Pre-Departure Blues: Friday, June 21st

What is to give light must endure burning. -Viktor Frankl, author, neurologist and psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor (1905-1997) 

Some photos from the Bancroft brunch upon my retirement (four working days to go); the cake was made by my coworker Lara Michels.  The final attachment has my remarks, made the day before at the library-wide retirement event.....what a fabulous month (except for our colds) Nancy and I are having!!! David          Hi Kids! From Berkeley! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Cactus! Wonderful, wonderful snaps. Cake is a masterpiece indeed! I wouldn't have wanted to cut into it, such a work of comic art. Enjoyed your heartfelt speech as well.

Sorry to hear of your colds. Poor Coriandre has been suffering from a nasty bout of stomach flu over last few days. Finally able to move around a bit. Earlier she was wracked with fever and consumed with aches and pains in every joint. 

Quite wet on Thursday so only an "errand" ride. Had hoped Robo Man would join me today but he is still swamped with students facing final exams. Bit of drizzle over the morning so I didn't head out until about 12:45 pm. Decided on my regular Seawall/Stanley Park/Prospect Point Loop as I felt overcast might dissuade tourists and locals from clogging up "my" route! 

Much the case and even the wind co-operated as it was lightest head wind in months and months. This being the case, I imagined myself as a human gerbil and kept the wheels spinning for seven circuits, (dipsy doodling five times around the parking lot at the bottom of the hill at the end of each loop, to give me slightly more than 10 K per circuit), to return with 107.7 K over 5:05:55, AVG 21.1 KPH, MAX 56.3 KPH. Pleased with distance and AVG but also with the fact that towards the end of the run, the sun broke through the clouds and it was a lovely late afternoon.


Home to find Chloë, back from her shift at GI Brewery, chatting with Cora Lee and  Maggs. What with work at Aunt Leahs, M-T, and then GI shifts on F/Sat, she's a busy, busy girl! Instead of going over to spend evening with a girlfriend she was heading home to go to bed early! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Grandpa Sarge!

PS:  Any thoughts about joining us in Languedoc in September? Pic: Grandpa Sarge!

Hi Raymond and Girogio! Thanks for sending along the clip for Before Midnight! We saw the first film in the now trilogy and quite enjoyed it. Don't think we caught the second so this release might be reason enough to revisit both earlier films before taking in latest. Thanks for being a domestique on this cultural front as well as when cycling! Speaking of riding, anyone interested in a jaunt this morning. I'm open for almost any time. Let me know. Cheers, Il Conductore!

P, thanks for the invite. I am very interested but I have commitments that evening. W

Hi pat Thanks for invite but we are away on lopez island tuesday and Wednesday next week.Rotten weather here in okanagan but the wines taste as good. Mick

Hi Mick!

Sorry to hear about weather but, as you say, wine cures everything! I'm sure Lopez will be wonderful but we'll miss you at malt tasting as well as at bridge. Our friends from Naramata, Lynne and Peter, are staying with us on the 26th/27th and we are hosting two tables of bridge, pot luck, next Wednesday. Were planning to invite you and Polly. Ted/Elaine and Giggster/Kerry are coming. 

Might have had three tables if you were available. Could still do so as Peter has invited a couple of friends as well. Not sure, as of this writing, if they are available. Sarge is on but The Sisterhood, (Lynne, Flamin' and Cora Lee), will knock back expensive wine and mutter various and sundry nasty imprecations at the card players! Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Patrizzio I am out of town.  Heading over to Vancouver Island Saturday.  Won't be back until mid week.  I passed this on to a few of my single malt friends. Dennis

Thanks Patrick - I'm already double booked that night (Jazz Fest/Bill New Lifetime Achievement Award). Have fun. Cheers....Paul
 
Hi Pat - Yes I'll be at the US Consul's for the Walls reception. See you there. I'll have to miss the main event as I'll be at a Jazz Fest concert. Talk soon....Paul

Hi Paolo!

Too, too bad about missing malt tasting but will report back on Thursday. Must say that I'm really enjoying The Glass Castle and, under other circumstances, would certainly have liked to attend interview at Freddy Wood. That evening have organized two tables of bridge with Peter in town. Think Cora Lee and Lynne will go, however. See you soon. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Dennisovitch!

Thanks for letting me know. Have a grand time on VI. Called Simon on Monday to arrange to pay deposit. Will drop by his place this coming Monday. Have just booked the Eurostar, London to Paris, and TGV, Paris to Béziers. Will probably book a rental car. Seems like I can obtain a Fiat 500 for around $606.59 for the time I/we will be in Neffiès. This will also provide transportation to Agen on September 28th when we meet friends for canal barge cruise. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

I have been trying to organize a ride with Charlie in the late afternoon. If he weasels out of that, as I expect he will, I would like a ride this morning. AND I may have to take the Deli in to Japanoid in New West this morning in which case I may be riding home from there. More soon, W 

Pat, To my surprise Charlie has committed to ride after work, late afternoon -- early evening. Our plan is to ride and end up at VRC for a beer and to watch some FND matches. Please join us if that suits your schedule. I expect we will do the Iona loop - maybe Steveston if the workaholic has the steam. I am on my way to New West this morning. W

Not sure about riding - lots to do around here. Started 'Solea' last night by Jean-Claude Izzo. It looks like a 2 night read, so if either of you have the time, you're welcome to borrow it. Ray 

Hi Deli Man and Biblio Man!

Buona Fortuna with Deli! Will you ride back? Thanks for invitation to join you this afternoon. I might well do so but I'll see how this morning/early afternoon shapes up. If I don't ride earlier, what time would you be heading out?

Thanks for offer of Solea, Raymond, but I think I have passed critical mass point as far as anymore additional titles what with those already on my plate: VPL due dates, NRBC's next selection, couple of porn novels, etc! Let me know about departure time and place, Giggster, for today and will be in touch about possible ride along Kent, Robo Man, on weekend. Cheers, Il Condutore!  

Hi Lads!

Earlier this morning I sent this message to friend who originally told me about Beau Soleil:

Hi Dennisovitch!

Called Simon Collins, (owner), on Monday to arrange to pay deposit. Will drop by his place this coming Monday. Have just booked the Eurostar, London to Paris, and TGV, Paris to Béziers. Will probably book a rental car. Seems like I can obtain a Fiat 500 for around $606.59 for the time I/we will be in Neffiès. This will also provide transportation to Agen on September 28th when we meet friends for canal barge cruise. Cheers, Patrizzio!

He replied, "My other friend just returned from Neffies.  He said it was the best vacation that he has every had.  The biking is just sensational in that area."

The above was an unpaid, unsolicited endorsement! How many weeks should I reserve for you, Messrs? Cheers, Concierge, Sommelier and Kitchen Scullion, Beau Soleil!

Hi again, Dennisovitch!

Thanks again, for passing this along. I have sent your comments to a number of other cycling friends to let them know what they'll be missing if they don't join Peleton in Languedoc! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

P, do you think the cycling is any good there? W Debatable! Ray

Hi Pat, I would like to do that tomorrow but it would have to be early as Jake has soccer and we will be going to the cabin. Let me know what time you guys could go. Thanks. 

Hi there Patrizio!

Just curious if you have had delivery of your MAC AIR laptop yet.  ?    I just ordered one last night at the Apple store in Metrotown.  Will be delivered around June 28th..  so we should compare notes on these!   I have not paid for any training as yet..  or internet access.. don't have a new email address yet, Need a printer too.  That will be the next purchase. Lovely weather today?! not. Cheers! JWo  

Hi Joan!

I did, in fact, receive my new laptop, a day early, on June 11th, and have been enjoying it ever since! I'm certainly not an expert but I'd be happy to share anything I know or learn from you, as the case may well be. I have another riding friend, Branko, aka Ragin' Bull, who is very knowledgeable about Macs, in particular, so he is the expert I turn to in times of technical needs I'm not able to understand/solve. I'm sure he would be happy to help out if you have any questions, etc. He actually lives on his boat, docked just down the Seawall from us, at Spruce Harbour Marina. If/when time allows, we could have a seminar on his quarter-deck!

With respect to printers, I really like the Samsung Laser ML 1710 we have. Not overly expensive, (around $100 when we bought it, I think), and very dependable. Uses a re-fill-able cartridge which is easy to change. I'm sure there are many other similar products in the market place now. Depends, of course, if you want colour, fax capabilities, etc. This is just a very basic model but meets most of the needs we seem to have.
 

Managed to squeeze in a very pleasant ride on Wednesday, dodging the dodgy the forecast. Whirlygig and I cycled out to Steveston and came back via #6 Road. After Giggster headed home, waving goodbye at 37th and Pine Crescent, I continued on to MacKenzie and then north, down the hill. Due to a road closure near 25th, I dipsy doodled my way back to Macdonald and thence to Kits Point. I had decided I'd like to do about 75 K so had to do two or three loops here before returning to The Heartbreak Terrace with 77.7 K over 3:51:39, AVG 20.1, MAX 45.1 KPH. Pleased with both ride and missing rain!
 

Yesterday I just did a few errand rides and in fact, when I was out, the rain was but a light drizzle so not at all unpleasant. One of my stops was at Pulp Fiction, across from Safeway, on Broadway and Macdonald, where I managed to pick up a copy of The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls' memoir. She is doing a Vancouver Writers Fest event next Wednesday, at UBC. There is a reception at the US Consul's home in Shaughnessy beforehand and by virtue of my donations to the VWF I received an invitation! Will have to wear the suit I had tailored in Hong Kong, last year, as attire is listed as "Business" on invitation! Cora Lee's nose i out of joint as she didn't make the list!

While waiting to pay for book, I noticed another patron standing near front of store and thought I recognized him. It was John Vaillant. If you have not heard of him, according to Wikipedia, he "is a non-fiction author and journalist who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has lived in Vancouver for the past thirteen years. His first book, The Golden Spruce, won the 2005 Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction and the Writers' Trust Non-Fiction Prize. It dealt with the felling of the Golden Spruce or Kiidk'yaas on Haida Gwaii by Grant Hadwin.

His 2010 work, The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival is about a man-eating tiger incident that happened in the 1990s in Russia's Far Eastern Primorsky Krai, where most of the world's Amur tigers live. It is a mixture of investigative journalism, social history, geography and natural writing. The Tiger won British Columbia's National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction for 2010, and Globe and Mail Best Book for Science 2010. The book was also selected for the 2012 edition of CBC Radio's Canada Reads, defended by lawyer and television personality Anne-France Goldwater. On 27 May 2012 with the French translation of its book "The Tiger", John Vaillant received the "Nicolas Bouvier Price" in Saint Malo (France).
 

Our Book Club read The Tiger and it is a fascinating work. I'm met him about three years ago at the VWF. I was at a session given by Joseph Boyden, again from Wikipedia, "a Canadian novelist and short story writer. His first novel, Three Day Road won the Amazon/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. His second novel, Through Black Spruce, won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize." Once again, our Book Club read the latter. After the session was over, I was talking to Amanda Boyden, Joseph's wife, (herself a novelist), and she introduced me to John. At the time he was working on The Tiger. A very self-effacing person, I liked him form the first time we met. He was in the store with his son, a young teen. He didn't know that Joseph was coming back to the VWF this coming October. He has a new novel, Orenda, and John, himself, has just finished a work of fiction, a departure for him from his award winning non-fiction. At any rate, hope to see them both at the Fest.

On to Young Bothers, further west on Broadway, to shop for some fruit and vegetables and just as I was locking up my bike I saw a former squash mate, Peter Bourne, walking along sidewalk towards me.  He is a very good cyclist and funnily enough, he and another mutual friend, Lee Bacchus, were first to show me the route to Steveston, probably about five years ago now. We had a chat, catching up on things. As these things go we somehow stopped riding together what with travel, different schedules, etc. Had been meaning to call them, about a year ago, when I bumped into Lee in almost exactly the same spot!

On to Tisol Pet Store, on Arbutus, a couple of blocks south of Broadway, for ultra-expensive, wheat free cat food for Maggster next. Didn't bump into anyone I knew but felt badly for another customer. She was ahead of me in line and had a huge pile of stuff on counter. Couldn't find her credit card so clerk took me first. Her friend went to their car, parked on street just outside entrance, but couldn't find it there either. Guess Fido will go hungry. Was almost tempted to offer Maggster as a tasty morsel! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Yes,  it's true!  Not for too long.. thanks for the newsy email Patrizio!  Having a chance to get all dressed up and somewhere to go is grrrreat!  I look forward to not getting dressed up an with no where to go..  for awhile anyway..

Thanks for the offer of assistance with my new MAC air..  to be delivered around July 2nd..    and I hope I am home to receive it!!! (the buzzer on the condo door is different from the suite #  just like your bldg..)  

I too have a friend in the Spruce Harbour Marina and he is a live aboard too..  but has another sail boat in the Caribbean (nicer one) for the horrible rainy months in Vanc. He teaches off shore sailing part time at the False Creek sailing school .

I mentioned Branko's name to him but he did not seem to know the name....  was that a first or last name?   Also, Ragin' Bull may not be his well known name....if you're the inventor....we could spread that around though.
 

My friend is Scott Watson and his sail boat is on the end of the dock closest to Granville Island.  He has a suite near Stamps pub (Wicklow) in 805 Moberly Rd. where his mother resides..  she rents from him.. I like their little "clubhouse" in the Spruce Harbour marina..  very cozy and great for parties.....!  Looks like I will have lots of support when I get the whiz bang computer! You can tell I know a lot about them.  not....

I bought the 256 K or MB not sure which..  but was the middle choice of 3 AIR types.  Bought it in a hurry at Metrotown..  so hope I did good!!! Chat later and have fun at the book get together!!   Cheers! JWo 

Hi TNT!I do apologize for not replying sooner but life has been full and hectic so no excuses but plenty of reasons! Lovely to hear from you but terribly sorry to learn of Tina's Mum's diagnosis. Our hearts go out to her and you and family at this very difficult and trying time. Not much easier with your Dad's deterioration either, I'm sure. Good luck with finding a suitable place.

Glad that Teen's knee seems to be responding. Unfortunately, Cora Lee is still struggling with her foot. Still swells up and is painful if she does any prolonged walking and/or standing. Must say that I can say that I feel that I am probably as strong or stronger now than I was before the last bike accident. At least my legs seem to think so! Still a tad dizzy when I get up from a prone position but according to the Internal Medicine chap I saw this past Tuesday, (My family doctor wanted to make sure there wasn't anything she was missing, hence referral.), it is more an indication of my fitness! Slow heart rate contributes to low blood pressure so it takes a bit for blood to get to my fevered brain!!! One way of looking at it anyway!

Quite pleased, and surprised, I might add, to learn that my Blog audience, (millions world-wide, obviously!), is clamouring for more installments! Not sure why, given linkages I assumed were in place on system, you couldn't find it. I did change name from Jambalaya Diaries to IID, (short for Island Inn Diaries): Cotton is High and Your Mama's Good Lookin'! as part of the "evolving" oeuvre, home and trip based segments.

Haven't yet decided on next name but hope to sketch out/enter names for blog titles, sections, daily entries ahead of time. I have learned from past, bitter experience, that it doesn't take long to fall behind, keeping up with postings while on the road, let alone being in one spot. With this in mind, I'm hoping that if I have a "skeleton" in place, I can jot down things on the fly. Find it much easier then to fill in the blanks, so to speak, after the fact. At any rate, I am glad that you have been able to follow some of our goings on this way. This, apart from my own "weird", (Cora Lee's/Flamin's' characterization), desire to record, was one of the intents of keeping the blog, should anyone care to be bothered to read it.  Fondestos and Cheers, Concierge, Sommelier and Kitchen Scullion, Beau Soleil!


Hi Paolo! Thanks for agreeing to dessert! Wonderful! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Eyob! Thought I would share this latest message from Al, friend we visited day after our evening together, about their time exploring the Othello tunnels. Should you and your family be interested, (since you already visit Bridal Falls), perhaps we can arrange an outing to see these tunnels. We've never been before, although have wanted to do so for some time now. Anyway, another reason to reconnect. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick and Corinne Lovely evening here but rain expected tomorrow ( and for Wimbledon?).

We are going up to Gateshead/Newcastle to watch International Athletics event and following up by supporting my sister and brother-in-law's garden party in support or RNLI(lifeboats). Forecast not promising for either event.

I reckon you have done well with the car quote based on what I pay in Europe particuarly allowing for returning vehicle elsewhere. I usually give up on the lattter requirement eg in Australia. Are there ay fancy excesses required as is usually the case in Australia and now more in Europe. 

I have given up on OZ car hire based on their various fees for pick up, set down, excess etc.

As we shall be getting back from Lakes on 23 July your dates give a reasonable turn round I would have thought. Week of 16 July Chris, has one or two commitments on school so you may have to put up with me on my own for the odd half day. Chris school commtments are Thurs pm and Friday am.

Ed passed his Medical finals and he is due to start work at Harrogate General Hospital in late July and they are currently rental house hunting in the town. I hope you will have a chance to meet them while you are here.

I thought on Wednesday evening we would have a meal at Wetherby Golf Club where I am a social member. I shall give some thought as to how we schedule the Filey Bike ride although your diary entry makes me think this is less than a good idea for moi.

On the Languedoc front I think I would find it difficult to schedule with our commitments to our mothers and the Thorntons resettlement in Yorkshire, though we can perhaps discuss it when we see each other.

If you pick up te bike in York would you be prepared to follow me out to the shop and for Corinne to follow Chris back to Wetherby or is that asking too much on arrival. In other words you might have to sacrifice the ride back from York?

Given that I had the date wrog in my diary for your arrival is the time still correct at 9.47 am?

I had a date of July 11 for your UK arrival? Hope all this sounds OK by you both? Best wishes Jim and Christine

Hi Jim!

A meal at your private club sounds very posh! Will I need long pants? A tie? Please advise dress code as I'd hate to be the reason your membership is cancelled!

On the matter of Chris's commitments, please don't have even the slightest concern about us. Not that we don't want to spend time together but we certainly don't expect or want you to feel that you have to entertain us or be a tour guide. Of course we appreciate all the planning you have done, reservations, etc., (all sound lovely, wonderful), but for much of the time we are very, very happy just to potter around, following our noses, getting to know places on our own. If you have commitments of one sort or another, please simply go ahead with them. Just leave the key to your malt cabinet when you go out and I'm sure we'll be fine! 
 

 Speaking of hootch, I'm planning to pick up some Duty Free liquor and I'm wondering if you and/or Chris have a favourite tipple since malt appears not to be too, too high on the list. Please let me know if you'd like gin or rum or vodka or anything else, liqueur or brandy, for that matter. If I don't hear from you you'll end up with an Islay malt which you'll probably use to clean your bicycle chain!

As well, please don't worry about cycling distances. I'm quite looking forward to be able to see some of the places and countryside you've described, whether race routes or farm lanes. However, with respect to collecting my bike, I'm a tad confused about what you wrote regarding being prepared to follow you out to the shop and for Corinne to follow Chris back to Wetherby. Do you mean that I would drive a car, from your place, following you in another? Then Chris and Cora Lee would drive the vehicles back to Wetherby while we cycle?

Not sure if this is what you meant but before we go any further, I need to apologize for providing wrong date of arrival. I think I said it was on Tuesday, July 16th but I see from looking at our tickets that it is actually Wednesday, July 17th. Hope this doesn't throw a monkey wrench into your schedule/plans! Time of arrival in York is 09:47am , traveling by Grand Central, leaving London Kings Cross at 7:49 am

Since we do arrive just before 10:00 am I thought that we might be able to pop by Evans, if bikes are there, and I might be able to decide which model I'd like. I assume I'll need to inquire about a number of other things, (odometre, tires, soft traveling case, etc.), and while doing this perhaps The Sisterhood might wish to inspect the nearbye shops as you have your second or third latte of the day! I imagine that if I do wish any modifications the shop might not be able to do them right away. If so, then that would mean coming back, a day or so later.  In any case, Cora Lee really does not want to drive, unless it is a matter of life and death, if this is what you had in mind. For my part, I'd love to cycle from York to Wetherby should that be an option. Once you've clarified options we can plan accordingly.
 

With respect to Languedoc, I understand completely and as you mention, we can discuss possibility further over the course of our visit. Timing is very open so if things work at the last minute that is more than fine.
 
You seem to be having similar weather to Vancouver, of late. Quite wet yesterday so only an "errand" ride. Had hoped Robo Man would join me today but he is still swamped with students facing final exams. Bit of drizzle over the morning so I didn't head out until about 12:45 pm. Decided on my regular Seawall/Stanley Park/Prospect Point Loop as I felt overcast might dissuade tourists and locals from clogging up "my" route! Much the case and even the wind co-operated as it was lightest head wind in months and months. 

This being the case, I imagined myself as a human gerbil and kept the wheels spinning for seven circuits, (dipsy doodling five times around the parking lot at the bottom of the hill at the end of each loop, to give me slightly more than 10 K per circuit), to return with 107.7 K over 5:05:55, AVG 21.1 KPH, MAX 56.3 KPH. Pleased with distance and AVG but also with the fact that towards the end of the run, the sun broke through the clouds and it was a lovely late afternoon.

Great news that Ed passed his exams. We certainly look forward to meeting him and family. Will you play croquet at the garden party? I love the game and we had a hoot, last summer, in Squamish, at an annual summer bbq held by close friends, Ruth and Rick, playing like it was Wimbledon or an Olympic event! I thought I was competitive until we matched up against the young set!
 

Anyway, Cappuccino Jim, let me know about bike arrangements, etc., and we'll plan accordingly. Fond regards from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Sent attached snap to Kale Man! 

Thanks, Patrick, this sounds great. We are planned to go camping first/second week of August at our regular Caltus Lake camping site (close to 16/17 years), but it is not confirmed as there was a talk in the house that we may consider going to the Oregon Coast for camping. We will keep you posted on our decision, but your proposition sounds great- we do like hiking and exploring old tunnels sounds like a great idea, particularly if we can drive to a close by location from where we can then take a walk. This will be a great day trip for us from Cultus Lake. We will keep you posted on our plan say mid July. egn

Hi Eyob!

Sorry for a bit of a misunderstanding but we will be away, (in Cornwall for all of August), until October 19th. My suggestion for visiting the Othello Tunnels was for some time after that, whenever it is possible to coordinate such an outing. Anyway, sorry for confusion. Enjoy your camping at Cultus Lake. Do you know other campers there who return each year as well? My former boss, Howard Hurt, at the Curric Lab, did just this at the campgrounds in Osoyoos, with his young children. Once his boys married and had children of their own, they did the same so annual holiday took on a multi-generational composition. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 

No problem, Patrick. We will see if we can do it when you return from your trip. Enjoy the trip, and be safe. Egn

Hi Eyob! Thanks for being so understanding and for the wishes for a safe, enjoyable trip. All the best until we meet again. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi Pat,

Sunday, July 23

I have a ticket to Vieux Farké Toure. He is the son of Ali Farké Toure, a legendary guitariest from Mali, now dead. His son is carrying on the tradition, playing the same instrument and performing almost on your patio. It is on Sunday at 7:30 pm at Granville Island Performance Works – a reasonable time and a great location. If you are interested you can order the ticket(s) online. As the old adage goes, be there or be square.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieux_Farka_Tour%C3%A9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMI46WhdjRE
http://www.coastaljazz.ca/artist/vieux_farka_tour%C3%A9

Tuesday, July 9

Oliver arrives on July 8 and i will pick him up at YVR. Are you still available that Tuesday, if we make a flypast, no pun intended? I am aware that you leave for London a day or two later.

Later in the summer: If you are still interested to sit for me, for a portrait, maybe we can do that in the summer. bob

Hi Bob!

Thanks for invitation to join you at Vieux Farké Toure's concert on Sunday at 7:30 pm at Granville Island Performance Works. You actually wrote "July 23rd" so I knew we definitely wouldn't be able to join you as we will be in Yorkshire then, just back from the Lake District, cycling with Wordsworth's ghost! Since it it this Sunday, as far as I can ascertain, I think we would have been delighted to do so. However, Cora Lee is suffering from a very nasty bout of stomach flu so is not moving very far from home. I've already committed to helping Chloë with some shelving and other small jobs at the loft on Sunday. Since I'm planning a longish ride that morning and she wants to sleep in, (Home from my ride to find Chloë, back from her shift at GI Brewery, chatting with Cora Lee, wrapped in a blanket, on the couch, with Maggs spread across her legs.

What with work at Aunt Leahs, M-T, and then GI shifts on F/Sat, she's a busy, busy girl! Instead of going over to spend evening with a girlfriend that evening she was heading home to go to bed early!), I probably won't get over to her place until after 6:00 pm. I'm sure it will be a wonderful concert so I hope we'll hear about it from you when next we meet.

In this vein, you are welcome to use one of our parking spots if you are driving to the concert, should you like to do so. Just call when you are in parking lot and I'll let you in, if I'm here, or else Cora Lee will attempt to rise from her chaise lounge to open garage door. Furthermore, we are both expecting you and Olivetti for brunch on Tuesday, July 9th, 11:00ish or later, depending on jet-lag, etc. Just let us know night before or morning of. No big deal, either way, as I'm sure we'll be packing our bags!

Great snap of picture of picture of Arye ben Kitsilano and live model, cornered and frightened out of his wits, to breathe, let alone move! Still delighted to pose, (I've been practising holding my breath on my long rides and, can now do so for five hours, at a stretch. Will this be long enough for a still portrait?), but won't be available, (I have many, many other modelling requests!), until we are back, October 19th.
 

Let me know about parking and brunch. Cheers, Patrizzio "Square Head" Dunn! Pic: From fourth floor, communal patio, at loft on Wall Street.

David Kessler, Thoughts on leaving, June 2013

Thanks so much. Having spent a life in public services, I want to say right away that I know we are only the visible tips of the iceberg. Everything we do is sustained by a team effort, and I am grateful for all the library staff who make public services function. Just like the running backs in football who get the glamour, we know all to well that without the work of our line, our technical services, we would get nowhere. Deeply grateful! I am also grateful to my Bancroft Public Services colleagues, Dean Smith, Lee Anne Titangos, Lorna Kirwan, Iris Donovan and our chief Susan Snyder, whose incredible hard work is an inspiration to all.

I would like to say thanks to those brave souls who took a chance on me and made my library career possible. Some forgotten administrator in the Atlanta Public Library in 1965; Mark Dimunation and Jose Hernandez for my position in the Humanities Graduate Services in the early 1970s; and most especially the late Ann Lipow, whose leadership I still revere and who hired me to work for UC Davis in Cooperative Services in 1977.

My experience of the library goes back beyond that, however. As a first year History Grad student in 1970, I was given a tour of the building. I remember the depository catalog ringing the offices on the second floor of the library in what are now the Reference offices and Grad Services. There is virtually no part of the library except Morrison and the North Reading Room which has not been utterly transformed during my 43 years in this building. When I started work, our most advanced tool was the IBM Selectric typewriter. I wonder how many more people will retire from the library whose experience goes back to a time when there were no computers, just card catalogs. I’m grateful we had those, because that’s where I met my wife Nancy Mennel; she worked in what was then the Catalog Department, filing catalog cards. I used that catalog constantly. Library romance blossomed. Now that everyone sits alone in a cubicle hunched over a computer, I guess you will have to find new ways to meet your mate!

Some of my most meaningful memories took place in this room. I have raised questions at Early Birds that no one else would. At other meetings, I channeled and articulated positive feelings that resonated with the whole staff. As much as I have seen the physical building go through ups and downs, so I have found staff morale wax and wane. Periods when we perceived that administrators cared about us as people have been the happiest, the best periods. I am glad to say that, as I retire, I feel we are in such a period now. When Tom is not busy winning cartoon contests, he, along with Beth, Bernie and the rest work hard and have staff welfare close to their hearts. Thanks!

But sometimes the best of intentions can’t get the job done. I guess I would not be the David Kessler you have come to know if I went out without saying something controversial. Part of the reason I am leaving is to give some deserving young person a chance to get my job, get a paycheck and experience the fabulous challenges of Bancroft reference work. But that is not what is happening in the library, at UC, and in our society. The great Age of Austerity has made a hiring freeze and what is really “operation cutback” the order of the day.

 We each pile on hat upon hat, job upon job, title upon title, and pretend that the work of the library can go on this way. We all know that this is insane. Maybe having a new chancellor will make a difference. But unless we in the library and other departments on campus put pressure on him to hire and spend, open vacant jobs for young people, we are likely to endure this sad downward spiral from now on. Without people and without passion, all the technology in the world is worthless. We have to start demanding change from the bottom up. The Library must have adequate staff to function.

And with that, I am kicking myself out there door. Thanks so much to all of you. I will miss you. For me, there is no line between co-workers and friends. To any whom I may have offended, I beg your pardon. I have lived my library life with the best of intentions.