January 2007 Archives

Dear Loyal Readers,
I am very pleased to announce that we have just won our first J-Blog award! YUTOPIA is a Silver Winner in the "Best Jewish Culture Blog" category because apparently if there's anything I know it's Jewish culture.

In all honestly I have no idea how these things work especially since I'm not sure I'd put 2006 as one of my best blogging years (a 5 year retrospective will be forthcoming around May). In the meantime I must thank the newly redesigned Town Crier for the initial nomination and now I get to add this snappy little graphic to the sidebar:

Dear Loyal Readers,
Some of you may remember my attending an O.A.R. concert at MSG last year. This Saturday night at 8:00 O.A.R is once again playing MSG, but this time I have *two* tickets since I thought it would probably be more fun to go with someone else this time around.

So here's the deal: I'm looking for someone to come with me and occupy Section 2 Row R Seat 3 or 4. Ideally, someone who is be easygoing, genuinely cool1, and appreciate O.A.R. or at least that type of music.2 Not knowing the legal ramifications, I'm hesitant to announce this as an official contest but anyone interested should either leave a comment or e-mail - proxies on behalf of others are accepted as well - and I'll select a "non-winner" later in the week.

1. To provide much needed balance
2. Folk/Rock/Indie/Reggae. Or you can go to their website for samples.

One of the many frustrating things about blogging is that when life gets in the way of blogging there's usually way too much stuff up on which to catch when everything finally calms down. In fact due to the recent convergence of events, lack of sleep, stress, and change in temperature, I was sick for a few days and unable to speak normally. Thankfully I'm fine now, but it was not a pleasant experience.

The big news is that I recently gave notice at Information Builders - a company with which I have had a relationship since a summer internship way back in 1998. Given my history with the company, this was not an easy decision to make. Information Builders, and specifically my department has been very gracious and supportive over the years and I am grateful to have been able to work with a fantastic and talented group of professionals.

After some time off I will be starting a new position at JPMorgan Chase where brother-in-law Avi started out not long after their merger with Chemical Bank.

In other news...

• For the next few weeks I will be filling in for R. Bloch at the Bridge Shul, including the Tu Bishvat Luncheon. Details to follow.
• Roommate Yonah first introduced me to the Martin Luther King commemoration at HIR. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend you go one year for a really amazing experience - if not socially and spiritually than at least musically.1 Regardless, I find it reassuring to know that there is at least one shul which attempts to capture the spirit of unity promoted by Dr. King.

I think there's more, but that's all for now.

1. Carlebach done by a gospel choir is something to behold. Although from the comments made, it seems that not only is there a CD in the works with Neshama and the Green Pastures choir, but also that Neshama is a shrewd businesswoman.

Loyal readers of the blog may have picked up on my interests in shtick and music, so it not come as a surprised to know that I would enjoy some of Peter Schickele's work on P.D.Q. Bach.1 Last night I was fortunate to have attended my first P.D.Q. Bach Concert at Lincoln Center.

The best way to describe the experience would be to combine the music of classical composers, the irreverence of Frank Zappa, and the audience of Rocky Horror (though thankfully, without the drag). I'm not sure how else to explain the surreal and seamless synthesis of balloons, bicycles, basketballs, power outages, the hokey pokey, and a bagpipe vibrato.

If you find this sort of thing appealing or happen to be completely drunk, then check out come clips and the upcoming concert schedule.2

1. Many thanks to Ben Resnick for the introduction.
2. Though I doubt I can attend, I'm loving the fact that the April Fool's concert will be held in a place called Fredonia.