5079-5077

Been reading late into the evening/early mornings. Reading in several books--User Illusion, In the House of My Fear, and biography/filmography of Kiarostami. Also have several books of short stories and a novel by Divakaruni. Watched Through the Olive Trees with GH on Friday. Also on Friday, went to GH's evening performance of his latest show. I was at his "dress rehearsal" of the show earlier this year. It was a treat to see how he has changed and polished what he's created.

I came home on Friday evening energized and feeling really awake. The acupressure session that I had on Friday morning also contributed to the good energy flows.

The sky is still orange-colored, but it seems a bit less smoky. End of June tomorrow! Where did the days go? Ticking away! Ticking away!

5080

Dreamed last night that I was helping translate a set of protocols (for what exactly, I'm not that sure) from one organization to another. The protocols were semi-automated procedures that performed information processing tasks that could not be done without computational assistance. There was some aspects of the dream that dealt with colors--black and white. These black/white constructs have been appearing in other dreams--especially over the past week.

Sky is still orange-colored. Fires continue to break out and fuel the smoke and haze.

Got an email from MF--she's doing well in WA state. She sent me a link to article about DBS (deep brain stimulation) to relieve PD symptoms. After I read the article, a segment of Nightline showed a video on the same subject. They dealt with a woman who had been on medication from 16 years, but had started to not respond to the drugs. The article and video were very informative on how DBS works and what it can do. The procedure is only being used on people with advanced symptoms who are not responding to the drugs.

Over the past few weeks, I've begun to realize where I am on the scale of the disease. I'm still near the lower end of things. The challenge is to figure out how to stay in place or even get better. Have an acupressure session tomorrow--moving down the scale!

5088-5081

Welcome to the orange sky land! California is burning! Hundreds of fires are filling the air with "PM" (particulate matter). Thousands of lightning bolts are helping to ignite new flames. A smell of scorched grass clings to everything.

It's been over a week since I posted anything! I seemed to have lost track of time. I've been fairly well--still sleeping a lot, but doing OK. Have been reading (a book on the works of Kiarostami, a book called User Illusion that deals with physics, math and consciousness, and a sprinkling of miscellaneous short stories and novels), watching movies (Kiarostami's Close Up, Good Will Hunting), dreaming (lots of dreams that are now returned to the dream library), doctor's appointment (neurologist--he said I looked great!), PD exercise classes (helpful but still scary--seeing the effects of the disease), eating (delicious lunches at BH's plus Indian food and other comestibles), acupressure sessions, walking, exercising, and thinking (some). I've also watched TV (sports, dramas, quiz shows, and news--but am growing tired of that medium).

Another month comes to an end! July 4th next week!

5090-5089

Dreamed last night that I was in some kind of contest. It involved placing plastic wands of different sizes and two colors (black and white) into patterns. The game was complex and required a lot of concentration. I seemed to be doing well at the task--I didn't feel too stressed or anxious.

Had lunch at BH's today--tasty treat! GH and I watched a Kiarostami film, The Wind Will Carry Us, about a man who comes to a village to record a ceremony that is performed when a person dies. The footage and action were, on one level, very realistic and normal. On another level, there was a host of symbols (cemeteries, a man digging, people and things that were never seen, bones, food, births, a young boy who was taking tests, and more).

Tiger won the Open! Quite a finish! Lakers and Celtics are on tonight! Should be a battle!

Tomorrow I see my neurologist and have the PD exercise class. I did my Qigong exercises yesterday and today. Exercise seems to help mitigate the soreness in my upper arms. Walking and exercise--everyday! It's the only way!

5091

Dreamed last night something about levels--there were three levels of intensity that I had to deal with. The third level was the most intense and was colored red. The dream had something to do with my body--three levels of physical well being. It also had something to do with my three sleeping positions--right side, left side and on my back. In the dream, I kept moving into the three sleeping positions and experiencing the three levels of intensity. Strange dream! Very symbolic and abstract.

Lakers won the 5th game! So it's back to Boston for the 6th game. Tiger Woods forced a playoff round in the U.S. Open!

Went to the farmer's market today. Had an Indian curry--very tasty! BH was there shopping. Saw a fair number of people that I knew. It was great weather today! Bright, sunny and cool!

Talked with my son in SoCal. We wished each other happy father's day! I could hear AR in the background--she's starting to talk. Just got a call from BH--she wanted to switch lunch to Tuesday. Starting to get quiet here in the complex--kids were playing a lot today. Noisy!

Still lots of light outdoors tonight even though it's almost 9pm. Lazy Sunday evening!

5093-5092

Dreamed last night that I was in a theater. There was a movie playing and I was there with a group of friends--mostly men from the men's team. The seating in the place was not structured--seats could be arranged as needed. In a back corner of the viewing area there was a place where computers were available for use by patrons. There were some people in that area, talking and looking at the screens. Their conversations were interrupting or competing with the movie's audio. I wanted to tell the people who were talking to shut up so we could hear the audio. Everything was chaotic and anxiety-producing.

Had a great lunch at BH's on Friday. Watched "A Taste of Cherry" by Kiarostami, the Iranian filmmaker. It was a mesmerizing film--very understated and mysterious--about a man who was contemplating suicide. The film revolved around his search for someone to agree to check on him the next morning and either bury his body or find him still alive. The action, like in the film "Ten," takes place mostly in a car. The filmmaker has made a huge number of movies.

It cooled down quite a bit today. I walked today and it felt good. My upper arms remain quite sore and achy. I have to resume doing some daily exercises. I can't just do nothing--I have to keep moving. So be it! So be it!

I went out today for some lunch. Slept in this morning. Napped after coming back from lunch. There was a nice breeze blowing through the apartment--I napped well!

5094

Dreamed last night that I was with a team of people who was investigating someone. As a team, we had gone to a house where the people lived. It was an enormous place--a huge structure on a large piece of land. The place had dozens of rooms.

When we arrived the owners were in the midst of preparing for party or celebration. There were hundreds of people gathering on the grounds and throughout the house. The team was able to slip into the place. I went into the house and became lost in the maze of corridors and rooms. There were people, presumably guests, everywhere. The family who owned the place were mostly in the kitchen. They were preparing huge dishes of food and taking the items out to the banquet area.

I'm not sure what the team was supposed to do. We mostly just walked around the place and noted who the guests were. There was nothing sinister about the entire dream. The owners seemed to be a normal family. They were enjoying the activities and making sure the guests were well fed.

I slept in this morning--didn't get up until around 10am. It was another hot, steamy day. After eating lunch (mushroom muttar) at Amber's Cafe, I ran a few errands and came back and napped. I awoke later in the afternoon soaked in sweat. I drank a lot of water and juice. It's late night now and still warm.

Have an acupressure session in the morning and lunch at GH's/BH's in the afternoon. Celtics pulled off a win in game 4! They were over 20 points behind at the half. Lakers looked like they had it wrapped, but it didn't happen. Sunday's game could be it for the playoffs.

Had a cooling piece of watermelon for dinner! It was delicious!

5096-5095

Watched film, Santa Sangre, with GH on Monday night. Great film! Lots of symbolism and unexpected twists and turns. Rich images with very little dialog--a visual feast!

It's been sweltering hot for several days in a row with more to come. I went to the PD exercise class today. A few new faces but still only about 10 people. Everyone doesn't come every time. I'm lucky that I'm nearby. Some people drive a goodly distance to get to the class.

Got a writeup from my Dragon friend up in OR on Palindromic Primes--"emirps" in particular! "Emirp" is the word prime spelled backwards. Something to tickle the gray matter.

Been dreaming each night but not remembering the details. Watched the third Celtics/Lakers game last night. Lakers finally won a game! 4th game tomorrow. Time for another cold juice! Evening not cooling down that much just yet. Looking for the cool!

5098-5097

Just returned from a splash in a pool. Warm day! After lunch, went with GH/BH to their friend's pool. Was delightful! BH made a tasty lunch. It felt good to bounce around the pool and enjoy the cool breezes.

Will go back to GH's tonight and watch some films.

Didn't do anything in particular this past weekend. Keep wanting to sleep. Did watch a little tennis (French Open) and the Celtics vs the Lakers. Heard Hillary's speech. Too much TV!

I am dreaming at night. Not remembering many details, but know that I've been dreaming.

Feeling the need to shift gears in some way--break the cycles I've been making and head out in some new direction. I'm starting to feel good enough to begin doing something--what is the question? Doing what? I await inspiration and guidance. The time has come! (actually it's been here for a long while)

Summer solstice is near! 6/12 is nearer--the apocalyptic date set for a nuclear war by Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins. (Google "prophecies" for more fun end-of-the-world forecasts).

5100-5099

Dreams have been aggressive--filled with intensity, weapons, explosions, fights and turmoil. I don't remember details, but know that dreams were intense.

Hillary finally made her concession speech. It was a bit formulaic--but is finally done. Focus can move to Obama now.

Had acupressure session yesterday. It was restful. BH fixed a tasty lunch and we culled her apple tree--pruning back some of the multiple smaller fruit so that the growth will go into the remaining ones. It felt good to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

Neighbors brought in a steam cleaning truck early this morning--awoke to the thunder and whine of the machinery. It was around 8am! Too early for such activities on a Saturday morning. I'm sure the people in the complex who were trying to sleep in were not happy with the noise.

Big Brown runs today! Going for the triple crown. Missed the women's final at the French Open. Men's finals tomorrow.

5102-5101

Dreamed last night that I was part of a team that was building a space vehicle. I was responsible for integrating the various modules of the vehicle. We were using a huge collection of technical devices to help perform the integration activities. The vehicle was scheduled to be sent on a mission to one of the nearby planets. It was an energizing dream!

Went to the PD exercise class yesterday. It was not a lot of actual "exercise"--there was a fair amount of information-sharing and discussion. Even so, I came away feeling good. I learned a few things concerning some of the trials and research being done. The mix of people was somewhat different from last week's attendees--there were some new people.

Have an acupressure session scheduled for tomorrow--and a lunch at GH's/BH's. Managed to do a walk today--felt good to be in motion--will be doing more!

5103

Dreamed last night that I was supposed to go to a house where I was to care take a small child--a newborn. I was supposed to be there at midnight, but I became sidetracked and was running late. I called the people with the child to tell them I was running late. They were upset, understandably so. I was not happy about being late, but I couldn't get myself organized. I awoke from the dream without having reached their home.

Obama wins! Fantastic! Listening to Hillary's announcement of the obvious. Dream team ticket--Obama and Clinton? I don't know!

Picked up a refill of PD medications today. It's all that I'm taking now. I seem to be getting used to it, but I'm still not totally on track. Will go to PD exercise class tomorrow--I need to restore my daily walks and exercises. My strength returns! Onward I go!

5104

Dreamed that I was in a room with a lot of people--a number of men and women. Some of the men had an illness, but it was not clear which ones. Part of the dream activity involved locating the men with the illness. We were using some form of device that could detect the illness. It was pinpointing likely targets. They were being identified and treated.

Had lunch at BH's today--tasty mushroom sandwich with some side dishes. We watched an old film called Too Many Girls. It's a 1940 musical with music by Rodgers and Hart. Great ensemble dance scenes in the old tradition. Had a tap dancer who was memorable--Hal LeRoy.

I came home and fell asleep--napped away the afternoon. Feeling on and off energy surges. Went to bed late last night. I keep getting a span of positive energy late in the evening. End up reading late into the night.

Beautiful day! Really clear blue skies! Will go for a walk tomorrow--probably on the baylands. Away I go!

5107-5105

Dreaming, sleeping, and watching time flow by! Weekend slips past and the world keeps turning!

Lunch with GH/BH on Friday--and a Portuguese film, God's Comedy--an incredibly sensuous piece of cinema centered around a man who designs ice cream flavors. Strange and quirky! I'll never eat ice cream in Portugal now!

Slept most of the weekend. I seem to still be doing a low-level withdrawal from the anti-anxiety medication (been a week since I took the last pill). I'm feeling logy and heavy! The upsurge of energy that accompanied the stop of sleeping medications two weeks ago has disappeared--replaced with heaviness.

Watched the DVD of the EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). It was good information! The technique seems to be quite effective.