CURRENT EVENTS

Elections Have Consequences

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

Rich Dad Poor Dad

By Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter C.P.A.

This book first came out in 1997. Like so many things, I don’t agree with everything in this book nor likely will you, but it does present things that you should think about.

Robert Kiyosaki reveals how he developed his unique economic perspective from his two fathers: his real father, who was highly educated but fiscally poor; and the father of his best friend – an eighth-grade drop-out who became a self-made multi-millionaire.

This book lays out his philosophy and aims to open readers eyes by: exploding the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich; challenging the belief that your house is an asset; showing parents why they can’t rely on schools to teach their children about money; defining once and for all an asset versus a liability; and explaining what to teach your children about money for their future financial success. (Source: thrifbooks)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I found this Netflix two season program most entertaining.

Never Have I Ever

The complicated life of a first-generation Indian-American teenager.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Save Tonight

by Eagle Eye Cherry

ART OF THE WEEK

Automobiles Can Be Works of Art

It is a Mercedes

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Aubrey Plaza

Warning: The following video is 13 minutes long

Nevertheless: You may still want to give it a chance

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS 

I realize a lot of you are scared; but when people are scared, they sometimes do bad things to other people. During WWII, they put Americans of Japanese ancestry into camps.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Who is really pushing for electric cars?

LEARNING TRAITS

World Class Chef Ronaldo is also a world class philosopher

As you can see below

MISCELLANEOUS

CURRENT EVENTS

Elvis Presley

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron Presley would become one of the most recognizable musicians in the world by the time he passed away in his Memphis mansion, Graceland, on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.

I think Lao Tzu sums up my feelings about Elvis.

“The Tao is great, the king is also great.”

Lao Tzu

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Tao of Elvis (2002)

By David Rosen

Jungian expert and Elvis scholar David Rosen explores and examines his life through the structure of the Tao Te Ching. In reflections on forty-two Taoist concepts–one for each year of Elvis’s life

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Elvis & Nixon (2016)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hound Dog (Oct. 28, 1956)

by Elvis Presley

ART OF THE WEEK

The President and The King

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Ron Short (aka Elvis)

I can’t say enough good things about how wonderful Ron Short made our 30th Anniversary Party

So here is a video

http://www.RonShortEntertainment.com

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

I asked my good friend, World Famous Chef Ronaldo if he could come up with an Elvis related joke for this week’s post.

This is what Chef Ronaldo provided me.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

The Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

It is important to eat healthy.

But every so often you may want a break for a strict healthy diet, 

so here is Elvis’ recipe for his famous sandwich.

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS

India Knows About Elvis

LEARNING TRAITS

It is important to learn to say “Thank You.”

MISCELLANEOUS

All American Boy

by Bill Parsons

CURRENT EVENTS

Show Me Your Papers

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Mayor Bill de Blasio will require proof of vaccination for most indoor events in New York City, believed to be the first such mandate by an American city.

Dining at restaurants, working out at a gym, and attending a movie or play will all require proof of vaccination starting August 16.

Enforcement — but not by police — will begin on September 13, to coincide with the return of children to schools.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I don’t like where this mandate is headed and hopefully you will not like it either, regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on.

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

The Barbell Prescription (2016)

By Jonathon M. Sullivan & Andy Baker

The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40 directly addresses the most pervasive problem faced by aging humans: the loss of physical strength and all its associated problems – the loss of muscle mass, bone mineral loss and osteoporosis, hip fractures (a terminal event for many older people), loss of balance and coordination, diabetes, heart disease related to a sedentary lifestyle, and the loss of independence.

The worst advice an older person ever gets is, Take it easy. Easy makes you soft, and soft makes you dead. The Barbell Prescription maps an escape from the usual fate of older adults: a logical, programmed approach to the hard work necessary to win at the extreme sport of Aging Well. Unlike all other books on the subject of exercise for seniors, The Barbell Prescription challenges the motivated Athlete of Aging with a no-nonsense training approach to strength and health – and demonstrates that everybody can become significantly stronger using the most effective tools ever developed for the job.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I found this to be both entertaining and informative.

The Last Czars (2019)

The Last Czars is a six-part English-language docudrama that premiered on Netflix on July 3, 2019. The series follows the reign of Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia’s Romanov Dynasty, from his accession to the throne in 1894 to his assassination in 1918

None of the characters in the dramatised part of the series are fictional and the scenes depicted attempt to re-create real-life events as closely as possible and draws on sources from the time. This means the majority of the series is historically accurate.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Cups

by Anna Kendrick

ART OF THE WEEK

Cool Library Book Bench

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

The Extreme Left is trying to divide Americans — Don’t let them.

Tamyra Mensah-Stock

American athletes can make a lot of money demonizing their own country these days. The world stage of the Olympics, then, presents a prime opportunity to cash in on the lucrative industry of self-hatred. U.S. wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock however, took no shame in competing on behalf of the United States at the Tokyo games. Quite the opposite.

“I love representing the U.S.! I freaking love living there,” Mensah-Stock told a reporter while draped in the stars and stripes upon winning the gold. “I’m so happy I get to represent U.S.A!”

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Some of Both Is Best for Many of Us

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS

There will come a day when you wish you had followed this advice,

if that day had not already arrived.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

CURRENT EVENTS

30th Anniversary

Sunday, Aug 1, 1991

Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021

Thirty years later, who could ask for more than to have Elvis come and celebrate our 30th anniversary along with the best family and friends one could have. 

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

I first read this book in 2002 and every so often I review my highlighted notes from that reading and even today I find the book remains of value.

The Inspired Executive (1997)

By Granville N. Toogood

I believe this book is of value to every day common people who wish to communicate better as much as it is for executives. Sure, the book is a bit old (1997), but what it has to say has stood the test of time. Plus, it is a very readable book, as any book on communication should be. I understand he has a newer book out, but I have not read that book.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Last week was the first time I have been in a movie theater since the pandemic started. I don’t really care for action films, but this one is better than most and contains some humor.

Black Widow (2021)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Blue Suede Shoes

By Elvis (AKA Ron Short)

ART OF THE WEEK

Can Art 

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

James Craig

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Just in case you may not know it,

diet most always trumps exercise.

CHARACTER TRAITS 

Results of Some Heavy Lifting

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

CURRENT EVENTS

Two weeks in a row, we have a flight into space.

Blue Origin Flight Into Space

Sunday, July 20, 2021

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

No movies to recommend this week.

I finished watching all of the 5th Season of The Avengers and liked it so much that I started watching the 4th Season, which is in black and while.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Since we have been launching people into Space the last couple of weeks:

The Purple People Eater

By Sheb Wooley

ART OF THE WEEK

World Famous Chef Ronaldo 

The famous Chef does it again, turning food into art.

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

THE MOTOWN ARTISTS

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

CURRENT EVENTS

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Flight Into Space

Sunday, July 11, 2021

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

The 80/20 Principle

By Richard Koch

I think this principle can enhance your life. In some ways, it is simple. For instance, you probably wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time or at least you wear some of your clothes a lot more than others even if it isn’t exactly 80%.

But in some ways, it is very complex. For example 20% of all books published in a year represent 80% all book sales that year. So, if you own a book store, maybe you just want to stock the 20% best sellers–wrong. It may be that 20% of your customers buy 80% of the books you sell and they like books that aren’t commonly best sellers. So, it can be complicated. 

Nevertheless, if you think about things, you can derived considerable benefit from this principle.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I found this film entertaining, which is more than I can say for many of today’s films. 

Get Smart (2008)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Angels in Heaven

By Chris Rodrigues & The Spoon Lady

ART OF THE WEEK

World Famous Chef Ronaldo 

If you have been following this blog, you already know World Famous Chef Ronaldo is an artist when it comes to cooking up exotic dishes for the wealthy and famous and that he is also a recognized artist in the art world.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business magnate, investor, author and commercial astronaut. In the 1970s he founded the Virgin Group, which today controls more than 400 companies in various fields.

Branson expressed his desire to become an entrepreneur at a young age. His first business venture, at the age of 16, was a magazine called Student. In 1970, he set up a mail-order record business. He opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records—later known as Virgin Megastores—in 1972.

Branson’s Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he started Virgin Atlantic airline and expanded the Virgin Records music label. In 1997, Branson founded the Virgin Rail Group to bid for passenger rail franchises during the privatisation of British Rail.

 In 2004, he founded spaceflight corporation Virgin Galactic, based at Mojave Air and Space Port in California, noted for the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane designed for space tourism.

In March 2000, Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace for “services to entrepreneurship”. For his work in retail, music and transport (with interests in land, air, sea and space travel), his taste for adventure, and for his humanitarian work, he has become a prominent global figure.

In 2007, he was placed in the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World list. In July 2021, Forbes listed Branson’s estimated net worth at US$5.7 billion. (Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

We have had so much rain around here, that this does not surprise me.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS 

Give some thought to your purpose

SOCIAL TRAITS

So People Like Socialism/Communism And Some Don’t 

LEARNING TRAITS

Here is something worth learning

MISCELLANEOUS

Dream Big

THIS WEEK’S POLLS

Sorry, Crowdsignal did a surprise (at least to me) enhancement and I have not be able to figure out how to create a poll. I contacted them for help a few days ago and they asked for more details regarding my problem.

Results of Last Week’s Polls

CURRENT EVENTS

Your Job

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

I like this book in spite of its 30- Day foolishness. My experience gives me the impression one can’t change much of anything about themselves, let alone in 30 days. Also, I find the value of this book has to do with enhancing  one’s character, the tie to work is tenuous at best. Perhaps, because this book was written in 1985 and Denis Waitley was a bit of a work guru.

Anyway, I think what the book has to say is very worthwhile.

The Joy of working

By Waitley and Witt

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I found this to be entertaining, if one doesn’t have too high of expectations.

The Hustle (2019)

Josephine Chesterfield is a glamorous, seductive British woman who has a penchant for defrauding gullible men out of their money. Into her well-ordered, meticulous world comes Penny Rust, a cunning and fun-loving Australian woman who lives to swindle unsuspecting marks. Despite their different methods, the two grifters soon join forces for the ultimate score — a young and naive tech billionaire in the South of France.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I believe I remember seeing this on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964; but, I’m not certain, as it was 57 years ago. 

Twist & Shout

By The Beatles

Later

Who would have predicted early Beatles would evolve into

ART OF THE WEEK

Starship FX6-1995-A

  EXTRAORDINARY FRIEND  OF THE WEEK

Smarty

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

For Those That Don’t Get The Joke

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Packaging

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

CURRENT EVENTS

Happy 4th of July

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

This book came out in 1994 and I first read it in early 1995 and have reviewed it a number of times since, including just last week. I think it is still an interesting read and it is still disturbing, perhaps even more so than I thought it was in 1995. It is only 112 pages readable pages. 

Creating A New Civilization

By Alvin and Heidi Toffler

The book describes society in terms of three waves of the change, and the impact those waves had on the existing social structure. The first wave being the agricultural age, which took thousands of years to play out. The second wave of social change is the industrial age, which is lasting around 300 years and now a third wave has arrived–information age. 

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I’ve been watching Season 5 (The first season in color) of The Avengers and find it pretty entertaining. The show is typical of the production values of mid-60s.

The Avengers – Season 5 (1967)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Good Morning Vietnam

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

ART OF THE WEEK

American Flag Baseball Bats

  EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE  OF THE WEEK

Signers of the Constitution of the USA

Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest. Franklin was also the first signer to die, in April 1790, while James Madison was the last, dying in June 1836.

Virtually every signer had taken part in the Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command. All but seven were native to the thirteen colonies: Pierce Butler, Thomas Fitzsimons, James McHenry, and William Paterson were born in Ireland, Robert Morris in England, James Wilson in Scotland, and Alexander Hamilton in the West Indies.

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Covid Shots

CHARACTER TRAITS 

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

You should subject your educational decisions to cost benefit analysis, rather than hoping the government will tax some one working in a factory to pay for your education so that later you can become their boss, if you are fortunate enough to even get a job.

MISCELLANEOUS

Polls

CURRENT EVENTS

Checking on the Elderly

It is so important for you to check on your elderly family members and friends. As for me, 

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

I think you will find a lot of wisdom in this book, and little yoga.

Living Your Yoga

By Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., P.T.

Using the time-honored wisdom of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita to steer the course, [this book] serves up off-the-mat practices to guide you in deepening your relationships with yourself, your family and friends, and the world around you. (Source: Book’s back cover)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

This is definitely not a comedy, but I think it is well worth watching.

Everything Must Go (2010)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

As If

By Sara Evans

ART OF THE WEEK

Acropolis of Athens

October 2018

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.

The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times it was known also more properly as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the buildings whose present remains are the site’s most important ones, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War when gunpowder being stored in the Parthenon by the Ottomans was hit by a cannonball and exploded. (Source: Wikipedia)

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Emma Peel

Emma Peel is a [British] spy. She was born Emma Knight, the daughter of an industrialist, Sir John Knight. She is the crime-fighting partner of John Steed.

Peel is a strong heroine; she is rarely defeated in fights and is capable of rescuing Steed if he is in trouble. She is a master of martial arts and a formidable fencer. A certified genius, she specialises in chemistry and other sciences. She is often seen engaging in artistic hobbies and had success in industry at the helm of the company of her late father, Sir John Knight.

Her husband, Peter Peel, was a pilot whose plane had disappeared over the Amazonian forest. He was presumed dead for many years, and Peel went on to work with Steed.

She drove a convertible Lotus Elan at high speeds, and convincingly portrayed any series of undercover roles, from nurse to nanny. Her favourite guise was that of a women’s magazine reporter, trying to interview big business tycoons and rich playboys. (Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

This Is Silly

But it does make the point that many of us believe what we are told unquestionably.

It is just my own opinion, but I think many of the restrictions did far more harm than good. But, I leave it up to you to form your own opinions about all the restrictions that government decided to impose on you rather than letting you decide what is in your own best interests. Please remember that one size rarely fits all.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

How Is 2021 Going?

Polls

CURRENT EVENTS

Expensive Trips

 BOOK OF THE WEEK

If you wish to live well, I suggest you check out this short  and easy to read book, which provides some insights you may be able to use.

Live Well

By Dr. Trisha Macnair

A medical journalist provides practical tips on all aspects of living a healthy lifestyle, so as you grow older, you can grow better, too. This handy book covers physical, emotional, and environmental wellness, and includes advice on coping with symptoms of illness and avoiding risk factors by making positive choices. Based on the latest scientific research, Live Well will motivate you to take control of your health.

Get tips on:

• Spending time in nature
• Finding your community
• Carry on learning
• Get sporty—safely
• Eat magic minerals
• Have a staycation
• Love like a Buddha
• Welcome new challenges
• Develop positive self-esteem
• Purify with plants
• Keep your brain active

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan

For many years now it has been rough for small independent theaters to stay in business and the pandemic sure hasn’t helped. However, in Royal Oak, landlords have made their contributions to businesses going out such as my friend Ester’s  small independent gym–Fitness Unlimited. I believe her rent was more than doubled.

Even the large book stores like Barnes & Nobles in Main Street in Royal Oak got pushed out in favor of mega-bars that could pay more rent.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

My Boy Lollipop

By Millie Small

ART OF THE WEEK

Beach Art

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON  OF THE WEEK

Chuck Berry

Charles “Chuck” Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music.

Nicknamed the “Father of Rock and Roll”, he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive with songs such as “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Rock and Roll Music” (1957) and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958).

Writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism, and developing a music style that included guitar solos and showmanship, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music. (Source: Wikipedia)

  JOKE OF THE WEEK

PHYSICAL TRAITS

APF Wolverine Open Results

This was my last contest in the Masters 7 (70 to 74 year-old) category. I wish I could say I finish strong, but I did show up. I’m excited about moving into the Masters 8 (75 to 79) category.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

I’m not sure if anyone born after the 1950s, understand how fear rules practically everything today in a large segment of today’s population.

Fortunately there are still large segments of the USA that do not believe fear is a virtue. 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

You Can Always Find An Excuse Not To Do Something

You Should Do

Polls