The World According to Me

Yuck

2010-08-13T15:58:00.002-04:00

So I just attempted to post my first blog report in three years and the internet ate my entry. Oh, there was some pithy comment about a seventeen-year-old girl failing to understand how her diatribe on the cosmetic industry's inability to effectively market itself to the Goth crowd might fall on deaf ears to the admissions committee at Yale.

Perhaps it will be another three years before I write again.

Shhhhhh, She's Sleeping

2007-08-04T10:03:00.001-04:00

There is nothing—not skydiving, hitting a homerun, or ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins—that compares with holding your child. As I dexterously type this with just my right hand, the left is holding little Levyn Anabelle, the six-pound, six-ounce (actually now six-pound, three-ounce) joy of our life. The baby and I are letting Mrs. E catch some Z’s.

I can’t get enough of her cooing. It’s unequivocally the cutest sound in the world.

It’s amazing how when your child is born your priorities immediately and permanently shift. I haven’t really thought about work for almost a week. And you know what? I’m okay with that. Oh sure, eventually I’ll get back into the mode of writing several recommendation letters a day, worrying if a particular student has enough “safe” schools on his list, and fighting the evil empire known as US News & World Report. But I know that I will be engaging in all of those activities so that I can come home at the end of the day and see my girl’s pouty lips, darting eyes, and outstretched arms. And for now, I’m satisfied just sitting here watching her breathe, hoping she’s dreaming sweet dreams.

Sports Landscape

2007-07-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

I’ve been wondering recently whether there has been a time in the history of American sports where all of its major sports were dealing with scandal. The 1919 “Black Sox” dominated the news after throwing the World Series, CCNY rocked the college basketball world in the early 1950’s for shaving points, and fan favorite and all-time hits leader Pete “Charlie Hustle” Rose was given a lifetime ban in 1989 for betting on baseball. But, never have three of the country’s major sports (and, of course, what defines a major sport changes by era) simultaneously fallen under the dark cloud of indignity.

NFL: Football has clearly taken over as the #1 sport in America, at least outside the Nascar-crazy south. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, perhaps the league’s most identifiable superstar was indicted this week for hosting a dog fighting ring and criminally abusing dogs, often torturing them to death. Whether you’re a card-carrying member of PETA or just a normal human being, the allegations in this case are horrifying.

MLB: Once America’s pastime, baseball has seen a revival of sorts in the past decade. This restoration is due largely to an increase in the number of runs scored per game; more specifically, the home run barrage has aided the sport’s popularity. After all, “chicks dig the long ball.” In the past five years, however, under intense scrutiny brought on primarily (and ironically) by baseball superstar-turned-author Jose Canseco, people have begun to question the validity of the increased offense. What was once called the home run era has been dubbed the steroid era. It has all come to a head this summer as Barry Bonds is assaulting Henry (Hank) Aaron’s all-time home run record. As of this writing, Bonds is one homer behind Hammerin’ Hank.

NBA: Last among the three in terms of TV ratings, the NBA is number one in the hip-hop culture. Two weeks ago the sports wires were abuzz with the news that Todd Donaghy, a thirteen-year veteran referee, was found to have accepted money from the mob to affect the point spreads in NBA games.

As I am wont to do on Sunday mornings, I relaxed on the chaise while viewing Outside the Lines, a sports version of Nightline. The panelists were asked which sport is in a more dire position and which commissioner has a more difficult job. While on the face it would appear that Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner) and David Stern (NBA Commissioner) have the greater challenges, I believe Bud Selig (MLB Commissioner) faces the toughest task of all. It is true that dog fighting and point shaving are PR nightmares. But these are (hopefully)isolated incidents. The NFL can banish Michael Vick if it wants (and if he’s thrown in jail they won’t even have to) and the NBA can chalk this up to “one rogue referee.” But baseball’s entire structure is under attack. And Selig is virtually powerless to do anything. When Bonds breaks Aaron’s home run record, Selig is in an untenable position. If he doesn’t publicly acknowledge the accomplishment, he is presuming a man’s guilt when nothing, but a heap of circumstantial evidence, has appeared. Plus, Selig no doubt feels some culpability as he has presided over this era. If he does praise Bonds, he is tacitly approving Bonds’ use of performance-enhancing drugs. This is additionally painful for Selig because of his friendship with Henry Aaron. Perhaps the most frustrating realization is that we might never know the truth (not only with Bonds, but in terms of the widespread use of drugs) and the game’s integrity will forever be in question. For those of us who still consider baseball to be the true American pastime, this is disturbing.

Frankly, I’m upset, disgusted, and dismayed. But more than that, I’m sad. I want to think that the games I’m watching are on the up and up. Otherwise, I might as well watch the WWE. At least they admit to doing ‘roids; or it shows up in their system when they commit a double-murder/suicide.

What a summer it’s been!

Technology Scares Me

2007-07-24T13:07:00.000-04:00

Everyone who knows me understands that I don't always "get" technology. As a child of the 80's I tend to externalize blame and why should this be any exception. Therefore I find my science teachers (roughly from the years 1984-1996) culpable. I have discovered in recent years that I find science incredibly fascinating. How the world works, from evolution to medicine, is infinitely interesting. I thought all of those years I hated science; not true. Having said all that, I'm still not clear on the difference between neutrons and electrons or fission and fusion.

When my friend Ben showed me his new iPhone, what with its wireless internet access, music storage capability, and primary function to communicate with others via speaking, all I could say was, "Gee, that's pretty cool."

I'm not sure from whence my fear of technology truly stems. Despite the aforementioned dearth of quality science instructors, I can't in good conscience deflect all blame. I was, though, able to exact some measure of revenge yesterday with a daily bodily function. While on the phone with Time Warner, attempting to figure out why the cable was out in the bedroom (it turns out you need to actually plug in the cable from the wall for the unit to work), I was subjected to one of my least favorite forms of modern technology--the automated voice response system. While listening to the options, I inadvertently interrupted the system with a sneeze, to which I heard the following: "I heard you say, 'Customer service representative.' If this is correct, press one."

I fell asleep last night with a contented air, confident that the world isn't yet passing me by.

10/10

2007-07-22T17:20:00.000-04:00

I imagine that many of the coming entries will deal with the pregnancy. Since I shivered through our arctic bedroom (comfortable temperature is one of the casualties of a pregnant summer in New York) for most of the night, I had plenty of time to think of blog fodder.

Mrs. E and I spent the weekend on the east side taking a childbirth class at NYU. The course, for which we received a Print Shop-like certificate, was surprisingly excellent. I say surprising because I expected to be either completely bored or equally overwhelmed by a two-day, 12-hour class. However, our instructor Michele was quite adept at explaining the details of late-term pregnancy, labor & delivery, and immediate post-partem child care. We laughed, we cried. It was like watching any of the past several state-of-the-union addresses.

The seven couples with whom we shared the course fit some stereotypical pregnant couple archetypes. There was the older, Italian couple who brought either the husband's or wife's mother. I'm guessing it was the wife's mother because while dad slept through half the course, the old lady served as coach for the breathing exercises.

Couple number two was hardly noteworthy, except the husband spoke with an accent and though his name is Peter it was pronounced PEH-ter. My guess, based on his complexion, is that he hails from somewhere in northern Europe. What I actually said to Mrs. E is, "I'll bet he's one of those Norwegian punks!" For the record, I think I would actually like Norway. I mean, I like people from Minnesota.

We couldn't get a good read on the third couple. The husband, whom I dub "Lacoste Boy" since he wore three different solid colored Lacoste shirts over the course of two days, asked the most random questions. For example, "Now, is the drug they offer during the aforementioned stage biological or chemical?" I'm not sure if he works for an anti-terrorist government outfit or simply opposes man-made aids. As engaged as he was in the class, his wife was the only pregnant person who didn't ask a single question over the course of the two days. In fact, I estimate that every woman asked at least half a dozen questions. She didn't open her mouth. Lacoste Boy passed out yesterday during the discussion of C-Sections. It was approximately around the time when Michele mentioned placenta previa which would necessitate an immediate C-section. After a series of epileptic convulsions he finally came to in about five minutes. Incidentally, Lacoste Boy also sported Burberry socks. No, I'm serious.

There was an older couple who clearly had read way too much. Let me clarify. When I say older I mean they were in their late 30's or early 40's, which for a first child is on the older side. I recognize that people are having children later in life, but they were the oldest couple in the class. So if you are apt to be offended by my description then just use older as a relative term. At any rate, the husband spent a bit of time yesterday trying to convince everyone of the virtues of saving the baby's cord blood. Mrs. E and I had already looked into this and consulted our physician. I feel sorry for the others because I'm pretty convinced he or a member of his family works for Viacord. The wife was adamantly opposed to an episiotomy and seems to have used this as the sole factor in weeding out potential doctors.

We were particularly fond of the half-white, half-asian couple who seem like they're having a great time being pregnant. They, like us, don't take themselves too seriously. They asked important questions, but aren't stressing out more than is healthy.

There isn't much to say about the remaining couple other than the wife is due a day before Mrs. E and is half the size.

The breathing exercises were hilarious. I didn't mean to laugh, but I had to chuckle a little. I couldn't help but think of The Cosby Show episode where John Ritter (far and away my favorite childhood actor)and Amy Yasbeck guest starred as expecting parents. Ritter, of course, employed the same physical comedy that made him a star on Three's Company.

Toward the end of the day we learned about the apgar score. The baby is measured at one minute and five minutes after his or her birth and is assigned a score of 0-2 on each of five criteria (color and responsiveness, are two examples) for a maximum of ten points. Healthy babies have a score of at least seven. Like my hole cards in my last hand of Texas hold'em online, my future Heisman-winning quarterback will secure a pair of tens!

Sicko

2007-07-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

We saw Sicko last weekend, the new Michael Moore documentary vilifying the American health care industry. I realized, while I was trying to scrape up my jaw from the sticky, Coke-drenched floor, that the fact that I used the word “industry” to finish that last sentence is what’s wrong with our structure. The film is excellent. Sure, Moore is polarizing because he’s an unabashed, lightning rod liberal whose techniques are dubious. And yes, his speech at the Oscars a couple of years back was inappropriate. I know many left-wingers who find him reprehensible. But the dude knows how to make movies. And even if he’s exaggerating a little for effect, he’s not making this stuff up.

How is it possible that we--the richest country and lone superpower (so they say)--have a worse system than El Salvador? EL SALVADOR!!!! That’s right, the same El Salvador where over a third of the people live below the poverty line; the El Salvador whose early history was marred by revolutions and coups; yes, even the El Salvador that forbids abortion under ANY circumstance. In the name of Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez, what is going on here?

I don’t want to be branded as a socialist; God knows I have a healthy respect for money, particularly that which resides in my wallet or bank. But I would be willing to pay more in taxes for better health coverage. As Moore attempts to illustrate, it’s not only uninsured individuals at risk. We, the insured, have much to fear. Insurance companies exist to make money, not protect people. In fact, the more people they protect, the less money in their pockets. No wonder they deny so many claims. It is an illogically, flawed system.

It’s a good thing that, like Fame, I’m gonna live forever.

SYTYCD

2007-07-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

Mrs. E and I are watching So You Think You Can Dance, a dancing version of "American Idol." We contend that the dancers on this show, who beautifully contort their bodies and bend like rubber bands, are far more talented than are the karaoke-like singers on Idol. For those who were unable to see tonight's show, here is the quick synopsis:

8:03 -- What is Mary Murphy wearing? She looks like a zebra with leggings on her arms.

8:05 -- Wade Robson, clearly smoking some narcotic, espouses his notion of how he wants to see humans on stage, not just dancers. What?!?

8:14 -- Dominic and Sabra are freakin' awesome! It's a bit curious that Sabra kept saying in the opening piece that Dom always drops her during their lifts. At first I thought she was joking, but then she continued to harp on it.

8:31 -- I've warmed up to Cat Deeley since the first year. She's quite sappy, but I suppose she serves her purpose well. But she is REALLY thin. Far too thin if you ask me. Incidentally, can anyone explain to me why (it seems) so many of our reality shows are hosted by British imports? You know, we could've kept those accents if we liked them so much.

8:32 -- Hok and Jaimie disappointed tonight. Hok is an unreal talent. But, like Cedric (eliminated last week), he lacks the technique that most of the dancers possess. This is why the street, hip-hop dancers typically don't make it to the end of the competition. Eventually, the audience catches on that they have lots of style, but very little substance.

8:42 -- Pasha and Sara were bland. Mary is 100% correct. While they may have been technically correct with their ceaseless jazz hands, they did not connect with the audience. And those outfits! I know they danced to a Queen song, but did they need to raid Freddy Mercury's (may he rest in peace) closet?

8:56 -- Mary clearly has channeled Mrs. E because every comment that comes out of my wife's mouth inevitably is echoed by Mary mere seconds later. For example, after Neil and Lauren's routine, Mrs. E said, "What is this supposed to mean?" After acknowledging that she liked the performance, Mary raised the very same issue. The only difference between Mary and Mrs. E is that the latter doesn't screech every five minutes like she's descending from the top of a roller coaster.

9:07 -- Danny is this generation's Tommy Tune--lanky, terrific extensions, and a joy to watch. Finally, as Wade points out, Danny has made an emotional connection. Can he chill with the sweat, though? It looks like he just stepped out of the pool. Anya is boring me more and more each week.

9:18 -- Same Dan Karaty hip-hop motif: boy chases girl, but girl is a nasty bitch. Sooooooo cliche.

9:19 -- Remember Brittany Spears' slutty Catholic school uniform from that video? Lacey's outfit is the slutty version of that!

9:25 -- Whereas in the past two or three weeks it has been difficult to discriminate between so many outstanding performances, this week's routines were underwhelming. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them are booted, nor would I be too disappointed. The tension is mounting. Oh, were it only Thursday night already!!!

Logic, People!

2007-07-17T23:47:00.000-04:00

The most frustrating aspect to life on Capitol Hill (and I witnessed this first hand during my days as an intern) is the propensity for elected officials to make statements based on politics rather than policy. They substitute rhetoric for substance, sound bites for sound reasoning. Case in point is the response to the US intelligent agencies' report on Al Queda, released today.

According to today's LA Times, "Democrats cited the report as evidence that the war in Iraq has hurt the war on terrorism, while Republicans said it showed that the Bush administration has made gains in the war on terrorism."

How in the hell is it possible to come to such divergent conclusions? I try to be fair in my assessment of the parties and God knows the Democrats have done some stupid things. But if Bin Laden and his cronies are planning another attack, kicking us into a position of heightened threat, doesn't it stand to reason that we have not properly utilized our finite resources, particularly in the last five years? In other words, "Uh, fellas...the bad guys are in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What are we doing in Iraq?"

How anyone can still argue that we are safer today than we would have been had we not invaded Iraq is completely beyond me. We are the laughing stock of the international community and have completely destabilized a formerly secular country and unnecessarily killed thousands of American troops.

A conservative friend and I were emailing today. We often exchange ideas on candidates, generally reserving our in depth analysis for the members of our respective parties. Among other things he said, "I'm not enamored with any of the candidates, though I like Rudy's tough stance on the War on Terror." I don't really know what that means. I fear that the Democrats will continue to be painted into the soft-on-crime/soft-on-defense corner.

Professional Responsibility

2007-07-17T10:25:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle. I spend much of my time attempting to convince students (and their parents) that their value as a person is not measured by how elite the college which they eventually attend is. In my industry one of the evil empires is the annual US News & World Report college rankings edition, which inevitably fuels this fire. When Dad sent me an article from the LA Times last week by an Elon University professor who supports what US News attempts to do I felt a professional duty to respond. I have submitted the following "Letter to the Editor." I thought I'd publish it here first on the theory that my letter will not make it.

(Here is the original article: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-skube8jul08,1,2073427.story)

Aside from the several factual inaccuracies in Michael Skube’s “The No. 1 Reason to Rank Colleges” article in July 8th’s LA Times, Mr. Skube fails to understand the big picture in the hysteria known as college admissions. The annual college rankings edition of US News & World Report is dangerous for two primary reasons which Skube inexplicably supports. First, it attempts to quantify that which is a qualitative process. The magazine’s statisticians capriciously assign relative import to factors such as retention, financial aid, alumni giving, and standardized testing average, to name a few. While one student might deem SAT scores to measure the health of a college, another might be more interested in a college’s endowment. Selecting a college is not, as Skube suggests, akin to buying a car—a spurious comparison to be sure. The services an automobile provides are far more tangible than the benefits of higher education, about which tomes have been written. The second—and more destructive—reason this publication hurts our children is that students actually do make decisions based on US News. Skube writes, “What is almost certain is that few students and their parents choose a college simply because it’s ranked third while another is ranked sixth or 16th.” Mr. Skube should spend some time sitting with impressionable adolescents whose goal in life is to get into the “best” college possible. Perhaps then he will understand how impactful these rankings truly are. If the goal is to compare “apples with academic apples” so that families can make informed decisions, then simply publish the facts without trying to put them in some arbitrary order. Trust that the “consumers” will be able to do that for themselves.

I'm Back, Baby!

2007-07-16T22:31:00.001-04:00

I can cite a number of reasons why I have neglected to submit an entry for nearly a year. None of them, however, justify my absence. This is particularly true since this past year has been so eventful. For example, Mrs. E is currently "housing" our first child, set to make his or her appearance in just a few short weeks. I could poetically pen a thousand words expressing my joy and pride at bringing life into the world; and it wouldn’t do justice to my emotions.

My triumphant return to blogging, though, corresponds to a most remarkable episode I have just experienced. After nearly a week of service I have concluded my journey as a juror in the New York criminal court system. I must admit that my enthusiasm to serve was tempered by a scheduled trip to Maine, which was subsequently cancelled. When the court official announced the impending murder trial for which the voir dire process was about to commence, I instinctively knew I would be selected. I am a benign-looking male whose job doesn’t automatically disqualify me. Furthermore, I refused to concoct some lame story about being unable to conduct myself in an objective manner, unlike many of my fellow jury candidates. The first of many noteworthy moments occurred during that inventory of potential jurors. I am amazed at how many people in New York have been the victims of crime—particularly of the violent variety. It seems that I am the only person (poo poo poo) not to have found his way into the path of an intended robber, rapist, or murderer.

Murder is the most heinous crime in our society. But growing up in a slow, suburban beach community and working at an affluent school, murder is the furthest thing from my mind. It is a concept contemplated only in a world set apart from my own through the veneer of fictional movies or books. I can deal with it in the abstract because it never has to be more real.

I was thrust, however, into the world of drug-dealing thugs whose lives are more suspenseful than the best Clancy or Grisham tale. The characters in this story were straight from central casting. The two defendants were up-and-coming cocaine and heroin dealers in New York City. And the two primary witnesses for the people were turning state’s evidence, copping pleas to other charges enabling the prosecution to build its case against the defendants. It was impossible not to simultaneously find their words believable and incredible because they were as despicable as the defendants themselves.

After two and a half days of testimony dealing with the gruesome death of a man barely eligible to drink beer, and the drug deal surrounding his murder, the jury began deliberations. The most interesting aspect of this intellectual exercise is how twelve smart, observant, and intuitive people can arrive at such different initial conclusions since we all heard the same accounts (and there were several versions) of the evening. Our job was to judge whether the prosecution, based on the evidence submitted, built a strong enough case to convince us beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants committed the crimes of which they were accused. It sounds simple, but with so much testimony from shady characters—all of whom had reason to twist the truth (or what they remember as the truth from nearly a year ago)—it was hard not to try to re-create the actual events of that fateful night.

I am proud that over the course of nearly four and a half hours, spanning two days (with a weekend of pondering in between), we did not arrive at a conclusion with ease. We left no stone unturned in considering every conceivable angle. It would have been easy for us to say, "let's just put these guys away. Even if we aren't sure they did it, they're clearly offering nothing to society." But we didn't say that. We struggled and debated and belabored points that probably didn't need belaboring.

The gravity of our decision did not become apparent until we entered the courtroom for that final time. With our group encased in the mahogany box, and over a dozen bailiffs securing the tense room, the foreperson read the verdict to which we had all agreed. We found both men guilty on all charges except one; the most serious was felony murder for which these eighteen-year-olds, just released into adulthood, will serve out the remainder of their youth (the exact number of years will be determined in about a month). As the wailing of one of the defendant's relatives echoed through the room, I was struck by how affected our jury was. Most of us had tears in our eyes. All of us were crying inside. As the judge mentioned at the outset of the trial, there are no winners here.

The judge also admonished us not to attempt to cure the ills of society with our decision. This case was neither a referendum on the failed war on drugs nor the ceaseless chasm between whites and minorities in this country. One cannot help but wonder what choice a kid born in prison (like one of the defendants) has in life. When one is socialized to sell crack-cocaine, pull a “jux” with his “ratchet” (slang terms the jury learned in this trial), and otherwise lead a life inconsistent with mainstream American mores, can we blame him or her? It is a question to which one cannot flippantly respond. Two of my fellow jurors offered insights that help me come to a conclusion. One woman has taught in the New York City public school system for over twenty years. Further, she lives in Washington Heights, a cyclically depressed part of upper Manhattan (and, incidentally, the area where our murder took place). She warned that while we continually hear of the socially depraved in that neighborhood, we shouldn’t be so quick to cast aspersions on all inhabitants. Anecdotally 90%-95% of youngsters in this area are lovely, well-intended individuals. The other male on the jury was a college-aged person who told his story. His father, whom he considers more of a friend than a mentor, has been in and out of prison for much of his adult life. This juror, however, made a conscious decision to play by the rules, not falling prey to that which many in his community have. He understands (and perhaps is more sympathetic to) the defendants’ lot in life, but does not excuse their behavior for they made choices and must live with the consequences.

We knew the case was serious when we were escorted out of the building through a back elevator, directly into a police van which drove us several blocks away from the courthouse. Despite the judge's assurances, we were all skeptical that we were completely safe. It wasn't until after a few beers with two of my fellow jurors that my nerves were sufficiently stifled, numbed to a state of calm. I don't know what it feels like to serve in a military unit. I suppose it's unlikely I will ever experience combat. But there is a quickly-initiated kinship in situations like this that one rarely experiences. In just a week I believe I've made a couple of friends. I certainly understand myself and my sensibilities better. And that comforts me as I prepare to raise a child in this crazy world.

Violation and Redemption

2006-08-28T10:10:00.001-04:00

I had a lovely weekend. Since the Yankees were playing a three-game set out in Anaheim, I got to see three Angels games over the past three days. Most people cannot sit through an entire baseball game. Due to a variety of factors, I'm part of a dying breed in this country. Major League Baseball refuses to start its most important games before 8:15 eastern time, meaning that the majority of youngsters do not see entire playoff and all-star games. How can baseball continue to grow over the next generation if its target audience is not interested? Additionally, in the information age people (especially young people) have the attention span of roughly two and a half seconds. Baseball, a game devoid of continual movement, is antithetical to instant gratification. Though I'm part of a dwindling number I enjoyed the games, particularly since the Halos took two of three from the Bronx Bombers.

The weekend concluded late last night with all the New York sibs joining to watch the 58th annual primetime Emmy's. It turns out I don't watch all that many popular television programs.

Little did I know that while I was enjoying myself something we all dread was happening...

...I walked out this morning to find our car had been vandalized. I approached the driver side door and noticed that a stack of car repair receipts, kippot, and my EZ-pass were haphazzardly situated on my seat. I knew I didn't leave them there so when I peeked in further I saw the radio was missing. "Shit!" I thought to myself. How did this happen. I peered up and to the back seat and found the passenger side rear window was smashed and glass was all over the back seat -- so much for the secruity system!

I called Mrs. E and we decided that I would notify the police and she would call Geico. Luckily I was able to get a hold of the three colleagues I was scheduled to drive to work today and they found alternatives. Officers O'Donahoe and Litigua (or another Italian-sounding name like LaGuardia) from the 24th precinct (car #1848) arrived roughly fifteen minutes after I dialed 9-1-1. Just then, Mrs. E called to inform me that Geico didn't cover us for such an incident. Amazingly, we somehow are only covered if we do damage to someone else. We're not covered ourselves. I'm not sure how that's possible. Perhaps we accidentally signed up for this type of covereage and it wasn't properly explained to us because I never would have agreed to it. So it addition to feeling terribly violated I was pissed that I would have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.

I drove to the car shop on 54th Street and took the subway home. Today is the first day teachers return to campus and we spend the entire week in "Faculty Institute." So not only am I missing just any day of work, but it's a pretty important day, particularly since I am the new 12th Grade Dean. So I'm working from home.

I got a call from the shop saying that the rear window will cost just $300 to fix (not counting labor, of course). I was shocked. I would have been less surprised if they said $3000. Even if we did have coverage the deductable certainly would have been higher. So in a strange twist, it may have been a blessing in disguise that the car was broken into. Now I can call Geico and get the appropriate coverage in case of a real emergency.

Judy Feder for Congress!!

2006-08-21T19:00:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, the Dean of my graduate program is running for a US House of Representatives seat in Fairfax County, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. A Harvard-trained political scientist, Judy gained fame in the early Clinton years as his health care specialist. I never fully understood the need for health care reform -- until yesterday.

Mrs. E woke up yesterday with a migraine, the likes of which she had never encountered. A chronic migraine sufferer, Mrs. E was purging herself all morning and early afternoon. And when there was nothing left to purge, but the nausea remained, she decided to seek medical attention. We hopped in a cab and drove the twenty some odd blocks to St. Luke's Roosevelt Emergency room just south of Columbia University.

I can't say that anything really went wrong. But nothing was exactly right either. The doctor was pleasant, but we must have seen five different nurses in the two hours we were there and they all asked the same questions. It seems that had one nurse been on the case the entire time we wouldn't have had to repeat ourselves. And then there is the waiting...and waiting...and waiting. When people are in a hospital/emergency room/doctor's office, the last thing they want to do is wait. Even if there is nothing to report, somebody should come in and say, "hey, there's nothing to report."

Upon our arrival in the room we were asked if, since blood was being drawn anyway, we wanted a free HIV test. We agreed and were told before we left that Mrs. E is HIV-negative -- no surprise there. But we were given no other results from that blood. It was as if they tricked us into an HIV test -- even though we are married and have both been tested already. A urine sample was also taken, though no results were given from those analyses either.

The medication they gave Mrs. E had varying effects -- from none to slight. Finally she felt well enough to go home. We were sent home with two prescriptions. I went to the pharmacy this morning only to find out that one of them was filled out incorrectly. The doctor forgot to include the dosage!

All I can say is if this were a life-threatening situation I wouldn't feel too comfortable. I'm not sure this was a completely negative experience since I have had almost no contact with emergency rooms in my life I have almost no basis for comparison. But whether or not this was above or below the average emergency room experience I see need for improvement.

So here's to Judy!

I Almost Spilled My Rice Chex

2006-08-12T12:56:00.000-04:00

Mrs. E and I were watching CNN this morning and it was reported that President Bush called the Lebanese Prime Minister at 8:15 AM. Knowing President Bush's affinity for sleep, I figured they were joking. I mean, it's Saturday, for God's sake.

Olmert's Oration

2006-08-11T16:33:00.000-04:00

This speech was not actually given by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. Rather, it was published in an Israeli newspaper as a speech he SHOULD give. Nevertheless, the message is powerful. Please read so that you can take this message to those opposed to Israel's current policy in Lebanon.

July 31, 2006
"Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of the world. I, the Prime Minister of Israel, am speaking to you from Jerusalem in the face of the terrible pictures from Kfar Kana. Any human heart, wherever it is, must sicken and recoil at the sight of such pictures. There are no words of comfort that can mitigate the enormity of this tragedy. Still, I am looking you straight in the eye and telling you that the State of Israel will continue its military campaign in Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces will continue to attack targets from which missiles and Katyusha rockets are fired at hospitals, old age homes and kindergartens in Israel. I have instructed the security forces and the IDF to continue to hunt for the Katyusha stockpiles and launch sites from which these savages are bombarding the State of Israel.

We will not hesitate, we will not apologize and we will not back off. If they continue to launch missiles into Israel from Kfar Kana, we will continue to bomb KfarKana. Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Here, there and everywhere. The children of Kfar Kana could now be sleeping peacefully in their homes, unmolested, had the agents of the devil not taken over their land and turned the lives of our children into hell.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s timeyou understood: the Jewish state will no longer be trampled upon. We will no longer allow anyone to exploit population centers in order to bomb ourcitizens. No one will be able to hide anymore behind women and children in order to kill our women and children. This anarchy is over. You can condemn us, you can boycott us, you can stop visiting us and, if necessary, we will stop visiting you.

Today I am serving as the voice of six million bombarded Israeli citizens who serve as the voice of six million murdered Jews who were melted down to dust and ashes by savages in Europe. In both cases, those responsible for these evil acts were, and are, barbarians devoid of all humanity, who set themselves one simple goal: to wipe the Jewish raceoff the face of the earth, as Adolph Hitler said, or to wipe the State of Israel off the map, as Mahmoud Ahmedinjad proclaims.

And you - just as you did not take those words seriously then, you are ignoring them again now. And that, ladies and gentlemen, leaders of the world, will not happen again. Never again will we wait for bombs that never came to hit the gas chambers. Never again will we wait for salvation that never arrives. Now we have our own air force. The Jewish people are now capable of standing up to those who seek their destruction - those people will no longer be able to hide behind women and children. They will no longer be able to evade the irresponsibility.

Every place from which a Katyusha is fired into the State of Israel will be a legitimate target for us to attack. This must be stated clearly and publicly, once and for all. You are welcome to judge us, to ostracize us, to boycott us and to vilify us. But to kill us? Absolutely not.

Four months ago I was elected by hundreds of thousands of citizens to the office of Prime Minister of the government of Israel, on the basis of my plan for unilaterally withdrawing from 90 percent of the areas of Judea and Samaria, the birth place and cradle of the Jewish people; to end most of the occupation and to enable the Palestinian people to turn over a new leaf and to calm things down until conditions are ripe for attaining a permanent settlement between us.

The Prime Minister who preceded me, Ariel Sharon, made a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip back to the international border, and gave the Palestinians there a chance to build a new reality for themselves. The Prime Minister who preceded him, Ehud Barak, ended the lengthy Israeli presence in Lebanon and pulled the IDF back to the international border, leaving the land of the cedars to flourish, develop and establish its democracy and its economy.

What did the State of Israel get in exchange for all of this? Did we win even one minute of quiet? Was our hand, outstretched in peace, met with a handshake of encouragement? Ehud Barak's peace initiative at Camp David let loose on us a wave of suicide bombers who smashed and blew to pieces over 1,000 citizens, men, women and children. I don't remember you being so enraged then. Maybe that happened because we did not allow TV close-ups of the dismembered body parts of the Israeli youngsters at the Dolphinarium? Or of the shattered lives of the people butchered while celebrating the Passover seder at the Park Hotel in Netanya? What can you do - that's the way we are. We don't wave body parts at the camera. We grieve quietly.

We do not dance on the roofs at the sight of the bodies of our enemy's children - we express genuine sorrow and regret. That is the monstrous behavior enemies. Now they have risen up against us. Tomorrow they will rise up against you. You are already familiar with the murderous taste of this terror. And you will taste more. And Ariel Sharon's withdrawal from Gaza. What did it get us? A barrage of Kassem missiles fired at peaceful settlements and the kidnapping of soldiers. Then too, I don't recall you reacting with such alarm. And for six years, the withdrawal from Lebanon has drawn the vituperation and crimes of a dangerous, extremist Iranian agent, who took over an entire country in the name of religious fanaticism and is trying to take Israel hostage on his way to Jerusalem - and from there to Paris and London.

An enormous terrorist infrastructure has been established by Iran on our border, threatening our citizens, growing stronger before our very eyes, awaiting the moment when the land of the Ayatollahs becomes a nuclear power in order to bring us to our knees. And make no mistake - we won't go down alone. You, the leaders of the free and enlightened world, will go down along with us.

So today, here and now, I am putting an end to this parade of hypocrisy. I don't recall such a wave of reaction in the face of the 100 citizens killed every single day in Iraq. Sunnis kill Shiites who kill Sunnis, and all of them kill Americans - and the world remains silent. And I am hard pressed to recall a similar reaction when the Russians destroyed entire villages and burned down large cities in order to repress the revolt in Chechnya. And when NATO bombed Kosovo for almost three months and crushed the civilian population - then you also kept silent. What is it about us, the Jews, the minority, the persecuted, that arouses this cosmic sense of justice in you? What do we have that all the others don't?

In a loud clear voice, looking you straight in the eye, I stand before you openly and I will not apologize. I will not capitulate. I will not whine. This is a battle for our freedom. For our humanity. For the right to lead normal lives within our recognized, legitimate borders. It is also your battle. I pray and I believe that now you will understand that. Because if you don't, you may regret it later, when it's too late."

Our Commander-in-Chief

2006-08-11T09:14:00.000-04:00

I'm not one (usually) to complain about our leaders. Generally I give those in power the benefit of the doubt until something egregious occurs. I tend to think that they know a lot more than they're letting on to the public and that there may be reasons why they say or do certain things.

However, this morning I heard something crazy on the radio out of President Bush's mouth. He said -- and I'm paraphrasing -- "Make no mistake that there are people out there who want to harm us." Well gee whiz, who would have thought that? I mean really....who is making THAT mistake? I can see where reasonable minds can disagree on a variety of issues. But I don't know one person who believes we are immune from another attack. After yesterday's thwarted effort to wreak havoc on the US (incidentally, one of my students flew back from London yesterday), I am convinced that we are in a worse position to protect ourselves (especially given our military commitments abroad) than before 9/11/01.

So to whom, exactly, was that comment directed? This is prime example of Rovian politics. The conservative right is subtly, indirectly, painting liberals as soft on defense. That quote intimates that those who believe we have made the world less safe by entering Iraq are ill-equipped to lead our country. In essense, he is countering an argument that HAS NOT BEEN MADE. No Democrat has stated publicly (or privately, I'm sure) that we are safe from Islamic fundamentalism.

It is brilliant politics!

It is abhorant leadership!

Beautifully Succinct

2006-08-03T16:43:00.000-04:00

I received an email the other day from the father of one of my students. It was so accurate in its portrayal of the middle east crisis that I had to share it. I sometimes struggle to explain to people why Israel is justified in defending herself without sounding completely biased. I believe this solves the problem:

If Hezbollah (and you can substitute Hamas, the Palestinians, or any number of other groups) put down its guns there would be no more fighting. If Israel put down its guns there would be no more Israel.

Summer Musings

2006-07-25T20:25:00.000-04:00

While I promised more frequent entries during my month off, I have clearly failed in that effort. Do not confuse this inactivity online, however, for a lack of energy in my everyday life. July has been productive insofar as I have accomplished goals I lacked the time to achieve prior to this month. For example, I have completed four jigsaw puzzles, attended the Dada exhibit at the MOMA, and gone to the gym a few times. All of this is in addition to my normal routine -- dishes, moving the car on alternate side parking days, etc.

Mrs. E recently ordered New York Magazine, a weekly periodical. She loved receiving The New Yorker while living in DC, but found she lacked the time to read the dense publication. New York Magazine, however, is more friendly to those who are time sensitive. This morning I read a couple of interesting articles.

The first was about the doctor who attempted (and ultimately succeeded) to commit suicide by blowing up his building on the upper east side. When the story broke a few weeks ago everyone immediately shrunk into panic, fearing another terrorist attack. President Bush disabused us all of this idea within an hour (though a co-worker pointed out that what was scarier than the incident itself was that the president could deny it as an attack so quickly -- I was not as incredulous) and after six days in a coma the man died. The article was a chilling account of this man's sad life. A Romanian immigrant, he seemingly was always mad at the world. Given that his family was shuttled out of their village by Romanian Nazis (and he had only ties to Judaism in his background) and his father was arrested and jailed on multiple occasions by the post-war communist government on spurrious charges, I can understand his resentment. But then he came to America. He arrived and shunned his heritage, unwilling to create ties with the Romanian-American community. His marriage never seemed right and he buried himself in work and isolation. When he and his wife finally divorced many years into a marriage that included two spiteful daughters, he spiraled into depression, causing him to treat his body like a weekend in Tijuana.

Why do I bring this up? My simplistic summary of the article fails to recognize what one can understand from reading it himself or herself. And that is, at every step of his life the man could have turned himself around. No matter how bad life seems (and bad things don't just happen to good people -- they happen to ALL people) there is always somewhere to turn. I am lucky to have a strong support network. But even if I didn't, there are group homes, soup kitchens, psychologists, synagogues, etc.

The other article I read discussed the current (and ongoing) struggle in the middle east. I use the work struggle purposefully. It is a word that somehow has been coerced by Islamic fundamentalists over the years, as if their barbaric attacks on innocent civilians is somehow justified in the name of God. The article expressed the idea that an appropriate phrase to describe the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border, which merely magnifies the larger Arab-Israeli conflict, would be the title of the movie that Al Gore inspired to make -- An Inconvenient Truth. The author -- Kurt Andersen -- argues that while it's a catchy title to describe global warning, at least that problem can be solved. On the other hand, it seems less likely that governments that are unwilling to even acknowledge another nation's right to exist will somehow partner up and head down a road to peace. Andersen also notes that for those in the Arab world, Israel's existence is an inconvenient truth because its founding (for many people in that region of the world) is illegitimate -- simply a vote by a world organization some sixty years ago. We know that this is not the case, but it's hard to convince hawkish terrorist states of that fact. Newt Gingrich recently called this the beginning of World War III, likening the abduction of young Israeli soldiers to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand that triggered World War I. While I find that rhetoric to be a bit hyperbolic (as most rhetoric is), I am more concerned over the state (pun intended) of Israel than I ever have been.

So these are the thoughts that have crossed my mind today -- in addition to what transactions the Angels can make before next week's trade deadline!

I'll Try Harder!

2006-06-29T16:41:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't written with consistency lately, but I really will make an attempt to write with some frequency in the near future. With work drawing to a close (I have all of July off -- yes!) I'll have more time to create meaningful entries. I have a long list of topics to explore so get ready.

Gay Paris

2006-05-19T11:16:00.000-04:00

The Mrs. and I took a well-needed vacation to Paris this past weekend. With her job winding to an end and school drawing near its finish, we cashed in a chunk of miles and headed across the pond. I had never been to Paris and was a little nervous about how we would be received. The French in general and Parisians in particular have a reputation for not holidng Americans in the highest esteem. Nevertheless, I try not to judge anyone or anything until I have some experience of my own.

We had a wonderful time. I dare say it was the most pleasant travel experience I've had. From the transportation to lodging to ease of getting around and friendliness, we couldn't have been more pleased.

Our old friend Larry Milner is in the midst of a three-month soul-searching journey through Europe. Having just jumped out of a plane in Interlaken, Switzerland, the day before, he met us in Paris on Friday afternoon, posing as our Cousin Larry (the hotels keep close tabs on who is entering each room).

Stationed in the Latin Quarter, we maneuvered through Paris with ease, walking nearly everywhere. The few places we wanted to go that were beyond our ability to walk were easily reached via the subway system (which, incidentally, was simple to use and relatively clean). We started out at the Notre Dame and walked to the nearby Jewish area called the Mareis. After a lovely Shabbat dinner we retired to our room and had a needed night's rest.

Saturday was spent at the Louvre, which was fantastic because I was in the middle of reading The Da Vinci Code (which I finished on the plane ride home). It's an overwhelmingly humongous museum, not easily navigated I might add, but breathtaking. We then walked around a bit and came back to the hotel for a nap. Waking up in time for dinner at a lovely cafe a few streets from the Eiffel Tower, we then stood in line for about an hour until we could make it up the quintessential French edifice. It stays light until 9:45 or 10 at night so we were able to see the Paris nightfall atop the Tower -- what a magnificent view!

We left and headed back to the Latin Quarter where we met up with Larry and a few of his friends. I don't have enough room to explain how he knew everyone, but suffice it to say it was a motley crew. We spent the better part of the evening at a terrific jazz club, where we enjoyed great wine and better company. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday night. Most of the tunes were American (jazz, after all, is an American genre) so we sang along with Mario, this wonderful and young Italian baritone.

Since we didn't get to bed until 3:30 or 4 in the morning we decided to sleep in a little on Sunday. When we awoke, we headed to the Musee D'orsay, housing among other items, a premier pre-impressionist and impressionist collection. Mrs. E's favorite artist is Degas (especially his famous ballerinas) so we got our fill of him and Van Gogh, Monet, and others. It was great and luckily Mrs. E had to go to the bathroom while we were waiting to get in so we avoided the really long entrance line. (Helpful hint #1: If you're ever in a really long line, approach the security guard and inform him of your about-to-explode blatter. Helpful hint #2: You should be of the female persuasion for helpful hint #1 to work.) We went to the world famous Moulin Rouge for the "Vegas Show" part of our trip. It was maddeningly expensive and exceedingly cheesy, but fun nonetheless.

Monday we decided would be our shopping day. We took the subway to the Arc de Triomphe, which serves as the center of Paris and the top of the Champs Elysees, where some of the finest (and most expensive) shops in the world are. We had a good time just going in and not buying anything, although Mrs. E did get a new Longchamp bag for her new job when we got back to the Latin Quarter. It was one of the few things in France less expensive than in America. We spent the evening sitting at a cafe, drinking wine (coke for the Mrs.) and reading our respective novels. It's something that is classically European and not done in the US, unfortunately.

Tuesday morning we took off bright and early for the airport. Paul, a lovely Parisian who picked us up from Charles De Gaulle, offered to bring us back. He firmly believes that the French citizenry dislikes Jacque Chirac more than Americans hate George Bush. We got a good chuckle out of that.

Anway, it was a perfect little vacation and I would recommend Paris to anyone.

What does community mean?

2006-05-06T12:58:00.000-04:00

I think I discovered my role in communal obligation this past week in two forms.

On Sunday, members of my family (several of whom traveled cross country) and I demonstrated on the National Mall in Washington, DC, denouncing the genocide currently tearing apart Sudan's western region of Darfur. Taking time out of my busy life seems easy when compared to the destitution facing the men, women, and children of that land. Listening to the religious leaders, program organizers, politicians, and other invited speakers urge our political institutions to take action, I couldn't help but feel at once both a sense of pride and despair. Our voices, while being heard, were alarmingly small in number. Yes, the issue of the day appears to be immigration -- and that is certainly important. But is there are more pressing concern in our world than that ugly "g" word -- genocide? I think not. Jews clearly took the most active and vocal role in the proceedings. It was impossible to walk anywhere in downtown Washington that morning without seeing a t-shirt or sign identifying the synagogue or movement with which a rally-goer was affiliated. We bear a responsibility to ensure that when we say "never again," we include all people, not just our own. But where were the other groups? Why were not large sums of Blacks, Muslims, and others present? My untrained eyes estimate that over half of those present (and I've heard others guess more) were Jewish. When we make up just 1.5% of the American population, I find it sad that others don't join in our commitment. But we shall fight on.

Late Wednesday night I was speaking with a friend who informed me of a tragic incident. A guy my age, whom I know through several friends, was in the midst of probably the most painful few days of his life. His paternal grandparents died just hours apart from one another. The day of the funeral, while sitting shiva, his father -- choking on a piece of food -- had a heart attack and died. The story left me speechless. It also left me wondering what I should do. I know Seth -- not well, but I know him. One of my close friends grew up with him, his wife also grew up with my best friend's wife -- I've become friendly with him over the years. I wasn't sure if I should attend the funeral (although since he grew up in Westchester, I'd only have a leave work for a few hours). I asked a few people, including Judaic teachers at school, and they suggested that not only could I go, but I should go -- it's a mitzvah. Still, I must admit that as I drove into the synagogue parking lot I felt a little uneasy. How would my presence be received? Not only had I never met Seth's father, I didn't even know the man's name (by the way, it's Jay). But then it struck me. As I walked toward Seth and Karen and saw how comforted they were to see me, I understood that the funeral is not about the person who died. Its purpose is primarily (at least the way I look at it) for the mourners. That I never knew Seth's father was irrelevant.

I'm starting to understand community a little better now.

Candle in the Wind

2006-04-02T09:45:00.000-04:00

This has been the most surreal day I can remember and it isn't yet 10:00 AM. After staying up to watch UCLA dismantle LSU in the final four, I had to get some sleep because I was scheduled to serve as the test center administrator for the SAT. With the clocks moving forward an hour I was only going to get four or five hours anyway, but fearful that I would somehow oversleep it wasn't the most restful night.

I hadn't administered the SAT before so I was little nervous, but figured I could handle anything that went awry. When one of the proctors didn't show up I had to call in for back-up help. Of course she ended up coming with just a few minutes to spare. She thought she was VERY early because she forgot to set her clock ahead, even though I sent out a reminder e-mail on Friday. One of the students was supposed to get extended time, but was on the roster for the standard administration so I had to call the emergency help desk to get her approval to take the non-standard exam. When the dust settled everything went off without a hitch. And then the phone rang.

One my seniors died in a car accident last night. The administration is meeting right now to discuss how the school is going to deal with this and I feel sad, numb, and helpless. I have to continue to administer the test (which is being conducted as I write this) so I can't be in on this meeting. But that's not really important. This young woman's life ended so tragically early.

This girl was not our best student. She wasn't the smartest, the prettiest, the most outgoing, most popular, best dressed, or any other superlative. She was just a really good kid, full of untapped potential and heading in the right direction. She was Israeli and lived in the city, different from the bulk of our crowd -- gritty. She wasn't going to Harvard, Brown, Maryland, Miami or any of the other "in" schools. She probably would have gone to a CUNY school or perhaps even community college. She wanted to be a cosmetologist. With her personality she would have been great.

"They" say everything happens for a reason. I'm not sure I ever believed that. I certainly trust that line even less now.

I already miss Lital. Her flame blew out too soon.

Communication

2006-03-30T15:38:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law "woke" me from my working slumber by 'IM'ing me a few minutes ago. Instant messenging is another in a long line of forms of communication that it can be argued either binds us closer or forces us further apart. I choose to believe that e-mail, IM, text messeges, etc. are ways that I can connect with people whom I otherwise might ignore. Of course I'm always about half a generation behind the technology, but that's another issue altogether.

People were saying the same thing about telephones or letters, I suppose. "Why don't you go down the street and say hello to your friend in person?", a woman might have asked her son sixty or seventy years ago. It's all relative.

I do get letters on a consistent basis from one person. No emails, texts, IM's -- just letters. And it comes once a year. You've seen this type of letter, I'm sure. It's that "I had another baby this year and the son number one had his first trip to Disneyland and my husband had elective knee surgery, yada, yada, yada" update letter that annoys the crap out of me. Do I really need to read three pages of how much you love the fact that it's sunny 329 days out of the year? It truly is the most indulgent expression known to man.

I probably shouldn't complain. I'm really awful at staying in touch with people. In fact, would anyone like to volunteer to write my self-involved annual update?

The World is Flat

2006-03-16T15:55:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read something that made you stop in your tracks? I mean literally pick your head up and think to yourself, "Did I just read that correctly?" I'm in the middle of Tom Friedman's latest masterpiece, The World is Flat, a fascinating look at how interconnected our global society is. I came across a passage that struck me to the point where I did something I never do -- write in the margins. I try to keep books I read in good condition so that others can enjoy the words just as I have. But I was too affected.

Friedman was discussing the fall of Communism in the late 80's/early 90's and how that shifted the balance of power. As Americans, we're taught to believe that we won the Cold War and everyone lived happily ever after. But the story we are taught is but one account of that series of events. History is different, depending upon who you ask. As Friedman says, "But a world away, in Muslim lands, many thought bin Laden and his comrades brought down the Soviet Empire and the wall with religious zeal, and millions of them were inspired to upload the past." In other words, it wasn't that the Soviet defeat opened the door for fundamental Islam; Radical Muslims actually caused the fall of the Soviet regime. That blew my mind.

It is no wonder that Palestinians are so eager to blow themselves up for their Jihad. They are taught -- in textbooks -- from a young age not only that Israelis and the entire western world are the aggressors and that life isn't valuable, but it is a mitzvah (for lack of a better word) to destroy your human form and your enemies for that struggle. How do you fight that mentality?

From now on when I read a history book I am going to try to keep in mind that this is one person's, one country's or one philosphy's worldview.

Modesty is the best policy

2006-03-02T15:49:00.000-05:00

Okay I'll admit it. I'm hooked on reality television. Not everything, mind you. Just a few of the delectably intrusive shows. Due to the snow in the New York City area school was cancelled. Interestingly, alternate side parking rules were in effect so I had to get up to move my car anyway which meant no late napping. As a result of my windfall day off, I had time to read a little of Harlan Coben's latest novel and catch up on the episodes of American Idol, Project Runway, and The Bachelor I had so missed on my trip to Israel.

One "character" in particular struck me. Brenna, a mid-twenties vocalist on American Idol, is just about the most obnoxious person to hit the airwaves since Omorosa on Donald Trump's debut season of The Apprentice. Not only is she cocky, but she seems to have this unnecessary step-on-others-to-get-to-the-top attitude. Do people realize how insane they seem on television? Initially you can chalk up her behavior to editing. After all, Fox can make her appear any way they want. But when her brashness and ever-increasing strangeness filter their way into the live broadcasts, the editing argument goes out the window a bit. Furthermore, my wife had classes with her in college and confirms that the way she is on TV is no exageration.

Watching these shows is, as they say, like watching a train wreck -- you can't turn away. I'd like to think that if I were on TV I'd try extra hard to make myself into a really nice guy. When I was younger I had a healthy amount of bravado, and while my ego is still solid that's toned down through the years.

Brenna's kids are going to watch tapes of her someday and probably be ashamed. Or, if attitude is hereditary, be very proud. I'm glad we don't swim in the same gene pool.

Today's Recipe: one part book, one part memories.

2006-02-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

Part I

I just finished reading Philip Roth's frightening novel, "The Plot Against America." I enjoyed (I'm not sure that's the right word) the book thoroughly, although the ending seemed too easy. Roth went to such lengths to make the book interesting with different twists and turns that I think he could've done the same with the conclusion. What makes this historical fiction so alarming is how plausible the storyline is. Because we returned from Israel just last night, my senses are heightened when it comes to being a Jew in the modern world.

I never fully understood how tragic our entire history has been until this trip. You're familiar with the joke about Jewish holidays. That is, every celebration boils down to this: somebody tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat. It's funny and it's true. But it's also very sad. Because the Jewish calendar touches on the major points of our history -- fleeing Egypt, destruction of the temple, Holocaust -- we forget the years that connect those dots. I've got news people: they weren't all that much better to us.

Which brings me to the book. In a very weird way, there is something to be said about living in a ghetto. At least you know where you stand with people. There is no doubting whether or not somebody hates you -- they do! De facto anti-Semitism might be more dangerous because the coming of the next Holocaust might not be so obvious. Is it imminent or even impending? Maybe not. But I am increasingly aware that there are people in this world who dislike me simply because of who I am. I grew up thinking that "those" people no longer existed or if they did, were in some far off place. I no longer carry that optimistic (or naive, perhaps) view.

On a positive note, however, the book shed light on one figure from American history who had Jewish blood in him and was a friend of the Jews, countering the argument that man on the bus was making (from a previous post). That figure was none other than Fiorello La Guardia.

Part II

Mike Smith just left to head back to Seattle. He was in town this weekend visiting a friend from Germany so he stayed at our apartment while we were gone. He extended his trip by one day so that we could hang out. It turns out that he caught a cold while he was here and it's literally freezing in New York so we stayed in, ordered Chinese food and watched a few episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Mike and I have this ability to have a great time together even if we're sitting and doing nothing. We catch up on old times, talk about sports, books, friends, etc. We lived together during our senior year of college and then during the two years I was in grad school. Because I'm in more contact with him than my other college roommates I tend to focus on that last year of college and neglect the first three.

However, recently I was in Florida for work and had a chance to hang out with Marc Shuster, whom I lived with officially for years two and three in college, but for all intents and purposes lived with for the first three years. It was really great to reminisce about things I hadn't thought of for, quite literally, years. Marc and Lillian (his wife who also went to college with us) have a daughter, Rita, who is absolutely adorable. They asked me to sing for her because they pretty much were groupies during my Troubadour days. After I sang they commented how I'm better than half the contestants on American Idol. It's not actually true (I'm not just being modest here for the record), but it was nice to hear and also nice to recall some great college memories.

I've always been terrible at taking pictures and my memory isn't what it once was either (my brain only has so much room) so I need other people to remind me somtimes. Luckily, moving forward, I should have an abundance of pictures to look back upon one day because Mrs. E is just the opposite of me. She documents everything -- a scrapbooker extraordinaire.

The House of Einstein

2006-02-25T10:40:00.000-05:00

The sun has gone away and taken Shabbat with it. In Israel there is a palpable difference between Shabbat and the rest of the week. Aside from all of the shops being closed, there is a serenity that creeps its way into the day of rest. It's a mystical feeling unlike any other.

We had a chance to spend Shabbat in Tel Aviv with our friend Rachel who made aliayah last June. (I thought she lived in Jerusalem so unfortanetely we were in Israel for over a week without making it to the holy city. However, since El Al bumped us to a later flight on our trek out here, we will return within the year and most certainly hit the city which serves as a beacon of hope to billions of people across the globe.) Anyway, we spent the last few hours leading up to Shabbat on the streets of Tel Aviv, gathering food for our Sabbath feast and kibbutzing. And on into Shabbat we learned of Rachel's personal journey to this land -- how she always felt an emptiness in her life until her arrival here. It's amazing to talk to someone who is so at peace with herself. It makes you stop to think how many people lead unfulfilling lives.

Rachel informed Diana how she and I first met. And until hearing her tell the story I didn't realize the impact that our chance encounter had on her. Rachel used to be an admissions officer at, among other places, the University of Pennsylvania. She and I (though we didn't know one another) worked the same recruiting circuit and were in Southern California for a conference about two and a half years ago. Barbara Schultz, the college advisor at Tarbut V'Torah, a community day school in Orange County, approached me with a shyish (I say shyish, although in truth Rachel is incredibly outgoing -- a perfect fit in Israeli socity) looking young woman who needed a place to attend Yom Kippur services. As she tells the story I didn't ask her if she would like to attend services at B'nai Tzedek -- I informed her that she would be attending services and furthermore, she was coming over to our house for dinner prior to Kol Nidre. Rachel thanked me and told me that she wouldn't be much fun to be around because she had just broken up with her besheret. I insisted and the rest is history.

It's only in conversations with Rachel since that time did I come to realize how much of an emotional wreck she was and how much my gesture meant to her. To me, offering your home to someone who is without one for the holidays is second nature. To Rachel, that's Judaism. And I agree.

As she was telling Diana this story and we spoke of how this represents everything that is beautiful in our religion, I couldn't help but think how this fits into the famous story of the person who approached both Shammai and Hillel and wanted to learn the Torah while standing on one foot. I truly believe that small acts can make the largest impact on others' lives.

We are leaving Israel in a few short hours. This land was built on a series of small acts by a few individuals. What a magical place!

Next Update

2006-02-22T16:38:00.000-05:00

Here is another reprint for my loyal readers--

Dear Schechter Community:

It is nearly 11:00 PM in Israel and we just returned from the longest single-day tiyul of the entire program. The kids are sufficiently tired, but the day was quite successful. Before I fill you in on the day's activities, however, I'd like to revisit the previous two days since I last wrote.

Monday was a fascinating journey through time as the kids spent the morning in Bet She'arim. We learned about Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi and toured the burial caves where he and many of his contemporaries were laid to rest. We were able to discern which coffins were used for Jews and which were used by non-Jews. After a packed lunch we headed off to Tziporri, in the northern Galilee. We learned more about the relationship between the Romans and the Jews, which had warmed somewhat by the time Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi moved from Bet She'arim to Tziporri. It was during this critical time of his life that the Mishnah redacted. Tziporri (so named because it's perched on the mountain like a bird -- tzipor) was critical to Jewish life during the third century C.E. We toured the remains of the town, including the Roman theatre -- where the kids put on a short improv show -- and the synagogue, where we davened Mincha. We returned to campus for dinner in town.

Yesterday morning was spent on campus, first davening Shacharit and then in class. Aubrey and Tuvia gave a terrific lecture on the New Testament, how Christianity was spawned, and on early relations between Christians and Jews. They made sure to cover the topic with tremendous respect for our neighbors' religion, but armed the students with plenty of knowledge so that the kids are able to discredit those who claim the Jews killed Jesus, a popularly held view they are likely to encounter at some point in their lives. Both Aubrey and Tuvia commented to me how eager our kids are to learn. In the afternoon the kids were able to choose between two community service options -- working at a therapeutic riding stable or picking radishes from the field. Both were highly successful and fun! The evening was again spent in town and then unwinding in the dorm.

Today was an early morning as we had a great deal to accomplish. We started out in Kochav Hayarden where we toured Belvoir, a castle constructed by the Christian Crusaders during the middle ages. The students learned how the Crusades started and why they ultimately failed, though they caused massive destruction. This led directly into an intense discussion of what is worth fighting for and if Israel was under attack, how would we as American Jews respond? The kids really stepped up to the plate with their honesty, thoughtfulness, and maturity. Our early afternoon was spent just outside Tiberias at Blue Beach, where everyone had an opportunity to take a dip in the Kinneret. Then it was off to the mystical town of Tzfat. We jumped ahead many hundreds of years and learned about the important post-expulsion Jewish thinkers. After singing l'cha dodi overlooking a gorgeous green valley at sunset in the very town it was created, the kids had a bit of free time to explore the narrow roads and enter the shops where some of the most beautiful Judaica is produced -- including Tzfat candles. We had dinner in Afula and returned a short time ago.

The kids are really looking forward to tomorrow as we head into Jerusalem for the day and then end the night with a concert. They're going to see Hadag Nachash -- a popular Israeli hip-hop artist -- whose tunes many of your kids already play on their IPods every day.

I continue to marvel at the incredible energy your kids have. Diana and I are exhausted (in a wonderful way) at the end of each day, but the students never complain. They really have been perfect ambassadors for Schechter.

Until next time--

B'shalom,
Heath

The Jewish Vote

2006-02-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

Since when have the Jews voted Republican in such strong numbers? When I was a kid, I knew only one Jewish Republican -- my Uncle Ralph. And even he ended up voting for Bill Clinton. Perhaps it's because I work at a school with lots of Israelis (who tend to vote strictly according to a candidate's stance on Israel), but I think it's deeper than that. Democrats have been portrayed as weak on foreign policy since Jimmy Carter and the Iran hostage fiasco.

On the bus today on our way from Hod HaSharon to Tzipori, I overheard a conversation between one of the madrichim and a couple of the students. The madrich made a cynical comment about the U.S. going into yet another country, attempting to flex her muscles. One of the students immediately became defensive because in his view, America is Israel's only friend and the fact that we invaded Iraq was admirable. Independent, intelligent people can certainly disagree on this point and I chose to listen to both sides (as I am wont to do) rather than interject my opinion right off the bat. Our armed guard then jumped in and added that it's a good thing America elected George Bush because John Kerry was pro-Arab. At that point I felt it was necessary to at least set the record straight, if not offer my views on our president. I could tell this guy I was talking to was a tough nut because when I informed him that Kerry has Jewish blood in him, he retorted that no national leader in the history of mankind who had Jewish blood, but was not himself Jewish was ever a friend to the Jews. When I challenged the statement (because it seemed hyperbolic) he mentioned Casper Weinberger. Okay, so he named one. Big deal. That hardly constitutes a pattern.

It got me thinking, though. Are the Republicans that much stronger when it comes to Israel? Bill Clinton was a great friend of the Jews and of the Middle East peace process. Was he an anomaly? I didn't think so. But in the absence of a position, an opposting political party can paint the other as anything it wants -- sheepish, soft, wishy-washy, etc.

George Bush didn't beat Al Gore in 2000. Al Gore lost the election with a poor vision and worse handling. The Democratic party needs to redraw the political lines, underscoring its fundamental views in order to bring back a base that has long been forgotten. Included in that group is the Jewish vote. After all it was the Jews, led by Abraham Joshua Heschel, who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the civil rights struggle of the 1960's. That is not the same struggle the Palestinians face and the Democrats shouldn't be painted in that corner. Democrats can no longer take the Jewish vote for granted or they will continue to face an uphill battle.

Update from Israel

2006-02-19T13:58:00.000-05:00

This is the email I sent out to the parents of our 12th grade students. Rather than recreating the message I thought I'd just copy it.

Dear Schechter Community:

Shavua tov from Hod HaSharon! It is a pleasure greeting you from Israel after another wonderful weekend. The energy of the students is incredible. After hearing the wonderfully positive reports from Dr. Spiegel, Rabbi Pell, and Mr. Medwed, I must admit that I was excited to join the group this week -- they haven't disappointed!

Diana and I joined the kids just prior to Shabbat in Ein Gedi. The mood was upbeat as we welcomed the Sabbath Queen. Kabbalat Shabbat, full of spirit and dancing, was spent outside overlooking the Dead Sea. Shmuel Bowman, our scholar-in-residence, spoke of the Chassidic tradition that Shabbat carries its own colors and encouraged us to locate the special hues among the various streams of pink and purple in the sky as the sun descended. After Ma'ariv and dinner, we reconvened to discuss the beautiful diversity in our heritage.

Yesterday morning we davened Shacharit, had a wonderful lunch, and then the kids were given the option to go on a nature hike through the mountains and waterfalls nearby or to relax. About a quarter of the group chose the first option and bathed a little in the sun while enjoying the fresh water streams found in the hills. In the late afternoon, many of the students joined Shmuel for a fascinating discussion on the hidden meanings behind a favorite children's book -- The Giving Tree. We discussed the difference between taking and receiving and analyzed the book from a Jewish perspective.

After dinner and havdallah we boarded the bus and made our way back to Hod HaSharon, by way of Jerusalem to pick up the kids who had joined the Bi-Cultural contingent for Shabbat.

Today was an early rise as we got ourselves dirty reliving the Bar Kochba Rebellion, the darkest time in our history next to the Shoah. Tuvia and Aubrey led the group on a magical expedition through the very caves our forefathers used to fight the Roman Empire nearly 1900 years ago. After crawling on our hands and knees through some very tight spots, we came upon a large enough space for all of us to sit together. We chanted niggunim, marveling in the acoustic brilliance of the caves. Aubrey's group got particularly muddy, as you'll see from the pictures!

We stopped at a local mart for a hearty lunch of cold cuts and headed straight for the amphitheatre where many of our ancestors met their ultimate demise. The kids were incredibly engaged as we discussed the heroism of leaders like Rabbi Akiva and they spoke about the things in their lives worth fighting for. After davening Mincha we got back on the bus and came home to Hod HaSharon. The bus was nearly silent as most of the group caught up on some sleep.

Diana and I just got back from town and as I write these words, most of the group is out enjoying falafel, shwarma, or another local treat. We saw a few kids buy some bins and other organizing tools for their dorm rooms as they're starting to really get settled in here, their home for the next month and a half. In just a couple of days I have witnessed such beauty in our children. The way they commit themselves to the group and to this land is uplifting. I am able to see students who have known each other for years kindle new friendships -- you should be very proud.

I am excited for the upcoming week and will keep you posted on the events here from Eretz Yisrael!

B'shalom,

Heath

A Homecoming of Sorts

2006-02-16T10:13:00.000-05:00

Mrs. E and I leave for Israel tonight. I am ecstatic beyond words. In fact, besides my wedding I can't remember anticipating an event this much for quite some time. I haven't been to eretz Yisrael since 1993. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then.

We are going to Israel for ten days as representatives from my school. The 12th grade class is studying through the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) program and the school rotates various faculty and staff members through to keep an eye on the students. So on one level I am simply excited to see the kids. On another level, though -- a more spiritual level -- I am looking forward to reconnecting with a land from which I have been apart for too long.

My older sisters both studied in Israel during high school. I was too involved in everything to even consider such a bold step. But I also lacked a desire to go to Israel on that type of program. So I went for a month between my junior and senior years of high school. And even then, I wasn't all that jazzed. I mean, I thought it would be fun and I was excited about meeting new kids, but the allure of my Jewish homeland hadn't yet kicked in. But I fell in love for the first time in my life. I fell for a place, a people, a home.

So it's different this time around. I don't know why it has taken nearly thirteen years to return to this magical land. My life has taken a thousand twists and turns in the interim. But I know when I arrive in less than twenty-four hours, I will again feel the comfort of home.

Truthfulness

2006-01-25T15:15:00.000-05:00

I think I know why I don't write very frequently. I've noticed with other people's blogs that there are certain themes to their entries. In particular, Frume Sarah's World almost reads like a series of sermons. There is a story and then a clear message at the end. As I am neither a licensed clergyman (thought it seems I could be if I mailed in some money) nor a trained writer, I lack the ability to craft my messages in such a way. Nevertheless, I enjoy the process of simply getting my thoughts onto paper (or in this case, a screen).

I woke up this morning thinking about the keynote speaker I saw at a conference I attended last September. The gentleman, whose name escapes me at the moment, was awe-inspiring. Not only was his message relevant as an educator, but the manner in which he delivered that message made my heart palpitate. His message was simple: You are special -- but you can be better! And I thought that if I can deliver that same message to my students, what a powerful tool they would have. So many kids feel either unappreciated or complacent. This message applies to them both.

I wondered for a moment what it takes to be a motivational speaker. And then it occurred to me that I don't have to be able to speak in a certain manner or talk off the cuff or project perfectly -- though I certainly try to do all of those things. Kids respond to authenticity. If, in my interaction with students, I can be genuine, then the message will come across.

My Wedding

2005-09-13T17:06:00.000-04:00

So I've already exhibited my inability to write consistently, but that's okay. I figure if I submit a posting once every few weeks then I'm well ahead of where I would have been had I not created this blog at all.

My life is starting to hit its stride. After years of uncertainty I settled down and married the love of my life. That sounds so rigid, as if I was on some linear path and simply decided one day that it was high time to "get hitched." I promise it was far more romantic; okay, more romantic. At any rate, married life is really fun. I thoroughly enjoy coming home at the end of the day to a smile and a kiss from my best friend. No, not you Joel. They say that life seems to have more meaning -- colors are more vibrant, etc. I'm not sure I completely agree, but there is something different.

The wedding was gorgeous, exactly what "we" planned. In truth, I had more say than the average groom. I'm very lucky that Di and I saw eye to eye on almost everything. The important thing is I don't know anyone who had more fun at his or her wedding than we had. In fact, we had such a great time that we went dancing with our guests afterwards and invited about twenty or thirty people back to our suite afterwards. It was the perfect wedding.

Maiden Voyage

2005-08-29T14:23:00.000-04:00

I finally took the plunge. This is my initial foray into the blogging world. I was inspired partly by my sister Jennifer (is it appropriate to use real names on this thing?), and partly by one of my students, both of whom have extensive blogging experience. I have dabbled in journaltry (I just made up that word) at various points in my life, but nothing ever stuck. My hope is that this attempt will be more successful.

I tend to have fleeting moments of brilliance and this site might serve to recount such moments when dimentia has fully engulfed my brain.