Message 193

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

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

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

Message 192

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

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

Message 191

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

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

Message 190

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

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

Message 189

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

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

Message 188

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

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

Message 187

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

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

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