Is suburban Flatbush life over?

My block used to be a nice dead-end residential area in the middle of Flatbush. Neighbors had kids of all ages, pretty just the right amount of people living on the block. Parking was easy--easier at least--to find with nice lawns outside of many houses. Now, I would say in the past 10 years, there have been some major changes. There has been an influx of children running around and overall a much more crowded block from what it was back in the 90's. Parking has been increasingly more difficult to find, with neighbors knocking down their lawns to supply them with a driveway. A few months ago, my old non-Jewish neighbor died, who had a very old small house and a ton of land smack in the middle of the block. Everyone knew that when she died there would be hundreds of people looking to buy that property. Eventually, for the right amount someone actually did.

A developer ended up purchasing this house as a business proposition. He plans to build two three family houses on the lot. That is six new families. If our lack of parking was already pushing its limits, this will definitely take it over the edge. Also, another slew of possibly 30 more kids screaming and running around. Say goodbye to all their bushes and beautiful greenery that is surrounding that house. They want to make my block like 16th Ave., where they pile as many yashivash families as they can into condominiums. This frum businessman comes to my block to profit off of our expense. What does he care, he's not going to live there. I am trying to prevent this from happening, although I'm not having much luck. It looks like suburban Flatbush living is pretty much over.

Engaged girls with out rings?

Ok, so I hate to admit I don’t approach girls as often as I should. I guess that can be a combination of my shyness and fear of rejection. But yesterday, I tried to overcome my fear and defeat my shyness. As I was davending or at least being in shul where I was suppose to be davending, I couldn’t help but notice a nice young girl on the other side of the mechitza. After davending ended, I still couldn’t help but notice, she appeared to be alone. As I watch her make her way downstairs and into the Kiddush, she was still alone and kept and looking back at me. So, I’m like, that’s it. I approached her and started chatting her up. Like 10 minutes into our conversation, she breaks the news to me that shes engaged to a chasidshe guy and her fiancé has an aufruf somewhere. I’m thinking, she’s here alone in shul and enjoying our conversation, either shes lying or something is up with her and her fiancé. I then said, sorry I didn’t see a ring on your finger, and she said she left it home because she wanted people to come over to her because she was scared of being at a kiddish alone.

Her telling me this news didn’t stop us from talking, we continued on for another 20 minutes or so till I walked her back home. I asked if its ok to walk her, people may think something is weird, she responded something to the effect that I can be her cousin. Also to confirm that she wasn’t making stuff up, I asked my brother if he knows this guy she is suppose to be marrying in June. He does. Until the next girl I approach, hopefully that one won’t be engaged.

Who knew police officers are that interesting

It always amazes me how the police who watch the frum communities over the major yom tovim, always do it with a smile. Although its their job and their supervisor gave the order to stand on corners and watch the shuls; but they always appear happy to do it. Last night, I saw this guy, so as a kind gesture i greeted him with a 'how you doing', his response was 'good but cold'. He also seemed totally interested in busting out a conversation with me. I guess boredom comes with the territory. after all he has been on that corner for nearly 6 hours and nothing all that interesting ever happened on this corner.
For some reason, i also enjoy watching on yom tov when 20 little frum kids start asking them a million questions, and the officers are always eager to listen and answer their questions. I'm not sure what i would do if i had a bunch of frum kids asking me how many times i shot my gun and if ever killed anyone. But they seemed interested. I guess i have that child within me that finds the police so fascinating and always interesting to schmooze with when their standing around my corner (not so much when they are giving me a ticket).

Happy pesach, Jews!

Courtesy of the corporate-casual blog , I thought i just had to put it on here.

How will I make it for 8 days without beer

I think Jewish holidays are pretty cool. A day or two of just chillin at home, whether im laying down taking a nap or reading a magazine leisurely, with out a worry of work or responsibilities which I may have. Its very relaxing. But there is something always some thing I have to give up. Succos requires you to freeze your tush off when you eat or snack outside, or having the bees buzzing around my head looking for a nibble.
As we approach Pesach, it gives me even more anxiety before and during the holiday. Im not talking about cleaning or any preparations for the big holiday, im talking about the mind set that I cant enjoy a good beer or down a slice of pizza at will. How will I make it through a day of work with out going to a bodega to pick me up a coffee. Some how I always make it through the rigorous 8 days just fine, but I start to think about for a week or 2 prior. Maybe by swallowing enough pizza and starbucks a day before, will make me not wanna have any of that for 8 days after. We shall see.

Hatzala guy demands his slushie!

I have the utmost respect for Hatzalah guys. They do a fantastic job and save many lives. But when i'm waiting in line patiently in line for pizza on a Saturday night, they should wait like everyone else. This guy in a yellow hatzalala walks in and comes up next to me this past Saturday night and starts asking the worker for a slushie. So, i ask him who he is asking, he goes to me 'do you mind if i cut you for a slushie', im like 'yeh, i mind'. Wait in line like everyone else. All i wanted was a slice of pizza, wheres my special privileges? Well, if he had some one waiting in the back of the ambulance who needed a slushie and his/her life depended on this slushie, then i would've gladly had let him cut me. I doubt that was the case and therefor he must wait the 5 minutes like everyone else.
I never had a police officer cut me at a dunkin donuts, maybe they are more respectful. That yellow jacket doesnt give them extra privileges every where. And dont get me started when they abuse theur sirens to go thru traffic and red lights so they can rush back to their garage or to mincha, or when their wives are behind the wheel and taking advantage of the sirens. Again, I am grateful for them and they do an awesome job.

Where are the middle of da road gals?

I had an interesting date this weekend. Interesting, as in, we equally bored the hell out of each other. She thought nothing I was talking about was intriguing, and nothing she had to speak about was of any interest to me. Although I do have to say, she was one of the better looking girls I have gone out with in some time. But it seems to me, the better looking a person is, they less interesting they are. I have gone out with some super ugly girls that were really interesting.
Where is the middle ground? Why cant there be some one with semi decent looks and can hold an interesting conversation with me. It was hard to hold a conversation, when every answer was the same “that’s so nice” or “that’s so sweet”. Not to mention, she was a lot more ‘white collar’ than I am, with her carrying a black berry and flies business class for business every other week. Where is that middle of the road girl, with the semi-decent job, the semi-decent looks, and semi-decent personality?