Haines His Way

Uh-oh...

We're currently stopped at Wilmington, Delaware (I think), while they check out a problem with the last car of the train...

And, ok and behold, we're moving again! Whew!

Cute story from today's NY Times "Metropolitan Diary," for those who haven't seen it:

DEAR DIARY:

I often have my morning coffee and read my Times in a place called Le Pain Quotidien at Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue. There is a big community-type table down one side that I sit at because I can spread the paper out.

Today several people sat across from and beside me, and I became aware that the man, about 50, had a cockney accent. So I said, “You’re from the East End of London,” which was correct and brought a big smile and a fun conversation with him and his wife and the young friend of their son, about 30, who works here at Morgan Stanley.

We chatted for 15 minutes or so (the man had seen a film I had made when I lived in England, “Women in Love,” and asked lots of questions about it, particularly about the nude wrestling scene, which people who have seen it always do ask questions about) before a young woman sitting a few seats over to my left, about 30, came over and asked if she could request a favor of the man and woman:

“Would you read this scene for me? I’m auditioning on Monday and I have to get the accent right.” She, too, had heard their accent.

The scene was from “Sweeney Todd.” There was much good humor as the middle-aged couple read Todd and Mrs. Lovett, quite well, actually, particularly the woman (the man is an air-conditioning engineer at the Wellcome Institute in Cambridge, and they had seen the show and movie both), and then the young actress read it with him, also quite well, and was commended by the Brits.

Then she said: “Thank you. I owe you something.” And so she started singing to us, softly and very beautifully, the “Worst Pies in London” song, completely unself-consciously. It was all very moving.

Then I told them that I knew Stephen Sondheim and that I would tell him this story. Which I did. “What a charming story,” he said to me. “Send it to the Metropolitan Diary of The New York Times. You never get a chance to see your name in print, so it might be worth it.”

Larry Kramer

Hello, everyone.

A busy day here, no end of little odds and ends that need attention. I'm really trying to make a dent in my to-do list; there are things on it that I meant to do ages ago, but somehow did not. (How'd that happen??)

So no time to play the initials game--at least not right now.

However, I will mention that I watched THE LEGEND OF 1900 last night. An unusual story, to be sure, but interesting. Like THE RED VIOLIN, it was largely about the music, at least for me. And, like SINGDAW, I heard about it here at HHW and put it in my queue.

I say: transfer ALL of your to-do's to Marvelous Matt.  Then come and play with us!  

How I wish I could! He's getting a rather tired of taking up my slack. We talked about that just yesterday. I'm trying to find someone to help me with some household and garden chores. A friend in the Midwest suggested I try some teenagers. Boy, was that a laugh! Teenagers in Washington don't do manual labor; they go to prep schools and expect to be CEO right out of college. I asked Matt about the kids who go to public school; he said they're hanging out at the malls. I shall keep trying, though.

OK, I caught your MT roll.  Hey, I gotta sleep some time.  I shoulda had Malachi Throne and Mark Tinker.
When I think of all the Malachis that went through my mind......
We're in widely different time zones.  And it seems that the notes go up at varying times.  And even when they do, at least on my computer the old notes are there while the new discussion board has opened.
Very confusing.  And, occasionally it's even possible that some of us have other things to do.  You can't expect everyone to keep your hours, or be a slave to the starting gun.  Or maybe you can. But it's an advantage.  One that I don't begrudge you.  Just don't begrudge me rising with the Easterners

Hmmm.. Nine pages so far by 1:47pm on a not-so-easy Initials Day. Not too bad.



Now how about them Olympics?

Michelle Trachtenberg, actress (she was on this season's Gossip Girl,  but most would probably know her from Buffy).

Marsha Thomason, who plays Naomi on LOST

Mickey Tettleton----catcher for several teams, primarily the Detroit Tigers, in the  80's and 90's.

No relation to Lois Nettleton.

Back from the long jog on the new new route.  Very difficult last mile.

Have any of you worn bamboo clothing?  

And risk being attack by a Giant Panda - no thanks!

der Brucer

Mary Tilford - the bad girl who accuses the teaches of being - LESBIANS - in The Children's Hour.