Well, at least no one's five year old will have to wait for an hour and a half to take a leak (as we're all aware they're far less successful at holding it in than the rest of us)...no two hour delays in serving dinner, no idiots predicting massive Tory majorities (just to make themselves more hopeful, you know, the big raise to match the ego, etc.) Problematically organized, it was a BBQ to forget. Parking wasn't the only reason this "event of the year" was cancelled, let me tell you...

"Well, at least no one's five year old will have to wait for an hour and a half to take a leak (as we're all aware they're far less successful at holding it in than the rest of us)...no two hour delays in serving dinner, no idiots predicting massive Tory majorities (just to make themselves more hopeful)"

No more Alex complaining, either.

Ian Bailey writes in todays (July 5) G&M: "The barbecue, which gives B.C. Conservatives a chance to network, has been cancelled due to the Prime Minister's demanding schedule" and "The exercise was born to thank party volunteers. 'This is basically who it is for. It gives us the ability to say thank you. And to host them.'"

No mention of parking... I guess the "party volunteers" don't need thanking this year.

I think Bob has got it right ... Public Eye has been spun into believing that parking was the problem? Even the Senator didn't try that line with the press

Nothwithstanding Blue Belle's nonsensical lather above, it was a disaster from an organizational point of view. Maybe my standards of throwing a party are higher than most, but making the elderly and children wait over an hour for the toilet? Delaying dinner so that the PM and the good Senator can finish their pow-wow in the main house (at least, that was the advertised excuse)?

Mind, Kevin Falcon uses this same venue (and it's a beautiful venue) for his annual BBQ and it's a totally different score--wonderfully organized. They spare no expense to give back to their supporters.

St. Germain's event last year was done on the cheap.

Priority parking for pals and insiders? They should have had that for families, since that's what it was billed as--a family BBQ! Otherwise, I would have left my five year old son at home, rather than drag the poor kid through FIVE hours of hurry up and wait. Other than beer or water, nothing! Think I'm alone Blue Butthead? Think again. I don't know one person who took their children who said anything but the worst possible things about how the day was organized.

"Nothwithstanding Blue Belle's nonsensical lather above, it was a disaster from an organizational point of view."

Ever put on a large event like that, Alex?

Since it was run by volunteers, give it a rest.
This wasn't an "Advance Team" or "B.C. Prime Minister's Tour" type of event. (the kind that the privileged few that make the Advance Team get to spend a half hour each to put together and then you see them standing around the rest of the time doing nothing except trying to look important)

"Maybe my standards of throwing a party are higher than most, but making the elderly and children wait over an hour for the toilet?"

Point there. They underestimated the number of
guests and therefore the number of porta-potties
that were needed.

"Delaying dinner so that the PM and the good Senator can finish their pow-wow in the main house (at least, that was the advertised excuse)?"

Another point, sort of. What ever it was the PM
and Senator talked about, they could have done that the evening before or after the event.

But most of us were caught up in conversations and talking to other Conservatives while waiting for dinner. The wait time for us went fast.

"Mind, Kevin Falcon uses this same venue (and it's a beautiful venue) for his annual BBQ and it's a totally different score--wonderfully organized. They spare no expense to give back to their supporters."

There's a bit of an overlap since there are a few people who helped out with St. Germain's BBQ and are helping Falcon's.

"St. Germain's event last year was done on the cheap."

Can't spend alot of money on these things.

Priority parking for pals and insiders? They should have had that for families, since that's what it was billed as--a family BBQ!

Oh C'mon Alex. A bit miffed because you didn't
get a spot next to the ranch gate and had to wait
for that rattle trap school bus, and baking in the heat?

"Otherwise, I would have left my five year old son at home, rather than drag the poor kid through FIVE hours of hurry up and wait."

Gotta start the kids young there Alex. Otherwise
they'll see events that don't do anything and turn into federal Liberals

Other than beer or water, nothing!

They had colas and all kinds of stuff there.

Think I'm alone Blue Butthead? Think again. I don't know one person who took their children who said anything but the worst possible things about how the day was organized.

Guess we won't see you at the next one.

Might be a good thing. Wouldn't hear the speeches over your yelling anyway.