Not that I’ve ever had a ‘normal’ sleep cycle…
moocowinthecity but man is my sleep cycle off the last few days…
…time for bed.
2007
Nights Like This
I remember the first time I was in Boston; I was in the closet at the time…that’s the benefit of getting older though, you eventually get to the point where you’ve been out of the closet for longer than you were in it…and my family and I went to this Italian restaurant with my Dad’s Cousin, after we finished the meal, we were leaving and I was standing outside and there was this guy, in Little Italy, wearing tight jeans, shirtless, sporting a six pack of steel, dog tags hanging between the center of his pecks, sweat glistening off of his skin, in a metal folding chair, leaning up against the door buck of a building which had fire escape balconies, light from the street lamp above adding a roguish shadow begging someone to play with fire…and all I could think of was “…how many times has this scene been played out before…the strong back alley lover…the soldier returning from war…” and everything about that one moment in time fit in so perfectly with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue…the first time I heard that song was when I was thirteen…and it’s just the right music to listen to on a night like this.
The weather in Buffalo is blissfully hot right now…and it’s wonderful…I have to say, I turn 23 in 29 days…and right now, I’m really enjoying my twenties…I haven’t made all the right choices, but I’ve learned from all the wrong ones; I’m having a good time…and I’m just living life.
Currently I’m working out the last bit of details with regards to Aliyah and I’ll post about it when everything’s finalized…the emigration (or ‘rising up’) process is all squared away, the kibbutz paperwork is in (and I should find out probably by the end of next week as to what Kibbutz I’ll be on for Ulpan) and right now I’m just trying to get all the facts straight about the IDF so I can finish up that paperwork.
I also found a place that sells pre-paid cell phones for Israel out of California and for 11.50US a year (my minimum commitment to keep my service active and retain my number) I can have a phone that has unlimited incoming calls…and the price structure for top up cards is vastly cheaper than what I’m paying now…honestly, we get screwed over when it comes to cell phone plans in the U.S. Mostly this just makes me fell comfortable because it means I can transfer over all of my domain information, print up cards with my number on them for family and friends, all well before I move over (…i hate, hate doing things last minute…this also accounts for why I go to the airport three or four hours early).
I had breakfast with my Rabbi the other day; it was nice…he really understands me, and it was nice to talk to someone who gets it…not that there are others who don’t get it (my Mom gets it)…he just gets it in a…different way. It’s hard to explain. He asked me if I’d like to make the High Holy Day Appeal on Rosh Hashanah, and I told him I’d be honored too…it still has to be approved by the Temple President; but I’m excited to be able to address my Synagogue and share with them why I think it’s in their best interest to donate to keep the synagogue running.
I’ve been having a lot of frozen grapes recently (so much better than ice cream, get two bags of seedless grapes, wash them off, take the in the bag they came from and place them – still in their original bag – into a freezer bag, freeze…and then enjoy, thought not all in one sitting). Last night I made a dinner of Hummus and Vegetable sandwiches which was fun.
Anyways, I’m sleepy, and out of it, and my mind is just going back and forth with the flotsam and jetsam of abstract colors and shapes and thoughts….which means it’s time for bed.
G’night
Nights Like This
I remember the first time I was in Boston; I was in the closet at the time…that’s the benefit of getting older though, you eventually get to the point where you’ve been out of the closet for longer than you were in it…and my family and I went to this Italian restaurant with my Dad’s Cousin, after we finished the meal, we were leaving and I was standing outside and there was this guy, in Little Italy, wearing tight jeans, shirtless, sporting a six pack of steel, dog tags hanging between the center of his pecks, sweat glistening off of his skin, in a metal folding chair, leaning up against the door buck of a building which had fire escape balconies, light from the street lamp above adding a roguish shadow begging someone to play with fire…and all I could think of was “…how many times has this scene been played out before…the strong back alley lover…the soldier returning from war…” and everything about that one moment in time fit in so perfectly with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue…the first time I heard that song was when I was thirteen…and it’s just the right music to listen to on a night like this.
The weather in Buffalo is blissfully hot right now…and it’s wonderful…I have to say, I turn 23 in 29 days…and right now, I’m really enjoying my twenties…I haven’t made all the right choices, but I’ve learned from all the wrong ones; I’m having a good time…and I’m just living life.
Currently I’m working out the last bit of details with regards to Aliyah and I’ll post about it when everything’s finalized…the emigration (or ‘rising up’) process is all squared away, the kibbutz paperwork is in (and I should find out probably by the end of next week as to what Kibbutz I’ll be on for Ulpan) and right now I’m just trying to get all the facts straight about the IDF so I can finish up that paperwork.
I also found a place that sells pre-paid cell phones for Israel out of California and for 11.50US a year (my minimum commitment to keep my service active and retain my number) I can have a phone that has unlimited incoming calls…and the price structure for top up cards is vastly cheaper than what I’m paying now…honestly, we get screwed over when it comes to cell phone plans in the U.S. Mostly this just makes me fell comfortable because it means I can transfer over all of my domain information, print up cards with my number on them for family and friends, all well before I move over (…i hate, hate doing things last minute…this also accounts for why I go to the airport three or four hours early).
I had breakfast with my Rabbi the other day; it was nice…he really understands me, and it was nice to talk to someone who gets it…not that there are others who don’t get it (my Mom gets it)…he just gets it in a…different way. It’s hard to explain. He asked me if I’d like to make the High Holy Day Appeal on Rosh Hashanah, and I told him I’d be honored too…it still has to be approved by the Temple President; but I’m excited to be able to address my Synagogue and share with them why I think it’s in their best interest to donate to keep the synagogue running.
I’ve been having a lot of frozen grapes recently (so much better than ice cream, get two bags of seedless grapes, wash them off, take the in the bag they came from and place them – still in their original bag – into a freezer bag, freeze…and then enjoy, thought not all in one sitting). Last night I made a dinner of Hummus and Vegetable sandwiches which was fun.
Anyways, I’m sleepy, and out of it, and my mind is just going back and forth with the flotsam and jetsam of abstract colors and shapes and thoughts….which means it’s time for bed.
G’night
Love is Just a Dream
Love is Just a Dream
– Johnny Clegg & Juluka
Something in the way she moves
In the way she touches me
In a way that no one can ever do
Something in the way I feel
When I see her standing there
Makes me feel more real than the rain
Igama lami ’nkunzi emnyama (my name is black bull)
Yimi ’nkunzi emnyama (I am black bull)
Ngicitha amasoka (I am the one who tests young men in love)
Standing on the corner
There’s nothing warmer
Than holding her hard and close to me
Chorus
Isoka latatazela (this young man is nervous)
Lentombi ifuna ukwendlala (because the young girl wants to stay the night)
Itshitshi limnandi itshitshi limnandi njengoshukela (a virgin is sweet, a virgin is sugar sweet)
We’re sitting at the river’s end
She smiles and says to me
Make my heart beat like a drum
Time, time, time, can we hold the line?
Can I keep this picture forever?
Igama lami ’nkunzi emnyama (my name is black bull)
Yimi ’nkunzi emnyama (I am black bull)
Ngicitha amasoka (I am the one who tests young men in love)
Love is just a dream by another name
Love is just a dream.
Love is Just a Dream
Love is Just a Dream
– Johnny Clegg & Juluka
Something in the way she moves
In the way she touches me
In a way that no one can ever do
Something in the way I feel
When I see her standing there
Makes me feel more real than the rain
Igama lami ’nkunzi emnyama (my name is black bull)
Yimi ’nkunzi emnyama (I am black bull)
Ngicitha amasoka (I am the one who tests young men in love)
Standing on the corner
There’s nothing warmer
Than holding her hard and close to me
Chorus
Isoka latatazela (this young man is nervous)
Lentombi ifuna ukwendlala (because the young girl wants to stay the night)
Itshitshi limnandi itshitshi limnandi njengoshukela (a virgin is sweet, a virgin is sugar sweet)
We’re sitting at the river’s end
She smiles and says to me
Make my heart beat like a drum
Time, time, time, can we hold the line?
Can I keep this picture forever?
Igama lami ’nkunzi emnyama (my name is black bull)
Yimi ’nkunzi emnyama (I am black bull)
Ngicitha amasoka (I am the one who tests young men in love)
Love is just a dream by another name
Love is just a dream.
Kumquats
“Some children are given nick names like “Princess” or “Scout”…my parents called me a Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Sapindales Rutaceae Citrus Fortunella…and I came out just fine…I became a Linguist” ~ Me
When I was a kid whenever my twin or I would need a hug and/or if we were crying and/or if we had a bad day and/or for no reason, there was the “ahh, ahh baby song” which essentially went:
“ahh ahh baby, momma is a lady, daddy is a gentleman and (insert child’s name here) is a Kumquat”
…which of course, we now do to each other for really, no reason at all and with a great amount of frequency…but I think it’s worth noting that the first time I had a Kumquat was at the banquet the UJA had to honor Dad…I had no idea what it was…and it was one of the neatest foods I’ve ever tasted.
Today I need to do more labs, follow up on some emails, finish scheduling some things and book some flights, and clean up my room a bit…class at 5:30PM…woohoo…or not…
…I also need sleep…which I’m going to get working on, right about now…
Kumquats
“Some children are given nick names like “Princess” or “Scout”…my parents called me a Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Sapindales Rutaceae Citrus Fortunella…and I came out just fine…I became a Linguist” ~ Me
When I was a kid whenever my twin or I would need a hug and/or if we were crying and/or if we had a bad day and/or for no reason, there was the “ahh, ahh baby song” which essentially went:
“ahh ahh baby, momma is a lady, daddy is a gentleman and (insert child’s name here) is a Kumquat”
…which of course, we now do to each other for really, no reason at all and with a great amount of frequency…but I think it’s worth noting that the first time I had a Kumquat was at the banquet the UJA had to honor Dad…I had no idea what it was…and it was one of the neatest foods I’ve ever tasted.
Today I need to do more labs, follow up on some emails, finish scheduling some things and book some flights, and clean up my room a bit…class at 5:30PM…woohoo…or not…
…I also need sleep…which I’m going to get working on, right about now…
I want this coloring book, so, so bad…
I want this coloring book, so, so bad…being that Jesus was born Jewish and died Jewish…I can only imagine his mother kicking his ass for something like this:
“YOU RODE WHAT!? WHERE!? IT BETTER NOT HAVE BEEN ON SHABBAT MISTER! YOU JUST WAIT UNTIL JOSEPH GETS HOME…OH GOD…WHAT IF SOMEONE FROM SISTERHOOD SAW THIS…HOLY MOTHER OF MOSES WHAT WERE YOU THINKING…WHAT IF IT GAVE YOU A DISEASE!?! DO YOU REALIZE HOW BAD YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HURT…I COOK AND I CLEAN AND I SLAVE AROUND THE HOUSE ALL DAY TO PROVIDE FOR YOU, AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO RIDE A DINOSAUR…DO YOU DO THIS TO HURT ME…WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS!?!”
…though truth be told, my Mom would ride a dinosaur with me if I found one…but I imagine that Jesus’ Mom might have been slightly more…um…cautious?
…I need to get this coloring book…
I want this coloring book, so, so bad…
I want this coloring book, so, so bad…being that Jesus was born Jewish and died Jewish…I can only imagine his mother kicking his ass for something like this:
“YOU RODE WHAT!? WHERE!? IT BETTER NOT HAVE BEEN ON SHABBAT MISTER! YOU JUST WAIT UNTIL JOSEPH GETS HOME…OH GOD…WHAT IF SOMEONE FROM SISTERHOOD SAW THIS…HOLY MOTHER OF MOSES WHAT WERE YOU THINKING…WHAT IF IT GAVE YOU A DISEASE!?! DO YOU REALIZE HOW BAD YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HURT…I COOK AND I CLEAN AND I SLAVE AROUND THE HOUSE ALL DAY TO PROVIDE FOR YOU, AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO RIDE A DINOSAUR…DO YOU DO THIS TO HURT ME…WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS!?!”
…though truth be told, my Mom would ride a dinosaur with me if I found one…but I imagine that Jesus’ Mom might have been slightly more…um…cautious?
…I need to get this coloring book…
Scheduling or Skittles, Taste the Rainbow
Next Semester’s Schedule:
click here or none of this will make sense
which is really not as bad as it seems if you break it down:
Basically the days are in two different groups:
1. MWF
2. TR
And while they look stressful they’re actually incredibly relaxing:
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays:
I wake up at Six and get dressed. On my way to South Campus to catch the Inter Campus Shuttle I stop by the Starbucks and get my first cup of coffee (one of many, actually)…then I hop on the Inter Campus shuttle and jet to North Campus; listening to my ipod, drinking coffee, and ignoring most of the world…starting towards the winter I’ll be practicing my Arabic as I grit my teeth in the freezing weather…which started in October last year.
At 8am I have “Good Ideas in Computer Science” which is also known as “Math for those who really, really, really don’t want to take math…”; as the course title suggests, I learn about Good Ideas that happen to be in the field of Computer Science. I’d like to make some suggestions, such as “plug the computer in” and “always ask the customer ‘do you see a powerlight’ before attempting to provide technical support” or “do put up dilbert cartoon in your cubicle, don’t label the characters with the names of your co-workers.”
Then at 9am I have Breakfast at one of the many fine dining establishments on campus.
At 10am I have Phonetics being taught by Dr. Jaeger and then at 11am I have Structure of English: Grammar & Lexicon being taught my J.P. (who has a wonderful French Accent).
Then at noon I have afternoon Yoga which I’ll be doing at the Wellness Center in the Student Union followed by a half hour Lunch at 12:30.
At 1:00PM I have the Lab for Good Ideas in Computing…basically, playing around with C++ and Java Script on Mondays. The only change in the pattern is that on Wednesdays this is replaced with the UB Undergraduate Linguistics Society which 
withfangs and I Co-Conveen and on Fridays it’s replaced with a two hour long massage.
Then at 3:00PM I have my office hours, and if students don’t need help, after I’m done doing whatever Scott needs me to do (check to make sure homework has been handed in, attendance, whatever) as his T.A.; I do either studying and/or homework.
At 4:00PM I have a nice dinner
From 5:00PM to 9:00PM I’m in the Gym with a multi-faceted Anaerobic/Aerobic workout comprised of weight bearing exercises, stretching/pilates, balance building, and conditioning routines.
9:00PM is when I have 1 cup of water per lb ‘lost’ during the workout to avoid the nastiness of dehydration and a small meal.
So really, it’s mostly a stress free day…and if there is stress, by the time I’m done with the punching bag, running and lifting weights at the end of the day…it’s all gone.
Then I head back home on the evening Inter-Campus bus to South Campus.
Tusdays/Thursdays:
The morning caffeine routine and commuting routine remain the same. Then at 8:00am is morning Yoga and at 9:00am Breakfast.
Then the real hardship comes in: one hour spent with the massage chairs at the Wellness Center and 15 Minutes with the real live masseuse who comes in once a week. How do I survive (the fact that most students don’t know that they can get free massages, use massage chairs, get free tea and chapstick and condoms and yoga and pilates…is beyond me; they honestly just don’t read the information packets or explore the campus…which is good for me, because it means no waiting in line, for anything).
Once I’m done suffering through an early morning massage with an herbal pillow mask on my face, I brave the cold light of day once again to go TA with Scott (you have NO idea how excited I am to TA for him..so much to learn…so, so, so excited).
Then at 12:30 I have a nice leisurely lunch at one of the atrium-esque buildings of the campus cafe in the commons or in the Department Lounge depending on just how social I want to be.
From 1:00 until 3:00PM I’ll be in Lockwood Library getting source material for my inedependent study with Wolf Wölk on Language Discrimination Against Speakers of African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
At 3:00PM I head over to Alumni Arena to take my Tai Chi class.
At 4:00PM I have dinner and then the afternoon routine is pretty much the same, just working a different set of muscles then I worked on the day before; except abs which I’m told by my personal trainer can be worked daily.
So mostly, it’s two actual classes, one gen ed class, TAing (which is a decent chunk of work), research…or being pampered with massage, pilates, yoga, tai chi and the gym…and, if I may, please let me just take a moment right now to thank the residents of the state of New York for paying your taxes…because those extra massage chairs, herbal pillows, scented oil defusers, and yoga mats have really made that much more of a difference in my daily routine and have contributed positively to my education as an undergraduate student of the State University of New York at Buffalo.