Gangster BB Weekend (2005)

Who wants to make some bets here? Or maybe I should start a poll :

Is DMC gonna show up this time, or not?




Don Cardi

Not. He's henpecked. :p :rolleyes:

Unless you want me to walk from my house to the hotel then it all rests on my girlfriend's schedule

I say that he's a yes. After all, how could he resist the surf 'n turf AND the bottle of champagne?

I'm only 20 years old......could the J in JG stand for Jackson :p

I didn't realize that you were 20. Now I feel like a dirty old lady!! But I hope that you get there on Saturday!

Getting back to what we are going to do, might I suggest we take a trip to the Corleone Mall? I would love to see that place.

It's not that far away. Maybe about an hour or so.

Actually it's even less than an hour away.

Maybe several of you will want to take a ride into Staten Island to the Corleone house.

Me, I'll be coming from that direction to the hotel, and don't really want to drive back there again.


Don Cardi

Probably about an hour from the Bada Bing , too

About an hour to Atlantic City, too

OK...so, JUST IN CASE I'm able to join the gang on the evening of Friday, August 5th and don't feel like sifting through all the posts in this thread for information.

Where exactly were you planning to converge for dinner?

And keep in mind that since I'll be driving home that same night...I've got to keep the wine drinking to a minimum.

Apple

I believe we're leaning towards this deli on Friday night...

Closer to two. But like DC, I'd have to drive back passed my house to get there. :p

[/QB][/QUOTE]


Whatever everyone decides to do, I'll do. My only suggestion is that if we decide to go to Harold's on Friday night, we may need to get there before 6:00 PM as it gets very crowded after 6. But we can decide that when we get to the hotel on friday.


Don Cardi

Mig - When do you get in?

Well I have to drive 6+ hours so hopefully I can get there around 3 ish on Friday afternoon. That way I can chill a little bit before I grace you guys with my presence. HA!HA!

You're all making me hungry again!! Since I just came off a cruise boat, I'm used to being fed every three and half minutes.

Wish I could make it. Is this going to be an annual thing?
I say we do one some time in Vegas.

I am definitely sorry I can't make this one, but Vegas???? Now you're talking.


TIS

Vegas??? Vegas is for losers. I know because a cabby told me.

Vegas??? Vegas is for losers. I know because a cabby told me. [/b][/quote]Yes, I need to go back there. when I left a few weeks ago I left some of my money there, so I must go back and get it.


Don Cardi

I'll go back and visit my money someday.

Interested in going to the track (even for just a few races) Saturday afternoon? Monmouth is about 45 minutes away - we could make the daily double, schmooze, see the horsies and still be back in time for a dunk in the pool with some booze before dinner.

Check your PM.

Great Idea! We can head out after breakfast and go for a couple of races.

Who else is in?


Don Cardi

Monmouth? Might as well have breakfast at my house!

Pretty funny -- things to do near every one of us, but no one wants to go back to their own backyard...

All those ideas sound fun. Whatever you end up doing, I'm sure it'll be a blast!

I hope Geoff or SC bring their laptops so they can give us all the Uncensored "on the scene" news as it happens. :p I'm sure they'll allow it in the bar.

Is it still hot/humid there???


TIS

For any of you locals what is the weather going to be like next weekend?
IMHO I think it would be still be cool to go to the Corleone Mall and get a group pic. Anybody agree with me?

As it stands now, the long range forecast (10 days) has it being sunny and seasonably warm on Friday (about 85°) and a 60% chance of t-storms on Saturday.

Ponies, Vegas, Atlantic City, why don't you just give me your money and I'll save you the travel expenses!!

Any chance we will be visiting the Godfather house on Saturday?

My sources have just informed me that I will be available from around 11am Saturday TO THE END OF THE DAY

Personally, I'd rather join Migs to the Corleone Compound. I've never seen it! Lou could show us the way if DC and SC go ride the "poloponies" in Monmouth instead... :p

When you have a large amount of people, there is bound to be some who want to do this, and some who may want to do that. And that's not a big deal at all. Everyone should do what they enjoy.

No one should get offended if another doesn't want to do what they want to do. Everyone should do what makes them happy, without the other getting offended.

I suggest that on Saturday, whomever wants to go to the Corleone Compound , goes to the Corleone Compound and enjoys what they are doing. And whomever wants to go to the track , goes to the track and enjoys what they are doing. And whomever wants to veg out by the pool , veges out by the pool and enjoys what they are doing.

As long as we are back in time for dinner, all have dinner together and then hang out and have cocktails together after dinner, that's fine. What counts is that EVERYONE has a great time.

No one should feel obligated or worried that they may offend another person. It's a long day on Saturday and there is plenty of time in the day for everyone to do what makes them happy and still enough time for us to enjoy each others company.

Hey mang, we can alwys go to da fockin Babylon Club, Okay mang?


Don Cardi

I agree DC, to anyone who is going to the Godfather House let me know a time frame, it might be easier to meet you guys up there rather than at the hotel. Just an option.

For those wishing to go to the Corleone Compund, here are directions from the hotel:

1: Start out from Somerset Doubletree Hotel going NORTHWEST on ATRIUM DR toward DAVIDSON AVE. 0.1 miles Map

2: Turn RIGHT onto DAVIDSON AVE. 0.4 miles Map

3: Turn RIGHT onto CR-527 S / EASTON AVE. 0.3 miles Map

4: Merge onto I-287 S via the ramp on the LEFT toward PERTH AMBOY/ OUTERBRIDGE CROSSING

5: GO Over OUTERBRIDGE CROSSING and after toll take WEST SHORE EXPRESSWAY to STATEN ISLAND EXPRESSWAY towards the Verrazano Bridge.

6: Get off STENE ISLAND EXPRESSWAY EXIT 12 toward TODT HILL RD / SLOSSON AVE.

7: Turn RIGHT onto SLOSSON AVE which becomes TODT HILL ROAD.

8: Turn LEFT onto OCEAN TER.

9: Turn RIGHT onto LONGFELLOW AVE. 0.1 miles Map

10: End at 110 Longfellow Ave
Staten Island, NY 10301-4616, US

From there you can go to Mt. Loretto to see the Church used for the outside scenes after the Baptism in GF. Not far from the Corelone Compound at all. As a matter of fact it is on the way back towards the hotel.

NOTE : DO NOT use Mapquest for directions, their directions are not accurate and will take you out of the way.

The directions I posted above are more accurate and are easier travel wise.




And don't forget : Leave the gun and take the Cannolis!

Don Cardi

Well, it THAT's the case why don't all of you just come from all directions & meet for dinner in MY neighborhood (just west of NYC) then return to the hotel for your nightcaps. That way, I don't have to do a darn thing except pick the place!!



Just kidding you understand....but it was too tempting a prospect to not offer.

Apple

I pick YOUR house! What time is dinner then? :p


Don Cardi

Well, it THAT's the case why don't all of you just come from all directions & meet for dinner in MY neighborhood (just west of NYC) then return to the hotel for your nightcaps. That way, I don't have to do a darn thing except pick the place!!

Apple [/QUOTE]

Come over here, kid, learn something. you never know, you might have to cook for twenty guys someday> You see you start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic, then you throw in some tomatoes, some tomato paste
you fry it, you make sure it doesnt stick. You get it to a boil, throw in all your sausage and your meatballs, and a little bit of wine, and a little bit of sugar, and that's my trick.

We'd never fit in my 'house' (which is in reality a 1-bdrm apartment)!!!

But there is a lovely place called Cafe Tivoli only blocks away...and did I mention we are JUST off the NJ Turnpike????

http://www.ardore.com/listing.asp?r=cafetivoli02&c=Bergen&m=c&u=all

Pictures of The Corleone Compound Compliments of our fellow board memeber JUST LOU :

http://www.picjar.com/pub/godfather/Godfather/


Don Cardi

I will definitly join you guys for dinner but I have to check my plans for after dinner. If you want me to meet you guys at the hotel then I'll need to know some way of finding out who/where you are lol

I'm sure I can't go wrong saying I'm the mesuesse (can't spell) that JG ordered but I'd rather do it a different way :p

Only if they are a "string of poloponies."


Don Cardi

We really should pick a specific time and place within the hotel to meet. I suggested this, but JG and DC accused me of being too compulsive :p . The hotel bar has happy hour from 5-7. Why don't we meet there at, say, 6'ish? Earlier? Later?

I'll be there by 5:01!

But will you be there with bells on?

That's not 'til after about 6 hrs...

I'll PM you my cell -- tho I'm sure you will have NO problem finding us!!

Well, Don Cardi told me that I have to dress up as Connie, and that you will all be suitably costumed. I've had a heck of a time finding a 1940's bridal gown, but after untold visits to various thrift shops, I finally feel I'm ready. Since my husband is fair-haired and fair-skinned, he's going as Tom Hagen.

Hey, DC wasn't just pulling my leg, was he?

He better not be kidding. I already gained 40 pounds so I'd fit into my XXL "Clemenza" undershorts.

I don't know JG... I always did have a hard time finding Waldo! :p

Well, my husband WAS originally going to dress as Luca, complete with vest, but we thought that the fish smell was a bit much to wear in public.

Being that we may be a LARGE group for dinner, I think that we should make a reservation for SATURDAY evening's dinner. I can do it this week.
But first I need a confirmation from everyone. Here is what I came up with as far as how many we will be :

SC & Consigliere's Lady
Plaw and Girlfriend
Don Smitty and Wife
Sicilian Babe and Husband
Mignon and Daughter
Geoff
DonMichaelCorleone & Girlfriend
Don Cardi and Mrs. Cardi

These are the 15 people that I know of who should be having dinner on SATURDAY night.

EVERYONE above PLEASE confirm that I am correct in listing you and your spouses/guests. And PLEASE let me know if a 7:30 PM Reservation works for everyone.

If anyone else plans on joining us, then PLEASE let me know and I will make the appropriate reservation for dinner.
Otherwise I am going with what I have here.


Don Cardi

Ok, everyone that needed to contact me did contact me, so I will make the reservations for Saturdays dinner.

Oh, and one more thing, if anybody, and I mean anybody, gets up from the dinner table and asks for permission to go to the bathroom, there's gonna be trouble!



Anyway my men will be over at the house playing cards with the negotiator.


Don Cardi

DC, since there will be others there drinking let's just hope no one (not from our group lol of the others) goes to the bathroom and comes out with his * in his hands lol :p

As Sonny says in the TBS version "....his stick in his hand."

GF Sounds

Don Cardi

OK I have a few questions. Is there more than 1 bar in this hotel? And what time are we supposed to meet Friday evening? About dinner on Saturday night what kind of resturant is it? What kind of clothes do I need dressy or casual?

On the hotel's web site, it refers to Happy Hour form 5-7 at TK's Pub, but I just realized that Happy Hour is only Monday to Friday! I guess it's still a good place to meet up. The same bar also has a DJ on Saturday nights.

The dinner, I am assuming, is in Tuscany's, the hotel restaurant. The hotel website doesn't mention a dress code. I just called them and asked, and they said that it's casual, which nowadays can mean anything. I know that most places, even if they say casual, discourage shorts or T-Shirts. Hope that helps!!

I was gonna wear my my shorts that cover half my backside and look like they're ready to fall down.

But with a a nice pair of boxers underneath, of course. That shouldn't be problem, should it?

Do you drink that much that one bar is not enough for you?


It's a restaurant that serves food & beverages. Don't you have those kind of places where you live? :p

See the thread that TIS started about "Kids, What Ya GOnna Do?
There should be some styles of clothing that you want to wear.



Ok, there is a lounge in there which I believe is called
TK's Pub.

What time do you plan on getting in on Friday?

The Restaurant is a Fine Dining restaurant. Casual dress, no shorts, tank tops, but you don't need a dress or a suit either. Nice presentable clothes.

Don Cardi

Certainly does !!!

Apple

Apple, are you meeting us Saturda Evening for Dinner? If so, how many will you be?


Don Cardi

Right now I don't know.

If the weather is lousy and our annual local 'luau' is postponed to Sunday, then yes I will really try to make it.

If I do it will probably be just me unless I cannot find babysitting duties for my child which is highly unlikely.

But for now, don't add me to the reservation. Am sure they'll be happy to add a chair to the table if I do manage to show up.

Apple

*puts thong back in the closet* I thought it was weird JG told me this was ok

Bring them with you anyway...JG might plan on inviting a selected few to his room for nightcaps.

Apple

You know what they say....."Sometimes the truest things are said in jest."

well JG does owe me a dollar so maybe the thong might make him feel a little more comfortable when he gives it to me lol

It might hurt more when you get your though...

Boat chu guys. focking hores!


Don Cardi

*Hopes SC reads this*

I will be a man of my word and I know JG is a man of his word. JG clearly posted that $1 would be given to anyone who reads his MLB.com thread. And SC stated that no one is helping JG with the bills of this board. So I, DMC, will personally donate $1 to the boards :p

*lefty/Donnie Brasco Christmas anyone lol*

I'll be sure to take pictures of that

I'll be sure to take pictures of that [/b][/quote]Looks like I'll be donating more than just $1 to the boards then :p

Don't worry, I won't draw blood...

Don't worry, I won't draw blood... [/b][/quote]Awe shucks, just when this looked like it was going to get good!

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.


DS

I'm in!


DS

Mig and I, and whoever else is interested, plan on checking out the Corleone Compound and baptism church... and perhaps anything else we find of interest in the area. As I said to Mig, we gotta do something Godfather-related besides drinking like the fishes...!

Since it's so close, though, I'm up for the track (Monmouth or Freehold) most any other weekend!

I am in for the Godfather House.

You mean The Pentangelli house. ( see topic over in GF Trilogy).


Don Cardi

I thought that was understood lol

You're a baaaaad boy, DC.

The Church is at Mount Loretto on Hylan Blvd. which is technically on the way back to New Jersey from The Corleone Compound. So you may want to hit that site on the way back.
Let me know if you need directions to Mt. Loretto from the Corleone Compound.


Don Cardi

Hey DMC, are you staying at the hotel with us?


DS

No I won't be staying at the hotel, I will be staying at another hotel though, since we belong to marriott we need 10 nights to stay at a certain level of percentage points above what we spend (if you belong to it you would know lol) So since we don't get to go away that much 10 nights is hard and every night counts, so we're just getting a room at a marriott in Somerset. *yeah long drawn out answer lol*

Oh, so you'll be staying right up the road from us then.


Don Cardi

I guess, there are two marriots in Somerset I need to see which one's closest.

Reservations have been made for Harold's Deli for 6:15PM this Friday Evening.



Harold's New York Deli


Don Cardi

Just wanted to clear something up before I showed up...JG is covering 85 or 90% of the total bills? :p

Actually, we just found out exactly what hotel you'll be staying at so we've made some changes in our plans which will afford us the opportunity to have everything we do charged to your room.


Don Cardi

I don't even have a reservation yet........pretty creepy DC lol

You can charge all you want lol it will never get paid lol

Oh yes you do, you just don't know it yet!


Don Cardi

My offer is this: Nothing. Not even the fees for the martinis, which I expect you to put up personally. :p

Oh yes you do, you just don't know it yet!


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]I guess I have a secret admirer or should I say ANOTHER secret admirer lol

My offer is this: Nothing. Not even the fees for the martinis, which I expect you to put up personally. :p [/b][/quote]You want an underage child to buy drinks for someone of age.... that's just being a cheap pedofile lol (I can't spell)

Why isn't Just Lou joining you????


TIS

Because the creep wanted to go to Aruba instead. Can you imagine that???

For what, a month?

And is Turnbull still in Arizona?

Yeppers. We'll all be in Joisey when he's getting his massage in Arizona. I wonder if he'll be wearing his glasses.

And what about that young punk DJ? Isn't he in NY also?? What could possibly be more important than meeting the BB crew, especially if you're in NY somewhere?????


TIS

Haha, Buffalo is a bit further away than just a bus or taxi from where y'all are going to be meeting, TIS.

Plus, I'm just a poor college kid. I have to buy textbooks, pay tuition, etc. Don't worry though, I plan on coming to one of these things sooner or later.

Buffalo is really in Canada.

What about you, Mary? :p

Buffalo is really in Canada. [/b][/quote]I'd shoot myself. :p

What could be more important than meeting me, no matter where you are

Well if Mary Cas goes, I'll go!!!!


TIS

I will be leaving tomorrow in the AM. for my first stop on the road to Joisey. I have to pick up my daughter in Newport News, VA. Then we will be leaving EARLY in the morning on Friday for my 6-7 hour drive. I can't wait to meet everybody.

TIS & DJ
I was hoping to meet you guys. I will miss ya.

I have another question, when we get there are we going to address each other with our board names or our real names? Mines the same either way.

In Chicago most of us used real names, except I called Don Sicilia "Douche" and LDV "Buffy" Since they won't be coming, I guess we'll see. Even tho I have a few names for DMC already.

We all use our real names ..... except Geoff.

Geoff's real name is Don.

Mig,

I remember asking those very same questions before I met everyone. Fortunately for you and really most of the others,(PLaw, Don Cardi, DMC, SC, Geoff), they have more or less "normal" names. Even Apple, is now a female name (Gwyneth Paltrow's baby ); However, don't know if SB would like someone to shout across the room "Hey Sicilian Babe," (or even in my case, The Italian Stallionette) It would be a head turner though wouldn't it?

Of course once Consiglieri's Lady is addressed that will really make people wonder who this group is.

TIS

We all use our real names ..... except Geoff.

Geoff's real name is Don.

[/b][/quote]Funny, when we were in Chicago, I was under the impression that his real name was Stoli! Everytime we walked into the lounge, the bartender would look at him and say "Hey, Stoli."


Don Cardi

I'll be in East Orange on Friday, visiting my father at the hospital. Anybody know how far that might be from the Edison deli?

Probably no more than 20 minutes or so...I'll check directions on the internet.

Apple

You know TIS, Don Smitty and I were kidding around yesterday saying "Imagine if the FBI was monitoring the boards, and they see our posts about a GangsterBB weekend, a commission meeting, references to Geoff as Don Malta, references to me as Don Cardi, Don Smitty, DonMichaelCorleone, etc.?" Going to the "compound" on Saturday, having a sitdown that night?

They might think that this is going to be another Apalachian meeting and raid the hotel!


Don Cardi

If you decide to join us on Friday for dinner at the deli, we will be there at 6:15PM. You'll know your place at the table when you see the in your dish. :p


Don Cardi

I just got my room reservation, the hotel is literally .5 miles from where you are.

I figured that it would be that Marriott.


OK ALL! DRINKS ARE ON DMC!!!!!!!!!!


Don Cardi

You don't know the face my husband gave me when I started talking about all the people coming this weekend. "Oh, you'll meet Don This and Don That!! Unfortunately TIS and Turnbull can't come." When you say the names out loud, it does sound pretty funny. SC once referred to my husband as Mr. Babe, which he also found quite funny. Although he's not on the boards, he wants a nickname, too, and he's decided to go with Tom Pagan. :rolleyes:

And I don't know, at my age, it might be nice to be in a bar and hear somebody yell "Hey Babe!!" across the room.

Who knows SB, you may get a cute little Gangster BB Badge that says "Sicilian Babe."


TIS

Unfortunately the machine broke .


Don Cardi

Hope you all have a really good weekend!

Dear Conventioneers,

Have a great weekend. I’m sure you will all behave and manage your respective hangovers with dignity and class. What I would like to know when you return is if you solved some of the pressing questions that find their way repeatedly onto this board, e.g., what was the real meaning or intent of the “Michael Corleone says hello” adlib, or, did Fredo really know it was going to be a hit (did he open the drapes?)

This weekend I will be having a GF moment of my own. I am the father of the bride. I’ll be living my own Vito Corleone moment. But since I’m not a Sicilian, I CAN refuse a request. But I’m sure my brother-in-law will try. I’m also sure I will hear “and may their first child be a masculine child.”

How wonderful Mary Cas! I'm sure everything will turn out beautifully. Best of luck to Mary Cas Jr. and hubby.

Isn't the reception at the Corleone Mall??? The gang can stop in and help you out during a chorus of Ce'na Luna (sp)


TIS

MaryCas, when you told me the other day, I had planned to tell everyone this weekend at Dinner. A toast is definately in order for your daughter and her new husband.

You must be very very proud! Again, I wish all of you the very best. And hope that you all enjoy the day!





Don Cardi

I'm going to be in Ocean City, NJ tomorrow with some friends. We're leaving my house around 7 AM and should be down there around 9, 9:30 and we're staying until later in the night. Anyone live around there?

MC - the neighbor I've never met!! My best wishes to your family, and a lifetime of health and love to your daughter. Congratulations!!

Because the creep wanted to go to Aruba instead. Can you imagine that??? [/b][/quote]Yeah, and how about that MaryCas guy? Sacrificing a night with us just to go to his daughter's wedding. Who does he think that he is?


Don Cardi

We may merge the two..... our dignified hangovers might be tempered by a road trip to Danny Aiello's house in Jersey where we'll camp out on his lawn until he answers that question.

Congratulations on your good news! You gotta post a pic or two of the bride with daddy!

Well I made it to my daughters house in VA (thank God). What a long 9 1/2 hours. :rolleyes:

Mary Cas,
Congrats on your daughters wedding. I bet you are a proud daddy.

That's way down there, past Atlantic City. Maybe Plaw will be there on the beach with Flopsie & Mopsie?

Congratulations, Father-of-the-Bride.

May the newlyweds have good health ("the most important thing"), happiness, and prosperity.

And maybe one of these days you'll make it to one of our little get-togethers. :p

That's way down there, past Atlantic City. Maybe Plaw will be there on the beach with Flopsie & Mopsie? [/b][/quote]Nah, Flopsie & Mopsie are strictly Vegas girls.

And when I go to the beach, it's usually Sandy Hook.

I can't quite picture you at a nude beach. At least I don't want to (nothing personal :p ) unless you bring Flopsie & Mopsie with you...

They have a nude beach at Sandy Hook?

I didn't know that.....

I really am looking forward to this weekend. Who is coming on friday?


DS

Anyone have a tentitive schedule for Saturday yet, maybe where I can meet you animals?

What time are you getting there DMC. Some of us are going to godfather house and some are going to the horse races. What are you planning to do?


DS

Godfather house definitly

Neither I (plaw) nor my fiance like the track etc...

Well, after we hit Sandy Hook in the morning after breakfast...

I figured we'd play it by ear, and decide when to hit the Corleone Compound. See if/when those guys go to the track to see if we'll be having lunch together or separately... You can always call and find out - or PM me yours and I could let you know when we figure it out...

Smitty - I'll be there tomorrow afternoon, around 4-5ish. I suppose we could meet in the lounge area after we get settled in, to discuss the logistics of getting to Edison.

Which reminds me, I better print out some maps.

But I assume we'd meet at the hotel regardless. Are you (DMC) staying Friday night as well, or just Saturday?

who else would you be talking to

No I'm only staying Saturday night, but I'll be getting to the area around 12/1 p.m.

Well actually I think that the first race ( for those interested in going to the track ) is 11:30am on Saturday. So I would think that those going to the track should leave by 10:30am if they want to make the first race.


Don Cardi

ok well then let me know what time people are leaving to go to the Godfather house, I will also let you guys know what I will be wearing (outside only :p ) so incase I don't recognize you you can recognize me.

I was making fun of "Neither I (plaw) nor..." :p

If you're getting in around 12-1PM, I guess we'll wait for you. Don't dawdle. :p

How am I supposed to recognize you if you're dressed? :p

How am I supposed to recognize you if you're dressed? :p [/b][/quote] I'm at work or I could say something lol

If you guys are leaving earlier then we can get there earlier, thats no problem.

11ish?

Earlier may be better - but again, I wanna see when those guys hit the track and figure it out from there...

I gotta do some errands -- I'll be back later.

ok go do your "errands"

so when you are done cleaning up we'll talk.

I would say 10:30 would probably be the earliest, my girlfriend works a lot of hours and since it's one of her days off I don't want to force her to lose any sleep.

Good luck DC. Where ya going Monmouth? Years ago at that track you could tell the fix was in in races where a jockey would raise his whip near a particular furlong post.

I am leaving Newport News about 7am so depending on traffic and if there is any construction headaches I'm hoping to be there about 3/3:30. Remind me when and where at the hotel we are going to meet.

Hey Don Smitty where are you going Saturday?

Good luck DC. Where ya going Monmouth? Years ago at that track you could tell the fix was in in races where a jockey would raise his whip near a particular furlong post. [/QB][/QUOTE]

I believe that SC said Monmouth.

Thanks for the tip Don T, I'll keep my eyes wide open for any raised whips!


Don Cardi

Actually the first race at Monmout starts at 1:15 PM. Not 11:30 Like I originally posted.

http://www.monmouthpark.com/racing_calendar.asp


Don Cardi

You should be arriving a few hours before that (assuming no major delays). I expect Lori and I will be there about 4-5:00 but some others may be earlier. Try looking in the lounge (just off the lobby) to see if any of us are in there. I'll PM you my cell number if you need. Also, you can ask at the front desk if anyone else has arrived yet.

BTW, Mig, the weather forecast looks fairly good. Tom'w is still gonna be hot and humid (mid 90's) but thunderstorms are expected to cool everything down for Saturday and Sunday (mid 80's and less humid).

Thanks for the update SC. Go ahead and PM me your cell# please thanks.

Migs - I'll call you when I'm settled in; feel free to do the same... I'll be arriving around the same time (or hopefully a bit earlier) as SC and L...

Or 4 hours later if plaw gave you the directions.

I won't be arriving until Saturday afternoon, probably around 3:00. We still meeting in the lounge (TK's Pub, I believe?) Saturday evening?

Yes, we should be back from the track or Corleone House by late afternoon.


Don Cardi

Cool beans. My husband's at the track today up in Saratoga. He bet on a horse named Nagging Nana (my kids call my mom Nana), and he won!!

I vote he buys dinner then

Sounds fair!

Hey, Mig, we'll have to talk about WVU when we meet. My neice just graduated this past January from there, and my daughter's thinking of going in a few years. I just read that Jessica Lynch is going to be attending this fall.

If I remember right isn't Bogey suppose to be going to WVU?

I didn't realize that! Well, my daughter wants to follow in her cousin's footsteps. Everything my brother tells me, it sounds like a great school, lots of fun, beautiful campus.

OK well we will be in the hotel lobby around 12 noon (does that sound good?) hopefully some of you will be there lol. I will be wearing black docker/dress pants with a dark blue long sleeve button down dress shirt, and my girlfriend is about my height with long blonde hair. So if any of you spot me before I spot you come over, so I don't stand there looking like a jackass lol

Man, I think I'm just as excited as all of you, just hearing about all the plans and thinking of how y'all will all get to see each other, some for the first time! As everyone has said, please take plenty of pictures, and post them here if you can. It's the closest we can get to being there. Keep safe, and have fun!

Ditto to what Gina said!!!!
I'd like SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to be with you, guys and dolls of the BBs!!!!
Please, cover the event as it deserves and raise a toast to all of us who will be there in spirit!!!

What are you going to a business meeting at work?

Or is that one of Geoff's favorite outfits?


Don Cardi

Just don't forget your cameras!! We want to see the photo album, censored pics and all.


TIS

I would put my camera can't focus in on "JG"
:p

What are you going to a business meeting at work?

Or is that one of Geoff's favorite outfits?


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]That's all I wear DC lol

I will be at the hotel at 12 noon, are we going to the Godfather house in 1 car? or everyone seperate?

"Hell you can't do that, it screws up all of my arrangements!"


Oh and a friendly word of advice, don't use the hotel revolving door.


Don Cardi

Noon is good - just call me when you get in.

How we get to the Compound depends on how many are going -- I can fit 3-4 passengers in my car. I think it'd be best to take 1 or 2 cars rather than 3 or 4 to minimize being separated/getting lost...

DC - Did you ever get me directions from the Compound to the Church, mang? Also, any other areas of interest in the area?

We can fit 7 in my girlfriend's car.


I'd vote for the least amount of vehicles.

Fewest. :p
What does she have, a limo?

How you gonna fit seven people in a car?

Oh, wait....you can sit on JG's lap.

Fewest. :p
What does she have, a limo?

How you gonna fit seven people in a car?

Oh, wait....you can sit on JG's lap. [/b][/quote]Grammar ain't been my stronger point for a whiles now

Durango so we could fit 5 other people in the car besides us.

Poker anyone?

So then we could fit 8.

Big Paul Castellano's house used to be right near the GF Compound, but I believe that they tore it down last year.


DIRECTIONS FROM COMPOUND TO MOUNT LORETTO CHURCH


When you are done with the Compound ( On Longefellow Ave ) go back to OCEAN TERRACE and make a LEFT.

Take Ocean Terrace back to TODT HILL ROAD and make a LEFT on TODT HILL ROAD.

Take Todt Hill Rd. to RICHMOND ROAD and make a RIGHT onto RICHMOND ROAD.

Take Richmond Rd. to NEW DORP LANE and make a LEFT onto NEW DORP LANE.

Take New Dorp Lane to HYLAN BLVD and make a RIGHT onto HYLAN BLVD.

Take HYLAN BLVD all the way ( you will be on Hylan Blvd for 10 -15 minutes ) to MOUNT LORETTO which will be on your right hand side ( you'll first pass a cemetary on your right hand side, cross the intersection of Sharrotts Rd. and the church grounds are within a 1/4 mile.)
It will have a BIG sign in the front that says CYO. Church is behind that building.

When you are done, exit the church grounds and make a RIGHT back onto HYLAN BLVD. Take Hylan Blvd. about 1/4 mile to PAGE AVENUE and make a RIGHT onto PAGE AVENUE. Stay on Page Avenue ( winding road ) to the Signs that say OUTERBRIDGE CROSSING and get on Bridge towards New Jersey onto 440 which becomes 287 which will take you back to the exit for our hotel


Ok Chu Focking Chubato?


Don Cardi

Thanks, mang!

Okay, I've heard of CYA, but what's CYO? Cover Your Oysters?

Okay, I've heard of CYA, but what's CYO? Cover Your Oysters? [/b][/quote]CYO - Catholic Youth Organization

CYA - Cover Your Ass

Ok, I should be leaving in about an hour or so. See you all later!


Don Cardi

See you tomorrow DC

What about TONIGHT ???

Who's going to be at the deli in Edison....reservatoin for 6:15 under what name??

I'm sure the list is somewhere in this endless thread but I'm too darn lazy to try & find it.

Thanks,
Apple

Can't tonight


What are our fantasy nuts doing about teams?

You can give plaw your password and picks OR you can rent my laptop for some ungodly amount for ten minutes.

Why do you think I'm not coming until tomorrow?

Because I checked with the front desk and they have no reservation under the name "Windbag".

You can give plaw your password and picks OR you can rent my laptop for some ungodly amount for ten minutes. [/b][/quote]I'm all set though, since I'm going tomorrow

I don't know if JG would pay for a 10 minute interval, I'm pretty sure he only pays by the minute when he rents things :p

I guess he's not used to paying much, then.

Now, children, I know that you're all excited about seeing one another, but you're just going to have to behave yourselves if you want to play together all weekend!!

Poker?? :p Who wants to play Quarters?? I still have SOME skills from my mispent (misspent?? since PL may be reading this) youth.

Edited to add, Instead of pictures of you guys, how about posting some of your sandwiches tonight?? How about some before an attempt to eat, and then after you can't eat anymore?

Okay, kiddies - I'm gonna be leaving in a few minutes. And just because all the moderators will be away doesn't mean you can have a keg party: we'll have computer access! :p

Apple - I'll PM you my cell now in case you need it...

Fantasy Peeps - Probably no regular updates 'til Sunday, sorry. Unless I feel like it and SC lets me. :p

Ciao!

Hopefully plaw will do it I don't know if I can go on living without fantasy updates

Maybe this was sarcastic (?), but I'll miss the updates.

Maybe I'll do 'em. And perhaps alter the scoring a bit - to my benefit.

I'll be around some if anyone gets out of hand in Sports.
I'll do it tonight, and when I get home Saturday night after dinner.

That is, if I'm still Ass Commissioner......

I'll be here off/on. I'll just kick the sh*t out of anyone who misbehaves, curses, or argues. :p

Have fun you guys!!!!


TIS

No wireless connection in this joint!

Anyone using my laptop has to come to my room.

They'd better type quietly!!

SC, I think you should make these guys use the cumbersome "Computer on TV" contraption. That way, we'll have a few DNPs easily! :p

Does that mean WE have to pay to go to your room after hours???? :p

So, what do you think they're doing now??

SB, you're not there????


TIS

I'm going tomorrow afternoon. Couldn't get a sitter for the whole weekend.

Oh, I see!! Gee, if you lived closer, I'd babysit for you.


As far as what they're doing. I suggest calling the hotel bar and page Waldo. My guess is they are close to dancing on the tables by now. However, they could be lurking the BB too. Yet, sounds like they won't be able to from the hotel anyway (unless from their room).


TIS

Damn! I was hoping that they would save the table dancing for tomorrow night!!

Ah, TIS, if you were here, then you know you'd be first on the conga line, the heck with watching anybody's kids!! But I'd do my best to be right behind you!!

Oh heck! I'd just take the kids with us. :p But, will they ask "what's a conga line?"


TIS

My kids would probably push us both out of the way to be first on line!

A very enjoyable, relaxing evening just ended for me (as I left a few hardened drinkers finishing up there "last calls").

I'm way too tired to get into details now (will add some tomorrow) but suffice it to say the first night was wonderful. Mignon and her daughter, Becky, the Don Cardi family, Geoff, Lori and I had an orgiastic feast of plenty at the deli (sooooooo much food) and were joined by AppleOnYa on the way back to the hotel for some alcohol, relaxing and getting to know each other.

More to follow and same for pix. Here's two, though, for now.....1) the 3 Stooges and 2) Lori and Geoff.


Left to right: Me, Geoff and Don Cardi


Geoff and Lori

SC, thanks for the late post for the night owls here!

So good to hear everything is going well for y'all - wonderful pictures - be sure to keep us updated as the weekend progresses, whenever you have time, as we'd love to see/hear more!

Take care!

Everything's NOT going well!!

We can't even get any little blue girlie drinks any more!!

I love you all.

Especially you, Plaw. :p

xooxoxoxoxoxo

This old fart can't drink like he used to..... whats worse is that I can't sleep like I used to either. So, while the younger set is still asleep in slumberland I add these comments and pics.

Its just approaching 6 A.M. as I start this, a scant three hours since we called the hotel to complain that their internet was down. They immediately dispatched an engineer only to have him discover that one of the connections came loose

Don Cardi did well in choosing this place (its accomodating and their service has been wonderful so far). Our one complaint has been the early "last call" for alcohol at 12:15 A.M. (their brochure lists it at 2 A.M.) Apparently they deemed it "not busy enough" to warrant keeping the bar open (although between us 8 boozers and a few other groups it was hard to see why). As we discussing the early call I glanced at my watch only to see it was 3 A.M. I looked over to Geoff and mentioned that it wasn't all that early until he realized my mistake (the big hand and the little hand on my watch got mixed up) and it was really 12:15. OK, OK, the place was dark and I'm not used to drinking anymore.

I gotta mention this.... Mignon is a sweetheart! She's every bit as down-to-earth as her posting style is. Her daughter, Becky, is every bit the same as mom and I'm betting she's a real heartbreaker back home. Kudos to both of them for sticking it out quite late last night after driving over 7 hours to get here. (I think Mignon is still in shock after seeing how much food was on our table at one time).

Sadly, AppleOnYa got to the restaurant late (just about when we were getting ready to leave) but she turned out to be a trooper and came back to the hotel for some dinner and a drink. Again, sadly, she had to leave somewhat early to do the mommy thing but there'll be other get-togethers!

Mrs. Cardi, a veritable wealth of movie info rivalling her hubby, succumbed to the need-to-sleep and returned somewhat early leaving a core group of boozers to hold down the fort. Lengthy conversations of past get-togethers had us in stitches (were your ears ringing, TIS?) until I decided the arms of Morpheus were calling me and I retired to make my baseball league picks.

Apparently Lori, backed up by Geoff and Don Cardi, had a few "conversations" with the management of the hotel (about the early closing of the bar) so we're waiting to see what "they'll do for us" to make up for it. (Lori lives for this kind of stuff).

Without further ado here are a few more pics. I apologize for the poor quality of them... the bar was dark (making it virtually impossible to use my viewfinder) and the alcohol was plentiful.

Don Cardi at last call



.

Mignon and Becky



.

Geoff and AppleOnYa

JG and Apple make a handsome couple, and as I understand it, they're both single......

Could this be the start of something?

Adding insult to injury we just had a power failure here (as I was reviewing my last post - above). The lights, air conditioning and internet connection suddenly went out.... I thought I blew up the system. Running over to the door I saw the whole corridor was totally black. I woke up Lori and she decided that Geoff (3 rooms down) had to see this, too. Surprisingly he got up right away and his phone was working so the front desk told us the engineer was working on it.

OK..... back to the room to await the return of the power when Lori gets a brainstorm that we should go outside (we're on the first floor) and make like we're breaking into Geoff's room from the patio door. Only problem is we're not 100% certain which door is his. I get bamboozled into being the one who knocks while Lori is hiding behind some shrubbery just in case its the wrong door. Luckily we had the right door and called the manager (again) only to find out it was a public utility (i.e. an area-wide) problem.

Lights came back on in a few minutes but now we're wide awake and looking for some brews. I guess we'll settle for some breakfast.

Morning crew! What a great time we had last night.

As SC said, Mignon and her lovely daughter are really wonderful people.
It was a pleasure to finally meet Apple, who is really a very friendly person.

SC gave you his side of the story about why he thought the bar closed early. :p
I suspect that the real reason the bar closed early was because we drank it dry!

Don Malta was banging, uh, I mean, drinking cocktails two at a time.

I am really looking forward to partying with the rest of the gang when they arrive today.

Off to the races!


Don Cardi

Yesterday was fun! Wish I had gotten more sleep, though. (Lori knows why I only got 3 hrs' sleep -- cuz she's the one who woke me up at the crack of dawn!) And after breakfast and a stroll by the pool -- now she and SC are taking a nap!

See y'all later... it's my turn to wake some people up.

Although I'm not surprised, I'm happy to see everyone having such a great time!

Apple, Mig...great pictures. Mig your daughter is beautiful.

DC, you two fisted drinker you. But what the heck??? No Blue Girly Drinks??? Lori needs to talk to the management. This is simply NOT acceptable. :p

Have fun at the Corleone house and keep posting the great pictures.

TIS

PS: Hi Lori & SC

Mmm, I have to visit you Mig. You're daughter is a cutie!

Looks as though that outage was caused by an area power failure, and not just a hotel pwoer failure.

TIS, had the blue drink early in the afternoon!
I promise to have one for you tonight.

Wish you were here.


Don Cardi

I'll be leaving in a little bit and can't wait to see you guys!! Try to stay awake for me tonight, will you???

I'm leaving within the next half hour, hopefully they will be awake by the time I get there lol

Hey,

What did you guys do with PLaw??? I assume he'll be there tonight no?


TIS

I'm here. I'll be there tonight.

Glad to here it. I thought perhaps they were censoring "liberals" from photos.

Have fun!!

TIS

Well, let's see....

For the Libs there's Sicilian Babe and myself.

For the other side, we have Don Cardi, DonMichaelCorleone, Don Smitty, and Mignon.

JG and SC are uncommitted, but I suspect that they are closet Liberals.

If not, I'm outnumbered as usual :rolleyes:

But don't worry, TIS, we never discuss politics at these little get-togethers

Wow you guys sound like you are having a brilliant time hope all you have a great time tonight aswell

Cool pictures!!

Well my family is taking me out to eat later and I'll be sure to raise my glass to toast all of my "Gangster" friends. My family will think I'm nuts, but who cares!

Meanwhile keep those "fun" pictures coming!! It's great to see all the happy faces.


TIS

Great pictures, again, SC! I was cracking up at the thought of you and Lori sneaking around outside and waking JG up!

Update us soon - hope y'all are enjoying yourselves!

Just got back from the track. If it wasn't for bad luck, SC, Don Smitty and myself would have no luck at all.
Want to know how bad our luck is? We bet the number 6 horse in the 5th race and the damn thing dropped dead right on the track!

But all in all we had a really fun day at the track and we all really didn't do that bad.

I just met Sicilian Babe and her husband. They seem like to really down to earth fantastic people. It should be a lot of fun tonight now that everyone is here. maybe Apple will surprise us and show up again tonight.

Don Cardi

Looks like a great -- wish I could join you!!!! Fantastic pictures!

Drink at least one on behalf of your KC Diabetes Fighting Gangster Buddy Partagas -- Scotch -- single malt, of course - blended is shit! Oh yeah, you must also drink it "neat"

As for me, I am in St. louis as I type. My son is staying for a week or so with his grandparents and I had to watch my beloved Cardinals play. This was my last chance to watch a game in Busch stadium before it is replaced by well the "new" Busch stadium next year. Damned if the Cardinals did not shoot their load last night and score 11 as they only scored one today in a 8-1 loss! It was cool to see the new stadium being built literally next door. It is about 1/3 completed qand kind of in a holding stage as the rest of it will be built over the grounds of the old stadium and has to wait for the season to end. I am sure the contractors want the Red Birds to lose early in the playoffs so they can get moving on the project so it is completed before opening day next year.

OK gotta visit with my parents before I take off early for a meting in Texas in the morning.

Have a great one and keep us updated!

I had the pleasure of talking to the gang tonight and it sounds like they are all having a wonderful time. I met SB, Mig, and DMC for the first time (by phone that is). Not surprisingly all very warm and friendly. I'm sorry I didn't get to say hello to PLaw. I'm sure those of us who didn't attend really missed out.

Geoff promised he'd post some pictures later on (after a few drinks :p ) So look for JG dancing on the table with a rose between his teeth and the rest of the gang doing the Conga around him.

TIS

P.S. You guys are so nice!!!

TIS, how wonderful!

Just hearing some of the members speak must be such fun, so I'm glad you were able to talk to the party animals tonight.

Nothing much going on here, so I can't wait to see photos and hear funny stories!

What a wonderful bunch of people who showed up!!!

There are gonna be quite a few stories coming out of last night's happenings here but I'll only say now that I had a TRULY WONDERFUL TIME!!!!

Details and pics to follow later (by many).

Did I say we have some wonderful members here (and their guests who joined them)?

What a great time I had with everyone tonight. Such wonderful and fantastic people. Geoff was his usual party animal self. SC and Consigliere's lady, two wonderful and loving people. Sicilan Babe and her husband are just really great. Mignon and her beautiful daughter were just fantastic company. Don Smitty is a great guy with a beautiful wife. DMC and his lovely fiance are just so down to earth and make a really cute couple. And it's always a pleasure to have dinner with my friend Plaw, who is a really wonderful guy. We had lots and lots of booze and laughs.

Everyone already is talking about nexts years weekend!

For those who were not able to attend, well you guys and gals have to make it your business to attend next year.

To all that did attend for the first time, it was an honor and a pleasure to meet you all.

Cya next year!


Don Cardi

Some random thoughts from a great night.....

-- Several of the members brought their mates along, leaving me to wonder how SC, DC, DS, and DMC were able to attract such beautiful and intelligent women.

And although I really don't know him that well (having met him for the first time), I'm tempted to say that the same comment (in reverse, of course) applies to Sicilian Babe's husband.

Not wishing to invite the same speculation about myself, I left my GF at home, telling everyone that she had to work. But she spoke to Consigliere's lady on the telephone and I was able to overhear bits of the conversation, in which they could be heard commiserating about their choice in men.

-- It's a good thing that the main focus of our get-togethers is the company rather than the food, although I will say that at the 5 or 6 that I've attended in the past, the food has never been less than excellent -- until last night, that is. The restaurant, shall we say (to put it rather kindly), left a bit to be desired. To wit:

-- The name of the restaurant is "The Tuscany Grill." Leads one to believe it's Italian, right?

In fact, the hotel's website describes it thusly:

"The Doubletree Somerset Hotel features its own full-service restaurant, which specializes in hearty American breakfast fare as well as Northern Italian dinner cuisine."

Unfortunately, however, of the items listed from the extensive Italian on the same site --

Pasta E Fagioli,
Stracciatella Alla Pisa,
Grilled Polenta filled with Seasonal Mushroom Saute, Grilled Bococcini (Fresh Mozzarella wrapped with Prosciutto served with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Crustini),
Pepper-crusted Goat Cheese Bruchetta (Warmed Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Crustini),
Fresh Mozzarella, Aged Provolone, Soppersata, Cappicola, Roasted Peppers, Grilled Eggplant and Calamata Olives, Pesto-marinated Shrimp served Chilled with Roasted Garlic Aioli,
Steamed Baby Clams served in Natural Broth with Spinach and Spaghetti,
Grilled Portabello Stacked with Smoked Mozzarella and Rosemary-infused Olive Oil,
Carpaccio of Beef (Sliced Raw Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Aioli and Pecorino Romano Cheese),
Insalata Tuscany (Crisp Garden Greens tossed with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette with Cannaloni Beans,Garbanzo Beans, Roma Tomato, Onions and Asiago Cheese),
Insalata Mista (Tossed Field Greens with Marsala Vinaigrette and Gorgonzola Cheese),
Spinach Salad with Warmed Pancetta Vinaigrette and Spicy Shiitake Mushroom Croutons,
Tuscan Caesar Salad (Crisp Romaine and Housemade Dressing with Garlic Croutons),
Insalata Caprese (Tossed Field Greens with Fresh Mozzarella, Roma Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers and Pesto Vinaigrette),
Porcini-infused Papperdella with Rosemary Chicken Sausage and Sauteéed Mushrooms,
Gemilli Pasta with Grilled Vegetables and Mozzarella Cheese,
Spinach Ravioli with Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce, Fusilli Alla Mediterrania, Sundried Tomato, Calamata Olives, Roasted Peppers, Capers and Basil,
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Toasted Hazelnuts and Parmesan Cheese,
Farfalle Pasta with house-smoked Salmon and Grilled Asparagus,
Penne Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Fire-roasted Peppers,
Oven-roasted Rosemary Chicken with Soft Polenta and Broccoli Rabe,
Chargrilled Pork Chop with Diced Tomato, Calamata Olives, Bell Peppers and Sage,
Broiled Lamb Rack Caponato with Marinated Grilled Eggplant Salad and Soft Polenta,
Artichoke and Goat Cheese Ravioli topped with Garlic Shrimp and Tri-Colored Peppers,
Bistecca Balsamico (24 oz. Porterhouse Steak with Mushroom Sauteé and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes),
Stuffed Breast of Chicken with Pancetta, Fontina and Roasted Fennel,
Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops (Jumbo Shrimp and Sea Scallops sauteéed with Fresh Fennel and Pernod-flamed Roma Tomatoes),
Veal Saltimbocca,
Sauteéed Chicken Breast glazed with Balsamic Vinaigrette and served with Roasted Potatoes, and
Pignolia-crusted Salmon with Frangelic Butter --

None seemed to be available. What was available was a menu featuring shortribs, chicken wings, hamburgers, pizza, and various steaks, all served with macaroni salad and your choice of french fries, baked potato, or rice, and all clearly quite risky.

With no desire to appear inflexible (and preferring to remain on the safe side, as if such a thing were possible), I ordered a chicken breast in some kind of sauce (I forget what; I think white wine). What I got, however, was half of a broiled chicken. When I pointed out the discrepancy between what the menu described and what was actually presented, the waiter, to his credit, did offer to take it back, but since none of the virtual cornucpia of Italian dishes which had been promised were available for ingestion, I stuck with the chicken.

-- They started us off with a nice basket of hot rolls, which is always welcome. As soon as I bit into one, though, I immediately made the connection between "hot and warmed up" and "not fresh."

-- Since some of us were there for the whole weekend and were dining on the hotel's "Surf & Turf" package, and some of us weren't, the waiter decided that it would be simplest to do what seemed like eleven separate checks. For convenience, he paired off some of the non-Surf & Turfers, and I was honored and, in no uncerain terms, pleased to find that my date for the evening was JG.

-- Speaking of Surf & Turf, it consisted of the usual lobster tail and small filet mignion. The filet migion, however, ordered "medium rare" by Consigliere's Lady more closely resembled half of a pair of old brown shoes (albeit it much smaller) which I had recently discarded, and the so-called "lobster tail", as SC correctly pointed out, as more akin to a small jumbo shrimp size-wise. He was, unfortunately, unable to comment on the lobster tail's taste, since it appeared to have none.

-- Did I mention the vegetables that came with each entree, served al dente? Although the restaurant's definition of the term appeared to translate to "totally and completely uncooked to the pont of being raw", they turned out to be not so bad once we ate them as a side after the requested bleu cheese dip was brought to the table.

Ah well, as I said.....It's the company, not the food.

Yes, Plaw is correct in that the menu presented on the website and the "real" menu differ tremendously!


As a matter of fact I was at this hotel last December for a weekend and the menu for this restaurant DID have what was listed on the website menu, and I must say that back in December the surf and turf was very good, as well as the other items.

Plaw knows that I have good taste and that I am very particular when it comes to dining out and good food as we've had several dinners in the past where either he or I have picked the restaraunts, and all have been excellent.

It's very obvious that something happened to this restaurant over the last six months, and sure enough Consigliere's Lady found out that at the begining of this year, the hotel/restaurant/lounge was sold and is in a transition stage.

But the truth of the matter is that we still had a really fantastic time at dinner, and the people themselves are what make the evening.

Our lovely Godmother TIS was generous and sweet enough to have the restaurant send us over several bottles of wine during our dinner.

Thank you TIS, that was really kind of you to think of us that way. You were really missed.

Unfortunately Plaw left us before dessert was served, so he didn't have the chance to partake in the events that took place in the restaurant while we were waiting for our check(s).

Then after paying the bill we went over to thelounge and it was party time all over again! Of course for the second night in a row we closed down the place!

But outside of that one night's dining experience I must say that the weekend as a whole was just outstanding!

Harold's Deli was great.
Drinking was great.
Atmosphere was great.
Breakfast was great.
The Race Track was great.
The Corleone Compound was great.
Tuscany Restaurant sucked.
Drinking was great.
Dancing was great.
Atmosphere was great
Breakfast was great.
The members of the gangsterbb who showed up this weekend were Grrrrrrrreat!!!!!!!!!!


Don Cardi

Who is Becky!? She is beautiful

I12 and I are coming simply to meet Miggy and her daughter :p

Don't worry, I will steal your "mojo" Austin Powers! Oh yes, I will have my revenge (I have a dark side too)

Things I learned at the Gangster BB weekend:

1) a chicken breast is actually a thigh and a leg
2) Plaw does not like bones and shit in his chicken breast
3) Don Cardi apparently only resembles Santino Corleone in temper alone :p

Now don't be a liar DMC, you know damn well that my wife said that I was like Sonny in more than one way!

I tell you all something that I really already knew that was confirmed to me this weekend ; DMC is an extremely knowledgable young man when it comes to the real life mafia stuff.

And he is a gentleman.


Don Cardi

Gentleman and boys, control yourselves with Becky. She is a very nice girl and let's not forget that she is Mignon's daughter. So make sure that you all show some respect by staying in control of yourselves and what you post.


Don Cardi

Now don't be a liar DMC, you know damn well that my wife said that I was like Sonny in more than one way!

I tell you all something that I really already knew that was confirmed to me this weekend ; DMC is an extremely knowledgable young man when it comes to the real life mafia stuff.

And he is a gentleman.


Don Cardi [/b][/quote]First of all thanks to DC to the post he put up after this one, I was about to type the same thing.

OH YEAH I'm sorry DC, your wife did say you had curly hair at one point :p I can not confirm or deny any other resemblences lol

Thank you for the kind words DC. I must say, in terms of personality and beliefs me and DC do not differ much. DC is a great guy, can't wait for the next weekend.

Not that I wouldn't love to go back to NYC again, but I think the next one should be on the West Coast for a change. Lots to do in L.A. Between Zia & I we can get things rolling.


TIS

Nah TIS -- let's split the diference and have the gathering in the middle - say KC?

Ha ha!! Actually, I'd have no problem with that. Geographically, for the most part, it'd be fair as far as travel goes. Only, what's in KC, beside our lovable Part I mean? :p


TIS

West Coastcentric Tissy! KC has a rich gangster history! The city of fountains -- 2nd in the World behind Rome. One of the best air ports in America. Tons of fantastic places to eat, drink, shop, and be merry -- The Plaza, Westport, etc... second to none. The Partagas thing is just the icing on the cake!

Good Afternoon, all!

Just got back from the wonderful weekend, and will post a report and pics later this afternoon. For now, ditto everything that's been said already -- but do we have to wait a whole year??

I'll be back...!

I12 - we'll have to talk in secret (aka the IRC channel) now

Isn't that what Smitty said :p

Some more show and tell... show now, tell later.

(left to right): Sicilian Babe, Mr. Babe, Geoff, Becky and Mignon tearing up the dance floor:



A Mignon sandwich. (l-r) Don Cardi, Mignon, SC:

How fun!!! What nice pics. What kind of music did they play? Was there a band or what??? And was that in the hotel?


TIS

(The very lucky) DonMichaelCorleone and his future bride:



Geoff and Mr. Babe discussing a way to sneak into the pool after hours:



Geoff showing the package he got... some fish wrapped in a "vest" ... courtesy of Don Cardi. plaw (right) looks on approvingly:

TIS -

They were playing "new" music (hell, if it ain't Sinatra I can't define it). No band, tapes from a dj. These pics were mainly from the hotel's lounge. It was about 3x larger than the one in Itasca, a typical bar/lounge hotel spot.

Aw! DMC..how cute! You're a nice looking couple.

Hell, the BBers are just one hell of a good looking group no??

Keep the pics coming. I love looking at them. :p


TIS

Mignon and yours truly:



Mr. and Mrs. Sicilian Babe. The good Mr. had a few nicknames - "Tom Pagan" by his choice, and "Doctor" after telling a funny story, but for sake of identification I'll refer to him as Mr. Babe:

OMG!! Was I as drunk as I look in that photo???? Well, yes, I was.

Where to start?? My husband and I checked in and made our way down to the bar to meet Plaw, who was late because he went to the wrong hotel. JG, however, wandered in. We ordered drinks (JG swore he wouldn't have any, but we twisted his arm until he ordered some sort of sissy lite beer), Plaw arrived shortly thereafter, looking every inch the "dapper don" in his suit and hat. As everyone else drifted back from their various excursions (SC and DC actually having spent the day trying to bring back an actual dead horse's head for our Don), we all got together in the bar. My husband and I were so very impressed with how warm and wonderful everybody was.

We all went into dinner, and TIS was sweet enough to send us some wine, which we greatly appreciated since it kept us occupied for the endless hours while we waited for our food!! Actually, my surf n turf was pretty decent. My dessert, on the other hand, was served frozen. Solid. After several rather strident yells of "Scuse me!" to the waitress, she took it back to the kitchen, but never appeared with another one. Finally, when the manager came over, he offered to bring me something else, but at that point it was almost 11:00, so we decided that he was a jerk, the waiter was overwhelmed, and it was time to go to the bar.

We had a great deal of fun (I do remember that at one point, Lori and I were wearing the fish that you've seen pictured in a previous post, but I won't tell you where!), and I truly never felt so at home with people that I had never met face to face before. Although many of them had met before, my husband and I felt immediately at home with everyone.

Yes, Mig's daughter is absolutely a knock-out, and intelligent and sweet as well. The "guys" are terrific, and, as Plaw said, all of their significant others are also great.

The only comment I have is to echo a previous post, do we have to wait a whole year to do this again???

This, along with plaw's reaction to getting something totally different than what he ordered were the night's biggest laughs. There were gripes all around the table during dinner about this and that but it came to a head after our very own Sicilan Babe shouted out "CAN WE GET SOME ATTENTION HERE?" The shout, which drowned out the din of the dining room, the band playing in the banquet hall's wedding and the lounge's taped d.j. caught the attention of the food service manager who made a potentially life threatening decision of coming over to see what was wrong.

Prompted by dinners that were under/over cooked, different or missing side dishes and poor service these now frozen desserts were the rallying cry for our table. Formerly pacific souls were now ready to do battle emboldened by the group's idea that you mess with one of us you mess with all of us.

Suffice it to say no blood was spilled, but I, for one, thought of Sicilian Babe as our straw that stirs the drink in rallying us. Way to go, SB!!!

Well she sure stirred my drink! The rest of the night my wife and Don Smitty were calling Sicilian Babe, Connie, and me, her brother Sonny.

Maybe it had to do with when I told the manager " You raise your voice to my sister again, and I'll kill ya!"

But in reality it was SC who was the biggest straw that stirred the drink. While Sicilian Babe and I were making the manager an offer that he couldn't refuse, you can hear SC from the other end of the table saying : " Don Cardi, your taking this very personal, Don Cardi, don't lose that famous sicilian temper of yours, Don Cardi, you can't gun down a restaurant manager!" Egging me on and on. He finally stopped when I turned to him and said " This guy hasn't yet seen the Santino Corleone side of me."

So in truth, It was SC who was the trouble maker. He just kept riling me up until I lost that famous sicilian temper of mine! :p

In truth the whole event actually was a funny thing with everyone hysterical laughing. Except the manager of course.

Innocent SC. :rolleyes:

Don Cardi

Well that's too bad the the dinner turned out so badly, but look at it this way, you'll be looking back at it as you're doing now and see humor in something that wasn't too funny at the time. Believe it or not, you'll remember the entire experience as a "fun" time.

The good company easily makes up for lousy service.


TIS

Some of my pics...


The infamous Saturday Dinner table. Notice we were still having fun.


The Friday Night Lounge Crew


Heads of Three Families


Some Liberals from the convention next door

"Michael, who's that scary-looking guy over there?"


DC really enjoyed SC's company


JG copping a feel -- from DMC.


JG at Corleone Compound. Who says Dons can't wear shorts? :p

Like the taxi cab ride in Chicago last year, huh TIS?
I said to me wife " If TIS was here and I spoke to the manager like that in front of her, she would be laughing hysterically as she did last year in Chicago.

Ok, so I've threatened a cab driver, and now a restaurant manager. 2 for 2. Wonder who I can go after next year?


Actually the whole dinner was not a disaster. What it really came down to was that the restaurant manager did not porperly staff our table with enough servers. The poor waiter was busting his ass and I felt really bad for him. But the dinner was a lot of fun because as you said TIS, good compnay makes up for lousy service.


Don Cardi

Our last dinner .....



and this weekend.....




And they talk about DMC and Geoff!


Don Cardi

The whole time of this "argument" I'm thinking, "In a few short minutes I can finally add to the 'have you ever witnessed a mafia event' thread" lol

Ok DMC, tell them all about what really caught your undivided attention in the restaurant!

(Remember TIS's post about how young people dress?)


Don Cardi

I got up to go to the bathroom, and as I'm walking past this one table there is a girl wearing "pants" that are so low half her thong was sticking out of them.

I got up to go to the bathroom, and as I'm walking past this one table there is a girl wearing "pants" that are so low half her thong was sticking out of them. [/b][/quote]And as DMC walks by me he says " Cardi, did you see that..." and before he could finish I cut him off saying
" The style of dress that TIS posted about? Yeah, I saw it already."


Don Cardi

Hey, maybe we should hold the next one in the Hotel attached to Harold's Deli, where we ate friday night.
At least we know well get plenty of good food with good service! At least Sicilian Babe and I won't have to scare any managers there!

Honorable mention goes to Consigliere's Lady. The voice of reason. Calm, cool and collective. But ready to kick ass!!

Hey Geoff, have any tongue left? :p


Don Cardi

You can never let DC tell a story.

HERE'S the truth .........

I never said, "you can't gun down a restaurant manager". What had happened was words were getting heated between Sicilian Babe and the manager and even though SB was more than holding her own in the argument Mr. Babe was getting drawn into it. OK, fine, its understandable he's coming to his wife's defense. Suddenly, from across the table Don Cardi (ala Santino Corleone) feels his "sister" is being attacked and (loudly) enters the frey.

Now THIS is where the stories separate; I've seen DC in action a few times, and I KNOW he's hot headed (and big hearted) and "it" just has to come out.... there's no talking him out of it (until it runs its course). Now, nothing is gonna happen other than some noise so I figure why not have some fun?

In the middle of the argument I noticed Don Cardi was ACROSS the table from the manager so I interrupted their "discussion" and yelled to DC, "Hey, whats the matter with you.... you can't argue across the table... you gotta go up to him and BADA BING" (pointing an imaginary gun towards my temple).....It hardly got a response (from ANYBODY). Everyone wanted to see blood in the argument. It was at this time that I thought to myself, "hey, this is my kind of group".

DC already pointed this out but its worth repeating.... the hotel is under new management and apparently they're going through changes now. They haven't heard the last from me, though.

I didn't know what the hell you were saying, except that they were all qoutes regarding scenes with Sonny from The Godfather!

Don Cardi

And he calls me " Hot Headed!"


Don Cardi

[Sappy Post Alert]

In multiple parts so I can use more than 8 smilies

I want to thank everyone for such a wonderful time! DC, for putting it all together and everyone else for attending! You guys are so special, and thank you again for the wonderful "Congrats" card (for the website's 10th Anniversary) you snuck on me!

Here are some quotes from the card:

"You'll always be our Don! Congratulations on 10 years of the best website on the net" --SC & Consigliere's Lady

"Congratulations, mang! Chu are da bess Don with da bess web site in all of cyberspace mang!" --Don Cardi

"10 long years, huh? Congrats, & all my best. Without your BB, I'd have many lonely days." --Plawrence

"Congrats on your 10 year anniversary for the GF Trilogy. Thanks for giving us such a wonderful web site. I really love talking to all the wonderful people. Love," --Mig

"Good luck and God bless. I am having a great time." --Don Smitty

"Congrats, JG. Great board, having a lot of fun there. 'Penis!'" --DMC

All that malarky. ALL YOU guys are what have always made this BB so special. Everyone I have met from here has always been a great person, those I'm honored to call friends! If it wasn't for all you guys, I surely would feel something important "missing."

TIS - Thank you again for such a generous gesture! You should find this funny; here's what the card they gave me said: "I don't drink as much wine as I used to. Have fun, I love you guys. --TIF" Maybe you should changed your name since hotel personnel and radio show producers can't get it right! You were really missed!

In fact, many were missed, and I hope next time we can get even more to come! (I think we already surpassed the attendance of the formal Chicago convention )

DC - You are too much. One of thoe most generous people I know. Please thank DC Jr. for the "Sicilian Message" You have a wonderful family, my friend, and I envy you. And thanks again so much for the Scarface wall plaque. I will hang it proudly!

DMC - It was so great to finally meet you after all those times you stood me up. :p Your fiancee is wonderful, and I wish you both a long lifetime of happiness! You deserve the title Best Rod & Balls!

Mig - I am so happy to have met you; you and your daughter are wonderful people! I think, though, that someone needs to open up a Jewish Deli in West Virginia so next time you're not so shocked! Thank you for finding the time to include The Garden State in your travels, and I surely hope you can do it again!

Sicilian Babe - It was so much fun meeting you and Mr Babe! Since now you know that we don't bite, I'm sure I speak for us all that we hope you'll attend more often now! Go Yankees!!

Apple - Finally, after all these years! Too bad you just missed the deli, but it was a lot of fun hanging out with you. Too bad Plaw wasn't there when you were, because I was looking forward to the debates! (Not as good as DMC, of course. )

SC & Lori - You know how I feel about you guys -- Even if you didn't let me sleep at all! You, too, are true friends that I cherish. Next time, warn be about the corn chowdah, ok?

I love all you guys!

[/Sappy Post]

It was at this time that I truly wished I had my camera handy. DMC and his fiancee were sitting across the table from me so I could see their expressions clearly. They both were wide eyed in wonder almost as asking if this is how the group always acted.

FWIW - The two of them make a great couple... you can see there's real love there!

Well,

My card was suppose to read from GF: "I drink more wine than I use to....:" I even contacted them a second time (although it was via e-mail, but I they were so quick to call me after the first e-mail, I assumed they'd get the message) to make sure it was correct.


"TIF" :p

It was at this time that I truly wished I had my camera handy. DMC and his fiancee were sitting across the table from me so I could see their expressions clearly. They both were wide eyed in wonder almost as asking if this is how the group always acted.

FWIW - The two of them make a great couple... you can see there's real love there! [/b][/quote]SC, we saw nothing wrong with how any of YOU acted.....that manager on the other hand

We weren't embarassed, ashamed, none of that. I don't know why we came off that way.

I was honestly more concerned with how the manager was talking to SB, and how DC would react to it.

So, there we are trying to decide what to order. No one else there wanted tongue, so because I talked about it for like a year, DC encouraged me to order a tongue "sandwich" (13 oz in the small one! ) in addition to the 4-pound 4-meat platter we were already ordering (corned beef, pastrami, turkey, brisket) plus swiss cheese. Like we didn't already have enough to eat!

One of the "helpers" of our waiter was the barmaid from Friday night. She was the one who presented TIS' card to me. I asked her later how she knew who to give the card to (figuring the card should have been given directly to Geoff). She said that the card was "called in" and she decided to give it to me because I was the "loud-mouth" from Friday night.

I THINK she was joking.