Discover Your Bliss

Michael Jackson Memorial

In honor of Michael Jackson's memorial today, I thought I'd share my Michael Jackson doll with his other two outfits.

Michael Jackson's award outfit

Michael Jackson's Beat It outfit

Probably one of my favorite things I loved about Michael Jackson was his sense of humor.  He allowed Weird Al Yankovic to spoof his songs - all in the name of fun. 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries...and Michael Jackson memories.

Michael Jackson Remembered

I probably don't need to tell you if I liked Michael Jackson when I was a kid.  I can go one step further and show you.

Here's my Michael Jackson doll in his "Thriller" outfit.

And here's my Michael Jackson doll in his "Billie Jean" outfit.

I have two more outfits - "Beat It" and an awards outfit that looks a lot like St. Pepper.  I also think I have the microphone...yet I didn't dig that out. 

Each outfit came with its own set of socks, shoes and glove...of course. 

In case you're wondering, the doll and its outfits were sold in the J.C. Penny catalog. 

I wasn't allowed to have posters in my room - except for one behind my bedroom door - which was a photo of Michael Jackson in a yellow outfit with a sweater vest. 

When I was in third grade, I created a Michael Jackson board game after he was burned while making the Pepsi commercial.  Yeah, I was a popular kid (ha, ha). 

I know a lot of people are sharing their memories today, yet I thought I'd show you some of mine. 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

"Weird Al" Yankovic - Criagslist

I love Weird Al - he's so smart and funny and it always brightens my day to hear one of his song interpretations or videos. 

Here's something to make you smile - it takes our modern-day "craigslist" culture and mixes it with The Doors. 

How can you re-imagine a challenge in your life?  How can you use Craigslist to support you today?

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

Guilty Pleasure - HIghly Blissful

Okay so I'm going to warn everyone - what I'm putting up for today's post is not for everyone.  As my mom would say, "It's not appropriate in mixed company."  Oh well.

I've discovered a new T.V. show (well new to me, it's in its second season on HBO) - Flight of the Conchords.   

The show's about these two goofy guys from New Zealand living in the United States.  The two guys have a band and their outlook on life is a bit odd - yet it makes for good comedy.

On the show, the two guys often break into spontaneous song and dance in a music video-like fashion.  What they're singing about is always off-the-wall and and funny.

In the second episode of season two, one of them buys a coffee cup which causes all of their checks to bounce to various utility companies.  Their power gets shut off and they sit in the dark figuring out a solution to their problem.

One of them sells his guitar to pay the light bill and all is well...until they play a gig via air guitar. 

Neither one of them can come up with a good way to make back the money to buy the guitar so they get the idea to become a prostitute. 

As off-putting as this might sound, neither one of them has a clue as to how this might happen (how to be a prostitute). 

As they discuss who might make the better prostitute, the goofier one with glasses claims that all of the ladies are checking out his "sugar lumps" (a reference to part of his "man parts" as they might say). 

Here's the fantasy song and dance that follows.  I think this is hilarious and can't stop laughing each time I watch it.  Again, another warning because some people might find this offensive.  For me - two goofy guys thinking they're the cat's meow put to song and dance is downright blissful.

What do you find blissful that might not get the approval of others?  What do you do when others criticize what you see as blissful?

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

5 Entertaining Ways to Save Money

If you're looking for entertainment then there's a way to have your cake and eat it for free (or a small charge). 

• paperbackswap.com - exchange books with another person
• swapacd.com - exchange CDs
• swapadvd.com - exchange  DVDs

The tag line to the above sites reads:  "No risk.  No spam.  No advertising.  No gimmicks.  No gotchas.  No kidding."  The sender pays the shipping costs and can send by any method he chooses. 

The swapping currency is simple:  one book, CD, or DVD equals one credit, but you'll need to list 10 items before you can earn credit. 

Two more similar sites:

• swaptree.com (video games too)
• bookmooch.com (you can donate your points to sick or low income kids)

What bliss - enjoy! 

What's the difference between swapping your stuff verses buying it?  How will these ideas support you? 

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries. 

If You Like YouTube, You'll Love This

I'm a huge Weezer fan.  In case you don't know who Weezer is - they're a band (you might know one of their songs - Buddy Holly). 

Weezer's latest video is fun.  If you like like YouTube, then you'll love this video - especially since it plays tribute to many of the popular YouTube videos. 

Weezer's latest song is called "Pork and Beans."  Here's a fun pre-video:

Here's the Weezer video.  I hope you enjoy it!

How can you "blend" more fun into your routine?  What would it look like to a task you might find boring and spin some "Weezer fun" into it?

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries!

MELENDREZ BROTHERS - A New Musical Discovery

Last night I went to a birthday party. This wasn't any ordinary party - it was an extravaganza. 

The party had a 1970s theme and all those not in costume had to pay a fine (that went to charity). 

The costumes were amazing - everything from white afro wigs to silver knee boots (a la David Bowie) to strapless jumpsuits.  I think I could have been entertained by the clothing alone.

The invitation mentioned a band, yet I didn't recognize the name - THE MELENDREZ BROTHERS.  Needless to say, when the band played -they totally rocked the house. 

THE MELENDREZ BROTHERS is not your average band.  Yes, they are brothers (with an appearance from their cousin), yet they looked a bit young.  Turns out they are 15, 15, 14 & 12.  When they took the stage, I mentioned it looked like it was past their bedtime.

I talked to their parents and confirmed their ages - they even play gigs in bars on school nights (note: kids can play in bars that serve food - didn't know that).

I have a feeling that I haven't seen the last of these kids.  Who knows - maybe we'll see them in a couple of years on The Tonight Show. 

You can visit THE MELENDREZ BROTHERS' MySpace page here.

How does our exterior get in the way of our essential selves?  What would it look like to see people only for their inner light?

I'd love to hear your comments and discoveries!