So I decided to start back with a brief post on why it is OK that I took some time off. After all, you may have some self-imposed obligations that you might be better off leaving be for the moment. It can be a huge gift to yourself to allow this space and energy.

I had a huge move from Parrot Cay to Manhattan and didn’t really allow space for that. Then I went from not busy to very busy almost overnight, and with that came more scheduling to track as well as more income . We also had a few family crises to work through, including my very aging parents, and I soon felt overwhelmed.

So I stopped blogging.

I couldn’t keep up with four blogs, so I just stopped all of them. It felt great. And now I feel like writing again, and that also feels great! So stay tuned…

UIS Lapel Pins (Photo credit: jeremy.wilburn)

Since I returned to the crowded pilates and fitness marketplace that is New York City I am in constant promotion mode. Really. I cannot stop selling or promoting myself and my teaching or risk being swallowed up. You can promote your business with items like custom lapel pins, pens, business cards, refrigerator magnets, and even LED flashlights and USB drives. Basically, you can have your name and business out there for very little cost.

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On the whole we conservative Jews do not make tons of noise. Our services involve some singing, much of the main service is spent in silent reading and meditation, and even our singing is never too loud. In fact, one of the big problems many Jews had and have with Chasidic Jews is that they are louder and more boisterous in their show of faith. They are the Meinl cymbals to the classical piano of the conservative movement.

But somehow I find the louder music to be more interesting and inviting at times. And that’s why I love the holiday of Purim. Purim tells the story of how a planned mass killing of Jews in Persia was thwarted from within, and is celebrated loudly with lots of alcohol, sugar, and noisemakers. On Purim we celebrate life and want everyone to know that we are still here.

Bring on the cymbals!

For Those Who Like Rules To Follow.

1.Never stop thinking. This is important. If someone ever says to you ‘You need to stop thinking so much,’ call them ignorant in your head and keep thinking deeper. It is this mentality that breeds stupidity and sheeple. Your mind is the most important tool you have, if you stop using it, it will atrophy. Question everything.

2. Stare into space blankly and don’t mentally punish yourself for doing it, even if it is for that split second. If you have a problem with staring blankly, think of it as daydreaming.

3. Root Beer sucks after having spicy food.

4. Everything is going to be just fine. If you worry about acne, you’re going to get a fucking pimple.

5. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything. You shouldn’t be afraid of reality.

6. Everyone is a hypocrite.

7. You are all original. Every life experience is case sensitive and unique. Every time you wake up or go to the bathroom or quote someone else, you are becoming more you than anyone has ever been.

8. Do pointless things. Don’t actively restrain or hide yourself from the redundant.

9. Stop rushing. Shut up and embrace the sound of silence.

10. Religion shouldn’t be taught, it should be found. No one should tell you what to believe except you. And while were on the subject…

11. Don’t be restrained by one religion. People change every moment of everyday. Minds grow and evolve. Religion has no law so feel free to mix and match. Make your own.

12. Going to the bathroom is not a right nor a privilege. it’s an act of nature.

13. Talking to yourself is healthy. Is there anyone that you have more in common with?

14. There is no such thing as time. The sun never sets or rises. Days and years don’t exist. There is only your life. Earlier today you were born and death is predicted later in the evening.

15. We will always be in a transitional phase. Look outside and know that everything will be replaced at some point. This existence is temporary.

16. Its not half empty or half full. Its half a glass.

17. Every now and then take something that you see everyday and try to see it in a different light. Renew its existence.

18. Be happy, but don’t force it.

19. You will always succeed in trying.

20. We are all crazy. Every person you read about in the history books had some kind of ‘disorder’, they just knew how to use it.

21. We are all about as similar as we are different.

22. Ideas are just as valuable as people. Why do you think we keep making people?

87. Numbers don’t have to go in order.

24. Words will always be just words. Love is just another four letter word, only the feeling is real.

25. Ask a child for advice. They may not know much, but they know what is important.

26. Prove you’re alive. Do anything from dancing in the supermarket to screaming ‘Fuck’ during a moment of silence. Remind the world you are still here.

27. Don’t take anything, even this, too seriously.

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Up until the past few years most women have simply used whatever skin care products made the best claims, without really worrying about what effects the chemicals that produce those results might have on their skin in the long term, and also on their total health. Now I tend to gravitate towards products that are more natural, with fewer additives and stabilizers. If you look at the ingredient list of even the $41 a jar eb5 facial cream,

Deionized Water, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Panthenol, Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Cholecalciferol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

you see parabens and other preservatives in addition to the very natural and healing Oat Flour. Check the ingredient lists on every product you use to see what you are absorbing.

HP rp5700 Point-of-Sale (POS) System (Photo credit: HP PSG APJ)

manual card imprinter with a phone for approvals. Now everyone has a swiping terminal, and most places have a PIN keypad as well.

Basically, POS systems are now easier for the buyer while more complex for the merchant.

While building a solid web presence was not easy and took plenty of time, once I was done I was so happy to have a living resumé or CV on line. This makes job interviews and connections a snap, even via long distance.

At least one good friend of mine was scathed for life after a drunk driver hit his motorcycle when he wasn’t wearing a helmet. And now with great looking and highly protective helmets like this Bell Vortex Flying Tiger, there is no excuse to go out there unprotected.

Save your life and your brain. Wear a helmet!

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One of the more stressful things about moving back to the US is the change in doctors and insurance. In Turks and Caicos everything was clear and ran smoothly like new casters over a hardwood floor. Seriously, for a place that I would never associate with efficiency, we had great National Insurance and private health insurance that paid for absolutely everything. Now we have our health plan with network, out of network, different deductibles, and just lots of hoops and craziness.

But today I had my first visit with my new GYN, Nikole Ostrov, and it was fabulous. She wasn’t overbooked, and actually greeted me herself and spoke to Tony and I in her office before the exam to get my background and address any concerns. She was straightforward and explained everything, and since she is in network for Oxford Liberty there was no charge (even if there was it would be $15). My prescriptions were sent to CVS electronically and were ready when I walked over. Perfect!