CURRENT EVENTS

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Since St. Patrick’s Day is this coming week, I thought perhaps a book on the Celts may be appropriate. Oh, and it has lots and lots of pictures.

A Dark History: Celts

By Martin J. Doughert

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Also since this is the week of the Ides of March (the 15th), I thought this would be a good film. Plus, it is extremely funny.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Dust on the Bottle (1995)

By David Lee Murphy

Background

Yesterday (Saturday, Mar. 11), I was in another powerlifting contest and I was again the oldest competitor. This song just made me think, has my hair really turned grey, or is that just dust on the top of my head.

Anyway, I didn’t set any lifting records, but I am pleased that I made all six of my lifts (three benchpresses and three deadlifts).

ART  OF THE WEEK

St. Patrick’s Day Decorations

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Julius Caesar

(13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) 

Caesar’s victories in the Gallic Wars (Celts who occupied what is now France), completed by 51 BC, extended Rome’s territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both when he built a bridge across the Rhine and conducted the first invasion of Britain.

With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. Caesar refused the order, and instead marked his defiance in 49 BC by crossing the Rubicon. Civil war resulted, and Caesar’s victory in the war put him in a position of power and influence.

After assuming control of government, Caesar began a programme of social and governmental reforms, including the creation of the Julian calendar. He centralised the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed “dictator in perpetuity”.

But the underlying political conflicts had not been resolved, and on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a group of rebellious senators led by Marcus Junius Brutus. (Source of the saying, “Beware of the Ides of March”)

JOKE OF THE WEEK

This comes closer to the truth than I care to admit.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

One of the components of fitness is flexibility.  As you can see below, yoga can help you stay flexible.  Here are some people practicing yoga immediately after St. Patrick’s Day.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Remember, we all have strengths.

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

Travel is a valuable investment in your education and you should make an effort to take advantage of these unique opportunities.

When people mention the Blarney Stone, it brings back memories of when Carol and I visited Blarney Castle in Ireland. Reading about things and seeing pictures and films of things is good, but not the same as actually being there.

MISCELLANEOUS

Books

Environmental Animals

https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Animals-Harmony-Jann/dp/B0BW2GFPDM/ref=sr_1_16?

I’m Tired of Being Ordinary,

Are You?

The Kindle version of this book is free, and the paperback version is $10

However, I must warn you that this book will not change your life, only you can do that.

This book can be ordered from Amazon