September 01, 2004
Who is LindaSoG
I am older than I look and younger than I feel.
Born the middle child of five, I have two brothers and two sisters. The name on my birth certificate is Linda Susan so... add the "O" for my maiden name and the "G" from the ex (kept it because I'm too lazy to change all that paperwork again) and you have LindaSOG. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
My family history is a secret. My grandparents would never talk about it. I do know that my father's mother was Romanian and my mother's mother was Czech. Both sets of grandparents emigrated through Ellis Island, escaping Hitler's final solution. Not all of the family escaped.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, corner of Kings Highway and Ocean Parkway. I attended P.S. 238 and Abraham Lincoln High School. Remember the Lords of Flatbush? 1979? We watched them film portions in my neighborhood and at Stinkin' Lincoln High. The days of Saturday Nite Fever and Welcome Back Kotter. Ha!
At the core of my being is a love of G-d and Country and a strong sense of Duty and Honor.
I do all I can to support our Veterans and our active Military. Don't diss our troops or I will come after you with everything I have and I will do my best to destroy you.
I support the War on Terrorism.
I am a Zionist. I believe in the State of Israel. My beliefs are based on my understanding of the word of G-d and that understanding is guaranteed to be different from your understanding so let's not talk about that.
Brooklyn highlights: My Grandpa Benny. Stick ball and kick the can. The Stoop. Baked clams at Randazzo's in Sheepshead Bay. The "D" train, the "F" train, "P" Bar and "P" Park. Brighton Beach. A wild ride in the back of Alex and Tommy's van. Mr. Fisher and the skin on my chin. Neal Durst and his sister Illona, both of whom saved my life. A taxi-cab driver, a stop sign and a snowball. The Corner (Quentin Road and East 9th). Richie, Harvey the attack rabbit and of course, "Yee-Hah" Chris.
Lisa Zimmerman and the pizza guys from under the El! Te-Amos! The Highway laudromat. Taking the LIE to ELI. Pinball at Alfredo's Pizzaria. Car Service. Kung Fu Lady! The mannequin head covered in ketchup. Manhattan Beach. Climbing up the fire escape. Bus Route #B-68. Richie Fingers. My midnight tour of Harlem. Body surfing at Jones Beach. The thing in Helen's purse. Those darn hiccups in 7th grade. The Piano Store. Eating air. Water balloons off the roof. Segal's Grocery. Parking meters on East 10th.
Mrs. O'Hara and the slap that shook Brooklyn. Frozen underwear on the clothesline. News at Eleven: washing my hair at the fire hydrant. Joey, Dominic and the tuinal trail. Mayor Abe Beame and my assault upon a secret service agent (weapon - folded shopping bag). Sledding in Prospect Park. Riding on the handlebars of Helen's bike. The exercise bag lady, the telephone bag lady and the old guy with the umbrella we called Crazy Joe who chased us when we laughed at him.
Michael Salvia, fruit bins and old ladies. Crossing Coney. Oh... and going round and round the revolving door at Dubrow's Cafeteria under the El on the Highway. Phillip O'Hara and his orange... never mind.
I have been a South Florida resident for most of my adult life. At the moment, I can be found in North Miami Beach. I currently share my home with my African Grey parrot, Yaakoo, and my Chow Chow, MuShu. We all miss da Boove and we miss Wanda too.
I am an avid hockey fan because of the action. A former Rangers fan (hey... I don't live there anymore) I am now a fan of the Florida Panthers.
I read a lot of trash, I don't watch TV and I haven't in years. I can't stand the commercials. I get my news and current events off the internet. I do crossword puzzles and actually finish them. I'm still single after the divorce, over five years now, but I'm not lonely (much).
After over 40 years of living I have learned that life is full of challenges, obstacles, hurdles, setbacks, difficulties, hassles, and problems, for all of us. The only thing I can control is how I choose to let these things affect me. When I experience life with a calm mind and a peaceful heart, I am able to keep the annoyances of life in perspective. I will see in life what I want to see.
Only if I look for the extraordinary in the ordinary will I see it and when I do look, I see it all around me. G-d has given us so much to be grateful for, so much to be in awe about. Life is precious and extraordinary and I have learned to live, and love, this day as if it were my last.
Living life with this consciousness, I have learned to appreciate the wonderful gift that life is and the wholeness of it. I believe that as long as I hold that appreciation in my heart and in my soul, I will never look back and feel regret for a life not fully lived.
innocence
fly away. fly away
cannot be found
silence is quiet
unbroken by sound.
i am unable
unable to hear
the sound of a falling
falling tear.
fly away. fly away
where can you be
silence still quiet
unbroken by me.
thoughts of you whisper
answering my call
but of you, i hear nothing
nothing at all.
© LindaSoG - 1978
Devar Vechatsi Devar. A Hebrew expression whose literal translation is "Something and Half of Something." It is one of the few instances of sarcasm found in the Talmud, and basically, it means... "Nothing."
Bashert! Everything happens for a reason.
Posted by LindaSoG at September 1, 2004 01:12 AM