CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

(Las Probabilidades y Los Fines de Ser Extraordinarios)

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

We are staying at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island over the Memorial Day weekend so I just had to make this wonderful movie, filmed at the Grand Hotel, the Movie of the Week.

Someplace in Time (1980)

And if by some chance you haven’t yet seen this wonderful movie, you really ought to give it a try.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

I just love this video and I hope you do too.

The Addams Family

Dancing Blitzkreig Bop by the Ramones

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Royal Wedding

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

This is the hotel we stayed at over the Memorial Day Weekend.  I took it out of the window of the boat we took to get to the island, hence all the water spray on the window.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island

The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and coastal resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island, located  between the state’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. The hotel opened on July 10, 1887 and took a mere 93 days to complete.

Constructed in the late 19th century, the facility advertises itself as having the world’s largest porch. The Grand Hotel is well-known for a number of notable visitors, including five U.S. presidents, Russian presidents Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain.

Mackinac Island does not permit motor vehicles (except for emergency vehicles and, in winter, snowmobiles), and transport to and from the dock to the hotel is via horse-drawn carriage. The only other motor vehicles allowed in recent history were cars brought over for the filming of Somewhere in Time. During the winter months, when ice prevents ferry transport from the mainland, the hotel is closed. The island also has a small airport (no fuel or services) for private aircraft. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

A great comedian and I really liked his film Back to School.

Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield, (born Jacob Cohen November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer and screenwriter known for his self-deprecating humor and his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme.

He began his career working as a stand-up comic in the Borscht Belt resorts of the Catskill Mountains north of New York City. His act grew in notoriety as he became a mainstay on late-night talk shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually developing into a headlining act on the Las Vegas casino circuit.

His breakout film role came in 1980 as a boorish nouveau riche golfer in the ensemble comedy Caddyshack, which was followed by two more successful films, 1983’s Easy Money, and 1986’s Back to School. Additional film work kept him busy through the rest of his life, mostly in comedies. Health troubles curtailed his output through the early 2000s, before his death in 2004.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

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

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And my thanks to Vikram, who started following my blog and to Von, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

And thank you  Carol & Cindi,  for sharing my FB post.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

What if Prince Harry was Indian?

Here is Another Version of a Royal Wedding

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

If you’ve ever left a workout feeling on top of the world, you’re well aware that fitness can have some major mind-body perks. But now, a new study has found that one specific type of workout can have a big impact on depression.

The meta-analysis, which was published in JAMA Psychiatry, reviewed 33 studies and determined that strength training is linked with a significant decrease in symptoms of depression. Specifically, weight lifting and strength training helped improve low mood, a loss of interest in activities, and feelings of unworthiness.

These major benefits were true for people no matter how old they were, their health status, what type of strength training they did (Source: Runner’s World)

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Do you know how to apologize?

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

I think travel is so important and a great way to meet new and different people.  For instance, if you are walking down a street in Paris, who knows who you may see on the streets.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

(Las Probabilidades y Los Fines de Ser Extraordinarios)

Do you have habits you wish to develop?

Do you have habits you wish to drop?

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

These dark history books are easy to read, lots of pictures and you learn a lot.

A Dark History: Vikings

by Martin J. Dougherty

Marauders or explorers? Raiders or traders? We think we know who the Vikings were, but do we? A thousand years after their demise, traces of Viking civilization can be found as far apart as North America and the Middle East. They traded walruses with Inuits and sold slaves in Constantinople. They discovered America, settled in Newfoundland, and fought battles in Central Asia.
•Arranged thematically, Vikings examines Norse life from religion to raiding, from exploration to settlement to their legacy.
•Illustrated with more than 150 photographs and artworks, Vikings is an exciting history of a people who have long-held a place in popular imagination.

(Source: goodreads)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I watched all three episodes and thought it was very well done.

Little Women on Masterpiece Theater PBS (2017)

Dramatization of Louisa May Alcott’s novel about the lives of the four March sisters during the American Civil War as they learn to navigate love, loss and the trials of growing up. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

I understand this was the first song played at the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding reception.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Whitney Houston

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Do you wish you had tried to have a closer relationship with some key people in your life who are now gone?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

While in London, years ago I took this photo

of the Parliament Building and Big Ben

While in prison, I took this photo of the

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Place

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Henry VIII

I believe this is all you need to know about Henry VIII.

There are others who prefer this version of his life.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Betty, Carol, Darlene, Nanette & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And my thanks to Aspiring Librarian, Jay-Lyn, Richi & The Voice of Peace, who started following my blog and to Divinder, Piper, Wendi & Wendy, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

And thank you Barb, Carol, Darlene, Debra, Freya, Heather, Irene, Kathleen & Tammy, for sharing my FB post.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Peace in the Middle East

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a Genie’s
lamp.  She picked it up and rubbed it and lo-and-behold, a Genie
appeared.

The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes.  The Genie said, “nope,
due to inflation, constant downsizing, low wages in third world
countries, and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one
wish.  So what’ll be?’.

The woman didn’t hesitate. She said “I want peace in the Middle East,
See this map?, I want these countries to stop fighting with each other”.

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, “Gadzooks lady! These
countries have been at war for thousands of years.  I’M good, but not
THAT good!, I don’t think it can be done.  Make another wish”.

The woman thought for a minute and said “Well, I’ve never been able to
find the right man.  You know, one that’s considerate and fun, likes to
cook and helps with the housecleaning, is good in bed and gets along
with my family, doesn’t watch sports all the time, and is faithful.
That’s what I wish for…….”A good mate.

The Genie let out a long sigh and said, “let me see that map again.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

And please don’t neglect your dental health, it is so important.

I know, sometimes you may be running short of cash, but still you ought to go.

A friend of mine, told me that although he only had a dollar, he still went to the dentist.

I was surprised to hear that and so I asked him what the dentist did for him.

He told me the dentist gave him “buck” teeth.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

Space exploration is very important and the photos being taken are amazing, such as this photo of earth.

And here is a photo of the surface of Mars

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

(Las Probabilidades y Los Fines de Ser Extraordinarios)

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

This book is old, like me (Actually, I’m older than this book), but like me it still has some useful ideas.

The Brand You 50(1999)

by Tom Peters

In this summary, you will learn

• Why you need to become a distinct brand;
• Fifty specific ways to become “Brand You”; and
• Fifty actions you should take to make your brand real.

(Source: getabstract)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

If you are as much of a fan of Aubrey Plaza as I am, you will like this movie.  Aubrey not only stars in the movie but was also one of its producers.

The Little Hours (2017 – Rated R)

In the Middle Ages, a young servant fleeing from his master takes refuge at a convent full of emotionally unstable nuns. Introduced as a deaf-mute man, he must fight to hold his cover as the nuns try to resist temptation. (Source: IMDB)

Critics Consensus: The Little Hours gets plenty of goofy mileage out of its gifted ensemble, anchoring its ribald laughs in a period comedy with some surprisingly timely subtext. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Cleopatra (1963)

I first saw this film when I was an Assistant Theater Manager of a military theater in Tehran, Iran.  I’ve seen it since and I just finished watching it again last week.  I found for a movie, it was surprisingly accurate other than describing Caesar’s desire to be an emperor (I don’t think so) and Anthony’s final defeats. It did take me two days to watch this 4+ hours epic.

Critics Consensus: Cleopatra is a lush, ostentatious, endlessly eye-popping epic that collapses from a (and how could it not?) four-hour runtime. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Life of the Party (2018)

I really thought this would be funnier.  I did really enjoy the few times the Mom’s roommate, Lenore, was on camera–what a trip she was.  And “Comma Girl” was also a delight.

Critics Consensus: Life of the Party‘s good-natured humor and abundance of onscreen talent aren’t enough to make up for jumbled direction and a script that misses far more often than it hits. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

I attended a concert last Thursday. Some thought it was amazing that at woman, Speranza Scappucci, was the conductor. It never occurred to me that a woman conductor was something out of the ordinary.

All the music was exciting, but I especially liked the William Tell Overture and wanted to share with you the part most of you know well.

William Tell Overture

(The Ride of William Tell and the Swiss Army)

(or better known as Lone Ranger & Tonto)

By Gioachino Rossini (2-29-1792 to 11-13-1868)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Have you lost touch with a couple of people that you used to be?

 

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

I thought Black Swan was just the name of a movie,

I didn’t know that Black Swans actually existed.

Nature is a fantastic artist.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Since yesterday was Mother’s Day, I select as most extraordinary people my mother-in-law, Delores Perkey.  Here she is with her bags packed for her trip to heaven.

The other person I selected was my last living relative, my mother, Alice Allen.

My mom wanted me to drive her in a convertible up to the Pearly Gates.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Coach Jo & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And thank you Brigid, Carmen, Carol, Cathy, Eddie, Kelly, Laurie, Leroy, Marilyn, Morgana, Ray, Terrence & Tom, for sharing my FB post.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

2018 APF Raw Nationals

I attended the 2018 American Powerlifting Federation Raw Nationals last week and won a spot on Team USA for the World Powerlifting Congress world championships in November 2018.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

Are you eating healthy foods, controlling your weight and getting enough exercise and sleep?

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

I’m an advocate for traveling and this past week I went on a safari, well at least close to a safari, I was on a pizzafari.

As you can see below, I encountered a dangerous animal while I was on my pizzafari.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

(Las Probabilidades y Los Fines de Ser Extraordinarios)

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I really like Neil deGrasse Tyson and this book is not that hard to read; but it is  hard to understand.  A lot of it is very hard to understand, but there is enough that I understood to make me glad I read it.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

  What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. (Source: Goodreads)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

The week before, I tried to watch a move called, The Room; but I thought it was so bad and so amateurish that I did not want to mention it in this blog.  Well this past week, I saw The Disaster Artist, which is about the making of The Room.

I just thought it was an absolutely amazing movie and I am going to watch it again.  Perhaps, I saw a bit of myself in this film, as I have made several short films myself.

But I think I really liked the movie because it was about not giving up on your dreams and to keep trying no matter how many disappointments.  And it the end, well maybe your dream will come true, even if not in the way you intended it.

Please watch this movie and if you do, please say something in the comments about it. 

The Disaster Artist

When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true. (Source: IMDB)

Critics Consensus: Oh, hai Mark. The Disaster Artist is a surprisingly poignant and charming movie-about-a-movie that explores the creative process with unexpected delicacy. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

The real life story of writer/director Tommy Wiseau, the man behind what is often referred to as “The Citizen Kane of Bad Movies,” The Room, is brought to life, chronicling the odd film’s troubled development and eventual cult success.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Just curious, do you think today’s groups have it anything over these guys?

Do You Love Me (1962)

By The Contours

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Can you read this?

 

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

One can make some interesting art with Tinker Toys

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Walt Disney

Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) As a film producer, Disney holds the record for most Academy Awards earned by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations. He was presented with two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors. Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Born in Chicago in 1901. He took art classes as a boy and got a job as a commercial illustrator at the age of 18. He moved to California in the early 1920s and set up the Disney Brothers Studio with his brother Roy.

Walt developed the character Mickey Mouse in 1928, his first highly popular success; he also provided the voice for his creation in the early years. As the studio grew, Disney became more adventurous, introducing synchronized sound, full-color three-strip Technicolor, feature-length cartoons and technical developments in cameras. The results, seen in features such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio, Fantasia (both 1940), Dumbo(1941) and Bambi (1942), furthered the development of animated film. New animated and live-action films followed after World War II, including the critically successful Cinderella(1950) and Mary Poppins (1964), the latter of which received five Academy Awards.

In the 1950s, Disney expanded into the amusement park industry, and in 1955 he opened Disneyland. To fund the project he diversified into television programs, such as Walt Disney’s Disneyland and The Mickey Mouse Club. 

In 1965, he began development of another theme park, Disney World, the heart of which was to be a new type of city, the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” (EPCOT).

Disney was a heavy smoker throughout his life, and died of lung cancer in December 1966 before either the park or the EPCOT project were completed. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Bernice, Jennifer, Nanette & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And my thanks to higginbothampublications,  Isabelle & Shreya, who started following my blog.  

And thank you Barb, Carmen, Debra, Laurie & Valerie, for sharing my FB post.

BOOK (LIBRO)

Warning:  This book will not change your life, only you can do that.