Spring Equinox Blues: Thursday, March 20th!

Life cannot be classified in terms of a simple neurological ladder, with human beings at the top; it is more accurate to talk of different forms of intelligence, each with its strengths and weaknesses. This point was well demonstrated in the minutes before last December's tsunami, when tourists grabbed their digital cameras and ran after the ebbing surf, and all the 'dumb' animals made for the hills. -B.R. Myers, author (b. 1963) 

Buon Giorno, Giorgio!

After a good night's sleep, it occurred to me that there was far too, too much sciolistic bidding talk lasterevening. I know this confused me, (You, of course didn't have the cards to have to worry about bidding and "Pass" is pretty easy to remember anyway!), a premeditated strategy on the part of the other two who shall remain unnamed, which resulted in my lacklustre point count. I will forward my complaint of this flagrant violation of bridge etiquette to the Kisilano Bridge Council, (not tto be confused with the Metro Van Earthquake Earthquake-Proofing/Upgrading Bridge Council), for adjudication as soon as I've removed the aces from my sleeves. The later, but a minor infraction, hardly worth bothering about as it has always been socially acceptable, amongst generations of gentlemen thieves, since time immemorial, especially in the Wild West, is almost expected and certainly openly condoned. 

Until such time as this dispute is resolved, I plan to work out my frustrations with therapy rides. Any interest today? If so, time/place? Horseshoe Bay, perchance? Cheers, Hoodwinked by Bafflegabbers Patrizzio!

P, Enjoyed the crew last night even if the Kits Bridge Magnets managed to pick our pockets. Even with my pass only script I felt I was not playing very smartly. Maybe if we had started with the malt rather than saving it to drink to our losses...? I would be good for a ride of a couple hours duration -- so not Horsehair Bayleaf. I would favour a Maple Syrup start to Iona. 11:00 - 11:30 would work for me. W

Hey, Man!

Don't lay your pancake negativity on me. I know you just want to make another drug run to fuel your habit. And I thought Captain Kirk had a monkey on his back. If you have a pannier on your bike, I'm not going! I don't want to get busted. You saw those surveillance pics of the Banacle Bud's grow op at Falsify Creek. It's already bad enough that Coriandre wants to start selling hash brownies at Heartwood. She'a already using some of my anaemic malt to celebrate communion! I guess The Sisterhood is trying to commune with  Imelda and The Shoe Gods! Just say NO! Cheers, Il Pulito Patrazzio!

Thanks for hosting, George. I really enjoyed the evening . I am on for next week, hopefully see you all then Mike PS thanks for another flattering pic Pat !!

Hi "You're So Vain" Michaelo, et al! At least none were taken from behind, to expose certain cranial features, so to speak!!! Will try for revenge, both with camera and cards next week! Bidders Beware! Cheers, Il Paparazzi Patrizzio!

Thanks George for an entertaining and fun night. Nice pics Pat.

Thanks to all -- a fun evening indeed but for the cards...Ed & I may have to play league next Wednesday. It seems our team does not fare well without us -- and we do need a win over the Hollyburnt Clubbers. Will confirm ASAP. G 

Double Troublers et al! I suppose you will simply have to try to get your priorities, (along with your bidding cues), straight, Lads. Don't think your bridge partners could have done any worse, last night, without you, Whirlygig, so not quite sure how your doubles team would miss you! I suppose if you can't make it next Wednesday, we could hook up a tape recorder to loop, endlessly, "Pass", "Pass", "Pass"! Cheers, "Four Diamonds, Doubled and Vulnerable", Dunn! PS: You still have to send hootch if not able to play cards!

HI Pat, Thanks for the info and It would be great to go again. I think I should wait a little bit until I get more info on the out of town work because it may fall in that time. I will keep this and definitely get some tickets if I’m here. Cheers, Al

Hi Patrice, Very entertaining tale ! Love the thoughts on Iona gold!! One could start a head shop on that theme with products like “ the sewage pipe “ and “the toilet bowl” ha-ha!.
 
I was a bit disappointed at your ride as it seemed to have a lot less of the interesting dipsey doodles of the other day’s as I was thinking the perfect music would be some rap with the back and forth dipsey doodles done in sync with the scratching of a vinyl record as they’re apt to do. Work on that will you? Maybe we could start a side business selling bikers some Iona gold and converting their Garmin stats to musical accompaniment? so they can sit there after their rides sipping malt and laugh for hours watching their computer screens!. Cheers!

I’m having lunch with Rick tomorrow and I think he wants to scatter his father’s ashes at Tofino along with Erich and John. It’s will be quite the event.

Hi Tinsel Town Tofino Girl, et al!

Without being disrespectful, we could bring along some of Mom's ashes, together with those of Smokey and Maggie! What a party!!! Furthermore, I'm wondering if this reunion entails Chloë having to spend the entire weekend cocooned in a small sleeping bag, (I think I can find the one Oliver used on the West Coast Trail so even more appropriate!), mimicking the womb, while Nana has to flop on her back in a depression on the beach, playing with starfish, while we dance around both of them, sipping high test Shirley Temples and chanting "Susie had a moustache...!" Don't know about you, Ayn, but sounds like loads of fun to me! Fondestos, Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio, doing the Reunion Sandbar Shuffle as I sign off! 

We shall call it THE FESTIVAL OF ASHES…it will become a pilgrimage from all corners of the earth for procrastinating  children/pet owners to fling the ashes of their loved ones of the wild cliffs of Tofino with the pomp and circumstance of an episode of GAME OF THRONES with the fury of the RED WEDDING episode…and then we’ll sip the Shirley Temples and dance.

you two could also go alone while mom and I hide from you both!

Nope, we need you both to complete the circle and play your parts of fetus and VERY pregnant bride     yay for us
 
Hi again, Dragon Woman! What a perfect pitch for a new Netflix or HBO series. Among other things there could be booths where the dragons from Game of Thrones incinerate pets and/or relatives that are too, too bothersome, Instant Ashes, so to speak.

(Chloë, I think this is also a possibility for a high profile way to dispose of all the unsold Aunt Leah's' Christmas trees, while Nana, this could morph into some sort of special appearance gig for Heartwood for Ash Wednesday. Could Brian get the rights for Dragon Beer? Hasn't Dude Beer has just about had its run?) As well, I want the marketing franchise for all the spin-off toys, T-shirts, fridge magnets and the like. Ayn, you could work on a tie-in with Burning Man. I think the Tofino festival has legs. Perre could be in charge of Security and Alejandro the medical/first-aid end of things. Could Melvinator arrange charters on the Boeing Dreamliner? 

Dusty could oversee the tents and electrical generators. Clarisse will corner the food concessions with pecan tarts and soda biscuits, baked apple dumplings and porcupine meatballs. The Great Balzarini could supply hootch to all the biker gangs as they'll drink anything! Anyway, just brainstorming. Send me a business plan and I'll talk to my investors! Love, Poppa/Patrizzio Who Always Wanted to be like The Millionaires!

you need to start volunteering! You have way too much time on your hands!!

Hi Baby in Mummy's Tummy Girl!

Between vacuuming and doing dishes I barely have time to ride, let alone volunteer! Must away as Nana is shouting, from her office, where she is watching the Y&R, that she needs her tea! Fondestos, Feather Duster Man!
 
Hi Festival of Ashes Cast Members! Shirley Temple Girl has it right, you both have your assigned parts and if you break your contract it will be prohibitively expensive. Nana will have to repossess her car as mine will not be available for her use. Furthermore, formal family subsidy/support will end and you'll be "aged out" of the loft. Perhaps Gaelen will take you in! Love from the Mean Streets of FOA!  

Sounds good Pat. I'll bring some tickets along on Sunday and we'll see how it goes with your posse. Cheers....Paul

Met Whirlygig about 11:30 am at Point Grey and we headed out, along Marine, all the way to Arthur Laing. Wind was punishing us on way there so we drafted all the way to the parking lot. It was quite incredible to note just how much different it felt when riding behind. Felt great to be almost pulled along, not having to fight one's way ahead. On return leg we sailed along, with hardly any effort at all, chatting all the while. Once up Heather, I waved goodbye to Giorgio and made my way out to UBC. Had to fight a bit from 41st to campus but after dipsy-doodline there, enough to give me 61 km at the bottom of the Foreshore Hill, rest of cycle home was a piece of cake. Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/464637959#.Uyt7uoR0BQc.email

I was back at The Islay Inn at around 3:00 pm and had just stripped off my soaked shirts when phone rang. It was Ann McDonell who called to say she was at our front door, (3rd floor), to drop something off. After I'd picked up phone I saw Hal and Sandra on the path off our patio. Cora Lee went to let Ann in and I scurried to clothe myself. Back to invite Sandra and Hal inside and a a minute later Ann and Clea were ushered in by Coramandel. Quite a surprise, I must say.

At any rate, they presented me with Charles Montgomery's Happy City. I think we were in Parksville when he was at Incite on January 29th. Delighted of course. Wanted everyone to stay for malt or a coffee, at least. However, they were on their "daily constitutional" so had to be on their way. Enclosed card, from Ann, stated it was thanks for agreeing to be interviewed as part of the fundraising audit. Enjoyed that, this past Monday, as well. Anyway, very generous gesture and certainly appreciated, although anything I've/We've been asked to do is hardly onerous. Still feel guilty every time I hear another author or listen to another panel during festival, gratis, as a result of being a volunteer, as you know.  Once again, can hardly believe my great good fortune to be associated with such a wonderful festival, such wonderful people organizing whole shebang. 

Had a quick shower and changed and then set about helping Coramandel get ready for the dinner. Bethan, minister at Heartwood, and Elizabeth Gautier, were coming for dinner and then a church business meeting afterwards. Cora Lee's Moroccan tagine was incredible. I made a simple green salad to accompany it. Once dinner was over I cleared the table and left The Sisterhood to their discussion, banished, as I was, to our bedroom, where I digitated. Elizabeth had brought some tantalizingly tasty pecan squares, as well as juicy red/green grapes for dessert, and once meeting was over, I rejoined the group to enjoy the sweets. Over the course of the meal I had had a chance to get to know more about Elizabeth so it was a lovely evening, from that point alone. Once the two guests left, we watched a number of episodes of Orange and then retired to read in bed.

Hi Single Malt Whitney!

So far Sarge and I are confirmed, 1 maybe, but still early days. Just to clarify, we buy tickets through you but still receive tax receipt? I think you said this was the case, last year. Will make it a little more palatable, so to speak, to those less committed to helping VIWF. See you Sunday. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Every year the Vancouver Public Library provides special programming for our members.  Highlights include "behind the scenes" tours of Special Collections, and hands-on sessions to introduce Friends to e-readers and other new technology available through the library.

Hi Flash! Great shot of vase but while you are smelling the flowers, I'm busy riding!  

"Jug of flowers leftover from my studio partner's shoot yesterday. It felt very..."

Between March 26 and April 16, staff from the Vancouver Public Library’s Policy and Planning Department will be conducting a phone survey of the Friends of the Library to get a sense of programs that might be of interest for the Fall 2014 “Friends-exclusive” programs.   Members will be chosen based on a randomly generated list.  The survey will not take more than a few minutes, so please make yourselves available to them if possible. Thank You.


Hi Tiptoe! While you are seeking the next chapter, I'm riding!  Fondestos and Cheers, Patrice!

Hi Brunello! While you are busy being endorsed, I'm riding! Fondestos and Cheers to you and Choocheranian,Patrizzio!