Finding Angelo: or how an American obtains Italian dual Citizenship

Here is a list of the documents required for me to become an Italian citizen: (please note these all need to be translated into Italian and have an apostille…whatever that is)

Your maternal great grandfather’s birth certificate from Italy 
Your maternal great grandmother’s birth certificate 
Your great grandparents’ marriage certificate 
Your maternal great grandfather’s certificate of naturalization OR statement of “No Records” 
Your maternal grandfather’s birth certificate
Your maternal grandmother’s birth certificate 
Your grandparents’ marriage certificate 
Your mother’s birth certificate 
Your father’s birth certificate 
Your parents’ marriage certificate 
Your birth certificate 
Death certificates for anyone listed above 

The fun part about having this list is that I’m really going to have to search and learn a lot about my family in order to acquire all of these documents, thus actually getting closer to my roots.  The hard part about this list is that the Meles are not the most organized species.  At the beginning of the search, we have only very slightly possibly the birth certificates of myself, my mother and my father. The caveat is that I have never actually seen these birth certificates and somewhat doubt that we actually have them.

Additionally, I have learned that my parents do not know where of if they have a marriage certificate.  Oy to the vey.

Next up, a trip to Grandma’s house!

I love this post from the new blog Finding Angelo. It’s a great motivation for historical discovery and a bit of detective work. Interesting that citizenship seems to be maternally passed down; what other countries are like that?

Looking forward to following this process through Ariel’s blog; you should follow it too!

(Reblogged from findingangelo)
These always remind me of my Grandpa, because he taught me how to stick them on my nose! (Taken with instagram) View high resolution

These always remind me of my Grandpa, because he taught me how to stick them on my nose! (Taken with instagram)

6½th Avenue Gets Greenlight: Pedestrian Passageway Approved by Community Board, Installation in June

YES!

Basically, there are currently random passageways (privately owned) through buildings sitting in between 6th and 7th Avenues. But, it’s not easy to cross the street at those points, and it’s rather disjointed. So, the city is creating new, raised crosswalks, street paint, and stop signs to hopefully ease traffic and make these public spaces more inviting and usable. It’s really a wonderful idea, especially because the core infrastructure is already there and there simply aren’t enough useable public spaces in midtown. Fellow midtown cynic Jared and I couldn’t even find somewhere to sit outside and eat our lunch the other day. This will definitely improve a lot.

Read more from The New York Observer here.

Fun Facts About Sutures

This interesting post from a class I wish I took at the Brooklyn Brainery is worth a read. Gotta love random skills!

The banana at left is how I assume they teach medical students suturing.

Umbrella Etiquette

Inspired by the rain outside and the severe ankle jab I received on the subway from a golf umbrella this morning, I present to you my tips for proper umbrella use.

  1. Hold the umbrella upright and tightly. The handle should be fairly perpendicular to the ground and centered on your body. This achieves maximum dryness for you and minimum water runoff onto other people. Of course, you may need to adjust for wind, but try to maintain a smart posture.
  2. Do not text and hold an umbrella. Do not drink coffee and hold an umbrella. Do not hail a cab with your umbrella. Just use your umbrella to stay dry.
  3. Close the umbrella before walking inside or down into the subway. If you don’t, you block the door and make it more difficult for others to pass. To close your umbrella properly, pull off to the side of the sidewalk (out of the way) and close as expediently as possible. Do not shake it out. Tie up your umbrella with whatever closure is attached to it or a rubber band if necessary. If you have a bag in which to place your umbrella, do so, and people will think you’re classy.
  4. Avoid sudden movements. When you stop short or wheel around suddenly, several things happen: water flies, people get spoked, and you anger people (especially those without umbrellas). You already have this luxury of staying dry, so make a point to not indulge in this luxury at the expense of someone else.
  5. Be conscious of the space your umbrella takes up. Open, leave enough space between you and others, even if it means slowing your pace to let others coexist comfortably. Closed, your new walking stick or swing-around-item can still very much get in the way, so hold it steady and pointed, again, downward so that it is perpendicular to the floor. If it is dripping and must drip on someone, deal with it dripping on you rather than letting the stranger next to you suffer. It was your choice to use an umbrella; this is one of the consequences.
  6. Rain or no rain, do not walk on the sidewalk next to your entire group. In the rain, be especially conscious not to walk next to more than one person maximum, because it is even harder for people to pass. Plus, there are often puddles that everyone tries to avoid, and if your group is spanning the entire sidewalk, nobody can appropriately handle that obstacle.
  7. If it is incredibly windy and rainy, forgo the umbrella. Get a little wet. Or, stay inside. Too many people fight with their umbrellas, and as a result, foot traffic blockages and flying umbrella parts are ubiquitous. This is an unpopular opinion, but the correct one, I think.
  8. A broken umbrella has no place in a city. It is sharp and dangerous. Dispose of it immediately and buy a new one which thankfully, you can do that in a city.
  9. If you do realize that you’ve committed an umbrella sin, and it’s possible to apologize to the person(s) impacted, do so.
  10. Etiquette begins from the moment of purchase. Do not buy an umbrella that is bigger than you. It’s fine to pick between tall ones or the tiny collapsible ones (preferable), but it should be the right size for one and only one body. No golf umbrellas, or anything even close. Sharing an umbrella makes both people wet anyway, so if chivalry is important to you, carry two umbrellas or just give yours up. Also, try to get an umbrella that looks somewhat stable. It doesn’t have to be top of line, because you’ll leave it somewhere on accident still, but it shouldn’t break in the first 15 minutes of use either.
  11. Drop the attitude. It’s never positive to walk by people who are grumpy anyway, but if you have an umbrella and you’re angry, your umbrella shows it. It droops, it assaults, it gets all bent of shape. You forget the rules and don’t even apologize when you’ve made a mistake and bothered a fellow pedestrian. Not good. Figure out a way to enjoy the rain, at least temporarily, and move on.

Emily Post, as always, I hope I’ve done you proud. Village Voice, I like your thoughts on the subject, too. Readers, please know that I seldom use an umbrella, despite being a glasses wearer.

Think I missed something? Leave your tips as a comment.

Interview with Liz Haag, Lipstick Reader

I met Liz Haag through the improv comedy world, and now know her to be a woman of many talents, including lipstick reading. I interviewed her about this unique skill to learn more:

***************

Jen Bokoff: I’ve heard of lip reading (tough enough!), but how does one become a lipstick reader?

Liz Haag: It’s a good question. When I was just out of college and studying acting, I got a job hand painting temporary tattoos and henna tattoos at parties, like kids at Bar Mitzvahs and stuff. It was a great job. I loved to draw, got to go to fun events, and meet interesting people every weekend. My boss told me that she liked me and would hire me more if I could learn to do the psychic stuff, like lipstick reading, palm reading, and hand writing analysis. So, I learned. I studied a bit on my own, and they trained me some more. It turned out I had a real knack and intuition for lipstick reading that really caught on with clients.

JB: What are some traits or circumstances you can discover about a person through their lipstick?

LH: Lipstick Reading is derived from the ancient art of Chinese Face Reading. The lips only tell part of the story but it tends to be a juicy part. That’s why it’s so great for parties. 

JB: At the risk of exposing myself too much, I put my lipstick print on paper (see left). I tried multiple times to “get it right”, and realized that each try looks very different. Do you have a suggested technique for getting the perfect print? 

LH: People usually want to “kiss” the page. But I usually tell them not to pucker. Actually, it helps if they stay still and I blot the paper on their lips for them. And don’t worry about exposing too much. I always keep it light. No one wants bad news at a bachelorette party. 

JB: Interesting! Can you give me a teaser about what we can learn about me from my lipstick? 

LH: Let’s see. First of all, right off the bat it’s clear you’re talkative. This is usually one of the first things I can tell about a person based on their lips. It also says you’re a bit sensitive, but can be tough too. You’re very excitable, you like to try new things, and have a need to express yourself. How’d I do? [Editor’s Note: WOW! Yes. That’s me!]

JB: What is one of the more memorable lipsticks you’ve read? 

LH: There was a woman whose reading said she was intuitive and very giving. She dragged her husband over to have me tell him, so she could prove he was wrong about an argument they had earlier that day. It was a little intense.

***************

Liz is available for hire for parties through her company Bash Party Entertainment for lipreading and other event services. Start off the process with a complementary consultation today. I honestly can’t think of a more uniquely fun twist to a party!

Worldwide Mural Map

A lot of neat murals to discover! This is a very much incomplete database, but those available on the map are fun to explore. Also, you can submit murals that you have seen. Let me know if you do!

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Duke was one of the first employers to make benefits available to same sex partners in 1994 as a way to be inclusive and supportive of the needs of all faculty and staff, and this support will continue.

Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president of administration at Duke, following the approval of Amendment One in North Carolina. While the voters’ decision is extremely disheartening and causing ridiculous action already, we shouldn’t overlook the statements being made by those opposed to the amendment. Civil rights and social change happen, but often at slower speeds than makes sense. It’s a lost war in NC for now, sure, but by continuing to speak out about equal rights for all people and maintaining fair policies where possible, change will happen (thanks, Mr. President!). NC hasn’t historically been a leader with human rights anyway.

Fair to be cranky about the vote outcome. Good to optimistic that this will not be a precedent for other states. Best to continue and increase the consciousness of civil rights and responsibilities of communities to represent and take care of the people in them.

Off to work/school, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, May 9, 2012 Yes, I’m dappling in the world of Instagram (and enjoy it, too) to capture those unexpected neighborhood moments and scenes that embrace the essence of NYC and the people who live here. Even though a lot of people are leaving Instagram since its grossly expensive Facebook acquisition, I’m sticking with it. I like the way people curate their accounts and how nearly everything is captured on the go via mobile phones. The composition of many of the photos feels more raw and imperfect but spot-on with tone (made possible by the filters) and experiencing a moment. For me, it’s a great outlet for exploring my interests in photography, neighborhoods, and people-watching without having to carry my SLR everywhere I go. I also expand how I think about each of these through the content posted by others; their perspectives are often different but still resonant. You can follow me on your Instagram app (@jenbo1) if you want more, or just enjoy the photos I occasionally post here. View high resolution

Off to work/school, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, May 9, 2012

Yes, I’m dappling in the world of Instagram (and enjoy it, too) to capture those unexpected neighborhood moments and scenes that embrace the essence of NYC and the people who live here. Even though a lot of people are leaving Instagram since its grossly expensive Facebook acquisition, I’m sticking with it. I like the way people curate their accounts and how nearly everything is captured on the go via mobile phones. The composition of many of the photos feels more raw and imperfect but spot-on with tone (made possible by the filters) and experiencing a moment. For me, it’s a great outlet for exploring my interests in photography, neighborhoods, and people-watching without having to carry my SLR everywhere I go. I also expand how I think about each of these through the content posted by others; their perspectives are often different but still resonant.

You can follow me on your Instagram app (@jenbo1) if you want more, or just enjoy the photos I occasionally post here.

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If you don’t like the world the way it is, change it—one step at a time. Be prepared for how long change might take and how hard it will sometimes be. Always remember the quote you wrote in your diary after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak: “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.
Marian Wright Edelman, 72, president of the Children’s Defense Fund, in her advice to her 25 year old self
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If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas Edison
“Grandma?” the man with the backpack said, crossing the street to get a better look at the elegant elderly woman walking down the sidewalk with a cane. “Oh hello!” she said, turning, apparently surprised to see him. He hugged her in greeting. “Happy birthday!” the man said, “I actually have a card for you up in my apartment.” They continued to chat on the sidewalk for a few moments, as Jen and I stifled our delighted laughter. “SO CUTE,” we mouthed, and she discretely snapped a photo. This was a really enjoyable serendipitous neighborhood moment to witness. Sometimes, Prospect Heights feels like “where I’m living”, but with a shorter-term feel because I don’t have deep roots there yet. But, seeing generations of a family both clearly from the neighborhood running into each other on my block makes it feel like more than just a pass-through community; it’s a home. View high resolution

“Grandma?” the man with the backpack said, crossing the street to get a better look at the elegant elderly woman walking down the sidewalk with a cane.

“Oh hello!” she said, turning, apparently surprised to see him. He hugged her in greeting.

“Happy birthday!” the man said, “I actually have a card for you up in my apartment.”

They continued to chat on the sidewalk for a few moments, as Jen and I stifled our delighted laughter. “SO CUTE,” we mouthed, and she discretely snapped a photo.

This was a really enjoyable serendipitous neighborhood moment to witness. Sometimes, Prospect Heights feels like “where I’m living”, but with a shorter-term feel because I don’t have deep roots there yet. But, seeing generations of a family both clearly from the neighborhood running into each other on my block makes it feel like more than just a pass-through community; it’s a home.

(Source: citystories)

(Reblogged from citystories)

Via USA.gov: How and Why You Should Write a Social Media Will

Social media is a part of daily life, but what happens to the online content that you created once you die?

If you have social media profiles set up online, you should create a statement of how you would like your online identity to be handled. Just like a traditional will helps your survivors handle your physical belongings, a social media will spells out how you want your online identity to be handled.

Like with a traditional will, you’ll need to appoint someone you trust as an online executor. This person will be responsible for closing your email addresses, social media profiles, and blogs after you are deceased. Take these steps to help you write a social media will:

  • Review the privacy policies and the terms and conditions of each website where you have a presence.
  • State how you would like your profiles to be handled. You may want to completely cancel your profile or keep it up for friends and family to visit. Some sites allow users to create a memorial profile where other users can still see your profile but can’t post anything new.
  • Give the social media executor a document that lists all the websites where you have a profile, along with your usernames and passwords.
  • Stipulate in your will that the online executor should have a copy of your death certificate. The online executor may need this as proof in order for websites to take any actions on your behalf.

Learn more about what else you should include in your will and how to create an effective estate plan.

This is a really interesting blog post (especially for USA.gov!) topic. It sounds so morbid, but what a smart idea. The internet allows for more eerie reminders of someone who is no longer alive, whether it’s gmail suggesting other people you might want to include on the email or facebook pages that become interactive memorials. It would make sense that there be a way to control what happens; however, as with “regular” wills, I imagine it has the potential to cause fighting among family and friends and layers of interpretation. With the internet and privacy settings constantly changing, too, it’s likely that the wishes documented in a social media will wouldn’t even be able to be entirely honored.

Don’t worry guys, I sometimes do morbid posts about certain angles of death; it’s just fascinating. I’m not going anywhere, so jenbokoff.com isn’t either.

(Reblogged from usagov)
Manhattan Bridge, under-construction, seen from the roof of Robert Gair Building, showing suspenders and saddles, on February 11, 1909. (Eugene de Salignac/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives) The New York City Municipal Archives just released a database of over 870,000 photos from its collection of more than 2.2 million images of New York throughout the 20th century. Their subjects include daily life, construction, crime, city business, aerial photographs, and more. These are incredible. Check them out. A compilation of some of the best are here courtesy of The Atlantic. View high resolution

Manhattan Bridge, under-construction, seen from the roof of Robert Gair Building, showing suspenders and saddles, on February 11, 1909. (Eugene de Salignac/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)

The New York City Municipal Archives just released a database of over 870,000 photos from its collection of more than 2.2 million images of New York throughout the 20th century. Their subjects include daily life, construction, crime, city business, aerial photographs, and more.

These are incredible. Check them out. A compilation of some of the best are here courtesy of The Atlantic.

The farm bill was passed with the Healthy Food Financing Initiative!

April 27, 2012 – New York, NY – Yesterday with wide bipartisan support, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (also known as the Farm Bill), which for the first time will officially establish a national Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) at the United States Department of Agriculture with $125 million. The inclusion of HFFI is a significant win for community leaders from across the country seeking to bring healthy food and jobs to their communities. PolicyLink and its partners, The Reinvestment Fund, and The Food Trust, along with local, state and national healthy food advocates, have been working for many years to expand fresh food access in underserved areas throughout the U.S.

This is very exciting legislation! Read the full press release here. You can also check out the full contents of the Farm Bill here. It helps better protect farmers against disproportionate risk, consolidates and streamlines existing programs, improves accountability and program integrity with checks on how tax dollars are being used and public benefits being accessed, and will grow America’s agricultural economy. And, it reduces debt.

Thumbs up, government!