Oh yay.
I've reached the two year mark.
Here's to the next 21 splendid years of this blog!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
248
What does the number 248 mean to you?
The simple answer, whether you are Jewish or not, is that a human has 248 limbs.
It is also the amount of positive commandments in the Jewish world.
But the noticeable comparison for me, is the amount of words in Shema.
While I am not always on top of davening, one thing I try to make sure I say correctly, is Shema.
The 248 words there, should always be said carefully, just as carefully as you'd like each of your 248 limbs to be working.
This is also why you add three words at the beginning when praying alone, to compensate for the three word that a Chazzan would say at the end, with a minyan.
This is my first random act of Jewishness on this blog...what is happening to me...
The simple answer, whether you are Jewish or not, is that a human has 248 limbs.
It is also the amount of positive commandments in the Jewish world.
But the noticeable comparison for me, is the amount of words in Shema.
While I am not always on top of davening, one thing I try to make sure I say correctly, is Shema.
The 248 words there, should always be said carefully, just as carefully as you'd like each of your 248 limbs to be working.
This is also why you add three words at the beginning when praying alone, to compensate for the three word that a Chazzan would say at the end, with a minyan.
This is my first random act of Jewishness on this blog...what is happening to me...
Monday, March 24, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Jewish Writers
Amongst the Bloggers, we are all pretty good at talking about things we know about.
But sometimes people try to be funny, and just come off sounding unintelligent.
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/219871/purim-post-the-story-of-king-obamachashverosh-year-2014.html
Please guys, don't try to write about the internet and the likes, without knowing anything about them.
Calling them "e-invites" instead of "evites" just made me stop reading....close the page...and write this many nonsensical rant.
But sometimes people try to be funny, and just come off sounding unintelligent.
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/219871/purim-post-the-story-of-king-obamachashverosh-year-2014.html
Please guys, don't try to write about the internet and the likes, without knowing anything about them.
Calling them "e-invites" instead of "evites" just made me stop reading....close the page...and write this many nonsensical rant.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Jews Are Funny...Sometimes :)
UPDATE: Unfortunately the video was pulled, but I don't pull my Posts :) Just update them!
This video is going around, and I thought I'd share it.
Of a Jewish teen in London making one of the British guards actually laugh.
This video is going around, and I thought I'd share it.
Of a Jewish teen in London making one of the British guards actually laugh.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Reaching Out
I've had my ups and downs in life.
Most of them occurring for me Post-High School and more-so Post-College.
But sometimes you just need a place to vent, or a place to talk things out. Regardless if the other side has answers for you or not.
I am thankful that some of the bloggers here have listened to me over the years.
You guys know who you are.
On that note, to any random readers reading this (who am I kidding, even I know that no one reads the Minds anymore :) ...although I hit 30k this week!), feel free to email me, or most other bloggers, if you have an issue, and just need someone to talk to.
Most of us don't bite...and the ones who do, are usually doing it in a playful way. Hopefully.
Most of them occurring for me Post-High School and more-so Post-College.
But sometimes you just need a place to vent, or a place to talk things out. Regardless if the other side has answers for you or not.
I am thankful that some of the bloggers here have listened to me over the years.
You guys know who you are.
On that note, to any random readers reading this (who am I kidding, even I know that no one reads the Minds anymore :) ...although I hit 30k this week!), feel free to email me, or most other bloggers, if you have an issue, and just need someone to talk to.
Most of us don't bite...and the ones who do, are usually doing it in a playful way. Hopefully.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Helping and Giving
This was a post I started months ago, but never really put into it more than a few thoughts...so today I decided to clean it up a bit, and push it out.
In life, you give a lot of things, and get little in return...however, there are some things, that I think need to be returned, or at least thought out a little better.
Some of these include:
Wedding Presents
We give presents and/or money to people when they get engaged and/or married, to help them with their new lives.
What happens if God forbid it doesn't work out?
Should they have to then give back whatever it is they received? Or maybe next time they get engaged/married, you don't give them anything? But what if the other side took the gift you gave...now it's like you gave them nothing.
As such, I only give gifts as wedding presents. For starters, they shouldn't be needing that pot set, or whatever other gift you are giving, until after they are married. Unless of course you are giving cash...in which case they will need that before marriage, but all the more-so after they are married.
Baby Gifts
Always ask before you give these...the parents get sooooo many items, that they just can't use.
For example, how many onesies do you think they need for a newborn? It's great that you got them another one, but by the time they get around to it, (s)he will be up to the next size already.
Similarly for toys. When the child is at a young age, the parents choose which toys the kid gets, and its usually the same one over and over...as it is generally the one sitting closest to the child when (s)he starts crying.
As for electronic toys...as Jews you should think smarter. Shabbos and YT are some of the hardest times to keep a child entertained, and these toys are next to useless.
So find out what it is the parents need the most, and get that!
Sometimes even a free gift works, such as you watching the kid for a night, so that parents can get that much needed night out.
Moving Help
This one is a load of baloney.
I've helped many friends move. And maybe gained a slice of pizza or two in return.
Whoop-de-friggin-do.
But this isn't done for the reward. It's done for the friendship.
However, I did have one set of friends who I helped move completely into a fourth floor walk-up...and then they decided to move to Israel a few weeks later, making all my work completely useless.
So people, do us all a favor...move yourselves, and ask for help on that last day, for the big items.
No one wants to be wrapping your silverware in paper towels and packing your items.
That's your job.
</End Rant>
In life, you give a lot of things, and get little in return...however, there are some things, that I think need to be returned, or at least thought out a little better.
Some of these include:
Wedding Presents
We give presents and/or money to people when they get engaged and/or married, to help them with their new lives.
What happens if God forbid it doesn't work out?
Should they have to then give back whatever it is they received? Or maybe next time they get engaged/married, you don't give them anything? But what if the other side took the gift you gave...now it's like you gave them nothing.
As such, I only give gifts as wedding presents. For starters, they shouldn't be needing that pot set, or whatever other gift you are giving, until after they are married. Unless of course you are giving cash...in which case they will need that before marriage, but all the more-so after they are married.
Baby Gifts
Always ask before you give these...the parents get sooooo many items, that they just can't use.
For example, how many onesies do you think they need for a newborn? It's great that you got them another one, but by the time they get around to it, (s)he will be up to the next size already.
Similarly for toys. When the child is at a young age, the parents choose which toys the kid gets, and its usually the same one over and over...as it is generally the one sitting closest to the child when (s)he starts crying.
As for electronic toys...as Jews you should think smarter. Shabbos and YT are some of the hardest times to keep a child entertained, and these toys are next to useless.
So find out what it is the parents need the most, and get that!
Sometimes even a free gift works, such as you watching the kid for a night, so that parents can get that much needed night out.
Moving Help
This one is a load of baloney.
I've helped many friends move. And maybe gained a slice of pizza or two in return.
Whoop-de-friggin-do.
But this isn't done for the reward. It's done for the friendship.
However, I did have one set of friends who I helped move completely into a fourth floor walk-up...and then they decided to move to Israel a few weeks later, making all my work completely useless.
So people, do us all a favor...move yourselves, and ask for help on that last day, for the big items.
No one wants to be wrapping your silverware in paper towels and packing your items.
That's your job.
</End Rant>
Monday, March 3, 2014
Investments
Dating is an investment.
The more you put into it, the more you hope that the payout is.
As such, you need to make every date count for the most, be it a first date, or the eighth.
Recently I made some long-term investments, that unfortunately didn't pan out.
Sure, money and time and effort was put into it.
But ultimately, who cares about all those things.
If you worry about everything you put into it, and that you got nothing out of it, you will ultimately fall behind the game, and start making bad investments.
So if you believe in something, put your all into it, and hope that it pans out!
The more you put into it, the more you hope that the payout is.
As such, you need to make every date count for the most, be it a first date, or the eighth.
Recently I made some long-term investments, that unfortunately didn't pan out.
Sure, money and time and effort was put into it.
But ultimately, who cares about all those things.
If you worry about everything you put into it, and that you got nothing out of it, you will ultimately fall behind the game, and start making bad investments.
So if you believe in something, put your all into it, and hope that it pans out!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Evolution of Jewish Bloggers
While I have been on the blogger scene for a few years, blogging myself on and off, I have discovered a few things about the Jewish Blogger.
For starters, most of them do not blog in their own names. If/When it is discovered by a friend who they are, they close down the blog, and soon thereafter open a new blog under a different name.
As such, it's sometimes hard to follow blogs, because it's impossible to keep track of those that are popping up and closing...
When I first started, there were about 10 blogs I followed earnestly. A few months later, I re-searched, and found a bunch of new ones to follow, as the first ones slowly closed down. Leaving my lists intact.
It's a shame really, because it means that over time, as I haven't been as vigilant on searching and finding, my blogger read list has dwindled down to only a few reads a week.
So if any people know of good Jewish blogs to read and/or follow, please comment them or email them to me.
It would be greatly appreciated!
For starters, most of them do not blog in their own names. If/When it is discovered by a friend who they are, they close down the blog, and soon thereafter open a new blog under a different name.
As such, it's sometimes hard to follow blogs, because it's impossible to keep track of those that are popping up and closing...
When I first started, there were about 10 blogs I followed earnestly. A few months later, I re-searched, and found a bunch of new ones to follow, as the first ones slowly closed down. Leaving my lists intact.
It's a shame really, because it means that over time, as I haven't been as vigilant on searching and finding, my blogger read list has dwindled down to only a few reads a week.
So if any people know of good Jewish blogs to read and/or follow, please comment them or email them to me.
It would be greatly appreciated!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Disney + Valentines Day = Dirty Walt
I will now spoil Disney for all you lovers.
For all those like-minded dirty-minded folks...enjoy
:)
h/t: #BuzzFeed
For all those like-minded dirty-minded folks...enjoy
:)
h/t: #BuzzFeed
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Great Laws - Ice Missles
Connecticut has a new law going into effect at the end of the month, that is already in place in many states, and which needs to spread to all locales.
The law is against "Ice Missiles".
Ice Missiles are what happens when you don't clean the snow properly off the top of your car, and then go for a drive, shooting snow and ice off the top of your car, onto other cars around you, or passerby's.
http://ctboom.com/12-31-13-new-ice-missile-law-goes-effect-connecticut-drivers/
True story: I know people who have died from ice missiles. As another car stopped, the ice shot off the roof, and through their windshield, killing them.
So take the extra few minutes and clean all the snow off your car, even if your state doesn't have the law.
The law is against "Ice Missiles".
Ice Missiles are what happens when you don't clean the snow properly off the top of your car, and then go for a drive, shooting snow and ice off the top of your car, onto other cars around you, or passerby's.
http://ctboom.com/12-31-13-new-ice-missile-law-goes-effect-connecticut-drivers/
True story: I know people who have died from ice missiles. As another car stopped, the ice shot off the roof, and through their windshield, killing them.
So take the extra few minutes and clean all the snow off your car, even if your state doesn't have the law.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Splendid F***in' Week
Had plans with a friend, those got cancelled.
Then tonight, I texted someone I had thought was a good friend, and got back a "Who's this?".
For starters, who deletes contacts these days, when you can have an unlimited number of them?
Second, who deletes a number, and someone off Facebook and Skype, and doesn't say a word to them, or give them a reason as to why they are doing so.
Cowards.
Pussies.
Truthfully, reading back those last two words, it's better for me to not be associated with people like that.
I can't even begin to delve into the mindset of why someone would eliminate someone entirely from their life, without giving a reason.
Falling outs over time. Understandable.
Fights. Understandable.
We were talking a few days ago just fine, and suddenly, (as HOVA likes to say) poof -- vamoose, son of a bitch.
I know it's been 5-6 weeks since my last post. But if I never post again, at least people may begin to get an understanding of where things sped-up down the slope.
Updated (literally two minutes after posting):
Got a text from a third person, telling me basically: "It has been nice knowing you. Have a nice life."
Come on, bring it on world!
I'm gonna at least go out in style...
Then tonight, I texted someone I had thought was a good friend, and got back a "Who's this?".
For starters, who deletes contacts these days, when you can have an unlimited number of them?
Second, who deletes a number, and someone off Facebook and Skype, and doesn't say a word to them, or give them a reason as to why they are doing so.
Cowards.
Pussies.
Truthfully, reading back those last two words, it's better for me to not be associated with people like that.
I can't even begin to delve into the mindset of why someone would eliminate someone entirely from their life, without giving a reason.
Falling outs over time. Understandable.
Fights. Understandable.
We were talking a few days ago just fine, and suddenly, (as HOVA likes to say) poof -- vamoose, son of a bitch.
I know it's been 5-6 weeks since my last post. But if I never post again, at least people may begin to get an understanding of where things sped-up down the slope.
Updated (literally two minutes after posting):
Got a text from a third person, telling me basically: "It has been nice knowing you. Have a nice life."
Come on, bring it on world!
I'm gonna at least go out in style...
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Law Firms Getting Sexist
The law firms of "Clifford Chance" sent out a memo last week, to all female employees, with handy tips on what to do, entitled: "Presentation Tips for Women".
Because that title, and the fact that they didn't make another one for men, wasn't enough to get them into a little bit of trouble, instead they filled the memo with all sorts of goodies.
Some of the things included:
And my favorite:
One would think that law firms would be smarter than this...
However most of these people did spend the money on law school and will never make it back unless they scam hundreds of other people out of their money...so who knows.
Because that title, and the fact that they didn't make another one for men, wasn't enough to get them into a little bit of trouble, instead they filled the memo with all sorts of goodies.
Some of the things included:
-"Like" you've got to lose "um" and "uh," "you know," "OK," and "Like."
- Don't giggle; Don't squirm; Don't tilt your head.
- Practice hard words.
- Wear a suit, not your party outfit.
And my favorite:
- No one heard Hillary the day she showed cleavage.
One would think that law firms would be smarter than this...
However most of these people did spend the money on law school and will never make it back unless they scam hundreds of other people out of their money...so who knows.
Monday, October 21, 2013
What Do You Look For?
Over time I have discovered that girls don't know what they are looking for.
I base this solely on one thing: Myself.
Sure, I am vertically challenged (short, for the wordly challenged).
And I am not the beautiful hulk that they imagine. To be honest about myself, I am not great looking, but I am not ugly.
But I feel like other qualities that people seek, I possess.
College Educated? Check.
Full time job? Check.
Solid income? Check.
4 Wheels + an Engine? Check.
Sense of humour? Check.
Brains, not trains? Check.
Likes kids? Check.
A blog? Hell yeah.
So what is exactly that people are looking for that I am missing?
Oh yeah, I don't like the Beatles. That must be it.
I base this solely on one thing: Myself.
Sure, I am vertically challenged (short, for the wordly challenged).
And I am not the beautiful hulk that they imagine. To be honest about myself, I am not great looking, but I am not ugly.
But I feel like other qualities that people seek, I possess.
College Educated? Check.
Full time job? Check.
Solid income? Check.
4 Wheels + an Engine? Check.
Sense of humour? Check.
Brains, not trains? Check.
Likes kids? Check.
A blog? Hell yeah.
So what is exactly that people are looking for that I am missing?
Oh yeah, I don't like the Beatles. That must be it.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
By The Numb Grace of God
Thought I wasn't enough
Can't you see that you're smothering me,
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Found I wasn't so tough
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Laying on the bathroom floor
Don't know what you're expecting of me
We were living on a fault line
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
And I felt the fault was all mine
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Couldn't take it anymore
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
By the grace of God
(There was no other way)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
Become so tired, so much more aware
I put one foot in front of the other and I
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Is be more like me and be less like you
Wasn't gonna let love take me out that way
I know I am enough, possible to be loved
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control?
It was not about me
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Now I have to rise above
Has fallen apart right in front of you.
Let the universe call the bluff
Every step that I take is another mistake to you.
Yeah, the truth will set you free
And every second I waste is more than I can take.
By the grace of God
(There was no other way)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
Become so tired, so much more aware
I put one foot in front of the other and I
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Is be more like me and be less like you
Wasn't gonna let love take me out that way
And I know
I may end up failing too.
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you.
By the grace of God
(There was no other way)
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I picked myself back up
(I knew I had to stay)
Become so tired, so much more aware
I put one foot in front of the other and I
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Looked in the mirror and decided to stay
Is be more like me and be less like you
Wasn't gonna let love take me out that way
-A mashup of the wonderful words of Mike and Katy, that couldn't be more perfect
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Death
I've been thinking about death a lot recently, and I've come to two realizations on it.
First, people are scared of dying. I'm not, just because if I die, I would have nothing to be scared of, and nothing to worry about, so what exactly is the fear?
Yes, this could be because I don't have that someone close, who I think it would hurt if I died, so I guess that at some point I could develop a fear for death, at which point I may choose to come back to here and update this.
The other thing I've come to realize, is that death can come suddenly.
My parents are in their mid-60s, which when I think about it, is not overall that old, but when you look at some of the people that have passed away this year, is all of a sudden right in the middle of the pack.
People like Hugo Chavez and James Gandolfini, who were 58 and 51, all of a sudden got up and died (more-so a shock with Gandolfini then Chavez).
At some point in our lives we will all experience the death of close ones. Its inevitable. For some people, unfortunately, its experienced when they are young, others don't until much later in life.
I can't seem to decide which is worse.
Is it worse to lose that person close to you when you are younger, and then miss them the rest of your life.
Or is it harder on you to get close to them as you get older, and then suddenly they are gone.
This isn't my first post about death, and I'm sure it won't be my last, although some thoughts on it have popped up on this blog, but by now, I've "drafted" them, as they weren't thoughts I was supposed to be having...as no normal person would...I guess just another example that I'm not normal.
First, people are scared of dying. I'm not, just because if I die, I would have nothing to be scared of, and nothing to worry about, so what exactly is the fear?
Yes, this could be because I don't have that someone close, who I think it would hurt if I died, so I guess that at some point I could develop a fear for death, at which point I may choose to come back to here and update this.
The other thing I've come to realize, is that death can come suddenly.
My parents are in their mid-60s, which when I think about it, is not overall that old, but when you look at some of the people that have passed away this year, is all of a sudden right in the middle of the pack.
People like Hugo Chavez and James Gandolfini, who were 58 and 51, all of a sudden got up and died (more-so a shock with Gandolfini then Chavez).
At some point in our lives we will all experience the death of close ones. Its inevitable. For some people, unfortunately, its experienced when they are young, others don't until much later in life.
I can't seem to decide which is worse.
Is it worse to lose that person close to you when you are younger, and then miss them the rest of your life.
Or is it harder on you to get close to them as you get older, and then suddenly they are gone.
This isn't my first post about death, and I'm sure it won't be my last, although some thoughts on it have popped up on this blog, but by now, I've "drafted" them, as they weren't thoughts I was supposed to be having...as no normal person would...I guess just another example that I'm not normal.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
End of an Era
One of the greatest writers of our time has died.
Tom Clancy.
You may have noticed him as one of the Easter Eggs of this blog, tagged as a label for many of my posts.
From the "Ryanverse" featuring John Patrick (Jack) Ryan (Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Rainbow Six, among others) to Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy wrote some of the best books of our times.
And longest books, I might add.
Two of his books (which were over 1300 pages each) were essentially one long book, with the last word in one book, being the first word in the next one (Debt of Honor and Executive Orders).
Personally, I have a full shelf of Clancy books in my house, and it will be one of the first books I introduce my child too, when I have a child, and when (s)he is old enough.
SPOILER ALERT FOR THIS PARAGRAPH:
Think about the character of Jack Ryan, man couldn't hold a job...Marine 2nd Lieutenanct, CPA, Professor, CIA Analyst, CIA Asst DDI, CIA DDI, NSA, VP, President. Oh, and he is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Could you even have a greater character?
And to think that now it's his son as the main character, passing on the legacy.
END SPOILER
R.I.P. Tom Clancy. 1947-2013
R.I.P. Sir John Patrick Ryan
Another part of my childhood has officially ended.
Tom Clancy.
You may have noticed him as one of the Easter Eggs of this blog, tagged as a label for many of my posts.
From the "Ryanverse" featuring John Patrick (Jack) Ryan (Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Rainbow Six, among others) to Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy wrote some of the best books of our times.
And longest books, I might add.
Two of his books (which were over 1300 pages each) were essentially one long book, with the last word in one book, being the first word in the next one (Debt of Honor and Executive Orders).
Personally, I have a full shelf of Clancy books in my house, and it will be one of the first books I introduce my child too, when I have a child, and when (s)he is old enough.
SPOILER ALERT FOR THIS PARAGRAPH:
Think about the character of Jack Ryan, man couldn't hold a job...Marine 2nd Lieutenanct, CPA, Professor, CIA Analyst, CIA Asst DDI, CIA DDI, NSA, VP, President. Oh, and he is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Could you even have a greater character?
And to think that now it's his son as the main character, passing on the legacy.
END SPOILER
R.I.P. Tom Clancy. 1947-2013
R.I.P. Sir John Patrick Ryan
Another part of my childhood has officially ended.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Stupidest Creature On Earth
Over the first days of Succos, I rediscovered one of the stupidest creatures on this planet.
I'll give you a hint or two before I tell you what it is.
- This creature puts itself through pain on a daily basis.
- Even though it knows it was in pain yesterday, it will repeat the action today, because it thinks its a good idea.
- It will make noises and notify other creatures around it about its pain, yet do nothing to resolve the issue.
The answer is simple:
The WOMAN.
The pain?
Wearing high heels.
I saw a girl walking down the street looking like a baby giraffe, with her legs buckling underneath her with every step, as she hobbled down the streets.
Girls, it's not your height that is sexy. Nor your ankles. Its the legs.
Making them taller and destroying your feet is just plain stupid.
I'll give you a hint or two before I tell you what it is.
- This creature puts itself through pain on a daily basis.
- Even though it knows it was in pain yesterday, it will repeat the action today, because it thinks its a good idea.
- It will make noises and notify other creatures around it about its pain, yet do nothing to resolve the issue.
The answer is simple:
The WOMAN.
The pain?
Wearing high heels.
I saw a girl walking down the street looking like a baby giraffe, with her legs buckling underneath her with every step, as she hobbled down the streets.
Girls, it's not your height that is sexy. Nor your ankles. Its the legs.
Making them taller and destroying your feet is just plain stupid.
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