Well, dear readers, I must tell you I had the most wonderfully wonderful birthday yesterday. I normally don’t enjoy my birthday, but for whatever reasons, yesterday was just swell in every possible way. I got up just before nine after a good night’s sleep. I had fifty-something e-mails waiting, most of them from Facebook featuring sweet birthday wishes from a whole slew of nice folks. Then I went to a little discussion board I like to frequent at haineshisway.com, where I had more lovely wishes, all of which were much appreciated by the likes of me. I was out the door at ten to do the long jog, which I did rather briskly. When I got back, I shaved and showered and then went to meet Mr. Nick Redman, his pal Julie, and a very nice cinematographer named Mike Lonzo over at a local Thai eatery. I was true to my word and ate only a small Thai salad. The company was wonderful, as was the conversation, a lot of which centered on weight loss. It was a lovelier than lovely lunch, and then I came home to do a few various and sundried things, then I went out and took a drive, went to a local CD store, where I bought myself a nice little birthday present, an out-of-print and very rare limited edition from Rhino Handmade, of Jimmy Webb albums (his entire 70s output). I then came home, and prior to dinner sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday, I watched two count them two more Alfred Hitchcock Hour shows – both pretty good, and one of them directed by the great John Brahm. Bruce Dern, Felicia Farr (Mrs. Jack Lemmon), John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Murray Matheson were among the guest stars in the two episodes. The one featuring Mr. and Mrs. Cassavetes was especially fun, and I was reminded once again just how great the two of them were. The transfers in this set are fantastic. And there’s nothing like the Hitchcock intros – he was just so droll and wonderful doing them. Both episodes were tracked with library cues, but lots of them were by Bernard Herrmann.
I was then taken to the Smoke House for dinner. I really do love this place – it’s like my father’s restaurant was, only on a much larger scale. I was very good at dinner, even though I didn’t skimp on what I ate. I had less than a half-cup of clam chowder, five little pieces of the garlic cheese bread (words cannot describe how great it is), and then a crab/shrimp Louis. I didn’t over do the Louis dressing, and used cocktail sauce for some of it. It was really filling, though, and I’m still quite full as I write this. There weren’t all that many people in the restaurant, although Mr. Garry Marshall was wandering around. It was a fabulously fabulous meal, and we didn’t do cake. I then came home and relaxed and played several CDs and it was just all warm and cozy and I had even more Facebook wishes – one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had, actually, so thanks to everyone who made it so.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’ve got to get up early and get the long jog done, for I then I must gird my loins and have a date with a pastrami sandwich at Langer’s.
Today, I shall do the long jog, then I think Mr. Barry Pearl and I are lunching at Langer’s (although he hasn’t quite confirmed yet, but I’m assuming it’s still our plan), then I’m coming home and doing Nudie Musical work for a few hours, shipping a few CDs, doing some errands and whatnot, and then settling in for a nice long evening of DVD watching (including the about to be released season two volume one of The Mod Squad). Plus more CDs to listen to, including all those wonderful Jimmy Webb albums.
Tomorrow, I must gird my loins and have a morning meeting with a songwriter, about putting together a show for her – I’m looking forward to meeting her, plus eating some Papa’s Eggs at Hugo’s. The rest of the day will be filled with errands and Nudie work. What the HELL does gird my loins mean anyway? When’s the last time you girded anything? What a word is gird. It’s rather absurd and is for the bird(s).
I have a similar schedule on Thursday, except the meeting/meal is at six instead of in the morning. Friday is pretty free at the moment, but one suspects there will be plenty to do. I’m keeping the weekend open.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the long jog, have a pastrami sandwich and one latke, do Nudie Musical work, do errands and whatnot, and then watch a few DVDs. Today’s topic of discussion: Jimmy Webb has always been a favorite of mine – who are your favorite singer/songwriters, especially those from the late 1960s and all through the 1970s, an truly rich and wonderful period for these singer/songwriters. What are your favorite albums and single tracks? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I gird my loins for a pastrami sandwich.