Not Even the Courtesy of a Response...

What a place. Final report issued today. No change. 

I find how it all plays out so fascinating, especially in the mind. From London, Simms sends the request for a case this morning, immediately answered. He is the one who earns an extra 20k on appeal, 4% for him rather than the bonus or 13% bump that might have left me satisfied. The moral high ground feels rather wonderful.  Conversation with DM over bourbon cause for worries on his part, perhaps, but nothing to be done or changed in the near term as a result.  It opens up some escape options if you choose to fall down the rabbit holes, but all in good time.

The chance to explore the local flavour of Scotch tastings and the like remain wonderful.  Rare finds from ghost distilleries and taking Ardbeg investment advice from plumbers adding to the stories.  How will it all end, I wonder.  The idea of choosing the Istanbul conference intrigues, the chance to fit in recollections of Rome and Istanbul as you tell those stories seems a must.  The FA Cup final date looms, as does the start of next season.  Where will Mirriam's travel plans fit in, as you ponder the cattle and ceremonies that the Tongan girl demands in exercising her rights.  Heh.

What a world.  Let us see what comes of it.  Three stories sent in for prize consideration tonight.  When will the second acceptance hit home?  Keep going, it is coming.

Toki Highball

Add Toki Whisky to ice-filled highball
Top with sparkling water
Garnish with lemon zest

The drink of summer for the Southern Cross?  I like it.  Remember the evening?  Unsurprising Saudi sickness, storm-trapped conference call leisure pants. Cost more than it was worth, but some gems hidden within to recall in future tense. 

Fresh ingredients, starting with ice
Balanced dilution
Garnishing with the right accent
Egg white velvet froth (activate the proteins with a dry shake)
The hawthorne (spring) and julip (original) strainers

Spirit, bitter (salt/pepper), sugar, water - 1803
Stir in behind, around the edges, with a long spoon
Squeeze the outside of the peel
Then drop it in

Do not overmuddle
Use a rolling pin if needed, but no toilet plunging
Press. Turn.
Place the most delicate at the bottom (mint - blueberry - lime)
Pull up the lemons

The meniscus curve - 4% overpour
Take it

Those be the notes, recorded for you
On this night that Auba hit an overhead kick and missed the winning sitter
So it goes.
The Europa dream dies

But Mr. Robert and his big uncle are on the case for cattle
Trust in that 

PARC Avenue

The Joel Plaskett song, or the reconsideration acronym for the ages? We shall see what comes of that meeting from the concerned evaluator and the Tancook texter and their (non-binding) recommendation. I am optimistic an uptick is warranted and had no shame in saying so... would be entertaining to eavesdrop on the conversation before/after I left.

On the Zambian's last night in South Africa before a return to Zambia at that. The idea of something in-house in 2021 or 2022 to preserve your participation in 2023 seems an idea worth contemplating.  What other international options may there be... News that the Hofbrau flight is cancelled by the stars that be also landed today... the re-routing now provides a chance to drop off the Coopers DVD and see young Jack before August.  Just get me through another month, eh?

A few more stories yet to type, contests to enter.  What say ye?  What is the story that will wow them?  Perhaps it is time to turn to the limbo of the forgotten tall ship in time for February 29?  Two weeks.  Viet tomorrow night, after a morning of wind and caustic soda.  Need to come up with the right tone.  I can see it.  Focus on the scenes...

1601

Good morning everyone.

Is this your first time? (McMahon, is this your last?)

Opening statements, affirmations, the usual blarney.

Day of the New Hampshire primary, 2020 – Strokes helping get out the vote for Bernie last night with a set-list that would have been nice to see. Dixville Notch goes to Klobuchar and Bloomberg overnight. Today, a whirling flurry of words… Wheeling, Mechanism, Value, Protocol, Windfall, Utilization, Contribution, Methodology, Volatility, Sustainability.

Getting back to my question…

Correct?  Remember the lost time, on disconnection and administrative costs?  Aye me.  But it's the game we play here.  How much longer I do remains to be seen. Reminiscing about Antarctica at the top with the SBA. Two years now, incredibly. A journey back to the other side of South Africa to come in 6 weeks. What will that summit hold?

Ghost Corner

A perfect wine from Elim, SA.  The bill for 7 comes to $490, and my portion ranks as at least 1/4 of the total, no?

MacDougall continues to delight in the references to MM, which it’s time to embrace. This is the year for decision-making and the time to decide.  So many telescoping points to it.  The Nix perspective, on balance and freedom and comfort and escape.  The Iowa experience, the magic and timelessness and yet outsider nature to it all, alone.  The hearing preparation, the reminiscing savour 7.5 years ago and the safaris and Morocco and Pakistan and Sengiggi and Dubai/Japan experiences.  Doha in 2022.  The Biden/Trump/Clinton selfies.  Cooper and Carville and Oscar in New York.  What is it leading to?  The feedback from May and the same old comments/rubric.  The insult in thinking you are making artistic choices blind.  The insult in PAC discounting contributions, that this year requires a literate response.

How does it end?  So many of this blog’s stories have ended back here, Halifax evenings, the mind alight with alcohol-fused possibilities, only to see them return here, ransacked rooms, clothes askew, future no clearer.  MM offers an outlet, but more, an adventure.  The last one true and fully complete. Human experience.  As unlikely as it is wondrous.  As breathtaking as it is destined.  The model in the (holy) book.  As we make it happen together, I look forward to the days.  Not spent looking forward or backward or in between.  Just, daily, being.  It’s the task to come, and shall be done.

Tequila or Scotch, as we play Vampire Weekend’s Stranger.  Not a bad world, if an incomprehensible one...