In my original post about malaprops, I indicated that Betsy is one of the more frequent contributors to keeping such things alive. This morning she came up with a new one. Regarding a discussion on whether we wanted to involve the kids in the decision as to what color to paint their room, she meant to ask if I wanted to open that can of worms. Instead, however, she asked if I wanted to open that kettle of fish.
I suppose there is a linkage there. If you wanted to catch a kettle of fish, you might open a can of worms . . .
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Coming Home to the Catskills
Okay, so most of you know that I'm on the board of directors of a non-profit called Limmud NY. We are an organization that fosters Jewish life and learning, primarily through a 4-day conference held every MLK weekend in the Catskills that is a festival celebrating all things Jewish.
I was asked to write a piece for use on the website, and was given some sample topics. The one that screamed out to me was about coming home to the Catskills. I have been thinking about writing just such a piece for a number of years and finally had a good excuse to do so. I thought you might enjoy it as well. Thanks for reading.
Coming Home to the Catskills
By Matthew Grob
I am old enough to remember the Catskills when it was still the Borscht Belt – a country getaway destination in the mountains for Jews from the New York City area with headliners making their rounds from hotel to hotel. I’m not old enough to remember it in the days portrayed in “Dirty Dancing” though not much changed between then and my visits in the early 1970’s to places like Grossingers, the Concord, Brown’s, the Fallsview and yes – the Nevele. We even had a bungalow one summer at Kutshers.
When my good friend and Limmud NY founding board member came back from an exploratory trip to Limmud UK to determine if it could be replicated in New York, the first thing he said that got me excited was, “It’s like youth group for adults!” Having grown up in and formed my own Jewish identity through NFTY, the Reform youth movement, I was thrilled. What he said next was almost as exciting – that it would be held in the Catskills.
A hotel filled with Jews of all ages, lots of food, tons of activities, and a sense of community. All in the snow-covered mountains a mere 90 minutes from home. Did I just describe my youth or the past four Martin Luther King weekends at Limmud NY? Both.
As I sit here getting excited about the upcoming fifth Limmud NY to be held at the Nevele, I think about the comparisons between my younger days at these hotels and Limmud NY. Some things have changed, some have not.
Back then, kippers were on the breakfast menu. Today, soy milk is an option. In the 1970’s we rushed to Simon Sez sessions with Lou Goldstein, one of the best known “tummlers” from the heyday of the Borscht Belt. Mornings at Limmud NY we get up early for yoga. In my youth, there was a seemingly unlimited number of activities from which to choose, morning through night. Limmud NY offers over 300 sessions from dawn ‘til the wee hours, sometimes 15 at a time.
Entertainment was always one of the big draws to the Borscht Belt. Even in my day, members of the “Rat Pack” still made their rounds when not performing in Vegas. Cha-cha lessons during the day could be put into practice during dance parties at night. When I was a precocious eleven, my parents allowed me to see the late comedy show – the “blue” show, so named because it featured adult themes. In the 1970’s, blue didn’t mean what it does today. Back then it meant Jackie Eagle doing shtick about the fact that the word “fart” means “to travel” in Yiddish, leading to such statements as “I farted on a bus in Brooklyn yesterday,” and “Last summer we farted through the Alps.” At Limmud NY there are no such blue shows, but we find ourselves laughing at the likes of Yisrael Campbell and Aaron Freeman. The Rat Pack has been replaced by Coolooloosh and Israeli dancing is more prevalent than the cha-cha.
The adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” holds here as well. We still come to Limmud NY in the Catskills for the same reason. To leave our day-to-day lives behind; to ensconce ourselves in an environment that is both different yet eerily familiar; to spend Shabbat with hundreds of people, many of whom may observe it somewhat differently than we do but all unified in recognition that it is something special. We go to bed tired yet satisfied, and wake up excited and energized for the full day ahead. Oh yeah – and more food than you would normally eat.
The glory days of the Borscht Belt are a memory, but the faint flicker of hope that the region will return to its once former self is kept alive not just by rumors of gambling coming to the area, but also by almost 1,000 Jews descending upon a Catskills hotel for 4 days every year. The peak of the Borscht Belt was arguably the 1960’s. That means we’ve been wandering away for 40 years. Isn’t it time that you came home too?
Matthew Grob has been a Limmud NY volunteer, Steering Committee member, and is now Secretary of the Limmud NY Board of Directors. He has attended every Limmud NY. As a youth, Matthew ate 2 desserts at every meal in the Catskills and still does the same at Limmud NY.
I was asked to write a piece for use on the website, and was given some sample topics. The one that screamed out to me was about coming home to the Catskills. I have been thinking about writing just such a piece for a number of years and finally had a good excuse to do so. I thought you might enjoy it as well. Thanks for reading.
Coming Home to the Catskills
By Matthew Grob
I am old enough to remember the Catskills when it was still the Borscht Belt – a country getaway destination in the mountains for Jews from the New York City area with headliners making their rounds from hotel to hotel. I’m not old enough to remember it in the days portrayed in “Dirty Dancing” though not much changed between then and my visits in the early 1970’s to places like Grossingers, the Concord, Brown’s, the Fallsview and yes – the Nevele. We even had a bungalow one summer at Kutshers.
When my good friend and Limmud NY founding board member came back from an exploratory trip to Limmud UK to determine if it could be replicated in New York, the first thing he said that got me excited was, “It’s like youth group for adults!” Having grown up in and formed my own Jewish identity through NFTY, the Reform youth movement, I was thrilled. What he said next was almost as exciting – that it would be held in the Catskills.
A hotel filled with Jews of all ages, lots of food, tons of activities, and a sense of community. All in the snow-covered mountains a mere 90 minutes from home. Did I just describe my youth or the past four Martin Luther King weekends at Limmud NY? Both.
As I sit here getting excited about the upcoming fifth Limmud NY to be held at the Nevele, I think about the comparisons between my younger days at these hotels and Limmud NY. Some things have changed, some have not.
Back then, kippers were on the breakfast menu. Today, soy milk is an option. In the 1970’s we rushed to Simon Sez sessions with Lou Goldstein, one of the best known “tummlers” from the heyday of the Borscht Belt. Mornings at Limmud NY we get up early for yoga. In my youth, there was a seemingly unlimited number of activities from which to choose, morning through night. Limmud NY offers over 300 sessions from dawn ‘til the wee hours, sometimes 15 at a time.
Entertainment was always one of the big draws to the Borscht Belt. Even in my day, members of the “Rat Pack” still made their rounds when not performing in Vegas. Cha-cha lessons during the day could be put into practice during dance parties at night. When I was a precocious eleven, my parents allowed me to see the late comedy show – the “blue” show, so named because it featured adult themes. In the 1970’s, blue didn’t mean what it does today. Back then it meant Jackie Eagle doing shtick about the fact that the word “fart” means “to travel” in Yiddish, leading to such statements as “I farted on a bus in Brooklyn yesterday,” and “Last summer we farted through the Alps.” At Limmud NY there are no such blue shows, but we find ourselves laughing at the likes of Yisrael Campbell and Aaron Freeman. The Rat Pack has been replaced by Coolooloosh and Israeli dancing is more prevalent than the cha-cha.
The adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” holds here as well. We still come to Limmud NY in the Catskills for the same reason. To leave our day-to-day lives behind; to ensconce ourselves in an environment that is both different yet eerily familiar; to spend Shabbat with hundreds of people, many of whom may observe it somewhat differently than we do but all unified in recognition that it is something special. We go to bed tired yet satisfied, and wake up excited and energized for the full day ahead. Oh yeah – and more food than you would normally eat.
The glory days of the Borscht Belt are a memory, but the faint flicker of hope that the region will return to its once former self is kept alive not just by rumors of gambling coming to the area, but also by almost 1,000 Jews descending upon a Catskills hotel for 4 days every year. The peak of the Borscht Belt was arguably the 1960’s. That means we’ve been wandering away for 40 years. Isn’t it time that you came home too?
Matthew Grob has been a Limmud NY volunteer, Steering Committee member, and is now Secretary of the Limmud NY Board of Directors. He has attended every Limmud NY. As a youth, Matthew ate 2 desserts at every meal in the Catskills and still does the same at Limmud NY.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
House of Saddam
A few months ago I participated in a market research panel that was shown HBO's upcoming "House of Saddam." We only saw parts 1 and 2, but the entire group concurred that it was a fascinating and extremely well-done mini-series. It reminded many of us of The Godfather both in terms of quality (production and acting) and subject matter. It starts this Sunday on HBO and I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
You're Looking Rather Dawnzerly
A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking with Sam about mis-heard song lyrics (see fun link on the right to Kiss This Guy - a great site for such things). I was telling him that there are a number of people who think that our national anthem starts "Jose, can you see?" Sam then remembered a passage from a Ramona book he had read a few years ago in which Ramona asks what "dawnzerly" means. I myself was confused as to why Sam was bringing this up. He told me that after inquiring as to Jose's view in the first lyric, some people then hear the next line of the anthem as "By the dawnzerly light."
We have now adapted this adjective into our day-to-day language, most often by paying the compliment, "You're looking rather dawnzerly today."
We have now adapted this adjective into our day-to-day language, most often by paying the compliment, "You're looking rather dawnzerly today."
Benny Lava
Every so often, one comes across something so funny that it must be shared with the world.
In keeping with my recently added list of YouTube vids that my kids have turned me on to, last night friends of theirs were over and showed them what we are now calling the Benny Lava song. With almost 10 million hits on YouTube, we're obviously not alone in finding this hysterical.
This video is brilliantly funny from two perspectives. First is what the author did with the transliterated text as he heard it (watch the video - especially the introduction - and that last sentence will make sense), but second is that this Indian music video stands on its own merit in an '80's flashback sort of way. Watch the choreography. Fosse, it ain't.
In keeping with my recently added list of YouTube vids that my kids have turned me on to, last night friends of theirs were over and showed them what we are now calling the Benny Lava song. With almost 10 million hits on YouTube, we're obviously not alone in finding this hysterical.
This video is brilliantly funny from two perspectives. First is what the author did with the transliterated text as he heard it (watch the video - especially the introduction - and that last sentence will make sense), but second is that this Indian music video stands on its own merit in an '80's flashback sort of way. Watch the choreography. Fosse, it ain't.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I Love Amazon
I started using Amazon right after it debuted however many years ago. Being the cheap bastard that I am though, I always opted for the free super saving shipping which could take up to 2 weeks. Sure the prices were good, and I loved that they seemed to "know me" offering recommendations based on what I had previously ordered or viewed, but my need for instantaneous gratification went unfulfilled.
At that time, Amazon carried primarily books, music and movies with some other odds and ends. Being a block and a half from Barnes & Noble and (before it closed) Tower Records, I usually chose to pay a bit more in exchange for the thrill of quick acquisition. It got even better when Barnes & Noble introduced free same-day delivery for Manhattan residents. Order it by 11AM and I'd have it by 7PM via courier. I was thrilled, though secretly ashamed that I wouldn't walk the block and a half to pick it up in person . . .
Then a few years ago, two things happened at Amazon. First, they started carrying just about anything on earth that could be put in a box and shipped by UPS, still at the lowest prices pretty much anywhere. Second, they introduced Amazon Prime. For an annual fee of $79, they will ship anything they carry (i.e. not things that they sell for others through their website) with free two-day shipping. Given how much I tend to rely on internet shopping, this was a phenomenal deal, and assuaged my need for speed.
In the last two days, two more things happened that have caused me to pledge my undying loyalty to Amazon. On Monday night around 8PM I ordered some DVDs from Amazon. Because of the lateness of the hour and Thanksgiving, my order was not scheduled to arrive until Friday. Imagine my surprise when they showed up Tuesday evening, having been delivered by courier.
Then today, I remembered that I needed to get some new windshield wipers for my car. Consumer Reports had just published their ratings and I was going to pick one of their recommended models. If you don't know, there aren't many auto supply shops in Manhattan so I figured I would order them on-line. Just for kicks, I checked first to see if Amazon carried them, assuming that if they did, they would be available through a third party. Imagine my surprise when I found that not only did they have them on the site, but that they were sold by Amazon and eligible for my free 2-day shipping. And like a cherry on top, the price was about 50% lower than Consumer Reports' reported street pricing.
Ooohh, I love my Amazon! Kudos Jeff Bezos!
At that time, Amazon carried primarily books, music and movies with some other odds and ends. Being a block and a half from Barnes & Noble and (before it closed) Tower Records, I usually chose to pay a bit more in exchange for the thrill of quick acquisition. It got even better when Barnes & Noble introduced free same-day delivery for Manhattan residents. Order it by 11AM and I'd have it by 7PM via courier. I was thrilled, though secretly ashamed that I wouldn't walk the block and a half to pick it up in person . . .
Then a few years ago, two things happened at Amazon. First, they started carrying just about anything on earth that could be put in a box and shipped by UPS, still at the lowest prices pretty much anywhere. Second, they introduced Amazon Prime. For an annual fee of $79, they will ship anything they carry (i.e. not things that they sell for others through their website) with free two-day shipping. Given how much I tend to rely on internet shopping, this was a phenomenal deal, and assuaged my need for speed.
In the last two days, two more things happened that have caused me to pledge my undying loyalty to Amazon. On Monday night around 8PM I ordered some DVDs from Amazon. Because of the lateness of the hour and Thanksgiving, my order was not scheduled to arrive until Friday. Imagine my surprise when they showed up Tuesday evening, having been delivered by courier.
Then today, I remembered that I needed to get some new windshield wipers for my car. Consumer Reports had just published their ratings and I was going to pick one of their recommended models. If you don't know, there aren't many auto supply shops in Manhattan so I figured I would order them on-line. Just for kicks, I checked first to see if Amazon carried them, assuming that if they did, they would be available through a third party. Imagine my surprise when I found that not only did they have them on the site, but that they were sold by Amazon and eligible for my free 2-day shipping. And like a cherry on top, the price was about 50% lower than Consumer Reports' reported street pricing.
Ooohh, I love my Amazon! Kudos Jeff Bezos!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Abby is a Rhodes Scholar!
Last week, I wrote about seeing my cousins Jeff and Judy in Charlotte, NC in this post. Judy has three incredibly sweet, smart and sophisticated children - Abby, Harper and Sarah - and Jeff, ever the proud step-dad, was telling me that Abby had applied for a Rhodes scholarship.
Yesterday, I was thrilled to read that Abby is one of the 32 people in the US selected (from 769 applicants) for the prestigious honor and she'll spend the next year at Oxford University.
Way to go Abby!!!!!
Yesterday, I was thrilled to read that Abby is one of the 32 people in the US selected (from 769 applicants) for the prestigious honor and she'll spend the next year at Oxford University.
Way to go Abby!!!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Updated Right-Side Column
I realized that the Elliot Spitzer, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Spears sisters news links I had in the right-side column were funny once but are no longer relevant. I have replaced them with a new section of YouTube videos that I like, many of which my kids turned me on to. Hope you enjoy them!
Trip Highlights - Week #6
At long last, my six weeks of travel have come to an end. I'm freakin' tired! At least my last week was an enjoyable one. I was in Charlotte, NC for an internal firm meeting. The meetings were very good, but the real treat was getting to see my family that lives there.
I got to see my cousins Jeff, Judy, Gloria and Celia. Jeff and I are kindred spirits when it comes to road food and we went to the Penguin - a Charlotte landmark that I have never had the opportunity to visit previously. We dined on the house specialties of fried dill pickles (with ranch dressing for dipping), fried bologna sandwiches, Brunswick stew and PBR tall-boys. Okay, maybe "dining" is not quite the right word . . .
Also had good BBQ at Mert's - a southern food establishment in uptown Charlotte, which is actually downtown Charlotte, though they call their downtown uptown which gets very confusing. The BBQ was quite good, though it was western NC BBQ (red sauce) and I prefer eastern NC BBQ (vinegar-based).
Also had an outstanding meal at Blue which is a chic and trendy downtown (sorry, uptown) restaurant that is not full of itself. I had wild boar which was excellent.
And so ends my six straight weeks of travel. It's good to be home for a while. One more trip out to California in December and I'm done for the year. I guess I'll have to think up some other fun things to write about.
I got to see my cousins Jeff, Judy, Gloria and Celia. Jeff and I are kindred spirits when it comes to road food and we went to the Penguin - a Charlotte landmark that I have never had the opportunity to visit previously. We dined on the house specialties of fried dill pickles (with ranch dressing for dipping), fried bologna sandwiches, Brunswick stew and PBR tall-boys. Okay, maybe "dining" is not quite the right word . . .
Also had good BBQ at Mert's - a southern food establishment in uptown Charlotte, which is actually downtown Charlotte, though they call their downtown uptown which gets very confusing. The BBQ was quite good, though it was western NC BBQ (red sauce) and I prefer eastern NC BBQ (vinegar-based).
Also had an outstanding meal at Blue which is a chic and trendy downtown (sorry, uptown) restaurant that is not full of itself. I had wild boar which was excellent.
And so ends my six straight weeks of travel. It's good to be home for a while. One more trip out to California in December and I'm done for the year. I guess I'll have to think up some other fun things to write about.
Friday, November 14, 2008
More Bushisms
As we move closer to the end of this inane administration, the items on my calendar seem to get even better. Here is the one from Veteran's Day:
"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."
Only 67 days left!!!!
"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."
-- Washington, DC; May 25, 2004
Only 67 days left!!!!
Trip Highlights - Week #5
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving week. Aside from the parade, meriment and turkey, it will be the first week that I won't have to pack a bag. I'm getting pretty tired of all this traveling . . .
Was in Providence, RI this week. Didn't get to see much of the city - at least the nice parts. I was with my client the whole time and since they provide care to the poor and uninsured, their locations are in the worst parts of Providence which, I have to say, were still somewhat nice at least compared to similar areas in NYC.
I spent a lot of time with the CFO. He is a very warm, intelligent, sharp and personable guy. Much of the time I was with him, however, I was somewhat distracted as physically he resembles Harry Shearer a bit but his voice resembles Harry's a lot. Some times I felt like I was in the middle of a Simpsons episode.
Next week is Charlotte where I get to see UncleCousin Jeff and his lovely wife Judy. Then it's tryptophan city, baby!
Was in Providence, RI this week. Didn't get to see much of the city - at least the nice parts. I was with my client the whole time and since they provide care to the poor and uninsured, their locations are in the worst parts of Providence which, I have to say, were still somewhat nice at least compared to similar areas in NYC.
I spent a lot of time with the CFO. He is a very warm, intelligent, sharp and personable guy. Much of the time I was with him, however, I was somewhat distracted as physically he resembles Harry Shearer a bit but his voice resembles Harry's a lot. Some times I felt like I was in the middle of a Simpsons episode.
Next week is Charlotte where I get to see UncleCousin Jeff and his lovely wife Judy. Then it's tryptophan city, baby!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Trip Highlights - Week #4/Part 2
Leaving Copenhagen early tomorrow morning so unless something amazing happens tonight, this will be my second and last post from Denmark and will take the form of various musings about more things I have observed.
The Marriott is certainly a nice enough hotel – more upscale than most US Marriott properties, it is regarded as one of the best in town. Unfortunately, it is still very American. This was demonstrated by the room service menu (club sandwich, burgers, pizza, almost nothing particularly Danish) and breakfast which is also largely American in its offerings. I had the opportunity to try the room service menu after I went down to try to get into the election night party again (see my first post from Copenhagen). There were still several hundred people waiting to get in, and since I had to get up early to speak at the conference the next morning, I just bagged it. I couldn't stay up to watch the returns anyway as the very first ones on the East Coast wouldn't come in until 2AM local time at the earliest.
Most of the taxis are Mercedes, as is the case in much of Europe, but it’s still nice to ride in style.
There is an office building being built across the street. The billboards advertise it as Copenhagen’s premiere location for business. At the bottom, it reads “For mere information, call . . .” I guess that either they mispelled "more" or they just want to give you a little more information, but not too much.
Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of the MIT Media Lab and author of the bestselling Being Digital was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. He spoke about his One Laptop Per Child initiative which, although it has received some critical press, is still a pretty cool idea. Watch for the “give a laptop, get a laptop” campaign starting November 17th - just in time for the holidays.
When I first shaved my head about 8 years ago, I drew a lot of looks because I was one of the first. Today, that look is so ubiquitous, I just blend-in in the States, but not here. Not a lot of shiny heads in Copenhagen so I am, again, drawing looks.
Saw an Automatic External Defibrillator at the airport – the ones that are appearing in more and more public places. In the US, they are designated with a sign reading “AED”. Here, the sign says “Heartstarter.” Quite apt.
Cars pull over and stop about 3 blocks ahead of emergency vehicles here, even if there is no one else on a 3-lane road. That’s cool.
Went shopping here today, and every single salesperson in every store (they are very solicitous and I never had to go find someone) spoke to me in Danish at first. On top of that, many people have stopped me to ask for directions, including in French. Happily, I’ve been able to help many of them. I guess I blend in with the locals.
Tried another typical Danish treat – a Fledbolle. Think a gigantic Mallomar with a thinner base crust, fluffier marshmallow, and covered in dark chocolate with a selection of added flavors including pistachio, coconut, mocha, and caramel.
That’s about it. Considering taking the train to Malmo, Sweden for dinner just because I can (about a 30 minute ride) and to say that I was in another country, but have to check the return schedules – I have to wake up early tomorrow to catch my flight.
The Marriott is certainly a nice enough hotel – more upscale than most US Marriott properties, it is regarded as one of the best in town. Unfortunately, it is still very American. This was demonstrated by the room service menu (club sandwich, burgers, pizza, almost nothing particularly Danish) and breakfast which is also largely American in its offerings. I had the opportunity to try the room service menu after I went down to try to get into the election night party again (see my first post from Copenhagen). There were still several hundred people waiting to get in, and since I had to get up early to speak at the conference the next morning, I just bagged it. I couldn't stay up to watch the returns anyway as the very first ones on the East Coast wouldn't come in until 2AM local time at the earliest.
Most of the taxis are Mercedes, as is the case in much of Europe, but it’s still nice to ride in style.
There is an office building being built across the street. The billboards advertise it as Copenhagen’s premiere location for business. At the bottom, it reads “For mere information, call . . .” I guess that either they mispelled "more" or they just want to give you a little more information, but not too much.
Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of the MIT Media Lab and author of the bestselling Being Digital was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. He spoke about his One Laptop Per Child initiative which, although it has received some critical press, is still a pretty cool idea. Watch for the “give a laptop, get a laptop” campaign starting November 17th - just in time for the holidays.
When I first shaved my head about 8 years ago, I drew a lot of looks because I was one of the first. Today, that look is so ubiquitous, I just blend-in in the States, but not here. Not a lot of shiny heads in Copenhagen so I am, again, drawing looks.
Saw an Automatic External Defibrillator at the airport – the ones that are appearing in more and more public places. In the US, they are designated with a sign reading “AED”. Here, the sign says “Heartstarter.” Quite apt.
Cars pull over and stop about 3 blocks ahead of emergency vehicles here, even if there is no one else on a 3-lane road. That’s cool.
Went shopping here today, and every single salesperson in every store (they are very solicitous and I never had to go find someone) spoke to me in Danish at first. On top of that, many people have stopped me to ask for directions, including in French. Happily, I’ve been able to help many of them. I guess I blend in with the locals.
Tried another typical Danish treat – a Fledbolle. Think a gigantic Mallomar with a thinner base crust, fluffier marshmallow, and covered in dark chocolate with a selection of added flavors including pistachio, coconut, mocha, and caramel.
That’s about it. Considering taking the train to Malmo, Sweden for dinner just because I can (about a 30 minute ride) and to say that I was in another country, but have to check the return schedules – I have to wake up early tomorrow to catch my flight.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Trip Highlights - Week #4
I’ve only been in Copenhagen for about 36 hours, but have observed so much, I thought I would start sharing now. Also because the US Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce are hosting an election night party here at the Marriott tonight which was called for 8PM. I went down at 8:30 to find a line of several hundred people waiting to get in. The security guard suggested that since I’m staying here that I just go back upstairs for 30 or 60 minutes and try then. So here I sit and write . . .
There were a few things that I noticed pretty quickly upon my arrival yesterday morning. First is Danish design which is evident everywhere, and since I’m a fan it’s appreciated as well. After passing through immigration into the customs hall, I noticed that the monitor which indicates the belt on which your luggage will come out, there is also a countdown timer to let you know when that will occur. Mt flight was scheduled for a 14 minute wait, and that’s exactly how long it took. Plenty of time to look around at another unusual feature – a shop in the customs hall featuring primarily perfumes and cosmetics, still at duty free prices. The last feature I noticed in the customs hall were “smoking cabins”. These are literally little booths about double the size of a telephone booth that fit about 4 people who can’t wait until they collect their luggage and get outside to light up. This phenomenon made more sense later when I noticed that many more people smoke in Denmark than almost anywhere else I’ve ever been, including the Middle East and China.
After checking into my hotel where I was upgraded to a water-view room overlooking one of the primary canals, and taking a short nap to try and overcome jet lag, I went to get something to eat and a nice long walk around central Copenhagen. First stop was for lunch - a smorrebrod – probably the most Danish of dishes. It is an open face sandwich consisting of buttered hearty dark brown rye bread with an assortment of toppings, usually fish in nature. I had a selection of herring prepared 3 different ways with a great cup of coffee. The Danish have nothing on Starbucks when it comes to a great cup of joe, confirmed by my not seeing a single Starbucks yet.
The weather here has also been a treat. Daytime highs are usually in the upper 30's this time of year, but it hit the low 50's yesterday and today, and it is supposed to continue that way until I leave on Friday. It was sunny yesterday but drizzled a bit today while I was at the conference center, though that is supposed to be the only precipitation expected.
Walking around, one cannot help but notice the number of bicycles (An estimated 160,000 in use every day!). They are all sturdy upright touring bikes. Nothing fancy (I saw a shop selling them for between $300 and $500), nor does anyone lock them up. They just park them outside shops, along the sidewalk, or in the many bike racks. The only time I saw a lock being used was where some people locked their helmet to the bike. They obey the rules of the road very strictly and have their own lane between the sidewalk and cars on every street. In many cases the bike lane is slightly lower than the sidewalk, slightly higher than the street, lending a tiered look to it.
Copenhagen is a charming old city and very clean. No tall buildings except for a couple of modern hotels. It did not take long to realize, however, that something was wrong. Not wrong really, just unusual, and it was that it is incredibly homogenous. Everyone looks Scandinavian, or at least northern European. With the exception of one person at the conference that I’m speaking at who is from Ghana, I have not yet seen any black people, very few Asians, Middle Easterners and eastern Europeans, and certainly no Latinos. I am so used to the diversity of New York and other major cities that I travel to, that it was quite noticeable.
My walk took me along some pretty canals and then to the Stroget – a collection of interlocking streets that are for pedestrians only and where most of the shopping is located. It was there that I passed the Museum of Erotica. It wasn’t the museum I found so interesting (no – I didn’t go in), but rather that right next door was a French Connection UK store with their ubiquitous “f c u k” sign prominently placed right next to the Museum of Erotica sign. Coincidence or brilliant marketing by the clothing retailer?
Another noticeable fact is that Copenhagen is very expensive, and that’s coming from a New Yorker. $4 for a 750ml bottle of water at 7-11 (Yes, 7-11. They’re everywhere here), $30/day for internet access in my room, $5 to check your coat at the convention center. Food is a little better, but it all adds up.
I also passed a childrens’ book store and on the rack was the book shown below. That word in the title means “to travel” in German, and I guess has a similar meaning in Danish as the book is all about types of transport. Couldn’t resist taking the picture with my phone though.
Public transportation is quite good and I rode a combination of a bus and Copenhagen’s new Metro system over to the conference center last night for the opening reception. Buses are big, on time (a novelty for a New Yorker!) and drive very fast which means that if you’re standing, as I was, you really have to hold on tightly. They can move so fast because on downtown streets, they too have their own lane. It goes sidewalk, bike lane, bus lane, car lanes.
After the reception, I attended a dinner at a local restaurant, the intention being to introduce Danish food to conference participants who chose to attend (there were about 50 of us at dinner, with 2,000 attending the conference) and who were from all over Europe. The food was good, but the company better. I was at a table with a whole bunch of Norwegians from Tromso, the largest town in northern Norway which is about 2,000 km from Oslo. Although the population is only 64,000, it is also known as the Paris of the North. They were a great bunch and the 3 women I was seated closest too – Siri, Tove, and Gerd - were particularly fun. I now call them my Viking friends.
With such an international crowd, it has been quite interesting and I’ve had some brilliant conversations with colleagues from Poland, Norway, Finland, Egypt, the Netherlands and more. Everyone asked if I had already voted, and then asked for who. When I said Obama they were thrilled (one even called over her friend, saying “Hey come over here and meet this guy from New York – he voted for Obama!!!") as they truly regard McCain as George W. Bush, The Sequel. I endured several tirades about Dubbya, especially in regard to the damage he has done to America’s reputation in the international community. What can I say – I was with kindred spirits.
Well, time to try the party again. More later.
There were a few things that I noticed pretty quickly upon my arrival yesterday morning. First is Danish design which is evident everywhere, and since I’m a fan it’s appreciated as well. After passing through immigration into the customs hall, I noticed that the monitor which indicates the belt on which your luggage will come out, there is also a countdown timer to let you know when that will occur. Mt flight was scheduled for a 14 minute wait, and that’s exactly how long it took. Plenty of time to look around at another unusual feature – a shop in the customs hall featuring primarily perfumes and cosmetics, still at duty free prices. The last feature I noticed in the customs hall were “smoking cabins”. These are literally little booths about double the size of a telephone booth that fit about 4 people who can’t wait until they collect their luggage and get outside to light up. This phenomenon made more sense later when I noticed that many more people smoke in Denmark than almost anywhere else I’ve ever been, including the Middle East and China.
After checking into my hotel where I was upgraded to a water-view room overlooking one of the primary canals, and taking a short nap to try and overcome jet lag, I went to get something to eat and a nice long walk around central Copenhagen. First stop was for lunch - a smorrebrod – probably the most Danish of dishes. It is an open face sandwich consisting of buttered hearty dark brown rye bread with an assortment of toppings, usually fish in nature. I had a selection of herring prepared 3 different ways with a great cup of coffee. The Danish have nothing on Starbucks when it comes to a great cup of joe, confirmed by my not seeing a single Starbucks yet.
The weather here has also been a treat. Daytime highs are usually in the upper 30's this time of year, but it hit the low 50's yesterday and today, and it is supposed to continue that way until I leave on Friday. It was sunny yesterday but drizzled a bit today while I was at the conference center, though that is supposed to be the only precipitation expected.
Walking around, one cannot help but notice the number of bicycles (An estimated 160,000 in use every day!). They are all sturdy upright touring bikes. Nothing fancy (I saw a shop selling them for between $300 and $500), nor does anyone lock them up. They just park them outside shops, along the sidewalk, or in the many bike racks. The only time I saw a lock being used was where some people locked their helmet to the bike. They obey the rules of the road very strictly and have their own lane between the sidewalk and cars on every street. In many cases the bike lane is slightly lower than the sidewalk, slightly higher than the street, lending a tiered look to it.
Copenhagen is a charming old city and very clean. No tall buildings except for a couple of modern hotels. It did not take long to realize, however, that something was wrong. Not wrong really, just unusual, and it was that it is incredibly homogenous. Everyone looks Scandinavian, or at least northern European. With the exception of one person at the conference that I’m speaking at who is from Ghana, I have not yet seen any black people, very few Asians, Middle Easterners and eastern Europeans, and certainly no Latinos. I am so used to the diversity of New York and other major cities that I travel to, that it was quite noticeable.
My walk took me along some pretty canals and then to the Stroget – a collection of interlocking streets that are for pedestrians only and where most of the shopping is located. It was there that I passed the Museum of Erotica. It wasn’t the museum I found so interesting (no – I didn’t go in), but rather that right next door was a French Connection UK store with their ubiquitous “f c u k” sign prominently placed right next to the Museum of Erotica sign. Coincidence or brilliant marketing by the clothing retailer?
Another noticeable fact is that Copenhagen is very expensive, and that’s coming from a New Yorker. $4 for a 750ml bottle of water at 7-11 (Yes, 7-11. They’re everywhere here), $30/day for internet access in my room, $5 to check your coat at the convention center. Food is a little better, but it all adds up.
I also passed a childrens’ book store and on the rack was the book shown below. That word in the title means “to travel” in German, and I guess has a similar meaning in Danish as the book is all about types of transport. Couldn’t resist taking the picture with my phone though.
Public transportation is quite good and I rode a combination of a bus and Copenhagen’s new Metro system over to the conference center last night for the opening reception. Buses are big, on time (a novelty for a New Yorker!) and drive very fast which means that if you’re standing, as I was, you really have to hold on tightly. They can move so fast because on downtown streets, they too have their own lane. It goes sidewalk, bike lane, bus lane, car lanes.
After the reception, I attended a dinner at a local restaurant, the intention being to introduce Danish food to conference participants who chose to attend (there were about 50 of us at dinner, with 2,000 attending the conference) and who were from all over Europe. The food was good, but the company better. I was at a table with a whole bunch of Norwegians from Tromso, the largest town in northern Norway which is about 2,000 km from Oslo. Although the population is only 64,000, it is also known as the Paris of the North. They were a great bunch and the 3 women I was seated closest too – Siri, Tove, and Gerd - were particularly fun. I now call them my Viking friends.
With such an international crowd, it has been quite interesting and I’ve had some brilliant conversations with colleagues from Poland, Norway, Finland, Egypt, the Netherlands and more. Everyone asked if I had already voted, and then asked for who. When I said Obama they were thrilled (one even called over her friend, saying “Hey come over here and meet this guy from New York – he voted for Obama!!!") as they truly regard McCain as George W. Bush, The Sequel. I endured several tirades about Dubbya, especially in regard to the damage he has done to America’s reputation in the international community. What can I say – I was with kindred spirits.
Well, time to try the party again. More later.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trip Highlights - Week #3
This week was an overnight in White Plains (yes, I know it's close to home but I had to be there until 9PM and back the next morning at 7AM - just easier to stay over) and Portland, ME.
All my meals were in hotels so no good food stories there. The Crowne Plaza in White Plains is a lousy hotel so all I could do is complain - which I won't.
I do love Portland, however. It is a very manageable town - I love that the airport is about a 10 minute drive from the heart of the city. The best part of my trip there was that I flew up in a prop. I haven't been in a prop in a long time, but this was a new version. Seating for 74 people and relatively quiet (for a prop). One of the things I like about props is that you really feel like your flying. Yes, we got bounced around a lot due to high winds, but there is something about it that just feels more exciting. Regional jets usually fly at higher altitudes so the combination of this being a prop and the short flight (50-60 minutes of air time) meant that we flew at 15,000 feet. Aside from the winds, the weather was brilliant and the flight provided a grand view of the New England countryside. The fall colors were much brighter a few weeks ago, but there was still plenty of orange left, mixed with a light blanket of snow at higher altitudes. It really was quite relaxing - almost a zen moment.
Still battling the remnants of a cold that started when I began my travels, so not feeling 100% but getting there. Sunday I leave for Denmark which I expect will be the most exciting of my six weeks of travel. Even the weather looks like it will cooperate with daytime highs reaching 50 rather than the usual high 30's at this time of year.
All my meals were in hotels so no good food stories there. The Crowne Plaza in White Plains is a lousy hotel so all I could do is complain - which I won't.
I do love Portland, however. It is a very manageable town - I love that the airport is about a 10 minute drive from the heart of the city. The best part of my trip there was that I flew up in a prop. I haven't been in a prop in a long time, but this was a new version. Seating for 74 people and relatively quiet (for a prop). One of the things I like about props is that you really feel like your flying. Yes, we got bounced around a lot due to high winds, but there is something about it that just feels more exciting. Regional jets usually fly at higher altitudes so the combination of this being a prop and the short flight (50-60 minutes of air time) meant that we flew at 15,000 feet. Aside from the winds, the weather was brilliant and the flight provided a grand view of the New England countryside. The fall colors were much brighter a few weeks ago, but there was still plenty of orange left, mixed with a light blanket of snow at higher altitudes. It really was quite relaxing - almost a zen moment.
Still battling the remnants of a cold that started when I began my travels, so not feeling 100% but getting there. Sunday I leave for Denmark which I expect will be the most exciting of my six weeks of travel. Even the weather looks like it will cooperate with daytime highs reaching 50 rather than the usual high 30's at this time of year.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Trip Highlights - Week #2
Two weeks down - four to go . . .
This week was Orlando where I spoke and exhibited at a healthcare IT conference. It was very exhausting and not terribly exciting. Had one good meal at Vito's Chop House where our head waiter and his assistant both remembered me from when I hosted a dinner there for about 25 people last February. I guess I tipped well.
There were two interesting things that I observed. One was on the day I was leaving, the hotel's directory of events listed "Food For The Poor - Dinner." Now I know that this was a dinner being held for the organizer's of this cause, but I thought it was just dripping in irony.
The second was when I landed at Newark Friday night. There is usually a lot of traffic coming into the city through the Lincoln Tunnel on Friday evenings, but when I asked the cab driver how traffic was, he said it was very good. He said that since the economic crisis started, less people were coming into the city on the weekends - I guess for many it is an expensive proposition. Bad news for NYC businesses - good news for motorists.
Off to Portland, ME next week . . .
This week was Orlando where I spoke and exhibited at a healthcare IT conference. It was very exhausting and not terribly exciting. Had one good meal at Vito's Chop House where our head waiter and his assistant both remembered me from when I hosted a dinner there for about 25 people last February. I guess I tipped well.
There were two interesting things that I observed. One was on the day I was leaving, the hotel's directory of events listed "Food For The Poor - Dinner." Now I know that this was a dinner being held for the organizer's of this cause, but I thought it was just dripping in irony.
The second was when I landed at Newark Friday night. There is usually a lot of traffic coming into the city through the Lincoln Tunnel on Friday evenings, but when I asked the cab driver how traffic was, he said it was very good. He said that since the economic crisis started, less people were coming into the city on the weekends - I guess for many it is an expensive proposition. Bad news for NYC businesses - good news for motorists.
Off to Portland, ME next week . . .
Monday, October 20, 2008
More Bushisms
I was out of town last week and came back to find these two gems on my George W. Bushisms calendar. The first one is quite timely - especially the first sentence - given the events of recent weeks, and the second is just one of those that make you shake your head in disgust.
"We're concerned about the short-term economic news, but long-term I'm optimistic. And so, I hope investors, you know - secondly, I hope investors hold investments for periods of time - that I've always found the best investments are those that you salt away based on economics."
"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America."
Only 92 days left!
"We're concerned about the short-term economic news, but long-term I'm optimistic. And so, I hope investors, you know - secondly, I hope investors hold investments for periods of time - that I've always found the best investments are those that you salt away based on economics."
-- Austin, Texas; January 4, 2001
"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America."
-- Dakar, Senegal; July 8, 2003
Only 92 days left!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Yuck Factor
I passed a restaurant on 92nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue today called Yuki Sushi. I know it is probably supposed to be pronounced "You - key" Sushi, but the part of my brain that causes silly little grins to appear on my face couldn't help wonder how many people call it "Yuck-ee" Sushi.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Trip Highlights - Week #1
I started a six-week stretch of travel this week. Some of it is grueling, but at least I am home most weekends and going to some interesting places. I decided that one of the ways to relieve the stress would be to create a blog entry for each week listing any interesting experiences - good or bad, culinary or otherwise.
This week was San Francisco. I love SF, but I also had a terrible head cold which, on top of a significant workload, limited any leisure time. There was really nothing of interest that happened. Flights were on time and incident-free. No crazy cab drivers. Kind of boring from that perspective, so I thought I would write about food.
My client in SF is located at the crossroads of North Beach and Chinatown, and my hotel was a short walk away sandwiched between Chinatown and the Financial District - both locations making for some outstanding local dining. I had a business dinner at Rose Pistola which is one of my faves, introduced to me by my friend Meryl back when she lived there. Also had an opportunity to grab a sandwich from Molinari's - a true Italian deli in North Beach. Fresh home-made mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted peppers on semolina bread with pesto spread - yum. Lastly, I grabbed food to go from R&G Lounge while I worked and watched the third debate. R&G is one of the larger Chinese restaurants and with a very non-descript exterior and its location on the edge of Chinatown, it had not occurred to me to try it. My client's CEO, however, grew up in SF's Chinatown and recommended it. It was excellent, though I suggest dining in with a group and sampling the seafood specialties.
Next week is Orlando. Not exactly thrill-city if you're there on business. Let's see what kind of trouble I can get into . . .
This week was San Francisco. I love SF, but I also had a terrible head cold which, on top of a significant workload, limited any leisure time. There was really nothing of interest that happened. Flights were on time and incident-free. No crazy cab drivers. Kind of boring from that perspective, so I thought I would write about food.
My client in SF is located at the crossroads of North Beach and Chinatown, and my hotel was a short walk away sandwiched between Chinatown and the Financial District - both locations making for some outstanding local dining. I had a business dinner at Rose Pistola which is one of my faves, introduced to me by my friend Meryl back when she lived there. Also had an opportunity to grab a sandwich from Molinari's - a true Italian deli in North Beach. Fresh home-made mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted peppers on semolina bread with pesto spread - yum. Lastly, I grabbed food to go from R&G Lounge while I worked and watched the third debate. R&G is one of the larger Chinese restaurants and with a very non-descript exterior and its location on the edge of Chinatown, it had not occurred to me to try it. My client's CEO, however, grew up in SF's Chinatown and recommended it. It was excellent, though I suggest dining in with a group and sampling the seafood specialties.
Next week is Orlando. Not exactly thrill-city if you're there on business. Let's see what kind of trouble I can get into . . .
Time Warner's Cognitive Dissonance
We have Time Warner Cable for both television and internet access. Their service has never been good and though we recently experienced a stretch of about two years with relatively few problems, we have experienced 2 major outages of signal into our home in the past 2 weeks. One lasted 36 hours and another over 12 hours. During the 36 hour outage, they apparently started working on resolving the problem one evening, stopped, and then did not start again until the next afternoon. Their response about this when I called to check the status of the problem was that "We don't work at night."
Approximately 3 hours after the most recent 12 hour outage, I received a call from Time Warner extending me a special offer to switch my phone service to them as well. I refrained from both cursing and maniacal laughter, and explained my recent experience to the rep on the telephone, adding "Since Verizon works at night, I think I'll stick with them for my home phone service." The rep paused, and then asked again whether I was interested in a special offer. Was she deaf?
UPDATE: So a few hours after I posted the above entry, I went through the mail and opened my bill from Time Warner to find that they had not credited me for the first outage which took place several days before the bill was issued. I called Time Warner and after about 10 minutes combined hold and representative research time, the rep issued the appropriate credit. She then asked me if I would like a special offer to switch to their phone service. There was silence on my end for a few moments before I said, "Did you hear nothing I just said about my service being out for 2 days, and again just the other day?"
Mamma mia . . .
Approximately 3 hours after the most recent 12 hour outage, I received a call from Time Warner extending me a special offer to switch my phone service to them as well. I refrained from both cursing and maniacal laughter, and explained my recent experience to the rep on the telephone, adding "Since Verizon works at night, I think I'll stick with them for my home phone service." The rep paused, and then asked again whether I was interested in a special offer. Was she deaf?
UPDATE: So a few hours after I posted the above entry, I went through the mail and opened my bill from Time Warner to find that they had not credited me for the first outage which took place several days before the bill was issued. I called Time Warner and after about 10 minutes combined hold and representative research time, the rep issued the appropriate credit. She then asked me if I would like a special offer to switch to their phone service. There was silence on my end for a few moments before I said, "Did you hear nothing I just said about my service being out for 2 days, and again just the other day?"
Mamma mia . . .
Sophisticated Ladies
I was having lunch today with 8-year old Molly and her best friend, Hannah. They were chatting about a classmate's recent birthday party at a theme restaurant called "Mars 2112." They agreed that while it was a fun place, the food was "yucky." Hannah then added, "Well, it only scored a 12 for food in Zagat's." That an eight year old knew this was only slightly more amazing than the fact that both Hannah and Molly know that the top score is a 30, thus confirming the yuck factor of the food.
These are real city girls.
These are real city girls.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Cathy Mallard
When I was employed at NYU Medical Center, I had the pleasure of working with a Director of Nursing named Cathy Mallard. It’s not that Cathy was so likable – she actually ruffled a lot of feathers there – but I enjoyed her company and working with her because she was a very smart no-nonsense person who did not suffer fools quietly. We got along because we both had a lot of vision for how technology could enable and improve clinical practice, and because we were both Upper West Siders. When Cathy left NYU to go to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, we continued to stay in touch. At VNSNY, Cathy developed, launched and managed one of the most innovative programs in home care which equipped visiting nurses with mobile computing devices on which they could download the schedule of patients they were seeing that day, look up information on their patients as well as capture information during their visits, and transmit it back to the office. This was about 15 years ago – long before such technology was in the hands of clinicians, no less those in the home care setting or on mobile devices which they had to have specially made. It was a model for other home care agencies around the country.
I last saw Cathy at a conference in April and she looked ill. She told me that she had lymphoma and although it was under control at the moment, the prognosis was not great.
Cathy passed away this weekend at the young age of 61. I am particularly struck and sad because aside from the fact that I did like and respect her a lot, I feel that especially in these times of extreme stupidity, the world has lost one more smart person who could easily see through the BS. Rest in peace Cathy.
I last saw Cathy at a conference in April and she looked ill. She told me that she had lymphoma and although it was under control at the moment, the prognosis was not great.
Cathy passed away this weekend at the young age of 61. I am particularly struck and sad because aside from the fact that I did like and respect her a lot, I feel that especially in these times of extreme stupidity, the world has lost one more smart person who could easily see through the BS. Rest in peace Cathy.
Today's Bushism
These days I find myself using the expression "In these days of extreme stupidity . . ." a lot, especially in regard to Washington and the election. How convenient then, that this should be this past Friday's entry from my George W. Bushisms calendar:
"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber."
Only 113 days left!!!
"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber."
-- Washington, D.C.; April 10, 2002
Only 113 days left!!!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Episcopalians
We were having a conversation at the dinner table the other night about different religions. I want to make sure that both my kids have a healthy knowledge of and respect for all the world's religions.
We were talking about different sects of Christianity when 10-year old Sammy asked, "What about the Episcopals?"
The thing is, having only ever read the word and never having heard it pronounced, what came out of his mouth was "What about the Eppy-scope-als?"
It took us a minute to figure out what he was talking about. My initial thought was that he was referring to some sort of medical instrument. "Mrs. Jones, we just got the test results back and it looks like we will need to perform an epi-scopal procedure."
I just hope that he doesn't think that those who follow the Pope are overdosing on felines ("Cat-holics." Get it?).
We were talking about different sects of Christianity when 10-year old Sammy asked, "What about the Episcopals?"
The thing is, having only ever read the word and never having heard it pronounced, what came out of his mouth was "What about the Eppy-scope-als?"
It took us a minute to figure out what he was talking about. My initial thought was that he was referring to some sort of medical instrument. "Mrs. Jones, we just got the test results back and it looks like we will need to perform an epi-scopal procedure."
I just hope that he doesn't think that those who follow the Pope are overdosing on felines ("Cat-holics." Get it?).
Monday, August 25, 2008
The End Is Near
As I prepared to post yet another entry from my "George W. Bushisms" calendar, it occurred to me that with the Democratic convention starting today, the reign of stupidity is finally nearing an end. It will surely be a sad day for the comedy biz when W finally exits office.
"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."
Only 148 days left!
"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."
-- Washington, D.C.; December 18, 2002
Only 148 days left!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Cowbell!!!
Regarding previous posts about Hulu, they have now added a link to the SNL More Cowbell sketch with Christopher Walken on Will Ferrell's Funny Or Die site (see the update at the bottom of my original post here). The quality of the clip is not great and not sure why they didn't post a high-quality version directly on Hulu. Perhaps Ferrell has rights to it but no matter - at least it is available for our viewing pleasure.
If You Ever Need A Dentist in Bloomington, MN . . .
I am in Bloomington, Minneosta on business. It is an internal firm meeting and since my company has a headquarters office here, we are at the beautiful Sheraton Bloomington (Read that sarcastically. It used to be a Radisson which should tell you something about the quality).
This morning I lost a very old filling in my mouth. I mean old, like when I was 8-years-old old. I called my dentist in New York, Samuel Gold. Dr. Gold is the dentist for my whole family and we love him. He is earnest, professional, very careful and considerate, and an all around nice guy. He told me that as long as I didn't have any pain or swelling I should just go to a drugstore and get something called DenTemp which is a temporary filling material and then come see him when I am back in town next week.
Now as a New Yorker who is used to being able to get anything he needs 24/7 and within walking distance, this morning's adventure was a little hard to swallow. Let me put it this way. A $35 roundtrip taxi fare to Walgreens (including a 5 minute wait while I was in the store) enabled me to get the $4.49 package of DenTemp.
Anyway, the DenTemp did not take. Although I was in no pain, I was concerned about infection in the big jagged hole in my jaw, so I went to my dental insurer's website and found a nearby dentist. Let me now clarify nearby. I mean really nearby. I mean I could see the building from my hotel room window. They could see me in an hour.
Let me tell you more about what I mean by "nearby". I would guess that my destination was no more than a quarter of a mile away as the crow flies. The problem was that I was at one corner of an expressway intersection and the dentist's office was at the diagnoally opposite corner. It would mean crossing two expressways which, in Minnesota, is just not done on foot. Aside from the fact that I could see absolutely no sidewalks or pedestrian walkways, everyone I asked at the hotel kind of laughed at my when I suggested walking.
$8 each way between the hotel and the dentist's office. And I had to wait at the dentist's office because they had to call for a cab for the return trip. I guess they don't just cruise around Bloomington looking for fares.
As you might imagine, all of this was a little much for a city boy.
The silver lining in all of this was my brief but utterly enjoyable experience at the dentist's office. First of all, when making the appointment, the office manager was incredibly pleasant and professional. She took a modicum of information and asked me to come 20 minutes early to fill out paperwork. When I arrived at their very nicely decorated offices 30 minutes early, I filled out my paperwork and had just laid down the pen when I was called to be taken into the treatment room.
Yes. I was seen before my appointment time. No, that's not a typo.
The very nice and efficient dental assistant took a quick look and verified my history. The also very nice dentist then came in immediately and in short order sized up the situation. He told me that he could put in a temporary filling but because of the available tooth material, it would not likely hold any much better than the DenTemp. He said he could do the restoration work, but it would be the same thing my own dentist would do next week and he didn't think there was any danger in leaving it exposed until then - just keep it clean.
Maybe it's the cynical New Yorker in me, but I was somewhat surprised that he did not indicate the need to perform any work. What then really surprised me was that there was no charge for the visit.
No charge! I have insurance so it wouldn't have been money out of my pocket and yes, I was only in the chair for all of about 5 minutes, but no charge? Again, it's the cynical New Yorker in me that caused the most surprise.
They gave me a copy of the dentist's notes to give to my dentist and the last notation was "Nice patient" with a smiley face. Gosh darn, gee whiz they were nice folks! Maybe there's something to this Minnesota living.
Anyway, if you are ever in Bloomington, MN and find the need for dental care, I would highly recommend paying a visit to Dr. Greg Walling and the fine folks at Metro Dentalcare. You will thank me and so will your teeth.
UPDATE: If you'd like a great dentist in New York, feel free to give our Dr. Gold a call. His office is located at 185 West End Ave (69th St.) and can be reached at 212-787-8183 or by e-mail at DRSHGOLD@aol.com.
This morning I lost a very old filling in my mouth. I mean old, like when I was 8-years-old old. I called my dentist in New York, Samuel Gold. Dr. Gold is the dentist for my whole family and we love him. He is earnest, professional, very careful and considerate, and an all around nice guy. He told me that as long as I didn't have any pain or swelling I should just go to a drugstore and get something called DenTemp which is a temporary filling material and then come see him when I am back in town next week.
Now as a New Yorker who is used to being able to get anything he needs 24/7 and within walking distance, this morning's adventure was a little hard to swallow. Let me put it this way. A $35 roundtrip taxi fare to Walgreens (including a 5 minute wait while I was in the store) enabled me to get the $4.49 package of DenTemp.
Anyway, the DenTemp did not take. Although I was in no pain, I was concerned about infection in the big jagged hole in my jaw, so I went to my dental insurer's website and found a nearby dentist. Let me now clarify nearby. I mean really nearby. I mean I could see the building from my hotel room window. They could see me in an hour.
Let me tell you more about what I mean by "nearby". I would guess that my destination was no more than a quarter of a mile away as the crow flies. The problem was that I was at one corner of an expressway intersection and the dentist's office was at the diagnoally opposite corner. It would mean crossing two expressways which, in Minnesota, is just not done on foot. Aside from the fact that I could see absolutely no sidewalks or pedestrian walkways, everyone I asked at the hotel kind of laughed at my when I suggested walking.
$8 each way between the hotel and the dentist's office. And I had to wait at the dentist's office because they had to call for a cab for the return trip. I guess they don't just cruise around Bloomington looking for fares.
As you might imagine, all of this was a little much for a city boy.
The silver lining in all of this was my brief but utterly enjoyable experience at the dentist's office. First of all, when making the appointment, the office manager was incredibly pleasant and professional. She took a modicum of information and asked me to come 20 minutes early to fill out paperwork. When I arrived at their very nicely decorated offices 30 minutes early, I filled out my paperwork and had just laid down the pen when I was called to be taken into the treatment room.
Yes. I was seen before my appointment time. No, that's not a typo.
The very nice and efficient dental assistant took a quick look and verified my history. The also very nice dentist then came in immediately and in short order sized up the situation. He told me that he could put in a temporary filling but because of the available tooth material, it would not likely hold any much better than the DenTemp. He said he could do the restoration work, but it would be the same thing my own dentist would do next week and he didn't think there was any danger in leaving it exposed until then - just keep it clean.
Maybe it's the cynical New Yorker in me, but I was somewhat surprised that he did not indicate the need to perform any work. What then really surprised me was that there was no charge for the visit.
No charge! I have insurance so it wouldn't have been money out of my pocket and yes, I was only in the chair for all of about 5 minutes, but no charge? Again, it's the cynical New Yorker in me that caused the most surprise.
They gave me a copy of the dentist's notes to give to my dentist and the last notation was "Nice patient" with a smiley face. Gosh darn, gee whiz they were nice folks! Maybe there's something to this Minnesota living.
Anyway, if you are ever in Bloomington, MN and find the need for dental care, I would highly recommend paying a visit to Dr. Greg Walling and the fine folks at Metro Dentalcare. You will thank me and so will your teeth.
UPDATE: If you'd like a great dentist in New York, feel free to give our Dr. Gold a call. His office is located at 185 West End Ave (69th St.) and can be reached at 212-787-8183 or by e-mail at DRSHGOLD@aol.com.
Friday, August 08, 2008
The Power of the Internet
There have been many arguments regarding whether the Internet brings people together or whether it keeps people apart by substituting electronic interaction for interpersonal. I can make the argument for both sides, but yesterday it provided a meaningful example of how it brings people together.
We were on vacation in Mexico a few weeks ago. We had gone on a catamaran snorkeling trip at a reef off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. As we weighed anchor and prepared to head back to the marina, we witnessed a very unfortunate incident at another catamaran anchored nearby. One of the snorkelers from that catamaran had returned to the vessel ahead of the others, presumably because he wasn’t feeling well, and suffered a heart attack just as he reached the ship. We watched valiant rescue efforts by the boat’s crew as well as a paramedic onboard our ship who dove into the sea and swam to the other boat to assist, and that of a speed boat that was dispatched very quickly from the marina. The victim was transported by the speedboat back to the marina, while attempts at resuscitation continued onboard followed by additional efforts by paramedics back at the dock. As we sailed into the marina, we watched as it was determined by the police and EMS teams that the resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was draped in a sheet. Needless to say, it was a very somber and sobering event.
We had no information regarding the victim, but when we returned to New York I used Google News to find out that the victim was a man in his 30’s from Omaha on his honeymoon. His wife had remained with the rest of the snorkelers and was not even aware of what had transpired until the group returned to the catamaran. It was a very sad story to begin with, made all the more so since the victim had apparently not had an easy life and his new marriage marked a turning point where everything seemed to finally be coming together and he was happier than he had ever been in his life.
The news story that I had found on the site for Southwest Iowa news permitted users to leave comments. I left a comment indicating that we had witnessed the incident, conveyed our condolences to the victim’s family noting that I lost both my father and best friend to untimely heart attacks, and praised the crew of the ship, the staff at the marina, and the local authorities for their speedy and valiant though unsuccessful efforts. The comment showed my name and location.
Again, through the power of the internet and search engines, I received an e-mail from the victim’s sister yesterday asking if she had reached the Matthew Grob who had left the comment on the news site. We ended up speaking on the phone and she conveyed to me how much my comments had meant to her, her widowed sister-in-law, and the rest of their family. Being able to speak with me apparently brought a great deal of comfort, especially to their mother.
I remember how much it meant that a few months after my father’s death, we were able to meet with someone who had been with him when he died. We didn’t know this man, but just speaking with him brought a great degree of comfort and I was so pleased yesterday to have provided a similar service to another family.
You can say a lot about the power of the Internet, both good and bad. I am happy to report that at least yesterday, it was certainly a positive force in our lives.
We were on vacation in Mexico a few weeks ago. We had gone on a catamaran snorkeling trip at a reef off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. As we weighed anchor and prepared to head back to the marina, we witnessed a very unfortunate incident at another catamaran anchored nearby. One of the snorkelers from that catamaran had returned to the vessel ahead of the others, presumably because he wasn’t feeling well, and suffered a heart attack just as he reached the ship. We watched valiant rescue efforts by the boat’s crew as well as a paramedic onboard our ship who dove into the sea and swam to the other boat to assist, and that of a speed boat that was dispatched very quickly from the marina. The victim was transported by the speedboat back to the marina, while attempts at resuscitation continued onboard followed by additional efforts by paramedics back at the dock. As we sailed into the marina, we watched as it was determined by the police and EMS teams that the resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was draped in a sheet. Needless to say, it was a very somber and sobering event.
We had no information regarding the victim, but when we returned to New York I used Google News to find out that the victim was a man in his 30’s from Omaha on his honeymoon. His wife had remained with the rest of the snorkelers and was not even aware of what had transpired until the group returned to the catamaran. It was a very sad story to begin with, made all the more so since the victim had apparently not had an easy life and his new marriage marked a turning point where everything seemed to finally be coming together and he was happier than he had ever been in his life.
The news story that I had found on the site for Southwest Iowa news permitted users to leave comments. I left a comment indicating that we had witnessed the incident, conveyed our condolences to the victim’s family noting that I lost both my father and best friend to untimely heart attacks, and praised the crew of the ship, the staff at the marina, and the local authorities for their speedy and valiant though unsuccessful efforts. The comment showed my name and location.
Again, through the power of the internet and search engines, I received an e-mail from the victim’s sister yesterday asking if she had reached the Matthew Grob who had left the comment on the news site. We ended up speaking on the phone and she conveyed to me how much my comments had meant to her, her widowed sister-in-law, and the rest of their family. Being able to speak with me apparently brought a great deal of comfort, especially to their mother.
I remember how much it meant that a few months after my father’s death, we were able to meet with someone who had been with him when he died. We didn’t know this man, but just speaking with him brought a great degree of comfort and I was so pleased yesterday to have provided a similar service to another family.
You can say a lot about the power of the Internet, both good and bad. I am happy to report that at least yesterday, it was certainly a positive force in our lives.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
More Bushisms
Now I know why stand-up comics and comedy writers are sad that there are term limits . . .
"They have miscalculated me as a leader."
"I'm the master of low expectations."
Only 203 days left!!!
"They have miscalculated me as a leader."
-- Westminster, California;
September 13, 2000
"I'm the master of low expectations."
-- Aboard Air Force One;
June 4, 2003
Only 203 days left!!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Hulu Updated with Cork Soakers!
I was showing Hulu to my brother Doug and nephew Howie when they were visiting this past weekend, and found that NBC had finally added the Cork Soaker sketch. To understand what I'm talking about, see my original post here and scroll to the bottom for the update.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Bagel Theory
My cousin Rob in Dallas sent this to me. Although it is making it's way around the internet, I thought it important to track down the original author - Jessica Levine Kupferberg - and have provided some bio info at the end as well as a link to the original post. I have certainly done my share of "bageling" and hope you enjoy the story!
The Beginning of Bageling
It all started when my friend Doodie Miller-- who wears a kippah -- was back in college and suffering through a tedious lecture. As the professor droned on, a previously-unknown young woman leaned over and whispered in his ear: "This class is as boring as my Zayde's seder."
You see, the woman knew that she did not "look" Jewish, nor did she wear any identifying signs like a Star of David. So foregoing the awkward declaration, "I'm Jewish," the girl devised a more nuanced -- and frankly, cuter -- way of heralding her heritage.
This incident launched a hypothesis which would henceforth be known as the Bagel Theory.
The Bagel Theory stands for the principle that we Jews, regardless of how observant or affiliated we are, have a powerful need to connect with one another. To that end, we find ways to "bagel" each other -- basically, to "out" ourselves to fellow Jews.
There are two ways to bagel. The brave or simply unimaginative will tell you straight out that they are Jewish (a plain bagel). But the more creative will concoct subtler and even sublime ways to let you know that they, too, are in the know. (These bagels are often the best; like their doughy counterparts, cultural bagels are more flavorful when there is more to chew on.)
Bageled at Boggle
I suspect that Jews have been bageling even before real bagels were invented. And while my husband and I may not have invented bageling, we do seem to have a steady diet of bagel encounters.
An early bagel favorite occurred when my kippah-wearing husband and I were dating, and we spent a Saturday evening at a funky coffee house with friends. We engaged in a few boisterous rounds of Boggle, the game where you must quickly make words out of jumbled lettered cubes. Observing our fun, a couple of college students at a nearby table asked if they could play too. After we rattled the tray and furiously scribbled our words, it was time to read our lists aloud. One of the students, who sported a rasta hat and goatee, proudly listed the word "yad." Unsuspecting, we inquired, "What's a yad?" He said with a smirk, "You know, that pointer you read the Torah with." Yes, we were bageled at Boggle.
On our honeymoon in Rome, we were standing at the top of the Spanish steps next to a middle-aged couple holding a map. The husband piped up in an obvious voice, "I wonder where the synagogue is." My husband and I exchanged a knowing look at this classic Roman bagel and proceeded to strike up a conversation with this lovely couple from Chicago. After we took them to the synagogue, they asked to join us at the kosher pizza shop. As we savored the cheeseless arugula and shaved beef pizza -- to this day the best pizza I have ever had -- this non-religious couple marveled at traveling kosher and declared they would do so in the future. A satisfying bagel to be sure.
Holy Bagel
In the years since, our bagel encounters have become precious souvenirs, yiddishe knick-knacks from our family adventures in smaller Jewish communities. Like the time the little boy at the Coffee Bean in Pasadena, California, walked up to my husband, pulled out a mezuzah from around his neck, smiled and ran away. (A non-verbal bagel!) Or our day trip to the pier in San Clemente, California when an impish girl in cornrows and bikini scampered over to say "Good Shabbos."
We have been bageled waiting at airline ticket counters, in elevators, at the supermarket checkout. And I myself have been known to bagel when the situation calls for it, like the time I asked the chassid seated a few rows up on an airplane if I could borrow a siddur.
On a recent trip abroad, however, we did not get bageled even once. That was in Israel where, thankfully, there is just no need.
Ultimately, why do we feel this need to bagel? Does it stem from our shared patriarchs, our pedigree of discrimination and isolation, a common love of latkes or just the human predisposition to be cliquey? I maintain it is something more. Our sages say that all Jews were originally one interconnected soul which stood in unison at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. Now scattered across the Earth, as we encounter each other's Jewish souls, we recognize and reconnect with a piece of our divine selves. The bagel may have a hole, but we bagel in a quest to feel whole.
So the next time a sweaty stranger at the gym says to you, "I haven't been this thirsty since Yom Kippur," smile. You've just been bageled -- adding another link in the Jewish circle of connection.
Jessica Levine Kupferberg was born and raised in Los Angeles. She has a BA in English from UCLA and a law degree from the USC. A recovering lawyer, she is now a full-time wife and mother and a founder of SCY High, the Southern California Yeshiva High School, located in La Jolla, California, where she resides with her husband and children.
Click here to read the original post on Aish.com
The Beginning of Bageling
It all started when my friend Doodie Miller-- who wears a kippah -- was back in college and suffering through a tedious lecture. As the professor droned on, a previously-unknown young woman leaned over and whispered in his ear: "This class is as boring as my Zayde's seder."
You see, the woman knew that she did not "look" Jewish, nor did she wear any identifying signs like a Star of David. So foregoing the awkward declaration, "I'm Jewish," the girl devised a more nuanced -- and frankly, cuter -- way of heralding her heritage.
This incident launched a hypothesis which would henceforth be known as the Bagel Theory.
The Bagel Theory stands for the principle that we Jews, regardless of how observant or affiliated we are, have a powerful need to connect with one another. To that end, we find ways to "bagel" each other -- basically, to "out" ourselves to fellow Jews.
There are two ways to bagel. The brave or simply unimaginative will tell you straight out that they are Jewish (a plain bagel). But the more creative will concoct subtler and even sublime ways to let you know that they, too, are in the know. (These bagels are often the best; like their doughy counterparts, cultural bagels are more flavorful when there is more to chew on.)
Bageled at Boggle
I suspect that Jews have been bageling even before real bagels were invented. And while my husband and I may not have invented bageling, we do seem to have a steady diet of bagel encounters.
An early bagel favorite occurred when my kippah-wearing husband and I were dating, and we spent a Saturday evening at a funky coffee house with friends. We engaged in a few boisterous rounds of Boggle, the game where you must quickly make words out of jumbled lettered cubes. Observing our fun, a couple of college students at a nearby table asked if they could play too. After we rattled the tray and furiously scribbled our words, it was time to read our lists aloud. One of the students, who sported a rasta hat and goatee, proudly listed the word "yad." Unsuspecting, we inquired, "What's a yad?" He said with a smirk, "You know, that pointer you read the Torah with." Yes, we were bageled at Boggle.
On our honeymoon in Rome, we were standing at the top of the Spanish steps next to a middle-aged couple holding a map. The husband piped up in an obvious voice, "I wonder where the synagogue is." My husband and I exchanged a knowing look at this classic Roman bagel and proceeded to strike up a conversation with this lovely couple from Chicago. After we took them to the synagogue, they asked to join us at the kosher pizza shop. As we savored the cheeseless arugula and shaved beef pizza -- to this day the best pizza I have ever had -- this non-religious couple marveled at traveling kosher and declared they would do so in the future. A satisfying bagel to be sure.
Holy Bagel
In the years since, our bagel encounters have become precious souvenirs, yiddishe knick-knacks from our family adventures in smaller Jewish communities. Like the time the little boy at the Coffee Bean in Pasadena, California, walked up to my husband, pulled out a mezuzah from around his neck, smiled and ran away. (A non-verbal bagel!) Or our day trip to the pier in San Clemente, California when an impish girl in cornrows and bikini scampered over to say "Good Shabbos."
We have been bageled waiting at airline ticket counters, in elevators, at the supermarket checkout. And I myself have been known to bagel when the situation calls for it, like the time I asked the chassid seated a few rows up on an airplane if I could borrow a siddur.
On a recent trip abroad, however, we did not get bageled even once. That was in Israel where, thankfully, there is just no need.
Ultimately, why do we feel this need to bagel? Does it stem from our shared patriarchs, our pedigree of discrimination and isolation, a common love of latkes or just the human predisposition to be cliquey? I maintain it is something more. Our sages say that all Jews were originally one interconnected soul which stood in unison at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. Now scattered across the Earth, as we encounter each other's Jewish souls, we recognize and reconnect with a piece of our divine selves. The bagel may have a hole, but we bagel in a quest to feel whole.
So the next time a sweaty stranger at the gym says to you, "I haven't been this thirsty since Yom Kippur," smile. You've just been bageled -- adding another link in the Jewish circle of connection.
Jessica Levine Kupferberg was born and raised in Los Angeles. She has a BA in English from UCLA and a law degree from the USC. A recovering lawyer, she is now a full-time wife and mother and a founder of SCY High, the Southern California Yeshiva High School, located in La Jolla, California, where she resides with her husband and children.
Click here to read the original post on Aish.com
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Film Review
Once I see the movie, I'm not sure which I will remember as being funnier - "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" itself, or the opening line of A.O. Scott's review in the N.Y. Times (06/06/08):
"Let me blunt: "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" is the finest post-Zionist action-hairdressing sex comedy I have ever seen."
"Let me blunt: "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" is the finest post-Zionist action-hairdressing sex comedy I have ever seen."
Monday, June 02, 2008
When The Chips Are Down . . .
The guy who invented the Pringles potato chip canning system has died. He was cremated. Some of his ashes have been buried in a Pringles can. Don't believe me? Check it out here.
Crocs a Crock? A Mild Rant
Joining millions of other fans around the world, I own two pairs of Crocs and my children each own Crocs as well. For those of you living in a cave, Crocs are essentially rubber/plastic beach footwear available in a wide variety of fiesta-inspired colors. They are anti-microbial, open and airy, easily cared for, and started out with one style a few years ago. They now come in dozens of styles and colors for multiple purposes and also sport "jibbitz" - little iconographic stubs that you can insert into the holes in the tops of Crocs to personalize yours (I keep calling them "giblets").
I usually don't like trendy things for the reason alone that they are trendy, yet I do admire functional items at a reasonable price. Consequently I am a big fan of Crocs, but my respect came down a notch yesterday. A company-owned Crocs store opened in my neighborhood and we went to check it out. Very trendy location, trendy store design, trendy music playing - all of which I can forgive them for. Of course the bins with the jibbitz were swarmed by children like bees to a hive. What I found absolutely annoying was that not a single item in the store had a price on it.
We had come for one specific item for which we happened to know the price, but the lack of pricing on other items dissuaded our efforts to shop for additional purchases. When we asked the fellow at the register why nothing was priced, he said it was intended to have customers initiate a dialog with store employees by asking how much things were.
Who's brilliant marketing strategy was this? I can understand if you have lots of staff roaming the store to answer such questions. Instead, however, there were only the people at the registers who were constantly being interrupted by customers asking about pricing. Not only was this counter-productive in terms of "establishing a dialog," but it took 2-3 times as long to pay for our purchase as the guy who was checking us out always had to think about his respnse to price inquiries, and we felt like he was guessing half the time. "How much are these strapless pump Crocs?" "Uhhh, fifty-five, ninety-five?"
What is even more interesting, is that when Crocs are sold in other retail stores, the MSRP is pre-printed on the Crocs-affixed tags. This means that the company actually had to make up special tags just for the company stores that omit the price.
Guys. Stick with the original image of beach-bums around the world adorning their feet with your product. I don't mind if you expand the original line either, and whoever thought up jibbitz should get a prize. But don't get so full of yourself in the retail environment.
I usually don't like trendy things for the reason alone that they are trendy, yet I do admire functional items at a reasonable price. Consequently I am a big fan of Crocs, but my respect came down a notch yesterday. A company-owned Crocs store opened in my neighborhood and we went to check it out. Very trendy location, trendy store design, trendy music playing - all of which I can forgive them for. Of course the bins with the jibbitz were swarmed by children like bees to a hive. What I found absolutely annoying was that not a single item in the store had a price on it.
We had come for one specific item for which we happened to know the price, but the lack of pricing on other items dissuaded our efforts to shop for additional purchases. When we asked the fellow at the register why nothing was priced, he said it was intended to have customers initiate a dialog with store employees by asking how much things were.
Who's brilliant marketing strategy was this? I can understand if you have lots of staff roaming the store to answer such questions. Instead, however, there were only the people at the registers who were constantly being interrupted by customers asking about pricing. Not only was this counter-productive in terms of "establishing a dialog," but it took 2-3 times as long to pay for our purchase as the guy who was checking us out always had to think about his respnse to price inquiries, and we felt like he was guessing half the time. "How much are these strapless pump Crocs?" "Uhhh, fifty-five, ninety-five?"
What is even more interesting, is that when Crocs are sold in other retail stores, the MSRP is pre-printed on the Crocs-affixed tags. This means that the company actually had to make up special tags just for the company stores that omit the price.
Guys. Stick with the original image of beach-bums around the world adorning their feet with your product. I don't mind if you expand the original line either, and whoever thought up jibbitz should get a prize. But don't get so full of yourself in the retail environment.
Weekend Bushisms
Came back to the office to find these two delightful new George W. Bushisms from Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
"I always jest to people, the Oval Office is the kind of place where people stand outside, they're getting ready to come in and tell me what for, and they walk in and get overwhelmed by the atmosphere. And they say 'Man, you're looking pretty.' "
Only 232 days left!!!
"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
--As quoted by Reuters; May 5, 2000
"I always jest to people, the Oval Office is the kind of place where people stand outside, they're getting ready to come in and tell me what for, and they walk in and get overwhelmed by the atmosphere. And they say 'Man, you're looking pretty.' "
--Washington, D.C.; November 4, 2004
Only 232 days left!!!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Are Malaprops Heriditary?
Webster's defines a malaprop as "the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase; especially : the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context."
My wife Betsy is a veritable fount of malaprops, her most famous one being when we had just had an argument and she wished to make peace. She meant to say that she was offering me an olive branch, but instead offered me a fig leaf. My response was to look down to see why I might be in need of one (Was something showing that shouldn't be?) and that particular malaprop was sealed in our memories forever.
Today, Sammy and I were having some father-son time which included lunch out. Sammy was asking about dessert and when I told him that maybe we would get some ice cream on our way home, he wanted to ask if we could stop at Cold Stone Creamery. What came out of his mouth, however, was "Dad, can we please stop at Stone Cold Bakery?"
Is that where they sell day-old bread? Or are they perpetually out of hot cross buns?
I guess it runs in the family.
My wife Betsy is a veritable fount of malaprops, her most famous one being when we had just had an argument and she wished to make peace. She meant to say that she was offering me an olive branch, but instead offered me a fig leaf. My response was to look down to see why I might be in need of one (Was something showing that shouldn't be?) and that particular malaprop was sealed in our memories forever.
Today, Sammy and I were having some father-son time which included lunch out. Sammy was asking about dessert and when I told him that maybe we would get some ice cream on our way home, he wanted to ask if we could stop at Cold Stone Creamery. What came out of his mouth, however, was "Dad, can we please stop at Stone Cold Bakery?"
Is that where they sell day-old bread? Or are they perpetually out of hot cross buns?
I guess it runs in the family.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Recent Bushism Calendar Entries
Some recent tasty morsels from my George W. Bushisms Calendar:
"I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can't answer your question."
"The point now is how do we work together to achieve important goals. And one such goal is a democracy in Germany."
"The important question is, How many hands have I shaked?"
Only 264 days left!!!
"I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can't answer your question."
-- In response to a question about whether
he wished he could take back any of his
answers in the first debate; Reynoldsburg,
Ohio; October 4, 2000
"The point now is how do we work together to achieve important goals. And one such goal is a democracy in Germany."
-- Washington, D.C.; May 5, 2006
"The important question is, How many hands have I shaked?"
-- Answering a question about why he hasn't
spent more time in New Hampshire;
The New York Times; October 23, 1999
Only 264 days left!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Meryl Streep Tribute
Every year, the Film Society of Lincoln Center of which we are members, holds a gala tribute honoring someone in film. We have attended many of these over the years, with honorees such as Martin Scorcese, Clint Eastwood, and Dustin Hoffman. Last night - the Film Society's 30th gala tribute - honored Meryl Streep.
The program is a mix of film clips and tributes from colleagues in the industry, winding up with a speech by the honoree. Past galas have ranged from ho-hum (Dustin Hoffman - you got the impression that no one really likes him) to excellent (Martin Scorcese).
Last night's blew them all away. The clips demonstrated the wide range and phenomenal talent of the honoree, but it was the speeches that really told the tale of a consummate professional who is just a darned nice, funny, and all around great person.
Of course, it was a treat to be seated in the audience, listening to accolades being heaped upon Ms. Streep by Robert Redford, Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Jonathan Demme, Mike Nichols, Stanley Tucci, Uma Thurman, Garrison Keillor and Amy Adams. DeNiro, who at the Scorcese tribute demonstrated that the rumors regarding his incredible shyness and discomfort with public speaking are quite true, was actually the funniest presenter last night. Although he read verbatim from a stack of index cards, rarely looking up or making any eye contact with the audience, he was hysterically funny. All of the presenters were quite humorous and clearly spoke from the heart.
The final clip was a preview from the soon to be released Mamma Mia! with Streep singing "The Winner Takes It All" proving that she can add belting out a musical number to her impressive list of talents.
The program notes made mention of the fact that as opposed to other leading ladies that have come before her, Streep has remained in the spotlight solely for her professional work. She has never been involved in a scandal or started a ruckus. At the end, Ms. Streep spoke extemporaneously and quite personally for about 10 or 15 minutes, and we were left with the distinct impression that every sincere word spoken by those who paid tribute to her was deserved. She truly is one of film's treasures and apparently someone you would want as a friend.
The program is a mix of film clips and tributes from colleagues in the industry, winding up with a speech by the honoree. Past galas have ranged from ho-hum (Dustin Hoffman - you got the impression that no one really likes him) to excellent (Martin Scorcese).
Last night's blew them all away. The clips demonstrated the wide range and phenomenal talent of the honoree, but it was the speeches that really told the tale of a consummate professional who is just a darned nice, funny, and all around great person.
Of course, it was a treat to be seated in the audience, listening to accolades being heaped upon Ms. Streep by Robert Redford, Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Jonathan Demme, Mike Nichols, Stanley Tucci, Uma Thurman, Garrison Keillor and Amy Adams. DeNiro, who at the Scorcese tribute demonstrated that the rumors regarding his incredible shyness and discomfort with public speaking are quite true, was actually the funniest presenter last night. Although he read verbatim from a stack of index cards, rarely looking up or making any eye contact with the audience, he was hysterically funny. All of the presenters were quite humorous and clearly spoke from the heart.
The final clip was a preview from the soon to be released Mamma Mia! with Streep singing "The Winner Takes It All" proving that she can add belting out a musical number to her impressive list of talents.
The program notes made mention of the fact that as opposed to other leading ladies that have come before her, Streep has remained in the spotlight solely for her professional work. She has never been involved in a scandal or started a ruckus. At the end, Ms. Streep spoke extemporaneously and quite personally for about 10 or 15 minutes, and we were left with the distinct impression that every sincere word spoken by those who paid tribute to her was deserved. She truly is one of film's treasures and apparently someone you would want as a friend.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Hulu
I've been reading a lot recently about Hulu and decided to check it out. I can definitely see how these premium quality clips would be addictive.
I was thrilled to find a selection of hundreds of SNL clips dating back to the first season, including two of my all-time favorites: Celebrity Jeopardy with French Stewart, Burt Reynolds and Sean Connery; and the NPR Delicious Dish Holiday Show with Alec Baldwin (ranked by E! as the second funniest SNL sketch ever).
In recent years, SNL has also been exceptionally good at sneaking things past the censors. While I couldn't find the Cork Soakers sketch on Hulu, I did find Colonel Angus and the Sofa King commercial. When I saw this last one on television live, it took me almost til the end of the sketch to figure out the gag which then had me ROTFL.
(Luckily, I did find Cork Soakers here and while I was looking for it, also found More Cowbell here. Note to NBC and Hulu - make high quality vids of these two classics available.)
Lastly, Hulu also features the uncensored version of the SNL digital short, D**k in a Box and for those of a certain age (as young'ns just might not appreciate it), Alec Baldwin in SNL's The Tony Bennett Show with guest Anthony Benedetto.
Enjoy!
UPDATED!!! They must have listened to me as the Cork Soaker sketch is now available on Hulu. Now, how about More Cowbell guys?
UPDATED!!! More Cowbell is now available on Will Ferrell's Funny Or Die site here!
I was thrilled to find a selection of hundreds of SNL clips dating back to the first season, including two of my all-time favorites: Celebrity Jeopardy with French Stewart, Burt Reynolds and Sean Connery; and the NPR Delicious Dish Holiday Show with Alec Baldwin (ranked by E! as the second funniest SNL sketch ever).
In recent years, SNL has also been exceptionally good at sneaking things past the censors. While I couldn't find the Cork Soakers sketch on Hulu, I did find Colonel Angus and the Sofa King commercial. When I saw this last one on television live, it took me almost til the end of the sketch to figure out the gag which then had me ROTFL.
(Luckily, I did find Cork Soakers here and while I was looking for it, also found More Cowbell here. Note to NBC and Hulu - make high quality vids of these two classics available.)
Lastly, Hulu also features the uncensored version of the SNL digital short, D**k in a Box and for those of a certain age (as young'ns just might not appreciate it), Alec Baldwin in SNL's The Tony Bennett Show with guest Anthony Benedetto.
Enjoy!
UPDATED!!! They must have listened to me as the Cork Soaker sketch is now available on Hulu. Now, how about More Cowbell guys?
UPDATED!!! More Cowbell is now available on Will Ferrell's Funny Or Die site here!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
The Democratic Response to Sarah Silverman's Video
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Keep It In Your Pants Gov!
It was bad enough when former Governor Eliot Spitzer was caught utilizing the services of a prostitute recently in Washington, leading to his resignation and an estimate that he had spent $80,000 pursuing his extra-curriucular activities.
Then at his installation last week, former Lieutenant-Governor - now Governor David Paterson revealed that he had extra-marital affairs several years ago when his marriage was in shaky condition. I appreciated his honesty, and can even understand the impetus.
Yesterday, Paterson revealed that he used cocaine and marijuana when he was younger. That too, I can deal with (at least he didn't say he didn't inhale . . .)
Now it appears that Paterson and a woman identified as Lila Kirton - Paterson's former lover and an employee in the governor's office - went to South Carolina last October to work on Hilary Clinton's campaign and stayed in the same hotel - a trip that was billed to Paterson's state credit card, even though her job responsibilities do not apparently include such work (she is claiming that she did this on her personal time). On top of all this, an investigation has apparently uncovered that Paterson stayed in a downtown Albany hotel 13 times in the past 15 months even though he has a home 20 minutes away and Ms. Kirton used a state credit card to stay in an Albany hotel 17 times during the same period. Paterson's representative indicated that he needed to be close to the capitol for early morning meetings. See the Albany Times Union story here.
Maybe a mountain is being made out of a mole hill. Or maybe there is, in fact, a mountain there in the middle of Albany. Do I sense another change in leadership coming down the road for New York State? Perhaps before the next governor is installed, a more in-depth background check is in order to make sure this doesn't happen again. Or perhaps this is all helping the economy by providing long beleagured stand-up comics and humorists with enough fodder to keep them gainfully employed for the next several years.
Either way, David Paterson has now earned his very own gossippy news ticker on the right, joining Eliot, Britney, Lindsay and Paris. Joe Bruno - are you due up next?
UPDATE: The Albany Times Union amends its news story here.
UPDATE: Since this story seems to have disappeared from the news, I am removing our new gov from the news ticker.
Then at his installation last week, former Lieutenant-Governor - now Governor David Paterson revealed that he had extra-marital affairs several years ago when his marriage was in shaky condition. I appreciated his honesty, and can even understand the impetus.
Yesterday, Paterson revealed that he used cocaine and marijuana when he was younger. That too, I can deal with (at least he didn't say he didn't inhale . . .)
Now it appears that Paterson and a woman identified as Lila Kirton - Paterson's former lover and an employee in the governor's office - went to South Carolina last October to work on Hilary Clinton's campaign and stayed in the same hotel - a trip that was billed to Paterson's state credit card, even though her job responsibilities do not apparently include such work (she is claiming that she did this on her personal time). On top of all this, an investigation has apparently uncovered that Paterson stayed in a downtown Albany hotel 13 times in the past 15 months even though he has a home 20 minutes away and Ms. Kirton used a state credit card to stay in an Albany hotel 17 times during the same period. Paterson's representative indicated that he needed to be close to the capitol for early morning meetings. See the Albany Times Union story here.
Maybe a mountain is being made out of a mole hill. Or maybe there is, in fact, a mountain there in the middle of Albany. Do I sense another change in leadership coming down the road for New York State? Perhaps before the next governor is installed, a more in-depth background check is in order to make sure this doesn't happen again. Or perhaps this is all helping the economy by providing long beleagured stand-up comics and humorists with enough fodder to keep them gainfully employed for the next several years.
Either way, David Paterson has now earned his very own gossippy news ticker on the right, joining Eliot, Britney, Lindsay and Paris. Joe Bruno - are you due up next?
UPDATE: The Albany Times Union amends its news story here.
UPDATE: Since this story seems to have disappeared from the news, I am removing our new gov from the news ticker.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Barber Shop
There is a barber shop near my office that advertises via a guy that walks up and down Sixth Avenue with a sandwich-board sign handing out leaflets.
Every time I see this guy, he tries to hand me a leaflet.
At this point it would probably help to know, if you don't already, that I have a shaved head. This is what makes this so perplexing to me. The people who hand out leaflets for nail salons generally don't hand them to men, and the guys handing out leaflets for strip clubs generally don't hand them out to women.
You would think that this guy just might make the connection that the barber shop doesn't really have anything to offer me.
Or maybe I should take the approach that my friend Avi, an Israeli artist and educator, took when he couldn't get Macy's to stop clogging his small mailbox by sending him leaflets for women's clothing and cosmetics. He finally called them up and engaged a telephone sales rep for over 20 minutes discussing which shades of rouge and eyeliner would look best on him. They stopped sending him flyers.
Maybe I'll go in, sit in the chair, and ask for just a little bit off the top.
Every time I see this guy, he tries to hand me a leaflet.
At this point it would probably help to know, if you don't already, that I have a shaved head. This is what makes this so perplexing to me. The people who hand out leaflets for nail salons generally don't hand them to men, and the guys handing out leaflets for strip clubs generally don't hand them out to women.
You would think that this guy just might make the connection that the barber shop doesn't really have anything to offer me.
Or maybe I should take the approach that my friend Avi, an Israeli artist and educator, took when he couldn't get Macy's to stop clogging his small mailbox by sending him leaflets for women's clothing and cosmetics. He finally called them up and engaged a telephone sales rep for over 20 minutes discussing which shades of rouge and eyeliner would look best on him. They stopped sending him flyers.
Maybe I'll go in, sit in the chair, and ask for just a little bit off the top.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Double Bushisms
Was away from the office for a couple of days and came back to read the following two goodies from my George W. Bushisms calendar:
"This is Preservation Month. I appreciate preservation. It's what you do when you run for president. You gotta preserve."
"This is Preservation Month. I appreciate preservation. It's what you do when you run for president. You gotta preserve."
-- Speaking during "Perserverance Month"
at Fairgrounds Elementary School in
Nashua, New Hampshire; as quoted in the
Los Angeles Times; January 28, 2000
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."
-- Greece, New York; May 24, 2005
I should really give credit where credit is due. The calendar that I quote here was compiled by Jacob Weisberg and is co-published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC and Simon & Schuster. I am hoping that they publish again next year and suggest that you pick it up as it has guaranteed me a smile to start each of my days!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Only 309 days left!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Eliot Spitzer
As an avid supporter and someone who voted for Eliot Spitzer for governor of New York, I truly feel f@cked.
Oh wait a minute. He's the who one got f@cked.
And as there will surely be a free for all in the press, I'm temporarily adding an Eliot Spitzer news ticker in the column to the right. He now has the dubious honor of joining the gossipy ranks of Britney, Lindsay and Paris.
Oh wait a minute. He's the who one got f@cked.
And as there will surely be a free for all in the press, I'm temporarily adding an Eliot Spitzer news ticker in the column to the right. He now has the dubious honor of joining the gossipy ranks of Britney, Lindsay and Paris.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Matt, Sarah, Jimmy and Ben
Just in case you're one of the 16 people who have not yet seen Sarah Silverman's video that she made for boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel, check it out here. Warning: Parental Discretion Advised!
And for the rest of you, have you seen Jimmy Kimmel's response video that he ran last week on his post-Oscar show? Check that one out here. Again - Warning: Parental Discretion Advised.
I am torn as to which one I like best. The first one certainly wins on originality and concept, but the response wins hands down on gags and cameos.
Note: While the You Tube version links above are slightly longer as they include chit-chat intros to the videos, better quality videos with better sound are available on the ABC site here.
Now that's quality television programming!
And for the rest of you, have you seen Jimmy Kimmel's response video that he ran last week on his post-Oscar show? Check that one out here. Again - Warning: Parental Discretion Advised.
I am torn as to which one I like best. The first one certainly wins on originality and concept, but the response wins hands down on gags and cameos.
Note: While the You Tube version links above are slightly longer as they include chit-chat intros to the videos, better quality videos with better sound are available on the ABC site here.
Now that's quality television programming!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Today's Bushism - Revisionist History?
An entry from last week in my George W. Bushism's calendar. Was he asleep in history class? If we drop nukes on our friends, imagine what we do to our enemies . . .
"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
-- Tokyo, Japan; February 18, 2002
Only 330 days left . . .
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Power of The Blog
First some context - a little lengthy but there's a funny story in it.
One of the most popular blogs in the health IT industry is HIStalk (50,000 visitors and 90,000 views a month). Written anonymously by "Tim", HIStalk covers the industry with humor, insight, and very smart writing. As an industry veteran I occasionally give Tim stories of interest and commentary. Tim usually posts such items as being submitted by pseudonyms drawn from popular culture. It is very satisfying to see my input in print.
I am in Orlando speaking and exhibiting at the health IT industry's biggest conference and trade show - 28,400 attendees and over 900 exhibitors. Tim is here too - incognito - and blogging daily. One of the highlights of Tim's blog is that he reports on interesting products and marketing ideas from the show floor.
On Monday, I was grabbing a bite of lunch in the very crowded food court at the Orange County Convention Center. I sat down with a gentleman whom I discovered was a former partner at Arthur Andersen and was at the show helping his son who had recently started a company called Seal Shield. They make anti-bacterial and submersible computer keyboards and mice. Hospital-acquired infections are, unfortunately, quite common and keyboards are a prime source of cross-contamination. The same is true in schools, especially in light of recent MRSA outbreaks (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) that have required extensive decontamination. A submersible keyboard is somewhat of a holy grail because you can literally throw it in the dishwasher to decontaminate it and then re-use it.
I stopped by their booth which was very near ours and thought the fact that they actually had a dishwasher there was pretty nifty. Their guerrilla marketing, however, was evident when I went to the mens room. At the bottom of each urinal was a blue plastic strainer/splash-guard that said "Your keyboard has 400 times more bacteria than this urinal. Visit Seal Shield at booth . . ." It was hysterical, and even funnier was listening to other men stepping up to the urinal and within a few seconds start laughing.
As I knew that Tim was covering the show I emailed him with the Seal Shield story including the urinals on Monday. Tim blogged about it the following morning quoting me directly. The Seal Shield guys were thrilled and traffic at their booth was booming.
Apparently, Seal Shield's competitors read the blog as well and complained to show management who made Seal Shield remove the screens from the urinals later that day (I really don't want to know how they removed them . . .). I reported this to Tim as well.
As a fan of quirky marketing and a champion of the "little guy", Tim - who had apparently visited the booth on his own at this point - ran a second story the next morning, chastising the competition for sour grapes, and extolling the virtues of Seal Shield even more including a link to their website.
You guessed it. Booth traffic was up even more for these guys.
Ahhh, the power of the blog. I'm glad it helped out the guys at Seal Shield.
One of the most popular blogs in the health IT industry is HIStalk (50,000 visitors and 90,000 views a month). Written anonymously by "Tim", HIStalk covers the industry with humor, insight, and very smart writing. As an industry veteran I occasionally give Tim stories of interest and commentary. Tim usually posts such items as being submitted by pseudonyms drawn from popular culture. It is very satisfying to see my input in print.
I am in Orlando speaking and exhibiting at the health IT industry's biggest conference and trade show - 28,400 attendees and over 900 exhibitors. Tim is here too - incognito - and blogging daily. One of the highlights of Tim's blog is that he reports on interesting products and marketing ideas from the show floor.
On Monday, I was grabbing a bite of lunch in the very crowded food court at the Orange County Convention Center. I sat down with a gentleman whom I discovered was a former partner at Arthur Andersen and was at the show helping his son who had recently started a company called Seal Shield. They make anti-bacterial and submersible computer keyboards and mice. Hospital-acquired infections are, unfortunately, quite common and keyboards are a prime source of cross-contamination. The same is true in schools, especially in light of recent MRSA outbreaks (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) that have required extensive decontamination. A submersible keyboard is somewhat of a holy grail because you can literally throw it in the dishwasher to decontaminate it and then re-use it.
I stopped by their booth which was very near ours and thought the fact that they actually had a dishwasher there was pretty nifty. Their guerrilla marketing, however, was evident when I went to the mens room. At the bottom of each urinal was a blue plastic strainer/splash-guard that said "Your keyboard has 400 times more bacteria than this urinal. Visit Seal Shield at booth . . ." It was hysterical, and even funnier was listening to other men stepping up to the urinal and within a few seconds start laughing.
As I knew that Tim was covering the show I emailed him with the Seal Shield story including the urinals on Monday. Tim blogged about it the following morning quoting me directly. The Seal Shield guys were thrilled and traffic at their booth was booming.
Apparently, Seal Shield's competitors read the blog as well and complained to show management who made Seal Shield remove the screens from the urinals later that day (I really don't want to know how they removed them . . .). I reported this to Tim as well.
As a fan of quirky marketing and a champion of the "little guy", Tim - who had apparently visited the booth on his own at this point - ran a second story the next morning, chastising the competition for sour grapes, and extolling the virtues of Seal Shield even more including a link to their website.
You guessed it. Booth traffic was up even more for these guys.
Ahhh, the power of the blog. I'm glad it helped out the guys at Seal Shield.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
"Political" Trivia
I've mentioned in a previous post that the building I work in has video screens in the elevators that display trivia and news items alongside ads to keep one entertained during the ride. Today, they were running political trivia items. I found the juxtaposition of these two separate items to be interesting:
Barack Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School at the age of 27 and was the first black elected to head the Harvard Law Review.
After 22 years in the Navy, John McCain retired from the military and moved to Phoenix where he worked doing PR for a beer distributor.
Do I sense a political slant here?
Barack Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School at the age of 27 and was the first black elected to head the Harvard Law Review.
After 22 years in the Navy, John McCain retired from the military and moved to Phoenix where he worked doing PR for a beer distributor.
Do I sense a political slant here?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
A New Twist on Announcements
We went to see a performance today by the 7 Fingers called "Traces" at the New Victory Theater. It was a tremendous multi-media show that combined modern dance, circus arts, the Harlem Globetrotters and the Marx Brothers.
What was more interesting, however, were the announcements that were made before the show started. In complete blackness with the house lights down, a deep and very serious voice made the following announcements over the P.A. system:
"Please remember to turn your cell phone ringers on. You never know who may be trying to reach you.
Please use flash photography so that you can subject the performers to perilous danger.
Food and drink are permitted in all areas of the theater as the staff of the New Victory love to spend the hour after the show cleaning up.
Please use video recorders so that you can share the precious memories of this performance with your loved ones for ever and ever.
Feel free to use the restrooms at any time. You will never know what it is you missed.
There are plenty of emergency exits as you never know what may happen."
Now why didn't I ever think of doing this?
What was more interesting, however, were the announcements that were made before the show started. In complete blackness with the house lights down, a deep and very serious voice made the following announcements over the P.A. system:
"Please remember to turn your cell phone ringers on. You never know who may be trying to reach you.
Please use flash photography so that you can subject the performers to perilous danger.
Food and drink are permitted in all areas of the theater as the staff of the New Victory love to spend the hour after the show cleaning up.
Please use video recorders so that you can share the precious memories of this performance with your loved ones for ever and ever.
Feel free to use the restrooms at any time. You will never know what it is you missed.
There are plenty of emergency exits as you never know what may happen."
Now why didn't I ever think of doing this?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
What's In A Name
About 15 years ago there was a Thai restaurant on Eighth Avenue and 55th Street. The name was Siam Inn or King of Siam or something of the sort. Like many Thai restaurants there was a dish on the menu that usually appears as Mee Krob. In this particular restaurant, it was listed as "Mee Grob" and seeing this prompted me to engage the waitress in, at least what I thought was, a funny interchange.
Waitress: "Would you like to order?"
Me: "Yes, but me Grob."
Waitress: "You like Mee Grob?"
Me: (Pointing to myself) "No, ME Grob."
Waitress: "You want Mee Grob?"
Me: Pulling out my drivers' license, pointing to my picture and then pointing to my name, "You see - ME Grob!"
Waitress: Feigning understanding, "Ohhh. I see. . . You want Mee Grob?"
She never got it and I was probably a lot more amused than the friends with whom I was dining. The reason I mention this is because I passed the same storefront today and it is no longer a Thai restaurant, but a bar and restaurant called (drumroll, please) "Matt's Grill."
I think I'll have to go and repeat my performance.
Waitress: "Would you like to order?"
Me: "Yes, but me Grob."
Waitress: "You like Mee Grob?"
Me: (Pointing to myself) "No, ME Grob."
Waitress: "You want Mee Grob?"
Me: Pulling out my drivers' license, pointing to my picture and then pointing to my name, "You see - ME Grob!"
Waitress: Feigning understanding, "Ohhh. I see. . . You want Mee Grob?"
She never got it and I was probably a lot more amused than the friends with whom I was dining. The reason I mention this is because I passed the same storefront today and it is no longer a Thai restaurant, but a bar and restaurant called (drumroll, please) "Matt's Grill."
I think I'll have to go and repeat my performance.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Pitchers and Catchers
Spring must be near as pitchers and catchers reported to camp yesterday.
And if you were thinking of something other than baseball, shame on you.
And if you were thinking of something other than baseball, shame on you.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Today's Valentine's Bushism
From today's George W. Bushisms calendar - particularly appropriate for Valentine's Day:
"The Bob Jones policy on interracial dating, I mean I spoke out on interracial dating. I spoke against that. I spoke out against interracial dating. I support the policy of interracial dating."
Can you say "waffle?" Only 341 days left!
"The Bob Jones policy on interracial dating, I mean I spoke out on interracial dating. I spoke against that. I spoke out against interracial dating. I support the policy of interracial dating."
--CBS News; February 25, 2000
Can you say "waffle?" Only 341 days left!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Root Beer Rag
Nine-year old Sam's musical tastes are much more sophisticated than many adults, and he really does not like most rock 'n roll - something I admit with a heavy heart (luckily Molly's tastes are closer to mine). That being said, there are some artists that Sam has come to like including Billy Joel and James Taylor.
One BJ tune in particular appeals to Sam as it is a piano instrumental - and a very tricky one at that. Root Beer Rag (from Streetlife Serenade) is a very upbeat and complex ragtime tune. In an effort to foster an interest in my music for Sam, I picked up the sheet music for him this week.
Betsy, an accomplished pianist in her own right, tried it out first and was having some trouble with it and had to play it very slowly to figure out the fingering. Sam, meanwhile, has spent just about an hour in total working on it and is starting to sound very much like Billy himself in terms of keeping the right tempo as well as the phrasing. The interesting thing is that once he figured out the notes, he has worked on it without looking at the sheet music - he is doing it by ear and from having heard the song maybe half a dozen times in total.
We always knew Sam was a talented musician, but the fact that he is working on a piece that is meaningful to me brings a huge smile of happiness and satisfaction to my face. Now if only he could make some of Billy Joel's money . . .
One BJ tune in particular appeals to Sam as it is a piano instrumental - and a very tricky one at that. Root Beer Rag (from Streetlife Serenade) is a very upbeat and complex ragtime tune. In an effort to foster an interest in my music for Sam, I picked up the sheet music for him this week.
Betsy, an accomplished pianist in her own right, tried it out first and was having some trouble with it and had to play it very slowly to figure out the fingering. Sam, meanwhile, has spent just about an hour in total working on it and is starting to sound very much like Billy himself in terms of keeping the right tempo as well as the phrasing. The interesting thing is that once he figured out the notes, he has worked on it without looking at the sheet music - he is doing it by ear and from having heard the song maybe half a dozen times in total.
We always knew Sam was a talented musician, but the fact that he is working on a piece that is meaningful to me brings a huge smile of happiness and satisfaction to my face. Now if only he could make some of Billy Joel's money . . .
Out Of The Mouths of Babes
I always say I'm going to catalog some of the things that come out of my children's mouths, yet I rarely get to do so. Earlier today, however, 7-year old Molly said something that still has me chuckling.
I had picked her up from a birthday party downtown and we were on the subway heading home. She was complaining almost the whole way home about being thirsty as she had not had anything to drink for several hours. She asked me to buy her a bottle of water, but I said that as we were on the subway I could not, and that once we got off the subway we would be home within a matter of minutes so she would just have to wait. I was pleased that she had turned down the soda and lemonade being served at the party (she is relatively health-conscious) but helped her to understand that she could have easily asked for a glass of water.
We were almost at the front door of our building when I asked her if the first thing she was going to do when we got to our apartment was run and drink a gallon of water. She replied, "No, first I'm going to pee. After all, I want to get my money's worth."
She slays me.
I had picked her up from a birthday party downtown and we were on the subway heading home. She was complaining almost the whole way home about being thirsty as she had not had anything to drink for several hours. She asked me to buy her a bottle of water, but I said that as we were on the subway I could not, and that once we got off the subway we would be home within a matter of minutes so she would just have to wait. I was pleased that she had turned down the soda and lemonade being served at the party (she is relatively health-conscious) but helped her to understand that she could have easily asked for a glass of water.
We were almost at the front door of our building when I asked her if the first thing she was going to do when we got to our apartment was run and drink a gallon of water. She replied, "No, first I'm going to pee. After all, I want to get my money's worth."
She slays me.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Geek Jokes
I have to admit that I am somewhat of a geek at heart with a strong background and belief system rooted in science and empirical research. Consequently, when I heard the following two geeky jokes from Aaron Freeman - a truly interesting and funny man - I loved them and wish to share them here with like-minded folks (there is a third joke, but it needs to be told not written so ask me about it next time you speak with me). If you don't get them, you're just not sufficiently geeky.
Joke 1:
A neutron walks into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender prepares it and places it on the bar. The neutron asks, "What do I owe ya?" The bartender replies, "You? No charge."
Joke 2:
Three statisticians went duck hunting. As the ducks flew overhead, the first statistician stood up and fired, the shots going just behind the ducks. The second statistician stood up and fired, the shots going just in front of the ducks. The third statistician stood up and yelled, "WE GOT'EM!!"
Yuk, yuk . . .
Joke 1:
A neutron walks into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender prepares it and places it on the bar. The neutron asks, "What do I owe ya?" The bartender replies, "You? No charge."
Joke 2:
Three statisticians went duck hunting. As the ducks flew overhead, the first statistician stood up and fired, the shots going just behind the ducks. The second statistician stood up and fired, the shots going just in front of the ducks. The third statistician stood up and yelled, "WE GOT'EM!!"
Yuk, yuk . . .
The Blues About The Blues
I know that all of America voted on it in a democratic process, and they seem to have permeated everyday life, but I just can't get used to blue M&Ms being part of the regular mix. It is an abomination before whatever deity you pray to.
Today's Bushism
From today's George W. Bushisms calendar - particularly timely in light of current recession fears:
"A tax cut is really one of the anecdotes to coming out of an economic illness."
Only 356 days left!
"A tax cut is really one of the anecdotes to coming out of an economic illness."
--Appearing on The Edge with Paula Zahn;
September 18, 2000
Only 356 days left!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Parents' Career Day
This morning I went to Parents' Career Day for Molly's Class. About 12 parents came to talk about what they do for a living.
There were a couple of lawyers, a couple of stock analysts, a financial planner, a massage therapist, an artist, and a few others.
I have a hard enough time explaining what I do to adults, no less eight-year olds but I must have done a pretty good job. The kids had prepared a list of questions the day before to ask parents like "Do you travel?", "Do you like the people you work with?", and "What did you want to be when you were growing up?" I was the only parent to get questions related to what I was talking about which means they were not only listening, but thinking it through.
I was also apparently fairly entertaining. When asked by one student what I would do if I didn't have this job, I said that when I was younger I wanted to be a detective but now I'd be a travel writer. Molly's teacher whispered to Betsy her response for me - stand-up comedian!
I had a great time, and hope that I inspired some second graders to consider a career in healthcare information technology consulting!
There were a couple of lawyers, a couple of stock analysts, a financial planner, a massage therapist, an artist, and a few others.
I have a hard enough time explaining what I do to adults, no less eight-year olds but I must have done a pretty good job. The kids had prepared a list of questions the day before to ask parents like "Do you travel?", "Do you like the people you work with?", and "What did you want to be when you were growing up?" I was the only parent to get questions related to what I was talking about which means they were not only listening, but thinking it through.
I was also apparently fairly entertaining. When asked by one student what I would do if I didn't have this job, I said that when I was younger I wanted to be a detective but now I'd be a travel writer. Molly's teacher whispered to Betsy her response for me - stand-up comedian!
I had a great time, and hope that I inspired some second graders to consider a career in healthcare information technology consulting!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Composer Is Dead
Today we attended the New York premiere of a very cool musical performance piece entitled The Composer Is Dead with music by Nathaniel Stookey and words by Lemony Snicket. It was performed by The Little Orchestra Society and narrated live by Lemony Snicket
Yes, Lemony Snicket. For those who don't know, Lemony Snicket (the author of those books about a series of unfortunate events) is, in real life, Daniel Handler (read more here).
The Composer Is Dead is essentially a very humorous story intertwined with a symphonic musical piece that details the investigation of the murder of a composer. Daniel Handler proved that not only is he an outstanding author and storyteller, but a darn fine performer as well.
My favorite narrative part was from the beginning:
'A composer thinks up melodies, hums tunes, thinks about how the orchestra will sound and writes down the notes. This is called composing. This time, however, the composer was not humming tunes or writing down notes. In fact, he wasn't even breathing. This is called decomposing.'
It will be out in a picture book with accompanying CD in 2009. Look for it.
Yes, Lemony Snicket. For those who don't know, Lemony Snicket (the author of those books about a series of unfortunate events) is, in real life, Daniel Handler (read more here).
The Composer Is Dead is essentially a very humorous story intertwined with a symphonic musical piece that details the investigation of the murder of a composer. Daniel Handler proved that not only is he an outstanding author and storyteller, but a darn fine performer as well.
My favorite narrative part was from the beginning:
'A composer thinks up melodies, hums tunes, thinks about how the orchestra will sound and writes down the notes. This is called composing. This time, however, the composer was not humming tunes or writing down notes. In fact, he wasn't even breathing. This is called decomposing.'
It will be out in a picture book with accompanying CD in 2009. Look for it.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Troubled Tush
Last night Sam told me the name of the book he took out from the library. I didn't believe him until he showed it to me.
"The Day My Butt Went Psycho - Based on a True Story."
Dickens it ain't . . .
"The Day My Butt Went Psycho - Based on a True Story."
Dickens it ain't . . .
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Bushism Calendar
I picked up a great 2008 desk calendar for my office - "George W. Bushisms" - containing a different quote from our fearless leader for each day of the year. It's also cool in that it features a countdown until he's out of office (only 377 days left from today!).
All of them are funny, but some are better than others so I will post one from time to time, starting with today's.
"This morning my administration released the budget numbers for fiscal 2006. These budget numbers are not just estimates; these are the actual results for the fiscal year ended February thirtieth."
All of them are funny, but some are better than others so I will post one from time to time, starting with today's.
"This morning my administration released the budget numbers for fiscal 2006. These budget numbers are not just estimates; these are the actual results for the fiscal year ended February thirtieth."
-- Referring to the fiscal year that ended
on September 30; Washington, D.C.;
October 11, 2006
Monday, January 07, 2008
Ben Stiller in Miami Vice
I honestly don't know what made me remember this today, but I thought I'd share it as I got a big kick out of it at the time.
In the spring of 2001, I was in Tel Aviv on business (worked for an Israeli company at the time). Impacted by jet lag I found myself one morning flipping through TV channels at about 3:00AM. I stumbled across a channel that was having a Miami Vice marathon and given the paucity of other things to watch, I tuned in for a while. Imagine my surprise when Ben Stiller appeared in a bit part in this episode from 1987. The other funny thing is that Brian Dennehy also starred as a crooked minister aptly named "Reverend Billy Bob Proverb."
In the spring of 2001, I was in Tel Aviv on business (worked for an Israeli company at the time). Impacted by jet lag I found myself one morning flipping through TV channels at about 3:00AM. I stumbled across a channel that was having a Miami Vice marathon and given the paucity of other things to watch, I tuned in for a while. Imagine my surprise when Ben Stiller appeared in a bit part in this episode from 1987. The other funny thing is that Brian Dennehy also starred as a crooked minister aptly named "Reverend Billy Bob Proverb."
Friday, January 04, 2008
A Shout Out to Rob
Rob is married to my cousin Dana and they live in the Dallas area. Rob is a great guy and a born and bred Brooklynite.
When Rob read my post about tourists in NYC at the holidays (check it out here), he loved it and told me that it helped him finally get Dana to understand how we feel about out-of-towners here in the Big Apple.
If only every entry in my blog could bring peace and understanding among the nations . . .
When Rob read my post about tourists in NYC at the holidays (check it out here), he loved it and told me that it helped him finally get Dana to understand how we feel about out-of-towners here in the Big Apple.
If only every entry in my blog could bring peace and understanding among the nations . . .
Santa Pics
I just got some pictures from when I played Santa a few weeks ago (see original post here).
The first two are with some of the kids. The girl sitting on my knee in the first pic is the one who asked me to bring her a baby.
The third pic is with the CEO of the health center on my knee.
The fourth pic is Lorraine, the head of community outreach, helping to buckle the belt beneath my pillow-stuffed tummy. Out-of-context, it seems as if Santa is really enjoying the experience!
The first two are with some of the kids. The girl sitting on my knee in the first pic is the one who asked me to bring her a baby.
The third pic is with the CEO of the health center on my knee.
The fourth pic is Lorraine, the head of community outreach, helping to buckle the belt beneath my pillow-stuffed tummy. Out-of-context, it seems as if Santa is really enjoying the experience!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Boston Surprises
We just came back from our annual trip to Boston for New Years. We go every year for their First Night celebration and an assortment of other activities including pool time at the hotel, at least one stop at the Museum of Science and lunch at Pizzeria Regina in the North End. This year we added some new meals at Boston landmarks including a lunch at Durgin Park, a dinner at Hammersley's Bistro (one of Betsy's favorite restaurants and we even had an opportunity to chat with Gordon Hammersley) and a breakfast at The Paramount on Beacon Hill. It was also pretty thrilling to be in town when the Pats took the Giants to claim their historic place in NFL history with a 16-0 regular season.
What surprised us this year was the kids' interest in some new activities. First was the Freedom Trail. Sammy and I had recently watched the movie 1776 - the film version of the Broadway show which details the events leading up to July 4, 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Consequently, he was able to relate to many of the landmarks and was excited about linking what he learned in the movie with things that we were actually seeing. It was a cold day and Molly did a lot of complaining (soothed with a hot chocolate stop at Starbucks), but Sammy was loving it.
The next surprise was a special CSI exhibit at the Museum of Science. It was very well done and walks you through an interactive investigation of a crime through forensics which requires you to solve the mystery of a murder. A couple of years ago Sammy was very into detective work, but this time it was Molly that fully embraced it, even getting past her anxieties about death to solve the puzzle (the victim's ex-wife did the dirty deed).
Although the kids do like interactive museums, we decided to expose them to some art as well and took them to one of our favorites, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Again, while Molly complained most of the time, Sammy really got into it, piecing together things he has learned in school over the past couple of years as well as having a general appreciation for all of the different types of art presented.
The last and perhaps most meaningful surprise was this morning. Before going back to work I had a chat with Molly about all of the things we did and asked her which she liked the most. We went through the very long list of activities and restaurants. Her favorite activity - which wasn't even on the list we came up with - truly warmed my heart. On Saturday night we went to Hammersley's with our family friend Jeanne who is one of my mother-in-law's oldest friends. It was about a 15 minute walk from our hotel and while Jeanne and Betsy strolled and chatted behind us, Sammy, Molly and I had a great time holding hands, telling jokes and riddles, and generally fooling around. It was the first time in a while that I was able to leave behind anything that was on my mind and just completely enjoy my kids. This was what Molly declared as her favorite activity and I nearly cried when she told me that.
A nice way to start the new year!
What surprised us this year was the kids' interest in some new activities. First was the Freedom Trail. Sammy and I had recently watched the movie 1776 - the film version of the Broadway show which details the events leading up to July 4, 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Consequently, he was able to relate to many of the landmarks and was excited about linking what he learned in the movie with things that we were actually seeing. It was a cold day and Molly did a lot of complaining (soothed with a hot chocolate stop at Starbucks), but Sammy was loving it.
The next surprise was a special CSI exhibit at the Museum of Science. It was very well done and walks you through an interactive investigation of a crime through forensics which requires you to solve the mystery of a murder. A couple of years ago Sammy was very into detective work, but this time it was Molly that fully embraced it, even getting past her anxieties about death to solve the puzzle (the victim's ex-wife did the dirty deed).
Although the kids do like interactive museums, we decided to expose them to some art as well and took them to one of our favorites, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Again, while Molly complained most of the time, Sammy really got into it, piecing together things he has learned in school over the past couple of years as well as having a general appreciation for all of the different types of art presented.
The last and perhaps most meaningful surprise was this morning. Before going back to work I had a chat with Molly about all of the things we did and asked her which she liked the most. We went through the very long list of activities and restaurants. Her favorite activity - which wasn't even on the list we came up with - truly warmed my heart. On Saturday night we went to Hammersley's with our family friend Jeanne who is one of my mother-in-law's oldest friends. It was about a 15 minute walk from our hotel and while Jeanne and Betsy strolled and chatted behind us, Sammy, Molly and I had a great time holding hands, telling jokes and riddles, and generally fooling around. It was the first time in a while that I was able to leave behind anything that was on my mind and just completely enjoy my kids. This was what Molly declared as her favorite activity and I nearly cried when she told me that.
A nice way to start the new year!
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