Honesty is an important character trait, but anything carried to extremes can be harmful, as the following illustrates.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Last week I posted a tip on how to parallel park. I understand that some of the fellows were saying that women can’t park. Well, I completely disagree with that stereotype and here is some proof that women can park.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
If we really want to be extraordinary, once in a great while we need to throw caution to the wind.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
You Are A Badass
by Jen Sincero
This book is number 3 on the New York Times Book Review list of top ten “Advice, How-to and Miscellaneous” books and has been on the list for the last 16 weeks.
I first read it back in March 2014 and have reviewed it twice since I read it and I still find it an easy to read and worthwhile book.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Tarzan Fights Over Directions: It’s what You Do
(GEICO Commercial)
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Friendships
When it comes to friends
71% thought that both parties made an equal effort to keep up the friendship
17% thought the other party made more of an effort to keep up the friendship
12% thought they made more of an effort to keep up the friendship
THIS WEEK POLL – Clutter
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Drunk on a Plane
by Dierks Bentley
Why can’t flying be like what it looks like in this music video
ART OF THE WEEK
Vincent van Gogh
There is a lot of humor here, if you know anything about this particular artist.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Sherlock Holmes
The Sherlock Holmes mouse pad
Sherlock Holmes [ ] is known for a proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard.
First appearing in print in 1887, [ ] additional stories appeared from then to 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories. All but one are set in the Victorian or Edwardian periods, taking place between about 1880 to 1914.
Most are narrated by the character of Holmes’s friend and biographer Dr. Watson, who usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of the stories begin.
Though not the first fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most well-known, with Guinness World Records listing him as the “most portrayed movie character” in history.
Holmes’s popularity and fame are such that many have believed him to be not a fictional character but a real individual; numerous literary and fan societies have been founded that pretend to operate on this principle.
The stories and character have had a profound and lasting effect on mystery writing and popular culture as a whole, with both the original tales as well as thousands written by authors other than Conan Doyle being adapted into stage and radio plays, television, films, video games, and other media for over one hundred years. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Sue, Carol, Kathy, Gastradamus & Stephfor commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
Thank you Gastradamus, GoodAnimalPic, Steph & Jamiefor bringing my total number of blog followers to 66.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page likes remains at 65.
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 Willie, Grethe & Joanne,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
I just returned from Lombard, IL; where I took first place in the deadlift for the 198 and under weight and Masters VI (Ages 65 to 69)
This could not have done this without Freddy, who got be back in the gym years ago.
Walter (fellow on left, holding three trophies he won that day) who got me into competitive powerlifting
And Art, who talked me into returning to the sport although I was in my late 60s. By the way, Art set the “World Record” for his age and weight at this contest.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
In recognition of Mother’s Day, I dedicate this one to all you moms out there.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
I’ve long thought the value of living a good life is simply living a good life, and not based upon a reward or a punishment.
It seems one of Rome’s wisest emperors felt much the same way.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Think how well people would get along if we all just followed this advice.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
It is important to keep learning, regardless of how old we are.
So here is something you can learn about parking.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
I realize that some of you out there may believe the odds of you becoming extraordinary are about the same as finding a needle in a haystack.
Well, perhaps that isn’t as hard as you may think if you just give it a try.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
by Carlo Rovelli
The lessons are very brief and easy to read; however, very difficult to truly understand. If you aren’t willing to question everything you believe, probably not the book for you.
For example first there was just the flat earth and the sky above. As time went on, we learned the sun and stars revolved around a spherical Earth per Aristotle.
Later, thanks to Copernicus, we learned that the earth revolved around the sun. Still later, we learned our sun was just a star like the one hundred billion other stars in our galaxy.
In the 1930s we learned that our galaxy was just a speck of dust in a vast cloud of galaxies. What you will learn from this book gets much stranger in many other ways.
MOVIEOF THE WEEK
Me at the Nationals
I thought you may want to see this short clip of me at the National Raw Powerlifting Competition.
“Gonna Fly Now”, also known as “Theme from Rocky”, is the theme song from the movie Rocky, composed by Bill Conti with lyrics by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins, and performed by DeEtta Little (the sister of actor Cleavon Little) and Nelson Pigford. Released in February 1977 with the movie Rocky, the song became part of American popular culture after main character Rocky Balboa as part of his daily training regimen runs up the 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia and raises his arms in a victory pose, while the song plays. (Source: Wikipedia)
ART OF THE WEEK
Giant Horse Statue
Here is a photo of the famous large horse at Meijer’s Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI. If you are ever in the Grand Rapids area, I urge you to visit these extraordinary gardens.
I probably should not have, but as you can see in the above photo the horse almost stepped on me. So I tamed it.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Arnold Schwarzenegger
If you want to know that you are in a serious gym, there should be at least one photo of Arnold on the wall.
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) began weight training at the age of 15. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. Schwarzenegger has remained a prominent presence in bodybuilding and has written many books and articles on the sport. He is widely considered to be among the greatest bodybuilders of all times as well as its biggest icon. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Judith, Kathy & Carol,for commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
Thank you Abbie & Lori for bringing my total number of blog followers to 62.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page likes remains at 65.
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 Scot, Kim, Cheryl, Debbie,Carol & Marilyn,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
Ken Shelton passed away last Thursday afternoon. He was one of the most wonderful people you could ever meet. I met him in 1981, when I joined BCBS of Michigan, and we soon became the best of friends.
When Ken retired in 2008, I placed this picture behind my office chair so that Ken could look over my shoulder. It was a reminder for me to administer my area with as much kindness, dedication, and love for the team members as he exhibited daily.
I was never able to match the standard Ken set, but I was better than I would have been otherwise.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
You can tell yourself that what you wear doesn’t matter, but clothing is a form of communications. You are telling others who you are.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
One of the best time savers you can use, is to learn to say “No” if you have even the slightest doubt about a request. Plus, it is easier to change your mind later and say yes, then it is to later say no.
How many times have you said yes and later regretted having said yes. Saying “No” allows you to say yes to better causes.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
How long has it been since you have changed any of your opinions.
How long has it been since you have obtained your knowledge of the world from other sources than the ones you usually turn to?
How long has it been since you have even questioned your deepest beliefs?
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
Change is inevitable, so when it comes; treat it as an opportunity.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Charlie Chaplin: The Art of Comedy
by David Robinson
This book came out in 1996 and I first read it in April 2004. I recently reviewed it and found it teaches a lot about film and life, plus contains many interesting photos. I understand it is still available.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Elvis & Nixon
I wish there was some way I could convince you to see this amusing film about the meeting of two larger than life characters.
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Prince
Here are the results of the poll on how many times we have seen a live Prince performance:
60% Never
20% Never, but wish they had seen a live performance
Most of us have watched the Academy Awards on TV and seen the Academy Awards statues given out. However, few of us have had the opportunity to see one of these statues up close.
Well, here is your chance to see a close up photo of this famous statue.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Ken Shelton
If you met Ken, you know exactly why he is extraordinary.
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Spiritual Journeyfor commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
The total number of blog followers remains at 60.
Thank you Jesse for bringing my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page likes up to 65.
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 Joanne,Carol, Adaku, Annette & Jennellfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
If you are sure your goal is worthy, don’t give up on it.
However, if your goals are not noble, then perhaps
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Work is a very important part of an extraordinary person’s life.
When applying for a job, you should always be who you are, since if you convince a future employer you are someone you are not, two things will happen. You will be living a lie and eventually your true self’ will appear and disappoint your employer.
With that said, please think about how you present yourself on social media.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
The person you choose for a spouse or life partner will have a significant impact upon your life. They likely will either uplift you or drag you down to their level.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Up the Organization
by Robert Townsend
This book came out in 1970 and I first read it back in September 1976. I’ve reviewed it a couple of times since, the most recent time being last week. So much of the advice in this very easy to read book is still relevant today and I wish I had adopted more of its recommendations back in 1976
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Bulworth
Here is a 1998 film about an interesting election. You tell me if this election film is or is not more outrageous than our current presidential contest. Below, is part of a brief description of this film via Wikipedia.
Turning up in California for his campaign extremely drunk, Bulworth begins speaking his mind freely at public events and in the presence of the C-SPAN film crew following his campaign. After dancing all night in an underground club and smoking marijuana, he even starts rapping in public. His frank, potentially offensive remarks make him an instant media darling and re-energize his campaign. (Source: Wikipedia)
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Self-Defense Training
Here is the types of self-defense training we have received:
35% Firearms
35% Hand to hand
15% Other types of defense such as pepper sprays
10% Knife, sword, etc
5% Boxing
THIS WEEK POLL – Prince
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Raspberry Beret
by Prince & The Revolution
There are just so many songs to pick from when attempting to honor Prince and I am sure most would select one other than this one, but this was the one I selected.
ART OF THE WEEK
Possible Cleopatra Statue
There are many depictions of Cleopatra, from ancient coins and Roman statues; however, many of these depictions do not look at all alike.
I must admit I tend to question this depiction of Cleopatra, that I came across while traveling in Mexico, still I thought I would present it to you for your consideration.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), known simply as Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor.
He was a musical innovator and known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant dress and makeup, and wide vocal range. His music integrates a wide variety of styles, including funk, rock, R&B, soul, psychedelia, and pop.
He has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility. [ ] (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Taniafor commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
Hemangini, thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 60.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page and bring the total likes up to 64.
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 Joanne and Carol,for sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
I believe Kirk and Spock’s campaign slogan is, “The Logical Choice”.
And speaking of choices
Bathroom Controversy
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
In addition, under this heading I have stressed the impact of clothing choices on our self-image. If Women’s Fashion is of interest to you, I suggest you check out this site
I’ve said it several times, please be sure you are seeing and hearing what is there and not what you want was there.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
I know it is challenging, trying to be extraordinary; which is probably why so many people don’t even try. You just have to learn to forget yesterdays mistakes, undone tasks, etc. and begin the day as a fresh opportunity.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Common Sense
by Thomas Paine
This little book applies to a lot of things if you read it and think deeply about what it says.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Michael
If you are having trouble appreciating the little things in life, I strongly suggest you watch this wonderful and entertaining film.
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Your Favorite Type of Movie
Here is how you voted:
23% Action/Adventure
23% Romantic Comedy
12% Comedy
12% Suspense
12% Drama
7% Science Fiction
4% Kids & Family
4% Romance
3% Art House/Indie
Below is a Nielsen 2012 favorite movie genres poll results to compare with how we did.
I was going through my photos and found another statue from one of my visits to Rome. I’m not sure exactly which emperor this is a statue of, since some of the later emperors during Rome’s decline weren’t much more than clowns.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine (January 29, 1737 – June 8, 1809) was an English-American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, [ ], and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. [ ]
Born in Thetford, England [ ], Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774 with the help of Benjamin Franklin, arriving just in time to participate in the American Revolution. Virtually every rebel read (or listened to a reading of) his powerful pamphlet Common Sense (1776). Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”
Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote Rights of Man (1791), in part a defense of the French Revolution against its critics. In 1792, despite not being able to speak French, he was elected to the French National Convention.
In December 1793, he was arrested and was taken to Luxembourg Prison in Paris. While in prison, he continued to work on The Age of Reason (1793–94). Paine’s imprisonment in France caused a general uproar in America, and future President James Monroe used all of his diplomatic connections to get Paine released in November 1794. He became notorious because of his pamphlets The Age of Reason, in which he advocated deism, promoted reason and free thought, and argued against institutionalized religion in general [ ] (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Sue and Samanthafor commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
Niki, Eleanor & Kratiarora, thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 59.
My thanks to Nathalie & Ginny for liking my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page and bring the total likes up to 64.
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 Joanne,Carol, Audrey & Pattyfor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
Folks, if you have never experienced live theater other than a school play, I urge you to give it a try. It is an ancient art form and there is a reason it has been around for as long as the early Greek playwrights.
I realize most of you don’t live in S.E. Michigan; but for those of you who do, I urge you to see this play performed at the Baldwin Theater in Royal Oak, MI. I was at opening night and thought it was a terrific play, plus performed so well.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
Folks, please don’t be like this dog. Instead, try to get some exercise and eat properly.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
There once was a person who desperately needed to get to the other side of a river so that they could continue their journey.
They made a raft out of the materials at hand and floated across the river eventually reaching the other side.
Upon reaching the other side, they wondered what they should do with the raft. Should they tie it to their back and carry it on their journey if they met another river?
Should they trudge around with the raft on their back forever more?
No, the raft had served its purpose and they had no need to be fettered to it any longer.
If you wish to be extraordinary, you must ask yourself if you are carrying around things that no longer serve any purpose on your journey through life.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
The extraordinary person is always interested in learning about the beliefs of others, so to get you started on your journey of discovery I offer the following:
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
The extraordinary person appreciates and protects nature.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
A Manual for Living
by Epictetus
At the top of the cover of this book are the words, A Little Book of Wisdom. This book certainly lives up to that. It is just 88 tiny pages, written by a former Roman slave, who describes the path to happiness, fulfillment, and tranquility, no matter what the circumstances.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
If Horror Movies Were Realistic
Did you ever wonder what horror movies would be like, if they were realistic. Well, Logan Paul gives us the answer. Just click on the link below his photo.
Last week I showed you a statue that I came across while in Italy. This week’s statue is one that I came across while in La Mancha region of Spain, where Don Quixote is from. It appears to be a statue of the famous Don Quixote.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Miguel de Cervantes
(Image not authenticated – none known)
Miguel de Cervantes (29 September 1547 (assumed) – 22 April 1616), is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and the world’s pre-eminent novelist.
His major work, Don Quixote, considered to be the first modern European novel, is a classic of Western literature, and is regarded among the best works of fiction ever written.
In 1569, Cervantes moved to Rome, where he worked as chamber assistant of a cardinal. In 1571, he decided to join the Spanish fleet at the battle of Lepanto, a major clash between the Catholic states and the Ottomans for the control of the Mediterranean.
Following this, Cervantes pursued his military career, but it was cut short when he was captured by Ottoman pirates and taken to Algiers, which had become one of the main and most cosmopolitan cities of the Ottoman Empire, and was kept there in captivity between 1575 and 1580.
In 1580, he was released by his captors on payment of a ransom by his parents and the Trinitarians, a Catholic religious order, and he later returned to his family in Madrid.
He worked as a purchasing agent for the Spanish Armada, and later as a tax collector for the government. In 1597, discrepancies in his accounts of three years earlier landed him in the Crown Jail of Seville.
In 1605, he was in Valladolid when the immediate success of the first part of his Don Quixote, published in Madrid, signalled his return to the literary world.
In 1607, he settled in Madrid, where he lived and worked until his death. During the last nine years of his life, Cervantes solidified his reputation as a writer; he published [ ] the second part of Don Quixote in 1615. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
Thanks to Carolyn, Carol, Purpleanais, andSamanthafor commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging, I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.
Carisa, thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 55.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page up to 62 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 Joanne,Carol, Cheryl, Glenda, Elizabeth, Rose, Octavia, Terry, Theresa, Toni and Carlafor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
Given all the chaos with this year’s USA presidential nominating process, I have heard some talk about Rick Astley, who promises among other things to “never let you down. Before making up your mind, you should click on the link below for one of Rick Astley’s campaign speeches. And of course please feel free via the comment section to suggest other potential candidates.
Walking is a great exercise for both physical and mental benefits.
Also you should put a lot of thought into your clothing choices, since how you dress reflects your self-image and people do judge you by your clothing choices. If you wish to be extraordinary, the gentleman below provides a good example of how you want your clothing choices to make you feel.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
Please don’t be one of those people who brightens up a room by leaving it.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, the only difference between people is what they do with those 24 hours.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Extraordinary people see and hear what is there, and not what they want to see and hear.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
It is possible to be addicted to anything, not just drugs and alcohol. People slowly kill themselves by being addicted to nicotine, sugar and white flour. Others, destroy themselves by being addicted to money, power, sex, fame and all sorts of other things.
You can never me extraordinary if you are addicted to anything.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Wildly Sophisticated
by Nicole Williams
Wildly Sophisticated came out in 2004, I have read it and reviewed it several times over the years and I think it is still relevant and provides some common sense ideas in an interesting way. Although it is written for women, the advice is useful for anyone.
Or if you want something fresher from Nicole Williams, she has since written several other books. I have not got around to them, but I suspect they too contain good advice presented in an interesting style.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Our Brand Is Crisis
Given that we are in the presidential nomination season here in the USA, I thought this film is relevant; but, in any case, it is a rather superb film to watch.
Failing badly in the polls, a Bolivian presidential candidate enlists the services of an American management team for help. The main star is “Calamity” Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock), a brilliant strategist who comes out of self-imposed retirement for a chance to beat her professional nemesis, the loathsome Pat Candy. With Candy working for the opposition, it becomes a down-and-dirty, all-out battle between political consultants, where nothing is sacred and winning is all that matters.
LAST WEEK’S POLL – You
When it comes to gender, 55% of us are female, 45% male and the rest are other.
Regarding our ages:
35% are 60 to 69
30% are 50 to 59
15% are 70 to 79
10% are 40 to 49
5% are 30 to 39
5% are 80 or older
Regarding our level of education:
55% are college graduates
30% have masters degrees
10% are high school graduates
5% are community college graduates
As to how you know about this blog posting:
79% received an email from me
16% were notified via Facebook
5% were notified via WordPress
THIS WEEK POLL– Keeping Your Mouth Shut
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
Music Changes you
by Logan Paul
Folks, tell me via a comment, if you don’t believe music can change you after watch Logan Paul.
In my travels throughout the world, I have seen a lot of art. Some of that art is well-known and instantly recognizable. As for other art, all information about the work is lost in antiquity. For example, above is a photo of a statue I saw in Rome that caught my eye. Unfortunately, there are no details about who the statute represents or who created the statute.
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Benjamin Franklin
Born in Boston in 1706, Benjamin Franklin helped to draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and he negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. His scientific pursuits included investigations into electricity, mathematics and map making. A printer and writer known for his wit and wisdom, Franklin was a polymath who published Poor Richard’s Almanack, invented bifocal glasses and organized the first successful American lending library. (Source: http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-franklin-9301234#synopsis)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
Something to remember when asked about your political party affiliation.
BLOG
Thanks to Sue, Samantha and Phil for commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging.
LT Garvin, Marissa and Isolated thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 54.
Thank you MJayde for bringing my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page up to 62 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, Charlene and Annettefor sharing my post last week on Facebook.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
One way you can tell if you are eating healthy is to look at how colorful the items are on your plate.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
Let’s hear your comments, is George right?
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Below is the key for people to think you are a great conversationalist.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Extraordinary people see and hear what is there, and not what they want to see and hear.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
Eastern philosophies encourage one to think about their death each day, so that they will make the most of each day. The question each of us has to answer for ourselves is whether how we go about spending the precious gift of another day.
The picture below may help some of you answer that question.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Be Your Own Life Coach
by Jeff Archer
There are a number of books about being your own life coach, including one with this very same title. However, this is the one that I read and I thought it was rather good. You may want to give it a try.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
I applaud Matt Damon for trying to rescue the viewers of this film from total boredom; nevertheless, do yourself a favor and skip this film.
When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead [from boredom after watching this film] after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to [stop this film to survive] survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to [change the channel] bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for [doing something other than watch this film] a daring rescue mission. (Source: Obviously, the words in red are mine).
Bridge of Spies
Now here is a film that is worth watching. The film also provides some examples of both the noble and ignoble human character.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers’ only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man’s freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.
LAST WEEK’S POLL – Optimism
It is good to learn that 55% of us believe 2016 will be a better year than 2015.
Another 30% of us believe 2016 will be about the same as 2015 and sadly 15% of us believe 2016 will be worse than 2015.
THIS WEEK POLL – You
This week’s poll is about you, the readers of this blog–could I ever find a more interesting topic.
René Magritte is my favorite painter/philosopher and in support of the people of Brussels, Belgium; I thought I would select art from a Belgium artist, who is also my choice for the Extraordinary Person this week.
In May 1940 his home was invaded by the Nazi during World War II and Magritte fled with his close friends Paul Eluard and Scutenaire. It would be easy to assume then that this painting was about the German occupation of Belgium and Magritte’s homesickness about having to flee the country he loved. Certainly this is an emotional component of the painting but there’s much more.
René Magritte (21 November 1898 – 15 August 1967) was a Belgian surrealist artist. He became well known for a number of witty and thought-provoking images. Often depicting ordinary objects in an unusual context, his work is known for challenging observers’ preconditioned perceptions of reality. His imagery has influenced pop, minimalist and conceptual art. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
A foreman tells Joe he needs to work in Area A today.
Joe says, “If you send me over to Area A, you are going to have to first write me a pass to see the Plant Nurse.
The foreman says, “Why?”
Joe says, “Because of my eyes.?
Foreman says, “What’s wrong with your eyes?”
Joe says, “I can’t see myself working in Area A.”
BLOG
Thanks to all of you who looked at my post last week for a record-setting 218 views.
I also want to thank Samantha, Carol, Ed & Kathy and Dave & Jan for commenting on last week’s post. Comments are so encouraging.
Purpleanais & Aquileana, thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 51.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page likes stay at 61.
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 Joanne, Cheryl y Theresa for sharing my post last week.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
I’m not an astrophysicist, like Neal deGrasse Tyson, but I will try to keep you updated on various astrological events that come to my attention, like this extraordinary piece of information.
Happy Easter Everyone
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
One of the components of fitness is flexibility. As you can see below, yoga can help you stay flexible. Here are some people practicing yoga immediately after St. Patrick’s Day last week.
Here is another piece of good advice that I found in the April 2016 edition of Runners World:
When something works, excuse-proof it
On the other hand:
When something stops working, stop [ ]
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
How many times do we all fail to take action to make our dreams come true and our lives extraordinary.
It is time to cut that out.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
Some people with a distorted view of their religion, have done bad things to others in the name of religion.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
Just think how much our lives would improve if we could actually learn and apply the following:
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
If we aren’t careful, we can drive ourselves relentlessly crazy trying to do things or acquire things–that isn’t being extraordinary.
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Star Trek: The Klingon Way
by Marc Okrand
If you are a fan of Star Trek, you may want to check out this easy read about Klingon virtues.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
If you have style, class and enjoy a movie with a bit of a story line, do yourself a favor and avoid Sisters. I stopped it, but wish I had never seen any of it. I expected more out of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Midnight in Paris
Instead, why don’t you check out Midnight in Paris. It is a fun film and you will learn so much about art, without ever taking an art history course. It is an amazing and witty film. For instance, Hemingway asks Gil if he ever hunts. Gill answers, “For bargains.”
Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is a screenwriter and aspiring novelist. Vacationing in Paris with his fiancée (Rachel McAdams), he has taken to touring the city alone. On one such late-night excursion, Gil encounters a group of strange — yet familiar — revelers, who sweep him along, apparently back in time, for a night with some of the Jazz Age’s icons of art and literature. The more time Gil spends with these cultural heroes of the past, the more dissatisfied he becomes with the present.
LAST WEEK’S POLL – When It Comes to Reading
I am pleased that 40% of us read more than 24 books a year, and sorry to report that 18% of us read less than two books a year.
Twenty-0ne percent of us read more than 12 books a year and another 21% of us read 2 to 6 books a year
THIS WEEK POLL – Optimism
At the start of this year, I asked how optimistic you felt about 2016. Eighty-seven percent of you expected 2016 to be better than 2015.
Nine percent of you thought 2016 would be about the same as 2015 and four percent of you thought 2016 would be worse than 2015.
Practically 1/4 of this year is over and I thought it might be a good time to check and see how 2016 is going for you, so here is this week’s poll.
Like the Stones said, “I’m so hot for her and she’s so cold.”
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 BC, 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-size at 6 ft. 8 in. high. The arms and 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
Neal deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson (Born October 5, 1958) is an American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator. Since 1996, he has been the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City. The center is part of the American Museum of Natural History, where Tyson founded the Department of Astrophysics in 1997 and has been a research associate in the department since 2003.
From 1995 to 2005, Tyson wrote monthly essays in the “Universe” column for Natural History magazine, some of which were published in his book Death by Black Hole (2007). During the same period, he wrote a monthly column in Star Date magazine, answering questions about the universe under the pen name “Merlin”. Material from the column appeared in his books Merlin’s Tour of the Universe (1998) and Just Visiting This Planet (1998).
Tyson served on a 2001 government commission on the future of the U.S. aerospace industry, and on the 2004 Moon, Mars and Beyond commission. He was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in the same year. From 2006 to 2011, he hosted the television show NOVA Science, now on PBS. Since 2009, he has hosted the weekly podcast Star Talk. In 2014, he hosted the television series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, a reboot of Carl Sagan’s 1980 series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences awarded Tyson the Public Welfare Medal in 2015 for his “extraordinary role in exciting the public about the wonders of science”. (Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
This joke is for those of you involved with health care claims.
BLOG
I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts, since it encourages me to continue these posts. Thank you Elizabeth & Carolyn for commenting on last week’s post.
Leaving a comment is easy, just click on “Leave A Comment”, which is immediately below the title of this week’s post. And if instead of seeing “Leave A Comment”, you see “# Comments”, just click on that and scroll down to leave your comment.
Junior Chills, Samantha, Elizabeth, Vilina and Action15 , thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 49. It is easy to follow, just click in the side bar area where it says “Follow Harmony Books & Films, LLC”.
My Harmony Books & Films Facebook page likes stay at 61. Again, it is easy enough to like my Facebook page, just click in the side bar area where there is a little photo of the cover of my book.
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 BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
You have probably heard of this phrase many times over the years, most notably in reference to the assassination of Julius Caesar. Here is a portion of the Wikipedia definition.
The Ides of March is a day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to 15 March. It was marked by several religious observances and became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The death of Caesar made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history, as one of the events that marked the transition from the historical period known as the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.
The Most Interesting Man in the World
And now we are confronting another transition of historical proportion. Dos Equis beer is sending The Most Interesting Man in the World on a one-way mission to Mars on Cinco de Mayo.
Back in 2009, the Most Interesting Man in the World appeared on the world stage, setting the male standard for being extraordinary. With his departure, wouldn’t it be amazing if The Most Interesting Woman in the World would come forward. I know she is out there.
St. Patrick’s Day (Thur., Mar. 17)
And as if you didn’t already know, this Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day. Please don’t drink and drive.
Spring Forward
Speaking of things you already know, and if you didn’t; I’m guessing you were late to work today.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
Honor Thy Temple
In Chapter 1 of my book, I stress the importance of diet in achieving an extraordinary life style. So when in a restaurant, please be careful about what you order, as well as how you pronounce your order.
On another note, there is a lot of diet advice out there, much of it offering a quick fix. I think you will find that anything that offers you a loss of more than a couple of pounds a week is not good for you in the long run.
When it comes to body image, I’ve always thought there is no one fix for everyone; and so does the April 2016 edition of Runners World, which said the following:
You are an experiment of one
No one else has to live your precise life, with your specific challenges, biochemistry, anatomy, injury history, calendar, boss, or family.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The Foundation for Being Extraordinary
In chapter 19 of my book, I urge you to embrace change for all the opportunities change can offer. Still many of you fear change. I think this basket I saw on the counter of a coffee shop could help those of you who fear change.
SOCIAL TRAITS
Getting Along with Others
In Chapter 25, I talk about the impossibility of winning an argument, even if you win. And in Chapter 36, I discuss of power of a smile. The following sums up those two chapters.
LEARNING TRAITS
Growth Keeps You Extraordinary
In Chapter 46, I discuss reading as an opportunity to learn from the greatest minds in recorded history. Plus, if you have a book with you; you will never be alone.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary
SELF-HELP BOOKS
Fall of the Roman Republic
by Plutarch
Warning: This is not an easy to read book, but it has a lot of insights on six personalities associated with this period in history, told in a readable style.
The book consists of biographies of the following six people:
Marius Sulla Crassus Pompey Caesar Cicero
And this books tells about their interactions with others such as Spartacus, Cleopatra, etc.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Cleopatra
This film came out in 1963 and I believe I saw it in 1965, when I was assistant manager of a U.S. Armed Forces theater in Tehran, Iran.
It has been a long time since I’ve watched this film; but given the Ides of March theme of this week’s post, I think I will watch it again.
(Source: Wikipedia) It received mixed reviews from critics, although critics and audiences alike generally liked Taylor and Burton’s performances. It was the highest grossing film of 1963, yet lost money due to production and marketing costs, making it the only film ever to be the highest grossing film of the year yet still lose money. Cleopatra later won four Academy Awards, and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture
LAST WEEK’S POLL – St. Patrick’s Day
Last week’s poll, asked about your St. Patrick’s Day plans.
The majority of us, 67%, plan to do nothing out of the ordinary; where, 28% of us plan to do something special related to St. Patrick’s Day. The remaining 5% of us said they were going to celebrate with friends.
No one plans to drink green beer and fortunately none of us plan on being arrested for drunk driving.
THIS WEEK POLL – When It Comes To Reading
MUSIC OF THE WEEK
I think this is worth putting up with the brief commercial on this Hulu site to see this clip of Steve Martin performing King Tut on Saturday Night Live.
Here is a photo I took of the Rosetta Stone, while I was at the British Museum in London, England. The Rosetta Stone is famous for providing the key to understand Egyptian Hyrpographics.
The Rosetta Stone is a text written by a group of priests in Egypt to honour the Egyptian pharaoh, Ptolemy V. It lists all of the things he did, which were good for the priests and the people of Egypt. The Rosetta Stone was written in three scripts, so that the priests, government officials and rulers of Egypt could read what it said.
The first was hieroglyphic which was the script used for important or religious documents. The second was demotic which was the common script of Egypt. The third was Greek which was the language of the rulers of Egypt at that time.
The Rosetta Stone was carved in 196 B.C. and was found in 1799 by Napoleon’s soldiers, who were rebuilding a fort in Egypt. It is called the Rosetta Stone because it was discovered in a town called Rosetta (Rashid).
The Tusculum portrait, perhaps the only surviving statue created during Caesar’s Lifetime
Gaius Julius Caesar (13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman statesman, general and notable author of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Caesar’s victories in the Gallic Wars, completed by 51 BC, extended Rome’s territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both when he built a bridge across the Rhine and conducted the first invasion of Britain.
These achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing of Pompey, who had realigned himself with the Senate after the death of Crassus in 53 BC. With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. Caesar refused the order, and instead marked his defiance in 49 BC by crossing the Rubicon with a legion, leaving his province and illegally entering Roman Italy under arms. Civil war resulted, and Caesar’s victory in the war put him in an unrivaled position of power and influence.
After assuming control of government, Caesar began a programme of social and governmental reforms, including the creation of the Julian calendar. He centralised the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed “dictator in perpetuity”, giving him additional authority. But the underlying political conflicts had not been resolved, and on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a group of rebellious senators led by Marcus Junius Brutus. A new series of civil wars broke out, and the constitutional government of the Republic was never fully restored. Caesar’s adopted heir Octavian, later known as Augustus, rose to sole power after defeating his opponents in the civil war. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the Roman Empire began.
(Source: Wikipedia)
THIS WEEK’S JOKE
BLOG
I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts, since it encourages me to continue these posts. Thank you Carolyn for commenting on last week’s post.
Leaving a comment is easy, just click on “Leave A Comment”, which is immediately below the title of this week’s post. And if instead of seeing “Leave A Comment”, you see “# Comments”, just click on that and scroll down to leave your comment.
Sally, Tosha & Sandra, thank you for following this blog and bringing the total number of blog followers to 43. It is easy to follow, just click in the side bar area where it says “Follow Harmony Books & Films, LLC”.
I also have 61 people who have liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page. Again, it is easy enough to like my Facebook page, just click in the side bar area where there is a little photo of the cover of my book.
If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Thank you Joanne,Carol and Tim for sharing last week’s post on Facebook. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others.
MY BOOK
If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.
For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.
My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.
Harmony Books & Films, LLC 