Items From 2004 Gatherings: December '04 -- There was no December gathering. November '04 -- Ron was actually facilitating a request from one of our un-official members, well let's just say he is a member because of his generosity in previous gatherings. Referring to Bob P. This month's gathering was held at the Rochester Mills Beer Co. in Rochester, MI on Thursday, November 18, 2004 at the usual time. The Brewery is a very nice place with all of the creature comforts we desire. In fact, they gave us a whole room to ourselves, and we had a great time. The only problem is that as I write this 3 months later, I don't remember much of the night! It must have been good - heck, even Jeff B. showed up!! Officially in attnedance this night was Ron, Jeff B., Randy, Jeremy, Mark, Bob P., Tim R., Patrick, and I think a couple others... October '04 -- Mark's month... The (delayed) October Token Ring Gathering convened Thursday the 4th or November, at the usual time of around 6pm. The location this time came to Mark courtesy of Bob's friend Bob, who suggested a place in Berkley that he hadn't heard of: Danaher's Grille and Bar. It's a small quiet place with a surprisingly good selection of beers on tap and a complete menu with reasonable prices. It's located just South of 12 mile on Coolidge (East side, nearly at the first light South of 12), 2972 Coolidge, Berkley 48072, 248-545-2246. Beth said she would reserve us 3 tables in the bar area, and she did. However we ended up only needing a few seats as only a few of us could get together this time. Though the headcount was light, the food and service was still great - Mike had everything we asked for immediately (and some political commentary thrown in for free). Nice place/service, nice company, nice evening. Officially in attendance this night: Mark, Judy, Jeremy, Ron, Scott (and his kids). Jeremy, Scott and Ron Judy and Mark September '04 -- Jeremy's month. That's me! So I decided we would have a glorious "Return to the Indoors" cigar gathering at http://baileyspubandgrille.com/, Wednesday, September 29th. The place is cigar-friendly and has a nice menu. We ate, smoked and drank (not necessarily in that order) - all in the comfort of the comfy leather sofas in the lounge. Officially in attendance: Barry, Mark, Jeremy, Ron, Randy, Bob, and Chris. Barry, Mark, and Bob (who is WAY into his cigar) Bob (possessed!) and Ron Jeremy, talking politics Mark, Ron, and Bob, in a beautiful haze Our camera-shy waitresses! Barry, inviting as usual. Chris and Jeremy enjoy life Mark, Bob, and Ron - 3 guys, 3 conversations Randy and Jeremy, eat up and light up Barry and a beer. Jeremy in mid-point Mark, Bob (...and if I'm elected...), and Ron Randy, in the general-preparing-for-battle pose All of us 1 All of us 2 All of us 3 August '04 -- Randy's month, but Barry and Randy got together to put it on large! Barry put out the word, but the weather started to look dicey - so we had a "go/no-go" phone conference 10am on the day of the gathering, August 28th (like the nerds we are). Most agreed the gathering was in order, so we we headed out. Weather turned out great! We started with a little smoking, a little drinking, and then Barry and Randy went full-on with the bbq. We invited everyone who happened past us to join us, and eventually one guy (and his dog) did. All were stuffed with brats, burgers, and chicken legs! Afterward we made our way to the marina bar called The Sandbar, where we almost got into fisticuffs with a local loser due to some seriously poor judgement on his part. In attendance this day: Randy, Jeremy, Barry, Bob, Patrick, Chris, thatGuy, and thatGuy's dog. Randy and his boat Jeremy killing time before anyone else showed up Bob Barry and his Gay Rum Bob, Chris, thatGuy, and Patrick Barry, Randy-in-background, Chris, Patrick, and Bob thatGuy and his dog Barry travels in style always All of us All of us from above After the feeding - left After the feeding - middle After the feeding - right July '04 -- Barry's month, but see August. He and Randy combined gatherings for a Summer Spectacular... ;-) June '04 -- Patrick's month, and I gotta be honest with ya, folks - I don't remember anything about how this came together or anything. I just remember having a good time. I think we had it late, like in July or something. Either way, Mark came through with pics, and the proof is in the pudding - a good time was had by all... Patrick and his dreams. Chris and Mark off to a good start. Nobody should ever treat Patrick this way. Ron, our stellar waitress, and Jeremy. Barry, Randy, and their dreams. Chris, up close and personal. The basics - Patrick and beer. Ron is extremely happy about *something*. Barry, Randy, Ron, and Jeremy, well under way. Chris, profile. Patrick and Chris. Ron, not as happy as earlier for some reason. Barry and Randy, flanked by beer. Jeremy and the evil eye. Ron, the waitress is possessed! Save Jeremy!. May '04 -- Ron wanted to re-visit a place we've been to in the past - a 'deja vous' thing - the Bahama Breeze in Troy. He said, "Lets all get fired up for summer." It took place on Thursday, May 27th at the Bahama Breeze in Troy, 539 E. BIG BEAVER RD, same time, 6:30-ish. The food was great, the smokes were better. Interestingly enough, Brian and Mark were both leaving the company that most of us work for at the same time, so it sort-of turned into a good-bye for them as well. Too many people showed up to list, but you know if you were there. Update: It turns out that Mark brought a camera after all! Here's some pics for ya... Group picture 1. Group picture 2. Group picture 3. Group picture 4. April '04 -- Well, it was getting late in the month and Mark was trying to get the gathering set up before he had to give up the token, but wanted to make sure he could make it convenient for us all. Even though his first choice for venue was in Rochester (Rochester Mills Brewing), he'd decided we should repeat at the Lower Town Tavern in Plymouth. Thursday night seemed to be what works for most, so we all got together around 6pm or so and had a great time. Barry was most generous in letting us share his wealth of J&R cigars (I forget the actual name of them) - they were great! And take it from me, don't miss the Texas burger with the jalapeno relish! Topped off the evening with the now-ritualistic Irish car bombs. Officially in attendance this evening: Mark, Patrick, Randy, Jeremy, and Barry. Sorry, no pictures... March '04 -- I (Jeremy) sent out a message 2 days before, and only Patrick and I made it. I proposed a return to the "Centre Street Pub", now known as the "Centre Street Multi-Media Lounge" on Wednesday the 31st. Here's a link to a recent article. We got there by 6 or 6:30, and got to drinkining and smoking. That's the good part. Here's the bad part - Remember that humidor box we used to lease at the Centre Street Pub for $50? Well, at the new "Multi-Media Lounge", it's $200. Patrick and I said screw that! So, we drank from Patrick's bottle of Maker's Mark (yep, same bottle from a year ago), and we asked D'Wayne to kindly peel our brass plaque off of the door and give it to us, which he did. Also, the place apprently gives away a mini-buffet of food at Happy-hours, and has a menu of appetizers (no more entres) that are pretty darned good. So, in summary: We lost our humidor/box, ate some free food, ate some good (kinda pricey) appetizers, drank some long-since-paid-for-by-Patrick booze, smoked some good cigars, and made fun of Bob P. and Mark for promising to be there and not showing up. Not a bad night, really. Officially in attendance this night: Jeremy and Patrick. February '04 -- Sorry - February just didn't come together for an "official" gathering, but just look at what these two bastards were doing... Sure can't be Michigan in February... January '04 -- January was hosted by the lovely and talented Patrick at the Copper Canyon Brewery in Southfield - Wednesday January 28th. A few of us showed up after the Linux Clinics session, others were already there by then. The food was great (this place does some great steak), the service was top-notch, and of course, it is cigar friendly! Despite the limited pictures (thanks Paul for bringing the camera!), there were quite a few prople in attendance this night: Jeremy, Patrick, Barry, Mark, Randy, Jeff, Paul, Chris, Dave, and Tim and the LDMI executives (thanks for getting the tab!). If I missed you, let me know! Jeremy, Randy; scotch and beer. Jeff's death-stare has Chris under his control. Paul, Debbie (our great server), and Patrick. Chris and Jeff would not fall prey to Jeremy's drunken political crap. Randy, Mark; beer and beer. Patrick, recalling the evenings menu right before borrowing another cigarette from Chris.