Well, dear readers, I’m having a spot of trouble starting today’s notes. There are, as always, so many directions one could go. For example, I could go east. In fact, I tried going east, but I didn’t like it, so I went north. North didn’t seem right, so I went west. West was a complete waste of time. So, I feel these here notes are going south, don’t you? Yes, Virginia, these here notes are going south. We will put on our southern finery and frillery and we will sip mint juleps and fan ourselves whilst sitting on our verandas watching the cotton grow. I feel quite southern already, don’t you? I shall whip up some fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy. I shall walk about the plantation singing Mame. I shall speak in a southern drawl, and I shall laze about like a gazelle with heat prostration. Yesireebob or even yesireenorman, these here notes have truly gone south. Speaking of south, I had a lovely day yesterday. I proofed, I did errands, I had many phone calls and even several visitors, and I did some research I had to do. I ate reasonably, too, so I’m hoping that will result in more weight loss. I feel that soon I will be back to my fighting weight, and I will look svelte and dapper, with abs and buns of steel. I feel that I snub my buns but then what is buns but snub spelled backwards. Right about now I’m wondering if we should change directions and perhaps have the notes go in a northwesterly direction. Perhaps not. Besides, I’m enjoying the southness of these notes, aren’t you? All I need are some black-eyed peas or some red-eyed string beans.
Last night I watched several things on both VHS and DVD. On VHS tape I have been watching episodes of an old TV show entitled Johnny Staccato, starring Mr. John Cassavetes. It’s a very interesting show – it’s not that well written, but Cassavetes is terrific, and there are some good directors on the show, including Mr. Cassavetes himself. And it’s always nice to see Eduardo Cianelli in a regular costarring turn. The best thing about the show, however, is the score by Elmer Bernstein. Staccato is a jazz musician and part-time private eye, so the score is all jazzy and brassy in the way that Elmer did better than anyone. Lots of guest appearances by jazz greats like Pete Condoli, Red Norvo and a very young Johnny Williams. I have twenty-two out of the twenty-seven episodes. I also watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Being Julia, starring Miss Annette Bening. It’s quite a nice little film – not great or anything, but it tells its tale simply and with good humor. Miss Bening is very good in it, but for me the performance of the film belongs to Juliet Stevenson, who’s really marvelously marvelous in her supporting role. Jeremy Irons is fine, as always, and it’s great to see Rosemary Harris and especially Rita Tushingham back on the screen. Also, my pal Leigh Lawson (hubby to Twiggy) is quite good in his small role. And Michael Gambon is terrific as well. I was also impressed with the score by Mychael Danna. A trifle, but an entertaining trifle.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, so we can see what else lies waiting south of here.
What a lively and sparkling chat we had last night. The room was filled with lively and sparkling hainsies/kimlets and we had quite a time of it. Dirt was dished, things were revealed, truths were told, and there was much merriment and mirth and laughter and legs. Those who were errant and truant (you know who you are) missed a good time.
This afternoon I shall be meeting with Mr. Kevin Spirtas, so we can actually start mapping out his show on index cards. That way, we can see what’s where and how everything fits, and we can move cards around if necessary. It’s very economical to have things mapped out like that.
My dance card is filling up this week – I’m seeing Mr. Grant Geissman to hear more tracks (as well as rehearse a duet with Miss Jessica Rush), and I have a few other meetings, and I may even attend an auction with our very own Mr. Nick Redman. Add to that a few lunches and dinners, too.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must finish my second go-through of the book and then must print a few more copies, I must do some errands, pick up some packages, see Mr. Kevin Spirtas, and eat reasonably so that I can be svelte and suave with abs and buns of steel. I shall not snub the buns any longer. Today’s topic of discussion: One of my favorite composers is Mr. Jerome Kern. What are your all-time favorite Jerome Kern songs and what are your favorite versions of said songs? Let’s have loads of lovely postings shall we, as we ponder why these notes have gone south.