Message 235

Joshua came over last night and brought fish and chips to eat while we watched the Sharks lose to the Calgary Flames 5-2. It was an away game, and that seems to make a big difference.

When josh heard that Julian was going with Jason and me to George's life celebration, he was concerned that he was going to be the only one missing, but I told him that I did not think he should go, that our family had enough representation attending.

Message 234

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to gymnastics. Afterward he chose to go to Burger King instead of our usual McDonalds to get a burger kids meal. He said the Burger King gives away toys more to his liking than McDonalds.

Last night I finished reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, who also wrote Into the Wild. It was quite a good book, especially interesting to me because of my having lived in Alaska.

Today Orlindo's crew is coming at 12:30 PM to clean my condo, so I will leave for a couple of hours while they work. Maybe I will have lunch at El Cerritos, and then pick up my prescriptions at Longs Drug Store.

Message 233

Yesterday Julian, Jason, and Joshua came over to watch the NFL playoff games. Julian brought in tacos from Taco Bell for everyone for lunch. Jason took Ellie and Caroline to play with Beech and Annie and a bunch of other kids at home with Vanessa. Jason, Caroline, Ellie, Joshua, and I later had dinner at Ten Fu.

Jason and I made reservations to take the redeye to arrive at Dulles Saturday morning. We rented a car, will stay at the Quality Inn in Williamsburg, and will fly back to Oakland on Sunday. I will see some of you there.

Last night I watched Masterpiece Classics on PBS. It was part one of Thomas Hardy's Tess of D....

Message 232

My sister Mary just called and told me that her husband George died yesterday. She will call me later to let me know when the celebration will be held, like the one we had for Sally. It will probably be next weekend. I will need to make airline reservations.

Yesterday I watched the two NFL playoff games. They were both good games, and both teams that I was for won. Also I watched the Sharks beat the NY Islanders, so it was a good weekend for sports.

After the Sharks game I read half of the book Into the Wild. It is very good.

Message 231

Last night after watching Washington Week on PBS, I started to watch a DVD called UFC 84: Ill Will. I don't know how I picked this from Netflix. I must have clicked the wrong button by accident. Anyway it turned out to be a collection of extreme fighting bouts. I watched the first two out of curiosity, then gave up and wrote some more of my life in Arkansas.

Yesterday I phoned in two prescriptions under my new Medicare drug plan. I will pick them up at Longs today.

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

Message 230

My trip to Asilomar yesterday was very pleasant. I drove to Bill and Marilyn Bauriedel's house in Palo at 7 AM. Bill then drove us to Pacific Grove in his Camry. We were able to chat and catch up on what has been happening for the nearly five years since we last saw each other. We go to Asilomar in plenty of time before the first discussion session (on the book The Omnivores Dilemma) at 10 AM. Out of about 40 people who attended this year I only knew eight from previous years when sally and I used to go together. Somehow the discussions did not seem to be at as high an intellectual level as I remember them in the past. We left right after dinner (roast pork), so I was back in my condo by 10 PM, so I was able to catch up on the day's news and watch Charlie Rose before I went to bed. I skipped my usual

Message 229

Yesterday I had lunch at Ikea with Vanessa and the kids. Julian was at work.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie All About EVE. It is strange that I had never seen that old black and white classic from 1950, but I was still in high school. Anyway I give it 5 stars.

I am leaving soon to drive to the Bauriedel's in Palo Alto. I will ride to Pacific Grove with Bill and Marilyn, or they will ride with me. Whatever is OK with me. We will be back this evening.