Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry for she of the Evil Eye will be here bright and early and also early and bright. That doesn’t mean I’m going to give these here notes short shrift or even long shrift – no, I shall not give these here notes any shrift whatsoever. Shrift is kind of a Jerry Lewis word, isn’t it? Quick, let’s all put on our Jerry voices and say shrift. On the count of three: One, two, three – SHRIFT!!! That was a real Jerry moment, wasn’t it? Of course, I know there were a couple of you who didn’t do it, but I won’t mention your names and embarrass you. Then Came Bronson. Why did I just write the title of a flop TV show? That just came out of nowhere, didn’t it? I haven’t thought of that TV show since the day it went off the air – I think it starred Michael Parks and maybe a motorcycle. I cannot for the life of me think why that just came out of my consciousness like a gazelle in a muu-muu. Then Came Bronson. I gotta tell you. What’s going to pop out next, That’s Life? Bracken’s World? Pete and Gladys? Speaking of Pete and Gladys, yesterday was another one of those days that went by quickly. I got up, answered some e-mails, and then went to work on the lyric and music redo. I was determined not to stop until I finished, and I did not. It took a few hours to get it right, but now that one’s done and there’s really only one or two things left to futz with now. After that, I finally left the home environment to do some errands, which included picking up a package, the last of the ones I’ve been waiting for. After that, it was already late afternoon, and I was starving, so I went and had an early dining adventure at a place called Michael’s Bar and Grill featuring Mardi Gras Steak and Seafood House. I gather it’s the melding of two different restaurants. I’ve driven by this jernt any number of times and have always wanted to try it, and yesterday was the day. I had no idea what to expect, but even with no idea I’d never have expected a Cajun restaurant. And what a Cajun restaurant. The food was superb – I had the fried catfish, a huge portion of the most perfectly fried catfish I’ve ever had. It came with fries, which were excellent. It also came with a side of red beans and rice, which were also excellent. But most excellent of all was the cheesy garlic bread – one of the great taste treats of the last few years. Best of all, it didn’t really cost more than what one would spend down the street at Marie Callender’s. That said, I came home feeling quite nauseous, but not from the meal, but I’m quite certain from the bay shrimp from the night before – I just don’t think I was or am quite over that tainted bit of rancid shrimp. I will be speaking to Gelson’s about it today. Meanwhile, I keep popping the tums and hoping I don’t vomit on the ground. When I got home from dinner, I had an e-mail waiting for me, which has to do with what I’m hoping will be very good news – so the excellent vibes and xylophones seem to be working so keep ’em coming and we’ll all be very happy campers. I also got a call from my friend David Wechter, who booked me to return as Dr. Learly in a new hidden camera segment for Penn and Teller’s Bullshit. We’ll be shooting next Friday. After all that, I sat on my couch like so much nauseous fish. And Then Came Bronson.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled The Bad Sleep Well, my second favorite film of Akira Kurosawa (High and Low being the first). I hadn’t seen it in some time, and what a great movie it is – it just gets better with each viewing. The acting is superb and very few directors understand scope filmmaking like Mr. Kurosawa – his direction is flawless, and the way he manipulates people and their relationships to each other within the scope frame is a textbook in great filmmaking. The score by Masaru Sato is fantastic, too. The transfer from Criterion is very good – could be better, I suppose, but it’s a step up from the region 2 BFI release of a year before.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below whilst we all try to figure out why Then Came Bronson came popping out of my psyche like a kidney stone.
Today I may take a few photographs for the cover of the new book – I did that for the last book and it worked out very well, so I’m giving it a whirl for this book. Then I have the afternoon to myself, then I’m supposedly supping with The Brain, Mr. Mark Rothman, and the ever lovely Miss Cindy Williams.
Tomorrow morning we have a three-hour music rehearsal and also someone is reading for General Mills – I’m praying he’ll be acceptable and we can be done casting. Monday evening is another music rehearsal, then we have our read-through on Tuesday, then we don’t rehearse again until early Saturday morning, when I start blocking the show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, take my leave whilst she of the Evil Eye straightens up the home environment, I must do some errands, take some photographs, and then sup with Mr. Rothman and Miss Williams. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Southern-style dishes – the ones you like to make, and the ones you’ve had in restaurants – and what are your favorite Southern jernts? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and do try to remember that Then Came Bronson.