CURRENT EVENTS

I’ve been a fan of Groundhog Day ever since I saw the film, which I will mention in the Movie of the Week section of this post. I even went so far as to start the Royal Oak Groundhog Club. Alas, BlackFinn in Royal Oak is no more and the Royal Oak Groundhog Club has been dormant for years.

I think after this pandemic is behind us, I’m going to see if I can’t give the Royal Oak Groundhog Club some CPR.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This little book (Literally 4 1/4″ X 5″) of less than 100 pages is a treasury of good advice on how to live. If you have any interest in becoming a better person, you should check this book out.

A Manual for Living

By Epictetus

The West’s first and best little instruction book offers thoroughly contemporary and pragmatic reflections on how best to live with serenity and joy. (Source: Back cover)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I think this is my favorite movie because it is about a person who lives the same day over and over until he finally gets it right.  Isn’t that what we all should be trying to do!

Groundhog Day

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Lately, I have been trying to bring you something unusual and entertaining.

I think you may like this. 

Something in the Walter

By Pokey LaFarge

ART OF THE WEEK

If you like the idea of building a snowman; but don’t feel like making the effort,

you may want to give this a try.

Easy To Build Snowman

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Don’t allow other people’s expectations determine how you life your life.

Punxsutawney Phil

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

The Pharmaceutical Industry

Some medications are necessary without a doubt. But, so many are unnecessary without a doubt, if people were willing to make lifestyle changes.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Assembly Instructions

It is common to buy items that call for assembling before using.  The manufacturer of these items include instructions for putting the item together.  It is important for you to study these instructions before you try to put the item together.  For almost every item I have ever tried to put together, I found I needed a screwdriver.

MISCELLANEOUS

One month down and eleven more months to go.

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Generally, I like short and easy to read books, but once in a while a book comes along with so much to say that it is worth the effort.

This is “not” an easy read (about 500 pages).  But if you want to know something about humans, this book will take you on an unforgettable journey from pre-human times to the French Revolution.

The Origins of Political Order

From Prehuman Times To The French Revolution

By Francis Fukuyama

Francis Fukuyama, provides a sweeping account of how today’s basic political institutions developed. The Origins of Political Order begins with politics among our primate ancestors and follows the story through the emergence of tribal societies, the growth of the first modern state in China, the beginning of the rule of law in India and the Middle East, and the development of political accountability in Europe up until the eve of the French Revolution.

Drawing on a vast body of knowledge―history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics―Fukuyama has produced a brilliant, provocative work that offers fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and raises essential questions about the nature of politics and its discontents (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

If you are feeling a little depressed (there are so many reasons to feel depressed today), this film might just give you an appreciation of just how wonderful life is.

Michael

It’s worth watching the movie just to see this dance scene.

Now, you don’t have to watch the movie, unless you want to watch it.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I came across this video and thought it was cool. I hope you do too.

Electro Swing Dance Freestyle: Lone Digger, Caravan Palace

ART OF THE WEEK

Statutes of Rome

Folks, here are some statutes of Rome:

Here is Carol pointing out Fontana del Tritone in Piazza Barberini in Rome

No visit to Rome is complete with out seeing Trevi Fountain and its statutes

Michelangelo’s Moses is another must see statute

My favorite statute in Rome is the famous Billino Statute

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

I recall seeing part of a clip where someone asked Larry King, what would be the first question he would ask God, if he got a chance to interview God.

Larry king replied, “I would ask him if he had a son.”

Larry King

Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; November 19, 1933 – January 23, 2021) was an American television host, radio host, and paid spokesman, whose work was recognized with awards including two Peabodys, an Emmy award, and 10 Cable ACE Awards. (Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

I hope this makes up for me recommending such a challenging read this week under “Book of the Week”.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

American Powerlifting Federation

Michigan, USA

The Michigan APF State Meet will be Saturday (3/13/21) & Sunday (3/14/21)

in Rochester Hills, MI

If you live in S.E. Michigan, this is a good chance to see a powerlifting meet.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Here is some good advice that I borrowed from David Miller’s FaceBook stream

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

In the last thee months, we have had a deer come and visit our suburban back yard. We have lived here for a number of decades and this is so unusual, given that all the yards in our neighborhood are fenced. 

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Who doesn’t want a happier life?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Although this book mentions strength training, it puts more emphasis on aerobic exercise. Although aerobic exercise is important, I don’t think strength training should take a back seat to aerobic training.

Nevertheless, I think this is a very helpful book to prepare you for your later years and there is no time like right now, regardless of your age, to start preparing.

Younger Next Year

By Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I probably would not have done this, were it not for the pandemic. I’ve watched all 26 James Bond films in order starting with the 1962 film Dr. No and ending with the 2015 film Spectre. One cannot help to recognize how much society changed during those years if you watch them in order. 

James Bond is a fictional character created by the novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. Bond is a British secret agent working for MI 6 who also answers to his codename, ”007“. He has been portrayed on film by the actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, in twenty-six productions. All the films but two were made by Eon Productions. Eon now holds the full adaptation rights to all of Fleming’s Bond novels.

Eon films

• • 1.1 Dr. No (1962)
  • 1.2 From Russia with Love (1963)
  • 1.3 Goldfinger (1964)
  • 1.4 Thunderball (1965)
  • 1.5 You Only Live Twice (1967)
  • 1.6 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
  • 1.7 Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
  • 1.8 Live and Let Die (1973)
  • 1.9 The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
  • 1.10 The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
  • 1.11 Moonraker (1979)
  • 1.12 For Your Eyes Only (1981)
  • 1.13 Octopussy (1983)
  • 1.14 A View to a Kill (1985)
  • 1.15The Living Daylights (1987)
  • 1.16 License to Kill (1989)
  • 1.17 GoldenEye (1995)
  • 1.18 Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
  • 1.19 The World Is Not Enough (1999)
  • 1.20 Die Another Day (2002)
  • 1.21 Casino Royale (2006)
  • 1.22 Quantum of Solace (2008)
  • 1.23 Skyfall (2012)
  • 1.24 Spectre (2015)

Non-Eon films

• • 2.1 Casino Royale (1967)
  • 2.2 Never Say Never Again (1983)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Last year at this time, we had just returned from staying at the Beacon Hotel (where we always stay) on Ocean Drive in South Beach, FL and this video brought back some good memories.

Orange Blossom Special

By James Last & His Orchestra

ART OF THE WEEK

Art Deco Hotels

In South Beach, Miami

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

You may have noticed for the last few weeks I have been mentioning people I knew, who I thought were truly extraordinary, and who are no longer with us. This week, it is our niece Christy. She was a newspaper reporter and died at 34 from cancer in 2015.

Christy (Oyama) Arboscello

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Last year was a challenging year for many of us.

Please make the best of 2021

CHARACTER TRAITS

Looking for the secret to success, well here it is.

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

We make investments in ourselves by eating well, exercising, learning, associating with uplifting people, avoiding vices, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Time To Get Going

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I’m only recommending this book for devoted Star Trek fans.

The Klingon Way: A Warrior’s Guide

By Marc Okrand

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This movie is so funny and I have seen it a few times and it is still funny.

Death At A Funeral (2010)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Here is something a bit different this week. This song comes from the cross-border region of north-east Slovakia, south-east Poland and western Ukraine and performed by the Slovakia band Hrdza

Stephen

By Hrdza

ART OF THE WEEK

Broken Lamp

What do you do when a lamp that you like breaks.

Well, if you are like my very creative friend Carole.

You make a beautiful Christmas decoration out of it.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Bryant Greene

Bryant is no longer with us, but he is one of the best people I ever met. The first film I ever made, I wrote a part for him; but, he was reluctant to appear in a film so my friend Jerome played the role of Bryant Greene in the film. 

Jerome and Bryant did not know one another, but Bryant told me he was once at a meeting where they were both in attendance. Bryant told me he walked up to Jerome and said, “You don’t know me, but I am Bryant Greene.” I wish I could have been there for that meeting.

Anyways, I did get Bryant to appear in another on of my films – Perceptions. If you want to see Bryant in action, check out this short film.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

The following my be an extreme example of thinking positive; nevertheless, it is important to think positive.

SOCIAL TRAITS

I can appreciate the challenges single people face with trying to meet people and date during a pandemic; but, I hope it doesn’t come down to this.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLL

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Orders from Captain Picard

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Perhaps you may want to start off the year with this book, since it is comprised of 52 steps (One a week) to take you from ordinary to extraordinary. If nothing else, it contains a fair amount of jokes and few good movie recommendations.

Of course, as I have warned each week; this book will not change your life. Only you can do that.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I have watched this movie a number of times and I think it is excellent.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Where Do You Go To My Lovely

By Peter Sarstedt

The song is about a fictional girl named Marie-Claire who grows up on the poverty-stricken backstreets of Naples, becomes a member of the jet set, and goes on to live in Paris. The lyrics describe her from the perspective of a childhood friend; it is left unclear whether they have remained close. The rhetorical question of the title suggests that her glamorous lifestyle might not have brought Marie-Claire happiness or contentment. (Source: Wikipedia)

ART OF THE WEEK

Sushi Socks

This may look like sushi, but it is really a package of socks.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Clim Seals

I first met Clim (in the white tux) when I was an accounting student at Wayne State University, where he was giving a talk on the Internal Auditing profession. Little did I know at the time that much of my corporate career (1978 to 1999), would be spent as an internal auditor.

Clim and I were the good friends and Clim had some memorable accomplishments such as being President of the Detroit Chapter of Institute of Internal Auditors. I’m sorry he is not longer with us.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Notice that I did not put this under “JOKE OF THE WEEK”, because the cost of health care isn’t funny.

CHARACTER TRAITS

 

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

So many of last year’s political arguments were hateful. Perhaps, we can all learn something from Joseph Joubert and not repeat 2020.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLL