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...

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...