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January 14, 2007:

THE NECESSARY TIDBITS

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because I have an early rehearsal and I must get enough sleep. Therefore I will dispense with all but the necessary tidbits. Yes, Virginia, today we shall only have the necessary tidbits. The Necessary Tidbits – that’s the title of my next novel. Isn’t tidbits a silly word? Even backwards (stidbit) it’s a silly word. Even if you reverse tid and bit (bittids) it’s a silly word. Has anyone noticed I have already veered from my dictum of only having the necessary tidbits? Speaking of the necessary tidbits, yesterday was supposed to be my day off and the only thing I was supposed to do was attend Cissy Wechter’s book signing (and make her introduction). I was all ready to sleep in late when a knock at the door at nine woke me up. I’d completely forgotten that she of the Evil Eye was coming. I had to dress quickly, brush my teeth quickly, and leave the home environment quickly. I packaged up a few orders, then went to the post office and shipped them. I did a few errands and then returned briefly to the home environment. But, then I had to go to Vinnie’s to do elmore’s little requested fixes on five tracks. We did them quickly (one we couldn’t do at all) – it was nothing blatant and the little changes are very subtle. By quickly, however, I mean it took two hours (these things, no matter how simple, are never quick), and I barely got home in time to shower and change clothes and get to the signing. So much for a day off. I introduced Cissy (after being introduced myself) and she did about a half-hour talk and read some short bits from the book. Son David was in Las Vegas, but his kids were there. Lots of Cissy’s friends were there, too, and it was all quite festive. I had a lovely chat with the fellow who books the signings at Book Soup. I was there about ninety minutes and then I finally got some food to go at Gelson’s and then came home, where I sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Joyeux Noel, a French film, which I believe was nominated for an Oscar last year. It’s a wonderful little film about the stupidity of war – it makes its points simply, never overdoes it with bombast, like its American counterparts, and it’s quite touching. The film is based on a true event that happened in 1914 during WWI – troops in the trenches – German, Scottish, and French – decided, on their own, to call a truce to the fighting on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Instead of fighting, they meet on the battlefield, share drinks, play soccer, share stories, sing Christmas songs, and get to know each other as human beings rather than enemies. There is not one shot of CGI in the film and how refreshing is that? The film isn’t overlong (about 110 minutes), the actors are wonderful, the direction is simple and doesn’t show off, and the score by Philippe Rombi is stunning. Mr. Rombi, who I’ve spoken of before, is rapidly becoming my favorite of the new composers – every score I’ve heard by him is great, and I have most of them on CD. He’s not one of these imitators – he doesn’t copy the current trend of no theme, no melody, just droning film music of today. His music is bursting to the brim with beautiful melodies (his score to The Girl From Paris, a film by the same director as Joyeux Noel, is probably the most beautiful score of the last five to ten years), and Mr. Rombi is the real deal. One can only hope that he does not become corrupted by American film companies asking him to ape whatever temp track has been used. I hope he stays put and becomes the heir apparent to the other Philippe – Sarde. The transfer is gorgeous, and the sound lush and full-bodied.

What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because there are some further necessary tidbits in the next section.

Today, I must have my early rehearsal, and then I should have the rest of the day off, and yet I don’t because I must prepare the lighting script for our show. I will notate where I want the light cues, and any suggestions I have as to mood and intent – it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two, but I always say that. After I finish that, then I’ll have the rest of the day off.

I ended up cutting my introductory remarks in the Brain booklet – it was the only way to not have to hack at the synopsis and to free up two more pages for photos. We now will be able to have many photographs, so I’m very happy about that. I should be seeing a put-together booklet and inlay card today or tomorrow and I’m hoping I can put it to bed by Tuesday. The sound files will be at the mastering place by Tuesday, and if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to have everything to the pressing plant by Friday or Monday. Of course, everyone here will be first to know when it’s up for preorder.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, rehearse, prepare a lighting script, sup, and relax before our crazy week of run-throughs, tech, and then three performances. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you dear readers get to make with the topics and we all get to post about them. So, let’s have loads of lovely topics and loads of lovely postings, shall we?

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