Run DNC!

You may notice the lack of political posts on my blog.  This is not because I don't care, but rather, because I know other bloggers are better informed and cover the topics better than me, especially Bob.

But I'm taking this opportunity to talk about this week's DNC.  Spouse & I watched nearly all of it on TV all 4 nights, and I must say that I have never been so excited and proud to be a Democrat!  The quality of the speakers, the topics covered in their speeches, the factual information presented - all made me feel optimistic about this country's future.

While I didn't watch much of the RNC (honestly, I just couldn't stomach it) I saw plenty of quotes and videos on facebook.  Quite a stark contrast between the RNC and the DNC.

Then RNC's "celebrity" speakers (and I'm being generous by referring to them as such) included Scott Baio, Antonio Sabato Jr, and Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty.  The political speakers included Ted Cruz who DIDN'T even endorse Trump during this speech, and various GOP governors, mayors, and senators.  Neither of the living Republican former presidents (Bush & Bush) chose to even attend, much less speak, nor did their vice presidents.

The DNC's celebrity speakers included actual celebrities you've seen on TV and films within the last decade such as Sarah Silverman, Lena Dunham, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and Katy Perry.  The political speakers included Bernie Sanders, First Lady Michelle Obama, Second Lady Jill Biden, President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and former President Bill Clinton.

Not that celebrities should 'make or break' a convention, but it just seemed odd to me that the RNC appeared to be grasping for someone with a name to speak, while the DNC had current, relevent celebrity speakers.

But it was each convention's overall message and tone that couldn't have been more opposite.  

The RNC was all about making American safe and great again.  Trump and others talked about how sad our economy is and how the military was a mess.  I'm sure the fact-checkers had a field day with this, trying to find a single fact among all the rhetoric.  Trump also covered building a wall to prevent illegal Mexicans, restricting immigration of Muslims, repealing the Affordable Care Act and marriage equality law. It was an "us" versus "them" mentality, based on fear.  Hey, fear has worked for Republicans before.

The DNC was all about how America is already great, but that more work is needed to make it even better in many areas.  We're "stronger together" became the theme and there was a clear call for Americans to embrace immigration, expand healthcare, protect womens rights, GLBT rights, and campaign finance reform.  A message based on hope.

Probably the most heartening and inspiring thing for me was the absolute inclusion and welcoming of gays, lesbians, and transgender people.  I remember the 2008 debates when Presidential candidates were afraid to even express their belief that GLBT Americans should have equal rights, much less support legislation for such, for fear of turning off voters.  But just 8 years later at the DNC, speaker after speaker after speaker spoke about how we can't live up to our forefathers' vision for America without fully accepting our GLBT brothers and sisters and their talents and contributions.

Out gay congressman Sean Patrick Maloney spoke about his work with the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, his husband of 24 years, and their children. GLBT activist and fellow Delawarean Sarah McBride was the first ever transgender person to speak at a convention.  Historic and exciting!

Sarah McBride and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney

Looking out into the crowd of delegates there were lots and lots and lots of rainbow flags, rainbow clothing, rainbow signs, and enthusiasm.  Two friends of mine were among them.  Check out my friend Jon's rainbow wristband as seen on MSNBC:

I thought Hillary Clinton's acceptance speech was near perfection.  She managed to state her accomplishments and qualifications, welcome Bernie's supporters, welcome Independents, welcome Republicans who won't vote for Trump, explain the platform initiatives, explain how those will be paid for, describe how dangerous and unfit Trump is, and shared a commitment to working hard to protect and serve America.  It was probably one of the best speeches in my lifetime.

I feel inspired and proud to be a Democrat!

Beardy boy

Transformation

Yesterday the painters finished the transformation of our home.  It took 5 men 14 days to prep and paint the entire exterior, from top to bottom.  I'm a big fan of "before and afters" so here you go...

Before...

After...

We're really happy with the result!

The home was 'pretty' before, with its benign color scheme, but I love how the new color scheme highlights all the trim and textured siding, and how it now 'feels' more like a Victorian farmhouse.

Notice how little white there is now.  This is by design.  We used to have to powerwash the house at least once a year to remove the dirt and mildew from all the white trim and scalloped siding.

And while it sounds like a small thing, I'm really glad that when talking about my home I no longer have to describe it as a "beigey/sand color".  Now I will say its "green and purple"!

Just because

Boy George

On Sat I performed as Boy George in the Legends show again.  

I did Boy George once before last month, but none of my friends were there.  So Steven & Thad, Joe P and Spouse came to see my new Legend.  Joe P kindly agreed to film my set so I could share it with you guys.  The video is too large to imbed here, so I uploaded it to YouTube and created a link.  

You can watch my Boy George set HERE.

Disclosures:

1. Yes, this video is 8 minutes long
2. This video was taken using an iPhone so there is ambient noise in the background (talking, laughing, etc from those standing near Joe P)
3. Yes, I messed up some of the words so that's why it *MAY* sound like I'm mumbling in places
4. If you can manage to tear yourself away from my hypnotic performance you may notice a shirtless man bumping and grinding with someone in the audience, starting about the 4:35 mark
5. An enthusiastic female patron steps onto the stage with her glass of wine in hand to dance, starting at the 6:40 mark, before being asked to step down by the man in the black shirt and headset

The audience was very receptive and responsive, dancing and singing along during my performance.  As is our custom, once the finale is done we come out into the audience to greet folks and pose for photos if asked.  Everyone was feelin' the love for Boy George, as I must have posed for a dozen photos!  

It was really fun and I think I enjoyed it as much as the audience.

Scorcher

Today is going to be another scorcher!  While temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s may not sound that hot to those of you in dry AZ, here on the east coast its not only hot but also humid.  So today's 93 degrees will feel like something over 100 degrees due to the humidity.

Dehydration can occur quickly in weather like this so I'm reminding everyone to be sure and drink plenty of water.

Beardy boy

Happy birthday!!

Today is Spouse's birthday AND Walter's birthday!!

Unlike Marvin's birthday which is unknown since he was a rescue, we actually know Walter's birthday.  The couple from whom we adopted Walter told us his birthday was July 20, exactly 8 weeks prior to the date we adopted him.

So 2 of my favorite guys share the same birthday!

Here's my favorite photo which includes all 3 of my favorite guys:

To celebrate, I invited Steven & Thad and Joe P to join us for dinner.  Afterward I gave Spouse his birthday gift which was a 12-slot watch case in which he can store his growing collection of watches.

These 3 guys have brought immeasurable joy to my life.  I can't imagine living without them.

Just because

House painting

Last Mon the crew began prepping the exterior of our house to be painted.  We have HardiPlank siding on much of the house so that didn't need much prep, but we also have a lot of wood trim.  Some of the wood trim was peeling and flaking, and there are a few spots where the siding was damaged due to a roof drainage problem that's since been corrected.  So they started scraping, priming and caulking.

We initially got quotes for repainting just the areas that needed it, but both painters said that since our home is 11 years old we would need the rest of it painted within a few years, and doing some now and some later would cost more than doing it all now.  This made a lot of sense, especially considering the height of the home (3 stories) and the time spent setting up ladders, tarps, etc.  

So, since the entire exterior is getting painted, we decided to change the color scheme completely.  This is what our house looked like before they started:

The siding is a sand color, the doors are burgundy, the shudders are dark green, and there's a lot of white trim.  This color scheme was the builder's choice; we bought it after the home was completed.  As a reproduction Victorian farmhouse I'd always thought the color scheme was very 'safe' and didn't reflect the way most Victorians are painted with multiple, stronger colors.

So, this is our new color scheme:

The siding will be sage green, the scallop siding in the gables will be Autumn Orchid, the trim will be Mardi Gras purple, and the doors and shutters will be Cameroon green.  What do you think of my pallet?

We actually selected the painter and the colors back in March, but it was still too cool to begin the work.  It has to be at least 50 degrees, so we waited for warmer weather.

And then it began raining.  We had at least 1 day of rain every week for 8 consecutive weeks, and many of those weeks had more than 1 day of rain.  This, of course, caused the painter to get backed up, which is why they finally got to our house in the heat of July.

So they spent 4 days prepping and then on Fri the 1st color went on:  Mardi Gras purple on the trim.  I loved it immediately.

I'll post more photos when the house is completed, in another week or so.  I'm really excited to see it all come together!!

Karaoke compliments

Last night I went to karaoke at the Blue Moon as I often do on Thurs.  Since its now peak vacation season there were quite a few people there.

The 1st song I sang was "Crazy", made famous by Patsy Cline, and the 2nd song I sang was "Dark Lady", made famous by Cher.  I did throw in a bit of impersonation since both artists had such definitive singing styles.  I've sung both songs before so I was very comfortable with them.

I was kind of amazed that the folks were so forthcoming with their appreciation.  I mean, its not uncommon for me to get a compliment or 2 after singing at karaoke.  I've had lots of vocal training and performance experience, yet its still nice to get a compliment here and there.

But last night I had 6 different people tell me how much they liked my songs!

One gentleman told me he was a retired opera singer from NY, so when he said I did a good job I should really consider it a compliment.

Another guy said that he was a huge Patsy Cline fan and that he wasn't hopeful when he saw "Crazy" come up on the screen, since most people butcher the song.  He said I'm the only 'karaoke singer' he's ever heard do the song justice.

A couple complimented my singing and asked if I sung professionally.  I thanked them and told them I performed in the Legends show and explained what that was about, to which they responded  "Oh, so you're a star!"  I chuckled and said "Well, a local star perhaps."

I had a lot of fun and it was really nice to get so many compliments.

Beardy boy

Trend

Just because

Grateful

I try to be grateful.

For instance, I had to work yesterday (Sundays are typically my day off) so I wasn't able to spend the afternoon at the beach, which is disappointing.

But, I'm grateful to have a job, especially one that I like.  Also, I'm grateful to live near the beach, which enables me to go there often.  I fully realize that many people wait all year long for a week's vacation at the beach.  I can go there anytime I'm not working and its not raining. 

So yesterday after work Spouse & I met up with Steven & Thad at the new Fresh Market, which has lots of prepared foods, then went to the beach.  The weather was very nice and there was hardly anyone there, save for the 2 families in semi-matching outfits having their portraits taken.  We set up our chairs facing the water and talked as we ate our dinner.  

Spouse & I shared some Thai noodle salad and a Mediterranean orzo salad, both of which were delicious, and even had white chocolate macadamia nut cookies for dessert.  Steven & Thad shared salads and sandwiches.

We stayed until sundown and I'm grateful for the time spent.

Name?

Beardy boy

Donations

Just because

July 4th weekend recap

We had a really nice holiday weekend!

Bugsy & Roger were there when we got home from work on Fri and we sat on the screened porch and chatted until dinner time.  The 4 of us met up with Steven & Thad at Fish On! and had a great meal.

Sat morning we walked over to the Farmers Market to poke around, and came home with some fresh blueberries.  Spouse & Roger went to the grocery store while Bugsy and I walked over to the arts show and sale.  I ran into several friends and neighbors which was nice, since I'm rarely off work on Saturdays to attend these kinds of things.  While there I bought this cute stained glass star:

I hung it in the kitchen window where we have other rainbow-colored stained glass pieces:

That evening Spouse & Roger made chicken and beef fajitas with rice and beans for dinner as well as a homemade strawberry/blueberry pie.

Since the weather was so nice we ate on the screened porch.  Steven & Thad came over too and we had a fun evening eating, talking, listening to music, and of course laughing.

Sun morning we had biscotti, scones, English muffins and coffee for breakfast and spent more time on the porch.  Marvin was feeling extra social and sat on Roger's lap.

That evening we had dinner at Jimmy's Grille, a new restaurant with delicious meals and desserts.  Afterward there was more time on the porch.

Mon morning Bugsy & Roger packed up their car and headed home, since they had some plans for the afternoon.  The weather forecast showed a significant chance of showers all day so my plans to drive Big Ella in the Doo Dah parade became less and less certain.  Although we didn't have a drop of rain all day, by 5:00 parade start time it looked as if the skies were going to open up.  Steven & Thad and Spouse & I walked over to the parade route in false optimism, and as soon as we got our chairs set up it began to rain.  Fortunately it wasn't a heavy rain so we sat there and watched the abbreviated parade.  

We had a great visit with our friends and look forward to their next visit.

Friday

Its the Fri before the 4th of July holiday weekend and I'm excited!

Our good friends Bugsy & Roger are arriving today and I am scheduled to be off work Sat, Sun and Mon.  We don't have anything special planned, but I'm sure there will be lots of sitting on sitting on the porch, talking, laughing, eating and relaxing.

Of course there's the Doo Dah parade on Mon, a highlight of the July 4th festivities.  More details on Mon.