But we’re a little theater and they don’t make enough prints for us so we have to wait. But I’m hoping by mid to late June it will be here, so even though you will be sorely tempted, please please please wait to see it at the Dietrich! Because it will be better here. We’re used to showing art films and there is no doubt that it’s an artier atmosphere here than at the huge cineplexes. I worry that because we won’t have it at the same time as the big guys, that you will abandon us for them. But you won’t, right? Because you know we’re getting it.  We all want to see it so badly – can’t wait. And really, it will be just the wink of an eye until it’s mid June and we have it playing. Not too long to wait, really. If you look at it in comparison to say, the Ice Age, or the Time of the Dinosaurs, it’s , like, less than the blink of an eye. In fact, you could almost start getting dressed for a night on the town right this very minute, because it will be here so fast. Um hmmm. That’s a great idea. Yup. Think I’ll go do that right now.

     So this week we’re opening Battleship starring Liam Neeson which looks to be rugged and fierce and, well, wet. It’s about a naval armada that happens across an alien fleet while on maneuvers. So they get to duke it out with all kinds of spectacular special effects. For those that like that sort of thing I think it will be a rip-roaring bit of movie carryings on. 

     Then we also have, most likely for only a week, Chimpanzee. It’s the story of a precious chimpanzee who must adjust to a new life when his mother is killed. Since baby chimps stay with their moms for a prolonged period, it is a difficult thing for the baby to be orphaned. But he is finally taken in by an adult male with a strong father instinct. It’s a charming and beautifully told tale, and I would hope it would cause humans to think twice before deciding these intelligent creatures should be used for all kinds of experiments. 

     Don’t forget Radio Players this coming Tuesday night (May 22). It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s free. What a combination!

     Okay. So some of you may be wondering how this retirement thing is going now. I’d say it’s going okay. Took awhile for me to get used to the fact that my identity had now shifted in a major way. I was no longer the director of the Dietrich. Now I was a volunteer at the Dietrich. It took a bit of time to get used to that. And then Eddie, the border collie, did actually learn to stay, but so far he hasn’t cooperated about learning any other single thing. He told me just the other day that new commands give him a headache and he’d been under the impression that if he learned to sit on command I’d lay off my Patton imitation. So, Eddie and I are at an impasse. He also suggested in a snarky way that if I was so big on teaching an “old dog new tricks” that I might want to look in the mirror and start there. And after that, he took a nap.

     I’ve been writing some, but not enough, getting my house straightened up, but not enough, and cooking a bit more faithfully. I have only been coming into the theater two days a week most of the time. Trying my best not to interfere with the two lovely young women who replaced me – they’re both so smart and talented and efficient. 

     So I write, do some housework, let Eddie pull me down the road for a walk and read more. It’s actually quite nice. I’m still inefficient with my time use, but it’s getting better. Oh yeah, and I kept the almonds and dumped the chocolate. I mean, I don’t need to be that healthy!

     See you at the Dietrich.