illustration friday: electricity

click on image to see larger

OK, my fate is clear - I am just going to die at my computer, unable to tear myself away from THIS! My creative wheels are spinning...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!

I am watching political hullabaloo and shaking my head. Anyone wondering what “gas tax holiday” really means, besides political maneuvering? Do we assume, like many Americans do, that individuals alone carry burden of gasoline tax? Or someone else is actually pitching in? Who benefits in the end? And what is with all the economists opposing gas tax holiday proposal?

While I was unable to determine exact proportions of tax burden on gasoline sales that fall to the consumer (as suppose to what portion producers and suppliers are paying), I was able to find articles that summed up the outcome of the proposed gasoline tax holiday. One great website to check out: Environmental Economics.

The more I dig around in search of some sort of answer that is little less theory or an economist-speak model and more of a layman’s terms explanation, the more holiday from gas tax seems like a placebo – it makes one feel good, as one perceive some sort of alleviation from continuous burden.

Where is logic in warm fuzzy feelings we are willing to experience now when at the end we all loose – it appears that by the end of summer we would have saved $30.00 by not paying gas tax, and also severely undercut funding for road construction and maintenance that is financed, in big part, by gasoline taxes. Oh, and did anyone ever mentioned state-imposed gas tax? Or how high it is in some states? And here is another thing: even if states enacted gas tax holiday – will the consumer benefit? We know from previous history, it is not necessarily the case. Here is an article from The New York Times that addresses that exact issue (well, among others): States Get In on Calls for a Gas Tax Holiday by Damien Cave, published May 6, 2008.

It appears that we are willing to stand up and demand immediate solution without realizing that price of gas can still go up through the summer, despite no tax attached to that price. Supply/demand thing. As we drive everywhere, we will continue to fill up our tank. We may continue to be angry, but it is not very likely we will stop buying gas. Short-term fix? Hardly even that. More like a political choreography of who can appeal to the voting masses.

illustration friday: seed

pencil drawing, digitally colored

every day in may!

What is "Every Day in MAY?" Find out -- click on icon below!

I have noticed issue of over-blogging and dilemma of “to blog or not to blog” surfacing in some of my favorite people. Why do we do it and when does it become too much of a good thing? I blog to keep track of things, time, to post photos and artwork and hope there are people out there that are interested in sharing bits and pieces of my life. Some of my blogging is for contact, however virtual, some is about having a place to play – with art or words. Sometime I post frequently; sometime I disappear off the radar. I suppose disappearing part is hard because my imaginary friends move on and there is nary a voice to be read… I am looking forward to my Fridays – Illustration and Photo prompts, though I don’t always participate. Frequently my updates are just a list. Sometime is just things that I am happy about. But if there is ever a time when I will feel that blog is taking away time and energy that is needed elsewhere – I suppose I would slow down or stop altogether. For now I am content with my small accounting of days.

As we are still fully in Jane Austen mode, here is couple of books for those who want to go boldly where Jane has never gone before. He-he. Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continues by Linda Berdoll is one continuation of Pride and Prejudice that I adore. It is fun and funny with plenty of romance, sarcasm, thrilling moments, suspense and tragedy. On another hand – if you are an Austen purist – don’t touch it. And there is a sequel to the sequel: Darcy and Elizabeth, Nights and Days at Pemberly. Don’t know how I will like this one, as I just started on it.

My spring-cleaning that started early came to screeching halt, now I am back at it. My simplifying mantra is only upset by my avarice for shoes. I assigned blame to my favorite shoe fanatic (you know who you are) and chose simply to wring my hands in a gesture of “there is nothing I can do!” while indulging my shallow joy of pretty footwear.

Garden days are here. Again, I missed last part of April and have smacked myself for not sticking with “no vacations in April” rule. Not being here in April always puts me behind in my war with weeds and takes away precious time when transplanting can be done without detriment to the plants. On another hand, I would not have missed going to Las Vegas! Ah, so my punishment is to work doubly hard and try to catch up. One week of warm rainy weather brings everyone to the full-growing mode, so I better hurry if I am to make something garden-like of my little garden of horrors. If no posts on this blog – blame those weeds.

Positive feedback is always appreciated! I found some for my work HERE. Don't forget to check out other artists featured!

photo friday: electricity

Viva! Viva, Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is unreal, as in “removed from reality”. Las Vegas is glittery and fun. It is gritty and unforgiving. It is magical and illusive. Las Vegas is an experience. As it was a very first trip to Vegas, we were offered opinions that spun extremes. Yet, everyone agreed, and now we can join the choir – you have to do it at least once!!!

There is truly something for everyone – shows to see, food to sample, nights to dance away, money to loose! Shopping is extreme, weather is sunny, and entertainment is plentiful. And when your feet can carry you no further and your pocketbook is reduced to slim nothing, there are lazy afternoons by the pool and plenty of spots to people watch.

My “to do” list for this trip was short – I wanted to see Cirque du Soleil show (we decided on KA), hike Red Rock Canyon (see this post) and wander some of the mega resorts just to gawk around. Mission accomplished!

... and not an Elvis in sight...

My sweetie and I have agreed that the best of Las Vegas, for us, was found beyond the strip. A friend has recommended a guided hike at the Red Rock Canyon with Neil of Hike This! And we are so glad that we signed up. A day well spent – in close contact with nature (literally crawling all over rocks!), in great company, in a gorgeous place.

Neil is a great guy, laid back and relaxed. He gave us several choices of trail, combination of trail and scrambling or just scrambling for our outing, and collectively we were able to figure out our optimal way to experience the canyon. We were all OK with us not racing to the top of the mountain, but rather scramble along at the comfortable pace. We made to the top just fine, but with our breath intact, our limbs attached, and plenty of stops along the way for photos! Our timing was very fortunate – the desert is in bloom as we speak. And desert in bloom is a spectacle not to be missed!

Heading to Las Vegas? Give Neil a call, get off the Strip and have a hike (or a scramble) from easy to really challenging, depending on your level of fitness, stamina and sense of adventure.