Jaxon Sings the Oh-No Blues: Monday, June 19th!

What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist. -Salman Rushdie, writer (b. 19 Jun 1947)

Hi King David (s), et al! Thanks for the gate code! Sarge was going to bring along some Semtex, (left over from his RCMP Tactical Response Unit days), but now he'll have more room in his luggage for hootch, since we won't have to blast our way onto the winery grounds!

Had a lovely note from Patrizzia and she informed me that she will, indeed, be away. Sorry to miss her, of course, but I know that you both lead very busy lives. At any rate, if it is not a further imposition, we'd like to stay for two nights, both Thursday and Friday, and then wend our way into Berkeley on Saturday, to continue our Freeloading ways a Casa Vicente. This would allow us to cycle/explore, during the day, on Friday, and work up a ravenous appetite for the dinner you have so kindly offered to prepare on the 30th. Much appreciated, of course. At the moment, we are in Vancouver, staying at Flamin's/Sarge's, for Bonnie Raitt's concert this evening. I believe, as of this writing, they are now in Monterey, having spent the weekend in San Francisco. Our paths probably won't cross as we hope to be gone by 9:00 am, tomorrow, once morning rush hour dies down, before they fly into YVR.

Must away as I'm off to the False Creek Community Centre gym, just across the way, to use the elliptizer. Need to work off all of the wine we purloined from the Sutherland's two wine fridges over dinner last night. Their daughter, Nicolina, son-in-law, Marvinator and their adorable son, OH NO Jaxonator, are staying with them for the next  little while, until their housing situation resolves itself. We didn't want to touch their wine but N/M said open whatever you'd like and as much as you want, so, given such carte blanche permission, that is what we did! Even opened two unopened bottles of Sarge's single malt so it was a wonderful evening indeed! Fondestos from Lady Dar, reading a book to Jaxonator, to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: Bedtime last night!

Stats for elliptizer: 3.33 miles over 70 minutes to expend 1015 calorifics and climb 13, 073' at a finishing heart rate of 154!

This would have been much easier if K and C did not share the same David. Perhaps I will adopt another. I think I have already had your suggestions!
We'll rebook you, but of course, you'll get a discount as we charge lower rates on Sunday night, not so much demand! Will make un-pizza for you for your initial Vicente Road dinner of your stay. Servicio! Cactus, er Vinnie...well, whatever..Hi Vincenzzzzzoooooo! Sorry to fuss you BUT we are arriving on Saturday, July 1st and leaving on Sunday morn, July 2nd, for Tinsel Town. I trust rates are just as low on Saturday! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Thanks for call last night . . . you sound as busy as ever. It really seems as though mid-July for an Okanagan trip will be less than ideal for a myriad of practical reasons, on both sides . . . and August will be a very full month. I did enjoy the summer visit last year and hope to follow suit in future . . . about a year and a half from now I'll have much more flexibility, being a Retired Citizen (the Kerrisdale Community Centre's label for "seniors").

Meanwhile I checked Aeroplan availability for the Fall and found some prospects: Saturday, November 4 to Monday, November 6 Saturday, December 2 to Monday, December 4 Both would involve arrival in Penticton about Saturday 10 a.m., departure about Monday 7 p.m., allowing the best part of 3 full days to visit. I would endeavour to get James to come along as well, but even he rarely knows very far in advance what his schedule will be (and then has to depend on his airline passes. Flying for free, he is first in line to be bumped, although usually he does make it out here, albeit sometimes on a later flight than he had hoped).

Mum and I return from Europe on September 22. On closer checking, I see that my calendar will not dovetail well with the Writer's Fest, then there are family birthdays in November, after which Christmas will be coming up like a locomotive. Taken together with the constraints of having to work every other Saturday, the dates above are the most promising. How do they look from your perspective? J.

Hi Janet! Lovely to chat. Dates, as outlined, seem to be fine although we both suggest November as weather should be better. As of this writing we don't have anything on but, as you know, things have a way of changing! Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Janet. Will be in touch, probably from the road, as time allows. Cheers, Patrizzio!