Michael's Musings

Fighter
Michael Shinafelt

" 'Cause it makes me that much stronger, Makes me work a little bit harder, It makes me that much wiser, So thanks for making me a fighter" - Fighter, Christina Aguilera 

We've all got battles to pick and choose from on a daily basis. Your strategy is always different for each one you plan to fight.

Pick wisely and make sure you know WTF you're doing grasshopper. 

Time to let the sh!t fly!

When I'm in the mood for International I expect to be delighted

My favorite RHOBH quote of the season thus far: "Dorit is a bottomless pit of bullshit" - Camille Grammer

Let a prick enjoy their bagel & mimosa in peace!

Speaking of pricks, Donald Trump. Yeah I know it was an easy shot, but I couldn't resist

No matter what, no one wants your pity boner

Just when you thought DSL was an acronym that referred to your computer, along comes Dick Sucking Lips to confuse the F#ck out of you. Beware the next time someone uses DSL it may not mean what you think...

Create art, destroy monotony 

I spoke to a customer service rep this past week named "Sunshine" 

It looks like Allison Janney is a shoo in for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for I, Tonya

Too bad Margot Robbie won't win, I thought she was brilliant as Tonya Harding

I tend to wake up at 4 am on my own. The more you know.

Cloned Monkeys would have never enabled a government shutdown

On that note: "Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love."

Here I am at
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

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"Smiles Everyone, Smiles..."

You Get A Star!
l-r
Mickey Mouse, Katy Perry & Minnie Mouse

Do you know where the quote in my byline comes from today? If you do, then you are old. It comes from the TV show Fantasy Island which premiered January 14, 1977. The line was uttered every week by the character Mr. Roarke played by the late Ricardo Montalban. 

This quote popped into my head (yes, I am old(er) not old) when I spotted this photo of Katy Perry attending Minnie Mouse's star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mickey Mouse was there too, naturally.

Minnie has been playing the Hollywood game for 90 years it's about time this ageless beauty got honored, she's more than earned it!

Honestly I have no other reason for posting this today than whimsy and smiles.

So there!

As Mr. Roarke would say "Smiles Everyone, Smiles..." may you have an enchanting day!

Minnie on Wikipedia:

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

The Woman Behind The Mask

Peek-A-Boo
Guess Who?

Here is a pic of one of last night's SAG Award nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Mini Series or Television Movie.

She posted it to her Instagram page with the caption: "Who's ready for the SAG Awards? #sagawards #biglittlelies" 

The nominee also went home empty handed. If you guessed Laura Dern, you guessed correctly. What's that? Do you win something? Uh, no.

While I did not watch the award show, I do enjoy seeing the photos post all the pomp & circumstance. 

Particularly of celebrities preparing for their big night who do not shy away from making themselves look silly. 

Thus my SAG Award for Best Instagram pre-show selfie goes to Ms. Dern!

Keep on doing you Ms. Thang!

Laura on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lauradern/?hl=en

Fashion, Turn To The Left...

Designing Duo
Heidi Klum & Adam Lambert

Fashion it inspires, it's creative and it can make for some interesting bedfellows. Case in point, behold this capture of Heidi Klum enjoying the company of Adam Lambert at Morais Collection 6 Fashion Show in the City of Angels.

Both from very different sectors of the Entertainment world yet their paths crossed all in the name of fashion. 

Heidi is looking rather low key for her in this photo and Adam is looking low key for him as well, but yummy nonetheless. 

Now the real question is, what did these two exchange sound bites about? I will venture a guess and say they exchanged tips about...fashion!

Heidi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/heidiklum/?hl=en

Adam on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adamlambert/?hl=en  

Gotta Serve Somebody

Bob Dylan, he's a poet and you know it... Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylan Coming to DVD and digital formats February 9th Features an intense performance from Bob Dylan, plus performances from Aaron Neville, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, and many others during behind-the-scenes making of the Grammy-nominated compilation "Gotta Serve Somebody" released 15 years ago "The best African-American covers of Dylan songs since Jimi Hendrix." - The New York Times

Marking the fifteenth anniversary of GRAMMY-nominated album Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan, MVD Entertainment Group will reissue the film of the same title. Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan features an intense Bob Dylan performance from 1980 of "When He Returns" as well as powerful performances and interviews with Aaron Neville, Shirley Caesar, Fairfield Four, Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Dottie Peoples, reflecting on their faith and connections to Dylan's Christian music. Now, with the November release of Columbia Records' "Trouble No More: The Bootleg Series Vol. 13 / 1979-1981," a further exploration of that period has taken place, which began with this album and film. "It was an honor to have made an impression on the great artist himself with these recordings," said the film's producer Jeffrey Gaskill. From 2009 to 2011, Bob Dylan opened 40 concerts around the world with Gonna Change My Way of Thinking (his Grammy-nominated new version re-written and recorded for Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan with Mavis Staples.) in concert halls in Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Adelaide and this performance in Tel Aviv (video HERE). Just a month after his recording with Staples he would kick off a new tour in Stockholm Sweden and perform Solid Rock (what many consider the theme song to his gospel era concerts) for the first time in over twenty years. Dylan would continue to perform this rousing song as well as other gospel era songs at numerous concerts across Europe and beyond. The two-time Grammy nominated compilation would be released on Sony/Columbia one year later on April 1, 2003 (video HERE). "This gospel music was Bob Dylan's ultimate rebellion, and it took much more courage than strapping on an electric guitar," said Gaskill. The film offers historical insights into this Bob Dylan era provided by Jim Keltner, Fred Tackett, Spooner Oldham, and Regina McCrary - all of whom performed and recorded with Dylan at the time. Famed record producer Jerry Wexler, who produced the records, and music journalists Paul Williams and Alan Light, also disclose insights. Pre-order at the MVD Shop or on Amazon TRACK LISTING Arlethia Lindsey - Every Grain of Sand Bob Dylan - When He Returns Sounds of Blackness - Solid Rock Shirley Caesar - Gotta Serve Somebody Dottie Peoples - I Believe in You Aaron Neville - Saving Grace Helen Baylor - What Can I Do For You' The Fairfield Four - Are You Ready Great Day Chorale - In the Garden Mighty Clouds of Joy - Saved Chicago Mass Choir featuring Regina McCrary - Pressing On Rance Allen - When He Returns

"Chromance" David Cook

David Played Guitar
Photo:
Olivia Brown

Caught in a bad "Chromance???"

Singer-songwriter and American Idol Winner David Cook has confirmed a February 16, 2018 release date for his brand-new EP,  Chromance.  The EP features all new material that was written over the past year and also includes an ethereal mid-tempo spin on the Phil Collins classic "Another Day in Paradise."  

David has, once again, involved his fans in the creation and release of this EP through a hugely successful PledgeMusic campaign – giving them the opportunity to follow the progress of the EP from inception through its February release. In addition to signed guitars, personalized voicemail messages, and other limited-edition items, participating fans have access to one-of-a-kind experiences and will be the first to hear the new material. 

Chromance is available through the PledgeMusic campaign: www.pledgemusic.com/davidcook, as well as all other digital retailers.  All pre-orders will receive two instant grat tracks: "Ghost Magnetic" and "Gimme Heartbreak."  

View the lyric video for "Gimme Heartbreak" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koKubQMiQe4

EP pre-order links:

iTunes: http://flyt.it/Chromance

Amazon: http://flyt.it/ChromanceAmazon

Google Play: http://flyt.it/ChromanceGooglePlay

David is also set to hit the road in support of Chromance on February 15 in Nashville, TN.  The Nashville show is open to the public and there will be a pre-show soundcheck/celebration for Pledgers on this date.  Fans can click here for tickets to the Pledge pre-celebration event: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidcooknewep/items/215124

See initial dates listed below.

2018 Tour Dates

2/15 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East  

2/16 - St Louis, MO - Delmar Hall

2/19 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage **Full Band Acoustic show

2/21 - New Hope, PA - New Hope Winery **Full Band Acoustic show

2/22 - New York, NY - (Le) Poisson Rouge

2/23 - Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse

2/24 - Leesburg, VA - Tally Ho Theatre   

www.davidcookofficial.com

www.twitter.com/thedavidcook

www.facebook.com/davidcook

www.instagram.com/davidcookofficial