Blood-Letting Bridge Blues: Monday, April 27th

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation. -Herbert Spencer, philosopher (Apr 27 1820-1903) 

Hi Patrizzio, just a quick note to let you know that Paul is unable to make it so it’s plan A as far as the truck rental goes. I will ask Colleen tonight what her plans are and if she wants to come with me or stay at the cabin that weekend.
 

Sam!

Colleen mentioned last night also that you had asked us for dinner which is great and it would be nice to have one more dinner at the Island Inn for sure. I am leaving to go do a cruise ship job in Victoria from next Saturday the 2nd to possibly May 16th so it would have to be somewhere in between then and you moving out. I will talk to Colleen again tonight regarding a dinner as well as the truck and get back asap. Cheers, Al

Hi Kids! Just a quick reply to your quick note, Big Al. Congrats on cruise ship work in Victoria but with you being away for the dates you specify, looks like this coming Thursday might well be the only time we can squeeze in a much looked for get-together. Hoping you are both free that evening. 

At this point we are entertaining going up to visit with friends, Ruthless and Ricardo, at their lovely cabin on Little Shushwap for the Victoria Day long weekend. Initially, we thought it might be too, too close to moving day but giving it further thought we decided it would be a good idea to take another load up to Naramata and then continue on, further north, wine-tasting all the way!

Once back we will be in full packing mode and getting ready for the Open-Mostly Empty, (We hope!), House we are planning for Saturday, May 23rd, which I believe Cora Lee mentioned to Marilyn last time they spoke. At any rate, let us know about this coming Thursday and we'll plan accordingly.

Fondestos from Mme Coriandre, just off for lunch with retired VPL folk. Cannot believe that she must take her own gluten-free bread as she can't eat any of the sandwiches provided even though she has mentioned her wheat intolerance to organizers long ago! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Exhausted Mme Coriandre relaxing with a book and a bottle of Poplar Grove Viognier yesterday, before Game of Thrones!

Hi Green Porno People! Trust you and your parents enjoyed the Isabella Rossellini series. I hadn't heard of it but Mme Coriandre is very au courant so rolled her eyes at me! Would like to see it at some point. Last time I saw her, I believe, was in Blue Velvet. Did, in fact, have a wonderful weekend, in spite of shadow of packing hanging over my shoulders! Fondestos from Mme Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Little Shushwap People! Just a quick reply to your lovely invitation for May long-weekend. Initially, we thought it might be too, too close to moving day but giving it further thought we decided it would be a good idea to take another load up to Naramata and then continue on, further north, wine-tasting all the way! Will confirm as soon as I have talked to Lynne and Peter to make sure that they will be home so that we could drop off our "muleage"! Once back we will definitely be in full packing mode and getting ready for the Open-Mostly Empty, (We hope!), House we are planning for Saturday, May 23rd, which we trust you might be able to attend. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Esteemed Proprietors, Naramata Self-Storage Facility! On behalf of Cruel Packing Task Mistress, Mme Coriandre, I am writing to you to inquire about the further availability of storage at your highly reputable establishment. Cora Lee wakes about 2:20 am every night, screaming from the nightmare that the U Haul truck won't hold everything! Adding to this "pushiness" [My Dad used to say of such people that they certainly were not backward about coming forward!], we thought we might drive up on Thursday, May 14th, to stay overnight, {Or longer if you and your wine cellar insist!}, if you fancied a visit! Not to worry if you are otherwise engaged or away or, more likely, offended, but simply trying to plan ahead.
 

On another note, we are planning a bit of a farewell shindig for The Islay Inn on Saturday, May 23rd, which, if you happen to be coming to Vancouver, thereabouts, we'd be delighted, more than chuffed, if you could attend. At any rate, let us know about this coming long weekend and we'll plan accordingly.
Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Byron What a political joy for you & Anne to be nestled close to Olde England with the Great New Son of Socialism Edward Miliband soon to be the UK Prime Minister and lead the Workers Revolution in Europe against the Far Right. Are they singing at the Barricades in Paris again? Rejoice over kosher pastis. Fraternally, David

David, Today I go to the british grocer to get pork sausages marmite real tea and square bread - enough of snails and garlic.

http://epicerie-anglaise.com/BKPH/BKPH.OPT/boutique_accueil_photo.jpg
 

Allors and the working class can kiss my ass as I have the foremans job at last! Cheers, Byron Not so fast Young Davie; the wee slickit cowerin' Nasties may have a wurd ur two tae say aboot that. Currently predicted to get 49 seats out of the 59 on offer (including my riding) and hold the balance of power - and Red Ed has already gone on record as saying that Labour would NOT form a coalition with the SNP. I wonder how soon that "principle" will bite the dust? For details of the predicted carnage, have a look here. Winston Sorry for the late reply, my wife has booked me at “Farewell Lovely” at the Arts Club tonight. I look forward to the pictures of tattoos and Fusion Fight Gear. John John Your wife needs a speaking to. Monday nite is bridge nite Cheers and enjoy the show Byron

Off to ride shortly, after packing one more box of clothes! Just a route regulare to do a number of loops around Olympic Village, Place Concorde as far as the Granville Bridge. Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/759099849#.VT8mwZoS81A.email

After 29 hard-fought hands, the scores were: Dave T/Winston, 4,560; Patrick/Robert, 4,150 Cheers, R. Dear Robert Grand Night Indeed: very many thanks and for the very Healthy Heart supper! Loved the tickly possums! All Best David

Hello Team Street Fighter et al! Thank you, Robert, for the more than delicious lasagna, wonderful salad and tasty mixed fruit dessert. I must also congratulate our esteemed opponents for their superior play. Try as we might, we could never quite manage to overcome their seemingly insurmountable lead. 

However, just as we were beginning to nip at their heels, clever, clever, sly, sly Winston claimed, yet again, that he had an early bus to catch so his overly hasty exit prevented our certain comeback, just like last week, the rotter! Nevertheless, the scores tell all and I must needs accept their verdict, bitter gall though it be. Again, until next week when I will insist that we all chip in so that Winston can take a cab home and thereby deprive him of his sorry excuse. Let the cards fall where they may! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Sam and Company! PS: Bridge at The Islay Inn next Monday. Directions attached.   

Dear Winston Its a rocky roller-coaster of fortune's rare smile. We dug ourselves out of some improbable holes both nights when in fact Robert/Patrick had us by our 2/1 BJJ throats at times. Gradually thereby you are becoming a worthy "2/1 Rough Bridger". Roger embraced 2/1 via private lessons from Lord Byron - and is now our "Reigning Champion" after much diligence! Even when facing the McCleary Slide! Your studious 2/1 biblical diligence will pay similar dividends anon. Patrick is a merciless tease but be not thereby down-hearted by his poetic craic. After all the timing of your quick bus exits has been brilliant! Patrick is simply envious of your rub of the green! All Best David 

Dear Robert I suggest we work together to edit a ten chapter 250 page illustrated book of the "Old Bridgers Story" - with ten of us writing each a 25 page "Memoire". Then assembled as a published book with some integrated structural based on an idea of "Roads to Fun 2/1 Bridge" and personal memoiring. All Best David 

Dear Patrick Looking forward to celebrating a great May Day (singing the "Internationale") via our special sub-form of "Rough Bridge". Much appreciations for your hosting Patrick but please resend in an email the address and post code of your castle as your high load email crashed my little old Blackberry. I am by no means as computer literate and hardware endowed as you cyber-fiends.

This very happy labyrinthine form of Rough Bridge that we play with massive forgetfulnesses and mistaken bids and plays all round is akin to "Rough Rugby". The joy of both our Lordly Byron and our Smokey Winston is especially enlivening in this rough and haphazard realm - well contrasted via the aristocratic judiciousness of Soliloquy Clive and Metalman Roger (an Old Etonian?) who often sweep the board. However the 2/1 Bible is slowly making its rounds. Evidently this is rather more important for Winston to read than his albeit wonderful 16thC Geneva Bible. Robert was thereby persuasive at the door last night that he and I should lead the process of assembling a multi-authored -- via ten short chapters by each Old Bridger -- "Old Bridgers Rough Bridge" book. This could be an imaginative, even byronically poetic project for the great world of Rough Bridge towards a new and perfected 2/1 for Rough Bridgers? All Best David

Seconded. Wonderful evening. Thanks Robert; and thanks to you for the pics. Once again, the Conventionally Challenged overcame the Franco-Ukrainian Alliance by the narrowest of margins, thanks mainly to a totally misbid slam. Looking forward to making it a hat-trick next week, and helping lighten your Whiskey collection in time for your move.Winston

Franco-Iro-Ukrainian Allaince and The Conventionally Challenged! Dear Smokey Winston, (His partner's epithet!), et al! In your own words, I "may have a wurd ur two tae say aboot that." See below!

How to get to Heaven from Ireland : A true Story from an Irish Sunday School Teacher.
I was testing children in my Dublin Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven. 'I asked them, ' If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?'
'NO!' the children answered. 'If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the garden, and kept everything tidy, would that get me into heaven?' Again, the answer was 'NO!' 'If I gave sweets to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into heaven?' Again, they all answered 'NO!' I was just bursting with pride for them. I continued, 'Then how can I get into heaven?' A little boy shouted out: 'YUV GOTTA BE FOOKN' DEAD.'

A hat-trick next week, over our fookn' dead bodies, you slickit beastie! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Cyber-Challenged, Old Blackberry Rough Bridger, et al! Sorry to have caused your system failure, Mr T, but I assume you will be writing out your chapter of the NY Times Best Seller, in long-hand, anyway, so not a tragedy, I assume! With respect to finding our place, here are the directions: If you approach the main entrance to Granville Island, from the west, under the Granville Street Bridge, follow Lamey’s Mill Road to the east.  Our building, Harbour Terrace, is the second, main entrance-way on your left. 

Either proceed to the front entrance, (up a flight of stairs), and buzz #107, or walk around the west side of building and you will see our patio, (about half way down building, with a sign displaying a cat and Island Inn, just off pathway), and you can reach our deck, following stepping stones. Just knock on patio door and I'll welcome you with open arms, the song-sheet for L'Internationale, with translations into Polish, Ukrainian and the various Goidelic languages, and a brimming beaker of hemlock! Sláinte mhaith!! Cheers, Patrizzio!!! 

Dear Patrick, I agree! Teaching granny to suck eggs perhaps but there are, in my ever humble opinion, the "Rules" of Bridge (which are 13 cards each & that S&H are majors, D&C minors for example) with (in Social/Rough Bridge) pretty well everything else being merely a "Guideline" - with a spectrum for the probablity of any such "Guideline" being followed in any circumstance (often 100% - like 2/1).  However we should turn to Byron, our Oracle in Paris, for guidance on this interesting "Chez Sam" debate last Monday. Not as a "Last Word" but to be a heavenly guide from afar? Meanwhile for safe arrival on May Day what is your postcode to map my walk - and buzzer number please? Slainte David Hello again, David! Our postal code and buzzer #. Cheers, Patrizzio!