4467

Watched a film about a Mongol woman called Tuya's Marriage. It was not a great movie. There were a few shots of people and their faces that were striking, but shots of the landscape was without beauty. It reminded me of a film that GH and I watched called Urga (we watched it a bit over one year ago). There were similarities in the two films, but Urga is the better movie. It also is the better story. Tuya covered some of the same plot points, but not as effectively.

Dreamed last night that I was on an immense white beach. I was just walking along the shore. The water and waves were beautiful. The sky was clear and bright. It was a peaceful dreaming.

Heard from my SoCal son this weekend. He's completing the Landmark introductory seminars. He sounds good and appears to be getting a lot from the workshops. Good to hear his voice. I've been feeling on and off this weekend. I think I need to adjust my diet in some way. I'm feeling anxious and it seems to be related to what I'm eating. I believe I need to simplify what I'm ingesting. I think I'm getting blood pressure fluctuations along with dry skin and other phenomena. I'll start keeping more attention on what I'm eating and what occurs after each meal.

CW dance class tomorrow plus a meal and movie with the H's. About 9 more times with them before I have to stop going. The times with them will be missed!

4468

End of the week! End of the weak! And another big earthquake jolts the planet. Not as bad as the one in Haiti, but sent a tsunami roaring across the Pacific.

Watched an Indian movie, The Legend of Baghat Singh. It was an historical film about a famous figure in the revolutionary times who fought for independence at the same time Gandhi was working to free that country. Singh was more of a freedom fighter than a pacifist. The film was an odd mixture of a Bollywood spectacle along with a narrative story of Singh's escapades. It's quite a lengthy movie with virtually no surprises. You get a glimpse at the beginning what the outcome for him will be. The rest of the film peels back the historic layers that lead to the final scene.

Dreamed last night that I was on some kind of aircraft. It was huge. The proportions were like a large theater. I was with a group of men. We were a special team who had been on a mission and were returning home. My team was seated in a row of seats (20 or 30) that spanned the cabin. There were other troops in the remaining seats and the cabin was nearly full. I had some issues with having anyone sitting near my team. There were some empty seats at one end of the row where my team sat, and I made sure they were not taken by anyone else. Our mission had been successful and we were heading back to rest before our next assignment.

Didn't win the lottery last night, but neither did anyone else. So the jackpot rolls onward. Let the good times roll! Let them roll! Let them roll!

4469

Had an acupressure session today during a gale force storm. The winds came up this morning and tore through the area. It felt good and enlivening to feel the wind and watch the rain.

Had lunch with BH (artichokes, beets, turnips, lentil soup, macaroni and cheese, juice and apple sauce). I had to tell her and GH that I was going to have to wind down by the end of March. GH and I will do some movies, but I have to cut expenses. I'll miss her delicious meals and her company each Monday and Friday. As she noted when I told her, things change--and life goes onward.

GH and I watched a Russian film Aelita, Princess of Mars. It was an early attempt (silent films) at creating a science fiction movie. However, the way the film script ended up it was more of a dream/fantasy story. It was enjoyable to watch although the story got a bit chaotic as the plot came to resolution. The director did quite a few films but the libraries don't have any of them.

Dreamed last night at least two separate dream sequences. In one, there was a whole episode involving a tractor trailer truck. The action involved trying to park the vehicle and get it aligned with some objects that were to be put in the trailer. There was a scene where there were camper shells laying on the edge of a hill. The shells were in pairs, laying side by side. They were open to the environment and were empty as far as I could tell.

A second dream sequence involved people who were dancing. We were arranged in groups of four. Each member of a group joined hands and formed a small circle. The people moved around the circles. Each time a person came to the "top" position on his/her circle, they would bow toward the center of the circle. People kept moving so that everyone got to the top of the circle. There was music playing. Everyone was moving to the music forming a pattern as they danced. Everyone appeared to be having fun.

4470

Had a movement class today. There was a woman there who has been doing Rosen Movement for a long time. I think she was in her 80s. She was as loose and flexible as a much younger person. She has had knee replacement surgery and could move and bend down easily. She was very funny. When she was asked if she could squat, she did so and said, "Now I could pee in the woods."

I had a lot of dreams last night. Some as I fell asleep and some as I awakened. I don't recall any details, but there was a lot of dream time during the night.

Watched the Jim Carrey movie The Truman Show. It was an interesting film. It predated the whole idea of a "reality show" and completely depicted what has now become standard TV fare.

I'll be eating and watching a movie tomorrow with the H's (after getting and acupressure session). Unfortunately, I have to let them know that we'll have to wind down our times together at then end of March. I have to cut back on expenses and they are my second biggest expenditure (rent is first). The time has come the walrus said! Will miss being with them on a regular basis, but I need to rein in my monthly spending.

4471

Had a PD exercise class today. The regular instructor is back. Her knee surgery seems to be healed. It's good to do the exercises to music once again. The substitute instructor wasn't very musical. She worked us harder though. Always a tradeoff. Heard that the PD dance instructor will be gone for another few weeks. Miss classes with her. Will have a movement class tomorrow.

Dreamed a convoluted and mysterious dream last night. It got all mixed up with a movie that I watched about a blind samurai. In the dream there were several battles. I think that in the dream I was the blind warrior.

Been reviewing my financial status now that it's tax time. I think I'm going to have to cut back on the meals and movies with the H's. I'm burning through my savings and I'm spending quite a bit with them each month. Hate to let that activity go, but reality is looming. If I only would win the lottery! But until then, I think I'm going to have to cut back on my expenses.

It has been a somewhat better week. The resumption of classes has helped. I'm researching what other classes I might take. Perhaps will look into some of the support groups in the area. Moving on! Moving on! Running, running with the dawn!

4472

Did laundry and made it to a movement class. Was out and about in between raindrops. Turned blustery and cold late this afternoon. Weather patterns galore! Have a PD exercise class tomorrow. Nice to be back in classes once again.

Dreamed last night that I was in a store or coffee house. There was some activities that involved mysterious messages and people that had disappeared. I spent a lot of time in the dream reading the notes and looking for the missing people. The dream was convoluted and shifted back and forth between being in the store/coffee house and out in the town. The dream was clearer as I awoke, but I've lost the details as the day progressed.

The day winds down and I do so as well. I've been feeling somewhat manic over the past week. Movement has moderated the mania a bit. But, I still feel some of that energy. It doesn't fully go away. Riding on the wave!

4473

Had a CW line dance class today. Went well! We learned two new dances and reviewed the dances we had learned in previous sessions. The parking lot at the recreation center has been clogged. Amazing numbers of people taking classes at the center.

Had lunch (tasty) with BH. She made guacamole, chips, seafood dish (like cioppino), salad, steamed vegetables, and dessert. GH and I watched Metropolis. It's an incredible film. Given when it was made and the state of the technology, it is outstanding. And, it's missing 25% of its footage. It will be interesting to see a complete version of the film one day.

Dreamed last night that I was involved with activities with a script. I was working on a scene where I had to keep referring to a script for my lines. The sense of the dream was that I was having fun. It was enjoyable and without any tension.

No PD dance class tomorrow (resumes next week). Guess I'll use the time to do my laundry. We shall see!

4474

Week ends! Weak ends! Weekends! And the living is easy! Got a haircut today! Feel better and looking better. Joy to the world!

Dance class (CW line dance) in the morning. That will be great. I'm much better off when I'm on the move. Will also have a meal with BH and a movie with GH. Then, things roll forward into the final February week.

Had a fair amount of rain today. Showers keep on happening. Long overdue!

4475

Week ending weakly! I stayed up reading last night and didn't get to sleep until after 2AM. That action threw off my regular schedule. I awoke late, took my medication late, ate breakfast late, and so forth. Ended up not getting out today. Where did the day go? Gone to blossoms, everyone!

Supposed to rain tonight/tomorrow. Am heading for the bed a bit early tonight. See if I can reset my clock (internal). got an email from RR, one of the men from the men's team. He's on an interferon regimen for the next 6 months--liver/hepatitis issues. May the force be with him! He's been through a lot.

I felt really energetic yesterday and into the evening. But the energy surge kept on going last night way beyond my normal sleeping time. I have been feeling some anxiety. I keep seeing stories of people with really serious injuries or disabilities who are active and engaged. Why can't I do something similar. I'm not getting anything accomplished. Just riding the daily waves, going nowhere. I'm in a vegetative rhythm and can't break loose. I'm getting spacey. I thought I took my medication in the evening a few days ago, but had not done so. I felt about the same as I always felt, so didn't notice that I had skipped a dosage until the next morning (this was on Thursday night).

Dreaming, but not remembering any details. Dreams upon dreams upon dreams! A dream of hope! A dream of joy! I wrap myself in gentle dreams.

4476

Days of vines and Moses! Rains mildly falling some of the time. Resonant reverberations in the morning stillness. Made it to the acupressure session, barely. Didn't want to get up. Just wanted to wrap the blankets tighter and keep on sleeping. But, got up, got dressed, and got a treatment. Felt good!

Dreamed last night that I was in a play. However, each scene in the play became real as the play unfolded. The scenes became realities. It was like being in a dream within a dream, but the dreams were real. Felt dislocated. It was as if I was within a box, within a box, within a box. I was in a state of recursion that kept opening into deeper realities. Maybe I did too many puzzles before I went to bed. I did have some dreams about solving puzzles, I believe. Where does it all begin and end?

Had lunch with BH (papaya, green beans, salsa with avocado, pureed beets, fish, rice, juice, fruit and cookies). Quite a meal! GH and I watched Lang's Clash at Night. Starred Barbara Stanwyk and Marilyn Monroe.

Movie was set in Monterey. It was a straight forward story about people, trust, betrayal, and love. You could see Lang's hand in bringing the story to life. Enjoyable movie! Not as iconic as M or Metropolis. Weekend arrives! On the wings of the clouds!

4477

Went to a movement class today. It was good to get moving again. No classes this week made for a long week. Better when I'm on the move.

Dreamed last night that I was working with a person from LeapFrog. We were building a prototype of a new toy. He was using a design checklist that directed each step in the process. It was a fairly elaborate list, but he was one of the more prolific designers. I was eager to work with him and learn some of his techniques. It was a very satisfying dream.

I'm hooked on an AOL puzzle game, Super Collapse (by Game House). It's a challenging click puzzle with many puzzle screens. I find the game play really satisfying. It uses colors, patterns, and lots of skill levels. It makes my brain feel good and I'm quite good at it.

Watched Fritz Lang's Metropolis movie. It's amazing given that it was done in 1926. In today's dollars, they spent about $200 MM on the movie. The film has been restored as much as possible (there are about 25% of the film that was missing), but it's still spectacular. It was filmed in year, which is difficult to believe given the complexity of the movie. The director used 37,000 extras (21,000 men, 15,000 women, 1,100 bald men, 750 children, 100 dark-skinned people, and 25 Asians). Recently, complete copies of the film have been located so the missing frames can be restored. The version I watched is from several years ago. It would be interesting to see the whole film. The robot (mechanical man in the film) inspired the look of C-3PO in Star Trek. The film is listed in many of the "best films" lists.

4478

Foggy day! Had a light plane crash in the baylands that caused a blackout. Power was off all day. It came back on just as I lit a set of candles. Would have been a dark night. Traffic signals were all knocked offline. Traffic was jammed at every intersection.

Several people died in the crash. Plane fell into East Palo Alto and damaged several homes. No one in the homes were hurt. The three passengers worked for Tesla Motors. They were executives at the company.

I got my recall fix on my truck this morning. Was up really early. The fix only took about 20 minutes. Fastest I've ever had a service done. My temperature gauge has been not registering ever since I had a new water pump put in last month. I took it back to where I got the repair done. Unfortunately, the thermostat needed to be replaced. Very expensive! The clerk gave me a 25% discount since there is some connection to the water pump being replaced. It was working fine before the repair, and not so afterward. The repair took over two hours. So much for my 20 minute record earlier in the day.

Glad the power got restored! Would have been tough to read by candlelight. Movement class tomorrow (thank goodness). Missed moving this week.

4479

A long Tuesday! No classes to buffer the passing of time. Seemed like the longest day of the year--or like the longest day of the day.

Up early tomorrow to take truck in for a recall fix. Something about a speed control valve that can cause the truck to catch on fire. Best let them fix it, just in case.

Dreamed last night that I was helping teach kids to read. It was in another country, like Japan or Korea. It was a fun time. The kids were really into learning phrases in English. They would repeat the phrases and turn them into songs. It was a fun, happy dream.

A, B, C... The alphabet of dreams! Strings of letters floating through the air. Oh, happy day! MegaMillion lottery tonight! Let there be good fortune! Let there be!

4480

Happy President's Day! Also, Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

Dreamed last night a light, funny dream. I recall telling a joke in the dream. There was a lot of movement in the dream. I think it involved having to change residences, but it was light and fun.

BH created a lavish lunch today (fried oyster appetizer, roasted duck, bok choy, rice noodles with pork, juice, a thick rich dessert made with cottage cheese, cream cheese, cream and fruit). Yum!

BH and I watched a forgettable movie, Henry Fool. First third of the film was done well, but rest was a hodgepodge of gimmicks and filler that was not worth the watch.

It was noisy here this morning. Neighbors were having there apartments steam cleaned. Loud machinery racket filled the place for about an hour.

I'm stiff and sore; achy and tired. Sleep time!

4481

Happy Valentine's Day! Hearts and flowers everywhere! Also lots of chocolate! Heading for President's Day! Celebrations!

Slept a lot today. Heading to the H's tonight to play some cards. Liverpool Rummy! Looking forward to the evening's entertainment.

Dreamed last night that I was traveling to a company where I was to do some project work. When I arrived (via plane), I was picked up by a person from the company who was my counterpart. We also picked up a couple of other people who were working with me. We had to cross a body of water to get to the hotel where we were to stay. The vehicle in which we were riding could get about on land and could also work in water. We drove off the road and splashed into the water. The vehicle adjusted to the new environment and began to glide along. There was some wind, which was kicking up some waves, and we started taking on water. At one point, our feet and calves. We were not in danger, but it became uncomfortable.

Eventually, I ended up in a hotel room. I had to hang up my clothes so they would dry. The next day, I was presenting to the company's executives. I was still a bit damp. The meeting wasn't going all that well. There was some expectation that we would be further along with our tasks. I pointed out that we had only been given a limited time to prepare. We had done as much as we could in the time allotted. The dream ended with some uncertainty about what needed to be done next.

Few classes in the coming days! Have to make sure I do exercises on my own in order to keep going.

4482

Balmy weather even though the Maverick's surf contest was held this weekend. A rogue wave bowled some of the spectators off their collective feet. A few were injured.

Dreamed last night that I was piloting a helicopter. There were several people who wanted to get close to some action that was happening on the edge of the nearby jungle. I was brought in as one of the helicopter pilots who were going to fly them in for a peek. It was my first time to be carrying passengers. I was a bit nervous. As I sat on the helipad, a brisk wind came up and caused my copter to lift into the air. I quickly got the bird under control, but it was a scary moment. Eventually, I boarded the passengers and we took off for the area they wanted to see.

The day has mushed on by. I really didn't do much of anything. Grabbed a bite to eat, picked up some chocolates for tomorrow night's card game with the H's, and did a few errands. Same-old, same-old! Waiting for the dough! Floundering in the mists!

4483

Almost was late to acupressure session. Slept in! I just wanted to keep on sleeping. But I made it though.

Had a huge lunch with BH (salsa and chips, matzo-ball soup, spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, cookies and fruit). GH and I watched a Di Palma film, Hi Mom! It starred a really young De Niro. The movie was awful! A terrible mush of a movie within a movie and a TV documentary. The film was jumbled and schizophrenic. We both gave it a thumbs down!

Dreamed last night that I was moving out of a house. It was me and several other people. We were all related. A woman (my ex-wife, my mother?) refused to let us use a moving service. She said we could just move things in our cars. Each of us had a room in the house we were moving out of, and we had piled our belongings in the middle of our rooms. On the top of the pile there was a piece of paper with our names on it. The old house seemed to be perfectly alright but we were moving out anyway.

I helped GH get rid of a file on his computer that he was having problems erasing. It was a style sheet linked to an application that was running. I shut down the application and the file could be deleted. I also gave BH a boost since her battery was dead.

It's early to bed tonight! I'm tired!

4484

Movement class today! I almost overslept. I just made it to class on time. I was really enjoying my sleep in and barely managed to get up and out on time.

Dreamed last night that I was hanging around a group of people who were making a film. Somehow, I was put in charge of keeping track of changes that needed to be reflected in the script. At first, I just heard the changes but I didn't mark them on the script. Eventually, I became aware that I needed to mark up the script, make corrections each night, print out an amended set of scripts, and have them ready for distribution each morning. When I got in sync, it was not a difficult task. The director let me flail about early on. He seemed pleased once I got on track.

Acupressure, meal and movie in the morrow. Then on to a week of reduced classes--almost none, in fact. Can do my taxes and other tasks. President's day!

4485

The PD exercise class was tiring today. We did a lot of movement and stuff that took a fair amount of energy. Then we worked on some QiGong exercises that left me sleepy and energized. A mystery! I noticed how much my body missed doing QiGong. I had done it for almost two years but let it slip away. Will see if I can get back to it in some way. My body needs it! Round and round I go, where I stop nobody knows!

Despite my tiredness I did laundry. Needed to get it done so I pushed on through.

Have a movement class in the morrow. Looking forward to it!

4486

PD dance class today! We did some coordinated movements set to a phrase. The exercise was striking and very moving. There is something poignant about having everyone mimic what another person is doing--underscoring the movements. Everyone in the class was moved to tears. There was a new person there today. He was in a wheelchair and is very far along with the illness. It was brave of him to be there. His movement range was very limited, but he was still giving it a try.

Movement class tonight was light and bouncy. It is not as moving as the PD dance class, but it still produces moments of stillness and peace. As I noted before, I wonder what it would be like to just be in classes (movement, dance, exercise, yoga, meditation) all the time. My PD symptoms seem to disappear or mitigate when I'm engaged in classes.

Dreamed last night that I was in a store. I had picked up some items and paid for them, but had put something in my bag. I was fearful that I was going to be stopped and questioned. I was with a woman who was also shopping. I told her to hurry up and not to buy too much. We had no car and had to walk back home, which was up the road on a steep hill. There was another part of the dream that echoed a previous dream dealing with lots of unwanted people being in our house. It was like a dream spillover from another night.

PD exercise class tomorrow. Next week many of the classes are not meeting. Have to figure out what I might do to fill the gaps. But, that's next week! Got a note from my daughter that my granddaughter really likes the toy piano. Nice to hear that!

4487

CW dance class today. The room's thermostat was on the blink. Heat was being pumped into the room. It got fairly warm as the dancing progressed. Learned a new waltz that I can't seem to remember now. Oh, well! It was an hour and a half of movement.

Lunch with BH was good (clam chowder, toasted bread, shrimp/pear shish kabobs with mango chutney over rice, steamed chard, juice, cookies, fruit and yogurt). GH and I watched an old Fritz Lang movie with Peter Lorrie, M. It is a tension-filled action drama about different groups of people tracking down a child murderer. The film moves along briskly with several instances of simultaneous scenes being cut into each other. Lorrie does an incredible job of portraying the killer who gets hunted down. The black and white camera shots are brilliant.

I dreamed last night that I was with a group of people who were visiting with me. They were a large group of adults and children, who kept creating all sorts of chaos and disruption. I was feeling really upset with what they were doing and with a friend who had brought the group to my place. There was a part of the dream that took place in my home. There was a second part that took place outdoors and involved a bus or large mobile home. At one point, they were moving the the mobile home. They were letting a young woman drive the vehicle even though she wasn't trained to do so. The overall tone of the dream was anxiety and upset.

GH told me a story of some interactions with Helen Hays that strongly affected his life. It was an interesting episode. He is filled with stories of his life in the theater world.

4489-4488

Last night's birthday party for my one-year old granddaughter was great. She seemed to get that the party was for her. She was her joyful self. She played and swam, ate and mugged for the cameras, and was into the party. She's now walking and babbling quite a bit. My ex-wife and daughter were there. Three generations of women. The gift I brought for the granddaughter was perfect. Most of the other gifts were clothes and such. The toy piano was just right for her. She immediately started playing with it. I felt good that I had picked out such an appropriate gift.

Her father was there along with his father. It was the first time that I'd met either of his parents. His step-mother was there as well. They had driven up from the valley. It was a great party--perfect in many ways given the age of the birthday girl.

I was a bit zonked today. I slept in and went back to bed for a while. I slept a lot this weekend. Dance class in the morning! Also a meal and movie with the H's. New Orleans won the Superbowl! I didn't actually watch the game--just tuned in over the Internet near the end to get the final score. Colts have to be chagrined!

Picked up several SF periodicals today. Lots of reading materials on hand! Dreams have been happening but I'm not remembering them. Maybe tonight!

4490

Full day! Acupressure session this morning. I still marvel at how good it feels and how still I am during the procedure. Still as a pill!

Lunch with BH (cheeses, mashed potatoes, steamed chard and tomatoes, meat loaf, juice and fruit). GH and I watched The King of Comedy. It was a wacky film about a stand-up comic who was trying to break into the business. Starred Jerry Lewis, Robert DeNiro, and others. It was directed by Scorsese. The film bounced back and forth between "reality" scenes and fantasy segments. It was well done.

Tomorrow is granddaughter's birthday party. Will be good to see her and my daughter.

GH gave me a gift today of the Apu Trilogy--the three films by Ray that we thought were done so well. It was a thoughtful present.

4491

Went to dentist and movement class today. Earlier in the day, the weather was blustery and cool. Now, it's raining in heavy downpours. The din of falling rain!

I was stiff and clunky today. Did alright in the dentist chair, but have been creaky and heavy otherwise. Thank goodness I have an acupressure session tomorrow. Picked up a four-note piano toy for my granddaughter's B-day present. It's a no-fault toy that will make music no matter what is done to it.

Didn't nap in the afternoon. I've not done that for several days. I've been going to bed a bit earlier when I don't nap. Still I'm up late, reading.

I discovered that they dropped my favorite dish, pappardelle, from the CQ menu. Too bad! I really liked that dish. Tried the enchiladas! OK, but not as good! Will be with the H's tomorrow. Will have to talk about winding down with them. Have to stay within my budget. Too bad!

4492

Had the PD exercise class today. It was a workout! Instructor kept us moving for the whole time. I came away somewhat blasted. I'm feeling a bit stiff and sore tonight from the workout. I know it's best to really be working out. I just need to do more of it so I'm not so frazzled when it happens.

Met LA today for a pastry. She's been in Finland. She got laid off around the first of the year. She was sort of expecting that it might happen, but was still somewhat surprised. She's looking for opportunities. She might move out of the area if she finds the right situation.

I have a dental appointment in the morning. Then, a movement class in the afternoon. The beat goes on, and on, and on. I feel like I need a redo--a restart. I don't know how to make it happen. The PD class reminds me of what the future is probably going to be like. I see what happens there and can't help but think about how things are going to play out. Dream time calls! bring on the dreams!

4493

PD dance class today was uplifting. We did an exercise where we took turns saying, "I come from ____!" and then performing a set of movements that we felt captured the word or phrase we chose. I said that I came from joy! I felt pulled upwards when I said the word. I then started whirling with my arms uplifted. I felt like a feather. I spun around several times in perfect balance. I felt the uprush of joy fill my body with lightness and balance. I was startled by the moves I made. They were flowing and effortless. By the time everyone did their "dance" people were filled with emotion. It was a joy!

Movement class tonight kept some of the energy of the dance class going. The class has gotten bigger and the room feels crowded. But it was good to see everyone and move about.

I bumped into JH today. He's always a treat to encounter. He's full of stories and tales of things he's doing. It was a "joy" to talk with him. I need more days of joy like today. May they flood the future!

4494

February arrives! Tomorrow we learn if the groundhog sees his shadow or not. Groundhog day!

Went to CW dance class today. Felt a bit heavy in the class. Room was cool and that didn't help making movements. Parking lot was totally filled. Lots of people recreating at the Senior Center.

Had lunch with BH (soup, fish tacos, juice and desserts). GH and I watched a Hitchcock classic, The Vanishing Lady. Good example of his early work. He did a cameo appearance late in the movie--one of his signature elements. The film looked quite modern even though it was done in 1938. Images were well composed and were very clean and clear. Orson Welles supposedly watched the movie many times. Quite a few people think it is one of his best works--but without seeing his later efforts.

I dreamed last night but the details escaped when I awoke. It took me a while to get going this morning. I was late getting to class. The tension pushed my dream memories away.