The Power of Image (and Public Power LLC)

At SXSW Interactive last month, I had the pleasure of attending a keynote by Gary Vaynerchuk (Vay-ner-chuk, that is), who co-owns and serves as director of operations of Wine Library (not to mention his stellar wine knowledge espousing on Wine Library TV). He is probably the most intense member of the Tribe -- nay, human being -- I have ever seen, and it works. I mean, it really works. It even translates in book form, and thanks to a quick Twitter connection, I nabbed a copy of his book "Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion," I'm ready to quit everything and focus on my passion.

And then I remembered! I really am doing what I'm passionate about. I'm just not making any money doing it! That's the hard part, but the words of wisdom (and FORCE with which they're offered in his book) have me hopeful. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying for a book deal (right).

I'm really intrigued by Gary's story and how successful he's been, and I'm particularly impressed with a venture, VaynerMedia, which helps to positively brand individuals and companies. One of those companies? A local venture called Public Power LLC! I've heard their commercials on the radio, seen some commercials on TV, and I finally ended up on their website. After all, there's the power company, and that's about it, right? Not so! Here's what their website says:

Since 2008, Public Power has been the leading licensed electricity supplier, headquartered in Connecticut, saving your friends and neighbors millions of dollars. We are also licensed to offer similar sevices in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

We are focused on being the best and most conscientious customer service company in the industry. That’s our mission and we’re committed to excellence. We probably can’t solve every problem or satisfy every last customer but we’re sure going to try!

Basically, their goal is to lower your electric bill. They even transfer the service for you, so you don't have to call up your electric company. You'll still get your bill from the Utility Company, but the rate will be lower. Then, the Utility Company pays Public Power LLC. And that, folks is an easy way to save money by doing nothing (after all, you're using that electricity anyway, right?). Maybe their Twitter description will be a little more to-the-point:

Our Goal: To provide a cost-efficient and convenient service to our customers and to do what deregulation was created for - save you money.

Thanks to their mad Social Media skills (which, of course, is a boon to their name and customer service), you can find them on Facebook, too. Are you down with them? Use them? Interested? Let me know.

I am in talks with the fiance about switching to Public Power as we speak! Don't hold your breath, if you're in their coverage area, switch. Saving money is necessary these days. The money you could save on your electricity could pay for something pretty for your special lady or gentleman.

I mean, if NHL Hall of Famer Phil Esposito is down with the Public Power LLC, shouldn't you be, too?

Airing Out.

No matter how long I'm living Jewish, no matter how much I know, or feel, or breathe ... I'm still reminded, in the most ridiculous instances that, well, you know in the end I'm not Jewish. Nope. Not Jewish. I'm a non-Jew. All those non-Jew rules? They apply to me. Little ole me. Chaviva (is that your REAL name?). And it burns. It almost burns more now than it did after my Reform conversion nearly three years ago. Why? Because I'm living this lifestyle of an observant Jew who is shomer Shabbos and really doing the kashrut thing and devoted wholly to an observant and traditional lifestyle. Because my neshama? It's screaming. It's been screaming. It's still screaming.

In a simple conversation over mevushal and non-mevushal wine (a topic which, until now, I was completely ignorant of), I was reminded that despite all my knowledge and lifestyle and belief and dedication and the past six years of my life -- I'm still a non-Jew. I don't have that Orthodox conversion. I'm working on it. I really am. I would dunk now if they'd let me. Would they let me?

I give a d'var at an Orthodox rabbi's table, I daven next to 80-year-old women in hats, I sit behind a mechitzah with pride, I spend hours in the grocery store looking for heckschers with glee, I answer questions about why Orthodox Jews do the things they do, I identify as a (modern) Orthodox Jew. I wear a Magen David around my neck. I own more than three siddurim. I have five different chumashim. I have a Judaica collection that would make my pocketbook weep. There are all the trappings, but they're not enough. I feel the way I feel, and I want to be able to show THAT to people, because THAT is what really matters.

But how do you show someone your soul?

It can't be drawn or explained or photographed or videotaped or displayed on a big screen. It's just there and you hear it and feel it and dream it, but you can't let anyone else see it. I try, so hard, through words and deeds and words words words. But that's all they are. Can people really see the passion behind words? Little symbols and characters born out of sounds?

At any rate, I'm at this awkward frustrated point. I'm a Jew! I am. But I'm not. But I am. It's like I'm in purgatory or something. This middle ground between being born and being just a soul floating through the atmosphere waiting to be whole again.

Sincerely frustrated with people who feel the need to remind me that I'm not a halakhic Jew, 
Chaviva E.

More Wine, Please?

Disclaimer: These posts will be in, well, no particular order. Please forgive me?

On December 23, in the midst of an irritating rain storm, we stopped by the Rimon pomegranate winery in the heart of the Galilee Mountains. This place is the hippest, most random little winery I've ever seen -- the look is very clean, crisp art deco with the most beautiful light fixtures I have ever seen. Someday -- I repeat, someday -- I will find these light fixtures and most definitely put them in my house. It's thanks to this winery that I am now obsessed with pomegranates. The unique thing about these wines is that they aren't just flavored with pomegranate. Oh no, they're made from 100 percent pomegranates!

We weren't there very long, but we were there long enough to try their wines, of which I took to the dessert and port (pictured there). For some reason, the Port was a lot sweeter than the dessert, so I picked up a bottle for the express purpose of my first kiddush home with Tuvia. You see, the first chance we'd had to shop -- out on Ben Yehuda in Jerusalem -- I picked up (after some haggling) the most beautiful kiddush cup, so I needed some Israeli wine to go with it. So I purchased the wine, some delicious chocolate, and a jar of Israeli-made honey.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure. I'll let you know how the wine goes over with Tuvia on Shabbos.

Cheers!

Computer Crash = Ruby Tuesday!

I had a video blog post -- a show-and-tell style vlog, paired with details about how I chose my rabbi/shul and how YOU, too, can make it happen -- COMPLETELY EDITED ... and then my computer went kaput and the edited video with it. And to be honest, I haven't the energy right now to re-edit. So for now? You get a Ruby Tuesday photo.

Yes, I know, it's me. Kohelet is screaming "vanity of vanities" and biblical scholars are rolling their eyes at the common understanding of vanity. But in reality, this is me (in RED!) plugging Israeli Wine Direct, where at the helm is my good friend Richard. He was kind enough to send me this t-shirt, which I shall wear with pride, and he even featured me on his blog. So go buy some wine already!