Tuesday, May 22, 2018

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   

Monday, May 21, 2018

Smells Like Publicity Spirit

Feeling Blue?
Nikki Bella
When I first heard of the break-up of John Cena & Nikki Bella it made me a little sad. These two seem so tailor made for each other, and I am a fan of a happy ending.

It has since been revealed the reason for their parting of the ways is  her wanting to become a Mom and him not wanting to become a Dad. The latest season of their show Total Bellas premiered last night. Leading up to it John has been back paddling on all the talk shows he has been on promoting it by begging Bella to take him back and stating he will have children with her.

OK, I don't know about you, but this smells like one huge PR stunt to me at this point. No one who loves someone as much as he loves her would break-up over something like this in the first place, and then take it back, WTF?! 

If John really didn't want kids that badly he would not budge, period! I'm sure there will be a baby Cena/Bella bun in the oven in the not too distant future. Hope last night's ratings were the highest ever you two - just know you are not fooling this guy.

Total Bellas on the WWW at:
www.eonline.com/TotalBellas‎

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Just Because...George & Amal Clooney

One Word: Wow!
Amal & George Clooney
Just Because it's the day after the Royal Wedding, Just Because it's Sunday Funday & Just Because they looked so amazing here are, IMHO the best dressed couple who attended the wedding of the century George & Amal Clooney.

"Wow" was the word that came to mind when Amal showed up in this stunning yellow number that complimented her to perfection. It was a bold choice of color and hot damn, she worked it!

She also had a great accessory by her side, her husband George, ya know that Clooney guy. Who wisely ditched traditional black formal wear and went with a tailored gray number that completed his wife's out of the box color choice to perfection.

What's that you say?! "Yes" I did see the actual wedding, it was lovely. Honestly, we all need someone to look at us the way Harry looks at Meghan, the love those two have for  one another is obvious. It was the perfect anecdote to all the hate going on in the world around us to be reminded that love can, and will conquer all.

On that note, Michael has left the building...

Check out more photos from the Royal Wedding by clicking on this link from the New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/world/europe/royal-wedding-in-photos.html

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Fairy Tales Do Come True!

Have To Believe We Are Magic
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
With all the heinous things happening in the world around us, it's nice to witness a real life Fairy Tale - Once upon a time....

Thus let's pop open a bottle of our finest bubbly and toast to the union or Prince Harry & Meghan Markle on this May 19th 2018!

For those of you who think this event is frivolous, you may want to re-think that position. For better of for worse this Royal Wedding matters on so many levels, politically and psychologically.

How so? Let me break it down for you.

On the political front you have two philanthropists getting hitched who, in lieu of wedding gifts gave a list of charities they would like their guests give donations to. Meghan Markle is biracial, while I am at loathe to make this a point since it is 2018 - sadly it is still significant. It's the uniting of two different countries, think about it, but not too hard.

Psychologically with what seems like weekly mass shootings happening and the general state of the planet,this reminds us the magic of love really does exist. We need the escapism and pageantry right here, right now. There hasn't been a Cinderella story like this since Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco.

"Yes" people today we are reminded that their is hope in the world and that Fairy Tales have the power to still come true when we choose love over hate. 

Congratulations to the happy couple.Let love rule!!!

Friday, May 18, 2018

"You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now"



What the world needs now is D.O.A...Fight Back!

"You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now" is the first video from D.O.A.'s new album Fight Back. Canada's legendary punks have always delighted in sticking it to pompous and despicable characters, so this new video carries on their fine tradition of defiance and irreverence.
"In our modern world that is stuffed with ever increasing episodes of racism, sexism, greed and warmongers, it's time say enough is enough, time to fight back," said Joe "Shithead" Keithley, the fearless leader of D.O.A. 

In "Ass Kickin'" he takes on callous and tragic characters like: Kanye, Putin, Harvey Weinstein, Xi Jingping, Trump, and many more. "My only regret is that the song is only one minute and 20 seconds long, so we ran out of time to include more," concluded Keithley.
D.O.A., the pioneering punks who set the bar high for punk and basically invented hardcore, are ready to rip it up on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. Their new album is called Fight Back and they are embarking on a worldwide tour to support this impressive new effort. The "Men of Action" are ready to take on all opposition and lay down a punk rock path of wild music and free thought. Their rough and ready line up is led by the godfather of Hardcore, Keithley (guitar, vocals) he is more than ably accompanied by the manic rhythm section of
Paddy Duddy (drums) and Corkscrew (bass).

You Need An Ass Kickin' Right Now

Early reviews indicate that Fight Back is the most innovative D.O.A. album since War on 45. D.O.A. has always been right on the pulse of what's going on in our screwed up world. Fight Back deals with what we have left, which in a lot of ways, is not much. 
"When you really think about it, income inequality and disparity is at the root of a lot huge problems, like environmental degradation, war, sexism and hate" said Keithley who has been fighting the good fight for the last 40 years. It's why he's made TALK - ACTION = 0 his lifelong mantra. 
Fight Back, released on Joe's own label Sudden Death Records, is a scathing and timely piece. Joe deals with all manner of unseemly low characters and issues. The album opens with acerbic "You Need an Ass Kickin' Right Now," next rips right into the startling "Killer Cops," then smashes into the anthemic "Time To Fight Back," which is street punk resistance at its fiercest. The album proceeds with the timely "Gonna Set You Straight" with violent and natural ease, and continues with the vitriolic "I Just Got Back From the USA." Then, the album takes a funny twist with "We Won't Drink This Piss" (down with bad corporate beer!) and "You Can't Stop Me," a song in which Joe delves into the character of Slapshot's playing coach Reggie Dunlop (a natural alter ego perhaps).
The "Men Of Action" are returning to the US for some unfinished business.

US TOUR DATES:
5/21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
5/22 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
5/23 - Fort Collins,CO @ Hodi's Half Note
5/24 - Denver, CO @ Streets Of London Pub
5/26 - Las Vegas, NV @ Punk Rock Bowling Festival - Main Stage
5/29 - Laguna Niguel, CA @ Karmann Bar
5/30 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Viper Room
5/31 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/01 - Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
6/02 - Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
6/03 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
6/04 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
6/05 - Lubbock, TX @ TBD
6/06 - Austin, TX @ Barracuda
6/07 - Houston, TX @ The Secret Group
6/08 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
6/09 - Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar and Grill
6/10 - Tulsa, OK @ Shrine
6/11 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar 
6/12 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
6/13 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty's Live Music
6/15 - Billings, MT @ The Pub Station
6/16 - Spokane, WA @ The Pin!

US EAST COAST & CANADA TOUR DATES:
07/06 - Vancouver, BC @ First Annual Fight Back Festival, Rickshaw Theater
07/07 - Kamloops, BC @ Blue Grotto
07/13 - 07/25 - US Midwest to East Coast @ TBD w/ Kevin Seconds
08/15 - Duncan, BC @ Cowichan Theatre
08/16 - Quadra Island, BC @ The Legion
08/17 - Port Alberni, BC @ Rainbow Room
08/18 - Ucluelet, BC @ The Legion

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Michael's Musings

Michael Says, Relax...
Michael Shinafelt
What's happening minions I'm back for this weeks edition of Michael's Musings...Ooooops, I'm doing it again! 

There is one really specific thing on my mind of late. Me being fabulous over fifty, being that I have lost 41lbs! I am down to 172 from 213 - suck on that! Time to address adventures in being bad ass and other things, it's time to keep moving...!

Breaking News! A beautiful, super in love couple named Prince Harry & Meghan Markle are getting hitched Saturday! (OK, not breaking news, unless you have been living in a cave)

Yesterday before yoga I went to weigh in and the scale registered I was 178! I almost cried, until it hit me that I still had my yoga mat and gym bag in my hands. Yep! I'm still status quo.

Did lunch at Wahlburgers on the Sunset Strip with Ms. Jackie Kilmer & Mr. Ken Phillips Tuesday. Always skirting the edge of glory.

Whatever happened to Faye Ray?

Do you know why I am nicknamed the "Disco Stick?"

Hello my trick

Jennifer Garner needs to stop asking "What's in your wallet" because one day someone will let her know.

Dear Wine, it's me Michael


Hitting The Mat @ Gold's Gym Hollywood
Michael Shinafelt
911 - help I have become addicted to something I used to hate, yoga! PS Gold's Hollywood, U R Welcome for the free plug, again!

To my friend Maresa Wickham - "Fail" 

Just saw Meghan Markle's half sister is hospitalized with a broken ankle on E!Online. The only way this is news is if Meghan went all Tonya Harding on her ass!

Twitter Trolls, discuss -

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

So glad I binged the first eight episodes of Famous In Love season two on Freeform this past weekend. While season one was meh, this season has really nailed it!

Get it! @ :
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt