IID: Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

Wednesday, 4 July 2012

IIDS: Wednesday, July 4th, Independence Day, USA!

In the face of suffering, one has no right to turn away, not to see. -Elie Wiesel, writer, Nobel laureate (b. 1928)

Road bikes and Strawberry fields forever:

Ray,

Glad to know you are getting this started. When you are finally riding one of these road bikes you will wonder what took you so long.

I had a very professional fitting last week by a guy named Eric at Kissing Crows – 28^th & Main. My fitting was for a touring bike. I highly recommend you get this fitting. I will forward you the specs and you can see just how accurate the fitting is. This is hugely important to be comfortable for long rides.

Jake works at the Bike Doctor (Broadway across from MEC) and he may or may not recommend them as a source. I am copying him and he will confirm and he can add to my list of retailers below.

I will suggest you try several high end shops just to know what the hardware on the high brow side: bicicletta on Broadway and Speed Theory near me on 4^th Avenue.

West Point Cycles – you know has a good selection – don’t buy aluminum.

Might Riders (Broadway East of MEC)

Dizzy on 4^th has a good selection including Specialized

John Henry (North Vancouver)

That would be a good start. Would enjoy chatting with you and Jake after you have seen a few steeds. Enjoy, G

Ray,

Several more:

Bicycle Sport Pacific http://bspbikes.com/ large selection

** Pacific Multisport www.pacificmultisport.ca/ on Main Street -- where I bought my Jamis road bike

Vancouver Bike Gallery Store, Vancouver Bikes, Bicycle Repair ...

www.vancouverbikegallery.com/ G

Hi "The Early Whirlybird Gets The Worm" and Robo Man!

Thanks for all the technical advice and locazziones, Giorgio! With all this data I don't think we'll need to move from our computers. We'll just join the Virtual Peleton! I'll be in touch about domani's Tour de Fer à Cheval Baie. However, I believe we are hoping to catch 12:50pm ferry so, to be on the safe side, I would like to leave around 9:30am. Will confirm once I "argue" with Flamin' and give orders to Support Vehicle Driver, (SVD), a nasty piece of work at the best of times!

On another matter, if interested, the CD album Picasa link now works! Naramata Pete confirmed this morning:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108538011823645473253/HarbourTerraceCanadaDay1stJuly2012

Thanks again, Giggster! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Trek Madone Series

Sara,

I met with you over a week ago at your Kerrisdale shop with regard to purchasing a road bike. A friend (Patrick Dunn) and I would like to meet with you early next week at the West Boulevard store, if you are available, so we can check prices and obtain further details.

Thanks,

Ray Banks

Ray,

I'd love to help you. My only issue is that I am doing the Penticton Grand Fondo on Sunday and won't be back at the shop until Wed. Would Wed. work for you guys? Otherwise, I can meet Friday July 6th. I can also set you up with someone else who is very good if neither of these times work.

I look forward to getting you guys all set up and riding quick and comfortably.

Cheers, Sara

Good for you, Sara. Hope you do well in the heat. Patrick is on the Island tomorrow so Wednesday morning would be better. 10am or so in Kerrisdale? Ray

Hi Raymond!

Thanks for great day of "window shopping"! Once we hear from Sara and meet with her we can start to look seriously at the bike(s) we feel we'd like.

As you know, tomorrow is the Tour de Fer à Cheval Baie! We are still hoping to catch the 12:50pm ferry so, to be on the safe side, I confirmed that we are to leave around 9:30am. Earlier this evening I "argued" with Sarge about departure time as he somehow thought we only had two hours to complete ride and since ferry was leaving at 11:30am, in his mind, he kept insisting we'd never make sailing!

Weather looks great so looking forward to both legs of the ride. Sarge may well be interested in riding out to meet us at HB on Saturday as well. I'll copy him on message I send about which ferry we plan to take from Nanaimo. Thanks again for kale. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick,
Bingo, the photos appeared immediately on Picasa. They look great, lots of happy people. I'm back out to the vineyard for the day. The vines are so thick that it's taking me up to 3 hours per row, and I still have 5 rows to go. Lots of little grapes so hopefully this will be the year to have a real crop.
Cheers, JDP

Hi Patrick, This video is pretty good. I know you like drinking at full cask strength, but maybe you should consider allowing a little dilution.

How To Drink Whiskey Like a Sir
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82587964/#KmOkoEqc0moIB6Wo.03

Hi JDP!

You better be careful or you'll end up drinking blended whiskey!!! Guess you'll have to give your cask to me! Glad that the Picasa link worked.

Tomorrow is the Tour de Fer à Cheval Baie! We, (Cora Lee and Flamin' and I), are hoping to catch the 12:50pm ferry so, to be on the safe side, we plan to leave around 9:30am. Earlier this evening I "argued" with Flamin' about departure time as we are riding to ferry terminal and gave orders to the Support Vehicle Driver, (SVD), Cora Lee, a nasty piece of work at the best of times!

We are off to spend a few days with the Millionaires in Parksville. Will ride there from Nanaimo, about 22K. About 36K from The Island Inn to HB. Flamin' had some appointments today, otherwise we would have left yesterday. Weather looks great so looking forward to both legs of the ride,. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patriçio,

Some time ago, we inported your Interchange addresses into your (local) Mac address book and set you up with mac mail. I would strongly recommend you use the mac mail client regardless of the system your mail provider uses. Interchange, UBCmail, Gmail, ectc etc etc. That way you only need to get used to one system and once you do, you will find it far superior to using any browser interface to the host site.

Vamos a hablar.

… oh yes,

… have you chosen your new $12,000 bike yet.

más adelante//bjp

Hi Ragin'!

How did I know you would say just what you did about Mac mail! Will talk when we return from Vancouver Island. Tomorrow is the Tour de Fer à Cheval Baie! We, (Cora Lee and Flamin' and I), are hoping to catch the 12:50pm ferry so, to be on the safe side, we plan to leave around 9:30am. Earlier this evening I "argued" with Flamin' about departure time as we are riding to ferry terminal and gave orders to the Support Vehicle Driver, (SVD), Cora Lee, a nasty piece of work at the best of times!

As I think I might have mentioned, we are off to spend a few days with the Millionaires in Parksville. Will ride there from Nanaimo, about 22K. About 36K from The Island Inn to HB. Flamin' had some appointments today, otherwise we would have left yesterday. Weather looks great so looking forward to both legs of the ride.

Riobo Ray and I visited five stores today: The Bike Gallery, 10th, near Trimble, Specialized Roubuix, $3,199; West Point Cycles, 10th Ave. near Alma, Madone 5.2, $3,499.99; Speed Theory, 2616 W 4th., Argon 18-Krypton, $3,000; Mighty Riders, near 4th and Burrard, fit first and then decide on bike, but between $2,000-$3,000; Dizzy Cycles, across the street, more Specialized Roubuix from $2,150-$2,650-$3,150. Ray has sent an email to Sara at West Point Cycles on West Blvd near 41st to meet with us next week, He has dealt with her before and is very happy with her approach, service, etc. Overall, quite pleased with what we saw so now we begin the process of narrowing down models and driving hard bargains!

I may well run our "window shopping" by the Millionaires and who knows, perhaps Grogg will write out a blank cheque and we'll both sport $12,000 steeds! The envy of the Peleton!!! I'll be in touch early next week. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Big Al!

As I mentioned, earlier, tomorrow is the Tour de Fer à Cheval Baie! I'll be in touch early next week. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

PS: Unfortunately Sarge has work commitments he cannot weasel out of in order to join us. However, he might well cycle to HB to met us on Saturday. I'll send out an APB on ferry we plan to catch from Nanaimo so if you are interested, you might consider hooking up.

PPS: Sarge and Flamin' invited us down for dinner this evening. Made this this afternoon to take downstairs.

Turnip Puff:

2lbs diced turnip

Cook till soft, (10 minutes in pressure cooker)

2 eggs

2 tbs butter/margarine

3 tbs flour

2/3 tbs brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

mash turnips, combine above ingredients

half cup bread crumbs

2 tbs butter/margarine

spread bread crumbs on top of turnip mixture and drizzle melted butter/margarine over them

350 degrees for half an hour

Hi Champagne!

I'll be in touch early next week about bridge. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

David Kessler

I hope that many people are considering what it means to be Americans today, and hope that leads to a saner political discourse in the year ahead!

So wel will arrive at July 15th at 13.15 h. Yes, we are with our dauhters, so there wille be 4 of us. As you mentioned a while ago: can we spent the first nights at your place? And will you be at the airport when we arrive? And then discover Vancouver for 2 or more days. After this we are planning to go to Vancouver island. And then going back and travelling through the Rockies to Galgary, where we have our next flight to Toronto. Met vriendelijke groet, Kind regards, Jaap Harkema

Hi Jaap!

Sorry that it has taken me so long to reply BUT I didn't realize that the new mail system introduced by UBC yesterday would be so different from Interchange, one I have used for years. Eventually I was able to change my password and login to new mail system. Quite a surprise, let me tell you! I'm going to have to get used to it as I really don't know how to navigate through it. Cora Lee uses Gmail and this new system reminds me of it. Even though I have an account on former as well, I have not used it as I liked Interchange better. I guess it was simply because I was more familiar with where things were and how most of the functions worked. At any rate, I'm sure I'll learn how to use this new system to its advantage at some point.

Nevertheless, wonderful to hear that the four of you will be coming to Vancouver. Yes, you can stay with us and yes, I will meet you at the airport. I'll send directions for where to meet in next few days but I just wanted to let you know that we are looking forward to your visit. Just curious about how long you plan to stay in Vancouver before leaving for Vancouver Island. Let me know so that we can have an idea of what we might suggest for activities, etc.

All the best for now. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

IIDS: Tuesday, July 3rd

Lovemaking is radical, while marriage is conservative. -Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author (1902-1983)

Andy Griffith, as Matlock, 1926-2012

Mendoza, Plaza Italia

Amanda Barnes

P,

I think Ralf could join them too.

Are we riding rain or shine today? I am good for a couple hours on the post
today starting about 1:30 ish -- maybe before. What think you? Iona bound? W

Hi Librarian Emeriti,

UBC LIBRARY - THE MOVE TO FASmail (FACULTY AND STAFF Email) FOR LIBRARIANS EMERITI - COMING JULY 3, 2012

The University is migrating all Interchange users onto FASmail (Faculty and Staff Email). The Interchange service is at end of life and the move is

necessary. Interchange accounts will no longer be available after the migration. Librarians Emeriti are scheduled to be migrated July 3, 2012.

*All users will be able to access their new UBC email accounts through the web at https://www.mail.ubc.ca/ using your CWL id and password.

Your new email account will be username@mail.ubc.ca where it was previously username@interchange.ubc.ca

Your firstname.lastname@ubc.ca email alias will be updated to work with the new account.

*Please note that the lib-emeritus@interchange.ubc.ca mailing list will not change. It will continue to be used to send communications.

* If you wish to access your FASmail account using an email client or your mobile device (phone or iPad) please see UBC IT's

website for details at http://it.ubc.ca/projects/strategicprojects/ubc-email/setupdocs.html

*Any questions or problems that arise can be directed to the Library's technical support at by calling 604-822-6275 or

http://helpdesk.library.ubc.ca/lsit/general-it-support/

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Tracey Douglas

Hi Tracey!

As I mentioned on the phone, it was great to chat! I followed your sage advice and was able to change my password and login to new mail system. Quite a surprise, let me tell you! I'm going to have to get used to it as I really don't know how to navigate through it. My wife uses gmail and this new system reminds me of it. Even though I have an account as well, I have not used it as I liked Interchange better. I guess it was simply because I was more familiar with where things were and how most of the functions worked. At any rate, I'm sure I'll learn how to use this new system to its advantage at some point but decided I'd send this message on "old" system as I couldn't find your email address in new one!

Once again, thanks for getting me started. Have a simply wonderful time in Hawaii. Bon Voyage and Buona Fortuna! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Pat,

Unfortunately, UBC IT is not able to migrate the address book from myUBC over to FASmail

(using Outlook Web app).

You can export and import into an Email client (like Thunderbird or full Outlook client (not OWA)

UBC IT has instructions available at

http://it.ubc.ca/projects/strategicprojects/ubc-email/migrationguides.html#addressbook

The other option is to log into myUBC and open up the address and then cut and paste

the addresses into the OWA contacts section. If it's just a few addresses it's not too bad.

Sorry, it's not a perfect solution.

Hi Tracey:

Thanks for latest hints and suggestions. I had thought that this might be the case and had already "steeled" myself to cutting and pasting. At least I can use the process to weed out my address book and in the short term will simply add to the contact list as messages arrive. Onward! Fight! Cut and Paste 'til the Cows come Home! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Patriçio,

Except tonight, I am unfettered for the rest of the week.

Also, tengo el boleto de mi compañoré (Juan de Balaclava) para el juego July 18th (Wed) 7pm. Pre-game dinner at a great little Mexican cantina just 2 blocks from the stadium is a strongly recommended option.

más adelante//bjp
________________________
Branko Perić

[*] Toro rabioso - a menudo mal, pero nunca en duda [*]

Hi Ragin'!

Sorry I didn't respond sooner but I didn't realize that the new mail system introduced by UBC today would be so different from Interchange. Eventually I was able to change my password and login to new mail system. Quite a surprise, let me tell you! I'm going to have to get used to it as I really don't know how to navigate through it. Cora Lee uses Gmail and this new system reminds me of it. Even though I have an account on former as well, I have not used it as I liked Interchange better. I guess it was simply because I was more familiar with where things were and how most of the functions worked. At any rate, I'm sure I'll learn how to use this new system to its advantage at some point.

However, UBC IT is not able to migrate the address book from myUBC over to FASmail

(using Outlook Web app). Apparently, one can export and import into an Email client (like Thunderbird or full Outlook client (not OWA). UBC IT has instructions available at:

http://it.ubc.ca/projects/strategicprojects/ubc-email/migrationguides.html#addressbook

The other option is to log into myUBC and open up the address and then cut and paste the addresses into the OWA contacts section. This, of course, is rather labour intensive. I'm wondering if you might have any "elegant' solutions.

Robo Ray and I are going to make the rounds of a number of bike shops tomorrow, in search of some ultra-light carbon road bikes. Simply a first cut to get some idea of prices, options, etc. We plan to start around 10:00am and I assume we'll be done by 2:00pm at the latest, probably earlier. I'll give you a shout tomorrow morning before I leave and see what arrangements we might make.

Thanks for invitation for July 18th but Ayn will be in town to celebrate Coriandre's 65th the next day and I know there will be plenty to do beforehand.

Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Waterwheel Petit Verdot Bruichladdich Barley 2004 Warrabilla Durif

Hi Patricio,

Thanks again for accommodating us for the weekend. Your hospitality as always was superb. It was great to get caught up with you and Corinne. Thanks also for the pics of your Grind ascent. It looked like a pretty
gloomy day. We had a good drive home yesterday and I got in 3 hours in the vineyard.
Cheers, Peter

Patrick,

PS - Picasa said, ``Sorry, that page was not found``

Hi JDP!

Glad you made it home in time to do some pruning! With respect to the Canada Day Album, please try the link again. Once more, I gather there have been some system changes and I needed to "authorize" public access. I hope I have done that so I'd appreciate it if you could let me know if you can view album now.

Have to sign off now as I have to try to find a spot outside to park. Power washing of Parkade takes place tomorrow and we have to move our vehicles by 8:30am. With limited parking, I'm hoping to score a place tonight to make things a bit easier for musical cars. At least I had some practice on the weekend! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hope the CD party turned out good as it started. 'Course you stayed sober and restrained, so don't have much to report.

I slept on the plane. "Like a window Sir?". "Thanks, I haven't looked over the Canadian Rockies in a long time". Ladies and gentlemen in just a moment we'll be landing in Edmonton. Red Deer Lake below - at least I saw something I knew, and a thousand-green roll of fields. We came right out there, Garry and Susan have been dewinterising for a week.

A badger crossed the road - kind of floating just above floor level like a small flying rug, stripes brown to red. A White Tail Deer leaps fences just like kangaroos do, same grace, elevated purpose.

The poults come this afternoon. We've fixed heaters, made cardboard holding pens, raked shavings, cleaned air filters, eaten, drunk. And Appleton before bed. No Eldorado, but we'll keep searching.

O Canada night we had fireworks. In Australia its illegal to do private fireworks, says Nanny. One neighbour is a fireman - hat, mask and all. Across the Lake was another show, ours went about 10 minutes longer. Beers and AaaaaH. Stumbled back to a huge campfire, listened to good 'ol Prairie stories of fun and misdemeanours long past. Love Y'all.

Hi Stefano!

Am glad to learn you are earning your keep and not holding back on the Appleton!!! Not sure if you had a chance to look at CD album but Peter mentioned that Picassa informed him that the page was not found! If you encountered a similar problem, please try the link again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Gran Duggaccio!

Sorry I didn't respond sooner but I didn't realize that the new mail system introduced by UBC today would be so different from Interchange.

Monday, 2 July 2012

IIDS: Monday, July 2nd

The trouble with words is that you never know whose mouths they've been in. -Dennis Potter, dramatist (1935-1994)

Nicole and Nicole Marie

Neuer wohnort: jegliche züge der sbb!

New place of residence: all trains of the sbb!

Patrick James Dunn Did you celebrate Canada Day yesterday! We had a great block party for Harbour Terrace on lawn outside Sutherland's place, much like last year's event. Sun even shone and it was a glorious afternoon. Had a Swiss connection as well, another Nicole, (Nicolina's friend, originally from Basel), if you can believe it! Why the move? Fondestos and Cheers, Your Dear, Cruel Host Father!

Nadienka Wyss

Actually to be completely honest, I didn't celebrate because I didn't know it was Canada Day! I'll have a cocktail next time I go out:) Well I haven't actually moved somewhere new, I just had to travel 6h (on a sunny Saturday) by train to get to 3 different destinations! That's why I declared the swiss train company as my new residence ;) Soon you're gonna meet another fabulous Swiss Sister: Corina! :D Take really good care of her and don't be such a cruel Host Father! Love, Your Dearest Host Daughter.

Patrick James Dunn Corina/Corinne, Michele/Michele, Nicole/Nicole, can't we have Swiss boarders with names different from those of the Canadian staff and management?

Marvin Angelo Mercado

Jazz festival

— at David Lam Park.

I trust you brought in Canada day with a healthy snort of Scottish elixir. Team Canada took over the house last night (Ulty U20) and rocked the joint. We hid upstairs and managed a few moments of sleep between the beer pong matches.

I hope you got up and down the grind safely and without putting your foot down.

The sisterhood is back to work tomorrow. I have the MT until about 1PM all week. Let me know if you want to ride tomorrow or Friday afternoon. I have guests from Boston here on Wednesday and Thursday so will have to work around them to get away for some riding.

Mark, after a martini or two, following the Euro cup final, wearing his Italian jersey with muted pride, expressed an interest in a ride this week.

Regards to the residents of the Islay Inn, W

George and Pat,

Weather looks bad tomorrow morning. I was thinking of doing the Horseshoe Bay run with Pat on Wednesday on his way to the ferry if that is still on. So maybe Friday afternoon would be the next time without rain.

Ray

Hi Patrice,

Happy belated Canada day and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I've
been busy catching up on various things and have not spent a lot of time on
the computer . Looks like the weather takes a turn for the better this week
so riding looks good. I still have not repaired my tire from the
aforementioned drive by shooting attempt but should get to it in the next
couple of days.

Take care, Al

Hi Lads!

We enjoyed a wonderful Canada Day afternoon yesterday. As you know, sun even cooperated so bbq was splendid. You can see some of the attendees and activity at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108538011823645473253/HarbourTerraceCanadaDay1stJuly2012

With respect to riding, I'm up for tomorrow but I guess we better see when thundershowers abate! With respect to Horseshoe Bay, it looks like Thursday will be the day for the ride, as far as Flamin' and I are concerned. (We are off to spend a few days with the Millionaires in Parksville. Cora Lee is driving the support vehicle!) Flamin' has some appointments on Wednesday so that is why departure has been delayed. Not sure if that fits with your schedule Raymond, or your avoidance pattern, Weasel Man! Having friends from Boston only reinforces the fact that you are The Man Who Never Returned, (to the Peleton)! Have them look after MT and ride to HB with the rest of us!

As some of you knew, friend Stefano, from Oz, arrived last Thursday. He will go hiking near Kananaskis, at some point, with friends during his visit to Alberta. Consequently he wanted to do the Grouse Grind as part of his training regimen. He had arranged, beforehand, to do it on Friday. Seven of us went Into Thin Air or Into the Silence, depending on your perspective: Zoe and Matt, (Steve's eldest, here at UBC working on an MA in English Literature. Matt is a mechanic for BMW., [Was one in Melbourne so had no trouble finding a job.], at a dealership in Richmond.), Lois and Wayne, (Steve's friends from university days), and Colin, their son. Day turned out well as far as weather was concerned. No rain on climb but too much mist to see Vancouver from top of Grouse. We left the start of the trail at 12:30pm and I finished at just after 2:00pm so I was more than pleased, new hip and all. Slow and steady and all went well. Found my rhythm after about 20 minutes. Wayne and Colin were probably at peak at twenty minutes ahead of me, rest of party ten or so minutes behind. We enjoyed a bite to eat and a chat before taking gondola down the mountain. Marvelous view of the city once we were below the clouds.

That evening Zoe and Matt came over for dinner and we were actually able to sit outside on the patio and enjoy drinks and appetizers before going inside to partake of Cora Lee's Mario Bateli's inspired bbq meal: fresh corn, dipped in olive oil and balsamic, then coated with mint, red chili flakes and parmesan and boneless, skinless chicken thighs, dipped in a food processed mixture of anchovy paste, garlic, Italian parsley, olive oil and bread crumbs. I made a simple bocconcini/sliced tomatoe salad plate, garnished with fresh oregano. Orzo with a bit of olive oil completed meal.

Anyway, let me know about domani and Thursday. I'm up for Wednesday as well so if anyone has suggestions, please let the Peleton know!

Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hi Cora Lee!

Have you heard of these titles:

Owen Laukkanen, The Profesionals

Liza Marklund, Vanished

Peggy Blair, The Beggar's Opera

Mo Hayder, Hanging Hill

Walter Mosley, Leonid McGill series

Lene Kaaberbøl, Agnete Friis, The Boy in the Suitcase

Will Ferguson, 419

Donna Leon, Beastly Things

Love, Patrizzio!

Hi to our Favourite Naramatians!

Trust that you are safely tucked up, back home! Thanks again for the lovely visit and all of your more than generous gifts. Glad that you were able to connect with Stefano, Zoe and Matt as well, of course. Will be in touch as we finalize dates for our trip to Winnipeg. Fondestos from a sore and stiff Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

IIDS: Sunday, July 1st, CANADA DAY!

One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering. -Jane Austen, novelist (1775-1817)