Facebook is not working. I feel lost. I don't know what to do with myself. I said to my friend (who is also addicted), "How am I supposed to know what everyone is up to if Facebook is not working?" Her response - "Well you can have sollace in the fact that they are up to the same thing you are - refreshing their browser."

All New

I now have a new driver's license (good thing I knew where my passport and social security card were) and wallet (with a flower on it, it looks like this, except black) and managed to get myself some cash. Still quite down about it.

A friend sent me this link to reassure me that I'll be able to be buried (phew).

Off soon for the entire weekend for the wedding of one of the people I love most in the world. Mazel tov!

Stolen

Apparently it wasn't traumatic enough for me to lose my wallet a couple weeks ago and come away unscathed. Now someone has STOLEN my wallet from my purse and has attempted to make charges at some kind of "Gentleman's Club" and several athletic stores. The lucky part is that my bank actually noticed that this was unusual for me and called me before I noticed my missing wallet. AND an incredibly nice man heard me saying on the phone that my wallet was stolen and bought me a bus ticket home. But I'm a little upset anyway.

Buffett Calls Foul

From my rarely-commenting friend, Warren Buffett (nor Jimmy Buffett, for those of us who are not economically-inclined) points out the disparity of the fact that his secretary pays a higher percentage of his income than he does. I'm a little disturbed by this also, I must admit. But, if he wants to make up for it, he is welcome to deposit the difference to my tuition fund for next year or start helping pay off my student loans. I have plenty of ways he can take care of the imbalance.

The Questions I Don't Ask

I like to think sometimes that I have matured in the questions that I no longer ask, or hold myself back from asking. Those questions that, I know, the answers will only hurt and not help anything. As much as I totally understand that curiosity killed the cat, and oh my gosh, I want to give in to my impulsive and wondering nature, I do sometimes manage to not ask those questions. I think I'm better off for it.

Supreme Court and Race

Interesting article in the NY Times about a Supreme Court decision ruling that schools can not use race in determining the school in which a high school student is assigned to attend.

How Far I've Come

When I moved to NY almost two years ago, I HATED going through the Lincoln Tunnel. It made me claustrophobic and very nervous every single time when I had to traverse it, twice a day. I would cringe a bit and hunch down and try to breathe until we got to the other end. The first time I drove through it on my own, I made a friend come with me and really started getting nervous about half way through.

One day, probably a month or two after I'd been making the commute, a car stalled out inside the tunnel in front of my bus. My bus was stopped about two cars from the entrance of the tunnel, where we sat for about 20 minutes before they managed to clear it. I remember being SO thankful that we were outside the tunnel, because I knew I would have panicked had I been inside.

This morning, my bus got stuck inside the tunnel. The funny thing is, I didn't even flinch. It never occurred to me to be nervous. And I realized, I'm not afraid of that tunnel any more. I'm over it, moved on :)

Video Games are Good For You?

This article in Discover discusses the effect of video games on the brain - it seems that they give the brain a rigorous workout. Cool.

At Least He's Honest

Seen on 34th Street today:

A man holding a sign saying "Need money to go get drunk so 2 women can take me home and molest me."

I thought that was funny. But I didn't give him my money.

LOTD

I heard this song on the radio last night and instantly was won over.

The Plain White Tee's
Hey There Delilah

Hey there Delilah
What's it like in New York City?
I'm a thousand miles away
But girl tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do
Time Square can't shine as bright as you
I swear it's true

Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice it's my disguise
I'm by your side

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me

Hey there Delilah
I know times are getting hard
But just believe me girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good

Hey there Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me

A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
and we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame

Hey there Delilah
You be good and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be making history like I do
You know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there Delilah here's to you
This ones for you

Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me.


And the video:

Memory Lane...

When I was in college, my roommate and I would go to Wal-Mart and the grocery store on Wednesday nights. Sometime pretty early on in our first semester, we met a guy who worked at Wal-Mart who ended up becoming a friend and going grocery shopping with us every week. I am still in touch with both these friends.

One of my clearest memories of these moments flashed back to me tonight when I was in the grocery store. I'm short. And those items that are placed on the top shelves of the grocery store and the freezers are inaccessible to me if I am not helped somewhat in the vertical area. So, on one of these shopping trips, there was some item on the top shelf of the freezer that I needed and could not reach. Being me, and not so interested in what people thought, I climbed into the freezer in order to reach what I needed. Unfortunately, in addition to my lack of consideration for the fact that a normal person would have asked someone taller than themselves to help, I am also a klutz. So, basically, I climbed into the freezer and banged my head on the top of it, drawing both blood and tears (thankfully not too much blood). When my friends caught up with me, I still clearly remember the reaction to my blood and tears. "You got blood on the food? Yuck." Hmmm, yeah, they were really concerned for my welfare.

So, apparently, I've learned a lot from this lesson. Because tonight, when I needed to reach for something on the top shelf of the freezer section, I was really, really careful when climbing up. No blood. No tears.

Female Mummy

And in other science news, Egyptologists (I like that word) believe they have found a female mummy. Way cool.

Evolution

The NY Times takes on evolution, with a plethora of articles discussing the topic and changing face of the, what some consider to be, controversial, topic. I haven't read through all of it yet, but it looks interesting.

LOTD

LOTD is brought by, once again, Blue October:

Congratulations


Is that seat taken
Congratulations
Would you like to take a walk with me

My mind it kind of goes fast
I try to slow it down for you
I think I'd love to take a drive
I want to give you something
I've been wanting to give to you for years
My heart

My heart, my pain won't cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu
My heart won't take this cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu

I came to see the light in my best friend
You seemed as happy as you'd ever been
My chance of being open was broken
And now you're Mrs. him.

My words they don't come out right
But I'll try to say I'm happy for you
I think I'm going to take that drive
I want to give you something
I've been wanting to give to you for years
My hearts

My heart, my pain won't cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu
My heart
My heart won't take this cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu

And I can't change this
I can never take it back
But now I can't change your mind
(You left me)
And I can't this
I can never take this back
But now I can't change your mind
can't change your mind
(You left me)
Can't change you mind
(You left me)
(You left me)
(You left me)
(You left me)

Go away
Make it go away
Please.

Pretty

Couldn't sleep, so I thought I would share the picture that I just put as the background for my computer. Enjoy :)

Deserted

I live in an attic apartment of a two-family house. I have two wonderful, warm families who live below me, who have been amazing. In the last two days, I found out that both families have bought houses and are leaving. I'm sad :( But hopefully, whoever moves in will be nice too.

Bug-Eating Plant

They just brought a plant into my office that eats bugs. I asked someone why it eats bugs and was told that it needs them to survive. But I don't understand - most plants just need sunshine and water to survive, why on earth would this plant need bugs? It kinda freaks me out.

Third Place

My Cracker Jacks slid to third place this week :( (though, interestingly, they are actually closer to 1st place than they were last week). I know that I've been cheering for them, and I'm assuming that their manager is doing the best he can also, so once again, I'm pleading for my blog readers to give a shout out and a big "rah rah" to the Cracker Jacks. Thanks!

Inspiring

Check out this inspiring story in the NY Times about two girls who graduated high school against the odds.

Veiling Limits

Really interesting article in the NY Times about the limits of understanding that the British have when it comes to Muslim women and their veils. I find the parallels between these women's dress and the concept of tznius, not in detail, but in theory, fascinating.

Oldest Children Smartest

My rarely commenting friend just sent me this article, confirming what I have always maintained - that the oldest children in families are the smartest. I'm not sure this makes up for all that babysitting and chauffeuring I had to do though...

Veto on Stem Cell Research

I rarely get political but I have to say that I completely disagree with President Bush's veto of stem cell research approval. I think that it is important research that there is little reason to argue against (and yes, I do know the objections, but I don't happen to agree with their premise).

Once in a Lifetime

This morning, my inbox at work contained about 17 offers for a "Once in a Lifetime Opportunity." I think it's pretty amazing that all 17 of them were offering the same "once in a lifetime opportunity." It seems these spammers need to learn the meaning of the word "once" a little better.

LOTD

This is a really pretty one -

Cold Play
See You Soon

So you lost your trust
And you never should have
But you never should have
But don't break your back
If you ever see this
But don't answer life
In a bullet proof vest
With the windows all closed
I'll be doing my best
I'll see you soon
In a telescope lens
And when all you want is friends
I see you soon

So they came for you
They came snapping at your heels
They come snapping at your heels
But don't break your back
If you ever say this
But don't answer life

In a bullet proof vest
With the windows all closed
I'll be doing my best
I'll see you soon
In a telescope lens
And when all you want is friends
I see you soon
I see you soon

And oh, you lost your trust
And oh, you lost your trust
No, don't lose your trust
And oh, you lost your trust

Quote of the Day

(For those of you not on Facebook)

I was chatting with my most talented, Photoshopping, fellow blogger, and the topic of Big Bird came up.

Me: "I loved Big Bird. He was big, but a kid.
Sarah: "Yep. Like us now."

I think she summed it up pretty well :)

LOTD

I tried desperately to post the actual song for this one, because the video isn't on YouTube, and the lyrics here don't do it justice. But I couldn't do it. So, anyway, enjoy the lyrics:

LISTEN TO YOU
By Soulfarm

I hear you song
Your voice I've known so long
It shakes my soul
Squeezes out the tears of all the years gone by

When I listen to you, my heart cries
Your voice is so true, you're so wise
It tears a hole inside my heart, my soul knows
You lay yourself on the line

I can't go on, don't take your love away
I turn you on
I feel alone, is there anyone to understand
Your voice alone

Way Old Gunshot Victim Found

I'm off to a slow start today, due to a lack of sleep, due to no air conditioning in my apartment for part of last night, due to the power being out for several hours, apparently due to the thunderstorm we experienced (though the power outage seems to be limited to just my street).

Anyway, found this article interesting. Check it out.

It's My Chance!

According to this article, people are being asked to volunteer for a space mission. It's my chance to be an astronaut! I'm sure they'll overlook the whole European thing for me :)

Outside Sensations

I read a story about a man who was in a car accident and was rendered completely color blind. It deeply upset him...until he got used to it, at which point he didn't want to have it fixed. I thought that was interesting, but the story went on to ask an even more interesting question. The question was posed about whether, if someone has lived their entire life without ever having had the opportunity to see color, would they even be capable of comprehending it if the impairment was fixed? Or if someone was to go from being completely deaf or blind, to being able to hear or see, would they ever be able to adapt and make intelligible the sensations they are newly experiencing?

Diabulimia

Article from my rarely commenting friend about "diabulimia" - a disorder in which diabetic women withhold their necessary insulin in order to lose weight, seriously jeopardizing their health. It's scary to read how these women, who have serious medical issues to begin with, would withhold their treatment from themselves in order to lose weight, with the knowledge that they may be risking their lives in the process.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how a woman's body image and appearance are often so intertwined with their self-worth (I'm sure there are men who experience this also, but I don't think it's even close to the same extent). How a "fat day" or a pimple can affect a woman's entire emotional state. How a small compliment about one's appearance can leave a female floating. And how we women often work so hard on our appearance, sometimes valuing how we are responded to physically to the exclusion of other aspects of ourselves. I don't really understand it fully and it's definitely something I experience. Maybe more later...

Genetics of Homosexuality

Very interesting article discussing research being done to find the genetics of homosexuality. It's long, but well worth the read.

Virginia School Makes No-Touching Rule

Hat-tip to SaraK and my rarely-commenting friend on this one:

A Virginia school has made a no touching rule. Interesting to see a public school embracing what Orthodox Jews call "shomer negiah." I think it's fairly unrealistic to expect, but also, I think just having a rule is good, because I do remember being uncomfortable with some of the contact that was present in my high school (whether myself or others were involved). Check it out.

Note: Ezzie also posted about it.

Merit Pay for Teachers

The NY Times has an interesting article about paying teachers bonuses based on merit, rather than for seniority. It's an interesting, and I think, compelling system, though I am not fond of using the measuring stick of standardized test scores. I think bonuses should be given for innovative teaching efforts and the development of new curriculum that engages students. Though, admittedly, I think this would be more difficult to administer and measure than standardized test scores, I think it would benefit the students and the school systems for the future.

Alternative Education

This isn't quite what we considered alternative education, but it's interesting, probably very helpful and kinda cool.

:)

There is almost nothing better in the world than having an almost-six-year-old come up, sit in your lap, give you a huge hug and tell you that he loves you.

Debate Via YouTube

This is pretty cool. Presidential candidates are going to have to answer to the masses, via questions asked on YouTube. I think it's cool and a great way to get younger voters involved (though don't expect me to get interested in politics anytime soon). Check it out.

Gigantoraptor

That's the name of the newly discovered, extremely large birdlike dinosaur whose fossils were found in China. I just like the name :)

LOTD

Since "The Rainbow Connection" was so good (and I'm still listening to it), I decided to continue on the line of nostalgia songs. I couldn't find the original video for this one, but I found an updated version (if anyone has the original, let me know.) This is from the first movie I remember seeing in the theater (note the "remember" - my dad took me to see a few long before that).

Annie
Maybe

Maybe far away
Or maybe real nearby
He may be pouring her coffee
She may be straighting this tie!
Maybe in a house
All hidden by a hill
She's sitting playing piano,
He's sitting paying a bill!

Betcha they're young
Betcha they're smart
Bet they collect things
Like ashtrays, and art!
Betcha they're good --
(Why shouldn't they be?)
Their one mistake
Was giving up me!

So maybe now it's time,
And maybe when I wake
They'll be there calling me "Baby"...
Maybe.

Betcha he reads
Betcha she sews
Maybe she's made me
A closet of clothes!
Maybe they're strict
As straight as a line...
Don't really care
As long as they're mine!

So maybe now this prayer's
The last one of it's kind...
Won't you please come get your "Baby"

Breast Reduction Surgery

Nope, not for me, for men. This article in the NY Times discusses the rise of occurrence of teenage boys getting breast reduction surgery because of increased body consciousness and obesity. Looks like it's not only women who are fighting the thin ideal of beauty.

New York Mentality

One of the attitudes that tends to be prevalent amongst those who reside here in New York is the mentality that the entire world revolves around this city. BUT, I have to admit, I kinda see how the attitude seeps in. I have found myself, numerous times, when looking for an address in Mapquest, expecting the NY, NY part of the address to just be assumed. As if, because I put in a grid-like location to be mapped for me, the website should just know that I mean, of course, the address that is located in Manhattan. This is funny to me because I don't have this tendency when mapping any other location, such as the neighborhood in which I live. Oy.

When Art Meets Science

You get this. Very cool not-art using scientific images. Just goes to show the beauty in nature.

Invisibility Cloak

This is WAY cool. It might not yet be perfected, but just the fact that they are getting close to making things invisible is extremely cool, and kinda scary. I'm fascinated.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is brought to you by the Muppets. One of my childhood favorites. Make sure to check out the video also!

Kermit the Frog
The Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbow's are visions
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
Are these the sweet sounds that called
The young sailors
I think they're one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something that I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Mail Bag

Outgoing mail -

I am sending my last car payment today. Five years ago, I bought a brand new car all by myself and today I have paid every dime of it off by myself. It's a good feeling. And it's great to know that, at least for a while, I will no longer have a car payment.

A few cards for upcoming occasions which will hopefully arrive at their destinations on time.

Incoming mail -

The soundtrack to Grey's Anatomy was an exciting surprise waiting for me over the weekend. Thanks Dad!

In my work mail, which I open, was a letter from the NYC Dept of Environmental Protection. It explained the laws that are in place to protect "the need for peace and quiet" in NY. It then explained what times our company is allowed to do our work and use particular tools. I found this letter ironic considering the construction that I listen to every single day, that seems to be endorsed by the city. No protecting my "need for peace and quiet." Hmm...

LOTD

This is just an old nostalgic favorite that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I like it:

Oasis
Champagne Supernova

How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova in the sky
Wake up the dawn and ask her why
A dreamer dreams, she never dies
Wipe that tear away now from your eye
Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova
'Cuz we don't believe
That they're gonna get away from the summer
But you and I will never die
The world's still spinning around we don't know why
Why-why-why-why-i-i
(guitar solo)
How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova
'Cuz we don't believe
That they're gonna get away from the summer
But you and I will never die
The world's still spinning around we don't know why
Why-why-why-why-i-i
(a really long guitar solo)
(background - sounds like a bunch of "No"'s)
(birds chirping)
(more guitar)
How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
We were getting high <-- 9 times, background "Oooh-oooh"

Birthright

My brother just got back from Israel. He went on a Birthright trip, with an organization called Oranim. I spoke to him earlier, and although he sounded like he was about to pass out from exhaustion, he told me the one major thing he learned and decided on the trip - that from now on, he only wants to date Jewish girls. I asked him what exactly made him decide such a thing, and he said that they had a speaker talk, and that seeing things like Yad Vashem impressed upon him enough the importance of marrying Jewish and carrying on his heritage. He made it clear not to expect him to become Orthodox (I didn't expect such) but that he is making baby steps and that he thinks it's important. Based on that alone, I think Birthright is doing an excellent job.

LOTD

This is from Pink (featuring the Indigo Girls, no wonder I like it):

Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

Money Money

Watch this video. It's eye-opening and very interesting to see the tremendous gap that exists between the rich and poor in Los Angeles. The video features several teenagers (included is an Orthodox Jewish boy) and their relationships with money growing up in LA, from the super-wealthy to the very poor. Fascinating.

Feeling the Love

I LOVE my hairdresser. I just called to see if she had any appointments for today because I thought it would be nice to get my hair done for a wedding I'm going to tomorrow. She started telling me how she didn't think she would have time today, and asked if I wanted to come next week. I told her that next week wouldn't work, I have a wedding tomorrow. Upon hear that, she said, "Oh, well then I HAVE to take you." She managed to find some time in her day, and voila! I have a hair appointment. She's the BEST.

My Newest Purchase

I just had to share with all my readers the shoes I couldn't help purchasing during my lunch break:



Perfect for summer :)

Dream a Little Dream

My sweet tooth got the better of me yesterday and I bought some Dove chocolate (with caramel - yum!). And inside the little things of chocolate, they offer words of wisdom. The one I got today was perfect. It says, "There's no excuse not to dream." Totally agree.

Cell Phone Insanity

I went way over my minutes on my cell phone this month, which I very rarely do (thank God for rollover minutes, or my bill this month would be insanely expensive). I couldn't figure out why I had used so many minutes, and my friend clued me in. I'm out of school, so my evenings are no longer occupied. So I actually talk to my friends, and kinda have a life again. She's right, I've actually been calling people and keeping in touch these days. It's nice.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is from Soul Asylum and I just really like the story in the lyrics:

Soul Asylum
String of Pearls

She swings the string of pearls on the corner
The street lights reflect the light in the water
The string it snaps and the pearls go sailing
And they splash and bounce and roll 'cross the wet street
As she bends to chase the pearls a car swings 'round the corner
She darts from the eyes of the panic-struck driver
Who's racing to the delivery room
'Cause in the back seat his wife is busting out of her womb
And the sack breaks and out come the Siamese Twins
Who grow up to become the first President
With two heads, are better than one
He puts his heads in his hands, says I got to put my heads together
I can become the best President ever
And not just President, fend for yourself
Signs his name, takes the blame for all of the names with no shame
In their beliefs, they adjourn and they leave, and in walks a man
With a broom and a knife and blood on his hands
And he sweeps everything under the rug
And goes home to his kids and gives them a hug
But his wife was not there, she had just left a letter
That said "you'd be much better off without me"
Now his wife took the train to her ex-lover's funeral
Who died in the bathroom, hit his head on a urinal
When they got together, the knowledge was carnal
And the widow was at the funeral, and they had quite a catfight
And they fell into the hole where the casket was resting
And the preacher just left in the middle of the service
'Cause death was one thing, but women made him nervous
And he ran to his car and he drove 'round the corner
Then something in the street caught the light in his eye
He pulled over, reached down, and picked up a pearl from the gutter
And he didn't know what to think
And he brought it home and washed it in the sink
And he gave the pearl to Sister Mary Teresa
Who could not accept it so she gave it to Lisa,
A young prostitute who was missing a pearl
On the necklace that broke late last night

Skin: The New Stem Cell?

This is way interesting. The thought that skin cells can be turned into a heart is mind-boggling, actually. I really can't even comprehend it, but I want to. Wow.

In related news (science being the relationship, just in case people who accuse me of being random wondered) this article is also interesting as it discusses the discovery of gene mutations that seem to indicate the existence of specific diseases. I'm not sure whether it's great to be able to find this kind of stuff out, or really scary.

Blogging Starts

Jack has an interesting discussion going on about how people became bloggers. Check it out and tell your story.

Just to be participatory, I became a blogger when I was WAY bored at work and stumbled upon the now-defunct blog, Protocols. I had nothing better to do, so I decided to start my own blog. And now, almost four years and a LOT of posts later, I'm still chugging along.

LOTD

Haunting song that I just really like:


James Blunt
You're Beautiful

My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Flying high, [ - video/radio edited version]
Fucking high, [ - CD version]
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

Dare to Be Different

This is a great article about a kid who dared to not listen to all the typical advice about college entrance essays and dared to do things his own way. I'm way impressed and I think he's going to be successful at whatever he does, whether or not it's the "traditional" thing (which it probably won't be). I think he's an inspiration.

Sounds Bad

Hmm, I'm thinking it's a bad thing that clients are calling my office and telling me they want to kill someone. I hope it's not our fault.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is from Blue October:

Everlasting Friend

A heartbeat skip, relationship
Inside a bubble bath
An icing drip below your lip
So we undo the math
A sudden slip between
My pathetic sedatives
A real-life script of how
Mistakes became our medicine, so

Delay the hurtful words
Of complicated overcast
Please take the message that I'm
Picking up my chin at last
I said my confidence
It gets stronger when you're next to me
But we pray from miles away
In quest for what we long to be

I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
But you're my everlasting friend
Everlasting friend

A heartbeat skip, relationship
So we would stay up late
A teardrop drip below your lip
Beside the airport gate
A sudden slip from where
We used to be a year ago
A real-life script of how
Our hands would hold and not let go

But delay the mournful words
Of complicated overcast
Please take the message
That you taught me how to live at last
But I said my confidence
It gets stronger when you're next to me
But we wave respect goodbye
In quest for what we long to be, but

I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
But you're my everlasting friend

Will you be coming home?
(Everlasting friend)
My everlasting friend, will you be coming home?
(Everlasting friend)

I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
(Still missing you)
I might crumble, I might take a fall again

I might crumble, I might take a fall again
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
I might crumble, I might take a fall again
I just want to know that you'll be coming home
I just want to know that you'll be coming home
I just want to know that you'll be coming home
I just want to know that you'll be coming home

1,000

So, this is my 1,000th post on this blog (my other blog may never get to 1,000). I decided, in honor of my 1,000th post, I would post a picture of myself, approximately 1,000 days old:



(Thanks to my dad for providing the picture.)

Pretty cute, huh?

:)

Someone found my wallet! :) And they brought it to my house and dropped it off because they said they knew that I must have been so concerned. Thank G-d. And I didn't even say any special prayer or give tzedakah (because, of course, my money was in my wallet). This is definitely a story of kindness :)

:(

I lost my wallet :( It's really bad, because now I don't have my driver's license, my ATM card (that I pay for everything with), my credit cards, cash, etc., etc. Not good :(

Looking on the bright side - I do have my cell phone.

Different Decision

Growth in life is supposed to be something about learning from your mistakes and not making the same ones over and over. Sometimes we face the same challenges over and over. And sometimes we actually learn and make different decisions about them when we get another chance. Thank God. But it's not really all that easy. It reminds me of this post.

Too Serious

I'm shocked to read this article where graduates were punished because their friends and family were happy for them. At my high school graduation, a few people got cheered for amongst the mainly serious occasion (of course, my brothers made sure I received a few cheers), but the faculty certainly didn't withhold our diplomas because of it. Nuts.

Kiboko

Port Authority has a display case where they have a rotating art display. I'm often intrigued by it, but rarely as much as I was this morning. This morning, there was a display with a large number of painted masks in it. It actually reminded me very much of a summer arts camp that I attended growing up, where we spent a summer building way cool masks out of whatever we could find. It was a ton of fun.

Anyway, I took a closer look at this display in Port Authority and saw that it was part of a cultural exchange project between a high school here and a high school in Kenya, which I think is pretty cool. One mask stood out to me - one where the word "Shalom" was written prominently in Hebrew across the front. Cool.

The display at Port Authority included the address for this website, where many of the masks are featured. Check it out.

LOTD

Today's LOTD is a long-time nostalgia song:

Indigo Girls
Closer to Fine

Im trying to tell you something about my life
Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing youve ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
Its only life after all
Yeah

Well darkness has a hunger thats insatiable
And lightness has a call thats hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
Im crawling on your shores

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
Theres more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine

And I went to see the doctor of philosophy
With a poster of rasputin and a beard down to his knee
He never did marry or see a b-grade movie
He graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
Got my paper and I was free

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
Theres more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
The less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine

I stopped by the bar at 3 a.m.
To seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
Twice as cloudy as Id been the night before
And I went in seeking clarity.

I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
Yeah we go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
We look to the children, we drink from the fountains
Yeah we go to the bible, we go through the workout
We read up on revival and we stand up for the lookout
Theres more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
The less I seek my source for some definitive
(the less I seek my source)
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine

And a bonus set of lyrics:

Galileo

Galileos head was on the block
The crime was looking up for truth
And as the bombshells of my daily fears explode
I try to trace them to my youth

And then you had to bring up reincarnation
Over a couple of beers the other night
And now Im serving time for mistakes
Made by another in another lifetime

How long till my soul gets it right
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light
I call on the resting soul of galileo
King of night vision, king of insight

And then I think about my fear of motion
Which I never could explain
Some other fool across the ocean years ago
Must have crashed his little airplane

How long till my soul gets it right
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light
I call on the resting soul of galileo
King of night vision, king of insight

Im not making a joke, you know me
I take everything so seriously
If we wait for the time till all souls get it right
Then at least I know therell be no nuclear annihilation
In my lifetime Im still not right

I offer thanks to those before me
Thats all Ive got to say
cause maybe you squandered big bucks in your lifetime
Now I have to pay
But then again it feels like some sort of inspiration
To let the next life off the hook
But shell say look what I had to overcome from my last life
I think Ill write a book

How long till my soul gets it right
Can any human being ever reach the highest light
Except for galileo God rest his soul
(except for the resting soul of galileo)
King of night vision, king of insight

How long
(till my soul gets it right)
[til we reach the highest light]
How long
(till my soul gets it right)
[til we reach the highest light]
How long

Ernie Sings

An anon left a link to this video in the comments to another post and I love it so much that I just had to post it as its own post. Enjoy:

Celebutante

I spent a lot of Shabbos reading the "Journal of Creativity in Mental Health." The subject matter in general really speaks to me as I am extremely interested and inspired to try a lot of the techniques that are described in the articles, because I think that using both creative techniques along with tapping into the creativity of those you are counseling can be extremely therapeutic.

One of the articles I read discussed the Generation Y (which I'm right on the cusp of) phenomenon of feeling like the "Superfluous Man" (or woman) as characterized in a Russian novel, which is a feeling often characterized by the desire for material accoutrements without putting in the requisite effort usually necessary to obtain them, which is modeled by the celebrity stylings of those such as Paris Hilton, and often leaving an empty shell of life, deplete of meaning. I definitely saw a lot of truth to that one. Very interesting read.

Make sure to check out my other blog, where I'm going to detail another of the articles that really struck me.

Being a Grown-Up

I totally relate to this, except that I still don't use a datebook.

Cry-Baby

I'm a big cry-baby these days. I kept crying while reading The Kite Runner. And just now I got an e-mail from a friend I haven't seen or heard from in a really long time and the memories it brought back made tears spring into my eyes. At least these are happy tears :)

Book Recommendation

I just finished reading "The Kite Runner." It was so fabulously written. I don't think I've been so engrossed with a book I read "The Power of One." Wow. I highly recommend it. Maybe more later about it.

Genomes

Really interesting article about the decoding of the genome. James Watson, who, along with Francis Crick, discovered the structure of DNA, had his own genome decoded and published into a book. The implications of the ability to do this are tremendous, as discussed in the article. It awes me along with weirding me out a bit - our human nature decodes into bits and pieces of proteins and a coded representation of them, it's kinda scary, but way cool. Check out the article as it discusses some of the positives and negatives to such research.

Too Tall

I saw this yesterday when my bus came out of the tunnel, but I couldn't figure out how on earth a truck ended up looking like this. Answer - he was too tall for the Lincoln Tunnel but drove all the way through anyway. Wow, I can't even imagine how he got through with the top of his truck scraping along the whole way. Next time, maybe he'll be a little more careful.

Cool Imams

Article in the NY Times about the need for more Muslim clergy who understand modern American culture. I found it particularly interesting because of the parallels I see in the Muslim youth being described in the article and the current trend of focusing on "off the derech" or "at-risk" teens in the Orthodox Jewish communities, which doesn't surprise me, because I often see these parallels. Check it out.