Message 272

Yesterday I went to Starbucks as usual on Saturdays and did my weekly grocery shopping. In the afternoon I read part of the new Economist. In the evening I watched the basketball game between the Stanford and Cal women's teams. Cal won the last time, but Stanford won this time, so they are tied for first place in the Pac 10.

After the game I watched a DVD of the movie The Bicycle Thief. It is a classic di Sika movie made in 1949. I give it 5 stars. It is something of a downer but it is so beautifully done I do not hold that against it.

Message 271

Last night Maureen and I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and the Ariagnos. We ate at a Vietnamese place on Middlefield road on the way to the movie in Redwood City. The food was excellent, and the place was not crowded. I had the BBQ pork. The movie was Taken, a thriller with Liam Nielsen or however you spell his name. I give it 5 stars because it was done so well and was so much fun to watch.

I watched the first period of the Sharks game before I left for the movie. The Sharks were behind Buffalo 3-1 at the end of the first period. I saw on the news later that they lose 6-5 in an overtime shootout. That same thing happened to them in their previous game too.

I have finished reading The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield. It is a novel about a soldier in Alexander the great's army. It was very interesting in giving a picture of those times. Afghanistan seems to be not much different today than it was then.

Message 270

Last night I watched a DVD of a movie called Trick. I was reasonably well made, and I give it three stars even though it was not a very pleasant subject.

After the movie I read this week's Science and read some more in my book. I am almost finished with the book now. Tonight I am scheduled to go out to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and Ariagnos.

Message 269

I just got back from having breakfast with Annie and Vanessa at Heidi's Pies and taking Annie to the library for storytime.

Yesterday Josh brought over Mexican food to watch the hockey game with me. The Sharks lost to Pittsburgh 2-1 in an overtime shootout. After the game, which was over by 7 PM because it was away, I watched the movie Network. Although I saw the movie when it came out in the 70s, I had forgotten much of it. I give it 5 stars because it is still timely after all these years, and is very well written.

Message 268

Yesterday afternoon Josh came over and watched the Sharks beat Boston with me. The Sharks came from behind and scored four goals in the third period to win 5-2, so it was a fun game to watch. After the hockey game Josh brought in pizza and we watched the Warriors beat the Knicks 144-126. I hardly ever watch the basketball games, but the warriors are getting good now that their best player is back from being injured. I think it is probably too late for them to make the playoffs though.

My sister Mary just called. She has returned from New York where she was babysitting while Anthony was out of town at a meting. Sara of course only gets to come home on weekends, so Mary had to be there to cover things at night. Mary is doing OK. She plays tennis and bridge with her friends almost every day. Andrew and Amy are about to move to Richmond where Andrew is going to start as a hospital administrator and Amy will continue to be an ER doctor.

Message 267

Yesterday I had coffee at Starbucks with the usual group including Helen's daughter Jody who is visiting from Seattle> She is expecting a baby girl in June and was here for a shower with her local friends.

I watched Obama's news conference yesterday. In the evening Joshua came over to watch 24 with me. This afternoon at 4 PM the Sharks play Boston for the big game of the year, because we hope it will be a preview of the Stanly cup finals because Boston has the best record in the East and the Sharks have the best record in the West. Joshua will leave work early to get here by at least the second period to watch with me. Afterward we will go out to dinner.

Message 266

Yesterday I went out to lunch with Vanessa and the kids. Julian is in Las Vegas for a couple of days for meetings. After lunch Vanessa took Beech to the San Mateo High School production of Peter Pan. Even though it is high school kids, it was a professional quality show. Beech loved it. I baby sat Annie and had a wonderful time. She is quite a girl.

Last night I watched part 2 of Sense and Sensibility on PBS. It was quite good and well worth watching a second time. Even though it has only been a couple of months since I saw it before, I enjoyed it.