Well, dear readers, I finally got the sleep I needed and wanted – almost eleven hours of blessed sleep. I awoke when the helper arrived at eleven-thirty. I never got up once during the evening. I did have some interesting dreams, though. Of course, the entire morning was gone, but it was worth it. The helper left around twelve-fifteen, and then I began futzing and finessing. That took until almost two because I added about two new pages in addition to other rewriting and finessing things.
Then I went and had a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich and no fries or onion rings. I picked up a couple of packages, then came right back home. I wrote about six or seven new pages over the course of the afternoon, whilst also having several telephonic conversations, answering a plethora of e-mails and taking a couple of short breaks. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
I finished watching Gone Girl. I think the middle third works okay, but the final third, at least in the film version, just becomes irritating. I’m sure the same events unfold in the book, but from people who love the book I’m told it’s done much better there. As it is, I liked the film less this time and I didn’t like it much to begin with. I did like the woman who played the detective and the leading lady is very good, as is the sister character. But other actors have either been misdirected or are just not good, at least not for me.
I then watched a little Dutch film entitled App. It’s a little thriller about a killer app. The idea is a good one and most of the film is really fun, even if some of it is a bit implausible. It moves along at a steady clip and runs only about seventy-two minutes without the end credits. The film received a bit of notoriety for using second screen technology – when you begin the film you’re asked to download an app onto your smart phone. You text a number on the screen and you are sent the app to download. Then at certain points in the film you get alternate camera angles, newspaper articles and stuff like that on your phone. It seems a stupid idea to me and I, of course, especially given the theme of the film, would not download such an app. The app is called Iris (Siri, spelled backwards) and it does many things that most would prefer it didn’t, especially the characters in this film. And the characters can’t get rid of it, it just keeps coming back. That part is, unfortunately, all too plausible for anyone with a PC who’s ever been infected by a virus. And we all know how iPhones track your location and how websites know what you’re looking at. The young cast is very good and I really enjoyed myself up until the final ten minutes when, in a rush, they attempt to explain everything that’s happened. This is always the problem with films like this – the film works great until you have to actually explain why things have been happening. It’s rarely satisfactory and kind of taints all that has come before. If you can find it on Netflix, I think you might have fun watching it. And the DVD was fairly inexpensive. I can’t even remember where I’d read about it, but the premise sounded like fun and I do like my Dutch, Swedish and Danish thrillers.
After that, I wrote another six or so pages, for a total of about thirteen for the day. Then I took a hot shower and then it was time to write these here notes, which, in case you haven’t noticed, is what I’ve been doing.
Today, I’ll be writing, eating, hopefully picking up some packages, and printing out however many pages are done and getting them to Muse Margaret. Then we have our second Kritzerland rehearsal, which I’m looking forward to. Since it’s all kids, I’ll be working with each very carefully and very specifically. If I feel anyone needs further work, I’ll have them come early on Sunday or stay after the stumble-through.
Tomorrow, I have a one o’clock meeting and a three o’clock meeting, otherwise I’ll just be here merrily writing away. Saturday I have no plans, really, so a nice full day of writing and relaxing. Sunday is our stumble-through, which happens early in the day, then I’m sure some of us will go grab a bite to eat. Then Monday is our sound check and show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, write, eat, hopefully pick up packages, print out pages for Muse Margaret and have a rehearsal. Today’s topic of discussion: What do you think of all this technology that takes away all of your privacy? People seem to not only allow it but accept it willingly. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I will continue merrily writing away.