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St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
1:47 PM EDT 6/18/09
For those of you who haven't read the back story, here it is:
St. Jerome is the patron saint of writers, journalists, and librarians. After a long career of
preaching under the protection of Pope Damasus (and after scandalous rumors involving St. Paula) he fled to the east, where he and St. Paula founded separate (but presumed equal) monasteries and he wrote the Vulgate (the official Catholic Bible until replaced by the New Vulgate in 1979). He's recorded as having died in 420 but this, he tells me, was strictly to throw people off to the fact that he and Paula had stumbled onto the benefits of good diet and regular exercise.
St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium and Coffee House sits on a side street in a nondescript part of town. I'm pledged not to say where, unfortunately, but – thanks to the wonders of Internet Technology – you can be there.
Nowadays, Jerry affects a B-movie British accent, a neatly clipped beard, and has a predilection for good scotch. I expect he may be by, now and then, but he and Paula were planning another vacation (Brazil this time, I think, but I'm not sure for how long) and he left me the keys.
The lighting's none too good, there are bookcases everywhere (like in a good, old fashioned, used bookstore) with books, and more books, old books and new books, stacked, scattered and strewn hither and yon. And there is a PC, or two, on a back table plus a Mac for the devotees of that particular religion.
The chairs are old, upholstered and overstuffed in oxblood leather with dull brass nail head trim. Most of the other furniture is even older, stuff Paula picked up in their travels, so please do be careful. The Scriptorium bar is an old oak library circulation desk. You'll usually find me behind it, fussing with the espresso machine or washing glassware.
The food's passably good, the coffee usually even better, and the bar well stocked. You need only ask. (The residuals on the Vulgate were, ah, considerable.)
The fireplace is always lit.
What's the deal you ask?
Oh, sorry, I hadn't mentioned that part yet. Jerry thinks good conversation's fun and asks that we bring up quotes, or ideas, and discuss them at our leisure. Quotes won't buy you a cup of coffee or a drink (just ask for that), but they're likely to start off an interesting conversation.
Welcome!
St. Jerry today:
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:47 PM EDT 8/7/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Let's see ... glassware washed, shelves dusted, bottles arranged, espresso machine polished, samovar cleaned ... it looks like we're ready to open again!
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
5:23 PM EDT 8/7/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Thank goodness the place hasn't lost its ambiance in the transition ---the fire, the bookcases, the aging finish on the old oak bar. Yup, it still feels like the same welcoming atmosphere, but without the long load time --yay! How about a round of champaign to the new WJ? In the virtual world, we can afford the finest, n'est-ce pas?
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
5:41 PM EDT 8/7/08
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
An excellent idea!
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
8:31 PM EDT 8/7/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
I can hear the "pop!" And I see I spelled champagne with too much 'campaign' on my mind. 
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
8:39 PM EDT 8/7/08
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
Well, "Champaign" is a city in Illinois ... which makes it close enough. I wonder what they drink there. Illinois State University is there, so I'm betting it's beere. I'm working my usual late Thursday, but it's after 5 in Seattle so I imagine the WebJunction crew is a tad frazzled. So ... maybe a BIG champagne glass will do. <pouring> Here's to WebJunction!
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
12:23 PM EDT 8/8/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Not to be confused with Champlain, Illinois. Nearing the end of Post Launch Week One, the crew here may be very ready to join ISU in consuming some quantities of beer. Hopefully, it will be some nice Northwest micro-brews rather than Bud or Miller. (Yes, I'm a beer snob.) So I say " Zivio Ziveli" to the new WebJunction! That's Serbian for "live long." Or take your pick of a host of toasts in other languages.
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:57 PM EDT 8/11/08
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
Well, "Zivio Zivell!" it is ... I should have remembered that from a Croat bar I used to frequent, but no. The memory is not what it used to be. How about Prairie Path Pale Ale? That's very local to me, but I stumbled upon it at Costco:
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:19 PM EDT 8/15/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
<heavy sigh...settling into the overstuffed oxblood leather>
I need something a tad strong, maybe even medicinal after a week of neck pains. I'm going to try a chiropractor tomorrow, but there's still today...
what do you suggest?
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:30 PM EDT 8/15/08
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
Too much keyboarding?
Hmmm. Medicinal...
(turning to look at bottles behind bar)
How about three fingers worth of Drambuie? Scotch with honey, sort of.
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:40 PM EDT 8/15/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
sounds right, especially if it gives me a little sanctuary on the Isle of Skye. hmmm, maybe you should make it flaming...what would the fire marshal say?
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
4:13 PM EDT 8/15/08
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
Well, it won't flame all that much ... it's only 80 proof. Let's see ... Tall glass, three fingers of Drambuie, swirl it around to coat the glass, and IGNITE! Don't stare too long or you won't have a drink! You're supposed to put your hand over it, but a coaster will do. 
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
12:17 PM EDT 8/20/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Even though I've been with WebJunction for more than a year, I had not taken advantage of St. Jerry's comfortable and engaging ambience. Re-reading the description of the Virtual Scriptorium now, I belive it is an amalgam of many of my favorite places, both real and imagined. So, I hope to spend lots of time here.
We had a little cross-cube chat this morning about the various odd "sports" that the Beijing Olympics are highlighting. We've seen team handball, trampoline, BMX biking, and sport taekwondo -- which looks more like two people bouncing up and down for several minutes while staring intently at each other. How do these formerly backyard activities turn into full-fledged competitions?
Sharon
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
12:38 PM EDT 8/20/08
as a reply to Sharon Streams.
Welcome, Sharon! I was just now fiddling with the espresso machine ... perhaps a latte this morning? Sports are an odd thing, to my way of thinking, often so tied to one place that "internationalizing" them makes little sense. BMX racing makes little sense to me, but I suppose my own local favorite -- 16" softball -- seems that way to most others. Not that 16" softball would ever make it to the Olympics! I know that some of these sports have international organizations and are popular outside the "American consciousness." It makes me miss the (very) old Wide World of Sports on ABC ( Wide World of Sports). You'd frequently see sports that you'd never heard of before. Are you enjoying the Olympics otherwise?
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
2:58 PM EDT 8/20/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
I am buzzing from that latte. It's a chilly rainy day outside, so perhaps I'll make the next one an Irish (decaf) coffee...
I remember Wide World of Sports very well--the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat--as emceed by Jim McKay. An integral part of my childhood.
I've not watched a lot of the Olympics since I'm not often around a tv, but I enjoyed watching He Chong dive, and Usain Bolt jog. We usually watch the Canadian coverage, to get a different perspective. They just won their first track and field medal since 1996. The Vancouver, B.C., newswomen, however, seemed more interested in pointing out the fact that the medal winner wore eye makeup during the race. A little catty for the kind Canadians!
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
3:18 PM EDT 8/20/08
as a reply to Sharon Streams.
That's Seattle for you. My wife and I have got good friends in Lacey and relatives up and down the Sound.
Some of my online friends are Vancouverites, a bit nonplussed at how poorly Canada had fared up until now. Now they've something to celebrate.
I've been watching a bit, generally while trying to read a book at the same time.
<fiddling>
One decaf Irish coming up!
Remember the US track star from a few years ago who not only had eye makeup but absolutely stunning nails?
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
7:13 PM EDT 8/25/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Did that old 'devil dog' find his way to the new establishment yet? He was last seen lurking in a dusty corner of the old haunt, panting with thirst. I hate to see such a fine quotation go to waste, so I'll repeat it here on his behalf:
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost
For the grapes’ sake along the wall.
Robert Frost (1874–1963)
maddog, the lights are all on here and the beverages are flowing.
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
11:20 AM EDT 8/26/08
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
'dog should find his way here, sometime, Betha.
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
4:55 PM EDT 8/27/08
as a reply to Bob Watson.
Oh, my.....why haven't I found my way here until now??? It's absolute heaven.
May I have a glass of well-deserved Cabernet Sauvignon, please?
Bless you!
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RE: St. Jerry's Virtual Scriptorium ... a new beginning
4:59 PM EDT 8/27/08
as a reply to Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran.
omg! I saw your post come through my email subscription, and without seeing who had posted it, I *knew* that was you, Mary Beth!
Bartender, I'll take what she's having!
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