Rain-Proof Cycling Blues: Wednesday, January 8th

To be capable of embarrassment is the beginning of moral consciousness. Honor grows from qualms. -John Leonard, critic (1939-2008) 

P, sorry I missed your call lastereve. Was deep into dukahonnamoto with sisterhood -- I wish.
 

Let's talk today about rain proof cycling and other island adventures. W

More rain, all day, more or less, so I was forced into "errand" rides: 12.68 km over 0:52'37 for an AVG of 14.4 km/hr.

First to Dino, (41st/West Blvd), for a haircut, (He wanted my phone number so that he can invite me/us to the 50th Anniversary of his barbershop.), then to Cheap Thrills for a few groceries and then to meet Amira and Whirlygig for AH. After cinema to GI for java, (Railtown, dark, smoky, full-bodied, Peru Chaupe, at JJ Bean. Needed free cup, with each lb, as I was chilled from persistent rain), and then RBC kiosk for cash from ever dwindling coffers.

Home to take a quick shower and then blogville, making dinner, overlefts and saladin, for Coriandre when she returned from Friends board meeting at 8:00 pm. After dinner we watched Mud, "a 2012 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Jeff Nichols. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, (Ellis), Sam Shepard, and Reese Witherspoon. Two teenage boys in De Witt, Arkansas, Ellis and Neckbone, (Jacob Lofland), travel to a small island in the Mississippi River where Neckbone, found a boat stuck high in a tree, likely from a flood. They intend to make it their own but soon realize someone is living in it and meet Mud – a strange man who claims to have grown up in the town. While calmly fishing he tells the boys he needs food. He promises to give the boys his boat if they help him during the short time he plans to stay on the island. The boys leave unsure of what to think about Mud," and the plot thickens!. Must say that I thoroughly enjoyed film. Wonderful script, dialogue spare yet conjuring incredible depths of emotion and marvelously understated humour at times. Recommend it most highly.

Dear Callus:

Last summer while you were walking the Lake District with Wordsworth and cycling the Tour de France with Lance I was busy at my keyboard working on a novel that I completed just before leaving for California. I was wondering if you would be interested in reading it in between feeding the cat at Nanoose and cleaning its litter box and offer some feedback as I am keen to see this get published. I would appreciate hearing your opinion of it.

Also, do you have the address for Madrona? It appears that George is planning to visit some time around the 18th. Let me know. Best, Kurt

Hello again, Dean/Neal!

I knew there was a novel lurking under your cynical, sarcastic skin and I'd be delighted to read it and see if its pages are only fit to line the feline's litter box! I've included Whirlage in this message as he is certainly/would be a much better choice for editor. Cora Lee is also a possibility as she is very, very good at slashing/burning, editorially speaking, and takes an almost sadistic delight in ripping my fumbling prose, (if not my subcutaneous layers), to shreds. However, I think the ultimate critical panel would be the NRBC. I feel that we should all read it and then give you our considered opinions. What think you, Sirrah? Put your money and soul where the foot in your mouth tends to reside.

Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio "Armadillo" Dunn who spits on callousness. I dream of 3" tempered steel plates for my emotional and psychological exoskeleton along with 9H/HB armour piercing pencils! Writer Beware! 

Hi again, Great Canadian Novel Author!

Forgot to send along address. Cheers, Maxwell Perkins per Patrizzio "Armadillo" Dunn! 

Hi Glasgow!

Would be grand to have a dram and a visit but we are getting ready to head to Madroña Manor until January 27th. I gather you and Catherine are taking an extended trip once you retire. Congrats on both counts! Not sure about your exact dates for retirement/trip but let's see if we can organize something in early February if you will still be in Vancouver when we return from VI. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Big Al!

Love your suggestion about use of desk! Just another reason to speed up eviction process!

However, I need to set you straight on the Camel Pack Fiasco. It was no "accident" that Whirlygrifter ended up with my camel pack as he switched with much premeditated malice, knowing full well I was soon to embark on a 100+ km ride and was working for The Sisterhood who hoped I would expire without needed re-hydration. Unfortunately, for him, I usually use cask strength as my riding fuel and his system is not used to such high test. His collection of malt is so anaemic that it doesn't even qualify to be called "porch cleaner" and the octane enhanced mixture went straight to his non-existent grey matter and he flipped out, literally. Hoist with his own petard!

Yesterday I had made an appointment to have a pedicure so I was massaged and otherwise pampered. Almost as good as the Swedish masseuses in Languedoc! Today I managed to take in American Hustle at 12:30 pm with Amira and The Would Be Turncoat Assassin. He tried to do me in again, this time around with popcorn sprinkled with chili peppers from Hades. However, much to his consternation I didn't succumb even though there was smoke coming out of my ears! I thoroughly enjoyed the film, finding it both emotionally and psychologically gripping. Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence were simply wonderful but entire cast was terrific.

Fondestos to you both. Will be in touch once ensconced at Madroña Manor. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Tinsel Town!

Thought that I'd send along Big Al's take on new desk after I told him that it looked so splendid that Nana wants to evict Chloë! Fondestos to you three. Love and Cheers, Dad!  

Hi Colin!

Would be grand to have a dram and a visit before my next Humpilates class but we are getting ready to head to Madroña Manor. Let's see if we can organize something in early February, when we return from VI. Cheers, Patrizzio!

P, thanks for joining us for the American Hustle. I quite enjoyed it. Looks like it may be okay weather for your ride tomorrow. I have a noon match that I thought was cancelled because one of the players was ill. The game is apparently on. Hope your ride is dry and windless. We will touch base from your digs in Sparksville. W

P, I don't know what the reference is to Armadillo but this may be worth watching. W

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=110iUX1Ursk

Hi Whirlygig!

It was a delight to see Amira and I thoroughly enjoyed the film as well. Sorry you won't be joining me but pleased your match is on. Do hope I face dry and windless conditions. Spoke to Grogg this evening and he seemed to think it might just be light drizzle at their end. Will call him from ferry if it looks too, too wet.

Enjoyed the Armadillo clip. I was referring to the fact that the Nicotine Fiend referred to me as "Callus" because of my response to his travelogue. (Interesting that we both need to translate for each other: dukahonnamoto!) The video confirmed that I think our helmets should be made out of armadillo plates!

Must away as I want to do a bit of packing. Will send a few Internet sparks from Sparksville as soon as I've picked the wine cellar lock! Cheers, Il Conduttore! 

Hello Polar Vortex People!

Sorry to learn that your weather is not as warm as you might like. Shades of New Orleans when we first arrived! Nevertheless, I see form your wondrous accounts of Christmas and New Year's feasts that your suffering has been ameliorated. Glad Wonderland hootch keeps the cold at bay!

We enjoyed a very festive, festive season ourselves and must say it was quite a relaxed and relaxing time so feel very fortunate for our great good fortune on all fronts. Just a blink of an eye and but a little more than a week into 2014 and we are packing our bags again.
 
Will send more info as soon as I've picked the lock on the wine cellar there! Fondestos from an already slumbering Cora Lee. She said she missed you both so much that she had to go to bed to lose herself in sleep otherwise she would have to drown her sorrow in a bottle, one of the few remaining in the ravaged malt cabinet. Cheers, to our favourite Hot Water Bottle/Electric Blanket People from Patrizzio "eBay" Dunn!  

Whiterock Christopheros Blues: Tuesday, January 7th

I dreamt that my hair was kempt. Then I dreamt that my true love unkempt it. -Ogden Nash, poet (1902-1971)

Cave painting of a dun horse (equine) at Lascaux

Hi Quaff Meister and Co!

Thanks for the update on the unearthed Coffaro! Too, to bad that the wine lottery didn't have a happier ending but C'est la vie, as Vinnie the Baker would say when his dough doesn't rise!

[Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

2 pound Pork Tenderloin
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 TBS Yellow Mustard
2-3 TBS maple syrup
2 TBS olive oil
2 TBS Diced dried onions
1 1/2 TSP Garlic Salt or Powder
Mix ingredients above. Pour over Tenderloin in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours.]

Please go ahead and continue your quest for the Poifect Coffaro. Buona Fortuna! I'm disappointed, of course, but given the four cases I have in Bellingham and one in Portland, I'm trying to figure out how we can organize a group expedition south of border, in order to put a sizable dent in the stash. In chatting with other sympathetic, freeloading friends, (Sarge/Flamin', Whirlygig/Flash, per esempio), I think we might plan a drunken weekend at some place like the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine:

http://www.semiahmoo.com/fast_facts.php

Golfing for some, cycling for discriminating others, Outlet Malls and Spas for The Sisterhood, drunken debauchery for all! Book now and Save!

Getting ready to head to Madroña Manor on Thursday. Forecast is for rain so not sure if I'll be able to cycle to Horseshoe Bay and then from Departure Bay to Parksville. If not, Coriandre with chauffeur me to former, Groggenheimer will collect me at latter. They leave from Nanaimo, flying to Toronto before The Bahamas, Sandals, Emerald Bay Resort:

http://www.sandals.com/main/emerald/em-home/

next day before Volunteer Woman arrives that afternoon, meetings, meetings, meetings, keeping her from leaving sooner.

Happy quaffing, should you find anything quaffable! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Colin!

Welcome back and a Healthy New Year to you and Gail! Would be grand to have a dram and a visit but we are getting ready to head to Madroña Manor until January 27th, house/cat sitting for The Millionaires! Let's see if we can organize something in February. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Sarge et al!

Have been meaning to send this along for ages! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Must be a long lost relative. W

Hi Sarge!

Long, lost, street smart relative! Cheers, Patrizzio "Takes One to Know One" Dunn!

Emerald Bay Looks pretty enchanting. Bet our pals in Kalamazoo would like to be there instead!!!!

Hi Sunshine Boy!

Kalamazoids and the entire population of Canada, east of the BC/Alberta border all the way to The Rock! Let it Rain, Let it Rain, is our West Coast refrain. Cheers, Patrizzio "Ain't Gots No Snowshovel Blues" Dunn!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Dear Pat:
 

Thought about writing you sooner but just wanted to make sure that you had recovered from last year. When are you house-sitting in Parksville? Just curious.

Kind regards, Kurt

 

Hello On The Road Man!

I'm still in recovery but always will be! Happy New Year to you and your long-suffering wife! How was trip to California?

As of latest, Whirlygig is planning on the weekend of the 18th. Looks like The NRBC won't be meeting so it is just a drinking opportunity. Almost the same as any regular meeting so not a big deal. Let me know your thoughts/possible schedule, etc. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Flash!

Thanks for latest link! I'm now Abbeyfied in spite of your Melt Down Blues! (Always something!) Much appreciated. However, a USB key might be more efficient, from standpoint of storage on Copy, etc., so I wouldn't mind that. Chloë did that for us for Game of Thrones and it worked well. However, no rush.
Thanks again. Will chat, probably from Parksville, in the hot tub, sipping purloined Grange! Cheers, Patrizzio

DAY 1

Took the Duke Point Ferry to Tsawwassen. First time on this route and enjoyed the ride brushing alongside Gabriola, Valdes, and Galliano Islands before crossing the strait. Border delay of 1 hour. Stopped in at Seattle for lunch but lost an hour looking for a parking spot near Pike's Market and left hungry only to stop at a greasy spoon en route to Portland--Dave's Diner to be remembered for notoriously bad food. Got to Portland around 5:30 p.m. Dropped our luggage off at a Quality Inn in the Rose Quarter and took the tram to the downtown core. Walked around the area to include the Pearl District (Powell's Bookstore as you mentioned, George, is monumental) and had dinner at Al's Den--an underground (meaning below the surface) bar/restaurant--to the music of a live band: guitar, banjo, mandolin. Quaint. Hotel was okay.

DAY 2

Headed a bit East to drive through the Columbia Gorge with Multnomah Falls (the 2nd tallest year-round falls in the U.S. at 620 feet) as our destination. Clicked some pics and headed south to Redding, California. Ate cheese, crackers, hummus and cold-smoked Hungarian sausages as we drove. Stopped at a Liquor Store warehouse about an hour from Redding. Didn't want to leave the store. Bought some single malt that would cost me about $90.00 here for $58.00 and some cognac that was priced at about 40% of what it would cost at home. Bought enough booze to enjoy on our trip and take a couple of bottles back with us. Hit Redding at around 6:30 p.m. Went to Jack's Grill on Pat's recommendation. The baked potato was the highlight of the meal. The steak, although cooked medium rare as requested, had an inordinately crusty sear to it that had me wondering what all the hoopla about Jack's Grill was all about. The blue cheese salad dressing was a big disappointment as well--more like a commercial ranch-type dressing. Give me Roquefort! Natalia had scallops that were okay. Stayed at a Travelodge--clean.

DAY 3

Hit San Francisco around noon. The hotel was well-positioned in the Marina District (The Presidio Inn on Lombard Street) with easy access by bus (about 10 minutes) to downtown. The room was not up to standard but we agreed to stay knowing that we wouldn't be spending any time in the room other than sleeping. With the lights out it's amazing what you can put up with. Went to Fisherman's Wharf, Little Italy, Chinatown and the Financial District. Had dinner (acting on George's recommendation) at Tadish Grill. Natalia had a shrimp-stuffed Portobello mushroom and rice and I had the pan-fried sand dabs. Meal and atmosphere were both quite enjoyable.  

DAY 4

Took a Hop-on/Hop-off bus tour of the city. With twelve main points of interest you can get off at any one of these, spend some time and pick up the next tour bus on schedule. Great way to spend as much time at any locale without missing any part of the tour. We got off at the Haight-Ashbury stop. I felt the urge to pay homage to the sixties San Francisco hippie scene. Natalia hated Haight: smell of urine on the streets, litter, and lurking unsavoury types trying to pawn off what looked like questionable hashish. We took the opportunity while we were in the hood to walk over to Almo Square and were awe-struck by the quality/quantity of the Victorian houses lining the streets near the park. Also a great viewpoint to see the city panoramically. Had lunch in Little Italy and spent more time in Chinatown. Dropped in at The Saloon (the oldest bar in San Francisco--1861) as I read that it had the best blues bands in the U.S. and even maybe the whole world. Got there too early for music and left having had waited about ten minutes to get served. The stench of the place deterred us from waiting any longer. Headed back to the Marine District and caught a movie -- American Hustle-- that we both liked.

DAY 5

Had breakfast (this included all days in San Francisco) at Mel's Drive-In (fashioned after the original restaurant that was shot in the movie, American Graffiti) just down the street from our hotel. I consistently opted for the steak and eggs while Natalia varied her daily menu. Took the car out for a drive crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge and spent most of the day in Muir Woods hiking amongst the Redwoods and to the summit of a nearby hill--some 1,600-foot elevation. Went to Sausalito for dinner.The Barrell House restaurant was just what the doctor ordered. Perched on the ocean with floor-to-ceiling windows, the view of San Francisco across the Bay was spectacular. I had a Rib-eye steak and Natalia feasted on a Dungeness Crab. This was probably our most enjoyable dining experience throughout the trip.

 
DAY 6

Read about the 49-mile driving tour of San Francisco that morning on the net and figured why not? The route is marked with signage denoting 'Scenic Route' and took us to places that we hadn't considered going to: ie. Golden Gate Park and the de Young Museum, several Oceanside beaches where we watched surfers, Twin Peaks (a great viewpoint of the city) and the Mission District along Delores Avenue (a wide street with a boulevard lined with one palm tree after another after another...). Hung out in downtown ending the day with dinner in Chinatown. Although the restaurant was highly recommended to us by our tour guide (of Chinese descent) on Day 2 it was nothing to write home about. Maybe a relative of his had a vested interest in the restaurant.

DAY 7

Destination: San Diego. Drove along the coast via Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway). Spectacular! Hit Hearst Castle in San Simeon as we had booked a tour. We weren't all that impressed with the joint and got a bit tied of Willie's obsession with recycled mediaeval Spanish ceilings --some 14 in total I think-- not to mention his equally annoying obsession with Belgian tapestries. Willie, get a handle on yourself! Did like the grandiose Neptune Pool, though. Maybe I got turned off with Willie and his ranch when the tour guide showed us the vault that Willie ordered his staff to lock up the booze in shortly after dinner was served. The nerve of that man! Arrived in San Diego at around 10:00 p.m. and made it to Ingrid Croce's (the wife of deceased Jim Croce) restaurant/bar in the Gaslight District before closing. Although the kitchen was retired for the evening our waiter went and spoke to the cook who agreed to prepare a set number of entrees that he was willing to make for us. The restaurant was choked with Jim's memorabilia and I sat there wondering how the staff could work there listening to the same limited number of Jimmy's songs playing repeatedly in a loop. It's not Jim's fault, though, for dying before he could write/compose more hit songs than he did. The hotel we stayed at was The Pacific Inn on the Pacific Highway in Little Italy. A few notches above the Presidio.

DAY 8

As it was Christmas there wasn't all that much we could do. We took the car and stopped at a number of places that we wanted to visit and walk around in and were surprised to find a fair number of establishments open: The Historic Old Town ( a Mexican pre-U.S. town hub situated in the north end of the city), the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, Balboa Park, and Coronado on the Oceanside. The Coronado Hotel is BIG. We had lunch at Seaport Village (clam chowder) and dinner in Little Italy. Nothing memorable.I started getting ill.

DAY 9

A long and boring drive to Sacramento. Similar to the drive through Saskatchewan but without wheat fields to distract you. Stayed at the Vagabond Inn bordering the Old Town. The Old Town (circa 1860s) looked much like any scene from a Western movie. Covered boardwalks instead of concrete sidewalks. The block is about 5 streets wide by two streets deep. Strictly tourist shops/restaurants. Just ate to eat. My flu was getting worse and Natalia started feeling a bit ill herself.

DAY 10

Killer drive time-wise but more than half the trip was fairly pleasant through the hills of Oregon and Washington. Ate a late lunch in Eugene, Oregon at a Thai restaurant. All a  blur. I started feeling better and Natalia was getting worse. Stayed at the Mediterranean Inn on Queen Anne Avenue North in Seattle. Fair.

DAY 11

Good breakfast the next morning at Toulouse Petit Kitchen and Lounge, 601 Queen Anne Avenue North. Hassle-free border crossing. Ferry ride from Tsawwassen to Duke Point was pleasant. Glad to be home.

WOULD:

1. spend more time in Seattle and Portland

2. go back again and again and again to San Francisco-- my new favourite city (for now, anyways)

3. consider opening up veal sandwich shops in both San Francisco and San Diego. Despite being on the prowl in both cities in the heart of both Little Italy(s), a veal sandwich was not to be found. In fact, restaurant staff looked at me strangely when I asked for what (a veal sandwich) I had thought would be as common as ordering a pasta entree. Strange...

WOULDN'T:

1. go back to San Diego

2. go back to Hearst Castle

3. stay at the Presidio Inn again in San Francisco

That's it for now. Best, Kurt

Hello Jack "The Nicotine Monkey On Your Back" Whirlwind Tourist!

Quite enjoyed your succinct, highly descriptive, overly acerbic commentary on life, living and food, over the course of your ultra-dyspeptic, peripatetic southern sojourn. Sorry to learn that you were both not feeling all that well towards the end of your trip. Probably had nothing, whatsoever, to do with the the pace of the holiday. Not sure that flu bugs can travel nearly as quickly nor as venomously as you so you probably outstripped the worst of them. The ones that did manage to find a nicotine or alcohol free zone on your person probably wondered what sort of a hide-bound humanoid they had had the ill fortune to happen upon and certainly came away from the encounter the worse for wear!
 

Still a most interesting saga and I can hardly wait to quiz you in more detail about your Would's and Would not's, aided and abetted, I trust, with the malt and cognac which you were able to mule home.

WOULD:

1. SPEND MORE TIME IN FEWER PLACES. FULL STOP!

WOULDN'T:

1. LISTEN TO ADVICE PROFFERED BY FRIENDS EVEN THOUGH I ASKED FOR IT IN THE FIRST PLACE! De gustibus non est disputandum!

Cheers, Patrizzio "Rhino Skin" Dunn!

Lads, hoping to come over next week. Mark expressed an interest in joining us although he needs to be back for Saturday, the 18th for the Canucks game (50/50. Forecast looks like 'ell for riding at the moment. G

Hi Pat,

FYI, the Coffaro Block 4, 50% Zin, 25% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan, 8% Sirah,  8% Peloursin(?!), was in fact quite ravishing!  Weighing in at 15.9% hooch, it was a big wine, and well up to the task of being on the dessert side of the meal.  Thanks!  When I tried putting it through the aerator thing, it in fact ruined the velvety finish and diminished our tasting pleasure. You do still have 2 cases to go! Guess those screw caps are going to save wine from poor stewards such as ourselves. Ciao Bello! Donna Florida

Hi Jancis!

Wonderful to have the benefit of your discriminating schnoz and infallible palette! Vincenzo said he was going to let Ms Wine Snob have a go at ferreting out any survivors and pleased to know that you didn't need to apply artificial respiration to those lucky enough to have survived the basement flood.

Quite a wet dreary day here but I made the best of the non-cycling weather with a trip to Whiterock, (close to Peace Arch Border Crossing), along with Cora Lee and her parents. We had to see our "financial advisor", (Sounds as if we are The Millionaires!), about our pensions, mainly mine as Corinne's is fixed. Things are "fine" but he always  preaches restraint so  I guess you better keep the "off" Coffaro as it might be all I can afford from now on!

At any rate, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Moby Dick's, near the beach there, after our meeting. The Goils had fish, (cod), and chips, while Dusty opted for breaded shrimp and onion rings. I chose popcorn shrimp and calamari and everyone was pleased with the fare. Everything is deep-fried so it was a pretty low calorie meal as you might expect!

Back home to drop of Clarisse and The Dustman and then I dropped Cora Lee off downtown, at VPL to do some office work for Friends. I had made an appointment to have a pedicure so I read my latest book, Jussi Adler-Olsen's The Absent One, (He is, supposedly, Denmark's number one crime writer and we were both quite taken with his other Department Q novel, The Keeper of Lost Causes.), while being massaged and otherwise pampered.
 

Cora Lee stayed downtown until she met Robyn for dinner at the restaurant beside Fifth Avenue Cinema and then they took in Inside Llewyn Davis. Mme Coriandre said she really liked it. I'd like to see it but probabaly won't be able to do so before I leave for Parksville on Thursday, unless I manage to get all my pre-trip errands completed tomorrow morning. I'd also like to see American Hustle, Nebraska, Philomena and Saving Mr Banks so I guess I'll have to roll the dice!

Fondestos to you both and kisses to your wine-stained lips! Will be in touch once ensconced at Madroña Manor. Cheers, Patrizzio!