10/26/15 – Willie, Leon & Lulu, Erik and Gandhi

October 26, 2015October 26, 2015 Wm. Allen6 Comments

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Sometimes things are just so terrible that it helps to find humor in them. I’m hoping this is how everyone will take this short video. However, you will have to stay with the video about 25 seconds to see where it is going.

[Warning: If this isn’t an actual broadcast, it should be]

https://www.facebook.com/serbevents/videos/10153731161177125/

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Tao of Willie is a fun book to read and provides a great deal of wisdom.

CURRENT EVENTS

Michigan APF Fall Open

Please don’t be too quick to allow your age to prevent you from doing something you want to do.

I was the oldest lifter in the two day powerlifting contest in Grand Rapids last Friday and Saturday. My lift is the deadlift and there were plenty of people there who deadlifted far more than me. Still, I set two state records in the 90 Kg Masters 6 class and I will be representing the USA in world powerlifting competition in Portugal next month.

Here I am lifting 303 pounds for a age group state record.

Books & Authors Event – Leon & Lulu

If you didn’t make it to yesterday’s Books & Authors event at Leon & Lulu in Clawson, MI; you missed the opportunity to talk one-on-one with over 50 authors. Plus, Leon & Lulu is a very cool store with many unique items.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Never dim yourself for the comfort of others,

make them wear sunglasses

Source: Unknown

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Night of the Living Dead

This 1968 movie is one of the most scary movies that I have ever seen, but if you read below you will learn that it is more than just a scary movie.

[Night of the Living Dead] eventually garnered critical acclaim and has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed, “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” (Source: Wikipedia)

LAST WEEK POLL – Your Favorite Alcoholic Beverage

Twenty-nine of you voted for your favorite alocholic beverage. Wine was the overwhelming favorite with 12 votes or 41%. Beer came in second with 8 votes, followed by 5 votes for mixed drinks and only one of you preferred liquor. Non-drinkers were only 3 or 10% of those who voted.

As for belief about whether alcohol preferences says something about a person, 60% thought no and 40% thought yes.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

I think all of us have seen famous people, but I thought it would be interesting to hear how many of us have actually spoken with a famous person, even if it was a brief greeting.

Follow-up poll

SONG OF THE WEEK

Your Song

This week’s song is an Elton John classic, titled Your Song and it is performed by my friend Erik Loszewski. I’m not sure what you will be doing October 31, but Erik and his buddies will be at Little Loraine’s in Mt Clemens from 9:30-1:30.

https://www.facebook.com/erik.loszewski/videos/10203989856018410/

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Gandhi

[Warning: If the following isn’t a true story, it should be]

Rather than provide my usual brief bio of the person I have selected as the extraordinary person of the week, I thought the following would tell you so much more about Gandhi than mere dates and events.

When Mahatma Gandhi was studying law at the University College of London, a white professor, whose last name was Peters, disliked him intensely and always displayed prejudice and animosity towards him..

Also, because Gandhi never lowered his head when addressing him as he expected, there were always “arguments” and confrontations. One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University, and Gandhi came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor said, “Mr Gandhi, you do not understand. A pig and a bird do not sit together to eat.”

Gandhi looked at him as a parent would a rude child and calmly replied, “You do not worry professor. I’ll fly away,” and he went and sat at another table. Mr. Peters, reddened with rage, decided to take revenge on the next test paper, but Gandhi responded brilliantly to all questions.

Mr. Peters, unhappy and frustrated, asked him the following question. “Mr Gandhi, if you were walking down the street and found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money, which one would you take?” Without hesitating, Gandhi responded, “The one with the money, of course.”

Mr. Peters, smiling sarcastically said, “I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom, don’t you think?” Gandhi shrugged indifferently and responded, “Each one takes what he doesn’t have.”

Mr. Peters, by this time was fit to be tied. So great was his anger that he wrote on Gandhi’s exam sheet the word “idiot” and gave it to Gandhi.. Gandhi took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk, trying very hard to remain calm while he contemplated his next move.

A few minutes later, Gandhi got up, went to the professor and said to him in a dignified but sarcastically polite tone, “Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade.”

BLOG

I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts and last week four of you were kind enough to live a comment. Thank you very much. Leaving a comment is easy, just click on “Leave A Comment”, which is immediately below the title of this week’s post. And if instead of seeing “Leave A Comment”, you see “# Comments”, just click on that and scroll down to leave your comment.

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MY BOOK

My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

10/19/15 – All Over the Place

October 19, 2015October 20, 2015 Wm. Allen7 Comments

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Chapter 31 of my book discusses the importance of expressing gratitude for even the small things that people do for you. It seems so many people fail to perform this simple courtesy, as illustrated in the joke below.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

My friend, Reza, tells me that although the title of his book says, “for Healthcare” that the concepts and tools mentioned in the book are applicable to any service, manufacturing or construction operation.

If you believe you and your organization may possibly benefit from this book; I would be glad to send it free of charge to you. Just let me know at mailto:harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

CURRENT EVENTS

Michigan APF Fall Open

In Chapter 2 of my book, I mention the importance of progressive resistance training with weights. No doubt I have carried it to an extreme, as I will again be deadlifting in Grand Rapids this Friday in preparation for world competition in Portugal in November. I’m certainly not recommending anyone take up competitive powerlifting; however, you really need to do some type of weight bearing exercise.

Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Race

The Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank race was yesterday and if any of you were in that race or similar races in the past, perhaps you will enjoy this:

I am also not advocating you run a marathon; however, I am recommending you do some type of cardiovascular exercise at least 30 minutes a day. I know, some of you will say you don’t have time of exercise; well, no one does. They make the time, because it is important.

Books & Authors Event – Leon & Lulu

Folks, this coming Sunday, October 25, from 11 a.m until 5 p.m. I am going to be at Leon and Lulu in Clawson, MI. Please stop by and visit me as well as this really cool store; plus you will get a chance to talk to some interesting authors. For more information, just click on the link below.

http://www.leonandlulu.com/events/books-authors/

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Dead Walk the Earth, Yet They Live and They Kill

Chapter 20 of my book talks about the importance of celebrating not just your own successes, but even more so the successes of your friends. Also, holidays are definitely a reason for celebrations and Halloween is one of the really just pure fun holidays.

Although in a prior poll, only 5% of you planned to watch a scary movie for Halloween, I still thought it appropriate to suggest a Halloween type film. This one was made by my friend Mike Kinnunen, in 2005. I’m not sure how to obtain a copy of it; but if you contact me, I will pass your email or comment on to Mike.

LAST WEEK POLL – Your Favorite Music Decade

I never understand why more of you don’t vote, since I always have at least 70 people check out this blog each week. Anyway, 19 of you voted on your favorite music decade.

Every decade from 1901 through the 1980s received three votes. The 1990s received 2 votes. The earliest (1900 or earlier) and the latest (2000 or later) only received one vote each.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

Given my comments about the importance of celebrating and since alcoholic beverages for so many are part of any celebrations, I thought it may be interesting to have a poll on one’s alcohol preferences.

Follow-up poll

SONG OF THE WEEK

Daughter

Since Halloween is about kids and adults who want to be kids again, I thought this song would be appropriate, plus I really like it. I was fortunate a few years ago to see Loudon perform live in Ann Arbor at The Ark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4_oSGmhPAc

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Geronimo

Given the recent Columbus Day, I thought I would give some recognition to native Americans

Geronimo was born in eastern Arizona in the year 1829. At the time, his homeland was claimed by both the Mexican government and the Apache people. Geronimo’s family was part of the Bedonkohe band of the Apache.

At around the age of seventeen, Geronimo became an Apache warrior.

One day [ ] the Apache camp was attacked by the Mexicans. Geronimo’s wife, children, and mother were all killed. [ ]

Geronimo then gathered the warriors of his village together and set off to get revenge against the Mexicans. Over the next several years, he led many raids into Mexico. He constantly harassed Mexican settlements, stealing their horses and killing their men.

Geronimo received his name sometime during the revenge battles with the Mexicans. No one is quite sure exactly how he got his name. Many say it was from the Mexican soldiers or from a Spanish officer who thought Geronimo reminded him of a character from a Spanish play.

After the Mexican-American war, the United States claimed control over the land where the Apache lived. Geronimo and the Apache began to fight with the American settlers. [ ]

The U.S. Army [ ] sent thousands of troops to search the hills of Arizona in order to stop him from raiding. In 1886, they finally caught up with him and he was forced to surrender.

Geronimo spent the rest of his life as a prisoner of war. Although he was eventually granted some freedom, he was never allowed to return to his homeland. He became a celebrity and even attended the 1904 World’s Fair.

Geronimo Died: February 17, 1909 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma

[For more information, see source: Biographies for Kids: Geronimo

BLOG

I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts. I wish more of you would do so; since it is so very encouraging. Leaving a comment is easy, just click on “Leave A Comment”, which is immediately below the title of this week’s post.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends.

MY BOOK

My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

10/12/15 – Johnny B. Goode

October 12, 2015October 20, 2015 Wm. Allen1 Comment

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I devoted the first section of my book to fitness; since if you don’t have your health, nothing else much matters.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

A very good friend of mine, Reza Ziaee, along with James Bologna, wrote the book below. I bought a copy of it because I like to support the creative efforts of my friends. However, I have been retired for almost six years now, so this book will likely do you far more good than me.

If you are in healthcare and believe you and your organization may possibly benefit from this book; I would be glad to give it to you. Just let me know at mailto:harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

CURRENT EVENTS

CNN Democratic Primary Debate

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
9pm ET (8pm CT, 6pm PT)
Location: Wynn Las Vegas
Sponsors: CNN, Nevada Democratic Party
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Candidates: Clinton, Sanders, O’Malley, Webb, Chafee

Regardless of your party affiliation or lack of an affiliation, to be an informed voter; you should watch this debate.

Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank Race

This coming Sunday is the Detroit Free Press Talmer Bank race and how many races are there where you actually run in two different countries, at least for the marathon and international half-marathon. I’ve ran the full marathon three times and the international half-marathon four times and I can say one of the greatest thrills of my life is entering the Detroit Windsor tunnel, running through the tunnel and coming out on Woodward Avenue to the roar of the Detroit crowd–it is an experience one never forgets.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“One of these days, you will not be able to do this.

Today isn’t that day.”

Source: Sign in the crowd at the 2011 Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Back to the Future (1985)

This is a fun movie and I believe it still stands up to the test of time; plus it relates to my song of the week.

A young man is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence. (Source: IMDB)

The Intern

I saw this film last week and I thought it was great and I want to encourage people to see it. Perhaps, I liked the film because I so easily relate to the character Ben Whittaker in the film.

Starting a new job can be a difficult challenge, especially if you’re already retired. Looking to get back into the game, 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) seizes the opportunity to become a senior intern at an online fashion site. Ben soon becomes popular with his younger co-workers, including Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), the boss and founder of the company. Whittaker’s charm, wisdom and sense of humor help him develop a special bond and growing friendship with Jules.

LAST WEEK POLL – Your Favorite Season of the Year

No real surprises from this poll. Nine out of 18 or 50% of you preferred Summer. Fall came in second with six votes and Spring came in third with three votes. And not surprisingly, no one voted for winter.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

Since I started posting a song of the week, I’ve had a few discussions about music and thought a poll related to music may be interesting to some of you. I realize I may have bias the poll with some of my recent selections for song of the week, but hopefully that will not distort the results too much. Again, you may only vote for one decade.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Johnny B Goode

Michael J. Fox does a great job of this song in the video below from the 1985 movie Back to the Future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1i5coU-0_Q

I think it will be fun for you to compare Fox’s performance to the real deal, Chuck Berry. Stay with this video for 1958 a bit and you will see some fantastic entertaining. Chuck didn’t need fireworks, costumes or anything to keep your attention. He is just absolutely extraordinary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ROwVrF0Ceg

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Leonardo da Vinci

[ ] Leonardo da Vinci, [ ] (15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519) [ ] areas of interest included invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. [ ]

Many historians and scholars regard Leonardo as a great exemplar of the “Renaissance Man”, an individual of “unquenchable curiosity” and “feverishly inventive imagination”.[ ] According to art historian Helen Gardner, the scope and depth of his interests were without precedent in recorded history, and “his mind and personality seem to us superhuman, the man himself mysterious and remote”.[ ]

Born out of wedlock to a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina, in Vinci in the region of Florence, Leonardo was educated in the studio of the renowned Florentine painter Andrea del Verrocchio. Much of his earlier working life was spent in the service of Ludovico il Moro in Milan. He later worked in Rome, Bologna and Venice, and he spent his last years in France at the home awarded him by Francis I.

Leonardo was, and is, renowned primarily as a painter. Among his works, the Mona Lisa is the most famous and most parodied portrait[ ] and The Last Supper the most reproduced religious painting of all time [ ]

Leonardo is revered for his technological ingenuity. He conceptualised flying machines, a type of armoured fighting vehicle, concentrated solar power, an adding machine,[] and the double hull, also outlining a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Relatively few of his designs were constructed or were even feasible during his lifetime[ ]

Today, Leonardo is widely recognised as one of the most diversely talented individuals ever to have lived in the world.[] (Source: Wikipedia)

BLOG

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends.

MY BOOK

My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

10/05/15 – Results of Best Decade of Your Life Poll

October 5, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I read a lot of newspapers and news magazines as well as listen and watch the news. It is rather depressing and so this week instead of suggesting a book; I am posting something I find up lifting and hope you will too.

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.

CURRENT EVENTS

Oregon College Shooting Tragedy

I suspect more than a few people knew this sick individual was capable of doing a terrible act like this and they did nothing to get this sick individual help or prevent this tragedy. I’ve heard it said that a bad person is a good person’s job; well someone did not do their job.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

We are commanded to seek out those who are lost.

We are to be our brother’s keeper.

Source: Joseph B. Wirthlin

MOVIE OF THE WEEK – Great Balls of Fire

Moving to a lighter note, this week’s movie recommendation is Great Balls of Fire. The actor Dennis Quaid did a fantastic job of capturing this wild man – Jerry Lee Lewis. Late in life. I had the privilege of actually seeing Jerry Lee Lewis perform; what a thrill.

LAST WEEK POLL – The Best Decade of Your Life

There were 20 votes this week and those voting indicated that they thought the best decade was or will be the years 40 through 49 with five votes.

The following two decades tied with four votes each. They are:

30 through 39

60 through 69

Next came 50 through 59 with two votes.

The following decades received one vote each

20 through 29

70 through 79

80 through 89

90 through 89

90 through 99

100 or greater

And I found most interesting that the two youngest decades received no votes at all. They were:

Less than 9

10 through 19

Personally, I’ve always thought of life in terms of the seasons, with the years less 20 being Spring, or a time of growth. The next two decades, or 21 through 40 being summer, when one is in full bloom. 41 through 60 is a time of Fall and things start falling as those of us who have been in that season know so well. And finally, we enter Winter, or the final season of life, where one’s hair turns white like snow.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

Since I just finished speaking of the season of life, I thought you may enjoy a poll where you vote for your favorite season of the year. Again, you may only vote for one decade.

SONG OF THE WEEK – You have to at least check out this live 1964 performance of Jerry Lee Lewis and I would love to know what you think, so please leave a comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dC0DseCyYE

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I’m always trying to keep you informed of the latest health studies. Here is one you should know about.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee [ ] November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong American martial artist, Hong Kong action film actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, filmmaker,[ ] and the founder of Jeet Kune Do. [ ] He is widely considered by commentators, critics, media and other martial artists to be one of the most influential martial artists of all time,[ ] and a pop culture icon of the 20th century. [ ] He is often credited with helping to change the way Asians were presented in American films.[ ] (Source: Wikipedia)

BLOG

Last week, two people left comments. I hope more of you will start leaving comments. To leave a comment, just click on “Leave A Comment”, which is immediately below the title of this week’s post.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends.

MY BOOK – My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885