Message 606

Except for sleeping an hour or two longer than usual, this has been a normal day. I had my usual breakfast. I read the NY Times. I watched the Colts beat the Jets. I had a normal lunch, and I have just finished watching the Vikings play to a halftime tie. I have also started reading The Economist. By tomorrow I think I will be ready to shave and shower. It is good to be back.

Message 605

In spite of my protests that it was not necessary, Vanessa brought me a couple of quarts of chicken noodle soup, a box of Saltines, and a bottle of Gatorade early this afternoon and supervised administering them to me over the next couple of hours. After a couple of days of vomiting and dry heaves, I have stayed in bed napping and watching TV since Joshua left Thursday night, I am now feeling better. I took a nap for an hour or so after Vanessa left, and I thought I might take a shower when I woke up, but I still feel a little shaky and light headed. Thus I have decided to stay in bed and watch the Sharks game from there tonight. I have not thrown up any more since last night, and I have not taken anymore of the Sulfa-drug since about 6 PM on Thursday, so I think I am well past the worst now.

I will keep you all posted.

Messge 604

Yesterday I dropped Annie off at her day care and joined Vanessa for breakfast at Heidi's Pies. In the afternoon I picked Beech up at his after-school annex and took him to Kung Fu and pizza. He has returned to his afterschool program after discussing it with his mom. I did not eat any of the pizza since I was feeling a little sick at my stomach. In the evening I took the third of my new Sulfa-drug pills that are to be taken twice a day. Joshua came over and watched the Sharks beat the Ducks 3-1. He ate a can of chili that I had on hand because I had told him not to bring food for me. Between the second and third period of the hockey game I threw up. I have realized that I must be allergic to the Sulfa-drug because I vomited twice last night and a third time this morning, although nothing much came out the third time because I have not eaten or drunk anything since I took the pill before the Sharks game started. Also, I have a trace of the rash appearing on my chest like I get when I take Cipro. Anyway this long explanation of why I am so late in sending out today's message is to let you know that I am OK. I think I will continue to lie in bed for a while more even though I am feeling somewhat better.

Message 603

Yesterday I had a quiet day at home and worked a little on my memoirs. I also picked up my prescription that my urologist sent in, and I deposited a check that came in the mail as a Medicare refund for part of the cost of my catheters, etc. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Tess, which is based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. I had never read this novel, but a few years ago I watched a BBC production also based on this book, but it was not as impressive as this version. This movie production came out in 1980 after about three years of preparation, shooting and editing. It was directed by Roman Polanski after he skipped out of the US on his rape trial, so the story bears some relation to his personal experience. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards, but only won three (for things like costumes and photography). I once tried to read another book by Hardy called Return of the Native, but after about a hundred pages nothing was happening and I judged it unreadable. The strength of this movie, and I suppose of Hardy's books, is his realistic description of the social system and the farming technology of the time when the industrial revolution was beginning to transform Great Britain, and eventually the world. Natasha(SP?) Kinsky was an unknown 15-year-old German actress when she was chosen to play Tess, although she had turned 18 by the time it was released. She does a very good job. The film is three hours long and is somewhat depressing. I give it only four stars because it is not much fun to watch such a tragedy even though it is completely realistic and true to the society and environment of the time and place, and it is an outstanding example of the cinematic art. The special features are interviews with all the main contributors to the movie, and these are very interesting

Message 602

I saw my urologist yesterday. He said the lump on my testicle is just an inflamed epididimus, or whatever it is called. He gave me a prescription and said it should be no problem. This news is a big relief for me. Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to Burger King for lunch and then dropped him off at Maureen's place. He has had some trouble with some kid at his after-school program who bullies him, so he wants to stop going, After I talked to his teacher, I think this problem will be fixed so he will return eventually. Last night Joshua brought in burgers from Jack-in-the-Box and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Los Angeles 5-1, so we were happy with the results.

Message 601

The power went out while I was asleep last night, and it has just now come back on. Yesterday I watched the Sharks beat Calgary 9-1 and I watched hours 3 and 4 of 24. Joshua had to go to a dinner for his work, so he was not able to join me. After 24 I watched a DVD of the movie (500) Days of Summer, the girls name was summer. I give it only 2.3 stars. It reminded me a lot of Paper Heart, which I saw only a few days ago, and which I did not care much for either.

Message 600

Yesterday I watched the two NFL playoff games. Julian and Beech came over and watched the Jets beat San Diego with me. In the evening Joshua brought in Mexican food from Baja Fresh and watched the first two episodes of the new 24 with me. I also finished reading this week's The Economist.