While the purpose of a Shiva is super important, there is a side of it that has always unnerved me. Shiva is the seven days of mourning that follows the death of a relative. It is usually observed in the home of the deceased, or in the home of a family member. Shivas provide comfort and companionship to those who are mourning.

I have attended many shivas over the years, and I have always noted that several folks take advantage of the occasion to eat their meals. It almost becomes a party for them. They don’t mean to be disrespectful, but the food is a big lure. They visit several times just to wolf down.

Most shivas feature a buffet of the best delicacies you have ever seen, much of which gets donated by friends.

Years ago there was a very popular movie called “Wedding Crashers” where two free loaders would “crash” weddings just to eat. Now there is an app called i-shiva that’s lists all of the neighborhood shivas so a good, hot free meal, is in walking distance. Okay, it’s a joke, but you must watch the video.

Good yontif !

It’s interesting to see how they matured. It’s like going to a high school reunion. Who are these old folks?

Thank you Gary Arlen. I enjoyed receiving these from you, and now I am enjoying sharing them with others.

Traffic lights in Ukraine

This fountain allows the water to flow downwards to dogs can drink too.

An accessibility mat on the beach for strollers and wheelchairs.

This pill bottle lid tells you when it was last opened.

Seniors and handicapped people can extend cross time for this eight lane highway.

This restaurant has a toe opener for those who want to avoid germs on the doorknob.

This shopping cart has a calculator so you know how much you are spending.

This bar has a frost strip so you can keep your drink cold.

This tire tells you when it’s time to change it.

This mirror has a heated part so it doesn’t steam up after a shower.

These tiny model tents will give you a look at what you are buying.

This elevator shows how close to capacity it is based on the weight of the riders.

This inflatable mattress turns the back of your car into a bed.

Trash cans in Copenhagen are angled so cyclists can throw their trash while cycling.

You are not going to believe this. A new company was just created to allow females of all ages to have their ears pierced at home. Louisa Schneider, the company’s founder, believes that the female population would rather have their ears pierced at home, by a licensed nurse, than in a store or a stand in a mall.

Louisa

Louisa is not alone in her feelings. She was able to raise $4 million in seed funding for Rowan, her direct-to-consumer ear-piercing startup.

After much research, Louisa discovered that nurses, across the country, are very eager to free lance for Rowan. It helps them earn extra income. They get to keep the entire $95 house call fee.

Rowan earns its money from selling customers a monthly subscription box that has lots of perks. Every month customers receive a new pair of studs (sterling silver, gold vermeil, or 14K gold) along with other fun trinkets.

It’s going to be very interesting to see if this company prospers. Louisa has an amazing background. Let’s see if it pays off.

There is more to this story. Read it here.

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/7/24/20708849/rowan-dtc-ear-piercing-startup-subscription-claires

A friend of mine recently sent the list below to me. He just retired from a job in publishing after 40 years, and now is auditioning for acting roles. He is one of those determined individuals that will make it happen. He claims whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it.

“Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it. Never tell yourself you missed your chance. Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough. You can do it. Whatever it is. This holds true for both young and old.”

At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.

At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.

At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer.

At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.

At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare.

At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook.

At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.

At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.

At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs.

Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39, and got her own cooking show at age 51.

Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.

Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.

Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.

Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first movie role until he was 46.

Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52.

Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.

Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.

Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.

Allen Hirsch

Allen is a client of mine in the smartphone case business. I think he should really be focusing on his art. He has been painting most of his life, but he doesn’t like to sell his art. He has most of his work stored in his SoHo loft.

Allen can create these masterpieces within a few hours. Most of the time he doesn’t paint with a brush, he uses a palette knife. Below are a few of his pieces from a recent visit to Jerusalem. Further down is a series of work he did in Central Park this summer. I look at his paintings and immediately visualize my own stories. I guess that means his art is a job well done.

A photo of Allen at work.

A photo of Allen’s work station.