Elishelvish

2011-02-09T19:34:00.001-05:00

It's been many many many moons since I blogged last and now I am thinking it might be time to start again.
So what I have been doing lately is getting recipes off websites and trying a new one a week. So tune in for some of those!

2008-10-07T19:32:00.003-04:00

Ok, I know I haven't blogged in a while but... I needed to rant about this.
Has anyone paid attention to the leapfrog tag learner commercial??? Maybe because I am a teacher does this commercial irk me.
Basically the product advertised is supposed to help kids learn to read and instill in them a love for reading...but I have two issues with this....
#1 Do people not read to their children anymore?
I understand that some people don't have time to sit, etc.... but I also have an issue #2.
The commercial spurns a "scientific book" or "boring book" for the one that talks... and then a kid then rejects a the book saying that it doesn't talk. How does this encourage reading????

2008-08-18T20:52:00.000-04:00

2008-08-18T20:50:00.000-04:00

2008-08-18T20:36:00.002-04:00

The blog is back!!!

I don't know why, I went on haitus for awhile. I think it is because of the addiction to facebook...but now, I am blogging again!

So I went to stop off in school today and went up to my room and what do I see? BUNNIES!!!!
So I go to the office and I ask the admin and they say "Bunnies? what bunnies?"

Apparently no one but the security guard knew they were storing the bunnies from the lower school in my room while they work on the lower school!

2008-01-05T21:29:00.001-05:00

2007-12-06T17:41:00.000-05:00

Some artwork from my students this year....

Some artwork from my students this year....

2007-11-23T00:30:00.000-05:00

You all know my little obsession with taking pictures as I walk through the park in the morning/afternoon. This time I was struck with the beauty of leaves on a certain tree and they lost their chlorophyll and turned the most brilliant reddish color.

2007-11-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

I just would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2007-11-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

Some more POST IT ART - Gnomie turns to Shev and asks "Do you ever just think up hypothetical scenarios in your head?" Shev turns to Gnomie and introduces herself.

2007-11-06T15:25:00.001-05:00

Some more random pictures from my walks....

2007-11-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

This is for those of you who have been bugging me to update my blog. I really don't have anything interesting going on. Last night I got back from work, ate some dinner, and ended up walking about 9 miles. I do have a tendency to take pictures at random moments though. For example I walk through Central Park every morning to go to school. My rationalization is that since I save $4 every day in bus fare by walking, that I can spend $4 on Starbucks (yes, my Starbucks ban is over, I have caved once again). So I have been taking pictures of Belvedare Castle in different seasons and different times of day. This is my picture from this morning. It was actually pouring this morning, but I had an umbrella, hat, coat, scarf, boots and I despise stuffing like a sardine onto the crosstown bus on rainy days when people allow their umbrellas to drip down your leg.

2007-10-02T14:55:00.001-04:00

I call it self-portrait on a post it. I love GNOMIE and S the Fowl Fouler!

2007-09-12T00:32:00.000-04:00

Only in New York do you walk home, hear music, and look up and see a guy sitting on the fire escape with his guitar singing along to his playing. It's great. I wish I could have captured that moment.

2007-09-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some pictures I took of my walk back from work every day....

2007-09-11T09:53:00.000-04:00

There is a graphic T shirt website called Threadless that I am now addicted to. It's awesome, I want to design something on there one of these days. Here is the what I found today:

2007-09-10T23:47:00.000-04:00

So does anyone have that experience where are you are doing something to truly help a friend but that same friend who you helped and you know you did the right thing by, you lose that friend by helping them and feel lost because you know now that there is nothing you can do and if you did everything over again you would probably do the same exact thing? That is it.

2007-09-10T23:46:00.000-04:00

It Was There...Now It's Gone

You think you can
Depend on tails.
You don't expect tails
To go wrong.
The last time I looked
It was right there.
Now when I look there,
It's gone.

It was always
Just behind me,
Always tagging along.
A little something
at the back...
I thought it was there,
And it's gone.

I assumed it was
Attached to me,
That it actually
Hung true.
I'd hoped it was stuck
Very firmly on.
Maybe we needed
Some glue.

It used to trail
Right behind me,
Always tailing along.
My little extra
At the back...
I thought it was there,
Now it's gone.

from "Lessons from the Hundred-Acre Wood" by Hallie Marshall

2007-09-03T01:53:00.000-04:00

Brain hurt...must go sleep...why still awake????

2007-08-27T03:45:00.000-04:00

If my ramblings do not make sense, please forgive me, they are the reflections of an insomniac. I just can't seem to sleep today because for the past three days it seems that most of all I did was sleep. I did some reading, I got hooked on a new TV show that won't be out with new episodes till 2008, I made some calls. I did not check my email or whatnot for three days. I ended up with around 61 messages, some junk, some fun, and some friends who were wondering where I disappeared to for 3 days. I was home, computer-less, in the not so wilds of Queens. DUDES YOU HAVE MY NUMBER!!! Anyways, I realize now that my free summer, well, not so free summer, (yes for those who doubt me, I actually DID WORK) comes to a close. I think I am trying to cram as much as I can in in the next two "free" days as I can. Tomorrow I am actually going to school to be responsible and get stuff done, but I am also planning to stay up to see the eclipse. Anyone staying up with me???? Tuesday is for sleep, laundry, and a concert at night...(I mentioned it in a previous post, it's at the knitting factory..) and I am sure plans will change. I do have to say while I did not do anything grand this summer, I still did some city wandering, I saw friends, I spent time in the park. I actually relaxed, which I think is the point. I think this summer was filled with little things, like shabbos picnics, coffee breaks, etc. Some guy stopped me on the street, pointed to a place on his map (which the place he pointed at happened to be where we were) and said to me "I am French" as though his being French explained that he needed directions for a place that he was actually in. Imagine yourself lost in the middle of Paris, stopping someone and saying, " I am American" I have never been to France (anyone want to take me) but I imagine there would be a different reaction than someone like me gesturing directions with my hands.
Have I lost you yet in my confusion?
A friend told me today that they will be away for two months and where they will be going. I feel like I am the only one who isnt traveling or haven't traveled recently. My friends collectively have been or will be going to Israel, England, Spain, China, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy, ...should I go on. I have gotten postcards from a few of those countries in the past month, thinking, wow, if only. Is that sad, I have to live vicariously through their pictures and postcards. I love postcards, if you are reading this and have just figured that out that means you should send me one no matter where you are. Postcards are unique. While I prefer mail to email in general (yes I know I am weird but there is some satisfaction to writing and posting a letter) postcards are somehow still the best. It shows that no matter where someone is at any given moment in time they took out a minute out of their day to scribble some words and think of you. It doesnt matter where the postcard is from and how long the message is, it is the physical act of sending it that matters. Weird, I know, but thats what I think. People usually roll their eyes at me when I tell them to send me a postcard, but really I am serious.
Still reading??? Hmmmm ...... I may post some pictures I took in Central Park...so tune in, I am back.

2007-08-22T11:47:00.001-04:00

My friend Marts sent me the link to this Vitaphone Varieties, she knows me well. It's commentary on imagery from the past. It's kind of interesting.

2007-08-10T13:57:00.000-04:00

Which Peanuts Character Are You?
	You are Charlie Brown. You are always optimistic and persistent, and everyone appreciates your simple sweetness. Sometimes, however, your anxieties get the best of you, and life's mysteries can confuse you.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

I should apologize for my lack of substance lately. I have been out doing stuff and have been working so I am sure there is something for me to write about. Heck,, there is something for me to write about when I have nothing going on. I think I am just having one of those bloggers writing blocks.

2007-08-02T13:57:00.001-04:00

Which Friends Character Are You?
	You are part Ross. You're intelligent and adored by your parents. However, your lack of social skills causes you to talk too much and try too hard. While your friends pick on you for your nerdiness, they better watch our for your rage.
	You are part Chandler. You're funny and that's why people like to have you around. You're also a great friend, and when someone you care about is in trouble, they know to come to you for some level-headed advice followed by some sharp sarcasm.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

2007-08-02T13:46:00.000-04:00

So the current status:
Dunkin Donuts Medium Ice Coffee: $2.29 (but if you have a coupon it is $1.09)
Au Bon Pain TWO Medium Ice Coffees: $3.19

Both better or equal to Starbucks...you do the math!

2007-08-01T11:13:00.001-04:00

Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

2007-08-01T10:14:00.000-04:00

I feel the need to announce: My boycott of Starbucks
This morning I got very upset to hear that Starbucks has raised their prices. I mean, I was already paying too much for coffee, but this is just silliness.
Every morning I get a grande ice coffee in a venti cup so there is room for milk and such. I usually ask for less ice too, because if you have ever noticed they the coffee to ice ratio is a sad sad story. Every morning it is $2.55. This already annoyed me because I ordered the same thing in Stamford, CT and it was $2.35 there. I assume that is such for the rest of the country but being that we are in NYC they like to hike up the prices for all us hardworking people. But alas, this morning the barista said it was $3.03 and I answered, isn't it $2.55 and he said they raised the prices yesterday. Why don't they tell us loyal folks these things, what if I only came with $2.55???? I have actually done that before. Anyways I think $3.03 for an ice coffee is ABSURD and I have to say that sadly, I will not be getting such coffee at starbucks again soon.

2007-07-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

Which Springfield Resident Are You?
	You are Apu. On the outside you are kind and a hard worker, but you lead a deceptively simple life. Though your cleverness might be underappreciated, you never miss an opportunity to sneak ahead in life.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

2007-07-30T12:30:00.000-04:00

I will talk about the weekend soon in the blog...but first, I think I am losing some patience for the stupidity of other people, you assume to a certain extent that people can be logical (which is funny I should say that because I am not the most logical but anyways..) here is one thing that has happened of late.

I ordered sneakers on Nike.com and I put a separate shipping and billing address. They left me a message on Friday to verify the address and that someone did not get a hold of my credit cards and charge something to it. So I called back today and the woman told me, oh, we went ahead and shipped it because we figured since no one called us back that the address was okay. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of calling me in the first place????

More stupid things have happened but I dunno if I should publish them so if you are curious, just ask!

2007-07-26T11:51:00.001-04:00

Which Entourage Character Are You?
	You are Vince. Your well-to-do nature and optimistic outlook on life provide you with great Karma and make it almost impossible for anyone to resist your charm. You are a person that loves living life in the moment, inciting most people to view you as naive and impulsive. However, your faith in life and good-nature allows you to overcome any hurdle, making you the brightest Star in the group.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

2007-07-25T10:27:00.000-04:00

Hey! I know I need to keep up on the blogging but nothing really new has been going on. I did finish the new Harry Potter though. I will not discuss what happened because I know my roommate reads this blog and she would keeeel me :-) that and she just got engaged.

Anyways, there are two Heedoosh concerts going on one this Sunday in Brooklyn with a bunch of other bands and one later on with Blue Fringe at the Knitting Factory. The posters are below (one is further down in the blog). I am going to the Southpaw one with the Pet so if anyone wants to go also, let me know :-)

2007-07-19T02:31:00.000-04:00

These are the pictures I took of the explosion today. I'll write more about it tomorrow, I don't feel like it right now. It was scary stuff.

2007-07-17T14:02:00.001-04:00

Many of you have asked me what planet I am from...here is a theory..what do you think ?

You Are From Pluto

You are a dark, mysterious soul, full of magic and the secrets of the universe.
You can get the scoop on anything, but you keep your own secrets locked in your heart.
You love change and you use it to your advantage, whether by choice or chance.
You don't like to compromise, to the point of being self-destructive with your stubborness.
Live life with love, and your deep powers will open the world to you.

What Planet Are You From?

2007-07-13T01:09:00.000-04:00

"Wheels are like bosoms to men, and a car has four." - That 70s show.

2007-07-11T11:39:00.001-04:00

I am sure I have something to report but my brain is so fuzzled and full of cobwebs right now that I really can't think of what. I really am not used to sitting at a desk all day it is weird. It makes me think how I am usually on my feet all day in front of children.
I was up in Stamford this weekend having a grand ole time with my friend Marts. She's the best and a great cook! So now I have some new recipes to try. We saw wildlife...bunch o' bunnies, a deer, groundhog, chipmunk, geese, cardinals, robins, etc which was cool and I decided I want a brook running through my front yard also. Why do I live in the city again????

2007-07-02T03:53:00.000-04:00

Several people have commented on how relaxed I have been of late, I think I have found the solution, NO WORK. The truth is I am getting a little bored and need someone to come play with me!!!! Today was the most beautiful day and I had people to play with.... but now everyone is working, so what do I do now????? I think that is why I am writing these bizarre blogs at 4am, because I know I don't have to wake up tomorrow morning to go to work and therefore if I really wanted to, which I don't because I think it's a waste) I could potentially sleep ALL DAY LONG!!! But of course, I won't I will probably go to the park or go to AMNH because I want to see the mystic creatures exhibit (because no one wants to go with me!!!) or maybe even...OHHHHHH I CAN PAINT!!! I have time to draw, I have time to paint, I have time to sketch, I have time to draw outside the lines because GOSH DARN IT the lines ARE NOT our friends, no matter what anyone says!!!! And this blog entry is exactly the reason why I should attempt to not be awake and actually sleep for once.

2007-06-27T17:27:00.000-04:00

More than one of you have brought it to my attention that I have not blogged in awhile. Is it too hard to believe that I have actually been busy? Yeah it is pretty hard to believe. But it has been so nice outside so I have been going out...alot...with some really pretty awesome friends.
My random picture on the street from today is: DINO! He was just sitting there on the sidewalk, I am sure some of you are shocked that I didn't just pick'um up and take'um home with me. NO I DID NOT!
For those of you who missed it, the Moshav/ Heedoosh concert last Thursday night at the knitting factory was AWESOME! Good music, good company...it was just a good time. For those of you who are willing to come to brooklyn with me and the pet, check this out. (and note the awesome background picture too) I have a very flexible schedule so far this summer, so I want to hang out with people! I also want to go to shakespeare in the park for anyone interested.
Oh right, another story...I almost got stuck in the basement doing laundry today because they were working on the elevator. That would have been bad....

2007-06-04T22:46:00.001-04:00

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris.
The art, the fashion, the wine!
Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park...
You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

2007-06-04T11:06:00.001-04:00

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.
You're totally weird and very proud of it.
Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way.

Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

2007-06-04T10:54:00.000-04:00

People have been claiming that my rubber chicken purse creepily stares at them. I happen think its very funny and useful. I can actually fit two one liter bottles of water in it and still have room for other stuff! It's also great because it's waterproof. But I did recently take this picture of it and do see their point. But this doesn't mean I am going to cease using it. I know this has no relevance to anything, but I am in the middle of writing report cards and need a little mental break occasionally to refocus.

2007-06-03T17:29:00.000-04:00

I want to go here! It looks so cool! Anyone wanna come with me? Glen Echo Park The Pet and I want to go on a road trip somewhere for the week of July 4th. If you can think up anything good, let us know!

2007-05-28T23:38:00.000-04:00

The pet and I wandered around downtown today on a mission not accomplished but a lot of fun none the less. We started around Chinatown watching all the tourists get offered knockoffs of stuff then we stumbled into Little Italy and Sorrento cheese was having an Italian festival but the funniest part was they were giving out cheese samples but the funniest part of it was there was a string cheese mascot!!!

2007-05-25T00:08:00.000-04:00

The thing about having a camera in my phone is now I snap the most random pictures that inspire me. The first set of pictures are actually my beautiful route I walk to work in the morning (I hope it doesn't get to hot!) and the second are random pictures that amused me. The paw print is a raccoon probably, but it was just one paw print without any corresponding ones which was just weird to me, but funny. The other one is the pet and I were at a street fair and there was a beer-mobile and well, thats just funny on its own.

2007-05-24T23:55:00.000-04:00

Yet another reason to love thine roommate:
Naomi wrote
at 9:06am on May 22nd, 2007
No no, no questioning the deliciousness.
And I keep meaning to hammer those damn nails into the floor, but I never remember, except after midnight.

Elizabeth wrote
at 11:23pm on May 21st, 2007
Never question the ingredients

Naomi wrote
at 10:42pm on May 21st, 2007
What the hell is IN these cookies? You are craaaaazy!
(But a damn fine baker.)

Elizabeth wrote
at 10:31pm on May 21st, 2007
Kinda like our own UWS stigmata

Elizabeth wrote
at 10:31pm on May 21st, 2007
you're right, I ate the keebler elves, that's why I am barefoot, elves are salty, all that water retention makes my shoes tight, that and I would rather stab myself in the feet with the nails jutting out of our floor and bleed profusely than ruin another perfectly good pair of socks.

Naomi wrote
at 10:23pm on May 21st, 2007
Keeble keeble keeble

Elizabeth wrote
at 7:33pm on May 9th, 2007
OHHHHHHHHHH thats what those marks were from...

Naomi wrote
at 1:02pm on May 9th, 2007
To be fair, the topiary had a spoon to use as a weapon...

2007-05-18T13:17:00.000-04:00

2007-05-18T13:05:00.001-04:00

Apparently I have more than one personality....

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

2007-05-18T12:57:00.000-04:00

Your results:
You are Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker		78%
Princess Leia		67%
Han Solo		66%
Chewbacca		65%
Obi-Wan Kenobi		58%
R2-D2		57%
Padme		57%
Anakin Skywalker		56%
C-3PO		54%
Jar Jar Binks		54%

You value your friends and loved ones,
but can sometimes act recklessly
because of your emotions.
Occasionally you resort to whining.
You look ahead to great things for yourself.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)

Click here to take the Star Wars Personality Test

I need to stop taking these silly online quizzes but they are kind of funny.

2007-05-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

Just a little note...
Of the Yom Yerushalayim presentation in school today. The most emotional part was our school guard (a 6'6, 30 yr old, African man)describing what it meant for him to go to Israel with the 8th graders. He described how visiting Yad Vashem made him cry for the first time in 6 years since his father died. He described how meaningful it was to see all the people walking to the Kotel on Friday night, how the Israel he visited was nothing like they describe on TV....etc
If he can feel that much and describe the Holy Land in such a way, why can't we? He made a big point of saying we need to make sure not to take what we have for granted. He is right.

2007-05-14T22:00:00.001-04:00

Your results:
You are The Joker

The Joker		69%
Mr. Freeze		60%
Riddler		60%
Magneto		57%
Venom		56%
Green Goblin		50%
Mystique		50%
Two-Face		50%
Poison Ivy		49%
Dark Phoenix		48%
Juggernaut		46%
Apocalypse		45%
Catwoman		34%
Kingpin		30%
Dr. Doom		27%
Lex Luthor		24%

The Clown Prince of Crime. You are a brilliant mastermind but are criminally insane. You love to joke around while accomplishing the task at hand.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

2007-05-13T13:12:00.000-04:00

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man		95%
Superman		75%
Robin		70%
Green Lantern		50%
Iron Man		50%
Batman		50%
The Flash		50%
Catwoman		50%
Wonder Woman		38%
Supergirl		38%
Hulk		30%

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

2007-05-07T08:31:00.001-04:00

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

2007-04-23T18:11:00.000-04:00

Every year I end up helping out prepare at school for the Salute to Israel parade and spend time painting banners etc. and it usually involves giving up alot of my free time to do so. Every year I say I adamantly refuse to do it the following year. But I get stuck doing it anyways. In a way I love it because it is the only time I really get to paint something major and miss the feel of paint in my nails but I end up doing most of it my self etc. This year I ended up doing it again but came up with something simple and got to do it instead of other things in school which made me really happy. So here are some pictures of what it looks like so far. It's a big banner so I had to take the pictures of separate parts of it but if you know the reference, you can piece it all together.

2007-04-22T19:43:00.000-04:00

I feel like my blog readership has gone down so if you are still reading this please let me know. It has not been that I have had nothing to write lately but it has been a little bit slow being that it was Pesach and then work, and then I got a cold :(

2007-04-18T22:33:00.001-04:00

I read this today. I thought it was inspiring.
Many Holocaust survivors have often wondered why they were spared when so many others died around them. Perhaps Prof. Librescu was spared then, so he could not only build a family and give the world his knowledge, but also as a final act, be there, at V Tech to save the lives of others. Life takes very strange turns, doesn't it?
Message - Report

2007-04-12T23:25:00.000-04:00

Happy April, but I am not so much liking these spring showers we had today. It was my first day back after vacation to work and my first two classes I had less than 10 kids per class, it was sad, everyone extends their vacations except for us teachers.

2007-03-29T21:29:00.000-04:00

Hi all!
I am sorry I haven't posted anything of really big substance in awhile. I was too tired to do so without being completely incoherent.
Those of you who really know me, knows that Pesach is really not my favorite holiday so I have been a little irritable about it. I mean all that cleaning and cooking and stuff and it is supposed to be a holiday about being liberated from the bondages of slavery. Shouldn't a way to celebrate be to do less work? not more work? And while I am all for family time...
Anyways, I went to the snow patrol concert on Tuesday night. It was fun, it was very unpretentious and all the leads of the 3 bands that played were cracking jokes and poking fun at the audience and such, so it was a good time. Also I need to bond with the pet because now she will be away for a month and then will come back for a month and then she is moving and leaving us behind :( I think I will end up somewhere in Europe this summer.

2007-03-25T02:14:00.001-04:00

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

It seems I still have a few states to go. Road trip anyone?

2007-03-23T16:04:00.001-04:00

I took the "What's So Funny?" quiz on gURL.com
		My sense of humor is... Absurd Does nonsense make sense to you? Then absurd comedy might be your fish. Did you know that there is actually a word that means "saying something totally illogical"? It's called a "non-sequitur" and comedians use them to abruptly confuse or surprise you.Read more... What is your sense of humor?

Apparently my sense of humor is absurd. Who would have thunk it? Hehe thunk it....

2007-03-18T03:47:00.000-04:00

If any of you was ever wondering what you would look like as an M&M you can make yourself an M&M on their website. This is me!!

2007-03-12T01:25:00.000-04:00

Another purse thank you. My friends M and C got me an awesome rubber chicken purse. It's great and fits tons of stuff but the zipper broke already so I have to fix that. I have no idea what to wear to the Pet's engagement party sat night. HELP ME!

2007-03-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

First of all I want to thank all of my friends who celebrated my birthday with me between those who texted me and those who came friday night...thank you I love you. It was fun and great and really sweet of you. I went around doing errands today with the pet and now have a fantastic new vintage lucite purse. When we got back to the pets apartment, the doorman had the cutest little fluffy bunny on a lease. Of course I had to take a pic and the Pet had to make friends...

2007-03-09T08:32:00.000-05:00

Apparently I have gained another year. The funny thing is, I really dont feel any older or wiser for it.

2007-03-06T22:41:00.001-05:00

I am really too upset right now to say anything.

2007-03-05T23:02:00.000-05:00

So I have a very nice stuffed elephant that my friend gave me last year around xmas time as a present. It's fairly large and hard to miss and generally lives on my bed. I was picking him up and noticed that there were blobs of plaster stuck to him which means when they were fixing my ceiling they were negligent in taking care of my things. I left my landlord a message saying as much. This really upsets me.

2007-03-05T19:53:00.000-05:00

Purim was interesting. Had alot of fun at my friend M's Seudah....but I am just really too tired to blog...If I do everything will just make less and less sense than it usually does and we all know what that might lead to.. Yeah, I have no idea either. Happy Adar everyone! I hope y'all had a good time.

2007-03-01T01:16:00.001-05:00

Happy Hebrew Birthday to me...

2007-02-28T22:44:00.001-05:00

McSweeney's Issue 22 is on its way to subscribers and is now available on our site. This issue includes our most contributors ever and our strongest magnets ever.

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COOKIE MONSTER
SEARCHES DEEP WITHIN
HIMSELF AND ASKS: IS ME
REALLY MONSTER?
BY ANDY F. BRYAN

- - - -

Me know. Me have problem.

Me love cookies. Me tend to get out of control when me see cookies. Me know it not natural to react so strongly to cookies, but me have weakness. Me know me do wrong. Me know it isn't normal. Me see disapproving looks. Me see stares. Me hurt inside.

When me get back to apartment, after cookie binge, me can't stand looking in mirror—fur matted with chocolate-chip smears and infested with crumbs. Me try but me never able to wash all of them out. Me don't think me is monster. Me just furry blue person who love cookies too much. Me no ask for it. Me just born that way.

Me was thinking and me just don't get it. Why is me a monster? No one else called monster on Sesame Street. Well, no one who isn't really monster. Two-Headed Monster have two heads, so he real monster. Herry Monster strong and look angry, so he probably real monster, too. But is me really monster?

Me thinks me have serious problem. Me thinks me addicted. But since when it acceptable to call addict monster? It affliction. It disease. It burden. But does it make me monster?

How can they be so callous? Me know there something wrong with me, but who in Sesame Street doesn't suffer from mental disease or psychological disorder? They don't call the vampire with math fetish monster, and me pretty sure he undead and drinks blood. No one calls Grover monster, despite frequent delusional episodes and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. And the obnoxious red Grover—oh, what his name?—Elmo! Yes, Elmo live all day in imaginary world and no one call him monster. No, they think he cute. And Big Bird! Don't get me started on Big Bird! He unnaturally gigantic talking canary! How is that not monster? Snuffleupagus not supposed to exist—woolly mammoths extinct. His very existence monstrous. Me least like monster. Me maybe have unhealthy obsession, but me no monster.

No. Me wrong. Me too hard on self. Me no have unhealthy obsession. Me love cookies, but it no hurt anyone. Me just enthusiast. Everyone has something they like most, something they get excited about. Why not me? Me perfectly normal. Me like cookies. So what? Cookies delicious. Cookies do not make one monster. Everyone loves cookies.

Me no monster. Me OK guy. Me OK guy who eat cookies.

Who me kidding? Me know me never actually eat cookies. Me only crumble cookies in mouth, but me no swallow. Me can't swallow. Me no have no esophagus. Me no have no trachea. Me only have black fabric throat. Me not supposed to be able to even talk.

Me no eat cookies.

Me destroy cookies.

Me crush cookies.

Me mutilate cookies.

Me make it so no one get cookies.

Everyone right. Me really is cookie monster.

2007-02-27T23:07:00.000-05:00

I don't think my ceiling was really fixed, I think they just painted over everything to make it look fixed because there are still bumps and dents up there where the ceiling swelled or plaster fell down. It kind of sucks that way.

I don't know why I am so tired but I am and tiredness makes me more cranky than I mean to be so if I was cranky or mean to you please forgive me. Hopefully all will be good by this weekend when we will celebrate Purim and spend time with friends and hopefully not have to think about other stuff...

I don't know why I assigned a paper because then I will just have to read them all, but it is due tomorrow and kids are emailing me like mad. Think of leaving things to last minute. I understand though because I do the same thing.

2007-02-27T16:43:00.000-05:00

Tired...so tired...and my landlord is not answering my calls. Which makes me unhappy. But otherwise everything else is ok..I guess. :)
I am going to think up a positive for today....

2007-02-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

I will get the bad things of today out first:
Monday's are INSANE. I could not sleep last night and had to get up early and the day was crazy. First we found out that one of my student's fathers suddenly passed away. I also turned my hands green with food coloring. Like Kermitt the frog green. I had a long day because I had a meeting after school and didn't really get to say anything at the meeting which is somewhat frustrating because the whole point is to share what's going on with students. After the meeting, I tutored a former student of mine and did a lab with him. Then I went to grocery shop, cooked etc. When I went into my room to get something from my bed and realized that once again there was plaster on my bed.
So this is the state of my ceiling right now...not so fun.
Pretty isn't it?
So good stuff of my day. Despite having 12 kids in my first class and my labs not set up on time the teaching stuff went pretty well! I also grilled awesome chicken for dinner. :) Hey that's a positive right? The other thing is my birthday is the 20th Anniversay of U2's Joshua Tree Album - my favorite.

2007-02-26T02:04:00.000-05:00

The Purim thing really was not all that great...actually it was boring. I was all wired up to go do something tonight..so basically I think I am boring myself to sleep right now. I did figure out that on Thursday it is my hebrew birthday which is the 11 th of Adar I believe, which, by the way the calender falls out is also Taanit Esther. I thought that was interesting. I am trying to solidify some plans for the weekend. I have a friend coming in from out of town who is going to come to lunch by us on Saturday but as far as other plans...they are a bit murky right now, but then again it is only Monday. I can not believe March is almost upon us.

2007-02-25T22:25:00.000-05:00

This is why I say my Dad is the Jewish Santa...I say it out of love.

2007-02-25T19:08:00.000-05:00

I am in my apartment dressed like a freak from the 80s waiting for the pet to come by so we can go to a party. I thought she was coming like a half hour ago but she is jet-lagged so I think she is a little confused. Little does she know I have a little surprise for her costume...

2007-02-23T00:34:00.000-05:00

My email has not been working today!!!!

2007-02-22T22:45:00.000-05:00

It hurts to stub your toe, it hurts even more to stub your toe in the shower.
My landlord called me today to check on the status of my apartment. Why would anything be wrong? So the ceiling is turning a little bit yellow, so it occasionally smells like gas when we cook because the stove is hard to open so we practically have to yank it out of the wall....so he sent someone right down...

2007-02-22T20:39:00.001-05:00

See my brain is balanced...

Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance.
You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver.
You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What Color Is Your Brain?

2007-02-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

This weather is a little crazy but it was the first time this morning that I got to walk to work in a very long time. It was a little icy but it was nice and really not that cold. It actually relaxs me before work to walk through the park instead of going on the crowded cross town bus... This is a not so clear picture of Belvedere Castle this morning.

2007-02-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

I left work today thinking, wow that was tiring, (well I have a whole lot of classes on wednesdays) but I had alot of fun. How rare is that? I actually enjoy what I do..So I have been wondering why the heck it is accepted as normal that the remaining snow in the city is black? Am I the only one completely freaked out by this? Snow is supposed to be white..not gray, not yellow, and certainly not black!

2007-02-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

I was on the 79th Street Crosstown bus around 7:30 this morning and the guy across from me in a very nice business suit etc. was eating chicken with his hands on the bus. I found this a little weird.....

2007-02-20T23:40:00.000-05:00

Now that the heat is finally working it is working in that dry slowly dying of thirst sort of way so I put a pan of water to evaporate and I just don't think it is working. Furthermore, my ceiling is blistering even more now which leads me to believe that it is not in fact the plaster drying but the radiator from the apartment above us is still leaking into my ceiling. This worries me a little bit....

2007-02-20T15:12:00.000-05:00

I have to say I don't know why I continue to be friends with people who just make me feel stupid. It happened twice this weekend really with two different people. I do not think I am really the type to completely let people walk all over me, I mean clearly I voice my opinions but right now I kind of feel like that. I try to be nice to people and help them out. I try to be a good friend. I try to be loyal and I consider myself a loyal friend but there are some times when it just gets to me and I wonder why can't I be one of those people who doesn't let anything get to them.

Honestly, I am getting sick of being nice. I am getting sick of being labeled the good one and the responsible one when we go out. What good does it do me when people discuss that I am "good people" As far as I remember the good people always finish last.

2007-02-20T10:43:00.000-05:00

My plot to sleep late is not working! I have gotten up before 10 every day of my vacation. What is up with that? This morning the pet called me at 7am thinking with the time change that it was 7PM and then felt bad and hung up on me even though I answered the phone and wanted to talk to her. Silly Pet. I wonder what is going to happen when she moves to London because we are both really bad at this time change thing and I really missed not being able to talk to her this weekend!
I just linked my friend Suzanne's Blog to mine. She is awesome and hilarious. She put on some comedy she did so you should check it out!

2007-02-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Happy 101st post!
I can't believe I had that many things to say...

I just posted a new link..it is the website of this guy who makes sculpture out of antique flatware. It's pretty cool. He is very often found in front of the Met selling his stuff and it's interesting to watch him make the things he does.

2007-02-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

Last night I ended up going to the movie Breach with a friend of mine about the FBI agent turned traitor. It was interesting. It was a little slow but I would recommend the movie.

Today I went to a wedding in NJ it took about 2 hours to get there. The wedding started at 2 and we left around 8 and got home by 930. So basically it was a whole day thing. It was really nice. They arranged a van for us from the west side and then the van driver took us to the wrong wedding hall. We went inside and the people were like uh the wedding is a 5. Luckily the real wedding hall was about 5 minutes away. It was a little stupid though. But everything worked out for the best.

2007-02-17T20:17:00.000-05:00

I have to say tonight I am pretty bored....

I spoke to my landlord on Friday and apparently they were supposed to wait until the ceiling dried up beforre they plastered over it but since they plastered over it and it is still damp it is starting to blister again. That just means they are foing to have to plaster over the whole thing again. I don't even think that they fixed the leak at all, I don't know because I don't speak spanish except the mas o menos part of the interim supers ramble did not sound good to me at all. Never the less, I am going to have to call the landlord again anyways because we did not have heat last night and tonight it is pretty damn cold in here also. Not so much fun.

2007-02-16T11:05:00.000-05:00

There are workmen now taking apart my room fixing my ceiling, not really fun. I need to leave soon and go shopping for shabbos. I erally want to gget to use my now grill pan :)

2007-02-16T00:09:00.000-05:00

Es showed me this one

2007-02-15T23:35:00.000-05:00

So all I asked for was that I would sleep late tomorrow for my day off. Is that too much to ask for????Is it? Apparently it is. Because if you see the picture about a half hour ago when I was about to go to sleep, a chunk of the ceiling decided to fall down on my bed. I left a message for the landlord who I spoke to 3 times last week about the heat and spoke to the interim super. BUT WHAT THE HELL????
I really don't know why I am paying so much rent to NOT sleep in my own bed for at least a week.

2007-02-15T13:35:00.000-05:00

So I just went to the store for my afternoon caffiene fix and what do I see? CHERRY COKE ZERO!!!! the world is now a happier place for it!!! My coke zero has been improved. It is these small things in life that can make me happy.

2007-02-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

I hate this wind!!! Cold weather I can take but what is up with the wind. I can't imagine all those really skinny girls all over the city going out in this weather because don't they just get blown away????

While we do once again have heat in our apartment, it is really sporatic (I like that word) when it will or will not go on. I don't believe that it is really timed or anything because it goes on at different times every night. Then I am cold and end up sleeping in a hooded sweatshirt and wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I am burning up and being smothered by something.
It's all really weird.

2007-02-14T08:14:00.000-05:00

I know I have not posted in a few days and for that there are several reasons:

1)Nothing new to report - I am sure I can make up some stuff though just for your amusement.
2)We need to thank my friend DB for fixing my computer and making it better instead of tossing it out the window like I know he wanted to. He is a hero for now :)

So I got a 6:30 call this morning that despite the snow and non-clear roads that I do have work this morning. Whoo hoo!

So what is going on here....

Sunday I spent the weekend with the Pet, on Sunday we went from store to store to store for her to try to find dinner and flatware that she likes. I found something I like but that doesn't really help. She bought me a nice grill pan as a consolation prize.

There is another Heedoosh concert coming up... this time it is a big one at the knitting factory and I recommend buying tickets in advance....They are on itunes now which I find amusing.

I think we are going... I realize that my birthday ends up on a friday that week so I am sure we will make some other plans also.

Last night my trainer called me to tell me that she got promoted but it is bad news for me because they are transferring her to some gym in Park Slope to manage buuuut thats bad for me because she can't come to the city to train now. So she is going to find me another trainer to kick my butt, but I liked her, she was good and I got used to her and everything. So wish me luck!

Need to go get some coffee, to be continued....

2007-02-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

Once again we didn't have heat in our apartment last night, so I took a picture of me bundled under a zillion blankets...

2007-02-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know why some people presume I actually have something to blog about. Am I just here for your amusement? Don't you people have work to do? (AHEM Pet)
Maybe my brain cells are just frozen from the lack of heat.

Anyways I will babble on about some nonsense.

So you remember when I lost my phone on New Year's Eve? Well, I called that night around 4am to suspend the service. The next morning around 9:30 I went to t-mobile I got a brand new phone, same number and a new contract. Everything fine. right? Wrong! On Jan. 31 my phone wasnt working so I went online to check if there were any outages and it said my phone was CANCELLED! But I didn't cancel my phone so I called t-mobile around 8:30 to complain and they said, well we cancel any phones 30 days after they have been declared lost unless you call. So I told them I went to the store the next day and signed a new contract so they said they would restore the service. 12:30 I called again because they hadn't done anything....what a pain. So they gave me free minutes, but still, it was a stupid mistake.

I just called our landlord because of the serious lack of heat in our apartment.

2007-01-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

So my mother is signing me up for singles events without telling me again. Is this normal. Last time she did that it was scary.

Anyways. If you haven't seen the Weezer/Muppet video and you are a fan of either or both. YOU MUST SEE IT.

2007-01-22T19:31:00.000-05:00

So Saturday night after a long (but fun) weekend with lots o' kids, Rebecca made me go out and for the second time in my life I got hit on by a chick...it was weird.

2007-01-22T10:33:00.000-05:00

My friend sent me this picture this morning because I love Duff Goldman.

2007-01-18T17:14:00.000-05:00

So I will post another picture soon. My trip was good but very tiring and busy. Tuesday we went on a tour of the Pentagon which was very cool. It was interesting. It looks like a mall inside - no joke, with stores and everything. We also has a ceremony at the EPA and few people spoke including the Surgeon General so all in all it was worth it to go and a good trip.

Now I am back in NYC, flaming garbage can and all. I am busy at work, finishing those report cards, going a little nuts (a little more nuts), moving right along, trying to figure out life like usual. :)

2007-01-18T13:55:00.000-05:00

So I am back now...
The first image being back in New York is seeing the police trying to put out a garbage can that was on fire in Penn Station. Is that normal? I think it is a great image for people to get when they first arrive in New York. Oh, welcome to the city, you can't get off the train because some idiot decided to ignite a garbage can!

2007-01-15T23:45:00.000-05:00

So today I went down to breakfast and found some other people looking lost and such so I asked and they were also from our group. I had breakfast with some really nice people from Salt Lake City, Utah and the other people are from Alabama, upstate NY, and PA so its kind of an interesting mix. Most of the people who came have never been to Washington before so it is also interesting to hear their perspective on everything. They also were telling me where they were from they made a really big deal about the contest and were interviewed by local news and honored by the mayor and stuff which just doesn't happen in a city like New York. Also, I am the youngest adult here. (ha ha I know what you are thinking) and I got some interesting "You're the teacher?" reactions from people which I think I was prepared for. Also there are kids who answer their teachers, "yes ma'am" ??? That doesn't happen in NY does it? It's kind of cool.
Today was a crazy day of touring all you can see in one day. I need to go back to some of these places and y'all know how much I love museums. The minerals and gems at the Smithsonian is unbelievable. I really likee looking at all the different crystal formations of minerals and I know so little about it. It is a part of science I really never learned before. We never learned earth science in school because I took some other science instead so I feel like I really want to learn it. All and all it's been an interesting experience so far. Tomorrow is when all the ceremonies and stuff are.
The thing is, when we get back to the hotel it is 8 and I am a little bored because there is no one here with me. It's a really nice room, but I think I said before, what is the point if there is no one to share it with? Does that make sense. I mean I value time alone and I know I will get back to the city and be like I wish I was alone, but certain times it is not all that to be all by yourself. Does this make sense. I think this might be why these blogs are ending up so long. My computer is really not working as it should but when I finally get online it is pretty much okay.

2007-01-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

So right now I am typing from a hotel room in Washington DC It's a really nice room, nice hotel. Apparently they have had the presidents inaugural ball here every inauguration since Roosevelt which is kind of cool.

I was actually a fun day because I got here a day early than the program actually starts and Es decided to come down to DC for the day also so we went touring and stuff. We went to the National galleries, the National Archive, the Spy Museum and the portrait gallery. It was cool there were a few exhibits which were good like one on Josephine Baker who we read about also at the spy museum.

What was funny last night was when Es decided to come she looked up both trains and flights and it was cheaper to fly for the day! Then she ended up randomly in the seat next to me. Pretty funny. So it was a good day. It is actually much warmer here than it is in New York. After Es left I went back to the hotel. There is nothing to do here but watch tv. I have been trying to do some work on my computer but my computer has been a bit wonky and it took ages for me to get online at all....so I don't know if I am actually going to get any work done. I will probably go to sleep soon because we are supposed to meet up for breakfast at 8 and then go to Arlington Cemetary the thing is I have heard from no one on this trip yet. I know other people got in today but I dont know anyone but I think its a little weird that the organizers didn't leave us messages or anything.

Also it says to "dress casual" tomorrow and "a little more dressy" the next day. What does that mean? So I basically brought a whole lot of black because you can't go wrong in black. I might look a little morbid though. We shall see.

Anyways, about all the stuff I said I didn't understand before, I still don't understand. I think that everytime I take a risk and put myself out there or really stand up for things it backfires at me. I think that is happening again. I really don't know. I think it is good that I am away for a few days and occupied with other things than the usual.

2007-01-11T20:17:00.001-05:00

report cards...ugh

Elishelvish

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