HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY RETRO KIMMER'S BLOG!!!

Kim is a talented and widely-respected writer, show promoter and storyteller. She has been in the center of the Motor City Rock scene for decades (having been born in Ypsilanti, MI and raised on alt-rock, blues, Motown and country music) and works with some of the region’s top talents, including  her friend and partner Machine Gun Thompson (of MC5), Niagara Detroit, Scott Richardson, Steve Hunter, Dick Wagner, Deniz Tek and many more stellar artists. (Chris Cordani Revenge of the 80s Radio)

The Retro Kimmer Blog is not just about music. She writes about many topics, taking us back through the 1960s and 70s with posts about art, scandals, crime, stars, books, and people with intriguing stories. Kim’s blog is informative, interesting, and (as George IV, the Prince Regent from Blackadder III would say) “a cracking good read.”

10 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU'RE BORED

Boredom is something everyone among us gets into occasionally, and that’s not because we lack things to do. Turning these dull moments into something interesting is possible if you think about things that you could engross yourself in to brush off the boredom. There are many ideas you could pursue in this case, and most of them include activities that could help you improve yourself. Below are some of the most amazing things you could do when you are bored that might help to improve your life.

1 Try a new recipe

One of the best ways you could get rid of boredom is to try something new which is also challenging. A perfect idea you could embrace for this is trying a new recipe, probably including ingredients and a method you are not familiar with. The best to try includes foreign meals that could help improve your culinary mastery. Google is your friend when you need to locate new recipes that are exciting to try, and before the meal is ready, you will discover that the boredom would have been cleared.

2 Practice video editing

The web offers many resources that you could use to learn how to edit video content for distribution through social channels. There are many tools available for this and one that I could encourage you to try is the Freemake Video Converter. It helps you convert your videos to good formats and you could also take care of size if your content will be uploaded online. You can find out how to use it here. When bored, you could learn a lot about editing your videos to the quality standards that would match perfect content for online distribution. Maybe this could be the start of your journey to greatness as a vlogger or digital marketer.

3 Take a relaxing bath

It’s also possible the reason you are feeling bored is because you are weary and need to freshen up. To find out, just try a relaxing bath and you might just get a chance to relax as you prepare to go on with your tasks. Put on some music and get into the shower for some warm bath. This way, you can enjoy a soothing experience that will leave you refreshed and ready to face more of your routine tasks.

4 Enjoy some video games

Nothing grabs your attention better than a video game. You have to keep your mind engaged to pass all the stages, so for someone who is bored playing a video game could be an awesome way to fight boredom. Just look for one that has a tough challenge that will require you to coordinate your effort and put in a lot of work and you will find that the experience will help you to stay alert afterwards. There are many types of games available that suit this situation including 3D Car Simulator, LetterPress, and Slither. Just choose a game you love or pick a new challenge to learn a new game.

5 Call an old friend

Instead of just staring blankly in space wondering what you should do when bored, you could call one of your old friends who you have not spoken to in a long while. Relationships are important in your life and the best way to rekindle the bond is to keep the conversation going. Calling an old friend comes with a lot of excitement and both of you will be happy to hear about each other, and in most cases such conversations span a long period. After the call, the satisfaction that comes with talking with an old friend will get you charged up again to face your duties.

6 Start a blog

Another idea you could pursue would be starting a blog, specifically a WordPress hosted blog. Just head over at WordPress and create a blog, and you can pick one of the many available templates. It does not matter whether you will create any content on the same day, but getting started will really help you start engaging your thought process in creative ways. A blog is a perfect way to speak your mind and will help you improve your writing skills.

7 Flip through old family photos

Photos are a good way to store memories and could give you a nostalgic feeling. When bored, you could try to kick the boredom out by going through your family’s photo collection, even those from your childhood. This will bring fond memories and will help you stay focused afterwards.

8 Take a power nap

Sleeping has been proved scientifically to have health benefits, so if you are bored instead of just spending time prolonging the boredom why don’t you try some power nap? This will allow you to rest and after you get up your body will have new energy. Don’t force yourself to remain alert even when you are feeling exhausted and unable to concentrate on anything. Sleep will solve this quite perfectly and this will cost you nothing.

9 Go for a walk

Probably it would be better if you get out for some walk. This will keep you busy and your mind will be brought to new realities and you can meet new people and start conversations. Get out and explore regions you have not been to before or for a long time.

10 Watch comedy on YouTube

Lastly, try watching some comedy on one of your favorite YouTube channels. Laughter is a good way to refresh your mind and it helps to restore your energy, so when bored try to catch up with new episodes of the comedy you love. You could also watch new comedy channels that you have never tried before and subscribe to the ones that excite you the most.

Boredom is an opportunity to do something new or even try to keep yourself occupied with something that could help improve your life. There are many things you could try when bored and a few have been listed above that are also easy to implement.

HAPPY 6TH ANNIVERSARY RETRO KIMMER Q & A BY JACKIE WALLACE

Happy Anniversary Retrokimmer!

by Jackie Wallace

Original Logo Art by Gullacass

“It all started out of boredom. I realized, I can’t dance, I can’t sing, and I can’t draw... I needed to find a creative way to express myself, so I began blogging.”
Retrokimmer

If Barbra Walters had a list of Detroit’s top ten most fascinating people, I have no doubt that Retrokimmer would be on that list. She is recognized as one of the most successful bloggers in Michigan and now nationwide.

Within six years, Retrokimmer’s site has gone from zero to over 2,000,000 visitors. I met Kim a little over a year ago at a music event in Ann Arbor. We connected instantly. Shortly after, I realized that she connects instantly with many people, over 2,000,000 to be exact.

Kim has carved out a niche and created a brand that demonstrates power. A combination of her sometimes rebellious personality, along with her curiosity, and the ability to be an engaging conversationalist, are the traits that I believe give her a competitive edge and are also a direct reflection of her diverse blogging.

To celebrate Retrokimmer’s six year anniversary, I suggested that we do a Q & A about the evolution of Retrokimmer.

 The beginning with blogging partnerand masseuse Kato

JW. The question everyone seems to want to know about you is how it all started?

RK. It all came about by being bored one night and trying to find my own form of entertainment. I helped a friend set up a Myspace page and another one set up her own blog. It dawned on me that I was pretty good at creating and setting up pages and I enjoyed it. I decided to set one up for myself.

JW. How did you decide what you were going to write about when you started out?

RK. It wasn’t anything I planned ahead. I really just started sharing random stories and people were responding.

JW. How would you describe your page?

RK. I see myself as being into Vintage Pop Culture. I am fascinated with the transition from one era to the next.

JW. Do you have a favorite era?

RK. The Sixties. I love everything about that era, the music, the clothes, and the hairstyles. It was a colorful time. RK started as a blog about Mod fashion and evolved into Crime, Music, News, History, Collectibles, and so much more....

JW. Your site has had over 2,330,000 visitors from around the world. How did that happen?

RK. Traffic comes from content...to make a successful blog you have to post everyday. Feed the beast you might say....The more you feed it with high octane fuel, the more it grows.

JW. When did you realize the impact of Retrokimmer in the entertainment world?

RK. I had an ‘emotional moment a few years ago, when I went to work the Detroit Music Awards. During the main event, I went down to the main floor to get close to the stage. My goal was to shoot photos of my friend Patti Quatro. As I snaked my way through the round VIP tables I heard my name being whispered. When I finished shooting and turned to go back to my seat...all kinds of music people were waiting tp hug me! They were thanking me.. I was really teary eyed when I got back to my seat.....It was so lovely to know that my blog was helping people promote their dreams.

JW. You have been a great supporter of the local music scene and you have also been credited for resurrecting the careers of former musicians. I know you get asked often to make appearances. How do you decided what bands or events you will attend?

RK. I have always been an advocate for local talent. I want to support people with their dreams, and I like being the link on the chain that leads to their success. I wish I could go to every event but that’s not feasible. I will go if I am a huge fan of the people involved. Otherwise, I attend in spirit!

JW. Is this why they call you “The fairy godmother of Detroit rock and roll?”

RK. I don't know...maybe it is because I love ART....writers, musicians, painters, singers, dancers, any kind of creativity turns me on.

JW. You get a lot of juicy gossip about people, but I noticed you don’t write about it. Doesn’t gossip sell?

RK. Yes I do hear the gossip but I am about entertaining the reader. I care more about promoting talent then selling “the dirt”. It’s not worth it for me.

JW. With Retro Kimmer being so successful, why did you start other sites like Machine Gun Thompson's Blog and  Detroit RocknRoll Magazine?

RK. Blogging for just myself is too solitary. I really crave collaboration with talented people. Being part of a team is so important. My partner in blogging was Dennis Thompson. His input and advice was crucial to launching RK and he continues to inspire me and he's my dear friend.

There were so many talented people who inspired and taught me so much... Stanley T. Madhatter (RIP), Deniz Tek, Art and Steve Godoy, Scott Morgan, Niagara Detroit and the Colonel, Carl Lundgren, Skid Marx, Rick Ruiner, Rob King, Ron Cooke, Tino Gross, Jim Harper, Johnny Bee Badanjek, Ivan Kral, Al King, Chris Taylor, the Motorcity Rah Rahs..the list of people who helped me is endless. I sincerely thank them all for their generosity of spirit.

JW. Your success is transferring across the planet. You were recently contacted by Dick Clark Producutions regarding promotion of The American Music Awards in L.A.  How cool is that?

RK. Really cool! I am excited about taking on more mainstream promotion jobs and hope to work with them on their many other projects! It really is so exciting every morning to check my email and see what cool opportunities that may come in overnight...I love my work!

My first business postcard, Art by Carl Lundgren, Gullacass and myself

JW. I happen to know that you were contacted by another LA company for a big campaign that you will be a part of. Can you elaborate?

RK. ZeusVision has a radically new outdoor advertising option. They have these amazing double decker buses and anyone can place their ad on them for an affordable price! It is revolutionary! Read more about ZeusVision HERE

JW. Anything else people should know about you?

RK. I think they know quite a bit already......LOL ;) THANK YOU JACKIE!!

THANK YOU TO MY MOM, MY KID, RHONDA, ROBIN!! LOVE YOU GUYS