He took the lead today by over 2,000 votes, which at this point is insurmountable. His opponent conceded.
Boudin is the new D.A.
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Saturday, November 09, 2019
A Simplified Life
Today, two home health care workers are scheduled to come by. Next Saturday, a week from today, Dylan and Meghan are scheduled to have brunch with me.
In between, there's nothing on my schedule, except a possible Monday night visit from Peter.
I futz with my memoir but it is stuck at 25,000 words.
The college basketball season has begun. The college football season continues, as do the pro football and basketball seasons, so if I want to watch games, there are plenty of them.
But most of the time I watch the news. I feel like my life has become small. There are a few events I'm looking forward to. My "retirement" party a week from Monday at KQED and Thanksgiving at Connie's.
Otherwise I just sit and wait.
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In between, there's nothing on my schedule, except a possible Monday night visit from Peter.
I futz with my memoir but it is stuck at 25,000 words.
The college basketball season has begun. The college football season continues, as do the pro football and basketball seasons, so if I want to watch games, there are plenty of them.
But most of the time I watch the news. I feel like my life has become small. There are a few events I'm looking forward to. My "retirement" party a week from Monday at KQED and Thanksgiving at Connie's.
Otherwise I just sit and wait.
-30-
Friday, November 08, 2019
The Sound of a Train
I can't sleep tonight.
The other day I sent the money for a ticket on Amtrak for my youngest child to travel up the east coast on Thanksgiving to see her grandmother.
But I don't really know my daughter. She's 21 and I am 72.
I would like to get to know her, but that has to be her choice. For starters, I do not know what she thinks of me. Not that that matters all that much -- I'm just the jerk who married her Mom -- what I really want to know is what she thinks of herself.And I have only a few hints of what her inner life is like.
The sound of the train on the tracks carrying her north is very familiar to me, and I will imagine that for her, but that's something she's way too young to know about me. I used to ride that train all the time when she was 2. The train is both the nicest and the loneliest place to be at the same time.
It sure as hell beats flying!
I tried to sleep but could not, so now will stay awake for hours. There is so much unresolved in my life. I limp around with this cane, watch old movies and listen to music on YouTube. And wish that my daughter might call me sometime.
-30-
-30-
The other day I sent the money for a ticket on Amtrak for my youngest child to travel up the east coast on Thanksgiving to see her grandmother.
But I don't really know my daughter. She's 21 and I am 72.
I would like to get to know her, but that has to be her choice. For starters, I do not know what she thinks of me. Not that that matters all that much -- I'm just the jerk who married her Mom -- what I really want to know is what she thinks of herself.And I have only a few hints of what her inner life is like.
The sound of the train on the tracks carrying her north is very familiar to me, and I will imagine that for her, but that's something she's way too young to know about me. I used to ride that train all the time when she was 2. The train is both the nicest and the loneliest place to be at the same time.
It sure as hell beats flying!
I tried to sleep but could not, so now will stay awake for hours. There is so much unresolved in my life. I limp around with this cane, watch old movies and listen to music on YouTube. And wish that my daughter might call me sometime.
-30-
-30-
Impeachment Update
I go back and forth on this, but tonight I'm on the side that impeachment is not only inevitable but the right thing for the Democrats in the House to do.
Trump is a hopeless. I've lived through the Nixon and Clinton controversies but I have never seen anything approaching this.
Are all of those old white people why support Trump paying attention? Do they care?
If so, it's about time for them to turn against this jerk. For the sake of our children and grandchildren
-30-
Trump is a hopeless. I've lived through the Nixon and Clinton controversies but I have never seen anything approaching this.
Are all of those old white people why support Trump paying attention? Do they care?
If so, it's about time for them to turn against this jerk. For the sake of our children and grandchildren
-30-
"Girl, Disrupted"
It's hard for me to read. I can't see a book or magazine clearly enough through my glasses. But today I pushed my glasses back on my head and read the piece in the September 30th issue of The New Yorker by Anna Wiener titled what I have titled this blog post.
I don't know Anna. But what she wrote resonated deeply with me. Granted, I am not a woman, which was the angle of her story. By contrast, I am an old white man -- the kind of person who supposedly is much more entitled than most in this world.
For years, I worked, just like her, in Silicon Valley. I had many of the same experiences. Some were sweet; some were alienating. I never made much money.
The overwhelming takeaway questions, both for her and for me, is what the hell is happening to our world? Is the technology we have embraced destroying our essential humanity? What kind of future do we have?
I also read another piece about global warming, focusing on the young girl, Greta Thornberg, who is leading the global movement to try and save this planet. Greta says she has Asperger's Syndrome. I don't know her, but maybe that condition helps her tell the truth, straight out.
-30-
I don't know Anna. But what she wrote resonated deeply with me. Granted, I am not a woman, which was the angle of her story. By contrast, I am an old white man -- the kind of person who supposedly is much more entitled than most in this world.
For years, I worked, just like her, in Silicon Valley. I had many of the same experiences. Some were sweet; some were alienating. I never made much money.
The overwhelming takeaway questions, both for her and for me, is what the hell is happening to our world? Is the technology we have embraced destroying our essential humanity? What kind of future do we have?
I also read another piece about global warming, focusing on the young girl, Greta Thornberg, who is leading the global movement to try and save this planet. Greta says she has Asperger's Syndrome. I don't know her, but maybe that condition helps her tell the truth, straight out.
-30-
Pessimism
The last 24 hours have been illuminating. I've gradually realized that I am not getting stronger, but weaker.
And that I am depressed.
When the PT came, we couldn't do the arm/shoulder exercises because I was too sore from doing them two days earlier. These are very simple movements. My arms are still hurting this morning.
Yesterday the nurse told me to no longer walk anywhere -- not even the ten feet to the door, without my cane. He said I am at grave risk of falling again.
I have no appetite and very little contact with the outside world.
I'm going to try and write today but I don't know that I can.
-30-
And that I am depressed.
When the PT came, we couldn't do the arm/shoulder exercises because I was too sore from doing them two days earlier. These are very simple movements. My arms are still hurting this morning.
Yesterday the nurse told me to no longer walk anywhere -- not even the ten feet to the door, without my cane. He said I am at grave risk of falling again.
I have no appetite and very little contact with the outside world.
I'm going to try and write today but I don't know that I can.
-30-
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Optimism
My Nigerian nurse came by today. My vital signs are normal.
He used to play soccer when he was growing up in Nigeria until he injured his knee.
He'll be back on Thursday and said he might bring me a photo from his soccer days.
***
With my two working on a political front today, I am struck by how certain people preserve their optimism instead of falling into cynicism.
Their candidate may win; he may lose. But for today they are working on hope. And that will continue no matter the outcome.
-30-
He used to play soccer when he was growing up in Nigeria until he injured his knee.
He'll be back on Thursday and said he might bring me a photo from his soccer days.
***
With my two working on a political front today, I am struck by how certain people preserve their optimism instead of falling into cynicism.
Their candidate may win; he may lose. But for today they are working on hope. And that will continue no matter the outcome.
-30-
Homelessness Everywhere
When Aidan & Dylan took me to Leif's game Sunday night, it was the first time I'd been out since coming home. I was shocked by the number of tents we passed.
As I consume the news, I see that the problem is everywhere, not just in San Francisco. But since this is the environment I live in, my direct exposure to it is here.
It simply breaks my heart.
-30-
As I consume the news, I see that the problem is everywhere, not just in San Francisco. But since this is the environment I live in, my direct exposure to it is here.
It simply breaks my heart.
-30-
Year of (Im)Balance
I've fallen so many times this year, I can't keep track anymore. One consequence is I am very frightened of falling again. This morning, for instance, I had a faltering moment when turning around. That scared me. Ray, the PT who came late yesterday said, "Turn slowly when you turn."
***
Today is election day. Aidan and Kelsey will spend it at Chesa Boudin's office, helping get out the vote. I like having politically active kids. Ray and I talked politics for a long time after my exercises. He is Filipino-American, very smart and well-informed.
-30-
***
Today is election day. Aidan and Kelsey will spend it at Chesa Boudin's office, helping get out the vote. I like having politically active kids. Ray and I talked politics for a long time after my exercises. He is Filipino-American, very smart and well-informed.
-30-
Monday, November 04, 2019
Sunday Night -- Good Stuff
Leif scored a goal in his soccer team's game. It was a lovely night at the Beach Chalet.
He has his operation later this morning.
I have ordered more Scottish meat pies. Can't get enough these days. Guess that is my retirement fantasy.
Gotta get back to the memoir.
-30-
He has his operation later this morning.
I have ordered more Scottish meat pies. Can't get enough these days. Guess that is my retirement fantasy.
Gotta get back to the memoir.
-30-
Sunday, November 03, 2019
Divided Nation
Stayed up and enjoyed SNL, which is by far the best political satire show on TV.
Then I slept 7 hours, only waking up once. So it seemed mysterious that when I got up I was shaking badly. A couple hours later, I am feeling steadier.
Nice phone calls from old friends. They make my day, along with the occasional personal visit. Home care nurses say my BP is back up to normal range.
***
What baffles me as a long-time journalist is what has happened to this country. How we've reached the point where a sizable portion of the population eschews fact in favor of conspiracy theories. How we've ended with an authoritative liar like Trump. How we've become a global joke. How all the good efforts of so many people have become obviated by insanity.
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, how the efforts we made in Afghanistan half a century ago have been destroyed by war. It is the longest running war in U'S' history.
Even I, a confirmed news junkie, can barely watch the news.
What a sad era in U.S. history...
-30-
Then I slept 7 hours, only waking up once. So it seemed mysterious that when I got up I was shaking badly. A couple hours later, I am feeling steadier.
Nice phone calls from old friends. They make my day, along with the occasional personal visit. Home care nurses say my BP is back up to normal range.
***
What baffles me as a long-time journalist is what has happened to this country. How we've reached the point where a sizable portion of the population eschews fact in favor of conspiracy theories. How we've ended with an authoritative liar like Trump. How we've become a global joke. How all the good efforts of so many people have become obviated by insanity.
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, how the efforts we made in Afghanistan half a century ago have been destroyed by war. It is the longest running war in U'S' history.
Even I, a confirmed news junkie, can barely watch the news.
What a sad era in U.S. history...
-30-
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