The TWC is planning a road trip to Buffalo to check out some wine stores, watch the 'Phins crush the Bills, and have some some wings 'n beer.
Slan has volunteered to drive.
Roll Call:
Asterixis
Baird
Futronic
Slan
DoktaP(may be a late scratch)

If there's enough interest, we may do a convey.
Any newbies interested in joining us. But one criteria, you must be a 'phins fan to travel in my vehicle.

[This message was edited by DoktaP on Oct 12, 2004 at 06:33 PM.]

I believe that wineguyinto is coming as well.

Oh, and the tentative date being kicked around is Sunday, October 17th.

Have fun in my hometown, guys. But for your own safety, I suggest you ditch any Dolphin paraphenalia before you cross the border. Otherwise, get ready for a cavity search at the Peace Bridge.

Cheers,

Otis

I too look forward to meeting you all. It would be nice to put a face to the keystrokes (?)

As I mentioned earlier on in the thread, our home is being renovated and things are kind of...actually, really upside down. What started as a simple problem (the face came off a slider drawer in the kitchen) has turned into a major renovation - the whole first floor, including knocking down load bearing walls, porcelain flooring, hardwood, etc.

The kitchen is slated for installation during the week of the 30th, then from there just odds and ends I suppose, but I've never done anything this major before and don't know what to expect.

As far a ride, there's the limo bus (which may be overkill unless a- the price is right, and/or b- the wives join in. Or we can ride in two vehicles (I suppose we do need SOME room for the goodies we pick up). Between the MDX and my Tahoe, I'm sure we can squeeze in our purchases.

Until later this month, I'll have to be pencilled in only. But I look forward nonetheless, to meeting you all.

Cheers...

Wineguy,
Boy, do I feel sorry for you! Wine obsession and a reno. We did an entire first floor reno 1 year ago. All I can say is, expect the cost to be 50%
more than you budgeted. And that's just the wine budget (kidding).
I'm hopeful that we can both make the shuffle.
We're always looking forward to meeting new members to recruit to the cru.
By the way, I'll be the tall, dark, handsome one with the long, curly locks and the rippled abs.

Hmmmmmm...just 50%?

Original quote = $42.5k

Upgrades/changes to date (3wks to go!) = $14k

Appliances (not originally planned) = $12k

HVAC upgrades (ahh, what the hell?!?) = $12k

New furniture (not budgeted, but we can't use old furniture in new rooms now can we? Well that's HER argument anyways) = $10k

Prior approval to be able to spend half as much on wine in the near future = PRICELESS

It's no wonder the Aeroplan program is in shambles...my wine purchases over the last few months have been negligible.

And Dokta, when I read about the offlines I get envious about not being there to share in the good times and comeraderie.

BUT I GET MORE ENVIOUS ABOUT RIPPED ABS

Can't wait...

Wineguy,
Looks like you'll be enjoying a lot of Yellow Tail for the next while. Good luck with the reno.
Sounds like you need to talk with the investment banker in the cru.

Guys,

A couple of logistics notes.

The stores here are open from 12 to 6. If it's a home game, you don't want to go down to the orchard Park store, it's too close to the stadium, unless you hit it during the game between the drives.

The Transit road store does have the biggest Reserve Room, I did a preview the other day. Good selection of first growth Bordeaux ( half a dozen vintages each of Haut Brion, Lafite, and Mouton), plentiful selection of Barolo and Brunello as well as a couple vintages each of Gaja's top stuff. good representation of Aussie Shiraz, I think 2, maybe 3 vintages of Grange. Some CDP, plentiful Cal cab. etc.

Again, without wanting to interfere too much since some are clearly familiar with the territory, a suggestion might be to hit the Delaware ave store first( it will be the closest coming from your direction), shop, take notes etc. You could travel down Sheridan Drive, pass Duff's and stop at Global liquors at Sheridan and Harlem. Global is relatively new and doesn't have a great selection. But they put a Reserve room in about 6 months ago. Who knows, there may be a little treasure or two in there? Continue down Sheridan to the Transit Store, shop etc. Go back to Duff's and then finish at the original premier store on Delaware if necessary to pick up anything you couldn't find at the other stores.

I'll catch up maybe at Duff's or one of the stores.

Otis, what part of town are you from? I'm basically at Maple and Transit in Amherst, conveniently 1 mile for the biggest Reserve room in town.

GDN, thanks for taking the time to help plan our route. It's much appreciated. We look forward to meeting you and sharing wings 'n beer. Maybe one day, we'll do an offline. It looks like we're starting to take our "show" (ie offlines) on the road. Soon Ottawa, then Chicago, etc......

gdn,

Before heading west to Notre Dame and Chicago, I grew up in Cheektowaga and Orchard Park. Went to high school in the city (Canisius).

Cheers,

Otis

Otis,

Know those area's very, very well. I came up here in 1977 from Pittsburgh. Lived in the northtowns the whole time.

It appears that I won't be able to do the Buffalo trip after all. Enough parents are interested in watching their sons play in their final high school national tournament in Lennoxville that weekend.
It sounds like it will be a great day. I hope everyone has an absolute blast. I might even place a few orders with you.
Maybe we can arrange to do it again in the New Year assuming Buffalo doesn't get snowed in.
I was looking forward to meeting wineguy and GDN.
Maybe at an offline another time.

The Lennoxville trip is off for me, and I'm able to attend the Sunday spree in Buffalo.
Anyone going to the LCBO/Ritches auction that weekend?

i attend.

Is this still on next weekend?

Fut, it's on for the weekend of the 16th-17th.
Give me a shout and we can make arrangements.

I am still waiting to see my kid's hockey schedules. I should know in the next couple of days but it isn't looking good as I have heard every Sat/Sun has a practice or game.

I'm in for the Sunday road trip to Buffalo. I'm craving some seriously good wings.

Guys,

I think I've got a family function conflict looming here.
If you get a rough itinerary, post it. I'd still like to do the wings if I can.

GDN,
If you email me at jester728 at rogers dot com, I'll give you my cell number to reach us on the Sunday.

As it turns out (and as I mentioned to Dok), I'm not going to be able to make it on the 17th.

I'm not sure if people were counting on me to be a driver or not, but unfortunately we just have too many things going on this weekend and our schedule won't permit it.

I am, however, planning to head down the following weekend, although I'm not yet sure whether it will be Saturday or Sunday (more likely Sunday, I think). Since Mrs. Slan will be coming with me on that one, it will definitely not be a "wine only" affair, but I will likely be in for a bit of shoe shopping as well (and I certainly don't want anyone to change plans on account of me!).

I just found out tonight that I am now the head coach of a Tyke 7 hockey team. This is on top of coaching my 9 year old's team.

I can't go unfortunately

Besides the intrepid Futronic and myself, anyone else still available for a road trip to Buffalo for some beer, wings, football (2 winless teams),
and some wine shopping? Sorry Slan (and Mrs.), you won't catch me in a womens shoe store on a weekend in Buffalo no matter how much wine I've had to drink. Now, sipping champagne from the slippers of Catherine Zeto-Jones: maybe!

You've been married longer than me!