Poseik-less

So my reliable halachic religion poseik XGH just stopped blogging and he took down all his posts with him. It's soooo depressing.
So now I dont have any reliable halachic poseik.
And how am I supposed to learn the real facts of spiritual life now ?

DistractOdox and the Step-Ladder of Distraction

DistractOdox = Dazzling Distractions and Dusty Disssmissals for the Disenchanted

Dispelling contradictions, analytic inconsistencies, questions and notions one sincere dusty dismissal and warm-hearted, dazzling distraction at a time.

Just keep on climbing that well trodded step ladder of distraction !

Oh and dont forget about those color treated gemstones and jumbo plastic pearls of pseudo wisdom.

You can't climb up home without them.

You might trip on the hardcore truth or something.

Petunias In the City

When running along trying to keep up with the arguing, winning, responsibilities, deadlines and commitments , never forget to stop and photograph the petunias.

Why else would they have been planted so prettily like that on the city path your running along on?

And before you know it, they will all be withered and spent and winter will be kicking up a storm.

Petunia spottings always make me happy, they remind me of the gardens I grew up on as a kid.

Material Matters that Matter

You can take the girl out of the fashion district,

but she will always come back to play and photograph

& get high n happy on glitter n sparkle, on the long route home.

It's always good to remember where you came from,

And where you came from before that and before that too. Where you think you're going, where you are right now , why you are going there and not elsewhere and what other direction routes sound even smarter for the long run.

Most important of all is the running , it's when you stop running that you understand how tired you are. But walking slowly, carefully and considerately ,should never be an option.

It will just get annoying after a while .

How to Judge a Book by it's Cover

Wandering around in a Barnes & Noble yesterday, in a particularly frivolous and muggy mood, I actually purchased a piece of fiction based exclusively on the fact that I fell in love with the cover and title.

The Long Walk Home by Will North.
Trailing petunias in a basket, the red door , the lantern how can you not love the concept ?
Fiction is not something I willfully purchase and or waste time reading, I'm more of a non-fiction only kind of girl.
But I started reading the first chapter and Will North is actually a good writer. He even managed to fit narcissus and daffodils into the first chapter. Though I was a little confused as I thought daffodils were of the narcissus family.
But nevertheless, I'm proud to say I overcame societal pressure and judging a book by it's cover has never felt sooo goooood.
So I cleared away some shotglasses and gave her prime real estate for now on a shelf in my wooden lighthouse and everyone lived happily ever after.

Update: Will North really is a thoroughly profound writer. I love the way he describes deep concepts and gardens.

The book includes some really deep profound passages on depth, fidelity, love and truth.

On The Rocks

I cant believe August is right around the corner.

Where did all the summer minutes go ?

Color in the City

I like the swatch card theme.

Of Bratz and Barbies

Interesting jury decision on the Bratz versus Barbie actual design dates fiascoe.
Read all about it here here here and here .
I'm not sure I understand the charges against MGA and Issac Larian = "tortious interference with Mr Bryants contract with Mattel ; both aided and abetted Mr Bryants breach of the duty of loyalty to Mattle".
Was Mr. Bryant actually working with MGA during the same pay period he was working for Mattel.
I'm all for 100% loyalty to the company thats paying you to design and create, but isnt this a little beyond the call of duty during paid business hours especially with designers ?
It's not clear if the designs were actually worked on during work hours or during hours Mr. Bryant was paid to design for Mattel.
Even if Bryant invented the doll while on the Mattel payroll, it's not clear how this renders the design Mattels and not Bryants ?
Its also not clear why this would be considered stealing the idea for the Bratz doll from Mattle ie through a deal with the designer Bryant ?
I'm curious what the actual contract wording is specifically with regards to 24/7 design loyalty .
What does Mattel mean when they say Bryant designed the dolls during the time he was on the Mattel payroll ?
Four designs were clearly worked on during the time he was not employed at Mattel.
I wonder if the "Evidence Eliminator" fun fact misled the jury or at the very least instilled the very foundations of definite doubt .
I've come to understand recently that there are no limits to the kinds of disputes and misrepresentations that can arise and or are ignored during trial time.
Sometimes the conclusions are even more astonishing than the questions themselves.
The Judge allowed the jury to hear the evidence with regards to program "Evidence Eliminator" being used on the personal computer of defendant , designer Bryant .
The Judge declined to get involved in the dispute involving a exclusive access contract between one set of lawyers and a hotel that did not allow for the booking of rooms by the opposing team due to concerns that sensitive documents would get delivered to the wrong lawyers !
I hear it can be really fun sharing the same hotel with opposing counsel .

Desert Growth

When visiting really hot states, always find time to stop in the heat of the moment to photograph the scenic views on the way. The heat stroke and withered outlook is worth it. I mean where else can you find cactus plants and color growing in the outdoors together so nicely in a business district ?

Diamond Night Light Unto the Dark Street Setting

One of my favorite creative/innovative night light themes in NYC is the setting shaped posts supporting the diamond shaped lights on 47'th St.
I so love the diamond like, light unto the street at night, setting.
How brilliant is that ?

The Cottonelle Theory of Non-Cordial-ness

I'm generally not a confetti tossing fan of bathroom oriented humor, but spotting this subway wall ad message one rainy/ grumpy morning, I found myself smiling a little with the lips.

Of Sparkles Sequins and Glitter

Happy July Fourth !
In the fabric of life, things work out best when there are generous sprinkles of sparkles /glitter and sequins skillfully intertwined with the intellectual threads, in a dualism kind of way.
Hope your July Fourth is merry and sparkling with the perfect mix of fireworks and intellectualism.
And for all you serious hardcore fireworks displays lovers out there , dont forget about the HSBC Celebration of Light later this month.

Yeah summer life is sooo awesome like that.
And fireworks displays and competition, two of my favorite concepts in the same place .
Have a merry, glitter filled and blissful weekend.

Conserving Tradition with Conservative Judaism

So I came to the conclusion that Conservative Judaism makes the most sense logically, for me.
When I grow up, I want to function as an actual Judge in a Jewish court of Law.
So I can do what I love (arguing) for a higher cause/ in the name of G-d/ for the sake of G-d and for something deep and meaningful.
I think the JTS Rabbinical School is the answer. Rabbi Daniel Nevins, the Dean is brilliant.
I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for in any Orthodox sect of Judaism.
I want to wear the tight pants, sit in absolutely non partitioned houses of worship and also be able to function as an actual Judge in a Jewish Court of Law.
Rabbi Riskin’s certified overseas court assistant course is not the kind of position I’m thinking of. I want to be the actual Judge in the rabbinical court.
And Rabbi Avi Weiss certified women’s prayer groups are not what I’m looking for either. It’s mixed seating for me or no house of prayer praying.

At first, I was seriously considering the lefty oriented modern orthodox ideologies, but I don’t understand some of their soft emotional stirrings and stances and half stirred philosophies that never go all the way with the women’s roles. Like do they or do they not allow women rabbis, not rabbi assistants? Do they believe court assistants courses for women are the new Rabbinical Judges alternative for women of all sensitivities looking for jewish court positions?

Obviously, I haven’t researched the lefty ideologies in full, but did not find what I was looking for with the research that I did do.
I actually find the laws/passages in the Talmud and rabbinical courts / discourses and arguing fascinating.
Unfortunately Orthodox Judaism doesn’t share my fascination in the same way.

Conservative Judaism doesn’t seem to get all bent out of shape if a woman decides to become a rabbi. I wonder if they let women function as Judges in their rabbinical courts.

Subliminally Sublime/ Sardonic Subway Ceiling Sentiments

I've always found the subway art scenes the most fascinating concepts to analyze. I've been meaning to photograph this set of cheery eyed subway ceiling sentiments since forever but its always been so crowded and or the wrong minute to stop and photograph the subway art scene.

Two weeks ago I found myself at the perfect spot at the perfect time, yeah life is so good like that.

I did miss a sign or two ("why all the pain" ) but managed to photograph the whole series, mostly.

I always find myself smiling a little with the lips , when running along, just watching the scores and scores of serious individuals walking, resolutely and quickly, straight ahead, paying no heed to the spiritual tonic sentiments spelled out sardonically in black and white above.

Always stop to photograph the subway art scenes.

When Life gives you Dandelions

When life insists on handing you dimwitted insecure dandelions , wishing them away is probably just a waste of energy, that will come back to mock and admonish you and or indirectly fuck you in the process. Just saying.
But these dandelion lookalikes in Union Square are actually quite the photogenic patch & batch of barely beige beauties.

Roses in the Park

Bryant Park has got their roses all blooming along the way and stuff.

A Concrete Message Cast in Stone in Chelsea

Running along to work one day , I came across this concrete synagogue mission statement cast in stone right next to the Chelsea Hotel.

I found the message particularly poignant, even if just for a few minutes. Sounds like the kind of house of worship I would love belonging to.

Spirituality is always just around the corner in the city it seems .

Later on that day 2 fine individuals at Grand Central stopped me to explain their mission in life and what they have to offer in terms of directions. One kept on insisting that all the answers to life's questions are in the bible you just have to know how to read it ! The othe one advised me that their house of worship has classes all the time , and right nearby too.

She assured me that I can feel free to come by any time, as they love answering tough questions.

So if I cant find a midtown Daf Yomi , alternative bible classes for the tough at heart is just a doubt or two and a skip away.

I Heart NYC Mayor Bloomberg

I wholeheartedly believe one of the most brilliant individuals /leaders in 2008 is The Mayor Bloomberg.
Read about all the reasons I respect him more than anyone, at this time here : http://www.mikebloomberg.com/
My beach read pick for this weekend is his book : Bloomberg by Bloomberg.
Coming this September to a Barnes and Noble near you is his new book :
Do The Hard Things First (And other Bloomberg rules for Business and Politics).

I love Mayor Bloomberg's work ethic/well thought out life philosophies / focused perspectives and focus on the arts .

The Gates was one of my favorite larger than life in the city art moments .

Oh, and Mayor Bloomberg if you ever need any NYC flowering trees in the spring photography to promote MillionTreesNYC I have quite the extensive ,flowering spring trees in the city, photography collection and would be honored to donate some. Just saying.

Timeless Intimate Moments in Time and Poise

This is the kind of intimate relationship with time worthy of emulation.
If you stand still on top of time will time stand still ?

Linear Lightbulb Enlightenment

I never knew there were so many different ways to see and or ignore the light.
In life, if one changes the bulb color but keeps the same fixture, does the new light color lead & shine towards a whole different perception of light ?
What about individuals that are colorblind , how do they differentiate and or choose among the different light color options. How would they know if they've made the wrong choice.