Entertainment & Style

Don't Act Surprised 

Although the last day of summer isn't for another few weeks, for many Labor Day symbolizes the end of the season. As we say goodbye to summer, what tunes are on your playlist?

A Resplendent SunsetOne of the delights in living for decades at Emerald Isle, North Carolina, was the panoply of colors etched in almost every sunset: various deep vibrant tints of orange, pink, purple, red, gray, yellow, and white. These anticipated sunsets were an indelible treat from nature that I gratefully and at times gleefully reveled in. I was awed by the almost infinite variety each sunset displayed. It was a blessing.In Oahu, however, no matter where I am on the island, the   sunsets are primarily soft pink with a tint of pastel reds, appealing hues but unspectacular, unmoving. But last night’s twilight was a welcomed kaleidoscope of colors. When I just happened to look beyond my lanai, I saw layers of orange streaks surrounded by wisps of zigzagged foamy white borders. I was mesmerized. Whenever I again have the opportunity to see such an exceptional Oahu sunset, I will be abundantly and abidingly grateful.  Being transfixed by such efflorescent sunsets that

 

 

Whoa!During the past few months, I have seen a middle-aged woman who mumbles and weeps as she slowly walks around my Waikiki neighborhood. At one point, I saw her in a nearby driveway a block away from my condo.  She was either being constrained or comforted by a Jewish man to whom I had occasionally said a hearty shalom. Then it dawned on me: perhaps the lady is also Jewish, and her trance-like behavior is actually a type of davening, fitfully praying in Hebrew as she ambles about in her religious devotion.Yesterday just as I began my walk, I saw her inching towards me. Without thinking, I blurted out “shalom” to her: Clearly and emphatically, she responded with shalom as well. Ah hah, a breakthrough! Perhaps she recognized me as a fellow Jew. Or perhaps she was just mimicking me.  A few minutes later, she was once more heading in my direction, looking downtrodden, slightly sobbing, and murmuring as usual.  But much to my amazement as she passed by, she breathlessly ask

Not sure why this came to mind, perhaps Burning Man 2023 events, but got to thinking of my own memorable concert experiences and thought it'd be great to read others... I'll start: Very first without parents (although they dropped us off and picked us up right in front; you could do that then): CCR (Creedance Clearwater Revival) - Municipal Auditorium - KCMO - 1967 (age 13) Lost memories: Joe Walsh in Texas: ROADTRIP! Pulled into rest stop; awoke to the biggest fing mosquitoes EVER invading the van. One of the best: Rod Stewart while I was 8 months preggo; the bottles roamed row-to-row; obviously pre-major contagious diseases; dude did probably 20 costume changes; AMAZING! Ozzy: Denver, enough said.... Prince: soft opening 1999 club at the RIO; omfg; this is the sexiest man alive or otherwise The Killers: return to the start at Sam's Town and throughout it all, our captain, and constant, Jimmy Buffett; so many appearances, so many uplifting exper

I'm always the last to know about these things! But, that's okay...you can still read a book today! Every year in the United States, September 6 is National Read a Book Day! Reading books is educational, entertaining, and relaxing. Reading stimulates brain activity, improves concentration, strengthens memory, and reduces stress.  *How to read a book: Open a book of your choosing, set a timer for one hour, and read! I will bet when that timer goes off you won't want to put that book down. Or, you could read to a child, they love to be read to!  🗣 🕮  ⤵️  I thought this was awesome. (via Facebook)  ⤵️  *[wikiHow]

One of the sweetest people in the music business has left us... Jimmy Buffett passed away 1-Sept-2023, according to his site. I'll always remember his soulful voice and seemingly endless coolness 😉 He also wrote, imho, the lovingest love song of all time: "Come Monday"  See you in the treetops, dear Jimmy...

A Meditative MomentYesterday, midway on my walk, I encountered some exceptionally strong trade winds. At one point, I found a very large plastic bag swirling at my feet. I tried to pick it up, but it eluded me. A fierce wind then lifted it toward the upper floors of a nearby condo. Instead of continuing on my walk, I gazed at the aerodynamic wrapper as it almost smashed against a lanai, then reversed itself and plunged across a school yard, flapping maniacally. Without warning, a gust of wind smacked the wrapper to the ground where it scurried underneath an SUV. The erratic flight of the wrapper enthralled me from beginning to end.Although I am not wired for meditation, my wife has convinced me that I do meditate in my own way: Besides my connection with the wind-blown wrapper, other things have mesmerized me throughout my life: the haunting aura of snowfalls, the stunning voice of an operatic diva, ocean waves buffeting volcanic rocks, symphonic crescendos, wispy clouds hovering over

 

And, you'll receive month-long good luck!  Simply say the following words (aloud), 'Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!, the very first thing on September 1st, and you'll see yourself basking in good luck! There are other variations to this, such as...some say, 'Rabbit! Rabbit!', or 'White Rabbit!' (For those night owls/rabbits, speaking these 3 words just after midnight still counts. Because, although you may be a night owl/rabbit and have not slept yet, you too deserve some good luck!) Be sure to 'thank' this little fella, Mr. Rabbit  🐇, if you do have some good luck, throughout the month. And, in return, he'll wiggle his little nose, just for you!  /)/)( . .)( づ♡  This will be my first rabbiting experience, so, I do hope to see Mr. Rabbit wiggle his nose, just for me!  ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و [source: Sandra Boynton - Facebook]

What is a 'supermoon,' you ask? A term coined by astrologer Richar Nolle in 1979, a supermoon occurs when a full or new moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it look much larger and brighter. Though it is called the 'blue supermoon,' the moon won’t actually look/be blue. A 'blue moon' is what happens when there’s a second full moon occurring within the same month. For this occasion, it's not just any blue moon, it's a rare blue supermoon. So...say 'Hello!' to everyone's favorite idiom: 'once in a blue moon,' as it will actually come to life tonight! Gather some friends and look to the sky, because the next 'blue supermoon' will not occur again until January, 2037. Time zones for viewing are: 9:36PM/21:36 EDT, 8:36PM/20:36 CDT, 7:36PM/19:36 MDT, and/or 6:36PM/18:36 PDT. Weather permitting. One note of caution: This moon could bring an elevated risk for floodingThose looking to observe the moon from a beach should consider checking conditions first. Sturgeon F

National Bow Tie Day on August 28th encourages everyone to wear this style of tie with panache! It's versatile, too. To ▶◀ , or not.  Well, I never knew, but it made me think of my favorite 'bow tie guy', whom I like very much... 💕  [💔 Paul Reubens, Best Known as Pee-wee Herman, Has Died at 70. [07302023] 💔]

Another season of European soccer has begun.  You can watch Italian soccer games free on  Golazo and French soccer on Bein Sports Xtra, both on Pluto tv.  All with English commentators.  Take advantage, they will probably start to charge in the future.

I occasionally get anemia. Accordingly, my primary doctors, both those in North Carolina and now Hawaii, have always recommended that I take an iron pill until my hemoglobin count increases. But when the oncologist who has been treating me for two years saw that my recent hemoglobin count was a bit low, he told me that decreasing the amount of oral chemotherapy capsules for my blood cancer would get the hemoglobin back to normal. That tactic didn’t appeal to me at all. Because of unanticipated drug interaction concerns, the oncologist had already reduced the chemo dosage from five to three capsules a day. I vehemently objected to any more tinkering with my cancer medication. Instead, I offered to take a regimen of iron pills until the next blood test in two months. The doctor thought that was a great option. Duh! Sometimes the patient knows best. The other day, my visiting daughter and I were watching Tears of the Sun, a movie about maniacally murderous rebels in Nigeria. After a

Every Movie is just $4!!! Some 'Sunday Funday' activities! Woohoo! We're going to see, 'Strays.'  (♡˙︶˙♡) Theater owners announced Monday that the second annual National Cinema Day will be held Sunday, Aug. 27. For one day, all movies — in all formats and at all showtimes — will be $4 at participating theaters. More than 3,000 theaters are participating, which accounts for most of the cinemas in the U.S., including the leading chains AMC and Regal.  

Gone, but never forgotten. Her fighting spirit still lingers. - Kelly In a statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.” The acclaimed Dublin performer released 10 studio albums, while her song Nothing Compares 2 U was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. Her version of the ballad, written by musician Prince, topped the charts around the globe and earned her three Grammy nominations. Sinéad O’Connor, acclaimed Dublin singer, dies aged 56. (The Irish Times)Sinéad O'Connor Dead at 56. (People Magazine)Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has died at 56. (NPR)Sinéad O'Connor (Wiki) Songs: ♡  Sinead O'Connor - The Emperor's New Clothes  ♡  Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka ♡  Sinéad O'Connor - I Want Your Hands On Me&nb

Staring Too Long May Damage Your Vision 

 

Though much of it is not Rock & Roll, a few of the songs qualify, such as Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" and Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock", I thought you all might appreciate the blog, videos, and the playlist. The American Film Institute recently released their list of 100 greatest songs in movies. That inspired me at the suggestion of a friend to make a Spotify playlist of the same. Some analysis of the list led to some interesting observations:The blog is highlighted by videos of some of my favorite movie song performances, with the actor/singer performing in the movie, typically a musical, not just a background song, such as “Unchained Melody” in Ghost, or “What a Feeling” in Flashdance, or “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” in Dirty Dancing. All are great songs and scenes, but I wanted to single out some of the most outstanding signing performances within the confines of movies that made me fall in love with the singer. There are two exceptional performances that I feel wer

 

This news rather bites. I knew he was ill for some time. RIP, Gary. At least your struggles are over, now. 😔 My life changed because of Pavement, and the instantaneous love I had for, 'Slanted and Enchanted.' I have so many great memories. Plus, I discovered so many other bands because of Pavement. Plus, I have always had a thing for drummers.  Gary Young (May 3, 1953 – August 17, 2023) was an American musician and music producer best known as the original drummer of the indie rock band Pavement from its inception in 1989 until his departure in 1993. Hospital is the debut studio album by the American musician Gary Young and his backing band Hospital, released in 1994. It was Young's first solo effort after being asked to leave the band Pavement. Gary Young, Pavement’s Original Drummer, Dead at 70 (Rolling Stone)Gary Young (drummer) (Wiki)Hospital (album) (Wiki)🎶  Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted

On August 12, 1964 The Beatles made their Hollywood debut with the opening of their first feature film A Hard Day’s Night. Captured at the height of Beatlemania, the film opened to rave reviews and was a financial and critical success. It earned two Academy Award nominations and inspired countless films, TV shows, and eventually music videos. Two notable cameos in the movie are Patty Boyd playing a blonde schoolgirl on the train and Phil Collins playing a schoolboy watching the Beatles on TV. Patty eventually married George Harrison and subsequently having an affair with then marrying one of George’s best friends - Eric Clapton. She inspired the songs “Something,” “Layla,” and “Wonderful Tonight.” Collins of course became the drummer and eventual lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Genesis. The song and movie provide the theme of this week’s music blog, songs featuring the word Days. Accompanying the playlist Glory DAYS is a country version These DAYS, the word Day in song

 The ship weathered the storm, but the crew suffocated so the project was defunded.