A few random shots:

Mig's mister (on the left) and DMC sharing a laugh. There was a lot of laughing going on last night!! Mig is involved in a conversation (on the right):



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Geoff (at the martini bar after dinner) with a green martini. (The bar offered over 100 different types of martinis). We all had some difficulty finding the place... hey, it was a whole three blocks away from the hotel! ... We eventually put a leash on Geoff, instructed him to sniff out martinis and we were lead directly to the bar:




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Beth placing an order. This may be the only time she WASN'T laughing (she's very serious about her food!):




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DMC, Becky and Mig (left to right). I think this is when they reacted to Geoff as he danced on the table:

This picture is an optical illusion...if a man were to look really closely at it they might eventually see Geoff

Wonderful pictures!!! I'm not big on martinis, but one might think there would be one I'd like out of 100.

I see everyone is having a great time. DMC & Becky seem quite taken by Geoff's table dance; nice shot of the back (side) of Geoff's head; and Beth, I take my food very seriously as well.

Keep the pictures coming! You guys are so neat.

TIS

I got in a little while ago, and am pooped. I need a nap cuz someone kept me up all night -- but what a great time! The weekend (as always) just flew by and I wish it'd last longer. EVERYONE was such a pleasure to hang out with!

We went to Englishtown Flea Markert Saturday -- the place is HUGE! And as you can see in this pic that SC posted, I got bad sunburn... but it was a beautiful day (compared to the mini-hurricane I drove thru to get there - the 1 hour trip took 2 hours )

I have some pics I will try to post later, but don't have that many since my 4 batteries were DOA. And, because my main computer is still shot, and that's the one with Photoshop etc installed on it. And, because after my nap I need to try and recover from not having gotten online all weekend -- probably for the first time in a decade ( ) -- to even look at fantasy sports or email. I was having too much fun to worry about it.

But a special note to dontomasso who was extremely generous with the wine order for the table. I'm sorry you weren't able to be there to share it with us! Dinner was fabulous, and meeting you would've been terrific.

Who the hell would do such a thing?

At least we found it, unlike the night before! I had a map of the location (3 blocks away) but left it in my room, so we asked the doorman where it was. He told us TWICE how to get there, and I told DMC (who's been there before!) to remember the directions because I immmediately forgot them. Well, about 6 blocks and 20 minutes later -- and when the skies opened up into a torential downpour in which we all got soaked to the bone -- we had to give up and went bar-hopping instead on the way back to the hotel lounge.

Sicilian Babe recreating the "Meg Ryan faking an orgasm" scene as Mr. Babe expertly portrays the Billy Crystal reaction. Geoff and Sr. Vitelli in background:


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Geoff's look of genuine fear as Sr. Vitelli assures him that either his signature would appear on the contract or his head would replace Ralph's in the bag of tricks:


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A pretty representative shot of the evening. Mig's Mister (left) and Mr. Babe (right) in the foreground deep in conversation. Geoff happily taking it all in:



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Sr. Vitelli and Mig sharing a moment:

My apologies to Don Cardi, Mrs. Cardi and Beth.... they were sitting near me (and all my pictures of them are badly out of focus).... I hadda re-focus the camera and the restaurant was very dark and I was a little blotto (and obviously I didn't do it correctly).

I think someone got a good picture of me sitting at the "head" of the table...

I gotta tell ya... the ONLY thing I didn't like was that the table was so long it made it virtually impossible to carry on a conversation with those sitting at the other end.

We were somewhat more reserved about getting rowdy and loud (possibly because the restaurant was kind of fancy and the food and service were EXCELLENT) and possibly because this guy (me) was happily mellow (keeping my big mouth shut).

I've been trying to stay away from this thread because it makes me jealous I couldn't be there! I'm glad you all had fun though! I'm still curious about this "Head in a Bag". Maybe I'm glad I wasn't there after all.

A few random thoughts:

Mr. Babe may be one of the best storytellers I've ever heard - he had us in stitches with a few stories of his (and SB's) travels. Don Cardi, similarly, may be the most animated storyteller I know (he really gets into "it", making the story all that much more fun).

Mrs. Cardi is an immense source of movie info (totally awesome recall about actors/actresses, etc.). Her warmth is comforting and she makes you feel like you've known her for a long, long time.

DMC may be quiet at times but he's the funniest quiet I know. He's also one of the most generous guys I know.

dontomasso's generous and thougtful gift (of the wine) was a really nice thing for him to do. Thank you, dt!!

Mignon is a wonderful soul! She's so genuine!! Look up "down-to-earth" in the dictionary and you'll find her picture there.

Sicilian Babe is a party animal and a pure delight to be with. She never fails to make me laugh and my time with her (and Mr. Babe) is always too short. She's a sharp chick!

Sr. Vitelli is a scream... when not wowing you with his knowledge on a number of subjects he'll have you laughing with something outrageous (like sharing a "wig").

Beth is one funny chick. She'll get you laughing with her in no time at all. Better yet, she's a good sport and a very decent lady. I'm glad I know her.

Don Cardi and Geoff.... what can you say about them? I consider them as brothers... they've taught me a few good lessons and I'm truly blessed that they're in my life.

I never really noticed.

I wasn't at last year's sitdown, so I had no clue what the others were talking about (Sr. Vitelli's Ralph). When he showed me (the head in the bag) I was dumfounded... I just stared at it with my mouth open (great drunken reaction, huh?).

We had to wait about 10 minutes for the martini bar to set up accomodations for us (we had a group of 13 people). I had gone downstairs to speak with the restaurant manager (about setting up a large table) and as I was waiting, Don Cardi leaned over the railing and whispered that I should "warn" the manager (who also doubled as a bouncer/ID checker) about Sr. Vitelli's bag. Sensing that it'd be good for a laugh I told the guy to check out the bag before he let SV in (but he didn't do it ).

Evidently the name "Ralph" refers to Ralph Cifaretto (from "The Sopranos")... you may remember that Tony Soprano killed him and chopped off his head and put it in a bowling ball case. Now, it gets even better - Sr. Vitelli had a duplicate of the hairpiece that Ralph wore, too. He fitted it on my head and someone took a picture of it... now I'm just waiting for the blackmail demand to be made.

Funny how this stuff is starting to come back to me now.

Well, I got back to Brooklyn at nearly four o'clock in the morning and faced an irate, hungry cat.

Ate a bit, watched TV, went to bed.

Woke up around midday, washed my face, shaved my tongue.

I am almost a human being. (These things take time.)

Will post more later.

In the meantime...

I had a great time seeing everybody.

I thank you.

Ralph thanks you.

Signor V.

Yo, yo. Bethie's in the house and giving a shout out to all my peeps.

Oh man, I'm so getting sued by Bad Daddy.

Apologies for the short, incoherent ramble I posted this morning. I was working on a laptop, and it was hard for me.

A lovely weekend has come and gone, and I'm very sad. It was such great fun.

Thanks to our esteemed leader Geoff for the gift. He's fun, sweet and giving guy. I don't give a crap what anyone says about him.

How awesome to spend time with my sis SB and Mr. Babe. They're a dynamic duo to spend time with. And will keep you laughing forever.

Equally great to see DC and his lovely wife. How wonderful to hear first hand their stories of Italy. I know SB is your sis, but can I be the evil stepsister?

How nice to finally meet SV. What can you say about a guy who'll gladly bring his head out of it's bag at a single notice.

It was a treat to meet Mignon and her lovely family. She is thoroughly a very sweet, and soft spoken woman.

DMC is so cute you just want to pinch his cheeks, or put him in a headlock and give him a noogie. It was also said that he is hot.

And lastly, SC. Thanks for the ride.

I don't know why they didn't put me on the phone. I guess I'm not formally part of The Breakfast Club yet.

Who said that about DMC?

I'm still tired, I need to post about everyone, I will do it soon.

Funny how. Funny like a clown? I'm here to amuse you?

Thanks for the shot, and the shot glass. Which I'm borrowing indefinitely. Does this make me a wanted criminal.

Yeah, when I walked over to you and told you that Signor V. was about to pull his head out of his bag, for some reason you got really excited!

Well, I usually have to pay to see it.

I will say this about the weekends we've had. There are only 2 categories for them, with and without SC. It was an entirely different weekend with him there. Obviously that is not meant to take anything away from anyone else but he definitely makes it a better weekend.

SC was there?

Hey Everyone:

Me and the Col. got home about 9pm. We would've got home a little sooner than that but we stopped and got something to eat before we went home. I am totaly wiped out.

First of all I want to thank all of you for making Ray feel so welcome in our BB family.

What a great time we had as usual. Even though we got drenched in the pouring rain Friday night looking for Clydz. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Geoff- Thanks for putting all this together and thank you so much for the dvd. It went by so fast. Is your sunburn better today? Thanks for taking us to the Englishtown flea market That was alot of fun and thanks for buying us breakfast.

SC- It was so great seeing you again but PLEASE I don't want it to be another 2 years before I get to see you again. You are the best. I was so sad that I didn't get to see you this morning before we left.

DC- It was wonderful seeing you and Mrs. Cardi. I really enjoyed hearing your stories about Italy. Ray had fun talking to you and Mrs. Cardi about his trip to Italy when he was in the Navy. It is always fun being with you and Mrs. Cardi. I am so glad that everything worked out that you were able to come. So will you guys be coming to Canton anytime soon?

Beth- I am so honored I finally got to meet the crabby chick. I wish I got to talk to you a little more. Last year SB had the giggles this year it was your turn. I hope I can see you again soon.

Vitelli- I was so happy that you were able to come and have dinner with us. And for entertaining us with that wig you put on SC. Thanks for the advice you gave me. If you can think of any recipes for me please pm me with them.

SB- It was great seeing you and Mr. Babe again and getting to have breakfast with you this morning. How is the tooth today? Ray had a great time talking to Mr. Babe about his property out in Montana. Have a great time in Fl.

DMC- Thanks alot for not being able to find Clydz Friday. J/k. We had fun watching you drink one right after another. You are alot of fun to hang with. You should see some of the blackmail pic's I have of you.

It was fun meeting Geoff's friend Justin. He is real nice.

So Vegas next year huh?

A few more things (my memory is slowly coming back as the scotch induced spider webs are disintergrating):

The food (and service) was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!! DMC's recommendation of the restuarant was right on (as was his suggestion of the Filet Mignon - it was one of the best ones I've EVER had). DMC doesn't slur words when he drinks; he gets excited about what he's saying... I can still hear him saying (about the filet mignon), "YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A KNIFE!!!!"

A little old lady with a kindly face (another customer at the restaurant) came over to our table as she was leaving. She must have been watching us and wanted to know about our group ... I THINK it was Don Cardi who explained the who/what/where to her and she remarked that it was a very nice thing to see (our group having a good time).

I'm missing some pictures . (My camera uses floppy disks and two of them [I think] have disappeared). I KNOW I took some pix of us at the hotel bar and I simply can't find them now.

SV remarked about shaving his tongue this afternoon (after last night's drinking). I know exactly what he means.

I apologize to all for not saying "goodbye" in the morning. Something came up and I was in my room waiting for some black coffee from Room Service. When the "waiter" brought it in he noticed my laptop with my Humphrey Bogart screen saver on it (similar to my avatar). Thinking that it was some cowboy he went on to tell me how his uncle used to ride in rodeos.

The hotel was hosting some large wedding. When we all got back (after dinner and the the martini bar) to finish our partying we encountered many of the wedding guests in the hotel bar. Sicilian Babe was hysterical at pointing out one of the wedding group's women who had her boobs hanging out.

I had gone outside to have a ciggy (at the martini bar) and quickly came back inside. I told Beth that someone was hitting on me. She asked "who"?. I pointed out the guy. (He was with a group of his friends attending a bachelor party there. I asked him where the stripper was and he replied, "Oh no, we're not into that"). OK, no big deal, but I suddenly found the urge to get back to my friends.

Glad you got home safe, Mig!

How ironic that with all the guys there it would be the girls who got the peep show. I thought at one point SB was gonna get up and personally put those puppies away.

I think I said a little more then that.

All you had to do was ask....

I think we all should see them.

I just want to ask DMC when the magic show ended and the bar owners made the room stop spinning. (I don't think he was kidding when he said he had 16 drinks).