Page 39 - Issues131-133

store next to breakfast place but it was closed. We headed out to Lukas liquors (a store that used to be
popular to get minis) since it was one of the few stores that opened at 9. I found a new compass box
presentation (I later discovered that 2 of the labels had changed also) and Pete picked up a couple of
bottles. We then went to another store we had luck at and I found a bourbon I had not seen before (and
it was $1) so I picked up 6. Pete also picked up a couple of cheap bottles. After a stop at target to get
toys for Rotem’s kids we headed back to another store near the hotel that we have previously had luck
at. Pete again found a couple of things. We decided to go to the store that was next to where we had
breakfast. I found 3 Amrut Indian whiskies in tins that I didn’t have a nice Glenrothes set, some Chivas
13 (Manchester edition) and Highland Park Magnus (the last 2 I already had but the prices were
ridiculously low). We then headed for another branch of this store (that we had visited before). There we
found Ole Smokey flavored bourbons on sale for $1 each and 5 Johnnie Walker Green Label (new
bottle). We felt so good about this chain (they have 3 locations in the area) we headed for another one.
This one was a disappointment , they had a decent selection, but nothing that we had not already seen.
After a stop for lunch at a favorite St. Louis BBQ place we headed back to the hotel, having avoided the
bad part of St. Louis for the first time in years.

Made it back to the board meeting and that was the first
indication of who we might see at the show (we had only
seen 2 others prior to this). The board meeting was over
earlier than usual (we actually started a little early) so we
had a chance to eat before everyone else showed up for the
meeting. When people started coming in, it was obvious
there was going to be fewer than normal. Some of the tables
were 1/2 full and even though we ordered food for less than
normal there was lots of it left. I was surprised of the quality
of auction items (usually there are some “junk items” that
people are just trying to dump at auction). The bidding didn’t
get crazy on anything that I remember. I got a set of whiskies
that were new to the show and it seemed like those that did
bid got good deals on what they got.

Everything was done by about
8:30 and a bunch of us ended
up meeting in the Hotel Bar. A
group of us did get to meet a
drunk lawyer from Florida that
spent about 15 uncomfortable
minutes entertaining us with her
views on Women and the Family
law cases. Oh did I happen to
mention she would have
embarrassed a sailor with her
language and actions. But it was
uncomfortably entertaining.
Before the bar, Seva had
brought bottles he was holding
for me and I came to the
realization I had over 50 bottles
FOR MY COLLECTION and the

= 10 =