"Yes" It's National Selfie Day

Michael Shinafelt

Whilst surfing the WWW much to my surprise I found out today is National Selfie Day. Why was it a surprise?! Well I pretty much thought Selfie Day was every day, thus it never occurred to me there was a specific National Selfie Day. Got It???

So today being what it is, I thought I would commemorate it accordingly...

Here I am at my favorite local Cocina Vino in Silverlake, CA woofing down some sliders.

Honestly I have a rough go eating a full meal at a restaurant these days because of the weekly jab aka the weight loss program I am on. 

This being stated the sliders are delicious and manageable for my scant appetite. I also had two sangrias which are not pictured 😉

Now you've see me stuffing my face, you're welcome!

Happy National Selfie Day!!!

National Selfie Day on the WWW -

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-selfie-day-june-21

Hello Summer...

Reach The Beach
Michael Shinafelt

"Don't tell your mother, Kiss one another, Die for each other, We're cool for the summer" Cool For The Summer, Demi Lovato

Summer is officially here! Can't wait to hit the beach again sometime soon! 

Happy Pride Month!

Summer on Wikipedia -

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

Michael's Musings

Summertime And The Livin' Is Easy, So They Say
Michael Shinafelt

Sometimes all I need is the is the air that I breathe, and a good margarita. Join me won't you? It's Summertime after all. Oh and and since it's still June remember to keep celebrating Pride Month. 

Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth

Apparently there's a Land Of The Lost reboot in the works at Netflix...bring on the Sleestaks!!!

When the world is too scary, too loud, too much: Stop consuming. Start creating.

No Kings, Yas Queens, that's all

Nancy Wilson of Heart blasted Trump for using her song Barracuda in his military parade. It was never intended for political use she stated. You go Nancy!

Buffty The Vampire Slayer, she saved the world a lot, discuss

How to fall asleep and meet new people at subconscious parties. That's all you need to know...

I wanted to be where nobody I knew could ever come, think about it, but not too much

Photo:
Bob Drapeau 

Woman Crush of the Week - Elizabeth Berkley seen here celebrating Pride Month and the 30th Anniversary of Showgirls this past Saturday at Hollywood Forever Cemetery...so fierce!!!

With the arrival of Summer tomorrow it's time to put away my Spring black clothes and get my black Summer clothes out...

It will be just like in the movies...there's that

My mind is racing, my body is sedentary. The more you know.

FYI gratitude improves self esteem and makes one able to appreciate, rather than resent, the accomplishments of others, without comment 

Now where did I put that, oh never mind, oh wait...

Find out what it is here -

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

https://bsky.app/profile/michaelshinafelt.bsky.social

https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelshinafelt    

Hump Day & Chill

With the world being what it is, one must take the time to be mindful and not get too overwhelmed.

See this turtle they have the right idea. When I saw it basking in the sun at the bottom of the lake that the Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Memorial adorns at Hollywood Forever Cemetery pre-yoga yesterday I couldn't help but being drawn in to the tranquility of it's being.

This is an awesome reminder that we all need to Hump Day & Chill Minions!!!

Let's bend it like this dope turtle today and be mindful that we all need to do something for ourselves and our well being.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to join my turtle friend at the bottom of the lake for a bit.

Hump Day & Chill!

Turtle on Wikipedia -

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

The 30th Anniversary Of "Showgirls"

Myself & Elizabeth Berkley

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to be a VIP attendee at the 30th Anniversary Screening Of "Showgirls" put on by Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. 

OMG! It was amazing! Elizabeth Berkley who played the fierce Nomi Malone showed up and introduced the film honoring Gay Pride Month! And then I got a photo with her afterward. 

"Showgirls' came out when I was in my thirties and still exploring my identity as a Gay Man. The character of Nomi Malone is someone many gay men, including myself identify with strongly. My inner gay child was dancing with joy during this special evening. 

All the photos with the exception of the one taken of Ms. Berkley and Myself were shot by my friend and guest for the to do Bob Drapeau...Leave your inhibitions at the door, the show is about to begin! 

You Don't Nomi
Elizabeth Berkley 

Show Guys
Me & Bob

Thrust It!

Hollywood Forever on the WWW -

https://hollywoodforever.com/                                         

Monday Motivation

"Why Fit In When You Were Born To Stand Out" - Dr. Seuss 

This quote by the one and only Dr. Seuss is a nice companion piece to today's Monday Motivation quote straight outta Christina Hendricks of Mad Men fame.

Her quote very much is in the spirit of Pride Month as well.

Most of of us don't fit in, nor do we want to. Find your own unique way to stand out Minions.

Take this piece of Monday Motivation go fourth and slay!

Christina on IG -

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

"The Air That I Breathe"

Photo by: Albert Sanchez - Design by: John Stapleton

Belinda Carlisle, beloved solo artist, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and voice of the Go-Go’s, returns to her roots with the release of a new studio album Once Upon a Time in California, slated for release on  29 August 2025 by the Demon Music label. 

Featuring ten new studio tracks including the lead single, “The Air That I Breathe” HERE were recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Gabe Lopez, who worked with Belinda on her 2017 studio album Wilder Shores. Belinda shares - “This song has always been one of my very favorites growing up.  I love the lyrics and the complicated melody.  This was on the list I originally made of songs that I wanted to sing if I ever did a cover album. During the pandemic I started performing karaoke style on my Instagram every Saturday and called it “Saturday Serenades.” This one got such a good response that I thought 'This definitely should be a contender for the album'. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and I absolutely love the video as it sort of harkens back to my early solo albums and videos.”  Once Upon a Time in California will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats and available for pre-order HERE

Following the success of Belinda’s 2023 EP Kismet, Once Upon a Time in California sees Belinda  Carlisle take a deeply personal journey through the golden sounds of her youth with this ten-track collection. Steeped in the spirit of her Californian upbringing, the album is a heartfelt tribute to the vintage pop culture that shaped her musical identity. What sets this album apart is that it’s a celebration of Californian culture that stretches its canvas beyond the familiar evocation of the Laurel Canyon sound. It’s a carefully curated and beautifully realized salute to Belinda’s personal education in pop music, and the magical sounds that arrived in her life from near and far, on the radio and on cherished 45s.  

 

With the assured and distinctive vocal delivery of someone who herself has become one of the Golden State’s greatest exports  - initially as frontwoman for the Go-Go’s, who enjoyed Top 10 hits with  Our Lips Are Sealed, Vacation and We Got The Beat  and as a solo performer with a multitude of hits including Mad About You, Heaven Is A Place on Earth, Circle In the Sand and I Get Weak amongst others,  Belinda Carlisle completes this sentimental journey back to her youth with timeless style. 

 

Once Upon a Time in California opens with a stirring remake of the Burt Bacharach & Hal David gem written for Dionne Warwick, Anyone Who Had A Heart.  Belinda then pays her respects to such timeless artists as the Carpenters (Superstar), Gordon Lightfoot (If You Could Read My Mind)  and Jim Croce (Time In A Bottle) and to songs for the ages including The Air That I Breathe (The Hollies),  Everybody’s Talking  (Harry Nilsson) and Reflections Of My Life (Marmalade).  The result is an entirely different kind of Californian dreaming for a new generation. Although this marks the first time all ten tracks have been available on one album, three of them – Superstar, If You Could Read My Mind and Get Together have been available on previous Belinda Carlisle collections.

 

Commenting on the album Belinda says, “I was born and raised in California at a time when music was an important part of Californian culture.  I lived and breathed music, it was my great escape - a refuge of fantasy and imagination.  Every day after school and when it was summer vacation, I would listen and sing along to the music on the radio for the entire day.  Always fantasizing about being a singer myself, one day.This collection of songs is the best representation of what I loved back then that I could think of - listening to it brings back so many memories of a time and a California that doesn't really exist anymore.  That’s not meant to sound like a bad thing, it's just different - there was an innocence and energy back then that was unique and magical. Things I doubt will ever be felt in quite the same way again. Here's to the California of my dreams.”

With Once Upon a Time in California, Belinda Carlisle invites fans old and new to join her on a journey through the melodies that defined a generation.

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