CURRENT EVENTS

Sergio Marchionne

Auto legend Sergio Marchionne, the charismatic executive who turned Fiat and Chrysler around before combining the companies as a profitable business, died Wednesday. He was 66.

“I don’t care what a tough guy he was to work for, he saved our company,” said Cass Burch, a Chrysler and Jeep dealer in Georgia. “He deserves a bronze statue.”

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Illustrated Classic Editions is a painless way to read the classics.  Every other page contains a drawing of the page you just read.  I just finished reading the Sherlock Holmes classic, The Case of the Hound of the Baskervilles.  

This is a perfect way to expose your children to the classics or if you are like me, the perfect way to expose yourself to the classics.

Illustrated Classic Editions

Sherlock Holmes

and the Case of the Hound of the Baskervilles

By A. Conan Doyle

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

If you have never seen this movie, you really should.  And it you have seen it before, you may want to watch it again.  It is great.

Before Sunrise (1995)

I

Critics Consensus: Thought-provoking and beautifully filmed, Before Sunrise is an intelligent, unabashedly romantic look at modern love, led by marvelously natural performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

The Talkin’ Song Repair

By Alan Jackson

ART OF THE WEEK

Here is some backyard art.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger was so named [for being] the sole survivor of a group of six Texas Rangers.

A posse of six members of the Texas Ranger Division pursuing a band of outlaws led by Bartholomew “Butch” Cavendish is betrayed by a civilian guide and is ambushed in a canyon.

Later, an Indian named Tonto, stumbles onto the scene and discovers one ranger is barely alive, and he nurses the man back to health. 

Among the Rangers killed was the survivor’s older brother, Daniel Reid, who was a captain in the Texas Rangers and the leader of the ambushed group. To conceal his identity and honor his fallen brother, Reid fashions a black domino mask using cloth from his late brother’s vest. To aid in the deception, Tonto digs a sixth grave and places at its head a cross bearing Reid’s name so that Cavendish and his gang would believe that all of the Rangers had been killed.

Reid continues fighting for justice as The Lone Ranger even after the Cavendish gang is captured. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

CURRENT EVENTS

How to Start Your Day

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

You may never have heard of Tip O’Neill and you may think this book is about politics.

However, anyone reading this book will find the lessons most useful.  For instance, the book says it is alright to change your position on something because it is more important to be right than consistent.

All Politics Is Local

By Tip O’Neill with Gary Hymel

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This is a very strange movie, but I sort of enjoyed it, plus I don’t want to mention the three other movies that I watched this week because they  were so disappointing.

The Party (2018)

Critics Consensus: Old-fashioned charm meets sharp wit and modern social satire in The Party, a biting comedy carried by a shining performance from Patricia Clarkson. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I saw Sara Evans a few years ago at a concert.

As If

By Sara Evans

ART OF THE WEEK

Here is a unique form of art, turning a stable into a bar.

Well, that is what someone did in Bay City. Michigan.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Marcus Antonius

Marcus Antonius (14 January 83 BC – 1 August 30 BC), was a Roman politician and general.Antony was a supporter of Julius Caesar, and served as one of his generals during the conquest of Gaul and the Civil War. 

After Caesar’s death in 44 BC, Antony joined forces with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, another of Caesar’s generals, and Octavian, Caesar’s great-nephew and adopted son, forming a three-man dictatorship. The Triumvirs defeated Caesar’s murderers, the Liberatores, at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, and divided the government of the Republic between themselves. Antony was assigned Rome’s eastern provinces, including the client kingdom of Egypt, then ruled by Cleopatra.

Relations among the triumvirs were strained as the various members sought greater political power. Civil war between Antony and Octavian was averted in 40 BC, when Antony married Octavian’s sister, Octavia. Despite this marriage, Antony carried on a love affair with Cleopatra, who bore him three children, further straining Antony’s relations with Octavian.

Disagreements between Antony and Octavian erupted into civil war in 31 BC. Later that year, Antony was defeated by Octavian’s forces at the Battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra fled to Egypt, where they committed suicide. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE 

PHYSICAL TRAITS

The recommended maximum daily consumption of alcoholic is two drinks for me and one drink for woman.

Exceeding this recommend amounts could result in the following:

CHARACTER TRAITS 

Many people are superstitious, especially when it comes to black cats

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

This is something we all need to learn.

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

The Never Ending Search for Intelligent Life

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

Ever want to write a book?

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Unless you are Benjamin Button and growing younger, you may want to take a look at a book on aging like the one below.  And it you are young, you will be amazed at how quickly the time passes.

This particular book is very readable and talks about passive and active aging. You do not want to be a passive ager, but probably will be if you don’t exercise, have a lot of interest, involved in lifelong learning and connect with people different than yourself.

The Gift of Years

By Joan Chittister

MOVIE OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

This was a very suspenseful movie, but it kept my attention.  The acting by Liam Neeson and Vera Farmiga is extraordinary.

The Commuter (2018)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Russian Rammstein – Du riechst So Gut

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

The first weekend of July, Bay City, Michigan, USA has several days of fireworks climaxing on Saturday evening.  I’ve been there the last two years and it is marvelous.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Sgt. Saman Kunan

A former Thai navy SEAL died early Friday morning trying to free a stranded soccer team from a cave in Thailand,where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23.  

Former Sgt. Saman Kunan, who was working as a volunteer alongside rescuers, died between 1 and 2 a.m. Friday local time. 

SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew said Kunan died placing oxygen canisters underwater along the route to the stranded boys. (Source: USA Today)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

Your diet will always trump exercise,

which is why I try to bring you the latest research on food.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

(Llevarse Bien con Otros)

Every significant relationship in your life

has their fingerprints all over you.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

This one is for you fellows having a hard time meeting the ladies.

I Got My Game On

By Trace Adkins

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

(Las Probabilidades y Los Fines de Ser Extraordinarios)

Well, I guess if it doesn’t kill you; it will make you stronger.

It is just so hard to remember this, when you are facing challenges.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

I think their doctor gave them some good advice.

[Creo que su médico les dio buenos consejos.]

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

(Llevarse Bien con Otros)

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

Change sometimes come painfully slow, but change cannot be stopped.

[El cambio a veces viene dolorosamente lento, pero el cambio no puede ser detenido.]

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’ve heard so many people say they want to write a book, but rarely have I met someone who has actually written a book.

[He oído que muchas personas dicen que quieren escribir un libro, pero rara vez he conocido a alguien que realmente ha escrito un libro.]

This is one of the many books I read before publishing my book.  If you are serious about wanting to write a book, there are plenty of books available to help you.

[Este es uno de los muchos libros que leí antes de publicar mi propio libro.  Si usted es serio acerca de querer escribir un libro, hay un montón de libros disponibles para ayudarle.]

APE – How to Publish a Book

By Guy Kawasaki & Shawn Welch

MOVIE OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I really enjoyed this movie.

[Me gustó mucho esta película.]

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Critics Consensus:Critics Consensus: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle uses a charming cast and a humorous twist to offer an undemanding yet solidly entertaining update on its source material. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Goody Two Shoes

By Adam Ant

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How Long Has It Been Since You Have Worked Out In A Gym?

Please select all answers in the poll that apply to you.

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Here is a birthday cake in the shape of a football that Carol made for my friend Coach Jo.

[Aquí está una tarta de cumpleaños en la forma de un balón de fútbol que Carol hizo para mi amigo Coach Jo.]

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

After all these years, people are still falling for schemes of the nature used by Carlo Ponzi. The victims want to make money without a much effort.  Most fraud schemes depend upon the personal weaknesses of their victims.

[Después de todos estos años, la gente sigue cayendo por esquemas de la naturaleza usada por Carlo Ponzi. Las víctimas quieren ganar dinero sin mucho esfuerzo.  La mayoría de los esquemas de fraude dependen de las debilidades personales de sus víctimas.]

Carlo Ponzi

Charles Ponzi, (born Carlo Pietro Giovanni Guglielmo Tebaldo Ponzi; March 3, 1882 – January 18, 1949), was an Italian swindler and con artist in the U.S. and Canada. His aliases include Charles Ponci, Carlo, and Charles P. Bianchi.

Born and raised in Italy, he became known in the early 1920s as a swindler in North America for his money-making scheme. He promised clients a 50% profit within 45 days, or 100% profit within 90 days, by buying discounted postal reply coupons in other countries and redeeming them at face value in the United States as a form of arbitrage. 

In reality, Ponzi was paying earlier investors using the investments of later investors. While this type of fraudulent investment scheme was not originally invented by Ponzi, it became so identified with him that it now is referred to as a Ponzi scheme. His scheme ran for over a year before it collapsed, costing his “investors” $20 million. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

BOOK (LIBRO)

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

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Here is a Heatwave I don’t mind experiencing.

Heatwave

Martha & The Vandellas

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple (Honra Tu Templo)

I have my reservations about The Newbeats dietary choices,

but it is a good video.

[Tengo mis reservas sobre las opciones dietéticas Newbeats,

pero es un buen video.]

Bread And Butter (1964)

The Newbeats

Bike Safari at Detroit Zoo

What a wonderful experience Carol and I had riding our bikes on the grounds of the Detroit Zoo, where you could stop here and there to look at giraffes, grizzly bears, buffalos, etc.  And it was even better riding with our friends Walter, Tania and Harmony.

[Lo que una experiencia maravillosa Carol y yo teníamos a caballo nuestras bicicletas en los jardines el Detroit Zoo, donde se puede parar aquí y allá para mirar jirafas, osos pardos, búfalos, etc.  Y fue incluso mejor cabalgar con nuestros amigos Walter, Tania y Harmony.]

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

(Llevarse Bien con Otros)

People, without the interference of governments & political parties, tend to get along with one another; at least that has been my experience.

[La gente, sin la interferencia de los gobiernos y partidos políticos, tienden a llegar junto con el uno al otro; al menos esa ha sido mi experiencia.]

The Snake Charmer

Drowsy Maggie – Scottish Indian Punjabi

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

(El Crecimiento te Mantiene Extraordinario)

I tried to keep all of you aware of recent scientific studies.  Here is another one that just came out.

[Traté de mantenerlos al tanto de los estudios científicos recientes.  Aquí hay otro que acaba de salir.]

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 came out in 2012 (I believe there is an updated version) and I first read it in 2013.  I recently reviewed it again and I think it contains some very worthwhile things to consider.

The Great Cholesterol Myth

By Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., CNS & Stephen Sinatra, MD, FACC

Heart disease is the #1 killer. However, traditional heart disease protocols–with their emphasis on lowering cholesterol–have it all wrong. Emerging science is showing that cholesterol levels are a poor predictor of heart disease and that standard prescriptions for lowering it, such as ineffective low-fat/high-carb diets and serious, side-effect-causing statin drugs, obscure the real causes of heart disease. Even doctors at leading institutions have been misled for years based on creative reporting of research results from pharmaceutical companies intent on supporting the $31-billion-a-year cholesterol-lowering drug industry.

The Great Cholesterol Myth reveals the real culprits of heart disease, including:

– Inflammation

– Fibrinogen

– Triglycerides

– Homocysteine

– Belly fat

– Triglyceride to HCL ratios

– High glycemic levels

Bestselling health authors Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., and Stephen Sinatra, M.D. give readers a 4-part strategy based on the latest studies and clinical findings for effectively preventing, managing, and reversing heart disease, focusing on diet, exercise, supplements, and stress and anger management. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Learning to Drive (2015)

This is an enjoyable movie that will result in a better understanding of different cultures.

[Esta es una película agradable que dará lugar a una mejor comprensión de las diferentes culturas.]

Critics Consensus: The story’s a bit predictable, but Learning to Drive is elevated by typically strong work from stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

I wanted to watch this last December, but didn’t get around to it until last week. I recommend you make it part of your next Christmas activities.  

[Quería ver esto en diciembre pasado, pero no pude hasta la semana pasada. Te recomiendo que lo hagas parte de tus próximas actividades navideñas.]

Critics Consensus: The Man Who Invented Christmas adds holiday magic to the writing of A Christmas Carol, putting a sweetly revisionist spin on the story behind a classic yuletide tale. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

I recall reading about an Apache warrior explaining to a historian that he had heard that there were people in Europe, who were like Apaches.  He believed they lived in a place called Scotland.  

[Recuerdo leer sobre un Apache warrior explicando a un historiador que había oído que había gente en Europa, que eran como los Apaches. Creía que vivía en un lugar llamado Escocia.]

And although I love the sound of bagpipes, I recall hearing the definition of a gentleman as being someone who knows how to play the bagpipes, but doesn’t.

[Y aunque me encanta el sonido de las gaitas, Recuerdo escuchar la definición de un caballero como alguien que sabe cómo tocar la gaita, pero no lo hace.]

Dueling Pipers

By College of Piping

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Apologies

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Set Decorating

[Decoración del Juego]

Decorating for the holidays is always a fun thing to do.

[Decorar para las vacaciones es siempre una cosa divertida de hacer.]

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Willis Carrier

Given the heat wave we have experienced, there should be no doubt why Willis Carrier is this week’s extraordinary person.

[Dada la ola de calor que hemos sufrido, no debe existir ninguna duda de por qué Willis Carrier es esta semana la persona extraordinaria.]

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you  Nick, Sheryll & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

And my thanks to Liz & Sneha, who started following my blog. Also, thank you Amber & Viswarupa, who liked my Facebook page.

And thank you Carol, Darlene, Doug, Jager, Patty & Shirley, for sharing my FB post.

BOOK (LIBRO)

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