March Madness - FOR REAL!

I think we might have used this name for an event 5 times in 5 different contexts for the month of March. Linking it to the sometimes-insane NCAA basketball tournament - this month we had Massage Madness, Poker Madness, Softball Madness, Moishe Purimpalooza Madness, and an actual tournament bracket. This month our house ended up doing 14 events - 2 months worth - in just 31 days and now that Passover is arrived - all I can say is that I'm VERY tired.

I went to Giant's baseball opening day yesterday and despite losing to the Padres by the biggest margin for a home opener in San Francisco, ever - it still got me excited about the coming of Spring, the summer, our upcoming softball season and ultimately a new beginning in life.

We have just reigned in our 2nd annual insane seder and in a few weeks we will rally the troops for 2nd year in a row to observe Yom Hashoah with a plethora of Holocaust survivors. We've got an exciting month ahead and I only hope that we can figure out how to cut down on the number of events we're doing - my girlfriend is beginning to hate me...

A new face in the lineup

April 1st is not only the beginning of baseball season, Moishe House Softball season, and close to the beginning of Passover. Here in the East Bay, April 1st marked a changing of the guards, so to speak. Brady Gill, one of the true OGs of Moishe House had one final swan song before he packed his bags, his VHS movies, his ukelelee and his beloved dog Corbin into the Scion that will take him to his next galaxy of life in Santa Cruz. Card games, night time frisbee toss sessions, morning doggy walks, pounds of late night grinding, and lots of enthusiasm from a "registered" clown are no longer day to day activities I can count on when I come home from work.
For the month of April we have been granted a vivacious southpaw with some of the hairiest legs, and oddest manerisms of all the Jews and goys alike. Aaron Mandel is our new clean up hitter. Although he will only be here for a short time, Dougie and I are stoked to have him, and all the eccentricities that accompany him.
Our dear friend Brady is not far away, for his lovely face will be hanging over our couch throughout the summer thanks to a little photo shop by mr morris.
A changing of the house dynamic will nicely coincide with a changing of the seasons, as the bountiful bundles of beautiful weather, summer sunshine, and 8:00 pm bbqs are upon us.

Hum Baby all day from Danny B. in the East Bay!!

The Walk

Things have died down for me this month. Life kind of balanced out and I found my place in it. It was a long time coming. My routine is established now. And outside of Moishe House, much of my time after work is spent walking. It takes me about an hour and change to walk home each day. With the weather better, I've started to really enjoy it and my thoughts have left the rain and the wind and settled everywhere else. I use the time to catch up with far away friends, to process my day, to learn which kinds of houses I like and where the hidden staircases are. It has been such a wonderful way to end each day. And on top of all that, it's great exercise. I sit at a desk for work and I've never been so stationary in my life. On the other hand, I've never walked so much and with such purpose. They balance out nicely. As the days getting longer and longer here in the north, I expect my routine to get brighter and brighter. Things are looking up.

Norah

When tequila and Jews meet

Just some photos for your viewing pleasure of Abe's wedding -- quite possibily the most fun EVER...

Lee Levins back in action

Hi all its good to be back at the moishe house after my crazy trip through the south. Its wierd down there. Anyway i hope all is good with everyone. What awesome gifts we got from Israel. I am glad that we are coming up on some holiday time since i missed what seems to have been a very successful purim season. This past month has been great back into the swing and the next month to come will be as great.

Thanks

Lee levin

Like old, but comfortable, shoes

Usually our house is welcome to all comers. With an e-mail list which recently surpassed the 500 recipient mark you never know who might show up to any given night. Our shabbat potluck dinners are usually no different. A mish-mosh of personalities, newcomers and regulars, they are all on hand for the festivities. Recently our house decided to try something new.

The second to last Friday of March we planned what we called a "Comfy Shabbat". The idea behind this event was a night to invite the members of our Mo House community who contribute so much and make this whole project seem worthwhile to a shabbat dinner where we share our favorite comfort foods. It was an opportunity to let these wonderful people know how much we cherish their contribution, in more intimate dinner environment. By doing so we could limit the distractions sometimes associated with our bigger events, and make our house a meaningful space in a different way.

I couldn't have been more pleased with the result. Besides the fabulous food that was made by my housemates and our guests (cheese and carbs aplenty), the night was filled with some of the most passionate and heartfelt interactions I have ever seen at our house. As hosts, we never had to worry if there would be enough food, or who would arrive when (it was all set up perfectly by my roommates in an e-vite).

Simmilarly to most of the shabbats at our house, this evening ended around the firepit in our backyard. As Isaac led us in an eclectic mix of Weezer tunes, and Tawonga favorites, smoke from the fire swirled with the eratic San Francisco winds.
It was cold and late but we sang on, and on...and on. And we were as comfortable as ever.

Back in L.A.

Well Lee and I are finally back in Los Angeles after our cross country trip. We definitely had a great time despite the amount of work we had on our plates.....it's weird being home though after being gone so long. Nate was rocking the Moishehouse while we were gone though...big props there man!!!! Getting back in the Moishe swing is difficult, especially when you have a producer breathing down your neck to deliver content right away. We have pulled through with a movie night and a shabbat dinner......speaking of which, how stoked is everyone else about the Judaica gear?!?! I really wasn't expecting such a huge package in the mail.....it's kinda like a Jewish survival kit minus the menorah. A big thanks to everyone who was involved with that. So we're looking to kick some ass this month and put a bunch of events together as the weather is warming up......I think it finally BBQ time.......I promise we'll have something else besides drumsticks and burgers this time (I'm sure anyone attending will be excited by that). And since I've grown a beard recently, I think I should have that moustache party we've always talked about and never had....then I'll have a leg (or moustache) up on everyone and put their puny facial hair to shame!!! Well, good to be back and hope everyone has a great Peasch..........~Dave