Musical Road Trip to the California Poppy Reserve

(If you don't see the video above, click here to go to YouTube) On Tuesday morning my husband came into the bedroom, where I was comfortably sleeping and proclaimed "road trip". We got in the car and drove to a destination that was a surprise to me. We ended up at the California Poppy Reserve in Antelope Valley. Along the way, we listened to music non-stop and documented the day with photos and video. In a sense, this is a mix-tape of our trip. All the car shots have music in the background. ------------------------------------------- See Michael Zampelli's photo gallery on Flickr. ------------------------------------------- We listened to Q-tip, Gary Numan, drum and bass and The Fall. We traveled from the 710 in Long Beach to the 5 freeway at Castaic Lake. Then, we took mountain roads all the way to the poppy fields. I hope this video inspires you to get out on the road or out in nature. I think we all truly need this type of rejuvenation for our sanity.

Song of the Week – 5-4-10 – I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds

I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds Lyrics You've been acting awful tough lately Smoking a lot of cigarettes lately But inside, you're just a little baby It's okay to say you've got a weak spot You don't always have to be on top Better to be hated than love, love, loved for what you're not You're vulnerable, you're vulnerable You are not a robot You're loveable, so loveable But you're just troubled Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot You've been hanging with the unloved kids Who you never really liked and you never trusted But you are so magnetic, you pick up all the pins Never committing to anything You don't pick up the phone when it ring, ring, rings Don't be so pathetic, just open up and sing I'm vulnerable, I'm vulnerable I am not a robot You're loveable, so loveable But you're just troubled Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Can you teach me how to feel real? Can you turn my power on? Well, let the drum beat drop Guess what? I'm not a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot itunes_icon Watch the video on YouTube Get I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds on iTunes Check out more on their MySpace page. The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music. Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned. Apple iTunes : : Support Get Galvanized, Visit our Sponsor page.

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

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 ********************************************* Get your free download: Songs to Galvanize Your Mind ********************************************* Here is Michael Zampelli's photo gallery of the event:

Galvanize Your Mind Now – Pilot on You Tube

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

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

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’

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.