Wild Cards

Some of you I know enjoy a good sci-fi read.

Beware.

This series is HIGHLY addictive and might cause family members to ask where the #### you disappeared to. Also, blogging, sleeping, eating and other mundane activities might be affected.

What the hell am I talking about?

Its the Wild Card series edited by George R.R. Martin.

Wiki Synopsis:

......The series relates an alternate history of the earth after World War II. In 1946 an alien virus that rewrites human DNA is accidentally unleashed in the skies over New York City. It kills 90% of those who come into contact with it (referred to as 'drawing the Black Queen'). However, 9% mutate into deformed creatures (known as 'Jokers') and the remaining 1% gain superpowers (known as 'Aces'). There is also a class known as 'deuces' - Aces who have acquired useless or ridiculous powers, such as the ability to levitate up to two feet, or to grow bodily hair at will. The airborne virus eventually spreads all over the world, affecting tens of thousands.


The Wild Cards universe is distinguished from most superhero comic book fiction by several thematic elements. Early on the authors decided to pursue a more realistic, or naturalistic approach to storytelling. Few of the Ace characters in Wild Cards have secret identities, or are traditional crime-fighting superheroes in the mold of Spider-Man or Batman. Wild Cards remained set within a recognizably real world with recognizably real people and pop culture and, because of the historical setting of many of the stories, had characters who aged realistically during the course of the series. The majority of Wild Card victims live in the run-down ghetto of Jokertown, while the fortunate Aces become glamorous celebrities. In addition, Wild Cards took a more graphic approach to violence, and particularly to sex, than most superhero stories do.


I am currently stuck at "The Black Trump" and eagerly awaiting the next two books from the Brooklyn Public Library. They do not have it in stock so I am getting them from the inter-library loan program.

I really like the series because there are many different authors all following a central theme, therefore keeping it fresh yet recognizable.

The big Q:

If I could choose to be an Ace (why would I want to be a joker, right?), my choices would be either Carnifex or Fortunato .

Anyways, its a great series, go out and read it if you have any interest in sci-fi or superheroes.

An Open Letter to the Jewish Press

Dear Editors of the Jewish Press:

The front page of this week's edition (6/17/9) showing a Palestinian gunman aiming an assault weapon at an image of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking is appalling.

The Jewish Press purports to be a "family" newspaper and such blatantly violent images are very inappropriate for children.


A long time reader,

Jacob

Ed: I emailed the editors directly.

Wanted: Bartender who can mix Kosher Cocktails

People.

Listen up.

I got this buddy who is a journalist and is currently writing an article about Kosher Cocktails. If anyone is or knows a Jewish Mixologist working in a bar who knows how to whip one up the Kosher way, let me know.

Or.

If you know any good drinks with uniquely Kosher ingredients, leave a comment with the recipe.

We plan on hitting up a couple of places in search of that Holy Margarita in the next week or so.

ReTweeting and linking to this post would appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey Lady, Cover your Nees!

Got this "gem" from my sister-in-law who lives in Lakewood:






Link


Words escape me. Quoting one of the many lunatics agreeing with the mental case:

"I saw a woman that revealed her legs and for her punishment, they caught her by legs and threw her like she was a rag and they hung her upside down on steel pipes and blood drips down and she is yelling for help but there is no help for her."

Coming your way soon...da Taliban...Lakewood style.

Girls after my own heart

I'm one of those guys who values silence.

Just sitting there, listening to the quiet and not speaking.

Many people feel the need to talk, to fill the silence when with others. Not I.

I remember that during our first date, Da Wife and I were just strolling along the boardwalk, listening to the surf in companionable silence. That endeared her to me.

Today, waiting for my father-in-law to drive Da Gurlie and I to her playgroup, we sat there silent, listening to the quiet.

I ask her "Love Daddy?"

"Yes, Yes". Smiles. "No Talking" .

Girls after my own heart. G-d Bless them.

Yom Yerushalayim for me

Yom Yerushalayim Sameyach!


My strongest memory of Yom Yerushalayim is when I worked in Bonker's Bagels in the Old City.

We were open all night as masses of people, young and old, walked in. Our staff was doubled, no, tripled as people were clamoring for some American soul food.

The store made more money that night than some weeks.

I finally left the store at 5am feeling tired yet excited from the exuberance and joy of the multitudes.

Good times.

Hat-tip to ck from jewlicious via Twitter for reminding me with some twit-pics.

Chassidim: Once forward thinkers, now backward

Once, Chassidim led by the Ba'al Shem Tov and his followers were the forerunners of a revolution, a new thought process in Judaism. They were ostracized by many until their philosophy gained ground.

Now, ironically, Chassidim cling to the past, dressing as noblemen in the 18th century. Their communities shun outsiders, preferring to add members through large familes.

Why? How does the forward thinker become backward?

You know you're an Israeli when....

My younger brother came in from his Yeshiva in Israel to spend Pesach with us.

As he was passing out on his bed after his arrival, I told him to shower and then go to bed. Bro delivers this gem:

"Achi, yesh Mayim Chamim?" (Translation: Brother, is there hot water?)

I laughed.

To an American, this question makes no sense. Why wouldn't there be hot water? But to an Israeli, it makes perfect sense.

In Israel, hot water is heated mostly by using solar panels. If its a cloudy day or the small tank of solar heated water runs out, one must flip a switch and wait 15-20 minutes for the water to be heated by electrical means.

However, here in the US, we use natural gas or oil to warm the water and so there is always hot water on tap.

So my brother's question is unique to an Israeli's viewpoint.