Message 342

Yesterday I started reading The Economist. In the evening I went to the couples club dinner at the Roland's. Even thought we are not all couples anymore because so many of us have died, I still use that name. I took my regular cherry pie and ice cream, which was one of two desserts. Everyone had some of each. Because the Sharks were playing last night too, I was able to watch the first two periods before we sat down for dinner. The Sharks were ahead 2-0 at the end of the second period, but they blew it in the third and had to win in overtime 3-2. They now go back to Anaheim to play another win or die game. If they win that they will return to San Jose for game 7. Jason and Joshua were at the game. I am sure they enjoyed it.

Message 341

I just got back from having coffee with the gang at Starbucks. Yesterday I stayed home all day and read Science and watched PBS shows on TV. In the evening I watched Slumdog Millionaire. I give it four stars, primarily because It was interesting to see the scenes of life in the Mumbai ghetto.

Message 340

Yesterday I went to help Vanessa and Beech with Beech's oral surgery, for which he had to be totally sedated. This was a rough experience for him, but he got through it. I assume he is fully recovered today and is back in school as usual.

When Vanessa dropped me off at home on her way home with Beech, I watched a DVD of the movie Out of the Past, which is a film noir classic made in the late 1940s staring Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas very early in their careers. I give it four stars. Even though it is limited by the Hollywood code of those years, it is quite well done.

In the evening, Joshua brought in fish and chips and watched the hockey game with me. The Sharks disgraced themselves losing to the Ducks 0-4. They are now behind in the series 1-3. Jason and Joshua have tickets for the game here Saturday night. If they lose again

Message 339

Yesterday I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies with just Vanessa. Beech was at school and Annie was at a neighbor's house. We changed our Thursday routine to Wednesday because this morning Beech has to have the extra teeth removed from his palette so it will develop properly. I am going with him and Vanessa to the hospital to help reassure him. Presumably everything will go well and he can come home later today.

Last night I watched an old movie made in 1945 with Edward G. Robinson as a sucker who kills a girl who is exploiting him. It is named Scarlet Street and is supposed to be a classic, but I only give it three stars. It is amazing how corny and naive movies were in those days.

Message 338

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to Burger King for lunch. He said he was too tired for gymnastics, so I took him home and played with him and his toys.

Last night Joshua brought in pizzas and watched the Sharks game with me. This time they beat the Ducks 4-3, so they now trail 1-2 in the playoff series. It was a very tense game, but it was more like the Sharks we know and love.

Message 337

Yesterday I had lunch in Nealon Park with Vanessa and the kids. It was so hot I had to find a place in the shade. The heat wave set records yesterday, and is supposed to continue today, but then move away and let us return to normal. In the afternoon I finished reading The Economist. Larry Morrill picked me up at 6 PM and drove to Gombei for dinner. Judi is still in New Orleans at a meeting.

Last night Joshua, Pat, and Natalie came over and watched 24 with me. We must be getting near the end of this season, but I can't remember what time it started, so I do not know when it will end.

Message 336

Yesterday I started reading The Economist. In the late afternoon I went to San Mateo and ate a BBQ pork dinner that Vanessa cooked in the crock-pot. I got home by 7 PM so I could watch the Sharks game. Unfortunately, the lost again to the Ducks 2-3. It was a very close game, and the Sharks played well, but the Ducks had that little bit extra. Jason and Joshua were at the game. Clowe and Cheechoo scored for the Sharks, but it was not enough. If the Ducks continue to play at this level, they may win the Stanley Cup again like they did a couple of years. It is too bad the Sharks did not get to play St. Louis in the first round. However, it is not over yet. All the Sharks have to do is win four out of the next five games, something they did easily many times in the regular season.

After the hockey game, I watched Part 4 of Little Dorrit on PBS.