Message 292

Liz stayed in San Francisco last night with her doctor friend Andrea from Seattle, so last night after the Friday night PBS shows were over I watched the second disk of Kingdom of Heaven, Director's Cut. Even though it had a cast with a lot of stars, and was directed by Ridley Scott (who directed Gladiator), I give it only three stars. This film was originally released as The Crusades in a version that had cut out a lot of the story and left mostly the battle scenes, so this version restores it to its original version that is over three hours long. Even though it is a very ambitious concept, it remains a complex and convoluted story with characters with motives that are hard to understand and relationships that are unclear. After watching several hours of commentary in addition to the film, I decided to only give it three stars because we should not have to work that hard to appreciate a movie.

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

Message 291

I am up early so I can take Liz to the train station so she can get to San Francisco for her meeting. I picked her up at the San Jose airport yesterday afternoon as planned, except that I missed her calls to my cell phone. I thought my cell phone was set to ring when it received a call, but it did not ring even though it was turned on, so I will have to read the book and re-set it. Anyway, we connected just fine and stopped by Mountain View for a nice visit with Chelsea, Audrey, and Jack. Jamie got there too just before we left at 4:30 PM. We all had a wonderful dinner at Ten Fu at 6 PM with the Daidsons, Jason and Susan and their girls, Vanessa and her kids. and Joshua. Julian could not get away from work that early, so he missed out. (He is working long hours these days to save the global economy.) There were sixteen of us in the back room at Ten Fu, including three in high chairs. Everybody had a wonderful time, especially Beech and Ellie who sat next to each other and laughed and giggled the whole time while they ate and then chased each other around the room still laughing and giggling. After we ate, Joshua came back to my condo and watched the hockey game with Liz and me. The Sharks took a three goal lead over Minnesota and then blew it to lose 3-4 in overtime.

Message 290

I am writing this before I leave for my usual Thursday routine with Vanessa and Annie at Heidi's Pies and the library because I will not be back home until this evening. I will be picking up Liz at the San Jose airport about 1:30 PM, and then visiting with Chelsea and the twins and then dinner at Ten Fu.

Yesterday afternoon Orlindo's cleaning crew came over, so my condo is now ready for guests.

Message 289

Yesterday I picked up Beech at his school for our usual Burger King lunch and his gymnastics class. He was one of three boys in the class, whereas last week there were five. Maybe two were sick, or maybe they moved them to a class for bigger boys, because the two who were missing were the two bigger boys. Anyway Beech seems to love the class, and the boys look so cute learning from the teacher.

Last night Joshua brought over fish and chips and watched the hockey game with me. For some reason the Sharks had an off night and lost to Dallas 1-4. The Sharks had beat them the four previous meetings this season, but no team can win them all. Between periods I finished reading The Economist.

Mesage 288

Yesterday I helped Vanessa with some errands. She is not able to drive yet, so I chauffeured her and Annie around San Mateo to the school district office and to the bank.

Last night I watched the double episode broadcast of 24. It continues to be exciting. Joshua was caught up in some urgent lab work, so he was not able to make it as has been his custom in the past. He said he would have his friend Kevin record it for him.

I still have not finished The Economist, but should manage that later today I hope.

Mesage 288

Yesterday I helped Vanessa with some errands. She is not able to drive yet, so I chauffeured her and Annie around San Mateo to the school district office and to the bank.

Last night I watched the double episode broadcast of 24. It continues to be exciting. Joshua was caught up in some urgent lab work, so he was not able to make it as has been his custom in the past. He said he would have his friend Kevin record it for him.

I still have not finished The Economist, but should manage that later today I hope.

Message 287

Yesterday I helped Maureen take Vanessa home to continue her recovery from her surgery. She is a lot better, she but still needs to take it easy.

I also read a good bit of this Week's Economist. In the evening I watched the first part of Kingdom of Heaven. After I watch the second part I will give it a rating.