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