Well, dear readers, this week has flown by, like a gazelle doing a spit take. I did discover one thing this week – I discovered that the world is a circle without a beginning and nobody knows where it really ends. And they say we never provide up to the minute information. I’m still really stuffed up and I am quite bored of it, actually. But, I did the right thing yesterday, and just stayed home and rested and did things around the home environment. The day started off oddly, with Time Warner Cable being down for close to four hours – so I couldn’t get online and it was too too annoying for words, even though there were a few words that came to mind. I did the long jog, and when I got home Time Warner was still down, so I shut down the computer and got dressed and was about to walk out the door to go to Panera, where they have free Wi-Fi, when I saw the modem box was lit up properly. So, I powered up the computer and all was well in modemland. I had a lot of e-mails to answer, which I did. I printed out a few more orders, and we’re down to the last 150 of our new release, so that’s good. I then went and got some foodstuffs from Gelson’s, brought it home, and then sat on my couch and ate way too much food, which is what I tend to do when I’m not feeling well. I’ve probably put on two or three pounds this week, but I’ll be jogging regularly for the next five days and I’m sure I’ll be back to where I was in no time. But that’s why I went down five pounds more than where I wanted to be – to have a little room for play. Whilst eating foodstuffs and stuffing food into my gaping maw, I watched the PBS American Masters documentary on Jerome Robbins. I thought it was very well done, with some fantastic clips, good interviews, and it gave you a pretty good capsule version of his life and career. I’ll probably end up ordering the DVD.
I then did some work on the computer, listened to a couple of CDs, and then sat back down on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Changeling, a film of Clint Eastwood, starring Miss Angelina Jolie. I always enjoy Clint’s movies – he directs in a very laid back style that I enjoy – no hyped up editing or any “now” crap – just nuts and bolts competent filmmaking. I found the story very involving (based on a true story, or so they tell us), and the film had a nice period feel, with good production design. Miss Jolie does, I suppose, a fine job, but I have to admit she irritates me, so I was never as involved as I would like to have been. The film did hold my interest and I thought John Malkovich was excellent, as were several of the other actors, especially some of the younger ones. The structure of the film got a little odd as it went along, but basically I enjoyed watching it. It certainly could have been ten minutes shorter. I also think it would have been a whole different film with a proper score and not Mr. Eastwood’s droning piano theme (gussied up no end by Lennie Niehaus) – he’s really harmed his last few films by hiring himself as composer. One can only imagine what Changeling would be like if scored by one of the Jerrys – Goldsmith or Fielding. The transfer was very nice.
After the movie, I burned yet another CD of the raw session masters of the soundtrack we’re issuing – a lot of what was on those tapes were takes that weren’t used, as well as a few cues that didn’t end up in the film – it’s going to be a really nice album when we get it all assembled. We now have a plan and the mastering guy will proceed apace – I’ll hear what he does and the finesse it from there, and add some bonus tracks.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’ve got a long day ahead of me and I need my beauty sleep.
Today, I shall do the long jog, and then we’ll be recording some vocals. Unfortunately, Alet is very sick and can’t be there, so we’ll do Lauren, Jenna Romano, and Cason, and if I actually have a voice, I’ll do some of my vocals. Then I’m having dinner with a neighborhood pal. I also have to proof the LACCTAA newsletter, which looks pretty good already, and I really have to get back to proofing the new novel.
Saturday night I’m having dinner with a book dealer friend and then we’ll be attending a one-person show that has something to do with Ray Bradbury, who we’ll be meeting up with at the show.
Sunday is, of course, our Annual Oscar Bash, and let me tell you, this is the only place you want to be. At last year’s bash, we had over 2000 posts – it will be fun to see if we can beat that this year. So, be there or be round.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the long jog, record vocals, proof, sup, and perhaps watch a DVD if I have time. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, the upcoming Kritzerland releases, a German gal singer doing Bacharach, and Don Sebeskey’s Giant Box album. DVD, next up will be Palm Springs Weekend, I think. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst we all sing The World Is A Circle Without A Beginning And Nobody Knows Where It Really Ends in G.