Thursday, November 26, 2020
Michael's Musings
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Hump Day & Chill
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| It's Turkey Time! Robert Downey Jr. |
It's time to choke that turkey in honor of Thanksgiving, translation: Let's Hump Day & Chill this Wednesday before we give thanks.
This TG edition of HD&C is brought to you by Robert Downey Jr. in Jodie Foster's Home For The Holidays (say that three times fast!) It's about, what else, a family gathering for Thanksgiving. Are you sensing a theme for today? Ha! of course you are...
With a commentary from Tye Briggs via his Favorite Hunks & Other Things blog about his lust for Downey Jr. in this particular film.
Unlike Tye I have lusted for RDJ in other movies, no not Iron Man, actually I have never seen one of the Iron Man films, mostly his independent work does it for me.
Thus I leave you with Robert Downey Jr. as your official Thanksgiving Hump Day & Chill. Don't forget the sauce with your turkey, gobble! gobble!
Hit the link below -
https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2015/11/robert-downey-jr-in-home-for-holidays.html
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
A Christmas "Serenad3"
The Serenad3,
America’s
Newest and Most Talented Trio, to
Release Debut Album,
Christmas Serenade on November 24th
The Serenad3 (pronounced The Serenade) is the magnificent new trio who will be releasing their premiere album, Christmas Serenade, just in time for the holidays. So many favorites are on their album, including Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells and many more cherished tunes.
Accompanied on some of the tracks includes music impresario David Foster, the incomparable Gloria Estefan, pop star Pia Toscano and the amazing a cappella group Voctave.
The three multi-talented members of The Serenad3, Fernando Varela, Craig Irvin and Devin Eatmon, each have an incredible body of work, along with wide-ranging interests and hobbies.
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| The Serenad3 |
The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination has defied the odds. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music it was not until he was seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with some of opera’s renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster. Fernando can also be seen featured on David Foster’s recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst some legendary superstars including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, and Josh Groban. He’s been married for 12 years to a beautiful soprano, Susan Williams, and is the father to two boys: Jarron and Zeke. In addition to being Is an avid golfer, Fernando coaches Zeke’s travel ball baseball team where they’ve enjoyed several major tournament wins. Being fortunate to have been raised within a large close-knit family, Fernando always puts family first. When he isn't touring worldwide, he drives carpool, loves every minute of coaching baseball, and with the little time left over, tries to work on his golf game.
Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to every performance. Opera News has hailed his “rich, resonant baritone” while Opera Wire says that “watching a performer like Craig Irvin up close only adds to the thrill of hearing him sing”. Craig has performed with many of the best opera companies in the country, including Chicago Lyric, LA Opera, Minnesota Opera, Philadelphia Opera, and Atlanta Opera. Craig’s performance schedule usually keeps him on the road at least six months of the year, so Craig and his wife Joelle have decided to live surrounded by family when he is home. Craig and Joelle raise their three children, a ten-year-old son and their seven-year-old twins (a boy and a girl!), surrounded by their family in Waukee, Iowa, where Craig grew up. They even decided to buy a house a block away from Craig’s parents. They joke that they’re living a musical version of “Everybody Loves Raymond”.
Devin Eatmon is a tenor from Ocala, Florida. His performance history includes being a Resident Artist of the Central Florida Lyric Opera during 2013-2015, a Studio Artist at Opera in the Ozarks, (summer 2015), and summers at Aspen Music Festival (2018-2019). With a bachelor's and a master’s degree in voice performance from Florida State University, Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera starting bass-baritone, David Okerlund. In light of more recent events, Devin had accepted a contract offer to be a member of the Apprentice Singer Program at The Santa Fe Opera, 2020 (Season canceled due to Covid-19). Currently, Devin lives in Denver performing as an artist-in-residence for Opera Colorado’s 2020-2021 season. Devin has a wide range of interests, first and foremost is spending time with his friends, along with a great ribeye steak (medium-rare, please), drawing, and fishing but singing on stage is his favorite. Interestingly, Devin has such a versatile range of talents that he almost didn’t take the path to become a singer. Before he discovered his passion for singing, he was pursuing a career in golf as a junior tour player. What he loves about golf is the personal connection it has with both his father and his sister. They all enjoy playing and it’s become one of their favorite bonding activities. For that reason, golf will always have a very special place in his heart.
The new Christmas album, Christmas Serenade, will be released on November 24, 2020, and will be available on all of your favorite music outlets including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and many more.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Monday Motivation
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| Who Is That Masked Man?! Michael Shinafelt |
"Now is the winter of our discontent" - Richard III by William Shakespeare
We are now on a lockdown, here in Los Angeles and pretty much everywhere else in the US, again.
Not being a scientist, or anything remotely resembling that I am going to keep this week's Monday Motivation simple and to the point.
"Keep Calm And Wear A Mask"
If this virus hadn't been politicized by a sociopath and we were given actual leadership instead this most likely would not be happening again at present.
However since it is....MASK THE F#CK UP!!!
Thank You, Michael has left the building....
COVID information at:
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Battle of the Network Stars
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| Wonder Woman Won! Lynda Carter |
With all the chaos in the world, today has gotten me feeling nostalgic for a simpler time...Thus I bring to you a memory from my youth Battle of the Network Stars.
The show ran on ABC from 1976 - 1988, it aired biannually and pitted celebrities from the big three networks against one another in track and field type of games.
Lynda Carter aka Wonder Woman pictured above was on a team with Farrah Fawcett, Penny Marshall & Ron Howard.
Their team won the inaugural games, and Carter won the swimming relay as well.
Seriously though, did you expect a team with Wonder Woman and one of Charlie's Angels to lose? I thought not!
Battle of the Network Stars on Wikipedia -
Saturday, November 21, 2020
The Main Event
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| Happy Birthday Mrs. Claus Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn |
Bear Witness to Goldie Hawn celebrating her 75th Birthday with partner Kurt Russell at an event for their Netflix movie The Christmas Chronicles 2 in Los Angeles. In which Kurt reprises his role as Santa Claus and Goldie hitches a ride in his sleigh as Mrs. Claus.
Some might refer to this as the Main Event of the evening, however I think the real Main Event here is their 30 plus year relationship.
Although never married the couple are still going strong and you can actually see it in the way they look at each other, the spark is still there after all this time...amazing!
What is the secret to their longevity? If I had to wager a bet (other than the obvious attraction they have for one another) based on the way they light up with a great big smile when in each other's company, I would venture to say they make each other laugh and tend not to take things too seriously.
Yep, I believe that's the ticket. Trust me I know something about it from personal experience.
Love these two!
The Christmas Chronicles 2 on IMDb -
Friday, November 20, 2020
Delta Rae
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Celebrated Americana Ensemble








