101
Earlier today, I sat on the couch and watched my Depeche Mode 101 DVD. That’s the concert documentary that DM put out in ’89. It features the amazing tunes they played during the Music for the Masses tour.
As, I heard Dave Gahan’s voice sing “Master & Servant”, I was blasted back to the day when life was simpler and in some ways more fun. In some ways it was not. We still have our masters and servants.
Watching Martin L Gore’s solo of “Somebody” brings the same depression I had when he sung that tune, while I was wishing for somebody back in high school.
Depeche Mode is one of the bands that will always remain honest and current. Their songs will always touch one’s heart and soul. Whether, you’re traveling down “Route 66”, worrying about “Blasphemous Rumors”, worried that “Everything Counts “ (I sure do) or “Just Can’t Get Enough”.
I remember listening to their cassettes nonstop and making Depeche Mode mixes for my car. In one of my autos the tape deck was on its dying days. The only tape it played flawlessly was a Depeche Mode mix. The same thing happened years later in another vehicle’s CD player.
I remember wearing all black. Well that hasn’t completely changed. I’ve seen them dozens of times. I once waited hours on a line at the now defunct Tower Records to meet them. That was in 2004. They signed one of their new releases.
I got about 90 seconds to talk to Andrew Fletcher, Martin and David. I remember begging Martin to play songs from Speak and Spell (even though) that was really a Vince Clarke, a DM founder who left after their first release. He founded Yaz, ran and has thankfully found a home in Erasure. I discovered this band in the health lodge at T.M.R. I wasn’t the sick one. I was with one of my campers who needed to be in that awful place. We had some strange nurses.
Anyway, back to my conversations with DM. I continued to beg them to go back to around 1984. They just smiled and said we’ll think about it. I saw them a few days later at the Garden. They didn’t take my requests. But they dazzled us anyway.
While, I was sitting outside of Tower Records, I chatted with a cute girl, who was at least 10 years younger than me. She was a 90s DM fan. I am a 80s DM fan. Well, I’m a fan of their music. But I gravitate to their 1980s tunes. This woman did the same for their 1990’s music. She was in love with Martin. She had a tattoo stating that. Her dream was for him to kiss her on it. Never happened. But she got meet him and couldn’t have been happier.
Another thing that flashed into my mind was the great way we dressed back then. I already mentioned all black. But we cropped our hair as close to our heads as we could. I used to bring in pictures of them and O.M.D. to my haircutter. I called him Professor Joe. He tried his best to make me look like them.
Eventually, I made it up to New Paltz. Us New Wavers used to go Berties in Poughkeepsie. We all had to wear bracelets saying we were under 21. But we wore our black outfits and danced all night to Depeche Mode, the Cure, the Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order and the other greats from the 80s. I wasn’t a good dancer. That hasn’t changed.
Man I miss those days. If only we could all be “Stripped” down to the bone. In other words, speak just for me and make decisions without your television on.
So, “Now this is Fun”. “It is More than a Party”. As for me, I’m looking for a “Policy of Truth,” while doing my best to remember, “People are People”.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Subway
Subway
For millions of New Yorkers, the subway is our best friend. But it is also our number one enemy. Yes, going underground is the most reliable, inexpensive form of transportation. With the exception of traveling to Staten Island, it can pretty much get you anywhere you want. I documented the horror of going there a few weeks ago.
There have been lots of budget cuts and track work. It seems the wait in between trains is a little longer. The trains are more crowded. But we are New Yorkers so we live with it. We complain about it.
How can we make subway travel more enjoyable? There are many ways. Bear in mind it is only in recent years that I would actually sit while riding the subway. I was always afraid of who would be sitting next to me. Not fearful of crime. I was fearful of another crime, body odor. Another crime is the sound of awful music blasting from one’s iPod.
Perfect example, the other day, I sat on the train and was completely zoned into the New York Times magazine. Standing a few feet away from me was a woman in her forties. She was loudly humming to the trash that she was listening to.
It happens everyday. I kept on reading. Then she sat next to me. My reading enjoyment ceased. I am not sure if this woman ever showered. Boy did she smell. I finished my magazine and jumped out of my seat.
I walked a few feet away in the train’s car and could breathe. I did hold my nose until I finished reading. But now, I was happy again. The R-train pulled into 49th Street. I was happy to get off. I normally walk like a racecar. But for some reason I chose to walk slowly. Perhaps I was so much calmer because I was nowhere near the smelly humming lady.
I proceeded toward the turnstiles. I was aghast when I heard her awful humming. I looked behind me. The woman was only two footsteps away. I kicked my walk into high gear. I raced through the turnstiles, up the steps and was on 49th Street and home free.
We’ve all experienced this. My suggestions to make subway travel more enjoyable are to create cars for people with annoying habits, i.e. singing, cutting their nails, dancing and preaching. Of course there should be cars for smokers. Yes, I know smoking has been banned from the trains for many years. This vile habit should continue to be off limits. Those that choose to enjoy their cancer sticks before swiping their MetroCards should be forced to ride separately from nonsmokers.
Did you ever sit next to a smoker on the train? They have the “smoker body odor”. It is gross. Sometimes you wind up smelling like smoke, too.
Anyway, it is time to go. I have a train to catch.
For millions of New Yorkers, the subway is our best friend. But it is also our number one enemy. Yes, going underground is the most reliable, inexpensive form of transportation. With the exception of traveling to Staten Island, it can pretty much get you anywhere you want. I documented the horror of going there a few weeks ago.
There have been lots of budget cuts and track work. It seems the wait in between trains is a little longer. The trains are more crowded. But we are New Yorkers so we live with it. We complain about it.
How can we make subway travel more enjoyable? There are many ways. Bear in mind it is only in recent years that I would actually sit while riding the subway. I was always afraid of who would be sitting next to me. Not fearful of crime. I was fearful of another crime, body odor. Another crime is the sound of awful music blasting from one’s iPod.
Perfect example, the other day, I sat on the train and was completely zoned into the New York Times magazine. Standing a few feet away from me was a woman in her forties. She was loudly humming to the trash that she was listening to.
It happens everyday. I kept on reading. Then she sat next to me. My reading enjoyment ceased. I am not sure if this woman ever showered. Boy did she smell. I finished my magazine and jumped out of my seat.
I walked a few feet away in the train’s car and could breathe. I did hold my nose until I finished reading. But now, I was happy again. The R-train pulled into 49th Street. I was happy to get off. I normally walk like a racecar. But for some reason I chose to walk slowly. Perhaps I was so much calmer because I was nowhere near the smelly humming lady.
I proceeded toward the turnstiles. I was aghast when I heard her awful humming. I looked behind me. The woman was only two footsteps away. I kicked my walk into high gear. I raced through the turnstiles, up the steps and was on 49th Street and home free.
We’ve all experienced this. My suggestions to make subway travel more enjoyable are to create cars for people with annoying habits, i.e. singing, cutting their nails, dancing and preaching. Of course there should be cars for smokers. Yes, I know smoking has been banned from the trains for many years. This vile habit should continue to be off limits. Those that choose to enjoy their cancer sticks before swiping their MetroCards should be forced to ride separately from nonsmokers.
Did you ever sit next to a smoker on the train? They have the “smoker body odor”. It is gross. Sometimes you wind up smelling like smoke, too.
Anyway, it is time to go. I have a train to catch.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
EMAIL
Feb. 14, 2012
Do we still need it? Have the ways we’ve used it changed? Yes to both questions.
About 18 years ago, I got my first email address. It seems like that was the dark ages. These days’ three-year-old kids have email addresses. The more advanced ones Tweet.
I remember when I used to stay up and converse with friends via email. In many instances, I still do. Yes, IM is better. But at times it is just more fun to do it via EM. You can answer when you’re ready to. In fact today, my summer camp friends and I exchanged about 150 emails. Some of us are into it. Some are not into it.
Some have to respond to every single email. I used to be that way. But thankfully, I’ve discovered the delete key. These days email is so overused. I get much more junk electronic mail than snail mail. I am happy I have a good spam blocker.
So let me ask my readers. How do you use email? Do you respond to each one received? Do you always hit reply all?
Do you get annoyed when you get cut off from group emails? Do you wonder why some people only respond when emailed by certain people and just cc you? Do you still pick up the phone? Or do you just communicate electronically?
Do you ever wonder when many people are involved in a project only a few people join the electronic conversation?
Send your thoughts.
Feb. 14, 2012
Do we still need it? Have the ways we’ve used it changed? Yes to both questions.
About 18 years ago, I got my first email address. It seems like that was the dark ages. These days’ three-year-old kids have email addresses. The more advanced ones Tweet.
I remember when I used to stay up and converse with friends via email. In many instances, I still do. Yes, IM is better. But at times it is just more fun to do it via EM. You can answer when you’re ready to. In fact today, my summer camp friends and I exchanged about 150 emails. Some of us are into it. Some are not into it.
Some have to respond to every single email. I used to be that way. But thankfully, I’ve discovered the delete key. These days email is so overused. I get much more junk electronic mail than snail mail. I am happy I have a good spam blocker.
So let me ask my readers. How do you use email? Do you respond to each one received? Do you always hit reply all?
Do you get annoyed when you get cut off from group emails? Do you wonder why some people only respond when emailed by certain people and just cc you? Do you still pick up the phone? Or do you just communicate electronically?
Do you ever wonder when many people are involved in a project only a few people join the electronic conversation?
Send your thoughts.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Staying Connected
Staying Connected
Do you remember the Stereo MCs? A one hit wonder band that hit it big with the tune, Connected back in something like 91. I remember partying to it in New Paltz. I have the CD.
The song sings about making sure you are connected. My question is are we to connected? I’m on Facebook, Linkedin.com, Twitter and other social media sites. Please don’t get me wrong I love them all.
When Facebook first started to accept the general public, I resisted for a while. Then I got an email saying your friends ….. want you to join. They paired them together. Call it the odd couple. One is a Chabad rabbi. The other is a former co-worker, a bleached blonde from Fla. Just picture it. Long beard, pais, white shirt, Florida beach girl.
I joined. How could I resist? Facebook has helped me reacquaint myself with friends from Tau Epsilon Phi, P.S. 209, P.S. 36, and old jobs.
Several ex-girlfriends sent me messages on Linkedin.com and Facebook. One said, “hi, I hope you don’t mind getting a request from me”. I really didn’t care. Many girls I dated are friends with me on all the social media sites. One introduced me to a friend of hers. It didn’t work. But she tried.
But are we to connected? I so think so. When I first joined Facebook and Twitter, I put up messages saying, “can’t you write something more interesting than I’m doing laundry or sipping a diet Coke”? Within minutes over hundred people wrote back to me saying guess what? I’m doing laundry and sipping a diet Coke. Like I really care.
Fall 2010-early winter, the cute girl I dated was Twitter obsessed. Every date we were on, she’d be like I’m sorry, I have to tweet this. I just saw something come in about this and that and like whatever. I gotta Tweet it. We even went to a tweet party in a bar. We all sat there ate some food, donated a gift or two for a needy child so they could have a better holiday season. People got up and talked about tweeting. Of course they multi-tasked. They tweeted while they were speaking.
Were we better off before these applications? No. They are very valuable and have brought many people together. They’ve rekindled old friendships and created new ones. But it can be overwhelming. Do we really need to check our email and all the social medias sites 24/7?
Last night, I shut my computer off. Let lots of music play and finished a book. After posting this, I am going to do more reading.
Oh as for the Stereo MCs, they’ve been playing on iTunes and have been inspirational while I penned this.
Off to read a book.
Do you remember the Stereo MCs? A one hit wonder band that hit it big with the tune, Connected back in something like 91. I remember partying to it in New Paltz. I have the CD.
The song sings about making sure you are connected. My question is are we to connected? I’m on Facebook, Linkedin.com, Twitter and other social media sites. Please don’t get me wrong I love them all.
When Facebook first started to accept the general public, I resisted for a while. Then I got an email saying your friends ….. want you to join. They paired them together. Call it the odd couple. One is a Chabad rabbi. The other is a former co-worker, a bleached blonde from Fla. Just picture it. Long beard, pais, white shirt, Florida beach girl.
I joined. How could I resist? Facebook has helped me reacquaint myself with friends from Tau Epsilon Phi, P.S. 209, P.S. 36, and old jobs.
Several ex-girlfriends sent me messages on Linkedin.com and Facebook. One said, “hi, I hope you don’t mind getting a request from me”. I really didn’t care. Many girls I dated are friends with me on all the social media sites. One introduced me to a friend of hers. It didn’t work. But she tried.
But are we to connected? I so think so. When I first joined Facebook and Twitter, I put up messages saying, “can’t you write something more interesting than I’m doing laundry or sipping a diet Coke”? Within minutes over hundred people wrote back to me saying guess what? I’m doing laundry and sipping a diet Coke. Like I really care.
Fall 2010-early winter, the cute girl I dated was Twitter obsessed. Every date we were on, she’d be like I’m sorry, I have to tweet this. I just saw something come in about this and that and like whatever. I gotta Tweet it. We even went to a tweet party in a bar. We all sat there ate some food, donated a gift or two for a needy child so they could have a better holiday season. People got up and talked about tweeting. Of course they multi-tasked. They tweeted while they were speaking.
Were we better off before these applications? No. They are very valuable and have brought many people together. They’ve rekindled old friendships and created new ones. But it can be overwhelming. Do we really need to check our email and all the social medias sites 24/7?
Last night, I shut my computer off. Let lots of music play and finished a book. After posting this, I am going to do more reading.
Oh as for the Stereo MCs, they’ve been playing on iTunes and have been inspirational while I penned this.
Off to read a book.
Monday, February 6, 2012
ELEM Community Dinner, the Mizrahi House # 4
Supporting “Awake at Night”
February 5, 2012
Last night, 22 people arrived at the stunning Tenafly, N.J. home of ELEM activists, the Mizrahis. All were there to learn about ELEM's Awake at Night (Erim Balayla) program, which provides assistance to Israeli children and teenagers who are working as prostitutes, which is an ever-growing problem in Israel.
Around 8:00 p.m., the house, which should be featured in a photo spread in Better Homes & Gardens, filled up with lots of interesting young people eager to become more knowledgeable about ELEM’s charitable work. This was one of 7 locations across the NY metro area hosting a “Community Dinner”. It was my second and the organization’s fourth. It marked my one-plus year anniversary as an ELEM activist, which has been an enlightening experience. I only hope to do more.
Guests were welcomed by the amazing musicianship of Harvey Valdes who teased our ears with his oud all evening. Upon arriving, all were treated to a great selection of Barkan wines and great chatter about Awake at Night.
The night moved on and a sumptuous buffet style Moroccan feast was served. There was more food than you could imagine. Valdes’ music kept us smiling. As an activist, I got to walk the room and make small talk about ELEM’s incredible work. Yeah, chitchat ran from Broadway, art and music. But it always circled back to the Israeli kids in need and how we can help them.
Liat and Ifat took the “stage” and made dazzling speeches about the important work Awake at Night Does. For example, in 2010, the Tel Aviv operation treated 81 youth (from which 34 were new to Awake at Night), while Haifa operations treated 45 youth. The team is working on harm reduction mainly to minimizing threats to their health and livelihood of the youth (i.e.: providing condoms, physical check-ups and AIDS blood tests).
After their speech a DVD, which Avital worked so hard to create rolled. Our attendees got a bird’s eye view of how drastic the situation is and how much these children rely onto ELEM’s Awake at Night program for a better chance.
The night wound down. Everyone had a great time. Our honorable guests all opened their hearts. All made donations to support Awake at Night’s work. Many were so inspired they asked to be kept informed about our work. Hopefully we cultivated a few new activists.
Special thanks goes to Ronen and Violette for opening their generosity in opening their home to ELEM. Ronen’s speech was heartfelt. I’m anxiously wait to hear how my fellow activists Community Dinners turned out.
Supporting “Awake at Night”
February 5, 2012
Last night, 22 people arrived at the stunning Tenafly, N.J. home of ELEM activists, the Mizrahis. All were there to learn about ELEM's Awake at Night (Erim Balayla) program, which provides assistance to Israeli children and teenagers who are working as prostitutes, which is an ever-growing problem in Israel.
Around 8:00 p.m., the house, which should be featured in a photo spread in Better Homes & Gardens, filled up with lots of interesting young people eager to become more knowledgeable about ELEM’s charitable work. This was one of 7 locations across the NY metro area hosting a “Community Dinner”. It was my second and the organization’s fourth. It marked my one-plus year anniversary as an ELEM activist, which has been an enlightening experience. I only hope to do more.
Guests were welcomed by the amazing musicianship of Harvey Valdes who teased our ears with his oud all evening. Upon arriving, all were treated to a great selection of Barkan wines and great chatter about Awake at Night.
The night moved on and a sumptuous buffet style Moroccan feast was served. There was more food than you could imagine. Valdes’ music kept us smiling. As an activist, I got to walk the room and make small talk about ELEM’s incredible work. Yeah, chitchat ran from Broadway, art and music. But it always circled back to the Israeli kids in need and how we can help them.
Liat and Ifat took the “stage” and made dazzling speeches about the important work Awake at Night Does. For example, in 2010, the Tel Aviv operation treated 81 youth (from which 34 were new to Awake at Night), while Haifa operations treated 45 youth. The team is working on harm reduction mainly to minimizing threats to their health and livelihood of the youth (i.e.: providing condoms, physical check-ups and AIDS blood tests).
After their speech a DVD, which Avital worked so hard to create rolled. Our attendees got a bird’s eye view of how drastic the situation is and how much these children rely onto ELEM’s Awake at Night program for a better chance.
The night wound down. Everyone had a great time. Our honorable guests all opened their hearts. All made donations to support Awake at Night’s work. Many were so inspired they asked to be kept informed about our work. Hopefully we cultivated a few new activists.
Special thanks goes to Ronen and Violette for opening their generosity in opening their home to ELEM. Ronen’s speech was heartfelt. I’m anxiously wait to hear how my fellow activists Community Dinners turned out.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Alhaquot's Blog: Believe
Alhaquot's Blog: Believe: I Believe The title of today’s blog is monumental. Last Thurs., I attended the Yud Shevat Farbrengen at Anshe Shalom Chabad to commemorate...
Believe
I Believe
The title of today’s blog is monumental. Last Thurs., I attended the Yud Shevat Farbrengen at Anshe Shalom Chabad to commemorate the life of the previous Lubavitch Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn on the date of his Yazhreit. At this time the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory became the Rebbe and assumed the leadership of Chabad Lubavitch Worldwide.
When you hear the words, I believe no one has stronger beliefs and a more inspiring story than Rabbi Leibel Zisman, he and his brother, Berel are the sole survivors from their Kovno, Lithuania-based family. The rest perished in the Shoah.
Rabbi Zisman, the guest speaker at the gathering, told a story that moved the congregation, while simultaneously showed the true meaning of why life can be joyous and most important, why to believe.
He began discussing his early life. When he was 10 years old his dad took him to a Farbrengen led by the previous Rebbe. At the end his dad approached him and asked him to bless his son. He did. Dad danced with joy. When asked why he was dancing so happily? He responded that this blessing would protect his son throughout his life.
Protect him it did. He, his older brother who was also blessed traveled home and went about their lives. Sadly, one day the Germans invaded and their lives changed forever. The family lived in a ghetto for a period of time.
One day they and many others were rounded up and forced onto a cattle train. He spent the next years of his life in several camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. He told us how he was able to run away from vicious dogs the Nazis sent after him. We’ve all heard of dogfights. His story was the dogfight of dogfights. B”H for Rabbi Zisman’s strength and beliefs. He continued by telling us about his transfers to numerous camps. He was in five until the Americans arrived to end the war. He was one of 6 of a total of 131 children to survive from when they were originally herded onto a train.
The story that connected most with me was how he managed to put on his Teffilin almost the whole time. He even was able to give it out to the males. This mitzvah is so important.
You see he wound getting pair of Russian boots that were a bit big for him. But he was able to hide his pair of Teffilin in them and got to do the precious Mitzvah of wearing it almost daily. Eventually it was taken from him and destroyed.
The war ended and he wound up in Russia and one day he was summoned to an office, interrogated and led to his brother, who was waiting.
Shortly after he left Europe for America to begin his new life. He told some amazing stories about his arrival to Brooklyn, too.
He ended by telling us how his belief in the blessing he received from the previous Rebbe was his inspiration and kept him alive.
I was lucky enough to meet him and spend a few moments chatting with him. He signed a copy of his book, I Believe: The Story of One Jewish Life. About two weeks ago, I met two Terezin survivors and had a book signed. Last time, I had the woman make it out to my American name. This time, I had Rabbi Zisman make it out to my Hebrew name.
The story of his life and the women I met earlier give us all hope. Everyone must hear the stories told by these survivors. They are the most inspiring stories ever told.
I know I have a lot reading to do. But it will be more than worthwhile, I believe.
B”H
The title of today’s blog is monumental. Last Thurs., I attended the Yud Shevat Farbrengen at Anshe Shalom Chabad to commemorate the life of the previous Lubavitch Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn on the date of his Yazhreit. At this time the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory became the Rebbe and assumed the leadership of Chabad Lubavitch Worldwide.
When you hear the words, I believe no one has stronger beliefs and a more inspiring story than Rabbi Leibel Zisman, he and his brother, Berel are the sole survivors from their Kovno, Lithuania-based family. The rest perished in the Shoah.
Rabbi Zisman, the guest speaker at the gathering, told a story that moved the congregation, while simultaneously showed the true meaning of why life can be joyous and most important, why to believe.
He began discussing his early life. When he was 10 years old his dad took him to a Farbrengen led by the previous Rebbe. At the end his dad approached him and asked him to bless his son. He did. Dad danced with joy. When asked why he was dancing so happily? He responded that this blessing would protect his son throughout his life.
Protect him it did. He, his older brother who was also blessed traveled home and went about their lives. Sadly, one day the Germans invaded and their lives changed forever. The family lived in a ghetto for a period of time.
One day they and many others were rounded up and forced onto a cattle train. He spent the next years of his life in several camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. He told us how he was able to run away from vicious dogs the Nazis sent after him. We’ve all heard of dogfights. His story was the dogfight of dogfights. B”H for Rabbi Zisman’s strength and beliefs. He continued by telling us about his transfers to numerous camps. He was in five until the Americans arrived to end the war. He was one of 6 of a total of 131 children to survive from when they were originally herded onto a train.
The story that connected most with me was how he managed to put on his Teffilin almost the whole time. He even was able to give it out to the males. This mitzvah is so important.
You see he wound getting pair of Russian boots that were a bit big for him. But he was able to hide his pair of Teffilin in them and got to do the precious Mitzvah of wearing it almost daily. Eventually it was taken from him and destroyed.
The war ended and he wound up in Russia and one day he was summoned to an office, interrogated and led to his brother, who was waiting.
Shortly after he left Europe for America to begin his new life. He told some amazing stories about his arrival to Brooklyn, too.
He ended by telling us how his belief in the blessing he received from the previous Rebbe was his inspiration and kept him alive.
I was lucky enough to meet him and spend a few moments chatting with him. He signed a copy of his book, I Believe: The Story of One Jewish Life. About two weeks ago, I met two Terezin survivors and had a book signed. Last time, I had the woman make it out to my American name. This time, I had Rabbi Zisman make it out to my Hebrew name.
The story of his life and the women I met earlier give us all hope. Everyone must hear the stories told by these survivors. They are the most inspiring stories ever told.
I know I have a lot reading to do. But it will be more than worthwhile, I believe.
B”H
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