CURRENT EVENTS

Football

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Chris, Christy, Quirky Girl & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Antoinette, Carol, Cynthia, Donna, Edmund, Kim, Joyce, Juliette, Lois, Nicole, Patty, Ron, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday (Christmas & New Years) season with lots of eating and some drinking for many of us; but as much as reasonable I hope you can stick somewhat to your diet. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If you wish to be extraordinary, you need to pay attention to any advice, regardless of where it is coming from.

And pay particular attention to comments about you from your enemies, often they are the only ones who will tell you the truth about yourself.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Showing up on time demonstrates their respect for others.

The Marines have a saying, “If you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late.”

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to develop strategies so that you are prepared to respond appropriately to various situations.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

¿When people are gone, will you feel guilty that you did not give them a bit more of your time?

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue

Edited by George L. Rogers

Benjamin Franklin was certainly an extraordinary person and you can be too, if you follow his advice in this book.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

A Christmas Carol

Staring George C. Scott

Watch this Christmas classic with your family and friends to keep you in the Christmas mood and maybe even make you a better person.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

How can anyone not love The Contours.

Do You Love Me

The Contours

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving Polls

     

Where will you have Thanksgiving Dinner

50% – Home

42% – Friend or relative’s house

8% – Local restaurant

Here the results of last years poll on where you plan to have your Thanksgiving Dinner.
Home 44% 

Local friend or relative’s house 35%

Out of town 13%

Local restaurant 4% 

Out of country 4% 

Favorite Thanksgiving film

40% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

20% – Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

10% – Scent of a Woman

10% – Home for the Holidays

10% – Alice’s Restaurant

10% – Other

And here are the results of last year’s poll on your favorite Thanksgiving film:

53% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

27% – Scent of a Woman

17% – Home for the Holidays

3% – Other

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Goal Setting

ART OF THE WEEK

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.

Constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, [ ] it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015.

The tower is about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris.  (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

As I mentioned last week, there are extraordinary people all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.

Tony (aka Freddy) Mangino

I’ve known Freddy, since I was a little kid.  He was the “Fonz” of our neighborhood and as years went by he became my best friend.

He died in 1996 and it was a great loss to me.  Carol and I have never missed a year putting flowers on his grave site and I bought the marker with the “weights” on it and another one of his friends donated the grave site.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Farzanna, Gus, Lana, Maureen, Penny & Ula, who started following my blog (Currently 113 followers) and Benjamin, Deb, Entesar, Kate, Kerry, Penny, Sandy & Tyger, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 175 likes).

MY BOOK

Last week I donated two copies of my book to Angel Kisses to a raffle they are holding on February 11.  The mission of Angel Kisses is to fun Michigan-based programs that improve perinatal bereavement care.

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  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

CURRENT EVENTS

Thanksgiving

Political Posts

Well the ruckus on Facebook seems to be cooling off a bit, but it is there and so the following may help you deal with some of the things you may come across.

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Annette, Carol, Colleen, Donna, Linda, Nicole, Patty & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Normally, I’m skeptical about the value of many of the vaccinations one is encouraged to take; however, this may be one shot to consider.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

The surest way to wealth usually is to control how much you spend on things.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you wish to be extraordinary, you have to learn to say “No”, so that you can say “Yes” to high priorities.  And remembering not answering is not saying “No”, it is being disrespectful to the person asking.  Respect both yourself and the other party by saying “No” if you don’t or can’t do something, rather than not replying.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I think this is one of the most important things to learn, if you wish for a happy life.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

There is a lot of talk about this world leader and the powerful country he leads.  This book came out in 2000, so it isn’t current; but it will give you some insights into the character of Vladimir Putin and how he became the leader of Russia.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Look Who’s Back

“What would happen if Adolf Hitler woke up in modern-day Berlin? In a bestselling satirical novel, he’d end up a TV comedy star . . . [Look Who’s Back] has unsurprisingly sparked debate in a country that has grappled for decades with Hitler’s unconscionable legacy.” Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Wake Me Up

Avicil Song

POLL – Breaking News

     

44% – Believe the USA news media is bias

44% – Believe the USA news media divides people and encouraging them to be angry at one another

12% – Believe the USA news media is objective

Here are the results of a news media poll I conducted a year or so ago:

When it comes to paying attention to the news:

62% – Pays some attention, but not a lot

24% – Pays a lot of attention

14% – Pays almost no attention

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving Polls

ART OF THE WEEK

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620.

There are no contemporaneous references to the Pilgrims’ landing on a rock at Plymouth, and it is not referred to in Edward Winslow’s Mourt’s Relation (1620–21) or in Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation (1620–47).

The first known written reference to the rock’s existence is in 1715, when it is described in the town boundary records as “a great rock.”[3] The first written reference to Pilgrims landing on a rock is found 121 years after they landed, in 1741. A rock traditionally identified as Plymouth Rock, weighing an estimated 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) in its original form, has long been memorialized on the shore of Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Extraordinary people are all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.

For instance, Bill, in the white shirt, is 73 and on his third and final lift at the recent WPC World Powerlifting Championship attempted a 502 lbs. deadlift.  How many of us could even attempt to pick up 500 lbs. regardless of our age, let alone at the age of 73

Sid, in the hat, was in the First Calvary and did five years as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam.  A soldier’s soldier if ever there was one and we owe our liberty to people like Sid.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Betcha Didn’t Know, Melisandre, RNIKS & Jolly, who started following my blog (Currently 110 followers) and Aurora, Carol, Danielle, Dawn, Hannah, Lisa, Patty, Piper & Tara, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 164 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

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

CURRENT EVENTS

Political Posts

World Powerlifting Congress

I was at the World Powerlifting Congress world competition last week in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Lifters from nations all over the world competed against one another but I heard just as much applause for all winners, whether they were from Muslim countries, France, Russia, USA, etc.

I can’t help believing that it is the media and government establishments that makes enemies of people and then when people do come together one on one, they know they are more alike than different.

Last year I was runner-up world champion in my age/weight/type of lift to a Russian

And other than my USA teammates, the Russians were very supportive of my efforts.

Although I feel I should have done more to prepare for this years contest, I still put forth a tremendous effort over the course of the last 12 months.  This year I was able to come in first in a lower weight class.   

But I don’t believe anyone accomplishes anything without some help and to me coming in first in the world for my age/weight/type of lift, plus setting a new world record in that category was a big deal.  And yet it would never have happened without the support and encouragement of my friend Art.  By the way, Art not only took first place in his category, but also received a best lifter award.

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Quirky Girl, Roxie & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Anita, Carol, Craig, Cynthia, Helene, Kimberly, Kristie, Kristen, Nicole, Patty, Shirley & Wendy for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Your clothing choices are a form of communicating who and what you are, so choose with a bit of care.

I always thought it was so sad when someone dressed differently from normal for an interview.  You should dress every day as if you are interviewing, you just may not realize it.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If it is important to you, don’t give up.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to learn to think for yourself and to question things you are told.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Some of you may have a hard time deciding if you need another book, so below is a graph that will help you decide.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I selected this film because I think it says something about the majority of the media in the USA

Wag the Dog

The film follows a Washington, D.C. spin doctor (De Niro) who, mere days before a presidential election, distracts the electorate from a sex scandal by hiring a Hollywood film producer (Hoffman) to construct a fake war with Albania.

Wag the Dog was released one month before the outbreak of the Lewinsky scandal and the subsequent bombing of the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan by the Clinton administration, which prompted the media to draw comparisons between the film and reality. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Revolution

by The Beatles

LAST WEEK’S POLL – World Champions

     

46% – I am friends with a world champion

16% – I have met a world champion

16% – I have never had any kind of contact with a world champion

7% – I am a world champion

7% – I have corresponded with a world champion

7% – I have seen a world champion in person

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Objectivity of USA News Media

ART OF THE WEEK

Statute of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States.

The copper statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886.

It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

George Washington

Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1797

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) He was born into the provincial gentry of Colonial Virginia to a family of wealthy planters who owned tobacco plantations and slaves, which he inherited.

In his youth, he became a senior officer in the colonial militia during the first stages of the French and Indian War. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress commissioned Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution.

Washington, was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution and came to be known as the “father of his country” during his lifetime and to this day.

Washington was widely admired for his strong leadership qualities and was unanimously elected president by the Electoral College in the first two national elections. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the French Revolutionary Wars, suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans of all types.

Washington’s incumbency established many precedents still in use today, such as the cabinet system, the inaugural address, and the title Mr. President. His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition. The 22nd Amendment (1951) now limits the president to two elected terms.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Chris, Kira, Patsy, Simona, Tenacity, Yeah Yummy, who started following my blog (Currently 105 followers) and Alicia, Chris, Kelly, Seema y Viswarupa, liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 154 likes).

MY BOOK

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

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

CURRENT EVENTS

Veterans Day Nov. 11

Fall Back

Sure, everyone reminds you to set your clocks back an hour, but how many reminded you to set your scales back 10 pounds to get ready for the Thanks Giving and the Christmas Holidays, not to mention those leftover Halloween treats.

We had 55 kids come to our door, I was prepared, having bought 150 bags of chips to give out.

Vote

Don’t forget to vote.

PLEASE CONSIDER 

I always find comments so encouraging.  If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Carol, Chris, Daal, Linda & Pam, for commenting on last week’s post. 

And also if you enjoy this blog, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cynthia, Joanne, Joyce, Kate, Louise, Nicole, Nancy, Patty & Shirley, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

When it comes to purchasing food or other substances, this is always good advice.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It is so important that you believe in yourself.  No one holds us back more than ourselves.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

The extraordinary person tries to have empathy for others around them.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Every so often I like to provide you scientific information that will help keep you safe.  Here is something you may want to do, if you haven’t done it already.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual

By Michael Pollan

This book is one of the easiest to read books I have come across and it is packed with good information.  I urge all of you to read this book if you care anything about what you are putting into your body.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Somewhere in Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

If I Could Turn Back Time

by Cher

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Exercise

     

44% – Do cardio, weight-bearing and flexibility exercises

26% – Don’t exercise

17% – Do cardio exercises

10% – Do flexibility exercises

3% – Do weight-bearing exercises

THIS WEEK’S POLL – World Champions

Please pick the one answer that best describes your contact with a world champion from being one yourself descending to never having had any contact with a world champion.  

ART OF THE WEEK

Venus de Milo

Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo, is an ancient Greek statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture.

Created sometime between 130 and 100 BCE, it is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus to the Romans).

It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life [ ]. Part of an arm and the original plinth were lost following its discovery.

From an inscription that was on its plinth, it is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch; earlier, it was mistakenly attributed to the master sculptor Praxiteles.

It is currently on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The statue is named after the Greek island of Milos, where it was discovered. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Robert Smalls

If you don’t believe the above, please check him out on SNOPES.com

What an absolutely extraordinary person.  He demonstrated courage by taking over a confederate ship and eventually became a major-general.

He bought the house he was a slave in and showed extreme kindness and forgiveness by letting the wife of his former “owner” live in the house when she developed dementia.

He learned to read and write and he served 5 terms in congress.

What a role model for everyone by his courage, compassion, love of learning and public service.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

My thanks to Alana, Ananya, Aurora Jean, Fox Island, Gabriela, Ifatimafaye, Joanna, Pam, Roberta, Rose & Think Smart, who started following my blog (Currently 101 followers) and Betty, Cathy, Charlene, Laura, Nancy & Posie who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 138 likes).

MY BOOK

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

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