Message 228

Yesterday I met with a mortgage broker, the same one Julian is using, to get a new loan. After the information is loaded into the computer we should have the approval in a week or so. Not much work gets done this time of year, or it would be sooner. After the approval, we will wait until the rates go down to at least 4.8 percent, then we will lock in the rate and get the appraisal, which has to be paid for. In other words, if I don't get the rate, I don't have to pay. Within a month or so, I should have the money. This guy seems pretty good, so Joshua and Jason may want to use him too.

Last night I watched a DVD of the Movie Lawn Dogs. It had a cast of actors that were completely unknown to me, and the story was not very appealing. The characters were mostly unpleasant and in spite of a somewhat hopeful ending I give it only three stars.

I am not going to stay up late to celebrate the new year tonight. I am going to bed early so I can get up at 5:30 tomorrow morning and join some friends in Palo Alto to go down to Asilomar for the day. Sally and I used to join this group every year for a few days around New Year's eve. The friends I had dinner with at Sundance a few days ago persuaded me to come down for a one day visit.

Message 227

Yesterday I took Beech to lunch. We tried to go to his gymnastics class after lunch, but it was closed for the holiday season.

Last night Joshua, whose work is also closed down for the holiday season, brought Mexican food and we watched the Sharks beat Dallas, and then we watched the Golden State Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors. What an unusual couple of days. All four of our local professional sports teams won their games.

Message 226

Yesterday I watched four football games. It was an unusual weekend. The Raiders and the 49ers both won. Julian came over and brought tacos to eat while we watched the 49er game. We also switched back and forth to the Jet Miami game too.In the evening I watched the San Diego Denver game.

After the football was over I watched PBS and saw a Nature show on the Snow Leopard and then Great Expectations, an old black and white classic directed by David Lean and with John Mills and Alec Guinness as young men. It was quite good. I give it five stars.

Message 225

Last night after I watched the Sharks lose to St. Louis in an overtime shootout, I watched a DVD of the movie Prozac Nation. It was very well done, but I only give it three stars because it is not much fun for me to watch dysfunctional family dynamics and depressed people being their own worst enemies. I appreciate that it is a true story, but having lived through many of the same types of experiences myself, I do not have much sympathy with people who stubbornly refuse to try to help themselves.

Anyway the sun is shining here, and Julian is going to come over today and watch football with me. Maybe Joshua will come too.

Message 224

Beech and I did get our haircuts yesterday, so we should be OK for a couple of more months.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Factory girl. It was very well done, and it was based on a true story, but it was such an unpleasant subject that I only give it three stars. It was about a troubled rich girl who goes to New York and becomes famous as one of Andy Wharhol group. She ODs when she is 28, so it amounted to a short unhappy life.

I am waiting for a call to join Helen and Jim at Starbucks. They are going up to Napa for a couple of days after coffee.

Message 223

I had dinner yesterday at Maureen's. Her whole family were there. Josh was invited too, but he has a bad cold and felt like he had better stay home and rest up.

Last night I watched the commentary on the movie Ray. It was quite interesting. I was very impressed by the movie.

I may try to get a haircut today. I don't know if the barbershop will be open though.

Message 222

Merry Christmas! I am writing this before I go up to have breakfast with Julian and his family. The place we went for breakfast yesterday was not very good, but the movie Australia yesterday was nice. I give it three stars. I was an old-fashioned movie, three hours long, and a grand spectacle. The good people were good and the villains were bad. The scenery was grand. The aboriginal people were all heroic and noble.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Ray. It was excellent. I give it five stars. I never heard of Ray Charles until 1963, and I never owned one of his records, but I was familiar with most of his music that was featured in the film. As a musical biopic, it was very well done.

Message 221

I am going to breakfast and the movie Australia today with Helen and Jim and Joan and Dave Abrams, the people I have coffee with on Saturdays. I will let you know tomorrow what I think of the movie.

Last night Joshua came over and brought in burgers from Dutch Goose to eat while we watched the Sharks game. The beat Vancouver 5-0. They scored five goals within 2 minutes of the start of the second period, and then coasted for the rest of the game.

Message 220

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and both kids. Beech does not have his regular school because of the holidays, so he got to come with us for a change. We usually go on Thursday, but not this week because of Xmas.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Donnie Darko. I give it 4 stars, because it was so innovative, and dealt with serious subjects. However it was a little too gloomy for my taste.

Tonight Joshua is coming over to watch the Sharks game. His car is not drivable anymore, so he is borrowing a car from his boss to tide him

Message 219

My cold is not getting much better. Yesterday I called and begged off of attending the Xmas party at the Rohans because I did not want to infect the other people there. I figure I have another week or ten days before it runs its course. I am debating whether to take Zithromax, but it does not seem that bad yet. In other words, I do not have a fever, so I do not think a secondary infection has set in yet.

Yesterday I watched three football games. The 49ers and Raiders both won for a change. The Raiders were blacked out because the game was not sold out, so I watched Seattle beat the Jets. In the evening I watched the Giants barely beat Carolina.

Later in the evening I watched the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker on PBS.

Message 218

Last night I was watching the Sharks play the NY Rangers when Judi called and asked if I would like to go to a movie with them. I said sure, so they picked me up at 9 PM. The sharks were ahead 3-2 in the middle of the second period, and I still do not know won. Maybe later I will log on to their web site to find out.

The movie we saw was Seven Pounds with Will Smith. He is a good actor, but I thought the premise of the movie was so absurd that I only give it 2 stars.

I am supposed to go to a party at Dennis and Therese Rohan's this afternoon, but I have come down with a cold so I may decide not to go so I don't spread my germs. The party starts at 4 PM, so I will call about 3 PM with my regrets if I decide not to go.

Vanessa said she was going to bring me chicken soup. I don't really feel like eating, but I suppose chicken would be good for me, so maybe today I will watch football and read the Economist and dose in my easy chair.

Message 217

Last night I went to the dinner group at Morrills. The eight of us who went to Ireland a couple of years ago were able to get together because the Willetts were visiting from their new home in France. They come back twice a year to visit their daughter and her husband and son. He is their only grandchild, and is now eight months old. After we finished eating the men did the dishes while the women sat around and talked in the living room, which is the tradition. I started this tradition several years ago because before whoever was the host couple had to do it all after everyone went home, and it was more fun to do the dishes as a group. Also, the women did all the cooking for the potluck dinner, and I thought it would be better for the men to share some of the responsibility. This dinner has been going continuously since 1975, so it has lasted 33 years now.

I am waiting for Helen and Jim to call to meet at Starbucks, which is another routine that has been going on for at least twenty five years now also.

Message 216

Yesterday afternoon I babysat Beech and Annie while Vanessa had an appointment at PAMF. We had a lot of fun. When Vanessa came back we all shared chicken pot pie for dinner.

I also watched the Sharks lose to Detroit yesterday. The Sharks were shut out and looked bad. Maybe they are not ready to play at the Stanley Cup level yet.

Last night I watched a DVD of Blade Runner, The Final Cut. It is the third version of Blade Runner I have seen. It gets better with each viewing. I give it 5 stars. I have not returned it to Netflix yet because I still want to watch the commentaries.

Message 215

Last night I had dinner with two friends I have not seen in about five years, Ed Van Deman and Nancie Fimbel. Sally and Nancie were both in the Mt. Holyoke club, and I worked with Ed for a few months after I retired helping him write user manuals for his company's Financial Navigator software. We went to Sundance Mining Company and had a nice prime rib Sundown Special.

This morning I went to Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie, and afterward I took Annie to the San Mateo Library for story time.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Deja Vu. It was a science fiction-terrorist-mystery-thriller with Denzel Washington. I give it three stars. I could not manage to suspend disbelief in the time travel concept.

Message 214

We are having something of a cold snap here, so last night I closed the door to my bedroom balcony, which I usually keep open to keep my bedroom cool. The sun is now shining brightly, so I imagine it will warm up during the day today.

Last night I watched a DVD of a movie called Layer Cake, or L4yer Cake as it is written on the Disk. I have no idea what the 4 means, maybe the movie has four levels on which it can be interpreted. Anyway I give it three stars. I might have given it more if I had been able to understand it. It was a complex plot about drug dealers in Brittan, and the speech was so heavily accented that I could not understand a lot of it.

Message 213

We are finally getting a little rain here. We need it too. Last night I watched a DVD of a movie called Bound. I give it 4 stars. It is a lesbian love story set at the center of a gangster movie. After it started I realized I had seen it before, but I only remembered fragments of it.

Message 212

Yesterday I watched three football games. The 49ers spotted Miami 14 points the spent the rest of the game trying to catch up. The were able to score a lot of field goals, but when the chips were down they could never score a touchdown. Even though they are getting better, they are clearly not yet ready to play with the good teams. The Raiders lost too, and so did the Giants who lost to the Cowboys.

When football was over I watched a DVD of Croupier. It was a good movie, but I only give it three stars. It was a movie about writing a novel and gambling, with a lot of psychology and Freudian issues.

Message 211

Vanessa and the kids just left to go home and see Julian who is due back in about four hours. It was great fun to have them here for the last couple of days. I am now watching the 49ers lose to Miami while I write this.

Las night I watched the sharks come from behind to beat the St. Louis Blues.

For the rest of the day I will watch more football while I put the condo back to its usual condition.

Message 210

Vanessa and the kids stayed with me last night while Julian was out of town. I am waiting for Helen and Jim to call so we can all meet them at Starbucks.

Last night after the others went to be I read the Economist until it was time to watch Charlie Rose.

Message 209

I just got back from PAMF where I refilled my prescription for my injectable antibiotic solution. I have done a load of laundry too, and hung it on my balcony to dry.

Last night Joshua brought in Mexican food to eat while we watched the Sharks shutout the ducks 2-0.

Message 208

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. Afterward I took Annie to the San Mateo Library for Kiddy Story Time. She loved it.

Last night I watched the DVD of an Argentinean movie called Nine Queens. It is a con game movie with everybody playing a game against everyone else, so with the difficulty of reading the subtitles and not knowing any of the actors, it was hard to fully understand all of the complexities of the plot. Thus, I give it only three stars, although the critics think more highly of it.

Tonight Josh is coming over to watch the Sharks game with me.

Message 207

Last night I watched a DVD. The movie was called Touchez pas au Grisbi. I don't know what Grisbi means, but I guess from the subject of the movie that the title means Do not touch the Gold. Anyway it was a French gangster movie with Jean Gabon and other famous cast members. I give it three stars although it is something of a classic in the mind of critics. It was too hard to figure out what was going on and who the characters were.

Yesterday I got a check in the mail from Medicare for about $43. It is for the catheters I bought some time ago. I think I will walk up to Sharon Heights Plaza and deposit it. It is a nice day, and I figure I can use the exercise.

Message 206

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to gymnastics. Afterward we went to McDonalds for a Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal. They have a new series of toys that he is now collecting.

Last night I watched a DVD of Le Samourai. It is a French movie, with subtitles that is pretty artsy. It is a French gangster movie with very little dialogue, but it is incomprehensible and unbelievable in some ways. I only give it three stars, although I appreciate and admire its artistic effort. It ends with a ritual suicide that is incomprehensible until you consider the Japanese tradition that it is honoring.

Message 205

Yesterday I read The Economist and watched football. It was nice to see the 49ers beat the Jets. Mike Singleterry is looking like the coach they have needed.

Last night Josh brought in pizza and watched the Sunday night football game with me. For the life of me I can't even remember who played. The Sharks don't play again until Thursday night.

Message 204

Today is my Boniva day, so I am writing this while I wait for the rest of an hour to pass before I can eat breakfast. I have already done half of my exercises, the half that I do standing up, because you can not lie down for an hour after taking Boniva. I have already gotten a load of laundry started, and it is too early still for the football games to start.

Last night I watched the Sharks lose to Edmonton in overtime 3-2. Since the Sharks have the best record in the NHL, every team they play do their best to beat them. It is good experience for the Sharks because it gets them used to playing with the intensity that is required in the playoffs, which is what mostly counts.

Joshua is coming over today to watch football with me. He borrowed my car last night to go to his company's Xmas party. His car failed the smog test, and it would cast $1400 to fix it so he has decided to buy another car. In the meantime he is driving without renewing his registration. It is not a big deal. He has done it in the past, and he may get a ticket if he is stopped by a cop.

Message 203

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with the Ariagnos and Morrills. We ate at the Sundance Mining Company, and most of us had the Early Bird Prime Rib. The movie was Milk, and I give it 5 stars. I am kind of partial to movies that are based on real events. As usual Sean Penn was excellent in his role as Harvey Milk. It was opening night and the theater was sold out. It was at the Palo Alto Square, so we stopped by before dinner to get our tickets to make sure we got a seat.

I am waiting for a call from Helen and Jim to meet them at Starbucks.

Message 202

Last night I watched the Sharks beat Columbus 3-2 in a hard fought game. Joshua went to a concert with his friends, so he did not make it to watch the game with me.

We have another beautiful day here. We need rain in the worst way. The state is going to be in even bigger trouble if this drought continues. We are already in big trouble with the economy, in large part because Arnold cancelled the car tax law when he first replaced Grey Davis.

Message 201

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa, Annie, and today Maureen joined us. After breakfast Vanessa had a doctors appointment, so I too Annie to the library for story time. She loved it and saw a lot of her friends there.

Last night I watched a DVD of A Touch of Evil. It is a famous movie directed by Orson Wells, but I only give it three stars. It has a lot of famous actors and actresses in it, including Orson Wells, Janet Leigh, Ben Hur (whose actor name escapes me for the moment, Marlene Dietrich, Za Za Gabor, etc. It verged to close to being a farce for my taste. Orson Wells is too artsy for my taste.

Message 199

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to gymnastics. He was not hungry and so agreed to skip our visit to McDonalds afterwards. He said he would get the Hippo toy next time. He is collecting the toys that come with the Happy Meals.

Last night I watched a DVD of The Namesake. It is about the experience of immigrants from India to America. I give it four stars. I had seen an interview with the author on Charlie Rose, and the woman who directed it also directed Water which I thought was really good too. The only actor I recognized was the one who played Kumar in the famous White Castle movie.

Message 200

Yesterday I signed up for a Medicare Drug plan. I figure it will save me a couple of thousand dollars a year. It has gotten to be that I take a lot of expensive pills, especially FLOMAX, Detral LA, FLONASE, and Boniva. The plan should become effective on January first.

Last night Joshua came over and brought burgers from The Dutch Goose. We watched the Sharks beat Toronto 6-2. They were ahead 4-0 after the first period and just coasted from there. They have tied the NHL record for the best start after 25 games. Their new coach has made a big difference in the way the team plays.

Message 198

I watched two and a half football games yesterday. I watched the 49ers beat Buffalo and I watched the Raiders disgrace themselves in losing to Kansas City. I also watched the first half of the Bears losing to the Vikings.

Joshua did not make it over, so we did not make it to The Dutch Goose.

Last night I watched a DVD of The Visitor. I picked it because it was recommended by Netflix. I had never heard of anyone in the cast or of the writer or director, but I give it five stars. I was amazed that it held my attention. It reminded me in some ways of the movie The Girl

Message 197

I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jin and Helen's daughter. Jodi and her husband are driving back to Seattle today. They were here for Thanksgiving. Jodi is expecting a baby in June, which will be Helen's first grandchild.

Last night I went to the Couple Club dinner. I took slices sourdough baguettes as my contribution.

Today Joshua said he would come over to watch football and we could go to The Dutch Goose for hamburgers.

Message 196

Yesterday afternoon Jason came up with Carolyn and Melanie and picked up Ellie and Amelia. It was great to see all the girls.

Last night Joshua brought in pizza and we watched the Sharks beat Dallas 6-2. Afterward I watched a DVD of Thelma and Louise. I give it four stars. Even though it is an old classic, directed by Ridley Scott and is Brad Pitt's first role, for some reason I never saw it when it was in the theaters. Maybe I was in Rome at the time and not going to movies.

Today I have already done a load of laundry, including changing the sheets on my bed. My washing machine is so small, I have to wash the two big sheets in separate loads. I washed the fitted one today, so I will wash the top sheet tomorrow. I will remake my bed with another set today.

Message 195

We all (including Jamie and Chelsea and the twins) had a good turkey dinner at Umbach's yesterday. Afterward Amelia and Ellie came with me to spend the night. Ellie and I watched Spirit before she went to bed. Amelia and I then watched the next to last disk of season 3 of Buffy.

We just got back from having breakfast at El Cerrito. Amelia had the American Burrito, Ellie had pancakes and sausage, and I had my usual bacon and eggs and sourdough toast. They are now watching cartoons while I write this message.

Message 194

Last night Joshua came over to watch the Sharks beat Chicago in overtime. I had already eaten, so he cooked one of my chicken pot pies for himself.

I told him he could come to the Thanksgiving dinner at Linda and Walt's if he wanted, but I will be surprised if he makes it. I am taking cherry pie and ice cream for dessert and four bottles of sparkling cider for all to drink.

Message 193

Tonight I watched a Russian movie called Dersu Uzala by the famous Japanese director Kurosawa. It was set in Siberia in the early 20th century. I give it 3 stars, although it was well done with a noble theme and realistic scenes. It reminded me of my life in Alaska.

I am sending this message before I go to bed because I am going to have breakfast with Vanessa and Annie at Heidi's pies in the morning. We are doing it on Wednesday this week because Vanessa and Julian and the kids are driving up to Maureen's place in the mountains for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Tomorrow I have to go to PAMF to refill my prescription again. I have to do it every two weeks. After that I have to go to Martha's Pastries in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center to pick up the cherry pie I ordered for Thanksgiving dinner with the family at Linda and Walt's.

Message 192

Yesterday was a quiet and routine day. I did laundry, walked to the post office, and went in the hot tub. I received a nice Thanksgiving card for grandpa from Alex, with two nice pictures.

Last night I watched a DVD of Lars and the Real Girl. I give it three stars, but it was different and interesting.

Message 191

Yesterday I watched the 49ers lose to Dallas. They played well at times, but did not have what it took when it counted. I also watched the Raiders beat Denver. The finally got their act together and played a good game. I am sure Al Davis must be proud. Later I watched most of the game between San Diego and the Colts. I was for San Diego, but the Colts were better. I changed the channel to Fox at 8 PM when the new mini-part of 24 came on. Joshua came over and watched it with me. It was good to see Jack Bauer back in action.

This morning I am going to walk to the post office, across from the Dutch Goose, and get a receipt for returning the Turbo Tax that came in the mail in spite of my canceling the automatic renewal months ago. I called my credit card company and told them to cancel the payment. They advised me to get the receipt from the post office when I returned it.

Message 190

Yesterday I watched Cal beat Stanford in what around here is called The Big Game. In the evening I watched the Sharks beat the Capitols 7-2. Also, I read all of Friday's The Economist.

Today I will watch football and work on writing my memoirs. I am now on page 14 and am starting the Third Grade in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Message 189

Last night I watched the movie Mongol, the first part of a trilogy about the life of Genghis Kahn. I only give it three stars because it is hard reading the subtitles, and the culture portrayed is so strange that many things are incomprehensible. However, it is a grand spectacle and an adventure of epic proportions. Also, because it is based on a true historical series of events, I give it a lot of respect. I find it extraordinary that one out of every 400 people on earth alive today is descended from Genghis Kahn.

This morning I will meet Helen and Jim for coffee and do my grocery shopping. Joshua said he would come over tonight to watch the Sharks game.

Message 188

After Beech's echocardiogram yester day, Vanessa, Beech, Annie, and I went to Tokyo Subway for dinner. We got there about 5 PM, so we had the place to ourselves. The doctor at Packard said Beech should wait until next fall for surgery to replace his valve.

Last night I did not watch a DVD. I just finished reading my Science magazine.

Message 187

It is almost noon, and I just got back from having breakfast with Vanessa and Annie. There was an accident or something that had closed Sand Hill Road going toward my condo, so I eventually had to turn around and get back on I280 to Woodside Road and take Alameda de Las Pulgas home. At least it gave me a lot of time to listen to NPR.

Last night I watched the last episode of The Wire. There are still a couple of Special Features about the show that I will try to watch today, then I will be finished with it. It is quite a good series, and I still give it five stars.

Vanessa has to take Beech to Packard for another echocardiogram this afternoon. Afterward she may come by with the kids so we can go out for burgers.

Message 186

Last night I watched disk 4 of season 5 of The Wire. Only one more disk to go, and it will all be over.Today I will finish last Friday's edition of The Economist, and tonight I will probably watch the last disk of The Wire. In other words, not much is happening here.

Message 185

Yesterday I took Beech to lunch and his gymnastics class. He had a little bit of a cold, so he did not go to school. They have a rule about not coming to school sick. In the evening Joshua brought in food from Chili's, and we watched the Sharks game. They beat Nashville 4-1.

Vanessa just called and said Beech was not well enough to go to school, so she is bringing him and Annie down to pick me up and go to Starbucks for coffee.

Message 184

Last night Joshua brought pizza and we watched the Sharks beat Chicago. Tonight he said he would come over and watch them play Nashville. Yesterday I watched the Raiders lose to Miami and the 49ers beat St. Louis. So the home teams won two out of three, which is better than has been usual of late.

After Josh left I watched PBS and saw a Nature program on the bald eagle and Masterpiece Contempory.

I even turned in early, before midnight, last night.

Today I am picking up Beech to take him to lunch and to gymnastics.

Message 183

Yesterday Jason and Ellie came by and we went to lunch at El Cerrito. Jason and I each had a chimichanga, mine pork and his chicken. Ellie had the toasted cheese sandwich and a bowl of fruit, but she got upset about something and did not eat a bite, so Jason took hers home in a box.

Last night I watched disk 2 of season 5 of The Wire. Then I read some more of Friday's edition of The Economist. I turned in early (for me) at about 12:30 AM.

Today I will watch the Raiders at 10 AM, and the 49ers at 1 PM. Joshua is coming over at 4 PM so we can watch the Sharks game. During all these games I will continue to read The Economist.

As you can see. Nothing much is happening. The weather is beautiful again. At night it is about 50 degrees and during the day it will be near 80 in Menlo Park.

Message 182

I am waiting for Helen and Jim to call to meet for coffee. We are having something of a heat wave. It is supposed to go over 80 again today. Last night I watched part of disk 2 of season 5 of The Wire.

Julian is going to bring his AAA card today and have AAA come and bring him a new battery. I will walk up to coffee and then drive up later this afternoon to do my grocery shopping.

Message 181

Yesterday after breakfast at Heidi's Pies, Vanessa, Beech, Annie, and I went to Ellie's birthday party, five candles. It was a very nice party. Chelsea was there with the twins, plus a couple of Susan's friends were there with there kids. Vanessa took her bouncy house and set it up in the front yard.

We drove to Los Gatos in my van, and when we got back we discovered that Vanessa's van had a dead battery. It was late afternoon, and the kids were tired, so I had her drive home in my van. She will come down this morning and get a new battery.

Last night I watched the Sharks beat Calgary 6-1. It was one of those games where everything goes well.

Charlie Rose had a good show last night, so I think I will watch it again at noon today. It dealt with what the world has to do to control it financial system

Message 178

Last night I picked up Jason at SFO on his return from the Starcraft weekend at Nyack. Jamie did not make it this year, but all the other regulars did, including Sean.

When I got home, the 49ers game on Monday Night Football was over, so I read more of The Economist. Apparently the 49ers played well, but the still lost to Arizona, so they are not yet ready for prime time.

Tonight the Sharks play Nashville, so I will watch them.

Message 179

This morning I am sending this message early before I leave to have breakfast with Vanessa and Annie at Heidi's pies. Afterward we will pick Beech up at school and go to Los Gatos for Ellie's birthday party.

Last night I watched disk 1 of season 5 of The Wire. This season has the newspaper business as part of the story, like season had education.

Message 178

Last night I watched the Sharks game. Even though they led most of the game, they ended up losing to Nashville in overtime.

After the game I read some more of The Economist. As usual, I watched Charlie Rose at midnight and turned in at 1 AM.

Today I will walk up to Sharon Heights and pick up my Boniva and Flonase prescriptions.

Message 177 (yesterdays 177 should have been 176)

I just got back from PAMF where I had to pick up a refill of my prescription for my bladder antibiotic solution. I was not sure they would be open today because so many places are closed for the holiday, but fortunately for me, they were.

It was wonderful yesterday to have Caroline, Ellie, and Beech with me after their overnight. I took them to the Redwood City McDonalds with the play area for breakfast. They had a good time bur did not eat much of their pancake breakfasts. They all did drink two containers of chocolate milk though. Julian brought over a bunch of tacos at noon. Susan brought the twins and their friend Iris over on their way to PAMF for their flu shots, so they too enjoyed the tacos before they left.

Even though I loved having the kids stay with me, it was nice when they went home, so I was able to relax. I still have not finished putting the condo back in order, but I am doing a little here and there every day, so it will soon be back to normal.

Today I take Beech to his gymnastics class. He does not have school today, because they are closed for the holiday. Because we shall have extra time, I will give him a choice of whether he wants to have lunch at Heidi's Pie or at our usual McDonalds. I assume he will choose McDonalds because he mostly wants the toy that comes with the happy meal.

Last night I watched Masterpiece Contemporary on PBS, and went to bed early, about midnight instead of my usual 1 AM.

Message 177

Yesterday I took Beech and Annie to Los Gatos to go out to lunch with Susan and the girls. Afterward we came back to play for a couple of hours . Annie loved playing in Ellie's room with all of her girly toys. She would pick up a doll and give it a hug and say baby.

When it was time to leave Caroline asked if she could spend the night a my house. Then Ellie said she wanted to stay too. Then Beech said he wanted to stay with the girls at my house instead of staying at Maureen's with Annie, so that the way it turned out to be.

In spite of the kids staying up and playing pretty roughly, I was able to watch the Sharks game. They beat Dallas 2-1, scoring the winning goal with 28 seconds to go in the 3rd period. The sharks still have more points than any other team in the NHL.

The kids are still asleep. Today is my Boniva day, so I can't eat for anoter hour.

Message 175

Last night I watched a DVD of Snow Angels. I give it only two stars in spite of the fact that it was very well made. The problem is that it is such a downer. It depicts the life of ordinary people in a small town somewhere in the northern United States during winter with snow and ice contributing to an overall bleak atmosphere. Virtually everyone has meaningless, empty, banal, and hopeless lives. Divorce and infidelity are common and evangelical religion is well entrenched. An innocent child dies of neglect, and the movie ends with murder and suicide. The only attractive characters are a high school couple who seen still to have a chance of making it in the world. Even though these are all valid components of real live, it is not entertaining to be reminded of it.

This morning I am meeting Helen and Jim for coffee, and this afternoon I am taking Beech and Annie to play with Susan's girls while Julian and Vanessa go to a wedding in Napa. Jason is in Nyack this weekend. The kids are going to stay overnight at Maureen's.

Message 174

I have finished my exercises, breakfast, and two laps around the condo loop. I have a load of laundry in the washing machine. Vanessa and the kids are going to stop by this afternoon. She has to take Beech to the doctor to ask what can be done about his migraines. He had his first migraine night before last, vomiting and all. By the next morning he was OK. So it seems that Liz, Julian, and now Beech have inherited the migraine gene from my father's mother.

Last night I watched the Sharks beat St. Louis in an overtime shootout. I am sure Ethan, Julie, and Alex would have preferred the opposite outcome, but I root for the Blues except when they play the Sharks.

Message 173

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. We were a little later than usual this morning because we drove up to San Francisco so Vanessa could deliver a wedding present to her friend Dana, who is getting married on Saturday. I am going to watch Beech and Annie while Julian and Vanessa go to the wedding. I will take them down to Susan's so they can play with their cousins. Jason is in Nyack or the Starcraft weekend.

Last night I watched the DVD of a movie called reprise. I only give it one star. It was clearly a mistake to get it. It must have been recommended by a critic. It is a Norwegian film, and very artsy and psychological. The subtitles were a nuisance to read and the characters were struggling with youthful angst and clinical depression. It was a downer and a total failure in my opinion.

What a relief it is that Obama won the election. He has a lot of work ahead of him, but I feel confident that he is smart enough to know how to do the best things, so there is no point in my thinking about what he should do. I am happy to leave it all in his hands.

Message 172

Yesterday I watched Annie for a couple of hours around lunch time. She is walking and climbing all over the place now. She is a delight to be with.

Last night Joshua brought over fish and chips to eat while we watched the Sharks game and the election results. What a great evening! The Sharks beat Minnesota to maintain their status as the best team in the NHL, and of course Obama won by a landslide, which is awe inspiring. I was thrilled to hear him use the word sacrifice in his victory speech.

Message 171

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to McDonalds and to his gymnastics.

Last night I watched the DVD of Recount. I give it five stars. That is two movies in a row that I have rated five stars, and they both were based on real events. I had seen a Charlie Rose show about Rerun. It was done very fairly and based on actual TV coverage or books by the participants. Needless to say, it made me nervous about how things are going to turn out today. Surely Obama will have a landslide victory.

You all may have noticed that these messages are now duplicated on my blog. Please let me know if you want me to keep up with the email as well as the blog or if I should shift to blog only. Which is more convenient for you?

Message 170

Yesterday I watched football and read The Economist. The Raiders disgraced themselves again. Julian and Beech came over and watched the Raiders game with me in the afternoon.

Joshua brought pizza over in the evening and watched the Sharks game. They beat Denver and have the best record in the NHL, so at least we have one team to feel good about.

Helen has taken the day off, so we are meeting at Le Boulanger for coffee in downtown Menlo Park. While still on Claire Place, Sally and I used to always meet them there, so this will be like old times.

Message 169

The rain has stopped and it is sunny, so I walked a couple of laps around the condo loop.

Yesterday I watched the end of season 4 of The Wire. Otherwise I just read the Economist.

Vanessa has helped me set up a blog, so you may get this same message on my blog.

Saturday 1 November 2008

This being Saturday, I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jim, and form doing my weekly grocery shopping.

Last night I went to a movie with Larry and Judi. We saw Changeling, the new movie by Clint Eastwood. It was based on a true story, with Angelina Jolie, showing the corruption of the LA police Department in 1928. It was quite powerful. I give it four stars. I got home just in time to watch Charlie Rose, who had a good program, as usual.

Friday 31 October 2008

It is noon and I have just returned from my morning outing. Vanessa, Annie, and I had breakfast at Heidi's pies. Afterward we went to Beech's school for a Halloween party. Annie was dressed as Raggedy Ann and Beech was a Power Ranger.

Last night I watched the Sharks game. They beat Detroit 4-1. That means they have beaten both of the teams that played for the Stanley cup earlier this year Pittsburgh and Detroit). The Sharks promise to be the only nationally competitive team for the Bay Area this year.

Last night I also finished reading the book Vanessa gave me, The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama. I had previously read her books Women of the Silk and The Samurai's Garden. Her new book is the best yet. I deals with three generations of a Japanese family from before World War 2 into the 1960s. It is not a really great book, but it is a pleasant read.

Thursday 30 October 2008

Last night I watched the Warriors play their first game of the new NBA season. Even though their best player, Monta Ellis is injured, and they were playing New Orleans, one of the best teams in the league, they kept the game close all the way and would have won if they had made their last shot, they ended up losing. While I watched the game I finished reading last week's edition of The Economist, and also last week's edition of Science. Now I need to get to this week's edition of Science.

We are about to enter a few days of rain, so maybe I better go for a walk today while it is still dry outside.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Last night I watched the Sharks game. They beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are now 9 wins and two losses. It's the best start they have ever had. Between periods I watched a PBS program on savants. After the game I watched a Frontline piece on the war in Afghanistan

Tuesday 28October 2008

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to his gymnastics class. He and all the other kids changed into their Halloween costumes and paraded around and played on all the trampolines and rings and parallel bars. Afterward we went to McDonalds so he could get a Happy Meal with a toy. He now asks the counter woman if he can choose his toy from the collection.

I went to dinner with Larry and Judi at El Cerrito. They picked me up to go but Judi needed to do her grocery shopping after dinner so I walked home.

When I got home I watched another disk of The Wire

Saturday 25October2008

Vanessa has pushed me to use this blog to replace my daily email that I have been sending out. I will play with it for a while before I notify everyone of its existance.