Message 816

I just got back from refilling my prescription for inject able antibiotics from PAMF. When I got home, I realized they had neglected to give me the two syringes. I will just estimate half of the ampoule to mix with the saline solution. Last night Mimi and I watched a DVD of the movie Greenburg. This movie has gotten so much publicity, like an hour on Charlie Rose, that I was disappointed that it was so bad. I was very impressed with the performance of Greta Gerwig, but the plot was too unappealing. I give it 2.5 stars.

Message 815

Julian is in New York this week so Vanessa is having to manage on her own. Yesterday I took Beech and Annie to the Redwood City McDonalds with a play area from about 12:45 PM to 2:45 PM. I had the one-third-lb Angus bacon-cheese burger and the kids had Happy Meals. I ate all of mine, but they barely touched theirs. Last night Mimi and I watched the French movie Home. It was a very strange movie about a family that has lived for ten years next to a freeway that is under construction but has not been finished. Suddenly, construction crews show up and finish the work. The freeway becomes heavily travelled and noisy and dangerous to live by. The family tries to stick it out, but become progressively more dysfunctional, and ultimately insane. It is something of an allegory about how people, and animals too, have to adjust to a loss of habitat brought on by change and technology. It is interesting, but I give it only three stars.

Message 814

Yesterday I read a good bit of The Economist. In the evening Mimi and I went to a dinner party at Mary and Eddie Solomon's house. There were ten people in all, including their daughter Justine (who is pregnant) and her husband. Also Dennis and Therese Rohan were there. Mary had cooked lamb, which was very good. Eddie seemed to be doing better with his Parkinson's than the last time I saw him.

Message 813

Yesterday we had breakfast at El Cerrito. Helen and Jim had to take friends to the airport. During the day I worked on getting my computer home-network working the way I want. Eventually Jason guided me by telephone and I managed to get it done. Now my old computer in the guest room is running the SETI program again.

The weather was so cool yesterday that Mimi and I went in the hot tub before dinner. In the evening I watched the pre-season game between the 49ers and Raiders. Both teams look like they should have better records this year. Mimi was not feeling well so she turned in early.

Message 812

Last night Mimi and I went to dinner and a movie with the Morrills and the Ariagnos. The movie was Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts. I had a good cast, but I thought it was terrible. Marci chose it because she had read the book. I was strictly a chick flick. I give it 2 stars.

Message 811

Last night Mimi and I watched the San Francisco Opera production of Madama Butterfly. It was very good except for the lead singer who was too old, too fat, and not Asian. It was fun to watch it again, but I like the version I have better.

Message 810

I just got back from having breakfast at Heidi's Pies. Reggie and I were the only ones there this morning. Mimi had another dentist appointment, Henry presumably back in town, but he did not show up. Likewise, Vanessa did not make it. She has both Beech and Annie to take care of. Next week Beech starts school, and the week after that Annie's school starts up again from their summer break. The weather has cooled off again, so I have put in a load of laundry.