All of It: One Man, One Place, All Said

Follow Me on Facebook (It isn't like George Takei's page.0

Join now: http://facebook.com/AnthonyTrendl

No, it is not just a funny picture site. That's George Takei's Facebook page. I'll admit there are one or two cute kitty pictures, but they are reading books. These are smarty cats.

I ask important things. Extremely important things.

Today, for example, we are delving into favorite punctuation marks. Which one is yours?

But it doesn't stop there. We discuss the science of humor. Watch interviews with Jerry Lewis and other great comedians explain why they are funny. They know why we laugh at what they do. Similarly, you'll watch John Cleese lecture on the creative process.

We talk about classic children's literature, what makes good horror, the integration of the arts. There's a lot going on. Stop in and stay for awhile.

My page description says, "Books, ideas, literature, art, tall tales, short tales and cattails. See the ordinary in an extraordinary way. Fans of Twain, Kipling, Thurber will find this a friendly place. From the quirky to the funny to the unbelievable. Family-friendly."

2013-05-09T08:28:20.797-05:00

Sylvia Browne's Excellent Record as a Psychic (A Defense of Her Good Work)

It is easy to criticize Sylvia Browne's horrendous failures as she pretended to be psychic, or how stupid Montel Williams was for having her on his show. I decided to list all the times she was genuinely a psychic below, in this dedicated blog post just to her.

That's right. Never. People trusted her. People gave her money. People gave her fame and fortune and everything that goes with it.

Never.

It is easy to criticize Sylvia Browne. What she has done is that bad. So many viewers bought into her charade. Viewers who matter.

She makes Benny Hinn seem less greedy and the Mob look more honest. Too much?

Ask Amanda Berry's family.

2013-03-12T12:15:19.418-05:00

David Bowie's "The Next Day" and Artistic Integrity

Buy David Bowie's The Next Day now on iTunes.

I love Bowie's new album. So does The Atlantic (read their review The Predictably Unpredictable Resurrection of David Bowie) and pretty much everyone who knows his music.

I've been a huge Bowie fan since the mid-70s, since I was a wee lad, and used to try to write poems like his songs. Besides my fanboy perspective (though I don't think everything he's done is brilliant), I think his life is a good lesson in consummate creativity. He made some blunders in the process -- drug addiction, horrible relationships, and so forth. But he is always self-challenged artistically. Although he always sounds like "David Bowie," he never falls into schtick. He could do schtick well, as keenly as he changes personas. But he doesn't. He does more than reinvents his persona. He finds his new sound. He finds his next day.

In the beginning, this was a different thing. On one hand, he had nothing to lose by risking. He wasn't yet Bowie the Legend. He was a cocksure upstart. Now, he has everything to lose, but at the same time, nothing once again: no matter how awful an album is, he will still be Bowie the Legend.

He has always had an interesting mix of a strong work ethic despite his famously bohemian lifestyle of his youth, financial and artistic success, a smart sense of when to switch gears, and the guts to go full bore. Throw is a few stirs of right-place-right-time and we have a commercially successful, artistically intriguing musician.

But he could, at age 66, rest on his laurels. Like Bob Dylan (age 71, still touring heavily, recently kicked out one of his best albums ever), he isn't resting at all. Bowie's previous album, Reality, in 2003, in my opinion, was mediocre. I thought, like lots of folks, though he's had a good run and earned his retirement. "Take it Dave, before they laugh at you." Then he has a heart attack. He's rich, married to a super model, will have royalties from earlier work coming until Jesus comes back. He has nothing to prove and, from a humanist perspective (he rejects the truth and call of Jesus Christ), has and will have a pretty good life on Earth. Why do more?

Why do more? Why do more -- that is the artist's dilemma, isn't it? There is no poetically waxed, "Because I have to" nonsense He wanted to. He didn't have to. "Have to," I think, is a mythical, romanticized view of the artistic process. But he clearly wanted to. So he did. Which, because he didn't have to, means he was completely free to do what he pleased.

And it is a great album.

Buy David Bowie's The Next Day now on iTunes.

Follow me on Facebook.

2013-03-04T13:38:10.252-06:00

when any mortal(even the most odd)

when any mortal(even the most odd)

when any mortal(even the most odd)

can justify the ways of man to God
i'll think it strange that normal mortals can

not justify the ways of God to man

-Edward Estlin Cummings

2013-03-01T10:01:36.194-06:00

Andrew Mason's Daily Deal: 'I Got Fired Today'

Andrew Mason, CEO of Groupon, was fired. So, he wrote a letter to the company. He took being fired in stride, laughed a little, and led a lot. He told his former employees to press on despite the transition, and to let his replacement do his/her job well. I'd be honored to write speeches for a man like this. A class act.

Read Andrew Mason's Daily Deal: 'I Got Fired Today' That will take you to a LinkedIn article. While you are there, connect with me on LinkedIn.

2013-03-01T09:34:39.574-06:00

Blocked on Facebook

201 apps blocked on Facebook, plus a few crazy people. How about you?

Ich will deinen Geburtstag adden
World Domination: Total War
Baby Animals
? You're American Accent
(Lil) Blue Cove
What 80s song best describes your personality?
Slots Madness
What would you look like if you were a Vampire?
Willy's Sweet Shop
I want to add your birthday
Gangster Battle!
Pirates: Rule the Caribbean!
YoVille
Addicted to House
Throw Beads
Causes
Water Balloons
The Pink Ribbon
Illinois Basketball Fans
Chicago gifts
Duck, Duck, Goose
Kidnap!
(Lil) Green Patch
H2Opia
MyCalendar
Likeness
Which Grease Character Are You?
? True Age Test
80's High School Flashbacks
Snowball Fight!
Birthday Calendar
Pet Pupz
I want to add you as a friend
Birthday Cards
How well do you know The Brady Bunch?
2010 Bracket Challenge
Vampire Wars
Get Beer
? Who Were You In A Past Life?
CHiCAGO-GO
Tattoodle
What were you born to do?
Friend FAQ
Indicted Illinois Governor
What Color Is Your Heart?
Which vile fictional or historical person do you resemble?
Which 80's band are you?
For the Birds
SpeedDate (Formerly New Layout Vote)
Pass a Drink
Which President are you?
SuperPoke!
Which Peanuts/Snoopy Character Are You?
LivingSocial
Peeps!
Lollipop
Which Woodwind Instrument are you?
Chicago Cubs Fans
Happy Hour With Friends
Farm Town
What kind of dog are you?
purple gifts!
President Obama Approval Poll
Comfort
Mafia Wars
Optical Illusions Challenge
Which Sesame St. Character are you?
How Irish are you?
Super Food Fight!
How Blonde Are You?
The New York Times News Quiz
What 70's t.v. show character are you?
What opera singer would you be?
Team USA Fans
Pillow Fight
Totally 80's Flashbacks
Bar's Open!
What Work of Literature Are You?
Collect Smiles
Friend Hug
Which Greek God are you?
How well do you remember the 80's?
Which Zodiac Sign Are You Most Compatible With?
what do people first notice about you?
What Major should you study?
Mob Wars
What era of Art History do you belong to?
School of Magic
Are You a Foodie?
Which element are you?
Starbucks drinks
How BITCHY are you?
Polls
Water Gun Fight
Pass a Round
What Hymn are you?
Send Your Friends Bottles of Red Wine!
Send Your Friends some dogs in need!
Hogwarts Sorting Hat
Send Your Friends Blue Friendship Hearts!
Send Your Friends Cherry Coke Zeros!
Send Your Friends rose!
Send Your Friends Cars!
Send Your Friends baby baby!
Send Your Friends Songs!
Send Your Friends Hugs!
Send Your Friends Dogs!
Send Your Friends Candy Apples!
Chug It!
What dead rock star are you?
What is God's gift in you?
Smiles
Food Fling!
What's Your Strongest Persona?
Hugged
What kind of storm are you?
Send Your Friends FRIENDSHIP REMINDER!
Chicago Originals
My Polls
What kind of librarian are you?
What is your ministry calling?
Which Classic Rock Song Are You?
FarmVille
What's Your Myers Briggs Personality Type?
What "Periodic Element" are you?
Age of Castles
Send Your Friends hugs!
true friendship
Send Your Friends Prayer requests!
iHearts
Where in Europe should you be from?
Send Your Friends loves!
Monty Python Presents
Fairyland
Halloween Treats
Send Flowers
Las Vegas Slots
Mon arbre de No�l 2012
FARKLE
Send Good Karma
Best Friend
Top Gun
Where is your ideal country to live in?
FishVille
UNO?
My Army of Snowmen
Christmas Ornaments
Celebrate
Give Hearts
MyCalendar
Roller Coaster Kingdom
Send a Smile
? Pixable
Christmas Greetings
What is your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?
@Smiles
Test My IQ
@Hearts
Which Wizard of Oz Character are You?
Treasure Isle
Static FBML
Flixster
Old Friends
How Well Do You Know Me?
How well do you know me?
FrontierVille
? ???? ???????? ???? ??
Caf� World
Friend Facts
21 questions
Kingdoms of Camelot
See Who Views Your Profile
-ro
CityVille
Texas HoldEm Poker
THE FRIEND FIGHTING QUIZ
Are you my best friend ???
love
Zombie Lane
City of Wonder
Slotomania Slot Machines
Monster World
Horse Saga
Bubble Saga
Gardens of Time
DoubleDown Casino Slots & Poker
Zombie Mosh
Empires & Allies
FarmGiftsVille
Yearbook
Diamond Dash
ZAGG
CastleVille
Happiness Meter
A cup of Love
Hidden Chronicles
My smile for u! Smile back plz?
Profile-Viewer
The Ville
I want to add your birthday
Dragon City

2012-12-28T18:49:03.115-06:00

Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin Kennedy Center Tribute. Amazing!

Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin Kennedy Center Tribute. Amazing! Heart -- Ann and Nancy Wilson. Jason Bonham drums. Best cover ever.

The choir even is wearing bowlers like Zep's late drummer John Bonham. Robert Plant gets teary eyed. President and Mrs. Obama tried to remain composed.

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All of It: One Man, One Place, All Said