Women Against Feminism???!!!!!!!!!

So, I really wanted to write about baseball and Cooperstown, but things keep cropping up that I can't ignore.  This morning on the Today Show they highlighted a new trend:  Women Against Feminism.  Seriously??  There's a Facebook page with over 17,000 Likes.  WTF?  I have written over and over again about women aren't standing up for themselves and then this?  Taking a look at the page, these women aren't educated about feminism.  They probably are born after 1990 and have no idea what has changed in the past 50 years.  If it weren't for the feminism movement, the Facebook page couldn't even exist.  Women's voices were by and large silenced for generations and then the 1960's started an entire revolution.  Finding yourself.  Being true.  Equal rights for all.  

I sit here in stunned disbelief belief because it's so hard to imagine what these women are thinking.  Why be against feminism? What do you think it means?  Is it something to be against?  Isn't the battle that every woman can make their own choices without derision worth fighting?  So why be against it?  No wonder women's rights keep getting whittled away.  If women are not in tune with what all the women before them fought for, what's the point?  I am really dismayed by this.  Women do not have equal rights yet.  DO YOU KNOW THAT???  Women don't have equal pay.  Women are sexually harassed and raped in the military and college campuses, every day. Women have to make tough choices between career and family.  Women have to fight for the right to choose and it's getting harder and harder.  Just one lowly abortion clinic is open in Mississippi and that's only because the courts got involved or there would be none!!  

Who's raising these women with zero interest in history and the through line?  This FB page is world wide.  These women come from all walks of life and are ignorant.  I don't get it.  Maybe this is the root of the problem.  Maybe the parents, both mothers and fathers, aren't telling stories from when they were young or when their parents were young.  Maybe they are not hearing the stories about girls who got scholarships to Ivy league schools but couldn't go because their fathers didn't think a girl's education was as important as their sons.  Maybe they aren't hearing the stories that women 60 years ago had no choices but to get married and have a family.  Maybe they watched Mad Men and thought that those were exaggerated story lines and the women weren't really treated like that.  Well, ladies, that's just what it was like and maybe worse depending on the industry.  Did anyone hear of Title IX?  Did you know that girls had very little access to sports in schools because all the money went to the boys??  Did you know that??  

What the f*&k do you think feminism is?  It is not a bad word.  How the hell did you interpret it to be one?  It is imperative that women have equal opportunities just like all minorities.  I am so disheartened by the lack of hunger that so many young women have.  It isn't pitting men against women!  If that's what you think, you are wrong.  It is standing up, being counted, and being treated equal to your male counterpart.  It is choosing to be a stay at home Mom.  It is choosing to be a career woman.  It is choice. The fact that you have the choice to voice your ignoramus anti-feminist views is thanks to the women before you who fought to be heard.  So, young ladies, read a book.  Read the history of the 20th Century.  Learn what the hell you are standing against. Ladies, we need all the voices to stand up and be heard.  It is appalling to be against yourself.  Feel free to choose and shut up.  

Sidebars:  Women are just like all the other minorities.  Voting against one's own interests.  Wake up, people.  Okay, on a lighter note, which has been very hard to find recently. James Shigeta has died.  For those of you who only know Die Hard movies, he was a big and early Asian star from The Flower Drum Song.  America's Got Talent has begun their live shows from Radio City Music Hall.  It's quite something to see these largely inexperienced contestants conquer one of the biggest stages in the world.  If you aren't tuning in, I really recommend it.  It's great family fare.  As far as the other summer television, there's almost too much.  Very hard to try to watch all the new shows.  Far different than in years past.  It used to just be summer reruns and in the past decade more and more new shows are having summer only seasons.  No matter how well reviewed the series are, there is only so much time.  In NYC we have been fortunate to have some of the most beautiful summer days, can't be inside all the time.  Crushed about the water main break yesterday at UCLA.  Horrific waste of 10 million gallons that California can't afford to be wasting and lots of damage to parking garages and athletic locations on the campus.  Ugh! Get out, enjoy your day!

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@DianaPodolsky 

Stepping Straight In It

I really wanted to write about my incredible trip to Cooperstown, NY, but with all the world news, I am going to try to reflect upon the crisis in Israel.  It's been so disturbing the hate and anti-semitism that has reared its head all over Europe.  First, the rise of anti-semitic acts were getting more frequent and greater in France, but now there have been marches in England, Brussels, and Germany to kill the Jews.  Maybe if you aren't Jewish you can't understand why we are so vehemently supportive and protective of Israel.  I'm not talking about religiosity, I am speaking about culture, survival, through line.  What is going on currently in Israel and the Gaza Strip is terrible, but what seems to get overlooked in all the death and tragedy? The terrorist group Hamas is responsible for it all.  The complicit silence of the Palestinian people is responsible.  There are far more Palestinian people than Hamas, but Hamas runs it all.  If the Palestinians didn't like Hamas, they could have changed things in the Gaza Strip.  Whether it's fear or apathy, they allowed Hamas to fester and grow.  

Let's make it clear, when Israel decides to fight back, they fight back.  They are protecting their people fiercely.  Many talking heads are speaking about the tragedy of all the civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, but what they aren't accentuating is that Hamas wants the total and complete annihilation of the Jewish people and Israel.  How can you reason with people like that?  Would America? There were attempts at cease fires so that cooler heads could prevail and help could get to those in need and each time Hamas started firing into Israel!   You can't expect a country not to protect its citizens.  If you think that Israel is being heavy handed, they are trying to take out the threats to its citizens once and for all.  The talking heads are all over Israel after they bombed a UN school  which killed many civilians.  Terrible, but Israel had information that Hamas had weapons there.  You see, that's what Hamas does.  They keep their weapons in civilian locations so Israel attacks which, in turn, does the most damage in world opinion against Israel.  Israeli forces alert the Palestinians of coming attacks to encourage them to get away.  Does Hamas?  No, they are terrorists.  So seriously, what is Israel to do?  The US doesn't negotiate with terrorists, why should Israel?  Hamas are terrorists, make no mistake.  

I have written countless times about the hate that has risen since Obama became President towards the Black community.  The racism is palatable.  Anti-semitism is far easier to hide, but this past week has come screaming out of the closet.  Have you seen all the anti-Jewish marches, tweets, signs?  Check this out:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703594/Hatred-driving-new-exodus-Synagogues-attacked-Shops-flames-And-terrified-Jewish-families-fleeing-Britain-As-Israeli-envoy-says-like-dark-days-1938-chilling-dispatch-Paris.html

http://www.pocketfullofliberty.com/cupake-crew-anti-semitic/

And there are so many more, but that gives you an idea what Jews are up against.  There are 13.75 million Jews (.2% of the world's population) vs. 1.6 billion Muslims (23% of the world).  Can everyone put it all in perspective?  The news in America is so distorted.  Do I think that Israel is 100% right?  No, but I empathize with everything they have to deal with.  If you visit Israel, you see just how close all its enemies are. It's very hard to imagine the proximity without standing in Israel and seeing the topography.  It's astonishing that they have survived.  

I am sure that many will be offended by my stance, but I am offended by all the haters of Israel and Jews.  It's upsetting and peace can't be achieved until the terrorists themselves are destroyed forever.  How soon will that be????

Sidebars:  Hear, hear to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg who stood by Israel and did not accept the FAA's ban on flying in and out of Tel Aviv.  He hopped right on the first El Al flight out of NYC and arrived in solidarity in Tel Aviv.  On the other side of the coin.  current Mayor Bill DiBlasio is enjoying a ten day vacation with his family in Italy.  It bugs me so much.  Wonder who paid for the trip?  I have many more trivial thoughts which I will save for another day.  Enjoy your weekend.  Stay cool!

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@DianaPodolsky

SHOCK

Hearing the news that another Malaysian airplane went down Thursday morning was enough shock and disbelief for anyone, but as the information began to be gathered and released, shock is hardly enough.  To hear that the plane was intentionally shot down by Russian Separatists was hard to swallow and then to realize how immersed Vladimir Putin has been in this act of terror is unconscionable.  

As I had said about the Sochi Olympics, the USA shouldn't have gone.  We had so many reasons to boycott and Putin became more emboldened by the lack of spine from us and the world.  Soon after the Olympics, the Russians made a grab for Crimea and the Ukraine.  They took back Crimea, but they have been more "covert" in trying to take back the Ukraine.  Seriously. 

The terror attack that killed nearly 300 people out of the sky has long term ramifications for all of us.  Even though we may not know anyone on board personally, the loss of life in this case has significant reach for all of our lives.  There were 100 HIV/Aids Activists on their way to a world conference in Australia.  Six of those were some of the brightest minds in HIV/Aids research.  The loss of their scientific minds will leave a hole in the fight for a cure and solution for Aids.  The fact that there were 80 children killed are lost lives that we will never know.  It is a tragedy of mass proportions. The aftermath being perpetrated is of equal inhumanity.  The terrorists are not letting investigators in to do their work.  Allegedly, the terrorists have taken the black boxes (maybe to Moscow).  They have not let the bodies of the victims be treated with respect.  There are suspicions that credit cards have been stolen by the Separatists.  

In all of this, crickets from Putin.  Where's his faux outrage?  Where's his taking a stand against the act of terror?  Where's his leadership?  It is happening just as he wants it.  So, Mr. Putin, what would hurt you?  I know that they are talking about more sanctions.  Hurt Russia in the banking system and the energy sect.  But where we, the world, have to take a stand and a stand now?  No World Cup 2018 in Russia.  Take it back now, FIFA.  Don't wait.  There's no wait and see.  Give it to another country that doesn't have so many humanitarian issues and supports terrorism.  FIFA is the most disrespected of all sports associations, which is saying a lot so if they acted swiftly, maybe they would gain a little respect by the world at large.  

This is a turning point for the world.  This is a time for the Western world to stand up to a bully.  Unfortunately, the writing has been on the wall for awhile.  We haven't done enough to beat him down.  It could be a lonely place for Putin if we cut him off at the knees.

Sidebars:  Well, it's really more than a sidebar, but my dislike for Mayor DiBlasio just keeps growing. I thought for sure that it would change, but not so much.  He fancies himself an everyman, a working man, but who that works a regular job, lives in NYC, can afford to take a 10 day vacation with your spouse and two kids?  It really illustrates why I feel he is so inauthentic.  Can't have it both ways, Mr. Mayor.  He's only been Mayor for 7 months and he's taking a vacation?  Really?  Wouldn't happen in any corporation or company.  You actually have to work a year before a vacation is given/taken.  I have lived in NYC since 1981, I don't recall anyone taking a vacation.  I am not saying they didn't, but it was on the down low.  When Bloomberg flew on his private plane to his home on some island for the weekend, he was criticized for not being here.  So, Mayor DiBlasio, what world are you living in?

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@DianaPodolsky

Boehner's Bomb

All this bulls**t out of Washington, D.C. continues on.  First, we have the religious, partisan Supreme Court majority screwing women again and again.  Now, John Boehner wants to sue the President of the United States??  Really??  That's how your spending your last few days before your August recess?  You could pass immigration reform or at least take an up or down vote.  There's the incredibly sad and desperate border crisis with tens of thousands of children living in makeshift camps.  Do I have the answers to this tremendous problem?  No, but I am not getting paid to pass laws and help the people of the USA.  Congress has done so little good for all the people of this country, so what does John Boehner think is a good idea?  File a lawsuit against POTUS because he thinks he went around Congress to get things done.  Well, duh!  Who could blame Obama?  Congress has proven to be useless, mean, and detrimental to the people.  They are paid to do something.  They've done nothing and somehow the President gets the blame.  Look, I am not an Obama lover as many of you may think I am, but no one can get things done if no one will compromise.  If the purpose of your tenure in Congress is to stop the President from getting anything done, then it makes it hard to negotiate.  Is Obama blameless? No. He should have, from the outset, gotten his hands dirtier, but sue him?  That's a good use of our tax dollars.  

Time and time again, I keep saying it's hard to rant because it all feels so bleak and useless, but John Boehner, stop it!!  Don't add to it. Lead the members of Congress.  Take risks that will help the future of the American people.  I want changes in Congress.  If it takes term limits, so be it.  If you are an elected member of Congress and not doing your job, then your should not be able to re-run.  If you are a lifer and fighting day in and day out for the people in your district, then great, keep running.  When you are stacking the deck for yourself and against the people, you need to go and when you go, forget your lifetime pension from the tax payers.  Do you realize what an incredible package our Congressmen and Senators get regardless of what they do or don't do?  Do you?  If you lose your job, do you get money for life?  If you don't do the job you were hired to do, do you get money and benefits for life?  We have set up a terrible system.  There are no checks and balances.  You may say, what about elections?  Isn't that a system of checks and balances?  Except I have little faith that most voters know more than what's in television commercials and flyers in the mail.  People, take long, hard looks at your Congressperson before the next election.  See if they voted the way you wanted.  See if they showed up at all.  Check how much time they took off.  Did they come up with ideas or just obstructions?  Some of this is still in the voters hands, but you have to do the work.  

So John Boehner, stop it!!  Stop spinning useless wheels.  Start making a difference in the lives of Americans.  Stop being a coward.  Start being the leader that you are supposed to be.  Stop running for cover.  Start stepping up to the plate and that does not mean pandering to the ignoramuses you call your Party.  This Congress under your leadership has been a disgrace.  It's time to dig deep and be brave.

Sidebars:  Saw Jersey Boys.  I give it a thumbs down.  If you didn't see the Broadway show, maybe it doesn't matter.  Thought the screenplay was terrible, dragged, and should've been fun.  The Broadway musical was a blast from beginning to end, movie, not so much.  The World Cup is finally coming to a close.  It's between Argentina and Germany.  Hard for me to take sides, so after 3 weeks of incredible match ups, I have no horse in the race.  :-(  Summer television is in full swing.  Too many new shows on too many hard to find stations.  Did you see the Emmy nominations?  My quick overview is that the networks are in big trouble.  If the Emmys are any reflection, the networks are getting more irrelevant.  Hey, anyone watch Rizzoli and Isles on TNT?  They said shit twice in last week's episode.  Doesn't shock me, but does because it's not HBO or Showtime. It's TNT, channel 3 in NYC.  Okay, it's Friday, it's gorgeous and it's time to get outside.  Happy weekend!!

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@DianaPodolsky

SCOTUS Sucks

There I said it.  There is little comfort in any of the decisions the Supreme Court Justices have made.  The latest today is such a huge blow to women in America, decided by 5 men.  It says that privately owned companies, i.e. Hobby Lobby, can pull their religious beliefs over the right of women and refuse to pay for contraception in the Affordable Care Act. Are you kidding me???  As a woman, I am so disheartened.  As a Non-Christian, I am feeling less and less a part of this current society.  I pay taxes through the nose, but am getting very little back.  If we could just get to a point of live and let live, but that's not possible.  The freaking religious Right is gaining ground and control of this country.  The conservative Right controls the Supreme Court, which is supposed to be non-partisan, but that has gone the way of the rotary dial telephone.  We, the people, are in trouble in this Country.  We, the people, need to stand up.  I have said it before and I will say it again.  For whatever reason, the Right can light a fire so easily under their base.  The Left or Independent can't.  We sit back and watch as Our rights keep getting eroded for things that we don't believe in or think is right and do nothing.  Is it disbelief?  Are we ostriches?  Can we possibly keep thinking that this stuff isn't happening?  It's happening.  The Supreme Court has taken another step in taking away the rights of women over religiosity.  I am stunned and can't believe that Hobby Lobby's religious freedom overrides mine.  Don't believe for one second that this isn't a Christian decision. If Hobby Lobby were Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or any other religious owner, this never would have happened.  This decision is based on religious beliefs, not the Constitution of the United States.  The Justices can refute anything that I am saying, but they will never get me to believe them.  They have proven biased by religion, gender, color, sexual preference, and anything else that could be considered "other."  You can't tell me that Clarence Thomas is black.  He is a disgrace to the robe and to the African American community.  Is it me?  Has the Supreme Court always had this much bias?  I think it's evolved over the past 40 years.  Where once we, the people, felt that there was a safety net for the keepers of the Constitution, that has dissipated.  It's a terrible feeling.  A deep feeling that everything is spinning to shit and we can't stop it.  There's no one to stop it.  The President has been found lacking.  The Congress is useless and too divided to really care about all the people.  And now, the Supreme Court of the United States of America has proven over and over again to not have our backs.  

So, what do We do????  Help me.  How do we light a fire in districts that are having contentious elections.  I live in NY.  We don't have big elections locally or State-wide.  How can we advocate for change and demand changes in laws to help all the people, not just some of the people?  We have important issues in this country, this isn't one of them, until now.  This decision only hurts women and disproportionately poor women.  Where do we go from here?  I won't shop at a Hobby Lobby or any other company that infringes its religious beliefs on my life.  I never even heard of Hobby Lobby until this case, so that will have little effect.  I am open to suggestions.  I am currently out of ideas and am flooded with feelings.  Help!

Update: Though the Supreme Court decision is terrible, the worst possible news came out of Israel this afternoon. The three male teenagers that were kidnapped, Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrach, were found dead today in the West Bank.  Such a tragedy of great proportions. Now what?  There is no rhyme or reason to this heinous act of murder.  No justification.  These were boys.  

Sidebars:  If people wonder what the magic is to the New York Yankees, you only have to witness on old-timers game.  It is like nothing else, and is rooted in the history of baseball.  I think it is unique to New York.  It is worth going to once in your life if you are a lover of the game.  It's a brotherhood.  To see greats like, Reggie Jackson, taking photos of other greats is surreal.  The players all seem in awe of each other and it is one of the few ways to really see the through line to the past.  I never mentioned the passing of Tony Gwynn.  It really hit me hard.  He's my age.  His entire career happened in San Diego after I moved to NYC, but his greatness on and off the field was famous.  Never heard a bad word against him.  When he retired from the Padres, Bud Selig honored Tony Gwynn and Cecil Fielder at the same time.  Talked about how great they both were to the game, but the one thing that Bud Selig didn't say and should have said, both Tony Gwynn and Cecil Fielder played for one team their entire careers.  Their fans got to know them and feel like family.  Lost all respect for Bud Selig at that moment.  Bud Selig has been terrible for baseball, great for capitalism.  Go USA in the World Cup.

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@DianaPodolsky

What Do You Think?

Today in the NY Post there is an article about a city college turning down a $10 million dollar grant.  What??  On face value, it's appalling.  How can any college turn down any money from anyone?  A closer look.  The Koch Brothers wanted to give CCNY (City College of New York) a grant for business.  Still feel the college should have taken it no matter what?  There is definitely not a clear cut answer, but think of what you are teaching the students.  We take money from anyone even though we are diametrically opposed to everything they stand for politically. Just think what the Koch Brothers are trying to do to democracy?  They are trying to influence the outcome of elections and therefore policies.  Policies that by and large are against the youth that are going to CCNY.  It's not the first time that people have stood by beliefs over money.  It's just unusual for a struggling college to stand up and be strong.  They could use the money definitely.  I think it's admirable to demonstrate we have beliefs and values that can't be compromised.  I admire their stance. I wonder how the students feel....

The Central Park 5 are five men that were charged, indicted, and jailed for some 20 years for raping a jogger in Central Park.  This was a huge crime and trial. They were absolved of wrong doing and freed not that long ago.  They sued the city of New York for $250 million.  They settled for $40million.  I thought the City got off easy.  The Blowhard Donald T***p thinks the city gave them too much.  He's been very vocal against the settlement.  As a tax payer, I was thrilled.  First of all, to get this all behind us is preferable.  These men can never get back the years they lost in jail.  Maybe they will do some good with their lives and money.  Maybe there are lessons to be learned.  Maybe they can gain some modicum of a normal life.  

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber.  Now, before you just skip ahead, think about it. Every time I hear they are on again or off again, I groan.  That it's news is annoying.  If they were just two young people that weren't famous, they would be just classic messed up young lovers.  Their story isn't new but they are in the spotlight.  Everything about their love is predictable and been done many times before.  It's unfortunate that girls often date boys that aren't nice to them, break up with them, forgive them, and get back together again.  It's a cycle that needs to be broken.  These young people on the surface aren't right for each other and should take their supposed love underground or, better yet, elsewhere. So girls, listen up.  Learn from this.  If you broke up with your boyfriend for a reason, the reason doesn't usually go away.  He still wants time alone, flirts with other girls, wants to be with the boys, doesn't treat you nice, doesn't compliment you, never responds to texts, etc. etc. etc.  Selena keeps buying into the apology until next time.  And there will be a next time.  He will do something that hurts her.  As for Justin, he's just a boy.  He's immature.  I don't like him on any level, but his ridiculous, offensive, inappropriate behavior is recorded. That's what's different between him and any boy his age.  He can't hide.  He needs to go away.  These young people need to find another path away from each other. If it's meant to be, they can meet up in ten years....

Okay, what about the Washington Redskins?  At first, the only people who started complaining about the mascot name were white men.  It gave me pause, but thought if the Indian Nation doesn't stand up and start screaming, maybe it's okay.  Fast forward to the direct, pointed, commercial the Indian Nation put together that aired during the NBA Playoffs.  They made it perfectly clear that "Redskins" is an offensive and unacceptable term.  It's not a term of endearment.  I'm not sure why it is finally getting traction now.  Stanford University had to forego the Indian mascot, which actually employed a native American, for the mascot name Cardinal.  Poor choice but they did that over 40 years ago.  Why did the Redskins get off until now?  The ground swell is growing.  Daniel Snyder, the owner, is digging in his heels.  He will not change the name.  The US Patent office cancelled many of their lucrative trademarks for clothing and memorabilia.  Still, Dan Snyder is not budging.  What can the government do?  Well, first off, take away the Washington Redskins tax-exempt status until he does change the name.  All tax money collected could go towards helping reservations around the country.  Dan Snyder isn't going to win in the end, I'm sure of that, but until then, it's time to dig in our heels too and not except it.  What about the Cincinnati Reds?  Atlanta Braves?  There are many professional teams that may want to start thinking how their mascot choices affect others.  Seriously, if Stanford had to give up the Indians....

Reflections of An 11th Grade Parent

It is June 19, 2014.  It is the end of what can only be called the longest and hardest year.  Parents of older kids have often recounted how terrible 11th grade was, but as much as you can imagine the worst year, you can't possibly.  Having two children going through it at the same time multiplies it, but not by much.  The difference between kids today and when I was a kid?  We hardly sweated anything out.  We did our work, got our grades, took the SAT's and went to college. We didn't put a ton of thought into what it all meant.  Today's kids think about their futures all the time.  There is a heavy burden not only to get great grades but to hit the College Entrance exams out of the ball park.  And still, it's all a crap shoot.  The amount of promotional material that colleges and universities send is ridiculous as if because we receive their glossy magazine, we will choose the school.  Just like applying to private schools in New York and many other major metropolitan cities, it's not really our choice.  We can only present our best selves. The decision is all in the hands of the institutions.  

I digress.  The point is that from September to June of 11th Grade, it is without question the most arduous and stressful year.  As a parent, all I can do is provide quiet, meals, support, tutors.  I can't do the work and, to be perfectly frank, they are far smarter than I.  I hate that the children can't relax and enjoy their high school years.  These are supposed to be the glory years of childhood, but they've turned into uber stressful years. The lack of sleep is ridiculous. If schools would only take a poll and realize that children aren't getting anywhere near the amount of sleep needed to grow, be strong and healthy.  Is it possible they don't realize it?  The kids don't like to complain to teachers and principals.  They complain to their families.  Somehow the schools have received the message, that I definitely didn't send, that tons of work is the way to become productive adults.  I don't feel that way at all. I resent all the homework.  Always have.  I don't think most of it is valuable.  I understand math homework.  That makes the most sense, but if you don't have a good math teacher, it's useless and frustrating (which is how this year was for some of us).  

Anyway, 11th grade is far worse than you can prepare yourselves for and to what end?  We just finished a full week of finals.  Finals?? The kids were studying everyday for a different subject and studying way into the night.  The horror stories from Moms and Dads how little sleep their children have gotten are plentiful.  I think it's ridiculous.  With all that's at stake for 11th graders, the schools should ease up and help balance the work load.  There is plenty of time to sweat things out in college and then all of life.  Schools aren't interested in doing that.  Schools want to pile on.  A teacher asked me recently, how am I doing?  I had to laugh because though I didn't have to study for the finals or take the finals, I was equally as stressed watching my kids and their friends sweat out the week.  She completely understood.  They made it, we made it, we wait for their final grades and assessments, and they are now Seniors!!  Oy vey!

Sidebars: Now, it's summer break, and the World Cup is everywhere.  It is one of the best times in NYC because World Cup fever is contagious.  Every bar and restaurant has their TV tuned to the games and the flags of the countries are all over the place.  It's what makes New York City so unique.  The Big Apple has someone living and working here from every country playing. Everyone cares and it's infectious.  It's very exciting and a great diversion.  By the end of the Cup, I may even understand all the rules and intricacies.  Summer television is starting to pick up.  It's been very dreary waiting for new series and old to begin episodes.  I really am going to try to watch Orange Is the New Black, but not thrilled to watch on my computer.  I still think the best family show is America's Got Talent.  If you are looking for a throwback variety show, give it a go.  There are magicians, dancers, singers, acrobats, and anything you can think up.  Jersey Boys, the movie, opens this weekend.  I'm in, are you?  My kids are turning 17 next week.  I am flabbergasted.  Where did the time go?  It's a funny dynamic being a parent.  Your whole job is to prepare them to leave you and stand on their own and, at the same time, you want to lock them away and keep them safe.  Enjoy the first day of summer!  Keep breathing!

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@DianaPodolsky