CURRENT EVENTS

Are you wondering what the year 2020 will bring to you. Well, here is the answer.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Here is a movie I saw last week that I thought was pretty good.

Jumanji: Next Level

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I just finished watching all four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise and I really liked the theme song and the visuals that went along with it.

Faith of the Heart

Star Trek: Enterprise

ART OF THE WEEK

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Father Time

Father Time is usually depicted as an elderly bearded man […], dressed in a robe and carrying a scythe and an hourglass or other timekeeping device (which represents time’s constant one-way movement).

Around New Year’s Eve, the media uses Father Time as the personification of the previous year (or “the Old Year”) who typically “hands over” the duties of time to the equally allegorical Baby New Year (or “the New Year”).

I like the above versions of Father Time; however, my favorite is still 

Father Time-and-a-Half

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

This isn’t about your appearance, it is about your health.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A decade from now, roughly half of U.S. adults will be obese — with nearly one-quarter severely so, a new study projects.

The predictions by researchers at Harvard University paint a grim picture: By 2030, the prevalence of adult obesity will be at least 35% in every U.S. state, and in 29 states, the figure will top 50%.

CHARACTER TRAITS

There is an old saying that “those convinced against their will, remain unconvinced still.” Sometimes, rather than argue; it is better to just step away.

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

I messed up the first poll

So here is a revised poll

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

No doubt many of you have seen this marvelous movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, which came out in 1946.

For those of you that don’t have time to watch this film again or have never watched this film, a friend of mine made this less than two-minute version of the film that I think you will enjoy.

Even Santa reads.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

If you are a devoted Star Wars fan, you may like this film or if you are an action film junkie. As for the rest of us, I would avoid it. It was just action, and more action; much of the action totally unbelievable regardless of how much you suspend disbelief. 

Critics Consensus (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker suffers from a frustrating lack of imagination, but concludes this beloved saga with fan-focused devotion.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

By Dean Martin

ART OF THE WEEK

Many malls decorate for Christmas. Somerset Mall in Troy, MI; has a display where children can visit Santa.

Here are some big kids waiting to visit Santa.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Although I often name Santa Claus as the person of the week, I thought I would like to include some details about Santa this week.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 December). 

The modern Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra), the British figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (himself also based on Saint Nicholas). Some maintain Santa Claus also absorbed elements of the Germanic god Wodan, who was associated with the pagan midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky.

Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man—sometimes with spectacles—wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots and carrying a bag full of gifts for children. This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children’s books, films, and advertising.

Santa Claus is said to make lists of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior, and to deliver presents, including toys and candy, to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and coal to all the misbehaving children, on the night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of his elves, who make the toys in his workshop at the North Pole, and his flying reindeer, who pull his sleigh. He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole, and laughing in a way that sounds like “ho ho ho”.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Santa spent most of 2019 at the gym.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

The best gift you can give someone is your time.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Y para mis amigos de habla hispana, Feliz Navidad.

און צו מיין אידישע פרענדז איך ווינטשן איר אַ גליקלעך חנוכה

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Who is looking at this blog, we don’t know unless they click “Like” or make a comment. However, I thought it would be interesting to find out from what countries over the last year that the viewers of this blog are from. Here is a list of those top ten countries.

If this is difficult to see, just click on the chart below and it will become larger.

Be Cool – Read

 

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Star Trek: enterprise

It has taken me a long time to get around to watching this particular Star Trek series, although I consider myself a Star Trek fan. It just never appealed to me. I am just about finished viewing season three of this four season or 98 episodes series that was aired from 2001 to 2005.

Although I am not really thrilled with the series, Dr. Phlox helps makes it more interesting to watch.

Dr. Phlox

Dr. Phlox is my favorite on the show, perhaps the clip below will help you understand why.

And Vulcan T’Pol adds logic for watching the show.

T’Pol

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Sorry I couldn’t find a video of Chuck performing this song live.

Run Rudolph Run

By Chuck Berry

ART OF THE WEEK

Christmas Trees Everywhere

Big, small, natural, artificial, whatever; they are the best form of art at this time of the year.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Who else this week, but

Santa Claus

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

There are a lot of jokes about fruit cake, but do people really like fruit cake. Let’s find out.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I participated in the Shelby Township Jingle Bell Run yesterday with my friend Scott.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

If you are a female, don’t be like this and if you are a male–shame on you.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Classic Starts: The Odyssey

Retold From The Original Homer

Homer’s epic tale of the warrior Odysseus’s decades-long struggle to return home after the Trojan War is simply and beautifully retold, with all the drama intact. Young readers will thrill at Odysseus’s adventures with the man-eating Cyclops; the enchantress Circe, who turns his crew into pigs; and the angry sea god Poseidon. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I really enjoy this Canadian Show that has been running for 13 seasons. The last few years around this time, I make it a point to watch this episode.

Once Upon A Murdock Christmas

At a Christmas charity gala for sick children, the host, dressed as Santa Claus, is found with a broken neck and all the presents are stolen. When witnesses report hearing a wild animal near the scene, Crabtree suspects the legendary creature Krampus.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Listen to this song and you will understand why Elvis is the King.

Here Comes Santa Claus

By Elvis

ART OF THE WEEK

Rene Magritte Exhibitions

I’ve been a long-time fan of the surrealistic paintings of Rene Magritte. The above photo was when I attended the The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) exhibition in the early 1990s.

A few years ago, another exhibition of his work was put together and I saw it at the Chicago Institute of Art.

I believe Magritte considered himself a philosopher who communicated through paintings. Below are a few examples of his work.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Paladin

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

Some people are so quick to sacrifice their health and their wealth for others. They just can’t seem to understand that if you don’t take care of yourself, you will as time goes on not be able to help others and you will likely become a burden to someone else.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or celebrate it on a different day than the fourth Thursday of November

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and Brazil, and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well. (Source: Wikipedia)

However, I following day I picked up 415 lbs. off of some tall blocks; so I’m not feeling too decrepit.

The Little Red Book of Running

By Scott Douglas

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I just saw this film and I thought it was very entertaining.

Murder Mystery

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Every year around this time I make this the song of the week. I just get a kick out of it.

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)

By The Ramones

ART OF THE WEEK

How one decorates their home says a lot about a person. This was my decorating style back in 1988.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Dick Clark

Richard Wagstaff Clark(November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1988. He also hosted the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which transmitted Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

As host of American Bandstand, Clark introduced rock & roll to many Americans. Many of the leading rock groups had their first exposure to nationwide audiences. A few of the many artists introduced were Ike and Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Simon and Garfunkel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bobby Fuller, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Chubby Checker.

Episodes he hosted were among the first in which blacks and whites performed on the same stage, and likewise among the first in which the live studio audience sat without racial segregation. Singer Paul Anka claimed that Bandstand was responsible for creating a “youth culture”. Due to his perennially youthful appearance and his largely teenaged audience of American Bandstand, Clark was often referred to as “America’s oldest teenager”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

When you retire, you may think your work days are over. Well, you are mistaken. Your new full-time job is to take care of your health. Treat it like a job, you may not feel like exercising, you may not want to watch what you eat; but, like work it is better than the alternative. If you don’t work, you will be depended upon others, if you don’t work out, you will be dependent upon others.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS