Of course things were cheaper outside the city. Then again he took a lot of the people out of the picture that may have driven over and took a shot at things for a couple of hours by having it there.

so what did you guys buy?

No one take the tour?

Nobody took the tour. The more we discussed the possibility of going on the bus, the more we decided it sounded kind of chintzy (the ONE thing I wanted to see was where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place - I found out that site is now an empty lot.....who the hell wants to see an empty lot?).

We bought mostly artwork (framed paintings of scenes from "The Godfather" and "Scarface"), autographed pics (John Fiore was selling a pic of him and James Gandolfini, signed by Gandolfini), shirts and some books.

Antionette Giancana, daughter of Sam Giancana, was there selling her autobiography ("Mafia Princess"), but I declined.....you can buy a copy on E-Bay and save a lot of money.

Don Cardi and Mikey bought a few of the paintings and got themselves good deals (similarly framed pics sell for a LOT more in New York).

Not to beat a dead horse, but the best part for all of us involved being together and having laughs....it wasn't the convention itself.

Although I'm not so much the expert on Scarface as most of you are, I can tell you that "Gigi" sat right at our table,comfortably sitting in a chair and was acting out a whole series of Scarface doing a wonderful impersonation. Everyone in that lounge had there eyes on him, as he freely and loudly quoted Tony Montana, capturing Pacino's accent perfectly. Others including DC and his friend Mikey Montana would coax him with another line and he'd be off again doing another scene. Very entertaining. He did say that Pacino was his favorite actor, and that he prefered to do he youngher Pacino I think because the voice was easier to do.

Let me take this opportunity also, to thank DC, his buddy and soon to be new member Mikey, Geoff and SC/Lori (remember her? Consigliere's Lady?????? I'm sure she'll be posting soon. :p ), for their genorousity. It seemed they all were more than generous picking up the tabs for us. Thanks guys! You are all great

TIS

This gal made it home ---BARELY. :rolleyes:

I wondered why my flight which was to leave Chicago at 1:30 was not boarding at 1:15. Then I heard my name paged to go see the desk attendant.

Funny how he phrased it: "There is a slight problem with the plane."

SIDEBAR: What the heck is a slight problem and why all of a sudden am I concerned?

Anyway, he informs me they are working on something and it is clear I won't be leaving today and will have to spend the night and leave tomorrow (Monday).

Before I could even process this information, I blurt out that staying another night was unacceptable (simply because I didnt want to )

Apparently, this just affected me - I'm not sure how. All the other passengers on that flight were boarding. Must have had something to do with the connecting flight from Phoenix to Albuquerque.

Anyway, he is telling me I have to stay the night. I'm really disapointed when all of a sudden he says if I hurry I can make a flight on American Airlines(I was originally booked on America West). He shoves a ticket in my hand and says go to Terminal 5 (which is THREE terminals away) and Hurry!

So I do.

Much later I get to Terminal 5 - the lady is rush, rush, rushing me....tells me to go to Gate 13 ( I am at 1). I feel like I am running a good 13 city blocks. I think quick enough to ask her what time this flight leaves. She says 1:30. Wow. My watch says 1:40. I run like nobody's business and get to the gate and rush in like a banshee. My seat is at the very back and I settle in and then think to ask my neighbor where this flight is going to. Lucky for me - DIRECT flight to Albuquerque.

The GOOD news is, I got in at 3:30 (on time! Wow that pilot was good making up for the lost time!) instead of 8:30 tonight, early enough to catch the last quarter of my Niner game and other various games today. Guess I was lucky it all worked out. I woulda been calling DB/Don Sicilia for dinner!

Fun weekend. I needed it. Cubs game was AWESOME! Many thanks to Don Sicilia for chauffering us around and his hospitality. He went WAY out of his way to meet us and spend time with us.

Thanks to everyone else for a great time. It went by way too fast. Hope everyone stays safe getting home!

Amen to that! The pleasure of Don Sicilia's company was ours! Now that I've met him, I don't mind getting my ass kicked by him in the BB League.....plawrence is another story, though. :p

Single ladies out there - this guy is a catch and he's charming!!

Glad to hear you got home safely, Buffy.

I resemble that remark...

Remember, you don't only lose to DB and Me. You lose to Buffy, Crabby, JG, CB, maybe even FS.....

So you left Chicago in stitches, huh?

Ahhhh, plaw, you were missed.

Your picture was on the center of the dartboard, but everyone kept missing it. :p

Oh, man... oh, that was good. Stupid joke, but it cracked me up, for some reason. Left me in stitches, so to speak. Well I guess that's the mark of a good joke... must not have been as stupid as I thought then, huh?

By the way, what's this resemble stuff? Is this still a throwback from the time Geoff used it, and you're just giving him a hard time, or is there more history to it? Or maybe it's an East Coast thing, like gravy and down the shore.

Nice one about "missing" Plaw, too, SC. You feeling better yet, by the way? How long do you have to keep the stitches in?

Sure, Zia, egg him on. :p (OK, OK....it WAS a good joke).

The "Hey, I resemble that remark" can be attributed to Curly Howard (of "The Three Stooges" fame). It was used to show Curly's ignorance; as an example, someone would call Curly "an ignoramus", and Curly would respond with that line (instead of saying, "Hey I resent that remark").


I'm feeling a lot better, and thanks for asking. I can have the stitches taken out in about 10 days. I feel more sorry for Lori's hand than for my own. She stood right next to me, holding my other hand as the doctor put the stitches in, and I was squeezing her hand (against the pain).

Hope the hand heals quickly SC. Quick query, when you guys are eating/drinking together do you use your BB names or your real names??

Thanks, SM.

We were using mostly real names for those present, but if we mentioned someone who wasn't present (ie. "plawrence is winning in baseball" or "Mignon's father-in-law is sick", or "Turnbull would know that answer", etc.) we used their screen names.

SC - I am guessing that there may have been other 'names or terms' used besides 'plawrence' when discussing PL :p

If your name came up in the conversation, I'm sure you were referred to as "Big Daddy Wuss".

Except for me... You guys were still calling me Douchebag.

Well, let's keep this love train going...

It was GREAT seeing everyone. Friday night, I arrived late for dinner due to traffic and when I finally arrived, I immediately recognized everyone who posted pictures. I sat next to our esteemed Don and across from TIS. It was wonderful talking with everyone. I even got to speak to Plaw on the phone to thank him for the champagne that he sent over. It was very much appreciated.

BD - you're wrong, Plaw doesn't sound like grumpy old windbag... :p

Pork, DC and Mikey Montana were a hoot at dinner with their Scarface impressions. The rest of us spent the entire time trying to down the huge steaks that we ordered.

The next day, I went back to the podunk suburb of Itasca - had breakfast with everyone and then we were off to the Cubs game. On the way to Wrigley, I was treated to the sound stylings of SC, Pork and La Dolce Vita. One word for Pork: HUM! :p Just kidding.

The game was a blast - save the emergency call from Lori saying that SC got maimed by a foul ball. I'm glad you're OK, SC. When Pork got the call, after asking the customary "Is he OK?" question - we asked Pork the natural next question - "Did he at least end up with the ball?" SC??

Oh yea... I paid of all bets the next day, BDD.

Afterwards, we went to a local pizzeria and just chilled there until their cab came.

Thanks for coming guys. Next time you're in Chicago, just give me a call.

Hey Gangsters,

Thanks for sharing the pics and the posts. Sounded like a great time (sorry about the hand SC).

Are we going to see any of youse guys on the Sopranos? :p

I'm back from my most excellent adventure! Need to settle in, check email, make fantasy picks, and relax a bit. I'll be back later on

HEY Tis, SC, Lori, La Dolce, Geoff, Mikey, Don S, what time are we meeting in the lounge tonight for drinks?
Damn I wish we were still there!


Don Cardi

I'll be down there in about 15 minutes, after another quick pass at the convention. I'll save the big table for us... I think that guy in the hat is gonna do some more monologue for us!

Just let me know if you plan on making any more phone calls. I've got to make a run to the produce section.

Forget football, bud. I have already beat you!

Like a dead horse!

YOU wish we were still there??? Lori hadda drag me out (kicking and screaming) this morning. I am sooo ticked that I missed Saturday night's entertainment.

One instant effect of the Gangster BB leaving Itasca is the layoff of Dino, the bartender.

FWIW - I'm gonna write the Hotel Manager and compliment his/her staff. They were extremely helpful and went out of their way to accomodate us and make us happy.

The only one still to check in with us is TIS.... she should be home by now.

I'll be down there in about 15 minutes, after another quick pass at the convention. I'll save the big table for us... I think that guy in the hat is gonna do some more monologue for us! [/b][/quote]Do you mean REBENGAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
Libertaaaa, Libertaaaaa, REBENGAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!


Don Cardi

I made it home finally, after an hour delay at the airport. Thanks SC/L, and DC for your concern that I made it home.

I wonder what the lounge is gonna do without our rowdy group there hu? Had a great time. The convention wasn't all that good, but I still had a great time, because all of you made it so much fun.

Geoff I hope you had a good ride home and didn't do any "storm chasing".

TIS

Welcome back! Glad you got home safe!

Welcome back, TIS!! Good thing you got a taste of Chicago humidity before coming back to our gust of moist air here... Now, at least it can't seem TOO bad, because you just had worse, huh? (Is it humid out by you, too, by the way? The weekend was horrible... 31%!!!)
Glad you made it back okay.

nice pics guys! hope we were there. . .

GoodFella

I'm glad Y'all made it back safe and sound. I agree with SC we have to have somekind of get together sometime.

Good to hear all of you made it back safe. SC, thanks for the great pix and updates. I hope your hand recovers soon. I wish someday I'd be able to meet all posters here.

I'll be down there in about 15 minutes, after another quick pass at the convention. I'll save the big table for us... I think that guy in the hat is gonna do some more monologue for us! [/b][/quote] Yea, you and your buddy did a great job reading the entire GF script. Next thing I know, this guy is on the floor!

Whoever gets to the lounge first, order me one of those pretty "Blue" drinks. The bartender will know who it's for. :p

TIS

Hey,

I am still waiting down here for all of you guys but no one showed! Now I am stuck with ALL of these drinks, especially the "cute" blue one!


Don Cardi