Monthly Archives: April 2020

The Last Bagel

and yes, I know this is totally and completely a first world problem. Our bagels come from Boichik Bagels. On good days (for us), Angel comes home with a few that were unsold at the end of the day. But … Continue reading

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quiet and open

My day is stretching ahead of me, open with possibilities. For the first time since Aug 2018, I don’t have any academic obligations. No classes to attend, papers to write, tests to take, or lectures to deliver, If this was … Continue reading

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checked that box

this morning (or early afternoon) I finished presenting the last lecture that I had promised for a Cal School of Public Health course. Actually – it was three lectures, with the fourth in this series having been last Thurs. The … Continue reading

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Family stories

As I was sitting in the living room yesterday morning, stitching and enjoying the quiet, I started thinking about the reactions of different people to the “stay-at-home” orders that most of are complying with. Then my mind moved on to … Continue reading

Posted in family, Home | 4 Comments

Done, done, done, done

and the song goes on. I finished my paper yesterday at 1309 PDT, plus a minute or so to duplicate the file, rename the duplicate and PDF the sucker.  Then I emailed it off to a friend who promised she … Continue reading

Posted in Friends, Graduate Education, Home | 1 Comment

Quiet at six

The world is quiet right before 0600 in the morning as Angel and I head out to get him to work. It is still dark, but that grey-around-the-edges that hints of dawn coming soon. As we are west of the … Continue reading

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Yom HaShoah

for those of you who have lost track of the date. It is the 27th of Nissan 5780, and the 12th day of counting the Omer. None, of which, is relevant to me on most days. But in today’s world … Continue reading

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Train Wreck in slow motion

Watching the daily numbers as COVID-19 spreads around the globe is like being on the sidelines as two huge bodies head for the inevitable crash. You know it is going to happen; being an ostrich and talking about “relaxing things … Continue reading

Posted in Prose | 1 Comment

But there isn ‘t any baseball!

Last year, or perhaps it was the year before, I added the Oakland Athletics Schedule to my calendar. It provided me regular notice on the games including whether they were home or away so that I could plan the rest … Continue reading

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Watching Annie

Before you think this is either a spy mission or something less than savory – let me introduce you to Annie and Grinnell. This is their fourth year nesting on the UCBerkeley Campanile. Either they have excellent taste in music, … Continue reading

Posted in Around Berkeley | 2 Comments

The Coffee Fairy

Seems to be one of the few positive contributions that I am making around here. I can stop for a coffee when dropping someone off. I can pick up coffee and bring it back to anyone who I would like … Continue reading

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the Baristas know my name

(and WordPress eats another post…..) My environment is worlds better than living on Bagram Airbase. No matter what aspect I look at: my bed is more comfortable (and not a sleeping bag); I have much better food (Miriam has been … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Neighborhood Concets

There are a number of musicians in my neighborhood. Individually, and occasionally cooperatively, we are treated to music at various times of day. Right now it is piano music. And no, they are not violating any of the social distancing … Continue reading

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Whatever in 2009

I looked back at 2009. Eleven years ago. The blog is mostly about the sweater I was knitting at the time – the infamous Phoenix –   and dashing to the train. nothing about Passover, little about work or the … Continue reading

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And 2008

Unlike for the last several years — I am now stationed in the UK with my duty station located on the Sandhurst grounds in Camberley. If you don’t know where that is – neither did I before being assigned. My … Continue reading

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And to 2007

During which, as it turns out, I was just about as up to date on posts as I have been so far this year. Life, I believe, sort of got in the way. Which means that there was nothing between … Continue reading

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MTV 2006 – Community Seder

Continuing my drift into the past, given that is it infinitely more interesting than the present where everyday is like every other day (and not, why is this day/night/meal different)…. 12 April 2006, Wednesday Community Seder, MTV Chapel After finishing … Continue reading

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MTV 2005

MTV = Mark Twain Village. 2005 is obviously a year. The specific date was the 23rd of April. I thought about waiting till then to post, but, since Passover dates float – it wouldn’t make much sense to post it … Continue reading

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Different Places – different years

I have been thinking back over where I have been in different years for Passover. Over the next several days – I am going to try and work my way forward from as long as I have been writing this … Continue reading

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Why is this night

different from all other nights? Around here, it turned out to be not so. When it really came down to it – I have three of us coughing and hacking up our lungs. Tests have come back neg for Covid-19 … Continue reading

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