Well, dear readers, I am in the zone. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I, BK, am in the zone. I have no idea what that means, but whatever the zone is I am in it. That is because Muse Margaret called and was very happy with the final eighty pages of Ye Olde Newe Booke. She was very specific about the things she liked, didn’t guess the ending, thought the explanations all worked, and I was happy that she liked what were for me my favorite things to write in these eighty pages – two small emotional moments that I thought came out very well. She suggested three small little word changes, which I made quickly. Interestingly, I’d told her that I just couldn’t stop writing until I got to the end, and she said she could feel it in the book and that it really came through and worked and gave the thing real urgency, so that was really nice to hear. And now, this book is finished. Now it’s off to the two copy editors for their perusal.
The rest of the day was just lovelier than lovely. I got up, I futzed and fixed the twenty-three pages I’d done – I made some really good additions, a couple of deletions, and just some general smoothing out. I had no idea if I was going to really like what I’d done, but I did – it really worked for me. I then moseyed on over to Nate ‘n’ Al’s for a lunch meeting. I had my usual New York (pastrami – extra lean – on rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing). We shared some kishka to start (best anywhere) and it was a very good lunch and meeting. After that, I came back home, did just one other little addition to one little paragraph I hadn’t quite been satisfied with – and the addition, which wouldn’t come to me the night before or yesterday morning, just presented itself like a little gift from heaven, and just that one little sentence informed everything in the paragraph and around it. Then I went to the mail place and picked up one little package containing one amazing thing, and then I got the motor car washed for the first time in four weeks – it’s all sparklingly shiny now. Then I came home, printed out the pages, got the Xeroxed and delivered to Muse Margaret. Then I went to the framers with the contents of the little package, and then I went to the bank. After that, I finally came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Audrey Rose, a film by Robert Wise, starring Marsha Mason and Anthony Hopkins. I’ve only seen it once before and I just wanted to see if somehow time had been kind to it. But time will never be kind to Audrey Rose because it’s just not good. It is occasionally and very unintentionally hilarious, it is filled with bad performances, it is poorly cast, and has a horrible screenplay. Mr. Wise is always an interesting director and the visual aspects of the film are very nice. But the blame has to be put squarely on his shoulders. Not only are some of the characters ineptly written, but when you cast an actor like John Beck to play a square, hard-headed idiot, then it’s just going to be hopeless. There were times I was yelling at the TV because he was just so bad. Marsha Mason spends most of the film in tears. And the usually wonderful Anthony Hopkins seems to be at sea here, and none of them get one iota of help from Mr. Wise. In fact, he probably sent them all off in the wrong directions. Every other supporting player in the film turns in an annoying performance. It’s actually something to see. The girl who plays Audrey Rose gets knocked consistently for this performance, but she’s fine – it’s the part and the way in which she’s directed – she never had a chance. However, in the midst of all that badness one thing shines through, and that is the absolutely stunning score of Michael Small, one of his best.
After that, I transferred some CDRs into iTunes – upcoming Kritzerland projects, and I began listening to those because my intention over the next few weeks is to get three or four projects ahead, so that I’m not always up against a terrible time crunch.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I am in the zone and hoping for a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall take it easy. I shall try to finally finish the lyrics I’m redoing. I’ll probably eat something light but amusing, and I’m hoping to now start jogging again regularly. Then at four we have our second rehearsal, which I’m hoping will go very smoothly. I do love our rehearsals because mostly I just get to sit there and listen to really good singers sing really good songs. I also have to figure out the show order before their arrival.
Tomorrow, I believe I’m lunching with Mr. Jason Graae, although we haven’t set the time or place yet. Other than that, the day is mine all mine. On Sunday I have a brunch with three very cute gals, our backup singers from the last Gardenia show – the lunch is just my little way of saying thanks for all their hard work and time.
Next week will be very busy but now that the book is done, I’ll have much more time to get things organized. I have rehearsals, a show, meetings, and meals, not necessarily in that order.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, attempt to jog, I must redo lyrics, I must figure out the show order, I must rehearse, and I must eat something light but amusing. 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. Blu and Ray, Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I remain in the zone, which is a good, positive place to be after an intense twenty-six days of writing a book.