What an amazing painting featured in the movie, Woman In Gold. The painting is called the Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer I and was commissioned by her adoring husband. That face! And surrounded by everything in gold yet you can still clearly make out her stunning dress. I've never seen anything like this: the vividness and the majesty of it. Honestly, I think there is a resemblance to my beautiful mother, Gerda Blumenthal who was also from Germany. The interesting history on this is that it was stolen by the Nazis from the Jewish owners in the Holocaust, but was finally returned to their family in America that succeeded in suing Austria for it back. This is truly one of the greats! ;-) (Credit Photo: Gustav Klimt [Public domain])
Thought this was a beautiful rendition of solar power. You can have energy. And you can have art. Here you can have both. It's functional to harness the sun's energy and it's designed to look sleek and fit the landscape. Nice job by Florida Power and Light (FPL)! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Had to take a second look at this eyewash station with the bright yellow caps. I suppose this is good if you get something in your eye(s) and need to flush it out. Are the yellow caps supposed to be for keeping the faucets clean and unobstructed. Whole thing looks a little like a face: the yellow caps are the eyes, the big center faucet is the nose, and the sink basic the big mouth. Maybe just my imagination, but I think it's saying "there are too many cooks in this kitchen, get the h*ll out!" :-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This dress was a standout. Superhero dress by D&G. Comic style with the pow and bam! I don't get the pig superhero logo on the jacket and other merchandise next to it. Uh, who wants to wear and look like a pig? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. D&G is off the deep end. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I saw a smart video about which are the best jobs. They are not the ones that just pay the most! Here are the three criteria to look for in your next dream job (aside from the money): 1) Autonomy - Work that is self-directed provides satisfaction that jobs that are closely or micro-managed do not. 2) Mastery - Jobs that allow you get better at them over time (technical proficiency) provide a sense of mastery and self-respect. 3) Purpose - When you have a deep sense of purpose and meaning from your work there is simply no greater motivator and satisfier than this. I'd also add that the best places to work are the ones with:
The best bosses and the nicest people
A solid balance for work and life
Overall, if we can reconnect the profit motive with the purpose motive then we have truly have the best jobs out there. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
From The Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh to the Poway Synagogue shooting in California to the shooting at the kosher market in Jersey City this week. The latest shooting occurred literally just the day before President Trump issued an executive order at a White House Chanukah celebration to cover anti-Semitic acts under the civil rights laws that ban discrimination based on national origin. Yet, despite the Constitution and all the protective laws and orders on the books, we are getting to the point where it is starting to look and feel awfully like there is nowhere safe anymore if you are a Jew, even in this great land of freedom.
What anti-Semitism, G-d forbid, will the next week bring, and the week after that, and after that? This vile behavior coming from people that hate us just because we are Jews, because we are Jacob and not Esau. May our eyes be open to what is happening around us, and may Hashem have an abundance of mercy on us.
After all the work is said and done... And there is still so much more that I earnestly hope and pray to accomplish with my life. Perhaps, then, when I am all grown up, I can have some time to be a sun bum too. Everyone deserves a little fun. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I was in an Agile and Scrum Management class yesterday. Always looking for new best practices and efficiencies for what we are doing in software development. We did one exercise to compare the old Waterfall methodology with Agile. And the instructor had us as a team build paper airplanes one way and then the other so see the difference in output and outcome. Lo and behold, we had almost 40 planes in agile and only 6 in waterfall. What you see in the photo is the testing phase: we actually had to see if they could fly at least 10 feet without taking a nosedive. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
No people should suffer blatant prejudice and persecution and everyone should be “entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” These are part of the foundational values that America and Israel share. We stand as friends and allies for respecting and valuing human rights, always to be underscored by peace and security for our peoples. Isn’t it an amazing “coincidence” that the rescue in Entebbe occurred on America’s 200th anniversary, July 4, 1976!
The raid on Entebbe and the miraculous rescue of the hostages stands as an everlasting symbol of courage and triumph of good over evil. As we continue to work and pray for a genuine peace in the Middle East for all its inhabitants, we also must stand resolutely and say “Never Again.”
(Credit Photo: Government Press Office Israel via Flickr)
Shlomo Carlebach was a master of Jewish Nigunim (melodies). With his music he could literally move one's soul to reach for G-d Almighty in the Heavens and on Earth. Thank you Eitan Katz for bringing this alive again. I hope you can feel it as I do. Hashem lives!
It’s interesting that faith and fear are incompatible and they cannot coexist. Where one is, the other is not. Just like the light chases away the darkness, so too does faith expel fear from our lives. When we believe that G-d is in charge of everything that happens, and that he loves us and ultimately wants what is good of us then what is there for us to fear?
No matter in what danger we find ourselves and no matter how scared we feel, we are not alone. The Master of the Universe is watching over us, waiting for us to raise our eyes to the heavens in faith, and to take a stand and do what’s right. If we do, then G-d will manifest himself to us and indeed “will carry, and will deliver” us.
Thought this VW with the fire stripes was pretty cool. Black, white, and red. Definitely a standout! The only thing better is the VW van with the psychedelic hippie colors and fantastical images for hope and love. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Continuing the healthy eating trend... This was delicious salad and falafel with Tzatziki sauce and Italian dressing. It was so fresh and good. Honestly, I wanted to eat more of this. Who needs all the junk foods. This looks good, tastes good, and is good for you! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This was a sign that talks to a real customer service orientation: "Suppose we refund your money. Send you another one without charge. Close the store. And have the manager shot... Would that be satisfactory?" Actually no, that's not good enough! While you're at it... Bow down and kiss my filthy feet. Flagellate yourself with 40 lashes using a wet noodle. Give me a complimentary supply of whatever the crap is I was buying for life. And after you shoot the manager, hang him from the tallest tree for everyone to get the message. LOL Now dat's customer service! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Know-how: That's knowing how to do things yourself.
Know-who: That's knowing who to go to to get everything else done.
None of us is perfect. We each have strengths and weaknesses. No one has all the answers--despite some big egos out there! That's why we all need each other. Knowledge is great, but networking magnifies your potential many times over. These are two things you definitely want to know. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Thought this was pretty cool at the Boca Museum of Art. Electronic Ocean Waves. Mesmerizing and calming. And all in bits and bytes. They also had a display of black and white photos of the ocean waves. But it was a little too sterile for me. I like nature and nurture in perfect harmony. ;-) (Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
So I thought this was a funny story the lifeguard told me. The guards are required to renew their lifeguard certification every two years. When I asked if he swims, he said "not regularly" and then when I asked if he exercises, he said half-jokingly: "I sleep, eat, and drink!" But then he told me about the lifeguard exam and a couple of people who should've never been taking the test. One lady gets waist deep into the pool, and the proctor tells the lady to swim to the other side of the pool and back. Instead of swimming, she starts crying hysterically that she doesn't know how to swim! Another guy was swimming funny with his arms flailing and his butt out of the water. When the proctor asked him what was up with that and to show him what was hiding under his trunks, the guy showed him that he was wearing an inflatable plastic band under his pants. Fail, fail, fail--these are life endangering guards, NOT "lifeguards!" ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This week was Thanksgiving (חג ההודיה), but for Jews we are already called, "The People of Thanksgiving. "We are named יהודים (Yehudim) after יהודה (Yehudah), the son of Isaac and Leah because Leah said (Genesis 29:35): "הפעם אודה את יהיה." ("This time let me thank G-d"). Also as Jews, we are not just called the People of Thanksgiving, but we are actively supposed to say 100 blessings a day thanking G-d, so in the true sense of the word, everyday is Thanksgiving Day for the Jewish people.
Jews are the People of Thanksgiving not only on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year. We are thankful for being the chosen people and for our redemption and return to the Promised Land of Israel; we are thankful for the life and opportunities that G-d has given to us; we are thankful in good times and G-d forbid, in the bad times; and we are thankful because, yes, ultimately everything from G-d is for the good.
Just wanted to say how impressed I was with the new Brightline train system in Florida.
Right now it goes from Miami straight to Fort Lauderdale and then to Palm Beach.
I took it between Fort Lauderdale and Miami and it was a quick 30 minute ride--no traffic yay!
The trains are modern and sleek, and the stations were automated, clean, secured with guards and scanners, and had a beautiful lounge waiting area (and they announce the train arrival like 10 minutes before it arrives).
Also, the staff was friendly and helpful, and they even came around with a food cart.
I understand they are adding additional stops for Aventura and Boca Raton.
I would definitely take this train again--way to go! ;-)
Went to Wynwood Walls in Miami. The art is just fantastic. Better than the typical museum. So creative. So big. So colorful. So full of life. They took a whole rundown neighborhood and made it cool and great. On December 5, they will be opening the Museum of Graffiti. Can't wait to go back and immerse myself in it! ;-) (Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Great song: David and Shaul from Ehud Banay's third album, ”The Third/Hashlishi” The song is about the "bipolar" feelings of King Saul toward David (then the next king of Israel). Here are the lyrics:
כולם מזמן הלכו לישון רק שאול ער, קודר מרים לדוד טלפון
A late-night hour
Everyone is long gone to sleep
Only Shaul is awake, cheerless
He calls David up over the phone
אולי תקפוץ אלי, יא דוד נפשי אגם שחור תביא איתך את הגיטרה כי באצבעותיך אור
Maybe you should stop by, Ya David
My soul is a black lake
Bring the guitar with you
For you have light in your fingers
דוד בא מיד רגוע, מתיישב ומכוון את המלאכה היטב יודע עוצם עיניים, מנגן
David comes right away and he is calm
Sit down and tunes (the guitar)
The job he well knows
Closes his eyes, he plays
עשר אצבעות לדוד קצה כל אצבע - קרן אור כשהוא פורט על המיתר הזמן זורם לו לאחור
Ten fingers David has
The tip of each one - a ray of light
When he port on the string
The time is flowing backwards
שאול מבפנים קרוע קרבות בתוך בטנו אוהב-שונא, ומקנא מכור לחברו
Shaul is torn inside
Battles in his stomach he has
Love-hate, and jealous he is
Addicted to his friend
דבר מה אפל נופל השד חוזר להשתולל סכין נזרקת באוויר פתאום יש בין השנים קיר
Something dark falls
The demon is back to a rage
A knife is thrown in the air
Suddenly there is a wall between the two
דוד מתחמק משאול
אבל שאול לא מוותר דוד שוכח וסולח כששאול מתקשר
David is avoiding Shaul
But Shaul is not giving up
David forget and forgives
When Shaul call up
בוא שוב לנגן לי דוד קח אותי לכוכבים בוא שוב לנגן הלילה שיר געגועים
Come again to play to me David
Take me to the stars
Come again to play tonight
A song of longing
בוא שוב לנגן הלילה...
Come again and play tonight..
בוא שוב לנגן הלילה שיר געגועים...
Come again and play tonight..
A song of longing..
(Kudos to my Ulpan teacher, Rivka D. for sending me the video and to Izchak, my wonderful son-in-law, for providing the Hebrew/English lyrics)
It was funny to see the people go scrambling from the table.
The birds were completely unabashed and took their time over the chow.
One couple in the corner had ordered this truly enormous meal (don't worry, I was good and ate only the salad).
Each of them had a full lunch plate PLUS in the center of their table was "The Volcano" of nachos, cheese, chili, guacamole, sour cream, and jalapenos.
That was certainly no bird food with The Volcano punching in at 3,500 calories!
I have no idea how any two people could possibly eat that much food.
Probably good that the birds decided to drop in. ;-)
This was very cool. The first is a coffee table for the living room. The second is half of a nice desk. Both are made out of working Ferrari engines. The coffee table goes for $50,000. And the desk goes for $75,000. I will told that this is a bargain based on what a working Ferrari engine goes for. In a sense you can take your table for a spin around the block...LOL. Truly the engine (and not just design of the car) is a work of art. It merits being a centerpiece of your office or home. ;-) (Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
The Rebbetzin explained beautifully that when we live a good life, not only does our soul live on in the afterlife, but our good deeds continue to have an influence in this world even after we, ourselves, have passed.
We should never underestimate our influence in this world, and that what we say and do reverberates like concentric circles that spread out from the source farther and farther. Moreover, while you might not think that what you do matters all that much or is a big deal, you never really know the outsize impact that it can have. Therefore, even while Sarah had passed and Abraham mourned her, the truth is that her legacy of the great Jewish nation was only just beginning! (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Intermittent fasting is going, thank G-d well. When I broke my fast today, I had a healthy salad with tuna fish. Dieting and eating healthy, and feeling good about it! All the processed food is completely addictive and 100% poison! Broke the addiction and I don't plan to go back to the corrupt food industry fools that don't care for atom about the people, but rather just the profits. Fruit, vegetables fish, nuts, seeds, and tea. The fleecing of America by all the processed food players--it's disgusting. I'm detoxing and I am grateful to G-d for helping me through this and showing me the way! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
People may all sort of look alike. But they are not all the same. It's NOT a matter of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, etc. that is important. But rather it's what is inside people's hearts. Some hearts are pure in intent (even if not in every deed). Others are sullied with hate and abuse of others just because they can. But why hurt others when you can help them? People are not all the same. Inside they are different. Luckily G-d looks at the inside; the outside is just the packaging. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
If anything screams wireless... There has got to be a better way. One day people are going to laugh their heads off at they way we did technology. (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I was at the pool going swimming, doing my laps. It was very busy there with lots of people of all ages. All of a sudden, I hear some screaming. Then the guards come over and tell people they have to get out of the pool, pronto! There's been an accident. No, not someone getting hurt. Someone had a bathroom accident in the pool. The director of the pool is going around explaining to the inconvenienced swimmers that:
"Someone pooped in the pool."
Not exactly an eloquent way to say it, but it gets the point across. What is worse, it was on the side of the pool where the adults were swimming! Next come the lifeguards with the nets and they are literally scooping swathes of this sh*t out of the pool. I see it literally spans almost a half length of this olympic pool. What a crappin' mess. Luckily I got almost all my swim in--yes, I am dedicated! And then took a long hot shower with tons and tons of soap. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This is a quick breakdown of the 3 types of Project Management Offices (PMOs).
Enabling (Supportive) — Provides best practices, templates, and tools “as needed,” and compliance is voluntary.
Delivery (Controlling) — Adopts framework or methodology, policy, and repeatable procedures, and a certain level of the standards are enforced.
Compliance (Directive) — Establishes strict standards, measures, and control over projects, and these are highly regulated.
A good place to start is with an enabling/supportive PMO and then progress to a more delivery/controlling model. Generally, a compliance/directive PMO is for more highly regulated organizations. (Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal and concept via CIO Magazine and Gartner)
So I thought this really matched my philosophy to a T on optimism and pessimism. As Joel Rosenberg put it in his book The Ezekiel Option, "In the long run everything would turn out fine...but tomorrow could be a disaster." In short, this equates to: I'm a strategic optimist, but a tactical pessimist. My mom used to say, "If I am pessimistic, I'll never be disappointed." LOL I think though when we have faith then we know that truly, in the end everything is for the best and will be okay. In the short term though, there are challenges to face and these can be tough indeed. - Strategically an optimist. - Tactically a pessimist. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Rabbi asked why did Hashem who is omnipotent even need to create us? And he answered because in G-d being the ultimate good, He “had to create us”—this in essence being the ultimate expression of good by sharing that goodness with us to learn and be good as well. In short, what could be a greater good than extending that opportunity to be be good to others.
Like our forefather, my Hebrew name is Avraham, and for me personally, this has been a critical life lesson: learning to see challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and consistently be a person that tries to do what is right even when it is hard or the lines seem to be grey. In the end, I believe that G-d put us in this world in order for us to choose good over evil and demonstrate kindness to others. With the Torah as our blueprint, and Avraham, our forefather, as our role model, we must apply the great teachings of the Torah and always strive to act as a proper mensch!
Shabbat Shalom says the Moo Moo Cow. Shabbat Shalom says Leo The Lion. Shabbat Shalom says the Gefilte Fish. Shabbat Shalom says the Long Beak Pelican. (Photo Credit: Andy Blumenthal)
I can't believe this home is in Washington, D.C. More like Florida. All we need is a palm tree or two. Plus a little pool in the back. And we're good! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This bag is too weird. Not a man and not an animal--it's some sort of beast. It has a crazy face on it with a gnarly mouth and green bug-eyes. Is it watching for pickpockets? Wonder if it bites the hand that tries to go inside the purse. I can't look at this thing anymore. Make it go away! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Spider Man, Spider Man, Does Whatever A Spider Can.
Veterans Day must be a great day to get your windows washed. Or to spin a web of intricate proportions in D.C. politics. Either way aside from the windows, what of significance is actually getting resolved in our partisan capital? (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This place was really cool in Washington, D.C. Artechouse = Art + Tech + House. Great immersive technology, art, music, dance, and light show. Highly recommend it! This exhibit "Lucid Motion" was by Japanese artist Daito Manabe X Rhizomatiks Research. They also had a nice augmented reality display. Had fun with the clan. Hope you enjoy! (Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
We saw the movie Harriet today. Obviously, it was about Harriet Tubman and her rescuing the slaves through the Underground Railroad of secret routes and safe houses. She was an amazing heroine that they even called her "Moses" for her rescuing the black slaves from the southern plantation where they were sorely abused in every way. Even though she herself was a runaway slave who made it though a100 treacherous miles from Maryland to Pennsylvania to Freedom, she went back over and over again to save others. The movie said she saved 70 other through the underground railroad and then in the civil war led the black troops to free another 750 slaves! Her courage and faith through it all was truly inspirational. I was so glad when she carried a gun and shot at her nemesis who enslaved her and her family before he could kill or capture and torture her. She didn't kill him, but she told him in no uncertain terms that people were not meant by G-d to own and enslave other people! We need more people like Harriet Tubman in the world who fight for what's right and clearly know the difference between good and evil. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Even though the Jewish people are a tiny minority in the world, through our faith, determination, and the help of G-d, we are able to survive against all odds, contribute to the world far beyond our mere numbers, and succeed in truly incredible ways. From Einstein, Freud, and Marx to Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison, we are a people that punches way above our weight.
I believe the lessons of faith and determination is one that we can all take away from the tests of our forefathers in the Bible to the flourishing modern State of Israel and to how we live our own lives today. G-d tests all of us, and if we go forward and answer His calling with a full heart and perseverance, G-d will help us to succeed above our wildest of dreams and even beyond the very laws of nature. (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Andy Blumenthal is Deputy Program Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader with over 35 years of experience delivering results across the public and private sectors. All opinions are his own.
