4129

Hazy, crazy day! Made it to CW line dance class (could have slept the day away). Discovered that I had lead in my feet. I was having trouble doing some of the faster, more syncopated steps. The effort that it took to move my legs and feet took a toll on my energy levels. I came away feeling frazzled. Went to the H's for lunch and to read a chapter in the Ishiguro book. Reading went fairly well although my voice was soft and shaky. Took BH on some errands, which left me feeling fried. Came home and went to bed for a couple of hours. Got up once I awoke and ended up watching a Norwegian movie called Reprise. It was a well done film about a variety of things: love, mental illness, literature, writing, and much more. It was the director's first full-length production--he has another in production. There were a couple of scenes where the music gets intense, but can just hit the mute button until it stops.

I'm still feeling out of sync with everything, but a bit better tonight. PD dance class tomorrow. Still trying to sort through whether I can make it to Jude's party on Friday. I'm not feeling very stable, but we will see how things progress. I would like to go on Friday--if for no other reason than to know that I could get there and back safely. What a pain to become limited! I'm amazed at the H's who are having to make almost daily adjustments in this respect. I applaud them on their resilience and strength. Meanwhile, my to-do list shrinks and expands again--while all I want to do is sleep! Through the eye of needle! How my days go by! Asleep and a-dream!

Had dreams last night but they have slipped back into the fog of sleep.

4130

Rainy day! There were thunderous deluges early in the day and into the afternoon. Storms have tapered off now. I had a mixed day. Slept in a little this morning, but finally got up and out. Didn't do much. Came back and napped in my chair for a spell. I'm feeling somewhat logy and anxious. I can't seem to get my head wrapped around anything except coping and sleep. Managed to review dances for tomorrow's class. We were exposed to four dances. Too bad I can't really dance since the floors are covered with carpet. I have to mentally go through the steps while watching a YouTube video. That helps but nothing beats actually doing the steps. GH called to ask me to help him with a task he was doing. I had to beg off. It was already late and I wasn't feeling good. My energy levels are off--I'm out of sync.

Watched a quirky movie Mulholland Dr. The story line was on the edge of being nonsensical. Dreams are dreams and nightmares are nightmares, but hyperwarps through the psyches of others are difficult to manage. I really don't know what I am saying right now. The movie was disturbing on several levels. I'm not inclined to watch it again to try and sort out the threads.

New phone battery seems to be working well. Wish the rest of my issues were doing as good.

4131

Full day! Spent the day moving through the morass of things I needed to do/get done. No naps today--just continuous movement. Did laundry (which I had thought would be all I'd get done today). Picked up my mail and found that I had some good news and some bad news. Good news included a new battery for my phone (whose new battery now seems to be working well), lots of tax information forms and such. Bad news was that I got a notice that I had not paid my AE bill last month. It was time to pay the annual fee for the card and somehow I failed to notice that it was due. AE sent me a stern note and jacked up the card's interest rates. I don't use the card for anything so the increase in interest rates don't mean anything. But it's aggravating that I'd let it slip by me. Made the payment online.

Picked up some groceries from TJ's and contacted my bank regarding the over-deposit they had made in trying to reverse an incorrect monthly fee charge they had made. They credited two reversals. Not a bad deal if they keep doing it--they charge me incorrectly for X dollars, reverse the charges twice, which leaves me X dollars ahead. Fine with me if they want to do it every day.

Watched a German film--Mother Kunsters Goes to Heaven. It's a Fassbinder film about a woman who is widowed by her husband taking his own life after killing a co-worker. She tries to set right the impression the media makes of her husband as they report the story. It has German and an English (American) endings that are radically different. In both she goes to heaven, but in very dissimilar ways.

I'm quite tired tonight, but in a good way. Jude's birthday next Friday. Got a note from S, my daughter, that there's a party. It's in the evening next Friday. Have to see if I can make it since it's a fair distance from where I live and it will be dark--I've not driven a lot at night over that past few years. Will check it out! Time to collapse! Adieu!

4132

PD weight training class almost doubled in size today. Have a total of eight people plus several caretakers. Felt good to lift the weights and move about. I continue to be impressed by those people who are dealing with a lot more in terms of symptoms than I am, but who make the effort to get to a class and participate. They are inspiring!

I continue to sleep a lot despite my intentions to do otherwise. Dreamed last night about being at a college. It was a huge campus and there were thousands of students. I was having trouble keeping my grades up and was having problems with warnings of possible expulsion. I was taking with another student about my difficulties. She showed me how she managed to get through some courses by default. She would just show up near the end of the semester and turn in a grade request form. Because of the relative chaos and overcrowding, some of the instructors were hopelessly behind with their bookkeeping tasks. They would just assume that she had been in the class and would give her a grade. She had grades for seven courses, three of which were default grades. It made a lot of sense. I was getting ready to try the scheme when I awoke.

I thought I awoke early, but it was just dark outside. I took some medication and went back to sleep. Had some breakfast and went back to sleep. Went to PD class and came home and...went to sleep for a few hours. Watched a few TV shows. And, yes, it's now time to sleep again. I know that I'm going to have to stop sleeping so much. But, it feels so good to drift away into the dream clouds. I see a washing machine in the mists. Tomorrow is laundry day! Ole!

4133

Update from the "crash" that took place in yesterday's PD gait and balance class! I knew that the person who fell on my foot had torqued my Achilles tendon. The tendon was a little sore but not badly hurt. However, my big toe on my left foot (the one that took the hit) was jammed and is now black and blue. Apparently, when I was hit the action bent my toe quite a lot. The bending resulted in a bruised big toe. It's not swollen or such, just bruised. I walked to the movement class and back today with virtually no problems. The toe is slightly stiff but walkable. I seem to recall that at the time everyone crashed together that my shoe got jammed in the carpet. My attention though was on my Achilles tendon and I didn't fully notice that my toe had been jammed.

Watched Chasing Amy last night with the H's. I had seen the movie before. When, I don't have a clue. It's a funny movie and was liked by all.

I slept a lot today but feel better for doing so. Movement class felt good today. Tomorrow is PD weight training. I'm trying to rev up my energies to break loose from the torpor that surrounds me. I think I'm starting to make some progress--in my mind so far. Reality will follow!

4134

Had a PD gait and balance class today. Didn't want to get up this morning, but glad that I made the effort. We were doing a walking exercise where we walked to some music and bounced a ball from hand to hand. It turned into a melee. Several people fell as they swooped down to catch a ball. One person fell across my ankle, giving my Achilles tendon a stretch. I wasn't harmed, thank goodness. It was a close one.

Truck is running smoothly. Made it to the H's to read a chapter of The Unconsoled and take GH on an errand. When I got home, I dropped off to sleep. I was quite tired. I keep having hot flushes where my face turns red and I feel heat. My diet got twisted around over the past week. May have to go onto a simple, clean diet to clear my system. Heading to the H's for movie night. Movement class tomorrow.

4135

Mobile again! Got my truck back today. The heater bypass hoses had split and burst yesterday when the temperature gauge red-lined. There were error codes on the computer diagnostics indicating there was cylinder over heating. The repair shop replaced the hose assemblies and for $650 all is well. The truck seems to be running smoothly despite the trauma.

I, on the other hand, did not run so well during this event. I became very shaky and anxious. Also, my daily structure was disrupted. I had to take the bus in order to get around and had to walk quite a lot. All of the tension and lack of a vehicle left me tired and exhausted. I slept a lot in between tasks. Hopefully, tomorrow will put things back on track.

Started watching a movie tonight--The Tracey Fragments. It was about a teenage girl who ends up riding on a bus where she is found wrapped in a shower curtain as she looks for her younger brother, who thinks he's a dog. Enough said! You can understand why I didn't finish watching it. It was also displayed in small Mondrian-style windows that added to the chaos and annoyance. It was nominated for an Oscar when it was originally released. Why is the puzzlement?

PD gait and balance tomorrow! Will give the truck a short road test on the freeway.

4136

Long and grumpy day! Went to CW line dance class. Their was some confusion regarding the start time. Several of us got there at 10am. We ended up waiting a half hour before the class got underway. Once we finally got into the class, I found that I was having trouble with making my feet do what I wanted them to do. The long break had some effects on my coordination.

Made it through the class though. As I drove to the H's, my truck imploded. I had made it off the freeway and was on the street heading to the H's. Suddenly, my temperature gauge peaked out and went into the red zone. Steam poured out of the engine area and the engine started chugging.

Called AAA and had it towed to the repair shop. I grabbed a bus to get home. The shop called and said it would be about $700 for repairs. They should get it done tomorrow. It was a dumb thing t let happen. I knew I was having problems with the engine cooling system for some time. I just kept putting off having it serviced. Can't put it off now!

Fell asleep in my chair when I got home. The activity and events zonked me out. Watched a movie Unfaithful. It's a remake of an older movie about infidelity and its outcomes. Has several well known actors in the key roles. An OK film, but nothing I'd go out of my way to see again.

No class tomorrow! That makes it easier to deal with the truck being in the shop. I can survive without it. I can use the time to check off more items on my to-do list. My, oh, my!

4137

Went to the Sprint place today to see if I could get a battery. I think my phone is starting to act erratically because the battery is failing. Of course, my phone is too old for them to have it in stock. I ordered a replacement unit online. Found one for $25, which seems like a reasonable price. Should get it in a few days. Another item checked off of my to-do list. CW line dance class starts tomorrow. I really zoned out this weekend. Slept a lot and just wanted to sleep some more. I'd rather be up and about, working on my always growing to-do list. But, sleep calls and I answer.

Watched Sophia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides this evening. She did a good job in her opening directorial foray. The story, based on a novel, doesn't bring out any clarifying insights as to why five teenage sisters would choose to off themselves and why their parents didn't do anything to prevent such an awful set of events. Coppola wrote the screenplay as well as did the directing. The five girls that played the sisters were like a coven of Wendys from Peter Pan. Most of the actors in the movie were young kids. They nearly all did credible jobs in their various roles.

So, back to dancing tomorrow and more book reading with the H's. Let the good rhymes toll!

4138

Days are getting longer and shorter--at the same time! Hours go by slowly but also zoom past as well. It was a slow/fast day today. I slept well last night. I also napped a lot today. I did make it out for a spell. I did some errands and grabbed some food early in the afternoon. Went to a place I've not been before, the Szechaun Cafe on CA avenue. They served up a huge plate of food. It was on the lunch menu and was not very expensive. I had their version of General's Chicken. Very tasty and very filling! I came home and slept. I zonked out for several hours.

Watched a Boorman film, Hope and Glory. It was a plodding recreation of his life at the time the second world war began. I felt like I'd seen the film before but I can't say when for sure. I might have seen a preview perhaps. It was deja vu! Hoo, hoo, hoo!

Weekend is passing by slowly and quickly. Monday I restart CW line dance classes. That will be great! In the PD weight training class yesterday, we did a balance exercise that involved doing a grapevine movement. I discovered that with my dancing activities doing such a step was easy for me. Others were having a lot of difficulty with the step. Another little surprise!

4139

Had a PD weight training session today. Came away feeling refreshed and awake. Pumping the iron and the muscles seem like a good thing to do. Class is later in the day on Fridays so it makes for a somewhat skewed day. But, things work out--no pun intended!

Dreamed last night and during a short nap I took this evening but I don't recall any details. The dreams just seem to come and go without leaving an impression. It's all part of the "fog" in which I seem to be immersed. Fog about details of any kind, about the past, about recent events, and much more. My history has collapsed into a blurry few years that I've spent dealing with my symptoms.

I sometimes grow anxious about the future and what will be. I also discover quiet spaces where there is no worry, only a tranquil stillness. Both states occur and neither fully persists. In what other states do I find myself (or lose myself)? Oh so many, but few that maintain or last!

4140

Long and busy day! Took GH to hearing this morning for his errant tenant. She had pleaded guilty and was being given a three year suspended sentence with probation plus restitution. I picked him up at 8:30am and we got back around 11am. I went to movement class which felt good. Ate lunch and slept for a few hours. Then, helped retrieve BH from the hospital and got her home. Ready for the beddy!

PD weight training session tomorrow.

It was an interesting experience being in the courtroom today. I was shaking some but made it through the proceedings for the most part. I had trouble following the lawyers' arguments and testimony. As the day went on, I could feel myself close down. I was having a difficult time tracking conversations and such. Listening to the radio seems to work some, but it's like floods of noise that pass through--nothing sticks or stays.

4141

Did yoga today in PD gait and balance class. Felt really good to be on the floor. Today was a crazy day. BH passed out and fell over and hit her head when she bent over to pick something up. She ended up in the hospital for observation. This the fourth time she's passed out after bending over and raising back up. They're going to find out what's going on with her.

Their errant tenant is being sentenced tomorrow and GH needs to be at the court house by 9 o'clock. I volunteered to get him there so it's time to hit the bed.

We watched a Portuguese film, God's Comedy, tonight. We'd viewed the film before, but it is such a good (though gritty) work it is worth seeing again. Montiero is the director. Will see if he has other films in circulation.

4142

PD dance class was fun today. We did some improvisations that were a bit challenging but fun. After coming back later in the day, I was really tired. I slept for a couple of hours which felt really good. I've been somewhat quiet today with respect to symptoms. I'm feeling quiet. Started working my way through the to-do list. Technology worked this time around.

Watched a Turkish movie called Bliss. It was about a girl who gets labeled as an outcast when she's found raped. According to custom, she is blamed for the incident and sentenced to death. A cousin is assigned the task of killing her and there begins the tale. The film is exquisitely photographed. It's a lush film and worth seeing. The story line is somewhat obvious, but is carried through to a satisfactory conclusion. The production company has also done documentary pieces on Ellsworth and the pentagon papers and on the impact of oil exploration on the Amazon.

PD exercise class tomorrow. She's going to do some floor work (yoga). I nearly overslept this morning--or rather I did oversleep and barely made it to class on time. So good to sleep! I just want to keep on snoozing. Oh, yeah!

4143

Today was MLKs day of celebration. Not many places were actually closed and people were out and about in droves it seemed. I made a (long) list of to-do items and I'm sure it's not complete. I've been paralyzed by the unwritten list that I've been carrying around in my head. Writing everything down helps objectify what there is to be done. But, the list is long and I'm sure more items will emerge.

Oddly enough, I tried to deal with the first item on the list (pay a bill). The website for the payment could not be reached! More of the techno-failures that I've been experiencing (WiFi, razor, phone).

I slept erratically last night. Awoke after only a few hours of sleep. Didn't nap today so I'm a bit tired already. Symptoms were more present today especially the trembling. Went to the H's today to read another chapter in the Ishiguro book, The Unconsoled. I seem to shake a lot while I'm reading. I guess I'm anxious as I read and it manifests with trembling. It is the same with the PD class (tomorrow) when I'm asked to lead a movement. We'll see!

4144

Got a call from my friend LL in La Jolla. She's really happy with the place she found--it's right on the Coast walk and right downtown near the cafes and shops. Weather there has turned nice now that the rains have let up.

Watched a movie tonight--A Double Life. It's an old b/w film about an actor who plays Othello and gets too far into the role. He ends up murdering a woman in real life like he does on the stage with Desdemona. I think I saw the movie before with the H's. It was worth watching a second (or third!) time. Many of the actors in the film went on to good careers.

Felt logy and heavy a lot today. Keep thinking I'm going to get a surge of energy and attack this trashy apartment. But after I get up and about for a little while, I seem to run out of gas and end up sitting or sleeping. My biological clock is heavily tilted towards me waking up early to take my first pill, sleeping in late, eating breakfast, heading back to bed sometimes, going out for lunch and errands, taking my second pill, sleeping for an hour or more, and so on. I manage to stay up after that watching a movie or TV shows, eating some dinner, grabbing a snack a bit later, taking my third pill, and heading for bed around 10:30. I usually read for an hour or so and the wheel turns again. I'm on a giant gerbil wheel and I can't seem to jump off!

4145

It was a warm, sunny day today. Spring is in the air! Too soon, but it'll get here at some point.

Did my laundry. The laundromat was completely empty! Why? Who knows? Not a soul came in the whole time I was there.

I'm having technology problems. My WiFi modem is getting flaky. When it loses signal from the Internet, it takes several power cycles to get it to reconnect. I have to flip the power switch on/off quite a few times before it reconnects. Along with that issue, my mobile phone keeps powering down because of a low battery status. It seems like the battery is not properly (fully) recharging. To top that off, my electric razor is starting to wear out. It's not shaving my face completely and one of the motor elements is starting to make a loud noise. Ahh, technology! What a morass!

Watched a movie tonight--Dejavu. It's a somewhat hokey attempt at a quasi-SciFi thriller with rather grandiose SciFi elements. They use some form of worm hole phenomena to revisit the past. Of course they do! It was a somewhat tedious film with moments of intensity.

Bumped into an old co-worker when I was doing my laundry. It was BP, a young kid who helped us code several of our software titles--a young kid who is now 50 years old! He's still putting about on a Vespa and still writing code. He works for Oracle. I recognized him immediately! Amazing to see him once again.

4146

Busy day! Had an acupressure session this morning. It really felt good! I could feel aftereffects for the rest of the day. The session quieted the symptoms. Went to a PD weight training in the afternoon. Felt energized and strong while doing the weight training. Need to figure out how to do more exercise/movement/treatments. Day was bright and sunny. That state of things made everything lighter and brighter.

Will watch a movie tonight--My Left Foot. I've seen it before but look forward to watching it again.

Dreamed something about work and jobs last night.

Pope John Paul II is being beatified--a precursor to his being named a saint. He needs one more confirmed miracle that can be attributed to him. He's had one--a French nun was cured of Parkinson's Disease. I'll gladly volunteer to be his second one in that regard. Let it be me!

There's a PD intensive retreat in May that sounds wonderful except that it's "intensive" and is a week long. As much as I sleep and as little that I do doesn't seem like a match with the retreat. But, who knows? Expect a miracle!

4147

Movement class went well today. There were several new people and the room was quite full. Have weight training class tomorrow plus another acupressure session. Soon will be heading to the bed. I'm feeling tired.

Some rain today. I bumped into NH today. She was pleasant and told me how well I looked.

I'm running low on energy tonight. Will take my last pill for the day and climb in bed. Adieu!

4148

PD gait and balance class today! It felt good to be back to some type of movement. I, however, also felt somewhat weak and ill at ease. I had a difficult bowel movement this morning and when I got to the class. I felt better after class was over and I got some food to replace what I lost. I ended up sleeping through the rest of the afternoon. Feel better now. I'm heading to the H's for movie night. We're probably going to screen District 9 again.

Dreamed last night about working on some type of job. Can't recall the details now. The dream was light and playful.

Weather has warmed up a lot compared to the weekend days/nights. Forecast is for moderate weather for the next week or so. Movement class tomorrow. Move and groove!

4149

It's one of those dates--01/11/11! Of course, we have to wait a while for 11/11/11. Had a PD dance class today. It was fun but I was feeling somewhat off. I found that I was shaking when the dancing and movements took place. I noticed that most of the people in the class don't have a lot of shaking. I'm puzzled why I seem to be shaking even though I've increased my medication. The cool weather wasn't helping. Perhaps, I need a warmer clime.

Watched a Colombian film tonight: Rodrigo D--No Future. It was a harsh, noisy film about young men in Colombia who have to deal with the terrible poverty and chaos of that country. Several of the young men who acted in the film died from street violence before the film was released. The film got across the problems and struggles that are involved with being being trapped in that milieu. It was worth the effort to watch it, but I'm not eager to see it again.

Dreamed last night a set of dreams that involved humor and play. I think it revolved around kids and the silly/funny things that they do. Time to take a pill! Goodnight, goodnight! It's time to go.

4150

Had a wonderful acupressure session today. I fell asleep during the treatment; I literally conked out on the table at one point. It felt great! I'll be getting another treatment at the end of this week. Looking forward to it!

Watched a classic gangster movie, White Heat, tonight. It starred James Cagney in what had to be one of his best performances upon returning to Warner Brothers. He played a wacko bad guy who led a gang on some big heists. The actress who played his demented mother was great.

Have a PD dance class tomorrow. The acupressure person said my pulse got stronger when I mentioned that class.

It was really cold last night and promises to be so again tonight. Then a spell of relatively warmer days and nights is forecast. Let it be so! I seem to be feeling better with taking more medication. The wearing off symptoms seem to be less and less. I went almost three years on the reduced dosage. May the recent increase in dosage take me through another three years or more. The increase may cause me to hit the donut hole with Medicare although the new health bill provides for some relief when that happens.

4151

Trouble in Tuscon! Prayers for all who have been killed or injured. When is the madness going to end?

Cold tonight! In the mid-30s or thereabouts!

Dreamed last night that I was on some type of space vehicle. There were three of us in each ship. We were supposed to send signals to each other using a controller that had three buttons. For some reason (the controllers looked like they had been jury-rigged from scrap parts), the devices were not recording and transmitting the button pushes. Sometimes they worked but often did not. We were starting to get anxious as we discovered how badly the controllers were responding to our signaling attempts.

Watched a French gangster movie tonight--Classe tous Risques (The Big Risk). It was well done. I had just picked it out of the stacks so was pleasantly surprised that it was a classic. It had a typical French film ending--abrupt stop with many plot tendrils dangling.

Have a bonus session with the acupressure person tomorrow. Hope they turn on the heat!

Noticed a spurious fee on my checking account. Called the hot line and got a service representative to do the research on why it was there. She reversed the charges after examining the account settings. Hmmm! Can't trust those tricky computers!

4152

Feeling good most of today. I slept in this morning but didn't nap in the afternoon. Also didn't make it out for a walk today--it was windy and cool. I preferred hunkering down.

Watched a movie called Divine Intervention tonight. It's a film about love and life along Palestinian/Israeli border. It's a strange piece of work that contains a lot of humor and that takes plenty of comedic shots at Israeli border guards. Ostensibly, it's about the director's father, along with many other issues. It was an intriguing film to watch the first time. I'm not sure that it would survive multiple screenings.

Had an odd interaction today at a cafe. I ordered a sandwich and was sitting down when a woman I had met before said hello. Her name is D and she hangs out at the places on CA avenue. We had met and talked a couple of times. She was surprised that I recalled her name. She asked if I wanted to join her at her table. I said yes and relocated to where she was sitting. We talked some as the food arrived. Suddenly, she said a friend of hers had just arrived and they were going to sit together. With little fanfare she got up and went to sit with her friend. I wasn't bothered by her actions. In meeting her before, I had already thought she was a bit odd. Today just confirmed that opinion. I finished my delicious sandwich!

I continue to think that my increase in medication seems to be smoothing out my symptoms. I would be better off in a warmer climate, but I'm doing OK with the coolness.

4153

PD weight training class today felt really good. It felt good to be stretching and moving, lifting and pushing. I napped some before going to the class. It takes place later in the afternoon (2pm) so I have to tread water some before heading over that way. A couple of people didn't show up so it was a small class. Hopefully, they will return and we'll get a few more people as well.

Dreamed last night about being in an ice skating rink. I was skating about, gliding and smoothly sailing along. The dream had two parts--one at a house with snow and ice in the yard and a second part at the skating rink.

No classes tomorrow. Will do a walk if the weather permits. Didn't walk today since we did some walking in the weight class with leg weights on our feet. I'm feeling ready for some rest tonight. Off to dream world soon!

4154

Ah, movement class today! Felt wonderful despite the chilly weather. Had a large class--seven people. I also did a walk through the park. I'm feeling stronger and can tell it when I do a walk. Didn't nap today in the afternoon. Have a PD weight training session tomorrow. I think increased medication is helping moderate symptoms and clearing up some of the cognitive fog.

Watched a Kurosawa film, The Quiet Duel. It's a classic but it was a little slow even though it was fairly well paced for one of his works. Wouldn't go out of my way to see it again, but could do so if it should happen.

I think the owners of the apartments may be making moves to sell the property. There was a guy with a measuring wheel logging the size of the place. There also was a photographer taking pictures of the place. They may be ready to put the place on the market. Will ask the landlord if I see him around and about.

Slept with the heater running last night. Looks like the same will need be done tonight. It's a cooler winter than last year. New congress back in session. More silliness appears to be the continuing norm. End of days is looking more likely versus an form of sanity.

4155

It was cold last night and it's more of the same tonight. I think my extra dose of medication is making itself felt. I'm still getting symptoms but they're not staying long. I'm still napping a lot but somebody's got to do it.

Went to the H's tonight for a movie. We watched District 9, a SciFi film about aliens that get stranded over a major city in Africa. An attempt to relocate the alien's refugee camp sparks a series of confrontations. In the process, the alien's mothership gets restarted. The film was filled with a lot of computer graphics and special effects. The aliens were grotesque and convincing. Camera work involved a lot of camera movement and required an incredible amount of editing. I'll definitely watch the sequel should one be made.

Dreamed last night a complex dream about being in an area of a town where the train and bus stations were located. I had left the train station and walked to the bus depot. I wanted to get back to the train station, but became confused and turned around. At one point, I had asked someone for directions and he started following me, walking up close behind me. I broke away finally by running up a steep street. The man couldn't keep up and I lost him. Another time, I had asked a woman for directions. She ended up laying on my back with me carrying her about. The dream was dark and shadowy. I knew where the train station was supposed to be, but I couldn't find a way there.

There were two winning tickets for the MegaMillion draw on Tuesday. They each collect over $170MM. Let the good times roll! Movement class restarts tomorrow. I did a walk today after grabbing some food. Felt good!

4156

PD dance class today! It was good to see everyone and to do some movement. There was talk about a Spring performance. Just happy to be moving once again. Registered for the line dance class. It will begin in late January.

I didn't sleep well last night. I awoke several times. Increasing my medication seems to be triggering things a bit. Still having symptoms but I think they are moderated. Weather turned cold today/tonight and that's making it difficult to sort out what's causing what.

Started watching a film tonight--Redacted. It was a really disturbing film--a fictionalized version of some events that took place in Iraq. The film was directed by Brian De Palma. I ended up not watching it all. It made me feel anxious and upset. The truth will set you free--or make you sick.

No PD exercise class tomorrow. Restart those sessions next week. Didn't walk today--took a nap in the afternoon instead. Time for my evening pill. Sleep and dreams!

4157

Feeling pretty good today. Got to sleep late and woke up early. First day/evening on my new medication schedule. Today is the second day. I think the symptoms are less. Still have some activity, but overall feeling better. Ran some errands, went to the H's and read quite a few pages of the Ishiguro novel, did a walk in the park, didn't nap in the afternoon, and watched a movie tonight. Overall, didn't feel so frazzled or unclear. Will keep on monitoring and see what emerges.

PD dance class resumes tomorrow! Will also register for the line dance class which restarts in late January.

Watched a Gus Van Sant film, Mala Noche, tonight. A gritty film; one of his first major works. He's done several other good movies (Good Will Hunting, Milk, Finding Forrester, and others). Mala Noche was raw and gritty. I almost stopped watching when I hit some of the sex scenes. I kept on watching and it was worth the discomfort experienced early on. At the H's on Wednesday, we'll be watching a film called District 9.

Also still doing the centering prayer activity at least a couple of times during each day. I seem to gain some stillness and clarity by doing it. Will continue and see where it leads.

Dreamed last night that I was playing cards with my two sisters. We were making a lot of noise and awakened our mother, who was trying to sleep. She came out of her bedroom and chided us over the noise. She went back into her room and we quieted down. There was a second dream where I was busy putting together some electrical devices. I was assembling them and hooking them up using a pair of wires that stretched along the walls. The devices were some type of movement detection sensors. They were being installed to help us detect unwanted intruders.

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Second day of the new year (I'll stop counting soon). Had some heavy rains last night/early morning. It was like there was someone drumming on the roof. Cleared and blew away by morning. For the most part, it was a bright and sunny day.

Started my new medication regimen--now taking three pills per day. Am now taking medication every eight hours (7AM, 3PM and 10PM). Will see if the extra dose helps moderate the increase of symptoms I've been experiencing. When I first started taking the medication, I was told to take three per day but I elected to only take two. Everything has been fine up until a few months ago. I started showing what looks like wear off between the two doses. So, am starting to take three per day, as originally prescribed, and see what happens. Will monitor things for the next month and check with the doctors once I have some results to report (or don't have as the case may be). It will be wonderful if increasing the medication improves my energy levels and allays my symptom levels.

I think I dreamed something last night that was related to the movie I had watched--Lost Boys of the Sudan. It was a gripping, powerful film and the images kept replaying as I went to sleep (and perhaps into my dream states).

Watched a Roberto Rossellini history film, Blaise Pascal. The reenactment was well done and gave me a glimpse into Pascal's life and surroundings. I just picked the film up from the return bin and didn't realize until I watched it that it was a history piece. New year surprise!

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Welcome to 2011! One day down--364 more to go! I did something on this first day of the new year--I did my laundry. There were very few people at the laundromat. Maybe everyone was still celebrating.

Dreamed last night but don't recall the details. (Starting out 2011 much like 2010.) It seems there were scenes involving getting comfortable and tossing around in the bed. But that may have been for real and not part of a dream. I remember hearing some loud car music and voices around 3AM. There was a lot of ambient noise last night--from before midnight and into the early morning.

Watched a documentary tonight--Lost Boys of Sudan. It chronicled the paths a couple of the Sudanese refugees as they came to America and tried (they're still trying) to integrate into this culture. It's not an especially happy story but it does say something positive about the human spirit. I think I have problems! It's nothing when compared to what they've undergone. The litany includes the loss of parents and siblings while still young, orphaned into refugee camps, plucked from Africa and scattered across the U.S., dealing with new customs/rules/laws, having to work as they attempt to get educated, and much more. It's a story that needs to be told, but it left me upset at life, at everything.

I assume there are multiple football bowl games gobbling up people's consciousness this weekend. Let the games begin (they probably already have begun)! Tomorrow I'm increasing my medication to three doses per day. I want to see if that moderates the dyskinesia that has appeared over the past three months. I'm supposed to be taking three doses every day; I've never taken that much over the past three years. Will see what happens!