Well, dear readers, having only gotten one or two hours of sleep last night, I really need to get these here notes written and posted so I can get what will hopefully be a good night’s beauty sleep. The culprit was the dreaded allergy attack – terrible. In any case, I have to be very careful of my voice and throat right about now, so I’m taking many precautions against getting sick – should any of you dear, dear people out there in the dark care to send some excellent vibes and xylophones this way for no sickness, that would probably be helpful.
Yesterday was a day in which I was tired. I could, in fact, barely function or, to put it a different way, I could function barely. I had a visit from a local CD dealer, then went to Grant Geissman’s and entered our fixes – it really did only take about twenty-five minutes, which is about two hours less than it usually takes. Once that was done, Grant got the cover photograph into Photo Shop and cropped it and it looks great. I can’t wait to see how he does the title treatment – I have an idea of what he’ll do and it should look great and grand. After that, I believe I came home. I did some work on the computer, the helper came by, then I double checked all the fixes on the new PDF Grant sent – two got by me, so he’s doing those this morning.
Then at three, Mr. Piano Man arrived with my newly beautified hammers and knuckles – brand new, looking spiffy and much better than the frayed and worn hammers and knuckles that were there. He got that all put into the piano and the difference was so apparent even before he finessed and tuned – no more click-clacking, no more notes sticking, just beautiful tone, with the piano finally sounding like a Yamaha C3 should sound. He worked on it for about two hours, then left. I sat down and played through some stuff. I need to get used to the slightly heavier feel of the keys and the not as bright sound – that will happen over the next few days, I’m sure, or, if I end up wanting the low end just a hair brighter, he’ll come back and adjust the action.
Then it was time to mosey on over to The Smoke House for a meal with a new friend I met a few days ago at Inside Out. I had the small cut of prime rib (8 oz – 600 calories), a baked potato (ate two-thirds), vegetables, and a cup of clam chowder, along with two pieces of garlic cheese bread. My dinner partner was a VERY tall (5’11”) gal, an actress who was in Doug Haverty’s last show, The Ghost of Gershwin. She seems like a nice sort – she’s a Brit and she’s been living here since 2012 after doing several high-profile musicals in England, like The Producers (she played Ulla in one of the first-class tours – hand picked by Susan Stroman) and she did a lot of performances in the London company of Chicago. She’s going to move to New York in September to try her luck there. We had a few mutual friends and I always enjoy meeting and learning about new folks.
After dinner, I came right home, played at the piano, saw that we got a lovely review for Sandy’s show, answered e-mails and that was about it.
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep. Once up, I shall begin writing the Kritzerland commentary, I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll bank, and I’ll relax.
The rest of the week is meetings and meals, then on Friday night I’m seeing Barry Pearl in the musical he’s doing, and then on Saturday night I’m seeing Sami Staitman in her high school production of A Chorus Line, where she’s playing Maggie.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, maybe do a jog, write, eat, hopefully pick up packages, bank and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: If calories were of no concern, what would be your ideal and most craved out of control and out of this world meal, from top to bottom? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy and thrilled to have new hammers and knuckles.