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March 27, 2012:

THE SHIPPING NEWS

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, books arrived and will be shipped out this very morning. Hence, I must be up very early and hence I must write these here notes in a hurry. Had the books actually arrived by one we would have gotten them shipped out yesterday, but noooo, the UPS man plays this little game now – whereas he always used to deliver by one to the mail place, now he switches it up and sometimes is there by one, sometimes two, sometimes three – it’s a game now which he plays to keep from getting bored – he actually told this to the UPS Store people. The problem is that most of the folks who have boxes at the UPS Store are small businesses who need their damn packages at a reasonable hour. Yesterday, this doofus didn’t arrive until four-thirty, and which point my helper lit into him with much ferocity. He didn’t care, nor did he care that the UPS Store had gotten phone calls all day long about the lateness of the delivery from over thirty customers. I talked to the UPS hub and told them this guy needs to stop playing these games – of course he doesn’t care – they’re not his packages. But for those in need of their stuff, he should care. Apparently, he was in the neighborhood for at least three hours and just chose, as is his game, to come at the later hour – it was, in fact, the latest he’s ever been there. I’m hoping he gets a talking to, but if it happens again, he’s certainly going to get a talking to – by the likes of me, and I think anyone who knows me will know this will not make Mr. UPS Man happy.

The good news is that the too-dark photos of my first copies has been fixed and they look fine now, so that’s a big load off. The good news is that I’ve sold more of this book on our website than all the other books combined – isn’t that interesting? In fact, I will probably have to reorder within the next week or so. Prior to all that, I’d managed to get eight hours of sleep (barely), got up, did some work on the computer, had a sandwich and sweet potato fries, and then came home. At three-thirty, the MD came over and we did some routining. She’s new to us and this can be a very strange and difficult job if one is not used to our vibe in creating these shows. The real problem with this particular show is that it isn’t based on a specific album I produced, and therefore with the exception of two charts wherein I did have Bob Merrill songs on albums, we’re just going off regular sheet music, some of which doesn’t match up at all with the original recordings. That’s more than a little frustrating, I must say. So, our MD wasn’t quite prepared enough to have the day go smoothly – in fact, it was the roughest first rehearsal we’ve ever had. But she’s got it together now and will be ready to run everything tomorrow at our second rehearsal. We had to move our second rehearsal up a day to accommodate a cast member – I wish we hadn’t had to because it would give the MD one extra day to get this in her hands. The cast is great and it will be a very good show when it’s all smooth. There are some wonderful numbers and a couple of guaranteed showstoppers.

The helper brought the big boxes of books over along with a couple of other smaller packages. After the rehearsal, I went to Gelson’s and got a couple of light calorie-friendly snacks, then I sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I began The Killing II (or Forbrydelsen II), the second season of the original Danish series. I’m guessing that once the American version finishes the series one story, that story two will pick up mid-season in the upcoming season – that way they can stretch that one over two seasons. As you know, I thought the American version was just not a patch on the butt cheeks of the original – it’s just not as well cast, everything is paint by numbers, and the dialogue is pretty bad. I suppose if one has nothing to compare it to then the story propels it along. But none of their directors are as good as the Danish directors and even though they are trying mightily to duplicate the atmosphere and feel of the original (without calling too much attention to the fact that it is an adaptation), it’s a Xerox of a Xerox of a Xerox. I must say, within two minutes of the season two opening episode I was completely hooked. Season two takes place two years after the events that wrapped up season one. Thankfully, Detective Sarah Lund is back as is the brilliant actress who plays her, Sofie Grabol. Other than her, and the actress who plays her mother, and the police chief, it’s an all-new cast. This story lasts for ten episodes. Season three is airing in Denmark and elsewhere in September of this year. I can’t wait to watch more episodes, which I’ll do this very evening.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get as much beauty sleep as I can.

Today, I shall be up early, the helper will arrive and lots o’ books will be shipped. The only books that won’t go out today are ones where they’ve ordered one or both of our new releases. Those will either go out Thursday or a week from Thursday, as the helper is leaving town on Friday. After that, I’ll eat something light but amusing, and if the weather clears up, I’ll try to do a short jog. Hopefully I’ll pick up some packages, too.

Tomorrow is our second rehearsal, and then I have dinner plans. Thursday and Friday I have a lot of little things to do including trying to get three releases done and to the pressing plant by the tenth of April, because I need copies of all three for the end of April STAGE benefit. Saturday is our stumble-through, and then Sunday is sound check and show time in our new venue – it is also, shockingly, a new month. I don’t know where March went, but it flew by, like a gazelle in a loincloth.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, ship books, eat, hopefully pick up packages and if the weather clears, jog. Today’s topic of discussion: Who are your favorite photographers? I don’t know nearly enough about photographers and want to get some books. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which we will ship lots o’ books – and that is the shipping news.

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