Worth It

I've spent the better part of the last two evenings cooking. Because I'm throwing a bridal shower for a friend of mine. Yep, me. The person who hates bridal showers and attempts to go to as few of them as possible. (Just so guys understand - this is because showers are BORING. And dumb. You are lucky that guys don't throw them.) Anyway, I had really been regretting the fact that I offered to throw this one. Then I had along conversation tonight with my friend who is getting married, and I remembered why I offered to throw this shower - because she really is one of the most special people I know. And it's totally worth it. I'm really lucky to have such friends.

Way Cool Shoes

Courtesy of Princess D, my new favorite shoe store - PunkRose. And, the shoes, while a little out there, look comfortable. I'm all for that.

Weirdo

It is so inappropriate for someone who is calling me, asking for information, to call me honey. Twice. And it was a woman. Way weird.

Hmmm...

Why is it that I can jump out of an airplane without fear, but things like this intimidate me to the point that I avoid even trying?

LOTD

The LOTD is catching on - SaraK has caught the bug. This is one of my guilty favorites, I don't like to admit that I like it because she's an American Idol, but I have to say, I do.

Kelly Clarkson
Since You've Been Gone

Here's the thing
We started out friends
It was cool but it was all pretend
Yeah, Yeah
Since you've been gone

You're dedicated,
You took the time
Wasn't long 'till I called you mine
Yeah, Yeah
Since you've been gone

And all you'd ever hear me say
Is how I picture me with you
That's all you ever hear me say

But since you've been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'M SO MOVING ON
Yeah Yeah
Thanks to you now I get what I want
Since you've been gone

How can I put it?
You put me on
I even fell for that stupid love song
Yeah Yeah
Since you've been gone

How come I'd never hear you say,
I just wanna be with you
I guess you never felt that way

But since you've been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'M SO MOVING ON
Yeah Yeah
Thanks to you now I get
I get what I want
Since you've been gone

You had your chance, you blew it
Out of sight, out of mind
Shut your mouth, I just can't take it
again and again and again and again!

Since you've been gone (Since you've been gone)
I can breathe for the first time
I'M SO MOVING ON
Yeah Yeah
Thanks to you, (thanks to you)
Now I get
I get what I want
I can breathe for the first time,
I'M SO MOVING ON
Yeah Yeah
Thanks to you (Thanks to you)
Now I get (I get)
You should know (You should know)
That I get
I get what I want...

Since You've Been Gone(repeat 3 more times)

Random

- I find it a bit ironic that, in the midst of 85+ degree heat, with my apartment not quite cooled off, I find myself with the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" stuck in my head and sliding from my lips. Though, I have to say, I feel for poor Rudolph. Those other reindeer were not so nice to him.

- I find my newly cleaned-out fridge sad. Because it's way empty. And I thought it was so full. Not quite sure what I've been eating. Though I am happy to report that the one section of it that is packed is the veggie compartment.

- I'm in the middle of reading "The Kite Runner." Wow. I was literally in tears on the bus today. (Kinda embarrassing, I know, but if you read it, you would know what I'm talking about.)

- Speaking of the bus, we took the weirdest route home this afternoon. We were hardly in the normal path at all. And guess what - it didn't save us time. At all. I got home much later than usual.

- It's summer! I'm finding myself to be a totally different person when I'm not in school. Though I miss the learning environment, I have to admit. Yep, nerd, I know.

Reality TV

I completely agree with this article that equates reality television with the incredibly disturbing Milgram experiments of the 1960's. I've always wondered about those who chose to advertise to the world that they are shallow and cutthroat for the reward of the most eligible bachelor or a sum of money. And I also wonder about those who find such debasing television shows entertaining. (Can you tell I'm not a big fan of reality television?) Anyway, check out the article, it's interesting.

Video Learning

Interesting article about a (kinda) new method of teaching in schools - videos. These videos from our President's brother are hip and fun with lots of music and are dispersed with the facts that students need to know. Students love watching them and think they are cool. However, it seems to me that it's taking away the kid's potential for actually thinking about things and discussing them. And reading (though I do admit that textbooks are often way boring). While these video curricula are becoming popular, I don't think they are the answer - I think more active learning and teachers really engaging their students is.

LOTD

Today's LOTD I heard last night on the radio and managed to remember that I love it until this morning. If anyone has the music file and wants to e-mail it to me, I'd be extremely appreciative.

Pink
Don't Let Me Get Me


Never win first place, I don't support the team
I can't take direction, and my socks are never
clean
Teachers dated me, my parents hated me
I was always in a fight cuz I can't do nothin'
right

Everyday I fight a war against the mirror
I can't take the person starin' back at me
I'm a hazard to myself

Don't let me get me
I'm my own worst enemy
Its bad when you annoy yourself
So irritating
Don't wanna be my friend no more
I wanna be somebody else

I wanna be somebody else, yeah

LA told me, "You'll be a pop star,
All you have to change is everything you are."
Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears
She's so pretty, that just ain't me

Doctor, doctor won't you please prescribe
somethin
A day in the life of someone else?
Cuz I'm a hazard to myself

Don't let me get me
I'm my own worst enemy
Its bad when you annoy yourself
So irritating
Don't wanna be my friend no more
I wanna be somebody else

Don't let me get me
I'm my own worst enemy
Its bad when you annoy yourself
So irritating
Don't wanna be my friend no more
I wanna be somebody else

Doctor, doctor won't you please prescribe
somethin
A day in the life of someone else?
Don't let me get me

Don't let me get me
I'm my own worst enemy
Its bad when you annoy yourself
So irritating
Don't wanna be my friend no more
I wanna be somebody else


And the video:

Nerd Alert

I'm such a nerd. The most exciting part of my day was when I reached into my mailbox and found an academic journal from one of the professional associations I am a member of. It's not any journal though - it's the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. I can not wait to read the articles - I honestly think the combination of using creativity and art in mental health therapy is way fascinating. And, maybe I'll be able to use glitter. Okay, maybe not a total nerd.

New Destinations Discovered

28 new places for me to travel and explore have been discovered. I better get started soon - with new planets being found every day, I'm going to have a long list of destinations to cover. I can't wait.

No Thanks

I have a very generous co-worker. He is always offering me cute little things, and even made a very tacky chandelier above my desk for me, which I find fun. He put an African violet on my desk and takes care of it for me so I won't kill it and now it has little pink flowers blooming on it (if I was taking care of it, there would be only brown, dead leaves). Today, he offered me a snail. While I appreciate his generosity, I politely declined this particular offer. I think the snail will be better off not on my desk. I think maybe it would be best outside, in some dirt, happily sliding along.

Nature Knows Best

It's interesting how science is striving to replicate nature. It's also a very interesting read about premature births and the neonatal care they are being given.

Elite Colleges Expand Their Horizons

Interesting article in the NY Times about elite colleges taking socioeconomic status into consideration with regards to college admission criterai, accepting lower scores from those from lower economic standings. I have mixed feelings about it, but in general, I think it's great, both for those who get the benefit of being admitted to elite schools, and for those who will now interact and get a wider perspective of the world because they will meet students from all different sides of the street. I have to say that one of the things I valued the most of my undergraduate classes was that the students had all kinds of backgrounds and I learned a ton from just hearing about it, I wouldn't have wanted a homogenous student body - it would have been boring.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is a song that I have been hearing on the radio a lot, and have always enjoyed. Have a great Memorial Day!

Dishwalla
Counting Blue Cars

Must of been mid afternoon
I could tell by how far the childs shadow stretched out and
He walked with a purpose
In his sneakers, down the street
He had, many questions
Like children often do
He said,
tell me all your thoughts on god?
tell me am I very far?

Must of been late afternoon
On our way the sun broke free of the clouds
We count only blue cars
Skip the cracks, in the street
And ask many questions
Like children often do
We said,
tell me all your thoughts on god?
cause I would really like to meet her.
And ask her why were who we are.
Tell me all your thoughts on god,
Cause I am on my way to see her.
So tell me am I very far -
Am I very far now?

Its getting cold picked up the pace
How our shoes make hard noises in this place
Our clothes are stained
We pass many, cross eyed people
And ask many questions
Like children often do

tell me all your thoughts on god?
cause I would really like to meet her.
And ask her why were who we are.
Tell me all your thoughts on god?
cause I am on my way to see her.
So tell me am I very far?
Am I very far now
Am I very far now
Am I very far now

And a bonus - the video:

Sunday Funay

It's been a nice day. I spent the day with a friend - we went shopping. Then we shopped some more. And a little more. Then we chilled out a bit (and she shopped in my closet), and I made us lunch. Then we went for a walk through the park, then off to dinner.

It was funny, we were talking about my feeling of inadequacy to be "put together." I just don't see myself as that type. She said she didn't get how I wasn't - she sees me as always having cute make-up and cute clothes and cute shoes and a bag. All of which I don't give myself credit for. It made me realize the huge difference in our perceptions of ourselves and the perceptions others have of us. I tend to be a bit self-critical and I think most people are gentler in judgment of me than I am. And I know I am harder on myself than I am on others, so it makes sense. But you don't really realize it until someone really point it out to you.

I'm biding my time right now - I'm picking a friend up at the airport in a little while. Trying to stay awake...good thing I have the day off tomorrow.

Oy

Article about grade school girls who get their news from People magazine. Good news is that their parents do influence them and they don't completely emulate Lindsay and Paris.

Dark Side of the Web

Article in the NY Times about a dark corner of the web, specifically plaguing Korea - sites that are targeted at offering advice about, or finding a parter for, suicide. The numbers quoted are super-scary and, even further, the idea that those setting up the webpages are getting sneakier about not getting caught is just sad.

Facebook vs. MySpace

Article in the NY Times about my newest addiction and the changes they are making. I hope they don't ruin my new favorite site.

Famous

They are filming a movie in my building, on my floor. I'm not really sure why on earth they would choose my building, since it's pretty nondescript, but I'm hoping to catch my 15 minutes of fame while they are here. Or not. It's kinda cool though.

Surprised

In the mail for my office today, we received two ambiguous pieces of mail, both in relation to city functions - one for a small claims issue that I had no information about previously and the other for an elevator inspection. I called both offices, receiving voice mails for both. I left messages for the individuals to call me back, not really expecting a call back - these are city employees after all, and I've never had great luck with city employees. To my surprise, I received calls back from both individuals within two hours! And they were friendly and helpful! Wow!

Lucid Dreaming

If you know you are dreaming, is it really a dream? And if so, then what is a day dream? I was spurred to read this article about "lucid dreaming" where a person is conscious of the fact that they are dreaming and manages to direct their dream in some way, while asleep. Way interesting.

Narrative Therapy

In my classes, we learn a bit about narrative therapy - where a person telling their story becomes their therapy - you look for themes and trends in order to help a person have a new perspective on their issues. This article in the NY Times, courtesy of my rarely-commenting friend, discusses that narrative therapy and more. Check it out.

Changes

AOL changed their e-mail homepage. I hate it. It doesn't even work. I'm not one of those people who is completely avoidant of change, but when websites that I'm used to using do things like make it impossible to find what you need, I'm not so pleased. And I can't even find a way to opt-out. :(

New Jersey, New Jersey

Hat tip to SaraK for sending me this beautiful tribute to the state in which I now reside.

Name that Book

I am completely seduced by those writers who use words to paint pictures. The book I'm currently reading includes this one:

"Making summertime out of lonesomeness."

and:

"The stillness was the sleep of swords."

Can you name the book?

I Watched Too Much TV Growing Up

Which is evidenced by the fact that I did very well on this quiz. How many ads can you identify?

Weird

This article in the NY Times is officially just weird - why someone would want their remains interred on a college campus is outside of my understanding. Yes, the hallowed halls of academia are my friend and I enjoy it there very much, but I just think there are better places for the remains of my body after death.

Quote of the Day

A friend had this quote waiting for me when I woke up this morning:

"Glitter is the Herpes of the arts and crafts world."

Yay! I guess I wear my herpes proudly then :)

Weekend Almost Over

It's been a long day. I woke up too early with the goal of buying a gift for my friend's wedding shower, going to the shower and then possibly going out to dinner with a friend. I hate wedding showers. I think they're dumb and boring.

I was overtired and had a headache at this point. And when I'm overtired I'm overly emotional (meaning, I cry like crazy). So I went to one store and couldn't find anything I wanted to give my friend, so I left in tears, feeling wholly inadequate, for all the reasons that had been building up. I drove to another store crying all the way, and managed to stop my crying by the time I got out of the car. By this time, I had decided that the shower wasn't worth my misery and that I wasn't going. I would just buy a gift and have it sent to my friend.

So I went in the mall, which wasn't quite open yet. I noticed that they had a Loemann's, which carries the type of clothing that I could wear to the upcoming weddings I have to attend. So I went shopping. And actually found a dress (this never happens, I am NOT good at finding fancy clothes). And it was cheap. Yay!

I headed home, and stopped at Target to buy a bunch of stuff I didn't need on the way (retail therapy does work). After getting home, I received a call from a friend who is moving soon - she wanted company while she packed. So I visited with her for a bit. Then I went to dinner with a bunch of friends at a really good Tex Mex place in Teaneck. Not only was the food good, one of the people who works there is now one of my Facebook friends. (We had a nice time.)

I finally came home and my neighbor stopped me to invite me for meals for Shavuos. I take anything negative I have said in the past about Passaic - I have had SO many people call me to invite me for meals for Shavuos (unfortunately, I'm not going to be here). It really is a nice community, it just takes some time.

All in all, I think I managed to turn my day around. Not bad.

LOTD

This one is dedicated to my friend who thinks chicks are gold-diggers ;)

Blessed Union of Souls
Hey Leonardo

She don't care about my car
She don't care about my money
And that's real good because I don't got alot to spend
But if I did it wouldn't mean nothin'

She likes me for me
Not because I look like Tyson Beckford
With the charm of Robert Redford
Oozing out my ears
But what she sees
Are my faults and indecisions
My insecure conditions
And the tears upon the pillow that I shed

She don't care about my big screen
Or my collection of DVD's
Things like that just never mattered much to her
Plus she don't watch to much t.v.

And she don't care that I can fly her
To places she ain't never been
But if she really wants to go
I think deep down she knows that
All she has to say is when

She likes me for me
Not because I hang with Leonardo
Or that guy who played in "Fargo"
I think his name is Steve
She's the one for me
And I just can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again

And I'm so glad I found her once again
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Gazing at the ceiling
as we entertain our feelings in the dark
The things that we're afraid of are gonna show us
what we're made of in the end

She likes me for me
Not because I sing like Pavarotti
Or because I am such a hottie
I like her for her
Not because she's phat like Cindy Crawford
She has got so much to offer
Why does she waste all her time with me
There must be something there that I don't see

She likes me for me
Not because I'm tough like Dirty Hairy
Make her laugh just like Jim Carrey
Unlike the Cable Guy
But what she sees
Is that I can't live without her
My arms belong around her
And I'm so glad I found her once again
Found her once again
I'm so glad I found her once again

You Go Girl!

This article was on the front of the NY Times website this morning, highlighting an Israeli girl who has now been drafted for the WNBA - go Shay!

Dumb

Some people may be highly intelligent, and have very high IQs, but those very same people can be SO DUMB. And unfortunately, if they chance to come across my path, I may very well not be able to tolerate their stupidity and will have to point it out to them. Fortunately for these people, I'm a bit subtle and they probably won't even realize how dumb they are. Because of course, they are dumb.

The Art of Negative Thinking

Yep, you read that right. My rarely commenting friend sent me this Slate article about the drawbacks of positive thinking. The author urges Oprah to spearhead an effort at convincing the world to give up their optimism and start planning for the worst. In doing my part to help the negative movement, I wore my "dark and brooding" eye make-up today (coined as such by a co-worker, who said it "works" for me). Go negativity!

Another Take

Hat-tip to the Princess for this one, a very honest and up front take on sex and Judaism. While I don't think the OU's new site is that bad and I think it's a good first step(though I do wonder where they got some of their facts), I think this chick should be writing for them - she doesn't mince words, and I think teens respect and need that. Check it out.

Grey's Season Finale

I don't want to ruin the details for those who haven't yet had the chance to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy, but those of you who did - who on earth guessed that ending???

LOTD

Today's LOTD is one of the songs that got me addicted to John Mayer (good Southern boy, btw). If you can get your hands on the audio version, it's well worth it.


John Mayer
Comfortable

I just remembered that time at the market
snuck up behind me and jumped on my shopping cart
And rode down aisle five
you looked behind you and smile back at me
crashed into a rack full of magazines
they asked us if we could leave.

Can't remember what went wrong last September
though i'm sure you'd remind me, if you had to

Our love was, comfortable and
so broken in

I sleep with this new girl I’m still getting used to
My friends all approve, say “she’s gonna be good for you.”
They throw me high fives.
She says the Bible is all that she reads.
and prefers that I not use profanity
Your mouth was so dirty
Life of the party,
And she swears that she’s artsy,
But you could distinguish Miles from Coltrane
Our love was comfortable and so broken in.

She’s perfect
So flawless,
Or so they say.
Hey and
So they say, Heyyyyy.

She thinks I can’t see the smile that she’s fakin’
Poses for pictures that aren’t being taken.
I loved you
grey sweat pants
No make up
So perfect
Our love was comfortable and so broken in.

She’s perfect
So flawless
I’m not impressed
I want you back

Creative Writing

Because it's not enough to JUST work full-time, and because I have the summer off from school, I was perusing Craigslist in search of part-time jobs that I can do from home. Basically, data entry or typing. What I found was several advertised positions for "phone acting," "body work," and "massage." Hmm, I wonder what they really mean...

Good Sharing Skills

I brought an apple and yogurt for lunch today. After eating my apple and yogurt, I was still a bit hungry, so I went to the little grocery store near where I work (but not the one where the Arab cashier always hits on me and tracks my visits - I try to avoid that one) and picked up a little box of miniature cookies. While on my walk back to my office, I ran into our mailman down the street from our office. I offered him a cookie, which he accepted with a smile. I think he's going to take good care of our mail from now on.

Cure for Attention Span Problems

I think I'm going to take up meditation.

Kosher Slurpees in Connecticut

The NY Times highlights the growing Orthodox community in Waterbury, Connecticut, where residents can now get, along with kosher slurpees, such delicacies as cholent and kishke, along with more cerebral sustenance like Talmud study as well. I've never been there, but the brochure looks nice (sorry, couldn't resist the Sheryl Crow reference). Additionally, the price tag on the homes there sounds quite a bit more affordable than anywhere in the immediate NYC metro area. And I imagine that people are nicer out there in smallville as well.

Surprising News

I received news tonight that really blew me away. You never know what's going on behind the scenes and you can never know what more than the eye can see a situation holds. Sometimes those things you could never imagine, do happen. And each person certainly does have their challenges. Wow. I'm feeling very lucky tonight.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is inspired by the fact that I honestly think I may go insane if the construction next to my office goes on much longer. As such, the following lyrics were following me around today:


Fastball
Out of my Head

Sometimes I feel
Like I am drunk behind the wheel
The wheel of prosperity
However it may roll
Give it a spin
See if you can somehow factor in
You know theres always more than one way
To say exactly what you mean to say

Chorus:
Was I out of my head? was I out of my mind?
How could I have ever been so blind?
I was waiting for an indication
It was hard to find
Dont matter what I say only what I do
I never mean to do bad things to you
So quiet but I finally woke up
If youre sad then its time you spoke up too

Amazing

This article just shows what can be accomplished with the right environment and encouragement. This program sounds amazing, and it shows that with motivation, responsibility and belief in who they are as individuals, teens - even ones from underprivileged backgrounds - can soar.

It's also interesting to note that this school is for males only - that the premise is that with girls present, these boys would feel the need to not be themselves in order to impress the chicks, while in a single-gender classroom, they can feel free to excel academically. Having gone to coeducational schools my entire life, I completely agree with this assumption and feel that I would have been much better off - socially, academically and emotionally, in a single-gender environment, especially for high school.

Excellent Question

XGH has posed an excellent question on his blog - I'm actually not sure what my decision would be. Check it out.

Transgender

The cover story in Newsweek this week is an article about transgendered Americans. Which is quite timely because just yesterday I noticed a cross-dresser walking through Midtown. Seriously though, the article is interesting and reminds me of a fairly recent story of an Orthodox Jewish man from Toronto who decided to become a woman. I honestly can't imagine what these individuals go through - the confusion and difficulties must be overwhelming. The article brings up many interesting points - check it out.

And You Thought Your Dates Were Bad

I don't even know how I found this, but next time I'm upset about the way a date turned out, I'm gonna remember this guy's dates, who not only seems to have a knack for finding weirdo chicks (not that I'm surprised about that in NY) but also manages to write about them in a most amusing way. For his sake, I hope the blog ends soon, but for mine, I kinda hope the wackos keep coming.

Quantum Weirdness

During lunch, I took the time to read the article that I mentioned earlier. I admit that my physics knowledge falls far short of what they are talking about in the article (though I still maintain that it's way cool), so I don't understand everything they are talking about. But, I came across the idea of quantum weirdness, which just sounds like something that would fascinate me. In addition, apparently one of the principles of quantum weirdness is that if something is not expressly forbidden, it will happen. Which reminds me a bit of myself. Kinda Sorta. I think I should change my focus and go into physics (ok, maybe not).

Tarot Card Quiz

Thanks to Irina for pointing this one out. I don't really think the card I got is so in tuned with who I am, but it was fun. Try it out.

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Cool Beans

Haven't read this entire article yet (it's long - be warned) but it's way cool. This is the kind of science I think they should teach in school - hands-on demonstrating the way the world is made.

Beep!

I don't have ADHD, but my attention span can be very short at times. I wish it would be longer than the time it takes me to go from deciding what webpage I want to visit and to opening my browser and actually going there (because a lot of the time, I manage to forget in between). This might also be affected by lack of sleep (but I'll write more about that later). Beep! (That's my inner call waiting telling me it's time for a new thought.)

Innate Morality

Really interesting article in Discover about the innate sense of morality that humans all over the world seem to have in common. What's so interesting is that the moralistic decisions that people make can't be explained by those who choose them, yet the decisions seem to be universal. Check it out.

The Lone Turtle

Read the riveting saga of George, possibly the last of his species of turtle on earth, who despite his lone status, seems to have no interest in perpetuating his genes. I'm sure glad that my mating interests aren't chronicled as such, though I'm not the last of my kind and therefore not nearly as interesting (thank God!).

Anonymity

Sometimes I wish that no one I knew in real life read my blog. But I can't decide if that would make my blog more honest and real, or more depressing and whiny, as I'm sure I would be tempted to complain about people more. Regardless, it does sometimes weird me out to know that people who see me in real life read my thoughts here, because it's a different way of knowing me.

It was funny, because my mom made a comment to me today about how much I have changed in the past six months. And I wasn't really sure if I have changed, because the last six months has been really tough and I feel like, at many times, I've been at my worst. What has changed though, is that my mom has been reading my blog about that long. I wonder if that's the difference she sees.

I attended the shabbaton I went to with a friend who is actually the sister of a very close friend of mine. She made a comment about how it was weird to her that I know her family - most of her friends don't. And it's true, it was different interacting with her outside of her family environment. So I wonder if that's the difference that my mom is seeing - she is getting a glimpse of me outside of my family environment, something that she's never been able to do before. And I think that's good.

Still, anonymity does sound enticing at times...

Middle Schools

After having a long conversation over Shabbos about parenting and education (it's become a common topic at tables I visit lately), I found this article about a middle school that it doing it right both inspiring and interesting. It seems to be a growing trend to focus on this in-between age which is so crucial and so hard in the lives of those going through it, which is a much-needed progression.

My Shabbos

A friend asked me a few weeks ago if I would consider going to a singles shabbaton with her. I'd never been to one, so I was very brave and told her that I would. So that's what I did this past Shabbos. I met the most wonderful families who hosted us, incredibly hospitable and wonderfully friendly. However, I don't think I will be attending any more shabbatons, at least not any time in the near future.

LOTD

Not sure if I've used this one before or not, but it's in my head tonight.

U2
If God Will Send His Angels

Nobody else here baby
No one here to blame
No one to point the finger
Its just you and me and the rain

Nobody made you do it
No one put words in your mouth
Nobody here taking orders
When love took a train heading south

Its the blind leading the blond
Its the stuff, its the stuff of country songs

Hey if God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Would everything be alright

God has got his phone off the hook, babe
Would he even pick up if he could
Its been a while since we saw that child
Hanging round this neighbourhood
You see his mother dealing in a doorway
See father christmas with a begging bowl
Jesus sisters eyes are a blister
The high street never looked so low

Its the blind leading the blond
Its the cops collecting for the cons
So where is the hope and where is the faith
And the love...whats that you say to me
Does love...light up your christmas tree
The next minute youre blowing a fuse
And the cartoon network turns into the news

If God will send his angels
And if God will send a sign
And if God will send his angels
Where do we go
Where do we go

Jesus never let me down
You know jesus used to show me the score
Then they put jesus in show business
Now its hard to get in the door

Its the stuff, its the stuff of country songs
But I guess it was something to go on

If God will send his angels
I sure could use them here right now
Well if God would send his angels

I dont want to lie
(where do we go)
I dont want to have a feel for the song
And I want to love, and i...
(where do we go)
And I want to feel alone

Highlights

I got my congratulatory end-of-semester highlights today. Every time I visit my hairdresser, I realize what an amazing job she does and how good she is to me. It took her a LONG time to do my hair, because I have a LOT of hair, but she never rushed it and she even gave me a break when it came time to pay. It was SO worth it.

Abstinence is In

Well, at least that's what religious spokespeople are hoping. In the hour that I've been awake, I've come across this article about the pope and this one about NCSY (who I don't think are working together), both of whom are encouraging the abstention of premarital sex. And just to throw in one more article that is extremely tangentially related, here's one on the decline of divorce (though some of the reasoning is less than completely reassuring).

Church in School

Possibly more about this one later, but this article totally reminds me of my high school experience...

Drugs, Docs and Kids

Eye-opening article in the NY Times about anti-psychotic medications being used for unapproved issues in children with such problems as eating disorders and behavior problems. Very scary to me for a few reasons, including the fact that doctors would be so quick to prescribe such medications for children, especially to use them in cases where the problems are not the same as those the drugs were developed for, and that parents would not try to find out more information about those drugs before giving them to their children. I don't think it is necessarily wrong to prescribe drugs for reasons other than their intended use if they can be helpful, but I think extreme caution should be used, especially in the case of children. I think it's imperative for both doctors and parents to thoroughly research these drugs before taking the risk of exposing these children to antipsychotic medication and many should realize the drug therapy is not necessarily the easy way out.

Even more scary is the implications in the article about doctor's receiving money from drug companies, ostensibly not in order that the doctors prescribe the drugs more, but effectively, despite the protestations of said doctors, doing just that. I don't think anyone could honestly say that payment for lecturing or other such incentives would keep them completely objective about the usefulness of the drug. And it's very scary to think that a doctor can be swayed to prescribe a drug due to a sales pitch. (And just a side note, I feel really sorry for the poor doctor complaining about his small salary of just under $200K .)

This line from the final paragraph of the article sums it all up pretty nicely -

"Ms. Bailey said she wished she had waited to see whether counseling would help Anya before trying drugs. Anya’s weight is now normal without the help of drugs, and her counseling ended in March."

When the Cat's Away

the mice will run away with your blog. Ezzie asked, so I answered. Check out my guest post over at Serandez.

Go Cracker Jacks!

I had the honor of naming a friend's fantasy baseball team in exchange for promising to cheer the team into victory. Our team is now in second place, so I was told that a few extra cheers are in order.

Sooooo, go team!!!



Rah, rah, rah!



Cracker Jacks, sis boom bah!!!!!

P.S. - Since said friend made me put in links to our team's standings and stats, if you have any suggestions for the Cracker Jacks to move them into 1st place, you can address them to him.

Technology User Types

My rarely commenting friend sent me this article about the different levels of technology usage that is prevalent amongst Americans. I was shocked to read that 15% of Americans have no cell phone or Internet access (however, this shock is coming from someone who has no home phone, only a cell phone and had Internet access hooked up the same day I moved into my apartment). Take the quiz and find out how much you like technology (you obviously have an Internet connection at the least)- I came out as an omnivore, a person ensconced in technology through and through (though, oddly enough, I wouldn't necessarily consider myself part of that group).

Team Bonding

I was tipped off to the pregame party of the Mets shaving their heads by DaGirl. I think it's awesome, and while I'm not quite prepared to shave my own in solidarity (besides the fact that I don't consider myself a Mets fan, I'm much more into football than baseball), I give the team credit for coming up with such a fun team bonding activity. It reminds me of my high school class, on a trip to Washington, DC, deciding to shave a classmate's head (willingly) the last night of the trip. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to finish the job, so the next day when we were scheduled to meet our senators as representatives of our state, that particular classmate had to wear a baseball cap.

Prenatal Testing

This article in the NY Times brings up several thought-provoking questions. It's a hard decision - if you know that your fetus will have Down's syndrome, would you choose to have the baby anyway? Do you give it a chance at a life, regardless of what kind of life it is? Do you purposely bring a child into the world when you know that it will have specific challenges and limitations in functioning? And if you do decide to give it a chance, where do you draw the line - Down's syndrome is ok, something else is not ok? I'm not sure what I would do. Definitely read the article.

Wisp

Someone put this in the women's room at my office. I was washing my hands and all of a sudden, I saw a "wisp" of air freshener being released. Very cool. And it smells pretty good.

DONE!

I'm done! Off until September (from school)! Yay! (And I managed to do well.)

Weight is Genetic

Interesting article about weight being determined by genetics, and there being little hope of either losing or gaining weight outside of one's comfort zone and genetically determined weight range. Though the thing missing from the article is any rationale for the many people who have lost (or gained) large amounts of weight in their lives and managed to keep it off (or on).

LOTD

I'm still in love with The Fray. This one is "Little House."

She doesn't look, she doesn't see
Opens up for nobody
Figures out, she figures out
Narrow line, she can't decide
Everything short of suicide
Never hurts, nearly works

Something is scratching
Its way out
Something you want
To forget about

A part of you that'll never show
You're the only one that'll ever know
Take it back when it all began
Take your time, would you understand
What it's all about?
What it's all about?

Something is scratching
Its way out
Something you want
To forget about

No one expects
You to get up
All on your own with
No one around

Way Cool

This is way cool, but I have to admit that even I don't want to actually be there experiencing this one (I feel like it would be kinda hot there).

Home Stretch

My paper is written (just has to be proofread and printed tomorrow at work). I'm putting the final touches on my presentation (basically, proofreading it). I'm almost done. You can tell how hard I've been working because there are so many papers scattered around my entire living room. Basically, all my notes from the semester exploded. And I thought the readers of my blog would appreciate the following factoid to be presented during class tomorrow (my all-female class I'm sure will be interested to hear this one) - at age 65, there are only 39 men for every 100 women. Wow.

Kindness Happens Yet Again

Check out the kindness of my classmate in my latest story at Kindness Happens (and don't forget to e-mail me if you'd like to become a contributor or if you have any stories to share).

Robots Chat

This conversation gives whole new meaning to online dating and flirting. From Discover magazine, two robots have a conversation and they are funny! (Even funnier than some of my dates, maybe I should start looking for a robot. Sad, I know.) Really interesting, check it out

Proof that You Can Blame Everything on Your Mother

This article from the NY Times explaining the significance and the many, many things that come from the X chromosome. It's all Mom's fault ;) I personally find the last line in the article if not accurate, definitely scary. (Just in time for Mother's Day.)

Spelling Freedom

This article in the NY Times reminds me of the movie I watched when I was little called "The Girl Who Spelled Freedom." You hear of these stories often - the immigrants who trounce our native-born American kids in spelling bees, but rarely do you read of stories where the child is doing it for political reasons as the boy is in the article. I'm pulling for him.

Directions

I have this bad habit of completely paying absolutely no attention to directions. I'm starting to realize that the directions are sometimes there to help you. I'm trying to write up a paper consisting of the results of several career-oriented tests that I have taken over the semester and just little things like having written the date on them as directed would have been a big help with my paper. Instead, in addition to procrastinating my blogging about this experience, I waste time having to dig around to attempt to figure out what date I took the test on. Ugh.

T-Minus Two Days

And counting...

Almost exactly 48 hours from now, I will be DONE with school for the entire summer. I was have every evening after 5 PM free and there will be no stress of papers and presentations. I can't wait. (Ok, fine, I'll get bored quickly, but I'm already looking for things to do during my time off.)

LOTD

Collective Soul
Reunion

Change will come
Change is here
Love fades out
Then love appears

Now my water's turned to wine
And these thoughts I have
I now claim as mine
I'm coming home

Change has been
Change will be
Time will tell
Then time will ease

Now my curtain has been drawn
And my heart can go
Where my heart does belong
I'm going home

Good Grammar

Now, proof that my grammar is excellent. (Hat-tip - Tamara)

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

Shavua Tov

Shabbos was really nice. SaraK was my guest. She brought me purple flowers - so apropos. (And pursuant to a special request, I also have purple fingernails at the moment.) We ate by warm families, attended the shalom zachor for Ephraim's baby brother, went to a shabbos kallah and slept and read lots. It was really nice.

I am now frantically doing homework and getting more and more tired (and tired of homework) after not saving a lot of work I had done on my Powerpoint presentation :( The last bit of Grey's Anatomy is going to be viewed shortly.

Parade tomorrow! Everyone should come - it will be great fun and reported beautiful weather (I wanna get a tan).

Blast from the Past

I just caught up with an old friend. We met when I wasn't yet old enough to vote, which for me, is a really long time of knowing someone. It was really nice to talk to him. He directed me to pictures of his wedding - he looks exactly the same as I remember him (we haven't seen each other in a number of years). I had sent him a picture a few months ago and he said I look just the same as well - he said he forgot that I'm older than I look. He also said I look a lot happier and more vibrant than he remembers me (I think he's right). It's so fun to have these peeks at the past. I might look the same as I did when I met my friend, but I certainly don't feel like the same person anymore. We've grown up (somewhat).

Decisions, Decisions

It's so hard. I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy from last night. And I have a ton of schoolwork that really does need to be done. (And I'd like to get a manicure, but that one I'm going to pass on.) Grey's is so much more fun...

Update - Grey's won. So far, I'm not crazy about the prospect of this new spin-off. Oh, and I painted my nails myself. So I figure that I'm making the best decision - I get two of three tasks done.

Beautiful Pine Tree

My professor who is from Taiwan, as a present to his wonderful students for surviving the semester, made each of us a card with our names written in Chinese calligraphy on them. And he pronounced our names in Chinese as he gave them to us (but don't ask me to repeat that one!). Turns out my last name in Chinese means "beautiful pine tree." Very cool.

So Prepared

This morning, when I was rushing around frantically (because I slept through my alarm) trying to get everything together that I needed today, I threw a ton of papers in my bag so that I could start writing a paper that is due on Tuesday that I, of course, have not yet started (and no, I'm not skipping the parade or the 2 barbecues I've been invited to on Sunday). I get to school, (steal a bagel from the law school) go to computer lab, open my notebook to begin writing my paper, and...I have almost none of the information I need. I'm so organized. Right.

Shhh, Don't Tell

When I have school, I often buy my dinner in the law school cafeteria, because they actually offer kosher food. Tonight, because the law students are having finals, the cafeteria closed early, leaving without kosher food. However, there was a table set up in the law school cafeteria overflowing with kosher bagels, cream cheese and coffee. I feel a little bad, not actually being a law student, but I feel like they left me no choice. I took a bagel and some cream cheese. They didn't want me to starve did they? So now in addition to my stalking, I'm adding theft to my repertoire (it's good to be diversified). Or I could just figure that Irina didn't get to have her bagel, and she was letting me have her share.

(I'm starting to worry that people who read this blog and don't actually know me are going to have a slightly negative impression of me and find me extremely strange. I think I need to either compile a list of people who will vouch for me (can I count on you, Ezzie?) or stop being so open with my criminal activity.)

Crossing Paths

There's a guy I see near my office all the time. I see him at the place I go to get lunch, I see him walking the streets around my office. Today I saw him in the subway station. He obviously works near me and has the same lunch hour I have. I have no idea who he is and wonder if I will ever know. And then I wonder whether he notices me also and wonders who I am. It's so sad, I don't even know how to stalk him.

Waste of Money

This article is the perfect example of a complete waste of research dollars that could have actually helped someone.

LOTD

I was thinking about how pretty it is outside and suddenly, the LOTD went ringing through my head. Haven't really been a fan of this one since I was about 3 years old, but oh well. (Apparently lack of sleep affects my sanity.)

Won't You Be My Neighbor

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Too Early

I feel like I'm 80 years old today. I woke up late this morning to really bad knee pain. Which is weird, because it's usually related to the weather, but today is a beautiful sunny day. After having my coffee this morning, I had to drag myself off my couch to get dressed and then I hobbled my way down the stairs. Ugh.

The good news I received this morning is that I've been elected to the position of "Most Popular Sister" by my brothers on Facebook. Woo hoo!

Powerpoint Help

Does anyone know how to either embed or copy a direct link to a YouTube video into a PowerPoint presentation? If so, please e-mail me - I could use the help! Thanks!

Oooo, Ahhhh

For the few seconds I could tear myself away from my Facebook page (which is scarily effective for stalking - it's really fascinating to see who is only 2 degrees away from you), my co-worker gave me a beautiful bookmark from his trip to Turkey. It's so pretty, with gold embroidery. It made me smile :)

Facebook

I caved and became a member on Facebook. As Ezzie pinpointed in a second, the stalking possibilities were just too seductive to hold out any longer. Since I use a different e-mail on my blog than I do for personal stuff, if you'd like to be my friend, e-mail me and I'll try to figure out how to add you (it's going to take me a while to figure out how to use the site).

Religion on Campus

Article from the NY Times about religion on campus and the new welcome it is finding there. It reminds me of my days living in a dorm on campus in Alabama, where I joked that Hillel was called the "Baptist Student Center" which sat right outside my dorm and offered free pancakes on a regular basis (I think I only took them up on it once). It also reminds me of the professor who made it very clear that he did NOT believe in God, and basically ridiculed anyone who did. That was fun.

LOTD

Today's is a favorite, from John Mayer:

Man on the Side

Six numbers
One more to dial
Before I'm before you
I tried to call
Been busy all night
Gave up waiting at daylight

Excuse me mrs. busybody
Could you pencil me in when you can?
Though we both know
That the worst part about it
Is i would be free when you wanted me
If you wanted me

Oh, I am the man on the side
Hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
Life as the man on the side

One of the many
But one of the few
To stand back and wait for you

Excuse me mrs. busybody
Could you pencil me in when you can?
Though we both know that the worst part about it
Is I would be free when you wanted me
If you wanted me
If you wanted me

Oh, I am the man on the side
Hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
Life as the man on the side
Life as the man on the side

I fell in love with a dream that I built of you
Playing the part of the queen
Taking my own advice
I'm giving up tonight
Good luck to you and the king

Excuse me mrs. busybody
Could you pencil me in?
Though we both know that the worst part about it
Is I would be free when you wanted me
If you wanted me
If you wanted me

I am the man on the side
Hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
Life as the man
You know life as the man
Living life as the man on the side

Mazel Tov!

Ephraim is a big brother! His mommy (of the "we like people from Cleveland" fame) just called to say that she had another boy! I was made to promise that I will be the little brother's first shabbos guest in a couple weeks when he (and his mommy) are ready to have guests (just like I was for Ephraim).

Words

Actions speak louder than words, but there are times when words say plenty. And maybe even words held back say a lot.

Brains!

Slate does a special on neuroscience - right up my alley - lots for my reading pleasure. I can see I'm gonna get a lot of homework done tonight...

Alabama Polluted?

Surprising news from my former roommate. New York isn't even on the list - I wonder about their methodology.

Anticipation

I'm planning to attend the Salute to Israel Parade this Sunday. I've never been before, due to scheduling and geographical difficulties, but I've seen pictures and heard that it's great fun. And the weather is supposed to be beautiful on Sunday. I can't wait! Time to crack out the blue and white :)

More Bad PR for Duke

Just caught this article about graduate business students at Duke cheating on a take-home exam. Interestingly, business students are quoted for having the highest percentage of students admit that they have cheated - could either mean they are the most honest about cheating or that you shouldn't trust a business student. Back to the article, it seems kind of silly for students to cheat on a take-home, open-book test, but I guess people try to cut any corners that they can. When I was in undergrad, I recall many instances of blatant plagiarism, whole essays stolen from the Internet, by fellow students, despite strong warnings of failure or expulsion from professors. Sad.

Irony?

Another hat tip to my rarely commenting friend, who has been passing along some of the more disturbing sites on the Internet. The newest is the insidiously-named "GroupHug", which sounds really nice until you open it and see that it's a dumping ground for more confessions and many of these pretty not nice (I do understand that people need a place to confess, and that no one is perfect, believe me, I've done my share of confession-worthy acts, but wasn't expecting to see them at this site). In contrast, I'm getting more and more attached to Kindness Happens these days - e-mail me if you'd like to share a story there!