2770

Dance class went fairly well today. I still ran out of steam after about an hour. The new dance (and only new one for today) just wouldn't sink in--it's like I have just so much space for new steps and then I overload and lock up. I hate to say this but it has a lot to do with teaching style--and the instructors here don't really break things down and repeat the details. They do it in a mechanical manner that leaves out the flow of the dances. I have to use YouTube more and work through the dances on my own--not expect to get it in the class. The class can be used to polish and refine--but I need to have the steps in place when the instructors do their walk-throughs. Or so I think right now!

It's about 10 and I'm fading already. I didn't get a nap in the afternoon. Even though I feel hazy, the dancing (or some of the YouTube reviews I did this afternoon) has me feeling fairly mellow as well.

I didn't eat as much today as I did yesterday. I'll plan on making it up in the morning and having a hearty breakfast. There is a dance on Sunday so I can coast in the morrow--except that I have to find a  B-day present for the grandkid.

Got a message from my PCP that my stool test was positive for occult blood. I still think that is related to my dental issues, but I'll find out once the GI people ever do the colonoscopy. Oh, boy! Oh, joy! So many things that I'd rather be doing.

The ex dropped by this evening. She had been to her final session with the surgeons that did her operation. She was signed off--all is well.

Sleepy night, all right, keep it bright, spin the light, with all your might!

2771

Somewhat smoother day--not so many wrinkles. Had a giant burger with sweet potato fries for breakfast/lunch. I had slept in this morning until about 10 or so. Had the burger at Habit's. It was the first time I tried their food. It was a treat. A big double burger with cheese and trimmings, plus a load of fries.

I came back and napped and then went to dance class. The class went well--the lady instructor is still on a jag and is babbling too much. But the class was okay and we started learning a couple of dances that we hadn't learned before. I was tired when the class ended, but I felt good as the evening progressed. I think I'm eating more and that is helping keep me from bottoming out as much.

Tomorrow there is a special class--all intermediate dances. I'm looking forward to the session--most of the dances are really good ones.

I think I had a series of continuing dreams but I don't recall any details. I only seem to recall telling myself while the dreams were playing that I should remember them. So much for that!

I need to pickup a birthday gift for the grandkid--she'll be turning 6 next week. She'll have multiple B-day events (school and each parent) plus other events such as MD's 98th celebration.

I'm starting to get drowsy about an hour earlier than usual. It's about 10 now and I'm sleepy--usually go to about 11 before the drowse creeps in. Toddy byes--close my eyes--no surprise!

2772

Had a fairly good day! I did make it to Panera's for breakfast, napped some in the afternoon, filed my taxes, had a tasty dinner made by my daughter, and am sailing smoothly into the evening.

I had a very kinetic dream last night and into the early morning. I was in an apartment that was vaguely like the place we lived when I was a kid. There was some odd things going on--some with people sleeping and some with people awake. I don't recall a lot of detail but I feel like the dreaming went on for some time, and was intricate and disjointed.

I've started taking my evening medication a bit earlier than I've been doing. The doctor had suggested that I do that--and I think it's going to alter my sleep patterns. I awoke around midnight last night and, I think, didn't awaken again until nearly 6 o'clock.

I spent quite a lot of time unraveling the data needed for my tax returns. I used TurboTax and am glad that it's available. It gave me a scare right at the end of the process--when I hit the e-file button. The program asked me to decipher a distorted image of some letters/numbers--only the program didn't display the image. There was an alternate button that would speak a distorted clip of someone saying a string of numbers. The clip (and alternate) clips were incomprehensible to my ear. I couldn't decipher anything that was played.

About then the program hung up and went into a loop. I quit the program, restarted it, and voila the distorted image feature was now working. I decoded the image and successfully filed my returns. TT came back in a short while with a message that both my returns had been accepted. So, all is well (I think) and refund checks will soon be issued.

Dance class tomorrow--I'm looking forward to moving and dancing.

2774-2773

I missed making a post yesterday--I was just out of it by the end of the day.

I went to the PD support group session yesterday morning. There were about 20 people in attendance--where usually there are only about 6 of us.  Most were first timers to this group. There was a lot of information communicated in the session. The facilitator, Y, spoke about her husband's death--he passed away since our previous meeting. I'm sure it was both a relief and a sadness for her.

The new people had a lot to share concerning what they are dealing with as the illness unfolds for them. One young couple has the challenge of the man having PD and the woman having MS. How do they cope? I know that everything shared in the session left me feeling wobbly and out of sync. I come away from the meetings not feeling hopeful but more certain of my ultimate fate.

Over the last few days, I had several dreams. In one, I was giving advice to a technology group. They were building a prototype of some new device. I suggested that they should be building a 2nd prototype based on what they were learning from and doing with  the first unit. They had all of their eggs in one basket without a backup project in case the first unit didn't work out. They agreed that I was correct--and that to do so would require additional funding.

In another dream, I was escorting a child to some destination. We were walking along a high mountain trail and I was talking with the child. Part of this dream took place as I was out of bed walking to the bathroom. I heard myself speaking aloud.

I sent off a stool sample that I collected using the kit given to me by the laboratory where I spent 3 hours on Friday. I got a message from the GI people alerting me that my colonoscopy procedure has been rescheduled for the end of April. This process with them has taken forever!

I was logy and blurry in today's dance class. I ate a hearty breakfast and came back and napped. I didn't feel like getting up as the time for the class arrived. I finally did start making my way to the class--I stopped and had a latte which didn't seem to alter my alertness all that much. The instructor was somewhat out of it (like she was last week) and the class wasn't that focused and productive.

2775

Sun Day and I feel like I'm running uphill--no end in sight, just more steep terrain.

I had planned on having a hearty Pantera breakfast, but I didn't awaken early enough. By the time I did get up, it was already well past 10. I settled for a SB's breakfast sandwich and a latte. It wasn't enough, really, but it was done and we (ex, grandkid and me) left for the ArtBeast place.

As usual, ArtBeast is full of people (kids and adults) and also lots of noise. The cries, shouts, shrieks, plain old noise, laughter, yelling, and more fills the space of the place. Kids seem to love it there and the grandkid can be totally absorbed in the "Animal Hospital" cubbyhole. She puts on a white smock and proceeds to take care of the many possible injuries that can be imagined.

We ate lunch at an outdoor bistro (Golden Bear), sitting on the cool patio--inside was packed. It was cold outside and I realized that I had come without my medications. We had a tasty breakfast pizza and a plate of fruit. After eating, we came back home. I lay down and napped for a while. The dogs awoke me with their constant barrage of barking. Seems that a squirrel was playing on the lawn, driving the dogs to distraction--and me too!

I went for an unusual 2nd latte and topped it off with one of SB's $1 afternoon pastry specials--an almond croissant. They were good! It's now late afternoon and I'm still waiting to fully awake. I'm starting to feel a bit more alert.

There is a PD support meeting in the morrow--and dancing classes throughout the week. Perhaps I'll rebound some as the week takes off.

Dreams? There have been some, but they keep fading back into the fog with some reemerging now and then. I will continue to dream--why not?

2776

I intended to have a good breakfast this morning but I slept in--almost to lunch time. I then helped install MD's new life alert update, which was fun but pushed out any breakfast plans. Settled for a latte and a pastry instead--which is something I need to stop doing. I must eat solid meals for breakfast and lunch, minimum.

The day was a mush from that point onward. I managed to run a few errands (TJ's, banking, shopping for some new shirts, pick up water) and spend some time with grandkid, ex, and daughter's tasty dinner.

It's already late in the evening--how time flies when you are spacing out.

I also solved a clock puzzle that MD was having. She noticed that her bedroom clock seemed to be moving faster than her new office clock. I looked at the two clocks and couldn't figure out the set of adjustment buttons that operated the electric bedroom clock. After fiddling around with it for some time, I finally just synced the two clocks and let them run for a while. When I checked back on their progress, I discovered that the new clock hadn't moved--it was not running.

Turned out that the new clock's battery had expired! It was going slower than the bedroom clock--not the other way around! Duh! I replaced the battery and, voila, their times remained the same. Double duh! Talk about time and relativity--what an example. For MD, the new clock was "new" so the old clock had to going faster--which was not the case. I didn't question her assumption--but a moment's reflection exposes the real problem of the "new" clock.

Or perhaps, the new "cluck"--my brain is not on track anymore.

2777

I waited for three hours at the place where I went to get my blood work done. It was a comedy of errors, in all respects. I arrived around 9am--which I assumed would require some waiting but no where near what I experienced.

To begin, I discovered that the lab I have been going to no longer is covered under my new medical plan. Too bad--that office was empty with no one waiting for anything. I was directed to a lab across the corridor from my old lab.

When I entered the new place, I knew that something was out of place. There were over 20 people in the waiting room. I was directed to put my name on the attendance list and wait to be called up for my details. There was signage directing people into two lines--those with and without appointments. I put my name on the "without" list and took the only remaining seat in that place--a small table next to a 2-person sofa. There were a few people without seating who were standing up against the wall.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed and the receptionist had started telling arriving people that there was an hour wait. I figured that since I had already been there for an hour that I would surely be serviced in another hour. Nearly everyone who was waiting had been fasting--me included. My plans for a hearty breakfast were rapidly being altered to a luncheon scenario.

About that time, the receptionist also revealed that their computers were down and that anyone with an e-request for lab work would have to either come back or go to another lab. I didn't have an e-request so I elected to stay. I had already put in the time and I didn't want to come back another day.

At the two hour mark, the room was still filled with people and the receptionist's wait time was still an hour or more. At the 2.5 hour mark, I checked with the receptionist thinking that I was probably going to abort and come back another day. When I asked her where I was in the queue, she discovered that I had been skipped over as they inserted waiting people and appointment people.

She pushed me to the head of the line and I left right at the 3 hour mark! I went and grabbed a sandwich and beamed my way to dance class. I made it just in time for the first dance!

Class went well! The dance socks were not needed on that classroom's floor. As a final cap on events, I discovered, when class was over, that I hadn't brought my medication for my midday dose. Sort of a crown on the cap of so many out of kilter events.

Now, I only have to produce a stool sample and mail it in for testing! What else? Who knows? The day isn't over yet!

2778

Doctor and dancing today! No dancing doctors or doctors of dancing! The PCP set me up for some blood panels and a stool test (same-o, same-o). Unfortunately, I hadn't fasted this morning so I have to go back tomorrow so they can draw blood. I was a bit groggy when I left this morning and didn't think things through completely. I also left my folder of medical stuff at home so I didn't have some details that I might have used.

Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear--Fuzzy wuzzy had no hair--Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy--Was he? Seems like that describes my day--or my state of mind.

Dance class was okay--the instructor was out of it (she talked about some stresses she was experiencing with her families). She kept screwing up the instruction and going off on tangents. Her partner let her be and didn't try and rescue her.

I tried using the dance socks on the classroom floor and found that they were unneeded. The socks made the floor too slick--I kept feeling like I had to be extra careful so that I wouldn't slip and slide. Despite the entanglements, the dancing felt good--I'm getting a bit more bold and I am picking up the patterns. Still have a way to go, but it's working.

Dance class tomorrow--after a side trip to the phlebotomist. Need to pick up a new punch card.

My ex is coming by in the morrow--with a handyman who will start completing some of the stalled projects around the house. Oh, yeah!

2779

The Internet is wonderful! Trying to remember where things are and how to access them not so good! I spent time today trying to unravel a medical plan mystery--I got emails indicating that I needed to take some action, but I did not need to do so. One cyborg brain talking to other cyborg brains got confused--and I, the human (along with several other humans), managed to come to a conclusion. The answer: do nothing!

Oh, boy! Oh, joy! Just what I wanted to hear!

Also called MD's LifeAlert people and found out that her blinking status light was a warning that her call device needed a new battery. They will mail the replacement and walk me through making the switch. I think I spent most of today waiting on tech support connections using "automated" call systems. I'd rather be dancing! Tomorrow I will be--right after my meeting with my PCP.

Despite sleeping in this morning and eating a healthy/tasty lunch, I still went down for a short nap and awoke feeling logy/groggy.

All is quiet right now. MD is out to dinner with her oldest son--daughter et al are watching a movie and someone's doing laundry. But it is still and quiet--I feel quiet!

I spent some fun time reviewing some of the dances we will be doing on Friday. I shaved and showered while everyone is out/busy--so can just jump up and go in the morning.

2780

I saw doctor Bliss and he blessed my eyesight--there was no big deterioration over the past year. I can see and see pretty good. I'm again impressed by the way his office works. They are efficient, thorough, and skilled. The exam with him takes some time--I was seen and measured by three technicians plus the doctor and the support staff.

I grabbed a sandwich on the way home and napped for a short while before heading for dance class. Two positive things there--(1) Only going for 1.5 hours is better for me than 2.5 hours, and (2) The dance socks work really well. Less time means less fatigue and the socks lessen the friction and make it easier to turn, move, and maneuver. I feel a bit tired tonight but I can attribute that mostly to starting out so early in the day and only a short nap.

I spent a long time trying to contact someone at Covered California, the watchdog organization that blesses our choice of medical plans. First, I managed to get myself locked out of the site by not giving the correct answers to some security questions. The questions were triggered by me not knowing (or forgetting) my user name and password--which I don't remember ever setting up. But I went on and created a new profile and was able to get into the site--where I discovered that there was nothing I could do about the message I received from my medical plan, prompting me to contact CC and prod them on whatever they are supposed to be doing. Will try again in the morrow--a long wait time trying to contact a human on the electronic call system.

I think I dreamed last night but I don't recall the details--I seem to remember some shadowy images but nothing concrete.

2781

MLK day! Marches and memorials! There's so much happening in the world. More than I can parse!

I feel better now, at the end of the day, since I let myself sleep a lot today. I ate well but didn't overdo it--just ate and napped as needed. It was foggy and chilly today and the coldness is not my friend. But I ate three warm meals today, plus a warm latte. Fueling with warm foods helps ease the chill factor some.

Have a doctor's appointment in the morning (eye exam). It's been a year since I had surgery in my right eye and all seems to be well. Expect to get verification of that state tomorrow. Also have a dance class in the afternoon. Will get a chance to try out my new dance socks--the cloth tubes that fit over the toes of the dance shoes and that help smooth out sticky floors. Looking forward to feeling how they work.

I think I had dreams last night that were related to the dreams from the night before. However, I awoke around 4am and didn't hold onto the dreaming.

I feel like somethings are cooking--that there are events and such about to happen that are going to alter everyone's realities. Don't know why I'm feeling like this--but it feels like there is change in the air.

2782

Sunday, fund day, fun day, pun day, gun day, run day, and more! I had thought about getting up early this morning and going to Panera's for breakfast. After some gyrations, I ended up there for lunch.

I had a pair of dreams last night that were somewhat surreal. In one dream, I was in a large meeting room with a number of seated people. We were listening to a speaker who was delivering a dense speech about our attitudes and possibilities. It was like an indoctrination speech that would be delivered to people who might join the cult that was sponsoring the event. The odd part was that the speaker and the speech were not trying to hide what they were doing--they were constantly referring to what they were about and why we shouldn't join their movement.

In a second part of the dream, we were in smaller groups. We were given slips of paper with a paragraph of text that we were to stand up and read. The hitch was that we had to stand on our chair when we delivered the message. Another hitch, which didn't become obvious until we listened to the first few readers, was that the messages didn't make any kind of sense. No matter how you tried to inflect the words or build up units of meaning, the result was the same--you sounded like you were mouthing gibberish.

Both of these dreams seemed quite lengthy and went on and on for some time.

I've been logy/foggy all day so far. I ended up eating something solid only at lunch, which threw off my morning--especially when I only had a bear claw with my morning latte. After lunch, I napped for a couple of hours but awoke still not feeling 100%. I wonder if I'll ever feel 100% again? Isn't looking like that is going to happen without some kind of intervention (magical, spiritual, or otherwise). Sleep helps some--helps restore some of the balance. Dancing also helps. But nothing maintains or sustains! Tomorrow is a national holiday--MLK's celebration. Yeah, yeah, MLK!

2783

Another lazy, hazy day! I can't get enough sleep. I to up late, went out for a latte, came back and napped--went out for lunch and returned to nap again. I was awakened by MD's phone ringing and my ex arriving for her weekend visit with the grandkid.

I had a large lunch--Indian food! It's been a while since I've eaten like that.

The ex and MD are catching up--they both have had hospital stays in the past month. Ex's was planned--MD's was not.

Officially, it's a national holiday weekend. Nothing much happens all that differently on these days now. Stores are open for business.

Not much more for me to say right now. I just feel like going back to bed and sleeping more. Maybe, may be! May be a bee in May!

2784

I keep running out of steam. I was up a bit earlier than usual, had breakfast (made it on time to Panera's for their new oatmeal), came back and napped a bit, then went to dance class.

Class went well--I was a bit logy but did all right for the most part. But the afternoon and evening has been a mixed bag. I think I napped for a short time and then was captured by the grandkid for a while. She had been to a dance class and showed me the ballet poses that they had practiced. She said that they did some jazz, ballet, and tap dancing. I think her grandmother had done some tap dancing at some point.

Next week is full of dancing and doctors--not doctors dancing but two independent activities. I see the eye doctor for an annual checkup--I see my PCP to get a reading on my bladder activities and the upcoming colonoscopy. Fun and frivolity!

My dance shoe socks arrived today! That was a quick delivery--two days from the time I ordered them. They were promised to arrive a week from today--but here they are! The magic of Amazon! They are the ones that slip over the toes of the dance shoe to help ease the friction on sticky floors. We need them!

Stillness arrives and hovers all about. There is a dream-space opening and a crowding of thoughts. I imagine nothing--I see no images. The room is filled with light. The night is full of music and there are dancers everywhere, everywhere--all moving together, soft as cloud shapes.

2785

Days of dreams and dance! I had a rather active dream last night (or early this morning). I dreamed that I was in my room, asleep, when someone forcefully opened my door and woke me up. The noise from the door made me angry and I rose up from the bed and yelled at the intruder. I saw a shadow flit across the room and down the hall.

I awoke from the dream uncertain if I had been dreaming or witnessing an actual event. I thought that I had actually yelled out not in just the dream but in reality. I wasn't sure if I had done so or not.

I managed to fall back asleep. After a while, the dream sequence replayed--exactly like before. I once again awoke thinking I had actually yelled out like before. Everything in the second dreaming was identical to the contents of the first episode.

It was a deja vu dream that got triggered and replayed down to the last detail. As I awoke, I realized that the dream had repeated, including me yelling out when the door in the dream got flung open.

I had intended to go to Panera's for a bowl of oatmeal but I slept in and didn't get out until lunch time. I had a huge lunch at Annie's (the Thursday special --meat loaf et al). I came back and napped for a while before heading to dance class. Class went well even though I was a bit out of kilter. The Thursday class is an active 1.5 hours mostly, for me, learning the dances. It's the most advanced class that I take.

Friday's (tomorrow's) class is the best mix of dances. Looking forward to going there in the morrow.

Double dreaming! Instant replays of the psyche's meanderings. What's next?

2786

Fell asleep late last night--around 1am or so! Awoke around 5am and then again about 7am then again around 10am. Had lunch and ran some errands and napped in the early afternoon. When I awoke, I went to SB's for a green tea latte and that has kept me awake.

Tomorrow is dance class time in the afternoon. I will be rested and ready to go when that time comes around. I think I dreamed last night a mixed up story that had elements of the Nikita episodes I watched last night and some reverb from a previous dream about being in an old apartment building. It's not clear now what it was all about--just a collection of blurred and mixed-up images.

I picked up the emetic that I'll use to prep for the colon procedure scheduled for March. The kit costs $150--of which insurance only pays about $50. The kit is considered a tier 4 medication so I get most of the expense. An expense for something that is only going to be in my body for a very limited amount of time. Expensive cocktail!

Every now and then, I get a sensation of only being in this reality very tenuously. I feel like I've been picked up and transplanted here on a temporary basis--that I'm a visitor and not an inhabitant. I feel tentative and impermanent--as if I'll be asked (or made) to move on to some other place. While I'm driving about the area, I keep feeling as if the other drivers are actual residents and not just avatars. Me, I'm here as my avatar--playing in a world that is not mine and in which I am not real. People here seem open and friendly--but I still feel some distance between me and everyone. Partly, it's the illness. I came here with it as my only reality--a reality that doesn't mesh with the many others here. Odd thoughts and imaginings! The winter of my discontent!

2787

Less is more! Less time in the dance class made for more dancing energy (less down time). I feel much better by not powering my way through 2.5 hours of movement. 1.5 is enough! Left me feeling clear and not cloudy/blurry.

After breakfast (CoCo's oatmeal special), I napped for a short spell before heading for class. Things were in balance. Classroom floor was sticky--I'm going to have to order some DanceSocks--bands of fabric that slip on over the shoe toes, providing a smooth surface on tacky floors.

I just stopped to eat some dinner and after eating I suddenly feel somewhat dull. I don't think that it has anything to do with what I ate. It feels more like a wave of emptiness has settled around me--leaving me dull and without intention.

Nothing major planned for the morrow. I can sleep in or not. Prescriptions are ready for pickup but no hurry there. Quiet here right now--quiet and still. There's a faint sound of the heater working to keep the place warm. It's supposed to be a bit cooler for the next few nights.

I have the proposed dance list for the Friday class. I will spend some of the time over the next few days reviewing the dances we will doing. Deeply rooted makes for a lighter, flowing dance! Let there be roots! Deep as can be!

2788

Today was D-day (Doctor's Day)! Saw the GI guy and everything seemed to go smoothly and at ease. Have a date with the camera--March 12. That's a Tuesday so I'll have to miss dance class that day--but it's a perfect day set between two non-class days. It will be done at a surgi-center.

I activated my Pantera card--will see what that buys me. I also activated my bank card--did both online. Smooth as glass!

I've been logy/drowsy all day--napped some but didn't help much. Just ate an early sandwich for dinner and I seem to be waking a bit.

Dance class tomorrow--that will begin my spin. I'm going to skip the first hour and see if that helps me to fade less toward the end of the session. 2.5 hours is a l-o-n-g time! 1.5 is more reasonable! All of my classes will now be 1.5 hours each--plus any dancing on Sundays. Cha-cha-cha!

I read some about fishing in the area last night. Appears that we are in the heart of some great salmon and striper fishing. Watched a guide's web site where he disclosed his rigging that he does for these waters. Smart rig--and it looks like it does the job. We shall see!

2789

Had a great breakfast this morning. Went to Panera's (close to cutoff time for breakfast, but made it), and ordered a bowl of oatmeal with strawberries and pecans, and a cinnamon crunch bagel. Yum! Topped the bagel and oatmeal with butter and put honey on the cereal. Double yum! It was one of the best breakfasts that I've encountered. Could have/should have put honey on the bagel as well--next time! The bagel is a treat unto itself. I keep discovering new things there in addition to the new things they introduce.

Seeing the GI doctor tomorrow morning--not looking forward to that activity but I need to get it done. Just not sure what we are looking for or trying to understand. I just don't want to upset my momentum and process with the PD issues.

I really miss dancing on the days when I'm not. My psyche/body misses the movement/distraction/flow. Sunday is the obvious void day that could be filled (and is occasionally with a dance). Right now it rides between Saturday and Monday, both of which are "quiet" days in terms of dance. Some Sundays the grandkid fills up that time, but like today, she does not.

Fishing comes to mind! I think I would like to be doing something outdoors--not confined to a room whether it be in the house or dancing. Today was a good example--it was bright, sunny and pleasant outside today. It's still slightly on the cool side, but at mid afternoon outside was perfect. Watch out fish--here I come!

2790

Lazy, hazy day! Mostly spent time looking for food with one side trip to the pharmacy. They finally got a supply of the medication that was unavailable in the area for a while. Of course, I'm not in the donut hole with the restart of the year--and my share of the costs are higher.

While in the catastrophe mode, the pills cost me 8 cents each. With the restart, they cost me 25 cents each. The cost to my plan is about $2.75 each. What a system! And what is the actual cost per pill? Probably only a few cents each, if that much!

I dreamed a detailed dream last night. I was in an apartment house or a motel with RB, RS, BH and me--all from the men's team. We were sharing a set of rooms that were on an upper floor of the complex. We were there because we had some outdoor activity planned that brought us to that area. There was a security guard who kept prowling along a walkway outside our rooms. While he was making his patrol, he would shine his flash light into our rooms as he passed our windows. It was annoying and was disrupting our sleep. At some point, I had gotten up and grabbed one of our flashlights that we had in our gear bags. I proceeded to turn on my light and expose the guard standing outside. He quickly extinguished his light and moved away. The security guard looked like the guard who patrols the nearby shopping center. Strange-O Dream-O!

As I sit here now, I puzzle over where this day has gone. Less than 12 hours ago, I awoke and now it's almost time for bed, with nothing of note having been accomplished. I awoke, I ate, I slept, I drove, I took my pills, and I watched several TV episodes. Nada! Another day is on its way to nowhere. Where am I going? How am I getting there? Where is there? In the air?

2791

Full day! Choppy day! Busy day! Awoke early, feeling good. Made plans for the day (insurance, breakfast, dancing, etc.). Drove to Panera's and discovered that I'd left my wallet at home. Backtracked and picked up wallet but didn't make it back to P's in time--they shut down breakfast options at 10:30--I got there around 10:40!

So went to SB's for a green tea latte and a bagel. Afterward, I went to AAA offices which are near SB's. There I discovered that my insurance took such a big jump from last year because their records indicated that I was living in the Bay Area! In the Bay Area, auto insurance is a lot less expensive than here. They didn't change my address when they updated my policy at the end of 2013. So, 2014 was a bargain! And that also explained why I didn't have up to date coverage papers and cards. They had been mailed to my old address. My billing notice for 2015 must have also gone into the junk mail pile somewhere. Oh, well! All is now unclouded--but I'll probably be checking on an alternate provider--$160 difference makes me want to look elsewhere.

My daughter has been interviewing at an insurance company--I can be her first customer.

After all that, I had an hour to kill--I went to a box store and reviewed the toy section. The grandkid will have her 6th birthday next month. After zoning out there, I motored on to dance class. I had only had the bagel with my latte so I downed an energy bar--but I don't think it bridged the gap. I was sort of muzzy throughout class and was quite tired when it concluded.

I stopped at P's and grabbed a sandwich--ate half there and took the other half home for dinner. Went home and napped for an hour or so. Have eaten dinner but still feel a bit fragged right now.

I can sleep in tomorrow--no big plans for the day. Daughter et al are busy attending her fiancé's grandmother's funeral activities. She passed on last weekend and there are many relatives in the area.

2792

Went to the more advanced line dance class today--and the dancing was smooth! I went to the PD support group in the morning. There were only 4 people and a moderator in attendance--but we viewed the Capturing Grace documentary by David Iverson. It's a bit long but very moving. It follows a group of NY people with PD and their dance performance that they did. Very moving!

It just reminded me of the closeness I experienced with the Sunnyvale PD group over a 5-year period. We are investigating how we can get a class started in this area. We can do it--we can do it--we can do it!

So the morning's event infused my dancing in the afternoon. There is a still point when dancing that creates a bubble around the body--and it forgets that it has PD. I just have to string those still points together so that there are no moments--but seamless flow. I came back home in the bubble--and the bubbles still surrounds me.

And there's more dancing in the morrow! Yeah! Hurray! I'm on my way! What can I say! So goes the day! Ole, ole!

I discovered this morning that I had let my auto insurance lapse. I thought that the due date for payment was this month--it was last month! The problem was that I didn't receive a notice (just like with MediCare) and the policy expired. I only discovered this when I tried to log on to the site and got a "We can't find you in our system" message! Since I was not in the system, I couldn't pay for the coverage. I had to use a 1-800 number and talk with a human being (who seemed a bit robotic).

Turns out I had paid for 2014 but had never gotten cards and policy information--they appeared to be sending stuff to my old address (although they did send me stuff at the end of 2013 that did reach me). So, I was covered for 2014 but I don't have any of the documentation that proves I do.

Oh, well! Hopefully the system is back on track (although my premium is about $150 more than I paid in 2014. I'll look into that issue once I have a plan in place. It's possible that I underpaid in 2014 since they thought I was still in the Bay Area Zip Code. Who knows? Who cares? $150 cares!

2793

Feeling somewhat groggy today! Yesterday, the dance class went well but it was a bit of a reach for me to stick through the whole 2.5 hours. I awoke hungry today and have eaten two solid meals already--oatmeal + bagel and fish burrito. Tonight, will taper back and stick with some yogurt dip and fruit. I've napped a couple of times today already.

Stopped by the pharmacy and found out that medication (FloMax) is in short supply everywhere. I have enough on hand for a couple of weeks, but don't like to hear that there can be short supplies of anything--especially my PD medications (FloMax is not for the PD).

I got a reminder that I'm to see the GI docs next week--to hear what needs to be done regarding prostate/bladder issues. Not looking forward to that conversation but I guess it must be done.

About to start my afternoon/evening activities--reviewing upcoming Friday dance class dances, screening some TV episodes, eating a light dinner, and hopefully doing laundry.

Going to the Orangevale PD support group meeting in the morrow and doing a dance class in the afternoon. Busy day, busy day! What the hey? I'm on my way!

2794

Good times day! Started with waking up from last night's dreaming. In the dream, I was at a gathering where people were cooking food and making music. It was a festive event but with some darkness surrounding everything. At one point, I was standing near an old wooden vehicle--it was like a truck but was made out of wood. Someone asked me if the truck was mine and I said it wasn't. I pointed out two men who were nearby as the owners of the vehicle. One of the men turned to the other and threw him a set of keys. In doing so, he indicated that the man catching the keys was in charge of the vehicle. The guy who threw the keys turned and walked away.

The guy with the keys looked to me for guidance, but I told him that the truck now belonged to him and he had to deal with getting it moved. I ended up walking away from the festival area. I finally realized that I had left my car in the festival parking area and went back to retrieve it. When I got back, I discovered that they had closed the parking area for the night and locked all the remaining vehicles inside an enclosure. I was told I could get my car in the morning. That's where the dream ended.

I got up and went to CoCo's for a hearty breakfast (oatmeal et al). I came back and napped for a while and then went for a latte and a trek to the dance class. There were a goodly number of people who showed up for class. The session went for 2.5 hours (which was a push for me) but it felt good. We went over a lot of dances including a couple that I had never learned.

I got home about dinner time--I ate lightly and watched a couple of TV episodes and then made this post. No class tomorrow! Oh, yeah! My medical plan card arrived in today's mail along with an acknowledgment letter that I am covered under the new plan. Oh, yeah!

Spoke to my daughter about her wedding plans--offered my help in getting things underway. She had good news about possibly securing a job. Good luck to her with that possibility!

2795

'Tis the 5th day of the New Year and all through the house, everyone is stirring and filling their mouths--the stockings are packed back in their boxes and stashed in the utility shed--awaiting the next Xmas season and more piles of trash...

I'm feeling fuzzy and buzzy today--yesterday's dancing tweaking today's sense of being? Definitely feeling like I just want to sack out and nap as much as possible.

My pile of insurance documents arrived today--a hefty box full of dense text and guidelines. Why did they send me this ton of printed stuff when I asked for things to be emailed? Go figure!

No insurance card yet, but I do have a letter acknowledging that I have applied for coverage. The card will be more useful when I see the doctor next week--especially since he has no history on me.

Dreamy daze and crazy haze--all the windows filled with light. Perhaps it's nod-off time! Nodding, nodding, nodding!

2796

MD was released and came home this afternoon. She seems a bit more fragile than usual, but also seems more awake and engaged. The medical episode appears to have given her a kick start of some type.

I didn't help bring her home because I went to the dance this afternoon. There was a fair turnout and I noticed that I've got more dances in my repertoire now. Feels good! The movement and dancing felt great. There were moments when I was pure flow--no thoughts of limitations or symptoms. I was just dancing and I was the dance!

I also felt that I was part of small community--people I see each week and am slowly getting to know.

It's very quiet here right now. Everyone is pulled back into their own space and things are still.

Tomorrow, the greater number of people head back to work, school, and regimes. 2015 is coming alive--starting to stir. It's full moon tonight--full and bright! Filled with light! What a sight! A pure delight!

The ex, grandkid, and I put together the wooden puzzle that I gave the grandkid for Xmas. It is an elegant piece of work--laser sliced pieces of wood with an image of a work of art on the facing side. Many of the puzzle pieces are replicas of creatures and objects when viewed on the back side. Sort of a puzzle-within-puzzle scheme--very elegant and engaging. I got one of the puzzles with the smallest number of pieces (72). They have many other puzzles with larger numbers of pieces. The puzzles are made by a Menlo Park, CA company called Artifact--very nice!

2797

MD remains in the hospital today--for observation. I would think that she will be released tomorrow. I don't think that anyone other than A, her caregiver, has seen her. Her son, D, just called and I had to let him know all that I knew. No one had alerted him as to what was taking place.

I feel somewhat logy today--perhaps as a result of yesterday's movement and motion. I felt good last night though and slept fairly well. I was awakened around 5am with what I thought were outside noises.

I had breakfast at CoCo's and verified the free OJ claim I made in the encounter that I had on my previous visit. There is free OJ with the oatmeal, but not with the omelet. I would have sworn that this was not the case, but the menus are clear. The oatmeal selection is a deal--OJ and a muffin along with the oatmeal and condiments. The OJ and muffin almost cost as much as they charge for the whole meal. What a deal!

Weather is getting marginally warmer--thank the goodness. There was still a bit of frost on everything this morning, but that's supposed to lessen as the week progresses.

Regular monthly dance in the morrow! Should be a fair group of attendees--it's been a while since some people have done any moving to the music. They should be ready to go!

My daughter and my ex just came back from the hospital. MD will be kept tonight and will most likely be released tomorrow. The grandkid also appeared--she was with her dad but came home early. We had pizza for dinner--tasty and nice comfort food for the chilly night.

2798

Lively day! Began with MD pounding on my door before the sun was up. She had triggered her MedAlert system and was talking with the operator regarding what was going on with her. She, MD, was experiencing some heart palpitations and associated symptoms.

The EMT people arrived quickly (within a few minutes) and started working with her. They determined that she became stable but that she needed to be taken in for observation. They called for an ambulance (which arrived very quickly) and took her to the ER at the hospital. At last notice, she was to be kept overnight and was given some medications to calm her heart rate. Hopefully, she's getting a good night's rest and will be discharged tomorrow.

With that rousing awakening (and some really frosty weather), I went out for some breakfast. Downed some oat meal at Panera's and a blueberry muffin. Came back and debated with myself about going to dance class. Decided to nap for a while and decide on dancing when I awoke.

Napped for about 1.5 hours and awoke feeling solid enough to try dancing. Went by SB's for a green tea latte and motored on to dance class. There were a goodly number of people in class despite the holiday weekend. We went through several dances, some of which I had not seen before. I felt good in class and afterward. I stopped on the way home and grabbed a sandwich for late lunch/early dinner.

Spent the rest of the afternoon/evening in a very quiet house--no one seemed to be around. Enjoyed being alone at home--without having to deal with or think about another person. I was surprised at how enjoyable that felt! Perhaps, I'm supposed to be a hermit! Who knows, in his toes, all that grows, even when it snows, or that you suppose? Suppose I go to bed, and cover my nose?

Last night's moon was very full and really bright. I awoke about 2am with the moon lighting up the room with just a few slivers of light from the window. I seemed to be able to feel the pull of the lunar body--strong vibrations! Swimming toward the morrow!

2799

2015 and the dance begins! A new year--a new fear--a new tear--a new beer! Even though it's a holiday, the day seems like all others. People are waking, baking, sleeping, bleeping, walking, talking, and window caulking. I keep looking for something new but all that I see seems familiar and usual.

I dreamed last night that I was at a conference about technologies. I was looking to meet up there with an old friend, but things got confused and I was having difficulties locating him. I was supposed to be on a panel that he was keynoting. In the confusion, I arrived late and missed the panel.

Later, I was back home (In an old house that I once rented). I was standing in front of the house in a parking area that belonged to the house. Someone had parked their car across the parking area, blocking the spaces. I walked around the house and discovered that when viewed from the rear, the house was actually three separate units. They were angled so that from the front they seemed like one unit, but from the rear view were clearly unattached.

One unit was occupied by an older man, a near recluse. He hardly ever was seen and kept to himself with very few visitors. The central unit was rented to an elderly woman, who was somewhat restricted in her movements. She, however, was out and about quite a bit and would stop me and talk whenever we met. In the dream, I saw her in one of her upper windows. I waved to her and she returned my greeting. She opened the window and asked how I was doing. I spoke with her for a while. I mentioned that our landlord, who was the man I was supposed to see at the conference, had told me that he was going to renovate and clean up our respective rental units. From outside, the units looked shabby and needed painting and repair. He had told me that he would be doing those tasks fairly soon.

At one point in the conversation, I noticed that I was laying horizontal and was floating back and forth as I examined the units. It was a very pleasant sensation--I liked how it felt and wanted to continue using that form of movement.

I had an odd thing happen when I went to breakfast. I thought that the breakfasts I usually eat included a glass of OJ. Turns out they do not, but I was certain that they did. But, when I examined a menu, I couldn't find any references to the meal including OJ. Strange! Did I pass through an anomaly as we slipped into the new year? Is there an alternate universe where OJ is free? May be!