It's for real!

Contraception is not abortion!

Can you imagine living in a place where birth control is considered an
"abortion" and health insurers won't cover it? Where even rape victims are
denied emergency contraception?

It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to
redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says
this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive
freedom and protect rape victims. And this proposed "rule change" doesn't
need congressional approval.

I just signed a message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt,
whose department is considering this rule change, telling him:

"Contraception is NOT abortion."

Can you add your voice to this cause?

Click here to sign the message:
http://pol.moveon.org/contraception/?r_by=-2150683-k3qQuOx&rc=paste

You don't need to be a psychologist to figure out this one

As many of you know, I somehow survived Yiddish class hell this summer in Bloomington. The complaints I have cannot be printed in this nice, warm and friendly place. Email me if you want to hear the story, including adult language and curses on one man's existence.

Anyway, it was 6 of the worst weeks of my life and, at the end, I packed up my little Indiana life and prepared to return to Vienna. I packed one suitcase full of books and another full of clothes. Guess which one I left behind in Alex and Jeannine's garage???

ALL my books were in there, including the school books I planned on reading this summer. I won't get them until I return to school. So I have been forced to read a lot of fiction this month. Oh, damn...

The Giant Pool of Money

I heard this episode of "This American Life" and immediately wanted everyone
I know to hear it.

It explains the mortgage crisis in a "...for Dummies" style and is very well
done, although disturbing.

I recommend it to everyone.

Go to:

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Archive.aspx

and listen to May 9, 2008 - "The Giant Pool of Money"

And, FYI...if you don't listen already, "This American Life" is a great
weekly NPR program you can podcast.

Escape from Bloomington

I'm in Chicago, finally seeing "Wicked" with Wicki!

2 nights in a real city with real air conditioning!! And a real good friend!

Procrastinating

Anything to put off what must be done...going through old pictures.

This one is kind of funny.

Based on your responses...

Based on your responses, or lack thereof, to my previous posting...

I can only conclude that my blog has become a device for communication
between husband and wife.

Are we 21st Century, or what?

Is anyone even reading this?

If you are, send me an email. I'm just curious.

I've been so bad about keeping up with this, and am embarrassed about having
announced, "I'm blogging again!" And then, not.

So, I am not going to announce anything, unless I get into some sort of
rhythm.

So, is anyone out there?

Because everyone studies Yiddish in Bloomington, Indiana, right?

Blogging from Bloomington.

I am four-weeks into an intensive Yiddish reading course and can say, with a little hesitation, that I can read Yiddish! I say "hesitation" because it's slow-going, and this class has been disappointing. It was supposed to be just what I needed to pass my second foreign language exam, but now I'm not 100% sure.

Add being away from Roland and Vienna for what will be a total of 6 weeks out of the few short months a year we have together, AND the cost of airfare and now luggage (!!), and, well, I am not in the best of moods.

A heuriger and a tafelspitz will help that - less than 2 weeks!

Love to my adoring public

I was just reviewing my posts and realizing that I have ignored you all! How mad are you??

Well, there's not too much to say, other than I am reading a lot about the worst of humanity. Do you want me to expound?

I didn't think so.

Life is good. I enjoying time with new friends, otherwise known as Holocaust Geeks. We are all equally dedicated and immersed. I know, you are all dying to come party with us. Sorry - invitation only!

My most exciting news is that I got a RT ticket to Amsterdam for $459 (including taxes!) and will see Roland soon.

Here's a picture of Elly Georgules, for those SMC guys keeping up with the Georguleses. (Exactly how does one pluralize "Georgules?")

Holidays in Vienna!

I can't believe the month is almost over! I flew to Vienna after finishing the semester at Clark on Dec. 12th and return to the US on Jan. 10th. In the meantime, we had Christmas with the Engels...



...and New Year's Eve with Angie, BIrgit and Erik...

Pictures to come...Blogger not working today...