Sunday Funday

Lazy Sunday
l-r
Me, Joe Waters & Rua

Last Sunday I was visiting my sister and her husband in my home state of WA. She caught this pseudo candid shot of us on the couch with their dog Rua (pseudo candid shot meaning we didn't know she was going to take it, but looked up when we saw the camera.) 

Hence Sunday Funday! Indeed it was, seriously what's better than drinking beer, laying on the couch and chilling with the TV on?! I ask you? Nothing I say!!!

Honestly I don't recall what we were watching, which means I wasn't interested and was on my phone LOL! But really it was all about hanging out, enjoying each other's company and relaxing.

Everyday should be like Sunday Funday!

Sunday Funday on Wikipedia -

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

I Can't Stand The Rain

Let's Get Soaken Wet! Not!
Anne Hathaway

"I feel it, It's coming, Rain" - Madonna

Well the rainy season in Los Angeles is here and frankly as my byline states - "I can't stand the rain"

As a Washington State native it rained quite a lot, but that was common and it was manageable. Not so much when you live in Los Angeles. Even the littlest amount of the wet stuff can wreak havoc. People slip and slide in their cars, mudslides occur from the fires of the summer and boy do the drainage systems suck here. Thus the water gets quite saturated and streets and sidewalks are freakishly populated with mini lakes and rivers.

Bear witness to Anne Hathaway keeping it dry and real out and about in LA, yet somehow, unlike most individuals I know, she manages to look quite chic. I guess that's why she's a star and we aren't, or something like that.

The moral of today's post? Never make fun of Angelenos when they complain about the rain. Honestly it's the equivalent of a snow storm here. 

I can't wait for this sh!t to end!

Got rain? Oh yes you do, here it is on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain  

Christmas Day 2017

Where's My Shelf?
Michael Shinafelt

Like most of you minions I am celebrating Christmas Day with family, most notably my Mom and her guy Bob who are visiting from Washington State. 

Today day we are indulging in the equivalent of Chinese Food from A Christmas Story and having Mexican Food instead. 

Here is a Christmas riddle. What do you call an elf without a shelf? Elf on the loose! Today, that's me!

Ho, ho, ho...pucker up your lips and blow and Merry Christmas!!!

Find me and put me back on my shelf at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/mshinafelt?lang=en 

It's Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
l-r My Sister, Mom & Me

Hello peeps, and Happy Mother's Day! Today is the day specifically set aside to honor that special someone who you call Mom, I personally never use the word Mother because I use that word for other things.

Today I am honoring two women, my Mom and my Sister. While my Sister obviously isn't my Mom but she is an amazing Step Mom to my three awesome nieces. Also it is my wonderful siblings Birthday today as well. 

Sue is the best Sister in the world. She is always there for me with her love and support and most importantly if I need to confide in someone she can keep a secret. 

My Mom is always there for me as well. Her belief in me and the path I am on never falters. Of course we aren't always on the same page, but the love is unconditional. 

The photo above was taken outside the Tides Tavern (in case you couldn't tell) in Gig Harbor, WA when I was visiting for Christmas after we all had lunch there. I remember it well. I had my first steak and brie sandwich, YUM! 

Good Times! Miss you two, love you and I will see you again soon. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom & Sue. 

Happy Birthday Sis, no I won't say how old you are <wink>

David Bowie Was My First

On Of The True Greats
David Bowie

So saddened to hear the news that one of the biggest influences in my life on many levels, David Bowie has passed away due to cancer.

Dear David,

This is an open letter to you to list the numerous ways you have impacted my life throughout the years.

My first exposure to you musically was the Ziggy Stardust personae and album. I was mesmerized by it. Favorite song: Suffragette City. I heard the album years before I owned it via a friend of my parents teenage son, yeah I was a mere kid then.

The first album I owned by you? Let's Dance. Favorite song? China Girl. 

"Yes" David you were my first. My first major rock show ever! The Tubes opened for you at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State. I will never forget the amazing show you gave a combination of theatricality and brilliant music! Oh, you were also another first for me. My first Rock God crush, yeah I thought you were sexy a fuck!

I met you when I worked at Tower Records Sunset. You were to only star I ever met that I was actually nervous about saying "Hello" to. I remember grabbing a vinyl LP copy of the Tin Machine album for you to sign, when myself and the other employees brought our things to the register, you were so gracious and kind. You signed everyone's treasure with true class. When we expressed our awe of you with regard to the legend you were your response was: "Oh please, I'm no big deal."

I managed to see you in concert a total of four times, each one a religious experience. 

You can never completely know the total depth of the impact you had on my life as a young gay man. But I will leave you with this. You made it easier, seeing someone out there who dared to be different, an innovator and mostly dared to be himself.

R.I.P. Thin White Duke 

 

                                                               China Girl


David Bowie on the web:

http://www.davidbowie.com/

"Life Is Like A Jackie Collins Novel"

"Life is like a Jackie Collins novel" - Michael Shinafelt

This startling revelation caught me by surprise somewhere back in 2010 when I was dating an actor half my age and juggling both our schedules and different friends and careers, mine being of course a writer, actor etc...So I immediately posted my momentary genius on my Facebook page and took it to Twitter!

After having been in Hollywood for 20 plus years it hit me like a bolt of lightning at that point and time in my life that "yes" me and my then boyfriend could easily be a basis for characters in one of her books! 

Funny when I was growing up as a young lad in Washington State I used to find her potboilers entertaining, but thought that her statement that the characters and events were based on reality a bit of a stretch.

Yeah, well living in Hollywood I have been proven wrong on the abovementioned notion. 

A few of my favorite Jackie yarns? Hollywood Wives was my favorite! Honorable mention goes to Lady Boss and Lucky.

She was a woman who lived a great and fascinating life. Someone who I wished I had met, so I could have had a character based on me in one of her escapist treatise. 

R.I.P. Lovely lady, you made reality entertaining.

Find yourself in a Jackie Collins novel at: 

http://jackiecollins.com/