Thumbs up to… Taylor Swift for breaking dozens of records in 2023. She not only became the first female to have multiple number-one records on the Billboard 200 chart but also broke a record both Prince and The Beatles used to hold for years. https://theweek.com/culture/entertainment/1025810/taylor-swift-records-2023
Thumbs up to… The murderer of Vanessa Guillén was caught and placed on the maximum prison sentence. Cecily Aguilar, the only suspect arrested by authorities, pleaded guilty on her court date in November. https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-accomplice-army-soldier-vanessa-guillens-murder-disappearance-base-maximum-sentence
Thumbs up to… Spain’s women’s soccer team for earning its first-ever Women’s Cup international win in a 1-0 victory over England. It was such a win that the entirety of Spain called it “indescribable.”
Thumbs up to… Researchers for discovering a new pack of endangered gray wolves. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a report of a wolf seen in the last two months in Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County led researchers to spot tracks and collect DNA samples from fur and droppings. https://omaha.com/news/nation-world/science/researchers-have-identified-a-new-pack-of-endangered-gray-wolves-in-california/article_d13f4e74-c433-5b46-bcc6-86f0a1842247.html
Thumbs down to… Paul Reubens’ loss of life to cancer. Reubens, also known worldwide for his jovial and childlike alter ego “Pee-Wee Herman,” has been battling cancer for all but six years while entertaining children and adults alike, but he died on July 30 at the age of 70. https://variety.com/2023/film/news/paul-reubens-dead-pee-wee-herman-1235683504/
Thumbs down to… A summer heat wave. July 2023 was declared the hottest recorded month, thanks to climate change. According to Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the month’s average temperature was 62.51, six-tenths of a degree higher than the previous record set in 2019. https://theweek.com/science/1025614/the-biggest-climate-records-hit-this-year
Thumbs down to… Amputee rates in Ukraine rising to levels akin to World War 1. Due to the current Russo-Ukraine war, many people have become seriously injured in the process – not only soldiers but also civilians. https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1025490/amputee-rate-in-ukraine-rises-to-level-akin-to-wwi
Thumbs down to… The retirement of a gaming icon. Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario, has chosen to retire from performing as the character in video games after 30 years. He is now taking on his new position as a “Mario Ambassador” and traveling the world. https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/charles-martinet-iconic-voice-mario-retires-performing-character-video-rcna100981