Penny Stock

Daf a Day

Here is a quick link to a new blog for Daf Yomi learners, www.adafaday.blogspot.com. Our good friend, David G., is one of the writers (and has been the primary writer until now). It seems like a great source for people who are interested in Daf Yomi. For those skeptical about it, here is what David wrote about the purpose of the blog.

"There are thousands and thousands of people who learn daf yomi but unfortunately most people don't have a lot of time to spend learning the daf. In yeshiva we could spend weeks and weeks learning a daf of gemara and then hopefully we really understood it. Now, I'm lucky if I spend two hours a day learning the daf. I'm lucky if I get through all the Rashis and some Tosafosim on the page but rarely do I get a chance to look at any other Rishonim who wrote on the daf and certainly not the Acharonim. Occasionally, I'll have time to look up the halacha in the Shulchan Aruch or Rambam but certainly I'll never have time to analyze it. Besides all of that, there are numerous publications that are specifically intended for daf yomi. Artscroll (ok, it's not only for daf yomi but I'd guess that most users of Artscroll are learning daf yomi), Kollel Iyun Hadaf, Al Hadaf (publication), etc. Those all have great stuff and if I had time to read all of those then I'd really have a good understanding of the daf but there's no time for all that either.

Ok, you ask, if there's a ton written out there on the daf already and I'm not learning any of that then what is the purpose of starting a blog? It's just going to be more stuff about the daf that people won't read (I'm assuming that most people who learn the daf are like me as far as not learning much more than what's on the page). That's why I hesitated so much about starting the blog. My sister recently started a blog (about nothing) and she's been encouraging me to start a daf yomi blog. At first I thought it was pointless for the reasons stated. Besides, who would ever read a blog about daf yomi written by me - I'm not a rabbi or a talmid chacham or anything? Then after considering it for a few days, I decided that if I got some friends, rabbeim, etc. who also learn the daf to post then maybe we could discuss various insights that we came across or questions that we had. We might be more likely to read this because these will be specific things that one of us came across while we were learning the daf that we found interesting and wanted to share. Or just because we know if it's posted here it's because someone else was bothered by this while they learned the daf and maybe we'll be able to answer it or just reading the question will help us realize that we didn't understand it as well as we could and we'll be encouraged to go back and review. (UPDATE on 1/30 - I've discovered that the best thing about the writing the blog is that it forces me to organize my thoughts on at least one topic from the daf and often encourages me to look something up that I wouldn't have otherwise. So even if nobody ends up reading this, at least I've learned more because of it.)

So, in the beginning the blog will basically be for a few people to discuss today's daf (or yesterday's or the day before). My goal would be that we'll have some good discussions and 'Chavrech Chavra Is Leih, ve'Chavrech de'Chavrech Chavra Is Leih' and word will spread and others will come and join our discussion. A certain number of people will have posting authority and will be able to start discussions on there but anyone can comment on the discussions started. If someone without posting authority wants a new discussion started then they can email me and I will start the discussion for them. Hopefully, we'll be able to build a community where we can all learn something and help others learn something. "

NumaNuma

So, Greg found this great video of the Numa Numa song doing a blogdigger media search. First of all, watch it- it is hysterical. Anyway, we've all (the kids included) been going around the house singing this song nonstop since Sunday.

Anyway, this morning, my Russian painter (who I will have to blog about one of these days) put a CD into the CD player to listen to while working. This song was the first song on. I started screaming. The painter thought something was majorly wrong. I made him watch the video. He told me that this song is #1 in Europe. I love it!

Snowy Survivor?

Yesterday, Greg and I were trying to get our bundled up to the hilt kids into our car and we had to walk through the mounds of snow on our driveway that our next door neighbor's kid didn't plow (in his defense, he did a great job on the sidewalk and most of the driveway). It was then that I suggested to Greg that it would be cool if Survivor had a season in some snowy place. Greg thought about it and agreed it would be cool but there might be some problems with hypothermia and the like. Well, this morning totally coincidentally, I found this article on realityblurred.com:

At a press tour party last week, Mark Burnett told the Toronto Sun that Canada is still a likely location for a future season of Survivor. The paper reports that, "When and if it happens, Burnett hinted that it will likely be somewhere in the mountains of British Columbia. He's interested in an ice cap area as a winter version."

I should work for Mark Burnett.

Darth Tater

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (AP) -- A spud on the dark side.

That's how toy maker Hasbro Inc. is promoting its latest Mr. Potato Head figure, Darth Tater.

The toy spud will be available next month, ahead of the May release of "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," the latest installment in that film series.

Darth Tater will come with a light saber, cape and helmet, in addition to the regular Mr. Potato Head accessories such as eyes, mouth and nose.

The Pawtucket-based toy maker says children will be able to "have all kinds of mix n' match, Mr. Potato Head fun with this wacky spud dressed as the infamous `Star Wars' villain, Darth Vader."

The toy will retail in the United States for $7.99.

"Star Wars: Episode III," starring Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, will open in U.S. theaters on May 19.

COOL!!

On TV

OK, here is my TV update/opinion section.

1. Amazing Race: Jonathan and Victoria finally got the boot. It wasn't quite as satisfying as the anticipation of it, but nevertheless, I am happy that they didn't win the whole game. I heard that they will be appearing on a night time episode of the Dr. Phil show about stress and marriage. Should be an interesting way for them to extend their 15 minutes of fame, and a good way for Dr. Phil to benefit from someone else's pathetic life (Greg used a different word for what Dr. Phil was doing but I will refrain from using that exact colloquialism.

2. The Apprentice 3: I will watch this tonight because I will be exhausted after a full day of playgroup, but at this point, I have very little interest in it this season. It is a shame, because I was a humongous Apprentice fan during the first season, from the first episode. Frankly, at this point I am sick of Trump's huge ego and even huger combover. It is also irritating that they only have good looking people on the show. Imagine the amazing characters that we could be watching they didn't also have to look like models/actors. Finally, the product endorsement in EVERY episode has to stop. It is totally ridiculous.

3. 24. This is the second season that I am into this show. Every week I have to remind myself that I must suspend my disbelief if I want to relax and watch it. It is pretty difficult to do that. We'll see if I still care in a few weeks/hours.

Next time: CSI Miami , Law and Order SVU, and maybe Survivor Palau

Mommy Daycare

OK, I was not meant to be a pre-school teacher. When I got my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology, I honestly didn't focus on the classes about childhood speech and language problems because I knew that I was not going to work with kids. I am neither creative nor patient enough to mold and deal with children other than my own. I knew my fate rested with senior citizens. Hey, to engage them in therapy all you have to do is bring up JFK or the Depression.

That brings us to today. Gila has had off of school this whole week. So, three other mothers and I decided to do a "round robin" playgroup for our four kids so that the mothers who work every day can still go for most of the week. Today, is my day to be the leader (before you pass judgement, the kids are sitting next to me happily eating their snacks of our homemade cookies while I am blogging).

Anyway, I give pre-school teachers (and any teachers for that matter) a lot of credit. It is only 10:00 and I have already broken up 3 fights, taken 2 kids to the bathroom, averted a crisis or two and looked at the clock about 47 times. I will update this post later when/if I have survived this experience :)

UPDATE: I survived. I am exhausted and probably 3 pounds heavier thanks to my snacking at all the snack times. I grew up with a teacher (my mother) and I think I have developed somewhat of a greater appreciation for teachers because of that. I try to give my kids' teachers extra nice Chanukah and end of year presents as well as from the heart notes. After today, I have a special appreciation for pre-school teachers. All I can say is, thank you, teachers.

Hatch, Hatch, Hatch...

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Richard Hatch, the first winner of hit TV reality show "Survivor," has been charged with filing false tax returns, the office of the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island announced Tuesday.

FULL STORY

I hate it when I find out my friends are being dishonest. The same goes for my good friend Richard Hatch (I called into the Survivor Live talk show once). Yes, I am being facetious about being friends with Richard Hatch. No, I am not joking about calling in to Survivor Live- see if you can find my call...(hint: the big guy from Pearl Islands was a guest.)

If you would like to speak to a human please stay on the line...

I know this topic has been subtely broached by commercials and other authors, but I am so sick and tired of automated messages.

Gila has flat feet. Not a big deal, but her pediatrician suggested I call an orthopedist to take a look at her. I just called to make an appointment with the physician he suggested. Here is how it went down.

-Thank you for calling Orthopedic Specialty Center, please listen carefully as our menu has changed. If you know your party's extention please dial it at any time. If you are calling from a physicians office, please dial 1104. For our staff directory please press #. If you are calling to make an appointment, press 2.

BEEP (that is me pressing 2- by the way, there were 9 more options after that, I am not kidding).

-To make an appointment with a specific physician press 0 now. If you do not have a specific physician please listen carefully to the following options (luckily I knew the name of the Dr. I wanted to see)...

Beep.

-If the physician's last name starts with an A, B, or D Press 1. If the Physician's name starts with a H, J, or K press 2.

Beep.

-For Dr. Hopkins, press 1. For Dr. Jones, press 2. For Dr. Keehn, Press 3.
Beep.

-Thank you for calling the scheduling department for Dr. Keehn, please leave a clear message with your name and phone number and we will try to get back to you by the end of the business day.

COME ON!!!!! After all that, I couldn't even speak to ONE real person. This is getting ridiculous! If I wasn't worried about my daughter's feet and her walking, I might have hung up the phone right then. It is crazy that we put ourselves through this for (often times) mediocre healthcare.

Eden @ 4 monts

Here is the most recent (and only) professional picture we took of Eden. Sorry about the white spots, the scanner must have been dirty.

Anyway, the next part of the update is for me as a journal. Eden is doing great. She is still not sleeping through the night- but she is trying. She can roll from her stomach to her back (with some coaxing since she hates being on her stomach for extended periods of time). She is gurgling and cooing. She squeals with delight and sometimes laughs. She looks up when she hears her name. She still doesn't like the bottle, but is getting more used to it. Her favorite activity is sucking her thumb (right or left or both- she doesn't discriminate). She is doing great and her siblings love her!

Amazing Race Update

Wow, so my thoughts have changed drastically since my last entry about this show.

If you recall, last entry I declared my liking for Hayden and Aaron as well as a weird fascination for Adam (Hellboy) and Rebecca. Scratch those both. Hayden and Aaron are blah and bickering and Adam and Rebecca are scary. The only reason I hope they stick around is for the pure comedic value they bring to the game.

The other annoying players are Freddie and Kendra. Actually, Freddy isn't so bad (although in the spoiler for tonight's episode, the producers would like us to think otherwise) but Kendra is positively stupid. She knew she was going on a race around the world. One would think that she would have realized that she might encounter other cultures. She is the kind of person who gives Americans the bad name we have when we travel. For those who are interested, Kendra earned a Place in the Reality TV Hall of Shame (yes, I am that pathetic).

Speaking of bad players, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Jonathan/Victorial scandal. I am very dissapointed at CBS for choosing to show the physical (and extensive verbal) abuse that Jonathan displays on the race. This is not how ratings are achieved. It is in poor taste and I am sure very hurtful to the countless women who have had to endure such horrible abuse in their lives. Whether or not Jonathan is "acting the part of a villain", it is not acceptable for CBS or The Amazing Race to showcase his reprehensible behavior.

So, who do I like? Who do I like? More like, Who do I love? I love Kris and Jon. They have a fantastic attitude. They appreciate other cultures. They are enjoying spending time together. They are racing well, and they are having a great time on the race. I hope we see more footage of them throughout the rest of the race.

I think I have spoken enough about a 1 hour weekly TV show. Let's get back to important stuff...

UPDATE I just found this article written by Adam's Uncle. Pretty funny.