West Van Burgher Blues: Friday, October 17th!

Don't be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value. -Arthur Miller, playwright and essayist (1915-2005)

Charon collecting the fare in this 1883 painting Charon and Psyche

Art: John Roddam Spencer Stanhope

Hello there how are you doping? We are fine, moved intro the new house a month ago, still in proces og unpacking and sortiment things. It is a small villa 129m2 two floors NICE garden - I attach photos front street and garden. It is close to my fathers place where I grew up . Boys have moved school as well.

Sound as if you are active and socializing as ever!! Peter and I just returned from a short trip to Norway staying with cousin Stefan brother og The giro you met in Stockholm ( Louise) , Stefan and family lives not top far from Oslo.Johan is in Prague with youth club. Say hello to Kjell from me! Hugs, Margareta


My smartphone changes my words Hope you got the message before...Hi again, Steel Magnolia! Your new place looks wonderful! Congratulations on that as well as your work anniversary! Hip Hip Hooray! Did you buy the house? The garden looks terrific. Great that the lads are growing up, for part of their lives anyway, where you did. Thanks for sending along address. Cora Lee sends her fond regards. All the best to you three from us both. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

I hope you are getting readjusted. Are you down in Palo Alto now? Wonder if there isn't some way to get the wine shipping to work better. Send them to one of your girls, or Sherm's kids? Such a pity to ship cases back and forth to Europe....
Anyway.
I have a favor to ask if it's easy. Our well-known Canadian friend Patrick is passing through town with a buddy on their way down (they do this most years) to a rugby tournament down in SoCal. This year, however, the trip unfortunately coincides with the Halloween weekend, which is my mom's 90th birthday, so that my brother is flying out from Massachusetts to make that big day extra special. So we need a place to house the Canadians. Is there any chance that they could stay with you? I'm sure they would share a room if need be. If not, of course, we have other options (we believe) but it would be so extremely nice and convenient if they could stay close by. Any chance??? THANKS so much for even considering.....David 

Hi David - First, of course, they can stay at the house. I owe you a million favors. We plan to be in Palo Alto that weekend (or at least Friday night) but that will not make any difference. We will be home this Sat. morning and we can talk then. Plan on their staying for sure.


I have called FedEx and they say you signed for all the wine so we can retrieve that on Sat. too. We had no idea we had more wine coming but I guess we did. Barbara

You are assured of lodging! Apparently I "saved the bacon" on Barbara's wine delivery, when she was over in Italy so this was a very happy message to read....See you in about 10 days? Cact.

In Greek mythology Charon carries souls across the river Styx

Art: Alexander Dmitrievich Litovchenko (1835-1890)

Dear Wine Négociant and Lady of Leisure! Thank you ever so much for acting on our behalf as innkeeper, chef and butler! The Three Faces of Vincenzo! (Oops, sherpa, as well!) Very much appreciated, of course!

Mme Coriandre just left for a full morning of performance reviews for staff at Heartwood Community Cafe, <http://www.heartwoodcc.ca/>, small restaurant her church bought about a year ago. Mandate is for social justice programming as well as offering worship space. Quite an undertaking and, obviously, an exciting direction for the United Church to be taking and supporting, financially.

[Chloe Alexis Dunn shared Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society's photo.

Need to complete your costume? Aunt Leah's Urban Thrift has hundreds of items to get you looking your best this Halloween. Visit our store at 177 East Broadway (at Main Street)

Patrick James Dunn I need an Anniversary costume!]

Rain, rain and more rain today so I'll probably head over to FCCC to ellipticize for a couple of hours. Monday, October 27th, California or Bust! Will be in touch beforehand but, all going well, will see you in two weeks, exactly. I'll be wearing a Halloween mask of some sort, Glasgow his kilt! Fondestos from HRM, (Human Resources Maven/Her Royal Majesty, as well!), Coramandel. Cheers, Patrizzio, Uxorious Scullion!

Hello Barbara! Just a quick note to thank you for allowing my friend, Matthew and I, to stay at your place over the Halloween weekend. Your generosity is very much appreciated, of course, especially when you've just recently returned from overseas.

Have had a busy social life ourselves, of late. Good friends, Claire and Greg, from Brisbane, were here in Vancouver for a week, staying with us. You will probably remember Michele and Wayne, the other couple who stayed, along with Corinne and I, at your place a number of years ago. The four of us met C/G on the Canal du Nivernais in 2010 and we all stayed with them in 2012. By chance, other good friends, Kathleen and Steve, from Melbourne, were in town last week as well and we had dinner together at our place this past Friday.

Michele and Wayne asked me to pass along fond regards to you. Corinne sends along greetings as well. Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Kathleen/Steve, Claire/Greg, with Chloë, our youngest daughter, and Corinne. Sarge is a bit sad as he wanted to join us on trip south but cannot. A very good friend from Newfoundland is coming to town while we will be away so he has to stay home!

As you mentioned, have had a busy social life, of late. Good friends, Claire and Greg, from Brisbane, were here in Vancouver for a week, staying with us. You will probably remember Michele and Wayne, the other couple who stayed, along with Corinne and I, at your place a number of years ago. The four of us met C/G on the Canal du Nivernais in 2010 and we all stayed with them in 2012. By chance, other good friends, Kathleen and Steve, from Melbourne, were in town last week as well and we had dinner together at our place this past Friday.

My last shift at the VWF ends on Sunday, October 26th, so I'm heading south, with two friends, Whirlygig and Glasgow, next day, Monday, 27th, sans Mme Coriandre, as she is saving her pennies for our planned trip to India in October/November/December 2015. Plan to do some wine-tasting in Sonoma and ride there as well. In to Berkeley for a couple of nights, (Whirlygig is in a squash tourney in SF that weekend.), before heading east into Sierra Foothills to ride and taste there, in El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras counties. Back home via Lake Tahoe, Reno and Bend, Oregon. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Kathleen/Steve, Claire/Greg, with Chloë and Corinne last Friday. 

Patrick, I am playing tonight and George is playing at 7:15. The bottles are already in the car. The picture shows Sarge looking very good. However, where did you get the idea that you had good looks, that were indeed "startling"? Best wishes, Mike

Hello Wine Mule! Thank you for your unstinting service, if not your rather uncomplimentary remarks! I'll have you know, Good Sir, that GQ wished to have me on the cover of the Fall edition but I was unable to make the photo-shoot as I was cycling in the Whistler GranFondo! George Clooney was their second choice!!!

Buona Fortuna to you and Whirlygig in your matches this even! Cheers, Handsome as Prince Charming Patrizzio!

Patrick, We have politicians to tell us fairy tales. You could at least double check in the mirror. Best wishes, Mike

Hello Brother Grimm! I gather from your kinder, gentler wife that you effected the wine transfer! Thanks for that as well as completely dashing what little remains of my self-confidence/self-image! Pleased to say that I've discovered a malt aged in hemlock barrels so I'll be bringing you a cask of same!!! Cheers, A Broken Man!

Hello, Patrick -So glad you and Corinne are back to host the Studio bar; every evening at two events - a huge time commitment.  The ice will be there at the beginning of your shift! 

 

And you've agreed to a few more hours as Sunday Crew Captain for the final PW strike.  I'll include you in an e-mail about the Sunday Crew Captains' meeting (Friday, the 24th, at 5:30) but you'll be busy at the Studio bar at that time.  You captained the final strike last year so already know what it's all about.  There are no major changes in Sunday's PW schedule this year.  The meeting will be just to review procedures and time lines but if you'd like to join us after the Studio Bar is closed, please do. See you on Tuesday. CathyA

Hi, Crew Captains -So glad you're all back as F&B Volunteers for Writers Fest 2014.  It's great to have such experienced Crew Captains, especially because we have so many new volunteers this year.

    

Although this year's Sunday Brunch and Tea will be much the same as last year, let's meet to review procedures and timelines on Friday, October 24, at 3:30.  

Because of the Lit Cab rehearsal and Green Room upstairs on Friday, we can't meet at Performance Works.  I'll let you know the location of our meeting when I find one. I'm looking forward to working with all of you again. CathyA

Hi Cathy! Great to be back. Hard to believe this past year has gone so quickly! With respect to the meeting time, I see it is at 3:30 pm now, as opposed to 5:30 pm in your first message. Is this correct? I would be able to attend if 3:30 pm is meeting time. Let me know. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Crew Captain meeting is on Friday, October 24 at 5:30. My typo. Thanks, Patrick, for spotting my error and replying so quickly. CathyA  

Hi again, Cathy! Ok! I'll see if I can pop down to wherever meeting will be held once bar is set-up, etc. If not, I'll be in touch over Festival. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Tks again for a wonderful dinner. As always.

Hello Julia! Trust all went well with your move and that you have settled into life at The Waterford. Fond regards from Corinne to you, Julia. Cheers, Patrizzio!

just back from halifunkin .great time was at celtic colors;brilliant .cape breton beautiful.sorry to keep on about this but do you think we would be back late friday or early saturday.hope you are well ;matt

Hi Pat and Corinne, Thanks for the offer of a ride but it seems out of your way to come here first but it would be fun to go together. So, how about if we come down to your place at 6:30 and we can all go together in our car or yours?
 

I'd hate to make either of you mad....... but I'd say that the all-black attire would be better than than ancient cycling duds. Thanks!! Sara

Hi Patrick, Hal Wake at the Writers Fest has suggested you as the ideal volunteer to do a radio interview on Monday for CBC’s The Early Edition. The producer would like to come to Granville Island at 11 am to interview you, so as to have ambient noise for the interview. It would air on Tuesday, the opening day of this year’s Festival, and they are looking for a long time Writers Fest volunteer...someone who's passionate about the authors and events and could share with them what it's like from a fan/ volunteer perspective.

Would you be willing to do this? I would need to give them a bit of your background, and I would be there for the interview so that I could ensure you and The Early Ed staff connect.

I’ve left voice mails on your phone and your wife’s cell, so you can see I’m anxious to firm this up. Could you get back to me as soon as you see this request? Many thanks! Judith Walker

Hi Judith! Just an update on Monday's CBC interview. Corinne will not be able to attend as she has an important meeting with City Librarian, Sandra Singh, having to do with Friends of VPL, volunteer organization for which she is Past President. Meeting time was changed after she agreed to participate so I'll be on my own! Cheers, Parizzio! 

Thanks, Patrick. I’m sure that will be just fine. I think you can hold your own! Many thanks, again, for taking the time to do this. Get your stories lined up, just in case....See you Monday. Judith                 Yes, Mom!