Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish after a non-stop day of work except for the times I stopped. As I begin these here notes, I am listening to Alexandre Desplat’s marvelous score for The Ghost Writer. I suspect Polanski left Desplat alone and therefore got an actual score instead of pad and tuneless piano tinkling. I have also had occasion to notice that my hair is quite unruly and unkempt, not necessarily in that order. I’d already chopped off the unseemly bits, but they’ve grown back. Maybe by the end of the month I’ll be able to get something called a haircut. I could also use a she of the Evil Eye visit – it’s been eight weeks and while I’m trying to keep things as clean as I can, she’s the expert in that field. I suppose if she wears a mask and gloves that’s fine. Maybe next week. Maybe not. I seem to be rambling. I seem to be a living incarnation of the Nash Rambler. I drove one briefly, in case you were wondering. Okay, I no longer know what the HELL I’m talking about.
Yesterday turned out to be a busy and productive day. I got about seven-and-a-half hours of sleep, got up, had a long telephonic conversation, found out that our little Kritzerland online show managed to raise a little over $1,000 for the Group Rep, which is much more than I’d imagined, so that’s really helpful to them. The June show will also benefit them. I finished casting but for one person. The LA cast is set and is similar to the May cast, and so far I’ve got one incredible New York person committed and am trying for another – if the person I’ve asked to be the other can’t, then I have a few other ideas. We’re trying to get a jump on everything so it’s not quite so close to the wire. So, I’ve already chosen some songs, have been hunting down the sheet music, and that took up most of the day and early evening. This one has some complicated elements that we’re trying to deal with early, including an opening number that involves seven people. I think we’ve figured out how to do that but I want to get it done so we have plenty of time to redo if we have to or do fixes. And if I decide to choose another song, that one’s a trio of girls. While we’re not revealing the theme of the show publicly, you dear readers are probably savvy enough to figure it out, if you put your thinking caps on.
I took time out to eat food from the Califonia Chicken Café – I had one-quarter chicken – breast and wing – very similar in taste to my old favorite, Bird’s in Hollywood. That was excellent and very low calorie. For my side, it was a small cup of their chicken pasta salad, also excellent. Then it was back to work on the show. After all that, I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I finished watching Jacques Tati’s Mr. Hulot’s Holiday. It’s very funny at times, but like most films that are basically just a succession of visual gags, it does go on a bit long. Even though there are characters, you don’t care about anyone and there’s basically no plot at all – just a seaside holiday. Still, some of the visual gags are great, and I’m sure Mr. Tati was an influence on Blake Edwards, since a few of them are very much in that universe. After that, I watched the first twenty minutes of Mon Oncle (My Uncle). This, for me, is a much better film, with brilliant visual gags and very funny sequences and an incredible design. It is so creatively done that some sequences just made my jaw drop. This one’s in color and looks great. It’s affable, charming, and funny, with a kicky musical score. And a decade or so later, Tati made his masterpiece, Playtime.
After that, I took a nice drive (it was 100 degrees yesterday and still warm in the evening), came home, did a few more things, and then finally relaxed and listened to music. Then it was time to write these here notes.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up and then it will be more of the same and I’m hoping and praying for a modern major miracle, which I desperately need, and also hoping the hardcovers show up today or tomorrow. I’ll hopefully pick up some packages and mail, I’ll eat something here or bring something in (I’m a little bored of everything right now, frankly), otherwise I’ll be working on the show and hopefully setting our final performer.
Tomorrow will be even more of the same, as will the weekend. This will be laundry weekend, I think, although who can remember anymore? Supposedly, tomorrow certain things are opening in limited ways but I can’t remember what they are or what the limitations are or even if our silly mayor is going to allow them.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, I’ll hope and pray for a modern major miracle, I’ll hope for the hardcovers to arrive, I’ll hopefully pick up packages, I’ll eat, and then work on the show stuff, after which I’ll watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: Who are your favorite comic filmmakers? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as I take a break from being the living incarnation of a Nash Rambler.