09/26/16 – Presidential Debate Night

September 26, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Greed is destroying our country. Mylan CEO’s Pay Rose Over 600 Percent as EpiPen Price Rose 400 Percent per NBC News. Wells Fargo CEO. Now we have Wells Fargo CEO John enriching himself at the expense of the people.

First Presidential Debate

Don’t forget to watch, this is important

Monday, September 26, 2016 from 9-10:30 p.m. ET
Moderator: Lester Holt, Anchor, NBC Nightly News

Source: Thos. Robinson/ Getty Images

PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING

My thanks to Carol and Samantha for commenting on last week’s post. For the rest of you looking at this blog, please consider leaving a comment. It would be interesting to me and everyone to know what you think about the various items in this week’s post.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Having trouble controlling your diet or following your exercise program, well today is the start of a new week.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

In chapter 17 of my book I talk about the importance of being honest. Below is an example of honesty.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Try very hard to never pass up the opportunity to get together with family and friends. They will not always be there, when you finally get around to making time for them. Here is a “Cousins Dinner” last Friday that I was fortunate to get to attend as a spouse of a cousin. I am no relatives of my own, that I know of so I don’t take such events for granted.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

As you can see, I have developed my woodworking skills and I am making use of those skills.

No doubt you too have skills you can develop and use.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Give It Some Thought

By Bret Nicholaus & Paul Lowrie

If you like short little books of motivational thought, here is one that is ok.

Leon & Lulu’s

Please don’t forget that Sunday, October 23 at Leon & Lulu, you will have the opportunity to speak with many authors, including myself. For more info, including the authors that will be there, click on the link below.

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

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Murdoch Mysteries

I’ve watched two seasons of this 9 season murder mystery series and it seems to get better with each passing episode, bringing in all sorts of famous people for that era, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Buffalo Bill, Harry Houdini and H.G. Wells, just to name a few.

In Victorian-era Toronto, Inspector William Murdoch uses unconventional scientific methods to crack complex murder cases.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Sorry folks for this week’s selection, but I just could not resist.

Jessie’s Girl

by Rick Springfield

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Should a photo ID be required to vote?

The results:

78% – thought a photo ID should be required to vote

18% – did not think a photo ID should be required to vote

4% – were undecided

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Do you wish to be extraordinary?

ART OF THE WEEK

I Keep Smelling Things to See If They Smell Like You

by Kurt Halsey Fredrickson

I bought the original of this years ago and still enjoy it every day.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp (Born July 1, 1941) is an American dancer, choreographer, and author who lives and works in New York City. In 1966, she formed her own company Twyla Tharp Dance. Her work often uses classical music, jazz, and contemporary pop music.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

My thanks to Cuteness for Days, who started following my blog (Currently 85 followers) and Theresa, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 100 likes).

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 Andrena, Carol, Cynthia, Joanne & Nandini, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you are one of the 100 to 150 people who have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

09/19/16 – Reminders

September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

First Presidential Debate

Monday, September 26, 2016 from 9-10:30 p.m. ET
Moderator: Lester Holt, Anchor, NBC Nightly News

Source: Thos. Robinson/ Getty Images

At least a week before the debate, Lester will select six major topics that will get 15 minutes each. He will ask a question about each topic, and then each candidate will have two minutes to respond. He’ll then fill the rest of the time with follow-up questions.

Here is another reminder, not nearly as important as the Presidential Debate reminder, but you will have a chance to speak to various authors, including myself on Sunday, October 23 at Leon & Lulu in Clawson, MI. For more info, including the authors that will be there, click on the link below.

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

PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING

Please consider leaving a comment, I’m curious about what you think. I have from 100 to 200 people view this blog each week, but very few comments.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Think about the people you associate with, are they lifting you up or dragging you down?

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

If only we could all believe this.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Steal Like an Artist

By Austin Kleon

If you wish to be extraordinary, this fun to read book is worthwhile.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Back to School

It is the back to school time of the year, so what better way to get into the swing of the school year than by watching this terrific film.

When I taught at a local university, I used to have my management students write a report on all the good business practices they observed in this movie.

This movie is both informative and entertaining. I feel one without the other is not a good use of one’s limited time on earth.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

We need more of this, oh how we need more of this today. I feel so fortunate to have been around during these times.

Daydream Believer

By The Monkees

LAST WEEK’S POLL – What is your party preference?

Out of the nine parties you could vote for in last week’s poll, here are the results:

41% – Cocktail Party

23.5% – Democratic Party

23.5% – Republican Party

6% – Libertarian Party

6% – Marijuana Party

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Should a photo ID be required to vote?

ART OF THE WEEK

Mona Lisa

I think we are all familiar with Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

The following my not be true, but rumor has it that after the painting was finished, Da Vinci and Mona Lisa held a celebration and here is a photo taken by a paparazzo.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies.

At the age of sixteen, his first business venture was a magazine called Student. In 1970, he set up a mail-order record business. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores. Branson’s Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he set up Virgin Atlantic and expanded the Virgin Records music label.

In March 2000, Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace for “services to entrepreneurship”. In July 2015, Forbes listed Branson’s estimated net worth at US $5.2 billion.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Kelly & 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 84 people following my blog and Ann, Cindy, Harmony, Maureen, Mike & Junko, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 99 likes).

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, Carol, Joanne, Linda & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you are one of the 100 to 150 people who have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

09/12/16 – Let’s See Who Reads This

September 12, 2016September 12, 2016 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Sorry, I just could not resist.

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo

I ran my first race in my new 70-year-old plus bracket at the Detroit Zoo Run Wild event, held Sunday (9/11). In the 5K race, there was 13 of us in the 70 and over category. I came in 4th out of the males and females in that category and I was the 1200 finisher out of the 2,157 people finishing the race.

9 / 11

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Moderation in all things, especially at the table.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Often we are our own worse enemy.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

The extraordinary person never forgets to show gratitude of even the smallest acts of kindness.

As for those generic thanks, such as, “You may have donated a million dollars, got your friends to give hundreds or dollars or merely wish me luck. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the gesture.” are a lazy person’s way of expressing gratitude, at least for the first two categories of donators.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Ladies, it is important for you to develop a few maintenance skills, so you will not always be dependent upon a guy. And guys, very few things impress a woman more than a few handyman skills.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The 15-Minute Philosopher

By Anne Rooney

I don’t agree with everything I found in this book, but that is to be expected in a thought-provoking book. I liked the style of presenting much of the material as questions that thought-provoking people need to be asking themselves.

I would definitely recommend you read this easy to read book and allow it to challenge your beliefs.

Leon & Lulu’s

Sunday, October 23, 2016

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

If you live around the Detroit area and like books, this is a great opportunity to meet and talk to authors, including me.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Tyrant

This three-year television series will give you a feeling of how complex the Middle East issues are and why it is so difficult to resolve matters to everyone’s satisfaction.

I had the opportunity to live in the middle east for over a year, most of that time in an apartment. And even with that experience, I still feel I gained some sensitivities to the situation thanks to this excellent show.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Beer for My Horses

By Toby Keith with Willie Nelson

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Alley Opp vs. Helikopter

Voting was way down, so I am going to drop the music video challenge. Nevertheless, here are the results:

50% – Preferred Ally Opp

37.5% – Preferred neither

12.5% – Preferred both

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What is your party preference?

Since most everyone is talking or thinking politics, with the USA Presidential election so close, I thought it would be interesting to know the party affiliation of the readers of this blog. I realize some of you live overseas, so just select the party you like best. And as always, I don’t know who answers what.

ART OF THE WEEK

Versailles, France

This photo goes back many years; here I am outside of famous French Place at Versailles.

It has been said that Versailles was built by Louis XIV, enjoyed by Louis VX, and paid for by Louis XVI (along with his wife Marie Antoinette).

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, who actually became the motion picture version of the comic book superhero he portrayed – Superman.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Carolyn, Dave & 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 Jordan, who started following my blog (Currently 84 followers) and Eli & Fiona, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 93 likes).

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 Adaku, Amber, Anni, Carol, Cheryl, Cynthia, Ginny Jean, Joanne, Kimmy, Lynn, Marian, Maureen, Nicole, Shelia, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

09/05/16 – Music Challenge Voting

September 5, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Vote Odin

I’m tired of career politicians and so here is another non-career politician seeking your vote. As you can see, Odin delivers.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Drink responsibly or you may end up like these guys.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

I understand that the Marines say that if you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late.

The Marines are an extraordinary group of people and we can’t all be Marines; but we can all be respectful of others’ time and show up on time.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Ask yourself, what are you reading and who are your friends.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

We don’t always want what is best for us.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Frog and Toad Treasury

By Arnold Lobel

I’ve mentioned this book before, but it has been a while so here it is again. The suggested reading audience is ages 4 through 8. However, I think people of any age will enjoy this book.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down

I just absolutely love this commercial.

I wonder why I love this commercial so much

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Alley Opp

By The Hollywood Argles

Helikopter

By Gebroeders Ko

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Term Limitations

Regarding term limitations:

75% – were in favor of term limitations

15% – were undecided about term limitations

10% – were against term limitations

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Alley Opp vs. Helikopter

If you have a music video that you would like to see go against this week’s winner, please leave a blog comment with your suggestion.

ART OF THE WEEK

Sagrada Famíla

I took this photo while in Barcelona. I found the Sagrada Famíla to be one of the most magical spots I have ever been in. Note that the tops of the columns become tree like.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

J.K. Rowling

WHAT’S TRUE: J.K. Rowling dropped off the Forbes billionaires list in 2012 due to a combination of factors, including the estimated $160 million she donated to charity and Britain’s high tax rates.

WHAT’S FALSE: J.K. Rowling wasn’t the first billionaire to fall off the Forbes list due to charitable donations.

(Source: Snopes.com)

In 2004, welfare-mom-turned-bestselling-novelist J.K. Rowling became the first author to make the Forbes billionaires list, thanks to the film and marketing empire based on her seven-book Harry Potter series, the first volume of which launched in the UK in 1997.

She remained on the list for seven years, all the while building a reputation for her philanthropic endeavors, including contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Children’s High Level Group (now known as Lumos), the building of a regenerative neurology clinic in Scotland, and various other charitable causes through her philanthropic trust, Volant.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Carol 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 Harbans, LordsValleyMusic & Chris, who started following my blog (Currently 84 followers) and Laura, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 91 likes).

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 Annette, Cynthia, Dawn, Julietta, Kim & Tiana, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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