Message 1258

After the usual Friday PBS shows I stayed tuned to PBS and watched the Cirque du Soleil show. I was good, but not nearly a good as watching the shows live. I was interested to see them include a tribute to Beatles music. I finished the second Bean book on my Kindle. I found it not as good as the first one, but I am glad I rad it. I feel good today.

Message 1257

Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Never Let Me Go. When it started I realized I had seen it before but I watched it again anyway. When I watched it before I gave it three stars, and I still think that is about right. It is kind of a downer as a movie, but I admire Kerry Mulligan so I let the three star rating stand. That was all I did yesterday other than watch my usual news shows. I was tired so I turned in early. I feel good today.

Message 1256

I am late getting this message off again today, but maybe tomorrow I will manage to do it in the morning. Last night Josh brought in fish and chips and watched the Sharks game with me. They lost in overtime to Vancouver 2-3, but at least they got one point for making it to overtime. In truth they were lucky to do as well as they did. Vancouver scored the first two goals, and the Sharks played catch up for the rest of the game. They did not look like they were ready for the big time. I feel good today, better than yesterday when I was in pain from my catheter change.

Message 1255

I am finally getting around to sending out today’s message. This morning I went to PAMF to have my catheter changed. While I was there I picked up a refill of my antibiotic (Keflex).. On the way home I stopped by Safeway and picked up some groceries. The Sharks play Vancouver tonight. I feel good today.

Message 1254

Yesterday Joshua came over and brought pizza and a Subway sandwich and watched the Sharks game with me. They lost to the Anaheim Ducks 2-3. They let Anaheim score first and then spent the rest of the game catching up. It is strange that Anaheim is one of the worst teams in the NHL and San Jose is one of the best. Anaheim has only won ten games all year, and three of them have been against the Sharks. After the game I read some more on my Kindle and watched the news. I was tired and turned in early. I feel good today.

Message 1253

Yesterday I had a nice Xmas dinner in Los Altos with Jason and Susan and the girls. Linda and Walt were also there. We had a good roast beef and potatoes with green beans and Brussels sprouts on the side for dinner. In the evening I watched a nature show on PBS (Christmas in Yellowstone) and a Jane Austin production (Persuasion). I started watching a second Jane Austin show (Mansfield Park) but I got tired and turned in early before it was over. I feel good today.

Message 1252

Yesterday was a good day for the Bay Area’s NFL teams. The Raiders beat Kansas City 16-13 and the 49ers beat Seattle 19-17 in a hard-fought come-from-behind fashion 19-17. So I got my wish and both of our local teams won. Josh brought in burgers and fries and watched the 49ers with me. In the evening I watched Disk 2 of The Unusuals. I think this was the end of the series. Apparently it only lasted for one season. I thought it was pretty good though. It was both entertaining and funny. Merry Xmas to all. I feel good today.

Message 1251

Yesterday morning I watched Disk 1 of the TV series The Unusuals. It is a cop show that has a mix of seriousness and humor. It is unusual, and it is fun to watch. If it were a movie I would give it three stars. In the evening Josh came over and brought Chinese food and watched the Sharks beat LA in hockey. It was a hard fought game. The Sharks scored first, but the had to go to an overtime shootout to win 2-1. Ryan Clowe scored to only shootout goal. I feel good today. I am watching the NFL pregame show as I type this message. I hope that both the Raiders and 49ers both win today.

Message 1250

My internet connection went out yesterday, and I did not feel up to going through the rigmarole of fixing it until this morning. As a result yesterday’s message is late getting to you, but this one follows close behind. Yesterday I turned in early and had a good sleep. Today I feel better. In fact, I feel good today.

Message 1249

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie and Henry. On the way home I stopped at Safeway for my weekly shopping, and I picked up a couple of new prescriptions at CVS. Last night I watched the Sharks beat Tampa Bay. They went ahead 5-0 in the first period and then won the game 7-2. Joshua was not able to join me because he went to his office Xmas party. I hope he is feeling OK today. I feel good today.

Message 1248

Yesterday I watched Disk 4 of Season 1 of Intelligence. That was the end of the first season. I am not sure when season 2 will become available on Netflix. Scheming and double crossing continued to the end, which left lots to be resolved in Season 2. I feel good today.

Message 1247

Late yesterday afternoon both Jason and Joshua came over to watch Monday night football with me. Josh brought Mexican food for all of us. We were all delighted to see the 49ers beat Pittsburgh 20-3. If any of you saw it you know it was an unusual game with a power failure a few minutes before the kickoff that lasted for about half an hour. The lights then went out again in the second quarter and stayed out for about 20 minutes while the players stood around on the field. Charlie Rose had Mitt Romney on for the hour last night, and I could not stand listening to him, so I turned in early and had a good sleep. I feel good today.

Message 1246

Yesterday I watched three NFL games again as usual on Sunday these days. I was sorry to see the Rams lose and very sorry to see the Raiders lose in the last minute after leading most of the game. Joshua brought in Subway sandwiches and watched the Raiders game with me. This morning I changed my sheets and did a couple of loads of laundry. I was glad to see the the San Diego Chargers win. Josh is coming this afternoon to watch the 49ers take on the Steelers. I feel good today

Message 1245

Yesterday I went to lunch with Julian, Beech, and Annie. We had Mexican food at the place by Safeway at Middle and El Camino. They are all leaving today for Disney Land with Vanessa. In the early evening Josh came over and brought pizza and watched the Sharks beat Edmonton 3-2 with me. It was a good game. The Oilers have a good young team and they will be a contender in a couple of more years. After the game I went to a movie with Larry and Judi. We saw “A Shame” about sex addicts. It featured Carrey Mulligan, the girl in “An Education” in the female lead, and she was very good. The movie overall was kind of a downer, but I give it 3 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1244

I just got back from meeting Helen and Jim at Starbucks. The are getting ready to move to Roseville on January 13th. Last night I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and Ariagnos. We ate at a Vietnamese place near the theater in Redwood City, and we saw the movie Young Adult with Charlise Theron. It was about a woman who ghost writes books for so-called young adults, but her life is a mess. She can’t get past fantasizing about her life in high school, so she decides to go back to her home town which she hates, and learns the hard way what Thomas Wolfe wrote, namely “You can’t go home again.” The movie was not much fun to watch, and it did not have a very charitable view of the human condition, so I give it only one star. I feel good today.

Message 1243

I just got back from picking up my Prosac prescription refill from CVS. Last night I watched the Sharks beat Colorado 5-4. I was getting pretty discouraged because although the Sharks scored first they trailed Colorado 2-4 in the third period. Then they caught fire and scored three goals to win the game. Josh had tickets, so he did not watch with me. He surely enjoyed the game. I feel good today.

Message 1242`

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie and Henry, who is back fro the east coast for the next few weeks. Vanessa did not make it today. Last night I watched disk 3 of season 1 of Intelligence. Yesterday I also took a shower and went to the bank to get cash for my Xmas envelopes and pick up a few groceries at Safeway. I feel good today.

Message 1241

Yesterday I watched the Sharks lose to Colorado in an overtime shoot out. They went ahead 2-0 in the first period then they blew the lead and were behind 2-3 with just a few seconds left in the third period when they tied the score. They eventually went four deep in the shootout before they lost. Josh was scheduled to join me, but he is caught in a crunch at work, so he could not make it. After the game I read more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1240

Last night I watched Seattle beat St. Louis on Monday night football. I was hoping St. Louis would win, and they came close, but Seattle prevailed. I also read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1239

Yesterday was a bad day for our local teams. The Raiders were hopeless against Green Bay, and the 49ers blew a game against the Cardinals that the should have won after leading for most of the game. Finally the Sharks were ahead of Chicago 2-1 for most of the game and then with a minute to go they let them tie it up, and then in overtime they let Chicago score again. At least the Sharks got one point out of it, but they did not perform up to expectations. I enjoyed seeing the Giants beat Dallas in the Sunday night game, which was very close. The 49ers beat the Giants earlier in the season, but they lost to Dallas in a very close game in September. I finished The Economist yesterday and started my new Enders shadow book on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1238

Yesterday afternoon I watched the Sharks lose 0-1 to St. Louis in their hockey game. The Blues scored near to end of the first period when they had a two-man advantage. The rest of the game was scoreless. The Blues are a better team this year than in the past. After the game I watched disk two of the series Intelligence set in Vancouver. Today the 49ers and Raiders both play afternoon games, so I will have to switch back and forth a lot. The Raiders play Green Bay, so they probably do not have much of a chance. The 49ers play Arizona, so they should win. I feel good today.

Message 1237

I just got back from having lunch at El Cerrito with Jason and Melanie. Afterward we went to Safeway and picked up some groceries. Melanie is practicing her driving so she can pass her test in a few days. Amelia is taking her test a few days after Melanie. The Economist did not come yesterday, so I have been able to catch up with the previous issues. Liz, please tell Bill not to renew my subscription for next year if it is not too late. I can’t seem to keep up with the reading anymore. I feel good today.

Message 1236

I just got back from CVS Pharmacy, but the refill for my Prozac prescription was not ready, even though I called it in two days ago. My so called family doctor does not work every day, so I suppose she has not been notified of the request for a refill. It is a good thing I can go a few days without Prozac. Yesterday at Heidi’s Pies I mentioned that I have concluded that I am eventually going to have to move in to an assisted living facility because it is getting to be too much for me to cope with things like grocery shopping. Julian and Vanessa had looked at a big bed and breakfast place in San Mateo, but it is in the wrong school district, so it will not work out for them to sell their house and buy it. I am going to look in to using the Safeway home delivery, but I am not sure how they can get past all the locks to bring my order in . I basically feel good today, but some days I do not feel like doing anything but lie in bed. Maybe in a few weeks we can have a conference call and have a family discussion of what, if anything I should do to cope with my eventual incapacitation.

Message 1235

I had breakfast at Heidi’s Pies this morning with Reggie and Vanessa. I then came home and took a nap. Last night I watched disk one of a new Netflix TV serial called Intelligence. It is a cop show set in Vancouver and has to do with recruiting snitches to get better intelligence about what the bad guys are doing. The cops are as bad as the criminals with everyone lying and cheating to try to improve their career chances. I feel good now that I have napped.

Message 1234

Yesterday I read Science and continued reading The Economist. I also watched disk 3 of Season 1 (with the last episode of Breaking Bad. I also watched the Sharks lose to Minnesota. The Sharks scored the first goal, but by the end of the first period they were behind 1-2. Neither team scored for the rest of the game, so that was also the final score. Joshua went to the game, so I watched by myself and was able to read during the period breaks. I feel good today.

Message 1233

Yesterday I read Science and The Economist for this week. In the evening I watched Monday Night Football and saw San Diego beat Jacksonville. I also switched back and forth to watch the Buddy Holly tribute on PBS, which was mostly interesting because it included his widow. Finally I watched Charlie Rose, which was the next installment of his brain series. I feel good today.

Message 1232

It was good to see the 49ers win yesterday even if it had to be at the expense of the Rams. It helped ease the embarrassment of the Raiders loss to Miami. In the evening I watched the Saints beat the Lions, and I was surprised that the Giants came so close to beating the Packers. It was fundraising season again on PBS, so football was all I had for entertainment. Josh came over and brought in sandwiches to watch the the 49ers with me. I am feeling better today. I had a good sleep last night. I aslo finished reading The Economist from the previous Friday (25 November).

Message 1231

The raiders are so hopelessly out of it in the second half of their game against Miami that I am taking time out fror football to send this message. Yesterday I watched the Sharks loose to the Florida Panthers. The Sharks went ahead by two goals in the first period, then they gave the game away by defensive mistakes. Florida is a good team, but the bad plays by the defensemen made it possible for them to win. I feel pretty good today. I even shaved this morning for the first time i n more than a week. Also I ate a normal breakfast for the first time in weeks. I hope the 49ers win their game today.

Message 1230

This morning I drove to Safeway and did a week’s shopping. Now I have cranberry juice to mix with club soda and plenty of TV dinners. I did not feel up to sending out a message yesterday, but I am much better today. Yesterday I concluded that I am not going to be able to continue making it on my own. I did not get out of bed all day, but fortunately I improved enough that I was able to tend to my needs for food and drink this morning. I am going to have to check out Safeway’s online ordering and home delivery.

Message 1228

I did not send a message out yesterday because it was too much struggle to get out of bed. I am feeling much better today, and Jason urged me to send one off for the sake of those who are worried about me. I am drinking plenty of fluids and I am eating a little. I have caught up on a lot of my chores, like laundry, but I still spend a lot of time in bed. Josh is coming over tonight to watch hockey with me. I am getting better every day.

Messaghe 1227

Yesterday I ate a TV dinner. I have been drinking a lot of club soda mixed with cranberry juice cocktail. I watched the Raiders beat the bears. I watched while lying in bed. I am glad I am not throwing up.

Message 1226

I am feeling better today. I am drinking and taking my pills, but I still am not eating. I was able to sleep last night for about an hour at a time. I spent the day in bed. I watched Stanford beat Notre Dame and the Sharks lose to Vancouver 2-3. Jason helped Josh put in a new water heater. I told Josh not to come over to watch the Sharks game with me yesterday since I was so out of it. He may come over today to watch the Raiders game though. I am not throwing up, so all things considered I am not in too bad a shape.

Message 1225

I just got back from PAMF where I had to pick up a prescription for Keflex. I was scheduled to have an appointment to have my catheter changed on Friday but I got a call that the were not going to be open that day, so I had to reschedule it for Wednesday 30 November. Anyway I got a recurrence of a bladder infection, so I went over today to refill my Keflex. I have been in so much pain for the last couple of days that I have not been able to sleep much. Sorry to burden you with these gory details, but it has been to focus of my existence for the last day or so. At least I am not throwing up.

Message 1224

I had a nice Thanksgiving dinner yesterday with Jason’s family except that the 49ers lost to the Ravens. Josh was late arriving because he woke up to discover that his water heater had sprung a leak and he had water all over his floor. He came over to my place after dinner to use my shower. He will have to buy a new heater, but I think Jason is going to stop by today to give him a hand. Liz and Ethan called me at during dinner yesterday, but it was so noisy where I was that it was not feasible to have much of a conversation. I feel good today.

Message 1223

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle. I have almost finished the last Neal Stephenson book, the third in the Baroque Trilogy. Soon it will be time to download some more books. Last night I watched the Sharks beat Chicago 1-0. As the score indicates it was a hard fought game. Josh did not join me because he bought tickets and went to the game with Jason. Josh and I will both have Thanksgiving dinner this afternoon in Los Altos with Jason and his family, including Susan’s parents and Jamie and Chelsea and their kids.

Message 1222

Yesterday I watched the Netflix disk 2 of Season one of Breaking Bad. I turned in early, so I will have to watch Charlie Rose at noon today. Last night I had a crick in my neck so bad I had to get up at 5 AM and take 600 mg of Ibuprpphin, which helped a lot. My blood pressure today is 110/61 with a heart rate of 68. I feel good today.

Message 1221

Last night I watched Monday Night Football to see New England dominate Kansas City. I did not really care who won, but Tom Brady is a local boy who grew up in Los Altos where Jason and his family live. After the game I read quite a bit more on my Kindle. After the news I turned in early, so I will have to watch Charlie Rose at noon today. I feel good today.

Message 1220

Yesterday was a good day for the home teams here. The Raiders, 49ers, and Sharks all won their games. Joshua brought in pizza and watched the 49ers and Sharks with me. We were both happy with the outcomes. The Economist came on Saturday, and I finished it yesterday. Also, Liz called me and we had a nice chat. My blood pressure today is 131/66 with a heart rate of 65. I feel good today.

Message 1219

The Economist came yesterday and I have read about half of it. I went to lunch at Jeffrey’s burgers with Julian and Vanessa and the kids. Afterward Beech came to my place and we played another game of Labyrinth. Later Joshua came over and brought In and Out burgers and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Dallas 5-2, but Dallas started a lot of fights to make up for their being out played. Josh left after the game to go to a concert in Santa Cruz. In the evening I watched Stanford beat Cal in the “Big Game.” Cal made the game closer than I had expected, and the rain made it sloppier than usual, but Stanford prevailed. I feel good today.

Message 1218

Yesterday after the Friday PBS shows were over I watched disk 1 of Breaking Bad, which is a series Liz recommended to me. It is about a high school chemistry teacher who is told by his doctor that he has terminal lung cancer and only has two years to live at most. He decides to apply his chemistry skills to cooking meth to make money for his family. There is a lot of humor and excitement as things go wrong. I look forward to disk 2.. I feel good today.

Message 1217

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s message that on Wednesday night I watched a show on PBS that was very good. It was called “My Life as a Turkey.” It was about a guy in Florida who hatched a bunch of wild turkey eggs in an incubator and they imprinted of him as their mother. He then spent about a year and a half with them until they returned to the wild. Yesterday Joshua brought in Mexican food and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat the Redwings 5-2. After letting Detroit score the first goal, they scored a short handed goal at the end of the first period. They went on from there with Vlasick scoring a goal and three assists to get four points. I was tired, so I turned in early. I will watch Charlie Rose at noon today.

Message 1216

I had breakfast at Heidi’s Pies this morning. Vanessa joined us briefly for a cup of coffee. On the way home I stopped at CVS and got a flu shot. It was free with Medicare, but it was a nuisance to fill out the forms. When I got home I washed my sheets and remade my bed. I just finished watching Tavis Smiley, so I am writing this while I watch NNK World, the Japanese news show which is part of my daily routine. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Last September. It was about the Irish revolution after the first world war. It had a stellar cast and was well done. I give it three stars. I give it three stars. I feel good today.

Message 1215

I finished reading The Economist yesterday. Also, I read this week’s edition of Science. In the evening I read some more on my Kindle and watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Yellow. It was an independent film about a women from Puerto Rico who goes to New York to try to be a ballet dancer. I give it three stars. My blood pressure today is 136/61 with a heart rate of 63. I feel good today.

Message 1214

The Economist came yesterday, only three days late, and I started reading it. In the evening Joshua brought in Chinese food and watched Monday night football with me. Green Bay is such a dominant team that Minnesota could not compete with them. I think this should be good news for the Raiders who play the Vikings on Sunday, but in the NFL you never know. I feel good today.

Message 1213

I just got back from having my Sienna serviced at the Toyota dealer. I was overdue for my 105 K-miles servicing. I asked them to also check my electric window on the driver side because it rolls down normally, but it has to be raised by a tedious manual process that is a lot of trouble. They said it would cost $700 to fix the window, so I decided to continue struggling with it. Because I had skipped breakfast, I stopped by Wendy’s on the way home for a bacon cheese burger with fries and a soda.

Yesterday I watched three NFL games, but the only important one was the 49ers’ beating the Giants, which Josh watched with me. He brought in fish and chips for us to share. Andrine called to say she watched the same game and also was glad the 49ers won. Marilyn said I may have been sad that Stanford lost to Oregon, but all of the Medford relatives were happy with the outcome of the game. I feel good today.

Message 1212

I somehow lost my internet connection yesterday and I did not get it restored until today, which accounts for why yesterday’s message did not go out until today. Yesterday was a bad day for my local teams. Stanford was humiliated by Oregon and the Sharks were shut out by Phoenix. That was yesterday, and I hope the 49ers will have a better outcome this afternoon. I am now watching the Falcons and Saints for the morning game. Josh is scheduled to join me to watch the 49ers this afternoon. I feel good today.

Message 1211

Yesterday I had lunch at a pizza place in Belmont with Vanessa and eight kids and another of the mothers. It was fun to see everyone. In the evening I rode with Larry and Judi to a dinner party at Ariagnos. George and Laureen were in town from their place in France for the birth of their daughter’s second baby. Marci’s sister was also there for a visit from her place near Sacramento. It was nearly midnight when I got home and Charlie Rose had a repeat of his interview with the Facebook people, but I watched it again anyway. My blood pressure today is 146/82 with a heart rate of 62. I feel good today.

Message 1210

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle and watched the Raiders beat San Diego in a very good game on Thursday night Football. I also watched the Sharks beat Minnesota 3-1 in another very good game. Joshua was at the Sharks game again, so he did not watch with me. He will join me again to watch the 49ers Sunday afternoon. My blood pressure today is 143/78 with a heart rate of 58. I feel good today.

Message 1209

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie. Vanessa and Annie stopped by for a brief visit, but they did not eat anything. On the way home I stopped by Safeway for my weekly shopping. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Sweet Land. It was about a mail-order bride coming to Minnesota in 1920. It was about American customs. prejudices, and manners of the period. It was like a Jane Austin story set in rural America. It was very slow moving, but I give it 3 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1208

Yesterday I had a quiet day working on my memoirs. In the evening I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Adjustment Bureau. It was based on a book by Phillip K. Dick, of whom I am a great fan, but this adaptation was not especially good in spite of the good cast. When you come right down to it, the only good movie based on Phillip K. Dick was Bladerunner. I give this one two stars. I feel good today.

Message 1207

I watched the Eagles lose to the Bears yesterday on Monday Night Football. I then switched to the hockey game and watched the Sharks beat the LA Kings 4-2. Joshua had tickets to the game, but I did not see him in the crowd. I switched back and forth between hockey and football because they were both pretty good games. After the games were over I read some more on my Kindle. Charlie Rose had an interesting interview with Mark Zuckerberg and the woman from Google who is his COO, Sheryl Sandberg. I feel good today.

Message 1206

As usual on Sundays, yesterday I watched three NFL games. In the morning I watched the 49ers beat the Redskins. In the afternoon Joshua came over and brought sandwiches watched the Raiders blow their game against Denver. In the evening I watched Baltimore come from behind to beat Pittsburgh in Sunday Night Football. After the game I watched a good spy story called P”age 8” on Masterpiece on PBS. My blood pressure today is 100/67 with a heart rate of 69, so I am in good shape. I feel good today.

Message 1205

I finished reading The Economist yesterday. At noon Jason brought Ellie and Caroline up for lunch at the Dutch Goose. I gave Ellie her envelope for her eighth birthday on Tuesday. In the evening Joshua brought in pizza and watched the hockey game with me. The Sharks lost to Nashville 3-4 in overtime.He has tickets, so he will be going to the next game on Monday. Josh will be coming over this morning to watch the 49ers play the early game and stay to watch the Raiders game in the afternoon. I feel good today. I have now re-set all my clocks for the time change.

Message 1204

Last night I watched the Friday PBS shows. Afterward I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie “Enchanted April.” It was another portrayal of English manners set it the 1920s and filmed in Italy at Porto Fino. It was mostly tedious, so I give it 2 stars. The Economist came yesterday, so I started reading it. I am glad it is back on schedule. I feel good today.

Message 1203

Message 1203

Joshua came over with Chinese food last night and watched hockey with me. The Sharks beat the Penguins 4-3 in an overtime shootout. Ryan Clowe scored the second goal and also the winning goal in the shootout. The Sharks came out flat and let Pittsburgh score two goals in the first two minutes of the first period, so Niemi was pulled from the goal. It was a good game. I also read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1201

Last night I came down with a head cold so I am not able to breathe through my nose. These are the same symptoms that Joshua had when he came over to watch the hockey and football games with me on Monday. I have sent Reggie a message that I had better skip Heidi’s Pies tomorrow so I don’t spread the germs to anyone else. The Economist arrived on Monday instead of Friday, so I finished reading it yesterday. I also watched disk 2 of the BBC dramatization of of Trollope’s novel He Knew He Was Right. It had an interesting biographical sketch of Trollope’s life too. He was an amazingly productive writer even though his subject matter was always British manners that seem so tedious to me. Aside from having to breathe through my mouth, I feel good today, that is I am not throwing up.

Message 1202

I am less congested today than yesterday, so I hope I will be able to breathe through my nose as normal within the next few days. Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle. In the evening I watched a PBS program on the physics of space and time. I had napped a lot during the day, so I watched Charlie Rose at midnight. I feel good today.

Message 1200

Yesterday afternoon Josh brought in burgers and fries and watched the Sharks lose to the New York Rangers. Afterward we watched Monday Night Football. San Diego lost the Kansas City by a field goal at the end. It was a close game that San Diego should have won, but they made too many mistakes. Now Oakland, San Diego, and Kansas City are in a three-way tie for first place in their division. After the game I watched a DVD of a BBC dramatization of a Trollope novel called He Knew He was Right. It was another tiresome presentation of the manners and customs of the British in the Victorian age. I watched disk one, but I still have disk two to go. If it were a movie I would give it two stars. I feel good today.

Message 1199

Yesterday I watched three NFL games as usual on Sunday. I saw the Vikings win the morning game, although I can not remember their opponent. Josh brought in sandwiches and watched the 49ers beat Cleveland with me in the afternoon. In the evening I watched the Eagles beat the Cowboys, which I enjoyed because Dallas barely beat the 49ers for their only loss this season, so far. Later I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS, which was the last of three episodes in this series. I have already done a load of laundry this morning. Now I need to hand it out to dry. I have also clipped my fingernails, a chore that I have to tend to every few weeks. I feel good today.

Message 1198

Yesterday Josh brought in food from Boston Market and watched hockey and football with me. The Sharks beat the New York Islanders in overtime and Stanford beat USC in triple overtime. I had to leave to go to a movie with Larry and Judi before the end of the Stanford game, so it was not until after the movie that I learned that Stanford had won. The Raiders have a bye this week, but Josh is coming over this afternoon to watch the 49ers play Cleveland with me. The movie I saw with Larry and Judi was called Take Shelter. Judi picked it because it was well reviewed in our local paper, but we all thought it was terrible. I do not find mental illness entertaining, nor is it interesting to be shown that bad things happen to people. I give it one star. I feel good today.

Message 1197

I met Helen and Jim at Starbucks this morning for the first time in about a month. They had some surprising news that they have bought a house near Sacramento and will be moving there in January. Helen has decided to retire, and join Jim in playing golf on the course near their new house. I forgot to mention in yesterday’s message that I watched a Netflix DVD Thursday night called Love and Other Drugs. It was about a girl who has Parkinson’s disease and her boyfriend who is a salesman for a pharmaceutical company. It was kind of a downer, so I did not care much for it and give it only 2.4 stars.

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and the Ariagnos. We saw In Time, a sort of science fiction movie which has a message that life should be lived as if every minute could be your last. Time is used as money, and rich people can live forever, but poor people die when their time runs out at about age 26. The method for getting more time is rigged in favor of the rich people, so it is supposed to represent the current economic system. Anyway I did not care much for it, so I give it only 2.4 stars. I was glad that the Cardinals won the world series, and also the Sharks the Redwings last night. They are having a good road trip. I feel good today.

Message 1196

This is another late message. This morning I took a shower and went to PAMF to get a new catheter. After that I went to get a haircut. I have just finished watching the News Hour, and I am getting ready to pick u the Morrills and Ariagnos for dinner and a movie. I am going to miss watching the Sharks game and the World Series final game. I hope both the Sharks and the Cardinals win. I feel good today.

Message 1194

Yesterday Josh brought in fish and chips and watched hockey with me. The Sharks beat Nashville 3-1. Logan Cotour scored a short-handed goal in the first period, and Pavelski scored and empty netter at the end to put it out of reach. Shortly after the game was over my internet connection went out, so I read more on my Kindle until bedtime. The internet connection had not been re-established when I turned in, but it is back this morning, so I will need to watch Charlie Rose at noon today. I feel good today.

Message 1195

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie. Henry left yesterday to go back to the east coast to tend to his family matters, and Vanessa called me this morning to say she could not make it this week. With Halloween coming up she is too busy doing things with the kids. She took them to Half Moon Bay yesterday to let them get pumpkins. Last night I watched a French DVD from Netflix called French Cancan. It was made in 1956 and is not much known in the US. It is light hearted and interesting in a historical way. It is the first time I have seen Edith Piaf although I have heard about her for years. I give he movie three stars. I feel good today. I had such a big breakfast I am going to skip lunch today. I plan to work some more on my memoirs, which I have managed to do a few times over the last couple of weeks. It is a slow process, but I try to keep at it.

Message 1193

Yesterday I watched Monday Night Football and was surprised to see Jacksonville beat Baltimore, although it was a low scoring game. Afterward I watched a Netflix DVD of the BBC bio-pic Byron. It was very well done although I was not familiar with any of the cast except Vanessa Redgrave, who played an elderly aunt. Anyway Byron was a strange character who made a mess of his life while writing his poetry. I had forgotten most of what I learned about him when I took English literature, so it was interesting to be reminded of it all. I give it 4 stars. My blood pressure today is 110/71 with a heart rate of 58. I feel good today.

Message 1192

I just finished filling out and putting a stamp on my absentee ballot. Yesterday I watched two NFL games. The 49ers had a Bye week and the Raiders were shut out by Kansas City. Josh came over and watched the Raiders with me, but he left before it was over. It was too painful to watch. In the evening I watched the Colts lose to New Orleans by a lopsided score. In the evening I watched 60 minutes which had interesting stuff about Steve Jobs. Then I switched to PBS and watched a Nature show followed by Masterpiece Mystery. It was another episode of last week’s new series, but I am getting used to it now and was able to follow it a little better.

Message 1191

The Economist came on Friday again, so yesterday I was able to read it. In the afternoon I watched the Sharks beat Boston 4-2. The Sharks scored a goal in each of the first two periods, and then had a lapse and let Boston score twice in 29 seconds. They then scored twice in the third period, including an empty netter be Marleau at the end. I also watched Stanford beat Washington badly in the evening. Afterward I watched a Netflix DVD called Copying Beethoven. It was an imaginary story about a woman who copies scores, but the music is so good I give it 3 stars. The 49ers have a bye this week, so I am watching Atlanta vs. Detroit. I feel good today.

Message 1190

I have already done a load of laundry and hung it out to dry this morning. Yesterday Joshua came over and watched the end of the Sharks game with me. After the Sharks let New Jersey go ahead by two goals in the first period it looked like they were doomed again, but then they scored two quick goal in the second period to tie it up. In the third period New Jersey scored again and with only a few seconds remaining in the game the Sharks pulled their goalie and Pavelski was able to tie the game. The Sharks then won in an overtime shootout. After the game I went to a movie with Larry and Judi. We saw Margin Call, which was very good. I had seen an interview with the actor/producer on Tavis Smiley in the afternoon, so I was already favorably disposed to the movie. I give it 4 stars. Afterwards we had dinner at a nearby Turkish restaurant.

Message 1189

This morning I have already gone to the bank to get some more cash and done my Safeway shopping. Also I have updated my checkbook balance. A new roof is being put on my building, so a lot of men are up there stomping around. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Cracks. I am not sure where the title came from, but it is about a girls school in Britain in 1934, so I leave it to you to speculate. It was similar in some ways to The Lord of the Flies and to The Prime of Miss Jean Broody. It was well done, but with a cast that was entirely unknown to me. I give it three stars. I feel good today.

Message 1188

I just got back from Heidi’s Pies. Reggie was there but Henry was in los Angeles on family business. Vanessa joined us and had coffee, but she insisted on picking up the check even though she did not eat anything. Yesterday Joshua and I watched the Cardinals win game one of the World Series. We were happy with the outcome. I am sure Ethan and Alex must be happy too. Afterward I watched a couple of PBS shows about extraterrestrial life. I was glad to hear on the radio while I was driving to San Mateo that Quadafi is dead now.

Message 1187

Yesterday I read more on my Kindle. In the Evening I watched a French movie with the translated title of Brotherhood of the Wolf. I had seen it before a long time ago, but I had forgotten most of it. It is a fantasy epic set in the middle ages, but it is not very well done. I give it 2.5 stars. My blood pressure today is 101/69 with a heart rate of 62, which is good. I feel good too.

Message 1186

Last night Joshua brought over food from Boston Market and watched the Sharks game with me. The Sharks lost to Anaheim 2-3, so the Sharks have won only one game all year, which is very disappointing to us all, but, of course it is early in the season. Look at what the St Louis Cardinals have done in baseball. Just like what the Giants did last year. I hope the Cardinals can win the World Series too. I read some more on my Kindle yesterday too. I feel good today.

Message 1185

Yesterday Joshua brought in Burgers and pizza and watched football with me. we were delighted to see both
the 49ers and Raiders win. The 49ers beat Detroit in a tough, hard fought game and the Raiders won easily against Cleveland. Josh left after these games, but I also watched the Bears beat the Vikings. In the evening I watched a Nature program and a new Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. The mystery was two hours long and very complicated, so I never did understand who did what to whom and why, but I watched it anyway and enjoyed it. I feel good today.

Message 1184

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist. In the afternoon Beech came over for a while and put together his new Leggo Starship. I was very impressed that he was able to read and follow the instructions. In the evening Josh came over with Mexican food and watched the Sharks lose to the St. Louis Blues. They lost 2-4 including an empty netter at the end. I also read some more on my Kindle. My blood pressure is 126/75 with a heart rate of 72. I feel good today.

Message 1183

The Economist came yesterday back on schedule again. I guess the post office has gotten its act together again. Last night I watched the Sharks lose to Anaheim 0-1. The only goal was scored by a rookie on the fourth line in the first period. Joshua was planning to watch with me, but after the first period he called and said he couldn’t make it, but he said he would be here to watch tonight’s game with me. My blood pressure today is 131/79 with a heart rate of 60, which is a little higher than usual, but not too bad. I feel good today.

Message 1182

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s message that I went out to dinner with Jason, Caroline, and Ellie. We tried to go to The Dutch Goose, but it was too crowded, so we went to Jeffrey’s where Kens Pancake House used to be. It was good to see them. I finished reading The Economist yesterday, and in the evening I watched disk 2 of Hung. I went to bed early, so I will watch Charlie Rose at noon today. I got my absentee ballot yesterday, and I am debating whether to vote or not. It is a bunch of school board elections and such, but I don’t know anything about the candidates. so I wonder if it is worth putting two stamps on it to send it in. I feel good today.

Message 1181

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie, and Henry. Vanessa and Annie stopped in to say hello, but they did not eat. They were on the way to Annie’s school. The Economist came yesterday instead of last Friday, so the post office is now running six days late. When it is this late the news is six days old, so it is less interesting to read and I end up skimming a lot of the articles. Liz sent me a copy of the DVD she made for Ethan’s 50th birthday, and I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and hearing the music. I feel good today.

Message 1180

This message is late because my cable connection has been down all day until now. I did my Safeway shopping this morning. Last night I watched disk 1 of the HBO series “Hung.” It is a combination of comedy and social commentary. Even though it is about sex, the sex scenes do not amount to much. I also read more on my Kindle yesterday. I feel good today.

Message 1179

Yesterday I finished reading “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World” by Michael Lewis. It was a quick read and very interesting. I then started on “The System of the World” by Neal Stephenson, the third part of his Baroque series. In the evening I watched Detroit beat the Bears on Monday Night Football. Detroit won and will clearly be a tough opponent for the 49ers on December 18th. The Bears will also be a tough opponent on 27 November. My blood pressure this morning is 111/73 with a heart rate of 70. These are good numbers. I feel good today.

Message 1178

As usual on Sundays this time of year, I watched three NFL games yesterday, except this time Josh was not able to join me because he had to ride the bus to Tahoe with his work colleagues for a three day meeting to discuss their business plans. I watched the Raiders beat Houston in a very close game in the morning. then in the afternoon I watched the 49ers humiliate Tampa Bay. The 49ers are finally returning to their old form, and Alex Smith is looking good. In the late afternoon I watched Green Bay beat Atlanta. In the evening I watched a Nature program about desert lions and then Inspector Lewis on PBS. I feel good today.

Message 1177

Yesterday I finished the Neal Stephenson book on my Kindle and instead of starting the third book in the series I downloaded the new Michael Lewis book “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World.” I am now reading the chapter on Iceland. Josh came over and watched the opening game of the Sharks regular season. Joe Pavelski scored the first goal and almost had a hat trick. The Sharks won 6-3, so maybe this will finally be their year. They have a bunch of new players which may give them a better chance. I feel good today.

Message 1176

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with Larry and Judi. We ate at the Fish Market and then went to see the new George Clooney movie The Ides of March. It happened that I had just watched the Charlie Rose interview with George Clooney about the movie.. It was based on a play and the title had been changed, so that although the action took place on 15 March it had nothing to do with Julius Caesar or Shakespeare. It was about sleazy doings of candidates and their staffs during political campaigns. It was reasonably well done and had a good cast, but I give it only three stars because it was too one-dimensional. I feel good today.

Message 1175

Yesterday after Heidi’s Pies I watched my usual PBS news shows and read quite a bit more on my Kindle. I am about 90 percent finished with the second book in the Neal Stephenson series, so I should be able to finish it pretty soon. We had about a half inch of rain over the last couple of days and the mountains got about a foot of snow around Tahoe, but it is going to warm up again for the next few days. I feel good today.

Message 1174

I just got back from Heidi’s Pies where I had breakfast with Reggie, Henry, and Vanessa. Henry recently returned from the east coast where he has been taking care of some of his family who need help. After breakfast I went to Annie’s school to read the kids a story. Annie is one of the big kids now at the school now. Last night I watched the last disk of The Big C. I was disappointed in how it ended, but as I said when it started, it is tough to make a comedy about a woman who has terminal cancer. I turned in early last night so I could get up early to go to breakfast. I feel good today.

Message 1173

I did not watch Charlie Rose Monday night, so I watched him yesterday at noon. He had an hour-long interview with Michael Lewis, who has published a new book called “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World.” At first they talked about the new Brad Pitt movie made from Moneyball, but the most interesting part was about his new book. Any of you who are interested in the financial situation and can spare an hour, especially Julian, I recommend you visit the Charlie Rose website and watch it. It is very interesting to hear about Iceland and Ireland and Greece in particular. Last night I watched the last part of Prohibition on PBS. It is a very informative series. I also read some more on my Kindle.

Message 1172

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle. In the evening Joshua brought over fish and chips and onion rings and watched Monday Night Football with me. The Colts led most of the game, but Tampa Bay ended up winning by a touchdown. Afterward I watched Part 2 of Prohibition on PBS. It was interesting and had a lot of details that I did not know. Politics was as crazy then as it is now. I feel good today. M blood pressure is 106/63 with a heart rate of 64, which is what I think of as normal now.

Message 1171

I watched three NFL games yesterday. I watched the 49er struggle in the first half and go down 3-20 against the Eagles. Then in the second half they got their act together and won the game 24-23. I then watched the Raiders beat themselves against New England. Jason and Josh came over and brought food and watched with me until they left to go to San Francisco to watch the free Gomez concert. Finally, I watched the Ravens beat the Jets when all scoring was by the defense of both teams. In the evening I watched 60 Minutes on CBS, then Part One of Prohibition on PBS, the new Ken Burns documentary. Tonight I will watch Part two. I also finished reading The Economist for this week. I feel good today.

Message 1169

Yesterday I had the stiches removed from the back of my hand where the squamous cell skin cancer was removed. In the late afternoon I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and Ariagnos. We ate at the Sundance Mining Company where we all had the prime rib special except for Marci, who had the salmon from the regular menu. For the movie we went to the Palo Alto Square to see Road To Nowhere which was part of the Palo Alto International Film Festival. The movie was terrible and I give it zero stars because it was so boring and incomprehensible. It was a typical art movie that made a point of referencing famous classic films and used the old device of making a film within a film. They charged a high price for the tickets and would not accept credit cards. I feel good today.

Message 1170

Yesterday I went to lunch with Julian and his kids. We had Mexican food in the Safeway area at the corner of Middle Avenue and El Camino Real. During the day I read about half of The Economist that is again coming on its usual schedule. I guess the Post Office is getting back to normal. I also watched disk two of season one of The Big C. Laura Linney is still doing a good job. I feel good today. I am watching the pre-game show. It is almost time for the game between the 49ers and the Eagles. I feel good today.

Message 1168

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle. In the evening I watched some shows on PBS about the Aztecs and Incas and what their cultures were like. Just like everyone else, they were a bloodthirsty bunch. I just took my blood pressure and it was 148/75 with a heart rate of 66. It is a little high this morning. I wonder why. I feel good, so I am not worried. The next time I take it it will probably be back to better numbers.

Message 1167

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle and watched the first disk of the series The Big C. It is a comedy about a woman played by Laura Linney who has terminal skin cancer. It sounds like an improbable concept for a comedy, but it is well done. I finished reading The Economist and had a good night’s sleep. Julian is in New York this week and Reggie is still on jury duty so we missed going to Heidi’s Pies again, but we should be back in business next week. I feel good today.

Message 1166

I had a good sleep last night, and I have a load working in the washing machine now. Yesterday I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning. He said I had a cracked filling that might give me trouble, but I said I would think about it until my next visit because it was not giving me any pain. Last night I watched a couple of PBS shows. One was about Churchill’s decision to sink the French ships to keep them out of the hands of the Germans at the beginning of the war. The French were too proud and stubborn to cooperate, so Churchill ordered them sunk. I also read some more on my Kindle, and I read about half of The Economist. I feel good today.

Message 1165

Yesterday I watched the Cowboys luck into a two point win over the Redskins on Monday Night Football. I am sure Andrine and Marty were both unhappy. Last Friday’s issue of The Economist finally arrived yesterday. I suppose the issue from the week before is lost forever. After football last night I watched a Netflix DVD of Transcendent Man, a documentary about Ray Kurzweil, who wrote the book The Singularity is Near that Ethan gave me and that I much admired. I had never seen Ray Kurzweil before, but he is a very effective speaker. I give it 5 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1164

I watched three NFL Games yesterday. Joshua brought in Subway sandwiches and watched the 49ers and Raiders both win their games against the Bengals and the Jets respectively. For the Sunday night game I watched the Steelers beat the Colts, who even without Payton Manning almost won the game. In the evening I watched another episode of Inspector Lewis on PBS. I also read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1163

This is two weeks in a row that I have not received The Economist. I have heard on the news that the post office is in financial trouble, but I do not understand why it could cause a delay of over two weeks. Yesterday I drove down to Los Gatos in the afternoon and Jason took ten pictures of my Sienna with his digital camera so I could send them to GEICO. A couple of weeks ago I got a letter addressed to Diane Baslersally saying that a client of their insurance company had filed a claim against the Sienna for damaging their client’s car on 10 August. I called them and was told that a witness had seen me run into a Land Rover in the Sharon Heights Shopping Center parking lot and left a note giving my license number. They sent me pictures but they were of such poor quality I could not make much out from them. Anyway they said the claim was over $2000 in damages. I was unaware of the accident at the time it happened, so I thought the claim was absurd and turned it over to GEICO who requested I send them pictures of my car. I also explained that Sally had been dead for nearly eight years and that the can is now in the family trust of which I am the trustee. It took me a long time last night getting these pictures to go through my email because the files were so big. I eventually had to send them as ten separate messages. Anyway, I also read more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1162

Yesterday after the usual Friday night PBS shows I watched the second Netflix DVD of the movie Lady Chatterly. I was impressed by the quality of the production, but the movie was more about the British class system than it was about sex. In fact it was often boring. I give it 3.5 stars. I feel good today. I just measured my blood pressure. It is 123/76, heart rate 67, which are fairly good numbers.

Message 1161

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle and watched the first Netflix disk of Lady Chatterly. I had seen another film version of this book before, but this one has a different cast and director and is better. In the evening I watched a KQED production of the San Francisco Opera’s The Elixir of Love. It has been re-set in the Napa Valley instead of a small town in Italy. I had never heard of it before, but it was pleasant to watch. I feel good today.

Message 1160

Reggie called me last night and told me he has been called for jury duty, and Vanessa has to take Beech to the dentist this morning, so I did not go to Heidi’s Pies today. If Reggie is actually selected for the jury, we will have to cancel for next week too. He will let me know later today if he is selected. Last night I watched the baseball game. The Giants were in LA and they beat the Dodgers even though they blew a 5-0 lead and had to rely on Brian Wilson to save them in the bottom of the ninth. I am heading up to Safeway now to do my weekly shopping. I feel good today.

Message 1159

Yesterday I got the following message from the dermatologist who did my hand surgery:
“The excision shows some residual actinic keratosis (no cancer) which is fully excised. No further treatment is needed.”
Kirsten Vin-Christian, MD
This is good news. However, I still have to see her again in about ten days to have the stiches removed. I guess my regular doctor got all the cancer when she carved off the original part for the biopsy.

Yesterday I did not have a Netflix disk, so I watched a PBS show about the history of mazes which was kind of interesting. I also read a lot more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1158

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle and worked a little on my memoirs. I have now finished Quicksilver and have started on The Confusion, the next volume in the series by Neal Stephenson. In the evening Joshua brought in burgers, cheese-fries, and a salad and watched Monday Night Football with me. The Giants beat St. Louis by a lot. Sorry Ethan, but after the 49ers blew their game on Sunday, we will need all the help we can get to win our division. I feel good today.

Message 1157

Yesterday I went to San Jose with Helen and Jim to pay our respects to Joan who is sitting Shiva for David who died on Thursday. Helen and Jim had just returned from Chicago where they had been on vacation for six days. It was nice to see Joan and her family but too bad it had to be on such a sad occasion. In the evening I watched 60 Minutes on CBS and then Nature (about big crocodiles) and Inspector Lewis on PBS. I feel good today.

Message 1156

Yesterday I had lunch in San Mateo and went with Julian, Vanessa, Beech and Annie to watch Beech’s soccer game. Beech scored the first goal and his team won 5-4. In the evening I watched the first Netflix disk of Anna Karenina. Afterward I switched to PBS and watched the second half if Thelma and Louise, which I had seen before. My hand does not hurt anymore, but I have to change the bandage twice a day. It is almost time for a change now. I feel good today.

Message 1155

Somehow I seem to have failed to send out a message yesterday, which was the day I had the surgery on my hand and had a new catheter put in. Vanessa gave me a ride to and from PAMF. It is just about time for me to change the bandage on my hand. Last night I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and the Ariagnos. We saw Drive with Ryan Gosling and Kerry Mulligan. It was a strange film with lots of violence and no sex. It is hard to figure out what the motivations of the main characters are, but I still give it three stars.

Message 1152

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie and Vanessa. I got a message from Helen yesterday that my friend David died yesterday from pancreatic cancer. The service is tomorrow, but I have my hand surgery scheduled for tomorrow, so I am going to ride with Helen and Jim to visit with Joan on Sunday. I realize that in one of my previous message I said a movie title was Bad Company but it was actually Bad Timing. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Bostonians. It is an early Henry James novel made into a film by Merchant/Ivory. It had a very good cast, especially Vanessa Redgrave. I give it four stars. I feel good today.

Message 11153

Josh has informed me what happened to the MNF-Raiders game. They started to air the Raiders / Broncos game on ESPN2 (channel 39) because the Miami / New England game was still finishing up on ESPN (channel 38). After the Miami / New England game ended they switched the coverage of the Raiders game to ESPN (channel 38). The game was also broadcast on CBS (channel 5). I can’t understand how I could have missed this. I searched both of those channels several times and the game was not on whenever I looked. I must have always been looking during the ads. Anyway It is no big deal. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Bad Company. It was made it 1980, but I had never heard of it. It had a good, well known cast, but they all looked so young. I did not find it fun to watch because it dealt with an unstable girl and a jealous obsessive/compulsive man. The sex scenes were good, but I only give the movie three stars. I feel good today.

Message 1151

I watched three NFL games yesterday, and they were all good games. I saw the Eagles beat the Rams, the 49ers beat the Seahawks, and the Jets beat the Cowboys. Tonight I will watch the Raiders play Denver. It is good to have the season underway at last. Joshua brought in Chinese food and watched the 49er game with me. The 49ers were ahead the whole game, but it was not until they ran a kickoff and then a punt back for touchdowns within a couple of minutes of each other in the fourth quarter that we were able to relax. In the evening I read some more on my Kindle. I am getting near the end now. I feel good today.

Message 1150

Yesterday I went to the Dutch Goose for lunch with Julian, Annie, Beech, and Beech’s cousin (Vanessa’ brother’s son) Jessie. The kids had a ball playing the machines for junk with the quarters Julian gave them. I never saw such a crowd at the Goose. There were a lot of kids with their parents wearing their soccer uniforms. It reminded me of the old days when Sally and I used to take the three Js to the Oasis. In the evening I watched The Madness of King George on PBS. I had not seen it before even though it was about thirty years old. I give it three stars. I am now watching the Eagles and Rams on the morning NFL game on TV. The score is now 7-7 in the first quarter. I feel good today.

Message 1149

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle and watched the Friday night shows on PBS. The news seems to be mostly about the 9/11 10-year anniversary. I had a good sleep last night, and I have already done a load of laundry and put it on the balcony to dry in the sun this morning. I was surprised by thunder and lightning last night. It has been a long time since we had any of that around here. I feel good today.

Message 1148

I watched Annie yesterday afternoon while Vanessa took Beech to one of his doctor’s appointments. While she was here I watched Obama’s speech while she watched her Sesame Street video. In the evening I watched part of the Green Bay game with New Orleans for the first game of the regular season. Then on PBS I watched the opera Lucia di Lammermoor. I had never heard of it, but I was curious. It was bizarre with lots of emotion and betrayals and blood. It did not have a happy ending with both Lucia and her lover committing suicide at the end, so I do not recommend it. I feel good today.

Message 1147

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi’s Pies with Reggie and Vanessa. Annie is back in school now, so Vanessa does not have to worry about how she is going to behave. We are all looking forward to hearing Obama’s speech this afternoon. Last night I read some more on my Kindle and watched a PBS program about construction for rebuilding the World Trade Center. I feel good today.

Message 1146

I decided to change my sheets this morning, so the washing machine is now running with them and my other my accumulated laundry. Yesterday I read more on my Kindle. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Black Swan. The music was great , but I do not enjoy watching a woman succumb to mental illness, even though I do not disagree that Natalie Portman deserved the Oscar for her performance. I give it only three stars because for me it was not pleasant to watch. I feel good today.

Message 1145

Today is Annie’s birthday. She is 4 years old today, but we had her family party yesterday for dinner. She will have other parties this week with all of her friends from school. Beech was as excited as she was, and he had trouble not being the one in the spotlight. After the party I came home and read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today. I just took my blood pressure and got 123/70 with a heart rate of 61, which are good numbers. I had to change the batteries before the device would work.

Message 1144

I read The Economist yesterday, and in the evening I watched 60 Minutes and PBS (a Nature show about leopards and Masterpiece Mystery). The Inspector Lewis show on Masterpiece Mystery was a little difficult to follow, but I stuck with it. I also read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1143

Yesterday afternoon I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Fighter. As you may know it is based on a true story of a family in the blue collar suburb of Boston, Lowell, MA. There were nine children in the family two boys and seven girls. The two boys had different fathers, but they were both boxers. The older brother had a shot a greatness, but he was kind of flakey and went to prison Their mother was their manager, but she was manipulative and favored the older brother. The younger brother eventually breaks away from the control of the mother and wins the title fight, but he eventually reconciles with the family. Mark Wahlberg plays the younger brother and is the force behind the movie. Christian Bale plays the older brother and won the Oscar for best actor. Amy Adams plays the love interest. Some of the parts in the movie were played by the real people, and all the real people were interviewed

Message 1142

Yesterday I met my Mohs dermatologist. She said she did not think the thing on my hand was suitable for Mohs surgery. Instead she advised cutting it all out at once, which she would have done yesterday except that I had taken a couple of Ibuprpphin the night before, so I have another appointment with her on 16 September at 9 AM. In the evening after the PBS shows I watched the Raiders play the Seahawks in their last preseason game. The Raiders lost, but I still have some hope for them in the regular season. I also did some more work on my memoirs yesterday, and read some more on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1141

Josh came over last night and brought Cooks Fish and Chips for us to eat. The 49ers looked good for a change and in particular Alex Smith looked good at quarterback. The 49er went ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. The won the game and ended up with a 2-2 record in the preseason. Next week the regular season starts. Josh is going mountain biking with his friends at Tahoe for the Labor Day weekend. I have an appointment this afternoon with a dermatologist to start the mose treatments on my hand. I feel good today.

Message 1140

I just put a load of laundry on the deck to dry in the sun. I picked up Vanessa and Annie this morning and we had breakfast at Heidi’s pies with Reggie. Annie was very well behaved and everyone was glad to have Vanessa back in the Thursday routine. Annie will turn four next week and she is learning to be cooperative. Beech started school yesterday. He and Vanessa had a good time in England. They got home Monday evening. Yesterday I watched Annie for a couple of hours around noon while Vanessa got her hair done. Annie and I had a great time. We mostly watched her Sesame Street sin-along video. Last night I read some more Neal Stephenson on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1139

I forgot to mention yesterday that I worked some more on my memoirs on Monday. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of a movie called Towelhead. It was a coming of age story of a 13-year-old girl who was half American and half Arab who had a troubled home life. It dealt also with racial prejudices, not only against Muslims but also against blacks. The whole cast was new to me, but they were all good. I give it four stars. I feel good today.

Message 1138

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s message that I finished reading The Economist on Sunday. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Winter’s Bone. It was a pretty grim story about Missouri hillbillies living hardscrabble lives. The main character is a 17-year- old girl who has dropped out of school to take care of her little brother and sister and her mother (who has become mentally incompetent) because her father has disappeared to cook meth. The sheriff comes to say that the father has jumped bail and can’t be found and that he signed over all their property as part of his bail. If he doesn’t appear in court next week the family will have to move out of their house. The daughter then spends the movie trying to find her father and in the process disturbs all the other hillbillies who think she will snitch to the cops about every ones’ involvement with meth. Despite its downer flavor, it has a somewhat happy ending. The photography and acting are very good, but because of the grim subject I give it only 3 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1137

Yesterday afternoon I went to a Cul-de-Sac get together on Middle Court that was organized by Mary Solomon and her next door neighbor. Herb Stickles was there. He is the man from Hewlett Packard that we sold our house to. He is retired now and is considering moving to Menlo Commons. All the other people were new, and there were lots of little kids. Eddie Solomon was in pretty good shape. He had just taken one of his pills, so he was getting around pretty well. Justine was there with her husband and 9-month-old son, who has some red in his hair. It was fun to talk to the people I knew and to meet the new people. The snacks were good too. It was supposed to be from 4:30 to 6 PM, but I was the second person to leave at 6:30. In the evening I read some more on my Kindle and watched the news about the hurricane damage on the East coast. I feel good today. I just took my blood pressure and got 124/77 with a hart rate of 61, which are good numbers.

Message 1136

Yesterday Josh brought food from Boston Market and watched the pre-season game between the 49ers and Houston Texans with me. Except for the first play of the game, the 49ers looked terrible. I never saw so many empty seats at a 49er game. The fans must either be bored with pre season, or they were afraid of all the fighting in the stands at the previous week’s game. After the game we watched the Giants game against the Houston Astros, which the Giants eventually won in extra innings. Houston supplied the competition for San Francisco in both sports yesterday.

After the game Larry and Judi invited me to go to a movie with them. We saw Sarah’s Key, which was about the French collaboration with the Nazi’s in rounding up Jews to be exterminated. I must be getting weary of all the

Message 1134

Yesterday Julian brought Annie over for about 45 minutes while he went to a doctor’s appointment. Afterwards they drove up to Bear Valley to spend a couple of days. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Social Network. I thought it was very well done. I give it 4 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1135

Yesterday I got a call from my dermatologist’s nurse that the biopsy results showed that the thing on my hand is not a melanoma but is a squamous cell carcinoma. She will call me again next week to come in for treatment. Last night I went out to dinner with the Morrills and Ariagnos. We went to Sultanas and I had my usual salmon and Greek salad. There were no good movies showing in the theaters that the others had not seen, so I brought along some DVDs and they selected Miller’s Crossing, a Coen brothers movie. Judi had made a fresh peach pie, so we ate that after the movie. I got home in time to watch Charlie Rose. I feel good today.

Message 1132

Yesterday I had an appointment with my dermatologist. She froze a few spots and carved off the thing on my hand. She did not think it was melanoma, but she is having it biopsied. She will call with the results in a few days. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD called Casino Jack and the United States of Money. It was a documentary about Jack Abramoff and others involved in the lobbying scandals early in the Bush 43 first term. I have been watching a lot of documentaries lately. It was very good. I learned a lot of things I did not know. I give it 4 stars. I feel good today.

Message 1133

I just got back from having breakfast with Reggie at Heidi’s Pies. Note that I have added Alex to the distribution list at Ethan’s request. Last night I had dinner at El Cerrito with Julian and Annie. They enjoyed their two days at Disney Land. Now they are going up to the mountains for a couple of days. I feel good today.

My neighbor across the hall, Bill Steele, has come down with prostate cancer and had to move to a nursing home. Because he was the contact I gave you for how to check on me if you do not get a daily message from me, I have asked Val Smith, who works at Menlo Commons, to take over Bill’s role. His number is 650-854-2100. He is here five days a week, but you can call him anytime, if necessary.

Message 1131

Yesterday I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Nazi Officer’s Wife. It was a documentary about the life of a Jewish woman in Austria and Germany during World War 2. She survives and has a child in spite of great difficulties. I give it 4 stars. I like true stories. I am just about to take a shower to get ready for my appointment this afternoon with my dermatologist. I feel good today.

Message 1130

I finished reading The Economist yesterday. For dinner Larry and Judi invited me to go to Jeffrey’s with them so I had a bacon cheeseburger and a milk shake. Last night I watched a documentary on the life of William Kunstler on PBS World. It was very interesting. The regular PBS channel is only doing fund raisers. I feel good today. I just measured my blood pressure. It is 129/70 with a heart rate of 67, which are good numbers.

Message 1129

Yesterday Julian and Annie came over and watched the first half of the preseason game between the 49ers and the Raiders. Joshua also came at the end of the first quarter and brought subway sandwiches and pizza for all, but he stayed for the whole game. The 49ers won, but it was only preseason. I also read over half of The Economist that came on Friday. I feel good today and have completely recovered fro missing a night’s sleep.

Message 1128

I have now caught up from the night’s sleep that I missed.What an ordeal that was. Now I am going to give up on trying to get rid of the catheter. I just took my blood pressure and it is 104/64 with a heart rate of 65. These are good numbers. I feel good today.

Message 1127

Yesterday afternoon I had an appointment with my urologist. I asked his opinion on my resuming self catheterization. and he said it would be fine, but for me to come in right away if I had any trouble. I had big trouble last night, so I went in this morning and had the nurse replace my catheter. The trouble was that I had so much pain that I could not sleep. I had to get up every few minutes to urinate, but only about 30-ml would come out. By morning I even vomited. It felt so good to be able to sleep again, I went right to bed and only now have gotten up. Before I went to bed last night I watched a DVD of the movie Inside job. It was a documentary about the 2008 financial collapse. It was extremely well done. I give it 5 stars. Now that I have been able to sleep I feel good again.

Message 1126

I just got back from having breakfast with Reggie at Heidi’s Pies. Vanessa could not make it today because she is getting ready to leave for England tomorrow with Beech for a vacation. Yesterday I finished reading The Economist, which kept me occupied so I did not have a chance to read any more on my Kindle. I did manage to take a shower though. I feel good today.

Message 1125

Yesterday I read some more on my Kindle. In the evening Joshua brought in Pizza, and we watched the Giants lose another one-run game in extra innings. After he left I watched a Netflix DVD called Picnic at Hanging Rock. I was an Australian movie based on a true story that happened in 1900 in which 3 girls about 13 years old from a boarding school disappear from a class outing and are never seen again. It is a mystery what happens to them, but the movie turns out to be boring because it is never clear what is going on. I give it 2 stars. For some reason The Economist came yesterday instead of last Friday, so I started reading it and got about half way through it. I feel good again today.

Message 1124

I realized yesterday that I have messed up the numbers on some of these messages, but I am trying now to get back on track. Yesterday I met Annie at McDonalds in Redwood City and let her play in the kids section while Vanessa went to the doctor. Annie had a ball and ate all of her chicken nuggets and drank most of her chocolate milk. I downloaded three more Neal Stephenson books on my Kindle. They are a series. The first one is called Quicksilver, and I read it a few years ago, but it is worth rereading, so I have started with it. I feel good today.

Message 1123

Yesterday Joshua brought over Subway sandwiches for my birthday lunch. He is back from his trip to Amsterdam and his string of Phish concerts, so he is back at work today after two weeks away. Yesterday I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie The Sixth Sense. In spite of having a good cast I thought the concept was absurd so I give it only one star. In the evening I finished reading the new Wilbur Smith book Those in Peril on my Kindle. It was about Muslim pirates in Africa, and was fun to read. I feel good today.

Message 1114

I met Helen and Jim at Starbuck’s yesterday. It was nice to see them again after missing them for a few weeks. In the afternoon I did a load of laundry. For the rest of the day I read some more of my Wilbur Smith book on my Kindle. Because there is no Charlie Rose on Saturday, I turned in early and had a good sleep. I feel good today. I just measured my blood pressure, and it was 130/75 with a heart rate of 67, which I all pretty good.

Message 1113

I had a good birthday yesterday. Vanessa took me to lunch, then to Beech’s art class to se his painting, then To Annie’s school to see her and her teachers and classmates. Jason and their girls took me to Ten Fu for dinner, then I went to a movie with Larry and Judi. We saw Final Destination 5. I was terrible. I give it zero stars. It was nothing but violence and gore. I feel good today.

Message 1122

Beech and Annie and Vanessa called me this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday. I am going up to their house to see them and have lunch at 11 AM. Last night I read some more on my Kindle. I am feeling good today.

Message 1121

I just got back from having breakfast with Reggie at Heidi’s Pies. Beech and Vanessa stopped in there to say Hello to everybody, but they did not eat. It was good to see them though. Last night I watched The King’s Speech on a Netflix DVD. It was very good. I give it 4 stars. I also read some more of my new Wilbur Smith book on my Kindle. I feel good today.

Message 1120

I felt so good yesterday that I worked some on my memoirs for the first time in six or seven months. I just got a call from Andrine who wanted to wish me a happy birthday early because she is going to be gone on her cruise with Mary on Friday. Bill is going to take the first shift with Joe. I advised Andrine not to take her phone on the cruise because if something happens with Joe there will be nothing she could do about it anyway. I did not have a DVD yesterday so I read some of my new Wilbur Smith book on my Kindle. Like all of his books I can hardly put it down. I have been lazy today and slept in for longer than I should have considering that I need to take a shower and do some grocery shopping. Aside from being lazy, I feel good today.

Message 1119

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist. In the evening I watched the last two episodes of True Blood Season 3. Now I have to wait for Season four to come out on DVD. It is interesting to watch the stock markets around the world crash. I wonder how far it will go today. I hope this teaches the Tea party retards a lesson, but I doubt it will. Maybe the American voters will wake up though. The market yesterday went down to almost exactly the point where I got out of it a few years ago. I am glad now just to be a spectator. I feel good today.

Message 1118

Yesterday I went to a family brunch at Maureen’s. It had been planned to be at Julian and Vanessa’s place, but the venue was changed at the last minute. It was very nice to see all the kids and their parents, and the food was very good. Julian says he has not had a migraine in several months because of the strict diet he has been following. Beech came to my place for the afternoon after the brunch so I could teach him how to play poker. I taught him five card draw, five card stud, seven card stud, and Texas hold ‘em. He picked them all up very quickly. Last night I watched a Stephen Hawking program about his new book on the Discovery channel. It was very good. I also downloaded a new Wilbur Smith book on my Kindle. I read some more of The Economist, but have not yet finished it. I feel good today.

Message 1117

Yesterday I picked Josh up at SFO at noon when he returned from Amsterdam. We had burgers for lunch at the Dutch Goose on the way home. I finished reading Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. I now need to get another book for my Kindle. Maybe I’ll get Obama’s second book. Yesterday I read more than half of The Economist. In the evening I watched another episode of True Blood. I feel good today.

Message 1115

I think I have a melanoma on the back of my right hand, but all the dermatologists are on vacation and I can’t get an appointment until 23 August. I hope that is soon enough. It was great to see the old gang at Heidi’s Pies yesterday. Last night I watched a PBS show, but it was not very good. I then watched another episode of True Blood. I feel good again today.

Message 1116

Yesterday I went out to dinner with The Morrills and Ariagnos. I drove this time and everything worked well. After dinner we went to see an Irish movie called The Guard. It was a comedy/thriller that was very good. I give it 4.5 stars. Having been in Ireland, I especially enjoyed it. I am feeling good today. Yesterday I also gave Judi the last pages of her book the I had finished proofing. This weekend she has to enter all the corrections and create the index before she takes it to the printer.

Message 1114

I am writing this message early in the morning before Reggie picks me up to take me to Heidi’s Pies. Last night I went out to dinner at Gombeii with Larry and Judi. I had my usual pork cutlet, but they insisted on paying this time. I have finished Judi’s book except for the Appendices, and I gave her what I have done so she could get started on it. In the evening I watched another episode of True Blood. I skipped Charlie Rose last night so I could get up early this morning. I will watch him at noon today instead. I feel good today and am looking forward to seeing everyone at Heidi’s Pies. Unfortunately Vanessa has a doctors

Message 1113

Jason just called me and wondered why he did not get an email message today. I checked and found I had forgotten to send one, so here it is better late than never. Jason came over last night and watched the Giants game with me. During the game we went to El Cerrito and had dinner. After dinner we picked up a few things from Safeway and came home to watch the end of the game which the Giants lost. Today I have been working on Judi’s book. I have nearly finished, so she picked up what I have done around noon.

Message 1112

Well, it seems like the financial crisis has been averted, or rather kicked down the road. What a disgusting scene. I made a lot of progress on Judi’s book yesterday, but I still have a long way to go. Last night I watched a couple of more episodes of True Blood season 3. Tomorrow I will be going to Heidi’s Pies, so I will have to take a shower today. I still feel good.

Message 111

Yesterday I worked on Judi’s book. In the evening I watched 60 Minutes and then a PBS Nature show about the Black Mamba and Masterpiece Mystery. I turned in early and had a good night’s sleep. I feel good again today. I hope my vomiting is over forever.

Message 1110

Yesterday I worked on Judi’s book and read The Economist. I am still watching the news to see how badly the Republicans are going to mess up the world economy again, but I suppose I will not find out until tomorrow night.

Message 1109

Last night after the Friday PBS shows, I watched another episode of True Blood. Afterwards I watched the news and Charlie Rose who was very good last night. He had the full hour with Paul Nurse, a regular on the show who is going back to England. This morning I have been working on Judi’s book. I feel good today.

Message 1108

I just got back from doing my weekly Safeway shopping. I wanted to get it done before it got too hot today. Last night I watched PBS shows about the WW2 bombing of Germany and Arctic dinosaurs. Judi Morrill called me this morning and asked if I would help her proof read the new edition of her textbook that she will be using for her class this fall at San Jose State.. She will bring it by in an hour or so. I proof-read earlier versions years ago, but she had to quit teaching the class because the biology department complained the she was including too much of their department’s material in her course, and her course was so popular that she was stealing their students. Now, however, they have reached an agreement that allows her to resume teaching the class. I feel good today.

Message 1107

Yesterday I got a call from Reggie Young, my friend fro Heidi’s Pies. He wanted to know how I am and said everyone keeps asking about me. I filled him in on what has been happening for the past couple of months, and he said he would come by and drive me to Heidi’s Pies anytime I feel up to going again. We agreed to plan on it next Thursday, that is a week from today. It should be fun. Last night Joshua came over with a coupon for half off at Sizzler, so we ate dinner there. He is working late trying to get ready to fly to Amsterdam tomorrow. He will be there a week, and when he gets back he will drive to a series of Phish concerts in LA and elsewhere., so I won’t see him again for a while. When I got home I watched a PBS show about Arctic dinosaurs. Charlie Rose had an unusually good show last night. I feel good again today.

Message 1106

Marilyn Snowden called me last night and I promised her I would include her on my daily Email. If Marilyn wants to see the same message on my blog she can see it at http://rpb3athome.blogspot.com/. Yesterday I took a shower and did a load of laundry. Last night I watched another episode of True Blood Season 3. I will watch the other episode on the disk tonight, maybe. I feel good again today.

Message 1105

I feel better today. I have been getting a lot of sleep and plenty to eat. Last night I watched a Nature program about crows and Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. My missing issue of The Economist finally showed up, and I have read it. The next day the new issue came, and I have started reading it too.

Message 1104

Yesterday Joshua brought food from Boston Market for lunch. In the late afternoon I joined Julian and Vanessa and the kids for dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant in San Mateo. In the evening I watched a double feature on PBS. The first film was Run Silent, Run Deep a WW2 submarine story with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. I had seen it years ago, but had forgotten almost all of it. I give it 4 stars. The second film was Gorky Park. I read the book years ago, but I had not seen the movie. I was a cold war thriller, murder mystery. I give it three stars. I feel good today except for a runny nose which has been coming on for the last few days.

Message 1103

I suppose that all of those who stayed for the second week at Sandbridge have now moved out and are on their way home. Yesterday was the last day for my caregivers, so I am on my own. Yesterday I read The Economist. For some reason The Economist did not come last week. It was probably put in the wrong mailbox by the postman, and whoever got it kept it. I frequently receive other peoples’ mail, but I always pass it on to them. I feel good today.

Message 1102

Last night I watched PBS shows about the wonders of the Greek, Roman, and ancient world. Now I think I am ready to make it on my own again. I feel good today. Mary called me yesterday, and we had a nice talk. She said she had seen a fox at the beach, so maybe that was the dog the owner thought he saw. Anyway, that issue is settled now.

Message 1101

Yesterday I watched a Netflix DVD of the Coen brothers’ movie True Grit. I read the book on my Kindle a few months ago and liked it a lot. Like all Coen Brothers’ movies, this one was very good. I give it four stars. I also watched the PBS shows about the Incas and the Mayans and Aztecs. I continue to feel good. I have told my caregivers that Friday (tomorrow) will be their last day. I am sure I will be able to manage just fine without them.

Message 1100

Yesterday I called Sandbridge Realty and was told that the owner now agrees to rent to us and that we have the house again for next year. I have no idea where the misunderstanding about the dog came from, but apparently it is no longer a problem, Last night Joshua came over with fish and chips (and onion rings) for our dinner. We watched some Giant’s baseball and some of the Bearing Sea fishing (actually crabbing) show while we ate. Afterward I watched the last four episodes of Mad Men Season 1 on a Netflix DVD. I still give it three stars. I am still feeling good. I think I will make this coming Friday the last day for my caregivers. I think I can manage just fine by myself after that.

Message 1099

Last night I watched some PBS programs about Abraham Lincoln. One of them dealt with myths about Lincoln, and I was disgusted that they did not mention my dad’s book The Lincoln Legend. Sandbridge Realty called me yesterday and told me our owner said he did not want to rent to us again because he saw a dog in our yard. I said we did not have a dog and there must be some mistake. Do any of you know anything about a dog? Did someone else in the family bring one over? I feel good again today.

Message 1098

I just got back from the DMV. My caregiver Junior drove me to get my drivers license renewed. I had to pass a written test and an eye test. I passed them both, so I guess I will be able to continue driving after all. When I came back from the hospital I was so discouraged that I thought I would have to quit driving. Yesterday Junior and I watched the US Women lose to Japan in World Cup soccer. It was a good game, and the Us dominated the game, but Japan won in an overtime shootout. Although I routed for the US, I was not sorry to see Japan win. I very much admired the way they played. In the evening I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. I feel good again today.

Message 1097

Yesterday I went to the bank to get some more cash. I figured that if the world economy crashes, it might be hard to buy things without it. I also read some more of Obama’s book on my Kindle. In the evening I watched the movie The Razor’s Edge on PBS. I had read the book one night when I was in college and liked it a lot. On the other hand, the movie seemed kind of silly to me, perhaps because it was made so long ago. I give it only three stars. I feel good again today.

Message 1096

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with Larry and Judy and Ron and Marci. We ate at the Sundance Mining Company and all had the sundown special prime rib. Afterward we went to the movie Buck, which is a documentary about the real person who works with horses in the manner that has come to be known as horse whispering. His first name is Buck. It was a very interesting movie. I give it four stars. I feel good again today.

Message 1095

Last night I had dinner with Josh at El Cerrito. I lost my Skype connection about half way through the concert and was not able to restore it, so he did not see any of it. After dinner he came by and watched TV with me. We watched a show about dangerous fishing for crabs in the Bearing Sea. I feel good again today.

Message 1094

It is nice and cool again today, and I feel good. Yesterday I joined in the trivial pursuit game on Skype with the people at Sandbridge. After that I watched disk 3 of ad Men. I have run out of milk, so it is time to go shopping again with my caregiver Junior.

Message 1093

Josh came over for dinner last night and we went to The Dutch Goose for burgers. Afterward I watched disk 2 of Mad Men. I forgot to mention yesterday that I had watched disk 1 the day before. It is about an advertising agency in the 1950s. I give it three stars. I feel good again today.

Message 1092

Josh called yesterday and we planned to have dinner together tonight. Yesterday I took a shower and had my toenails clipped. I also made an appointment for next Monday at the DMV to try to get my drivers license renewed, although I don’t know if I can pass the written test. Did we not Skype yesterday? I feel good today.

Message 1091

It was great to see and talk to everyone via Skype yesterday. Last night I watched Masterpiece Mystery (Miss Marple) on PBS. Yesterday I finished the cave bear book on my Kindle and downloaded Obama’s book Dreams from my Father. I have only read the first few pages so far. I feel good again today.

Message 1090

I presume you are all in Sandbridge, except for Josh. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves now that you are settled in. Things are good here. The weather has cooled off, and I am feeling fine. Yesterday I read The Economist.

Message 1089

I just got back from meeting Helen and Jim at Starbucks. My caregiver drove me . It was nice to see them again. Yesterday Vanessa brought Beech over in the afternoon. He was short of sleep because he had an overnight with friends the night before. He took a shower because he was so dirty, then we watched the Movie The Blind Side, which we had started watching before, but had not finished. He fell asleep while we watched it this time, so we will have to try it again. I suppose you will all be in Sandbridge when you read this. I look forward to see and talking to you all on Skype. I feel good again today.

Message 1088

Happy birthday Ethan. Fifty years old today, a milestone. it seems like yesterday when you were born. Thanks for the card that you and Alex sent me. Last night I watched PBS shows and then the news. I watched Charlie Rose early again, so I went to sleep early. I feel good today. Tomorrow I can start Skyping with you all in Sandbridge.

Message 1087

Another day is here and is pretty much like the last one. I suppose most of you are getting ready to go to Sandbridge. Last night I watched Charlie Rose at 8 PM instead of at midnight. I have discovered that he is always on early on another channel. As a result I was able to turn in early. I am continuing to feel better every day.

Message 1086

Another day has started, and I have been through my routine of closing the doors at 6 AM to keep in the cool air from the evening and avoid the ongoing heat wave. I am continuing to feel a little better each day. I still have not vomited since coming home from the hospital. Last night I watched shows on PBS about gladiators and medical cannabis. Charlie Rose was good last night too.

Message 1085

Happy 4th of July to all of you. It is hot here again today, but I had a nice cool night. I finished reading The Economist yesterday. I am feeling good again today.

Message 1084

Happy 4th of July to all of you. It is hot here again today, but I had a nice cool night. I finished reading The Economist yesterday. I am feeling good again today.

Message 1083

Our heat wave continues, but fortunately it cools off enough at night to make for good sleeping. My caregiver is doing laundry and cleaning the bathrooms. He just got back from a trip to Safeway where he picked up some milk and club soda for me. Yesterday I finished the Economist and Science. I also read some more of the Cave Bear book on my Kindle. I am still feeling better every day. I will turn off my computers now to keep them from overheating.

Message 1082

We are still suffering through a heat wave, but I figure it will get worse later today so I am getting this message off so I can turn off my computer. I feel good again today. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie True Romance. It was made 20 or so years ago and had a great cast. It had a lot of violence and not much sex, but surprisingly it had an improbable happy ending. I give it four stars.

Message 1081

It is going to be another hot day today. My caregiver fixed cream of wheat for my breakfast today. I am still feeling good. I am now reading Science for this week.

Message 1079

Kids and Spouses--

Message 1078

This is Josh sending a message on Dad’s behalf,

Things are still pretty rough here. I am still throwing up. Maybe things will be better tomorrow.

Love Dad/Roy

Message 1077

Last night I continued to throw-up. I made an appointment to see my urologist at 1:15 and Vanessa drove me over. Dr. Lee he put back a new foley catheter and gave me a prescription for Keflex. I was still throwing up and unable to take the pills, so Jason came over to help me take Zofran and get my first pill down. I am very dehydrated and may need an IV at urgent care tomorrow.

I hope I will be better tomorrow.

Message 1076

I am late getting this message out because I have been too sick to get up and do it. Please don’t be alarmed. I appreciate all of the phone calls and messages I have gotten expressing your concern. This too will pass.

Message 1075

I am still throwing up today, although it is still relatively small amounts. I stayed in bed all day Yesterday for the most part. It is not much of a life, but maybe it will pass.

Message 1074

I am just now getting this message out because I have been sick this morning. I have vomited a few times, but not much since my stomach is mostly empty. Joshua brought Panda Express food over for us last night and watched the Yankees and Cubs game.. We are having a heat wave today and tomorrow is supposed to be hotter.

Message 1073

I eventually made it to Safeway yesterday. I also picked up a couple od prescriptions at CVS. I read about half of The Economist. too. I feel a little better today, I hope I am getting better adapted to not having a catheter. My blood pressure is running a little higher though, but I don’t see why that should be caused by my resuming self catheterization.

Message 1072

I am starting to get used to not having a catheter. I slept pretty well last night, but this morning I gagged and thought I was about to vomit, but I put an anti nausea pill under my tongue and went back to bed. I still feel a little shaky, but I am managing. Helen and Jim are not going to Starbucks today, but I need to go to Safeway. Maybe later I will feel up to it.

Message 1071

I went to my urologist yesterday and had my catheter removed. I thought I could manage without it, but last night was so difficult I hardly got any sleep. I will keep trying for a few more days, but now I am thinking I may not make it to Sandbridge. Last night I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie Harry Brown. It was a pretty gritty film painting a bleak picture of old age and juvenile gangs. I give it 2.8 stars

Message 1070

Jason and Josh both came over to watch Boston win the Stanley Cup with me yesterday. Josh brought Mexican food for all of us. Jason also showed me how to fix the problem I have been having with my blog, so now I can add to my movie and book lists again. After they left I watched a DVD of The Bank Job. It was a British thriller/crime movie that was based on a true story of tunneling into the vault of a bank. It was very well made. I give it four stars. I also learned a new work listening to the commentary. Merkin is the name of the hair piece that replaces female pubic hair. So many women shave their own that they need to wear a merkin when they are in a nude scene in the movie.

Message 1069

I just called Andrine and wished her Happy Birthday this morning. Ginny and Jim are there. Andrine and Ginny are leaving this afternoon for three days at Disney World. Jim will stay and take care of Joe. This is a trial run for later so Andrine can go with Mary on a cruise while Jim takes care of Joe. This arrangement is a blessing for Andrine. Taking care of Joe is getting her down. Joshua came over and brought Chinese food last night to watch the hockey game with me. Boston won, so the final Stanley Cup game is tomorrow in Vancouver. Joshua was amazed that I was able to eat all of my dinner. He was able to eat only half of his. I am feeling very good this morning. I told Andrine that if I continue feeling this good I will go to Sandbridge. I have discussed with Liz that I can fly to Houston and rest with her for a day or so, then fly with her family to Norfolk. Two short flights like that will be a lot easier than flying to Dulles and changing planes to fly to Norfolk.

Message 1068

Cleaning up the chocolate Ensure is going to be a long process, but I will keep at it. Now I have to make an appointment at the DMV to renew my drivers license. Tomorrow is Andrine’s birthday. Maybe I’ll give her a call. I had a good sleep last night, and I feel good this morning.

Message 1067

Yesterday Julian brought the kids over so we went to lunch at Jeffries. I had a hamburger and a chocolate shake. After lunch Julian took me home so I could take a nap, but he took the kids to a carnival at one of the churches in Menlo Park. In the evening I watched Folk Music Rewind on PBS and read some more on my Kindle. I turned in early and had a good sleep. I feel good this morning. I may even start cleaning up the chocolate Ensure that I spilled a few days ago.

Message 1064

I went to bed after Charlie Rose last night and had a good sleep. I feel good this morning, the best I have felt in several days. Last night I read some more of the new Cave Bear book on my Kindle. This morning at breakfast I spilled about half of a chocolate Ensure on the rug by the table, so now I have another clean up job to keep me busy for a while.