CURRENT EVENTS

There were those who never came home

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Beam Me Up, Scotty

By James Doohan with Peter David

I’ve read most of the books by the crew of the Starship Enterprise, but somehow missed this one. If you are a fan of Star Trek, you probably should read this book; otherwise, I doubt it will hold much interest for you. 

All around the world, everyone knows “Scotty” — but far fewer know the true story of actor James Doohan, who has brought Starfleet’s legendary “miracle worker” to life for three seasons on television and in seven major motion pictures.

The actor who brought to life Star Trek’s engineering officer Montgomery Scott discusses his army service during World War II, his career, and relationships with his co-stars

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The last season of one of my favorite shows.

Elementary Season 7

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I saw this video and it made me proud that I live in the USA.

Old Town Road

Lil Nas X(Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus)

ART OF THE WEEK

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Location: Near Kraków, Poland

I was recently in this amazing mine and saw the unground lake, chapels and statues carved out of salt by the miners. Here are a few photos, which in no way conveys how marvelous this place is. I’m hoping these and other photos I have posted will encouraging you to travel somewhere you have never been. This was  my first trip to Poland and I thought the entire country was amazing.

Underground Lake

Various carvings

Huge Gallery Deep in the Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. Sodium chloride (table salt) was formerly produced there and had been since Neolithic times. The Wieliczka salt mine, excavated from the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines. Commercial salt mining was discontinued in 1996 owing to falling salt prices and mine flooding.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is now an official Polish Historic Monument. Its attractions include the shafts and labyrinthine passageways, displays of historic salt-mining technology, an underground lake, four chapels and numerous statues carved by miners out of the rock salt, and more recent sculptures by contemporary artists. (Source: Wikipedia)

As much as I like traveling, it is always nice to have someone waiting for you when you return from a trip.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Nicolaus Copernicus

Mikolaj Kopernik (Polish Spelling)

Nicolaus Copernicus (aka Mikolaj Kopernik (19 February 1473 – 24 May 1543) was a Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer, who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than the Earth at the center of the universe.

The publication of Copernicus’ model in his book (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), just before his death in 1543, was a major event in the history of science. 

Copernicus was born and died in Royal Prussia, a region that had been part of the Kingdom of Poland since 1466. He obtained a doctorate in canon law and was also a mathematician, astronomer, physician, classics scholar, translator, governor, diplomat, and economist. 

This is a picture I took of Mikolaj Kopernik’s actual house in Toruñ, Poland.

Our guide (Picture below) who told us she was a small child during the time of Kopernik, but remembered this story.

When Napoleon came to Toruñ, he asked the city leaders to show him Kopernik’s house. The city leaders had no idea where Kopernik had lived, since hundreds of years had passed. So they found an empty house, brought in some furniture and even a telescope (which had yet to be invited during Kopernik’s time). Napoleon was satisfied.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

This lady certainly models the behavior of a caring and courageous person.

Adina Emilia De Zavala

You can read more about her on Wikipedia, by searching for Adina Emilia De Zavala.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

These are the top ten countries in the last year who have looked at this blog.

LEARNING TRAITS

My homework was never eaten.

If I had it to do over again, I would have paid more attention when I was in school to grammar and spelling.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

This Week’s Post Is Coming To You From The Following Polish Cities:

Gdañsk

Warclaw

(Famous for its Gnomes)

and

Krakow

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The First Triumvirate

By Clifford Alexander

Last week I mentioned a book titled The Second Triumvirate by Clifford Alexander. I liked the book so much and I obtained and read this book.

The First Century BC was a century characterized by warfare and political strife in Rome, and was beginning to undergo an uneasy transition from Republic to Imperial Power.

Central in this change were the actions of the First Triumvirate: an alliance between the most powerful men in Rome. The Triumvirate was composed of Gnaeus Pompey Magnus, Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Gaius Julius Caesar, and together these individuals combined their vast political influence to reduce the Roman Senate to a mere charade.

Soon, it too began to show signs of corruption, and each man started to suspect the other of looming betrayal. These misgivings would seep through the alliance until the poison had successfully turned the members of the First Triumvirate against one another. The political tension, and the ensuing war, would fundamentally alter the very fabric of the Roman state forever. From the chaos of the Triumvirate, a new form of government would take root: the Roman monarchy we now know as the Empire.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I watched a couple of movies this week, but I don’t want to mention what they were because I am afraid you might simply take a look at them out of curiosity. Trust me, the majority of you will be disappointed. I was crossing the Atlantic Ocean and could not sleep; which is the only reason I watched them.

If you have a movie suggestion, please mention it in the comment section of this blog.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

If you have never been exposed to classical music, you should give it a try.

Kensho Watanabe was the conductor and what an amazing performance he put on.

We got there early and was able to sit in the first row. When Kensho walked by us he said, “You guys are really close.” I thought that was cool, first time a conductor ever spoke to us.

After intermission, Kensho came by again and said, “Thank you for staying.” I thought he was really cool.

ART OF THE WEEK

Neptune Fountain

Location: Gdansk, Poland

The focal point of Długi Targ, the Long Market, is the Neptune Fountain, a bronze statue of the sea god erected in 1549 and converted to a fountain in 1633 and restored in 2011/12.

During WWII, this symbol of Gdańsk was dismantled and hidden with many of the city’s other treasures. It was only returned to its rightful place in 1954. 

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Lech Walesa

Lech Wałęsa (Born 29 September 1943) is a Polish retired politician and labour activist. He co-founded and headed Solidarity, the Soviet bloc’s first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland from 1990 to 1995.

While working at the Lenin Shipyard (now Gdańsk Shipyard), Wałęsa, an electrician, became a trade-union activist, for which he was persecuted by the Communist authorities, placed under surveillance, fired in 1976, and arrested several times. In August 1980 he was instrumental in political negotiations that led to the ground-breaking Gdańsk Agreement between striking workers and the government. He co-founded the Solidarity trade-union movement.

After martial law was imposed in Poland and Solidarity was outlawed, Wałęsa was again arrested. Released from custody, he continued his activism and was prominent in the establishment of the 1989 Round Table Agreement that led to semi-free parliamentary elections in June 1989 and to a Solidarity-led government.

In the Polish general election of 1990, Wałęsa successfully ran for the newly re-established office of President of Poland. He presided over Poland’s transition from communism to a post-communist state.

I was at the Gdañsk Shipyards and took this photo.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Last week I mentioned that Józef Pitsudski, the great Polish patriot, was more of a “My Way Or Prison” type guy than a “My Way Or The Highway” type guys.

Here I am in prision.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

My “Age/Weight” national raw deadlift record arrived.

I am actually going to be lifting in the AWPC world powerlifting championships on my birthday, August 16. And on my birthday, I am going to try in my “Age/Weight” category to win the raw bench press & raw deadlift championships, plus break the current AWPC world’s raw deadlift record. The record is currently held by a Russian, who set it in Moscow on June 15, 2013. It will be a nice birthday present for a 73 year-old. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

Auschwitz

I was at this horrible place, but did not what to take many pictures. The camp commandants were publicly hung, but I was told the guards were typically given one to three years prison. I think they should have all been hung.

I was just following orders is never an excuse.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Poor Choices

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

This Week’s Post Is Coming To You From Warsaw, Poland

 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Second Triumvirate

By Clifford Alexander

If you don’t know anything about The First Triumvirate, than this book probably isn’t for you. However, if you do know about The First Triumvirate; I think you will enjoy this easy to read book.

With the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC, a new political constellation seized control of the city of Rome. Known as the Second Triumvirate, this alliance between Gaius Octavius (Augustus), Marc Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus formed in the year 43 BC and saw the three most powerful men in Rome overcome their own personal differences to bring about a new stability to their tumultuous city. 

Gradually emerging victorious over the assassins, the Second Triumvirate attempted to consolidate their hold on the Roman Empire by partitioning its vast expanse amongst themselves.  In what followed, political intrigue pitted each member of the Triumvirate against one another, as all attempted to seize absolute power.

This contest between the greatest Roman politicians mobilized vast armies from across the world, and featured battles that stretched from the sands of the Persian heartlands to the Spanish steppes. From the ashes of the Second Triumvirate emerged a new form of government that we now know as the Empire. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Green Book (2018)

This movie is both very entertaining and also very educational. I took college classes until my mid-50s and I am still trying to wake up as so many classes were boring.

Education should be engaging and entertaining. If it isn’t, I’m not sure what you are being taught; but, it probably isn’t to think for yourself.

I thought this movie was excellent

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I enjoy watching this video, it is both music and a story. I hope you enjoy it too.

Beer For My Horses

By Toby Keith & Featuring Willie Nelson

ART OF THE WEEK

The Nut Gatherers (1887)

By William Adolphe Bouguereau

Location: Detroit Institute of Arts

Bouguereau shows us two innocent girls posing in a glade, unaware of the dangers of life. The fresh faces, smooth skin, and bare feet remind us of the vulnerability of youth and of that privileged world of simple pleasures and intense youthful friendship before the responsibilities of adult life begin. Bouguereau was a teacher who upheld traditional values in painting at the Académie des Beaux Arts in Paris.

What a surprise when I stopped by our local library and saw a replica of this famous painting on the building’s wall.

Since, I have a copy of this same painting in my hallway.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Józef Pitsudski

I was really impressed with this guy. Not only is he a great Polish patriot, but he looks like someone you would be better off not messing with. 

Perhaps, you hear the saying, “My way or the highway.” Well this is more of a “My way or prison” type guy.

Józef Klemens Piłsudski, (5 December 1867 – 12 May 1935) was a Polish statesman who served as the Chief of State (1918–22) and First Marshal of Poland (from 1920).

He was considered the de facto leader (1926–35) of the Second Polish Republic as the Minister of Military Affairs. From World War I he had great power in Polish politics and was a distinguished figure on the international scene.

He is viewed as a father of the Second Polish Republic re-established in 1918, 123 years after the 1795 Partitions of Polandby Austria, Prussia and Russia

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

I grew up in a neighborhood that was predominantly Hill Billy, Italian and Polish; so I think I should be allowed to tell a couple of ethnic jokes.

I remember when I first got married, my family was so upset with me. I recall them saying, “What is the matter. Ain’t your own kin good enough for you.”

One of my hill billy friends went to a doctor and told the doctor he just had to be Polish. The doctor warned him, that he was going to have to have half of his brain removed. My hill billy friend said, “That’s okay, I’ve got to be Polish.”

After the operation, the doctor came in and told my friend that there had been a horrible mistake. Instead of removing half of his brain, they accidentally removed his entire brain.

My friend said “Mamma Mia!”

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I would not recommend anyone start drinking, if they don’t currently drink. However, I suspect one or two drinks a day may be helpful.

So for you drinkers out there, check out this Warsaw restaurant menu.  How about that, “Brzeski” on their menu. And I love the way they spell “Alkohole”.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw

This Memorial is dedicated to people who did not die fighting for freedom. These people died “fighting for an honorable death.” They knew they had absolutely no chance of surviving, if they rose up against the Nazis; since, they were surrounded by Nazis and vastly outgunned. They just didn’t want to go to their deaths without a fight. They died a noble death, they were truly extraordinary.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Poor Choices

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

The above is a rather strange image, but it should make you think.  After seeing this, I would be reluctant to put off things I wanted to do and things I wanted to say to people.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Spring time and the bunnies are helping me mow my lawn.

BOOKS OF THE WEEK

Quest for the Best

By Stanley Marcus

I had the privilege of meeting Stanley Marcus October 13, 1992 and he signed his book for me. Although I was only with him a minute or so, I walked away knowing I had just met someone who was truly extraordinary. As for the book, Stanley Marcus wrote it, so the book has to be remarkable. I’ve read it and reviewed it a number of times over the last quarter century that I have had it. 

Who better to know what is “the best” than the man who made Neiman Marcus synonymous with excellence for more than fifty years? Quest for the Best outlines Marcus’s philosophy of what constitutes the best in goods and services and how to receive it.

Marcus describes how increased labor costs and the disappearance of family owned businesses into the pockets of corporate giants have led to an institutionalized indifference to quality. “I have observed,” he writes, “that when you talk with an independent fine-quality maker, he speaks with pride about his product; when you talk with the chairman of a large corporation, he refers with pride to its net profit and balance sheet.”

Quest for the Best is not just a nostalgic look, however, at the age of handcrafted elegance. Marcus gives good advice on how consumers can educate themselves about the best, demand it, and get it. He describes his own experiences with the best in chapters such as “The Things You Love to Touch,” and “Bed and Board.” Witty, urbane, but always accessible, Marcus is a joy to read.

PLAY & MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I saw this play on April 28 at Meadow Brook Theater, in Rochester, Michigan; and I thought it was excellent. I didn’t look at my watch even once, the time just flew by with some comedy and a lot of great songs.

If you live in the Detroit area, it will be running through May 19, 2019.

This hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” and “Stupid Cupid.” When the girls reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion we learn about the past decade’s highs and lows.

Bohemian Rhapsody

It has taken me a while to get around to watching this film. I found it well worth watching and the acting was superb.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Given the movie of the week, it seems appropriate to feature some music by Queen.

We Will Rock You

By Queen

ART OF THE WEEK

Bird’s Eye View of Niagara Falls

This week I wanted to provide a bird’s-eye view of Niagara Falls; however, Bird photo bombed my shot of the Falls.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Stanley Marcus

Harold Stanley Marcus (April 20, 1905 – January 22, 2002) was president (1950–1972) and later chairman of the board (1972–1976) of the luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas.

During his tenure at the company, he also became a published author, writing his memoir Minding the Store and also a regular column in The Dallas Morning News.

Marcus introduced many of the innovations for which Neiman-Marcus became known, creating a national award for service in fashion and hosting art exhibitions in the store itself, as well as weekly fashion shows and an annual Fortnight event highlighting a different foreign country for two weeks each year.

He established the Neiman-Marcus Christmas Catalogue, which became famous for extravagant “His and Hers” gifts such as airplanes and camels. Marcus prided himself on his staff’s ability to provide service and value for each client, often citing his father’s dictum, “There is never a good sale for Neiman Marcus unless it’s a good buy for the customer.”

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

There are so many mysteries is the world, with the help of numerous friends, this blog is trying to give you a greater understanding of the world we live in. 

LEARNING TRAITS

I’m getting the impression that the majority of American colleges and universities are at best trade school and for many not even that. 

MISCELLANEOUS

Guys, here is some advice on how to flirt with girls.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS