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July 28, 2005
Sexy Seltzer?
Sexy seltzer? Who would have thunk it. Well, I learned more than I expected from the following Israeli email I just received.
I received a very nice email from a Ted in Israel, letting me know he learned about the site from an article in Ha Aretz. I still have yet to track it down, but he happenend to mention, in an offhand casual sort-of way:
"The word 'spritz' here, by the way, is pronounced 'shpritz' and has a very sexy connotation."
I wrote back and replied:
"Sexy? Really? That is news to me. Please tell me more."
He certainly did:
Well, you asked for it:There's a Hebrew "slang" word, a verb -- l'ha'shpritz. It means to
ejaculate.I guess one could use it in Hebrish: "I shpritzed too early."
There, now you know.
Keep it up (the research, I mean).
Thanks Ted!
Posted by bjoseph at 03:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 25, 2005
Seltzercast 06: Seltzer -- The Next Generation
Take four young people, add seltzer, and mix. What do you get? The sixth episode of Give Me Seltzer: Seltzer -- The Next Generation. Join us!| Seltzercast 06: Seltzer -- The Next Generation | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli | From Ben's Deli, in Woodbury, NY |
| 00:06 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | By Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:01 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:27 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 04:00 | Segment 1: Interviews with Young People | Anschel, 12; Jackie, 13; Noah and Trevor, 6 |
| 21:20 | Segment 2: A Star Trek Parody | What happens when you mix Star Trek with Seltzer... |
| 23:33 | A Moment of Spritz | |
Posted by bjoseph at 09:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 21, 2005
Call Me
I LOVE to hear from people. Let me know what's on your mind. Do you want to tell me a seltzer story? Direct me towards some research? Tell me how much you love the podcast? Then please leave a message at 1-(718)-701-0398. A digital version of your message will then be sent to me, which I can listen and consider for inclusion either on the site or in an upcoming podcast.
I want to hear from you!
Posted by bjoseph at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 18, 2005
Seltzercast 05: Don't Laugh at the Banana Man
A man in a banana suit, a seltzer hater, and more tell us what they think about seltzer, in this all "Heard On the Street" segment of the Give Me Seltzer podcast.| Podcast 05: Don't Laugh at the Banana Man | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli | From Ben's Deli, in Woodbury, NY |
| 00:06 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | By Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:01 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:27 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 04:31 | Segment: Heard On The Street | Al, psychologist; Marc Joseph, chemist; Scott, computer guy; Jessica Dorfman, media educator; Bob the deli guy; Nathan Friedman, taxi driver; Rachel Zokolow, artistic administrator.; Kiera, Grad student.; Justin Keat, quantitative analyst; Ian Darcy, restaurant manager.; Janice, bread sales clerk bread; Bill, train conductor; ranger Paul, park ranger; the Banana man |
| 10:35 | A Moment of Spritz | A lime. McDonalds. |
Posted by bjoseph at 02:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 15, 2005
We Are Live At iTunes
The moment I have been waiting for: Give Me Seltzer listed on iTune's Podcast directory. After all these weeks planning for this moment, it is rather satisfying, like a fresh glass of crisp seltzer.
To check it out, go to the iTunes store, click on the podcast button on the lefthand side, and search under "seltzer". Give Me Seltzer should show up.
Also, in your iTunes playlist, there is now a new "Podcasts" item. Click on that. Go to the bottom of the page and find the "Directory" button. Then, search for "seltzer" and subscribe me. Oh yeah! So exciting.
For an extra plus, here is the new logo I had to create for the podcast. Sweet, eh?
It feels kind of like ten years ago, almost to the month, when I posted my first web site. Fly, little podcast! Fly out into the world...
Posted by bjoseph at 09:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
People Who Helped Me Research Niederselters, Germany
Researching a topic as vague as seltzer has proven challenging enough. But needing to research a town in a foreign country, in a language I don't speak, could have been impossible... if not for these amazing people.
Drew offered me the first prove that Niederselters - the source of the word "seltzer" - even existed. He showed me photos online of his visit. He also turned me to remarkable resources that existed about the town and pointed me in the direction of those there who could help me.
Most significantly, those two people have been, so far, Dr. Norbert Zabel, the town's mayor, and his son Frank Zabel. The two have gone above and beyond the call of duty, not only answering any question I could think up but going so far as to translate documentation for me and, after doing their own research, send me a giant care package straight from heaven!
This package included a 900-page town history in German. If not for the remarkable generosity of Bill in D.C. and Angel in Germany, I would have no idea what any of it said about the hisotry of seltzer production, or the history of Jews, in Niederselters, Germany.
Finally, I needed help getting it translated... for free! Without Tamara, in Germany, and Bill, in D.C. (Courtesy of Goethe-Institut Washington) it would never have happened.
For more, listen to this podcast
Posted by bjoseph at 03:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Seltzercast 04: A German Lumberjack Sent Me a Package
A German lumberjack sent me a package. What's in it? What does a German lumberjack have to do with seltzer. Listen to the fouth podcast and find out.| Podcast 04: A German Lumberjack Sent Me a Package | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli | From Ben's Deli, in Woodbury, NY |
| 00:06 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | By Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:01 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:27 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 03:00 | Segment 1: Open Sourced Research: A German Lumberjack Sent Me a Package | Drew, Norbert and Frank Zabel, Tamara, and Bill (Courtesy of Goethe-Institut Washington) |
| 19:30 | A Moment of Spritz | Barry Speaking German. |
Posted by bjoseph at 03:04 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
Seltzercast 03: Candy Store Memories
What was it like to server seltzer from a Bronx candy store as a little girl? Find out today in our third podacst.
| Podcast 03: Candy Store Memories | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli- in YIDDISH | Lori and Al |
| 00:10 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | Lyrics by Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:05 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:31 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 03:30 | Segment 1: Candy Store Memories | Lorraine recalls her childhood memories. |
| 09:45 | A Moment of Spritz | Give Me Seltzer.com, in Yiddish |
Posted by bjoseph at 02:59 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 13, 2005
Material About Israeli Seltzer Bombs
It has been a real hoot researching and learning about the possible use of seltzer as a form of aerial weaponry during the Israeli War of Independance.
The best place to start is:
Cast A Giant Shadow: The Story of Mickey Marcus Who Died to Save Jerusalem, by Ted Berkman. This is a really well researched and written book that serves as a wonderful tribute and biography of the American who served and died in the war and made a big difference.
The next place to go is:
How To Make A Jewish Movie, by Melville Shavelson. This is a hilarious account of his writing and directing of the film Cast a Giant Shadow, based on Berkman's book. But before you read it be sure to rent:
Cast a Giant Shadow, the film. With a cast staring Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Yul Brynner, Frank Sinatra, Angie Dickinson, Topol and more, yo can't lose, right? Or can you?
I speak about these sources extensively in my second podcast, offering sound clips from the movie and my interview with Shavelson himself.
Posted by bjoseph at 02:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Seltzercast 02: Cast a Giant Seltzer
Learn what Frank Sinatra, Israel and Seltzer all have in common in this special, second Give Me Seltzer podcast. The film, Cast a Giant Shadow, and its seminal role in the history of seltzer will be our focus. Oh, and hear John Wayne speak Hebrew. Tons of fun!| Podcast 02: Cast a Giant Seltzer | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli | From Ben's Deli, in Woodbury, NY |
| 00:06 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | By Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:01 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:27 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 03:15 | Segment 1: Bibliography Unplugged | Frank Sinatra tossing seltzer bottles at Arab tanks. |
| 17:51 | A Moment of Spritz | John Wayne speaking Hebrew. |
Posted by bjoseph at 02:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I Finally Shared Some of My Book
I finally shared a section of my book with someone.
They laughed.
Thank god.
I talk about it in my first podcast.
Posted by bjoseph at 02:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Seltzercast 01: And So It Begins
This episode features a fabulous Heard on the Street segment and a Book Update.
The first podcast gets off the ground. Yahoo!
| Podcast 01: And So It Begins | ||
| Time: | Segment: | Notes: |
| 00:00 | A Guy Walks Into A Deli | From Ben's Deli, in Woodbury, NY |
| 00:06 | Theme Song: Helter Seltzer | By Noemi Altman, Performed by Melissa Kaplan |
| 01:01 | Seltzer Music | Allan Sherman's Seltzer Boy |
| 01:27 | Opening | Lou Reed's Egg Cream |
| 03:44 | Segment 1: Heard On The Street | Loraine, retired attendance teacher; Katie, Youth in Community; Cesar Sanchez, Media Arts; Debby, my sister; Louis Castro, corporate philanthropy, and Andy Paias, education coordinator. |
| 06:16 | Segment 2: Book Update | I finally share a piece of my book with another human being |
| 09:06 | A Moment of Spritz | |
Posted by bjoseph at 02:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 11, 2005
Is Your Family Name Seltzer?
Over the course of my research I have heard from a number of people whose family name is Seltzer. However, given what I know of the word's history, I don't understand how this can be.
The word "seltzer" come from the town of Niederselters (more of the development of the word and its origin elsewhere). Note the spelling: "selter". At some point, when the word became globalized into a stand-in for carbonated water, the "z" was added. I have a hunch the French did it, but have yet to track that down.
In any case, there any many people who have the last name of Seltzer. If their name is actually connected to the carbonated water and more than mere coincidence, how did this occur? If you are a Seltzer, know one, or play one on tv, please send me your thoughts or post them in the comments below.
Here is one suggestion I got from a former Seltzer, named Angel:
My grandfather was from Austria and the way I heard it...the town he came from was near where Salt came from, so I think it had something to do with salt....I heard this many years ago so don't trust my memory - I don't :)
Posted by bjoseph at 03:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 09, 2005
It Didn't Work
I thought my first podcast, logging in at 23 minutes, while clunky at times, kinda worked. It didn't.
My wife and best friend kindlly acted as a test audience. What might have worked as seperate segments was just TOO LONG when strung together. At first I decided to do shorter entries in the future, but then it became clear I should cut this one down as well.
Using Final Cut Pro, it shouldn't take long. And in fact, this will make future podcasts easier to make. Also, it will allow me to replace my wife's a capella version of Helter Seltzer with the professional one being recorded as I type by a performer in LA. I can't wait to hear it!
Posted by bjoseph at 06:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 08, 2005
First Podcast Complete
I was up late last night, a little TOO late, completing the edits to my first podcast for GiveMeSeltzer.com. I’ve been involved in web design for over ten years now and I have to say I haven’t felt anything like this since I launched that first web site back in May, 1995. I get that thrill in my gut that I am watching something new begin, and I have the privledge to be there at the start.
But I feel something else as well, something I haven’t explored in a long time. In the time before DVRs, before even VCRs, I would take my tape recorder and shove it up against my tv, recording my own shows. I loved that power. Before long I was using that recorder to make my own shows, whether with friends or own my own. Fake talk shows. Fake news shows. Sometimes I would just read an entire comic book, supplying all the voices (which, in retrospect, probably all sounded the same).
Later I would graduate to 8mm animated films, camcorders, digital filming and web design. But speaking into that mic last night, attached to my computer, sent me straight back to the sheer glory I felt when I was in my pre-teens, talking to myself as if I represented the world and then playing it back to hear a voice that only slightly resembled my own.
I don’t have the theme song recorded yet (I am still interviewing musicians willing to do it for little money), so I just threw some samples up with Noemi’s a capella version (that should keep it podsafe, right?). I love the way that waiter from Long Island sounds, as well as my opening with the Lou Reed song. It took me a LONG time to get the technical logistics down, but one I figured how the two software programs (Final Cut Pro and Audacity) would communicate, and I would use my digital recorder for voiceovers until I purchase a mic, I had the whole thing flowing.
I put three pieces together. The first is my Heard On the Street segment; those are just so much fun. I love doing the interviews and just wish I could include more each podcast. The second was the core of the show, the first Bibliography Unplugged: Cast a Giant Seltzer. That was exciting to put together, using film sound clips and two phone interviews. It was rather labor intensive and will need to do simpler things in the future. Finally, I added a Book Update, which felt funny since it was the first update of them all. It could have been stronger, but I felt it worked.
When I was done with it, exhausted at 3:30 in the morning, I didn’t feel so much tired as elated. I had birthed something and I was proud. Now that I have the MP3 I STILL need to figure out how to turn it into a podcast and get it listen and distributed. And plan for shorter podcasts to follow. I can hardly wait.
Posted by bjoseph at 12:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 05, 2005
Why I Hate Seltzer
My friend Tim, in Atlanta, had this to say, by Instant Messenger, after the first time he viewed this site:
Tim: I hate seltzer
Barry: I plan to have a chapter on that
Barry: why?
Tim: just don't like it
Tim: My mother lived on it
Tim: Years ago when I was in the supermarket business, I remember getting an incredible deal on a pallet of seltzer
Tim: local distributor, my parents asked if I could get them a deal... worked out to be something like $2 a case (6 pack cans)
Tim: so thats like 50 cents a 6 pack
Barry: and?
Tim: They had me buy a pallet of seltzer 100 cases
Tim: they had this huge stockpile of seltzer in the basement
Barry: please tell me this story is going someplace
Tim: Not really, how many people do you know that had 100 cases of seltzer in their basement
Tim: Seltzer is a tough topic -- fizzles out
Barry: how long does it last in a store basement?
Tim: Not the store, in my parents basement
Barry: Oh!
Tim: I just worked in a store at the Time
Barry: So really, you are saying your hate is a Freudian thing?
Tim: Yes
Tim: so whats the thing about Seltzer...
Tim: Why a book about seltzer?
Tim: Couldn't you have taken up Yoga instead?
Posted by bjoseph at 05:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Blinded By a Seltzer Explosion
Lisa, from Seattle, Washington, recalls the family story about how her great-grandfather was permanently blinded by an exploding seltzer bottle.
- My paternal grandmother's father, Charles Weiner, immigrated to the States circa 1900-1901 from "Poland" (I'm in the process of waiting for his naturalization papers), and he worked in the seltzer business as a deliveryman.
I was told that it was a delivery "truck", but I'm sure the term was used loosely...he died in 1925 so that's your frame of reference. Anyway, a bottle of seltzer exploded in his face, permanently blinding him. The only picture I've ever seen of him has the dark spectacles covering his eyes. My hope is to find documentation of his accident so I would be happy to share anything "official" that I uncover if you're looking for anecdotal input.
After writing to request more information, Lisa told me:
- All of my family lived in Brooklyn (until my generation!). My great-grandfather married in 1909 while residing at 360 Sackman St., Brooklyn.
I'm not sure if his accident occurred prior to marriage, but I'm inclined to believe so. His only living child (my great-aunt) said the accident occurred when he was 15, but that's just not possible when he didn't arrive in the States until the age of 20-21.
When he died in 1925 while living at 181 Powell St., Brooklyn, he was a newspaper peddler. My Grandma and her siblings were placed in the Brooklyn Hebrew Orphan Asylum upon their father's passing because their mother couldn't support them...I've requested a summary of my Grandma's file from the modern-day equivalent of the BHOA so I'm hoping her father's blindness was mentioned in it.
When I asked her for permission to reprint her tale her she told me:
- You're certainly welcome to use my story, but I do want to say that I've heard more than one version since trying to research this particular event in my family... My gr-aunt really believes that her father was blind before marrying...which seems possible given that his occupation on the marriage certificate was listed as "peddler".
If you don't mind the "lore" aspect to my story until proven fact is found, then by all means, use it for your site.
I wrote her back that sometimes lore is sometime much more interesting than cold hard fact.
Posted by bjoseph at 12:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A Home-Installed Seltzer Faucet
Carol from Chicago sent in her recollections of growing up with a home-installed seltzer faucet.
-
My father, too, had a seltzer fetish, and in 1956, when he built our first house, the kitchen sink in addition to the hot and cold spigots had an ice water spigot as well as a huge u-shaped seltzer dispenser. This unit was the same used in those days in soda fountains (are you old enough to know what that term mean)?
Under the sink was a tank of CO2 that occasionally had to be replaced when empty. He then removed it and took it to a neighbor, the East Chicago, Indiana, Pepsi bottling plant, where the tank was graciously refilled. I grew up drinking seltzer from this dispenser. My father's name was Joseph. It is innately in the name that Josephs must have their seltzers?
Unfortunately for my Dad, the seltzer dispenser did not last as long as he intended to use it. I think by the time I was in Jr. High, it had no longer worked, and parts were obsolete, and he never replaced the system.
You hit it right on the head, referring in your article the reason Dad used Seltzer. He felt it helped him with a good "greps" (burp).
Thanks for a great reminder about my dad, who died when I was 19 in 1970. LeChaim!
Does anyone else have tales of home-installed seltzer faucets? I wonder how many were out there. So far I have heard of two, one in Chicago now and a second in Huntington, Long Island.
Posted by bjoseph at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
