Saturday, November 29, 2008

Jewish Music

So, what kinds of Jewish music do I like?

All kinds. Whatever's popular works for me.

I've always loved Mordechai ben David and Avraham Fried. Personally, I've always thought Fried was better, but most people I knew thought I was crazy for saying that, so I learned to keep it to myself.

Shwekey is incredible, of course. Lots of wannabe Shwekeys out there too, they're alright.

I'm also a big Eli Gerstner fan. I was crazy about the Chevra, but not all of his other projects, including Yeshiva Boys Choir. Always thought Miami was better, though the last few years, they haven't been too special either.

Chassidish music I don't know too much about, but Lipa's alright. I once heard Shloime Daskal, he sounded pretty amazing.

Are those three, Dachs, Wald, and Williger, still around? (I like them in that order, btw.) They were okay.

I'm not a major Carlebach guy. I like his tunes, but not his voice. I like Abie Rotenberg stuff (Journeys, Dveykus etc).

How about the cool stuff, you know, Blue Fringe, Moshav Band, etc? Yeah, I like. Haven't heard them lots though. Also Gershon Veroba (Variations) and Destiny--s'all good.

I can't not mention female musicians. Unfortunately, there are very few in the frum world, thanks to halacha or whatever. Otherwise, the quality of the music would improve greatly. There are a few big-name ladies out there, like Kineret, but I don't know much about them:(.

How about kids' tapes? I grew up on Marvelous Middos Machine, Uncle Moishy, Shmuel Kunda, etc. Country Yossi's alright too. Oh, and you can deny it all you want, but Shmuel Kunda is hilarious.

K, I know I missed a lot of different singers and bands in this post. Feel free to mention them in the comments.

So, what kinds of music do you like?

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Cholent

Yes, I know some of you call it "cholent"; others "chulent." Tomato tomahtowww.

Now, there are all kinds of cholent. There's the classic "cement-mixer" type (my favorite!); there's the soupy kind; dafina, plus other types I probably don't know about.

I can't cook to save my life, but am an expert eater, though. I can't really tell you how to make it (unfortunately), though from what I'm told, you just throw a whole bunch of stuff into a pot. Okay, it's more complicated than that :P.

In my yeshiva in New York, there were a few guys who really knew what they were doing. Every Thursday, they would prepare two giant pots of cholent. Oh, that was good. Friday afternoon, you could always sneak a bowl. Friday night was the best. A few hours after the meal, we'd all go downstairs and help ourselves to giant servings of cholent. I can smell it now. Only the second pot would be saved for Shabbos day. Good times.

Some stores know how to make good cholent too. Deli 52 on Thursday night is supposed to be incredible. I've tried it once or twice, and it was good.

There's a million secrets to cholent success. Many use ketchup, plenty use beer, some even use hot dogs! My sister, who makes a mean cholent (knocks you out for at least six hours) I'm convinced uses peanut butter. She denies it categorically.

And no, I am NOT discussing the aftereffects we all suffer the next day or two in the form of air pollution, or its long-lasting effects on the environment:P.

Now, we have the not-so-simple matter of what to wash it all down with, or even eat together with. Personally, I'll eat it with anything except bread (too heavy). Kichel is good, snacks, etc. Oh, and sunflower seeds or chewing gum etc. do wonders for the digestion.

How do you wash it down? Lots of choices. Soda works. And I LOVE Sprite. A few years ago, they came out with Sprite Remix. I was crazy for it. When they discontinued it, I was probably the saddest guy in the tri-state area:(.

Schnapps works too, or beer (all beer just tastes like pish anyway, who we kiddin'?) But really, cold heineken is okay.

How do you like your cholent?

(Btw) Speaking of food, I love shwarma. Yeah, you can get it in Shmutz La'aretz too, but Israel's best. Let's face it: Israeli pizza sucks, even their falafels aren't all that special, but their shwarma? Ahhh.

Halo Teiman (by knisah l'ir, also in bnei brak) ROCKS. I know, there's tons of awesome shwarma places all over the country. But I know I loved Halo Teiman.

For like 30 shmek, you get an awesome wrap. Plus tons of salads on the side; they let you put them on by yourself.

Out of this world.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

First Post

Hi.
My name is OTD.
I used to be frum.
This is my frum side.