Items From 2009 Gatherings: December '09 -- Ron sent out the word that a gathering *must* happen, and he had the place: La Casa De La Habana in downtown detroit. Turns out, it's an absolutely awsome place, with a cool layout; we picked up a couple great hand-rolled cigars from the retail side (the right side of the building), and made our way over to the lounge side (the left side). There, we had great service from Jason, while enjoying our delicious Cuban food, cigars, drinks and conversation. Remember folks, now that your tyranical Michigan government has elimiated the property rights of most Michigan business owners, this is one of the few remaining places where you'll be able to enjoy a cigar, a bite, and a drink; and what an awesome place it is. And to top off the evening, it was a wonderful surprise to have Steve C. show up to hang out with us! Hope to see you there again... In attendance this night: Jeremy P., Ken M., Mark G., Ron B., Steve C., Chris B. Here are some pics: Ron, Mark, Steve and Ken, Jeremy, Baxxx. November '09 -- I said no October '09 -- Still no September '09 -- Dave P. and I (Jeremy) were reminded that the end of September means yet another anniversary of our original hire dates at Ideal Technology Solutions in 1996; he in early September or so, me in late September or so. You can look at this a few different ways, but basically we have not changed jobs for 13 years... though the job(s) changed radically underneath us! So, given that the economy is garbage, times are tough, and there's not much to celebrate much of the time, I used this as an excuse to call for perhaps an unnecessary cigar and a likely undeserved drink in a potentially inappropriate celebration of this quite improbable occasion. So we got together for "whatever this is" on Thursday the 24th at Roosevelt's at 27843 Orchard Lake in Farmington Hills. It was nice to see Ken, especially since he just parted company with the company days before. It was nice to see Jason, and in his attempt to pick up *my* tab in a thankful gesture for some earlier stuff, he accidentlally ended up thanking quite a few of us! Whoops, and thanks Jason. Heck it was nice to see everyone in attendance: Ken M., Dana, Steve M., Bob P., Jeff B., Scott S., Ron B., Jeremy P., Dan, Ron's buddy Steve, Barry H., and Barry's cousins Josh and Justin. And did I mention Jason was kind enough to take some blurry pics..? ;) Jeff, Jeremy, Ron, Steve, Dan, Bob, Ron, Jeremy, Jason, Dana, Steve, The Gang, The Gang 2, Dana, Steve, Ken, Dana, The Gang 3, Jeff, Barry. August '09 -- No nothin' July '09 -- No how June '09 -- No way May '09 -- Nyet April '09 -- Zilch March '09 -- Nada February '09 -- Nope January '09 -- I (Jeremy) sent out a notice complaininabout how long it'd been since the last gathering... Mark and I had been getting together a couple times lately for a couple cigars (and shopping for his new guitar), but I thought it was time that we get a few more people involved. So, we met up Thursday, January 22nd, at Roosevelt's Billiards Bar and Grill, after work hours. Same old deal, cigars, drinks (car bombs!), and bs. We had a great time, and great service (from all three waitresses). Officially in attndance this night: Jeff B., Jeremy P., Ken M., Bob P., Mark G., Ron B., Ed G., and Anil K. And can you believe it... I have pics! Jeff, Ken, Mark, the table and stuff, Parent with an I, Anil, Ron and Mark, Jeff, Ed, and Anil, Anil and Ron, and finally, last and most certainly least, your gracious host, me.