CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

August 23, 2017 Powerball Drawing

I don’t gamble, unless you consider the stock market a form of gambling, but I simply had to buy a $2 ticket for this drawing.  I knew it was a long shot.

The second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history was won Wednesday night, when a winning ticket for the $758 million jackpot was sold in Massachusetts. A single winning ticket was sold for the jackpot.

Thanks to such a large jackpot, lottery fever captured the country this week and it paid off for some folks as $1 million winners were sold in 22 states. (Source: MLive)

Please don’t ask for loans or offer investment opportunities, I didn’t win.  When someone says it is a long shot, it is.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

I think it is amazing the different types of people you can meet online that you would probably never even come into contact with otherwise.  I now have over 3,500 Facebook friends and many of the ideas and graphics I post in this blog come from that group of Facebook friends.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

The scientific community and general public were excited about the solar eclipse last week.

I do hope everyone viewed the eclipse safely.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Most Dangerous Man in America

by Catherine Drinker Bowen

For some of you, this book may not have been about who you thought it was going to be about.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

A Million Ways to Die in the West

As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival. (Source: IMDB)

I thought the movie was a bit stupid, but fun.  Check out the trailer and let me know what you think?

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Where Do You Go To My Lovely

by Peter Sarstedt

In case you are wondering, the fellow below is not Peter Sarstedt, or is he?

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How Did The Barcelona Terrorist Attack Make You Feel?

  

69% – Angry

 25% – Sad

  6% – Afraid

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Are You a Better Person?

We are wrapping up two-thirds of 2017, with four months remaining.  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

You ever have that feeling that a cloud was hanging over your head?

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has a fantastic exhibit going on.  It is titled “Revolution” and has been seen my over 90,000 visitors, including yours truly.

***

To say the late 1960s altered how we see and think about the world is something of an understatement, as a new exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts makes graphically clear.

Movements led by predominantly young activists for peace, black civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights and environmental rights turned people power into a political force for equality, freedom and justice.

Originally curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the 700-piece, multimedia exhibit explores the interplay between music, fashion, photography, film, art, design and literature alongside the social upheaval of the years spanning 1966 to 1970. (Source: CBC News)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Although many of her films in my opinion were terrible, she was still the number one star.  I understand she was in so many bad films because her criteria for deciding what films to be in was whether her friends were involved in the film.  And that trait is why I think she is so extraordinary, plus she loves animals and in later years married a vet–how cool is that. 

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot (born 28 September 1934) is a French actress, singer, dancer and fashion model, who later became an animal rights activist. She was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s and was widely referred to by her initials, B.B. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

If I were more controversial, would I hear from more than one person?   

Thank you Georgia, for commenting on last week’s post. I just want to say:

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Bear Mountain Yoga, Cindi, Cindy, Cynthia, Darlene, Desiree, Donna, Eva-Lisa, Evelyn, Josie, Sheryll, Shirley & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Adedeji, Allan, Cornelius, Daisymae, Elizabeth, Image Earth Travel, Indishe, Jenna, Kip, Lemanshots, Mandy, Maxim, Oh Sweet Chaos, Rambles & Rosé, Sheryl, Shinning Gem, Super Wife and Mummy, Swati, Tanya, Vinnieh y Yashika who started following my blog and to Ann, Chris, Nabila & Pat, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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 (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

August 17, 2017 Barcelona Terrorist Attack

This is so absolutely wrong and shame on all the people who knew about these plans and didn’t tell the authorities.  Barcelona is one of the world’s truly great cosmopolitan cities and Spain is extremely respectful of its Muslin heritage.

We have been to Spain and twice to Barcelona, even staying on La Rambia. La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona may be the most emotionally stirring structure ever created by humans.  

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

Looking for a good doctor, here are a few good ones.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Here is some useful career advice.  

Remember, your life doesn’t start when you leave work

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Scrappy Little Nobody

by Anna Kendrick

I’ve only read about half to this book so far, but it is a delight to read.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

If you enjoy clever detective stories and a rather unusual detective, you really have to check out this series.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot

From England to Egypt, accompanied by his elegant and trustworthy sidekicks, the intelligent yet eccentrically refined Belgian detective Hercule Poirot pits his wits against a collection of first class deceptions. (Source: IMDB)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Weapon Of Choice

by Fatboy Slim

You just have to check out Christopher Walken in this video.

He is always cool, but perhaps more so in this video.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Do you believe Elvis is alive?

88% – No

  6% – Yes

  6% – Don’t care

 0% – Don’t know

THIS WEEK’S POLL – How Did The Barcelona Terrorist Attack Make You Feel?

  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Outside

Inside

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Isabella I

Isabella I (22 April 1451 – 26 November 1504) was Queen of Castile. She was married to Ferdinand II of Aragon. Their marriage became the basis for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

After a struggle to claim her right to the throne, she reorganized the governmental system, brought the crime rate to the lowest it had been in years, and unburdened the kingdom of the enormous debt her brother had left behind. Her reforms and those she made with her husband had an influence that extended well beyond the borders of their united kingdoms.

Isabella and Ferdinand are known for completing the Reconquista, ordering conversion or exile of their Muslim and Jewish subjects in the Spanish Inquisition, and for supporting and financing Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage and to the establishment of Spain as the first global power which dominated Europe and much of the world for more than a century.

Isabella was granted the title Servant of God by the Catholic Church in 1974.

(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

To leave a comment, just click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

To Georgia, Judith, Kate & Quirky Girl,  for commenting on last week’s post. I just want to say:

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And thank youJulietta, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And finally My thanks to Animalista Untamed, Carolanne, Festival for Romance, Janie, Kendall, Lacey, Marina, Mark, Resa, Smitha, Student Feedback Festival & Suraj, who started following my blog and to Justine, Laura & Sarah, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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 (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

This was the news on August 16, 1977.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

No matter who you are, you really need to give some thought to your eating habits.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Elvis didn’t give up and neither should you.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

It is important to say thank you.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I recall attending a conference and hearing Tom Peters say something close to most everyone recognizes a good idea.  The problem with a great idea, is that it is hard to tell if from  a crazy idea.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Adversity is sometimes hard upon a [person];

but for one [person] who can stand prosperity,

there are a hundred that will stand adversity.

Source: Elvis Presley

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Tao of Elvis

by David Rosen

Elvis Presley was an intensely spiritual man. Gospel was his music of choice, and his life–from innocence to addiction, from obscurity to fame, from “Hound Dog” to “Love Me Tender”–was one long quest to balance opposites.

The Tao of Elvis is the first attempt to illustrate Elvis’s Taoist nature and interpret his never-ending search for purpose and meaning. Highlighting Elvis’s journey from light into dark, Jungian expert and Elvis scholar David Rosen explores and examines his life through the structure of the Tao Te Ching.

In reflections on forty-two Taoist concepts–one for each year of Elvis’s life–Rosen reveals how the Tao, a mysterious force, was and is operating through America’s king. Like the Tao, Elvis is everywhere. (Source: Barnes & Noble description)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Elvis and JFK, both alive and in a nursing home, fight for the souls of their fellow residents as they battle an ancient Egyptian Mummy. (Source: IMDB)

After the above, how can you not want to watch this film?

Bubba Ho-Tep

Critics Consensus: The best movie to star both the King and JFK. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which version of the “Locomotion” did you like best?

45% – Little Eva

33% – Japanese

 22% – Australian by Kylie Minogue

 0% – French by Sylvie Vartan

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Is Elvis Alive or Dead?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

When the King Met the President

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

To leave a comment, just click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

To Darlene, Georgia, René & Samantha,  for commenting on last week’s post. I just want to say:

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And to Carol, Cindi, Cynthia, Darlene, Don, Donna & Sheryll, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And finally My thanks to Artist by Beauty, Black Bean Queen, Invisibly Me, Mary Lou, Matthew, Simmi & Trip Ambitions, who started following my blog and to Kim, Lynne,  Lisa, Melanie & Micheline, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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 (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

If you would rather watch music videos than watch the news, 

you have come to the right site.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

One of the best exercises and one that anyone can do, is walking.

So why not take a stroll?

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own destiny.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

Looking for a gift for someone, why not this.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is so important to get a good education, but there are a lot of educational opportunities available and Arron Tippin suggests one of the best educational opportunities.

Working Man’s Ph.D.

By Arron Tippin

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Ladies, be careful with these really romantic guys.  

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Folks, the book I recommended this week came out in 2002 and there has been so many changes in what we know about food that although some of the info in the recommend book is good, there are simply too many things in the book that I cannot support.  So I have deleted my recommended book for this week and apologize for my choice of books this week.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I think this film is not only entertaining, but has an important message.

McFarland, USA

Jim White, a football coach, loses his job and moves with his family to take a new job at McFarland High School in McFarland, California, which is predominantly Latino. Discovering that some of his students are strong runners, he organizes a boys’ cross country team with seven members who have little hope for their future. They become a close-knit, mutually supportive unit. Under White’s guidance the team becomes outstandingly successful, winning 11 state titles over the years, with many members escaping poverty and being first in their families to go to college or into military careers. Some members continue to attend practice even after graduation from college. (Source: IMDB)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

French is one of the most beautiful languages

Le Locomotion (1962)

by Sylvie Vartan

I have to give this Japanese artist an A+ for effort

The Locomotion

By a Japanese Singer

Kylie Minogue, from Australia, does a very nice job with the song.

The Locomotion (1988)

By Kylie Minogue

But no one does it for me like Little Eva.

The Locomotion (1962)

By Little Eva

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Did You See The Movie La Bamba?

47% – No

43% – Yes

 5% – Yes and plan to watch it again

 5% – Yes and plan to watch it again

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which version of the “Locomotion” did you like best?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Since  I mentioned Locomotion so many times this week, I thought some early 1950s Lionel train art should be this week’s art.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Dick Clark and his American Bandstand used to be on Mondays through Fridays and I recall watching it when I got home from school.

Dick Clark

Richard Wagstaff Clark (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1987.

As host of American Bandstand, Clark introduced rock & roll to many Americans. The show gave many new music artists their first exposure to national audiences, including Ike and Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Talking Heads and Simon & Garfunkel. Episodes he hosted were among the first in which blacks and whites performed on the same stage and among the first in which the live studio audience sat without racial segregation. Singer Paul Anka claimed that Bandstand was responsible for creating a “youth culture.” Due to his perennial youthful appearance and his fame as the host of American Bandstand, Clark was often referred to as “America’s oldest teenager” or “the world’s oldest teenager”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

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 Catherine, Georgia, Samantha & Tania,  for commenting on last week’s post. I find blog comments so encouraging, so I am especially appreciative when anyone takes the time to comment.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette, Darlene, Donna, Melissa, Nandini, , Sheryll, Shirley & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

My thanks to Catherine, Jan, Kim, Princess Blabbermouth, Runaway Nuns and Leprechauns, Storyspiller and Tania, who started following my blog and my thanks to Edwina & Nancy, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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