Monday Motivation

Your Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile
Michael Shinafelt

"Make a difference today just by smiling. Wake up with a smile, make someone else smile, and smile before you lay down tonight! Have a happy and positive day!"

In case you haven't put the pieces together today's Monday Motivation is to smile. Honestly it's been a rough go for me of late recovering from surgery with three more weeks left to go. This being stated one of the things that has kept me buoyant is my ability to smile at random people I see out and about.

This makes them and yourself feel good 😃

So let's kick off this week with a goal to smile at everyone you make eye contact with this week. Trust me it isn't that difficult and it's a gift that keeps on giving and it doesn't cost a thing except use of your jaw muscles.

Are you ready mouth? Start smiling....

Grin & Bare it with me at:

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

https://twitter.com/mshinafelt?lang=en 

Sweet Release - Amethyst Journey

Release
l-r
Jeremy & Alaska
Photo: Magnus Hastings

And the sky was made of amethyst...

ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT PREMIERE’S DEBUT SINGLE & VIDEO “ALIENS”

  https://www.etonline.com/rupauls-drag-race-star-alaska-debuts-surreal-new-aliens-music-video-108110

WORLDWIDE TOUR DATES RUN THRU 2018

  World Famous drag star Alaska Thunderf*ck’s new musical group Alaska and Jeremy have officially released their debut album Amethyst Journey today via PEG Records, the LGBT-focused label of Producer Entertainment Group (PEG).  Alaska and Jeremy is the collaboration with her long-time musical partner Jeremy (Mikush).

Amethyst Journey is available via all digital retailers as well as Alaska and Jeremy’s website:  alaskaandjeremy.com

Amethyst Journey was meticulously crafted and molded with love and patience alongside producer Markaholic.  “Jeremy and Ihave been making music together for over 9 years. After taking a retreat into the woods of the Russian River Valley to write, reflect, and commune with nature and one another, Amethyst Journey was born.  

The album is a collection of songs that are a combination of our outlook and inspirations-- a response to current issues and the state of our planet.  We believe the LGBTIA+ community has a unique position to bridge collective misunderstandings and create positive change for humanity.  

All of the songs were recorded in downtown Los Angeles with producer Markaholic.  We worked together along with Mark to craft and mold each track with love and patience.” said Alaska. 

Entertainment Tonight premiered the first single & video, “Aliens” https://www.etonline.com/rupauls-drag-race-star-alaska-debuts-surreal-new-aliens-music-video-108110 today.  “Aliens,” the album’s overture, is a folk music-based lullaby written for the people of Earth that asks the questions: What is the future we want?  Does the idea of extraterrestrial visitors come from a Savior complex... or an Armageddon complex?

North To Alaska
Alaska
Photo: Magnus Hastings

Amethyst Journey: Track by Track commentary:

Aliens

The album's overture, "Aliens" is a folk music-based lullaby written for the people of Earth that asks the questions: What is the future we want?  Does the idea of extraterrestrial visitors come from a Savior complex... or an Armageddon complex?  

Truth in the Light

This song was originally released by Jeremy on his solo album, Somewhere In Between, and we re-recorded it together.  It's a song that addresses what happens when relationships grow and mutate.  Can we grow distant, yet still maintain some kind of heart connection?  

So Far Gone

Being on the road and being away from our family and our loved ones is one of the most challenging parts of our work as artists.  The pain and release from those feelings of distance and longing and isolation is the inspiration for this song.  

The Wind

This song is a pagan prayer and is an invocation that calls forth the four elements-- Air, Earth, Water, and Fire. 

Son of a Mother

We all possess an X chromosome. What binds us all is that every one of us has a Mother.  This song worships the Divine Feminine, and cautions those who abuse or disrespect her power.

The End of the World

In our current climate of instant gratification, humanity needs perspective on large-scale change.  We've created a heavy metal theme song for the Apocalypse, drawing upon ancient perspectives on cosmic cycles. It leaves the door open and asks the questions:  Is this truly end of the world...  Does it have to be?

Ascension

Originally inspired by the visual experience of being elevated and beamed up by an extraterrestrial space ship, "Ascension" evolved to become a sonic exploration of the ups and downs of the evolution of consciousness and spiritual transformation--it's a cosmic download!

At the End of the Day

The sister song to Alaska's "It Is What It Is," also from Jeremy's Somewhere in Between, it can be simultaneously played with "It Is What It Is" to create a symphonic experience influenced by Renaissance choral music and contemporary a cappella artists.

In addition, Alaska will continue touring throughout the world for the remainder of the year.  Tour Dates

Aug 18 2018 – London, UK - DragWorld

Aug 19 2018 – London, UK - DragWorld

Aug 22 2018 – Nottingham, UK - Glee Club

Aug 23 2018 – Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg

Aug 24 2018 – Brighton, UK - Revenge

Aug 25 2018 – Leeds, UK - O2 Academy

Aug 27 2018 – Essex, UK - CTZN

Sep 06 2018 – Phoenix, AZ - Charlies

Sep 07 2018 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL - The Manor

Sep 08 2018 – Brooklyn, NY - Bushwig

Sep 09 2018 – San Francisco, CA - Beaux

Sep 14 2018 – Ann Arbor, MI - Necto

Sep 15 2018 – Champaign, IL - 51 Main

Sep 20 2018 – Canberra, Australia - Canberra Theatre

Sep 21 2018 – Sydney, Australia - Max Watts

Sep 22 2018 – Melbourne, Australia - Chasers

Sep 25 2018 – Auckland, New Zealand - Bruce Mason Centre

Sep 27 2018 – Brisbane, Australia - Family

Sep 28 2018 – Adelaide, Australia - Mary's Poppin

Sep 29 2018 – Perth, Australia - Connections

Oct 02 2018 – Singapore, Singapore - Shrine Auditorium

Oct 04 2018 – Toronto, Canada - Danforth Music Hall

Oct 05 2018 – Louisville, KY - Play

Oct 13 2018 – Atlanta, GA - The Deep End

Oct 14 2018 – Bogota, Colombia - Sutton Club

Oct 20 2018 – Las Vegas, NV - Charlies

Oct 23 2018 – Newcastle, UK - "Heels of Hell!"

Oct 24 2018 – Birmingham, UK - "Heels of Hell!"

Oct 25 2018 – London, UK - "Heels of Hell!"

Oct 28 2018 – Manchester, UK - "Heels of Hell!"

Oct 29 2018 – Glasgow, UK - "Heels of Hell!"

Oct 30 2018 – Dublin, Ireland - "Heels of Hell!"

Nov 02 2018 – Melbourne, Australia - Chasers

Nov 03 2018 – Sydney, Australia - The Roundhouse

Nov 04 2018 – Brisbane, Australia - Eight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaThunder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alaska5000

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlyalaska5000/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/alaskatron5000

Just Because...A Royal Wedding Portrait

What A Feeling!
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

Just Because I love black and white photography, Just Because the magic still lingers & Just Because they make such a great pair - here is the official portrait of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle brought to you by the words Royal & Wedding.

You know I really don't have much to say about posting this, since I am probably one of the last individuals covering and commenting on pop culture to do so. 

This beautiful image speaks for itself. You don't need me to tell you my impressions of it, because I am betting mine are simpatico with yours.

Plain and simple this image evokes positive energy. That's something everyone needs right here, right now. So let's go with it - what a feeling!

Enjoy more Royal Wedding photos here:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44201476   

Just Because...Barack & Melania

Did You Hear The One About 45???
Melania Trump & Barack Obama

Just Because it's Earth Day, Just Because of good vibes only & Just Because smiling is contagious. Here is the image that has set the Internet a buzz, Barack Obama & Melania Trump sitting next to each other at former First Lady Barbara Bush's funeral.

This is the happiest one has seen the current "First Lady" publicly in a looooooong time. I guess it took a funeral for that to happen. OK, you get what I mean by that, I hope.

Suffice it to say my main reason for posting this is it made me smile. It is a quite charming image that was very unexpected. "Yes" I like to be disarmed in positive ways.

Which begs the question what did Obama say to her to put such a genuine look of happiness on the always stoic Mrs. Trump's face?

Start the speculation flying by filling in your own blank here _________ ....

Go green, or go home - Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/search/earth+day 

Spring Forward!

Spring Has Sprung
Kristen Stewart

Tomorrow for a a lot of the world, not all of it. Daylight Savings Time begins, so it is written and so it shall be.

Kristen Stewart with a bare midriff, enjoying an iced beverage in perpetually sunny Los Angeles sums up the feeling of Spring, therefore I chose her image of her to represent! Spring that is.

Springing Forward is my favorite time of year, I love the extra hours of light heading into the later part of the day.

Forget Falling Back, which really has a negative connotation to it, as it should it represents darkness and there is plenty of that happening. Springing Forward has a positive connotation to it, not to mention more light, which tends to make us lighter in general.

So lighten up & don't forget to Spring Forward tomorrow! 

Kristin on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829576/

Kerry On

My Idea Of Washington
Kerry Washington

This has been one Hell of a week and it's only Wednesday. I mean that in many ways, some good and some not so much. 

While I try to monitor my alternative fact intake as much as possible some things are simply too hard to turn a blind eye to. Thus Washington is in the forefront of my mind's eye at present.

That being said you can see why I easily have substituted a positive version of it, of the Kerry kind today. Hey it's not that big of a stretch. Not only does she have the same last name as our nation's capital she also works at the White House on her too entertaining for words TV show Scandal.

As Olivia Pope she controls that house of cards and then some. 

Visualization is the name of today's game peeps. Enjoy life and Kerry On...trust me. Why? Because I'm not a politician. 

Kerry on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashington/?hl=en

Monday, Monday....Stranger Things

"Monday, Monday, So good to me, Monday morning, It was all I hoped it would be" - The Mamas & The Papas

It's the Monday after the Screen Actors Guild Awards and there were some amazing speeches last nice in case you missed them.

Well since I have been super busy this weekend and am headed to a 6:30 am taping of Fashion Police this morning, let me leave you with one of them. 

The cast of Stranger Things won for best ensemble in a drama series. The gang gave the mic over to star David Harbour better known as Chief Jim Hopper and boy was it amazing!

Thus I leave you with it to kick your week off on a positive note. I need to motor Margaret Cho and Melissa Rivers are waiting.

PS - be sure to check out Winona Ryder's facial expressions too, they are the best!

Get ready for a spoonful of truth!

See some "Stranger Things" on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsTV/

It's Only Day Three Of 2016 and...

Ahoy!
l-r Harry Styles, Kendall Jenner, Portia De Rossi & Ellen Degeneres 

Well 2016 is looking to live up to it's hype as being a bold new year. How else can you explain this photo of Kendall Jenner, Harry Styles, Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi all having lunch on the same yacht? 

Yep, sometimes the world is full of strange bedfellows. The said yacht was traveling the waters in and around St. Barts for those who care.

Honestly I was so intrigued by the photo above I just had to post it. It seems like a sign of things to come in 2016, an omen of sorts, and a positive one at that.

Now that the tone has been set this year has a lot to live up to expectation wise and it had better bring it!

Have a great last day of the Holidays peeps!

'Tis The Season For Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah Rulz! 

I have always loved Queen Latifah! When I first saw her in Set It Off I was a fan!

She has always brought something unique and interesting to every film she has graced. Not to mention she is one bad ass singer!

The news that her talk show has been cancelled is sad indeed. This being stated Ms. Latifah proves why she has the title of Queen.

Although the cancelled talk show will still run through March, since it has been given the boot the crew is no longer necessary. The Queen is using her own money to pay the show's crew through the Holidays.

"Your Family, Partners, Staff and Crew showed up with you every step of the way. Be very proud of that! Not everyone can say the same," the message continued. "You can also say you have been a blessing to and been blessed by amazing guests and incredible audiences for this show. We truly changed people's lives for the better. So…stay positive, stay strong, and most important, stay open...There is so much more God has in store!"

The Queen concluded with: "This letter is for me, my staff, my crew, and everyone who was by my side for this incredible journey," she wrote. "The most important thing in life is that you wake up every single day and take chances. No matter what the outcome…believe in yourself and continue to fly."

What's up next? Queen Latifah is getting great buzz for her portrayal of legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO's upcoming Bessie. I can't wait! 

Long live the Queen!

Keep it real with The Queen at: http://queenlatifah.com/  

Fast Forward: Cherie Currie & Kim Fowley

Cherie Currie

“What a betrayal!! I imagined Kim and this guy back at the Starwood laughing at the fact that I was on my period, right before Kim sold me off like some kind of low-rent Hollywood pimp. It was embarrassing, and more than anything in the world I wanted to just go home… I realized that this whole thing was a setup by Kim, and I cursed myself for being too meek to stop it.” - Cherie Currie "Neon Angel" 

Fast Froward to 2014, the now. Cherie posted this on her Facebook page a few weeks ago:

“Life is ironic. Kim Fowley was moved into my home a week ago Friday. I have been a 24/7 caregiver for him. Funny, I have not been a fan of this man for decades but time is the great equalizer. It has been an honor to be there for him. He is ill so please send prayers to him. He is as brilliant now as he has ever been. Caring for him keeps me from FB. Know I love you all and please send positive thoughts his way.”

Life is an experience that throws us many curve balls. The important thing is to keep evolving and most of all forgiving..

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever" - Gandhi 

Runaway with Cherie at: https://www.facebook.com/CherieCurrieOfficial