« Best of the Jewish Blogosphere #176: The Dirty Laundry Edition | Main | Gaza Donors to Obama »
August 04, 2008
Gearing Up for the Nefesh B'Nefesh Bloggers Conference
“He read my screenplay and then slipped into a coma.”
“I'm heading to Eretz Yisroel for the Nefesh B'Nefesh International Bloggers Convention.”
“Lucky you, do they need a physician on the flight?”
On Shabbos, I attend the early minyan. It starts at 7:15 AM. After davening there's a kiddush with cholent, fruit and some pale, slimy looking cold cuts. The tough guys in shul—not me—make l'chaims with shots of whiskey.
I always feel vaguely ill when I see my friends downing whiskey and heart-attack cholent at nine in the morning.
So: We've finished davening, and I'm talking with a close friend, one of the three hundred and eighty-seven doctors who attend the early minyan.
I'm like: “I need a physician on the flight. I can't sleep on planes, end up working non-stop on some screenplay so my eyes get all strained and then I get a killer migraine.”
“When are you leaving?”
“August 18 I'm flying to New York on the red eye and then switching to the NBN Flight to Israel. The International Jewish Bloggers Convention hosted by Nefesh B'nefesh and powered by Web Ads takes place on Wednesday August 20, starting at 5PM. ”
“I wish I could be there.”
“No problem. Get this: You can attend in on-line. The whole thing is going to be broadcast. There's even a chatroom for registered web guests who can't make it to Jerusalem. You just have to make sure and register online.”
“Cool. I'll do it. Meanwhile, how about I write an Rx for some Ambien for you. The regular dosage for the LA to NY flight and the CS will knock you out on the flight to Israel.”
Ah, better living through massive medication.
I go: “That would be great. Thanks so much. How can I ever repay you?”
He goes: “Well, Robert, I was wondering if you'd take a look at a screenplay I'm working on.”
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 07:47 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
We should seriously start to debate whether the biggest roadblock to Aliyah for most Jews is economics or that horrible flight.
Posted by: Jake at August 4, 2008 09:16 AM
Whiskey and cholent.....
That sounds like a good way to start the day.
Posted by: Lance at August 4, 2008 11:13 AM
Ambien, the breakfast of Champions! Make sure it's 10 mg., slow release.
Posted by: Azriel at August 4, 2008 01:10 PM
uh oh, Robert...such a dilemma...read screenplay/get drugs vs. "stick to my guns, and say no, no, and no, I will not read your screenplay, so thanks anyway for the drugs, and now I won't sleep on the flight and I'll end up with a great big migraine". Hmmmmm, what to do?
Posted by: cruisin-mom at August 4, 2008 01:17 PM
Jake:
I don't even like driving to downtown LA. The flight to Israel is just torture.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 4, 2008 02:36 PM
Gosh, I thought that the whiskey dissolved the shmaltz, or desaturated the cholesterol, or something like that. Shiny cholent (and that's not the water content that's shining, folks,) Kishke, and Shnapps just belong together.
Enjoy the trip-- and hatzlacha rabbah in your work, both vocation and avocation.
Posted by: Barzilai at August 4, 2008 02:36 PM
Lance:
In truth, the cholent is super delicious when a certain cholent genius in shul prepares it. But I don't drink liquor or wine because alcohol gives me an instant migraine.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 02:40 PM
Azriel:
A few friends, physicians, have recommended that I get Klonopil or Ativan instead. Fewer side effects and a clear head afterwards. What do you think?
Do I have to read your script to get an opinion:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 02:43 PM
CM:
What to do?
Are you kidding? I'll read the darn script if it means getting the drugs!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 02:46 PM
Barzilai:
I think the whiskey just dissolves the brain, judging by how my buddies sit down to Daf Yomi, right after cholent and whiskey, and giggle like schoolgirls as they learn, get this, masechet Yevamot.
Thanks for the kind words. I'll try not to embarrass NBN.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 02:53 PM
It sounds like your migraines may be triggered by tyramines, like mine. This is an amino acid derivative, produced by any fermentation process - thus your reaction to wine or spirits.
.
But, the flavors of cheese are generally due to a fermentation, and chocolate undergoes fermentation during processing of the cacao beans, and any fruit dried whole is likely to have done a bit of fermentation, plus most asian foods contain fermented soy in some form or another, etc. etc.
.
I can't even have balsamic vinegar, for pity sake!! However, avoiding these foods is definitely worth it to avoid the headaches. No one who hasn't had a migraine has a clue, believe me. For the record, the med that works for me is Imitrex - I can kill a migraine with 50 mg.
Good luck
Posted by: Earl at August 4, 2008 05:09 PM
Robert,
Does not sound like a fair trade off. You can get Ambien anywhere.
What about traveling business class? Would that lessen the chance of migraine?
You did have that Apple windfall and all.
I'm just saying....
Mata
Posted by: mata hari at August 4, 2008 05:44 PM
Earl:
Sadly, Imitrex is contraindicated for me.
But I'm very happy that it relieves your agony.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 06:35 PM
Mata Hari:
Apple windfall: check.
Business class: check.
Does not seem fair: since when is life fair?
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 06:41 PM
Just watching your back Robert
Posted by: mata hari at August 4, 2008 07:24 PM
Apple windfall: check.
Daven for Steve Jobs, he is not looking so fit these days.
Posted by: Jack at August 4, 2008 09:42 PM
Mata Hari:
And G-d knows my back needs watching.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 11:01 PM
Jack:
Believe me, I'm having sleepless nights over Steve's health and davening like crazy for a refuah shlemah.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at August 4, 2008 11:05 PM
azriel:
"Ambien, the breakfast of Champions! Make sure it's 10 mg., slow release."
controlled release comes as 6.25 and 12.5
10 mg would be the standard formula.
robert:
"I always feel vaguely ill when I see my friends downing whiskey and heart-attack cholent at nine in the morning."
i think you misunderstand. the whiskey is for resuscitation purposes after the cholent-induced heart attack.
Posted by: Lion of Zion at August 5, 2008 07:21 AM
Robert
The only side effect I get from Ambien is 10 hours of sleep! I have to admit that I never tried the other drugs.
(And, just to be clear; I only use Ambien on airplanes or if I am severely jetlagged (like in Asia)).
No screenplays from me, just music.
Posted by: Azriel at August 5, 2008 10:02 AM
Lion:
Then I must have the 12.5. Whatever; it works like a charm and I have no side effects.
Posted by: Azriel at August 5, 2008 10:09 AM