Well, dear readers, I am home again, home again, and happy to be so. I had a very pleasant flight that actually got in thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Once home, I unpacked, opened a lot of packages, was happy to see all the boxes of the new book had arrived, and then I went to Jerry’s where I had a pastrami sandwich that was grotesquely bad. I should have sent it back, but I was hungry and just ate it, but I shall never have pastrami there again. For the last year or so, the handful of pastrami sandwiches I’ve had at Jerry’s, while never even coming within a country mile of Langer’s or Nate ‘n’ Al’s, have at least been decent. I had some onion rings, too. Then I bought the padded envelopes for shipping the books, then I printed out a LOT of orders, then I answered e-mails, then I had a couple of telephonic conversations, and then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a magical and very beautiful film entitled L’Illusioniste, directed by Sylvain Chomet, director of The Triplets of Belleville, a film I loved. But as much as I loved Triplets, this was even better. Adapted from an unfilmed and very personal script by Jacques Tati, there was some controversy about the adaptation, mostly from one of Tati’s grandsons. But this isn’t Tati’s film, it’s Chomet’s film and must be judged that way – and I judge it a quiet masterpiece. It is a film of small moments, it is a film of magic, it is a film of beauty, it is a film of silences (there is basically no dialogue other than a few mumbled sentences), it is a film with no action sequences or chases or loudness. Mr. Chomet also wrote the score, and it’s a beauty, too. The title character is modeled on the Tati image, and the visuals are quirky and, at times, breathtakingly beautiful. Without counting the end credits, the film runs about seventy-two minutes. The imdb “reviews” are, as always, amusing in their stupidity – most of the negative “reviews” are from people who read a very long, rambling letter from Tati’s grandson that was published on the Roger Ebert website. The film is the film – Mr. Tati is long dead and this is an adaptation of a never-filmed script. Mr. Chomet made the film he wanted to make and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The transfer is excellent.
After that, I organized everything for tomorrow’s big day o’ shipping, with close to 1500 CDs are going out. We’ll try to get the books out, too, but those may have to wait until Saturday.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get some beauty sleep before an early arisal to go ship CDs.
Today, as noted, the helper and I will be shipping close to 1500 CDs. That will take a good portion of the day, I’m sure, then I’ve got errands and whatnot to do and then a dinner and work session with the thirteen-year-old. We’ll be supping at Islands, and working at their house for a change.
Tomorrow, I hope I can sleep in, then we’ll probably get the books shipped out, and then I’ll grab a quick bite before heading over to the Colony Theater to set up and prep for the recording of the Jason Graae Jerry Herman show. We’re going to record some of the sound check rehearsal, just to have some options, and then if Jason or I feel we need to redo something, we’ll hold the audience after the show and re-tape any problems. I hear we’re going to have a really nice-sized crowd. After the show, we’ll probably all go out for a drink or something.
Sunday will be a day of rest – that’s it, and I’m not having it any other way. Then next week is quite busy, prepping a new release, doing work on a new project I’m not quite ready to talk about yet, and finalizing the songs and cast for the next Gardenia show.
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 Monkey, because today is the birthday of La Jolie Femme, aka Julieanne Pogue, and we also have belated birthday wishes for dear reader Sam. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com belated birthday cheer to dear reader Sam. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BELATED BIRTHDAY CHEER TO DEAR READER SAM!!! And a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to occasional dear reader La Jolie Femme aka Julieanne Pogue. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OCCASIONAL DEAR READER LA JOLIE FEMME AKA JULIEANNE POGUE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, ship a LOT of CDs, do errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up a package or three and an important envelope, eat, and have a work session. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – Blu and Ray, Some Like It Hot. CD, various and sundried Kritzerland projects. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to be home again, home again.