Hamilton!

I just read a couple of articles online in the NY Times about the musical Hamilton and that it's the show's 10th anniversary. Wow. (It's also Leslie Odom, Jr.'s birthday today!) 

While I was in Alabama a few weeks ago visiting family, my sister insisted I watch Hamilton on Hulu, so I did. (Well, I watched most of it.) My sister is a big Hamilton fan and loved the soundtrack before she even saw the play. I, on the other hand, heard some of soundtrack songs and was underwhelmed with a lot of the music and, ultimately, wasn't interested in seeing the play. No offense to Lin-Manuel Miranda, but hip hop and history just are not my bag, baby. While I enjoy some of Hamilton's music (the Schuyler Sisters, the King George bits, The Room Where It Happens, in particular), I'm not crazy about most of the tracks. I also didn't think Miranda had a strong enough voice to play Alexander Hamilton, especially when he was sharing the stage with much better singers like Leslie Odom, Jr., Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Jonathan Groff and watching the production on Hulu made that painfully obvious.

Clearly, my opinion is in the minority given the acclaim, awards, and money that Hamilton has made over the years, so what do I know? I'm glad so many folks enjoyed the show, the music, the cast, and the message of Hamilton.

Too Hot!

I returned last night from spending a few days in Alabama with my family there. For many years, I've avoided going to Alabama during the summer because it's just too hot, but I went this year and, while I had a great time, it was way too hot for me. My glasses would steam up whenever I went from an air conditioned car or an air conditioned building to the outside. I don't know how folks live there in the summer. The heat is oppressive and it doesn't cool off. Even at night, it's still warm outside. Ugh. 

I did have an opportunity to go to a Montgomery Biscuits ballgame last Friday night and had a great time. I've said before that I have a love/hate relationship with Alabama. My father is from there and I've been going there to visit since I was born, but I don't think I could ever live there especially now during the second term of Donny T. (Ugh.) But I do enjoy visiting and I have a time share on the Gulf (of Mexico...suck it, Donny) that's very relaxing. Maybe I could live in Alabama if I lived in or around the Gulf area, but probably not! 

The artwork below was taken from the Alley, a hangout spot in Montgomery near the Biscuits' stadium.

I Thought It Was the Fourth of July

Since the 4th of July is upon us, I keep thinking of the Soundgarden song by the same name. It's such a great song. (Chris Cornell, we miss you!) I've had a lot going on over the past few weeks: a colonoscopy, a visit from my sister, stress from my day job, etc., so I'm looking forward to doing nothing for the holiday weekend (well, nothing that's going to stress me out). I'm taking Monday off too for an extra long weekend. I need a break.

While my sister was here, we went to see a performance of Pagliacci at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. The performance was put on by the Opera Festival of Chicago and it was great. I am not an opera person and I was reluctant to go, but my sister really wanted to see it and I love a clown, so I said, "Okay." I really enjoyed the show. The guy who was Pagliacci was excellent. Everyone in the play was excellent. Maybe I need to reconsider my views on the opera and expand my horizons more often.

Have a safe, happy, relaxing 4th of July holiday!

Beating the Heat

We're having a bit of a heatwave in the Chicago area this weekend, so I'm staying indoors in the air conditioning. It's a good weekend to do some reading and catch up on some TV watching. This past week was also time for me to have a colonoscopy. With a history of colon cancer in my immediate family, I have to be vigilant. Thankfully, everything turned out fine. The prep was the most awful part. With all of the medical advances made, you'd think someone would be able to create a better-tasting prep solution because Trilyte sucks hard. Ugh. I miss the days of drinking that stuff from the green bottle (that was taken off the market, I believe) and taking laxative pills. I was glad to get the procedure over and done with so I could have solid food again. I'll get back on my regular eating plan starting tomorrow, but for the weekend, I've indulged a little. 

One thing I haven't been doing is writing. I've been struggling with the story I've been working on. I don't want to abandon it, but I need to make it a priority and get it finished. If I don't have a good draft done by the end of the summer, I might have to kick this one to the curb and start on something else. I'll cross that bridge if or when I get to it.

Frightening Times

Happy Pride Month! I know I'm late acknowledging Pride Month this year, so apologies for that. The mood is definitely subdued this year due in the US due to the current government administration that has done things like strip Harvey Milk's name from a U.S. Navy ship. (Whiskey Pete strikes again!) Ugh. It's hard to stay positive as you watch MAGA (Morons Are Governing America) in full force. Ugh again. 

I read an article recently in New York Magazine that's titled Could You Prove You're a Citizen? You think because you were born in the US and have a US birth certificate that there's no way you could be rounded up and deported to El Salvador, but think again, folks. People are being rounded up by ICE and not even allowed an opportunity to call anyone for help. And what kind of help could you provide? What if your family presents your birth certificate to the authorties and the government thinks it's phony? What then? We're living in frightening times, folks.

Still, we have to try and stop ourselves from going crazy over every awful thing this administration is doing or trying to do. Pride Month is still going on and people need to celebrate who they. Block the noise, folks, or try to block as much of it as you can. Live your life. Love who you love.

This Time, Last Year

Last May before Memorial Day, I spent a week in Madeira, Portugal and had a great time. This May, before Memorial Day, I went nowhere and I don't plan on leaving the country this year either. I'm really glad I decided to go to Portugal last year because I highly doubt I would have traveled to Europe this year. There's so much anti-Americanism overseas due to the reign of Donny T. that I wouldn't feel comfortable traveling outside of the country right now. A lot of overseas travelers don't feel comfortable visiting the United States either and I totally understand their discomfort. Aside from Donny as POTUS, I'm sure many fear having to deal with immigration over here. What if you're denied entry? What if immigration officials decide to put you into some kind of "holding" facility while they determine if you're worthy enough to enter the country? Who needs that kind of stress for a vacation? And the US is losing international travel dollars each day. No more floods of neighboring Canadians coming to town to enjoy the sights and spend some cash. And the immigration fear doesn't start and stop with non-US citizens. American citizens also are having to deal with surly immigration officials if they leave the country and try to reenter. Immigration staff can demand that you unlock your cell phone or just confiscate it entirely. Things are really scary and uncertain right now, so I'm choosing to play it safe and just stay home this year. 

But, I'll always have the memories of my trip to Portugal (and the pictures too)!

Random Observations

Congratulations to the new Pope Leo XIV who hails from my current home state of Illinois. I'm not Catholic, but I was on Pope-watch last week like many others waiting to see who would be chosen. I was shocked to see that an American was selected and a guy from Chicago at that. Huh! Good for him. I hope he follows in Pope Francis's footsteps and keeps fighting the good fight for those less fortunate in the world.

In less inspiring news, the US is bringing in white South African Afrikaner "refugees" now. Ugh. Just what we need in this country: more racists. As if we didn't have enough already, right? Give me a break. Just when you think this government can't go any lower, it does. Pathetic.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and this is always a hard holiday for me because my own mother is no longer living. My mother died nearly 30 years ago, but I still miss her. One year on Mother's Day, I was out and some poor guy wished me a happy Mother's Day and I told him, "Thanks, but I don't have any kids and my mother's dead." He looked at me, startled, and hurried away. I should have just said "thank you" and that's what I say now if someone wishes me a happy Mother's Day. I don't feel sad about not having kids (because I would have been a terrible mother, I believe), but I do feel bad because my own mother isn't around. To everyone who was able to enjoy another Mother's Day with mom, good for you and cherish that time with her.