I was sort of blown away this week.

No, not by the news. 

Because as outrageous as it gets in Washington, D.C., nothing surprises me.

Even when the design for a 250 foot high, ugly-ass arch with a gold-gilded Lady Liberty on top, the latest project from our POTUS, was released several days ago, I wasn’t taken aback.

And certainly not outraged. 

Only momentarily nauseated. 

I save my outrage for wars.  And treaties negotiated by bad summer stock versions of smart and honorable statesmen.

Oh, and sexual assault.  Whether they be one and done or multiple accusations of the aforementioned.

We’re dealing with that here in California by way of the current governor’s race.

As, it seems, every state in the country is in some form.

Especially in Washington, DC, which technically is not a state. 

Unless you count one of the mind.

As for the complete Epstein Files and justice for those survivors.

It will happen. 

IF we demand it.

Meanwhile, what we’re left with aside from No Kings rallies, is self-medicating our way through our everyday lives.

Since I was a chubby kid, I can only take food so far.

And since my father was a compulsive gambler and sometimes drank too much, and my mom was prone to rage blaming in my younger years – addictions, or being one to enable them, both scare and repel me.

Not that I haven’t been tempted over these times to do otherwise or would blame anyone who decides to resort to some form of it out of, well, whatever the reasons.

No judgement here.

At least not about that.

But I have found that, when all feels lost, something primal always seems to get me through –

Talent.

Or at least an appreciation thereof.

Sure, we all have our talents. 

And make of that what you will. 

In fact, use your imaginations and please, please do.  That’s the least we can provide for you in these, um, challenging times.

But specifically the kind of talent I’m referring to is show business talent, especially the surprising kind.

So it might not seem like much in comparison to all of the above stuff I felt the need to just go into, but here’s what I was blown away by this week.

In this little hit show on HBO called The Pitt, which is about to conclude a superb second season after winning a boatload of Emmy awards for its first, there is an actress named Isa Briones.

She plays an in-your-face too often snide, too often insensitive even though we suspect she’s damaged and sensitive inside, E.R. doc named Trinity Santos.

Santos is just a second-year resident but has a very large, nee enormous, protective chip on her shoulder.  The kind of person you think you’d want to banter with (Note: Well, maybe only if you were me) but in actuality you’d probably not have the nerve to tangle with.

Because truthfully, it’s just easier to sit everything out these days. 

Especially when democracy is not at stake. 

And anyway, Santos is actually quite democratic in her own way since she has no sacred cows.  At the end of the day, she’s an equal opportunity offender. 

With a sort of heart. 

Sometimes.

Which is more than I can say for some, ahem “people.”

But who knew that Santos – aka Isa Briones – could sing the way that she does.

Yes, I knew she came from a musical theatre family and could sing.  But, well, not like this.  Not with so much……well, so much.

It was pretty shocking.  In the best way.  It took me out of my mind (Note: As they say, it’s a dangerous place to spend too much time in alone) and out of this world and into another stratosphere for a while.

Too much of a buildup?  Well, see for yourself.  Or find someone or something that can provide a much-needed respite for you.

We’re in a race here and it is, indeed, a marathon.

So now – here’s Santos – or shall I say – Isa Briones – currently appearing on Broadway as Connie Francis – in the hit musical, Just In Time. You’re welcome.

Play it over 100 times, as I did this week.

Or find one or more of your own.