De-Nesting Diaries: Thursday, May 2nd

Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own, which is the chief reason for that kind of reception it meets in the world, and that so very few are offended with it. -Jonathan Swift, satirist (1667-1745) 

Mammonism:

MEANING:

noun: The greedy pursuit of riches.

ETYMOLOGY:

Via Latin and Greek, from Aramaic mamona (riches). Mammon was personified as a false god in the New Testament. Earliest documented use: 1843. 

Hi Big AL!

Grand ride yesterday, 61.9 K but official stats are only 55.3 K, as I touched down at West Point to have the right handle bar grip adjusted. It had been been damaged in fall. Home after 3:26:45, AVG 19.9 KPH, MAX 53 KPH, down Foreshore Hill

Hi Bob!

Do apologize but I had completely forgotten that I'm playing bridge with a group, "Grandmothers for Africa", at 9:30am this coming Monday! I honestly thought it was later in week. I hadn't scribbled date in on my calendar as invitation came over the phone, to Cora Lee, and when I accepted I was doing something else and obviously never got around to recording date. If breakfast/brunch still works for you, I'm free from Wednesday on. Have two events at UBC on Tuesday. Again, sorry for this. I was/am looking forward to reunion as well.

Did enjoy the two blog postings. I must say I felt like I was in both Bangkok and Cambodia, especially with the videos. Do you use your Canon or do you have s separate video camera? I used my G11 to capture Shinkansen arriving in stations a number of times in Japan. Need to do more as it really adds a wonderful dimension to record one might wish to keep. (Short note: Runway sequence in Phnom Penh needs editing! In someone's famous words "less is more"! Just a tiny jibe! Rest of your "period piece" critical commentary, (bus, etc.), on Barbara was most informed, of course. Loved poster of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev and Erich Honecker, as well as street scenes, from earlier message.

We'd be happy to see "Ollie" again but we leave on July 10th for London. When does he arrive? I sent him an email as you had passed along message he sent to you. No response, to date.

SFU writers course sounds most interesting. I've often toyed with doing something similar as I'm still struggling to find "my style". I just bash away and am happy if I can keep a record. Friends and family insist I need to work on "condensed format", (Something you seem to have mastered quite well, given your remarkable blog efforts.), but I must admit, since I do it for myself, basically, I don't worry, overmuch, or at all, what the cruel world thinks! Flying in the face of accepted wisdom, More is More, so to speak, if you catch my drift! Just wondering how many clichés I could pile on!

Anyway, let me know about rescheduling and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Can you explain Exercise video format? As I mentioned, I'm unable to open it.

Hey Pat,

May 12, 13, 14 all work for me, which is a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Later next week, not at all.

I totally agree with you on the video from the flight into Phnom Penh. I need to get an expert over to show me how to edit video, but she is $60 per hour, so i keep delaying that as it is not a hight priority. I think that the cut needs to come after the touchdown on the runway, which would reduce it from 6 to 3 minutes, or so. If the videos are sharper and more horizontal in format, they are iPad videos, otherwise the less sharp ones are G11 clips. Of course it is time consuming but you can enter the whole blog, via the two links i sent you. I have a whole bunch of posts from Myanmar, which was a fascinating experience. I was last there in the second half of January.

Forwarded your email to Olli and told him to drop you a line. Aren't i bossy? Look forward to seeing him again. I took him of a tour of the condo yesterday, using the iPad camera and Skype. Is this technology not amazing?

Here is the course i mentioned. I was muddled as it is entitled "Discovering Form: Your Second Draft and Beyond" Anyhow, too bad we can't do it together. Have you checked out the SFU offerings (even if you are a UBC tribe member)?

http://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/ahcp/2013/05/discovering-form.html The Best!  bob

Hi again, Bob:

Tuesday, although Election Day and our 37th Wedding Anniversary, late morning, would be best for me, given other  dates. Would it be possible to have brunch, between 11am-12noon? If this isn't convenient let me know and I can re-work things at my end.

I agree about the iPad, technology in general, etc. I took some stunning pictures with Cora Lee's iPad in Japan. Only thing about it is that I find it a tad klunky to carry/use as a camera. Still, a remarkably versatile tool. That being said I'm looking at a MacBook Air for travel. I gave my iPad to Chloë as it was a first generation, without camera and she uses it for work, taking minutes, emailing them almost immediatley, as well as a host of other uses. Ironically, as she has an iPhone she made more use of it in one day than I'd done since buying it in 2010! I don't like any of the flat keyboards I've found for the iPad, (One I gave to Cora Lee is wonderful but has a dock which protrudes and makes carrying it cumbersome.), and I like an actual keyboard rather than the virtual one. I have used it on a number of trips and survived. Any suggestions? I'm even thinking about an iPad mini. Do you know anything about them? Have you used one?

Appreciate link to course but with travel planned I don't think I could have done it justice. I'll be curious to hear what you think, however. Let me now about Tuesday. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Fingare and Digitale!

Thanks for the wonderfully newsy message! Wonderful, wonderful snaps of family. Glad to learn that all goes so swell, particularly on health front. Bravo Michaelo! Onward! Fight!!!
This week I managed to ride every day, back on my Trek, doing 51.3 K. 53.3 K and 55.3 K respectively. Felt great to be back in the moving saddle and each day was a tad better in terms of overall soreness and endurance. Popped in to see Mick yesterday, at the end on my ride, to deliver a pile of books and he wished to be remembered to you two. I had forwarded Marilyn's epistle to him and I gather he was not aware of all of Cardio Man's most recent on-going health issues. Anyway, I'm alive and so, so fine, heading towards better! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Jou Ching!

Trust you are well! Have been meaning to say hello for aeons. No excuses but plenty of reasons! Thank you for the lovely Christmas card! We didn't read it until after we returned to Vancouver in mid-February. Spent Christmas in LA, then Dallas, (Had wonderful visits with Randy and Ruth there!), New Orleans and Sint Maarten, in the Caribbean. Back home on February 17th. Fondestos from Cora Lee to you. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Maret and David!

Trust you are both well! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Ski and Ronaldo!

Trust you are both well! Have been meaning to say hello for aeons. No excuses but plenty of reasons! Let me know what you think about Languedoc and we'll book you in! Cycling along the Canal du Midi! Who could ask for anything more. French wine and cheese. Just like being in St Martin!!!

This week I managed to ride every day, back on my Trek, doing 10.3 K. 51.3 K and 55.3 K respectively. Felt great to be back in the moving saddle and each day was a tad better in terms of overall soreness and endurance. I spit on the stationary bikes of AUC and FCCC!!!
Anyway, I'm alive and so, so fine, heading towards better! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Kjell!

Will see you tomorrow at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas 88 West Pender, at about 4:15pm, in the lobby. Cora Lee won't be able to join us. However, we were wondering if you and Jane are free for dinner on either Friday May 10 or Saturday, May 11th. We can chat about date tomorow. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello, Please join us for a pre-event reception in honour of authors Meg Wolitzer and Jim Lynch, who are appearing at our May 22 Incite event at VPL. If you would like to stay for Incite at 7:30 please let us know so that we can reserve seats for you. For more information on Incite please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite Best regards, Ann McDonell Director of Marketing &  Development 

Hi Ann!

Thanks for the fab invitation. Would certainly like to attend Incite reception but Cora Lee and I will be in LA at our youngest grandson's graduation from U Cal Northridge. Would have liked to Meet Meg Wolitzer and Jim Lynch but will blame Alejandro for missing chance. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Takagaki Toshiko

• 
  

  Hello, Corinne and Patrick, How are you?Thank you for the lovely Easter greeting!
  Sorry I haven't written you sooner. I heard that you are visiting Ayn in L.A. for Alex's Graduation on 5/21!! Wish I could go...Now Japan is Golden Week holiday! Remember that you came to Japan after GW last year. I had such a great time!! Please have a wonderful spring season! Toshiko
• 

  Corinne Durston
  

  
  

  hi Toshi, great to hear from you. When are you coming back to California? Spring has started here but still not too warm. Have fond memories of your family and friends who we met last year. Love to you and your mother, Corinne
  

  

  Patrick James Dunn
  

  Hi Toshi! How could we ever forget the more than wonderful time in Japan with you and your Mother and family and friends! We'll think of you all when in LA in a few weeks. Fond regards to everyone. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Chloe,

Sorry it took a while to get back but I’ve been super busy the last week. It was great to see you and check out the place I love the space it’s super cool!. Here’s a few pics of some stuff I’ve done. Any questions give me a shout. Take care, Al

Hi Al, No worries on the reply look how long this took me :( 

the pictures are great, love the metal and wood mix on the desk pieces and love the look of steal and wood in general especially when mixed like the gates are.

I guess what I'm envisioning is all metal which I think we discussed, something fairly simple, no wood, clean lines, maybe a tiny bit rounded on the corners (vintage inspired?) And I would like to be able to use that box that is there, to put a printed/stuff on. So if we could almost put metal down a ways so that you don't see the box but that shelf created by it is still accessible?? Am I making sense?? Is it possible at some point to have you come back to the loft?? maybe we could sketch it out???

I'm sure your busy with work and the new place, but if it works?? Let me know, I'm going to sit at the space tonight to figure how far I want it to come out from the wall and so on. Thanks Al, Chloe

Hi Chloe, No probs I will be able to get by after next week when I’m off this show and have a bit if time. I will give you a shout and figure it out, how’s your Dad? looks like he got really banged up! . I phoned and left a message the other day and an email too ...have they gone out of town ? ttys, Al 

Dad call Al!! Ok Mom! What is this msg about ???

Patrick,

Thanks for your good wishes.   And the wonderful update as well.  You have supplied a wealth of detail.  On further re-reading, I noticed that you have omitted a few details.  There is almost no discussion of the the outfits that you and Corinne wear as you go through your adventures.  Further, unlike your actual trips to Australia and Japan, you include few details of the meals you have eaten every day.  On the other hand, I read this e-mail reasonably well, but if it were three times as detailed I might have begun to gloss over some parts.

Please give my regards to Mike Carter.  I hope he continues to improve. My doubles squash is slowly getter better, but it still requires major improvement in many areas.  It is fun to play though.

It was good to hear about your grandchildren.  Did Pierre get into medical school? Give my best regards to your charming bride.  Sometimes I think she has the patience of Job,   putting up with your high entropy existence. When are you coming this way again? Best wishes, Mike

De-Nesting Diaries: Wednesday May 1st

In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have. -Lee Iacocca, automobile executive (b. 1924)

Gam:

MEANING:

noun: 1. A leg, especially a woman's attractive leg.
noun : 2. A school of whales. 3. A social visit, especially between whalers or ship crews.
verb tr., intr. : 4. To hold such a visit; to spend time talking.

ETYMOLOGY:

For 1: Probably from Polari, from Italian gamba (leg), from Latin gamba (leg). Polari is a jargon used among actors, circus performers, etc. in the UK. Earliest documented use: 1789.
For 2-4 : Perhaps a dialectal variant of game. Earliest documented use: 1850.

You mean your head was damaged like that with the helmet on?  Just think where you would be if you hadn't had it.  That is really scary.  Sun is out. Gail 

Hi Gail!

You said it. I'd probably be sending this message from Down Under and I don't mean Australia! My brand name of my new helmet, (Purchased last fall as a spare! What forethought!!), is called Savant. My cycling chums and I refer to them as Idiot Savant Coconut Protectors as The Sisterhood think we are "idiots" for riding as we do and seem have about as much sense as an empty coconut shell. Of course, they think the latter whether we ride or not!

Sun is out here as well so plan to do another ride around Stanley Park later.  Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Would have preferred this vehicle had transported me to VGH!

• Nicole Marie
  

  
  

  Hi pat, thanks for the suggestions
• 

  Patrick James Dunn
  

  
  

  When is your Dad's birthday? Cheers, Patrizzio!
• 

  Nicole Marie
  

  
  

  Saturday but he is busy with skating so we are having a party at the parents on Sunday night for dinner

Hi Mick!

Glad to hear that things are going so well! Say hello to Bill if you actually see him. I'm sure Nurse Polly is nothing but a Dream Caregiver!!! As I mentioned, I think, I'm going to start trying to put together a fairly regular bridge group.  With you, Sarge, Whirlygig and Ted Keating, I think we could have a viable group. Having a few more than four is probably a good idea with busy schedules, etc. Any idea when might be a good time to arrange a game? Give me a number of possible dates/times and I'll call lads to see what might work.

I can pass along The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Quite enjoying it. Ray gave it to me on Saturday and I'll be finished shortly. Will put together some others, in addition to some recommended by The Book Club Lady, and will pop around either today or tomorrow, (Will steal your ice machine for my ribs/shoulder when you are not looking!), as I've another book to collect from Robo Man.  Buona Fortuna with physio!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Thought cartoon would bring back memories of wine-tasting with Sir Andrew in the motel in Jackson. 

• 

  Corey William
  

  
  

  Hey pat. I'm going to y supervisors 50th bday this weekend and he is an advocate of scotch. Give me a couple names for good bottles of scotch that you can buy at BC liquor stores... Between $60-80

Hi Kid Canine!

$60-$70

BENRIACH - 10 YEAR OLD CURIOSITAS PEATED MALT

Price: $64.99 

GLENMORANGIE - 10 YEAR OLD THE ORIGINAL

Price: $69.95 

HIGHLAND PARK - 12 YEAR OLD

Price: $69.95 

$70-80

BALVENIE - 12 YEAR OLD DOUBLEWOOD

Price: $79.99 

CARDHU - 12 YEAR OLD

Price: $76.13 

DALMORE - 12 YEAR OLD

Price: $72.99 

GLENFIDDICH - 15 YEAR OLD SOLERA VAT

Price: $71.99 

LAPHROAIG - QUARTER CASK

Price: $74.95 Volume: 

TOMINTOUL - SPEYSIDE GLENLIVET SINGLE PEATED

Price: $75.20 

I'd go for the Tomintoul as it is not quite as well known. Consultant's Fee: $100! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

• 

  Corey William
  

  
  

  Oh I got a new name! Thanks pat. I knew I could count on you.
  Do you take cheque, cash, or debit?
• 

  Patrick James Dunn
  

  
  

  Hi again, KC! All three so that will be $300! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Hi Patrick

I trust you are recovering well and back in the saddle but not cycling quite so far, as you tone down for UK cycling partners. 

As Chris was in York today I first of all visited Evans Cycles to enquire about Montague bikes. They had none in stock but said they could get bikes for you with say a fortnight's notice and requiring a £50 deposit. They seemed to be more familiar with the Navigator rather than the Paratrooper. Price of Navigator was £800. They have one or two bikes in store at Gatwick their headquarters . The shop itself was pretty impressive( by the standards of the bike shop I use locally). I myself made a typical purchase of some lubricant (bike).

After that somewhat abortive visit I drove down south of York to an out of town retail centre, parked the car, did a quick change and headed north into York using the disused Selby to York railway line. I have cycled south to Selby before and this leads on to Cross Pennine Trails. Travelling north followed the Ouse for much of the way, through the city, off road, and north into the country . Excellent paved route, very flat , passing features such as the racecourse, back of St Peters School York, tour boats, castle, Minster in the distance . At one point I spotted one of the more redundant traffic signs where I had to lift the bike up and down some 15 steps on and off a bridge where the sign declared-"cyclists must dismount". Knowing you disobey signs at will I may look forward to seeing you perform otherwise.

Please let me know if you want me to follow up the Montague business - how is the price? Have you other irons in the fire? 

Weather here has been good for cycling last few days, mid teens at best, light winds, intermittent sunshine - I could do with it a bit warmer since I am now into shorts. When and if we tackle Filey on GYBR we need to have a following westerly (prevailing) wind . Easterly and North easterly are not only a nuisance but cold also.

Incidentally I cycled for two hours non stop for the second day running after having an Americano with cream at Starbucks and finishing with a Mocha at Cafe Nero, after lunching at a strange and somewhat ramshackle establishment on the railway route.  I know you are interested in this kind of thing. Best wishes Jim

Montague Navigator 2013
SPECIFICATIONS COMPARE ALL BIKES CLOSER LOOK FOLDED The Navigator is a 27-speed folding bike that is built for the daily commute. Along with 700c tires and the Octagon height-adjustable stem, this bike comes standard with fenders and a rear rack, prepared for the commute to work in rain or shine. It folds in under 20 seconds without the use of tools, offering flexibility in today’s multi-tasking world.Each bike in our pavement series comes equipped with 700c wheels. This wheel size offers a significantly better ride than 24", 20", or 16" wheels. By keeping it smooth over potholes, and enchancing the handling of the bike, the 700c wheels are ideal over pavement and trails. ADVANTAGES Full-size comfort bike for cruising city streets and boardwalks with 700c standard wheels. Folds to 36" x 28" x 12" in under thirty seconds without the use of tools. Compact size allows for convenient storage in a car boot, boat, closet, or private plane. Limited lifetime warranty on frame. The Octagon offers all the benefits of an angle adjustable stem without shortening “reach” when raised. This unique design allows for handlebar height to be changed while preserving the way the bike handles and rides. Also, with the octagonal shape of the post, steering remains engaged while raising or lowering the stem. For more information on the OCTAGON check out www.octagoncycles.com. Equipped with industry standard wheels and components serviceable at any bike shop. Patented technology not available from any other company. The portable nature of the bicycle allows it to be taken anywhere. SPECIAL FEATURES Montague Folding Integrated Technology (F.I.T.™): The Navigator frame is designed around a patented folding system. This design eliminates the need to break the frame in order to fold the bike. Not only does this make folding easier but it makes this bike the strongest folding bike on the market. The Folding Integrated Technology (F.I.T.) is based around frame construction concepts designed for serious full suspension downhill bikes. Clever integration of CLIX technology allows for the Navigator to be folded in under 20 seconds without the use of tools. A flip of the CLIX quick release lever on the top tube and the bike folds to a compact size Safety lock: Recessed drop out for quick release prevents frame from folding even with quick release not tightened. Colour: Midnight Blue/Black Free delivery UK ROI, France, Germany, Belgium frame size road: 21" Soft Carry Case at half price: £49.99
	List Price: £899.99 Price: £810.00

 Hi Jim!

Thanks very much for research! Above is what I found on the Montague UK website. I put in a 21" frame size but I would also want to try the 19". I have both with my two Brodie's and am comfortable with each. However, want to test ride each size before deciding upon foldable. If not too, too much trouble could you find out if shop will bring in both. I'm happy to send along deposit. Probably around beginning of July to allow for delivery and to coincide, roughly, with our arrival. Just give me your account number and password and I'll have  my Nigerian business partner transfer £11 million pounds into your Chequing account. That should buy a few latttes!

As well, want to buy the Soft Carry Case. Seems to be on for half price with offer in question. Price you were quoted seems about right. Not sure if what I found is online pricing. Ofter cheaper, as you probably know from all your lubricant purchases! 


Simply loved your description of the Selby to York rail line, challenge of not dismounting for 15 steps, prevailing winds and plethora of java infusions. "Ramshackle" is definitely what I aim for when travelling, much to Cora Lee's despair. She still wakes, screaming in the middle of the night, drenched in perspiration, from the recurring nightmare involving spending a night in what I would characterize as a "quaint" motel, in Paso Robles, California, in the mid '90's. Just because it sported a horse-hair filled mattress and one could see the ground through a hole in the worn, discoloured lino in front of the toilette she was, apparently, not amused. Price was right and the odd bedbug gave it charm!

On a more positive note, had confirmation yesterday that Beau Soleil is mine for September.  I've already sent out an Expression of Interest to the Swedish Association of Nubile Masseuses so that the winnowing process can begin! If you come to stay, and I'd be more than delighted if you would, I'm sure that would convince Robo Man to part with some of his tutoring cash and make the journey! He claims the idea of sitting on plane for eight hours is what is dissuading him. I told him to stand up, in the aisle, after take-off, for the duration, doing all sorts of stretches. He could probably lead a small group in the galley and recoup travel expenses at the same time!Fondestos to you and Chris from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Would have preferred this vehicle had transported me to VGH!

 Hi Patrizio

So sorry to hear about your bike accident and glad you are on the mend, but obviously it didn't keep you from intermidable epistles!

You and Corinne are very welcome to stay from 11th to 17th July - in your email you mention staying at the end of your trip did you mean start?  My new computer going strange so will write again soon. xx

Hello Duhlink!

Grand to hear from you and know that you haven't lost your "intermidable" (A cross between "interminable" and "formidabale"?), frankness! Thank you for allowing us to stay, (July11th-17th), but I was also hoping we could impose at the end of the trip as well. We fly back to Vancouver on October 19th, finishing the canal cruise on October 12th. I'm planning to leave the foldable bike, which I hope to purchase in York, with friends, near Lyon, before we make our way to England. In all likelihood, we would be in London for a few nights, (October 16th/17th-19th), before flying home. Depends, to a certain extent, on how long we stay with Andre and Rosemary and travel connections from their place, Chabeuil, outside Valence, about an hour and a half from Lyon, to London.

If you come to stay in France, and we'd be more than delighted if you would, I'm sure that would convince Jamie to make the journey as well. An offer you can't refuse, I'm sure. Fondestos to you from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

I wish.  My daughter's wedding on July 21 is costing me a fortune and I think my older son may get engaged this later this year so that means another wedding for me next years - 3 kids married in 3 years. I'll have to foot the bill for the rehearsal dinner plus make a contribution to the "wedding fund" like I did for his younger brother last year. This is all adding up to a throat choking amount of money!  We'll see..Thanks for allowing me to dream. Trice

Greetings from Il Palazzo dei Sogni in Vancouver!

Hi again, Beatricce!

Just follow your dreams! Nothing else matters! Don't short-change yourself. Impose a wedding tax, (retroactively, if needs be), to help pay for trip! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks for the note. You two are really seeing the world and all the nooks and crannies,good for you! Thanks for the info,it sounds so inviting. I sure hope one day I can find someone to travel with like you and Coralee do. Who knows? Maybe  you have an older friend?  LOL 

We have experienced weather and flooding conditions in the past{2011} and it appears as if there could be trouble again. Since my home is on the lakefront I am extremely worried.. We have set up sandbags and my son thinks we need to have more in place. We just had about a foot of really heavy snow andnow the melting is on so we are holding our breath.

Not sure I told you but my great granddaughter appeared on the scene about a year and 7 months ago. We love her because she is adorable,and I tell people she is just like me!!!!!! Ha!

Went to Chicxulub on the Mayan in Jan for a couple of weeks and then to Texas for Feb., so I missed a good part of the winter. I had a nice stay.I am going to forward your documents to my kids, just in case they would like to go to France. I wish you a super great holiday. How is your knee from the old bike injury? And yes I am well. Take Care, and we shouldn't lose touch. It can happen too easily.

Hi again, Shirley!

You sound as if you have been doing a fair bit of travelling yourself! I wonder if we happened to be in Texas at the same time. Where were you?

In response to your inquiry about my knee, I had a total hip replacement in May, 2010. Very, very pleased with outcome so absolutely no complaints on that account. However, on a more sombre note, unfortunately, for me, on Tuesday afternoon, April 16th, I had a bike accident on 27th and Crown, not far from the UBC Endowment Lands. Congratulations on your great granddaughter! Well done!! Anyway, I'm alive and so, so fine. Cheers, Patrizzio!

   Hi Patrick,

My place if that suits you. I can even park you below if you call me a few minutes before your arrival, here in New West. Anytime after 9pm. Look forward to the reunion.

This email was interrupted by a Skype call from Frankfurt. It was Oliver Bender. He is coming to be my guest in July. If you are interested we can all meet. He is doing very well, is involved with a business, has a been married many years to a beautiful Italian women and they have two sons around 9 and 12.

If they had used my services in "Barbara" the wind machines would have been turned down (less is more) and the country bus would not have looked like it had just been just repainted for a movie prop. Snobby Bobby would have given explicit instructions that it be refinished to look old and  faded. The bus looked like a Hungarian Ikarus by the way which where very common in the DDR. What could not have been improved upon was the subtle portrayal of life in "der Republik." The repression was actually understated and everything was fairly nuanced – a very successful depiction of the atmosphere in those strange times.

 Like you, i have been keeping myself busy with sending out dispatches, via the internet. You got my blog post this morning, no doubt, which has provided my lots of pleasure. This also allows me to archive lots of impressions into a kind of condensed format. I don't make any claims to being a good writer, but i have enjoyed the process, of turning more to language to record. That said, i will be taking a SFU writers course (for the Senior set) starting in less then two weeks. I think it is called something like finding your writing style. Being retired and having interests, or even passions, is hugely  important for us all. bob

Happy springtime  . . .

With no apologies to those of you in less fortunate climes, we are outside today in our t-shirts, shorts and I am barefoot.  We're expecting 10 days of warm to hot sunny weather.  A good thing because I have a few chores to finish up before I leave for a Southern Italian vacation with my sister Beverly on May 11th.  And I am finally almost recovered from a horrible spring cold which has kept me in bed for the last three days . .  very unusual for me to be that sick, and I can't blame the grandchildren this time.  Perhaps I picked it up at the hospital last week, where I spent 6 hours with my mom while she had MOHS surgery on her nose for basal skin cancer. 

For those of you who know some of this stuff and/or have seen the photos, I'm sorry to repeat, but a group email is easiest for me at present.

Mike has been pronounced "cured" or at least acceptably healed.  The wound finally closed over, and last week the wound clinic staff released him, as did the specialist in infectious diseases (who had him on 42 days of IV antibiotics and oral fungal meds from mid-February thru the end of March),  The plastic surgeon is done with him too (never had to do much but look at the wound with a "watch and wait" attitude).  It's been a long 6 months for him since open-heart surgery October 12th, and follow up surgeries on Dec 14, 18 and January 29 to remove loose wires, reverse his a-fib, and treat recurring infections. But finally everything seems to be back to what is "normal" for Mike.  His hemoglobin is where it should be, and he can run a mile again more quickly than he did 4 years ago before his first open-heart surgery.  His electrocardiogram shows no signs of fibrillation or flutter and the doctor that did his ablation in December said to check back in a year or so.  Mike says his cardio feels "normal" and it will just take a while for him to build back up his muscles.  He's playing squash 2 or 3 times a week again, is in a league at the athletic club and, all in all, feels pretty good.  I am glad to have my helper back in the garden and, in general, it's a huge relief to be done (hopefully) with all these medical issues.

Katie and her family are preparing for a trip to Barcelona in June.  She's been working late the past few weeks to make up for the work she'll miss next month and the hours she'll need to cut back on over the summer when Michael will be deployed to Djibouti, a small country at the southern end of the Red Sea abutting Somalia.  The US Airforce is there in support of war operations in Somalia: I'm guessing pirates. He'll be gone from late June or early July till September.  Katie's got the kids scheduled for a variety of camps, and she's planned several weekend outings including two trips to Sun River (central Oregon resort) and a camping trip to Jedediah State Park in California (Redwood area, absolutely beautiful).  It will be a tough summer for her, and hopefully we can help out a bit.  Paul will be 9 in August, Amanda is 5.  He's a big time athlete, she's a budding artist.  Both are doing well enough in school.  Amanda can read pretty well and writes me letters.  She's in kindergarten at St. James pre-school and will be in public kindergarten next year, where she will be one of the oldest kids, just missing the "cut-off" date.  Paul is in third grade and, at age 8, is one of the youngest kids in the class.  Except for "recess," which is his favorite class, he likes math and science.

Elizabeth is doing pretty well.  She's still plagued by back pain from a degenerated disc.  She's had two cortisone shots and does her exercises, but I can see in her face that it hurts to do lots of stuff.  Her job is tolerable but not particularly challenging or enjoyable.  One of these days, she'll get moving on finding another.  Her new anti-depressant meds seem to be more effective than the old.  She comes out one day each weekend to do her laundry and visit, and she has several friends that she enjoys hanging out with at clubs, soccer games, and parties.

My mom, who'll be 98, in two weeks is still in remarkably good health, although there are times when she gets winy (not winey), and I want to punch her.  But she remains pretty active with her pedometer, walking 10,000 steps a day, going to the morning exercise class at her retirement home and shopping at the local grocery store twice a week with her friend Charlie.  Her favorite activity is going out for lunch, and then she can get "winey."  Beverly and I are taking her out next week for her birthday.  

I am looking forward to a break from the pressures of the last six months.  And I'm looking forward to being more active outside when I get back from Italy.  I've become rather lax in my exercise routine of late.  There are some major yard projects that are too much for us . . like refurbishing the gravel pathways throughout the gardens, and mulching all the beds . I've gotten several referrals for help and will call for bids when I get back.  Still the yard has never looked better, and it is gratifying to see the results of all our work.  It's hard to believe that 15 years ago, this was just an empty field. I don't know if we'll attempt a veggie garden again this year.  We never fenced it in, so Bambi and his friends occasionally eat the beans, and last year the elk herd tramped through the squash.  Growing tomatoes in Oregon is almost futile.  It never gets warm enough soon enough for them to ripen properly.  We keep talking about putting in an electric fence.  It's not difficult and it would keep the deer out, not sure about the elk.

Mike and I are looking forward to a relatively relaxing summer and a trip to southwest Utah, including Bryce and Zion national parks in late August or early September.  I'm also heading to NJ for my 50th high school reunion this fall.

Since we'll be in town June through late August, we'd enjoy a visit if you're in the area.  I hope you are all well and enjoying springtime. Marilyn The pictures below are from Easter weekend

 

Thanks for this Patrick. I was not aware that mike was having such a touch time with his health and good to see how well he has recovered. We still make that anti pasta we had at their house en route to California and it is one of my favorite dishes. Mike

I suppose if you cracked a rib under your arm I don't suppose they can do anything about it. 
Getting dings or getting old isn't for sissies. gg

Hello Everybody,

This message includes the two latest posts; one from Thailand and the other from Cambodia. Tubtim shrine in the heart of Bangkok's upscale Chidlom District, receives few visitors but yet is a fascinating spot by a canal. A second post moves the journey on to Cambodia with a late afternoon arrival in Phnom Penh.

Tubtim fertility shrine, Bangkok:

http://wordfrombob.blogspot.ca/2013/04/at-fertility-shrine-bangkok.html

Return to Cambodia:
http://wordfrombob.blogspot.ca/2013/04/return-to-cambodia.html

Once again, if anybody would prefer not to receive these travel posts, please let me know, and i will remove your name(s). Best Wishes from sunny New Westminster, bob

Hello! Just hoping you can find a moment to assist with this.

I just wrote an article that is a finalist in a contest - now I need
votes to win! (As you know, Publishers no longer decide what to
publish, the Public does instead.)

You can find the article via the following links. At the bottom,
there's a Like button to click - and I suspect this is easier to do if
you already have a Facebook page.

Also, apologies if you have already received this request via another
channel. Many thanks for your support! Deborah

http://www.tonictoronto.com/May-2013/The-Chair/

OR:

http://www.tonictoronto.com , then click on Contests. Then Scroll down.
 I am Finalist #1.