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January 13, 2014:

ONE STARRY NIGHT

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, in last night’s notes I wrote the following sentence:  “The chicken, which I normally love, wasn’t very good and my tummy is not happy right now, but hopefully that will pass quickly.”  The hope did not become the reality and fifteen minutes later I suffered the biggest bout of food poisoning I’ve ever had and I’ve had a couple of doozies.  I just want to say again the name and location of the restaurant as a fair warning: The CALIFORNIA CHICKEN CAFÉ on Lincoln Blvd.  Take note and buyer beware.  Interestingly, minutes after tasting my chicken and having one of the wings, Sami Staitman complained of a severe tummy ache, which apparently continued for a few hours, although thankfully she avoided anything beyond that.

And so began the Ordeal of the Food Poisoning. WARNING: Disgusting content ahead. It must be stated up front that I would rather do almost anything other than throw up.  In fact, the last time I full out threw up was thirty-two years ago during my last horrifying bout due to a Starburger at Carl’s Jr.  I did some diagraming, just trying to hold it together, but soon I knew I had to go lie down.  I did exactly that, but within minutes I had to go to the bathroom.  Minutes later I began to dry heave, which I also hate.  I went back to bed but was up five minutes later and this time the dry heaves gave way to some mini-throwing up.  That was disgusting, and then I went back to bed.  Thirty minutes later I had more throwing up, and this time it started with mini and immediately graduated to maxi – I could not believe what was coming out of me – it was even more disgusting and vile, although thankfully I kept the lights off and couldn’t see anything, which is what I would strongly recommend to any person throwing up.  That episode lasted at least fifteen minutes and I can’t tell you how gross it was or of the sounds that my throat and stomach were making.  Each time I felt like maybe I was through with the bathroom visits or the throwing up and after that second time I really thought I was through, but an hour later I was back using the bathroom, which led directly to throwing up episode three.  Apparently episode two had scored well in the throwing up ratings, because not much came out in episode three.  I went back to bed and there were no further throwing up episodes and only a couple more bathroom episodes.  At some point around five or six I mercifully fell asleep.

I got up around eight-thirty or nine, completely groggy and feeling yucky with almost no voice.  But the nausea was under control – there, but I felt the worst of it was done.  I’d already written the benefit people telling them it would depend on how I felt an hour later.  I went back to bed and played on the iPad, then got up again at ten thirty.  I decided to chance going to the Pasadena Playhouse.  I stopped at the liquor store and got a 7-Up.  I was to the theater by eleven-fifteen.

The first thing I was greeted with was a stage that was vastly different from what I’d asked for, and which all my diagrams were based on.  I’d asked for the band on two sides of a center aisle that I wanted for entrances and exits, to break up constant side exits.  No one had told me there was a big riser upstage for their next show, and they’d already set up the orchestra so that there was no aisle center.  I got really irritated, but knew there was nothing to be done.  I had them clear a little space and I will try to use it at sound check and see what it looks like for a couple of people.  So, I couldn’t give out most of the diagrams, other than the ones with side exits.  We began at noon and there were several miracles along the way.  One of the things I’d insisted on was bringing the sound guy from The Federal and thank goodness I held tough and did, because he had everything up and running so fast and sounding so good no one could believe it.  Richard Allen’s charts all sounded great – I was very impressed.  And he held the rehearsal together very well – there was a lot to get through and we did get through it all.  I think it’s going to be a lovely show, and I’m just praying there are no glitches in terms of making sure everything is running as I want it to.

I had expected to only take small sips of the 7-Up but I guess I was so dehydrated I just kept taking large swallows of it and it did help a lot.  In fact, other than the queasiness, I made it through the three hours with flying colors.

Then I came right home, futzed and finessed and wrote a page and a half, and then I did something I’ve only done two or three times in my entire life – I went to bed at three-thirty and slept peacefully until seven or so.  I then got up and wrote another five pages, did new diagrams and took a hot shower.  Still queasy, of course, but I’m really hoping that’s abated even more when I get up today.  The other decision I made when I got up was to not announce at six in the morning but at midnight, right after I post the notes.  I just need a good night’s sleep.  So, I got everything ready for that.  In fact, here it is – our first release of 2014 from the great film composer John Addison – this is the film’s world premiere release.  It will be available for ordering at midnight.

KL_JosAndrews_Cov_72

Today, I shall hopefully be less queasy and I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep.  I’ll arrive at the Pasadena Playhouse at noon, to work with both sound and lighting.  I love the lighting gal – she’s just a wonderful person and I know she’ll make this show look amazing.  We’ll plan certain “looks” for the show, and then I’ll make sure that Josh, our sound guy, knows all the stuff he needs to – who sings on which of the three front mics, which numbers have head mics (I think there are only four or five), and where the one piece of pre-recorded music goes.  I’m very prepared for all of it, with good lists of everything.  We begin our long run of sound checks at 1:30 and that goes right up until five or so, then I’ve got our off-stage announcer arriving and we’ll go over his stuff.  Richard Sherman will arrive at seven and we’ll take him backstage to show him how his segment will work.  And then it’s show time for One Starry Night. I probably won’t be home before midnight, but will, of course, have a full report.  I am hoping I can write just a page or two before I leave.

Tomorrow is a complete day off save for writing however many pages I can, hopefully picking up some packages, and hopefully printing out a LOT of orders.  I have a dinner thing, which I’ll either cancel or go to and just have a ginger ale.  Wednesday Muse Margaret will get at least forty-five to fifty more pages and we’ll be shipping a lot of Buccaneer CDs.  I think I may also have a work session with one of the And the World Goes Round actresses.  Thursday is more of the same then from four to six we’ll be auditioning for replacements.  I may or may not stay to see the show.  Then the rest of the week should be mostly writing and I’m sure I’ll pass the halfway point of the book by the weekend.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, hopefully feel better and not too queasy, and then I must be at the Pasadena Playhouse all the livelong day and night.  Please send lots of excellent vibes and xylophones for an excellent and smooth-running show.  Today’s topic of discussion: What’s the worst gastrointestinal problem you’ve ever had?  Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall hopefully sleep peacefully and well.

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