CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Making Friends (Amigos) in Lima, Peru

I arrived in Peru two days ago and I am finding it to be a unique experience.

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With a population of more than 10 million, Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru and the third-largest city in the Americas, behind São Paulo and Mexico City.

Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as Ciudad de los Reyes. It became the capital and most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. Following the Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru. Around one-third of the national population lives in the metropolitan area.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

Take care of your teeth and they will take care of you.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

It is always nice to get together with friends, but it is even better when you can combine getting together with some physical exercise.

Here is a photo from a recent 5K Run.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

If you don’t visit places and cultures you have never experience, are you really growing as a person?  

Saint Francis Monastery in Lima, Peru

Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery in Lima, Peru, The church and convent are part of the Historic Centre of Lima, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Aside from a church and monastery it also has a library and catacombs [I saw a lot of large bones & skulls. I didn’t want to take a photo, but even if I did, photos were prohibited]. In this church, Jude the Apostle is venerated. At the feast of Saint Jude Tadeus a one and a half ton weighing silver stand [I saw this, but pictures were prohibited] is carried round in procession by 40 people, starting from the convent.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Little Red Book of Running

By Scott Douglas

If you have any interest in running, whether starting out or already an experience running, you really should read this fun and easy to read running book full of helpful tips.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

The Hero (2017)

The main thing this film has going for it is Sam Elliott.

Critics Consensus: The Herorests on Sam Elliott’s understated performance, which proves more than capable of carrying the film through the less inspired moments of its somewhat clichéd story. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

When Will I Be Loved

by Linda Ronstadt

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Who do you think is a Renaissance artist?

Source: Time, Sept. 25, 2017

 7% – Macchiato (Coffee)

30% – Verrocchio (Artist)

  7% – Cortado (Coffee)

  7% – Ristretto (Coffee)

   7% – Masaccio (Artist)

   7% – Affogato (Coffee)

   7% – Carajillo (Coffee)

   7% – Pisanello (Artist)

   7% – Galão (Coffee)

   7% – Tintoretto (Artist)

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to Peru?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

A few years ago when I was in Lisbon, I thought the bring work in this town square was very artistic.

Town Square in Lisbon

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

José de San Martin

José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America’s successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire who served as the Protector of Peru. 

He organized a plan to defeat the Spanish forces that menaced the United Provinces from the north, using an alternative path to the Viceroyalty of Peru. This objective first involved the establishment of a new army, the Army of the Andes, in Cuyo Province, Argentina. From there, he led the Crossing of the Andes to Chile, and triumphed at the Battle of Chacabuco and the Battle of Maipú (1818), thus liberating Chile from royalist rule. Then he sailed to attack the Spanish stronghold of Lima, Peru.

On 12 July 1821, after seizing partial control of Lima, San Martín was appointed Protector of Peru, and Peruvian independence was officially declared on 28 July. On 22 July 1822, after a closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simón Bolívar at Guayaquil, Ecuador, Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru. San Martín unexpectedly left the country and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and moved to France in 1824. The details of the 22 July meeting would be a subject of debate by later historians.

San Martín is regarded as a national hero of Argentina and Peru, and one of the Liberators of Spanish South America. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Sheryll & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Age, Darlene,  Diana, Rose,  Sharon & Yazzlus, who started following my blog and to Danielle, Leila, Linda & P Russell, 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)

What Makes Your Day?

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

I know December 9th is a long ways off, but I thought I would mention it now; plus I just entered this contest so it was on my mind.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

The only way you can live your dreams is to take action.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Older Testament: An Origin Story

Source: Esquire, October 2017

I found this story interesting and I hope you do too.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

You absolutely have to watch this video

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Born to Fly

by Sara Evans

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which button would you press?

27% – Lose weight

21% – More money

 13% – Sleep better

13% – More energy

 13% – Less body fat

 13% – More muscle

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Renaissance artist or coffee?

Source: Time, Sept. 25, 2017

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Ships can also be works of arts, and perhaps none more so than the old wooden ships of yesterday.  I was in Boston in 1994 and had a chance to go on the USS Constitution.  Below is a photo I took before going on the ship.

USS Constitution

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy, named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America. She is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

What I liked best about George Washington is that he is also known as the man who did not want to be king.  In fact, he did not want a second term as President, but Adams and Jefferson argued him into accepting a second term as President.

Napoleon, who came after Washington, made himself Emperor.  In that context, you see how extraordinary was George Washington.

George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was [ ] the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and later presided over the 1787 convention that drafted the United States Constitution. He is popularly considered the driving force behind the nation’s establishment and came to be known as the “father of the country,” both during his lifetime and to this day. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Judith, René, Spirtual Journey, Sue & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Cynthia, Donna, Sandra, Sheryll, Shirley  & Tammy, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Ashley, Cátia, Donna, Kruti, Pamela, Rough Bandit,  Tanveer & Tonia, who started following my blog and to Amy, Christine, Irina, Sandy & 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)

AWPC World Championships

Folks, last week I mentioned I was going to be competing in the AWPC World Championships.  In case you are wondering how I did; I am the AWPC Raw Deadlift world champion for my age and weight.

And if you are wondering what is a deadlift, here is a clip of my second lift of the day–325 lbs.  The video looks like it is sideways, but if you click on it; it will straighten out.

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

It is important to express gratitude to those that help you out along the way.  The three most important people that helped me along in my powerlifting journey are:

Freddy

Walter

Art

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to always at least look over the instructions.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

T

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I recall reading this book long ago (before calendar year 1984), after reading the books 1984 and Brave New World. I really have to read it again.

We

by Yevgeny Zamyatin

We is a dystopian novel by Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin, completed in 1921.

Dystopian society

The dystopian society depicted in We is presided over by the Benefactor and is surrounded by a giant Green Wall to separate the citizens from primitive untamed nature. All citizens are known as “numbers”. Every hour in one’s life is directed by “The Table”.

The action of We is set at some time after the Two Hundred Years’ War, which has wiped out all but “0.2 of the earth’s population”. The war was over a rare substance only mentioned in the book through a biblical metaphor; the substance was called “bread”. The war only ended after the use of weapons of mass destruction, so that the One State is surrounded with a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Allusions and references

Many of the names and numbers in We are allusions to personal experiences of Zamyatin or to culture and literature. For example, “Auditorium 112” refers to cell number 112, where Zamyatin was twice imprisoned, … (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

This film was action, more action and more action.  I understand there was a storyline somewhere in this film, but I must have blinked and missed it.

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Critics Consensus: The Hitman’s Bodyguard coasts on Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds’ banter — but doesn’t get enough mileage to power past an overabundance of action-comedy clichés. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Rocky III – Eye of the Tiger

by Survivor

LAST WEEK’S POLL – What do you think of gray hair?

32% – Better than no hair.

32% – Other

 16% – Wise

10% – Strong

 5% – Sexy

 5% – Wealthy

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which button would you press?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

I’ve noticed as I travel around I see more and more unusual art in airports.

Here is something I came across at the Phoenix Airport a few years ago. It looks to me like a family enjoying a day swimming in sand.  I’m sorry now that I did not read up on it.

Airport Art

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

I remember these ads in the comic books I was reading when I was young, do you?

Charles Atlas

Charles Atlas (born Angelo Siciliano; October 30, 1892 – December 24, 1972) was an Italian-American bodybuilder best remembered as the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program which spawned a landmark advertising campaign featuring his name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all time.

Atlas trained himself to develop his body from that of a “scrawny weakling”, eventually becoming the most popular bodybuilder of his day.

He took the name “Charles Atlas” after a friend told him that he resembled the statue of Atlas on top of a hotel in Coney Island and legally changed his name in 1922.

He marketed his first bodybuilding course with health and fitness writer Dr. Frederick Tilney in November 1922. Tilney wrote the original course “Health & Strength by Charles Atlas” and the duo ran the company out of Tilney’s home for the first six months.

In 1929, Tilney sold his half of the business to advertising man Charles P. Roman. Charles Atlas Ltd. was founded in 1929 and, as of 2015, continues to market a fitness program for the “97-pound weakling”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Darlene, Georgia, Kathy, Monica, Réne & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Anni, Carmen, Carol, Cindi, Cynthia, Darlene, Donna, Hussein, MaryAnn, Sheryll, Shirley, Willie & Yuiana, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Barbara, Festival Reviews, Jungkesun, Liz, Monica, Reethu, Roos, Soiba & Zensational, who started following my blog and to Kendell, Lizrette, Melina & Therese, 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)

Labor Day Weekend

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

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

There are a lot of people out there (gurus, financial advisors, various kinds of coaches, etc.) willing to give you advice for a fee.  Be cautious by checking their background and look for demonstrated successes, especially success in their own lives.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

This is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder

by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Douglas Kent Hall

I understand, if you aren’t into fitness; you probably aren’t interested in this book.

There is more to this book than just fitness. Here is a sentence from this book, “The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I saw this film last week and I adore Aubrey Plaza.  She not only starred in this film, but was also one of the producers.  As for my opinion of the film, well it is a good thing I adore Aubrey Plaza.

Ingrid Goes West

Critics Consensus: Led by strong performances from Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen, Ingrid Goes West delivers smart, topical humor underlined by timely social observations. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Rocky Theme Song – Gonna Fly Now

by Bill Conti

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Are you a better person?

Have you become a better person since the beginning of this year?

37% – Yes

25% – No, I like how I am now

 19% – No, I was already a fantastic person

19% – Tried, but failed

In the remaining four months of 2017, I am going to

72% – Become a better person

22% – Stay the same

 6% – Become a worse person

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What do you think of gray hair?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Here I am at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, standing by one of de Chirico’s paintings

Plaza d’Italia

by Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico (10 July 1888 – 20 November 1978) was an Italian artist and writer. In the years before World War I, he founded the scuola metafisica art movement, which profoundly influenced the surrealists.

De Chirico won praise for his work almost immediately from the writer Guillaume Apollinaire, who helped to introduce his work to the later Surrealists. De Chirico strongly influenced the Surrealist movement: Yves Tanguy wrote how one day in 1922 he saw one of de Chirico’s paintings in an art dealer’s window, and was so impressed by it he resolved on the spot to become an artist—although he had never even held a brush. Other Surrealists who acknowledged de Chirico’s influence include Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Franco Columbu

Francesco Columbu (born August 7, 1941) is an Italian actor, author, former champion bodybuilder and World’s Strongest Man competitor.

Columbu started his athletic career as a boxer, Columbu progressed into Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting, and later bodybuilding, winning the title of Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981. At 5’4″, though shorter than most of his competitors, his height did not prevent him from achieving widespread success.

Columbu is a longtime friend of Schwarzenegger, whom he met in Stuttgart in 1965 and against whom he competed in several international-level bodybuilding competitions. For the Mr. Olympia competitions however, he competed in the under-200 lb (90.7 kg) category, whereas Schwarzenegger was in the over-200 lb category. The IFBB has since abandoned weight classes.

Arnold and Franco were inseparable friends and training partners during the late 60s to mid-1970s. Columbu served as Schwarzenegger’s best man at his wedding to Maria Shriver in 1986. Columbu and Schwarzenegger had been encouraged to come to America by bodybuilding guru Joe Weider in 1969; Weider sponsored them with an $80/week stipend. They arrived in America and began a bricklaying and patio business called European Brick Works in 1969. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Crystal, Darlene, Quirky Girl, Samantha & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Darlene, Donna & Melissa, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Eugenia, Hussein, Jac, Jim, Lindsay, Lost Soul, Madhulika, MC Clark, Moushmi, Mrs. Master Mind, Mystic Writer, Pradita, Sanoberkhan & Twiiti, who started following my blog and to Isabella, Mariana & Stacy, 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