Undead Monkeys, Stress & Away Messages

I'm supposed to be doing other things now.

But before I commence doing them, I am going to take a short break (God knows I need it.)


Firstly, I need an undead monkey for target practice. And I need him right now.

To make this short and snappy:

Things I ate today: Cookies & Gefilte Fish
Things I did not eat today: Dinner

Things I did today:

• Called and spoke to the receptionist & curator at the YU Museum
  
• Got in touch with their publicity correspondent/ exchanged numerous emails
  
• Wrote an article
  
• Edited 3 articles/ Uploaded articles/ Updated GoogleDocs accordingly
  
• Was made to re-edit 2 of my own articles
  
• Called numerous people to coordinate school-related activities
  
• Other miscellaneous homework

Things I did not do today: Watch "Heroes"

On a happier note, I had a fun discussion with my little brother where I explained politics to him (and attempted to give a good definition for the word "doctrine,") was able to speak to some of my friends (who watched the rising stress levels from afar) and most importantly, learned something interesting.

Have you heard the idea that the snake in Bereishit's punishment was to eat dust, and this was because dust is very plentiful-therefore, God had as good as shown that the snake would never be in a position to need to pray to God because all his needs would be taken care of? And that this is considered a curse? Well, I always thought it was a midrash (I am convinced I read it in some midrashic forum.) Earlier this morning, I learned the following two things from assorted gmail chatters, one of whom was Chardal (thanks guys).

1. In the sefer Shi'vim Panim LaTorah, the Kotzker says that the punishment was that the snake would never feel like he needed anything which itself is a curse and Rav Simcha Bonim Me'Peshischa added the idea of not needing to pray to Hashem.

2. The Maharal on the midrash of Yitzchak being melamed zechut on klal Yisrael brings up the idea that independence from Hashem is a curse.

So apparently it is not a midrash but the Kotzker Rebbe's idea. But I could have sworn I read it in a Midrash...

On the happiest note of all, I get to give a shiur! Actually, it's more like a discussion group, but I get to be in charge (and you know this makes me happy.) Best of all, I get to teach my Torah- some ideas that I came up with- and that's approved and okay and all good. So that's really exciting.

Some other thoughts running through my mind right now...I don't delegate. I only delegate to proven, trustworthy and responsible people. I know very few of these people so I'm a big believer in "if you want something done right, do it yourself." Sometimes I think this is unfortunate.

One of the highlights of my day was a ridiculous story composed over IM (it was wholly alliterative) that featured my friends and I. It made me laugh, and that was helpful. Thanks, Eitan!

On the subject of IM...people, you need to make your Away messages interesting! It is my only form of entertainment while I am chained to the computer, so you ought to entertain me! How hard is it to write an interesting away message, something provocative and compelling or otherwise amusing? And yet very few of my friends do so. This is depressing. I shall be saddened now.

Oh, and here is a question for you: do you think people can train themselves not to react to situations or to insults but rather to choose how to respond?

How many of you find it difficult to bite your tongue when you (or people you love) are being insulted? And then, out of curiosity, how many of you manage it anyway? And why do you think silence is the answer?

Okay, I am zonked. Off to be a zombie now. After all, exhausted is the new sexy!