The Wilson sisters have made so many of my very favorite songs. From Magic Man, Barracuda and Crazy on You to Heartless, BeBe LeStrange, Even it Up and Straight On. Each a true gem! I have a particular soft spot for BeBe LeStrange, the album hangs on a wall in my office.
When I heard your song I knew your
name should be changed
Everybody ought to call you
bebe le strange
Under my skin you’ve got my mind
rearranged
You`re so insane
Bebe`s so strange
Bebe le strange
April 18, 2026 was closing night. Ten days of pure joy. But I was also happy to get back to normal.
No great story except to say I literally walked around every one of these days and was complimented frequently. Two specific compliments touch me always. The first, “your makeup is always flawless”. Wow! The second, I am often thanked (why thank me?) for being as visible as I am. I chatted up person after person, many film makers, for whom this festival is a true honor. People from all over the world, all over the country. We had a closing party which was great fun and afterward I sat with a volunteer, and we talked quite a bit about me (how I deal with all of this). He was very kind, bought me a drink and it was a wonderful and just an easy conversation. Thank you Terry!
Here was my final day at CIFF, including a fun little PG-13 photo shoot prior to heading out.
Where’s Waldo? Can you find me?
Everyone is Not as Blessed to Have What You Have.
Postscript: I am not going to lie. I adored my ten days working as Kandi. I also am looking forward to shutting her down a bit. Throughout CIFF, I was seen, I was noticed, I was loved, I was a presence. I smiled for hours on end, not because I chose to, but because I was happy to my core. But getting ready and presenting myself in the manner that I have done for CIFF, also for the patrons and for my bloated ego, is work. I may not shave that face for a week! But I am blessed beyond words to have the opportunities, and I know that and I never take them for granted. I was smart, I was appropriate, I was uber-confident and I was highly visible! I changed minds one at a time.
This meant the world to me.
One Response
Well done Kandi. Congratulations on a fabulous ten days. Each and every outfit was a winner.
And a very saucy pose (wolf whistle).
Love,
Jocelyn