Drink Green Tea Every Day!

Aloha and Drink!

Green tea, that is!

I have been a green tea advocate for years, ever since I gave up my once addicting and overwhelming Diet coke habit. Searching for a healthier alternative, I discovered green tea and have enjoyed its wonderful taste and amazing health benefits ever since.

Why should you drink green tea every day?

It is loaded with antioxidants, can help reduce the threat of cancer, lowers cholesterol, assists in weight loss, and even fights tooth decay.  Cool, huh?

But do you know what's really cool?  Turning a successful green tea video (search YouTube for "green tea" and my vid comes up tops out of 45,000) into a cool music video.  Please watch and enjoy my newest music video:


DRINK GREEN TEA EVERY DAY (MUSIC VIDEO)

Livelife365 is all about eating healthy, losing weight, and motivating yourself to do all that it takes to change your life for the better.  All done in a fun and entertaining way.  I hope the above videos continue that message and help you become the person you strive to be.

More cool stuff:

Please visit my new daily blog called: Mike's Daily...Thoughts, Pics, Vids...and more...

And recently livelife365 was voted one of the top fifty health blogs in the world by healthyhideout.  Cool!

Lastly, I have a new self-help book for sale.  Please check it out and tell anyone you know that is looking to change their lives for the better.  I'll even toss in 30 of my top videos and 5 original songs.  All for only $24.99. Oops, guess again.  Special Sale Price now only $19.00.  Or you can get just the book for only $14.99!  Sweet deal, huh?  Check it out and let me know your thoughts...

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

livelife365

We Have A Winner!

I am thrilled to announce that the winner of the Social Networking Blues/livelife365 Contest is Fedhz, from Home Buddies. Congratulations, Fedhz, for your excellent comments and for your entertaining post, Crazy About Social Networking.

What's that, some of you are saying? What contest? Why, this one, of course:



Thanks for playing, Fedhz--let me know what prize you wish to claim.

For the rest of you who may have missed the gist of what this contest was about, this video should clear things up:

Social Networking Blues



And just because I'm in that kind of mood, here's my favorite music video, for those of you who may have also missed this one (like I Miss My Hair):



And just so you don't think of me as a two-hit (okay, pseudo-hits) wonder, here is an oldie but a goodie, flash-from-the-past:

PICK ONE



Congrats again to Fedhz! I recommend visiting her excellent site and checking it out.

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

Social Networking Blues

We all do it, even without realizing we do it. Some of us do it more than others, while others do it a lot more than some. We do it in the morning, sipping our caffeinated beverage of choice (you know what mine is), midday, while munching our lunch, sometimes while preparing meatless meatloaf (or any other healthy fare) for dinner, and often deep into the wee hours. In fact, most of us, or dare I say, all of us, do it throughout the day and night, as often as we can, whenever we can steal a minute here or a half-second there. Admit it, you’re doing it now! Heck, so am I! Yikes! I can’t stop doing it!

What are we all doing? You guessed it, social networking. Or more to the point: electronic, online, surfing-the-net, cyber-social networking. It’s the new sitting-around-the-coffee-shop-chatting-with-your-pals interaction, replacing face-to-face meet-and-greets with “tweets,” “shouts,” “subscribers,” and “Facebook friends.” (go ahead, add me as your friend, I dare ya!). It’s the phenomenon that is and has been sweeping the world for years, only now it appears to be multiplying faster than the national deficit.

You want to know what the ironic, funny thing of all this is? I never in a million years ever thought that I would be heavily involved in social networking, let alone writing a blog post about it. LET ALONE CREATING A MUSIC VIDEO ABOUT IT! But I am and have. More on the vid in a minute.

How did I get involved in all this electronic-interaction of the cyber kind? You’re looking at it, or, more to the point, reading it. Yup, blogging. It all started with my video website, livelife365.com. I created that site as a venue to help people improve their lives and to share that information with as many people as possible, probably one of the many reasons you created your site, right? One of the first things I did was create this blog. Blogging, I discovered, was an excellent way to reach hundreds of people, with the ultimate goal: hoping as many interested people as possible would eventually visit my vid site. Blogging is, after all, a form of social networking, as I soon found out, with commenting being a major electronic interaction between like-minded souls.

And it just kind of snowballed from there. As I visited and read more blogs, I discovered more social networking sites like Digg, Stumbleupon, and Entrecard. And tremendous sites for bloggers like MyBlogLog and BlogCatalog. As a videographer, I naturally migrated to video-sharing sites like YouTube and FunnyorDie. I went social networking crazy, and if it weren’t for healthy sites like Iowa Avenue, I might have gone nuts, or at least more nutty than I already am.

What eventually evolved from all this social networking, which so often does for me, was a seed of creativity. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I have kind of a love/hate thing going with social networking. I love visiting cool and interesting blogs and websites, learning new things and meeting a diverse group of bloggers and SoNets (my new word, just invented, for “social networkers”). But, quite frankly, it can get exhausting, overwhelming, tedious (at times), and time-consuming. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy visiting dozens of blogs and sites every day, but there are times when I wish I could hop aboard a time machine and travel back to a place where there were no computers, or even televisions, for that matter. And then I stumble upon a new site that catches my eye and I thank god that I live in this amazing technological time period. Sleep? Who needs sleep?

So, one night, I was doing my social networking thing, and my brain, while fighting fatigue and getting punchy, came up with the following song. I then got out my trusty video camera and began shooting. As always, I had help. Mostly, my good buddy and the other half of the Hungry and Poor Band, Dale from Electric Canyon Studios. Dale is the guy who makes my voice sound better than average, while adding so much to my mediocre guitar playing it is beyond words. He is also a master video editor. His magical touch and relentless patience makes our collaborative efforts effortless. You may recognize him from my I Miss My Hair video; he’s the one with hair! Thanks, Dale.

Please take a few minutes and enjoy my latest music video:

SOCIAL NETWORKING BLUES




Sure, social networking can seem like an endless chore, at times, but more often than not it is an effort of joy, a linking between souls connected, perhaps tens of thousands of miles away, through the touch of a mouse, the flicker of a finger across a keyboard, or the click of a link, like this one, which will take you to Mike‘s Lyrics, if you would like to read along while you watch:

SOCIAL NETWORKING BLUES.

And remember, please drop me a comment at my video site letting me know what you think about my latest, or any other, video.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

Health Update and a few Videos

Most of you know by now that I recently underwent surgery on my left shoulder to repair an impingement that was causing me a great deal of pain for a long time. The good news is, that while I am still limited in using my left arm, I am getting better every day. I am able to actually type for several minutes at a time without pain and look forward to the day when I can write some new posts. Soon, I hope!

While I am feeling lots better, my range of motion is still poor. I was just measured by my physical therapist and was at 110 degrees out of 180--not that good. In fact, it is much less than before my surgery. But the pain is better, much better. And the numbing, tingling sensation down my left arm and fingertips is mostly gone. All I need now is lots of physical therapy and time.

In the meantime, I would like to share a few more videos from my archives.

The three categories that personify livelife365.com and this blog are: HEALTHY LIVING, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, and ENTERTAINMENT. With that in mind, I have chosen videos that represent each category.

For your HEALTH:

Almonds: The Perfect Snack



Some INSPIRATION for your PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

The Miracle of Tomorrow



And a little ENTERTAINMENT from this (exhausting and never-ending) political season:

Hillary Obama Monsta McCain Jam



As always, I appreciate your wonderful comments and feedback and look forward to the day when I can return the favor and add a few comments of my own.

Until next time...

peace,

Mike

Friday Video: I Miss My Hair...Still!

While on the mend from my recent shoulder surgery, I received this nice comment from Heidi over at Health Nut Wannabee Mom:

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...
awwwwww I am sorry that you are in such pain! I am going to check out your videos. I love them but the I WANT HAIR one is my favorite of all time! Get better soon!
October 23, 2008 10:12 PM

This reminded me how much I like Heidi and her excellent health blog (check it out when you get the chance), and how much I really like my funny music video I Miss My Hair.

It also inspired me to post it one more time to afford those of you who may have missed it the first few times the opportunity to watch and laugh. And for those of you, like Heidi, to watch it again and again and again...

Please enjoy my funny music video about my lament at missing my missing hair:

I Miss My Hair

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

peace,

Mike

I Miss My Hair

What kind of website it this, anyway?

If I were to say that livelife365 is a Health and Fitness site, most of those who are frequent readers would agree with that statement. I often write about health, diet, and nutrition.

Okay, so livelife365 is a Healthy Lifestyle site, then?

Yes. But I have also written about the importance of setting goals and maintaining balance in our lives.

Umm, so, this is a Self-Improvement blog?

You are correct. But—

There’s always a but with you!

Correct again. Given that I have written travel posts...

Okay…

And humorous slices of life.

I see, but…

And I’m all about inspirational topics.

Wow, I didn’t know.

Of course you didn’t.

Livelife365 is a site dedicated to Health, Personal Development, and Entertainment—it says so right at the top of the web page (at least it does on my video site.


Okay, so what you’re trying to say is…?

That livelife365, both this blog and my video site, is about…

LIFE!

…and life encompasses more than one category or genre. Life cannot be pigeonholed.

Interesting…but what does all this have to do with the title of this post?

I Miss My Hair

Sounds like a personal problem to me.

My point exactly!

While I enjoy sharing my thoughts and programs about health, motivation, personal development and how-to tips, what I really love to do is entertain. Making others laugh is a passion of mine—something I have been able to successfully do all my life. And music…I have always dabbled in songwriting, while fooling around with an assortment of musical instruments—starting way back when I was a kid and wanted to learn how to play the drums, but instead somehow got talked into dragging home a baritone horn to torture my parents with, up to my current passion: guitar.


Combine all those attributes and desires, along with a theatrical background (I majored in theatre while in college, a long, long time ago; back when I had long, flowing hair!), and you have the creative cocktail for my latest music video, I Miss My Hair.

Inspiration is a fickle mistress. If you constantly wait for it to come to you, you may be waiting a long time. But sometimes it happens just like that image, you know the one, with the light bulb over the guy’s head. Snap! Just like that!

This idea came to me while I was working on my political music video, Pick One, in the Electric Canyon studios with my buddy Dale. We somehow got on the topic of hair, or my lack thereof—I chuckled (which I usually do when reminded of my follicle-challenged dome), then sighed, and said, “Man, sometimes I miss my hair.” I paused, looked over at Dale, then added, “That sounds like it could be a song. I’m gonna work on it.” Dale looked at me the way sound guys in the music biz for decades have looked at guys like me—sure, whatever, call me when you’re ready to record.

The rest, as they say, is history. I went home and did that thing we songwriters do, then visited Dale and laid down some tracks. Then Dale did that thing he does so well. Using his magic touch, he sweetened my voice and very-average acoustic guitar playing, and then created the Hungry & Poor Band (all Dale) by adding percussion, bass, and electric guitar.

I then pulled out my trusty video camera and went to work shooting hours of video, that Dale and I (again, mostly Dale), painstakingly edited down to this four minutes and forty-nine second music video:

I MISS MY HAIR

I have created nearly two hundred videos for my website, livelife365.com, and close to fifty blog posts for this blog, but can honestly say that I am most proud of this music video. From concept to finished product, it was one of those projects that not only brought me great personal satisfaction and artistic gratification, but was a pleasure to do.

Big kudos go out to Dale at ProSound for his amazing efforts and precision work (and for putting up with me), as well as his stellar performance in the video—he’s the little guy with the hungry & poor sign playing the drums, among other things. Thanks, Dale!

For those of you who have yet to watch I MISS MY HAIR, please enjoy!

And for those who have already seen this video, why not take another look? You may pick up something that you missed the first time through.

Lastly, please have a good laugh on me! Remember, laughter is a good thing. While it may not help you lose weight or flatten your belly, it is as important to your overall health and well-being as proper diet, adequate sleep, and everyday breathing. Hey, this is, after all, a Health blog, right?

Huh?

Never mind.

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

"Pick One" Press Release

I am proud to share with you my recent press release for my music video, "Pick One." Read it here or visit Myprgenie.com (there you get photos). Enjoy!


We Must "Pick One"! Who? Hillary Obama! New Music Video Just Released


Release Date May 06, 2008


Disclaimer
If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the company listed in the press release. Please do not contact MyPRGenie Inc. We will be unable to assist you with your inquiry. MyPRGenie Inc. disclaims any content contained in these releases. Our complete disclaimer appears here.


-->CHICO, CA May 6, 2008
If you can't decide on a candidate in this year's presidential election, then vote for Hillary Obama. Who? Watch "Pick One (the music video)" and find out.

Mike Foster, creator of livelife365.com, has just released his latest studio recording, lampooning the too-close-to-call contest for the Democratic nomination between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. A spirited mix of Americana, Country, and County Rock, "Pick One" is a toe-tapping tune you'll be humming all day, while the lyrics have you nodding in agreement. Foster's suggested solution of Hillary Obama as the candidate, revealed at the end of the video, is not to be missed.Inspired by his interest in two exceptional and, in obvious ways, unprecedented candidacies, Mike "wanted to write a song that would not only entertain and make you laugh a little, but also call attention to this remarkable electoral season. I started playing around with the names and went from there." The enjoyment he finds in performing, especially singing and playing guitar, shines through in this well-produced music video that could well have America singing along with its bouncy melody and catchy lyrics.The production of a thought-provoking parody of the 2008 political scene is only one example of Foster's work found at livelife365.com, a video-driven website dedicated to healthy living, personal development, and entertainment. With a background as a writer and stage actor, and clearly possessing an eye and ear attuned to what is happening in the world, he shows considerable promise as a singer/songwriter and videographer. His efforts include an interesting collection of short films related to a wide variety of topics, ranging from nutritional and dietary advice to motivational and self-improvement tips, from humorous vignettes and observations to sober reflections on the sometimes painful lessons he's learned in life. You can even find information on sports, current events, and hobbies like book collecting. His major focus is on maintaining a careful balance between and within your physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.

Watch the "Pick One" video at:www.livelife365.com/ or www.youtube.com/livelife365
Listen to the MP3 at: www.soundclick.com/livelife365

Tags:elections, hillary, obama, clinton, barack, primaries, mccain, bush, presidential, music, music video, funny video, democratic elections, republican primaries, livelife365.com

Isn't it Ironic?

What is irony and why am I blogging about it? Here's one definition:

Irony is a literary or rhetorical device, in which there is an incongruity or discordance between what a speaker or a writer says; and what he or she means, or is generally understood.
In modern usage it can also refer to particularly striking examples of incongruities observed in everyday life between what was intended or said and what actually happened.

Let me give you the short version, or at least the version that applies to me and this blog entry. In case you haven't noticed, and there is a very good chance that you (and 99.9999% of the rest of the free world) haven't, I recently recorded, and posted on every video site imaginable, a humorous political song called "Pick One." It is a lampoon about the tug-o-war of a primary race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, with a little Bush and McCain tossed in for balance. While it has received positive reviews and the feedback has been very encouraging, the amount of hits on all of the aforementioned sites has not been what I had imagined. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's too long, or the music is not every one's taste. Or maybe it is just not the type of entertainment that is successful on a broad spectrum. This is, after all, a country that finds shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" entertaining, and amazingly popular. Now, I'm not dogging (too much) these types of shows, just stating that they are not my cup of (green) tea. And maybe "Pick One" is not theirs.

Now, I have far from given up on "Pick One," especially with the promise of a summer filled with this nip and tuck race between Hillary and Obama. And I am still promoting my video with gusto, but my creative spirit must go on. So I make more videos, write other songs, and post them every few days. One video I recently posted is the first of several I have planned for a funny "How-To" series, called: "How to...Get Slapped by a Woman." It is funny in a wow-look-at-that-guy-getting-smacked way. And it is blessedly short (0:16). It also took almost no time to create, and definitely cost next to nothing. Here comes the ironic part...it has gotten almost as much attention on Funny of Die (a comedy video-sharing website, for those of you unfamiliar. Check it out, by the way, it is fantastic!) as "Pick One" has on all those other sites. More ironic: the slap vid has only been available for your viewing and guffawing pleasure for a few days, while "Pick One" is crawling toward the end of its second week.

My point, and I do have one, is this: Isn't that ironic? Or just fickle? Or eye-opening? Or...(fill in the blank). "Pick One" took weeks to make, cost a few bucks for studio time and video editing, and the end result is a polished product. "Slap Mike" (I'm paraphrasing here, folks), by comparison was whipped up one Sunday afternoon, filmed, edited, and popped on my website by that same night. Ironic? More like: bizarre. Or funny.

The bottom line is my videos are being watched, which helps promote my website, which is why I create a wide variety of videos in the first place. My goals have not changed, they still remain: to share information with as many people as possible; to help others; to entertain. And the thing that I must remember is the viewing audience cares not a whit about the cost or time it takes to produce a video, only that it is something that they want to watch, enjoy, and, hopefully, share.

Think about it.

peace,

Mike

View "How To...Get Slapped by a Woman" at livelife365.com or at bottom of this page. Enjoy!

Look, Up in the Sky! It's a Bird, a Plane, a Blog, a...Vlog?

I am one of those rare birds lucky enough to have both a blog and a vlog. Most everyone knows what a blog is: a shortened version of "web log." This is a site where people can post just about anything that interests them, and, hopefully, the masses. There are blogs about everything one can possibly imagine. Most are very entertaining. I enjoy visiting them, checking them out, seeing what's new and interesting. And though, originally, they were mostly just in the form of the written word, now quite a few blogs have branched off into other areas of communication. Like videos. Technology has made it a breeze to add vids right onto most blogs with simple cutting and pasting. Heck, even I can do it.

The other side of the coin is something close to my heart: vlogs. The name derives from Video Log, and just like blogs these sites can be about any topic that interests you. The major difference between blogs and vlogs is the amount of video. Take my site, livelife365.com, for example. My goal when I created this site was to offer a venue to share my information using a video format. And, save for a few bits of text here or there, I have been true to my vision. A visit to my site offers you tips on diet and nutrition, exercise and motivation, self-help and overcoming adversity. As well as entertaining and funny songs, videos, and rants. And all of them are in video form. You will not find a written piece, like this one, anywhere on the site. And that to me is a true vlog.

But a funny thing happened while I was promoting my site, visiting other sites, mostly blogs, networking with all of the wonderful people who make up the blogging community. I wanted to be one of them, join them. And not just as the new kid on the block with the vlog. I wanted to be part of their blogging community with my very own blog. An interesting self realization, coming from a guy who thought that video-driven sites were going to be the next big thing.

The fact is, I have come to understand that while video is here to stay and will eventually be everywhere, on every site, mark my words. The blog will never die. Just like newspapers. Books. Magazines. Because there were many who thought that any paper-based from of media would eventually dry up and blow away, never being able to compete with the convenience of an electronic media. Not the case. True, sales and subscriptions may be down, but I honestly believe that newspapers will never die. And neither will the blog. There is room in this here town for the both of us.

I want to take a moment to thank all of the great people with whom I have networked and met online while promoting livelife365.com. I feel lucky and blessed to be part of such a kind and giving community...even if I do have a vlog. But, now, also a blog.

So, read or watch, as long as you are doing all that you can to make each day count, living your life every day and every way. Until next time...

peace,
Mike

Pick One, the lyrics.

Okay, by now I am sure some of you are tired of my shameless self-promotion for my latest music video, "Pick One." What's that? Some of you are still unaware? Then this short post should help clear a few things up. Like, what the song is about. And why it is important. And even though it can make you laugh (at least, I hope it does), it is also intended to make you think a little too. Parody. Satire. We often laugh at the things that frighten us the most, or bother, confuse, or annoy us. Like this primary season. Like the fact that the Democrats have two amazing candidates, yet still are lagging behind McCain in some head-to-head polls. Like for those who really want a change in Washington, the fear that they will get another heaping helping of the same-old-thing is gut-wrenching. But is it funny? Yes. If we cannot laugh at ourselves or at the bizarre or the craziness of this season's amazing campaign for president, then I offer you this little tidbit of advice: take a chill pill, dude, and watch "Pick One." You will giggle and ponder, tap your toes while clenching your teeth, cringe and grin all at the same time.



Here are the lyrics:

One is black
One is white
No matter which one you ask
They both think they're right
But pick one

One is a guy
And one is a girl
They both have in mind
That they're gonna change the world
But just pick one

Well, Barack Obama
What's with all the drama
Hillary Clinton
What are you thinking
Just Pick One

I said, pick one
Select One
Then elect one
Then forget one

One is for change
And the other is for...change too
One says, "Yes we can."
And one says, "Yes we will!"

Come on, just pick
Select one
Then elect one
Then neglect one

Well, they both think that George Bush is wrong
And we've been in Iraq too long
They sound the same on the economy
Universal health and global warming

Just pick one
Select one
Then elect one
Then forget one

Well, they both agree about McCain
He could be a royal pain
But if one of them does not back down
Then none of them are gonna be around
So pick one

(repeat chorus)

And then lots of mixing and mismatched names, like:
Hillary Obamamamamamamamamamamamaaaaa....(watch the video to see what I'm talking about)...Barackmccainacainacainacainacain...

Barack Obama Hillary Clinton John McCain

Hillary Obamabamabama!

Then more shameless plugs, like, for "Pick One" merchandise, available at livelife365.com

peace,
Mike

Pick One (the music video)

Pick One, huh? Not two or three? What is this guy talking about, you say? How about one of the most exciting presidential races in recent memory. How about having not one, but two (and maybe even three) very qualified and electable candidates? How about, for the first time in the history of this great nation, having a person of color or one who is not a man as the Democratic nominee? Add to that a war hero who is respected by both parties? Pick One? Now are you starting to see what I'm getting at?

A few months ago I had an idea for a song parody about this year's close, and often turbulent, elections. I sat down with my guitar and started plucking about, playing with some lyrics that had been swimming around inside my brain, trying to get those all important key words and phrases necessary to make the song work. What I came up with was a song called "Pick One." The version I originally recorded on video and posted was okay, but not complete. In fact, I titled it, "Pick One (the almost finished version)." I knew that I had inside me a better, more polished version, and I set about attempting to make that happen. But I decided that I would need some help.

Enter my new buddy and sound and video editor extraordinaire, Dale at ProSound (electriccanyon.com). I needed to make the song (and me) sound better. I had worked with Dale before on my "Fun with Fiber" video, but that was just some editing work. So I made an appointment for some studio time, burping down the butterflies as they scurried through my guts at the thought of singing and playing guitar, an instrument I have only messed around with for a few years, in front of a professional sound guy.

But Dale immediately made me feel at ease, partly by his calm demeanor and obvious knowledge and professionalism, but also by the serene surroundings of his Electric Canyon studios. And even though I was nervous, we got some good sounds down on tape. Then we discussed what I had in mind with the video, my vision of how the images would work with the song, and we went from there. The result is the version of "Pick One" that you see below. I would like to publicly thank Dale for his enormous efforts and patience and kindness during this ardours undertaking. As well for his tremendous talents at making a guy like me sound better than he could have imagined. Thanks, Dale.

Also, during the time while Dale and I were putting the finishing touches on "Pick One," I decided to tear down my website and redo a good chunk of it. The end result is more user-friendly, easier on the eye, and exactly what I was looking for when I undertook this massive remodeling. It could not have been done--in less than a week and with no site downtime!--without the enormous efforts of my pals, Eric at Multi Media Information (ememi.com) and Keith at Webxpertz. They did in days what most would have taken weeks to accomplish. Amazing job, guys, thanks. Especially Eric. He also was a great help with the "Pick One" video and is a valuable contributor to my website livelife365.com. Gracias, mi amigo.

So, that's the story behind "Pick One (the music video)". All that remains is that all of you watch and enjoy it. And if you like it as much as I hope you will, then, please, spread the word for others to watch, laugh, learn, and help me to decide which one to pick. Pick One? Are you nuts?

peace,
Mike