Robert,
We're playing for prizes? That's it...now you've got my competitive juices flowing...I'm gonna win this thing for sure!

Randy:

Hmmm, a few readers have already made the same claim. May the best (ahem) man win.

HA, HA, HA.

Wow, 34 seconds have passed and...I'm all out of fresh ideas!

I was thinking that you could do a post about the thematic significance in Judaism of "10." You could go on to explain:

The number ten symbolizes perfection.

The world was created with ten utterances (Avos 5:1), this is because the Torah, which is the blueprint which G-d used to create the world, is based on Ten Commandments. This is why in mathematics the number ten is a complete number—- all numbers run in cycles of ten.

In kabbalistic terms, G-d created the world with ten divine attributes. They are: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Kindness, Severity, Harmony, Perseverance, Splendor, Attachment and Royalty. Accordingly, the entire creation is a reflection of these ten attributes.

So I thought of all these things, and then I thought, "Nah, nobody would be interested in these petty details...these intellectual guideposts. They just want to see the pictures, point at them and laugh!"

Pearl:

Um... yes.

Robert, I'll forgive you for spelling my name wrong (just this once)...but, really, do you think a man is going to win this thing? Do you think a man has the ability, the instinct, the sensitivity, the wisdom...to be able to distinguish one 10 year old from another? I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Randi:

You're scaring me.

Robert, I think the Randi we know and love has disappeared...and some alien has taken over her computer keyboard. Either that, or it's just her true colors showing!
She's definitely a little scarier than she was...34 seconds ago!

Bring it on!! ;)

Lance:

I brought it on and look what's happened to that nice lady Randi. She's turned into The Female Jewish Hulk. Must be the Seraphic Press baseball cap. It does have that effect on some impressionable young women.

It's not fair (but we already established that life is not fair). Robert, you have the advantage of having met a lot of your readers. You and Karen are the only ones I met. I think Pearl also met some of you out there, and she has definitely seen pictures of me. I will surely post a picture that neither of you will ever recognize.

"Female Jewish Hulk"...you know it...green is my color...who knew I was filled with as much aggression as Pearl is with ideas.

Robert,

It is definitely the cap....
Brings out the tiger in them. ;)

Hermom:

Karen and I are not participating in the contest. Pearl and Cruisin Mom have only met each other just once. Believe me, I've already seen some of the baby pictures. Any resemblance between now and 10 is, well, you get the point.

Look forward to receiving your photo.

I'm a serial lurker... (so I won't qualify for sending in a photo BUT...) I BET I CAN WIN THIS THING!

Another Female-Jewish-SeraphicSecretReader-Power-Girl here!

You're all scaring me.

Sara:

Even lurker's qualify. In fact, that makes it even more interesting. You can't win if you don't submit a photo. Now, let's see that grrrl power in action.

I'm baaaaaack...
Yes, Sara, you have to enter. And for the record Robert, Pearl and I never actually did meet the day of the lecture. I have seen her "adult" picture, but not her 10 year old pic.
I think Lance is right...it's the cap, definitely the cap.

Randi:

I stand corrected. Sheesh, scarier and scarier...

Oh man....I'm going to be the only one in a First Holy Communion dress!! (Just kidding!) I'll see what I can dig up! Sounds like fun.

Fun contest but . . . WHERE'S THE PICTURE OF KAREN? The curiosity is painful.

Lisa:

And don't send a picture with the goat. That would be a give-a-way.

Sarah:

Pic of Karen is coming. patience. Questions is: Are you taking part in the contest? In a way, you are responsible for the whole thing.

Hey, can I be the "tummler"? (the one works at a Borscht Belt/Catskills Jewish hotel and makes sure that everyone's having fun and is involved, something like a social director who's on the scene)

"Is everyone having fun????"

"Yes."

"I can't h...e....a....r you. I said, 'Is everyone having fun????"

"YES!!!!!!!!"

"Good, next week's social calendar features some wonderful activites such as cha-cha lessons (separate, of course), wine tasting, an outing to the Monticello Racetrack, a guest lecture by Rabbi Davis who will be talking about humor in the Torah, and highlighting the week will be a contest being held in the Seraphic Secret Social Hall and hosted by our very own lovebirds, Robert and Karen. Come one, come all and partake in the fun as we try to bring out the child in each and every one of you.... In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom, and have a fun weekend here at the Avrech Arms Resort and Spa."

Pearl:

Do you do Simon Say?

Yes, Robert, I do lead Simon Says. But over at another hotel...one that has my name featured on the marquee in the main lobby! At the Avrech Arms I mainly lead bingo, singalongs (separate, of course!) the round robin seating in the dining room, and charades. Oh ya, I also teach a course in Romance Fiction Appreciation...but there aren't too many takers for that. Hmm, maybe I should teach a class in Chick Lit for the Frum Appreciation...

When do you need the pictures by? I don't have any here. I have one when I was 4, but not 10. I'll have to hunt through my parents' albums next time I'm at their house.

Stacey:

We here at Seraphic Secredt are flexible. Karen and I are going to put a two week deadline on this contest: Friday Jan 27. That should give our readers, commenters, and lurkers, yes you too are eligible, to get your pictures scanned and sent to me. And if you don't have age 10pics, well that's okay. We're not concrete here. We can go younger or older. Just as long as you are no longer recognizable.

Um, I'll see if I have a photo that will work for this.

Sarah:

Thanks so much.

I don't have any photographs of myself as a child. I shall have to ask my mother.

........sigh.......... I have ALWAYS wanted to take cha cha lessons and now finally! I happen upon this wonderful hotel and there they are for the taking! Life is good!

Michael:

Tell your mother it's VERY important.

Suz:

Just to clarify: Pearl gives the Cha-CHa lessons.

I have to find a scanner, but I do believe I have the perfect picture.

Jack:

You have made my day.

But Jack, don't bother imagining how you'll look in that Seraphic Cap.

Lurker from the UK here, hunting for a passable photo right now - 1977 wasn't my best year!

Now I've finally delurked, I must say I find your blog incredibly moving, informative and thought provoking. The love you have for Karen and Ariel and your Girls shines through each and every post. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Siobhan:

Glad you have delurked. Thanks so much for your kind words. Look forward to getting your photo. Wait till you see my photo from 4th grade. It's hideous.

I checked.

I have a photo of myself from when I was three . . . and then there is a big gap . . . and then I have photos starting from when I was 12. But the 12-year-old photos are embarassing and I refuse to send them (you'll notice, also, I have never posted a photo of myself on my own blog). My parents have the photos from ages 3-12, and I'm sorry but I'm not bothering them about this!

But if you want the photo from when I was three, I'll be happy to scan and send. Let me know.

Sarah:

We don't want to embarass anyone. Please, send your 3 year old, that would be just fine. Thanks so much.

Randi,

You mean that I shouldn't send measurements over. Shucks. ;