09/12/16 – Let’s See Who Reads This

September 12, 2016September 12, 2016 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Sorry, I just could not resist.

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo

I ran my first race in my new 70-year-old plus bracket at the Detroit Zoo Run Wild event, held Sunday (9/11). In the 5K race, there was 13 of us in the 70 and over category. I came in 4th out of the males and females in that category and I was the 1200 finisher out of the 2,157 people finishing the race.

9 / 11

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Moderation in all things, especially at the table.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Often we are our own worse enemy.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

The extraordinary person never forgets to show gratitude of even the smallest acts of kindness.

As for those generic thanks, such as, “You may have donated a million dollars, got your friends to give hundreds or dollars or merely wish me luck. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate the gesture.” are a lazy person’s way of expressing gratitude, at least for the first two categories of donators.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Ladies, it is important for you to develop a few maintenance skills, so you will not always be dependent upon a guy. And guys, very few things impress a woman more than a few handyman skills.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The 15-Minute Philosopher

By Anne Rooney

I don’t agree with everything I found in this book, but that is to be expected in a thought-provoking book. I liked the style of presenting much of the material as questions that thought-provoking people need to be asking themselves.

I would definitely recommend you read this easy to read book and allow it to challenge your beliefs.

Leon & Lulu’s

Sunday, October 23, 2016

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

If you live around the Detroit area and like books, this is a great opportunity to meet and talk to authors, including me.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Tyrant

This three-year television series will give you a feeling of how complex the Middle East issues are and why it is so difficult to resolve matters to everyone’s satisfaction.

I had the opportunity to live in the middle east for over a year, most of that time in an apartment. And even with that experience, I still feel I gained some sensitivities to the situation thanks to this excellent show.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Beer for My Horses

By Toby Keith with Willie Nelson

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Alley Opp vs. Helikopter

Voting was way down, so I am going to drop the music video challenge. Nevertheless, here are the results:

50% – Preferred Ally Opp

37.5% – Preferred neither

12.5% – Preferred both

THIS WEEK’S POLL – What is your party preference?

Since most everyone is talking or thinking politics, with the USA Presidential election so close, I thought it would be interesting to know the party affiliation of the readers of this blog. I realize some of you live overseas, so just select the party you like best. And as always, I don’t know who answers what.

ART OF THE WEEK

Versailles, France

This photo goes back many years; here I am outside of famous French Place at Versailles.

It has been said that Versailles was built by Louis XIV, enjoyed by Louis VX, and paid for by Louis XVI (along with his wife Marie Antoinette).

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, who actually became the motion picture version of the comic book superhero he portrayed – Superman.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Carolyn, Dave & Samantha, for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to Jordan, who started following my blog (Currently 84 followers) and Eli & Fiona, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 93 likes).

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Adaku, Amber, Anni, Carol, Cheryl, Cynthia, Ginny Jean, Joanne, Kimmy, Lynn, Marian, Maureen, Nicole, Shelia, Shirley & Susan, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

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

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

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

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

09/05/16 – Music Challenge Voting

September 5, 2016 Wm. Allen6 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Vote Odin

I’m tired of career politicians and so here is another non-career politician seeking your vote. As you can see, Odin delivers.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Drink responsibly or you may end up like these guys.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

I understand that the Marines say that if you aren’t 15 minutes early, you are late.

The Marines are an extraordinary group of people and we can’t all be Marines; but we can all be respectful of others’ time and show up on time.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Ask yourself, what are you reading and who are your friends.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

We don’t always want what is best for us.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Frog and Toad Treasury

By Arnold Lobel

I’ve mentioned this book before, but it has been a while so here it is again. The suggested reading audience is ages 4 through 8. However, I think people of any age will enjoy this book.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down

I just absolutely love this commercial.

I wonder why I love this commercial so much

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Alley Opp

By The Hollywood Argles

Helikopter

By Gebroeders Ko

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Term Limitations

Regarding term limitations:

75% – were in favor of term limitations

15% – were undecided about term limitations

10% – were against term limitations

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Alley Opp vs. Helikopter

If you have a music video that you would like to see go against this week’s winner, please leave a blog comment with your suggestion.

ART OF THE WEEK

Sagrada Famíla

I took this photo while in Barcelona. I found the Sagrada Famíla to be one of the most magical spots I have ever been in. Note that the tops of the columns become tree like.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

J.K. Rowling

WHAT’S TRUE: J.K. Rowling dropped off the Forbes billionaires list in 2012 due to a combination of factors, including the estimated $160 million she donated to charity and Britain’s high tax rates.

WHAT’S FALSE: J.K. Rowling wasn’t the first billionaire to fall off the Forbes list due to charitable donations.

(Source: Snopes.com)

In 2004, welfare-mom-turned-bestselling-novelist J.K. Rowling became the first author to make the Forbes billionaires list, thanks to the film and marketing empire based on her seven-book Harry Potter series, the first volume of which launched in the UK in 1997.

She remained on the list for seven years, all the while building a reputation for her philanthropic endeavors, including contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Children’s High Level Group (now known as Lumos), the building of a regenerative neurology clinic in Scotland, and various other charitable causes through her philanthropic trust, Volant.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Carol for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to Harbans, LordsValleyMusic & Chris, who started following my blog (Currently 84 followers) and Laura, who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 91 likes).

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Annette, Cynthia, Dawn, Julietta, Kim & Tiana, for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

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

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

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

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

08/22/16 – Woodward Dream Cruise

August 22, 2016 Wm. Allen3 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Woodward Dream Cruise

I, like many others, remember cruising Woodward Avenue during the early 1960s and it is great that tradition is carried on annually by the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The Woodward Dream Cruise is [ ] the world’s largest one-day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people classic cars each year from around the globe — as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the former Soviet Union. (Source: Royal Oak Patch)

Here is an old car at the Dream Cruise this year that caught my attention.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Here is some good advice on how to stay healthy.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

In chapter 10 of my book, I talk about the importance of staying optimistic.

(Source: “Peanuts” by Charles Schultz

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Here is something to think about when it comes to your goals, your health and those you care about.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

I constantly see postings of this nature on Facebook. Things don’t work this way, you have to make an effort to get what you want.

If you could acquire what you want merely by wanting it without making an effort, I suspect it would hold little value for you.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Undeniable

By Bill Nye

Hard to be extraordinary, if you are in denial.

And as they say, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt”.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

I’ve watched 7 episodes so far of this three season series and strongly recommend it. The 1920s was every bit as exciting as our late 1960s/early 1970s, if not more so.

Immerse yourself in the opulent world of Australia’s leading lady detective, Phryne Fisher. Scoffing at danger and decorum, Phryne is a glamorous, thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s whose cases take her to the underbelly of jazz-era Melbourne.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Breaking News

When it comes to paying attention to the news:

62% – Pays some attention, but not a lot

24% – Pays a lot of attention

14% – Pays almost no attention

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Have you ever been to Montreal, Canada

Last week I was in Montreal and for those of us in North America, it is a little like visiting Europe and a whole lot less trouble.

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

The Sound of Silence

by Simon and Garfunkel

I thought rather than post the usual music video of a song, instead I would just post the song’s lyrics.

Ok, I know some of you really like the music videos, so this one is for you folks.

Helikopter

By Gebroeders Ko

I only understand one word of the song, but I think it is still pretty cool and it is sung with such enthusiasm.

ART OF THE WEEK

Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica

I was in Montreal last week and was struck by the beauty of this cathedral.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution.

He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors.Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species.

By the 1870s, the scientific community and much of the general public had accepted evolution as a fact. However, many favoured competing explanations and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution.

In modified form, Darwin’s scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Kathy & Samantha for commenting on last week’s post. I urge you to let me know what you are thinking via a blog comment.

My thanks to All American Cooking, Amna, Dish Dessert, Genie, Needull, Thus Saith The Lord & Trina who started following my blog (Currently 82 followers) and Jen who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 89 likes).

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Cynthia, Dave, Dawn, Heidi, Elizabeth, Ginny, Jim, Joanne, Julietta, Karin, Kelly, Kim, Laura, Lidia, Lisa, Patty, Rocklyn, Russ, Susan & Timothy for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon.

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

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

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

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