IIDD, Dec 27th

A writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution. -Jean-Paul Sartre, writer and philosopher (1905-1980) 

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

inwit

MEANING:

noun:
1. Conscience.
2. Reason, intellect.
3. Courage.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Old English inwit, from in + wit (mind, thought). Earliest documented use: 1230.

NOTES:

The word is usually seen as part of the phrase agenbite of inwit. Agenbite (remorse) is literally, again-bite, a variant of ayenbite, from ayen (again) + bite. James Joyce reanimated this ancient term back into the language when he used it in Ulysses.

USAGE:

"The Journals of Sylvia Plath may be intensely introspective, full of the agenbite of inwit, but they are just as intensely external, describing -- with an attentiveness one can't imagine in any male diarist -- food, furniture, hair, flowers, colours, and clothes."
Blake Morrison; Love at First Bite; Independent On Sunday (London, UK); Apr 2, 2000

Pat,

     Have either you or Corinne finished one of the books I loaned you. If so, I can pick it up at some time today. If not, it doesn't matter as I have the Kurt Wallender to start. Just finished Turn of Mind by Alice La Plante. It's her first novel. Quite brilliant in my opinion. You're welcome to have this also. Plenty of time available before return.

Ray

Hi Raymond!

Cora Lee will be finished with Field Grey in an hour or so. I'm quite enjoying Dead Zero but probably won't be finished until tonight. I do have a number of errands to run today so I can drop off the Kerr. Thanks for offer of Kurt Wallander but we have both read it. However, I think we'd both like to read Turn of Mind. I'll give you a shout when Her Majesty is finished with Bernie and see about popping by.

In terms of exchange, we have copies of first Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey and The Help. Watched the latter last night and it is very well done. Will probably go to see latest Sherlock tonight with Rosita and Flamin'. Chloë and Coriandre "had" to see it yesterday and said it was even better than first so looking forward to i.t  If you and/or Sylvia would care for either or both DVD's, I'll bring them along. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizio!


I can't wait to hear from Colin. Yes, please give me a call when you come down this way. Im not to far from the promenade. The power of the internet is amazing. I'm so grateful you mentioned Noreen and Rocky. Keep writing Patrick. You are creating magic! Thea I can't wait to hear from Colin

Hi Colin!

Trust you and Gail enjoyed a grand Christmas. We had a lovely chat with Noreen a few days before.

I gather Maya mentioned Thea to you. This is the latest from her:

I can't wait to hear from Colin. Yes, please give me a call when you come down this way. I'm not to far from the promenade. The power of the internet is amazing. I'm so grateful you mentioned Noreen and Rocky. Keep writing Patrick. You are creating magic! Thea I can't wait to hear from Colin

Cheers, Patrizzio! 

William Gibson at VPL Jan 25 

Put it on your calendars, gents:

http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitejanuary25
    
8^) cheers, Mark
Hello Lads!

I think Marcus Aurelius should become new NRBC Secretary since he seems to be better able to handle The Brotherhood's affairs than that layabout, ski-bum Whirlygig!

With respect to the coming festivities, we are spending New Year's Eve here, with Clara and Dusty and The Millionaires, off next day on an extended cruise of the South Pacific! We were all invited downstairs to celebrate with Clan Sutherland BUT all their offspring and their amores will be there so it will be too, too much for C/D, not to mention Coriandre and I and the Dawes. (See comment below.) Of course, we'll go down for drinks. After their dinner, Sutherland entourage will de-camp to The Granville Island Hotel for dancing until the New Year arrives. (A few years ago, pre-lottery win, Grog and Lurch went home at 10:30pm when the four couples, (C/D, F/S, C/P, G/L), had booked dinner/dancing for NY's Eve at GIH!)

We are hosting an Open House on the 1st so look forward to seeing some of the friends we've not seen in some time. Please pop by if free. If we don't see you until next gathering, Healthy New Year to everyone. Cheers, Patrizzio!

G'Day Pat,

Trust Christmas Day went well at the Island Inn!

We had a lovely day here; the temperature was forecast to reach 37C on
Christmas Eve so the decision was made to transfer Christmas lunch inside
rather than outside under the pergola. True to form a cool change came in
overnight and Christmas Day was a stunning 24C! It was too hard to reset
tables etc so we had pre dinner nibbles and drinks outside then present
giving and lunch inside followed by coffee and drinks back outside.

I spent most of Christmas morning in the car(s) picking up parents; Tina's
Mum in Tina's car because her knee is so bad that she can't climb into mine
- dropped her off at our house, picked up my car so that I could go down and
get my Mum and Dad - my car because Tina's car is too low for Dad to get out
of!

By the time I got back it was noon (I had left the house the first time at
10:00am!) and Bree, Mark and the two girls had arrived - the girls weren't
allowed to touch their presents until I got back so needless to say they
were more than happy to see me even it was for all the wrong reasons!

When we got the hot weather forecast Tina decided that we would have a cold
lunch rather than the traditional hot meal; started off with cold rice-paper
wrapped spring rolls (prawn for them chicken for me!) dipped in chilli and
lime sauce - deeelicious - then the main course of cold meats (ham on the
bone with one of Tina's special bastings, roast pork, rolled turkey breast,
apple and cranberry sauces), roast potatoes and carrots and beetroot and
mint salad - even more deeeeelicious!

For dessert Tina had made everybody individual Christmas puddings served in
brandy custard; just perfect for finishing off!

Earlier in the morning I had made two big jugs of Lasse (3 huge fresh
mangoes whisked in yoghurt and ice cubes) for everybody to have a starter
drink instead of egg-nog - it went down a treat especially with the little
girls who almost finished a jug themselves!

After lunch we all sat out in garden for coffee and tea and a general chill
out; the two girls played with their toys, my Mum and Tina's Mum sat and
talked - really good for my Mum as she rarely has contact with anybody now
that Dad is effectively housebound - , Dad sat and stared into space (he is
now at the stage of being unable or unwilling to initiate a discussion and
also tires very quickly without an afternoon nap), the rest of us just
chatted. Life was pretty good!

At around 4:00pm I took Mum and Dad to my sister's house so that they could
have dinner with her and their newest great granddaughter (Ava - 6 months
old - my sister Leonie's eldest daughter Amie's first child); spent an hour
catching up with them and my brother and his partner then home for a rest
before going over to Don and Anne's for dinner. They like us had had a busy
day so we were all more than happy to sit on their deck and have a quiet
drink and a chat.

By the time we took Tina's Mum home and got back to our house it was 10:30pm
so we were both pretty much pooped but it was a great day!

Did it snow in Vancouver for Christmas? Apparently it did at Sun Peaks.

The last two days here have been just about perfect weather wise; we have
done absolutely nothing except a quick trip to Harbour Town to the post
Christmas sales to buy some sneakers!

New Year's day is forecast to be 40C; celebrations with fire-works have been
banned because of the risk of bushfires so the seeing in of the New Year
will probably be a bit quieter this year! We don't have anything in
particular planned so will probably just catch up with Don and Anne for a
quiet tipple!

I will be over on the 20th Jan; as my flight gets to Vancouver at around
11:00am I think I will then fly directly to Kamloops rather than
overnighting in Vancouver - that way I get the travel over and done with in
the one day!

Tina will be over sometime after the 11th Feb - she is spending time with
Ayn in LA so I'm not sure whether she will catch up with you in Vancouver or
not - not even sure of when she's getting to Sun Peaks!

We'll leave Sun Peaks at the end of Feb and spend a day or two in Vancouver
before heading home - hope you will still be around so that we can see you
before we all meet in Adelaide!

Must go as we are about to take Bella (we're dog sitting Mark and Bree's
black lab) for a walk - once the dog hears the word 'walk' she gets a bit
impatient - typical female!

Talk again soon - have a great New Year Love to all Tina and Trevor 
Hi TNT!

Looking forward to seeing you, reasonably soon! Yien and Mike and their children arrive this coming Saturday. From dates you mention don't think you'll be able to connect. Too bad. We are hosting an Open House on the 1st so look forward to seeing some of the friends we've not seen in some time. Healthy New Year to you, Teens and Trev, as well as family. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Patrice,

 We hope all is well and you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. We are well and had an enjoyable time although it was of course a little odd having Gerry in hospital and all. he has improved a lot and will hopefully be getting out of there today.

 Thankyou for the double fisted painting! what a unique work of art that we will enjoy displaying especially during our drinking parties!! Was this something you aquired in Mexico?. We will talk soon ,and hopefully get out for a ride before long.

Take care, Al

Hi Marilyn and Big Al!

Glad to hear the Heraldo is on the mend and on the way home. Please pass along best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Pleased you liked the Two-Fisted Drinker. I bid on it a a charity auction, Fiesta for Literacy, in La Peñita, in late January, I believe. Wonderful affair. It's by a local artist and I was quite taken with it. So much so that it was a bit hard to part with but I thought that it couldn't go to a better home and set of friends than you two, enjoying the two Mexican communities as you did! This way it is still in the family, so to speak!!!

We are hosting an Open House on the 1st so look forward to seeing some of the friends we've not seen in some time. Please pop by if you are free. Rain has really put the kibosh on cycling and it doesn't look all that promising for coming week or so, either. I will take advantage of inclement weather to swim so must admit I'm not all that unhappy as I'm really enjoying being back in the water. Hope to see you on the 1st. Until then, Healthy New Year to you and Colleen and Jake and Jesse. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

thanks for this patrick.hope to see you on jan 1 

Hi Glasgow!

I knew that the mention of "ham" would get to you! Healthy New Year to you and Catherine and girls. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Snap: Cora Lee's "sausage" toe!

Word from Bob: Happy Holidays

wordfrombob.blogspot.com

Hi Everybody,

Please take a look at these initial postings if Snowy Owls or Saltspring Island might engage your interest. This is partly practice of course (having never had a blog till now), for the trip to Southeast Asia, which commences on January 23. I hope to add short videos too. If you are interested feel free to bookmark this or join the blog.

Otherwise, hope you are all enjoying the holidays. Best Wishes! bob

Hi Bob!

Wonderful blog! I'm already a follower! I hope to do much the same for our coming trip to Hong Kong/Oz/Japan, this March-May, and have already been posting since last April to become better able to use features. Hope to see you on the 1st. If not, then a Healthy New Year to you and Anna. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Dear Fagin,

Sorry for the delay in answering. We are just now back from the island. Had a very nice Christmas, my first outside Sweden with a mix of baby rave, hockey on TV, and peaceful conversations accompanied by expensive wines.

Thank you so much for your generous invitation to spend New Year's Eve at your place. Unfortunately, it collides with the arrival of our hosts from Campbell River, who have expressed a wish for celebrating that evening at the cabin. But we will be coming into town on Sunday, and the Open House might just be within our reach if everything goes according to our plan. Would be wonderful to see you. When is your house open? Would Anne and Ross be welcome, too (they are really nice people)?

Glad to hear about your shoulder, sorry to hear about your cold. If it's any comfort, I can tell you that I've had a cold for 17 days now, and my voice still cracks up in the evening, just in time for the really deep conversations.

Cheers, Scrooge

PS I have in the last six years bought five (!) flat screens of all sizes, three of which I have given away to Jane, Anna, and her mother respectively, and now I'm on the hunt for another one for Jane

Hi Scrooge!


Pleased to hear that you enjoyed a most pleasant Christmas.  Hope to see you on the 1st. Of course, Anne and Ross are more than welcome. Be delighted to meet them. Will probably start anytime after 3:00pm and go until last guest leaves. If your schedule won't allow you to pop by, however, then a Healthy New Year to you and Jane. Cheers, Fagin!


PS: Buona Fortuna stalking the Wild Flatsceen! Your hoarse voice should mimic its cry every time it's unplugged. Onward! Fight!! Spend!!!

Thanks so much Pat! Merry Christmas and all the very best in the New Year!
Warm regards to all, cheers colin

Colin James Sanders, MA, PhD (Candidate), Registered Clinical Counsellor
(RCC).

Director, M.A. Counselling Programs , City University of Seattle, Vancouver
BC, csanders@cityu.edu

Director, Metanoia Consulting, Vancouver, B.C.

Hi Colin!

Quite a story. I'll be curious to hear more about Thea when next we see you. We are hosting an Open House on the 1st so look forward to seeing some of the friends we've not seen in some time. Please pop by if you are free.

Rain has really put the kibosh on cycling and it doesn't look all that promising for coming week or so, either. I will take advantage of inclement weather to swim so must admit I'm not all that unhappy as I'm really enjoying being back in the water. Hope to see you on the 1st. If not, then a Healthy New Year to you and Gail. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Christmas morning and evening!
 

We hope you all had a good Christmas.

Sorry you have acquired the cold Patrick - not sure I agree with your swimming prescription. My cold  has finally cleared up .

Spoke at length to Ray the other day on Skype and Sylvia briefly. Not sure what Ray was doing on hands and knees in front of the fire. Looks in good condition to me despite your training regime.

Christmas Eve

I tried to persuade everyone to watch Alistair Sim as Scrooge but that was shouted down and we slummed with an old episode of Only Fools and Horses( not a good one) and even worse I was introduced to a series called the "Inbetweeners". I assume it will not pass the Canadian regulatory authorities- I am told by Ed that unfortunately it is representative of the sixth form in our comprehensive schools. I shall not be tempted to watch the Queen's Christmas message nor the Archbishop of Canterbury's.

Christmas Day 

Richard, my son and I have just been for a run- abbreviated on my part due to known lack of running fitness. Ridiculously warm and bright for mid winter. Ed our son-in-law arrived with his broken ankle and Laura(zeugma?) who is now 15 weeks pregnant about which we are all excited. This could have serious implications on our movements but of course not ones we regret.

Ed would have loved to have been running with us so it was a bit mean on our part rubbing in his disability. With this, our normal trip to the Lakes for Christmas walking was ruled out.

I am awaiting the serving of Christmas lunch. The young ones and I got out to a pub/restaurant last night for a couple of drinks - it was heaving and with a good atmosphere. I have to confess to being out with Chris and Rich the previous night too to a village pub nearby. 

Watched Christmas edition of Downton Abbey. Worth watching and good reviews. Better than second series in most opinions. Series getting some criticisms for historical inaccuracies- wrong shooting clothes, yellow lines on road, tv aerials and apparently servants were even more subservient and "dirtier".  A relief to watch after several episodes of  "The inbetweeners" .

Boxing Day

My sister, mother and brother-in law arrived with my mother and Christmas presents. Seven of us at Wetherby Races- over the jumps and hurdles ( the horses not us) where everyone lost money except moi who refuses to bet.  Our mothers stayed at home and chatted to each other. Jeff gets car ( Mercedes) stuck in mud requiring several locals to extricate them- I walked back- how self righteous can one get.

I am introducing the family to your musings especially the Christmas message from the Island Inn- which I found very amusing. 

Had the usual friendly disagreement with sister about various aspects of religion-her having been to church on Christmas morning.

Dec 27

Walked to Boston Spa ( 4 miles) through the fields with Rich and Laura where we met Chris and her mother for coffee. Then Rich dragged me our onto Spofforth golf course for 9 holes where clearly my lack of playing in 2011 seemed to have helped. Weather again unusually warm but course a bit wet.

Initiated my new social membership of Wetherby Golf Club in the evening with Rich and Chris over a couple of pints of real ale.

Things slowly getting back to normal with Laura and Ed back to Newcastle, taking Chris' mother back to Hartlepool, prior to their visiting his mother in Northampton although Rich joined by golfing friends later today.

Will return to bed now and hope to get back to sleep.

Best wishes for 2012 for everyone at the Inn. Jim and Christine

Hi Chris and Jim!


Not overly pleased to learn that you, Jim, are turning into a publican or a golfer, or, even worse, both! I knew all those latte stops would have a deleterious effect. On the other hand, am very pleased you enjoyed such a grand family Christmas in spite of missing out on Alistair Sim. I would have voted with you in spite of your slip-sliding ways!!! Thanks for the diary style entries but I think you need to expand into the essay format, Boy! Onward! Swot!!! "It's 'im wot did it!", just isn't good enough for an "inbetweener"!  

Rain has really put the kibosh on cycling and it doesn't look all that promising for coming week or so, either. I will take advantage of inclement weather to swim so must admit I'm not all that unhappy as I'm really enjoying being back in the water, in spite of your reservations, Dottore!


Popped by to deliver some books to Raymondo this afternoon and had a pleasant chat with him and Sylvia, munching on a piece, (Rather a small slice, I am forced to admit!), of the wonderful Christmas cake! Conversation was a tad forced, unfortunatley, as he couldn't seem to get up off the floor in front of the fireplace! Droppe doff two DVD's, first Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey and The Help. We watched the latter last night and it is very well done. Jackson, Mississippi, in the early '60's. Wonderful period piece, (cars, clothing, hair styles, etc.), aside from racial issues, the core of the book/film. Certainly worth seeing, as far as I'm concerned.


This afternoon took in the just released, second Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Sequel is even better than first. Both are terrific fun. Flamin' and Prince Valiant and his squeeze, Megan, were along, as well as Rosita, so we had a blast. Time to help Coriandre ready herself for bed so will sign off for now. All the best and a Healthy New Year to you and Christine and family. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!