One more post before boarding. This is for Fragments of Fiction, just another story I have created.
It was much harder than I had anticipated it to be. The trip that is. I spent the whole time there as an outsider looking in. Can’t say that I really mind being the outsider. Been doing it all my life, feels natural. Most of the time it is a comfortable fit, but not this time. Tight patent leather wing tips clicked and clacked across the dance floor, but none were mine. They stayed on the side and watched the world around them. This should have been the time to walk in with you on my arm. The perfect time to glare at the men trying to check you out, while secretly smiling. The chance to step out from the worlds we live in and enjoy something special and different. But you weren’t there and I was alone. Who knew that your absence would be so palpable. Who knew that it would feel so shocking, like jumping into icy water. Except that stinging sensation didn’t completely disappear because I never completely adjusted. Once we laughed and cried together. We told each other that “you’re my air”. Now my air is gone and I am choking. But tomorrow is a new day and with it a fresh start. I am looking forward to it because you never know what the day can bring. I am happy, but I miss you terribly. Just thought that you’d should know. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
November 15, 2009
You Should Have Been Here
A Captive Audience
It is a quarter to five here on the East Coast. I have 45 minute to kill before we begin boarding the plane so I thought that I’d try to be productive.
Today I was reminded twice of what it means to be a captive audience.
I recently attended an event where one of the other attendees “regaled” us with tales of her children and grandchildren. Endless stories about how smart and how cute they are were heaped one upon the other with little regard for those of us who were forced to listen. I like kids. I write about my own all the time. But the distinction between what happened today and the blog is that you have a choice.
You can read, skim and or skip these tales without concern. No one will be hurt. It won’t look like you are lacking social graces.
It is possible that I was the only one who was irritated by these tales today. It is possible that everyone else enjoyed the 362 stories we heard. I can only speak for myself and say that it got old. Not to mention their need to one up anyone else who managed to share a tale of their own. Midway through I was aggravated so I pulled a “Natural Jack” and started making up things about my kids, incredibly ridiculous things. I just had to know if this other person would respond and how. On the other side of the captive audience bit is my visit to the airport. The prices that are being charged for simple things like water are crazy. $3.50 for 12 ounces is robbery.
And don’t get me started about the fees for checking luggage. We gave them billions of dollars to recover from 911 and they gave us fewer flights and new fees. Something is very, very, wrong here. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Travel day
(This is another post generated through Posterous. Hopefully the formatting isn’t an issue.)
It is a travel day. I am sitting inside my hotel room drinking a cup of mint tea and trying to relax. There are a million projects waiting for me back home and I am antsy. Most of the time it wouldn’t bother me. I would shrug my shoulders and relax because I can’t do anything about them from here. But today is different. I am feeling anxious, restless and generally unsettled. I expect that knowing I am going to be stuck in the old flying tin can has a part in this too. Writing often helps me to relax so I figured I might as well give it a shot. Maybe it will help take the edge off. Last night I went to the wedding of a very dear friend. Been hanging out with the old man for more than 35 years now. Thirty-five years. It feels a bit strange to write that. We can’t really be that old. It is not our entire lives, but it is most. His wife is wonderful and I am thrilled for him. They were radiating joy last night, just spilling out of them. That’s how it should be. I didn’t know very many people there at all. It was a little strange. I say strange because until a few years ago we lived in the same city. With very few exceptions we knew all of each others friends. Now that he is stuck out here in the East that is no longer true. He has a whole new life and a bunch of new friends. It was fun meeting them and hearing stories about things they had done. I smiled, the old man is consistent. Always described as a mensch, reliable and consistent. The wedding was at this place out in the country. Beautiful mansion that looks awesome when it is lit up at night. I expect that if it wasn’t overcast we would have been able to see a ton of stars. Had sort of a weird experience there that I am trying to sort out. There was sort of a junior high moment/vibe a time or two. The old man has another old friend who attended the wedding. There were some moments there where I felt like he was trying to compete with me for the old man’s attention. Now maybe it is just me, but I sort of doubt it. I don’t understand where this jealousy thing is coming from. I am a bit hesitant to even write about it. So I’ll compromise and say that we get different sorts of things from different friends. That doesn’t require swearing a pledge of allegiance to one person, never to be broken. You can have several good friends. In fact I have always taught my children that you really can’t have too many friends. And if you are truly lucky several will be very close friends. Anyhoo, I don’t think that I want to write any more about this nonsense. It was just kind of strange. Meanwhile back in the land of adult behavior and reality I have to finish packing. I really do dislike it. Although packing to go home is always easier than to go away. Looking forward to seeing the family. The dark haired beauty has called me daily so that she can sing songs and shower dad in love. It is pretty cool. Might try checking in again later, who knows. See you all in a bit. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryHaveil Havalim #243
I am trying to blog from a BlackBerry. Please forgive me for formatting issues that may occur. Haveil Havalim, the Best of The Jewish/Israeli blogosphere is now live. You can find it at the following address:
http://imabima.blogspot.com/2009/11/haveil-havalim-243-nablopomo-edition.html Go read it with your morning coffee. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryNovember 10, 2009
November 6, 2009
November 1, 2009
October 30, 2009
October 29, 2009
All of Us ‘have’ a genius.
Very interesting and well worth watching. Thanks to The Rebbetzin’s Husband.
October 27, 2009
Battle of the Network Stars Part 1
My childhood rears its head again.
October 25, 2009
October 24, 2009
October 23, 2009
October 19, 2009
October 18, 2009
October 16, 2009
ICON Aircraft | A5 Video
I want one of these. http://www.iconaircraft.com
October 15, 2009
October 12, 2009
October 11, 2009
October 10, 2009
Man, 81, finishes race after borrowing a catheter – Yahoo! News
MINNEAPOLIS – Organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon said they won’t disqualify an 81-year-old runner who won his age group after using a borrowed catheter. Jerry Johncock of Shelbyville, Mich., was sidelined at an aid station about 21 miles into Sunday’s race because a blood clot prevented him from urinating. The aid station had no catheter, but a spectator stepped forward to offer Johncock a catheter he had in his car.
Aides helped insert the catheter and Johncock went on to finish in a little over 5 hours 22 minutes.
Race officials considered disqualifying Johncock because of a rule against improper assistance. But executive director Virginia Brophy Achman said they decided Johncock didn’t break the rule.
She called Johncock “a great role model and example of what you can do as a runner.”
Johncock’s wife, Dorlene, said her husband was cheered by the ruling. She said he found the whole situation a little humorous.
Johncock+ catheter- Oy.
October 9, 2009
October 8, 2009
FARK.com: Fark Video Player (4670486) Star Trek + Nine Inch Nails = Awesome (Some not safe for work language)
Star Trek and Nine Inch Nails- This is interesting. NSFW language.
October 6, 2009
Early Morning Music
| Feeling a little rowdy. Jammed for time, hope to get a post up soon. |
October 4, 2009
Worst Fight Scene Ever
This scene needed some help from Adam West’s Batman. Graphics saying “POW” and “KABOOM” would have done so much. 
October 1, 2009
Social Media Revolution
The world is changing and if you don’t adapt and adjust you will be left behind.
Music Post #2
This is the second of three music posts for this evening.
Download now or listen on posterous
Download now or listen on posterous
04_Always On My Mind_Johnny Cash and Wille Nelson.mp3 (4841 KB)
Download now or listen on posterous
Music Post #1
This is the first of three music posts for this evening.
Download now or listen on posterous
05_It Shouldve Been Me_Ray Charles.mp3 (3219 KB)
Download now or listen on posterous
Download now or listen on posterous
11_Feelin Sad_Ray Charles.mp3 (3323 KB)
Download now or listen on posterous
18_If You Were Mine_Ray Charles.mp3 (3317 KB)
Download now or listen on posterous
19_Dont Change On Me_Ray Charles.mp3 (3616 KB)
The best motivation video
Fight, fight, fight and when you have nothing left keep fighting.
September 30, 2009
Due To Technical Difficulties
This is day two of the great computer crash of 2009. Of course we need to clarify that great is not being used in a positive sense here. This post is being composed upon my BlackBerry and sent to Posterous. Posterous in turn will distribute it to a few of my blogs. Writing is something I take pleasure in and find to be therapeutic so I am grateful to be able to post in this manner. However it is still unwieldy and cumbersome. Given the choice I would prefer to use my computer and a full size keyboard. I suppose that this is a good time to interject some thoughts about future smartphones and or computers. If I had the ability I would invent a smartphone device that would shrink and expand in size. I envision something that is paper thin and easily fits in your pocket. However it could expand as large as a letter size piece of paper. A large portion would serve as the screen/display. Just beneath would be a full size keyboard. At full size it could be a touchscreen. The large size would make it less likely to have some of the issues we see today. Of course this device would play music, video etc. Unfortunately that day isn’t here yet so we’ll have to wait and see what the tech world comes up with. With any luck I’ll solve my existing tech issues long before that. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
A Simple Rule For Forwarding Email
Consider this a gentle reminder. When you forward email please remove the header containing all of the prior recipients. In addition to privacy concerns I have no interest in scrolling through two pages of the people who got it before I did. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
August 9, 2009
August 8, 2009
August 7, 2009
Daddy, Why Are You Wearing Make-up?
Daddy, Why Are You Wearing Make-up?
There is nothing like being chastised by a five year-old first thing in the morning. Barely awake, semi groggy and in need of my caffiene drip I rolled out of bed and shuffled towards the bathroom. I didn’t make it more than ten feet when I was grabbed in a bear hug by the dark haired beauty.
Five years-old and going on 30 she reached tugged on my hand and told me to bend over and kiss her good morning. I was only too happy to oblige, the girl gives great hugs and I am a sucker for her. What I didn’t expect was the reaction that came with it.
During a pick up basketball game this week I took an elbow to the head and received a black eye. Well, it is not exactly black now. At the moment it is closer to purple, blue and black. She took one look and exclaimed, “Daddy, why are you wearing makeup!”
Since I was half awake it took a moment to realize what she was looking at. I must have stared at her for a moment because she put her hands on her hips and told me that she wanted an answer. I smiled and told her that it wasn’t make up. As I explained what happened to me she shook her head and told me that she doesn’t want me to play with boys because they play too rough.
I laughed and told her that I don’t play with boys. I play with men. As I said “men” I growled and then picked her up and twirled her around. She squealed with laughter and told me to hold still. With a very serious expression on her face she kissed my eye and then told me that she doesn’t want me to play anymore.
So I thanked her for her concern and told her that I am a big boy and I can make my own decisions now. This did not go over well and she told me that I always get hurt. I shook my head and gave her a list of my injuries.
In more than 25 years of basketball I have had very few injuries. One broken ankle, one broken nose, one dislocated finger, a few jammed fingers and two black eyes. Now mind you that I broke my ankle when I was 20. I received the first black eye three years ago and the dislocated finger about 18 months ago.
As I sat there rattling off the list of injuries and ailments I started to laugh. What the hell am I doing arguing with a five-year-old about this. I love the dark haired beauty, but at five she thinks that a week is forever, telling her about injuries from twenty years ago is ridiculous.
Slowly lowering myself to one knee I thanked her for her concern and told her that I appreciated it. And then she proved that she has been listening to me. With a plain expression on her face she looked me in the eye and told me that I can ignore her, but I am not going to like the consequences of my actions.
I can’t wait until she is a teenager, life is going to become so much more fun and interesting.
Atheists Are Happy People Too
Atheists Are Happy People Too
This story ought to irk more than a few people.
“A new study of some 5,800 non-believers reports that contrary to popular conceptions of atheists as crabby misanthropes, they in fact tend to be as happy as their believing brethren, and are in fact more satisfied than people who are uncertain in their beliefs, or in their unbeliefs.“This new survey reports that confident nonbelievers are more emotionally healthy with respect to ‘fence sitters’ or religious doubters, shows that ’spirituals’ report less satisfaction with their lives than those who identify with other self-labels, and suggests that the common assumption that greater religiosity relates to greater happiness and life satisfaction is not quite true,” says a release from the Center for Inquiry (CFI), a leading association of secularists, humanists, agnostics and atheists — the range of “non-theists” who are often lumped in the polling category of “Nones,” or those who reported no religious affiliation.CFI conducted the Non-Religious Identification Survey (NRIS) with Luke Galen, an associate professor at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich., who has an article on the study, “Profiles of the Godless,” in the current edition of CFI’s magazine, Free Inquiry.One might expect that non-believers would already be pretty happy, given the high profile of recent best-selling neo-atheist authors Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris, and the fact that recent national surveys have shown a steady growth in the “Nones” to more than 16 percent of the U.S. population — a real eye-opener (and rallying cry) for those who preach about America as a “Christian nation.” That 16.1 percent figure comes from the huge U.S. Religious Landscape Survey released by the Pew Forum in April.”
A Successful Social Media Strategy (A Post That Needs Work)
A Successful Social Media Strategy (A Post That Needs Work)
Someone recently asked me to share an example of a post that I considered to be poorly written. So, per their request here is an excerpt of something that I wrote and dislike.
Part of my real world existence involves daily discussions about how businesses can craft a successful social media strategy. Every one of these discussions begins in the same manner. We sit down and have a brief conversation about campaign objectives. Is it branding, is it lead generation, is it crisis PR etc.
Once we establish what the overall objective is we can start outlining goals and action items. Basically, it is not much different than putting together a report such as we did as school children. You develop an outline and follow it.Now that is a very rudimentary explanation that doesn’t take into account establishing benchmarks or constructing any sort of system of metrics that you can use to try and measure the success of your campaign. Metrics are important as they help give you guidelines that you can use to see if what you are doing is working, but it is also important not to overweight them.I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with clients and prospective clients in which they tell me about these elaborate proposals and presentations that were made to them. Every one of them filled with the latest marketing jargon and gibberish.That sort of stuff is nice, but I wonder how much of it is smoke and mirrors. If you ask me a lot of it is fluff and padding that is thrown into the pitch because they are not confident with their services. I won’t present myself as being the best out there at what I do. Others are better and that is ok.But I am effective and efficient and that is what I want in my social media strategy. I want to see a plan that I can understand and follow. I want to see simple metrics that
The Other Israel
The Other Israel
Think that Israel is a place filled with violence and strife. Read this and see that there is far more to Israel than war.
In the meantime look at this:
“Israel has a world class cultural scene. Want to see Franco Zeffirelli and Daniel Barenboim? No problem. The Alvin Ailey Dance Company visits. The opera plays to audiences at 97 percent capacity. Even at lower pay, (Israel) attracts the best talents from around the globe…
“Israel enjoys top universities, upscale restaurants, million-dollar homes, hoity-toity architecture, and the like. In the fourth quarter last year, when the global economy went all to hell, Israel’s annual, quarter-over-quarter rate of GDP was only off 0.5 percent, the best figure in the industrialized world. (The United States was off 6.3 percent and Japan 12.1 percent.) ‘Think about the resistance of our economy in recent times,’ suggests Zvi Eckstein, deputy governor of the Bank of Israel. ‘Our prime minister (has a stroke). The war in Gaza. The war in Lebanon. The government gets replaced. But we’ve maintained a stable macroeconomic structure and a strong high-tech sector…’
What’s the secret? A very conservative banking system…No mortgage crisis…A current account surplus since 2003…Negligible inflation…Prudent governmental fiscal policy… Healthy integration into the world economy. Last year, 483 Israeli high-tech companies raised a whopping $2.08BN (only US companies raised more). All the major tech players – Google, Microsoft, IBM – have large research centers in Israel. They go where the talent is…’Israel is today the third-hottest spot (after Silicon Valley and Boston) for high-tech venture capital in the world…’ Israel produces more science papers per capita than any other country. Israel lags behind only the United States in number of companies listed on NASDAQ. Twenty-four percent of Israel’s workforce has a university degree; only the United States and Holland have a higher number. Israel leads the world in scientists and technicians per capita…
August 6, 2009
The Enola Gay
The Enola Gay
Sixty four years ago the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare upon Japan. There is an interesting opinion piece in the WSJ that discusses the controversy that has developed over this.
It is worth reading and considering the positions of both sides. It is always easy to look back and critique the actions of the past. But we should remember that it is harder to try and truly understand the thoughts and sentiments of a particular time.
I have mixed emotions about it. Certainly you can point to the tremendous loss of life and say that many of those people were innocent. But, there are real questions about what would have happened had America been forced to invade Japan.
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned
Our pals at Toner Mishap turned us onto this tale of one man’s odyssey into the Twilight Zone.
A Wisconsin man who thought he was joining his lover at a motel for an afternoon tryst was instead blindfolded and bound while she and three other women, including his wife, berated and humiliated him over his infidelity, according to a criminal complaint.Four of the women have been charged with false imprisonment in the romance-revenge scheme and one of them is accused of sexual assault for allegedly super-gluing the man’s genitals to his stomach, the complaint says.
Apparently his lovely ladies didn’t like being part of a harem. As J. Geils used to sing, Love Sticks, er Stinks.
AP May Start Charging For Quotes
AP May Start Charging For Quotes
Just read a story on a CNN blog about a potential plan by the AP to charge for quotes. Until this is clarified I may stop linking to their news stories.
Apparently the AP is working with iCopyright and may begin billing for quotes as short as five words.
In a statement released Monday, the Associated Press claims the licensing “form is not aimed at bloggers. It is intended to make it easy for people who want to license AP content to do so.”
Bloggers may not be the primary targets, but vague licensing terms leave open the frightening prospect of legal action against anyone who quotes an AP article.
There are other news sources. As the blogger in the CNN post mentions the AP is shooting themselves in the foot. Ordinary bloggers are not going to want to pay for the content. To be clear they shouldn’t be copying and pasting entire articles, but a short excerpt is a different story altogether.
Links from Around The JBlogosphere
Links from Around The JBlogosphere
Did Benji ever get a date?
The Big Felafel Discussed The Hebrew U Bombing
Ben Yehuda Shared the Temple Festival
Thanks to Gail you can learn about Crazy Restaurants from around the world
Feeds impact blog traffic. I need to blog about that.
Soccerdad speaks about Linky love
I liked Leora’s picture.
Read Jameel’s piece about the IRS in Israel
August 5, 2009
Music of the Night
Music of the Night
Streets of Jerusalem medley-Moshav
The Only One- Moshav
Jerusalem- Matisyahu
Don’t Give Up- Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush
Blood of Eden- Peter Gabriel & Sinead O’Connor
Sweet Emotion- Aerosmith (love playing this on Guitar Hero, yep I am a happy geek)
Baby Please Don’t Go- Aerosmith
Staying Alive- The BeeGees
This Saturday Night Fever Clip still makes me smile
I’m On Fire- Bruce Springsteen
Hungry Heart- Bruce Springsteen
Old Posts Revisited
Old Posts Revisited
Occasionally I enjoy airing out the archives. Here are some posts that haven’t breathed fresh air in a while.
Blog Well and They Will Sing Your Praises
I Have Been Attacked By a Bubblehead
I Was Infected with A-Z Meme
The Almighty Speaks To Jack
Too Lijit To Quit & The Nigerian Email Scammer
Too Lijit To Quit & The Nigerian Email Scammer
So there I was minding my own business and just hanging out around the blogosphere when suddenly I was confronted by an email. Not just any email, but one of those Nigerian Email Scams. You know what I am talking about, it was one of those emails where someone promised me that if I helped them together we could make millions of dollars.
Now if you are one of the 17 long time readers you know that I am Jack, the Bishop of Bullfrog and scourge of the scam artists. I have engaged these fine men and women more than once in dialogue about these get rich schemes.
Recently I was contacted by another fine gentleman from a far away land who told me that fortune was smiling upon me. All I needed to do was work with him on a very simple plan and we would become rich, so rich that I could buy the burning river in cleveland. As you know that would make many people happy, a clean river, that is.
So when the fine fellow asked me if I was interested I told him that I was, but that before we could enter into partnership he needed to engage me in a traditional American business practice called educating the partner.
In this particular situation I told him that I wanted him to learn about a fine blogging service called Lijit. To help him I sent him a link and all of the text from Lijit’s about page. You know, it is that place where you learn that Lijit will make search on your blog to be more effective and more interesting.
Furthermore I instructed my new friend Simon Peeples that part of the traditional educating the partner involved creating a song and that if he wanted to work with me he would need to write mine and that not doing so is considered very offensive. But I also told him that since he is new to American business practices I would help him.
So I sent him a link to MC Hammer’s song Too Legit to Quit and told him that if he made a video of himself performing this I would be happy to work with him.
Sadly I still haven’t heard back from Mr. Simon Peeples. I am hopeful that it is because he is working on the choreography and that I will soon receive a link to his YouTube video. Not only that but I told him that if he does a good job I would pass it along to famous Hollywood Dance Producer Stampy Fellows.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but while we wait for Mr. Peeples may I suggest that you consider incorporating Lijit into your blog. It has been a very useful tool here and I have been pleased to use it.
Full disclosure, I am participating the in the Lijit Kindle Contest. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
August 4, 2009
June Is On My Mind
June Is On My Mind
(More material for Fragments of Fiction. The hard part with Fragments of Fiction is that there are so many different fragments it is getting to be a bit more challenging to weave together.)
I have spent a lifetime trying to love June the best way I know how. It hasn’t always been easy and it hasn’t always been smooth, but I never doubted our love.
Often times when people say lifetime it is part of an expression that is demeaning or derogatory. That’s not the case here. When I say lifetime it is because I no longer remember a time when she wasn’t a part of me. It is a good thing, sometimes hard, but a good thing.
June and I have a special story that we share. It is a moment in time that never ends. It is the sort of thing that is hard to describe to those who have never had it. It is ok, I don’t really feel the need to.
But I can say this much, when June is 85 I’ll still see the girl she was and the woman she has become.
We are an interesting couple. Been through the usual peaks and valleys that couples hit. Some of them have been rougher than others. In fact I have thought from time to time that it is craziness to continue. You know, we teach our kids not to touch a hot stove, so what am I doing.
But the thing is this different. It is different because when the flame burns that brightly for another then you have to accept that the bumps are going to be a bit more jarring.
Took a long time for me to accept that. Took a long time for me to accept a lot of things that June knew before I did.
But this is how it goes. There is a reason why people use analogies like roller coasters and carousels. In my mind I often see June riding the horse next to mine. Most of the time our horses go up and down together, but every once in a while they get a bit out of sync.
Over time I have taught myself not to pay any mind to that. Things feel momentarily disjointed and then before you know it they snap back into place.
Main thing to remember is to be patient. There is a balance. Don’t want to push too hard, but don’t be afraid to push either. That is easier said than done. I don’t do well living like that. My nature is to seek and when I have located what I am looking for I go after it full bore.
It is a double edged sword, that sort of intensity. It is motor that powers the engine. Drop me into hell and I’ll go toe-t0-toe with Satan. Every time I hear the Devil Went Down to Georgia I smile, because I know that I can beat Old Scratch. Call him by whatever name you want, every time the song comes to this verse I smile:
“Johnny said: “Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.
“I told you once, you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been.”
You can call it pride or foolish pride, it doesn’t matter to me because it is true. I promised June a thousand years ago that if necessary I’d storm the gates of hell for her. I swore that I’d do better than Orpheus and I meant it.
And now we come to the other side of that double edged sword, the place where we take a hard look at things and say well Johnny, what is the hang up. Well, the thing with the kind of intensity I mention is that it has to be reciprocated. It has to be wanted and sometimes even that desire isn’t enough.
If you ask me, that is one of the great mysteries of life. Two people can be totally devoted to each other and unquestionably in love yet forced to live separate lives. In theory there are few problems that cannot be overcome. Hypothetically speaking two people can find a way to overcome the kinds of challenges that prevent them from taking the step where they live their lives together.
But sometimes people are placed in a position where they are unable to work on that opportunity. It doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t, just that they aren’t ready. And that my friends is why the intensity isn’t always a friend.
Because there are times when the motor is running and there is no where to run. So the trick is to try and find a way to use that energy in a positive way. Pacing back and forth like a caged animal doesn’t serve anyone.
So here I am, a boy who fell in love with a girl and dreams of the day when they might be more than a dream.
Second Annual JBlogger Conference
Second Annual JBlogger Conference
Friends if you haven’t heard the Second International Jewish Bloggers Convention is coming soon. Once again it is going to held in Jerusalem. If you haven’t been you don’t know what you are missing out on.
Our favorite wafflemaster Jameel will be there again as will our pal Benji. With any luck you’ll get a chance to enjoy some waffles with Jameel and Chumus with Benji.
Last year we laughed as David took on Bibi. Who knows what can happen this year. The possibilities are endless.
The Business Letter/Email Signatures With Bonus Audio
(playing in the background Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald)
For those of you who want an abbreviated version of this you can click on the link above. Otherwise here is essentially what I said.
During a recent conversation with a co-worker I realized that fewer and fewer of us remember a workplace in which computers were not included. Truth is that my own experience is limited in that respect, it has been 14 years or so since I worked in an office that didn’t provide computers for virtually all of its employees.
Back in those days I used a big yellow notepad to hand write business letters. I then passed those along to my secretary who would type them up and ready them for mailing. Those days are long gone, in large part to the prevalence of email. Since almost everything I send out is via email it is far easier for me to simply type the letters myself.
It is funny to think about how many changes have taken place in such a short time. I remember being taught in school how to write a business letter. I can still hear my teacher explaining the layout and format, how each piece had a specific location. If I close my eyes I can almost see her point to the salutation, the body and the signature.
Assuming that time hasn’t totally clouded my memory we were taught to use a few basic signatures. They included:
Yours Truly,
Kind Regards,
Sincerely,
As well as numerous variations of all three. But I don’t remember being taught that we had another option, “Best.”
When I become king of the world I am going to ban use of that as a signature. Best is the most superficial, fake and pretentious signature I have seen. I hate it, just hate it. Don’t know exactly why, but it just sets me off.
To be clear, I don’t think that the people who use it intend for it to come off as poorly as it does with me. But it doesn’t matter, I interpret it as being no different than being asked “how are you doing” by someone who doesn’t care how I am doing.
It just chaps my hide. I’d write more but I have to send out the kind of emails that pay the bills.
Multiple Facebook Accounts
Multiple Facebook Accounts
Somewhere in the archives of this collection of comments and critiques is a post discussing the trials and tribulations of having multiple Facebook accounts. I mulled over searching for it but I am just not in the mood so forgive me if I repeat myself.
Anyhoo, I created two different Facebook accounts because I wanted one for the blogosphere and one for the real world. In theory it was a smart idea, at least when I did it I thought that it would be useful. At the time I hadn’t really figured out if I wanted to use Facebook so I set things up so that I would have the option.
Since then I have found that I use Facebook far more than I had anticipated. It has turned out to be a good tool for networking and for staying in touch with various friends and family. And yes, for those who wonder the networking has translated into dollars in my pocket. Woohoo! Not huge, but enough that I am grateful that it worked out.
The problem now is that with my limited time I am finding it harder to juggle it all so I face a few decisions. The simple choice would be to shut down one of the accounts and have one less responsibility.
I am not quite ready to do that. I am still contemplating tearing away the curtain on my anonymity and if I do that I might as well not throw away the contacts and relationships that have developed over there.
So for now I’ll do what I can to keep juggling things. If nothing else thanks to the magic of technology my blog posts will keep populating that place and provide some new content with some regularity.
August 3, 2009
Do you Take a Sleeping Pill When You Fly?
Do you Take a Sleeping Pill When You Fly?
A number of my friends have jobs that make them into road warriors. It is not uncommon for them to fly several times a week.
During a recent conversation one of them told me that when he flies he often takes a sleeping pill just before take off. I must have made a face because he told me that it is quite common for people to do this.
So I am curious to get your feedback. Is this accurate, do many people take a sleeping pill when they fly? Are you among them? Do you like it? Do you do it to prevent boredom or stress?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Go Away Monday
Go Away Monday
As a child one of my favorite books was called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. When I was having a hard time with something mom would read that to me and remind me that sometimes we all have a bad day. I am not sure why, but I have this mental image of reading it on rainy days.
It is kind of funny to think about. I tower over my mother now, but in these memories I can picture climbing up on the couch and wondering when I would be tall enough for my feet to touch the ground. What happened Mom, you used to be so much taller.
Anyway, today has been a particularly grueling Monday. It is the kind of day where I feel like I have been kicked in the teeth so many times I can identify the kind of shoe leather my gums have been intimate with.
There is a massive knot in my neck and my jaw aches from being clenched. Call me what you will, but right now I feel like Atlas has fooled me into taking over his job. And maybe he did, maybe it happened. I can’t say for certain that it didn’t.
‘Cuz today is one of those days where I look in the mirror and wonder when was the last time I was happy. When was the last time I felt true joy because all I seem to see are storm clouds. I look toward the future and I hear the thunder and lightning. I look to the left and the right and see a pair of twisters heading straight for me.
The siren is blasting and Robbie the Robot is yelling “Danger Will Robinson” and instead of being confident that Jack will handle it all like 007 I am worried that I’ll turn into Doctor Smith.
I am trying to maintain some perspective about it all. Last week was D’s birthday. He would have been 40. In a couple of weeks we’ll watch as the 11th anniversary of his death comes and goes. I am still here. I am still kicking and though it feels like I am being kicked I have the opportunity to get through it all, he didn’t.
At least that is the sort of rah rah speech I have given myself. That is part of a “Jack Special.” Whenever things have been rough I have always found a way through. I have tripped and stumbled, but I always came through. I don’t expect it to be any different this time.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t secretly hope that I’ll wake up and find myself sleeping on the old couch. I’ll stand up and walk into the kitchen and climb up onto the counter to see if my father’s blue Dodge Dart is parked in the driveway yet. If it is I’ll go racing through the house to find him, time for him to play with me. Or maybe I’ll just play with my Legos and Lincoln Logs and try to keep my baby sister from wrecking everything I build.
Go away Monday, I have had enough of you today.
August 2, 2009
My Dream Job
My Dream Job
If you ask me, the world renowned philosopher known as Jack, many things in life are backwards. We spend enormous amounts of our childhood in school being instructed about many important topics. It is hard to argue against education and I am certainly not going to do so.
But the hard thing about a school education is that it doesn’t always prepare you for the real world. It doesn’t give you the sort of life experiences that you can only find outside of the classroom and in some ways that is tragic.
The human life span is very brief. You are born, you hit middle age and then you die. It doesn’t provide much time for you to venture out into the world and learn about who you really are and what you like. Far too often you find that circumstances require you to spend your time working in places and situations that are not suited for you.
There are a variety of reasons why this happens, but not the least of which is that sometimes you cannot know until you try. You may think that you were born to be a teacher but until you hit the classroom and get real life experience all you have is your suppositions and expectations.
Most of us do not grow up knowing exactly what we want to do. Most of us have an idea or two, but we are not really sure so we just muddle our way into new things and hope that they work out.
I am no different. When I graduated college I had this dream of becoming a sports writer. It didn’t happen. I am not a sports writer and haven’t been one in years. Can’t even claim to be a writer who moonlights as a sports writer, a la Mitch Albom.
But that is ok. I am not some 25 year old kid who wishes that he could cover the Lakers or Dodger’s beat.
These days I have slightly different dreams of what and how I want to spend my time, not to mention, with whom. Life is a funny sort of creature.
I am a native Angeleno. Forty years spent in the great City of Angels and I have never cared at all about being a part of the business. Know all sorts of people who are. Writers, directors, producers, agents, I have friends in every category, some of who are quite successful.
And until recently I never cared one whit about being a part of that world. But a while ago something changed. A while back I realized that I really enjoy writing these Fragments of Fiction pieces.
I really enjoy trying to tell a story. It makes me very happy and I think that it could be fulfilling. So suddenly I find myself thinking that writing is really where I want to be. I find myself thinking about making a movie. I find myself thinking about how cool it would be to translate the things I see inside my head onto paper and then onto film.
So now I find myself wondering if I should pursue the dream. I don’t care about being famous, in fact I don’t really want to be. I want to be able to live my life without concern about being tabloid fodder. But it would be very cool to write a book and or a screenplay. Now I want the chance and the experience.
I may find that I hate it, or aspects of it. But I know for certain that I won’t ever get tired of telling stories. It won’t grow old for me. So now all I have to do is figure out a way to do it and fifty percent of my dreams will come true.
Apple and Blogger
Apple and Blogger
I don’t know what is going on, but every time I use a Mac for blogging I find that weird pieces of code are inserted into my posts. Must be a setting, but I am getting sick of finding ‘divs’ all over the place.
A Song for June Continued
A Song for June Continued
(Part one can be found here and some notes can be found here.)
Dear June,
This is the third attempt in the last hour to try and create something that is not stupid nor embarrassing. I am not sure that I am succeeding but I won’t fail for lack for lack of effort. I have tried to compose blindly as well as by using television themes.
Tell me dear June, would you not find it to be incredibly romantic for me to sing you a love song based upon the theme to Gilligan’s Island or Threes Company. Wouldn’t it be great to have it set to Sesame Street.
“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale
a tale of a fateful trip,
that started from this keyboard,aboard this tiny ship.
The blogger was a mighty writer, the girl a….”
See that is just horrible. Or what about:
“Sunny Days, sweeping the clouds away,
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to June’s street
Come and play
Everything’s A-Ok
Friendly games to play with June on June’s street
Can you tell me how to get,how to get to June’s street”
See, that is better than the first attempt, but not really what I want. And don’t even get me started about the attempt to use The Jeffersons or Land of the Lost.
As long we are playing this game I had thoughts to use themes from television/movies along with pictures. Could have done something with LA Law and Moonlighting. Played around with Dallas, Knots Landing and the Dukes of Hazzard. I even considered using the Drew Carey Show but didn’t for obvious reasons.
So I kicked all that junk to the cyberspace curb and mulled and considered my options. I let my iTunes shuffle run in the background. Was it coincidence that The Letter came on followed by Funkytown. I don’t know.
For a long while I lived my life the way that Mick sings in Visions of Paradise. He said it well with:
Just use your heart not your head
While I fall apart in my bed
I find myself aching for you
I feel myself breaking in two
So as I release a mighty sigh I think of you and smile and admit that thus far my attempt to write a song for you has been a bit of a bust. But old Johnny is what you can call, determined and tenacious. I don’t give in or give up easily. This was just the first round.
July 31, 2009
Notes: A Song for June
Notes: A Song for June
Notes: A Song for June- Still working on writing the song- Ain’t got You- Springsteen comes to mind.
Song must be raw emotion, naked honesty. Pain and beauty. I want it tell a story. I want to read the lyrics and see something that resonates. I’ll follow up on this later tonight, at least I hope to.
Are We Poor
Are We Poor
If I had a chalkboard inside my house I would have written the following three lines on it:
Are We Poor.
Are We Poor?
Are We Poor!
Then I would have taken the erasers and clapped them together and laughed while the dust went everywhere. It must be close to 25 years or so since the last time I got in trouble for that. But I don’t have a chalkboard inside my house and I really didn’t want to take the one on my porch inside.
So instead of writing those three lines and speaking with my son about the influence of punctuation on the sentence I launched into a relatively brief discussion about why I don’t care what others think and neither should he.
It seems some other child at his camp told him that he thinks that we are poor. Being a man of class and distinction I told him that when he sees this boy tomorrow he should ask him if his father still beats his mother and whether his uncle still buggers the dog.
Take a deep breath, I didn’t say any of those things. I thought about it, but not in an angry way. I grew up in a middle class home and have spent my entire life with people who were less fortunate and more affluent than we were. During my professional career I have had my ups and downs, but have had far more ups than downs. Overall I can say that we have been very fortunate.
But the advantage of being 40 is that I have all sorts of life experience to rely upon and he at 8.5 does not. So now opens a new chapter in his life, the awareness that some of his friends have more than we do.
I am pleased to say that this is a recent event. For years now he has been playing with other children whose families are very well off. There have been lots of play dates at homes that are much larger than mine and trips in cars that cost more than both of mine. It didn’t faze him, until now.
And I suspect that the reason it has is because the kids are getting a bit more aggressive and a bit nastier about some things.
Anyhoo, when he told me that this other boy said this I told him that he needs to remember three things:
1) His own sense of self esteem and self worth comes from within. It is not based upon how many friends he has or doesn’t have.
2) We make decisions about others based upon their actions.
3) Money and possessions do not make people happy. They may help, but the ultimate source comes from within. Not to mention that he needs to get used to being a middle of the pack kind of kid. In this family we are not driven by money.
So I think that he followed what I was saying and that he got it, at least I hope so. In the interim I am going to monitor what happens with him and this other boy. Just another one of those life lessons that we get to experience.
July 30, 2009
Some Links
Some Links
Deal reached for custody of Michael Jackson’s children- Will these kids ever have anything resembling a normal life.
Movie/record industry rep says that you shouldn’t expect to be able to play your media for as long as you own it- Planned obsolescence for your media. This bothers me.
The Book vs. The Kindle: funny videos about the Kindle’s user rights shortcomings.- Some things worth thinking about.
2010 Camaro- I miss my ‘77 Camaro. I loved that car.
Does Hairy Backvertising Go Too Far? Ah, another candidate for the Mangroomer. Don’t miss our series of posts about useful products. The most recent one offered information about The Bathroom Revolution as well as links to previous posts.
If I had a Spare BillIon I might Buy This
If I had a Spare BillIon I might Buy This
LONDON, England (CNN) — A spectacular superyacht has been designed by an internationally renowned urban planning architect in a very unusual shape.
Seventy-six meter long “Oculus,” which is designed for 12 guests, looks like a large sea creature, with one end looking uncannily like the jaw and eye socket of a shark or a killer whale.A second design, the futuristic, 91-meter “Infinitas,” is based on the figure-of-eight shape of an infinity loop.
The pair are the brainchild of Kevin Schopfer, a Boston, Massachusetts-based architect who felt the design of luxury yachts should move away from generic boat shapes to something more playful.
The two eye-catching designs, which include inside swimming pools and helipads, are still looking for an owner. With a starting price of $95 million for Oculus and $140 million for Infinitas, they don’t come cheap.
Riding The Mommy Blogger Gravy Train
Riding The Mommy Blogger Gravy Train
In the early years of my blogging career I had big plans for my corner of cyberspace. I envisioned an empire that would stretch across the world. In my mind’s eye I could see it so clearly, I’d live on my own private island and have a staff that would cater to my needs.
As you can see from the video, It wasn’t hard to imagine. In no time at all I had launched my blog and begun my conquest of the world. Cue maniacal laughter Muhahahaha
And then I came back to reality. I love to write. It brings me great pleasure to sit here at the keyboard and compose these posts. And so I have spent almost 5.5 years blogging about a wide variety of topics. Over time I have developed a steady following of readers who I am greatly appreciative of, not the least of which is that they read my posts because they enjoy them, not because they might win a contest.
In other words, I didn’t jump on the bandwagon to try to ride the Mommy blogger Gravy Train. Yes, I am calling out those Mommy Bloggers who entered the blogosphere because they saw an easy way to stuff their pockets full of cash.
Before we get any deeper let’s make it clear that I am not impugning all of the Mommy Bloggers. I intentionally haven’t identified bloggers by name because not all of you deserve derision or scorn. Many of you are very fine bloggers whose blogs I enjoy very much.
This is one of those posts that has been percolating through the old melon for quite some time, but I just never got around to it. In part I didn’t touch it because I don’t usually care whether people make money from their blogs. If you are able to do so, then more power to you.
But the story about the woman who tried to blackmail Crocs into giving her a free pair stuck in my craw so I decided to wade in and add my two cents. A womb and a keyboard do not make you powerful, nor does it give you license to threaten others.
As I sit here I wonder how many people jumped on the bandwagon because they thought that they could take advantage of brands who still haven’t figured out how to use the net to effectively market themselves. Brands who have been told that social media is the next great frontier and threatened to be left behind if they do not develop an effective social media plan.
And when it doesn’t work out for you, how long will it take for you to jump ship and go running for the next trendy thing to do. Maybe I am being unfair. Maybe I am acting like a stuffy old man, but that is how it comes across.
July 29, 2009
Tisha B’Av 2009
Tisha B’Av 2009
This is the second consecutive erev Tisha B’Av that has been filled with tumult. Last year had its moments but 2009 is not interested in being outdone by the past so here I sit with spinning head. Fragments of the day are swirling throughout my skull and I find myself torn and frustrated.
I suppose that from an introspective standpoint that this is appropriate for the coming chag. In some respects it leads into a number of posts that I want to write but haven’t had to time to hit yet. Sometime soon we’ll have to talk about reinventing oneself and much more.
You can call call it a character defect or an attribute, it really doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I am going to do the right thing for the situation because it helps the family. One day I need to blog about the conversation I had with my son about these situations. One day I need to share the story about what happens when you are right but you have to say that you are wrong.
So continuing our vague and ambiguous description we’ll meander along to the place where I repeat that in the end you have to be able to go to sleep feeling good about yourself. I may not be happy about the events of the day, but I will sleep like a baby because I did the right thing.
This is not the last battle or the final fight, just a prelude to things to come.
Now back to Tisha B’Av. I may blog more later, but for now here is a link to more of my past posts on the day. I wish an easy fast to those who are fasting.
July 28, 2009
Recent Posts- A Short Round Up
Recent Posts- A Short Round Up
If you haven’t been around here is a quick round up of recent posts:
- Hands Across America
- Shatner The Poet
- A Song for June Part One
- 75 Years of Marriage- A Life Time of Love
- A Collection of Links
- Strange Method of Fund Raising
- If Today Was Your Last Day
- Jack & The Shmata Queen- The Saga Continues
- Moe Berg Double Life Baseball Player and WWII Spy
- Pali MP Dahlan: Arafat Deceived World When Condemn…
- Sunday Songs
- Haveil Havalim #227
- I HATE seeing parents use a leash on their childre…
- A Great Cover Letter
- Things That Irritate Me
July 27, 2009
75 Years of Marriage- A Life Time of Love
75 Years of Marriage- A Life Time of Love
My grandparents are celebrating their 75th Wedding anniversary today. In honor of the occasion I sent out a press release. Here is a copy of it, and yes, the names have been changed.
During an age in which almost half of every marriage ends in divorce there are still people who possess the secret to a life time of love.
On July 27th Daniel and Anne Simpson will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary. The Simpsons are childhood sweethearts who met at age 11 and now at 95 years old are celebrating a milestone that few couples are capable of matching.
There is a long list of changes that have taken place during their lifetime. They have lived to see 17 different presidents, witnessed two world wars, multiple regional conflicts, the Great Depression, Watergate, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, the collapse of The Ottoman Empire, the Civil Rights movement and much more.
They witnessed the rise of the automobile, space travel and the moon landing, proliferation of personal computers and cell phones.
It really isn’t an exaggeration to say that the world has undergone tremendous change during their lives, but in spite of it all they managed to raise a family.
When asked to explain the secret to their long lasting marriage and enduring love Mr. Simpson responded that it came down to many things, but the most important component was the ability to compromise.
“People say that marriage takes work and it does, but Daniel never made it feel like work. He was always involved in so many things,” explained Anne.
Involved is a good way to describe a man who interviewed Al Capone and hid in a closet so that he could meet Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“When times were hard we helped keep each other going, Anne deserves a lot of credit for helping to give me the strength to keep going when it was rough. But we have far more good memories than bad,” said Daniel.
P.S. Since one day my children will read this blog I am trying to organize posts so that they can follow along. Click on the grandparents link and that will take you to many other posts in which I discussed my grandparents. Or you can sift through the following:
The Bearer of Bad Tidings- One Less Set of Footsteps
Pictures, Videos and Memories
My Grandfather Laid Tefillin
The Challenge of Aging
The World’s Fastest 95 Year-Old Man
Passing The Baton- Grandma is 94
Not Quite Goodbye- And Some other Thoughts
And Then He Died
I Talk In My Sleep
A Collection of Links
A Collection of Links
SF Film Festival- There is a difference between searching for hard truths and providing a forum for questionable behavior. To be clear, free speech isn’t unlimited and not all ideologies are equivalent. Some systems of belief are morally superior.
The ISS Crosses in front of The Sun- Some pictures help to show how small we are.
Michael Jackson’s Doctor- Will anyone be surprised to learn that his death was caused by drugs.
Strange Method of Fund Raising
Strange Method of Fund Raising
I have spent quite a bit of time working with various companies/charities in assisting them with developing effective programming/campaigns that can be used to raise money and awareness. I like doing this and feel good about trying to give back.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that I am also relatively critical of their efforts. I am not a huge fan of telemarketers and think that raising money that way is a bit like slinging mud at the wall to see what sticks.
Still I think that it is superior to those charities that send out solicitation letters with money already enclosed in it.
They often read something like this:
Use this nickel/dime/dollar as part of your next contribution to charity XYZ. Now I don’t know about you, but the first thing I do is take that coin and stick it in my pocket. If it is from one of my regular charities they probably will get it back, but if it is not…
I can’t help but wonder how much money they spend on enclosing the currency in the envelope. Does anyone actually turn around and give them back their nickel.
If Today Was Your Last Day
If Today Was Your Last Day
I am a sucker for songs like If Today Was Your Last Day.
“My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest strideIf today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last dayAgainst the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own lifeIf today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last dayIf today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your sideIf today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day”
Nickelback
Bonus Song U2 with Mary Blige singing One.
A Song for June Part One
A Song for June Part One
(This is part of the Fragments of Fiction story)
What we have here is a simple story about a boy and a girl who met and fell in love under the most unlikely circumstances. It is a tale that has all of the elements of a Shakespearean play and aspects of a Greek tragedy.
Two people who in the midst of living separate lives stumbled onto each other and discovered that someone out there was able to touch them in a way that no one else had. Two individuals who took an initial leap of faith and jumped into the fire, praying that the love they shared would shield them from the flames.
And for a long time they lived a life of longing and hope for a future that might allow them to be together. After a while they found that life got in the way of their dreams. It wasn’t any one thing or another that made the difference, but a collection of events and moments that caused a fissure and moments of doubt and uncertainty.
It is not the first time that this story has been written nor will it be the last. But the thing that distinguishes this boy and this girl is that they were both given extraordinary amounts of will. Separately they each had a strong personality but together they had something unique and they knew it.
The things that they had shared and the experiences they had forged a bond that wasn’t going to be severed or broken. It would be tested and at times strained, but never broken. During the hard times it wasn’t easy to touch or think about it. During the good times it was painful to be separated and during the hard times, well it was easier not to admit how deeply in love they were.
So they both retreated and did what they could to hide their feelings. It wasn’t because they had died or changed but because it was too hard to let the fires burn. But as they say, still waters run deep and they were no different.
If you ask me how I came to be so familiar with this story it is because it is my story, or should I say it is our story. That is how I know. That is why I sit here at the keyboard, struggling to share a story that outsiders cannot possibly understand. I can provide you with glimpses of the secret world, but I can’t let you in because you aren’t part of it.
And so this how I have come to this place, this moment in time where I share my struggle with you. This where I tell you about how I promised to write a song for June and how hard it has been to do so. It hasn’t been hard because of a lack of effort or desire. It hasn’t been hard for any reason other than I want her to see what I see.
I want it to show her what she looks like in Johnny’s eyes. I want her to see the woman I see, full of grace and class. I want her to see eyes that sparkle and curves that speak of things that make us blush. I want her to see my best friend and companion. I want her to see the honesty and truth of it all.
The beauty and grace of her walk and the love and care that radiates from her. Lips that were made to be kissed and hands that fit perfectly in my own.
You see, I can write all that down and more. I can find ways to share those thoughts and feelings. I can write it down, but I agonize over how to show that she is the song of my soul. I agonize over how to do it in a manner that is not cheesy or disrespectful. I agonize over how to do it in a way that doesn’t steal from other artists. I want it to be original.
So here I sit, staring at June’s picture, lost in it all. So many promises, so much potential and so much more.
So here I sit pondering the possibilities. Old Johnny is a dreamer, a man who dreams in bright colors, collages of images parade past my eye. How do I translate what I see from that which flows inside into a chorus of sound.
I am torn between wanting to write a symphony or a simple song to be played with a guitar. Maybe it should be both. What I know for certain is that in a quiet moment I want to sing it softly to her. I think that for now I am going to let it marinate inside my head a bit longer.
But before I go I’ll share some of the images in my head, things I see.
Quiet walks through woods during Autumn and summer nights of roller coasters and cotton candy.
Dinner and dancing, long black gowns and tuxedos.
A castle they share and quiet moments at home.
Plane rides to far off places and adventures to be had.
Now comes the hard part of trying to weave this tapestry of sights and sounds into something that can be sung. Or maybe we would be better served to make a movie out it, we shall see.
July 26, 2009
Jack & The Shmata Queen- The Saga Continues
Jack & The Shmata Queen- The Saga Continues
Approximately 13.5 years ago the Shmata Queen and I were members of a message board. On this particular board there were numerous discussions about politics and history. Well the queen and I were active participants in these discussions and soon found out that we held minority opinions on many of the topics.
Since we are both very shy people we soon found ourselves engaged in semi heated discussions with the denizens of the board. And because it was conducted here in cyberspace some of these discussions were not exceptionally pleasant.
Because I am a gentlemen of the finest order, or something along those lines I used to tell the queen to stand behind me and I’d challenge any and all to engage me in written fisticuffs. Who said that chivalry is dead.
I’d be negligent if I didn’t point out that the queen hasn’t any problem speaking up for herself and is quite capable of handling these situations. But since I type twice as fast as she does I found myself in the middle of things more frequently. Side note of useless trivia, she speaks twice as fast as I do. Man, that woman can spit the words out.
Anyhoo…
Many of those who disagreed with us fell into the category of dumb and stupid with a healthy dose of ignorant. Now I know that it is not nice to say that, but really I was surprised at how little they knew of the world around them and of historical events. They must have slept through school or something.
Still, you’d think that they would have been able to compensate by using the research capabilities provided by the net. That was rarely the case. I don’t know if they didn’t do it because of laziness or ignorance, but it didn’t happen much.
Anyway, after a few years of this nonsense a number of them grew irritated and petitioned to have my account suspended. Their petition was granted and I was told that I had to take a time out.
After a short consultation the queen and I decided that it would be fun to create a fake identity for me. So we created a new account for a man named Sweetcheeks. Good old Sweetcheeks, I really liked that guy. Since I have a rather distinct style of writing I had to work hard to make sure that no one caught on.
Sweetcheeks might have described it a bit like this, “Ah like talhking to peoeple becuz you rally lern things that mite halp you.”
It was intentionally over the top and ridiculous. But for some reason people took to Sweetcheeks probably because he was so sweet and innocent where I am innocent but not at all sweet. That is part of the job of being a curmudgeon, you give up on sweetness.
Old Sweetcheeks hung around for a long while, but eventually he was found out. This blog started somewhere around that time. As I have written before it began on a bit of whim, but it was also because I was tired of being told what I could write about and how I could respond to those I disagreed with.
Kind of funny to think that had they been more tolerant I might not ever have decided to begin blogging.
Sunday Songs
Sunday Songs
SOS- Abba
Dancing Queen- Abba
Get Back – The Beatles
Michelle -The Beatles
You Got To Hide Your Love Away- The Beatles
Norwegian Wood- The Beatles
In The Ghetto- Elvis Presley
Suspicious Minds- Elvis Presley
With or Without You- U2
All I Want Is You- U2
Tom Sawyer – Rush
Closer To The Heart- Rush
July 25, 2009
A Great Cover Letter
A Great Cover Letter
Here is another example of an effective cover letter.
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Many years ago in a galaxy far, far away there was simple farmer named Luke. I am not talking about the Luke Duke who drove the General Lee, but the man who blew up the Death Star and defeated the emperor.
Those are pretty big accomplishments for a simple farmer. I can be that guy for you. All you have to do is hire me and I can be your Luke. That is a pretty good deal for you because that would make you Obi Wan-Kenobi. Of course I can’t promise you that I’ll save you from Darth Vader or anyone going postal in the office.
In fact if someone freaks out I just might hide in cubicle. But the good news is that I am a pretty good shot with rubber bands and paper clips. So if you keep me supplied I might be able to shoot someone in the eye. So in reality that is of benefit to you.
Let’s take a moment to review some of the other reasons why it would be stupid not to hire me.
The class of 1986 voted me Most Likely to Drive an Ice Cream Truck. That is the kind of honor that not everyone receives. It is proof that they believed that I would be great at running my own franchise and that I am conscientious worker. Not everyone can keep the ice cream from melting or do simple math. Give me a $1.50 for a Bomb Pop and I’ll give you proper change, unless of course you charge $1.65 in which case I’ll ask you for more money.
As a boy scout I always won the campfire contest. That is the one where you are tested to see who can start a fire the fastest. Not every carries a Bic Lighter and some hair spray around, but I do because you never know when you might need a fire.
I am really good at microwaving popcorn. Not everyone knows how to do it, but I do. I won’t make the office stink. Unless you take me out for Mexican food or feed me dairy. But heck, lactose intolerance is a certifiable medical condition. And since you are a professional you must know that we all deal with occasional bouts of flatulence. That is why I like to play the radio at my desk, so that no one has to listen to uncomfortable noises.
Unlike other employees I won’t lie about why I am missing work. Sometimes I just don’t feel like coming in, we all need personal time. I am sure that you agree that this is the sort of honesty your company needs.
Which I suppose is why you really don’t need to interview anyone else for the job. Really, you should just call me and tell me when I can come in to sign papers. Probably better to do it sooner so that my medical benefits kick in. That way I can be sure to bring you a real doctor’s note when I am out sick.
Do you see how I just proved my honesty again. I won’t fake a doctor’s note, I’ll get you a real one that you can show everyone so that when I am out on disability no one feels badly. Anyway, it sounds like we have worked most of this out. Call me and I’ll tell you what bank I use so that we can set up a direct deposit account.
Thank you for being so cool. I look forward to coming in. May the Force be with you.
Sincerely,
Jack, the guy who can’t wait to be your Luke.
July 24, 2009
Things That Irritate Me
Things That Irritate Me
Apparently I am doing an excellent job of becoming a ripe old bastard, a curmudgeon of the finest order. I know this because of the growing list of things that irritate the hell out of me. You may consider this a work in progress.
- I hate The Sound of Music. It grinds on my nerves.
- Names that rhyme with Artie. Sorry if that includes you, but you can blame your parents.
- People that know that I am Jewish and ask me if I miss Christmas. Never had it, don’t need it, want it or miss it. I don’t ask them if they miss fasting on Yom Kippur.
- Jughandles- The state of New Jersey needs to dedicate some serious time and money on correcting that problem.
- The D.H.
- Drivers who don’t signal before they turn.
- Drivers who never turn their turn signals off.
- Drivers who force the rest of to listen to their music. I hate that thumping bass, one day I am going to invent a car stereo jammer and that will fix it.
- People who flush the toilet/urinal with their feet. Listen jackass, I know that you are concerned about germs, but you’re not helping the problem.
- Brussel Sprouts- It is a foul vegetable.
- Cats- Damn animals are obnoxious. World would be better if they were all throw rugs.
- The French tourist who complained that he couldn’t understand me. Listen Frenchy, you are in Los Angeles. I am not supposed to be able to speak perfect French. If I come to Paris you can be certain I won’t complain that you don’t speak English.
- The Celtics and The Pistons. (Cavs aren’t included because they haven’t done anything ever. Sorry Ezzie.)
- The Patriots and Boston Fans who think that Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback ever. He is not and it is unlikely that he ever will be.
- Bloggers that think that is cool to wRiTe LiKe ThIs.
- People who send emails in ALL CAPS. Work with me people, it is 2009. Email is not new anymore.
- You can add grown ups who send emails that read something like What R U Doing? Spell it out. It doesn’t take any longer and you won’t look like a complete idiot.
- People who think that the world starts and finishes in Manhattan.
- Vista is bad, but so is listening to the cult of Apple Fanatics. WTF do they put in those units to make you act this way. I sometimes wonder if they secretly inject you with heroin or some sort of stupid pill.
- People who blame one political party for the ills of the world. That covers both sides. Not interested in listening to how the Democrats/Republicans are why things are bad.
- People who try to say that the point is mute. There is no sound involved in this, it is moot dammit.
Sailing in Uncharted Waters
Sailing in Uncharted Waters
Sometimes I feel a bit like Max from Where The Wild Things Are. If you are a purist you may not be as appreciative of the trailer as I am, but for the purposes of this post it is excellent. It does a good job of helping to graphically illustrate some of my thoughts and feelings.
There is a feeling that sometimes comes upon me. It is a sense of being chased. I can’t quite make out who or what it is, but I know that if I turn around and wait for it there is a good chance that it just might be there. I have mixed emotions about it. Sometimes it is a sense of dread and foreboding and I want to take off running.
Not unlike the way you see Max running through the woods, so I can see myself. I can smell the forest and hear the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath my feet. There are moments where I think that if I start running like that I won’t ever tire and I won’t ever stop. The sun will rise and the sun will set and Jack will still be running. Sunlight, moonlight or twilight- it just won’t matter because I’ll keep going.
But then again that feeling of dread and uncertainty makes me angry. It frustrates me and for lack of a better description, I find myself preparing for battle. I don’t seek out confrontation, nor do I hide from it. And the idea of picking the time and place for battle suits me. That graphic imagination pictures me locating a place to take a stand and then doing all that it takes to hold my position for as long as I can.
It is easy to envision. I can hear the birds chirping and the sounds of animals moving through the woods. Suddenly it is silent and the air becomes still. At that moment I brace myself for the roar of the creatures that will come pouring out from the trees. The sound of birds singing will be replaced with the cacophony of swords crashing into each other and the grunting of those who swing them.
See what it is like to live with a graphic imagination.
And then again I can picture myself sailing through uncharted waters. Some days the sea will be calm and I’ll gaze in wonder at a moonlit sky populated by more stars than you imagine. Other times all my skill will be devoted to surviving the raging storm. Waves will come crashing down upon me and it will be all I can do to keep from capsizing or being swept over board.
I suppose that it is fair to say that I do feel a bit like I am sailing through uncharted waters. There are things going on that are unsettling and it is harder to try to maintain balance and perspective. That is not to suggest that the challenges that I face are unique, unusual or particularly different from others.
They are not and I have never tried to paint them as being otherwise. But as I have said many times it is always easier to fix someone another person’s problems. Since they belong to me they are my responsibility and consequently a bit trickier.
So here I sit peering through the fog and haze trying to determine what the best path ahead is. Someone told me that we missed our window of opportunity and I have to ask myself is that really true or is there another path that we have missed. It reminds me a bit of chess and Algebra.
Many years ago I used to play chess several times a week with a friend. Oftentimes he would lose because he would forget that not every chess piece was limited to moving front and back, or side to side. Some of them could move diagonally. In essence it meant that you always had to pay attention the full board because if you allowed yourself to ignore a section you could quickly find yourself in trouble.
The relationship to Algebra comes to mind because of an experience I had in high school. I didn’t always understand how the teacher taught us to solve certain equations. But I was often able to come up with an alternative that provided the correct answer. That didn’t always serve me well because my teacher liked to tell me that there were scenarios in which my solution wouldn’t work but that his always would because it was more universal in nature.
I always suspected that he just didn’t like my figuring out how to do it without him. I’d ask him but he apparently died at a relatively young age of heart disease.
Anyway, the real point here is this. I don’t give up on things easily. I think that there are many different paths that can be taken to meet our objectives and that sometimes it just takes a bit of doing to see how to reach that place. Sometimes you don’t recognize the importance of it until your air has been removed and you find yourself choking. I am not choking, but I am gasping a bit.
So now to quote my son all I need to do is figure out a solution and save the day. I kind of like that term, save the day. And given a little bit of time I think that I just might figure out how to make it happen. Life is like that chess board. I don’t have to attack everything head on, sometimes coming from an angle is really all it takes.
July 23, 2009
You Can’t Bully My Child Part II
You Can’t Bully My Child Part II
Part one of this post is here.
I became a father sooner than most of the guys in my circle of good friends. As a result I have often found myself being used a resource that the other guys sometimes use for consultation on parenting issues.
Most of the time they are relatively simple questions dealing with issues that we have worked through already. During the course of these conversations I have been asked if I am worried about pedophiles or rapists. I always respond by saying yes, but I am not seriously bothered by it.
It is not that I don’t think that it can happen, but that it is not as common as other issues. The bullying is an excellent example of something that happens with more frequency. And it is a great example of the pain/frustration/anguish of parenting because no matter what you do you cannot insulate your child from the world. And the great fear is that somehow your child will be harmed because you failed.
But the reality is that you cannot view life through a black and white prism of success versus failure. There may be times when it is clear that your child was hurt because you failed, but more often than not you are not going to be blame. Things happen that are beyond your control.
Still, this doesn’t lessen the pain of watching tears stream down your child’s face because they are hurt. So you have to come up with a plan and we did. It is relatively simple and now we will see if it works.
The mothers had a discussion about the situation and it was made clear to the mother of this other boy that there is an issue. She in turn had her son call mine to apologize. During the conversation my son clearly expressed why he was angry and told the other boy that this cannot continue or there will be consequences.
I told my son that if things happen again he is to tell the other boy to stop, twice. If he doesn’t listen then I told him he is to defend himself. Furthermore I told him that if he hits him I expect him not to hold back. Hit him hard and then hit him again.
You see, the bullying wasn’t limited to words. This other boy smacked my son and pinned him down. So I haven’t any problem telling him that it is ok to hit him.
I hope that it doesn’t come to that point, but there are lines and limits that you cannot cross. The physical is one of them. We’ll see what happens, hopefully this is the end of it.
Still, I am sorry to see one more piece of his innocence taken away from him. Childhood ends far too quickly, no need to rush it.
July 22, 2009
Musical Evening Interlude
Musical Evening Interlude
La Tortura- Shakira
No Woman, No Cry- Bob Marley
Summertime- Ella Fitzgerald
Running up that Hill- Kate Bush & David Gilmour
Kiss Me- Stephen Tin Tin Duffy (talk about a trip back in time)
Don’t Tell Me- Blancmange (high school revisited)
Prodigal Blues- Billy Idol (Some of the lyrics really hit home with me.)
All I want is You- U2
Broken Hearts- Living Colour
Boys of Summer- Don Henley
Keywords- How You Got Here
Keywords- How You Got Here
Here is a recent list of keywords that you used to arrive here:
Heartless women
The ocean is a beach
Recording of Eicha
Sick parents
Shmata Queen
Please talk to me
I miss someone
an unlikely love story
what is the meaning of half blood prince
going commando
michael jackson is still dead
letter to my children
60th birthday gift ideas
the DH is an abomination
why do men hide emotions
I wish I could be Jack
how to really hurt someone
how to come up with a blog name
Chuck Cunningham Syndrome
LeBron James is overrated
Garden Gnome
Scooby Doo versus Snoopy
what do you do to have a baby
“a ship is safe” meaning
does true love ever die
static electricity is produced by dracula
the final goodbye blog
July 21, 2009
You Can’t Bully My Child
You Can’t Bully My Child
I tried to sit there impassively so that I could hear the story be told without interruption. I tried to sit there and look supportive so that he would feel comfortable telling the tale, but I am not sure that I succeeded.
Had you seen my face it likely would been contorted in a snarl, my hands pulverizing the rocks contained within them into dust. He struggled to get the words out. He struggled to tell his mother and I that another child had been bullying him. Hot tears of shame rolled down his face and I felt my stomach turn.
Anger, revulsion and sadness coursed threw me. My son, my son. Another one of life’s lessons taught before I would have chosen for him. I would have preferred that he remain innocent for a bit longer. Let him be naive for just a while longer. He is young, at 8.5 he doesn’t need to know that humans can be so cruel to each other.
But we don’t get to make those decisions. Life moves, things happen, and changes take place and you are forced to respond. And so we listened to him describe what had happened to him and my heart sunk.
As I listened I remembered being that boy. I remembered the anger and the shame of it. I remember not wanting to tell my parents and thinking that they couldn’t help me. Eventually the kid who was bullying me pushed me too far and I exploded.
Thirty years or so ago it was a different world in some ways. I used my fists and learned that they could be very influential. That ended the bullying. It didn’t solve all of my problems, but it helped fix a big one.
But it is not about me. It is not thirty years ago. Fighting is seen differently now. There is far less tolerance of it and it brings different issues. But that is not where I want this to go, not really.
More importantly, this situation is different because the bully is a friend. Another boy who my son once considered to be his best friend has been taking advantage of my son’s good nature and I am sad. I am sad because I feared that this day would come
I am sad because it just makes the situation worse. It doesn’t matter to me that the boy who did this comes from a good family or that his parents will be horrified by this. He robbed my child of a certain amount of innocence. The thief has stolen something that can never be returned.
For years I have listened to stories about him. For years I have listened to mothers and fathers tell stories about this boy was mean to other kids. I have warned my son about him, told him to be cautious. I always wondered when he would turn upon him.
But we are loyal to a fault. And my son was not just a friend, but a good friend. He tried to help this boy be better. He tried to show him how to be a better listener and student. We tried to explain to him that you can only be responsible for yourself and that you can’t change people.
And then tonight I listened as he talked about his friend and how sometimes he’ll hit him or hold him down. I listened as he told the story in between tears about how he didn’t want to tell on his friend and my broken heart was torn open again.
Even now he tries to protect his friend. Even now he tries to shelter him. Even now as his body shakes because he is crying so hard. Even now he fights for his friend and in return this boy is almost assuredly asleep.
And when he tells me that it has only been going on a short while I cringe because I know my son and I can tell it has been longer. It is only now that it has reached the point that he can no longer take it.
As I console and reassure him I cannot help but think that I want to grab this boy and show him what it means to be terrorized. Let him cry for help as I drag him by his collar. Let him cry as I use my strength to force him to dance for me.
But that won’t happen. I am 40 and he is eight. In my anger I might appreciate the idea, it would never happen. I would feel guilty immediately. It would be as wrong as his behavior. But what can and will happen is that I will impress upon his parents the urgency of the situation.
They will understand that this is unacceptable. They will see that his behavior changes immediately. They will see that he apologizes. And then they will see that their son has destroyed a friendship, likely beyond repair.
I can’t say for certain that the friendship is completely done. My son will have to make that decision, but it has been damaged to the point that it is not what it was.
In truth I am ok with that. I am still sad and angry about it all. I am disappointed that he had to learn such a hard lesson, but this is what it is. Life is filled with these moments. And as much as I want to protect and shelter him I won’t coddle him to the point that he cannot cope.
In the end we cannot always be there. Our job is to love, teach and support him so that he can be a good person who can easily navigate through the challenges that life presents. And we’ll keep doing that.
Before I go I’ll share just another thought or two. My son has been taking Krav Maga for a number of years now. Tonight as he lay in bed we talked for a few more moments about it all. In a soft voice I told him that we had a plan. I told him that we were going to speak to the parents of this other boy and that it would be taken care of.
And then I told him that sometimes need to have a back up plan. I told him that if this behavior didn’t change he needed to tell his friend to stop. And then I told him that if it didn’t, that he is entitled to defend himself. I could feel him looking me in the dark. He said, “but he is my friend” and waited for my response.
I told him that friends don’t treat their friends like this. I told him that people in general should never treat others like this. And then I told him again that if he did as I said I wouldn’t be angry. “If you have to hit him, hit him hard.”
He fell asleep a moment later.I leaned over and kissed his forehead and walked out of his room. Hours have passed since I had that conversation, but it has stayed with me. Some life lessons are harder than others. Sometimes the pain is…considerable.
Some Old Posts Revisited
Some Old Posts Revisited
Took these out of the grab bag and decided to air them out. I haven’t read them in a while, so I think that later today I’ll take a look and see if they still hold up.
I hope that they are not too embarrassing.
When Your World Is Collapsing- A Letter To My Children
Blessing My Children
Teaching Children To Lose Gracefully
Teaching Children Not To Quit
A Secret For My Children
The Bottom Is Approaching Awfully Quick
The Bottom Is Approaching Awfully Quick
If you woke up to the sounds of screaming punctuated by smashing noises then you are probably one of my neighbors. That cursing wasn’t coming from some rap album but from me. The crashing noise was the sound of an external hard drive and a 27 inch television set flying through a window so that they could prove that gravity was still in effect.
Brief musical interlude:
If You Could Read My Mind- Gordon Lightfoot
It Was a Very Good Year- Frank Sintara (NSFW video- I miss the Sopranos)
Beer- Homer Simpson
Ok, let’s be clear about something I didn’t throw anything out of the window. For that matter I didn’t throw anything, but for a moment or two I sure thought about it.
A while back I hooked up a 500 Gig external hard drive to my computer to serve as a back up for my music, pictures, videos and a few other things. In addition I have a back up for the back up.
But because I have stolen fire from the Gods and am being punished for it, the external hard drive decided to go on strike and the back up for the back up walked off the job as well. So I have spent a not insignificant amount of time negotiating for the return of my files. Negotiations have been long, tedious and not without complications.
Now you may not know this about me, but I don’t always color inside the lines. I am known for being unconventional and someone who will use unorthodox methods. Maybe I have watched too many movies, but I found myself in need of additional information and so I sought it out. Unfortunately the guys who had it weren’t really interested in divulging it, so I had to get a bit rougher than I wanted.
Even the legendary Chuck Norris couldn’t stop me from reaching my destination.
Needless to say all of this fighting was exhausting which I suppose is part of the reason I found myself cursing that bleeding mother…board and all the siblings. Why, oh why must this happen. Ok, I know more or less why it happened, but it is the timing that set me off.
It is not like I don’t have 1,276,987 things going on already. Not to mention that of those on the list at least 2,876 are urgent. But this is what it is and how it is. That last line my friends comes from an old teacher of mine.
It is one of those lines that he would offer as words of wisdom but I always thought of it as being the sort of throwaway that belongs in a fortune cookie. Anyhoo, I think that after much aggravation I have gotten a handle on the crash, at least I hope so. I better go check.
But before I do I’ll leave you with some more music:
Mud on The Tires- Brad Paisley
I’m Gonna Miss her- Brad Paisley
July 20, 2009
Forty Years Ago Man Reached The Moon
Forty Years Ago Man Reached The Moon
Forty years ago man reached the moon. My parents propped me up in front of the television so that I could watch this historical event with them. I can’t say that I remember that day, but space has always fascinated me.
I have spent more than a few hours learning about what exists outside of the earth and countless hours staring out into the night sky. Some times it has been through a telescope and sometimes via the naked eye. I have vivid memories of watching Halley’s Comet and the Northern Lights, but the moon has always held a special place for me.
Some of that intrigue and mystique comes from learning about the space program and stories I have heard. Some of that comes from the awe I feel looking at stars, but it also comes from other things as well.
I have been fortunate enough to travel across the US and to various countries around the world. Every time I go I make a point of looking up at the moon. It is a celestial landmark that I know can be seen from home and by the people I love and care about. No matter where we are or whether we are in contact or not I know that it is something we can share.
Anyway, I found links about this that I thought were interesting so I wanted to pass them along to you.
To The Moon…- Toner Mishap
How Did Moon Travel Change Astronauts?- ABC News
Google flies you to the moon- CNE
July 19, 2009
Harry Potter & Haveil Havalim #226
Harry Potter & Haveil Havalim #226
Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs — a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It’s hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term ‘Haveil Havalim,’ which means “Vanity of Vanities,” is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other ‘excesses’ and realized that it was nothing but ‘hevel,’ or in English, ‘vanity.’
Hello and welcome to Haveil Havalim #226, the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince edition. This is a different sort of edition for me. I hadn’t intended on doing it, but a change came up at the last minute and I found myself standing in the on deck circle.
I had several ideas for what I wanted to do with it, but it just didn’t work out that way. So my apologies because this isn’t up to my normal standards. Anyway, if I can find time I’ll update this a few times and try to give it a little more spit and polish.
And in response to some reader emails here are some links to some of the music that I listened to while constructing this. Please be advised that some of these videos are adult in nature. I didn’t have time to go searching for clean versions, so do what you will with it.
Mansions of the Lord
It Was a Very Good Year- Frank Sinatra
I Gotta Feeling- Black Eyed Peas
King Without a Crown- Matisyahu
You’re Gonna Miss This- Trace Adkins
Come Back- Moshav
If this is your first time here, welcome. You’ll find almost seven thousand posts about life, parenting, politics, Judaism and more. Links to some of my favorite posts can be found on the right hand side of the page.
And now on to our carnival:
Politics
Many people are questioning some of President Obama’s policies. You can read about some of that at The case against Obama.
Seraphic Secret reminisces about a man from his youth who would scream about and the end of the world and those who do it now in Apocalypse Now and Then.
The Muqata reports about Washington and Israeli Ambassador in Michael Oren hold his ground.
Avi Green presents DC becomes Dhimmi Comics posted at The Four Color Media Monitor.
At the Rubin Reports take a look at A brief guide to the differences between Palestinian Authority, Syrian, and Iranian Strategies toward the West.
While you are there you might be interested in reading The Obama Ideology and World Affairs Part I, II andIII.
Yaacov Lozowick has a must read piece entitled Complicated Afghanistan and Just War. Daled Amos shared Israeli Settlements: Olmert vs. Obama.
Yourish covered Obama ups the ante on “settlements”
Israel
I really enjoyed reading Nostalgia Sunday – Asimonim, maybe because I still carry one on my keychain.
Israelity also sent in the descriptive post, Tel Aviv’s Sh*t Mountain Gets A Green Light for Environmental Remediation.
And in technology news you can read Just another ghost in the Wall, a new Internet startup G.ho.st, launched last night by an Israeli entrepreneur and Palestinian software developers.
Batya said I Could Never Understand The Mentality.
Cosmic X relates a number of news stories in his post Truth Sprouts From the Land!
The Occidental Israeli discusses the Haredim and says thatTerrorism Pays. Agree or disagree? Go read it and let him know. Ask Lady Light about Civil Strife in Jerusalem: Protesting a Parking Lot.
Child Ish thinks much of it has to do with boredom.
Tel Chai Nation blogged about the impact of the Gaza war with British Antisemitism in Britain stops arms exports to Israel. Yourish covered it also in The U.K. Israeli arms embargo: Hypocrisy defined.
And let’s not forget the marriage proposal that Meryl included in Thursday Snark News.
Jewschool covered Gaza Soldier Testimonials.
Soccerdad sent over a link I had missed Breaking the Silence: More Rumor & Hearsay. Daled Amos shared Again, The Media Jumps On Questionable Report Of Israeli War Crimes (Updated)
Dave shared A Video Postcard from Hell: The Gaza War Up Close and Personal
Over at My Right Word I had to read about the Erotics of the Occupation twice because I just couldn’t believe it.
Our friend and long time blogger the Elder has The transcript of the “plot to assassinate Arafat” and the story about Hamas belief that they will acquire a WMD within 20 years. Now what nation of non Arabs who are descendants of Cyrus might say that.
Back at My Right Word there are beautiful pictures of the Ohel Yitzhak Synagogue in Jerusalem and don’t forget to read Tourism in Tuscany, Sorry, Make That Binyamin.
My friend Snoopy and co-blogger writes about the mishegahs surrounding road signs in Minister Yisrael Katz, road signs and Zionism. Eric wrote about it as well in Battle of the Signs in Israeli Cities.
In between rooting for the Bruins Ben Yehudah keeps a fine blog in which he writes about many things. One of his recent topics covered the protests, go read The Other Story: Israeli Leftist Rags And Feminazis.
At The Muqata you should read Israel’s High Court Targets Widow and Orphans of Fallen IDF War Hero.
Here is An interesting perspective on why the Palestinians keep saying no to peace deals. And then again there are posts that illuminate A senseless and irresponsible provocation.
Don’t forget to read Religion and State in Israel – July 13, 2009 (Sections 1 and 2) Ben Yehudah discusses an ad right here.
From Solomonia What Olmert Offered Abbas.
Judaism
I am not sure if there are topics that are more important than protecting children. Chabad offers Responding to Child Predators in the Jewish Community.
A good philosophical discussion can be found in the questions of Isn’t it Enough to Just Believe? – What Does Judaism Think? From Chabad we have Lightning Doesn’t Strike the Same Place Twice
Divine Providence Does!
Mother in Israel has practical tips you can use to keep your food warm and your house cool on Shabbos.
Questions, questions, questions, Is the Ran an apikores, by his own definition?
Don’t forget to read part two.
Lion of Zion brings up the question of Calling a Sinner for an Aliyah.
From the Real Shaliach we have Say it ain’t so!
Ever wonder about how Jews said Kiddush during prohibition? You might enjoy reading this next piece called Booze and Jews: Some fun American-Jewish history ephemera .
One day Donald Trump may be at a bris for his grandson, maybe. Read more at Mazel tov to the newest Jew – Ivanka Trump.
At Schvach you can read Eishes Chayil, that discusses Jewish Women. Child Ish thinks that many Orthodox Jews haven’t spent time thinking about why they believe what they believe. For more on this read Kiruv: Answering the hard questions.
From the Velveteen Rabbi This week’s Torah poem looks at the slaughter of the Midianites through the lens of the newly-released Breaking the Silence report about IDF behavior in Gaza.
The Rebbetzin’s Husband provides valuable information with How to attract people to your shul. Over at Ilana Davita there is a very interesting guest post by Shimshonit about her Judaism. Go read it.
Schvach’s post The Conflicting Demands of Life is definitely worth a read.
In The Pink has what I consider to be a ridiculous invention, a Tefillin sweater. Twenty seven years of laying Tefillin and I have never had a problem rolling up the sleeve. In fact if you buy one I want to speak with you about loaning me $50.
Prof K’s post gives food for thought. Go read The Things That Bring Us Happiness…Not
Use this link to Tweet your prayers at The Kotel. Or you can go here and ask someone to daven for you at the Kotel for 40 days.
I am a bit of a rabble rouser. Correction, I am big rabble rouser. I am often the fly in your ointment, the guy who will press your buttons. So why am I sharing this, well because I almost didn’t include a few posts from Frum Satire.
Let me be clear, I think that Hesh is a good guy and well meaning. But he intentionally writes posts that stir up a hornet’s nest. I know this because I have commented there and been assaulted by a number of the other commenters.
I mention this because I think that some of his commenters are troglodytes that wear Borsalinos and think that halacha says that you can beat a woman for not sitting in the back of the bus.
Anyway, I do not include Hesh as part of that crowd. And now that he has received a ton of press I am not going to include separate posts. You have the link to his blog. Go spend some time reading there. Not every post is controversial.
Personal
All the really cool blogs started roughly five years ago, just ask Jewlicious.
What happens when you are almost 30 and you have a list of things to do.
The Real Shaliach has Some important questions. Will someone please ask Mottel to move. I have been blogging here for more than five years now.
The Rebbetzin’s Husband reflects upon the impact of being a parent in Changed by a decade of Parenting.
Take a look at some nice photos at I really should get a tripod.
This is the sort of problem I miss having. Go read A hard day [camp] night and Israeli teenagers – 1; Anglo parents – 0.
Apparently there is a new King of All Media. When you are through with that you can read On Tops and Tales because it is all about the people.
When I read the next title I instantly thought about my post A Bad Case of Stupid Seems To Be Going Around to be clear there is no similarity other than title, which is why you should read We’re Not Immune to Stupid Just Because We’re Jewish
Batya has been enjoying the fruits of politics. You can learn more by reading It Has Returned. Gila needs a Couch.
If you want a shot at winning some free Tupperware click here. Before you finish reading go wish Rabbi Fink a Happy Birthday.
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of haveil havalim using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: haveil havalim, blog carnival.
July 18, 2009
The End of a Marriage
The End of a Marriage
I’ll say this much for divorce, it makes for great blog fodder. There is something wrong about that, isn’t there. Shouldn’t there be some rule that says that being this connected is wrong. Isn’t there some rule or law of silence about this. I am not really supposed to be able to communicate such intimate thoughts.
July 17, 2009
Airplane
Airplane
Authors notes: Kind of choppy-I need to come back and polish this.
Johnny looked out the window and watched nothing in particular. In the background he could hear the flight crew run through their safety checklist. He looked away from the window and towards the front of the plane and made a point to identify where the emergency exits were. It wasn’t like he expected there to be a reason for him to exit in anything but the normal way, but you never know what can happen.
The captain instructed the crew to prepare for takeoff and he resumed his watch out the window. The past few days were a blur and he was trying to take it all in. A few days before he had been sitting in his office marveling over an empty travel schedule. The early part of the year had consisted of airports, hotels and meetings and he was ready to spend some real time at home.
It was going to be nice to become reacquainted with his bed and his stuff. For a short time the business world would survive without him, besides if they needed him they had his cell phone and email address. And there wasn’t any doubt that they would use all of them to contact him.
When he was on the road he was responsible for entertaining clients. A healthy expense account helped to make that happen. Out on the road he ate at the finest restaurants and lived a lifestyle that he couldn’t afford on his own. It was nice, but it grew old quickly. One hotel looked pretty much like another. It didn’t matter how they decorated the room, there was a sterile uniformity to it.
Needless to say Johnny wasn’t thrilled when the call to head out again came in. He had barely unpacked from the last trip, but this time was different. As it happened June was going to be there at the same time. It was a happy coincidence, what is that word they use, serendipitous.
So he booked a flight and threw his gear into a bag and headed off to the airport. Upon landing he turned on his BlackBerry and listened to the angry buzzing noise it made. The way it kept beeping you would have thought that it had been turned off for a week and not five hours.
One hour later he had picked up his rental car and checked into his hotel room. He had thirty minutes to shower, change and head out to his meeting. In the midst of it all he realized that he had forgotten his razor. With a silent curse he called downstairs and asked them to send a blade and some shaving cream up.
While he waited the phone began buzzing again. June was checking in with him. She was a planner and wanted to figure out when they’d have time to see each other. Johnny could hear the smile in her voice and it made him smile back. He told her that he had an afternoon flight but that he was sure that they could find some time to catch up.
And here he was a relatively short time later, waiting for the tower to greenlight the captain. Soon enough the hum of the engines turned to a roar and the plane went flying down the runway. The blur outside the window was fitting because that is how the last 18 hours felt to him.
As the plane climbed into the sky he closed his eyes and thought about it all. There had been a last kiss goodbye and a lingering hug. Saying goodbye to June had been far more difficult than she had realized. There was a silence that begged to be filled, but he had been unwilling to fill it.
It wasn’t for a lack of desire or an inability to do so. He knew what he wanted to say, but sometimes these things come with a price and Johnny was afraid of what that might be. It wasn’t a fear of what would happen to him but of what it would do to June.
She was smart. She was tough and she was brave. She was a million things that he couldn’t describe but treasured nonetheless. He feared the price because he wasn’t sure what it would do to June and the thought of her hurting made him ache.
So he rolled the dice and hoped that they would find a way to get back to that place. He was a gambler and a dreamer. He would fight for her. He would endure the pain and hope that his decision hadn’t been a mistake.
Alone on the plane he smelled his hand and smiled. He could still smell her. His June, his girl, her scent, his hand. It made sense. Anytime they had been through a rough spot he had told her to take his hand and they had promised to work through it all together.
In spite of the hum of the engines he could feel that quiet place they shared and he took refuge in it. The decision had been made. Now he had to live with it. The hardest part was knowing that he had virtually no control over what would happen next.
The next part was up to June. She needed time to work on some things. Time to take care of some stuff and get centered again. For now that was just how it had to be. June would do her thing and Johnny would do his.
And That’s The Way It Was- Goodbye Walter Cronkite
And That’s The Way It Was- Goodbye Walter Cronkite
I always liked Walter Cronkite. Grew up watching him on the news.
(CNN) — Walter Cronkite, the CBS anchorman known as “Uncle Walter” for his easygoing, measured delivery and “the most trusted man in America” for his rectitude and gravitas, has died, CBS reported Friday.
Cronkite was 92.His career spanned much of the 20th century, as well as the first decade of the 21st. The native of St. Joseph, Missouri, broke in as a newspaper journalist while in college, switched over to radio announcing in 1935, joined the United Press wire service by the end of the decade and jumped to CBS and its nascent television news division in 1950. He also made his mark as an Internet contributor in his later years with a handful of columns for the Huffington Post.
He covered World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, the Nuremberg trials, several presidential elections, moon landings, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the Watergate scandal of President Richard Nixon’s administration.
At times he even made news: A 1977 question to then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat about Sadat’s intent to go to Israel — at the time considered a nonstarter because of the lack of a treaty between the two countries — received a surprising “yes” from the Egyptian leader.Soon after, Sadat traveled to Jerusalem, a trip that eventually led to the Camp David Accords, which included a peace deal between Israel and Egypt.
At his height of influence as CBS anchorman, Cronkite’s judgment was believed so important it could affect even presidents. In early 1968, after the Tet Offensive, Cronkite traveled to Vietnam and gave a critical editorial calling the Vietnam War “mired in stalemate.”
Noting Cronkite’s commentary, President Lyndon Johnson reportedly said, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost Middle America.” Johnson announced he would not seek re-election less than two months later.
Friday Morning Music Mix
Friday Morning Music Mix
Smoke On The Water- Deep Purple with London Symphony Orchestra
Shine On You Crazy Diamond- Pink Floyd Orchestral version
Shine On You Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Visions of Paradise- Mick Jagger
Gimme Shelter- The Rolling Stones
Angie – The Rolling Stones
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door -Bob Dylan
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door -Guns N’Roses
Hey Joe- Jimi Hendrix
Picture – Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow (There are better versions, but this is what was available)
Pictures of You- The Cure
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
As promised here is my nickel review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It rocked! I really enjoyed it.
The studio took advantage of having an audience that is well versed and familiar with the series. They didn’t waste time trying to explain the back story behind various plot lines or to give any sort of explanation for those who haven’t read the books.
For me part of the fun is that we have watched the Harry, Ron and Hermione grow up on screen. They went from being these little babies who looked like they were swimming in their robes to young adults experiencing the angst of love and the great challenge of their lives.
It is not Shakespeare and it doesn’t try to be. It is just a lot of fun.
**Spoiler**
You can call it getting my geek on, but the Fall of Dumbledore was touching. It reminded me a bit of Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog in the Mines of Moria, but that had a different outcome.
Anyhoo, the movie is a bit longer than 2 hours. For me the telling part was that I never found myself checking my watch. Once the film started I sat back with my popcon and enjoyed the show.
Read more: http://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/2009/07/harry-potter-and-half-blood-prince.html#ixzz0LlKtZUL2
July 16, 2009
Will The Mighty Croc(s) Survive
Will The Mighty Croc(s) Survive
I don’t care if you think that they are ugly, I love these shoes. They are really comfortable. I might have to go out and buy some spares, just in case.
Crocs were born of the economic boom.
The colorful foam clogs appeared in 2002, just as the country was recovering from a recession. Brash and bright, they were a cheap investment (about $30) that felt good and promised to last forever. Former president George W. Bush wore them. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler wore them. Your grandma wore them. They roared along with the economy, mocked by the fashion world but selling 100 million pairs in seven years.
Then the boom times went bust, and Crocs went to the back of the closet.
The company had expanded to meet demand, but financially pressed customers cut back. Last year the company lost $185.1 million, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down millions in debt. Now it’s stuck with a surplus of shoes, and its auditors have wondered if it can stay afloat. It has until the end of September to pay off its debt.
“The company’s toast,” said Damon Vickers, who manages an investment fund at Nine Points Capital Partners in Seattle. “They’re zombie-ish. They’re dead and they don’t know it.”
The Final Goodbye Replayed
It is hard to believe that it is almost two years since I wrote the post below. I was over at my parent’s house helping them clean out a storage shed and I came across one of his old toys. It caught me off guard and I was surprised that for a moment I got choked up, but I miss the big lug.
I miss wrestling and running with him. Sometimes the two of us would just start running. He of course would quickly outpace me. He’d turn his head and look at me, taunt me to try and catch up. As soon as I got close he’d take off again.
More than one evening ended with the two of us sitting together in a room, keeping each other company. Well, those days are gone now. I miss you old friend, but I won’t forget you.
***********
The last chunk of time has been rough. It has been hard for a whole host of reasons, but this evening the toughest was because I had to say goodbye to my pal.
Tomorrow morning he has an appointment with the vet. The family has agonized over this. We have spent a ton of time trying to make sure that we make the right decision. Every discussion with the vet has made it implicitly clear that there are no heroic measures to be taken.
That is not to say that there are not things that could be done, there are. At best they might extend his life by a few months, but they wouldn’t add to the quality of his life and that is the crux of this matter. He is more than 14 years old and the body won’t give of itself anymore.
So for the past few days I have spent as much time with him as I could. He can’t chase me anymore. He used to love to fetch a ball. I could throw it a country mile and he’d go get it and bring it back to me. He has trouble doing the basic stuff now. I look at that majestic head and I can see the young puppy staring back at me. Dark soulful eyes look at you and you just know that he is waiting for a treat.
I feel guilty that I know what is going to happen. I feel like part of me is betraying him, but at the same time I don’t feel right watching him struggle to get through the day. His breathing is labored and there are times where I swear it looks like he is already gone.
Yet there are moments where he fools me. There are moments in which he moves freely and issues that deep bark that always served notice of his presence. It is almost like he is hoping that this will be enough to gain clemency from the governor and gain a reprieve. If it made sense I would grant it. If I could turn back time I’d make him young again and we’d get more time together.
Fourteen years ago I was a single man and he was the one I’d share all my stories with. We’d take long walks at the park and wander the beach together. He has witnessed some of the biggest moments of my life. And all he has ever asked of me is a little food and companionship. It has been a good deal for both of us.
Tonight the children gave him an extra big hug goodbye and so did I. I bent down and rubbed his belly. I leaned over and made a point to smell him so that I would remember his scent.
July 15, 2009
Does Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder
Does Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder
Good morning dear reader, the question of the day is, Does Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder?
What do you think?
July 14, 2009
Birthday Party Drama
Birthday Party Drama
Dear Moms of the world,
The fathers of your children and oftentimes husbands have noticed that there seems to be an inordinate amount of drama surrounding birthday parties. We don’t understand what is so hard about scheduling them and the back channel talking about who did what, where and why.
We don’t spend time worrying about throwing the best or most outlandish party. All we care about is seeing that our children have a good time. Water balloons, pinatas and silly string are good props.
Why must this be turned into a big deal. We don’t expect to get a satisfactory answer for this any more than why you have 27 pairs or shoes or need a new dress for every party we attend. What is the point and the purpose.
Now if you’ll excuse us we are off to bang ourselves in the head with a baseball bat, it is faster and more effective than the slow torture methods you engage in.
Michael Jackson Screws Los Angeles
Michael Jackson Screws Los Angeles
I am spitting blood over the mayor’s decision to pay for Michael Jackson’s funeral.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, back after a nine-day vacation in South Africa, on Monday did his best to snuff out a smoldering debate over whether the city should try to recoup its expenses for the Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center last week.
The mayor said the city would pick up the estimated $1.4-million tab for police protection, traffic control and other services and not bill the Jackson family or AEG, the company that owns Staples.
“This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection. Period. The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical,” Villaraigosa said, adding that AEG also should not have to reimburse the city. (emphasis mine)
Mr. Mayor, this is asinine and anyone with an ounce of common sense understands the difference between a funeral and a media event. The Jackson family did not have to have an event on the scale of the one that we saw.
There were numerous other options that could have been chosen at far less cost to the city than this one. There is a laundry list of financial issues facing the city that take precedence over this.
Our public education and health systems are failing and while this may be an insignificant amount compared to what it really is going to take to fix things, it is simply irresponsible to spend it this way.
We love the Lakers and were happy to have a parade that was paid for by private donors. It wasn’t hard to make that happen and it wouldn’t be hard to ask AEG and the Jackson family to cover the costs of this spectacle.
Don’t lie to us about this or try to make it seem like any Angeleno would receive similar care. It is shameful behavior on your part. With leadership like this it becomes ever more apparent why more people are looking to leave the city.
Once it was a dream, a place ran to, but lately it is becoming a nightmare. You can and you must do better.
Thanks,
Jack
