AUSTIN, Texas, Mar. 15, 2005 — I awoke to the beeping of equipment backing up. It turns out they are putting unnecessary protuberances on Shoal Creek in the new, car-sized bike lanes. At least they are not in front of my house. They will cause bikes and pedestrians and dogs to have to dodge to the gutter or a narrow space near the car lane. (Absent them there might be a car parked now and then. But then the cars that do park will only add to the obstacles.) They will fill with weeds. They will be a barrier to sight lines for people backing out. I will say 'I told you so.' My tax dollars at work.

Then someone calls. It's not quite eight. I answer in my best "I'm not sleeping" voice but she isn't fooled.

FFP is still not feeling great. I do things he usually does: feed the dog, give her the pill (well, hide it in her food and hope she woofs it down), get the papers in. He calls and wants to get the dog a bath. Because he thinks she ran through some poison ivy in the back yard. I drop her off at the groomer on my way to the gym. I do an adequate amount of time on the bike but only a few weights. I go home. FFP is still dragging but he has had a shower. I get one. We watch Northern Exposure off the DVR. It is in this middle zone where I don't think the episodes are as good as some before and after. (In fact, I even liked it when the Rob Morrow doctor was replaced with the other one.)

Then someone calls. It's not quite eight. I answer in my best "I'm not sleeping" voice but she isn't fooled.

FFP is still not feeling great. I do things he usually does: feed the dog, give her the pill (well, hide it in her food and hope she woofs it down), get the papers in. He calls the groomer, wants to get the dog a bath. Because he thinks she ran through some poison ivy in the back yard. I drop her off at the groomer on my way to the gym. I do an adequate amount of time on the bike but only a few weights. I go home. FFP is still dragging but he has had a shower. I get one. We watch Northern Exposure off the DVR. It is in this middle zone where I don't think the episodes are as good as some before and after. (In fact, I even liked it when the Rob Morrow doctor was replaced with the other one.)

I agree that I won't go to any movies until the dog is home. They call about her at noonish, I pick her up, eat some food, decide on a 3:30 documentary about Lew Wasserman. Why do I always end up at documentaries? I like them, I guess. FFP thinks he can make it. He has had some toast, Gatorade, a long nap. He's feeling better and better.

The Last Mogul. This documentary is a history of Hollywood when controlled by firm monopoly and mob. Things weren't necessarily bad for the people who didn't defy the powers, I suppose. Lew Wasserman defined the media business until global companies gobbled them, I guess. The percentages of control that his company had, starting with big bands, actors, then movies, TV shows was astounding. The list of things produced under his tutelage startling (Mr. Ed to Roots). He defined TV, really. Developed both reprisal for theatrical release movies and made for TV movie ideas. Scary what one man can define and then how he can end up superfluous even before he's dead. Lew's life arc is really just like yours and mine. Only writ very, very large. Like that of a world leader. Only one like Castro who rules for decades. (Assuming, of course, that Castro will see ten minutes of defeat before he dies.)

There is a movie about muscians called All I Am Saying that sounds good. It's at the Paramount. We go downtown and find a parking place on Tenth (this is sometimes a good bet) and go to Little City. FFP has a cake and tea and I have an Americana. Weather has turned cold, cloudy and windy. We aren't going to stand outside any longer than we have to do. In line we start talking to some kids. FFP looks at the name tag on one of them and asks if his father has the same name. Turns out he knows his father.

The movie is OK but only if you are a stargazer. The interviews (done by Roseanna Arquette and once I saw Meg Ryan in attendance at the camera...I think anyway...I'm bad with stars) became tedious. "The corporate world has stolen the art or else downloading has." "The road is a treacherous place." "Being a rock star is wonderful." It makes me wish I was watching something with a little tension like After Hours or Desperately Seeking Susan. Roseanna is a prolific actress. And a good one. And she shouldn't try to become Barbara Walters.

We head home. I continue my own little film fest by watching old TV comedy on DVD and watching The Door in the Floor. My opinion is that this movie is better than several highly-touted Oscar nominees. You know who you are. Then I watch part of the 1944 Laura on cable. But. Must. Sleep.