The Meeting

Meeting starts at 12:15 and Tom called the meeting to order at that time.  We said the pledge and had a poignant thought (as much as Tom could muster) and then…disorder took over.   Elyse arrived with an entourage or Roteractors and Tom showed “patience”,  not  something he is prone to doing.  He quietly took the room in…and let Elyse and others “work the room” as she is prone to doing upon her entrance, and then Tom calmly rang the bell again…settled us down.  He has become comfortable in his role.  I remember Melissa saying you really don’t run a Rotary meeting, you kind of guide it to it’s proper conclusion.   Tom get’s it, and is now “Presidential”.  That’s all the sucking up I am going to do, and please don’t hug me again.  Thank God we have the Sr. Center tomorrow.  Tom can give and get all the hugs he wants.  No inappropriate touching however.

Tom brought a visitor named Neil, and he manages Dave Reiman’s building as a Property Manager.  Their sons are in various activities in El Segundo together and have known each other for some time.  They seem to like each other.  Perhaps he doesn’t know Tom all that well.  He may be interested in becoming a member.  He also knew(knows) Elyse.  Elyse tried to take the credit for bringing Neil, poaching is a better term, but let Neil choose himself who his sponsor might be.  Neil chose the power of the Presidency…Tom. 

Alex brought another “inspector” who was going to be our program.  He knew many people in the room and was widely “liked” by everyone.  His name was Steve.  I don’t  know too many regulators or inspectors -- and prefer to keep it that way.   This guy did seem kind of special and very likable.  Many in the room knew him, liked him, and respected him.  He could probably shut your business down if you were not in “compliance”, so liking him may be mandatory, certainly advisable.

The Joke of the day was told by Julie Stollnack.  She chose “clean” because of the youth in the room, and out of respect for Mormon Mike, who told “the rowdy corner” some risqué  Mormon jokes.  They were funny, but  risqué  is way too strong a word.   Does Mike have the jokes for a month somewhere down the road?  I think he would be excellent in that role. 

Gary, Nancy, Jack, and Sandy meet “secretly” but you are all invited to solve the problems of the world.  We have dealt with World Hunger, Presidential Elections, War, Sequestration, the Fiscal Cliff, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Jefferson, Truman, Obama, Bush, Reagan, Unions, movies, and TV.  We agree on a few things (favorite TV shows seem to be “The Good Wife”, “Blue Bloods”, and “Homeland” and “Revenge”…just in case you are interested).  You are always invited and we meet Wed. morning at 8:30 at Schats.

Podium poacher Elyse did some fining.  She fined the guest $20.  Not sure why.  She fined Alex for some “secret” meetings he was having with fellow Rotarians.  She fined Gary, Nancy, Jack, and Sandy for “secret meetings” as well.  Well, they are not too secret.  Gary, Nancy, Jack, and Sandy meet “secretly” but you are all invited to solve the problems of the world.  We have dealt with World Hunger, Presidential Elections, War, Sequestration, the Fiscal Cliff, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Jefferson, Truman, Obama, Bush, Reagan, Unions, movies, sex and TV(that was this week).  We agree on a few things (favorite TV shows seem to be “The Good Wife”, “Blue Bloods”, “Homeland” and “Revenge”…just in case you are interested.  We also agreed on a “news show” that is indeed “fair and balanced”, its “Cup of Joe on early in the morning on MSNBC of all channels).  You are always invited and we meet Wed. morning at 8:30 at Schats. 

Michelle Rogers bought the fining bling for Dave Reiman for the month of December.  Possibly a defensive move or perhaps we will see some new talent in Dave’s quiver.  He always amazes me with his humility and then just “nails it” … whatever it is.  He “sorta” nailed a Rap Song at the Demotion Party, but he need not quit his day job.  I wonder if he ever played football.   As conservative as he looks, he’ll try anything.  Not sure if Dave has had the privilege of fining before, but he will no doubt do a good job with this seemingly easy task.

Dates and Announcements

This week’s meeting is at the Seniors Center.  Someone please make sure we all get out.

Christmas Party Dec. 7, at Chef Hannas, then to Clair’s house for gifts, deserts, and perhaps a few more adult beverages.  Bring deserts that do not have to be refrigerated.

Holiday Parade on Dec. 9th and we need Rotarians to walk in the parade and hand out candy to the masses.  Tom has some left over Halloween Candy for the parade.  It figures.  It’s Christmas Tom, candy canes etc.

Dec. 15 (from 9 to 1) paint the Center Street School “fund raising wall”.  Joe works real hard on this project so let’s give him support.

Julie has an intern “available” to help some local business men (or women).  No comment.

Tom invited all of us to visit our Rotary Web site (www.esrotary.org).  He is quite proud of it and quite frankly he has done a great job building it and promoting it.  I think these computers and web sites are here to stay.  Go take a look.

Major Announcement

Dean is going to be the next President after Len.  The two of them are both UCLA Grads.  (USC, where are you?)   He received a loud ovation.  He is another very talented and humble fellow Rotarian and is very popular with others.  Congratulations Dean.

The Program

As mentioned earlier and in the headline this was the end of the NRG saga for the month and this guy (His name is Steve) was from our Fire Department and he watches the watchers.   We have learned that the Energy Business is highly regulated, has lots of people making sure we don’t do anything wrong, and people watch the watchers.  He is watching you.  I am not going to say any more.