Thursday 5 December 2013

Kite Runner Blues: Thursday, December 5th


A library is thought in cold storage. -Herbert Samuel, politician and diplomat (1870-1963) 


Khaled Hosseini (Persian: خالد حسینی‎ born March 4, 1965) is an Afghan-born American novelist and physician. After graduating from college, he worked as a doctor in California, an occupation that he likens to "an arranged marriage" for him. He has published three novels, most notably his 2003 debut The Kite Runner, all of which are at least partially set in Afghanistan and feature Afghans as the protagonist. Following the success of The Kite Runner, he decided to stop practicing medicine and became a full-time writer.

Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. His father worked as a diplomat, and when Hosseini was 11 years old, the family moved to France; four years later, they applied for asylum in the United States. He attended school in America with little knowledge of the English language at the time and later became a citizen. Hosseini did not return to Afghanistan until 2003 at the age of 38, where he "felt like a tourist in [his] own country". In interviews about the experience, he admitted to sometimes feeling survivor's guilt for having been able to leave the country before the Soviet invasion and subsequent wars.

We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and bones. -Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and author (1817-1862)

Another cold day yesterday so I rode a bit earlier. Stats for today's ride:

 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/412613655#.UqElT5IvopM.emai

HI Dad,


Al and I request your presence either next Tuesday the 10th or Wednesday the 11th to help with the desk and have a visit, Al will confirm next Monday when he knows his work schedule.

Thanks,

your loving daughter

Hi Chloë and Big Al!

Thanks for the invitation. Unfortunately, Wednesday, the 11th, is out as we have friends coming for dinner that evening and we are selling Christmas trees until 5:00 pm! On Tuesday, the 10th, Cora Lee has a meeting, probably until 8:30 pm. I could come over, however, so if that date works then I suggest we try for that, Big Al's work schedule allowing, of course. Given the way the pre-Christmas calendar is filling up, no matter which date one chooses, I'm sure it won't fit for somebody. Anyway, let me know what you both think and we'll plan accordingly.
Had a wonderful time at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church this evening where we listened to Khaled Hosseini in conversation with The Globe and Mail's Marsha Lederman. I met Cora Lee at the venue as she was already downtown at a reception held at the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. One of the women in her book club wants her to help to organize book clubs at the Centre so Coriandre will be levitating soon. Good thing, especially for you, Chloë, as she won't need her car anymore! I took AquaBus over to Hornby and then hoofed it the few blocks to Nelson and Burrard. Doors opened at 6:30 pm and we were there a few minutes before that so we had great seats in the third row of pews.

Marsha is a terrific interviewer/moderator so it was more than a delight to hear her intelligent, insightful questions answered so fully and in such a heartfelt fashion by the author. He is extremely, extremely articulate and very witty without being forced. Also very self-deprecating in a most endearing fashion. One is immediately struck by how conscious he is off the terrible fate his country has suffered over the last thirty years or so, and, indeed, continues to suffer. His concern for the rights of women, and human rights in general, is not just an intellectual stance either. By his own admission, his first two books have done very, very well, (bestsellers both, having sold over 38 million copies internationally), and he has been working to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan through the Khaled Hosseini Foundation. 

The venue was completely sold out so we both felt very fortunate to have had two complimentary tickets, donation perks. I had completely forgotten that I even had them until one of the VWF permanent staff sent me an email reminding me to use them before the end of the year. Very pleased for the VWF that the event was so well attended but absolutely delighted to have been able to hear and see Hosseini in person. A gifted writer and a remarkable individual. The fact that he remains so committed to his native land so besieged by almost unfathomable, complex social, political and economic issues is a measure of his resilience and his determination to help. Again, he fully acknowledges that he is under no illusion that his efforts will solve all that needs to be solved or right what needs to be righted but to do otherwise would be unconscionable. 

I had bought a copy of his latest, And The Mountains Echoed, once we'd found our seats so we left after the last question from the audience. We walked back to Hornby and caught the AquaBus to GI. Glad we made it just ten minutes before 9:30 pm, (last run), as it was pretty chilly by then and didn't relish the prospect of having to walk over the Burrard Bridge to get home!

 Talk soon, I trust. Fondestos and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick,


I hope you and Corinne are having a happy, busy, healthy early Christmas season time.  With the arrival of cold winter weather this week, we’ve denned in and are enjoying quiet indoor activities.  It’s hard to say what I’m actually getting done in between stoking the fireplace, but it’s really enjoyable.  I had a quick trip to Vancouver last week for a day of bridge and golf with the old gang of Byron, Clive, Robert, Roger and Dave.  Sorry wasn’t able to get away to visit you as I just took advantage of a short weather window when the Coquihalla was clear and no predicted snows on the horizon.

 I can’t resist sharing with you my latest whisky discovery, from a review in the Globe the weekend before last.  Forty Creek Heart of Gold, review attached, is a wonderful Canadian whisky worth every bit of its 95 points awarded by the Globe.  I managed to find a bottle in the Penticton LCB store.  The summary line, “Think of it as liquid granola – of the gods” is totally apt.  Our dinner guests on Sunday, Hal Whyte, Hazel Fry and others, were quite blown away.  It would make a good addition to your magic cabinet.



I’m looking forward to an upcoming whisky event on Dec 15, a cherished invitation to a rare meeting of the Naramata Whisky Club, a small group of local aficionados. They have a great lineup of scotches of which  I am sure we will drink a little too much. Other than that, we have a few other Naramata/Penticton social events to take us through to our departure to Florida on Dec. 20.   Wish you were coming!  Cheers, Peter



Hey, Patrick, 

Sorry, for the equally delayed reply. But I don't have the excuse of being away, just that of being busy and forgetful. Thanks a lot for your pictures, they are great, a lot better than anything I have taken. I used a couple of them on the blog for this post http://blog.alcuinsociety.com/2013/12/a-big-thanks-to-all-our-lovely-bidders.html I trust you are back to the sunny Vancouver and enjoying these cold but fine days. (I hope you brought back some of that good wine!) Cheers, Lumi


Lumi Constantin, PR representative, Alcuin Society alcuinsociety.com

Dear Patrick,

Now that you are back from the land of luscious wines, I'll give give  you a few days of drying-out before you come over here and get wet again. Denise and I are thinking of your coming here on Fri Dec 27th for dinner -we already have a couple coming that night that you and Cora Lee would enjoy. If you are busy that night why not try Tue Dec 17th or Wed Dec 18th?

I Thought of you when in Hawaii after consuming a really juicy Dry Creek Vineyards Old Vine Zin -avg age of vines 109 years! Also enjoyed was a very sexy Spanish Toro produced by Numanthia called Termes. With all this intense flavour in my veins the sharks apparently avoided me - just kidding -seriously in the last few days of our visit there were two shark attacks, one of which was fatal. One was maybe a 100 meters away and the other within a kilometer from
where we were swimming! Looking forward to your visit, Bill. 

  • Penny Doorbar
    Penny Doorbar

    Happy birthday Patricio for tomorrow. Thought I'd send message now in case I forget - got lots on re Lisa s flat this weekend. Have a great day xx
The DMCI Alumni Association is pleased to send you the latest copy of the DMCI AlumnEye newsletter featuring news about alumni association activities, plus updates from alumni and what has been taking place at the school so far this year.  Also included in the newsletter is information about two upcoming special events in 2014.  We hope you enjoy the attached issue.

  1. Christina Tassell
    • Happy birthday to you Patrick James Dunn Hi TNT! Thanks for birthday wishes. Marilyn and Mike send best wishes. Cheers, Patrizzio!

  2. Ginette Bertrandposted toPatrick James DunnHi Ginette! Thanks for birthday wishes and great card! Cheers, Patrizzio!
    I think it might be your birthday Patrick...if not celebrate anyway! Have a good one!

    Photo: I think it might be your birthday Patrick...if not celebrate anyway! Have a good one!

  • 5 December

  • Ilya Brotzky wrote on your timeline.
    Happy Birthday Patrick Hi Ilya! Thanks for birthday wishes all the way from Brazil! Sorry we never had the chance to see you when you were in town. Cheers, Patrizzio!

  • Jill Somer wrote on your timeline.
    Happy birthday! Hi Jill! Thanks for birthday wishes. How is life on Skopelos? Cheers, Patrizzio!

  • Tim Kelly wrote on your timeline.
    H B D Greetings from Sydney P J D Are the H B D greetings for P J D from the C B D ? Thanks for the birthday wishes wherever they are from. Cheers, Patrice!

  • Sery Ambrosio wrote on your timeline.
    Happy Birthday Patrizio !!! Hi Sery! Thanks for birthday wishes! What are you up to these days? Cheers, Patrizzio!

  • Alastair Bird wrote on your timeline.
    Happy Birthday! Hi Jimmy Olsen! Thanks for birthday wishes! You were missed in Berkeley and Tinsel Town this past American Thanksgiving. Stop working so hard and take a road trip once in a while. Cheers, Patrizzio!

  • Elly Cornelius wrote on your timeline.
    Happy Birthday young man. Hope you have a super duper day. Hugs & Kisses Elly & Tony.
    (Tony will only do Hugs, I will do the Kisses. Hahaha.) Enjoy.     Hi Elly and Antonio! Thanks for the birthday wishes, especially since they were directed to a "young man!" Most of them finish with "Old Man!" I would have thought that anyone who irons his T-shirts would not be averse to a smooch or two! Look forward to seeing you both in Vancouver! Cheers, Patrizzio!

  • Peter Edwards wrote on your timeline.
    Happy birthday Pat! Hope you have a great day
    Hi Pedrito! Thanks for birthday wishes. How is your wine cellar coming along now that you have unfettered access to all those wonderful Sauvignon Blancs? Cheers, Patrizzio!


Patrick: Just a quick email to wish you a very happy birthday today from everyone here at BirthdayAlarm.com. Have a great birthday! Xochi, Michael and Paul

Dear Patrick, Holder of Plot 320708 Best wishes and many happy returns of the day! (Please see birthday card attached) To celebrate your birthday (and your 6 years of being a Friend of Laphroaig!) we would like to offer you a small online present from all of us here at the distillery. The code below will be valid for three months at the Friends of Laphroaig online shop. You can use the code to receive a one-off 10% birthday discount in addition to your usual FOL discount* on any purchases that you make. Just make sure that you're logged in to FOL so that we recognise you.

The picture attached was taken by one of our former youth
Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society
The following is a poem a youth wrote about how he felt transitioning out of care:

I don’t know what holds tomorrow-day
I have dreamt about it every day this week
 
Anxiety till my birth month of May
 
My fears play like a song on repeat
There are words someone could say
 
Oh how it would warm my cold feet
 
Instead I feel like a tree about to die With leaves orange, dead, and twisted awry

Patrick James Dunn Difficult, heartfelt, courageous poem! A really terrific photograph!

Hi Patrick

Thanks so so much for your email.  Dec. 12th is a bit problematic for us as Eric arrives home  and I am not sure exactly the time of his flight.  Colin will know better. I realize Dec. 11 isn't so great for Corinne ??  What time of the day were you thinking of?

Glad to know your trip back from Portland was safe.  I really like Portland but time has been short so we have not managed to get there.  I have been immersed in the European Film Festival at Pacific Cinematheque.  I have seen some wonderful films and some not so wonderful films.

It would be great to get together with you and please let Corinne know I thought the VPL fundraising campaign was clever and very good.
Cheers for now Jo-Anne 

The DMCI Alumni Association is pleased to send you the latest copy of the DMCI AlumnEye newsletter featuring news about alumni association activities, plus updates from alumni and what has been taking place at the school so far this year.  Also included in the newsletter is information about two upcoming special events in 2014.  We hope you enjoy the attached issue.
 




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