Mike's Daily Thoughts

First off, many of you are probably thinking: "Mike actually has daily thoughts?"

Ahem...funny.

But believe it or not, I tend to have a lot on my mind, a lot of which seems destined to be shared via blogs, pics, vids, and Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or one of my many websites.

The wonderful thing is that we have all of this technology at our fingertips, the ability to transmit those thoughts across cyberspace, literally reaching billions of folks.  Okay, that's only if your SEO is strong.  Otherwise, said thoughts and pics and vids, etc., may only reach a handful of interested people.  No matter, I got things to share and if you are reading this, I am very pleased to share them with you.

I created this blog several years ago, as a way to promote my video website, livelife365.  I have been overwhelmed and thrilled at the response and feedback I have gotten from both this blog and my website, so much so that I wrote a book to expand my base, so to speak.

I have further expanded my ability to share the healthy, inspirational, motivational, and entertaining word of livelife365 with the creation of another blog, called:

Mike's Daily Thoughts, Pics, Videos, and More...

This blog is a less formal way to communicate and share many of my videos and photos, insights and just whatever is on my mind that day.  The intent is to write a post everyday, but sometimes life gets in the way of all those plans...you know what I mean.  I would be pleased to at least get five to six posts out each week...any more than that and we will all be sick of me (if you aren't already)...

So, when you have a few spare minutes in your hectic and busy day, please take a stroll over to my new blog and check it out, leave a comment, and enjoy.

Here is my latest video, by the way, about a very sweet and tasty fruit I recently discovered while vacationing on Maui, called Chico Fruit, or Sapodilla:

What is Chico Fruit (Sapodilla)?

 

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

Mike's Daily...
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livelife365

Watch a Video, Drop a Comment!

Ah, comments! How we bloggers and website proprietors adore comments. A comment is like a note, a howdy from a fan, friend, foe or fool (and those are just the “F”s!). Comments represent that oh, so, sought after “F” word: FEEDBACK! The only thing we blogging folks and website owners adore more than comments is feedback. Feedback is the stuff that equally crushes egos and inflates them, encourages one to continue down that sometimes lonely path of creative endeavor or gives you that valuable two-cents worth telling you to try some other hobby. Feedback, in the form of comments, is a good thing!

So why don’t I have a simple, fast and easy way to drop comments on my website, livelife365.com? The answers now is:

I DO!


There is no simple reason why it’s taken me this long to have a comment page added to my vid site except my stubbornness and frugality. Stubborn, because my video site already has several places where one, if so inclined, can leave comments or messages. My thought being: I don’t need one! (wrong, Mike!). As for my being a cheapskate, well, that is self-explanatory.

Enter: Webxpertz and Multi Media Information.





My two buddies, Keith and Eric, helped design and create my video site and are always there for me for all my website needs. I tell them I need something, they say it’s impossible to do, then do it, at a very reasonable cost. Just listen to this guy go on about them: “Thanks Webxpertz and MMI."

But why do I use these guys, when places like Blogger and WordPress offer their services for free? From the horse’s (Eric’s) mouth: “LL365 is a custom-built website. Some templates are quite attractive, easy to use for developers with limited skills and experience, and employ a structure that has been broadly tested and is familiar to wide audiences. But, they can have a "same old thing" appearance, and typically are limited in terms of a sense of individuality. Over a period of time, having complete control over the structure, format, content, and functionality of your site allows you to grow and change as your interests, abilities, and resources expand.

WebXpertz is a friendly team with a wide range of development skills in coding, scripting, programming, and all aspects of building a presence on the Internet. The support forums are a valuable resource for small businesses and hobbyists at all levels of ability. Their cost of services is certainly reasonable, especially when compared to many competitors in the market.”

Besides all that, Eric also is a top-notch copy editor. His work on the development and ongoing maintenance of both my sites is priceless. He is also an outstanding researcher whose valuable input on my blog posts is much appreciated (and needed). Do yourself a favor, and check them out the next time your website needs a facelift.

Besides the nifty comment page, these guys also created an equally nifty VOD format.

What, you may be asking, is VOD? Listen to this guy go on and on and on (like he usually does): “New: VOD and Comments!"

When you get right down to it, we all want to be loved, adored, have dozens of wonderful comments dropped on our sites. And in return, we all visit other sites and do the same. Why? Because it’s what we do, we bloggers, and it’s the right thing to do. Dropping comments is like visiting your next-door neighbor and saying “hello.” Like going to your favorite restaurant and chatting with the hostess. Like hanging out way too long in the produce section of your local grocery store and gabbing with your buddy, the produce guy (and do I ever get in trouble with the missus for doing it). It is electronic social networking at its finest. And speaking of social networking…

…stay tuned for my newest music video titled “Social Networking Blues.” If you enjoyed I Miss My Hair, you will love this. I promise. And when you visit my video site to watch it (or any of the hundreds of videos I’ve produced about health, personal development and entertainment), then drop me a comment letting me know what you think. It would make my day. And yours too.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

A “how-to” video for your viewing pleasure:

How To…Eat a Banana:

Ask Mike

Got a question for me? An observation about something I’ve written or a topic you felt needed more of an explanation? Or maybe you just need to vent or rant or release some hot air?
Bring it on! Go ahead, ask me anything you want. I will take on all questions, relating to any topic, and respond to them in upcoming posts.

Here are a few that have been hanging around for way too long, like a clueless relative in your guest bedroom.

Q: Hi Mike! Has your blog received any awards lately?

A: Wow, funny you should ask that. In fact, I have gotten a few awards, but have not had the chance to publicly give my thanks or mention them. I think I will right now.

Recently I got a Brillante Weblog Premio-2008
award from Confessions of a Fitness Diva. Thanks, Diva! I really enjoy this blog, it offers great information and advice dealing with health and fitness, written by a fitness instructor, trainer, and boxing champ. You won’t wanna mess with this diva, but will want to read her blog.

Q: Any others?

A: Keep your shirt on, I’m getting to them.

Polly over at Random Ramblings gave me an Awesome Site Award.
Pretty cool, huh? I mean, awesome! Thanks, Polly, you made my day! If you have not visited Polly’s site, I highly recommend you do so. This is an eclectic mix of interesting observations ranging from (in Polly’s words) “…a mixture of posts from wild life observations, occasional items of general interest, country recipes and my cat.” Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

I also received a BFF Gold Card from Rayne at Thoughts. Thanks, Rayne, much appreciated.
This is an inspirational and thoughtfully written blog that offers a nice, kind, refreshing word whenever I visit.

Q: I really like your blog, Mike, but recently discovered that you also have a video site. Can you give me an update on what‘s going on there?

A: First, thanks for your kind words. My video site, livelife365.com, has new videos added all the time. In fact, this link will take you to the most recent videos page.

Q: What came first, the video site or the blog?

A: Good question. livelife365.com was originally created as a video-driven website, or vlog, designed as a format for me to discuss my views and thoughts about health, personal development, and entertainment, using videos. But while promoting and networking my video site, I soon discovered the amazing world of blogs and bloggers. Since I have been a writer for years, I decided to join the club and write a blog, in addition to creating videos. I have found, since I love performing in front of the camera and still enjoy writing, that I have the best of both worlds. Please enjoy this video to hear more about my feelings on this topic.

Q: What blogs do you enjoy?

A: Now, that is one tough question, given that I read dozens of blogs each week. I have written and talked about several of my favorite blogs in past posts and previous videos, and here are a few more:

GLCzone is the place to visit if you are seeking a complete directory of Health related blogs. There are literally hundreds of blogs here that cover fitness, nutrition, self improvement, motivation, addiction, any topic you can imagine.

Here are two great health blogs that are kind of a package deal:
Paul‘s Health Blog and A Junk-foodaholic‘s Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. This husband and wife team both offer outstanding health and fitness advice, written with a down to earth voice that you will enjoy. And, they are two of the nicest bloggers you will ever meet.

For thought-provoking and humorous writing, visit Thinking Out Loud Blog and The Junk Drawer. I read these blogs all the time.

And if you enjoy following the fun antics of interesting cats, check out Daisy the Curly Cat and Luxor A White Cat. I always leave these blogs with a smile on my face, and that’s a good thing.

Q: I really enjoyed this “Ask Mike” segment. Where did this idea come from?

A: Actually, my video site. There are several “Ask Mike” videos that address all kinds of questions that I have been receiving over the past several months. Drop by livelife365.com and watch a few. And if you have a question for me, leave a comment at the end of this blog post or, if you prefer a video response, you can go to “contact us” or “messages” on my vid site and ask me there.

Q: Hey, are you about done? I have other things to do, you know.

A: Me too. Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Tags, Awards, and Hit Songs

For the past few weeks, I’ve been busy with family matters, cross-country travel, and the excitement and arduous efforts associated with promoting my funny music video, I Miss My Hair…more on that later.

While I was away, I was tagged twice and nominated for a couple of nice blogging awards. One of the many benefits I get from writing this blog is the wonderful interaction from other bloggers—like getting to know Patricia over at Communication Exchange and Lea at Oceans of Perspectives. I have been double tagged by these two fine bloggers. Here is the list of rules from both tags:

1. List these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules
3. Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag six bloggers by linking.
5. Leave a comment for each blogger.

Okay, I’ve listed the rules and linked both sites. Now for the hard/fun part—facts about myself. Since I am a playful, funny guy, I will combine the two tags, as well as accurate facts salted with some fun fiction, and let you sort out what’s real or not.

I collect turtles.

I have driven across this great country of ours over a dozen times—from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Many times by myself.

I have not tasted alcohol since Father’s Day, 1992.

I once met Stevie Wonder in a men’s room at LAX.

Through proper nutrition, exercise, a high-fiber diet, and supplements I was able to lower my total cholesterol from 276 down to 183—in eighteen months.

I am a huge Boston Red Sox fan.

Livelife365 originally began as a vlog—a video-driven website with over 200 videos featuring the same Health, Personal Development, and Entertainment topics I talk about in this blog.

I once appeared on the game show Let’s Make A Deal and won the Big Deal of the Day.

I used to suffer so badly from stage fright and a fear of public speaking that while attending college I dropped out of a speech class three times before finally sticking with it and passing it.

I have been married three times.

I once performed the Heimlich Maneuver on my mother, successfully freeing up a chunk of partially masticated beef from her choking throat.

Back in the day, I was one of the best baseball players in my high school.

I have a 26-year-old son.

The only thing deterring me from becoming a full-fledged vegan is the fact that I still consume (in small quantities) some cheeses.

While the combination of the two lists should equal thirteen, I listed fourteen for good luck.

I have tagged the following blogs and I am leaving comments alerting them of their great fortune (being tagged by me) as we speak. These are some of the blogs that I visit regularly and enjoy reading:

Steven Video
EZ Great Life
A Junk Foodaholic’s Journey
The Good Life
Creating Wealth and Health
Grow Your Own Vegetables
Wisdom Hypnosis
Ramblings of a Writer
Creative Cafe
The Matthias Chronicles

That’s an even ten excellent blogs—please give them a visit!

Next up: Another Brillante Weblog Premio Award.

Skye at Ramblings of a Writer nominated me—thanks, Skye! And thanks for your patience! Here are the rules for this wonderful award:

(1) Put the logo on your blog
(2) Add a link to the person who awarded you
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
(4) Add links to those blogs on yours
(5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

Here, in no particular order, are five great blogs that I enjoy reading just about every day:

Healthnut Wannabee Mom
Paul’s Health Blog
Amy Oops
Crotchety Old Man
Orange Derange

Comments coming up!

Lastly, Polly at Random Ramblings has given me The Smile Award.


If you would like me to consider you for this award (I need to pass it on, and I will, but I am linked/blogged-out right now), please leave a comment. Thanks again Polly!

Whew! While I am deeply flattered and most appreciative for being recognized by these highly respected fellow bloggers, I can’t wait to get back to writing some regular content. Over the next several weeks, I will be featuring the content you have come to expect from livelife365—Health and Fitness tips, Nutritional and Diet articles, Inspirational and Motivational posts, all written with a touch of humor and tongue-in-cheek. And fun stuff, like I Miss My Hair.

Just a few last words about my Hair video. I would like to thank all of you who have watched, laughed, and commented on this vid. The feedback has been more than any artist could hope for. In only a few weeks, the video is pushing 1500 hits on YouTube, surpassing all of my other videos except my green tea vid (Drink Green Tea Every Day). That tea video, by the way, averages close to 100 hits a day, and comes up number one out of over 3700 other tea vids on the YouTube search engine. I can’t explain its popularity, just as I am often flummoxed by why some of my other videos do not do better.

If you have not seen this video, please take a look and let me know what you think. If you have already seen it, why not watch it again—heck, I’ve seen it 100’s of times and still enjoy it.



As always, you can enjoy all of my other videos at my video site, livelife365.com.

peace,
Mike

Stay Tuned...

For those of you who are sick of staring at the same post for these past several days—good news! I have returned from an emergency trip across the country and I am armed and ready and willing to write some new stuff. I appreciate all of the wonderful comments on my last post about my very successful humorous music video, I Miss My Hair. And really appreciate your patience with my keeping that post up while I was away. I did manage to sneak in a few hours here and there to try to keep up with Entrecard drops and other social networking chores, but, for the most part, I was busy with family matters.

Hopefully, in future posts, I will be able to elaborate more on why I was called away, but I can say that it was a paradoxical trip Back East to my hometown—part celebration and part dealing with some of the challenges life hands us. I will say this: I enjoyed my time spent with my family and was inspired, thankful, and thrilled to be a part of my brother’s wedding.

While I was away I was tagged twice and nominated for two blogging awards. I have not forgotten these wonderful honors. I will respond to all four in my next post…which will be forthcoming very soon.

Until then, it is good to be back. The photo I chose for this post represents my mood; happy, but still in a bit of a fog.

peace,
Mike

Mike recommends…Social Networking!

If you are a serious blogger, or just a sociable sort who loves the Internet, then you probably know all about the large number of social networking sites out there. I am a member of dozens of them, and while some are better than others, depending on what it is you're looking for, I would like to show you a few that I visit often. Below is a list of only a handful of sites that I use regularly and highly recommend—there are lots more, and I will eventually make videos about some of them as well. Yes, videos. On my video site, I have a section called Mike Recommends…, which I use to endorse products, blogs, and websites. In this post, I would like to call attention to that section of my site, along with my favorite blogs and networking sites.

You see, I am a man torn between two worlds, that of the blogger and vlogger. I love my vid site and enjoy the process of creating videos to share with the masses. But, being a writer for years, I have discovered that writing a blog is also an incredibly satisfying experience. The solution: do both! Which I am attempting to do. But it's like being a parent with more than one child, trying to allot equal time to each—you must be careful to make sure one does not get more attention than the other. Or worse, one is not being treated better than the other. It's a juggling act of my time and creative energies, but one I thoroughly enjoy.

So, I hope while you enjoy this post, you also learn a bit more about what makes me and livelife365 tick. Just as I hope you take the time to click on the links below and enjoy a mere handful from the hundreds of videos available at livelife365.com. Also, please check out the new What's Happening box at the top of the site page.

These are some (and by no means all) of the social networking sites I use and highly recommend:

Iowa Avenue

I'm a member of this community, a wonderful site that shares lots of my ideals about health, fitness, and exercise. If you like livelife365, you will enjoy Iowa Avenue.

Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers

One site loaded with dozens of health and fitness bloggers? Yup, this is the place . I am a member and visit daily--you should too.

Good Reads

I love to read and talk about the books I have read, am reading, and want to read. You can do all that, and more, at this site.

Blog Catalog

A great site it you love blogs and blogging. As the site itself notes, "whether you are looking to search blogs, connect with bloggers, learn more about blogging, or promote your own blog, BlogCatalog is for you."

Digg

Check out this great news and entertainment sharing site. I use it just about every day. Digg it!

StumbleUpon

Another great social networking site that I visit all the time. If you enjoy websurfing and interacting with people, this is the place.

YouTube and Metacafe

Both are video sharing sites that I use extensively. One you've probably heard about, the other one is pretty good too.


Here are some websites and blogs that I recommend:

Health Nut Wannabee Mom

One of the many excellent blogs out there that focuses on healthy lifestyle and fitness. This one is one of the better ones.

Ecolive.tv

If you're looking for a great video site that is all about environmental issues, this is the place to visit.

WebXpertz

For web hosting, website development, and a great forum to answer all your coding, styling, scripting, and programming needs, this is the city to visit. Their specialty is JavaScript.

Multi Media Information

For Web design, digital Imagery, Research, Editing, Database management, and all other web-related services at reasonable rates, I rely on my good friend Eric at MMI. He can help you establish an online identity from the ground up, thoroughly copyedit an existing site with his exacting eye and strong language skills, add user-friendly and profit-generating functionality, or even completely overhaul your window on the world with a basic redesign.

Is Self-Promotion A Bad Thing?

Here I am, dedicating a blog post about something most bloggers regularly do: promote their blogs. Yet, is this a good or bad thing? Well, when it's your blog getting promoted, it's a good thing, right? I'm half-kidding here, but you get the point. I am constantly being asked for an add-for-an-add, sub-for-a-sub, rate my blog and I'll rate yours, add me to my blogroll, scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. The bottom line is this: I don't mind self-promotion, not one bit.

One of the things I enjoy about promoting my blog is the social networking. I have met hundreds of nice people out there doing the same thing I'm doing--working hard at attempting to communicate to the masses about topics dear to our hearts. And if having to toot your own horn every now and then is what it takes to get the word out, then toot away! Okay, well, here goes:

I am excited about several things happening at livelife365 these days, including a new advertisement that I am showcasing in this blog entry. I welcome any feedback, but would really welcome anyone wanting to use it to promote my blog and website on their site. Drop me a line if you would be interested in adding it to your site.

I also have just published a new book, this one is called "Mikey and the Mysterious Kite." It is a young adult fantasy novel about an eleven-year-old boy who discovers a magical kite outside his bedroom window. The kite has the power to transport its owner anywhere in the world, during any time period. Read how the mysterious kite takes Mikey and his friends on an adventure that includes wizards, kings, dragons, and much more. Click on the link to the right of this blog entry or visit my Products page at livelife365.com. By the way, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy this story.

My last self-promotion is a video that I have posted at Metacafe and YouTube (as well at the bottom of this page) titled "Lose Weight at livelife365.com." Watch it and let me know what you think. In it, I bare my chest to show how much weight I have lost over the past several months. The fact that I have the nerve, or gall, if you will, to remove my shirt in front of potentially millions (on a very good day in my fantasy world) of people is testimony to how much I want to share the secrets of my success in weight loss. I have several videos dealing with health, nutrition, exercise and weight loss that, I know, can help countless people. I hope this video helps get the word out.

So, to self-promote or not self-promote? After reading this blog post I will let you be the judge.

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

Odds and Ends...

Can you believe this weather? We are teetering on the verge of hitting 100 degrees, and for this time of year, that is way too warm. What can you do except kick back and kick on the AC, and focus on the things you can control, like the thermostat. Can't fight the weather, it never listens.

I'd like to give a few shout outs to some nice bloggers I've met over these past few weeks. Jessica at All About Habits, for some very kind words and excellent feedback on my site, livelife365.com. Check out her blog; you'll be glad you did. Very informative, great diet and nutrition information. Speaking of diet and nutrition: Visit Iowa Avenue, when you get the chance. This is a tremendous site, dedicated to healthy living, diet and exercise, nutrition, you name it--all those great things that I advocate on livelife365.com. Thanks, Lisa! Another excellent site, a spin-off of Iowa Avenue, is Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers. As the name implies, this is the place to be for tips about weight loss, fitness, healthy recipes. All these sites are loaded with informative videos and supportive offerings and tips from the best health bloggers around. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. I have links for all of these sites right here on my blog and at livelife365.com.

I am starting a new feature on my website that will showcase guest videos from other performers that either asked me to put them on my site, or just videos that catch my eye. The first one is: "Fired Up, Ready to Go," by Bergevin Brothers. It already has thousands of hits on YouTube, and after listening to it you will quickly understand why. Not only is the topic--who else, but Barack Obama!--newsworthy and important, the tune is very good. Why, you may ask, would I want to share space with what could be perceived as competition for my own political music video, "Pick One"? Because this is not a competition, it is the opposite, in fact. This election has inspired hundreds of songs because people understand the importance of whom we elect as our next president, and the unprecedented candidacies of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. So,I offer this challenge: all you Clinton and McCain music makers drop me an email! Send me something that tickles my political funny bone or sets my toes a-tappin', and I will add it to my "guest video" feature. Until then, watch and listen to "Fired Up," and, of course, "Pick One."

Lastly, speaking of the music of this presidential primary season. Check out the informative article written by Nekesa Mumbi Moody, the music writer for the Associated Press.

Nekesa interviewed me while researching this article, that appeared in hundreds of online sites, like Yahoo News. Alas, she did not include me in the main article (I was edited out), but was kind enough to add a link to my site at the end. Thanks for the shout out, Nekesa! I appreciate it!

That's it for the first installment of Odds and Ends. If there are any topics that you would like me to write about or make a video about, please add a comment in this blog or use the Contact Us or Messages tabs at my website, livelife365.com.

peace,
Mike