CURRENT EVENTS

Having A Hard Time Finding A Halloween Costume

I know the following does not apply to all of us, but it does to some of us.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Dracula

By Bram Stoker

Illustrated by Matt Pagett

I think graphic novels are terrific. The are a great way to introduce young people to some classic literature.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

These scary old black and white films are so worth watching at this time of the year.

Dracula (1931)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This is month is Halloween, I thought the music of the week should have a Halloween theme.

I’m In Love With A Monster (From Hotel Transylvania 2)

By Fifth Harmony

ART OF THE WEEK

I thought this was very creative, plus a good use of old tires.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Boris Karloff

William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor who was primarily known for his roles in horror films. He portrayed Frankenstein’s monster in Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). He also appeared as Imhotep in The Mummy (1932).

His mother’s maternal aunt was Anna Leonowens, whose tales about life in the royal court of Siam (now Thailand) were the basis of the musical The King and I. Pratt was bow-legged, had a lisp, and stuttered as a young boy. He conquered his stutter, but not his lisp, which was noticeable throughout his career in the film industry. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

(Note: You may have to enlarge the photo below)

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

So many live in a world of immediate gratification,

without realizing the price they will pay in the future.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

l’ve had days like this.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’ve been watching the seven seasons (I’m wrapping up season six) of Star Trek: The Next Generation, when I decided to watch the four Next Generation feature films. I liked each one better than the prior one.

Star Trek Generations (1994)

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard commands the newest incarnation of the U.S.S. Enterprise, investigating a disaster at an outlying settlement. The catastrophe’s sole survivor is Dr. Tolian Soran, who has malevolent plans to use an energy field called the Nexus. (Source: Netflix)

Star Trek First Contact (1996)

The Borg have time-traveled to Earth’s past to prevent the first contact between humans and Vulcans, which resulted in the Federation’s birth. Bent on revenge, Picard follows the Borg to the 21st century. (Source: Netflix)

Star Trek Insurrection (1998)

Capt. Picard and the Enterprise crew head to a mysterious world where metaphasic radiation has halted the aging process of its citizens. There, they work to unravel a conspiracy that would harness the planet’s power. (Source: Netflix)

Star Trek Nemesis (2002)

With longtime foes the Romulans at last willing to negotiate peace with the Federation, the Enterprise and its crew are dispatched on a diplomatic mission. But it’s all a ruse that will pit them against a wily villain with a sinister agenda. (Source: Netflix)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This is month is Halloween, I thought the music of the week should have a Halloween theme.

Werewolves of London (1978)

By Warren Zevon

ART OF THE WEEK

The Ohio Deadlift bar is truly a work of art and arguably the world’s best deadlift bar. I’m pleased to say that there are four of them, all privately owned, at the Royal Oak gym, where I work out.

One of those four deadlift bars is mine.

Privately owned bars are kept under lock and key.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Bela Lugosi

Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (20 October 1882 – 16 August 1956), better known as Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian-American actor best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 film and for his roles in other horror films.

In 1927, he appeared as Count Dracula in a Broadway adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. He later appeared in the 1931 film Dracula directed by Tod Browning and produced by Universal Pictures. Through the 1930s, he occupied an important niche in horror films, with their East European setting, but his Hungarian accent limited his potential casting, and he unsuccessfully tried to avoid typecasting. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

If you believe the 80/20 rule, we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, but the following does make a point.

CHARACTER TRAITS

It’s a Great Day to Be Alive

By Travis Tritt

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Drug Testing Is Getting More and More Common

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

So many parents pick their children up from school or wait at the school bus stop for their child. I thought that family love of their children was so touching that I decided to post a clip of such a situation.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I found this Malcolm Gladwell book, like his other books, worth reading; although to me it was not his best book. If you have never read Malcolm Gladwell, you may want to start with some of his earlier books.

Talking to Strangers

By Malcolm Gladwell

How did Fidel Castro fool the CIA for a generation? Why did Neville Chamberlain think he could trust Adolf Hitler? Why are campus sexual assaults on the rise? Do television sitcoms teach us something about the way we relate to each other that isn’t true? 

He revisits the deceptions of Bernie Madoff, the trial of Amanda Knox, the suicide of Sylvia Plath, the Jerry Sandusky pedophilia scandal at Penn State University, and the death of Sandra Bland – throwing our understanding of these and other stories into doubt. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I normally don’t care for animated films, plus this is a very strange movie. Regardless, I am glad I watched this film.

Waking Life

Director Richard Linklater’s animated film follows a young man as he floats in and out of philosophical discussions with a succession of eccentrics and passionate thinkers, all the while uncertain whether he’s conscious or dreaming. (Source: Netflix)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Burning Love

By Elvis with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

ART OF THE WEEK

This may be the most impressive building I have ever been in.

Basilica de la Sagrada Famila in Barcelona

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica in Barcelona, Catalonia. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).

On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.

Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Família’s construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In July 1936, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt and broke their way into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí’s original plans, drawings and plaster models, which led to 16 years work to piece together the fragments of the master model. Construction resumed to intermittent progress in the 1950s. Advancements in technologies have since enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. It is anticipated that the building can be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Ken Shelton

That is Ken in the blue shirt to the right of me. I don’t think there was ever a better guy than Ken. After he retired from the company, I taped up a picture of him behind my desk so that he would be looking over my shoulder and remind me to treat people like he would have treated them. I didn’t live up to his standard, but I was better for trying.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I’ve used this video before. but I just cannot help myself. Especially since the Song of The Week is by Elvis, so here it is again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all go through life without hurtin nobody.

Ain’t Hurtin Nobody

John Price

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Unfaithful

I’m dedicating this week’s topic under Social Traits to all your folks out there who have experienced the pain of an unfaithful spouse.

My second wife ran off with my best friend.

I don’t think I ever got over it.

I still miss that guy.

LEARNING TRAITS

This is an example of creativity.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Who Is This Guy?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I’ve mentioned this book a little over three years ago. Last week I was reviewing it again, and I still find it contains some very good advice.

Winning By Losing

By Jillian Michaels

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I started watching this series and thought it was interesting. Perhaps, you might also find it interesting; if you like country music.

Country Music

A Film by Ken Burns

Explore the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music. Country Music features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. The eight-part 16-hour series is directed and produced by Ken Burns; written and produced by Dayton Duncan; and produced by Julie Dunfey.

Country Music explores questions –– such as “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?“–– while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people. (Source: PBS)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I had forgotten all about this song until I saw it in my friend Samantha’s Playlist on her blog. Thanks Samantha.

Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car

By Billy Ocean

ART OF THE WEEK

Windmill Lawn decoration that I assembled.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Sam Walton

Samuel Moore Walton (March 29, 1918 – April 5, 1992) was an American businessman and entrepreneur best known for founding the retailers Walmart and Sam’s Club. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. grew to be the world’s largest corporation by revenue as well as the biggest private employer in the world. In 1998, Walton was included in Time‘s list of 100 most influential people of the 20th Century. Forbes ranked Sam Walton as the richest person in the United States from 1982-88.

Growing up during the Great Depression, he did chores to help make financial ends meet for his family as was common at the time. He milked the family cow, bottled the surplus, and drove it to customers. Afterwards, he would deliver Columbia Daily Tribune newspapers on a paper route. In addition, he sold magazine subscriptions. Upon graduating from David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, he was voted “Most Versatile Boy”.

After high school, Walton attended the University of Missouri as an ROTC cadet. During this time, he worked various odd jobs, including waiting tables in exchange for meals. Upon graduating in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, he was voted “permanent president” of the class.

He elaborated that he learned from a very early age that it was important for them as kids to help provide for the home, to be contributors rather than takers. 

Walton joined J. C. Penney as a management trainee in Des Moines, Iowa, three days after graduating from college. Walton spent approximately 18 months with J. C. Penney. He resigned in 1942 in anticipation of being inducted into the military for service in World War II. Walton joined the military in the U.S. Army. He eventually reached the rank of captain.

(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

In addition, keep in mind that when you describe others; you are often  describing yourself.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

I encourage you to see your own country as well as the rest of the world. Here is a video clip of pictures that Carol took when we visited Ireland, back in 2016. I hope it encourages you to visit places, especially somewhere you haven’t been to before. I hope to return to Ireland next year for the AWPC world powerlifting competition.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Eddie Money

(March 21, 1949 – September 13, 2019)

Eddie Money, the prolific singer and songwriter whose songs “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” and “Take Me Home Tonight” soundtracked popular music in the 1980s, has died after being diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer (Source: Variety on Twitter)

Take Me Home Tonight

By Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector

perform on Late Show with David Letterman on October 6, 1988.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

If you want to participate in the extreme sport of aging, I recommend you read this book or some other book about strength training for older people. Personally, I think 40 is a bit young; but if you are 60 or older you really need to make sure you are strong. 

The Barbell Prescription

Strength Training for Life After 40

By Jonathon M. Sullivan & Andy Baker

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’ve watched or more accurately, I’ve tried to watch, some films so I could recommend one to you; but, I was only able to finish one of the films. I certainly couldn’t recommend it to you. I would have never watched it; except that Snoop Dog was in the film. So, perhaps you want to check out some travel videos.

Rick Steves’ Travel Videos

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Another great loss this week.

Ric Ocasek

Lead Singer of The Cars

Shake It Up

By The Cars

ART OF THE WEEK

The Many Faces of Mona Lisa

#1 Before & After Mona

#2 Public Transportation Mona

#3 Vulcan Mona

#4 Relaxing Mona

#5 Monday Mona

#6 Sexy Mona

#7 Pirate Mona

#8 Traveling Mona

#9 Drinking Mona

#10 Actual Mona

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Quanah Parker

Quanah Parker (c. 1845 or 1852 – February 20, 1911) was a war leader of the Quahadi (“Antelope”) band of the Comanche Nation. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, an Anglo-American, who had been kidnapped as a child and assimilated into the tribe.

Following the apprehension of several Kiowa chiefs in 1871, Quanah emerged as a dominant figure in the Red River War. With European-Americans deliberately hunting American bison, the Comanches’ primary sustenance, into extinction, Quanah eventually surrendered and peaceably led the Quahadi to the reservation at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Quanah Parker was never elected chief by his people but was appointed by the federal government as principal chief of the entire Comanche Nation, and became a primary emissary of southwest indigenous Americans to the United States legislature.

In civilian life, he gained wealth as a rancher, settling near Cache, Oklahoma. Though he encouraged Christianization of Comanche people, he also advocated the Native American Church alternative, and passionately fought for the legal use of peyote in the movement’s religious practices. He was elected deputy sheriff of Lawton in 1902. After his death in 1911, the leadership title of Chief was replaced with Chairman; Quanah is thereby described as the “Last Chief of the Comanche”.

He is buried at Chief’s Knoll on Fort Sill. Many cities and highway systems in southwest Oklahoma and north Texas, once southern Comancheria, bear references to his name. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

You may have to be a Star Trek fan to get this one.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

This may be unpleasant to some, but it is something you need to think about.

Ain’t The Way to Die

By Eminem/Rihanna/ZDoggMD.com

An advance healthcare directive, also known as living will, personal directive, advance directive, medical directive or advance decision, is a legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity. In the U.S. it has a legal status in itself, whereas in some countries it is legally persuasive without being a legal document. (Source: Wikipedia)

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

I encourage you to see your own country as well as the rest of the world. Here is a video clip of pictures that Carol took when we visited San Antonio, Texas, back in 2017. I hope it encourages you to visit places, especially somewhere you haven’t been to before. 

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Atlantic Hurricanes

Hurricane Dorian has caused so much damage and suffering, that I thought we should know more about these Atlantic Hurricanes

An Atlantic hurricane or tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Atlantic Ocean, usually between the months of June and November.

A hurricane differs from a cyclone or typhoon only on the basis of location. A hurricane is a storm that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean, a typhoon occurs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and a cyclone occurs in the south Pacific or Indian Ocean.

Tropical cyclones can be categorized by intensity. Tropical storms have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph, while hurricanes have one-minute maximum sustained winds exceeding 74 mph.

Most North Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes form between June 1 and November 30. 

In recent times, tropical disturbances that reach tropical storm intensity are named from a predetermined list. Hurricanes that result in significant damage or casualties may have their names retired from the list at the request of the affected nations in order to prevent confusion should a subsequent storm be given the same name.

On average, in the North Atlantic basin (from 1966 to 2009) 11.3 named storms occur each season, with an average of 6.2 becoming hurricanes and 2.3 becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater). The climatological peak of activity is around September 10 each season. (Source: Wikipedia)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I’ve written a rough copy of another book that is  currently being reviewed by  subject matter experts that I personally know to be the best at what they do. I also have a couple of professionals helping me clean up my grammar. I hope to have it available sometime next year.

When I came across this cartoon below, I felt I just had to pass it on to you folks..

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I’ve been re-watching this entire seven season series consisting of 178 episodes, each about 45 minutes. I am current into season six. It is my favorite of all the various Star Treks. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I wish this song was a little bit longer.

Stay

By Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs

“Stay” is a doo-wop song written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1960 by Williams with his group the Zodiacs. Commercially successful versions were later also issued by The Hollies, The Four Seasons and Jackson Browne. (Source: Wikipedia)

ART OF THE WEEK

Eagle Carved Out of Wood

Unfortunately, my eagle is no more. I made a big mistake placing it on that old tree stump and eventually the ants had their way with my eagle. It was truly a thing of beauty for many years.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Red Cloud

Red Cloud (1822 – December 10, 1909) was one of the most important leaders of the Oglala Lakota from 1868 to 1909. He was one of the most capable American Indian opponents that the United States Army faced in its mission to occupy the western territories, leading a successful campaign in 1866–68 known as Red Cloud’s War over control of the Powder River Country in northeastern Wyoming and southern Montana. The largest action of the war was the Fetterman Fight, with 81 Army soldiers killed, and was the worst military defeat suffered by the army on the Great Plains until the Battle of the Little Bighorn ten years later.

Red Cloud became an important leader of the Lakota as they transitioned from the freedom of the plains to the confinement of the reservation system. His trip to Washington, DC had convinced him of the number and power of European Americans, and he believed the Oglala had to seek peace.

Outliving all the other major Lakota leaders of the Indian Wars, Red Cloud died on Pine Ridge Reservation in 1909 at the age of 87, and was buried there in the cemetery now bearing his name. In old age, he is quoted as having said, “They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept but one — They promised to take our land … and they took it.” (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Guys, you may want to give this a try; especially you bad boys.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Thoughts About Going Back To School

Children

Moms

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I believe this book first came out in 1982. I bought and read it in 1993 and I still have it today and over the years I look it over every so often. I just learned of Franco Columbu’s death and so I thought I would make his book my Book of the Week.

Franco Columbu’s Complete Book of Bodybuilding

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This is one of my favorite movies, it is funny and provides a lot of lessons in leadership. I had the students in one of the college classes I taught, do their term paper on all the leadership principles they observed in this film.

Back To School

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

School Days

By Chuck Berry

ART OF THE WEEK

How many of these ladies to you recognize

from other paintings?

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Franco Columbu

Franco Columbu suffered a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and subsequently drowned just off the coast of San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy, on August 30, 2019. He was 78 years old.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

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PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

There are still four months remaining this year.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS