12/28/15 – It’s A Wonderful Life Revisited

December 28, 2015 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and best wishes for an extraordinary 2016.

Also, for those of you into reading books on a Kindle, I reduced the price of the Kindle version of my book down to $4.95. By the end of the year, if you apply yourself, you will be extraordinary or at least more extraordinary than you currently are–why not give it a try.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I was in Barnes & Nobles the other day and couldn’t stop myself from purchasing a collectible version of this extraordinary self-help book which was first published on December 19, 1843 and have never been out of print.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you’re not here any more.

Source: The Ghost of Christmas Present

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

It’s A Wonderful Life

This updated version of It’s A Wonderful Life is my absolute favorite. Please check it out, it is only 1 minute and 33 seconds. Please let me know via comments if you enjoy it.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Star Wars vs. Star Trek

The result of last week’s poll is that 64% of you prefer Star Trek, whereas, 36% of you prefer Star Wars.

THIS WEEK POLL – Your Dreams

Since this week is a start of a new year, this week’s poll is again about your dreams and aspirations for the future.

SONG OF THE WEEK

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

Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCTeXUkTFwQ

But for those of you who aren’t into Chuck, well here is a version by Sheryl Crow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhce_LI9dgc

And here is a version by Steven Tyler and Brad Paisley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmCZfljt1Kw

Run Rudolph Run” is a Christmas song written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie. The song was first recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958. It has since been covered by numerous other artists including Emily Osment, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sister Hazel, Billy Ray Cyrus, Five Easy Pieces, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, Dave Edmunds, Hanson, Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams, Lulu, Click Five, The Grateful Dead, Keith Richards, Brinsley Schwarz, Jimmy Buffett, Foghat, Paul Brandt, Whitney Wolanin, Kelly Clarkson, The Tractors, Dwight Yoakam, Reverend Horton Heat, Hanoi Rocks, Billy Idol, Cee Lo Green, Luke Bryan, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Joe Perry, Los Lonely Boys, Jane Krakowski (Source: Wikipedia)

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

Dogs Playing Poker refers collectively to a series of sixteen oil paintings by C. M. Coolidge, commissioned in 1903 by Brown & Bigelow to advertise cigars. The painting below is titled, A Friend in Need.

While some send out family portraits as their holiday cards, photographer Ed Wheeler has been dressing up as Santa Claus for years and posing in hilarious compositions for his cards. It was in 2011, though, when the festive photographer decided to take his work a step further and incorporate jolly ol’ Saint Nick into classical masterpieces, such as the painting below by C.M. Coolidge.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Santa Claus

Santa delivering gifts to children

Santa Claus has been believed to make a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior (“naughty” or “nice”) and to deliver presents, including toys, and candy to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the flying reindeer who pull his sleigh.[5][6] He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole and saying “ho ho ho” often.(Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

This week’s joke illustrates the importance of context

BLOG

I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts, since it encourages me to continue these posts. This week I am thanking my friend Tania for leaving a comment. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

If you have any interest in changing your life for helping someone else change their life, please consider my book.

Again, for those of you into reading books on a Kindle, I reduced the price of the Kindle version of my book down to $4.95.

My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format. And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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

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

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

12/21/15 – Science Fiction

December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Since the big news recently has been the release of another Star Wars film, I thought some of you would be interested in this rare photo of the wife of one of the key characters in the Star Wars series.

Latest In Security Cameras

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and it seems the Italians have come up with outstanding security cameras.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I have the 1988 edition of this book that I first read in 1990 and it changed my understanding of the universe and I believe it will do the same for you. There are newer versions with updates available today and as with the vast majority of my recommendations, it is a relatively easy read.

A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawking’s book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe begin—and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unending—or are there boundaries? Are there other dimensions in space? What will happen when it all ends?

Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and “arrows of time,” of the big bang and a bigger God—where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation. (Source: Amazon)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.”

Source: Obi-Wan Kenobi

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I recall watching this TV series when I was a kid and found and still find it very thought provoking. And I have listened to all the old Dimension X, and X Minus One radio shows. Some of those old radio shows seem a bit corny today, but not all of them. Everything builds on what came before it, so if you like Star Wars or Star Trek, maybe you will what to check out some of this 1950s stuff. If you look closely at one the Twilight Zone episodes, you may even see Captain James T. Kirk.

The Twilight Zone

1959 Series Logo

The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. It is a series of unrelated stories containing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and/or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist. A popular and critical success, it introduced many Americans to common science fiction and fantasy tropes. The program followed in the tradition of earlier shows such as Tales of Tomorrow (1951–53), which also dramatized the short story “What You Need”, and Science Fiction Theatre (1955–57), and radio programs such as The Weird Circle, Dimension X, and X Minus One, and the radio work of one of Serling’s inspirations, Norman Corwin. In 2013, TV Guide ranked it #5 in its list of the 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time. (Source: Wikipedia)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – My Weight

The results of last week’s poll are:

Almost 50% plan to lose weight by changing our diet & exercising more.

Another 20% plan to lose weight by exercising

Still another 10% plan to lose weight by changing their diet.

Amazingly, almost 20% of us are pleased with our current weight–hats off to that extraordinary 20%.

Finally, 2% of us want to gain weight. How many of us would like to trade places with that 2%.

THIS WEEK POLL – Star Wars vs. Star Trek

With the release of the new Star Wars movie, this may be a bad time to ask; but which of the two series & spin offs do you prefer?

SONG OF THE WEEK

Since this week’s theme is “Science Fiction”, what better song than this one.

One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx47qrH1GRs

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

Since this week’s post is focusing on science fiction, here is a work of art painted by the great surrealist artist, Salvador Dalí.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí

The well-known surrealist piece introduced the image of the soft melting pocket watch. It epitomizes Dalí’s theory of “softness” and “hardness”, which was central to his thinking at the time. As Dawn Ades wrote, “The soft watches are an unconscious symbol of the relativity of space and time, a Surrealist meditation on the collapse of our notions of a fixed cosmic order”. This interpretation suggests that Dalí was incorporating an understanding of the world introduced by Albert Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity. Asked by Ilya Prigogine whether this was in fact the case, Dalí replied that the soft watches were not inspired by the theory of relativity, but by the surrealist perception of a Camembert melting in the sun.

The orange clock at the bottom left of the painting is covered in ants. Dalí often used ants in his paintings as a symbol of decay.

The Persistence of Memory employs “the exactitude of realist painting techniques” to depict imagery more likely to be found in dreams than in waking consciousness.[Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Since this week’s topic is science fiction, who else but Captain James T. Kirk.

James T. Kirk

James Tiberius Kirk was born on March 22, 2233, in Riverside, Iowa. Although born on Earth, Kirk for a time lived on Tarsus IV, where he was one of nine surviving witnesses to the massacre of 4,000 colonists by Kodos the Executioner.

At Starfleet Academy, Kirk became the only student to defeat the Kobayashi Maru test, garnering a commendation for original thinking by reprogramming the computer to make the “no-win scenario” winnable.

Kirk became Starfleet’s youngest captain when he received command of the USS Enterprise for a five-year mission. Kirk’s most significant relationships are with first officer Spock and chief medical officer Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.

Robert Jewett and John Shelton Lawrence’s The Myth of the American Superhero describes Kirk as “a hard-driving leader who pushes himself and his crew beyond human limits”. Terry J. Erdman and Paula M. Block, in their Star Trek 101 primer, note that while “cunning, courageous and confident”, Kirk also has a “tendency to ignore Starfleet regulations when he feels the end justifies the means”; he is “the quintessential officer, a man among men and a hero for the ages”.

Although Kirk becomes romantically involved with various women, when confronted with a choice between a woman and the Enterprise, “his ship always won”. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

A neutron walks into a bar and asks “how much for a beer?”

Bartender responds “For you? no charge.”

BLOG

I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts, since it encourages me to continue these posts. Thank you Carolyn. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

If you have any interest in changing your life for helping someone else change their life, please consider my book.

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

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

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

12/14/15 – Media Coverage

December 14, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Next Republican Debate

Tuesday, December 15

Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Ted Cruz during a previous Republican primary debate. | AP Photo

It never fails to amaze me as to how much time many people spend watching sports and yet will devote little time to understanding our political process. If you don’t want to learn about what is going on in the political arena, this will probably still be worth watching than for no other reason but entertainment.

The criteria for CNN’s Dec. 15 presidential debate include a new way for candidates to make the stage: early-state polling strength.
Candidates can qualify for the debate through one of three ways: polling averages nationally, in Iowa, and in New Hampshire.

According to CNN, nine candidates would currently make the cut: Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina and Chris Christie.

The undercard debate will also live on, despite some calls among Republicans to begin phasing this out. Candidates who reach at least 1 percent in four separate Iowa, New Hampshire or national polls will make the earlier debate.
As of Friday, that stage will be made up of Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, and two candidates who missed the last GOP debate entirely, Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Gov. George Pataki. As of Friday, Gov. Jim Gilmore did not qualify for either stage.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/cnn-gop-debate-criteria-las-vegas-216106#ixzz3twSj6PMh

Media Coverage

I did not believe this memorial would not receive some press coverage and I take the Sunday NY Times, USA Today, Detroit News home delivery, Time magazine and I watch the CNN practically daily. So I checked it out on Snopes.Com and it came up as true.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Is this a self-help book or not–how about you telling me via a comment.

Nineteen Eighty-Four, often published as 1984, is a dystopian novel by English author George Orwell published in 1949.[1][2] The novel is set in Airstrip One (formerly known as Great Britain), a province of the superstate Oceania in a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation, dictated by a political system euphemistically named English Socialism (or Ingsoc in the government’s invented language, Newspeak) under the control of a privileged elite of the Inner Party, that persecutes individualism and independent thinking as “thoughtcrime”. (Source: Wikipedia)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?

Source: Groucho Marx

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Anchorman: the Legend of Ron Burgundy

Ron Burgundy is San Diego’s top rated newsman in the male-dominated broadcasting of the ’70s, but that’s all about to change for Ron and his cronies when an ambitious woman is hired as a new anchor. (Source: IMDB)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Drinking

The results of last week’s poll are:

43% of you have one or two drinks now and then

21% of you routinely have one or two drinks daily

14% of you don’t drink for health reasons

10% of you every so often have more than two drinks daily

7% of you consistently have more than two drinks daily

5% of you don’t drink for religious reasons

I used this same poll last year about this time and found 25% of us have one or two drinks daily and on the other end of the spectrum, about 12% of us abstain from drinking for religious or health reasons. I see there isn’t much change from last year.

THIS WEEK POLL – My Weight

Most people put on extra weight starting from Thanksgiving through New Year’s and so one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is I’m going to lose some weight this year. It is also one of the most commonly unfulfilled resolutions. So, before we start making any resolutions, I thought it might be nice to do a quick self-assessment via this poll.

Remember, you are what you eat. I recall saying that to a friend and she replied, “In that case I am coffee and wine.”

SONG OF THE WEEK

Since the theme of this week’s post is the media, I thought you might enjoy this song.

Dirty Laundry by the Eagles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzT10MSgKtU

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

I’ve seen this painting at the National Gallery in Washington DC. It was painted by my favorite surrealist artist, Rene Magritte. Magritte was a philosopher, who just happened to communicate via painting rather than words. In this painting, I believe he says that everything you see hides something behind what you are seeing–that is something worth thinking about isn’t it?

The Human Condition by Rene Magritte

The Human Condition (La condition humaine) generally refers to two similar oil on canvas paintings by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte. One was completed in 1933 and is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. The other was completed in 1935 and is part of the Simon Spierer Collection in Geneva, Switzerland. A number of drawings of the same name exist as well, including one at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
One of Magritte’s most common artistic devices was the use of objects to hide what lies behind them. [Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

A newsperson and not an entertainer.

Edward R. Murrow

Edward R. Murrow (April 25, 1908 – April 27, 1965) was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio broadcasts for the news division of The Columbia Broadcasting System during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States. During the war he assembled a team of foreign correspondents who came to be known as the Murrow Boys.

A pioneer of television news broadcasting, Murrow produced a series of reports that helped lead to the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, Bill Downs, Dan Rather, and Alexander Kendrick consider Murrow one of journalism’s greatest figures, noting his honesty and integrity in delivering the news.

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 Judy, Melissa, Carol, Carolyn, Rick and Coach Jo. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

I donated two copies of my book to Angel Kisses for auction/raffle prizes for their 7th Annual Fundraiser on February, 20, 2016 at Woody’s Diner in Royal Oak, MI from 2 to 8 p.m. For more information about this organization and their efforts to improve bereavement care for pregnancy loss, please click on the link below.

http://angelkisses.org/

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

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

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

12/07/15 – Mother-in-Laws

December 4, 2015December 7, 2015 Wm. Allen12 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Delores Perkey

Mother-in-Laws are often the butt of many jokes and overall I think they get a bad rap. My mother-in-law died last week. I don’t think I’m that unusual in being able to say, “I had an absolutely fantastic mother-in-law.” Here she is, with her bags packed, and on her way to heaven.

I’m so glad that last Christmas I had a trophy made up for her saying “Delores Perkey, World’s Best Mother-in-Law”. If you also have a fantastic mother-in-law, why not present her with a trophy saying so. I’m sure it will be something that she will treasure.

Travel

Saturday, I had the opportunity to hear travel tips directly from Rick Steves, who was speaking at the Music Hall in Detroit.

His travel videos are available from a number of sources and are very entertaining and informative to watch. If you want to be extraordinary, it helps to go out and see the world. It is easier than you might think.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I have no idea how long I have been reading Frog & Toad, nor how many times I have read these books, or even how many copies I’ve given to parents for their children. They say the book is designed for children 4 to 8; but in some ways we are all a child at heart. If you are looking for a gift for a child, I strongly recommend a Frog and Toad book. It contains a lot of wisdom in an easily digestible style.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I suspect not many of you have ever been to a weight lifting competition, so here is a very short clip to give you an idea of what it is like.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Goals/Resolutions for 2016

The results of last week’s poll are:

25% of you have wishes, but nothing specific

22% of you set goals that are specifically measurable

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

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

Interestingly enough, I used this same poll last year about this time and these were the results:

25% have wishes, but nothing specific

15% don’t bother with setting goals

60% set specific goals that are objectively measureable. In addition some of you in that 60% category also develop action plans to accomplish those specific goals and others even go so far as to monitor progress.

THIS WEEK POLL – Drinking

Folks, during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve Holidays, there is a lot of drinking going on, so I thought bringing back a poll on drinking may be relevant, plus it gives me a chance to say, “If you drink, drink responsibly and be very careful with driving so that we all have a safe holiday.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Given the theme of this post, what else could be song of the week other than Ernie K. Doe’s 1961 Number one hit, Mother-In-Law. Just click on the link below to hear this classic.

Ernie K. Doe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcFkUHvlf5A

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill Whistler

Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1, best known under its colloquial name Whistler’s Mother, is a painting in oils on canvas created by the American-born painter James McNeill Whistler in 1871. The painting is 56.81 by 63.94 inches [ ], displayed in a frame of Whistler’s own design. It is exhibited in and held by the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, having been bought by the French state in 1891. It is one of the most famous works by an American artist outside the United States. It has been variously described as an American icon and a Victorian Mona Lisa. [Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Not happy with your mother-in-law, well Catherine de’ Medici could always be your mother-in-law.

Catherine de’ Medici

An Italian noblewoman who married King Henri II of France, Catherine de’ Medici became a political force to be reckoned with during the successive reigns of her three sons. Hoping to consolidate her family’s power, she forced her daughter Marguerite to marry Henri de Bourbon, whose faith—Protestantism—and doting mother—Jeanne d’Albret—Catherine loathed. Jeanne fell ill and died shortly after arriving at court with her reluctant son, leading some to accuse Catherine of murdering her with poisoned gloves. After the wedding in 1572, Catholic mobs unleashed a wave of targeted killings on the Protestants who had gathered in Paris for the festivities. Historians think Catherine authorized or at least knew of the carnage, which her new son-in-law barely escaped. Catherine’s relationship with her daughter-in-law Mary Stuart was also strained. When the young queen’s husband Francis II died, Catherine ordered his grieving widow to return the crown jewels and head home to Scotland immediately. [Source: History Lists)

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 Carole. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

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

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

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

11/30/15 – Dave Miller

November 30, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Dave Miller

It is with shock and sadness that I learned of the sudden passing of my brother David Miller while he was vacationing in Costa Rica yesterday.
Dave was a great guy and loved by many. He was 61 years old.
Please pray for his newly departed soul and for his widow Gail Miller.
There are no plans for services at this time.

Source: Cheryl Miller, Dave’s sister

Dave was a long-time friend of mine and my euchre partner at the San Marino Club, where one year we actually won this ten-week tournament.

I believe a number of you have attended my numerous happy hour parties and know Dave and his wife Gail, who were frequent attendees.

Police Unions

I’m starting to wonder why there seems to be so many rogue police officers. I think back to my union days and I recall there were a number of workers that really should have lost their jobs, but the union kept management from firing them.

Perhaps, the same is true of the police officers unions. I can’t believe that the other seven (I believe that was the number) officers who was on the scene didn’t know this officer who jumped out of his car and fired 16 shots into this teenager didn’t know they had a rogue cop in their ranks.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I bought Rules for a Knight on the 20th of this month and finished it by the 24th of this month. It is definitely as easy read, but it is also a great guide for your journey though life.

From Ethan Hawke, four-time Academy Award nominee—twice for writing and twice for acting—an unforgettable fable about a father’s journey and a timeless guide to life’s many questions. (Source: Amazon.com)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Death, who takes the form of a young man, asks a media mogul to act as a guide to teach him about life on Earth and in the process he falls in love with his guide’s daughter. (Source: IMDB)

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving

Probably no surprise that the vast majority of you (76%) were either having Thanksgiving at home or at a friends or relatives house. The remaining 24% may be of interest to you, if you want to check the results of last week’s poll.

THIS WEEK POLL – Goals/Resolutions for 2016

As we move into the last month of the year, many of us will start thinking about goals and resolutions for 2016, so this week’s poll is about your goals/resolutions plans for the coming year.

SONG OF THE WEEK

I had the privilege of seeing a live performance of MC Hammer a few years ago and Hammer is right, “U Can’t Touch This”.

MC Hammer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix

Delacroix depicted Liberty as both an allegorical goddess-figure and a robust woman of the people. The mound of corpses acts as a kind of pedestal from which Liberty strides, barefoot and bare-breasted, out of the canvas and into the space of the viewer. The Phrygian cap she wears had come to symbolize liberty during the first French Revolution, of 1789–94. The painting has been seen as a marker to the end of the Age of Enlightenment, as many scholars see the end of the French Revolution as the start of the romantic era.

The fighters are from a mixture of social classes, ranging from the bourgeoisie represented by the young man in a top hat, a student from the prestigious École Polytechnique wearing the traditional bicorne, to the revolutionary urban worker, as exemplified by the boy holding pistols. What they have in common is the fierceness and determination in their eyes. Aside from the flag held by Liberty, a second, minute tricolore can be discerned in the distance flying from the towers of Notre Dame. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Captain Jack Sparrow

[Captain Jack] Sparrow is one of the nine pirate lords in the Brethren Court, the Pirate Lords of the Seven Seas. He can be treacherous and survives mostly by using wit and negotiation rather than by force, opting to flee most dangerous situations and to fight only when necessary. (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 Tania and Mary. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

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

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

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

11/23/15 – A Disturbing World

November 23, 2015 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Viva la France!

Normally, I post something different each week; but I’m going to stay with Viva la France again this week.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Keep Calm and Carry On is a little book of motivational quotes. The title coming from a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939 in preparation for the Second World War. The book came out in 2009 and I first read it in 2010. It doesn’t take long to read it, since it is just quotes. But the title appealed to me during these troubled times.

You can read more about the history of the motivational quote used as the title for this book on Wikipedia. Just click on:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Sometimes the world is so disturbing, that one alternative to depression is to dance. I think I’m going to dance now.

LAST WEEK POLL – A Christmas Carol

It seems like many of us have seen a movie based up the story, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. And I thought a surprising number of us have seen a play based upon the story. And a good number of us have even read the story.

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving

SONG OF THE WEEK

I guess I’m not the only one feeling the need to dance. Click on the link below and scroll down a little past the history and you will see some performers from the past dancing to Uptown Funk.

Uptown Funk

http://www.littlethings.com/uptown-funk-dance-oldies-classic-vintage-nostalgia-vts/?utm_source=LTts&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=performances

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Napoléon Bonaparte

Napoléon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution [ ]

Napoleon dominated European affairs for over a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He won most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, rapidly gaining control of continental Europe before his ultimate defeat in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, his campaigns are studied at military schools worldwide and he remains one of the most celebrated and controversial political figures in Western history.

In civil affairs, Napoleon had a major long-term impact by bringing liberal reforms to the countries that he conquered, especially the Low Countries, Switzerland, Italy, and large parts of Germany. He implemented fundamental liberal policies in France and throughout Western Europe. His lasting legal achievement was the Napoleonic Code, which has been adopted in various forms by a quarter of the world’s legal systems, from Japan to Quebec. (Source: Wikipedia)

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11/16/15 – Viva la France!

November 16, 2015 Wm. Allen7 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Viva la France!

World Powerlifting Congress

I took second place at the World Powerlifting contest in Maia, Portugal; coming in second to the extraordinary Evageny Khudolleev of Russia.

I found the Russians very friendly and extremely supportive of me. Below is a couple new Russian friends that I made at the contest.

As I have mentioned in the past; one never accomplishes anything without some help along the way. You may recall me mentioning Tony, Walter and Art’s contributions to my being at the contest in Portugal.

Well I owe a big thank you to John Harp, who I met at the weigh-in the day before the contest. He was kind enough to coach me through the lifting process, which was somewhat different than how I had done it in the USA. Plus, John was encouraging me for each of my lifts. I believe without his help, the results would not have been as favorable for me.

A Christmas Carol

I saw this play yesterday with some of my best friends and I think seeing a live performance of A Christmas Carol is a great way to kick off the Christmas Holidays. Usually, you can find a performance somewhere near you. I happened to see this one at Meadow Brook Theater in Rochester, Michigan.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I first read “The Art of War” back in 1988 and have reviewed it every so often.

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to Sun Tzu, a high-ranking military general, strategist and tactician [ ]. It has had an influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond.

The book was first translated into the French language in 1772 by French Jesuit Jean Joseph Marie Amiot and a partial translation into English was attempted by British officer Everard Ferguson Calthrop in 1905. The first annotated English language translation was completed and published by Lionel Giles in 1910. Leaders as diverse as Mao Zedong, General Vo Nguyen Giap, General Douglas MacArthur and leaders of Imperial Japan have drawn inspiration from the work. (Source: Wikipedia)

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Last week’s poll involved five frogs on a long. Four decide to jump off the log, how many are left?

Congratulations to the over 80% of you who answered that five frogs were left. Why, because deciding isn’t doing.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

French Kiss

To demonstrate my support for the people of France, I thought I would choose a movie with a French theme. This is a very nice movie and hopefully will take your mind off the troubles of our world, at least for a little while.

The film is about a woman who flies to France to confront her straying fiancé and gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her to smuggle a stolen diamond necklace. French Kiss was filmed on location in Paris, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur région of southeastern France, and Cannes. (Source: Wikipedia)

LAST WEEK POLL – Health

Regarding the first poll on health, 57% of us believed the people of the USA are less healthier than other people in the world.

However, 41% of us believe we are as healthy as other people in the world and another 41% of us believe we are healthier than other people in the world.

THIS WEEK’S POLL – A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a holiday classic. It is not just a book, but a number of movies have been using the story as its basis and many plays are being performed at this time of the year.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Given what happened in Paris and the threats against the USA; it just had to be Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. this song this week.Here is a song about taking care of business, plus I am dedicating this song to all the business women out there.

Born in the U.S.A.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPhWR4d3FJQ

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was a 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet “King of the Wild Frontier”. He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo.

Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. After being made a colonel in the militia of Lawrence County, Tennessee, he was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821. In 1825, Crockett was elected to the U.S. Congress, where he vehemently opposed many of the policies of President Andrew Jackson, most notably the Indian Removal Act. Crockett’s opposition to Jackson’s policies led to his defeat in the 1831 elections. He won again in 1833, then narrowly lost in 1835, prompting his angry departure to Texas (then the Mexican state of Tejas) shortly thereafter. In early 1836, Crockett took part in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo in March. (Source: Wikipedia)

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I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts, since it encourages me to continue these posts. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

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

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

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

11/09/15 – Taking Care of Business

November 9, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBqxZAf3_FE

In chapter 40 of my book, I briefly talk about paying attention to your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

I’ve suggested this book before, but I thought given the circumstances that I am at the World Powerlifting Congress competition in Maia, Portugal; I thought it was particularly appropriate.

CURRENT EVENTS

World Powerlifting Congress

I’m here in Maia, Portugal and as I look at the representatives from other countries, I now realize I should have trained harder and watched my diet far closer. I will not make that mistake at next year’s WPC World Championship.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

The gods help them that help themselves.

Source: Aesop

This was true in Aesop’s time and it is true today. Wishing, hoping and praying will not alone make it happen, you have to take some action.

As I say in my book, there are five frogs on a long. Four decide to jump off the log, how many are left?

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Rewrite

Here is a film that I really enjoyed on the plane flying to Portugal.

An Oscar-winning writer in a slump leaves Hollywood to teach screenwriting at a college on the East Coast, where he falls for a single mom taking classes there. (Source: IMDB)

LAST WEEK POLL – Seeing the world

I suspect I poorly worded my poll, since only 27% of us have visited North America. I do have some non-North American readers of this blog, but not that many.

As for the other areas of the world that readers have visited:

Europe 22%

Asia or Australia 17%

South or Central America 17%

Middle East 10%

Africa 8%

North or South Pole 0%

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Health

I hear the typical person living in the USA spends more effort maintaining their car than they do their own bodies. So how do you think the USA as well as yourself fares when compared to other people in the world.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Here is a song about taking care of business, plus I am dedicating this song to all the business women out there.

Short Skirt Long Jacket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7aDstrDMf0

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Jack LaLanne

I can recall watching Jack LaLanne on TV in the morning before I went to school. There weren’t that many people talking about fitness in the 1950s.

LaLanne presented fitness and exercise advice on television for 34 years. The Jack LaLanne Show was the longest-running television exercise program. According to the SF Chronicle TV program archives, it first began on September 28, 1953 as a 15-minute local morning program (sandwiched between the morning news and a cooking show) on San Francisco’s ABC television station, KGO-TV, with LaLanne paying for the airtime himself as a way to promote his gym and related health products. [ ] In 1959, the ABC network picked up the show for nationwide broadcast, which continued until 1985. (Source: Wikipedia)

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I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts and last week Sue, Tania and Ron were kind enough to live a comment. Thank you for the encouragement. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

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

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

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

11/02/15 – There is more to lifting weights than just lifting weights

November 2, 2015 Wm. Allen10 Comments

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

In Chapter 29 of my book I talk about the importance of listening to understand; plus, active listening is one of the greatest compliments you can give someone.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Soul’s Whisper by Kimberly Verhamme, is aimed at children and it is a nice book to read to one’s child as well as generating some interesting discussions. With that said, I have enjoyed reading it and found it has a lot of good reminders for adults too.

CURRENT EVENTS

World Powerlifting Congress

Well, it has been a while since I went overseas to represent the United States of America, as you can see from the photo below taken in 1966.

(Major General Rosson promoting me to Specialist 5 while I was in Viet nam and he was the reason I went to college until I was in my mid-50s. When that guy told you to go to college, you went.)

I’ll be leaving for Portugal this week as one of the members of Team USA for the World Powerlifting Congress’s 2015 World Championships in Portugal. I can’t say this was a dream come true since I could never have imagined such an opportunity. The point of all this is the importance of having friends around you to encourage you. I was lucky to have:

Tony Mangino, who got me back in the gym years ago

(Tony’s not with us any longer, but I still have that trophy he is holding & I was with him when he won it)

Walter Crescentini, who got me into competitive power lifting years ago.

(Walter coaching me during a bench press contest. Walter also is no longer with us, but every time I am in a contest, I miss him greatly.)

(Walter, me & Tony’s brother Geno)

Art Little who had more faith in me that I could do this, than I had in myself.

I devoted Chapter 27 of my book to “Friends”. The question for all of us is, “Are we the kind of friend that brings out the best in others, encourages them and are glad for their successes? If we are, then we are extraordinary by helping others to become extraordinary.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

How often have you been told, I’m sorry but I just don’t have enough time. Actually, we all get the same 24 hours a day. Perhaps, those who say this are simply being polite. Since saying they don’t have enough time is far nicer to hear than saying you or your request is not a priority. In chapter 37 of my book, I stress how important it is to make good use of your time as well as mention some time saving tips.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Best Offer

Although this isn’t my usual type of movie, I thought this mystery suspense movie was well done. As for lessons to be learned from this movie, it does relate to Chapter 40 of my book that talks about seeing what is there rather than what you want to be there.

A master auctioneer becomes obsessed with an extremely reclusive heiress who collects fine art.d (Source: IMDB)

LAST WEEK POLL – Have you ever spoken to a famous person

It seems like many of us have actually spoken to an entertainer. Close behind are those of us who have spoken to an author or artist, followed closely by those of us who have spoken to some other kind if famous person.

As for the impact of speaking with a famous person, there was a tie between those who thought it had a lasting impact and those who thought there was no impact. However, a number of you thought speaking with a famous person has a impact for a little while.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

In chapter 48 I talk about the importance of seeing the world, so I thought you might find it interesting to learn of all the places your fellow blog readers have been.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Monster Mash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2PoSljk8cE&feature=share

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

I have never trained in a gym that did not have a picture of Arnold on its walls. The discipline of the gym carries over to your outside activities.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger; born July 30, 1947, is an Austrian-American actor, model, producer, director, activist, businessman, investor, writer, philanthropist, former professional bodybuilder, and politician. Schwarzenegger served two terms as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011.

Schwarzenegger 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. Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough film was the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian in 1982, which was a box-office hit and resulted in a sequel. In 1984, he appeared in James Cameron’s science-fiction thriller film The Terminator, which was a massive critical and box-office success. Schwarzenegger subsequently reprised the Terminator character in the franchise’s later installments in 1991, 2003, and 2015.[3][4][5] He appeared in a number of successful films, such as Commando (1985), The Running Man (1987), Predator (1987), Twins (1988), Total Recall (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990) and True Lies (1994). He was nicknamed the “Austrian Oak” in his bodybuilding days, “Arnie” during his acting career, and “The Governator” (a portmanteau of “Governor” and “The Terminator”, one of his best-known movie roles).

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I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts and last week three of you were kind enough to live a comment. Thank you very much. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

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

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

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

10/26/15 – Willie, Leon & Lulu, Erik and Gandhi

October 26, 2015October 26, 2015 Wm. Allen6 Comments

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Sometimes things are just so terrible that it helps to find humor in them. I’m hoping this is how everyone will take this short video. However, you will have to stay with the video about 25 seconds to see where it is going.

[Warning: If this isn’t an actual broadcast, it should be]

https://www.facebook.com/serbevents/videos/10153731161177125/

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Tao of Willie is a fun book to read and provides a great deal of wisdom.

CURRENT EVENTS

Michigan APF Fall Open

Please don’t be too quick to allow your age to prevent you from doing something you want to do.

I was the oldest lifter in the two day powerlifting contest in Grand Rapids last Friday and Saturday. My lift is the deadlift and there were plenty of people there who deadlifted far more than me. Still, I set two state records in the 90 Kg Masters 6 class and I will be representing the USA in world powerlifting competition in Portugal next month.

Here I am lifting 303 pounds for a age group state record.

Books & Authors Event – Leon & Lulu

If you didn’t make it to yesterday’s Books & Authors event at Leon & Lulu in Clawson, MI; you missed the opportunity to talk one-on-one with over 50 authors. Plus, Leon & Lulu is a very cool store with many unique items.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Never dim yourself for the comfort of others,

make them wear sunglasses

Source: Unknown

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Night of the Living Dead

This 1968 movie is one of the most scary movies that I have ever seen, but if you read below you will learn that it is more than just a scary movie.

[Night of the Living Dead] eventually garnered critical acclaim and has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed, “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” (Source: Wikipedia)

LAST WEEK POLL – Your Favorite Alcoholic Beverage

Twenty-nine of you voted for your favorite alocholic beverage. Wine was the overwhelming favorite with 12 votes or 41%. Beer came in second with 8 votes, followed by 5 votes for mixed drinks and only one of you preferred liquor. Non-drinkers were only 3 or 10% of those who voted.

As for belief about whether alcohol preferences says something about a person, 60% thought no and 40% thought yes.

THIS WEEK’S POLL

I think all of us have seen famous people, but I thought it would be interesting to hear how many of us have actually spoken with a famous person, even if it was a brief greeting.

Follow-up poll

SONG OF THE WEEK

Your Song

This week’s song is an Elton John classic, titled Your Song and it is performed by my friend Erik Loszewski. I’m not sure what you will be doing October 31, but Erik and his buddies will be at Little Loraine’s in Mt Clemens from 9:30-1:30.

https://www.facebook.com/erik.loszewski/videos/10203989856018410/

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Gandhi

[Warning: If the following isn’t a true story, it should be]

Rather than provide my usual brief bio of the person I have selected as the extraordinary person of the week, I thought the following would tell you so much more about Gandhi than mere dates and events.

When Mahatma Gandhi was studying law at the University College of London, a white professor, whose last name was Peters, disliked him intensely and always displayed prejudice and animosity towards him..

Also, because Gandhi never lowered his head when addressing him as he expected, there were always “arguments” and confrontations. One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University, and Gandhi came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor said, “Mr Gandhi, you do not understand. A pig and a bird do not sit together to eat.”

Gandhi looked at him as a parent would a rude child and calmly replied, “You do not worry professor. I’ll fly away,” and he went and sat at another table. Mr. Peters, reddened with rage, decided to take revenge on the next test paper, but Gandhi responded brilliantly to all questions.

Mr. Peters, unhappy and frustrated, asked him the following question. “Mr Gandhi, if you were walking down the street and found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money, which one would you take?” Without hesitating, Gandhi responded, “The one with the money, of course.”

Mr. Peters, smiling sarcastically said, “I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom, don’t you think?” Gandhi shrugged indifferently and responded, “Each one takes what he doesn’t have.”

Mr. Peters, by this time was fit to be tied. So great was his anger that he wrote on Gandhi’s exam sheet the word “idiot” and gave it to Gandhi.. Gandhi took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk, trying very hard to remain calm while he contemplated his next move.

A few minutes later, Gandhi got up, went to the professor and said to him in a dignified but sarcastically polite tone, “Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade.”

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I always appreciate those that leave comments on my weekly posts and last week four of you were kind enough to live a comment. Thank you very much. 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.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends, as well as liking my Facebook page.

MY BOOK

My book can be purchased on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. It is also available in a ebook format.

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

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

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

CURRENT EVENTS

SELF-HELP BOOKS

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

It’s A Wonderful Life

Its a Wonderful Life_Movie

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Star Wars vs. Star Trek

THIS WEEK POLL – Your Dreams

SONG OF THE WEEK

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Santa Claus

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

MY BOOK

CURRENT EVENTS

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Latest In Security Cameras

SELF-HELP BOOKS

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

The Twilight Zone

LAST WEEK’S POLL – My Weight

THIS WEEK POLL – Star Wars vs. Star Trek

SONG OF THE WEEK

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

James T. Kirk

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

A neutron walks into a bar and asks “how much for a beer?”

Bartender responds “For you? no charge.”

BLOG

MY BOOK

CURRENT EVENTS

Next Republican Debate

Media Coverage

SELF-HELP BOOKS

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Anchorman: the Legend of Ron Burgundy

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Drinking

THIS WEEK POLL – My Weight

SONG OF THE WEEK

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Edward R. Murrow

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

MY BOOK

CURRENT EVENTS

Delores Perkey

Travel

SELF-HELP BOOKS

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Goals/Resolutions for 2016

THIS WEEK POLL – Drinking

SONG OF THE WEEK

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Catherine de’ Medici

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

MY BOOK

CURRENT EVENTS

Dave Miller

Police Unions

SELF-HELP BOOKS

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Thanksgiving

THIS WEEK POLL – Goals/Resolutions for 2016

SONG OF THE WEEK

PAINTING OF THE WEEK

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Captain Jack Sparrow

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

MY BOOK

CURRENT EVENTS

SELF-HELP BOOKS

THIS WEEK’S JOKE