CURRENT EVENTS

I’ll be there, lifting in the raw bench press and raw deadlift, 181.7 to 198 lbs. category, aged 70 to 74.

BOOKS OF THE WEEK

This week I am suggesting two poetry books. All I know about poetry, I learned from watching this movie:

If like me, you don’t understand poetry; why not open yourself up to something different by watching this movie.

If you haven’t read a poetry book or if you like poetry, here are two books that you may want to consider. One is written by my good friend Chris Doka.

An Unfamiliar Ache

By Chris Doka

And the other is written by my wonderful wife, Carol Gammicchia (now Carol Allen)

Love Life

By Carol Gammicchia

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

As you can see below, I have been on a Great Expectation binge.

Great Expectations (1974)

Here is what a critic had to say about this 1974 version: The Listener – ‘Everything is wrong about it with a sort of dedicated, inspired wrongness that, in itself, is breath-taking’.

I just saw it and really liked it. Sarah Mills did a fantastic job as both young and older Estella. Michael York was as good a Pip as any I’ve seen. Anthony Quayle was impressive in the role of the attorney Jaggers. 

This 1988 version of Great Expectations took considerable liberties with the story and was my least favorite version. The fantastic character attorney Jaggers, is played as if Jaggers was a mafia bag man. On the plus side, it is always a joy to watch Gwyneth Paltrow.

Great Expectations (1988)

This 2011 PBS version of Great Expectations may be the best that I have seen to date. David Suchet brings attorney Jaggers to life. 

As for someone leaving Miss Havisham standing at the altar, not believable if the role is played by Gillian Anderson

PBS Great Expectations (2011)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I heard this song on the radio the other day, it came out in 1964, the year I graduated and the world was still normal. Things were soon to change with Viet Nam and riots. But for a couple of minutes, let’s let Millie Small take us back to 1964.

My Boy Lollipop (1964)

Millie small

ART OF THE WEEK

I always enjoy these pictures that force one to think about perspective. Like so many things in life, there is little absolute truth. So much simply depends upon your perspective.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Carolyn Cruse

That’s Carolyn between Jerome and Me,  shortly before I retired

Carolyn was the best all around corporate middle managers I ever encountered. She is now retired from the corporate world like me, but she certainly isn’t retired from life.

It is rare to find someone who cared so much for the welfare of her team members, had the respect of everyone she came in contact with, was so fair even when it perhaps was not always in her best interest to be fair. And as wise as they come. I can’t say enough good things about her.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

If you go for the quick fix, the easy way; in the end I believe you are going to be disappointed. Losing weight and getting into shape is not easy–it is hard, very hard.

If all you had to do was drink something, take a pill or do this or that exercise for a few minutes, the whole world would be in great shape. Look around you, is that what you see–I don’t think so.

If you want it, you have to work hard for it, very hard and it takes time. You didn’t get in your present shape overnight, so don’t expect changes to take place overnight either.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

As much as possible, one should try to withhold judgement regarding someone until you get to know them. You could be pleasantly surprised.

LEARNING TRAITS

There are a few good reasons for putting your stuff in a storage unit temporarily; but for most people it is a very expensive option for delaying the discarding you or whoever inherits your stuff will have to do.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS