Memorial Day

So I know I haven't posted anything in a couple of weeks and that's because of RL events.  Between Mother's Day, housing inspections (required in the apartments I reside in), work, and school, I've almost run myself ragged.  So, first, a very late Happy Mother's Day to my mother readers, whether they are biological, lawfully adopted, claimed, feathered, two-legged or more, mothers have helped shape the very creatures they've raised.  My husband got me a yellow iris to celebrate it seeing as we have our almost six year old dog.  Such a good girl, usually.

So, this past week were season finales of both The Voice and DWTS (Dancing with the Stars).  I meant to put up reviews and my personal views seeing as there were numerous members in the cast that I had hoped would make it through very far (only one did), but it was fun to watch.  On The Voice I wasn't drawn to any voices like in some of the past seasons since Gwen Stefani was first on in Season 7.  As I mentioned there were a few notables since then in my opinion.  Taylor John Williams, Mia Z, and YouTuber Kota Wade are only a few.  Season 10, however, was a let down.  At least, originally, it was.  But as I listened to the episodes, two became stand-outs in my mind.  I thought they chose the perfect coaches to drag the potential out of them.  Laith Al-Saadi and Hannah Huston have admirable voices, once they let them shine.  Neither one won.  Instead, finally a female coach had one of her team members.  Congratulations, Christina, on having an admirably chosen contestant.

DWTS Season 22, on the other hand, hosted Kim Fields, who I loved in Facts of Life, but my favorite wasn't Tootie (I could never decide between Blair and Jo); Jodie Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner in Full House (DJ was on a previous season, so now I'm wondering when Kim Gibbler is going to join the DWTS contestant family...makes an interesting parallel, doesn't it?); and Nyle DiMarco, who won Season 22 of America's Next Top Model (and he's deaf, if you hadn't learned). I was rooting for all three of these contestants, only Nyle made it to the finale.  To be completely honest, I thought it would be awesome and a bit ironic, though I may not be using that word appropriately, if he won another season 22 reality show.  Nyle did win. It let's me have a wonderful weekend coming up,

Speaking of the weekend, this weekend is extended in the United States to include Monday.  The reason?  It's Memorial Day Weekend.  Even though my husband and I will be taking a short, well-deserved vacation this weekend, he is a veteran (disabled before ever seeing beyond BCT) and every generation in my family tree that I've managed to trace including myself (though I had an other than honorable discharge...really don't wish to go into that.  It should be a general discharge now) has had military personnel somewhere.  I've managed to trace one line back to the Revolutionary War, which they managed to move inland, (over the mountains) before the war officially started by a few years, I think....I'm not looking at the information currently, so I could be wrong about the dates.  We'll take the time to honor those who fought for what they believed in or joined up to avoid war but managed to change themselves around, or really any military personnel who died in battle.  Some were mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters, but every single soldier, sailor, marine or airman was someone's child.  Some lives were cut short.  Others survived so damaged they couldn't reintegrate (One of my great-uncles died in the hospital believing he was still at war.).  No matter what they were or how they died specifically, Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember their sacrifices.  We take a few moments to honor them before truly honoring them by living life as I know they wanted future generations to do.

These people gave their lives so we could all live.  They didn't want their deaths seen as something bad.  The original soldiers remembered on this particular holiday were Union Soldiers, who died for what they believed in: a life of freedom for men no matter the color of their skin.  Obviously, and very much thankfully, humanity has changed to a more equal footing for all people, but not without a lot of hardship and lost lives.  It is sad.  I will not allow myself to disregard their sacrifices.  I will honor them in every way I know and for those who think that the parties and family get-togethers are not celebrating the fallen military personnel appropriately, I can only ask: How do you honor those who gave their lives so you could live free to make your own choices?

Cooking, TV, and Writing

Maybe I should make this a bi-monthly blog?  I mean, I can't seem to keep up with making a weekly post right now.  I think of posts during the week, but never record them and then forget to post.  I mean sure, I redid the hamburger patties I mentioned in Microwave Cooking, Week 1.  They were definitely better with the horseradish included.  I must admit though that I might rather call them mini meatloafs.  (Yes, I am very aware that the previous sentence is likely grammatically incorrect and that there are likely to have been spelling mistakes.)  

I've been trying to catch up with The Voice, but not paying as much attention currently.  I keep seeing interesting things on my friend's Facebook wall from DWTS (Dancing with the Stars) and possible celebrities for it.  Sadly I need to actually look at who they are since I missed the GMA (Good Morning America) reveal.

Also, I've been working on a few different fanfictions and an original work that's part of a series that I have on my computer, but may have to redo almost all of that work thanks to that Windows 10 update back in, what was it, September of 2015?  Here's my advice: Do not get Windows 10 as an update.  If you want Windows 10, by a new computer with it already installed.  Well, I'm off to work some more on writing and getting some of my work straightened out.

The Voice in the First Half of an Election Year?

Alright folks, it's been a crazy couple of weeks, but I'm excited.  Do you want to know why?  The Voice starts again on Monday, which is also a leap year extra day....I think several hi-jinks will ensue.  For those who were born on a Feb 29, no matter the year, I don't no if I should apologize or envy you.

But enough on the once every four year phenomenon.  No what's got me excited is that if you've subscribed to The Voice's YouTube channel you've likely seen them: the coach ads.  I have yet to see one for Blake, but the three I did see made me laugh.  It also put me in mind of the fact that yes, it's a presidential election year.  So, now I've got even more on my plate to do, because I need to update myself on who is actually running for the election and where they stand on the issues that matter most to me.

Do I care about what they claim they'll do once in office?  Not unless they can explain how and it makes sense to me, but doesn't feel like it goes against what we need.  I haven't been watching the Voice very long, but it one I don't have to sit in front of the TV and watch, either.  I can listen to it while doing other things and not miss out.  Anyway, since I can't watch it when it airs, I have to wait for Hulu to air the episodes.

I don't know which coach I like most, but their ads are worth watching.  I'll post the links below.  What about you?  Do you watch The Voice and, if so, do you have a favorite coach?


Coach Campaign Links:
Pharrell Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZvl6VNfALI
Christina Aguilera - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B20timw0yCo
Adam Levine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNJXIoogj0