Berlin and Auschwitz

Posted in Jewish, Travel | Comments

So also, I went to Berlin and traveled to Auschwitz and Berkinow over New Years… more to come on that…

JIRA

Posted in Work | Comments

 

So JIRA is an issue management, business process, workflow management tool, that I’ve been working on configuring for work for the last two months (since the beginning of December), and we launched it yesterday.
We went back and forth on the name, but final decided on “PointRoll ShopLocal Portal” which works pretty good. As I’m very invested in this (its a very complicated system), I want everyone to use it! haha. The first step is getting internal folks to use it for support tickets. That is in place.
I’ve already had people come and talk to me about how it could benefit them, and what it can do to help them! Yay!

So now, we’ll have to tweak it, and get it to work really really well.

For more information about JIRA, see Atlassian’s site (the folks who make the product) at http://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/ and check out the documentation at http://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/Home

Let me know what you all think!

#Mark

 

So, I haven’t posted in a while…

Posted in General | Comments

So, I haven’t posted in a while, and I don’t really feel bad about it. Haha. In fact, I’m not really seeing the point of a full blog when I’m very active on twitter and facebook.

Therefore, I may not post so often, but even so, follow me anyway.

Twitter: @singerguy0
Facebook: Mark Moskovitz

See you all around!

#Mark

“Meet the Robinsons”

Posted in Movies | Comments

Meet the Robinsons is a Disney cgi-cartoon film made without Pixar. The basic plot (from Netflix):

“In this animated adventure, brilliant preteen inventor Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen) creates a memory scanner to retrieve his earliest recollections and find out why his mother gave him up for adoption. But when the villainous Bowler Hat Guy steals the machine, Lewis is ready to give up on his quest — until the mysterious Wilbur Robinson (Wesley Singerman) shows up on the scene, whisking Lewis to the future to find the scanner … and his mom.”

Going into seeing “Meet the Robinsons” I didn’t have any high hopes except that it looked like fun. And it surely didn’t disappoint.

The characters were lots of fun, and the plot was actually interesting. There are some great zingers (“I don’t’ think this plan was thoroughly thought out”), and you finish the movie feeling good. I am happy to say that the “cartoonish” look totally fits the film, and it deals with all sorts of crazy things…

Overall 5 stars.

A Mighty Heart

Posted in Movies | Comments

When I decided to add “A Mighty Heart” to my Netflix queue, I wasn’t sure I’d actually be interested in seeing it. The film is a telling of what Daniel and Mariane Pearl went through when Danny was kidnapped and killed by “The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty.”

The film version of the story stars Angelina Jolie as Mariane, who is the main character of the story, going through the range of emotions once figuring out that her husband, Danny, has been kidnapped. It chronicles the efforts to find him, and the ultimate loss in the murder of Daniel Pearl.

First, I was very surprised by the acting quality in the film. I don’t usually like Angelina Jolie, but she was just amazing in this film. I was moved by the telling of this story, and glad to know this story. My heart goes out to Mariane Pearl for her comfort, and so that she can find true peace from God. I don’t really have words to talk about this movie, as I was really touched by it.

I hope that the members of the group that took Danny Pearl also can find true peace which comes from God.

Four Stars.

Humbly,

#Mark

Signature Room

Posted in Chicago, Dining Out, Entertainment | Comments

So, I went to the Signature Room (Lounge) last week for the first time with friends for a friend’s birthday. the view was just amazing. I mean, I really love Chicago, but it was great to have a new view of the city.

It was a great evening. The baked brie was great, but the rest of the appitizers we ordered were just ok. But then we went and ate at Cheesecake Factory (in the lower level of the Hancock… we went from floor 96 to floor 0… ha!)

Here a picture:

At the Signature Room at the Hancock on Twitpic

#Mark

Mom’s Passover Apple Matzo Kugel Recipie

Posted in Jewish Holiday, Recipies | Comments
Here’s my mom’s Passover Apple Matzo Kugel Recipie. Its a sweet passover kugel, that is just great.
You’ll need:
4 Matzos
water
3 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 stick margarine
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup light raisins
2 large apples diced
Break matzos into pieces. Soak in water until soft. Drain but don’t dry.  Beat eggs and salt completely. add sugar, margarine and cinnamon. add to softened matzos. stir in raisins and apples. turn into shallow baking dish. bake in 350 degree overn for 45 minutes or until lightly brown.
I use regular raisins instead of light ones.
Hope you like it.
#Mark

Passover

Posted in Jewish Holiday | Comments

So the Passover season is about to be upon us. Passover is my favorite Jewish holiday. It speaks of rememberance, past redemption, and personal salvation.

As we go through the Passover Seder, each symbol points me, and us to the Messiah. The lamb shankbone reminds us of the animal that was sacraficed to put the blood on the door frame of the house, so that the angel of death would Pass Over the house. In order to be passed over, you had to be “covered” by the blood.

Likewise, in order to be forgiven from sin, and have righteoutness credited to you, you have to be covered by the blood. But whose blood? Well, the only one who lived who was a perfect, spotless lamb was Yeshua. In english, His name is Jesus.

Jesus is the only one who is righteous to be able to have all of our sin put on him, and then take the punishment and wrath for us.

For more information, click on “Jesus/Yeshua” above.

#Mark

Samsung Saga

Posted in General, Mobile Devices, Technology | Comments

So, as some of you know, I’ve switched service providers to Verizon, and I’ve gone with the Samsung Saga for the phone. Here’s some more info on my new phone, which I’m really liking:

Samsung Saga i770 Specs & Features (Phone Scoop).

#Mark

2009 / 26

Posted in Dining Out, General | Comments

So, yeah, its been a long while since I’ve updated this. I had the best intentions when I started, but of course that has fallen by the wayside.

That said, I’d like to give a brief review of 2009 thus far: Its been great!

I’ve learned much at work and in life, been more involved at my church, and deepened good friendships. Also, I turned 26 last week. I had an amazing “weekend” starting last Wednesday with a family dinner, Thursday with good friends, Friday with a February Birthday Bonanza, and Saturday with dinner at one of my favorites: Quartino.

I’ll update again soon, I hope. :)

#Mark