CURRENT EVENTS
2019 APF Nationals in Grand Rapids, MI
I received first place in the Masters 7 (70 to 74 years old) 90 Kg (198 lbs.) raw bench press and raw deadlift. I’m really not much of a deadlifter, but it seems to help my shoulder from a 2004 operation. Plus, I enjoy being part of the competition. Better still, getting a liftoff from my trainer and long-time friend Art.
When it comes to the deadlift, for my age I am a serious lifter. My final lift was 363.7 lbs. and in August I hope to break the AWPC world’s raw deadlift record for my age and weight.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
I’ve read or reviewed my highlight notes in this book many times over the years and again before the APF Nationals last week.
Samurai Strategies
By Boyé Lafayette De Mente
The most famous combat strategist in Japanese history was Musashi Miyamoto, a warrior who lived from 1584 to 1645. Just before he died, Musashi recorded his philosophy, strategies, and tactics in a short treatise entitled Go Rin Sho “The Book of Five Rings”.
Samurai Strategies has extracted the fundamentals of Musashi’s tactics and explains them here in the modern context. Musashi’s strategies for winning are as valid today as they were in seventeenth century Japan and provide valuable insights for anyone in any field of endeavor–from business, war, and sports to the fields of art, love, and politics.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
If you have been looking at this blog very much, you are aware that I have been on a Spartacus kick for a while now. I just finished watching the first of this miniseries and I thought it was very well done.
Spartacus 2004 TV miniseries (Disc 1 of 2)
Goran Visnjic stars as the gladiator in this TV miniseries that’s adapted from the same 1951 Howard Fast novel that spawned Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 film classic. Living as a slave in Egypt, Spartacus is bought by gladiator trainer Lentulas Agrippa (Alan Bates, in his final screen role), and forced to fight for the amusement of the Roman masses. But he soon spearheads a slave uprising that rocks the very foundations of Rome.
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
I think all of us can use some “Happy”
Happy
By Pharrell Williams
ART OF THE WEEK
It has been years since I’ve been to the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip, where I saw a fine collection of Chihuly glass sculptures, so it was nice last week to see some Chihuly Glass Sculptures at Meijer Gardens y Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Chihuly Glass Sculptures
.
Dale Chihuly (born September 20, 1941) is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur. His works are considered to possess outstanding artistic merit in the field of blown glass, “moving it into the realm of large-scale sculpture.” The technical difficulties of working with glass forms are considerable, yet Chihuly uses it as the primary medium for installations and environmental artwork.
EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK
I could say more about this person, but the following was what made me decide Keanu Reeves should be the extraordinary person this week. I verified enough of the following to just accept what I didn’t verify.
Keanu Reeves
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
PHYSICAL TRAITS
So many aliments can be prevented and sometimes cured by lifestyle changes.
CHARACTER TRAITS
This a great way to handle criticism.
SOCIAL TRAITS
What could be better than having some friends come out to support your efforts.
LEARNING TRAITS
MISCELLANEOUS
I finally found the answer to something I have been wondering about for a very long time.
LAST WEEK’S POLLS
The one on the left 69.23% (18 votes)
The one on the right 19.23% (5 votes)
I don’t know 11.54% (3 votes)
Total Votes: 26
I have not seen it and do not wish to see it 43.75% (7 votes)
I have not seen it, but would like to 43.75% (7 votes)
I’ve seen some episodes and liked the series 12.5% (2 votes)
I’ve seen some episodes and didn’t like series 0% (0 votes)
Yes 83.33% (15 votes)
Maybe, but I don’t know what they say 16.67% (3 votes)
No 0% (0 votes)
No 35.71% (5 votes)
On second thought, maybe I would not want to be the last one standing 28.57% (4 votes)
Yes 21.43% (3 votes)
On second thought, maybe I would want to be the last one standing 14.29% (2 votes)
Total Votes: 14
No 66.67% (12 votes)
Yes 22.22% (4 votes)
I don’t even know what a deadlift is 11.11% (2 votes)
Never acceptable 87.5% (14 votes)
A little misrepresentation is ok 12.5% (2 votes)
Ok, if I really need a job 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 16
Annoying 80% (12 votes)
Grateful 20% (3 votes)
Book
If you have ever been curious about this book, the Kindle version of this book has now been reduced to $1.00 and the paperback version has been reduced to $10.00
However, I must warn you that this book will not change your life,
only you can do that.
Awesome!
Thank you very much LA
Congratulations sir🥳🥳🥳
Thank you very much
Damn! That looks tough and you made it look so easy. Congratulations!!!
Thank you and I assure you regardless of how it looks, it feels so much different 🙂
A lot of the other lifters say that some thing after each lift and I’ve said it a few times myself to others. Thank you again for commenting. I appreciate it very much.
Congrats on your two first place medals.:-) Fun polls.
Thank you very much Priscilla and glad to hear you are enjoying the polls.
Congratulations on your win. Mr. reeves is a remarkable man.
Thank you very much and yes he is.
Congrats again, Bill! Amazing achievement.
And oh my geese that explains everything 😂
Thank you Samantha. So it sounds like you also was wondering about that geese formation 🙂
Congratulations! It was a great achievement!
Thank you Isabelle. I’m so looking forward to the WPC Worlds in August. I was back in the gym today after resting over the weekend.
I wish you best of luck! What you’ve achieved is truly inspirational. It encourages me to go back to the gym. I’m a regular long-distance runner but I certainly need some weight exercise to build up my muscles.
In August I plan to break the AWPC raw deadlift world’s record in the 70 to 74/90Kg category. For the last six years, it has been held by a Russian who set it in Moscow. So I will feel more legit, if successful. I will be lifting on my birthday 🙂 Weight bearing exercises are really good for the bones and running I think is really good for the heart. I wish you the best in both pursuits Isabelle.
I’ll follow the progress through your posts and I hope you’ll break the world’s record held by the Russian.
Thanks so much for the weight bearing advice and I’ll keep it in mind. As I’m getting older, I really need to build up my muscles and strength my bones.
I wish you the best Isabelle in both running and lifting. I plan to start back running after the August contest.
The same. I wish you the best in both lifting and running.
Once again, thank you for the advice. 😊✨
Congratulations on your achievements. Here’s to you! Yeah! Also like your blog. Lot’s of good information. Thanks. Muriel
Thank you very much Muriel. I appreciate your comment and glad you are enjoying the weekly blog.
Thanks for the happy! (Williams video and Chihuly exhibit) And congratulations on your lift!
Liz, you are most welcome for the Happy video & Chihuly exhibit. Thank you for the congratulations
Congratulations on your win! ☺️
Your posts are so unique and cover so many topics. Love it! 💛
Thank you very much Ellen for your encouraging words. I find your posts interesting.
Thank you. ☺️
Congratulations!
And yes Keanu Reeves is one of the good ones.
Thank you very much Rakkelle for commenting, much appreciated
Thank you for following my blog. I like your content and layout.
Congratulations on your fitness awards!!
I visited the Chihuly exhibits at the Biltmore Estate last summer. His work is amazing.
Thank you Kelsie for commenting and for your congratulations, I appreciate it very much. It has been a long time, since I was in Asheville
I’ve seen the Chihuly exhibit in person as well, in San Diego. What did you think of the Biltmore Estate? (My husband and I were very impressed with how the 1% once lived.)
Regarding the Biltmore Estate, I think there was a mix-up at the entrance. I only wanted to pay for an admission, but it seems they though I wanted to purchase the estate. And I thought they were a little stingy with their wine samples even after I paid the extra wine sample fee. Nevertheless, it is an impressive place, but I prefer Michigan’s Meadow Brook Hall; although, a bit small with only 100 rooms. It was built in 1929 by Mrs. Dodge and her second husband, lumber baron Mr. Wilson.
Yeah, the Biltmore admission was pretty steep, but for us it was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal.
I know what you are saying Liz
Congratulations on two medals!
Thank you very much Jo Nell. On the deadlift I did set a new age/weight state record, but the real contest will be in August.
Congratulations on your two medals – very impressive. Good luck on the next competition. I do some very small weights at home as part of my exercise routine and it always make me feel better. And good for my bones. Cheers!
Thank you very much Jo Nell and delighted to hear you are doing some weigh bearing exercises. It is so important, as the years pass by.
Bill, please add this person to your blog: lynn5581@gmail.com
Thanks. Jo
Done, she will be included in next Monday’s distribution. Thanks. Bill
Congrats on the Masters! That is awesome.
I laughed out loud at the Sean Connery meme. Hilarious!
Thank you for commenting and for the congratulations. I thought that same thing, when I came across the Sean Connery meme.
Hi, just to let you know I won’t be checking blogs out for abit. I lost my son to Duchenne yesterday, so as you can imagine i’m not up for anything at the moment. Just letting you know.
Thank you for letting me know and so sorry Lyndsey to learn of your loss.
Thank you, it’s been pretty tough the last few days, just been dealing with it the best I can.
Yes, has to be a terrible experience.
Yes, definitely, I knew it was going to happen one day, but it still didn’t prepare me for this day. It’s a horrible thing that Duchenne.
Again, so sorry Lyndsey to learn of your loss.
Thank you!!!
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your son. Please accept my condolences.
Aw, thank you so much, that’s really kind of you.❤ Lyndsey.
You are welcome Lyndsey
Congratulations! 🎉
and
I really enjoy your blog. Thank you!
Thank you very much Leslie
Congrats for the medals you recieved for the deadlift weight competition! Good luck for the next one but you won’t need any. You are awesome. Always enjoy your blog. I’m trying to catch up.
Thank you very much Darlene. My next contest is the big one. The AWPC Worlds and I am going to break the current AWPC World’s raw deadlift record, which has been held for the last six years by a Russian, who set it in Moscow.