Friday, July 24, 2009

Learn how Google Maps can help your protest!

There were protesters outside of the hubsters' office again this week. If you remember from the last time it happened, he works at a bank, but his entire building is just for the credit card portion of the company. They do not foreclose on houses, don't have anything to do with health care let alone it's reform and they don't club baby seals. This does not stop protesters from congregating outside, brandishing signs and chanting. Or from slinking away sheepishly when they are told what company they are protesting in front of. Don't they hand out maps with the picket signs? Does more thought go into catchy slogans than in the choice of target?

Yay for freedom of speech though. Where else can it be so easy to protest that the policemen will give you directions to the correct location?

There were protesters outside of the hubsters' office again this week. If you remember from the last time it happened, he works at a bank, but his entire building is just for the credit card portion of the company. They do not foreclose on houses, don't have anything to do with health care let alone it's reform and they don't club baby seals. This does not stop protesters from congregating outside, brandishing signs and chanting. Or from slinking away sheepishly when they are told what company they are protesting in front of. Don't they hand out maps with the picket signs? Does more thought go into catchy slogans than in the choice of target?


Yay for freedom of speech though. Where else can it be so easy to protest that the policemen will give you directions to the correct location?

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Tot shabbat recap

B"H (Thank the L-rd Alm-ghty!!) I survived my first Tot Shabbat. We had no snacks, no handouts, and 10x the number of kids I was expecting thanks to a local bar mitzvah that brought people from all over the country into our little shul. The age range was much different than our usual group as well.

I have no idea how I will survive when my kids hit that "too cool" age where nothing is fun.

"This game is boring"
"I don't want to hear that book"
"This is for babies!"

I tried a bit of hubster's psychology on them and said that when you come to something expecting it to stink, you are rarely disappointed. How much better to come expecting fun! Who said you can't talk to children like adults? The change was slight as they creeped back into the activities and I integrated them into helper roles as a little balm on their mini-egos.

But after a few false starts we had a good time with games and stories. The singing didn't go over so well. I'm not very musical, I'm a BT who doesn't know too many Jewish songs in general, let alone kiddie ones, and I'm better accompanied by anything more than just the chirruping of crickets. And people thing the American Idol judges are harsh critics!

They may take the wind out of my sails, but they'll never take my dignity!

B"H (Thank the L-rd Alm-ghty!!) I survived my first Tot Shabbat. We had no snacks, no handouts, and 10x the number of kids I was expecting thanks to a local bar mitzvah that brought people from all over the country into our little shul. The age range was much different than our usual group as well.


I have no idea how I will survive when my kids hit that "too cool" age where nothing is fun.

"This game is boring"
"I don't want to hear that book"
"This is for babies!"

I tried a bit of hubster's psychology on them and said that when you come to something expecting it to stink, you are rarely disappointed. How much better to come expecting fun! Who said you can't talk to children like adults? The change was slight as they creeped back into the activities and I integrated them into helper roles as a little balm on their mini-egos.

But after a few false starts we had a good time with games and stories. The singing didn't go over so well. I'm not very musical, I'm a BT who doesn't know too many Jewish songs in general, let alone kiddie ones, and I'm better accompanied by anything more than just the chirruping of crickets. And people thing the American Idol judges are harsh critics!

They may take the wind out of my sails, but they'll never take my dignity!

1-2-3-4 You're protesting at the wrong door!

The hubsters and his coworkers watched in puzzlement while the protesters chant, wave signs, and march in front of their offices. They are protesting bank foreclosures and asking the bank hubsters works at to cease and desist kicking people out of their homes. A powerful argument, except for one thing. This bank doesn't give mortgages.

"I think they are from that ACORN group"one informs hubsters, who as a foreigner has no idea what that means.
"Do you think they are at the wrong address?" one office mate asks.
"Maybe someone should go tell them." says another.

Someone finally goes down and hubsters and the rest watch from their perch above as there is a little gesturing, pointing, then finally a sheepish retreat by the protesters. An unfortunate case of #protestfail

The hubsters and his coworkers watched in puzzlement while the protesters chant, wave signs, and march in front of their offices. They are protesting bank foreclosures and asking the bank hubsters works at to cease and desist kicking people out of their homes. A powerful argument, except for one thing. This bank doesn't give mortgages.


"I think they are from that ACORN group"one informs hubsters, who as a foreigner has no idea what that means.
"Do you think they are at the wrong address?" one office mate asks.
"Maybe someone should go tell them." says another.

Someone finally goes down and hubsters and the rest watch from their perch above as there is a little gesturing, pointing, then finally a sheepish retreat by the protesters. An unfortunate case of #protestfail