Well, dear readers, it is April. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, it is April, a Foolish month any way you look at it and I look at it askance for no particular reason. And it is my fervent hope and prayer that April will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful. Additionally, may we begin to see some of the panic and hysteria abate because it does not one good thing, and then let’s hope they flatten the curve or whatever the latest expression is. I’m trying to flatten the curve that is my stomach and let me tell you I’m not succeeding because all one does anymore is eat. I must flatten that curve and stop shoving food into my mouth so that I fatten the curve just because I happen to have some in the home environment.
Yesterday I did not get too much sleep. I was having acid reflux or something I ate didn’t agree with me – I hate when things don’t agree with me because I’m quite an agreeable sort. Anyway, I think I slept one hour, got up, got my tummy calmed down, had a little carbonation, which always helps, chewed a few Pepcids and finally went back to bed and got three more hours of sleep. Four hours, of course, was not enough. Once really up, I answered e-mails and did a few things on the computer. My food, which was supposed to arrive between two and two-fifteen actually arrived thirty minutes early, so that was a nice surprise. I’d ordered from my favorite little Thai jernt, Talesai – a salad with peanut dressing and chicken Pad Thai. The salad didn’t quite survive the journey – I mean, it was fine but a little, what is the word, not crisp – well, that’s two words. If I do salad again, I’ll have the dressing on the side, which would solve that problem. The Pad Thai on the other hand was great and very filling.
Then I read through the essay, made a few final futzes and finesses, and then sent it on its merry way, one day early. I heard nothing, not even a confirmation it was received, let alone what they thought of it. I do think I covered all the bases, so we’ll see. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday, I watched a movie on Blu and Ray entitled Galaxy Quest, my third time since it was released. I don’t usually like these kinds of films but this one really does work. And it works because everyone plays it straight and the film has a lot of actual heart. Plus, the plotting really works. People call it a parody but it’s not a parody at all. It does poke fun at the Star Trek convention things and folks, but very affectionately. The cast all does fine work – it’s funny, it’s touching, and beautifully paced. Interestingly, it didn’t really do the kind of box-office it should have. I actually do not believe the grosses that are listed in Wikipedia. The movie opened soft, I’m sure the budget was not tiny, and I’m equally sure it made no actual money but probably got close to breaking even or maybe even broke even. But it’s become a fan favorite and did well on home video. I think they all thought it would be another Ghostbusters, and it’s hard to tell why it wasn’t, since it’s much better than that film. The transfer is a decade old now, but fine. Interestingly, the director and writer really haven’t done all that much since.
Then I listened to a little music, had some crackers and bite-size candies, then it was back to the couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched another motion picture on Blu-ray entitled The Horrible Dr. Hichcock, starring Miss Barbara Steele. I’ve had the Blu-ray since it came out but hadn’t even looked at it. There was a time in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I got obsessed with these Eyetalian horror things, especially the ones with Miss Steele. At Bay Cities, we issued Black Sunday and Black Sabbath on CD, and I became friendly with horror expert David del Valle, who introduced me to Tim Lucas, and we all were pals for a time. I hung out occasionally at David’s house, and one fine day we Bay Cities boys all traipsed over there and spent a memorable day with Barbara Steele, who was everything you’d want her to be. I also spent an afternoon with David and Hazel Court. I had an amazing collection of original Eyetalian horror posters, including the large and ultra-rare Black Sunday. It was fun while it lasted.
I still enjoy these films every now and then, especially the films of Mario Bava, but anything with Ms. Steele is okay by me. The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is one of the better ones – very atmospheric, very short (seventy-six minutes), the transfer is very nice with excellent color and other than dozing off for an hour and having to start over, I enjoyed it very much, if one can enjoy a movie about necrophilia.
Then I listened to more music – this really marvelous French composer from France named Charles Tournemire – eight symphonies, each of them really great and very different from each other. I took a drive in the motor car, just to keep the car running smoothly. There weren’t that many cars out, Ralph’s was still open and didn’t look all that busy, most restaurants were dark (this was around nine-fifteen), but my favorite little local pizza jernt was open, so that’s an option at some point, as soon as I flatten the stomach curve.
Today, I will be up by eleven, and then I have three banks to go to and I’m praying they won’t be too busy. Send some excellent vibes and xylophones for an easy three-bank journey with no hiccups. Then I’ll ascertain if there’s anything at the mail place, although I don’t think there will be, then I’ll come home and probably make food here, as I don’t want to have anything brought in. I’ll probably do a pasta thing with sautéed mushrooms and red onion in a trying-to-be-pink sauce. Or I could make another batch of tuna pasta salad. We shall see. Oh, and I’m hoping folks really lay off the April Fools jokes. I’m still hoping to sign off on the galley so we can get the book to the printers. Then I’ll watch stuff and listen to stuff.
Tomorrow and the rest of the week is you-know-what – more of the same and same of the more. On Sunday, we were supposed to be doing our Kritzerland show, so I’m going to pick fifteen of my favorite Kritzerland performances and post them right here and on the Facebook.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by eleven, do a three bank run, eat, hopefully approve a galley, and then watch and listen. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we all get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as we welcome in April and hope that the Foolish part is fun and fancy-free. And, of course, it is my fervent hope and prayer that April will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.