The personality to be President:
1. Experience, Diplomacy
2. Direct, Honest, Strong, Results-oriented
3. Passionate, Dedication, Survival of the Nation
A short interview with Andy Blumenthal
(Source Video: Dannielle Blumenthal)
August 18, 2015
Traits To Be Prez
The personality to be President:
1. Experience, Diplomacy
2. Direct, Honest, Strong, Results-oriented
3. Passionate, Dedication, Survival of the Nation
A short interview with Andy Blumenthal
(Source Video: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Doggie Psychologist
I think my dad would say that anyone taking their dog there should have their head examined!
Apparently, Cesar Millan is a fairly well-known "Dog Behaviorist" who works with especially aggressive dogs to rehabilitate them--soothing the savage beast!
There are enough people with mental problems that don't get the help they need that it seems somewhat excessive to have dogs going to the psychologist, but people are still homeless and in rags on the streets of our cities.
At Country Inn Pet Resort your dog can be "mastering the walk," be socialized, get obedience training, and even learn to swim.
Sounds nice to send your pet to a "resort," but do they really need a psychologist or do you just want to ignore your pet the same way you ignore your children? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 17, 2015
PARROT Does Amazing Impromptu DANCE
The Guardian Angel Handbag
Back in New York starting in the 1970s, the Guardian Angels were a crime patrol often of martial arts practitioners that rode the dark graffitied trains and stood on the corners in dangerous neighborhoods...they eventually went viral in over 130 chapters around the world.
The handbags of same name are made by Dutch label Vlieger & Vandam and are designed with images of engraved guns or large knives.
The tag stitched inside the bag comes with a warning:
"This is an original Guardian Angel. Do not use it for self-defence purposes. The Weapon feature at the front is fake. To avoid any problems: Do not take this bag on a plane as hand luggage and do not take this bag to the bank to pick up cash. Please do enjoy it!"
When you see the bag, you've got to ask yourself is a person bold enough to wear a bag like this also is packing one too?
As they say, never show or threaten to use a weapon unless you are really ready to use it.
So is it a bluff, a fashion statement, or is the person really carrying and very dangerous--care to find out? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 16, 2015
Victorian Penny Car
I took these photos in Classic Motors of Washington, D.C.
This car is made of Victorian Pennies from the U.K.
The pennies are special (1837-1901) with an intricate design of British Queen Victoria.
This car is one of only 9 in the entire world.
The sign in the back window says, "This vehicle is not for sale."
It's got to be some job to get all those old pennies on this car.
I remember when we were kids my sister had this long green plastic container for collecting pennies.
Pennies already back in those days were worthless, and it was just a hobby to throw them in and see how many we could collect.
After some years, the thing was so heavy, I could use it for my exercise routine.
So why do we still make stupid pennies...for classic collector vehicles?
Old habits die hard, and the government is a big bureaucratic ship that doesn't turn on a penny or dime or whatever--I think that's the real reason we still do so many nonsensical things. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
Trumpet Chandeliers
These are Trumpet Chandeliers.
Inside the Bell of the Trumpet are the light bulbs.
It looks beautiful with the blue ceiling and the accent lights along the side.
Believe it or not, this is the walkway between the garage and iPic theatre.
Nicely done even without the trumpet music. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 15, 2015
Answer Injustice With Justice
But what is amazing is that the American public is frequently denied justice--whether committed under Democratic or Republican administrations.
Maybe this is because the Justice Department is headed by the Attorney General a political appointee of the President, rather than being independent.
The President oversees all the government agencies in the Executive Branch of the government, including the Department of Justice (DOJ).
When any of the government agencies in the Executive Branch do something wrong, what should happen is that the Department of Justice (including the FBI) would investigate and bring the offenders to justice.
But instead, a politically motivated President can direct a politicized Justice Department to stand down--and in a sense end up being the "Chief Obstructionist."
Obviously every agency is headed by political appointees who serve at the pleasure of the President and who further the administration's vision, but Justice is unique.
And if you follow the news, I am sure you can think of more than a few examples where Congress has gotten involved to investigate and even request action by DOJ, but yet nothing seems to happen.
What is disappointing is that we would like to think that every leader is an icon of righteousness, integrity, and propriety, but instead partisan politics can get in the way, and the leader ends up protecting, whitewashing, or covering up the very wrongdoing that needs to be corrected.
The government system cannot work for the people and the country, if it cannot be accountable to them to do the right thing.
The President--no matter what political affiliation--must assure and be perceived as assuring that everyone under his/her watch is doing the right thing.
And if and when they stray from serving the people of this country, it should be the President who leads the charge to make it right.
We all would respect a leader that recognizes and course-corrects when things go astray and does it with integrity and justice--that makes a truly great Democracy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)
August 14, 2015
Mankind's Endless And Elusive Pursuit Of Happiness
The book is a multi-year bestseller about the pursuit of happiness and how the author, Grethen Rubin, took a year and made a project of getting happy.
She did this through a "methodical" project with "measurable goals" and working to "build on them cumulatively."
Now happiness is being described not as a goal or project, but as a "movement."
Why is happiness such an elusive pursuit to so many throughout the times?
In fact, in looking for how to achieve happiness throughout the ages, we can't even agree on what it is or how to do it.
Carl Cederstrom in the New York Times provides an overview where the how-to for achieving happiness has changed more times than some people change their underwear.
Here's to the rainbow of finding happiness:
- The Greeks/Aristotle - Be a good person, live ethically, cultivate one's virtues.
- Hedonists/Epicureans - Pursuit whatever brings you pleasure.
- Stoics - Happiness is achievable even when experiencing hardship, suffering, and pain.
- Christianity - Happiness is not achieved on Earth, but rather in the afterlife/in divine union.
- Renaissance/Enlightenment/Thomas Jefferson - Happiness is an unalienable right, and related to property rights.
- Today - Achieve authenticity and be narcissistic, express true inner selves, get in touch with inner feeling, worship our bodies, and productivity through work.
I believe that the relentless pursuit of happiness is due to man's inability to truly reconcile being/feeling happy with what he experiences on an almost daily basis on a spectrum of unhappiness:
- Disappointment
- Failure
- Unacceptance
- Rejection
- Bullying
- Abuse
- Injustice
- Suffering
- Poverty
- War
- Disability
- Disease
The result of man's expectation of happiness yet its continued elusiveness to him manifests in people running around like a chicken with their heads cut off (something my mom told me about that she saw as a little girl):
- Changing, leaving, coming back, or clinging to religion.
- Disenfranchisement with government, politics, political parties, and politicians.
- Entering into and dissolving marriages and relationships.
- Migration to different parts of the country or even moving abroad and traveling here, there, and everywhere.
- Cycling your money and investments in real estate, material goods, and a host of investments (stocks, bonds, hedge funds, etc.).
- Trying out a series of different educational pursuits, careers, and hobbies--surely one will be my passion, provide some meaning, or make me happy!
- Trying to squeeze more and more "things" into and out of a 24-hour day.
- Looking for a quick fix through partying, pornography, sex, drugs, alcohol, and rock & roll.
What's the trend in happiness now?
A relentless pursuit of innovation and transformation through technology, robotics, everything autonomous, self-healing, self-reproducing, searching for new (and perhaps better) worlds, and even time travel.
Oh, and let's not forget pursuing a longer life (or the holy grail of immortality), so we have more time to try and be happy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 13, 2015
Old Pool Out, New Pool In
That's what happens when it starts to get some cracks.
It had to be drained a couple of weeks ago.
Then they came in with drills and have been ripping up the pool and removing the floor and sides ever since.
Next up a brand new coat of swimming pool -- concrete and tiles.
Followed by a top-to-bottom cleaning and shining up until it's spick and span.
Right now it looks so gross, but when it's done it will be awesome again.
Can't wait--I need my laps and hydrotherapy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 12, 2015
Why Did G-d Create The World?
We talked about such a wide variety of topics--the Ten Commandments, the laws of Shabbat, driverless cars and smartphones, women's minyan (prayer services), and even LGBT.
Not sure how this came up, but at one point the Rabbi turns to us and asks, "Why did G-d create the world?"
Taken a little off guard by this very big question, I blurted out, "To get to the other side!"
I thought he was going to fall off his chair, and then we all laughed.
But then we started to discuss some of the traditional answers like G-d out his infinite love created us with a spark of himself.
In very mortal terms, I guess maybe it's not so fun to be G-d (omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent) but be alone in the universe.
By creating us, His children, he gave the gift of life, learning, and growth for us to emulate the Divine.
What about all the terrible suffering?
Perhaps just part of our tests, trials, and tribulations to ultimately grow our souls.
Still it's a tough world.
I wonder maybe "to get to the other side"--for us to get to Heaven--isn't such a bad answer after all (even if it comes from the chicken crossing the road joke). ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 11, 2015
Cholent Stew - Not Just A Game
The only strategy that I know of with cholent is to make it hot, goopy, meaty, and savory.
Cholent is a beef stew typically eaten for Shabbat lunch.
Basic ingredients: beans, barely, potatoes, fatty fanken meat, sometimes a kishka is thrown in, onions and other veggies, salt, pepper, and lots of savory spices.
Usually it cooks in a crock pot overnight.
The sephardim call this dish Hamin (instead of cholent) and typically put in some hard-boiled eggs as well.
With cholent, you can essentially throw in the kitchen sink as long as it add to the heartiness and flavor of the dish.
Eating cholent is such a tradition that it is almost considered a special mitzvah to do it. Ah, would that make it commandment #614?
When cholent is served at the kiddish (the meal after Shabbat services in synagogue), it is usually the highlight where everybody gathers around with big laddles to dig in and get the nice portions of meat bopping around in the stew or often sunken to the very bottom to be found and surfaced by the lucky lunch patrons.
In New York, my friends used to have a running joke that there was a secret ingredient the Rebetzin used to make it so good--what it was, all bets were on.
The biggest problem with cholent are the loads of beans ("the musical food") and the most unpleasant odor-filled aftereffects--and of this we will not speak again!
What type of game can you play with cholent? You can probably just toot out the answer when you're ready. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 10, 2015
Skip The Religious Brainwashing
It gets some attention when your driving by.
This cartoon fellow reminded me of something I heard in a movie trailer recently.
It was about people of faith, but rather than relying on being genuinely thoughtful about their beliefs, instead they adhere to a form of brainwashing, where the people in the community are kept in the fold by closing out any and all outside influences.
When one of the ladies in the community was asked about this, she replied "You know what someone told me about brainwashing? What's wrong with a clean brain!"
While I am a huge proponent of devotion and service to G-d, I think that relying on intentionally keeping people sheltered is not the path to G-d.
Especially for the Jewish people, who are known as the "People of the Book" for their intense learning of the Torah, intellectual pursuit and challenge is a source of true faith.
Of course, there are bad influences in society--addictive drugs, alcohol dependence, indiscriminate sex, violent and deviant people, and more--and we want to keep our families away from these things and safe.
Interestingly, when someone is free from drugs and alcohol, they often say that they have been "clean" for so many months or years.
If that is what a "clean brain" is--then that is a positive thing.
But if a clean brain is truly cutting people off from education and legitimate worldly pursuits just to force them to follow and keep them in state of brainwashing, then that level of a geder (i.e. gate or limitation) is destructive to the person and community.
Recently, a 30-year woman, Faigy Meyer, "who broke free from the iron-tight grip of her ultra-conservative Hassidic community" and had been shunned by her family, leapt from a rooftop to her death.
The term iron-grip used in the article sounds like a medieval torture device used to force or keep people at bay, and if that is what the "religious" community is doing so-to-say to limit free choice of their members, then that is not honest belief and practice.
For myself personally, I lived for some years in a highly religious community that despite having many wonderful people and families was for the most part not very accepting of anyone who believed or practiced not exactly like them--there was no room for that.
One time, the legacy Rabbi on the pulpit (not the current one who is an extremely fine person that I greatly respect) even warned the members to beware of people in their midst who were not true worshippers (and could be a harmful influence).
In a closed community thinking, one can feel quite alienated and a huge void of spirituality.
Thank G-d, in our community with the Magen David Sephardic Synagogue, we have found not only a beautiful love of Hashem, but that mixed with acceptance for everyone to come and participate.
Now we actually love to go to synagogue and look forward to it. It has become a central part of our lives (similar in our own way to how it had been for my beloved father).
Take away the iron-tight grip, the forcing, the brainwashing and fear of the regular outside world, and you have people from many walks of life, intellectual pursuits and experiences come together to seek and worship G-d with a pure and open heart.
In a way, it is similar to technology: if you have a closed system (not connected to the Internet and the outside), you have a safe tool, but it is very limited as a standalone. Alternatively, hook the computer up to the Internet and while you take some risks browsing the limits of the virtual world, you come away with so much more you can do and richness in the experience. ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle and Andy Blumenthal)
August 9, 2015
My Alter Fighting Ego
He fought, he survived, and he triumphed.
Go Rocky, Rambo, Sylvester Stallone.
Human rights, social justice, good over evil.
And never again! :-)
(Source Photo: here via Facebook)
Doggie On Nervous Lookout
And looking anxiously for its owner.
The problem is the lady is inside the store and and the dog doesn't see her behind the glass window.
Lady says to us, "Bang on the glass...so he'll know where I am."
We "obediently" bang, but the dog is still looking off down the block.
Lady is getting her coffee, dog is NER-VOUS jumping up and off the chair armrest to get a better look.
Nope lady is not there.
An occasional bark, but no answer.
Hope the dog doesn't pee the seat. ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal--she had the better angle)
August 8, 2015
What's The Capital Of The United States Again?
We were having dinner last night with another couple.
They asked my daughter, "Do they still teach geography in school? They don't teach that anymore do they?"
My daughter said, "Yeah, we learned a lot of geography" and gave some good examples both modern and ancient.
So the guy says, "Well I don't think a lot of other schools are teaching geography anymore, like they used to with us."
Then he tells us a story how someone they know was asked what the capital of China was.
And he goes to me, "You know, you know [he emphasizes again], what the guy said?"
I looked at him a little puzzled by this question, like what could someone possibly answer to such a simple question, so I said, "Well I hope they said Beijing."
He nods his head back and forth no, eyes closed, lips pursed, like we won't believe what he was about to say.
Then, he says, "The guy said that the capital of China is...JAPAN!"
I looked at him my eyes squinting in disbelief, like that can't be a for real answer, right?
"No," he says, "That was what this guy thought, can you believe it?"
I said sort of laughing out loud, "Well maybe if World War II had ended differently that would be correct."
It sort of reminds me of the famous goof when Clinton gave the Russians the now famous "Reset Button."
It was supposed to indicate a thawing and renewal of peaceful relations, only the word printed on the button was "Peregruzka" meaning a more hostile "Overcharge."
Oops!
Maybe the overcharge referred to was prophetic of the West's losing the strategic Crimea to the Russian blitzkrieg in 2014. How much did that mistake cost us?
I guess it's not only STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) suffering in our educational system.
How's that standards based education reform "No Child Left Behind" (2001) working out?
It definitely seems like some folks are most definitely being left behind if not completely lost in the system.
At this rate, I fear the capital of the United States is now Iran. ;-)
August 7, 2015
Why Can't We Just Stay As Superman?
Our bodies are beautiful, supple, strong, and heal quickly.
We are taught by our helicopter parents and philosophic teachers that "You can do anything you set your mind to!"
In our fantasies, we surely can do amazing things--we lift unbelievable weight, fly around at the speed of light, do karate better than Bruce Lee, outthink Einstein, save the world, and then make off with the beautiful damsel to boot.
Kryptonite is no problem--we are (seemingly) invincible.
Then we hit middle age--40 something--and all of a sudden what do you know?
Oh, this doesn't work right and that doesn't feel right.
The Yiddish expression, "Oy vey" seems about it.
And off to the doctors we go.
After the exam and tests, doc says, "Mr. (or Ms.) [whatever], you have [fill in the blank]."
You respond, "Is that normal--at my age--already?"
Doc says, "Absolutely, this is what happens as you get older."
I say, "Doc, does anything good happen when we get older."
"Of course not"--we both laugh.
This reminds me of when my dad used to sing this song in this funny mock Irish accent, "You're not as young as you used to be you're getting old and gray!"
This week, a colleague was coming down with something--possibly something not good.
I told him how I hoped this turns out well for him and how sorry I was for what he was going through.
Writing off the illness, he says to me, "We all end the same anyway" (i.e. we all end up dead!)--ah, another unhappy notion that is.
I joked back, "But we all don't end up in the same place."
I got a few laughs at that too (some of my father in me).
Well anyway, I thought about this after--about some of the special subhuman beings out there--and the very special place that I am certain G-d has in store for them:
- Serial murders and other violent criminals
- Rapists and child abusers
- Terrorists and their sponsors
- Megalomaniacs, bullies, and corrupt officials
- Thieves, cheats, and liars.
And guess what about these schmendricks--they get old too, they go to the doctor too, and then they are going somewhere warm, very warm, and it's not to the Caribbean. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 6, 2015
Looking At Ourselves In The NUKE Mirror
Yet the deal with Iran--a member of the "Axis of Evil" and the #1 state sponsor of terrorism worldwide and of the worst abusers of human righs is trustless, especially when verification mechanisms are weak and Iran is non-complaint?
So where's the trust headed now (has anything changed, what are the signs so far)?
T - Turning away - Iran continues to turn away and refuse access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who are tasked with the verification of Iran's non-proliferation of nukes.
R - Restraining people - Iran continues to disrespect us and holds 4 Americans hostage with no sign or promise of release.
U - Undermining - Iran continues to undermine any relationship with the West by affirming that hostile policies toward "arrogant" America will not change.
S - Swindling - Iran continues to swindle and deceive the West going so far as to publish a 416-page manifesto by the Ayatollah on destroying Israel, "the ally of the American Great Satan."
T - Threatening - Iran continues to threaten the West most recently warning of a "Third World War" sparked by terorrism, and continuing chants of "Death to America!"
So what's the future of this deal in protecting the world from nukes and terrorism--let's be honest and look in the mirror and ask what's the deal here? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 4, 2015
Bell-Bottom Style
And truly there is something about bell-bottoms that just yells cool and sexy.
The hour glass shape of the pants is timeless.
The flair gives you flair.
The white stringy bottom gives contrast with the blue jeans.
Whoever wears these, you're the automatic hit of the party.
Basically, your the Sonny and Cher on the 21st century, and presumably you can dance like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 3, 2015
Print Me Some Clothing
How cool is this?
You print you own clothes on a home 3-D Printer.
This is not science fiction, but reality.
Israeli fashion designer, Danit Peleg, is creating some beautiful clothing by printing them!
The printed clothes is intricate, fashionable, and sexy.
Choose your outfit.
Pick your design.
Download it.
And start printing--day or evening wear.
See how it looks on the runway models.
And just imagine that you can be printing and wearing it too. ;-)
August 2, 2015
Self-Perpetuating Immigration For All The Wrong Reasons
We need immigrants to "reduce the ratio of retirees to workers."
Why?
Because the birth rate has fallen to below replenishment rates (roughly 2.1 births per women).
And since our "trust funds" for social security, medicare, pensions, and the like have NOT been been kept in trust, BUT INSTEAD have been squandered on other things...
Therefore, according to this warped thinking we now need a wave of immigrants to come save us--have lots of babies and grow our economy--to pay for what we should be able to, but can't--because of gross mismanagement and corruption with the money that was taken out our payroll all our lives supposedly to care for us in our elder years.
The wrong reasons for immigration are expressed by Charles Kenny in Bloomberg Businessweek.
- According to Kenny, "More immigration is both the cheapest and most effective response to the challenge of a shrinking, aging population," which he frets is "ominous for pension and health-care costs."
- Kenny's approach to immigrants is that they are not vital and talented human beings, but rather basically baby machines with higher birth rates for population replenishment, as he states, "Although immigrants rapidly adopt the fertility patterns of their new countries, they still tend to produce more children to begin with."
- And he says, because most come over as adults, we have the benefits of the workers "without the expense and delay of rearing...[them as] children."
- Oh, and by the way, Kenny says, "Some newly arrived workers help provide cheap child-care options."
Wow, how biased, cold, and condescending is that!
Not once does Kenny mention or advocate for immigration for any of these truly worthy reasons:
- Shelter from persecution
- Political asylum
- Promote diversity
- Bring in needed skills, investment, and innovation
- Rejoin families
And what is the result of bringing in immigrants to pay our way?
Well, we'll need to bring in yet another and another, wave after wave of immigration, because we can't balance of budget and spend rationally, responsibly, and with an eye toward the future--it's self-perpetuating immigration for the sake of deadbeatism.
Sweet land of liberty is being thrown out for a bunch of economic opportunists who feel we need "immigrants to [come to] the rescue" rather than join together with us in being great in terms of compassion, humanitarianism, and mutual respect.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Golden Retriever Swims Like A Fish
Out on the kayak today with Rebecca in Maryland.
This beautiful golden retriever named Rudder was playing on the bank and in the water.
He was swimming and chasing a toy that the friendly owners were throwing way out into the pond.
On this hot sunny day, this dog was having a blast, and the people seemed to enjoy talking with us about him.
Overall this was a welcome break from the Dog Days of Summer. ;-)
(Source Video: Rebecca Blumenthal)
August 1, 2015
Good Can (And Will) Overcome Evil
Nothing Is Something AND Something Is Nothing
The Uber glorified taxi service and app (with an almost half billion dollar operating loss) is now valued at--get this--over $50,000,000,000!
And commodities--you know the precious materials that REAL things are made off (gold, silver, copper, aluminum, oil, gas, coal, wheat, cotton, corn, soybeans, cotton, cocoa, coffee, sugar, beef, and more) hit a 13 year low.
When the nothings of this world like a basic cab service become invaluable and the real things that power our homes, technology, transportation, and manufacturing become valueless--then we know a day of painful financial reckoning is coming.
The markets can stand on their head for only so long before the blood rushes in and people become dizzy and see spots.
A reversion to the mean is the one something here that is inevitable, along with a pretty decent recession to boot. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
July 31, 2015
A Being of Light
He was in synagogue praying--something he did every day.
I was telling my dad that it was time to go.
But he didn't want to leave--synagogue was his favorite place to be close to G-d and his friends.
My dad was in the front of the synagogue elevated on the steps before the Holy Ark (where the Torahs are kept).
I looked at my dad and somehow knew/felt that he was near death.
I ran to him and threw my arms around him in an incredible completely loving hug--clutching on to him to stay with us, longer.
In this embrace, I could feel his total and undying love for me.
Now he no longer looked like my dad but like a being of light--such as I had never seen.
He had died, but was still somehow alive in another way.
I miss my dad--he was a truly holy man (a Tzadik) and a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who would do anything for us.
I wish I could sit and speak with him again, hold his hand, hear him sing when we came over, and see him smile.
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Taltopia.com)
July 30, 2015
Hey, Lady On The Shirt
It's has an image of a lady standing out front with what looks like a volcano in the background.
The volcano is shooting up its hothead steam, and looks like it's blowing the cloud on the left sideways, off-kilter.
What's nice about the lady on the shirt is that it's not just drawn on, but has materials sewn in to make it 3-D.
The black and pink fabric for the dress, the green and red beads for the shirt, the pink and silver over the black patches for the sunglasses, and the yellow for the hat.
Also, like the way she's standing all confident wth her hands on her hips and her elbows out--like "Hey, that volcano is nothing (compared to me)!"
The shirt is so simple, yet very smart.
That's the way most things should be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 29, 2015
Funnier In Yiddish
When someone wants to know if you speak Yiddish, sometimes, they just say, "Do you speak Jewish?"
Many of the Yiddish words are popular and have become commonplace in our communications now-a-day.
One of my friends used to say, "Jokes are always funnier in Yiddish."
And sure enough, there is something about Yiddish words, pronunciations, and nuances that make getting a point across very potent and at the same time, quite humorous.
Take the words on this eduational Yiddish poster--it's like the Yiddish words just sound like and makes perfect sense for what it is (see how many you recognize):
- Bagel - Bagel
- Chazar - Pig
- Chootspah (chutzpah) - Gall
- Gonif - Thief
- Imglick - Luck
- Klutz - Clumsy
- Kvitch (kvetch)- Complainer
- Macher - Big shot
- Mishugina (mashugana) - Crazy
- Noodnik - Annoying
- Pipik - Belly Button
- Shlep - Lug
- Shmootz - Dirt
- Shnops (schnapps) - Liquor
- Shvigger - Mother-in-law
- Trafe - Unkosher
- Tsooris - Problems
- Yenta - Talker
- Zoftig - Fat
There is one more word not on the list here that is probably recongizable and that is a "shmuck," which refers to a contemptable person, but literally refers to a man's private parts--ah, maybe that's why it's not on the picture poster. ;-)
(Source photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 28, 2015
When Your Pants Are Down
So at a nude beach, even those that advertise privacy protections, let's face it your walking around in the buff. But still, the use of the drone with a camera was a violation of people's expectations not to be photographed and by those outside the facility.
And about a week earlier, a five year old finds a camera phone in the lady's bathroom in a Starbucks.
Yesteday, I had a similar lesson about people's warped sensibilities or perversions (but without the drone or smartphone--this was the low tech version).
I'm at the pool for a swim after work.
There are 2 locker rooms for men and women, of course.
But at one point, I see this LADY get out of the pool and head straight for the MEN'S locker room--she actually proceeds to go in one side--through and past the bathrooms, showers, sauna, and lockers--and out the other side to exit the facility.
So trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, when I get out of the pool, thinking maybe the locker room wasn't clearly marked, I check it--and there is a big sign with a picture (the symbol for men) and you couldn't miss it!
Also, this lady was clearly not new as she gestured a friendly hello to the lifeguard, and she wasn't the slightest bit confused (she had actually made some small talk with me in the pool)
When she left, as she headed into the men's room, she didn't hesitate, knock on the door or anything, and obviously didn't care whether anyone was in there--dressed or naked.
Perhaps, because the men's locker room is closer to the exit, she was just taking a shortcut--for her, how convenient!
Then again maybe she was a true perv and this was her way of getting some cheap thrills regardless of other people's right to privacy and safety, including those of children.
In a sense, this is more than just about generalized privacy (such as with information), but even extends to your very privates!
We live in an age when it is a balancing act between sharing and privacy, between openness and modesty, and between doing what's right and pure self-gratification.
Unfortunately, to put in bluntly, some people just don't seem to give a sh*t about respect for other people's decency or rights, and they will do what they want regardless of the social balancing act or the necessity to use common sense good judgement in public and private.
The lesson is that when your pants are down, as creepy as it sounds, it's best to assume that someone is always looking or at least may be on the prowl, so be careful out there. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 27, 2015
Fish Mish
I took this video in the aquarium store.
Just found it so relaxing to watch these fish--swimming this way and that with their fish pals in the nice cool water.
In the background is the sound of a little waterfall running into the makeshift pond.
Ah, the life of a fish--if you can avoid the nets and the bigger fish--it's probably not too shabby.
I remember when my mom used to make gefilte fish for Shabbos, especially the sweet kind in a sliced up roll, and it was delicious.
For some reason, I remember calling it fish mish--I think because the fish is ground up--and then boiled or baked.
A nice appetizer--pass the tartar sauce please. ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
July 26, 2015
What's So Funny About Non-Proliferation?
Here's what they are saying online in some satire on the Iranian Nuke WMD Deal.
The Spanish comedian is talking about something else (I don't know what), but the subtitles were dubbed to make the points about the issues with this deal.
No disrespect intended to anyone, but the points illustrated are well made.
Is this how we want the world to view us?
We are hoping and praying for a real and verifiable peace.
July 25, 2015
July 24, 2015
Actions Speak Louder Than Deals
Similar to the Movie, "The Stoning of Soraya M."--only this is real life footage.
Highly graphic...beware.
A 17-year old girl ambushed by crowd of men, savagely kicked and beaten, and stoned to death with a large cinderblock finally slammed onto her head.
All the while, the men are taking photos and videos with their smartphones.
And playing with her skirt up and down in some perverted way while the blood is gushing out of her skull.
Supposedly for loving the "wrong" boy.
Who does something like this?
Can some people be so religiously brainwashed as to think this can be "right"?
Where are people's inner conscience and moral compass?
As ISIS beheads and burns alive their opponents, Boko Haram hacks off people's limbs and takes young girls as sex slaves, Al Qaeda conducts countless suicide bombings, Syria gases their own people, and Iran outmaneuvers the West toward a nuclear bomb to annihilate their enemies...we had better take very seriously what we are dealing with.
Shouldn't any deal we make seek to genuinely change these behaviors rather than make a deal for deal's sake?
We need to wake up before the warnings that we are witnessing from afar become lessons here at home.
We need a genuine and verifiable peace--oh G-d let it be!
July 23, 2015
Taking The Spin Off Things
Question everything, believe nothing (except in G-d).
It's not just that a lot of people out there are full of sh*t--yes, that is true too.
But also that many powerful people are experts at manipulation and spin.
Take just some recent some examples:
- We didn't just give America and Israel-hating "suicidal, apocalypse-seeking" Iran a clear path to the bomb and in just half a generations' time (along with hundreds of billions to continue funding global terror and a lifting of the weapons and ballistic missile embargo), instead we have a "comprehensive long term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
- With the hackers who not only showed how to take wireless control of a moving Jeep Cherokee, but also released information on how to do it, they didn't put another tool in the toolkit of the cyber attackers and terrorists out there, instead "they are bringing atttention to an issue auto makers have for too long ignored."
Could go on and on to issue after issue...
The point is that from a young age we are primed to respect, listen, and automatically believe figures of authority and experts--when our parents, teachers, spiritual leaders or a policeman or fireman says something, we naturally believe them, who they are, and in them.
This is what politicians and executives and other people in power prey on--that we will believe them over everyone else or any other facts to the contrary. They have the title, the uniform, the badge, or whatever, and so they must be good, honest, and trustworthy.
However, good parents and teachers make sure to tell children not just to take people or what they say at face value. For example, if someone comes to the door and says they are delivering a package, don't just open the door. Look through the peephole, ask for identification, or have them come with a neighbor, etc.
I remember in the very first movie of "Death Wish" with Charles Bronson, where his wife and daughter answer the door expecting a simple delivery from the supermarket that they were just at and instead they get a brutal gang that murders the wife and rapes the daughter.
Similarly, in cases where women get pulled over, attacked, and raped by someone with flashing lights, siren, and even a fake uniform/badge--even as you believe you are obeying the law, others are taking advantage and fooling you.
As comforting as our beliefs are and perhaps even that we just want to believe--things often are not as they appear or what we want or expect them to be--what goes on behind the scenes and the spin that comes out in front are designed to intoxicate the masses. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Kristian Niemi)
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