Jacob S. Kirmayer

My friend Leo comes to visit

Jacob Kirmayer — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 05:50:00 +0000

We had a blast.

This is me and him on the couch. For those of you interested, there is even a movie. It may take you a couple of minutes to download, but it's well worth it, just click here.

As you can see, we also hung out in our chairs. He wanted to play cards, but I didn't feel like it. His sister (featured on the right) is cool and sometimes very funny (check out the movie).

Lest you think I am always cheerful!

Jacob Kirmayer — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 03:56:00 +0000

It occurred to me that if one were to look at the postings on this blog, one might be left with the mistaken impression that I am always cheerful.

I thought it important to dispell the myth.

Doda Liat comes to visit.

Jacob Kirmayer — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 03:50:00 +0000

Doda Liat was here from December 25 to January 2 with her friend Ruby. We got along splendedly. Here are some pictures.

Friends All Born the Same Month!

Jacob Kirmayer — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 05:32:00 +0000

I don't believe I have ever said anything about my friends to you. I think it's time I introduced them, so here goes.

From top to bottom from youngest to oldest:

First is Charlie Archer, born November 21, 2005 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada he is the only one of my friends younger then me. Turns out I actually share a birthday with his older brother who was born November 14, 2003.

Next is Leo Pearlman. He lives in New York with his parents and is only 4 days older than me. We went to a New Year's 2006 party together (the subject of a different post). He was born November 10, 2005.

And last, but not least is Sophia Wertenstein. She is 10 days older than me. She lives in Caracas, Venezuela with her parents. Her parents have said that they will come and visit a bunch of times, but haven't yet.

Carly Lipton protests!

Jacob Kirmayer — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 19:12:00 +0000

After that last post Carly wrote me a one liner e-mail that just said:

"Clearly there are cuter, way more up to date photos of me!"

And because she attached one of those elusive photos, I thought it appropriate to share - her photos are so rare, one day they might be worth something. I think she is right, clearly cuter and way more up to date, but how the hell am I supposed to know when she sends me one photo every 6 months?

And while I am on the topic of Carly, I thought I would share the next picture of Carly, her parents, my parents and me. They drove all the way from Toronto for my Bris, which is when this picture was taken. Wasn't that nice of them?

Maxi & Gabi come to visit

Jacob Kirmayer — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:40:00 +0000

Cousin Stella was over today with her kids, Maxi and Gabi. This is a picture of me playing with them.

My only cousins

Jacob Kirmayer — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 08:16:00 +0000

This is me and my cousin Steven sharing a moment on the couch. It wasn't a very quiet moment though......

From right to left, and in age order, yours truly, my cousin Eric, my cousin Steven, my uncle Roman, and my grandpa.

What do I have in common with these two kids?

Jacob Kirmayer — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 08:22:00 +0000

Well, let me tell you who these kids are first. Both are friends of mine born in 2005 (what a great year this was, ey?). The "ey?" is a bit of foreshadowing on my part.

From top to bottom (again from youngest to oldest), is Carly Lipton. She lives with her parents in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was born July 28, 2005. Isn't she cute?

Below Carly is Thomas Philip Irvine-Quaid. He was born April 7, 2005. Thomas, is this really the example you are trying to set for those of us younger than you?

So what do I have in common with them, aside from their being my friends and born in the same year?

All three of us have dual U.S. and Canadian Citizenship. Carly was born in Toronto and her dad is American, Thomas was born in the U.S. and both his parents are Canadian and I was born in the U.S. and my dad is Canadian.

My First Thanksgiving!

Jacob Kirmayer — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 05:24:00 +0000

How do you like my turkey bib?

Today I became a Jew -- What the *&%$ was that?

Jacob Kirmayer — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 22:30:00 +0000

I totally didn't expect this. One minute I was nice and comfortably asleep in my mom's hands, the next thing I know, I am being carried on some pillow by my grandmothers and a Rabbi starts cutting into my private parts. My grandma's cousin, Ofer Aharon, is holding my legs down under the guise of being the sandak, or "godfather" in English. Isn't the godfather the guy who is supposed to take care of you throughout your life. What kind of betrayal is this?

Not to mention my parents -- what on earth were they thinking?

Eliyahu's Chair

Jacob Kirmayer — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 23:01:00 +0000

These are my parents holding me on Eliyahu's chair.

I googled Eliyahu, because I wanted to understand why I am on his chair. I found the following explanation, which I thought I might share with you all:

Eliyahu lived in the 9th century BCE during the reign of Ahav, king of Yisrael. Eliyahu is frequently referred to in Jewish literature as the promised precursor of the Mashaich and as the dynamic helper in distress and guiding teacher of the Sages. Whenever there was an unsolved legal or religious problem, the great teachers of Jewish tradition would end the debate by saying "this is for Eliyahu to solve." It was expected that all controversies and disputes which had accumulated in the course of time would be adjusted by him.

Tradition is that Eliyahu roams about the earth testing the hospitality and goodness of men and women. As the "angel of the covenant" (Malachi 3:1) and protector of children, he is believed to be the invisible participant at circumcisions. Seated at the right hand of the sandek, the person privileged to hold the child during the circumcision ceremony, invisible Eliyahu guards the infant from danger. Also, the symbolic chair known as "Eliyahu's Chair," set aside for the prophet, is left in position for three days, the dangerous period following the operation.

Traditions is also that Eliyahu will settle every doubtful case in Judaism shortly before the advent of Mashiach. Eliyahu's Cup of wine, which is placed on the Pesach Seder table, is linked with a Talmudic dispute as to whether four or five glasses of wine are to be used at the Seder celebration. Hence the extra cup, known as Eliyahu's Cup, conveys the thought that the question could not be solved by the authorities of the Talmud and must therefore wait for Eliyahu's decision.

Cousin Abby comes to visit

Jacob Kirmayer — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 20:35:00 +0000

My dad's cousin Abby came to visit from Israel today, but we can't find a picture with her yet. Is it possible that we didn't take any?

We will definitely need to include a picture here soon.

The bathing experience...

Jacob Kirmayer — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 06:13:00 +0000

The jury is still out on this one, but I think I like bathing.

Holding my head up!

Jacob Kirmayer — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 05:58:00 +0000

It feels so much better then before. Every time they put me on my stomach my head got stuck in the mattress, and really, it was no fun. This is much better.

What is funny about this picture?

Jacob Kirmayer — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 05:49:00 +0000

It's actually the fact that about a split second later, I poop all over my dad's jeans. Yes, the same ones you see him wearing all the time -- he basically has only one pair and wears it until it disintegrates.