

      I would love to meet Gail someday. I could use her financial advice! I don’t think she does any of her show in Manitoba though. Oh well. I do watch the show on a semi regular basis, and have gotten some ideas from there but can’t quite figure out how to apply them to my own life.

    2. psychsarah July 15th, 2009 at 22:22

      It was a fantastic afternoon-it was great to meet you, Gail, and all the pot-luckers. I would love for it to be an annual event-if you need any help with the organization (which you did perfectly by the way) please contact me!

    3. Annie July 15th, 2009 at 22:42

      Oh wow!! Where have I been?? I didn’t know anything about this. Not that I would have been able to get there, but what a wonderful day you had! How awesome to meet the Lady Herself and spend time with her. Well done for organizing it, SQ! :)

    4. jolie July 15th, 2009 at 23:21

      ohhhhhh I am truly envious of all of you. That must have been so much fun. I can’t wait until she comes to Saskatchewan. So glad you had a great day.

    5. Freckles July 16th, 2009 at 01:02

      SQ – were there any conversations about “where are they now”? From reading past entries on Gail’s blog about this subject it seems that the producers of TDDUP do not have the same interest as the rest of us for updates … but were they any updates given at the BBQ on any of the past participants?

      Also, do you know if there is an ‘air date’ date for Gail’s new show?

      P.S. Fabulous photo – those are definitely two GENUINE joyful smiles! Nice to see.

    6. FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com July 16th, 2009 at 07:14

      Sounds incredible!

      I’m sorry I missed it — I just came a day too late to the area…

    7. Erran July 16th, 2009 at 08:15

      Ter – Gail only shoots couples in the Greater Toronto Area (or in close proximity), because that’s where she lives and how she gets about to visiting each couple in person. Manitobans are hooped unfortunately.

      SQ, so proud of you for putting the BBQ together. Sounds like a lot of fun. I wish I could have been there. Glad everything was more or less smooth.

      Thanks for posting about the day!

    8. psychsarah July 16th, 2009 at 09:48

      Freckles-I heard part of Gail’s explanation for no follow-up shows. (Someone who heard the whole thing can correct me on some of the fuzzy details…) It’s not the producers who don’t want to do follow-ups, it’s Slice-since they show the episodes in heavy rotation and not everyone sees them at the same time/day, they don’t want the follow-ups to be viewed before someone sees the actual show. Makes sense I guess from a procedural perspective, but still a bummer. I’m with you-I’d love to know how people are doing after Gail goes away.

    9. Saver Queen July 16th, 2009 at 09:53

      psychsarah, do you mind sending me your email? maybe we can get together for coffee the next time I’m in London, if you’re interested: saverqueen at gmail dot com.

    10. Ginger July 16th, 2009 at 10:28

      Aww! I wish I could have been there! Right in my end of town, too!

      I was camping, otherwise I totally would have shown up.

      Very cool! I hope there is another one soon!

    11. H-U-G July 16th, 2009 at 14:23

      I wish someone had taken a group picture. But it was a wonderful time!

    12. Jamie July 16th, 2009 at 16:07

      Thanks so much Megan for setting the picnic up. Tyler and I had a great time!

      Even if Gail can’t always come, we should set this up as an annual event so that everyone can share how they’re doing and how TDDUP and Gail has changed their lives. She certainly has changed mine! :D

      Have fun in Sweden! :)

    13. Kate July 18th, 2009 at 00:23

      I am SO sorry to have missed it- whiel I couldn’t have counted on a last-minute deployment halfway around the world, I was SO disappointed to miss it!

      Have a great time in Sweden!

    14. April W. July 21st, 2009 at 10:03

      SQ,
      Thank you so much for organizing this event! We had a fantastic day, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet both you and Gail.
      My DH is the fella who made the comments about Gail saving our marriage, thus producing the cutest (yet slightly demonic)baby boy, now toddler.
      We plan to attend every year that this event is held.
      Hope your trip to Sweden is full of fun, laughter, and tons of happy new memories!

    15. Jessie August 21st, 2009 at 12:37

      I was wondering how this went, thanks for sharing!!

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