> Grishny had to leave around 2:30, so we said our goodbyes and left from there.
>
> Bookstores are a great place to hang out with RinkyDinks. I think that's because we're introspective by nature. We had hung out with Issachar and his wife in the same bookstore and had a lot of fun. We sat at the cafe and chatted, and then, like all good things, they had to end.
>
> I had decided not to go back to work that afternoon anyway, so we decided to kill some time by driving over to the new Barnes & Noble to kill some time.
>
> Needless to say, by the time the check arrived, we were stuffed to the brim, and we could barely waddle out.
>
> My haddock sandwich was spectacular, as always, and Leen liked her assorted lobster dishes. New England lobster is the best in the world, and I don't care what anybody says to the contrary. Grishny and Mrs. Grishny also liked their meals, although Little Grishny decided the Steamers were too slimy. It reminded Leen and me of when we made famous try steamers for the first time. The look on her face was priceless.
>
> They got us a table near the window, which is the best, because this restaurant sits RIGHT ON the ocean. The waitress took our orders, and we talked about all sorts of things while we were waiting for the food to arrive. Grishny is as congenial and pleasant in person as he is online, if not more so, and we were also delighted to discover that his family is as nice as he is. We had a good time, and again I wish more RinkyDinks lived closer.
>
> We always like watching people's reactions when we take people to Newick's for the first time. Their reactions at the sheer size of the place are always fun.
>
> They drove in a few minutes later, and we recognized each other instantly. After the momentary awkwardness of meeting was over, we very quickly got comfortable with each other and wandered into line in the restaurant.
>
> Leen and I arrived at Newick's first, and we hoped the directions we gave were clear enough. But we had our cell phone with us for them to call if they got lost.
>
> Leen picked me up from work around 12:20ish, and we headed for Newick's. Although we have two vehicles, she dropped me off at work this morning so we could leave to go to my grandparents' house straight from work that afternoon.
>
> At any rate, I'd better sign off now, because Leen should be arriving at any minute. I'll be sure to post the details of our meeting with Grishny and family when it's all over.

Wow, Jacqueline will be jealous when she hears about this -- as much because of the venue as because Sam and Leen were there. I'd estimate that she utters the syllables "Newick's" longingly at least once every couple of weeks. :-)

Iss "fried clams....mmmmmm *drool*" achar