Atithi Bengali Devo Bhava Blues: Tuesday, March 25th

Ultimately, literature is nothing but carpentry. ... With both you are working with reality, a material just as hard as wood. -Gabriel García Márquez, novelist, journalist, Nobel laureate (b. 1927) 

"Don't blame me if you go the vole!"

Photo: Jason Ahrns

I met, not long ago, a young man who aspired to become a novelist. Knowing that I was in the profession, he asked me to tell him how he should set to work to realize his ambition. I did my best to explain. 'The first thing,' I said, 'is to buy quite a lot of paper, a bottle of ink, and a pen. After that you merely have to write.' -Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)

Hi Giani! Is this you at Base Camp on Everest? Cheers, Patrizzio!

Here Tensing Norgay, everything is fine my friend, yesterday I asked to be off the 6th of April as I was supposed to work at my new workplace THe famous Chambar restaurant. And the manager agreed after considering the importance of the meeting. So I am happy. cheers  

Hi Tensing!

Glad you can take off your crampons to join us on the 6th! Sounds like your manager has his priorities right! Cheers, Patrizzio!

P, nice ride-manship and good story about the upstart bike builder. When you think of it please send the URL and I will pass onto Cobby.
 

Fun day lasterday. We bussed downtown -- wandered thru Gastown heading for the Alibi room for lunch. It was closed so we went to Brassneck, a new brewpub at 7th & Main. After a few too many high test brews we headed for food pre-movie near Fifth Ave. We found a wonderful little hole in the wall at 8th on Burrard: http://www.atithi.ca/zgrid/themes/10791/intro/index.jsp
 

We highly recommend the food. The 7:30 movie at the Fifth was Down River which we quite enjoyed. Of only three or four other couples at the screening were the Keatings. They knew one of the actors/singers -- daughter of friends. We spoke to them briefly after the film and they suggested that the actor played a version of herself - a self destructive singer/actor. Quite fun movie, well done.

Off to take the car in for a physical. Will ride home the long way after the drop. Don't know what is on for the day. Whatboutyou? Tomorrow may be the only ride day of the week. W W

Hi Volemeister!

I assume you have been watching Orange is the New Black, picking up a few lessons from the inmates in order to have additional privileges granted. Your rather profligate day, lasterday, sounds quite a bit like the life of a Portland Hotel Society Director. Seems like you are determined to "go the vole", whether at bridge or having your life sentence revoked! Nice work if you can get it. When do you leave for Disneyland, Disneyland Paris that is!

Thanks for the tip on Atithi. Looks wonderful and I'm sure both Coriandre and Chloë would love to try food, if they haven't already. Brassneck Brewery looks pretty good as well. Is that where Robo Man buys his brass knuckles? Will have to ask Chloë is she knows of it.

Here is Upstart Bikes, Inc. website: http://www.jacobmurraybicycles.com/

In fact, I'd not searched for it until just a few minutes ago as Jacob M, (another interesting coincidence!), told me it still needed work. Like the look of what is there though.

Had not heard of Down River. Too, too many coincidences, bumping into Keatings! I'll have to ask them about film tomorrow evening when they are over for bridge. Two tables! We don't need any of your stinkin' one table affairs!!!

Cora Lee, still slumbering/wind tunnelling like a hyperactive vole, will be happy it's raining. I've have heavy lifting in store, moving more furniture from one room to another and back again. The Without Prospect No Point at All Other than Sadisitic Torture, Endless Sisyphus Loop! Stats yet to be uploaded! Be great to make a bid for freedom from almost 39 Years Of Hard Labour on the Rock-pile of Indentured Domestic Bondage. Heavily barred window seems to offer a chance for a sheets tied in knots escape between 9:00-11:00 pm so if that suits, send me a message in a full bottle of malt if you are keen to "go the vole" and I'll have the getaway Jacob Murray bikes waiting on Point Grey. I'll be disguised as a flag person. I have to return the front-end loader, anyway, as I plan to use it to move furniture this morning! Cheers, You Dirty Rotten Vole, Patrizzio Heavy Equipment Mechanic with Porch Cleaner De-greaser under his Fingernails and in his Camel Pack!

PS: I assume W W stands for Wet Whirlygig or are you just one of the sado/masochistic characters in Nymphomaniac, identified by an initial only? 

Hi Allan:

Trust you are well. I'm pretty sure I saw you and Simon Neame on Granville Island a few weeks ago, or more. I was on my bike and was by you before I realized it was you. At any rate, evening of malt tasting is on at Hycroft, again this year, on Friday, May 30, 2014. I have early bird tickets, $110, before April 15th, if you are interested. Will be gathering at our place, beforehand, for food to ready ourselves for initial tastings and you are more than welcome to join us. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Looks like we be coming to Van Thursday. Maybe a quick visit before dinner?
I know that you are getting ready to head out early Friday...Gregg
 
We curl at 6:45 and leave at 6:15 so prior to that works. W

Hi Lads:

We'll be home, Thursday afternoon/evening, packing for weekend in Naramatia Land, and arguing about latest furniture configuration so Cora Lee will probably need a little hootch to keep calm! What time do you plan to hit Vancouver, Grogg? Did you receive my message about bumping into Herardo? Are you staying both nights in North Van? What had you in mind for dinner? Let us know what your schedule is and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, One Stubby Iro-Uke with a weak back, weak mind and a soft spot in his heart for single malt!

We'll aim to stop by for a quick visit around 5:00PM with some vino and a bite of cheese. Look forward to seeing you all before Mexico! See you Thursday... Gregg
Hi Pat, We (that is Jane and myself) are the ones who should thank you and Corinne for a very pleasant evening. Again.

As for the possible virtues of the film, I think I need another week or so to sort it out. It certainly shook me up. I imagine I know a bit more about the disorder in question now, including its devastating effects, but I'm not sure about the artistic value. See you soon, Kjell 

We echo Kjell and Jane's appreciation and thanks for a fine evening.
I'm inclined to agree with Patrick when it comes to the movie including his appreciation of Stellan Skarsgard. Here is a link to the David Denby review in the New Yorker which I mentioned:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2014/03/24/140324crci_cinema_denby?currentPage=all

Should either of you wish to come to Margaret MacMillan on Friday evening the info is here - come early as it will probably be a "sell out": http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitemarch28  Talk soon....Paul 

Hi Paul and Kjell, and partners, "J" and "G"!

Thanks for the thanks. Most enjoyable on all fronts, film, meal, wine and conversation. Enjoyed the Denby review so appreciated the link, Paolo.

Both of us would dearly love to attend the MacMillan Incite event but we are off to Naramatia Land, early Friday morning, to celebrate Lynne's birthday on Saturday.

Let me know when you plan to hold the Trier Film Festival. Will there be nubile Swedish masseuses available for full body rubs? Cheers, Patrizzio!

Rain started to let up close to 11:00 am so I fried up some tasty kartofellage for a late breakfast and then suited up, by 11:45 am, to hop on my Brodie for a quick run to the Cambie/41st Signature Store for hootch! Wanted to pick up a bottle of something for Jugos Dom Pedrito, as well as the malt, Glen Scotia, Campbelttown, 46%, I'd seen last time I was there. Few light sprinkles on way down Heather but nothing to worry about and was home just before 1:00 pm. Stats for ride: 11.63 km over 0:44'15, AVG 15.7 km/hr, MAX 37.4 km/hr.


Spent the rest of the afternoon engaged in Furniture Wars with Cora Lee! Moved the large TV cabinet, formerly in spare bedroom, then temporarily in our bedroom, into living room. Once we'd done that we took TV off the wall stand and placed it on moveable, swivel shelf in cabinet. [Had a bit of trouble mounting TV on its stand until Cora Lee noticed that a number of screws in base of TV needed to be removed to allow male end of stand to slip into place and then secured with these same screws.] Just fits! 

Then the task of unplugging all the various wires ensued. At my suggestion, Coriandre took a couple of iPad snaps of configurations so that we'd be able, more easily, to re-insert plugs into correct outlets on both TV and Telus box, once we'd threaded cables through purpose designed holes in back of cabinet. All in all, went quite well and Ms Video soon had everything up and running. 



Since we had a number of pictures on the wall where the cabinet now stands, I filled the nail holes and the large screw holes, where the stand was mounted, with filler, before we re-arranged the furniture in that part of the room. We will repaint the wall, next week, once back from Naramata. Quite like the new arrangement and the large cabinet goes quite well with the floor to ceiling bookshelves.

Kerouac

After overseeing "things" to her satisfaction, Ms Volunteer had a quick shower and change of clothes before she headed out to Heartwood for a Presbytery meeting, leaving me to vacuum and otherwise tidy up. I had just finished my chores when Beckster came up stairs to invite me for dinner so I jumped into the shower, dressed, grabbed a bottle of Paul Mas GSM and headed downstairs. Grand dinner of Sarge's fabulous bbq'd steaks, scrumptious roasted spuds/vegetables, (delish fried oniones with shrooms), and saladin, all by Flamin'. Nicolina/Marvinator, along with Kid Chelene and Avery so a merry, motley crew. Friend of Beckster's, Luke, from Kamloops, was in town for some union meetings, so he was at the table as well. Remarkable young man so it was a delight to visit with him over the course of the evening.  

Miletos

Kids had to leave by about 9:00 pm so we said goodbye to one and all. By chance, Coriandre met them in hallway so she popped down to say hello and we visited with our hosts, and Molly/Jake, for an hour, sipping malt/vino, or so before thanking them and heading upstairs. Quite a day, quite an evening, especially when I hadn't an inkling that the latter was in store!

Hi Paul, Here is the list of what I can think of for pictures . Please let me know if this would be too many or if there are any you think should be added. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated J Thank you so much!!!

Looks like photos start at 2pm after you get back from hair salon. We can get photos of bridesmaids with you etc. Then catch the men prior to the ceremony. After the wedding we will take groups then end with you two. Snap some room photos, cake and first dance. Looks all straightforward. Paul

Hi Everyone!

Looks pretty straightforward, as Paul says. Only one ruffled feathers criticism from Cora Lee. She is quite miffed that she is only #10 on order list for photos. She expected to be #2 at the very least! I couldn't reason with her, believe me. I'd ask someone to taste your food, Nicolina, at the shower!!!! If she happens to get to you, would Ryan and Megan get married instead? Guess I'd better contact them about a back-up plan, so to speak. However, now that I think of it, Corey would probably want step in since he wouldn't have to pay for anything! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Kids:

Just had a more than wonderful meal/evening with the Quintessential Freeloaders. fabulous bbq'd steak, courtesy of Sarge, and mouth-watering vegetables by Flamin'. Plenty of respectable hootch and loads of fun disagreeing with everyone. Here are a few snapolas of Avery before she was whisked away to Coquitlam, leaving her Grandmother to love dogs rather than a human being! Cheers, Patrizzio!