Message 578

I just got back from Starbucks with Helen and Jim, Joan and David, and Jody, Aaron, and Emily (6 months old). Yesterday I did not leave the house all day. I was planning to go to the hot tub again , but when it was 5 PM it was raining so hard, I skipped it. Instead Joshua came over and watched the Sharks beat the Ducks 5-2. They were ahead 5-0, but then let up and allowed a couple of goals. I had already eaten, so Joshua had one of my TV dinners and a can of my chili. I started reading the book, a present from Alex, that is a follow-on to the history of NSA that Ethan had given me last year. It is so good I read about half of it before I went to bed. As I type this, I am also watching the Raiders play the Browns on TV next to my computer. The 49ers are on this afternoon.

Message 577

Yesterday a mid-day I went to Los Gatos and visited with Jason and Susan's family and to admire all of their presents. In the late afternoon I went to Maureen's for Xmas dinner. Her friend Gary had cooked turkey and dressing and ham and all the appetizers and desserts anybody could want. Vanessa's brother and his family, and Gary's son and his family were there too, so we had lots of grandchildren to help us enjoy the occasion. When I got home, I realized I had forgotten to take my bag full of Little Debbie's Pastries and other goodies that Vanessa had given me, but I will pick them up later.

In the evening I watched a German movie for which the title is translated as The Princess and The Warrior. It dealt with a psychiatric ward in a hospital and a couple of bank robber brothers. It was not good. I give it 2 stars. Sometimes I make mistakes about what will be worth watching.

Message 576

I just got back from having a family Christmas breakfast in San Mateo. Julian and Vanessa fixed a super set of dishes, and the kids showed off their haul from Santa Claus. Yesterday I treated myself to another soak in the hot tub. That makes two days in a row. Last night I watched a DVD of an amazing movie called Secretary. A few days ago Charlie Rose interviewed Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal about their new movie Crazy heart. I had never heard of Maggie Gyllenhaal, but she seemed interesting, so I ordered her movie Secretary from Netflix. It was a very unusual movie about pathologically dysfunctional people, but it was done in a humorous and light hearted way that made the dark subject matter more interesting. I give it five stars.

Message 575

I just got back from having coffee at Starbucks. Jody was there with Emily, Helen's first grandchild. She is six months old now and is beautiful. Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. For the first time in several weeks I got in the hot tub for a nice soak. In the evening I watched La Boehm on PBS. I thought it was a great production. I have watched a lot of operas, but this was the first time I ever saw this one. I was especially impressed with the Russian soprano. I was also surprised by the strong emotional response I felt. I also watched a DVD of the French movie Cache (or Hidden) as the title is alternately translated. I was surprised it was so bad. I give it only one star. It dealt with guilt and was very boring and had many unanswered questions.

Message 574

Yesterday afternoon I went to Los Gatos and had dinner with Jason and Susan and their family at Live Oak Kitchen. We were planning to watch the Sharks play Chicago, but it was not carried on their Direct TV. Instead we listened to it on the radio. The Sharks won 3-2. The dinner was good, as usual, and on the way home I dropped Caroline off at Linda and Walt's house where she will spend a night or two. When I got home, I watched a DVD of the movie Breaking and Entering. It was a British movie with a well-known cast. It dealt with relationships between mothers and teen-aged children and between men and women. I give it 3.5 stars.

Message 573

Yesterday I had a quiet day at home. In the late afternoon Joshua brought in pizza and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Dallas 4-1 to avenge the shootout loss to them when they played at the Shark tank the last time. After the game I watched a DVD of the movie Feast of Love. It was a modest movie set in Portland Oregon, with a cast unknown to me, but they did a nice job. I give it 3.4 stars.

Message 572

Yesterday I watched a DVD of the movie Miller's Crossing at Helen and Jim's with Joan and David. It is my favorite of the Coen brothers movies, and one of the best movies of all times. I give it five stars. In the afternoon I watched the 49ers lose to Philadelphia. The game had been rescheduled until the afternoon because of the snow storm. As a result I did not watch the Raiders beat Denver, which was a great game according to what I saw on the news later. In the evening I watched a PBS Masterpiece Theater production of Under the Greenwood Tree. Vanessa and the kids are going up to Blue Lake for a couple of days, so we are not doing our usual Monday routine at Nealon Park this week.