NEW VENUE - 2nd Annual Cinecon Rick Levinson Memorial Dinner

[Brooksie]

Folks, Cinecon is almost upon us for another year, and that also means another Nitrateville dinner and another tribute to the late Rick Levinson. For those who did not know him, Rick was a great and generous friend of the site who left us - far too early - in the middle of last year. I'm helping Frederica on preparations this year, so consider this your official invitation.

As in previous years, we'll schedule it for the Saturday dinner break, but pending confirmation of the exact time and venue, could I have a show of pixels from those who intend to be there? Send me a private message if you're not comfortable answering here.

[Jim Reid]

Sorry. Won't be Cineconing this year. Ya'll have a great time!

[missdupont]

I'll be there.

[silentfilm]

Sadly, I'm missing this year's Cinecon also.

[Brooksie]

Bruce! Jim! We will raise a sorrowful glass in your honour and hope that no gems are discovered this year ...

[tthacker]

This will be my first Cinecon, but as I am more often than not just a lurker here, it would seem presumptuous of me to join in on the dinner. Looking forward to what I hope will be a fun weekend.

[Brooksie]

Tthacker, you would be more than welcome. Plenty of participants are lurkers. Rick Levinson himself was a lurker. The more the merrier!

[Frederica]

Tthacker, you would be more than welcome. Plenty of participants are lurkers. Rick Levinson himself was a lurker. The more the merrier!

You are indeed welcome, please come.

[tthacker]

Well, I can't possibly say no to such hospitality. Count me in!

[Jim Reid]

Well, I can't possibly say no to such hospitality. Count me in!

You won't regret it. It's a great get-together that I hate missing this year.

[silentstar5]

My friend and I will be there. It is always a great time.

[Eric Cohen]

I'll attend for the first time.
Is there an awards ceremony?

[Jim Roots]

I'll attend for the first time.
Is there an awards ceremony?

The Rick Levinson Mensch of the Year Award.

Jim

[Brooksie]

I'll attend for the first time.
Is there an awards ceremony?

The Rick Levinson Mensch of the Year Award.

Jim

Indeed. I would be happy to award one, but the prizes will have to be 'friendship', 'conviviality' and 'good conversation'.

I've got eight participants so far. Any other takers? If we've only got a small contingent this year we may possibly be able to go back to Musso & Frank. Otherwise, the likely venue is the Pig and Whistle.

[Frederica]

Miss Brooksie being otherwise engaged now, I have made reservations for our dinner at the Loteria Grill, for 5:15pm on Saturday of Cinecon weekend. Loteria specializes in lighter Mexican fare (mole poblano to die for), has a full bar, and is reasonably priced. Last call for rs ps, see you soon.

[Christopher Jacobs]

I'd love to attend the dinner again, but unfortunately this year I won't even be able to make it to Cinecon. Hopefully next year. This Labor Day Weekend is when I'll be in the Mayo Clinic hospital starting my heavy chemotherapy, followed by "Total Body Irradiation" treatment to condition my body for a bone marrow transplant currently scheduled for the following Friday or Saturday.

With luck the new stem cells will soon start making new blood on their own without rejection and I'll be able to return home by late November or sometime in December so I can resume teaching for the Spring semester in January and not have to keep undergoing blood/platelet transfusions. Recovery is usually about three months plus or minus a few weeks.

[Frederica]

I'd love to attend the dinner again, but unfortunately this year I won't even be able to make it to Cinecon. Hopefully next year. This Labor Day Weekend is when I'll be in the Mayo Clinic hospital starting my heavy chemotherapy, followed by "Total Body Irradiation" treatment to condition my body for a bone marrow transplant currently scheduled for the following Friday or Saturday.

With luck the new stem cells will soon start making new blood on their own without rejection and I'll be able to return home by late November or sometime in December so I can resume teaching for the Spring semester in January and not have to keep undergoing blood/platelet transfusions. Recovery is usually about three months plus or minus a few weeks.

We will miss you, Chris. Our best wishes for a full recovery go with you, we will see you next year.

[Rick Lanham]

Chris, I hope that your treatments are the appropriate and long-lasting ones. I look forward to seeing you here whenever you find the time. I enjoy your reviews of all the blu-rays and comments on other threads as well.

Rick

[Michael O'Regan]

I'd love to attend the dinner again, but unfortunately this year I won't even be able to make it to Cinecon. Hopefully next year. This Labor Day Weekend is when I'll be in the Mayo Clinic hospital starting my heavy chemotherapy, followed by "Total Body Irradiation" treatment to condition my body for a bone marrow transplant currently scheduled for the following Friday or Saturday.

With luck the new stem cells will soon start making new blood on their own without rejection and I'll be able to return home by late November or sometime in December so I can resume teaching for the Spring semester in January and not have to keep undergoing blood/platelet transfusions. Recovery is usually about three months plus or minus a few weeks.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[Christopher Jacobs]

Thanks to all who have replied or PM'd me. It's going to be a long haul. I'm actually in the Mayo Clinic already getting tests and treatments for various infections that have gradually set in due to my lack of immune system, but things seem to be going well so far.

I don't use Facebook or Twitter but just the other day when I was put into the hospital instead of going to my next outpatient appointment, my sister set up a sort of blog website for family and friends to keep updated on the constantly changing process, view a few photos, post comments, etc.:

Dear Family and Friends,

A CaringBridge Site was created for Chris Jacobs. We will use this online space to share health news, and you can write messages of encouragement in return. Please visit often to keep updated and show your support.
Visit:
Site Link: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherpjacobs" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://www.caringbridge.org/signin" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Site Name: christopherpjacobs

CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering trusted spaces where family and friends can connect and share during any type of health event.

Sincerely,
Paula

[Brooksie]

So sorry to hear that you're ill, Chris. Take care of yourself and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

[WaverBoy]

Chris, I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Highest hopes for a full recovery.

[Brooksie]

Folks, we have a late breaking venue change - we'll now be holding the dinner at the Pig n' Whistle, right next door to the Egyptian Theatre, starting at 5pm on Saturday. We'll have about a dozen participants, some good conversation, and quite a few toasts to absent friends. See you there!

[tthacker]

Due to a minor knee injury suffered while trying to leave the theatre last night, I've had to skip the dinner. I don't think the pain would have made me a very good dinner companion. If you see a limping man with glasses and a goatee tomorrow, feel free to say hello!

[Jim Reid]

Pig 'N Whistle seems to be the fall-back, but it's no Musso & Franks!

[Donald Binks]

I hope someone has one of those mobile 'phones that takes photos - and takes a snap of the happy crew. (Preferably before the gin bottle has been opened). It would be nice to see faces to the names we have been speaking with! Just a thought.

[Brooksie]

Photos were indeed taken ... let me see if the photographer is willing to share them (or indeed, whether the participants are willing to be seen in all their glory!)

We had a good turnout and a nice dinner, but we will need to seek a different venue to the Pig and Whistle next time. Thanks to Cinecon, they were already packed to capacity, which meant we had to divide up into several tables. Never mind, there were so many other friends of Nitrateville eating there that it was essentially one big Cinecon party.

We were sorry to miss you, tthacker - see you next time!