CURRENT EVENTS

Remember Cecil The Lion

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A True Warrior Reads

 

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Another disappointing week of movies, so I went back to watching Josh Gates on the Travel Channel. He really takes you to some interesting places.

Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates

On The Travel Channel

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I found this intriguing and I hope you do also.

Shadows

By Lindsey Sterling

ART OF THE WEEK

Lions of the Chicago Art Institute

Here I am by the North Lion

Iconic guardians of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lions have stood at the Michigan Avenue entrance since the building’s inaugural year. The site became the museum’s permanent home at the conclusion of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, where the new structure had hosted lectures and other events for fairgoers.

Modeled by Edward Kemeys, an essentially self-taught artist and the nation’s first great sculptor of animals, the lion pair was unveiled on May 10, 1894. 

For the Art Institute, he modeled larger-than-life African lions, the one positioned north of the steps “on the prowl” and the lion to the south “in an attitude of defiance,” in Kemeys’s words. These behavioral distinctions are visible in the variation of head, tail, and stance. Each weighing in at more than two tons, the Lions were cast in Chicago by the American Bronze Founding Company.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926), born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter. She was a star in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.

Oakley was born in Ohio to Jacob and Susan Mosey. On June 20, 1882 she married Frank E. Butler, another skilled shooter. The couple joined Buffalo Bill’s show in 1885. Oakley performed before several European heads of state, including Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II. She left the show in 1902 and began acting.

Oakley died in 1926 of pernicious anemia (a type of blood disorder). She was buried in Greenville, Ohio. Frank Butler died 18 days later. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

If you are a Star Trek fan, I think you will really enjoy this.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

You may not get this, if you haven’t seen a lot of Star Trek

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

Best to just keep one’s hands to themselves. 

LEARNING TRAITS

I believe everyone can make something of themselves, if they would only try.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

AWPC World Powerlifting Competition

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Mind Gym

By Gary Mack with David Casstevens

I can’t even recall how many times I have tried Visualization without success. This time, I read this book over and over and I spent a month or so daily visualizing throughout the day every aspect of what I was going to do at the AWPC World’s from my warmup lifts through my three competitive attempts.

This book was written for athletes, but I think you can apply it just as well to other situations.

In Mind Gym, noted sports psychology consultant Gary Mack explains how your mind influences your performance on the field or on the court as much as your physical skill does, if not more so. Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes–many of whom he has worked with–you will learn the same techniques and exercises Mack uses to help elite athletes build mental “muscle.” Mind Gym will give you the “head edge” over the competition. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I tried to watch a number of movies this week, but they were all so bad that I ended up making this film the movie of the week. In my defense, I was trapped in an airplane and had already seen any sort of worthwhile movie they had to offer.

As for this movie, I think the title says it all. Unless you really like Sam Elliot, I would pass on this one too.

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot (2018)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

All Shook Up

By Elvis

ART OF THE WEEK

This is definitely a classic photo. Although I have never been to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, I understand you can purchase the picture there.

The President and The King

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

 Elvis

(Jan. 8, 1935 – Aug. 16, 1977)

I think the following video does an excellent job of letting you know about Elvis, The King Of Rock N’ Roll.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

It is important to eat right and here is an opportunity for you see see Elvis actually making is fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Queen wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love as a tribute song to Elvis.

Elvis liked the song so much he recorded it with Freddie Mercury right there in the studio.

CHARACTER TRAITS

It is so hard for me to believe, but there are people out there with the attitude that if you lend them money, it means you don’t need it back.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

AWPC World Powerlifting Competition

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Power: A Scientific Approach

By Frederick C. Hatfield, Ph.D.

I read this book back in 2002, when I started competitive powerlifting. The book came out in 1989, so it was a bit dated when I first read it. Every so often I look it over and although 30 years have gone by since this book first came out, obviously some of the information is dated, but others parts of the book are as valid today as back in 1989. Plus, the book is very readable.

Dr. Fred Hatfield, presents Power, his most advanced, most comprehensive book to date on the science of strength training. Revealing the latest discoveries and techniques, Power translates these findings into relevant, understandable training advice.

Dr. Hatfield delves into the intricacies of strength–its eleven types and seventeen sources. He explains how the body builds strength and how scientific methods can improve it. He considers issues both physical–fatigue factors, recovery times–and mental–concentration, motivation, and stress.

He also explores the crucial role of diet and nutrition, providing programs for integrating training with proper diet and supplementation schedules and giving sound advice on pre-contest and performance diets.  (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I almost went with the film Rocky, but I suggested that film before so I thought I would suggest something a bit different. This film can create a lot of emotions in a person, so if you are looking for something light, you may want to pass on this one.

The Wrestler (2008 film)

Mickey Rourke gives a performance for the ages in The Wrestler, a richly affecting, heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding drama. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I was going to use the theme song from the movie Rocky,

but I decided to go with this instead.

Tuff Enuff

By The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Sorry, I tried not to use the Rocky Theme song,

but could not help myself

ART OF THE WEEK

Monument to Joe Louis

Also Known as The Fist, is a memorial to the boxer at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Dedicated on October 16, 1986, the sculpture, commissioned by Sports Illustrated magazine from the Mexican-American sculptor Robert Graham, and poured by the legendary bronze artist, Rolf Kriken, is a 24-foot-long (7.3 m) arm with a fisted hand suspended by a 24-foot-high (7.3 m) pyramidal framework.

It represents the power of his punch both inside and outside the ring. Because of Louis’ efforts to fight Jim Crow laws, the fist was symbolically aimed toward racial injustice. Graham referred to the sculpture as a “battering ram”. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I would be reluctant to be a member of any gym that did not have a picture of Arnold on its walls.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (Born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian-American politician, actor, filmmaker, and former professional bodybuilder. He served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of 15. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times, remaining a prominent presence in bodybuilding and writing many books and articles on the sport. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, as well as the sport’s most charismatic ambassador.(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

¿Qué Pasa? or What’s Happening?

Picture taken of Gun Map at Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI a few years ago.

Waco, Texas

Twenty people were killed and dozens more injured on Saturday morning in a massacre at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart that was packed with back-to-school shoppers, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, officials said. (Source: ABC News)

Dayton, Ohio

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Anger

By Thich Nhat Hanh

I read this book back in 2008 and although I am a fan of self-help books and even wrote one myself. I’m sorry to say that like all the many diet books, nothing can help you until you are ready to help yourself. Still I think such books are  motivators for those who really do want to change.

It was under the bodhi tree in India twenty-five centuries ago that Buddha achieved the insight that three states of mind were the source of all our unhappiness: wrong knowing, obsessive desire, and anger.

All are difficult, but in one instant of anger—one of the most powerful emotions—lives can be ruined, and health and spiritual development can be destroyed.

With exquisite simplicity, Buddhist monk and Vietnam refugee Thich Nhat Hanh gives tools and advice for transforming relationships, focusing energy, and rejuvenating those parts of ourselves that have been laid waste by anger. His extraordinary wisdom can transform your life and the lives of the people you love, and in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, can give each reader the power to “change everything.” (Source: Goodreads)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Medici The Magnificent

Netflix Season 2

If you have been following this blog, you know that I watched Season 1 of the Medici, so it is no surprised that I have just finished watching Season 2. Season 3 of the Medici has already been filmed and will be released on Netflix in early 2020.

I

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I came across this video and liked it. I hope you do too.

Km Music’s Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix)

By Cornershop

“Brimful of Asha” is a 1997 single by British alternative rock band Cornershop. The recording originally reached number 60 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. After a remixed version by Norman Cook became a radio and critical success, the song was re-released and reached number one on the UK chart in February 1998 and number 16 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The lyrics are a tribute to Asha Bhosle. (Wikipedia)

ART OF THE WEEK

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Here is another play that I saw at the LookingGlass Theater on Michigan Ave. while I was recently in Chicago. I have no idea how many plays I have seen in my life since I’ve been a season ticket holder for several decades at various theaters. However, this play was certainly memorable. If you are in Chicago, I urge you to see it.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Mary Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818). Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

After Wollstonecraft’s death less than a month after her daughter Mary was born, Mary was raised by Godwin, who was able to provide his daughter with a rich, if informal, education, encouraging her to adhere to his own anarchist political theories. When Mary was four, her father married a neighbor, with whom, as her stepmother, Mary came to have a troubled relationship.

In 1814, Mary began a romance with one of her father’s political followers, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married. Together with Mary’s stepsister Claire Clairmont, Mary and Shelley left for France and travelled through Europe. Upon their return to England, Mary was pregnant with Percy’s child. Over the next two years, she and Percy faced ostracism, constant debt, and the death of their prematurely born daughter. They married in late 1816, after the suicide of Percy Shelley’s first wife, Harriet.

In 1816, the couple famously spent a summer with Lord Byron, John William Polidori, and Claire Clairmont near Geneva, Switzerland, where Mary conceived the idea for her novel Frankenstein.

The Shelleys left Britain in 1818 for Italy, where their second and third children died before Mary Shelley gave birth to her last and only surviving child, Percy Florence Shelley. In 1822, her husband drowned when his sailing boat sank during a storm near Viareggio. A year later, Mary Shelley returned to England and from then on devoted herself to the upbringing of her son and a career as a professional author. The last decade of her life was dogged by illness, most likely caused by the brain tumor which killed her at age 53. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Here is some advice for us older guys.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS