CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

This was a unique way to celebrate Halloween.

I didn’t do too bad, given I’m 71

          

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

Last year I bought 150 bags of potato chips to give out to 60 to 70 kids.

Well, you can guess how that turned out.

This year I just bought 100 bags of chips to give out (smile)

   

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Halloween is a particularly dangerous times for cats, especially black cats

  

Please be a responsible cat owner and keep your cat indoors

Well, I guess it is ok for my cat to be outside during Halloween

He is a rather large cat.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

When you come to think about it, less tricks and more treats is good advice for getting along with others at any time during the year.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

In Chapter 48 of my book, I talk about the value that comes from travel.  So perhaps you may want to put Romania on your bucket list of travel locations.  And if you are in Romania, of course you will want to see Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle). 

Bran Castle – which perches on a dramatic hilltop near Brasov in central Romania – has long been linked to the toothsome vampire. Constructed in the early 14th century, it is open to the public, who are able to peer into its creaky rooms and dark passageways. 

Sharp-eyed tourists will point out that Dracula did not exist.

And they would – rather obviously – be correct. The most famous vampire of all was, of course, created by the Irish novelist Bram Stoker in his iconic Gothic novel Dracula, published in 1897. (Source: DailyMail.com)

Over half a million visitors a year pass through these dark corridors.

Perhaps, while on your tour you may become tired and wish to take a nap.

Please do so at your own risk (smile)

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

It is always wise to have some options

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I mentioned this graphic novel before, it is fun book to read and so much easier to read than the actual book by Bram Stroker.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

A Graphic Novel

Illustrated By Matt Pagett

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

The Mummy (2017)

I was looking for scary movies to watch and thought I would try a recent one of the famous classic horror movie “The Mummy”.  Well, it was ok; not as bad as the critics say, but it sure helps if you like Tom Cruise.

Critics Consensus: Lacking the campy fun of the franchise’s most recent entries and failing to deliver many monster-movie thrills, The Mummy suggests a speedy unraveling for the Dark Universe. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Here is a Halloween musical classic for your enjoyment

Ghostbusters Music Video

by Ray Parker, Jr.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – If you could choose any age for the rest of your life?

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What do you think of Black Cats?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Decorating for Halloween can also be an art form.  I have no idea whose house this is, since I found the photo on the internet, but I’ve seen a lot of extravagantly decorated houses in my city of Royal Oak, MI, USA

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Fats Domino

Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017) was an American pianist and singer-songwriter of Louisiana Creole descent. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 hits. (Source: Wikipedia)

If you aren’t already aware of this truly great man, now is your chance.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Carol, Darlene, Nanette & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Cynthia, Darlene, Deborah, Donna, Heather, Nicole, Peggy & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to AJ, Becka, Bhavana, Celestial, Emily, Jeanie, Kimaya, Lost Girl, Moisy, Morgan, Nanette, Rasma, RJ, Rukhsar & Shalini, started following my blog and to Екатерина, Emily, Felita, Hiran, John, Julie, Lynda, Lynne, Marybeth, Maiki, Mandi, Sharon, Tina & Willie   for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

I sure hope this isn’t how you do your cardio.

   

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It is important to have a good self-image.

  

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

Do your best to make everyone feel important and valued.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

You will likely be told at times that you need to have an open mind.

That fine, just remember this: 

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I found this an easy and worthwhile book to read.

Budo Secrets

By John Stevens

Budo Secrets contains the essential teachings of budo’s greatest masters of Kendo, Karate, Judo, Aikido, and other disciplines. Timely and instructive, these writings are not just for martial artists—they’re for anyone who wants to live life more. (Source: Amazon)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Somewhere in Time

This “classic” movie was filmed at The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island.  Since I am going to be staying at The Grand Hotel next week, I thought I should watch it again.

The film stars Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer. Reeve plays Richard Collier, a playwright who becomes obsessed with a photograph of a young woman at the Grand Hotel. Through self-hypnosis, he travels back in time to the year 1912 to find love with actress Elise McKenna, portrayed by Seymour. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Here is a Halloween musical classic for your enjoyment

The Monster Mash

by bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Cryptkickers

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How do you most often watch movies?

44% – Stream

37% – Cable

19% – Movie Theater

 0% – DVD

 0% – VHS Tape

Similar poll in 2016

45% – Stream

22% – Cable

22% – DVD

11% – Movie Theater

 0% – VHS Tape

THIS WEEK’S POLL – If you could choose any age for the rest of your life?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Mackinac Bridge

Photo of Carol in front of the Mackinac Bridge

The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan.

Opened in 1957, the 26,372-foot (4.995 mi) bridge is the world’s 19th-longest main span and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere.  The bridge connects the city of St. Ignace on the north end with the village of Mackinaw City on the south.

Envisioned since the 1880s, the bridge was designed by the engineer David B. Steinman and completed in 1957 only after many decades of struggles to begin construction. However the preliminary plans for the bridge were done by an engineer at the firm, Abul Hasnat.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Those of you who follow this blog regularly probably know that I appeared at Leon & Lulu’s yesterday for their Books and Authors event.  Well, one is always likely to meet some extraordinary people at such an event and this event was no exception. Although I was fortunate to meet a number of extraordinary people, this one person really stood out from the rest.  He was what one may call “A Good Egg”.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Dani, Darlene, Ritu & Roijoyeux , for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Brenda, Carol, Cynthia, Cindi, Darlene, Heather,  Paula, Sandy, Sheryll, Shirley, Susan & Willie for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Andreea, Brinda, Carrie, Dani, Dave, Didi, Genie, Jayshree, Kurian, M & Roijoyeux, Shalini, started following my blog and to Lisa, Pavita & Rene, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Leon & Lulu’s

For more info, click on the link below.

http://www.leonandlulu.com/events/books-authors/

The next Books & Authors will be on

Sunday, October 22, 2017 11-5 pm

If you happen to live anywhere near the Clawson, MI area (near 14 mile & Main Street), I hope you will stop by and say hello to me.  Plus, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of authors.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

When you say you drink responsibly, I hope this isn’t what you are implying.

   

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

One should celebrate holidays, special occasions, the accomplishments of their friends, as well as their own accomplishments.

Here are several photos from my 2017 Halloween Happy Hour.

  

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is said that those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it.

One can learn much for history, that is especially helpful when a nation is divided, for instance: 

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

This books says so much in so few words.

How to Be Happy, dammit

Guaranteed to perk up even the most cynical spirit, HOW TO BE HAPPY, DAMMIT is the first and only self-help book that merges psychology, biology, eastern and western philosophies, quantum physics, and the Zen of Bazooka Joe. (Source: Back cover of book)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Something to Think About Before Going to the Movies

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

The Devil Went Down To Georgia

by The Charlie Daniel’s Band

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How do you plan to celebrate Halloween in 2017?

38% – Will be giving on treats on Halloween

21% – Don’t celebrate Halloween

14% – Will host or go to a Halloween party

14% – Will watch some scary movies

10% – Will wear a costume

3% – Will go trick or treating

Similar poll in 2016

45% – Will be giving out treats on Halloween

17% – Don’t celebrate Halloween

17% – Will host or go to a Halloween party

17% – Will wear a costume

 4% – Will go trick or treating

THIS WEEK’S POLL – How do you most often watch movies?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Windsor, Canada Hockey Hall of Fame

It isn’t publicized; however, Windsor has an excellent Hockey Hall of Fame.  I was fortunate to be one of a select group of individuals given a tour of the museum last Saturday.  It was a rare treat and my video in no way captures the magnificence of this fine collection of hockey mementos collected over a life time.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Who else, since it is close to Halloween, but:

Bela Lugosi (aka Count Dracula)

Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (20 October 1882 – 16 August 1956), better known as Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian-American actor, famous for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 film and for his roles in various other horror films.

He had been playing small parts on the stage in his native Hungary before making his first film in 1917,… He had roles in several films in Weimar Germany before arriving in the United States as a seaman on a merchant ship.

In 1927, he appeared as Count Dracula in a Broadway adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. He later appeared in the classic 1931 film Dracula by Universal Pictures. Through the 1930s, he occupied an important niche in popular horror films, with their East European setting … (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Chrystal, Georgia, Kathie & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Aline, Carol, Cynthia, Daggi, Ellen, Heather, Jess, Justin, Pamela, Stephanie, Teresa & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to K’s Kitchen Chronicles & Middle Class Girl, who started following my blog and to Dana, Holly, Lara, Laurie & Melissa, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Posting Telepathically

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

    

While in Peru, I had some difficulty dealing with the high altitudes.

I was told that some coca tea would help.  I don’t believe it helped, but I was ready to try anything and it tasted rather good.  Eventually I turned to IBUPROFEN 800 MG, which did the trick.

I thought I would go online and order some more tea and to my surprise, I learned 

Legal status

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Sometimes, it seems like this is where we are at with regard to tolerance.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

As for me, I’m grateful for all the wonderful people we met during our tour of Perú.

Here are just a few

And our guide Victor, who is not just a good guide but a really good person

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Leon & Lulu’s

For more info, click on the link below.

http://www.leonandlulu.com/events/books-authors/

The next Books & Authors will be on

Sunday, October 22, 2017 11-5 pm

If you happen to live anywhere near the Clawson, MI area (near 14 mile & Main Street), I hope you will stop by and say hello to me.  Plus, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of authors.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Bendito Infierno (Don’t Tempt Me)

October is Halloween, so why not watch a movie that has a devil in it. He is a cool devil, but he would not allow his staff air conditioning, since he thought it would make them look bad if word ever got out.

I have watched this movie many times and I still enjoy it. The original dialogue is a combination of  Spanish, English and French, but you can also I watched this movie with English Subtitles.  I think it is thought-provoking.

In Heaven, the last ten years have been tough—Hell has been winning the battle between Good and Evil. The managers of Heaven receive a request by a mother to save her son’s soul and see the possibility of winning the soul of a boxer named Manny as an opportunity to shift the balance of power.

Although Manny is severely in debt and is even thinking of suicide, Lola (Victoria Abril), an angel, is sent to Earth to take over the role of the boxer’s wife. To counter this, Hell’s manager Jack Davenport decides to send one of his more troublesome agents, Carmen (Penélope Cruz), to fight back by impersonating Manny’s cousin.  (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

I’m really sorry to learn of Tom Petty’s departure for the great unknown.

Stand My Ground

by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to South America?

50% – Yes

29% – No, but I would like to go

21% – No

THIS WEEK’S POLL – How do you plan to celebrate Halloween in 2017

Click on all the boxes that apply to you.

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Machu Picchu, Perú.

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 7,970 ft above sea level. It is in the Cusco Region in Peru, above the Sacred Valley, which is 50 mi northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows.

Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). It is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period and remained unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.

Machu Picchu was built-in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. 

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Michael

Michael is 87 years old and is in absolutely fantastic shape.  He did a part of the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu, almost all of it in the rain.  I have no idea what his diet is that keeps him in such great shape.  But I am sure his positive outlook also has something to do with it.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Bernice, Dave, Georgia, Quirky Girl & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Anni, Bernice, Brenda,  Carmen, Chrystal, Cynthia, Fit For Life, Kristian, Mark, Shirley, Stephen, Susan & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Enlightenment Angels,  Kate & Kiki, who started following my blog and to Alison, Andrea, Bri, Jane, Jess, Leanne, Mamen, Marilyn, Nikki & Rose-Anne for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Puno, Peru Parade

This parade started early in the day and lasted well into the night.

It is impossible for me to give you an idea of the magnificence of this parade

  

    

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

Always good to make new friends, especially if they are a bit different from you.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Leon & Lulu’s

For more info, click on the link below.

http://www.leonandlulu.com/events/books-authors/

The next Books & Authors will be on

Sunday, October 22, 2017 11-5 pm

If you happen to live anywhere near the Clawson, MI area (near 14 mile & Main Street), I hope you will stop by and say hello to me.  Plus, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of authors.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Alice In Wonderland

Great Illustrated Classics

By Scott Douglas

I found this to be an easy and fun to read book.  If you aren’t interested in reading it, perhaps you may want to get it for you child..

A Whole New World! Seeing a rabbit run across a meadow is not so surprising. But when that rabbit is wearing clothes and talking out loud, Alice has to follow him and find out where he’s from. Down the rabbit hole she goes and on to the oddest adventures a little girl has ever had. Come along with Alice and meet some of the most unusual, whimsical, and delightful characters you will ever find in the pages of a book! (Source: Great Illustrated Classics)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

Kon Tiki (2012)

I watched this movie last week while I was in Peru.  I’ve seen it before and it was still interesting the second time around.

Legendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s epic 4,300-mile crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947, to prove that it was possible for South Americans to settle in Polynesia in pre-Columbian times. (Source: IMDB)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Traditional Peruvian Andean music

by The Andes

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to Peru?

56% – No

38% – No, but I would like to go

  6% – Yes

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to South America?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

As I keep saying, art comes in many forms.

Here is a photo of some recycle canisters I was while I was in

Machu Picchu City, Perú.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl (October 6, 1914 – April 18, 2002) was a Norwegian adventurer. He became notable for his Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, in which he sailed 8,000 km (5,000 mi) across the Pacific Ocean in a hand-built raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands.

The expedition was designed to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between separate cultures.

In May 2011, the Thor Heyerdahl Archives were added to UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” Register. The Heyerdahl Archives span the years 1937 to 2002 and include his photographic collection, diaries, private letters, expedition plans, articles, newspaper clippings, original book, and article manuscripts. The Heyerdahl Archives are administered by the Kon-Tiki Museum and the National Library of Norway in Oslo. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Bernice, Betty, Judith, Samantha, Sigrid & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Darlene & Michelle, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Bonnie, Jessica,  Moonlight Musings, Not So Clever People, Over Dosing News, Rhiannon & Sigrid, who started following my blog and to Jill & Michelle, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Making Friends (Amigos) in Lima, Peru

I arrived in Peru two days ago and I am finding it to be a unique experience.

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With a population of more than 10 million, Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru and the third-largest city in the Americas, behind São Paulo and Mexico City.

Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as Ciudad de los Reyes. It became the capital and most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. Following the Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru. Around one-third of the national population lives in the metropolitan area.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

Take care of your teeth and they will take care of you.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

It is always nice to get together with friends, but it is even better when you can combine getting together with some physical exercise.

Here is a photo from a recent 5K Run.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

If you don’t visit places and cultures you have never experience, are you really growing as a person?  

Saint Francis Monastery in Lima, Peru

Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery in Lima, Peru, The church and convent are part of the Historic Centre of Lima, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Aside from a church and monastery it also has a library and catacombs [I saw a lot of large bones & skulls. I didn’t want to take a photo, but even if I did, photos were prohibited]. In this church, Jude the Apostle is venerated. At the feast of Saint Jude Tadeus a one and a half ton weighing silver stand [I saw this, but pictures were prohibited] is carried round in procession by 40 people, starting from the convent.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Little Red Book of Running

By Scott Douglas

If you have any interest in running, whether starting out or already an experience running, you really should read this fun and easy to read running book full of helpful tips.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

The Hero (2017)

The main thing this film has going for it is Sam Elliott.

Critics Consensus: The Herorests on Sam Elliott’s understated performance, which proves more than capable of carrying the film through the less inspired moments of its somewhat clichéd story. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

When Will I Be Loved

by Linda Ronstadt

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Who do you think is a Renaissance artist?

Source: Time, Sept. 25, 2017

 7% – Macchiato (Coffee)

30% – Verrocchio (Artist)

  7% – Cortado (Coffee)

  7% – Ristretto (Coffee)

   7% – Masaccio (Artist)

   7% – Affogato (Coffee)

   7% – Carajillo (Coffee)

   7% – Pisanello (Artist)

   7% – Galão (Coffee)

   7% – Tintoretto (Artist)

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to Peru?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

A few years ago when I was in Lisbon, I thought the bring work in this town square was very artistic.

Town Square in Lisbon

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

José de San Martin

José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America’s successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire who served as the Protector of Peru. 

He organized a plan to defeat the Spanish forces that menaced the United Provinces from the north, using an alternative path to the Viceroyalty of Peru. This objective first involved the establishment of a new army, the Army of the Andes, in Cuyo Province, Argentina. From there, he led the Crossing of the Andes to Chile, and triumphed at the Battle of Chacabuco and the Battle of Maipú (1818), thus liberating Chile from royalist rule. Then he sailed to attack the Spanish stronghold of Lima, Peru.

On 12 July 1821, after seizing partial control of Lima, San Martín was appointed Protector of Peru, and Peruvian independence was officially declared on 28 July. On 22 July 1822, after a closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simón Bolívar at Guayaquil, Ecuador, Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru. San Martín unexpectedly left the country and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and moved to France in 1824. The details of the 22 July meeting would be a subject of debate by later historians.

San Martín is regarded as a national hero of Argentina and Peru, and one of the Liberators of Spanish South America. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you  Sheryll & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Age, Darlene,  Diana, Rose,  Sharon & Yazzlus, who started following my blog and to Danielle, Leila, Linda & P Russell, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

What Makes Your Day?

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

I know December 9th is a long ways off, but I thought I would mention it now; plus I just entered this contest so it was on my mind.

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

The only way you can live your dreams is to take action.

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Older Testament: An Origin Story

Source: Esquire, October 2017

I found this story interesting and I hope you do too.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

You absolutely have to watch this video

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Born to Fly

by Sara Evans

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which button would you press?

27% – Lose weight

21% – More money

 13% – Sleep better

13% – More energy

 13% – Less body fat

 13% – More muscle

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Renaissance artist or coffee?

Source: Time, Sept. 25, 2017

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Ships can also be works of arts, and perhaps none more so than the old wooden ships of yesterday.  I was in Boston in 1994 and had a chance to go on the USS Constitution.  Below is a photo I took before going on the ship.

USS Constitution

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy, named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America. She is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

What I liked best about George Washington is that he is also known as the man who did not want to be king.  In fact, he did not want a second term as President, but Adams and Jefferson argued him into accepting a second term as President.

Napoleon, who came after Washington, made himself Emperor.  In that context, you see how extraordinary was George Washington.

George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was [ ] the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and later presided over the 1787 convention that drafted the United States Constitution. He is popularly considered the driving force behind the nation’s establishment and came to be known as the “father of the country,” both during his lifetime and to this day. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Judith, René, Spirtual Journey, Sue & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Cynthia, Donna, Sandra, Sheryll, Shirley  & Tammy, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Ashley, Cátia, Donna, Kruti, Pamela, Rough Bandit,  Tanveer & Tonia, who started following my blog and to Amy, Christine, Irina, Sandy & Sarah, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

AWPC World Championships

Folks, last week I mentioned I was going to be competing in the AWPC World Championships.  In case you are wondering how I did; I am the AWPC Raw Deadlift world champion for my age and weight.

And if you are wondering what is a deadlift, here is a clip of my second lift of the day–325 lbs.  The video looks like it is sideways, but if you click on it; it will straighten out.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

It is important to express gratitude to those that help you out along the way.  The three most important people that helped me along in my powerlifting journey are:

Freddy

Walter

Art

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to always at least look over the instructions.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

T

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

I recall reading this book long ago (before calendar year 1984), after reading the books 1984 and Brave New World. I really have to read it again.

We

by Yevgeny Zamyatin

We is a dystopian novel by Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin, completed in 1921.

Dystopian society

The dystopian society depicted in We is presided over by the Benefactor and is surrounded by a giant Green Wall to separate the citizens from primitive untamed nature. All citizens are known as “numbers”. Every hour in one’s life is directed by “The Table”.

The action of We is set at some time after the Two Hundred Years’ War, which has wiped out all but “0.2 of the earth’s population”. The war was over a rare substance only mentioned in the book through a biblical metaphor; the substance was called “bread”. The war only ended after the use of weapons of mass destruction, so that the One State is surrounded with a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Allusions and references

Many of the names and numbers in We are allusions to personal experiences of Zamyatin or to culture and literature. For example, “Auditorium 112” refers to cell number 112, where Zamyatin was twice imprisoned, … (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

This film was action, more action and more action.  I understand there was a storyline somewhere in this film, but I must have blinked and missed it.

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Critics Consensus: The Hitman’s Bodyguard coasts on Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds’ banter — but doesn’t get enough mileage to power past an overabundance of action-comedy clichés. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Rocky III – Eye of the Tiger

by Survivor

LAST WEEK’S POLL – What do you think of gray hair?

32% – Better than no hair.

32% – Other

 16% – Wise

10% – Strong

 5% – Sexy

 5% – Wealthy

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which button would you press?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

I’ve noticed as I travel around I see more and more unusual art in airports.

Here is something I came across at the Phoenix Airport a few years ago. It looks to me like a family enjoying a day swimming in sand.  I’m sorry now that I did not read up on it.

Airport Art

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

I remember these ads in the comic books I was reading when I was young, do you?

Charles Atlas

Charles Atlas (born Angelo Siciliano; October 30, 1892 – December 24, 1972) was an Italian-American bodybuilder best remembered as the developer of a bodybuilding method and its associated exercise program which spawned a landmark advertising campaign featuring his name and likeness; it has been described as one of the longest-lasting and most memorable ad campaigns of all time.

Atlas trained himself to develop his body from that of a “scrawny weakling”, eventually becoming the most popular bodybuilder of his day.

He took the name “Charles Atlas” after a friend told him that he resembled the statue of Atlas on top of a hotel in Coney Island and legally changed his name in 1922.

He marketed his first bodybuilding course with health and fitness writer Dr. Frederick Tilney in November 1922. Tilney wrote the original course “Health & Strength by Charles Atlas” and the duo ran the company out of Tilney’s home for the first six months.

In 1929, Tilney sold his half of the business to advertising man Charles P. Roman. Charles Atlas Ltd. was founded in 1929 and, as of 2015, continues to market a fitness program for the “97-pound weakling”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Darlene, Georgia, Kathy, Monica, Réne & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Anni, Carmen, Carol, Cindi, Cynthia, Darlene, Donna, Hussein, MaryAnn, Sheryll, Shirley, Willie & Yuiana, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Barbara, Festival Reviews, Jungkesun, Liz, Monica, Reethu, Roos, Soiba & Zensational, who started following my blog and to Kendell, Lizrette, Melina & Therese, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

Labor Day Weekend

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

There are a lot of people out there (gurus, financial advisors, various kinds of coaches, etc.) willing to give you advice for a fee.  Be cautious by checking their background and look for demonstrated successes, especially success in their own lives.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

This is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder

by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Douglas Kent Hall

I understand, if you aren’t into fitness; you probably aren’t interested in this book.

There is more to this book than just fitness. Here is a sentence from this book, “The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

I saw this film last week and I adore Aubrey Plaza.  She not only starred in this film, but was also one of the producers.  As for my opinion of the film, well it is a good thing I adore Aubrey Plaza.

Ingrid Goes West

Critics Consensus: Led by strong performances from Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen, Ingrid Goes West delivers smart, topical humor underlined by timely social observations. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Rocky Theme Song – Gonna Fly Now

by Bill Conti

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Are you a better person?

Have you become a better person since the beginning of this year?

37% – Yes

25% – No, I like how I am now

 19% – No, I was already a fantastic person

19% – Tried, but failed

In the remaining four months of 2017, I am going to

72% – Become a better person

22% – Stay the same

 6% – Become a worse person

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What do you think of gray hair?

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Here I am at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, standing by one of de Chirico’s paintings

Plaza d’Italia

by Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico (10 July 1888 – 20 November 1978) was an Italian artist and writer. In the years before World War I, he founded the scuola metafisica art movement, which profoundly influenced the surrealists.

De Chirico won praise for his work almost immediately from the writer Guillaume Apollinaire, who helped to introduce his work to the later Surrealists. De Chirico strongly influenced the Surrealist movement: Yves Tanguy wrote how one day in 1922 he saw one of de Chirico’s paintings in an art dealer’s window, and was so impressed by it he resolved on the spot to become an artist—although he had never even held a brush. Other Surrealists who acknowledged de Chirico’s influence include Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Franco Columbu

Francesco Columbu (born August 7, 1941) is an Italian actor, author, former champion bodybuilder and World’s Strongest Man competitor.

Columbu started his athletic career as a boxer, Columbu progressed into Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting, and later bodybuilding, winning the title of Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981. At 5’4″, though shorter than most of his competitors, his height did not prevent him from achieving widespread success.

Columbu is a longtime friend of Schwarzenegger, whom he met in Stuttgart in 1965 and against whom he competed in several international-level bodybuilding competitions. For the Mr. Olympia competitions however, he competed in the under-200 lb (90.7 kg) category, whereas Schwarzenegger was in the over-200 lb category. The IFBB has since abandoned weight classes.

Arnold and Franco were inseparable friends and training partners during the late 60s to mid-1970s. Columbu served as Schwarzenegger’s best man at his wedding to Maria Shriver in 1986. Columbu and Schwarzenegger had been encouraged to come to America by bodybuilding guru Joe Weider in 1969; Weider sponsored them with an $80/week stipend. They arrived in America and began a bricklaying and patio business called European Brick Works in 1969. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

Thank you Crystal, Darlene, Quirky Girl, Samantha & Tania, for commenting on last week’s post. 

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Darlene, Donna & Melissa, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Eugenia, Hussein, Jac, Jim, Lindsay, Lost Soul, Madhulika, MC Clark, Moushmi, Mrs. Master Mind, Mystic Writer, Pradita, Sanoberkhan & Twiiti, who started following my blog and to Isabella, Mariana & Stacy, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692

CURRENT EVENTS (RECIENTES ACONTECIMIENTOS)

August 23, 2017 Powerball Drawing

I don’t gamble, unless you consider the stock market a form of gambling, but I simply had to buy a $2 ticket for this drawing.  I knew it was a long shot.

The second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history was won Wednesday night, when a winning ticket for the $758 million jackpot was sold in Massachusetts. A single winning ticket was sold for the jackpot.

Thanks to such a large jackpot, lottery fever captured the country this week and it paid off for some folks as $1 million winners were sold in 22 states. (Source: MLive)

Please don’t ask for loans or offer investment opportunities, I didn’t win.  When someone says it is a long shot, it is.

PHYSICAL TRAITS (RASGOS FÍSICOS)

Honor Thy Temple

CHARACTER TRAITS (RASGOS DE CARÁCTER)

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS (RASGOS SOCIALES)

Getting Along with Others

I think it is amazing the different types of people you can meet online that you would probably never even come into contact with otherwise.  I now have over 3,500 Facebook friends and many of the ideas and graphics I post in this blog come from that group of Facebook friends.

LEARNING TRAITS

(CARACTERÍSTICAS DE APRENDIZAJE)

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

The scientific community and general public were excited about the solar eclipse last week.

I do hope everyone viewed the eclipse safely.

MISCELLANEOUS (VARIADO)

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

BOOK OF THE WEEK (LIBRO DE LA SEMANA)

The Most Dangerous Man in America

by Catherine Drinker Bowen

For some of you, this book may not have been about who you thought it was going to be about.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK (PELÍCULAS DE LA SEMANA)

A Million Ways to Die in the West

As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival. (Source: IMDB)

I thought the movie was a bit stupid, but fun.  Check out the trailer and let me know what you think?

MUSIC OF THE WEEK (MÚSICA DE LA SEMANA)

Where Do You Go To My Lovely

by Peter Sarstedt

In case you are wondering, the fellow below is not Peter Sarstedt, or is he?

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How Did The Barcelona Terrorist Attack Make You Feel?

  

69% – Angry

 25% – Sad

  6% – Afraid

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Are You a Better Person?

We are wrapping up two-thirds of 2017, with four months remaining.  

ART OF THE WEEK (ARTE DE LA SEMANA)

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

You ever have that feeling that a cloud was hanging over your head?

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has a fantastic exhibit going on.  It is titled “Revolution” and has been seen my over 90,000 visitors, including yours truly.

***

To say the late 1960s altered how we see and think about the world is something of an understatement, as a new exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts makes graphically clear.

Movements led by predominantly young activists for peace, black civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights and environmental rights turned people power into a political force for equality, freedom and justice.

Originally curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the 700-piece, multimedia exhibit explores the interplay between music, fashion, photography, film, art, design and literature alongside the social upheaval of the years spanning 1966 to 1970. (Source: CBC News)

EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

(PERSONA EXTRAORDINARIA DE LA SEMANA)

Although many of her films in my opinion were terrible, she was still the number one star.  I understand she was in so many bad films because her criteria for deciding what films to be in was whether her friends were involved in the film.  And that trait is why I think she is so extraordinary, plus she loves animals and in later years married a vet–how cool is that. 

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot (born 28 September 1934) is a French actress, singer, dancer and fashion model, who later became an animal rights activist. She was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s and was widely referred to by her initials, B.B. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE (BROMA DE LA SEMANA)

TALK TO ME (HÁBLAME)

If I were more controversial, would I hear from more than one person?   

Thank you Georgia, for commenting on last week’s post. I just want to say:

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Thank you Bear Mountain Yoga, Cindi, Cindy, Cynthia, Darlene, Desiree, Donna, Eva-Lisa, Evelyn, Josie, Sheryll, Shirley & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

And my thanks to Adedeji, Allan, Cornelius, Daisymae, Elizabeth, Image Earth Travel, Indishe, Jenna, Kip, Lemanshots, Mandy, Maxim, Oh Sweet Chaos, Rambles & Rosé, Sheryl, Shinning Gem, Super Wife and Mummy, Swati, Tanya, Vinnieh y Yashika who started following my blog and to Ann, Chris, Nabila & Pat, for liking  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK (LIBRO)

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-tired-of-being-ordinary-are-you-wm-allen/1120528064?ean=9780990388692