Well, dear readers, our stumble-through went very well, with only a few hiccups here and there, as always. This cast is really fun and the show moves along at a steady clip despite having one more song than we’ve ever had in a Kritzerland show. I love our holiday shows – it’s the way we’ve welcomed in the holiday season since 2010. Just before we began, Jason Graae called to tell me he’d eaten something the night before that was not agreeing with him, so he will join us today for sound check. After we finished, I gave a few notes and we ran a few things and then nine of us moseyed on over to Jerry’s Deli for some food. I had a cup of chicken noodle soup and a ham and Swiss on rye. We got some onion rings for the table – I only ate three, so no damage there. Celebrity sighting – I saw my old pals Charlie Brill and Mitzi McCall and their buddy Jack Burns.
Prior to that, I believe I got a decent night’s beauty sleep but it was weird because I kept dreaming that I was awake. I hate when that happens. I had to get my act together even though I wasn’t taking it on the road. I showered and shaved and then everyone arrived for the stumble-through.
After food, I picked up one package and then came home. I answered e-mails, relaxed a bit, got another screener and then moseyed on over to Doug Haverty’s for his annual holiday partay. I really didn’t know most of the folks there, but I met a nice family and invited them to tonight’s show and they’re happily coming. I was only there for about an hour, had a couple of teeny-tiny brownie bits and that was it. Then I came right home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on a DVD screener entitled The Theory of Everything. I had no idea what it was about, but was happy it turned out to be a sort of biopic about Stephen Hawking. I must say, I really liked it a lot and that was mostly due to the actors, who are just wonderful. If Eddie Redmayne isn’t nominated for an Oscar then there is no fairness in tinseltown. Of the performances I’ve seen, he’s the clear winner. He’s just terrific and subtle and has to do most of the film without speaking. The actress who plays his wife, Felicity Jones, is also terrific. It never gets too mawkish, but there were several times when it was truly moving. Some people seem to be irked that there’s not much about Mr. Hawking’s science, but that’s not what the movie is about – it’s a love story and it just works splendidly. The script is fine, and the direction is also fine, although he can’t help but get “stylish” a few times and those few times you just wish he hadn’t. And there’s a good musical score, too. All in all, I would recommend it.
I then just relaxed, printed out my commentary and got everything ready for the show and put it all in the motor car so I don’t have to worry about it.
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep. If I’m feeling up to it I may do a quick jog or something resembling a quick jog. I’ll then just relax, then I’ll get ready and be on my way to sound check at four. Then it’s show time and then some of us will go out to eat afterwards. I will, of course, have a full report.
Tomorrow is, of course, my very own birthday. I really didn’t think anyone was going to do anything for it, but that changed late last night. So, our very own Rob Stevens is taking me out for a late breakfast, and my very own helper is taking me out for an early dinner, so that will be very nice. Tuesday I finally get my final porcelain crown put in. Then I have some meetings and meals, and Friday night I’m being taken out for my birthday by the Staitman clan, so that will be fun.
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, for today is the birthday of our very own beloved dear reader Jane. I have known our beloved dear reader Jane since we were but teens and I’m just so happy she found this here site mere days after it was launched. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved dear reader Jane. On the count of three: One, two three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED DEAR READER JANE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, maybe do a jog, relax, do a sound check and do a show. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you dear readers get to make with the topics and we all get to post about them. So, let’s have loads of lovely topics and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy that the holiday season has officially begun.