:) P.Over

To my dwindling readership:

May you all have a Kosher and Frolicking Pesach. Listen.

Yours virtually,

Success

Gary Player said, "Golf is a game of luck; The more I practice, the luckier I get."

Welcome to My World

"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and if you hop over it, you'll miss that verdant lawn that you left behind. I think this is a quirk of our intellect - we always want -something- else, and think, "If only I had X, I'd be happy", where X changes constantly. That constant itch is behind a significant amount of human misery, in my experience."

- From a post on AskMeFi

Jewno

Some Cool New Stuff

Ma Ze Freakonomics Be'Ivrit?


oovoo.com is one of those cute new Internet companies and it's pretty cool. You download a little application (kind of like Skype) and with it, you can live-video conference with up to 6 people and make phone calls to landlines and cell phones in the US. Oh, and did I mention you can do all that for free?

Declining Joys of Fatherhood?

A corporate ad is an unlikely place to find inspiration, but this depiction of fatherhood makes being a dad look like the funnest thing in the world.

Still, it also kind of looks like a declining stock graph.

Eh, it's just a photo. Real life is never as good as you think and never as bad.

A Study In Contrasts: Leadership Styles

I can't resist posting this Today Show story about the Lubavitcher who is reforming a public school in the Bronx. Shimon Waronker is principled and aggressive about enforcing the rules, yet he remains compassionate, measured, humble and grateful to God and the people who help him.

And then I can't help but contrast it to how Daniel Henninger frames Eliot Spitzer as a celebrity-type leader, letting the press and the public to raise them up ever higher, only to be gleefully dragged through the mud by the very same audience.

I don't remember who said it: If someone flatters you, that's their problem. If you allow it to get to you, that's your problem.

Some Stuff

Item #1: Hulu.com is now open for the public and it looks like the big media have finally caved to consumer demand - "Give 'em what they want or they'll get it illegally" is starting to sink in. How long till live TV will stream on the internerd?

Item #2: The techie bloggers have been rubbernecking passed this live-interview train wreck. Mark Zuckerberg is apparently a man of few words and interviewing him is a real test of skill. I don't envy this nervous, hair-twirling journalist one bit!

Planning and research is paramount for a successful interview and, as this media professor notes, keep in mind that the show is not for you; You are simply enabling your guest to communicate to the audience what they want to hear.

(Long video alert - skip to the middle if you're antsy.)

Excuuuuuuse Me!

Spring Arrives

כי־הנה עבר הגשם חלף הלך לו׃

For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone.

הנצנים נראו בארץ עת הזמיר הגיע וקול התור נשמע בארצנו׃

The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.


It's never to early, in my opinion, to call the spring season. 3/20/08 is the official date.

The Fedora Makes a Come-Back to my Blog

The fedora is coming back in into fashion according to this website dedicated to all things gentlemanly. Of course, it's not really, except in a minuscule part of the population, but it's fun to bring it up.

Essentially the point is the same as last time I posted about this: Wearing a hat means you're a trend setter. Isn't that what being a Jew is about?

Incidentally, the Homburg is another hat similar to the fedora except that when you write Homburg you use capitals. Not so fedora.

Also, the dressier Homburg, with it's upturned brim all around, is more likely to be seen in Boro Park amongst the Polishe Chassism or on heads of such celebs as Al Pacino in the Godfather and Snoop Dogg.

I'm off to the bookstore to read a book. Really.

You've probably read articles (maybe by Yanki Tauber) where the writer points out how keeping Shabbos is crucial to a balanced lifestyle in this digital age of non-stop information. Well, in this NY Times piece, the writer brings our attention to a term circulating on the blogs: The "secular Sabbath."

I Need a Virtual Break. No, Really.

Stuff

While clearing out my office the other day I threw out a loose pile of blank papers.

It got me thinking: There is such a long process to get those papers from a tree somewhere in the Amazon and into my hands as something I can print on - So many companies, resources, people, technologies, etc are involved. And I toss it into the garbage without it ever being used even once.

It got me thinking that maybe these Freegans aren't so crazy after all. I am not and never will be a Freegan, but I have been known to adopt various used pieces of furniture from the public domain and make them mine own. Of course, if I was a Freegan, I might be called Freegan Neegin.

In other news, take a look at this letter, if you wish, written to Ynet by a religious girl who urges her friends not to get married at an early age. (Thanks, J.)

Also, I'll bet you didn't know this: On Yahoo's homepage, if you click on the exclamation mark of YAHOO!, you will hear the Yahooooooo jingle. Go on, try it!

Snow at 7:40AM this Morning

My good neighbor must be up at some ungodly hour shoveling in front of his house.

Frum-ish Writer at New York Mag??

The following goes to show frum Jews can land up at the most unlikely places - Like writing for NY Magazine! I mean, who else would know that denim skirts are the hat and jacket equivalent for girls amongst the frum?

This little write up on the Sephardic version of the "Kosher doll" had this to say about their supposed Jewish-ness: "Judging from what we found on the Website, we don't quite see how these straight-haired, button-nosed dolls are supposed to be Jewish. Except that they're wearing frum-ish long denim skirts."

In and Out of the Box

In business, as in life, being able to think outside of the box is an asset. Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos, says his dyslexia forced him to find other ways to succeed in school and that taught him the invaluable skill of thinking outside the box.

But what if your thinking is firmly ensconced in the box? Adam Shepard taught himself out-of-the-box thinking by... moving into one! His expiment: He became homeless - starting life from scratch with the clothes on his back and twenty-five dollars. Ten months later, he had an apartment, a car, and a small savings.

The Merchant of Venice, 2004

In high school our English teacher used this play by Shakespeare (also called "The Jew of Venice") as material for a lesson. Some of the parents protested that it was anti-semitic but the teacher got his way.

The play was reproduced in 2004 with Al Pacino playing the part of Shylock, the Jew. If you can get past the olde English, you might like to see what all the fuss is about and watch it (for free, of course) online.

LINKY (Could go dead at any time.)

Bottled Water Hype and the 1938 Evian Conference

Drinking water might be one of the best and simplest things you can do for your health. In New York, tap water is perfectly drinkable, yet a lot of silly people spend money on pricey bottled water. I was in a supermarket once when a woman started literally screaming at a fellow customer who was paying for a bottle of water, accusing him of consumerism and ruining the environment (the plastic bottle...)

Anyway, if, in a momentary lapse of rational thought, you dish out your hard earned cash on an expensive bottle of Evian water, perhaps it'll remind you of the following disturbing event that took place over 50 years ago in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The Evian Conference was convened at the initiative of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in July, 1938 to discuss the problem of Jewish refugees in Germany and Austria. For nine days, from July 6 to July 15, delegates from thirty-two countries met at Évian-les-Bains, France. Twenty-four voluntary organizations also attended, as observers, many of whom presented plans orally and in writing. The fact that the conference did not pass a resolution condemning the German treatment of Jews was widely used in Nazi propaganda. Most countries, including the United States and Britain, offered excuses for not letting in more refugees. The lack of action further emboldened Hitler in his assault on European Jewry.

Sins of omission are sometimes the worst type.

Once country agreed to help.

The Dominican Republic offered to resettle up to 100,000 Jews. Sosúa, an abandoned banana plantation on the north coast of the island, would become a refuge to hundreds of Jews. The story of this kindness - extended by a murderous dictator - is being told in an exhibition scheduled to open this Sunday at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

So, drink a lot of free water and remember that choosing to remain passive can be very regrettable.

A Fantastic Story

I think you'll appreciate the NY Times story linked below even more if you've read Dr. Laz's book "Skullcaps and Switchblades." That book was one of my favorites and I read it at least twice when I was a kid.

This story is another heart-warmer about a Lubavitcher is making progress at reforming an inner city school where packed lunch is accompanied with packing heat. And there's a nice video to go along with it - great for people like me who have no patience to read anymore.

In Bronx School, Culture Shock, Then Revival

Video

Room for Rent; Gullible, Messy Druggie Preffered

I came across this odd add on Craigslist in the housing section:

If you don't:
want to pay almost half the rent for the smallest room
support a drug habit
live with roommates who never clean

Watch out for the $750 1 bedroom in 3 bedroom place including utilities on Eastern Pkwy and New York Avenue.

They don't want to roommate who will become a friend, they want a boarder who can pay for the apt they can't afford because of their spending and drug habits.

Eastern Parkway at New York Avenue

It looks like it's a counter-ad, perhaps from the poor shlemazle who was the last renter or an ex-roommate with some beef.

Hitchens and Boteach Debate on God

Christopher Hitchens and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Debate at New York's 92nd Street Y



This is a long one - over 90 minutes. It seems the audience and moderator were not allies of Shmuli which puts things off kilter a little.

Do One Thing Really, Really Well.

The title of this post is also the the tag line for the Steam Whistle Brewery in Downtown Toronto. This tight little company - less than 100 employees - make a totally natural pilsner at their micro-brewery and have a (non) corporate culture that is quirky and fun.

I was in Toronto this weekend for a wedding and took the guided tour.

Next time you are in that part of the world, go check them out. They have the friendliest (and cutest) tour guides and the beer is tasty and smooth. If you're taking the tour, you get to drink as much as you can and keep the glass!

Change

A bit about this blog and how it's changed.

For those of you who have been reading for a while, I think you'll agree the tone of this blog has changed over time. The content has become more dry and less emotional; More perfect and less fun.

I have some theories on why RB evolved this way. Fairly recently I realized how many people know that I (me) am the author of this "anonymous" blog. I figure my reaction is similar to how I sometimes relate to people in real life: the closer they get to me, the less I open up (I find it near impossible to open up to someone in a packed elevator.) That is to say, when I know John/Jane Doe is reading this, I'm less inclined to describe my intimate feelings and issues about my life/job/relationships and more likely to write about Ugli fruit or link you to some cool new website.

I'm pretty sure that I get less comments now than I used to and it's safe to assume that my 3.024 readers find this thing less enthralling. But truth is, I believe there is no long-term shelve life for blogs with posts like "I am so mad at my mother today because..." because it gets boring after a while.

Anyway, does this all mean that my blog life (as it used to be) is more exciting than my real life? No doubt.

Anyway no. 2: Anyone going to this?

Join us at WOLF and LAMB for the SuperBowl!

No cover charge!

Begins 5:30 PM for Pre-Game
Cash Beer Bar
The best steaks, burgers and salads in BYC

10 E. 48th Street
Between 5th Ave and Madison
For Reservations Call: 212-317-0869

Thanks, C

Fugli Fruit

In addition to my new fruit diet - apple and mango for breakfast, in honor of Tu Bishvat I splurged on a $2 Ugli fruit from Mr Greens.

The Ugli fruit is a variety of the Tangelo from Jamaica and is a grapefruit/tangerine hybrid. The distributor copyrighted the tagline: The Affliction is only Skin Deep so the Beauty is in the Eating.

"Jewish Law" TV Series on Sky, UK

This TV documentary, aired on SKY in September 2007, is probably the most thorough and information-rich series on Jewish life out there. "Jewish Law" is long as it is dry, but for someone intent on learning about Jewish lifestyle, traditions and customs, it is an excellent resource. I also love the Mancunian accent!

Full series LINKY

60 Minutes Interview with Mark Zuckerberg, Founder of Facebook

Part 1



Part 2

Now on Curbed.com!

Crown Heights is featured on Curbed again. Priceless!

Hat-Tip to the Fedora

Like some, you might consider the hat of choice for Lubavitchers - the fedora - outdated and totally uncool. But, according to this WSJ column, it turns out that us Lubi's are (unwittingly) on the cutting edge of hip fashion.

The piece points out that even though in the past "core fedora fans had been conservative executives, lawyers and bankers between 40 and 60 years old," young people looking to dress sharp are now "taking cues from celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, who have made brimmed hats hip."

True, the Borsalino on sale at Primos is not quite as trendy as the one Matisyahu is seen sporting here, but if you're going for the mainstream look and just want to blend in, neither style hat will work for you; You're headgear will either indicate you're membership of an ultra-orthodox Chassidic sect or it says, "'I'm styling. I'm stepping away from the norm.'"

For a more hat-talk, read the comments on this crownheights.info post.

I Can See Clearly Now

An ice skating accident left me shaken up and with a significant medical bill. The upshot is always that "it could have been worse," but maybe there's a lesson or two be learned also.

Lessson 1. Having insurance makes sense - Despite the fact that when you have it you wont need it and vice versa. I don't have insurance and now wish I did.

Lesson 2. Don't cut costs with your health. That doesn't mean you need to get ripped off; It does mean that paying an extra buck now for quality medical treatment is a wise long term investment.

Lesson 3. Get back in the saddle! I haven't yet but I will.

More Free Stuff in NYC

Everyone knows you can go ice skating skating at Rockefeller Center, but New Yorks best kept secret is the Pond at Bryant Park - A winter wonderland smack-bang in the middle of Midtown.

The music is great; It's not too crowded; And, best of all, It's free! (Skate rentals are $10.)

It's closing up soon to make way for the fashion week shows - the chutzpah! - so make the most of it while it lasts!