Debate or Food Fight?

Alice in Wonderland

Like most political junkies, I watched both nights of debates.  I did have four favorites and of course, was interested in seeing how well they would perform against the other candidates.

On the first night, the candidates took a cautious approach, with no mention of Trump. The moderators tried to stir up a fight, but the bait wasn't taken.  The only fireworks (if one could call it that) were between Julián Castro and Beto O'Rourke over immigration policies. I must agree with the New York Times:  Julián Castro excelled, Elizabeth Warren went from big factor at first to non-factor at times, Cory Booker and Beto O’Rourke spoke the most but didn’t create any memorable moments.  I stayed up way past my bedtime watching the political analysis and wound up dragging through Thursday. 

The second night was an unbelievable total disaster. This wasn't a debate, it was more of...what did one candidate say?..."a food fight". Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders came into the debate at the top of polls, but both of them fell down the proverbial ladder as Kamala Harris dominated the entire debate. Bernie Sanders was on repeat; I wondered if it was 2016 all over again. Joe Biden got dragged through the political muddy waters of his past history.  Pete Buttigieg struggled and fell on his sword of humility over his recent problems in South Bend.  This night's debate was a shouting and cross-talk match as everyone struggled to be heard.  I was pitying the moderators who continually tried to regain control.  Once more, I lost sleep and dragged myself to Tucson early yesterday to take Hannah to the groomer and do some shopping for my trip to Las Cruces next Friday.  

Seriously? Are we living in the past or looking forward to the future?  Do we have to drag up old news from over 30 years ago in order to win a debate?  I do not want to watch candidates attack each other like rabid dogs.  I just want someone to tell me how they are going to defeat Trump! Is that too much to ask??

My choices didn't even make the grade in my mind, a pitiful poor performance which signaled a lack of preparation.  If you cannot handle Warren or Harris, how are you going to handle Trump??

The September debate will be here before we know it. Hopefully, the field will be small enough to have just ONE NIGHT of debate.

Cheers!🍷

Current Mood: 🤔

Credits:
Alice in Wonderland courtesy of Disney

Star Struck

Star Struck

Had another spark of creativity! Sometimes they hit out of the blue....usually just before I fall asleep.

I am prepared for the circus...um...I mean the democratic debates. I made sure to have popcorn and wine available! It should be an interesting show, since there will be 10 people on a stage, who only have a short amount of time to present their policies and discuss key issues with the others.

I imagine Warren (as the front runner) will take over the whole show, as she is quite the character and always has "a plan for that". 😏  Ok, so I have two favorites in tonight's debate. Tomorrow night I have two more favorites as well. I am not sharing their names since I am sure someone will want to tell me how "wrong" my choices are.

So let's have the best candidates survive to go forward and fight for the nomination next year!!! That's correct, we have a whole year to go through this several times until the field of 24 whittles down to a handful. Right now it's just a wild horse race. 👀

Current Mood: 😏

Credits:
Tube: Paulina by ©Alex Prihodko
Scrap Kit: "Star Celebration" by Pink Paradox Production

The Passage

The Passage

A little behind in my review of this book.  I finished it several weeks ago, but got distracted by other life happenings.  So here goes...😎

This book was a recommendation from a friend and at first glance I was dissuaded by its length. This book is over 800 pages long!  However, I took the plunge and started to read...and read...and read...wow! I couldn't put it down!! It's the most gripping and entertaining story I have read in a long time!!

The book is about the apocalypse, it’s the end of the world as we know it.  Military scientists try to refine a virus that holds the potential to cure all disease, but unfortunately turns humans into bloodthirsty vampires. The test subjects escape, of which twelve were former prisoners on death row, with the exception of one special little girl named Amy.  Yes, there are quite a few horrifying moments, but I wouldn't call it a horror book. Actually, I would classify it as more of a sci/fi fantasy about people, who they are and the journeys they take to survive.

I must admit, Cronin has a writing style that entrances the reader. Characters arcs are built so we really do care about what happens to each of them. It was one of the biggest reasons that kept me from putting the book down. I kept saying to myself, "one more page...one more page...".  I lost a lot of sleep while reading this book and obviously can't wait to get my hands on the second one.  I am hoping it is as deliciously devouring as the first!

Oh, by the way, about halfway through the book, we find out that Amy is....approximately 100 years old. 😲

Highly recommend this book, if you enjoy science fiction fantasies...

Cheers! 🍷

Current Mood: 😊

Medieval Fantasy

Medieval Fantasy

Spent a few days playing with colors, textures and creating new artwork. Whenever I work on a piece, I get so relaxed and forget all about time passing. Works better than my anxiety medication! I just adore this tube by ©Laguna. To create the scene  I used a wonderful scrap kit by Pink Paradox Productions. 

Today I went into Tucson to get my hair colored.  Amazing how fast the strands of gray bloom! My hairdresser suggested going a step lighter than my usual warm brown.  I must admit to being a bit hesitant.  She assured me it would not be a drastic color change, so I agreed as long as it's a subtle change...never know how hubby is going to react.  Well, as usual she was right and I am so glad I decided to go ahead. I love the soft highlights of gold shimmering within the light brown color.  Oh yes...my hair is shorter too. Complete do-over from color to style!  Now if only I could get it to look this way everyday.

Pouring another glass of wine as I relax to watch "The Handmaid's Tale" on Hulu.  Cheers! 🍷

Current Mood: 😊

Credits:
Tube: Fairy Girl and Unicorn by ©Laguna
Scrap Kit: Medieval Fantasy 1 & 2 by Pink Paradox Productions
Mask: Mask_DFly_0031 by Vivienne's Paintbox

New York, New York

Park Avenue Looking South, NYC

While purging my photos yesterday, I came across this picture, remembering when I would take the train from Yonkers, New York into Manhattan at Grand Central Station.  Those trips were approximately 40 minutes, unless you happened to catch a train that made several stops along the way.  This early morning commute of mine started back in 1970, right after high school graduation! At that time, my office was located further along Park Avenue, right at 32nd Street.  It was a nice brisk walk from Grand Central, approximately 10 blocks.  I always enjoyed walking, even in inclement weather. The trip went by various consulate offices, coffee shops and taverns. If I happened to glance behind me, my eyes would behold the view in the picture above.  Especially in early morning or just before dusk, the view was quite breathtaking.   

I always found working in NYC exciting! New York City is home to Times Square, Broadway and the theater district.  It is the place where fashion statements are created and thrust into the world. There is beautiful Central Park, countless museums and amazing restaurants. Macy's, Bloomingdales, Gimbels and all the department stores were only a few minutes' walk away from the office. It was a magical time when their windows were dressed up for the Christmas holidays. There is still the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and the ball that drops in Times Square every New Year's Eve!  

I had hundreds of boutiques to wander through on my lunch hour, where I could sample a new perfume, play with makeup, buy a new outfit or gaze longingly at beautiful strands of gold in the windows of Tiffany's! One of my favorite past times to do while window shopping?  Purchasing a bag of hot chestnuts on a chilly day or picking up a hot dog for a quick lunch…all from vendors on almost every street corner.  I really, really miss those days. 

I credit New York City into molding me in ways I never really noticed until I moved to Arizona.  It embeds a sense of sophistication into a person that touches every aspect of your life. 

Cheers! 🍷

Current Mood: 🤔

Credit:
Park Avenue Looking South NYC by New-York-Obsession