Guests on the invitation list have the option of e-mailing me requests to our facilitators. These are requests, written by the guests themselves, statinge what kind of people they want to meet — everything from activity partners, business contacts, new friends, or romantic interests. Fairly soon, people will be able to submit and edit such requests through this Web site.

Requests can be public or private. Public requests are distributed before the party to everyone who has RSVPed "Yes" or "Maybe." Private requests are distributed only to the facilitators.

If you make such a request, be as specific as possible. For example:

"I'm looking for a tennis partner."

"I want to meet that cute guy in the corner. Is there any way you can get him away from the three guys he is talking to?"

"I'm looking to meet a venture capitalist who will fund my business."

"I need a good criminal defense lawyer." (Hopefully not.)

"I'm thinking of applying to Stanford Business School. Is there anyone who attended Stanford?"

"I'm an intellectual property lawyer who just moved to Boston. If anyone at the party works for a major law firm, please let me know."

"I'm looking to hire sales reps who know RFID."

"I'm a Web designer who always looking for new clients."

"I'm a physician who wants to know more about asset protection trusts. If there any lawyers or other professionals who specialize in that area, I'd like to meet them."

If you're single and looking, you can make a request to the facilitators concerning who you'd like to meet. If you make such a request, please only include requests for characteristics that a facilitator can easily ascertain.

In your private requests to the facilitators, there's no reason not be honest. If you only want to date tall men, if you're only attracted to redheads, if you don't want to date someone who has short hair, if you don't want to meet someone who doesn't have at least a masters degree, if dating a college professor turns you on, then tell that to the facilitators so they don't waste your time. Romantic preferences are to a large extent completely irrational and we all have our own idiosyncratic tastes.