Last week in LA

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

Status Update: Blood work today, hemoglobin and white count down but not enough to avoid the poison infusion tomorrow. We have agreed to go ahead with 2 more courses and then analyze a host of therapeutic options.

The game here is that my current therapy needs to be modified as 1) my marrow becomes slower to recover from its toxic effects. 2) New cells from the cancer are selected as they become the survivors from the chemo and need to face different poisons to which they will hopefully be susceptible.

It has been 2 weeks since my CT scan, no formal report!!! Unacceptable. Fortunately I talked to the radiologist however I still await the formal measurements of the various tumours. I cannot imagine being a “normal” patient and being left hanging without a report. Inhumane.

Deborah and I spent last week in Los Angeles, 2 plane rides, fortunately no acquired infections. The change was positive for my mental and physical health.

Last week in LA, Highlights, observations and unsolicited comments:

The Main House

Our Cozy Cottage

Deborah worked her magic and found: Burnham Beach Cottages, 2 blocks from the pier at Redondo Beach. The buildings are over 100 years old,and in pristine condition. The owner Wendy, very helpful, the location excellent. We were within an easy 10-minute drive to Deb’s family members, 2 blocks from the Catalina Café where each morning we had a leisurely coffee and devoured the LA Times.

The purpose of the trip was warmth; this was only partially accomplished because of unseasonably cool temperatures. Other goals were walks, and some tourism.

A cool clear day at Redondo

Attention to detail

 

Waiter at Ruby's , a 50's experience

An Attempt to cover up the ugliness

The not so pretty at Redondo, Power plants on the shore

Poinsetta in a yard, not a pot

Our 1 day in the sun

We took the Pacific Coast Highway up to Santa Monica and then a pleasant meandering drive to the Getty Museum. The museum is a spectacular work of architecture and exhibits to be contrasted with our British experience. Most museums in the UK are now free, the exhibits tightly packed with wall space maximized. The Getty is essentially free, $15.00 for parking, no other charges. The tram up the mountain allows for a time to defervesce, and the exhibits are nicely spaced. Outdoor breaks are easy as one migrates from one exhibit building to another. The views from the various terraces are panoramic of LA.

The winter gardens at the Getty , below the architect plays peekaboo

 

 

A Boy with a frog greets you

The highlights of the trip involved people. The joy of seeing Deborah’s sister Judy rebound from cancer surgery and chemotherapy. To observe the energy and optimism of Devon Kent as he finishes UCLA and prepares for medical school. The unbridled creativity of Hamish as he pursues his screen writing career. The fun loving Susie Kent (Devon’s Mom, Dan’s wife), as we plotted to perfect oysters Rasmussen. Planning with Dan Kent to get him to Bandon Dunes for the next tournament and debating with Connie (Judy’s husband), sports trivia and the merits of Californian wines.

We all gain strength with these family encounters.

Random US observations: At this point Trump is for real, his performance on the tonight show was presidential. Later in the week, on the same show Madame Clinton tried to be funny, she embarrassed herself.

The majority of the LA Times and local news was smitten by the return of the Rams. In LA, the NFL truly owns Sunday and every other day of the week. Priorities for an outsider seem askew.

Tesla Titillations:

I missed the beast.

I was able to monitor battery function from my iPhone, the weather in Vancouver was not too cold, the battery charge (expressed in KM range) went from 322 to 285 a delta of 37 with percentage loss averaging 1.5 % per day. This is acceptable and within parameters.

The Arts Report:

The Revenant: This is an epic production. The writers take poetic license in the representation of Hugh Glass, a guide who was indeed attacked by a bear and left to die by those paid to stay with him in death. His true tale of survival remarkable.This movie strayed from the true story with the addition of some mystic overtones.

Anybody with experience in the wild and basic understanding of the challenges of survival will find much of the movie laughable and it is at this point you dial to your James Bond mode of just suspending belief and being entertained.

Some advice: if you are submerged and soaked in freezing water you have about 30 mins to save yourself. First build a fire, then strip naked, and dry your clothes thoroughly. If you think your body heat can dry your soaked clothes you are a dead duck!

Medical observations: it is not clear how long Glass was out in the wild but the original book mentions 8 weeks. During that time with the stress, walking and limited access to food (his buddies took all of his stuff!), weight loss would be spectacular. The movie does not depict this.

Summary: enjoy the entertainment; the cinematography is worth an Oscar, as is the music, direction and the performance of Tom Hardy. DiCaprio was well directed, not my choice for best actor.

The Great Soul of Siberia: Sooyong Park

This man is obsessed with Siberian tigers. He has spent over 20 years studying this magnificent but secretive animal. His insights have been gained by using keen observations and his insane strategy of constructing a series of bunkers in their habitat, the mountains that border Siberia, North Korea, Manchuria and South Korea. He lives in these bunkers for 6 months at a time, taking award winning photos and film. He chronicles 3 generations of tigers, uncovering their true intelligence, parenting behavior and affection for one another. He pulls no punches as describes the atrocious tactics of poachers and their lack of respect for these magnificent animals.

I am struck by the sheer ability to adapt and survive in incredibly harsh conditions. An unintentional bookend to the Revenant.

Rantage:

I am old school. When you get a lifetime achievement award, respect its history, the honour and yourself.

This year’s Golden Globe Awards had Denzel Washington join a long list of prior recipients, including; Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, Robert Redford, Stephen Speilberg, Robert De Niro, just to name a few.

Washington had ample time to prepare a speech (or hire a writer), memorize it and deliver an appropriate acceptance. His introduction by Tom Hanks was eloquent and accurate. What followed was a gong show; I was embarrassed to watch it.

Hamish and I argued about it, “ after all Dad it’s just the Golden Globes, everybody knows it’s a drunkfest!”

Hamish is in the business, I respect his opinion.

I remain old school: do your homework, respect the award, respect your audience and respect yourself.Denzel failed on all counts.

Until next time…..