Harcourt North Arrivederci Blues: Tuesday, October 14th!

To be nobody but myself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting. -E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Hi Pat and Corinne, We're looking forward to the Trivia Night. I'm doing a bit of pre-competition training!!

Participated in the Library's United Way Spelling Bee last week (we tied with 3 other teams for second place). Have been doing some sudoko (for mental nimbleness, alas, with varying degress of success. I often call the puzzles Su Dope O [the Dope being me]) We got our Issac Asimov trivia game out last night and did a number of questions. We also have the classic Trivial Pursuit game to practice with. Will do more of this each night in advance of the competition. And, not so trivially, where do we go? What time? Coordinating outfits to intimidate our opponents? (all black, a bit Goth, perhaps?) Sara

Hi Trivia Training People! Knew you folks were the right "draft" choice! Very, very impressed with all pre-competition training. Great that you are planning to "peak" on Saturday as just last night we learned that Clan Sutherland has "defected" from our table to buy one of their own! (Better for Chloë and Aunt Leah's, of course, as the more the better.)


The venue is the Scottish Cultural Centre at 8886 Hudson. Chloë said we should be there by 7:00 pm so we'll probably try for 6:45 pm. Not sure how you plan to go to event but we could probably swing by to collect you if that might work. I might wear my "vintage" cycling garb if you think that outfit would be sufficiently intimidating! Cora Lee, of course, is furious that i would even suggest such garb! Your idea of all black seems a good idea: T-shirts/tops, skirts/dresses/slacks, (shorts for me!). I think we should also add "warpaint" of some sort, much like fans at various sports events. Any suggestions? Pre-Halloween Ghouls!!!

Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. Let me know what you think about our game outfits and whether you might like/need a ride. Should be fun so looking forward to evening with you. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dinner at Edibles on Sunday night! Farewell!

Patrick, Well we are home again and in time for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Mags. We all contributed so it was a grand meal. I brought some Thanksgiving games for us to play with the kids (Mag's grandchildren) and we all had a good time
 

Sorry we missed you once again. We were only in Vancouver for a short stay and as usual had a few things we wanted to get done. We always find it takes us so much longer to get things accomplished in Vancouver because of the traffic plus we are easily distracted. I am glad that the theatre tickets were used for the play. We hope we are around for the next one but if not we will check with you to see if you can use the tickets. We had hoped to see at least one film from the VIFF and we didn't get to any. Being there at the end and limited time wise there was nothing we wanted to see when we could go. We were disappointed as we really enjoyed a couple last year and were hoping for a repeat this year. Friends of ours went to 15 and said they were all good.
 

We are off to Barcelona for a month next week. We have rented an apartment and are really looking forward to becoming familiar with the city. We hope to take a short trip to Morocco too. As I told Corinne we will be in Vancouver from December 15 to 30 so hopefully you will be around for at least a coffee during those days!

We are slowly getting settled into our new home. Today was spent going through files and books. I now only have 1 box of books having given the rest away - so sad to see some of those great stories go but really what am I keeping them for. I couldn't part with many of my children's books though but did take some to the women's shelter. Our furniture is not ready so we won't get it until we get back from Spain. It certainly makes life easier when you don't have furniture. We expanded our desk so now both Gerry and I have room to work without jockeying for space. I got a new file cabinet too so that was great fun to organize.
 

That really is about it for us. We look forward to possibly seeing you in December, until then take care and give Corinne a hug from us. Cheers, Dawn 

Hi Barcelona Bound People! Sorry, indeed, that our paths didn't cross. I gather Cora Lee mentioned the fact that I bumped into your friend, Ted, and his girlfriend, in Whistler! Will have to have a reunion of all the people from Terrace I've met in Vancouver and environs! Glad you had a grand Thanksgiving with Mags. What a delight to be going to Barcelona! we are hoping to spend time there in a year or so. It is only three hours from where I rented the house in Neffiés, last September. I would like to rent the place there, again, but in April as it is only €600/month then. Would like to go to Spain beforehand as weather should be pretty good by this time and in the south of France as well.

Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. Have a fabulous time in Barcelona. Safe travels. Bon Voyage! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello All! Trust the Brisbanites are enjoying San Francisco and that the Denverites are well. I assume you may have contacted each other already.

At any rate, just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed your visit, Claire and Greg. Thanks again for stupendous meal at Edibles. The new pepper mill was the hit of our Thanksgiving dinner. No leaks at Chloë's loft so thanks again for all your help there, Greg!
 

Busy week ahead with dinner with friends, Rosemary/Andre, from France, tomorrow. Only seven of us so relatively small gathering compared to last Friday's dinner and then Thanksgiving yesterday with twelve. Kathleen, her Mom and Stefano popped by for lunch this afternoon. They, S/K, return tomorrow so all the Ozzies are jumping ship! Friend, Agneta arrives, back from China, on Thursday for a week at The Annexe. We begin our volunteer shifts for the Vancouver Writers Festival a week today. My last shift is on Sunday, October 26th and I leave with friends, Whirlygig and Glasgow, on 27th, to wine taste in California. Plan to be back by November 7th. Have a grand time in Denver. Fondestos to one and all from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Kath's Mom, Kath, Stefano, this afternoon. Gorgeous day.

Hi David and Pat! Trust you are having a bit quieter time now that harvest is over even though I know you enjoy this time of year, David. For our part we had a lovely visit with Claire and Greg, from Brisbane, staying at The Annexe since a week ago, yesterday. They are now in San Francisco for a few days and then fly on to Denver, for a week or so, where Claire will attend a conference. They treated us to a stupendous meal at Edibles on Sunday. Took them to YVR at 5:00 am next morning! 

California or Bust on the 27th! Not sure, as of this writing, where we will stay on the 28th but will probably do a bit of tasting during the day before we come to your place, with any luck well in advance of gate closure at 4:00 pm! Thank you for allowing us to stay and certainly for inviting us to dine with you in the evening. Very much appreciated, of course.

We certainly understand you will both be busy with winery related tasks during the day. Not sure how we will manage to function without our significant others to tell us what to wear and what to do, however! Indeed, we are bringing our bikes so we are planning to ride whenever we can. Will mix that with showing lads some of Sonoma as neither have been before. Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Allusional Intuitioner! How can I even begin to worry knowing that The Maginot Line is invincible!!! Fondestos to you both from Cora Lee. I await, with bated breath, news of a confirmed reservation! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi JT! Thanks again for fabulous salad and apple crumble. I had overlefts of former for dinner this evening and gave some of later to our lunch guests this afternoon. Kath's Mom thought it was wonderful indeed! Still have to of your small white bowls. Pop by anytime or else I can bring them up. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Friends, Kathleen and Stefano, from Melbourne. Kath's Mom lives here.

Hello Ozzites! Terrific to see your Mom, Kathleen, as well as you two of course, this afternoon. Glad we had a chance to visit, if only ever so briefly. Just wanted to send along a few snaps. Travel safely everyone. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Stats for errandos ride: 20.15 km with a MAX of 30.5 km/hr Young Brothers for vegetables and then Cheap Thrills fro coconut milk and whipped cream.