CURRENT EVENTS

Please scroll down to the “Music of the Week” section for this week’s topic – “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

There are many excellent film versions of this movie; however, this is one of my favorites.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Things need to be taken into context.  I saw the original 1949 movie version of this song and by today’s sensitivities, I was uncomfortable watching it.  But in 1949 the film was classified as a musical comedy.

I have heard it said may times that we see the world not as it is, but as we are. I suspect the problem isn’t the song itself, but how we view it.

Below is a modern-day interpretation of this song.

Baby It’s Cold Outside

By Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

ART OF THE WEEK

The Creation of Adam

The Creation of Adam is a fresco painting by Michelangelo, which forms part of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, painted c. 1508–1512. It illustrates the Biblical creation narrative from the Book of Genesis in which God gives life to Adam, the first man. The fresco is part of a series of panels depicting episodes from Genesis.

The image of the near-touching hands of God and Adam has become iconic of humanity. The painting has been reproduced in countless imitations and parodies. Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam is one of the most replicated religious paintings of all time. (Source: Wikipedia)

I have been to the Sistine Chapel and I have seen this painting.  However, I remember it looking much different.  Perhaps, it has been touched up a bit since I’ve seen it; but here is how I remember this painting.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I chose Santa Claus as the extraordinary person of the week, frankly because I have no desire to receive a lump of coal from him on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved (“good” or “nice”) children on Christmas Eve (24 December) and the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 December).

The modern Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver), the British figure of Father Christmas and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (himself also based on Saint Nicholas). Some maintain Santa Claus also absorbed elements of the Germanic god Wodan, who was associated with the pagan midwinter event of Yule.

Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man—sometimes with spectacles—wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, a red hat with white fur and black leather belt and boots and who carries a bag full of gifts for children.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Have You Experienced This

You go into a restaurant bathroom.

There’s a sign on the mirror that says employees must wash hands.

Have you wasted hours waiting for somebody to come in and wash your hands for you.

You probably ended up washing your own hands.

Besides, if someone does come in and washes your hands, what kind of tip are you supposed to give them?

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

Don’t let anything stand between you and your dreams, not even the laundry.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Most people feel they are just too busy to spend even a bit of time with individual family members, good friends and even pets.  Besides, they tell themselves that there is always tomorrow, next week, next month or the usual next time.  Well, there isn’t always a next time.

LEARNING TRAITS

One must know their limitations.

MISCELLANEOUS 

I frequently recommend traveling, but no matter where one goes; there is no better places than these:

BOOK 

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