Going it Alone

     I have been single my whole life so I guess I'm used to it , but there are some things that are just better done with another person. I always think about this when I buy a pint or quart of ice cream. If only there was someone else to share it with.  Jewish holidays are when I always think how nice it would be to be married. Going to comedy clubs, plays or movies are times when its preferable to go with someone else.
     I have lived alone longer than I would like to admit and I enjoy it. But sometimes when I have company  I kind of miss not having anyone else around when they leave.
       I suppose a roommate or friend can substitute when was needs company, but roommates come and go. Friends are looking for their own relationships. It would be nice to have the companionship and stability of a spouse even though that too is not always everlasting.
       Though it can be done, I don't think life is meant to be lived alone.

 

On Aging

     There are certain things that are a part of life. One of them is aging. When you are a kid your baby teeth fall out and your adult teeth grow in.  At a certain point people get gray hair, need reading glasses, wrinkle, get cataracts. Sometimes its comforting to know that some milestones are just a normal part of life and others times its not as easy to go with the flow. Its not as easy when it happens to you even when you logically know that its just a part of life. 

Festivus for the Rest of Us

      I always love how ethnocentric people who celebrate X-mas can be. They can barely fathom that anyone would not be celebrating X-mas . They think that you must feel you have to make sure you find someone Christian to celebrate it with because you must feel so left out. The truth is I have zero interest in 

X-mas. I love the crafts at the holiday markets in NYC, but the booths are heavily owned by Israelis, so I'm not sure you can fully count it as enjoying something X-masy. But the holiday itself holds none of my interest. I love the fact that all the Christians are scrambling to prepare for their holiday and I'm just preparing to have  a fun day off. Lets face it, I live in Brooklyn so all of the Jewish stores are open on X-mas anyway. Its just like any other day. And I get a paid day off. How great is that?

      I never liked people saying Chrismakkah  so this year we can thank Jerry Seinfeld for naming December 25 Festivus because that's what it really is. Festivas. I feel festive because I get a paid day off that is not a holiday . Its just a fun day . It is so festive to have off of work so the name Festivus really fits.

I Hate The Rain

      Some people like to listen to the patter of rain to help them fall asleep. Not me. Not only does the rain not promote restful sleep in my case it disrupts it. I dislike the sound of rain tapping on my air conditioner. I especially feel trepidation when it rains because I live on the top floor of an apartment building and years ago I had a leak and I always fear a return engagement. For those who are fortunate enough not to know it can take a while to be fixed even with the most conscientious  landlord. Rain may be essential to a vegetable garden but it not welcome as a leaky roof.

Jacob Ostreicher is Free

  

Sean Penn Continued...

    I am embarrassed to say that though I had heard about this case I did not follow it as well as I should have until I saw it  posted on  Rabbi Maryles's blog. After reading about what happened I was compelled to do some you tube research and read up about what happend. An innocent American  man was imprisoned in a Bolivian jail. I posted these congressional hearings because it was so unbelievable. It was riveting  to see former FBI agent Steven Moore's testimony as well as Sean Penn's. 
     I never realized how involved  Sean Penn is with humanitarianism and justice. I just always thought of him as an actor with a hobby of social action. Well, not anymore. I am in awe of his courage and strength and determination  to free Jacob Ostreicher from Bolivian prison. Sean Penn has performed the real life role of a lifetime and I for one will never forget it. 

Sean Penn