Fall begins and Summer Ends

Wow, I really don't blog a lot do I... A few posts down it was last year at this time that I made an entry. Guess that's what happens when you have a life...

Anyhow, I saw this scarecrow clip art and now I have the John Mellencamp song "Rain on the Scarecrow" in my head. And so for your listening entertainment may I present...

John Mellencamp or John Cougar Mellencamp as he was known in those days...

Cool Contest for Travel Writers & Photographers

So I was minding my own business today when one of my friends forwarded this to me:
http://twa.memberlodge.com/TWACompetition

Now this is one competition I plan on entering, I'm pretty handy with a camera and I figure what the heck - what do I have to lose? And if by some miracle I win, who can argue with a cash prize and free trip to pick it up??

Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish Boy

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday commonly referred to as the "Jewish New Year." It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar - this year it is Thursday, September 9, 2010.

As I get ready to head to my parents for Rosh Hashanah for the first time in many, many years when Mom asks the dreaded "so are you dating anyone" question, I'll actually have an answer to give her. (Yes, it true - I have a girlfriend, but, the twist is she is Catholic and I'm not sure how Mom is going to react. She always said it didn't matter, now let's see if she actually means it.)

Anyhow, I've been trying to explain to my girlfriend about the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah and how this is a happy time of year for us. I'm also trying to explain the menu - which looking from the outside in - does probably seem a bit strange with delights such as honey, dates, pomegranates, pumpkin, leeks, and, beets to celebrate the day. The worst part is explaining my Mom's "Garlic Soup" and how surprisingly good it actually tastes!

So with this in mind, we turn the corner towards heading to Mom - will this relationship survive our first major holiday together? I can only hope so...

Europe, rain and ROTTEN colds

Well, it's been a while since I've posted but the good news is that I have a wonderful new girlfriend. She's sweet, pretty and just a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we're on vacation in Europe and got caught in a down pour and couldn't get a cab. It took us 30 minutes to get back to the hotel and now we're both sick as dogs with ROTTEN colds.

We're both sneezing, coughing, shivering and feeling miserable, but, you know what? I found out I'd rather be sick with someone I care a lot about than be well and be alone and lonely.

Yes, I'm in love and I'm not afraid to express my feelings. I'm just dreading our flight back to the States on Friday. Hopefully, we won't get any worse!

A correlation between Derek Jeter's ball playing this year (lack of it) and getting married?

I don't know what's going on with our Yankees Captain Derek Jeter, but, there seems to be a correlation between his ball playing this year (or I should say lack of it) and getting married. I don't know why everyone is so afraid to make this statement, but, let's face, our Captain is "off" this 2010 season and the one thing, aside from the passing of two Yankee legends, George Steinberner and Bob Sheppard, is the fact he is getting married.

And, no this is not a jab at marriage or even at Minka Kelly, Jeter's betrothed. I happen to think Ms. Kelly is a very attractive woman. However, it is an observation of players and how they have been on or off their games this year.

Like Derek Jeter, the Yankee's team jokester, Nick "Swish" Swisher is also engaged to actress Joanna Garcia. The difference is that settling down seems to agree with Swish. He has been on fire this 2010 baseball season, while our beloved Captain seems to be indeed struggling.

Time will tell and the length of the marriage (if they even make it down the aisle) will tell...

Rainy days in Manhattan

I know, I know I haven't posted in ages. What can I say it's a rainy day, I'm bored silly at work and I literally have nothing else to do. I don't know what it is about rainy days but it takes me back to grade school for some reason. I remember walking home from school, jumping in puddles and having Mom waiting for some type of special treat after school. Like her famous chocolate chip cookies made from scratch.

I also have a very strange association with rainy days and the old tv show Taxi. Remember that one? How could anyone forget "Iggy"? I happen to think Christopher Lloyd is a wonderful actor and I've appreciated all the rolls he has done over the years. But, I digress, why do rainy days take me back to grade school and the show taxi? Maybe it's the simple fact that it takes me back to a simpler time in my life. Sort of a mini-vacation if you will for the mind. Days long before I married and inevitably got divorced. Before I was working 60 hours a week. A time when my biggest worry was if I could stay up beyond 10pm on a school night.

So much for my walk down memory lane. I've just been snapped back into reality by my phone at work. Time for a meeting...

Last Day of Summer

Today marks the last day of summer and tomorrow Fall arrives. I've always loved the fall, it's the transformation period between summer and winter, and, there is so much to look forward to in the Fall. Everything from football and the NYC marathon to Halloween to the beautiful show nature puts on each year.

'Fall, leaves, fall'
by Emily Jane Bronte

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day.