Message 274

Last night I went out to dinner with Larry and Judi. We went to their regular Japanese Restaurant, and I had the pork cutler which is what I always order there. It is the first time I have been there in a couple of months because they usually go on Sundays, so when I go with them on Mondays we go somewhere else.

Last night Joshua came over to watch 24 with me. It is about the same as always. I think we are about half way through the season now. After it was over Josh ate one of my cans of chili. None of my frozen dinners appealed to him.

Message 273

Yesterday Vanessa and I took Beech and Annie down to Los Gatos and went with Jason and Susan and their kids to Round Table Pizza for lunch. It was a rainy day so every other family with kids had the same idea, but we managed OK. After eating we went back to their house and the kids played. Ellie took Annie into her room and showed her all of her girly things, of which she has a great abundance. Anyway, Annie was in heaven. Beech was thrilled to compete with Caroline in a video game.

Melanie and Amelia stayed overnight with me last night. First though we had a BBQ rib dinner at Vanessa and Julian's house. Julian did a lot of the cooking since he had the day off from the kids. After dinner the twins and I came home and watched a couple of episodes of Buffy, and then watched Part i of Oliver Twist on PBS.

This morning we met Helen and Jim at Starbucks. As I write this they are watching another episode of Buffy, and I will join them when I sign off.

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.