Well, dear readers, Christmas is just around the corner – I know this because I went around the corner and there was Christmas, walking the dog. Christmas was singing Jingle Bells while the dog jingled on the tree. It was quite a fun demonstration. What the HELL am I talking about? Oh, yes, Christmas is just around the corner and I, for one, am in the Christmas spirit, singing Jingle Bells as I write these here notes. These here notes are jingling all the way and oh what fun it is to be dashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh. All right, what in tarnation is a one-horse open sleigh? I know what one horse is and I know what a sleigh is, but is there some sort of sleigh that has two horses and is closed? Or that has five horses and is slightly ajar? Where was I? Oh, yes, the notes. Yesterday was a non-stop day of going and doing and also doing and going. It was crazy. I got up earlier than planned, answered some e-mails, and then had to print out contracts, write big-boy checks, and do some work on the computer. Then I dropped sheet music off at Staples, after which I headed over the hill to have lunch at Nate ‘n’ Al’s. It was VERY crowded at noon, which was most unusual. My lunch partner arrived and I handed over contracts and dough and then we talked some business, after which we just talked for fun. I had the single best pastrami sandwich I’ve ever had and that includes the wonderful Langer’s – whatever they did, it was superb. We shared some kishka for our appetizer, and that, too, was sublimely sublime. After that, I came home, went to the mail place where the phantom package had finally arrived, along with one other package. I came home, expecting to relax, but that was not to be. I had to listen to the first half of one of the masters for our next release – it sounded amazingly amazing, which was quite the surprise, for reasons you’ll understand when I announce the title. Then we had to make a few little fixes on the packaging and that went off to the printers. So, both packages will go on the press next week. Then I had to write the blurb and get all the images uploaded for the announcement on Monday. Then I began burning CDs for our five singers, one musical director, and three ensemble gals. That took quite a while, then I picked up the music from Staples and put that into singer piles so that they can all come over today and get their stuff – we’re actually over a week early in getting them the stuff, compared to the other shows. Then I had to respond to more e-mails, after which I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I finished watching a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Micmacs, a French motion picture from France, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the quirky director of City of Lost Children, Delicatessen, and Amelie. This film was quite whimsical. It was filled with whimsy. One could feel the whimsy wafting from the screen. It’s about a group of misfits who are joined by a new misfit, and who bring down two companies who sell arms and munitions to other countries. It’s a very enjoyable film if you just give yourself over to the whimsy and don’t expect any reality whatsoever. Like most of Mr. Jeunet’s films, the transfer reflects his love of the colors yellow and green. The skies are green and everything else is yellow, with occasional guest appearances by Red and Blue, but always within the yellow palette. The performances are all great, and the film whizzes by. If you like whimsy and odd filmmaking, I can recommend this to you. Transfer is excellent as is the sound.
After the film, I listened to some music, and then sang Jingle Bells. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I sort of feel like I’m dashing through the snow on a seven-horse halfway open sleigh. I also need my beauty sleep, baby, because I’m a little frightening without it.
Today, I shall do some shipping (no helper), and then I have some errands and whatnot to do, some packages and mail to pick up and some Christmas cards to order. I hope to finish all that by one or so. Then my singers are coming by to pick up their music and CDs. Once that’s done, the rest of the day and evening are mine all mine.
Tomorrow, we have a rehearsal with Linda and Greg, then I have to go to the framers to get something framed. Then I have to send out the eBlast for the 22nd Annual Christmas Eve Do. Then I may or may not dine out. We shall see.
Sunday, I have to get the audio samples for our two releases to the web guy and make sure all is ready for the Monday announcement – I will announce here tonight at midnight, and if you’re interested in these titles I would move quickly, that’s all I can say.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do some shipping (no helper), do errands and whatnot, try to do a jog, hopefully pick up packages and mail and then have something light but amusing to eat. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player, and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, various and sundried Kritzerland projects, and also various and sundried soundtracks from other labels. Blu and Ray, next up is Vampire Circus, followed by three Frank Borzage silent films. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst we all sing Jingle Bells and go on about that new-fangled invention, the one-horse open sleigh.