3370

Movement class was only three deep today--two students and the instructor. Need to get more people to take the class. The instructor has a long commute to get down here from SF. At some point, she'll want to not make that trip for only a few people. It costs her more in gas and studio rental than she's making from just three students.

Weather has become much warmer, at least for a few days. February flies and sun lights the skies.

Watched a film this evening--Beyond the Sea. It's a biographical film about The life and career of Bobby Darin. It's a somewhat amazing film in that Kevin Spacey does the role of Darin, including several production dance numbers and him singing Darin's songs. The makeup he wears makes him look just like Darin--to the point where I was asking myself if it was Darin I was watching. This film didn't do that well at the box office and has been panned for a variety of reasons. But I enjoyed the film (despite its many obvious flaws) mainly the music and old songs--like the great rendition pf Mack the Knife.

Resistance training class tomorrow. I took a short nap after eating lunch today. I had a rather intense episode of flushing and turning red, but that went away after I napped and put some fluids into my system. I seem to be allergic or reactive to either some foods or to my medications. I'm keeping a mental log of episodes, when they present, and what/when I've eaten.

The clock runs down and the village clown goes into town without a frown! May he not drown or turn around and may his songs of joy abound!

3371

G&B class today was a workout! Instructor kept us going in 10 minute segments that challenged us to get past the burn point and put some real stress on muscles. I didn't do a nap today but kept on moving as the day, afternoon, and evening progressed. While grabbing a bite of dinner I recognized someone from the distant past--LL. She was a Peninsula parent with children about the same age as my two sons. It's amazing to me that I have such an incredible visual memory (I recall faces but not necessarily names). It's been over 20 years since I last saw her, but there she was in the memory bank/pattern recognition synapses ready to be retrieved.

Movement class tomorrow! Looking forward to the quiet time! And the relaxation of joints and muscles.

Watched a spy movie this evening--Breach. It's a film based on the real exploits of a mole who sent incredible amounts of secret materials to the KGB. I'd seen the film before but it's really well done and the mole was quite a character/personality. The spy was arrested in the early 2000s but he had been operating for decades before that. He's serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison.

February ends and March begins. Weather has been warming a bit over the past few days. Still a chill in the air, but spring is on its way. Let the springtime flow!

3372

Resistance training felt good! Room was a bit overheated but the movement and effort felt good! I went downtown to pick up mail and ended up at the downtown library. I'd not been there in a while. The place has been renovated and the DVDs are on a large open shelf. Got an email from MF up in Washington state. EF her partner has Alzheimer's and is fading. He's lost his voice and is exhibiting signs of dementia. He also was cursed with severe hearing loss (for most of his life) which must now add to his isolation. MF is taking care of him which has to be an enormous task. Blessings of them as they make their way!

Bumped into LS, ex-wife of RS, when I went out for dinner. She is amazingly thin! She's retired from her teaching job and is fending for herself on her SS, etc. I also saw II in the Trader Joe's parking lot. She was in a hurry so we didn't talk. Made me think that all I have to do is park myself in one of the more busy parking lots and I would encounter everyone I know. I came back from dinner and fell asleep for a few hours. I'm getting accustomed to nodding off in the late afternoons. I guess I could have a worse habit! All of the stuff about MF/EF reminded me that I saw a person yesterday who had been coming to classes. She was at the Institute (probably to see a doctor). She looked awful! I almost didn't recognize her. She had lost a lot of weight, seemed really frail, and looked like she may have suffered a fall.

I dreamed last night but nothing stuck onto the dream board. Didn't watch a movie this evening--I napped instead. Have a G&B class tomorrow! And the beat goes on...

3373

C&M was a stretch (no pun intended) today. As usual, we did some variations/enhancements to routines we've already learned--which almost always pushes limits. This evening I'm feeling some of the after effects--tightness in my legs and back--and of course a pull to fall asleep. I didn't nap off in the afternoon, ate a warm meal, and had some dessert. Wanted to make some progress on cleaning/clearing the apartment but didn't make it that far.

Watched a film tonight--A Mighty Heart. It's a film about an actual incident--The assassination of Daniel Pearl. It was told from the point of view of his wife and the ordeal she had to live through when the abduction and subsequent murder took place. She was in Pakistan and stayed there even though she was pregnant. The film had a matter-of-factness to it--almost, for the most part, like a slightly enhanced documentary. There are scenes where the wife "loses it" but the CIA, State Department, Pakistani Terrorist Police, and dozens of other walk-ons manage to keep a lid on things--including her emotions. There was a sense of everything being acted--as if the figures on the screen were puppets or dolls that were moved in and out of scenes.

The weather has warmed some. Tomorrow I have a resistance training class plus some errands to do. The class should smooth out the effects of today's C&M session. Let there be looseness! Let there be smoothly flowing movement!

3374

Well, I've finally managed to sleep an entire day away! Woke up this morning around 7am, took my medication and went back to sleep. After a few hours, I got up and had breakfast and then (of course) went back to sleep for a few hours. Got up around noon and went out for some lunch. Came back and went to sleep for a few hours. Woke up in the late afternoon, took my medication and went back to sleep. Awoke around 9pm and was totally disorientated. I couldn't figure out why it was so dark. Finally, I was able to sort out that it was evening and I had nodded off for about five hours or so. At first, I thought I had missed taking a round of medication but soon realized that I had not done so. I had just slept the day away!

I slept through the Academy Awards! I slept through all types of other events. I slept and slept and slept again.

Have a C&M class tomorrow! Looking forward to moving and stretching after being horizontal so much of the weekend.

3375

Did laundry. Place was nearly empty except for two women both of whom were hacking and coughing. I tried not to get too close to them. Public places, snotty faces, makes you want more distant spaces!

Dreamed a collection of dream scenes last night. I was with LL in a theater where there was either a film being screened or a performance was being given. She was acting odd and kept doing things that caused disturbance to those around us. At one pint, she lit up a cigarette and exhaled a huge puff of smoke over the heads of people in front of us. At some point, we got up and left the place. The dream then segued into the two of us doing some shoe skating on some steep paths and roads. (Right now, I can't seem to figure out exactly what shoe skating is all about. I seem to recall doing it before--just sliding down slick pathways on smooth leather shoes--either for real or in other dreams. Strange feeling of dislocation involved!)

A second major part of the dream elements involved being in a cabin. I was with a bunch of kids and we were sleeping. I awoke and discovered that all of the other kids were gone. They had gotten up early and had went for a hike. For some reason, I had stayed behind and slept. Again, feeling of dislocation!

Watched a French film this evening--La Vie En Rose. It's a biographic treatment of the life events of Edith Piaf. She had an amazing life starting with being abandoned when very young, being raised in awful conditions, but eventually becoming a person renowned for her singing voice and performances. The gifts of her unique voice and great spirit helped carry her through periods of turmoil. It's an inspiring story despite her short time on the planet.

It's late! I slept away the afternoon but finally managed to get up and about late in the day.

3376

Resistance training class was well attended today. It felt good to move and exercise. I felt fairly strong except for the final few presses on the last set we did. Will be a short respite this (laundry day) weekend and there will be a C&M session on Monday. Weather has turned somewhat mild and it looks like it will be only moderately cool tonight. Like I noted, tomorrow is laundry day and will see what goes from there.

Dreamed last night that I was working in a technology company. We were debugging a new software overlay. I was new to the project and was being monitored by a man who was leading the project. I was teamed with an older man whom I had known on a previous job. I was struggling to understand the interface options to the overlay. I wasn't getting a good grasp of how it worked. Despite the intensity of the dream task, we were having a good time, talking back and forth, and cracking jokes about various things. The dream shifted to a lunchtime break. All the employees were lined up to go by the various food stations. Each station had a person putting selected items on the plates we carried. Again, the overall atmosphere was fun and joyous. People were joking, calling out to one another, and generally having a good time.

Watched a film this evening--The Wind That Shakes the Barley. It's an historical film about the Irish Revolution. It followed the exploits of a handful of Irish Republicans who fought the British and formed the core of what became known as the IRA. It was not a huge pitched battle portrayal, but an intimate look at how these handful of men fought, were imprisoned, and met their respective fates during this key time in history. The brogue was a bit tough to follow all the time but I didn't rely on subtitles (for the hearing impaired) which were available on the DVD.

Times come and times go! Full moon will soon wander through the mists!

3377

Movement class went well today. It helped loosen up tight muscles and joints. I went to Curry Up for one of their quesadillas. I've discovered that although they are high priced a few of their dishes are very good. Skip their thali plate and burrito/wrap, but go for the quesadilla and naughty nan sandwich. They have a couple of other dishes I haven't tried. Came back and slept for a few hours--I can't seem to avoid doing afternoon naps even when I awake late in the mornings.

Dreamed last night a series of scenes with different groups of people having fun. There was a lot of laughter and joyous feelings. We were eating, dancing and just hanging out. It was a warm interesting dream filled with friends and family.

Watched a vampire/science fiction film this evening--Underground. It's a Sci/Fi shoot em up with multiple battles and lots of carnage. Humans and two species of alien types battle each other over finding and holding onto a child who is a hybrid and the key to the next level of power in the ark world where they reside. It was loud and fast paced, but not all that compelling. After watching the heroine (mother of the child) get punted and shot/kicked/run over (and much more) for the umpteenth time I wasn't really compelled to hurry out and find any of the sequels (if they exist).

Resistance training in the morrow!

3378

Snow on the surrounding mountains this morning! Looked like the alps! It definitely was cold enough to make snow last night. I slept with the heater on and that made it possible to sleep--the cold air was making me shiver and tremble until I got the place heated.

Went to G&B class today. I felt somewhat zapped by the end of the session. We were pushed today--an intense set of exercises that felt good at the time but that left me achy and sore this afternoon and evening. Movement class tomorrow--that will slow things down and relax some of those sore muscles and such.

Watched a thriller film this evening--Frantic. I'd seen the film before. It was a bit drawn out. The plot involved an American physician and his wife taking a trip to Paris. Through several problems with some lost luggage she gets kidnapped and he has to unravel what happened. There were several well known actors (Harrison Ford and others) and the film was directed by Polanski. There were murders, robberies, fights, espionage asides, drugs, and more. Plenty to keep your attention until near the end where it suddenly goes into poky mode and gets drug out.

Movies, groovies, make some smoothies! All that glitters is not gold!

3379

Back to classes today! It felt good (despite the cold weather) to lift some weights today and move some. Have a G&B class on the roster for tomorrow (and a bit warmer weather). This morning there was a deluge of rain pounding on the roof. The rain and the chilly winds made it seem like winter was back with us.

Made it to the library and picked up a new batch of DVDs. Watched a Spanish film this evening--Tesis (The Thesis). It was a horror mystery about a Spanish graduate student stumbling onto a network of people dealing in snuff films. She does so when she selects media and violence as the topic of her thesis. The film is a mystery in that anyone and everyone could be in on the action. It's a horror film in that there are several clips of snuff-like videos embedded in parts of the action that are more than graphic. The film was a bit long and drawn out (so that everyone could get their shot at being the likely snuffer). Gritty, gritty and not so pretty! No need to see this one again.

I keep waking up anywhere from 2am to 5am and have a little trouble getting back to sleep. I've recently been visualizing a large white cloud descending over me, clearing out my brain, and filling me with light. Seems to work! I usually fall back asleep until it's time to take my medication. This morning, I fell back asleep and thought that I had taken my medication, but I had just dreamed I did so. I realized around 9am that I had not taken my pills. Oh, well! Maybe the dream pills will do their bit to help keep things level. The dream pills are much less expensive than the real ones!

3380

Did a core dump of dreams last night! It felt like I had a dream about everything--work, illness, exercise, family, moving, being in a new place, weather, sleep, dreams and much more. It felt like I had dreamed for hours, but each scene was compact and complete.

Have a resistance training class tomorrow. It will be good to get back to movement and exercise. Three-day weekends don't keep me moving enough--especially when I fall asleep as much as I seem to do.

It seems like it's somewhat warmer than it has been but I still feel chilled. Kept the heater running this evening to help knock the coolness out the air. I'm feeling tired and wobbly tonight. Will head for the bed early and read until the night fog descends.

Tomorrow is another day! What the hey! Anyway! Time to sleep the night away!

3381

My salt water treatment to my aching teeth did the job last night. I awoke with only minor irritation this morning and that went away as the day progressed. Simple remedies for simple aches and pains! I still need to make a visit to the dentist--have a hygiene session scheduled for next month and will see the dentist then.

Got up late and realized that the library is closed today and tomorrow. It's the Prez's day--as if they needed one! I need to exchange my DVDs. I ran out to grab some groceries. After I got back, I walked over to get a green tea latte. Enjoyed the pleasing drink in the afternoon sunshine. Came back and slept for a bit. Then watched some of the special features on the White DVD--the student films of the White's director. They were interesting to view next to his more commercial films.

Read an article about a man with PD who's making a huge bike trip back and forth across the U.S. He's using it to raise money for PD research and to give himself something that will challenge him to get up and about--not sink into a recliner and wait for Godot!

Got a message from my daughter today. She suggested that we plan on getting together next month when she's in the area. It will be a chance to spend some time with her and her daughter (one of my granddaughters) both of whom I haven't seen in a couple of years.

Time goes by! In the wink of an eye! My oh My! How it does fly!

No C&M session tomorrow--the holiday! Won't have a class until Tuesday!

3382

Slept in this morning! Didn't get up until late morning! I woke up late for my initial dose of medication and then went right back to sleep. It felt good to just drift back to stillness. Unfortunately, over the span of the day I've had slight ache in my right side molars. I think I may have slept with my jaw clenched. I'm having trouble biting down directly on that part of my mouth. Am rinsing with salt water to flush area and clear up the irritation. Always some new challenge! The way of life!

I definitely dreamed about some kind of work related content last night. The dream scenes were tense and contentious. I seemed to be arguing with a committee about a plan or project. I was having difficulty getting everyone on board to try out what I was proposing.

Watched a film this evening--The City. It was a glimpse of life as an immigrant (legal and illegal) in NYC. The film was all in Spanish and followed several groups of people who are trying to make a life in a place like NYC without proper documentation, language skills, and needs of families left back in their birth countries. The film was tension-filled even in the scenes where the characters were finding respite in music, companionship, or escape. It was difficult to imagine that everything was happening in NYC and not in the characters' countries of origin. The film was shot in the 90s but looks like everything was taking place in the 30s or beyond.

3383

Resistance training class was huge today--several new people and lots of regulars! I was a bit wobbly but got through the regimen OK. Had a green tea latte afterward though--needed an energy boost. Still fell asleep for a bit after returning home. Weather today was spectacular and much warmer than recently. Take the heater off the meter!

Dreamed last night but details are fuzzy now. Something to do with family and such.

Watched a German film this evening--The Wave. It's a remake of an 1981 film and based on an actual event that took place here in PA at the local high school. The story revolves around a teacher who proposes that the students take part in an experiment/exploration that explains what totalitarianism is and how it works. The current film is set in Germany (not California) and is updated to deal with the Internet, mobile phones, and other elements of technology--although these things are only slightly referenced (this film was released in 2008). It was shot on a budget of about 5MM euros and grossed around $30MM. It's a sonically loud film with heavy metal music and lots of audio chaos. All of the action takes place, supposedly, over the period of a week. For that reason alone, the film feels compressed and claustrophobic. It's difficult to reconcile the huge shift in students' attitudes over such a short time span--but that's what did happen in the original event to some degree.

Weak ends (week ends)--no more trends--lots of mends--where is its ends--where, my friends?

3384

Movement class was energizing today. I came away ready to roll. Nothing much actually happened but I did feel good. In our movement across the floor segment we tried out doing fox trot patterns. It was fun!

Watched a dense and murky murder mystery film this evening--In The Cut. It was about a woman who is a bit untethered from life who becomes the eventual target of a serial killer. The killer's MO is gruesome and macabre. The woman gets entangled with a cop who is investigating the murders. Of course, she ends up coming to the conclusion that he is the killer, but events prove her wrong. The whole piece was choppy and turbulent with long expanses filled by sex scenes or aimless dialog. Oh, well! In the cut found itself in the rut--in more ways than one!

Resistance training tomorrow and then the weak ends! Got a note from LA--she brought me up to date on what and how she is doing. It was good to hear from her. Will reply tomorrow--right now I'm feeling sleepy!

3385

G&B class was full up today. People all but filled the room which made for a traffic jam for the walking exercises. After class, I went downtown to grab a bite to eat and to get to the PD seminar on "How PD Rewires the Brain."

I ate at the new fast food Indian/Asian street food place--Curry Up Now. I had tried them before (a couple of times) and was not impressed. Today they just happened to be near where I parked. I had their "Quesadillitz" and it was very good. A bit expensive (like all of their items) but the Q was tasty. Place was crowded. Young, Facebook (or Google or Twitter) types lunching, munching and bunching. Everyone on smart phones and with their laptops open and communicating. Whole new world!

Seminar was interesting! It focused on brain research that is being done, mostly on mice, that seeks to identify the neuro-mechanisms taking place as PD symptoms take hold over time. He talked about the two neural pathways that that trigger the release of dopamine in the brain--the direct paths and the indirect paths. It appears that the brain has several ways of triggering neurotransmitter activities--sort of a redundancy feature. The research is looking into what the brain does (mice brains) when different types of inhibitors are put into the system. The overall talk was fairly technical but it seemed to underscore the concept that people with PD have had their brains altered and that there might be ways to use the ability to alter to detect, stop the effects, and possibly reverse what has happened. In other words, lay new tracks that medications and other stimuli are helping with now.

Much to mull over! Laying new tracks! Makes sense!

3386

It's been a full day and evening! PD dance was fun and relaxing. Resistance training felt good--I felt strong and agile. I'm getting muscles on my muscles! Acupressure session felt wonderful--it provided a relaxing conclusion to a non-stop series of things being done.

I watched a sci-fi thriller film--I am Number Four. It's a teen film (which I didn't realize was a teen film when I grabbed it off the DVD shelf). It was fairly campy with lots of action scenes of aliens doing cosmic battle in a town called Paradise (Ohio). The film's budget was about $50MM! It had lots of SFX and CGI episodes. It appears to have just about recouped the cost of the production. It was very flashy and computer game looking, and used a lot of loud music and sound. One of the more interesting elements was a Special Features piece on the training in martial arts and acrobatics that the actors had undergone to be in the film. They did a section of core work that they did to build up their strength in order to do the stunts. It looked painful!

G&B class tomorrow plus a seminar on the brain and PD. Looks like a good day so what the hay! Time to chase the dreams to play! What can I say?

3387

C&M class was strenuous but good today! There were more people present with several new takers. Lots of moaning and groaning but I feel good after having done a session. Unfortunately, we have to skip next Monday (Prez's Day).

Weather is starting to warm up a bit. May or may not sleep with a heater on tonight. Will see when I head for the bed.

Watched a French/Polish film this evening--White. It's part of a trilogy: Blue, White, Red, which are the colors of the French Flag. I had seen White before but didn't recall having seen it until it started to unroll. Even so, I still didn't remember if it was the first, middle or last one in the trilogy (it's the middle one). At some point, I'll try and get all three films at once and do a back-to-back screening. The previews on the White DVD give the impression of how the films would play in that alignment.

The Pope resigns! How can you quit God? But, it does make sense. Watching John Paul struggle through his final days certainly earned him some holy points, but it was terrible to watch (yes John Paul had PD and his medications didn't help much as he reached the final stages of the illness).

PD dance tomorrow, a resistance session, and am acupressure treatment in the afternoon. Sounds like it'll be a great day! I have my MegaMillion lottery ticket as well! Here's hopping and hoping!

3388

Week of holidays--Chinese New Year, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Valentine's Day! Put on the celebration gear and join the parades! Week ends and it's onward to a full schedule of classes and events. C&M tomorrow despite the cool weather. I popped out for lunch today and when I returned I fell asleep for about three hours. I slept deeply and well. I slept through my time to take my medications--first time I've done that. I awoke feeling a bit jittery but all seems back on track now.

So Gung Hay Fat Choy to all and to all a good night!

3389

Laundry day has gone away! It looked like one of the dryers caught fire and burned out. There was just a panel covering the space and scorch marks on the floor. Place was busy today with one woman and her family who all looked like they had a cold or flu. They were hacking and coughing all over the place. I tried not to get in their line of coughs and such. I was happy to get in and out of there.

Had two dreams last night. One involved some kind of business meeting. I was doing a presentation and was encountering some resistance to what I was proposing. A second dream was a scene in a home. I was watching TV along with a daughter and a wife. We were talking about which show we were going to watch. There was a warmth and closeness surrounding everything.

After doing the laundry, I grabbed a spicy Chinese dish (General's Chicken). It's Chinese New Years--Gung Hay Fat Choy. There were lots of people on the street where most of the Asian food places are located. Sun came in and out and took some of the edge off of the coolness. But this evening is cooling down again. I slept with the heater on last night--it got fairly cool toward early morning.

I came back from eating and fell asleep for a couple of hours. I curled up in the blankets and let the spicy food warm me up--and fell into a restful sleep. Like I'm about to do tonight! Sleeping and dreaming, dreaming and sleeping! Where is the boundary? The line where one stops and the other begins?

3390

The cold is getting old! The old is getting cold! Low 30s tonight and for the rest of the weekend! Gung Hay Fat Choy! It's the year of the Snake! Resistance training class was big today--lots of new people and missing regulars. I felt strong today and I give credit to yesterday's acupressure session.  The treatments have a really positive effect on my attitude and physical self. Laundry day tomorrow!

I think I've been having a lot of realistic dreams. Dreams about jobs and people interactions. I just don't hold onto the content as I awake. Probably because I take my medication or hear noises from next door or on the walkway. Too many morning movements and dream pullers going on throughout the complex.

Did a withdrawal from my one IRA--something a bit larger than the estimated MRD amount. Will receive a 2nd payment in April from my other annuity. These small amounts help me bridge the year when added to my monthly SS stipend. It's not a lot but it's just enough. I'll do better when I move to the Stevenson House--my expenses will just about be half of what they are now. All will be well!

Full week next week--all the classes will be on tap plus a 2nd acupressure session plus a seminar on Wed (2/13) about PD and the brain. Curious to hear what the latest research has to say on that topic. Time for a few crossword puzzlers and then to bed, to bed, to ride a bright dream!

3391

Movement class was small but good today. Weather is going colder and that is making it uncomfortable. I also had an acupressure session this evening which really helped calm some of my symptoms. I was feeling out of it most of today--anxious, blurry and achy. The acupressure let me relax and restore--despite the cooler weather.

Resistance training tomorrow and then what's forecast to be a cold weekend. Better than what the Northeast will get but still too cool for me.

I dreamed last night. I think I recall it being a bit like the film I watched--Days and Clouds. There were scenes in the dreams where I was speaking Italian. I was mixing things up, sometimes responding in English and other times in Italian. I also think I had dream scenes where I was speaking French.

I also keep hearing music in the dream backgrounds--just like the music that accompanies different film moods.

Almost time to do my taxes. I think I've gotten all the various reports and such from the bank et al. TurboTax here I come again! I hope doing my taxes won't be too taxing! Hail mighty Caesar!

3392

G&B class today was full but not overflowing as per usual. I was achy and sore from previous classes (C&M on Monday and resistance training on Tuesday). Cool weather is back and is not helping. Supposed to get colder over the weekend (but not like the East coast where a blizzard is expected).

Watched an Italian film this evening--Days and Clouds. I'd seen the film before (which I didn't register until I was into the movie). I'm not sure I watched the entire thing my first time around. There were some loud and argumentative scenes early on that made me want to hit the eject button. But, I didn't and found the later parts of the story more palatable. The film had a nice arc to it and ended on a relatively happy note. The Italian dialog was machine-gun rapid. I thought it would difficult to follow. The subtitles, in English, were whipping by.

Movement class and acupressure session are on the agenda. Looking forward to the acupressure--my achy body needs some kneading! Had a spicy chicken dish for dinner. Felt good to crank up my internals and combat the coolness of the evening. Time to sleep once again!

3393

Today, I could feel the effects of yesterday's C&M class. I have all sorts of aches, pains, and muscles I didn't know I had. Despite all of the tightness and stiffness, I felt quite well today. Went through the resistance training this afternoon feeling fit and strong. Missed not having a PD dance class which would have helped ease the discomforts from yesterday, but can't have it all all of the time. Had a fairly well attended resistance training class. G&B class is on tomorrow's docket. Looking forward to another workout.

Watched an old SciFi movie this evening--Westworld. A campy film about an entertainment resort where clients get to interact with robots that appear to be real people. Of course, the robot system breaks down and the clients are subjected to real life threats by the renegade automatons. I think I may have seen the film a long time ago but it all seemed fairly new to me. The film was done in 1973 and the special effects pushed the envelope somewhat for the times. The film starred Yul Brynner as the rogue robot (precursor to the Terminator with Arnold Schwarzenegger??) The film's action also presaged the idea of a virus invading an electronic system and causing chaos. Also, how a virus might spread an infection and cause a pandemic.

It was a corny film but somewhat of an icon given the time and subject matter. Brynner's metallic contact lenses were a hoot! There have been discussions about a remake. We shall see when it appears!

3394

Core and More class was tough today. There were only three people in attendance. All three of us have been coming on a regular basis so the instructor pushed us a bit. We did a pose that I've never seen before--the scorpion! You lay flat on your belly and pick up a leg and swing it back over your body. It looks like a scorpion. It feels like your body is going to be twisted in half. She also had more intense variations of some of our regular routines. For example, lifting and holding the body off the mat in a side plank position. Tough taters, alligators!

Watched a crazy-person thriller this evening--The Roommate. Two young women are assigned as roommates when they arrive at college. You can guess the rest. One is good looking, talented and has an open personality. The other is psychopath who is looking for acceptance from the nearest person--her roommate. Need and attraction turn into manic obsession and ends up with the crazy one killing off her roommates acquaintances and more. Intense film but with an obvious set of outcomes and resolutions--including a vicious end of film battle between roommate good and roommate evil. It used almost no name actors--just a host of new faces.

No PD dance tomorrow. There's only a resistance training session. Will be interesting to see what today's C&M class will do to my body as it absorbs what it encountered today.

Feeling somewhat antsy--nervous and shaky. Weather is up and down which is helping keep my system oscillating. Have a tuina session scheduled for later in the week--looking forward to that regimen and what it does to calm my symptoms.

3395

There is no joy in Mudville tonight! It was close but close was not enough! The 49ers did an amazing turnaround in the final half, prompted by 30 minute power outage, but in a tip-toe final play failed to bring home the crown. The Ravens are enjoying the almost lost but eventually gained win.

Aside from following the game, I watched a Coen brothers film this evening--A Serious Man. It was a tongue-in-cheek (although it was cited as a black comedy) portrayal of a regular guy whose world is coming apart before his eyes. The story relies heavily on using his, and most of his family and associates, Jewish heritage to both poke fun at and also frame what takes place. No doubt much of the film is an homage to the Coens' biographies and childhood interactions with the world. I think I watched this film with the H's at some point, but am not sure about that. There were elements that seemed familiar but a lot that were not. I know I don't need to see it again--once and maybe twice have been enough. The film's opening, which is a dramatization of a fable or story, was interesting but didn't seem to contribute to the subsequent plot--other than the depiction of how a normal person or family inherits bad luck.

C&M classes resume tomorrow! Looking forward to the exercise! Will be a busy week or so it portends!

3396

Well I turned over this morning when I awoke and went back to sleep--like a log! I awoke again late in the morning and finally made it up and about. It was a restful set of dream times and I felt good after eating a late lunch.

Super Bowl tomorrow! No doubt the world will be glued to all forms of communication technology to watch the annual pseudo-battle. There are some sites with online streaming. And, of course, the commercials. Wouldn't want to miss them!

Watched a film this evening--Ramparts. A gritty, in-your-face, cop story about a rogue cop in the LAPD. It had a host of big name actors and was intense and crazy, but it didn't do well at the box office. They had a host of marketing snafus when the film was promoted and that may have contributed to its not doing well. At the start of the film, I had second thoughts about letting it spin onward. But, as the story unfolded, I became more sucked into the plight of the rogue cop and his battle with himself and his way of being in the world--despite the violence and mania of the lead character.

Time to merge once again with my pillow! May the footballs roll across the goal lines!

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Good resistance training class today! Several new people and I felt strong. A couple of people have been dealing with colds/flu and were back. Picked up the February calendar and it looks like a full house except for PD dance classes. There will only be one PD dance class this month.

Almost groundhog's day! Weather over past few days has been perfect--not too cold and not too hot--but just right!

Short weekend this round and back to C&M class on Monday. Go 49ers!  All for now!