06/27/16 – What’s Cooking

June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 Wm. Allen8 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Worlds Best Cook

It was my honor last Friday to be able to present this year’s, World’s Best Cook award to Chef Valda. Chef Valda was selected as the World’s Best Cook by a panel of culinary experts, many of whom attended the ceremony and gave testimony as to the pleasure of Chef Valda’s skills.

Embracing Peace

“Embracing Peace,” a sculpture by Seward Johnson, was installed Monday in Memorial Park in Royal Oak, MI, USA.

A 25-foot-tall sculpture based on a famed photograph of a kiss in Times Square in New York City at the end of World War II is visiting Royal Oak as part of efforts to raise money for a war memorial.

It is one of several “Embracing Peace” sculptures on display in the U.S. and Europe. (Source: Crain’s Detroit)

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Remember, it is just a dream.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If there is one character trait that could help you live an extraordinary life, this could be it.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you want to get along with others, keep this in mind.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Every so often I like to share scientific information. Perhaps, this is some scientific information that will really make your day.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

How Proust Can Change Your Life

By Alain de Botton

This isn’t a new book, it was written in 1997, but I’ve read and reviewed it a number of times and have found it helpful and interesting.

Helpful by reminding us if we think and act like we are going to live forever, a lot of things important to us will be missed.

It has some interesting ideas such as characters we see in paintings (I will add to that movies and TV), we should imagine people we know in those roles.

There is also insight into human nature, such as when people part, it is the one not in love that makes the tender speeches.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Love and Friendship

This movie is not laugh out loud funny, but it has some very clever dialogue.

Love & Friendship is a 2016 romantic comedy. It is based on Jane Austen’s novel Lady Susan, first published in 1871. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel and Stephen Fry.

Although it was adapted from Austen’s novel Lady Susan, the film was produced under the borrowed title of her juvenile story, Love and Friendship. Love & Friendship received critical acclaim and has been a box office success in North America.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Tolerance

When it comes to tolerance:

67% – thought they were more tolerant than others

28% – thought they were about as tolerant as others

5% – thought they were less tolerant than others

How tolerance do you believe most people are:

59% – thought most people were ok, but could improve their level of tolerance

23% – thought most people were not very tolerant

18% – thought people were very tolerant

THIS WEEK POLL – Brexit

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“We Didn’t Start the Fire”

by Billy Joel

ART OF THE WEEK

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Here I am by the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but I must admit that it looks a bit different from I had envisioned and as seen in history books.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is known worldwide for its unintended tilt.

The tower’s tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure’s weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized (and the tilt partly corrected) by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Captain James T. Kirk

James Tiberius Kirk was born in Riverside, Iowa, Earth on March 22, 2233 and graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2254. He was captain of the United Federation of Planet’s Constitution-class starships Enterprise (NCC-1701) and Enterprise (NCC-1701A).

James Kirk never married, as his strongest passion was for his career and his command, ship and crew. He was renowned for many relationships with women, human and otherwise.

Kirk is best known for his independence and unorthodox problem solving. Kirk violated the Prime Directive a few times during his various commands, such as the renegade Enterprise crew’s voyage into 1986 in a mission to take a pair of humpback whales into the 23rd century.

He joined 24th century starship captain Jean-Luc Picard [Please don’t ask me how he did that] to prevent El-Aurian scientist Tolian Soran from destroying the Veridian star system. Unfortunately he died in the fight with Soran. Picard buried Kirk on Veridian III.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Tania & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to Raul for following my blog (Now 71 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Joyce, Joanne, Cindy, Russ & Karen for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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

06/20/16 – Orlando

June 20, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

The Orlando Tragedy, a terrorist attack, a hate crime and the result of mental illness.

Every so often I come across ideas to improve the USA political processes and like to share those ideas with the readers of this blog. Here is one idea that I thought was worth sharing.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Make sure you guard your health by practicing safe sex.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Know that change is inevitable, so please enjoy your family, your friends, your work and your current level of health as well as everything else.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you want to get along with others, don’t be like this.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

In my book, I advocate Journaling, because I believe it is helpful to reflect upon your past to avoid repeating mistakes. However, you can overdo anything, including reflection.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

You are never going to be extraordinary or happy, if you have a controlling personality. Not even, if you do have a Universal Remote Control.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Dream Home

By Jonathan & Drew Scott

I just finished reading this book and I thought it has a lot of ideas if you are planning on selling, buying or even keeping your home. I would describe it as an easy read.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Central Intelligence

I saw this movie last weekend and it is laugh out loud funny. If you want some good entertainment, check this movie out.

There is also a bit of a message about a popular high school athlete (Kevin Hart) who befriends a bullied overweight teen (Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock).

In addition, during the film, the Rock discloses how he built his outstanding physique. He said, it was simple; he just did one thing. If you want to know what that one thing the Rock did, you are going to have to watch this wonderful movie.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Resetting Your Life

If you were offered a chance to reset you life:

46% – voted no

29% – voted maybe

25% – voted yes

THIS WEEK POLL – Tolerance

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“YMCA”

by Village People

ART OF THE WEEK

Pantheon in Rome

Here is a photo I took of my wife, Carol, standing in front of the Pantheon, on one of our trips to Rome.

The Pantheon, is on the site of an earlier building commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD). The present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD.

Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history. The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. The Pantheon, in 2013 it was visited by over 6 million people. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Worf

Although Worf was raised by humans, when his parents were killed during a surprise attack by Romulans, he considered himself a Klingon at heart and studied the ways of his people. As an adult, his mannerisms and personality, as well as his innate sense of honor, became more Klingon than human.

In 2357, Worf entered Starfleet Academy. He graduated in 2361 and was commissioned with the rank of Ensign, becoming the first Klingon officer in Starfleet. Through many brave acts and his deep sense of honor and loyalty, he rose through the ranks in Starfleet, eventually becoming Lieutenant Commander. Later the Federation made him ambassador to the Klingon home world, Qo’noS.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Guys, please don’t be like this guy.

And ladies, if your guy is like the above guy; than here is a role model for you.

BLOG

Thanks to Spiritual Journey, Elizabeth, Memangini & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to Genie & Cats Being Cats for following my blog (Now 70 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Susan & Joanne, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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

06/13/16 – Ireland Journey Continues

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 Wm. Allen10 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Ireland

The visit to Ireland crossed over into this week. We went by train from Dublin to Cork and while in Cork took a day trip to Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone. No we did not kiss the Blarney Stone. This castle was the real deal, it was hard to tell the Lord of the Castle’s bedroom from the castle’s dungeon.

From Cork, we went by bus to Kilkenny–do not do that. It took us three buses to reach Kilkenny, but I liked Kilkenny so much I thought it worth enduring all the bus changes. Here is Carol and I at the Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny is home of Smithwick’s Brewery and it was the best brewery or distillery tour I was on while in Ireland. When I got home, I bought a six-pack of Smithwick’s.

From Kilkenny, we went back to Dublin by bus–a very nice ride. Here Carol and I are doing a whiskey taste test at the Jameson Distillery. I’m not a liquor drinker, but the tour was a lot of fun.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Extraordinary people make it a point to know which foods are good for them and which foods are bad for them.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

When extraordinary people find themselves in a hole, they stop digging.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Extraordinary people realize how precious time is and they always try to make the most of their time.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Candide

By Voltaire

I just finished reading this book and I regret to say that I was reading it for the first time. I cannot believe I waited this long in my life to read this book. Although written in 1759, I found the book to be fresh and so easy to read. This particular book is available at Barnes & Nobles for $7.95

One of the finest satires ever written, Voltaire’s Candide savagely skewers this very “optimistic” approach to life as a shamefully inadequate response to human suffering. The swift and lively tale follows the absurdly melodramatic adventures of the youthful Candide, who is forced into the army, flogged, shipwrecked, betrayed, robbed, separated from his beloved Cunégonde, and tortured by the Inquisition. As Candide experiences and witnesses calamity upon calamity, he begins to discover that—contrary to the teachings of his tutor, Dr. Pangloss—all is perhaps not always for the best. After many trials, travails, and incredible reversals of fortune, Candide and his friends finally retire together to a small farm, where they discover that the secret of happiness is simply “to cultivate one’s garden,” a philosophy that rejects excessive optimism and metaphysical speculation in favor of the most basic pragmatism.

Filled with wit, intelligence, and an abundance of dark humor, Candide is relentless and unsparing in its attacks upon corruption and hypocrisy—in religion, government, philosophy, science, and even romance. Ultimately, this celebrated work says that it is possible to challenge blind optimism without losing the will to live and pursue a happy life. (Source: Back cover of book)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

How To Be Single

This is not a particularly meaningful movie and it is likely many of you would not care for it. It is silly, but I thought a fun diversion from life’s seriousness; especially if you are on a plane flying across the Atlantic.

After four years of college, young Alice (Dakota Johnson) decides she needs a break from her long-term boyfriend Josh. Excited and ready for new challenges, the eager grad moves to New York to take a job as a paralegal.

Helping her navigate her way through an unfamiliar city is Robin (Rebel Wilson), a fun-loving, wild co-worker who enjoys partying and one-night stands. With Robin as her freewheeling guide, Alice can now learn how to get free drinks, meet men and enjoy the single lifestyle.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Boxing

The first question was about seeing a professional boxing match:

55% – Saw a boxing match on TV

24% – Have never seen a boxing match

17% – Saw a boxing match in person

4% – Saw a boxing match on a theater large screen

The second question was about your feelings towards boxing:

46% – Are indifferent towards boxing

29% – Thought boxing should be banned

25% – were fine with boxing

THIS WEEK POLL – Resetting Your Life

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Although self-improvement is a never-ending process, it is important to always have a positive opinion of yourself as this song so aptly illustrates.

“Me Too”

by Meghan Trainor

ART OF THE WEEK

If you wish to be extraordinary, you need to know something about “Art”, or at least sound like you do.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Gordie Howe

Last post, Muhammad Ali,one of the greatest, if not the greatest boxer, to ever live, died.

This post, Gordie Howe, one of the greatest, if not the greatest hockey player to ever live, died.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Elena & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to Romanian Experience for following my blog (68 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Antoinette, Charlene, Carol & Joanne, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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

06/06/16 – Ireland

June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Ireland

This week’s post is coming to you from Ireland. Here I am at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, having a pint of Guinness.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

A parent fails to watch their child at a zoo and preventing her 3-year old from crawling into a gorilla exhibit and the Cincinnati Zoo fails to create a barrier that can prevent a 3-year old from getting into that exhibit.

Extraordinary people are responsible, be responsible.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

I thought it was wonderful that Elena and Steve, went out of their way to find some time to meet with Carol and I, while we were in Dublin.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Plato, in his “Republic”; recommended his “philosopher kings”, do nothing but study math for ten years to improve their thinking. Most of us don’t want to be “philosopher kings”, especially if we have to study math for ten years. However, that does not excuse you from developing some math skills.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Rules for Aging

By Roger Rosenblatt

I first read this book 15 years ago and I continue to review it every so often. It has a lot of good and easy to digest advice, regardless of your age.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

King Kong

Given what happened at the Cincinnati Zoo last week, I thought I would select the 1933 version of King Kong for this week’s film. I saw it years ago when I was very young and the last time I saw it about ten years ago on a big screen. You may want to keep it in mind for your Halloween viewing.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – War

How close to home has war touched you poll results:

28% – I was never in my country’s armed forces

24% – A member of my immediate family (Spouse, parent, sibling or child) served in a hostile fire zone

20% – No member of my immediate family (Spouse, parent, sibling or child) served in my country’s armed forces

16% – A member of my immediate family (Spouse, parent, sibling or child) was in the military, but never served in a hostile fire zone

4% – I served in a hostile fire zone

4% – I was in the military, but never served in a hostile fire zone

4% I or a member of my immediate family was injured in a hostile fire zone

0% – A member of my immediate family died in a hostile fire zone

THIS WEEK POLL – Boxing

For the first poll, please check all that applies

Check just one for the poll below

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“The Skye Boat Song”

(AKA Outlander Theme Song)

by Kathryn Jones & Raya Yarbrough

ART OF THE WEEK

Spire of Dublin

The spire was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, who sought an “Elegant and dynamic simplicity bridging art and technology”

The first section was installed on 18 December 2002. Five more 20 m (66 ft) sections were added with the last one installed on 21 January 2003. The spire is an elongated cone of diameter 3 m (9.8 ft) at the base, narrowing to 15 cm (5.9 in) at the top.

Construction of the world’s tallest sculpture was delayed because of difficulty in obtaining planning permission and environmental regulations. It is constructed from eight hollow tubes of stainless steel and features a tuned mass damper, designed by engineers Arup, to counteract sway. The steel underwent shot peening to alter the quality of light reflected from it.

The pattern around the base of the Spire is based on a core sample of earth and rock formation taken from the ground where the spire stands. The pattern was applied by bead blasting the steel through rubber stencil masks whose patterns were created by water jet cutting based on core sample drawings supplied by the contractor.(Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Muhammad Ali

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I learned this joke last week in Dublin.

What is the difference between God and Bono?

God doesn’t think he is Bono.

BLOG

Thanks to Judith & George, for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to the 68 people who are following my blog and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Toni, Cindy, Mary Ann, Nadini, Victoria, Carol, Barbara, Phillip, Sandra, Norma, Susan, Claire, Susan, Carolyn, John & Joanne, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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