Message 582

Yesterday I went wild and bought myself three jackets. I felt I needed more choices in my life and could not resist the sale prices. In the evening Joshua brought in fish and chips and watched the hockey game with me. It was a great game between two of the best teams in the league. The Sharks beat Washington 5-3. They took a 4-0 lead and then let up but held on to win. Joshua is going skiing today, so he will not be able to watch today's game with me. After the game I read some more of my NSA book until it was time for Charlie Rose.

Message 581

Yesterday I had lunch with Jason and Susan and the girls at Live Oak Kitchen in Los Gatos. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Mona Lisa Smile. It depicted college life at Wellesley in 1953-1954, a time when I myself was in college. It was interesting as a period piece, but I give it only 3 stars. I watched it mostly because Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role, but her part was nothing special in this case. I am still working on the second NSA book too.

Message 580

Yesterday I worked a little on my memoirs. In the evening Joshua came over and brought food from Boston Market and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Phoenix 3-2 in an overtime shootout. It was their turn since they lost to Phoenix in a shootout the last time they played. We also watched the Vikings lose to the Bears in overtime on Monday Night Football. It was a good night for sports on TV. We had to do a lot of switching back and forth on the channels.

Message 579

I watched three NFL games yesterday. The 49ers won, but the Raiders and Redskins lost. We are getting near the end of the season now, but at least the playoffs should be of some interest even though none of our local teams will be involved. Last night I watched Masterpiece Theater for a while, but it turned out I had watched it before, so I mostly read some more of the second book of NSA history.

Message 578

I just got back from Starbucks with Helen and Jim, Joan and David, and Jody, Aaron, and Emily (6 months old). Yesterday I did not leave the house all day. I was planning to go to the hot tub again , but when it was 5 PM it was raining so hard, I skipped it. Instead Joshua came over and watched the Sharks beat the Ducks 5-2. They were ahead 5-0, but then let up and allowed a couple of goals. I had already eaten, so Joshua had one of my TV dinners and a can of my chili. I started reading the book, a present from Alex, that is a follow-on to the history of NSA that Ethan had given me last year. It is so good I read about half of it before I went to bed. As I type this, I am also watching the Raiders play the Browns on TV next to my computer. The 49ers are on this afternoon.

Message 577

Yesterday a mid-day I went to Los Gatos and visited with Jason and Susan's family and to admire all of their presents. In the late afternoon I went to Maureen's for Xmas dinner. Her friend Gary had cooked turkey and dressing and ham and all the appetizers and desserts anybody could want. Vanessa's brother and his family, and Gary's son and his family were there too, so we had lots of grandchildren to help us enjoy the occasion. When I got home, I realized I had forgotten to take my bag full of Little Debbie's Pastries and other goodies that Vanessa had given me, but I will pick them up later.

In the evening I watched a German movie for which the title is translated as The Princess and The Warrior. It dealt with a psychiatric ward in a hospital and a couple of bank robber brothers. It was not good. I give it 2 stars. Sometimes I make mistakes about what will be worth watching.

Message 576

I just got back from having a family Christmas breakfast in San Mateo. Julian and Vanessa fixed a super set of dishes, and the kids showed off their haul from Santa Claus. Yesterday I treated myself to another soak in the hot tub. That makes two days in a row. Last night I watched a DVD of an amazing movie called Secretary. A few days ago Charlie Rose interviewed Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal about their new movie Crazy heart. I had never heard of Maggie Gyllenhaal, but she seemed interesting, so I ordered her movie Secretary from Netflix. It was a very unusual movie about pathologically dysfunctional people, but it was done in a humorous and light hearted way that made the dark subject matter more interesting. I give it five stars.

Message 575

I just got back from having coffee at Starbucks. Jody was there with Emily, Helen's first grandchild. She is six months old now and is beautiful. Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. For the first time in several weeks I got in the hot tub for a nice soak. In the evening I watched La Boehm on PBS. I thought it was a great production. I have watched a lot of operas, but this was the first time I ever saw this one. I was especially impressed with the Russian soprano. I was also surprised by the strong emotional response I felt. I also watched a DVD of the French movie Cache (or Hidden) as the title is alternately translated. I was surprised it was so bad. I give it only one star. It dealt with guilt and was very boring and had many unanswered questions.

Message 574

Yesterday afternoon I went to Los Gatos and had dinner with Jason and Susan and their family at Live Oak Kitchen. We were planning to watch the Sharks play Chicago, but it was not carried on their Direct TV. Instead we listened to it on the radio. The Sharks won 3-2. The dinner was good, as usual, and on the way home I dropped Caroline off at Linda and Walt's house where she will spend a night or two. When I got home, I watched a DVD of the movie Breaking and Entering. It was a British movie with a well-known cast. It dealt with relationships between mothers and teen-aged children and between men and women. I give it 3.5 stars.

Message 573

Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. In the late afternoon Joshua brought in pizza and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Dallas 4-1 to avenge the shootout loss to them when they played at the Shark tank the last time. After the game I watched a DVD of the movie Feast of Love. It was a modest movie set in Portland Oregon, with a cast unknown to me, but they did a nice job. I give it 3.4 stars.

Message 572

Yesterday I watched a DVD of the movie Miller's Crossing at Helen and Jim's with Joan and David. It is my favorite of the Coen brothers movies, and one of the best movies of all times. I give it five stars. In the afternoon I watched the 49ers lose to Philadelphia. The game had been rescheduled until the afternoon because of the snow storm. As a result I did not watch the Raiders beat Denver, which was a great game according to what I saw on the news later. In the evening I watched a PBS Masterpiece Theater production of Under the Greenwood Tree. Vanessa and the kids are going up to Blue Lake for a couple of days, so we are not doing our usual Monday routine at Nealon Park this week.

Message 571

I am meeting Helen and Jim and Joan and David for coffee this morning. Last night I went to the couples club dinner at Wilsons' house. I took my usual cheery pie and ice cream. When I got back I read some more of The Economist before I went to bed.

Message 570

Yesterday afternoon I picked up my prescription at PMAF. In the evening I went with Larry and Judi to a Christmas party at Ariagnos. It was a caroling party as well as a dinner. I did not go out with the carolers, but stayed behind to guard the house. It was fun to see everybody. When I got back home, I read the new Economist until it was time for Charlie Rose.

Message 569

I just got back from PAMF, but they have to call the doctor to get more refills, which annoys me no end. I will have to go back this afternoon to pick it up.

Yesterday afternoon I took Beech to Kung Fu followed by pizza. He brought his piggy bank and used all the quarters in it (I would guess four or five dollars worth) to pick two stuffed animals out of the crane machine. In spite of my suggestions, he would not stop until the quarters were all gone. At least he did not beg me for money, so maybe he is learning. In the evening I watched the Sharks beat the Ducks 4-1. In spite of a slow start, the Sharks finally got their act together and won a game after losing five in a row. They no longer have the best record in the NHL.

Message 568

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. Yesterday I had another quiet day at home working on my memoirs. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Caligula. It was made in 1979 and had an amazing cast. It went all out on the depiction of orgies, bloody murders, and insanity. In spite of all the expense and production, I do not think it was as well done as the PBS series titled "I, Claudius", which tells the same story. I give it three stars. In the evening I also watched some of the opera Tosca on PBS. I had never seen it before. It takes a while to get into an opera.

Message 567

Yesterday I finished reading Assegai by Wilbur Smith. The dust cover says that he has written 30 books, and I think I have read them all. He is the best for historical novels and for action adventure. Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Miranda which is another Tinto Brass movie, but this one is dubbed into English,so you do not have to read subtitles or understand Italian. I do not think this one is as good as Cheeky, but I give it 3.2 stars. I also worked a little on my memoirs.

Message 566

Yesterday I joined Vanessa and Annie at Nealon Park. Vanessa had to keep an appointment in San Mateo, so I brought Annie to my place for lunch. She loves microwaved chicken pot pies. After lunch I took her to Maureen's place where she took a nap. In the evening I watched the 49ers beat Arizona in Monday Night Football. It is hard to believe they are the same team that lost last week. It turns out that their are not completely out of the playoff hunt. If everything works to their advantage, they still have a slight chance. Afterward I finished reading The Economist and also the new Science.

Message 566

Yesterday I joined Vanessa and Annie at Nealon Park. Vanessa had to keep an appointment in San Mateo, so I brought Annie to my place for lunch. She loves microwaved chicken pot pies. After lunch I took her to Maureen's place where she took a nap. In the evening I watched the 49ers beat Arizona in Monday Night Football. It is hard to believe they are the same team that lost last week. It turns out that their are not completely out of the playoff hunt. If everything works to their advantage, they still have a slight chance. Afterward I finished reading The Economist and also the new Science.

Message 565

After I sent yesterday's message via email, I realized I had given the wrong name for the movie I saw Saturday night with Larry and Judi. I had wondered why it was named Nine, and then I found the ticket stub in my pocket and realized the correct name was Up in the Air, which was an obviously understandable name. Anyway, I corrected the name when I copied the email to my blog, so only those of you who read the original email will understand what I am talking about. I did not watch much football because the Raiders were blacked out and the 49er do not play until tonight. Thus, I got a lot of The Economist read. I went to San Mateo for the regular Sunday family dinner. Because today is Julian's birthday, we celebrated with the cake for desert. I accidentally hit the send button before I finished the email version of this message, so I will add here that Annie and Beech both helped Julian blow out the candels, so they were a big part of the celebration.

Message 564

Yesterday afternoon I read some more of The Economist, and then went to Los Gatos to watch the Sharks lose to Phoenix 1-2. Phoenix is a much weaker team, so it was a poor effort for the Sharks. We also went for dinner at The Oak Kitchen and had ice cream afterward nearby, as is our custom. It was nice to see them all again. Ellie was proud to show me her school work. She is learning to read and spell words.

When I got home I got a call from Larry and Judi to go to a late movie. We saw Up In The Air, with George Clooney, about a guy who travels all the time and lays off workers as his job. It was impossible to suspend disbelief, but it was mildly entertaining. I give it three stars.

Message 563

Last night I watched the Sharks lose to Dallas 2-3 in an overtime shootout. The shootout went over ten rounds until the Sharks finally gave up a goal they could not match. For the rest of the evening I read part of The Economist. I am heading up now to meet Helen and Jim at Starbucks.

Message 562

Yesterday I followed my usual Thursday afternoon routine and picked Beech up at school and took him to Kung Fu followed by pizza. Before that I drove to Mountain View and picked up new supplies for self catheterization. I got a bigger batch this time so I should not need to go back for a year or two. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Red Shoes. It has something of a cult following, and even though I enjoy watching ballet, I was not much impressed by it. I give it three stars.

Message 561

Yesterday I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. We had to change our routine from Thursday to Wednesday this week because Vanessa had stuff to do today that interfered. In the evening Joshua brought in burgers and watched the Sharks game with me. They lost to Los Angeles in overtime 4-5. If they do not get their act back together again pretty soon they will not be able to keep their place as the team with the best record in the NHL. After the game I read some more of my Wilbur Smith book until Charlie Rose came on.

Message 560

Yesterday was a quiet day at home for me. I finished reading Science and read a little more of my Wilbur Smith book. In the evening I watched episodes 11 and 12 of True Blood. Season one is now over, and seasons 2 and 3 are not yet available on Netflix, so I will have to wait for a while before I learn what happens next.

Message 559

It was raining here yesterday, so Annie came to my place to play, watch a DVD, and have lunch. Vanessa had to take Beech to PAMF to get an antibiotic for his ear and sinus infections. During the day I finished reading The Economist and started reading Science. In the evening I watched episodes 9 and 10 of True Blood. Last night we had freezing temperatures in the bay area, so I did not sleep with the door open to my balcony like I usually do. I had no trouble staying warm even though I did not turn on the heat.

Message 558

Yesterday I watched a lot of football. In the first game I was happy to see the Raiders beat the Steelers. In the second game I was sad to see the 49ers lose to the Seahawks when the should had beat them and kept their playoff hopes alive. In the third game I watched Arizona beat Minnesota. In the evening I joined the family dinner in San Mateo. The peach pie with whipped cream was especially good. Later I was planning to watch The Tale of Two Cities on PBS, but my schedule proved to be wrong. All they had was a pledge drive, so I read some more of The Economist.

Message 557

Yesterday I read about half of The Economist. In the evening, Joshua brought in food from Boston Market and watched the Sharks game with me. It was a hard-fought, close game with Calgary. Unfortunately, the Sharks lose 1-2. Oh well, even the best team loses some games. At least, the Sharks still have the best record in the NHL. After the game I watched episode 8 of True Blood and then turned in early. I am now watching the Raiders play the Steelers. They are tied 3-3 in the first quarter, so there is still hope.

Message 556

I just got back from having coffee at Starbucks with Helen and Jim and Joan and Dave. Dave told us that he has just been found to have terminal cancer and will have to go on chemo. So many people I know are dying now. Last night after the usual Friday PBS shows I watched episodes six and seven of True Blood.

Message 555

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at school for our Kung Fu and pizza outing. Afterward we pick Annie up at her day care place and I took both of them to my place for a couple of hours. Vanessa was selling her aprons for kids at a craft-show fund-raiser for Beech's school. She told me this morning that she sold more than any of the other vendors, maybe because her stuff was the only thing on offer made for kids. Julia picked the kids up about 8 PM. He was concerned that the kids had trashed my house, but I told him not to worry, that I had let them do it because they were having so much fun. I watched the Sharks game against St. Louis. It was disgusting to see them give up a goal to tie the score with 7 seconds left to play, and then lose in an overtime shoot out. It is strange how a team with the best record in the NHL can have so much trouble closing out games that they should win. I had all the mess that the kids had made cleaned up before the third period started.

Message 554

Yesterday Annie came over in the morning and we watched The Wizard of Oz, had lunch, and went to Nealon Park for a while before I dropped her off at Maureen's place in time for her nap. She is such a joy to be with. Last night I watched episodes 4 and 5 of True Blood.

This morning I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. As always I ate so much I will skip lunch today.

Message 553

Yesterday I watched Obama's speech at West point. In the evening I watched the Sharks beat Ottawa 5-2. Joshua and Jason went to the game, but I did not see them on TV. After the game I watched episode 3 of True Blood. I heard from Julie that she is reading the series of books that the HBO series is based on. I have not read the books, but in the commentary the writer/director of the TV series said they were wonderful and even better than the TV show.

Message 552

Yesterday Vanessa fixed lunch and came by with Annie so we could have our Monday picnic and playtime at Nealon Park. In the evening I started watching a new series from Netflix called True Blood. It was shown on HBO and was made by the same guy as Six Feet Under. It is another vampire series, but I am amazed by how good it is. I did not think any series could be as good as Buffy, but this one comes close. It is very funny and is very well written and acted. I have only watched the first two episodes, plus the commentaries, but I give it five stars. Because it is not a movie per se, I will not add it to my movie list on my blog, but I recommend it highly.

Message 551

I just got back from PAMF where I refilled my antibiotic solution prescription. Yesterday I watched football and read my Wilber Smith book. I was glad to see the 49ers win again. In the evening Joshua brought in Chinese food and watched the Sharks game with me. We were glad to see them win too. I did not watch a DVD yesterday.

Message 550

Yesterday I had my usual coffee at Starbucks and did my Safeway shopping. In the evening I hosted dinner for five at Ten Fu. I had scheduled this dinner to take my turn for the monthly dinner group that I have not been able to host since Sally died. However, most of the usual people were not able to come because they had tickets to the Stanford game against Notre Dame or had kids and grandkids staying with them for the Thanksgiving weekend. In any event Helen and Jim and Carol and David Roland and I enjoyed a good meal. After dinner I started reading The Economist. This morning I have already done the laundry and hung it out to dry on the balcony. As I write this message I am watching the 49ers playing Jacksonville.

Message 549

Yesterday I started reading my new Wilbur Smith book. In the evening Joshua brought in burgers and watched the Sharks game with me. The beat Edmonton in an overtime shootout, but they had to come from behind to do it. Marleau got a hat trick, which was nice. Clowe scored the other goal in regulation play, and Pavelski scored the winning (and only) shootout goal. I did not watch a DVD last night.

Message 548

Yesterday watched two NFL games. I was disappointed that the Raiders did not make a better showing against Dallas. I had Thanksgiving dinner at Jamie and Chelsea's home. It was wonderful to see them and the kids. Joshua did not join us. He was still recovering from his football injury. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Chasing Amy. It was made by the same people as Clerks and it dealt with much the same subject, namely how difficult it is for people to maintain intimate relationships. I give it three stars.

Message 547

Yesterday I watched a DVD of the movie Spread. I have no idea why it has this title. It is about the singles scene in Los Angeles, and it is not a pretty picture. I give it three stars. In the evening Joshua brought in fish and chips and watched the Sharks game with me. The Sharks disgraced themselves totally and lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-7. In their first two power plays the Sharks gave up three short-handed goals. It was a fiasco. Joshua played flag football with a dozen or so friends at his work yesterday afternoon. He had a collision with a defender when he ran a crossing pattern, so he was limping around. He is supposed to come over and watch the football games with me today if he feels good enough to get out of bed.

Ginny and Mary called me this morning. Mary flew to Atlanta and drove with Ginny and Jim to Andrine and Joe's place in Florida for Thanksgiving . They are all doing well.

Message 546

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up after school and took him to his Kung Fu class and to Roundtable Pizza. In the evening I watched the PBS shows Nova and Frontline instead of a DVD.

Julian and his family are leaving today to go to Blue Lake Springs for Thanksgiving. Tonight I think Joshua will come over to watch the Sharks game with me. Tomorrow he will come to watch the NFL games with me.

Message 545

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. We are doing our usual Thursday routine on Tuesday this week because of Thanksgiving. Vanessa has a lot of back pain, so I have persuaded her to take 8-- mg of Ibuprophyn every four hours, and not to exercise until the pain is gone.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Clerks. I gather it is something of a cult classic, but I had never heard of it. It is cleverly written and is often funny. I give it three stars.

Message 544

Yesterday Julian and Beech came up to watch football with me. The 49er lost again, but the Raiders won a game! By replacing their number one draft pick quarterback with an unknown, they beat the Bengals, a pretty good team. In the evening I went to San Mateo for our regular Sunday family dinner. In the evening I watched the Sunday shows on PBS.

Message 543

Yesterday I read The Economist and watched the Big Game, which was very good, except that I wanted Stanford to win because they have been doing so well lately, but Cal outplayed them. Stanford was on the verge of scoring the winning touchdown in the closing seconds when Cal intercepted a pass and ran out the clock. In the evening I watched the Sharks beat Anaheim 3-2, which was good. They again this year have the best record in the NHL, and maybe this year they will not blow it in the playoffs.

Message 542

I just got back from doing my weekly Safeway shopping. I am meeting Helen and Jim at Starbucks tomorrow instead of today this week. Last night I watched the Sharks beat Philadelphia 6-3. After the game I watched a DVD of the movie Cherie. It is a period piece about the life of courtesans. The production was very well done, the sets were all beautiful, and the acting was too, but the story was just not that interesting to me. I give it three stars.

Message 541

Yesterday Vanessa and I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies as usual on Thursday. In the afternoon I picked Beech up after school and took him to Kung Fu. Afterward we went next door to Round Table Pizza. He won another stuffed animal from the machine. This one he gave to Annie when we picked her up at her day care on the way home.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Black Narcissus. This is a famous movie made at the end of World War 2, but I had never seen it. It is quite beautiful and well done, but it is mostly of technical interest because it was shot entirely in a studio but gives the powerful illusion that it was shot in Nepal. I give it 3.9 stars.

Message 540

Yesterday I finished reading Science and also finished reading my book about The National Security Agency (NSA), titled Body of Secrets by James Bamford. In the evening I watched a DVD of the Czech movie Beauty in Trouble. So far as I can remember it is the first Czech movie I ever watched. The picture it paints of the people and the lives they live there is not very attractive, but I give it three stars.

Message 539

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist and started reading Science. In the evening I watched human evolution Part 3, Nova, and Frontline on PBS. Joshua was planning to come over and watch the Sharks game with me, but it turned out not to be on TV, so we cancelled. It is just as well I suppose because I heard on the News that they lost to Nashville 3-4.

Message 538

Yesterday Vanessa fixed a lunch for everyone, so I went with Annie and her 3-year old neighbor to Nealon Park. It was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all. In the evening I watched a DVD of the Japanese movie The Pillow Book. It was a strange movie, but I suppose was an example of how different the oriental culture is about how people behave. It is really hardly worth watching, but I give it three stars.

Message 537

Yesterday Julian brought in tacos , and he and I watched football, but none of our local teams were on TV. Later I watched the Sharks lose to Chicago 4-3. In the evening I joined the family dinner in San Mateo. Julian made spaghetti and it was so good I ate too much and had to put up with indigestion in the middle of the night. In the evening I watched the PBS Sunday shows.

Message 536

Yesterday I watched Stanford beat USC and the Sharks beat St. Louis. I also read about half of The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the German movie for which the English title is Gloomy Sunday. It is a well made movie by people I was not at all familiar with. It was mostly shot in Budapest and is an allegory about World War 2 and what it did to the people in Europe. It was a lot about music, and it had the bizarre conceit that a song written by a piano player in a restaurant caused lots of people commit suicide. The message was that all the elegance, sophistication, and refinement of European culture was severely tested by the insanity of the German actions during the war. I give it four stars.

I am writing this message while I wait for an hour to pass before I can eat breakfast. I took my last Boniva this morning. I am glad to be finished with it and with Fosomax. It has been about five years now since I started this chemotherapy, and my doctor says that should be enough. In general I feel so much better these days that I can believe I can do fine without it.

Message 536

Yesterday I watched Stanford beat USC and the Sharks beat St. Louis. I also read about half of The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the German movie for which the English title is Gloomy Sunday. It is a well made movie by people I was not at all familiar with. It was mostly shot in Budapest and is an allegory about World War 2 and what it did to the people in Europe. It was a lot about music, and it had the bizarre conceit that a song written by a piano player in a restaurant caused lots of people commit suicide. The message was that all the elegance, sophistication, and refinement of European culture was severely tested by the insanity of the German actions during the war. I give it four stars.

I am writing this message while I wait for an hour to pass before I can eat breakfast. I took my last Boniva this morning. I am glad to be finished with it and with Fosomax. It has been about five years now since I started this chemotherapy, and my doctor says that should be enough. In general I feel so much better these days that I can believe I can do fine without it.

Message 535

I am back from Starbucks and Safeway shopping, and am getting ready to watch Stanford vs. USC football. Yesterday I watched Beech while Vanessa and Annie went to PAMF. I then had dinner at Cook's Seafood with Vanessa and the kids. In the evening after the PBS Friday shows, I watched a DVD of the movie The Education of Charlie Banks. It is a coming of age movie without sex. All the people involved were unknown to me, but I thought it was well done. I give it 3.8 stars.

Message 534

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at school and took him to his Kung Fu class. Afterward we went next door to Round Table Pizza as usual. In the evening Joshua came over and watched the 49ers beat Chicago 13-6 on Thursday night football. Both teams looked bad for the most part, but Chicago threw five interceptions which lost the game for them. It is a win though, so we will take it any way we can get it. After football we watched the Sharks game. The went ahead 2-0 in the second period, but then let up and ended up losing the game in an overtime shootout. It is not so bad though. They still have the best record in the NHL. Watching all these sports did not leave any time to watch a DVD.

Message 533

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. Beech is in school, and I took Annie to her daycare. When I told Annie this morning that it was time to get dressed, she said "No way!" and ran away. She later called me blockhead. She is learning new things every day and is an absolutely wonderful girl. She has gone more than two days now without an accident, so she is making progress on her potty training. Before she would get dressed she peed in her potty and emptied it into the toilet.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Sin Nombre. It was a Mexican movie, and I never learned what the title means. It is a complicated story about central Americans trying to get to the United States. It is also about the gang culture and that preys on the immigrants. It has subtitles and it was hard for me to keep track of who was who, and I could not understand the motives for a lot of things the characters did. I give it three stars because I had such a hard time understanding it, otherwise I would have given it four stars.

Message 532

I just got back from refilling my antibiotic prescription at PAMF. Yesterday I finished reading The Economist . In the evening I watched the Sharks beat Nashville 4-3. The Sharks are on track to be the best team in the NHL again this season. I hope that this time they can perform better in the Stanley Cup playoffs too. Because of the Sharks game, I did not watch a DVD yesterday.

Message 531

Last night I went to Gombei with Larry and Judi for dinner. Afterward I watched a DVD of the movie Moliere. The title is the name of a famous French playwright about three hundred years ago. The movie is an imagined experience that Moliere had during a part of his life that his activities and whereabouts are unknown. In many ways it resembles the movie Shakespeare In Love, in that the writers take themes and phrases from the authors real work and imbed it in the imagined story. When I was taking a course in French literature in college I read Moliere as well as all the other great French writers, of which there are more than in any other language except English. Anyway, I give this movie 3.7 stars.

This morning after doing my exercises and eating breakfast, I went downtown and had my haircut. It was overdue, but I had it cut short so I should be good for a couple of months now.

Message 530

Yesterday Julian dropped Beech off at my place on his way to the airport. He has flown to London, Dublin, and Brussels for business and will not be back until Saturday. Joshua brought in pizzas, so he and I and Beech watched the 49ers play Tennessee. We were disgusted to see them throw away what should have been an easy victory. May they better switch back to the other quarterback.

After the game we went back to San Mateo for the Sunday family dinner. Vanessa had fixed ribs, and they were excellent. This morning I slept in late enjoying the clean sheets and extra blankets I put on the bed yesterday. This morning I did my exercises and have started a load of laundry.

Message 529

Today is Ellie's sixth birthday. Yesterday I rode with Julian and his kids to Los Gatos for the party. Vanessa had another outing scheduled. It was a great party and dinner. Susan had fixed a variety of great dishes that appealed to both the kids and the adults.Linda and Walt were there too, and Linda had baked the cake, which was delicious. It had not held its shape, but nobody but her cared because it was so good.

When I got home I watched a DVD of the French movie for which the English title is Avenue Montaigne. I have been watching a lot of French movies lately. One of the nice things about this one is that it had a lot to do with classical music. Also, it was a nice low key feel good movie. I give it three stars.

Message 528

I am late again today getting this message out. I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks. Vanessa and Annie found me in Safeway afterward. Helen and Jim left early so they missed seeing Vanessa and Annie. Vanessa and Annie came to my condo while I put away the groceries and put my laundry on the balcony to dry. Afterward we went to Nealon Park. Vanessa is working on toilet training Annie, so we kept pretty busy.

Last night I watched a DVD of the French movie Au Revois Les Enfantes written and directed by Louis Malle. The title means goodbye Children which is what the head priest said when the Gestapo took him away with the jewish boys for the concentration camp near the end of the movie. The movie is about boys in a Catholic school during World War 2, and is based on the writer's experiences during the war. I give it 3.6 stars.

Message 527

I forgot to mention in yesterday's message that I had an appointment with my dermatologist Wednesday afternoon. She froze a few spots for me and wrote a prescription for Efudex for my forearms. She also said I should start taking 1000 IUs of vitamin-D every day, instead of four days a week as I have been doing for the past few months. Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at school and took him to his Kung Fu class as usual. Afterward we went next door to the pizza place. In the evening I watched a DVD of the French movie The Story of Adele H. It was made in 1975 and directed by Truffaut, the same who directed last night's movie. This movie would have been pretty boring except that it is a true story based on the diary of Victor Hugo's daughter, the youngest of his four children. She was a troubled, almost psychotic woman, but very dogged in her dedication to her fantasies. I give it three stars.

This morning a crew is due to show up and install my new awning on my balcony.

Message 526

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. Last night I watched a DVD of the French movie Mississippi Mermaid (La Sirene du Mississippi). It came out in 1969 and stars Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Paul Belmondo, and it was directed by Truffaut. With these famous people, I figured it should be good, but I give it only three stars. It realistically shows what happens when marginally functional people fall in love and become obsessed with each other to the point of self destructive behavior. Even though it has many of the same elements as Heaven, a movie I thought very good, I somehow found it something of a turn-off instead of an inspiration. I suppose my reaction is because the characters remind me to much of my life with Betsy, Liz and Ethan's mother.

Message 525

Yesterday was another quiet day working on my memoirs. In the evening I watched three programs on PBS instead of a DVD. I watched the Nova show on human evolution, Warplane, and Frontline about medicating children for ADHD, etc. All of the shows were very good.

Message 524

Yesterday I had another quiet day at home working on my memoirs. In the evening I watched a DVD of the French movie for which the English translation is And God Created Woman. It came out in 1956 and was Bridget Bardot's first movie. I had heard of it but I had never seen it. I am amazed that it is so bad. The plot is absurd and the acting is awkward. I give it two stars.

Message 523

Yesterday Julian and Beech came up and brought lunch and watched the 49ers game with me. Our team did well against the Colts, one of the best teams, but they lost anyway. Later I watched the Raiders for a while, but they were so bad I switched to watch Brett Favre beat Green Bay. Afterward I went to the Sunday family dinner in San Mateo. Julian grilled steak and Vanessa made rattatooie(SP?) and rice. Beech and Annie had lots of candy from their Trick or Treat outing the night before. In the evening I watched the PBS shows, one a derivative thing about Jane Austen and the other was Part 1 of a mystery.

Message 522

Yesterday I started reading The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Piano Teacher. Is a French movie with subtitles. It has a good cast and is elaborately produced. Its best feature is that it has music as an important element of the story. However, it is about pathologically warped people who have very painful lives. Even though it is based on a book by a Nobel-prize-winning author, it has too degenerate and pessimistic a picture of humanity to make it worth watching. Even though it is realistic and depicts human characteristics that do exist, it is hardly worth the three stars it give it.

Message 521

I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jim and Joan and David at Starbucks. Beech and Annie joined us until Julian came after his haircut. I did not watch a DVD last night because I watched the Sharks win their game with Colorado 3-1. After that I watched the news because I had not seen it at dinnertime, which is my usual custom.

Message 520

This message is setting a record for lateness. It is now about 9 PM PDT. Susan and her mother have flown back east for a family funeral. Jason brought all four girls up last night for a dinner at Ten Fu. Walt Umbach was also able to join us. Caroline and Ellie were out of school today so they spent the night with me. We had breakfast at El Cerrito this morning. After that we went to San Mateo to attend the Halloween Party at Beech class. In the afternoon Vanessa joined us to go back to the school to watch the Halloween parade. It was like watching the Normandy invasion. There must be a thousand students at Beech's school. Beech's class was the first to march out and around the field before taking their place in the middle. Beech's costume was Maximus Prime. He refused to tell the nurses at Packard yester what his costume was going to be. I confess I had never heard on Maximus Prime, and I was impressed that Jason knew who it was when it came up in the dinner conversation. Each of the other classes followed in their footsteps. When it was over, Beech joined Caroline and Ellie and me to spend the rest of the afternoon in Los Gatos. Shortly after we arrived I went to pick up the twins at their school. When Jason got home from work we all went to Live Oak Kitchen for dinner. I had liver and bacon and onions as usual when I go there. I am home now after taking Beech home. I caught the last few minutes of Washington week, and now I am watching the Sharks play Colorado while I write this. Ryan Clowe just scored his first goal of the year just a few seconds before the end of the second period. The Sharks are thus ahead 1-0 during the second intermission.

Message 519

Yesterday I finished reading Science. In the afternoon I took Annie to Nealon Park for a couple of hours while Vanessa took Beech to his therapy. Today I am going with Vanessa to take Beech to Lucile Packard Hospital to have new ear tubes put in. He has been getting lots of earaches again, so they need to replace the ones that fell out again. I did not watch a DVD yesterday. Instead I watched the Sharks beat Los Angeles 2-1 in an overtime shootout.

Message 518

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist and started reading Science. In the evening I watched a DVD of another Italian movie by the same writer/director as Cheeky! that I watched the day before. The Italian title of this one id Cosi Fan Tutti, the same as the famous Mozart opera, but the title for the DVD version is All Ladies Do It. This one is shot in Italy and has the same style and themes as Cheeky!, but is less light-hearted and is less successful. I give it 2.8 stars.

One of the guests on Charlie Rose last night was a Berkley professor named Alison Gopnik. I highly recommend that you watch her on the Charlie Rose web site. Her interview is only about eleven minutes long, but it deals with babies brains and how they work, a subject that has long interested me. I think all of you would find it interesting.

Message 517

Yesterday I read some more of The Economist and worked a little more on my memoirs. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Cheeky!, which is the English version of the title. It is an Italian film shot in London but with an Italian cast speaking Italian. In spite of the need to read subtitles, it was a light-hearted bit of fluff with not much plot, but it had lots of nudity and was fun to watch. I give it 3.7 stars.

Message 516

Yesterday I watched the 49ers lose to Houston. They were 21 points behind at the half , and they finally got their act together and came close, but by then it was too late. In the afternoon I watched the Sharks beat Philadelphia in a very good game. It seems they are learning how to play consistently at a high level. In the evening I watched PBS.

Message 515

Yesterday I was not able to join Helen and Jim for coffee as usual because I went with Maureen and a couple of her friends to see the Charlie Rose roundtable discussion at Stanford. It was fun to see Charlie do his thing in person. The six people in the discussion included some I had seen before, and they were mostly Stanford people. They talked about the economic recovery, and most of what they said I have heard before. In the afternoon Joshua came over and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Atlanta 4-3. Josh went to Santa Cruz for a concert in the evening.

Last night I went with Larry and Judi to see a late show at the movies. It was a BBC film with an all British cast that I did not know. The title is An Education. The story is about coming of age and loss of innocence for a young girl who plans to go to Oxford. I thought it was very well done and had an upbeat ending. I give it five stars.

Message 514

After the Friday PBS shows yesterday I watched a DVD of the movie Adventureland. It is about college kids working a summer job at an amusement park. It is mostly lame, but the people are mostly good hearted, and things eventually work out. I give it three stars.

Message 513

Yesterday afternoon I picked up Beech at school and took him to his Kung Fu class. Afterward we went next door for pizza as usual. Julian and Vanessa drove to Blue Lake Springs with the kids last night to spend three nights at Maureen's place. They will be the only ones there, so they will be able to enjoy a quiet weekend.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Grey Gardens. It is based on the true story of a mother and her daughter who were relatives of Jackie Kennedy. It was strangely reminiscent of the previous night's movie A Handful of Dust. One was about degenerate British upper classes 1n the 1930s and the other was about degenerate American rich people in the 1950s. Although both were very well made and very well staged and acted, both were downers. It disturbs me to watch people so captures by their delusions. I give them both 3.4 stars.

Message 512

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies. Maureen was able to join Vanessa and me this morning. We took Annie to her daycare place so we could eat in peace. Vanessa had to leave early so she could help at Beech's school with an art program.

In the evening yesterday I watched a DVD of the movie A Handful of Dust. It was made in 1988 based on an Evelyn Waugh novel. It was beautifully filmed in color, mostly in England but some in Brazil. It portray upper class British life and manners in the 1930s. The actions of the people are so absurd that it is hard for me to imagine that the people were really like that, but I expect that they were.They make such a mess of their lives that you have to pity them, but it is also disgusting that when they have it all they do not make anything of themselves. It had a great cast, including Kristin Scott Thomas and Alec Guinness and Judy Dench in small roles. I give it 3.4 stars.

Message 511

Yesterday I decided not to watch a movie and instead watched Nova, Warplane, and Frontline shows on PBS. I am especially glad I watched Frontline because I had never heard of Brooksley Born. She graduated first in her class from Stanford Law School in the 60s and was later a successful lawyer and a friend of Hilary Clinton. She was appointed by Bill to be the head of the commodities trading regulatory commission where she foresaw the economic problems we are now going through. She tried to regulate derivatives but was attacked by Greenspan, Summers, and the head of the SEC (whoever he was at the time), and eventually resigned because she was prevented from doing her job.

Message 510

Yesterday I worked some more on my memoirs. In the late afternoon I watched the Sharks beat the New York Rangers 7-3. After spotting the Rangers a 0-2 lead, the Sharks came alive and dominated the game. It is strange how they keep doing this. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie That Hamilton Woman. It is an old black and white film that is essentially used as propaganda in World War 2. It is the true story of the relationship of Lady Hamilton (played by Vivien Leigh) with the British Naval hero Lord Nelson (played by Lawrence Olivier). I give it 3.5 stars.

This morning I took Amelia to see Larry Morrill for her braces. Melanie had some oral surgery done to free up one of her teeth so it can grow into its proper place as being pulled by a new golden chain. I also had an estimate this morning to replace my awning over my big balcony.

Message 509

Yesterday the 49ers had a bye week and the Raiders were blacked out because their tickets were not sold, so I had to watch whatever NFL games were on. Julian came up in the afternoon and watched with me. As it turned out, the Raiders finally got their act together and beat the much favored Eagles, so it was a shame we were not able to watch. Julian and I watched Arizona beat Seattle, and it was good to see Kurt Warner look good. Vanessa was busy with a project, so we did not have our usual Sunday family dinner. Instead, Maureen and I went to Gombei with Larry and Judi for dinner. I always get the same thing when I go to Gombei, namely the pork cutlet dinner, and it is one of my favorite restaurants, but I usually go only about once a month when Larry and Judi invite me to join them. In the evening I watched another episode of In sector Lewis on PBS.

Message 508

Yesterday I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks. In the late afternoon Joshua came by to watch the Sharks game with me. They beat the New York Islanders 4-1, so we were glad about that, although again, the Sharks did not come alive until they were down 0-1 in the second period. After the game we went to El Cerrito for dinner.

In yesterday's e-mail a typo gave a rating for The Unknown Woman of 2.8 when it should have been 3.8 stars, in other words it was a pretty good movie in spite of being hard to understand. I corrected this typo in the version posted on my blog, but I could not correct the e-mail. Last night I watched a DVD of the Movie Anne of the Thousand Days. Even though it is a true story that I was very familiar with, I thought this was an outstanding movie. It was made in 1969 and Richard Burton was at his best as Henry the Eighth. I give it five stars.

Message 507

Yesterday I got a new refrigerator. My old one had been making a big clunking noise every time the compressor shut off. I had been told that this happens in old units when one of the compressor mounts gives way, and that it is not worth fixing it because everything else is old and near the end of its life too. I have been thinking about this for a few months, and yesterday I called a local store and had them deliver and install a new one and haul the old one away. Thus, I now have one less thing to think about, and all for a little less than $900.

In the evening, after the Friday night PBS shows were over, I watched a DVD of the movie The Unknown Woman. This is the translation of the title from Italian. It is a complex story that is revealed in a mixture of flashbacks mixed in with the present day in Italy where a woman from Ukraine tries to start a new life. It is hard to make out what the story is until it is all over, but it is worth the wait. There is a lot of sex and violence, but it is mostly about tender feelings. I give it 3.8 stars.

Message 506

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at school and took him to his Kung Fu class. Afterward we went next door to the Round Table Pizza and he ate three slices, which is a new record for him. He also pulled another animal from the crane machine, but he forgot to bring it home with him. I told him we can ask if they kept it for him when we go back next week. I then picked up Eddy Solomon at his house and took him to Sultana's for dinner. Mary is out of town and had asked me to do this. He had the lamb chops that were on special, and he ate most of them. His Parkinson's disease has advanced so far that he has to mostly lie down when he eats, but he manages. His mind is still good, but his body is in pretty bad shape.

When I got home I watched a DVD of the movie Watchmen. It is another one of those movies based on what they call a graphic novel, or I would call a comic book. As a result, the plot was absurd, the action was stylized, and the characters were costumed heroes. I almost did not even finish watching it, but I managed finally to stick it out until the end. I give it 2 stars. The best thing about the movie was the music that was all from the 1980s.

Message 505

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. I overslept this morning, so I did not have time to take Annie to her day care, so Vanessa had to deal with that herself. This morning our usual tables were full so we sat with Henry and Reggie, two of the regulars that are there every week. It was a pleasure to talk to them in greater depth than our usual exchange of Helos. Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Henry and June. It is based on the true life story of Henry Miller and his wife June as derived from the diary of Anais Nin. Because I have been such a Fan of Henry Miller's writing for decades, and because I actually heard Anais Nin speak at one of the lectures arranged by my father at The Library of Congress, I found the story very interesting. However, because the impressions of the writing and the speech are so intense, I found the representation by the movie a little flat and boring. It is probably impossible to achieve this same level of intensity to the medium of film, so I hesitate to lower my rating of the movie because of its shortcomings. Nevertheless, I only give it 3.6 stars.

Message 504

Yesterday we had our big rainstorm. I think we got about two inches, and in the hills they got ten inches. It is the first big rain of the season and at least a month earlier than usual. Maybe this year we will break out of our drought pattern. I watched Annie for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon while Vanessa took Beech to the doctor for his earache. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Life of David Gale. It was about opposition to the death penalty in Texas. It had a very good cast and was played as a mystery thriller, but I found the plot absurd and too contrived. I give it 2.3 stars.

Message 503

Yesterday I took Annie to Nealon Park for a couple of hours while Vanessa did her grocery shopping. Annie is a pleasure to be with, and she is learning to do more of the park things each time we go. People still mistake her for a boy though if she does not have a ribbon in her hair. In the evening Joshua brought in burgers and fries from The Dutch Goose and watched the Sharks game with me. It was a 0-0 tie after overtime, so they lost to Phoenix in a shootout. Phoenix has a new style of defense, so the Sharks will have to figure out how to counter it. Charlie Rose had a very good show last night.

Message 502

Yesterday I watched the local NFL teams disgrace themselves on TV. In the morning it was the Raiders. In the afternoon Julian invited me to watch the 49ers with him on his big TV. Vanessa was out with her girlfriends, and Julian was cooking the dinner and watching Beech and Annie. We could not believe that the same team that had come within 2 seconds of beating the Vikings could look as bad as they did against the Falcons. The dinner of pulled pork BBQed in the crock-pot was delicious though. In the evening I finished reading The Economist and watched another Inspector Lewis episode on PBS.

Message 501

Yesterday I watched Stanford lose the football game at Oregon State. Stanford was completely out-played, so the may have to give up their fantasy of winning the PAC-10. In the evening I watched the Sharks game. Again they waited until the second period to come to life, then they took over the game and won easily. I do not understand why they are making a habit of this, but I am pleased to see that they can do it when they get their act together. After the Sharks game, I watched a DVD of the movie The OH in OHio. It is a comedy about the female orgasm. It was mostly an upbeat film, but I had trouble taking the characters seriously. I give it 2.6 stars.

Message 500

Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. I have started taking a Mucinex pill once or twice a day to help me get over my cough. It is good that I have found something I can take to relieve my congestion. Finally the pledge drives are over and the National Park series is over so the usual Friday night programs are available for me to watch. After Washington Week I watched a DVD of the movie. YPF. It is a Canadian file, which I seem to have watched a lot lately. It was a semi-comedy about the trouble people have in their romantic relationships, but I found it a little tedious. I give it 2.9 stars.

I am waiting for Helen and Jim to call to meet them at Starbucks. Liz told me that Sean has gone to Nyack for the Starcraft weekend. I suppose that Jason and Jamie may well have gone too.

Message 499

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at his school and took him to his Kung Fu class. He is used to this routine now, so it is working quite smoothly. In the evening Joshua brought in Mexican food and watched the Sharks game with me. They were behind 1-0 at the end of the first period, but then they came to life and won the game 6-3. The main new guy, Dany Heatley, scored a hat trick in his first home game. I was glad to see this because I was concerned that the Sharks had traded two of my favorite players to get him. I guess the manager knows what he is doing. It was too late to watch a DVD after the game, so I read some more of the NSA history.

Message 498

I just got back from having breakfast with Vanessa at Heidi's Pies. I took Annie to day care so we could have a relaxing meal. Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Foxfire, with Angelina Jolie, who I just learned is the daughter of John Voight. The movie is about teenage girls struggling with sexism and abuse by authorities, but it is rather extreme and somewhat unrealistic. I give it three stars.

Message 497

I just got back from refilling my antibiotic prescription at PAMF. Yesterday I had a cough and was not feeling very good, so Vanessa insisted on bring me a couple of quarts of chicken noodle soup plus big bottles of orange juice and soda. I ate one quart for lunch yesterday, and I will eat the second today. Last night Joshua brought in fish and chips and watched the hockey game with me. The Sharks were behind 4-0 in the second period before they came alive and tied the game 4-4. After that they let down and lost 6-4 to the Kings in LA. After the game it was too late to watch a DVD, so I read some more of my NSA history book. I am now about half way through it. Charlie Rose was great last night, so I think I will watch him again at noon today. It was about the Afghan war. I was especially impressed with Lara Logan. I did not realize she was such an admirable, high-quality person.

Message 496

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist and also this week's Science. Last night I watched the Vikings beat the Packers on Monday Night Football. I was glad to see Bret Favre win. After the game I watched a DVD of the movie Speak. It is about a ninth-grade girl who is raped at a party by an eleventh-grade boy. It is well done, but a little tedious at times. The message is that girls who are raped should speak out. I give it four stars because it deals with an important subject.

Message 495

Yesterday I watched three NFL games. The Raiders completely disgraced themselves in the morning game. The 49ers looked good in the afternoon game, and I can't even remember who played in the Sunday night game. While watching the games I also read some more of The Economist. In the evening I watched another Inspector Lewis episode on PBS.

Message 494

Yesterday I met Jim at Starbucks. Helen is in Seattle to see her granddaughter, Emily. At noon I went to Los Gatos to watch Caroline in her soccer game. Her team won 2-1. In the afternoon I read some more of The Economist. In the evening, I watched the Sharks beat the Ducks, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. After disgracing themselves in their first game, they looked really good last night. When the game was over, I watched a DVD of the movie The Secret Life of Words. It was an unusual movie. It was very slow-paced and understated. Most of the scenes were filmed on an oil platform in the North Sea, where the workers are a bunch of misfits and loners, which was very realistic for that kind of job, in my experience. The only cast member I recognized was Tim Robbins. The plot unfolds very slowly, and only with the last scene do all the plot threads get brought together. It eventually gets to be a very powerful and moving film. I give it four stars.

Message 493

Yesterday was a another quiet day at home. I started reading The Economist and watched the usual news shows on PBS. This National Park series is still messing up the schedule. They did not even show Washington Week. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Lucky Ones. It was a road movie about three soldiers home on leave. The only cast member I recognized was Tim Robbins, but they were all good. I give it four stars.

Message 492

Yesterday afternoon I took Beech to his Kung Fu class. Afterward I went with Vanessa and the kids to eat dinner at Round Table Pizza. In the evening I watched the Sharks lose to Colorado in the first game of the new NHL season. The Sharks looked pathetic. I also watched a DVD of the movie Martian Child. I did not realize I had seen it before until I was part way into it. It was not good. John Cusack is usually better than this. I give it 2.3 stars. Andrine called this morning to say she is reserving her house and a condo at Tahoe for next summer.

Message 491

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies. I took Annie to day care so Vanessa and I could relax and enjoy our meal. Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Goodbye Solo. It is an unusual independent film with unknown cast and writer/director. It was very well done though, and in spite of the unattractive portrayal of old age, it was an upbeat story. I give it 3.8 stars.

Message 490

Yesterday was another quiet day. I read this weeks Science. The Charlie Rose show was on at noon and was about Iran. I do not understand why it was not on the previous midnight.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Rushmore. Aside from a couple of strange and funny bits, I thought it was stupid and boring. Bill Murray usually does better than this. I give it 2.4 stars.

Message 489

Yesterday I had a quiet day. I finished reading The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Eastern Promises. It was a British movie about Russian gangsters and human trafficking. It was very well done. I give it four stars. Last night for some reason there was no Charlie Rose. These National Park shows are disrupting the usual schedule I suppose. Maybe it will be on today at noon.

Message 488

Yesterday I watched football with Josh, Julian, and Beech. We were all disappointed that the 49ers lost on the last play of the game, but we were heartened by the fact that they played so well against a better team. I participated again in the regular Sunday family dinner in San Mateo. Julian had cooked two different kinds of chili. We all had fun. In the evening PBS started showing the new Ken Burns work on the national parks, so I read some more of The Economist while it played in the background. I again turned in early (at midnight) and had a good night's sleep.

Message 487

Today is my new Boniva day, the third Sunday in the month from now on. Yesterday I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks, as usual. I had the unexpected pleasure of joining Vanessa and Annie for lunch at Una Mas too. Last night I went to the Berkeley's for the pot luck dinner group. There were 14 people there, and all of Ginny Wilson's apple pie and my cherry pie and half gallon of ice-cream were eaten. When I got home I read some of The Economist and turned in early before midnight.

Message 486

Yesterday was another day to add a little to my memoirs. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Black Snake Moan. It was a very rough and gritty story based on blues music. It had a good cast, especially Christina Ricci and Samuel Jackson, but also Justin Timberlake. Against all the odds, it ended up on a hopeful note. I give it four stars.

Message 485

Yesterday afternoon I added a little more to my memoirs. I am in the 10th grade now. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. It paints a really good picture of life in the Midwest in the fifties and sixties. It is based on the memoirs of one of the daughters of the woman who is the leading character, played by Julianne Moore. I give it 3.5 stars. When it was over I watched the last half of the PBS documentary on the sixties, especially the pivotal year 1968. It was extremely well done. I was surprised at how strongly I still react to these reminders of how strongly I felt during those times.

Message 484

I just got back from breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. Annie was not quite so well behaved as she was last week, so we may take her to daycare next week. Julian is in New York all week, so Beech is having his troubles too. Vanessa decided to have him skip Kung Fu this afternoon.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie August Rush. It has an absurd plot but it is well acted and features music in a good way. It is good to see Robin Williams again in a supporting role. It is a feel good movie with a happy ending. I give it four stars.

Message 483

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist. I went to Starbucks and had a coffee and read this week's Science while Orlindo's crew cleaned my condo. In the evening Joshua brought in Boston Market meatloaf for me (and chicken for him) which we ate while watching two hours on PBS dealing with what happened when the Spaniards first encountered the Incas and then the Aztecs. It was interesting to see how the physical evidence from the bones gave a different account from that written by the Spaniards at the time. Josh got back from Amsterdam Sunday. He had a successful trip. He even went to an art museum with a girl.

Message 482

Yesterday I had a routine dentist appointment after lunch. In the evening I met Julian and Vanessa at Gombei (a local Japanese place) for dinner. Julian left for New York this morning and will not be back until Friday. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Valkyrie in which Tom Cruise leads the plot to kill Hitler in a true story. I had read the history years ago, so I was familiar with what happened, and I think the movie stuck close to the facts. I am a little prejudiced against Tom Cruise, so I only give this film 3.6 stars, even though it was well done, was based on a true story, and had a good cast.

I just called Orlindo to send a crew over to clean my condo. He did not have any openings this week except for this afternoon, so I now have to scurry around and get everything ready to be cleaned.

Message 481

I just got back from refilling my antibiotic prescription at PAMF. I also just realized that I forgot to take my Boniva pill yesterday, so I think I will just take it next Sunday instead. Yesterday I watched football with Beech and Julian. It was great to have the Raiders and 49er both win. In the evening I went to San Mateo and joined everyone again for the regular Sunday family dinner. In the evening I watched another Inspector Lewis episode on Masterpiece Mystery on PBS.

Message 480

Yesterday I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks and then did my Safeway shopping for the week. During the day I read about half of The Economist. I had dinner in Los Gatos with Jason and Susan and the girls. In the evening I watched a DVD of a French Canadian movie the translated title of which was Heart of Stone. It was about life on the frontier about two hundred years ago. It reminded me of my life in Alaska. It was a pretty heavy story with people doing bad things and girls dying, but it was pretty realistic. I prefer upbeat stories, but I give this one three stars.

Message 479

Yesterday I went out to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and Ariagnos. We went to Sultana and then to Palo Alto Square to see the movie Amreeka (which is the Arab word for America). It is about a 16-year old Palestinian boy and his mother who come to the Chicago suburbs. They stay with relatives and have lots of troubles adjusting to the new world, but they hang in there and gradually find their way. I give it three stars.

Message 478

Yesterday afternoon I picked Beech up at his school and took him to his Kung Fu class. Afterward we went next door for our pizza. He was willing to limit himself this time to the allotted two dollar limit for games. He may be beginning to understand that he would be better off financially if he bought the stuffed animals in a store.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the Canadian movie with the translated title The Barbarian Invasions. It is in French with English subtitles. It is very good and deals with all of the important subjects, and it is full of literary and historical references, but they are hard to catch from the subtitles. It is centered around a dying old man surrounded by his family and friends, but it is basically a celebration of his life and includes a lot of humor. I give it 4.5 stars.

Message 477 (the other messsage has a typo)

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. Annie was real good today. Yesterday I worked so more on my memoirs. I am in the tenth grade now. Last night I watched a DVD of the movie The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It is a holocaust story told through the eyes of the eight-year-old son of death camp administrator. It is very well done. I give it four stars.

Message 476

Yesterday I finished this week's The Economist, and I also read the new Science. In the evening I watched a DVD of an Italian movie whose title in translation is I'm Not Scared. It is about small children out in the country, mostly boys, one of whom finds another ten-year-old boy who has been kidnapped and is being held prisoner at an abandoned farm. The scenery is beautiful, and it has a happy ending. I give it three stars.

Message 475

Yesterday about noon Dennis Rohan called me and said he had a couple of tickets to the Giants game and he would like to take me as his guest. I had been planning to watch the Raiders play San Diego on Monday Night Football, but I decided I should be sociable and accept the invitation. We took the train both ways. Tim Lincicomb was pitching, so it was wonderful to see him in action. He looks like a young boy, but he is really good. The Giants won against Colorado, who they are chasing trying to get in the playoffs, so the game was fun to watch. Also, it did not get cold, so I could have managed without my jacket, although I am glad I had it. On the train on the way home, we learned that the Raiders had lost at the last minute, so I am glad I went to the ball game.

Message 474

Yesterday I watched football all day. It was very gratifying to see the 49ers win. I really admire what Mike Singleterry has done to turn the team around. I was also able to read about half of The Economist while I watched all the football. In the evening I watched another episode of Inspector Lewis on Masterpiece Mystery.

We had strange weather yesterday. It even rained about a tenth of an inch. Today the sun is shining brightly, and it is so beautiful I think I will walk up to Starbucks and have a hot chocolate.

Message 473

Yesterday I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks as usual on Saturdays. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Brick. As I watched it, I realized I had seen it before, but I had completely forgotten it. Now that I have seen it again, I can see why I forgot it. It is very hard to make any sense of it. After watching the special features discussions, I realize it is an imitation Dashiel-Hammet-film-noir-detective story set in a high school. The language is largely invented, but clever. It takes a while to tune in to the way people talk, and it is often incomprehensible. I give it 3.2 stars.

Message 472

Yesterday I went out to an early dinner with Larry, Judi, and Rita, Larry's sister from Denver. After dinner we went to Flint center at De Anza College to hear the talk by Tom Friedman about his new book Hot, Flat, and Crowded. I had seen him on Charlie Rose talk for an hour about this book, so I did not hear any new ideas, but it was a pleasure to see him in person after watching and admiring him on TV for so many years. The only thing that surprised me was that he is so short. Always on TV I have seen him sitting down, so I did not know how tall he was. I suppose I projected on him that he must be tall because I hold him in such high regard. I did not watch a DVD last night, but I read a lot in my book about NSA.

Message 471

Yesterday I had breakfast with Vanessa at Heidi's Pies. We took Annie to her daycare place. Now that she is two years she is getting too hard to control. I had to literally hold her down to get her dressed. As soon as she was dressed she settled down like nothing had happened, but she struggled like a wildcat trying to stop me from putting her clothes on. In the afternoon I took Beech to his Kung Fu class. He had a good day. He seems very dedicated to it. Afterward we went to Round Table next door and had pizza. He is getting very good at the game that picks up the stuffed animals and drops them in the bin that leads to the player. He won two of them to take home yesterday. Of course, he now owes me nine dollars for the extra money I have given them over the weeks to let him keep playing on this machine, even though I tell him it is a gyp. He says he will do chores for his mother to earn the money to pay me.

In the evening I tried to watch a DVD, but I could not make it work in either of my players. I have previously had broken or cracked disks that would not play, but this is the first one that seemed visibly OK but would not work. Netfilx will send me another copy. Instead I watched the DVD that Tim Ferris sent me of Eric Burden and the New Animals. It has been years since I first saw it at his house with Ginny and Jason. I also read some more of the NSA history book. It is about people and things that I know something about.

Message 470

Yesterday I took my van in for its 90, 000 mile servicing. It took all day, so I had to take a loaner car home and drive back at 6 PM to pick it up. I saw the first part of Obama's speech on TV, then listened to most of the rest of it on the radio. I thought it was a good speech. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie The Lookout. It was an unusual movie about a bank heist, where the main character was brain damaged so he had trouble remembering things and was marginally functional. The only actor I was familiar with was Jeff Daniels, but he was a supporting character. I give it 3.6 stars.

Message 469

Yesterday I took Larry and Judi and Larry's sister Rita and their two grandchildren, Brad and Tannis to San Mateo for a play date with Beech and Annie. Vanessa fixed a wonderful dinner and the kids had a ball. I got home in time to see the second half of The News Hour and Nightly Business Report.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Trans-Siberia. It was a thriller/mystery with Ben Kingsley and Woody Haralson the only actors I was familiar with. Its main attraction was that it was filmed in China and Russia on the trans-Siberian railroad, which was interesting for me to see. I give it 3.6 stars.

Message 468

Yesterday I had coffee with Helen and Jim because it was a holiday. In the late afternoon I went to the usual Sunday family dinner at Julian and Vanessa's that was held on Monday this week because of Memorial Day. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Iron Man. I was amazed at what a good cast it had. Also, I am not much of a fan of comic book movies, but I thought this one was much better than usual. I give it 3.5 stars.

Message 477

Yesterday was Annie's birthday, and Vanessa and Julian had coffee and bagels and fruit and orange juice and cupcakes at Nealon Park as a family celebration. It was very nice, and convenient for me too. Afterwards I came back to my condo and finished reading The Economist. In the evening I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. I just got a call from Helen so I am leaving now to walk up to Starbucks to join her and Jim.

Message 466

Yesterday morning I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks as usual for Saturday. In the afternoon I picked Beech and Annie up and took them to Larry and Judi's house to play with their grandchildren, Brad and Tannis, who are a boy and a girl 6 and 4 years old. They live in Fresno, but are staying with their grandparents for a couple of weeks while their mom and dad get away for a vacation without kids. They all had a great time playing, especially riding on the zip line that Larry has strung across his back yard. Vanessa and Julian stopped by about 4:30 PM to take them home. I then went home and changed clothes to go to Ariagnos house for appetizers with the Willettes and Morrills and Larry's sister Rita. (Laurene and George have been visiting their daughter and her family (including their 16-month old grandson), for the past week or so. They will be flying back home to France on Wednesday.) There three of Ariagnos grandchildren joined Brad and Tannis in the pool, with Ron in there with them as the adult presence. Annie and Beech were invited to this swim party too, but I figured they were not up to staying up that late after their usual bedtime. Also, I did not feel up to watching them there. Besides, after their afternoon playdate, they were pretty well worn out. After a couple of hours at the Ariagnos we all returned to the Morrills house for the main course and dessert part of our meal.

It was near midnight when I got back home, so I did not watch a DVD. As usual when I eat so much food so late in the evening, I had indigestion all night. However, it was such a fun day that it was worth it.

Message 465

Yesterday about noon Vanessa called and asked me to take Maureen to the PAMF Urgent Care Center, so I did. She had been having heartburn-like symptoms for several hours and thought it might have something to do with her heart. She was at PAMF for six hours or so , but in spite of x-rays, etc., they were not able to figure out what was the cause of her pain and general feeling that something was wrong. I went home after about an hour at PAMF because in the meantime her son Jess and Vanessa had both arrived. A year ago Vanessa asked Maureen to take me to PAMF Urgent Care the day after my prostate surgery, so this year it was my turn to return the favor. For the rest of the afternoon I watched the PBS news programs and read half of The Economist, which came in the afternoon mail as usual. I forgot to mention in yesterday's message that I read this week's Science which came on Thursday.

In the evening Joshua brought in Mexican food and watched San Francisco lose to San Diego in their final pre-season NFL game. A week from tomorrow will be their first real game of the new season, but Joshua will miss it and the following week's game too because he is flying to Amsterdam today for about ten days. Kevin Sorrels is driving him to the airport.

Message 464

Yesterday Vanessa and I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies. Beech was in school in his combined kindergarten/first grade class. Annie was at day care, so we had a peaceful and relaxing breakfast. In the afternoon I took Beech to his Kung Fu class and then to Roundtable Pizza.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Last Chance Harvey. It had a good cast but was basically a boring movie. I give it 2.5 stars.

Message 463

Yesterday I watched Annie for a couple of hours in the morning. In the late afternoon I joined Vanessa and the kids for dinner at Una Mas. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Soloist. The acting was very good, but the things that were best were the music and the fact that it is based on a true story. In fact the actual people were interviewed in the Special Features. Also, it was interesting to see a treatment of homelessness and mental illness. I give it four stars.

Message 462

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie "13 Conversations About One Thing." It has a good cast, but I found the concept tedious. I give it 2.2 stars.

Message 461

This week's issue of The Economist did not arrive until yesterday (Monday). That is the latest ever. I had begun to think tar staff had been allowed to take a summer vacation. In the past it has almost always arrived on Friday, with occasional arrivals on Saturday, but Monday is the new record for lateness. Anyway, I have read only about half of it so far. Last night I went out to dinner with the Ariagnos and the Morrills. It was a new place in Palo Alto that has a fixed price bargain option on Mondays. The food was good, but the price was $40 per person, so I did not think it much of a bargain. It was great to see everyone again though. It has been quite a while since we last got together as a group. I will see them again this coming Saturday though when the Willetts will be able to join us. too.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Lovely & Amazing. It is a charming depiction of a family of semi-dysfunctional but good-hearted women: a mother, two daughters, and an adopted daughter. It had a top-quality cast and enough non-erotic nudity that I give it four stars.

Nessage 460

The heat wave has broken, so I should be able to run my computer all day today. Yesterday midday I watched a DVD of the movie Constantine. It had a good cast, but it was based on a comic book character, so the plot was mostly absurd and incomprehensible. I am not into comic book characters, especially ones that were invented long after I last read a comic book, so I give it 2.3 stars.

I ate dinner with Vanessa and the kids last night. Julian was working late again, but he came in after we had eaten while Beech and I were playing Chess and then checkers. I was trying to teach Beech a little about the games so I did not let him win. Today is his first day in kindergarten, but he has the cold that Annie just got over, so I hope he will not have to miss his first day at school.

Last night I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. I am so glad the extended August pledge drive is over so the regular programming is available again.

Message 459

Yesterday Joshua brought in Mexican food so we could have lunch together . We tried to watch the per-season Raiders game, but it was not on TV. The Giants were not on TV either, so we had to end up watching the game between the Dodgers and the Reds. Joshua had to leave before the game was over, so I still do not know who won. I will be glad when the NFL regular season starts. After Joshua left I turned the TV off and read some more of the history of NSA. Ethan and his family gave it to me at Sandbridge for my birthday. It is very good and interesting reading.

I went to my couples club pot luck dinner last night. It was nice to see the people again. I brought the ice cream to put on the pies that Ginny Wilson made, one rubarb and one peach. When we went home Ginny insisted the I take home the two pieces of leftover pie as well as the little bit of ice cream that was left over. I did not watch a movie yesterday. Again today I will turn off my computer early to try to keep my condo cool as our heat wave continues.

Message 458

Yesterday I read this week's Science. After the Friday night PBS shows, I watched a DVD of the movie Underworld. It is an imitation of The Matrix but instead of computers against people, it is vampires against werewolves, with people caught in the middle. It has a good cast with Kate Beckinsale as the protagonist and Bill Nighy as the primary villain. I give it 2.7 stars.

I am sending this message out early so I can turn off my computer to guard against its burning itself out in the heatwave that started yesterday and is supposed to end tonight.

Message 457

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa. She had a neighbor kid babysitting the kids. It is the first time we have been without kids, so Vanessa was able to actually enjoy eating her food instead of having to chase Annie around. Yesterday I took Beech to his Kung Fu class, and then to Round Table for pizza.

Last night I watched a DVD of Mr. Brooks, in which Kevin Costner play a serial killer. I give it three stars.

Message 456

Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Juno. I had seen it before in the theater but I thought it was worth watching again. I liked it even more this second time. I am very impressed with Ellen Page, and I enjoyed the special features, including the commentary by the director and the writer. I give it five stars.

Message 455

Yesterday I had lunch with Vanessa and the kids at Ikea. In the evening Joshua came over and brought in meals from Boston Market, which is near his house. I had the meatloaf and he had the chicken. We watched the Giants game. He had to leave before the game was over to go pick up his bike at Pat's house, where it had been repaired. After the game I watched a DVD of the movie The Proposition. It was like an Australian Western showing the early days of the interactions with the aborigines and with outlaws. It was pretty bloody. The only member of the cast that I was familiar with was Emily Watson, whom I admire greatly. I give it 3.4 stars.

Message 454

Yesterday I went with Vanessa and the kids to Nealon Park for play and a picnic. After we ate I took the kids to their house to play while Vanessa went to the funeral of Lynn, the long-time friend of Maureen and her family. Maureen gave the eulogy. The kids fell asleep in the car on my drive to San Mateo, so I just parked in front of their house for half an hour or so and listened to NPR while they napped.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The New World. It was the story on the Jamestown settlement filmed near the actual historical site with real Indians. It was hard for me to understand what was happening both because they spoke the old colonial English and all the male characters looked somewhat alike with long hair and beards. I give it 3.5 stars because of its historical interest and because of the attention to detail in making it historically accurate. The unknown actress they found to play Pocahontas was quite good.

Message 453

Yesterday I again participated in the routine that Julian and Vanessa now have of having a family dinner every Sunday afternoon/evening. This time the lasagna and dessert were store-bought instead of prepared from scratch, but they were as delicious as always. When I got back to my condo I watched a DVD of the movie Two Lovers. As I watched it I began to think it looked familiar, but I could not recall seeing it before. By the time it ended I am sure I had seen it before but I had forgotten everything about how it turned out. It had a good cast and was well done, but it was not fun for me to watch because it dealt with marginally functional people struggling with self destructive behavior. However it had a good cast and was well written and well performed, so I give it 3.5 stars. I see now on my movie list that when I watched it before I gave it 5 stars, so I will let that rating stand.

Message 452

I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jim. Helen has had a cold all week, so they missed there weekend overnight trip, but she was improved enough this morning so we had coffee. I have not seen Joshua for more than a week now. I wonder if he has already flown to Amsterdam for his work which is supposed to happen sometime soon.

Yesterday morning I met Vanessa Julian, Beech, and Annie at Starbucks. Julian and Beech had to leave early for the Kung Fu class, but Vanessa and Annie and I stayed on and met some new people who were there with kids who played with Annie. Last night I was the guest of honor at a pot luck dinner that was held by a book group that Sally founded years ago. The dinner was hosted by the Rohans, but the Solomons, and Arianos were there too. We ate outside and the food was delicious. It started at 5 PM and I was home by 9 PM, but I did not watch a DVD. Instead I finished reading The Economist.

Message 451

Yesterday I read the new Science magazine, and started the new Economist. After the Friday PBS shows were over I watched a DVD of the movie What Doesn't Kill You. It was a very gritty and realistic story of kids in Boston who get started early and grow up to be criminals and go to prison for a few years. One becomes an alcoholic and dope addict and neglects his wife and kids. This is a true story of the life of the writer/director, who eventually goes straight and cleans up while his friend goes to prison for life. I give it three stars.

Message 450

Yesterday was another quiet day at the condo. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Heaven. I had no idea what it was, but it turns out to be a gem. It is an unusual movie that goes in surprising directions. The script was written by the Polish director who did the trilogy Red, White, and Blue, the colors of the French flag. It was the last thing he did before he died at the age of 54 in 1996. The only other name associated with the film that I was familiar with was Kate Blanchett. I have been watching a lot of her movies lately. To summarize, the script, the cast, the photography, and the directing were all very good. It was filmed in Italy and has a lot of Italian cast members, but the primary language is English. The pictures of Tuscany are especially beautiful. I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars.

Message 449

I had to look at the calendar on my computer to tell whether today is Wednesday or Thursday. It turns out it is the latter, but one day is so much like another for me that it is hard for me to keep track. I have done my exercises today and have clipped my fingernails. Even these little matters of personal grooming loom large in my mind. Yesterday I finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It is a non-fiction account of a year of her life eating only locally grown food. Normally I would not expect to be interested in this subject, but she is such a good writer that I quite enjoyed it. It was one of the books given to me by Liz's friend Andrea.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Notes on a Scandal. It had a first-rate cast and was quite well done, but the subject matter was rather dark. It was unusual to see Judy Dench play the heavy. I give it 3.5 stars.

Message 448

This morning I picked up a new injection prescription at PAMF and mailed a package for Vanessa's business to South Carolina. Last night I watched disk 2 of Elizabeth One. I thought Helen Mirren did such a good job, I have upgraded it to four stars.

Message 447

Yesterday I watched Annie while Vanessa took Beech to his regular Monday appointment with his therapist. I took Annie with me to recycle Julian's big TV that quit working and was the reason he had to buy a new, but smaller one on Sunday. Afterward I took her to Nealon Park for a while and then to Una Mas where we met Vanessa and Beech for lunch. Julian is in New York this week, so Vanessa has gone to Blue Lake Springs with Maureen and the kids until Friday.

In the evening I watched Disk One of Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren. I have been getting a full treatment of the story of the first Queen Elizabeth. I give it three stars.

Message 446

Last night I joined Maureen at Vanessa and Julian's regular family dinner. They had BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and salad. They had bought a fresh peach pie at Heidi's Pies at our breakfast in the morning, so we ate that for desert. It was all delicious.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Elizabeth, with Kate Blanchett. Without realizing it beforehand, I watched part two before I watched this first one, but I think it did not really make much difference. I give this one the same three stars I gave the other one.

Message 446

Julian, Vanessa, and the kids to me to Heidi's Pies this morning for breakfast to celebrate my birthday. After wards I went with Julian and Beech to Best Buy where Julian bought a 40-inch LCD HD TV to replace one of his that has broken after only four years. It is cheaper to buy a new one that is better than the old one for about the money it would cost to fix the old one. I helped him mount it on the wall when we got home, so now I am back at my condo and can send out this message.

Last night I babysat with Ellie and Caroline while Jason and Susan went out to dinner with some friends. We watched Ghostbusters 2 together. I had not seen it before, although I did see the original Ghostbusters when it was first in the theaters years ago. I give this one three stars, which I think is how I would rate the original one too.

Message 444

Yesterday I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks. Helen had just returned from visiting her daughter and granddaughter in Seattle. I am leaving in a few minutes to meet them again this morning. They had misread their calendar, so it will be next weekend that we will miss our regular coffee.

Last night after the Friday PBS shows, I watched a DVD of the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age. I had missed seeing the original, so now I will probably want to add it to my Netflix queue also. I give it three stars.

Message 443

Yesterday I took Beech to his Kung Fu class and to Round Table Pizza afterward. I also read about half of the new Science. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Defiance. It is based on the true story of Jews in Belarus who survived by fleeing into the forest and fighting the Germans in World War 2. It was quite well-done and is a real epic story. I give it four stars.

Message 442

Joshua took me to The Dutch Goose for my birthday last night. We then tried to fix his computer, but finally decided that he needs to take it back to the place that replaced his motherboard nearly fours ago.

After dinner I watched a DVD of the movie A Love Song for Bobby Long. It is set in New Orleans before Katrina, and has a good performance by Scarlett Johansson. I give it three stars.

I had a nice call from Andrine this morning to wish me a happy birthday. She and Joe are fine.

Message 441

I am celebrating my birthday by watching Annie and doing laundry. Our heat wave has moderated so I took a shower this morning already. Annie is watching an Elmo DVD for now. After I hang out the laundry I may take her to the park.

I did not watch a DVD last night. Instead I watched Why We Fight and Braking the Bank on PBS. Why we fight was a review of the Bush disasters and Breaking the Bank was about Bank of America and Merrill Lynch.

Message 440

I just got back from having breakfast with Vanessa and Annie. Afterward I took Annie to the park in San Mateo and have just dropped Annie with Maureen to watch for a while during her nap.

Last nigh I watched a DVD of the movie Imaginary Heroes. It was a movie about teenage suicide, which I found very unattractive. It had a good cast and was well performed, but I think it was poorly written. I give it 2.4 stars.

Message 439

I just got back from Nealon Park.. Susan and Ellie came to visit me this morning while Caroline and her friend Amanda went for a horse back ride at Webb Ranch, so Susan and Ellie came to the park with Annie and me while Vanessa took Beech to his therapist. Maureen's friend Lynn is dying, so Vanessa dropped Beech off at the park with us and when to visit her and say goodbye. We are in the middle of a heat wave now, so I am going to have to shut my computer down after I send this message (and read the New York Times.

I had a prime rib dinner with Julian and Vanessa and the kids last night. Sunday dinner there is now going to be a regular thing. I did not watch a DVD last night. Instead I finished The Economist and Science.

Message 438

I just got back from Walking to Starbucks to have coffee with Helen and Jim. It is the first time we have met for the last three weeks. We will have to skip next weekend too, because they will be volunteering at a campout in the East Bay next weekend. Tomorrow Helen will be flying to Seattle for a few days to get her granddaughter fix.

Yesterday I had lunch with Julian, Vanessa and the kids at Una Mas. Afterward Julian and I took the kids to Nealon Park while Vanessa had her hair done.

Last night, after the Friday PBS shows, I watched a DVD of the movie The Chumscrubber. Incidentally, I notice that I did not complete the name of the movie in yestersday's message. It was Thumbsucker, not Thumb. Anyway, The Chumscrubber (which is also the name of a video game that is played by the kids in the movie), is a very strange movie with a first class cast that is an allegory about suburban life where both adults and kids are on drugs, and nobody is willing to engage honestly with anyone else. It tries to deal with serious subjects, but to me it did not come across as a successful effort. If the cast and their performances had not been so good, I would not even given it serious consideration. However, I give it three stars.

Message 437

Yesterday I had a quiet day around the condo. I did laundry and read some of the Barbara Kingsolver book that was given to me by Liz's friend Andrea. I also started reading The Economist that came in the mail yesterday. I am not meeting Helen and Jim at Starbucks until tomorrow, so I took my Boniva today instead of tomorrow as I had originally scheduled. I am now waiting the hour required before I can eat.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Thumb. It is about family dynamics and teenage angst. It tries hard to deal with important questions, like separation/individuation, for which I give it a lot of credit, but I think it is only partially successful. I give it three stars.

Message 436

I felt so good yesterday that I not only did my exercises, but I walked twice around the condo loop. In the afternoon I picked Beech up at school and took him to his Kung Fu class. Afterward we had pizza and he played on the game machines at Round Table Pizza.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Winter Passing. The only cast members I was familiar with were Ed Harris and Will Farrell, the later playing an unusual role for him. The movie was about a family and friends who are very eccentric and borderline dysfunctional who struggle to carry on with living. At first I thought I do not need to see all this self destructive behavior, but in the end I came to admire the life affirming image of people managing to keep going as best they can in spite of everyone's strange circumstances and troubles. I give it four stars.

Message 435

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Sylvia. It is about the life of Sylvia Plath, the great American writer who committed suicide and left her two toddlers behind. Gwyneth Paltrow did a super job playing Sylvia. The movie was disturbing to watch for me because it had so many elements that reminded me of my relationship with Betsy. Even though I did not really enjoy watching it I have to give it four stars for the power of its portrayal.

Message 434

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa and Annie. I have dropped Annie off at Maureen's so she can have a nap before Vanessa takes her and Beech to their dentist appointment this afternoon. At 12:30 PM I have to go with Josh to give him a ride back to work while he has routine pre-paid maintenance done on his new car. He plans to drive two thousand miles over the next few days when he joins eight friends going to three Phish concerts here, and in Oregon and Washington.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie The Weight of Water. It was a Sean Penn movie that was so/so. I give it three stars.

Message 433

Yesterday morning I took Annie with me while I had my bladder antibiotic refilled at PAMF. Vanessa took Beech to the doctor and met Annie and me at Nealon Park for play and lunch.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie In a Lonely Place. It is an old Humphrey Bogart movie that I had never heard of. It has recently been restored because it is considered a classic depiction of Hollywood life. I give it 3.8 stars.

Message 432

Yesterday I finished reading this week's Science. I finished The Economist the day before, but I forgot to mention it in yesterday's message. In the evening I had dinner at Julian and Vanessa's house. Julian grilled steaks and hamburgers. Vanessa made the mashed potatoes , salad, etc. Vanessa wants to start a tradition that every Sunday we all get together for a family meal. It is about the only time Julian sits down and eats with his family. He works such long hours during the week that the kids are in bed before he gets home.

PBS has another pledge drive going so there was no Masterpiece Theater this week. Instead I watched on of my collection that Julian and Vanessa had borrowed and watched the night before. It was called Temptress Moon. It was a Chinese movie about a fight between to Chinese tongs to control the opium trade. I could not understand who the various characters were, what their relationship was, and what was motivating them. I am sure I would appreciate it more if I watched it five or six more times, but it is not worth the trouble. I give it 2.9 stars because I found it too hard to understand.

Message 431

Yesterday Vanessa and Annie joined me for coffee at Starbucks. Beech and Julian were doing something else. Maureen and Gary also joined us. Afterward Vanessa, Annie went to Nealon Park for a while and then to Una Mas for lunch. Afterward I did my usual Saturday grocery shopping.

Las night I watched a DVD of the movie The Edge of Love. It is about Dylan Thomas and his wife and his girlfriend, and eventually the girlfriend's husband, in Britain during World War 2. I am a great admirer of Dylan Thomas' poetry, but I did not know anything about his life. I give it 3.6 stars. It may deserve more, but it was hard for me to understand a lot of the dialog.