Well, dear readers, here they are, the final notes of 2005. As I’ve said ad nauseum, I have no clew as to where this year went. It seems but a moment ago that I began writing Rewind, and yet that was last February and the book has been out for a few months. It seems but a moment ago that I began writing Deceit, and here we are in rehearsal for our January 2006 opening. It seems but a moment ago that Kritzerland became a reality, and here we are, five releases later (six, if you count the Kevin Spirtas single), and several already planned for the New Year. It seems but a moment ago that I began writing short stories, just because I was on a writing tear, and here we are seven short stories later, with two more to come soon – which will make a book’s worth. It seems but a moment ago that I was co-creating and directing Mr. Kevin Spirtas’ one-man show, Night and Days, and yet that show has been done twice to terrific reaction, with more dates coming in 2006. It seems but a moment ago that I went up to Oregon and helped JMK’s Bacharach revue get on its feet – a trip in which I also got to meet MBarnum, George, TCB, and Jed, as well as seeing Ann (I hope I didn’t leave anyone out). It seems but a moment ago that I began working on the 75th Anniversary benefit for the LACC Theatre Arts Department, and yet, those six months have come and gone, the production happened, was sold out, and the audience response was great. It seems but a moment ago that I started working with Miss Linda Purl on a new one-woman show, and that work will kick into high gear come January. Whew! And that’s not even counting accompanying my close personal friend, Mr. Guy Haines, to San Francisco for his appearance in Simply Sondheim, nor doing a little work for the Ahmanson and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Looking back on 2005, it was a creatively fulfilling year (one of the most creative ever), but also a year filled with annoyances and frustrations. It was a year in which I reconnected with several nice people I hadn’t spoken to in years. It was a year in which this here site became even more popular with the populace – in fact, I feel safe in saying that soon we will be the most popular site on all the Internet. It was a year in which I got to see several hainsies/kimlets whilst I was in New York to record After the Ball, and also to see PennyO’s Jewish Thighs on Broadway. It was a year in which the West Coast had a lovely visit from our very own Hisaka. So, all in all, the positives outweighed the negatives and, I suppose, that is all one can hope for.
There were some bittersweet moments this year, chief amongst them the move of the Pogues to Kentucky. While I understood it was the logical and perfect decision for them, I already miss them terribly. Also bittersweet was the passing of Oscar Brown, Jr. For those who’ve read Kritzer Time, you know what an influence he was, and how gracious and generous he was.
It was a year of surprising surprises, chief amongst them was the fact that several dear readers chose not to want to read Rewind, a book whose subject matter I’d been told for years would be of interest to people here. It was only a handful, but it did genuinely surprise me, and it continues to surprise me.
It was a year of some wonderful DVD and CD releases, including the marvelous films from the Batjac library, the Marlene Dietrich/von Sternberg films from France, several wonderful Criterion releases, Howl’s Moving Castle from Japan (thoughtfully sent to me by dear reader Hisaka), the 4 CD Michel Legrand box set, the cast album of A Family Affair finally released on CD, and so many others.
It was a year in which we clicked on the Unseemly Button below every single day – in fact, why don’t we do so now so that I can continue waxing nostalgic.
I think I’m done waxing nostalgic, frankly, and now, perhaps, I’ll wax my car or my legs. On our final day of rehearsal in 2005 we shot the video for the play – it took two hours, but it came out really well. Thanks to David Wechter and our cameraman, Steve Russell, for helping to make it all work smoothly. We also ran a bit of act two, and a bit of act one, just so the actors could get used to moving around the stage and set – I must say, the blocking looks really good on the stage.
And so, here we are, on the final day of 2005, and our annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve party. This is the place to be – it’s safe, there are no drunk drivers to deal with, and the humor is high and the camaraderie warm and fun. So, I’m hoping we will have a full house for our party, and, of course, we drop our ball at midnight (PST). I know other people in other parts of the country will be dropping their balls at other times.
I, of course, will spend New Year’s Eve here at haineshisway.com, and also spend it contemplating everything that went on this past year, and everything I would like to go on for next year. I will think about what worked, what didn’t work, and how I can try to be the best that I can be in 2006.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, leave the home environment for a couple of hours, as she of the Evil Eye will be here for the last time in 2005, I must pay a bill or three, pick up a package or three, do an errand or three, and then watch a DVD or three. Today’s topic of discussion: Your lows and highs of 2005. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as we usher out 2005 and welcome in 2006 with loving arms and other loving appendages.