Message 203

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with the Ariagnos and Morrills. We ate at the Sundance Mining Company, and most of us had the Early Bird Prime Rib. The movie was Milk, and I give it 5 stars. I am kind of partial to movies that are based on real events. As usual Sean Penn was excellent in his role as Harvey Milk. It was opening night and the theater was sold out. It was at the Palo Alto Square, so we stopped by before dinner to get our tickets to make sure we got a seat.

I am waiting for a call from Helen and Jim to meet them at Starbucks.

Message 202

Last night I watched the Sharks beat Columbus 3-2 in a hard fought game. Joshua went to a concert with his friends, so he did not make it to watch the game with me.

We have another beautiful day here. We need rain in the worst way. The state is going to be in even bigger trouble if this drought continues. We are already in big trouble with the economy, in large part because Arnold cancelled the car tax law when he first replaced Grey Davis.

Message 201

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies with Vanessa, Annie, and today Maureen joined us. After breakfast Vanessa had a doctors appointment, so I too Annie to the library for story time. She loved it and saw a lot of her friends there.

Last night I watched a DVD of A Touch of Evil. It is a famous movie directed by Orson Wells, but I only give it three stars. It has a lot of famous actors and actresses in it, including Orson Wells, Janet Leigh, Ben Hur (whose actor name escapes me for the moment, Marlene Dietrich, Za Za Gabor, etc. It verged to close to being a farce for my taste. Orson Wells is too artsy for my taste.

Message 199

Yesterday I picked Beech up at school and took him to gymnastics. He was not hungry and so agreed to skip our visit to McDonalds afterwards. He said he would get the Hippo toy next time. He is collecting the toys that come with the Happy Meals.

Last night I watched a DVD of The Namesake. It is about the experience of immigrants from India to America. I give it four stars. I had seen an interview with the author on Charlie Rose, and the woman who directed it also directed Water which I thought was really good too. The only actor I recognized was the one who played Kumar in the famous White Castle movie.

Message 200

Yesterday I signed up for a Medicare Drug plan. I figure it will save me a couple of thousand dollars a year. It has gotten to be that I take a lot of expensive pills, especially FLOMAX, Detral LA, FLONASE, and Boniva. The plan should become effective on January first.

Last night Joshua came over and brought burgers from The Dutch Goose. We watched the Sharks beat Toronto 6-2. They were ahead 4-0 after the first period and just coasted from there. They have tied the NHL record for the best start after 25 games. Their new coach has made a big difference in the way the team plays.

Message 198

I watched two and a half football games yesterday. I watched the 49ers beat Buffalo and I watched the Raiders disgrace themselves in losing to Kansas City. I also watched the first half of the Bears losing to the Vikings.

Joshua did not make it over, so we did not make it to The Dutch Goose.

Last night I watched a DVD of The Visitor. I picked it because it was recommended by Netflix. I had never heard of anyone in the cast or of the writer or director, but I give it five stars. I was amazed that it held my attention. It reminded me in some ways of the movie The Girl

Message 197

I just got back from having coffee with Helen and Jin and Helen's daughter. Jodi and her husband are driving back to Seattle today. They were here for Thanksgiving. Jodi is expecting a baby in June, which will be Helen's first grandchild.

Last night I went to the Couple Club dinner. I took slices sourdough baguettes as my contribution.

Today Joshua said he would come over to watch football and we could go to The Dutch Goose for hamburgers.