Well, dear readers, I am feeling a little overwhelmed on this lovely Monday. Not underwhelmed, mind you, or even whelmed, no, I am feeling overwhelmed. But, I am dealing with it calmly and patiently. There is so much to do right now and I’m the only one doing it. We had a bit of turmoil at the pressing plant, and I may have to switch plants, which is happening just as we’re trying to get our new CDs ready in time for shipping prior to our street date of September 13th. Add to that the fact that I still haven’t received the CD that has the Harvey Schmidt booklet and tray card files, which I hope will be here in the next day or two. Add to that the fact that we’ve just added something else to this release – a website exclusive CD single. We won’t be taking preorders before September 10th but we’ve still got to get the thing pressed and ready and up on the website. I’m also trying to get the two new releases up for preorders – I was hoping they would be up today, but I don’t think they’ll be up before Wednesday, although anything is possible. I’m hoping everyone who is interested in these two releases will place their preorders quickly – as I’ve said, preorders are what keep us going, they are our lifeblood at the beginning of this journey. I’ll let you all know when they’re up and running on the site. You’ll be able to hear clips from Stages/Together Again, and Harvey Schmidt’s album, too, and there will be a new interview up at some point in the next week or so. But, that’s not the only thing that is making me feel overwhelmed. No, it’s also getting our theater booked this week, it’s also finishing this short story I’ve been working on for way too long, it’s also making sure the final galley from the publisher is correct, as well as approving the dust jacket, it’s also several meetings I must have, and, of course, all the little day-to-day stuff to attend to. Not to mention trying to prepare for our launch party on September 10th. Several people won’t be able to make the partay, but there are also quite a few of the cast who will be there, so it will be fun. Isn’t that a lot of stuff? But I shall persevere. I shall stay on top of things. Why? Because, the best is yet to come. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, the best is yet to come and babe won’t it be fine? Might I just ask a simple question? How can we be halfway through the month already? Oy and vey, is all I can say.
Yesterday, I managed to watch two count them two motion pictures on DVD. The first motion picture on DVD was entitled Houseboat, starring Mr. Cary Grant and Miss Sophia Loren. It’s a very sweet film, with some amusing things, and even some touching things – it’s the sort of film they simply don’t make anymore. Mr. Grant is his usual wonderful self – his comedy timing is something to behold. Miss Loren is charming (did she have her nose bobbed or altered after this film?), and the three young kids are all terrific. You also get lovely Martha Hyer and cantankerous Harry Guardino, as well as VistaVision and Technicolor, and a beautiful George Duning score. I then watched a motion picture on DVD entitled The Phantom of Liberty, a film of Mr. Luis Bunuel. I must admit to not having seen any of Mr. Bunuel’s films, save for his notorious Un Chien Andalou. I found The Phantom of Liberty interesting – a bit arch, filled with Bunuel’s love for surrealism, and ultimately, a bit annoying. It’s very well directed, but I just grew weary of it. I’m going to watch That Obscure Object of Desire next, to see if I like it better. I also managed to sneak in the first episode of Quincy, starring Mr. Jack Klugman. I’d picked up the DVD box set cheap, months ago, but had never gotten around to watching any of it. I don’t know that I ever watched the series when it aired. Certainly, watching the premiere episode, I would have to say it was an awful show – bad writing, terrible directing, that real “Universal” TV look – almost unwatchable. Mr. Klugman is always good, but even he is so overwrought in this show, trying to breathe some life into the carcass, that it’s painful to watch. The set is going right into the trade-in pile.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because the best is yet to come, or so I’ve heard.
Have I mentioned that I’m feeling overwhelmed? I will spend most of today trying to alleviate that situation. I am going to try to get this pressing plant business resolved early in the day. I am going to finish (or get close) the short story. I’m going to keep on top of Mr. Harvey Schmidt to get the booklet stuff to us in the next day or so. I am going to keep on top of the website designer to get our new titles up for preorder. And I’m going to start sending out e-vites to our launch party. Additionally, I am going to organize everything around this house, because I cannot find things I need and it is driving me crazy. I’m also working on getting the book website up and running in the next few weeks.
Have I mentioned that the best is yet to come? We could use some excellent vibes and xylophones headed this way so that the best can come. We need the best to come knocking on our door.
I’m also happy to let you know that it looks like I have January’s CD release locked up, and it’s a good one. Stay tuned.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must write, I must organize, I must resolve, I must stay on top of people, and I must drive about in my motor car and do errands. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all-time favorite Cary Grant and Sophia Loren movies? I’ll start – Cary, North by Northwest, An Affair To Remember, Father Goose, Charade, To Catch a Thief and Notorious. Sophia, It Started in Naples, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, El Cid. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and let us all remember the gospel according to Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh – the best is yet to come