Out with the Baby; In with the Fries!

At least this guy knows what's really important! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Out with the Baby; In with the Fries!

Jealous Over Nothing

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Jealous Over Nothing."

Whether it’s stocks, mansions, lottery tickets, bitcoins, or other worldly objects that we put our hopes and dreams into, at the end of the day, the reality is that they are all nothing compared to what is really important and meaningful:

• The precious time we have with our loved ones
• Selflessly caring for and giving to others
• Living faithful, holy lives in the eyes of the Almighty

These are the things that money can never buy, and they give true inner happiness that outer material trappings can never even aspire to.

(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/room-money-dollar-wealth-success-1288438/) 

Jealous Over Nothing

Pineapple USA

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Pineapple USA

Matching Shoes and Pants

(Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Matching Shoes and Pants

What Are We Looking For Today?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

What Are We Looking For Today?

Skateboard Designs

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Skateboard Designs

Colorful and Stylish Bag

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Colorful and Stylish Bag

Dragon (Ball Z)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dragon (Ball Z)

Kosher in Body and Soul

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Kosher in Body and Soul."

The essence of keeping kosher is not that we just keep the dietary kosher laws and eat only that which G-d commanded is permissible to us, but more so that we feed our spiritual soul with G-d’s manifestation to us and ultimately that we live kosher lives through His wisdom and the performance of good deeds.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Kosher in Body and Soul

Philip The Lush

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Philip The Lush

Start To Finish

 

Hop Scotch.

It never gets old. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Start To Finish

Chinese Horse

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Chinese Horse

Ceiling Sun Tile

Not bad for a dropped ceiling in the doctor's office.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ceiling Sun Tile

Bag That Actually Says "What's Inside"

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Bag That Actually Says "What's Inside"

Wild Wallpaper

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Wild Wallpaper

Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover."

If we can remove the arrogance from our homes and hearts, then we can be better people: humble, selfless, giving, and standing side by side rather than sitting high and mighty, which only G-d Almighty deserves.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover

Happy Bench

Colorful happy bench in Bethesda.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

 

Happy Bench

When Do You Honk

 

That's a telling bumper sticker for someone.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

When Do You Honk

Don't Shoot

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Don't Shoot

Playground Tunnel

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Playground Tunnel

If Pharaoh Had AI

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "If Pharaoh Had AI."

From manufacturing to customer service to law enforcement and defense, AI could one day be in the driver’s seat while we are off sunning on some remote beach in the Caribbean. As an example, just imagine a future military in which wars are fought by autonomous drones in the air and sea and killer robots on land, led by a master AI core at the Pentagon in control of all global operations, including our triad of nuclear warheads.

In short, the message for Passover isn’t just the tremendous potential of AI for the good or even the threat it poses of becoming too powerful to control, but what happens when the bad guys (dictators, despots, and megalomaniacs), like the Pharaoh of yesteryear, are dangerously using AI to enslave the world to their vision of hate and contempt for democracy, human rights, and freedom for us all?

(Credit Photo: Ilnur Dulyanov via https://pixabay.com/illustrations/square-soldier-green-red-angry-7871431/)

If Pharaoh Had AI

This Is One of Those Days

Overstressed!

Need some calming Shabbat relief.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

This Is One of Those Days

Keeping Kids on a Short Leash

Better safe than sorry.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Keeping Kids on a Short Leash

Basket of Gemstones

Grab a handful of colorful gemstones. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Basket of Gemstones

Easter Bunny Plant

What will Home Depot think of next?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Easter Bunny Plant

@Cherry Blossom Kite Festival

 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Cherry Blossom Kite Festival

The Doctrine of Deterrence Has Failed

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Doctrine of Deterrence Has Failed." 

If we acknowledge that we are not willing to lose “our” Main Street, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, the nation’s capital, and more to get into devastating conflicts to liberally protect others (who often aren’t even paying their own fair share), then we can make better decisions about when we should actually “fight the good fight.”

Moreover, it’s not enough to just put up a show of some limited and hollow resistance; rather, when we do fight, it must be with our full determination to win. Unfortunately, too often we have gone in militarily with “shock and awe,” but turned abruptly tail in a politically wishy-washy “shame and retreat.” It’s high time to make U.S. deterrence mean something inescapably formidable once again.

(Source Photo via https://www.pexels.com/photo/soldiers-in-line-to-get-in-a-plane-54098/)

The Doctrine of Deterrence Has Failed

Crayon Fun

Crayons colors of the rainbow.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Crayon Fun

B&Y Crystal Vases

Beautiful dramatic blue and yellow vases. 

Perfect for some red roses!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

B&Y Crystal Vases

May The Force Be With You

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

May The Force Be With You

Dog Bones

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dog Bones

Big Bird Eyes

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Big Bird Eyes

Dragon in Aquarium

 

Instead of fire, he's breathing bubbles. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dragon in Aquarium

How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy

   

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy."

Thank G-d, he finished the blood draw, and it was over. But as I reflected afterwards, I thought to myself that this guy is just one of probably millions out there who are unhappy with their jobs, their relationships, their lives, and maybe more broadly, the direction things are going in for them.

To “move the needle” of the world in the right direction, perhaps we must fundamentally change the order of things so that people are paramount while profit and power are not. What that means is that we don’t tolerate the conditions that lead to tyrants, corruption, and endless greed.

(Credit Photo: Anna Shvets via https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-syringe-3786215/)

How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy

Not Our World

This is not our utopian world as countries are getting more and more aggressive and dangerous:

• Russia
• China
• Iran
• North Korea

Ever wonder what things will look like tomorrow?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Not Our World

Roll Out the Cable

Here's the spool.

Spin the cable on. 

Yank the cable off. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Roll Out the Cable