"I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am." Those candid words of Samuel Johnson, lexicographer extraordinaire, provide a perceptive observation on the human condition. A language is a mirror of its people. As a disinterested record of the language, a dictionary serves as an accurate window to the culture. It's not surprising that there are more words to describe people who fall on the wrong side than on the good.
| Taiwan Story 3 |  |
This
evening was the 15th of the 1st lunar month, the "Lantern Festival" or
元宵節. Last night I enjoyed strolling with the crowds (in fact it was the
second night I had done so) at the 國父紀念堂 to see the display of floats
and lanterns, all colorful though not as "authentic" as the ones one
could see in smaller towns, as these were illuminated artificially (LED
lighting) - unlike the traditional use of candles and real flame. But
seeing families with their kids was pleasant, and there was the general
sense of "well-being" everywhere. I was a bit turned around and so
asked a police officer the direction of the intersection of two streets
(仁愛路 and 國父南路), and the officer, a young man of about 30, so helpful
(towards a "foreign guest" no doubt) that he wanted to walk me there!
No need, I assured him, and he replied with a pleasant, "It's a long
way" (很遠噢)! "沒關係，我慢慢走" (it's alright, I'll take it easy), I said, and
strolled on, marveling at how friendly he was at the end of what must
have been a long day of crowd control.
This morning I had a similar experience
of Taiwan's famous friendliness, boarding a bus to take me to the train
station and coming across a group of seven or eight fifth graders.
"過來，過來，這邊有空位!” they shouted (come over here, here's an empty seat!) -
no doubt on a dare by one of the kids, but then they all had questions
and curiosity about Texas, MacDonalds, and American schools. These are
the "only in Taiwan" kind of experiences that I have come to love and
expect here.
So on to Tainan and the south today,
and the remarkably different weather (cold and rainy in Taipei, breezy
but springlike in Tainan -- just 260 km or 160 mi, but into a more
temperate zone), and the heavily "Taiwanese" or local culture. The main
person who takes care of me (and has on each visit) is a perennial
graduate student / part-time instructor / and departmental errand boy
for the History Department named Hsu, and he has a familiar Taiwanese
manner of both joviality and modesty, and took me around today taking
care of "procedures" which he did with a kind of wonder at the silliness
of all the details. It was all I could do to tell him that I could
shop for basic necessities my own and let him get back to his day, only
to find out that he had missed a train because of me (something that
just slipped out) - "it's ok, I'll get the next one" he said without
complaint.
Called Ruth's parents and dropped in
for a visit. Since it's the Lantern Festival, we watched reports from
around the island on TV, and Ruth's mom brought out dinner. I had
thought that we would eat together (it was around 6:30 and I had been
invited for dinner), only to find out that they had eaten "long before"
(!?), and so a range of plates were set out for me, and Ruth's dad and I
shared a bottle of aged French wine (by "aged" I mean, with dried cork!
but it was drinkable - "oaky, with a touch of vinegar"). Ruth's dad
thought it was good that he was drinking wine over whiskey tonight,
though, and liked it enough that he vowed to start drinking red wine on a
daily basis! Cheers to that, I said!
Ruth's parents are getting older, and I
noticed a tendency to repeat things - not because they had forgotten
what they had said, but more for emphasis, a kind of musing or
reiteration for effect. Or perhaps they thought that my language
abilities might need some reinforcement, I'm not sure. In any case, we
went over my arrangements and the plans for this Sunday (Chinghui will
be home from Beijing, and we'll have a get-together in Taoyuan), and
repeated them to make sure we had it right. Then, Ruth's dad brought
out a letter from a cousin's son, regarding his own son, who is our
Miranda's age (I'm not sure my father-in-law has ever met the boy),
surprisingly addressed to me, in both Chinese (with my Chinese name) and
English (as "Dr. Randall"), requesting that I write "a letter of
recommendation for a master's degree or Ph.D. program, job or
internship" in the field of "Economics and Business Management" at my
esteemed university. This was an awkward moment, that I did not quite
know how to handle. Obviously, things are not done in the way in the
US, but things are done in this way in China, and both Ruth's Dad and I
were caught somewhere in the middle -- I was not sure how invested
Ruth's dad was in the process, fearing that if I simply told the truth
(which is that such a letter wouldn't do any good and in fact would
probably hurt the boy's prospects, especially since my own university
doesn't have graduate programs in Business Administration) I might be
offending Ruth's dad. I'll have to ask you, Ruth, to handle this for
me, I'm afraid.
By 8:30, everyone was getting a bit
sleepy (myself included), so I departed. Ruth's parents graciously
invited me to sleep the night there, rather than in my faculty housing
(which Ruth's father does not think very highly of), but I hadn't
brought a change of clothes or my laptop, so here I am at this moment.
You have read enough in one sitting,
but my flat in Tainan is on the first floor of a four-story walk-up, and
will suit my needs (bed, desk, fridge, bathroom) adequately at a
reasonable price of about US $230 a month (6600 NT dollars) - this in
contrast to the 1000 NT dollars I pay per night for a similar flat in
Taipei (though I expect to stay in it only 1-2 nights per week). But my
compensation from the two universities more than covers this and my
other expenses, including two round-trips home, so it is quite
manageable. Not 1 minute from my door here is a pleasant Western-style
cafe serving "Italian" food, and I had "deep fried chicken breast with
mushroom cream" (from the English menu) for lunch and a fantastic salad
of lettuce, cucumber, red and yellow peppers, corn kernels, and spring
onion with a ginger-vinegar dressing that was my first salad since
coming to Taiwan 10 days ago. Next time I will be sure to try their
"fresh greens with pork and cheese" as my side salad!
And with these family visits and
shopping for incidentals now under way, I'm hoping to have time to get
into writing full time, which I am eager to do. I have received the OK
from Blackwell to write the book, and a formal contract is coming. So
I'm excited and grateful to Ruth for letting me go on this adventure and
devote myself to cultural and personal immersion. It will be a
productive time.
All for now to you kind readers! Randy
Hi Taiwan Tale Teller et al!
Glad that you are still being molly-coddled, Dr Nadeau, in spite of being away from home! If I didn't have such onerous responsibilities here I think I'd fly over to join you, in spite of the cultural fog!
Have to take Cora Lee back to MSJ's this morning as dottore wants to look at her foot again. Unfortunately she isn't feeling any better, if anything, worse, as she feels she is coming down with a cold on top of everything else! Consequently I will be sitting in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita. Close friend, Mary Vickers, is coming to pick us up for a fund raiser at St Mary's in Kerrisdale. The Royal Chauffeur is to be seconded in Her Majesty's place as Mary Queen of Scotch is unable to find another player of such calibre on such short notice. Cheers, Four No Trump Patrizzio!
Glad that you are still being molly-coddled, Dr Nadeau, in spite of being away from home! If I didn't have such onerous responsibilities here I think I'd fly over to join you, in spite of the cultural fog!
Have to take Cora Lee back to MSJ's this morning as dottore wants to look at her foot again. Unfortunately she isn't feeling any better, if anything, worse, as she feels she is coming down with a cold on top of everything else! Consequently I will be sitting in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita. Close friend, Mary Vickers, is coming to pick us up for a fund raiser at St Mary's in Kerrisdale. The Royal Chauffeur is to be seconded in Her Majesty's place as Mary Queen of Scotch is unable to find another player of such calibre on such short notice. Cheers, Four No Trump Patrizzio!
A.Word.A.Day--wastrel
P,
This strikes me as a very good name for
the Inland Passage. W
Hi Whirlage!
I would agree except "wastrel" is usually applied to The Brotherhood and sailing vessels are traditionally characterized as being female!
As you know, have to take Cora Lee back to MSJ's shortly. Unfortunately she isn't feeling any better, if anything, worse, as she feels she is coming down with a cold on top of everything else! Consequently I will be sitting in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita so pretty sure I'm not on for a ride this morning. Cheers, Four No Trump Patrizzio!
I would agree except "wastrel" is usually applied to The Brotherhood and sailing vessels are traditionally characterized as being female!
As you know, have to take Cora Lee back to MSJ's shortly. Unfortunately she isn't feeling any better, if anything, worse, as she feels she is coming down with a cold on top of everything else! Consequently I will be sitting in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita so pretty sure I'm not on for a ride this morning. Cheers, Four No Trump Patrizzio!
Ayn P via Jonathan Harmon
www.youtube.com
Bob Marley - No woman no cry - Live 1977 - HQ audio
Hi Pat
We are settling into NZ life with Malcolm and Jan and enjoying spectacular hospitality in their two luxury homes, one overlooking the sea at Leigh, a retreat for the rich and famous of NZ, and in Parnell Auckland where we are almost neighbors with the prime minister! I am sipping a very nice pinot noir from central otago as I write and we have had a wonderful but exhausting day exploring Aukland so I deserve a drink. An amazing thing happened today. This afternoon we were sitting in a cafe in Parnell when who should wander in but Grog and his English buddy Mac. We had a long chat and hope to meet up later in the holiday in Napier. Its a small world.
Tomorrow I rent a car and. we head off on our own to the Coramandel Peninsula.
Cheers Mick
Hi Mick and Polly!
Terrific that all goes so well in NZ. Had a brief message from Grog recounting your meeting! Clara and Dusty enjoyed hearing about the chance encounter, as did everyone else who knows you both. Gather you are off to Sylvia's cabin next. That should be a delight, right on beach.
Been busy here, since you left. Another bridge evening, last Friday, was terrific. We were off to The Pitchforks, along with Rosita and Dusty. Arrived about 6:30pm and after greeting one another started to play. Since there were only six players, Champagne and O Susannah, had decided to play "speed bridge". North/South play against East/West and after one side makes game, North exits to be replaced by a new player, remaining spots shift clockwise. Loads of fun even though the cards were abominable, for everyone!
After first two games, we stopped play to enjoy a lovely dinner of green salad and lasagne. Champagne and Cora Lee shared their portions as she could not eat the wheat pasta and he didn't want any meat! A couple of kids fussing over their food!!! Back to the table for a few more games/rotations and then the distribution of prizes. No matter what your score, (Need I mention, Dear Reader, that I had highest point count, helped muchly by the 6 No Trump bid, with Dusty as partner, made on last hand. In fact, we managed a Grand Slam although we only bid a Small Slam. My mistake. I mistook Dusty's response of 6 Hearts, to my 5 No Trump, as meaning he held one ace, when in fact he had signalled two.), each visiting contestant, (an exercise in de-cluttering for hosts!), received note pads, mouse pads, small stuffed toys, pens, coffee mugs and reusable shopping bags, all promotional materials from the Pitchford's travel business. best of all, the crowning touch, silk flower Leis!
Wonderful fun and games and enjoyed having dinner with Marnie, their daughter, and seeing Scott, their son, (he was out for dinner with friends), just before we left. Even managed to do a bit of travel business in between bridge hands as we ordered our 21 day rail passes for Japan. Had not decided, until fairly recently, what length of time we would purchase. Also put our request for travel insurance in motion. Thanking our gracious hosts we waved goodbye and made for home. Streets were quiet as it was 11:30pm so back at Harbour Terrace quite quickly once we figured out which direction we were supposed to travel! When we left Rosemont, Pitchford's street, I made a wrong turn and then, following Her Majesty's strident commands, we ended up heading into deepest, darkest Burnaby before we realized the error of her/our ways! Fortunately had brought along Garmin Goil as had not been to their place in sometime and was a tad unsure of just how to get there. Had thought I'd be fine on return leg but such was not the case. Nothing wrong with a bit of reconnoitering, day or night, I say! However, my passengers were not overly impressed or amused, I have to report, Dear Reader!
Still, safe and sound, at last, and into bed, after brushing and flossing, to read a couple more chapters of Charles Todd's An Impartial Witness, helping Bess Crawford solve her latest murder.
Had a grand ride on Sunday with friend Kjell. Left home about 1:30pm to make my way around SP and over LG to meet him at Tatlow and Maplewood on the Spirit Trail. We made our way along First all the way to Cariboo and then up to Seymour Demonstration Forest. Climb seemed to tucker Kjell out so while he rested there I cycled on until I had 36K on my odometre and then turned around to collect him.
It was another gorgeous day, although a bit overcast for first part of ride. On return, sun broke through the cloud cover and city became the jewel it is. Kjell accompanied me to just below LG and then we parted ways, he back through the Squamish Capilano Reserve, I towards Park Royal to loop back onto bridge deck. Even managed to clock just over 50kph on descent from Prospect Point, though breeze was against me.
The setting sun's rays on the apartment buildings lining Main Street, near the Sky Train Station, as I rode towards Science World, just past Edgewater Casino, were magical, turning the window glass into an underwater spectacle, shimmering green, taking my breath away it was so lovely a sight. Home with 71.33K on the Deadly Odometre! Watched the last ten minutes of the Super Bowl downstairs with Clan Sutherland. Probably best 10 minutes of the entire game!!!
Unfortunately, have to report that Cora Lee's foot took a nasty turn for the worse. She had a physio session on Saturday and her foot started to itch on Sunday evening. By Monday morning it was puffy and covered with an alarming rash. I took her to MSJ's where her surgeon saw her and prescribe some cortisone cream. he didn't think it was infected so that was some relief. To make matters worse
she came down with a horrible cold/cough on top of everything else! Consequently I had to sit in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita. Close friend, Mary Vickers, (Have you played with her?), came to collect us for a fund raiser, (Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grandmothers Campaign, which supports community-based organizations working with HIV/AIDS sufferers in 15 African countries), at St Mary's in Kerrisdale. The Royal Chauffeur was to be seconded in Her Majesty's place as Mary Queen of Scotch was unable to find another player of such calibre on such short notice!
Quite pleasant afternoon. Only on other male there so we were literally surrounded by The Sisterhood! Once again, cards were poor for everyone but it was still a lot of fun. Helen, close friend of Mary's was fourth. Only hand I really had was a pre-emptive 3 Club bid. I had Ace, King, Queen and five others. Really had more points than a usual three bid and I was so bored with passing all the time I bid 5 Clubs. Clarisse had the Ace and three others! Our hands fit extraordinarily well and I ended up making a Grand Slam, though unbid of course.
Cora Lee felt even worse on Tuesday morning so our GP's receptionist was able to squeeze her in just before 10:00am. Her Royal Majesty is now on steroids and her foot seems to be responding, if slowly. Rash is not as itchy or as raised. Still worrying and uncomfortable, needless to say.
Tuesday evening I curl with Flamin' and Sarge. Sarge was away in Ottawa so Flamin' was Skip and another lad, Luke, played Second. We played Team Sullivan and they were out for blood as we beat them first time around. Stole one in each of 1st and 2nd ends. Third was a fiasco, a veritable catastrophe and they scored 5! Doing well in the 4th when Hamish, (Third), burned my second shot. A bit later on he stopped a rock that was clearly going out of the house and opposition insisted it wasn't so we had to replace it. Fluke shot by their Third buried his rock for shot. Flamin' was trying to outdraw on her last stone but tipped one of their guards and they counted two! Down 7/2 we eked out one in fifth and then stole two in 6th. Had plenty of time for another end and we exerted a fair bit of pressure to have three stones in house, 1st and 3rd, with two of our guards stacked together, securing our position. On Hamish's first rock Flamin'decided to remove our guards to have a chance to play their single in the house. Wouldn't you know it, he missed the guards but chipped out their stone!
Can't remember exactly what happened over next few shots but one of our stones just nudged the 12' at the top of the house, only counter, with just Skips left to throw. Flamin' put her first in the house to have it taken out. Consequently, on Flamin's last shot she had to draw to go for a tie, at the very best, a loss, of course, if other skip outdraws or takes out a counter. Everyone held their breath as final rock came down the ice. I thought it was heavy and we were fine but it decelerated considerably but slow as molasses it kept coming, finally across the T-line, inching its way through the house, almost touching our back counter, to have Hamish sweep it out!
On paper, probably should have won but coming back from 7/2 and not really working together, (Hamish really gets cranky when he is losing! Remind you of anyone on the doubles court?), we were more than happy to salvage a tie. Not quite sure what this means to standings as were were in first place. Depends on results for those teams chasing us!
Went for a short ride on Wednesday morning with Whirlygig. Raymondo said it was too wet. Not really, as it turned out. Giorgio picked me up at 10:00am and we made our way around Seawall to Stanley Park. Seawall was closed just after spot where we normally peel off to go on road. I wanted to do and up-and-over LG but Whirlissimo was whining about soggy shoes and being soaked, (It really was not raining, more a light drizzle, by then, if anything at all.), so we just made for Prospect Point and back home. I accompanied him to past Kits Pool and then a few dipsy-doodles later, around Kits Point, and I was home with 52.33K on the clock.
That evening we had dinner here with two tables of bridge. Mr Fixit, Wayne Connors, a very close friend of the Sutherlands, is here from St John's to remodel the ensuite bathroom and ski for a week or so, at Whistler. He is a tremendous player and wonderful teacher so it is a pleasure to play with or against him. Whirlygig, Ragin' and Kid Chelene made up rest of players along with Sarge/Clara/Dusty. Cora Lee played a few hands until Ragin' arrived. He is taking Spanish lessons and is quite enjoying them.
Have to sign off now as I'm up at 5:30am tomorrow to take Clara and Dusty to YVR. They are flying to Orlando to meet George and Barb, their son/daughter-in-law, for a Caribbean cruise. Interestingly enough, it is on the same vessel, Norwegian Sun, that we, (Flamin'/Sarge, Grog/Lurchesca), sailed on when we went around The Horn in 2008. Keep enjoying the Pinots! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Bridge on Monday with unbelievable desserts! The Royal Foot!
Hi Pat
We are settling into NZ life with Malcolm and Jan and enjoying spectacular hospitality in their two luxury homes, one overlooking the sea at Leigh, a retreat for the rich and famous of NZ, and in Parnell Auckland where we are almost neighbors with the prime minister! I am sipping a very nice pinot noir from central otago as I write and we have had a wonderful but exhausting day exploring Aukland so I deserve a drink. An amazing thing happened today. This afternoon we were sitting in a cafe in Parnell when who should wander in but Grog and his English buddy Mac. We had a long chat and hope to meet up later in the holiday in Napier. Its a small world.
Tomorrow I rent a car and. we head off on our own to the Coramandel Peninsula.
Cheers Mick
Hi Mick and Polly!
Terrific that all goes so well in NZ. Had a brief message from Grog recounting your meeting! Clara and Dusty enjoyed hearing about the chance encounter, as did everyone else who knows you both. Gather you are off to Sylvia's cabin next. That should be a delight, right on beach.
Been busy here, since you left. Another bridge evening, last Friday, was terrific. We were off to The Pitchforks, along with Rosita and Dusty. Arrived about 6:30pm and after greeting one another started to play. Since there were only six players, Champagne and O Susannah, had decided to play "speed bridge". North/South play against East/West and after one side makes game, North exits to be replaced by a new player, remaining spots shift clockwise. Loads of fun even though the cards were abominable, for everyone!
After first two games, we stopped play to enjoy a lovely dinner of green salad and lasagne. Champagne and Cora Lee shared their portions as she could not eat the wheat pasta and he didn't want any meat! A couple of kids fussing over their food!!! Back to the table for a few more games/rotations and then the distribution of prizes. No matter what your score, (Need I mention, Dear Reader, that I had highest point count, helped muchly by the 6 No Trump bid, with Dusty as partner, made on last hand. In fact, we managed a Grand Slam although we only bid a Small Slam. My mistake. I mistook Dusty's response of 6 Hearts, to my 5 No Trump, as meaning he held one ace, when in fact he had signalled two.), each visiting contestant, (an exercise in de-cluttering for hosts!), received note pads, mouse pads, small stuffed toys, pens, coffee mugs and reusable shopping bags, all promotional materials from the Pitchford's travel business. best of all, the crowning touch, silk flower Leis!
Wonderful fun and games and enjoyed having dinner with Marnie, their daughter, and seeing Scott, their son, (he was out for dinner with friends), just before we left. Even managed to do a bit of travel business in between bridge hands as we ordered our 21 day rail passes for Japan. Had not decided, until fairly recently, what length of time we would purchase. Also put our request for travel insurance in motion. Thanking our gracious hosts we waved goodbye and made for home. Streets were quiet as it was 11:30pm so back at Harbour Terrace quite quickly once we figured out which direction we were supposed to travel! When we left Rosemont, Pitchford's street, I made a wrong turn and then, following Her Majesty's strident commands, we ended up heading into deepest, darkest Burnaby before we realized the error of her/our ways! Fortunately had brought along Garmin Goil as had not been to their place in sometime and was a tad unsure of just how to get there. Had thought I'd be fine on return leg but such was not the case. Nothing wrong with a bit of reconnoitering, day or night, I say! However, my passengers were not overly impressed or amused, I have to report, Dear Reader!
Still, safe and sound, at last, and into bed, after brushing and flossing, to read a couple more chapters of Charles Todd's An Impartial Witness, helping Bess Crawford solve her latest murder.
Had a grand ride on Sunday with friend Kjell. Left home about 1:30pm to make my way around SP and over LG to meet him at Tatlow and Maplewood on the Spirit Trail. We made our way along First all the way to Cariboo and then up to Seymour Demonstration Forest. Climb seemed to tucker Kjell out so while he rested there I cycled on until I had 36K on my odometre and then turned around to collect him.
It was another gorgeous day, although a bit overcast for first part of ride. On return, sun broke through the cloud cover and city became the jewel it is. Kjell accompanied me to just below LG and then we parted ways, he back through the Squamish Capilano Reserve, I towards Park Royal to loop back onto bridge deck. Even managed to clock just over 50kph on descent from Prospect Point, though breeze was against me.
The setting sun's rays on the apartment buildings lining Main Street, near the Sky Train Station, as I rode towards Science World, just past Edgewater Casino, were magical, turning the window glass into an underwater spectacle, shimmering green, taking my breath away it was so lovely a sight. Home with 71.33K on the Deadly Odometre! Watched the last ten minutes of the Super Bowl downstairs with Clan Sutherland. Probably best 10 minutes of the entire game!!!
Unfortunately, have to report that Cora Lee's foot took a nasty turn for the worse. She had a physio session on Saturday and her foot started to itch on Sunday evening. By Monday morning it was puffy and covered with an alarming rash. I took her to MSJ's where her surgeon saw her and prescribe some cortisone cream. he didn't think it was infected so that was some relief. To make matters worse
she came down with a horrible cold/cough on top of everything else! Consequently I had to sit in for her at bridge, just after noon, with Rosita. Close friend, Mary Vickers, (Have you played with her?), came to collect us for a fund raiser, (Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grandmothers Campaign, which supports community-based organizations working with HIV/AIDS sufferers in 15 African countries), at St Mary's in Kerrisdale. The Royal Chauffeur was to be seconded in Her Majesty's place as Mary Queen of Scotch was unable to find another player of such calibre on such short notice!
Quite pleasant afternoon. Only on other male there so we were literally surrounded by The Sisterhood! Once again, cards were poor for everyone but it was still a lot of fun. Helen, close friend of Mary's was fourth. Only hand I really had was a pre-emptive 3 Club bid. I had Ace, King, Queen and five others. Really had more points than a usual three bid and I was so bored with passing all the time I bid 5 Clubs. Clarisse had the Ace and three others! Our hands fit extraordinarily well and I ended up making a Grand Slam, though unbid of course.
Cora Lee felt even worse on Tuesday morning so our GP's receptionist was able to squeeze her in just before 10:00am. Her Royal Majesty is now on steroids and her foot seems to be responding, if slowly. Rash is not as itchy or as raised. Still worrying and uncomfortable, needless to say.
Tuesday evening I curl with Flamin' and Sarge. Sarge was away in Ottawa so Flamin' was Skip and another lad, Luke, played Second. We played Team Sullivan and they were out for blood as we beat them first time around. Stole one in each of 1st and 2nd ends. Third was a fiasco, a veritable catastrophe and they scored 5! Doing well in the 4th when Hamish, (Third), burned my second shot. A bit later on he stopped a rock that was clearly going out of the house and opposition insisted it wasn't so we had to replace it. Fluke shot by their Third buried his rock for shot. Flamin' was trying to outdraw on her last stone but tipped one of their guards and they counted two! Down 7/2 we eked out one in fifth and then stole two in 6th. Had plenty of time for another end and we exerted a fair bit of pressure to have three stones in house, 1st and 3rd, with two of our guards stacked together, securing our position. On Hamish's first rock Flamin'decided to remove our guards to have a chance to play their single in the house. Wouldn't you know it, he missed the guards but chipped out their stone!
Can't remember exactly what happened over next few shots but one of our stones just nudged the 12' at the top of the house, only counter, with just Skips left to throw. Flamin' put her first in the house to have it taken out. Consequently, on Flamin's last shot she had to draw to go for a tie, at the very best, a loss, of course, if other skip outdraws or takes out a counter. Everyone held their breath as final rock came down the ice. I thought it was heavy and we were fine but it decelerated considerably but slow as molasses it kept coming, finally across the T-line, inching its way through the house, almost touching our back counter, to have Hamish sweep it out!
On paper, probably should have won but coming back from 7/2 and not really working together, (Hamish really gets cranky when he is losing! Remind you of anyone on the doubles court?), we were more than happy to salvage a tie. Not quite sure what this means to standings as were were in first place. Depends on results for those teams chasing us!
Went for a short ride on Wednesday morning with Whirlygig. Raymondo said it was too wet. Not really, as it turned out. Giorgio picked me up at 10:00am and we made our way around Seawall to Stanley Park. Seawall was closed just after spot where we normally peel off to go on road. I wanted to do and up-and-over LG but Whirlissimo was whining about soggy shoes and being soaked, (It really was not raining, more a light drizzle, by then, if anything at all.), so we just made for Prospect Point and back home. I accompanied him to past Kits Pool and then a few dipsy-doodles later, around Kits Point, and I was home with 52.33K on the clock.
That evening we had dinner here with two tables of bridge. Mr Fixit, Wayne Connors, a very close friend of the Sutherlands, is here from St John's to remodel the ensuite bathroom and ski for a week or so, at Whistler. He is a tremendous player and wonderful teacher so it is a pleasure to play with or against him. Whirlygig, Ragin' and Kid Chelene made up rest of players along with Sarge/Clara/Dusty. Cora Lee played a few hands until Ragin' arrived. He is taking Spanish lessons and is quite enjoying them.
Have to sign off now as I'm up at 5:30am tomorrow to take Clara and Dusty to YVR. They are flying to Orlando to meet George and Barb, their son/daughter-in-law, for a Caribbean cruise. Interestingly enough, it is on the same vessel, Norwegian Sun, that we, (Flamin'/Sarge, Grog/Lurchesca), sailed on when we went around The Horn in 2008. Keep enjoying the Pinots! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Pics: Bridge on Monday with unbelievable desserts! The Royal Foot!
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