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Monday, October 10, 2005
What are the odds?
It all started early last April when my good friend Jack started talking smack about my beloved Red Sox in the comments section here on treppenwitz.
I couldn't just let it pass... so on a whim I responded
Jack... if you want to place a friendly wager based on your theory (say, a package of Jeff's Sausages against a kilo of rugalach from the Marzipan bakery in Jerusalem), I'd be happy to take that bet.
Posted by: David | Apr 4, 2005 7:41:34 AM
To which Jack quickly responded:
Let's define this a little and we'll see what we can do. What terms would you like?
Posted by: Jack | Apr 4, 2005 11:53:50 PM
Hmmmm, It seems like old Jack was willing to put up rather than, well, you know... so now I was sort of honor bound to let him have his pick from among the other 29 teams in the Majors:
Jack... You pick a team and I pick a team. Which ever of our teams finishes the regular season with a better record wins the bet. A statistical tie means we both pay the bet.
Posted by: David | Apr 7, 2005 7:36:10 AM
I wasn't sure he was going to bite since almost a whole day went by before Jack answered (an eternity in 'Jack time'). Then finally he responded:
I just saw this, it works for me. I'll be a good Californian & pick the Angels.
Posted by: Jack | Apr 8, 2005 7:14:25 AM
I hadn't really followed the Angels, so I wasn't sure how far out on a ledge I was getting myself... but pride and team loyalty were involved so I quickly responded:
Done. Now let me surf over to Jeff's web site and start picking out my order! :-)
posted by: David | Apr 8, 2005 7:19:13 AM
So here we are in mid October, and who would have guessed that the Red Sox and the Angels would actually finish the regular season in a statistical tie?! I mean... what are the odds?!
Hmmmm... let me scroll back up to double check the terms of our wager. Yup, if our teams ended the season in a statistical tie we BOTH have to pay the bet.
I'd have to call this a 'win-win' proposition as far as wagers go. Not only do I get to send a kilo of the world's best rugalach (which Shai once aptly called "yeasty, chocolatey heroin") to a genuinely nice guy... but in return I'll be receiving a selection of Jeff's Gourmet Sausages.
I did a little checking and Jeff's only ships within the continental US, so we're going to have to find someone (or maybe a couple of someones, depending on the logistics) traveling between LA and Israel to mule the payoffs back and forth.
mmmmmm, I can almost smell those veal bratwurst and chicken cilantro sausages sizzling away on the grill!
Posted by David Bogner on October 10, 2005 | Permalink
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As a Boston fan, I bet you're glad that he picked the Angels over the Yankees. They both ended up with the same record, but it would have been harder to admit that..
By the way, any truth to the rumor that the reason that the Marzipan rogelach are so good is that they're not fully baked?
Posted by: Dave | Oct 10, 2005 2:08:09 PM
I wasn't sure he was going to bite since almost a whole day went by before Jack answered (an eternity in 'Jack time').
Just wanted to let you sweat a little. It was important to let you think about what you had gotten yourself into. I would have been happy to let you off of the hook.
The mighty Angels are led by a staff of former Dodgers which automatically gives them credibility, as opposed to those guys who squeaked by the curse one year and then snuck into the playoffs this year.
But, you are correct. It certainly is a win win situation. As Jeff's is a local establishment I'll have to give them a call and see if they have ever made arrangements to send anything your direction.
Posted by: Jack | Oct 10, 2005 4:16:26 PM
I hate sports (unless Cleveland's playing), but I had to comment because I take issue with one of your statements:
"Not only do I get to send a kilo of the world's best rugalach..."
World's best? I think not! That would be mine. I spent all weekend making rugelach for the YK breaking of the fast I am hosting. I am all rugelach'd out!
I'd send you some but I fear they'd be stale by the time they arrived!!
Posted by: Stacey | Oct 10, 2005 4:29:25 PM
Dave... I never heard that rumor about Marzipan, and I've had a bit of first hand experience with them. :-) As to the bet... I true fan doesn't care who the other guy picks.
Jack... I see some things haven't changed. I'd offer another wager on the outcome of the 5th game between the Angels and the Yankees, but I don't want to have to root for the yanks. I spoke with the manager of Jeff's. They absolutely don't ship out of the US, so we'll have to find friend's who are traveling to and from LA/Israel. I already have a couple of suspects in mind.
Stacey... I never say never... especially when it comes to something like someone's cooking. But have you ever had the Marzipan bakery's rugelach. Shai's description was spot on.
Posted by: David | Oct 10, 2005 5:00:14 PM
You'd think that after seeing just how competitive the readers of Treppenwitz are, you'd refrain from saying ANYTHING is the best, as you're just inviting people to start getting fiesty.
I'll just sit back now and and wait as the other 'best' baked goods are defended across the world.... good reading for later on today!
Posted by: val | Oct 10, 2005 5:01:36 PM
We had a ten second moment of silence for the Red Sox in our monthly Brotherhood Board of Directors meeting yesterday.
Posted by: Arturo | Oct 10, 2005 10:59:21 PM
lets go mets! *eyes darting left and right suspiciously, sitting down slowly*
Posted by: Tonny | Oct 10, 2005 11:16:23 PM
David,
Have you ever been to koshergourmetmart.com ? You mentioned the saussages, that is what made me think of it. How about baby Efrex.....
Posted by: Faye | Oct 11, 2005 12:07:19 AM
Just a few more hours until the Yankees get smacked around.
Posted by: Jack | Oct 11, 2005 12:26:04 AM
'Stros! 'Stros! 'Stros!
And, while we're at it:
Jeff's Sausages! Jeff's Sausages! Jeff's Sausages!
(May I recommend the smoked chicken apple?)
Posted by: Ralphie | Oct 11, 2005 12:31:46 AM
Jack: I always thought (I don't remember why) that you were in the Valley. If you're anywhere near Jeff's I'd be happy to meet (meat?!) you there for lunch at a date and time to be arranged in a more secure setting.
Posted by: Doctor Bean | Oct 11, 2005 12:59:25 AM
Man am I jealous. I haven't tried the rugelach in question but those Jeff's sausages are awesome!
Posted by: Leah Guildenstern | Oct 11, 2005 1:33:20 AM
Doc,
We just might have to look into that. Although I have to be careful with my anonymity, as a pseudo-super blogger I have numerous arch enemies floating around the blogosphere.
I'd hate to be eating lunch and then encounter one of them, it can be a scary thing watching me do battle with keyboard and modem.
Although I understand that I am not nearly as scary as the Angels who throttled the Yankees and are on their way to the kick the White Sox in the teeth. ;)
Posted by: Jack | Oct 11, 2005 7:32:33 AM
OK... Marzipan doesn't deliver to Norway... what do I do now????
Posted by: nrg | Oct 11, 2005 10:04:28 AM
Val... I just calls 'em like a sees 'em. :-)
Arturuo... As sad as it is that the Red Sox let us down... it's strangely familiar too. There's almost a nostalgia about it that was missing last year. This is part of being a Red Sox fan that others will never understand.
Tonny... Settle down.
Faye... I haven't... but obviously I will now. Thanks! If you speak with the Efrex's please send my regards.
Jack... I waited to respond in hopes that those words would come back to haunt you, but I see you are going to be insufferable for at least a few more games. :-)
Ralphie... Although I might question your choice of teams, I agree with your taste in sausage. I had a couple of those the last time we had Jeff's.
Leah... When you come to Israel you must try them. There is simply nothing else like them in the world.
nrg... You'll just have to come for a visit to the holy land. :-)
Posted by: David | Oct 11, 2005 12:51:29 PM
After last night's game, I shouldn't feel so generous but we are coming to Israel Dec. 26th so if you need a mule...
And I agree, the Marzipan rugelach are not fully baked!
Posted by: Lisa Rapp | Oct 11, 2005 2:41:48 PM
but I see you are going to be insufferable for at least a few more games. :-)
Spoken like a fan of a losing team. ;)
Posted by: Jack | Oct 11, 2005 7:40:25 PM
Jeff's sausages sound yummy! I wish I'd heard of them 2 years ago when I was actually in Pico Boulevard and could have bought a bag full. I also wish I hadn't read this post the day before Yom Kippur - my mouth is literally watering from your description already and I bet they will come back into my mind at the most inappropriate moment tomorrow.
Gemar Hatima Tova!
Posted by: Simon | Oct 12, 2005 7:23:13 AM
I was reading a post for a little while back,
does anyone know if you can order the rugelach from Marzipan (in Machaneh Yehudah)? It's got to be the best thing I've ever tasted in my entire life. I'd love to have a few kilos shipped to the US!
Posted by: Andrea | Jun 15, 2006 5:06:10 AM
I know that it has been a long time since Simon asked about the rugelach from Marzipan Bakery (Oct of 05) but did he ever get an answer? I would love to try it but live in US (Florida). Does anyone know how I might obtain some?
Posted by: Don | Feb 18, 2008 9:36:05 PM
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