Thank you for looking at this blog this year.

For 2020, here are the top ten countries that viewed this blog

CURRENT EVENTS

Happy New Year

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Another year is coming to an end and we are all going to be a year older, so maybe you may want to take a look at this book.

This book is very readable and talks about passive and active aging. You do not want to be a passive ager, but probably will be if you don’t exercise, have a lot of interests, be involved in lifelong learning and connect with people different than yourself.

The Gift of Years

By Joan Chittister

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

If you like A Christmas Carol, but long for something a bit different. You may want to check out this film. I watch it every year. Yes, it gets a little sappy at the end, but it is still a good message with its own share of humor.

Scrooged (19880

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This song is for those of you who may have been a bit naughty during 2020 and got yourself crossed off Santa’s list of good boys and girls.

Sump’n Claus

ART OF THE WEEK

Christmas Decoration

I was driving around and saw this house and just had to stop to take a photo. No way does this photo do justice to the effort that went into creating this treasure, but I still want to share it with everyone.

As for me, next year, I am going to have to step up my decorating. 

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Ed Barszcz

Above is a photo of my first supervisor and friend at the corporation that I starting working for in January 1981 and retired from in December 2009. He was a good supervisor and he was a good friend. And if anyone loved a party, it was Ed.

Ed retired in 2004 and died eight years later in 2012.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

I think it is going to take a lot more sage.

MISCELLANEOUS

December 31, 2020

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Merry Christmas

Y para mis amigos de habla hispana, Feliz Navidad.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

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

If you are pressed for time, you may want instead to watch this two-minute version of the film that a friend of mine made.

It is my absolute favorite film and I hope you will take a quick look at it.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Some of you really enjoyed last week’s song by Snoop Dogg & Anna Kendrick, and so did I. So here it is again.

Pitch Perfect 2

Winter Wonderland / Here Come Santa Claus

By Snoop Dogg & Anna Kendrick

But I also want to provide a Christmas song/video that I found rather interesting and I hope you do also.

Merry Merry Christmas

By Ken’ Mo’

ART OF THE WEEK

The Christmas Tree

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

At this time of the year, who else would I name as extraordinary person of the week other than:

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.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Michigan currently does not permit indoor dining in restaurants.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

The best gift you can give someone is your time.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Father Billino

Every year around this time, I can’t help but recall years ago the unexpected Christmas surprise, when Father Billino from the Vatican, was in town.  Here he is standing in front of a church with Carol.

I recall everyone liked to take confession with Father Billino, because he loved to say, “Go and sin some more.”

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Today’s Mantra

The Christmas season is often stressful for many and that is probably even more true given 2020 is the year of the pandemic. 

Regardless of the  challenges you are facing, I hope you can say:

BOOK OF THE WEEK

If you are a fan of A Christmas Carol, you may want to check out this book.

Fezziwig: A Life

By Danny Kuhn

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

For a number of years,  I have gone to A Christmas Carol play with friends; but, due to the pandemic this year the performance was cancelled. However, we were able to watch separately one of my favorite versions of this classic film; The George C. Scott version. However, any version you choose to watch will likely put you in the Christmas spirit. 

A Christmas Carol (1984)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Pitch Perfect 2

Winter Wonderland / Here Come Santa Claus

By Snoop Dogg & Anna Kendrick

ART OF THE WEEK

Outside Christmas Decorations

This is my attempt at outside Christmas decorations so far this year.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

This week I chose one of the greatest managers of all time.  One that I tried to emulate myself, but never came close.

Mr. Fezziwig

Here is an exchange one of Mr. Fezziwig’s employees had to say about him in an exchange with a spirit at a Christmas Work Party.  I wish every employee could speak this way about their manager, but unfortunately many can’t.

Spirit, “A small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.”

“Small!” echoed Scrooge.

Spirit replies, “Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four, perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”

Scrooge, in defense of Mr. Fezziwig, “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light of burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ‘em up: what then? The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Teachers

On one level, I agree that everyone we come into contact with is our teacher.

On another level, I believe we have friends and we have enemies.

But keep in mind that sometimes friends become enemies and enemies become friends.

LEARNING TRAITS

One must know their limitations.

MISCELLANEOUS

Here is some interesting info on the intelligence of dogs and cats

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Friends

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I think you will find this book very interesting. You will learn something about one of the great comedians, the interesting people he associated with and there is a lot of Rodney Dangerfield humor spread throughout the book.

If you aren’t sure what Rodney Dangerfield humor is like, here is an example:

I told my landlord I wanted to live in a more expensive appartment.

He raised my rent.

It’s Not Easy Being‘ Me

By Rodney Dangerfield

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This continues to be one of my favorite films.

Back To School (1986)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Burning Love

By Elvis

ART OF THE WEEK

If you have any interest in art or would like to acquire a bit of culture, this is a beautifully illustrated book is an excellent source. 

Art of the Western World

By Michael Wood, Bruce Cole and Adelheid Gealt

An illustrated survey of the history of Western art examines the societies, values, and ideals that shaped the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture, from ancient Greece to the present. (Source: Amazon)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Rodney Dangerfield

Jack Roy (born Jacob Rodney Cohen; November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), popularly known by the stage name Rodney Dangerfield, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, screenwriter, musician and author. He was known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme.

He began his career working as a stand-up comic in the Borscht Belt resorts of the Catskill Mountains northwest of New York City. His act grew in popularity as he became a mainstay on late-night talk shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually developing into a headlining act on the Las Vegas casino circuit.

His catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” came from an attempt to improve one of his stand-up jokes. “I played hide and seek; they wouldn’t even look for me.” He thought the joke would be stronger if it used the formulaic “I was so …” beginning (“I was so poor,” “He was so ugly,” “She was so stupid,” etc.). He tried “I get no respect,” and got a much better response with the audience; it became a permanent feature of his act and comedic persona.

  WEEK’S JOKE

I get such a kick out of this, perhaps it is because I spent so many years in the corporate world.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

This year, 2020, is the first year in some time that I have not be in a powerlifting contest, but if there is anyway possible, that is going to change in 2021. Next year will be my last year to compete in the 70 to 74 year category as I will be turning 75 in August of 2021.

I’m primarily a deadlifter (If you don’t know what that is, you can watch the short video below), but once in a while I also benchpress in a contest.

As you get older, maintaining your health is a full time job. Please remember it is never too late to improve your health.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Anger

Anger almost never helps resolve a situation – note that I said “almost”

SOCIAL TRAITS

Actions

Want to know what a person values, watch how they use their time.

LEARNING TRAITS

Happiness

If you seek happiness, you may want to try this approach.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLL