POSSIBLE DATES AND TIMES FOR THIS NORTHERN VIRGINIA GET TOGETHER

MAY 20, THURSDAY 6-8pm Big Dog is passing through this area.

MAY 29, SATURDAY 12-6pm We can discuss the recent Testimony.

If you live in the Wash., D.C. Metropolitan Area or a few hours from it, you may want to join us for fantastic cigars, a great time, and good food. Yourdonite, lurker, and newbie are welcome to come. Those who want to eat at where we will be meeting can expect to pay about $US 6 for an appetizer and from $US 10 to $US 25 per person per meal. I'll get a menu and prices once we settle on an affordable location; this will be faxed or emailed to you with a map- whatever you prefer.

I haven't had any questions yet about bringing children along, but if there is a need for baby chairs and other considerations, please let me know. If you are bringing children, we could put our heads together to figure out how to keep them happy and occupied. I'm considering a show and tell like Old Git had planneed for their get together. I think it is interesting, but I'm not sure how this would work in a restaraunt. If you all (you awl) like this idea, I'll ask the manager.

If the women folk would like a different or adjoining table from us dawg-gone men, this is also possible. Just let me know your thoughts.

I think that we have narrowed it down to two dates or possibly two meetings. Anyone who would like to meet up with Big Dog can email me; I also hope to meet with him on Thursday, May 20th. It seems best that we coordinate a location through me and my email address. I will also try to have a map drawn up that can be faxed or downloaded as a PDF file. I'll let you know the download page URL in a private email. If you would like this information to be public, we can discuss this.

In order for me to keep in contact with everyone, I would appreciate their home and work phone number (send as private email). You'll get mine. Once I have received all the phone numbers and confirmed them, I will email a list of all the friendly people now planning to show up and the location for cigar and cigarette smoking, food and drink, and a pleasant visit with some of the most interesting people on the planet (laughing). We welcome all (GIs and DGIs) who can play nicely.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 10, 1999

Answers

Folks,

Sorry I won't be able to join you (though I'm not a cigar fan... ugh!). I'll be in Mobile on May 20th, giving a talk at a Y2K community meeting they're organizing. Then up to Maine for the weekend, where my older son is graduating from college (one less tuition to look forward to, thank goodness). Then down to Dee-Cee for the Testimony (sounds almost religious in nature), and then back to Taos....

Anyway, do have a good time, and take advantage of the rare opportunity to watch Arlin and Decker behave themselves

-- Ed Yourdon (ed@yourdon.com), May 10, 1999.

Who's bringing the gloves for Arlin and Decker? :)

-- a (a@a.a), May 10, 1999.

Through the diplomatic efforts of Stan, I believe Arlin and I have agreed to beat our swords into plowshares for the evening. The purpose the gathering is to enjoy good cigars and conversation. Neither Arlin nor I would insult our host or the other guests with boorish behavior.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 10, 1999.

Suggestion for child care:
When you arrange a place to meet, also arrange with the manager a specific location for the children close by but not right under you, preferrably in an inclosed room with one entrance/exit.

Hire 2 baby sitters. Have a fund pool amount of like $5.00 per child to be paid by those using the service.

Instruct the baby sitters to not let the children leave the area without one of them going along, such as to the bathroom, leaving the other to monitor the room and activities. (3 baby sitters would be optimal, but it has been done successfully with 2).

Instruct the babysitters to co-ordinate before the gathering and all plan activities, games, possibly set up a tv/video player and basically plan for a "birthday party" scenario.

We have conducted fruitful adult meetings with minimal interruptions from children, and all had a great time.
karen

-- karen (karen@karen.karen), May 10, 1999.

Yes, but you'll notice that I haven't promised to behave MYself...

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 10, 1999.

actually I agreed to leave my firearms outside the building. I have no intention of starting a physical altercation with decker, or anyone for that matter. Especially because I'll be carrying my videocamera which I can't afford to replace if damaged. decker and I can sit at opposite ends of the table or whatever, and that should pretty much resolve the issue for the evening.

I'm on for either one, but will need to know by Wednesday if it's this Thursday.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), May 10, 1999.

I'm game. I would really like to meet INVAR and Andy. And I relish the idea of Mr. Poole showing up.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@aol.com), May 11, 1999.

Karen: Thanks for the great tip. Email me at info@giglobal, if you'd like to come.

Arlin: There are at least two other Ruth Chris steakhouses. One in Dupont Circle-Washington,D.C and one in Crystal City-Virginia. Ther is also JRs in Tysons. I don't know if you can bring your own cigar to Ruth Chris, however.

R. Wright: Email me at info@giglobal if you can. If not, let me know.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 11, 1999.

Mr. Yourdon,

Please pass our collective congratulations to your son. It is heartening to see he has chosen to continue his education in the face of some dire predictions about our future.

Best of luck in your Senate testimony. I had thought to jot a few additional notes, but you seem well-supplied with input. Whatever you feel about the government, sitting in front of the committee is an honor.

Finally, I have been quite civil on this forum. Arlin and I simply took time to explore a time-honored method of dispute resolution... much like Burr and Hamilton. (laughter) To discuss the issue in person, Mr. Yourdon, I might forego the cigar.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 11, 1999.

Oh, and can someone inform me as to the appropriate dress for the final location? Jacket required, etc.

Regards,

-- Mr. Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), May 11, 1999.

DRESS CODE

The get together should be casual. Jacket will not be required.

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 11, 1999.

to the top

-- come on down (themorethemerrier@lonestar.yet), May 11, 1999.

Hey guys, what about those of us who for health reasons can't be around cigar or cigarette smoke? I know there's at least 2 of us. We want to come too! Can't we be somewhere which is accessible to all of us?

-- Steve in Fairfax (123@4567.890), May 11, 1999.

Steve --- contact Stan directly. I will certainly be disappointed if we shut folks out who are allergic to smoke.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 11, 1999.

Hummm, not all that far from NJ... Maybe the 20th would be OK. 29th NG with Memorial day weekend. Yea, maybe I will take a drive. You did say no guns? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 11, 1999.

Sysman -- Hey, if I'm driving from NY state, you can CERTAINLY make it, you bozo ;-)

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 11, 1999.

SMOKING OR NO SMOKING

Right! We can do no smoking on 20th for Big Dog's upcoming visit. In other words, no cigars or cigarettes at the table. There should be a bar side where filthy cigarette addicts such as myself can smoke as we hang our heads in shame. (laughing) The 29th looks like it will be a cigar smoking crowd... so far.

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 11, 1999.

Bummer, which I could go. Hope you guys take some pictures and post em here--would be nice to put faces to the names. A full report will be looked foward to.

-- Nother Lurker (lurker@nospam.co), May 11, 1999.

"take some pictures" WHAT!!!!! NO PHOTOS ALLOWED!!!!! Well, maybe one, alone, standing in front of a white wall, and having at least three friends swear that I wasn't there... and I ain't gonna cut my hair! <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 11, 1999.

I vote for non smoking. If so - I'd like to come.

-- Sally Strackbein (sally@y2kkitchen.com), May 11, 1999.

RE: MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEETINGS

DATES:

MAY 20, THURSDAY 6-8pm. Big Dog is passing through this area and a happy few people from up and down the East Coast hope to meet up with him. Cigarette smoking at a bar side or in a smoking room is likely, but not at the table. Instead of cigars, Stan will bring a dozen or so of the Utne Y2K Citizen Action Guides so that you can scare your family and neighbors. (grin)

MAY 29, SATURDAY 12-6pm. We can all discuss the recent Testimony and, perhaps, have show and tell on portable preps-- if there is interest. A number of Monte Cristos cigars will be provided by Stan and smoked at the table. If you're lucky, you may get to bring home a cigar too.

DRESS CODE: Casual. Virginia law requires shoes and shirts to be worn in restaurants. No weapons are allowed-- concealed or otherwise.(grin)

COST: Approximately $US 6 for an appetizer and $US 10 to $US 25 per meal/person (depending on how hungry you are). A menu will be provided as soon as we decide on the restaraunt.

LOCATION: To be determined shortly. An address, phone number, and map will be provided by email or as downloadable/printable PDF document to all persons who have provided Stan Faryna with their work and home phone number. The phone numbers will be confirmed before information is given out.

REQUIREMENTS: Friendly smile, good conversation, and having contacted Stan by email (info@giglobal.com) and given him your confirmable phone numbers.

SPECIAL NEEDS: Baby sitting can be arranged at the restaurant, but no one has contacted Stan about this. Disabled access should not be a problem, but Stan will check this out when the restaurant choice is narrowed.

NEXT UPDATE: EXPECT A NEW POSTING ON THIS SUBJECT ON MONDAY MORNING.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 12, 1999.