Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, not listening to music because the big boy computer has to go into the Apple Store today – the senior tech did everything he knew how, but feels they need to deal with it one on one. He also made an appointment for me at another place, but he wasn’t happy about what they wanted to charge for data recovery – if the Apple Store can do it, he’s making it free of charge. So, it will be another restless night of nerves, but I’m staying positive and hope all can be fixed and that the computer will be back to normal with all my stuff. As mentioned, he can see that there’s slightly over 500 gigs on the computer’s hard drive, which means that it’s all there. He’s not sure about Time Capsule because it wouldn’t recognize it no matter what we did. I think his hope is that they can do this while I’m there or, at the very least, if there IS a good back up on the Time Capsule, that they can get that transferred so I can take that home – otherwise, I’ll have no Internet and I can’t be without that. I’d have to buy a router and I have no idea how to set up such a thing. So, please send your strongest most excellent vibes and xylophones for a successful visit and that the computer can be restored without too much fuss. Otherwise, I did have a bit of respite with a nice meal at the Smokehouse – they’re anniversary with a special menu where everything was $19.47, which was the year they opened not to mention the year I opened. None of their super expensive items were on the special menu, but they brought back a classic – Shrimp Louis, which is what I had, along with a cup of clam chowder and quite a bit of the garlic cheese bread. The Louis was absolutely fantastic. I was actually treated to dinner by two Partridge Family fans, so that was nice. After that, I came home and watched a motion picture on the Firestick thing via Amazon Prime. It was a motion picture entitled Physical Evidence, starring Burt Reynolds, Theresa Russell, and Ned Beatty. It’s a rather horrible movie from 1989, and can we just say that in that period the clothes and hairdos were the most ridiculous ever? Apparently, the script was originally a sequel to Jagged Edge, but the studio didn’t like the script and wouldn’t allow it to be a sequel. So, the producer made some changes and it became just a thriller and a truly terrible one at that. The script and dialogue is simply the worst – I don’t know how the actors said this stuff. And the supporting roles are ludicrously cast. But the director was no help either – in fact, the direction is inept, so it’s sad to say that it was Michael Crichton and it was his final film. Also sad is the score – I guessed the composer after the first eight bars of the main title – Henry Mancini – first off, it’s a very short score. Second off, it’s Mancini at his worst, trying to be with it, which never works – synth drums, synth keyboards and the film is just so weirdly spotted, music-wise – most of it plays sans music.
And the night before, I watched the second Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Everything that was right about the original film and that worked, has been subverted in this second film and it’s really and truly bad, one of the worst Spielberg films, playing to all his weaknesses. He’s a brilliant born filmmaker when he’s good, but he has quite a few really bad films to his discredit and this is one. Everything about it is annoying and loud and obnoxious. The action scenes go on forever and just don’t work. Even Spielberg admits now that it’s one of his least favorites of his films. The only thing that works perfectly is the opening, which is a big production number of Anything Goes, sung in Chinese and choreographed wonderfully by Danny Daniels. And then it’s strictly downhill from there.
Yesterday was another frustrating day. I was up at ten and the Mac guy called at about eleven-twenty. We were on the phone for an hour, trying this and that. He did have me go into “safe” mode and he was finally able to get us onto the Big Sur desktop as a “test” user. But of course my stuff wasn’t there, and we couldn’t get anything to really work in terms of actually trying to fix the problems. Then Adrienne Stiefel came over – I’ll be directing an act for her, so the tech guy scheduled a call back for an hour later. We had our meeting, she left, and then it was another hour on the phone before he finally gave up and made the Apple Store appointment. Then I had to get ready for dinner. On the way there, I picked up a couple of packages. And the rest you know.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, and then at around one o’clock I’ll mosey on over to the Apple Store, which is just five minutes away. I’ll lug the computer up and my appointment is at 1:25. I’m very nervous. I just turned it on and it didn’t load anything, turned it off, and it loaded less, and tried to turn it on again and it won’t even turn on now. I just unplugged it and then plugged it in and it did start. What an ordeal this has been. Anyway, do send those excellent vibes and xylophones because we need ‘em. Hopefully, they’ll be able to fix it while I’m there. I have a four o’clock meal scheduled but that can be pushed later, if necessary. Of course, I cancelled the rehearsal with the singer.
Tomorrow is something, Friday is rehearsal, and not sure what’s what on the weekend.
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, have an appointment at the Apple Store, eat, and then we’ll see what the evening holds. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, and do say a little prayer for me, won’t you?