Any daughter that has left the nest qualifies as "The Favourite"!
Quite enjoyed your "traditional" Mata Hari/Femme Fatale haircut. This seductive, come hither pose, hiding behind a partial mask of dark hair, seems to have become your image, of late! You Tinsel Towners are always looking for the distinctive, photogenic signature which announces you and only you to your adoring public!
Great shots of Los Horridos in all their chronological iterations. Yes, it all started at Hotel Kits in the red tub! Has Jasper arrived?
To keep The Sisterhood in the Information Loop, here is a recap of latest Island Inn round of activities:
Been quite busy again, over last week or so. Helped my friend Imre with buying a TV, a week ago Tuesday. He has had some phone trouble so had to stay in his apartment until technician arrived. We chatted on Monday night and he said he would call me as soon as line trouble was resolved. I had looked at prices for a 19" screen, size he said he wanted, (Required that size to fit on a particular shelf.), online at Costco, Best Buy and London Drugs. Turned out that London Drugs had the best deal. At any rate, I phone him every half hour from 10:00am until 1:30pm, the line busy each time. At first I assumed that the problem had not been addressed but finally decided to drive over to his place.
En route I thought that I might as well simply pick up the Toshiba which was on sale for $149.99 as he had mentioned during our conversation that he didn't particularly care about a given make. Stopped at the new store on Vine and Broadway and within 15 minutes I was in and out with set.
When I arrived at Imre's apartment, he was slightly embarrassed as he had been talking on the phone all the time! Longest call had been to his sister, Julia, in Hungary. We've met her a number of times and she is a lovely person. I wasn't at all upset. In fact I was pleased. (Not sure if I have mentioned this or not, in earlier emails, but Imre is suffering from terminal multiple myeloma so it is a very difficult situation for his sisters and brothers, all of them in Hungary.) Nevertheless, I explained that perhaps he might wish to consider a slightly larger screen and he said that both Julia and the Shaw technician had suggested he opt for a 31" screen so he asked if I'd mind returning the 19".
Of course I was more than glad to do that so returned to London Drugs and picked up a 32" Samsung. Back to Imre's and within a few minutes had it set up, (but 8 small screws to attach screen to stand), not on his shelving unit but on another piece of furniture which worked very well. Unfortunately, could not manage to obtain any signal in spite of following instructions for various input plugs. We called Shaw but hat was nothing but an exercise in frustration. Had to wait for ages to finally be connected to a human and then once we were patched through to Technical Support line went dead shorty after I described problem to technician! I had to leave by then so left Imre to call back.
Lugging his old set out to my car was no easy matter as it was both awkward and heavy to carry. In comparison, the 19" flat screen was a as light as a feather and the 32" unit wasn't much more difficult to handle. Anyway, I managed to haul the ungainly television to where my car was parked without any real problems/diffiuclties with fire/elevator doors and more slippery outside steps than I would have wished for . By this time it was raining heavily and there were puddles everywhere so I had to zig-zag to avoid the pools of water flooding the large patio entranceway to the building and my vehicle.
Once the set was safely loaded in the back seat, I stopped at the BC Liquor Store close by to pick up a case of Canta Perdices, 2008 Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 14%, $15.99. Had not had it before last Saturday when I took a bottle to Ragin's Birthday party. I bought it on speculation, before Christmas, as I'd not seen it before. Was simply overwhelmed by it and was hoping I'd be able to find
more of it as I couldn't remember where I bought it. As it turned out, once I looked on the BC Liquor site that it was fairly readily available.
Back home I had a bite to eat. Cora Lee was at a church meeting. The new minister, Beth Hayword, a lovely individual, had picked her up to take her to Presbytery, so I was all alone. After my "overlefts" I vacuumed, (Manservant Duties 101!), and just after I'd put hose away, Sarge came by to tell me that we'd need to take my car to curling rink as Flamin' was out with their vehicle. We made our way to VCC and parked on the street and as we walked to the club we bumped into the team that we were to play that evening, Team Jung. They were the first team we played at the start of the season and they beat us! Sarge was not very happy as we had never lost to them before. While they are not overly accomplished curlers, everyone played extremely well and they certainly deserved to beat us.
Nevertheless, Sarge was determined to seek revenge this time out and, in fact, we dominated the entire match. We scored 4 in the first end, then stole 2, 1, and finally 3 in the fourth. Down 10/0 they threw in the towel and shook hands, dispirited but good losers. Since the beginning of the season our team has really coalesced and everyone is curling well. Given each individual's level of skill, Sarge is very adept at asking each player to make shots which he knows, more or less, that they are capable of executing. This has enabled us to exert quite a bit of pressure on our opposition with consistent winning results. Anyway, it was fun, not simply to win but to feel pleased about out team work.
My swimming continues to go well. On Wednesday I was able to do 3.25 miles and did shave off a few minutes for each mile so was pleased to see that my form seems to be improving, even if slowly. Still, this exercise seems to be helping my shoulder so am grateful for that. Doesn't seem to ache quite as much on longer rides, per esempio. Hit the pool again, this afternoon, and was able to log 3.25 miles so am delighted with my progress. Only thing I really need to do is to start my swim earlier in the day. When I was still working at UBC and weather permitted, I'd cycle in to pool for 7:30am, before starting at Library. Need to become more disciplined now so that I can do somewhat the same at the Aquatic Centre. If I arrive there around 7:00am I would be able to log my three miles, (my benchmark for now), before noon and then have more of the day to devote to other activities. I might even be able to entertain stopping for lunch with Ragin' in Steveston!
That evening we were invited to celebrate Robbie Burns' Day with former colleague, Jo-Anne Naslund, and her husband Colin. Since they had actually had a Robbie Burns dinner on Saturday, we were only ones that evening. Rather nice as we could chat over the course of the entire evening, something we wouldn't have been able to do quite as easily if others were present. Traditional dinner consists of leek soup followed by Haggis with Bashed Neeps and Champit Tatties mashed turnip and mashed potatoes. Everything was delicious but I would have enjoyed some hot sauce for haggis as it is quite bland. Cora Lee would have loved some of Clara's ripe tomatoe pickle, for same reason, but we didn't want to offend our hosts!
I had brought along a bottle of the Canta Perdices, 2008 Tempranillo, mentioned above, and this powerful, earthy wine went perfectly with heavy haggis. The flavours are big and meaty, dark berry fruit with a lasting, modulated acidic bite on the finish to balance the fat of the haggis. Everyone seemed to like the wine. Dessert was a scrumptious trifle and we toasted the Bard with a few drams of Lark Distillery's Single Malt, from Tasmania. Friends Tina and Trevor, from Adlaide, brought me a bottle a number of years ago so thought I'd share it with Colin as he is a fan of malt whiskey as well. Was even more pleased with it this time as I hadn't remembered its notes of cedar and oak, with a twist of orange peel and then butterscotch and vanilla on the finish. Jo-Anne and Cora Lee were quite impressed and the tipple helped Her Majesty to effect a "controlled slide" down the back porch steps, on her Royal Bottom, when we left later that evening!
With respect to the Island Inn Rehab Ward, as Manservant to her Liege Ladyship, I still have a heavy number of unpaid chauffeuring commitments to discharge, even though Her Ladyship was able to start weight bearing this past Friday! Unfortunately, for me, she now has use of the Royal Cane with which to beat me soundly about my hunched shoulders/withers! Nevertheless, my imposed obligations are still fairly onerous and she keeps finding ways to order me about with but the flick of a royal finger, the practiced ease of a haughty aristocrat! (Parenthetically, on my sorely begrudged half-day off saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, US version, last Thursday afternoon, with Glasgow, and enjoyed it immensely. Still like the Swedish films but feel that this remake is very, very good. Not something that I had expected, to tell you the truth.)
On the cycling front, Robo Ray and I did our usual Stanley Park jaunt, last Friday, meeting friend, Kjell, on the West Van side of Lions Gate. (He is probably about 6'4" and is quite uncomfortable about riding over LG, fearing, so he says, of being blown over railing!) At any rate, we made our to Travers and Marine Drive and then back to his place, near Tatlow and Marine. Kjell has not been riding much of late so he didn't want to attempt Seymour, as I had first suggested when we rendezvoused. At any rate, after we waved goodbye, Raymundo and I made our back towards LG and discovered a very pleasant, freshly surfaced bike trail which we followed back to the bridge. At some point it skirts the Capilano Reserve of the Squamish First Nation. Not sure how far it goes to the east but will investigate on our next ride in this vicinity. From looking a some cycling maps, think that it might go as far along the north side of Welch Street and West 1st Street from Pemberton Avenue to MacKay Avenue. Eventually, I gather, "The Spirit Trail will be a unique, waterfront-oriented, multi-use and fully accessible greenway that will provide pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters and people with wheeled mobility aids access across the North Shore, from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove."
For the present, however, it makes a wonderful addition to our North Shore ride and we had logged almost 40km by the time we were headed back over LG. Weather was superb and sun even graced us by peeking out from behind the clouds as we made our way downhill from Prospect Point. At bottom, I asked Robo Ray if he fancied another loop of the Seawall but he declined. he has not been riding much since snow and nasty weather have prevented much sustained cycling and felt his legs were tired. This being the case, I accompanied him to Macdonald and Point Grey and then, waving goodbye, made my way back towards Science World. I wanted to stop at Tru-Value Optical on Ash and Broadway to collect another receipt for new glasses I had purchased last August. (Couldn't seem to find original and needed it to submit a claim to our Pacific Blue Cross plan, along with physio charges I'd amassed last fall before seeing shoulder specialist. Had waited to submit former as our vision allowance didn't kick in until 2012.) Was pleased to pull up to storefront with 75.33km on my trusty odometre!!!
Home by just before 4:00pm so it was a pretty lengthy ride, chronologically speaking, as we left Harbour Terrace at 11:00am. Slow but sure!! Still, I was delighted to have been able to enjoy the wonderful day. The temperature was truly pleasant and I didn't realize until I took off my cycling togs that I hadn't been wearing the vest that I usually put on for extra warmth/wind protection, over my two long-sleeved undershirts. Had fully intended to wear it as forecast indicated that it was to be cool and windy. Not so at all. (As an aside, I had a brief telephone chat with my brother-in-law, George, in Manitoba, yesterday afternoon, and he harangued me, as he is wont to do, about how inexpensive it is to live at Falcon Lake, property values/taxes, etc., compared to Vancouver. I just laughed at him and asked if he could cycle in January, dressed as I had been, without even socks!)
On Saturday we celebrated Clarisse's 87th birthday. I had picked up tenderloin steaks at Costco on Thursday evening and Sarge cut them up on Friday evening so that we could marinate them. Dusty did his famous twice-baked potatoes and Clara her delicious turnip puff. Cora Lee and I prepared twice baked cauliflower and Chloë whipped up a tangy dressing for the Ceasar salad I threw together just before we sat down to eat. Flamin' and sarge brought a host of wonderful cheeses along with melt-in-your-mouth bite-sized quiche. We started with a Clava, Casablanca, 2009 Sauvignon Balnc, 12.5%, and I was delighted as I'd not tasated it before. Once again, had purchased it on spec before Christmas. Lovely colour, pale gold with a bit of green, grapefruit with a bit of grass and spice, reminding me of Rancho Sisquoc's of years gone by. Sutherlands had brought a Black Hills, Oliver, 2008 Chardonnay, 14.1%. A sumptuous, complex wine indeed. Apple, pear and lemon citrus on the palate with great acidity and subtle notes of butterscotch on the finish. Only bad thing I can say about the wine is that Dusty liked it so much there was not enough for anyone else!!!
Clara started on a bottle of Layer Cake, 2010, Malbec, Mendoza, 14.6%, (I'd bought it earlier that day at Liberty on GI as it is one of her favourites.), and I know why. Spicy nose, with black pepper, powerful cherry and blackberry flavors on the palate, downright jammy with a pleasing, long, long finish. Not sure if you know it or not but "in addition to Malbec, Layer Cake also produce Cabernet, Primitivo, Cotes du Rhone, and Shiraz, all from different regions of the world. Jayson Woodbridge is the force behind Layer Cake. He’s also the owner of Hundred Acre wines, a high-end wine label based in Napa that sells wines starting at about $250 a bottle. Each Layer Cake wine is grown, made, bottled and labeled in its country of origin before being shipped to the US."
By chance, Flamin' and Sarge brought a Layer Cake, 2010 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 14.1%, an extremely well-balanced wine, just short of a fruit bomb, fresh blueberries, blackberries and cherries, dark and dense, pepper and dark chocolate. This is certainly an inky Shiraz with a long, lingering finish. Decided to put up a local against these two impressive reds and decided upon a La Frenz, Naramata Bench, 2006 Merlot, 13.5%. Not disappointed by any stretch of the imagination as one finds aromas of dark fruits and chocolate on the nose, cassis and coffee on the palate. Again, a very balanced wine with well-structured tannins and a nice lingering, satisfying finish.
Just sat down to eat when Rebecca and Corey joined us for the meal. They had both been working and were planning on stopping by to say hello anyway so we simply set two more places. (Chloë had been working until 8:00pm so she wished her Grandmother all the best beore she dashed off to Maya's birthday party.) All in all, a delightful meal with some quite impressive wines, not to mention the delicious food. For dessert I had ordered a strawberry mousse cake, (Cora Lee could eat everything but the bottom layer.), from the bakery at the Pacific Culinary Institute, just at the entrance to GI, under the bridge, just before the Seawall), so we sang For She's A Jolly Good Fellow before Rosie blew out the candles. Only had three, an 8 and a 5 with an upside down 5 as we didn't have a 2!
Guests left at around 11:00pm as it had been a full evening. I put on the dishwasher and settled Her Majesty in bed before turning in myself, to read a few chapters of Winter in Madrid. Wonderful way to end a truly wonderful day! Fondestos, Love and Cheers, to all my favourite Goils!!! Dad/Patrizzio!
Putting things in perspective
You are on quite a ride ..... turn up the
sound. It's not over till it asks if you want to view
again.
This clever piece originated in
Australia . It is so very well done most folks don't realize how
much info he is sharing! Just click on the link below..... Speakers
on. Photos by NASA.
Enjoy your
journey!
Hi Big Al:
Quite enjoyed NASA's inter-galatic journey so thought you might want to take a look at the following advantages of group travel back here on Earth!
http://www.youtube.com/v/gBnvGS4u3F0?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/LuVPnW0s3Vo?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
P,
We will plan for you to join us at the next tourney which is likely to be
the Wrightson next fall. That would be a lot of fun. Maybe we could plan
some riding in the area -- apparently Portland is the most bike friendly
city in North America. Charlie's brother in law, just retired last week, was
describing some local rides that sound divine.
The hardware was a little tricky, yes, as it was hanging out of windows and
doors but it was a foil for the real contraband. We were more concerned
about the growler of GF beer I bought for Cobby from the Deschutes Brew pub.
For once they never asked about booze.
3.25 miles on the wing -- wow! That is an unbelievable comeback. Why not
3.33 miles?
I have a broken rear derailleur cable that I will get fixed today --
somehow. My mechanic, Jake the Snake, is a little hard to pin down.
Let's plan a ride tomorrow. It looks like the weather is going to be good.
Let me know what time works for you. My Wednesday is open at the moment but
for a pick up of the MT at 3PM. I guess I could be accused of faginism --
aiding and abetting the MT. W
Wrightson with rides to boot, sounds fab! However, if you continue to rake in the hardware, sandbagging as seems to be your collective wont, of late, perhaps you should be taking a U-Haul to Portland! That way we could carry bikes down and not risk a ticket for and obscured license plate! Any Duty Free malt make it back?
I am, as you might well know, a tad distressed about the 3.25 miles as opposed to the 3.33 mark but Big Molly has yet to come up with a waterproof odometre which can withstand pressure on the pool bottom. Once that is strapped to my wrist I'll be able to fine tune distance to the exact .33!
Sorry to hear about your mechanical problem. For my part, I just had my nagging, recurring chain skipping rectified. Turned out that the rear fender was so attached that it was actually acting as a conduit for all the grit and such picked up by the wheel and funneled everything onto some part of the shifting mechanism which then caused that not to operate as it should. With fender moved there is no build-up and I can now ride up Seymour, upside down, backwards and in high gear!
Robo Ray probably won't want to leave much before 10:00am, if he is able to ride at all. We'll have to quiz him about his nefarious past, à propos, "A fagin crook led a gang of young thieves stealing valuable bikes to order across Tyneside." His hometown of Harlepool. He was probably the Enforcer!!!
You may well be guilty of faginism but The Sisterhood follows another character from Dickens, namely Mr Micawber:
"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery."
Forecast suggests showers early tomorrow morning so anytime after 9:00am should work, depending on the peletonieri! "Not to put too fine a point upon it,." (Thanks again, Mr Micawber), let me know your thoughts. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Hi Champagne!
Speed bridge with just the six of us sounds terrific. However, beware, we had two tables of bridge at the Carter's yesterday evening and I was overall high player, by miles!!!! Watch out!!!
Hi Patrizio!
First of all, got the passport pages so will go forth and execute the Ozzie visa.
As for the bridge, if you are asking in a roundabout way, we can certainly exclude you from winning any prizes because of your fabulous bridge skills.
Now about the wine and food. It will be very difficult for us to recreate all the expensive wines poured and food eaten but will try our best. No snow in sight so should be safe for everyone getting through all the walkways to our place. We'll keep the light on....CC
Hi again, Champagne!
We'll probably give you a call on Thursday to let you know what time to light the candle. Since we'll be travelling in a group we won't have to worry even if it snows!!! Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Hi Patrick,
Thanks
for your usual brief summary of your day's activities and the attached
family pictures. Everybody but you and Chloe are included. Poor
Corinne didn't seem to be smiling - was it because you were displeasing
her, or is her infirmity getting her down? It must be tough for her to
be cooped up.
I'm
on a jaunt to Chile, reviewing yet another mega copper project. We
saved the client about $100 million this morning in a brainstorming
session so it was reasonably productive. I'd like to go home now but
still have to make a site visit. It hasn't been figured out yet whether
it can be done in one day by a helicopter visit (the site is just over
the border in Argentina, west of San Juan) or whether I get stuck with
flying into Mendoza and driving forever, stretching the ordeal to 4
days! Yuk! I only need about 2 hours to see the site. Hopefully the
former so I can get home to Lynnie sooner.
Lynne
and I attended a Robbie Burns dinner with the SOWTS a week ago Sunday
night. It was a great event. We tasted 9 whiskys, with me as one of
the two pourers for the approximately 100 people. My pouring partner
and I were able to pour 1/2 oz shots so successfully that we were able
to give everybody a good taste from the 2 bottles of each whisky. The
final four bottles were from Glenfarclas, with a sixth generation of the
owner Grant family serving as the tasting master. He had lots of good
stories of his adventures as a worldwide whisky salesman. The
15-year-old cask strength was the best of the Glenfarclases. Attached
are some shots of the Glenfarclas distillery.
All for now, Pedro
Hello Naramata Benchers!
Glad you enjoyed the condensed version of the Island Inn Daily Diaries. I knew that the succinctness would appeal to you and your jet-set, whirlwind life, JDP. Speaking of which, perhaps you should think about travelling with a group on your latest junket:
http://www.youtube.com/v/gBnvGS4u3F0?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/LuVPnW0s3Vo?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
Sent these shorts along to our travel agents. We are playing bridge with them this coming Friday so will ask for a discount on our next flight!!!
Just read the The Sisters Brothers. Do you know about it? "The novel follows the siblings – Eli and Charlie – as they wend their way toward San Francisco through the boomtowns and detritus of the gold rush. They’ve been commissioned by the mysterious Commodore to kill Hermann Warm, a prospector who has wronged him in some undetermined way. They’ve killed for less." Enjoyed it immensely. Am currently reading An Impartial Witness, third in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford Mysteries:
"Tending to the soldiers in the trenches of France during the First World War, battlefield nurse Bess Crawford is sent back to England in the early summer of 1917 with a convoy of severely burned men. One of her patients, a young pilot, has clung to a photograph of his wife since his plane went down, and Bess can’t help but notice the photo every time she tends to him. After the patients are transferred to a clinic in Hampshire, Bess is ready for her two-day leave, planning to return to her flat in London to catch up on some much-needed rest. But at the railway station, in a mob of troops leaving for the front, Bess catches a glimpse of a familiar face. Could that be the pilot’s wife? And why is she bidding a very emotional farewell to a soldier who is not her husband?
Back in France, Bess discovers an old newspaper with a drawing of the woman’s face on the front page. Accompanying the drawing is a plea from Scotland Yard looking for information from anyone who has seen her. The woman was murdered-the very day Bess saw her at the terminal. Granted leave to visit Scotland Yard to report what she knows, Bess soon finds herself on the search for a devious and very dangerous killer-a search that will put her own life in jeopardy."
Same time period as latest Downton Abbey, of course. Not quite as hard-boiled as I'd like but enjoy the female protagonist and her nursing perspective. Brilliant literary detective device, I think.
I'm sure that you learned how to pour such niggling amounts of malt at home as Sarge remarked that he barely had a taste of anything you offered! I told him there was a reason for "Light" in your last name!!! "Light all the time," I beleive is how he put it. However, did enjoy the snaps of Glenfarclas. I do like their Cask Strength. Dynamite, so to speak!!!
Buona Fortuna with the chopper ride. Return safely too your art photographer wife. I gather that she will be doing poster for next Naramata wine event now that she is doing with a camera what Group of Seven did with canoes and paintbrushes! "Red Delicous" is already an iconic Okanagan image. Great that we can say, "We knew her when! When she used to collapse into her plate at the dinner table!"
Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio
Good morning Patrick,
Nice to hear from you.
And yes! The last book I read on the subject of internet card theft was indeed by Misha Glenny. Would this happen to be the same Misha that is a member of our little group? I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Very informative and I highly recommend it.
I have yet to see the Americanized versions of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. And I probably won't. I thought the Swedish versions were so well done that I want to keep that memory alive. i have also been told that the US version has a changed ending. I don't think I would like that too much. Plus the Lisabeth Salandar of the Swish versions fit my mental image to a T. So changing that image for me would be wrong. But I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the newer version.
I will certainly keep you posted on the VPL event. In truth I have not paid much attention to it since you registered me for the event. I will start paying closer attention once the date gets a little closer and I need to start figuring out what to wear, etc. Hopefully the event does not get cancelled due to low numbers, as the email from the organizing committee says that if numbers are low, the event would not go. Were there many people at the event when you went to register?
Sounds like you have been keeping busy between biking and looking after Her Majesty. I wish I could say the same, but alas I have been swimming and trying to run whenever I can. Trouble is I seem to have come down with a case of the laziess and need to get motivated again. Perhaps when the weather turns nice I'll be back on the bike and back running more frequently. At the moment all I seem to be doing is eating, swimming, and trying not to gain weight. Definitely not a good combination.
Alas Patrick I am looking at my clock and it is registering 8:34am. High time that I started doing some work around this place to pay for my upkeep!
Oh, before I forget, yes. I have never been to Australia before. So by all means, any suggestions you have would be appreciated.
Hope you have a great day,..Dave
Hi Titanium Man, or should it be Treacle Man, given your recent spate of Relative Indolence!
Not the same Misha as in the NRBC. Be terrific if it was as he is a fascinating individual, not that our Misha isn't, of course. Be happy to share any of our experiences/suggestions to do with Australia. Speaking of which, perhaps you should think about travelling with a group on your latest junket:
http://www.youtube.com/v/gBnvGS4u3F0?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/LuVPnW0s3Vo?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1
Sent these shorts along to our travel agents. We are playing bridge with them this coming Friday so will ask for a discount on our next flight!!!
Personally, I think the US Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is just as close to original as Swedish film. Some differences of course but nothing that changes, for the worse, either book or original film.
Sorry, but I have no idea about the registration for VPL event. I'd call to inquire. I hope it does go forward as I'm curious to know what you think about experience. I'd certainly attend if I was interested in meeting people. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Project Yosemite Website: projectyose.com
Hi Kids!
Not sure if you've seen this but was reminded of your driftwood tree, Donna Florida and Cactus!
Project Yosemite Website: projectyose.com
Yosemite in HD
From The Big Wild, founded by Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS): This stunning time-lapse video of Yosemite reveals the full wonder of colour and landscapes that belongs to this US national park.
Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Chloë!
Thought that you might enjoy this snap, given your recent visit to the Aquarium! From Big Wild, the MEC online eco-newsletter. Love, Dad!
I am
in Taipei, ensconced in a cozy room with toilet/shower in a famous old
district of the city known for its night market, a long alley of shops
and food stands crowded with shoppers and gawkers every evening of the
week, not 30 feet from my front door. Tonight I went for a stroll and
ended up eating a large bowl of rice with meat sauce and a plate of
stir-fried spinach (somewhat spoiled by a sickly sweet sauce, in the
Taiwanese style - note to self: no sauce next time, thanks), eaten at a
folding table with other shoppers, squatting on a stool just off the
main shopping lane -- cost of dinner 60 NT dollars (US$2), then added
half an Asian pear, already peeled and sliced, for another 30. Did stop
at the 7-11 next door for a chocolate bar and a Lemon-flavored Smirnoff
Vodka Ice (to help me sleep), which I will never make the mistake of
doing again - tastes like medicine one would feed to a child. Not an
altogether satisfying meal, but can't beat the price. Earlier in the
day I treated my former student Tyler to a lunch at a Western-style
coffee house, with a roasted chicken / red pepper panini and iced
coffee, at a more Western cost of 395 each (US$11). But the ambience
was pleasant and the food unexpectedly good. The student Tyler, a
former football player who has lost his lineman girth and now looks lean
and muscular, with a pleasant Dunnish face and endearing goatee, has
been here now a year and a half, teaching English to small children to
make ends meet (he is paid 600 per hour, about US$20, which covers his
rent and food, and some modest savings, teaching 20-25 hours per week.
He was meeting me partly to request a letter of recommendation to a
Master's degree program at National Chengchi University, where I will
also be a visiting scholar in its Institute of Comparative Religions.
He hopes to start that in the fall, and complete it in three years,
with thesis (which can be written in English). The professors there are
all Chinese, but PhD's in the US and England, all know Dan Overmyer and
I have known all of them (or 3 of them anyway) for a number of years.
In fact, Dan spent a year with them here in the 90s.
I will split my time with a university
in southern Taiwan, 2 hours by vitesse train (used to take 4-5 hours),
in Ruth's hometown of Tainan -- in fact, the university is her alma
mater, and I look out from my window on a pleasant green featuring huge
banyan trees over a century old, where Ruth has photos from her college
days. She and the kids visited last time I was there, two years ago,
and we have a wonderful photo of Ruth leaning against the massive trunk
of one of the trees in a pose she held as a college girl (much more
alluring and attractive now, in my opinion). That university is my
formal host, and they are arranging all my working papers and will pay
me a reasonably good salary, though the "Chinese way of doing things"
does not include letting me know in advance how much I will be paid!
But I am sure it will be "enough" at least to cover my expenses here,
including travel back and forth to home (I'll return for one trip the
first two weeks of May to help with the Dallas move and to attend
Miranda's college graduation).
I'll go down there next week, and spend
this week just getting acclimated, getting my visa taken care of, and
planning my courses and book project - one reason I did all this is so
that I can lead a hermit life and write, write, write, emerging just for
the classes I'll be teaching (though I must admit that I plan to spend
some weekends exploring - I love the scenery of Taiwan, especially in
the mountains). Today was one of those days, as I spent a good four
hours just walking, so that I could get my bearings and see what the
neighborhood has to offer. I walked several miles and got the feel of
this part of the city.
Yes, the move to Dallas is daunting,
but also exciting. We made two trips up there over the holidays, one
with the kids and the second on our own, and we started a favorites list
of condos and townhouses that appeal to us, in a trendy "uptown" part
of the city with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants, both walking and
dog friendly. I will be the commuter, and have already arranged my
Trinity schedule to teach only Tuesdays through Thursdays, though I will
have some meetings on Mondays or Fridays -- so, 3 to 4 days in Dallas
every weekend. Whether I drive or fly remains to be seen - there are
advantages and disadvantages to both. One of Ruth's colleagues makes
the drive every week in the reverse direction (her husband wanted to
remain in San Antonio as well) -- and does it by getting on the road by 4
AM. I may try that myself. We'll see.
But we do look at this as a new
adventure, and we are both excited by the cultural opportunities that
Dallas has to offer. There are financial incentives as well, including
AT&T buying our house -- a big perk in a down market. We are
certainly ready to downsize, and these three months now that Ruth is
home alone, she is feeling the place is too empty for her and our two
dogs. But we will survive the separation, I'm sure, though I do feel
guilty for leaving her. But it was "time" for me to return to Asia for a
good period, the last time being in 2003 (with some trips of 2-4 weeks
in the interim).
Tomorrow I am going to get started on
writing, after meeting another former student for lunch, an ambitious
young lad who plans to learn all of Chinese culture in two years.
Greetings to Corinne and to Dusty and Clara, and thanks for your always entertaining reports. Randy
I guess I had forgotten that you were going on sabbatical to Taiwan, Professor Long Hair. Quite enjoyed your descriptions, the local fare, cityscapes, travel, academic milieu and banyan tree with "I Luv Ruth" carved into its trunk! I envy you your relative freedom from the Yoke of The Sisterhood. Had a bit of a kerfuffle in the Royal Kitchen an hour or so ago. Her Majesty, not being used to food preparation of any kind, managed to burn a serving of microwave popcorn, sending clouds of noxious smoke billowing throughout the place. It's a wonder that the fire detectors weren't set off! Chloë happened to arrive shortly after the "incident" and had to put on one of the WWI gas masks we happen to have for such emergencies! Even Maggie hightailed it for the patio though it was raining and rather chilly. I suppose she abhors the foul smoke more than the wet! Her Regalness sat in her armchair, swathed in capes and blankets while the airing was in progress, pointedly ignoring everyone and everything said. She was definitely not amused, her distemper exacerbated by her inability to have yet formulated the argument which would put the blame for the fiasco squarely on Her Manservant's shoulders!!!
Will be driving Her Majesty in the Royal Carriage to her second physio appointment at 4:00pm this afternoon, near Plaza of Nations, across the street from BC Place. While The Royal Foot is being prodded and pushed, manipulated and iced, I have been instructed to run a few errands. Need to pick up a number of items at Home Depot and/or Canadian Tire, as well as return recyclables to Go Green. I'm allowed to keep the empty bottles of Bombay Sapphire Gin which Her Dipsomaniacness has been downing at an alarming rate, recently.
Before I forget, how is Dana? I suppose you will insist that he visits you in Taipei/Tainan! All the best with the book. Scribe on! Keep the Lemon-Flavored Smirnoff Vodka Ice Diaries, (sounds like a Tom Wolfe title!), coming. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
It quite a coincidence but I just bought Sisters Brothers and will now be on the lookout for Impartial Witness. Thanks also for the link for Canada Reads.
Did you watch any of the Homeland series? We've enjoyed it although we are always somewhat turned off by the lone wolf motif that the Americans seem to go for. Not too bad in this series though
Southland has returned to the small screen andso we have the PVR set for that too.
It feels like Ring today!!!!
Hi Brenda Louise!
We haven't watched any of the Homeland series, or Southland, for that matter. Don't know anything about them either. Will have to ask Her Majesty and Chloë, my media consultants. Not quite sure what you mean by: "It feels like Ring today!!!!" Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Patrick,
Thanks for your e-mail, as it rescued me briefly from the tedium of sitting in a clinic in Santiago waiting for low paid, bureaucratic, not giving a shit how long I have to wait medics to give me high altitude medical clearance. This will be the 4th time in the past 18 months.
Yes, have read Sisters Brothers as it's one of our Kobo collection. I hope the boys found peace back at Mom's place. Cheers, Pedro
Hi JDP!
I'm pleased to learn that my missive acted as an analgesic if not an opiate! Snap reminded me of the waiting room when Dusty and I went downtown, about a month ago, to renew our passports! Lynne mentioned that you have both read Sisters Brothers when she came clean about posing as a latter day Margaret Bourke-White! Fondestos and Cheers, Maligned Manservant!
Right Back at Y'All at the Island Inn …
Just
taking my face off the dinner plate long enough to reply to your latest
missive, Patrick, and to set you straight about the iconic "Okanagan
Red Delicious
in Winter". As much as I would like
to claim creatorship (for the massive royalties and all …), I have to
come clean and say that, even though the idea was mine, the execution
was all down to JDP. In fact, I am notorious for taking bad pictures
with the new-style cameras. Like so many things in my life as a
senior--I just don't get it.
I am
right now finishing a light lunch of toasted bagel and fresh fruit
salad and Greek-style yogurt--all of which were on sale at Safeway this
week! I needed the boost after an especially good workout at spinning
this a.m. The instructor was trying to work off a bit of a wine
hangover and really put us through our paces. I think I'll go out for a
bit of a walk later and pick up the mail. (Ah, the joys or rural life.)
It is a lovely Okanagan day today with mostly sunshine, above-zero
temps, and (unusual for here at this time year) hardly any wind. Maybe
I'll even venture into the village and pick up a treat for supper at the
cafe. Then, I have some taped TV to watch … and/or a good book or
magazine to read. Yes, I have heard of The Sisters Brothers and
have even read it. So has Petey. I quite enjoyed it and found the
language used quite intriguing given the genre. It sort of reminded me
of the language in Guys and Dolls--bad guys and others usually
considered "outside" society talking like English profs. I liked it! I
don't know the Bess Crawford mysteries, but perhaps now will look into
them. Speaking of books and reading, I still have to return your Camilla
Lackberg. I enjoyed it enough that I downloaded another title in the
series to my Kobo but I have not read it yet. At the moment, I am
rereading Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in advance of seeing the movie.
Time to make my first cappuccino of the day and read the local rag before heading outdoors.
Cheers for now. Take care of each other … especially Lady Corinne. Hope she's getting better and better. Lurkin' Lynnie XOXO
Hi Margaret Bourke-White Come Clean! (And quit trying to compensate with your Fancy Smancy Signature!)
From the description of your indolent life style, I suspect that Her Royal Lower Mainland has nothing on the Upper Bench Upper Crust!
Don't really have time to re-read Tinker but do hope to see film in next few days. Like you, I certainly enjoyed the language of Sisters. Found it quite beguiling and reminded me of the Coen Brothers' remake of True Grit. Lady Corinne is, in fact, not getting any better, far worse, I'm sorry to say! Have just submitted the following accident report to the Strata Council:
"Had a bit of a kerfuffle... Her Manservant's shoulders!!!"
Will be driving Her Majesty in the Royal Carriage to her second physio appointment at 4:00pm this afternoon, near Plaza of Nations, across the street from BC Place. While The Royal Foot is being prodded and pushed, manipulated and iced, I have been instructed to run a few errands. Need to pick up a number of items at Home Depot and/or Canadian Tire, as well as return recyclables to Go Green. I'm allowed to keep the empty bottles, (Meagre deposit allows me to buy No Frills peanut butter for the dry crusts which are my daily fare!), of Bombay Sapphire Gin which Her Dipsomaniacness has been downing at an alarming rate, recently.
Fondestos and Cheers, Ever yer 'umble manservant, Dogsbody Dunn!
Hi Patrick,
Trevor is in Sun Peaks where he is skiing and experiencing the life
threatening story of Lloyd's heart attack!
I am still in Adelaide until 11th Feb, where the temp has now gone down to a
pleasant 25C from hovering in the 38C's for the last week.
This is from the "Life of Brian" a Monty Python film made in Britain. Cheers Tina
Hi Teens!
Terribly sorry to hear about Lloyd1 What happened? Not sure what link you were sending but nothing in message. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Margaret Bourke-White Come Clean! (And quit trying to compensate with your Fancy Smancy Signature!)
From the description of your indolent life style, I suspect that Her Royal Lower Mainland has nothing on the Upper Bench Upper Crust!
Don't really have time to re-read Tinker but do hope to see film in next few days. Like you, I certainly enjoyed the language of Sisters. Found it quite beguiling and reminded me of the Coen Brothers' remake of True Grit. Lady Corinne is, in fact, not getting any better, far worse, I'm sorry to say! Have just submitted the following accident report to the Strata Council:
"Had a bit of a kerfuffle... Her Manservant's shoulders!!!"
Will be driving Her Majesty in the Royal Carriage to her second physio appointment at 4:00pm this afternoon, near Plaza of Nations, across the street from BC Place. While The Royal Foot is being prodded and pushed, manipulated and iced, I have been instructed to run a few errands. Need to pick up a number of items at Home Depot and/or Canadian Tire, as well as return recyclables to Go Green. I'm allowed to keep the empty bottles, (Meagre deposit allows me to buy No Frills peanut butter for the dry crusts which are my daily fare!), of Bombay Sapphire Gin which Her Dipsomaniacness has been downing at an alarming rate, recently.
Fondestos and Cheers, Ever yer 'umble manservant, Dogsbody Dunn!
Hi Patrick,
Trevor is in Sun Peaks where he is skiing and experiencing the life
threatening story of Lloyd's heart attack!
I am still in Adelaide until 11th Feb, where the temp has now gone down to a
pleasant 25C from hovering in the 38C's for the last week.
This is from the "Life of Brian" a Monty Python film made in Britain. Cheers Tina
Hi Teens!
Terribly sorry to hear about Lloyd1 What happened? Not sure what link you were sending but nothing in message. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
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