Well thanks Rob for volunteering me to write this piece? Just when did I become a literary genius anyway? Well guys, by now you have recovered from what was a truly great weekend. It is rare to get that many good people together for a whole weekend. I’m sure many schedules had to be juggled, many compromises/promises were made to wives and girlfriends alike, and a thorough commitment to total lack of sleep had to be made.

I would like to give a complete play by play of the weekend for you, but some of it is pretty hazy. There were a select few, who on the night before our early departure, had the brilliant idea to stay up all night. They didn’t look so good that morning. I’m not sure why but our first bus driver lasted only 45 minutes. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that left us with ‘pedal to the metal’, ‘deep pockets’ Sammy the bus driver.

This disheveled group of drunken card players were not at all shy about throwing money on the table. A simple bus ride soon became a significant financial event. Some did well (the .com guy), and some not so well (Hawaii oh-no). Win or lose it didn’t matter much though, as we all kinda had the feeling we were making history of some sort. Think about it.

The bus ride was quick and relatively painless, although it felt more like we were on a boat than a bus the way Sammy drove. For some it was their first trip to Wrigley Field, but even for those who had been before, it was an awesome sight. Ancient Wrigley Field, downtown Chicago, on a warm sunny day, watching the Cubs and swilling beer with 20 of your good friends. Come on, does it get any better? How many people from our group have that Wrigley field group pose on their computer wallpaper already? And Jim, we all can’t thank you enough for your generosity at the game. I think you set some kind of beer buying record. (Or should we thank Dennis?). By games end, the "wall" we were all about to hit was fast approaching. Somehow these 20 zombies managed to pull themselves together and hit the Rush/Division bars that night. Oh yea, must not forget to mention that Rich set us up with the best pizza to be had anywhere - Giardono’s. It’s not too often you can only eat one piece of your favorite pizza. The end of the night became a mad scramble for room keys and somewhere to sleep.

By the next a.m. we were ready to go. The short bus ride to Rich and Melissa’s produced another furious game of cards, complete with big winners and Dennis. We were treated to a great meal prior to the First Annual Rob Roberts Bachelor Party Golf Outing. Of course it is also the last. The golf was serious and extremely competitive. Why, well because there were more side bets than on a hot craps table on this round of golf. Doug shot a 71. Nothing funny about that.

One more stop at Rich’s after golf to finish off the left-overs and we were off to the Fairfield Inn. It was a nice place, I think. There was a mad rush to get to the casino, and once we got there we were in no hurry to leave. Many of us made our donations at the craps table. One boisterous group of travelers planted themselves at a Caribbean Stud poker table and never moved, right up until Buso fell asleep. I couldn’t tell if they were winning or losing, but it didn’t seem to matter much. I think they made more noise when they lost. I don’t know if Brian ever got his sandwich, and some of the drunks actually walked back to the hotel that night. Many barely got to see their hotel bed before it was time for the bus to leave. Needless to say the bus ride home was painfully quiet as everyone scrambled to catch up on their sleep.

Hang on to your memories of this trip fellas, because there won’t be another one like it. Thanks again to Brian and Rich, and everyone who had a hand in planning this excursion. And let the famous words of Sammy the bus driver ring in your head - "change nine hundred!".

Written by: Doc RILEY