8/27/18 – Halifax, Nova Scotia

CURRENT EVENTS

Halifax, Nova Scotia

HALIFAX FLIGHT

HALIFAX HARBOR

And if you don’t believe this is a real picture of the Halifax Harbor,

here is a picture of me with a ship’s captain

HARBOR HOPPER

The USA made these things to go in the water and on land during the Vietnam War.  A tour company bought a few, did some redecorating (no 50 caliber machine guns) and now uses them to provide city and harbor tours.  I was in Vietnam in 1966-67, but we just took a row-boat with an outboard motor down the Saigon River.

HIGHLANDERS PARADE IN HALIFAX

HALIFAX PUBLIC GARDENS

PIRATES

Halifax isn’t pirate friendly

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

How many books do you read a year?

Between 1 and 5  22.22%  (6 votes)

Between 13 and 25  22.22%  (6 votes)

Between 6 and 12  18.52%  (5 votes)

Between 26 and 51  14.81%  (4 votes)

None  11.11%  (3 votes)

52 or more  11.11%  (3 votes)

Total Votes: 27
Regarding the movie “Gringo”,

I don’t want to see it  66.67%  (10 votes) 

I’ve seen it  20%  (3 votes) 

I plan to watch it  13.33%  (2 votes) 

Total Votes: 15
Regarding the “Hey Mickey” video, who did it better?

Toni Basil  61.54%  (8 votes) 

Both good  15.38%  (2 votes) 

Both bad  15.38%  (2 votes) 

Taylor Swift  7.69%  (1 votes) 

Total Votes: 13
Before today, have you heard of the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Yes and I have been to it  55%  (11 votes) 

Yes, but never went to it  30%  (6 votes) 

No  15%  (3 votes) 

Total Votes: 20
Have you ever seen a powerlifting contest?

No and have no interest in doing so  33.33%  (6 votes) 

No  27.78%  (5 votes) 

Yes  22.22%  (4 votes) 

Yes and I would like to see another one  16.67%  (3 votes) 

Total Votes: 18

BOOK OF THE WEEK

How many times do you need to hear, if you don’t have your health, nothing else matters.  If you are fortunate enough to be able to retire, your new full-time job is either regaining your fitness or keeping it.  But please don’t wait until you retire to work on your health.

Ageless Strength, Strong and Fit For A Lifetime

By Jeff Horowitz

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Crazy Rich (2018)

Check out the trailer and see if this is a movie you want to watch.  I enjoyed it.  Also, for those of you who have never been out of the USA, here is a chance to see how the USA infrastructure compares to other countries.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Israelites (1969)

By Desmond Dekker & The Aces

ART OF THE WEEK

Shed

Even something as utilitarian  as a shed can be art, if done artfully.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

In America, you can be anyone you want to be.

Korla Pandit

Korla Pandit (September 16, 1921 – October 2, 1998), born John Roland Redd, was a musician, composer, pianist, organist and television pioneer of national notability.

A pathbreaking musical performer in the early days of television, Redd is known for Korla Pandit’s Adventures In Music; the show was the first all-music program on television.He also performed live and on radio and made various film appearances, becoming known as the “Godfather of Exotica”.

Beginning in the late 1940s, Redd claimed to be “Korla Pandit”, a French-Indian musician from New Delhi; however, Redd was actually African-American.

Redd maintained the Korla Pandit persona–both in public and in private–until the end of his life. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

This is all you need to know, to be certain the earth isn’t flat.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I don’t think these commercials represent powerlifting gyms,

but I find them very funny.

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

My Final Cover

8/20/18 – American Royalty

CURRENT EVENTS

American Royalty

If you ever wonder what makes Americans unique in the world?

I think one reason is because we choose our own royalty.

In 1977, our King died on August 16 and now our Queen has died on August 16.

Coincidence?

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

When it comes to politics, Is it possible to respectfully disagree?
Yes  87.5%  (14 votes) 
Depends upon who is holding office  12.5%  (2 votes) 
Never  0%  (0 votes)
 Total Votes: 16
Regarding the seven cures for a lean purse:
I understand the seven cures  84.62%  (11 votes)
I don’t understand any of it and don’t really care  15.38%  (2 votes)
I don’t understand, but will look further into the seven cures  0%  (0 votes
Total Votes: 13
I am or have taken action on
All 7  40%  (4 votes) 
6 of the 7  20%  (2 votes) 
5 of the 7  20%  (2 votes) 
None  10%  (1 votes) 
2 of the 7  10%  (1 votes) 
4 of the 7  0%  (0 votes) 
3 of the 7  0%  (0 votes) 
1 of the 7  0%  (0 votes)
 Total Votes: 10
Have you ever played “Paper, Rock, Scissors”?
Yes  84.62%  (11 votes) 
No  15.38%  (2 votes)
 Total Votes: 13
Can you dance?
I’m an ok dancer  58.33%  (7 votes) 
I can’t dance  25%  (3 votes) 
I’m a great dancer  16.67%  (2 votes)
Total Votes: 12
Have you ever wanted to have your own zen garden?
No  66.67%  (8 votes) 
Yes, I have wanted one but don’t have one.  25%  (3 votes) 
Yes and I have a little inside one  8.33%  (1 votes) 
Yes and I have one outside  0%  (0 votes)
 Total Votes: 12
How hectic is your life style? (More than one answer is ok)
I make an effort to stay in contact with friends & family  37.5%  (6 votes) 
I try to find time each day to truly relax  37.5%  (6 votes) 
I am always on the go  18.75%  (3 votes) 
I neglect important relationships because I am busy  6.25%  (1 votes 
Total Votes: 16
When older people try to pass on their knowledge to you, do you think:
you may be able to learn something useful from them  100%  (14 votes)
their knowledge is dated and of little use  0%  (0 votes)
Total Votes: 14

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Reading

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Gringo (2018)

Check out the trailer and see if this is a movie you want to watch.  I enjoyed it.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hey Mickey

By Toni Basil

Hey Mickey

By Taylor Swift

ART OF THE WEEK

Woodward Ave. Dream Cruise

You might have to be from Detroit to know that the Woodward Dream Cruise is the largest one-day car event in the country.

I suspect this person has been cruising for too long.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Chief Boyardee

THE GREATEST AND BRAVEST CHIEF OF ALL

Chief Boyardee (October 22, 1897 – June 21, 1985), was an Italian-American chef, famous for having the courage to put pasta in a can.  

He was a true American hero. For producing rations supplying Allied troops during World War II, he was awarded a Gold Star order of excellence from the United States War Department.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

If you enjoy coffee, you will really like a complimentary coffee

PHYSICAL TRAITS

This is what I do.

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

My Final Cover

8/13/18 – Respectfully Disagreeing

CURRENT EVENTS

Respectfully Disagreeing

Over the past few years I have heard the most vile descriptions of members of either party.  I feel those types of comments say more about the people making them, than it does the members of either party.  

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

What to you think of returning USA Korean War dead to the USA?

A big deal and I have never served in a hostile fire zone  78.57%  (11 votes)

No big deal and I have never served in a hostile fire zone  14.29%  (2 votes)

A big deal and I have served in a hostile fire zone  7.14%  (1 votes)

No big deal and I have served in a hostile fire zone  0%  (0 votes)

Total Votes: 14
Have you ever played “Paper, Rock, Scissors”?
Yes  84.62%  (11 votes) 
No  15.38%  (2 votes)
 Total Votes: 13
Do you believe the Apollo 11 moon landing
actually happened  91.67%  (11 votes) 
may or may not have actually happened  8.33%  (1 votes) 
was faked and never really happened  0%  (0 votes)
 Total Votes: 12
When it comes to yoga vs. vodka

I prefer neither yoga nor vodka  41.67%  (5 votes) 

I prefer yoga  25%  (3 votes) 

I prefer vodka  25%  (3 votes) 

I prefer both yoga and vodka  8.33%  (1 votes)

 Total Votes: 12

Which type of dog do you most closely resemble?
Helper dog  54.55%  (6 votes) 
Dog that eats shoes  36.36%  (4 votes) 
Guard dog  9.09%  (1 votes)
 Total Votes: 11
Do you text while driving?
Never  81.82%  (9 votes) 
Once in a while  18.18%  (2 votes)
Yes  0%  (0 votes) 
Total Votes: 11

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Richest Man in Babylon

By George S. Clason

This book was originally written in 1926 and its financial advice will get you wherever you wish to go, so long as you aren’t in a hurry.

Since most of you will never bother to read this excellent book and to prevent you from having to struggle financially in your later years, here are seven cures for a lean purse:

  1. Start thy purse to fattening
  2. Control thy expenditures
  3. Make thy gold multiply
  4. Guard thy treasures from loss
  5. Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment
  6. Insure a future income
  7. Increase thy ability to earn

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again (2018)

Critics Consensus: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again doubles down on just about everything fans loved about the original — and my, how can fans resist it? (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Personally, I liked it better than the original.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I Can’t Dance (Remix)

By Genesis

ART OF THE WEEK

Zen Gardens

Zen gardens come in all different sizes from this large one at Meijer Gardens

To this little zen garden in my office

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

Geronimo

Geronimo (June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Apache tribe.

From 1850 to 1886 Geronimo carry out numerous raids as well as resistance to US and Mexican military campaigns in northern Mexico and in the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona.

At any one time, about 30 to 50 Apaches would be following him. However, since he was a superb leader in raiding and warfare he frequently led large numbers of men and women beyond his own following.

During Geronimo’s final period of conflict from 1876 to 1886 he “surrendered” three times and accepted life on the Apache reservations in Arizona. Reservation life was confining to the free-moving Apache people, and they resented restrictions on their customary way of life.

In 1886, after an intense pursuit in Northern Mexico by U.S. forces that followed Geronimo’s third 1885 reservation “breakout”, Geronimo surrendered for the last time to Lt. Charles Bare Gatewood, an Apache-speaking West Point graduate who had earned Geronimo’s respect a few years before.

Geronimo was later transferred to General Nelson Miles at Skeleton Canyon, just north of the Mexican/American boundary. Miles treated Geronimo as a prisoner of war and acted promptly to remove Geronimo first to Fort Bowie, then to the railroad at Bowie Station, Arizona where he and 27 other Apaches were sent off to join the rest of the Chiricahua tribe which had been previously exiled to Florida.

In his old age, Geronimo became a celebrity. He appeared at fairs, including the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, where he reportedly rode a ferris wheel and sold souvenirs and photographs of himself. However, he was not allowed to return to the land of his birth. He died at the Fort Sill hospital in 1909. He was still a prisoner of war. He is buried at the Fort Sill Indian Agency Cemetery surrounded by the graves of relatives and other Apache prisoners of war. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

No matter how famous or important you are or want to be,

you need to take a little time out each day to relax.

CHARACTER TRAITS 

Sometimes You Just Have to Take the Bull By The Horn

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

Too often does youth think that age knows only the wisdom of days that are gone, and therefore profits not.  But remember this, the sun that shines today is the sun that shone when thy [parents] were born … (Source: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason)

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

My Final Cover

8/06/18 – Return of USA Korean War Dead

CURRENT EVENTS

Return of USA Korean War Dead

On Wednesday, the US military held a repatriation ceremony at Osan air base in South Korea, where the boxes had arrived the previous week.

“There’s no reason at this point to doubt that they do relate to Korean War losses,” said John Byrd, a forensic anthropologist working for the Hawaii-based agency in charge of identifying the remains. (Source: BBC)

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

Regarding the movie Before Sunrise?

I’ve never seen it and have no plans to watch it.  50%  (6 votes) 

I’ve never seen it, but plan to watch it.  25%  (3 votes) 
I’ve seen it more than once.  16.67%  (2 votes) 
I’ve seen it.  8.33%  (1 votes)
 Total Votes: 12
Have you ever had to have your vehicle repaired while on a vacation?
No  57.14%  (4 votes) 
Yes and it was a good experience  28.57%  (2 votes) 
Yes and it was a bad experience  14.29%  (1 votes)
 Total Votes: 7
Regarding the legend of The Lone Ranger:
If it isn’t true, it should be.  77.78%  (7 votes) 
Just a story written to entertain.  22.22%  (2 votes) 
Essentially true and based upon actual events.  0%  (0 votes)
 Total Votes: 9
If you think of clutter as anything that no longer serves you:
I have both physical and mental (e.g. emotions, beliefs, etc.) clutter  66.67%  (8 votes)
I just have physical clutter  33.33%  (4 votes)
I have no clutter in my life  0%  (0 votes)
I just have mental (e.g. emotions, beliefs, etc.) clutter  0%  (0 votes)
Total Votes: 12
Internet dating sites:
I have never used one.  80%  (8 votes) 
Overall, I have had good experiences using an internet dating site  10%  (1 votes) 
Overall, I have had a bad experience using an internet dating site  10%  (1 votes)
 Total Votes: 10

BOOK OF THE WEEK

You may find it difficult to obtain this book, but what an opportunity to learn something of the people who shaped the world during their time.

Richard Nixon knew virtually every major foreign leader since World War II–some at the pinnacle of power, some during their “years in the wilderness” out of power, and still others toward the end of their lives. His was an unparalleled opportunity to gain insight into the nature of the powerful and qualities of leadership.

In “Leaders, “Nixon shares these insights and experiences. He illustrates these leaders in private, assesses their careers, recalls words of wisdom, and brings to bear his own judgments.

We meet the co-architects of the New Japan, Douglas MacArthur and Shigeru Yoshida. Encountering the legendary leaders of China–Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Chiang Kai-shek–we see the men behind the events. We see the intensely private Charles DeGaulle; explore the philosophies of Konraud Adenauer; confront Leonid Brezhnev; and delight in the company of Winston Churchill–not to mention Nixon’s analyses of interactions with dozens of other leaders.

No one but Richard Nixon could have written this book. It is at once as personal as a hand clasp and as objective as only so earnest a student of history could have made it. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Critics Consensus: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets uses sheer kinetic energy and visual thrills to overcome narrative obstacles and offer a viewing experience whose surreal pleasures often outweigh its flaws. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

It wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Can’t Stop The Feeling

By Justin Timberlake

ART OF THE WEEK

I suspect most of you recognize the inspiration for this piece of art

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

APOLLO 11 ASTRONAUTS

Apollo 11 blasted off on July 16, 1969. Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins were the astronauts on Apollo 11.

Four days later, Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. They landed on the moon in the Lunar Module. It was called the Eagle. Collins stayed in orbit around the moon, [doing] experiments and [taking] pictures.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon. He and Aldrin walked around for three hours, [doing] experiments [and picking] up bits of moon dirt and rocks.

They put a U.S. flag on the moon. They also left a sign on the moon.

The two astronauts returned to orbit, joining Collins. On July 24, 1969, all three astronauts came back to Earth safely. (Source: NASA)

Another Version of the Landing

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

This was one of the many favorite sayings of one of bosses, that I was fortunate to work for and to learn from during my career.

MISCELLANEOUS 

BOOK 

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

My Final Cover