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January 7, 2009:

THE OLD GRAY MARE AIN’T WHAT SHE USED TO BE

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, here was my original opening sentence – I have no idea why I wrote it, it just came out: The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be. Now, where in tarnation did THAT come from? First off, I don’t know any old gray mares, therefore would have no clew if said old mares were or were not what they used to be. And what did the old gray mare use to be, a young gray mare? Sometimes I feel like an old gray mare or a motherless child, depending on the day. For example, today is Wednesday, and today I feel like an old gray motherless child. Go know. May I just say that if anyone has the slightest clew as to what the HELL I’m going on about, do let me know, because I certainly don’t. In any case, the old gray mare ain’t what she used to be and now that we all have this important information I can continue with today’s notes. Speaking of today’s notes, yesterday hit a few good notes. I got up early and did the long jog – it was actually quite nice out and I enjoyed it. I then packaged up the last of the big orders. I then wrote about three pages, after which I went to the mail place and picked up a package. I read about fifty more pages of the long script and also played the demo CD that came with it, even though it’s incomplete. I then shaved and showered and toddled off to a late lunch with Miss Lauren Rubin at Hugo’s. It was quite a nice late lunch, and then I came home, made some telephonic calls, wrote another two pages, and then finally sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I watched A Matter Of Life and Death from the newly released Michael Powell double DVD set (the second feature is Age Of Consent). As some dear readers will undoubtedly recall, I love this film. It’s not my favorite of the Powell/Pressburger films (Black Narcissus is), but it’s right up there with The Red Shoes and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. It’s a wonderful story, filled with good humor, true love, and some pointed political humor of the day, not that it’s dated very much. The cast is perfect – David Niven, Kim Hunter, Roger Livesy, Raymond Massey (one of his best performances), Robert Coote, and in a tiny but memorable role, a very young Richard Attenborough. Oh, and let’s not forget the stunningly beautiful Kathleen Byron (Sister Ruth from Black Narcissus). The photography by Jack Cardiff in both black-and-white and Technicolor is gorgeous, as is the production design of Alfred Junge. The script is filled with terrific dialogue, the kind they simply don’t know how to write anymore. The score by Allan Gray is a classic, especially the haunting piano theme. I’ve had the UK DVD for about eight years, maybe more – it came out in 1999. I’m happy to say that this new transfer, while not perfect, is a whole lot better than that UK DVD – like 100%, with much more accurate color and a much sharper image. That said, while the close-ups are sharp, the mid to long shots are a little soft, which is too bad. And there’s a lot of noise in the black-and-white scenes, but those are nitpicks – it’s a must-have disc for any lover of great cinema. I only nitpick, in fact, because back in the mid-1990s I ran Mr. Scorsese’s 16mm IB Tech print and it was something to behold. Anyway, I love this film and recommend it highly.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button because, frankly, the old gray mare ain’t what she used to be – she’s now settled and has forsaken her wild and wooly ways and is living life sedately.

Today is a day I’m very excited about for today is the day that Handyman Doug is coming to completely reorganize and clean the garage. I’m quite anxious to go through boxes that I haven’t been able to get to since moving in here, as I’m looking for some specific items that I really need to find. When he’s done, I should have all the boxes that I don’t need to get to up on a shelf out of the way. In fact, I’m hoping the only boxes that are not on this large shelving unit are the Kritzerland CD boxes. I’m hopeful that the rest of the garage will be completely free of boxes and clutter – it will be so nice to have it all organized properly, with each box carefully labeled. There are also a few boxes that are falling apart, and we’ll take what’s in those and re-box them in new boxes. And if I see things I don’t give a flying Wallenda about, out they’ll go, to the trash. I don’t know if I’ll have time to do the long jog. I may try and get up at eight and do it early, but if not, once he’s started I can do it then and keep it brisk.

I’m sure Handyman Doug will be there all day, and if it takes tomorrow, too, that’s all fine – just as long as it gets done properly. My only plans are to finish the fershluganah long script, and write more pages. I want to at least get through chapter four before Saturday, when I’ll be taking the pages I’ve written thus far to muse Margaret for her approval and to make sure she thinks I’m on the right track. We’re having dinner, too, one of her wonderful home-cooked meals. I’ll also be getting together with Miss Alet Taylor over the weekend to discuss her one-person show.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the long jog (if possible), finish reading a script, write, do a couple of errands, and look through a lot of boxes so we know which can be put the furthest back on the shelf. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you dear readers get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst we discuss the old gray mare and how she just ain’t what she used to be.

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