1. The HVBS Upstate Group arrived at the Hoffman House at 11:25 AM under the able direction of Deliberator, promptly followed by Geronimo in his dashing Acura. Members assembled in the parking lot for our first convocation at this location this year. Greeted by the new hostess, we noted an entirely new staff this year. Deliberator directed our new waitress to our usual table in the corner adjoining the window. Three cabernets and a diet Coke for Geronimo initiated the session with Shadow making the toast to our armed services. Our lunch orders arrived with Shadow not recognizing the portabello sandwich he had ordered. Our new waitress offered to replace it but Shadow said it was OK although it did not have large slices of portabello that he was expecting.
2. Referring to the agenda, Deliberator proceeded with an update on his new Dell computer; the professional installation went smoothly - shocking the assembled group by admitting to having signed up for Verizon DSL. Many questions were asked and Deliberator summarized that he liked the response and, especially, the price of $35 ($45 for RoadRunner) which allowed him to still subscribe to AOL. The installation kit comprised mainly of filters to eliminate the digital signal - one for each telephone on the line. Shadow volunteered that they were not going to consider DSL because of the cost and would live with the telephone tie-ups. PC Wiz also stated his decision to stay with dial-up with the "express" $3 a month acceleration which suited his needs. Geronimo is very pleased with RoadRunner. All four HVBS members now own Dell's.
3. Concerning his Acura, Geronimo admitted to not having many miles on the car (3700), that everything was proceeding smoothly, he liked the dealer - especially the free car wash after service. Questioned on his taking and picking up Associate Member Kay at Albany airport, Geronimo found the trip easy - especially in comparison to going to New York or Newark. Nearby Stewart would be perfect but has no carrier due to environmental hold-ups in building a highway access. Professing not to remember the quote "Schyler Drive Program to Appreciate the Grape" (e-mail, subject "FYI" of 2/6/2004), Geronimo asked Shadow and PC Wiz for details of their recent trip to Virginia. Assured all was well, the discussion turned to the wine tasting at the Johnson Farm winery which, as usual, was much enjoyed. PC Wiz described the side trip to Roanoke to the new O. Winston Link museum (Norfolk & Western railroad photographs) and the transportation museum.
4. In our "political folderol" segment, Shadow opined that President Bush has had "his foot in his mouth" for the past six months concerning Iraq - and that Iran has been the true beneficiary of the U.S. action in eliminating a dangerous rival. Deliberator and Shadow both expressed disappointment in President Bush while PC Wiz's present leaning is to vote for Ralph Nader in the Fall - Geronimo stating Nader's leftist views (he voted for Ross Perot in the last Presidential election). PC Wiz acknowledged that but asked members if Bush could possibly carry New York? All agreed that it would probably go to Kerry so our votes would not change anything. Deliberator and PC Wiz agreed that the tragedy of President Clinton was that he never achieved his potential to be a "great" president (because of his sexual proclivities according to Geronimo). Discussion level rose with Geronimo expounding his views on Senator Hillary Clinton. Geronimo agreed with Shadow and Deliberator that the country had seen its best days and asked what HVBS members thought Mayor Guiliani might do in the future. Opinion was that he most likely would run for governor, Pataki not likely to run, against Elliot Spitzer.
5. In sports Shadow mocked Mike Francessa of radio station WFAN (and YES TV) who guaranteed that the New York Mets wouldn't reach .500 again this year. It was a foolish prediction that has already been broken. Deliberator asked the rhetorical question "What's wrong with Jeter?" Shadow mentioned his .188 batting average and didn't think a $14 million player paid much attention to batting coach Mattingly (1/2 million). At Shadow's mention, Geronimo noted that Jeter's problems at the plate were more mental than anything else. Shadow was elated at the Giants getting 218 lb. 6 ft. 4" Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning (Peyton Manning's brother) in the draft along with 314 lb. 6 ft. 2" guard Chris Snee, enhancing Giant prospects in the Fall contest.
6. All members, except for Geronimo, ordered coffee with only PC Wiz opting for "plain" cheesecake. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator, fully prepared, offered the dates of July 7 and 14 for our next meeting. Debate settled the question and Wednesday, July 7, 2004 was ratified with July 14 as a secondary date. The meeting was adjourned and members greeted owner Ginny Bradley in the bar on the way out.
7. Addendum: In an HVBS rump session held in Deliberator's vehicle, the Northern contingent discussed an item not practicable on the premises. The group expressed a desire to move the venue of the next meeting to Roudigan's Steak House in Kingston. Hoffman House no longer seems the special place it was in recent years, especially due to the constant turnover in personnel. Our Official Waitresses were exceptional!

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz