Text Box: rumen transplants and connect to a central methane collecting station. The events of 9 11 changed our plans and besides the California politicians and energy providers acted out a much better parody than we could have written. First they warned everyone in the state, the nation and the world that we were going to have unreliable electrical power for the foreseeable future. To emphasize the point, there were some electrical disruptions in the late winter. (We personally experienced one.) The authorities warned that if we thought the winter was bad, wait until summer and the extra demands of air conditioners. People listened. Major corporations canceled building plans or built elsewhere. Other states urged, often successfully, businesses to either forgo locating in California or leave the state. After paying company executives huge bonuses, the major power provider in Northern California, PG&E, declared bankruptcy and raised their rates astronomically. (Ours literally went up 50%.) Meanwhile, during the summer we had adequate power and no disruptions of service. Also, a story buried in the San Francisco Chronicle lead off by stating that PG&E reported a $771 million profit and that lower power costs and higher rates boosted earnings. (Duh!!) If $771 million in profits equals bankruptcy, what do you call our bank balance? Fortune Cookies in Bed This fall our friend Dan Coutolenc took a trip to China and provided a most realistic description of that country. “That trip moved me. It was not a trip, it was a life experience. I want to go back to live for 6 months or so. I think Shanghai. The smell of business, money and profit everyplace you go in that country just sets me on fire. That is the capitalist center of the universe, even if it is a communist country. I don't care if it is a guy selling ‘knock off’ handbags on a street corner, or GM making Buicks, and selling them in Beijing, everywhere you look, people are doing business. No one looking over their shoulder, regulating commerce with EPA, OPA, IRS, DOT, or any other letter BS, they just do business. Hell, the government cant even regulate the flow of traffic as evidenced by people ignoring the stop lights.” Dan’s view was consistent with observations made by our adopted family, the Lius, during a visit to China last summer. Qingxiang told us a popular restaurant in Harbin is The California Noodle House. It seems anything with the name California in it is automatically successful. We recommended starting a fortune cookie factory there and selling them as California cookies, which after all they are. During a delightful dinner with C.C. Wang and Alice, C.C. told us how you can make the fortunes more interesting. Add the phrase “in bed” to each fortune. For example, “You will be unusually successful in business,” becomes “You will be Text Box: unusually successful in business -- in bed.” Also, “All of your hard work will soon pay” – in bed. “The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do” – in bed. Thanks for Your Friendship Despite the tragedy in September, thanks to loving family and friends, it has been a good year. In addition to the those we have already discussed, we thank: Joey and Mark, for having us visit between Christmas and New Year’s in Palm Springs even though Sean caught the flu there and for treating the whole family to a great Mother’s Day brunch. Cathy Spinelli for a great DVD player and for letting us stay active in Sean’s life. Judy and David Layne for their warm hospitality on a cold November evening last year as we were publishing the 2000 version of this newsletter. The kids and teachers at Brookside and White Hill schools, for allowing Joe to work with kids and especially for a great Chinatown field trip. Sean, for graduating from primary school and keeping up in with his studies in middle school. Gloria Anderson, for hosting the biennial Liz party and for her family's continued friendship. Jan Jones & Ron Simpson, for the November follow up. Toki and Amrit, for taking us and Sean to the Hershey factory in Oakdale and then letting Sean drive around their farm for two days on an off road vehicle. George and Joanne McKray, for a greet evening at their house and the fun of reminiscing about K.F, Meyer. Bob and Linda Gibson, for allowing us to join in Bob’s annual aging ritual. (Keep those funny e-mails coming, Bob. The same for John Taylor and Joe Cowan.) Dan Lau, for a great evening with UCSF animal resource staff. Charlie Wilson, for the invitation to his third retirement function. Alice Martin, for inviting us to the MARC Great Chefs of Marin and Shirley Chater it was great seeing you there. The MARC staff, for the great job they continue to do. Dan Collins, for traveling to a GGRC function with us and for helping Joe with a middle school student. Jay Gaillard, for keeping us in touch with GGRC. Maurizia Palmieri, for allowing us to celebrate her birthday at her home. All those who helped Sean improve his snowboarding during the three trips we made last season. (God knows we can’t.) Frank and Joy Spinelli, for bringing snow to the barren Sierra slopes late last Spring and for a great day this Fall with their kids and grandkids. Betty McGlashan, we enjoyed your going away party. Doug McGlashen, for giving up a law practice to teach high school and his brother, Bill, who is helping San Quentin inmates go straight. The Lius, who continue to treat us so well and Sherry for working so hard during her third year at CAL. To all of you, and anyone we failed to mention, we wish the best in 2002. “We shall overcome.” Text Box: Kaiser Physicals Text Box: Notice: Anyone with a viral infection asking for antibiotics will be given cyanide.

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