1. Starting in sunshine and ending with cloudy shower-threatening skies, PC Wiz brought the Capitol District Critics to Roudigan's only to find Geronimo waiting for us at 11:19 AM. Properly parked, he pointed out to us, backed into the parking space. Entering the premises Deliberator assured the host that we knew our destination - the upper deck debating round-table. Menus were distributed by a young man who, when asked about our Official Waitress Jessica, said she was on break and would appear shortly. Jessica told us she was on holiday from school and would soon be gone visiting until about the middle of December. Orders were taken for beverages: the usual for Geronimo - coke with a twist of lemon (PC Wiz had thought it was the lemon-lime coke which is being discontinued), cabernets for Shadow and Deliberator and a merlot for PC Wiz.
2. Deliberator asked about Shadow's birthday bash and Shadow assured him it was just a routine celebration (not a special year) although he was surprised at the presence of Geronimo, Associate Member Kay and Bill and Debby Lucarelli. He informed Deliberator of a 42 year tradition of Shadow family visits to the Geronimo family abode in Poughkeepsie which has been broken this year. Geronimo then told the first "Brooklyn Tony" joke (based on skewed word meanings) - so outrageously funny that he was importuned to tell more. Deliberator raised the issue of PC Wiz's recent operation that resulted in five stents being installed to open narrowed arteries in his heart, with an overnight stay in Ellis Hospital. Shadow told of his informative talk with the surgeon, Dr. Cospito. PC Wiz brought up the Agenda item on Shadow's new plumbing facilities - with the "Toto" toilet, made in Japan. A discussion followed about the new reduced water use standards. Deliberator informed us that he often has to flush twice with his; Shadow extolled the pressurized "first flush" prowess of the Toto.
3. Shadow turned to sports, complaining about the "schizophrenic SOB's" - which HVBS members immediately recognized as the NY Giants. Although Deliberator opined that they "almost pulled it out" Shadow was adamant that it should not even have been a contest with such a lack-luster opponent. Also rankling him was their lame entry into the record books. The Giant offense gave up three touchdowns with a kickoff return, interception and punt return in one game. Shadow said, and members agreed, that the defense had not been scored upon and that the Giants had the best special teams in the League until last Sunday. HVBS members reviewed their predictions and concluded there may still be a winner (with plaudits to Deliberator for last year's performance predicting 6-10).
4. In baseball there was a discussion of the Cy Young award winner (travesty?) Bartolo Colon (21-8, 3.48 ERA). It was agreed he deserved the award since starting pitchers are favored. Shadow nevertheless averred that Mariano Rivera (43 saves, 1.38 ERA) would have gotten the award if he had not "blown" two saves. Members agreed. Arod was congratulated on his second MVP award and a discussion ensued on the issue that designated hitters should not be eligible for MVP's (and on why the American League has DH's). Geronimo raised the issue of the new steroid policy - 50 game suspension for first drug offense, 100 game for second offense and lifetime ban for a third. He approved of the policy. Shadow thought it should be the same as for the Olympics - two positive tests (Deliberator cleverly suggested there was a parallel with the "three strikes, you're out" baseball philosophy in its adoption). Larry Bowa has replaced Soho, known for his enthusiastic sending runners home, as third base coach. HVBS members fervently approved the appointing of Ron Guidry, "Cajun Lightning", as pitching coach.
5. Geronimo queried Shadow, HVBS hockey guru, on the current New York Ranger situation. Although they were ranked last prior to start of the season, Shadow confidently stated that they are doing just fine. To Geronimo's question if there are too many teams Shadow replied that the owners think big. Deliberator asked if, with having Canadian teams, would expansion to the North be feasible Shadow opined he didn't think so because of the financing cost.
6. Turning to politics, Geronimo thought John Kerry would be running for President again. PC Wiz agreed and added that a re-designed kinder, gentler Al Gore would also be in the 2006 race. Deliberator advanced the name of Evan Bayh of Indiana as the right type of candidate for the Democrats. Members agreed that Hillary Clinton would carry New York but not the Nation (PC Wiz is convinced she will get the nomination but members disagreed). PC Wiz brought up the fact that NY is now a blue state. Of 12 state-wide office elections since 1994 Democrats have won 10, Republicans 2 (both Pataki elections). Re-elected Mayor Bloomberg of NYC, a Republican RINO (Republican In Name Only) is considered (correctly) by Deliberator as a nominal Democrat. HVBS members complained at the level of property taxes. Geronimo's school tax has gone up to $3000, with a additional $2000 for town and county taxes. Deliberator said his are about $4000 total.
7. Geronimo is hoping for a mild Winter considering, since he heats with oil, the higher crude oil prices. With natural gas prices also up sharply, Deliberator's supplier, Agway - is somewhat lower than (now) National Grid which supplies PC Wiz and Shadow. When Shadow brought up the declining price of gasoline ($2.31) discussion turned to autos. Deliberator informed us that he can make telephone calls on his On-Star system to anywhere in the country using voice commands. Very handy but after the free period he will likely let it lapse - "lived 70 years without it". As to Geronimo's Acura satellite radio (XM): they had a special price for a 2-year renewal but he will then likely drop it - no programming he particularly likes. Geronimo mentioned his friend Jack Meade's Buick "conked out" because of a "crankcase sensor". PC Wiz opined that it was a common problem, most likely the crank shaft sensor which sends information for spark timing to the computer. Shadow said he had had the same problem on his Dodge Shadow company car. All four HVBS members voted against the two State-wide propositions although Geronimo said I-84 in Dutchess County is in bad shape. He also said the Tappan Zee bridge, 48 years old, is considered "obsolete". A replacement is estimated to cost from "150 million dollars to 15 billion".
8. Members opted for coffee (just making a fresh pot according to Official Waitress Jessica) and PC Wiz couldn't resist the lemon meringue pie. PC Wiz received an e-mail from Shadow with a photo of the latest 21 bags of leaves lined up on the street for pickup - a remarkable picture. Geronimo spent Saturday and Sunday blowing leaves into the woods. PC Wiz asked if the blower was electric, having seen a professional with a gasoline blower, with great power, in action. Geronimo said he has both but he still had to "kick the shit loose" to blow the abundant deer droppings (the use of the vernacular "shit" was found appropriate by members). Looking forward to the Holidays, Geronimo told us they are going to celebrate Thanksgiving, bringing the food, at Sharon's house in Connecticut because it is larger. Shadow admitted he is always glad when the holidays are over and PC Wiz opined that this is a stressful time of year. Geronimo, mentioning Christmas, said he has a tree with the lights attached. It evidently folds for storage but he was cautious in not doing it too tightly; we will see how the story unfolds for this season. Good luck, Geronimo.
9. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator then proposed a date for our first meeting of 2006. Members could not decide between January 11 or January 18 so, in a brilliant display of decisiveness, PC Wiz opted for Wednesday January 18^th 2006. Members agreed that the date is tentative subject to the weather and may be delayed. With ratification the final HVBS meeting of 2005 was adjourned.

Thanks for corrections: Geronimo & Deliberator (Item 7) and Shadow (Items 2&5).

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

November 25, 2005