I never wrote any questionable headlines, but I did get in a few questionable photographs. My favorite was one for a story on a Newcomb College tea with the Dean. Photo showed the white-columned academic building in the background, and a student with a cup of tea in one hand, a plate of little tiny sandwiches in the other hand, and an "I t heart Porn" t-shirt.

I looked up Hamsa. I find it interesting that both Islamic & Jewish traditions share it.

Yeah. I've seen some things saying that there's evidence that it predates either.

Whoa. They're estimating that Jewish charities lost at least $600 million that was invested with Madoff. And that's not counting the people who usually donate each year who also lost money. In the past week, at least two charities have shut down entirely, and a bunch of others are hugely scaling back. It seems like a whole lot of Jewish communal institutions -- schools, community centers, retirement homes, stuff like that -- also had a lot of money invested with him. [link]

t edit: probably getting into way too many stereotypes here, but a friend of mine in NYC said that her therapist was running really late for his appointments this week, because all his clients who'd invested with Madoff had made emergency appointments with him that he had to squeeze into his schedule.

That's scary economic news, Hil.

This country is going to need a cute little curly-headed triple threat to keep our spirits up, n'est-ce pas?

I can probably say the in the U.S. Jewish jewelery would relate to religion, while here they relate not only to specific type of Jews, but also to specific political stand. I don't have any Jewish jewelery: hell, I find it hard enough to wear my heart necklace (which I find very pretty) in case people would mistaken to think I'm a romantic fluffy person.

Jewish power beads (ugh -- fad that lasted about a week), a mezuzah necklace (made by a Judaica artist in New Orleans)

What are Jewish power beads? And the mezuzah necklace sounds awesome - could you take a picture of it? I can't imagine it.

Also, for those who are interested: Tom Purcell, the head writer on the Colbert Report, would be tomorrow (your today, already?) on a radio show I'm usually listening to on 1pm PST, on this link. A word of warning: the show has it's share of offensive humor.

Jewish power beads -- OK, regular Power Beads were a fad about five years ago. They were bracelets made of beads of semi-precious stones -- amethysts, coral, turquoise, a bunch of others -- and each one came with a little card explaining what sort of mystical power that stone had -- like some were relaxing, others were invigorating, others would bring luck, and so on. Then someone started selling Jewish power beads -- similar-looking bracelet, but the beads are light blue glass, and there's a Hebrew word written inside each one. There are four different bead words -- Mazal (luck), Chai (life), Ahava (love), and one that I spent a while puzzling at before realizing that it was Gelt.

I don't recall buying this, so I'm guessing my mom got it for me. There's a picture here [link] .

I just have to say: I'm sitting dead tired in uni right now, and I'm wearing a skirt, knee-high, and a shirt without too much of a cleavage. So, opening all those links? People are gonna assume I'm religious.

Well, I may be dead tired, but I might as well go and write a paper. It's not like I'm gonna get any sleep in here. sobs

Oh, that reminds me: I got an official apology from my friend's boyfriend as well. In the shape of a lollipop.

My camera's being a pain and won't let me take a picture of the necklace, but basically, it's a really really tiny mezuzah scroll, rolled with the printed side facing out, inside a little clear tube (Lucite, maybe?), with silver decorative caps at the top and bottom, on a silver chain.

Oh, that reminds me: I got an official apology from my friend's boyfriend as well. In the shape of a lollipop.

Hee. Acceptable apology?

I just have to say: I'm sitting dead tired in uni right now, and I'm wearing a skirt, knee-high, and a shirt without too much of a cleavage

Night!

Acceptable apology?

How could I not forgive? But still, tired...

But still, tired...