January 4, 2013
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A Dance to 2013 (Mike’s Video Blog #16)
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― (old celtic saying attributed to many including Mark Twain, William Pukey (actual words quoted), and Souza)“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or danceI hope you dance…”
― Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sander, from I hope you Dance performed by Lee Ann Womack“Dance is the hidden language of the soul”
― Martha Graham (and she should know)“Gotta dance! Gotta Dance! / Broadway Rhythm, it’s got me, everybody dance!”
― from the Broadway Melody number in the Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly film “Singin’ In the Rain”“Some people were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers.
And some people — dance.”
(The last line from the film: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” directed by David Fincher and written by Eric Ross)
Mike’s 16th video blog is a tribute to the new year, containing a number of dance performances, plus humorous commentary. Recorded entirely on New Year’s Eve with tripods and video cams in two rooms, then later edited, directed, rendered and uploaded to YouTube on New Year’s Day. (Albeit at the wrong resolution. The proper video is now online and can be seen below.)
As I await the turning of my sixth decade of life, my energy level, health, and creativity are high. Frankly, it’s a wonder I’m not completely tired out (or dead from a heart attack) after making this. But the Mikester is “young, wild and free”. For the coming year and for eternity. It took an entire day to cobble down three hours of footage into this 21 minute vid. I know that’s an eternity for the internet, but to me it’s just a half hour tv show!
I’ve always been a bit of a ham. In fact, I think I possibly dislocated my left hip, causing both my 1992 hip replacement, and it’s 2009 “revision” because I used to end all my dance moves at clubs back in the 70s and 80s by doing the “splitz”. (On more than one occasion, other dancers in clubs would circle me, like in the film “Saturday Night Fever”, and let me perform for the floor!) I’m all healed up now, and even though I don’t dance to Gaga as promised to my blog readers years ago (Dancing Grandpa put the kibosh on those plans, sigh) I do dance to tunes by Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Benny Goodman and Taio Cruz, among others. My readership base (those that are still around and some new folks I always seem to be picking up as friends and subscribers) is pretty varied. I make an attempt to appeal to the widest audience base. I apologize in advance to anybody who might be offended, especially by the Nicki Minaj song. I tried my best to edit out the offending word but the song “Starship” was a big hit, and sorry to say modern music includes profanity. I believe I utter the word “hell” at some point. This is a New Year’s celebration, so I’m drinking alcohol, but not as much as might be assumed. I believe I credited the Glenn Miller band with the swing song “Sing Sing Sing” when in fact it’s Benny Goodman and his orchestra.
The vid ends with one of my free weight workouts, set to music. I really should have created this when I was about ten pounds lighter, but it’s the holiday season, and I gained a lot of my belly back pretty easily. Now it’s time to get back in shape.
I’m posting this without any preconceived notions. (Although I always like to point out that I’m STILL posting the same kinds of creative entries as I always have.) Xanga isn’t the site it once was. I’m not as well known as I used to be. I tagged some folks below the vid who, among others, left me some gratifying comments and positive feedback on previous dance vids I’ve posted on Xanga.
Back in the long ago year of 2007, when Xanga was competing with YouTube as a video platform, I transferred an old 1991 VHS video tape of my performance of some of my dance moves performed to big band swing music from Artie Shaw to my Video section with the video Dancin’ Fool March 3, 2007. Among the commenters who gave me positive feedback (who are still on Xanga anyway) was Linda (@an_OM_aly )
I had hip revision surgery in May of 2009. After it healed a bit, I put on my dancing shoes and posted Creative Much Oct. 11,2009. Besides dancing to the old song Iko Iko, originally performed by the Dixie Cups, I double tracked my voice and sang the song for the video. Among my commenters who marveled at my ability to heal so quickly and be able to dance were Maha (@QweenCat ), Jill (@Texasjillcarmel ) and Donna (@DonnaLou).
A few years later, after promising to create a dance only video featuring Lady Gaga music, (which I never completed after a YouTube video called “Dancing Grandpa” (noted above) went viral, making any dance to Gaga from me seem like I was copying somebody instead of doing something original,) I posted “Gotta Dance Friday Aug. 6, 2011″ set to the music of Elvis Presley. Just some of the outstanding positive comments I got on that one were from Ampbreia (@Ampbreia ), Khai (@opticalnoise ), Alex (@Roadlesstaken ) and Zoe (@soulstar76 ).
EDIT: 1/04/13 7:00 a.m. Well, I sent out a MASS MESSAGE over here, and blanketed the walls of quite a few FB friends. 18 comments. (although one is a reply from me, and at least two people left multiple comments. I guess I’m not good enough for Top Blogs anymore, but I am at #2 on Top Recs.
Ellen hasn’t called yet. But I’m satisfied. 28 views on YouTube (prolly from here. 4 on Vimeo last night. Not bad for a 20 minute vid. If I get enough love and support, I may even post a (much shorter) Mike’s Video Blog (Mike’s Vlog?) each and every week. Next up, a twitter feed. And I plan to post more regularly on FB. I explained my plans in this vid, but had to leave that on the cutting room floor, so to speak, too long as it is….MFN/ppf
NOTE: Playboy contributor, writer, and comic artist Jules Fieffer (whom I sort of resemble) wrote a series of comic strips with his “Dancer” character over the years, and I gained inspiration for the title card, which I drew, from his style.
Posted: January 03, 2013 7:10 AM
Comments (33)
Dance in a club and I bet you will get tons of ladies on you!
That must be a lot of work Mike.
I’ll watch the video that went viral a little later.
You have the dance moves. Rawr!
Looks like you had fun bringing in the new year…Be blessed and have a great time all the year coming
Is it necessary to drink the rum before singing?
By the time it got to 9PM you were thinking of a nap…
but the end of the world got you perked up again for
a little bit. 11:47… ”and I’m not drunK, not me.”
“I’m dancing down the street, and I’m in my stocking feet.”
That ought to go viral by itself! I love the video Mike.
Thanks for sharing such good humor, well wishes,
and enthusiasm for entertaining.
@Roadlesstaken - Alex, Just last year the niece of one of my neighbors, age 25, asked me to go along with her and her friends to a rave. I’m a bit long in the tooth for the ecstasy crowd I fear. As I’ve mentioned many times on my blog, I used to frequent both discos and country bars back in the 70s. I don’t need “tons of ladies”. I’d settle for a single nice lady. So far the only available gals I’ve met at our mobile park smoke cigarettes, a real turn off for me.
@Qipao_Queen - Queen, thanks so much for the recommendation!@SisterMae - Mae, As I blogged right before Christmas, I, like a lot of older singles who’ve lost most of their family and friends, got a little down in the dumps. I’m bipolar, so when depression hits, it’s like a hammer to the psyche. However, my mood swung up to the rafters by New Years, and I’m still having some grand days. Bless you as well.
@eshunt@revelife - Hunt. Is it necessary to do anything we enjoy? I drink a little rum on weekends and this was New Years Eve. I mix a 1/2 cup with some energy drink, lots of ice, and some fruit nectar. Before I began mixing alcohol and energy drinks, I consulted with my doctor, and he approved, in fact his exact words were “Party on, Mike.” I blogged after my physical last year that he told me I’m in better health and shape than he is, and he’s young enough to be my son! (Truth be told, I didn’t drink all but one glass of the champagne either. Moderation in all things.) (I did take a 45 minute nap.I also ate that whole pizza, but only had some oatmeal and a sandwich the next day!)
I’m glad you enjoyed the celebration.
You can drink rum and champaign and
whatever. I just thought It was funnty.
Peace
Hunt
Mike, thanks so much for dropping the link on my fb or I would have possibly missed out on this gem! You are definitely the entertainer! Thank you so much for all the time that you took to make that and then sharing it. Really made me smile.
Your video enlivened my afternoon at the library..i love your enthusiasm and how your share it with your community..it is truly fabulous..
Happy New Year Mike! You are one dancing poet, philosopher, fool.
All that energy… 2007, my my, must be true — time flies when you’re having fun and (as you know) even when you’re not :]
First tag evar for me, glad i came to celebrate with you –Cheers!
@baldmike2004 - I know when I am feeling blue I can visit your new years celebration and perhaps dance with you to lift my spirits…and I have been feeling blue quite a bit lately….
That was awesome! You are just a dancing machine. Happy New Year to you. BTW I should know, but I don’t, what’s the name of the “big band era” song you dance to in the kitchen?
Excellent, Mike. Too bad they didn’t have phones to make videos of you dancing in the ’70′s! If Hubby could dance like you, I would be a happy camper! It was nice to watch you have so much fun and enjoy yourself. Live it up and Happy 2013!
Mike….I love you bro….you are awesome….thanx for the user tag..I may have missed this
And that would really have been bollox!!!!!!! Much love and respect;
Zoexx
Mike you definitely have a few steps there that I can not do at the age of 47. I enjoyed your movie. Thank you.
That was pretty awesome, I liked the weight dance at the end.
You are so awesome, my friend! The dance move is pretty sexy! hehehehe …
Happy New Year. You got rhythm and some good moods. How can the rest of us attract the women with you doing these sexy videos?
I now see that you must come to FL so we can go clubbing and show these youngsters what it’s all about (after a few of your concoctions, of course.) I noticed that Cartman was giving you the evil eye. Does he always do that? Ignore that jealous fat bastard! Um, why did you delete our New Year’s Kiss?
@an_OM_aly - Linda, Glad to be able to supply your first tag! I’m more than past due for a visit to your blog. See you soon.
@SisterMae - Mae, I’m answering here from a message reply. CLICK HERE for a pretty comprehensive entry from my 2008-2009 “Don’t Have a Leg to Stand On” series where I write about getting the news that my leg is about to fall off. I only recently (2009) was cured of pain which pretty much lasted all my life. So being able to dance like this again is sort of a Godsend.
@comet555 - Renee, I do mention the music in the entry. It’s Sing Sing Sing, by Benny Goodman and his orchestra.
@whyzat - Dian, It’s almost scary that after nearly a decade online, I’ve got a link for just about everything I’ve done in life. The 2007 vid linked above (and right here) is a dance video taken from a 1991 VHS tape. I even have footage from 1988 if memory serves. (Come to think of it, now that I’ve seen the Mark Wahlberg film Ted, I should dig up my footage of me having a conversation with my stuffed dog! I’ve been videotaping since 1986! (and the cameras weighed a TON.)
@Thatslifekid - Elsie Mae, In footage I had to leave “on the cutting room floor” I drop the weights on the metal floor of my mobile home so you can hear how heavy they are. “Weight” till I move up from free weights to adjustable barbells. I’m really gonna bulk up this year.
@RushmoreJ - Rush, Heck, I’ve been posing naked on Xanga for years, and even “won” a write in Hottie contest once, but besides my last gf Liz, whom I did meet on Xanga, by the way, I’m perpetually single, looking, and unattached. So the rest of you can rest easy. (unless I get “lucky” of course. LOL)
@SherryAngeLMysteriez - Sherry, Last year, at a party I gave, one of my neighbors’ 25 year old niece whipped out her camera when I did a booty dance. Then we danced together, although kids today don’t dance together like back in my day. I was actually asked to go along to a rave!
@Kellsbella - Kells, You must have popped in while I was “replying”. After work I have a lot of visiting to do. (When I used to get on top blogs and get 200 or 300 comments, I actually visited each commenter personally and left a comment. If you’ve ever seen one of my typical “long” comments, you can ascertain it took a long time to do so.) If I don’t retire to an island in Indonesia, (like in my dream), I plan to get a place in Palm Harbor. I fell off the fiscal cliff with my first paycheck of the year, and have to take a good hard look at my budget. But at the end of 2013 I’ll have both my last 401k loan and my massive 40thousand dollar consolidation debt paid off at last. Time to travel, and perhaps I’ll take you up on that club crawl.
Now those are some moves!!
Watching you now on video, I have definitely considered the distinct possibility that you may be Red/Green’s Long lost brother …
And if not, you should totally do a spoof on him with one of your friends. That’d be awesome !
And you’ve got maaad dancing skillz ! *PROPS !*
Here’s hoping 2013 offers you, happiness, harmony, curiosity, and compassion all through the following year …
Φ ≡
Post Recommended !
Do your neighbors know that there might be champagne corks flying their way every New Years Eve???
Great blog and moves… My entry into the new year was so very quiet compared to yours. LOL… That concoction you made would have knocked me on my butt!! Happy New Year…
Again, Mike, thanks for mentioning me on this blog. I got a notification in my e-mail that you had done so. That’s how I know before visiting here. Thank you again for checking my Happy New Year post & for your very nice comments to me. Continue the great moves! ~~Blessings ‘n Cheers
I can’t dance … my legs and arms move in a very uncoordinated manner. I think you burned quite a few calories making this video (although the rum and pizza might have balanced things out).
Have a wonderful New Year! You had a lot more energy than I did on New Years.
Loved the video Mike! Thanks for making it.
You’re a wonderful dancer! You know you owe it to the ladies of the world to go out dancing more often and ask them to dance. I’m sure they’d enjoy you to pieces. Your New Years part of one was far livelier than our party of 6. If you’d been here you’d have seriously livened it up!
YOU are a great dancer, Mike!!! I think everyone should dance every day! It’s good for the heart, soul and mind!!!
HUGS!!!
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