Well, dear readers, I learned one thing last night – people who spout the “social distancing” cliché have no actual regard for it. I say that as yesterday this city erupted into full on panic and hysteria hoarding, all fueled by the ever-hungry media and, worse, social media. The more people posted about the insanity, the more morons went out and took part in it. People buying anything that was on a shelf, cleaning out markets of meat, frozen food, canned goods and, of course, the most important life-saving item, toilet paper. Ones who couldn’t find that took all the paper towels and spending hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. I saw it first-hand because I couldn’t believe it would be going on at Ralph’s at ten at night. I needed some Diet Coke, so I went just to see. And it did not disappoint. Jammed with people, no shopping carts available, no hand carts, nothing. People with two three carts filled to the brim with stuff they’ll probably end up throwing out. As I walked towards the soda aisle I couldn’t help let forth with a “You people.” Some idiot made the mistake of responding to me with a “Who are you people.” I turned my gaze on her and her two shopping carts and said, “Gee, let’s put on our thinking caps, shall we?”
Diet Coke was on sale – three twelve-packs for ten bucks, so I got three of the last eight that were left. Since all the checkouts were open, I found a line with only two in front of me and thankfully two who didn’t have topped-off carts. I was in and out in ten minutes. But the tales I heard about earlier in the day were horrifying, especially at Trader Joe’s, a store I thankfully never frequent. Shelves emptied of literally everything. People can explain the panic and hysteria psychology to me until the cows come home, but I will never ever understand it. Ever.
Well, that was an opening screed, wasn’t it? For me, yesterday was a quiet day, save for the rain pitter-patter – it rained pretty much the entire day, so I just stayed put. I got a little over seven hours of sleep, got up, answered e-mails, started reading about the insanity shopping, did some work at the piano, then on the computer, got confirmation that the new cover was received, but no galley or cover proofs, so hopefully today. I made a nice batch of Wacky Noodles and they were quite yummilicious and I ate them all up. After that, I was full. Full of Wacky Noodles. To the brim. Then at some point I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched another motion picture with Mr. James Stewart, entitled Night Passage, a motion picture I’d never actually seen. This film was originally supposed to be another collaboration between Stewart and director Anthony Mann, but Mann fell out and novice director James Neilson replaced him. The screenplay by Borden Chase isn’t the problem, nor is the direction, really, uninspired though it may be. Stewart is always great, and the supporting cast is fine. No, the problem, at least for me, can be summed up in two words: Audie Murphy, truly one of the worst “actors” ever. How he had any career is anyone’s guess. His voice is completely irritating, and he has zero personality and he couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. That said, it’s enjoyable and I always like Dan Duryea, although he’s playing to the third balcony, something a more seasoned director could probably have curbed. The good news is the transfer is excellent with terrific color.
After that, I had a bagel and cream cheese for my evening snack, I did the brief Ralph’s run, and then listened to music, which is what I’m doing as I write these here notes, sans panic and hysteria.
Today, I’ll be up by eleven again, I’ll attend to thing that need attending, I’ll eat (either pasta again or, more likely, tuna sandwiches), I’ll hopefully see a galley and cover proofs, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, then I’ll decide whether I’m seeing the play or not. I think the likely scenario is not.
Tomorrow will be more of the same, but then I’ll definitely see the show and attend the afterparty after. Sunday, I’ll see our closing performance, and then the Pearls and I will go sup at a favorite eatery. Then next week I’m hoping the book stuff will be approved sooner than later and then it’s just planning the Kritzerland show. I’m taking a wait and see attitude in terms of watching what other shows are doing at Vitello’s – if they’re doing okay, we’ll do ours. If they all are cancelling, then we may have to, much as that would really irritate me.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by eleven, do the usual things, eat, hopefully get a galley and cover proofs, hopefully pick up packages, hopefully get a little miracle, and then decide whether to see the show or not, although I’m doubtful. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray player? I’ll start – CD, lots o’ stuff. Blu-ray, have no idea. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall neither have panic or hysteria.