Chris P., connected to Mitchell in his pilot role, now listens to podcasts of pilot conversations, who mention how many ‘souls’ there are on the plane, which actually means the ‘live’ people, as opposed to the dead bodies in the belly. Donny was out walking by himself, and an unknown dog came running up to him. Donny started looking for the owner, but not seeing anyone, bent down and asked the dog “Where’s your mom?” upon which the dog ran straight home, to his mom!
Kal says Sam was at his hockey game last night, so missed the great auction meeting. A huge shout out to Eleanore for the amazing meeting. Happy Vaisakhi (I think he meant Wasabi) to everyone. Thanks to Bob Shoker for waking them all up at 5 a.m. to say he wasn’t coming.
Judy was glad that they noticed the already-opened bottle of wine when sorting through those that had been donated. (Some of us know who donated that one!). An update from Debbie M. that Manuel was admitted to emergency on Monday, where they drained 8 L of fluid off the kidneys. Part of the kidney was removed, and he is doing a bit better. Debbie is babysitting and spending time at the hospital. She was in Kelowna.
Marg was to start her literacy programs this week and found an excellent reason to miss the Richmond Review. She might have known about the Eid Day festivities at the library. Arriving early to set up, there were so many people, no parking anywhere near the library and having tried a spot at the mall, was told she would be ticketed if not shopping there. So, she left and went home and will hopefully have better luck at Ironwood this morning. She brought home sample food from Eleanore’s last night, and while Ben and Don were eating, they heard about a friend who was covered in a rash and needed to go to emergency. Don picked her up and took her to the hospital at 9 p.m., then came home at 5 a.m. and their friend hadn’t even been seen.
Melinda also said how fabulous it was at Eleanore’s and that she has set a very high bar. Melinda had to leave right away to take her car in.
Blair wanted to make a motion that all meetings should be held at Eleanore’s. It was good to hear form Carl. Blaire’s younger brother has been HIV positive for 30 years and had to stop work a couple of years ago, in Calgary. He understands the stigma including how the family was against him at the beginning.
Mary Lou echoed kudos for Eleanore and is approving her application for membership. Mary Lou is no longer ‘driving Miss Daisy’ as Alan has his driver’s licence back and Mary Lou has her life back. She has Oscar today on her own. She is working on her retirement plan and announced that as of April 1st she will no longer be managing any employees, so many fewer meetings. She split her position amongst 3 people and is hoping to retire in June 2025. Only three??
John understands why dentists have the highest incomes as he had his jaw readied for an implant. It took 15 minutes and cost $2000. Remember when he said you can drive through Delta and smell marijuana, (or down # 7 Road)? Well, he went out jogging at 6 :10, smelled definite marijuana but it turned out to be a skunk. 
Chris M. thanks Eleanore for the spectacular hosting of the meeting yesterday. Her new phone screensaver is baby Eleanor’s passport photo – not yet two months old and looking straight at the camera. She apologizes for showing this photo to everyone, but it makes her laugh every time she opens her phone.
Pat thanks everyone for asking about her grandson. He has no more headaches, doesn’t need glasses, and seems to be improving. She was freaking out because 20 years ago in Puerto Vallarta her husband came back with liver parasites, lost 18 lbs in a couple of weeks, and after a change of intravenous, was finally cured. She was in Palm Springs for the week, and the last day (as usual) was the most beautiful. She drove back over the last two days, bringing the Mazda home through gridlock in Portland and Seattle. Now she needs to learn all the buttons on the new Toyota hybrid. She had to come home because she had an abscessed tooth, is on antibiotics and looking forward to dental surgery.
Jeannette missed the auction meeting as she had a window and door replacement so hadn’t slept. She is going tonight for her birthday dinner (Happy Birthday, Jeannette!). She remembers one of her co-workers, who, every time a patient was flagged as HIV positive, would suddenly feel unwell and she knows it was to avoid looking after ‘that kind’ of patient.
Elena took her 82-year-old sister out for dinner last night. She is retired in the Philippines, lives in the forest with no electricity, and reads books at 4 a.m. with a solar light. She is leaving in a couple of weeks.
Micheal feels the competition for stories! He is relatively free for the next couple of weeks, so requested vacation time from the manager. Bobby said yes, so he is leaving Sunday for India to see his daughter and bring her back but will be here before the gala.
Amanda has a spare room now, which is full of basket stuff, but at least the living room is open. The crazy cat is in all the baskets, and hopefully won’t be auctioned off.
Debbie T. announced that on Sunday they will have the drive to destigmatize, with Curtis’ dream car, purple symbolizing overdose and toxic drugs. They will start at Garry point at 10:30 a.m. for a car parade to raise awareness. Trevor will likely speak, as well as an ex-addict, then they will all make some noise across Richmond. She will have signs printed, etc. Come out to support if you can.
Sandra remembers being a nurse in the 80s at St. Paul’s, working on the Aids floor, where she had to be fully covered and couldn’t touch patients. The cocktail had just started. We’ve come so far, except for the stigma. She is going away with Britney on Tuesday, to London to see Cousin Kelly, and her sister has decided to come along. They’ll be going to Portugal as well and won’t be back until April 30. Miller has gained weight. Yay!
Debbie S. is happy the pickets have been removed from the tunnel and the HOV lane is open. She has finished her last long run before her marathon and is in taper mode. She will be missing the next couple of meetings but will be back just before the auction.
Bobby thanks Eleanore for the auction meeting! He was in Whistler last week and found a new favourite coffee place near Function Junction, called Forecast. His son thought they were going to drive, but they hiked the 5km there and back, just for coffee. Bobby seemed surprised that he approved Micheal’s vacation but realizes how fortunate they are to be able to go on a vacation at all.
Dalbir recognizes the army it takes to run the Riverside Halls and says it is a perfect example of how hard work pays off. His mother-in-law went back in the hospital on Thursday, had to wait 1.5 hours for an ambulance, and was in emergency overnight. Circumstances are dire out there. He has seen patients in the same room for a month and a half with no one coming to see them and is sometimes asked, as a trustee, to be their rep for health. As a reminder, as Rotarians we can call each other any time for help.
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