September 13, 2007
Budget Shopping
When I lived far from home and couldn't afford to go to High Holiday services, I'd spend about as much as a ticket to services on Jewish books and spend the holidays reading about my religion/culture/ethnicity.
Now that I live in the same city as my fam, I join them at the Jewish Home for the Aging, where my 92 year-old grandma lives. But since we only make an appearance at these services, I had plenty of off time today. So I cleaned my room and started reading "How to Be a Budget Fashionista." Seemed about time to pull out the book, since I recently blew a lot of money at the Camarillo Outlet Mall.
The most obvious advice - that I really didn't need a book for - is that I need a budget so that I understand where my money is going, rather than simply spending time paying bills and constantly wondering why I've got no money in my bank account.
Budget Fashionista is also a popular website.
and because I'm feeling guilty for spending so much time on fashion on this Holyday, I finally looked up a question I asked during today's service: What is a doxology and why is the Kaddish the Jewish doxology? Turns out doxology means a praise of G'd, generally the quintessential explanation of a faith's relationship with G'd and the Kaddish is considered the Jewish doxology. Guess I would've known that if I'd read Kaddish, one of those books I bought during a previous New Year season...
Posted by cj at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2007
random post
Trying to add Bloglines to this blog. Please stand by.
Posted by cj at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2006
The Truth About MySpace
Caught in Between pointed out the Top 25 Worst Sites according to PC World. The magazine's description of MySpace is so good that I feel compelled to quote it in its entirety.
Worst Sites #1Alas, I succumbed to the "need" for a MySpace profile. At first, I was looking for a free way to do internet dating (goaded on by a friend who was using it for that purpose). Then, my friends started migrating there from Friendster. I really don't use it that often and I completely agree that it's a horrible site - it's even hard to load one page from it at a time. Which is why, unlike some of my friends, my blogs will never be hosted by a networking site.
1. MySpace.comYes, we know. With more than 90 million users, MySpace is now more popular than Elvis, "American Idol," and ice cream. But the Web's most visited destination is also its most poorly designed and counterproductive.
The ease with which anyone of any age can create a page, upload photos, share deeply personal details of their lives, and make new "friends" quickly turned MySpace into a one-stop shopping mall for online predators. That in turn has made the site an easy target for politicians who pander for votes by playing on parental fears. In an era when the basic tenets of the Net are under attack by both Ma Bell and Uncle Sam, MySpace is a headache we don't need.
But let's put all that aside for a moment. Graphically, many MySpace pages look like a teenager's bedroom after a tornado--a swirl of clashing backgrounds, boxes stacked inside other boxes, massive photos, and sonic disturbance. Try loading a few of those pages at once and watch what happens to your CPU. Watch out for spyware, too, since it turns out that MySpace has become a popular distribution vector for drive-by downloads and other exploits. And in a place where "U are soooooooo hot!!!" passes for wit, MySpace isn't doing much to elevate the level of social discourse.
In response to a public backlash and some well-publicized lawsuits, MySpace has begun modifying its policies--for example, limiting adults' ability to contact minors. That's hardly enough. Requiring some kind of authentication from MySpacers--or their parents--to validate their ages and identities would go a long way toward scaring off the creeps and making the site a kinder, gentler social network.
Is MySpace totally bad? Not at all. Are we old farts? Yeah, probably. But the Web's most popular site needs a serious security reboot. And probably a makeover. Until then, MySpace won't ever be OurSpace.
Posted by cj at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2006
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Someone viewed this site from the Senate.gov domain.
Sure hope they checked out socialupheaval.com as well... (they haven't, but some readers from around the world have)
Posted by cj at 10:51 PM | Comments (1)
April 28, 2006
i've said this since the news broke
Presto Speaks! blogged about the real Hebrew word for princess - Sara.
I've been sayin the same thing since the media started chatterin about the Cult's newest offspring. It's not that I pay that much attention to celebrity news. It's that I HATE WHEN PPL MISAPPROPRIATE MY HERITAGE, ESPECIALLY MY OWN DAMN NAME!
Again, apologies for my tone (it's the wine damnit).
Sara is my name. It would be my English name if Sarah Jane Moore hadn't tried to assassinate Gerald Ford. So, instead, it's my Hebrew name and my folks picked another "s" sound...and ended up with Cynthia.
So, long before the Cult decided to name their offspring something, I knew that Sara meant princess in Hebrew. (And Cynthia, by the way, derives from moon goddess in Greek.)
Posted by cj at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2006
What My Birthday Says About Me...
I found this quiz lurking on someone from my past's blog...maybe it explains why it's so difficult for me to decide what to do when I grow up...
| Your Birthdate: March 23 |
 You're good at so much - you never know what to do. Change is in your blood, and you don't stick to much for long. You are destined for a life of travel and fun. Your strength: Your likeability Your weakness: You never feel satisfied Your power color: Bright yellow Your power symbol: Asterisk Your power month: May |
Posted by cj at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2006
Silly Quiz Time
A friend forwarded me this quiz...
You're a Chihuahua!
What Breed of Dog Are You?
Brought to you by Tickle
No bones about it, you're an energetic, devoted Chihuahua. For your breed, size definitely doesn't matter. After all, sometimes the best things (diamonds, car keys, Godiva truffles) come in small packages. Honest and straightforward, you're never afraid to speak up for what you believe in, especially if it's a cause near and dear to your heart. Having such a passionate personality can come with a few drawbacks, though. You can be moody at times, and people often find it hard to live up to your high standards. But once you make a friend, it's for life. Saucy and intense, your energy and unfailing loyalty make you a great companion. Woof!
Posted by cj at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2005
huh?
What causes a site to come up frequently on web searches? My first blog has had over 17,400 hits. It gets an average of 10 hits a day. That would not be so interesting if I was still blogging on that site. But I haven't written there since December 2004. Clearly, I should move my thoughts on the foreign service to an active blog, since that seems to be getting the most traffic. But other than that, I can't figure out why that site gets so much damn traffic. And how can I move that traffic over here or there?
Compare my dead blog's 17K hits with this blog's anemic almost 2K hits and my other blog's 3200 hits. Wackiness abounds in the blogosphere. As my online personal headline states, pick me! pick me!
Posted by cj at 12:20 PM | Comments (2)
December 01, 2005
Huzzah! JDate Accepts Queers!
Thanks to an item on Gawker, I found out that JDate will finally stop its homophobic lack of searching for gay and lesbian matches. After all, every Jewish boy and girl should marry a Jew (according to my Jewish mom).
JTA, the "Global News Service of the Jewish People" reports this intriguing update to the venerable niche dating site. It will also include more deets for those goyim who troll the site - allowing them to indicate their willingness to convert. Alas, the site still hasn't clued into the fact that bisexual people exist - you can only search for men or women, not both. Plus, in the last 18 months, they've jacked up their prices and made most services only accessible if you pay $35 a month. As much as the rents would love for me to find my own Israeli soulmate via JDate (like my big sis), I highly doubt that'll happen anytime soon.
Posted by cj at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2005
Random Quiz via Aardvark
I enjoy taking dumb quizzes every once in awhile. I'm not sure if I agree with the results of this quiz, but I guess I've got to admit that "the modern world rejects you like a bad transplant." Why else have I spent so much time struggling to figure out where I fit in the world?
You are 'Latin'. Even among obsolete skills, the
tongue of the ancient Romans is a real
anachronism. With its profusion of different
cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a
language; it is a whole different way of
thinking about things.
You are very classy, meaning that you value the
classics. You value old things, good things
which have stood the test of time. You value
things which have been proven worthy and
valuable, even if no one else these days sees
them that way. Your life is touched by a
certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are
even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain
fascination with the grotesque and the profane.
Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad
transplant. Your problem is that Latin has
been obsolete for a long time.
What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted by cj at 11:02 AM | Comments (2)
November 17, 2005
McConaughey = People's Sexiest Man Alive
Next question is, will this make anyone remember how to spell his name?
I learned about this on the Colbert Report, which sent me to People.com, which eventually led me to turn off the Colbert Report. Frankly, that show is irritating and not funny.
So here's Matthew's article. I'm glad he's enjoying that Gulfstream and his girlfriend's big knockers, cause it ain't like he's bothering to do many movies.
A lot of teevee stars made the list, which makes me happy. Apparently, everyone forgot what made Patrick Dempsey the heart throb he is today - that would be the classic 80s movie, "Can't Buy Me Love."
And hello, Daniel Dae Kim was totally doing that serious sexy bit on "Angel," before he got on "Lost." And yes, folks, he speaks perfect English. I gotta admit, Terrence Howard made me put aside my feminist critique about watching a movie about the greatness of a pimp because that man is damn fine. Viggo, on the other hand, has lost a lot since his LoTR heyday. I'm glad to see Vince Vaughn on the list. Nick Lahey is cute in a completely conventional way, but until he loses his so much bigger star and also so much dumber significant other, he doesn't deserve anymore publicity. Heath Ledger should not be allowed to cut off his hair. Nor should he be allowed to be an attached father. Keith Urban's only claim to fame is being attached to Nicole Kidman. Ug. He ain't nothin, and I'll take the bag of chips instead please. Ian McShane as a Sexiest Man? Hello?!? Are we looking at the same picture?
Matt is shacking up in Miami with a woman and her kid? WTF? I know he's gotta do like Ben and all, but come on. Denis Leary. MMMM....You have caught his butt on Resue Me, no? I mean, how could you miss his beautiful buck-nekkid ass? I agree with picking Anderson Cooper, but come on people - CNN has to have a more attractive shot than that. Same goes for Clive - deserving of the list and a better photo op.
Posted by cj at 11:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2005
Congratulations, White Sox!
Wow. They actually swept the Astros. My friend just won a ten dollar bet. Amazing. Congrats!
Posted by cj at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2005
You Say TomaTO, I Say ToMAto
Mi chavo and I had an interesting convo tonight about Ladino.
I know Ladino as the language of Spanish Jews - a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew with some words from other languages thrown in for good measure.
He knows Ladino as a term for Mayan-European mestizos. (Link is in Spanish)
Turns out, we're both right. We just have different points of reference.
Posted by cj at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2005
I Just Lost The Game!
An ode to The Aardvark, an amusing Brit who keeps sending people to this site, prompting me to stop making excuses and actually post. (We've all got work and radical peace activities that keep us busy, but hell random cultural musings are *way* more important.)
I just lost The Game.
Posted by cj at 11:40 AM | Comments (2)
July 28, 2005
Marshall Field's Not Dead Yet
Federated has announced the death of many beloved regional department stores, including the venerable Filene's of East Coast fame. In a reprieve to name conscious shoppers everywhere, the nameplate changes wont occur till after December with a completion date of Fall 2006.
In a reprieve for staunch Midwesterners everywhere, Federated hasn't decided what to do with Marshall Field's stores. So they're not dead yet.
More deets: "Federated: 330 May Stores to Become Macy's," by the AP in the NYT (filed this am)
Posted by cj at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2005
When Your Books Guilt You...
Do you ever feel like you're obligated to finish reading a book? That's how I feel about We the Media: Grassroots Journalism By the People, For the People, by Dan Gillmor. It goes on and on without saying much and yet I feel obligated to finish it. Apparently, some reviewers on Amazon think it ends with a bang, so perhaps I should just continue slogging through.
I'm glad I pick up the aforementioned book at O-Po Library (aka Oak Park Library). Last night, while renewing that book, I picked up MoDo's Bushworld: Enter At Your Own Risk. I think it will be useful to read a few more of her commentaries, since I usually disagree with her out of hand. (I get sick of her trite writing rather quickly, so maybe that'll happen again.)
But what I really want to read are the books I bought at a used bookstore in O-Po -
BoBos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There, by David Brooks. Apparently, he got an op-ed column in the NYT after writing the book and wrote a second book on the middle class in 2004, On Paradise Drive : How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense
I'm also eager to start How to End Poverty, by Jeffrey Sachs (which was recently exerpted in Time magazine).
Also purchased: The Portable Machiavelli and Digital Fortress, by Dan Brown
Posted by cj at 04:42 PM | Comments (2)
March 18, 2005
Feeding Live Animals to the Lions at Zoos
At safari parks in China, large, live, domestic animals are consistently fed to lions and tigers. Now, safari operators are conceding that this isn't exactly proper during visitor hours. From Reuters:
[T]he safari park agreement only restricts the release of large domestic animals, such as oxen and horses, during the presence of visitors, the agency said.Can someone please explain how it is a good idea to allow visitors to feed anything to wild animals? Particularly in a safari park, which I assume means there are no cages? Oddness."Feeding when the park is not open is permitted. Parks are allowed to continue to sell small birds for visitors to feed the wild beasts."
"This Isn't What You Expect at a Zoo..." from Reuters
found via Today's Papers
Posted by cj at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2005
Deep Thoughts from A Word A Day
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others. -Marcus Aurelius, philosopher (121-180)
Posted by cj at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2005
Should You Be Denied Admission for Wanting to Know if You Were Admitted?
Harvard and MIT business schools are pulling their offers of admission from folks who followed a hacker's instructions and viewed their admission status early on the schools' websites. In this era of heightened sensitivity to business ethics - when the CEO of Boeing can be fired for having a consensual affair - the schools think it is right to crack down on hacks. Hacking, by the way, is an MIT tradition - granted, the term was originally used for random pranks (like stealing a car, dis-assembling it and re-assembling it on top of a building). Still, I don't think anyone was prosecuted for the aforementioned car jacking. Although, I don't think their paper trail was quite as obvious as the electronic one left by business school wannabes.
More info from Jay Lindsay, AP reporter: "Harvard, MIT Deny Admissions for Computer Peeking: Rejects Calls Schools' Reaction to Web Page 'Hack' Excessive" via AIM
Posted by cj at 09:35 AM | Comments (1)
March 01, 2005
Marshall Field's SOLD to the highest bidder
Chicago is all aflutter at the news that Federated bought May Co. Natives worry that it could mean the end of Marshall Field's, that for some reason Federated would destroy the brand and slap "Macy's" on the State St flagship store.
Here's the thing - there are exactly two things I like about Marshall Field's. One, the makeup counters (which are just as good, if not better in a Macy's.) Two, the boutique style apothecary, where you can buy smelly lotion and feel fancy pants about it. Quite frankly, I think it's over priced and they never have a real sale.
Macy's, on the other hand, is my bread and butter. They've got the best in-house labels (Alfani and I.N.C. being my favorites) and the absolute best sales. On my recent trip to Vegas, my rents saved over $600 and didn't even spend $200. Granted, that doesn't count the lingerie I bought myself, but even that was buy two get one free. For some reason, Chicagoans think Macy's is very NYC, but I always associate it with L.A., since that's where I grew up and grew to love Macy's....I dunno. Maybe I'm making too big a deal out of this. But I tell you, there's been more ink about this than most business transactions.
"What's in store for Field's? Federated purchases Chicago retail icon, may change name," by Susan Chandler with contributions by Brendan McCarthy. This was the big headliner in the Trib this morning.
"Federated bets on malls: $11 billion purchase of May Department Stores - and Field's," by Becky Yerak in the Trib
"The Overview: No Longer the Queens of the Mall, Department Stores Try Makeovers," by Tracie Rozhon in the NYT
Posted by cj at 12:42 PM | Comments (2)
February 16, 2005
I Heart Epicurious
Mi chavo and I recently became obsessed with Epicurious. Ironic that I've known about it since 2000 but never used it until this Valentine's Day.
Two suggestions:
Guatemalan Recipes
Sweet Potato Ravioli with Sage Butter Sauce
Posted by cj at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2005
The Sky Is Falling on Online Dating
First, Happy Valentine's Day!!! Or, as a coworker put it, Happy Singles Appreciation Day!
In the spirit of the season, Blind Boy Grunt pointed me to an article by Shia Kapos in the Trib about the death of online dating...or maybe just its plateau of growth. The truth is, online ads are projected to pull in more money over the long term than offline services. And their competition also comes from Craigslist - which offers personals for free (for everything from serious dating to one night stands).
For those in the cheap seats (or maybe just new to my blog), actforlove.org is *the* place to meet your soulmate. You can also access their database via The Onion and Salon Personals. Just ask mi chavo for proof that cupid resides with the progressives behind the aforementioned service...and if you are anywhere left of center politically, do yourself a favor and stay far, far away from jdate.
Posted by cj at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2005
Say It Ain't So!!
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have split. The rumor I heard was that he wanted kids and she didn't. Sigh.
Deets from the AP on ABC News. Randomly, "Troy" isn't mentioned in Brad's credits. Perhaps because that would refute their analysis that he's "long one of Hollywood' most bankable film stars."
More gossipy version from an Australian site.
Reuters gets in on the action. So they're the people behind the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" remake. Not clear why they're bothering to remake a true classic, but I do hope they make the sequel so I can take my mom up on a movie date she promised me when I was a wee lass reading "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator."
Posted by cj at 12:25 PM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2005
First 100 Domains
Interesting to note - Apple.com was #64. Microsoft is not on the list.
Found via Outside the Beltway.
Posted by cj at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2005
Positively Putting Women in Their Place
Found via Today's Papers, which caught it in "In the Loop," by Al Kamen in WaPo:
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -- Motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel cannot sue a Web site that published a photo of him with two women above a caption reading 'You're never too old to be a pimp,' a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday. The term 'pimp' was probably intended as a compliment, the court said.Isn't it nice to know that pimping is a good thing these days?
Posted by cj at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2004
You Should Be Glad You Don't Work For the Nasty
Turns out that Conde Nast does a super special holiday lunch for elite editors and publisher at the Four Seasons. A few years ago, the assistants to those mofos decided they deserved a lunch too and got one; albeit just a catered affair in a conference room. I couldn't imagine working for a company that has completely separate parties for underlings and higher beings. Yes, there's a deep chasm between the salaries of those two groups, but come on. Separate parties? Now, I could understand giving an assistant's lunch in addition to the company party (since no one ever takes their assistants out nearly as much as they get free meals themselves).
What does your company do for the holidays?
Women's Wear Daily article on the assistants' party
Gawker post on the subject
Posted by cj at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2004
Bring on the Bubbly
Apparently, Chicagoans consume more bubbly than any other metropolitan area in the US. So it's fitting that the Trib ran an article today explaining the beauty of sparkling wine. Mi chavo, this one's for you. Here's the Trib article.
Also mentioned in today's food section:
1. Just Grapes - a new wine shop that organizes wines by type and then by taste (fruity to "complex")
2. "Stir it Up" - Chicago's Office of Tourism's program of culinary delights. My favorite: A little Bit of India Tour on Saturday, January 8
Posted by cj at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2004
Cell Phones May Cause Cancer
Well, it hasn't been proven yet. But a study in the EU showed that the electromagnetic radiation given off by cell phones can permanently alter DNA and mutated cells can cause cancer.
Researchers suggest using a land line as much as possible and using a headset if you must use your mobile.
Posted by cj at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2004
Blogging Navel Gazing, Part 2047
For some reason, I simply can't get enough of established media's take on blogging. The latest offering is from the NYT Sunday Magazine, "Your Blog or Mine? Sex is the favorite topic for online journals - and the very private hs never been more public," by Jeffrey Rosen
What's interesting is that mi chavo has made similar comments to those in the article. He says that dating me can be like dating a comic - you never know when personal stuff will land in the public sphere. On the other hand, I feel that as we've become closer, I've been less inclined to share our private life in this public forum. If I really need to vent (or gloat), I'll send out a private email (albeit to many people, but it's still more private than this blog).
Two things I learned from the article: Washingtonienne's Chief of Staff paramour has been outed (haven't been readin Wonkette too much recently and this article doesn't tell the name) and law blogs are known as blawgs.
Btw, Blind Boy Grunt is mi chavo. I leave it up to you to figure out where he got that pseudonym from. (It's actually interesting and easy to figure out if you know him.)
Posted by cj at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2004
Digging a Hole to China
Know how when you were a kid, people used to say if you dig a hole deep enough, you'll reach China? Apparently, in Britain they said New Zealand. Some random woman dispproved our childhood notion of world geography. The nadir of the US is the Indian Ocean. Sigh. Who knew? Next you're gonna tell me Santa doesn't hate non-Christians, he just doesn't exist.
Thanks to The Aardvark for ruining that remaining shred of childlike innocence. Anyone remember the cartoons where they'd dig to China? I think they did it a lot on Bugs Bunny....
Posted by cj at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)