Bump into a 'Cover'? Where the Elite Meet to eat? Are you a Turtle?

[Randy]

I'll be in Allentown, PA 21-23 Dec performing an EMS registration audit. I'm totally free after 12PM on the 22nd (can't fly out until the morning of the 23rd). I'm staying at the Hampton Inn on Keebler. The # here is 610-391-1500. If you want to try an meet up give a shout and leave a message at the desk.

 

[Howard Atkins]

I'll be in Allentown, PA 21-23 Dec performing an EMS registration audit. I'm totally free after 12PM on the 22nd (can't fly out until the morning of the 23rd). I'm staying at the Hampton Inn on Keebler. The # here is 610-391-1500. If you want to try an meet up give a shout and leave a message at the desk.

You were but today you, Wes and I were sitting in a bar in the Chicago area putting away a few beers.
Are you all jealous?
Atul, Wes and I had a good Indian meal before, we must meet

 

[Randy]

Here I sit in my hotel room, it's after midnight, I have a class to teach at 8AM, and I'm on the dumb computer....... Why am I this way? Because Wes and Howard got tired...

My good friend Wes Bucey and my new personal friend Howard Atkins just left my hotel. Howard has been in the Chicago area working, I'm doing a 14K course, Wes is just doing the Wes thing and we were all able to meet up and spend a couple of quality hours together over some adult beverage just talking. Howard has the greatest British accent and is as pleasent to personally be with as he is to converse with here in the Cove...Wes is Wes.

I'm sure Wes will elaborate more on our evening, but I'll be the 1st to say ... thanks Marc for providing this site that has enabled many of us to develop great friendships from afar and occasionally tighten the bond by actually meeting up somewhere.

Howard! ... You're a prince and a friend

Wes! .. You're Wes!!!

 

[Howard Atkins]

And I am sitting in my hotel room reading compliments about me in a totally none British attitude allowing my stiff upper lip to tremble.
To be perfectly fair Wes did all the logistics and he is still driving another hour home (now 00:45). So here is a big cheer for Wes for the logistics, Randy for being Randy and Marc for getting us all together (and F**eF*X for checking the spelling)- feel free to edit if that is regarded as advertising

 

[Wes Bucey]

Well it's 1:30 am. I'm home. I'm tired. I feel every one of my years.

There were a lot of firsts throughout the evening:

1. Howard learned to use WI-FI for the very first time at his hotel just before I picked him up.
2. I met Howard for the first time - veddy British accent, don't you know
3. I found a new appreciation for Indian cuisine at a very nice restaurant halfway between Howard's hotel and Randy's hotel - my logistics WERE excellent!
4. Howard managed to appear VERY knowledgeable about Indian cuisine which seemed to get us much better service (TWO waiters and one busboy, all of whom refilled our water glasses each time we took a sip.)
5. Howard and Randy met for the FIRST time (of many, we hope)
6. This was the first time I was ever at a karaoke event and sober. Some of Randy's hotel mates were loud and rowdy with Country & Western karaoke. One couple danced to almost every tune (absolute proof us white folk have no rhythm) - I think it was dancing, maybe they were stamping tiny critters.
7. Howard's kibbutz has a production company in the automotive supply chain AND a production company that makes gourmet olive oil as well as some other things - absolutely fascinating - they don't just sit around and sing campfire songs.
8. Howard and Randy carried on a sophisticated conversation about people and events from 3,000 years ago which seemed to foreshadow current day conflicts. For once, I just leaned forward and gaped at the display of scholarship. Another FIRST!
9. We lamented the fact some of our other Covers were unable to join us. Next time, though, I'm going to explore the idea of getting the logistics arranged so out-of-towners all stay at the same hotel (and I convince my wife to let me do a "sleepover" - the sixty mile drive home after such a long evening was tough.)
10. The one thing that could have made the evening better would have been to have Marc join us for the fellowship (and to pick up the tab! )

 

[RosieA]

Mr. Greg could be coming for fishing and hunting, but he might have an interesting time trying to get his prizes back into Oz. Yes, Toronto has more "tourist" stuff...I mean, the CN Tower, the Zoo, Art Gallery of Ontario (fabulous Emily Carr area and too bad they redesigned the Group of Seven exhibit), Science Centre, theatre district, Toronto Island, Wonderland, and trying to find a parking spot at Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre are all wonderful activities to pass the time. But Ottawa is a bit more laid back, more relaxed and has a lot more green space than T.O. All depends in what he's looking for.

I'm playing catch-up on this thread, so excuse the late posting...

Greg and Rox, I live about 3 hours from Niagara Falls, so if this ends up on your list, Greg, I'd be happy to motor on up to the Falls and meet you!

Been to Toronto many times, but I've never been to Ottawa. Sounds keen!
Rosie

 

[Atul Khandekar]

Atul, Wes and I had a good Indian meal before, we must meet

Nice to know you both enjoyed it! So when is your long promised India tour taking place? Or do we all meet when Marc arranges (and sponsors) a get-together?

 

[RoxaneB]

GTA/Southern Ontario Covers

There does appear to be quite a few Cove members in the Toronto - London - Niagara Falls area. Was wondering if any would be interested in meeting face-to-face. I was thinking that Milton is a nice "half-way" point for the Toronto-London group (about a bit more for the folks down towards St. Catharines-Niagara Falls).

There's a Kelsey's in Milton at Highway 25/401, so it's easy to access for folks coming in. Unsure what people's schedules are like but I was thinking maybe supper on March 18th or April 1st (and saying you'll come but not showing up on that day is too cruel a joke!). Around 7:30pm - gives the folks from towards London time to drive in and folks from Toronto time to drive in with rush-hour traffic.

What do the Canucks say that live in the area? Interested? Let me know so that I can book a table.

 

[Howard Atkins]

Nice to know you both enjoyed it! So when is your long promised India tour taking place? Or do we all meet when Marc arranges (and sponsors) a get-together?

I haven't yet found someone to pay.
I'll have to work harder.
There are growing ties between Israel and India. I have customers in rubber and metal goods who are working in India, I will work on them

 

[Marc]

Or do we all meet when Marc arranges (and sponsors) a get-together?

As soon as I make my first billion US$ I'll fly everyone to Tahiti for a get together...