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)
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.
