ThePortForum.com

It is ON like DONKEY KONG. You hear?

THIS Friday night. Da Square. 7pm

If you see your name below, kindly confirm your participation and state/re-state your topic.

No excuses, no tears. Play like a champion.

Past, Present, and Future Champions:
1.) King Doty
2.) 2014 Doty Cup Champion C.P.I.A.
3.) 2013 Doty Cup Champion RAYC

Contenders:
4.) JDAW
5.) AHB
6.) DRT
7.) American Richard
8.) C.P.M.A
9.) Danny
10.) Flash

Awaiting responses
X.) O. Quevedo
W.) Tom
V.) Ben
Z.) Claudia

Yes please.

Current draft of the placemats.

May I nail my name to the board? I'm going to book the day off as annual leave now.
Sympathy for the Devil is playing in the background, which reminds me of the traditional Doty sign-off:
woo woo!

Isn't that Good Friday? I'd be very grateful for a place, but I suspect I will be on family duties.

flash_uk wrote:Isn't that Good Friday? I'd be very grateful for a place, but I suspect I will be on family duties.

well yes, i suppose it is. that's a valuable observation, and one that i admit i should have considered, but I must confess my initial reaction is 'jesus would have wanted it this way'.

i will need to check with my own supervisors on permissibility of being out of the country, but i expect coming back early on sunday will be sufficient penance.

These tastings have been one of the true highlights in terms of events i have been to over the last two years, so would love to register interest.

However, i have twice benefitted from you generosity so feel free to overlook me if needed to ensure that WS1, AHB, DRT, THRA, BHMR etc. get their chance to attend.

RAYC wrote:These tastings have been one of the true highlights in terms of events i have been to over the last two years, so would love to register interest.

However, i have twice benefitted from you generosity so feel free to overlook me if needed to ensure that WS1, AHB, DRT, THRA, BHMR etc. get their chance to attend.

Not a chance Rob. Prior winners are in the preeminent circle of guests. You're in.

Though I certainly share your desire to 'spread the love' and certainly, as WS1 hasn't attended either event, he is on my short list of people to make a special space for. Also AHB, of course, as he has yet to participate as a contestant (look out, world!). Can't say no to Jdaw, can't say no to Tom, etc.

Hence why Iram and I need to discuss logistics. I think the auction concept is a sensible one, as it would help identify the relative enthusiasm of the other guests. Happy to discuss more offline.

Also, please post whatever notes/reflections/observations you have from 2014 in the Reviews thread. woo woo

jdaw1 wrote:Yes please.

Can't overlook the 1st appeal for a space.

djewesbury wrote:May I nail my name to the board? I'm going to book the day off as annual leave now.
Sympathy for the Devil is playing in the background, which reminds me of the traditional Doty sign-off:
woo woo!

Yes, well, have we met before?

It's not the end of the world if we haven't, but just to be clear, the inspiration of these tastings had been my feelings of gratitude and friendship for people I met whilst living in London, all of whom have shared with me years of experience and exceptional wines. I do not consider you in that camp, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends, and if space is open or if i have an auction for the remaining seats, that you wouldn't be allowed to participate. I hope that seems sensible/agreeable.

cheers
chris

We have met only once, during a Wimbledon-related event at the Bung Hole. I am more than happy to be considered as a reserve in the case of some unfortunate's unavailability. Humbly etc.

Chris Doty wrote:Also AHB, of course, as he has yet to participate as a contestant (look out, world!).

I am deeply flattered, but have no idea whether I will be able to put myself forward for a place. Easter is a time when I usually visit my mother in Cornwall and have other family commitments.

However, with this much notice I have plently of time to negotiate an exception...

Due to the amazing (and frankly, surprising) devotion of my port chums, I have agreed w/ the Square to push this back to April 10th.

Frankly, I think nothing honors the spirit of Christ's intent like the breaking of bread and wine with close friends and loved ones, but as people seem eager to keep to their routines on that occasion, I have deferred.

Chris Doty wrote:Due to the amazing (and frankly, surprising) devotion of my port chums

Hmmm. I suspect this is an example of the difference between our respective cultures.

Someone says "Easter" and you hear "religious devotion". I hear "the kids will be off school and the Mrs won't let me out to play with my Port chums".

I would be delighted to join you if there is still space at the table.

I am sure that I will be able to wash my hair a day early in April 2015 and so will plan to attend my first Doty Cup as a contestant!

DRT wrote:

Chris Doty wrote:Due to the amazing (and frankly, surprising) devotion of my port chums

Hmmm. I suspect this is an example of the difference between our respective cultures.

Someone says "Easter" and you hear "religious devotion". I hear "the kids will be off school and the Mrs won't let me out to play with my Port chums".

I would be delighted to join you if there is still space at the table.

Hmm. I mean, are the kiddies usually in school at 7pm on a Friday evening? What does Good Friday have to do w/ that?

Anyway, it is what it is. Less convenient for the host, hopefully therefore more manageable for the guests. Very glad to accept your RSVP, not the same without you.

woo woo

This thread has been quiet for almost ten months. Is this event still likely to happen?

jdaw1 wrote:This thread has been quiet for almost ten months. Is this event still likely to happen?

Yes, well, the only reason this thread has existed for ten months in the first place is that some of you folks complained last year when my usual (few weeks) notice made attendance difficult. I would normally have started this thread in the first week of March, for a dinner in early April.

Anyway, yes. I have re-confirmed with the Square, and I and 12+ excellent bottles of wine and a handsome trophy will be there. I still haven't heard from a number of people I had been holding places for (AHB, WS1, Axel, Oscar, etc), so the guest list is a work in progress, but Operation Dinner Out is a go. Brace yourself, Bridgette.

Brigid or Brigit (pronounced brijit) or, as gaeilge, Bríd (pronounced breed). It's the Irish version of Sheila wake up!

I'm looking more likely to make this now...holiday in Cornwall will be done by then

Justin K wrote:Brigid or Brigit (pronounced brijit) or, as gaeilge, Bríd (pronounced breed). It's the Irish version of Sheila wake up!

Justin you're missing something: isn't Chris very possibly a Derryman? I'm basing this on the way the name Doherty is pronounced in Derry, Dough-erty. Seems very straightforward a leap from that to Doty. Perhaps he just needs to embrace his roots, anseo, in Éirinn?

It's looking more hopeful for my attendance too.

I am definitely in, with pass and permission (although I can't stay overnight and will therefore need to leave in time to catch the last train home).

What are the plans? What do I need to prep? Where is The Square? What should I budget for my share of costs?

The draft of the placemats has a deficit of people.


Please instructions be posted or PM’d?

First post edited.

I leave NYC tonight and am excited to see everyone on Friday!

WOOOOOOOOOO

Current draft of the placemats updated (see second post of this thread).