Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much bleary-eyed fish after having entered in fixes for the new book from proofer one. We did 90% of them, maybe even more, which is the most I’ve ever done. Lots of commas, some typos, some things we needed to conform so that they would be the same throughout the book, a couple of interesting points to think about, especially in terms of the book’s title, which I’ve now retitled – it’s basically the same, just one extra word but same number of syllables, but it makes all the difference in the world and we’re all very happy with it. So, that’s done and now it will go to proofer two – only using two on this one because I was much more careful. If I’m feeling after proofer two that we should have one more pair of eyes on it then we’ll go to proofer three. Otherwise, I’m finally relaxing, listening to Ronnie Aldrich and his twin pianos do Jimmy Webb and Burt Bacharach. Easy listening, to be sure, but I always enjoy these kinds of things. But I did listen to two other CDs that arrived yesterday, and they were Saint-Saens’ music for the balled Ascanio, along with other orchestral stuff from his lesser-known operas. It’s a wonderful CD, filled with beautiful tunes and it’s nicely performed and cheap as all get out on Naxos – and I think we all know how cheap all get out is, especially on Naxos. Anyway, I liked it so much I listened twice. Then it was on to another Elina Garanca CD. The minute she began singing the first selection it was the Elina I love, back in full glory. This one’s called Aria Cantilena and her voice is stunning and she’s actually singing the songs with meaning, which is the problem I had with the other album I recently heard, Revive. I’m pretty sure that had a different producer and producers make all the difference in the world, even though most singers would like you to think they do it all on their own. I had no time to watch anything due to the fixes and sleeping late and having other things to do and food and that sort of thing.
Yesterday was a perfectly nice Sunday. Of course, I don’t care about the Super Bowl so that wasn’t an issue or anything I needed to be a part of. I got up at noon-thirty after nine-and-a-half hours of sleep, which I really needed. Once up, I answered e-mails and did a few things on the computer. I spoke to Muse Margaret and ran the new title I’d come up with by her and she was quite delighted with it. Then I shaved and showered, after which I filmed the introduction for project one aka Tonight’s the Night, which is just two days away now. Once I got that done, I went to pick up my order at Vitello’s – my usual spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread, using the last of my gift card. I picked up a couple of packages at the mail place and then came right home and ate the foodstuffs from Vitello’s. I must say, it was not that good – a first. I wonder if there’s some weekend chef who doesn’t do as well as the weekday chef. The spaghetti and meatballs just tasted a bit weird, and the garlic bread was nothing like it’s been before. Disappointing. No more weekends for Vitello’s, I’m afraid.
Then I got the proofed book and immediately began entering fixes. For things I wasn’t certain about, I made page number notes and after entering the first 109 pages of fixes, I called Muse Margaret back and went over the six or seven things and we agreed on several and the other few we didn’t think felt right for us in terms of whatever was being asked. She has a really good sense of these things, but we talk through each thing carefully.
Then I mushed on without really taking a break until I was finished. My back is quite sore from sitting and typing for hours, but that will be better when I get in bed later. The rest you know.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll run the rest of my questions by Muse Margaret – after page 109 I only had five things that needed discussion – pretty good. Then someone’s coming to pick up CDs. After that, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, eat, and keep trying to defeat those disgusting Facebook algorithms to get the word out about our premiere performance. Then, at some point, I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
The rest of the week is finalizing the songs for Kritzerland and the guest performers and getting ready for our three performances of project one aka Tonight’s the Night. We’re all very excited to finally unveil this to the world. Maybe some folks will even watch it a second time.
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, run the rest of my questions by Muse Margaret, have a CD pick up, hopefully pick up packages, eat, get the word out, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films and plays and musicals dealing with the gay world, and what was the first show or film that did so? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy that the fix is in.