Message 583

Happy New Year! I have retired last years calendars, and I now must remember to write the date as 2010 when I write checks. Yesterday I read this week's Science, and in the late afternoon I watched the Sharks beat Phoenix 3-2 in another shootout. Three out of the four games they have played have now ended in shootouts, two of which the sharks have won. They are a good team this year. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Away We Go. Again, I watched this movie because Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role. The movie itself was nothing special, but I give it three stars. Last night Gore Vidal was one of the guests on Charlie Rose. I saw him give a lecture at The Library of Congress over forty years ago, and I was shocked at how much he has deteriorated. He is 84 years old now, so old age eventually has its way with everyone.

Message 582

Yesterday I went wild and bought myself three jackets. I felt I needed more choices in my life and could not resist the sale prices. In the evening Joshua brought in fish and chips and watched the hockey game with me. It was a great game between two of the best teams in the league. The Sharks beat Washington 5-3. They took a 4-0 lead and then let up but held on to win. Joshua is going skiing today, so he will not be able to watch today's game with me. After the game I read some more of my NSA book until it was time for Charlie Rose.

Message 581

Yesterday I had lunch with Jason and Susan and the girls at Live Oak Kitchen in Los Gatos. In the evening I watched a DVD of the movie Mona Lisa Smile. It depicted college life at Wellesley in 1953-1954, a time when I myself was in college. It was interesting as a period piece, but I give it only 3 stars. I watched it mostly because Maggie Gyllenhaal had a supporting role, but her part was nothing special in this case. I am still working on the second NSA book too.

Message 580

Yesterday I worked a little on my memoirs. In the evening Joshua came over and brought food from Boston Market and watched the Sharks game with me. They beat Phoenix 3-2 in an overtime shootout. It was their turn since they lost to Phoenix in a shootout the last time they played. We also watched the Vikings lose to the Bears in overtime on Monday Night Football. It was a good night for sports on TV. We had to do a lot of switching back and forth on the channels.

Message 579

I watched three NFL games yesterday. The 49ers won, but the Raiders and Redskins lost. We are getting near the end of the season now, but at least the playoffs should be of some interest even though none of our local teams will be involved. Last night I watched Masterpiece Theater for a while, but it turned out I had watched it before, so I mostly read some more of the second book of NSA history.

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.