religious wars; bike lanes removed and repainted

[PamNY]

and an amusing definition of hipster from urbandictionary.com:

hipster:
Reads...the Styles section of the New York Times.

I am choking on my post-ride complex carbs here. I knew somebody must read the Styles section...now I know who.

Thanks for the laugh.

Pam

[Trek420]

Maybe this will cheer you up. Actually maybe not. Lemme see, so great Grandma went on to marry the other dude, her first husband eventually married and became a success in business.

That was the objection, not that he was a bad guy or anything. He wanted to be a businessman and NOT a Talmudic scholar. His eyes got opened to the possibilities when serving in the army. In Orthodox communities being a scholar is the height of success. Often the women run businesses while the men study. How you gonna keep em down in the schule after they've seen Paris?

So she's remarried, first hubby is too, I don't think he and his wife ever had kids of their own. I should find out.

My grandma made it to the USA, this is the sad part, one of the few members of my Mom's family who escaped She never saw her family again, except for this step-dad I guess you'd call him and a cousin who was already here. She remained staunchly anti Orthodox all her days. In her youth Grandma had hair down nearly to her feet and refused to cut it when she married. Her DH did not mind so why not?

Orthodox women cut their hair short at marriage and wear wigs. Only your husband sees your real hair.

For that transgression my great grandma refused to see her off at the train. That, as much as the Holocaust she blamed for never seeing them again. She felt somehow if that had not come between them they might have followed over.

I really do not think they could have made it out of Poland given the timing when she left but that haunted grandma I think.

Anyway her step-dad and his 2nd wife are already here in the USA.

Both helped with with the kids, my Mom and Aunt.

My mom has fond memories of going to the beach where they swam daily. One would watch her and her sister while the other swam and then switch.

[Crankin]

What a story, Trek. My family is so boring. All grandparents born in the US, all 4 families arriving sometime in the decades after the Civil War. Yea, they think they came over on the Mayflower.
My dad's dad was born in the US, but his mom hated it here. They went back to Germany for a few years when he was 2 (born in 1895), but I guess she finally saw the writing on the wall and returned to Connecticut. The great grandfather I knew, rubbed soap in his eyes to escape serving in the Czar's army. He gave himself cataracts, but managed to get to Worcester, MA, where my mom's mom was born. He was an austere, tall guy, who was very formal. He lived until I was 12, so we used to see him frequently. Typical stoic Russian in my eyes.
Seriously, both sides of my family worked really hard at turning themselves into "Yankees," and until my cousin became Orthodox, I was the most religious person in my family. When my kids were little, I decided that since I was sending them to a JCC preschool, I wouldn't be a hypocrite and so I learned, along with them.

[Trek420]

I don't know that Russians are stoic. Maybe it depends on where in Russia they are from? My dad's side of the family is from there, Odessa/Kiev. I never met my grandfather (actually either of them, paternal or maternal).

Born in Russia my dad was hardly stoic, unless by that you mean able to persevere through great difficulties without complaining while maintaining a sense of humor. I think that was one of many great qualities he had.

But also a great sense of humor especially puns and from what I hear his Dad did too.

Grandma and Grandpa both graduated from the Royal Music Conservatory in Odessa. They went on to tour as singers, then grandpa became a cantor at a temple in New York. Although his career was before widespread availability of recording he's thought by some to be one of the half dozen or so best cantors evah

Someday soon when things calm down and I'm less focussed on trying to move my job and bikes to the PNW I would like to learn more about Judaism.

[Selkie]

..... The emphasis is on doing good while you're here on Earth... so you actually make a difference in other's lives (i.e. repairing the world), not so you avoid going to Hell after death. Hence, most probably the reason there are so many Jewish people in helping professions. ....

This says it all, Crankin. Focus on others, not on yourself (i.e., doing good just you so can avoid hell?)

I love NYC.....

[Trek420]

That seems very much part of or the essence of the Judeo Christian tradition. You know that bit about somewhere (someone here will quote this I'm sure) something like "as you treat the least of mine that's how you're known as ...."

It's not going to God's Gym (yes there is one in my area)
Or wearing the WWJD lanyard for your work id.
Or what church you go to ....

It's how you treat others I think.

[Selkie]

God's gym? Tell me more!

[Trek420]

Actually, not a bad idea or place:

http://thetown.wordpress.com/2007/09...by-kerry-seed/

“My biggest accomplishment is changing people’s lives,” Shields said. “People come here. They’re hopeless. They say, ‘I can never get in shape.’ I help them.”

[Zen]

I thought Gods Gym was when you went hiking instead of using a treadmill

[Trek420]

Another zinger and bingo from Zen

[Zen]

No, I really mean it. Seriously.
Why won't you believe me?

[Trek420]

No, I really mean it. Seriously.
Why won't you believe me?

"why are you taking me to hell and what is this handbasket I'm in?"

[OakLeaf]

Does the Christian Aerobics show still come on TV?

[crazycanuck]

ooookk.....The mental image I have of a Christian Aerobics show is purty darn funny...

*snork*

Let's pray..

Get down n give me 50..then recite that verse from whatever gospel. UP! Down.
Now, 50 pull ups.
Let's work on those legs. 40 squats. Now sing that blah blah gospel song at the same time.
Now Mrs Foosieewoosiee, that was only 20. Sorry, no going to heaven for you since you cheated.

How are you feeling now? There's no crying in baseball!

Please continue..

[Trek420]

Does the Christian Aerobics show still come on TV?

this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBdZs...eature=related