Blogger fight!!

Maybe I'm a sad creature that has nothing better to do with my time, but Debbie Schlussel had a spat with Emily Zanotti years ago and just recently, Debbie linked to another blogger I was unfamiliar with. Now I have just heard of Emily and Cassy Fiano for the first time, and I have either been in my own little world, or there are others like me who have heard about these two bloggers for the first time, and no doubt all three will get a little audience surge. I am familiar with John Hawkins of Right-Wing News, so Debbie didn't accidentally make me aware of three bloggers. I even made a comment, but I Cassy's outfit was much more modest, than I first thought, because the blouse wasn't tucked in. Plus if Debbie wants a hooker pic of Cassy, find a pic of her in ankle-high boots.

Now, maybe this is all a charade for a cat fight or mud wrestle designed to raise funds for Republican Congressional candidates in the fall. Maybe I'll get visitors to my blog if Cassy and Debbie get into a blog war, or maybe I just need a life :)

I admit....long time, no update.

Why? Hereditary depression causing apathy and procrastination. I may have lost all of my fans, but only one way to find out.

Now, let's recap. I haven't posted much in a while, and I am sorry about that. I went to New Orleans on Emergency leave, because my father was doing very poorly. He is doing better and can speak again for the first time in almost a year. Once again, I am very glad that I never started smoking. Next week, my father will be able to eat again.

Now, on to the recent holiday season. Yes, you heard that right. Starting with Rosh Hashana and ending with Simchat Torah, I'd say that we had a great holiday season and a time of great joy, which was rightfully tempered with Ecclesiastes at the end of Sukkot, a sobering and also depressing scroll that can kill the mood in any party, but perfect when the party needs to end. Starting with Rosh Hashana, I began my tanach project where I read the prophetic and writing portions of the tanach that I honestly feel get neglected. I admit the Torah is primary, but the other parts of the tanach get neglected, and they are worth reading, plus the reading is minimal. I have been beta testing my project and I see some errors I made though it may the difference between an artscroll and JPS translation, plus I made some other errors with assigning certain portions. Maybe I should begin the cycle at Simchat Torah as the Haftarah is the beginning of Joshua, which is a perfect way to begin the Nevi'im. The Kethuvim begins with Proverbs, as I like how the chabad space the Pslams out over a month, so why mess with a good thing. I also know that for Yom Kippur the Book of Jonah is perfect for the Nevi'im portion as it is the haftarah for that day anyway. Also, the megillah for those five days is perfetc for assignments in Kethuvim portions

Now, during the 25 days of reading Joshua and Proverbs, I find them an interesting contrast, but the two are good together. Joshua is about the conquest of Canaan to make it Israel. Proverbs is about wisdom and advice. I'd say wisdom is key to a good conqueror, as the conquerors will have to become managers, and wisdom is necessary to curtail the blood lust that can result from Iron Age fighting. I also know that this is simply the order given for the tanach, but it is good if I can draw some insight as well :)

I also admit that I have enjoyed my first time for the High Holidays, though when I heard the shofar blown, the word riccola shouted in the back of my mind, but Hashem has a good sense of humor, so I am not wrong to think that.

Gedalia and Yom Kippur were the first fast days I could do fully as they occurred on the weekend, though my mother visited during Yom Kippur and I wish she didn't, as she expected me to drop plans to spend that whole time with her and wanted me to plan what to do in this sinkhole I call Killeen. Such comes of having a shiksa mom, I guess.

Sukkot was good for many things. One, it was the first pilgrim holiday I could participate in. I was at WLC for Pesach and the field on Shavuot, but here's hoping I can attend both in Iraq. I also spent last Saturday night in the Sukkah, though it took me a while to get to sleep, but I guess that can be chalked up to being in a slightly different environment.

My unit planned a stupid FRG meeting on Shemini Atzeret, and no religious exemption....if my unit FRG gives me a Christmas card, I may angrily rip it up instead of simply shredding it. The following day was spent with household goods pickup, so I missed the day service, but that evening was Simchat Torah and I got to carry the Torah scroll around the Chapel twice. I also had a very nice send off and a touching card from the West Fort Hood congregation, and when I leave Ft Hood I will truly miss them.

BTW, FRG stands for Family Readiness Group, and I am a Bachelor so I have no reason to attend the meetings, though my Commander strong-armed me into giving my mother's information, which I think is very pushy of him as my parents are my business. If I had a wife and a few imps, he could concern himself with that, but he shouldn't try to get involved with parents, except to offer goons to take care of some parents, like Cindy Sheehan.

Slight update for now.

My time has been going great. I have purchased a new laptop for my upcoming deployment, so my computer troubles are less. I also spent Friday with the beautiful, witty, and highly intelligent Irina the armed.

My plan is to teach history and Ft Hamilton is an excellent place for a field trip. The scenery was also beautiful and I am also glad that I showed a very good friend a fun time.

That night I went to a party at RT's and stayed until midnight. Then I went back to David's and got up to go to shul with his dad. I hope we start Saturday services at Ft Hood, though there are not enough men for a minyan. However, one may be able to tell I was not raised Jewish as I actually like gefilte fish, which I enjoyed at kiddush after the service, plus I was mistaken for David as well as his brother-in-law (highly amusing as he has no sister) :)

Afterwards I had lunch with David and boarded the LIRR to RT's place where I am now. Today was spent in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens where I saw lovely cherry blossoms, as well as folk dances, and a samurai show with dancing and katana waving. For dinner I went to this wonderful Yemeni restaurant on the Upper West Side, and highly recommend it, especially for anyone not used to Sephardic or Yemeni cuisine....I always encourage diversity, plus it's kosher.

A Happy Purim

Chag Sameach!!!

Today was a great day and great for a fun purim in Austin. The day started at 11:30 when we all boarded a bus for the Dell JCC in Austin. Upon arriving, we enjoyed the festivities and a few of us went to the kosher deli at the grocery store near the JCC...unfortunately I didn't, but I will at another time.

After enjoying the festivities I went to the Megillah reading at UT Austin's Hillel Center, and while I had trouble keeping up with the Hebrew, I followed along with the graggers in attacking Haman's name. I also now have a gragger and a black yarmulke to go with my desert camoflauge yarmulke.

The event was a great deal of fun and contained an improtant message considering events in the world today. My dear friend, Red Tulips of Culture for All sends me a great link about a modern day Haman in modern day Persia.

Also, for great fun is the Purim Podcast.