3674

May day! May day! And the end of April! Went to the H's today and read some more of the Museum of Wonder aloud. New glasses seem to work well. We were outside and it was a bit bright, but new lenses seem to be in focus!

Ended up sleeping some in the afternoon. I slept in late this morning as well. I continue to enjoy the amount of sleep I keep taking. I fell asleep sitting up in the afternoon. Zonked out like a rock!

Watched a film about Auschwitz and the rebellion that took place there near the end of the war. The story revolved around a medical doctor, who was a Jew, who worked for Mengele on a pathology project being done in the midst of the vast killings that took place. The film focused on the "grey area" everyone was forced to confront amidst the terrors that were being promulgated. The basic story was based on actual events. It was a claustrophobic movie (intentionally so) and has some horrific scenes of bodies being handled like cord wood and other atrocities. I feel split about the film. I was both repulsed by and pulled into the film. Don't know if I care to see it again!

PD dance and resistance training tomorrow. Onward we go!

3675

Another hazy, lazy day! And the crickets are humming. Slept well last night despite the huge amount of sleep I had the previous day. Dreamed something about not completing some task and having to deal with the fall out of the incompletion. Also had a second dream where I was lost in some way. I was supposed to go somewhere but I got confused and ended up in some remote location. I was asking some people for directions but I kept having trouble telling them what I wanted.

Watched a somewhat fun movie tonight--Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It is a spy, action thriller, love story, comedy and a few more genres all mixed together. It seems to work because the director never tried to make it more than it is--some entertainment. I wouldn't have to see it again for any good reason. Pitt and Jolie make the whole thing work. They earned their $20MM each. The film did alright at the box office (around $200MM) on a budget of around $100MM.

Hot and muggy here! Almost tropical! The week begins. The month of May appears. Fun in the sun!

3676

Short post tonight. I've been sleeping on and off all day and I'm ready to hit the bed again. Don't know why I'm so groggy, but I am!

Watched (or almost did so) a really boring Italian film tonight. It's titled Rocco and His Brothers. I finally started hitting the fast-forward button. Mama Mia! It was awful!

The May PD conference in AZ sold out. It looked like it would be a really helpful, week-long activity. Perhaps they'll sponsor one in CA.

Well, time to sleep! The daylight ends and the dreams begin.

3677

Only a few more days until I reach the 10-year point of me making these trivial notes to myself. The time will come when the countdown reaches 3650. So, 27 more days or thereabouts.

Did a resistance training session today. Number of people there was a lot less than it has been. The session felt good. I seem to be handling the 10lb weights fairly well.

Watched a movie that I'm surprised I've never seen--Repo Man. A SciFi take on people having their implanted organs repossessed, viscerally and in great detail. It was a tough film to watch. Lots of CGI work! Lots of fight scenes! Yet, a clever film that somehow keeps the viewer engaged--especially with a first viewing. Lots of sight gags that go by so quickly I'd not know they were there except for the commentary track.

I've made a list of things I want to get done. I've started completion of a few items--more to come. I'm looking into taking the LSVT class--the LOUD class. Insurance will pay for it so I should go ahead and do it now. Takes four weeks with an hour a day on four days per week, with some homework. I've booked my annual wellness session with the PCP and will also set up a visit with the neurologist in May. Will be a busy time for a few weeks but feel like I can make it work.

3678

Cooler day, today! Also a bit damp and windy. Weather keeps on changing! Had a movement class today and that helped smooth out the creaks and kinks from yesterday's trek of 2.5+ miles. I'm glad I did the walking. It showed me where I am in many ways and the news is encouraging. I'm still on the move it seems.

I saw two people with gait limitations while I was out and about. One was an elderly man who could hardly move. He made small shuffling steps as he crossed a parking lot to his car. He barely made any forward distance as he moved. Then, of course, he got in his car and drove away! For someone who could hardly walk, I wonder how he can still drive. His car was not fitted out with hand controls. Makes you wonder!

A second man I saw looked like a homeless person. He was "frozen" in place at a street corner. He was trying to get his feet to move. He was striking his feet with a cane attempting to get his feet to respond. If he that debilitated, I wonder how he makes it if he's living on the street. He should be in a care facility. I keep thinking that there should be places where people with the last stages of PD can live and be taken care of as they get through their final days. The places would be like the sanitariums of days gone by where people could get the care and therapies that make their last days as easy as possible. The places would have daily exercise and movement sessions plus a variety of activities to keep them engaged and moving as much as possible. If I win the lottery, I'll have one built as a model to be replicated. Conveniently, it will also give me a place to be should I find myself in that final state.

I notice that I'm noticing more and more people who are dealing with PD symptoms. This is especially true in this area since there are so many seniors.

3679

Got truck serviced today (oil change plus several repairs) and went through a smog inspection. One repair on the truck was the water pump. That's four pumps (original 2002, 2006, 2010 and now 2012) or about one new pump every 25,000 miles. What's going on? Some kind of design flaw no doubt but no recalls. I dropped off the truck this morning and then walked home from the shop. That's about 1.3 miles! When it was time to go pick up the vehicle, I walked to the shop--another 1.3 miles. Meanwhile, I walked to Starbucks and back to get a green tea latte plus did a few errands. A healthy day of walking! More than I've done in quite some time. Need to do more.

Watched a crappy movie tonight -- Simple Men. Supposedly a comedy but not all that funny and all pasted together with a junky plot. It's about two brothers who head out to find their father who has been hiding from the authorities because he supposedly threw a bomb into a crowd during the 60s. The older brother is a criminal; the younger brother is a college dropout who was studying philosophy. Yes, it goes on from there with more strange connections and missing links. Glad it wasn't all that long.

Movement class tomorrow! Will need some stretching out after today's walking efforts. Let the good times bowl!

3680

Good day! Had a PD dance class, a weight training session and picked up my new eye glasses. The glasses came out well. I can see again! And the health insurance picked up the whole tab. What a deal!

Stopped and made a reservation to service the truck early tomorrow. I'm having some things looked at that will make the vehicle more trustworthy--perhaps so I can venture a bit further away from home.

Was struck by several people in classes who had just had their medications tweaked and they were in poor shape. Their symptoms and such were out of whack. Wonder what can be done to ease such perturbations? Must be something! I noticed that I'm having some difficulty just talking with people. I'm slow in processing their utterances and suddenly feel overwhelmed and want to just walk away. I seem to be OK watching a movie or reading, but direct communication is difficult.

Watched a tense thriller of a movie tonight--Shutter Island.  It's a Scorsese film about a mysterious complex that has been built on a isolated island. Had a strong cast and a clever story that takes some time to unravel--and even then I might have to watch it again to catch all of the plot lines.

Rain forecast for tomorrow! Let it rain, let it pour! From the roof to the floor!

3681

Cooler again! And so much better! Dance and weight training classes tomorrow. Feeling a bit antsy today. Didn't really do much of significance. Life goes on! Went to the H's this afternoon and read aloud from the Museum of Lost Wonder. It went over the history of museums--how they were started and how they spread throughout Europe and the world. Interesting stuff!

Watched a somewhat didactic Russian film tonight--The Cranes Are Flying. It is a love story set in the time of WW2. The film experiments with a variety of montage and film-over-film effects. The repetition of the effects becomes tiresome after a while and does not add much to the plot or action. There are a lot of good closeup shots, but overall the film is claustrophobic and blunted. I'd not spend a lot of time or effort in seeing it again.

Will setup an appointment to get the truck serviced on Wednesday. No classes that day so they can have the vehicle for the whole day (and the next) if needed. Will get its annual checkup! Will make me feel more comfortable knowing that it has been serviced.

3682

Cooler today but still had no extra energy. Went out about noon to the library and other places. Grabbed an omelet at CG and a green tea latte (hot) as well. Latte gave me a little boost through the afternoon. Still having some discomfort in the upper corner of my mouth (right side). Been gargling with warm salt water to ease the soreness and shrink the disturbance. If it's not one thing, it's a dozen.

Watched the film Becket this afternoon. It is a powerful movie with lots of big stars (O'Toole, Burton, Gielgud). It was a mega-production at that time and was a lengthy piece, although it played out well. Becket was named a saint by the Catholic Church in that he was murdered while defending his faith and church.

3683

Lots of heat today! It was like a Summer day with the sun beaming brightly from the early hours right through to sunset. I had an iced green tea latte instead of my regular hot version. I think I like the hot one better, but the iced version helped cool things down.

Watched a Spanish movie tonight--BIUTIFUL. It was a good film--maybe a bit long, but nicely done. The director also did Babel and 21 Grams. The lead actor was Javier Bardem. He was nominated for an Best Actor Oscar for his performance (I think the first time a film in a foreign language has had such a nomination). He was featured in No Country for Old Men as the creepy clean up crook.

Supposed to cool down some by Monday. That will be nice! Too warm for me today (and every day it's too warm)!

3684

Now it's a heat wave! Almost 90 degree temperatures happening tomorrow. It's already muggy and like a sauna today. Did weight training class and started to sweat. Dental exam today was somewhat good news--he's not going to have to operate or pull the two upper second molars. There is a deep pocket on each tooth, but since they're not causing any problems, he said let them be.

Finished watching the British murder mystery called the Black Tower. It was a lot of back and forth to reveal a not so interesting conclusion. But it was easy to watch and didn't require a lot of thinking.

Laundry day tomorrow. As warm as it is supposed to be, getting out and about seems like a good idea.

3685

Blogger has stopped supporting my browser (FireFox). Not sure if I can post anymore.

This will test what I'm trying to post but things don't look promising...

**** seems to have posted but how it happens is not all that clear...
Dashboard tool is whacked on my lowly system...

3686

Gait and balance class today! Felt good even though it was a bit strenuous. We did a few exercises called stick stretches. We each held a stick (about like a broom stick) and did some twisting and extension movements. I discovered that my shoulders are really tight. I couldn't put the stick behind my head without putting pressure on my neck. We had a small class today. One man who used to come regularly came today. It was good to see him again but his symptoms have progressed a lot. He still has his sense of humor though! He is quite funny.

Went to the vision store and ordered a pair of glasses based on the prescription I got on Monday. The health insurance pays for it all. It is wonderful!

Watched a modern-day Indian film tonight--The Perfect Murder. It was a crazy mash up of a detective story, a slap stick comedy, and random elements from other genres. It was not a very good film although there were good glimpses of Bombay and the people there.

Movement class tomorrow. I continue to eat quite a lot. I feel like I'm hungry and keep snacking my way through the day. Had a tasty dinner at the CG (Chile Verde chicken enchilada with rice, beans and salad). When I can't decide what I want to eat, I go there. They always have excellent special menu items in addition to their regular fare.

Dreamed last night that I was at some kind of music festival. There were hordes of performers in a raised stage area. They were primarily singers and they were singing a series of medleys. Of to the right, there was an extensive brightly lit wall that had images, lights, and patterns flashing and blinking. The light show on the wall was choreographed to the singing. I was standing in front of the singers, directing their vocalizations. The music was being piped in over the sound system speakers.

3687

Busy day! Made it to PD dance class (almost overslept) and did a resistance training class in the afternoon (10lb weights). Then had an acupressure session where I really zonked out. It was very restful.

Watched the movie Synecdoche NY. I've seen the film three times now and have begun to think it is one of the best of the best movies. There is so much that gets revealed each time the film is screened. It is highly self-referential but totally absorbing. There are many little visual and verbal cues and revelations that I just didn't get the first time around.

I'm tired now but feel good about the day. Not so hectic tomorrow. Looking forward to a fresh Spring day. Ole!

3688

Got an eye exam this morning. Also got up early in order to make the exam appointment and I've felt it all day. I was exhausted when I left the exam. Stayed tired as I went to the H's to read aloud with G. I ended up napping in their spare room for a bit. Went to the lens place and discovered they were closed because of a power failure. Ran a few more errands and I believe I nodded off for a bit. Went out and picked up some food (I was hungry all day). Dinner settled me down some. Watched a couple of shows on TV and now it's time for bed.

Oh, yes! I had my eyes dilated in the exam. I also spent most of the day recovering from that intervention. Things are really, painfully, bright when the eyes are wide open. The strain of doing things with dark glasses on also took its toll as well.

Tomorrow is a full day! PD dance, resistance training, and an acupressure session. Time to sleep before all of the day's activities begin.

3689

Lazy day! Did some shopping and grabbed a sandwich while I was out. But, came back and napped for a while.Have an eye exam in the morning. Have to get up early for a 9am appointment.

Watched a classic Hitchcock film this evening--Rebecca. It was his first American film. It is really well done. The story is taken from a Daphne Du Maurier novel by the same title. The film stars Joan Fontaine and Sir Laurence Olivier. It won two Oscars and was nominated for nine more. The black and white camerawork is truly masterful.

Dreamed last night a rerun dream from sometime earlier in the week. We were building multi storied structure. We were behind schedule and I had done some extra work to lay out the plans and pre-cut some parts. The crew was not happy about my doing the setup, but I told them we had to finish on time and what I had done made it possible. There was some grumbling, but everyone got busy and the work went smoothly, quickly, and well.

In a second dream (or part of the same dream), I was driving. I was running a bit late and needed to get to an appointment on time. I took a wrong exit and found I was on a side road that was going to dead end. The road I was supposed to be on was off to my left and down a hill that separated the two routes. I realized that I had to get to the other road by going over a barrier and down the hill. I stopped and got out. I stepped over the barrier and started walking down the hill toward the other road. There was a woman with me and she was having some difficulty walking down the hill in her high heels. I woke up as were making our way down the hill.

Quiet night! Not a lot of noise from the other tenants tonight. Peaceful and still!

3690

After the rains came the sleep. Except for a short outing to pick up mail and grab some items from the store, I slept. I did watch another Hitchcock movie--The Lodger. It was one of his early silent films. It was well done but a bit slow and too deliberate. I probably don't need to see many of his works prior to the 40s. Earlier ones show his experimentation and solid camera placement, but don't have the intensity of his talking films.

Tax refunds arrived today. They went straight into the bank. The whole tax thing was somewhat difficult for me this year. Hopefully, will be simpler next year.

Cooling down now. Think I'll just hit the bed and read some before sleep comes again.

Went to the TJ's in the Town/Country center. They had a full supply of Powerberries. I grabbed several packages. No need to not keep a supply on hand. They are wonderfully tasty so I'll keep them in stock.

Not sure what I dreamed last night. I did dream but the details slipped back into the fog. So be it! Let it be!

3691

Friday the 13th, 10lb weights and lightning bolts! The area had over 700 lightning strikes last night. Some were close enough that there was little to no time between the flash and the thunder. It also poured down rain during most of the storm. Raised the ozone levels I suppose!

Watched a Hitchcock movie tonight--Sabotage. It was done around 1936 and foretold what some of the terrorist activities might be as the war unfolded. The script was based on a Joseph Conrad novel The Secret Agent. Hitchcock borrowed the overall thrust of the novel but changed some things around to better work as a film. I've picked up several Hitchcock films and will view them over the coming days.

Slept well last night despite the storm and thunder. Took my medication late morning because I thought I had gotten up to take it but had not done so. I think I did wake up about 7am but turned over and went back to sleep. Took my afternoon dosage early because of the resistance training class. Took my bedtime dosages on schedule. All is well!

I've been eating more than usual. My metabolism seems to be running higher and I'm feeling hungry. Had a bowl of fruit and kefir for breakfast. Grabbed a melted cheese sandwich with soup for lunch. Drank a green tea latte in the afternoon. Had dinner at CQ (meatloaf plate with mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, bread and butter). Had a big cookie in the evening along with the remainder of my stash of Powerberries (condensed berry juices encased in dark chocolate). Munched some chips right before bed. Whew! I'm ready for the beddy! Happy Friday the 13th!

3692

Had an acupressure session this afternoon and I feel great! My body was out of whack from the rib injury. The acupressure, and today's movement class, were just what my body needed to relax and let go of some of the accumulated tensions. Oh, yeah!

Have another acupressure session set for next week.

The movement instructor sent out a video of the effects of music on a man who is practically frozen. It's quite a demonstration of what music can do to reactivate the neural pathways. Guess I should look into getting a music device of some ilk. Yo ho ho and here we go!

Have a resistance class tomorrow, Friday the 13th! Looking forward to it! Looking forward to a lot of things! Changes on the horizons!

3693

Did a gait and balance class today. A good workout! It's probably the most strenuous class that I take. Basically a smorgasbord of activities (walking, stretching, and a lot more) that help tone and strengthen the muscles and the body. Also helps that it is 90 minutes in duration.

Watched a movie tonight that I had seen before--Salt. It is a thriller spy story about a woman spy who is a cross between Bourne, the Manchurian candidate, and Indiana Jones, among others. Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, one of several sleeper spies that have been trained and planted into U.S. society. It is a tense and tight action film with lots of stunts and fight scenes. The overall thesis of the story is highly improbable, but is a good exercise in creative imagining.

Dreamed last night that I was in Cleveland, OH, the city where my father spent most of his life. I was passing through and thought I would drop in on him and say hello. For some reason, I became confused about the street where his apartment was located. After going from door-to-door and shop-to-shop for a couple of blocks, I discovered that I was on the wrong street. I was one block removed from his street. When I got to the right street, I found his apartment building and went up to see him. He was living in a place that is a lot like the apartment where I now live. There were several similarities of the two places. He seemed distracted and didn't seem all that excited about me dropping in like I had done. We talked about a lot of trivial things and I assured him that I was just passing through and had to get on with my journey. I felt really dumb about looking for his place on the wrong street.

I slept soundly last night. No waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep. May that continue to be the case! I don't think I napped any this afternoon. Have to watch taking a long nap in the afternoons--I think it affects my nighttime sleep efforts.

Movement class and an acupressure session scheduled for tomorrow! I ready for both of them!

3694

Did alright with 10lb weights today! Went up from 8lb weights and didn't have any trouble with my ribs. Helped to have dance class in the morning. The dance group is a nice set of people despite our common health-related issues. It's coming up on four years that the class has been going. Difficult to realize that we've been going for so long a time.

I came home from the classes and napped a short while. Had a green tea latte and the caffeine helped me boost up some instead of crawling into bed and zoning out.

Watched a Coen brothers' film tonight--Miller's Crossing. I'd seen the film before about three years ago. It's an interesting film--not a regular gangster movie, but more of a psychological unfolding of a good/bad guy's wrestle with being caught in web of criminal activities and circumstance. The film has some well known actors in the key parts. The script is crisp and pointed. There is humor and darkness in equal measures.

Gait and balance class tomorrow. Rain drops falling! Awoke around 3am and read myself back to sleep last night. Don't know why I awoke and was so wired. Don't recall the dreams I dreamed. Adieu my shoe! Don't be blue! I'm after you! There's nothing new!

3695

Sleepy day! I slept a lot today and got out and about as well. Can't seem to grab an energy wave. Just keep piddling and pedaling in tight little circles, going nowhere (no wear)!

Made an appointment to get an eye exam. Took some sleuthing to figure out how the insurance covers everything, but got some clarity on it all. Deposited the IRA checks; waiting for the tax refunds now.

Dreamed last night that I was being held, along with several others, by a group of people. It was totally clear why they wanted us, but I knew it wasn't going to turn out well. I and one of the other captives managed to slip away at some point. We ran across some fields and hid in a wooded area. As we hid and waited to catch our breath, we talked about what we should do. I suggested that we head for a small village that was South of where we were (we had run nearly due East from the place where we had been held captive). I told my fellow escapee that I knew that there was a rough trail in that direction, leading right to the village. I also mentioned that we had a good chance of getting to the village ahead of the people who would be looking for us, but we had to start soon. My fellow escapee wasn't convinced that what I said was the best thing to do. He wanted to keep heading East. I reminded him that there was nothing in the easterly direction except thick and thicker woods. He was adamant and started going East. I bid him goodbye and began running South. I hit the trail almost right away and settled into a smooth pace, running by the light of the stars. I felt confidant that I had made the best choice and that I would reach the village safely.

PD dance and weight training classes on the docket for tomorrow. Full moon woke me last night as I dreamed about running to escape.

3696

Easter Sunday and it is a sun day. Weather is balmy and warmer. However, I didn't resurrect! Why not?

Places like the CG cafe were surprisingly open for business. I made it there for brunch. It wasn't crowded--others may have not known it was open. A pleasant outcome.

I ended up napping for a couple of hours after getting up mid morning and then going back to sleep.

Dreamed last night that I was directing the installation of a network or grid around a building. Workers had supposedly cleared the area next to a fence. However, when we began the grid installation we discovered that there was broken glass still embedded in the sand next to the fence. I told the people working the fence area that we needed to clear the glass fragments and still get the grid in place despite the delays. The overall dream feeling was one of intensity and stress.

Watched a somewhat annoying film--Man in the Glass Booth. It was a strident take off on the Eichmann trial with Maximilian Schell overplaying the defendant and basically crazy person. I had seen this film before. I didn't like it then and still don't care for it despite the drama. It is one of the American Film Theater's experiments with putting plays on film. The cast was rich but the performance by Schell was too crazy to be believed.

All in all, I picked four films out of five this time that I had seen before. There was only one film in this week's batch that was new for me. Have to do more research before grabbing replacement films.

Heading to bed early tonight. Feeling like I just want to sleep. Didn't accomplish much of anything on this Easter day. Keep thinking (hoping, praying, dreaming) that I will begin to do so. May all of these modalities come true.

3697

Saturday before Easter--and the sun is shining bright. Did my laundry and that's about it for the day. I got a note from the development department of my college alma mater. They wanted to put me in touch with one of my ex-students about a problem challenge I had given the programming class--about 50 years ago! Seems that one of the students has come up with a solution and wants to forward it to me. The assignment was made around half a century ago and he wants to send me the solution now. Clever those development department folks. Will see where it goes. They also sent me a recent calendar with photographs from that period. Going back in time!

Watched the Alfred Hitchcock film tonight--Spellbound. I had screened the movie before but it's always worth seeing again. Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman head up the cast. It's a clever story with intriguing twists and turns. It also has a dream sequence that was designed by Dali. Rhonda Fleming appears in the film for her first time. Bergman, as always, is luminous!

Easter Sunday tomorrow! Not sure what's open since it's a holiday but I'm sure something will present itself. There's always Starbucks of course. Perhaps to dream!

3698

Did the weight training class today. Worked with the 8lb weights but they felt light. I'm ready to move back up to 10lb ones. My rib only twinged slightly with the presses--but only slightly. Feel like I'm back on track.

Watched a French film tonight--The Vanishing. I watched this movie a few years ago. I recalled some of it from that previous viewing. It's a mystery that's built around a sociopath who abducts a woman tourist. Her boyfriend, who was with her when she was abducted, tries for years to get more information regarding what happened to her. He finally meets her abductor who then proceeds to abduct the boyfriend--but in an insane and crazy way. In the end evil triumphs over good--not a happy ending except for the sociopath who gets away with everything. The film had a remake done in English. I've not seen that version yet. It appears to be as diabolical as the original.

Laundry day tomorrow. Then, it's Easter! Hoppy Easter!

3699

Movement class felt good today! It seemed to do a final mending of the sore and stiff rib area. Still have to be careful and not do anything too strenuous but my ribs are much better now. Had a large meal after the movement class. I was hungry and scoffed down a huge pulled pork sandwich with a side of pasta and a walnut muffin. Still have the munchies but have snacked enough as I watched a movie this evening.

Watched a Midsomer Mystery episode called the Straw Woman. The film is an episode of a British mystery series with all manner of ways that murder is done and figured out by the erudite detectives. I don't have to think a lot with these tales. I can just relax and let the stories unfold.

Dreamed last night that I was going on a camping/hiking trip with several men from the men's team. I had booked a night at a lodge for the evening prior to the actual hike. There was some dissatisfaction with the rooms I had secured. There was some griping until I explained that sharing a room reduced the cost of the lodging for that night. There were six of us with two people in one room, three people in another room, and one person in the third room. The room fees were highest for the single room (1/3 of the total cost), less for the double room (also 1/3 of the total but split two ways, and 1/3 for the triple room split three ways. I was to take the single room. There was some confusion about where you turned off the main highway to get to the lodge. We all managed to overshoot the turnoff and had to backtrack to find the place. We came in three cars since we had a fair amount of equipment. The lodge was in a small village. Once we got settled into the lodge, we went to the village center to get some food and join some of the festivities that the community provided. I think there were more things that we did when we got to the village center, but I don't now recall just what they were. It was a very detailed dream. It was imbued with anticipation for the trek we would be making.

I've been having flushing and redness episodes again. Not sure what seems to be triggering these episodes but here they are again! Someone remarked at the end of the movement class that I had a lot of color in my face. It was a result of bending over with my arms and head dangling. It seemed to continue after class--especially when I ate the large meal. Things grew quieter as the evening went on. Who knows? That's how the flushing goes! From my head top to my toes!

3700

Fifty more days and it will be 10 years since I started this daily blather. 10 years! Where did all those days go? Up in smoke? Not even that! Just gone!

Gait and balance class today! It was more strenuous than usual. She's amping up the intensity. After class and after my session with GH, reading a book to him, I came away zapped. I ended up going out for some food and that helped restore the balance some.

Dreamed last night that I had gone to a dangerous section of a town. The town, or the world, had two sections. The sections were like layers on a cake. The dangerous section was on top, there was a stony middle section, and a layer on the bottom where things were more civil. The "world" looked like a hamburger floating in space. I had gone from the lower section to the upper to learn how things were done in the upper layer. I had traveled there by circumnavigating around the outer surfaces of the layers. There were ways to move directly, through the layers, to the two outer sections. But doing so required a guide who knew how to go through the labyrinthine middle section. I had a gun with me. I was talking to one of the upper layer people and he was asking me what I was doing there. He told me that I was likely t get hurt. I assured him that I knew how to use the weapon, and that I could take care of myself. There were several scenes where I was being challenged by bands of people who lived on the upper level. I stayed there for quite a while, but eventually went back to the lower level. Everything in that level was more peaceful but rather bland. The dream was chaotic and puzzling as I made my way through the upper layer. I was happy to finally get back to the lower section.

Watched a Mongolian film tonight--Cave of the Yellow Dog. Like other Mongolian films, the landscape was vast and spectacular. The landscape in that region of Mongolia is a character in its own right. The camera followed the daily routine of an actual family of nomadic people--documenting what they do and how they do it. Overlaid, was a reincarnation myth about a dog that lived in a cave and how that myth related to life. It is a warm, moving film that provides an insight into the customs and activities of a vanishing people.

Movement class tomorrow! Looking forward to it, as always! Let there be motion!

3701

PD dance and resistance classes today! Both felt good! The dance loosens the spirit. We were like a bowl of fish swimming past each other today. We did a sliding, gliding improvisation that felt like being in a school of fish. I was tired at the end of the day, but recovered in the late afternoon.

Tax and miscellaneous IRA stuff has been handled. Felt good to complete those things despite the cog-fog that seems to stay around me.

Watched a lengthy Indian film tonight--Shadow Kill. It was a tedious Indian shaggy dog tale about a man who was an official executioner/hangman. He was a strange cross between a drunk, a shaman, and a holy man--in addition to being a hangman. The story revolved about him being summoned to perform a hanging after a long period when he had nothing to do and just lived on his government stipend. Not sure why the film has the title it does have. It is also referred to as The Servant of Kali, which is much more related to the action and story of the film.

Gait and Balance class in the morrow! Looking forward to it! Easter's on its way!

3702

Feeling really tired today! Don't think I slept really well last night. Had a good time at the H's today but still came away feeling flushed and restless. There was a lot of joking and funny stories.

Watched an odd movie tonight--New York. It's a Hindi film about New York and the 9/11 repercussions on the lives of some Muslim people who were American citizens but caught up in the 9/11 rendition activities. The film is well done except it stays true to Indian film-making style with songs, poetry, and almost, but not quite, dancing scenes. The plot mixes actual events and improbable actions in a somewhat supercilious way that makes the whole thing off-putting. But it's a good story about some of the fallout from the 9/11 attack.

I think I'm still feeling the stress of doing my tax returns this weekend. My brain seems to be fogged and clogged. Trying to pretend to be what I'd like to be! Healthy, wealthy and wise! Oh, yeah!

3703

April Fool's Day! Everyday in every way! But, I did get my tax returns completed and filed. That goodness once again to TT. Couldn't do it without that assistance. Final set of papers is nearly 60 pages of forms and worksheets. Would never have been able to figure out what to do. Don't know how the average person gets it done. And, it's not that I had such complex or voluminous sets of data--it's the complexity of the system that's been created with all of its rules and exceptions. Anyway, it is done! I await the refunds!

Watched a movie that I had somehow seen before, but have no idea of when. The movie was made in 2008 so it's been within my movie watching window. Must have been when I first started to watch with the H's. But the movie was totally predictable--I knew what was happening next all throughout the piece. The movie was Wendy and Lucy--about a young girl making her way to Alaska and gets stranded in Oregon. Her dog, Lucy, gets lost, her car breaks down, and she gets arrested for shoplifting. The girl is played by Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain, Station Agent, Synecdoche NY, and more). She does well in this but the film is not the strongest possible story.

Dreamed a series of dreams over the past few nights. One had to do with being in a design house. We were making a prototype of a new device. One of the new designers was tasked with coming up with some initial ideas. He had done so but in reviewing his work I saw how his concept could be extended and enhanced. I pointed this out in a design meeting and showed everyone how the improved concept would work. The core of the idea involved overlapping three layers of conducting material in a way that made it possible to tap into all three layers in a variety of configurations.

A second dream involved linking up two electronic devices. One would act as a peripheral to the main unit, but would have its own computing capabilities. Tasks could be off-loaded to the peripheral as required to free up the main unit for higher level tasks. There were images of how the two devices would look when attached. We were evaluating how to make the design of the two units look as integrated as possible.

A third dream involved me running in a cross-country race. It was through a rugged piece of territory that had a lot of loose sand, rock, and narrow twisting paths. For some reason, I was reminded of the dream when I read about the champion distance runner who was found dead this week. He was making a short 12-mile practice route and apparently passed away while running. I was doing well in the dream race--gaining ground against some elite runners as I was charging up a steep, rocky slope.

The new week begins! Imagine myself as I want to be! That is the goal, the trick, and the challenge! Keep on running! Keep on moving! Keep on, keep on!