1. Culminating an uneventful trip, Shadow transported the Northern Nabobs to the Hoffman House parking lot at a well-timed 11:16 AM, Geronimo pulling into the lot at his usual razor-sharp 11:27 AM. We entered the premises, led by Deliberator, to cries of greeting. One of the waitresses shouted down the stairs to the kitchen to Erin, our HVBS Official Waitress, that her group had arrived. At our usual table Geronimo and Deliberator tweaked their chairs to find a level position as Erin took orders to relieve our thirst. After Geronimo and PC Wiz opted for Killian Red's, Deliberator and Shadow for Cabernet Sauvignon's, Shadow observed we really needed a saw to cut the table legs for stability.
2. Members toasted Geronimo on his birthday. Deliberator was questioned as to how Grandson Ryan was doing in his new term started last week at Schenectady Community College. Not much to report was the reply. Shadow then asked him if SCCC has a bowling team? The answer was "yes" although Ryan is not sure he is going to join the team because it is not competitive enough (he had a score of 791 in a recent contest). Deliberator also reported his newly married granddaughter and new husband have bought a house - a three bedroom split ranch. Shadow and PC Wiz related their night flight down the Hudson River over New York City and around the Statue of Liberty with Randy. It was visually stunning and Shadow related how Randy periodically radioed his position with landmarks such as the Holland Tunnel ventilation shafts to warn local helicopters and aircraft. Geronimo informed us the horse camp visit of granddaughter Casey was quite successful, the accompanying au pair very helpful around the house.
3. Waitress Erin came to take our lunch orders. Deliberator decided to try something different - a Roast Beef Napoleon, an open sandwich on a sub roll with melted cheese. Shadow ordered his French Dip, PC Wiz and Geronimo opted for the fish fry. In looking out the window across the street Geronimo was surprised to see the Kingston office of Smith, Barney, his broker of many years. The catsup arrived and Deliberator demonstrated the proper technique of tapping the side of the bottle. The catsup moved freely by the time PC Wiz got the bottle. Geronimo mentioned a local news item that KAZ Inc. which makes vaporizers, etc. is moving the jobs to Mexico. The plant in Hudson/Greenport (built 12 years ago) employed 350 people who will get extended unemployment benefits. This led to a discussion of the proposed St. Lawrence Cement Co. coal-fired plant that was stopped on "quality of life" issues (which would have been state of the art with local employment).
4. Returning to domestic affairs, Geronimo related to us that Dan had taken a lot of kitchen items that he has no use for such as the large heavy-duty mixer that Associate Member Kay used in cooking. Shadow quipped that he could have used it to "mix mud". Also the large assortment of spices and herbs including the sea salt that Dan uses in cooking. Geronimo stated that he does not enjoy ironing to which PC Wiz and Deliberator agreed. PC Wiz thought they had less of a problem than he, having a Maytag wringer washer (not a wash board, as Shadow inferred) which makes wrinkles where there weren't any. Deliberator confided that he only irons trousers while shirts are a must for PC Wiz. All agreed with Geronimo that mixing colors is generally OK. In a change of topic, Geronimo related Dan's impressions of China, having visited there on business several times. It was a fascinatingly different view than we generally get in the news. Dan found, which we knew, that the modern China is mostly along the coast with up-to-date factories and cities. Inland in the agricultural areas not much has changed. His insight, which surprised HVBS members, is that China is on the verge of a catastrophic downturn in their economy. Chinese wages are increasing, making them less competitive. Foreign industries are already looking for cheaper venues, such as Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Geronimo noted that China spent $30 billion on the Olympics.
5. In our sports section this is the HVBS meeting where we make our best predictions of the NY Giant season. Deliberator started the ball rolling by predicting 10-6; PC Wiz agreed with 10-6; Geronimo went on record at 9-7; and Shadow optimistically went with the Championship Year predicting 12-4. We shall see. Geronimo mentioned that Mad Dog Russo has left the FAN; Shadow confirmed it and, although Chris Russo said he would announce his plans, Shadow never heard (Russo signed a 5-year contract for "Mad Dog Radio" on satellite radio). In baseball members realized there would be no playoffs this year - not even qualifying for a "wild card". There were some disparaging remarks about Alex Rodriguez who has collected good stats for himself this year, not at critical moments in games. Deliberator stated that he was "no clutch player" even when at Seattle. Shadow felt Arod had no incentive when he had Madonna in his bed every night! Deliberator stated he likes the Mets, playing quite well this year and regretted the loss of Willy Randolph. Which led to Shadow, using roster stats, demonstrating that the manager is the only logical person to fire.
6. Geronimo asked Deliberator when he was planning to go on his trip to Washington, D.C.; on the next Thursday to especially visit the World War II, Korean and Vietnam memorials (and visit an old friend). Of his recent movie viewing, Geronimo recommended "Equilibrium" featuring Christian Bale who played Batman in "Batman Begins". It is a science fiction story of the future where emotions are outlawed and suppressed with drugs (shades of "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley said PC Wiz). PC Wiz gave Geronimo an envelope with a clipped article from Associate Member Shirley's Smithsonian Magazine. It concerned research on Greek statues which concluded they were originally painted in full color! Geronimo related that, when he and Kay visited Crete, they saw colorful murals and painted statues from the Minoan civilization. Concerning Mandy who is taken out about every three hours, Geronimo asked Shadow what schedule they have for taking Fritzi outside. After calculating his schedule, it was determined that Fritzi is also on an approximate three hour schedule.
7. Big news of the meeting was Shadow's announcement that he is not going to purchase a new car and will keep the Dodge. Inspection revealed the need for new front brakes and Shadow will also get new tires (58,000 miles). He informed HVBS members of the special (expensive) device he had installed in the car which cancels out the electrical current involved in rusting. PC Wiz verified the device although our other members had never heard of it (most dealers do not sell it). Deliberator had an experience with rust spots on his brake rotors; members thought it caused by standing outside (no room in the garage). He had new rotors and brake pads installed and they now work perfectly. Concerning Shadow's John Deere tractor, Geronimo mentioned that Adams has a John Deere trailer that goes to homes to service the tractors on the spot.
8. Erin brought us our coffees and PC Wiz, per custom, ordered a slice of Kahlua cheesecake. Deliberator and Geronimo used their spoons to sample the dessert and found it excellent. Geronimo's lunch tab was covered because of his recent birthday (HVBS resolution). HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator proposed Wednesday October 22 for the date of our next meeting (to allow for a possible December date). It was ratified and the meeting adjourned.

Thanks to Shadow, Deliberator and Geronimo for their review and gracious comments.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

September 18, 2008