Message 891

Yesterday Mimi and I joined Helen and Jim for coffee at Starbucks. At noon Vanessa came over so I could help her with a booklet she is writing and drawing pictures for Samaritan House. We then went to Beech’s soccer game. They lost 3-6. It was the last game of the season, so after the game we went to a frozen yogurt place for the team party. After the party, we went to a pizza place in San Mateo for dinner. In the evening Mimi and I watched a DVD of the movie The Golden Coach. Like The River, it was directed by Jean Renoir. It was an elaborate production in color and costumes, and an entertaining farce. I give it 3 stars.

Message 890

Yesterday Vanessa and I took Deli sandwiches to Nealon Park and had lunch with Beech and Annie. In the evening Mimi and I watched a DVD of the movie The River. It was based on a book by Rumer Godden and it was directed by Jean Renior, who was the son of the famous painter. It was beautifully photographed in India in Technicolor. I give it 5 stars.

Message 889

Yesterday I got quite a bit more done on my memoirs. I have finally left Alaska and now have written about 130 pages. There are quite a few pictures in it too, but fewer than one per page. Last night I watched the Sharks beat the New York Islanders in an overtime shootout. It is discouraging to have the Sharks have so much trouble beating a team that has lost the last nine games in a row.

Message 888

I just got back from Heidi's Pies. Mimi and I joined Henry and Reggie. Reggie took Henry to SFO after breakfast so Henry can fly back to Washington to take care of his relative. Vanessa did not join us because Beech was out of school for the holiday. Last night Mimi and I watched a DVD of the Italian movie Nights of Cabiria. I think it is Fellini's best film except for La Strada. I first saw it in 1958 on 45th Street when Betsy and I were living near Times Square in NYC. I give it 4 stars. It has an upbeat message in spite of the tragic story.

Message 887

Yesterday I took my Sienna in for its 100,000-mile servicing. I was a little late since it now has 103,000 miles on it. It is still running great. I hope it can go to at least 200,000 miles. In the evening Mimi and I watched a DVD of the German movie The Tin Drum. It is based on a famous book written by Gunter Grass, but I have not read it. It is an allegory about the Nazi period in Germany. It is often farcical, but it succeeds because it paints such a good picture of the lower-middle class in Germany in that period. The tragedy of World War 2 is presented as what happens when the lower middle class takes power and foists its infantile and absurd ideas on the world. I give the movie 3.5 stars because it is not easy to watch.

Message 886

Yesterday I went to Los Gatos in the afternoon to celebrate Ellie's birthday with Vanessa and her kids. Ellie is seven years old now and in the first grade. Thus, in a few days it will be seven years since Sally died. Time flies. We all had dinner at Live Oak Kitchen and afterwards went to Sweet Retreat for ice cream, where we gave Ellie her presents. Both Ellie and Beech asked for quarters for the junk machines instead of ice cream. A good time was had by all.

In the evening Mimi and I watched a DVD of the Chinese movie The House of Flying Daggers. It is a martial arts movie comparable to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The filming and scenery were absolutely beautiful. I give it four stars.

Message 885

Yesterday I watched the Vikings beat the Cardinals in Arizona in overtime. I was glad to see Arizona lose, because if the 49ers ever get their act together they will need a better record than Arizona. Also, I like to see Brett Favre win. I then watched the Raiders beat the Chiefs, again in overtime. The Raiders have gotten their act pretty well together now, even if they did lose to the 49ers. In the late afternoon Mimi and I went to San Mateo and had dinner with Julian, Vanessa, and the kids. In the evening I watched Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Mystery.