Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

‘Big Youth’ at Ragga Muffins Festival Saturday in Long Beach

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Big Youth at Ragga Muffins Festival, Long Beach 2010

On Saturday, I attended the Ragga Muffins Festival in Long Beach. Michael Zampelli took some photos for The District Weekly and I snagged a few for this blog.

My favorite musical act of the day was Big Youth (pictured above). This man exudes more verve and childlike enthusiasm than most people a fraction of his age. He’s got a groovin’ rap style and smooth moves to go with it. Go to Big Youth’s MySpace page if you want to get in the groove.

Gal Vanized with Funnel cake at the Ragga Muffins Festival

Happy Child

I also felt childlike and care-free wearing my Gal Vanized get-up and eating funnel cake. I decided that I was going to surrender myself to the IRIE vibes and absorb as much of the experience as possible.

The crowd was very diverse and fun. Everyone was relaxed and having a good time. It was like sitting in a big huge living room. No problems whatsoever. I wasn’t the only one there with pink hair, click on the photo below to see a larger version of the audience.

the audience at the Ragga Muffins Festival in Long Beach, 2010

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Get your free download:
Songs to Galvanize Your Mind

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Here is Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery of the event:

Galvanize Your Mind Now – Pilot on You Tube

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

First there was a Flip Video camera, given to someone like me who loves gadgets, has an idea a minute and some time off for the holidays. Second there is the resulting video. In less than two minutes I will list seven things that Galvanize My Mind. (Maybe they’ll galvanize your mind too):

1. Strolling the streets of Bluff Park with my iPod
2. Going to the farmer’s market
3. Snuggling with my cat
4. Working out on the bluff with Your Next Victory
5. Visualizing my ideal 2010 and beyond
6. Reading good Tweets
7. Watching Hello Ross on YouTube

This and more captured in my “not quite 2 minute” video. If you can’t see the video here, watch it on You Tube.

You’ll see me doing push-ups at the beach with a pink wig on and you’ll meet Fenix, my persian tabby cat. One of my favorite clips is “Boys on Bikes.” I was out strolling the sidewalks of Bluff Park in Long Beach with my Flip Video in hand and a group of about 10 young men on skateboards and bicycles rode by, it was pretty exciting. Some of us screamed in joy. Including me. It’s on video.

itunes_iconI practiced with using audio clips in the video. I sampled Galvanize by the Chemical Brothers, and Express Yourself By The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band. Songs like these and more can be found on the latest “Songs to Galvanize Your Mind” PDF. Free to all new blog subscribers today. Get it here.

At the end of this video I mention a Create the Life You Want free hypnosis MP3 download. You can get it at icreathabits.com

Dare to Galvanize Your Mind Today.

Songs to Galvanize Your Mind Released Today

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

groovinwipod

Songs to Galvanize Your Mind – A List for Strong Minds with a Purpose by Sheri Zampelli is available for immediate download today. This list includes songs by artists such as:

James Brown
Stevie Wonder
The Ramones
Naked Raygun and
Ugly Duckling

The list is designed more as a mood enhancer and character strengthener than anything. I pull from genres as wide-ranged as gospel, hip-hop, punk rock and soul. The list includes 4-subcategories:

• Dare to be Authentic and Have Fun
• Get Pumped Up
• Get to Feelin’ Groovy
• Blow Off Steam

Songs include:
Boom by P.O.D.
Viva La Revolution by the Adicts
Can I Kick It by A Tribe Called Quest and
Think by James Brown

Get your list free today by subscribing to Get Galvanized below.

On Hosting the Agape TM Live Show

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

sheri-is-mcLast Saturday, December 12 was a fun and exciting day for me. I already wrote about how I won Toastmaster of the Year last week, and it’s taken me this long to re-group and reflect on another aspect of the morning which was being the host of the Agape TM Live Show.

While planning for our year-end party, we had brainstorming meetings and came up with the idea of a Red Carpet theme so we could dress up like stars and have some fun. I recommended an awards-style twist on Table Topics.

Table Topics is the impromptu portion of a Toastmaster’s meeting where you call up a speaker and ask him or her to talk about a topic for 1-2 minutes.

How I set it up is that prior to the meeting, I contacted all the members and asked them to tell me two interesting bits of information about themselves that most of us probably wouldn’t know.

I took those bits of information and used them in two ways, one as the basis of a treasure hunt game. We passed out a sheet with some these bits of information written on it then people had to guess which bit of information went with which person. Some of the match-ups were pretty hard to guess.

The second way I used the information was to generate a Table Topics intro. I would introduce each guest by telling a little bit about what they were going to talk about, then they would come on stage and tell the story in their own words. Below are some pictures of the Table Topics speakers and what they spoke about.

joanramirez

Joan Ramirez tells us about the time when Jim Morrison of The Doors pulled her up on stage and planted a huge kiss on her lips! She had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

susanlowe

Susan Lowe tells the audience at Agape Toastmasters Red Carpet Awards celebration about the days when her children were regulars on Sesame Street.

brucegordon

Bruce Gordon entertains the audience at Agape Toastmasters Red Carpet Awards celebration as he showcases his live comedy act.

dianemosberry

Diane Moseberry tells the audience at Agape Toastmasters Red Carpet Awards celebration how she used her speeches to educate her child regarding practical life skills.

After the interview-style Table Topics we handed out awards.

johnmclaughlin

John McLaughlin shows off his “Best Film Editing” award at Agape Toastmasters Red Carpet Awards celebration. Club President Cynthia Lamb shows her enthusiasm and support.

shirelynasonmitchell

Shirley Nason Mitchell is awarded “Best Original Screenplay” at Agape Toastmasters Red Carpet Awards celebration.

food

Before, during and after the Red Carpet awards, we had good food to eat thanks to Linda Lloyd.

For a complete photo gallery of this event, click here.

All photos in this blog are courtesy of Michael Zampelli.com

Get Fit With The L.A. Derby Dolls Fitness Program, ‘Derby Por Vida’

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Skatum O Neal, Laguna Beyatch and Buckingham Malice at Fresh Meat Practice

If you think roller derby is cool but you aren’t quite ready to be a Derby Doll, take one of the classes in the LA Derby Dolls Roller Derby Fitness program, ‘Derby Por Vida’.

Classes include: Plyo-endurance, Skills for Thrills on the Banked Track and Punk Rope (off-skates). All classes are instructed by LA Derby Dolls. Cost for the program is $10/hr class and a $40 Derby Por Vida membership fee.

Classes are located at the L.A. Derby Dolls’ Doll Factory 1910 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles. Parking is available in the lot with an entrance off Westlake Avenue.

Visit Derby Dolls.com for details


If you need help learning how to love yourself as you are, consider the Love Your Body, Love Yourself hypnosis and affirmation CD or the Donate Your Weight program.

Tough Cookies Win Roller Derby Championship

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

The Tough Cookies became two-time champions on Saturday night when they challenged The Swarm at the Doll Factory in Los Angeles. Final score: 107-91.

See Michael Zampelli’s photo gallery on Flickr.

Overcoming Fear on Halloween at Agape Toastmasters

Friday, November 6th, 2009

overcomingfearThe theme for the Halloween meeting at Agape Toastmasters was Overcoming Fear. I was the Toastmaster of the day. I sent out a group e-mail that said:

“I encourage you to dress up. You can think Halloween or you can think of those items you love but don’t feel brave enough to wear in public. On that note, you could come in your pajamas. Let us see a side of you we might not usually see, get out of your comfort zone and have fun.

P.S. I’m going to wear things that force me to face a huge fear: looking foolish or “too wild” in front of others. Think Dennis Rodman, Madonna or some crazy funk star from the 70’s.”

The result was a creative and inspiring meeting. The fear dissipated with each speech.

Linda Lloyd (far left in polka dot PJ’s), faced her fear of leaving the house without being “made up”. Margaret Futerer (devil costume) talked about her childhood fear of the Devil. Charmaine Shaw (far right) told the dramatic story of her fear-stricken life as a young child in a violent area of Jamaica. Each day on the way home, Charmaine had to pass a cemetery. She grew up hearing stories about the ghosts that resided there. She was so terrified of the cemetery that she ran past it daily without allowing her eyes to even glance in that direction. She arrived home each day winded and tired.

One day, she finally faced her fear. She looked at the cemetery and guess what she saw?

Nothing.

That’s what fear is.

Nothing.

I am a recovering people pleaser and perfectionist. My most common fears have included:
Making a fool of myself
Being “too much”
Being “too loud”
Wearing the “wrong” thing
Looking “weird”
etc.

This day was an exhilarating opportunity to face all of those fears at once.

I was big, I was bold, I was loud and I was wearing all the “wrong things.” Guess what happened?

Nothing.
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Ellusionist.com - Online Magic Training Center

From Sabotage to Success by Sheri ZampelliOne of my favorite moments of the meeting was when I confessed my fear of being “too loud”. I decided to face the fear immediately and let out a bellow. People weren’t ready for it but once they got over the shock, they laughed. Fear can be funny. Especially when you realize that no matter how real it seems, it’s nothing.

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For step-by-step guidance to overcome fear and self-sabotage, purchase From Sabotage to Success.

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Visit Agape Toastmasters on-line.

Gal-Vanize Your Wardrobe on a Budget

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

frontofflowerTo be Gal-Vanized means to be strong and beautiful, soft and powerful. One of the most natural and feminine ways to express power is with a flower. You can Gal-Vanize your wardrobe for just a few bucks and have fun doing it.

A simple silk flower with a hair clip or steel pin back glued to it will immediately add a sense of vibrancy to your look. Wearing vibrant colors and flowers will make you feel brighter. You will also notice that it makes a great conversation starter.

backofclipI simply gathered a few different types of silk flowers then got out my glue gun and added pin backs and hair clips. I can instantly add any of these flowers to my lapel or my hair and immediately transform my look.

Books for Knitting and Crochet

Customer Reviews and Ratings on Full Bust and Full Figure Bras and Swimsuits at Big Girls Bras

Photographer Michael Zampelli Talks about Shooting Roller Derby

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Michael Zampelli takes photos of the Los Angeles Kings when they play at Staples Center. He also takes photos of the L.A. Derby Dolls from time to time. Today he called into The Sheri and Erin show to help them iron out any kinks in their first test episode.

During the show we talked about Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It and how it sends a positive message for women and girls. Zampelli talked about how he enjoys the fast action and intense energy of a roller derby bout. Listen here or find out more about the show at Blog Talk Radio.


Give Your Blueberries a Hot Bath, They’ll Last Longer

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

A few weeks ago I became aware of a New York Times article by Harold McGee titled Prolonging the Life of Berries. The article outlined a way to make berries last longer by giving them a hot bath.

Since a good amount of my grocery bill goes toward berries, and I often throw away as many berries as I eat, I’m all for doing something to make them last longer. So, I followed the directions and documented the process. Let’s see how long my berries will last this time.

To start, spread all the berries out on a towel or paper towel:

blueberriesnothot1

Then, heat up some water to 140 degrees (there are different instructions for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries in the original article by Harold McGee.)

I used a thermometer to test the water.

blueberriesinhotwater

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Keep the berries in hot water for 30 seconds then take them out and lay them on the towel again, then put them in the refrigerator.

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blueberriesdone

Notice how the berries lose their white waxy covering after the hot bath? According to Harold McGee’s article, this is to be expected.

Ideally, your berries will last longer which means you save time and money and get to enjoy eating more berries than usual.

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If you need help learning how to love yourself as you are, consider the Love Your Body, Love Yourself hypnosis and affirmation CD or the Donate Your Weight program.