At first I thought the concept of Improv was cute. Clever. All those people standing still in Grand Central Station. Shticky. A kind of performance art that wasn't a naked woman with a pumpkin on her head and feces on her body channeling an ancient war god (a combination of a few Doonesbury comic strips).
But now I don't think so. At all. While it may be "cute" to do things like walk backwards in Times Square, banging into people and confirming tourist's opinions that we are, in fact, a nation of fools (thank you to our President for establishing that), it isn't cute when people are publicly embarrassed or made fun of. Of course when asked, I am sure they say something like, "Oh, ha ha, it's no big deal". But really, no one likes to be made foolish. Like in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3XTAw3tzyI
ok, if the kid wants to run into the wall and look idiotic, fine. And I was a big fan of the Harry Potter books, so my issue, clearly, isn't with the subject. I don't think it's funny to embarrass people on video. Period. Making the ticket sellers question the boy over and over again, having random strangers not know what to answer. Why is this funny? It's like the whole premise here is to make people look stupid, foolish, or clueless!
See, that's my whole issue! It's NOT just about the cleverness of a new way of making statements, it's How Can We Make A Statement, Even If It Inconveniences Or Embarrasses Other People!
Like the No Pants Day. Can you think of a more highly offensive public display of selfishness and impropriety? I am sure that there are plenty of people out there who are not living a religious life, who don't have the rules and lifestyle of modesty that I do, yet are highly disturbed by this! A subway is not a beach, where you expect to see skimpy bottoms and unclad people.
It's just plain disgusting. This really bothers me. A lot. Do New Yorkers care?
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Mayonnaise, Ketchup, and Yiddishkeit
Those are the three things that YBS1 says you do not compromise on.
Mayonnaise, definitely. Though once I began to bring Gefen Lite mayo into our home, our standards relaxed somewhat. It definitely tastes better than Hellman's Lite mayonnaise. And we are mayonnaise experts around here. It is as essential to a Shabbos meal as challa and wine.
Ketchup, sad to say, seems to be only be tasty if it is Heinz. Although I am not a picky eater, there really is a difference in the taste. What actually prompted this was YBS1's observation that I bought a non-jewish brand of chummus *(which the brand calls "hommos", already an indication of not getting it right), and a jewish company's ketchup. He thought this was problematic. He is prone to grand sweeping all encompassing statements, as he said,
"What do these people know about making chummus? And what does Lieber's know about making ketchup?! and what about these off brands of mayonnaise ??"
and then followed his most profound statement of all,
"there are just some things in life you do NOT compromise on! Mayonnaise! Ketchup! and Yiddishkeit!"
Mayonnaise, definitely. Though once I began to bring Gefen Lite mayo into our home, our standards relaxed somewhat. It definitely tastes better than Hellman's Lite mayonnaise. And we are mayonnaise experts around here. It is as essential to a Shabbos meal as challa and wine.
Ketchup, sad to say, seems to be only be tasty if it is Heinz. Although I am not a picky eater, there really is a difference in the taste. What actually prompted this was YBS1's observation that I bought a non-jewish brand of chummus *(which the brand calls "hommos", already an indication of not getting it right), and a jewish company's ketchup. He thought this was problematic. He is prone to grand sweeping all encompassing statements, as he said,
"What do these people know about making chummus? And what does Lieber's know about making ketchup?! and what about these off brands of mayonnaise ??"
and then followed his most profound statement of all,
"there are just some things in life you do NOT compromise on! Mayonnaise! Ketchup! and Yiddishkeit!"
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Have Rachmunus - For the right person
No one ever wants to fire an employee. Especially if he is the sole bread winner of his family. Especially if he/she is a really nice person, well meaning, and trying hard.
But a business has to function, make profits, and move ahead.
And in school, children need to learn. Period.
Every teacher needs to have that first job, and needs someone who believes they have the potential to inspire children and become a great educator. Some schools only hire young teachers after they've proven themselves as assistants or substitutes. Some schools take a chance, and get very lucky - the teacher or rebbi who exudes enthusiasm, creativity, excitement, and thought out lesson planning proves to be a dynamic educator.
And even mediocre can be, ok. If willing to accept suggestions, implement new ideas, and most important, asks for help when necessary.
But it is time for schools to choose the children over the teacher when it comes to really ineffective, poorly trained, unorganzied teachers. I am sure one on one they would be good. Perhaps small groups. Very specific subjects. But if most of the parents are unhappy, most of the kids are not learning, no control going on in class, the time has come to decide the needs of these students overrides the needs of parnossa for the teacher.
(disclaimer: this is in reference to a conversation I had today with a parent, not from any school I work in or have a personal connection to)
But a business has to function, make profits, and move ahead.
And in school, children need to learn. Period.
Every teacher needs to have that first job, and needs someone who believes they have the potential to inspire children and become a great educator. Some schools only hire young teachers after they've proven themselves as assistants or substitutes. Some schools take a chance, and get very lucky - the teacher or rebbi who exudes enthusiasm, creativity, excitement, and thought out lesson planning proves to be a dynamic educator.
And even mediocre can be, ok. If willing to accept suggestions, implement new ideas, and most important, asks for help when necessary.
But it is time for schools to choose the children over the teacher when it comes to really ineffective, poorly trained, unorganzied teachers. I am sure one on one they would be good. Perhaps small groups. Very specific subjects. But if most of the parents are unhappy, most of the kids are not learning, no control going on in class, the time has come to decide the needs of these students overrides the needs of parnossa for the teacher.
(disclaimer: this is in reference to a conversation I had today with a parent, not from any school I work in or have a personal connection to)
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Picture or No Picture?
I've been sending DIP3's shidduch profile to some people and friends.
Yes she Is In The Parsha!!
Some have asked for a picture:
a Shadchan who wants it to remember her, because he spoke to a lot of girls in one night. I was hoping her charm and conversational abilites (combined with my presence, probably one of 2 mothers who showed up) would be enough. I actually wanted to lean over and draw some stars, checks, and smiley faces next to his scribbled notes about her, so he would later remember, AH! This one was remarkable!
A shadchan who has books of boys and girls - blue for boys and pink for girls! - and needed a picture to remember who she was. And.... wants to be able to forward it to mothers who ask for a picture. With my daughter's permission (she doesn't mind).
an old acquaintance whom I don't keep up with and rarely see. Who has no idea who my children are. Who would like to see what she looks like so she can say, "...DIP3 is blonde, blue eyed, tall..." etc. * (details changed to protect her privacy).
My sister said her husband will ask for a picture of the mother when asked for a picture of their daughter. Since she is the one asking for the picture, usually. Not the boy. I'm pretty sure I blogged about this years ago, regarding DIP1.
I sent a pic from DIP1's wedding. with, of course, a chatty note how "her makeup and hair don't always look this way :) :) but I thought she looked great in it".
so what do you think about the pictures?
1- is it just the mothers, checking up that their Paul Newman gets the beauty he deserves?
2- are the shadchans really not sharing the pics with others?
3- is a professional picture from a wedding "too fancy", or do you agree (as I thought) why not send the best picture possible?
Yes she Is In The Parsha!!
Some have asked for a picture:
a Shadchan who wants it to remember her, because he spoke to a lot of girls in one night. I was hoping her charm and conversational abilites (combined with my presence, probably one of 2 mothers who showed up) would be enough. I actually wanted to lean over and draw some stars, checks, and smiley faces next to his scribbled notes about her, so he would later remember, AH! This one was remarkable!
A shadchan who has books of boys and girls - blue for boys and pink for girls! - and needed a picture to remember who she was. And.... wants to be able to forward it to mothers who ask for a picture. With my daughter's permission (she doesn't mind).
an old acquaintance whom I don't keep up with and rarely see. Who has no idea who my children are. Who would like to see what she looks like so she can say, "...DIP3 is blonde, blue eyed, tall..." etc. * (details changed to protect her privacy).
My sister said her husband will ask for a picture of the mother when asked for a picture of their daughter. Since she is the one asking for the picture, usually. Not the boy. I'm pretty sure I blogged about this years ago, regarding DIP1.
I sent a pic from DIP1's wedding. with, of course, a chatty note how "her makeup and hair don't always look this way :) :) but I thought she looked great in it".
so what do you think about the pictures?
1- is it just the mothers, checking up that their Paul Newman gets the beauty he deserves?
2- are the shadchans really not sharing the pics with others?
3- is a professional picture from a wedding "too fancy", or do you agree (as I thought) why not send the best picture possible?
Sunday, December 8, 2013
I'll Assume They are Ignorant....
though if you are old enough to get married, and old enough to propose, learn some Halachos.
Maybe I'm wrong, in which case, I am humbled.
I've complained in the past about the onlysimchas.com pictures that people post. I may be romantic at heart, but I find it tasteless that people wish to share with everyone their most private moments. You want to propose with petals and flowers and tea lights and all that, go ahead! But you need your buddies there to film it? So there will be one event of your life not captured on film and sent out to everyone!
Please don't tell me it's a generational thing. Just because you are the Instagram generation doesn't mean you should lose all sense of privacy.
And I've also complained about the boys who are proposing on one knee. Call me a Monsey Chareidinik (but really, please don't!) but that is just so....goyish. I'm sorry. Please. Do not go On Bended Knee.
And I've been somewhat irked that the proposal must come with a choice of diamond bracelet. OK, so not everyone wants to just pop the question, get an answer, and that's it. They want (amend that: the girls expect) a gift. Say it with flowers!
But this newest thing I noticed on onlysimchas, is proposing with ring! Which to begin with really makes sense. But I hope hope hope these new fiances are not putting it on or even handing it to the girl with the proposal - because as far as I know, kiddushin is with a ring. And you are then in theory, married. So normally you don't give the engagement ring directly to the girl.
Do you young people know that?? Or in the onlysimchas pictures with the girls flashing their rings, are the friends snappping the pics also the one who was the go between?
Maybe I'm wrong, in which case, I am humbled.
I've complained in the past about the onlysimchas.com pictures that people post. I may be romantic at heart, but I find it tasteless that people wish to share with everyone their most private moments. You want to propose with petals and flowers and tea lights and all that, go ahead! But you need your buddies there to film it? So there will be one event of your life not captured on film and sent out to everyone!
Please don't tell me it's a generational thing. Just because you are the Instagram generation doesn't mean you should lose all sense of privacy.
And I've also complained about the boys who are proposing on one knee. Call me a Monsey Chareidinik (but really, please don't!) but that is just so....goyish. I'm sorry. Please. Do not go On Bended Knee.
And I've been somewhat irked that the proposal must come with a choice of diamond bracelet. OK, so not everyone wants to just pop the question, get an answer, and that's it. They want (amend that: the girls expect) a gift. Say it with flowers!
But this newest thing I noticed on onlysimchas, is proposing with ring! Which to begin with really makes sense. But I hope hope hope these new fiances are not putting it on or even handing it to the girl with the proposal - because as far as I know, kiddushin is with a ring. And you are then in theory, married. So normally you don't give the engagement ring directly to the girl.
Do you young people know that?? Or in the onlysimchas pictures with the girls flashing their rings, are the friends snappping the pics also the one who was the go between?
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Black Friday Destroys American Traditions
Macy's black Friday will now begin on Thanksgiving night, Thursday, at 8 p.m.
I doubt they would do this if they thought only a handful of people would show up.
Besides the fact that it sadly means some employees have no family to join for dinner, it means many many Americans must be leaving the food-family tradition to go shopping.
How terribly sad. Traditions are so important. Another American family-one on one time- interpersonal relationship- activity gone down the tubes.
I doubt they would do this if they thought only a handful of people would show up.
Besides the fact that it sadly means some employees have no family to join for dinner, it means many many Americans must be leaving the food-family tradition to go shopping.
How terribly sad. Traditions are so important. Another American family-one on one time- interpersonal relationship- activity gone down the tubes.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
The Yevonim Are Winning
In very recent times, the DIP father has been using an expression, much to the exasperation of some of our children. And it is now, I think, more relavant than ever.
The Yevonim are Winning. Or, The Yevonim Have Won.
Normally I think I would have even put an exclamation point after this statement (The Yevonim Are Winning!!) , to show a lightness, a brevity, a humorous side. But I can't. I'm too disturbed.
My husband began using this term when he feels our children are too entwined, enthusiastic, or involved in pursuits he feels are very....Yevanim-like. Mainly, I believe, he means sports. He was never a huge fan type. He followed, he cheered, he was disappointed (mainly disappointed. That's what happens to Oriole fans). But he was never obsessed with it. And never ever had or has made judgements about other people who Really Love The Game. Whatever The Game may be. But for our children, it has saddened him to sometimes see too much involvement and enthusiasm...Okay, I'll call it obsession, time wasting, whatever......with organized sports, or popular trends. And his reference to the Yevanim was clearly that- The ancient Greeks who glorified the beauty of physical prowess and ability, the antithesis to some of our Torah ideals. So if the kids go on and on about something in sports, or something very new and popular in the American culture, that was discussed just a little too long and often at the Shabbos table, he will say (with a cheeful yet somewhat disappointed and sad look) "Oy! The Yevanim are WINNING!!".
But today I had a conversation at the mechanic with Luke, who converted for his wife. He told me he's having the Chanuka Bush again, but it's going up a lot earlier, on Thanksgiving. So he can have Chanuka, Thanksgiving, and early Xmas all at once. Luke is not religious (actually not really jewish), so I understood his enthusiasm for all the holidays in one, the Menurkey, Thanksgivukkah, Chanaving, etc.
However....
I am not sure why so many frum people are embracing this coinciding of Chanuka and Thanksgiving.
Really, who cares??
I don't have a problem with frum people celebrating Thanksgiving, either by eating a traditional turkey/stuffing/cranberry/pie dinner, watching whatever football game is on, visiting with family.
But why are so many frum people going on and on about this?? and why are they proudly talking about how they are cooking food entwining these two themes? How can they? One is our sacred, holy, spiritual celebration of redemption, and Hashem's miracles! The other is a secular holiday!
I am so sad that so many, many people don't see that if we can compare and combine our beautiful holiday with another holiday (even IF it doesn't have religious overtones), then the Yevanim have definitely won.
Please don't be a lurker. Let this post be the one you respond to.
The Yevonim are Winning. Or, The Yevonim Have Won.
Normally I think I would have even put an exclamation point after this statement (The Yevonim Are Winning!!) , to show a lightness, a brevity, a humorous side. But I can't. I'm too disturbed.
My husband began using this term when he feels our children are too entwined, enthusiastic, or involved in pursuits he feels are very....Yevanim-like. Mainly, I believe, he means sports. He was never a huge fan type. He followed, he cheered, he was disappointed (mainly disappointed. That's what happens to Oriole fans). But he was never obsessed with it. And never ever had or has made judgements about other people who Really Love The Game. Whatever The Game may be. But for our children, it has saddened him to sometimes see too much involvement and enthusiasm...Okay, I'll call it obsession, time wasting, whatever......with organized sports, or popular trends. And his reference to the Yevanim was clearly that- The ancient Greeks who glorified the beauty of physical prowess and ability, the antithesis to some of our Torah ideals. So if the kids go on and on about something in sports, or something very new and popular in the American culture, that was discussed just a little too long and often at the Shabbos table, he will say (with a cheeful yet somewhat disappointed and sad look) "Oy! The Yevanim are WINNING!!".
But today I had a conversation at the mechanic with Luke, who converted for his wife. He told me he's having the Chanuka Bush again, but it's going up a lot earlier, on Thanksgiving. So he can have Chanuka, Thanksgiving, and early Xmas all at once. Luke is not religious (actually not really jewish), so I understood his enthusiasm for all the holidays in one, the Menurkey, Thanksgivukkah, Chanaving, etc.
However....
I am not sure why so many frum people are embracing this coinciding of Chanuka and Thanksgiving.
Really, who cares??
I don't have a problem with frum people celebrating Thanksgiving, either by eating a traditional turkey/stuffing/cranberry/pie dinner, watching whatever football game is on, visiting with family.
But why are so many frum people going on and on about this?? and why are they proudly talking about how they are cooking food entwining these two themes? How can they? One is our sacred, holy, spiritual celebration of redemption, and Hashem's miracles! The other is a secular holiday!
I am so sad that so many, many people don't see that if we can compare and combine our beautiful holiday with another holiday (even IF it doesn't have religious overtones), then the Yevanim have definitely won.
Please don't be a lurker. Let this post be the one you respond to.
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