CHUY DAH December 2009

This issue of CHUY DAH is brought to you by Uncle Moe’s Kosher BBQ and Deli, with shops on Qo’Nos, Romulus, and now on Ferenginar!

Remember, when you want the best in all-kosher BBQ, you want Uncle Moe’s!


FROM THE XO’S CHAIR
First of all, greetings, one and all! As we’re wrapping up the year, this newsletter will be a short one.

The planning meeting (or “reminder” meeting, as I prefer to call it) on November 28th couldn’t have gone any better. The turnout was good, as was the food and company. Everyone seems on board with what we have planned thus far, so now comes the time that we show the world once more just why we’re known as The Mighty Doomslayer and put on a great event -- or as I like to say it, “let’s do the impossible just one more time…”

(Yeah, I watch Leverage a little too much, it seems…oh well.)

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR: The 2009 Doomslayer Christmas Party will be next Saturday (December 12th) at our newest hangout, the one and only Bread Head Bakery, at 12:30 pm. As per tradition, there will be the annual gift exchange (non-gender specific gifts with a $5 limit).

I’d like to close this final newsletter by saying from me and my family to all of you and yours, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec. 12th: Doomslayer’s Christmas Party at Bread Head Bakery -- 12:30 pm
Dec. 14th: Fleet Mom’s birthday
Dec. 25th: MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
Dec. 31st: New Year’s Eve

CHUY DAH November 2009

Greetings, one and all!

This is your CHUY DAH for November 2009, and as always (unless something goes horribly wrong), I am Admiral Konnor, your XO.


IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN: Like I said, it’s November (where did this year go, I ask you), and on the Doomslayer, when it’s November, that means only one thing is imminent -- and in this case, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving; of course, I’m talking about the Camp Dover planning meeting.

Only in this case, it’s the Camp Dover Reunion planning meeting.

Now, I know what some of you may be asking: “Admiral, didn’t we already have a meeting for the reunion?” Where have you been? In case you forgot, thanks to the Holiday Inn screwing us over, we didn’t have the reunion this year -- now do you remember?

The Planning Meeting -- or “Reminder Meeting -- will be at 1 pm on the 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) in The Manor restaurant’s banquet room. I’ll need RSVPs no later then the 20th, so I can give The Manor an idea of how many people they’ll be cooking for. And lest I forget, the Chancellor has mandated that we’ll be eating family-style before the meeting.


THIS MONTH’S MEETING: Despite the Planning meeting at the end of the month, I think a General Meeting is warranted to prepare for it. So for this month, we’ll be meeting at the Bread Head Bakery on the 14th (next Saturday) at 12:30 pm.


PROMOTION: I’m honored to announce that effective immediately, Cadet Qianna Makhleod, daughter of Kha’vid and Kammie Makhleod, is hereby promoted to the commissioned rank of Ensign. My congratulations to the new officer, as well as to her parents.


AT THE MOVIES: All TREK movies are being remastered and re-released on DVD, with new extras added to them; I’ve seen 3-4 of them at Wal-mart, and if memory serves, they’re selling for around $13 each (which isn’t all that bad, considering the prices of some DVDs. On the same subject, “Star Trek” (the 2009 movie) is scheduled to be released on DVD November 17th.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Nov. 14th: Doomslayer General Meeting: Bread Head Bakery - 12:30 pm.
Nov. 17th: “Star Trek” movie released on DVD
Nov. 25th: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nov. 28th: Camp Dover Reunion Planning Meeting: The Manor restaurant - 1 pm.

October 2009

It’s getting a little colder now here on Terra. . .and now there’s more Jack-o-lanterns in the stores -- so this means that Halloween’s not that far off once again.

Greetings, one and all!

This is going to be a "quick-n-dirty" newsletter, because there's not much to report right now.

ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING: It’s October, and by the calendar, the next month is November.

Before you go any further, I know what you’re going to say: “Gee, thanks for stating the obvious, Admiral, it’s not like we didn’t know that…”

The reason I’m saying this is because we’re going to hold another Camp Dover Reunion Planning Meeting at 1 pm. on November 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) at The Manor Restaurant in Strasburg. (Yes, we had one last year, but in case you forgot, genius, we ran into a little problem this year: the Holiday Inn pulled the rug out from under us, remember?) So, in a sense, this will be more of a “reminder” meeting then anything else.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, MOVIE: Our scheduled Movie Night is indeed on for this Saturday (October 10th) at my home, starting around 4 pm. The movies will be “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” and one of the Command Staff’s perennial favorites, “The Boondock Saints”.

[NOTE: I’d like to take some time to have a brief meeting and catch up on ship business before we get started.]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct. 8th: Cadet Q’Ana’s birthday
Oct. 10th: Doomslayer “Movie Night” at Admiral Konnor’s house -- 4 pm.
Oct. 12th: HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY
Oct. 18th : Captain K’Dot Kali’s birthday
Oct. 24th: Cadet Sk’Tar’s birthday
Oct. 31st: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

September 2009 -- the Back To School Issue

Once again, the passageways in the ship are quiet, there are no more food fights in the galley -- this can only mean one thing: Kahless be praised -- the cadets have gone back to the Academy!

Before we get started, a disclaimer: I’ve had the Taco Bell Volcano Nachos recently, and while they are rather spicier then normal, they didn’t leave my face bright red and heavily sweating, nor did my voice change like the Terran’s on that commercial. . .and I’ve got to tell you, I’m sorely disappointed!

And with that, on to business.

To begin with, a minor change to the meeting plans for this month: the “Movie and Potluck Dinner Night” has been postponed till next month. Instead, the General Meeting will take place at the Bread Head Bakery in downtown Dover (right next door to the Main Moon restaurant)at 2 pm. Also, at this meeting, I will allow one head slap per person (and only one!) in regards to my recent hospital stay last month.

On the subject of my recent hospitalization, I’d like to thank everyone for their phone calls; trust me when I say that it helps break up the day to get a phone call, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

I’ve recently sent off a reply to the International Hotels Group’s (the new bosses of the Holiday Inn chain) 1st letter, and when I receive their reply, I’ll let you all know. Trust me, friends, this little fandango is far from over -- I think John Belushi said it best in the classic Animal House, “Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until WE say it is!”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept.7th: Labor Day

Sept.10th: National Swap Ideas Day

Sept.11th: National Patriots’ Day (Take a moment to remember the ones who went on ahead of us, and the brave warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice)

Sept. 12th: Doomslayer General Meeting at Bread Head Bakery - 2 pm.

Sept.16th: National Play-Doh Day (let your inner child out!)

Sept.19th: National Talk Like A Pirate Day (Arrr, matey! ‘Tis the day for getting’ yer Pirate on and letting’ yer Jolly Roger fly!)

Sept.28th: National Ask a Stupid Question Day

August 2009

This month’s issue of CHUY DAH is brought to you by Consciousness -- Consciousness…that annoying time between naps!

This month’s issue is proudly dedicated to my father, who finally retired on July 24 after 48 years. Here’s to ya, Dad!

To begin with, I’d like to offer condolences to Lt. jg. Kammie, who lost one of her aunts yesterday in an automobile accident. We raise the death howl in her honor this day, and our thoughts go out to her family.

Okay, for another month, this newsletter is late once again, and here’s why: a week ago today, my Aunt was taken to the ER and summarily hospitalized for a possible “coronary incident” she had at her drug store. After testing, there were no actual coronary problems, but the doctors noticed that she was exhibiting some other problems, which had them questioning her ability to live by herself.

So right now, as I'm writing this newsletter, we’re awaiting the results of an MRI and EEG that were performed on her while she was hospitalized. She’s also starting speech therapy (she’d developed a stammer after knee replacement surgery), and just went on Mobile Meals, so we’re helping her get used to these new things. We’re also trying to figure out what all would need to be done if we have to place her in an assisted living facility. And let me tell you, folks, none of this is easy.

Along with this, I’ve been aiding in planning my father’s retirement party, and I’m helping my mother plan her 50th High School Class reunion. So, if I look a little frazzled around the edges, or I’m a little late with things, at least you know why; my plate’s a wee bit full.

I’m telling you all this because I’ve always believed in being straight with you. That said, on to business. . .

THIS MONTH’S MEETING: There’s a change to this month’s meeting date -- we will be meeting on the 15th, not the 8th; my father’s retirement party is this Saturday, and like I said earlier, I’m needed to help set up and run the party. Hence the date change.

I’m also mandating a change in location for this month -- instead of using the meeting room at Buehler’s (which, for some reason, isn’t really working for me; I thought we’d have a room, not an auditorium), for something different, we’ll meet at the Bread Head Bakery in downtown Dover at 2 pm. If you haven’t been here, it’s a great place. Not only is the coffee good, but they have plenty of baked goods, along with sandwiches and soups. Besides, it’s Dover’s 1st hippie joint! (What’s not to love?)

I should add that if you don’t know where the BHB is, it’s right next to the Main Moon restaurant (where we usually end up following a meeting). If you need better directions, email me or call me.

THE HOTEL WAR CONTINUES: I received a response from the Intercontinental Hotel Group, the corporation that now oversees the operations of the Holiday Inn hotel chain, in regards to the letter I sent in regards to the screw- job we received from their New Philadelphia hotel this year. I’m not going to go into detail regarding the body of the letter, but the jist of it said “So sorry, but we really can’t help you, thanks for writing; we’ll keep your letter on file.” Okay, that’s how they want to play this. . .

I’m not letting this daunt me in any way (I think you‘d lose respect for me if I did); I’ve been sanctioned by the Chancellor Himself to take the battle to the corporation so as to get our point across. What’s the goal, you ask? Simple -- I’m gunning for an actual apology. Sounds impossible, but isn’t that what we do best?

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 8th: Sneak a Zucchini On Your Neighbor’s Porch Night

August 15th: Doomslayer Meeting at Bread Head Bakery (in Dover) - 2 pm.

August 10th: National Lazy Day

August 11th: Cadet T’Lisen’s birthday

August 13th: Left-Hander’s Day

The King of dramatic pause strikes again!

This was just to fun not to share!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

RIP The Taco Bell Chihuahua

When I saw this news item, I had to post it:

Taco Bell dog Gidget dies at 15
By Robert Jablon, The Associated Press
Posted: 07/22/2009 06:04:28 PM PDT


LOS ANGELES - Gidget the Chihuahua, the bug-eyed, big-eared star of 1990s Taco Bell commercials who was a diva on and off the screen, has died. She was 15. Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday night at her trainer's home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized, said Karin McElhatton, owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic, which owned the dog.

Although she was hard of hearing, Gidget was otherwise in good health up to the day of her death, eating well and playing with her favorite squeaky toys at the home of trainer Sue Chipperton, McElhatton said.

"She was retired. She lived like a queen, very pampered," McElhatton said.
Gidget was found at a kennel and wasn't show quality, McElhatton said; she had an undershot jaw and huge ears.

But Gidget knew she was a star, McElhatton said.
"She was a prima donna, basically. She absolutely knew when she was on camera," McElhatton said.
In a 1997 Taco Bell television commercial, Gidget was seen as a male dog who, through the magic of special effects and a voice actor, proclaims in a richly accented voice: "Yo quiero Taco Bell" - Spanish for "I want Taco Bell."
Viewers were charmed. What was supposed to be a single ad became a campaign that ran from 1997 to 2000.
The ads made the Taco Bell mascot wildly popular, although they provoked criticism from activists who accused them of promoting Hispanic stereotypes.
While other Chihuahuas had bit parts, McElhatton said it was Gidget who got the closeups and the quips (Carlos Alazraqui was the voice).
Gidget traveled first-class, opened up the New York Stock Exchange and made an appearance at Madison Square Garden, McElhatton said.
In later years, she did other acting work, appearing in a 2002 commercial for the insurance company GEICO and in the 2003 movie "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."
She remained the object of affection after her retirement, going on hikes and beach visits with her trainer. She aged gracefully, and liked nothing more than to snooze in the sun.
"She was like a little old lady. She'd kind of gotten smaller," McElhatton said.
Gidget will be cremated, McElhatton said. Her owners had not decided on a final disposition of her remains. Taco Bell Corp. said in a statement Gidget would be missed by many. "Our deepest sympathies go out to her owners and fans," the company said.

So, let us all raise not a flagon of bloodwine, but instead, a taco, a burrito, or whatever Taco Bell delicacy you prefer in her honor.