Well, dear readers, there I was, sitting in Jerry’s Deli waiting for my chicken salad sandwich and no fries or onion rings, in my usual booth. In one of the side booths I heard this noise, this droning noise, which was the voice of some young woman sitting there. I couldn’t see who she was sitting with, but that’s not important. What was coming out of her mouth was the most annoying voice I have ever heard, and I’ve heard a few. It’s actually indescribable, other than to say it sounded like she’d just sucked about ten gallons of helium. I could have dealt with a little of that, but this woman not only did not shut her mouth for the entire hour and ten minutes I was there, she was LOUD. I tried to tune it out, but that was not possible. And what she was saying was so inane and “today” and just that newspeak that’s so hideous. I wondered if I recorded her and then played it back for her if it would teach her what other people are hearing. Many have no idea what they sound like to others, not that there’s really anything one can do about it. But it was just the big combo platter of voice and words and it was an excruciating lunch, I must say. She was still there gabbing away with her helium voice when I finally vacated the premises.
I got a LOT of sleep – ten and a half hours of it and missed out on most of the morning, but that was fine. Once up, I did my morning stuff and then moseyed on over to lunch about one. I was worried it would be too crowded, but while it was somewhat full my usual booth was empty and waiting. After lunch, I came right home.
Then I did some work on the computer. I had several telephonic conversations, and then there was a lot of back and forth on the dates for our next ALS benefit. We’d locked in something that worked for everyone but then the theater had a change so we have to change. The dates that work best for me don’t work for our musical director. Most of us agree that we want to stay at the Pasadena Playhouse – it just felt really good there. So, I think the only date that’s going to work, which is about two weeks later than what we were doing, is going to require me being the one to bend, as it conflicts with the Kritzerland show that month. I have said from the beginning that the only thing we have to steer clear of are those first Sundays, but since no one else seems willing or able to bend I will probably have to either keep the show where it is but move the stumble-through to Friday, which I really don’t like, but am willing to do, but then the band rehearsal would have to be on Thursday so that I don’t conflict with that. It’s nutty. But the easier thing may just be to push our show to the second Sunday for that one month, or even move it to the Monday of that first week. But what a crazy few days that would be. So, if we settle on that date, I’ll talk to the club about us doing the second Sunday and see if we can make that work. As the kids say today – it’s complicated. At some point I picked up a couple of packages and got some stuff at Gelson’s. After that, I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I finished watching the final two episodes of The Fall. Fifteen minutes before the end of the final episode I could see they were not going to put a finish on it – later I read that that infuriated viewers, who thought the plot of series one would be wrapped up. I found it interesting that they’d have done it before knowing that there even would BE a series two. Usually these kinds of BBC shows have one plot per series (or season). But I’ve already seen the cast list for the second series and character whose plot should have been wrapped up in series one is in for the whole of series two. But overall I enjoyed it – it’s a very odd show in certain ways, mostly with Gillian Anderson’s character, who is a very strange creation, but it works and makes the show interesting. All the actors are fine and it’s all very well done. I guess I’ll be up for the second series, which I think will air later this year.
I then began watching a new DVD set of rare Marx Brothers stuff, some of which is new to me and some of which isn’t. It’s really for completists, but there are a few gems to be found. Each of the three DVDs has several full episodes of shows that feature one, two, or three of the brothers. A lot of this stuff is from the later years when Harpo and Chico just wanted to work and would pretty much take anything. Groucho had it the best – his quiz show was such a huge hit he could afford NOT to do anything that was thrown his way. We have the full episode of The Jack Benny Show where Jack goes on the Groucho show to try and win money – that’s the best thing in the set, so far. Then there’s the episode from General Electric Theatre, which I saw when it first aired in 1959. It’s really not good, but I remember really enjoying it as an eleven-year-old. Plus it has a great last line (the entire show is sans dialogue until Groucho shows up at the end for his one and only line). Most interesting is the wall-to-wall score by Elmer Bernstein, which goes out of its way to be a COMEDY score. There’s a bunch of shorter bits from various variety shows, including one great Harpo bit (recreated from one of the films) on a variety show hosted by Tony Martin. There’s an I’ve Got a Secret episode that’s fun. There are some commercials with Harpo, a British version of You Bet Your Life called Groucho, and a few Chico things. I’m in the middle of disc two. If you buy the set from the company releasing it, you get an extra DVD of bits and pieces. Quality is all over the place, as you’d expect.
I did a one-and-a-half mile jog and had a couple of snack things along the way, then just relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Today, we have the first of our all-week work sessions with Sandy and Lanny at ten-thirty. I’m sure these will all take a couple of hours. After that, I’ll eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and maybe pull some more DVDs to get rid of. I’ve already got one box and I’ll try to do two more. I just want rid of extraneous stuff – I have no time for it nor the need to hoard it anymore. I would love to clear two shelves out in the garage completely of DVDs so I have that space for other things.
The rest of the week are rehearsals, meetings and meals, a work session in advance of Friday’s birthday thing, and then, most excitingly, our two day recording session at Capitol Records in Hollywood, California USA.
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 Texas Two-Step because today is the birthday of our wonderful dear reader Jrand. So, let’s all give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our wonderful dear reader Jrand. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR WONDERFUL DEAR READER JRAND!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, rehearse, eat, hopefully pick up packages, finish liner notes, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite mystery shows or series – and books – with female protagonists? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall thankfully not have to listen to the girl with the annoying voice.