tpatricco

Hello & Thanks to all who came and drank and made this GTG a wonderful & fun event!

Budman could not have chosen a better venue for this GTG, as Paula (former personal chef of Bruce Springsteen) and owner of Paula at Rigoletto in Weehawken, NJ is a dream. Our group had her restaurant to ourselves as she was happy to open special just for us for Saturday lunch. She took excellent care of us, customizing a menu of her specialties that made it hard to choose what to have, or maybe that was the wine talking... No, the food really was that good.

We enjoyed wine contributions including a delicious Zinfandel & Pinot Noir sent from our pals in CA, as well as several of Budman's own homemade wines, a white table wine from a local Connecticut winery brought by Auntgrapes, plus a number of other contributions...and of course Limoncello at the end!

It didn't take long for everyone to loosen up and be comfortable. It was like we'd known each other for years!

We've vowed to make this a bi-annual event, and hope many more can make it the next time too!

In summary: Great People, Decadent Food, Copious amounts of great Wine in a fantastic setting made this GTG a huge success!

Check out the photos at: www.pbase.com/tpatricco

To be included on an e-mail list for Fodorites in this region, drop me an e-mail at [email protected]

We'll keep you in the loop as we plan the next event.

auntgrapes

tpatrico.., yes, you write the truth !! it was a great afternoon. your photos are super. thank you for doing a report.
look forward to seeing everyone again.

Budman

Trish - Great report!!! Thanks for putting this report together, and the pictures certainly displayed the festivities that we all enjoyed. Looking forward to May 2005!!!

ellen_griswold

Wow, how fun! So nice to see some fodor friends in person!

Wish i could have joined you and would love to in the future. I'm occasionally in nj for business (and basking ridge for fun!) so keep us posted on your gatherings!!

ellen_griswold

topping -- i'm sure others will want to see your great pics! Thx again for sharing!

leelane911

If I am right, there are seven Fodorites (plus five spouses) at this gathering. A good turn-out for people who don't know each other in "real life". Did any of you who attended have qualms about losing your anonymity on this forum? There have been people here whom I would not want to know too much more about or vice versa.

tpatricco

I can't speak for the others, but I personally had no issues with revealing myself to others.

I'm secure in myself, and the image I present here is honest, so I have nothing to hide really. Plus I don't care if somebody doesn't like me either so I have nothing to loose and everything to gain by coming to the GTG. Met some great people face to face! No regrets! Trish

Budman

leelane911, actually, there were 8 Fodorites and 5 spouses.

I don't think anybody but nice, positive, friendly, loving, kind, etc. people would come to such an event. And, that's what we met on Saturday. It was very refreshing to meet a great group of Fodorites.

If anybody had any identity to lose, it would be me. Try explaining how a wine lover could pick a screen name such as "Budman."

I'm hoping those who did not attend this event because of fear of anonymity will show up for the next event. It wasn't anything that would come close to that. We had such a fun time, and I think I can speak from everyone who showed up.

cmcfong

You guys are a hoot. Loved the group pictures. Trish, I couldn't resist and had to look at your Bermuda shots, too. Headed there in a few weeks and can hardly wait.
Thanks for posting!

tpatricco

cmcfong, glad you enjoyed the Bermuda shots...we had a great time there too. Hope it's warm enough for you when you go.

How come nobody's asking the obvious question??

suzanne

Would that question be "Why did you wear masks?"

Actually i think it's great that you did!

I hope I can join everyone next time, it seems like you had a nice time.

seetheworld

I thought the masks were a really nice touch! The pictures were great and it sounds like we all missed something very enjoyable.

Budman, I too was a little confused about the wine and beer and how you came to your screen name, but I'm sure you have a very good explanation. I guess I'll have to come to the next GTG to find out the answer

Budman

Yes, it's a GTG secret. You have to be there to find out.

wanderluster

Great pictures! Have any without the masks?

lcuy

I must say...you all look exactly like I expected...except Budman...he's much more handsome than his writing would indicate!!

So, when are you guys coming to Hawaii for our Honolulu GTG? You all look like a fun bunch!

auntgrapes

budman-unable to send a message to you.
i pasted your address but...still having problems w/e-mail?

Budman

auntgrapes, you are a sweetheart. Really enjoyed meeting you at our GTG.

Try this e-mail address:

[email protected]

lcuy, flattery will get you everywhere.

Without masks? What would the Lone Ranger think?

razzledazzle

WOW Looks like you guys had some fun!!
Great hosting (hoisting??) by the Budman and super pix and report by Trish!!!
Truly glad you enjoyed the CA Vino!

I don't know about those masks-
now I want someone to secretly tell me who's who
~hint,hint~
and that lush in the back row!!??

..givin' Kal a run for his money.

It's great to meet the folks you
"talk" to here-glad you all had fun!!
R5

Marilyn

Budman, I think you choose your name because there was a convenient icon, no?

Trish, you have stated eloquently exactly how I feel about my "anonymity" on this board. I have now met several dozen fodorites, some at a GTG, some one-on-one, and everyone's been just great.

Scarlett

Love the photos!
Love the masks, although I was reminded of the time when my best friend (we were about 10) showed me a magazine her father had hidden, with these undressed people wearing those same masks !! LOL
The restaurant looked great, the menu certainly sounded great!
I wish I could have been there...you all look so good, even with masks on