IIDD, Moondance: Saturday, October 6th

 The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. -William Shakespeare, poet and dramatist (1564-1616)

As Luck Would Have It!

Hi Raymondo and Giggster!

Sorry I didn't hook up with either of you on Thursday. As I mentioned to Giorgio, when I popped by his place that afternoon, I decided to head out alone, given my schedule. Took my car as I wanted to go for a ride out to UBC before dropping it off at Westpoint for its first tune-up". Parked on Highbury, near the store and headed out along Spanish Banks. Another glorious day and I did the Crown/Marine Drive/16th/Imperial Loop before returning to drop off my bike with 51.8K on the clock, over 2:24:53, 21.4 AVG, MAX 55.2, so it wasn't a bad outing. However, when I was cycling through Wesbrook Village I had to stop while a huge flatbed, and I mean huge, loaded with palettes of some kind, literally took up the entire roadway. Now that I think about it, I probably logged over 100K having had to re-set my odometre after this annoying interruption in my otherwise unblemished, feet never touching the burning ground, ride!!!

My appointment wasn't until Friday but I wanted to take my bike in beforehand as I knew that with my VIFF schedule that day it would make things easier. Left bike with Sara and Andrea, (She did my fitting, Whirls.), and told them I probably wouldn't be able to collect it until Saturday. Andrea said that was fine that they'd just leave it outside, unlocked, with a note saying "For Pat Dunn only!"

[Chloe Alexis Dunn

Getting my toes did with Harry Potter!!!

• 

  Chloe Alexis Dunn Sorry inside joke, Daniel Radcliffe is not sitting beside me. My mom happens to look like Harry when she wears a certain pair of round black frames. It's hilarious.]

Had a meeting at Trinity at 5:00pm with Janice Guthrie, the minister who will conduct Mom's memorial service on the 14th. We clarified the placement of a number of items on the program and once I have made the necessary changes we'll proof the final draft, early next week so that I can have it printed. Back home to have a bite to eat. Cora Lee was out to a church meeting  so after I caught up on my email I cycled down to Granville to watch the 9:30pm showing of Twilight Portrait, directed by Angelina Nikonova. Quite disturbing, inasmuch as it offers a "unique feminist perspective on the rampant corruption and callousness in modern day Russia." I would be very interested to hear Misha's views, (He is a member of our Book Club, Ray.), if he ever has the chance to see the film, as to whether he feels it is an accurate assessment of the director's and his homeland, per esempio. Olga Dykhovichnaya, as Marina, was simply remarkable. Lovely night once I was heading home so ride was a delight, particularly over the Burrard Bridge, ship's lights winking in English Bay.

This Ain't California

Yesterday morning I took in Mystery, China/France, a"sexually intense thriller set in the colossal city of Wuhan in eastern China." I was really taken with this enormously intriguing "noir-melodrama" and had to chuckle to myself when I was asked to explain it, twice, to a friend and her husband, when I bumped into them after the viewing. Was reminded of Mom as she could never follow flashbacks in movies or intricate plot twists. Next up was The Iran Job, USA/Germany/Iran, a documentary, which follows Kevin Sheppard, a native of the US Virgin Islands, who has signed a contract to play with A.S. Shiraz in the Iranian Super League. Once again, a truly remarkable film. Kevin's friendship, (Initially, he invites them for Christmas, which is hilarious in itself!), with three out-spoken Iranian women in the apartment, (They risk potentially severe punishment for just being there!), he shares with is seven-foot Serbian teammate "Z", (League rules allow but two foreign imports per team), allows the possibility of free speech and they discuss everything from politics to religion to gender roles. The film is obviously about much, much more than basketball, (although this aspect of the film is truly fascinating as well), set, as it is, in the period just before Obama's election, with political tensions running high between the West and Kevin's new host country. An extraordinary glimpse into the  lives of ordinary Iranians caught in "the uprising and subsequent suppression of their country's reformist Green Movement." Yet the film is not hard to watch as Kevin's personality and disarming sense of humour infuse the documentary and allow him to overcome "most of the cultural and professional barriers he encounters."

Mystery

A dash back to Pacific Cinémathèque to start my shift at 2:00pm. Pretty quiet for most of the time but Cartoon College, USA, drew a fairly large crowd. Lee and Patty Bacchus werer there and had a brief chat with them before the showing. I was on the kiosk selling programs and VIFF memberships so my manager, Stephanie, asked me if I wanted to watch the show once all but latecomers were seated. Of course, I was delighted to do so and quite enjoyed watching 20 of the "world's most promising aspiring cartoonists and graphic novelists", (the first year class of a two year program), at the Center for Cartoon Studies, apparently "the premiere institution of higher learning" for such Fine Arts, in White River Junction, Vermont. One of the students filmed, Jen Vaughn, and Jason Zumpano, (he wrote the original score), were present, after the screening, to answer questions, so that was an added bonus. While I liked the film, I must say that I thought that the overall presentation was rather "traditional" given the nature of the subject. Not quite sure how else it could have been handled but treatment wasn't what I had imagined it would be, especially as the program notes suggested that this "might be the coolest documentary at VIFF this year..."

Cartoon College

The Q & A session was over at 8:15pm so I sat in the Lobby and read The Keeper of Lost Causes, (Finally getting around to it and can hardly put it down!), until just before 9:00pm when I strolled back to Granville to meet Cora Lee and Flamin'. I had purchased tickets, for them, for Laurence Anyways, Quebec, a "striking love story set in 1990's Montreal" in which Laurence tells his girlfriend, after nine years of being together, that he wants to become a woman. "What follows is a tumultuous, decade-long odyssey during which the couple fights passionatley to salvage their relationship." Unbelievably stunning performances by both Suzanne Clément, as the girlfriend, and Melvil Poupaud. Incredible treatment of one of society's most disturbing phobias. I was riveted by the work but The Sisterhood found it too long at 159 minutes. Cab home at it was after midnight by the time we left the theatre.

Will pick up my bike and give it a quick run out to UBC. Will probably only go for a short spin as I have to be home to make a couple of salads for this evening. Nicole and Marvin have organized a surprise 60th for Bella, Marvin's mother, at the RCMP Mess on 33rd and Heather, courtesy of Sarge. Guests need to be there by 5:30pm so I don't have all that much time for a longer jaunt. Tomorrow I plan to try to see Rose, Poland, " a riveting period drama which reveals a little-known chapter of Polish history: the post WWII persecution of the Mazurians, indigenous residents of what is now northeastern Poland." Then, either Revolution, Canada, the "true-life adventure Rob Stewart", a documentary from the coral reefs of Papua New Guinea and deforestation in Madagascar to the Tar Sands of Alberta, or Rebelle, Quebec, in which, somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, Komona is forced by rebels to slay her parents. Eventually she becomes the "war witch" of the leader of all the rebels but, plagued by the ghosts of her parents, she undertakes the journey back to her village. So, if anyone is keen to join me just let me know. Could possible do a short ride around Stanley Park, an up-and-over perchance, beforehand, leaving at 8:00-9:00pm. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Surprise!!! Happy 60th birthday mom!!

Pat,

    Glad you were able to have a service on the new bike. You should notice the difference.

    You've finally got into The Keeper... I enjoyed it too. Just finished Criminal by Karin Slaughter and picked up Creole Belle yesterday.

    Managed a ride with George on Friday. Returned to the West 23rd deck where Sylvia, George, and I shared a large bottle of beer from Driftwood Brewery on the Island.  Another this morning with Rod and Pete to Steveston. The trails are closed due to fire risk. We skirted the barricades and had the paths almost to ourselves. Turned into a busy day as I cycled to 49/Granville - home for lunch - on to a house near City Hall and continued to UBC to complete my tutoring for the day arriving home at 5:50. Fortunately no recurrence of the back p[roblems. Must be the weights.

    It sounds as though you've had a very enjoable time at the festival. Weather  looks good for the rest of the week so perhaps we can arrange a ride soon.

Ray

 Hey pat

So we want to begin with a toast to Bella and a prayer to bless the food
Then we will all eat
Marvin and I will say something about Bella, begin with Myself and then Marvin
Then we introduce that Marvin and I have created a slide show for her birthday so everyone go to the room with the tv
We will play the video
Then we will all have cake
Then piñata outside (if it is nice) we will have to think of something if it isn't
Then karaoke  Let me know if you have any questions

 

 

IIDD, Moondance: Friday, October 5th

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. -Henry Adams, historian and teacher (1838-1918)

Morpheus and Iris

Art: Pierre-Narcisse Guérin (1774-1833)

Thanks, Pat, i will mark some movies.
'Kind of' busy busy at work these days, so probably no much movies for me at the moment. will catch up.
Thanks, for the book, George (The W) e-mailed me - will pick up tmr/weekend. Will be reading why will fly to Montreal for a wheelchair tennis national champs.

Pat, sorry to know that your Mother passed away. 

Hi Misha!

Thanks for your kind words about my Mother's death. In fact, I met with the minister conducting her Memorial service, October 14th, yesterday, to finalize the order of service. Mom died but three weeks short of what would have been her 99th birthday so  she had a full, exciting, rewarding life.

Saw another Russian film last night: Twilight Portrait, directed by Angelina Nikonova. Quite disturbing, inasmuch as it offers a "unique feminist perspective on the rampant corruption and callousness in modern day Russia." I would be very interested to hear your views, if you ever have the chance to see the film, whether it is an accurate assessment of the director's homeland, per esempio. Olga Dykhovichnaya, as Marina, is simply remarkable.

Terrific to hear that you are en route to Montreal! Buona Fortuna with the National Championships. You'll be playing doubles squash with Whirlygig soon. Cheers, Patrizzio!

River of the Brokenhearted and More Kalashnikovs, emotional ones this time around!

Hi Guys

I invite you to the opening reception of my solo sculpture show “An Exultation of MOOP” Thursday Oct 18 , 7 pm at Place des arts in Coquitlam. (See map link) “MOOP” means Matter Out Of Place, ie garbage, trash.

As you may know I come from the Vancouver artistic communities of Burning Man, Makerfaire, and ReVision who make sublime objects from waste.

While most of my art is of the shiny and/or rusty metal variety I do have some infinite mirrors in the show including the Giant Cyborg Eyeball.   I want to also present some new interactive robotic gadgets I under development.

My friend video artist James Dean is going to project some video of the 2 ton Breaking Wave sculpture we recently built from reclaimed beach lumber and torched at Burning Man this year.  

There will be a bar, snacks, and music for your pleasure.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Ron Simmer

www.artsblast.com

breakingwave.ca
Gallery Link:

www.placedesarts.ca/gallery/upcoming-exhibitions.aspx

Facebook Event:

www.facebook.com/events/495827620430137/

Map To Gallery:
www.yelp.ca/map/place-des-arts-coquitlam

We have completed your work order (100512140744) at West Point Cycles - West 10th Ave. Please stop by at your earliest convenience.

3 month minor tune up completed. All brakes and gears adjusted. bike shifts smooth light and fast in all gear combinations. brakes tensioned. drivetrain and frame cleaned up as best as possible without full stripping. pump cannor be fitted in conjunction with the bottle cage. test ridden. total is $0.00. thanks.

Service Team at West Point Cycles - West 10th. Ave.

604-224-3536

west10thservice@westpointcycles.com

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-Cycles/198711486814411

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/westpointcycles

Check us out on the Web: http://www.westpointcycles.com

  

New York, New York

The Zen Master is visiting New York City from Tibet. He goes up to a hot dog vendor and says, "Make me one with everything."
The hot dog vendor fixes a hot dog and hands it to the Zen Master, who pays with a $20 bill.
The vendor puts the bill in the cash box and closes it. "Where's my change?" asks the Zen Master.
The vendor responds, "Change must come from within."

Famous Road Trips – Now this is Wanderlust

Here's a lovely website that maps the famous and historic road trips. You can mouse over the titles and see the actual route. A popup box will give a short description and then there are other points on the route with some fascinating facts about the journey.

http://awesome.good.is/features/011/Wanderlust/index.html

It's highly imaginative and a great place to wander. Some of the journeys mapped and described are Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 days; Charles Lindbergh's famous transatlantic flight; Amelia Earheart's final flight; the Orient Express; Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe; The Silk Road; Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' route and many more!

Hello All

Just wanted to let you know some sad news--Howard Hurt died October 5, 2012.  Howard was the first Head of the Education Library and he worked at UBC for 30 years before retiring in 1997.  Howard will be remembered by staff, students and faculty as a "good man". He always loved to engage in wonderful gab sessions with students, staff and faculty on issues of the day.  Occasionally, heated debates would ensure as Howard held distinct opinions on most topics.  For those of us who knew him we will remember how much he valued hard work and how much he loved working with students at the information desk. He always held a strong vision of a comprehensive education library collection comprised of theoretical and  research works together with excellent curriculum materials.  He never wanted the library to just be a curriculum laboratory.  His love of languages meant that he was multilingual.  His first second language though was French and he worked hard with Dr. Roy from the Dept. of Language and Literacy Education to acquire a sizeable French curriculum collection to support bilingual education.  Our condolences go to his family at this time.

Please see the obituary that appeared in the Vancouver Sun. 

HURT, Howard R.
August 22, 1937 - October 5, 2012
B.A. B.Ed., B.LS. Howard passed away at VGH after surviving strokes and a brain aneurysm 15 years ago, only to succumb to complications from prostate surgery and pneumonia. Survived by Penny, his wife of 52 years, sons Keith (Anke) and Doug (Tana), five grandchildren, Daniel, Anita, Terry, Brendan and Tyler, and brother Michael. Howard was a teacher for five years and Head of the Education Library for thirty years. He survived a stroke during heart surgery, had a pacemaker implanted, and suffered a brain aneurysm in 1997 which resulted in his retirement. During the past 15 years, he has suffered increasing dementia and loss of memory. It has been very hard for all of us to see him grow so frail. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. We will remember all the good years and happy times. No service by request. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Heart and Stroke or the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated.

Jo-Anne Naslund
Education Library

IIDD, Moondance: Thursday, October 4th

In a world of fugitives, the person taking the opposite direction will appear to run away. -T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965) 

Bacchus/Dionysus

Art: Caravaggio (1571-1610)

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

BRA i.d. a.k.a. Hello! I'm Your Bosom Buddy!

After last year's entry in the UB Artful Bra fundraiser, I came up with several ideas for the 2012 event and eventually settled on the bra pictured. Much as with my 2011 entry, this one is a pun!

The title is: BRA i.d. - and, as the title suggests, the decorative elements are all made from braids. 

For the "i.d." of the title, I raided my copious collection of name tags from all the conferences I've attended over the years - see, it pays to keep stuff! - and made a tag saying "Hello! I'm Your Bosom Buddy!"  

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer

Hello! I've just posted onto my blog about my 2012 entry in the Artful
Bras fundraiser for breast cancer.

You can find details at:

http://DeborahSawyerArt.blogspot.com

Please feel free to share this with anyone else you know who may have
an interest in cancer research and cures. Deborah

Patrizio! Just read your fab review - thanks so much for taking the
time! Deborah

Hi Dear landlady!

Glad to write review, with Hemmingway's help! Have been busy with VIFF volunteer duties of late! Not sure if I'll wander downtown tonight to catch a few films, Liverpool, Quebec, romantic comedy-thriller, and Twilight Portrait, Russia, "a unique feminist perspective on the rampant corruption and callousness in modern day Russia." My next shift is tomorrow, 2:00pm-7:00pm, and Cora Lee plans to join me for Barbara, Germany, about an East German doctor who finds herself exiled to a small GDR village in the summer of 1980.

Weather is still holding here so am planning another reasonably long ride before my meeting at the church later today. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi

Beautiful autumn morning here and have completed my modest ride testing out recent bike repairs. Have had to spend £160 over last week on repairs to cables, gears etc after the system collapsed on me 3 miles from home. Fortunately there was a long downhill path so I could free-wheel part of it with the chain looped over the crossbar. The local bike shop is somewhat ( no, very) chaotic but at least I can have a chat about say football matters with the owner who was playing locally until last year aged mid 40s.

There is so little space with all the new and second hand bikes so the pavement outside is covered with bikes too. The repairs came in two stages and had I realised the second phase of problems i might have considered putting the money towards a new bike. Riding on bridleways is Ok when it is dry but he tells me part of the problem was all the mud and grime caked into the system. Quite frankly when I come off a ride the last thing I fancy doing is cleaning the bike.

This means I shall be more circumspect where I ride over the winter.

I have also been using the road bike (laughingly called a racer) but I feel more vulnerable on it with its thin wheels and riding more on the roads.

The attached photos show last week's weather when the local playing fields on the Ings were flooded to a few feet. Much worse in York where several rivers converge into the Ouse despite flood protection improvements. There were floods all over the country ironically after the worries about droughts earlier in the year

Christine is off to the Ilkley literary festival this afternoon- quite an impressive array of speakers over the fortnight, I believe, of the festival. She is going ti see a children''s author whose work she is familiar with from teaching. I shall probably accompany her and walk around , maybe coffeeing in Betty's.

Mother is Ok in the nursing home and demanding all sorts from my sister eg a bottle of Bailey's and additional sleeping pills etc which are not allowed. We usually journey on up to Newcastle to see Laura, Ed and William and stay over helping with the feeding. So far I have avoided nappy changing duties but have splashed a bit of water about when he is in the bath.

We have booked to go to Tenerife for 10 days in late November staying in the far north east of the island just past the capital Santa Cruz. There is a long sandy beach imported from the Sahara nearby but the main reason for going there is to have a look at the Anaga mountains behind and of course to miss some of late autumn.

I have tried out my minimalist running shoes a couple of times but am still struggling with tendonitis and am trying to get by on cycling and HIT on the exercise bike with some weights and gym work. Not too keen on the yellow stripes on the shoes.

We enjoyed listening to the Ryder Cup at the week-end , one of the few times in the year when I wished I had Sky. Incredible turnaround in fortunes and gripping right to the end. Strange supporting a European team really.

Chris is watching the new series of Downton Abbey- I have given up on it and there is a rival to Spooks/MI5 about to start along with one or two costume drama series.

I acquired a new Nexus tablet the other week so I am playing around with this. The voice recognition is letting me down on anywhere other than "Wetherby". I have a few apps installed including Funbridge and even a Spanish English dictionary for the holiday. I was sold a film to protect the screen but the instructions and my dexterity were hopeless and fortunately the shop gave me the money back. Avoiding air bubbles seems a real problem and the store told me the screens are robust anyway so long as you don't mind finger smudges everywhere.

I am told lunch is prepared so I shall venture down stairs. Hope you are all fit and well. Jim

Hi James, The Mudster!

Terrific to hear from you but sorry to learn about your bicycle woes and your your nagging tendonitis. I'm sure the "coffee cure" will work miracles! Enjoyed the pictures of the the swollen river and the flooded fields. You'll need pontoons for your bike! I must say that I am far my disciplined about cleaning/oiling the chain on my new bike, on a regular basis, now that I have to pay a mortgage on it for next twenty years!!!

Weather is still holding here so am planning another reasonably long ride before my meeting at the church later today. Wasn't able to connect with The Lads. Whirlygig wanted to leave at 9:00am, RR at 11:45am, but when I suggested Horseshoe Bay he wasn't keen on the distance. Obviously, your influence, James! Fondestos to Christine. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Lads,

My only opportunity to ride is this morning, 9 – noon. Enjoy your ride later. G

Pat,George,

    Don't fancy such a long ride Pat. Probably best for you get out with George this morning.

Ray

Hi Misha!

Sorry it has taken me so long to finish the book. Have been too busy watching films instead of reading! Let me know how to get the book to you. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

Hi Janice:

Trust that you are well. I apologize for not sending along this material sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons. I have attached the first draft of the program so we'll probably need to discuss this in order to clarify, refine, etc. I have included the words to hymns, songs, readings, etc., more to help me and the friend doing the layout, with overall formatting. These may be some of the things we need to clarify, but it is a start. As you can see, we have decided upon having only one hymn, the solo and a duet by close friends. This was a song that Mom was especially fond of whenever our friends played at the various gatherings we had over the years.

 

Regis Wilson

I have given some thought to your request for information on what the Church meant to Mother. Although she was raised in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the town where she lived, Rivers, was only able to have a priest visit every few months. This being the case, Mom decided to attend Sunday School with a close friend, Edith Mitchell, at the United Church where Edith's mother played the piano during services. Her affiliation with the UCC stems from those early days. In Cyprus, she attended Anglican services as that was what was available. Back in Canada, she returned, to the fold, so to speak, and renewed her membership in the United Church, joining St James and then Trinity, as you well know.

So much for the mechanics of her ecumenism! However, I'm not sure if I can describe her faith as easily. From my perspective, I think, I believe, that she found in the church a welcoming community and a prescribed way of living a good life, a Christian life, in the "traditional" sense, if I can put it that way. She was not an overly complicated person, very, very practical, if anything. In times of crisis I'm sure she found comfort in the ministry of clergy and the compassion shown by members of the congregation but I honestly think that she "weathered" most, if not all, her difficulties through her belief in simply carrying on. Because, simply put, that was what one had to do. She was certainly no stranger to death at an early age, losing three siblings, at a time when infant mortality was much higher than today. The last child to die was two years old and Mom was responsible for much of his care. His remembered death would still bring tears to her eyes whenever she recounted such family history. However, she wasn't scarred by these or other deaths or illnesses or economic setbacks. She grieved, obviously, when my Father died and left her a widow in her early fifties. But she had herself and a son to support and she soldiered on.

Priscilla

Intellectually, she was always blessed with a curious mind and I do know that she thoroughly enjoyed, looked forward to, the bible study sessions that she attended regularly, even at Broadway Lodge, until her mental faculties failed. As a practising nurse, I know she always respected the beliefs and creeds of her patients, no matter which religion they followed. To her, Christianity was but one path to a life meant to be of service and comfort and help to others, whether friends or family or strangers. She cared about the less fortunate, in good measure, I feel, because she felt she was so fortunate herself, blessed with a caring, close family and wonderful, life-long friends. She took the greatest delight in the simple joys of being alive: a sunset, a flower in someone's garden, a home-baked cookie, a gentle joke. She really didn't worry about the meaning of Life, she worried about who was going to do the housework! But such chores were not an obsession, simply tasks that needed doing and then one could play tennis or bridge or go to the symphony, all activities she enjoyed for many, many years. 
 

I hope this helps. In conclusion, I would say that Mother was a woman of faith but more of faith in the community of the church, a community of individuals gathered together to support and help one another. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Lost the big tree out front during this storm! George

IIDD, Moondance: Wednesday, September 3rd

I wish I could have known earlier that you have all the time you'll need right up to the day you die. -William Wiley, artist (b. 1937) 

Terpsichore

Art: Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766)

Anyone up for a ride this morning? I need to be back by noon. G

George/Pat,

    

Sorry can't make it this morning but maybe tomorrow. White frost on the roof! Ray

"saw Stanford from Sex & the City at lunch..."

"Poppa, you have no connection to a series that resonated with millions of women therefore a Stanford sighting is drivel to you...but to many, it is not. Facebook is for fun in my opinion, if you want edgier content might I suggest BBC or CBC?"

Cowardy Cowardy Custard!

You have way too much time on your hands

Due to the fact that I don't waste my time watching pre-masticated pap served, endlessly, to the drooling fans of Stanford and the like!

Cyber bullying is not nice

Articulate dialogue does not equate to cyber bullying. Reading about mindless, unexamined activity, without commenting, critically, (ie., with some sort of underlying analysis), is an abdication of personal responsibility and I will not be bullied, Dear Arbiter of What is Right and Wrong with respect to Facebook Etiquette, into refraining from speaking my considered thoughts. 

I am going to sign you up for a Seniors debate team

Hi Long Lost Lads!

Trust everyone is well. I'm up for a ride tomorrow so let me know time and place!

Sorry I've not been in touch but VIFF and other activities have kept me fairly busy since last we rode to Iona/UBC last Thursday. Lurchesca was here, if only for the evening/overnight, as she had to see her dentist and do all sorts of other "city" errands. She brought two lovely bottles of wine for dinner, [Had had one of the bottles, (not sure if it was the same vintage, of course), at a tiny spot, just around the corner from our appartmento, in Paris, in 2010], and we enjoyed some wonderful tastings just before we left Madroña Manor, once Grogg unlocked his wine cellar!

On Thursday I saw a wonderful film at VIFF, Museum Hours, Austria/USA, (Had to put up a number of posters about half-way into film but didn't miss but a few minutes.), a simply fascinating story about two people, museum guard, Johann, (Bobby Sommer), and Anne, (Canadian music legend Mary Margaret O'Hara!), who meet in the Breughel room of Vienna's Kunsthistoriches Art Museum.

Overall, a truly remarkable film which explores how art shapes and reflects daily experience, and more, much more, of course. In one startling scene, to say the least, we watch a number of visitors as they view various paintings. The camera moves from details depicted in the works to the viewers themselves and then back to more close-ups, etc. Then, when a number of particular "viewers" are next seen, they are naked, as if we, the audience, possess X-ray vision. The line, of course, between the naked nymphs, cherubs, and bare chested warriors depicted in the breathtaking or gruesome paintings, is blurred, erased, so we must question what is real, what is artifice. A highly provoctive yet immensely effective device, given the context, I must say.

As I think I might have mentioned during the course of Thursday's ride, on Saturday Chloë and I had to take Maggster to the SPCA for a check-up. We were worried about her teeth and her stomach as she had been sick to her stomach a number of times over last few months. In fact, everything went well from the very beginning. Didn't have too, too much trouble getting her into the carrier cage. Was more concerned about that than almost anything else! She can be pretty vicious when unhappy, as I'm sure you know! Anyway, vet said she was pretty healthy and only suggested we try a special diet to help reduce plaque build-up on her teeth. Couldn't believe how relaxed she was while being examined! Poor Chloë was probably more nervous than Maggie as she ended up spilling quite a bit of the container of crunchies she'd brought along to try to take The Devil Cat's attention off what was happening around her. Lid wasn't on properly, I guess. Vet was completely unperturbed by spillage. Very, very pleasant, friendly chap.

Then, once out in the waiting area to have detailed report, Chloë knocked over a plastic picture frame containing snap of a cat up for adoption, while attempting to put a donation in the jar beside the picture. The ensuing fall broke one corner of the frame. Coincidentally, just that morning I had put together almost a box of similar frames when I had removed the pictures, originally displayed in Mom's room at Broadway Lodge, ones I wanted to use for the Memorial. Anyway, will drop most of them off at the SPCA next time I'm by there.

Then, spent quite a bit of the afternoon with Flash, at his studio, but a block from Gourmet Warehouse, near Hastings and Clark Drive, working on the program/order of service for Mom's Memorial. He is such a wizard with scanning pictures I provided and Photoshop that he was able to produce what we think is a very fitting and appropriate document. I'll send along a copy once we've met with minister to confirm some of the items in the service. I stopped at Legacy, in Olympic Village, on way home, (I was on my bike as it was another glorious day.), and picked up a bottle of 15 year old Mortlach, Speyside, 43%, for Flash as but a small thank-you for all his incredible work. I've not seen Mortlach in years so was delighted to find it on the shelf this time. Picked up a bottle for myself so am looking forward to a snortl!

That evening had a wonderful dinner, along with Flamin' and Sarge, at the home of Brenda and Dave, curling mates. They are from Winnipeg, originally, and Brenda was head of HR at VPL for a number of years, which is where she and Cora Lee first met. They live on 1st near Collingwood so we didn't have far to go.

On Monday I picked up my friend Imre, from St Paul's, where he'd been for over a week, for pain management. Looks like he will be moving to a hospice in next little while as he simply cannot manage alone anymore, even with outside help for shopping, cleaning and some meal preparation. At any rate, Cora lee came with me, about noon, and she stayed in the car, (not much parking around the hospital), while I fetched Jim from the ward. Once we were back we dropped her off at VPL as she had work to do for Friends of VPL and then I took Imre home, 5th and Alma. Once he was settled I did a few errands, (dry cleaning, Safeway for  fuzzy water/milk and to collect a prize, a KitKat, I'd won on one of their  scratch and win promos, only time I've ever won!

Back home to have a bite to eat and suit up for a ride. Just before I was about to walk out the door, Kurt, one of our neighbours, and chap we were talking with about renting his house in Panama for January/February, knocked on the door to ask if we were definite about traveling to Panama. A friend there wishes to rent the house for a year but since he had tentatively promised it to us he wanted to make sure we still wanted to take him up on the offer. Funnily enough, earlier that morning I had 'quizzed" The Sisterhood, (Can one use a collective noun to describe an individual?), about whether she could really afford the trip, given our house exchange next summer, and then her planned two weeks in Rome, afterwards, with her Book Club. At any rate, I received a qualified, "Well, I guess it would be better for my finances if we didn't go.", but not a definite "Yes" or "No"! Given Kurt's situation I told him that he should take the offer of the rental for a year.

Some options remain open, however. In the first instance, I don't know if staying in one spot is the best idea in Panama, unlike Mexico with the house in Guayabitos. Panama is a much smaller country and Kurt suggested that spending a week or so in five or six of the quite different parts of the country is perhaps a more interesting holiday, traveling by local buses which apparently are fine. This does not address the question of "affordability" of course but it might be something to think about at a future date. At any rate, things may change between now and when we return from LA so stay tuned! Mexico is yet another possibility. Barb and Lynn, (when they visited us in Parksville), mentioned we  would be welcome to stay with them. If we did do something like that, it would probably be for not more than two weeks but that could change as well!

After Kurt left, I went out for my first long ride since last Thursday. Headed out to UBC, via Spanish Banks and followed one of my usual routes around the university and environs to end up with 72.1K, AVG 19.7kph, so I was quite pleased. Very little wind and the water of English Bay was as smooth a a mirror when I was homeward bound. Cora Lee made a wonderful corn pasta with chicken topping, dressed with home-made pesto sauce and pine nuts. She used fresh basil from the plant she purchased at the market in Penticton when we were there on our way back from Winnipeg. She'll be baking bread, [perhaps she can share some of your recipes?], making her own greeting cards and sewing her own dresses, a la ex-con, now rehabilitated con artist, Martha Stewart "Super Housewife/Über Spender", soon!!!

Saw five remarkable films yesterday. My Father and The Man in Black: Saul Hollif, [from London, Ontario,of all places!], was Johnny Cash's long-time agent and Jonathon, his eldest son produced this incredible documentary as an investigation of his father's life and that of the star who dominated it for years; Dom: A Russian Family: four generations of  of the Shamanov family assemble in their rambling farmhouse on the Russian steppe to celebrate their patriarch's 100th birthday but are to busy feuding amongst themselves to notice armed strangers circling their property. Reservoir Dogs meets Pulp Fiction; The Flat: Arnon Goldfinger, the documentary filmmaker, along with his family, have the task of clearing out the Tel Aviv apartment which his grandmother, Gerda Tuchler, and her husband, lived in, for nearly 60 years, since immigrating to Palestine from Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Letters, documents and photographs lead Arnon to wonder why his grandparents remained extremely close friends with a member of the SS, a Baron von Mildenstein, and his wife, even after the end of the war and loss of relatives in the Holocaust; Helpless: Munho, a young veterinarian, is driving his fiancée, Seonyeong, to meet his father when she disappears at a motorway stop. He enlists his cousin, Jonggeun, a former cop who has left the force "under a cloud", to help find the missing woman but the closer they get the more elusive she becomes. Old deaths as possible murders eventually lead to horrifying conclusions; Love Is All You Need: after so much drinking and depression, murder and mayhem, it was a delight to watch Ida, Trine Dyrholm, a cancer survivor now weathering her husband's infidelity, spar with Philip, (Pierce Brosnan), a widower/workaholic fruit-and-vegetable mogul, [last bit sounds like Robo Ray!], as they are forced together, in sunny Sorrento, to attend the wedding of his son and her daughter. Trine plays Ida so wonderfully that her forthright remarks simply make one to laugh out loud whenever she utters a word. Pierce is as good with his sadness and vulnerability and their chemistry together is both delightfully funny and moving. An intelligent, perceptive script make it more than a romantic comedy.

This morning I was able to obtain one of the last seats availbale for Nuala, the documentary made by her longtime friend Mariane Finucane. I read Are You Somebody, O'Faolian's memoir, a number of years ago, and was struck by the power and uncompromising nature of her work. I must say that you should try to see this film, (It was announced, prior to the screening, that it will be shown again, both during and after the festival.), as it raw and vivid testimony to a contradictory life, literally right up until the moment of this Irish writer's death. The fact that she spoke so openly and frankly about her impending death is, in itself, rather remarkable. Viewing it, so soon after my Mother's death, it had even more resonance, as I'm sure you can appreciate. Interestingly enough, one of the things that struck me most forcefully was the father figure in both this film and in Hollif's, (and now that I think about it), in The Man Nobody Knew: In search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby, by his son Carl, which I saw at VIFF last year. See them all!

 Next up was A Royal Affair and this historical drama shows how a passionate and forbidden romance actually changed the course of Danish history, for the better, eventually! Although but a minor part, Trine Dyrholm is fearsome as  the Dowager Queen.  This film introduces us to the fascinating tragedy of the love affair in the 1770s between England's Caroline, wife of the problematic Danish King Christian, and the king's German physician, Johann Struensee, both dedicated social progressives. This struggle between a conservative, repressive regime and representatives of the Enlightenment preceded the French Revolution and is a spell-binding portrait of late 18th-century life. After that I watched Parabeton-Pier Luigi Nervi and Roman Concrete, a film without dialogue which examines many of Rome's celebrated ancient buildings alongside the modern structures, (warehouses, factories, sports complexes, etc.), designed by the acknowledged master of reinforced concrete. Interesting but certainly not anywhere as riveting as all the above!

Hi Raymondo and Giorgio!

I'm fine with 11:45am, Raymond. Let me know if you might be interested in a jaunt to Horseshoe Bay. What about you, Giggster? Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hello ,

Deborah Sawyer is asking you to provide a reference that they can display publicly on their Airbnb profile. Airbnb is a community marketplace for accommodations that is built on trust and reputation. A reference from you would really help build their reputation with the community. Let them know if you have any questions.

My wife and I always stay at Deborah's place when holidaying in Toronto. It is a "clean, well-lighted place", conveniently located, within easy walking distance of public transport, grocery stores and a public library. A pleasant walk down tree-lined streets takes you to Little Italy with its myriad restaurants, bars and cafes. The house itself is very comfortable and very nicely appointed. One word of caution: make sure you obtain a parking permit, (Can be done online.), for on-street parking as a ticket will appear on your windscreen without one. Other than that, a great place to stay while exploring the city. Cheers, Patrizzio!

IIDD, Moondance: Tuesday, September 2nd

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. -Anatole France, novelist, essayist, Nobel laureate (1844-1924) 

Proteus: A woodcut by Jörg Breu

From the Book of Emblems by Andrea Alciato (1531)

Production shifts for the Vancouver Writers Fest on Monday 15 October need more volunteers.
If you are interested and available, please go into your myVolunteerPage.com and sign up/bid for more shifts, in particular for Production on Monday 15 October.
Come and join us and get a 'hands-on' festival experience. Production crews always have fun!
Many thanks! Kathryn 

Thx – it was good to see you folks – we had a great time too! B 

Mary Carmen Graham

Dear Patrick,
I just talked to Michele and she gave me the news about your Mom's death. John and I are sorry to hear that you are having a sad time with her passing away. Our thoughts are with you and please let us know what funeral arrangements you have in place as we would like to be with you during this time if this is possible. We send you a big hug and we hope we will hear from you. With all our sympathy, John and Marycarmen

 

IIDD, Moondance Diaries: Monday, October 1st

Whenever books are burned men also in the end are burned. -Heinrich Heine, poet, journalist, and essayist (1797-1856) 

Hi Patrick and Corinne,

We just read that Annie’s memorial is Oct 14 at 2:30pm. Unfortunately, we had committed to doing a travel club presentation in North Van for appx 40 members from noon to 3pm.

Therefore we are not able to attend the service. Please know that our thoughts will be with you and we are most disappointed we will be unable to attend.

Look forward to seeing you soon. Thanks, Charlie & Susan

Aviva Insurance is running a voting competition.  The applicant with the most votes is likely to receive funding. 
Please register with Aviva here: https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/users/registration/register
Then cast a vote a day over the next 15 days for Cheryl Stephens' proposal ACF13938 "Clear Information for Victims and Witnesses". You can find it by entering ACF13938 in the Search Box. Thank you, Al Soroka

Hi Champagne and O Susannah!

Thank you for your kind words and concern. While we will be having a reception, (tea/coffee and dainties), after the service, at the church, we will be having more of a traditional wake back at The Islay Inn, probably starting around 4:30pm. If you are so inclined, please feel welcome to pop by after your presentation. Thanks again for your thoughts. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Ayn!

Thanks very much for Melvin's email address. We've been pretty busy here as well, although "lazy retirees"!

Lurchesca was here, if only for the evening/overnight, last Thursday, as she had to see her dentist and do all sorts of other "city" errands. She brought two lovely bottles of wine for dinner, [Had had one of the bottles, (not sure if it was the same vintage, of course), at a tiny spot, just around the corner from our appartmento, in Paris, in 2010], and we enjoyed some wonderful tastings just before we left Madroña Manor, once Grogg unlocked his wine cellar!

Was busy with VIFF first two days back and then on Saturday Chloë and I had to take Maggster to the SPCA for a check-up. 9Nort sure if Nana filled you in on this on the phone.) We were worried about her teeth and her stomach as she had been sick to her stomach a number of times over last few months. In fact, everything went well from the very beginning. Didn't have too, too much trouble getting her into the carrier cage. Was more concerned about that than almost anything else! She can be pretty vicious when unhappy, as I'm sure you know! Anyway, vet said she was pretty healthy and only suggested we try a special diet to help reduce plaque build-up on her teeth. Couldn't believe how relaxed she was while being examined! Poor Chloë was probably more nervous than Maggie as she ended up spilling quite a bit of the container of crunchies she'd brought along to try to take The Devil Cat's attention off what was happening around her. Lid wasn't on properly, I guess. Vet was completely unperturbed by spillage. Very, very pleasant, friendly chap.

Then, once out in the waiting area to have detailed report, Chloë knocked over a plastic picture frame containing snap of a cat up for adoption, while attempting to put a donation in the jar beside the picture. The ensuing fall broke one corner of the frame. Coincidentally, just that morning I had put together almost a box of similar frames when I had removed the pictures, originally displayed in Mom's room at Broadway Lodge, ones I wanted to use for the Memorial. Anyway, will drop most of them off at the SPCA next time I'm by there.

Then, spent quite a bit of the afternoon with Flash, at his studio, but a block from Gourmet Warehouse, working on the program/order of service for Mom's Memorial. He is such a wizard with scanning pictures I provided and Photoshop that he was able to produce what we think is a very fitting and appropriate document. I'll send along a copy once we've met with minister to confirm some of the items in the service. I stopped at Legacy, in Olympic Village, on way home, (I was on my bike as it was another glorious day.), and picked up a bottle of 15 year old Mortlach, Speyside, 43%, for Flash as but a small thank-you for all his incredible work. I've not seen Mortlach in years so was delighted to find it on the shelf this time. Picked up a bottle for myself so am looking forward to a snortl!

That evening had a wonderful dinner, along with Flamin' and Sarge, at the home of Brenda and Dave, curling mates. They are from Winnipeg, originally, and Brenda was head of HR at VPL for a number of years, which is where she and Cora Lee first met. They live on 1st near Collingwood so we didn't have far to go. 

Today I picked up my friend Imre, from St Paul's, where he'd been for over a week, for pain management. Looks like he will be moving to a hospice in next little while as he simply cannot manage alone anymore, even with outside help for shopping, cleaning and some meal preparation. At any rate, Nana came with me, about noon, and she stayed in the car, (not much parking around the hospital), while I fetched Jim from the ward. Once we were back we dropped her off at VPL and then I took Imre home, 5th and Alma. Once he was settled I did a few errands, (dry cleaning, Safeway for  fuzzy water/milk and to collect a prize, a KitKat, I'd won on one of their  scratch and win promos, only time I've ever won!

Back home to have a bite to eat and suit up for a ride. Just before I was about to walk out the door, Kurt, one of our neighbours, and chap we were talking with about renting his house in Panama for January/February, knocked on the door to ask if we were definite about traveling to Panama. A friend there wishes to rent the house for a year but since he had tentatively promised it to us he wanted to make sure we still wanted to take him up on the offer. Funnily enough, earlier that morning I had 'quizzed" your Mother about whether she could really afford the trip, given our house exchange next summer, and then her planned two weeks in Rome, afterwards, with her Book Club. At any rate, I received a qualified, "Well, I guess it would be better for my finances if we didn't go." but not a definite "Yes" or "No"! Given Kurt's situation I told him that he should take the offer of the rental for a year.

Some options remain open, however. In the first instance, I don't know if staying in one spot is the best idea in Panama, unlike Mexico with the house in Guayabitos. Panama is a much smaller country and Kurt suggested that spending a week or so in five or six of the quite different parts of the country is perhaps a more interesting holiday, traveling by local buses which apparently are fine. This does not address the question of "affordability" of course but it might be something to think about at a future date. At any rate, things may change between now and when we return from LA so stay tuned! Mexico is yet another possibility. Barb and Lynn, (when they visited us in Parksville), mentioned we  would be welcome to stay with them. If we did do something like that, it would probably be for not more than two weeks but that could change as well!

After Kurt left, I went out for my first long ride since last Thursday. headed out to UBC, via Spanish Banks and followed one of my usual routes around the university and environs to end up with 72.1K, AVG 19.7kph, so I was quite pleased. Very little wind and the water of English Bay was as smooth a a mirror when I was homeward bound. Cora Lee made a wonderful corn pasta with chicken topping, dressed with home-made pesto sauce and pine nuts. She used fresh basil from the plant she purchased at the market in Penticton when we were there on our way back from Winnipeg. She'll be baking bread, making her own greeting cards and sewing her own dresses, a la Agneta "Super Housewife", soon!!! Thanks again for Melvin's email address. Love, Dad! Attack of The iPad People! Are you showing it on Hallmark?

Hola! Crazy day at work! Here is Melvin’s email.

Proud of Alex's fraternity...

SAE CAL NU Lemonade Stand | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

www.alexslemonade.org

On behalf of my brothers, I would like to ask for your help in making our philanthropy event during this Fall semester a success. On October 2, 2012 we are planning to host an event through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. This event will be held on the California State Univers...

The New Yorker has a Facebook page, which a lot of you like, or maybe it’s just one person with a lot of time on their hands, liking the page over and over again. But in any case, it’s a whole lotta like. We like that.
What we don’t like is that we got temporarily banned from Facebook for violating their community standards on “Nudity and Sex,” by posting this Mick Stevens cartoon:

Hoping to get back into Facebook’s good graces, Mick redrew the cartoon for us, but the gain in clothes caused too great a loss in humor.

This previous New Yorker cartoon, by Karen Sneider, would have run afoul of that injunction. But kudos to Karen for handling the nipple problem so dexterously, shielding the innocent from those bits of both sexes, even though, as the guidelines say, “male nipples are ok.” It’s the “female nipple bulges” that are the problem.