September 30, 2010 | 3:50 pm

Bethenny Frankel’s Dog Cookie is Now Following Me on Twitter

Posted by Ilana Angel

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I loved Bethenny Frankel on The Real Housewives of New York City.  I thought she was relatable, funny as hell, and very entertaining. When she got her own show however, I felt she changed in a negative way, and I did not shy away from sharing my opinion.

Some of Bethenny’s fans are intense.  I was immediately attacked, as were my regular readers, for speaking my mind about Bethenny.  It’s fascinating how polarizing she is, and that she does not acknowledge some of her fans are insane.

I don’t know Bethenny Frankel.  My opinions of her are based entirely on what I see on television.  I want so much for her to get back to the real girl I fell in love with.  She may or may not get there, but this is America so I get to write about it whether people like it or not.

This morning, much to my surprise, Bethenny’s dog “Cookie” started to follow me on Twitter.  Go figure.  Anyone who watches Bethenny on TV, knows she really, really loves her dog.  It’s a super cute dog and we all love her. The dog is listed as Cookie Frankel-Hoppy.

Bethenny has had her dog take her husbands last name and now hyphenates it.  Seriously?  This is the Bethenny that I fell in love with.  I absolutely adore her for having her dog, who was her “baby” for a long time, take her married name with her.  That is fantastically cute.

I think there are a lot of Bethenny fans who are scary and seriously disturbed.  I also think Bethenny got caught up in her fame and became all the things she accused Jill of being.  I also think there are moments where she is her authentic self and it is those moments that I love her.

Bethenny Frankel has a lot of fans and I used to be one. I invested my time and energy into watching her show but I’ve been over her for quite a while.  Today, through Cookie Frankel-Hoppy, I saw the old Bethenny, and was reminded that I actually really like her.

Will I watch her if she is back on television?  Probably.  Will I speak my mind whether people like it or not?  Absolutely.  Do I think it’s insane for people to give their animals Twitter accounts?  Yup.  Do I think Cookie is adorable and fabulously hilarious on Twitter?  Absolutely.

To Cookie, thanks for following me on Twitter.  I imagine you are looking out for your mom and making sure I don’t talk crap about her.  It will probably happen Sweetie, but don’t you worry.  Mommy will be okay and she can take it.  Have a good day, be a good girl, and keep the faith.

September 30, 2010 | 10:59 am

Tony Curtis - My Jewish Prince Charming

Posted by Ilana Angel

I can’t remember a time when I did not love Tony Curtis.  I remember watching his movies with my mother when I was little and her swooning over him, even as a cartoon, on The Flintstones.  When my father was young he looked just like Mr. Curtis.  Maybe that‘s why I always thought Tony Curtis was handsome and loved him so much.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Curtis a few times over the years, and each time I saw him I wanted to hug him.  He was such a wonderful memory of my childhood that I always felt like I knew him.  I chatted with him last year at an event at the Edison in Los Angeles.  He was in a wheelchair but there was a twinkle in his eye and he looked happy.

I went up to him to say hello, told him it was wonderful to see him again and let him know that I loved him.  He told me he loved me too.  He did not know me, but he was a movie star and he appreciated me as a fan. Seeing him and holding his hand was like being with my own dad and my heart fluttered just a bit knowing my mother would be so tickled.

Tony Curtis had a fascinating life, including a heartbreaking childhood, several marriages, career highs and lows.  At the end of the day, what he should be remembered for was his talent.  “Some Like It Hot” is arguably the best comedy film ever made. He was funny, charming, gorgeous, talented and Jewish.

I have had a million Hollywood crushes through my lifetime.  Even today I am so in love with George Clooney that I am certain if we spent time together he would love me back. The thing is, Clooney is a fantasy.  My desire to marry within my faith trumps my desire to make out with George.  With Tony however, he was a fantasy with potential to be a reality.

Some little girls grow up wanting to meet Prince Charming.  For me, Prince Charming was always Jewish, so when I was a little girl, Tony Curtis was my Prince Charming.  I’m going watch a couple his movies this weekend and spend some time with my Prince.  Rest in peace Mr. Curtis.  I shall love you always and thank you for allowing a little girl to not only dream, but keep the faith.

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September 29, 2010 | 12:35 am

Sun, Heat, Earthquake, Jew-Fro and the Apocalypse

Posted by Ilana Angel

I originally posted this blog on September 29, 2009.  Take a look and I’ll meet you at the bottom.

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I’m done and have seriously had enough.  I never thought the day would come when I would admit this publically but here we go my friends: I AM OVER THE VALLEY.

I’m sure part of it is because I am Canadian and there is something unusual about it being over 100 degrees in September.  There is nothing attractive about sweat.  Well sometimes there is, but not when you’re walking from the house to the car.  How do you look cute when you’re melting?

The Fall is a time for tight jeans, warm sweaters and fabulous boots. Not flip flops, sleeveless shirts and shorts.  I bet it’s cooler in Africa than it is in Los Angeles.  I want to move to Kenya just to get some cooler temperatures.

For those of you not from Los Angeles, there is a rivalry between the people of “the valley” and those from “over the hill”.  They are west side snobs.  I have staunchly defended my beloved valley from the bashers who live on the west side.  They can talk about their ocean and cool breezes all they want and it does not faze me.

I live in a wonderful neighborhood, close to everything I need, great schools for my son and the beach is totally accessible at just 20 minutes away. Of course by 20 minutes I mean with no traffic which means I would need to drive to the beach at 2 am but still, it can be done in 20 minutes and that is my point.

I simply cannot stand another day of 100 degree temperatures.  It’s wrong.  I want to put on a sweater, get a Starbucks and look super cute in my jeans and boots.  Because of this heat I am officially on a dating hiatus.  No one should have to spend time getting cute only to melt while walking to the car.  It’s just not right.

I have three meetings today, all in the valley.  The valley is literally hell on earth these days and whenever I walk past the control of my central air unit I swear I can hear it mumbling that it hates me.  I am certain it is going to boycott at any moment.

As soon as it cools down I will deny that I wrote this blog.  I will say my bashing of the glorious valley was brought on by heat stroke and I could not control myself.

Enough with the heat already!  All I can do is stay strong, whisper sweet nothings to my air conditioner, pray nothing happens to it, and keep the faith.

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That was written exactly one year ago.  Those of us in Los Angeles thought it was unusual to be so hot this late in the year.  The thing is, yesterday it was 113 degrees here, and today will again go over 100.  What was random heat last year, is now a sign of the apocalypse as we an earthquake warning.

Scientists are predicting there will be a massive earthquake in Southern California between now and October 1st, which is Friday.  Really?  it’s not bad enough I have to worry about the rapidly growing Jew-fro that my curls are experiencing, I now need to think about an earthquake?

It’s hot and humid.  My hair is a mess, my nerves are shot, and my air conditioning has gone from telling me that it hates me, to screaming profanities and that it wants to kill me.  It’s too hot to try look pretty, and by looking pretty of course I mean I gave up trying at about 95 degrees. 

I am praying it cools down a little bit, that there will not be an earthquake in Southern California, or anywhere for that matter, that when all this is over my hair starts to look like it’s old self, and that through all the heat and hype, I am able to keep the faith.

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*****  FYI:  The earthquake prediction is an internet hoax.  Someone clearly has too much time on their hands.  Whoever you are that started this rumor, grow up.  We’re all dealing with bad hair and seriously don’t have time for your crap or an earthquake.  Thanks. 

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September 27, 2010 | 11:55 pm

Dancing With The Stars: Bolton Sucks, Patridge Annoys, Sarah Palin Shows

Posted by Ilana Angel

Week two began without David Hasselhoff.  I was sad to see him go.  Not because I am a huge fan who wanted him to do well, but because I love a good reality train wreck and he was going to provide us with a couple for sure.  I was surprised to see him be the first one out..

Tom is fabulous and Brooke once again wore an unfortunate dress.  The folds over her chest were just weird.  This woman has the most phenomenal body and yet she can’t seem to select a flattering dress.  Someone needs to help this chick pick something pretty.

Rick Fox:  This man is gorgeous and charming.  He is also a surprisingly good dancer for someone so tall.  He is talented and secured himself another week with his quick step.  His daughter was in the audience, which was cute.  His dancing takes back seat to his looks for me, but he’s good.

Florence Henderson:  Florence did great.  She is a senior citizen and her dancing is inspiring.  She makes me want to take ballroom dancing lessons.  “Cindy Brady” was cheering her on from the audience and it was a flash back to my childhood.  I hope she stays around.  I dig her.

Brandy Norwood:  I do not like this chick.  She is constantly complaining and disrespectful to her partner Max.  For someone who is so pretty, she comes across as ugly and I don’t care if she stays or goes, but if I could pick, I’d like her to go.  She is too bitchy for this show.

Michael Bolton:  He appears to have no rhythm or personality.  When he crawled out of the doghouse you couldn’t help but wonder if he felt as humiliated as he looked.  The good news is he will provide the train wrecks we are missing with the Hoff gone.  Bolton will go home this week..

Audrina Patridge:  Seriously, who is this girl and who cares?  She said she is “sacrificing everything” for this show.  Come on, what is she sacrificing?  Being on the red carpet pretending to be famous?  She is beautiful and a great dancer, but she does not belong on the show.

Sidebar:  ABC announced Brad Womack is the new Bachelor.  Really?  We didn’t care about him the first time so why will we care to watch again?  He left his first shot as The Bachelor picking nobody, with both girls crushed.  His getting another shot is gross and desperate.

Jennifer Grey:  I love her dancing, her new face, that she is 50, her kid, her husband and her BFF Jamie Lee Curtis.  I want her to win.  I think she deserves it and is clearly earning it.  She reminds me of another time, one I remember fondly, and I hope she takes it.

Sidebar:  Sarah Palin was in the ballroom to cheer on Bristol.  She looked beautiful and came across as funny and kinda cool.  I know she pisses people off, but on this show her politics don’t matter.  Her coming to support her baby after a rough year in their lives is lovely.

Margaret Cho:  She is the Kelly Osbourne of this season.  She has no self-esteem, does not think she deserves to be there, and is self deprecating.  I really like her and hope she stays.  If she believed in herself half as much as we believe in her, she could stay in the game.

Kyle Massey:  This kid makes me happy.  He is so cute and funny.  I want so much for him to stay on the show because he is a pleasure to watch and is a highlight of the evening.  He’s not the best dancer but he is the best showman and he will get my vote tonight and every night.

Kurt Warner:  He is good.  The football players have been hit and miss, so maybe it’s because he’s a quarterback that he has such good moves, but he is really good.  He is a bit insane that he thinks he is helping with the choreography, but whatever.  He’s good and fun to watch.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino:  The Situation has a real situation with his pigeon toes.  He has a tough road ahead with him, partially because he can’t dance, and mostly because the judges hate him.  I like him and find him entertaining, but at the end of the day this is not the show for him.

Bristol Palin: There’s something melancholy about her, like she thinks this is her shot at redemption.  No need to worry as she is really good.  Her little sister Piper screaming could be heard loudly and it was adorable.  I dig her and not ashamed not say it. Dance Bristol, dance!

I love this season.  There is enough of a mix of different people that both me and my son can be interested.  There are very few shows that he will tolerate watching with me, so for this piece of true family entertainment to stay around, I am keeping the faith.

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September 27, 2010 | 9:24 am

Dating, Acceptance, Religion, God and Hugging a Giant

Posted by Ilana Angel

I went on a date this weekend with a man who was not Jewish.  As my regular readers know, being with a Jewish man is important to me.  That said, I got an email from this man online and through our correspondence and phone calls, it became clear that he was a wonderful man.

We spoke of religion and faith, and it turned out that while he was not born Jewish, it is the religion that he chooses to practice.  It was interesting because he did not know what the word mensch meant, but could quote Torah.  He knew a lot about Judaism but had no real Jewish sensibilities.

He was open to me and my faith, yet it turned out that I was not accepting of the fact that he was not Jewish.  It was a real lesson for me.  I thought that at this stage of my life I was secure enough in my own faith that I could be with someone who was not Jewish and it would be okay.

In the end I learned a lot from this one date.  There is something cultural about being Jewish that has nothing to do with religion.  There are certain Jewish “things”.  A language and sense of humor that are inherently Jewish.  Others try to cultivate it in themselves, but it’s not the same.

I do not feel bad that this is something I want for myself.  It is not about my being closed off to other religions.  I love faith.  I believe life is better when you have faith, regardless of what that faith is.  For me, the core of my faith is Judaism and it will be the same for my Beshert.

I believe in God.  There are times when I feel him walking next to me, and times when I wonder where he is and why he is ignoring me.  As I search for love, I know that God is watching over me but it is my heart that will lead me to where I need to go and if I listen, I will be led to a Jew.

We went out for sushi on our date.  It was a great meal, and I loved our time together.  We laughed, talked about work, our kids, and religion.  He was charming, funny, sensitive, smart and attractive.  I enjoyed our time together and learned a lot about both him and myself.

I am going to find a man to share my life with and I am certain he is Jewish.  It’s not about religion.  It’s about a shared history, an understanding, and a silent language.  It’s about being different, but exactly the same.  For me to be with a man who is not Jewish would be settling.

I feel renewed in my search for love.  I don’t know what he will look like, what he does for a living, or how observant he is, but I know that he is Jewish.  That is what I want for myself and in the end it’s what I’m attracted to.  I like Jewish men and I’m done defending that choice.

My date also showed me a few other things I am looking for in a man.  He was honest about what he wanted, and what he was looking for.  We had an open and honest discussion about being in our 40’s and knowing what it is that we are looking for, and the little things that matter.

It was great to talk about politics, religion and sex with a grown up.  It was not about defending who we were or what we believed, it was about being honest and not wasting each other’s time.  For the first time, I was out with a man who was being himself not what he thought I wanted.

After a two hour dinner, we sat outside and chatted.  He walked me to my car and gave me what may be the best hug I have ever received.  He is 6’4” and when he bent down to hug my 5’3” self, it was like being embraced by a giant, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so safe.

He was so big and gentle that the hug made me sigh, take a deep breath and hold on.  Seriously, every person in the world should get a hug by this guy.  I felt protected and that is something that I crave.  Hugs are a great thing and it was a lovely end to a lovely date.

My life is blessed.  I have a wonderful job, a successful blog, great friends, a loving family and a delicious and perfect son.  I look forward to sharing all of it with a wonderful man.  A smart, funny, loving and Jewish man.  My date encouraged me to never settle, and always keep the faith.

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September 24, 2010 | 9:10 am

I Love My iPhone but Need to Break Up With AT&T

Posted by Ilana Angel

Remember when people used to say they were going to go “postal” on someone?  There were so many disgruntled postal employees who were wreaking havoc by barging into post offices and shooting people, that when people got mad the tag line became “I’m going to go postal.”

Thank goodness all is well with the United States Postal Service and things have calmed down.  The new number one place to get pissed off is any cellular company store.  For me it happens to be AT&T.  I seriously love my iPhone but cannot stand anything else about AT&T.

There is never a day I don’t want to go “cellular” and kick some AT&T ass.  I drop calls constantly and when I call to see what the hell is going on, I am forced to speak with people who do not speak English. When I try to explain the problem, they talk over me from a script.

There have been rumors for months that the iPhone will soon be an option for Verizon and I am not ashamed to admit that I pray for this to become a reality.  I have many friends who use Verizon and their calls are never dropped.  Verizon is the promised land of cellular service.

I have not had a home phone for years.  My cell phone is my home and business phone.  I rely on it for everything and even used it to blog when I went home to Canada this summer.  To not have service causes me stress and I could go cellular at any given moment.

The most frustrating thing is when calls from my son are dropped. People are constantly thinking I am hanging up on them.  I start my conversations with “Sorry I’m with AT&T” so people understand the conversation may require 4 or 5 calls since I will drop them that often.

AT&T likes to talk about how much coverage they have around the country but they never mention that just because they have coverage, it does not mean you will get service.  AT&T uses it’s commercials to lure you in, only to show you they suck.  It’s just not right.

One could argue the easiest thing to do would be to get a new phone and take my business to Verizon.  People who make that argument are people who do not use the iPhone.  I never thought I would be one of those people who love their phone, but I seriously love my iPhone.

There are some who love the Blackberry and I have moments, usually in the middle of going cellular, when I think about breaking up with my iPhone.  Being with AT&T is like a dysfunctional and abusive relationship.  They treat me badly, but I stay because I love the phone.

It might be time for me to just man up and walk away.  I have survived break ups before so how hard can it be?  Will I start crying when I see someone else using an iPhone and I am sitting there with my Blackberry?  Will a Blackberry make me want to sit on the couch and eat ice cream?

It has been a long relationship for my iPhone and me and as much as I know it’s not good for me, I just can’t seem to pull away.  The iPhone is my drug of choice.  I know it’s bad for me, but I can’t stop using it.  I need to get in iPhone rehab and finally break up with AT&T.

If anyone who works at AT&T is reading, your service sucks.  If we can put a man on the moon, how is it possible I can’t maintain a phone call while sitting in my own home?  Just writing this blog is causing me to feel a little cellular and that is just not right.  Get it together people.

To my iPhone, it’s not you Sweetie.  I love you but there are people who don’t want us to be together.  I’ve hung on as long as I can my darling and it may finally be time to let you go.  You’ll meet someone new and I promise that if I ever learn to speak Hindi I will come back to you.

I am going to spend some time this weekend looking at phones over at Verizon.  I am very hopeful that once there, I don’t have the need to go cellular.  Maybe once I take the plunge the iPhone will follow me and we can be reunited.  For that day, I am keeping the faith.

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September 23, 2010 | 5:48 pm

Jewish vs. Jew”ish”  - Oy Vey! Can’t It Just Be a Date?

Posted by Ilana Angel

I wrote this morning about the fact that I have a date this weekend with a man that is not Jewish.  For some of my readers, it was as if I had finally seen the light, and for others it would appear that I have crossed over to the dark side and made a huge mistake.

Here are some bits and pieces of what I received on Facebook and by email:

“I am new to your blog and one of the things that really turned me on to you was your commitment to date only Jewish men. Today’s blog disappointed.”

“What if you like him?  Are you just as fine with your son dating a Jew as a non-Jew? What are you teaching him?“

“No WAY. I hope you have a fabulous time on your date.”

“You are a hypocrite and should be ashamed of yourself.”

“I am proud of you for thinking outside the box and going down a new path.  It shows your faith is solid that you can be with someone of another faith.”

“I don’t get it.  What are you doing?  I don’t think you should go.”

“Search for love, don’t over think it, and be happy.  We are all invested in your happiness and want it for you as much as you do.”

“With the luck you’ve had, it might just be ok once in a while. What’s with the guilt? Why not just have dinner and live in the moment?”

“I don’t think it makes a difference whether he was born Jewish or not. He could have some Jewish ancestors that he may not even know about.”

“It is more important he respects and believes in the religion and what it stands for. If he is willing to practice with you, that is what really matters.”

I sometimes forget than anyone other than my friends and family read this blog.  It’s when I get the comments that the power of the blog is really understood.  I am humbled by the comments and truly feel that the majority of them are shared from a good place.

Some of the comments today however, have left me feeling quite conflicted.  On one hand I feel like I should cancel the date and stay true to the message that I have shared here, which is that I only date Jewish men, as my faith matters to me and I want to share it with my partner.

The other option is to cut myself some slack, go out with what appears to be an entertaining and charming man, and not put so much weight behind the decision.  I’ve been accused in the past of being too sensitive to readers opinions and I guess today that is truly the case.

Ultimately, the question boils down to why I made the decision to go.  I have been broken up from my last, boyfriend for over a year.  I have been divorced for almost 15 years.  Have I perhaps been a little too picky about who I choose to spend time with in terms of men?

I have been very selective and used faith as my guide.  I am not losing site of my faith.  I am thinking outside of my self-designed box to see if rather than my Beshert being a Jew, he is a man who loves a Jewish woman.  Is that a cop out?  Has loneliness trumped faith?

I have a couple of days to figure it out and I’m sure I will.  Go?  Cancel?  Whatever I decide, I will be a strong Jewish woman who is looking for love while being guided by her faith, not controlled by it.  I love your comments, thank you for caring, and am inspired to keep the faith.

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September 23, 2010 | 8:16 am

When Dating: Is Being a"Real” Jew Better Than Being Jew"ish”

Posted by Ilana Angel

I have a date this weekend.  Are you all sitting down?  He’s not Jewish.  For those of you who read my blog with any regularity, you know that I am on a search for my Beshert and I am certain he is a Jew.  In fact, to increase the odds, I do not date men who are not Jewish.

I love my faith, want to have a Jewish home, want my son to see I am with a Jew, and marry a Jew himself.  That’s just how I roll.  It’s not a big deal, It’s just my path and one that I have been on for my entire life.  Right or wrong, agree or disagree, it’s my truth.

I got an email from a man who is not Jewish. Well he was not born Jewish.  He is on his own spiritual path and while he was raised Lutheran, for the past few years he has found a connection to Judaism and those are the traditions and practices that he is following now.

Because he is not a “real” Jew, should I not go out with him?  Am I breaking my own rule? Is the self-imposed “rule” of only dating Jews silly?  Am I sabotaging my own search for love by placing this rather large limitation on myself?  I think the answer to all these questions is no.

I have gone on dates with men who are what I call “Jewish by circumcision”.  They were born of Jewish parents but the last Jewish thing they did was have a Mohle over for brunch when they were eight days old.  Lot’s of people are born Jews, define themselves as Jews, but don’t practice.

There are people who are not Jewish, but have a “Jewish vibe””.  I’ve gone out with men, who I’ve met on JDate, who were versions of Woody Allen in terms of their classic Jewish neurosis, but where not Jewish at all.  Do we live in a time where it is both cool and unnecessary to be Jewish?

Between the Jewish by circumcision Jews, the Woody Allen wannabe Jews and the “convenient Jews” who are non-practicing Jews who pull the Jewish card when it is convenient for them, how do I know exactly what kind of Jew I am dating?  Do non-Jews who practices Judaism get a shot?

I have a date with a very Jewish non-Jew and I’m looking forward to it.  He is very interesting, extremely funny, and seems to lack the smell of crap that so many men online seems to have.  We’ll see what happens.  We’re not getting married, just having dinner and I think it will be fun.

I don’t care what a man does for a living, what kind of car he drives, or how many times he’s been married.  What I do care about is being with someone who understands my faith and can practice it with me.  What an interesting twist it would be if he turned out to not be a Jew.

Dating only Jews is my choice and I own it.  To be completely honest I am looking forward to meeting this man but am also nervous.  My mother always taught me to not play with matches unless I am prepared to deal with a fire.  Dating great non-Jewish men is like playing with matches.

At the end of the day, it’s just a date.  It has given me something to think about and that is always a good thing.  Rather than worry too much about his not being a Jew, I’m going to remind myself that I have a date with a nice man.  Everything else will work itself out if I keep the faith.

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