End of First Chapter, The Internet Murders

George had thought the coffee shop was open 24 hours. Now what? Looks like he wasn’t the only one wanting a coffee. The tall dark stranger was walking away from the coffee shop and looking up at a woman on the second floor. She’s pretty, he thought. Probably wanted to get her a coffee, before interrupting her work on the computer. I would get her more than coffee, he thought, smirking at the possibility. He would go and see Sandra later and bring her a bottle of wine. But, he needed his coffee. He tried the front door of the coffee shop again before heading back to his car. “Why did I park it several blocks away?” he asked aloud. He looked up again and noticed that the woman was gone and the place looked dark. He wasted no time, thought George. He began walking east “on Davenport. He loved this city. George wasn’t originally from Toronto, but he called it home after living here for ten years. He stopped walking, to look up at Casa Loma for a few minutes, and knew why he had parked away from the coffee shop. He enjoyed looking up at the castle. Poor bugger, he thought. The city took the castle from the poor bloke for not being able to pay his taxes. Nothing’s changed; a man’s home is always his castle. With prices the way they are and banks all merging and ganging up on the little guy, it was only a matter of time … Sandra. He looked back up the street and noticed the dark figure exit the building. That’s odd, he thought. Guess she didn’t like it that he didn’t bring her coffee. Good thing that he had wine stocked up in his wine cellar. Moving towards his Pontiac, as he fumbled with his keys, he slipped on a patch of oil on the rain-slicked sidewalk. He tried to catch his balance, but fell, hitting his head hard. He hadn’t seen the figure who had been watching him approach and begin to follow him[…]” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks. Order at www.silvaredigonda.com

The Internet Murders

No pain; she could not breathe, she thought, as she heard rasping sounds and fell unconscious. The dark figure looked out at the street, then smiling, turned back to Ruby, who lay still. She had suffered a small cut as a result of the struggle. A faint trace of blood was visible. The stranger broke the silence, “You wanted me babe, and now you are mine, all mine.” The shadow dragged her to the bedroom and placed her carefully in a fetal position on the bed, her face to the wall. Long minutes of staring at the whore, then a jaunty walk to the fridge to hunt for some cat food. The terrified feline was cowering under the bed. Another time, hot babe, the shadow sneered before leaving her and returning to the outside night. *** George had thought the coffee shop was open 24 hours. Now what? Looks like he wasn’t the only one wanting a coffee. The tall dark stranger was walking away from the coffee shop and looking up at a woman on the second floor. She’s pretty, he thought. Probably wanted to get her a coffee, before interrupting her work on the computer. I would get[…]” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders." You may order from: www.silvaredigonda.com

Case Study by Dr Fornazzari et als. Neurology 2006:66-611. Preservation of episodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer. Continuation of attended lecture at Deerhurst conference.

When I went to Deerhurst to attend the conference, my main reason for going was to hear this lecture which I have spaced out for you in separate blogs. I found the lecture fascinating. I feel we are just now learning the basics. There is so much to learn about so many things. It is easy to be a life time student with a desire for more. I attended quite a few workshops and I enjoyed them all. I also have handouts from this particular lecture which I so gratiously received. St Michael's hospital has a Memory Disorder Clinic where people can be referred to. For information or to book an appointment you may call 416-864-6060 ext. 7838. Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture. Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. continuing from notes taken at lecture. Case Study by Dr Fornazzari et als. Neurology 2006:66-611. Preservation of episodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer. Continuation of attended lecture at Deerhurst conference. The patient could not function day to day but could compose music. Mary Hecht’s walls had beautiful paintings. Mary Bhudhar was shown extended art and did draw it beautifully. She could not draw a clock but could paint. She knew a musician who had died 30 years earlier and she drew him, though she could not function daily. Mary had Alzheimer’s. Another international patient had problems and could not walk or talk. The patient had suffered four mini strokes effecting the areas to have visual perception. Showed pictures of before and after - incredible with no colour perception and able to do this. Writers are protected. The comparison of the diary and the last novel. Creativity was not hindered as day to day language. Why does art protect the brain? Bilingual is protective to the brain. The disease is manifested until the next seven years as unilingual. Clearly statistic significance equals a better function. The artist (all kinds - musicians, painters etc….) all are able when the disease occurs, many other networks, when reach the maximum. They have more atrophy than other. So artistic ability can be researched. Influence factors - genes, early social environment etc…. I wish you a safe and pleasant weekend. www.redigondapsychotherapy.com

The Internet Murders 1st pages

“This book is dedicated to Fr. Bill German, S.J. Father Bill died before the book’s publication. I talked to him a few days before his unexpected death. I know he would forgive the swear words thrown here and there – and the murders, of course. I know he had a love for mysteries and I do hope he would have enjoyed mine. I would like to express my thanks for his years of service and for being my friend. I am most fortunate” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks. “Chapter 1 Ruby sat quietly, waiting for the computer screen to come alive. She could hear the rain tapping on the window by her desk. Leaning forward and looking out, she saw the dark figure leaning against the coffee shop building across the street. She was being watched again, but she felt secure in her warm apartment, though the soft glow of her desk lamp revealed her features to the outside world and the computer screen lit her face. She signed on with her pseudo name, “Hot Babe.” No message tonight. She looked outside again: the ominous figure was gone. There was a rustling sound somewhere in the apartment. It must be the cat, she thought. The outside night seemed distant to her. It was quiet now. She didn’t hear or see anyone approach and then something tightened around her neck, choking her. She gagged. In the struggle she knocked over her computer and lamp, but not before she saw the shadow strangling her, in the reflection of the window. Her eyes widened as she realized that she was dying. She was amazed that it was not painful. No pain; she could not breathe, she thought, as she heard[…]” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks. You may order the book or get the ebook right away at www.silvaredigonda.com

Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture at Deerhurst. Continued

Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. continuing from notes taken at lecture. (Previously dated 21 Jun 18) Art and music is universal and unique. In all cultures there is art and music and without it, there is no culture. 500,000 years ago there was art. Before we were able to talk, we played music. Artists who suffer disorders are able to compose and write complex music though suffering dementia. We were shown photos of Ravel’s brain. When listening to music, the right and left hemispheres of the brain was activated. Passive listening - When musicians listen to music, the frontal lobe is activated as well. In Dr Fornazzari’s opinion we should be listening to music day and night. (I recommend music and art as homework for therapeutic reasons as well as journaling in my practice). Musical Pleasure and rewards - Reward system is central to the pleasure of experiencing. Activates serotonin. It activates the area of planning and judgement (frontal cortex). We are activating many functions of the brain just by passive listening. Music improves sleep, decreasing wandering, reduces agitation, decreases inappropriate behaviors etc. Improves community, social affiliation, stress and arousal. Music helps in patients going to surgery, cognitive intervention etc… Also autism, brain surgery, transplants…There is enough studies that music help patients exposed to music. There is less stress and anxiety. Music is an aid to post operation recovery in adults. There is less pain. With live harp playing there was a marked decrease in pain and anxiety in vascular and thoracic surgery. Even in general anesthetic when there was music the patient did much better. It is unknown why. To be continued with a Case Study by Dr Fornazzari next week (Preservation of expisodic musical memory in a pianist with Alzheimer. Have a great weekend. www.redigondapsychotherapy.com

Happy July 4th to my American neighbours

I just want to wish you a safe and happy day. I know I am late with my blog, but please forgive me, my laziness. By the end of the week, you will receive a continuation. In the meantime, have lots of fun today. I am taping a few of your festivities to watch at leisure. Silva

Art and the Brain - notes from Dr Fornazzari's lecture

During April I went to an amazing conference at Deerhurst in Muskoka. I love conferences and especially when it is mixed with pleasure. It becomes a mini vacation. The world of psychotherapy can be quite isolated and so I am in my glory when I get to see colleagues I have known since my own formation and get to meet new ones. I met fellow therapists and chaplains from across Canada and the USA. My reason for attending was to hear Dr Luis Fornazzari’s lecture. Dr Fornazzari is a medical doctor and a Behavioural Neurologist. He is a graduate from the University of Chile and a Consultant Behavioural Neurologist at the Memory Disorder Clinic and the Geriatric Mental Health Outpatient program at St Michael’s Hospital. He is a member of both the Division of Neurology and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. His clinical work is dedicated to Neurodegenerative Diseases affecting the Central Nervous System, particularly Dementia. I was quite enthusiastic for the event and it did not disappoint. Dr Forazzari spoke of art as an enhancer of brain reserve capacity and as an enhancer of brain reserve capacity. Art is better preserved in brain diseases. Art could have been developed earlier, or in parallel with other cognitive behaviours. Art and science is relatively new. There used to be two different approaches before. Neuropsychiatry is the science of the mind. Neuroscience is the science of the brain. This evolution does not always let us study - what is the conscience? Art function - the biological of art is that of rehearsal, a training etc…Science and the arts are mutually supporting and consequently there is a chain that bonds them together. We forgot about that until the last 50 years which is recent. Art is a powerful hearing process of body and mind - painting, music, dancing and particularly in writing. Music is now more accessible to investigate the musician or the people listening to music. The finest instrument is the brain. (To be continued next week………)