CURRENT EVENTS

Death of Chuck Berry

Today, many recording stars use all kinds of special effects to make them interesting.  This guy didn’t need anything to be interesting, he was interesting.

Leon & Lulu
96 W. 14 Mile Road
Clawson, MI 48017

(Northern suburbs of Detroit)

If you like books or if you have ever thought of writing a book, Sunday April 30th, 2017, from 11 am to 5 pm at Leon & Lulu’s in Clawson, Michigan; you will have a chance to talk to a lot of authors.  

In addition to all these interesting people who will be there to talk to you (click on the link below to see who will specifically be there), I’ll also be there (I just found out they will have me back) and would be delighted if you would stop by and say hello 

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

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Please make wise food choices, because we are what we eat.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

There is nothing so ordinary today as people who don’t show gratitude.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Don’t Give Up

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Historical Heartthrobs

by Kelly Murphy with Hallie Fryd

The publisher says, “This book compiles photos and life stories of 50 of the sexiest men and women from history and asks the essential question: Would you really want to date them?”

I would probably describe this book as 50 somewhat interesting people and as ask the essential question, would you really want to buy this book.  I did and found the book somewhat interesting.   

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I’ve been assigned to Table 19 so many times, so I was eagerly looking forward to seeing this movie, especially since it stars two of my favorite actresses, Anna Kendrick and Lisa Kudrow.  After seeing this film recently at the movie theater, I’m afraid I have to assign this film to table 19.

Table 19

Eloise McGarry is invited to a wedding, and finds herself seated at Table 19, a table intended for guests who were only reluctantly invited … (Source: Wikipedia) 

Get Out

This film is in theaters now.  I would call it a suspense film, not usually the type of film I would watch but it is well done and I think you will have more respect for the TSA after watching this film.

Bedazzled

This is an extremely entertaining film and delivers a wonderful message at the end.  It came out in 2000, but I think it stands the test of time.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Sorry folks, I seem to be stuck in the 50s and 60s.

Imagination (1961)

The Quotations

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Daylight Savings Time

58% – Should end

21% – Should continue

21% – Indifferent or no opinion

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Gratitude

ART OF THE WEEK

Since St. Patrick’s Day was last week, you probably heard mention of the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle.  Well, this is what the castle looks like.

Blarney Castle

  

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Albert Einstein

Ok, we all know Albert Einstein was a genius.  But perhaps here are a couple of things you didn’t know about him. I hope they will encourage you in your own life.

Einstein Had Speech Difficulty as a Child – As a child, Einstein seldom spoke. When he did, he spoke very slowly – indeed, he tried out entire sentences in his head (or muttered them under his breath) until he got them right before he spoke aloud. According to accounts, Einstein did this until he was nine years old. Einstein’s parents were fearful that he was retarded – of course, their fear was completely unfounded!

Einstein Failed his University Entrance Exam – In 1895, at the age of 17, Albert Einstein applied for early admission into the Swiss Federal Polytechnical School. He passed the math and science sections of the entrance exam, but failed the rest (history, languages, geography, etc.)! Einstein had to go to a trade school before he retook the exam and was finally admitted to ETH a year later. (Source: Neatorama)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

TALK TO ME

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. 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 or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Georgia, Gill & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Carol, Cheryl, Cradle Meditation, Cynthia, Jennifer, Katherine, Sheila, Sheryll, Shirley, Susan, Valeria & Willie for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

My thanks to Gill, Hiroshi, Kitten Meowing, Sammy & Sweta, who started following my blog and my thanks to Audrey, Bonnie, Carol, Char, Cassandra, Jill, John, Elizabeth, Kris, Shawn, Sheila & Sophia, who liked  my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

BOOK

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Daylight Savings Time

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Ok, you can skip the gym this one time

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

This is for all of you out there who are into Zen.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Want to get along better with people, then perhaps

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

If case you are wondering when is a good time to start something.

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,

you must first invent the Universe.”

Source: Carl Sagan

SELF-HELP BOOKS

A Brief History of Time

by Stephen W. Hawking

I have read and re-read the original 1988 version of this book and it is very readable and could expand your mind.  I understand there is an updated 2005 edition.

In A Brief History of Time, Hawking writes in non-technical terms about the structure, origin, development and eventual fate of the universe, which is the object of study of astronomy and modern physics. (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

The Accountant

If you believe accounting has to be a boring profession, you should check out this film.  I thought Anna Kendrick was perfect for her role.

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations.

With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Anna Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Anything Else

I enjoyed this rather old (2003) film with Woody Allen, Jason Biggs and Christine Ricci (who is a trip).

Jerry Falk is an aspiring writer in New York, who falls in love at first sight with a free-spirited young woman named Amanda. Jerry has heard the phrase that life is like “anything else,” but he soon finds that life with the unpredictable Amanda isn’t like anything else at all. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

Sun Records

If you like early rock ‘n’ roll, you are going to like this show.  I’ve seen the first three episodes and thought they were all well done and the actors resemble the characters they play, which makes this CMT TV show even better.

Set in Memphis during the tumultuous early days of the civil rights movement, Sun Records tells the untold story of nothing less than the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.

Guided by Sam Phillips, young musicians like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis combined the styles of hillbilly country with the 1950s R&B sound created by artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Fats Domino and Ike Turner, and changed the course of music forever. The series chronicles these young artists’ often jarring and sudden meteoric rise to fame in the face of sweeping political change and social unrest. (Source: CMT)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Apparently Cher didn’t hear that it was Spring Forward and not Fall Back

If I Could Turn Back Time

Cher

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Dreams

Do you believe dreams can come true?

86% – Yes

14% – No

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Daylight Savings Time

ART OF THE WEEK

I was fortunate to see this marvelous clock a few years ago on a visit to Prague.

Prague Clock

The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating.

The clock mechanism itself has three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; “The Walk of the Apostles”, a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures—notably a figure of Death (represented by a skeleton) striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Father Time

Typically pictured as an old man with a white beard and cloak, often carrying a scythe and hourglass. In ancient times he was known as Chronos or Saturn.

He symbolizes the flow of time and its effects. His old body is a reminder that time is the devourer of all things and that, like the sand in the hourglass he often carries, his life will run out, as all good things come to an end. (Source: Urban Dictionary)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. 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 or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Christy, Georgia, Jan, Rose & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette, Carol, Faye, Halli, Marlene, Posie, Roni, Sandra & True Self Coaching for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Azra, Mrinalini, Risty, Rosie, Shez & Utesmile, who started following my blog (Currently 171 followers) and currently 223 people like my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Dreams

Nikos Kazantzakis, in Report to Greco, asking his grandfather’s ghost for a command.

His grandfather answered, “Reach what you can, my child.”

But Kazantzakis refused that command and asked for a more difficult command.

The ghost then thundered, “Reach for what you cannot.” (Source: Running & Being by Dr. George Sheehan

I urge all you to please don’t settle, reach for the impossible; who knows what you will accomplish.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

If you are like me,

you can only dream that meditation will resolve your stress issues.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world.

Source: Lou Holtz

Be the dream

Source: John Chaney

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Never underestimate the impact you are having, you probably have a greater impact than you realize.

Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted person will impact 10,000 people in his or her lifetime.

Source: “Developing the Leader Within You” by John Maxwell.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Here is an organizing tip that really works

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Running & Being

by Dr. George Sheehan

Think this book is just about running, well you are so mistaken.

Here are a few examples of what you will find in this book:

The clock makes every hour just an hour.  The artist, especially the poet, has always known this to be wrong.

Study the lives of those who sought . . . the meaning of the cosmos. . . . The common denominator of these people is asceticism, which comes from the Greek ascesis, meaning rigorous training, self-discipline and self-restraint.

“The next major advance in the health of the American people,” said Dr. John Knowles of the Rockefeller Foundation, “will result only from what the individual is willing to do for himself.”

Picasso. When asked, “What is art?” he replied, “What is not?”

Well, I hope from the above you get the point that this book is about far more than just running.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

I saw so many movies this week that I want to share with you.  The price will be my very concise opinion of each movie.

Neighbors (1981)

This is an old film and it is so weird, but it really appealed to me.  Others of you will no doubt not care much for it.

Mulholland Dr.

Did I say Neighbors (1981) was weird; well not all compared with Mulholland Dr.  What can I say, I have some weird tastes.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

Action, action and action; oh by the way this film has a lot of action–I didn’t have a stop watch with me, but I estimate the thinking was less than a minute

Fist Fight

If you can get past the foul language, off beat sex, drugs and violence, this movie is pretty funny and it actually has a message.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This song makes me wonder if times are really better today than back in the late 60s.  This song  hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks

Daydream Believer

The Monkees

LAST WEEK’S POLL – 2017 Academy Awards (aka Oscars)

Did you watch the 2017 Academy Awards (aka Oscars)

60% – No

25% – Yes

15% – Portion

If you did not watch or stopped watching, it was because

60% – Boring

27% – Political Statements

13% – Pulled away from watching by other things

THIS WEEK’S POLL –  Dreams

ART OF THE WEEK

Castle of the Pyrenees

by Rene Magritte

Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

Source: Henry David Thoreau

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Martin Luther King Jr.

When it comes to having dreams, I cannot think of anyone who tops Martin Luther King Jr.

And remember, he said, “I have a dream.”

He did not say, “I have a good idea.”

Source: Mind Gym by Gary Mack with David Casstevens

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BROMA DE LA SEMANA

How do Mexicans feel about Trumps Wall?

¿Cómo se siente mexicanos sobre pared de triunfos?

Don’t worry, we will get over it.

No te preocupes, nos pondremos sobre él.

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. 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 or you can do it the easy way and click on the box in the side bar which will take you directly to the comment box.

My thanks to Carol, Chris, Darlene, Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Donna, Joel, Linda, Nandini, Sherlly & Thayer for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to College Mate, Janet, Sheryl & Sunaina, who started following my blog (Currently 166 followers) and currently 223 people like my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

New Zen Kōan

A kōan is a story, dialogue, question, or statement, which is used in Zen practice to provoke the “great doubt” and test a student’s progress in Zen practice.

I am pleased to announce a new Zen Kōan has been developed that is challenging even the best of our Zen Masters.  Here is your opportunity to test your skills against the best of the best.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Planning on a morning run with your friend, well don’t let this happen to you.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Take some action every day to make your dreams come true.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

It is such a hard habit to break, but well worth the effort.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Genghis Khan

and the Making of the Modern World

by Jack Weatherford

This book is not an easy read and you may wish to skip parts of it; but it is likely you will learn a number of things you didn’t know. 

The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in twenty-five years than the Romans did in four hundred.

In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization. Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted universal religious freedom, and smashed feudal systems of aristocratic privilege.

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

The Royals

I found this to be a fun show to watch.

The Royals is about a fictional monarchy in modern-day London, focusing on a dysfunctional, somewhat estranged family in the wake of the loss of the heir to the throne.

Elizabeth Hurley stars as the devilishly delightful Queen Helena, William Moseley plays charming bad boy Prince Liam and Alexandra Park plays Liam’s twin, tabloid fixture Princess Eleanor. (Source: TV Guide)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This one is really worth listening to.

She Drives Me Crazy

Fine Young Cannibals

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Do you trust the mainstream news media to report honestly and fairly? 

57% – No

26% – Yes

17% – Not sure

THIS WEEK’S POLL – 2017 Academy Awards (aka Oscars) 

ART OF THE WEEK

Last week was Monday Mona Lisa.  Well, this week I am bringing you Mona Lisa, as she is getting ready for a Saturday night date.

Date Night Mona Lisa

She looks considerably different than she did after work at Friday Happy Hour

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Winston Churchill

I like this guy because when a woman told him if she was his wife, she would put poison in his drink.

He replied, “Madam, if I were your husband, I would gladly drink it.

Photographed Dec. 1941 by Yousuf Karsh

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965).

He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his overall, lifetime body of work. In 1963, he was the first of only eight people to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

As a young army officer, he saw action in British India, the Anglo–Sudan War, and the Second Boer War. 

Following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain on 10 May 1940, Churchill became Prime Minister. His speeches and radio broadcasts helped inspire British resistance, especially during the difficult days of 1940–41 when the British Commonwealth and Empire stood almost alone in its active opposition to Adolf Hitler. He led Britain as Prime Minister until victory over Nazi Germany had been secured.

Named the Greatest Briton of all time in a 2002 poll, Churchill is widely regarded as being among the most influential people in British history, consistently ranking well in opinion polls of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. 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.

My thanks to Amy, Christy, Georgia & Rose, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette, Antoinette, Cindi, Cynthia, Debra, Elizabeth, Katya, Sheryll, Shirley, Susan, Terry & Willie for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Jennifer & Temple Fitness, who started following my blog (Currently 161 followers) and Elizabeth, Kristen & Jennifer (Currently 222 People), who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

I’m not sure everyone is aware of the original purpose of today’s USA holiday, so here is a little background.

Washington’s Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. It can occur on the 15th through the 21st of February inclusive.

Colloquially, the day is also now widely known as Presidents’ Day and is often an occasion to honor all persons who have served as president, not just George Washington.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Please don’t let this happen to you.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It is nice to be with someone, but the person you are with the most is yourself.

There are five frogs on a log. One decides to jump off.

How many are left?  

If you responded with four, you’re wrong.

The correct answer is five, because remember—deciding isn’t doing.  

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

I don’t know if this is true or not; but if it isn’t true, it should be.   

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

There are many kinds of addictions.

You can never be extraordinary if you allow yourself to be controlled by something outside of yourself.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Accidental Buddhist

by Dinty W. Moore

The Accidental Buddhist the funny, provocative story of how Dinty Moore went looking for the faith he’d lost in what might seem the most unlikely of places: the ancient Eastern tradition of Buddhism. Moore demystifies and explains the contradictions and concepts of this most mystic-seeming of religious traditions.

This plain-spoken, insightful look at the dharma in America will fascinate anyone curious about the wisdom of other cultures and other religions. (Source: Goodreads)

MOVIES OF THE WEEK

The Girl on the Train

I was a bit disappointed in this movie, perhaps; because my expectations were too high having seen Gone Girl and being a fan of Emily Blunt.

A recent divorcée (Emily Blunt) fantasizes about a couple (Luke Evans and Haley Bennett) whose house she passes each day on her commuter train ride. Soon, she becomes entangled in a mystery involving not only the couple, but her former husband (Justin Theroux) and his new family. A psychiatrist treats a most unusual patient, only to find that the doctor is the one who gains the most from their sessions … (Source: Fandango)

Sense and Sensibility

I watched this 1995 film again and I still enjoy it every time I watch it.

In this costume drama, based on the novel by Jane Austen, Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters are left with almost nothing after Mr. Dashwood’s death. They move into a cottage and sensible eldest daughter Elinor attempts to keep things running smoothly, in spite of her free-spirited sister’s efforts to the contrary. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Happy Birthday Mr. President

Marilyn Monroe

LAST WEEK’S POLL – How will or did you spend Valentines Day?

37.5% – Doing something special with someone

37.5% – Giving someone a Valentine card

15% – Giving someone a gift

15% – Doing nothing out of the ordinary

Last year I had a similar  poll regarding your Valentine Day plans.

That poll results were that 49% of us are doing something special with someone, 33% of us are giving someone a card, 11% of us are giving someone a gift and the remaining 7% are doing nothing out of the ordinary.

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Do you trust the mainstream news media to report honestly and fairly? 

ART OF THE WEEK

Ever wonder what Mona Lisa looks like on a Monday morning?  The answer is below.

The Monday Lisa

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

George Washington

by Gilbert Stuart

George Washington was unique among people, he willingly gave up power.

What many do not realize is that Napoleon, who came after Washington, took control of France and made himself Emperor of the French; whereas, earlier Washington stepped down from office.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so. 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.

My thanks to Carol, Chris, Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Annette,  Barbara, Cynthia, Donna & Lynn, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Adorable Playful Animals, Anne & Jes, who started following my blog (Currently 161 followers) and the 218 People, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Happy Valentines Day & this week’s post is devoted to love.

   

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Most of us need to get 7 or 8 hours sleep to be at our best.

Paradise By The Dashboard Light

by Meat Loaf

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It is nice to be with someone, but the person you are with the most is yourself.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Love is a choice, but if you disagree with this advice, than love isn’t a choice for you and I hope it works out.   

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Much of communications is non-vocal

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Guys, the book you have waited for has arrived.  I urge you to rush out and pick up a copy and read as much as you can before Valentines Day.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Don Juan DeMarco

A psychiatrist treats a most unusual patient, only to find that the doctor is the one who gains the most from their sessions in this philosophical romantic comedy.

A young man in a mask and cape (played by Johnny Depp) is standing atop a billboard, threatening to jump. When the potential suicide is finally talked down, he’s brought to a psychiatric facility where after one doctor washes his hands of the case, he’s placed under the supervision of Dr. Jack Mickler (Marlon Brando), an aging psychiatrist soon to retire.

The patient informs Mickler that he is actually the great lover Don Juan, who has seduced over 1,500 women, but has fallen into a deep depression after being unable to win the hand of the woman of his dreams.

Mickler has ten days to work with “Don Juan,” after which he will either be released on medication or committed to a long-term stay in a mental hospital. As Mickler talks with the young man, who speaks rapturously of the art of love, the doctor finds that his philosophies are helping to kick-start his failing relationship with his wife (Faye Dunaway), and he slowly becomes convinced that his patient might really be Don Juan after all. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Burning Love

Elvis

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Who were you rooting for during Superbowl 2017?

33% – Falcons

27% – Patriots

20% – Commercials

20% – What game

THIS WEEK’S POLL – How will or did you spend Valentines Day?

ART OF THE WEEK

It has been said that “Love is Blind”, it certainly is in the case of these two people

The Lovers

by Rene Magritte

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Casanova

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (2 April 1725 – 4 June 1798) was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice.

He has become so famous for his often complicated and elaborate affairs with women that his name is now synonymous with “womanizer”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Ok, this doesn’t have anything to do with Valentine Day or Love, but it is funny.

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so.

My thanks to Carol, Georgia & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Amber, Carol, Cindi, Cynthia, Donna, Julietta, Lois & Sally, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Eleutheromaverick, Frona, Reignite & Third Eye Disciples, who started following my blog (Currently 158 followers) and the 218 People, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

Walking is one of the best exercises

Walk Like an Egyptian

by The Bangles

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Take some meaningful action daily to make your dreams come true.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Those convinced against their will, remain unconvinced still.  

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

It is great to learn to do things yourself, but make sure you are up to the task.  

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

Keep a positive self-image by never saying or thinking anything negative about yourself, but don’t use this to keep you from constant self-improvement

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Coffee Is Good for You

by Robert J. Davis, Ph.D.

If you know me, I like books that say coffee is good for you. This book doesn’t say coffee is good for you, it just says there is little evidence that is it harmful.

As for diet soda making you fat, the research is inconclusive.  Here is another one, green tea promotes weight loss.  The research shows that is half-true.  Or how about eggs being bad for your heart.  The research shows they are not.

The book goes on and on telling you what the research shows about various diet claims.  I found this book very interesting 

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Equity

Lots of suspense and Wall Street from a different vantage point.

While veteran investment banker Naomi Bishop has thrived in the cutthroat, male-dominated financial world, her leadership of a technology company’s initial public offering exposes her to intense pressure from colleagues — and a prosecutor. (Source: Netflix)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I know this guy and he is a great guy, plus a great singer and musician.  Please check out his song.

Old Country Folk O’ Mine – 2

by Erik James Rose

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LAST WEEK’S POLL – Political Posts?

What are your feelings about political posts, now that the USA Presidential election is over?

57% – Irritating

29% – Necessary

14% -Indifferent

Are political posts effective in changing opinions?

70% – No

26% – Maybe

4% – Yes

Have you ever unfriended someone because of a political post?

74%  – No

26% – Yes

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Who were you rooting for during Superbowl 2017?

ART OF THE WEEK

If you have ever taken a cruise, you may recognize this art form

Cruise Ship Towel Art

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton (January 4, 1643 – March 31, 1727) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, inventor, and natural philosopher, who is generally regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential scientists in history.

His law of universal gravitation and three laws of motion laid the groundwork for classical mechanics, which held sway in the physical sciences until the advent of quantum mechanics around the beginning of the twentieth century.

He was the first to show that the motions of bodies on Earth and celestial bodies are governed by the same set of natural laws. 

Among other scientific work, Newton realized that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors and further argued that light consists of particles. 

Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz share the credit for playing major roles in the development of calculus in the Western world. This area of mathematics has since proved of enormous value for the advancement of science and technology. (Source: New World Encyclopedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so.

My thanks to Chris, Georgia, Ipuna, Joanne & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Amber, Carol, Cindi, Colleen, Cynthia, Darlene, Denise, Donna, Jeanine, Kelly, Kim, Mary, Maureen, Octavia, Shirley, Terry & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Alysha, Aubrey, Indira, Ipuna, Marlinalicea & Sonyo, who started following my blog (Currently 154 followers) and the 218 People, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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

Isn’t this refreshing

PHYSICAL TRAITS 

Honor Thy Temple

This is something to keep in mind when you are grocery shopping.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

It is easier to get along with others if you don’t try to change them.  

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Due dates usually work.  You may want to consider them for your own goals.  

MISCELLANEOUS 

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Magritte

by Jacques Meuris

This is not just a book of really cool paintings, it also has some inspiring thoughts sprinkled throughout.

For instance, Nougé  remarked, “it happens that sometimes a portrait tries to resemble its model.”  Magritte replied, “It would be a good thing if the model tried to resemble its portrait.”

Rene Magritte’s paintings are not dreamscapes, according to French art critic Meuris. With every painting, the Belgian surrealist, challenges his viewer’s intellect and assumptions about reality.

Observes Meuris in Magrittian fashion: “Magritte is not a painter, while yet being a great painter.” This illuminating, delightfully illustrated volume, reaffirms the artist’s stature as it traces the fine line he toes between reality and illusion. (Source: Publishers Weekly)

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Victoria

If you miss Downton Abby, this PBS series may be what you are looking for.

The first series depicts the first few years of the reign of Queen Victoria, played by Jenna Coleman, from her accession to the throne at the age of eighteen, to her intense friendship and infatuation with Lord Melbourne, to her courtship and early marriage to Prince Albert (played by Tom Hughes) and finally to the birth of their first child, Victoria.

The second series will follow Victoria’s struggles on managing her role as Queen with that of her duties to her husband and children. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I thought I would try to lighten things up a bit and what better way than a silly song from the early 70s by a band called, “Middle of the Road”

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep

by Middle of the Road

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Tattoos?

When you see someone with a tattoo, what is your impression?

59% – Depends upon the tattoo and its location

23% – Unfavorable

14% – Completely indifferent

4% – Favorable

Is your view of someone with a tattoo influence by their gender?

80%  – No

20% – Yes

Do you have a tattoo?

89% – No

11% – Yes

Do you have a friend or relative that has a tattoo?

100% – Yes

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Political Posts?

ART OF THE WEEK

Mount Rushmore

Art on a grand scale and well worth the trouble to get there

Mount Rushmore symbolizing the ideals of freedom and democracy, is a tribute to four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and their invaluable contributions to the United States.  (Source: Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Cindy

Cindy is retiring at the end of this month and this is how I described her and her efforts over more than three decades.

You ever see a person; one that is standing so tall and so straight, you just can’t help but notice.

However, what you don’t see is what is supporting that person. You don’t see the backbone, which enables that person to stand so tall and so straight.

There have been a number of people over the years, who I could describe as the “Face of QA”, such as Mike, MaryAnn and Andrea.

I would describe Cindy, as the backbone of QA. Cindy and those like her, are the reason QA has stood tall and straight over the years.

As a Michigan citizen, covered by BCBS like half the people in this state, and as a former member of BCBSM, and as part of the QA family, I thank Cindy for her Distinguish Service to the People of Michigan, BCBSM and QA

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

PLEASE CONSIDER 

If you reached this point, you must have seen something you wish to comment on; please do so.

My thanks to Jo, Melissa & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. All you have to do is just click on “Comment”, scroll down to the “Leave a Comment” box.  Type in your comment and then click the “Post Comment” box.

Also, please consider passing this blog on to others. My thanks to Autumn, Brenda, Carol, Cheryl, Cynthia, Darlene, Diane, Donna, Georgia, Kathy, Kim, Kimi, Sharron, Shirley, Terri, Theresa, Viswakupa & Willie, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

BLOG & FACEBOOK

My thanks to Unexpected Common Hours, who started following my blog (Currently 149 followers) and the 218 People, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you are enjoying this blog and find it useful, please click on follow and also please pass it on to your friends.

The basis of this blog sprung from my book, which 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