Well, dear readers, in just a few short hours I shall be on my way to Seattle and then to Olympia and then to see dear reader George in The Brain From Planet X. Both David Wechter and I are very excited to see it, and I know it will be a ton of fun. And speaking of a ton of fun, yesterday was a ton and even had some fun. I got up early, did some work on the computer, answered e-mails, and then had an early meal at Hugo’s, which is what I had a hankerin’ for. After that, I shipped about six packages, got some mail but no packages, bought some travel-size toothpaste (that was so exciting), did some banking, printed out my boarding pass – that was so confusing it took thirty minutes to figure out. The flight was booked via American Airlines but is, in fact, on Alaska Airlines. So far, so good. But when I went to do the online check-in, it wouldn’t do it on American. It said I had to go to Alaska Airlines. So, I went to that website, put in my record locater number and it wouldn’t work. That’s because the record locater number that American Airlines assigns is completely meaningless. Only they don’t tell you that. They also don’t tell you that the flight numbers on your itinerary are also completely meaningless. So, I called Alaska Airlines, got the proper locater number and flight numbers and then was finally able to check-in and print the boarding pass. Then I packed, which took all of three minutes, given that I’m only bringing a change of undergarments and one extra top. Then I did a two-mile jog. Also, I got quite a few e-mails from folks telling me books had arrived, so that was good to hear. Then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture in high definitions on the DVR, Robert Wise’s crime film noir, The Captive City, starring John Forsythe. It’s a terrific little programmer, beautifully directed by Wise, with great photography by Lee Garmes using a split-diopter lens so that everything in the frame from foreground to background is completely in focus. They even give the actual lens name credit just below Garmes. I’m really such a fan of Robert Wise, a director who could really do any kind of film and do it well. Not until the 1970s did he do anything less than interesting and well-crafted (even the pretty bad Star! looks great), and even the 70s and 80s work is well-directed – but the films themselves (The Andromeda Strain, Audrey Rose, etc.) just don’t, for me, work all that well. In any case, The Captive City was one of the best of his smaller films. The high-definition transfer was very sharp and nice-looking. In fact, it’s pretty criminal that Universal and MGM have created a lot of terrific hi-def transfers and are not releasing them on Blu and Ray, which does not help the struggling format.
After that, I did some more work on the computer, and that was that. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’m going to get these here notes posted and try to be in bed by ten, since I have to be up at five.
Today, Mr. David Wechter and I will be traveling to Seattle, then taking a car to Olympia, then checking in to our hotel. Then I’m sure we’ll take a walk, visit a book store or two (there seem to be two close to where we’re staying), and then we’re having an early supper with George, MBarnum, TCB, and Ann, which I’m really looking forward to. Then it’s on our way to the theater to see The Brain From Planet X. After the show, David and I do a little audience talkback, and then we’ll all go out for a drink.
Then, tomorrow morning I fly back to Burbank bright and early. So, everyone please send excellent vibes and xylophones for safe, on time, and lovelier than lovely flights.
I have a meeting or two this weekend, otherwise it’s pretty free. Next week is busy and then we have the Andrea Marcovicci event for LACCTAA, and then we’re doing the first book signing for my new book at Mystery and Imagination the following weekend.
Let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora and the Twist, for today is the birthday of our very own dear reader Danise. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own dear reader Danise. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN DEAR READER DANISE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, fly to Seattle, then go to Olympia, have an early dinner, see The Brain, go out after, and then fly home early the next morning. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, Marathon Man/The Parallax View. Blu and Ray – the BBC Hamlet. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I try to get a few hours of good sleep.