Well, dear readers, this holiday weekend is flying by, like a gazelle both eating and wearing hush puppies. I was really hoping to get some ME time in, some relaxing time, but alas I don’t believe that will be happening as there are endless things to endlessly do. And I’m jiggy with that, I’m down with that and I’m a third thing with that, because I’m a believer in threes. I’m A Believer In Threes – that’s the title of my next novel, a torrid tale of inappropriate lust amongst the jet set of Diamond Bar, where three unlikely people do unlikely things to each other whilst eating and wearing hush puppies. It’s a corker, I tell you. Yesterday was less than a corker, but fine despite not having achieved corkerdom. Yes, Word, I know corkerdom is not a word, Word, you don’t have to underline it in red. In any case, yesterday was less than a corker but a fine day nonetheless, save for one potentially really annoying thing that isn’t ever worth talking about – let’s just say, a lesson learned the hard way. We began the day with our rehearsal session. Jason Graae was first and was delightful as always – he’s doing Christmas Gifts (which he did on A Broadway Christmas), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (the Guy Haines arrangement), and a duet, Baby, It’s Cold Outside, which he’s doing with Bruce Vilanch. After Jason was supposed to be Michelle Duffy, but there was some miscommunication so she ended up coming later in the afternoon. Next up was Miss Juliana A. Hansen who’s without the A these days. She’s singing a put-together of Christmas Children (from Scrooge) and Christmas Eve (cut from She Loves Me), We Need A Little Christmas, and Be A Santa (duet with Dan Callaway). She sounded lovely on all songs, and Dan joined her for the duet, after which he did his other two songs, You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch and a duet with Alet Taylor, Lovers On Christmas Eve. We love Dan. Then Alet did her other two songs, Hard Candy Christmas and I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm. Her eight-year-old daughter tore up the place with That’s What I Want For Christmas. She’s a dynamo, that one.
Then I went and had a sandwich and fries, after which I picked up a few bills and a nice envelope (but not the important envelope) and no packages. Earlier I’d found out that a package I’ve been waiting for with great anticipation from amazon France was returned as undeliverable. Right. I’d just gotten a package from amazon France two days earlier to the same address, the address where packages have been coming for years. Amazon France told me it was returned from customs and I’m trying to find out who to talk to about this stupidity. How ridiculous this world has become, and I mean in just about every way. The government is ridiculous, the politicians are ridiculous, the TSA is ridiculous and beyond, the way in which we’re watched and kept tabs on is the living incarnation of Big Brother and at some point someone (or millions) has to rise up and say STOP, we are mad as hell and not going to take this anymore. Or put on our Babs and Donna and say Enough is Enough. And it is. What happened to our civil rights? The government apparently just has free reign to do anything they like. But if five million people revolted it would put an end to it. Unfortunately, we also live in a world of complacent and obedient sheep. And nothing will change until there is revolt – until people have just had it up to here, there, and everywhere. This has been a public service announcement.
Then I came home and made the running order for the Gardenia show, which feels pretty good to me. Then Michelle Duffy came by and ran her three songs – she’s got two put-togethers – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and I Thank You For Your Love, Happy Holidays and White Christmas, and Winter Was Warm. She’s a beautiful woman with a lovely voice. I really am enjoying doing these shows.
After that, I listened to our new Carrie master and it’s great – I had only a couple of notes about track levels on a couple of tracks, so those will get adjusted this morning and the master will be on its way to the pressing plant via Fed Ex for a Monday morning arrival. By that time, it was too late to watch a motion picture on any format, so I took a hot shower and played on the Internet, losing track of time, hence the notes going up late.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’ve now got I’m A Believer stuck in my head like a meddlesome kumquat.
Today, I’m hoping to sleep in, then I’ve got to pay some bills (what else is new), ship a package and a contract, do errands and whatnot, and then see a Neil Simon play called Rumors, one of the four Simon plays I’ve never seen. I’ll also eat something light and amusing, I just don’t have a clew as to what that will be or where I will eat it.
Tomorrow, I’m lunching with dear reader Jeanne, and then I’ve got to write all my contextual commentary for the Gardenia show. I have no idea if anyone has made reservations, but I sure hope so as it would be nice to have a full house for our festively festive holiday offering.
Next week is another busy one – rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday, show on Wednesday, meetings on Thursday and Friday, plus we’re in December. Lots of errands and whatnot, writing to do, releases to prep, and hopefully packages to pick up, especially the one I had to reorder from amazon France (they won’t reship packages).
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep in, pay bills, ship some stuff, eat, and see a play. Today’s topic of discussion: Just tell us what’s really bugging you about the world today. Just let it all hang out. Spew. Do it, do it now, the time is nigh. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland singing I’m A Believer – what am I, a Monkee all of a sudden?