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davidfcooperDear Joshua,
Your father sent to us the petition that you started as part of your Bar Mitzvah project, and he indicated that you had read my "Fighting Katrina Fatigue" email. I am very impressed by what you are doing and am honored to know that my email might have helped to encourage this important project that you have undertaken. Your father has great reason to be proud of it, and of you, and I'm so glad that he shared this with us. By the way, I have a 13-year old son as well, and I know that you guys can get pretty embarrassed and even annoyed at us dads when we express our pride, so in case you didn't want him to send it out to us, give him a break!
That this is part of your Bar Mitzvah has particularly special meaning for us. Believe it or not, our Adam had his Bar Mitzvah on the weekend that Katrina paid us her visit. The service went forward as planned on Saturday morning (Aug. 27), but as it became more clear that Katrina was heading our way, many people left town that afternoon, and we all firmed up plans to leave that day or the next. We still had a party Saturday night, although with about half as many people as planned for, and then we evacuated the City early Sunday a.m. Katrina hit Monday morning and, well you know the rest of the story. Our own house took 6 feet of water, we hope to rebuild it but aren't certain yet (a 2-story house, and the upstairs was fine). Needless to say, we now look back at Adam's Bar Mitzvah as the last happy event prior to everything changing so drastically.
The support of people like you, and the fact that you are encouraging the support of others, is very important, and we thank you for it. It give us hope for many more happy events ahead. You of course are absolutely correct that the hurricane/wind itself did not cause the vast majority of the problem, that instead it was the poorly designed levees that should have but did not hold up in a storm that, by the time it hit New Orleans, was really a Category 3 storm, which supposedly the levees were built to withstand.
Although you and I have never met, I know that you are a thoughtful young man with a commitment to doing the right thing and to doing your part to increase the awareness of others, all of which helps to make this, whether Louisiana, Florida, or somewhere else, better for us all. When I sent my email to a group of friends from outside of Louisiana, I had no idea how many people would eventually read it. I did receive many responses, but I must say that your response is the most meaningful of all.
I have signed the petition and intend to forward it to the list that originally received my "Fighting Katrina Fatigue" email. I expect that you will begin to see many names you do not recognize!
Mazel Tov, and Thank you.
Larry Orlansky
http://www.livejournal.com/users/davidfcooper/150809.html
Your father sent to us the petition that you started as part of your Bar Mitzvah project, and he indicated that you had read my "Fighting Katrina Fatigue" email. I am very impressed by what you are doing and am honored to know that my email might have helped to encourage this important project that you have undertaken. Your father has great reason to be proud of it, and of you, and I'm so glad that he shared this with us. By the way, I have a 13-year old son as well, and I know that you guys can get pretty embarrassed and even annoyed at us dads when we express our pride, so in case you didn't want him to send it out to us, give him a break!
That this is part of your Bar Mitzvah has particularly special meaning for us. Believe it or not, our Adam had his Bar Mitzvah on the weekend that Katrina paid us her visit. The service went forward as planned on Saturday morning (Aug. 27), but as it became more clear that Katrina was heading our way, many people left town that afternoon, and we all firmed up plans to leave that day or the next. We still had a party Saturday night, although with about half as many people as planned for, and then we evacuated the City early Sunday a.m. Katrina hit Monday morning and, well you know the rest of the story. Our own house took 6 feet of water, we hope to rebuild it but aren't certain yet (a 2-story house, and the upstairs was fine). Needless to say, we now look back at Adam's Bar Mitzvah as the last happy event prior to everything changing so drastically.
The support of people like you, and the fact that you are encouraging the support of others, is very important, and we thank you for it. It give us hope for many more happy events ahead. You of course are absolutely correct that the hurricane/wind itself did not cause the vast majority of the problem, that instead it was the poorly designed levees that should have but did not hold up in a storm that, by the time it hit New Orleans, was really a Category 3 storm, which supposedly the levees were built to withstand.
Although you and I have never met, I know that you are a thoughtful young man with a commitment to doing the right thing and to doing your part to increase the awareness of others, all of which helps to make this, whether Louisiana, Florida, or somewhere else, better for us all. When I sent my email to a group of friends from outside of Louisiana, I had no idea how many people would eventually read it. I did receive many responses, but I must say that your response is the most meaningful of all.
I have signed the petition and intend to forward it to the list that originally received my "Fighting Katrina Fatigue" email. I expect that you will begin to see many names you do not recognize!
Mazel Tov, and Thank you.
Larry Orlansky
http://www.livejournal.com/users/davidfcooper/150809.html
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no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 03:10 am (UTC)I checked out the link--think Josh is cool (laughed out loud at his username).
Yes--he has lots of sides to him. That's part of his charm.
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Date: 2006-01-17 10:20 pm (UTC)We're flying there on Thursday for his bar-mitzvah on Saturday.
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Date: 2006-01-18 01:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 10:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 01:25 am (UTC)Have a great trip!
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Date: 2006-01-18 05:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-21 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 12:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 07:37 pm (UTC)Another reason that is more basic: finances. I think the last time I flew anywhere was in 1990, when my daughter & I were living in Atlanta. My brother was getting married and my daughter was the flower-girl, so my parents paid to fly us to NJ & back.
Since 1981, I'd travelled via air a couple of times: in 1990, as mentioned above, in 1982 (trip to Paradise Island, with my then-spouse, on a salesman's club trip--it was fun), a trip, in 1989, to visit my b.f. in Atlanta (I'd paid for that round trip ticket myself).
I haven't flown, then, for several years, and didn't have to deal with the airport security deal. So, the financial straits really didn't serve me all that poorly in that regard.
I'm not that phobic about flying, at least not by nature, but it would be hard to tell these days.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-24 01:02 am (UTC)We're not exactly frequent flyers either. Our flights have included:
1999 trip to WA & BC,
1996 trip to MI to attend a friends wedding & vacation on the Great Lakes,
1994 trip to visit a friend in Chicago,
1988 vacation in Prince Edward Island.
From 1980-85 I lived in Israel & flew back & forth a few times.
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Date: 2006-01-24 01:42 am (UTC)Illogical as it might be, I rather enjoyed the long-distance road trips. When I was living in (metro)Atlanta, I'd made the trip between there & NJ a few times, to visit family & friends, etc. I also shared the driving duties with my b.f. when he talked me into going along with him to NOLA for Mardi Gras, in 1990 (I'll explain that way of putting it another time *g*). The following year, 1991,
After the TX trip (this friend is the one who, 4-5 years later, embraced extreme fundamentalism & has never been the same since), I did declare that, for the forseeable future, any trip that was 500 miles one way or less, would be deemed local!
As it is, I haven't been south of Philly in about 12 years!
Ahhhh....good times!
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Date: 2006-01-25 09:59 pm (UTC)Our local trips have included the White, Green, Adirondack, Catskill, Pocono, and Blue Ridge mountains, the Jersey and Rhode Island shores, Boston & DC.
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Date: 2006-01-27 12:45 am (UTC)This is a person who has authority issues. As intelligent as she is, she's made unfortunate choices in her personal life. It's fair to say that about a smart girl who, between the ages of 18 and 38 has been married & divorced three times, and who chose to have a child between Marriage #2 and Marriage #3, even though that relationship wasn't stable, because she wanted to have a child before it was "too late".
When my godson was 17, they came to visit NJ--by then, however, it was quite clear that she'd hoped to farm him out to me. She'd told me, during our visit (when we were alone & Chris was out with my daughter & her friends), that she would put him out of the house (trailer) if he didn't have a job when he was 18.
Uh huh--there's the family vaules for ya! Once she got religion (this time around), everything that came before was relegated to the that's when I was a heathen part of her life, including her knowing decision to have a child with a man who did not want to be a parent at that time, just so she could be a mom. It didn't matter to her--she wanted what she wanted, regardless of the best interests of the child. Then, when she was not able to deal with the kid's rebellion and seriously bad acts, he's on his own.
Thank heavens she's probably unable to have more kids. Because when she was younger & more attractive, she was either extremely incompetent in using contraceptives, or she was preturnaturally fertile, because all a guy had to do was look at her, it seemed, and soon thereafter, there'd be either a miscarriage or an abortion.
I think she turned to an extremist version of religion because she was no longer as attractive as she'd been, and this was the only place where she could feel validated.
After she'd made an anti-semetic slur that I'd called her on, I did not speak to her for over a year, because she never made ammends for her remark. I've been rather resistant to her since 1998, although we've talked a few times in that period, obviously. But every contact was initiated by her.
So, yeah--it's sort of too bad.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-27 12:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-27 02:14 am (UTC)Interesting thing about the overly-smart: there's really no guarantee that they'll make the best choice of the broader choices available to them. And when they make stupid choices, it's much more profound in the consequences that ensue.
People of modest intellectual gifts are more reliable. :)
But, yes, indeed! As someone who has screwed things up in baroque style herself, I can tell the difference. I've actually made it my business to try to just own up to my screwups, and deal with it.
I used to be a bit more timid about that sort of thing, and, interestingly, my coworker (C.J.) had recently questioned me about something that touched on this issue. When I'd mentioned that I haven't even seen an episode of The Simpsons or That 70's Show in a couple of years, because I was just so incredibly turned off by even the Fox-TV network (much less their NewsCorp channel), that I just stopped watching Channel 5, even though I loved a few of those shows. The following year, I gave up on network TV almost completely (as you may know, I still find SNL worthwhile), as I'd concluded that there was nothing but useless garbage to be had, not news. C.J. was amazed. Asked me if I'd always been "that strong".
I thought about it briefly--answered "No, I don't think that's always been the case".
Maybe that's my erstwhile friend's purpose in life--an object lesson for the onlooker. Probably not what she would like to think, but I always have a tendency to search for the most constructive possible interpretation...
*smirk* (How's that for a character flaw?)
no subject
Date: 2006-01-27 04:17 am (UTC)I resemble that remark!
People of modest intellectual gifts are more reliable. :)
But often are also dull.
I also rarely watch network TV. Most of my favorite programs in recent years have been on HBO.
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Date: 2006-01-27 04:55 am (UTC)I have videos of The Sopranos (Adrienne was yet unwhacked) that my parents were kind enough to make for me, as I don't have cable--and my VCR must be replaced (it's on the fritz). I do love what I have seen of HBO, though. I admit it!
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Date: 2006-01-27 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-28 04:49 am (UTC)You're right, of course--my daughter's b.f. might eventually get a DVD player installed on this PC (he built it & set it up for me--bless him, he's my favorite techie!)--I've seen episodes of the late, lamented Six Feet Under and also Curb Your Enthusiasm, which I loved! Have heard only good about Deadwood...I'll probably have to get all the seasons of The Sopranos on DVD & call it a day. I'm particularly fond of the latter show.
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Date: 2006-01-27 12:52 am (UTC)It seems that I have quite a bit of vacationing to do, doesn't it? :D
Most of my travelling anywhere has taken place over 15 years ago!
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Date: 2006-01-27 04:06 am (UTC)For mountains the Poconos are close but becoming overdeveloped in places. There are numerous state parks with good hiking, and in Stroudsburg we had an excellent meal at Everybody's Cafe on Main St.
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Date: 2006-01-27 04:48 am (UTC)Talk about encroaching development: Long Beach Island! I really enjoyed the times I'd stayed in Surf City (right by the end of the Causeway), but Loveladies & Harvey Cedars have had these incredible shorehouses right flush up against one another, but they were really pretty!
I was near Bushkill Falls in 1979, and love that part of PA. The year before, I spent a weekend at Hemlock Farms. I'd love to have a property around there--and Route 209 runs right down to Philly, I think. I like the idea of being able to get to the country place, without being isolated from a means of getting to a decent city easily.
I wonder if Everybody's Cafe is at all affiliated with the folks who operated Everybody's Pizza in Atlanta (on Briarcliff N.E., a couple of blocks away from I-85 North). Probably a coincidence.
But the salads you could get at Everybody's Pizza were fantastic!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-27 02:51 pm (UTC)I'm pretty sure Everybody's Cafe is not affiliated with any other restaurant. It features "The Largest International Selection of Appetizers,
Salads, Pastas, Meat, Seafood, Vegetarian,
Coffees, Teas & Desserts Available Anywhere in
the Poconos. Open Daily for Lunch, Dinner or
Just Dessert." There's a review on Tripadvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g53776-d522937-r4329481-Everybody_s_Cafe-Stroudsburg_Pennsylvania.html
no subject
Date: 2006-01-28 04:41 am (UTC)I seem to recall that there was a ginormous bear at one of the entrances by Bushkill Falls--my ex- might have some exposures of this, but since we are not in contact, I don't think I'm going to be able to retrieve them anytime soon!
*g* What was that I said about owning my mistakes?
Long Beach Island, for all the unwise development on it, was always a fun place for visiting. I recall even taking a trip down there in late December of 1980, with another couple, because the guys wanted to visit a bar that was in Beach Haven (make a right at the end of the Causeway). It sticks out in my mind because it was really cold out, the seasonal people were mostly gone, but the permanent residents in the community were around--I sort of think they appreciated that people would visit in the off-season, but then again, it could have been my imagination.
It really is a long drive, though.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-28 04:11 pm (UTC)We liked South County, RI because of its relative lack of development. It's what I imagine Cape Cod was like 60 years ago. We saw no national franchise restaurants or hotels; everything was locally owned and operated and unpretentious. From NJ it's a 3-4 hour drive, but you can also get there on Amtrak (Westerly, RI has an Amtrak station as well as a small airport).
no subject
Date: 2006-01-29 10:30 pm (UTC)I like places that have a minimum (or none) of the chains, and that are unpretentious. (I'm also involved (online, at least) with the anti-WalMart groups & am very pro-labor).
Yeah-shocking, I know! :)