08/09/15 – Format, Debates, Dream Cruise, Emmy’s Post, Career Warfare, Holmes & Riki + Jokes

MY BLOG

I changed the format this week to add a side bar with an archive of past posts so it will be easier for you to see old posts.  And to make it easier to comment on these posts, I now have a box at the bottom of the post where you can type in a reply.

As always, please send me your jokes, thoughts, movie & book suggestions as well as anything you believe may be interesting and thought provoking for the readers of this blog, to this address:  harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

CURRENT EVENTS

Regardless of your political orientation, I think the first night of the 2015 Republican Debates was a good way to learn a little about the people, who want to be the leader of the U.S.A.; besides, it was very entertaining.  Your chance to see the next round of these debates will be September 16.

Early first debate

Prime Time Debate

Source of above photos: Getty Images

dreamcruiselogopng-2ae850f6f5099d1b

The Woodward Dream Cruise is proud to present the fourth annual Cruise In Shoes™ 5K Fun Run/Walk presented by PNC Bank. The run/walk will take place the morning of August 15, 2015, the same day as the 21st annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

The run/walk will begin at 7:30 am on Yorba Linda Blvd, continue with a rare opportunity to run on historic Woodward Avenue, wind through several Royal Oak neighborhood streets and finish at Shrine High School.

Anyone interested in participating in the Cruise In Shoes™ can register online by going to   http://www.cruiseinshoes.com/registration until August 12. Participants can also sign up for the event the day of the run at Royal Oak Shrine High School.

NEW STORE IN ROYAL OAK

There is a new boutique store in Royal Oak, MI  on 6th street between Main and Washington streets.  It has some fantastic clothes for girls of all ages at very reasonable prices.  If you would like to know more about the store, please clink on the link below to see an article in the Royal Oak Review about the store.

http://www.candgnews.com/news/new-boutique-focuses-power-positivity-84690

Here are two of my friends, Tania and Lindsey, who are visiting the store.

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SELF-HELP BOOKS:

I just reviewed a book that I read back in 2004 and oh my gosh was it painful to hear all the advice I should have heeded, but didn’t.  If you still have hopes of building a career, I recommend you take a look at this book.  It has so much good advice and is very readable.  Although my corporate career is over; I’m embarking on a new career as an author, speaker and blogger; and this time I’m going to pay closer attention to the advice in this book.

 Career Warfare

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Since I am a long time fan of Sherlock Holmes, I had to see the recent movie, “Mr. Holmes”.  I found the story ok, but not up to the Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett productions, but still the acting was amazing.

Mr Holmes

And this story didn’t do much for me; but Meryl Streep was absolutely amazing.

Riki

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK 

Ways to win an argument with a woman

LAST WEEK POLL

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Only 12 people voted in last week’s poll.  Four of you thought about writing a book and another four of your started writing a book, but never finished.  So 2/3s of us wanted to write a book but didn’t.

Of the remaining four, 1 never wanted to write a book, two wrote and published a book; but the book did not sell over 100 copies.  And congratulations to the one of us who wrote, published and sold more than 100 copies of their book.  Well done. My understanding is that 93% of all books published, sell less than 100 copies so this is an extraordinary accomplishment.

THIS WEEK’S POLL 

 

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

If you work for an organization where it is difficult for you to take a day off from work because you don’t feel well; perhaps, this joke will cheer you up.

Chinese Sick Leave

And if you think you have a bad job; well look below and perhaps you will reconsider.

Worse Job

MY BOOK

My Final Cover

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

 

08/03/15 – Cecil, 20 Minutes to Health, Thinking About Writing a Book, Validation, Advice for Husbands & Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road

MY BOOK & BLOG

A big thank you to Detroit’s Premier Auditor, John Quaine, for his very kind review of my book and me on Amazon.  Thank you very much John.

My Final Cover

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

I’m also pleased to announce that for last week’s posting, I had 88 views.  To all of you, thank you very much for checking out my blog and as always; please send me your jokes, thoughts, movie & book suggestions.

CURRENT EVENTS

By now you have all heard of the cowardly act of the Minnesota dentist, Walter James Palmer of Eden Prairie, MN; who murdered Cecil by luring Cecil out of the Hwange National Park to an unprotected area by strapping a dead animal to their vehicle.  Once off national park land, a light was shined on Cecil and he was shot with an arrow.  Wounded Cecil was tracked for 40 hours and then shot, beheaded and skinned.

Here is what Arnold Schwarzenegger had to say: Stop killing big cats. Killing a lion isn’t ballsy. Going into the octagon or joining the military – that’s ballsy. Try that before you kill a lion. Protecting big cats is also ballsy.

Arnold

 

We are looking for a dentist

The Highlander Games were held this weekend in Livonia and it is a great place to watch some tests of strength as well as Celtic music, dancing & beer.  Below is a clip of an event called, The Farmers Walk, where you hold 200 lbs. in each hand and see how far you can walk.

And today through August 9, if you want to see terrific modern versions of two of Shakespeare’s plays, check out:

http://shakespeareroyaloak.com/

AWTEW-poster-FINAL-652x1024  AYLI-poster-FINAL-652x1024

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

This week I finished reading The First 20 Minutes” by Gretchen Reynolds.  I had to skim a little here and there; but overall the book delivered the latest findings regarding exercise.  

Life expectancy in the U.S. and in Europe is expected to drop because too many of us smoke, eat too much and exercise too little.  For instance, the book recommends you should walk or work out lightly for 150 minutes a week, and that most of the benefits come in the first 20 minutes of exercise.  Are you willing to invest 20 or so minutes a day into staying healthy?

 First 20 Minutes

Over the years, I have heard many people talk about wanting to write; well in this time of limited attention spans, I think this book can help you.  I must admit I did a lot of skimming this week to finish this book, but I think you can find some helpful tips in the book for writing in today’s world.

How to Write Short

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I really hoped you took at least a quick glance at last week’s recommend film, called, “Validation“.  I think if you just watch the first 20 seconds, you will want to watch the entire 16 minutes.  Just click on  on the link below to view last week’s film.

http://crackyouregg.com/heartfelt-video/

My friend Mary Ellen sent me a link to this video.  It is great advice for husbands as well as an extremely funny four minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyduncFpzl4

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK 

Angry woman

LAST WEEK POLL

Of the 25 votes (you could vote more than once), the poll is the most popular feature of this blog.  I’ve had a number of you that tell me you like to see how your choices compare to those of others.

Five of you indicated that you have passed on jokes that you first saw on this blog.  Thank you, I try to find funny stuff that also sometimes has a moral.

Three of you indicated you have commented on a posting.  I’ve had so many people mention they don’t know how to comment.  If you want to leave a comment, all you have to do is click on the last line of the weekly post, where it says, “Leave a comment”.  There isn’t anything more to it; if you are still having trouble; drop me an email at:  mailto:harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

Two of you mentioned that you bought or read a book recommended on this blog.  I hope the books were everything you expected.  Most of the books I suggest are very easy reads and if not, I say so.

Only one of you indicated you watched a movie because it was recommended on this blog (I assume that doesn’t include the short videos).  I hope that is because you have already watched these terrific movies, if not; you may want to rethink that via Netflix or Amazon streaming.

Also, only one of you have indicated that you have passed my blog on to someone else.  If you enjoy this blog, I wish you would tell others.  And if you don’t like it that much, please tell me what I can do to make it better.

THIS WEEK’S POLL 

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Folks, in answer to the age old question of why did the chicken cross the road, I offer the following: 

Chicken Crossing the Road