Well, dear readers, may I just state for the record and also the eight-track that I am not a fan of power outages. There, I’ve said it and I’m glad. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I, BK, am no fan of power outages, but unfortunately that is exactly what I had to deal with when I got home from a four-hour rehearsal. I was so ready to sit on my couch like so much fish and watch motion pictures. However, when I went to the computer it was off, and I mean off, not asleep. Then I noticed the modem was off, the router was off, the printer was off, and so was everything else. Of course, I immediately freaked out because that sort of inanity freaks me out. I called the DWP and got a woman who actually said to me, “What can I do for you?” Mind you, she already knew my name and address and yet she asked the question, “What can I do for you?” I told her she could tell me why I had no power in my home environment (I’d already checked the water, which was working and fine). She sort of blithely informed me that over 1000 homes in the City of Studio were without power. I asked her why (why she couldn’t just tell me is another question, one that went unanswered), and she told me that a tree had fallen on power lines. Now, it was a beautiful day, no wind, and I’m thinking “A tree fell on a power line – exactly how did that happen?” And the only answer I could come up with is that some tree-trimming idiot did it. Trees don’t just fall all by their lonesome. I asked her for an ETA and she told me (again, rather blithely) two in the morning. If I was already agitated, and I was, that news sent me into paroxysms of agitation. She did tell me that it might be fixed sooner than that. I got off the phone and yelled at no one in particular, just to get the agitation out of my system. Then I began to think about the fact that I could be sitting in a cold, dark house until two in the morning. Then I tried to get online on the phone and it wouldn’t work either, not 3G or E. I then was so annoyed that I got the laptop out and decided to go to the Studio Café – I was going to call them to find out if they had wi-fi, but I couldn’t even get enough bars on my phone to make the damn call. I put my coat on and got my car keys and just as I turned to go, the modem lit up, the router lit up, the stove clock began to blink as did the microwave clock. So, thank goodness the blackout (which had begun about two hours before I got home) only lasted a little under three hours.
Prior to that annoyance, I’d had a reasonably nice day. CDs and interim helper arrived and we got everything ready and then she took them and got them all boxed up and they’re going to the postal office first thing this morning. Then I met a friend for lunch in North Hollywood, after which I hied myself to a rehearsal hall for rehearsal. Linda and Gregory had worked a little yesterday on some perfunctory movement, so I watched what they’d done in the opening number. Then we began with that, and I filled it out a bit and it’s really cute. Then we went through the entire show, and we worked out all the blocking for each and every number, so that’s a big load off. After rehearsal, I picked up no packages and some not so interesting mail. Then I had the blackout, then I had to deal with yet more interim helper drama, which I am now done with. I’ve hired a new gal, who’s starting Tuesday. The interim helper will train her and then we’ll do the switchover concurrent with shipping the next release – both the new helper and the interim helper will work together on that one. Then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled 10, a film by the recently departed Blake Edwards, starring Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews. I adored 10 when it came out – it was very funny and even a little touching. But it’s one of the very few Edwards films that I loved that has not worn as well as others – I find parts of it very contrived and I hate to say it, but I just don’t care for Miss Andrews in this film. However, what was funny is just as funny now – some classic Blake Edwards scope comedy bits that simply make you laugh out loud. Dudley Moore is wonderful, as is Robert Webber as his gay songwriting partner. Bo Derek is fine, although I have to say I have never thought she was a 10. But the two best performances in the film (after Dudley) are by then-newcomer Brian Dennehy as a bartender and Dee Wallace as a fellow vacationer. Both bring real depth to their characters – I remember thinking back in 1979 that whoever this guy Dennehy was he was going to have a nice career, and I’m happy to say I was right. The Mancini score, though very brief, is lovely.
After that, I did some work on the computer and got a couple of little things to eat from Gelson’s. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I am about to fall asleep at the keyboard.
Today, I shall really try to sleep late, then I have a noon to three rehearsal. After that, I’ll hopefully pick up a package or three and hopefully an important envelope, then I’ll eat something, then watch a motion picture.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the Pasadena Book Fair fairly early and will stay there until about two-thirty, after which I’ll head over to rehearsal, which should last till six. Then I’m meeting a book dealer pal and his lovelier than lovely wife for dinner back in the Dena of Pasa. Sunday I’ll be relaxing, and then listening to twelve-year-old Melody singing songs all afternoon and then I’m sure we’ll all head out for something fun to eat.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep in, have a rehearsal, do some errands and whatnot, eat, and then watch a motion picture. 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 upcoming Kritzerland projects. Blu and Ray, Alice in Wonderland, All About Eve, and An Affair To Remember. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland.