3582

Dancing and lifting, lifting and dancing! That's what makes the world go round! Around and around! Not making a sound! Classes felt good today. Getting lots of feedback about how good I look. All the exercise seems to be keeping everything stable. One of the people in the dance class asked if there was anyone who could give him a ride to class. I volunteered to do so. It means that I'll have to leave a bit sooner on dance days and take him back to his house before my 2nd class--but it is doable!

Dreamed last night that I was in a club (Latin, Cuban or such). Things were being set up for a performance later that evening by a well known band. I'm not sure what it was that got me there early during the setup. There was an excitement about what was going to happen. My daughter was there with me.

Went to the library today and picked up a stack of DVDs. Feeling good today! Enjoyed the dancing and weight lifting. No new news about my other two blood tests. Should hear soon. Looked through rental listings last night. Depressing! Prices have gone through the roof! Not sure what I'm going to have to do to get a less expensive place that's close to all of my resources. May the rental gods smile on me!

3583

Core and More today! Went well! No seemingly achy muscles or such. Have PD dance and resistance training sessions tomorrow. Yes, better to be moving than to stop. Been checking the rental listings for this area. Depressing! Area has gone to really high rental fees--no doubt from the boom in the local economies with all the technology firms flooding into the area. Paid my rent today at the new rate. It was difficult to write the check for such an amount. Although, I noticed that I'm still paying less than I was paying about 20 years ago. That's amazing! But the market seems to be catching up. Have to keep a lookout for a new deal!

Dreamed last night that I was with some men from the men's team. We were in a swampy area that was damp and muddy. There were some people moving about the area, setting up booths for some kind of event. At one place, the people were tossing bags full of buns out onto a tarp. Their booth was going to serve hamburgers or so it seemed. Later in the dream, I was in a house that backed up to the woods and the swamp area. I was looking out an upstairs window as a car drove erratically into the yard. My daughter was in the car, which was being driven by another young woman. My daughter yelled that everything was alright. She said that the girl was learning to drive. I closed the window and went back inside.

Watched a British film this afternoon/evening--Mrs. Brown. About the queen, Victoria Regina, and a man who became her guardian and friend--Mr. Brown. It was a nice depiction of the period, the queen at that time, and Mr. Brown. Judi Dench played the part of the queen and she did it well.

Still awaiting more blood test results!

3584

Drifting along on Sunday! Sleeping, eating, and watching a film! Nothing new! Tomorrow restarts the weekly classes. Moving will be better than vegetating--or so it's said!

Watched a scary movie--The Eye. I'd seen the film before but can't pin down exactly when. It was about a woman who was blind from an early age and had a cornea transplant later in life. The only problem--the donor's cornea could see the Grim Reaper when he came for a person's life. Is she crazy or does she see the shadow? The movie was remade in 2008 and did very well. The camera work and music do make for a scary film. It will be interesting to see the 2008 version and compare what was done to the original (other than filming it in English).

Having problems with Blogger again! What a bore! Will try again!

3585

Did laundry today but nothing much beyond that. Wanted to sleep so I napped for several hours this afternoon.

Watched a film--Guilty by Suspicion. It was about the Red Hunt era and the toll it took on Hollywood and people in the entertainment business. It was a fictionalized portrayal that focused on one of the people who was innocent of any wrong doing. The original script focused on someone who was a member of the Party, but the producer/director modified the story as filmed. The overall impact of the film was that it was somewhat flat and sketchy. There were many well known actors in the production but that didn't do much to lift the action.

Dreamed last night about being in this small town that was filled with odd characters. There was warehouse or storage building that contained all kinds of tools and gadgets. Each item had a chip on it that let someone (the owners??) track the location of the tool. So, you could go in and take anything you needed. You and tool were then tracked until you brought the tool back. One of the people in the town was HMc. I was living at her place and she introduced me to the tool shed and how it worked.

Got back my first blood test result. My iron ferritin level was still low but in the normal range. Good news! Awaiting other two results!

3586

And the Olympics begin! Went to clinic today and had blood drawn for tests of iron and vitamin D. Will see if supplements over the past 8 weeks or so did anything to levels. I'm still experiencing being tired so don't know if iron helped or not. Went to resistance training today (after napping upon return from blood draw). Almost slept through the class. Woke up just in time to make it on time. Close one!

Dreamed last night/today that I was on a narrow country road. I was driving around looking for a place to rent. I stopped at one house and there were several hippie-like people living in the place. They were friendly but intense. One, a woman, had strange wild eyes. When she looked at me I had a difficult time meeting her glance. They made suggestions about places I might consider to rent. They implied but never said directly anything about me staying with them.

Watched a French film this afternoon--La Ceremonie. It was an intense thriller about two crazy women who end up murdering a family. They had both done violent acts in their lives and were triggered to repeat their actions with the family. I had watched this film about two years ago (almost to the day) but hadn't recognized the DVD when I picked it off the library's shelf.

Laundry day tomorrow! Ready to rub-a-dub-scrub! Good to be blogging once again. Felt odd over the past few days to not have a blogging session while Blogger was not working well.

3590-3587

Finally! The Blogger system developed some quirks and kept me from posting over the past four days. But, it's back to normal--I hope! Will come back and post more later today. Will see how this starting note posts now!

Everything seems back together! Test post worked! Here's a catch up posting--

Monday -- Went to Core and More class. Tweaked my rib in the area where I injured it earlier this year. Wasn't doing anything but laying face down on a mat. Felt a twinge in the left upper rib area and seemed to pinch a nerve. Finished class while being careful of the rib. Went to H's afterward and read some from book we've been using.

Tuesday -- Had PD dance and resistance training classes, plus an acupressure session in late afternoon. Full day! Had occasional rib twinges but nothing major. Had dreams most nights that were vivid. Dreamed about running, being in a meeting where we were analyzing a new product, plus others. In PD class we successfully did Waltz Across Texas line dance. We also did some movement in small groups that ended with a tableau--the results were quite moving.

Wednesday -- Gait and balance class. Rib was quiet--no real problems. No reading at the H's today. Spent the afternoon trying to solve the Blogger glitch. Thought a lot about person in PD dance class, ES, who died over the past weekend. He was vacationing in Minnesota and drowned while swimming. He was a good-spirited person with relatively active PD symptoms (poor speech, bad balance and gait, and some dyskinesia among other things). I was really sad to hear that he was gone.

Thursday -- Had a movement class. It was fun and relaxing! I had a big lunch (roasted pork  sandwich with salad). Blogger got fixed (welcome back apple jack!). About ready for bed. Tomorrow resistance training!

3591

Heat, heat and more heat! Slightly cooler today but still warm enough. Can't seem to do much of anything when it's hot. Just sit under the fan and listen to NPR. Core and More class tomorrow--that will be enjoyable.

Dreamed last night two dreams that were about creating two board games. One dream involved the design, from scratch, of a board game that was about connections and networks.  There were symbols and icons being used that outlined the way the board could be constructed. A second dream involved play testing a game that had been created. I spent time playing the game and making review notes regarding how to improve the playability.

Watched a French film--part 2 of Mesrine. It was about a French criminal who became infamous for his daring and escapes. For a while, he was Public Enemy #1. I had seen part 1 and managed to pick up part 2 on the DVD returned shelf at the library. The end result was as expected--he was shot to death about the time he was planning to leave France and go into hiding. It's an excellent pair of films about an intriguing but wacky character.

3592

Meet the heat day! It was really warm today. Possibly in the high 80s to low 90s! Plus swelter and muggy air! I conked out in the afternoon while the fan stirred the tepid air. Global warming--more like Universal warming! The whole universe is heating up!

Dreamed something about being in a house where I was helping to sort through piles of papers and boxes, throwing stuff away. There was some problem with people coming up to the house to pick through the stuff being discarded. Nothing was all that valuable but people were vying to get things.

Watched a British gangster film--The Hit. It was well done with several known actors (Stamp, Roth, and Hurt). It was a bit tongue in cheek with the three characters playing off each other like comic book caricatures. Stamp played the Zen master, at peace with his fate, until the final moments. Hurt was the perplexed angel of death who couldn't seem to remember what he had been hired to do. Roth played the manic young gangster apprentice who wasn't going to live long enough to appreciate what he might have learned in taking on such an outing. It helped bridge the high heat of the day.

Day's without end--daze without end! The plonk of heat that can't be beat! Find a place to soak the feet! Looking for a tasty treat! Something sour, something sweet!

3593

Good resistance training class today followed by a tuina session. Felt really good to exercise and then relax into the bodywork session. I continue to feel good. It feels so good to feel so good!

Watched a pair of Midsomer Murder episodes after I returned from my classes/sessions. It's turned a bit warm but not too hot--just muggy. The two MM episodes followed the usual pattern of crimes and detective work that unravels the mysteries. They are relaxing entertainment.

To bed soon. Will read some before drifting away to dreamland.

3594

Movement class felt good today. Still a small class but lets me relax more since there's not a horde of people in the room. I felt good today. A continuation of the mode I was in yesterday. Didn't sleep as much today as do sometimes. Have a resistance class tomorrow. Will see if the good times keep on rolling.

Heading for the bed soon. Watched a couple of movies this afternoon--a film made in Bhutan called Travelers and Magicians, and Midsomer Murders episode with its wry British flavor. I'm not going to summarize either of these films--they were both enjoyable.

Time to take my pills and roll into the bed. Adios, everyone!

3595

Had a good day today! I just felt awake and well. For no good reason, but I'll take it! No classes today. Slept well last night and napped some today. Movement class tomorrow! Onward!

Watched a spy thriller/killer film this afternoon--Haywire. It starred Gina Carona, the champion MMA woman fighter. It was her first film and acting experience. She was great! She did most of her fight scenes (if not all) herself as well as many of the stunts. It was an awesome display of physical skills and no seeming self consciousness on her part. When she was pounding someone into dust she looked relaxed and having fun. There were about seven famous-faces male actors in co-starring or supportive roles. It was a Soderbergh film.

3596

PD dance and resistance training and I feel good! Very good! Have to keep moving. It really makes a difference (along with the cooler weather).

Watched two movies this afternoon/evening--Terribly Happy and Winter Kills. TH is a Danish film that is really quirky and odd. A Copenhagen police officer is sent to a remote village partly as punishment for pointing his gun at his wife when they are in an argument. He is sent there as a reprimand instead of being removed from the force. He soon discovers that the town and its inhabitants are strange, secretive, and generally wacky. He tries to fit in and do his job but nothing lets him find any stability. The plot and the people's actions get more and more odd and he is sucked into their way of doing things. The film is a mystery that unravels in an eerie conclusion.

Winter Kills is supposedly a comedy based on conspiracy theories surrounding the JFK assassination. The film is overweight with big name stars and crew but the overall impression of the film is that of reading a comic book. The more interesting aspect of this film is the saga around how it was finally completed. It didn't do well at the box office and has found some measure of acceptance with the publication of the DVD version and the telling of its production story.

No gait and balance class tomorrow! On my own! To the bone! Alone, alone! By the telephone! And the days go by, go by, go by!

3597

Windy day! Gusts of cooling wind blowing leaves and trees. A respite from the damned heat! Let there be cool! No one in school! Sheep without wool! You are no fool! And so it goes! The litany of weather!

Dreamed last night that I was traveling by car through a labyrinthine web of city streets that were unfamiliar. I was riding along and a woman was driving the car. I was acting as her navigation system, telling her when to turn, stop, and proceed. We stopped several times and exited the car to go into shops and cafes. It was nighttime and it was dark except for occasional streetlamps and neon store signs. There were areas that felt less safe than others. In those, I encouraged her to keep moving and to not slow down but speed up.

Watched an old b/w film tonight--Death of a Cyclist. It was directed by Juan Antonio Bardem, the uncle of Javier Bardem. The uncle was a well known, controversial director of Spanish films. His pacing and direction were very good, and there many memorable frames and closeups. He was an avowed communist and there are hints of his beliefs that echo in this film--perhaps not as blatantly as he did in many of his other works. The DVD contains an interview with many of the director's friends and co-workers who recalled his life and struggles, and his contribution to movie-making.

No class today! Went to the H's to do some read aloud. Came back and zoned out for an hour and then went for a latte. Came back and listened to NPR until nearly six o'clock. Then, watched the film. Quiet now! Quiet and still! Occasional traffic noises like distance waves reaching an ocean shore!

3598

Solar flares and photon storms! We were bombarded this weekend by the bursts of energy from our friendly sun, but nothing much happened. Or did it? Perhaps it did but we don't know. Perhaps we have planetary Alzheimer's but don't know it.

Watched a thriller movie this afternoon--Arlington Road. It is a film about terrorism partly based on the Oklahoma bombing incident. It came out just prior to the 9/11 attack. The film kept me spinning regarding who was who and what they did/were doing. It's a gutsy thriller that kept my mind hopping back and forth regarding how everything was going to resolve. The film has a shocking and unexpected conclusion that will feed any paranoia I might harbor. What will I dream about tonight?

What did I dream about last night? I don't recall now! It was something intense but it slipped back into the dream pool.

Light on classes this upcoming week. No Core and More or Gait and Balance sessions! Will attempt to do something to bridge the gaps.

3599

Bastille Day! Yesterday was a Friday the 13th! Whirling and turning, the mysteries continue! Solar flares make for lights in the sky this weekend. Perhaps even in California! We shall see or we shall sea! Let the mystic messages abound! Today was laundry day--another in those hours and days of persistent patterns. The film I watched last night (and some today), Jeanne Dielman, has stayed with me. The detail and minutiae as portrayed in that film definitely has echoes in what I do (or do not do) now. The actress who played the main role looks something like my daughter's mother even to the color of her hair. The last name in the film's title, Dielman, is an anagram for her mother's last name! Strange and stranger! This week (or last) was also the anniversary of the Roswell incident. A confluence of confusions and conundrums! So be it!

Viewed the final scenes of the French film and it ended badly as was being telegraphed in the previous scenes. The woman loses it--loses her hold on her ritualized existence--and falls into the darkness. It's quite a powerful film--one that gets its power from amazing simplicity and detail. The director's earlier works were like premonitions of this piece. The director/writer is Chantal Ackerman--the strangeness continues--my daughter's mother has a close friend called Chantal!

Dum-de-dum-dum! After laundry and lunch, I ended up napping some, until it got too warm to sleep. But it was cooler today, sun spots or not! Early to bed tonight!

3600

Cooled down a lot today! Felt good! Did a resistance training class in good form. Strength coming back after short hiatus. Felt tired in afternoon but green tea latte helped weather the drowsiness period.

Dreamed last night a very detailed dream about several guys from the men's team. We were at a seaside resort, at a very fancy hotel. We were there to meet regarding an education project. It just so happened that the place was filled with kids. In fact, there was some confusion about our accommodations because of the overcrowding. We finally settled things with concierge. We ended up with a large meeting room with associated sleeping units. We settled in and started to enjoy the beach. There was some confusion regarding who was paying for what, but that too got settled.

Watched a long movie tonight--Jeanne Dielman. It's sort of a experimental piece but done with meticulous attention. The story is about a widowed woman who is living with her son. She dotes on him and is obsessive/compulsive in her actions. The film follows her routine-driven activities for three days. The slowness of the unfolding of her days is mesmerizing and difficult to experience. The three+ hours of the film begins to feel like someone scratching on a sheet of metal with their fingernails. There are long, extended takes that made me either laugh or want to scream. There is an unraveling that pervades the entire film leading up to an ominous conclusion (or so it was for me). I'll have more to say about this film after I go through some of the special features that appear on the DVDs. I'll probably dream about it tonight as well!

3601

Movement class today was a bit more vigorous than usual. We did a series of leg movements while on our backs with feet up the wall. Worked the lower back. Got a call from GH today wanting to know if I wanted to go have lunch and then run some errands. I just didn't feel like it. I had just come from class and only wanted to be alone. I told him no. It was the right choice for me given how I felt.

Dreamed a detailed dream last night. It concerned the street closing that will happen in front of the PD institute on an upcoming Wednesday. People going to the clinic will have to come in from another direction to get into the parking lot. I dreamed the whole activity. I saw and talked with people from the clinic as we parked and made our way into the building. The content of the dream was as if I was there--everything bright and clear.

Watched a strange film this afternoon--Import/Export. It followed the lives of two people where one of them went from the Ukraine to Vienna while the other went the other way. There lives never brought them together. It was like watching two separate movies laced together. I kept thinking that they were going to meet at some point and things would go from there. It never happened while a lot of crazy, sad, funny, touching, scary, oddball, sexual, torturous things did to each of them. Some of the brutality in the film was difficult to watch, but I kept watching--intrigued by what I felt was going to come.

3602

Gait and balance today! Nice workout! Left me energized and hungry. I had a monstrous chicken sandwich and salad.  Warm today and this evening. Muggy and hot! Cooling a bit now but still warm. Have movement class tomorrow! The week grinds past. Still wondering why I can't seem to generate enough energy so I can start reconstructing some semblance of life. I am on automatic with my weekly round of activities, but I can't seem to expand the list beyond where it is now. The movement and exercise feels good, but I can't seem to do anything beyond what I'm doing. I'm still is relatively good shape versus many of the other PD people I know and see at classes. But, I can't crack things open to do more. Why? Why, oh, why?

I think I had a chase dream last night--I was being chased by others. Nothing concrete now! Just random images!

Watched a classic silent film this afternoon--Underworld. It's a von Sternberg b/w film about a bunch of gangsters who battle each other for credit and prestige. It has amazing photography done in a noir style that was at that time innovative and unique. Many of the shots reminded me of what Hitchcock later did in his films. Underworld was mostly action--understandable action--without a lot of intertitles. The actors told the story through gesture and with their eyes and faces.

Time to meld into the sheets once again! To sleep and dream, and dream and sleep! Until the morning comes again!

3603

Did a PD dance class today where I led people in dancing Waltz Across Texas. It was not all that smooth but it was fun. Will get a chance next class to do a followup. Also did a resistance training session. Was a bit of a stretch after doing the dance class, but made it well. Gait and Balance tomorrow!

I dreamed a somewhat abstract dream last night. It was made up of a host of scenes that didn't exactly fit together. In the dream I felt as if I were solving a puzzle. Dream the night away!

Watched a movie this afternoon--The Way Back. It was set in the late 1930s and early 40s. It was about a group of men (and one woman) who escaped from Siberia by walking around 4,000 miles across China, Tibet and India. It was based on some actual events. The people were all from different cultures and backgrounds. They had to learn to be with each other and trust what each person was doing. Needless to say, they formed a close bond in making such a trek together. The film was a tad slow in places when there were panoramic segments looking across mountains, deserts, fields, water and such. It would be interesting to read the real story--if there is one!

3604

Core and More today! It was a solid workout and I feel good from having done it. Didn't nap this afternoon (it was cooler) don't feel sore from the session. I'm now going to the clinic four days each week (M, T, W, and F). With a double class on Tuesdays! Makes me think about getting a place to live that is closer to the clinic instead of further north (Belmont). We shall see! My lodging good luck will continue to hold and things will unfold as they will.

Dreamed some kind of intricate dream last night. It was about some kind of technical gadget. I was making design suggestions regarding its functionality and form factor. I felt like I was struggling in the dream to get my points across. I felt that what I was saying was correct but that I wasn't communicating to the others on the team. I awoke early--well before dawn.

Watched an English murder mystery tonight (P.D. James style)--Unnatural Causes. The episode was like most of the ones in this series with the intrepid commander sleuthing out the truth. He solves the murder mystery but still can't commit to a relationship to his dear lady friend. It was the kind of entertainment I needed--one that I didn't have to think about all that much--just relax and let the story unfold.

PD dance and resistance training tomorrow. Looking forward to the activities!

3605

Sun-day! Sunny day! I slept in this morning. Got up around noon and made it out for brunch. Had a huge (for me) meal--banana pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit bowl, and side order of sausage (chicken). Yum! It felt good to have a big meal. Yes, I came back and slept some. Seems like a regular thing to do just that.

Watched a film this afternoon--Brothers. It's a remake of a German film that was Americanized for the US audience. Had a host of well known actors. It revolved around two brothers, the older going off to war (Afghanistan) and getting killed presumably. There the story splits as we follow the older brother's activities as a captive of the Taliban and the younger brother's assumption of the role as uncle and comforter to the wife. Eventually, the lost brother is found and he has to navigate his way back into regular life and his wrestling with demons from his incarceration. The film makes a statement about the consequences of war on families and relationships.

I'm really zonked tonight! Core and More class tomorrow! Onward and onward! Until it all stops!

3606

Awoke last night just a few hours after I had dropped off to sleep. I had read some and fell asleep but then awakened. I ended up doing some Internet surfing regarding cost effective senior living facilities. Places that essentially do room and board--like in the old days. The bump to my rent has triggered me to start doing research on what's available. There's a set of facilities in San Mateo county that have some attractive options. I'll look some more and see where it goes.

I fell asleep in the afternoon despite my green tea latte. It was warm and still is muggy and such now. I felt good after napping for several hours but I'm still puzzled as to why I don't get more energetic.

Watched a movie--Rounders. I'd seen this film a long time ago, I believe. It's about a couple of guys who hang out in underground poker games and the problems they bring upon themselves when they end up owing some loan sharks a lot of money. It's a straight ahead film with Matt Damon and Ed Norton as the leads.  The DVD has a tutorial on how to play Texas Hold-em Poker.

Feeling a little tired now. Will soon head for the bed! Adios to all and to all a good night!

3607

Good session of resistance training today! Good to be back on track. I could feel the loss of strength from not having classes for the week the instructor was out of town. I awoke early this morning and ended up going back to bed after eating some breakfast. Left a bit early for class since the apartment renovation is still underway--the noise was noisy!

Watched a movie in the evening--Goya's Ghosts. Well done film with several good actors. About the Spanish/French/British military encounters around the time of the Spanish Inquisition, Napoleon's rise and fall, and the British interventions. The story was centered around the artist Goya and his links to the Spanish nobles and his status with the Catholic church. A monk, played by Javier Bardem, is a patron of Goya until he gets into difficulties with the Inquisition. He flees to France, becomes an advisor to the French, and returns to Spain with the French troops. Meanwhile, there is a substory of him fathering a child with one of Goya's models who has been jailed for heresy. Natalie Portman does a great job of playing three parts--Goya's model, her grown up daughter, and the crazed mother who is released from prison by the French. It's a clever, intricate story of lives and times woven together in the midst of chaos and wars.

Warm today! Supposedly warmer tomorrow! Whatever I can't remember, I forget! My latest thought about everything I seem to be forgetting! Life in the past lane!

3608

Movement class was fun today. Lot's of laughter and craziness! But, I came home after lunch and slept for several hours. Just nodded away! Didn't have a green tea latte, but feel awake now anyway.

Watched a documentary film this evening--Terror's Advocate. It's about a lawyer who has defended many infamous terrorists and world criminals. He is a phantom person in regard to being linked with so many notorious people. He has had great influence on world court proceedings having come up with disruptive tactics for handling courtroom procedures that play to the media and the public. From the film, there is no doubt that he is a very intelligent and creative person. He is the person to call first should you need legal representation and you are a terrorist or equivalent sociopath. His name is Jacques Verges.

Dreamed a couple of dreams last night. Both dreams took place in a building that had pure white walls, fixtures, and lighting. It was like being in a clean room. One dream involved making a children's toy (which was also white). It was like an object that you held in your arms and that had two panels or inserts. I'm not sure what the device was supposed to be used for. The second dream also took place in a clean room environment but I'm not sure what the dream was about now. I think it was related to the Higg's boson, but I'm not sure.

Resistance class tomorrow! Lift those weights! Oh, Yeah!

3609

The boson is among us! Without the boson, we'd all be vapor (or less than that)! It was somewhat compelling to watch the webcast really early this morning. But, I was soon lost in the details of the esoteric analytical processes that were applied to help the scientists to identify and locate the particle. I ended up sleeping all morning until I took off for the H's and a round of reading aloud from Human Smoke a non-fiction summary of what happened in and around WW II. Amazing, documented, anecdotes based on extant materials and records! Surprising actions of the few that affected the many--not always in positive ways.

I watched a French film this evening--Triple Agent. It's set in the time just ahead of WW II. It's about an actual person who may have been a triple agent, providing information (or disinformation) to the Nazis, the Soviets and the Fascists until he was disappeared. The story was interesting but the way the film was constructed (with many long pieces of narration), it was somewhat tedious to watch.

No classes today but a movement class tomorrow! Lots of booming from the fireworks being set off tonight. Happy Birthday, USA!

3610

PD dance and resistance training back to back today! I felt warped by the end of the two sessions, but recovered well. After a green tea latte, all was back in place--except for the heat. Got a notice from the landlords advising me of an increase in rent starting in August. They bumped the rent up about 8% but I can't complain. They have kept the rent unchanged for three years. However, it has made me start to think about possibly changing locations though. I'm just wondering if I can find a place that's more comfortable (not so hot, noisy, etc.) with perhaps a spa, pool, and such. I hate the idea of moving but I may have to bite the bullet and make a shift.

Watched a French film this afternoon--Rules of the Game by Renoir. It's a classic and is shown in the longer, re-cut version. The original version was panned and Renoir cut it back. The rework restores much of the cut materials, which alters the way the movie can be interpreted. The DVD has a side-by-side animated comparison of the two versions and what was cut/added. The comparative analysis using the animated differences is quite remarkable.

In PD dance today I volunteered to lead the class in some line dance. I'm thinking I'll do something like waltz across Texas. Not everyone will be able to do it, but many will. I can work out what others can do if they are in their chairs.

Happy 4th! Seems odd to have it in the middle of the week!

3611

Core and More! And it was! I feel like I've been pummeled--dense and thick. The exercises were more core work than I've been getting. My core feels the difference. I imagine I'll be somewhat sore tomorrow. But, it was overall very good. Adds an extra day of workout and gives me some things that can be done on any days off. I feel good having done the session. PD dance and resistance training in the morrow.

Dreamed last night that had me running--to what or where I'm not certain. I just dreamed about running down paths and along trails. I ran in and out of thick fogs and through dark tunnels. There was a small amount of trepidation in some of the places I ran through, but for the most part it was just the feeling of moving and breathing. It felt good!

Watched a Brazilian film--Elite Squad. This episode was part 2 of a trilogy dealing with the problem issues of Brazil (drugs, poverty, corruption, politics, brutality, and more). The film was more like a 60 Minutes documentary on Brazil's problems interspersed with shootouts and gun battles. It was an OK film but nothing all that great. The movie was a huge box office hit when it was released in Brazil, breaking all records. It is estimated that 11MM people saw it in Brazilian theaters.

3612

The big hit at the movies this weekend--a talking bear! They even named it Ted! No mention of its precursor--Teddy Ruxpin. Ted looks like an obese version of Teddy. What comes around has already been around!

I felt tired nearly all day. I tried to get up and out for a while, but ended up napping when I got back. Despite all the iron tablets I'm taking, my energy levels don't seem to increase. Will head over to the PD center for the new Core and More class. Will see if that fosters a bump in the energy meter. From what little evidence I can glean from my weekly regimens not doing much on the weekends is not helpful. More and More!

Watched a French film this afternoon--Man on the Train. The film has also been done more recently but probably not as well as the original. The French film is well done. It involves two men who meet by chance in a small village. One is a local teacher. The other is a criminal who has come to the town to rob a bank. They are alike and unalike in a variety of ways, but manage to influence each other in various ways. The film is a study in personalities and what happens when they form a bond even though they are strangers. The film ends in a typical French fashion--somewhat mysteriously and with not everything explained. In their last scenes, the men get to imagine what their lives might be like if they could have exchanged places. The more recent remake wouldn't seem to add much to the story since the identical plot points are done in English rather than French.

Ho, ho, ho! And away we go! Talking bears, indeed!