08/29/16 – Greed and Politics

August 29, 2016August 29, 2016 Wm. Allen2 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

EpiPen

Mylan CEO’s Pay Rose Over 600 Percent as EpiPen Price Rose 400 Percent per NBC News.

In 2007 the company bought the rights to EpiPen, a device used to provide emergency epinephrine to stop a potentially fatal allergic reaction and began raising its price.

After Mylan acquired EpiPen, the company also amped up its lobbying efforts. In 2008, its reported spending on lobbying went from $270,000 to $1.2 million, according to opensecrets.org.

Legislation that enhanced its bottom line followed, with the FDA changing its recommendations in 2010 that two EpiPens be sold in a package instead of one and that they be prescribed for at-risk patients, not just those with confirmed allergies. And in 2013 the government passed a law to give block grants to states that required they be stocked in public schools. (Source: NBC News)

Vote for Change

I hope the increase in Lobbying efforts and the increase in product cost and executive compensation wasn’t lost on any of you. It seems more and more of our elected career politicians are influenced by big donors.

Vote for Pedro

(Vota por Pedro)

During this USA Presidential Election season, I have suggested a number of non-career political candidates for your consideration. Here is another non-career political candidate that I suggest to you. After all, who wouldn’t want all their wildest dreams to come true.

And can you ever receive a better endorsement than this:

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Many of us are concerned with aging. Well, here is something I came across that can help you determine how old you will be five years from now. I’ve tested this and it really works.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

It isn’t that difficult to understand.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

I’m shocked at some of the crude things that appear on Facebook news feeds. What I see says more about the person saying it than the person being described.

You may want to think about what you post, share and like on Facebook.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Learn to think for yourself.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Young People’s Story of the

Medieval World

By V.M. Hillyer & E.G. Huey

I read this book last week, written in 1966, and learned a few things I didn’t know about the Medieval World. It is amazing what you can learn from a well written children’s book. It doesn’t have to be this particular book.

You may want to look through your child’s library and see what jewels are there.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Napoleon Dynamite

Surely, you have seen this movie and may want to watch it again. If you haven’t seen it, you absolutely must.

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

The question was have you ever been to Montreal, Canada:

75% – Have been to Montreal

12.5% – No, but plan to go

12.5% – No, and have no plans to go

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Term Limitations

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

For those of you around when this song came out, what do you think this time, are the times they are a-changing?

The Times They Are A-Changin

By Bob Dylan

ART OF THE WEEK

Statute of Liberty in New York Harbor

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – ) was the first democratically elected President in 1990.

Mikhail Gorbachev played a key role in dismantling the Communist grip on power in both the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. His aspirations for democracy and reform opened up the way for the end of the Cold War and the bringing down of the Berlin Wall.

Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1990 and was removed from Presidential office in 1991, during a failed coup attempt.

Gorbachev was born in March 1931 in Stavropol, the North Caucuses to a poor peasant family. At the age of 11, the district was occupied by the Germans for three years.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to 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 Mahevash, who started following my blog (Currently 82 followers) and Lynn who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 90 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 Anne, Annette, Brenda, Carol, Joanne, Linda, Lucinda Marti, Nandini & Nicole, 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

08/15/16 – Breaking News

August 15, 2016 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Breaking News

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Here is Barbra Streisand at 74; per Sunday, August 7th New York Times.

This is what 74 can look like. You can tell yourself, yeah, sure; she is a movie star. Or you can tell yourself this is something I can work towards and come as close as I can to this goal.

Most of you fellows will not want to work towards that goal, so here is a goal for the guys.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Over and over, I have mention that everything changes, so keep this in mind.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

This is some of the best advice I know for getting along with people. I’m still working on this one.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

There are a lot of problems associated with burying your head in the sand, here is one more problem with doing that.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Winning by Losing

By Jillian Michaels

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Your Level of Fitness

Considering your age, people thought their level of fitness was:

54% – Better than average

23% – Average

23% – Worse than average

THIS WEEK’S POLL – Your Attention to the News

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Dirty Laundry

by Don Henley

ART OF THE WEEK

Chicago Tribune Building

What a magnificent structure on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. Chicago is a fantastic city.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

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.

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. (Source: Wikipedia)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Amy, Carolyn, Jo & 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 Kristina, Lynn, Spirit Pathways, The Poignant Pen, Thus Saith The Lord & Trinawho started following my blog (Currently 77 followers) and AJ, Gail, Kristina & Peggy who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 88 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, Antoinette, Carol, Donna, Joanne, Kim, Norma, Sheila, Sheilha & Tracey 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

08/08/16 – Hank for President

August 8, 2016 Wm. Allen10 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Hank for President

It seems like all the media attention at Philadelphia with to Hillary and Bernie and my friend Hank was completely overlooked by the media, as well as the delegates to the convention. So it looks like Hank will have to run as a write-in candidate.

Since both the Democratic and Republican nominees has high disapproval rates, I can say that as long as I have known Hank; no one disapproves of him. And as for being a “deal maker”, I don’t personally know anyone who is better at making a deal.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Last post I mentioned I was going to be lifting in the 82.5 Kg. (181.7 lbs.) category, if I could get my weight down. This was a challenge, since I had always lifted in the 90 Kg. (198.2 lbs.) category. Well, somehow I did it.

This was my last contest in the 65 to 69 age group, as I will be turning 70 soon.

You may be interested to know there was a 76 year-old bench presser in the contest and a 73 year-old deadlifter.

I hope you folks are giving some thought to what kind of physical shape you will be in when you are in your 70s. I don’t think it is ever to late to start getting healthy.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Over and over I have mentioned the importance of goal setting.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

There are way too many women out there raising children without a husband. Some of this is of course due to unfortunate circumstances, but a lot of this is due to women making bad decisions, like:

How often have you heard the phrase nice guys finish last, and this phrase is never more true than in the area of romance.

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Dracula

By Bram Stoker

Illustrated by Matt Pagett

I just cannot get enough of graphic novels. I think they are terrific. Why not give one of them that I have mentioned over the last three weeks a try. The are a great way to introduce young people to some classic literature.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Star Trek: The Next Generation

I just finished re-watching all seven seasons of Star Trek: TNG and it remains my favorite Star Trek series. If you never seen it, consider checking it out.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Have You Ever

Regarding this blog:

40% – have voted in one of the polls

20% – have made a comment to a post

17% – passed on a joke they saw on this blog

12% – passed this blog on to someone else

7% – bought or read a book because it was recommended in this blog

4% – watched a movie because it was recommended in this blog

Here are the results to this same poll a year ago:

53% – have voted in one of the polls

19% – have made a comment to a post

15% – passed on a joke they saw on this blog

6% – bought or read a book because it was recommended in this blog

3% – watched a movie because it was recommended in this blog

3% – passed this blog on to someone else

THIS WEEK POLL – Your Level of Fitness

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I could see where one may think this song disrespectful to women, but in some ways it is very respectful since it encourages guys to look deeper than simply outward appearances.

If You Wanna Be Happy For the Rest of Your Life

by Jimmy Soul

“

ART OF THE WEEK

Living Art – A Bonsai Pear Tree

at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Note the pears from this tiny living pear tree.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

You ever have someone make such a difference in your life, such a person is extraordinary.

When I was little, this guy was the “Fonz” of our neighborhood, except like the “Fonz”, he was for real.

As time went on, we became the best of friends and I owe much of whatever I am today to his efforts. And of course one of the things he got me into was lifting weights at the gym and going to powerlifting contests.

Tony (aka Freddy) Mangino

I’ve never gone to a powerlifting contest, without giving a moment to my buddy.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Ron, Samantha, Tania & Kathy 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 Cvdoss who started following my blog (Currently 74 followers) and Amber, Andrena, Anni, Bethany, Betty, Elizabeth, Kristine, Linda, Lynn, Maegan, Marly, Michelle, Nathalie, Nicole, Paul, Tammy & Tracy who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 84 likes).

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Joanne, John, Russ & Susan for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

There are around 150 copies of my book floating around. If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon, so far only six of you have. Thank you.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, 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

08/01/16 – Yahoo

August 1, 2016August 1, 2016 Wm. Allen8 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

25th Anniversary

Yahoo, today is the 25th Anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful wife, Carol. I am very fortunate to have someone who can put up with me for 25 years.

Speaking of Yahoo

Verizon (VZ) buying Yahoo, the Internet company for a fraction of what it once was worth. Yet, CEO Marissa Mayer did very well for herself during her run.

(Photo credit: Eric Risberg, AP)

The chief of the fallen Internet giant was paid $139.6 million over her four years of service at the Internet company. That doesn’t even include the estimated golden parachute payment of $54.9 million she would get if she steps down, something she says she doesn’t plan to do. Mayer’s total haul at the company was even higher – $162 million – when factoring in how much the stock options she was given are worth now, according to compensation firm Equilar. Equilar says her total windfall, including a current value of her severance if she leaves, is $218.9 million.

Seeing the size of Mayer’s payout could be painful for investors who saw the company’s revenue stagnate during her tenure. Yahoo went from making a profit of nearly $4 billion a year to losing $4.5 billion and paying billions for small companies that haven’t paid off or were largely written off.

Pain

“Pain to investors”, more like pain to everyone who lives in the real world and continuously see these pay for bad performance buyouts. Greed is destroying the USA.

This Saturday, August 6, I will be in another power-lifting contest. I have always competed in the 90 Kg. (198.2 lbs.) category, but I am hoping I have dropped enough of my weight to participate in the 82.5 Kg. (181.7 lbs.) I have found it harder to drop a few pounds of my weight than it is to pick a bar loaded with weights.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Depending on who you ask, coffee is either good for you or bad. If you think it is bad for you, then avoid it. As for me, I feel it is beneficial to me, plus this:

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

I find the following painful, but true.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Frankenstein

By Mary Shelley

Illustrated by Pete Katz

I just finished another one of these graphic novels and they are terrific. You get the story in an easily digestible format. I’ve listened to this book on tape, but I have never read the actual story, but thanks to this graphic novel–I may.

And I believe this is a good way to introduce literature to a child.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Wall Street

Gordon Gekko believes greed is good. Even if you think like Gordon, you have to admit that too much of a good thing can be bad.

Wall Street is a 1987 American drama film, directed and co-written by Oliver Stone, which stars Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah and Martin Sheen. The film tells the story of Bud Fox (Sheen), a young stockbroker who becomes involved with Gordon Gekko (Douglas), a wealthy, unscrupulous corporate raider.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – USA Presidential Voting

When it comes to the USA Presidential Election:

40% – would vote for Clinton

35% – would vote for Trump

5% – would vote for a third-party candidate

5% – will not vote

5% – aren’t eligible to vote, but would vote for Trump

5% – aren’t eligible to vote, but would vote for Clinton

5% – aren’t eligible to vote, but would vote for a third-party candidate

THIS WEEK POLL – Have You Ever

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“99 Luftballons”

by Nina

ART OF THE WEEK

Paris Street, Rainy Day

by Gustave Caillebotte

Here I am at the Art Institute of Chicago, with one of my favorite painting – Rainy Day in Paris. I’ve been in Paris on a rainy day and this picture really brings back the feelings I had at that moment.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

It has been said that George Washington could have become King, if he had wished to do so; but instead, he just wanted to go home. He was convinced to stay for a second term, before heading home.

This is even more amazing given that Napoleon came on the scene in France later and made himself Emperor of the French.

Washington is a tough act for anyone to follow.

George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the “father of his country”

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Kathy 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 Jen y Vrushali who started following my blog (Currently 75 followers) and Miriam. who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page (Currently 67 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, Carol, Nancy, Ketta, Susan, Carol, Amber & Miriam for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

There are around 150 copies of my book floating around. If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon, so far only six of you have. Thank you.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, 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

07/25/16 – Taking Some Positions

July 25, 2016July 25, 2016 Wm. Allen2 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Presidential Endorsement

I’ve been told readership of this blog might increase, if I would start taking positions on topics that are of interest to people. People are interested in endorsements for who should be President of the United States.

So, I am endorsing Trump.

Probably not the Trump you had in mind nor for the particular Presidential Election that you had in mind.

Divided Nation

If you listen to and watch the media, you might think the USA is a divided nation. Instead, just look around you and you will see acts like the ones below, going on every day, showing that we do care for one another. If you don’t see this occurring, perhaps you should consider breaking out of your isolation.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Looking for a good doctor, well here are seven of them.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

In Chapter 42 of my book, I talk about the importance of setting goals, making plans to meet those goals, and monitoring your progress to ensure success.

Our time here is not unlimited, so please don’t act as if it is unlimited. Think about what you want to do and be remembered for; and I hope it is something more than what follows below.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Illustrated by Robert Smith

The book above is a graphic novel. It reminds me of the Classics Illustrated comics I read as a child, only a bit longer and a little better reflection of the real book.

If you don’t have time to read the original or if you want to introduce literature to a child, I think this book would be excellent. I really enjoyed it and it was a very quick and easy to read book–my favorite kind of book

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Bulworth

Given the unusual nature of Presidential Politics this year, I thought of this 1998 film.

Jay Bulworth (Warren Beatty), a financially ruined senator, is now disillusioned with politics.

The forlorn statesman orders a contract killing — the target himself — so his family will be able to collect a fortune from his insurance policy.

Facing imminent death, a devil-may-care Bulworth speaks his mind in public, forsaking platitudes for honest but controversial observations.

But when he falls in love with a hip young woman (Halle Berry), Bulworth urgently rethinks his impending murder.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Questioning

When it comes to seeing and hearing:

33% – Believe media does not report on some items because it would contradict the message they want to send

28% – Question in our minds what we are told by people in authority

21% – Believe the media report things they know aren’t true.

14% – Sometimes question reality

3% – Generally believe what they see and are told.

I did this same poll about a year ago with only half as many voters and here were the results:

38% – Believe media does not report on some items because it would contradict the message they want to send

31% – Question in our minds what we are told by people in authority

14% – Believe the media report things they know aren’t true.

12% – Sometimes question reality

5% – Generally believe what they see and are told.

THIS WEEK POLL – USA Presidential Voting

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“Here Comes the Sun”

by The Beatles

ART OF THE WEEK

Embracing Peace

A 25-foot-tall sculpture based on a famed photograph of a kiss in Times Square in New York City at the end of World War II is visiting Royal Oak as part of efforts to raise money for a war memorial.

The sculpture by Seward Johnson was installed Memorial Park at the northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak, near the future site of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial. It is one of several “Embracing Peace” sculptures on display in the U.S. and Europe.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

If you think the USA is not united today, perhaps you think about what the USA was like while this man was president.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865.

Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War—its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.

In doing so, he preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

This has to be a joke, who would believe someone was actually looking a the world around them, rather than their phone.

BLOG

Thanks to Hemangini 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 Kev & Dr. Joseph, who started following my blog (Currently 75 followers and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

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, Nandini, Joanne, Lisa, Nancy, Sarah Jane, Melissa, Kelle, Anibal, Antoinette, Rick, Jennifer & Brenda for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

There are around 150 copies of my book floating around. If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon, so far only six of you have. Thank you.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, 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

07/18/16 – When Will It Stop

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 Wm. Allen3 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

People left flowers, candles and other tributes in Nice, France, on Saturday in memory of those killed in Thursday’s terror attack in the coastal city.

I thought last week called for an inspirational quote, which would serve all of us well, not just for today, but for every day.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Portion control is important in maintaining an appropriate weight, please don’t let what happened to David, happen to you.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

In Chapter 41 of my book, I talk about the importance of analyzing your day in a journal and looking back a year later at what you wrote. Very few do this, but if you wish to be extraordinary, you will adopt the practice.

“Those who cannot remember the past

are condemned to repeat it.”

George Santayana

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Code of the Samurai

Translated by Thomas Cleary

This easy to read book provides some excellent rules to live by, which are still relevant today. I’ve read and reviewed it many times of the years and it never fails to inspire me.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Outlander

I’ve watched two seasons of this Starz TV series and most of it has been good to very good, now that they have left their sadism behind. For a while, I could not stand to watch some of it and had to fast forwarded through the sadistic crap, but the show got back on track was excellent.

Outlander is a British-American television drama series based on the historical time travel Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon.

The show premiered on August 9, 2014. It stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a married World War II nurse in 1945 who finds herself transported back to Scotland in 1743, where she encounters the dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite risings.

The second season, consisting of 13 episodes and based on Dragonfly in Amber, premiered on April 9, 2016.

On June 1, 2016, Starz renewed the series for a third and fourth season, which will adapt the third and fourth Outlander novels, Voyager and Drums of Autumn.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Racist Comments

If someone makes a racist comment in front of you:

69% – Said they would tell the person that the comment was inappropriate

31% – Said they would say nothing

THIS WEEK POLL – Questioning

Please check all that apply

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“Peace Train”

by Cat Stevens

ART OF THE WEEK

All this craziness is taking a toll on the World’s Guardian Angel

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Martin Luther King, Jr.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we could all transcend our egos.

BLOG

Thanks to Sue & 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 my 73 followers and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Susan, Joanne, Lisa & Liz for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

There are around 150 copies of my book floating around. If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, 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

07/11/16 – Sad, Just Sad

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016 Wm. Allen4 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

So many horrible things have happened this week in the USA, with police killing citizens and citizens killing police. It will take the efforts of all of us to stop this. It will never stop if we just sit it out and wait for someone else to step forward.

Good police need to see that bad police are removed from the police force. The time to straighten out white and black thugs are when they are young. White and black racists need to know their behavior is not acceptable and nor will be tolerated.

Traffic Reports

This week I drove up to Bay City, MI for a wedding, so naturally I paid attention to the traffic reports; especially this one.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Week 1 of my book talks about the importance of diet and eating healthy, and not overeating. I see so many people eating themselves into an early grave. If these words upset you, well there is a good chance that is what you are doing to yourself.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

Week 13 of my book talks about anger and the importance of remaining calm. Fighters know the surest way to beat their opponents is to make them angry.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

Week 29 of my book talks about the importance of smiling to make everyone feel better about coming into contact with you as well as making yourself feel better. Also, it is good to smile in the face of adversity, as the photo below shows.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Here is a handy trick that will fix many things.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

Fairest

By Gail Carson Levine

This book is some easy reading entertainment. Towards the end of the book, we learn about “Gnomish Justice”, which is different from human justice. Its focus is more on outcomes than on punishment.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Crash

This film has something to say, but it is raw and upsetting.

Writer-director Paul Haggis interweaves several connected stories about race, class, family and gender in Los Angeles in the aftermath of 9/11.

Characters include a district attorney (Brendan Fraser) and his casually prejudiced wife (Sandra Bullock), dating police detectives Graham (Don Cheadle) and Ria (Jennifer Esposito), a victimized Middle Eastern store owner and a wealthy African-American couple (Terrence Dashon Howard, Thandie Newton) humiliated by a racist traffic cop (Matt Dillon).

LAST WEEK’S POLL – USA

How do you believe the USA of today compares with the USA of 1961:

56% – Better

39% – Worse

5% – Same

Regarding the future of the USA:

81% – Optimistic

19% – Pessimistic

THIS WEEK POLL – Racist Comments

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“You Might Think”

by The Cars

ART OF THE WEEK

Gun Country

By Michael Murphy

I took a photo of this at the 2014 Art Prize, held in Grand Rapids, MI.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Guardian Angel

I feel like America’s Guardian Angel looks like this after last week.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Tania, Carol, Carolyn, Judith, 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 Rozeller, William & Wander Lust Explored for following my blog (Now 73 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

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

MY BOOK

There are around 150 copies of my book floating around. If you have read my book, please consider posting an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, 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

07/04/16 – Fourth of July

July 4, 2016 Wm. Allen14 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Make America Great

Brexit

Red Run Golf Course, Royal Oak Michigan

Support your local fireworks displays. Many smaller communities, such as Royal Oak, have excellent fireworks displays, as the video below shows.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Advertising with their super models and airbrushing skills are bombarding us with unrealistic images. We really need to start demanding they use real people and untouched images in advertising or start avoiding those products. If you think like the above, than you may appreciate the following.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

How many of us would be extraordinary, if we could just get started.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

I know it is practically impossible to not gossip but at least don’t spread malicious gossip.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Many people talk themselves out of opportunities that could make their lives extraordinary.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

George Washington’s Rules of Civility

& Decent Behavior

After reading this little book, when you listen to the discourse in this country; you will immediately realize how far we have fallen from Washington’s day in being civil to one another.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

American Graffiti

For some of you, this film will bring back memories and others of you may find the film irrelevant. It takes place in a time that no longer exists. Some will find that sad; but others will find the door to opportunity has never been opened wider.

American Graffiti is an American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed and co-written by George Lucas starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Wolfman Jack & Suzanne Somers.

Set in Modesto, California in 1962, the film is a study of the cruising and rock and roll cultures popular among the post–World War II baby boom generation. The film is told in a series of vignettes, telling the story of a group of teenagers and their adventures over a single evening.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Brexit

What you thought about the results of the Brexit vote results:

48% – Bad

28% – Indifferent

24% – Good

THIS WEEK POLL – USA

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“American Pie”

by Don McLean

I recall when this song came out, many of us were trying to figure out what the lyrics meant. Later, Don McLean answered our question. He said the song meant that he would never have to work again.

ART OF THE WEEK

Statute of Liberty

I always found the Statute of Liberty best viewed on a windy day.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette (6 September 1757 – 20 May 1834), in the U.S. often known simply as Lafayette, was a French military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. A close friend of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette was also key figure in the French Revolution of 1789.

He became convinced that the American cause in its revolutionary war was noble, and travelled to the New World seeking glory in it. There, he was made a major-general, though initially the 19-year-old was not given troops to command.

Wounded during the Battle of Brandywine, he still managed to organize an orderly retreat. He served with distinction in the Battle of Rhode Island. In the middle of the war, he returned home to lobby for an increase in French support. He again sailed to America in 1780, and was given senior positions in the Continental Army. In 1781, troops in Virginia under his command blocked forces led by Cornwallis until other American and French forces could position themselves for the decisive Siege of Yorktown.

Lafayette died on 20 May 1834, and is buried in Picpus Cemetery in Paris, under soil from Bunker Hill. (More information is available on Wikipedia about this extraordinary individual)

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

McDonald’s has asked me to inform you ladies to please stop throwing your fries on their floor.

BLOG

Thanks to Jo, Sue, Carolyn & 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 Splended Yoga, We Love to Workout & Katia for following my blog (Now 72 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Valda, Joanne, Beverly, Robbie, Pete, Rosemarie, Dada, Jill, Kimberly, Susan & Annette for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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

06/27/16 – What’s Cooking

June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 Wm. Allen8 Comments

CURRENT EVENTS

Worlds Best Cook

It was my honor last Friday to be able to present this year’s, World’s Best Cook award to Chef Valda. Chef Valda was selected as the World’s Best Cook by a panel of culinary experts, many of whom attended the ceremony and gave testimony as to the pleasure of Chef Valda’s skills.

Embracing Peace

“Embracing Peace,” a sculpture by Seward Johnson, was installed Monday in Memorial Park in Royal Oak, MI, USA.

A 25-foot-tall sculpture based on a famed photograph of a kiss in Times Square in New York City at the end of World War II is visiting Royal Oak as part of efforts to raise money for a war memorial.

It is one of several “Embracing Peace” sculptures on display in the U.S. and Europe. (Source: Crain’s Detroit)

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Honor Thy Temple

Remember, it is just a dream.

CHARACTER TRAITS

The Foundation for Being Extraordinary

If there is one character trait that could help you live an extraordinary life, this could be it.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Getting Along with Others

If you want to get along with others, keep this in mind.

LEARNING TRAITS

Growth Keeps You Extraordinary

Every so often I like to share scientific information. Perhaps, this is some scientific information that will really make your day.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Odds & Ends of Being Extraordinary

SELF-HELP BOOKS

How Proust Can Change Your Life

By Alain de Botton

This isn’t a new book, it was written in 1997, but I’ve read and reviewed it a number of times and have found it helpful and interesting.

Helpful by reminding us if we think and act like we are going to live forever, a lot of things important to us will be missed.

It has some interesting ideas such as characters we see in paintings (I will add to that movies and TV), we should imagine people we know in those roles.

There is also insight into human nature, such as when people part, it is the one not in love that makes the tender speeches.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Love and Friendship

This movie is not laugh out loud funny, but it has some very clever dialogue.

Love & Friendship is a 2016 romantic comedy. It is based on Jane Austen’s novel Lady Susan, first published in 1871. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel and Stephen Fry.

Although it was adapted from Austen’s novel Lady Susan, the film was produced under the borrowed title of her juvenile story, Love and Friendship. Love & Friendship received critical acclaim and has been a box office success in North America.

LAST WEEK’S POLL – Tolerance

When it comes to tolerance:

67% – thought they were more tolerant than others

28% – thought they were about as tolerant as others

5% – thought they were less tolerant than others

How tolerance do you believe most people are:

59% – thought most people were ok, but could improve their level of tolerance

23% – thought most people were not very tolerant

18% – thought people were very tolerant

THIS WEEK POLL – Brexit

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“We Didn’t Start the Fire”

by Billy Joel

ART OF THE WEEK

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Here I am by the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but I must admit that it looks a bit different from I had envisioned and as seen in history books.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is known worldwide for its unintended tilt.

The tower’s tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure’s weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized (and the tilt partly corrected) by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. (Source: Wikipedia)

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

Captain James T. Kirk

James Tiberius Kirk was born in Riverside, Iowa, Earth on March 22, 2233 and graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2254. He was captain of the United Federation of Planet’s Constitution-class starships Enterprise (NCC-1701) and Enterprise (NCC-1701A).

James Kirk never married, as his strongest passion was for his career and his command, ship and crew. He was renowned for many relationships with women, human and otherwise.

Kirk is best known for his independence and unorthodox problem solving. Kirk violated the Prime Directive a few times during his various commands, such as the renegade Enterprise crew’s voyage into 1986 in a mission to take a pair of humpback whales into the 23rd century.

He joined 24th century starship captain Jean-Luc Picard [Please don’t ask me how he did that] to prevent El-Aurian scientist Tolian Soran from destroying the Veridian star system. Unfortunately he died in the fight with Soran. Picard buried Kirk on Veridian III.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

BLOG

Thanks to Tania & 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 Raul for following my blog (Now 71 Followers) and the 66 people who liked my Harmony Books & Films Facebook page.

If you think this blog has any merit, please pass it on to your friends. Hopefully, more of you will continue to share this blog with others. My thanks to Carol, Joyce, Joanne, Cindy, Russ & Karen for sharing my post last week on Facebook.

MY BOOK

If you know someone who is trying to change their life or that needs to change their life, please consider my book.

For those of you into reading books on a Kindle, the Kindle version of my book is $4.95.

My book is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.

And if you have read my book, please leave an evaluation of it on Amazon. Thank you.

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