Well, dear readers, I awoke yesterday at five in the morning and in one of those really weird things that happens, I had the very strong feeling that a little item I carry with me every day was missing. I don’t have a clew as to why I would have awakened with that idea, but I did and I went to my pants pocket and indeed the item, a little black and red glass ladybug that I have been carrying with me since it was given to me about eight years ago, was indeed missing. And why? Because we live in a time where they make people who buy tickets to a movie at the Academy empty their pockets into little gray trays, smaller versions of what they have at the airport. And so my sweet little ladybug didn’t end up back in my pocket. And I have to say I amazed even myself by reacting so out of proportion that I was ready to drive down to the Academy and cause a real, huge stink. I know it’s a silly little trinket but that’s not the point – the point is the thing has been in my pocket every day for eight years and I LIKE knowing that it’s there, it makes me HAPPY. And because we know live in something that is really beginning to resemble a police state, my item is lost. I fumed about it for a couple of hours, found a few ladybugs on eBay that seemed to be very similar, purchased a package of six various sizes of small glass ladybugs that were black and red, and those are now on their way to me from Canada. After I made that purchase, I went back to bed and managed to sleep two more hours, but I felt pretty wasted, I must say.
When I got up, I called the Academy and they put me through to security. After I finally got the guy to understand what I was talking about and after he figured out how angry I was, he promised to search the trays for it. Unfortunately, they were about to start some other event and yes, Virginia, they were using the same trays to make people reveal the personal contents of their pockets. I have to believe that if someone really wanted to question the legality of what they did, one could, and frankly one might. By three, they still hadn’t found it and I am now assuming they won’t. I did some errands and whatnot, made myself a couple of eggs with tortillas and then picked up three count them three packages. Two of the packages contained my new book – soft and hardcover versions. I was very pleased with the way it looked, and then I ordered my copies. We’ll be putting it up for preorder by tomorrow evening probably. So, stay tuned.
It’s always such a wonderful thing to see one’s finished book as a book, and that took my mind off the ladybug situation for a little while, which was good. I also managed to watch a motion picture on Blu and Ray before I had to leave.
Yesterday, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Blow Out, directed by Mr. Brian De Palma, and starring Mr. John Travolta and Miss Nancy Allen. I run hot and cold on Mr. De Palma, hot being Sisters, Phantom Of The Paradise, Carrie and a couple of others, and cold being Dressed To Kill, Blow Out, Body Double and LOTS of others. Blow Out borrows from paranoia thrillers, from Antonioni’s Blow Up, and elsewhere and it’s nicely made and beautifully scored by Pino Donaggio. But the supporting players, with a couple of exceptions, are just so amateur, at least in my opinion, and those scenes are almost risible, especially the ones involving a director of a slasher film trying to find a perfect scream. There’s nothing wrong with the scene other than some not great writing, but the actor just kills it. Travolta and Allen are fine, and it’s interesting that the film escaped with its downbeat ending intact. The film didn’t do well at the box-office, but it sure has its De Palma devotees. I saw it when it came out, and saw it on DVD some years later. Seeing it on Blu-Ray hasn’t really changed anything for me – I like parts of it, and other parts just make me roll my eyes heavenward. The transfer is fine, as is the sound.
I then moseyed on down to the Music Center, picked up my tickets for God Of Carnage, and then went to the little snack place, got a Thai salad and some fruit and sat at a table and ate – it was quite pretty and balmy out. After that, I took a walk, and then it was time to enter the theater. I’d had to call in a favor to get house seats and they were, as expected, perfect. And at eight o’clock sharp the play began.
I hadn’t read too much about the show and had no idea if I’d like it or not, but since I haven’t really liked many new plays over the last few years, I was hoping at least that the cast would carry it. Well, it’s a terrific play; very funny, very caustic, and filled with some wonderful and sometimes not pretty observations on the human condition. The cast? Amazing. What a great group of actors – just to be blessed to sit in the audience and watch four consummate performers do what they do is an amazing treat. James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeff Daniels, and Hope Davis – each brilliant, each surprising, each fearless. The staging by Matthew Warchus is terrific and he keeps everything moving along after the very measured first fifteen minutes. The laughs were huge and the audience just ate the whole thing up. Best of all, no intermission and just under ninety minutes. A perfect evening of theater and if you’re here in LA, you really owe it to yourself to get down there and see it.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really need a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I have to create the show order prior to rehearsal and I really have to start my next set of liner notes. Then I’ll grab something light but amusing to eat, and then we’ll have our three hours of rehearsal, after which I will definitely be sitting on my couch like so much fish.
Tomorrow, I have a work session with the now thirteen-year-old, and then she and I and her folks and her brother are all going to Ruth’s Chris steakhouse for an early dinner. I haven’t been there in at least three years, I think, so I’m really looking forward to it. Sunday there’s something going on but I still can’t remember what it is. Hopefully someone will send me a reminder.
Let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora or the Madison because today is the birthday of our beloved Vixter – she turns eighteen today, which is really hard to believe. She’s blossomed from an adorable little girl to a beautiful young woman and thanks to her good parents has managed to remain grounded and smart. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved Vixter. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED VIXTER!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, start liner notes, figure out a show order, eat something light but amusing, hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, and have a rehearsal. 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, Dementia 13 and others. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland hoping my new replacement ladybugs will reach me soon because I have to tell you it feels very weird not having a ladybug in my pocket.