I.F.S. - The International Flapjack Society

Storm's a Brewin'

Alright Ministers, Rabbi and friends. MOM's got that tingly feeling in his left foot again, which can only mean one thing, IFS South Lake Tahoe meeting!

So far we have a sizable crew going and I encourage any minister who is on the fence to sack up and make the drive, you won't regret it. Your brothers want you there.

The address of the Cabin is:

2551 Del Norte

South lake Tahoe, CA 96150

The address of the Restaurant is:

Blue Angel Cafe Address:

1132 Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
9am-11am

So far we have a number of guests and more are welcome if there are any last minute add-ons. The more the merrier. Many ministers, especially those of the North-State persuasion will be arriving earlier in the day Thursday. I will be heading up the Glory-Train which will leave LA after work Thursday and arrive in Tahoe in the wee hours.

Tentative schedule:
Thursday Arrival - Those who are there early can open up the 'Hurt Locker' and see what's inside. Hopefully there are a few soldiers left standing when the Glory Train pulls into the station around 2am. If all goes well, I expect to see Letters playing the air-drums and dancing by himself amongst drunken sleeping bodies.

Friday - IFS Summer Meeting (9-11am at the Blue Angel Cafe)
After the meeting there is a possible field trip to North Lake Tahoe where my brother and his younger hooligan friends are living in a cabin on the Lake for the summer. (Y&T 2) The owners are family friends and have offered to allow us to some and hang out at the Lake for the afternoon. They have a boat or two as well as other water-based entertainment. They graciously offered to feed us and allow us to enjoy their Lakeside jam for the afternoon. This should allow us to see the other side of Tahoe and relax for the afternoon before returning to the South Lake area for the evening. Naturally this is not a mandatory trip, and if some ministers want to hit the casinos straight away, no problem. Just an option.

In the evening we will return to South Lake and enjoy an evening on the Town, Casinos, Buffets, Cabin, you know, Make Party.

Saturday (Independence Day)
We have all day to enjoy our Nation's Independence Day in South Lake Tahoe, no concrete plans. If we can commandeer a boat to be on the water for a fire works show, that'd be great, but I'm sure being drunk at the casinos/cabin will also be fun. Perhaps Cutie Pie can lead a break dance battle party in honor of MJ. We'll play this one by ear. If anyone has any ideas or thoughts on particular activities, please post a comment.

Sunday
The Lows are always lower than the Highs are high. We make an attempt to clean up our mess, and limp home to resume our boring lives whilst dreaming of the next IFS gathering.

And remember..... Gooooood Flapjack

R.I.P. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, MJ, and now... Billy Mays

This week is crasey..

Billy Mays is dead..

I miss MJ already..

My nomination for our next member..

This man knows what he's talkin' about..

Press Hop - Practice?

Hope everyone is getting their practice in for Tahoe. I've been training for the past few weeks and feel ready for the big game.

Happy Birthday Andrew Chintastic

Happy Birthday MOM, so much chin, so strong.

Next Stop, Inflation Station.

In regards to MOM's post below about our investment opportunities, I have moved the necessary funds to my Etrade account. With what we hope to be inflation on the horizon, we've got our sights on gold mutual funds. I am currently comparing two potential funds, based on price, initial investment and percentage breakdowns. The more expensive of the two Tocqueville Gold ($40.13), has 18-20% directly invested in gold bullion and the initial investment is $1000. Compared to the less expensive fund, US Global Investors World Prec Minerals ($13.05) has more money invested in gold mining companies abroad (more risky) and calls for an initial deposit of $5,000. The call letters are TGLDW and UNWPX if you want to check them out. Black Swan, a prestigious hedge fund that positioned themselves and benefited from the "financial crises" recently made a move to gold. However, you need a cool 25mil to get in. In addition, I read that China has now begun purchasing gold as well, maybe in an attempt to hedge their bets against their massive amounts of US debt.

The question is, when is the right time invest?

A few Photos from a day at the Races

The International Flapjack Society: The Horse Race: Information

One more note on the races...we're now meeting at 12:30 pm. That later start time will be better for our minds and souls. We'll meet in front of the Club House Will Call, where our tickets will be held under the name "The International Flapjack Society". Also, if you are in the group, you are purchasing the 5 hour drink service - we all have to be on the same page...they don't do different rates. So that's $30 for the ticket and food, and $24 for the 5 hours of booze.

Also, we will have 4 races held in our honor. Three birthday races and one IFS race - 10 of us will be able to go down to the winner's circle for each of these races, where we will be photographed - we'll get one complimentary photo. These photos will have the official race names printed on them - as will the race programs. Remember, we will be providing the race names.

And I need to get the final tally of attendees. So far we have:

Andrew, John, Ben, Kevin, Mark, Michael, Matthew, Edward, Charles, Ryan, Connor and Curtis. So that's twelve...and we have another 8 - 10 that we're still trying to confirm. So, if you have a name for the confirmed list that's not already on there, please make a comment or give me a call.

There will be free parking in front of Gate #3, off Prarie Road. The Valet service costs $8, if you want to be an absolute plahawr. If you show up late, we will be at the "Finish Line" Restaurant, where we have two tables.

Ok, comment on this post with updates or questions, or give me a call at (805) 453 - 1103.

See you at the Races,

Rousing

The Horse and Pony Show: The Accommodations

Dear Ministers and Rabbi,

The Celebration of R&S and MOM's birth is upon us. As of now, we have 12 confirmed attending this event and another 8 or 10 likely to join. Wow Dad, that group is big...and aggressive.

To review, we'll be making party at MOM and Old Glory's new playahwr pad on Friday night - with bars most likely to follow. The next morning we'll head over to the race track where the racing, boozing, buffeting and birth celebrating will take place. The Gates open at 10:30, se we will be meeting out front a little before then...late comers will find us at the "Finish Line" Restaurant. With Hollywood Park Casino next door, we'll most likely head over there for a bit, to double our horse race winnings of course. What comes next is still open...so feel free to post suggestions.

Interior Design, Revelry & Spirits, myself and my full-blooded Asian friend Ed have booked a room at the LAX Hilton for Saturday night. The hotel is playahwr, a quick cab ride to the racetrack, and only 100 bucks for the night. Also, it's the hotel from Heat, where De Niro shoots that misunderstood ex-team member in his hotel suite. "Look at me..."

A strong member of the Irvine crew, Chuck Nutt, will be in attendance this weekend...we'll be celebrating his birth as well - he's definitely Guest Member (if not full-time Member) material.

Ok, post comments and questions if you have them. Remember, we're celebrating the births of two very important IFS Ministers...so dress in your finest and prepare to make a big party.

Good Luck, and Good Flapjack,

The Minister of Rousing

Slush Funds...Actuarily

Whoever said 'Money can't buy happiness' probably didn't have a lot, and whoever said 'More Money More Problems' must have been a gangster rapper who publicly slandered dangerous and violent individuals with lots of weapons and too much free time. While I am not a rich man nor a gangster rapper (yet) I do appreciate the value of a hard earned dollar. Money may not buy happiness, but they can buy Adolphus, flapjacks, surfboards, skinny jeans, box sets of the OC on DVD, and cabins at the lake for the fourth of July, which can provide fleeting glimpses of happiness amongst the drudgery of daily life.

As we get older and our earning power increases (if only slightly) we have more disposable income. The phrase 'spend like Nova and spend like Baez' has been thrown around more than once and I realize this distribution of wealth is not homogeneous and some ministers will be working for high powered law firms and financial institutions while others will be slogging through the ranks of professional South American soccer leagues and fornicating with fish. Apparently 'Fish Fornication' isn't a very lucrative trade.

Above (Ol Glory)

Recently the Minister of Revelry and Spirits and I had a conversation about potential financial investments and where we should stash a little coin for the future. Some of these investments require minimum investments of 5K or more, which may be out of the price range of most Ministers (perhaps not the Rabbi, Jew joke). We spoke of maybe going in 1/2 and 1/2 on a specific fund which requires a minimum 5K investment. The though occurred to set up some sort of 'IFS investment subcommittee'. This way we would have numerous bright minds to research and monitor our investments and multiple sources of funding allowing us to invest in slightly more exclusive funds. Its been proved investment groups normally do better than the average individual investor. We could share some common advice and help. The Minister of Athletics works at a financial research institution and would be a good place to start for advice.

The idea is to build some wealth together, especially now when the market is hurting and opportunities abound. Although we don't have much to spare, together we are strong. If people are at all interested in the idea let me know, we can set up some sort of initial investment and see how it goes. Nothing too serious, but perhaps a little more serious than 'Linesmaker'. (R&S you still owe me for the Laker game) One more step in the growth of IFS.

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