Well, dear readers, I had my last Jerry’s Deli meal yesterday. I had so many things I wanted but, in the end, I opted for the grilled chili, cheese, and onion hot dog with some fries. And it was the best it’s ever been, and I will so miss their fries and ranch dressing. I only ate half the fries so that guilt wouldn’t cause me heartburn and anxiety. I said goodbye to my favorite hostess and while none of my regular wait staff was there, the gal who did take care of me has done so several times and so I bid farewell to her, too. As these things always go, the outdoor tables were almost full up with people who probably haven’t been to Jerry’s in years. I don’t like these people – they show up to have a last meal, but they’ve never been supportive of the jernt – it happened at Corky’s, too. They told me it was that way all day, and they were lined up to get food to go, too – also people who haven’t been in years. Where were these twits when Jerry’s needed them? Certainly not at Jerry’s. I’m glad they’re having a good last few days and tomorrow will be insane; I have no doubt. I’ve missed my many meals there ever since this damn pandemic hit. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever bother to find another regular place once indoor dining opens. And why hasn’t it opened? Cases and deaths down for two months, New York open for dining in for the past two months with nary a surge or spike. I also have to say that the weather here continues to confound and be completely wacky – it’s been chilly for a week now – yesterday it was close to 90. Otherwise, I’m sitting here like so much fish, listening to Szell do more Beethoven. We had four piano concertos, all okay, but brilliantly performed, then the mighty ninth, which I like parts of until they start caterwauling at the end. Now playing is the eighth, which is okay and better than some of the others. But after this one we move no to Stravinsky and Walton and I’ll be loving those for sure.
Yesterday was a very productive day for the most part. I got up at eleven after eight hours of good sleep. Once up, I answered e-mails and did some work on the computer and was happy to find that I felt pretty good. So, I got ready to do what I hadn’t done the day before – to make some recordings of the music stuff I’ve been writing. And twenty minutes before I was going to start, there was a knocking at the door. Usually it’s someone leaving a package for the back house, but they kept knocking. I really didn’t want to answer but I did and could not believe what I saw – the tree people. This is the fourth time in three weeks that they’ve been here, and I went off on him something fierce. I told him that they can’t just show up with no warning like this, that I need a day in advance. They don’t care, of course. I told them it was the fourth time and asked what they needed to do that they hadn’t done already. They said it was to trim back some branches from the power lines. I said they did that three weeks ago. But they just stand there like goons, so I told them to go do it. I knew I wouldn’t hear them because those trees are quite far from the house – the issue was the big truck in front of the house, into which they feed the branches when their done, which turns them into bits of dust.
I got through most of what I had to record, but then the machine started up and one couldn’t do a damn thing. Well, I did a damn thing – I opened the front door, stepped outside, and glared at them the entire time they were feeding the six little branches they’d trimmed. Really? That’s it? Six little branches. They were done reducing those to pulp quickly and then they got the HELL out of here and I finished what I had to do. And I must say, feeling more like myself was really nice.
By then, it was about two-fifteen, so I moseyed on over to Jerry’s Deli to bid them a fond farewell. After that, I came right home and did a little futzing and finessing with project one. I wrote the second set of liner notes and got that where it needed getting. Then the day was done, and I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled 10, a film of Blake Edwards, starring Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews, and Robert Webber. Oh, and Bo Derek as the title character. It’s hard to believe the film is over forty years old. He was coming off a bunch of big flops but had sort of comeback with a couple of Pink Panther films, that I actually thought were horrible. So, for me, 10 was a major return to form for him. He’s always been a favorite director because when he’s on there is no better comedy director, especially visually and especially in widescreen. And 10 is filled with great Blake moments, some of them truly classic and laugh out loud funny. Dudley Moore is great in the film and isn’t afraid to be unlikeable. I never liked Julie Andrews in this one, but that has to do with the way her character is written. I just don’t like the character at all. I haven’t mentioned two actors yet but they both almost walk away with the film: Dee Wallace and Brian Dennehy. It was the first time I’d seen the latter, even though I’d seen a couple of the five films he’d made prior to 10. And I thought he was brilliant in 10 and totally unique, making choices no other actor would have. I knew he was going somewhere. And Dee Wallace is heartbreaking as a lonely woman in Mexico staying at the same hotel Dudley Moore is. I knew she was going places, too, and of course she did just a couple of years later with E.T. And Robert Webber, in my opinion, gives his best performance in 10. The Henry Mancini score is tops. The transfer is from Warner Archive and is fine – not great, but fine.
After that, I had an apple and a roll for a snack, just to get up to 1000 calories – I may have gone over by 100, which is fine. I did more work on our upcoming CD releases – I decided not to do all four at once – just overkill – so two will announce this Tuesday and then two more will announce the following week. Then I relaxed and listened to music, just as I’m doing now – and it’s the BEST Firebird ever – glorious sound. I’m pretty sure this is the way I first heard this piece, via Szell, but I may be wrong, and it may have been Ormandy. I’ll have to look at the recording dates. And now the Walton second – what a performance – none better, and while everyone prefers the Walton first, I’ve always liked the second better, and the Szell recording was absolutely how I first heard it.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, the I’ll futz and finesse project one and I still have a little more recording to do for it, I’ll eat – either here or I’ll bring something in but not via Grubhub – I’ll keep on with the liner notes, and then at some point I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
I’ll try to have some ME time over the weekend, but there are still Kritzerland show things to attend to, and I’m sure I’ll continue futzing and finessing. Then next week is all getting ready for the Kritzerland show, and I suppose there’s a big event happening next Tuesday, an important one.
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, futz and finesse, record, eat, work on more liner notes, 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, Szell, baby. Blu-ray, maybe Shadow of a Doubt. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to be feeling more like myself.