The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler
http://blueturtlehosting.com/share/Chanukah_Song-Adam_Sandler.mp3

The Chanukah Song II by Adam Sandler
http://blueturtlehosting.com/share/Chanukah_Song_II-Adam_Sandler.mp3

So there’s always that uncomfortable discussion people have around the holidays about how to wish other people a good holiday season.

Some people think you should wish everyone based on the religion you are; some feel a generic greeting that is all inclusive is the way to go…some get downright insane and turn the whole season into a guilt ridden, consumer driven shopping spree full of commercial jingles and measures of self worth based on the gift.

I’m profoundly grateful and happy to be celebrating another year passing.  Surrounded by positive people who are friends, collaborators, mentors and overall good folks has made this year simply amazing.  They inspire me to be more than I am and to contribute to something greater than myself as I observe them doing.  Thank you all you wonderful people!

Photo Credit striatic

Now how can I share this inner joy? By sharing this! A friend sent me both of Adam Sandler’s Chanukah songs so I present them here for your enjoyment.

Lyrics hand typed with love.  If you see (??) that means I need your help figuring out the word.  Feel free to drop a note on any corrections!

The Chanukah Song

(applause)
(ok)

This uh, This is a song that a, there’s a lot of Christmas songs out there and uh, not too many Chanukah songs so, uh, I wrote this song for all those nice Jewish kids who don’t get to hear any Chanukah songs.

Here we go

Put on your yamikah, here comes Chanukah,
so much funnikah, to celebrate Chanukah

Chanukah is, the festival of lights
Instead day of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights

When you feel like the only kid in town, without a Christmas tree,
Here’s a list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me,

David Lee Roth, lights the Menorah,
So do Jamie Khon, Kirk Douglas and the late Dinah Shore(a),

Guess who eats together at the Carnegie deli?
Bowser from Sha Na Na and Arthur Fonzerelli

**To Be continued**

The Chanukah Song II

(applause)

Time to take out the Menorahs

Put on your Yamikah, it’s time for Chanukah,
So much funnikah, to celebrate Chanukah

Chanukah is, the festival of lights,
Instead day of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights,

When you feel like the only kid in town, without a Christmas tree,
Here’s a new list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me,

Winona Ryder, drink Manishevitz wine,
Then spins a Dradle with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein,

Guess who gives and receives loads of Chanukah toys?
The girls from (??) and all three Beastie Boys,

Lennie Kravitz is half Jewish, Courtney Love is half too,
Put them together, what a funky badass Jew!

We got Harvey Keitel, and Flashdancer Jennifer Beals,
Yasmin Bleeth from Baywatch is Jewish and yes her boobs are real,

Put on that Yamikah, it’s time for Chanukah,
Two Time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffmonikah, celebrates Chanukah,

OJ Simpson…, still not a Jew,
But guess who is?  The guy who does the voice for Scooby Doo,

Bob Dylan was born a Jew, then he wasn’t but now he’s back,
Mary Tyler Moore’s husband is Jewish, ’cause we’re pretty good in the sack,

Guess who got Bar Mitzvah’d on the PGA tour?  No I’m not talking about Tiger Woods,
I’m talking about Mr. Happy Gilmore,

So many Jews are in the show biz, Bruce Springsteen isn’t Jewish,
But my mother thinks he is,

Tell that old harmomonica, it’s time to celebrate Chanukah,
It’s not pronounced Chan-a-kah, the “C” is silent in Chanukah,

So read your Hooked On Phonika, get drunk in Tijuanikah,
If you really wannikah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah!

Happy Chanukah!

(applause)
Here’s some love to everybody

I saw my neighbor leaving, he asked how I was and then said hurriedly, “I’m headed off to work, I’ve got to go.” He was rushing off as if his life depended on it.

People will often say something is very important to them yet do completely different things with their time.  I’ve learned to watch their actions over listening to their words.

Back to my neighbor.  Example #2 – He had expressed interest in helping Barack Obama get elected so I told him what I was doing and gave him the website for http://my.barackobama.com. Each time I would see him, he would say, “Yeah, I need to get involved.”

Song: This Way – Dilated Peoples featuring Kanye West

What saddens me is that many people prioritize everyone else’s goals, values, expectations and ideals over their own. As children we prioritize our parents; as teens it’s our friends; adults put their employers first and once married, it’s your partner. If you have kids, it’s them until finally you come to the end of your life and then it’s God. Of course, this order can vary and many people are trying to juggle the expectations (or perceived expectations) of many.

I had a friend like this too. She would act as if the entire company would collapse if she did not get to work on time or come in on her days off when they asked her to. Talk about generating anxiety. I was caught up in this external approval seeking for a long time as well. Once I started journaling thoughts on a daily basis and setting daily and yearly goals, my life took focus and I prioritized what made me happy. Interestingly enough, others around me either faded from focus or new people came into my life who didn’t stress me out with monumental expectations. They just accepted me as I was. Life is much more enjoyable now, I get the right things done in my life that move me towards the goals I care about and most importantly, I live every day without regret.