Message 465

Yesterday about noon Vanessa called and asked me to take Maureen to the PAMF Urgent Care Center, so I did. She had been having heartburn-like symptoms for several hours and thought it might have something to do with her heart. She was at PAMF for six hours or so , but in spite of x-rays, etc., they were not able to figure out what was the cause of her pain and general feeling that something was wrong. I went home after about an hour at PAMF because in the meantime her son Jess and Vanessa had both arrived. A year ago Vanessa asked Maureen to take me to PAMF Urgent Care the day after my prostate surgery, so this year it was my turn to return the favor. For the rest of the afternoon I watched the PBS news programs and read half of The Economist, which came in the afternoon mail as usual. I forgot to mention in yesterday's message that I read this week's Science which came on Thursday.

In the evening Joshua brought in Mexican food and watched San Francisco lose to San Diego in their final pre-season NFL game. A week from tomorrow will be their first real game of the new season, but Joshua will miss it and the following week's game too because he is flying to Amsterdam today for about ten days. Kevin Sorrels is driving him to the airport.

Message 464

Yesterday Vanessa and I had breakfast at Heidi's Pies. Beech was in school in his combined kindergarten/first grade class. Annie was at day care, so we had a peaceful and relaxing breakfast. In the afternoon I took Beech to his Kung Fu class and then to Roundtable Pizza.

In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Last Chance Harvey. It had a good cast but was basically a boring movie. I give it 2.5 stars.

Message 463

Yesterday I watched Annie for a couple of hours in the morning. In the late afternoon I joined Vanessa and the kids for dinner at Una Mas. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie The Soloist. The acting was very good, but the things that were best were the music and the fact that it is based on a true story. In fact the actual people were interviewed in the Special Features. Also, it was interesting to see a treatment of homelessness and mental illness. I give it four stars.

Message 462

Yesterday I finished reading The Economist. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie "13 Conversations About One Thing." It has a good cast, but I found the concept tedious. I give it 2.2 stars.

Message 461

This week's issue of The Economist did not arrive until yesterday (Monday). That is the latest ever. I had begun to think tar staff had been allowed to take a summer vacation. In the past it has almost always arrived on Friday, with occasional arrivals on Saturday, but Monday is the new record for lateness. Anyway, I have read only about half of it so far. Last night I went out to dinner with the Ariagnos and the Morrills. It was a new place in Palo Alto that has a fixed price bargain option on Mondays. The food was good, but the price was $40 per person, so I did not think it much of a bargain. It was great to see everyone again though. It has been quite a while since we last got together as a group. I will see them again this coming Saturday though when the Willetts will be able to join us. too.

Last night I watched a DVD of the movie Lovely & Amazing. It is a charming depiction of a family of semi-dysfunctional but good-hearted women: a mother, two daughters, and an adopted daughter. It had a top-quality cast and enough non-erotic nudity that I give it four stars.

Nessage 460

The heat wave has broken, so I should be able to run my computer all day today. Yesterday midday I watched a DVD of the movie Constantine. It had a good cast, but it was based on a comic book character, so the plot was mostly absurd and incomprehensible. I am not into comic book characters, especially ones that were invented long after I last read a comic book, so I give it 2.3 stars.

I ate dinner with Vanessa and the kids last night. Julian was working late again, but he came in after we had eaten while Beech and I were playing Chess and then checkers. I was trying to teach Beech a little about the games so I did not let him win. Today is his first day in kindergarten, but he has the cold that Annie just got over, so I hope he will not have to miss his first day at school.

Last night I watched Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. I am so glad the extended August pledge drive is over so the regular programming is available again.

Message 459

Yesterday Joshua brought in Mexican food so we could have lunch together . We tried to watch the per-season Raiders game, but it was not on TV. The Giants were not on TV either, so we had to end up watching the game between the Dodgers and the Reds. Joshua had to leave before the game was over, so I still do not know who won. I will be glad when the NFL regular season starts. After Joshua left I turned the TV off and read some more of the history of NSA. Ethan and his family gave it to me at Sandbridge for my birthday. It is very good and interesting reading.

I went to my couples club pot luck dinner last night. It was nice to see the people again. I brought the ice cream to put on the pies that Ginny Wilson made, one rubarb and one peach. When we went home Ginny insisted the I take home the two pieces of leftover pie as well as the little bit of ice cream that was left over. I did not watch a movie yesterday. Again today I will turn off my computer early to try to keep my condo cool as our heat wave continues.