CURRENT EVENTS

New Beginnings

There is just way too much disharmony in the world.

I hope Capt. Picard doesn’t have to say, “Make it so” too many times for us all to start getting along.

PLEASE CONSIDER

 Why not share your opinions with all of us by making a blog comment.  

My thanks to Andrea, Bernice, Roxie, Samantha & Sue, for commenting on last week’s post.  To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette, Autumn, Cynthia, Dave, Donna, Howie, Kelly, Kim, Nicole, Paula, Phillip, Robert, Sharon, Shirley & Valeria for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Be Extraordinary in 2017

There is still time to start your new year off by making up your mind to be extraordinary in 2017 and this blog as well as this book can help you..

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

We all have good excuses for making bad food choices and not exercising.  Next time you come up with an excuse, envision yourself telling the guy below your excuse.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

“No” is a complete sentence and how often we forget this.  Saying “No” expands your ability to say “Yes” to more important things.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Best Advice I Ever Got

by Katie Couric

This book gives advice about life, success, happiness, taking chances, following one’s passions, overcoming adversity and more from various well-known personalities.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Lion Speech

by Christopher Walken

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Hey, if 2016 wasn’t so great for you; then you must make 2017 better.

A Hard Day’s Night

The Beatles

LAST WEEK’S POLL -What are you going to make of 2017?

100% – Better than 2016

0% – Same as 2016

0% – Worse than 2016

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Were you successful in making your dreams come true?

  

ART OF THE WEEK

Christmas Lights

by Everyone

Many of us are starting to take down our Christmas decorations. Christmas lights is one of the key ingredients to making this time of the year so festive.

I consider them a form of art, that each of us can be proud of since even the most modest Christmas lighting brings a measure of joy to all viewers.

On New Year’s Eve, we went to the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights and it was an amazing lighting display. I urge you next year to attend any similar event that happens to be near you.

  

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Ed Barszcz

For several weeks now, I have said if you look, you will see that you are likely surrounded by extraordinary people, you just need to take the time to notice their good points and not focus on flaws.  Babe Ruth is remembered as the home run king and Elvis is remembered as the King of Rock n’ Roll.  

Ed was a good friend of mine, I wish I had been a better friend to him.

Ed was as fun-loving and good-hearted as they came; plus was always willing to help those in need of help.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Alicia, Ezza & Phoebe, who started following my blog (Currently 135 followers) and Eva & Sandra, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 212 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking to change your life, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Making the World Better

You need to ask yourself, what are you doing to make the world a better place.

PLEASE CONSIDER

I appreciate the personal emails I receive on the weekly posts, but so often I wish others could see them too.  Why not share your opinions with all of us by making a blog comment.  

My thanks to Christy, Samantha & Simona for commenting on last week’s post.  To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Cynthia, Darlene, Debra, Diana, Don, Joanne, Kelly, Lizzy & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Be Extraordinary in 2017

Tired of being ordinary and want to change things up for 2017.  If so, this is the book for you.

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

I know it is the Christmas and New Years holidays, but try to go easy on the desserts.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

There is much to be learned from cats.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

You should always be polite and respond to any invitations you receive; not doing so is simply rude.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Don’t be bound by the tradition that this is the way we have always done something or thought about something.  Look and think carefully and you may find a better way.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

SPQR

by Mary Beard

This book on Roman history is well written, but it is a long book.  I believe it would be worth every thinking person’s time to read this book.  I really enjoyed it.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Serendipity

If you like love stories, this is a good one. Two strangers meet while Christmas shopping, are attracted to one another and leave their romance to fate, which plays a few tricks on them.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Rest in peace George Michael.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Wham! (George Michael)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Were you nice or naughty in 2016?

     

57% – More Nice than Naughty

29% – Nice

14% – Equally Nice and Naughty

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What are you going to make of 2017?

  

ART OF THE WEEK

Christmas Tree

by Everyone

Christmas trees are art that almost all of us have had a hand in creating.  The photo below is just one of the many Christmas Trees on display at Navy Pier in Chicago.

If you have never been to Navy Pier around Christmas time, you should consider it.  There are all kinds of Christmas type events going on in the exciting city of Chicago.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Bryant Greene

If you look, you will see that you are likely surrounded by extraordinary people, you just need to take the time to notice them.  If you don’t, you’ll be sorry you didn’t.

I got to spend a lot of time with Bryant, who was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.  For a number of years he and I and sometimes one or two others got together for lunch each month.  I miss those lunches, as Bryant is no longer physically with us.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

You probably have had to been on earth for a while to get this joke.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Alyssa, Evelina, Jasmine, Kksea, It Is What It Is, Pirate Patty, Siddhi, Regina & Whitney,  who started following my blog (Currently 133 followers) and Christina & Lori, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 210 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking to change your life, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Merry Christmas

PLEASE CONSIDER

Why not share your opinions with all of us by commenting.  

My thanks to Christy & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post.  To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Cynthia, Dave, Deb, Denise, Jen, Julietta, Lily, Llene, Maureen, Nandini, Ron, Sarah,  Shawn, Shirley, Susan & Wendy for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Looking for a Christmas Gift

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

I know it is the Christmas and New Years holidays, but try to go easy on the deserts.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Many of us are rushing around looking for Christmas gifts to give people.  Please remember the greatest gift you can give someone is a little of your time.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

If you believe or if you don’t believe, either way, you are going to be right.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

It’s a Wonderful Life (Updated)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

No one, not even Santa could come down Santa Claus Lane like Elvis could.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Elvis Presley

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Which do you say?

       

74% – Say Merry Christmas

17% – Say Seasons Greetings

9% – Say Ba Humbug

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Were you nice or naughty in 2016

  

ART OF THE WEEK

Snow Man or Snow Woman

by Everyone

It is art that almost all of us that live in a snow area, have created at one or another.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Santa Claus

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Azra, BookUp, Lily & Resa, who started following my blog (Currently 123 followers) and  Darlene, Greg, Ismo, Jackie, Jennifer, Kernita & Marisa, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 208 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Online Arguments

It doesn’t take much to start an online argument:

I think arguments are a waste of time, since those convinced against their will; remain unconvinced still.  

But if you must argue online, here is a way to win any online arguments and not just political arguments.

PLEASE CONSIDER

Why not share your opinions with all of us by commenting.  I think many of us could learn from different perspectives.  

My thanks to Carol, Chris & Christy, for commenting on last week’s post.  To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to  Carol, Darlene, Elizabeth, Julietta, Lestra, Maria,  Nandini, Nicole, Lou,  Shirley & Susan for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Looking for a Christmas Gift

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Many people benefit from massages, please consider trying.  As you can see below, it looks very relaxing.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

I know there is a philosophy out there that thinks everything should be easy.  I wouldn’t recommend adopting that philosophy; most things of value take hard work and things that come to easily are usually assigned little value.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Learn to say “no” if you have doubts about doing something–you will make things easier on yourself and the requester.  Not replying is not a “no”, it is simply disrespectful.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Going on a media diet may bring you more peace without the non-stop stream of media divisiveness. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Love is a choice, sometimes a very difficult choice; please put some thought into you choice.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Wind Is My Mother

by Bear Heart

There is a lot to learn from Bear Heart, a Muskogee Creek Indian medicine man.  

For instance his observation: By nature bears are very playful, even when they are hunting or fishing.  When they fish, they’re not fishing to make a living, they fish in order to live and, in so doing, make a game out of it for enjoyment.  This is something humans can learn from.

I hope you are having some fun at work and enjoying the people you come into contact with; life is short, enjoy it as much as you can.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Love Actually

The screenplay delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a variety of people, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their stories progress.

The story begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month later.  (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This is unusual Christmas song, but I believe the Ramones had their heart in the right place when they made this song.  There is way too much disharmony in the world and in the USA.

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)

Ramones

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Unfriending

     

Unfriending

81% – Have not unfriended someone on Facebook because of their political posts

19% – Have unfriended someone on Facebook because of their political posts

Being Unfriended

88% – Do not believe they have been unfriended because of their political posts

6% – Believe they have been unfriended  because of their political posts

6% – Don’t know if they have or have not been unfriended because of their political posts

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Which do you say

  

ART OF THE WEEK

American Gothic

by Grant Wood

American Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Wood’s inspiration came from what is now known as the American Gothic House, and his decision to paint the house along with “the kind of people [he] fancied should live in that house.”

Painted in 1930, it depicts a farmer standing beside a woman who has been interpreted to be either his wife or his daughter. 

It is one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art, and has been widely parodied in American popular culture. [Source: Wikipedia]

Did someone say, “Widely parodied”

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Mother-in-Laws

I think mother-in-laws get a bad rap; most of them are absolutely wonderful people.  I liked my mother-in-law so much that I gave her a trophy that said “World’s Best Mother-in-Law”

I’m so glad I did, because the following December she died.  We already had a gravesite for her and Carol bought the marker for her mother’s grave and this year we decorated the grave.

If you had a wonderful mother-in-law like I did, I would urge you to do something for her this Christmas.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Bird, Christy & Renuka, who started following my blog (Currently 122 followers) and  Arva, Cathleen, CJ, Elaina, Elena, Jackie, Leslie, Linda, Michael, Naomi, Ray, Shala & Tammy, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 198 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Trump

¿Of course, you know I was referring to euchre, right?

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Chris, Carolyn, Renxkyoko & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post.  To leave a comment, just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click on the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Aggie, Annette, Barbara, Bill, Carol, Carole, Christie, Cindy, Cynthia, Donna, Gwen, Julie, Kristie, Leslie, Nandini, Nicole, Norma, Patty, Shirley, Steve & Susan for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

In case you want to start your diet before the Christmas Holidays or recover from your Thanksgiving feast, this will get you off to a start.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Don’t wish, take some meaningful action every day to make your dreams come true.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you want peace in your life:

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is so important to see and hear what is actually there and not what you want to be there.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Ever wonder what is the key to happiness, well here it is.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Great Again

by Donald J. Trump

Whether or not you like the next President of the USA, I think you should read his plan, if you wish to be informed.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Scrooged

Staring Bill Murray

This 1988 film is a modern update on The Christmas Carol classic and well worth watching.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I love today’s world, but I am so grateful I was around in 1962 for music like this.

Loco – Motion

Little Eva

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Goal Setting

     

28% – I set specific goals that are objectively measurable

21% – I have wishes like stay in closer touch with my friends, but nothing specific

19% – I don’t bother with setting goals for myself

17% – I periodically monitor via action plans, my progress on accomplishing my goals

15% – I set specific goals and develop action plans to accomplish those goals

And here are the results of last year’s poll:

25% of you have wishes, but nothing specific

22% of you set goals that are specifically measurable

19% of you monitor via action plans your goal accomplishment progress

17% of you don’t bother with goals and another 17% set specific goals and develop action plans.

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Unfriending

ART OF THE WEEK

Stonehenge

Stonehenge’s ring of standing stones are set within earthworks in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.

Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the first bluestones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, although they may have been at the site as early as 3000 BC.

One of the most famous landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. It has been a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1882 when legislation to protect historic monuments was first successfully introduced in Britain. The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage; the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. Deposits containing human bone date from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug, and continued for at least another five hundred years. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Ed Turowski

There are extraordinary people all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.

I met Ed in the very early 1980 and did busy with him off and on until he passed away in 1997.  He was a fantastic guy, a good honest business man who took pride in his work.  He was the type of person that made America great.

Ed’s father died when he was just four years old. In WWII he was a SEA BEE in the U.S. Navy.  The SEA BEEs were a combat construction unit, responsible for tasks such as underwater piping to fuel naval vessels and airplanes.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Which fluffy white pet do you think said, “There is only room for one fluffy white pet”?

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Ek Rxasta, Kittens, Humans & Tommy, Mess Up Dress Up, and Quill, Parchment & Tanya, who started following my blog (Currently 119 followers) and  Sheen & Trish, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 181 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Football

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Chris, Christy, Quirky Girl & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Antoinette, Carol, Cynthia, Donna, Edmund, Kim, Joyce, Juliette, Lois, Nicole, Patty, Ron, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday (Christmas & New Years) season with lots of eating and some drinking for many of us; but as much as reasonable I hope you can stick somewhat to your diet. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If you wish to be extraordinary, you need to pay attention to any advice, regardless of where it is coming from.

And pay particular attention to comments about you from your enemies, often they are the only ones who will tell you the truth about yourself.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Showing up on time demonstrates their respect for others.

The Marines have a saying, “If you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late.”

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to develop strategies so that you are prepared to respond appropriately to various situations.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

¿When people are gone, will you feel guilty that you did not give them a bit more of your time?

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue

Edited by George L. Rogers

Benjamin Franklin was certainly an extraordinary person and you can be too, if you follow his advice in this book.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

A Christmas Carol

Staring George C. Scott

Watch this Christmas classic with your family and friends to keep you in the Christmas mood and maybe even make you a better person.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

How can anyone not love The Contours.

Do You Love Me

The Contours

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving Polls

     

Where will you have Thanksgiving Dinner

50% – Home

42% – Friend or relative’s house

8% – Local restaurant

Here the results of last years poll on where you plan to have your Thanksgiving Dinner.
Home 44% 

Local friend or relative’s house 35%

Out of town 13%

Local restaurant 4% 

Out of country 4% 

Favorite Thanksgiving film

40% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

20% – Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

10% – Scent of a Woman

10% – Home for the Holidays

10% – Alice’s Restaurant

10% – Other

And here are the results of last year’s poll on your favorite Thanksgiving film:

53% – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

27% – Scent of a Woman

17% – Home for the Holidays

3% – Other

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Goal Setting

ART OF THE WEEK

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.

Constructed from 1887–89 as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, [ ] it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015.

The tower is about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris.  (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

As I mentioned last week, there are extraordinary people all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.

Tony (aka Freddy) Mangino

I’ve known Freddy, since I was a little kid.  He was the “Fonz” of our neighborhood and as years went by he became my best friend.

He died in 1996 and it was a great loss to me.  Carol and I have never missed a year putting flowers on his grave site and I bought the marker with the “weights” on it and another one of his friends donated the grave site.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Farzanna, Gus, Lana, Maureen, Penny & Ula, who started following my blog (Currently 113 followers) and Benjamin, Deb, Entesar, Kate, Kerry, Penny, Sandy & Tyger, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 175 likes).

MY BOOK

Last week I donated two copies of my book to Angel Kisses to a raffle they are holding on February 11.  The mission of Angel Kisses is to fun Michigan-based programs that improve perinatal bereavement care.

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

Thanksgiving

Political Posts

Well the ruckus on Facebook seems to be cooling off a bit, but it is there and so the following may help you deal with some of the things you may come across.

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Annette, Carol, Colleen, Donna, Linda, Nicole, Patty & Shirley for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

Having a hard time selecting a christmas gift for a niece or nephew or someone who is going through challenging times, please consider

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Normally, I’m skeptical about the value of many of the vaccinations one is encouraged to take; however, this may be one shot to consider.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

The surest way to wealth usually is to control how much you spend on things.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you wish to be extraordinary, you have to learn to say “No”, so that you can say “Yes” to high priorities.  And remembering not answering is not saying “No”, it is being disrespectful to the person asking.  Respect both yourself and the other party by saying “No” if you don’t or can’t do something, rather than not replying.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I think this is one of the most important things to learn, if you wish for a happy life.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

There is a lot of talk about this world leader and the powerful country he leads.  This book came out in 2000, so it isn’t current; but it will give you some insights into the character of Vladimir Putin and how he became the leader of Russia.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Look Who’s Back

“What would happen if Adolf Hitler woke up in modern-day Berlin? In a bestselling satirical novel, he’d end up a TV comedy star . . . [Look Who’s Back] has unsurprisingly sparked debate in a country that has grappled for decades with Hitler’s unconscionable legacy.” Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Wake Me Up

Avicil Song

POLL – Breaking News

     

44% – Believe the USA news media is bias

44% – Believe the USA news media divides people and encouraging them to be angry at one another

12% – Believe the USA news media is objective

Here are the results of a news media poll I conducted a year or so ago:

When it comes to paying attention to the news:

62% – Pays some attention, but not a lot

24% – Pays a lot of attention

14% – Pays almost no attention

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving Polls

ART OF THE WEEK

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620.

There are no contemporaneous references to the Pilgrims’ landing on a rock at Plymouth, and it is not referred to in Edward Winslow’s Mourt’s Relation (1620–21) or in Bradford’s journal Of Plymouth Plantation (1620–47).

The first known written reference to the rock’s existence is in 1715, when it is described in the town boundary records as “a great rock.”[3] The first written reference to Pilgrims landing on a rock is found 121 years after they landed, in 1741. A rock traditionally identified as Plymouth Rock, weighing an estimated 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) in its original form, has long been memorialized on the shore of Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Extraordinary people are all around us, we just have to learn a little about the people who we come across to realize just how extraordinary many people are.

For instance, Bill, in the white shirt, is 73 and on his third and final lift at the recent WPC World Powerlifting Championship attempted a 502 lbs. deadlift.  How many of us could even attempt to pick up 500 lbs. regardless of our age, let alone at the age of 73

Sid, in the hat, was in the First Calvary and did five years as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam.  A soldier’s soldier if ever there was one and we owe our liberty to people like Sid.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Betcha Didn’t Know, Melisandre, RNIKS & Jolly, who started following my blog (Currently 110 followers) and Aurora, Carol, Danielle, Dawn, Hannah, Lisa, Patty, Piper & Tara, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 164 likes).

MY BOOK

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone, perhaps you will consider my book.

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

CURRENT EVENTS

Political Posts

World Powerlifting Congress

I was at the World Powerlifting Congress world competition last week in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Lifters from nations all over the world competed against one another but I heard just as much applause for all winners, whether they were from Muslim countries, France, Russia, USA, etc.

I can’t help believing that it is the media and government establishments that makes enemies of people and then when people do come together one on one, they know they are more alike than different.

Last year I was runner-up world champion in my age/weight/type of lift to a Russian

And other than my USA teammates, the Russians were very supportive of my efforts.

Although I feel I should have done more to prepare for this years contest, I still put forth a tremendous effort over the course of the last 12 months.  This year I was able to come in first in a lower weight class.   

But I don’t believe anyone accomplishes anything without some help and to me coming in first in the world for my age/weight/type of lift, plus setting a new world record in that category was a big deal.  And yet it would never have happened without the support and encouragement of my friend Art.  By the way, Art not only took first place in his category, but also received a best lifter award.

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Quirky Girl, Roxie & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. 

Also, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Anita, Carol, Craig, Cynthia, Helene, Kimberly, Kristie, Kristen, Nicole, Patty, Shirley & Wendy for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Your clothing choices are a form of communicating who and what you are, so choose with a bit of care.

I always thought it was so sad when someone dressed differently from normal for an interview.  You should dress every day as if you are interviewing, you just may not realize it.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If it is important to you, don’t give up.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is important to learn to think for yourself and to question things you are told.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Some of you may have a hard time deciding if you need another book, so below is a graph that will help you decide.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I selected this film because I think it says something about the majority of the media in the USA

Wag the Dog

The film follows a Washington, D.C. spin doctor (De Niro) who, mere days before a presidential election, distracts the electorate from a sex scandal by hiring a Hollywood film producer (Hoffman) to construct a fake war with Albania.

Wag the Dog was released one month before the outbreak of the Lewinsky scandal and the subsequent bombing of the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan by the Clinton administration, which prompted the media to draw comparisons between the film and reality. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Revolution

by The Beatles

LAST WEEK’S POLL – World Champions

     

46% – I am friends with a world champion

16% – I have met a world champion

16% – I have never had any kind of contact with a world champion

7% – I am a world champion

7% – I have corresponded with a world champion

7% – I have seen a world champion in person

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Objectivity of USA News Media

ART OF THE WEEK

Statute of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States.

The copper statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886.

It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

George Washington

Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1797

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) He was born into the provincial gentry of Colonial Virginia to a family of wealthy planters who owned tobacco plantations and slaves, which he inherited.

In his youth, he became a senior officer in the colonial militia during the first stages of the French and Indian War. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress commissioned Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution.

Washington, was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution and came to be known as the “father of his country” during his lifetime and to this day.

Washington was widely admired for his strong leadership qualities and was unanimously elected president by the Electoral College in the first two national elections. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the French Revolutionary Wars, suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans of all types.

Washington’s incumbency established many precedents still in use today, such as the cabinet system, the inaugural address, and the title Mr. President. His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition. The 22nd Amendment (1951) now limits the president to two elected terms.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Blog & Facebook

My thanks to Chris, Kira, Patsy, Simona, Tenacity, Yeah Yummy, who started following my blog (Currently 105 followers) and Alicia, Chris, Kelly, Seema y Viswarupa, liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 154 likes).

MY BOOK

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

CURRENT EVENTS

Veterans Day Nov. 11

Fall Back

Sure, everyone reminds you to set your clocks back an hour, but how many reminded you to set your scales back 10 pounds to get ready for the Thanks Giving and the Christmas Holidays, not to mention those leftover Halloween treats.

We had 55 kids come to our door, I was prepared, having bought 150 bags of chips to give out.

Vote

Don’t forget to vote.

PLEASE CONSIDER 

I always find comments so encouraging.  If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Carol, Chris, Daal, Linda & Pam, for commenting on last week’s post. 

And also if you enjoy this blog, please consider passing it on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cynthia, Joanne, Joyce, Kate, Louise, Nicole, Nancy, Patty & Shirley, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

When it comes to purchasing food or other substances, this is always good advice.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It is so important that you believe in yourself.  No one holds us back more than ourselves.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

The extraordinary person tries to have empathy for others around them.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Every so often I like to provide you scientific information that will help keep you safe.  Here is something you may want to do, if you haven’t done it already.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual

By Michael Pollan

This book is one of the easiest to read books I have come across and it is packed with good information.  I urge all of you to read this book if you care anything about what you are putting into your body.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Somewhere in Time

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

If I Could Turn Back Time

by Cher

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Exercise

     

44% – Do cardio, weight-bearing and flexibility exercises

26% – Don’t exercise

17% – Do cardio exercises

10% – Do flexibility exercises

3% – Do weight-bearing exercises

THIS WEEK’S POLL – World Champions

Please pick the one answer that best describes your contact with a world champion from being one yourself descending to never having had any contact with a world champion.  

ART OF THE WEEK

Venus de Milo

Aphrodite of Milos, better known as the Venus de Milo, is an ancient Greek statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture.

Created sometime between 130 and 100 BCE, it is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus to the Romans).

It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life [ ]. Part of an arm and the original plinth were lost following its discovery.

From an inscription that was on its plinth, it is thought to be the work of Alexandros of Antioch; earlier, it was mistakenly attributed to the master sculptor Praxiteles.

It is currently on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The statue is named after the Greek island of Milos, where it was discovered. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Robert Smalls

If you don’t believe the above, please check him out on SNOPES.com

What an absolutely extraordinary person.  He demonstrated courage by taking over a confederate ship and eventually became a major-general.

He bought the house he was a slave in and showed extreme kindness and forgiveness by letting the wife of his former “owner” live in the house when she developed dementia.

He learned to read and write and he served 5 terms in congress.

What a role model for everyone by his courage, compassion, love of learning and public service.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

My thanks to Alana, Ananya, Aurora Jean, Fox Island, Gabriela, Ifatimafaye, Joanna, Pam, Roberta, Rose & Think Smart, who started following my blog (Currently 101 followers) and Betty, Cathy, Charlene, Laura, Nancy & Posie who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 138 likes).

MY BOOK

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885

CURRENT EVENTS

Halloween

Best wishes for a fun and safe Halloween to all of you.

PLEASE CONSIDER COMMENTING

I always find comments so encouraging.  If you enjoy this blog, please consider commenting.  My thanks to Carol, Carolyn, Dan, for commenting on last week’s post. 

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Folks, crash diets never work in the long-term, where small lifestyle changes will eventually pay off.  You are more likely to keep the pounds off if you just lose a couple of pounds each week.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Sometimes, when things are going bad we have to reexamine the decisions we have made and stop repeating those bad decisions.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

I don’t know about you folks, but my mouth has got me into so much trouble over the years.  I could learn something from a cat.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I suspect each day we are missing opportunities to use our creative abilities.  Perhaps, if we just slowed down a bit, we would see opportunity in even the most unlikely acts and situations.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

A Graphic Novel

Illustrated By Matt Pagett

I know I have mentioned this extremely easy and fun to read graphic novel before, but since it is Halloween today, I thought why not mention it again.

And if you never read a graphic novel, give it a chance.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Dracula (1931)

They don’t make scary movies very often that are as good as the old ones.  Take a look at the preview from the 1931 version of Dracula and let me know what you think.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Monster Mash

by Bobby Picket & The Crypt-Kickers

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How do you watch movies

   

44% – Stream

22% – Cable

22% – DVD

11% – Movie Theater

0% – VHS Tape

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Exercise

  

ART OF THE WEEK

Mona Lisa Posing

Mona Lisa Relaxing

  

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr (born 9 November 1914 – 19 January 2000) was an Austrian and American film actress and inventor.

After an early and brief film career in Germany, which included a controversial film Ecstasy (1933), she fled from her husband, a wealthy Austrian ammunition manufacturer and secretly moved to Paris. There, she met MGM head Louis B. Mayer, who offered her a movie contract in Hollywood, where she became a film star from the late 1930s to the 1950s. 

At the beginning of World War II, Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes, which used spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to defeat the threat of jamming by the Axis powers. Though the US Navy did not adopt the technology until the 1960s, the principles of their work are now incorporated into modern Wi-Fi, CDMA and Bluetooth technology, and this work led to their being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

My thanks to Mirror and Soul & WanderLustSuperstars, who started following my blog (Currently 92 followers) and Maria, Ilene Sophia & Stephanie, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 123 likes).

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends.  Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Debra, Joanne, Kelly, Kristie, Patricia, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you enjoyed my book, why not say a couple of words about it in an Amazon evaluation.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.  The Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

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

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Im-Tired-Being-Ordinary/Wm-Allen/9780990388692?id=6429711012885