So I am preparing for one of my favorite days of the year. As followers of this blog might recall, Black Friday is a special day for me. I spend hours mapping out my route, as well as looking for the items I have highlighted for the season. Each year I also add a quest, the one item that I decided I am going to look for, but was not highlighted ( like crockpots) on all the doorbuster flyers.
Each year the stores all have the staple items: crockpots, ( which is a special item for me on black Friday as well, as the day is not complete without at least one gracing my trunk). blenders, TVs, Computers, etc. However, occasionally there are unique items buried in plethora of goods, and they are an adventure to find,
However, this year I decided that I want a dehydrator. None of the usual suspects seem to have them as a doorbuster, so I will need to get a general percent off deal on electronics, or something like that, to get a good score. I will need to have FBB track the trend for me to see if the sale prices are really that good, or if I should wait for later in the season. I also am looking for wireless headphones that are on sale, and the sneaker that I wear every day.
Stay tuned for reports on the adventure.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
A New, New Day Dawning
I got up on Wednesday morning, decidedly a bit groggy from watching President-Elect Trump's acceptance speech (which was thankfully earlier than expected, since his opponent took her ball and went home without a concession). I stepped outside. The grass was a little greener ( browner?) the sky a little bluer, the air a bit crisper. I had a spring in my step and a calmness in my soul that had not been there for eight years. In fact, it had not been there since just before I wrote this back on election day is 2008. I was right then, and I was right about this election as well.
I am not saying that things are automatically going to be perfect. Mr. Trump has not proven that he will be able to rise to the occasion and the job. However, I have seen enough towards the end of the election to feel comfortable enough that he will certainly give it a credible effort. He is a proven successful businessman, and has run his companies, and built large projects, both in and out of New York City ( that being no mean feat, trying to get something done within all the bureaucracy and political agendas in the City), that are of quality construction, on time and within budget. These are all good qualities in a leader, and qualities that were sorely lacking in our current president, much to the detriment of the country.
So it is with HOPE in my heart and CHANGE on the winds that I look forward to the coming presidency, that we will be restored to the place and position that made America great once, and can make us great once again.
I am not saying that things are automatically going to be perfect. Mr. Trump has not proven that he will be able to rise to the occasion and the job. However, I have seen enough towards the end of the election to feel comfortable enough that he will certainly give it a credible effort. He is a proven successful businessman, and has run his companies, and built large projects, both in and out of New York City ( that being no mean feat, trying to get something done within all the bureaucracy and political agendas in the City), that are of quality construction, on time and within budget. These are all good qualities in a leader, and qualities that were sorely lacking in our current president, much to the detriment of the country.
So it is with HOPE in my heart and CHANGE on the winds that I look forward to the coming presidency, that we will be restored to the place and position that made America great once, and can make us great once again.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Dangerous Parking
I have a real issue with people using religion to justify bad acts.
This comes in to play in many ways, but I will focus on a pet peeve of mine. I go to a center learning at night. This place touts itself as THE epicenter of learning in the evening for working people. There is also a Simcha hall downstairs. The parking at this place is not nearly sufficient for all the people that come here on a nightly basis, and when there is an event downstairs at night, the entire area gets gridlocked.
What bothers me is twofold. One, there is a fire lane along the side of the building going down to the lower parking area. This line is almost always full of cars. Even when the parking lot is empty! recently I saw a person pull up behind two cars already parked there. The first car belongs to an idiot. I know this because I know him. I have discussed parking in the fire lane many times, to no avail. The second car belongs to an older gentleman who recently started parking in the fire lane. Perhaps there is an underlying reason, as I know him as well, and he is a good person who would not park there unless there was a legitimate reason.
Anyhow, this third car pulls in behind them. That evening there were probably ten or twelve spots available in the parking lot, which holds about twenty spots. (NOT including the fire lane). I asked the guy to please move his car and not park in the fire lane, which. to his credit, he did. He probably didn't even realize it is a no parking zone, since he just pulled up behind two parked cars. However, the one who parks there every night as if it is his personal spot is at fault here.
The second issue is that the synagogue has requested, out of deference to and for goodwill with its neighbors, that cars only park on one side of the street. This is also not honored. the other day I saw someone pull up and park. I gently mentioned to him that it has been requested that he not park on that side. He not only blew me off, but was setting a fine example of selfishness and lack of decency for his fellow man to his children, who were with him.
These actions are beyond selfish. Parking in a fire lane, which makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to get close to the building should there be a real emergency, puts every single person in the building in danger. how can one deliberately put his friends and neighbors into danger and not care a whit? I don't get it. Parking in front of the building on the wrong side of the street puts all the parking for everyone else at risk, as it annoys the neighbors, creates an impossible driving situation, and also prevents an emergency vehicle from being able to get down the street quickly.
i have seen this same behavior at other study halls and synagogues throughout Monsey.
My position on this is that if you are going to do these things, please don't come to learn; stay home, watch TV, go to a movie, read a novel, your learning is worthless.
This comes in to play in many ways, but I will focus on a pet peeve of mine. I go to a center learning at night. This place touts itself as THE epicenter of learning in the evening for working people. There is also a Simcha hall downstairs. The parking at this place is not nearly sufficient for all the people that come here on a nightly basis, and when there is an event downstairs at night, the entire area gets gridlocked.
What bothers me is twofold. One, there is a fire lane along the side of the building going down to the lower parking area. This line is almost always full of cars. Even when the parking lot is empty! recently I saw a person pull up behind two cars already parked there. The first car belongs to an idiot. I know this because I know him. I have discussed parking in the fire lane many times, to no avail. The second car belongs to an older gentleman who recently started parking in the fire lane. Perhaps there is an underlying reason, as I know him as well, and he is a good person who would not park there unless there was a legitimate reason.
Anyhow, this third car pulls in behind them. That evening there were probably ten or twelve spots available in the parking lot, which holds about twenty spots. (NOT including the fire lane). I asked the guy to please move his car and not park in the fire lane, which. to his credit, he did. He probably didn't even realize it is a no parking zone, since he just pulled up behind two parked cars. However, the one who parks there every night as if it is his personal spot is at fault here.
The second issue is that the synagogue has requested, out of deference to and for goodwill with its neighbors, that cars only park on one side of the street. This is also not honored. the other day I saw someone pull up and park. I gently mentioned to him that it has been requested that he not park on that side. He not only blew me off, but was setting a fine example of selfishness and lack of decency for his fellow man to his children, who were with him.
These actions are beyond selfish. Parking in a fire lane, which makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to get close to the building should there be a real emergency, puts every single person in the building in danger. how can one deliberately put his friends and neighbors into danger and not care a whit? I don't get it. Parking in front of the building on the wrong side of the street puts all the parking for everyone else at risk, as it annoys the neighbors, creates an impossible driving situation, and also prevents an emergency vehicle from being able to get down the street quickly.
i have seen this same behavior at other study halls and synagogues throughout Monsey.
My position on this is that if you are going to do these things, please don't come to learn; stay home, watch TV, go to a movie, read a novel, your learning is worthless.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Different Time, Same Spots
I know I said i wouldn't talk politics, but I am going to limit that to Rabid politics. This is more character analysis and press disregard depending on who is doing the talking.
I saw a sound bite on the new Tuesday of Hillary saying she would not get personal, but would keep the conversation to the issues only. I thought this was brilliant, It would prevent most of Trump's vitriol, make him look petty, and show that Hillary probably has a much better grip on her positions (she HAS positions) that Donald does.
However, I was skeptical for a number of reasons:
First of all, she and Bill were the masters of the dirty, underhanded and nasty campaigning ( a page effectively taken by our fearless leader in his thrashing of Romney the Weak).
Secondly, I didn't think that she has the moral fiber to actually stick to such a promise. Both because she is nasty and thrives on fighting in the gutter, and because she can't keep her word.
Lastly, you can always tell when Hillary is lying, She has a wonderful Tell. Her lips move.
So I was not really that surprised when ONE DAY later, she was harping about Trump not releasing his tax returns. Last time I checked, a candidate releasing tax returns is not an issue facing the country. Just as a quick aside into this whole thing about returns. We want our politicians to release them, since we want to see how they are profiting from the public trust, such as being paid for speeches, books, etc, things they would not have access to without being politicians. I think there should be a different standard for business people who decide to go into politics, but did not make and take their money at the public trough.
So we see Hillary for what she really is, an opportunistic liar who will say anything to get elected, and can't keep her word for even one day.
Interesting.
I saw a sound bite on the new Tuesday of Hillary saying she would not get personal, but would keep the conversation to the issues only. I thought this was brilliant, It would prevent most of Trump's vitriol, make him look petty, and show that Hillary probably has a much better grip on her positions (she HAS positions) that Donald does.
However, I was skeptical for a number of reasons:
First of all, she and Bill were the masters of the dirty, underhanded and nasty campaigning ( a page effectively taken by our fearless leader in his thrashing of Romney the Weak).
Secondly, I didn't think that she has the moral fiber to actually stick to such a promise. Both because she is nasty and thrives on fighting in the gutter, and because she can't keep her word.
Lastly, you can always tell when Hillary is lying, She has a wonderful Tell. Her lips move.
So I was not really that surprised when ONE DAY later, she was harping about Trump not releasing his tax returns. Last time I checked, a candidate releasing tax returns is not an issue facing the country. Just as a quick aside into this whole thing about returns. We want our politicians to release them, since we want to see how they are profiting from the public trust, such as being paid for speeches, books, etc, things they would not have access to without being politicians. I think there should be a different standard for business people who decide to go into politics, but did not make and take their money at the public trough.
So we see Hillary for what she really is, an opportunistic liar who will say anything to get elected, and can't keep her word for even one day.
Interesting.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
2016, Here We Are
Its been a very long time, dear Reader, but the Good Doctor is back!!!!!
I wanted to see if something I wrote 8 years ago was still valid ( OF COURSE it was), so I checked the site to see. Once here, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of nostalgia for the good old blog, and wondered why i had basically abandoned it. One of the reasons that come to mind is politically I have been too vehement to post, ( between the jackwagon in the house and the bumbling republicans in congress, it is too depressing and upsetting to write). Another is that once I perfected the waffle, I lost a major stream of writing. However, there are all other life milestones to write about as well, such as Black (Green?) Friday, and the foibles of people and the good Dr. himself.
So I will try to revitalize the site. I hope to see you all in the comments section. Please feel free to offer topics. I think i will generally stay away from most politics, as this season seems to really fire people up, but you never know.
I wanted to see if something I wrote 8 years ago was still valid ( OF COURSE it was), so I checked the site to see. Once here, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of nostalgia for the good old blog, and wondered why i had basically abandoned it. One of the reasons that come to mind is politically I have been too vehement to post, ( between the jackwagon in the house and the bumbling republicans in congress, it is too depressing and upsetting to write). Another is that once I perfected the waffle, I lost a major stream of writing. However, there are all other life milestones to write about as well, such as Black (Green?) Friday, and the foibles of people and the good Dr. himself.
So I will try to revitalize the site. I hope to see you all in the comments section. Please feel free to offer topics. I think i will generally stay away from most politics, as this season seems to really fire people up, but you never know.
Friday, October 24, 2014
To Help or Not
Should it be considered admirable for someone to help others, and then possibly cause an epidemic all the way on the other side of the world? This is equivalent for someone who would stop short so as not to hit a bug, but cause the person behind him to swerve into a tree. The first driver feels real good about himself, because he thinks he did a good deed. however, he doesn't really care that his actions will have a disastrous effect on other innocent people.
Just wondering.
Just wondering.
Friday, May 2, 2014
POOR MR LOCKETT
The fuss being made over the unlamented demise of Clayton D. Lockett in an Oklahoma death chamber shows how far into madness the world has descended.
Lockett, who shot, raped and buried alive a 19 year old girl and outlived his victim by almost 15 years was an unrepentant brute, who, even on the day of his execution, had to be violently restrained by his prison keepers.
Apparently, his death was a bit painful, but swift enough. He was seen to writhe and clench his teeth, perhaps at the prospect of imminent death or maybe only in response to the drugs that killed him,.
Nevertheless, the whole panoply of liberal activists who usually come out of the woodwork in such circumstances, feel there is something wrong with the way death is administered to convicted murderers. Even our president got into the act by suggesting that the Attorney General look into the matter, clearly overreaching his authority. Did Lockett's victim meet a kinder, gentler, death. Was it less painful to be shot and then buried alive, in pain from the bullet and slowly asphyxiating as the earth piled up on her and snuffed out her life?
The ultimate irony is that many of these same protesters feel it alright to murder - nay encourage the practice - unborn babies in the name of womens' rights while at the same time worrying about a beast like Lockett, without a shred of remorse for his innocent victim.
Something is rotten not only in the state of Denmark but in the rest of the world as well
Lockett, who shot, raped and buried alive a 19 year old girl and outlived his victim by almost 15 years was an unrepentant brute, who, even on the day of his execution, had to be violently restrained by his prison keepers.
Apparently, his death was a bit painful, but swift enough. He was seen to writhe and clench his teeth, perhaps at the prospect of imminent death or maybe only in response to the drugs that killed him,.
Nevertheless, the whole panoply of liberal activists who usually come out of the woodwork in such circumstances, feel there is something wrong with the way death is administered to convicted murderers. Even our president got into the act by suggesting that the Attorney General look into the matter, clearly overreaching his authority. Did Lockett's victim meet a kinder, gentler, death. Was it less painful to be shot and then buried alive, in pain from the bullet and slowly asphyxiating as the earth piled up on her and snuffed out her life?
The ultimate irony is that many of these same protesters feel it alright to murder - nay encourage the practice - unborn babies in the name of womens' rights while at the same time worrying about a beast like Lockett, without a shred of remorse for his innocent victim.
Something is rotten not only in the state of Denmark but in the rest of the world as well
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Munich II
Senators Levin & King in their shameful op-ed article in the New York Times, presuppose a truthful, trustworthy Iran, when all their history of the past 35 years shows them to be cold blooded liars, using every artifice to pursue their diabolical agenda of regional domination and Muslim fundamentalism.
Nowhere is there any doubt in the Senators' minds that the Iranians may not be negotiating honestly.
I am surprised that someone with the credentials, maturity and sophistication of Senator Levin can so completely ignore the lessons of recent history; Germany in the 30's, the communist states in the decades of the cold war, North Korea just recently. In all those cases, a willingness to unconditionally trust rogue states has led us and those whose political system closely matches ours, down a path which eventually embroiled us in wars anyway.
Winston Churchill, commenting on Chamberlain's deal with Hitler and Mussolini at Munich in 1938 said, "You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war."
From pictures taken at the closing of the Munich conference, it's obvious that no one really believed in what they had just negotiated, but at least even Chamberlain didn't embrace or kiss either Hitler or Mussolini.
Nowhere is there any doubt in the Senators' minds that the Iranians may not be negotiating honestly.
I am surprised that someone with the credentials, maturity and sophistication of Senator Levin can so completely ignore the lessons of recent history; Germany in the 30's, the communist states in the decades of the cold war, North Korea just recently. In all those cases, a willingness to unconditionally trust rogue states has led us and those whose political system closely matches ours, down a path which eventually embroiled us in wars anyway.
Winston Churchill, commenting on Chamberlain's deal with Hitler and Mussolini at Munich in 1938 said, "You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war."
From pictures taken at the closing of the Munich conference, it's obvious that no one really believed in what they had just negotiated, but at least even Chamberlain didn't embrace or kiss either Hitler or Mussolini.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Rice Heaven
Who knew that there would be another post about food???? Amazing.
So I finally convinced Lovey to let me get a rice cooker. If I had posted a Green Friday update, you would know that, so this is, I guess, a combined shopping and cooking post.
The reason why I don't post Green Fridays anymore is because I have ramped it way down. I might still share will all of you, but the best score of the day was a rice cooker that if I had had one more additional coupon that Lovey had, they would have actually paid me $2.00 to take it off their hands.
However, I was very excited about the cooker, and I have been waiting to see what I can do with it. The latest thing that we made in it was Farro, a spelt ( kind of like Greunkern!!!) that we got at Costco. I figured that it should be decent in the rice cooker, so I put it in with the water setting for brown rice and some light spices and let it go. A half hour later we had a wonderful, warm, healthy and tasty side dish to dinner.
However, the best thing that I have been able to make is sushi rice for my sushi. two weeks ago I made 2 servings, which gave me 8 rolls. ( well, it SHOULD have been 8 rolls, but somehow 11 pieces went missing). Then last week I had company and took some requests, added another measure of rice and managed to get out 12 rolls ( This time 18 pieces were lost, weird, but they tasted yummy). we even sent the tray over to Soupeater, and the review were either good, or people were just being kind.
I think they looked great, and the rice comes out really well, but it takes a bit of time because I saute the carrots, mushrooms and onions in water ( we have eclectic taste in sushi here.)
So I decided that this week, after making the rice, I think I will use the steamer basket of the cooker to steam the veggies instead of cooking them up in a pot. It should make them a bit crispier and the processing a bit easier. I'll let you all know how it comes out.
So I finally convinced Lovey to let me get a rice cooker. If I had posted a Green Friday update, you would know that, so this is, I guess, a combined shopping and cooking post.
The reason why I don't post Green Fridays anymore is because I have ramped it way down. I might still share will all of you, but the best score of the day was a rice cooker that if I had had one more additional coupon that Lovey had, they would have actually paid me $2.00 to take it off their hands.
However, the best thing that I have been able to make is sushi rice for my sushi. two weeks ago I made 2 servings, which gave me 8 rolls. ( well, it SHOULD have been 8 rolls, but somehow 11 pieces went missing). Then last week I had company and took some requests, added another measure of rice and managed to get out 12 rolls ( This time 18 pieces were lost, weird, but they tasted yummy). we even sent the tray over to Soupeater, and the review were either good, or people were just being kind.
I think they looked great, and the rice comes out really well, but it takes a bit of time because I saute the carrots, mushrooms and onions in water ( we have eclectic taste in sushi here.)
So I decided that this week, after making the rice, I think I will use the steamer basket of the cooker to steam the veggies instead of cooking them up in a pot. It should make them a bit crispier and the processing a bit easier. I'll let you all know how it comes out.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Back Again, Again
I have been really busy, which is a good thing. However you are all losing out on some great posts that I constructed in my head but never reduced to digital media for broadcast. I have a sign in my office where I printed a quote from my secretary, and which has been echoed by my children as well, which pretty well sums up my thought process.
" I swear there is a party going on in your head and no one else is invited but you".
Its actually one of the funniest things that have ever been said to me, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. So after thinking up some great posts, imagine my surprise when I checked in here and realize that NONE of them actually got written!
I think part of the reason is that some of the things i would write about are filled with tremendous wrath and venom ( new NYC mayor, leftist media attacking Christie but giving a complete pass to his potential opponent (Clinton) and her idiotic boss over Benghazi, the New York Post ( i might still write that one), and many other items that would label me an angry kook.
However, I am once again resolving, during this period of resolutions, to write more so that I can continue to share my brilliant tidbits with all of you.
And I am sure there will be another waffle post as well.
" I swear there is a party going on in your head and no one else is invited but you".
Its actually one of the funniest things that have ever been said to me, and I agree with it wholeheartedly. So after thinking up some great posts, imagine my surprise when I checked in here and realize that NONE of them actually got written!
I think part of the reason is that some of the things i would write about are filled with tremendous wrath and venom ( new NYC mayor, leftist media attacking Christie but giving a complete pass to his potential opponent (Clinton) and her idiotic boss over Benghazi, the New York Post ( i might still write that one), and many other items that would label me an angry kook.
However, I am once again resolving, during this period of resolutions, to write more so that I can continue to share my brilliant tidbits with all of you.
And I am sure there will be another waffle post as well.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Israel Here I Come
So I decided that I would like to visit Stretch, who is currently hanging (wearing?) his hat in the Holyland. Tickets are not cheap now, unless you fly via the Third World, so I decided to look for an alternative.
Now a few years ago i got a HAS card which is supposed to be good for Israel , and easy bonus trips. I figured they must be serious because they use a picture of the Kotel on their cards.
However, recently I got a letter Fron them stating that I am starting to lose points. So I decided that it is time to see if I can get a free ticket to Israel, before all my efforts are wasted.
Stay tuned, dear reader to see how this saga develops. I have a feeling it is going to be a too good to be true type of situation.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Be Careful What You Wish For
Today is election day in New York City ( other places too, but they are not relevant to this post). I have real mixed feelings about it.
on the one hand, I have never been very complimentary to our current hizzoner, as he is affectionately referred to here as Mayor Moron due to his nannyish policies and interesting ways of making money for the city ( raise the fees and fines on everything and everyone!).
However, at least there was an outside shot during his tenure that businesses would be able to survive and function somewhat in the City. he was, after all, a businessman first with a clear love for this City. Wow, I feel a bit nostalgic and miss him a little bit already. mostly because of the disaster that is coming down the pike if the polls are even close to correct.
We are going from a businessman with a Napoleon complex who wants to tell you what to do to a flat out communist professional politician. Someone who talks about income inequality in New York City. ( Huh? I thought that was why people came to New York in the first place, to MAKE MONEY and better themselves, unlimited opportunity, etc. etc.) he will send us back to the days of Dinkins, when lawlessness ruled and anarchy prevailed. Not to mention what will happen to the incomes of the middle class. Some have said that he will move back to the middle once elected, so he either is a liar or committed to destroying this City. Not really very good choices either way.
Be afraid,
Be very afraid
on the one hand, I have never been very complimentary to our current hizzoner, as he is affectionately referred to here as Mayor Moron due to his nannyish policies and interesting ways of making money for the city ( raise the fees and fines on everything and everyone!).
However, at least there was an outside shot during his tenure that businesses would be able to survive and function somewhat in the City. he was, after all, a businessman first with a clear love for this City. Wow, I feel a bit nostalgic and miss him a little bit already. mostly because of the disaster that is coming down the pike if the polls are even close to correct.
We are going from a businessman with a Napoleon complex who wants to tell you what to do to a flat out communist professional politician. Someone who talks about income inequality in New York City. ( Huh? I thought that was why people came to New York in the first place, to MAKE MONEY and better themselves, unlimited opportunity, etc. etc.) he will send us back to the days of Dinkins, when lawlessness ruled and anarchy prevailed. Not to mention what will happen to the incomes of the middle class. Some have said that he will move back to the middle once elected, so he either is a liar or committed to destroying this City. Not really very good choices either way.
Be afraid,
Be very afraid
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Finally!
WAFFLE RECIPE!!!!!!!!!
Yes indeed, dear patient follower, I decided that blueberry yogurt would be the key, I searched online, liked a recipe I saw, tried it and gave it to the official taster, who truly wanted to have nothing to do with it. However , I prevailed in convincing her to taste it and she agreed with me. Light, airy, sweet, crunchy. Wonderful.
However, in keeping with Boo's style, she did add
After three years, it's about time!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
I'm sure that most of you are familiar with "Moshiach's Hat" a poem by Anonymous ben Klonymous .
While light in flavor, it details in comedic form a grave problem facing our generation in its anticipation of Moshiach. Indeed, it is inconceivable, given the state of the factious nature of current Orthodox Jewish society, that anyone, regardless of how charismatic, could build a following of all the diverse elements among us.
Could you imagine a member of Monsey's Community Synagogue blindly following a leader from the community of New Square? Or even more bizarrely, a Brisk kollel member willingly receiving religious instruction from a YU ordained rabbi.
And yet, it will all have to happen somehow in a manner of which we cannot at this point conceive.
I think the miracle of Moshiach's coming will play out as follows: Every member of Klal Yisroel, from the non-believer to the most extreme religious fanatic will see G-d's annointed one as being exactly like himself. He or she will then willingly and naturally accept direction from the Moshiach and proclaim him as his own leader. Although Moshiach will appear as many different people, will seem to wear many different hats, he will speak with one voice.
If we cannot be united then Hashem will provide the unity for us.
While light in flavor, it details in comedic form a grave problem facing our generation in its anticipation of Moshiach. Indeed, it is inconceivable, given the state of the factious nature of current Orthodox Jewish society, that anyone, regardless of how charismatic, could build a following of all the diverse elements among us.
Could you imagine a member of Monsey's Community Synagogue blindly following a leader from the community of New Square? Or even more bizarrely, a Brisk kollel member willingly receiving religious instruction from a YU ordained rabbi.
And yet, it will all have to happen somehow in a manner of which we cannot at this point conceive.
I think the miracle of Moshiach's coming will play out as follows: Every member of Klal Yisroel, from the non-believer to the most extreme religious fanatic will see G-d's annointed one as being exactly like himself. He or she will then willingly and naturally accept direction from the Moshiach and proclaim him as his own leader. Although Moshiach will appear as many different people, will seem to wear many different hats, he will speak with one voice.
If we cannot be united then Hashem will provide the unity for us.
Friday, August 16, 2013
SLUG WARS
Earlier this year, during the spring, I noticed holes all over the leaves of my newly planted coleus plants. The problem got worse and pretty soon many of the leaves were only stems, the fleshy part having been eaten away. Some had been attacked from the edges and all were a sorry lot. The container in which this problem was manifest also contained a sweet potato vine which also had chewed up leaves but it wasn't as bad and as the vine got longer the problem lessened.
I fought back with Sevin which usually kills flying parasites and caterpillars after only one substantial application especially if the infestation is caught early and the parasites are small. It didn't help at all even after several applications and I realized I was fighting a pest I hadn't encountered before.
It is difficult fighting an enemy you can't see or even know. So I turned to that repository of all commonly accepted human knowledge and discovered that what was eating my coleus was probably slugs. This knowledge came with some suggestions on how to eliminate them, such as using poison or copper strips or wire or by enticing them with beer. Finding the latter to be the most practical and using the most available ingredients, I set up Soupy's Slug Bar and waited for customers.
That evening, one of my assistants confirmed the presence of slugs in the coleus pot by photographing some as they approached the bar for a late night drink.
I also set up a tavern at a different location where we had observed potential customers, assumed to be pretty heavy drinkers based on their size and one evening discovered a customer on his way in. Not wishing to lose his custom, I helped him along with the use of a small stick and he landed inside. I thought that would do it, but wouldn't you know, about 5 minutes later I saw him leaving. I wasn't going to let him go, so I prodded him back in again, but again he climbed out. It had rained earlier and a member of my team observed that the reason my customers were leaving was because I watered the beer.
Subsequently I caught four rather large critters along with some beetles, all in my western branch. While my initial quest was to eliminate the things that were eating my coleus, where I had opened the original bar, so far I hadn't caught anything there. In frustration, I bought a jar of snail bait and applied it. So far I haven't seen any results but today I also noticed a whole colony of inchworms in the soil under the coleus and think that maybe they are eating the leaves. I destroyed them (by stepping on them) and will report back in a few days when I see if the the holes in the leaves have remained status quo or have increased.
Stay tuned.
I fought back with Sevin which usually kills flying parasites and caterpillars after only one substantial application especially if the infestation is caught early and the parasites are small. It didn't help at all even after several applications and I realized I was fighting a pest I hadn't encountered before.
It is difficult fighting an enemy you can't see or even know. So I turned to that repository of all commonly accepted human knowledge and discovered that what was eating my coleus was probably slugs. This knowledge came with some suggestions on how to eliminate them, such as using poison or copper strips or wire or by enticing them with beer. Finding the latter to be the most practical and using the most available ingredients, I set up Soupy's Slug Bar and waited for customers.
That evening, one of my assistants confirmed the presence of slugs in the coleus pot by photographing some as they approached the bar for a late night drink.
I also set up a tavern at a different location where we had observed potential customers, assumed to be pretty heavy drinkers based on their size and one evening discovered a customer on his way in. Not wishing to lose his custom, I helped him along with the use of a small stick and he landed inside. I thought that would do it, but wouldn't you know, about 5 minutes later I saw him leaving. I wasn't going to let him go, so I prodded him back in again, but again he climbed out. It had rained earlier and a member of my team observed that the reason my customers were leaving was because I watered the beer.
Subsequently I caught four rather large critters along with some beetles, all in my western branch. While my initial quest was to eliminate the things that were eating my coleus, where I had opened the original bar, so far I hadn't caught anything there. In frustration, I bought a jar of snail bait and applied it. So far I haven't seen any results but today I also noticed a whole colony of inchworms in the soil under the coleus and think that maybe they are eating the leaves. I destroyed them (by stepping on them) and will report back in a few days when I see if the the holes in the leaves have remained status quo or have increased.
Stay tuned.
Friday, August 9, 2013
BACKGROUND MUSIC
When we were young and giving parties every few weeks, we would have friends over for snacks and drinks and good conversation. Likewise, our friends would invite us to their homes and usually, a good time was had by all.
One of the features of most of the parties, in fact almost de rigueur, was the stereo (remember this was at the birth of the component boom) tuned to some station or playing records or tapes with what some people considered suitable mood music for the occasion.
I never saw (or heard) it that way since it was difficult to hold a conversation among a group of people while the music was either a distraction or interference. Many times, when a conversation got a bit boisterous, the host would increase the music volume in order to hear the music over the buzz which only served to make the conversation even louder as the participants in an animated discussion tried to drown out the program which led to another increase in volume. You can figure out the rest. With other hosts, the volume would be kept to a minimum at first and when only a few people had arrived it could be quite pleasant (depending upon your individual tastes) but as the crowd increased there would be an inevitable call for an increase in volume so that the music could be heard.
At that time, some engineers and psychologists came up with the idea that if every salient note would be taken out of music it could serve as a universal palliative which would calm people in public venues so that something would soothe them but not engage them. The invention was called Muzak. Some famous playwright would have one of his characters refer to it as "elevator music."
Elevators were actually a perfect location for this new kind of music because usually, (except for Alfred Hitchcock) people are silent there, shuffling about, staring at the floor indicator, clearing their throats and looking everywhere up and down except at other passengers.
Supermarkets and the lobbies of public buildings also became places who subscribed to Muzak although its purpose there is less undestandable.
Another type of background music was "mood" music, supposed to evince a scene of low light, candles burning, table set for two with fresh flowers and a woman lounging on a couch dressed in a long silky gown in front of floor to ceiling windows showing the dusk skyline of a large US city. Remarkable about this music was its dullness and lack of excitement. Maybe that is what it was meant to convey.
A disturbing use of "background music" is its implementation as an accompaniment to the spoken words in videos, typically those created for institutions for display at their fund raisers. Someone is depicted in an interview or making a speech with a dubbed bass accompaniment. The designers and producers of these oeuvres insist that the music is necessary in order to avoid boring the audience. I can't understand this kind of thinking. Just imagine the President of the United States making a speech
le an orchestra alongside him plays music long on beats and short on melody.
Although these days everyone carries around his own personal entertainment and communication center and wears earbuds from wakeup to bedtime (and even during sleep) most public places still have enough background music to impact on the general noise level that modern man is subject to.
It's time we concentrate on the foreground.
One of the features of most of the parties, in fact almost de rigueur, was the stereo (remember this was at the birth of the component boom) tuned to some station or playing records or tapes with what some people considered suitable mood music for the occasion.
I never saw (or heard) it that way since it was difficult to hold a conversation among a group of people while the music was either a distraction or interference. Many times, when a conversation got a bit boisterous, the host would increase the music volume in order to hear the music over the buzz which only served to make the conversation even louder as the participants in an animated discussion tried to drown out the program which led to another increase in volume. You can figure out the rest. With other hosts, the volume would be kept to a minimum at first and when only a few people had arrived it could be quite pleasant (depending upon your individual tastes) but as the crowd increased there would be an inevitable call for an increase in volume so that the music could be heard.
At that time, some engineers and psychologists came up with the idea that if every salient note would be taken out of music it could serve as a universal palliative which would calm people in public venues so that something would soothe them but not engage them. The invention was called Muzak. Some famous playwright would have one of his characters refer to it as "elevator music."
Elevators were actually a perfect location for this new kind of music because usually, (except for Alfred Hitchcock) people are silent there, shuffling about, staring at the floor indicator, clearing their throats and looking everywhere up and down except at other passengers.
Supermarkets and the lobbies of public buildings also became places who subscribed to Muzak although its purpose there is less undestandable.
Another type of background music was "mood" music, supposed to evince a scene of low light, candles burning, table set for two with fresh flowers and a woman lounging on a couch dressed in a long silky gown in front of floor to ceiling windows showing the dusk skyline of a large US city. Remarkable about this music was its dullness and lack of excitement. Maybe that is what it was meant to convey.
A disturbing use of "background music" is its implementation as an accompaniment to the spoken words in videos, typically those created for institutions for display at their fund raisers. Someone is depicted in an interview or making a speech with a dubbed bass accompaniment. The designers and producers of these oeuvres insist that the music is necessary in order to avoid boring the audience. I can't understand this kind of thinking. Just imagine the President of the United States making a speech
le an orchestra alongside him plays music long on beats and short on melody.
Although these days everyone carries around his own personal entertainment and communication center and wears earbuds from wakeup to bedtime (and even during sleep) most public places still have enough background music to impact on the general noise level that modern man is subject to.
It's time we concentrate on the foreground.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Not Guilty
I have been silent throughout the Zimmerman trial because I was thoroughly disgusted by the way this case even came to trial.
The cops who did the initial interviews, who were first to see what happened and to get the immediate impressions had chosen NOT to prosecute. Pressure from the press and that idiot in the White House forced the state to proceed on a weak case.
I think it is a tragedy that a young man is dead. However, that does not allow public and political pressure to put another man through the hell of a trial, a police chief to lose his job for doing it correctly, and a state to spend thousands and thousand of dollars on a losing case.
I also think it is a tragedy that every case involving a white person and a black person, where the black person comes out on the losing end of the confrontation, is immediately labeled as racism, and the press will then get involved to put pressure on everyone involved, make all kinds of pronouncements, and then turn strangely silent when the truth comes out.
There are no winners in this case, just losers.
The cops who did the initial interviews, who were first to see what happened and to get the immediate impressions had chosen NOT to prosecute. Pressure from the press and that idiot in the White House forced the state to proceed on a weak case.
I think it is a tragedy that a young man is dead. However, that does not allow public and political pressure to put another man through the hell of a trial, a police chief to lose his job for doing it correctly, and a state to spend thousands and thousand of dollars on a losing case.
I also think it is a tragedy that every case involving a white person and a black person, where the black person comes out on the losing end of the confrontation, is immediately labeled as racism, and the press will then get involved to put pressure on everyone involved, make all kinds of pronouncements, and then turn strangely silent when the truth comes out.
There are no winners in this case, just losers.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Fight! but Who?
I just read that there was a Chareidei soldier attacked in Meah Shearim for allegedly talking to people to try to convince then to go to the army. It turns out he was talking to his brother in law. However, this did not stop him from being attacked.
My question is, if these people who attacked him are so ready and willing to fight, and have all this energy and aggression, why AREN'T they in the Army, fighting our enemies instead of their fellow Jews???
Just asking.
My question is, if these people who attacked him are so ready and willing to fight, and have all this energy and aggression, why AREN'T they in the Army, fighting our enemies instead of their fellow Jews???
Just asking.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Hippy Bread
My sisters have been after me for some time to change my diet further than I have already done. bad enough that I have given up cookies, cakes, eggs, meat, gefilte fish, egg challah, liver, etc etc, now they want to take away sugar and bread as well.
So I have been resisting, while tweaking the diet (using whole wheat, splenda, and natural sugars and olive oil spray) but that doesn't seem to be enough to satisfy these food vigilantes. So today I broke down completely in Trader Joe's.
Yes, I have succumbed to purchase what is known in my family ( or referring to the Detroit branch of vigilantes) as "Hippy Bread."
Not only does it make me feel like I am in the 60's, with sprouted bread ( I can't even believe I just WROTE that), but the Ezekiel 4:9?, on the packaging?, as the name of the bread?????? This is beyond belief.
I give up.
Doesn't taste bad, though......
So I have been resisting, while tweaking the diet (using whole wheat, splenda, and natural sugars and olive oil spray) but that doesn't seem to be enough to satisfy these food vigilantes. So today I broke down completely in Trader Joe's.
Yes, I have succumbed to purchase what is known in my family ( or referring to the Detroit branch of vigilantes) as "Hippy Bread."
Not only does it make me feel like I am in the 60's, with sprouted bread ( I can't even believe I just WROTE that), but the Ezekiel 4:9?, on the packaging?, as the name of the bread?????? This is beyond belief.
I give up.
Doesn't taste bad, though......
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Whose Army Are They In?
I just saw the video of the protest in Israel against the new policy of Yeshiva Bochurim being drafted into the army. It was very enlightening. It was also the best proof as to why some of these kids SHOULD be in the army. throwing rocks at other Yidden doing their job, pushing garbage containers at police on horses and lighting other garbage containers on fire is NOT the way a yeshiva Bochur acts.
The video was chopped up, but it looked as if the police were showing tremendous restraint for most of the video. These boys clearly have too much energy and they are not channeling it into learning.
let them fight a common enemy instead of their brothers.
The video was chopped up, but it looked as if the police were showing tremendous restraint for most of the video. These boys clearly have too much energy and they are not channeling it into learning.
let them fight a common enemy instead of their brothers.
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