Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to some Rossini overtures – not that big a fan despite some truly classic tunes – my favorite Rossini being his brilliant theme that he wrote for The Lone Ranger TV series – that was a rouser and oddly not included on this Orpheus Chamber Orchestra CD. But enough about Rossini, because we’ve now moved on to a composer who I am a big fan of, Saint-Saens. Now playing, his marvelous cello concerto. And I say once again for the cheap seats, the production and engineering on these albums is spectacular and I do hope whoever it was that did them won some Grammy Awards for their work. Prior to my listening, I did watch two things on the Flix of Net. The first thing was a “thriller” entitled The Weekend Away, a silly my girlfriend has gone missing thing with the most contrived and cliché-ridden plot and “twists.” And this was based on some book, which shows just how far thriller novels have sunk – and the novel’s author wrote the screenplay so she can’t say that’s why it’s so bad. In fact, I paid a little visit to Amazon to look inside the book and it’s exactly what I knew it would be. Written in the first person but present tense, which, of course, is all the rage in female thriller writing and it’s just irritating. I’ve done it only once and only because it made complete sense for that book – Patrick Bronstein Presents, which, of course, is not a thriller written by a female. The film is thankfully under ninety minutes and a couple of the actors were fine, while a few of the other actors were ridiculously awful, the direction is from hunger, but Netflix seems to live for this kind of film and the other stuff that makes up their limited series.
I then watched a brand-new documentary, which I was very interested in seeing – Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story about a very popular TV host and personality who had a four-decade career, won awards, was knighted, did a lot of charity work for hospitals and children’s schools. There had been rumors of his liking young girls for years, but the police would never take it seriously. But after Savile died, the floodgates open with over four hundred people coming forward with allegations, mostly underage children, both sexes. The police have never apologized or taken responsibility for not investigating more diligently. I can’t say it’s enjoyable to watch, because it isn’t – the guy was very odd and that is apparent in every single clip they show of him, and they show a LOT of clips. It’s done in the style of every other documentary made these days, which I find irritating, but it’s certainly a fascinating look at a very bad man.
Yesterday was strange. I got about seven-and-a-half hours of sleep, got up, had to deal with an annoying text, which I responded to calmly, having to do with this whole Las Vegas event. People finally got back to me, and I told them I was bailing because I was uncomfortable with the text I’d been sent and the conversation I’d had with the sender of the text last Sunday. So, they asked if I’d please just come on Tuesday, speak, and then I can leave right after – they said the fans would be really disappointed if I was a no-show. So, I said I’d think about it, which I am. If I decide to go, I’ll book the flight today. I don’t mind being gone for a few hours one day – the three days it was originally going to be was a bit much for me. I’d fly in around one and leave around six-thirty or so. Well, I just booked the flight – although I can’t tell if it actually went through – no confirmation e-mail and such, but it is showing as booked on the airline site. I’ll call them in the morning and see what’s what. It’s also been very hot here, which I don’t care for, really, as the home environment becomes too hot and I hate using the air conditioning. I had McDonald’s for lunch – don’t know why, really. And that’s it for McDonald’s for the next six months to a year. Must start eating healthier, I really must, and I shall, not necessarily in that order. In fact, after watching the bad thriller, I got some ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery to cleanse Ye Olde Palate. And now, to the strains of Schoenberg’s amazing Verklempt Nacht, I shall move on to today.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll check with the airline to make sure all went through, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I really will do some writing, I’ll eat something that’s not fast food and is healthier, perhaps a salad of some sort, I’ll go to the mail place – haven’t been since Saturday – then at some point, I’ll watch, listen, and relax. Not sure how this week has flown by so quickly, like a gazelle noodling Dinner for One, Please, James on the piano.
Tomorrow, I’ll relax during the day, and then I’ll mosey on over to the theater around six and am meeting with the folks in the wrestling scene to get that tightened up and looking as it should. Then I’ll see the show. I believe I’ll know a few folks. Saturday, she of the Evil Eye returns, so I’ll go do stuff while she does her thing. After that, I’ll do stuff. I wasn’t necessarily planning on seeing the show but now Sami’s mom is bringing six people to see it so I guess I will. I think I’m meeting them for food prior to the show. Sunday is our matinee, which will be followed by a talkback. Not sure I’ll see the whole show – may just show up for act two, then do the talkback, after which I’ll eat something fun. Then next week is very busy and includes the trip to Las Vegas – I’ll arrive at noon-thirty and leave at seven and get home at nine.
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, check with the airline, do whatever needs doing, write, eat something healthy, hopefully pick up packages, then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite pieces by Mozart? KIDDING. Favorite fast foodstuffs, in order of preference and place. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have made the decision not to disappoint folks.