by cg on November 30, 2007
Have you noticed that newspapers are becoming front ends for web sites? The line above this post comes from a New York Times promo for its multi-faceted web presence.
The S.F. Chronicle and S.J. Mercury are particularly chock full of pointers to additional web coverage, particularly for featured content.
Pity that the effort to easily embed pointers to web sites in print material, readable by a special, mouse-like device, did not succeed (I still have the free device, in its mailer, around here somewhere). New media rarely kill old media: but they do change how they are used…
by cg on November 29, 2007
So, you would think a recently retired guy would be happy-go-lucky Mr. Carefree, but that’s hardly been the case recently. True, I did have lunch with good friends on Monday, spent some time taking pictures, and otherwise had a very good time.
But, take yesterday, for example. My day started at 7:30 AM, bummming a ride from dear spouse to Palo Alto Transit Center where I caught the 8:05 ‘baby bullet’ express train to San Francisco (it takes 37 minutes – much faster than you can drive) and then a cab to UCSF’s Osher Center for a physical rehab session, followed by a chemo infusion at UCSF’s Mount Zion Cancer Center (less than a block away).
We came home on Caltrain’s 12:07 local (at a bit over an hour, rather slower than the morning express) cabbed it to the house, and got going moving the recycling (4 small, and 2 large bins) out to the curb. We sorted the mail, moved the laundry along (but forgot to start the dryer – d’oh!), folded the towels and put them in the bathrooms and started the cleaning rags in the washer.
At that point, chemo fatigue plus the day’s efforts left me completely exhausted, so we trundled off for a nap, but not before we got dinner going – a slow cooker lamb stew with root vegetables that we’d be sharing with cousins Kelly and Karen who were coming down from Potter Valley for the evening. Looking forward to a bit less hectic day today…
by cg on November 26, 2007
A parade of Christmas birds caught my eye at Ladera Nursery today, as did shadows cast by the adjacent outdoor tables at Portola Valley Shopping Center. We had kind of a full morning hopping from blood lab in Menlo, to an orthotic fitting in San Mateo followed by lunch with good friends at Mike’s Cafe in Portola.
Fortunately, sweet spouse Linda shlepped me to the first two appointments, and Caltrain and Menlo Yellow Cab were on time for the Portola Valley leg.
Mike’s Cafe, where I’ve often eaten dinner, but never lunch before today, was mainly packed with ‘ladies who lunch.’ Three very dear Valley colleagues joined me for a fun repast, where we caught up on recent events. The holiday spirit has clearly descended…
by cg on November 25, 2007
At church this morning, many parishioners and their children took the opportunity to make Advent wreaths during a very nice brunch organized by Trinity’s foodies. As I looked on, it gave me pause to consider how fast time has flown this past year.
The most precise prognosis I’ve received (from UCSF physicians) gives me a 50% chance of living 4 years. I’m just past the 1 year anniversary of the diagnosis of my brain tumor, so we’ve made it to a small milestone: Thanksgiving and Christmas last year were somewhat of a blur given what else was happening – craniotomy, radiation therapy, the start of chemotherapy, et al.
This year we have a new grand daughter to give thanks for, and I’m thinking about things like what sorts of presents to buy – very different from last year. Still amazing how fast time seems to have gone by. It really is wonderful to be thinking about ‘regular’ stuff, timing notwithstanding…
by cg on November 24, 2007
Only a friend of David Perry would be unsurprised to receive a Pope Innocent III action figure in the mail. David and I frequently correspond on the subject of Pope Benedict XVI, and somehow David thought injecting Pope Innocent III into the conversation would be a good idea.
Innocent launched the 4th Crusade, and was responsible for the slaughter of the Albegensian Crusade: modern scholars have absolved him of uttering the phrase “Kill them all, God will find his own” – which phrase is now attributed to Abbot Arnaud-Amaury.
On the better side, Innocent built Rome’s first major hospital, and ensured that orphans were cared for, rather than being tossed into the River Tiber. His 4th Lateran Council sanctioned the term ‘transubstantiation’ (meaning that the wafer and wine are transformed during mass into the body and blood of Christ).
Innocent III elevated the papacy to one of the great secular powers by reclaiming the papal territories- his reign is thought to have been the zenith of the papacy’s secular power. Still not quite sure why David sent me this…
by cg on November 24, 2007
Friend, retired priest Stuart Coxhead came over for leftovers last night (with friend Anne Peterson), and brought a copy of the New Yorker with a fascinating story about the world’s seed banks. American Cary Fowler, descibed as the ‘world’s seed banker’ by writer John Seabrook is also a long term cancer survivor (after being given 6 months to live). We like stories about cancer survivors who beat the odds… and the seed bank story is good, too…
by cg on November 23, 2007
Linda’s exhausted, no surprise, after cooking, serving and cleaning up yesterday’s excellent repast. She may be feeling that cooking once a year is plenty. Anyway, today we’ll be having leftovers with friends Anne and Stuart…
by cg on November 22, 2007
John W. Hubbard, Linda’s dad and son John’s grandfather, met his great grand daughter Grace today. John is 96, Grace is 2 1/2 weeks, so there’s not quite 4 years shy of a hundred-year age difference.
Nevertheless, both seemed pleased to be introduced to the other this Thanksgiving day. Grace was a bit sleepy after her first trip out of the East Bay, but John W. (aka ‘Booka’) didn’t seem to mind.
Earlier in the week, Linda told the elder John that he had a great grand daughter, and the news seemed to perk him up. The viewing was a big deal, and his caregivers came around for the event. too. We know that John’s wife, Edie, would have been thrilled by this news…
by cg on November 22, 2007
Linda doesn’t cook: doesn’t like to cook, hates dishes and clean up and otherwise dislikes culinary pursuits. But on Thanksgiving, she insists on doing the turkey, for whatever reason. I stood by to help, but in Linda’s typical slash and burn style, there was little for me to do.
So, turkey is ready to go, children and grand daughter are on their way, a few other relatives may drop in. I did get to do the spice rub: the turkey recipe is from Sunset.. featuring Juniper berry spices…Â
by cg on November 21, 2007
So I made my way to UCSF’s Milberry center, where I met physical trainer Heidi Engel, who put me through nearly 90 minutes of exercises meant to help me reconnect my brain to my left side. Heidi sessions usually leave me fairly exhausted: by the time I got home, the combination of workout and chemo fatigue put me right to bed (and besides, the cleaning ladies were here).
I did manage to brine the turkey for tomorrow, and I started the sweet potatoes this PM for finishing up tomorrow: Linda will be doing the stuffing and my other dishes – pan seared brussel sprouts and mushroom ragout, are quick. So I feel reasonably prepared for the big day.
Cassie, like me, just takes life as it comes. Ace painter Jerry Clark (who I am unhesitant to recommend wholeheartedly) showed up and painted the hall bathroom, the hallway, and our newly installed garage door – perking up the house for the holidays. Cassie liked his drop cloths – even with her gimpy paw she could get traction almost anywhere. Anyway, it is what it is: all one can do is take life as it comes…