Matin Luther King Jr.

In Honor & Remembrance...

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Martin Luther King Jr on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.  

Walking in LA...

Photo:
Michael Shinafelt

Hit Rough Trade in the Sunset Junction (one of my favorite hoods in Los Angeles) section of Silverlake, CA the other day and while walking around the area I came up this slogan splashed a few times in various places throughout:

DON'T BE DUMB

IMO this statement has arrived somewhat on the tardy side. "Yes" it's late. However perhaps there is hope that collective consciousness will gain enough wisdom to perhaps salvage something from the wreckage.

IYKYK.

So keep on keeping and have a Sunday Funday!

Yeah, that's the ticket...

Visit Sunset Junction on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Junction

Current Mood

The Only Erika That Matters, Erika Jayne

While scrolling through Social Media I happened upon this, I assume, candid image of Erika Jayne of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Upon seeing it I had all the feels of my Current Mood. "Yes" this is how I am feeling at present and this is actually the kindest way I can express it. Trust me if you wanted me to share my actual thoughts you would bear witness to a way harsher form of self expression, indeed.

Kudos to whoever captured this image of Erika and a feel good shout out to the diva for giving zero f#cks about it.

Hope your Current Mood is more stellar than mine, don't forget to brush your teeth...

Toothbrush Drop!

Erika on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/theprettymess/?hl=en 

Guess What? I Love You

At forty-one, musician MIKE MAIMONE never imagined he would become a widower. In GUESS WHAT? I LOVE YOU (Fox & Quill; February 10, 2026), Maimone chronicles the profound love story he shared with his late husband, legendary publicist Howard Bragman, whose groundbreaking career empowered countless public figures and everyday people to live more openly and authentically.

Written with candor, warmth, and emotional precision, GUESS WHAT? I LOVE YOU weaves together humor, heartbreak, spirituality, and healing. The memoir offers an intimate portrait of a relationship sparked by unexpected magic on a hookup app, deepened through a months-long phone courtship, and culminating in a life-changing first weekend walking hand-in-hand through New York City. Maimone captures not only Bragman’s larger-than-life public persona, but also the tenderness, vulnerability, and emotional generosity known only to those closest to him.

“Revisiting the hospital experience was the hardest part,” Maimone reflects. “I cried a lot while putting those moments on the page.” At times, the process was so excruciating that he admits he questioned why he put himself through writing the book at all.

A recurring thread throughout GUESS WHAT? I LOVE YOU is Maimone’s transformative “Year of Yes,” a period marked by openness, surrender, and the courage to release control over both life and career. Guided by Bragman’s mentorship and hard-earned wisdom, Maimone discovers balance, renewed creative clarity, and a healthier relationship with success; insights that resonate far beyond the entertainment industry.

Music remains central to Maimone’s storytelling. A lifelong album artist, he approaches the memoir with the same emotional intentionality that defines his songwriting, carefully shaping tone and narrative across each chapter. The accompanying album, also titled Guess What? I Love You, serves as a true companion piece, deepening the book’s emotional impact. Songs such as “Paranoid in Paradise,” “So Hard to Let Go,” and “Big Kiss” echo moments on the page, while the stories behind the music add rich new layers to the listening experience.

Throughout his journey, Maimone invites readers—especially those navigating grief—to embrace connection, remain open to unexpected possibilities, and allow themselves to experience the full spectrum of human emotion.

Visually, the book’s cover reflects the spirit of the story itself. Featuring illustrated cake pops (a symbol of joy discovered amid loss), the artwork honors a love story that didn’t unfold as planned, but was deeply meaningful, fully lived, and profoundly transformative. 

Michael's Musings

Shiny Happy People
Michael Shinafelt

"Everyone around, love them, love them

Put it in your hands, take it, take it
There's no time to cry, happy, happy
Put it in your heart where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine

Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing" - R.E.M. "Shiny Happy People"

To think we survived a pandemic for this, that's all

Saw David Lynch's Mulholland Drive again on Tubi. The older I get the more linear the film becomes. IYKYK!

Thought of the Day: Am I polarizing enough?

Speaking of others is easy, facing the battles they have won is another story. Indeed...

I've gotten a tattoo for every decade of my life since my twenties. Currently deciding on what I should get for my 60th. Any suggestions?

FYI I'm done adulting, let's be dragons, the more you know

This is not a safe space for your hatred. You can choke on it. Disrespectfully.

Smile, Laugh, Talk, Drink, Dance, Eat A$$, carry on.

Woman Crush of the Week - Hunter Schafer in the role she was born to play Jules Vaughn. Can't wait for Season 3 of Euphoria to drop April 12th! 

Rewatched some episodes of The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow on HBO yesterday. What a brilliant show!

When a Ford worker is held to a higher standard than the President of the Unites States, discuss.

"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are" - Carl Jung

My toxic trait is knowing the truth before I ask because I wanna see how good you lie. What's yours???

I'm feeling quite ______ the blank is yours to fill in

Let's fill it in together here -

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelshinafelt.bsky.social

https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelshinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Look! It's A Zuni Fetish Doll!

There's a little more "Chill" in today's Hump Day & Chill than per usual. Here to give it to us is the Zuni Fetish Doll from Trilogy Of Terror.

You know the one that terrorized Karen Black in her apartment? Yeah, that's the fetish!

This sexy beast appears in the third and final story titled Amelia here's the synopsis for the uninitiated: 

Story 3: Amelia

"Amelia lives alone in a high-rise apartment building. When Amelia tells her overbearing mother she is cancelling their evening plans in order to see her anthropologist boyfriend on his birthday, and that she bought him a wooden fetish doll in the form of a misshapen aboriginal warrior with pointed teeth and a spear, her mother hangs up. A scroll with the doll claims that the gold chain adorning the doll keeps the spirit of a Zuni hunter named "He Who Kills" trapped within. As Amelia leaves the room, the gold chain falls off."

Hump Day & Chill and remember to treat your Zuni Fetish Doll well!

Trilogy Of Terror on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilogy_of_Terror  

Excalibur

Also on February 24, the medieval epic fantasy Excalibur makes its world premiere on 4K UHD. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) brings you the definitive cinematic telling of the life and enduring legend of King Arthur, not seen in previous family friendly movies about Camelot. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

The wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson, The Exorcist III) acquires the powerful sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne, The Usual Suspects). The magical weapon allows Uther to be recognized as the King of the Britons. During a feast, Uther begs Merlin to cast a spell that will allow him to sleep with a duke’s wife. Merlin agrees, but only after being promised the king’s future child. Months later, Merlin claims the newborn. When Uther attempts to reclaim the baby, he is ambushed, and before dying, he drives Excalibur into a stone. Legend foretells that only the next true king can free the sword. Merlin places the child, Arthur, with Sir Ector to be raised as a squire. During a tournament to determine England’s new ruler, a grown Arthur (Nigel Terry, The Lion in Winter) unknowingly pulls Excalibur from the stone and is crowned king. He gathers extraordinary knights to his legendary Round Table at Camelot, but his reunion with his magical sister Morgana (Helen Mirren, The Queen) ushers in dark times for his reign. To restore the kingdom, Arthur sends his knights on a perilous quest for the Holy Grail. Among the warriors clad in shining armor are Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Liam Neeson (Taken), and Ciarán Hinds (Miami Vice).

Special features include a 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible); restored original lossless mono and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio options; optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; two brand new audio commentaries; archival audio commentary by director John Boorman; The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game); newly filmed interviews with director John Boorman, actor Charley Boorman, co-writer Rospo Pallenberg; creative associate Neil Jordan and others; the 120-minute TV version of the film; a retrospective documentary with cast and crew interviews; trailers; image galleries; a perfect-bound booklet; double-sided fold-out poster; and six postcard-sized reproduction art cards.

Watch the trailer for Excalibur here: https://youtu.be/knJQxaO5Bt4?si=xAFuREUygUzTSNON

Order Here: https://customers.mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV806