Well, dear readers, this week is already flying by, like a gazelle in a mustard plaster. What in tarnation IS a mustard plaster anyway? And is there also a ketchup plaster and a mayo plaster? Is there a honey mustard plaster or a spicy mustard plaster? These are the questions that are roaming around in the windmills of my mind. It is also quite late and therefore I must get these here notes written and posted as I am way overtired from two six in the morning long days in a row. But now all I can think of is the fershluganah mustard plaster. If someone gets drunk and eats mustard is it eating a mustard plastered? Yesterday, was a mustard plaster kind of day. I got up at six and announced the new Kritzerland release, and I must say it’s not a fast mover at the moment – but, since the dealer orders are fine, we’re already at about 700 sold, so that’s not so bad – and I think once people hear the CD the word of mouth will stimulate sales. Perhaps if we include a free mustard plaster with every CD that might help. Then the new helper arrived at ten. I’d already addressed about 100 boxes, and we split the rest and got them all addressed in about three hours. But he then had to leave so the postage hasn’t been done. He’s a very nice guy but not the helper I’m looking for – he lives too far away and really wants to hold his work hours at two, and that doesn’t work for me. So, I’ll still keep looking and try to find someone closer to the home environment. However, what he probably will do is set up a program for me so that all addresses are printed on labels rather than hand-addressing anymore. There are a few details to work out, but he’ll come later in the week or next week to discuss various and sundried plans that might work. After he left, I went and did some errands and whatnot, then ate some low-cal, low-fat hot dogs, this time with red cabbage and cheese – they were excellent. I also had a couple of caramels. I printed out what orders came in, and we got even more Promises orders and even a couple of book orders. I received an e-mail asking me to direct a benefit at Town Hall in New York this October – I’ve said yes, but there are many details to be worked out. But if it happens it will be a great deal of fun. I’ll keep you posted as the details are worked out. After all of that, then I picked up Mr. Barry Pearl (whose car is in the shop), and we drove down to the Writer’s Guild office building to see a reading of a new play by Sam Bobrick. We got there about thirty minutes before the start time. It was a really interesting group of attendees, including my pal, comic Steve Bluestein, Carl Reiner, George Shapiro, Hindi Brooks, Jack Riley, and many others. The play was a series of twelve “sketches” – called The Deli – all the sketches take place in a deli and most have to do with show business. Sam’s a real old-school comedy writer and therefore the comedy is old-fashioned, in that the lines are genuinely funny – no one passes gas, no one twirls their privates, it’s just a dialogue-driven series of short bits, most of which are very funny and which garnered really big laughs. As a reading it worked very well. It would be a very challenging show to direct, but I think it could be done very well. My friend Phil Proctor was amongst the cast and he is such a good actor and was terrific in this, as was everyone. It was a very entertaining evening. Afterwards, Barry and I were talking to several people – and he introduced me to a man and his wife – and the man told me something that made me so happy – he said his teenage daughter LOVES the Adriana Hofstetter books and is ready to read book three. She identifies with the character, and that just pleases me so much. I’ve been toying with various and sundried ideas for book four in the series, although I’m not sure if it will be the next thing I write. But I miss her and the other regular characters, so I’m sort of ready to go back and get them involved in a new adventure.
After the reading, I drove Barry home. By this time I was quite hungry, so I stopped at Jerry’s Deli for a turkey sandwich and no fries. That did the trick, then I came home, answered e-mails, and then sat at my computer like so much fish.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below whilst thinking about our mustard plasters.
Today, I hope to not get up before nine, and then I have to finish addressing about thirty more packages, after which I’ll mosey on over to my lunch meeting – not sure where it’s happening yet. I’ll try to eat lightly, as I must lose three to five pounds before next Tuesday, when I’ll be appearing on the cable access show, The Skip E. Lowe Show. I must look svelte with abs and buns of steel. After my meeting, I’ll come home and start doing the postage and continue my search for a new helper.
Tomorrow I also have a lunch meeting, and then I have to sit with someone while they eat dinner, but other than that I should have some ME time. The rest of the week is equally busy.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, address more packages, I must have a lunch meeting, I must do errands and whatnot, I must sit with someone at dinner (but not eat) and I must relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all-time favorite comic plays? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall dream of mustard plasters.