1. On a Wintry, cold, clear day Shadow drove the HVBS Northern Wing to our Hoffman House rendezvous, arriving at 11:23 AM. One minute later our Southern pillar, Geronimo, arrived. We entered, greeting the bartender and staff. Host Pat Bradley set up our usual table and we were introduced to our new waitress, Nancy. She informed us that Erin, a personal relation, was not available since her husband had recently had an operation on his back. Nancy took our drink orders. While PC Wiz and Deliberator ordered Cabernets, Geronimo settled on a Syrah and Shadow opted for a Merlot (which was pronounced "Mer--lot" for the rest of our session). While distributing the wines, Nancy accidentally struck Deliberator's glass. Using his lightning reflexes, he managed to avoid getting the cascading wine spill on his clothing. With only one glass of the four spilled, Geronimo quipped that Nancy was "batting .750" - a great baseball average. After a hasty clean-up a toast was made to Deliberator's quick action and PC Wiz added a toast to Shadow's perspicacity in predicting the Giant season record at 12-4.
2. PC Wiz then produced a copy of the New York Post January 12 back cover proclaiming "Champs to Chumps" with a picture of Eli Manning leaving the field. Members agreed with Geronimo taking the copy home. Deliberator cited "lack of confidence" for the dismal performance. Shadow is convinced that the game with the Eagles was decided by the first play of the game, with Ahmad Bradshaw almost returning the ball for a touch-down. The inability to score and Coach Coughlin's inexplicable choice in the coin toss, resulting in a 4^th quarter against the (strong) wind were cited by HVBS members. Shadow was particularly upset with the plays called by the Offensive Co-ordinator. Geronimo noted that, in watching pro football, he is disgusted with the shenanigans of a player from Team "B" after he has sacked the QB of Team "A" even though his team is being slaughtered by Team "A". He also opined that Philip Rivers (in the trade for Eli Manning) was a better QB than Eli. HVBS members agreed with his assessment. PC Wiz mentioned the retirement of Colts coach Anthony Dungy. Shadow informed us that he was a "class act" and will be pursuing a religious calling.
3. Shadow informed us that the Charlton Tavern had burned to the ground, including the house next door. It was a historic building, more than 300 years old (it was determined that the cause was an electrical issue). This was the second tragedy to strike the Maloney family: William Maloney, who purchased the general store and transformed it into the tavern in 1969, died on January 4. Nancy came to take our lunch orders; Deliberator ordered a turkey club sandwich and instructed her that he wanted the bacon crisp, not "wimpy". She assured him that all their bacon was served crispy. Geronimo said that, in a cost cutting move, NY State will not be mailing out forms and instruction books - you will have to download them from the Internet (or some libraries). Shadow has a preparer who uses "E-filing" and will not miss the mailing. PC Wiz objected; first no envelopes (labels and then no labels) and now no forms which are read electronically. Considering the amount of money we are sending in we should at least get the forms. Deliberator said that, in his church, they have many elderly people who do not have computers.
4. Shadow then asked whether we knew that the "bail-out" money was being spent on take-overs of other businesses (and parties and bonuses, HVBS members piped in). We all had a good laugh when Shadow mentioned that the porn (publishing) industry is now asking for a 5 billion dollar bail-out. Geronimo volunteered that the famous men's store in New York City, Barneys, is closing their doors. Concerning Bernard Madoff, Shadow told us of the situation his workers, members of Local 2 of the Bricklayers Union, face. Some of their pension money was invested in "Bernie's" Ponzi scheme. The losses, they calculate, will reduce retirees pensions by 8%! HVBS members cannot understand why the miscreant is not behind bars (especially after giving away valuable antique watches and jewelry). Because of a change in carriers from Verizon to ATT, Shadow has been given a new cell phone. The first message on the phone was in Spanish! Luckily, the phone survived. Geronimo mentioned the Jitterbug - a simple telephone without all the expensive gadgets. Shadow declared that he had spent 40 years on the road without a cell phone and managed with pay phones (now virtually non-existent).
5. Deliberator updated us on the situations with grandson's Mark and Ryan. Ryan has assumed a tough schedule at SCCC and is doing well. In bowling, Deliberator informed us of Ryan competing in the local Huck Finn Tournament at Sportsmans Bowl. The finalists contest, to be held in Ravena, will be shown on TV (with a $1000 prize to the winner). Mark is still at Dunkin' Donuts (Ryan working part-time). They didn't lose power during the December ice storm and were very busy. However, a layoff is in the plans. Shadow commented that the power grid is antiquated, resulting in lot of power failures. Shadow showed us his new glasses with a prescription from his new ophthalmologist at Cataract Care Center. Deliberator is familiar with the doctor who, evidently, has his appointments on Wednesdays (Deliberator and PC Wiz's doctor is Doctor Kearney on Fridays). Deliberator's eye pressure has been on the high side and, instead of drops, the doctor is going to do a laser surgery to reduce the area in the eye producing the fluid.
6. Deliberator is taking Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, for the pain in his arms and upper legs - worst in the morning and evening. While taking a warm shower, which felt very good, he inadvertently hit the faucet and turned the water hotter. Deliberator did not realize how badly he had burned himself until later. PC Wiz stated his approval of the thermostatic shower valve which Shadow had installed (and in all motels) when they had their bathroom revamped. Geronimo's sage advice was to take only one shower in January. Shadow told us of the tooth he recently had pulled. The dentist prescribed anxiety (pain) pills for when the novocaine wore off. On filling the prescription for forty pills, Shadow was pleasantly surprised to be billed a surprisingly modest $5.40. Wow, in these days of hundred dollar prescriptions! Geronimo asked if we had heard that Vicks Vapo-Rub has been found to be harmful and people are advised not to use it. HVBS members all remember childhood use of Vicks - Shadow says his mother used it "by the tub". Geronimo remembered it with hot water with a towel over your head to inhale the vapor. PC Wiz and Deliberator remembered the use by all households of "Save the Baby".
7. As they were leaving, one of the people at a neighboring table came over to say "hello" to Geronimo. It turned out to be Stephen Mazzei, VP of Citi Smith Barney, across the street. He is responsible for Geronimo's investments and, at Shadow's quiry, left us with his business card - and the statement that he "still makes house calls". He quipped that the coming merger between his firm and Morgan Stanley might result in the name "Citi Morgue". Geronimo updated us on the move of his computer facilities out of the cellar, with much help from Dan. It is now much more convenient and Mandy can find a comfortable spot to observe. Geronimo then mentioned that his hard drive is making a noise: PC Wiz remarked that is a very bad symptom, he should back up anything he doesn't wish to lose. Dan advised he would replace it with a new drive - easy for him but not for us since it contains the system. So Geronimo asked Shadow how he likes the iMac. Shadow highly recommended it but the consensus is that Dan, his official technical adviser, would not be as comfortable with a Mac as the familiar Windows. Geronimo asked PC Wiz if he would consider a Mac for his next machine. With his usual waffling, PC Wiz said he might but would probably go for the more expensive Power Mac instead of the stylish iMac if he made the decision (his present Dell is 5 years old).
8. Upon the arrival of Nancy, we all ordered coffee (Deliberator a refill) and Shadow asked for the dessert menu. He ordered apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream, Geronimo and PC Wiz went for the old standby Bailey's cheese cake. HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator, taking into consideration the Winter closing of the Hoffman House from February 15 to March 12, proposed Wednesday March 18, 2009 for the date of our next meeting. It was unanimously ratified and our first meeting of the new year was adjourned.

Thanks to Geronimo and Deliberator for their reviews and corrections.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz