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September 25, 2009:

THE MACK

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, this month has flown by, like a gazelle with a cold sore. I just cannot believe that it’s almost October and yet I must believe that it’s almost October because, well, it’s almost October. I had every intention of not doing much of anything yesterday, and yet that did not exactly pan out. I got up earlier than I wanted to because the oafs were back doing last-minute things before the house is shown to realtors on Sunday. Since I’d jogged for four days in a row I decided to take a break. I had a lot of e-mails to answer and I had a couple of longish telephonic calls, and then I decided to get some bacon and eggs at Jerry’s and to start going through the script and expanding my notes and scribbles that I took during the reading. I ended up sitting there for ninety minutes and only got twenty-five pages in – I mean, there are a LOT of notes and they’re all very important and have to do with all aspects of the writing – book, music, and lyrics, and I’m trying to be very clear and very concise. After that, I came home and did another hour of notes, then did some errands and whatnot, after which I came home and did yet more notes, getting to page ninety-five. I then began reading the new autobiography by my old pal Mackenzie Phillips. It’s an interesting book, very candid, too candid at times, but I realize she’s trying to exorcise many demons. I’ve know Mack since she was fifteen. We had the same manager. We used to talk on the phone a lot, and because even then she was having substance abuse, I occasionally took her to dinner. We went to Sarno’s, a wild Eyetalian place on Vermont, a couple of times and we just had so much fun. But, our manager frowned on it and we stopped. I don’t know what was in their minds but whatever it was wasn’t good, which was silly. Being around a non-substance user and good guy with no ulterior motives can only be a good thing. I think the manager was worried that Mack would get a crush on me, but since I wasn’t interested in that, I really don’t know that that would have been the case. I didn’t see her for years and years, until I ran into her at the Hollywood Collector’s Show – I gave her a copy of Benjamin Kritzer, and we laughed about our dining adventures. Then a couple of years ago, I was doing the Hollywood Collector’s Show with Bert I. Gordon, and Mack was there and again we had a really nice chat, but she seemed frazzled and weird, but said she’d be back the next day and wanted to sit at the table next to me, which was vacant. I took her number and we said we’d have dinner soon, too. She never showed up the second day, and I called about dinner but she never returned the call. After reading the book I now know why – she was on one of her downward drug spirals (reading it, her behavior at the show made total sense), which would culminate in being arrested for possession of cocaine in 2008 at the airport. She’s had so many ups and downs, but seems to be doing better, at least at the time of the writing of the book. I was always so fond of her, and I wish her only strength to keep her demons at bay. There are some shocking things in the book, none more so than her revelations about her relationship with her father. I can’t say it’s an enjoyable read, but I read it very quickly and it’s pretty compelling – a little repetitious, by its nature, but I recommend it.

I then had a visitor – someone who’s working on a CD project and a very exciting one, for one of the big film music labels. Since I had a lot of material, some of it quite rare, I let this fellow burn copies of it all – it’s a release that will make a lot of people very happy, especially one particular dear reader. After he left, I finished Mack’s book and then I had to listen to some alternate versions of certain tracks on our new release – I’m very particular about the EQ and I felt we could improve three or four tracks and I was right, so my mastering guy will now put together the final version and off it will go to the printers.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I am overtired and need my beauty sleep.

Oh, and for those who are interested, no, I am not mentioned in the Mack book. And I’m fine with that. My pal Mike Lembeck, who briefly played her husband on One Day At A Time, is mentioned as was Mike’s then-wife, Miss Barbara Deutsch – they are both mentioned very favorably. Not mentioned is the fact that casting the role of her husband was between Mike and me. And I know from our manager that Mack put in a good word for me, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Today, I shall finish with my notes, then begin typing them up. Tonight I’ll be heading to the Music Center to see The Elixir Of Love at the LA Opera. I suppose I shall sup first, although I don’t know that for sure, and if that isn’t going to happen, then I’m sure I’ll have something around this area.

Tomorrow, we’ll officially announce our new release, and then I’ll be seeing Miss Andrea Marcovicci at the Gardenia and supping with her musical director, Shelly Markham (who also happens to be the composer of the long musical).

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the long jog, I must finish writing notes, I must type up notes, and I must attend the opera. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player, and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – Blu-Ray, Quantum Of Solace, DVD, Head Against The Wall, a French film from France, director Georges Franju’s first feature film. CD, various upcoming Kritzerland reference CDs for upcoming projects. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland.

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