The BD Champagne Reception: Cancelled.

[JimHow]

I'll bring some nice champagnes for the annual Benevolent Dictator Champagne Reception in my room.

[JimHow]

I don't need an answer now but at some point before I leave for DC I'll need to know how many are stopping by so that I can figure out how much fancy Champagne to bring. Otherwise Stefan and I are going to have to drink all those Billecart Salmons, Cristals, Dom Perignons, Winston Churchills, etc., etc.....

[Blanquito]

Steve and I are in!

[tim]

My plane doesn't land at Dulles until 4:30pm, so I will not make it in time

[JimHow]

Oh you guys from the west coast who fly in at the last minute before the Friday night dinner. You’re so smart. You have a lot more faith in airline schedules, weather conditions, etc., than I do. I’m actually coming in on Wednesday, although I’ll be dealing with non-BWE related stuff til Thursday evening.

[tim]

Oh you guys from the west coast who fly in at the last minute before the Friday night dinner. You’re so smart. You have a lot more faith in airline schedules, weather conditions, etc., than I do. I’m actually coming in on Wednesday, although I’ll be dealing with non-BWE related stuff til Thursday evening.

I'm flying back to SF from Europe on Tuesday of that week. I had a flight booked on Wednesday but really couldn't do back to back and didn't have the flexibility to fly from Europe through Dulles (plus I have to deal with housesitter schedules), so had to change it to Friday. It was either that or bail entirely. So you could cut me a little slack, Jimmy

[JoelD]

I'll plan on being there, Jim. Sounds like a fun start. Here's to hoping that I don't need those fancy champagnes to be hair of the dog from Pomerol night!

[JimHow]

There is nobody on this site with a busier schedule than me, Timmy, it is hard for me to cut slack. I lead by coming in early, year after year, decade after decade. I demand a lot of others because I demand a lot of myself. It is called leadership. You are lucky that I am kind and benevolent.

[JimHow]

See you there Joel! We’ll raise a glass of Billecart Salmon! And Winston Churchill! And…

[stefan]

>>
Otherwise Stefan and I are going to have to drink all those Billecart Salmons, Cristals, Dom Perignons, Winston Churchills, etc., etc.....
>>
Lucie promises to help us out, Jim.

[tim]

There is nobody on this site with a busier schedule than me, Timmy, it is hard for me to cut slack. I lead by coming in early, year after year, decade after decade. I demand a lot of others because I demand a lot of myself. It is called leadership. You are lucky that I am kind and benevolent.

Those are the burdens of being the BD. I fondly recall a lunch with Francois when he reflected on the work that he does to deliver and open wines before a meal, and works with the chef on the menu, then deadpans "my life is a sacrifice".

Normally I have come in earlier, this was the one time that I couldn't.

[JimHow]

We’ll see you when you get there Timmy!

[jal]

Jill and I will be there Jim.

[JCNorthway]

Paula and I are a "maybe." Our flight schedule got shifted so that we do not arrive until about 2:30. If it's on time, we can probably make it.

[Winona Chief]

Marjorie and I promise to help out with the Champagne. I know, a major sacrifice but we will try!

Chris Bublitz

[JimHow]

Your BD thanks you!
Drinking Champagne with Winona Chief and the rest of BWE is one of the great joys of life.

[DavidG]

Count me in!
Peggy maybe but she don’t drink much…

[Jay Winton]

We should be there!

[Harry C.]

I’ll be there!

[JimHow]

It's going to be quite a shindig!

[JimHow]

I'm going to order some frommages.com cheeses and some fine, um, shall we say, un-named chocolate and cream Maine cake desserts for the room, I don't want to get you guys TOO excited, but, um, I think you know what I am talkin 'bout....

I think you know what I'm talkin 'bout....

Mmmmm doggie.

[JimHow]

Hint... It begins with W, and ends with Pie....

[JimHow]

Count me in!
Peggy maybe but she don’t drink much…

You tell Peggy the Benevolent Dictator orders her presence.

[JoelD]

Hopefully the front desk will understand the importance of your benevolent dictatorship and upgrade you to the penthouse suite to accommodate all of these fine people!

[tim]

Ok, looks like I am coming in on the 30th. So count me in for the reception!

[JimHow]

Last time we did it in Stefan and Lucie’s suite, Joel.
Woohoo Timmy, we’ll done indeed!

[Tom In DC]

Gail and I will be there.

[Michael-P]

Please add to the list for the BD Friday Champagne Reception:
Michael-P + Nalan
Thomas+Joanna (our hosts in DC)

[JimHow]

Can't wait! The more the merrier.
It has been way too long.

[JimHow]

I think I'm going to cancel the reception, no?
I can bring some champagne to the Friday and/or Saturday dinners.
I'm just not real keen on a hotel room full of 20 people during a pandemic.
I'm sure we'll have a chance to raise a glass or two during the weekend.

[JoelD]

I think I'm going to cancel the reception, no?
I can bring some champagne to the Friday and/or Saturday dinners.
I'm just not real keen on a hotel room full of 20 people during a pandemic.
I'm sure we'll have a chance to raise a glass or two during the weekend.

I think thats completely reasonable, Jim. If you'd like, I am happy to see if Bistro Bis would be ok with us showing up a bit early. However, we do have that first hour already set aside from 6-7pm for mingling/toasting. Let me know what you guys think.

[JimHow]

That’s ok, Joel, I ended up not buying more champagne at MacArthur’s this morning. I’ll bring one of each of my three bottles to each of the three dinners.

[Michael-P]

BD: 20 people drinking alcohol without masks in your hotel room. Closed door, low ceiling and probably no window. No one would fault you for changing that plan. We will drink plenty each night.

Joel: I would think the 1 hour of pre-dinner drinks we already have for Fri at Bis is enough, no?

Michael-P

[JoelD]

BD: 20 people drinking alcohol without masks in your hotel room. Closed door, low ceiling and probably no window. No one would fault you for changing that plan. We will drink plenty each night.

Joel: I would think the 1 hour of pre-dinner drinks we already have for Fri at Bis is enough, no?

Michael-P

I agree completely. I just wanted to offer an alternative option, should anyone have wanted it.