It happened again…
zalek
restaurants, my bedroom with an air conditioner and I develop a
strange craving for mosquitoes bites, sweating while climbing hills,
chances to break legs, chances to catch lime disease and getting
mauled by a bear. So it happened. Despite my wife begging me to stay
at work, working a few extra hours, despite my kids hidden
satisfaction that for a few days they could use my car, despite the
forecast for rain – a man has to do what a man has to do – I left for
the Appalachian Trail.
I planned to take a Harlem Line train from Manhattan to Wingdale,
through Pawling Nature Reserve to reach the Appalachian train.
Everything went as planned, but I found that a poncho raincoat is not
ideal for a rain day – using some kind of plastic raincoat would be
much better. The reason – putting a backpack on a poncho leaves your
arms exposed to the rain. And because of the rain I decided to sleep
in a shelter and not in my tent. Walking in the rain was not too bad,
but when I got into wind-exposed areas I really felt cold. During my
walk I found only one hiker – a real through hiker who for some
unknown reasons decided to walk in the rain. I reached Ten Mile River
Lean-to shelter at about 3 PM, but because of the rain I decided to
stay – a very good choice because the next leg of the trip was
veeeeeeeery difficult (at least for me).
My next leg was to reach Mt. Algo Lean-to shelter. After a few
agonizing hours I reached it. I found in the shelter a couple of real
through hikers – Andrea and John. They looked like a quite normal
couple, but considering that my wife thinks I am abnormal for choosing
to spend 2 nights on the Appalachian Trail instead of some luxurious
hotel – she would think they should be hospitalized for staying on a
trail for about 3 months.
Usually on my trips I take ready prepared granola with milk packages –
this time I took regular granola with nuts and powdered milk. Mix the
two things, it tastes great and is much cheaper than ready made
packages. Another discovery – usually I prefer chicken dishes – this
time I tried beef stew – EXCELLENT!
Mt. Algo Lean-to shelter was my last leg – after that I headed strait
to the closest town – Kent. A very nice small town, with few
bookstores, galleries and nice looking small restaurants – I didn’t
check any of them – after sweating for 3 days without showering and
without changing clothes – I suspected they could arrest me for
deteriorating the quality of the towns air.
My plan was to look for a bus or a cab to go to a train – but they did
not have either in the town. My backup plan was to call my son to
drive from NYC to pick me up. I called home, my wife told me he came
back very late from a party and was still sleeping. Even thought my
teenage son is very ungrateful, never invites me to his parties, never
introduces me to his numerous girlfriends, I felt mercy for him, and
started asking in stores if someone will take me to the train for a
fee. Nobody was ready – I almost gave up when I found a couple near
an auto repair store. I asked them if they knew someone who would
take me and the woman hesitantly said she could. I asked how much it
would cost – she said $20. I was so happy that I didn’t have to wake
up my son - I offered her $40 (yes, I know it is hard to believe that
a Jew can make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account that it
is true).
I think the woman was as happy from the offer as I was that I found a
ride. Her husband didn’t trust me – for him probably I looked like a
serial killer looking for a victim. Yes – I am a killer – but a cereal
killer. Give me granola cereal with nuts – I will finish it in a
minute. So with the woman, her husband and their child, after a 15
minute ride to Wingdale train station I was on my way home.
Zalek
Pat
I really enjoyed your trail report until I got to the part about "a Jew."
How about you leave out the denigrating stuff next time? Are you trying to
perpetuate stereotypes? Those of us in other parts of the country aren't so
quick to deal in New York stereotypes and treat Jewist people as
individuals.
Pat in TX
Jim
"Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
news:7haif2F...@mid.individual.net...
> zalek wrote:
>> I offered her $40 (yes, I know it is hard to believe that a Jew can make
>> such an offer, but I swear on my bank account
>> that it is true).
> I really enjoyed your trail report until I got to the part about "a Jew."
> How about you leave out the denigrating stuff next time? Are you trying to
> perpetuate stereotypes? Those of us in other parts of the country aren't
> so quick to deal in New York stereotypes and treat Jewist people as
> individuals.
>
> Pat in TX
>
Ummm....he was talking about himself?
Pat
> "Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
> news:7haif2F...@mid.individual.net...
>> zalek wrote:
>>> I offered her $40 (yes, I know it is hard to believe that a Jew can
>>> make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account
>>> that it is true).
>
>> I really enjoyed your trail report until I got to the part about "a
>> Jew." How about you leave out the denigrating stuff next time? Are
>> you trying to perpetuate stereotypes? Those of us in other parts of
>> the country aren't so quick to deal in New York stereotypes and
>>
>> Pat in TX
>>
>
> Ummm....he was talking about himself?
I know that, but, by definition, a stereotype doesn't refer to just one
person. I have a lot of Jewish friends and not a one of them fits that
stereotype. I don't want to seem to agree with the stereotype OR pass it
along by my silence.
Pat in TX
Jim
"Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
news:7hd00tF...@mid.individual.net...
> I know that, but, by definition, a stereotype doesn't refer to just one
> person. I have a lot of Jewish friends and not a one of them fits that
> stereotype. I don't want to seem to agree with the stereotype OR pass it
> along by my silence.
>
> Pat in TX
>
I'm sorry you're that tightly wrapped and humorless.
Since it appears that definitions mean a lot to you, check out the
definition of self-deprecating humor. It was lost on you.
Pat
>> one person. I have a lot of Jewish friends and not a one of them
>> fits that stereotype. I don't want to seem to agree with the
>> stereotype OR pass it along by my silence.
>>
>> Pat in TX
>>
>
>Jim wrote:
I'm sorry you're that tightly wrapped and humorless.
> Since it appears that definitions mean a lot to you, check out the
> definition of self-deprecating humor. It was lost on you.
I'm sorry you like buying into stereotypes and passing them on. I'll bet
none of your friends can count on you in their absence. Self-deprecating
humor is when I tell someone I'm slow or clumsy. It's not when I tell
someone that I'm "a tight-fisted person like all Jews." Self-deprecating
is just that----self and only oneself.
His words:
"I was so happy that I didn't have to wake up my son - I offered her $40
(yes, I know it is hard to believe that
a Jew can make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account that it is
true)."
Pat in TX
Bluesea
--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi, but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.
"zalek" <zalek...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7475277f-ffab-47fb...@g6g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
Bluesea
>>> I know that, but, by definition, a stereotype doesn't refer to just
>>> one person. I have a lot of Jewish friends and not a one of them
>>> fits that stereotype. I don't want to seem to agree with the
>>> stereotype OR pass it along by my silence.
>>>
>>> Pat in TX
>>>
>>
>>Jim wrote:
> I'm sorry you're that tightly wrapped and humorless.
>> Since it appears that definitions mean a lot to you, check out the
>> definition of self-deprecating humor. It was lost on you.
>
> I'm sorry you like buying into stereotypes and passing them on.
What proof do you have that Jim is passing them on?
> I'll bet none of your friends can count on you in their absence.
Wow, that's way over the top.
> Self-deprecating humor is when I tell someone I'm slow or clumsy. It's not
> when I tell someone that I'm "a tight-fisted person like all Jews."
No, while that may be how you read it, it's not what he wrote.
> Self-deprecating is just that----self and only oneself.
Yes, that's what he did.
> His words:
> "I was so happy that I didn't have to wake up my son - I offered her $40
> (yes, I know it is hard to believe that
> a Jew can make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account that it is
> true)."
Yes, "a Jew" meaning himself. There's nothing wrong with someone joking
about stereotypes when one is a member of that particular group. I know a
couple of blondes who really play up to the dumb blonde stereotype and
they're anything but dumb which makes it all the funnier when the one of
them starts batting her eyelashes!
Bluesea
"zalek" <zalek...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7475277f-ffab-47fb...@g6g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...
Everything went as planned, but I found that a poncho raincoat is not
ideal for a rain day � using some kind of plastic raincoat would be
much better. The reason � putting a backpack on a poncho leaves your
arms exposed to the rain.
Campmor has Cascade II ponchos designed for backpackers. There's extra
material in back that snaps up when no pack is worn and is long enough to
wear over your pack when unsnapped.
Item #77706 is regular length while #77707 is long for tall people.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77706
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77707.
I put a couple of Velcro circles along each side of mine. The first went
above the side snap to close up the armhole and the second went halfway
between the snap and the bottom edge to cut down the flapping.
HTH.
Bluesea
"Bluesea" <this.a...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:7hv4m6F...@mid.individual.net...
>
> Campmor has Cascade II ponchos designed for backpackers. There's extra
> material in back that snaps up when no pack is worn and is long enough to
> wear over your pack when unsnapped.
>
> Item #77706 is regular length while #77707 is long for tall people.
>
> http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77706
>
> http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___77707.
>
> I put a couple of Velcro circles along each side of mine. The first went
> above the side snap to close up the armhole and the second went halfway
> between the snap and the bottom edge to cut down the flapping.
What I like best about it is the adjustable hood with visor. It gives a
customized fit so I can wear it open like a V-neck shirt or cinched up so
only my eyes show and the visor keeps the rain out of my eyes.
Pat
>
>>> Self-deprecating humor is when I tell someone I'm slow or clumsy.
>> It's not when I tell someone that I'm "a tight-fisted person like
>> all Jews."
>
> No, while that may be how you read it, it's not what he wrote.
>
>
>> Self-deprecating is just that----self and only oneself.
>
> Yes, that's what he did.
>
>
>> His words:
>> "I was so happy that I didn't have to wake up my son - I offered her
>> $40 (yes, I know it is hard to believe that
>> a Jew can make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account that it
>> is true)."
>
> Yes, "a Jew" meaning himself. There's nothing wrong with someone
> joking about stereotypes when one is a member of that particular
> group. I know a couple of blondes who really play up to the dumb
> blonde stereotype and they're anything but dumb which makes it all
> the funnier when the one of them starts batting her eyelashes!
I disagree about passing on stereotypes. Which stereotype about your 'group'
do you laughingly pass on? Or do you only enjoy it when someone else falls
prey to that?
Pat
Bluesea
> Bluesea wrote:
>>
>>>> Self-deprecating humor is when I tell someone I'm slow or clumsy.
>>> It's not when I tell someone that I'm "a tight-fisted person like
>>> all Jews."
>>
>> No, while that may be how you read it, it's not what he wrote.
>>
>>
>>> Self-deprecating is just that----self and only oneself.
>>
>> Yes, that's what he did.
>>
>>
>>> His words:
>>> "I was so happy that I didn't have to wake up my son - I offered her
>>> $40 (yes, I know it is hard to believe that
>>> a Jew can make such an offer, but I swear on my bank account that it
>>> is true)."
>>
>> Yes, "a Jew" meaning himself. There's nothing wrong with someone
>> joking about stereotypes when one is a member of that particular
>> group. I know a couple of blondes who really play up to the dumb
>> blonde stereotype and they're anything but dumb which makes it all
>> the funnier when the one of them starts batting her eyelashes!
>
> I disagree about passing on stereotypes.
That's your prerogative, of course.
> Which stereotype about your 'group' do you laughingly pass on? Or do you
> only enjoy it when someone else falls prey to that?
I am not the issue. The issue is that you are denying the OP the freedom to
express his own humorous thought(s) about himself. There is absolutely
nothing wrong with someone exercising his First Amendment rights when
speaking or writing about one's self as you are trying to have us believe.
Bluesea
>
> I disagree about passing on stereotypes. Which stereotype about your
> 'group' do you laughingly pass on? Or do you only enjoy it when someone
> else falls prey to that?
Pat,
It's fall. With the beautiful weather out, why don't you go on your favorite
local hike and enjoy what we've got while it lasts?
As you hike, please ponder why an American, like yourself, would deny
another American, like zalek in Manhattan, the First Amendment right of the
freedom of speech? Would you deny everyone the right to speak or write about
themselves?
Personally, I think you've taken the idea of not passing along stereotypes
to an inappropriate extreme.
And, it isn't lost on me that this is likely the only place that I can tell
someone to "take a hike" and be totally on-topic!
Hike on!
Pat
>
>> Which stereotype about your 'group' do you laughingly pass on? Or do
>> you only enjoy it when someone else falls prey to that?
>
> I am not the issue. The issue is that you are denying the OP the
> freedom to express his own humorous thought(s) about himself. There
> is absolutely nothing wrong with someone exercising his First
> Amendment rights when speaking or writing about one's self as you are
> trying to have us believe.
What are you talking about? I am not denying anybody anything. He posted it,
didn't he?
I simply expressed my opinion that he shouldn't smear ALL Jews with his
stereotypes. I took exception on behalf of my Jewish friends. Now, if he had
said, "Zalek is cheap" or "Zalek is tight-fisted" then that would be him
speaking about himself and only himself.
I am astounded that is all you took from my comments. You enjoy laughing at
stereotypes: I do not. You have admitted as much.
This is part of the problem the Republican Party finds itself in now. They
are encouraging the racists in their midst while writing letters to the
newspaper saying "Don't call me a racist!"
Pat in TX
Pat
> "Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
> news:7i1uo4F...@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> I disagree about passing on stereotypes. Which stereotype about your
>> 'group' do you laughingly pass on? Or do you only enjoy it when
>> someone else falls prey to that?
>
> Pat,
>
> It's fall. With the beautiful weather out, why don't you go on your
> favorite local hike and enjoy what we've got while it lasts?
>
> As you hike, please ponder why an American, like yourself, would deny
> another American, like zalek in Manhattan, the First Amendment right
> of the freedom of speech? Would you deny everyone the right to speak
> or write about themselves?
>
> Personally, I think you've taken the idea of not passing along
> stereotypes to an inappropriate extreme.
>
> And, it isn't lost on me that this is likely the only place that I
> can tell someone to "take a hike" and be totally on-topic!
>
> Hike on!
I don't get why you think I am denying anyone anything. I have not done so,
nor have I advocated that. Just because someone disagrees with something
that is posted does not mean that anyone's rights are being denied. It means
there is a disagreement as to the appropriateness of the comments as posted
in a diverse group.
What the heck is inappropriate about objecting to a stereotype? Oh, it's
fun to laugh at them isn't it? Stand up to someone doing it and suddenly I'm
the bad guy? Was it funny to see that drawing with the White House lawn
planted in watermelons? Was it funny to see the photo of all the
presidents---except for the last one is totally black with two white
eyeballs staring out? Where do you draw the line?
Pat
TomT
Pat
"What you permit with your silence, you promote."
think about it.
Pat
TomT
> "What you permit with your silence, you promote."
Exactly. My silence is in support of zalek's trip report and his
sense of humor.
I didn't make the reason for kill-filing you clear. It actually had
little to do with your criticism of zalek though I think you were being
anal about it. Quoting you from an earlier post:
> This is part of the problem the Republican Party finds itself in now.
> They are encouraging the racists in their midst while writing letters
> to the newspaper saying "Don't call me a racist!"
WTF! I've got you pegged as a left-wing extremist, and I have zero
tolerance for anybody on the extreme end of either side of the political
spectrum.
I didn't kill-file you in Thunderbird. I'll correct that.
TomT
Pat
Well, you would be wrong about me being a left-wing extremist. BTW: you had
better kill file Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, because he said
the same thing today.
Pat in TX
TomT
> TomT wrote:
>>
>> I didn't kill-file you in Thunderbird. I'll correct that.
>>
> better kill file Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, because he said
> the same thing today.
Right, Paul Krugman, the left-wing extremist from the left-wing New York
Times.
Bye.
TomT
Bluesea
>
> "What you permit with your silence, you promote."
Yes, that's why we didn't keep silent when you chose to attack zalek for the
way he chose to portray himself.
Pat
Well, Tom, you just outed yourself! Everybody is to the far left of....YOU!
It must be a small world you live in. BTW: David Brooks had a column saying
the same thing. Known as a conservative writer, I bet you'll call him a
"left-wing extremist" too. Pity.
Pat in TX
Pat
> "Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
> news:7ihprpF...@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "What you permit with your silence, you promote."
>
> Yes, that's why we didn't keep silent when you chose to attack zalek
> for the way he chose to portray himself.
I have no problem with the way he choses to portray himself. Just don't try
to portray ALL jews like that AND expect not to be called on it.
Pat in TX
TomT
>
>"Pat" <newi...@home.com> wrote in message
>news:7ihprpF...@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "What you permit with your silence, you promote."
>
>Yes, that's why we didn't keep silent when you chose to attack zalek for the
>way he chose to portray himself.
Bluesea,
Thanks for your support.
It's really hard to argue with someone that's on either extreme end of
the political spectrum.
This is a pretty mellow newsgroup and I think I'm beginning to look like
a fool arguing with Pat - he's always going to get the last word in.
I've given up on him. I'm going to take your advice and go take a hike.
<g>
TomT
pamela
Pat from TX is still doing his hard arse knocking of others.
I was so happy to be away from him, that I stopped reading the group in
which I first met him.
I dislike the arse knocking enough to unsubscribe here. Maybe I will,
maybe I won't.
Too bad such people can't grow up.
Otherwise, lthis place looks to have nice and interesting folks.
Bluesea
"pamela" <bicycl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:hb07s0$gr3$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
> Pat from TX is still doing his hard arse knocking of others.
>
> I was so happy to be away from him, that I stopped reading the group in
> which I first met him.
>
> I dislike the arse knocking enough to unsubscribe here. Maybe I will,
> maybe I won't.
>
> Too bad such people can't grow up.
>
> Otherwise, lthis place looks to have nice and interesting folks.
You can stay subscribed to a group and not have to read a particular
person's posts by adding him to your kill file.
Jim
"Bluesea" <this.a...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:7jhuttF...@mid.individual.net...
> You can stay subscribed to a group and not have to read a particular
> person's posts by adding him to your kill file.
With the never-ending story from Hell about all the foot problems, I was
under the impression he was a she.
Doesn't matter anymore/either way, c'est la vie.