Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to Leopold Stokowski’s lovely orchestration of Clair de Lune, which is a piece Mr. Claude Debussy wrote for a nutty woman who he dubbed Clair the Loon. Clair the Loon is quite a beautiful piece of music and very popular with the populace.
Yesterday was an interesting day. I got about seven hours of sleep, got up, and called the DGA pension and welfare people and had a really nice chat, kind of got the lay of the land as to how it works, and on Monday morning I’ll go in to talk to them and sign everything so we can get the ball rolling. This was a lovely surprise no matter which option I end up choosing. And also on Monday I will call the AFTRA pension and welfare because I also have that pension that I haven’t started yet. While it’s a pretty nominal monthly amount, I think one has the option of taking a lump sum payment there, too, so I’ll see what that is.
Then I had to mosey on over to Jerry’s Deli for a luncheon with our very own Kay Cole. I had matzoh brei and fruit and we had ever so much fun catching up and laughing a lot. Once we were done, I went directly to the mail place and picked up an envelope and two little packages, even though I knew two others were due – I guess I’ll get those today. Then I came home, answered e-mails, had some telephonic conversations, chose some more songs for the Group Rep benefit, cast one of the two people I need for the June Kritzerland, chose a couple more songs for that show, and then finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a mostly delightful documentary entitled Bathtubs Over Broadway, about the wacky world of the Industrial musicals. It’s one of those things that’s more about the writer from the David Letterman show who became obsessed with them, ultimately writing a book about them, than about the actual shows. There are fun interviews, some tantalizing glimpses at footage from these extravaganzas, and interviews with three of the songwriters, including Sheldon Harnick. In the end, as fun as it is, I wanted to know more about how they were put together, all the big stars that did them, and some of the big choreographers, too. But it’s very enjoyable and oddly touching, as well. It’s on the Flix of Net right now, so easy to watch it if you have that service.
After that, I had one chicken salad sandwich and one egg salad sandwich, both on rye – I’d gotten that stuff whilst at Jerry’s. The chicken salad was pretty good, and the first bites of the egg salad were also very tasty, but then the egg salad got boring and I could barely finish it. And there’s still plenty of each left in their little containers. I also had a few Circus Peanuts and a few Milk Duds to assuage my sweet tooth. Then I listened to some music. One new album – a violin concerto by talented English composer Howard Blake. I thought I had this, but apparently I didn’t – it’s really beautiful and the companion pieces are, too. I like Mr. Blake – his piano concerto is terrific and so is the film music I’ve heard from him.
Today, I can sleep in, then I’ll work on the Kritzerland show song choices so I can get everyone their music. I’ll eat, hopefully pick up some packages, then I’ll listen to music, watch something, and then relax.
Tomorrow, which is Mother’s Day, will be more of the same. Then next week is filled with meetings and meals and going and doing and doing and going, and all manner of errands and whatnot.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep in, work on the Kritzerland show song choices, eat, hopefully pick up packages, listen to music, watch something, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: Of the classical warhorses, which are your favorites and in which versions? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as I listen to the dreamy music of Debussy’s Clair the Loon.