Tag: membership meeting

Rob’s Blog: Learn to Choose your Battles

Gail and Rob Caveney at the British Car Club Hawaii 2018 Holiday Luncheon.

If ever there was a time when the garage based “man cave” was allowed to be expanded into the living quarters, now would be that time. It may be a stretch to do a complete engine rebuild on the living room floor, but surely a carb teardown on the kitchen table is within the current rules defining what is acceptable, and what’s not. I often have greater success initiating such questionable projects under the equally questionable philosophy, better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. At least with this approach, the parts will already be covering the table and the only reasonable thing to do is re-assembly, which is what you were going to do anyway. 

Gail and I have reached a workable agreement surrounding these situations. I don’t make any attempt at interior decorating, and she’s agreed not to remodel the garage. I know why I need so many different screw drivers, but it’s difficult to understand how the same argument applies to tongs and basters. Evidently it does, and I’ve learned to accept that. In spite of this agreement, one of my long term goals is to have a fully functional Jaguar engine as a glass covered coffee table in the family room. Imagine those beautifully polished cam covers framed  between a set of triple HD8 SU’s on one side, and two, gleaming porcelain exhaust manifolds on the other.  “What a great conversation piece,” I insist. Her disapproving look speaks louder than any verbal reply, and we defer to the kitchen/garage agreement. It’s important to pick your battles.

If you haven’t already guessed, there will be no Tech Session this month, and the club meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th is also canceled. During these unusual times of isolation and social distancing, maybe we could share some personal stories of our automotive past. For example, what was the fastest you have ever gone in a car and the circumstances surrounding the experience? Or, what was the scariest thing that ever happened to you in a car. Don’t be limited by the facts. At our age (at least most of us) fading memories can only enhance reality. For me, it was 110 mph and I was in the back seat of a Porsche 911. The scenery was going by so fast I had to peek over the driver’s shoulder. The needle was pegged and I knew it was a benchmark moment. That was back in 1968 and it still stands.

I hope all of you are coping well and are observing the new normal when it comes to hand washing and cleanliness. There seems to be no end to the cautions necessary to stay virus free. I still don’t know if it’s safe to share the tube of toothpaste. Maybe it’s best to fail on the side of caution.

Stay safe friends. We will be back together soon with some stories to tell.

Aloha,
Rob

Rob’s Blog: First Meeting Review

The Old Spaghetti Factory photo

If you went to the meeting last night and found yourself sitting alone at Gordon Biersch, you are out of the loop, and probably won’t get this email either.

Last night the club had its first meeting at a new location: The Old Spaghetti Factory in Aloha Tower Market Place. I’d say there were mixed reviews.

On the up side is the menu. I can personally vouch for the lasagna. There is a very nice variety to choose from and the prices are not bad either. In place of the “to die for bread pudding” at Gordon Biersch,  is a large slice of mud pie… an acceptable tradeoff.

From my point of view, the service was as good as could be expected for a party of twenty-five people all wanting food, attention and the bill at the same time. We seemed to have a couple of waiters assigned to our table and they were very attentive, at least on our end of the table.

On the down side was the noise. It was very loud. “How loud,” you ask…Loud enough to wonder if Gordon Biersch isn’t the better of the two locations. However, in the interest of fairness, we will have next month’s meeting (August 14th) at the Old Spaghetti Factory again, but in a different area of the restaurant.

After Patrick Casey spoke to the manager, she agreed to set aside an outside area, just for the club. This should make a huge difference. And by huge, I mean we should be able to talk, and be heard. The only improvement beyond this would be a round table for 30 thirty, in a private room, and that’s not going to happen.

There was one other small item… Whoever had a bill for $27.20… “You’re welcome.” Apparently, your bill was paid with my VISA card. I saw the waiter leave the table with a handful of cards and return with a stack of folders. Somewhere in between he used my card twice. If you check your statement, you will see the last four numbers… “0027.” That’s me. Not to worry. My Capitol One VISA people have been notified, and “I will find you.” Not really. More likely is they will probably drop the charge from my statement, and write it off as something else.  At least this isn’t as bad as the three hundred dollar charge Gordon Biersch made by accident.

One other thing to note… When we got there the parking lot across from the restaurant was full, as it often is. Valet parking is $4. If you park in the over-flow lot down the street, past the Falls of Clyde, and you stay one minute over two hours, the cost will also be $4. The first hour is free. Each part of an hour beyond that is $2. Do the math. It might be easier, and more cost effective, to use the valet service, not including a tip. To be honest, I don’t know how they figure the rate there, or if you pull a receipt at all.

And speaking of honesty… For those of you who like to explore the limits of possibility, and honesty, here is a challenge. After your first beer, or glass of wine, get your parking stub validated at the front desk. Then walk outside and pay the machine. Then walk back into the restaurant and stay for another hour, or two, or three. The parking machine thinks you went home. Of course, I’ll deny ever having suggested such an evil plan, but let me know if it works. If it doesn’t, and you’re allowed one phone call, you know my number.

So here are my suggestions for next month:

  1. Arrive early enough to get a parking place in the lot across the street. Bring a book if you arrive too early.
  2. Hack your watch when you pull the parking stub from the meter and don’t stay past two hours. (unless my scheme works.) If you do stay longer, you might as well stay for the entire third hour since you’re paying for it any way.
  3. Pay your dinner bill with cash.
  4. This is really important… Be sure to get your parking stub validated at the restaurant. If you forget, you won’t have to ask why.
  5. And just so you know, the mud pie is big enough to share if you’re sitting next to me.

Lastly… Just a heads up on this month’s Tech Session, Saturday the 28th. It will be at Gary Bean’s house near the Temple Valley Shopping Center and a little past Kaneohe. He has some ignition issues to deal with. It will begin at 10:30. Lunch is provided but you’re invited to bring a beverage of your own. Parking is limited.

Thanks for coming last night, and I hope to see everyone at the tech session, and/or the next meeting.