My Saturday

Last night's experiences with our DVD player led us to do the routine things: clean the lens on the DVD player, clean the DVD with alcohol, etc. That had some effect, as we were able to watch the bulk of The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada on the big-screen TV. I say the bulk of it because the film stopped in mid-stream about 3/4 of the way through. We did what we could to resurrect it, but no luck. So, we moved to another room...smaller TV, but the DVD worked...for about 10 minutes. Much, much effort later, we were able to watch the balance of the film. It was interesting, though not the best of Tommy Lee Jones' work. I'd rate it a 3 or 4 out of 10; but it was enough to keep me in my chair.

I bought a money "belt" today. Actually, it's a small zippered pouch that I can attach to my belt and slip inside my pants. I will need it, as I am taking considerable cash with me on my trip, thanks to the local leaders pleas, saying they need cash since it's hard to pay for anything with a credit card.

I'm listening to Saturday Night Live in the background. I keep hearing a voice that sounds like Dan Rather, saying things like: "CBS News has confirmed that Walter Cronkite has scurvy" and "CBS News is now projecting that Walter Chronkite has gonnorhea." "CBS has now confirmed that, despite our earlier reports, nobody has antrax," the latest skit says. Wierd stuff to hear, especially when not paying close attention.

I bought a neat little case for my new Blackberry Pearl phone/email/etc. device. I'm not convinced I will find this device as great as I originally envisioned, but if it comes through to let me call from China to the USA and allows me to get calls from the USA, it will have been worth the price.

OK, it's time for me to listen to my neat new iPod Shuffle for awhile. I've become a devotee overnight. But I'd really like the iPod verson that lets me select songs instead of listening to a random listing. I'm too materialistic, I know.

Only 36 hours until I board a plane for China.