Jambalaya Diaries: Sunday, January 13th

Dictionary: The universe in alphabetical order. -Anatole France, novelist, essayist, Nobel laureate (1844-1924)

Hey Patrick,

happy new years and happy holidays and a belated happy birthday. My holidays got busy as hell right about after your Christmas party which probably was one of the highlights of my xmas to be honest. Long story short, foolish young man I am I got involved with a girl for xmas but like a spring fling it came and went with the festive season (or as I believe, right after she had gotten her xmas presents from me...) but so is life and it is always better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all (unless you caught something nasty, then it's probably better to not have loved at all). This brief courtship took up most of my energy and time though, heck I didn't even get to spend time with my younger counterpart and your namesake, Patrizzio jr. Unfortunately, it meant I also spent very little time with my family during this holiday season, but I don't think I'll ever figure girls out, I just take em as they come and hope for the best. I do remember what you said the last time though: never put anyone on a pedestal (and if one doesn't work then you scan the rest of the room for other ones haha). Too bad women aren't like scotch - just avoid the cheap ones, unless you need em to oil your bike chain, right? haha. Anyways, I'm sorry I didn't send any birthday or holiday wishes your way, especially after welcoming us into your home and whiskey cabinet so openly and freely. I don't know how many years and gifts it will take to make up for my faux pas of bringing you that poor excuse for whiskey, but we'll work our way up until we've corrected that error : )

 Thank you so much for still keeping me in your thoughts as far as SLAIS. I actually just got in touch with some old professors for writing me reference letters for my application to SLAIS. I'm working on the application as we speak. On that note, figured I'd pick your brain about some of the questions that are on the application form:

- what are challenges facing librarians and information specialists now and in the future? Just curious what your perspective is on this as someone who just retired from the profession

- on the application they ask me what in my background (work, volunteer, education) makes me suitable for the program (I'm applying for the dual MAS/MLIS degree) and what do you think they're looking for? Or what kind of qualities/experience make for a good librarian in your opinion? I'm just racking my brain trying to answer this question

Any help with the above questions would be appreciated Pat. Sorry, I know you're on holiday so no rush and if you don't find the time to answer these I totally understand. Thank you either way for all of the help so far.

Hope you and Coralee (spelling?) are having a great time. Be safe and look forward to seeing you when you get back Take care,

P.S. It was Patrick who broke your glass at the party, not me. Just for the record. He knows he needs to replace it haha (speaking of which, young Patrick will be going to Oslo for a few months. He's leaving first week of February. He's really trying to avoid replacing your wine glass I think)

Hey Patrizzio,

first, do they allow your ilk in the lonestar state? I thought they were very conservative down there. An interest in curling is a sign of lack of originality, no?

second, thank you for the SLAIS link (I've sent you another email about that)

Good to see you and the missus are having a nice trip and enjoying your (yours, not hers) golden years in fine form

I'm looking forward to my first (official) NRBC meeting myself Take care, VL

Hi Vittorio!

Thanks for newsy message and kind wishes! Sorry to hear about your Lovesick Blues but you seem to be handling things well. Onward! Fight!!

On the other hand, I'm quite surprised that a young, blatantly disrespectful, cocky, puffed up whipper snapper such as you even knows what "ilk" means, let alone has the ability to use it in something other than a 25 character text/Twitter message! I suppose there is hope for the future. You might even make it into your Golden Years with an Earth Mother of your own choosing! You express yourself rather well even if your writing needs editing! Furthermore, curling is the chess game of ice sports. Being duped, fleeced and forgotten by a Babe is nothing more than a clear sign of both sheer stupidity and wet-behind-the-ears naïveté, Yes? I'm surprised that someone of your ilk even gets to First Base with The Sisterhood!

With respect to SLAIS, I have forwarded your questions to CoraLeeta. (her Tex-Mex moniker), as she has far, far more experience with looking at candidates than I do. She is actually writing a letter of reference to SLAIS for a young woman on the Friends Board, Stefania, who has decided to apply for the Fall Term, I believe.

Grand news about Patrizio! We'd love to visit Norway at some point ourselves. He can bring back 1L of the most expensive Duty Free Akevitt in recompense for the finest crystal he smashed in his uncontrollable, malicious rage!

Time to suit up and do some initial scopage on the biking possibilities in these them parts with my trusty carbon fibre steed, Trek, while CoraLeeta is still sleeping soundly! Fondestos and Cheers, Pecos Patrizzio,Yippee-ki-yay from the Katy Trail!

Pics: A tiny bit of England here in Dallas, just around the corner from where we are staying; CoraLeeta with Joey The Destructo-Acro Kitten in Simi Valley! From Kubrick exhibition at LACMA!

Hello Canadian Patient!

Very sorry to hear that you are still very much under the weather! We talked to Corinne's parents last night and her Dad was down with a bad cold as well. Fortunately, unlike you, Poor Maggie, he seems to be on the mend!

Yes, I do remember Pat Hailey as he was a close friend of older, close friends of mine from Isaac Brock Community Centre/Daniel MacIntyre High. He was also a TA for my Economics prof, Ruhr. To the extent that I knew him, I liked him a lot.

 Cheers to you and hope you start a full recovery soon, Maggie. All the best from Pecos Patrizzio and His Trusty Side-Kick, Coraleeta of the shiny, ever-so-sharp, Western spur-heeled, rattlesnake cowgirl boots! Git along little dogie! Git!

Hello Stefano and Kathleen!

Trust you are well recovered by now, Stefano. No news is good news, I hope, and that you are back to your normal self after the injuries you sustained from the nasty fall.

Up at 7:14am to leave CoraLeeta sleeping soundly as I crept out of the bedroom. Closed the door quietly and made for the kitchen where I heated up a java industriale from day before. Quite a change from having Joey to keep me company in Simi Valley, zipping around, bouncing from counter to tabletop to fridge to stove, opening cupboards, climbing inside and just generally trying to persuade me to feed him before 8:00am! Rather pleasant to sit at the kitchen bar counter, sipping my brew and answering email in undisturbed peace and quiet.

Coriandre made a sleepy appearance about 9:30am and we each prepared our own breakfasts. Around 10:00am we phoned the skiers, (our absentee hosts), in Colorado and had a pleasant chat with them. Was pretty cold, (-7F according to Ruth), so they were probably not going to hit the slopes. After clarifying a few household details and making plans for when we will see them in a little over a week we said goodbye. I then enjoyed two bowls of Ruth's homemade chicken soup before suiting up to get ready to ride the Katy Trail. From Wikipedia:

The Katy Trail is a jogging, walking, inline skating, and bicycling path that runs through the Uptown and Oak Lawn neighbourhoods, following the path of the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which was known as MKT or the Katy. Construction started in Spring 2000 and the trail itself consists of a 12-foot wide concrete path for   pedestrians and cyclists that runs 3.5 miles from the American Airlines Center in Victory Park to Mockingbird Station (a DART light rail station) near Southern Methodist University. Next to the concrete path, for much of its length, a soft recycled-rubber track is built parallel for runners.

I had looked at Google Maps to get some idea of how to connect with the trail from where we are staying and I managed to find closest access point after a few misstarts. Had to be quite careful of the street-car tracks on McKinney as I had to follow this street for a few blocks and was worried that I could run into serious trouble if my front wheel happened to get stuck in the fairly wide groove on each side of the rails. Breathed quite a sigh of relief when I turned of  onto Bowen Street and then onto the sidewalk on Carlisle, a one-way at this point, to Carlisle Lane where I joined the trail at a spot called Snyder's Union. (This part of the trail costs and concrete donated by Synder Construction!) Once here it really was smooth cycling  as it a wonderful dedicated path and although there were plenty of joggers there was room for everyone. I followed the trail north to where it comes to an end on Airline.

Stayed on Airline for a few blocks until it intersected with Mockingbird Lane, a fairly busy thoroughfare, so I backtracked and proceeded westward on Drexel. Before I turned onto this street I had seen a sign that read SMU and I wondered if this initialism stood for Southern Methodist University. As next few streets I crossed were named after various universities or grammar schools, (Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, etc.), I suspected I was in a neighbourhood close to a university and a few minutes later a jogger confirmed my suspicions. Must say that it was wonderful to ride here, as the homes were much like the houses on the UBC Endowment Lands or in Shaughnessy or along Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg. 

I spent the next hour and a half crisscrossing most of these gorgeous streets, roughly triangulated by Mockingbird, the Dallas North Tollway and the Woodall Rodgers Fwy. There was very little traffic and although the wind was quite stiff, at times, and cool, (CoraLeeta convinced me to wear my very fashionable black long-johns, and I'm certainly glad that I heeded her advice. I also wore mittens over my cycling gloves so I was very comfortable for the entire ride.), the sun was shining and it was a delight to be discovering such a treasure so close to where we were going to be over the next few days and then again on two subsequent weekends later in our holiday. 

With just over 30 K on my odometre I started to wend my way back towards Airline but took a sight detour off Beverly along Lakeside Drive and was rewarded with grander, larger mansions looking out onto Exall Lake, more of a river than a lake, as far as I could trll, but nonetheless a very beautiful parkscape. I am certainly going to explore this section of Highland Park when next I return.

Once back on KT it didn't take me long to reach Snyder's Union so I decided I'd follow the trail to its start.  Did just that, arriving at the aforementioned Victory Park, opposite the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. Having a better idea of the scope of the trail now, I retraced my earlier route, modifying it somewhat, as being slightly more familiar, at this point, with the streets near Woodside I was able to choose the ones with lights in order to cross busy intersections without having to stop, Dear Reader, and touch the ground! I must admit, however, that at the onset of the ride, I did unclip a number of times as I had to wait for lights, not knowing traffic patterns. Since I considered this ride one of reconnaissance rather than an official outing, I had already steeled myself to this likelihood and managed to convince myself that I would survive once I was forced to touch the burning ground!

Happy to report that I returned, safely, with 52.8 K over 2:48:01, AVG 18.8 KPH, MAX 32.4 KPH on the clock. Coraleeta returned a few minutes after me from a local shopping spree, (two sweaters and a T shirt), and after I showered and changed we both had a bite to eat and then made for McKinney Street to catch the free streetcar. While waiting I watched the Seahawks lose a heartbreaker on the outdoor patio of a pub right beside the stop. Thought of The Old Oakites once aboard as one of the advertising signs aboard gave a brief history of the car and once it was taken out of service it served as a storage shed for hay for a local farmer. When the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority decided to refurbish it they received needed parts from Melbourne!

Loads of fun reading the historical advertisements and we alighted right beside the Dallas Museum of Art at 3:00pm, noting about six busy food trucks parked across from the entrance. After we had freeloaded our way inside, (using Randy's membership, kindly left for this express purpose!), we had two hours to see Posters of Paris: Toulouse-Lautrec & His Contemporaries:

"Beginning with the early designs of Jules Chéret—the “father of the poster”—the exhibition explores the earliest days of the affiche artistique (artistic poster) and its flowering in Paris, first under Chéret in the 1870s and 1880s, and then with a new generation of artists including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Alphonse Mucha and Théophile-Alexandre Steinlin, artists who brought the poster to new heights in the 1890s."

Really cannot say how much we enjoyed, were simply enthralled by this "free museum for the masses", a phrase used by contemporary art critics. The more than one hundred brightly hued posters, with their bold typography and unimaginably playful imagery, both delighted and amazed us with as much force today as when they adorned the boulevards of Paris. It is impossible to choose favourites but I was absolutely tickled to see an entire section devoted to posters which advertised bicycles! If only we could convince some of the nymphs touting Cycles Perfecta to join our outings, I'm sure we would have a full Peleton for every ride!

Just had enough time to buy a few postcards and a fridge magnet or two before Museum closed. Only had to wait a few minutes to hop back on to the MAS. Different car this time and discovered that "Matilda" was built in 1926, in Melbourne, and saw 59 years of service there before being brought to Dallas. On way up McKinney, we chatted with a couple who had just returned, but three weeks ago, from living in France, near Nice, for past 16 years. Apparently they had used Dallas as their home address while overseas but didn't know the city so we suggested a number of restaurants, in our neighbourhood, that Ruth had noted for us.

Back at Il Palazzo CoraLeeta made a meat sauce for gluten-free penne and we both sipped an Alamos, Salta, 2011 Torrontes, 13.5%, floral and aromatic, crisp with plenty of citrus, while we sliced and peeled and sautéed. Once the food was prepared we enjoyed the delicious meal with my green saladin and a Fancis Coppola, Diamond Collection, Silver Label, Monterey County, 2010 Pinot Noir, 13.5%, which some kind, (or unkind, depending on your point of view), soul brought to our New Year's Day Open House. Thought I'd give it a chance and according to the label, the Monterey fruit was selected "due to the extended growing season and extra weeks of ripening which gives the Pinot Noir richness and intense aromatic qualities. Experience wild raspberries, rose petals and cinnamon, along with juicy flavours of cherries, strawberries and tea leaves." Wow! And I thought it was a glass of wine and not unbridled sex! Misquoting a friend from Winnipeg, Ken Chapman, "I'm tasting tea leaves that Sarge has re-heated about four times!" But many of you will know that Pinot is one of my least favourite varietals.

Loaded the dishwasher and then settled down to watch Downtown Abbey.Like millions of others we are quite taken with the series and it is most pleasant to watch the interplay between and among the characters we have come to know over the course of the two past seasons. Phoned Flamin' and Sarge after Downtown had concluded until next Sunday and had a terrific, long distance catch-up. Everyone in Clan Sutherland is well so pleased to know that this is the case, although Sarge was still smarting from the Seahawk's last second loss!

I worked away at the JD for an hour or so after we finished the call and before heading to bed. Polished off a few chapters of White Heat before turning off the light. CoraLeeta was already asleep by the time I crawled into bed so I didn't have to worry about suffering her sleepy imprecations about dousing the bedside lamp, close to 12:30am, Dear Reader! To be continued...

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Aristide Bruant in his Cabaret, 1893, color lithograph, Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Harry Lynde Bradley, Photo by Larry Sanders

Lads,

I just noticed that the night we chose for the next gathering is also the night of the Oscars. Personally I have no interest in watching but I wonder how many of the non-readers will be glued to the tube.

We could meet mid afternoon again if that works better for everyone or change the date. Please let me know your preference. G

 
I can only meet in evening myself (after 430p). Don't care for oscars. Lincoln will win everything. Its rigged toward spielberg every year

I can take em or leave em.  An afternoon time would be fine with me if the oscars prevail.  

Guy

I never watch them so it doesn't matter to me.  Either way I won't be able to make it to the meeting until 8pm anyway. Cheers.

Never watch 'em, no cable any way...8^) cheers, Mark

For me both times afternnon/ or evening is ok. i don't plan to watch Oscars. M

I usually tape it and fast forward through it. So any time is fine with me. Moe

Georges de Feure, Paris-Almanach, 1895, color lithograph, Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Milton F. Gutglass, Photo by John Glembin

Happy to hear your new digs are wonderful. Feel a bit better, slept 6 hrs from 1 am and then another 3 hours following Frank's 7:15 alarm. Guess I needed it after being up coughing the preceding 3 nights. Maggie Can't compete right now with your long, most descriptive passages of the trip!

Hello again, Canadian Patient!

Very pleased to hear that you are starting to feel better. Close friend in London just sent a message ans she has been down for two weeks with a very bad chest infection! Keep self-medicating, Maggie! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Big Al!

Sorry that I have not been in touch sooner. Life on the road is very busy!  Fondestos to you and Marilyn from CoraLeeta. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Alphonse Mucha, Job, 1898, color lithograph, Milwaukee Art Museum, Purchase, Gertrude Nunnemacher Schuchardt Fund, presented by William H. Schuchardt, Photo by John Glembin

Sorry for long delay but I have had chest infection for last 2 weeks and am only just back in land of the living! Lisa is due back from Vietnam tonight with Lauren - I cant wait to hear all about it. I am hoping to get to Nicaragua this year - would be good to meet up! Have booked to go to Amsterdam with Carol for w/end of 8th Feb to celebrate my friend Frank's 50th. Never been there before so can't wait. More news when I feel 100%. Much love to all Penny xx

Hello to the English Patient, from The Dallas Deluxe!

Sorry that I have not been in touch sooner and even sorrier to hear about your nasty chest infection. Just say the word and I'll fly over, straightaway, to massage some Vicks Vapour Rub into your chest!!! That should clear your nostrils, at the very least!

 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Le Divan Japonais, 1893, color lithograph, Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Harry Lynde Bradley, Photo by Larry Sanders

Enjoy Amsterdam. We certainly did. When is Nicaragua? You are always welcome. Cheers to one and all from Pecos Patrizzio and His Trusty Side-Kick, Coraleeta of the shiny, ever-so-sharp, Western spur-heeled, rattlesnake cowgirl boots! Git along little dogie! Git!

Pic: Joey The Destructo-Acro Kitten in Simi Valley, our charge for two weeks. Lovely, lovely cat and I miss him as he had such a wonderful, mischievious, loving personality! Bit like you, Duhlink!!!

Glad to hear you arrived safe and sound!!!

Spoke with Ben yesterday and told him I will give check to him before the first and that damage will most likely be to him when you two are home, he is fine with it all. Am looking in to getting the floors in the loft resealed as thought it would be the best time with no furniture in and they have been looking dull, has been 15 years since they were done. Also Ben said the upstairs carpet is badly stained so will look into replacing that as well.
I understand you spoke with G&G so you know Gramps is quite sick, poor guy looks pretty rough :( They told me to stay away so have been just checking in briefly.

My meeting with Gail from Aunt Leah's is monday so looking forward to that, it will also be my last cleanse day so will be having a glass of wine to celebrate!!!

Mags is a sleepy glutton, and follows me every where, cries when i close the bathroom door, just pathetic and so needy!!!!

Ok off to mark and krissy's as they are having people over to drink the kegs from the restaurant,they still are in limbo as having read derick's email you know what's going on, very bad situation, and am quite worried for them.

You two better get movie watching with the Oscar noms out, and nana don't forget golden globes are tomorrow!!! Love you, Chloe Alexis!!! xxxxxxxx
 

Hi Chloe, well you have $1200 to work with. I used End of the Roll store to carpet the upstairs and they also installed it. You might want to think about using wood instead. Its not very large a space. This time of year you might get something on sale.

You need to decide how you want to handle the taxes and condo fees. Do you want us to pay them or do you want to pay them yourself? We were thinking $850 per month including the taxes and condo fees. which amount to 325 approx.

Let us know what you are thinking.

Glad your cleans is going so well. What are Mark and Chrissy to do? Lv Mom

Hello Gran Duggacio!

Trust you and the Pope are well!

Have been here since this past Saturday. Left Simi Valley on Thursday to spend the night in Mesa with good friends of the Durstons, Sandy and Arv, and then Friday night at the Texan Inn, in Monahans. Fondestos to you and David from CoraLeeta. Cheers, Patrizzio!