Several years ago my friend Kelly gave me this 1960s Mimi Sherle museum print which bears an uncanny resemblance to childhood photos of me. Having refreshed the walls of my dining area I’m finally able to bring it out of the record and tape closet where it was hanging and display it in a space where it will be seen. Thanks, Kelly! PS: The thought of me being in ANY kind of closet is hilarious and that goat smelled absolutely putrid.
From The Archives • New York Daily News (1969)
It was 57 years ago today that Sharon Tate, her unborn son Paul Richard Polanski, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowski and Steven Parent died at the hands of The Manson Cult (aka The Family) at 10050 Cielo Drive in the hills of Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles. This artifact from my archives is interesting because it represents one of the many erroneous narratives spread by casual gossip and the media about that horrific night. There was no party. The list of people who claim to have been asked to attend this non-event is something of an urban legend which has since become a meme in certain circles. Whether or not you believe the motives for this crime put forth in Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry’s book Helter Skelter (which I have read countless times and presents an investigation into some of the events, the characters involved and the trial that followed) or Tom O’Neill and Dan Pipenbring’s riveting and exhaustively researched book Chaos (follow @chaoscharlesmanson on Instagram for more) one thing is certain. The effects of the Tate-LaBianca murders continue to resonate throughout the culture with questions about their interrelatedness and the real possibility of these events being part of a much larger government plot that went off the rails, involving a much broader network of interconnected characters. I’ve spent 40 years trying to make sense of it all since my first reading of Helter Skelter and yes, I still have that dog-eared 1975 yellow paperback hand me down from my Aunt Karen in my library. Today, I’m thinking of those who were lost on this night (and at the LaBianca residence in Los Feliz the next night) in 1969. Maybe I’ll watch Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood to revel in what should have happened instead. PS: If you haven’t read Tom O’Neill’s CHAOS, I highly recommend it. Word on the street is he is working on CHAOS II and I can’t wait to read that.
Super fun dinner at The Ugly Dumpling (which was fantastic) with Keira, Benny and Steve because I’m not allowed out in public without him and nobody wants to see me unless I bring him with me but that’s okay because everyone needs a purple haired chaperone with a handlebar mustache. PS: To my fellow Gen Xers… The kids are alright and the future is secure in the hands of Gen Z.
8 August 2026
Earlier this afternoon I noticed a beautiful Polyphemus moth on the stairs to my condo. I had only seen one once before on a street lamp outside my building several years ago. As before, I was bemused by its eye spot patterns and large wingspan, which is about 5 inches. I looked up the totemic symbology of the Polyphemus moth and it totally tracks for me. It reads as follows…
As a totem or spirit animal, the Polyphemus moth represents profound inner transformation, spiritual awakening, and trusting the unseen path. Named after the one-eyed Cyclops from Greek mythology due to the large, striking eyespots on its wings, this creature carries deep medicine centered on expanding your perception beyond the physical.
Awakening Your "Third Eye": The most distinguishing features of this moth are the large, translucent eyespots on its hindwings. As a totem, it serves as a powerful reminder to open your spiritual sight, rely on your intuition and look past illusions to see the deeper truth of a situation.
Trusting Metamorphosis: Moths undergo a dramatic transformation inside a dark, confined cocoon before emerging into total liberation. If this totem appears to you, it suggests that you are navigating a major life transition. It encourages you to trust the dark, uncomfortable stages of growth, knowing that personal freedom is on the other side.
Messengers from the Ancestors: In many Indigenous and global folklore traditions, encountering a large, rare giant silk moth like this is believed to be a gentle visit or sign from a deceased loved one or spirit guide, signaling that you are protected and on the correct path.
I had the privilege of having dinner and spending quality time with The Moran Family. I am truly blessed to have known these wonderful people for so long and to be able to share in the bright spirit that surrounds them. Thank you Eileen, Katie and Rob for a wonderful evening and for being who you are.
X-Ray-Ted pic at the dentist
While executing the pink / red segment of my living room refresh (which is gonna SLAY when finished) I looked at one of my blotter boards and realized that it’s a nice defacto art piece. It’s also a fun memento of the home refresh process so I’m going to slice it up and incorporate the splatters and swipes into a collage.
14 August 2026
Living room is resettled and feels fresh yet familiar.
The home energy reset feels complete.
I am going to paint the bathroom but will likely not shoot pics.
It's more of a footnote to all of this.
The biggest part of the job is done.
Thanks to all who watched the timeline as I worked it out.
Cheers. XO - CDM
