Everything happens for a reason. A cultural commentary with a lotta rock-n-roll, semitism, and parenting. See our Etsy Shop! Buy HeadyBands, Hoodies and more at www.wholephamily.etsy.com
Who needs Passover cleaning when you have your own in-house entertainment to distract you?
This is most of us, yesterday, with a friend visiting from out of town. Got to love the 8 year old boy handling the baby, and the punching and silly moves he makes the baby do.
Yep, you caught Stango playing that classic tune "Bashana HaBa'ah" ...just makes you wanna kick back to earlier days on the kibbutz, at Camp Ramah, or when you could only see 2 tv channels in Israel. Nowadays I wonder even if Israeli kids know this tune.
Thanks to all the Israeli soldiers for defending our country.
Stango finished our fire pit. Great weather, chill vibes, s'mores, family, and Bob Dylan tunes. Can't get better than that.. Oh, I forgot to mention that I had a baby about three weeks ago. You'll see him in the video. Just call him Marshmallow for now.
Here's my mother's preference for Dylan's tunes, none other than Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Growing up, I never heard the name Shlomo Carlebach. Unknowingly, I knew one of his classic tunes "Veha'er Eineinu." I think I heard it at a Chassidic Song Festival that my parents took me to in the late '70s.
Stango, my musical husband, raged this tune tonight on the piano. Not to be missed!
Here is Shlomo singing his tune, just for comparison sake. My preference is Stango's funkier one.
A bit less than a year ago, I had Stevie Wonder on my mind, and now he's crept back in. Why didn't I know his funky '70s stuff back in the day? Stango said it's because I knew his newer stuff in the 80s, Ebony and Ivory and the like.
Now that I know it, I'll stick with the '70s funk.
This is from later, but it's got that leftover disco beat from the late 70s
And of course as a Phish loving mama (cuz they cover this tune), I can't forget Boogie On...
If you've gotten this far, here's the inspiration for this blog post title. Bob, the prophet and poet, yet again saves the day.
Speaking of getting this far, if you're reading this, why not give a shout out and let me know your thoughts. I feel like Rodney Dangerfield..."I don't get no respect!" (meaning, I get little feedback and desire it!)
We're nearly done unpacking from Blues For Challah: The Second Set, and what a weekend it was. The Whole Phamily was so grateful to have the opportunity to provide social media services and onsite kids' programming to this weekend. I hope that these efforts were successful. Here are some highlights:
Seth Rogovoy's presentation on Bob Dylan's link to Judaism was polished, well-delivered, and entertaining in its own right. I wrote about Rogovoy's book earlier, but had no clue that his presentation would include live performance. How happy was I when he confirmed my suspicions regarding the messianic theme of Quinn the Eskimo?!? And even happier when I shared that Phish's rendition brings Quinn to a new level.
Meeting Michelle Esrick, the brainchild i.e. filmmaker behind the Wavy Gravy movie Saint Misbehavin', was a real treat. We sat at the same table on Friday night and I was thrilled, since I am connected to challah baking, to be asked to explain the symbolism behind using two challot and salt at a shabbes table. Her sister and I connected on mindfulness meditation. I lamented I have yet to read Jon Kabet-Zinn's book on it that Stango gave to me already a few years ago. Michelle's film was educational about Wavy Gravy's life and mission. Because of the weekend's intimate setting, I couldn't have imagined a more perfect scene. I loved that Concealed Light asked after the film's screening, "what's the big deal about Wavy Gravy?" This film, therefore, opened the door for my 9 year old regarding the whys behind the 60s counterculture. Sure, she knows we love Dylan and the Dead, and that we read plenty of books about MLK, Jr in February, but a two sentence explanation (end of Camelot, fight for Civil Rights, end of Baby Boom, the Beatles, Vietnam) was a good start.
Me and Michelle Esrick, producer/director of Saint Misbehavin'
Of course, I loved that Michelle expressed that her presence at this weekend was bashert and from Hashem (two terms she learned just this weekend). Doesn't everything happen for a reason? Hakol bashamayim hi. (you can ask your rabbi what that one means).
Meeting Rabbi Moshe "Mickey" Shur finally was inspiring. He grew up with Stango's close childhood friend's father. We had long-heard of Berman's dad's hippy cum frum friend. I was thrilled to see that, even though I didn't know him when he knew Wavy Gravy while living in San Francisco in the 60s, he maintained his open, loving, laid-back, funny, warm vibe that was clearly a product of those years.
Saturday night jam: a bunch of participants brought out their guitars, drums and voices for a really fun homegrown Dead jam. What an interesting mix of people. The diversity of Jewish folks is captured in this brief video where we see Rabbi Moshe "Mickey" Shur's son on vocals (long payos dude).
Stango was most impressed by Arthur Kurtzweil's presentations on lyrics. He was also the keynote speaker. Stango liked that he got to the real truth on a high intellectual plane without fluff, pretense, or glamour. That's my husband for ya.
I ran the kids groups for which I received positive feedback. We made centerpiece tablescapes for the dining room tables with Duplos . We acted out a play about the parsha with the parts of Yaakov, Eisav and Hashem. We read the parsha story. We visited the goats. We ate fantastic snacks provided by Isabella Freedman. We dressed up as turtles, pirates and creative play silk creatures. We read books about being a young farmer. We played Uno and Zingo. We enjoyed Pez as a Shabbes treat which was cleared ahead of time with the program director (since I am sensitive to the healthy food vibe at Isabella Freedman; I am, after all, an advocate of drinking raw milk and eating fermented foods), though it wasn't for everyone.
Pez at a Dead show is just so much fun, so that was where I was going with that. Or just a couple of Mike and Ike's. But I don't know if the kids fully understood that this was very specific to being at a Dead show. They likely just saw it as candy.
Here are some more photos and footage.
Stango and Concealed Light at Dead Jam
Stango and The Nunever. Rodeo! Note the lovely Gucci scarf.
these guys knew how to jam! Another son of Rabbi Shur and Rabbi Jeff Hoffman
Concealed Light felt stifled that she couldn't read chords. Clearly was too tired to improvise and jam, which I know she is capable of.
And how is it that I always thought this was a Peter, Paul and Mary song?
When you've got a resident Yiddish speaker and musician at your disposal (as if the world is clamoring for such a gem), what better way to spend a Labor Day Sunday than to upload some Yiddish tunes courtesy of our lovely Stango?
Since we're missing our khaverim at the Golus Festival at Yiddish Farm this weekend and just couldn't make it upstate, we dedicate these videos to them.
If you wanna get really fancy, check out the descriptions below each of these videos (on the YouTube page itself) for the transliterations and translations of the songs.
Tonight my glass slippers will be stowed away at home, as I do not attend live musical performances during the first Nine Days of Av, a historically sad time - - a mourning period - - for the Jewish people. But for those of you who do partake on this auspicious night of Rosh Chodesh Av, I can not suggest higher to attend the Royal Family Ball featuring Soulive and Lettuce at this year's Gathering of the Vibes festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Granted, this show is happening in just 1 hour or so, but if you are able to somehow get yourself there, you will receive the musical royal treatment from numerous prince charmings.
I recently had the distinct privilege of seeing Adam Smirnoff, "Shmeeans," of Lettuce perform at Mountain Jam, and what can I say other than he was super fantastic. And a nice guy, too. I would love to see Adam Deitch and Eric Krasno. They are also supposed to be great. Talk about funk! What a groove party they throw (see below for a look at their recent album, Fly, release party at the Brooklyn Bowl). At least there's always the Pandora channel. I say that because I don't think I have stated it here officially but I do not own an iPod nor do I have the time to maintain an iTunes account. I know that sounds pretty lame, but that is my reality. My car, where I would listen to much of my music, doesn't even have an MP3 player. I know, how crazy is that, I have an '07 Odyssey with no MP3 but Stango has an '05 car and it does have such a plug-in.
This crew puts out terrific music: would you think anything less of a bunch of Berklee College of Music graduates? They don't just know how to jam, they know how to rage. And I didn't just see them perform, I joined with friends who know him well. That made it all the more fun. I simply love to rage from backstage! Not sure if Mr. Nigel Hall is joining in with Soulive and/or Lettuce, but if so, the soul sounds that emit from his lips are sweet words that stick with you for a long time. Mr. Hall clearly, as my friend the Coach has suggested, is the best soul singer out there today. That's no joke. Perhaps I am just naive, just a mama, but I beg to differ. I know good stuff when I hear it.
There is the slightest chance I will make it up to GOTV this Sunday, but for work purposes only. I would love to further my very fun Facebook group "I Love Lot Shirts," and take a bunch more photos.
Here is one wook who definitely won't be up in Bridgeport this weekend but is my very own 7 year old Prince Charming, and his name is the Wolfman.
Gotta love the Star Wars shirt
"Mama, why are you so into clothes?" As if this good stuff could be found in a store!
Listening to Soundcheck with John Schaefer on NPR right now, and I can't believe that I missed the news from last week that Davy Jones passed away at age 66. I must have been raging the Purim festivities too much which kept me out of the loop. As a great contributor to 60s popular music, he will be missed. Not that I watched the Monkees when it first came out. I was too young.
I also can't believe that Stango doesn't recall this episode of the Brady Bunch with Davy Jones. It was always one of my favorites.
Here is where Marcia tries to bust into the recording studio to confirm that Davy will perform at her prom, only to be turned away.
Here is where Davy comes to the Brady house and meets her, finally, and satisfying every rock star's dream.
All thanks to the Beatles, the Monkees were a cultivated, made-for-TV band inspired by the Beatles that actually turned into something.
Speaking of which, I played one of my favorites, "I am the Walrus," for the kinderlach today. When I asked their feedback, Concealed Light replied, "He said I am the egg man." We all agreed it is weird and different.
When I asked about the line "sitting on a cornflake," I lost them.
Finally, you should watch this pretty awesome animated interview with John Lennon called "I Met the Walrus" which is actually the reel-to-reel interview done by Jerry Levitan as a 14 year old when he snuck into Lennon's Toronto hotel room in 1969.
Dickey Betts wrote the song "Blue Sky" for the Allman Brothers Band that is so lovely and sweet, and on this day of love that we don't really celebrate is a good listen. I used to play this a lot before Stango and I were married, and "borrowed" a CD of his that I had in my possession when we experienced a couple of years' relationship hiatus.
The band just accepted a Lifetime Achievement Grammy award on Sunday without Dickey. The band fully deserved this award and worked so hard to get there. Congratulations, Allmans! It was a true privilege to see you perform at the Beacon Theater.
But the estrangement bothers me. Naturally I speak from the outside. I know nothing about the interpersonal relationships. Dickey hasn't played with the Allmans in many years. Some say Duane was right. Some say Dickey is right. I don't know who is right, who is wrong, and maybe everyone is right and everyone is wrong. Dead or alive (Duane passed away), we can get beyond the differences, no?
Can't the grown men all embrace the love and get past their issues/egos/pride? Am I too naive to think a bear hug is the cure-all? Familial estrangement usually runs deep and complicated, but it always hurts me to hear of it. If we don't start at home, and our own brothers and sisters, our own flesh and blood can't get along, how exactly will we find world peace?
This video is from the good ole' days.
And the music is stellar.
The lyrics, written by Betts:
Walk along the river, sweet lullaby, it just keeps on flowing.
It don't worry 'bout where it's going, no, no.
Don't fly, Mister Blue bird, I'm just walking down the road,
Early morning sunshine tell me all I need to know.
You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day.
Lord, you know it makes me high when you turn your love my way,
Turn your love my way, yeah.
Good old Sunday morning, bells are ringing everywhere.
Going to Carolina, it won't be long and I'll be there.
On our drive this weekend to visit my parents and to celebrate my sister's birthday, my children and I listened to the "Free to Be You and Me" soundtrack. The close-quarters of being in the minivan enabled me to ponder this song, and I started thinking about how it has poignantly come full-circle.
there is a YouTube video here, so if you get this in an email link you might need to click through to the wholephamily.com website itself to see this video link
Like so many children of my generation, I grew up listening to this record.
I picked it up again in college and then started thinking of its message that all people can be whomever they choose to be. I doubt my mom ever read Ms. Magazine cover-to-cover like I did in 2004 while nursing Conealed Light in New Haven (I have been told I need to clarify that Ms. is pronounced mizz, and it was part of the foundation that backed this record), but she knew the good stuff and Free To Be You and Me was it in the 70s.
When I was little, I was the girl listener, envisioning all of the mommies and daddies and all the things they can do. And now I am the mama. And while I haven't become a professional baker, doctor, or funny joke-teller, I have done a lot of things so far.
This song sends the message that parents can and should shoot for the moon. And that college isn't necessary to get there. I have told Stango that our children can become skilled tradespeople. He doesn't see it my way. Despite that I am the first woman in my immediate family to obtain a college degree, I wonder if it is necessary. Can't Concealed Light become a pastry chef if she so desires? Can't The Wolfman apprentice as an electrician? Better yet, he can become the pastry chef and she can become the electrician. Two years ago, my former HBO colleague James Altucher made a compelling argument for this in "Don't Send Your Kids to College." One of the reactions to Altucher's argument was that unless you are a superstar in your field like Bill Gates or Madonna, a college degree is still necessary.
As for me, I am a mama. With a lot of interests (read any one of my blog entries and you will get an idea). While it is still hard for me to swallow the reality pill that makes me a grownup and not a little girl riding her banana seat bike in 1979, Marlo Thomas' message for children and adults alike is fresh and current in 2012. And because of that, a tear of joy rolls down my cheek.
It is my friend Seth's 40th birthday today, and I just posted my favorite thing to post on friends' Facebook profiles when it is their birthday. It jazzes up the typical "Happy Birthday." I mean, c'mon, that is so unoriginal.
FYI, Sixteen Candles was one.of.my.favorite.movies.growing.up.
My sister Reba and I can go on ad nauseum with the quotes. Naturally, I longed for a Jake Ryan in my life. Never did happen. But Stango is way better.
(disclaimer: if you really want to get it done in 30 seconds, do not watch the embedded videos!)
Yesterday, towards the end of spin class, Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" came on the speakers. Ever so conveniently placed, indeed I didn't want the music to end, since I was finally getting my spin groove on. I am not very contemporary with popular music, so I owe much of my knowledge and exposure to it via my excellent spin instructors. In truth, I don't connect much to the music: the beat seems somewhat empty to me. I am a classic rock and Jam band type of mama. I don't like how women are objectified. I certainly don't want my children watching this video. Stango would definitely not be into it.
Rihanna is beautiful despite the fact that I don't agree that she uses her body, sex and overall image to sell herself. Isn't that Hollywood, though? She has made a career out of it, and I give her that. I am sure she is a hard worker.
Ever interested in connections, I love how she borrows from Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Something" when she says "mama say mama sah mama makusa"
Ever thirsty for knowledge, I researched that phrase, which, according to this Wikipedia entry, has its roots in Makossa music, which is popularized in Camaroon cities.
Call me an ignorant American, but I don't know much about Camaroon.
Except for this classic scene from "Trading Places," where Eddie Murphy pretends to be an exchange student from Camaroon.
Which leads me back to the City of Brotherly Love, where this film is largely based.
From our melava malka on Saturday night (with Stango and Concealed Light and, if you listen closely, the Wolfman or his brother on percussion which was a plastic bottle):
Here is our Concealed Light yesterday afternoon.
And then a coupla minutes later she picks up our new melodica.
Tune written by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach z'l
Recently, I had the greatest honor to meet the acquaintance of Nigel Savage, founder of Hazon. He has transformed Jewish philanthropy through his organization. Hazon wants you to help "create healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond." Sue, a new friend of mine who was introduced to the organization through its trademark bike ride, told me that involvement with Hazon has transformed her life. She recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, having previously only a minimal knowledge of the alef-beit. I met her last summer through the Hazon CSA, thinking it would be a good way to connect with the Jewish community here in Philadelphia.
I invite you to join us for a shmooze at "Taste of Hazon"
(it is a Tu B'Shevat benefit, and by invite I mean you register for yourself. One day we would love to sponsor a table. We'll get there.)
February 7, 2012
cocktails at 5:45pm
program and dinner at 6:45pm
National Museum of Jewish History Gala Ballroom
101 South Independent Mall East, Philadelphia
At our shabbes lunch table yesterday, our guests brought up the subject of predictions. They spoke of all the talk in the air regarding various doomsday theories, that people are talking about the stars and planets aligning, and of one individual who was "nutty and weird" but able to predict occurances on specific dates.
I decided to speak up.
No, things aren't doomed, things are going to bloom!
I decided to throw out the number about which I have recently blogged: 127.
So, I thought, how could I get a date out of 127? So, I did it like this (in the American date system): 1/27. I said "January 27th!" And the guests somewhat got freaked out, "no, please not then, that is our son's bar mitzvah!"
Still, I got the date right on the mark. And I was saying that my number would point towards a good thing, not a doomsday thing. But perhaps there was miscommunication.
So I then reworked the date. How about 12/7. Something significant will happen on that date.
And this leads me to my Phish prediction.
Let me preface this by stating I never very much got into the statistics element of the Phish scene. In my newbie years I glanced at various different charts, but I often viewed this hobby more of a guy thing, sort of like how a Fantasy sports afficianado would be interested in statistics.
And here is where my reliance on a combination of actual life experience, gematria (Jewish numerology), being open, and intuition gets me to the date of December 7, 2012.
This date on the Jewish calendar is a Friday. Nope, my prediction won't happen on a Friday night. So, in way, you might say, ok, Loony, you are wrong.
Just add the number one to that date and you get to December 8, 2012.
That date is my prediction for when Phish will play a gig in the State of Israel.
Perhaps I should end there, but I would like to take this opportunity to offer some background and why I think they will play in Israel.
You should know about the "Stango-Loony Affair," which is Stango's reference to our courtship and marriage, and still applies to this day.
We were married on the 1st night of Chanukah on December 9, 2001. This holiday is also called the Festival of Lights. It occurs during the darkest period of the year and each night with each additional candle, greater light is brought into the world. That we were married on the first night is significant. I also learned recently that I was born on the day before Chanukah (24 Kislev 5733), which ties into our connection to the light.
This year December 8th is the first night of Chanukah (which as stated above is my Jewish anniversary).
It will our 11th anniversary.
Remember, there is an extra 1 from 127 to 128 (12/7, or December 7th , and 12/8, December 8th)?
Phish is not my religion. Judaism is. I am what Stango calls an "ultra unorthodox" Jew. For all intents and purposes, though, I am pretty well connected to practicing and living traditional Judaism. I observe shabbat, eat kosher food, and follow laws of Jewish family purity just to start. I also love the band Phish. I admire their "remarkable musicianship" which is how Jon Pareles described their talent in last week's NY Times Sunday Arts section.
They are the it band when it comes to rock-n-roll. Among others, I have seen The Who, The Stones, Robert Plant, and Billy Joel. Phish is light years ahead. You just can 't compare. I happen to really like the jamband vibe. I recognize that not everyone does. I feel that Phish plays music amazingly. I like that they are under the radar, and not highly played on the radio. They are fun and upbeat. The music is great.
I recognize communal experience that people love to experience when going to shows, myself included. I have never met any of the band members, but the symbiotic relationship between them and their fans is quite evident when you observe the scene at a live show.
Back to the gematria, I bring your attention, once again, to the School House Rock tune "Three is a Magic Number."
Ok, so keep in mind that 12/8 is my 11th anniversary.
And it is 1 more than a favorite number 127.
So, go to :46 seconds of the above-listed YouTube.
You will see the Roman numeral for 3 , which is III
And who in the band is a III? (Trey)
And III is Roman numerals, and in Israel there is a Roman-built amphitheater
Last year, friends of mine who also like Phish went to Israel for a family trip. I viewed their photos online. At that point the seed was planted that Phish should play in Israel, and what better place than Caesarea.
More gematria:
Add up 1+2+7, you get 10.
Add that answer, 1+0 you get one. And that one leads you back to the extra one that got us there in the first place. And you need that 1 to add to 127 to get to 128 which is the target date I am predicting. Judasim is based on a One source (and not a trinity as referred to in the School House Rock song).
Now, take the word "one" and translate it into Hebrew,
you get the word "echad"
take the numeric value of the alef, chet, and daled
alef 1
Chet: 8
Daled: 4
add those up and you get 13.
Which is the age of Bar mitzvah when most American Jew culminate their Jewish education and, unfortunately, miss out on the opportunity to learn about the richness of our heritage. Don't think standard Hebrew school curriculum includes a unit on gematria.
And there are a lot of those kind of dudes at shows.
There is a famous quotation, "If you will it, it is no dream."
I don't think I am far fetched at all.
When/If Phish plays on the first night of Chanukah such immense light will be distributed there (with the assistance of Chris Kuroda), on a night when in Jewish history light is so powerful and was representative of the saving on the Jewish people from persecution by the Syrian-Greek army. Stango and I would make every effort to be there, since we take very seriously the implications of getting married on that night. And since this is a huge dream of mine, that Phish should play in Israel.
Stango dressed up as The Man in the Red Suit at our wedding 1st night of Hanukah
In a real combination of playfulness and reality and awareness that there is something larger than me working here, I write in complete earnest that this should happen.
Oh, you wanted more wedding photos?
Here ya go!
Stango's got the grooves!
Stango is King of our Wedding, as all Jewish men are at their weddings. And the brides are the Queens. It is a beautiful sight to behold, the traditional Jewish wedding. Learning about it is what inspired me to want to know more about traditional Judaism during college.
After our chuppah wedding ceremony. We both broke a glass. Yep, Ultra UnOrthodox.
And just 18 months ago, the Ultimate Wedding
Phish Shtick (Reba and Phluffhead/P. Zitty also had a traditional Jewish wedding which many pholks there never saw) with the Nunever in a handmade by Loony frock (I had no clue that people were doing this or that the Phish organization was selling stuff like this), me in Reba's old tour days Care Bears dress that was collecting dust in the attic, and Reba herself being completely entertained, as she well should be at her own wedding. What a life-long memory! ~~~Yay yay yay~~~
Lately I have been listening to "New Speedyway Boogie," by the Grateful Dead for which I have Bob Lefsetz to thank for pointing out. (I think his music analysis is top-notch).
This was very much an under-the-radar song for the Dead, and yet the lyrics ring true in relationship to Phish playing in Israel.
"One way or another, this darkness got to give."
Oh, by the by. This Uno card was "randomly" in a junk pile in our house this weekend (I have been in a huge organize/clean-up phase). After the NYE show, PurpleGirl tried pawning off a mini Uno card with the number 8 on it; she was arguing how great it was because it represented infinity. She's onto something.
Because everything is Uno.
n.b.: added 1/9/11 I feel compelled to add that when all of these thoughts were happening was last week it was the weekly Torah portion of Vayechi. I can't go into a full analysis right now, that is what Stango is good for, but in a nutshell: Jacob (Stango's namesake, actually, no this isn't a joke!) blesses each of his twelve sons which become the 12 tribes, he dies and is brought to the Holy Land, buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. His son Joseph also dies in Egypt [yes, they both died in Egypt...keep the Dead in Egypt and bring the living fish (the Jewish people) to the Holy Land] but isn't buried in Israel until much later.
This morning I made challah. It is one of the 3 special mitzvot dedicated especially for woman. I most gratefully thank Leah Shemtov for teaching me, in conjunction with my own reading in the Spice and Spirit Cookbook (which phans so avidly refer to it as the "purple cookbook" no joke), the specifics of how to carry out this very holy act which will bring great peace to one's own home and the world.
This is the dough at 8:08am this morning (see clock). I mixed up the dough sometime in the middle of the night, around 2:40am perhaps.
This is the actual challah. The word itself, challah, or in Hebrew lihafrish means "to separate." So, this is the piece I pulled off of the main big batch. Notice it is next to the big bowl in photo #1 as well. This is just a close-up.
Next, you burn it to a crisp in remembrance of the destruction of the Holy Temple (Beit haMikdash) in Jerusalem. It is a sign of being hopeful for the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple, a time of redemption. I know this sounds very, very, very bizarro to the untrained ear and mind. But I am starting to make more sense of this part of the holy act (that is, after all, one of the meanings behind the word mitzvah). Just the fact that I have posted my challah making this morning tells me the time is closer. We'll get there.
Unbaked, braided loaves
Paint with egg. Thanks again to Leah Shemtov; this egg brush is a product of her most excellent program at the Chabad House of Stamford. Notice also mama's last remaining purple nail polish from last week! (mama being me, Loony)
Aw, sweet sweet boy. He is a yum-bun.
This, my phriends, is The Wolfman's Brother. He is almost 4 1/2. He is making a robot challah.
Said robot. Pretty spacey, right? Do you see the two eyes and the tentacles? Pretty out there and phunky!
In wanting to capture an artful look at my homemade challahs, I just "grabbed" (though it isn't nice to grab) one of Stango's jade plants on the windowsill. But since nothing happens by chance and everything happens for a reason, I ask the Nunever to really think deep and hard at the fact that I just seemingly randomly took a Jade plant. Indeed, I was in a rush as it is Friday morning and the last thing I should be doing is blogging about interconnectivity, blah blah blah.
It is weird, I texted Jade the other night after we saw her at the end of the NYE 12/31/11 show that I don't use Jade (I like using her real name but then again the name I call her by isn't her original anyway...and hey Nun, neither is yours!). Ask her if I wrote something to that effect.
However, it seems apropos that I have a Jade plant and I do hope that Jade and the Nunever will make an appearance on the Whole Phamily scene because it pretty much seems like the stars are aligned.
No, I don't know much about astrology. But I asked Schwee about it last shabbes. He knows a lot, but women like Cute Indian Girl and PurpleGirl and other women out there know more. I don't want to misrepresent him. But he is a scientist and he believes in physics and formulas. And yet, Schwee is pretty much out of this orbit. PurpleGirl, do you remember at mine and Stango's wedding, the guys who were rapping the machetunim song? Schwee is one of those dudes. Really smart, really out there. Really not intimidated by that stuff any more because we can all benefit. I mean, the dude is an Argentinian (or I could sound highbrow and say Argentine) tango dancer!
Nunever. Jade. Like my Mid-century kitchen furniture?
All you Phishheads know that a certain segment of the culture at shows is the creative t-shirts that people wear. A mocking reclamation of corporate America, the shirts often display common brand images that have been morphed into insider song references. Like Art Spiegelman's Wacky Packages created for Topps Bubble Gum, they are meant to be humorous and fun. The difference is that Wacky Packages were mainstream as well as very dark. You could go into any place where they already were selling baseball cards (in my case, it was Cedar Heights Variety store...I still remember that blended smell of tobacco and gum and walking on a hardwood floor) and get Wacky Packages. Shirts aren't generally sold in any commercial venue. And Wacky Packages were warped and weird...dare I say they were wacky. Phish lot shirts are more fun, light, and happy, happy happy.
Unless you look carefully, you probably don't even realize that a Phish t shirt is different than the original. Sure, it is in clear violation of Title 17 of the United States Code, but who the heck really cares? The big corporations have bigger phish to phfry than to go after those folks who created the "YEM" t-shirt that looks like the IBM logo. But, you still won't be able to see it or buy it online because we be smart pholks and know that would be pretty darn silly to post online!
It is all in good fun and happiness, and chances are that those YEM shirt wearers are big fans of International Business Machines, or more likely their own fathers worked for big blue and enabled them to have a nice house in Larchmont which enabled them to get into a good school which enabled them to be enabled and enabled and enabled and fall into listening to Phish (because most likely they were a huge computer nerd or stats guy or sports fan who by their very nature are stats guys) which led them to love You Enjoy Myself (because of course when you are in Florence and visit the Uffizi you are happy to know you know this song...or the flipside could be that you , and this would be my own personal experience, had visited the Uffizi during college and had no clue about this song at that time, and only later did you learn the song and come to appreciate its funniness).
I must admit that a very fun past time of mine over the years has been to observe all the variety of shirts out there. I am not alone in this game...my brother in law told me of an awesome shirt riffing on the Re/Max logo which has the familiar hot air balloon with the word Reba in it. Only a phan would get that. (Reba is a Phish song)
This is not unique to Phish: The Grateful Dead also had its own t-shirt culture. My very own husband, Stango, had a shirt based on the song "Cosmic Charlie" which featured Snoopy and Charlie Brown. After viewing its stained pits and holes, I decided that it was worth a shot on selling on ebay, and somewhere around 2002 I sold it to a person in Japan for somewhere around $75. Yes, for a stained-pit t-shirt.
We didn't really love to watch TV when we were growing up in the 70s and 80s (strange, right?), but we became acquainted with Schoolhouse Rock's "Three is a Magic Number" at a Gathering of the Vibes outdoor music festival some time in the late 90s or early 2000's. Its writer, composer, and original performer, Bob Dorough, was there in Bridgeport, Connecticut on a side stage performing some of Gen X's most iconic memories from Saturday morning cartoons. While the main stage mainly occupied jam bands such as the Radiators (we linked you to their Zeke's copyrwritten "Fish Head Manifesto," a deep piece of prose in its own right), Rat Dog, Deep Banana Blackout and moe, we were drawn to the side stage. We remember getting really down with this song in particular. And we mean reallllllllllllllllly digging it, grooving to it, and thinking of its meaning other than simple math.
Wait, isn't that what Schoolhouse Rock intended to do?
Get its listeners to rock out?
First, a posthumous thank you to its brilliant creator, ad exec and Yalie David McCall. and industry exec Michael Eisner (whose Wikipedia entry attributes much of his success to canoe camp in Vermont as a boy...good stuff!), for bringing it to the American people. Wow, that is pretty early in Eisner's career.
A little bit of background with regard to the number 3 in Judaism:
1. The 3rd day of creation (Tuesday, duh) the only day during the creation of the world when the infamous line "and it was good" is mentioned twice. There is a custom among certain Jews to get married on this day because it offers good luck.
2. There were 3 patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)
3. (Question: are you thinking, well, there is also the Holy Trinity in Christianity, so it's not just Jews who hold this number is high regard? Indeed, you are correct! Dorough himself said it is an "ancient magic trinity." There is something there, we agree, but this is a site leaning more Jewish but we'll give you that. There is something there. Indeed, when a person can be named after their father and grandfather and given the suffix "III" and then from there get the nickname "Trey" that, too, is significant.) Ok, so there's your answer for number 3. Meaningful and unifying all the same.
4. Three is strength, in Hebrew "chazakah." When something occurs once in the world, this is normal, this is usual. Two times, now we're talking. Three times? Now that is a miracle. And that miracle is strength. Check out Askmoses for more on that. The holiest of holies the Lubavitcher Stango, a concealed great of our time, said as much the eve of his wedding just moments before the start of Chanuka in the year of segula b'yisrael. For further reference, check the video Makin' it Halachic which is currently unavailable online. Hoping to upload it one of this many moons (if you read thus far, you should know that we aren't too terribly off on a tangent, but it's not like this is available to put out there for the masses. Yet).
Ok, we lost you there, let's get back to earth.
A quick check on the covers of this song include a sample by De La Soul, a cover by Blind Melon, and a modern version by Jack Johnson with regard to the environment.
Here is Blind Melon's cover, a nice sound.
Jack Johnson went to Hawaii to discover the meaning of aloha. (We are big believers in being here, now. Not sure if Johnson is acquainted with the Ram Dass, nee Richard Alpert.).
He gets to the number 18 (3 times 3 times 3) the 18th letter of the alphabet is R. He takes Bob Dorough's iconic song and uses it to talk about the environment.
We are only guessing that Mr. Johnson, who is singing the environmental message about reduce, reuse and recycle (very different 3 R's that existed in the mid-century rubric of reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic) didn't realize at the time that 18 is the numeric equivalent in Judaism to life. and one very important to Judaism and Torah values (indeed, we are approaching Jewish Arbor Day called Tu B'Shvat, the birthday of the trees) ).
Or maybe he did.
If so, he wasn't overt.
In any event, thank you to the Annenberg Foundation for funding this very wise re-writing of this iconic song for us Gen X'ers.
Back to the number 18. Or was it the 3 Rs?
L'Chayim! L'Chaim?
We actually never fully watched Fiddler from beginning to end, but you do remember this scene, we hope:
L'Chayim, that famous word to so many even bagels and lox Jews, is equal in gematria, or Jewish numerology, 18. To life, as it were, is a combination of the Hebrew letters "chet" and "yud." You know, "Chai"? How many Jews have you known to wear a gold chai around their neck (ugh, a bit gauche for us, but maybe that's just a hangup of ours). A nice, big hairy chest with a nice thick gold chai nestled somewhere in there. Reminds us of Grandpa Al, whom we loved so much, especially when he was all leathery tan after a winter in West Palm. Remember the trips to Boca and Delray, and how can we pass up Worth Avenue. End the day with an early bird special (dinner at 4pm, we are so glad we had grandparents in Florida) and pick up some groceries at Publix, and we're golden.
So essentially, we have been thinking a lot lately about how 3 is a magic number. It is currently a Tuesday as we write this, and we woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this tune. We didn't know that Jack Johnson made it into an environmental message. Our friends' connection to the Jewish concept of Teva, or nature, would appreciate that. (yes, there is also the Teva sandal company and Israeli-based Teva pharmaceutical company, both worthy ventures in their own rights...we aren't sure if the sandal company's founder, Mark Thatcher, is Jewish, but he spent time in Israel from which he borrowed the Hebrew word for nature).
And it's getting very close, about 2 weeks to go, to the Jewish Arbor Day, aka
In summing up, the moral seems a little bit obscure (it often comes back to Phish, doesn't it? Check out this video of their song Cavern where they perform the "in summing up" phrase towards the end of the song):
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