No, not really. But my professor does: (Note: this class was an Art History and Appreciation course. We were not taught how to draw. The professor lectured each week, and we were told to do a mandatory sketchbook on our own time and hand it in at the end of the semester. Read More »

There’s a shul down the street,In that little hipster house,With exposed brick that’s so ‘in style’ now,Bare bulbs hanging from the cealing,Gives the feeling of a club, not a House of Worship. Read More »

Teach me what you know,because I seem to be lacking,I’m not quite sure how it happened,but somewhere along the way all they taught me was forgotten,and I am left empty, and wondering why.Fill the silence,because I won’t dare to speak in your presence,You, who knows so much more than me,about life, and people, and places. Read More »

It’s been like this forever, really,as long as I can remember.Fun, breezy and sweetwould turn dark and sinister quickly,like two halves of one crazy whole.We’ve tried, oh we’ve tried,and it’s gotten better lately.Better as in, I’m hardly ever around,better as in, we don’t talk much anymore,better as in, love from far far away. Read More »

I’m thinking of starting a new diet, and calling it “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That” (patent pending.) I am very methodical when it comes to my meals. I prepare a lunch every night to take to work the next day, because if I don’t then my whole day is thrown off. There are no Kosher restaurants near my office and even if there were, I hate take-out. Read More »

You know that feeling you get when your presentation went well and everyone loved it and you were so nervous that you were barely paying attention to people’s reactions, but some people made a point to come over to you after and tell you how awesome Read More »

My mother always said, “The world does not revolve around Altie”, when she wanted me to stop acting selfishly. (The next sentence would be that it actually revolves around my sister). Maybe it backfired. I don’t consider myself a selfish person, but I do enjoy time dedicated to me alone.My birthday is always my special day. Read More »

Sometimes you just need tobring it BACK to the beginningwhere your story first started,and remember why you are doing thiswho you are doing this for,and what THIS really is. Read More »

Hello world. I’m still alive. Just busy. Very busy. But I did miss you. Every time a great idea for a post popped into my head I was so tempted to stop everything and sit down and write. But I’m busy. Oh so busy. Thank G-d.Boredom breeds negative behavior, so keeping busy is a good thing. Read More »

A friend sent me this video , and I really enjoyed it. Below is also the transcript of this poem by Sarah Kay called “If I should have a daughter”. Read More »

Tonight is the auspicious day of Yud Shvat. The day that the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson) took over the leadership from his father-in-law, the previous Rebbe. It is a very special day for Chabad Chassidim, and all Jews. (As always, read more about it here at Chabad.org .)The Rebbe’s leadership lasts until today. Read More »

One, two, three,Get off my property.You are a bully.But you won’t get to me.Your words are mean.The world’s gone green. Let’s keep it clean.Don’t make a scene.Get a move on,Let’s go.Everybody sayHey ho.The party won’t startTill you move on out.You’re not wanted hereNo doubt.Free speech man,That’s cool.But on my land,I rule. Read More »

This video made me very sad and disgusted. Why do people feel the need to bring politics into EVERYTHING? 26 people died, and sick delusional people have the audacity to claim that it was a hoax by the government to assert gun control? Are you freakin insane???I don’t recommend watching this video. It just made me mad. Read More »

All I’ve heard all day is drilling. They are doing construction in my office. Everyone is walking around with face masks. The dust is thick. A guy came by our office and said, “I think I just breathed in half your floor”. That’s how bad it is.It started with a small hole. I don’t know how there came to be a hole in the floor. Read More »

They said I didn’t know how to lie.They said I told the truth even when it got me in trouble.I took pride in that.But we all know that lies start small.Call it… half truths.Bluffs.We do them every day.When someone asks you how you are and you say you are feeling fine when really-you are not. Read More »

Idle men on the sidewalk are a cause for alarm. Shuffling feet, mismatched shoes. Just standing around, watching.I walk by nervously and repeat the only thing that comes to mind- ‘Ulechol benei Yisrael lo yecheratz-kelev leshono’. (The quote you say when a dog barks at you. Read More »

Who ever thinks about high school once it’s over? Throw up your hat at graduation, move on and never look back. Alumni? Reunions? Who cares. Life gets in the way. School. Marriage. Kids. Important things. Most people stay in touch with only a handful of people from high school. Read More »

I just noticed that my new HTC phone’s logo has a lower case h. That will now annoy me forever.And a lower case i in iPhone? Really Apple, is that how you feel about yourself?Did you ever notice stores that have names like ‘Sofas N More’, ‘Muffins N More’, ‘Toner N More’? What’s the ‘More’? Can’t you just call the store ‘Sofas’. ‘Muffins’. ‘Toner’. Read More »

In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”Being that we know the only fear in the world worth having is fear of G-d, I do believe most fears are irrational. Fear of spiders. Fear of clowns. Read More »

Shades drawn,To protect from the outside.You can runBut you can’t hide.Glass strewn everywhere,Bleak black buildings,The streets tell a story,And not a pretty one.Down in the Dumps,It’s a real place.Where you live,Nowhere else to go.You try your best,But you know,They are right outsideWaiting for you. Read More »

She’s sweet like sugar,Like a gumball that explodes in your mouthAnd turns your tongue blue.She’s fun like that.And when I say, “I want candy”And she asks what kind,And I say never mind,She comes anyway, with the candy that she knows I like.Cuz she’s sweet like that.She’s awesome.My candy WOMAN. Read More »

Look at me when I talk to you, I smile with my mouth but not my eyes. You talk to me and inside I’m annoyed, I try not to let it show, but I’m thinking that I’d rather not be having this conversation. I’m thinking that you shouldn’t be allowed to tell me what to do, but you are and you do and I hate it. Read More »

I have come to learn that as dumb as a person may be sometimes, there is always someone dumber than you.Like, when a cop pulls you over and says, “Son, do you know why I pulled you over?” It is a trick question. NEVER answer it. Read More »

Looking in the rear view mirrorI see herInsecure A dark and twisted blur.I can’t control my rage,To see her going through this stageAt such a young age.Stuck in this cage.And I wonder whenTime will mendThe pain, when this will endCan’t see her like this, my friend. Read More »

“‘Scuse me miss, do you got a dollar?”.Yes. I do ‘got’ a dollar. My last dollar. So I reach into my wallet and give it to her. Because she asked me. Because she probably needs it more than I do. The fact that she was not Jewish, or that there was a chance she might grab my purse didn’t matter. Read More »

I mumble a thank you as he hands me my change and as I turn to leave he says, ‘Happy New Year’.I feel him staring at me, right through me, like he knows why I’m stocking up on candy, that he just knows as the new year comes in I will be celebrating it alone.But he has just gone back to his phone, texting his girlfriend maybe. Read More »

“Ogres are like onions. They both have many layers.” -ShrekDon’t be fooled by my smile,Don’t be conned by my good looks.Don’t think that you know me,That one day is all it took.My voice is hoarse now,My eyes have long since closed.The door has been shut.Leaving you out in the cold.I tried so hard to tell you,I tried to make you see. Read More »

The saying goes, “The possibilities are endless.” But are they? I’m sure possibilities run out after awhile.I saw an old man wearing two different shoes.I saw a tiny dog being carried around in a dog carrier.I saw a man walking from house to house leaving fliers. It was cold out. I thanked G-d that I have a job where I can work inside. Read More »

I love shopping and I hate shopping. Depending on the day, on my mood, and on the size of my bank account.Going shopping straight from work is exhausting, but it beats not shopping at all.I love that free feeling you get, when you are with friends and you try new things for the fun of it. Read More »

So many choices in life.So many decisions.Bright and glaring.Demanding attention.Choose…. or else.Or what?I don’t know.But the pressure is crushing.It is literally stifling.I can’t breath.The decision is- ice cream or candy.Biggest decision of my life.biggest decision you will ever have to make. Read More »

In my office, there is secular music playing all the time. Usually it is just like background noise, I don’t hear it. I was talking to a co-worker and I happened to listen to the lyrics of the song.This is what I heard: “Don’t take this the wrong way… But girl, you look better with the lights off.” I was appalled. Read More »

Did anyone notice the incessant questions on Facebook recently? How’s it going, Altie?What’s going on, Altie?How are you doing, Altie?What’s happening, Altie?How are you feeling, Altie?I will attempt to answer them: It’s going great, Mark Zuckerberg.Nothing much, Mark Zuckerberg.I’m doing great, Mark Zuckerberg. Read More »

I love this time of year. I love the pretty holiday lights adorning the trees. I love the ‘Seasons Greetings’, I love the feeling in the air. Everyone is nicer around this time of year, cheer and goodwill being passed around. Kosher or not, I find myself humming the tunes to the holiday songs in the malls. They are very catchy.’Tis the season. Read More »

Integrity. It is hard to come by these days.I don’t know if I’ve ever come across a truly honest business in all my years of employment, and I include summer camps in that as well. There was always something that was slightly off. Some way where there were corners cut, things going on ‘under the table’, for the benefit of the employer. Read More »

They say the world is ending today. Good, because I’m tired and don’t want to go to work tomorrow.I had one of those days, the days where you come home and collapse and say, I need a break. Everything seemed to go wrong. My work wasn’t good enough, I wasn’t understanding people. That is when I sigh in exasperation and say “I hate people”. Read More »

All emails gone now,no trace that we ever met.Sometimes it hurtswhen I remember the things you said.I haven’t thought of youin a long time now.Until you pop up unexpectedrandom places, somehow.It hurts no longer,more like a dull ache left over.You won’t ever know,because it doesn’t really matter.I made a choice,the best thing for me. Read More »

True friends are the ones who are able to read between the lines, and know that when you say, “No need to bring me anything”, they show up at your door with candy. Read More »

I type this with hands numb from the cold. Why I felt the need to transcribe this right away is beyond me. Maybe I miss my mother’s sympathetic ‘poor Altie’ every time I tell her of an unfortunate event that happened to me. So you, dear readers, will now be my sympathetic audience. Read More »

The last night of Chanuka is always a little sad, saying goodbye to the Menorah until next year.Enjoy your last jelly doughnut! Read More »

I love that harried hurried haggard feeling you get,the one that comes once a week, every Friday afternoon.The one that puts you in good spirits,where everyone wishes everyone who is anyone a ‘good Shabbos’.When all the frum Jews are out and about,doing last minute shopping.Flower vendors on every corner,waiting patiently for their customers. Read More »

My niece is adorable, and she started showing a strong independent side at a young age. She is 2 (and 3/4, close enough to being 3!) and being that I hardly ever get to see her, I try to bond with her when I go to visit. I took her on the swing, and when it was time for her to leave, I held her and started carrying her. Read More »

Alone.It is such a weird word. It can be used in so many situations and mean different things.’A lone wolf’. A brooding guy sitting at a bar drinking a beer and giving off signals that say keep away.’Leave me alone’. I don’t want you around right now, so stop bothering me.’Alone with my thoughts’. Read More »

I love the freedom of driving. I love being in control. Every time I am ‘home’ I take the opportunity to go for a drive just for the fun of it.There is a hill near my house, and I have one guilty pleasure. On my way home, every time I approach the top of the hill going down, I press the gas peddle and then let go. Read More »

Dear World,I can’t resist documenting this. That was even fun to write. One more time: 12/12/12 12: 12 PM.Now we just need to add a new month so we can have 13/13/13.Oh well. Read More »

Dear MTA,Screw you. You suck. And you owe me $6.75. I’ll take a check, please.Train not running–>already paid the fair–>transfer to bus for free–>need to transfer to another bus–>charge me again. Not my fault.Okay, the whole trip was a waste really. A waste of time and money. Who shall I sue…?I have a saying. Read More »

We learn thatthe lesson of Chanukah isthe victory of light over darkness,and good over evil.We won.We are free men now.Free to light menorah in public.Free to do as we please.If we are free,then why would you hide like a coward?I saw him, very often.With a kippah on his head,and thought nothing of it.Another religious Jew like me. Read More »

My father knows how much I love to read, and I usually trust his judgement on books. When he handed me a book to read over Shabbos, I gratefully accepted it thinking it would be a good read. Then I glanced at the cover, and read the description, and grew suspicious. It sounded very much like a ‘frum’ book. Read More »

I hatethis character traitevery time I procrastinateit makes me late.I waitto createhoping the pressure will abatebut it just inflates.The time ticks awayno more hours in the dayI don’t know what to saynow it’s time to pray.The more I delaymyself I betrayto my dismayit won’t turn out okay. Read More »

They all tell me, in a hopeful positive voice, “Hope you find what you are looking for”. And that leaves me wondering what that even means, and if I am really looking. I sit on the couch late at night while everyone sleeps peacefully. Knees drawn up to my chest to keep warm. I know it’s cold outside. Read More »

I passed by a Mosque today, itself a weird sight in Brooklyn. The reason I noticed it was because of the call to prayer playing pretty loudly. Thanks to Wikipedia , I now know that it is called adhān (Arabic: أَذَان), and that it plays 5 times a day calling all Muslims to pray.I thought it was interesting. Read More »

It is perfection. It is beauty. It is breathtaking. It is mine.I am beginning a new chapter in my life- with a new phone.To some people it may just be a phone, but to me it is a relationship. If I am going to be glued to my phone all day, (and let’s face it, that is what happens) then I need to be comfortable with it, and it with me. Read More »

It is the greatest feeling when you achieve something big after substantial work and effort.The question is- is it ever enough? Or will you be encouraged to do better?You run 1 mile and they say, “Good, but not good enough. Now run 10.”I just want to be happy with what I accomplished. I am. Can I do better? Maybe. Probably. Read More »

They say I don’t have a filter. I find that funny, because there are so many thoughts in my head that I don’t actually say. It is the ones that I do say that I get in trouble for. Maybe not trouble. But I get a vibe, a sense that maybe I shouldn’t have said that.It is small things. Read More »

There are always two ways to look at everything. Depending on your attitude, that is how things will turn out.Negative: Tonight is Yud Tes Kislev. The negative part is that I didn’t even realize until my roommate pointed it out. I am sick with a cold, exhausted, and totally fine with letting the day pass like any other day. Read More »

I missed you, America. Once I got passed customs and saw that American flag standing proud on American territory, I almost cried.Okay, I didn’t cry. Not even a little bit. But it definitely feels good to be back. Read More »

I’m so exhausted and I wish I was at home in my bed and not trying to get comfortable on a hard airport chair. Everything got screwed up. I blame it on the airline. For some reason my flight was scheduled for 5 hours EARLIER than scheduled and I was not told about it at all. No email or call. How did that happen? I have no idea. Read More »

As I’m writing this, I’m freaking out and trying to remember if I packed my passport. Because our friendly neighbors no longer let us in their country without it. It is like we are criminals… Gosh.I am not a horrible traveler, but it does make me nervous. Especially being that I am only taking a carry-on and trying to properly pack my tiny 3 oz. Read More »

I have a hard time editing something that I have already written. To me, it is like doing the work all over again. But editing and revising is a central part of any great piece of writing. It must be done.7 PM: Gonna sit down to work on my paper….7: 30: Check some emails first…8: 00: What’s new on Facebook… Read More »

Bla bla bla.Were you ever in an argument with someone and they just wouldn’t stop talking? Everything they say is a lie, and they keep putting words in your mouth and telling you what you are thinking and feeling. And all you want to do is tell them to shut up, or better, shove your fist in their face… Read More »