otis-

can you handle two more?
we take up very little space yet can consume a vast amount of cellar space.

So, I found a direct flight on ATA for $176.50 round trip, flying out from SFO early morning on the 1st, coming back REALLY early morning on the 4th from Chicago...

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Now taking reservation for Thanksgiving Week Tour Dates of the 2003 Whirlwind Tour

drab/cluri: Bring it on. Would love to have you guys join us!

pyang: Strong move on the plane ticket! Looking forward to seeing you again, amigo. I'll ask Mrs. VM to shovel up a hill of snow on the side of my driveway so you can get some skiing in. No lift ticket required.

Cheers,

Otis

pyang the later plane is more $$ but probably worth it. I remember it being like $50 more than the morning flight.

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paul@hockeyguy.com

Otis,

Just be sure to save room for James Suckling or one of the other WS tasters.

VM

Suckling won't be there. Don't worry about him.

Vino Me in a wine warrior hat doesn't not count either.

Bman- If you're still listening- there's a Marriott on W. Harrison St (about 1600 West) that I'm sure is not a level 1 property. It's adjacent to a large hospital/medical school and I'm pretty sure it's decent. It's close to downtown (3mi/5km) and the United Center (about 1/2mi) and probably won't set you back all those Marriott points. If you want to stay in the city this may be a good choice.

********
Out, out damn goat.

RD,

If you keep promising to eat your underwear I'm sure Suckling won't come. I wouldn't come. I'm still traumatized by the sight of Eno's thong though (scroll down- 3rd from the end).

VM

I am still debating...

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Now taking reservation for Thanksgiving Week Tour Dates of the 2003 Whirlwind Tour

As am I.....

So much wine.....so little time!!!

I just read this entire thread and I feel left out! I am going to my room to cry.

It used to be beer, the old lady, & TV. Now it's wine, American Express, & this stupid forum!

I'm having second thoughts now after seeing the "thong" .....disturbing......

-DRAB

So much wine.....so little time!!!

If we get snowed in (not that it ever snows in Chicago in January!) Otis' cellar will really be diminished!!!

*********************************
"It was a time of such splendor--charming people, good food, laughter, and brave ideas."
Maya Angelou

did I say diminished?...I meant demolished

*********************************
"It was a time of such splendor--charming people, good food, laughter, and brave ideas."
Maya Angelou

J3

*************

Available for parties

[This message was edited by jcubed on Oct 27, 2003 at 12:34 PM.]

Our participation is looking s bit more likely. Thanks for the tip on a Marriott, grossie, but if we come I expect we'll stay at the Deerfield Courtyard. It is so cheap we may use $$$ instead of points, and call it a Christmas present. We can get a weekend rate there that comes out (at the new exchange rate ) at CAD$85 without breakfast, CAD$100 with it, per room per night. Pretty good price, I think. It will cost us to get downtown, of course, but it still seems like the way to go, as we're trying to conserve the points for a family trip to Florida next winter.

All I need to do now is find a flight (Air Canada's non-stops from Ottawa are no longer available but via Toronto or American Airlines are options) and get my missus to sign off on it.

Hard to say which will be more easily done....

Speaking of which, a hockey game is probably not on for us (but thanks anyways grossie) as the afore-mentioned missus is allergic to sports, especially when she's on "holiday". And yes, I've checked (and as an immigration officer I know how to check! ), she really is Canadian. Go figure.

But I have not given up on persuading futronic to come along. His bankbook is weak but his spirit is (more than) willing!

Does anyone know how many bottles one can bring into the US duty free as a tourist? I know everyone would like to try an outstanding Ontario dry red wine.....

Otis: I wouldn't mind picking your brain on one or two things, but I'm getting my spam under better control and would rather not post my e-mail. Could you drop me a direct line via Vinocellar, perhaps?

snow sucks.......

bman: I just sent you a PM on Vinocellar...

Cheers,

Otis

My chances of attending, always just a faint glimmer, are I think now gone altogether. Mrs. TJ and I just spent a long weekend in NYC for the VC Anniversary bash and, coupled with our recent Italy trip (when do I go back>??!?!?) and the need for new windows on the TJ-abode, it doesn't look like we'll be able to swing it this time.

Which stinks, because I was looking forward to hanging with youse guys.

Plus, the added feature of seeing a hockey game with tlily would have been sweet. Ah well, there always next year, right Otis?

www.vinocellar.com -- Mm-Mm-good

I've added a new thread for a Friday night get together. Check it out for details. Should be a great kick off to Otis' bash.

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paul@hockeyguy.com

Ok Otis,

I know that I haven't been spending as much time on these boards as I used to, but where's the love? I seems not long ago that I had 40 people wandering around my basement amid 40 open bottles.....

I am glad that I happened upon this. Next time, someone send me an email so I don't miss out.

I'm in! Hopefully Mrs. Geek and 6 week old son are in as well.

TJ: Sorry you can't make it. But as you say, there's always next year.

CWG: Without question, you threw the grand-daddy of all CDPs in August '02. Certainly a main inspiration for this shindig. I'm very glad that you and the rest of the CWG clan can make it on Jan 3rd. Sorry about not e-mailing you, but don't feel singled out. I haven't emailed anybody. This thread has served as the invite.

Cheers,

Otis

Otis, you remembered!!!

Sniff, sniff, it touches my heart...

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. Now...............what to bring.....

CWG, Trust me, nobody has forgotten about the megalicious tasting event you had last fall. It's still the surreal pinnacle of tasting events I think most of us have been involved with.

This looks like it is going to be a great time. If we weren't doing two wine events on both coasts in two weeks we might have been able to swing it.

Aren't you guys going to freeezzzee? or maybe you will have enough internal anti-freeze to get though it?