Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to the piano concertos of one Herbert Howells, which are a lovely accompaniment to writing these here notes. We might even all it Music to Write Notes By. Remember those kinds of album titles? Music to Make Love By, Music to Clean Your House By, Music to Eat Dinner By. I used to like those – you could find them for ninety-nine cents at the market back in the day. Now, I know there were many albums with titles like that, and yet I cannot find a single listing for anything with a title like that. Do any of you dear readers have an actual album with one of those titles or can you find a list? I now want some for my collection of weird things. How many of you have collections of weird things? I have some very weird things indeed. I have the very first Sony transistor radio, the Sony TR-63. This is a very exciting thing to have. I also have a Regency Transistor radio, which was actually the very first commercially released transistor radio. I have a Godzilla bubble blowing machine. I have a metal toy See’s Candy truck. I have a charm bracelet from the movie The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, still in its original packaging. I have a minty-fresh Chop-O-Matic in original box. I have what looks like a switchblade knife, but when you pop it open it’s a comb, with Coca-Cola written on the side of it. I have a Columbia Gold Molded 4-Minute Indestructible Cylinder Record – cost: 50 cents – the musical selection? You won’t believe it – catalog number 3073: Kimmel Medley (Accordion) by Kimmel. Aren’t those wonderful weird things to have. And just so you don’t think I’m fibbing, here are two photographs of the Indestructible Cylinder Record of Kimmel Medley.
And here are a few other visual aids.
Aren’t those fun weird things to collect? I think so, which is why I have a curio cabinet filled with such things – I have a Tightrope gun, a spud gun that shoots potatoes, several rare Godzilla things, tons of rare LA postcards, wonderful ashtrays from LA restaurants and many other exciting novelties, including a Hypo-Phony. I hope you dear readers will share your collections of weird things with photographs.
Yesterday was a fine little day as fine little days go. Despite every attempt to wake me up – ringing phones, text dings, and doorbells, I refused to let that hinder my sleep and I ultimately got nine-and-a-half hours, which was great. One more night of that and I’ll probably be back to rights or perhaps back to lefts. Once up, I answered a lot of e-mails, did another private test for Sunday’s show and I think we’ll be fine now, at least that’s the hope, then I moseyed on over to the mail place and picked up a few packages, including Pepcid, Ricolas, and Airborne. When I got back home, I made three dogs of hot – one with mustard and onions, and the other two with chili, cheese, and onions rather than the usual red cabbage and cheese. They were so good. I’d decided to take a chance on a can of chili without beans and it was very good tasting. Reasonable calories, too. I may just have a repeat of that today, that’s how good it was. If I do, I’ll take photographic proof.
After that, I chose some songs, sent some more stuff to have tracks made, did some work on the two ideas, did some work at the piano, and then finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I finished the second half of Foreign Correspondent. It was very enjoyable, but I still felt that Mr. Newman’s score wasn’t the right fit for it. The great sequences are really superb, and Albert Basserman gives a fantastic performance as the kidnapped Van Meer. The transfer is the best this film has ever looked – none of the prints I’ve seen or owned have ever looked this good.
Then I filled out my ballot, sealed and signed the envelope, and drove to the City of Studio Library where there is an official drop-off box, put it in, and that’s done. Then I went to a nearby gas station and filled up the motor car with nearby gas. Then I came home.
I did more work at the computer – nothing too demanding, and then I listened to music and the rest you know and you know the rest, not necessarily in that order.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I hope we’re through with the private tests for Sunday’s show, I’ll hopefully pick up packages, I’ll probably have a reprise of the three hot dogs from yesterday, and then I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, she of the Evil Eye comes, so I’ll go have a light breakfast somewhere and then kill some time until I can come back home, and then I’m having a ME day because I need a ME day. So, watching, listening, and relaxing. Sunday, I’ll relax until it’s show time for Backstage at Kritzerland. I’m hoping you’ll all tune in – I think you’ll get to know our performers a bit better, you know, up close and personal, and I have fun questions for all of them, and a couple of fun surprises along the way. Then next week we get really serious about the November show.
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, do whatever needs doing, hopefully be done with the private tests, hopefully pick up packages, eat, and then watch, listen, and relax. 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, various and sundried things. Blu-ray, I’m thinking perhaps Sweet Smell of Success. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have shared a few of my treasures as a Collector of Weird Things.