Doing A Double Take
During Covid-19, it is easy to get down about all the people getting sick (many dying) and for the rest of us the intense feelings of isolation. However, during this time (and particularly this week of Thanksgiving), I am learning the importance of staying positive and appreciating all G-d’s blessings that we do have. More broadly, I am coming to understand that inside a person, G-d exists amidst love, kindness and cheerfulness: these are elements that nourish the flame of our soul and wherein G-d happily coexists with us. It makes a lot of sense that when we are angry, jealous, or sad, the holy Shechinah (presence of G-d) cannot fully reside inside us. Because G-d Himself is gracious, kind, and loving and created us from this, so His spirit within us (our soul) flourishes amidst these feelings, but diminishes within us like a flame without oxygen when we distance ourselves emotionally and spiritually.
Mastering Cheerfulness
Shabbat Shalom Bowl and Cup Set
The less you pay for something, the more it costs.
You might think you're getting a bargain by paying less, but in the end, paying less ends up costing you more in troubles and headaches.
The cost is really the cost.
When you cut a penny in half, it still costs you the whole penny!
You can't nickel and dime it to death. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Cost Is The Cost
Happy Thanksgiving!
You know what I mean with this picture.
Zombies + Taxidermy = Some scary grafted dudes!
No one can call bull on this show. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who You Calling Bull?
Unfortunately, the education system here starts out dumb from the get-go!
As the WSJ today reports, $400 billion out of a $1.4 trillion educational loan portfolio is likely uncollectible.
That's almost 30% bad debt!
But what is unforgivable is that they system is geared towards crappy lending practices.
As per a former head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO):
"We make no attempt to evaluate the quality of the borrower, the ability to repay, the effectiveness of the loans...[so] the taxpayer ends up picking up the tab."
Is that fair to all the responsible students and families that pay for their education and repay their student loans?
This systems is so broken, and on top of it yet we want to forgive more student debt all together and teach our children to be deadbeats!
It seems like this education system can't teach anything of value except how to play an already broken system! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
What A Dumb Education System
I'm sitting resting on Shabbat, minding my own business, and reading the Favorite Tales of Sholom Aleichem, but then my wife tells me a story circulating in the news that seemed like it could even be one better. At least my exaggerated version of it did as a tall tale in the making.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
There's Someone For Everyone
I give thanks to You, living and eternal King for you have restored my soul within me with mercy; Your faithfulness is great.
Modeh Ani - Thank you G-d
They tell me that the news is reporting 95% effectiveness and then they pull out their smartphone and show me a cartoon of someone taking the vaccine and their face is all deformed (I won't go into the details).
So I ask him:
Are you going to talk the vaccine?
He says:
"No!"
I ask:
Do you take the flu vaccine?
Again he says :
No, it's poison!
He thinks some more and says (jokingly, I believe):
And if some big burly guys try to hold me down and make me take it, I'll tell them I'm gonna go out and get a gun and come back tomorrow and shoot them.
Bottom line: there is some real fear and apprehension out there about these vaccines.
And surely, some people do have negative effects--whatever that percentage is.
Personally, I will take the vaccine. I would rather try and fail (hopefully not), than never try at all!
How long the vaccine is effective for--that's another matter all together. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Vaccine Fears
I am about to get into the swimming pool.
A water aerobics class is letting out and a bunch of older ladies are on the way out of the water.
One of them stops, give me a big smirk, and says:
"Don't worry we warmed it up for you!"
I thought for quick second, and said with a completely straight face:
"I'm sure you did!"
The joys of swimming life. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I'm Sure You Did
Oh Baby It’s Cold Inside
They're interesting in that they speak to a person, but it's left up to your imagination what they are actually saying.
Feels a little futuristic and from alien space.
Words may mean nothing, but shapes can be a universal language.
Go figure! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Geometric Shapes Inspire
But as I walk in the water, feeling both the softness and purity of the beautiful water as well as the buoyancy and resistance of it, I think to myself that no Jews should not be familiar and know The Israel national anthem. After 2,000 painful years in exile culminating in the concentration camps like Theresienstadt and The Six Million murdered Jews, we all must know that now G-d has kept his promise to our forefathers and returned us to The Holy Land.
Assuredly, we are living in the time of miracles, the redemption, and soon to be the coming of the Mashiach. Now is the time not just to hum The Hatikvah, but to bring every Jew back, including me and my family. It’s almost time to go home, where we will sing and dance, with hearts brimming over with Joy, before our L-rd, and once again go to worship at our holy Temple in Jerusalem. May it be His will! Amen.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Humming The Hatikvah
But donuts can be wall art!
Another interesting experiment may have been throwing the donuts against the wall.
The jelly and custard splat with the chocolate and sprinkles smear might have made some new amazing masterpiece! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Donut Art
Somehow they make everything look so cool.
The designer clothing from floor to ceiling doesn't hurt.
But seeing it through the lens of these glass balls only adds to the pricey out-of-world experience. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Seeing It Through Glass
If this isn't considered fraud, then why are we even bothering to hold an election in the first place?
And moreover, why do we pretend that we're a democracy? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Can Anyone Say Election Fraud?
As Jews, we travel through history to our destiny along an arc of birth, growth, decline and the learning from our mistakes, to ultimately the fulfillment of our divine mission for world enlightenment. Jewish history can be broken down in a couple of amazing ways: first by every two millennium from creation forward, and second, starting with Abraham, in 400-500 year increments.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
From Creation to the End of Times
A lady with a baby and a bouquet of colorful balloons.
Really like how the colors of the balloons accent her shawl, scarf, and dress.
Even the dreary "olden days" are made more cheery with these colorful balloons.
I'll take a dozen of those today and every day for a good while to come! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Colorful Balloons
The too often proverbial suckers under the heel of the power and money elite in society.
Fed phony and biased information to try and turn us against each other and manipulate us to believe and act in ways beneficial to those who want to retain, and endlessly grow, their wealth and status.
Like good soldiers, the underclasses are the pawns in the global games of Power Chess and Monopoly.
The 99% are completely expendable.
They are blind and will follow orders.
The 1% likes them dumb and works hard to try and keep them that way!
Anything, if the rich can get richer and the powerful can get more power.
The schnooks at the bottom looking up, with begging eyes, get the scraps thrown off the table and unto the floor where they fight for a morsel, while killing each other for it.
The elite use the media, Hollywood, polls, and radicalism, so that they can sit up high and mighty and watch the rest of us with a wide smirk of disdain on their fat, arrogant faces, as we drink it all in.
How long will the 99% be fooled and played?
Exploited and even thrown under the bus by the narcissist and greedy 1%.
Where is the democracy in that? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
We Are The 99%!
Our pollsters know what they are talking about?
Our news media is honest and unbiased?
Our political system is rational, mainstream, and values integrity?
Our democracy is safe and not under serious threat from within?
Oh dear, Pinocchio has died of an overdose! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Truth or Lie?
I think this is how a lot of people feel...
if the other side wins the election (look where he's picking from)!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
One thing we know for sure is that the polls and the "Fake News" media got it all wrong again! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
If The Other Side Wins The Election
Who will be the next Captain of America?
Everyone is on the edge of their seats.
As one friend said:
Half the country will be elated and the other half miserable.
Maybe in the sense of how polarized we've become, it really is a no-win proposition.
Too bad we can't vote for the real Captain America? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who Will Be The Next Captain of America?
This old bottle of wine is looking mighty fine to me about now.
Sometimes, we all need something for the pain!
And this election and the plague has been nothing but painful.
The question is drink it now or hold it for tomorrow night. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Election + Covid = Alcohol
Tefillin are our antennas to Hashem!
Tefillin: Our Wi-Fi To G-d
