Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Guest Post #4: Are you ready to rumble?

That's right folks, incredible as it may seem, there are kind and generous people in the world. Another guest post. My smicha is safe. Also, funnily enough, I agree with much of what's written here. Scary, eh? Still, I accept no responsibility. Sorry SZB.
---------------
So, the dating posts were a little... boring? Meaningless for this crowd? Too serious? Therefore, I had decided that I wanted to ditch that direction in my writing, and that's why this was so late. But then, just today, I was asked to write about marriage. Coincidental? Ironic? Whatever...

In any case, I was asked by a very close friend of mine, "Do you think I'm ready to get married?" I never had before considered myself as sagacious enough to give haskama on the readiness of a marriage candidate, so I had to think and dig into my brain files about what I've learned regarding such a question.

The answer that came to mind, and what I said to my friend went something like this:

Is anyone ever ready to get married? Do we wake up one morning and say "Wow, today's the day I feel I'm ready and mature enough to make a commitment for the rest of eternity!"?!?

Most likely not. If you look at marriage objectively, and put aside the passion and fringe benefits, you might question as to why anyone would possibly want to get married... You have to give so much of your time, energy, love, toil, and talent to someone else. This though, is one of the keys to understanding if you're ready for such an eternal commitment.
If you are ready to give of yourself, your strengths and your very essence to another person, unselfishly and with true care and concern for that individual, then it's time to call the shadchan ;)
Then again, how many of us (even married ones of us) can honestly say that we can, or have, reached that stage?
Perhaps, just putting someone else's needs and desires on par with our own, is a big enough sign to know we are ready. And if we can't, then it's time to work on our good ol' Ahavas Yisroel.
I'm going to finish the marriage info. with a joke that will undoubtedly have you rolling your eyes, but all the same, here goes:

What's black and white and red all over?
A bochur on a first date.
************************

The Mud Hole Moshul and question list will be coming soon enough, just thought I'd at least type up something quick to start with.

143 comments:

le7 said...

As Mirian Lipskier said "The fact that you need to take three more anthropology courses is immaterial to the fact whether you should get married or not."

Just like a guy said...

A wise woman if there ever was one. Not that I would know of course.

Nemo said...

How about law school taxation courses?

le7 said...

Or how about calculus and organic chemistry? I don't know.

Just like a guy said...

One would assume that those are no better than anthropology courses.

le7 said...

Sorry Nemo. In this woman's estimation, I highly doubt that law school courses are any different than undergraduate humanities courses.

In fact, they're probably less of an excuse, since graduate programs tend to be more understanding and accomadating to such "issues."

Nemo said...

Apparently you never took a look at the Internal Revenue Code. This shit is unforgiving.

And since you mentioned it, we were warned on the first day of school that law school has a habit of destroying relationships and causing divorces. But go on smoking pot, going to parties on Friday nights, and generally hallucinating about things that you couldn't begin to ponder.

Humf.

Nemo said...

The IRC is 6 times longer than Tolstoy's War and Peace and is convoluted by references and cross references.

le7 said...

Wait, so everyone in your law school does those things?

Nemo said...

No, only the Jews and Asians do Tax.

Just like a guy said...

Good answer nemo.

le7 said...

I meant smoking pot and whatever they need to smoke to hallucinate.

Nemo said...

No, that was an admonition for you. You smoke pot, go to parties on friday night, and hallucinate about things.

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

EndOfWorld said...

Actually, I woke up one day and said, "Hey I think I'm ready and mature enough to make a commitment that will last for all eternity, etc!"

...good thing too, cause then they yelled that I had better get dressed in my wedding gown, otherwise we'd be late for pictures...

Just like a guy said...

LOL. Is that how it is?

le7 said...

Nemo, you hurt my feelings.

EOW: That is pretty funny.

le7 said...

Woah Farb, I'm having a flashback. I had a total flashback. You told me and my roommate that joke after you sang us the star spangled banner on one of our Jewish holy days.

Yitzchak said...

"issues" As we know in our wonderful liberal culture, marriage is a social problem and pregnancy is a disease.

le7 said...

Yeah, let's throw some money at those problems.

Just like a guy said...

Which would accomplish what?

le7 said...

Maybe I would get some money.

Just like a guy said...

you're gonna solve those problems that we should pay you?

le7 said...

Why not?

Just like a guy said...

You have experience? What are you planning on doing exactly?

Yitzchak said...

Dear President Obama,
I understand given your historic victory (it really is. He's only the second president to shtam from Ireland) you want to address social issues. The most pressing is marriage. It has been proven through countless studies that this terrible institution leads in most cases to pregnancy. Not only that but the overwhelming majority of these pregnancies are incurable because the mother's refuse treatment. Give LE7 a huge wad of cash (and some for me too) and we'll solve your problems. Bail out main street !! [other useless slogan here]

Remember: marriage is a terrible social malady. Repeat it often enough and Murphy's Law will send me a shidduch.

Just like a guy said...

I still don't get it, how will wads of cash accomplish anything? What are you planning on doing?

le7 said...

Not sure, but Murphy's Law works. Or doesn't. Depending on your view.

Not sure yet, but if they give me enough money I'll think of something.

Yitzchak said...

sheva, TRS is actually such an innocent that he doesn't realize how government works and he means this seriously.

TRS: The way government social programs work is azei. A special interest group comes to the government and says "there is an awful terrible problem in society and if it isn't stopped xyz will happen and it will draw away tax revenue or similar excuse(if you buy yourself a senator s/he'll even make up the excuse for you) and we are tzadikkim trying to stop it but we don't have money. Then the government gives them a huge wad of cash which they spend on business trips to places like Las Vegas and St. Martin Island.

LE7, count me in.

Just like a guy said...

Modeh: this is the kind of cynicism that Barack Obama is trying to fight against.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
Modeh- I love the line about murphy's law... :)

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
TRS, you say that you agree with much of what's written here. So, what is it then that you don't agree with?

Cheerio said...

well, i hope we all, mature and ready or not, make a commitment for all eternity!
that wasn't very funny.
i'm too tired to be amusing and witty.
but i feel like i should be.
maybe i should challenge nemo's attribution of certain behaviors to LE7 - dude, she gets high on life! no need for weed!

Just like a guy said...

Oh fabulous one: after reading it a second time, I realized that I agree with it all. Except the joke. On my first date, I plan on wearing makeup.
Ok, a poor joke. Sorry.

Cheerio: if you can't laugh at life, what's the point of living? If you're too tired, go to sleep. Or blog about me. My ego is still waiting for that.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
I'm glad I'm still fabulous...

Just like a guy said...

Whoever suggested otherwise? I'll go bust his chops.

Cheerio said...

i'm trying to work past the tiredness and get to a place where i can blog. perhaps even humorously. perhaps even about you. (well, maybe not).

le7 said...

You wouldn't have to wear make-up. Your beard seems to cover most of your face no?

Cheerio said...

are you skilled at applying makeup? you have previous experience?

le7 said...

I had a teacher in high school who liked to dress up like women and wear make-up. Funny enough he is happily married. (And my friend on facebook).

Cheerio said...

that is interesting.

le7 said...

He's a bit cracked.

Just like a guy said...

The last time I tried putting on face paint was, oh fifteen years ago for purim. I got an allergic reaction or something, and since then I haven't applied anything. As you correctly point out, my beard does cover most of my face, so it's not such an urgent thing anyway.

Yitzchak said...

Correction: Says he is fighting against. Lazy shmendrik can't even find his own loyal flunky/sycophants so he has to hire Clinton's. COme on, all he has to do is take the Q to 42nd and walk around for five minutes.

(I don't really hate Obama but the cult devotion he gets teases the iconoclast in me)

Just like a guy said...

I actually think Obama is kind of cute. He's going to do a terrible job because he's trying to make everybody happy, but still...and he gives great speeches too.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
Keep in mind; Obama's success is our success. If Obama proves himself as a "good president" who can help this country financially get on its feet, keep this country safe and diplomatic, then ultimately it is us who are the winners.

Once elected as president, it is only to our benefit to hope and pray that Obama do well, whether or not we like him.

LE7- I remember that night like it was yesterday... Oh say can you see-eee (with a drawl...)

Just like a guy said...

This is sick. Once again I agree with you Miss Fab.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
My goodness, you are in an agreeable mood aren't you? Or maybe I'm on a lucky streak of being right?

If only you would know my other thoughts about our president elect...

le7 said...

Miss Farb tends to be rather right generally speaking.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
Why thank you LE7! I'm feeling quite loved :)

Farbrengen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nemo said...

Once elected as president, it is only to our benefit to hope and pray that Obama do well, whether or not we like him.

You sound so full of it that you should go on shlichus.

Cheerio said...

ooh, nemo, harshhhh.

Nemo said...

I'm just saying that she sounds like a shliach trying to save face with his balebatim in the kiddush club* after six months of telling them why this guy can't possibly win an election.

*Kiddush club: that's where shluchim can say thing that are politically incorrect without fear of reprisal or losing their non-profit status.

Just like a guy said...

LOL.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
Being able to converse in the Kiddush club lingo is of no help to a girl. It's aka the "men's club", so I don't think I'd be invited.

In any case, I truly believe what I said. I want him to do well for the country's benefit. That's the bottome line. If you heard me saying this in person you would see how down-right honest I am about this.
I'm optomistic, and pray to Hashem that we should see revealed good with all of this.

It's a shame that when someone is genuinely positive and finds the good in a situation they are considered fake or "full of it".

Just like a guy said...

That's life.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
So, I'll just be the good one like in "12 Angry Men" and eventually you will all fall into my positivity and all will be well.
Now that, is life.

Just like a guy said...

Dream on. Never underestimate the power of negativity.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D

Moshiach is coming. When the game is all over, I win.

Just like a guy said...

We all win. Even Lakewood.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D

True. So ultimately, although negativity seems to be the artificial choice of many, in essence they just want to be like me. In a happy and positive state of being.

Just like a guy said...

You should sell self-help videos.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
I don't like videos, they're not said with true care and concern to the idividual because you personally interact with them and see how you can help them help themselves. In person contact is much better.

Perhaps I'll look into your other suggestion as a professional motivator...

Just like a guy said...

I get shadchanus gelt of course...

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
Ooooooh, maybe a shadchan would be a better idea! Hmm... so many options so little time!

Just like a guy said...

Multitask.

Farbrengen said...

BS"D
This kind of ties in with what we were discussing, I came across it on Chabad.org. It doesn't really prove any point I was making, but it vaguely connected in my mind, so I thought I'd share.

Today's Daily Dose (R' Tzvi Freeman, who btw I hear is a great Farbrengener- is that a word?)
Fear of Joy
People are afraid of joy. They are afraid they'll get out of hand and lose control.

These people haven't experienced real joy -- the joy that comes from doing something G-dly and beautiful with all your heart. The fact is, there is nothing that will lift you higher. Where there is that joy, the Divine Presence can enter. Where there is that joy, there are no pits to fall into, and all obstacles evaporate into thin air.

Nemo said...

Excuse me, I said that you sound full of it, not that you are full of it. I think anyone with their head screwed on straight wants Obama to do well for our country. But the way you said it - "even if we don't like him" - is a little too fluffy apologetic. It's like telling a kid in preschool to play nice even though the other kid is a conniving crybaby brat, just to shut the kids up.

chanie said...

Modeh- I thought you were married.
LE7- trust me, Murphy's law works. I said all of last year that I don't want to get married. No, I'm not married yet. But trust me, don't mess with Murphy.

I think for Purim I should dress up as a chassid in a shtreimel- maybe then some Chabadnik will pull me in to the mens' club.

And don't encourage Obama bin Laden...

How about a shidduch between Modeh and Farbrengen, and between Cheerio and TRS? Shadchanus gelt goes to me...

Oh, and TRS, you can put on makeup in my place. For my first dates, I never wore makeup. Nor for the second or third, and I'm not planning on doing so at the wedding, either. But you can be instead of me....

Just like a guy said...

A: Mazel tov!
2: You only get shadchanus gelt if it works, and this one ain't.
III: really? I can wear makeup? Are you sponsoring? Will you find me someone who'll go out with a guy wearing makeup?

chanie said...

A: Huh?
2: How do you know? Don't reject any shidduch off the bat. And anyways, some shadchanim charge per suggestion. I'm one of them.
111: I'm not sponsoring- makeup is a waste of money. If you like, wear makeup. It'll crack up every girl you date.

Just like a guy said...

A: You implied that you're close to accepting a proposal of marriage.
2: if the suggestion came unwanted, then I don't owe you nothing. And when I say that nothing's happening, nothing's happening. Trust me.
III: they'll think I'm cracked up. And I would think I was cracked up too.

chanie said...

A: Did I? Oops.
2: Nooo! But I want Cheerio married, and you seem as good a guy as any- perhaps even better than some...
111: Perhaps you are cracked up. But better to be cracked up than cracked.

chanie said...

A: Perhaps denying such an accusation is a better move.

Just like a guy said...

A: why is this a bad thing?
2: I'm a great guy, and I'm sure she's a great girl, and never the twain shall meet (for marriage purposes anyway).
III: say what?

chanie said...

A: I never said it was. But I also should not have said what I did.
2: Watch, Murphy's law still works. [evil glint]
III: Someone who is cracked is nuts. Someone who is cracked up is laughing. Better to be cracked up than to be cracked.

Just like a guy said...

A: fine. I understand (I think)
2: (channeling gershon Veroba here...) and those who don't see, are those who refuse to see, and those who don't hear, are those who refuse to hear, the hand of...
III: yeah, I suppose I am cracked up then.

chanie said...

A: Thanks. (Okay, think what you like.) By the way, re the question in the post- no one is ready to get married.
2: Lav davka.
III: You're cracking me up.

Just like a guy said...

A: I will.
No?
2: Davka lav.
III: Woohoo! My life's mission is fulfilled!

chanie said...

A: Good.
No.
2: What?
III: You do know what happens when you fulfill your purpose here, right?

Just like a guy said...

A: I would beg to differ.
2: All's I'm saying is, when I say something ain't happening, then it ain't happening. (Channeling MBD here...) Rifles will have to fall silent, tanks will explode, the victor will then be...at that point, I'll be willing to discuss it.
III: So obviously I was wrong. I still have more to do. Nu nu.

chanie said...

A: Why?
2: We shall see.
III: Nunu..you were obviously wrong, because I'm always right.

Just like a guy said...

A: I can see there's a big issue of trust here (see #2).
2: Yup. Don't hold your breath.
III: Whatever.

chanie said...

A: Issue of trust where?
2: I'm not. I like breathing.
III: Just ask anyone, they'll tell you.

Just like a guy said...

A: In this relationship.
2: Excellent. I knew you'd see the light eventually.
III: I don't discuss girls with other people.

chanie said...

A: In which?
2: Um, no. I don't hold my breath- I just wait for my predictions to take place.
III: Fine. But who says I'm a girl?

Just like a guy said...

A: Ours.
2: Jesus is still waiting for his to come true...
III: With a name like "Chanie"...

chanie said...

A: I didn't know we had one.
2: But I'm not an apostate, B"H.
And we're still waiting for Moshiach...so...
III: How do you know we didn't switch names?

Just like a guy said...

A: What else would you call this?
2: I don't deal with issues of apostasy unless I'm getting paid to do so/worked up/drunk/all three.
2B: Meaning what exactly, my little koferess?
III: Who's we, white girl?

chanie said...

A: A comment exchange.
2: So don't mention him by name, unless you have to. For that matter, don't mention him at all.
2B: You can use my example.
And, no I'm not "your little koferess", nor a koferess at all.
III: We meaning my brother and I. Or perhaps my future chassan and I. Nothing to do with you.

Just like a guy said...

A: Every person you interact with has a relationship with you.
2: Who is this him you refer to?
2B: Example of what?
You're right. A kofer is yodeah borav v'mechaven limrod bo. An am haaretz is not a kofer.
III: I didn't think it had anything to do with me. But the point is, if it writes like a girl, thinks like a girl, and acts like a girl, then something tells me that it's a girl.

chanie said...

A: Okay, fine.
2: J.
2B: Example of something that was promised and prophesied but not yet fulfilled.
And neither would I consider myself any more of an am ha'aretz than you are. If anything, less of one.
III: Okay, good. And if it's a boy, and you're seeing everything backwards?

Just like a guy said...

2: oh yeah. I was being minorly sarcastic when I mentioned him.
2B: ahh, you're making a gezeirah shavah.
2C: I very much doubt it.
III: If I dealt with every possible what-if, I would never deal with anything else again.

chanie said...

2: Fine, but you still shouldn't have mentioned him.
2B: Now you get it....
2C: Shall we test it out?
III: So don't.

Nemo said...

2C: Shall we test it out?

Let's.

chanie said...

Go right ahead.

Yitzchak said...

Modeh- I thought you were married.

What!! I'm acting that mature? I've got to start working on myself before I end up a responsible adult.

Still reading the farbrengen section. Pretty amazing. Strikes me the litvaks wouldn't have such a tremendous dropout rate if they did something like this. THen again, if they did they wouldn't be litvaks.

As for the shidduch, before we go further, guess my age.

chanie said...

No, you don't sound married. But it was an impression....

Yeah, start working. Otherwise no one in blogosphere will suggest shidduchim for you.

Which farbrengen section?

23? 26?

Yitzchak said...

If I don't sound married what kind of impression?

Phew: I'm still immature.

The one TRS mentioned when I said that I heard the word "farbreng" meant to chill out.

chanie said...

No, you do sound married. I'm sorry- I meant to say that you don't sound so mature.

Yeah.

Hm...ok...where?

You didn't tell me if any of my guesses were correct.

Yitzchak said...

Thank you.

URL: look at his label column and click farbrengen.

Oh. THat's what the numbers were. Let's just say I'm very flattered and leave it at that. I can't ask you your age because that's one of the ג עבירות חמורות: asking a girl her:
1-age
2-weight
3-annual income

THough given your guesses I'd place you as one year above either of them. That is 24? 27?

Yitzchak said...

Let's keep on backing and forthing. It'll boost TRS's ego that he has so many comments, and ego boosts are good when you're studying. (Not that I would know, I don't study)

chanie said...

Okay, thanks.

Yes, that's what those numbers were. Okay, let's give another guess: 20? 21?

Nah, not assur, but 2 and 3 are personal.

And I'm flattered. I must sound much older than I am.

chanie said...

If you like...I just need permission. :P

I should be working. But instead I'm talking and typing...

Yitzchak said...

I am on intersession which I spent fruitlessly searching for a job, which I will Iy"h get just in time for it to interfere with my school work. THat means I am doing nothing with my life.

I guess 19? If the next comment is a stream of symbols like you slammed your fists on the keyboard then I was right. I must sound older than I am too.
If you are lucky enough to have what to do, I won't keep you. I have just been invited to get mixed up with an Israeli former gang leader's family troubles. If I'm still alive I'll be back to disgrace this blog with my moderne shtusim

chanie said...

Good luck with the job hunt.

No, you guessed too young. I'm not that immature.

I am lucky enough to have what to do, B"H. Unfortunately, I have too much to do, and not enough time to do it in. And my conversation- that which makes doing things hard- is also important. Oh, well.

Just like a guy said...

Far be it from me to intercede in a personal conversation, but if there's any unresolved issues I left hanging then I'd be happy to deal with them now.

chanie said...

What unresolved issues might there be?

Just like a guy said...

I don't know, you tell me.

chanie said...

I don't know either.

Yitzchak said...

21.

I think I interrupted you setting TRS up with Cheerio. Go to it. He can now add "a quarter of a rabbi" to his shidduch resume. Mazal tov.

chanie said...

You did interrupt that. My next project is to go for smicha; luckily for me, I'm not writing a shidduch resume, nor have I ever.

Yitzchak said...

Going for smicha would look awful on your shidduch resume should you ever write one. Nu, TRS, vus zugst ihr? (thereby almost exhausting my yiddish vocabulary)

By the fact that you're ignoring me I assume I guessed right?

Just like a guy said...

I'm sorry for appearing to ignore you. Re: me and cheerio: read my previous comments.

chanie said...

Yep. That's why, luckily, I'm not writing one.

Yitzchak said...

Not you, TRS, Chanie and the age game. Now that you are a Ra (it was your idea after all) expect lots of Egyptian Avoda Zara jokes.

Cheerio said...

chanie - after reading all these comments, the burning question still remains in my mind: who are you and why do you want me to get married?
part a, you can email me, and part b, please answer here.
modeh - you seem like a cool and funny dude. welcome.

Just like a guy said...

You want to know how old I am? I'm turning 22 in less than a month.

chanie said...

MBM- Ra? And I wasn't ignoring you. I told you that you were wrong- I haven't been 19 for quite a while...

Cheerio- email me that question, we've been through this before.

Yitzchak said...

Cheerio -- Thanks.
TRS -- Not you chanie. Read your own comments.
chanie -- No the last guess. I guessed 21.

chanie said...

Sorry, didn't see that one. Okay, you guessed right this time- approximately. Though it really doesn't matter...

Yitzchak said...

It doesn't but guessing is fun.

Just like a guy said...

This is quite disconcerting, having no freaking clue about a conversation being conversated on my very own blog.

chanie said...

MBM- Yes it is, but my gut is saying that it's not quite appropriate.

TRS- Being disconcerted is good for your bittul.

Just like a guy said...

Oh, the queen of being appropiate, aren't we?

chanie said...

If I want to be, let me be.

Just like a guy said...

If you want to be a hypocrite, well enjoy it.

le7 said...

TRS - It is rather disconcerting. I had this the other day with the blog war on mine.

chanie said...

TRS- I don't mean to be, but sometimes I realize that it all went too far...
Why do you think I'm a hypocrite?

Just like a guy said...

It's okay to link (connect) to people who are other-gendered, and send people over there, but it's not okay to find out how old someone is?

chanie said...

I don't see an issue with linking to a blog. Age is a bit more personal.

Just like a guy said...

Whatever. I have to go start taaruvos, I can't be bothered to explain why you're wrong.

chanie said...

Okay, holy dude. Go learn ta'aruvot.

Yitzchak said...

Go have fun with batalla (bad pun, I know.)

Just like a guy said...

It was so bad I didn't get it.

chanie said...

Nor did I.

Yitzchak said...

The halachos of what is battul and what isn't.

chanie said...

Ah...I read battalia. LOL.

Just like a guy said...

So what was the joke?

Yitzchak said...

Oh. You have mashpi'im not mashgichim. Less fortunate bochurim are aware that in beis medrash battlanim and battala are the subject of many a mussar shmuess because they are the things the average bochur is and spends most of seder doing, respectively.

Just like a guy said...

Ahh. Thing is, in smicha, we know we don't have to be there, so if we're there then we're learning. It's kind of a nice feeling actually.

Yitzchak said...

Ahh. Thing is, in a litvishe yeshiva, they spend a long time telling us about how we don't have to be there but if you decide you want to do something else you have major problems. It's kind of a major turnoff actually. (Why do you think I'm in college?)

Just like a guy said...

Weird. I was going to say something about how Lubavitch is better, but I realized that in truth, Lubavitch is no better. Everyone is always getting mixed messages. That's just the way life works.