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contours provocations
journal - 2002-0113 - sun 1900 Dragon Scales, URI, Laundry, "Grand Hotel" Yesterday, the weather was cool without being chilly. The cloudless sky was a bright blue color that you find in the ceilings of old cathedrals. When I went out, I noticed how vivid the trees appeared with their almost iridescent leaves - gold, red, yellow, purple, orange. Like dragon scales. An upper respiratory infection continues to cause me grief. Friday, I again visited the doctor, who gave me a shot and a new prescription for antibiotics. Surprisingly I've not had any fever, only congestion, headaches and muscle aches. The muscle relaxants I got for my back have come in handy. At least, it's been a couple of months since I last had this problem. At that time, I was told I needed to use a nasal spray he prescribed every day. Actually, I didn't realize it was intended for daily use. I thought it was something you used only when you were having problems. As always the waiting room was a "true joy." Pearched on the wall was a television tuned to "Divorce Court." Where do they get those people? I guess some people are willing to make fools of themselves no matter what. To my left was a large man with a tiny phone that he used to call at least ten or fifteen of his relatives to tell them that Henry was back with the doctor. The clinic has been taking appointments for a couple of months. I called to see if they had an opening, but they were booked. If I can remember to call early enough in the future, it might be very worthwhile. Yesterday afternoon, I made my bi-weekly trek to the laundry. Nothing exciting to report save that it was crowded. Although there were always free washers, the dryers were almost always taken. I kept thinking of the joke about the Irish bar that offered free beer on St. Paddy's day, BUT it cost $10 to use the bathroom. I watched the last part of a very old movie around seven. "Grand Hotel" from 1932. Which makes it 70 years old. I vaguely remember seeing it at some point or other. But I don't remember having any appreciation for it. The story is what you would expect: selected events in the day of a great hotel in Berlin. What is special is that the performers included some of the best. A very young vibrant Joan Crawford. John Barrymore as a debonair but penniless baron. Wallace Beery as a brutish industrial magnate who murders Barrymore. There are numerous other players who seem familiar. But I'd have to look at IMDB to sort out who is who. But the number one reason for watching is Garbo. Pauline Kael in her book "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang," writes, "Striding through it all is the living legend of the screen, Garbo, in her chinchilla polo coat..." PAX!
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