4832

Lazy day! Got up late, napped, and have been dawdling along tonight. Had a breakfast of hot oatmeal and cinnamon toast. Was very satisfying!

Dreamed last night that I was involved in some kind of art scam. I was working for a technology company, but in my travels I picked up pieces of art and shipped them back to the company. When they arrived at the company, they were unpacked and sent by courier to a collection of galleries that put the pieces up for sale. It's not clear, now, why there was any problem with what was being done. However, in the dream everything seemed illicit and underhanded. There were some tense moments in the dream when a few people seemed to have exposed the scheme. The whole dream was dark and shadowy--tense and ominous.

The dream may have been prompted by a short story I read before falling asleep. It was an eerie tale, filled with shadows and darkness. I'll skim it again tonight and see if it relates to the dream in any way.

I'll be going to GH's tomorrow to see the film Salo. I have to remember that it's only a film--not a documentary. It still may be one of the most scary films ever produced. We'll see if we can stand to watch it to the end. It's just a movie! The director has made each scene like a painting, but with distressing actions layering in over the lush, rich images.

I didn't get out for a long walk today. May try and do so before heading over to see the movie.

4833

Got a first photograph of the new grandkid today. Nice image! I put it on my Facebook page. The photo was taken right after her birth. She already looks different. It's just been a few weeks, but she's already changed some.

Had a wonderful lunch at BH's today. A lot of food! I ate like a horse, continuing my munching from yesterday. She made a lemon/chicken dish, rice, avocado, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and toasted bread. Finished off with applesauce and cream. It was a feast!

GH and I watched a film by Dusan Makavejev called Innocence Unprotected. It was a film he made after Man is not a Bird and before WR and Sweet Movie. The film shows his development path between these three movies. He tried a number of things in the film--colorizing frames (or parts of images), splicing in documentary footage and parts of another film about an aerialist, and shooting some live footage to sew it all together. It was quirky, but entertaining. It's amazing what the human mind can create and put together.

Dreamed last night that I was creating arithmetic problems. I was developing a complete series of increasingly more difficult exercises. The exercises were designed to lead a student through the process of learning how to add up more and more complex numbers. In the dream, I could envision how the completed set of exercises were structured and presented. There was a panel teachers/educators to whom I was showing how the exercises worked--the logic behind their formulation.

I'm a bit tired tonight. Had a good acupressure session this morning. I took a short nap after coming back from lunch/movie. I wonder if I won the MegaMillion drawing tonight? Let's hope so! If so, acupressure every day! What a treat!

Checked out the location of the Rosen Method movement class (in addition to the one I now go to on Tuesday evenings). It's held right where I get my acupressure session. It's just across the street from where I live. Coinkydinc perhaps! And perhaps not! Will give it a try since it's on Thursday and the PD dance class won't start for another month. Tra-la-tra la!

4834

Saw Jude today! She's already grown some in just the last few weeks. She sleeps a lot during the day and not so much at night. So, my daughter isn't getting her sleep since she's up at night. But, all is well with them.

Don't recall my dream from last night. I'm sure I did dream, but it slipped back into the fog.

I ate like a horse today. Had breakfast, lunch and dinner. I usually go light in the evenings but I was hungry tonight. Went to the Country Gourmet. Had one of their recession specials--tilapia, mashed potatoes, salad, and chard. Healthy portion! I'm stuffed!

No dance class today--missed having one. Looked up information on the Rosen Method (the foundation of the movement class I take on Tuesday). Looks like there's another class on Thursdays, right across the street from where I live (near where I get my acupressure sessions). Interesting! Will check it out tomorrow when I go to my acupressure session. I'm really curious about the results I feel from the Tuesday night class. I wonder if there is something more I can achieve by taking multiple movement sessions. Is a mystery, but a good one, I believe!

Goodnight, Jude! Sleep well! Lunch with BH tomorrow and movie with GH. Lights, camera, action!

4835

Big class at PD exercise session today. There were new and old faces. A few people who haven't been there in a while and a few who were there for the first time. I felt a bit depressed at seeing so many people so far along with the symptoms. One man, M, froze up during the session and was virtually immobile for quite some time. M is not all that old, but he's had symptoms for a while. He also takes a bunch of medications, which doesn't help the situation. He usually comes with a care giver, but drove himself today. So, he was stuck until he could get unfrozen--enough to drive himself back home.

P, a big lumbering guy, has had DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation), but he's a menace to himself and others. He flails around, tries to move too quickly, and ends up nearly or actually falling over. He must be a riot at home. His wife seems really patient. She lets him do his thing even though it's a bit scary to watch.

Most of the people today did not have care givers with them (although some may have dropped people off and would return at the end of class). I ended up thinking a lot about care givers versus being on my own like I am. I couldn't help but put myself into M's shoes and wonder what I would do (will do) if I end up with issues like his. Not a comforting thought!

Plan to drive down and visit with my daughter and the new grandkid tomorrow. Don't have a PD dance class (alas!) so day is free. She'll be three weeks old! 21 days since she arrived! PD class will not resume until late March or early April. Will miss the dancing/moving that we were doing.

4836

Went out for breakfast this morning. I was feeling good and a nice hot breakfast really hit the spot. I did some shopping afterward, and in my meanderings I ran into JON. Hadn't seen him for a few months. He shared with me his difficulties getting his second eco-game to market. He has had an incredible set of misadventures for all of his time spent creating products. His latest issues have been more of the same. It's unfortunate since he's on the cusp of making a breakthrough in terms of pulling his game constructs together. I linked him up with MSR. Hopefully, she will have some good advice for him on how to proceed and capitalize on his creations.

Went to the movement class tonight. Session left me feeling great! I drag my feet in going to the class, but it's been really therapeutic every time I've gone. I can't describe how what we do (which is so little and so simple) makes such a difference in how I feel. I've signed up for the next set of sessions. At $22 for a series of 12 meetings, I can't afford not to go--especially given the results.

Dreamed again last night and this morning about being on an island. I was near a huge bay that was a fishing paradise. There were large fish everywhere in the bay. I mention to LL, who is moving to Kauai, that I had been having a series of dreams involving jungles and islands for the past few days--even before she told me about moving to Hawaii. Dream connections!

Have a PD exercise class tomorrow. Looking forward to going and continuing my movement activities. Didn't sleep any this afternoon. Am starting to feel a little drowsy. Time to dream!

4837

Dance class today! Felt good to do 1.5 hours of solid movement. A couple of the dances get the heart rate going and test endurance. Felt great! The class is fairly full. A lot of Asian ladies. Most a lot older than me. Most everyone seems to enjoy the class.

Had a tasty lunch with BH. GH and I then watched Man is not a Bird by Dusan Makavejev (creator of WR and Sweet Movie). It was one of his earliest full-length pieces and helped set the stage for his later works. It was a solid movie with some interesting camera work and use of some documentary elements.

I came home from the class, lunch and movie and fell asleep for several hours. It was a full day that started around 8:30AM and ended around 4PM--when I went to sleep. Have a movement class tomorrow afternoon. The day is free--perhaps can get in a walk--weather permitting.

Dreamed last night that I was in a tropical area. I was sleeping in an outdoor area that was adjacent to a house. There was several instances where I moved my sleeping gear to different places. On location had some wild animals that appeared and woke me up. I moved my sleeping area so that I wouldn't be bothered by the animals. When I fell asleep this afternoon, I also dreamed about being in the same tropical location, but it was more crowded and filled with cars. At one point, I was heading down toward the beaches and got into a traffic snarl that made me run off the road.

Interesting that I've been dreaming about tropical locations--my friend LL called today and told me that she's moving to Kauai in May. Perhaps my dreams have been a premonition of her message. Alooooohaaaa!

4838

Sleep and dreams! How the time goes by--seamlessly when built of dreamscapes and endless hours.

Dreamed last night that I was in a tropical place. It was an island with steep cliffs that dropped downward into the sea. There were small huts scattered down the hill sides. Dirt paths connected all of the buildings in a maze-like pattern. People could be seen walking the paths, moving from building to building or going all the way down to the beach and the turbulent sea. Periodically, all of the people in the huts would climb up the paths and gather at a larger hut at the top of the cliffs. There they would wait in lines for packets of food to be distributed. Each group (or pair) of people would receive a large food bundle filled with warm, freshly-cooked meals. They would gather up their bundles and return to their huts to eat. I was in charge of the place and did the cooking of the meals. People were dressed lightly. The weather was warm and tropical, with occasional light showers. There was a curious lack of sound about the entire location. People talked little, and made no noise as they moved about. It was a dream of anticipation--of waiting--of expecting things to unfold.

Dance/movement class restart tomorrow. Looking forward to moving some and shaking off the cobwebs. Time to move my feet (and legs, and everything)! Move on, move on, move on!

4839

Got a haircut today. Look like a human being once again. I was getting a bit shaggy and furry looking. I enjoy getting my hair cut--the barber is a pleasant, happy person and is good to be around. She is Iranian and does an excellent job of cutting my hair.

Didn't win the MegaMillion lottery last night, but no one else did either. So, I get another shot at it since I have a ticket good for 5 draws.

Didn't do much today other than get a haircut and eat a hefty lunch. I had a lasagna dish with garlic bread and salad. It tasted really good. It was like a comfort food meal. I, of course, came back home and fell asleep in the afternoon. Not much accomplished today, but I'm rested and well fed.

Plan to visit my daughter tomorrow and the latest grandkid. Supposed to rain some tomorrow (and the rest of the week). Let the rains continue! Moisture feeds the earth!

Don't recall what I dreamed about last night. It was something interesting, but right now I can't remember what is was about. What dreams may come? Plenty available in the dream pool!

4840

Good acupressure session today. Also had good lunch at BH's. Movie session with GH didn't go well--we had to stop watching the film. It was a movie called Salo or The 120 Day's of Sodom. The work was too violent and seemingly too real. I'm not sure what it would have eventually shown, but the little we saw was difficult to take. It has been touted as the 89th of the best 100 films. It has also been rated as the 65th most scariest film to watch. The last is surely true.

The film was set in an Italian town, Salo, which has three historical notes. It is the birthplace of Gasparo da Salo, one of the early makers of violins and related instruments. It was the location of the capitol of the Fascist movement led by Mussolini after he was liberated by the Germans. And, finally, it was the location and title of this movie. After watching Sweet Movie, I didn't think I'd have trouble watching any film--but this one was disturbing. The director, Pasolini, may have lived in that locale during some of the time it was under Fascist control. His father, an Italian military officer, was credited with saving Mussolini's life when Il Duce was liberated. However, Pasolini was anti-Fascist. He also had trouble his entire film career with creating works that caused upset and resulted in banned productions. He was mysteriously killed a few days before Salo was first shown.

Dreamed last night some kind of techno-dream. It involved some objects that had appeared in a previous dream segment. These objects were some type of encoding/decoding gadgets that could be mounted on the computers. They could be used to encode/decode packets of data that were being processed by the computers. I had found a way to use a particular set of the gadgets to create unbreakable codes, thus securely encrypting information. The dream revolved around several instances where the concept was being tested and verified. Dreams within dreams!

I continue to be amazed at what I can find on the web. There is so much information being captured and correlated--soon very little will be hidden--only that which someone truly wants to hide. I found a half dozen things today (people, places, data, and so on) with a few keystrokes and a bit of thinking. What will the weekend bring?

4841

And the changes go on! The PD dance class in Menlo Park has been stopped. One will resume in Sunnyvale at the PD institute in March or April, but the MP one is over. A bit of sadness over the ending of the sessions. Today, everyone was having so much fun and there was so much joy in the room. Makes it difficult to stop--even for a while. There were a couple of new people today.

The teacher is also associated with the Banda Loop project. The project has been exploring dancing in different settings--such as the vertical space on a tall building. The dancers are suspended by ropes and harnesses, and dance in space. It looks like a wonderful activity--a joyous thing to do. They partially escape the effects of gravity and fly back and forth. Truly beautiful!

Acupressure session tomorrow and lunch/movie with BH/GH in the afternoon. The month of February moves right on by. Quickly, quickly does it go!

Dreamed an odd dream last night. I was in a desert-like location where all I could see was multi-colored strands of rock. Everything was layered into colorful strips. Even the railings along the edges of the roads were painted in pastel colors so that they blended into the surroundings. People were there excavating huge sections of the rocky material. One man was loading a huge section of the rock onto a truck. He was taking it back home with him to form the foundation of a home he was building. The vistas that overlooked the area made it seem like I was standing on the shore of a frozen ocean that extended into the horizon. The blue of the sky scintillated against the pastel colors of the earth and made everything glow.

I came back from class and lunch today and--what's new?--slept for several hours. My sleep patterns are all out of whack, although I seem to be getting enough good sleep to keep on with everything. It will be good to get back to a full set of classes next week (minus the PD dance class). Moving is better than not moving! My cold is much better today. Hopefully, I've weathered the worst of it. Dream-a-ling-ing! On and on!

4842

I'm better today! Cold symptoms are abating. Nose has nearly stopped bleeding so much. I can feel my energy coming up. Made it to the PD exercise class today. I felt good getting some movement and stretching, but felt a bit sad and melancholy seeing people and hearing about their struggles. One older man came back after missing quite a few weeks. He had been hospitalized with pneumonia. Another guy, who is normally up and positive, has been struggling to balance out his medications and get some stability in his daily routines. The stories go on! The room is filled with guys who have to make a real effort to get to the class (some of whom are still driving, which is something for everyone to worry about). Several of them look and sound like they are on their last legs--which they very well may be. Some laughter and joy, but a lot of ominous black clouds. I keep thinking that I should be able to be doing more than I am. But, then I come home and conk out from my four hour jaunt to the class (preparation, class, lunch). Onward and onward!

Dreamed last night that I was a teacher assistant in a lively school. I wasn't doing much directly in the classrooms--I was helping move things around, organizing rooms for activities, and stepping in where needed to do a bunch of tasks. It was a bright, energizing dream--filled with light and action.

Have PD dance class in the morning. Looking forward to doing more moving. Dance the day away! Second day in a row that I had a nice hot udon soup dish--udon noodles, spinach, sea weed, fish broth, chopped onions. I think it helped kick the cold remnants out of my system. I feel that I'm going to have to monitor eating spicy foods--I think they have helped create my nosebleeding--too much spice! Anyway, it's been a pleasant food shift. I like it!

4843

Everything changes! I felt that the nagging cold I've had was easing. It was, but it left me with a bleeding nose. When I got up this morning, I blew my nose and triggered a bleeding episode. I guess my nasal membranes had gotten stressed from all the turmoil during the cold episode.

So, I nursed my nose and set out to do laundry. The laundromat that I've been using is closed for renovation (which it was in dire need of getting). But, instead of my almost private washing days, I had to go to another facility--one that gets a lot of traffic. Turns out that there a very few laundromats around any more. The ones that remain are in really poor shape and are geographically spread out. The place I went to is well kept, but crowded. Perhaps can find an off time there when it's not so busy.

Have a PD exercise class tomorrow. Will be good to move around some and get some of the kinks out. I've been sleeping a lot over the past week and have not been highly active (if I don't count blowing my nose, wrestling with my digestion, and trying to stay warm in the cool rainy times). Dreams have been fading since I've been awakening at odd times.

Stock market went into the tank today! Not sure the bailout packages are going to head off some really bad times. I'm keeping my eyes open for some kind of telecommuting job that I can do in and around my many dealings with my PD activities. Has to be something out there that will fit my needs--keeping watch!

4844

Happy Prez Day! I'm feeling more human. The cold I had all last week has nearly subsided. Still have a bit of congestion, but am feeling a lot better.

Had lunch with BH today--a tasty repast of fish, polenta, chard, salad, and more. GH and I watched the interviews with the director of Sweet Film and a movie expert. The movie makes a lot more sense once it is put into context of the times, the various cultures, and what the director was trying to achieve. DVD's are great! It's handy to watch a film and then dive into the interviews and expository materials that ask and answer questions about the work. The director, Dusan Makavejev, told of some of the backdrop in which the film was made (and also unmade), and some of the fallout once it was completed (bans, protests, and difficulties he had getting other projects). It's not an easy film to watch, but it makes sense given the context in which it was created.

Dreamed last night a series of "real" dreams--dreams that were about my cold and sniffles and other illnesses and discomforts. They were mostly factual replays of what I had been going through during the past week. They were quite literal.

The rains continued to fall all through the night and lots of today. Nourish the plants! No dance classes today and tomorrow. Getting a bit of cabin fever what with the downpours and little movement on my part. Perhaps can walk some tomorrow--rain spirits permitting.

4845

The Ides of February! Rains continue to fall. My cold is better, but still not 100%. Digestion is off! Apparently, I had too big a meal too last night. I'm having trouble with it processing on through. Oh, the joys of having a sensitive gut! Also, I haven't been exercising/walking enough because of the rains. It all adds up!

Talked with my daughter today. Baby is doing well. Mother was sick for a couple of days. Others have this cold!

Hope I'm in better shape tomorrow. All of these physical issues are getting tiresome.

4846

Valentine's Day! Sugar overdose across the planet. Feasting and frivolity!

I, unfortunately, am still dealing with a cold. I'm better the past few days, but the rhinovirus still clings to my system. Hopefully, another day/night of rest will end this round. Hopefully!

Got up and out for a short while today. Will head back out in a bit to grab some dinner--something spicy to help chase the cold (in all forms) away.

Dreamed a bunch of dreams over the past 24 hours. Last night's dreams involved my daughter. She was young and we lived on a farm or ranch. The place was fairly primitive. I was trying to show her how to do some of the tasks that needed to be done around the place. There was some interruption caused by some passing riders. I told her to hide in the back of the cabin while I talked with the riders to see what they were about. The dreams then started flowing past, like scenes from a movie. There was no focus--just a series of images and sounds.

It rained a lot last night--a deluge! The rains came in squalls out of the NW, pounding on the roof and making the gutters sing. We're getting caught up on our rainfall it seems. Let the storm clouds roll!

4847

Friday the 13th! Somebody's lucky day! My cold symptoms abated this morning long enough for me to get an acupressure session. Then, I went to BH/GH's for lunch (cioppino and other good things), followed by an intense movie, Sweet Movie. It was written and directed by the same man who did WR: The Mystery of the Organism. A wild and wacky movie with a little bit of everything thrown into the pot (sex, food orgy, primal screaming, child pornography, war crimes, and anything else you can think of). The film may have been banned when it first aired because of the scenes with the kids. The movie apparently did not help his career--he only directed another half dozen films after this one.

Woke up this morning very early. Tossed/turned and managed to get back to sleep. Don't recall what I dreamed about last night. Cold symptoms have come back some this evening. Will make another cup of Yogi Tea and see if that moderates my system. It's been raining in floods on and off all day.

BH/GH have a feast planned for Valentine's Day. They are having oysters, pate, caviar, champagne, and numerous other viands and delectables. They are having fun! Let the good times roll! Let them roll, let them roll!

4848

Did the PD dance class today. Felt good to go there and do some moving, despite the lingering cold symptoms I'm still having. Picked up some Throat Comfort Yogi Tea this afternoon after sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon. Just had a cup. Tasty and warm! Soothing and healing!

Had a mildly spicy Thai curry for lunch. Felt like the ginger and spices would be good for my cold. Had lunch at the new Thai place on CA Avenue. Their food is flavorful and rich in seasonings. The people who work there are a bit hyper, but they are nice--especially if they see that you are making a return visit.

Dreams got lost last night. I did dream, but I awoke really early and in flipping back and forth I lost the content of what I had dreamed.

Have an acupressure session tomorrow and lunch/movie with BH/GH. May the Yogi Tea do its job and leave me ready for those events. LL returned from Hawaii today. Sounds like she's contemplating a move to the islands. It would be nice to live in that more temperate climate. Cold and heat are borderline extreme here--too cold when it's cold and too hot when it's hot. The middle ground would be wonderful.

Looks like the PD dance class is going to also be done at the Sunnyvale institute. It'll start in March. Opportunities to keep on moving! The PD dance instructor is great! Very enthusiastic and lively! We're lucky to have someone like her so accessible.

Jude is a week old--just about now! Hey, Jude!

4849

New granddaughter is almost a week old. How the time rushes by!

Rainy day! Lots of rain last night and today. Made it to PD exercise class today despite the ongoing cold I seem to have picked up. I felt good moving about for the exercises. I believe that I'm getting looser and am moving well. Several of the people in the class are really having difficulty moving and verbalizing. I can see a spectrum of conditions in that one place--not that it makes me feel any better. Like watching future movies!

Dreamed last night but cannot recall the content. I believe the dream(s) had something to do with old project work, but I'm not sure now. Read a short story about people living in an absurdly cold climate. Not a place where I'd like to be. It's cold enough around here as it is. Colder would not be better!

Looking forward to the PD dance class in the morning. Perhaps I will find out what the plans are regarding the class. It appears that the teacher will start teaching a class in March at the PD Institute. It's scheduled to be on Thursday afternoons. Maybe there will be a class in the morning and also one in the afternoon.

Rainy days! Winter haze! Clouds amaze! Frozen ways! Warming rays!

4850

Contracted a bit of a cold. Have the sniffles and feeling stuffy. Missed the movement class tonight. Managed to get out for a while around midday, but came back and went to sleep. I should be back in shape tomorrow so I can go to the PD exercise class. First cold that I've had in years. Will brew a cup of ginger/herb tea before I head back to the bed.

I was slightly tired from yesterday's dance class, but I seem to be alright with the session. Not really stiff or sore from all the activity. Just have to deal with this cold.

Had a multitude of dreams last night and today. Most of them involved some aspect of my PD symptoms--I dreamt about the symptoms in various ways, shapes and forms. Boring! Must be more interesting things to dream about.

The beat goes on!

4851

Had a pretty good dance class today. Kept moving for the 1.5 hours of class, sometimes a bit slowly. It's interesting that for some dances my feet feel "heavy" or seem reluctant to move well. This phenomena happens mostly with steps that move side-to-side although it also happens with some forward back movements. Oh, well! I still managed to stay out there on the floor for the duration. No class next Monday--President's Day. Also knocks out the Tuesday movement class. Holidaze!

BH had a great lunch prepared for today. She, GH and I watched Coconuts, one of the early Marx Brothers talking movies. Sound was a bit erratic, but it was fun to watch. Their slapstick routines are truly classic.

I came home and was feeling a bit punky. Slept for several hours. Just drank a cup of hot ginger-herb tea. It was freezing this morning. It's getting cooler as the evening progresses.

Don't recall dreaming last night. That's unusual. I normally remember that I had a dream even if I don't remember the content. But last night is a blank. I guess I was more tired than I thought I was. Not to worry, though! Dreams will return as they always do. I am the Dream Machine!

4852

Dreamed last night that I was helping some people with an editing task. We were using a editing device that took in blocks of text, parsed the text for spelling and grammatical problems, and corrected the errors. I was in charge of running the device. I manipulated a set of controls that determined how thoroughly the editing was done. The process was partially subjective and relied on someone with experience at the controls. The task was judged to be complete when the margin of error (which was a setting that could be made) was achieved. My job as the operator of the device was to home in on generating an edited document that was within the margin of error, but that did not dilute the content. Everything in the dream was highly analytical.

Went down to see my new granddaughter today. Something that was not very analytical! She was sleeping peacefully and apparently did so last night. Her mother had been able to get some sleep and was doing well. It was a joy to hold her for a while and feel her breathing in my hands.

I found the drive down and back to be a bit stressful, but nothing major. It was nice to get back to the apartment though and the stillness and familiar surroundings. I have a dance class in the morning and a lunch/movie afternoon with BH/GH. Looking forward to dancing. Didn't get in any walks this weekend so I'm ready to move.

Cooling down tonight! Still been mild weather so far this winter. Soon will be spring!

4853

I was really tired today. Had difficulty getting up and went back to sleep in the afternoon. Feeling a bit more lively this evening, but still kind of fuzzy and heavy. Talked with my daughter. She too did not get a lot of sleep what with nursing and such. She was released from the hospital today. Will drive down and see her and the baby girl, Jude, tomorrow.

Dreamed last night that I was working with a team of people building a computer model of some kind of process. I had devised a model and had verified that it was working correctly. However, the person in charge of the place had decided that he wanted another model designed and developed. It was being done by some friends of his. He said that we should shelve my model and go with the newer one being developed. There was a lot of tension regarding this decision. I felt undermined and slighted.

I was concerned that the new model would have errors that would be difficult to find. So, I devised a way to map the input parameters for the new model onto a data schema for my older model. In that way, I could cross check the results of the new model and make sure any errors would be discovered. I felt good about my idea for creating the data map. In that way, I was comfortable with the newer model as long as I could verify the results. It was a satisfying dream!

I'm reading a book of short stories by Jon Raymond called Livability. It has a short story about the Oregon coast that is set in Newport, OR. That's the place where my friend the Dragon resides. The story paints a vivid portrait of the locale and nearby places. Small world!

Other small world phenomena! The labor/delivery room where my daughter just delivered her child was the same room where the father's close friend had his daughter. The friend was shocked when he came to the delivery area. It brought back his daughter's birth!

4854

Refreshing acupressure session this morning. Awoke both early and late (went back to sleep in between). Workers were doing some repairs to one of the apartments. They were hammering and sawing--generally making noise of all types. Finally, the racket got me moving and I managed to get to the acupressure session on time.

I felt a little blurry this morning. Fell asleep late and awoke early. The excitement of Jude's arrival helped keep me awake much later than normal. But, it was worth it. My daughter's new daughter, Jude, is lovely. Mom, baby and all are doing well.

Had a delicious lunch with BH today (crab bisque, salad, ratatouille and dessert). It was a tasty mix of flavors and textures. Watched a wild movie called La Grand Bouffe. It's about a quartet of middle-aged men getting together and eating themselves to death. Bizarre! Four really well-known actors played the lead roles. The movie will make me think twice when next I eat a holiday dinner. Sex scenes are unlimited! (The men invite some women to join them in their terminal feasting.)

I had an interesting dream last night. It involved a crazy professor type who was helping some people defend a building against an attack. He kept creating imaginative ways to fool the attackers and make them think twice about breaking into the building that housed the attackees. On action involved setting off bunches of firecrackers, making the attackers think that they were outgunned. The professor kept coming up with one after the other wacky idea that all worked. The dream was really entertaining. The professor was a really likable whack job who was having a good time with it all.

4855

Welcome, Jude Skylane! She's my sixth grandchild and my daughter's first child. She arrived with only a slight bit of waiting around 6:30pm tonight. Mother, child and father are doing well. Blessings to everyone who attended and assisted at the birthing.

Had a delightful PD dance class today. We were dancing/moving with some emotional components. I felt moved by some of the simple gestures and "landscapes" we were performing. Great class! And a perfect complement to the arrival of a new being on the planet.

Dreamed a few dreams last night that also contained some emotional content. Can't recall the specifics right now, but I believe I "felt" the dreams.

Have an acupressure session tomorrow. Also lunch/movie with BH/GH.

I experienced some increased symptoms while at the birthing. Driving to the hospital was a bit of a task. Waiting around for Jude to arrive and interacting with a raft of new people, brought up some symptoms. I was definitely out of my comfort zone (would have come home this afternoon and probably napped), but I did well. After I took my afternoon pill, everything seemed to mellow out. I did get lost going to the hospital (turned the wrong way) as well as returning (missed an exit). But, I didn't feel really upset or anything. Just figured out where I needed to go and got back on track.

Hospital staff were really cordial and supportive. The place was not too busy so my daughter got lots of attention. It was a wonderful experience! May the mother, father and child have many more days of wonder.

4856

Got up and out this morning. Had breakfast of oatmeal and bananas with cinnamon-raisin toast. It was tasty! Wandered around doing a few errands and then went to PD exercise class. One of the class attendees, who is normally quite active and flowing, arrived with all sorts of symptoms. He was having problems walking and could not control his feet. It was like day and night--his appearance and demeanor today versus the previous times he had come to class. I was disturbed by his condition. I came home from the class and fell asleep nearly right away. Slept for several hours. Nearly all of the people in the class exhibit severe symptoms. I get twitchy just being in that environment. Must be a reason why I am there.

Most everyone saw the Frontline show last night--or looked at it on the web. Generally elicited a good response from everyone. I was asked what hit me in the piece. I responded with the "monkeys". The image of the active monkey keeps coming back to me--and the results of his brain scans versus those of the sedentary animal. Keep on moving!

I dreamed last night something about children. I don't recall the details, but I remember that is was a light and happy dream. The lightness, I believe, came from the movement class earlier in the evening. My dreams after that class are qualitatively different than my other dreamings. I'm keeping an eye on that phenomena--something there, in the air!

PD dance class tomorrow! Will be a full week of classes/activities this week. I'm feeling good. Still sleeping a fair amount, but feeling lighter. Dance on! Dance on!

4857

Day of the laundry! Got up not too late and went to the laundromat. More people there than usual--does that mean the economy's getting better? Probably not!

Made a trip to the library and picked up some new stories and a book called The How of Happiness. It was recommended by a friend, MSR. It's a scientifically-based compendium of the most recent research results on happiness--or well-being. I've read a bit of it so far and it reads easily and clearly. Interested to see what it has to say.

Went to movement class tonight. Felt good after the session--feel clear and quiet. I had some difficulty with the leg/foot movements that take me backwards or that are done to the rear.

There was another person there that I know. Small world! Frontline piece on PD aired tonight. I got a call from RS letting me know that the special was being broadcast. Good to hear from him! BH may have watched it as well--she showed me a writeup about it yesterday. I heard several good things in the piece that are prompting me to think more about my future and what I can be doing while I'm still relatively quite mobile.

Had two distinct dream segments last night. One involved me and several others driving the new prez around. We were security agents and were responsible for shuttling him to some event. For some reason, the vehicle started to not run properly. We were in some remote location and had to pull over and try and locate a replacement vehicle. We were dashing around, calling in with reports and generally floundering. The prez seemed unconcerned and didn't appear to be upset regarding all of the turmoil.

That dream segued into a segment that looked like a TV advertisement. It revolved around some "giving cup" that you could buy. The idea was that you would buy the cups, fill them with objects (candy, jewels, coins, and such), and give them away as gifts. A jolly old elf-looking man was the spokesperson for the cups. He reminded everyone (intentionally so) of good old St. Nick.

Got a call from PG regarding him taking the dance class in Sunnyvale. He opted not to do so once he understood that the skill level would leave him bored. The class works well for me since I'm just restarting the process--I don't need a bunch of new complex dances. Plus, it would be quite a drive for him.

4858

Had a good dance class (line dance) today. I felt a little stiff (and am more so as the day has gone by), but was alright. Fortunately, the class is a beginner-to-intermediate level and is not too difficult. The instructor has taught 8 dances--7 of which I had danced before. She introduced a "new" (to me) dance today, but it's somewhat like an older dance that I used to do. So, it's not all that challenging--which is a good thing for me right now. I don't need complexity!

Several people in the class came up afterwards today asking about how much I have danced. I obviously look like I've danced the dances before (which I have).

Was a little tired at the end of the class, but not as much as last week. Moving on!

Had a great lunch afterwards with BH and then GH and I watched City Lights (Charlie Chaplin). Beautiful, touching movie! Lovely ending scenes when Chaplin and the girl get back together. He was a genius. He created a literal body of work in which he wrote, directed, acted, edited, composed and produced. An amazing set of accomplishments!

Whatever dream I had last night disappeared with the morning light. I only recall that it was interesting, but nothing remains of what it was about.

Prompted by friends and family, I've started exploring Facebook. Can see why it's so popular. Seems like it could be easy to spend a lot time there. Well, why not? I've already connected with several people I've not been in touch with for some time. Let the connections roll!

4859

My biological clock is turned around. Getting to sleep late (and early as well) and not going to sleep right away. Then, sleeping in late in the mornings. Always some shifts and changes going on. One thing this illness is not--it's not predictable. Always some new phenomena. Also, could have been affected by watching the Frontline special on PD--My Father, My Brother and Me. My dreams seemed to have been influenced by the show. The show airs on Tuesday night, but can be seen online at PBS.org.

Dreamed that I was living with a woman and two kids. We were about to take off on a trip. I was supposed to make a side trip and visit with a business person who was interested in some technology I had helped develop. As I was leaving with the woman and kids, she and I got into an argument. She wanted to pull up roots and move to another city. She felt that I was not being productive living where we were since jobs had been going away. I tried to tell her that we were alright--that I had at least five years of resources that we could draw on. She was unconvinced and was giving me an ultimatum. In the meanwhile, I was trying to talk to the business person about me stopping by his city for a demonstration. I was asking him (the man was MK, one of the men from the men's team) if he couldn't possibly do the demonstration remotely--he could slave my computer to his system and run the demo from his place with me being anywhere. He was acting reluctant to do that and I couldn't understand why. The technology was, after all, supposed to make just such an action possible. I didn't see why I had to fly half way across the country to sit in his office since that was what the technology was supposed to do. In the dream, I was feeling out of control and being pushed into doing things I really didn't want to do. I was frustrated and annoyed. I was feeling betrayed by my family and by my business partners. It was not a happy dream!

Did get out for a walk today. A short trek around the park route. Felt heavy and dense. Came back and napped for a short spell in my chair. Dance class tomorrow! As well as, lunch/movie with BH/GH. Also it will be ground hog's day! No shadows around here! But Phil doesn't live around here--he's back east!