And babybear, I sadly cannot claim that my town of residence was named after me in thanksgiving for my presence, moral rectitude (hah!) or sober good living.

While Saint Lambert, or so I have been told, was an obscure Bishop from Belgium who was martyred for some reason in the early middle ages, the town is really named in honour of Lambert Close, an early adventurer in French Quebec who ended up owning a huge chunk of land hereabout.

Stay tuned for Sven's Canadian exploits!

Elizabeth followed the letter of law, writing on the customs form that Sven was worth $15 US (although we all know he is really priceless) and that he was accompanied by $15 worth of goodies picked up along the way. She also wrapped and shipped him very professionally. So professionally, it would appear, that Canada Customs decided that I was buying Sven and charged GST & PST (VAT) and a $5 handling fee.

A suggestion: perhaps describing Sven as "gift -- used stuffed animal with no commercial value" would also be telling the truth and might arouse less interest from authorities thereby saving the next recipient some money. Obviously this only applies when he is being shipped internationally.

I shall reimburse you, of course, as it was my error.

And Wood, please don't be offended that I valued Wood at only $15US. I realize that no price could ever be put on his moosey little being, but think how awful for poor George if I had put down thousands and thousands.

International money order heading your way, George.

Actually, Sven cost me 50p (that's about 85 cents, last time I checked) in a sale at IKEA.

You value him anyway you like, guys.

Sven also went to church (I'm sure this wasn't a first) but settled for a blessing rather than receiving communion.

He's suffering from heat prostration at the moment -- it has been 35 C (high 90s) for the last few days with nights of 27 C, so neither Sven nor his hosts have slept well.

The Sven Moosepad

Will he get offended? Dunno. haven't asked him.

Kirsten (California)
RuthW (California)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Tomb (Colorado)
nicolemrw (NY)

And at some point will cross the ocean to:

Brickbat (Plymouth)
Starbelly and Amanda (Exeter)
Sean and Bronwyn (Exeter)
Wibblethorpe (Eastbourne)
Beethoven (Abingdon, Oxfordshire)

Maddie (Basildon, Essex)
Clare (Sheffield)
Lev (Manchester)
Oodzook (Crewe)
Angel (Newcastle?)
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor (Batley, West
Yorkshire)
Pam Smith (Coventry)
'Frin (in marital bliss, presumably )
Carys (Dudley?)
Babybear (Denbigh, and not Tenby as you may otherwise have thought )
Rosemary (Cardiff)

And then to meet the Swansea massive:
Chalky
nessa
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy

Nicole, this may mean that you'll have to stump up for airmail. We can reimburse you if you like.

I haven't missed anyone, have I?

He's travelling by air, so he should be snuffling the fresh Pacific breezes by early next week.

I hope Kirsten can understand him -- he's now speaking English with this weird combination of Swedish and French-Canadian accent..

If Sven arrives before the snow flies, we have a mountain expedition planned. I thought we'd climb a 14er and perhaps see some longhorn sheep on the slopes of Mt. Bierstadt. If he arrives later in the season, we shall go to Rocky Mountain National Park to hear the Elk bugle.

When Sven arrives is up in the air, but I hope it will be at least by the end of September, and perhaps we can have a shipmeet up at the cabin when the aspen are turning. We can announce the transference of St. Simeon's feast day to whatever day is convenient, eat beans, and generally cavort in an appropriate SoF fashion. Shoot, I go to a parish so low it even anticipates major feasts and celebrates them on Sunday, which sorely travails my little anglo-catholic soul; so a transferred feast will be a model of propriety.

When the date gets closer, I'll announce it on the board and let you know so you can call shipmates.

We'll have a grand old time.

Neither taste great. (this was in Chicago - tried a few different places - the italian owned one was the best, and NYC)

quote:

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Originally posted by Siegfried:
Well, actually it looks like the hand-off will be over smoothies at Jamba Juice. What could be more Bay Area than that?

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Wait till the little critter get's to Manchester!! I have a digital camera, Manchester has a thriving gay nightlife, I know some excellent joints... and I will finally have Sven blackmail pictures!!!! ::Lev throws his head back and cackles demonically "Mwuahahahahahaha!!!!"::