CURRENT EVENTS
I started working with Sue in 1987, until I left the company in 2009. I don’t think one could find a smarter, more dedicated or loyal to the company team member. Last week after 30 years of service, she retired. Every large corporation has its public faces, but it is people like Sue who really make a great corporation great.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Please don’t let this be your diet plan!
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
I’ve seen people so many times talk themselves out of doing something and someone with less ability taking advantage of the opportunity. Often, we are our own worse enemy.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Want to know how to be a friend?
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
No one becomes anything, let alone extraordinary, without some help along the way. It is easy to take that help for granted, which is a mistake one may regret .
Richard Fachini was a very cool guy. He was a manager and I was a newly hired staff auditor when I went with him on my first speaking engagement at a University. I’ve done my share of speaking engagements since, but Rich got me off to a good start.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Bike Snob
by Bike Snob NYC
I found this to be a fun, informative and easy to read book.
BikeSnobNYC—cycling’s most prolific, well-known, hilarious, and anonymous blogger—brings a fresh and humorous perspective to the most important vehicle to hit personal transportation since the horse.
Bike Snob treats readers to a laugh-out-loud rant and rave about the world of bikes and their riders, and offers a unique look at the ins and outs of cycling, from its history and hallmarks to its wide range of bizarre practitioners. Throughout, the author lampoons the missteps, pretensions, and absurdities of bike culture while maintaining a contagious enthusiasm for cycling itself.
Bike Snob is an essential volume for anyone who knows, is, or wants to become a cyclist. (Source: iTunes)
MOVIES OF THE WEEK
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
The critics didn’t like this film, but it is a Jack Reacher film; so I thought it was ok.
Bedazzled (2000)
As many times as I have seen this great film
Bedazzled (1967)
It wasn’t until this past week, that I saw the original 1967 version. I liked the 2000 version better, but if you liked the 2000 version, you really ought to take a look at this 1967 version.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Beethoven / Ray Charles
John Belushi
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Becoming a Better Person
Have you become a better person this year than you were in 2016?
64% – Same
32% – Better
4% – Worse
Before the end of 2017, will you become a better person than you were in 2016?
62% – Yes
19% – No
19% – I don’t know
THIS WEEK’S POLL – Leftovers
ART OF THE WEEK
Nature is perhaps the greatest of all artists and I urge you to see one of Nature’s most impressive creations, the Buffalo. And there is no where better in my opinion, to see Buffalo than Yellowstone Park.
There are signs every where warning you that these buffalo are wild and dangerous animals and to stay in your car.
However, like most tourists, I couldn’t resist getting out of my car and having my picture taken next to a buffalo. It was a very risky and foolish act on my part, but I guess I am just a risk taker.
EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK
World’s Greatest Hockey Fan
If Hockey had a Hall of Fame category for its greatest fan, Dan would be in it
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
TALK TO ME
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 Darlene, Erika, Georgia, Michael, Samantha,Spiritual Journey & Tania, 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 Annette, Carol, Cynthia, Darlene, Joan, Nandini & Maria for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
My thanks to Cheryl, Jeyran, Melissa & Sarah, who started following my blog and my thanks to Anne, Bonnie & Helene, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.
BOOK
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/
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
Harmony Books & Films, LLC 
I really enjoy this….never fails to get a chuckle. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you very much Sheryll for your comment, it is very encouraging. I have always found things go better with a touch of humor, glad you are enjoying the weekly posts.
LikeLike
Holy cow, there’s an older version of Bedazzled? How come I didn’t know that? I always pride myself in watching the originals of films first, lol. Guess I missed my chance there.
Btw, very bold move to stand next to that buffalo, Bill (oh I just saw it! The pun in that sentence, I mean – unintended I swear). Good thing you made it out alive and well!
LikeLike
I definitely liked the 2000 version of Bedazzled more than the 1967 version; but the 1967 version is well worth watching and so interesting the changes they made in the 2000 version from the 1967 version.
I really don’t advocate ignoring the warnings to stay in your car and not get out of the car and stand by the buffalos. I don’t know why I do such risky things, but I guess that is why I am known in Yellowstone as Buffalo Bill 🙂
Thanks for commenting Samantha and I hope you enjoyed this week’s music 🙂 I thought it was time for a classic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, those buffalo photos are fantastic! I’ve never seen one other than the mock version in the local museum 😉 And wonderful to see your shoutout to your retiring coworker ~ serving 30 years at a company is unheard of these days, with many people having multiple careers. Have a great day!
LikeLike
The buffalo at Yellowstone are amazing and I cannot urge people enough to visit Yellowstone. However, it is a good idea to make your reservations a year early if you want to stay at the lodge by Old faithful.
Yes, the company was like a large family, seeing people over the years get married, have children, parents dying, some spouses dying and retirement. I was very fortunate to have worked there. As you have noted, times have changed.
Thank you very much for commenting Christy
LikeLiked by 1 person
What makes any workplace great is mutual respect for each other and leadership that trusts and empowers their team. That value seems to be fading…. I am so thankful that I got to work in such an environment for many years.
It is so true that we all are our own worst enemies, when we should be our biggest supporter.
Great blog!
LikeLike
Thanks very much for commenting and I wish I could be more optimistic, but I fear greed it taking over all aspects of our lives from corporations to charities.
LikeLike
I was surrounded by buffalo on one trip to Yellowstone. Scary, but the herd just walked slowly around the car.
Btw, thanks for you comments on my blog. Good to get different perspectives.
LikeLike
Yes Georgia, buffalo can be very scary. I was terrified by that one I was standing next to in the photo 🙂
And thank you for approving my comments on your blog. I do enjoy it and I think I can find common ground with your objectives, perhaps we only differ on approaches.
As always, thank you for commenting. Bill
LikeLike
I enjoyed your blog this week. The buffalo pics were great. You are really brave standing right next to that buffalo! I will check out the movie Bedazzled. Good luck with the book signing on April 30th.
LikeLike
Thank you Darlene for commenting and for your wishes regarding April 30th.
Yes, standing next to that buffalo was rather terrifying 🙂
LikeLike
Had a buffalo right next to my open window in Yellowstone – HUGE HEAD! Was at Bill’s book signing at Leon & Lulu. Had a great time and I got to meet those wonderful people Dan & Sue he mentioned. What a great day — thanks Bill!
LikeLike
Jo, so glad you could make it yesterday and it was a lot of fun. Thanks so much for the support.
LikeLike