Fifty and Furthermore's Blog

FiftyandFurthermore joins others in supporting the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

FiftyandFurthermore joins others in supporting the legacy of  Dr. Martin Luther King. Although  this is a national holiday for many Americans, it is also an ideal time for S-Ages who have a little extra time and/or resources to consider volunteer service. With our years of experience, we can be especially creative and give back to better our world. Examples of what we can do range from offering to mentor a child, consult to  a business, donate an object or clothing, knit, cook for, others, reach out to someone younger, write an article, share your knowledge, read to someone who is home bound, or offer other ideas to those who read this read this site.

In 1994, congress passed the King Holiday & Service Act specifically designating the holiday as a national day of volunteer service. Those of us who can give of our time and energy to help others, support the legacy of Martin Luther  King. I urge all to celebrate today by giving. In the words of Coretta Scott King, "The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others." Let those of us who have lived half a century or more, also take these words to heart.

Snobbery and The Academy Awards

What are some psychological reasons that draw billions to watch the academy awards?  People love glamour and royalty and this is America’s prime opportunity to live with (faux) royalty. We love fashion and what better place to view fashion? Even more, Americans like to gossip. And this event fuels fodder for gossip for weeks. Who has had the latest face lift? And what do you think of what so and so was wearing? And did Whittaker really do a better acting job than O’Toole? It’s one big extravaganza where viewers become smug critics sitting in the secret safely of their homes. Some enjoy the show. Others are envious, and without having to do anything, such as put themselves on the line, nor even acknowledge their hunger for fame, they can silently criticize to their heart’s content. The Academy Awards are simply America’s finest secret snub outlet.