This week am doing some catch-up on travel visits before my time exploring the New York City area ends…
Presidents Week Break
Month: February 2022
Moulin Rouge, The Musical
What an entertaining afternoon. Brought back memories of Paris and the “real” Moulin Rouge which is a must see to believe.
The play was humorous, lively, and fun with a predictable plot. Scenery, singing, and dancing was amazing. Recommend sitting in the last row of the balcony as this provides the best view and the most reasonable seats.
Can understand why they won 10 Tony’s this year.
It was a true Broadway musical.
Metropolitan Opera Memorabilia
Should you visit the Metropolitan Opera arrive early as on each floor are windows of costumes from former performances.
During the Pandemic many artists donated their works for purchase, an example…
And on the lower level of the Met..
and photos of past performances.
What an amazing visit to the Met.
New Texas Voting Law
Under the new Texas Voting Law only those 65 or over are qualified to vote absentee and they also must meet the following criteria:
- Absent from the county during the election
- Have a disability or illness which would make it risky to their health, or they need assistance to get to the voting place.
Tried to locate how the above 2 criteria are proven, and what paperwork is required, but was unable.
With submission of the ballot a copy of identification is required. In Harris County, which includes Dallas, 38% of the ballots received thus far have been rejected. With a March 1st deadline election staff are scrambling to correct these errors.
Writing this I laugh as those who put this law in place in an effort to maintain their power are actually loosing their base.
Three Highlights for Today..
- Storms ravaging most of the US today, 100 million affected.
- tr family to be deposed for business practices by New York State Attorney General staff.
- US government funded through March 11th by a senate bill. Gosh, they actually did something!
Gun Violence
Watching the pain of family members who have lost children to gun violence is horrific. What I don’t understand is why a Presidential Executive Order cannot be put in place to rid some of these guns from our streets? It seems like a no-brainer, however, recall the gun safety legislation that Al Gore endorsed, breaking the senate tie decades ago, it cost him the presidential election.
Guess it all boils down to political safety rather than gun safety.
3 Highlights for Today..
- russian war predicted within the next few days. Pray for the people of Ukraine.
- Whoopi Goldberg returns to The View after a 2 week hiatus. Ridiculous to penalize her.
- Russian doped skater Valieva falls several times in her program, ranks 4th. Justice.
The TikTok War
Since much reporting of the Russian build up is occurring on TikTok, this aggression has been named for the platform. In the last 24 hours deescalation has been seen with trains leaving areas which surround Ukraine, and hopefully this is over. President Biden spoke to the Russian people on their television last night saying he did not want to put sanctions against them. If Biden implemented his plan it would take the Russian economy at least 10 years to recover.
Wonder how this will turn out for Putin?
Perhaps this is the former KGB officers last stand.
One can only hope and pray.
Three Highlights for Today..
- prez orange accounting firm has fired him stating the last 10 years of his numbers are erroneous. Go Letitia James!
- Prince Andrew settled his case with under age female he had sex with. Good idea to settle, Andy.
- Trevor Reed, an American marine incarcerated in Russian coughing up blood, medical care refused.
We can never honor our troops enough.
Real Estate In Florida
The crazed real estate market in Florida persists with no end in site. Since I cannot live safely in St. Augustine, Florida, due to a peeping tom neighbor, as well as a threatening neighbor who has a drug history, guns, and domestic violence issues, am exploring other parts of the state to move to. Condo living is terrifying sharing a wall with these type of people, and condo boards say they can do nothing. Guess they can’t… remember Miami.. Police have justified fears responding to domestic violence calls, re-read my recent New York City blog.
In visiting the West Coast of Florida have been impressed. Their housing market driven by Northerners with cash offering as much as $75-100,000. over price is daunting. Building a house in this area can take as long as 2 years as counties limit building permits fearful builders will be unable to contractually oblige purchasers with purchasers loosing their money. This is justified as often these folks only appear when they need weed money, (the St. Augustine mantra). Let’s hope the West Coast is different…
In 24 hours the 3 homes the realtor and I were scheduled to view dropped to 1. One home had 25 offers, and while on the road to the second home a realtor called to say the owner had accepted an offer. Visiting the available home a decaying, mold infested residence was found with a listing price of $249,000. Rather than a buyer it needed a match, however, someone may purchase it only to do that for the lot.
What a conundrum I find myself in.
Anyone have anything they wish to sell?
Three Highlights for Today..
- Truckers Canadian Bridge closure cost industries $1 billion. TRUCKERS STOP THE MADNESS..
- Russian doped skater allowed to skate, we better or Putin may get even madder, ?annex the US next…
- Sarah Palin lawsuit against New York Times dropped. Please go away, Sarah…
Erin Jackson: Olympic Gold
This gal,* at 29, won the 500 meter speed skating competition with a 37.04 time. She is the first Black woman to win an individual medal in this event. Her Sunday win comes with accolades, however, the story behind her win is equally astounding. Teammate Brittany Bowe gave Erin her position on the event as she felt Erin had a better chance of medaling, and she certainly did!
Great uplifting story.
Three Highlights for Today..
- LA wins Superbowl.
- Canadian trucker protest over Covid-19 restrictions done.
- Happy Valentine’s Day.
*Unable to find a free picture of Erin Jackson but google her – what a smile on winning.
Met Opera House at Lincoln Center: Tosca and Le Nozze di Figaro
Tosca Curtain
Tosca is a political story set in Rome during the 1800’s Napoleonic Wars. It is tragic with passionate music and pageantry. The main characters are entwined in a love triangle with dire consequences. While beautifully executed it was a disturbing plot.
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Le Nozze di Figaro is a Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart opera. It is a romantic romp with a nobleman intrigued and chasing his wife’s maid, who is soon to be married. The plot has many twists and turns and is much fun. It was a delight to see this after the dark Tosca.
Both operas were exquisite. While not versed in Italian, monitors interpret the verse. If interested in attending purchase tickets at the Met Box Office. Tickets are reasonable and available, starting at $25 for the Family Circle, which is the opera house upper levels. These levels provide an amazing bird’s eye view of the performance and one can spread out as this section is sparsely populated.
Give opera a try, you never know.
The Music Man at the Winter Garden
The Music Man revival at the Winter Garden with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster was magnificent. While still in previews it is a perfect performance. Unsure how Hugh did such a rigorous performance as the week before he was recovering from covid. Post performance Hugh Jackman ran past bystanders to a waiting black SUV which whisked him away to hopefully a hot bath.
Sutton Foster was equally amazing with her phenomenal voice and dance steps. A two time Tony winner, believe the third is in the wings for her this year. Should you be in New York City stop by for a thoroughly entertaining evening provided by a stellar cast. What a great revival!
Coming Attractions…
Young Retiree Needs a Life 