One last thing

Someone get Victor, Jenna, Merrit and Co. to join the blog. I am worried about them. However will they socialize without the internet!? Joel, this is right in your wheelhouse.

Also a brief draft of Joel's remarks on the day of his brother's bar mitzvah:

I was reticent at first when my parents asked me to speak today. While I am happy for Ari, on this his day of days, I am also not sure if I am an appropriate speaker as I was, from the get go, against my brother's conception. Certainly I had been excited when Gabe was born. But he turned into nothing but a doe eyed disappointment (points to Gabe) and so when I heard rusty rumblings from my parents bedroom and the distinctive erotic sound a shofar, I was concerned.

My concerned turned out to be quite substantive. When Ari's head crowned, peaking out of my mother with all the subtlety of a Ridley Scott creation, my heart quickened. I wondered if there might be a chance that he would be a girl. I looked hard at the baby, whose anatomy, remarkably like my own, obscured the answer. It wasn't until the bris that my worst fears were realized.

Ari, now I must speak directly to you, you have exceeded my low expectations. While I am still concerned that you will trick our father into giving you the blessing I so richly deserve, I am happy to have you as part of my life. That being said, I do expect a speaker's fee.

Before I sit down I just want to take a look out over the audience. There are so many young faces here today. So many young female faces looking expectantly towards the future, mouths agape with the possibilities of adulthood. It is a pleasure to see this and has been a pleasure to speak to you all. I have to go be alone now.

Bideebideebum and Thank you all.


I think Joel did very well.