1. A cloudy sky transformed into a sunny day as Shadow deftly transported the Terrific Three to the Raccoon Saloon in Marlboro, arriving at a precise 11:25 AM despite widespread road construction. Northern members found that Geronimo had preceded us to the appointed spot. Upon trying the establishments door we found it still locked, awaiting the scheduled 11:30 opening time. The door was soon opened and we met out new Official Waitress Patricia, hired but two weeks earlier (who has a part-time business power washing decks and houses). Upon query by Deliberator she informed us that Stacy, our last waitress, was still working on another shift. Members ordered their first libations, Anchor Steam for Shadow, Smithwick ales for Deliberator and PC Wiz with Geronimo opting for a Pepsi Diet. During the session Geronimo, with members appreciation, regaled us with selected outstandingly funny stories.
2. The fresh bread with olive oil served with the drinks quickly disposed of, Deliberator ordered a second serving. At the request of Shadow PC Wiz raised the issue of HVBS archives. All notes by Geronimo having been lost in computer crashes he proposed that our group needed a historian and promptly nominated Shadow. Deliberator informed us that all his e-mails had been on AOL and not on his personal computer. In changing machines they had all been lost. Official Waitress Patricia came to take our luncheon orders. To Deliberator's question to explain what a "petite" burger was, she said it was slightly smaller while Geronimo opined that the difference was a "buck" ($8 and $9). Deliberator and Geronimo ordered "petite" burgers, Shadow the "Big-un" and PC Wiz the beef soup and turkey sandwich special.
3. In our General Discussion Shadow told HVBS members that, although retired, he found himself in great demand. All were busy cleaning up the annual Fall leaf-fall with Deliberator hiring a professional service to pick up the leaves, brush, final mowing and vacuuming the lawn. The complete yard cleanup cost about $150 and Deliberator was very satisfied. Shadow mentioned that his lawn service had just put down the annual Winterizer. Deliberator is planning on a new roof in 2005 - HVBS members thought he might have meant "deliberating"; he agreed it was probably the correct term. PC Wiz read from a copy of the May 26, 1999 HVBS agenda which reminded us of many nostalgic events such as Shadow's Amtrak trip to Virginia and Geronimo's new Dell computer!
4. The first order of business concerned professional sports. Deliberator raised the issue of Pedro Martinez negotiating with George Steinbrenner. Shadow said this was bypassing General Manager Brian Cashman while PC Wiz said sports commentators thought it merely a ploy to raise his salary with the Red Sox where he is going to stay. Geronimo asked Shadow, our hockey expert, whether it was a strike or lockout. Shadow said it was a lockout and that the season was clearly cancelled. In response to a question, Shadow said the starting salary was around $800,000 for a sport that ranks low among American sports, perhaps #5 and is therefore in jeopardy. Deliberator brought up the case of Barry Bonds, approaching a home-run record. Geronimo opined he is still on steroids since Giambi, after giving up the drugs, was going downhill. Shadow said he does not respect Bonds or his "record", that he is not in the same class as great players like Ernie Banks and Henry Aaron. Members agreed. PC Wiz asked for an explanation for the Yankees not being able to win one game in four in the World Series? Geronimo pointed out that the same thing had happened to the St. Louis Cardinals. Asked to explain the NASCAR Nextel Cup contest Shadow said that, with one race left, five teams were within 82 points. With the winner of the final race getting 190 points the Homestead Florida race may well determine the cup recipient.
5. In our Tech Talk segment Shadow brought up his dissatisfaction with the Verizon tech support for DSL. Deliberator remarked that he has had no problems since his move to DSL and Geronimo said, "knock on wood", that his SP2 upgrade has been working well. PC Wiz agreed with Shadows view of Verizon's tech support but thought DSL was just great - although a bit quirky at times. PC Wiz does not care for the MSN subscription which is included at no extra charge, preferring instead to set up a custom Yahoo home page with financial news (the same for Shadow). Geronimo informed the group that he was now leaving his computer on all day with a screensaver. PC Wiz is also doing the same while Shadow informed us that Associate Member Shirley, really enjoying the speed of DSL, is on-line for long periods with her Web groups.
6. With the election over, HVBS members did not dwell overly long on political topics. Shadow agreed with the nomination of Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State; all considered her very intelligent and a good candidate. While everyone had great admiration for Colin Powell, PC Wiz related news stories relating how foreign diplomats went to "Condie", who has the Presidents ear, rather than to Secretary Powell. Concerning the Iraq war, all agreed that the U.S. should try to avoid foreign wars. As Shadow succinctly put it, "we shouldn't get involved in wars because we no longer have the guts" required (the Marine shooting a case in point). With the French government openly hostile to us Geronimo proposed not purchasing French wines. Shadow and PC Wiz have already committed to this path.
7. With the arrival of final coffees, HVBS members buckled down to a discussion of our next meeting in the New Year. PC Wiz had assumed early March, as has been our tradition, and Deliberator proposed March 2 or 9, 2005. Shadow pointed out that the past reason was because our Hoffman House venue closed for February every Winter and that we could now have a meeting anytime, weather permitting (and rapid communication via telephone or e-mail). HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator thereupon left it up to PC Wiz, the scheduled Northern driver, to pick a place and date in January. Members agreed and PC Wiz proposed convening at Roudigan's in Kingston on January 12, 2005, weather permitting. Geronimo pointedly pointed out to PC Wiz that Official Waitress Patricia had not offered a desert menu so, sigh, we all escaped with a more modest calorie consumption than usual.

Thanks to members for corrections: Shadow - burger definition & NASCAR points, Geronimo - General Manager Cashman, Deliberator - ditto Cashman, clarified yard cleanup.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz