CURRENT EVENTS

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I found this book to be as valuable for every day life as for any of the combative arts.

Living The Martial Way

By Forrest E. Morgan

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Downton Abby: A New Era

If you watched the TV series and saw the first movie, you will definitely want to see this film.

If you haven’t been watching Downton Abby, why start now?

Downton Abbey: A New Era is a 2022 historical drama film and the sequel to the 2019 film Downton Abbey [… and], the television series of the same name.

[ ] Downton Abbey: A New Era [ ] was released in the United States on May 20, 2022 by Focus Features. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This is a classic.

Love Shack (1989)

By The B-52s

ART OF THE WEEK

Kit-Cat Klock

The Kit-Cat Klock is an art deco novelty wall clock shaped like a grinning cat with cartoon eyes that swivel in time with its pendulum tail. It is traditionally black, but models in other colors and styles are available. 

The first clock was designed by Earl Arnault (1904-1971) in 1932 and made by the Allied Manufacturing Company in Portland, Oregon. Allied subsequently moved to Seattle, Washington, in the early 1940s and then to southern California in 1962, whereupon it was renamed California Clock Company.

The clock’s design has changed little in the intervening years, with the first generation, manufactured from the 1930s–early 1950s having two paws and no bow tie, and newer models having four paws and a bow tie.

 In the 1960s genuine crystals were added as accents to some clocks.  The words “Kit-Cat” were added to the clock’s face in 1982. The original clocks were AC-powered, but due to scarcity of American-made AC motors, the clock was redesigned for battery power in the late 1980s.

The manufacturer estimates that an average of one clock has been sold every three minutes for the last 50 years.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

I have been friends with Americans and Germans, who served in WWII, I served in Vietnam with a sailor who was on the battleship and saw Japan sign their surrender papers. And I actually got to see President Eisenhower once in person.

General Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), was an American army general and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961.

During World War II, he became a five-star general in the Army and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was responsible for planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch in 1942–43 and the successful invasion of Normandy in 1944–45 from the Western Front.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

I don’t blame you for taking a minute to get this joke.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Be Your Own Sculptor

CHARACTER TRAITS

Some Things You Should Just Let Go

SOCIAL TRAITS

Some People Paid A High Price For Your Freedom

Don’t Give Your Freedom Up Too Easily

The gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery 

LEARNING TRAITS

Do Your Own Thinking

MISCELLANEOUS

Mackinac Bridge

The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac, connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan.

Opened in 1957, the bridge is just about 5 miles long (4.995 mi; 8.038 km).

Would you like to experience driving on this bridge?

 

CURRENT EVENTS

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I think it is important to learn about other cultures and the virtues they value, you many even find some practices you would consider adopting.

The Klingon Way: A Warrior’s Guide

By Marc Okrand

A compendium of the infinite wisdom of the Klingons, a fierce warrior race, presents information on the Klingon language, lore, and a collection of adages in Klingon and English (Source: Amazon)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Sanditon Season 2 (March 20,, 2022)

If you saw Season 1 of this series, no doubt you will want to check out Season 2. I understand that there will be a Season 3, probably in 2023.

Sanditon is a British historical drama television series adapted by Andrew Davies from an unfinished manuscript by Jane Austen and [..] set during the Regency era, the plot follows young and naive heroines as [they] navigate the new seaside resort of Sanditon.

Due to the unfinished nature of the novel (Austen completed only eleven chapters), the original work was used for the majority of the first episode, and then Davies used the developed characters to complete the story. At the time of her death in 1817, Austen had completed 24,000 words of the novel.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Long Tall Sally (1955)

By Little Richard

“Tutti Frutti” was a big hit for Little Richard and Specialty in early 1956, reaching number two in the R&B charts. Pat Boone’s cover version of the song reached number 12 in the pop charts.

Specialty publishing firm, producer “Bumps” Blackwell and Richard decided to write a song that was so up-tempo and the lyrics so fast that Boone would not be able to handle it. (Boone eventually did record his own version, however, which reached number 18.)

According to Blackwell, he was introduced to a little girl by Honey Chile, a popular disc-jockey. The girl had written a song for Little Richard to record so she could pay the treatment for her ailing aunt Mary. The song, actually a few lines on a piece of paper, went like this:

Saw Uncle John with Long Tall Sally
They saw Aunt Mary comin’
So they ducked back in the alley

Not wishing to upset an influential disc-jockey, Blackwell accepted the offer and took the idea to Richard, who was reluctant at first. Nevertheless, the line “ducked back in the alley” was exactly what they were looking for, and Richard kept practicing until he could sing it as fast as possible. They worked on the song, adding verses and a chorus, until they got the hit they wanted.

 Featuring a tenor saxophone solo by Lee Allen (as did “Tutti Frutti”), “Long Tall Sally” was the best-selling 45 of the history of Specialty Records. (Source: Wikipedia)

ART OF THE WEEK

I thought this was rather clever.

Tree of Lost Soles

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Johannes Gutenberg

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (1400 – 3 February 1468) was a German inventor, printer, publisher, and goldsmith who introduced printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press.

His work started the Printing Revolution in Europe and is regarded as a milestone of the second millennium, ushering in the modern period of human history.

It played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Enlightenment, and Scientific Revolution, as well as laying the material basis for the modern knowledge-based economy and the spread of learning to the masses.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Michelangelo, perhaps history’s greatest sculptor, said I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

Set the angel inside of you free.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Reading

People who don’t read have no idea how obvious it is to those who do.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Desiderata

By Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding, as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

If you wish to be reasonably financially comfortable and have not already made too many bad decisions or been “extremely unlucky”, this book will definitely help you. 

The Richest Man in Babylon

By George S. Clason

The Richest Man in Babylon is a book by George Samuel Clason, which dispenses financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon. Through their experiences in business and managing household finance, the characters in the parables learn simple lessons in financial wisdom. Originally, a series of separate informational pamphlets distributed by banks and insurance companies, the pamphlets were bound together and published in book form in 1926. (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Privilege is about to be put on trial… Based on the bestselling novel by Sarah Vaughan, “Anatomy of a Scandal” is an insightful and suspenseful series about privilege and sexual consent. [ ] This six-part series stars Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery, Rupert Friend, Naomi Scott and Josette Simon. Coming to Netflix on 15th April. (Source: Netflix)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

What a great time to be young and alive.

Steppin’ Stone (November 1966)

By The Monkees

[This song] was first recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders and appeared on their album Midnight Ride, released in May 1966.

The Monkees’ version is featured in the “romp” segments of several episodes of the group’s television series. It has also been heard in episodes of [various] shows [ ].

ART OF THE WEEK

Wall Paintings

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

Helen Keller

(June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968)

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task,

but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks

 as if they were great and noble.

 

The world is moved along

not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes,

but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes

 of each honest worker.”

 

Source: Helen Keller

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

One has to start someplace, so this is as good as any place.

CHARACTER TRAITS

I think many of us should do this.

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Memories

MISCELLANEOUS

 

CURRENT EVENTS

Happy Mother’s Day

My Mom

My Mother-In-Law

BOOK OF THE WEEK

This book may have been intended for the martial artists, but I believe you will find it helpful for whatever endeavor you wish to excel in.

Musashi’s Book of Five Rings

By Stephen F. Kaufman

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca was rushed into release to take advantage of the publicity from the Allied invasion of North Africa a few weeks earlier. It had its world premiere on November 26, 1942, in New York City and was released nationally in the United States on January 23, 1943. 

Exceeding expectations, Casablanca went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Its reputation has gradually grown, to the point that its lead characters, memorable lines, and pervasive theme song have all become iconic, and it consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films in history.

In 1989, the United States Library of Congress selected the film as one of the first for preservation in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hot Rod Lincoln (1955)

By Charlie Ryan

ART OF THE WEEK

Gardening

Gardening is an art that everyone should learn.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

If you don’t know why it is important that we support the Ukrainians in their fight to resist Putin’s invasion, perhaps you should brush up on your history.

Perhaps, this may help.Neville Chamberlain was prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 to 1940. He is best known for his role in the Munich Agreement of 1938 which ceded parts of Czechoslovakia to Hitler and is now the most popular example of the foreign policy known as appeasement.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

Remakes

If you liked Titanic, I think you will really like

Titanic with a Cat

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Special Mother’s Day Wishes To These Moms

CHARACTER TRAITS

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. (Source: Disiderate)

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

I don’t know why this is so hard for so many people.

It is something everyone should learn.

MISCELLANEOUS

Please don’t forget the Ukraine.

 

CURRENT EVENTS

2022 AAPF National Powerlifting Championships

Gatlinburg, Tenn.

April 29 – May 1, 2022

My Results

Bench Press: I was able to lift 77.5 Kg or170.7 lbs.,

but came off the bench so the lift didn’t count

Deadlift: I lifted 167.5 Kg or 369.2 lbs.,

for an AAPF National Record & an AWPC World’s Record

I also received Best Raw Deadlifter designation 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Never underestimate the power of the mind. The Placebo Effect is a good example of the power of the mind.

I typically review this book before each powerlifting contest. However, this book can be applied to things outside of sports

Mind Gym

By Gary Mack & David Casstevens

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

This week’s movie is definitely not a movie for everyone.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Pulp Fiction Dance Scene

This French film was the inspiration for the Pulp Fiction dance scene.

In both movies, the dance scenes weren’t what was expected for these crime themed films.

Bande á Part (1964) Dance Scene

ART OF THE WEEK

Park Bench

This is just a park bench. It may not seem like any great piece of art. However, look closely at where this bench was made. Someone learning carpentry skills can possibly provide more value to society than many folks who are making lots of money. I will not name their positions, but unless you hold one of those positions yourself, you can probably guess which positions they are. And if you do hold one of those positions, I hope you at least know it.

If you are in a position to give these folks in this type of correctional facility program, I hope you will give them a break. It could be one of the best things you will ever do.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

In Memory of Naomi Judd

(January 11, 1946 – April 30, 2022)

THE JUDDS – GIRLS NIGHT OUT

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

Remakes

If you liked Pulp Fiction, I think you will really like

Purr Fiction

PHYSICAL TRAITS

When it comes to getting in shape, this is the only quick fix that actually works.

Please don’t fall for these quick fix scam artists. Getting into shape calls for  small consistent changes that you can maintain or live with and little by little you will get where you want to be. You didn’t get where you are overnight or in 30 days, so don’t expect the change to take place overnight or in 30 days.

CHARACTER TRAITS

I suspect most of us are a bit guilty of being lazing,

even if not to this extreme.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Isn’t this the truth, when you are out dining?

LEARNING TRAITS

You may want to ask yourself this question.

MISCELLANEOUS

Please don’t forget the Ukraine.