No Car Keys Blues: Monday, November 24th!

Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people's brains and then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead. -Arundhati Roy, writer and activist (b. 1961) 

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.

The strength of a language does not lie in rejecting what is foreign but in assimilating it. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, poet, dramatist, novelist, and philosopher (1749-1832)  

Wayne Sutherland at Honolulu International Airport On our way home. At United lounge On the ground. Should be ready by 6 50 Wayne

Originally built by George C. Reifel in 1929 as “The Commodore Cabaret”, The Commodore Ballroom is being presented with a 'Places That Matter' plaque by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. What are YOUR memories of the Commodore Ballroom?
 
Hi Sarge! I see that your flight is now expected at 6:25 am. [I had just written this when you called!] See you at the airport in about half an hour. Buono Fortuna in tracking down Prince Valiant! Cheers, Patrizzio!

hi patrick, got back from seattle last night.would not mind seeing the one at 6;30 p m tonight. what youse a think; matt

Hi Glasgow! I had planned to Aquabus over to Hornby, as per last outing to Bruce Cockburn.  If you are planning to park at GI again, call me and I'll walk over to meet you near entrance to Market, close to Arts Club/ferry dock. Otherwise, I'd be happy to park outside, (Funnily enough, Chloë is in Toronto, at a work-related conference, until Thursday, so Cora Lee actually has her own car back for a few days!), so that you have an assured spot inside. You decide as I plan to stay for second film at 8:30 pm. Off to FCCC to use elliptical shortly so send or leave a message and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Chloe Alexis Dunn Sarah Stewart, Drew Stewart, me, some awesome old broads and Mexican food!!!!

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  Patrick James Dunn Where are the Awesomites?

PS: 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 when Jane has a school holiday! It's quite obvious that I need someone who can match me drink for drink!

great patrick.i will phone once i get to GI,approx 6;00.willonly stay for 6;30 movie ;matt Hi again, Glasgow! If you can swing it, I suggest 5:45 pm, just to be on the safe side, in terms of catching ferry, walk to Vancity, etc. Cheers, Patrizzio! nae problem.

Patriçio, late response, lo siento! Actually, my heart did not act up “again”, it is pretty stable now although prone to flutter a bit if I get stressed or really tired. So keep in mind that I need to win at bridge for health reasons! I am up for bridge pretty well anytime!

My son has now moved upstairs, so I look forward to hosting the First Periodic Kitsilano Bridge Championships … but probably in the new year. Place still needs majour organization … Came across this Dilbert the other day - describes my dancing ability perfectly! No wonder I can’t get dates!

Hi Ragin', or should I say Dancin' King! I always imagined that you wanted to win at bridge for the fabulous prizes and now I learn you plan to blackmail your host, citing "health reasons"! Be careful, Sirrah, this might just backfire. At any rate, you can try your luck, this coming Saturday, November 29th, at 5ish, at The Goren Gran Palazzo. Will have two tables with The Pitchforks and Clan Keating, Rosita and Coat-Hanger. Cora Lee and I will share a score card. Let me know if you are interested/available on the 29th and we'll plan accordingly. Fondestos and Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Not as much riding as I'd like, weather being as wet as it is, of late. Collected Flamin' and Sarge from YVR this morning, at 7:00 am, just back from a much needed two weeks in Hawaii. Off to FCCC shortly to use the elliptical.

Hi Brenda, et al! Just a quick thank you for the more than lovely evening, fabulous food, scintillating company and interminable speechifying! Great good fun and wonderful to see everybody. Fondestos from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dinner snapolas! 

Thanks for the photos, Patrick! It was great fun seeing you and Corinne. Best,
Brenda Hi again, Brenda! Just wanted to say that it was so much fun I suggest we do it, at your gorgeous home, every month from now on! Have to make sure it isn't a "School Night", however! Cheers, Patrizzio! Great pix! Thx. Lynn Hello Librarians All! Just sent another message to Brenda. See above!

Thanks for the dinner guest and plate pics Patrick. Some good ones in there. I double checked and I can't turn up the Ellroy pics. Appreciated if you can re-send them. Cheers.....Paul

Hi Paolo! Glad you liked the snaps of great dinner party. Perhaps we should meet there every month! Saw two more fab films this even, 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." 

Unbelievably powerful, particularly sequences which cut between Oscar forced to drink with his work mates and his beautiful wife who is driven to work in a sleazy pole-dance bar, fighting off the unwanted drunken advances of the men who frequent such places. With nowhere to live they end up squatting in a shantytown shortly after they first arrive and then are offered a tiny apartment by Oscar's partner. (He uses it, or says he does, for his mistress! They both work for an armoured car outfit so you can well imagine the risks involved in a place like Manilla!) This place seems like heaven and with running water they cannot imagine their good fortune. When they take their first shower it seems an almost religious experience, the life-giving water cleansing their souls as well as their bodies. Quite a remarkable scene, really. But this is all too good to be true, of course. However, the twists in the inexorable bloody resolution are heart-stopping but as perfectly resolved as things could be, given Oscar's desperate plight.

Next film was 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." 

Sara Serraiocco's performance as Rita is absolutely masterful and Saleh Bakri's Salvo is no less so. Not easy being a hitman or a blind woman, let me tell you! With pure directorial genius, the simplest of gestures, (Rita traces Salvo's face with both her hands), or the refusal not to refrain from the mundane act of eating take-out, in the face of the dire circumstances which await, are imbued with both impossible tenderness as well as unimaginable courage and dignity. A tough film about a tough subject but handled with utmost insight and emotional sensitivity.

Had hoped to see Life of Crime and Jackie Brown, a two-part tribute to Elmore Leonard, Wednesday evening but I've been shanghaied by Cora Lee. We are off to fund-raiser for Camp Fircom, a United Church camp on Gambier. At the Heritage Hall on Main so should be fun. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick & Corinne, Thought you might like this video . We took a bus ride in Fiji between Suva and Nandi when we were there in our twenties. Love Jean & John:
  
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/skC8u4Ok0Kg?rel=0

Hi Jean, thanks for video. But for me who is frightened by heights it was too scary. Must have been some ride. Hope you and John are well. Ayn and the boys are coming for a few days at Christmas. Mom and Dad are here. Arrived Oct. 30 and staying until mid-April as usual. Mom turns 90 in January. They are both doing quite well. Busy with volunteering and getting ready for Christmas.

Love to you both, Corinne

Greetings to the Daredevil Fijian Bus Riders! Glad that you survived that overly precipitous bus ride! Were you drunk? As you already know, my travel agent is afraid of heights! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick, Nice photos of Whirlygig and his amore – looks like he’s done well. Nice to see him so happy. Thanks also for pics of the Big Dinner Party and all the rest of your social life. We Naramatians-in exile-are envious, particularly of your attendance at all those great movies.

I’m denned in this week doing Independent 3rd Party reviews of dam safety inspections of tailings dams, part of the fallout of the Mt. Polley tailings dam failure (every cloud has a golden lining!) Also a bit slow today after the whisky tasting, which included before and after tastings at one of the Naramata gang’s place. Cheers, looking forward to hearing from the Rani Travel Agent. Peter

Hello Third Party Party Animal! Sorry to hear about your overhang. With respect to the Mt. Polley tailings dam failure I suspect that you and all the rest of your mining cronies design these structures to collapse so that there is always work for the parasitic consultants! I think the excessive drink is meant to assuage guilt!!!

With respect to a less touchy subject, will be hosting bridge this coming Saturday, at The Goren Gran Palazzo. Will have two tables with The Pitchforks and Clan Keating, Rosita and Coat-Hanger. Cora Lee and I will share a score card as we've invited Ragin' Bull as well. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio! 
Pics: Your homework. To be done before you emerge from your den of iniquity! I suspect you feel a bit like the horse, denned as you are, with deadlines rushing towards you!!!


Takagaki Toshiko Greeting from Japan! Hello, Corrine, Patrick and Chloe!! How are you? Sorry I couldn't have written you sooner...Thank you for everything while I was in Vancouver! I had wonderful time with you!! It's always so nice to be back in Vancouver and see you.

I had cut my trip short and come back to Japan because my mom went into the hospital urgently. But she's fine now! The good thing is that I could have a lunch with Ayn and Lauren before coming back to Japan!!

Now I have a wonderful news! There is high chance of me visiting and working in LA near future! And hopefully in Vancouver as well!! Right after I got back from Japan, I got contract of working with the CEO I respect a lot and had a meeting with LA. I introduce him to Ayn and Lauren. Anyways, I'm in charge of his new overseas projects as his assistant. For the last 2 weeks, there is a visitor from LA to Japan, it went very well. He just went back to LA last night.

Also, there is another new project of after-school care for children at the company, and I'm part of the project as well. It's amazing that I told you that I would work my way to be back to Vancouver and that it looked promising! Thank you very much!! I always get great energy from you and Vancouver! Please have a wonderful days. I'll keep in touch. Love always, Toshiko 

Hi Toshi! Very, very pleased to learn that your Mother is doing well. Please pass along fond regards nad best wishes for continued good health. also, what wonderful news about your latest work prospects! Congratulations indeed. Please keep us informed as to the progress, in terms of when you might be visiting LA and/or Vancouver. As always, you are most welcome to stay anytime! Been a busy time over last week or so. Love from Corinne to you and your Mom. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!