Weekend in Maine..

I headed up to Saco on Saturday morning to meet up with Tim & Brandy Hayes. It had been a long time since we had spent any time together so it was nice to catch up. Brandy made an assortment of small pizzas with an "Asian" salad (with dried noodles and an Asian dressing). While we ate our food I listened to Tim & Brandy discuss their adventures in graduate school.

Later Tim had suggested going to see Gran Torino, the latest Clint Eastwood movie, and rumor has it, possibly his last. The film was excellent, supplying layers of messages that support an exciting and dramatic plot. Eastwood's character is an unlikely protagonist, and in today's era of political correctness and hypersensitivity to the choice of words, the show makes the unpopular statement that just because someone is prone to offensive slang, and yes, even prejudice, it does not make them a bad person. Tolerance should be a two way street, but in today's world too often tolerance is viewed as a word that only gives support to one perspective.

Eastwood was stunning, and the supporting cast was excellent, offering views into several different worlds that all live side by side in isolation. I highly recommended checking out the film.

After leaving Tim and Brandy, I headed to Sabattus to see my parents. We ordered Chinese take-out from Chopsticks in Lewiston. Some time after supper it became clear to me (ironically) that I was coming down with a cold. Sunday I awoke with a stuffy head, sore throat, and several inches of snow outside. My father cleaned the driveway out with the snow blower that attaches to the front of a lawn tractor. Makes the worst part about the job the cold because there is no longer any moving of heavy equipment necessary. He was also nice enough to clean off my car. I ended up getting stuck at the top of the driveway as I was leaving. My error was that I tried to turn around at the top of the driveway to avoid backing out. After assistance from my parents who spread some sand, I made it out and headed back to Melrose.

My original intention was to meet up with Kate, but I wasn't feeling very good and the weather was not cooperating. I called and left Kate a message and went home and went to bed.

Monday ended up being an extension of the weekend, as I awoke with a headache and possibly even a mild fever. Not to mention I was leaking profusely from my nose.

So Tuesday I am feeling better, not totally in the clear but good enough so that I went to work and also made it to the Orthopedist appointment that I had today. Tomorrow is my yearly physical. Always convenient to get sick when you go for your yearly physical.

I guess that is all I have to say for now.