1. Members arrived promptly at the Hoffman House before 11:30 AM, the Northern Group piloted by PC Wiz. Deliberator first noted that Geronimo was waiting for us with his new golden Acura. All being present, HVBS members (Shadow questioning the unusual number of vehicles in the lot) approached the entrance and observed a note on the door. Horrors! Our establishment, reopening for business tomorrow on March 11, was closed for renovations. After a hurried conference in which Geronimo suggested two local possibilities, the group agreed on trying the Ramada Inn steak house nearby.
2. Again assembling at the Ramada Inn, the doughty HVBS group entered Roudigan’s steak house. No one was in evidence as members examined the premises. A young woman appeared in response to shouts and informed us that she was the only person there. Our witty response was to ask if she was also the chef! Shadow asked for seating in a private raised area and we were introduced to our Official Waitress for the session, Jessica. Beverage orders came down to three cabernets and one Coke, sorry, Pepsi for Geronimo.
3. The first Grapevine issue was raised by PC Wiz concerning Deliberator’s computer purchase. He stated that, while on order, he was open to revision of the specs for the machine. Shadow and Geronimo then wanted confirmation that the computer was actually on order. Deliberator confirmed the deed was done but said he could still change it and distributed copies of the order to HVBS members. Deliberator confirmed to Shadow that he had actually ordered via the Internet and found it, as Shadow and Geronimo had urged, quite user-friendly. Also, he qualified for a $100 mail-in discount and free shipping ($99)! When it arrives, the $159 installation will cover connecting the machine and also moving all the programs and files from his old ("crashing at unpredictable times") computer. Members agreed the installation was a good idea. On the question of Geronimo’s new Acura – he was asked directly if he met the Official HVBS Qualification: parking in the Adams store parking lot. He waffled by admitting parking in the lot but staying in the car while Associate Member Kay shopped. Although not fulfilling the requirement, the response was accepted since Shadow admitted the same tactic.
4. Shadow expounded on the possibility of going to broadband. He has rejected cable but is very interested in DSL from Verizon: using the same telephone line (and not having to install a new cable) for the computer while having normal phone service. Geronimo commented that it costs less than RoadRunner and that he has noticed considerable slow down in his cable connection at busy times. Deliberator, perusing the agenda, asked PC Wiz about how he managed to slow down the Windows XP booting. PC Wiz informed the members that he has modified his machine by doubling the memory to one gigabyte and adding a second hard drive. The new memory does slow down the quick booting of XP.
5. Shadow mentioned that when Associate Member Shirley recently had to renew her NYS driver’s license it was for a period of eight years! PC Wiz opined that it was one more sign of the State’s need for income and Geronimo mentioned that Associate Member Kay’s last renewal was also for eight years. Geronimo casually mentioned that the new Acura requires premium fuel: his calculations concluding that the extra 20c a gallon (now) was not prohibitive. PC Wiz flatly stated he would not purchase a car that did not use "regular" fuel. Shadow brought up his recent experience at his local Hess station where a car with a loud "boom box" was annoying the other patrons. The station owner said that the young man had purchased $3 worth of gasoline, paid for it, and then went back to put in another $1’s worth, creating the maximum disturbance!
6. In our political section Shadow reviewed the book he is presently reading by former Bush Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill. It is an explosive insider’s account (parts of it considered "secret") that, had Shadow known before the 2000 election, would have caused him not to vote for George Bush! Geronimo stated flatly that the "process stinks" concerning the amount of money spent on election campaigns and, although Bush is "imperfect", it did not mean a vote for Kerry. PC Wiz opined that Kerry, with his extreme leftist voting record, was not likely to defeat the President although New York State was hopeless for the Republicans. Deliberator defined himself as an "independent moderate" while PC Wiz, registered as a Republican, considered himself an "independent" with no clear idea of whom he would vote for this November. In reviewing Shadow’s query about "marriage or queerage" members agreed on their support of conventional marriage of a woman and a man; Deliberator against a constitutional amendment with Geronimo concurring. There was some discussion of New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer’s slow movement to stop the "gay" marriages by New Paltz, NY’s mayor Jason West. Spitzer has publicly admitted he advocates "gay" marriage.
7. In our Sports section, Deliberator thought Arod would be OK at third base. PC Wiz asked about Yankee pitching and members confirmed that there were no left-handed starting pitchers at this time. This would lessen hits to left field and give Rodriguez time to learn the base. The question of drug affected records was brought up and all agreed that McGwire, Sosa and Bonds unquestionably were using steroids. PC Wiz mentioned hearing on the local Dan Lynch program that "designer" drugs were specifically designed not to be detectable since members wanted the batting records to be questioned. The answer may be to use an asterisk to denote the "possible drug era". Shadow revealed an enjoyable trip to the currently being renovated Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame with PC Wiz, Russell and grandson Alex. Deliberator affirmed he had visited it last summer and Geronimo planned to visit in the future. Geronimo noted that travel plans this year will be local, such as possibly to the Finger Lakes region, since trips like Alaska are too expensive at $9000. Shadow strongly recommended visiting the Corning exhibit. On the subject of football, HVBS members gave Shadow a rousing cheer for being the only correct predictor (Giants 4-12) of no additional wins for the rest of the season. Members endorsed the removal of Coach Fassel and expect better results from Coach Coughlin, experienced in running a disciplined team.
8. Shadow then brought up the absence of an agenda item concerning the New York Rangers. PC Wiz had thought it too painful a topic. He lambasted President and General Manager Glen Sather for trading Brian Leetch, 36, who was 2^nd in the Rangers all-time scoring list, played in 11 NHL all-star Games and is headed to the hall of fame. Also of interest was the case of the brutal attack by Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks on Colorado Avalanche’ Steve Moore. Shadow decried the level of violence allowed in the game and said it limited its popularity. HVBS members agreed with his conclusion while Geronimo sagely observed that football and hockey were games for young players.
9. Upon Official Waitress Jessica’s arrival members checked out the dessert menu. The result was "chaos" pies for Deliberator and Shadow, New York Cheesecake for PC Wiz, no dessert for Geronimo and suitable beverages. Apropos Geronimo as representative of Greek culture’s contributions to the world, PC Wiz displayed a scan from American Artist magazine of the 42-foot statue of Athena recently completed by sculptor LeQuire. He and Deliberator immediately recognized the locale as Nashville, TN, having visited the concrete reproduction of the Parthenon in that city. On the subject of our next meeting date, HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator suggested Wednesdays April 28 or May 5. Shadow volunteered that a date had yet to be set for a visit to Virginia so the date of Wednesday, April 28 is tentative for now with a possibility of moving to April 21 or May 5. The epic first HVBS meeting of 2004 was adjourned and members repaired to the parking lot to admire Geronimo’s aristocratic chariot.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz