Welcome to Chaos !!

Here is the temple at Burning Man 2016 before it burned down Sunday night. It is always very emotional to visit the temple, I always cry. And I think about life and death and everybody in my life. Ugh......even writing about it makes me feel anxiety and tears are welling up. I do not attend temple burn. I have in the past and decided that visiting the temple is enough for me, I can't take that sadness.
The temple, as always, was beautiful.





I love this teddy bear. ❤



Other stuff that I took pics of inside the temple......













God rays (crepuscular rays).



I am so grateful that I have experienced Burning Man four times (in a row) now.
I hope that I get to go again and again and again. But you never know. Life can change a lot. The first year I went I remember when I came across the Talk To God phone booth. I lifted the receiver and there was a voice on the other line. It was God! 🙂 And all I said was "Thank You for everything God". And I choked up. I was SO happy and SO grateful right then and there. I will always remember that moment.
I miss the Playa. I miss Burning Man.

And here is an interesting article about the temple 2016 Burning Man. Read it.

http://www.rgj.com/story/life/arts/burning-man/2016/07/15/why-years-burning-man-temple-has-no-name/87088796/

So I found and tried another, new for me, coffeeshop in Vegas. Illumilatte Brew Society located on 6825 W Russell Road. The west side of the Strip is my side of town.
I went there last night with Janis, it was the first time for both of us. And I went back this morning for some more and I have a coffee date there set up next week sometime with Maja. One can never have enough FIKA time, alone or with friends.
I should be a professional FIKA person, I can't believe I am not getting paid to do that yet......!
I really like the inside of the place, many cozy couches to sink down and relax in, nice and interesting decor. Not the best latte I've had but OK. I still want to sample one or a few of their pastries and a few more espresso drinks before I look for another new place to try.





And today's local coffeeshop news.....
"LAS VEGAS (FOX5) - Las Vegas Metro police said a deadly shooting at a southwest area Starbucks may have stemmed from a confrontation over a declined card.
Police responded to the call at 11:32 a.m. at the business near Warm Springs Road and Rainbow Boulevard. Police said it was a very "confusing event" that involved a shooting. Citing the preliminary investigation, police said the suspect went through the drive-thru at the Starbucks when his card was declined. The suspect then drove to another part of the building and entered the business agitated. The suspect fired at least two shots in the air and then fired at a customer inside.
The customer was struck in the chest area and witnesses administered CPR. Since officers treated the incident as a hostage situation there was a delay to get medical treatment to the victim. The victim was transported to Spring Valley Hospital where he or she died. Nearby roadways were blocked off during the investigation. Motorists were urged to avoid the area."

Oh yes.....I was actually in that area today and had to make a huge circle, as traffic was being diverted, to get to my destination. I was very annoyed and thought it was yet ANOTHER traffic accident. Seriously, people in Vegas do not know how to drive.
I usually see one or two accidents per day if I am out driving. I suspect that about 1/4 of the drivers in Vegas are either drunk or high on something.
But to get so freakin' mad because your card got declined that you decide that the solution to the problem is to shoot somebody? Yeah.....there are some serious psychos out there. People are sitting and enjoying their coffees on a Sunday and some random psycho barges in and starts shooting. I have no words......

I found a gem in the middle of the hustle and bustle just steps away from Las Vegas Blvd the other day. It is called The Shrine Of The Four Faced Brahma and it is dedicated to people of all faiths, which I think is beautiful in itself. The shrine is very beautiful and you can light some incense (you can get incense at the shrine or perhaps bring your own), sit down and have a quiet moment.
I would like to come back in the evening on a weekday and bring Chhaya, I like showing her different things. I would love to take her to see the big squirrels inside the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Harvest Show is on display now. She would like that.







I also ate at Serendipity 3. The food was OK at the most, I would not go there again for the food. This is a place if you are craving dessert. Or milkshake. Sit outside for some people watching.



Alice.

Hillary or Trump? Are you a Democrat or a Republican? Neither? Does it really matter? The dissatisfaction with the two presidential candidates is high. It's more like a battle of the lesser of two evils many think. Kind of sad that the country that claims it is the best country in the world came up with two candidates that almost half of the voters are dissatisfied with and that people are making a choice based on the lesser of two evils. Is this the best America can do in 2016, the lesser of two evils?
To me a two party system seems extremely outdated. Not enough choices, the other parties that try to be involved stand no chance. I think a real change will happen only when the two party system is done and over with. A true Democracy should offer and have more choices. I also believe in having people vote in certain decisions, like when the people of England voted for Brexit.
And before people in general start alienating family and friends over whether one is voting for Hillary or Trump they should really educate themselves better in what each candidate stands for overall instead of just focusing on one issue. Yes, people are so wound up over this election that they are willing to lose friends over it if the friend is voting for the other person. Really? Do you really think that your life will change that drastically whether it is a Democrat or a Republican in the White House? Or in this election, whether it is Hillary or Trump? I don't think so.
Most people are content as long as they have the daily comforts they are used to. And if you really want a change then DO something about it. DOING something takes involvement and that is not always comfortable.
I am FAR FROM involved in politics. I am not DOING anything, I am also not voting. Issues that are important to me, that I would look at and study when deciding on whom I would vote for are (in no particular order)......animal rights, environment, health care, education, budget for military, human trafficking, stand on welfare, the protection of individual rights and freedom, how to battle terrorism, global involvement and interests. I can't think of anything else for now.
Also important to me is a presidents education. But also their emotional intelligence. A high education with a degree or two under your belt does not automatically mean that you are intelligent and a good person (I know plenty of examples of this myself). How does this person act in public? How will they interact with other world leaders? What have they done in the past? Have they done good? Do they seem honest, trustworthy and like a stand up good person. LOL.....honest and trustworthy.....I am forgetting that I am talking about US politics now. I am not in Sweden anymore. The $ rules here. Most people can be bought. Lies fly and saying one thing one day and another thing the next is just normal.
Somebody I know told me "it is time for some pussy in the White House". I cringed at that statement and I also said it is an awful and uneducated thing to blurt out. The person that is the MOST qualified should be in the White House, this has nothing to do with gender or race.....it has to do with qualification. By the way, there has been "pussy" in the White House since the very beginning.
Every president was married (don't quote me on that.....I am not sure if all 40 something US presidents were married) and I am sure most of the spouses as of lately have been strong and opinionated women that influenced their husband more than once.
I would love to attend the debate that will be held in Las Vegas on October 19 at UNLV. I looked into the possibilities of attending and a ticket to that event seems to be harder to obtain than a ticket to Burning Man.
Perhaps I can pretend to be media? HELLO......!!!? Do you not know who I am???
I write a blog that MILLIONS of people read and I will cover the presidential debate in my blog extensively, I DESERVE to be present! In fact, I should get my own microphone and be allowed to interject with questions and observations.
I don't know where I stand in this election. To shake up the country, if that is what you want, vote for Trump I guess and see what happens. To stay more on the same course vote for Hillary.
I am more worried about the state of Europe and Sweden. The Islamic State worries me. I care for how we treat animals. And this planet. If you really are the proud American that you say that you are.....then stop leaving your trash behind. Don't let some poor immigrant like me pick up your trash, because I do. For free.
I work for free for America! LOL. I care about human interactions and the importance of being nice to each other. I care about being open minded and possessing knowledge and learning. I think we should read more books and watch less stupidity. I think it is important to talk to each other and learn from each other. We all share the same planet. Me, you and everybody else.

What to do in Las Vegas for entertainment? How about bingo at the Plaza? That is what me and my brother did last Saturday. I don't play bingo often and it is rather complicated, well not really complicated more like confusing if you are a novice.
A few more games and I will be a seasoned vet but I think bingo once or max twice per year is all the bingo excitement I can handle. Ask me again when I am 90 something, maybe then I will appreciate bingo more. I'm not a fogbone yet....



But we still had fun playing, although we didn't win anything (of course).
Some people won more than once, one lady won twice and then her friend won once.....WTF? I smell a bingo conspiracy. It is Vegas after all. People hustle here.....all kinds of people, even old ladies.





After bingo we ventured out for some free world class entertainment on Fremont Street. You do not need $ on Fremont Street, bring a water bottle from home or a cooler with some beer and sit down and enjoy the show. First of all, if you catch Spandex Nation playing live you are in for a treat. They cover 80s hair and metal band hits and they are GREAT! Talk about sing along nostalgia, I love Spandex Nation! I am a fan.
And if you are currently at some confusing crossroads in your life......perhaps thinking about a career change, going through a midlife crisis or are broke.....do not worry! You can work at Fremont Street, no experience necessary! Just go down there, prepare a costume of some sort (does not have to be elaborate) just show LOTS of skin! You do not have to be in shape, actually if you are in bad shape, have visibly missing teeth, missing a limb or two, look disheveled in general.....EVEN BETTER! If you have a baby.....that will work too, bring the bundle of joy down to Fremont and make it earn it's keep. Don't forget to bring something to collect your tips in and start making money! The hustle on Fremont Street is amazing. There is a WTF moment everywhere you turn. Also people watching on Fremont is priceless. It's a great place to teach your children or yourself how not to behave in public.
Watch the adult drunks stagger around making a spectacle of themselves. I am so glad that I am not a white trash drunk. If I am "offending" any white trash drunks now.....oh well. I was like.....WOW.....these people are going to vote in the upcoming presidential election? SCARY! I don't even know how they FUNCTION in real life? Is it a life style or what is it? Whatever it is.....it is scary. Welcome to 'Merica!
Overall Fremont Street is lots of fun. My favorite of all the buskers (hustlers) is CUPID. He is an amazing hustler and has great energy, nonstop smiling and very cute in his own way, CUPID deserves every dollar he makes. He should teach others how to work Fremont Street for the most $$$ rewards.



But I can only take so much of Fremont Street extravaganza. I need to schedule a soul soothing afternoon tea session at the Mandarin Oriental soon......I need balance in my life and the Mandarin Oriental is my cup of tea.
Speaking of tea, me and my brother have similar taste in beverages and enjoyed some milk tea from some Asian place - yummy.



Well......all the good things sadly come to an end and I took Robert (my brother) to the airport yesterday. I miss him already and I feel sad. I hate goodbyes and airports make me feel uneasy because they mean separation to me. I hope he can come back soon. I hate that I am away from family and friends, that is a constant pain in my heart.
Today I am planning on going to the Women's Expo and then I need to find my tweezer or get a new one. My tweezer is missing since Burning Man and my eyebrows have not been this wild looking since I don't even remember when.

Today I tried a new coffee shop (for me), it is called Bad Owl Coffee and you can find it on 10575 S Eastern Ave #160, Henderson.
A must visit if you are a Harry Potter fan since the place has a Hogwarts vibe. I liked it, the staff was super friendly and it seems like there are many return customers. It's a bit too far from my neighborhood, so it's not a coffee shop I would go to on a daily basis but I can see myself going again. Thumbs up!