Phil's Life..As We know it

Tonight was nice, except for the rain.
Murdock (my friend-yes I have those) and I went to the Prada Fall 07 launch at Holts.
It was very downscale from past events (which I found surprising based on this being held my Prada).
There was a subdued feeling in the menswear department, which had been turned into a Prada showroom and runway.

Four models lingered the room in what I thought was the new Fall collection. After looking for a hooded sweatshirt that I saw on one of the models for about 10 minutes, I gave up and asked the model wearing it.
I was quite excited (and upset) to learn that the models were sporting the Spring 08 line, which would not be in stores until December (at the earliest).

Please note that at this point I had about 3 glasses of wine, and decided to start drinking water in order to not be too drunk to do work tonight (read: Rousseau-Schiller yawn-fest).

Anyways, Murdock and I were captivated by what the models were wearing, and I won't even embellish the details in that a sales rep was, well, 'manhandling' one of the models. We had the chance to get a first viewing of the new collection, and I have my eyes on some beautiful shoes that can only be described as well, here is what I found from the Spring launch online:


I found a scarf that I really liked, but couldn't buy it while inebriated. To be quite honest, I'm going to come in sober and get it.

I realize that this entry has turned into somewhat of a review, which is alright.
The Fall collection was decent. I wish they were more versatile in their shirt department, since a few of them were quite plain (American Apparel meets French Connection). The horse hair loafers were amazing to touch, and sort of wish there was a blazer lined in it.

The mohair scarf deserves a nice home ( I don't know if I will be able to give it one, as much as I would like).

As far as the Spring 08 line goes, I liked everything that I saw. Of course there will be some very plain, classic items, but from what I saw, the New Year looks quite promising.

So I realize that there have been quite a few posts from a few months ago that are public, but for the most part, my entries are private.
Friend me if you want the juicy stuff....

I bought a tent the other day for Nativ.
I was in a good mood, and camping more often was on my list of New Year's resolutions.
I hope it packs alright.
Le sigh....15 days--I wish it were now

I just downloaded Skype for Israel
If you have it, please add me : P_birnbaum
:)

So my mom has started knitting and crocheting all these crazy things. This kippah was on its way to camp...a little on the girly side.

My mom is getting better and made a nice blue one--it's a little on the big side though. I told her she could open a store 'Kippahs by Roberta'--or something like that.

Here is the first draft:

I forgot to mention it, but I got new glasses today.
Check them out.
I really like them, I think they are more sophisticated than my old ones.
They rock even more because they are plastic, and plastic won't corrode like my old ones.

I have put up some pictures so far from Israel on Facebook, here they are:

http://hs.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1487130007&l=3ed08

I still have about 200 to put up.

Check them out, and comment away.

Phil

Ps. I am feeling much better :)

Here's an update of my medical woas:
In other news, i had a whirl-a-round of events over
the last few days. involving goign to Tarem, a
neurologist, Hadassah Hospital, and Shaare Zadek
Hospital.

I originally went to Tarem after a doctor who came to
the yeshiva (a 2nd time) said i was still dehydrated
and needed IV. Meanwhile, my face was starting to
swell--and i had difficulty swallowing and talking.
At Tarem they said I wasnt dehydrated and diagnosed me
with Bell's something (i cant believe im forgetting
the name) its where one side of your face becomes
paralyed. they prescribed me with steroids and i went
on my way. back at the yeshiva, they thougt it was a
mis-diagnosis and couldnt figure out waht was going
on.
so one rabbi used to be a doctor and remembered that
this medicine i was taking for nausea had a
side-effect of paralizying the face.
i then went to a neurologist in hopes of figuring out
the solution--she was a typical yiddishe-bubbie
neurologist (liek that means something) so she said I
needed to go to Hadassah Hospital and get tests done.
i went to Hadassah, where i was informed that htere
was no ENT (ear nose throat) doctor, and if i stayed,
they would admit me, then transfer me by ambulance. so
i went to Shaare Zadek hosptical (I think thats the
name) in south jerusalem. there i waited a bit and had
blood work done.
thank god i got an american doctor who informed me
that this medicine i was given a few days prior to
stop me from being nauseous was causing an allergic
reaction and swelling up my tongue and throat---fucekd
up, eh.
i got hooked onto an iv for 3 hours to put some good
fluids in my body and finally left around midnight.

now my only problem is this head cold which is so
anooying, since i feel so useless.

Well, I have been chilling at Beit Nativ for the day, Saw Hailey, Erin, Mordy, Andrewm and a few others,
Im using Andrews laptop, so I better go since i need to get ready for Shavuot. Take care and have a good Yom Tovim to my jews.

Phil

Hey everyone.
This weekend was pretty sweet.
I may/may not update.
Here are the pictures to show the hilights:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippe_birnbaum/

I just starting using Yahoo Photo, and I really like it. Shosh, you were right.
I think when I get a chance over the next 2 weeks, I'm going to put ALL of my pictures on here from LTI, Fall, IC, Kadima, Heschel, etc.
That way, they will all be in one spot!

If you like the Beatles, Juggling, or anything that's cool...
Watch this:

http://marketplace.espeakers.com/movie.php?sid=5290&aid=10558

As Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ teaches us about life decisions and their influence on what ‘path’ we may take in life, I feel it shares great similarities with not only the issues focused on in ‘Touching the Void’ but within my own life. After watching this captivating film, I find myself asking myself if I would do the same if I was in Joe’s or Simon’s positions. It’s remarkable what we are willing on doing in order to survive, and it is especially evident in both of their cases. I don’t know if I could cut the rope of a friend, hoping that they would fall to safety, but also looking out for my best interests. On the other hand, I don’t know if I would be able to survive so long in the wilderness alone in the same condition that Joe had been. Each person is different, and they demonstrate their drive to survive when they overcome these obstacles that are thrown our way.
Overcoming adversity is what makes life hard. If everything was made easy, then there would be nothing to strive for, and we would continuously get what we want. Of course, we would never expect to find ourselves in the same situation as the climbers in ‘Touching the Void’, but we have our own mountains to climb in our individual lives.
The biggest obstacle in my life was losing my father to Cancer when I was only 8. Some people shut themselves away, but I chose to mature through this loss, and I feel that this one event was life-changing. Through such a great loss, I gained so much mentally, and I grew so much over the years following his death. To this day, the same thing compels me to keep going, and do what I do: my father’s memory. I know above all, he is proud of my accomplishments in the community, and although he can’t be by my side, I know that he is here in spirit, and that feeling is my personal drive to survive. I may appear different from the people in this film, and people in life, but we share these common bonds in how we choose to live our lives. We are all fuelled by our own forms of compassion and drive, and that is what truly makes us human.


Let me know what you think---It's for Philosophy.

Well, I must say that I have had a lot better days.
From waking up this morning, I knew that today wouldn't go by so quickly.
I felt so 'bleh' in the morning, and was so unappetized by food. I ate a piece of challah (plain) and grabbed a bottle of water, and half full bottle of Prigat.
Luckilly, there were barely any kids at shul today, so I spent a better part of an hour talking with Shosh, then we headed upstairs. Ori and Matan were the only kids there.
We had kiddush--Faux Blueberry Cheesecake. Everyone sang me happy birthday, it was nice.
The cheesecake wasn't that bad actually.
Shul ended quite early, so I was home by 12:30.
Again, I felt so crappy, that I just crawled into bed. I tossed and turned for what seemed like a long time.
I woke up at 5:30 and ran to the bathroom ( I will spare all details)
After that, I took a shower, to cool my 'keppie'.
I talked to my mom for a few minutes, shes attributing the way my body's acting to the mental anguish, or feelings that I have.
For those who don't know, my father died from Cancer 2 days after my 8th birthday, and today is the 10th Anniversary of his death. This appeared in the paper this morning, I forgot my mom had placed it: http://www.torontostarclassifieds.com/pdfimages/671019_07_02_20060218_I.pdf

So, I took some Pepto, and crawled back into bed.
I am going to go and try to eat something, before heading to the chapter program, and Julie's.
I hope I can last the night. I feel like tomorrow will be spent in bed. That is something I really need.

You often hear someone say, 'It feels like yesterday....' and let me tell you, that it is so hard to believe that 10 years have gone by, that is so long. It feels like forever! A part of me feels like I'm cheating out my father's memory, because I don't think about him enough. But its hard, like right as I type this. I can't take it.
When it warms up this week, I'm going to visit him. Maybe I'll read him some George Carlin---he was a jokester and always liked a good laugh. I can sort of imagine his chuckle.
I suppose its memories like this that are important to hold onto, rather than the ones that may upset me.

I think I'm going to go now. I think that going out tonight is something that I need. I'm sure he would have wanted me to.

So I must say that for the most part my birthday was pretty good.
I already posted about waking up, going to school, then coming back home.

After I woke up, I had a little bit to eat (or maybe I didn't...I forget) then I put together my To-Do List for the day:

-Starbucks--Free Drink?
-Sams Club--Membership
-TD Canada Trust--Open Adult Account
-American Eagle
-What-A-Bagel--Birthday Dozen of Bagels

My sister then asked me if I was going to watch the Olympics, so I added this:

-Watch Olympics


I left the house and proceeded to Starbucks. I gave my drink order, and sheepishly asked if they have anything special if its your birthday. She said no (last year I got a free drink!). So then she said she'd charge me for a Tall rather than for a Grande (it was a $1.15 that I saved..better than nothing).
So then she asked if I wanted to go out tonight, and then she was like 'Not with me!' and then pulled out this envelope from East Side Marios. It turned out they were re-opening their location, and it was like some VIP-invite only deal. So I was like 'sure'--free food, drinks, give-a-ways, I'm there! AND Vinnie would be there!!!!
I told my mom, and we rescheduled the brisket to Saturday night Sunday Night.
I drove down Yonge to Sam's Club, I parked in the DO NOT PARK ZONE/Business loading zone (my mom taught me its the best place to park, cause they will never tow you if you spend so much money there).
I went to the Members desk and grabbed some forms, and filled them out.
I took my picture, didn't get automatic credit (I signed up for the Sam's Club credit card). And I got my 'Free Gift': A mug full of 'goodies' chocolate hearts.
I wandered around, and got myself those crazy comfy pillows that they sell at the airport and Brookstone (they are blue). I checked out, and went to the bank.
I found out that I must have at least $1,500 in my account each month, otherwise I get billed like $6.00. And with that, I get 20 free transactions!
I saw my friend Bohden, who left the school apparently. I gave him a lift home, and then headed to Hillcrest Mall.
I went into American Eagle, where there was a mad sale. I got 3 pairs of boxers (regular price $16.50) for $1.95, one pair for $7.95, a Beanie (regular like $25.00) for $4.95, 2 grey shirts for $9.95 (regular $25.00), and 2 pairs of Argyle socks (regular price $12.50 each pair) for only $1.95.
On top of all that, I got an additional 15% because it was my birthday!
So all that set me back about $31.00--I must say, that was some DAMN GOOD shopping!

I went into the Bay (now American owned) and looked at all the Olympic merch. It was nice, but nothing jumped out at me (although I really want one of the Trapper hats (which are selling out in Turin--everyone loves them!) http://shop.hbc.com/images/catalog/48608749l.jpg

I then went to Roots, tried on sweats, cause Pouya works there and can get me 50% anything at Roots--huzzah!

I wandered the mall for a few more minutes then left.
Drove to What-A-Bagel, got my dozen free birthday bagels, Tuna, and Creamcheese. I had a conversation with the really nice Russian girl, her birthday was Monday.
"Aquarius is the best sign"-Russian Girl

I drove home, showed my mom my Sam's club ID, what I bought, etc.
I did my laundry, and then waited for Jory to come over.
We hung out a little, then we went over to East Side. Oh btw, there was lightning outside! Crazy, I know.
We got there...there weren't many people yet so we got a booth.
At first they asked us if we were 19, and I was worried that we would be asked to leave. All that happened was that we didnt get tickets for the bar. We ordered Root Beers, and then asked if we could order Virgin Pina Coladas. They brought them out, and damn were they good (and free!)
The problem was that I really couldn't eat much. They brought out pizza--it had peperoni--so I took one and gave it to Jory.
All that I had was Veggies, and bruschetta. Suprsingly, I filled up rather quickly.
I took with the accordian player, which was pretty sweet!
We gave up around 8:45 and headed back to my house for some cake.
It was proof as to my families disfunctionness, but all was good. My parents couldn't light the cake properly, so I lit my own cake, lol. It was chocolate chip cookie dough--My favourite!
Jory left because the roads were getting worse.
I did the recycling and garbage. I spent about 15 minutes pushing all the water out of the garage, and moving sleety-snow from outside the garage. By the way, it was pouring freezing rain at the same time.

All in all, I was content. I wished for 2 things. Only two things. I really hope that they come true---because at this moment in time, it's all that I want.

I will post pictures later on. Thanks again everyone for wishing me a happy birthday and whoring up my Myspace with commments.

I love and appreciate all of you.

Phil

I would like to thank the following people:

Jessica for being the official Eastern Standard Time countdowner.

Nathan for being the official Central Standard Time countdowner.

Shosh, Hannah, Ezra (x2), Traci, and whoever else for the well wishes.


That is all.

P.s. I spent about 35 minutes driving to school (and another 30 minutes driving home), just to find out that school buses were cancelled, and hence, school was pretty much cancelled. It's miserable weather, my driveway has about a foot and a half of packing snow.
I am going to crawl back into bed.

So I finally got these pictures from my sister of when my cousins came over for a little Chanukkah Party.
They are so cute.
Madison is the younger one, shes about 21 months, and Sally is either 3 or 4. I forget.

( So cute! )

Phil in his cuter days

Got to love the ET hat :)


My dad and I....so long ago that I can't even remember.


I'm told that I look like him


As my mom would say, I was just 'a little pisher'


I miss those days...


I was just looking at these pics which my step father sent...and its so hard.
Come this February, it will have been 10 years since I lost my father. I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Damn, I miss him.