2 The film starring Robert Downey, Jr.
3 It works.
4 As always, I used it as white noise while I tacked away at this nonsense.
5 Sometimes it's better that way.
6 City Lights.
7 Just now. Quite consistent with the week.
8 jlfkdfkdsfjkdm.
9 Earlier I watched and thought of how much fun it must have been to make films during the silent era.
10 I particularly enjoyed the moments when they would show the actors shooting scenes.
11 It took me back. I never realized how much influence Chaplin had on my own directing. He would build entire sets in the snow, move people up there to freeze and film, and then leave almost all of those scenes on the cutting room floor. His history befell many of my casts and crews. Watching Chaplin took me back to my first Show at YB.
12 It was called Silents. It was a Show that was to have no talking, and served as a studied course in silent acting. Chaplin emerged as the greatest of the silents.
13 I already had four-and-a half shows under my belt by the time I arrived on the scene with an old hat, a suitcase, and a pliant cane.
14 jkladjfkjfdjf. I just looked up. A half hour has passed. Silents. Chaplin. Memories.
15 The special 1972 HonoraryAcademy Award scene is on. It has Charlie staring into the darkness while a tribute plays over his head. Robert Downey, Jr. is at his best, making this perhaps one of the most underrated scenes in cinematic history.
17 He's old.
18 In the scene, Charlie's entire past plays behind him on an enormous screen. Tears pour down his cheeks. He touches old age with a perfect delicacy and elegance.
19 The actor and the Tramp blend and become one as the film moves to an end.
20 The good scenes were good.
21 It's what was needed last night. It was just what was needed.
22 Moving On, Part One: Every year Christmas sneaks up on me like a crimson pole cat.
23 I noticed it particularly when I did shows, or stayed late working with invincible activities.
24 I remember one day a few years ago. I don't remember what was happening or what the day was. I just remember walking out of the Theatre and standing on the amphitheatre stage looking across the lawn at YB. My eyes focused on a cherry tree just to the right of the stairs.
25 At the top of the tree I saw Santa Claus's face, smiling back at me like a spiritual cherub.
26 I blinked a couple of times.
27 It remained for a few minutes. I looked over and saw a blackbird flitting to another cherry tree to my left, turned back and Santa was gone.
28 Within seconds a huge Coke truck drove past. There was the Santa face, still smiling but with a bit of the prankster coming off the face.
29 Christmas.
30 In those days I rarely noticed Christmas until it was too late.
31 That happened to me last night.
32 I bought a roast for the oven, but had forgotten that a few days ago a pan spilled oil inside the oven.
33 I sat down, probably to begin this, when I smelled smoke.
34
36 I stopped all action and Googled "oven cleaning."
37 It required going to the store and buying some baking soda.
38 Couldn't do it. Not 'til I rested my eyes for a bit.
39 I am quite aware of Christmas right now, and the crazies, both drivers and people who dress in black clothes and think they can walk around busy streets at Christmas time.
40 Baking soda. I finally got up, put on my shoes and headed for Target.
41 I was a wreck. I always park in the same spot, every time I go certain places.
43 It works. I remember one Christmas Eve when I went to Target, got out, and couldn't find my car for around fifteen minutes.
44 Ever since that night I locate certain areas for each place I go.
45 So I parked by Radio Shack. It's normally a swift walk to the front of Target.
46 Christmas.
47 People are nuts.
48 Guys flew through the lot in huge hurries, quite often oblivious that there are children in the parking lots.
49 The walk to the doorway was a land mine of dodges and turns.
50 I got the baking soda. As I checked out, some lady coupon hoarder got in front of me.
51 She was a dead ringer for Margaret Hamilton from The Wizard of Oz, only she was in workout clothes and sported green tattoos.
52 You can't make this stuff up.
53 I wound up grabbing a few more items, just enough to cause a delay when they say, "Would you like to buy a bag?"
54 I hesitated and then said, "Nah I'm good."
55 I had five things instead of one, just enough to cause an imbalance while making my way back to my car.
56 Pirouettes. Pliant canes.
57 I made it home safely, made a little food, and sat down on the Cloud.
58 Chaplin was on.
59 Chaplin was on.
60 Gottago.
61 See you again.
62 Peace.
~H~
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