3257

Fun on Monday! Signed up for two classes--yoga and CW line dance. The venue is just up the street in Orangevale, the city that abuts Fair Oaks. Yoga is on Wednesday night; dance on Mondays. They are both only an hour long each session, and there are only four sessions. That means if they don't feel right then I can shop elsewhere. Also, I'm giving myself a break from the intensity by not starting off with a full slate of classes covering every day. Lift off, but a slow one!

When I went in to register, the registrar indicated that the yoga class was being canceled--lack of sufficient registrations. The woman next in line said she came to register for the class, and she had a friend who was going to register. The phone rang! Yes, someone else was calling to register for yoga! The yoga force took the day! The class was not canceled!

I found my bank! It was easy--it was on the left leg of the rectangle of streets where everything I've needed seem to be located. Amazing! I went to a Target on the same leg of the rectangle, It is a huge store! It seems to go on forever! The selection of men's items was poor though. (I was trying to find a pair of workout pants that would work in the yoga class.) Then stopped at TJ's (it's at the bottom left corner of the rectangle) and refreshed my staples from there. Note: The PD Association organization cohabits an office nearly directly behind TJ's (amazing coincidence!).

Went home after grabbing a sandwich (I was feeling woozy and needed to eat something). Napped for a while and went back out. Made the mistake of taking street across the bottom of the rectangle just when a big high school lets out. Hundreds (thousands?) of kids everywhere along with a traffic jam. Went to an office that does Bowen Technique treatments--the type of body work done of the YouTube video from Australia where the speaker talks about (and demonstrates) how he disappeared his PD symptoms. I may give them a shot at doing a couple of treatments to see how they match up with the acupressure work that I was doing in the Bay Area. We shall see!

Went to an alternate SB's (the one on the upper right leg of the rectangle--to avoid the kid herd). Enjoyed a green tea Frap (it's been a bit cool, but I was on the cusp and went for the cold Frap over the hot latte). The SB's is next to the Walgreen's where I'll get my prescriptions filled. All's in balance!

It's now late (not all that, but I'm ready for it to be)! Tomorrow's goal--process all the boxes that are stacked in my bedroom (only 9 or 10) which will clear up space and clutter. Actually, the pile of stuff has seemed to shrink on its own--there's a lot more room than I thought it contained as we moved things in. The room's about 15x15 with a walk-in closet that easily holds all of my clothes, art works, and a few miscellaneous things. Or, maybe the place is expanding! Could be!

3258

Sun day and the oaks are fair in this fair city. Had an interesting experience today--my ex-wife (my daughter's mom) showed up unexpectedly. Lots of feelings and emotions surged through this old being. We didn't get to interact that much. Our daughter was still feeling ill, which was why her mother came by (to give her a break by taking the grandkid to her house). And there was the grandkid in the midst of us all--we did some puzzles together. I'm sure there will be future opportunities to catch up with each other. The ex was instrumental in helping me make the transition to this place. More on that all as it proceeds.

I did some research on the town that abuts Fair Oaks--Orangevale. They have a community center that is very close to where I now live. They have classes for seniors--yoga, tai chi, and line dancing. Tomorrow, I'll register for the yoga class, which begins Wednesday, 10-01, and the dance class, which starts a week from tomorrow on a Monday. The tai chi class is on Tues/Thurs, but I think I'll wait to the next session in November and just get used to the other two classes first. Yoga would be my substitute for the Rosen Movement sessions that I was doing. Line Dance would be the substitute for my PD dance activities. The Tai Chi would sub for my previous Gate and Balance classes--although would probably not be as intense as G&B. Will not yet have substitutes for Core and More (probably will investigate if there is a Pilates class in the area). And, of course, I will sign up for a gym/spa where I can continue Resistance Training. The good news is that it appears I can find these substitutes nearby.

I also located a post office close by (not as far as the Orangevale class locations) and a branch of the bank I currently use--also not that far from my new location.

Had a quiet afternoon after the ex took the grandkid away. Talked some with the ex-mother-in-law about different things. She has written a lot of stories over time but not published all that much. She was asking how she might use the Internet to distribute stories and get paid in some way. She wants to help one of her extended family financially. She would like to do so by publishing her stories. I'm going to look into it and see what is now possible in that arena.

I felt pretty good most of the day. I had a short period of tiredness and tension. My green tea latte remedy seemed to restore balance and order. I had a quiet, peaceful evening! Tomorrow, more adventures!

3259

I awoke early and started working on getting all of my clothes into the closet. I've got four hanging 5-compartment multi-space organizers and I filled all 20 spaces. As I finished that gratifying task, my granddaughter came and asked me to help her with a toy scene builder.

It's a box with an orderly arrangement of holes punched into the surface. You lay an image diagram over the holes and then proceed to stick colored pegs into some of the holes. The diagram shows outlines made with letters. You take the colored pegs and match them with specific letters (W and a white peg, for example), and push the peg through the diagram into the hole beneath the letter. The pegs are translucent.

When you finish putting colored pegs in all the letter positions on the diagram, you can then press a GO button and lights inside the box will shine through the inserted pegs. Where there is a white peg next to a colored peg, the light is filtered and the white peg shows a tint of the colored peg. For example, a white next to a purple turns the white peg lavender.

A second push of the GO button causes the lights to flash. If you are in a dark room and wave the box with the flashing lights, you get a spectacular light show effect. It was sort of difficult to push the pegs into the various positions, but we did it! Also you can choose to not put the designated colored pegs into the designated spots. If you do so you can create your own versions of the outlined images. The whole toy is an electronic variation of doing point-to-point drawings--but a lot more fun and rather spectacular.

It's also been what has seemed like a long day. My daughter is not feeling well and had to crash for most of the day. I think I discovered that my medical insurance is going to be covered by the new plan that I've already chosen. The notice I got only was a notification of what would happen if I don't move to a new plan--which I've already done. I looked through the 20-pound brick of paper that outlines the details of the new plan. Boy was that an exciting read! Yes, it's late and I am blitzed beyond repair. Time to jump into dream land! Supposed to rain some in the morrow! That will be nice!

3260

Post continued about evening of 9/25--the day I arrived in Fair Oaks...

After climbing into the bed the night I arrived, I felt an immense lifting up of my being. It was like I had been holding onto a tension (a tightness, a fear, a worry and such) that let go when I completed the day and snuggled into the bed. I felt so good, so joyous! The initial contact episode with my granddaughter was a happiness in my spirit. More about her later! I slept well that night--both from the long day, the physical work that was done, and finally being here. I felt like layers of burden were stripping away.

Also I recalled the experience I had as we got away from the Bay Area--how it seemed to be a lot less crowded, more expansive and open (versus closed and myopic), a lot quieter, and things moving a bit slower.

9/26/13
I didn't get up in time to see my granddaughter go off to school--I slept in. When my daughter returned, we took the trailer back and dropped it off. My truck was running smoothly--the trip seemed to have cleaned up the engine, which had been running a bit rough for the past month. We then made a trek to the plaza where there is a TJ's (so I could pick up my standard fare--apples, berries, kefir, chips, cheese, juice drinks, and such). We also stopped at a SB's and I had a green tea latte, which helped kick start my energy levels. Along the way we noted stores and places of interest. The town of Fair Oaks is neatly circumscribed by a large rectangle of purely perpendicular streets. Nearly all places of interest seemed to have been placed on a leg of the rectangle. It makes navigating really simple!

When we got back, I hit the rack and slept for a few hours. I awoke and spent several hours updating my address information in the many places that that data appears. Egad! So many places! When I finished it was about dinner time. My daughter makes a meal on the five work days and everyone sits down for dinner. The granddaughter was still being a bit coy about dealing with me. I didn't push it!

The great grandmother showed me where a stack of puzzles were stored. I broke out a couple of puzzles and began assembling the pieces. My granddaughter came up and joined me--showing me how the puzzles went together. She's 4.5 years old and very bright! We worked on the puzzles until it was her bedtime. I was tired when we ended, but also happy that we had made more contact.

9/27/13 (today)

Again, I slept in and missed the granddaughter's departure for school. I finally got up and made a trek to Folsum (yes, the place where there's a prison). I went to the WF's there and picked up some items that only they carry. It's like the WF's in Palo Alto, but the salad and hot food bars are not as varied--no East Indian dishes, for example. But the food I tried was tasty. The only downside is that the store is 4 miles away instead of the one that was only a mile from me in PA. But, I could get used to the distance--although there's Raley's just down the hill that I could walk to, if needed. I'll check them out!

I did some side jaunts to locate the nearest Walgreen's (where I'll get my prescriptions filled), the numerous SB's in the area (there's at least five within a radius of one mile--one also within walking distance, the local library branch (picked up a card and checked out some books), and noted miscellaneous other places (barber shops, food places, community centers, and such).

While at the library, a man came up and offered to buy my truck! He may have been trying to run a scam of some sort, but it was amusing/interesting.

Two of the books were Dr. Seuss titles (The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, The Butter Battle Book)--they are a bit aggressive in tone) which I read to my granddaughter after dinner. My room is on the other end of the house from hers--she came all the way to mine to let me know it was suppertime! We read (she gave the book's a thumbs-up) and did some puzzles.

The only downer of the day--I got a notice that in 2014 my Medicare Advantage  choice will no longer be available--I'll have to get another program and do so in the next 60 days. The process I started to switch to another Health Net plan anyway may obviate and problems. I've got 60 days to figure it out! I should be able to get it done. The penalty for not finding a solution is loss of drug coverage--which I wouldn't be able to have happen. Roll on Obamacare, roll on!

I had an afternoon green tea latte (it's been cool here, to cool for a Frap) but I'm ready for rack! Tomorrow is a Satur-Day! My first on in Fair Oaks!

3262-3261

I am moved! We drove into Fair Oaks yesterday around 1pm. The trek started yesterday morning. I awoke several times during the previous night. I was dream-obsessing over how everything I had would fit into the 5x8 trailer. Also, was having packing dreams about how to pack the vehicle so that the load would not shift while in progress. I got up early and started hauling items out to the trailer.

Fortunately, my daughter and her partner showed up and he was a packing expert--no kidding! He transformed a pile of objects that looked like they would never fit into a solid, non-shifting tangle that filled the space. Everything got in and everything was tight. He drove the truck with trailer back and I rode with my daughter. We cruised back in goodly time. We grabbed some sandwiches and then began the unpacking exercise.

Now we clearly had more stuff than would fit into my new bedroom. Fortunately, there is a garden shed that had ample space for the overflow. Everything I wanted inside made it inside--with only little energy to spare (on my part). The room and adjoining closet are a jumble but I'm in the room.

Later in the evening, my daughter picked up her daughter (my grandkid) and brought her home. It was late and she was tired and irritable. She didn't want to deal with a stranger--another change in her young life (she's 4.5 years old). We let her be until she got some dinner in her belly and was nearly ready for bed. Fortuitously, I had acquired a child's digital wristwatch (more cosmetic than practicable) that was a young girl's bright pink in color! We made a connection! She came out of her cave (her room) to show me how it looked on her. Trauma averted with a toy bauble! When I got the watch as a gift that came with a new pair of tennis shoes, I thought that it would be something ideal to just give to her the next time we met. I didn't then imagine that it would become a bonding object between us!

That's all for tonight! I still have many first day elements that I need to record. And, I have all of today's experiences as well. But, I'll put them in tomorrow's posting! There is much going on!

I will note that I slept well on my first night--The truck crew was really tired from the day's efforts. I am so glad to be here! How much is difficult to express! I am feeling deeply grateful for this new step forward. More tomorrow!

3263

Up in the morning! Out on the road! Picked up the trailer and hauled it back to the special parking space I had hoped to get. Normally, the space has two vehicles parked snugly in that spot. It's just the right size for my truck and the attached trailer. I got a feel for what it's going to like to haul that appendage behind me. I wouldn't want to be doing it for a living. Slow and steady wins the race, and there is no race.

When I returned, the gardener was running his noise implements. I was feeling somewhat out of it from the stress of dealing with the trailer. I walked down to the Rice Thai place and had my favorite dish (Cashew Chicken Stir Fry--I will miss this dish). Came back and napped on and off for a bit. Decided to hit SB's for an early green tea Frap. When I mentioned that it was likely to be my final one from their place, I was comped a tasty drink! Very thoughtful of the baristas there!

Came back and started sliding uphill! Exchanged several emails with my daughter regarding her getting here tonight and plans for tomorrow morning. I'm feeling fairly steady right now--the fuzziness and sense of tension that I was experiencing has turned into mellow jello!

One of the other tenants pulled up a large U-Haul truck across the street. I'm wondering it we both will be loading stuff in the morrow. That should be interesting! Also, it's trash pickup day as well. Even more interesting! During the walk through last night, the landlord asked if the cleaners had done the windows. It looked like they had done so. He mentioned a "sun"test that he uses to expose any film on the glass. The sun was already down so we couldn't tell right then. I did the "sun" test (looking through the glass when the sun is low in the sky) and discovered that they had not been cleaned. I'll have to let him know and he will have to deduct some of my security fee.

Well, everything is ready to be put into the trailer in the morning and then hauled to Fair Oaks. A few hours of driving and a new journey begins! Another Adventure!

It's fairly early in the evening still or in the still evening. It's also cool! I feel like I'm sailing a smooth and tranquil sea!

3264

The cleaning is done and the place is clean! The people who did the work did a good job. It cost a fair amount but it looks great. I like the sparse empty look of the place (even though there is stuff squirreled away in all the closets and the storage bin). There is something simple and non chaotic about things being so sparse and empty. I was back and forth, in and out today. Cut off my PO box (I've had that box number for years) so I had to start updating my address in all the places it appears in life--and there are a lot of them. Verified that I have a hotel room on reserve for my daughter's arrival tomorrow night. Did a walk through with the landlord (a surprise visit on his part). Place was ready to be inspected. It is clean and bare.

Got a call/reminder from the U-Haul place verifying my pick up tomorrow. They also dropped an email reminder as well--very efficient. I'm feeling somewhat logy tonight (and throughout the day). Partly due to me taking last night's medication much later than usual and then taking my regular morning dose somewhat later than usual. I also ended up eating real food a bit late in the day. That became really noticeable as the day progressed. Also, I'm feeling some repercussions from the stress of dealing with everything. I'm having to careful not to let things fall through any cracks.

Maybe will do some exercises (to make up for not having a C&M class today)! Just writing down the idea gives me energy. Think I'll try it! Have to keep the regimen rolling! Have nice clean carpet to support my efforts!

3265

Well, all is on track! The apartment looks like no one lives here. It is empty! Very empty! Except for a handful of large items (bed, bookcase, two chairs, work table, couple of lamps), there is nada sitting on the floor. Everything is either already in the truck, in the apartment storage area, or on the shelves in the closets. The cleaners are coming tomorrow (early). I, in fact, have little to do except follow my checklist script over the next few days (clean, pick up trailer, do walk through with landlord, load trailer, haul everything over to Fair Oaks, empty trailer, drop off trailer, and begin settling into new place). It's about 3.5 days of activity, but with big time gaps between events. I will probably take a few naps along the way.

It's been a busy, long day! I think I'll probably head for the bed soon. I've been so efficient packing everything that I didn't keep back anything to read. I took the last set of books and DVDs that I had checked out back to the library today. I can always find something on the Internet (Sudoku, puzzles, games, etc.). Also, my email traffic has been more than normal with PD classmates catching up regarding my departure. I guess there's always something to do--perhaps including doing nothing.

Sounds like a plan!

3266

Truck is loaded (stuffed) and ready to go! I put in a 12-hour day, but it is done. Along with a host of other checklist items. As the day went on, things got sorted, dumped, donated, merged, and identified. I still have a lot of things I probably will never need, but they'll have to wait for a Fair Oaks trash day. I did haul the heaviest item (an old TV) to Goodwill. It has been dumped/donated! I rewarded myself with a green tea latte (It was too cool for a Frap this morning)!

Touched base with the cleaning person and he gave me a time for the cleaning to begin (8am on Monday). It will eat up most of the day but I can run a few errands to escape the noise. Plus that will give me Sunday to do laundry and prep for the cleaning of the place.

So it will probably be early to bed tonight after today's hump. No movie since the TV is gone, gone, gone. We had a hefty rainstorm this afternoon. It was enough water to cause a small creeklet to form in the parking area. The kids took advantage of that and put together a fleet of paper boats to navigate the stream.

Been responding to a flood of email from PD classmates who are discovering that I am nearly gone. They were not in class last week and are learning by word-of-mouth (or email) what is happening. Also getting messages from people who say they make periodic treks to my new area, and will contact me when they do. That will be interesting and fun!

3267

Last class at the institute today--resistance training with chocolate cake. A few classmates conspired to have a cake there to celebrate my departure. I got lots of good wishes and affirmations that sent my spirit soaring. I came away somewhat buzzy, but my regular green tea Frap put things back in order. Although I did nod off after coming home and sitting down for a while. Before class I stopped at the cafe in MV and got a complimentary sandwich (my regular) to honor my leaving.

I muddled around the apartment enough to determine that I am about as ready as I can be for the move. I bagged clothes and stuffed small items into boxes--enough so that there's nothing left on shelves. I'll take the last two items to Goodwill in the morning and then begin the process of stuffing designated items into the truck. Will touch base with the cleaner regarding price and schedule for the sweep out. Have to make a final run this weekend to the library to take back books/DVDs. The seeming chaos is coming to an end! Thank the goodness for that!

Seems like there are several classmates who make regular visits to the Sacramento region. They have indicated that they will touch base on some of the times they drive through.

Watched a final movie (at least last one watched here--the big TV goes to Goodwill tomorrow) this evening--All Good Things. It's a story, based on some real events, about a corrupt NY family. One of the family's sons is a secretive, likely sociopath, who ends up possibly causing the death of several people including his wife, a woman friend, and a slightly unbalanced drifter. The story is told in flashbacks that move the POV back several decades as the trial proceedings take place in the virtual now. The outcomes of the real trial did not find the man guilty of anything but some minor charges. The real person being depicted in the film now lives and works in Florida.

The packing starts in the morrow--let there be smoothness and flow!

3268

Had a "tea and me" event at my last Rosen Method Movement class today--last until I encounter another class along the way. It was a joyful, touching ending to my 4+ years of going to that class. We did a mini "waltzing" intensive for the across-the-floor part of the class. And, we had tea and cookies before for those who could attend. I will miss this small but warm group! I didn't do much afterward. I got some lunch, slept of a while, went shopping, and finally watched a movie.

I watched an Australian film--Breaker Morant. It was set in the time of the Boer wars around the turn of the 20th century. It was about the trial of some Australian irregulars who had been commissioned to fight the Boers using commando-style tactics, like the Boers were using. In the process of performing their commission, the men committed some atrocities. But, they did so under orders. Even so, they were court marshaled and were put on trial. The narrative in the film is strong and pointed, making points about war, politics, and good versus evil tactics and assumptions. They do not win their freedom despite their lawyer's strong presentation of the fallacies behind the proceedings. Australian films can be gritty and intense and this is one such film.

Did some bagging of clothes to be put into the truck tomorrow. Will do some of that tomorrow morning before heading to my last resistance class in the afternoon. I'll still have three punches on my class card--will give it away to some deserving classmate. And the move begins in earnest! No more classes until I get to Fair Oaks!

3269

Busy day! Lots of moving about! Went to final G&B class this morning. Took truck to Eco-Green car wash and had it worked over. A bit expensive but it keeps several people working--and they supposedly only use a cup of water in the process.

Came back from car wash and booked a room at a local hotel for my daughter for next week. Found a nice (hostel-like) place not too far away at a good price. It's off California Ave. and away from the traffic. Plus, it just feels right!

Grabbed a green tea Frap from the nearby SBs. Did so to ease my hunger pangs, knowing that I would have a meal tonight with the men's team. Just got back from that dinner (delicious) and catching up on their lives. It was good to see everyone (RB, BH, RM, RS)! RR did not show up. RM had his old truck bashed on his way to the dinner. It was good to see everyone again as I begin my journey away from the Bay Area.

Have a tea and cookies celebration tomorrow before the movement class. Otherwise, the truck is clean and empty. Time to begin to load it up! The list grows shorter. The time grows nigh! Time to sleep! Or time to sigh! Waiting for the dream train.

3270

Moving day in another way! Lots of heartfelt emotions during and in the conclusion of the PD dance class. Not everyone was there so I didn't get to say goodbye to all. Will drop a note with my contact information so I can touch base with all whom I've known for the past five years. Had a bit of the same in today's resistance class--will have that final class on Friday.

Have someone lined up to clean the apartment over the coming weekend. Things are falling in place to make it all happen. Have my last G&B class tomorrow and last Rosen class in this area on Thursday. It's happening--the move is moving on!

I got up early this morning and started cleaning out the bathroom. It and the kitchen are now empty--ready for a final polish when they clean the place over the weekend. Looked into reserving a room for my daughter and her friend for next week. Found out rooms are at a premium in this area. No recession here! Saw listings for $400 per night!

Picked up one of my prescriptions today from the pharmacy. What a racket! The documentation indicates that the medication costs $650! That's $650 for 30 tiny tablets or over $20/tablet! My gap insurance kicks in (thank goodness) and I only (only!) have to pay a bit over $200. What a deal! I'm in the donut hole and that keeps my share of costs high until about December.

Sleepy time! Sleepy time! Time to dream!

3271

The countdown continues! The move is on the move! Did a final C&M class today! I felt strong while doing the class but was hungry when we stopped. I had to head for WF's and grab a bite to eat. Did some shopping at TJ's, exchanged DVDs at the library, and walked back over to SB's for my afternoon green tea Frap.

Talked with the landlord and got his go ahead to steam clean the carpeted areas when the apartment is cleaned. Agreed to meet with him on 9/24 @ 4pm for a walk through. Called the guy who lives in the apartment complex who does cleaning. Left him a message that I wanted to have the place done on Sunday/Monday. Alerted my daughter that I would be reserving her a room for evening of 9/24 tomorrow. Doing the final PD dance class tomorrow followed by the next-to-last resistance training, and picking up my medication prescription (which I ordered completely online!). Plus, continuing to do items on the checklist. I look forward to having this move done and over. Oh, yeah!

Watched a political film this evening--Fair Game. It's the story of the couple who got caught up in the crossfire between the intelligence agencies and the administration over the start of the war in Iraq. She was the covert employee of the CIA who was outed when her husband wrote an op-ed detailing with the lack of evidence that Iraq had WMDs. In retaliation for the article, the administration caused her name to be published and disseminated. When this act was done, all of the operations that she had under her supervision were compromised. Many of her sources were jailed and killed. The movie depicts how, in the final resolution of events, she had to go public with the truth of what she had done and what had happened to her and her husband. A telling tale!

3272

Slept in this morning! Finally got up and about around 10am! Went to WFs and made it there just in time--they were dismantling the breakfast steam table items. It was somewhat comical--I was ladling scoops of egg/souffle/sausage out of the pans just as the servers were pulling the trays to make space for the lunch items. After breakfast, I did a few things on my checklist but eventually came back and napped until the NPR program "Says You" began. One of the secret words today was "blickey." I don't recall the second word--had something to do with rancid meat, I think!

Watched a German film this evening--Four Minutes. An intense story of a woman piano prodigy who is mentored by an older woman teacher. The prodigy is in prison ostensibly for murdering someone. She is angry, bitter, and destructive. The older woman slowly builds a bridge to the younger woman and assists her in playing again. The elder woman carries a secret with her that impacts how they interact. The film is powerful and scary--the younger woman goes into rages and fits that no one wants to be the target of. The conclusion is somewhat vague but overall the film is well done.

C&M (last one) tomorrow! And several checklist items that need to be handled! Onward and onward!

3273

Progress was made today! Still had to take a nap after eating a tasty lunch (RiceThai dish), but managed to cross off several items on my (shrinking) list. Weather cooled down a lot today and that helped keep me moving. Same is promised for the next week or so. I guess Fall is tumbling our way!

It's getting late now. I just spent some time chasing down the clinical trial for the new PD drug formulation (called ODM-101). I wanted to know what levels of medications (Levodopa and Entacapone) they used in the trial in addition to the increased amounts of Carbidopa. After some blurry reading, I managed to extract that they used whatever current levels the people were taking as long as the daily L-Dopa levels were between 400-1400 mg. My daily L-Dopa amount is 450 mg -- on the low end! Have to check with my PD doctor, but I think I'd have to take an extra 30 to 60 mg of Carbidopa 3x a day, to roughly match the clinical trial levels (65 mg and 105 mg). I now take 37.5 mg 3x a day in my current formulation.

Watched a French film this evening--The Big Picture. Title doesn't exactly mesh with the content of the film--the film was a mystery story dealing with photographers. There were a lot of small pictures! It was an interesting story about a man who kills his wife's lover , fakes his own death, and assumes the man's persona (he was a photographer). It turns out, the poser is a talented photographic artist. He soon gets lured into taking photos for pay and eventually is showcased in an exhibit. He can't become famous because he would be discovered as being not dead but also posing as the man he killed. In French film style, the movie ends with things hanging--only an intimation of where the story might continue.

It's late! Can't wait! Have to migrate! To the sleeping gate!

3274

Friday the 13th to make it 9/13/13 on this day! It has been a powerful day and is building to next week's full moon (around 9/18/13). Tonight's moon is waxing gibbous. Clocks and ticks, tocks and rocks! Looking for my moonbeam socks! Nearly full roster in resistance weight training class--several people appeared that had been missing for a while. I have two more of those classes next week and then I'm on the move. I have seven punches left on my class card. I will use up four of those next week--the remainder (3) will be given to someone next Friday.

Ran across an article that talked about an enhanced version of one of my PD medications. Appears that Stalevo has proven to be more effective when the Carbidopa element is increased. The pill I take has 37.5 units of the element. The new formulation was tested with about double and triple the amount. The formulation with triple the amount did better overall. I wonder how long it will take for the new formulation to appear on the market?

Came back from class and had my usual green tea Frap. The boost worked and I didn't nap in the afternoon. I watched a Hitchcock classic--Shadow of a Doubt. I had not seen this film before. It was the first film he made in the U.S.--he had worked mostly in England up until then. I could pick out some of the daring camerawork that he used, his meticulous story plotting, and his often understated direction that brought out the best in the actors. Thornton Wilder produced the initial screenplay (sort of an Our Town with dark undercurrents).

Heading for the bed soon! This weekend I have to set everything in place (in motion) that needs be done in preparation for the move on 9/24-9/25. I don't think I have that much left to do, but I'll know by the time the weekend ends. I know right now that there's a lot of empty space in the apartment. The spaces indicate the stuff I won't be hauling over to Fair Oaks. Let there be lightness!

3275

Movement class today followed by an acupressure session. I was a bit foggy when I finished the movement class but acupressure put me back in balance. The real problem was that I only had a light, early breakfast and no lunch. When I finished the movement class, I went to WF and grabbed some food. Then, after stopping by the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, I had a green tea Frap--that put me on even more of a steady keel. Food is good if not made of wood.

My prescription tablets looked a bit different from the ones I had been getting. After reading through the tech notes, I discovered that the tablets are manufactured in Finland (both the previous pills and the new ones)--supposedly using the same ingredients. However, the new pills come from a different distributor--a company in India! Oh, what a world we weave when we take pills to ease disease! I'm convinced that the pills are the same but just arrive via an alternate pathway.

Watched an action film this evening--Unstoppable. It's a film about a runaway train that threatens to devastate an area of Pennsylvania. Two men, an older more experienced engineer, and a neophyte conductor, work together to stop the runaway while barely avoiding about another half dozen close calls.  It's an interesting film in that it almost completely takes place in the engine room of the train. The director used a lot of inter cutting and supposed clips from local media to feed the movement. It's fairly certain from the beginning of the story that the heroes will prevail--and they do with the help of several stuntmen and stand-ins.

Resistance training tomorrow and then several days of knocking off the remaining preparation tasks that I need to do before hitting next week's countdown. I'm starting to nod off as the night wanes. Time to sleep and dream. Oh, yes! I had an interesting dream several nights ago. I was in a class where half the students only spoke French and the other half only spoke English. The instructor was fluent in both languages and could direct conversations in either form. I was in the English-only group.

The subject of the class was legal systems and the law. I found that when a French-speaking student was making a comment or giving an answer that I could understand what he or she was saying. It produced an odd feeling when I listened to some one's French vocalization, either a student's or the teacher's, and I heard what they meant clearly in my head. I still could not respond in French, but I understood what everyone was saying.

3276

G&B class today was nearly a full house. The regimen was a challenge since I was dealing with a pulled hamstring in my left leg. I think I pulled it on Monday in the C&M class. I worked it out some in yesterday's sessions, but it was still sore last night. Today's G&B work seemed to loosen things up and I'll have a TuiNa session tomorrow.

I've been coasting along for several days and I suddenly was reminded that I need to get everything put to bed over this next weekend. Starting about midweek next week I need to be getting the final steps in place for the move. The time has come the walrus said, and guess what? It's come!

Having minor  technical difficulties with setting up my medical as I move. I think I've finally moved my medication prescriptions to a national drug franchise--I'll know for sure tomorrow when I try and pick up an order. Websites are wonderful, but they still are idiosyncratic in a variety of ways.

Got a treat at SB's today--the barista gave me a complimentary Frap! Another barista often gives me a discount from the regular price. Very nice! Today's Frap pulled me through the fog I felt after the G&B class. Yeah for caffeine--can't get enough of that wonderful green tea stuff!

Movement class tomorrow! Let there be joy in everything!

3277

2.5 hours+ of movement and exercise today! I had the PD dance session followed by resistance training--back to back--and the living is easy! Felt good afterwards. I was hungry since I only had a light breakfast, but a bit of food from Whole Foods and my afternoon green tea Frap put me back on keel. Had an emotional moment in dance class when we were asked to move to the phrase "I feel alive when I..."! We each took turns saying the phrase, finishing it as we wished, and doing some movement as well. I don't recall exactly what I did or said--it was something like a rapid set of spins capped by the phrase "...am dancing with my friends"! As I completed the last revolution, I broke out in tears. I will miss all those lovely people! They have been an integral part of my life for the past five, or more, years!

I got a note from my Rosen Method instructor asking if we could do tea and cookies in my last time with them next week. Lots of endings and new beginnings--such is life! I have several other goodbye rituals that I will do with people from my other activities (C&M, G&B, Resistance Training, the H's, and others like the receptionist at the PD Institute).

I watched a film tonight--The Impossible. It was a dramatization of an actual event/story of a family who were caught up in the tsunami that hit Thailand. A husband, wife, and three kids got separated when the tsunami hit the resort area where they had a room.The film portrays how they got separated from each other and what they did to reunite, despite the odds of them ever being able to do such a thing. It's an OK film--a bit slick and polished--but worth the ride. (I wonder if I'd seen this film before but don't remember having done so--there were opening scenes that I seem to recognize where the tsunami hits the resort areas that were done with CGI not actual footage?) The mysteries of memories!

G&B class in the early morning! Perhaps a somewhat cooler clime! Two weeks and counting for the move!

3278k

C&M class today felt good even though it had been a while since we had a session. As usual, the instructor had some new tortures but they were good ones. There was a goodly number of people there today. I'm impressed by those who come and find the activity such a challenge--they just go ahead and do everything!

Another scorcher of a day! Hot and muggy goes the cycle! It's cool in the early morning but soon heats up and brings in the humidity. I don't recall it being so humid in this area in the past. Global warming?

PD dance and resistance training session tomorrow! Dance starts later in the day and abuts the weight lifting class. It makes for a solid 3-hour episode.

I watched a film that I had seen before this evening--Conviction. I had watched the film about a year ago but it was like I was watching something I had never seen. How can that be? What does that imply about my memory? How can I watch a two-hour set of images, sounds, and moving objects and have virtually no recollection of what I had seen about a year ago? Here's what I wrote about the film last year--

Watched a film tonight--Conviction. It's an Erin Brockovich story about a woman whose brother was convicted for murder. She went to school, got a degree, became a lawyer and took on her brother's case. Through many episodes of hardship and struggle, she managed to get him freed. It was a Rocky film about perseverance and winning. Although in the end, her brother died 6 months after he was released and absolved in a vehicle accident! Fate and circumstance!

I didn't recall what had happened with her brother until I pulled up the note from a year ago. I guess I have to go with that old adage about memory--if you can't remember it, forget it!

3279

Another day of heat and humidity! No respite in sight! Have a C&M class tomorrow--the next to last one before the move. It was cool this morning but heated up as the day went by. Triple digits for most of the inner areas--the heat goes on! Still muggy even now!

Ran across a blog by a man in Florida regarding his bout with PD. He states that over a three-month period in the Spring of 2010, he managed to get rid of his symptoms and issues associated with the illness. He did so without medication using a holistic approach that involved Qigong and other TCM techniques, vegetarian diet, some exercise, and adoption of a few other complementary regimens. He mentions the people over in Santa Cruz (PD Recovery) and their use of FSR (forceless spontaneous release). These are the people I worked with for the first two years of being diagnosed.

It's incredible that he was able to disappear his symptoms in so short a time. He has been doing seminars around the country that focus on what he terms his "recipe" for working with the diagnosis and the effects. Much of what he suggest makes a lot of sense. For example, he says he treated his symptoms as electrical imbalances and not chemical imbalances. That makes sense when looking at DBS implants that are successful--they either work or they don't irrespective of the medications being taken. In fact, many DBS subjects reduce their medication levels once the DBS device is in place. I can see parallels with his ideas and what I've experienced by doing a lot of physical activity. My symptoms and their progression seem to be a lot less than others in my classes.

Perhaps, once I am in my new location I can look into altering my regimen so that it aligns more closely to his recipe. Have nothing to lose--and much to gain. And he mentions that he ingests caffeine every day to help him with stiffness and soreness--he is a regular SB customer (as I have become to get my daily green tea latte or Frappuccino). Today was a great Frap day--to counteract the heat!

Also got a link to a report about using sleep too heal. It's like what they do to keep people with brain injuries stable by putting them in a coma. Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care.

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Hot and sleepy day! Slept in this morning while it was still cool. Got up as the warmth knocked off the cooler edge and went to do laundry. Grabbed a bit of breakfast (brunch) while doing the laundry and picked up a Frappuccino on the way home. All of my meanderings made me be late taking my afternoon medication--and I didn't notice any effects from doing so. Did eventually take a dosage and have been awake and alert (although a bit warm and muzzy) into the evening.

Watched a film this evening--Guilty by Suspicion. It's a fictional portrayal of the effects of the HUAC investigations on the lives of all those who got blacklisted. The original script was changed so that the  protagonist was more of a law-abiding liberal than a Communist. The writer of the original script had his name removed from the eventual version to protest the changes made. The film was interesting and came to a "Rocky" conclusion in the hearing settings but only footnoted the fact that the proponents spent the next 20 years shaking off what had been done to them.

Didn't get anything done today on the moving front. It was just too hot! Everything feels under control though. I just have to walk through the various steps over the next two weeks--the final steps and check points. Today's high was in the 90s around here, but was also very humid--which is normally not the case. Again today, the winds were kicking up some and made it feel like I was caught in a blast furnace. Too hot to not! Too not to hot!

3281

Hot and muggy day! There were winds but they only made it feel like being in a blast furnace. Got warm and warmer in the afternoon and is still sweltering at this hour. Went to resistance training session in the afternoon. We had nearly a full house--22 people, I believe.

Watched a suspense/mystery film--Law Abiding Citizen. It was somewhat gruesome and had a number of ways in which people were killed. The story sat on the edge of being real and being doable in a technical sense. A man has his wife and child murdered during a home invasion. The man survives but is not happy with the justice system when they had to back off somewhat in order to get convictions. He wanted their punishments to be more severe. Unknown to the justice people or the murderers--the man is a secret government "killing machine." He handles dark ops for the government and is the best in the world. Thus begins an extended cat-and-mouse game between the man and the justice people. Even when locked in prison he still manages to pull off incredible escapades and terror activities. Of course, the conclusion has to find the justice system figuring out how to stop the man, but at great cost and not exactly without prejudice.

Laundry day tomorrow! Heat and tumble! Make a mumble! Do not stumble! Just be humble! But I may bumble! My gut may rumble! Borborygmi!

3282

Only two more Rosen Method movement classes! The countdown begins! I'm going to miss these classes (and the rest) as well as the classmates and teachers. I'm looking forward to discovering alternative replacements (for the classes, not the people) and meeting new people. Exploring the new area will be interesting. Resistance training tomorrow afternoon!

I spent an hour or more this morning on the phone. I talked with a service representative about what I needed to do transfer my Medicare Advantage policy to the new geographic area. The people on the phone who helped me did a good job of helping me sort options and understand details. By the end of the session, I felt confident that the new (changed) policy will work--and cost less per month by a big amount. The co-pays will be a bit higher, but the monthly charges and deductibles are less expensive! Can't beat that!

Men's team is geared up to get together on 9/18! We haven't gotten together in quite a while. It will be great to catch up with everyone.

Along with the medical policy update today, I also set up cancellations for the utilities and land line/Internet. It's all part of the administrivia that I have to do to make the shift to the new location. The cave people didn't have all of these detailed things to clutter up their lives! They just grabbed any new cave they found and settled in--assuming there wasn't an existing, angry occupant. And my administrvia has to be done in a certain order--I can't ask for the power to be shut off while I'm still on site! That wouldn't be fun! Thank goodness most of this stuff can be done online! Web out!

3283

Did a G&B class today! I came away a bit tired. Stopped by the library and exchanged books/DVDs. Then went and grabbed a bite to eat--I was hungry and not hungry at the same time. I ate some chicken wings from the deli and came home. It was about 1pm and I dropped off to sleep for a few hours. I awoke shaking--I had slept through the time I usually take some medication. I got up, took some medication, and fell back asleep for another hour. When I awoke, I felt like I needed to get up and move some. I walked over to SBs and got a green tea Frappuccino. The walk and the drink helped clear the clouds in my head. I'm awake and alert now!

I have a movement class tomorrow--and several administrative tasks to get done. Posting early today! What can I say? No, not nay! Or bend this way! Ole, ole! Dr. Seuss goes bonkers!

3284

PD dance and weight training on this day after Labor Day. Not a big crowd in either activity. The changed time for PD dance seems to have shrunk the number of people attending. Those on extended holiday may have been the cause of fewer people lifting those weights. G&B class tomorrow and expect more people will be back on track.

About three weeks (21 days) until the big moving event takes place. I'm feeling more comfortable about the whole process now. I'm glad I took the extra month to sort through things. It was still stressful but not as much since everything was spread out more. Also, the checklist that I produced and have been using throughout helped a lot in keeping me on track. More people in the classes are aware now that I am leaving. I'm glad I've had the extra time to sway goodbye to everyone.

Watched an Israeli film this evening--The Footnote. I had watched this film before but I'm not sure I saw all of it. It was comic/drama (or dramatic/comedy) about a mix up of who gets a prestigious scholarly award. The mix up involves a father and son, who work in the same academic field, and one is told he has won the award--the wrong one! Things become tangled as everyone tries to unravel what has been set in motion. The father has often been nominated for the award but has never been selected. When he accidentally is told he has won, no one wants to have to tell him the truth.

My checklist is full of administrivia tasks that I plan to handle this week. Administrivia uber alles!

3285

Labor Day and the laboring was easy! Fish were jumping and the rotten is high! Summertime! Summertime! I took some stuff to Goodwill and got rid of some debris that was in the apartment locker. One set of items that went to Goodwill was the small dining table and two chairs that were from Ikea. They were almost unused--like new! Should make someone happy!

For the most part, everything remaining in the apartment will go to Fair Oaks. Lots of empty space now. I think it will all fit into the vehicles we'll be using for the move (a car, a truck and a 5x8 trailer). If not, what doesn't fit can be dumped.

PD dance class followed by resistance training tomorrow. Classes will be virtually back-to-back!

Watched a SciFi thriller film this afternoon--Pitch Black. It was mostly an exercise in CGI proficiency and not much in the way of dialog and acting. The set was mostly a desolate desert expanse with piles of debris from wrecked space craft--interspersed with flesh-eating creatures that hibernated in the piles of wreckage and were awakened for this movie. The anti-hero in the film was played by Vin Diesel, who brings his own measure of darkness, ominous presence, and vague humor to the piece. It was a good escape film--nothing profound or startling.

Neighbors are starting to quiet down, at last! I'll be pleased to not have their voices/music/noise rock me to sleep every night! Let the good times snore!

3286

Labor Day, Labor Day! Coming to everyone in just a few hours! It's on its way! What can I say? Have to find a better way to spend the day! I napped and dreamed today away! I even napped after grabbing a green tea Frappuccino in the early afternoon. I was also hungry and have eaten quite a lot over the past few days! Sleep and eat, eat and sleep!

Watched a movie this evening--The Hunter. It was filmed in Tasmania and centered on the mythic Tasmanian Tiger, which may be extinct. The hunter in the film was a trapper who was being paid to explore and find evidence that the creature still existed. He had to go into a wilderness area where logging outfits were cutting trees. The loggers were wary of the intruder. They felt that he was being paid to find evidence that would shut down their logging operations. It was a good film--the vistas that were used as backdrop for the scenes were spectacular--haunting and vast. The overall plot was somewhat thin, but the director managed to maintain a tension throughout that was visceral.

So, it's off to dreamland I go and will awaken on the Day of Labor! My dreams over the past few nights have been about me working or doing tasks. I guess I'm in tune with the cosmos! Dreamtime calls! Let there be dreamings!