CURRENT EVENTS

Back In the USA

By Chuck Berry

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

This small and easy to read book contains many insights that you may find helpful. For instance, “They are wise who can see what is good in what they dislike and can see what is bad in what they like.”

The Human Element

By Thomas Cleary

Insightful lessons from the great traditions of Asian thought on:

   •  The essentials of wise leadership
   •  Decision-making without prejudice
   •  Inspiring loyalty and maintaining authority
   •  Determining an individual’s true character
   •  Encouraging the best in people
   •  Achieving success without sacrificing happiness

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I was in Shield’s Restaurant Bar Pizzeria in Troy, MI and saw this hockey jersey autographed by the Hanson Brothers hanging on the wall.

So this week’s films are:

Slap Shot (1977)

This film is so good.

Slap Shot 2 (2002)

Not even close to being as good as the first Slap Shot, but you get to see a little of the Hanson Brothers in action.

Slap Shot 3 (2008)

With all respect for the Hanson Brothers, this film is not worth watching.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

She Say (Oom Dooby Doom) (1959)

By The Diamonds

Some of you may be wondering how did these guys do in the music industry. Well, according to Wikipedia: The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet that rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with 16 Billboard hit records. In a strange way, I think they are pretty cool.

ART OF THE WEEK

Many have not asked how did World Famous Chef Ronaldo got his start. Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.

You may be surprised that Chef Ronaldo did not start out as a chef. He originally started working as a house painter. When he finished his first touch up job on a ceiling, his employer suggested he wasn’t really cut out to be a house painter and that perhaps he should try cooking. 

Well the employer was right and the rest is history. After much effort, I have located a photo of the celling Chef Ronaldo worked on and I thought you folks might be interested in seeing it.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

The Hanson Brothers

The Hanson Brothers are best remembered for:

• starting fights
• interrupting the coach in the locker room during pre-game speeches with overzealous shouting
• wearing extremely thick nerd glasses
• childishly playing with toy cars and trucks in their hotel room, although the brothers range in age from 18 to 20

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

APF Wolverine Open

This will be my last contest in the Masters 7 (70 to 74 year-old) category. I wish I could say I was going to finish strong, but I’m not back to where I was at for the AAPF Nationals in May. However, I want to support local powerlifting contests so I’m in it.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Here is an interesting perspective.

I hope it helps you make minor irritations more bearable.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Comparing

LEARNING TRAITS

Smart vs. Wise

MISCELLANEOUS

George Orwell

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

I was hoping the presidential election would put an end to all the divisiveness, but I think the media, politicians and others have too much to gain from encouraging people to hate one another.

This is for those of you who say no to hate, no to fear and no to separating us from one another.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Source: Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

I’m in the process of making the final corrections to this manuscript, so I really haven’t done much reading this week.

Uncle Tony’s Tips for Middle Management

By Wm. Allen

I expect to have it published before the end of this year.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’m now on episode 2 of Season 2 of The Good Place and this is one of the consistently funny series I have ever watched. However, I do like Season 1 a bit better than Season 2; nevertheless, I am still enjoying the series.

The Good Place (Season 1)

Follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell, “House of Lies,” “Veronica Mars”), an ordinary woman who enters the afterlife, and thanks to some kind of error, is sent to the Good Place instead of the Bad Place (which is definitely where she belongs). While hiding in plain sight from Good Place Architect Michael (Ted Danson — “Cheers,” “CSI” — in an Emmy Award-nominated performance), she’s determined to shed her old way of living and earn her spot.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Now that summer has arrived,

this seemed like a good choice for this week.

Summer Time Blues (1958)

By Eddie Cochran

ART OF THE WEEK

Time to start getting my fountains in working order. Here is my grey fountain, which stands in the middle of my mushroom garden.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

Disciplined People

For decades and decades we have been trying to help the less fortunate by throwing money at them. It seems to me after all this time, we have as many dependent people as ever, if not more.

It takes discipline to eat healthy and exercise.

It takes discipline to not quit your job when you work for a jerk, until you find a better job.

It takes discipline to control your addictive tendencies

It takes discipline to save money and not spend everything you have or worse spend more money than you have.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

Food Philosophy

Another reason why Chef Ronaldo is world famous is because he invented “Food Philosophy”.

Here is a sample of his “Food Philosophy” work.

SOCIAL TRAITS

On-Line Dating

On-line dating may not work out for everyone, but it did for this couple.

LEARNING TRAITS

I’m going to try to force myself to believe that the people who want to defund the police have good intentions; however, I feel they don’t foresee the outcome of their actions.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier

By Jakob Walter

The life of a soldier in an army at war is rather harsh from the stories I have heard first hand from those that fought in WWII. This diary seems very real from what I have heard and it gives you in my opinion a good idea of what being in war can be like. I’m not sure if it is any better today and in my time the Vietnam War experience was horrible for so many.

If you are curious what war time soldiers go through, I think this book will give you an idea.

Eighteen-year-old German stonemason Jakob Walter served in the Grand Army of Napoleon between 1806 and 1813. His diary intimately records his trials: the long, grueling marches in Prussia and Poland, the disastrous Russian campaign, and the demoralizing defeat in a war few supported or understood. It is at once a compelling chronicle of a young soldier’s loss of innocence and an eloquent and moving portrait of the profound effects of all wars on the men who fight them.

“Vivid and gruesome … but also a story of human fortitude. … It reminds us that the troops Napoleon drove so mercilessly were actually more victims than victors—a side of Napoleon that should not be forgotten.”

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

If you like quirky films, this is a good one. The only thing that could have made this film better would be a cameo appearance by Bill Murray. If you understand what I meant by the Bill Murray comment, you will really like this film. If not, you may not like the film. 

French Exit

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

In 1967, there were 486,000 American troops in Vietnam, I was one of those 486,000.

Fortunate Son

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

ART OF THE WEEK

We all know World Famous Chef Ronaldo is an artist when it comes to cooking up exotic dishes for the wealthy and famous.

However, I had no idea Chef Ronaldo could create something like this.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

The military personnel who have died

in the performance of their military duties while serving in

the United States Armed Forces.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

Will return next week

PHYSICAL TRAITS

For instances, many health issues are caused by excessive weight, many mental problems are caused by addiction. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

Sarcasm Doesn’t Get You Anywhere

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Losing weight and keeping it off is one of the hardest things I know of to accomplish. And yet being over-weight is believed to be related to heart attacks, need for joint replacements and increased likelihood of harm from diseases such as the Coronavirus.

There are so many approaches to losing weight, many of which are so complicated that most of you will tire of the approach and regain the weight you initially lost, if not gain even more weight than when you started.

This approach by Adam Thrall is rather simple and just may work.

Five Tips for Losing Weight

By Adam Thrall

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Autobiography and Other Writings

By Benjamin Franklin

This is the particular copy of the Franklin autobiography that I have; but, I suspect any Franklin autobiography would be well worth reading whether or not it contained other writings.

There is an incredible amount of good advice in this autobiography that will benefit you and society if you will act upon it.

A fascinating and unconventionally educated man, Benjamin Franklin imparts—in his own words—wisdom and remarkable life lessons on the art of living with great personal integrity (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I just finished watching all 43 episodes of this revival of Rod Serling’s classic show. There are some good episodes in the collection, but I thought many were rather pedestrian.  My favorite was “Memphis”, about a law clerk with six months left to live due to an inoperable brain tumor finds himself transported back in time to Memphis, Tennessee on the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

The show was cancelled after its first season and to be honest I was rather glad when I made it through the very last episode. 

The Twilight Zone

Narrated by Forest Whitaker

The Twilight Zone is the second of three revivals of Rod Serling’s original 1959–64 television series. It aired for one season on the UPN network, with actor Forest Whitaker assuming Serling’s role as narrator and on-screen host. It premiered on September 18, 2002, and aired its final episode on May 21, 2003. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I  Want A New Drug

By Huey Lewis and The News

(Ed Sullivan Show – Oct. 28, 1956)

ART OF THE WEEK

We Are All Works of Art

The only question is how good of an artist do you wish to be.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Chef Ronaldo

There is a lot more to being a world famous chef like Chef Ronaldo than many may think. Most people think it is just about hanging out with celebrities and whipping up a few exotic dishes once in a while. Well, yes that is true.

But there is a lot of other more mundane things to being a world class chef such as interviewing people to staff your world-class restaurants. Here is a photo of Chef Ronaldo conducting an interview.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Gyms

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Presidential Candidates

If you have been around very long, you know that politicians and political parties change over time. As these politicians and political parties change, perhaps your allegiance to them should be reconsidered to see if they continue to serve your best interests.

LEARNING TRAITS

In and Out of Your Control

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Body  Book

By Cameron Diaz

This book came out in 2014, but I think what it says is still very valid and I believe it could inspire you to try to live a healthier, happier and longer life.

Grounded in science and informed by real life, The Body Bookoffers a comprehensive overview of the human body and mind, from the cellular level up. From demystifying and debunking the hype around food groups to explaining the value of vitamins and minerals, readers will discover why it’s so important to embrace the instinct of hunger and to satisfy it with whole, nutrient-dense foods. Cameron also explains the essential role of movement, the importance of muscle and bone strength and why we need to sweat a little every day. (Source: GoodReads)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I just watched this movie again while on the treadmill and I still enjoy watching it every so often. A few years ago, I watched part of it in an auditorium inside the actual Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, where this movie was filmed.

Somewhere In Time

Warning

The following clip is 15 minutes long, so please don’t bother watching unless you are really into this film. Also, there may be two very short commercial interruptions. Since I have mentioned this film several times over the years, rather than simply show you the trailer again, I wanted to do something a bit different. If you like this film, I think you will find this clip rewarding.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About

Somewhere in Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hey Baby

By Bruce Channel

Dancers: Nils and Bianca

ART OF THE WEEK

Artists 

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

Police Officers

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Safety Tip for Older People

Just to be safe, you may want to have a bar installed in your shower.

CHARACTER TRAITS

 

SOCIAL TRAITS

Government Spending

It seems our political leaders are very generous, giving out money to many in the USA and to world. Where does this money come from? I have heard there were two ultimate sources: taxes (e.g., income, sales, etc.) and simply printing money which results in inflation, which is said to be a tax on the poor and those on a fixed income or living off their savings.

LEARNING TRAITS

Science

At one time, people believed that the heavens revolved around the earth. They believed the world was flat. Bleeding was an acceptable medical procedure. I could go on and on, but I think you will either get the point I am trying to make or you will not.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Mask Mandates

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Re-Stocking

Here I am in Tennessee, stocking up on books

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Breathless

By Jerry Lee Lewis

ART OF THE WEEK

Cataract Falls, Smoky Mountains National Park 

Nature is an artist

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

SUNDAY’S 2021 AWPC NATIONALS WINNERS

All of the people in the above picture came in first in various AAPF powerlifting categories. You will notice that they are both young and old. The reason there are only a couple of females in the photo is because the females were scheduled to lift on another day. 

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

If you are familiar with Star Trek, I think you will enjoy this.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo’s

Chef Ronaldo knows that many of you who are trying to lose weight, also love pizza. So, Chef Ronaldo came up with this idea of how you can cut the number of pizza slices you eat in half.

CHARACTER TRAITS

There is a lot that can be learned in a gym.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Human Connections

LEARNING TRAITS

Who hasn’t said or did something in anger, that they later regretted.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

AAPF Nationals

Sorry

It was my intent to set a new AWPC World’s raw deadlift record for my age and weight. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned as you can see below:

I plan to train harder and smarter to make this 385 lbs. lift at my next contest in mid-June.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Swoly Bible

By Dom Mazzetti

This is a humorous book with a sprinkling of good hardcore gym advice throughout. Even if you aren’t into hardcore weight lifting, you may still find this book funny and if you are into hardcore weight lifting I think you will love this book.

For years bros, meatheads, and gym rats around the world have posed pressing questions: What can you bench? Can I skip leg day? What goes in this protein shake? And, importantly, do you even lift, bro? At long last, answers to these questions and more can be found in one handy volume – The Swoly Bible, written by the Internet’s favorite gym expert/literary genius, Dom Mazzetti. (Source: Back cover of the book)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

The video that goes along with this song, brings back a lot of memories for a person my age, who saw much of this via TV as it was happening

Wonderful World

By Sam Cooke

ART OF THE WEEK

Possible Revision to the Sistine Chapel 

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Good People Do Some Bad Things

and

Bad People Do Some Good Things

Al Capone started one of the first soup kitchens. In fact, preceding the passage of the Social Security Act, “soup kitchens” like the one Al Capone founded, provided the only meals that some unemployed Americans had. 

Al Capone was a gangster who made a fortune during the prohibition though bootlegging. He had a bit of the Robin Hood mystique by being charitable from some of the money he made running his criminal enterprise. Being a bootlegger (made/distributed illegal alcohol) during Prohibition during the period in the USA from 1920-1933 when alcohol was illegal) was seen as an acceptable, glamorous, even brave thing to do by the public. But it’s well-known that he had brutal methods murdering enemies, extorting local businesses, bribing public officials, intimidating witnesses.

Al Capone’s intentions were an effort to clean up his image. “120 000 meals are served by Capone Free Soup Kitchen” the Chicago Tribune headlined on December 1931. Al Capone’s soup kitchen became one of the strangest sight Chicagoans had ever seen. An army of ragged, starving men assembled three times a day beside a storefront at 935 South State Street, feasting on the largesse of Al Capone. Toasting his health. Telling the newspapers that Capone was doing more for the poor than the entire U.S. government. He was even offering some of them jobs. Capone milked his good works for all the favorable publicity they were worth. He came down and walked among the men, the wretched of the earth, offering a handshake, a hearty smile, and words of encouragement from the great Al Capone. (Source: RareHistoricalPhotos.com)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo’s

Quick Recipe for Banana Bread

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

Many  people don’t know it, but Chef Ronaldo is also very much into health. This week, Chef Ronaldo shows you how to burn 1,000 calories in just 45 minutes.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Re-reading Books

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

IL Postino (1994)

(The Postman)

If you don’t understand poetry, this entertaining movie should give you some insights. My copy of the movie is in Italian with English subtitles. If  you cannot watch a film with subtitles, you probably will not like this movie even if it were in English.

I understand the lead actor put off a heart operation to make this movie and died just before the movie was completed. Personally, I thought the actor made a wise decision, since through this movie he will live much longer.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I’m In A Hurry

By Alabama

ART OF THE WEEK

Mosaics

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Cpl. Pat Tillman, Jr.

I think it is helpful to learn about people like Cpl. Pat Tillman, Jr. He did not let money nor fear keep him from what he felt he needed to do.

Patrick Daniel Tillman Jr. (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) who left his sports career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and subsequent death, were the subject of national attention .(Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Manipulated

LEARNING TRAITS

Cats Are Great Communicators

MISCELLANEOUS

Backyard Visitor

This deer has been visiting our backyard every week or two since December.

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

We are entering grilling season and World Famous Chef Ronaldo wants everyone to participate in grilling season, including those of you that don’t have a grill.

Here is Chef Ronaldo’s solution to grilling for those of you who don’t have a grill.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This is a nice little book that might inspire you to live up to your true nature.

The Hero Code (2021)

By Admiral William H. McRaven

THE HERO CODE is Admiral McRaven’s ringing tribute to the real, everyday heroes he’s met over the years, from battlefields to hospitals to college campuses, who are doing their part to save the world. (Source: Book itself)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’m doing my best on this blog to try to be non-political, since I have no desire to offend half my audience, unlike a number of major US corporations that feel they can do nicely with half their customers. Let’s see how that works out for those corporations. 

I was unsuccessful watching a movie or show that I could recommend to you folks, so I would suggest that any show or podcast you can find with one or especially both these individuals will be well worth watching. They are funny and yet make a good deal of sense.

Tyrus & Kat

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Some good advice in this song, such as “It’s not having what you want, it’s having what you got.”

Soak Up The Sun

By Sheryl Crow

ART OF THE WEEK

Shadow Art

Shadow art is a unique form of sculptural art where the 2D shadows cast by a 3D sculpture are essential for the artistic effect.

And you can add images to the shadow

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Detroit Police Chief Craig

and 

The Citizens of Detroit

Detroit has gone through some difficult times over the years and knows something about violence. I spent the entire 1967 riots a few blocks from Woodward and Grand Blvd at Pallister St.

Over the years it has been hard to believe one day Detroit would be the example of reason and responsibility, but I believe it is. The credit goes to Detroit Police Chief Craig and The Citizens of Detroit.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig is responding to comments from US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) made in the wake of the Daunte Wright death at the hands of a white police officer in Brooklyn Center Minnesota.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I didn’t think I was that well prepared for my last contest on March 14, so I added an extra day to my training (four days a week now) and spending two to three hours each training session.

AAPF NATIONALS

I’ll know May 2, if my hard work will get me to where I want to be for this contest. Regardless, it is going to be a great experience.

I strongly recommend strength training, regardless of your age–I’m 74.

Strength training not only adds life to your years, but years to your life.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Economic Systems

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

 

CURRENT EVENTS

World Famous Chef Ronaldo

Last week for Easter, Chef Ronaldo taught us how to make holy water. This week Chef Ronaldo is going to share with us his recipe for making tea.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This book is a bit dated in a few parts, but overall it presents some good ideas for achieving a life of peace and well-being by making your life more simple.

If this book is a bit too dated for you, no doubt you can find other more current books on this topic.

Living The Simple Life (1996)

By Elaine St. James

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Watching this entertaining series among other things is a good way to learn about Prince Phillip.

The Crown

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

For your viewing pleasure, I have obtained some rare footage of Beethoven’s Second Fifth.

Beethoven’s Second Fifth

ART OF THE WEEK

Coffee Cups

I thought these coffee cups were interesting

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark; 10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021) was a member of the British royal family as the husband of Elizabeth II.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Overeating

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Photo IDs

Georgia’s new voting law requires a drivers’ license or state ID number be listed to submit an absentee ballot to vote, among other new reforms. The state already required ID to vote in person. It had previously relied on signature matching to verify ballots.

Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey issued a statement Wednesday night saying the company is “disappointed in the outcome of the Georgia voting legislation.”

And yet Coca-Cola required a valid photo ID for admission to their shareholder meeting.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls