More on Ice Skating

Cutie wasn't selected as Sam's ice dancing partner. But she starts ice dancing lessons with Susan. We have to shlep to WSA.

She passed FS3 yesterday but needs to practice her back spin. In fact everyone does. I start a new gig on Monday. I'm nervous for the first time in my working life. Maybe I'll start ice skating.

Gilad Shalit was freed yesterday in a 1 for 1000 prisoner exchange. It's worth mentioning.

Ice Dancing and the Market

Cutie turned 7 last week. She was tapped by her coach to try ice dancing. Last week she had a tryout with a boy who was looking for a partner. She tried it and had the most joyful expression on her face. Helene and I watched in amazement. She came off the ice and looked slightly embarrased when asked if she liked it. Several days later unaided she said she wants to do ice dancing and if she skated like she does now, she would definately make the Skyliner syncro team. This is her time. I now know how she will act when she meets a boy she wants to marry. I hope she gets picked to be his partner.

Cutie now has hair growing on her legs. She's getting older. I haven't had a period in many months. I weigh the same, but the body is not looking that great. I'm past the age anyone would look at me in a bathing suit. I'm getting older too. I'm not 100% ready to come to terms with it. Whatever.

Also, I will be starting a new job in a few weeks. It's local and in a new industry for me. Security Seals. It's now time to invest in the market.

Happy Rosh Hashana

Cutie is playing piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH1cglpukBE

Ice Skating is going well. She's in Freestyle 3. Her coach suggested she tryout for ice dancing because she remembers steps and her footwork is so fluid. She knows a boy looking for a partner. Aliza was unsure because she wants to do synchro. I told her she can do both. Then she said to me if she could only tryout for Skyliners now, she would make the team.

She also wants to do a real competition. The definition of a real competition is one where not everyone gets a medal. She doesn't mind coming in 3rd if there are 12 competitors. But getting the bronze with 3 competitors insults her intelligence.

Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Cutie is turning seven.

9-11

It's the 10 anniversary of 9-11. So much has happened in these years. We've grown up as a nation. We no longer take things for granted. I believe that things happen at a specific time for a group and personal growth experience. I believe I would not have met Paulo and had Aliza if not for 9-11.
That experience grounded me. The market was closed and I saw a double rainbow with my brother and family on Fire Island on Friday evening. Yes, the market would tank, but it would be OK. One month after 9-11 the truth came out about Enron. I met Paulo on Dec 15. Paulo is probably the only person who I could have married in the entire world. It was 9-11 when I realized I was selfish. I am also kind and caring - and selfish. Paulo is also selfish. I believe we meet people who we need to meet in order to grow. It's all about moving the world needle

Paulo is also a person who does not show emotion. Things happen - that's just the way it is. When his father died this past May, everything was so matter of fact. Henry was 93 and couldn't eat or shit by himself. One weekend, he just stopped taking medicine. He had already lived to see 3 great grandchildren. He died a few days later.

Today, I am thinking of grandma Ida. She lived near the world trade center on Fulton Street. She died a few years before that day. She would not have handled it well. I have photos from her terrace on the 17th floor with a view of the Brooklyn bridge and east river. I will post one day.


My boss saw people falling from the towers. He got out of town.

Snot is not my friend.

I always want to write down Cutieism and usually forget. I found a sheet dated 1/22/09 when she was 4.
Pink is Magic
You can skip that part
It's a love
Snot is not my friend
Love is the best ever
Love is perfect.
Snot is not my friend so I eat it.

What I like about you.

Mom, you always believe in me. - Aliza 8/7/11.

My Mom and Dad

We spent Sunday at my brother's house. Mom was there and it looked like she lost weight. She's around 72 now and she looks like my grandmother did at 72. Her legs got thin but her belly is large.

I'm going to Shul on Saturday to say kaddish for my dad who died in the late 1980's. He died of either a heart attack, aneurysm or because all the stars were aligned. His children were on their paths to adulthood and he was proud of us. He taught us well.