1. The nearby Ojai Playhouse offers free movie tickets (trusting people will spend money at the concession stand) and I saw there was going to be a screening of Linda Perry’s documentary, “Let it Die Here.” I couldn’t pass this up especially since Perry and the director, Don Hardy Jr. would be conducting a Q&A afterwards. The film originally came out in 2024. If you’re not familiar with Perry, then hopefully you are with 4 Non Blondes and their iconic song, “What’s Up.” The song still gives me chills to this day. I was moved by her story and cried several times by her profound vulnerability shared in the film. I highly recommend it. #TissuesRequired
Also…I was the first to ask questions.
By the way, Linda Perry is a prolific songwriter and producer having worked with Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson, all shown in the film. Dolly said something along the line that that working with Perry felt like a momentous occasion, akin to collaborating with Elvis. And it is noteworthy that the song made popular by Christina Aguilera, “Beautiful,” was written by Linda Perry.
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can’t bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can’t bring me down, oh no
So don’t you bring me down today
2. Everyone’s a comedian. #SillyVandalism
3. Speaking of a sense of humor, my Alexa (with a male British accent) has taken to responding with an, “Aye Aye Captain” when I ask for a lamp to be turned off. #SillyAlexa
4. Living at the beach is a charmed life…that is until the neighbor behind you has a short-term rental and the visitors are laughing it up having a great old time at 2:00 am Monday morning!! #NotCool
However, during this latest heatwave, there’s nothing like dropping everything, and dashing down the lane to the beach to jump in the ocean to cool down! #LoveItSoMuch #WorthIt
5. Not gonna lie, I’m feeling pretty good about myself! #ExceptionalCredit
6. We lost Dolly, then Tim. I know celebrities have agreed to die in threes, so I’m holding my breath for the next one…though one could argue Hayden Panettiere was the first in a run of 10 days.
There has been a ton of coverage on the incredible life of Dolly Parton, she was one of those people who deserve all the accolades sent her way. A true treasure. I was going to say National treasure, but did you see England’s changing of the guard tribute? OMG!!! Check it out:
I do have to say I have a little bit more connection with Tim Curry as I saw him in concert in the 70s in support of his album, Fearless. I’m sure I still have it in my album rack. He was such a charismatic performer. Of course my first introduction to him was his role as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. We use to go to Hollywood to see midnight showings of it where the audience sang along and some dressed up and acted out different parts.
But then I had the opportunity in college to take a school trip to New York City to see several plays. Well that was the year Tim Curry played Mozart along with Ian McKellen as Salieri in the Broadway play, Amadeus. I believe the year was 1981. It was such an amazing play. Quick set up: You enter the theater where the curtain is up, but the stage isn’t lit, but you can see a chair with a rumpled blanket on it, center stage. Everyone comes in and takes their seat, and while the lights in the audience go down, the lights on the stage go up, and the spotlight hits the chair where Ian McKellen had been sitting the entire time!!! He starts his dialogue with his disdain for Mozart while trying to hide his jealously for his clearly more talented rival. The movie was good, but I’ll never forget that play!
Curry had a paralyzing stroke in 2012 and never fully recovered and had to use a wheelchair ever since. In recent years he continued to do voice over work and did interviews and his mood appeared uplifting.
“I’ve had the time of my life revisiting my favorite memories over the past couple of years,” Curry told PEOPLE in April prior to publication. Referencing one of Frank-N-Furter’s most famous lines, he added, “I’m shivering with anticipation to share them with you.” (see full article)
7. Could this be any cuter?!!! A construction crew found the lost kitten caught in heavy equipment and recused it. See full story from KTLA below:
8. I was a little worried that I might doze off while catching a tribute band for all things Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young called Deja Vu. So I had no alcohol prior, and instead had an Arnold Palmer (ice tea and lemonade). Boy was I wrong. The fully plugged-in band was on fire rockin’ the venue, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. I had never been to this venue before, but the staff was super nice and helpful and the room only has 78 seats which includes a balcony, so no seat has a bad view. I didn’t need to worry about that as I had a single seat in the third row.
Yes, the band was fabulous, and yes people did have minimal conversations during the performance, but my latest gripe is cologne. Ack!!! Stinky stuff. If you ever wonder if you have too much cologne (men) or perfume (women) on, the answer is going to be YES!!!
9. From my favorite quotes file: “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” – Oscar Wilde
Thanks for reading!
A Couple of Things... 