Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much irritated fish, listening to the attractive symphonies (three count them three) of Max Bruch, a composer who’s basically known for one piece, his violin concerto. These symphonies are perhaps not masterpieces, but they’re really excellent, especially one and three – but two has a wonderful slow movement. The three symphonies were recorded in 1992 and 1993, so I’m a bit surprised that they don’t sound a bit better. There’s also a piano concerto (for two pianos) coming up – that one was recorded in the early 1970s. The conductor is James Conlon for the symphonies – he’s a really fine conductor – and Antal Dorati for the piano concerto. Very enjoyable on a late Thursday evening. So, what is the irritation about? I think you probably already know – that LA has decreed it’s back to wearing masks inside stores, thanks to rising cases solely involving unvaccinated people. These people are supposed to mask at all times, but they lie, and they don’t. I suspect that the next thing will be proof of vaccination. Anyway, I am nauseated by this, but you can count on LA to lead the way in this kind of thing. Otherwise, I did manage to watch a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Contact. I always look at it on the shelf and think I’ve only just watched it a couple of years ago, but it’s been a decade. Back then, I hadn’t seen the film and while I liked the first twenty or thirty minutes a lot, once Screenwriting 101 entered, it becomes tiresome, the dialogue is bad, the need for a “villain” in Tom Skerrit and James Woods is completely unnecessary and ruins the movie, and it just falls apart completely, which is frustrating because the first part could have led to something much better if only the writers been better. It’s based on a novel by Carl Sagan, which was a million seller back in the day. That plot is different in many aspects. Jodie Foster is excellent though, and so is the little girl who plays her as a little girl – her name is Jena Malone, who went on to have quite an excellent career. James Woods is all actorly and Woods-esque, as is Tom Skerrit. David Morse is good as Jodie’s dad, but he has very little to do. Robert Zemekis directed and emphasizes the treacle a bit too much. The score by Alan Silvestri is quite nice and very much in the style of the period in which the film was made. I wish it had been better, but that’s all on the writers. And now, the Bruch concerto for two pianos is playing and it, like the symphonies, is quite enjoyably enjoyable.
Yesterday was a bit of a day. At first, I got up after three hours of sleep, went back to bed an hour later, and then got four more hours, so seven hours total. Once up, I answered e-mails, and then went to the storage place. I brought all the Indiegogo stuff, but we can’t ship until the damn CDs come in – that was supposed to be yesterday but wasn’t. I really want to get this stuff out. I was there about an hour, looking for a box of CDs we should have – but I couldn’t find any at all, which means we’ll have to refund two people. I don’t get it, really, as I know we have to have a box or two somewhere. Very frustrating.
Then I headed to the mail place, picked up one package, went next door to the Subway for food – haven’t been in a year-and-a-half. Got a small spicy Eyetalian for later and a Subway Club to eat right away. But I was surprised that the Subway Club has undergone a change and one I don’t like – no roast beef, with bacon instead, which means they have to heat the sandwich, which I don’t like. So, I had them leave the bacon off and just add another slice of turkey and ham, which they did. Then I came home and ate the Subway Club, but it wasn’t very good without the roast beef, I’m afraid. Then I had some telephonic conversations, did some work on the computer, watched the movie, had another telephonic conversation, this time with dear reader Jeanne, and then I ate the small Eyetalian sandwich – that one was better. For a sweet, I had a little ice cream left, so I finished that. Then I finally listened to music, namely Max Bruch.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ll choose songs for the Group Rep cabaret show, I’m still on the prowl for another guest for the Kritzerland show, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll eat something light (thinking about Gelson’s, but we’ll see), and then I can watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow will be the Kritzerland show work session, which should go quickly, and then I have a lot of other stuff to do. I may go to the theater to bring Blu-rays if my Revenge cast members want to come get them. Sunday will be a ME day, and then next week is super busy with all manner of things and we begin our Kritzerland show rehearsals, and boy am I looking forward to THAT.
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, choose songs for the Group Rep cabaret, try to find another guest, hopefully pick up some 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 – finishing up Max Bruch, and then a few other odds and ends. DVD, Fritz Lang’s The Blue Gardenia. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, not so happy about the situation here in LA and hopefully it won’t last too long. In the meantime, I’ll just repost something that will always alleviate any irritation. Here it is.
