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06/17/19 – 2019 APF Nationals

Wm. Allen58 Comments

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

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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

Which one in the above picture is the real blue heron and not the plastic imposture?

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

Regarding “The Spanish Princess” series:

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) 

Total Votes: 16
Do you think the chairs say something?

Yes  83.33%  (15 votes)

Maybe, but I don’t know what they say  16.67%  (3 votes)

No  0%  (0 votes)

Total Votes: 18
In your realm, would you like to be the last person standing?

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

Have you ever deadlifted?

No  66.67%  (12 votes) 

Yes  22.22%  (4 votes) 

I don’t even know what a deadlift is  11.11%  (2 votes) 

Total Votes: 18
How to you feel about misrepresenting yourself in an employment interview?

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

What is your feelings towards people who correct your speech?

Annoying  80%  (12 votes) 

Grateful  20%  (3 votes) 

Total Votes: 15

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.

58 thoughts on “06/17/19 – 2019 APF Nationals”

      • 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.

        Liked by 1 person

      • 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.

        Liked by 1 person

      • 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.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • 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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. 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.

    Like

    Reply

    • 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.

      Like

      Reply

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