Happy Chanukah and merry Christmas to all who celebrate either or both, or are celebrant-adjacent. May the combined light bring much-needed illumination to our benighted country.

Happy new year, everyone!

"Here's to the new year. May she be a damn sight better than the old one." -- Col. Potter

I've noted before that members of my family have served, and of course some of my friends as well. I appreciate their service, and also wish that it weren't needed. Likewise, I wish that this nation didn't seem intent upon screwing over its active military and its veterans ( Read more... )

I just want to take a moment to publicly appreciate the fact that I am a member of a union (UNITE HERE). It's totes unfashionable right now to say anything good about unions and their members, but I credit the fact of my continued employment despite tough economic times to the existence of our local. We did our damnedest to work with management to ( Read more... )

Using rikibeth's latke recipe, we made some tonight with the following modifications:

• Used half red bliss potatoes and half sweet potatoes (what we happened to have handy)
• Left out the onions (didn't have any on hand)
• Added Chinese 5-spice powder

In the process of frying them, I learned a very important lesson: Do not cover the pan while frying the latkes. ( Read more... )

I usually listen to WBUR's streaming feed during the workday, so I don't hear a lot in the way of ads, thank goodness. What I do hear is the occasional mention of a show's sponsor or underwriter, often with some kind of small plug for the organization mentioned.

Just now there was a mention of Oxfam America, a very worthy organization. The ( Read more... )

I am thankful for my wonderful husband, boyfriend, family, and friends, and for having a home and a job and enough to eat. Anything else is a bonus.

Finally, some decent weather, and my body is not cooperating with me to enjoy it to its fullest. I am fighting off a cold, so I am having trouble with this whole "awake" thing. I also seem to be having a tendonitis flare-up, as my hands are oddly weak ( Read more... )

Last night's conversation over seder dinner included explaining the distinction between the categories "kosher" and "pesadich" for those who were unsure of the difference, as several of the guests did not grow up Jewish. Then someone asked whether brains are kosher l'pesach, and the proximity of Pesach to Easter led someone else to make a joke ( Read more... )

For everyone whose 2008 sucked: May 2009 be a much, much better year for you.
For everyone whose 2008 rocked: May 2009 rock at least as much.
For everyone who had some of each: May 2009 rock more than it sucks.

Not the most classic benediction ever, but it'll have to do. :)