Well, dear readers, it was the best of times, it was the best of times, birthday-wise. I could not have asked for a more perfect day and evening. In fact, it was perfectly perfect in every way. For example, I got up. That was perfect. And I had a great night’s sleep, too. All day long, I got the most wonderful birthday wishes, both here and on Facebook, and I got a very sweet card from the darling daughter. It was exactly the sort of ME day that I was hoping for, only doing things I felt like doing. I was lazy and a loafer for most of the morning, just relaxing, reading birthday wishes and fooling around on the Internet. Then I did the long jog (four miles), which was not exactly easy, but I got through it and it felt good, as it was a gorgeously gorgeous day in the City of Studio. I finally left the home environment about one-thirty, picked up four count them four packages at the mail place, and then went over to the Oaks of Sherman Fashion Square mall. Whilst there, I cashed in my gift certificates for three count them three one-pound boxes of See’s dark chocolate nuts and chews – yes, I always choose the chews. Then I went to Bloomingdale’s and bought two sweaters (I’ve been on a sweater kick lately – I buy sweaters and then kick them from room to room – it’s really fun unless you’re the sweater. Then I went into another men’s shop and saw a sweater there that I liked – when I took it to the counter I was told there was a special on that sweater – three for the price of one. So, I chose two more. Those were my birthday gifts to myself. Then I had a quick turkey sandwich to tide myself over until the late supper. I then came back home, and, true to my word, I typed up all the little notes I’ve been scribbling since June for the new Hofstetter book. In fact, I kind of wrote the rough opening two paragraphs, so that was fun. I then sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Inception. I’d heard a lot about it, both pro (the pros were quite obsessive about the film), and the con (the cons were just as vociferous). I was somewhere in the middle. It’s certainly enjoyable on a certain level, but at two-and-a-half hours, it’s a long day’s journey into night. I do love how people were bowled over by the uniqueness of the dream world – I guess they’ve never seen Dream Lover, Dreamscape, Dark City, and several other films I could name. And where I found the film a trial is that it is virtually all exposition – you don’t really know anything about anyone save for the Leonardo da Caprio character. And the exposition never stops – every time they’re about to do something, a character has to explain ad nauseum about what it is and how it works and why it’s supposed to make sense (none of it makes a lick of sense). Interestingly, early on a character says something like who’s to know that the dream world isn’t the real world and vice versa. Back in 1988 I awoke from a sound sleep on two occasions and jotted ideas down on my bedside pad. One said “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers in high school – teachers are aliens” – that, of course, became The Faculty. And the other one, which I was thinking might be a novel if I ever had the guts to sit down and write one, basically said (and I still have it), a guy dreams he’s met the perfect girl and his life is a mess and he wants to only live in the dream world – and he begins to think that the dream world can be the real world and vice versa. That, of course, became the basis for my short story, I’ll See You In My Dreams. Point being, it’s a potent idea that is hardly new or peculiar to Inception. I also don’t find Christopher Nolan very interesting as a director, especially visually. Of course, the actors all whisper so that half the dialogue is indecipherable, and I think I counted one four-second moment where the relentless, thumping, non-stop music actually came to a halt. The transfer is superb, as is the sound, although three times during the film the sound just stopped. I had to pause, rewind, pause, rewind before I could get it to play again. I think this might have something to do with them once again pushing the limits of Blu-Ray beyond the capabilities of some players, even when one has the latest firmware upgrades. I really wish they’d just stop that madness – just put the damn movie on the disc so it plays normally.
After that, I was taken to a birthday dinner – we went to Little Toni’s and had a big pizza – I could only eat three slices, which is unusual for me. It was most yummilicious. The conversation was sparkling and the whole evening was quite delightfully delightful in very many ways.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must go into the dream state soon and get as much beauty sleep as possible.
Today, I shall be up bright and early and also early and bright as we will be shipping close to thirteen hundred CDs, which includes dealers and people who ordered from the site, and involves Bukowsical and Carrie, not necessarily in that order. That’s going to take around three hours, but happily the USPS now comes to us to get the stuff – that’s a big help. Of course, we have to drive the big boxes to the UPS Store. And I got a handful of orders yesterday that must be filled. After that, I have a bunch of errands and whatnot to do. Then I will try to cast another person or two for the next Gardenia show – the good news is that I cast one more female – the wonderful Kim Huber. So, one gal and one guy to go. Then, in the evening, I have a dinner.
Tomorrow, I have a lunch, and then I just got invited to see Leslie Uggams at the Pasadena Playhouse – I don’t know anything about the show, so I’m interested to see what it’s all about. Saturday I can’t remember what’s happening but something is happening, I just can’t remember what the something is – I’ll have to check yesterday’s notes because I think I mentioned it, at least I hope I did.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, ship a LOT of CDs, I must prep new releases, I must do errands and whatnot and hopefully pick up some more packages, I must get Christmas cards made, I must cast a show, and I must sup. Today’s topic of discussion: What recurring dreams have you always had. And what one dream has stood out so much that you’ve never forgotten it? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I bask in the warmth of all my lovely birthday wishes – it was truly the best of times, it was the best of times.