4926-4922

Where did the week go! Zipped by laden with turkey and other foods. Thanksgiving dinner at D&D's with many family members. SoCal son and his wife and kids--daughter carrying a new granddaughter with her partner. BH/GH with their son and daughter-in-law. D&D's family and friends. Quite a feast! It was good to see everyone and be part of the celebration.

Had an acupressure session on Friday followed by lunch at BH's and movie with GH. Watched an Ozu film--Good Morning. It was a funny story about two boys who decide to stop talking to parents and other people.

Walked the baylands today. Sun came out and it was great weather for this time of year. I've been getting to bed late and sleeping in late in the mornings. Dreaming, but dreams aren't sticking.

Turmoil in Mumbai haunted the festive week. Terrible actions by a few crazy people--leaving a trail of chaos and the loss of innocent lives. Blessings to the families and friends who are dealing with the deaths and injuries to loved ones.

Will see my son, his wife and kids, tomorrow on their way home. They will be stopping by BH/GH's in the afternoon. Look forward to visiting some before they head back to SoCal.

4927

Felt fairly good for most of today. Did laundry this morning. Had lunch and shopped for Thanksgiving dinner items. Felt a little tired when I completed all of these things early this afternoon. I've been logy for the rest of the afternoon until now. Mostly feel like napping, which I didn't do today.

People were out in droves today. There was lots of traffic and crowds everywhere. Had Indian food for lunch. Tried a new dish today--vegetarian wrap and samosa. Tasty!

Will try and do a good walk tomorrow, plus or minus any rains that fall.

4931-4928

Walked a fair amount over the weekend. Two trips at the baylands plus some local jaunts. Felt good! Still sleeping some nearly each afternoon, but I'm feeling good while I'm still taking less medication. I think some of the difficulties I felt early last week was a bit of withdrawal. Over the weekend, I felt less logy, more energetic and clearer. So I'm now into my 2nd week of reduction. Have to keep up doing more exercise, but I'm optimistic about what's happening.

Had lunch at BH's today (festive salad, salmon, squash patty and dessert)--was delicious! GH and I watched an Ozu silent film--I was Born, but...! Beautiful film! Lots of humor and great cinematography!

Stock market has rebounded some over the past few days. Obama is assuming a leadership role--something long left undone. A glimmer of hope in a sea of chaos!

Thanksgiving week! Will shop tomorrow for some of the comestibles that I'll be taking to the dinner at D&D's. I've been dreaming a lot but don't recall much of what they were about. Had one that involved SLAC and some actions associated with chasing people through the complex. Most of the dreams have been very realistic and detailed.

Dreams upon dreams! The winds of time are blowing strong!

4933-4932

Stock market continues to dive. As many people are predicting, it's looking like a long time before things turn around. In the meanwhile, prices keep rising. The squeeze is on!

Still using only two PD pills a day instead of three. Seem to be noticing some increase in symptoms--not a lot--but some slight increase. I'm walking more and that's tending to moderate the symptom increase. Weather has been cooler, which causes the symptoms to become more present. Hasn't been a week yet of reduced medication. Will work with the reduced dosages for two weeks and then decide to either continue at the lower levels or go back to the higher amounts. Is an experiment!

Got a call today from RS. He and B are doing well up in Santa Rosa. Always a pleasure to talk with him. He talked some about PB and how she was doing, and how well his son is doing with his paintings (really well!).

My reduced levels of medication don't seem to be affecting my sleep needs. I'm still conking out in the afternoons even though I may get up late in the mornings. I was hoping that the reduction in medications would raise my energy levels--but not so far. Will see!

Acupressure session tomorrow! And lunch/movie with the H's! Perhaps with a bit of rain!

4935-4934

Had a great lunch at BH's yesterday followed by an Ozu movie with GH--A Story of Floating Weeds. It was the silent version that was done in the 1930's. We'll also view a later version that was done after sound became available. I had a good sleep when I returned home.

I'm still taking only two PD pills a day instead of three. I'm experiencing some reactions, I believe, but not anything definitive. I seemed to be a bit slower and tight when I awoke today. It's still a bit early to tell. I walked the baylands today and that felt good--felt light and loose when I made the walk. Still came home after lunch and fell asleep. Feeling OK tonight, but continue monitoring things to see how it's going with the reduced medications.

The PD exercise class scheduled for tomorrow was cancelled. Too bad! I was looking forward to the class. We're not going to have a class until December 10th. Will do a long walk again tomorrow to keep things rolling.

4937-4936

I've decided to cut back on my PD medications--two pills per day instead of three. I'm experimenting with the dosage to see if I can clear up some of the fog I seem to be feeling--to see if it's medication-related.

Walked the baylands today. Will be doing more exercise daily as I reduce the medication. Will see if increasing exercise levels can offset the need for medications. My symptoms are so light compared to others that I should be able to be more functional.

The beat goes on!

4938

Acupressure session today! Then lunch at BH's followed by a movie with GH. Watched Ozu's Passing Fancy. It was one of his silent films. Not as compelling as Tokyo Chorus. Chorus let the actors communicate most of the action. Fancy was carried along more by the narratives (the messages on the screen). Fancy was not as absorbing as Chorus.

I came home and napped. Wasn't really hungry tonight--still processing lunch.

Money markets still in free fall. I believe that things will turn around, but not in the short term. Obama is inheriting a real mess. I need to start making some plans vis-a-vis my monetary situation as time unfolds. Have been looking at the elance.com site. It has an interesting model for connecting freelance workers with people who need temporary services. Part-time, telecommuting jobs seem like the way for me to go.

4940-4939

Went to PD exercise class yesterday. Felt good! Instructor had just returned from her visit to China. She indicated that people in China with PD don't take medication--they rely more on exercise and diet. The people she was working with indicated that they did about two hours of exercise each day. They walk, do Tai Chi (or other variations of this form of exercise), ride bikes, and stretch. They also meditate.

I've eaten like a porker over the past few days. Ate a late, big breakfast yesterday. Had a huge lunch today. Ate quite a lot of animal protein for a change. Digestion seems to be doing OK with everything. I've certainly been craving more protein.

Slept a lot today! Really zonked out in the afternoon. Stock market made a big rally today. My Rollover IRA is taking a beating. Lots of turmoil!

I've been dreaming a lot, especially during my afternoon naps. Dreams about being in the woods, in a cabin with different activities happening about and around the cabin. Dreams involve many people and the communications between everyone. Not much more detail now, but the dreams are rich and complex.

4945-4941

Several days since I've written anything. Days (yes the daze) go by!

Had an acupressure session on Friday. Felt good to get bodywork done. Made several walks over the past few days--baylands and my local route. Enjoying the sun when it is around.

Went to GH's living room show on Sunday. There was a small, interested group of attendees. He did Eudora Welty's Why I Live at the PO and Dorothy Draper's Italian Lesson. Welty's piece was filled with characters, which he portrayed unerringly. Draper's piece was filled with a single person's viewpoint as influenced by the presence of many others. Again, he was faultless in his portrayal. It was a treat to be able to experience his work.

Later, GH made dinner for the two of us and we went to see a movie-- Synecdoche, New York. The word synecdoche means a part that stands for a whole or vice versa. The movie mixed up reality and dream in a kaleidoscopic fashion that was difficult to follow, but mezmerizing. It had multiple themes regarding art and life that were interwoven and intermixed.

We had a brief moment of disruption as we grabbed our seats. Somebody was sitting with his bare feet extended over into the next row. Several people had moved away from him. One guy made some threatening statements to the foot person, which I thought was going to end up in battle. Fortunately, the theater was not full and everyone settled in and watched the film. Life imitating art, and vice versa. A part (the scenes with the foot person) became the whole (the entire experience of the movie)--synecdoche.

Had lunch at BH's today (first time in over a week)--it was delicious, as always. GH and I watched an Ozu silent film--Tokyo Chorus. Incredible artistry! He tells a story so well with just images (there were some subtitles, but they were barely needed). Can see why he was considered so highly for his work.

Have a PD exercise class tomorrow. Will be good to have the session. It's been a two-week break without any classes. Bumped into WB over the weekend. Her husband, JB, has been diagnosed with PD. He goes to the PD clinic where I take the PD exercise class. Small world!

4946

World seems like a better place! It feels like everything is shifting now that the elections are done. Despite the turmoil that continues, it seems like there has been a positive shift.

Picked up some new books today. It felt good to be out in the sun. Weather has warmed some and that makes me feel better.

I've been dreaming but haven't held onto the contents. Lots of dreaming!

Have an acupressure session in the morrow. BH is still not totally healthy so no lunch with her until next week. I've been eating at a few new places to check out the foods. I seem to be doing alright with the different diet.

Got the results of my blood work. Only item out of range is my cholesterol. LDL is high and overall is high--both in borderline high readings. Not much different than my last few tests. Don't know if I can eat much differently--I'm now eating fairly simply and clean. And what I'm eating is agreeing with me--my assimilation is doing well. Always a puzzle!

4949-4947

Obama is the Prez! He did it! Amazing times!

When I wasn't watching election results, I was sleeping. Feel like I'm in hibernation or want to be.

Have been walking--made the baylands loop today. It was a beautiful sunny day. I saw the new zeppelin on its route from Mt. View to San Francisco. It moves along. It flew out of sight in a short period of time.

Weather has been chilly. Not my favorite thing! Makes me want to be in a warmer clime--at least warmer in the fall and winter. The cool temperatures make the PD symptoms more active. Just saw a short interview with Michael J Fox on TV. He was diagnosed about 20 years ago--he's still performing despite his symptoms.

The daze goes on! I saw my PCP on Monday. He ordered some blood work, but basically acknowledged that I seem to be doing well. The person who took my blood samples said I didn't look like I was nearly 70--that I looked like I was 55. Made my blood run more smoothly.

Congratulations to Obama! May his time in office be filled with joy and peace!

4952-4950

Halloween has come and gone! No trick or treaters came through the apartment complex. Had lunch at BH's. GH and I watched a film made in the 60's. It was a somewhat helter-skelter movie with some interesting messages for those times.

Rains have been falling! Lots of moisture in the air!

Went to PD dance session on Saturday! It felt good even though I seemed to tire and had to sleep in the afternoon. Clocks have been set back. Felt out of time today with the changes. Did manage to get out for lunch. There are crowds of people on several corners promoting their favorite amendments and candidates.

Have a doctor's appointment early in the morning. BH is not feeling well (she's been battling a flu all week). We'll skip lunch tomorrow. Then it will be one more day until elections! May the sweep go on!