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I thought the following may be helpful to those of you who insist upon talking politics.

Arguments

Germany’s ancient history will explain a lot about Germany during more recent centuries. This book provides that background. 

A country both admired and feared, Germany has been the epicenter of world events time and again: the Reformation, both World Wars, the fall of the Berlin Wall. It did not emerge as a modern nation until 1871—yet today, Germany is the world’s fourth-largest economy and a standard-bearer of liberal democracy. (Source: Amazon)

Emperors of Rome

By David Potter

I first read this book back in 2007 and just reviewed it again last week and still found it fascinating, plus lots of pictures. So much of western culture is built upon Roman culture.

Beginning with the accession of Augustus, this lavishly illustrated survey follows the triumphs, failures, and ultimate decline of the Roman Empire through the lives of its emperors. The highlights of 500 years of Roman history are all addressed, including the defeat in Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, the destruction of Pompeii in AD 79, the vision of Constantine in the early 4th century, and the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410, as are critical themes at the heart of the Roman polity, among them the nature of imperial government and the spread of Roman culture (Source: Barnes & Nobles)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Washington

Washington tells the story of how a fatherless young soldier full of personal ambition becomes a leader of men willing to sacrifice all for the common cause. How a once-loyal British subject rises to battle an empire in a liberty-or-death campaign to forge a new nation. And then how, at the zenith of his power, the victorious general voluntarily steps down, becoming what King George III would call “the greatest man in the world.” Believing his public duty complete, he heads into retirement ready to be a farmer.

But with the young country on the verge of collapse, he is once again called to lead, creating the most powerful and successful democracy in history. You may think you know George Washington, but there’s more to our preeminent founding father than you’ve been told. Washington chips away the marble to reveal the man at the heart of our nation’s story. You’ll never look at George Washington, or the founding of our country, the same way again. (History Channel synopsis)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Okay, perhaps two weeks in a row of Chuck Berry is too much. I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. This guy is so cool.

Johnny B. Goode

By Chuck Berry

ART OF THE WEEK

The Many Forms of  Art

Art can take many forms, for instance.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Celtic Queen Boudicca

Boudicca (d. 61 CE) was the Celtic Queen of the Iceni tribe of modern-day East Anglia, Britain, who led a revolt against Rome in 60/61 CE. The Iceni King, Prasutagus, an independent ally of Rome, divided his estate between his daughters and King Nero of Rome. When Prasutagus died, however, his lands were taken by Rome and the Iceni lost their status as allies.

When his wife, Boudicca, objected to this action she was flogged and her two daughters raped. She mounted a revolt against Rome which left the ancient Roman cities of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium in ruins and over 80,000 Roman citizens of Britain dead. She was defeated at the Battle of Watling Street by the Roman Governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus. Boudicca is said to have committed suicide by poisoning herself after her defeat. (Source: Ancient History Encyclopedia)

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It is easy to mistake thirst for hungry.

Perhaps, better to share a bottle of wine.

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Perhaps, you have heard of the story of the Gordian Knot and Alexander the Great. It was said that anyone who could untie the knot would become a great ruler. Problem was that the knot was impossible to untie. Alexander, like the kid above, took a shortcut. It is said by some, that Alexander untied the knot by cutting it with his sword. 

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Just in Case

If Valentine’s Day was a little disappointing, 

perhaps this will help.

This book is about so much more than bowling, it is about the mental game of winning at life.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

The Two Popes

Ford v Ferrari

I found this film to be ok.

Agatha And The Truth of Murder

I was surprised that how good this film was and if you like Agatha Christie mysteries, you will like this film although the story was not written by Agatha Christy.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Back In the USA

By Chuck Berry

ART OF THE WEEK

Political Art

I suspect the people who planted the explosives did not intend to make political art, but it is rare that I have come across any art this powerful. It is a far stronger statement than had the statute toppled into the sea.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I’ve known this guy for some time now and he truly is extraordinary

John with his belt

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PHYSICAL TRAITS

Please don’t be like this cat.

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When you are flying around

and suddenly see someone you know.

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Over the years I have presented information about the history and meaning of Valentine’s Day; however, nothing sums it up as well as this:

This book is easy to read and will place you on the path of self-motivation.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

The Irishman

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Soul Man

By Blues Brothers

ART OF THE WEEK

Giant Whale

Look what nature created

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Brigadier General Charles McGee is 103 years old when last week this picture below was taken. He is an inspiration to everyone.

Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee

Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee (born December 7, 1919) is a retired American fighter pilot and one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a career officer in the United States Air Force for more than 30 years and flew a three-war total of 409 combat missions in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, one of the highest combat totals and longest active-duty careers by any Air Force fighter pilot in history.

For his service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star Medal, among several other military honors. In 2007, as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, McGee received the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and on February 4, 2020, received an honorary promotion from colonel to brigadier general. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

Leave It To Beaver was a TV show that ran from 1957 to 1963

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This probably wasn’t the outcome you were wishing to hear about.

Which Do You Prefer To Watch?

or

This book is not an easy read, but if you are as fascinated by Roman history as I am, you will learn a lot about Crassus and the victory at Carrhae by the Parthians.

In 53 BC the Proconsul Marcus Crassus and 36,000 of his legionaries were crushed by the Parthians at Carrhae in what is now eastern Turkey. Crassus’ defeat and death and the 20,000 casualties his army suffered were an extraordinary disaster for Rome.

The event intensified the bitter, destructive struggle for power in the Roman republic, curtailed the empire’s eastward expansion and had a lasting impact on the history of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

It was also the first clash between two of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. Yet this critical episode has often been neglected by writers on the period who have concentrated on the civil war between Pompey and Caesar. Gareth Sampson, reconstructs the Carrhae campaign in fine detail, reconsiders the policy of imperial expansion and gives a fascinating insight into the opponents the Romans confronted in the East – the Parthians. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I mentioned this movie back in July 2019 and watched it again last week. I enjoyed it and thought it was well worth watching, even a second time.

Here was the poll results from back in 2019:

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles. (Source: IMDB)

Star Trek: Picard

Last week, I watched the second episode of this new Star Trek series and so far I’m a little disapointed. Nevertheless, I will continue to watch because it is good to see Jean-Luc Picard again.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I’ve mentioned before, but thought I would again. I’ve seen Little Richard twice. Once when he was young (as was I) and once when he was old (as am I). I’m glad he is still around (And I am to still be around).

Long Tall Sally (1956)

By Little Richard

ART OF THE WEEK

Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake in Iceland

Known as the Eye of the World or Eye of Odin

The Norse god Odin is typically portrayed as having only one eye. The myths which explain this [was …] the result of his pursuit of knowledge, which led him to sacrifice his right eye to gain cosmic knowledge from the mythical well of Mimir.

The myth is mainly concerned with the price of wisdom, and what an individual will pay to gain what they desire. In drinking the waters of Mimir’s Well, Odin is able to see more with one eye than he did previously with two. It establishes Odin’s great desire for wisdom and knowledge, and also emphasizes that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward. (Source: Wikipedia)

Located in southern Iceland, Kerid is unique among crater lakes in that its caldera likely didn’t form from an explosion as most do. The Kerid volcano is thought to have formed when the magma in the center simply depleted itself, and the empty chamber beneath caved in. Regardless of the geological minutia that led to the lake’s creation, its bright rainbow of colors look unearthly.

In addition to the bright, sapphire-colored waters, the steep slopes of the caldera’s bowl are almost entirely covered in red volcanic rock. There is one, less-steep side of the slope that is covered in rich green moss. (Source: Atlas Obscura)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Darlene Shibley

If you have enjoyed Downton Abbey as well as other shows featured on PBS Masterpiece, Darlene Shibley deserves some thanks for her donations  to The Masterpiece Trust that makes these wonderful shows possible.

For decades as one of San Diego’s most high-profile and prolific philanthropists, Shiley — with her late husband, heart-valve inventor Donald Shiley — has given away upward of $100 million to science, educational and arts organizations.

But it’s been the one-time actress’ record-breaking gifts to the fundraising Masterpiece Trust, more than $5.2 million to date, that have made Shiley nearly as famous as a Crawley family member.

“Darlene is a wonderful ambassadress for the show. People recognize her everywhere and she handles it with such warmth and grace,” said Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of Masterpiece and one of “Downton’s” executive producers. (Source: The San Diego Union – Tribune)

  WEEK’S JOKE

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LEARNING TRAITS

If you have a cat, this may be helpful

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or

This book by David Brown (spouse of Helen Gurley Brown) is about 30 years old, but it contains some excellent advice if you turning grey or even if you aren’t.

David and Goliath

By Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell has written a number of books. I think this is one of his better ones.

In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I thought this was a really interesting and entertaining film.  

JoJo RabbitI

Star Trek: Picard

I saw the first episode of this new Star Trek series and it was a delight to again see Jean-Luc Picard plus Data in a couple of dream sequences. 

Star Trek: Picard is an American web television series created for CBS All Access. It is the eighth series in the Star Trek franchise and centers on the character Jean-Luc Picard. Set at the end of the 24th century, 18 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), the storyline revisits the death of Commander Data, which occurred in the climax of that film, as well as the destruction of the planet Romulus, which occurred in the 2009 film Star Trek.

Patrick Stewart is the executive producer of the series and stars as Picard. Several actors from previous Star Trek series also reprise their roles, including Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan, Marina Sirtis, and Jonathan Frakes.

Star Trek: Picard premiered on January 23, 2020, and its first season will consist of ten episodes. Ahead of the premiere, CBS All Access renewed Star Trek: Picard for a 10-episode second season. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Rain

By Hanne Kat

ART OF THE WEEK

Magritte

By David Sylvester

I’ve read a lot of books on the surrealist painter (Perhaps a philosopher that communicates with paintings rather than words) and this is one of the best, plus the many images are amazing to say the least.

The artist’s most unforgettable images come together in an exquisite study of his life and work. This comprehensive and provocative monograph traces the influences on Magritte’s art while 400 illustrations show the full range of his work. Not only the well-known paintings but also lesser-known murals, photographs, sculptures, and commercial works are represented. 400 illustrations, 110 in full-color. (Source: Amazon)

Here are some of the less provocative images in the book.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant dead in California helicopter crash Sunday (1/26/20)

Kobe Bean Bryant (August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, Bryant played his entire 20-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, ranks fourth on the league’s all-time regular season scoring, and ranks fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list. Bryant was the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons.

According to Forbes, Bryant’s net worth was estimated at $350 million in 2016. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Where am I?

Lost Civilizations takes us on a journey through time from the oldest civilization, the little-known Natufian culture of 12,500 years ago, to the mysterious disappearance of the colonists on Roanoke Island, in the United States, in the 16th century. (Source: Barnes & Nobles)

The Book of Leadership & Strategy

Translated by Thomas Cleary

This little book is packed with a lot of good advice like, “Asking for fire is not as good as getting the means to make fire.”

Another piece of advice I liked was, “No one stumbles over a mountain, but people do trip over ant hills.”  In other words, over looking small problems is often the reason for many regrets.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

If you enjoyed the series that was on PBS, I’m sure you will want to see the movie.  

Downton Abbey

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Conga

By Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine

ART OF THE WEEK

I don’t smoke cigars, but the process of hand rolling cigars is considered an art form. I found the process interesting and perhaps you will also find it interesting.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Barbara Baer Capitman

Barbara Baer Capitman (April 29, 1920 – March 29, 1990) was a community activist and author who led the effort to preserve Miami Beach’s historic art deco district and helped create the Miami Design Preservation League.

In 1976, Capitman and a group of historic preservationists formed the Miami Design Preservation League. They began a fight to save the long-neglected art deco buildings in Miami Beach. She lobbied politicians and developers with her forceful personality.

She and her supporters held candlelight vigils, protest marches and stood in front of bulldozers that were about to demolish buildings. Several of the buildings the group sought to preserve were torn down including the Senator and New Yorker Hotels. However, many more were saved.

The group’s efforts were rewarded when Miami Beach’s Art Deco District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The renewed interest in the area led to an economic and cultural rebirth in the city with new investments in hotels, apartments and restaurants. It became a favorite destination of tourists, artists and moviemakers.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Those who quit eating two or three hours before bedtime are more successful losing weight and keeping it off than late night eaters.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Taking Ownership of Your Situation?

SOCIAL TRAITS 

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Art Deco

Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture and design that first appeared in France just before World War I. Art Deco influenced the design of buildings, furniture, jewelry, fashion, cars, movie theaters, trains, ocean liners, and everyday objects such as radios and vacuum cleaners. It took its name, short for Arts Décoratifs, from the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris in 1925. It combined modern styles with fine craftsmanship and rich materials. During its heyday, Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and technological progress.

Art Deco was a pastiche of many different styles, sometimes contradictory, united by a desire to be modern. From its outset, Art Deco was influenced by the bold geometric forms of Cubism and the Vienna Secession; the bright colors of Fauvism and of the Ballets Russes; the updated craftsmanship of the furniture of the eras of Louis Philippe I and Louis XVI; and the exotic styles of China and Japan, India, Persia, ancient Egypt and Maya art. It featured rare and expensive materials, such as ebony and ivory, and exquisite craftsmanship. The Chrysler Building and other skyscrapers of New York built during the 1920s and 1930s are monuments of the Art Deco style. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

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The year 2020 has arrived, so let’s get started making 2020 great.

And if you are looking for ways to make 2020 great,

perhaps this will help.

Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington

By Richard Brookhiser

I first read this book back in 1998 and I have reviewed it a couple of times since including last week and still find it a worthwhile read.

In this thought-provoking look at George Washington as soldier and statesman, Richard Brookhiser traces the astonishing achievements of Washington’s career and illuminates how his character and his values shaped the beginnings of American politics. (Source: Amazon)

Underworld

By Roman Martin

Switching gears, I finished almost 500 page book last week. Normally, I can’t make it through a book with this many pages, but this one was a bit of a treat to read. If you enjoyed The Godfather movies, The Sopranos, etc.; you might enjoy this book.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Last week I mentioned that I had finished watching Season 1 and I have now finished Season 2 and 3 of the Amazon Prime Video The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.  

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 2)

I’ve watch all seven seasons of Buffy The Vampire Slayer years ago. While on the treadmill, I started watching the series again and just finished Season 1. I found watching the show was just as interesting as years ago.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 1)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Detroit Symphony Orchestras

William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series

at

Congregation Shaarey Zedek

I attended a DSO concert last Thursday at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Among the music played was Georges Bizet’s Suite No. 1 from Carmen. If you think classical music is boring, listen to this. However, listening to it is nothing like seeing it performed live with Mei-Ann Chen conducting.

ART OF THE WEEK

I have no idea who this family is or where I even came across this photo, but I thought it was very clever.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Just Look In The Mirror

When I first wrote my book, I’m Tired of Being Ordinary, Are You?; I was shocked at how many people told me that they just wanted to be ordinary. But, I feel it is their right to that decision, plus for a few it could be a significant advancement.

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