It is Friday evening, and I am in a hotel room in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The internet access is free, so of course I had to check my email one last time, as I won’t have access once I reach Virgin Gorda. And of course, I couldn’t resist one last blog entry.

I woke up this morning at 4 am. I arrived at the airport at 5 am. I was at my gate at 5:30. Security was a breeze. Sure, the line was long, but it moved in an orderly fashion. So I had an hour to wait before I boarded the plane. I guess that’s better than being late, but I could have used a little more sleep.

The trip was mostly uneventful. Delta only serves snacks instead of meals, so I had sun chips for breakfast and lunch. I wish I could say a bag of luggage was lost, or something. That would be good for some sympathy points. But alas, all my luggage arrived safely.

Since I know I won’t be online again:

Merry Christmas
&
A Happy New Year

Hannukah

Created Here

JK Rowling has revealed the title for the seventh and last Harry Potter novel: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

She has also re-confirmed that two characters will die that “she hadn’t intended to die.” So anyone predicting who those two characters are shouldn’t include Voldemort or Harry in their predictions, as I suspect their fates have been planned since book 1. As I said in the earlier post, I have faith that Harry will survive, but not unscathed. One possibility is that in destroying Voldemort he might lose his magic. But there are other possibilities. (Death isn’t the only way to discourage sequels)

My early prediction on the two additional fatalities are Hagrid and Draco, though if Draco dies, he will perform an act of redemption beforehand. It should be noted my success rate on predictions isn’t good.

I am approaching my annual vacation. I leave Friday morning, and will return Tuesday January 2nd.

My parents left this morning on the exact same flight I will leave on Friday. They left their home at 5:10 am, and my father sent me an email msg from the plane saying they just barely made it to the gate on time. Security was a mess. And of course, on Friday, it’s likely to be even messier since it will be a heavier travel load. So here I am trying to figure out what time I have to leave Friday morning. Yeah, I know, you feel real sorry for me, don’t you? You feel so much pity you’d be willing to sacrifice your morning on Friday so you could go in my place. Well, thanks for the offer, but I think I will survive the suffering.

And I haven’t finished my holiday shopping. Yes, I know, Hannukah will be over by the time I get to the island. I can’t even pretend this year. My family exchanges presents on December 25th. We always have. I rationalize it’s better this way since the Jewish holiday, a Jewish holiday based on resisting assimilation, isn’t diluted with a Christian custom.

I finished most of my shopping last night at Barnes and Noble after Writer’s group, but there are a handful of gift certificates I need to pick up. Real easy, so it’s not a big deal, but I’ve only got two more days. And I have to wash all my summer clothes tonight for the trip. And stop by the post office to cancel my mail. Luckily I get off work at 4 pm, so getting to the post office before it closes won’t be impossible. It’s just going to be a very busy final two days.

Cool! You can put a hold on your mail electronically. That eliminates one stop tonight.

I could also put a hold on anyone’s mail. It wasn’t like I was signed into a registered account when I did it. Of course, I had to type my name, address and telephone number, but those aren’t difficult things to come up with. I have a huge book at home with all of that information on a lot of people. There is a little small print:

The person who prepares this form states that he or she is the person, executor, guardian, authorized officer, or agent of the person for whom mail would be held under this order. Anyone submitting false or inaccurate information on this form is subject to punishment by fine or imprisonment or both under Sections 2, 1001, 1702 and 1708 of Title 18, United States Code.

But that’s it. Of course, I know that when I go into the post office in person, and hand them a hold notice, they don’t usually ask me for my ID.

Q. What religion is Harry Potter?

Answer: I’m not sure JK Rowling has answered this question in any of the books. Witchcraft isn’t treated as a religion, so the answer isn’t ‘Wiccan’. It has been indicated that the Dursleys, Harry’s aunt and uncle, celebrate Christmas, though not really as a religious hoilday. They just bury their spoiled son in presents. I don’t think Rowling has touched upon the faith of James or Lily Potter, much less of Harry. She certainly hasn’t touched upon ethnic and cultural identity.

Q. What religion is Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who portrays Harry Potter in the films?

Answer: In a recent interview in Australia (see below) he revealed his mother is Jewish, and his father is Protestant. However, he implied he wasn’t raised in either religion, and doesn’t consider himself any religion. Though Religion and Philosophy are two academic subjects that do interest him.

If by accident of birth his parentage were switched, this would be much less the news story that it is. But some will undoubtedly latch on to certain Conservative/Orthodox religious definitions and proclaim him Jewish. There’s already this article. While I haven’t found the news yet anywhere else except fan message boards, it will be very surprising to me if it doesn’t start to spread fairly quickly. Whether it is out of pride, or hate, the action is misplaced. He is an adult (17). He has stated that he is not religious at all. The religions of his parents should be irrelevant. (His own religion should be irrelevant, unless he chooses to emphasize it, but for some, out of either pride or hate, this will never be.)

There are a few other interesting facets of the interview. Apparently fans in the US are a lot more aggressive than elsewhere. He also remains convinced his character will die at the end of the seventh novel. I remain hopeful that Rowling will come up with a different, but still satisfying ending.

There But for Fortune
Outside a Small Circle of Friends
I’m Gonna Say it Now
Flower Lady
Love Me, I’m a Liberal

Happy Birthday, Phil Ochs

In the early 1990s a friend of mine was invited to play the violin on a song on Billy Bragg’s album, Don’t Try This At Home. He warned me that some of Bragg’s songs were a little bit political. He didn’t know I was becoming interested in those politics. I soon purchased Bragg’s Internationale, which contained a song “I Dreamed I saw Phil Ochs, last Night.” I had to find out who Phil Ochs was. Now I’m on a Phil Ochs fan mailing list, and whenever the topic runs to politics, whih is often, I’m one of the more conservative participants. It’s a strange feeling.

A year ago, when Gary Hart took the time out of his busy schedule to email me and praise me for all the work I had done, I knew I was finally getting noticed.

Now Time Magazine has selected me as their Person of the Year!

It can’t possibly get any better than this!

Courtesy of LibraryThing….now I know the Top 75 books I will least likely enjoy reading.

I’ve read (and enjoyed) one of the entries…but I suspect it is mostly correct.

Perhaps the best Hannukah ‘carol’ out there, in my opinion. Written by Peter Yarrow in 1983.

Through an email yesterday that appeared on a list of former college classmates, I discovered that one such former classmate’s blog was up for a 2006 Weblog Award.

There was only one voting day left, and you could only vote once a day, so I got the pleasure of helping her by voting for her once. Because, as everyone knows, I never cheat in blog competitions. And while the results aren’t final yet, it appears she may be the winner of Best Parenting blog.

I actually don’t think I remember her. I only spent four semesters at the college, not all of them sequential, and only two of them were at the same time she would have been there, even though we’re officially part of the same alumni class. I didn’t even get my degree there (but I had a lot of fun there, which was part of the problem.) I have enough pleasant memories, though, to have some class pride and help a former classmate. And I looked at the blog, and she has a good sense of humor.

Courtesy of the National Institute of Standards and Technology - Fire Research division…

Here’s a short film of a xmas tree catching on fire. There is a stuffed animal involved. And three separate video formats for your viewing pleasure.

(avi) (mov) (rm)

Fire Research…how did I miss out on that career opportunity during Career Day in high school?

I returned to work today, and waiting for me was my Sam’s card. I feel at the very least I should figure out what time/day they have the most food sample vendors. If it’s possible for me to make a meal out of it, Sams could easily lose money on me.

I went home early from work yesterday, and have been home today. A fever and a cough. I think I have the fever kicked, so I’m out of bed, on the internet, and thinking about eating again.

I’ve used more sick days this year than I have in the past. All legitimately. When I called my boss this morning, he told me to drink lots of water. And I have been. But I also know my lack of drinking enough water, when I am well, and drinking a lot of caffeinated diet coke, is one of the reasons I get sick more often than some.

Weight Watchers even suggests 6 glasses of water a day, and it’s one facet of the program I’ve never been successful in achieving. Alcohol and caffeine both dehydrate the body. Both do have other effects on the body which make them more enjoyable than water, but I need to compensate for the dehydration.

I’m resolved to drink a lot less caffeine, and more water.

Hannukah begins Friday night. December 15th, or the 25th of Kislev, depending upon your calendar of choice.

Some holiday videos

Just Jew It
Twas the Night Before Chanukah
World Dreidel Tour

Some essays

The Non-Jewish World of Disney (Jewish princesses don’t wait for their prince to come; The story of Judith)

Is it the Jewish Christmas?

A blog post from 2004 talking about the odds of winning a game of dreidel, and a couple adult variants.

I received the below in my email. It’s from the ACLU and contains a poem. The first couple stanzas are a bit awkward, but it picks up after that and has some wonderful moments. Rather than sending a zillion e-cards, I thought I would share with all my online friends in this manner:

All of us here at the ACLU are looking back on a year of pivotal struggles in the defense of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. We’ve seen some important gains this year, and we know we have some tough battles still ahead.

Though some pundits and partisans make hay by claiming that the ACLU is against Christmas, the fact is we spend countless hours every day of the year fighting to ensure that all people of faith have the freedom to pursue their own beliefs and to lead a life free from government interference in matters of religion.

Mindful that this is a serious matter but that the holidays are also a time for celebration and fun, we’re sending you this lighthearted poem with our thanks for your support and your continued involvement in all of our work.

Send your friends and family the poem with our easy-to-use eCard.

An Overdue Visit

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the nation
Friends of Freedom knew it was a special occasion.
Lady Liberty stood taller just off the shore
Her torch shining brighter than a few weeks before

But it wasn’t the flame turning her cheeks all rosy
It was thoughts of Snowe, Feingold and Nancy Pelosi
And leaders from every side of the aisle
Who would soon bring the Bill of Rights back into style.

The Amendments had all hurried out of their beds -
Which was no easy task, they were nearly in shreds -
And they rushed to the window on papery feet
As a jolly old man flew right over their street.

“Could it be!?” they inquired as the roof shook and trembled
And they crept toward the mantle, peaceably assembled,
Just as someone emerged from the chimney with flair
In a shiny red suit, with a shock of white hair

And a top hat, and pants all in red, white and blue -
“Wait a minute,” the Amendments exclaimed, “Who are you?”
“Don’t be frightened my children,” he said, “it’s no scam.
“You can’t have forgotten your old Uncle Sam!”

“Holy crap!” said Free Speech. “Stop right there!” yelled Bear Arms
And Privacy cried “Who shut off the alarms?!”
The Fifth remained silent, but Uncle Sam said
“We’ve been having some trouble, but Freedom’s not dead.”

The Amendments were cautious. “It’s just been so long
“We’ve seen Liberty lost, we’ve seen so much go wrong.
“The President’s trying to mangle and warp us,
“The Fourth is in tatters, so’s Habeas Corpus!”

The old man sat down - he had had quite a ride -
But he told them “Don’t worry, the Law’s on our side,
“‘Cause the nation’s fed up and more people are crying
“For Justice and an end to illegal spying,

“And secret abductions by the CIA,
“And laws that would take women’s choices away,
“And Gitmo tribunals and secret detention,
“And other intrusions too numerous to mention - ”

“Not so fast,” said a grinchity voice from above
And Don Rumsfeld pushed past the Fourteenth with a shove.
He was covered in soot and he looked kind of scary.
It seemed like his Christmas had not been so merry.

The Amendments said they weren’t happy to see him:
“You tried to throw all of us in the museum!
“You’ve done so much the Constitution forbids!”
“And I would have gone on, but for you meddling kids!”

Uncle Sam told him “Rummy, your plans just won’t do,
“So we’ve got a brand new timetable for you!”
And as Rumsfeld retired and crept into the night
The Amendments cried out “Have a good secret flight!”

From the distance they heard him reply with a snort.
“Bye-bye, Rummy!” they answered, “we’ll see you in court!”
Uncle Sam rode the chimney up out of the room
And, like Frosty, he said “I’ll be back again soon.”

But they heard him exclaim “Oh, and just one more thing!
“This year, when the holiday bells start to ring,
“Try to honor religion. Honest faith can’t be wrong.
“It’s America, can’t we all just get along?

“So, on Christian,” he cried, “Muslim, Hindu, and Jew!
“On Quaker! On Shaker! And Atheist too!
“On Buddhist! On Taoist! And to show we’re not chickens
“We’ll file a few lawsuits defending the Wiccans!

“Your belief is your right, so get out there and savor it.
“Uncle Sam’s not a preacher, and he doesn’t play favorites!”
So this holiday season, whatever you do,
Warmest wishes for Freedom, from the ACLU.

Break on Through
Light my Fire
Soul Kitchen
The End
People are Strange
Hello, I Love You
L.A. Woman
Peace Frog
Riders on the Storm
Crystal Ship

OK, not-so-random. Happy Birthday, Jim

When I wittingly leave the office at the end of the day, the coolth of the winter air will be a shock to my body. I am ruthful when considering those who are outside all day.

For those who enjoy comics…and for those who like collecting things that may go up in value. There is a comic on the shelves today of comic stores that may not be in stores tomorrow. Spider-man: Reign #1. In the comic Peter Parker is old, sitting on the edge of the bed, naked, with something dangling you don’t normally see in comics. Cartoonish, and not exactly prurient, but still, the issues are likely to be recalled. (It should be noted the book is rated T+, which is meant for teenagers and older.)

When conservative bloggers criticize the outgoing Republican Congressional leadership, and actually find something to praise the upcoming Democratic leadership on, it may be a sign of the apocolypse. Of course, I’m not saying I am upset that the Republicans have lately been incapable of normal amounts of work.

Note: I don’t believe we’re related, but we could be.

The Committe on Jewish Law and Standards (Conservative Judaism’s decision-making body) has declared same-sex commitment ceremonies, and the ordination of gay/lesbian rabbis as an option. (Marriage wasn’t discussed.) Which means out of the four major branches of American Judaism (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Orthodox) only Orthodox Judaism remains in strict opposition to these concepts. (And opposed they are likely to remain for awhile.)

The Velveteen Rabbi and JSpot both discuss this further.

What may be confusing to some not familiar with Judaism is that the CJLS passed three conflicting decisions. And all are considered valid. So the two seminaries for Conservative Rabbis get to choose which decision to follow. One has already declared they will ordain gay/lesbian Rabbis. The President of the other has said he supports ordination, but will let the faculty decide. Any Rabbi will be allowed to follow the decision of their choice on whether to officiate at a commitment ceremony. Some will, some won’t.

In Israel, their equivalent to the Conservative movement (Masorti) is discussing the same issues, and they haven’t yet come to a decision.

Update on The Wilton, courtesy of Variety. This is the project my cousins are working on that I have mentioned several times in the past. This is the first major media article, I believe, on the project. Ben is quoted in the article.

National Novel Finishing Month:

NaNoFiMo is a challenge based on, but not affiliated with, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, which challenges participants to write 50,000 words in November. NaNoFiMo is a challenge to finish an existing project in December. This project can be your NaNo novel or anything else, but it should be a partially written novel, not a complete draft in need of editing. If you were disappointed when you found out you weren’t supposed to use a work in progress for NaNoWriMo, this is the place for you and your half-written novel. If you didn’t finish in NaNoWriMo, this can be your chance to redeem yourself.

Of course, December is the world’s worst month for this for many people…many hours of the month are spent on shopping, baking, and vacationing. On the other hand, there are 31 days.

All the points you get for thinking ahead and buying a can of de-icer are pretty much eliminated when you store it in the trunk of your car.

Recent Cow and Boy comic:

And in the news, Lindsay Lohan is attending AA meetings, but she plans to continue drinking. (I should be nice and give her some credit. Going to the meetings is a step.)

As mentioned earlier, Michael Richards considers himself Jewish, because he likes the Jewish philosophy, but he has no plans of following the Jewish philosophy by actually converting. (Becoming Jewish isn’t a 12-step process. It’s pretty much a 1-step process.)

And I was accused this morning, perhaps fairly, of proclaiming that I like the idea of exercising, and losing some weight, but not actually being committed to the philosophy.

Though if they make a film about James Joyce, I think they should cast Raven Symone. That would be excellent.

Here’s a quote from The Chronicle of Philanthropy on the book Who Really Cares:

His initial research for Who Really Cares revealed that religion played a far more significant role in giving than he had previously believed. In 2000, religious people gave about three and a half times as much as secular people — $2,210 versus $642. And even when religious giving is excluded from the numbers, Mr. Brooks found, religious people still give $88 more per year to nonreligious charities.

So the vast majority of the difference between religious and secular giving is the religious giving money to their church/synagogue. When this is excluded, religious people still come out ahead by a little bit, but not nearly to the same degree.

1. Little People - Les Miserables Origional London Cast
2. Initials - Hair
3. Love Me, I’m a Liberal - Phil Ochs
4. Love Me, I’m a Liberal - Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon
5. Britney Zombie - Tony Goldmark

A recent book makes the claim that Conservatives are more generous than Liberals.

However, reading further, the divide is not between Conservative and Liberal. The divide is between Religious and Secular. Religious Liberals and Religous Conservatives give roughly the same, and Secular Conservatives give significantly less than Secular Liberals.

Which is a significant statement, and a call to the Religous Left to be more vocal in its efforts to sway Religous America back. Or better yet, come up with a way to encourage Secular America to be more giving. As the goal shouldn’t be to make sure “we” are more giving than “them” but make sure the entire nation is more giving as a whole.

One comment also made in the articles is that the author’s study didn’t look at where the money was being donated. Potentially where the charitable donations go might differ between Conservative and Liberal, and if the former give more often to colleges and symphonies, and the Liberals give more often to shelters and food pantries, that might say something.

And it’s not clear (as I haven’t read the book, and only the two articles) whether the author studied just financial giving, or whether he included “time” as a charitable donation. I know that studies have shown that when you polled people who work and volunteer at non-profits, there is a significant tilt to the left.

addendum

Here’s an intriguing line from another article:

To make his point forcefully, Brooks admits he cut out a lot of qualifying information.

Ignoring data that doesn’t conform to desired results is a common tactic, but admitting to it is less common. It of course raises the question of what that qualifying information is.