Listmembers:
I have recieved several requests for a "report" on our gathering last night at Casa Guatalajara here in San Diego. I really don't have time right now, but I have to stiffel the phone calls and email regarding my take on the meeting. So here it is; as I wait for Dale to show up for lunch and a tour of my "crap", as it is affectionately refered to.
We really missed having Chuck, Scott Smith, and Paulie Davis with us as Larry mentioned before. I believe the official number was 19 persons in the flesh. Someone added an "honorary" female listmember to the roster who was not actually in attendance. I suspect that was the first list-related inside joke of the evening; but it certainly was not the end of the joking, not even close!
Everyone arrived pretty much near the same time and we were all hearded into the very back corner of the outdoor patio. This setting was quite suitable for our session of talk, fun, and eating. Having been to quite a few of these dinner sessions at resturaunts with vintage bike people, I have noticed one thing that I think it would be nice to improve upon. That would be the situation of being in the presence of say 25 people, but only actually get to visit with maybe 5 or 6 of them because the tables are so long that most of the other attendees are not within talking range. I propose a "musical chairs" sort of arrangement in that every 20 mins. or so everyone could move one or two chairs in the same direction so that everyones' company would change every so often. The reason for this is obvious; everyone would eventually be able to talk to someone different accross from them throughout the evening. Personally, I'm more comfortable with those I know somewhat, but by the same token, you will end up meeting new and interesting people and become friendly with more people this way. Just something to think about. I'm sure there are variations of this concept that would work if we decided to do it upon occassion or as a matter of course.
I'm sorry to report that there was no food throwing for sport. Larry Black entertained us with a few trivia questions for prizes and also distributed some old Holdsworthy "Cycling Aids" handbooks to look over. Very cool stuff. Where do these guys find this stuff? I suppose if one opened their eyes and looked around, it is easily enough located. There were also Cirque T-shirts and posters. I believe everyone left with a little token of our conferance. The food was good, the drinks were a bit weak from what I heard. All told, we proceeded to have a good time as always. Joe Bell showed up shortly after dinner on account of a previous obligation and Charles Andrews had a late start out of LA. Speaking of dedication, Charles came from LA and Matt Gorski, Dave Staub, and Jay Van De Velde came down from Orange County just to hang out with us and add much pleasure to out gathering. Dale has a full list of names but I will try to remember who was there. John Pergolizzi and Sally from NY, Sterling Peters, Craig Fenstermaker, Jim and Marilyn Allen, Dave Fields, the iBOB person (sorry I forgot to retain his name in my peabrain), Jim and Susan Cunningham, and myself all from SD. Larry Black and his wife from MD and Dale Brown of course. That's 19 and that may be everyone. I'm not sure what the middle or the far end of the table was talking about, but by the time the tequila had done it's work our end of the setting was fully engulfed in telling jokes and nearly spraying each other with a variety of drinks. Tequila through the nose CAN'T be that good, I'm sure. Imagine catching everyone unaware with "Why don't people eat clowns?". (answer below, printed upside down on the screen) We dined for about 3 hours or so and then the party began to break up. This was a fun meeting and I hope maybe we can do a little more place shifting on future occassions so that we can all more fully experience one another. I never had an opportunity to talk to Jim and Susan or Larry Black and a few others who were there. We need to take these opportinities when we are all on one place to become more familiar with everyone, not just those we already know well. I wouldn't be too surprised if even the parties at odds could make some headway if instead of avoiding one another they would attempt to topple the barriers. All it takes to join in with the "goofballs" is to have a good joke handy. Ever hear the one about the blind framebuilder who walks into a bar with a file sticking out of his head? Me neither. But the one about how to you eat a frog put me on the floor (thanks to you, Matty).
Time to wrap it up. In closing I would like to say this. We all have at least one thing in common; that being the love of cycling and vintage bikes. And yet, these unions are always about the people that show up at any given time. Truely there are no better friends to me than those I have met through this list/orginization and my fellow bike painters; which in case no one took notice, there were a total of 4 of the major US bike painters in attendance last night. I consider everyone my friend, even those who do not consider me so. It is a blessing and a pleasure to know and interact with everyone, regardless of their relationship to me or any attitudes to the contrary. Every person and relationship serves a purpose and has its place. I cherish them all. Please try to attend any gathering that may bring likeminded people together for dinners like this, be it at a big event or a random case like this one. They are priceless.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Quote of the Day: "I'd rather not hear the words "my forehead" and "your balls" so closely together in the same sentance". (Explaintion of the relavence and origin of this statement is too complex to go into. Just another good reason to BE THERE when it happens so you can roll on the floor with the rest of us!) Oh yeah, the punch line; "Because they taste funny!"