Well, dear readers, it was the best of times, it was the best of times. I believe we have to banish the word “worst” from our various and sundried vocabularies. We only need the best of times and, as Jerry Herman said, the best of times is now. I have no idea why I’m going on about the best of times, but that’s just what came out, willy-nilly and also nilly-willy. I have Afrin up my nose and Mucinex down my throat – I wish this damn thing would let go, but it’s like a dog with a bone. Be gone, I say and I also say be gone. I woke up feeling quite bad. Thankfully, I’d gotten over nine hours of sleep. The iPad alarm didn’t go off because I forgot you have to leave that application on the screen for it to work. So, I woke up fifteen minutes later than I wanted, but I was ready for the delivery of the CDs and the arrival of the helpers. This release required both the new helper and the interim helper because of its hugeness. I’m told that some of it got shipped by the end of yesterday, with the rest going out today, so that’s a big load off. All the bigger dealer orders went out, too. It rained most of the day. After the helpers were on their merry way, I went and had a cup of chicken soup, a turkey sandwich, and a few fries. That made me feel a bit better. Then I picked up no packages and no important envelope – hopefully there will be some packages and the important envelope today, as there’s no mail on Monday. I also had a telephonic conversation with Muse Margaret, and we went over all the suggestions of proofer one, deciding which to do and which not to do. As I’ve mentioned, Muse Margaret will not allow anything to hurt the “voice” of the book, and if that means we do something that isn’t absolutely grammatically perfect then that means we do it. While these books are in the third person, the third person is not a dispassionate observer – they’re quirky that way, almost as if Miss Hofstetter herself were writing. And sometimes sticking to absolutely correct form results in a pedantic and awkward-sounding sentence or group of words that sound nothing like the book. We hopefully don’t leave any huge faux pas, but the voice of the book is what’s important, not to mention that rules are made to be broken and many authors, especially these days, break them all the time to their own devices. And that’s fine if it works. Bad writing is something else, but hopefully we’ve avoided any of THAT. So, I got everything entered into the manuscript, and then found better ways of doing four things we were going to change so we spoke again and she liked them very much. The book is now up-to-date, fixes-wise, and off to proofer two. I did some work on the computer, and by three or so was feeling a bit better, so that was nice. I listened to a few CDs, did some work on the computer, and then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Chaplin. I saw it when it first came out and I was surprised to find that I rather enjoyed it. No, it wasn’t a great film, but I love Chaplin and Robert Downey, Jr. did a pretty terrific job throughout. Seeing it again all these years later, I still enjoyed it, and still don’t think it’s a great film. It’s competently directed, looks great, has a wonderful score by John Barry, and some really good supporting performances. The film does a good job of making you realize just how loathsome J. Edgar Hoover was, and how disgusting the McCarthy era was. The transfer is beautiful and perfect.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get these here notes posted so I can get another good night’s sleep. A few of those in a row and I might just be back to normal – or next to normal.
Today, I will hopefully awaken feeling better, and then I’ll relax until the work session at two-thirty with the twelve-year-old singer. Then we’ll all go out for something to eat, after which I’ll come home and relax more, and then watch a few of these new-fangled Blu and Rays I have – perhaps Last Tango In Paris or Network or Moonstruck.
Tomorrow, I have a work session with the musical director of the Gardenia show – we have some arrangement work to do, which should take an hour or so. After that, more relaxing. The rest of the week is quite busy, with rehearsals, meetings, meals, and plenty of errands and whatnot.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, relax, have a work session, eat, relax, and watch motion pictures. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Chaplin films, both short comedies and feature length? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall hopefully dream of the best of times.