3490

Halloween and no ghosts or goblins! I've lived here for nearly seven years and there has never been a ghost or goblin knocking on my door. No surprise! The place looks like a prison building. Most of the units are upstairs and the doorways look like lockups. Wee kids are unlikely to want to climb the stark staircase to reach the upper levels just for a few pieces of candy. That is, if there is anyone around. The place looks and probably is empty except for just one geriatric renter. Oh, well! I once again get to keep the modest bag of treats I purchased just in case. Get to keep them and eat them all myself!

G&B class today was strenuous, as always. Class was a bit smaller than normal but still the biggest of the week. Thee weather is cooling and that and the classes are leaving me achy. Will do a movement class tomorrow followed by an acupressure session. That will be wonderful!

All Soul's Day tomorrow? I believe so. All Saint's, All Soul's, Day of the Dead--they all mush together. The there is the falling back of time this weekend--DST ends for a few months. The NY marathon looks like it will still be run on Sunday. It's the last weekend before elections. Then everything begins to cascade into the holidays--gobble, gobble, ho-ho, and all that jazz!

Tonight, it's early to bed. Have to ease my aching muscles and dream of pumpkins! All is well!

3491

PD dance today but a four week break before the next class. Will miss the movement! Also did a resistance training session today. Felt a bit tired after that class but did not take a nap. Now, I'm really tired and ready for bed.

Had a complex dream sequence last night. Part of it involved driving around in a car, seemingly lost. Another part had me talking with my step father. There were other scenes that had something to do with working and dealing with a job situation. There were even more vignettes. It was a panoramic dream fest--an emptying of the dream tubes!

Watched a fantasy film this evening--Eragon. It's about a boy who is chosen to become the last dragon rider and help one group of people (or almost people) fend off the attacks (physical, magical) of some dark elements who seek to enslave and rule the world. It was a film with lots of CGI. Supposedly, it cost $100MM to make. It grossed around $250MM at the box office! Not bad for a lot of colored bits flying around the screen.

G&B class tomorrow. Will be ready for it after a good night's rest. Picked up the November calendar--lots of No Class Today slots during that month. And then comes December!

3492

C&M class was heavy duty today! Instructor put us through some intense exercises designed to build up muscles in the core section of the body. The core is sore! I'm amazed how some of the others manage to make it through the 1.5 hours of activity. We are on the floor for the most part but even so it is quite a bit of strenuous movement. I think she's planning a second class each week. Not sure how I'll make it there (depends on the day/time) but it would be good to have a 2nd session each week.

Hope the people on the East coast are starting to emerge from their ordeal. Looks like they are taking a pounding. I don't recall ever seeing such a storm over that area of the country. Guess it is a 1-in-a-100 year event (or at least 1-in-75 for me).

Watched a pleasing movie this evening--City Island. It's a Moliere-style story set in modern times. There is a dysfunctional family all of whom have secrets that the others are not supposed to know about. The film follows each of them as their secrets get unraveled and sorted through with no lasting scars or dissociations. It was more than a comedy--it was more of an emotional ride with the laughs coming naturally as the humanity of each came to the surface. Andy Garcia directed and starred in the piece--He did a good job of doing both. The family ensemble was well cast with several strong actors.

PD dance and resistance training in the morrow! Feeling, reeling, peeling for the bed!

3493

Didn't get myself organized today any more than usual. Had breakfast at CG and did some shopping and then conked out for several hours. CA avenue was a zoo this morning! Trick or treat on the street! Dozens more kids, cars and people. I did a quick walkabout and then headed elsewhere.

Dreamed last night some more about doing some design consultation with a toy/software house. I was presenting some updates (refreshes) of some classic concepts brought up to date with current technologies. It was a tense set of dreams with me having second thoughts about what I was presenting. Nothing seemed to have enough sizzle. I felt as if I was losing my audience even as I charged onward with the presentation. It was a frustrating set of dreams. They seemed to have been somewhat the same dream elements for the past several nights. Time to dream anew!

Watched a delightful film this evening--The Fisher King. I can't believe I haven't seen this film. Some of the early scenes seemed familiar, but for the most part it was not something I recall seeing. It was funny, sad, crazy and visual. There is a scene in the middle of the film where everyone in the Grand Central Station begins to waltz. It's a spectacular scene. Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams do a great job of playing off of each other. The supporting actors also do really well. It was a fun uplifting film.


Core and More in the morrow! I'll be there to get my share of the heavy air! I do declare!

3494

Lazy day! Didn't do much of anything. Slept in a bit this morning. I felt good this morning--relaxed and normal--as normal as I can be. I got a bit draggy in the afternoon and fell asleep for several hours. Awoke about two or more hours past my afternoon medication dosage time. Went ahead and took my dosage and felt a bit more alert.

Watched a Dutch film--The Black Book. I'd seen the film before but it was worth watching again. It's an intense look at a WWII resistance group during the German occupation. The story is built around a woman who joins the resistance after her family (Jewish) is murdered. She was the only one to escape during the massacre. The story has characters that are never who you think they are. The good are evil, the evil good, in many convolutions. It's a lengthy film and the lead actress does a phenomenal job in her role. Like I said, I'd seen the film before but think it's always worth a replay.

Had to get a new toothbrush. My old one gave up the ghost--it's an electric model whose rechargeable batteries have died. The new model is a dual-action brush that leaves my mouth and teeth feeling clean. Hopefully, it will do a better job than my old one (which now cannot do anything).

3495

Sleepy tonight! A bit tired this evening and will probably hit the bed early. Had a latte and not a nap this afternoon once the resistance training class was done. The latte has kept me going sort of. I watched a film (I had seen before probably in the theater)--Unfaithful. It was about a "normal" couple who have everything going their way until an accidental encounter sends the wife off into an torrid affair. Eventually, the husband discovers the wife's secret. He confronts the wife's lover and sets off a cascade of events that are outside the "normal" boundaries of their lives. The film ends in ambiguity except the implications in the final scenes seem to indicate that couple goes back to their "normal" lives. Richard Gere plays the "normal" husband and does a good job of not being charismatic but kind of dull and dense--at least until he confronts his wife's lover. There is a lot of silence in this film, letting the action (or inaction) and closeups on the character's faces tell the tale. The dialog is sparse and direct. Having it be that way adds power to every scene. A good film!

I seem to remember that I had a slue of dreams last night. I suspect the early morning coolness helped erase the images as I bundled to stay warm. I do recall that I saw a man carrying a ladder. He was across the street from where I stood in a doorway. He was framed by my doorway as he erected the ladder and started to climb upward. As he reached about midpoint on the ladder, he grabbed his chest and fell to the ground. He was having a heart attack. I had a phone in my hand and I called 911. As I spoke with the operator, I move across the street to the man. I started giving him CPR (although I realized in the dream that I did not know how to do the procedure). I told the operator I didn't know CPR and that there was no one else stepping forward. I asked her to talk me through the procedure, which she did and I started giving the man CPR. The EMT's arrived and took over. I awoke as I started thinking that I should look on the Internet and find out how to give CPR. Strange awakening dream/thoughts!

3496

Rain and coolness, movement and naps! The day streams by like a floating marshmallow, like a poof of fog! Got a link to the DanceForPD.org site. I don't know how I've not been on this site. It details all the PD dance activities being done by the Mark Morris dance troupe for people with PD. The NY contingent will be doing a performance in November that will form the core of a film about the disease and dancing. The film is being produced by Dave Iverson (he wrote the book My Father, My Brother, and Me about their experiences with PD) who lives in Menlo Park and works for KQED. He recently ran a marathon as part of his battle with the illness. A link to some information about his film project appears below--

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2049872142/capturing-grace-when-parkinsons-and-dance-intersec

I dreamed last night that I was consulting to a group of toy designers about the creation of a new toy. There were undercurrents in the interactions between me and the company's designers. I got the impression that they were not being completely open with me about the product's features. One instance of that came up when I asked to see old storyboards that had been done for the product. I was directed to a filing cabinet, but not told how the contents were organized. I felt stupid but had to ask that someone show me how things were filed and organized. When I was shown how the filing system worked, I realized I could have figured it out myself. I was not thinking clearly because of my anxiety and uncertainty.

Started to watch a film--The Future. It was supposed to be a comedy. I'll probably never know. I dropped it after about five minutes of excruciating dialog. They all can't be good!

3497

My DSL has healed itself! Actually, I power cycled the modem and it seemed to have reset back to normal. There was something not making a complete connection to the streams and channels of the Internet. A connection is now extant! Praise be to the web angels!

Had a good G&B session today. That 1.5 hours of moving and stretching definitely gets the body exercised. The time goes by in a flash.

I've been dreaming the past few nights but I don't recall the details. It's been a bit cool in the mornings as I awake and the chill helps to erase the dream residues. That, and the rains that have been falling in the early morning hours.

RG, the guy who fell yesterday, was back in class today no worse for the wear. Reminded me though of my thoughts about what I could do to help make such people's lives better. The guy who falls in the G&B class every Wednesday, fell again today. He's lucky to not have cracked his skull so far. I can't imagine what he does at his house. His caregiver has to be helping him up everyday.

Movement class tomorrow! Ramping down as the weekend approaches! Had a delicious dinner tonight at the CG--a chicken sandwich with red peppers, onions, and cheese on focaccia bread with a salad. Yumm! For my tum!

3498

PD dance and lifting those weights today! Almost slept late enough to miss dance class. Awoke at 9:50 for a 10:30 session. Had to move it to make it on time. Did so, barely! It was nice to sleep in though.

Got a card for LW signed and will mail it to him tomorrow. Couldn't help but notice people in class struggling today. Their symptoms are getting more pronounced and they don't seem to have any way to stop the slide. RG fell as we were leaving the afternoon class. He stumbled on the walkway from the building. We talked after he got up and settled down some. He said he was struggling; he was trying to stay active but it was becoming more and more difficult to do so. Makes me want to do something to help people who are having that struggle going on. Don't know how but feel like I should be doing something--other than marking the days until I become one of the strugglers as well. Will sleep on it! Let my dreams reveal what I might do!

Watched and intense film this evening--Rite. It's a film about exorcism. It's based on actual events where a novice clergyman learns from an experienced practitioner what to expect/do to cast out the evil spirits. The two priests depicted in the film are currently in churches in the U.S. Anthony Hopkins plays the older priest who becomes possessed. He goes through a metamorphosis of good priest to being possessed with convincing makeup changes and a pounding sound track. Hopkins really does strange parts well--he is eeriness itself!

Gait and balance tomorrow! My DSL is still acting up! After much gyration I did manage to watch the Good Wife episode for the week, but it was sometimes tedious to wait for the pixels to make it through. Have to get on with getting a new collection of hardware. Hate to deal with it all but will have to do so soon before my old stuff stops working completely.

3499

Rain and coolness! Core and More! Read this afternoon from the Baker book Mezzanine. There were two references in the text that were puzzling -- Trophonian and Struwwelpeter. After some creative Googling I managed to dig up references to these two words. Trophonian is the adjectival form of the word Trophonius--a Greek god/hero who supposedly built Apollo's temple. The reference in Mezzanine is an architectural association. Struwwelpeter is a strange, old German children's book. The word translates into wire-haired peter/child/boy--a reference to himself as a child. Whew! What else is in that novel? More than be imagined I suppose.

Core and More was a push today. We stayed on the floor with lots of challenging leg lifts and such.

Watched a war film about soldiers in WWII and their encounter with some German soldiers. The film, A Midnight Clear, was done about 20 years ago. It was not a compelling story. It might have been based on some actual events, but wasn't anything very plausible.

PD dance and resistance classes tomorrow! Onward I go!

Still having some problems with DSL connections.

3501-3500

My DSL line is acting up again! Having trouble staying connected or throughput drops to nothing! It's happening across sites--not just specific ones. I didn't post last night because of the issues. It was still acting that way earlier so I'm trying to get in a post while it it seems to be up.

Had a complex dream last few nights (yes, the dreams were continued between nights). They involved having come computer systems that were connected in an intricate way and were not working well (not unlike real life, eh?). In the dreams, I had identified the possible source of the problems and was making a presentation of my results. I seemed to be getting a lot of resistance from the people I was talking to--they didn't want to believe that my analysis was correct. Maybe the dreams will continue tonight and come to some resolution.

Watched a French thriller last night--Monsieur Hire. It was a kinky, edgy psychological piece about two misfits who find each other attractive (in a addictive sort of way). Unlike a lot of French films, this one came to a definite conclusion--leaving little room for what was to happen next.

Tonight, I watched another French film, Incendies (fire or burning). It too was a mystery/thriller revolving around two siblings who are given a task (posthumously by their mother) to search for and seek out their father and a half brother. The quest sends them into dangerous regions of the Middle East. They end up finding not only information about their father and half brother, but unknown details about who their mother was and what she had done in her early life. It was an absorbing film--a bit confusing with all of the flashbacks but a film that too comes to a surprising resolution.

Core and More tomorrow! Looking forward to exercising! Weather is cooling a lot.

3502

Small resistance training class today. Smaller than usual. But it was a good activity for me. I feel so much better after moving or stretching and so forth. Plan on doing something each day this weekend (besides laundry) that keeps the body moving and such. I had a green tea latte this afternoon--first one in several days. It helped pick me up but I'm going to ration how many I drink now. I was doing one every day. I'll drop back to one or two per week and see how it goes. I think I sleep better when I don't have one late in the afternoon.

Finished watching the five episodes of Midsomer Murders. Picked up some new books of short stories from the library. I had to punt on two of the books I was reading--they just became too dense and boring. Hopefully, I picked up some that are more engaging.

As I noted, laundry day tomorrow. Gas prices have gone through the stratosphere--I paid $4.55 at the pump for regular--most I've ever paid. Got the SS notice of a 1.7% raise for 2013. Hardly much of an increase. Rent went up nearly 8% plus overall increases noticed in everything else (gas, food, phone, utilities, and all other expenses). The bump in SS payments will have little impact on all of these other increases. Maybe the Mayan calendar does predict an end to things! Certainly, some kind of end is being approached regarding the state of the whole world. Dreams are shaking loose! The abyss is palpable!

3503

Hot and muggy day! But, it was a good day all the same. Went to movement class and came away moved. I'm feeling more clear and energetic. Haven't had any caffeine in several days now and I think the booster was not doing me well. I didn't get sleepy today after eating lunch. The heat was bothersome but I weathered it as well. Have a resistance training session tomorrow and then the weekend begins. Laundry day is on its way!

Apartment complex is like a ghost town. With several places now empty, a lot fewer kids living here, and people having to leave during the day, the place is quiet. Good news it's quieter; bad news rents in the Bay Area are zooming up. I need to get myself relocated to an affordable housing complex ASAP.

Watched two episodes of Midsomer Murders today. One was quite a mystery with everyone a suspect and a convoluted plot. Well done, Barnaby (the chief copper in the series)! Several of the episodes that I have seen now have somewhat whack characters and plot twists that superbly unpredictable. Jolly good fun!

3504

Gait and Balance was challenging today! We did a lot of standing on one leg/foot and moving the lifted limb. The instructor does everything without using a chair for balance. She does everything we do standing balanced on one leg/foot without support. Some of the things we did today I could just barely complete using a chair for balance. But, it did feel good afterward and into the evening.

I fell asleep in the afternoon despite the hammering and noise being made by the carpenters working on the empty apartments. I haven't had a green tea latte yesterday and today--I'm not going to keep drinking one each day. I feel that in some way that has been contributing to my fading energy--even though the drink does perk me up some in the evenings. A nap does just about the same. Will stick with naps for a while.

Watching a set of episodes of Midsomer Murders. I enjoy the simplicity of the episodes.

Movement class tomorrow! Movement and light! Light and music! But a warm day predicted!

3505

Busy but good day! Started with PD dance class this morning. Moved on to resistance training in the afternoon. Then did an acupressure session in the late afternoon. Did not have a green tea latte but did have a tasty dinner. Overall, I'm feeling good after all of this activity. May have to cut back on the green tea lattes--they may be tweaking my system in some odd way. Will see! One thing, will see how I sleep tonight without an energy drink bounce. PD dance was good fun this morning. Resistance workout went well with 10lb weights. Exercising definitely cranks up the energy level.

Watched a Chinese film this evening--To Live. Directed by Zhang Yimou (Beijing Olympics opening/closing ceremonies), it was a somewhat ho-hum work despite the name actors involved. The story followed a family's fortunes for about four decades--through the revolutions and changes of players during that time span. Despite the light underlining of why each change of guard didn't really alter the family's fate--people are born, they grow up and they die.

Tomorrow is the Gait and Balance class. Will be interesting to see how I fare with that activity and a reading aloud session at the H's. And, whatever dreams may come my way!

3506

Core and More was strenuous but seemed to restore my energy somewhat. I came away feeling much better than I did over the weekend and my marathon sleep fest. I got a little drowsy in the afternoon and nodded off for a bit.The C&M activities didn't seem to tweak my sciatica--thank goodness!

Watched a British movie this evening--Mona Lisa. It was a somewhat gritty tale of the underbelly of the sex trade in England. George, a convict who has just completed a 7-year stint in prison, returns to his old haunts and mates. Time has changed things and George is a bit off balance as he tries to get back into flow of things. He finds work as a driver for a high end prostitute. He and the lady become emotionally entangled (no surprise) and he's pulled into the role of St. George trying to slay the multi headed dragons that surround the sex trade. George is a bit naive and finds himself a target. The story ends badly for almost everyone except George. It is a somewhat formulaic plot but with a tension and sets of action elements that kept me watching.

PD dance, resistance training and an acupressure session on schedule for tomorrow. It's been relatively very quiet around the apartment complex. Things went quiet as several families with kids left the place.

3507

After sleeping nearly the entire Saturday, I slept through to Sunday morning. I got up around 7am to take my medication and went back to sleep for a few hours. I then got up around 10am and had a bite to eat before (you guessed it!) going back to sleep for a few more hours. Got up around noon and went out and about for a few hours--grabbing some food and green tea latte. I've managed to stay awake until now (around 9pm).

I had a wild batch of dreams throughout all this time of repose and slumber. In one episode, I was riding as one of the five passengers on a moped. We were careening down a steep roadway. We stopped to drop off something at one location and then sped into an apartment complex. We entered one of the apartment units. It was a tiny place divided into four areas: a kitchen area that was behind a sliding wall, a bedroom/living room, a bathroom, and a second bedroom--all in a row. The kitchen and bathroom were about 50 square feet each (10x5s); the bedrooms about 100 square feet (10x10s). Two adults and a child lived in the unit. A woman and I were the other two people on the moped. When we entered the apartment everything was a bit crowded. There were other dream segments but the moped ride and entering the apartment were last things I remember.

I felt really tired and logy yesterday and today up through the afternoon. I listened to the NPR program "Says You" (my favorite Sunday show). I watched a well-done Spanish film--Lisboa. It was about ordinary guy who picks up a hitchhiker (a woman) and ends up in the middle of family/business conflagration. He slowly gets enmeshed deeper and deeper trying to help the woman. Her family eventually tracks him/her down and he learns more of why she was trying to escape from them and seals his own fate with the family who will stop at nothing to get what they want. It was a clever film that built and built to a final not so happy resolution.

Core and More tomorrow! My sciatica from yesterday has quieted down with all of the sleep I encountered. May it stay that way! A full week of classes are scheduled. Away I go!

3508

Not much to report today since I slept almost around the clock! Got up late, around noon. Went out for a bite to eat (had General's Chicken at Chef Liu's--good food!). Came back and fell asleep for a while. Walked over to Starbucks for a green tea latte. Was having problems with right leg--like my sciatica was acting up. Did some relaxation exercises that helped some with the sciatica. But, got really sleepy and went to bed. Slept for several hours and awoke around 11pm. Sciatica is quieter now, but am headed back to bed anyway--to keep that area relaxed and unstressed. So much for a sleepy Saturday!

3509

Where did the day go? It went by so quickly that I'm still feeling the spin. Went to resistance training class today. Still hefting the 10lb weights; can't seem to get back to the 12lb ones. Maybe, gravy! Quite a few people not there today but still had an almost full class. I conked out when I got home for about 1.5 hours. Just sat down and drifted off to dreamland.

Watched a German film this evening--The Lives Of Others. It's a political thriller about the time just before the Berlin Wall came down. It revolved around how the Stasi (secret police) spied on the citizens and went to great lengths to build dossiers on proposed activists. The man who was in charge of the surveillance of a writer slowly comes to sympathize with the person he is spying on, and does things that alter the lives of everyone involved. It's a bit long (about 2 hours and 20 minutes) but has a resolution in the final minutes that is worth the wait.

Weekend arrives. It's supposed to warm up some over the next few days. But it'll still be coolish! Might it be foolish and coolish? Off to dreamland do I go!

3510

I'm suddenly tired tonight. I felt energetic this morning and during movement class. But after I ate dinner (delicious new fish taco dish at CG) and such my energy bubble seemed to deflate. I had an acupressure session mid-afternoon and felt a little wobbly afterward. I thought it was just not having lunch. Anyway, it seems like it's bedtime already.

Dreamed last night that I was at a carnival or fair. There were all kinds of events scheduled throughout the day. I was just wandering from activity to activity, enjoying the warm sunshine and the good weather. People were having a lot of fun and the whole thing was bright and energizing. There were a couple of places that where I went inside (a cafe and a bakery) to get a drink or a pastry. The places were like amalgams of the cafes and bakeries that I visit in PA. There was a pleasant familiarity about the dream places that I enjoyed.

Watched a Spanish movie this evening--Cell 211. It's a story of a new prison guard who gets caught up in a prison riot and gets trapped inside with the convicts. The only way he can survive is to pretend he's a new prisoner and go with the flow from there. The twists and turns in the film hinge on his escalating his own actions as he strives to convince the convicts that he's who he says he is. The film is a bit gruesome and violent (not unexpected in a prison riot film) but is also a character study of a group of people who have nothing to lose and what they will do to survive.

Resistance training tomorrow! May graduate to the 12lb bar bells! Maybe!

3511

G&B class today was filled! Most people in class since I've been attending sessions! Also was an intense workout. I came away feeling good despite the intensity. Movement class tomorrow and an acupressure session. Looking forward to both of them.

Looked like it was going to rain today but it never materialized. Feeling groggy though and came back from afternoon activities and fell asleep. Awoke after an hour or so and went out for dinner. Has a plate of tilapia, steamed vegetables and mashed potato. It was a warm comfort meal. I needed such a repast.

Watched the remainder of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Convoluted ending with everyone being somewhat guilty and a final too obvious scene where the protagonist and his estranged wife come together.

Time for the bed! What is dancing in my head? A piece of yarn--a loosened thread? Something filled with sturm and dread? No one will know--it can't be said. I'll end it here--I've had my bread.

3512

The rains have begun! Light sprinkles a few minutes ago along with several lightning strikes! We need the rain. My truck needs the rain (to knock off some of the dust). PD dance class was mellow today--good to do some moving! Also did a resistance session in the afternoon. Felt a bit tired after that but have made it through the evening without a nap (did have a latte though). Didn't tell anyone about LW's fall and such. By the time I came around to doing it everything was in a mellow state--I didn't want to shift the mood of the group. Will make an announcement next week.

Spoke with two people from PD dance class about taking over some of the email administrative functions. I got really nervous and felt a wave of stress wash over me just talking about the activity. My body/soul/spirit really didn't want to take on that task. I said no to doing it. I could always say yes at a later time, but for now it was a definite no. Bumped into NH, the H's son, when I stopped to grab a sandwich.

Watched some of the BBC Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy series this evening. Stars Alec Guinness who does a cool understated characterization of a consummate spy person. I enjoyed the first four episodes; have two more to complete the series.

Wanting to be free! Free from restrictions and constraints. Wanting to just get up an go--somewhere, anywhere! I'm tired of just sitting around. How to generate more energy, more strength? I continue to collapse after only a few hours of activity.

3513

Columbus Day is done. Weather has cooled a lot. I had to snuggle under the comforter last night. Tenant who was moving out was up and at it this morning. When I returned later in the afternoon she was packed and gone. She's moving back to the central valley where it's a bit cheaper to live. The landlords told her that rents were probably going to keep climbing here. The demand for living spaces is high. The H's said they have a friend who rents out her master bedroom (plus run of the house I'd guess) for $1250/month! That's more than I pay for my apartment, but higher rents will happen before they ever decrease.

Got a call from LW tonight--the guy I've been ferrying to/from PD dance class. He tripped and fell this past week. He tripped over one of the parking wheel barriers in a parking lot. He did a face plant! Fortunately, he suffered no major damage to his head (brain, cranium). He did sustain some bruising to his face. He's going to go into an intense program designed to get him more stable. He was quite wobbly last week when I took him to/from class. I had asked him then about using a cane. He acted like he didn't want to use one. I think he might have avoided this mishap had he been using a cane. Ego versus a cane? Ego gets you a flat face! If unsteady, better to use a cane!

I felt good today. Got a bit shaky as the evening rolled in along with cooler weather. Missed not having a Core and More session today. Rest of the week is booked though. Looking forward to it! PD dance and resistance training in the morrow! Wonderment and motion!

3514

Lots of chaos here in the apartment complex today (and always). Construction people pounding, sawing and hammering all day long! Neighbor across the way is apparently moving out. She and her moving team made for a noisy exit throughout the afternoon. I think she's done either. Expect more of the same tomorrow. All this hubbub makes me want to get out as well. The time has come the walrus said! I got out and about some today to ease the strain on my eardrums. Got a really short haircut--perhaps the closest I've come to getting my pate shaved. That's probably next!

Watched a very visceral film this evening--Last Tango in Paris. I'd never seen it so it was a shocker for me. Quirky sexual film with quirky sexual actors. Several of the actor's preferred to ad lib their lines and I think it shows--but it also added a layer of stickiness to the scenes. It's no doubt a classic and will be on the major 100 film's list in perpetuity. Although its treatment of women in the film is a big minus on its scorecard.

No classes tomorrow! Too bad! Will see if I can muster the energy to do some workout here at home. Long weekends without exercise and movement is not the best thing to do.

Sail away! Sail away! On Columbus Day! Find a way to laugh and play! Come what may! Come what may!

3515

Laundry day and strange events revealed! One of my neighbors stopped me and asked if I was aware of the hubbub that went on here Tuesday. I had to admit that I was sleeping and didn't hear a thing. Apparently there was someone in the carport area either stealing stuff or checking out the place. The neighbor had called the police and they converged on the place around 6:30 that morning. The police found an abandoned, stolen bike. Some items were missing from the piles of things some people have in their storage lockers. But, more importantly I didn't hear a thing. I slept through it all! Amazing since I'm usually awakened by people moving about that time of day.

Several neighbors have moved or are moving. There have been a flood of cars that have been burglarized recently. People have been stealing gasoline from cars parked overnight. We have six cars in our carport, each with about $50 worth of gasoline--that's a $600 haul! Also, any number of bicycles are being stolen. At $100-$200 each (or more) that's a huge amount of money lost each day (or night as the case may be).

It was cool today--almost chilly at times. But it's much better than hot weather. I know I've been dreaming but haven't remembered much of them for a few nights. Maybe tonight!

3516

Much cooler today! There was some threat of rain but it never materialized. Perhaps tomorrow! Had a resistance training class today. It felt good (always does) to move and exercise. I slept in this morning and felt good doing class and afterward. Tomorrow is laundry day! Another load, says Mr. Toad!

Don't have a C&G class on Monday. Perhaps can make progress on getting myself organized enough to get this place cleaned and polished. Lots of stuff happening in SF over the weekend. I don't think I'll venture near there for any reason--thank goodness!

Still making my way through the pre-code Hollywood film collection. Well done pieces! This evening I watched Murder at the Vanities. It was a murder mystery played out against a lavish musical performance of the vanities. Screwy and quirky but entertaining! It's probably the most risque one so far. The musical starred the Most Beautiful Women in the World--mostly in scanty costumes that showed lots of skin. It would never have made it in post-code Hollywood.

Apartments that have been vacated are being renovated. Lots of construction noise! Glad that it's not hot and noisy! Blessings for small things!

3517

Today's my daughter's birthday. She'll be 30 years old. Where did those 30 years go? They went by so fast, so very fast. Took my much older than 30-year old body to movement class today. Still moving! Guess that's the good news! Weather shifted to being much cooler today. Thank goodness! My much older than 30-year old body has become an unfriend of heat. Cooler is better!

Resistance training tomorrow to close out this week's exercises and activities.

Watching a set of b/w movies that were done in the pre-code era of film making. There are six films in the collection. Many of the actors were early in their careers and went on to stardom. I've watched one half of the films so far and they are really well made--good sound, good camera work, lavish sets, and more. The story lines are fairly simple and the dialog is somewhat stilted. There are (for the times) a few risque scenes but nothing that would shock anyone today. Getting a backward peek into a time gone by.

3518

G&B class today was lively, fun, and a lot of movement. Big class! Room is almost maxed out. It was a solid 1.5 hours of activity. Day was also much cooler than yesterday--more of the same tomorrow and rest of the week.

Movement class tomorrow! Looking forward to it! The week winds down. The daze goes by! Short post tonight!

3519

PD dance was a highlight of the day. Weather was hot and muggy but dance kept things cool. Picked up LW and took him to class and back home. He's really wobbly it seems. He almost fell over a couple of times in the class and walking to/from the truck. I felt good in class and also felt alright in resistance training session in the afternoon. I came home and grabbed a green tea latte to keep me rolling. That went down well and I caught up on some TV shows as well as watching a film.

Watched a German film--Nowhere in Africa. It was a good story of a German/Jew family that migrated to a remote area of Africa. There was a husband and wife and a small child. They discovered that they had to face many obstacles being in a new land, not knowing the languages, dealing with the hardships of operating a ranch/farm without any background for such a task. The young daughter holds the piece together as she assimilates, becomes fluent in the language, and learns to flow with the challenges that present themselves. The film is a bit long (140 minutes) but it holds together well as it spans nearly a decade of their isolation and their wait for the war to end.

Gait and Balance class tomorrow! Will start to cool some over the next few days. A welcome shift as far as I'm concerned!

Dreamed last night that I was in a house that looked out onto a street. There was something strange happening out on the street but I couldn't see exactly what as I stood in a window of the house. At one point, I was out in the year trying to put a net over a plant as a car drove by. It was moving slowly and had darkened windows so I couldn't see who was inside.

3520

Core and More today--it made me sore! It was also hot today--above 90 degrees. More of the same promised for tomorrow. Oh, boy! Oh, joy! Another apartment was emptying this morning. I guess the rent increases are making themselves felt. I felt heavy and achy today. C&M class helped loosen me up but the heat still held me down. PD dance and resistance training tomorrow. Oh, boy! Oh, joy!

Started to watch a Carol Reed film, Fallen Idol, and realized that I had seen it. The whole storyline came back and I ejected the DVD. I then selected a Chinese film, Curse of the Golden Flower. Realized that I had also seen it as well but went ahead and watched it anyway. Its storyline didn't pop out at me so it was a bit like watching a new film--with moments of deja vu! It was a spectacular creation by Zhang Yimou (think 2008 Bejing Olympics) with two major Chinese actors (Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li). It ran a bit long but it was visually an incredible production.

Dreamed last night something about food. Don't recall the details. Reading another book to GH--Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker (Human Smoke). This book is odd and funny and nowhere as serious as Human Smoke. Baker has several other books that we may also read.

Will give LW a ride to/from dance class tomorrow. A solid month of classes on the books! Keep on moving!

3521

Strange! Could not edit Blogger using FireFox tonight. Switched to Safari and things seem to be working here. Weekend ends! Didn't get much done today except for eating and sleeping. Don't seem to have the energy to get anything done beyond the minimal. Where goes all of this?

Core and More tomorrow! Looking forward to the exercise. I seem to always muster enough energy to get to class and back before I collapse and sleep. October shows a full schedule of classes. That's alright!

Dreamed an odd dream last night. I dreamed that I was creating/directing a story in my dream. There were three women friends who were going out for the evening. One of the women was vary talkative and kept up a running babble as the women drove to the club they had picked to attend. The two women who were listening to the talkative person had made a plan to kill the one who was talking. They had planned out how they were going to do it. They would go to the club and do the deed on the way back. By going to the club, they would all be seen there. When questioned the next day after the body was found, they would say that the victim had indicated that she was staying at the club and would take a cab home later. She had wanted to stay so she could hang out for a while with a man she had met and danced with during the evening.

In the dream, it was like I was floating above the scenes from the story. I was listening to the two women as they talked through their plans and ultimate story to the police. We/they kept reworking the story/alibi so that it would be believable when they were confronted by the authorities. We/they finally got the story straight and all was well. It was strange that I was present as the story was concocted but was not a character in the tale--just a hovering intelligence who helped shape and form the result.