Mariner's 1st Birthday!

Mariner turns one today! Here's a pic of when we first got him, and one from today. Wow, has he grown....

Time and Travel: Florida vs. NY

Ask a Floridian how far a place is; and they will tell you not in miles, but in time. Not, it's 30 miles away, but it's 30 minutes away. Ask a New Yorker how far something is, and they will tell you in terms of blocks, "oh, it's only 15 blocks away". Time also is different for New Yorkers (or Nor'Easterner's in general) and Floridians. I have a 1/2 hr commute (30 miles) every day to one of my campuses, and when I tell people this, the reaction I get is: "that's so far! I couldn't do that!" But in NY, people will commute an hour and a half both ways every day. In Florida, everything is "15 to 20 minutes away." Anything above 20 is "far", but not much is very below 20.
But hey, even though my commute is considered far, at least I don't have my brother's! His commute is about 4 hrs, each way, 2x a week. So, 1/2, an hour at most, is not such a high price to pay. Still wouldn't do a NY commute though.

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

The Internet as Random Acts of Kindness
A fascinating way to view the internet, thought I'd share with you guys. It's a bit long, but well worth it.

L'Shana Tova

Have a healthy, happy and sweet New Year! May we all be inscribed in the book of life, and let this year be the year Mashiach comes.
Chasima V'Chasima Tova!

Superpower Meme

Child Ish tagged me with Mike in Midwood's Superpower Meme, and since I didn't really have any other ideas of something to post, I figured why not? However, I am feeling slightly limited by having to choose just one power, after all, there are so many cool ones to choose from. (I had been going to type "they're all so cool..but I can think of plenty that would be very uncool, and useless.)
Ok, hmmm, which to choose? Mind-reading has always been one of my personal favorites, just because it would help me to finally understand people. On the other hand, I've read too much stuff to think that that would really help me. So, not mind-reading.
Oooh, talking to animals, another favorite! (For obvious reasons) I'd finally get what my pets are trying to tell me. THough, let's be honest, while animals are wonderful companions, I'm not sure they'd make such great conversationalists...no Dr. Dolittle-ing for me then.
Teleportation? Telekenisis? Telepathy? Teleportation would be cool, but I get the feeling I'd take it for granted after a while. Telekinesis would be cool, though it depends on how much effort it took (I'll admit, I'm lazy in the superpower department) Telepathy kinda falls under mind-reading, and is only really useful if there's someone else who has that power too.
Allright, I've got it. Shape-shifting, with no limitations. If I can imagine it, I can shift to it. How cool would that be? Gives me the ability to fly (another one I'd love), "talk to animals", and hey, I could even shift to dragon! (Yes, I added that in, come on, you guys didn't expect anything different, did you?)

Alright, I'm not gonna tag anyone, mainly because I'm feeling too lazy to try to link it. Anyone who wants to do the Meme (and I'd say go for it, it's fun, and gives you a post when you can't think of one) can do this.

The Newest Dog Breeds

NEW DOG BREEDS!

Collie + Lhasa Apso
Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport

Spitz + Chow Chow
Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot

Pointer + Setter
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso
Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever
Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists

Newfoundland + Basset Hound
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog
Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly

Malamute + Pointer
Moot Point, owned by.... oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Deerhound + Terrier
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Bull Terrier + ShihTzu
Oh, never mind....

9/11/2001

An infamous day in American History. Anyone old enough could tell you were they were when they heard the news. Possibly even what they had eaten that morning, to what they were wearing. 4 planes hijacked by 19 muslim terrorists. Two planes went into the Twin Towers, one went into the Pentagon, the fourth crashing in a field. Many people lost thier lives that day. Many people lost loved ones. And yet, even in such tragedy, there were many little miracles. That the planes didn't crash just a little later in the day, that people were delayed coming into work, that someone missed thier flight. Perhaps that day they had been slated to die, and yet were spared. For some, they don't want to remember that day at all, for it meant a change in our world. But, if we want to continue on, as a nation, as a people...we must remember it, and all it stands for. There are those who would see us dead for what we are and what we stand for. We might not want to remember, but we must never forget.

Uploaded Pics from My Camera

Decided to upload some pictured from my camera last night, and found some pictures of the pets (mainly Mittens and Mariner) Oh, and there's a picture of Sammy, my father's dog. Enjoy!

Root Canals and Laughing Gas

Today I had my root canal...or to be more accurate, part one of my root canal. I need to go back next week to finish it. As I type this, my mouth is still numb from the novacaine, though the laughing gas has probably left my system by now. Since i was given laughing gas however during the whole procedure I think my behavior was a little bit....off. I felt like I do when I'm hyper and giddy. Which basically meant I babbled a LOT. And when I couldn't (since they had my mouth held open) I started "singing" along with the music from the ipod I borrowed from CJ. Disney songs. The nurse started laughing at that. I also made weird faces when the novacaine started to kick in (I was already on the laughing gas for a few minutes before that). Overall wasn't so bad....though I really dislike being numb. And it's over. Till next Monday at least.
Add: Ok, once the novacaine wore off, not so fun. I felt like I'd cut my own my head off if I thought it would stop the pain. Instead I took advil and went to bed.

What to post about?

Let's face it, I don't get a whole lot of comments on here. Not that I'm compaining (ok, maybe just the tiniest bit...) But if I really wanted more comments, it would probably require me making this blog as something other than what it currently is. What would get me more comments? Posting on shidduchim, (which is a topic that has been just about bludgeoned to death by almost everyone) on politics (I'm a right wing conservative, but I refuse to get pulled into useless battles) or other contoversial topics. Now me, I'm not controversial. I like nice, easy simple...I LIVE with controversial people, they thrive on it. When you live with that 24/7, you occasionally need a break, right? Right. So I guess I'll stick with my blog as is, my online journal. A place to vent, share my observations...and generally let the whole world (or those who care at any rate) how my life goes. I'm just one blogger among many. I guess I should be happy I get any readers period. Thanks guys!
Edit: Getting my first root canal on Tuesday, wish me luck!