A Cultural, Spiritual and Political Adventure
Published July 31, 2010 | 
Ernie loves politics. Honestly, I don’t.
So, it was with deep reservations I agreed to attend an event this evening encompassing the cultural, spiritual and political rolled into one.
Ernie found out about this event taking place at a local Buddhist center. The community includes mostly people from Sri Lanka, an island nation of 20 million people off the southern tip of India. Congresswoman Dina Titus was making a campaign swing through Vegas and was coming to speak.
The Nevada Buddhist Vidara is located in what was formerly a modest home. Except for the large, golden Buddha statue surrounded by flowers on the altar, it was a simple room with folding chairs that looked like it could use a fresh coat of paint.
The people were amazingly gracious and kind. Women wore traditional saris in tissue-light cotton and silk, embellished with beautiful embroidery. Men wore standard-issue Indian-style Nehru shirts and lungi. Say “loon-geeys.” Think of a wrap skirt in lightweight cotton sweeping down to the ankles. Several Buddhist monks wore bright orange and deep gold robes.
This was a big occasion for the temple. 
A dignitary announced the temple was founded in 1996. Tonight was the first time ever an elected official has visited. A colorful fresh flower garland was draped around the Congresswoman’s neck. A high honor. She lit candles while three high school girls in white saris sang traditional songs in Sinhala, the Sri Lankan language. Titus laid a tray of flowers at the feet of the large Buddha on the altar. A monk tied an orange string around her wrist and chanted a mantra wishing her victory in the election this November.
There was no air conditioning. It was 102 degrees outside and every chair was filled. Halfway through the event the girls quietly walked around with trays filled with cold water bottles and icy cans of soda to help everyone be more comfortable in the stuffy room during the ceremony. The pop, pop, pop of opening soda cans punctuated the air for a few minutes.
Congresswoman Dina Titus finally took the tiny platform and spoke for ten minutes about issues of importance to Sri Lankan Americans. Terrorism that formerly gripped the tiny island nation for 26 years has recently ended supported by a vote she made in Washington. She also spoke about improving education and other concerns.
A bountiful potluck of Sri Lankan cuisine was served afterward.
As we strolled to our car I thought how I didn’t want to come earlier. I ran around all afternoon in the heat and a quiet evening at home sounded ideal. I’m glad I let Ernie twist my arm, opening my eyes to the gentle, kind people of Sri Lanka and their interest in making America and their homeland a better place. We have so much more in common then we often believe.
Posted in Excellent Adventure, Spiritual Growth | 
adventure, cultural, Dina Titus, political, spiritual | 
Leave a commentWhat am I Doing Lately? (Part Two)
Published July 30, 2010 | (This is part two of a two part article.)
I found a travel site where a guy does videos of the places where he stays. It appears he gets his hotel room free in exchange. 
You can buy a flight or book a hotel room through his site – like Expedia or Orbitz. He also sells ads. He’s got a big following. He posts the video of the hotel and writes a review. So, why couldn’t I do that, too?
Oh, I can’t approach anyone until the “remodel” on my blog is complete which will take another two weeks. I can’t really send professional business people I want to have a business relationship with to a blog that doesn’t look so great. Yet. The content is fine – but it’s got a ways to go visually. Thank goodness for Kim’s help.
Plus, I think it’d be a good idea to do videos of a local restaurant and hotel before so they can look at something as an example. Gotta get that video FlipCam when the check arrives.
It’s a case of which came first? The chicken or the egg? I’m getting impatient. *smile*
Once the makeover is complete, I need to find one or two hotels I can contact and propose my idea to. I have an idea for which hotels – we’ll see. Um, first it means coming up with a proposal. I don’t have a big following here yet (please RSS subcribe). I do have 2,800 friends on Facebook now, and 1,800 followers on Twitter.
Note to self: start using Twitter more often. I’ve been using Facebook much more consistently.
Once I know what I’ll propose, I have to find the right person to contact there. I thought I’d also approach a couple restaurants and do the same thing. I’ll do a video and written restaurant review. Okay, it’s not cash – but it’s the equivalent.
While all this is happening, every time I post here I need to post to all my Facebook groups and let ‘em know I’m here. I also need to become known on all these blogs, find more of ‘em, keep commenting and keep driving traffic here.
I don’t necessarily have to do this before the first trip. I need to write 5-6 articles I can upload on article directory sites to promote the blog.
Truth is, I’m just getting warmed up. Geez, makes me tired just writing it all out.
You thought all I’m doing is sitting around until I take a vacation. Puh-leez! Am I out of my mind? Maybe there’s a better way. I’m open to suggestions.
I promised I’d share with you every step of what it takes to put together my excellent adventure. I’m honoring that promise.
Posted in Empower U, Excellent Adventure, Travel Adventures | adventure, blog, facebook, makeover, planning, travel | Leave a commentIndian Curry Night Tonight
Published July 29, 2010 | Tonight Ernie’s making his amazing Chicken Curry for dinner. 
I mention it because we’re having a really nice couple, Sherman and Linda over for dinner. The adventure isn’t the curry. As exotic as it’s amazing flavors are what’s truly adventurous is getting to know new people.
Last night Ernie cut up the chicken thighs and marinaded it in the spices overnight. I have no idea what his secret spice blend is. Today I’ll chop the onions and tomatoes to help him out. He’ll put it all together. Did you know the word “curry” really doesn’t mean a particular dish? Curry basically means “gravy.”
I’m making a decidedly un-Indian dessert. Key Lime individual pie tarts with a blueberry sauce. Got a great recipe from Epicurious.com my go-to source for recipes for years now, even though I own a lot of cookbooks. The dessert will be tart, sweet and cool after all the spices from the curry. I had to run around checking three grocery stores to find Key Limes.
It’s all about friendship and getting to know each other and that’s one of the greatest adventures in life.
What am I Doing? All Appears Calm and Unruffled – Actually I’m Paddling Like Hell
Published July 28, 2010 | (Part One of a two part post)
To some of you watching this blog you might think, “Gee, it doesn’t seem like Denise is doing much with this excellent adventure thing.
Truth is I’m like a duck. Everything appears calm and unruffled 
on the surface – but underneath – I’m paddling like hell.
What have I been doing since starting this adventure in lifestyle design? The only trip I’ve taken so far was a weekend visit to SoCal to see the grandkids. Not exactly adventurous. But travel is only part of creating an excellent adventure.I’ve been discovering, scheming, learning, strategizing, making mistakes, brainstorming, talking and building. I’ve been working at getting my ducks in a row to create cash flow – or, it’s equivalent (I’ll explain later) while traveling.
So, I’m considering taking a three or four day trip to San Diego. Here’s what needs to happen before I can pack and make the trip – if I’m doing it as part of my excellent adventure.
First, I need to get a Video FlipCam – but I’m waiting for a check to arrive in the mail first. It should come this weekend or maybe beginning of next week. Then, I need to learn how to use a FlipCam. I have a friend who just bought one – so that shouldn’t be difficult
Second, Ernie had a job interview last weekend and he’s supposed to find out Wednesday (7/28) if he has a job or temporary assignment. If he has a temporary assignment for a couple weeks, no big deal – I can work around him. If he has a permanent job I might choose a girlfriend to go on this first adventure with. I’d rather have my husband by my side. But hey – you gotta do what you gotta do.
My intention is to visit San Diego. The weather’s 30-35 degrees cooler than here in Las Vegas. I lived there ten years and our first date was to Seaport Village. I’d love to return. I’d hate to come without Ernie – but if he’s stuck working – I might.
That’s just the beginning….
The third part of this little adventure involves creating cash flow. I’ve been working hard building up fans on my Facebook fan page.* Tuesday, I spent most of the afternoon making a spreadsheet of active blogs around the idea of long term travel as a lifestyle and what is called “lifestyle design.” Yesterday I spent the entire evening looking for appropriate ways to comment on said blogs. They’re not really my “ideal customers” as many are by 20-somethings just out of college, married, no mortgage, no spouse. It’s perfect for them. For me, it involves more “arranging.” You too?
I also want to put together a list of blogs that have to do with empowering women. I make comments with the idea of bringing traffic to my blog. However, it’ll probably be awhile before I have enough traffic here to attract any paying advertisers. I don’t want to wait till next year before taking some kind of excellent adventure trip – even if it’s just for two or three days.
What to do?
* To visit my Facebook Fan Page click here now.
Posted in Excellent Adventure, Marketing Adventures, Travel Adventures | adventure, cash flow, facebook, planning, San Diego, travel, trip | 2 CommentsThe Enemy of Your Excellent Adventure: “My Brain is Full”
Published July 26, 2010 | Last week I met a new friend for lunch. We’re the same age, both child-free, and entrepreneurial. I wanted to know more about her. She wanted to discover more about living an excellent adventure. Tracey’s a graphic designer.
“Do you design websites?” I asked. Many graphic designers do. I was thinking about a client who needs tweaking on his website. I thought I could refer business her way.
She caught me by surprise when she replied, “No, I don’t do web stuff. If you want an ad laid out for a print publication, brochure, a business card or anything in print – that’s what I do.”
It would’ve been easy to say, “Oh, okay,” and drop it. I couldn’t. This woman has big plans. She wants to go places and change the world. And, she needs cash flow to make it happen. Truth is, print to a large degree, is going the way of the dodo bird.
I asked why she didn’t expand her skills to where the greatest demand can be found. She looked at me with resignation in her eyes and said, “My brain is full.” We both laughed.
At 52, we’ve experienced so much technological change. We both remember dial phones and manual typewriters. It’s a struggle keeping up. I’ll stick knitting needles in my eyeballs before keeping up with it all. At least I try to keep growing and expanding my knowledge.
I have another friend, Harold. We’ve been good buddies for years. He’s steadfastly pooh-poohed the expanding role of the Internet, social media, blogs, etc. I don’t know if there’s a connection but his business has been through excruciatingly rough times the last two years. I’ve lent him my copies of “Tribes” by Seth Godin and “Crush it” by Gary Vaynerchuk. I’ve showed him how to set up a fan page on Facebook and a WordPress blog. He still doesn’t quite fathom its vast influence.
You could’ve plunged a dagger into my heart last week when he said he believes a huge movement will turn away from the Internet toward more personal, one-on-one connections. Oh, if it was only true.
Both Tracey and Harold want great things. Each is brilliant and has much to share with the world. Unfortunately, neither are willing to go through the learning curve and change required to make it happen.
If you want to re-design your lifestyle so you can live an excellent adventure and you know you need to create income as you go – the internet is key. Look for a business that’s less about passion and more about efficiency so you can have your excellent adventure while working far less hours. It’s doable and you can make it happen.
Changes are Coming Soon
Published July 24, 2010 | This week I met with Kim Smith, my highly-talented
web-gal and graphic designer. She’s working on a terrific custom theme for this blog and she finally was able to send me some screen shots of how she’s coming along with it. It’s going to be very cool.
I changed the theme here temporarily because I wanted my blog in the meantime to at least have some blue in it – which will be the over-riding color of the new look for the blog. It’s important for it to be congruent with my other websites.
You’ll also notice at the top the name’s been changed. From “Denise Michaels Excellent Adventure” to “Your Excellent Adventure.” I thought it was a little bit too much about me. When the final banner comes out it’ll say, “Denise Michaels presents… Your Excellent Adventure.
Once again I want to thank Kim of Dramatic Designs for the terrific work she’s doing.
http://www.dramatic-design.com
Thanks, Kim. You’re amazing!!
In the meantime I have grandkids visiting this weekend and from the sounds coming from the other room – I think they’re ready for some blueberry pancakes for breakfast. *wink* Time to go!
New Life? Or, a Bigger American Dream?
Published July 23, 2010 | Do you want a new life? Or, a bigger, more upscale American Dream?
I used to work with mega-bestselling author Robert Allen. He’s the original “Nothing Down” real estate investing guru. When people paid thousands to join his “Enlightened Wealth” program and learn about marketing they got me. The objective of the program was teaching people to create residual income.
Back in the day, I attended many Robert Allen seminars. People excited to break through and create wealth showed up. Some even succeeded.
Over the years I asked attendees what they wanted to create. Many had great ideas for charitable organizations to help others they wanted to develop. That was the enlightened part.
Everyone wanted to enjoy their own version of wealth first. They wanted: 
• The big, dream house
• Private school for the kids
• Gorgeous cars.
• Luxury resort vacations
• Designer clothes and jewelry
Most wanted a bigger, more luxurious version of The American Dream. Which is okay, but not an excellent adventure in my book.
Few wanted to change their day-to-day existence. Creating wealth requires shifting brain grooves, getting out of your comfort zone and taking certain action steps.
Building an excellent adventure is about shifting life grooves. Shifting life grooves is about taking action and re-designing your lifestyle. Maybe you get up at the same time of day. You still eat three meals a day (loosely!) and work in time for exercise. You’re still married to the same person (or not!) and have the same kids. However, you may not live in the same house, or, a house at all.
You could be like Mark, I wrote about him earlier this week, and wander around in an RV for awhile. You might:
• Live in an apartment in Athens for a few months
• Take lessons and learn to speak Greek
• Set up an import/export website selling local items
• Come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Live in a beach condo with wifi in Costa Rica after the holidays
• Keep your import/export business growing online
• Discover the wonders of cooking Costa Rican cuisine
The American Dream doesn’t usually allow these choices. Because, “the dream” for most people means you’re paying so much for the house, cars and everything that goes with it – your flexibility to shift life grooves is hampered.
The possibilities are endless. Open your mind and your heart to the idea your life can truly look however you want. Now, you’re getting the hang of living your life as an excellent adventure.
Mark is on the Road to Re-designing his Life
Published July 21, 2010 | Every morning we wake up and get a fresh new start to make our lives into whatever we want.
However, the longer we’ve been doing a career, a business, parenting, caregiving or any other activity that fills up our days, weeks, months and years – the deeper our “brain grooves” become. The deeper our “life grooves” become, too. We make commitments to others. We take on mortgages, children, business partners and more. We dig ourselves in. It’s more difficult to make a big life change. As we pass ages 40 and 50 it can seem almost impossible to re-design our lives.
Meet my buddy, Mark Michael. He’s 50 and has attended all four Excellent Adventure
meetings I’ve conducted. At the first meeting what he wanted to do was vague, to say the least. It was about marketing seminars and the whole thing was filled with twists and turns. Plus it was an industry he had no experience in. As a marketing mentor I said, “Geez, you like a challenge don’t you? This is a difficult business model and nothing built in for repeat business.”
If someone fights for their dream and their passion I’ll back off and say, “If its REALLY what you want – let’s make some shifts to make it happen.” Mark didn’t fight.
At the next Excellent Adventure meeting he had a huge picture book under one arm. Not just a coffee table book – this book could be an entire coffee table. It was filled gorgeous pictures of the US National Parks. From the primeval forests of Washington to the sandy Florida Keys. I knew he had something great in the works.
Mark said, “I’ve been thinking. I want to take an RV and travel to every National Park. It’s always seemed like an impossible dream. THAT would be my excellent adventure.”
I said, “That’s great. Don’t be attached to it having to look a certain way. Be open to creative ways to manifest what you want.” Mark agreed and every day started looking at his book with the beautiful photographs. He started talking with people, too.
Yesterday Mark came to my get-together at Starbucks. He was brimming with excitement. When it was his turn to speak, he said he’d met someone with an RV who wants to do the same thing but is looking for a traveling companion. He still needs to work out some financial things – but it seems like he’s getting his ducks in a row quickly. Kudos to you, Mark! You are making it happen.
Another Excellent Adventure Get-together at Starbucks
Published July 20, 2010 | Yesterday I met at Starbucks with another group of aspiring adventurers. Boy, did we have fun! The purpose of these get-togethers is providing support for people ready to re-design their lives. Its about making big shifts and creating new life grooves.
We met at the Starbucks in the Chinatown area of Las Vegas. Believe it or not, Vegas has it’s own Chinatown area. I wanted to meet there because going to China and walking The Great Wall is on my “bucket list.”
We pulled a couple tables together and got our beverages. This time of year it’s too hot to drink anything other than an iced Passion Tea, for me anyway. Although there was an Iced Chai in the group, and, Ernie got a Vivanno smoothie.
We talked about our excellent adventures. We talked about the shifts we needed to make it happen. When you have commitments and a certain way of doing things it takes conscious effort to change. We also discussed creative ways to make it happen faster: from house-sharing to sleeping on trains (my husband’s favorite) to finding work along the way to provide funds.
What always amazes me is the sense of ebullient hope people show at these events. Everyone around the table yesterday has struggled with the economy the last couple years. From job layoffs, to down-sizing homes, to a recent divorce and a woman who gets around town by bus because she doesn’t own a car. Yet, I didn’t hear a single complaint. Not one moan about the recession. 
Instead, the conversation was about using the unexpected changes in our lives as a catalyst for positive growth. Turn lemons into lemonade. Rising from who you are now and gradually be, do, have something different. Totally different. It’s about your willingness to get out of your comfort zone. From an insurance agent who wants to be a life coach to a psychic who wants to write a book and travel the world.
I was proud of my group yesterday. Everyone who came is looking the right direction so they can thrive anew.
Are we a little crazy? Sure. We may drink the same iced coffee or Frappucino as the folks in suits rushing off to their jobs. But that’s where the similarity ends. We’re making happiness our aim. We’re redefining it in ways that happiness isn’t about the stuff you own. It’s about the experiences you have and the ways you share.
Join me at the next Excellent Adventure get-together coming soon.
All the best,
Denise Michaels
Author, ‘Testosterone-Free Marketing’
PS: Next month, I’m planning to put together a small tour of Starbucks in Southern California. I’ll be doing Excellent Adventure get-togethers. Want to meet and enjoy a get-together at a Starbucks near you? Can you gather a nice group of people looking to re-design their life? Let me know. I may put your city on my “tour.”
“Old Spice Guy” and a Changing World
Published July 19, 2010 | Back in the day – the average person didn’t have access to media. They talked at us. We either listened, listened and purchased or turned the channel. Now, it’s a whole new ball game.
Until recently Old Spice was a tired, old brand. Enter some new ads (seen largely as YouTube videos)
featuring hunka, hunka burnin’ chocolate love former NFL wide receiver Isaiah Mustafa. So far so good. The videos are going crazy on YouTube.
Here’s where it shifts. Old Spice asked people to submit questions to Old Spice guy. One guy asked if he’d propose to his girlfriend. He did.
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-fLV28SkZ8 (If the link doesn’t work, copy and paste it into your browser window.)
The proposal video featuring Old Spice guy’s been online six days and has over 736,000 views. What does this mean? The average person has access to getting a message out in ways that were formerly impossible.
When my book was released, I wanted like crazy to get on Oprah and other national shows. Unfortunately, my crackpot publisher (don’t ask!) didn’t get distribution to major booksellers – so, no national TV exposure. I struggled, but made “Testosterone-Free Marketing” a business bestseller with internet sales – so it’s all good.
People ask, “When will you write another book?” Or, “When will you go BIG?”
My aim is to write and hopefully help people that way. It doesn’t have to be a book – but I do want to get paid. If I have an idea for a book I must write – I will. The world’s changing. Lately, I’m happy blogging, writing articles, etc. I can create a following using social media. When that following is big enough, I can get paid without being in bookstores or getting on Oprah.
Visit your average bookseller. What do you see? Books written by celebrities and wannabes. People with a big platform of fans growing bigger. People seen in Hollywood, reality TV, politics, or, they’ve had bestsellers out for decades. This is where the majority of book contracts go. Where are the thoughtful, intriguing books written by an unknown author that make you think and discover new ideas? They’re buried or never make it into print. Without promoting the right way – well, fuddegaboudit.
Recently I met a woman who paid $65,000 for a package that promised support getting her book written, published, promoted and a bunch of bells and whistles. The guru who sold her the package fell short. But that’s not the point. People are desperate to crack the code on becoming known.
Create an Internet following and your own platform. Become a known expert on twitter, your fan page or your blog. Don’t wish and hope for national TV exposure. Build your following, your tribe, one happy fan at a time. And, do it from your laptop or Ipad while enjoying an excellent adventure.
Posted in Adjusting to Change, Excellent Adventure, Marketing Adventures, News You Can Use | blog, book, change, Internet, marketing, platform, struggle | 2 CommentsWatch for New Excellent Changes
Published July 17, 2010 | Hello Excellent Adventure Seekers:
Just wanted to let you know – you’ll start seeing changes around here pretty soon. I’ve hired the lovely and talented Kim Smith of Grand Rapids MI to make my blog a lot more cool and excellent looking. So far, she’s a dream to work with and I’m impressed with her professionalism.
The quality of the content you see around here won’t change – that’s all done by me. But I’ve been wanting the site to look a lot better and I believe I’ve found the perfect person to help me do it. I want to make this site somewhat congruent and consistent with my other websites – but I also want it to embrace the idea of an excellent adventure and open possibilities.
Kim can be found on Facebook or go to http://www.dramatic-design.com/ for more info about her excellent work. Thanks Kim! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
All the best,
Denise Michaels
Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”
Director, “Denise Michaels Excellent Adventure”
Welcome!
Dedicated to every 40+ person still kickin' it. If you have dreams and adventures you refuse to abandon - follow me on the journey. Life is one big adventure! Make yours excellent.
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