New Year’s Resolutions

2005 was a pretty huge year for me. I got engaged in March, graduated in May, and started my new life as an adult. And now I’m here looking ahead to 2006 and thinking about what I could do better.

For 2006, I resolve to…

• Resurrect my French. I was sitting next to a really nice guy from France on the bus a couple of weeks ago when I realized that my vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar have all gone to merde. I’ll be picking up a Rosetta Stone CD and getting back in the game.
• Be a bit more money conscious. I wouldn’t say I’m a spendthrift - but I really should be saving more. I’d like to buy a home at some point in my life and that won’t happen if I pull a Carrie Bradshaw and spend my entire down payment on shoes.
• Stop being so hard on myself. I really need to relax and remember that taking care of me doesn’t make me selfish.
• Become a better blogger. I want to make TeresaCentric the best blog it can be, which means more interaction and collaboration with other bloggers, bigger and better posts, and perhaps some podcasting.

As you can see, I haven’t resolved to lose any weight or become perfect. I’m not big into making promises I can’t or shouldn’t keep. At the end of 2006 - I fully expect to be a French-speaking, money-saving, self-loving, blogging fool who weighs the exact same and has most of the same foibles.

So goodbye ‘05. I’ll always remember you. ‘06, bring it on!

A Mezuzah for Chanukah

In the gentile world, Chanukah is one of the the most broadly known Jewish holidays because of its proximity to Christmas. Some people therefore assume that Chanukah is just as central to the Jewish religion as Christmas is in the Christian one. That’s not entirely the case - although as Rabbi Brad Hirschfield explains, it’s still a very important holiday.

I’ve always loved Chanukah because it’s a reminder of my Jewish identity and our historical triumphs over oppression. It’s also a reminder that miracles can and do happen, and a celebration of God’s presence in the quiet things God does for us: fortifying our hearts against adversity and extending the light of the eternal flame for eight nights instead of just one.

This year is my first year living in my own apartment, and so this Chanukah I was given a very special gift: my own mezuzah. A mezuzah - whose literal meaning is “doorpost” - is the Jewish response to the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:9 and 11:20 to “inscribe [the words of God] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Inside the mezuzah is a parchment on which the Shema Yisrael is written, along with passages from Deuteronomy. The Shema Yisrael is the most central prayer in the Jewish religion. It translates to “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” Rabbi Shraga Simmons explains the origins and meaning of the prayer very well.

Like Chanukah, the mezuzah is a reminder of my identity as a Jew. Its presence is a gentle coaxing, an opportunity to pause and reflect on the need for God and to turn back to God with an open heart. It reminds me to stop and take the time - before leaving my home and before returning to it - recommit myself as a Jew, and to remember that my God, the God of all Israel, is one.

I also have to say that hanging the mezuzah with my fiancé, Andrew was a very meaningful moment for both of us. Although he lives far away - his home is here and he has helped me to dedicate it.

For some wonderful Chanukah stories and music, check out NPR’s Chanukah Lights.

Lamest. Rapper. Ever.

Britney Spears has been going downhill since her breasts bounced onto the scene in 1999. But now I think it’s official. She’s hit rock bottom. Not only did she have a kid with a total douchebag, but she’s actually plugging his stupid-ass website on her only slightly less stupid-ass website.

If the beats and lyrics featured on his site are any indication, Kevin Federline’s debut album is going to do even worse than Nick Lachey’s. Personally, I just think Britney is humoring his aspirations as a “rapper” so that he’ll be humiliated, go into hiding and stop acting like such a retarded dick in public.

I mean seriously, this guy’s first single is entitled “PopoZao!” (Listen to a short clip of the totally retarded beat and lyrics here.) What the fuck? I’d seriously like to introduce him to some real rappers so that they can beat the shit out of him.

Britney, what the hell were you thinking?

UPDATE 12-30-05, 8:00 pm Apparently the meaning of PopoZao is…a Brazillian Portuguese word for “booty culture.” And all this time I thought it meant “trailer trash.”

Also click here to down load a snippet of a leaked K-Fed song further proving his lameness. [WMA file]

And finally, Britney has even been hosting Federline’s website on her URL and then using DNS forwarding to make it appear like he’s got his own site. The cheap, lazy bum can’t even get his own URL. Mine costs $15 a year. Jesus Christ!

Give the Jew Girl Toys

Warning: PG-13

My favorite parts are when she goes, “you made a list and I checked it twice and there’s nobody named Silverman or Moskowitz or Weiss,” and of course when she knocks over the Christmas tree.

Thanks to DevilDucky.com for the movie. I wouldn’t have stolen your bandwidth except that you make the video impossible to download.

Addicted to Desperate Housewives

Ok. I admit it. I got sucked in. It’s all Susan Sparrow’s fault. One minute we’re unwrapping gifts in Utah, the next minute I’ve downloaded the entire show from iTunes and am totally addicted.

Now, there is something very wrong with this show. The only gay character is evil. The only black characters are on the run from the law. The only Jew is an alcoholic. But to be fair, most of the white people on the show are pretty evil too. And it’s just all-around good entertainment. Plus, Bree van de Kamp is just plain hot!

So yes, I’ve caved. I’m an addict. I admit it. But I’m not going back. You can’t make me.

Euthanasia

CNN reported today that the Louisiana attorney general is investigating possible instances of euthanasia at a New Orleans hospital in the days following Hurricane Katrina. Now I know we as a nation are embroiled in a huge collective debate of issues of life and choice - abortion, assisted suicide, the death penalty, etc. - but this situation falls under a separate heading.

What happened in New Orleans - the looting, the rapes, and the alleged euthanasia are all things that happen when civilization breaks down altogether. Those of us who were not trapped in that mess cannot possibly begin to comprehend what it was like.

In a situation like that- concessions have to be made on the part of law enforcement and government. Obviously there is never any excuse for an act of rape. Whether a city is functioning peacefully or in total anarchy, rape is absolutely wrong. It has a clear predator and a clear prey, and the intent is to do harm and cause suffering.

But in the case of euthanasia - if it truly went on - it’s possible that the doctors and nurses in question were doing the best they could under the circumstances. With no end in sight and dwindling food and supplies, they weren’t able to give their sickest patients adequate care. Perhaps giving those who were going to die anyway a quicker end was the most compassionate thing that could be done in such a desperate situation.

Yes, these allegations must be investigated. The truth should never be swept under the rug. But we as a society should treat the medical professionals involved with compassion. Regardless of the legality or illegality of their actions - we must look to their motives before condemning them.

Perspectives on the so-called “War on Christmas”

It’s been a really hectic few days. As you can see, I’ve been blogging like crazy everywhere but here. But it hasn’t stopped me thinking about this “war on Christmas” thing. After a friend of mine decided to be personally offended by our discussion of this issue, I started wondering: do I have some pent up hatred towards Christians? But after a few days of real soul-searching, I can honestly say that the answer is no.

I went to a Catholic high school, and by and large I loved it. Praying with my friends at least once a day had real meaning for me - even if we did call God by different names. I never would have gotten to do that at a secular or public school, and I’m thankful that I had that opportunity to make God a part of my daily life - openly and with joy. And being surrounded by Christians all day long didn’t bother me in the slightest. Why? Because only once in four years of Catholic high school did anyone attempt to convert me - and believe me I set her straight. Yes there were a few moments where I was asked to “teach” or to represent my entire religion - as happens with most minorities at one point or another. But by and large, my experience was a positive one.

And if I hated Christians or Jesus, and wanted to attack Christmas in some way - then jesusdressup.com (no link) wouldn’t bother me nearly so much as it does. Yes, I find religious humor amusing at some level - but mostly when it’s leveled at Jews by other Jews. (And I can’t help but love the Buddy Christ.) But dressing up Jesus on the cross evokes a real feeling of revulsion in me. I may not believe that Jesus was the son of God or that he died for my sins - but dressing him up like the grinch or Santa Claus undermines the real suffering of this poor man. Whether or not I believe that he’s the key to salvation, I still have enough respect and sense not to find it funny when people make fun of this most vulnerable, this most deeply disturbing of moments in the life of an exceptionally good man who was too young to die.

So no, I don’t have to hate Christians to hold the view that this “war on Christmas” bullshit is just one more falsehood resurrected from bygone days by Karl Rove and his gang to distract Americans from the real issues like the war in Iraq, the sale of America to the corporations, and the robbing from the poor to give to the rich. What’s more, I’m not wrong to say that the roots of this whole idea come from a very anti-Semitic place in the American psyche. [Just for a refresher course, check out the section about Pat Buchanan on Jews.]

I don’t have to hate Christians or Christmas to be fed up with all the “war on Christmas” ballyhoo any more than black people have to hate white people to be fed up with the sneaky racism in our society. I’m not attacking Christianity. I’m just a member of a minority that is outnumbered more than 10 to 1. I think it’s ludicrous - offensive even - that a majority as huge as the Christian population of the United States could feel that their values are legitimately under attack. I suppose they have a right to those feelings - but I have a right to find them utterly ridiculous.

Salt Lake City

Hooray! Back Monday

Whole lot of debating going on

My earlier post sparked a debate which is now being continued over at Deborah’s blog.

I will reprint my most recent comment from the debate here to show what we’ve been talking about.

Yes it’s their right to interpret the book as a Christian allegory, but this claim that Christianity is being incessantly eroded is spurious at best. Look at who is in the majority in this country. Look who controls all three branches of the Federal government. Christianity isn’t eroding - it’s thriving. It’s practically become the sanctioned national religion. And while I have no problem with Christianity thriving - I do take issue when it starts to cross the lines between church and state, or more broadly, the lines between religious and secular.

Perhaps for you, Narnia is just as enjoyable or even more so if it comes with a Christian message attached. But the constant public ballyhoo about Narnia as a Christian tale almost ruins the film for me and my family. We experience it as part of a larger phenomenon wherein Christians have laid claim to so much that used to belong to everyone.

What it comes down to is that this spread of aggressively evangelical Christianity is a threat to secularism in this country. And when secularism falls - so do the rights of religious minorities. We Jews have experienced this sort of thing way too many times to not feel wary and a bit defensive when it starts to happen again. I’m not saying that evangelicals are out to put us in gas chambers - but converting us all serves the same purpose in the end, doesn’t it?

One way or another - there are some who aim to eradicate all other religious perspectives. If not through death camps - then through evangelism of the kind we are seeing. I’m not a secularist by nature - I would prefer to see everyone find some form of God in their hearts and celebrate their views in the public square. But that’s not possible at this time in human society. Therefore, I see secularism as a necessary public stopgap that was put in place between the majority and the minority to protect us from religious persecution. That’s why you see Jews in particular starting to get nervous when Christian evangelism reaches a fever pitch.

It’s in the simple little things that people take for granted these days - like calling the Torah “the Old Testament.” As if it were somehow outdated, superseded by a new and better covenant. By calling our entire reason for worshipping God “old” it is assumed that Jews are just Christians who haven’t “found” Jesus yet. It implies that we need Jesus to be wholly connected with God - and that insults our very way of life.

I think a picture is worth 1,000 words in this case. Look closely at the image. The Star of David is surrounded, almost imprisoned by a sea of crosses. In the center, the Hebrew reads, “I’m afraid.”

Please Help the Animals!

Check out PugBlog for the story about my aunties’ animal shelter and how you can help them in their hour of need.

Also all ad and tip jar revenue from this site through the end of the year will be donated to North Beach P.A.W.S. - so please remember to visit my sponsors.

Amazing How Important Sleep Is

If you’ve seen or talked to me in the past couple of days, you’ve probably noted the dark circles under my eyes, the unkempt hair, the short temper and the glazed look on my face. No, I’m not on drugs. I just can’t sleep.

About a year and a half ago I was rear-ended by a woman who was looking for her cat when she should have been looking for her brake. Although most of the time I don’t have back pain anymore - the slightest change in the way I walk, sit, stand or sleep can throw everything off. That’s what happened when I twisted my ankle this weekend, and ever since I have been one unhappy camper. Pain my joints not only makes me irritable, it means I can’t sleep - which makes me less than productive at work and even more irritable.

I really need to get some sleep tonight. Say a prayer for me please. I don’t think my writing could get any less original at this point, and originality is what they pay me for.

“People forget that redemption is tailor-made for the wretched.” - Tookie Williams

I can’t sleep right now because I keep picturing rough hands shoving needles into Tookie Williams’ veins and killing him. I keep listening to Tupac’s “Life Goes On” over and over because it makes me think of all the faceless, nameless kids running around out there with no hope in their hearts and guns in their hands.

The truth is, guilty or not, redeemed or not, Tookie Williams didn’t deserve to be executed. Nobody deserves to die at the hands of the state. It’s perverse and barbaric. It’s us and the Saudis and the Nigerian Sharia courts. Keep that in mind when you say someone deserves it.

I know that the voice that Tookie found within himself in the solitary confinement that transformed him will not be silenced by the executioner. I only pray that his memory will strengthen the communities his voice touched most deeply - inspiring them to take up his struggle. In his later years, Tookie stood for peace. Let us try to make peace - whether we believe his redemption was genuine or not.

“How Many Brothers Fell Vitctim to the Streets?”: Save Tookie Williams

There are many people who have been out here longer, crying louder and harder than I to save the life of Tookie Williams. But if there is one thing I have learned from reading about Mr. Williams, it’s that redemption never comes too late. I should have gotten involved years ago. But I’m here now - 30 hours before his scheduled execution - trying to do what I can to make sure it doesn’t happen.

Please send an e-mail to Governor Schwarzenegger - who is mulling Williams’ clemency plea [PDF] - to encourage him to commute his sentence to life in prison.

To find out more, look at NPR’s coverage of the story and Mr. Williams’ website.

Yep. He’s 10 Alright.

My little brother - who I lovingly call my little crackhead - shows off his dancing/burping-on-cue skills to some lovely slow jazz.

Double click the image to start the video.

Evangelical Christians and Narnia: Because Everything is Always About You

Ok, let me get this out there before I go off on my rant. I have no problem with Christianity. I believe that each person’s relationship with God is sacred. If a personal relationship with Jesus is what resonates with your soul, then God means for you to be a Christian and I respect that tremendously.

That said, I am increasingly weary of certain sectors of the Christian community laying claim to things the rest of us enjoy, like C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Yes, there are elements of the Christian Bible in the story. Aslan’s sacrifice of his life in Edmund’s stead and his subsequent resurrection evokes the same emotional response and the symbolism of the story of Jesus. That’s definitely not in question.

But C.S. Lewis said many times that he didn’t mean The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to be an allegory for Jesus’ life. Nor did he wish it to be claimed by any one religious denomination. And while the stories do share some of the same elements, nobody can deny that they are timeless human symbols that go beyond any one religion. Long before Jesus lived, Greek mythology was replete with the same symbols of death, sacrifice and resurrection. The story of Persephone and Demeter and Heracles’ role in Euripides’ Alcestis come to mind. Any way you slice it, these plot elements make for a good story.

But the increasingly militant Christian conservatives in this country have laid claim to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, calling it an “allegory for the sacrifices of Our Lord” and revering it as a modern Christian parable. If that’s how they want to see it, then fine - but their behavior surrounding that belief falls firmly into the territory of claiming it entirely for themselves. They act and speak as though there were no other potential interpretation of Lewis’ work.

It seems that an increasingly virulent strain of religious hysteria is gripping America. It is primarily a refuge for the weak-minded who want to use religion to excuse themselves from any responsibility for their own behavior and to validate their narrow prejudices. They go around as if on high, looking down their noses at anyone whose religious beliefs they see as lesser than their own. They announce their religion at every possible turn, just to make sure nobody misses what good Christians they are.

Their behavior brings to mind Matthew 6:5-6 - “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hyprocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

I suppose it’s their right to parade their faith around, claiming what is not exclusively theirs and behaving as though they are better than the rest of us. But it’s is equally my right to choose not to associate with them, and to revile their arrogance and narcissism. Again, I stress I’m not talking about all Christians here - just those whose actions speak a great deal louder than the hollow words they use to justify them.

X3!!!!

Oh God I am so excited for X Men. I know everyone is all hot and bothered over the man candy hotness that is Ben Foster as Angel - but I’m more X-cited about Patrick Stewart. My friends say I’m insane - but I think he’s about the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life.

Check out the teaser trailer that was released today.

Shawn Mesaros, My Investment Hero

I normally wouldn’t talk about my finances on the Internet. But I feel that I need to come out and talk a little bit about one of the many people I love here in Seattle. I rave about my hairdresser (Sherri at 13 Boston in Seattle) and my waxer/facialist (Jennifer at Paule Attar in Bellevue), so why not rave about my investment advisor?

Shawn recently made the switch from working at Morgan Stanley to Smith Barney, and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly encourage his clients to seriously consider switching with him.

Morgan Stanley is fantastic. I have nothing but respect for them. I’m sure they’re home to a plethora of amazing financial advisors. But Shawn - I believe - has a special gift. Shawn relates to everyone on their own terms when it comes to managing their finances. Shawn has no agenda of his own other than to help you turn the money you have into the wealth you want. He listens, he’s empathetic, and he’ll give you his honest opinion. I’ve never had anything but positive, downright amusing interactions with him - even when I’ve been frustrated with the state of the market.

I would follow Shawn wherever he chose to go. I encourage you all to think about doing the same.

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