A Trip Through The Shmata Archives

If I told you I used the Internet Wayback Machine to take a trip through the Shmata archives most wouldn’t have a clue what I was talking about or comments about people being flat on their back or my hands in their hair.

The previous post No Monkeys Were Harmed While Writing This involved a look back at some of the experiences and shenanigans from my early blogging career but only a small portion.

There were some bittersweet moments in there but most it made me smile. I see some of that being connected to some of the ways I do or do not react to those who have tried to troll me.

I have gotten quite a bit of that lately from certain quarters and laid into some with more fervor than normal. Much came because I have no tolerance for bullies and that is what I saw.

One of the saddest commentaries of the Maga error is that many of them take joy in being mean and see cruelty as the point.

The lack of compassion and kindness troubles me, these are things that are invaluable and can be life saving.

The Right & The Left Are Bad

Last month marked the 26th anniversary of my dear friend David’s death all of a month after his 29th birthday.

Yesterday I came across an article about his younger sister and how the Albany Book Festival canceled her panel because she is a Zionist.

I have been thinking about it ever since, not just because I am a Zionist as are most Jews, nor because AntiZionism and Antisemitism are almost always interconnected.

But because I wondered what David would have said or done and what I ought to do.

Technically I am registered as a Democrat but I have considered myself an independent for more than a decade because politics have become so tribal.

I don’t do anything just because my tribe says it is the right thing to do.

Maga consumed the Republican party and is so hateful and regressive that it is virtually impossible to find policies I can support.

But the far left of the Democrats aren’t any better and engage in their own brand of stupidity so I find many things there to be unpalatable.

Both sides have members that are shocked when I say I find Jew haters pushing antisemitic nonsense that makes me cock my head and squint.

You can’t gaslight me into believing it doesn’t exist or isn’t happening because I see it and recognize it for what is and so I consider myself politically homeless.

But I am practical and I won’t not vote because I think a candidate isn’t perfect, especially when one is a convicted felon who supports attacking democracy.

There are too many women I love to just give up on their rights or those of their daughters. I am implacable on this. I have spent decades burning in the fire confident I won’t break and can lend my strength to others who need it.

I told someone I would be happy to meet them in Chicago,Texas or LA and say exactly what I said online in person but I concede it is tedious to have to repeat such things.

Still, I am part of the “Say It to my Face” generation and this is who we are for better or for worse. You’ll love me or hate me, there isn’t much in between.

I Am Standing Right Here

Almost a year ago I was at an event where someone stood next to me and several other people but didn’t bother to say a word to us.

For a solid ten minutes we stood in the same place, next to each other and there was no acknowledgement. It was odd and as he walked away I called out “I am standing right here” but he didn’t turn around, not even when the guys standing next to me snickered.

One of them looked at me and asked if I always played with fire and I shrugged.

“Some people lack social skills and or haven’t figure out soft skills might be the most important thing you can bring to the office. It is better to be able to get along with others than to be the most skilled person in your position.”

That was born out this week and I suspect the person who is now on the outside is surprised or maybe not.

I am heading into my 10th year and eternally grateful for this because it was life changing. You don’t go through what I did without learning something along the way and I did.

If someone ever told me I was the guy that caused the “I am standing right here” moment I would be embarrassed and ashamed. There is no need for that.

None of this means I can’t or won’t get myself into trouble because undoubtedly I will but may those moments be few and far between

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Came across A Shy Man and Maybe I Was Your Hero & Maybe I Still Am in the stats and think about how some posts are a snapshot in time.

Not always true, but there are moments where I can see, touch, taste and feel what was going on when I first wrote them.

I don’t always read them because it is easy to get stuck in rabbit holes of trying to tweak things so they flow better or noticing the odd typo that got away.

And I don’t always want or need to experience those moments, be they good or bad. They are in the past.

But there is merit in having an online journal and being to able to review things. You can see how you have grown and or evolved. You can see how life has improved and take stock.

Never hurts to be able to engage in some gratitude.