CURRENT EVENTS

A Positive Post

If you are on Facebook very often, I suspect you can use this.

A Reminder in Case You Are Interested

Leon & Lulu
96 W. 14 Mile Road
Clawson, MI 48017

(Northern suburbs of Detroit)

If you like books or if you have ever thought of writing a book, Sunday April 30th, 2017, from 11 am to 5 pm at Leon & Lulu’s in Clawson, Michigan; you will have a chance to talk to a lot of authors.  Click on the link below to see who will be there, and if you look closely you see me there also. I  would be delighted if you would stop by and say hello.  Please let me know if you think you might stop by.

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

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Investing your time and money in your own health is the best investment you can make.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Please don’t be one of these people who suck the nice out of others.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Powerlifting Over 50

by Richard Schuller

You do not have to be weak when you are old, I know a number of world powerlifting champions, who are over 60 and some over 70.

Besides for exercise and eating advice, this book has some good solid advice about life in general.

For instance, the author says we all know people who are always extremely busy, and yet they never seem to get anywhere.  It is more like they are too busy to do anything important.

And of course, if you are a powerlifter, you will definitely want to read this book.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I saw this movie and knew I had to go to Barcelona.  I’ve been twice, since I’ve seen this movie.  I hope this film or another film will create a desire in you for adventure.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

Vicky and Cristina, these two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist and his beautiful but insane ex-wife. Vicky is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, both comedic and harrowing results ensue. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes) 

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I’ve always liked this version of When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Krauss, whose version was her first solo top-10 country hit in 1995

When You Say Nothing at All (1995)

Alison Krauss

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Gratitude

56% – Believe people are less likely to express gratitude than in earlier times.

46% – Believe people are as likely to express gratitude as people in earlier times.

  0% – Believe people are more likely to express gratitude than in earlier times.

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Health Insurance

ART OF THE WEEK

If you are ever in Barcelona, please make sure you go inside the Sagrada Familia, it is an unfordable experience. Best to order your tickets online.

Sagrada Familia

    

I never took a photo that did the outside of the church justice, so here is a photo I grabbed off the internet

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Christopher Walken

Often I provide info on the “Extraordinary Person of the Week”, but I think this video says more than words ever could about Christopher Walken.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I sure hope none of us are this foolish.

TALK TO ME

If  you have a suggestion for a poll, or anything else, please leave me a comment. To leave a comment, just click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Carol, Darlene, Georgia, Judith, Kathy, Quirky Girl, Samantha & Suezway for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cheryl, Cindi, Cynthia, Darlene, Debbie, Diana, Donna, John, Julie, Rodney, Shirley & Susan  for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

My thanks to Andrea, Anne, Ashanti, Emma, Mitch & Nildamacedopaulino, who started following my blog and my thanks to Amanda, Jessica & Tiffany, who liked  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Death of Chuck Berry

Today, many recording stars use all kinds of special effects to make them interesting.  This guy didn’t need anything to be interesting, he was interesting.

Leon & Lulu
96 W. 14 Mile Road
Clawson, MI 48017

(Northern suburbs of Detroit)

If you like books or if you have ever thought of writing a book, Sunday April 30th, 2017, from 11 am to 5 pm at Leon & Lulu’s in Clawson, Michigan; you will have a chance to talk to a lot of authors.  

In addition to all these interesting people who will be there to talk to you (click on the link below to see who will specifically be there), I’ll also be there (I just found out they will have me back) and would be delighted if you would stop by and say hello 

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

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Please make wise food choices, because we are what we eat.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

There is nothing so ordinary today as people who don’t show gratitude.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Don’t Give Up

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Historical Heartthrobs

by Kelly Murphy with Hallie Fryd

The publisher says, “This book compiles photos and life stories of 50 of the sexiest men and women from history and asks the essential question: Would you really want to date them?”

I would probably describe this book as 50 somewhat interesting people and as ask the essential question, would you really want to buy this book.  I did and found the book somewhat interesting.   

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I’ve been assigned to Table 19 so many times, so I was eagerly looking forward to seeing this movie, especially since it stars two of my favorite actresses, Anna Kendrick and Lisa Kudrow.  After seeing this film recently at the movie theater, I’m afraid I have to assign this film to table 19.

Table 19

Eloise McGarry is invited to a wedding, and finds herself seated at Table 19, a table intended for guests who were only reluctantly invited … (Source: Wikipedia) 

Get Out

This film is in theaters now.  I would call it a suspense film, not usually the type of film I would watch but it is well done and I think you will have more respect for the TSA after watching this film.

Bedazzled

This is an extremely entertaining film and delivers a wonderful message at the end.  It came out in 2000, but I think it stands the test of time.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Sorry folks, I seem to be stuck in the 50s and 60s.

Imagination (1961)

The Quotations

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Daylight Savings Time

58% – Should end

21% – Should continue

21% – Indifferent or no opinion

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Gratitude

ART OF THE WEEK

Since St. Patrick’s Day was last week, you probably heard mention of the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle.  Well, this is what the castle looks like.

Blarney Castle

  

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Albert Einstein

Ok, we all know Albert Einstein was a genius.  But perhaps here are a couple of things you didn’t know about him. I hope they will encourage you in your own life.

Einstein Had Speech Difficulty as a Child – As a child, Einstein seldom spoke. When he did, he spoke very slowly – indeed, he tried out entire sentences in his head (or muttered them under his breath) until he got them right before he spoke aloud. According to accounts, Einstein did this until he was nine years old. Einstein’s parents were fearful that he was retarded – of course, their fear was completely unfounded!

Einstein Failed his University Entrance Exam – In 1895, at the age of 17, Albert Einstein applied for early admission into the Swiss Federal Polytechnical School. He passed the math and science sections of the entrance exam, but failed the rest (history, languages, geography, etc.)! Einstein had to go to a trade school before he retook the exam and was finally admitted to ETH a year later. (Source: Neatorama)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

TALK TO ME

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Georgia, Gill & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cheryl, Cradle Meditation, Cynthia, Jennifer, Katherine, Sheila, Sheryll, Shirley, Susan, Valeria & Willie for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

My thanks to Gill, Hiroshi, Kitten Meowing, Sammy & Sweta, who started following my blog and my thanks to Audrey, Bonnie, Carol, Char, Cassandra, Jill, John, Elizabeth, Kris, Shawn, Sheila & Sophia, who liked  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Daylight Savings Time

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Ok, you can skip the gym this one time

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

This is for all of you out there who are into Zen.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Want to get along better with people, then perhaps

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

If case you are wondering when is a good time to start something.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,

you must first invent the Universe.”

Source: Carl Sagan

SELF-HELP BOOKS

A Brief History of Time

by Stephen W. Hawking

I have read and re-read the original 1988 version of this book and it is very readable and could expand your mind.  I understand there is an updated 2005 edition.

In A Brief History of Time, Hawking writes in non-technical terms about the structure, origin, development and eventual fate of the universe, which is the object of study of astronomy and modern physics. (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

The Accountant

If you believe accounting has to be a boring profession, you should check out this film.  I thought Anna Kendrick was perfect for her role.

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations.

With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Anna Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Anything Else

I enjoyed this rather old (2003) film with Woody Allen, Jason Biggs and Christine Ricci (who is a trip).

Jerry Falk is an aspiring writer in New York, who falls in love at first sight with a free-spirited young woman named Amanda. Jerry has heard the phrase that life is like “anything else,” but he soon finds that life with the unpredictable Amanda isn’t like anything else at all. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Sun Records

If you like early rock ‘n’ roll, you are going to like this show.  I’ve seen the first three episodes and thought they were all well done and the actors resemble the characters they play, which makes this CMT TV show even better.

Set in Memphis during the tumultuous early days of the civil rights movement, Sun Records tells the untold story of nothing less than the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.

Guided by Sam Phillips, young musicians like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis combined the styles of hillbilly country with the 1950s R&B sound created by artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Fats Domino and Ike Turner, and changed the course of music forever. The series chronicles these young artists’ often jarring and sudden meteoric rise to fame in the face of sweeping political change and social unrest. (Source: CMT)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Apparently Cher didn’t hear that it was Spring Forward and not Fall Back

If I Could Turn Back Time

Cher

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Dreams

Do you believe dreams can come true?

86% – Yes

14% – No

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Daylight Savings Time

ART OF THE WEEK

I was fortunate to see this marvelous clock a few years ago on a visit to Prague.

Prague Clock

The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating.

The clock mechanism itself has three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; “The Walk of the Apostles”, a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures—notably a figure of Death (represented by a skeleton) striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Father Time

Typically pictured as an old man with a white beard and cloak, often carrying a scythe and hourglass. In ancient times he was known as Chronos or Saturn.

He symbolizes the flow of time and its effects. His old body is a reminder that time is the devourer of all things and that, like the sand in the hourglass he often carries, his life will run out, as all good things come to an end. (Source: Urban Dictionary)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Christy, Georgia, Jan, Rose & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette, Carol, Faye, Halli, Marlene, Posie, Roni, Sandra & True Self Coaching for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Azra, Mrinalini, Risty, Rosie, Shez & Utesmile, who started following my blog (Currently 171 followers) and currently 223 people like my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Dreams

Nikos Kazantzakis, in Report to Greco, asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command.

His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.”

But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult command.

The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.” (Source: Running & Being by Dr. George Sheehan

I urge all you to please don’t settle, reach for the impossible; who knows what you will accomplish.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

If you are like me,

you can only dream that meditation will resolve your stress issues.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world.

Source: Lou Holtz

Be the dream

Source: John Chaney

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Never underestimate the impact you are having, you probably have a greater impact than you realize.

Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted person will impact 10,000 people in his or her lifetime.

Source: “Developing the Leader Within You” by John Maxwell.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Here is an organizing tip that really works

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Running & Being

by Dr. George Sheehan

Think this book is just about running, well you are so mistaken.

Here are a few examples of what you will find in this book:

The clock makes every hour just an hour.  The artist, especially the poet, has always known this to be wrong.

Study the lives of those who sought . . . the meaning of the cosmos. . . . The common denominator of these people is asceticism, which comes from the Greek ascesis, meaning rigorous training, self-discipline and self-restraint.

“The next major advance in the health of the American people,” said Dr. John Knowles of the Rockefeller Foundation, “will result only from what the individual is willing to do for himself.”

Picasso. When asked, “What is art?” he replied, “What is not?”

Well, I hope from the above you get the point that this book is about far more than just running.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I saw so many movies this week that I want to share with you.  The price will be my very concise opinion of each movie.

Neighbors (1981)

This is an old film and it is so weird, but it really appealed to me.  Others of you will no doubt not care much for it.

Mulholland Dr.

Did I say Neighbors (1981) was weird; well not all compared with Mulholland Dr.  What can I say, I have some weird tastes.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

Action, action and action; oh by the way this film has a lot of action–I didn’t have a stop watch with me, but I estimate the thinking was less than a minute

Fist Fight

If you can get past the foul language, off beat sex, drugs and violence, this movie is pretty funny and it actually has a message.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This song makes me wonder if times are really better today than back in the late 60s.  This song  hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks

Daydream Believer

The Monkees

LAST WEEK’S POLL – 2017 Academy Awards (aka Oscars)

Did you watch the 2017 Academy Awards (aka Oscars)

60% – No

25% – Yes

15% – Portion

If you did not watch or stopped watching, it was because

60% – Boring

27% – Political Statements

13% – Pulled away from watching by other things

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Dreams

ART OF THE WEEK

Castle of the Pyrenees

by Rene Magritte

Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

Source: Henry David Thoreau

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Martin Luther King Jr.

When it comes to having dreams, I cannot think of anyone who tops Martin Luther King Jr.

And remember, he said, “I have a dream.”

He did not say, “I have a good idea.”

Source: Mind Gym by Gary Mack with David Casstevens

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BROMA DE LA SEMANA

How do Mexicans feel about Trumps Wall?

¿Cómo se siente mexicanos sobre pared de triunfos?

Don’t worry, we will get over it.

No te preocupes, nos pondremos sobre él.

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box. Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Carol, Chris, Darlene, Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Donna, Joel, Linda, Nandini, Sherlly & Thayer for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to College Mate, Janet, Sheryl & Sunaina, who started following my blog (Currently 166 followers) and currently 223 people like my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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