AUSTIN, Texas, June 20, 2005 — There is one notation on my calendar today: Dad PT 9AM. This means only that when I call him for my daily call I remind him to go. Not that it's really necessary. He keeps his card with the appointments dutifully.

This blankness of calendar does not mean that there is idleness in the offing. Quite the opposite. I tick things off in my mind: return films to AFF and pick up some others; travel planning (more poring over maps, maybe making some dinner reservations); a good workout, not

cut short by worrying about making it somewhere; maybe going to hear some music; maybe screen some of those films that I pick up; fill out Dad's paperwork for his doctor's appointment tomorrow. Free does not mean idle. And that's a good thing, of course.

Up pretty early, I'm well-caffeinated and have yesterday's journal entry posted by 8:15. By eleven I've had a long, langourous workout at the gym and I'm back home. A new item has been added to my agenda: pick up new glasses. FFP was talking about an errand he needed to run downtown. I rememeber while I'm showering that Wimbledon has started when I see my DVR in action. And I remember that Texas is going to appear in the College World Series tonight. And that, if I wanted to, I could go tonight to hear Kevin at Cedar Street. Free time is all relative, you see. I always have plenty to do.

I went to get my new glasses. They changed the prescription but I can't tell much difference. Whatever, I've got spares, a new pair with mag clip-on sunglasses, and a new collection of spray cleaners and clothes and a little laminated thing with my prescription. I went home and had a couple of small bowls of salad with spinach, green onions, broccoli, grated cheese, carrots and a chipotle cheddar dressing. I suggested to FFP that we do his errand and my trip to the AFF after the 'lunch rush.' Around 1:30 or two.

I looked over the stuff for Dad's doctor's appointment tomorrow and filled out the paperwork. I hoped that all the records and referrals had gotten to this specialist. I sent an e-mail about it. I hate to call about it. I decide to wait and call tomorrow morning if necessary. I find myself waiting to call tomorrow on several fronts today as I plan trips and social events.

We get out and do our errands and return. It is hot outside. I notice people who are outside seem to be moving slowly, lethargically.

We get home. I do some more trip planning. We even make some dinner reservations for our trip. I plan some social events. I update my calendar. And then, I admit it, I watch some of the Wimbledon coverage I recorded on the DVR and read the papers and work the crossword puzzle. I should have done some other stuff. Watched some of the films I checked out to screen, done the family budget. But there is always tomorrow.

FFP watched (or slept through) the UT baseball game while I was watching tennis. We watch Six Feet Under which I also recorded. I don't like it so much any more. I won't miss this show when it's gone I don't think. I don't get to sleep too early. When do I ever?