Shots from the Lip

It is supposed to rain - to pour, actually, if the forecast is to hold true.  I got dressed and was ready to go out around 8:15am.  I did get dressed and did go out  - to the front porch where I saw the rain coming down sufficiently to warrant my going back inside. I will go out - even with rain - later on....I have to go to UCLA Health where I screwed up my username/password to the extent that I can no longer access anything........hopefully, going to 2020 Santa Monica Blvd, they will direct me to someone who can re-start my account....... I feel good about writing another essay - this one about my and horse racing.....this, after a day at Santa Anita where I bet on a horse that Irv had an ownership share.......Good odds, never expected to win but 14 - 1 odds paid $280 on my $20 bet......nice way to end the day!! And a day after - rain now and projected rain for most of the week......such is life..... 

I've neve been to Santa Anita.  I'm going today - Irv has a 1/4 interest in a horse that is running today.  The last time I was at the races in the States was at Hollywood Park when I had a 1/5 interest in a standardbred syndicate.  The last time I was at the races was in Bangkok - a third world experience at the track I'd never had before.  Two of us were there and we discovered two important things as a prelude to betting:  1)  The horses ran and were running true to form and 2)  The bettors that day were not betting by 'form'.   We made out like bandits!  Best day at the track I ever had!!! Prior to Bangkok, the last overseas track I went to was in Mumbai - another third world experience!! I miss the Hong Kong Jockey Club.  I don't think anyone ever had it easier to join - hey, I was the only gweilo applicant for the multicultural club that year......and I did have the husband of Hong Kong's  NPC delegate as my sponsor..... ...

 So what happens when one stays in bed, gets up late, dresses late to go out and former neighbor John is at the door?   My fault - he SMS'd me an hour earlier but, as usual, without message notifications, I had no idea......regardless, it was a nice chat prior to going out for my morning walk. Tonight, prior to doing Sweet Dreams at the hospital, Jade Rabbit, across the street, will have a jazz combo from 6-8pm.  I'll do dinner there prior to going to the hospital...... My music books come today and I am serious about starting anew with a routine of music fun that I anticipate will be a permanent part of my life......music......photography and watercolor....a little bit each day in a blog......and an occasional essay. Will this be the beginning or just hoping in the dark for a reboot of routines of my life??

First and foremost:  I spilled most of my Starbucks coffee in class today - caught it all on a handkerchief that while still moist, reeks of coffee....... We have a banking problem:  so much information available that it is too difficult to find something specific - we found what the bank did not pick up where they should have picked up....and based upon that initial bank data, there'll be some corrections made......such is life...... I've now got the books I want to read on my Kobo reader as well as my iPhone.   want to get the app on my Leitz Phone 2 and get the photos to transfer elsewhere because the Leitz camera is simply too good and I should find a use for it! 

 Rain tomorrow night along with temperature drop.  More rain on Wednesday and then cold and wet for a week or more......unless there are changes????? I never saw it:  My GP, Jeff Fujimoto, scheduled an MRI of my stomach - I knew I had stomach weaknesses.......it is 'routine' scheduled for 16 March........ Today we will try Domino's Pizza - since I have sweaters to be dry cleaned....... Not much to write about - I am comfortable in the new routines and times I am 'allocating'.....this is a never ending battle to prevent brain rot!

It was still cold this morning but there were far less runners out today and it was wonderfully sunny along the bike paths today....still a 6 shirt (in total) day....... Temperature due to go up to 26C today with sun out all day but it gets bad in a couple of days with temperature forecast to a high of 17 on Wednesday with rain both Tuesday and Wednesday. So this means, get out and do photoshoots both today and tomorrow while the going is good! This is the final week of classes for the winter session.  But the week after, on the 17th, the Spring semester which runs through mid-June, begins.  In addition to my 'usual' two classes for which we'll be 'continuing' where we leave off this week, I am also taking a 'live' current events/public affairs class on Wednesdays, same room, right after the comedy class. AND.......today I begin the piano course I have chosen to commit myself to - if I stick with it - 4 days a week - half-hour sessions - I believe that I wil...