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July 29, 2011:

I CAN HEAR YOU THROUGH THE WHINE

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, this week has flown by, like a gazelle wearing green underpants. In fact, this week was perhaps the fastest fly-by of the year so far. And now it is Friday and I must write these here notes in a hurry because I have a busy day ahead and must be up early. I did manage to get a little over eight hours of sleep yesterday, but I have not quite had the catch up that I’ve desperately needed. And since I must be up early this morning and tomorrow morning, Sunday will be the first chance to sleep in. Am I whining, or as the Brits say, whinging? I have flogged myself like Judge Turpin and there shall be no more whining or whinging in these here notes. How unseemly. Where was I? Oh, yes, whining/whinging. In any case, I got up around nine-thirty, answered e-mails, made some telephonic calls, and then had to be on my way to John Boswell’s home environment. The traffic at noon on the freeway was appalling, but only for about a half-mile. It was crazy until I managed to maneuver my way forward and then I suddenly passed three cars in three lanes and saw that those three idiots were the sole and entire cause of the slowdown. Why? Because they were all going around fifty miles an hour and no one could pass them except in the extreme left lane. Once I did pass them there were literally almost no cars in evidence. Once I got off the freeway at Highland, the traffic there was backed up all the way to the off-ramp. It took ten minutes to go the tenth of a mile where I could turn off and take my shortcut to John’s apartment building. Those who’ve read Murder At The Masquers have read all about the building, which was once owned by Cecil B. DeMille. I have one of the characters living there. We went over the charts he created for the web series and we made some corrections, discussed the style that I wanted and he’ll now make the final tracks for us to use. I also got the wonderful news that John will be with us for the September and October Gardenia shows – that’s a huge relief.

I then came back to the San Fernando Valley, picked up one tiny package and then came home, where I had to answer more e-mails. I tried getting in touch with the cameraman we’re hoping will do at least one day of the shoot, but I haven’t heard back from him yet, which is worrying me. I’ve got to book someone no later than Monday or Tuesday. Then I did the four-mile jog, after which I got ready to go to dinner and rehearsal, but not before having an absolutely heartwarming and hilarious and wonderful hour-long conversation with Mr. Harvey Schmidt. I just love this man so much. I told him all about the Gardenia show and he told me something rather astonishing. We were talking about Celebration and he said when the show was being developed at Portfolio the show needed masks made. This was 1969. Apparently there was a young gal around and she ended up doing the masks. Her name was Julie Taymor. She was all of sixteen. We reminisced about how we first met, and he gave me a couple of other little stories I needed for songs. Then it was time to mosey on over to Dino’s Pizza for pizza.

As always, the pizza was fantastic. I normally eat four slices, but I only had three, so that was good. Then we all went over to Screenland. Melody’s father set up their portable sound system so Melody could get used to doing the act with a live mic. The run-through was VERY smooth with nary a fumfer. But because we’ve only done this once before in a rehearsal space and that was just for staging purposes, I think the whole vibe of the room threw the timing slightly off. She was wonderful, but a little less focused than she’s been, so we discussed those moments and she’ll be back on track for our Saturday rehearsal. It’s really minor stuff, but it all helps. After the run, we worked on a couple of the staging things and that was that. I stopped at Gelson’s on the way home and got a cucumber roll, a nice, low-cal snack. Then I answered yet more e-mails and sent the revised sheet music to our cast members. So, that part is all going according to Hoyle – just need a camera and sound person and we’ll be fine.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because these here notes are just too whiny and whingy and I need to get my beauty sleep.

Today, CDs and helper will be arriving, and then we have a lot of CDs to ship. The man who installed all the pool equipment in this house is coming before noon to see if he can figure out the problem with the Jacuzzi controls turning on by themselves with no way to turn them off. Then I’ll do the four-mile jog, hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, and then at three we have our second Gardenia rehearsal, which I’m very much looking forward to. I hear Guy Haines is coming by to rehearse his number. Not sure when I’m supposed to have time to eat something, but I think it may be after rehearsal is done, around six-thirty. We shall see. I also have to prep Monday’s release (which I’ll announce here at midnight) – I haven’t heard the master yet, but hopefully the tracks will start arriving today.

Tomorrow, she of the Evil Eye will be here early, so I’ll do an early jog, then we have a rehearsal at the retirement home. After that, I’ll probably finish prepping our release, and then try to just relax and doze for the rest of the day and evening. Sunday, we have a performance at the retirement home – that will be lots of fun and interesting. Next week is insanely busy, as you might imagine.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, ship CDs, do the four-mile jog, hopefully pick up packages and an important envelope, have a rehearsal, and then sup. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, lots of soundtracks, which I’m finally getting a chance to hear. Blu and Ray, I think The Bicycle Thief will be next. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland with no further whining or even whinging.

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