3429

C&M class was small today--only four people. The holidaze extracts its toll from those who usually come. 2012 is going and 2013 is coming in! Not quite here yet but on its way! Cold today and this evening. Will be heading to bed earlier than usual so I can wrap up and keep the body heat on high.

Dreamed an elaborate dream last night about working on some kind of techno-project. The dream involved solving a variety of mysteries surrounding the use and construction of a technical tool. I mostly remember that the problems encountered and the work we had to do was tedious and exhausting.

Am I ready for the new year? Hardly! My to-do list grows longer every day and seems never to shrink. I just have to keep adding items to the list. I seem to only deal with an item when it comes due and reaches the top of the list. Not much unlike the government and the fiscal cliff.

Watched a French film this evening--The Women on the 6th Floor. It was a light romance/comedy that sported a cast of Spanish women who lived in the servants area atop an owner's apartment. The film was fun and amusing. It made me smile a lot! Good way to enter the newest year--smiling, laughing, and weeping along with the actors for the losses in life.

Nothing in particular planned for the morrow--for the first day of the new year! Will see what presents itself as the day unfolds! Alleluia!

3430

Dreamed a lot last night about incidents and scenes from my past. The dreams also included some time and events before I was born. It was like a panoramic recap of how I came to be born (with scenes from my parent's lives), what I did as I was growing up, and my life to date. It was like paging through a huge book where each chapter was like a year in my life span. What was most striking was the way events and people in my life connected so that ended up in the here and now. So many tiny twists and turns that made me and my life unfold. I could see how many chance events came together to form the structure of my days. How small changes in those connections would have created a very different set of paths and outcomes. So many variables! So many pathways through the maze!

The dream not only focused on the past but also projected scenes into the future. As I awoke, I was in awe of what this hundred year period has and will have touched upon. And I was aware of how everyone has their own pathway through the maze and with many possible outcomes. This whole dream sequence was prompted by the film I watched last night--Diving Bell and Butterfly. The film triggered some discomfort and upset for me that wove its way into the dreaming.

The weather is close to freezing tonight. This afternoon I went out and had a hearty meal and came back and bundled up and slept. I stayed warm and slept well. My sinus drainage is still happening but less so. Hopefully, a session of C&M tomorrow will put an end to this annoyance. The new year comes! Another night of 2012 and then we enter the new labyrinth of 2013!

3431

Cool is the night! And the day and the night! Not like the Midwest but still cooler than I'd prefer! And it will be that way for several more of our chilly days! Did laundry today. Place was busier than usual. I slept in this morning and headed out and about in the afternoon period. Felt good to sleep.

Sinus issues seem to be clearing. Cough drops have helped ease the persistent dry throat. I had a late lunch at a new Indian place called Curry Up and Go! They have a somewhat bizarre combination of Indian (East) and Mexican food items. I tried their thali plate. It was OK but not as good as the more traditional Indian cafes in the area. They are also a bit expensive compared to a lot of places. They may survive (they are in a god location) but will wait and see.

Watched a movie tonight--Diving Bell and Butterflies. It's about a man who had a stroke and woke up from a 20-day coma to discover that he could hear, think, but not move. He could only move his eye lids and his eyes. He soon was reduced to only one eye and lid when they had to sew up the right eye. The movie was about his amazing struggle to learn to communicate (by blinking his one remaining eyelid--1 blink for Yes, 2 blinks for No) and go on to dictate a book using this limited channel. The story was about how he, his family and friends, and the medical people had to adopt and adapt to help him achieve what he was able to achieve. The film takes some liberties with the book on which the film is based and the real life stories about the man and his final interactions. But it is a moving story nonetheless and makes me ask the questions concerning having an illness (or disability) and what can be done despite the conditions.

3432

Had a good session with the dental people this morning. First time in a while that I got a somewhat good report. It's been 6 months since this hygienist has seen me and she gave a passing grade, finally. Went to the resistance training class today. Quite a few people showed up! Have to give them a salute in getting there. I grabbed a sandwich and soup before class and then later in the afternoon went to WF's and grabbed a bite from the steam table. I was hungry and could have eaten more but I only ate a moderate amount. Tomorrow is laundry day! Ole! Weather has turned cold again. It will be in the high 30s at night over the next few days.

Watched a Spanish film this evening--El Norte. I had seen the film before but didn't recall a lot of the story this second time around. Not sure when I saw it before--sometime over the past few years. It was a story about two siblings who leave their home in South America and make their way across Mexico to the U.S. The whole story is somewhat quirky and jerky. Quite a lot regarding their trip across Mexico was condensed into a few scenes and left it at that. There were moments in the film that were mesmerizing but not all that many. I both liked and disliked the movie this second time around. I don't recall much of anything from the first round.

Evening settles in and so does my sinuses. I'm still having some traces of this problem. From the sounds of it a lot of people are dealing with some of the same problems. May we all be well!

3433

Have a new faucet in the bathroom sink! Took a couple of hours for the install--guess it's not a plug/replace mechanism. They had to add new plumbing under the sink and such. Result--it's in! I was feeling a bit nervous about the state of the apartment but it was fine. I had cleaned up enough to make it look OK. It could have been cleaner but it is what it is (or was--the plumber left the bathroom dirtier than ever since he had to drill and such which spread a lot of debris around the space). I look forward to getting moved even though the move to Stevenson House will be disruptive. I'll feel more at ease there I believe.

I had a tasty lunch at CG's and then picked up my medications at the pharmacy. Costs were much less than normal since I had emerged from the donut hole. However, the kid-proof container for one of the medications almost made me lose it. I finally got it open with the help of a screwdriver. The 2nd level lock on the container would not break loose, until I used the tool to pop the attachment points. Crazy making stuff! After I managed to get the top off I fell asleep for a few hours. The stress of the morning (plumbing, people in and out, worry about my apartment) and afternoon (medication top, continued sinus drainage and congestion) events made me tired. I did the right thing and took a nap.

Tomorrow other stresses--dental work and resistance training--plus more cold weather on its way. It's never over until it's over!

Dreamed last night that I was involved in some kind of situation where I needed to be clear thinking and needed help in doing so. In the dream, I approached several people (many whom I knew in my past real life). They all walked away from me and left me to deal with everything on my own. I remember being very disappointed by their actions, and feeling really sad and adrift. The details of the dream got lost in the morning set of events with plumbers et al.

Watched a movie this evening--Rabbit-Proof Fence. It was a story about some aborigine children who were taken from their parents and sent to a gulag-like facility to be retrained to be more Australian-like. The three children in the story ran away from the facility and made a 1,500 mile trek to get back home. They were being pursued by soldiers, trackers, and more but they made it. The action took place in the early 1930s. The oldest child and the youngest were still alive when the story was published (by the oldest child's daughter) and filming was underway. Beyond what is shown in the film is an equally moving story of how they lived to be sent back to the gulag as adults and how the oldest child ran away carrying her daughter and repeated her trek back home again. Incredible spark of the human spirit!

3434

G&B class went well today. Not too big of a crowd though because of the holiday. Felt good to move but I'm still feeling drifty and out of sync for some reason. I could have turned over and went back to sleep this morning, but I didn't. Went to class and to the H's for chapter reading. Then a quick trip to TJ's and to WF's for an early dinner (late lunch). Felt good to eat some solid foods after fruit/kefir breakfast and banana/sour cream for lunch. Called the pharmacy and ordered medications so I can use the fact that I've passed through the donut hole and am on the catastrophic level for medication costs. Called the landlord and told him about the broken faucet in the bathroom sink. He'll be out tomorrow! No classes tomorrow. Dental and resistance training on Friday and then into the New Year weekend. The wheels keep turning; the rain keeps churning; the sun's stopped burning!

Watched a film this evening--Ulee's Gold. I'd seen the film with the H's about three years ago. I found it a bit slow-paced then and did so again tonight. I'm amazed that I didn't recall much of the film--it was like watching the film for the first time. Perhaps I have a tabula rasa for films--I've watched hundreds of them over the past seven years but many still seem new to me. Curious behavior! I can recall vague impressions but not much of the details. Perhaps the story/summary of my life! "He watched a lot, but didn't hang on to the details." So be it! I know that the images are recorded somewhere in my neuron nest--I just need an App to resurrect them and bring them into focus.

My sinus draining still is happening. I clear up fairly well during the day as I'm moving about and such. As night draws near and the temperature drops and the rains persist I begin a slow clog and an increase in drainage. I'm drinking my Throat Comfort yogi tea even as I type. May the herbals win!

3435

Ho, ho, ho! I'm on my way says Santa to his reindeer sleigh! Back to the North Pole and our beds of hay! Hey, hey, hey! What a day! I spent the day in quietude. There were some rains and now even more is falling. I cleaned up the place. I scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen floor. I dusted nearly everywhere. I continued the process of dumping things as I tidy up areas. So much debris! The cleaning activity was the first major workday I've had in quite a while. I seemed to make it through alright. I fell asleep in my chair for a few hours once I had made a pass through the place. G&B class tomorrow! That will officially end the holidaze. Will have class on Friday and then a full roster next week. Still dealing a bit with sinus drainage and throat tickles, but it's getting better.

Watched a movie tonight--Insider. It's the saga of the whistle blower who revealed the tobacco industry's truth about nicotine. It was a relatively engaging work but a bit long and peppered with narrations in lieu of action. The movie is based on a true life story of the man who was the whistle blower and what he had to push through to tell the truth. His revelations were partly responsible for the results of a court action against the industry on multiple fronts.

Rest of this week will be somewhat busy--two classes, dental appointment, getting bathroom sink fixed, order medicines before the end of the year (makes for cheaper drugs since I'm out of the donut hole and into catastrophic coverage), reading with the H's, laundry, and must be more. Oh, yes! And dealing with the frosty weather!

3436

Twas the night before Xmas and all through the mouse
Not a creature was stirring not even the grouse

Rain let up today (but more promised for tomorrow). I slept poorly last night--had congestion that kept causing me to awaken so I could cough and clear my tubes. I'm sure I kept my neighbor awake with all the huffing and puffing I was doing. Everything cleared up once I got up and about this morning. Some traces have returned as bedtime looms. I've had some Throat Comfort tea, Ricola Honey/Herb drops, and a hot toddy concoction with the H's.

A few nights ago, I dreamed a detailed dream about riding on a Metro or Subway. I was with a couple of friends and were making a trek into a big city, like NY. We were at one of the terminal stations and were boarding a passenger car. The subway was huge. It had stacks of cars each of which would hold many people. Everyone was pushing and shoving their way into the cars and then into seats. We found three seats that we could slip into and the contraption started moving--slowly at first and then building speed so that we were whirling down the tunnels. Every car was filled and many people had to stand. The interior of the cars were really shabby. Even though it was relatively quiet (the cars didn't seem to make any noise as the wheels turned on the tracks), no one seemed interested in talking. We rode in silence. I looked out at the passing features--inside the tunnel at first, then shooting abruptly above ground, and finally back into a set of tunnels as we neared the end of the route. We were heading into a city to go over some designs we had done.

There were hordes of people going in and out of stores today. Big lines at most of the places that were open. Probably won't be that way tomorrow. Will be a quiet day in every way! Ole!

3437

A deluge of a day! Thundering storms and hurricane winds blowing through the houses! It's quieted now and the rains have stopped pounding. I got up this morning and took my medication (a bit late) and then climbed back into the bed. I finally got up and had a bite to eat, and then went back to bed. Awoke in the early afternoon, shaved and took a shower, and then went out for a bowl of soup and a slice of cornbread. On the way back, I stopped at TJ's and got caught in part of the deluge. I ran to the truck but got soaked. All during these ins and out, ups and downs, I'm still battling a cold and a scratchy throat. I've been sucking on Ricola throat lozenges and found my stash of Throat Comfort yogi herbal tea. All that has helped ease some of the discomfort.

Along the way, the sink faucet in the bathroom, the hot faucet, decided to quit working. There was always some trouble completely shutting off that valve. The valve's packing seems to have dissolved and I couldn't shut off the valve. I had to go under the sink and shut off the water there. Will have to call the landlord (but not over the two holidays) and get him here to make a fix. I'll phone him on Wednesday and see about getting him here on Thursday. That will also give me a few days to clean up the place, which I need to be doing anyway. Fun and games during the holidaze!

3438

12/21/12 has come and gone! I don't see any evidence of dramatic change to anything. The existing existence continues onward. To what end we do not know, but it continues, perhaps! Without any comparative data, everything looks the same, acts the same, and continues along its proscribed path.

Today is a fog! I slept in after again thinking I had gotten up and taken my medication. I awoke late morning and realized that I had not gotten up or taken anything. So, I took the dosage late and went back to sleep. I awoke around noon, got up and out for a late brunch, grabbed a latte at SB's, and went back to bed. I awoke around 5pm and took my afternoon dosage (late again). Now, it's about time for my final dosage and then back to bed again. The day has come and gone. It felt good to sleep but I'd rather that I was doing something, anything, beside just counting off the hours. Anything!

Nights now get shorter and days grow longer. The end of this year approaches. Soon it will be 2013! A new year (neu jahr) spins itself into existence. Time is dancing and the stars are spinning across the sky. Yet another movement, yet another time!

3439

Went to the resistance training class today and felt strong there. Not too many people there today but everyone was lively. The holidays are amping up the energies! I slept in late this morning. I was awakened by a phone call that left no message. A telemarketing call no doubt! I had slept through my taking-medication time. It wasn't until I was awakened that I realized I had not taken anything around my usual time. It's interesting that I don't seem to get any intense symptoms when I'm late taking my pills. I get a little shaky if I stay in bed, but that's about it.

Dreamed last night some mix of scenes from last night's movie and other scenes with me and people I knew. Part of the action took place in a house. I believe I lived there. There was someone (a woman) near me throughout the dreaming. I felt a comfort being near her as the dream unfolded. There was a holiday party going on with lots of food, music and interactions between partygoers. It was a bright dream--filled with good thoughts and possibilities.

The longest night is happening as is 12/21/12! The week long holiday dance begins. Fortunately, there are only a few classes canceled. For the most part there are relatively few down days. The beat goes on! I can keep on moving!

3440

A bit warmer today but still coolish hereabout! Movement classroom was warm and cozy. That made for a good last class of the year. I had a tasty lunch at the Thai place near TJ's. Came back and nodded off for a while (maybe more than that perhaps).

Slept with the heater on last night. Dreamed a lot! One dream involved being hauled around in a white limo. I was with a group of friends and we were on an expedition of sorts. We were riding around a lush wooded area, stopping and eating, and having a good time. Other than having fun, it wasn't clear that we were doing anything planned or thought out.

Resistance training session tomorrow and then a few days of Xmas madness (for others, not for me--I'll be doing Xmas napping).

Watched a Spanish film tonight--Open Your Eyes. It's the Spanish remake of Vanilla Sky. Penelope Cruz starred in both films. This film was set in Spain instead of NY and the character's back stories were changed appropriately. Otherwise, the overall plot and idea behind the action (future tech, cryogenics, dreams, virtual reality, and so on) remained the same. That gave me a definite feeling of deja vu as I viewed the film, which is also one of the film's key tension points. So, I was having a deja vu experience as I watched a character experiencing deja vu. My dreams should be wild tonight!

Getting late! Time to skate! Can't be late! Important date! 12/21/12 is here!

3441

It's cold again tonight! Around 30+ degrees or so. Heater is running as it has been all afternoon. G&B class was well attended but smaller than usual. The work was hard today--moving muscles I didn't know I had!

Dreamed a series of dreams last night but one stuck out. I dreamed that I got up and took my morning medication and then went back to bed. Later, I awoke (in real time), ate breakfast and noticed that my medication was still in its little dispenser. I had literally dreamed I took the medications and such. It was such a strange sensation. The dream was as real to me as I felt in waking time. There was the coldness of the room, the heater running, and so on, all in the dream.

Well I'm off to bed and more dreaming. Look forward to it being a bit warmer tomorrow as I go to movement class--the final one for 2012!

3442

It was good to do a PD dance class today! Lifted my spirits some just to move and feel the music. Resistance training in the afternoon went smoothly. I felt fairly strong despite the remnants of the cold that was still materializing in the morning. I awoke with my nose somewhat clogged with bright green mucus. A few vigorous blows cleared everything out and left me breathing well.

Day was bright and sunny but cool and getting colder as the night descends. It's supposed to be much cooler tonight--perhaps in the low 30s.

Got my SS notice of my COL increase--1.7% May be the last COL increase we'll ever get what with the fiscal negotiations going on in DC now.

G&B class tomorrow! Look forward to the classes! Glad that we're staying fairly close to a regular schedule over the next two weeks. It's better to get up and get to class instead of hanging about and zoning out.

Friend of mine, LL, called this evening. I finally got her to tell me what happened with her that got her involved in a possible felony charge. It's a crazy story, like most of LL's wilder escapades. The good news is that she and her attorney got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor--something to do with a personal altercation. She was only trying to help a wounded pelican--I'll say no more!

3443

My bout with a cold has abated some. I'm getting a bit of push back this evening but much less than last night. C&M class both helped and added some stress today. It was good to move, stretch and work my muscles. It also left them feeling heavy and with some soreness.

PD dance and resistance training tomorrow should even things out--although the weather is headed for a cooling spell. I didn't run the heater last night which worked out well. Tonight I may have to keep it going as the coolness settles in.

After coming back from the H's today, I didn't sleep although it felt like I could have done so. So now I'm tired and ready for bed--which I will soon retire too.

Dreamed last night about being at a big house party. There were lots of relatives and friends, and lots of wackiness happening. People were soaking up the glogg and having all manner of interactions. I seem to remember that I was talking with a group of men about automobiles. I was pointing out the various models in the parking area and listing their features and attributes. It was a bright sunny day and everyone was milling about outdoors while the food was being prepared.

Well time to hit the hay! I'm growing weary of dealing with this illness--and the cold weather. But mostly I'm just growing weary. I can't seem to break loose from the ennui that surrounds me, wraps itself about my soul, and that keeps me moving in tight and decreasing circles.

3444

A bit warmer today and tonight but more coolness is on the way. I've come down with a light cold and am sneezing my way through the day. Not sure where I made contact with the virus but I've clearly done so. I've also had some bowel problems as well. Looking forward to the C&M class tomorrow and some kickback on all of these ailments. I should be able to sleep tonight without any heater help and that should help kick the cold.

Neighbors have been at it this evening--music, laughter, noise and more. I think they have friends or relatives visiting--a bit early for the holidays perhaps.

I'm zonked tonight! Today's sneezing and bowel discomforts sucked up my energies and attention. But, I did get a few things sorted out and have cleared the deck for the coming week. Full set of classes plus a wind down and wind up to the holiday weekend and the ending of the year 2012.

Welcome 2013! And the new Mayan calendar!

3445

Laundry day is out of the way! It's cool and rainy today. I've got a bad case of the sniffles. I've been running my heater almost constantly. I'm feeling achy and dull. I thought that I might start digging into the tasks I need to be doing to get ready for a possible move as well as cleaning/clearing that I'll have to do. But, I seem to only get one thing done each day before collapsing into a sleep or a movie or some form of space out. Life goes on but I'm not so sure about me. I seem to be walking on the edge of everything, ready to plummet into darkness as I make each step.

I watched a Billy Wilder film tonight--Ace in the Hole. It's an old b/w film about a man who gets trapped in an ancient Indian burial site. His story is turned into a big story by a newsman who's been looking for an opportunity to get his name made. The project to free the buried man turns into a media circus of the wildest proportions. The film story may have been based on an actual event. The reported becomes instrumental in prolonging the rescue efforts in order to keep the story alive. Things do not end well for the buried man and the reporter. Such is life in the media!

Tomorrow is another day! Tomorrow is another way! All the kids will come to play! Looking for the reindeer sleigh!

3446

Resistance training class got bigger today! All the classes are getting fuller as more and more people learn of their existence. The demand goes on! Cool today even in the class--several people kept their jackets on throughout. It's supposed to warm up some tomorrow and over the weekend. That would be nice! I slept with the heater running last night and will do the same tonight. Slept well! Tomorrow is laundry day. Keep on pumping! Keep on thumping! Let the soap suds go on lumping! Let the dryers go on slumping! And the clothes will be so clean!

What am I writing about? Nada, nothing, nil! The emptiness of words--the silence of old thoughts! Dreamed last night (in the warmth of the heater) but don't recall the details. I lost the details as I awoke (several times).

Watched a German movie this evening--Vision. It's about the life of Hildegard von Bingen, a nun who challenged the rules and rulings of a male-dominated church. She was an artist, poet, composer, and willing to take on the church where she thought it kept her order from growing and experimenting. She was a woman ahead of her time (by a few centuries) who nevertheless left her mark on the events and factions of those days. The film was somewhat disappointing in that it focused more on her battles with the church elements and said not much about her music, art, healings, visions, and so much more. I've always thought that a movie about Hildegard with Meryl Streep as von Bingen would be a wonderful work. Before my bout with PD was initiated I had often thought of possibly writing such a script--of going to Germany to research the places where she lived and worked. I'm sure someone who can do such a project has it on their to-do list. Oh, well! Next time around!

3447

Cool day in the movement class! Temperatures are staying on the chilly side. I had the heater on last night (all night) for the first time in a while. The faithful heater chugged away and kept the bed and bedroom warm in the chilling night. Have had it running all  afternoon. Guess I'm going to lose my #1 spot on the eco-scores for December. I was still #1 in November.

Dreamed a lot last night but don't recall any specifics. I seem to remember interacting with a large group of people--kids and adults. The dreaming was somewhat like the night before's dream schemes--as if last night was a continuation of the previous night.

Have a weight training class tomorrow (resistance training). Having a small problem with my left elbow. It's crinking and exhibiting some discomfort in the outer part of the joint. May have to drop down to 8lb weights in tomorrow's session so I don't tweak or aggravate that joint.

Had a rice bowl for a late lunch today. I went and ate right after movement class and it felt good to do so--to load up on food. But I came home and fell asleep in my chair. I conked out for most of the afternoon. I was sitting with the heater flowing over me and I nodded the hours away.

3448

Big G&B class today! A full house (or workout room)! Came away somewhat tired but better than usual. Had lunch and read aloud to GH, and then went to TJ's to stock up on staples. Came back and went out to a cafe for an early dinner. Eating something helped me feel more grounded--I was starting to feel sort of antsy before I grabbed a bite to eat. The cool weather seems to be making my body want to eat more. So I've taken to nibbling things as the day wears on. I feel better when I do so.

Watched a thriller/psychological drama--Daylight. It's a horror film on steroids. It's tightly done with all sorts of telegraphing of things that might (and sometimes do) happen. It didn't seem to do all that well at the box office. It didn't have anyone well known in the cast. The overall film felt close up and claustrophobic--it was done with a tight camera with most of the action taking place in a house. The lead actor who played a pregnant women who was abducted was actually pregnant during the filming. That fact kept them on a tight schedule.

Movement class tomorrow! It's really cooled down and will stay so over the next few days. Guess that's appropriate for the holidaze season. Tra, la, la!

3449

Resistance training and an acupressure session today! The class went by quickly! I was using the 10lb weights and they were feeling light. Perhaps getting close to going up to the 12lb weights again. Acupressure session was, as always, very restorative. No more of those until next year! Will help shake out the holiday season. I noted today that I'll be using this period of days in flux to make headway on preparing to move--dump, purge, and toss will be the bywords.

Had a horde of mixed up dream scenes last night. I awoke to a chilly room very early in the morning hours. I eventually arose and took my dosages and then went back to sleep. Can't recall any details of the dreamings--just hints and whispers, mists and haze.

Watched a British TV segment this evening--Sharpe's Honour. It was about an exceptionally gifted soldier who gets entangled in an intrigue involving Spain, France, the church, and England. There is a lot of swashbuckling action and wacky battle scenes. Sharpe and his merry men make their way through ambushes and battles with little damage to themselves. Sean Bean of Fellowship of the Rings fame is Sharpe the intrepid hero.

G&B tomorrow! Supposed to chill down tonight and perhaps rain a bit. I'm feeling logy and tired. Perhaps will have to latte time tomorrow to amp up the energy levels. Read a medical report that indicates that urine is a great source of cells that are precursors to stem cells that help grow new brain cells. I guess that's where the phrase "piss for brains" comes from!

3450

Did a C&M class today, barely! I had a difficult time doing all of each repetition. My body just wasn't into going an extra mile today! The cool weather is no help. I'm stiff and achy; feel like I've been pummeled, beaten and left like a lumpy pile of mud. Oh, poor is me! Poor is me! It could be a lot worse.

Dreamed last night a hodge-podge of dreams that were replays of scenes from the Viva Riva movie I watched. Some of the scenes from that film, Boy A and Red State kept replaying and rearranging in my dream cinema. I awoke only a few hours after falling asleep and had some difficulty getting back to sleep. I also had scenes from my childhood appear and thread themselves throughout my dreaming. There were mostly scenes from my time in high school. There was one replay of a fight I had with a red-haired guy, HR. He punched me out! No wonder I feel so beaten and lumpy!

Watched a German film this evening--Angry Harvest. It is a war film about a man who chooses to hide a Jewish woman in his small cabin. The film starts off in an odd way that leaves everything afterward somewhat confusing. The action takes place in a small village in occupied Poland. The man is a well off farmer but he is a loner and somewhat of a misfit. He is torn between his sexual feelings for the woman (and other women as well) and his Christian (Catholic) beliefs. He has to keep her in a hidden cellar room and uses that circumstance to force himself on her. She gives in because of her despair over losing her family members and perhaps a bit of Munchhausen syndrome. This week's film selections have been violent and warped--quite something for me making just random selections.

Resistance training class tomorrow (no PD dance unfortunately)! Lift those weights!

3451

Slept in this morning and it felt good to do so! I just luxuriated in the bed until about noon. I got up then, showered and went out for a green tea latte. As I sat sipping my latte, I watched a couple of crows harass a red-tailed hawk. I've seen the crows do that before. They don't like it when the hawks hover and drift high above their domains. I don't know if the hawks ever turn the tables and grab a crowburger as it zooms past their slipstream.

It was cool last night and today. That coolness helped me stayed covered up and bundled as the day began. Supposed to be a bit cool tonight as well. Got my utility Eco-notice that I was once again #1 in the 100 low energy users in my neighborhood. I've garnered that honor for the past 6 months or so. My December standing will probably be a little lower since I've been running a heater when I've been home during the cooler times. I'd rather be warm than #1!

Watched an African film this evening--Viva Riva! Not sure how an African film got a Spanish title, but there it is. It's a intense film about crooks and con men who control some of the black market goods such as petrol. There are some territorial disputes over goods and girlfriends that result in a lot of action, violence, sex scenes, and intrigue. It is not always easy to watch, but the setting (Kinshasa) and the various camps involved keep things going. There is a short film by the director of Viva that details what happens when a man and his wife are diagnosed as carrying HIV. It details the cultural issues that have arisen by such diagnoses and the positive results of being able to get drugs for the illness.

C&M class tomorrow! Looking forward to going and beginning the week's regimens! Need to move and need to groove!

3452

Fading fast tonight! Got up this morning and drifted over to the H's for a techno-exercise. N and I (mostly N) managed to rewire the H's entertainment setup. We pulled out all the unused or dead equipment and installed the new BlueRay player. The end result is a cleaner, simpler setup with fewer remotes. It was fun but I came away somewhat blitzed. I went out and had a heavy dinner (pasta and prawns) which made for a great comfort meal.

Watched a British film--Boy A. I'd seen the film before and it was just as tension-filled and tough to watch as it was before. It is a well done film but not one with a happy ending (or beginning either).

I'm off to a somewhat early bed. May the dreamworks work and the silence fill the night!

3453

Week winds to an end. Went to resistance training class today! It was a big class--most people in quite a while! Several new people and a collection of regular attendees. Overall it was a good week on the physical/psychological scales. It really helped to get an acupressure treatment yesterday (Today, I felt much looser and flexible versus how I felt yesterday as I went into the session). Have another one scheduled for next week (Tuesday). Looking forward to it especially since there will be no PD dance class that day.

I had some lengthy dreams last night--exactly about what I seem to have lost after awakening. The general feel of the dreams were that they were about being with people I knew (ex spouses, children, grandkids and such). There were tensions and lots of uncomfortable interactions. I think there were also dream scenes involving me packing up and moving (premonitions perhaps).

Watched a BBC two-part drama this evening--Death in Holy Orders. It's a murder mystery based on a story by P. D. James. It was somewhat of a turgid piece with heavy British accents and not a lot of action. The detective/protagonist is a stony-faced, somber character. The plot was somewhat intricate but telegraphed a lot of the concluding revelations that rounded out the lengthy piece (3 hours). I won't go out of my way to view another such film.

Cooled down a bit this evening/night. Supposed to warm up a little over the next few days (daze). Holidaze shopping no doubt is the big priority of many. The world will probably not be in full frenzy mode yet, but soon will be. May the bells ring and the elves do their thing! Ho, ho, ho!

3454

Short post tonight! I'm sleepy and I want to hit the bed. Did a movement class today and had an acupressure session in the late afternoon. Both felt good but I'm ready to read some and sleep the night away--ready for the resistance training session tomorrow.

A good night to all and to all a good night!

3455

G&B class was huge today! They're either going to cap the class or start another one. I feel so fortunate to have a resource like the PI so near, accessible, and offering so many classes. Right timing! Oh, yeah!

In my dreams last night I had an episode where I experienced my body laying next to my body. It was a very restful scene where both bodies (perhaps the ethereal on one side and the actual sleeping body on the other) were clear and present. I felt as if there was no illness in either form. I recall a peaceful, light sensation in both of them. As I awoke, I tried to hold on to the sensation but it eluded me. I felt that if I could recall the sensation I could clear my selves of any traces of illness. It was a wonderful and yet frustrating dream sequence. One thing I realized is that I have had this dream before. I just didn't notice the emptiness and clarity that the two bodies felt.

I came back from G&B class and had a soup and sandwich. I then fell asleep for a couple of hours. I awoke feeling dense and heavy. I took my medication and settled in for the evening.

Watched a crude (in several ways) film--Red State. It is an indie film that has been touted (mostly by its creators) as something experimental and new. It was mostly a low budget flick with a few known actors and a somewhat lame script/story that went to the headlines for material. It was a horror/thriller that had (as one reviewer noted) a lot of talk. There is an endless sermon by the preacher who runs the compound of Christian anarchists. The film was made with a $4MM budget and probably didn't recoup anywhere near that amount at the box office.

Movement class tomorrow and an acupressure session in the afternoon! Looking forward!

3456

PD dance and resistance training today! Dancing was fun and joyful. I felt somewhat off afterward though. I came home tired and logy. I fell asleep sitting up even though I had stopped and grabbed a green tea latte. After sleeping for a bit, I felt awake and alert. I keep having flushes and redness--it's been really noticeable lately. Can't seem to relate it to food or medications.

In resistance training today, I felt a bit weak. I had a turkey melt sandwich for lunch. I felt I needed more than my usual (soup and grilled cheese). It feels good to have a full roster of classes and some body work this week.

Dreamed last night that I was battling with someone. I recall kicking out with both feet in the dream and doing so as well in reality. I awoke myself as I blasted the covers off my legs. I've been having a series of dreams that involve being outdoors, being hunted, hunting, and encountering various beings and beasts.

G&B class tomorrow! RS showed up today for weight lifting session. I had sent him a note asking how he was doing. He had not shown up for class for several weeks. He had replied to my query and noted that he had been going through a series of new meds/new side effects. But he appeared today! It was good to have him back in class. He has a rich sense of humor!

Bumped into a person I've known for a few years--TM. He was at the place I had lunch. I'd seen him on the street playing music about a week ago. He's still a somewhat eccentric odd person but very creative and individualistic.

3457

C&M today and it sent me on my way! I was really whacked after the class and I'm still feeling the effects. I'll be heading for the pillow as soon as I make this post. Early to bed, late to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and fries. Nonsense, numbsense, and cents! I got a one dollar silver certificate in change yesterday--a real one dollar bill! It looked like it had been kept in a dark and dirty hole for a very long time. It is over 60 years old! A dollar bill has a life of about two to five years normally (I'd bet). This one made it through many reincarnations.

PD dance class tomorrow plus an afternoon session of resistance training. I read an article yesterday about the positive effects of exercise on PD. It was a very positive take on what's being learned. I feel that my last four years have been good--compared to what I might be like if I had just not done anything.

I've still got a ways to go in terms of what I might be doing... Looking for that opening... I'll be on my way...

Watching a set of Midsomer Murders mystery shows. I like that series. It's simple and formulaic, but somehow satisfying. Sleep time!

3458

The rain fell again this morning. It came down in torrents with howling winds. Then, it stopped and cleared. The sun came out and lit the sparkling sky.

Have a C&M class tomorrow. Will be good to move and stretch after  a couple of days of general inactivity. I didn't sleep the weekend away but I didn't do much of anything as well. Just drifted onward like a leaf blowing in the gusty winds.

Got to sleep late last night. Some apartment neighbors were fiddling around with their car until the late hours. It wouldn't start and they were tinkering and talking (not all that loud but steadily) for some time. I finally drifted off and awoke to the wind and rain.

Busy week on the books for the upcoming days. A full set of classes plus an acupressure session toward the end of the time. I'm increasing my bedtime dosage (from Stalevo 100 to Stalevo 150). That makes my dosage the same every 8 hours--am testing to see if that increase moderates the slight shaking I seem to get as I awake from nightly sleep session. Still taking an Azilect at bedtime along with the increased dosage of Stalevo. Having the dosages be the same also helps simplify my prescriptions. I'll only have two instead of three.

3459

Laundry day is over and done! Got to the laundromat later than usual and it was packed! Some people bring in an astounding amount of clothes to be washed and dried. It's like they are doing the wash for a village. But, I got it done without too much trouble. At one point all the dryers were in operation--that's about 24 machines! A whole wall of spinning and heating! No wonder there is global warming!

Feeling a bit tired and sleepy tonight. Didn't have a green tea latte to raise my energy in the afternoon. So, I'm ready to head for the bed.

Starting to pick my way through things I can throw away as I prepare for a possible move. I've put off doing this task for quite some time...but the time has come! Clear, and clean, and dump! I don't really need at least half of the things I do have now. The urge to purge is building!

Dreamed last night something about being in a house with some kids and an ex-wife. It was a simple, almost realistic dream. It was raining in both the dream and for real--another early morning deluge!

One of the neighbor's trying to start his/her car. They are grinding away on the starter without the engine hitting a firing stroke. Hope they either get it started or give up soon.