Murder Mystery Month

Murder mysteries were coincidentally the June selection of both my book clubs.

Death at La Fenice was set in modern Venice, and a pleasure to read just for the scenery. The author, Donna Leon, lives in the Veneto capital, and knows the city’s crags and nooks intimately.

The vivid descriptions of the streets took me back to many of the corners I’d visited as a tourist, but  the familiarity of a true citizen’s eye gave me new appreciation for what it would be like to live and work in this historic centre.  I didn’t really try to solve the who-done-it as the plot unfolded, however, the murderer isn’t as much a surprise as the motive.

Grace picked the title for the BPYC book club, and one of the interesting turns the conversation took was the difference between real justice and the legal system; whether it is ever right to “take the law into your own hands.” Commissario Guido Brunetti walks a fine line between the two.

The book is the first of a franchise and was made into a TV series. The Commissario Brunetti novels are all situated in or around Venice. They are written in English and translated into many foreign languages, but not into Italian, at Leon's request.  

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I recommended The Luminaries to the Book Babes. A story of intrigue during the Gold Rush in New Zealand, it got rave international reviews and won both the Man Booker Prize and Governor General’s Award. 

At more than 800 pages I thought it would make an engrossing and extravagant  summer read. Instead, it turned into a feat of endurance: I first opened the cover in June 2014; continued reading in July but put it aside; picked it up again in the fall; read over the Christmas holidays; and finally finished in the spring. Since it was my pick,  I felt obligated to finish.

There were eight of us at the meeting, but only Nicki and I actually finished the book. There were no  arguments about whether  the novel itself was brilliant, because it definitely is... but brilliant doesn't mean it's engaging for  ‘regular’ readers. The same responses are noted again and again at Good Reads, a reliable gage of popular tastes.

The Luminaries may be one of those books that improves with a second or third reading, but I’m not motivated to return to it for at least a couple summers! 

Shuffle off to Buffalo

Rob and I went on an architectural tour of five Frank Lloyd Wright designs, ate dinner in an Ethiopian restaurant one night and a Prohibition-era speakeasy the next, took a Harbour tour that included a trip down a lock, did some bird watching, visited a wonderful gallery and took in the Allentown art festival.

When I was a kid, all I knew about Buffalo was what I saw on TV. So I associated it with nightly news about "fire in Tonawanda!" and Mighty Mouse cartoons with Commander Tom. My only other trip was to visit the Albright-Knox gallery back in 2012, a quick jaunt from the expressway with no visit to the downtown. Unfortunately, I didn’t update my opinion of Buffalo until last weekend, but I'll never think of the city in quite the same way again.

Even though we had booked our trip for the purpose of an architectural tour featuring the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, I was surprised by the grandeur of many of the buildings. An art deco masterpiece at City Hall, imposing mansions, and the setting for architectural precedents, including: the first steam grain elevator; one of the first hotels designed by a female architect; the first Frank Lloyd Wright boathouse;  the only FWL gas-filling station (incidentally, the combustible gas was to be stored just above a working fireplace).

Frank Lloyd Wright is well-known and appreciated for his organic architecture and skillful manipulation of light, which we got to appreciate first hand at Martin House, Greycliffe, the Boathouse, Pierce-Arrow filling station, and Blue Sky. Looking at photos is one thing, but inhabiting and interacting with the space is the best way to experience architecture. The way you  feel interacting with FLW designs is something else entirely. Some attribute it to the way he would compress entrances, others point to the direction of the light or the way the natural space extends outside to the inside. I thought Taliesin West was exceptional because of the desert, but Wright was also able to carry off the same transcendence in a northern climate. His dwellings are completely livable, with rooms positioned for the best views and places to make the most of your moments.

gardener's cottage at Martin house

When we visited the Martin House there was mention that the artglass for the main fireplace would be installed within the next two years. I think a return visit, just to see that completed, would be well worth the trip.

Wandering the streets of Allentown for the festival was an experience. Estimates were for 200,000 visitors over the two days, and there were plenty of artists and vendors displaying their craft. It reminded me a lot of our own One of A Kind festival, but held outdoors.

Saturday evening we ate at the Lafayette, a historic building  completed between 1902 and 1926, and one of the first hotels designed by a female architect (Louise Blanchard Bethune). We enjoyed delicious food in a room that had been used as a speakeasy during Prohibition, so I ordered a Sidecar off the cocktail menu in honour of the occasion. Butterwood Sweet and Savoury had wonderful ambience, and if I were visiting on a Tuesday or Thursday night, I could also have participated in a Paint Night.

Sunday morning we were strolling the waterfront looking at the naval exhibits and we happened upon the Miss Buffalo about to depart on a river cruise. Thankfully, the Penn Dixie organization was willing to take two Canadians aboard at the last minute. As we toured along the shoreline we enjoyed commentary about the birds, geology, and fisheries. The three-hour tour included a view of the Buffalo skyline, deserted grain elevators, a wind farm, a traverse through a lock & swing bridge, and a close-up view from the water of the Boathouse. Along the way we saw lots of waterfowl, including terns, gulls, great herons, blue herons, night herons, an egret, and a snapping turtle.

After that, it was off to the gallery to take in the works of Charles Burchfield, Phillip Burke, and sculptures from the Spong Collection.

Although Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State, its numbers are still fairly small with a population of about 260,000. Skillfully restored buildings stand beside others that look in need of quick rescue. Right now, the city is on the edge. lt could be ready for a resurgence or a desperate fall. Hopefully it will manage to continue its upward swing.

Sailpast 2015

We were celebrating the 35^th  anniversary of Bluffers Park Yacht Club.  Rob and I were in attendance at the party for the 25^th, with all its fireworks and fanfare. Rob wasn’t able to attend this year because the opportunity of a fishing expedition on the Bad River was called the same weekend, so I had to make do without Yondering’s skipper.

A bright, sunny day with light wind brought perfect conditions for the ceremony. I enjoy seeing everyone dressed in blue and white as a nautical nod to tradition. The day was a bit cooler than expected, but jackets kept us comfortable by the water. The order of events are now part of the BPYC ritual: the piper piped; the Board was introduced; we honoured our missing in a memorial address; the flags were raised; awards, awarded; and the start of the season toasted with a strawberry mimosa.

Dick called on several of the founding members that had built the club to raise the flags. Very appropriate, I thought, for the anniversary.

Caroline kindly extended an offer to me to crew Awful Beloved, which  had just had new main and jib sails rigged. This was AWs season shake down, and the skipper was up on deck tweaking the halyard for a bit, while I made myself useful as the helm. We sailed past the Commodore and gave the traditional luff as she inspected her fleet.

Upon return to the dock, I left Caroline to get ready for the evening party and take up my station at the cocktail bar. Kaarina’s chosen concoctions for this event were Salty Dogs and Caesars. I ended up pouring gin and rimming glasses with Malden sea salt flakes and lime zest. Very tasty!  Although I was busy with the pour, I did manage a few breaks to the oyster bar, to slurp some freshly shucked.

I consider it a small miracle that the club managed a sit down meal for close to 200 people. The largest number of attendees on record! Despite the volume, all the plates made it to the tables with the cold food cold and the hot food hot. A truly delicious meal, which I enjoyed in the company of Caroline, Kaarina and Mike; Aldo and Alex. We skipped the dessert course for drinks on Alex’ and Aldo’s boat, tunes cranked high and sometimes singing along.

Then it was back to the clubhouse to dance for a few hours before a solid sleep on the boat. My first overnight of the season.

Salty dog:

1.5 oz gin

.75 oz aperol

2 oz grapefruit juice

Splash of tonic water

Rim with

sea salt flakes (Malden) sprinkled with grated lime zest

Full Poppy Moon: June

The moon is full today at 12:19. 

Known as the Strawberry Moon by Algonquin tribes, sometimes the Rose Moon by Europeans, and also called Honeymoon.

But since I have no strawberries or roses yet appearing in my garden, for me this a Poppy Moon, in honour of the beautiful poppies I saw blooming in my garden this morning.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Four days were definitely well spent taking an Alternative Dispute Resolution course through Stitt Feld Handy, accredited through the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. There was an emphasis on role play with the observation and guidance of professional coaches, with ample opportunity to put the techniques and tools we were learning into practice. Evenings were spent reviewing case study material in preparation for the next day.

There were a high percentage of lawyers in attendance, which makes sense, since a good number of cases these days are settled through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration before heading into the courts. You don't need a degree in law to open a practice in ADR, and the industry isn't regulated, so anyone can hang up their shingle. There are professional associations, including ADR Institute of Canada and ADR Chambers that help promote the work of their members.

Principled negotiation is based on a Win/Win approach that instead of focusing on position, focuses on interests. Readers of Getting to Yes may recall the story about the orange:

There were two chefs who each needed one whole orange for their dish. However, there was only one orange available. What they agreed upon was to split the orange in half. One chef went away and used only the juice of his half, while the other chef used only the rind. Had they focused on the other person’s interest in the orange, a better, mutually beneficial agreement could have been reached. Genius. Survive Law

A good mediatior can help parties who seem to have competing interests discover if there are any shared interests that can be used to identify a creative solution that will benefit them both.

Most importantly, if something isn't in your best interests, don't settle.  Two key concepts for me were 'BATNA' and 'ZOPA.'

Going into a negotiation, identify your Best Alternative to the Negotiated Alternative (BATNA). Flesh it out and do your research. Good examples are buying a car or house, where you identify other like-products and know their value. If you can't negotiate something better than your BATNA, don't. Walk and go with the BATNA.

You have your BATNA, and the person you are negotiating with will have theirs. Where is overlaps is the Zone of Possible Agreement, or ZOPA. Some deals have a zero ZOPA and others have a wide range.

Usually it is best not to reveal your BATNA - unless the other side is seriously underestimating what you may have in your back pocket.

The course will definitely help me in my work of stakeholder relations and partnership development, and I'll certainly be able to apply it in my personal life as well. Who knows, I may even pursue the Executive Certificate in Conflict Management.

illustration of negotiators