Well, dear readers, here we are, the final day and evening of 2019. Tomorrow will, of course, be the first day of January 2020. Now, I know all the arguments that the start of the new decade isn’t until 2021, but to that I say pish-tosh as well as tosh-pish. For me as well as some others, the new decade starts with 2020 and that’s just the way it is, arguments be damned. In fact, damn them, damn them all to HELL. The past decade has been a combo platter of great things, good things, bad things, and super bad things. So, it is my fervent hope and prayer that 2020 will be a year and decade filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful. And it is also my fervent hope and prayer that January will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.
Yesterday was certainly a day. I ultimately got eight hours of sleep, thankfully, got up, answered e-mails and did stuff, had some telephonic conversations, made the final decision on our final actor choice and then sent out the e-mails to tell everyone they were cast – all were thrilled, so that was good to hear. Then I picked up some packages, and then moseyed on over to Jerry’ Deli to have lunch with Robert Yacko.
I had a breakfast burrito – very good it was, and so was the conversation. Then it was back to the mail place for another package, and then directly home. Once home, I listened to music, did some work on the computer, especially with the Kritzerland show, and then at some point I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a documentary called Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles – at least I think that’s what it was called. It was about the impact of Fiddler on the Roof but was kind of all over the place. I was, of course, most interested in the creation of the show and frankly there wasn’t all that much about it. Lots of interviews, lots of stock footage, and a ton of footage from the current Yiddish version playing on Broadway, as well as the recent revival. Seeing those clips, it really does seem like Bartlett Sher sucked all the humor out of it – I think he’s one of these directors who does a lot of research and then makes a production that is usually heavy-handed. Even his much-lauded South Pacific felt that way to me, and certainly his My Fair Lady was fairly joyless. But people love his work so what do I know about the price of kale? Anyway, it was nice to see it and it’s enjoyable on several levels.
After that, I listened to more music, went to Gelson’s for some snacks, came home and had two bagels with cream cheese, and then relaxed.
Today, I can sleep until about ten-thirty, then once up I’ll do the usual morning things, choose songs, then I have a lunch. After that, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, then I’ll relax, listen to music, watch something, and then we have our Annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Bash and I’m hoping lots of dear readers will be in attendance to ring in the New Year with various balls dropping. I will have my obligatory contemplation session just before midnight, and then I’ll have my obligatory sip of champagne just after midnight.
Tomorrow, I will, of course, begin work on the new book. I’ve been doing some writing since last June, just to get it on the right track, so I’ll be able to just dive in after futzing and finessing what I’ve done so far. I’m thinking about having a few people over in the afternoon, just because I think it’s nice to have some human interaction on New Year’s Day. On Thursday, I’m meeting with a set designer and Friday we resume performances of The Man Who Came to Dinner. The fellow who was going to play Banjo for the final weekend has hurt his back, so Barry Pearl can finish out the run. And, of course, I’ll be writing every day.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep until ten-thirty, do things, choose songs, have a lunch, hopefully pick up packages, relax, listen to music and watch something, and then attend our Annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Bash. Today’s topic of discussion: What was your favorite discovery in 2019? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as we bid a fond farewell to 2019 and an early hello to 2020.