Hi Brenda Louise!
Trust you are well and completely decorated! Marcus Aurelius, cycling chum, forwarded this to me. I think you watch this level of hockey so thought you might enjoy the video, if in fact, you've not already seen it!
Hey guys!
Vancouver Giants (WHL) recently did a commercial for a charity event in BC and they need to get to 50,000 views on youtube. If you could watch the video and forward it to anyone you would like that would be awesome! Thanks, Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiQBUqTnhc
Not sure if I had mentioned or not that we were planning to hold a mini-Christmas Open House/Welcome to Vancouver/Birthday Party this past Sunday. Close friends, Kathleen and Steve, from Melbourne, are here for a month, visiting friends and family. They have been staying with us since they arrived last Wednesday and de-camped yesterday to her Mother's in Burnaby. We will be staying with them, mid-March, shortly after Flamin' and Sarge arrive in Melbourne. They live about 30 minutes south of Bendigo, in a tiny hamlet, North Harcourt, about 20 minutes north of Castlemaine, only about 90 minutes north of Melbourne itself, with new highway, completed since we were last there in 2006.
Flamin' and Sarge, who were planning to come, were up at Whistler that weekend, (along with The Millionaires), and Flamin' had arranged to take ski lessons. On Saturday morning, shortly after session began, she hit a patch of ice and fell, not really doing any damage. However, a few moments later, another student in class came flying over same small rise, lost her balance and went flying, making a landing, with her ski boots right into Michele's back! The impact knocked Flamin' further down the slope and then the "slammer" drove into her yet again, helplessly carried along by momentum on the icy slope, following after the "slammee", her punching bag/brake! Long and the short of it is that Flamin' probably has a couple of cracked or very badly bruised ribs as well as some sort of pelvic dis-alignment, with bone rubbing on bone. Not sure of the details. She was in terrible pain, barely able to move next day and one following and was popping Chloë's Tylenol 3's, overlefts from her tonsillectomy! She did make a brief appearance at the mini-Open House on Sunday but only stayed long enough to knock back a stiff rum 'n coke poured by Dusty!
In addition to the gifts I'd received earlier in week, Big Molly gave me a hilarious framed "photo-shopped" cover of Cycling World, (I'll send along another snap once he finishes final version), and a glorious green lycra cycling shirt that is really too, too good to wear, at least for riding! Chloë gave me some snazzy cycling shorts, (more zippers than a Hell's Angels' leather jacket), once again, so stylish I can only wear them to Church on Christmas Eve! (This "pretend" refusal to wear stylish garments drives The Sisterhood nuts!")
The Island Inn was also the fortunate recipient, from Famiglia Banks, of a huge container of leek soup, (last of the leeks from the garden, I gather), and a quarter round, or so, of one of the giant red cabbages we've enjoyed, from their garden, over the Fall. Clarisse had baked two Angel Food cakes for my birthday, slathered in chocolate pudding icing. Discovered I was nine years younger when I blew out the candles as The Sisterhood could only find two "Fives" in drawer when it came time to decorate cakes! Also noticed that Robo Ray had more than one piece of cake but refrained from making an issue of it as Sylvia mentioned he is rather testy these days, the cold temperatures getting to him! As well, he is fretting over the expense of having had his two bikes over-hauled and to recoup the outrageous expenditure is now working on a web-site to make PsCyco-Socks, (see advertisement below!), available on-line! Perfect stocking stuffers or indeed, perfect stockings, particularly the XXL, to hang on the mantlepiece! Nevertheless, a grand time and loads of fun visiting and celebrating with wonderful friends and family!
For her part, Cora Lee has done very well since having surgery on her right foot last Friday, at Mount St Joseph's. Pleased to report that operation went extremely well, (slightly more than two hours under the scalpel!), and the Canadian Patient has been relatively pain-free ever since coming home. It is more comfortable for her to sleep on couch in living room, her right leg raised on some enormous pillows, a comforter keeping her cosy, along with Maggie, purring like a 50hpr outboard, atop her tummy. I am rather chagrined to have to acknowledge that so far she has been a model patient, both undemanding and courteous to her caregivers. Whether this will last after her pain medication prescription is exhausted remains to be seen!
This past Monday, at noon, I drove her to a scheduled post-operation appointment with her surgeon. She was more than a bit concerned as she lost her balance getting up off the couch that morning at 5:00am to go to the bathroom. She inadvertently put all her weight on the foot that isn't to have any weight bearing for next six weeks! She was very concerned that she had done some serious damage to her toes. Fortunately, Dottore said all was fine, x-ray taken after surgery showed all was well and fall/misstep didn't do any damage, other than to cause excruciating pain for some time! (She probably did it on purpose. Good excuse for more pain killers!) I parked at Safeway on Broadway and Macdonald and skateboarding on her nifty, mini-four wheeler, kneeling with her right leg on padded support, she managed distance from office across the street to car with little, if any, difficulty. I suggested that she do shopping for fruit and vegetables at Young Brothers, (Broadway and Trutch, hardly three blocks west!), and I'd run a few other errands before collecting her. Bit of eye daggerage, Dear Reader! If looks could kill!
Back at The Island Inn she settled onto couch and I took out the recycling. Met neighbours, Dianna and Bob, who moved into Harbour Terrace this past July. Bob had his left knee replaced two weeks ago and is still using a walker. I invited them in to say hello to The Canadian Patient and they compared notes on pain medication, bowel movements and the like! I suggested that we hold races in the hallway, placing bets on the walker vs the mini-bike. Even have extra bike helmets in case of spills or dirty racing moves!!!
Tuesday night she was getting up from toilette and thought that she was going to fall so she grabbed the towel rack on the wall, to steady herself, and ripped it right out of the gyp-rock! Wonder Woman, fighting inanimate objects wherever they lurk! No evil coat-rack, nefarious picture frame or villainous lamp stand is safe from her all seeing eyes and deadly stumbling! Dusty came over next day to inspect damage and I wondered if we should move the rack up when re-attaching it. He replied, rather testily, that it would have been be better by far if she simply hadn't grabbed onto it in the first place. And this is his first born!!! Of course I could never agree with such a cruel statement of fact!!!
Took in White Christmas: The Musical, at the Stanley last night. It was a wonderful production, energetic and spirited cast and ensemble. Terrific music, of course, and all of the choreography, tap-dancing atop a piano, per esempio, was just delightful, even thrilling. Everyone enjoyed it immensely. Took a bit of effort to get The Injured and Recovering Sisterhood to the theatre. Sarge drove Cora Lee and her Mom, as well as Flamin' and Nicole followed in her car with Dusty and I, dropping us off. Helped Cora Lee into her seat in "handicapped" section as she had use her "skateboard" while Sarge parked a block or so away. Nicole had found a spot shortly after she pulled away and called her Dad to let him know that she was offering Valet Service! Saving space until he arrived, she pulled out and he pulled in. Slick!!!
I walked over to Arts Club Box Office that afternoon to pick up tickets that Corinne had been able to exchange for seats that would allow her leg to be elevated. Usher was extremely helpful and provided two stiff, foam cushions to act as a foot rest. Funnily enough there was another young woman beside us with her leg in a boot. She had an injured achilles tendon but ultra-sound showed but a 25% tear so her dottore said she only had to wear it for two weeks. Unfortunately, Flamin' had to leave at the Intermission as she was in too much back pain, exacerbated, I suppose by having to sit through almost 90 minutes of Act I. Nicole came to fetch her so after the performance there was room for everyone in Sarge's vehicle. Dusty and I were pleased as otherwise we'd have had to walk home in the cold and the rain.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Dear Patrick,
Aren't you a special person to write me. AND Agneta one as well to ask!!
I have just started week 2. I was to use the same cream 2 times a day for 2 weeks in a row. I AM IN HIDING. MY FACE IS SO RED AND BLOTCHY THAT IT IS ALMOST PURPLE. Yes, it hurts. Stings and burns all the time. I take a paracetamol about every 4 hours.
I sure would like to put a cream on if I can. So that is nice to know.
I am committees to doing this for one more week. I am making it a "memorial" should I say to my late brother, who died of metastatic melanoma at the age of 49 at the peak of his career.
We were both life guards at a very early age and in the sun a lot.
Patrick, thank you for your encouraging words. SND THIS TOO SHALL PASS!
So glad to hear that yours was a great success! congrats!
Most sincerely, Sarah
OUCH!!!! I have 3days left. I think I told you I was to apply 2 x a day for2 weeks. Feels like a blow torch is on me all the time. Sleeping is very difficult.
I have a good cream that I will use today and see if it helps. I have gotten this far I amnotgoing to quit now. My doggies love the fact I am home more. They don't are how terrible i look!
Hi Sarah!
Pleased that you seem to be making progress with your face and side effects! Take it from me, I know what you are experiencing and your pictures certainly mirror what I went through. (See snap with Ragin' Bull at our July 1st Block Party this summer!) I don't normally like to "wish" my life away, in the sense of imagining that once exams, or a work assignment or something else will be over and done with and, as a result, everything will be better. However, I knew exactly how many treatments I had yet to undergo, checking them off mentally if not literally, on the calendar, and probably even dreamed about ending course of medication!!! Onward! Fight! Enjoy the rest of the holiday season, if not your treatment!!! Fondestos to a fellow sufferer and Cheers, Patrizio!
Words are timeless. You should utter them or write them with a knowledge of their timelessness. -Kahlil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (1883-1931)
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
A 16th century engraving by Martin Heemskerck
For every prohibition you create you also create an underground. -Jello Biafra, musician (b. 1958)
Hi Folks,
Just realized that we could pick up copies of the faces of your passports so that we can get the Australian visas prepared for you. (Assuming the passports are up to date!)
There is no charge. Charlie
Our passports are up-to-date BUT expire on July 18th, 2012, so we will obtain new ones. Does this make a difference as far as visas fro Australia are concerned? At any rate, we can discuss this tomorrow but I thought I'd let you know just in case it has some immediate bearing on process. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow. Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Big Al!
Stocking Stuffers for all the lawyers on your Christmas list! Cheers, Patrizio!
These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court,word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place...
____________________________________
Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July fifteenth.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.
Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years.
Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up
that morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.
Q. Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition
notice which I sent to your attorney?
A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
Judge: "Well Sir, I have reviewed this case and I've decided to
give your wife $775 a week".
Husband: "That's fair, your honor. I'll try to send her a few
bucks myself".
Q: Trooper, when you stopped the defendant, were your red and blue
lights flashing?
A: Yes.
Q: Did the defendant say anything when she got out of her car?
A: Yes, sir.
Q: What did she say?
A: What disco am I at?
______________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
______________________________ ______________
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
______________________________ _____________
ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter
has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do.
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes, voodoo.
___________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, "isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?"
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's twenty, much like your IQ.
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
___________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about 20, medium height, and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
___________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK?
What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And, Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
==============================================
And the best for last:
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No .
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
Hi Pat,
So mom is coming down on Saturday and it is definitely my turn to have you and Corrine (and Dusty and Clair if they are visiting) for bridge. Who is around and when are you available over the next couple of weeks? Let me know and if there are 4 of you I will try to see if Charlie and Suzanne can join us for a couple tables. Janet
Hello Long Lost Penguin!
Trust you and your Mom are fine. Terribly sorry that I have taken so long to reply but life has been a veritable whirlwind of social activity over last week or so. We'd love to come for bridge, (There are the four of us and I know Sarge would be interested if you need him.), so let us know what some possible times/dates might be and we'll take it from there. I believe were are free every evening this weekend, for a start. That might be too soon for you, however. Look forward to seeing you both when it suits. Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for the card and birthday wishes, and the same for you. Hope you have a great day!!
All the best, John.
Trust you and your Birthday Boy are fine. Thank you both for the birthday wishes! Much appreciated indeed! Look forward to seeing you both whenever we can mesh our busy schedules. Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year to you both and Tonio, from Cora Lee, Chloë, Clara, Dusty and Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Patrick:
Just wanted to wish you and Corinne a merry Xmas. Let us know if you are available for a Xmas drink. Lori
Daniel' and lori's Christmas open house
Wednesday december 21 , 2011 from 5:00pm until 9:00 pm
Please come for appys and drinks
Hi Rock Machine!
Thanks for invitation to your Open House on December 21st. Hope we can make it. (See below!) Must really apologize for having taken so long to reply but life has been a veritable whirlwind of social activity over last week and more, what with visitors and post-op blues!. These two events alone have kept us hopping, (literally, in Corinne's case), so to speak!
Thanks again for lovely invitation. I'm pretty sure we'll be able to attend, if only for a short time. WIll depend on how the Cnadian Patient is feeling. Nevertheless Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year to you and Daniello! Cheers, Patrizzio!
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