De-Nesting Diaries: Friday, March 22nd

When nations grow old, the arts grow cold and commerce settles on every tree. -William Blake, poet, engraver, and painter (1757-1827) 

Snow Leopard!

It has been said that a pretty face is a passport. But it's not, it's a visa, and it runs out fast. -Julie Burchill, writer and journalist (b. 1959) 

Hello Kitty was created by the Japanese company Sanrio in 1974. She's become an international sensation since; according to a New York Times article from May of 2010, the Hello Kitty brand is worth $5 billion a year. Originally intended for young children, Hello Kitty has branched out to dozens of different products and places -- airplanes (as in, passenger jets); restaurants; televisions, both shows and the actual TVs themselves; toaster ovens and microwaves, and even "personal body massagers." The end to where and on what her likeness will appear is endless.

Hello Joan!

Trust you are well! Not sure where the time has gone since we returned, from our two months away, on February 17th. Must apologize for not contacting you sooner, regarding the Isaac Brock Reunion. No excuses but plenty of reasons! As of this writing I'm still trying to figure out a way to attend both the IB reunion and our youngest grandson's graduation form U Cal Northridge. Alexander's ceremony is on May 21st. I didn't know the graduation date at the time that I first knew about the planned festivities in Winnipeg and had hoped to travel there to take part in them. 

 Somehow I assumed his ceremony was earlier in May and would leave enough time to attend IB reunion. Originally, we had planned to drive to California but that will be impossible if I'm to go to Winnipeg as well. Am currently looking at flights to both LA and Winnipeg to see if I can juggle both trips that way. I know I have to make a decision shortly and quickly if I'm to secure necessary dates. Will be in touch as soon as I've sorted things out.

Furthermore, we are doing a house-exchange in Cornwall for the month of August. Have decided to leave for London on July 10th, returning on October 17th. Now all we have to do is figure out how to pay for everything! Cheers, Patrizzio!  

 Hi Joan and Merna!

Joan passed along your email address, Merna! How are you? Would be great to see you after all these years. Just a quick note to say that I have managed to book flights to/from LA which will allow me to arrive in Winnipeg on Wednesday, May 23rd, mid-afternoon. Would very much like to attend all the anniversary activities. At least I hope so as I gather the reunion is turning out to be very popular. I'm wondering if I will have trouble buying tickets/making reservations. At any rate I sent off an email to the Reunion Committee and will mail form tomorrow. Cheers, Patrzzio!

Hi Tinsel Town!

As of this writing I'm still trying to figure out a way to attend both my junior high school, Isaac Brock, Reunion/100th Anniversary, May 23rd-May 25th and Alejandro's graduation on May 21st! Initially, I didn't know the graduation date at the time that I first knew about the planned festivities in Winnipeg and had hoped to travel there to take part in them. Somehow I assumed his ceremony was earlier in May and would leave enough time to attend IB reunion. Originally, as I think you know, we had planned to drive to California but this will be impossible if I'm to go to Winnipeg as well.

Am currently looking at flights to both LA and Winnipeg to see if I can juggle both trips that way. I know I have to make a decision shortly and quickly if I'm to secure necessary dates. 

What we are wondering is when it might be best to fly into LA, given Jonathon's wedding, etc. Being picked up at either LA or Burbank is not such a big deal as I'm sure we can manage to find our own way to Van Nuys, unaided by unloving, uncaring family! Also need to figure out getting to Bellingham. Think that driving there and parking at the airport is the best bet, from this end. At any rate, sorry to thrust this upon you at such short notice.

 However, I'd like to book my flights as soon as possible if we are to travel in this manner. In the end it may well be too, too complicated but I'd like to know options before deciding.

Thanks, Fondestos, Love and Cheers, Poppa "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Limo Service" San!

Hello,

If you fly from Bellingham on Allegiant Air, I believe you are only able to land in Long Beach here.

I am going to be off from May 18, 19, 20, 21, 22…transporting our beloved parents/grandparents will be a true honor. Alex graduates Tuesday, May 21, Jonathan’s wedding is Saturday, May 25^th.

 Perfect dates!!

That Saturday the 18^th, we’ll go to an art show downtown that evening in honor of a friend of Glenda’s who passed away from brain cancer last year.

We’re going to have a BBQ at my place that Tuesday evening the 21^st after the Grad ceremony ends. Melvin will BBQ the ribs/chicken and me and Mom can make the sides, pasta salad, potato salad etc on Monday.  Looking forward to it! Good times! Love to all!

OK Agneta! Fine!!!!!

A real jet-setter you are Poppa!!

Hi Polly and Mick!

Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed catching up last Sunday. Thanks for the wonderful Quivera. Hope we can plan a bridge evening before Durstons return to Manitoba. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Pat

Thanks for the note and lovely pics. We also thoroughly enjoyed the evening and " she who must be obeyed" is planning for another get together at our house in the near future.

The golf season starts next Thursday so I have been busy with several golf club related matters, but at least the  weather feels more spring like.  Still no date for my knee operation and I will be playing with a golf cart for the foreseeable future! Keep in touch Mike 

Hi again, Michaelo!

Just came up from downstairs. Millionaires are back in town, en route to Whistler again, on Sunday. We had some pre-dinner drinks with Sarge. Flamin' is back in Dartmouth, visiting her Mom for Easter. Unfortunately, Sheila is not very well and Flamin' thinks this will be the last time Michele sees her alive.

Busy day tomorrow as we will start moving Chloë's possessions back into the loft. First will be her bed here. Sarge will help and we will put the mattress on his roof rack, the box spring on mine, if weather allows. Then to Maple Leaf Storage on Wall, near PNE, to start emptying locker! 

Given that most of the tomorrow will be taken with ferrying things I took the opportunity to go for a good ride today. Did six laps of Stanley Park Seawall/Prospect Point Hill for a grand total of 82.3 K, over 4:00:16, AVG 20.5 KPH, MAX 53.3 KPH so was pleased. Turned out to be most pleasant, the later the day became. Wind dropped so didn't have to battle on last few rounds or on my way home. Forecast was for possibility of hail and it felt cold enough to do just that when I left around 1:30pm. However, nothing materialized although the low cloud formation over the north shore mountains looked like it could deliver something nasty.

Buona Fortuna with golf. Take care of your knee. Regards to others on the links. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Yes, you win some and lose some.

We, and five more people, had the bike tires slashed in the garage some time between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. Jane discovered it and called the police. Seems there have been other bad things happening in the garage lately. Not an idyllic place to live in.

Then, by midnight last night, Jane's cabin neighbour, BC Bear Dave, called, waking us both up, to have a chat. Sky high, I suppose, but a 20 minute conversation later Jane thanked him "so much" for calling. I caught her asleep at 9.15pm the other week, and she told me to fuck off. You win some and lose some.             

Anyway, I slept for altogether one hour after this, and now Jane cannot see why my enthusiasm for going to the cabin has somewhat diminished! Not even the fact that the above-mentioned Dave invited us for a [pot-smoking] party with the gay and lesbian Chekhamus community makes me more enthusiastic. It seems Jane will go on her own. We'll keep in touch about Sunday. Kjell

Hi Kjell!

Sorry to hear about the nasty vandalism. Perhaps culprit was annoyed at not receiving an invitation to smoke weed with the Cheakamus dykes! You lose some and lose some! Didn't phone about Barbara but will do so tomorrow. Can't believe it won't be on at time listed on website. Buona Fortuna with bike repairs. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 Hi Joe!

How was your birthday? Just came up from downstairs. Freinds from Parksville are back in town, en route to Whistler again, on Sunday. We had some pre-dinner drinks with Sarge. Flamin' is back in Dartmouth, visiting her Mom for Easter.  Buona Fortuna and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hello Reunion Committee!

Just a quick note to say that I would very much like to attend all anniversary activities. At least I hope so. I live in Vancouver and gather the reunion is turning out to be very popular so I'm wondering if I will have trouble buying tickets/making reservations. I would like to attend all the scheduled events, whether paid or silver collections. Is it possible to order online or by email or do I need to send completed form by mail? Any help much appreciated.

Cheers, Patrick Dunn, Class of 57/58, 58/59, 59/60.

Hello Kitty (ハローキティ Harō Kiti) (full name Kitty White (キティ・ホワイト Kiti howaito)) is a fictional character produced by the Japanese company Sanrio, first designed by Yuko Shimizu. She is portrayed as a female white Japanese bobtail cat with a red bow. The character's first appearance on an item, a vinyl coin purse, was introduced in Japan in 1974 and brought to the United States in 1976. 

The character is a staple of the kawaii segment of Japanese popular culture.At age 36 as of 2010, Sanrio has groomed Hello Kitty into a global marketing phenomenon. Originally aimed at pre-adolescent females, Hello Kitty's market has broadened to include adult consumers. She can be found on a variety of products ranging from school supplies to fashion accessories and high-end consumer products. Several Hello Kitty TV series, targeted towards young children, have been produced. Hello Kitty is also the main character at the two Japanese Sanrio theme parks, Harmonyland and the indoor Sanrio Puroland.

Formally in Japanese, "Hello Kitty" refers to the group of related characters, while the main character herself is known as Kitty White (キティ・ホワイト Kiti Howaito), or affectionately as Kitty-chan (キティちゃん Kiti-chan). According to the official character profile, she was born in the suburbs of London, England on November 1. Her height is described as five apples and her weight as three apples. She is portrayed as a bright and kind-hearted girl, very close to her twin sister Mimmy. She is good at baking cookies and loves Mama's homemade apple pie. She likes to collect cute things and her favorite subjects in school are English, music and art.

Hello Kitty is portrayed surrounded by a large family who all possess the surname 'White.' Her twin sister Mimmy is described as "shy and very girly," interested in sewing and dreaming of marriage. While Hello Kitty wears a bow on her left ear, Mimmy wears hers on the right. Their Papa, George, is described as dependable, humorous but also absent-minded. Mama, Mary, is portrayed as a good cook who loves doing housework. Grandpa Anthony likes to tell stories and Grandma Margaret likes sewing. Dear Daniel is Hello Kitty's childhood friend. His character profile describes him as born in London on May 3 with the real name Daniel Starr. He travelled with his parents and was away from Hello Kitty for a long time. He is portrayed as fashionable and sensitive, good at dancing and playing the piano, with an interest in photography and dreams of being a celebrity. Charmmy Kitty is Hello Kitty's pet, a white Persian. She is described as docile, obedient and fond of shiny things. Her necklace holds the key to Hello Kitty's jewellery box. Hello Kitty also has a pet hamster named Sugar, who was a gift from Dear Daniel.

In 1962, Shintaro Tsuji, founder of Sanrio, began selling rubber sandals with flowers painted on them. Tsuji noted the profits gained by adding a cute design to the sandals and hired cartoonists to design cute characters for his merchandise. The company produced a line of character merchandise around gift-giving occasions. Hello Kitty was designed by Yuko Shimizu and was added to the lineup of early Sanrio characters in 1974. The character's first appearance on an item was a vinyl coin purse in Japan where she was pictured sitting between a bottle of milk and a goldfish bowl.She first appeared in the United States in 1976.

Sanrio decided to make Hello Kitty British because at the time when she was created, foreign countries, in particular Britain, were trendy in Japan. In addition, Sanrio already had a number of characters set in the US and they wanted Hello Kitty to be different. Shimizu got the name Kitty from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, where in a scene early in the book Alice plays with a cat she calls Kitty. Sanrio's motto is "social communication" and Tsuji wanted the brand name of the cat to reflect that. He first considered "Hi Kitty" before settling on "Hello" for the greeting.^[Spokespeople for Sanrio have said that Hello Kitty does not have a mouth because they want people to "project their feelings onto the character" and "be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty." Another explanation Sanrio has given for her lack of a mouth is that she "speaks from the heart. She's Sanrio's ambassador to the world and isn't bound to any particular language". 

 Representatives for Sanrio have said they see Hello Kitty as a symbol of friendship, and they hope she will encourage friendship between people across the world. There has been some suggestion that Hello Kitty has its origins in Maneki Neko, and that the name Hello Kitty itself is a back-translation of Maneki Neko, which means beckoning cat in English.