Dim Sum Chinatown Blues: Sunday, November 23rd!

I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost, poet (1874-1963)

Chinatown

Hi Laura and Henning! Just a very quick note to thank you both so much for the lovely Dim Sum! It was terrific to have the chance to visit with you both. Have included a few snaps of Los Horridos from their last visit this past Monday/Tuesday. I'm taking up a collection for new cycling gear so if you have a few spare pennies they would be much appreciated! Again, thanks so much. Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio! 

bas-relief from the chamber of the US House of Representatives

Photo: Wikimedia

Hi Kitsilano/Galiano People! How delightful to meet Jane, at long last! She's far too, too good for you Whirlygig! Nonetheless, trust you made it to VRC without mishap. Most enjoyable afternoon even if we didn't have a chance to put much of a dent in Malt Cabinet! Hope we will see you both soon, Cheers, Patrizzio!

That 2008 Escuro is showing VERY nicely. Thanks, not only for leaving us four bottles, but suggesting it we quaff it immediately. How quickly can I get them down? Vinnie 

Dearest Vincenzo! I suspect that if you don't actually nod off, at the Stelven Enclosure, so to speak, you should be able to quaff them all this even. It may take a bit of discipline but I believe you have the strength of character to see it through. Donna Florida, on the other hand, may well not be able to go the distance, terribly worried and overly concerned as she is, about her Acorn Woodpeckers!
 

She probably needs to take a few courses in Advanced Tippling, offered by Whirlygig's amore, The Slingshot Kid, aka, Me Jane, from the jungles and far reaches of Kitsilano. Although we have heard rumours of her corporeal existence for many moons, met her for the first time this afternoon when she managed to drink Giorgio under the coffee table! [It seems she was paid, handsomely, by his squash opponents, for a match later this afternoon, to do so. Mata Hari by any other name!] Nevertheless, delighted to learn that the 2008 Escuro is showing so nicely. Trust the same holds true for the bottles Sir Rodney of Salem muled east for his and Maile's Thanksgiving tipplage. 

Must away as I'm scullionated to prepare hors d'oeuvres for dinner this very even. With good friends in Kits at a wonderful, wonderful house, indicative of the style from Vancouver's early 20's and in immaculate condition. Donna Florida would love the stunning grounds and garden, not to mention interior, etc. Mme Coriandre is on her knees, as I scribe, at Heartwood, begging intercession, on my behalf, from Gaia, for my blacker than Hades soul. I, for my part, prefer to put my faith in Saint Islay of Ardbeg. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dim Sum this morning with Henning, (The Great White Hunter!), and Laura, his daughter. Whirlygig and La Fionda!

Hola Pat, lovely to meet you and Corinne finally! Thank you for sharing interesting stories and some delicious drinks with us! I have never tasted such marvellous rum. The brothers are playing a mean game of squash. Enjoy the rest of your day. Hasta luego. Jane

Dearest La Fionda! Mutual, I'm sure! Very glad you made it to VRC. Had my doubts about Giggster. Never you. Still, a challenge to get home! We are off shortly, I assume, once Mme Coriandre returns. Do hope we'll see you in the not too, too distant future as loads to talk about, Inja in particular. Have attached a few snaps of The Lost Burritos with their great-grandparents, Rosie-the-Riveter and Coat-Hanger, last Tuesday. Next door, at The Annexe. I'm modelling my outer-wear! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick Thanks for the pics and for the wine last night. Had a fun time with you & your clan. So glad you were all able to come. Look forward to our next get together. Cheers Elaine Ps) already forwarded the pics to everyone.

Hi Elaine: Just thought I'd send along a few snaps of the Coffaros from our recent visit. Maybe the four of us might be able to stay there some time! Cheers, Trizzio!

Hello Hawaii, Islay Inn calling! Just wondering if you'd like me to collect you at YVR tomorow? If so, let me know your flight and arrival time and I'll collect you at International Arrivals. You know the drill. Had a wonderful Dim Sum with Henning and Laura this morning, at Floata, in Chinatown. Later this afternoon Giorgio came by his amore. Let me know about domani and I'll plan accordingly. Trust all goes well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat we are due in at 6 35 on AC 1830.   Due to the early arrive we will just get a Cab. Thanks anyway.
 
Hi Sarge: I'm up at 6:00 am anyway. I'll check your flight then but I'll be there, outside International Arrivals. Call me on my cell when you land. I assume you won't be ready to be collected until about an hour after you hit the ground. As of now, your flight is listed as arriving at 6:55 am! You probably won't be walking out of the terminal until close to 8:00 am. At any rate, I'll check tomorrow morning and we'll take it from there. Have a safe flight. Cheers, Patrizzio!

 It should only take us less than 30 minutes. I will call you when we land and if you leave then we should be right on time. Thanks. Wayne 

Had a wonderful, wonderful evening at Brenda's gorgeous 1910 home on the Collingwood, starting at around 6:30 pm. Left The Islay Inn shortly after Mme Coriandre was back form Heartwood. Kjell/Jane, Liisa and Lynne were already sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping wine when we arrived. Paolo and Joan knicked on the door shortly after we had hung up our coats. Visited with everyone before dinner was served. We nibbled on the hors d'oeuvres we'd prepared, (Bella's unbelievably tasty spring rolls with sweet chili sauce!), and proceeded to punish a number of bottles of wine before dinner was served.

Brenda's table was lovely indeed, and we ate off Wedgewood plates with UBC's Main Library emblazoned on them. First time that Brenda had ever used them and rather appropriate as everyone present was a bona fide Librarian! Terrific meal, starting with a very tasty walnut/pomegranate salad, by Lynne and then followed by Brenda's juicy salmon steaks, asparagus smothered in a delish white sauce, poifect finger potatoes, as well as wonderful walnut bread from Terra, for those who wanted such slices. 

Lots of wine, of course, and we spent a goodly couple of hours, telling lies, repeating lies and making up new ones before we were served four stunning cheeses, (courtesy of Joan and Paolo, plus one we'd brought, [Camembert from Trader Joe's muled by Los Horridos!], for the appetizer course but held back when we learned what J/P had brought.), which I took to savouring with the aforementioned bread.

As if that was not enough, the final course was Liisa's stunning Pavlova, lavishly garnished with wonderful fruit. Unfortunately, I simply couldn't eat another bite by then so I opted for a thimbleful of malt as a digestif! More joshing as we all insulted each other good naturedly! 

As the speechifying drew to a close, our pushy hostess announced: "It's a school night for Liisa and I", (only ones still gainfully employed!), so we got the bum's rush at just before 10:00 pm. No argument from me as it had been a full and busy day. Thanking Brenda for the tremendous evening, I busked all the babes, shook the Sensitive New Age Males' hands and we were off for home. 

Dropped the Whitneys off first as they had bused down from Dunbar. Once back at The Heartbreak Terrace, I wanted to watch an episode of Breaking Bad but Cora Lee was too, too tired for that so had to settle for finishing Janet Evanovitch's Two for the Dough. First time I've ever read her work and I must say that I quite enjoyed her character, Stephanie Plum. Light fare, similar to Sue Grafton, but still an enjoyable read. ("Stole" book from Coffaro's guest house so I guess I'll have to return it at some point!) Now my "homework" begins as I have to tackle Vassily Aksyonov's The Island of Crimea, the next NRBC selezzione, Mischa's pick. 

From The Spirit of Gin by Matt Teacher. In the late 1600s, wealthy British landholders passed legislation to encourage the consumption of liquor, all in an attempt to increase the value of their grain. It worked. The consumption of spirits in Britain increased almost fifteen-fold from 572,000 gallons in 1684 to 8,000,000 gallons in 1743, bringing an epidemic of intoxication and crime known as the London Gin Craze:

"In 1690 land-owning aristocrats, anxious to keep the value of grain up so that their land rents would sustain, passed 'An Act for the Encouraging of the Distillation of Brandy and Spirits from Corn.' This act produced a surge in gin production and consumption, based on several factors:
 

* Simultaneously lowered the duty on malted corn distillates while raising the tax on beer and spirits made from other sources

* Placed a more severe duty on spirits imported from France

* Allowed an eager distiller, with little capital, to pay a small fee for a license and begin production within ten days

"This first act, which was spectacularly successful in increasing landowners' revenues and Britain's collected duties, set into motion a course that, despite a series of licit attempted remedies, would upset England over the next half century. If this first act had been left alone, perhaps the Gin Craze would not be so notorious today. That is not to say that production and consumption did not rise drastically after the act's implementation, but those who morally objected to the spirit did not do themselves any favors as they attempted to regulate gin's consumption. 

"The thirst for gin seemed to have no bounds, and by 1716 gin was being served in all manner of establishments and street-carts that were frequented by London's budding urban populace of over half a million. Enabled by easy access to distilling permits, many adaptations on what was previously considered 'gin' appeared, and not for the better. ...
"Many people -- including women, for the first time in history -- were frequently seen intoxicated in public, and the streets bustled with mischief, gluttony and prostitution. Rumors and stories began circulating about mothers forgetting to feed their babies, men getting into violent fights in the street, and criminals waiting in the alleys for their next target. All this was attributed to the abundance of gin.
 

"The Society for the Reformation of Manners -- one of many similar socially conservative activist groups of the day -- did not approve of what they witnessed. They considered gin to be a poison that resulted in loosened morals, criminal activity, and indecency, and they took political action to further their position. The society's first 'success' came in 1729 when the first Gin Act was passed. This act attempted to tighten the nation's loose grip on spirits by more than doubling the duty and instating a permit fee for spirit retailers. This measure did not work.
 

"Although there would soon be fewer distillers on the official books due, the associated fees, a surge in illegal bootlegging quickly took off and people were drinking more than ever. Just four years later, upon seeing what their actions had spurred, the act was repealed in 1733. ... 

"Whether through poetry or painting, song or sermon, the arts have both captured and skewed public perception with swift efficacy throughout history. In 1751 artist William Hogarth made two engravings, Gin Lane and Beer Street, which were published in the London Evening-Post. Gin Lane illustrates a chaotic city street featuring a bare-breasted drunken mother gazing down with a blank stare and smirk as her baby falls over the railing. 

All around is madness, death and violence. This image, in conjunction with an anti-gin pamphlet created and distributed by Westminster magistrate Henry Fielding, once again caused a social stir and rallied Parliament to take action. These men wanted nothing more than complete prohibition. Luckily, they would have to compromise. ... 

"With the Gin Act of 1751 Britain finally reached a balance between religious and moral groups, and society at large. Duties were raised, but not exorbitantly, and permits were accessible enough to deem illegal operations as futile. Gin was no longer the cheapest high, and the curtain closed on the London Gin Craze."  The Spirit of Gin: A Stirring Miscellany of the New Gin Revival, Matt Teacher, Cider Mill Press, 2014 

Hi Corinne, Sorry for our long silence on the proposed agenda. We’re both very keen but have been doing some reading up and also have had a number of distractions – like my recent trip to Madagascar which was a killer for travel.

Our first question is why 3 nights in Hyderabad? It doesn’t seem to feature at all on most India itineraries. Perhaps we could a)transfer straight through, b)stay only two nights, or c) fly direct to Chennai. We could use the day or two saved for a longer stay somewhere else.

The southern itinerary doesn’t seem too bad for travel – there seem to be enough 2-night stays. The northern itinerary seems a bit brutal – several 5 to 7 hour drives with an afternoon tour at the end of the drive. I think we need to trim some of the cities from this itinerary.

Janet also suggested that Varanasi should be on our itinerary. It would certainly be interesting too. Maybe a video Skype call in the next week? Cheers, I’m off to a whisky tasting this afternoon. Peter
 

Greetings Varanasians! Trust whisky tasting went well. I'll let my travel agent answer all of your questions! Busy weekend for us. Sunday we were invited out to dim sum at Floata, in Chinatown, by friend Henning, and his daughter Laura. Good catch-up visit with both of them. He lives on his trimaran in the Philippines so is just here once every six months or so. 

This afternoon Whirlygig and his amore, Jane, came by. We'd not met her before and we it was a delight to do so. She is an elementary school teacher, here in Vancouver, and they seem a very good match, so pleased for both of them. That evening we dined at Brenda's place with Lynne, Kjell/Jane, Liisa and the Whitneys. Wonderful meal and loads of fun. 

The Norwegian film is told, in part, with flashbacks and involves a young woman who has spent nine years in prison and then is released to try and gain custody of the daughter who was born shortly after she was incarcerated. A compelling drama with no easy answers for the very likeable female protagonist. Was reminded of the Danish film, Sorrow and Joy, I'd seen at this year's VIFF, in terms of the difficult social issues both address.

Planning to see two more this evening, Metro Manilla, ("Seeking a better life, Oscar Ramirez and his family decide to move from the poverty stricken rice fields of the Northern Philippine mountain ranges and journey to the capital mega city of Metro Manila. Upon arriving in the big city, it isn’t long before they fall foul to various city inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of city survival."), and then Salvo, ("A hitman for the Sicilian Mafia, Salvo is solitary, cold and ruthless. When he sneaks into a house on an assignment, he discovers Rita, an innocent young blind girl who must stand by powerlessly while her brother is assassinated. What follows is an intense exchange fueled by adrenaline and fear between the killer and his witness, one that changes their two lives in an instant. The darkness is lifted from Rita’s eyes just as Salvo decides, against his murderous instincts, to spare her life. From then on, both haunted by their brief encounter, these two damaged souls will attempt to navigate their dangerous next steps side by side.")

Cora Lee has her Book Club this evening so I'm foot loose and fancy free! She sends Fondestos, from her "office" to you both. Cheers, Silver Screen Patrizzio! 

Hi Joanne, Greetings from rainy Vancouver. Everything is fine here. Been up once to water plants and take up mail. Wayne and Michele back on Monday. I've worked the last 3 mornings at Hycroft Christmas Market and ended up buying new decorations as well. Out last night for bridge and dinner with mom and dad.
Off for dim sum with friends this am. Hope your golf game is fun. Let me know about pickup. Love Corinne

Beer Street and Gin Lane, (1751), William Hogarth's two engravings,published in the London Evening-Post.