Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to the jazzy and wonderful classical music of Nikolai Kapustin, a Russian composer/pianist from Russia. His piano concertos are the berries, but everything I’ve heard by him is wonderful. I discovered him two years ago and wrote about him and his music then, but last night, the classical music critic who pontificates on YouTube every day after pimping out his merchandise raved about Mr. Kapustin. Well, pontificator, you’re a little late to the party, but better late than never. The CD he’s discussing is, of course, not really available anywhere, save for some third-party sellers, big third-party retailers that take forever to ship and who frequently don’t deliver at all, so that’s a no go for me – this is fairly typical of him, reviewing stuff you can’t actually find. But I’m glad he saw the Kapustin light. If you’re interested, three of his five piano concertos are on the Tube of You for your aural delectation. Earlier, I watched a motion picture via streaming screener entitled The Guilty, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, an actor I think is fine, although in this film he is ACTING with a capital A. I’m not really a fan of the director of this, one Antoine Fuqua, but he does a reasonable job here, as the film is basically set in one location for its entirety. There are some very good supporting actors that we only hear and never see. The conceit of the film is a cop is working the 911 lines because he’s under investigation for an officer involved shooting. He’s unhinged from the minute we see him. He gets a call, ascertains it’s a woman being abducted by her ex-husband, and it goes on from there. It’s only about eighty-six minutes sans end credits, and it does achieve suspense and is plotted cleverly in certain ways. I looked it up and, of course, it’s a remake of a Danish thriller from only two or three years ago. I have no doubt the Danish version is superior, and I’ll know that soon since it’s on its way to me. I enjoyed the film for what it was until the final five or ten minutes, when the ACTING just got too much for me.
Yesterday was an okay day for the most part. Due to Active Brain Syndrome (ABS) I didn’t fall asleep until around six and I got up at noon, but there was an hour in there where I was up, so only five hours of sleep. I had to answer e-mails and stuff quickly so I could shower and get ready for our two o’clock Kritzerland rehearsal, which began promptly at two o’clock and ran until about 4:45. Everyone was prepared and up on their material, which was a good thing. One of our young performers marked her songs because she needed to rest her voice, and that was fine. I think it’s going to be a fun show – we have some really nice material in addition to the holiday classics we usually do.
After rehearsal, I went to Taco Bell and got food, came home, and ate it. I just wanted something quick and easy and that fit the bill and also the arthur. After that, I did some stuff on the computer, I wrote a tiny bit, then I watched The Guilty. After that, I had a mini hot fudge sundae here, since I had some vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and almonds. It was pretty okay. I actually laid down on the couch for about twenty minutes and almost fell asleep, but not quite. Then I relaxed and listened to music.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ll eat something fun, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll do some writing, but mostly I need to relax and rest my voice. Then at some point I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, she of the Evil Eye arrives and I’ll go have a light breakfast somewhere and do stuff, then come back at noon and get everything ready for our two o’clock stumble-through. Bill Hayes will be here at 1:15 to run his song, then we’ll do the stumble-through, I’ll give whatever notes I have, we’ll run stuff if necessary, and I’m sure we’ll be done by three-thirty at the latest. Then either some of us will grab a bite, or I’ll go get something light for the main meal. Then I’ll relax and rest my voice for the rest of the evening. Sunday, I’ll relax and rest my voice, then we have sound check at four and then we do our show at seven, after which some of us will grab a bite downstairs.
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, eat something fun, hopefully pick up some packages, do some writing, relax and rest my voice, 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, nothing. DVD – more screeners to check out. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, hoping that the Active Brain Syndrome (ABS) calms down so I can get a good night’s beauty sleep.