A Day in the Life of Glotter

You think this person is going to lose their job?

2010-05-07T14:43:00.002+03:00

Rumor on the street, wall street that is, is that the huge 1000 point crash yesterday where basically I, along with everybody else lost any profits that were made, may have been cause by one person! One person! Instead of putting in an order of 16 millions shares to sell, they accidentaly added another zero, making it 16 billion. Whoops!

Read about it:
http://blogs.forbes.com/streettalk/2010/05/06/greek-woes-or-traders-mistake-take-your-pick/

Does this make me a bad person?

2010-05-03T22:26:00.000+03:00

Either they are really that good or this was just a smart advertisement campaign

2010-04-17T17:27:00.003+03:00

Its been almost a year since I last blogged. I've been meaning to get back into it a long long time ago, but have been busy with a million things. Without further ado, this I found interesting.

So apparently there is a huge volcano smoke cloud over Europe or something, stranding many travelers. One of these travelers is none other than the Prime Minister of Norway. What will Norway do without their needed leader?

Worry no more!

Apple is here to save the day with their new Ipad!

I'm still debating if this is just a big advertising campaign or the Ipad is really that good.

The jury is still out.

The Pope and His Overstayed Welcome

2009-05-15T17:03:00.003+03:00

Finally, the Pope is gone! He left yestday. He was here for less than a week and only caused problems. First off, the entire city basically shut down and many busses weren't running, exit ramps closed (yes there is like one exit ramp in the city) and so people basically just parked their cars in the middle of the highway, streets closed and thus couldn't even cross the street. Once it took me over 2 hrs to get home from work because of him! Thus I've started riding my bike, which is a good thing.
Putting that aside, the country wasted so much money on his trip. And it's not like we have it. I read a prediction that it would cost the country around $10 million! For a 4 day trip! That includes a one-time outdoor amphitheater for one of his masses that cost well over a million! What a waste. There are so many people here that need that money. People here are poor. And its not like the VAtican isn't filthy rich or anything. They could pay for that in the drop of a hat.
And, after all that, he goes and makes remarks or its more what he didn't say that is so horrible. First off, he was a Hitler Youth as a teen. So lets give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he left on his own will as he didn't agree and is ashamed at what he did. Ok. If so, he then has to go above and beyond to prove this. Especially toward Israel! He was at Yad Vashem and gave a speech. He used words like 'killed' instead of 'murdered' and said 'millions' instead of giving more a specific number. You know how many people must have gone over his speech and scuitinized it all?! It isn't just a mistake that he said stuff like that. He had a perfect oportunity to try to right some wrongs, but no.
What a waste he was here. A complete waste. He just caused lots of problems. I wish he had never come.
But at least the picture is funny. They took the popemobile for some 'offroading' before his visit to see if it could arrive to somewhere he had to go.

"Reserve Your Place in History Bookings Now Being Accepted"

2009-04-22T17:30:00.005+03:00

I kid you not, the title you see is the actual heading for the official Titanic 100th anniversary cruise. I don't know about you, but there is no way in hell that I would go on something like that...especially if they are advertising like that. Don't they know what happened last time? It would be like going on the S.S. Minnow 3 hour tour.
But in all honesty, this company is actually "recreating" the Titanic cruise on its 100th anniversary. See site
One of the funniest things (in a sad and horrible sort of way) is on the bottom right of the site they have an advertisement saying "your money is safe with us". Well I hope more than just their money is safe with them.
I actually have nothing to respond to this cruise besides its absolute rediculousness...

Last minute to London

2009-03-21T18:31:00.010+02:00

So I haven't written here in a while, but I guess I've done some pretty exciting things lately. First off, lets go back a little while. I was deep in my job search and having zero luck. I don't know if I ever mentioned trying to work at the restaurant, but lets just say it didn't go well. I'm not made for being a waiter. I didn't break anything or drop food on anybody, but just wasn't very good at it. Oh well. I luckily had a job interview lined up. Long story short I got the job (which I'll save for another blog).I found out that training would start less than two weeks later. So I quickly booked a flight for a couple days later to go to London. I figured that Michael was studying there and so that is a good enough excuse to go.
I got in on a Monday afternoon without any problems. We basically just walked around and tried to see a few things. The most confusing thing about the country,even though I was warned about it beforehand, was that everything comes from the other side. Basically, the cars drive backwards. There wasn't a moment when I didn't look into the driver's seat and there was nobody driving the car! I then realized that the car set up was backward. Not just this, but they drove on the wrong side as well! I tried to look both ways a milion times each time, but I still couldn't figure it out. I thought I would be run over every time. Luckily they paint right on the roads which way you should look when crossing, but I did not trust this at all.
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I have had a revelation after being in England in that I know whey America does everything so different than the rest of the world. Being a country that was based off England, it is pretty obvious why the US has become that way....
The next day I ended up taking a tour as Michael was in class all day. I generally try to avoid tours as they are sometimes annoying, but this one I needed. As I had very limited time,taking public transportation wouldn't have allowed me to see nearly as much and also, it would have been more expensive. Basically this tour was just the bus and once at all the sites, I was off on my own. First stop was Windsor Castle, the weekend residence of the Queen. Basically it was like all other castles I've seen. They had all their portraits of former residents on the wall, and their China sets on display. ie, stuff I could care less about. The area was neat and I also happened to be there for "Changing of the guards". It was a lot smaller scale than the one most people know about, but I was like 5 feet away from it, which was I think better. Here are some photos:

Then,I was off to Stonehenge. A lot of people were saying "oh, it's just a rock and not as big as I thought it was, etc, etc" So I guess I went in with lower expectations. Nevertheless, it was soooo cool. I'm not quite sure why. They have a path around it where you can get within 20 feet or so. It would have been better to go touch it, but oh well, they are protecting it from vandalizing. we were at the site for liek 40 minutes, but I think I could have stayed a lot longer and just walk around a little. It is literally in the middle of nowhere and it took up 1.5 hrs to drive there. I guess the main reason people are so interested in it, is that nobody really knows why it was made. Here are some pics:

After that, I guess I just spent more time going to museums both alone and with michael including the Imperial war museum, Churchill museum with underground bunkers during WWII, plus some others, which I don't remember at the moment.
There is way too much to tell, but overall it was a great time. I wasn't expecting too much as it was a major city and all, but it was much better than what I thought it would be. It was very well organized and well managed. I mean that the subways came on time, the place was very clean, people were way too overly polite and it was easy to get everywhere. In addition, all the buildings were no more than like 5 stories high, so it gave a much more intimate feel to the area. Also, many times London is somewhat compared to New York City. I thought it was a million times better. Mainly, it didn't have that sewer smell everywhere like New york does and a bunch of other things.
That is my trip in a nutshell. I'll try to update soon with the new job...

We Are (Slowly) Becoming a First World Country and I Got a Couch!

2009-02-24T16:30:00.004+02:00

Ok, it's official. We are slowly moving into the category of being first world and the picture is a hint. No, couches didn't just arrive (but I did just aquire somebody's old couch for quite cheap, adding more to my room even though its still freezing inside. I know what you'll say, how cold can it be in Israel? Well it's not as cold as lets say Minnesota, but they build the walls out of frickin' cement with no insulation and so it traps in all the cold). Ok, back on subject. Do you see what is sitting on the couch? You may take it for granted, but I for sure don't. It's a 3-ring binder! Yes, 3 rings! One would think that this is a pretty standard thing when it comes to the binder realm, but it's not. Take a look at what dominates society here:

Two Rings!!!!! At first you might think that it might not be so bad, but it truely is. In the picture it appears that the papers are pretty secure in their spot, but the moment you lift up the binder, there is no support for the pages and thus they all somewhat fall downward and don't align well with the binder. 2-rings could have been a good idea, but if you look again at the picture, they put the rings right next to each other. This is basic physics priciples. You must spread out the surface area! If they had just put the rings further apart, it would thus prevent the pages from slipping and sliding back and forth. They may have invented the flash drive (or 'disk-on-key' as they are called here as that is essentially what they are, a disk you connect to your keys) and invented God knows how many computer chips, yet they can't figure out a binder?! This country boggles the mind. And there are stuff like this all the time that are purely backwards! Thus, it is still third world, but moving up!

I voted!

2009-02-10T15:35:00.006+02:00

After long internal debate and going back and forth, I made a literal last minute decision on my vote. The debate has been long going and changed many times. Here is how it goes:
I wanted right wing more security wise and left wing economically. They don't always go hand in hand. I actually liked a lot of what Avigdor Liberman's party Yisrael Beiteinu believed in. I mean I liked a lot of what he said, but decided long ago that he himself is scary so I couldn't vote for him. I would probably like some of Likud, but don't' like Bibi. Then I decided upon 4 possible options, ranging across the political spectrum. They were
1)Habayit Hayehudi- I liked them mainly for one reason. I feel these are the true Zionists. I'm not saying other people can't be and that everybody has their own opinion of what Zionism is, but they I feel most truly care about the country deep down.They are religious, but are very welcoming of other (at least in my opinion). These are the type of people I served with in the army. Lets put it this way to show their Zionism. I heard a radio commentary by some left wing guy who would never vote for them, but decided to. He said that he was very mad with them a couple of years ago during the dissengagement from Gaza and they were protesting it. Yet now, just 2 years later when we were just in Gaza again, these same group of people were dying in disproportionate numbers of the soldiers. Which this means that despite them being very against what the army did, they are still the ones serving in the Combat units. This especially when everybody is trying to avoid the army....especially combat. Basically in short, its very impressive on their part and just shows despite what happened, they truly care.
2)Kadima- I actually don't like the party itself too much (maybe that's due to Olmert or maybe not), but Tzipi Livni has seemed pretty impressive to me. She is a very serious person and for the most part seems without corruption (at least as of yet), which is pretty rare in politics. But I wasn't leaning heavily toward her as I think they are too left for me.
3)One of the green parties (environmental). At first (and of this morning) I decided on maybe the new green party.I'm not sure why. I think I had the same problem like most people that liked these parties. They couldn't tell the difference between them. OH well. The new one seemed new and upcoming and maybe they could do something that the other couldn't. At the same time, they should have teamed together instead of splitting their votes....
4)Last but not least...wait for my explanation before judging....The marijuana party. The only reason I was maybe going to give them my vote, was because they teamed up with the Holocaust Survivors party. They were both using each other for their own gain. I found out that there are about 200,000 Holocaust survivors here in Israel and 80,000 live under the poverty line! This is an embarrassment to this country. These people should be living in resorts. I mean, how much time could they possibly have left. To have gone through the Holocaust and then come to a Jewish state and live the last years of their lives in poverty?! I think its a disgrace to the country. So I was going to give them my vote, but in the end I figured there are other things that could be done instead and there are other pressing matters. sorry.

So I was basically ready to vote for the new green party or the right wing religious one. Half an hour before I went to vote, I realized that the green party is too left wing for me. They want to give up the Golan Heights to Syria! Ok, I can understand people wanting to do stuff with the West Bank/Gaza, etc., but the Golan! There is no need and will only be problems for us later. And its one of the most beautiful places! So I decided last minute to throw my vote to the regular green party. They also have an agreement with Kadima that if they don't pass the required number of votes needed, they give their votes over to Kadima (which will probably happen). I'd rather them give to a right wing party, but oh well. So my vote wont' completely "go to waste".
I actually want in general a right wing government, all except two reasons. The first is that I'm not a big fan of Nentanyahu and more importantly, they will be in a coalition with Shas. A very right wing Charedi group who ruin education and everything else they touch...They are quite bad.
Oh well. Most importantly....I VOTED!!!!!!!!!

On a side note. The way voting works, is that you go behind a cardboard shield and there is a bunch of little notes with different names of parties on them. You find your party you want, put it in an envelope and then bring it over to a ballot box and deposit. That's it. Pretty simple. No computer, filling in bubbles, hanging chads, etc. I guess people can accidentally put in more than one, and I don't think it counts. Unless they are for the same party and then the obviously count only one.

My first Peugot with a little luck finally on my side

2009-01-20T23:09:00.001+02:00

So I've finally moved into my new apartment and actually finally got my bed. Finally. First night in the new bed. Other than that, I'm looking for work. I'm realizing that I'll have to take anything. It looks like it may end up being a coffee shop or something. The job market sucks here. Usually it is bad, but with the global economic situation, it just makes it all worse. Has Obama solved things yet? I'm waiting.All that, combined with my completely worthless Political Science degree (biggest waste of time in my life), I'm stuck with nothing. So like the title, I've had a little bad luck finding work, in addition some undercover cops didn't like me walking around a neighborhood looking for work and questioned me for a while. I still can't figure out why. But then tonight happened. I rode my new bike (see picture above), which is also my first Peugeot. For you Americans (everybody) a Peugeot is a French car (I think French) and it is not found in the states (maybe I'm wrong), but it is popular here. So hopefully it won't be my last Peugeot. I think I got way distracted in one of those last sentences and never finished my though and even had an improperly formatted sentence. So I locked up my bike. I though away from the crowed it won't get ruined. Well, I get back to my bike and somebody tried to cut my lock!!!!!! I can't believe it.

So good thing I had that lock on there and that it was a good one. Also I think I'll have to use a new lock as this one has been weakened. Oh well. I'll be more carefull where I lock my bike.
Next blog: picture of my bed! (incase somebody finds that interesting....mom....)

Dog poop DNA

2009-01-13T20:26:00.003+02:00

This is pretty amazing. I saw this a couple weeks ago:

NY Times Magazine honors Israeli dog mess DNA bank initiative
By Kobi Ben-Simhon, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Petah Tikva

A Petah Tikva municipal initiative designed to combat public dog defecation by collecting DNA samples from the city's canines has earned recognition from The New York Times Magazine as one of the most noteworthy ideas of 2008.

Launched three years ago, the program was the brainchild of Petah Tikva Mayor Yitzhak Ochayon. Its implementation and success in recent months has attracted significant international attention to the project.

"I have had enough of this horrible phenomenon of dog poop littering all the streets of the city," Ochayon said. "It drove me crazy even though I assigned five inspectors with motorcycles to the problem and every day they chased after dog owners. We did not manage to minimize this awful situation."
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"So I came up with the idea of using DNA tests for dogs. I spoke with the city's top veterinarian, Dr. Tika Bar-On, and she began inquiring as to how it would be possible to implement the idea and for all practical purposes she is the brains behind the project."

"[The mayor] asked me to check whether via DNA we could ascertain which dog left droppings on the sidewalk of the city," Bar-On said. "The idea to build a DNA database for dogs in this context has already been proposed, but nobody has put it into practice."

The city will use the DNA database it is building to match feces to a registered dog and identify its owner.

Owners who scoop up their dogs' droppings and place them in specially marked bins on Petah Tikva's streets will be eligible for rewards of pet food coupons and dog toys.

But droppings found underfoot in the street and matched through the DNA database to a registered pet could earn its owner a municipal fine.

Imagine

2009-01-04T12:09:00.002+02:00

As the ground offensive has finally started, here are some more videos that maybe will help people a little to understand what it's like here.

But just think, in the video they compare being able to hit those cities 30 miles in, but just imagine if that is like 20% of the country not just the border!

Here is another one of actual footage of what it is like in those cities very close to Gaza:

With all that said. Us entering Gaza is very scary, but it needed to happen. There are children who have grown up in the shelter. People can't live like this. Any other country in the world would have started defending herself immediately. Just imagine if one little rocket had been shot from Canada and hit Duluth, or Spokane, or a small town in Maine. All hell would break loose! I hope everything will be better after this and that all the soldiers come back safely, especially as I have some really good friends there right now.

In the Shelter

2009-01-02T13:56:00.003+02:00

I'm not quite sure what the news over in the States is about what is going on here, but I have a feeling that they aren't really showing it all. By that I mean, I assume the media is moving more in sympathy for Hamas, even though they are responsible for this all. where I am living, is on the edge of where the rockets have been landing, and so it is a lot safer (relatively) than those located closer to Gaza. But even at this distance, it needs to be understood how much life is being affected by the rockets that Hamas is shooting into Israel. For example, my relatives are not able to attend school as they aren't close enough to shelter and even my cousin who goes to school outside of the rocket range (as of now) isn't attending either as they don't want the children to wait outside for the bus. This was done in Be'er Sheva a couple of days ago and the following morning, a rocket fell on a school where children would have been killed had they attended. Just because not as many Israelis are being killed, it doesn't mean that everything else is being affected. One of the worst places is Sderot, located 3 km from Gaza and have been hit with rockets non-stop for the past 7 years. they have 15 seconds to find shelter. Here is a good video on it:

and another:

one more:

It is just disgusting how they are doing this. Even here life is coming to a slow halt. Then the worst is the left wing Israelis who do more harm than good. For example, this group was protesting outside of an airforce base trying to tell the pilots about the 'blood on their hands'.

These people should move outside of their little Tel Aviv bubble and realize that a large portion of the country is not able to go on with their everyday lives. Wake up and smell the coffee. What, does a rocket need to fall on Tel Aviv for them to realize that this is serious? I hope not....

There is so much to say on this, that all I could do is ramble. But people need ro realize what is really going on here!

Pull My Finger

2008-12-25T08:34:00.002+02:00

This is pretty hilarious. Just read... and the best is the first comment after
http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/12/24/a-plague-of-iphone-flatulence/

A plague of iPhone flatulence

iFart etc. There’s something in the air this holiday season.

Two weeks before Christmas, Apple loosened its rules and allowed an off-color novelty app called Pull My Finger into the iTunes App Store.

The floodgates of propriety having been breached, there was no holding back. Less than a week later, VentureBeat’s MG Siegler reports, Apple approved 14 similar apps in a single day.

Today, by Siegler’s count, more than four dozen sound-effects apps not suitable for polite company are stinking up the App Store best seller list, which on Christmas Eve was topped by a program that produces — for immediate amusement or delayed gratification — pungent sounds with names like Jack the Ripper, Howard the Duck and The Sick Dog.

The developer of this noisome program, Internet entrepreneur and author Joel Comm, has atoned for his sins by publicly releasing his sales figures. The chart makes for interesting reading, as it documents the snowball effect (to mix a metaphor) of rising high enough in Apple’s Top Paid App list to get the attention of the broad app-buying public.

Here, via MacRumors, is the record of Joel Comm’s rise to the top:

12/14 - 841 units - #76 overall
12/15 - 1510 units - #39 overall
12/16 - 1797 units - #22 overall
12/17 - 2836 units - #15 overall
12/18 - 3086 units - #10 overall
12/19 - 3117 units - #9 overall
12/20 - 5497 units, - #4 overall
12/21 - 9760 units, #2 overall
12/22 - 13274 units, #1 overall

Note that sales accelerated once the program made it into the top 5. Note also that at 99 cents a pop, JoelComm is netting more than $10,000 a day. Apple’s (AAPL) cut is better than $3,000 a day.

No wonder so many third-party developers can’t seem to contain themselves.

But they better move fast. Like all novelty trends, this too will pass.

Comment:
Why spend .99 cents when you can generate your own for free???
Posted By Don, Lakeland, FL : December 24, 2008 10:48 pm

Voice your opinion.....again

2008-12-07T04:19:00.002+02:00

This is pretty cool. That is if they'll really listen. You can write in to Obama what you want to be changed or "your vision" as they call it in the time to come. Check it out: http://change.gov/page/s/yourvision

I've been given my soul back!!!!!

2008-11-08T16:35:00.003+02:00

It has been a long while since an update to the good old blog. Not that I haven't gone longer without blogging, but big news has been found out and acted upon since last update. And no, I'm not talking about Obama winning the election. A week ago, I was released from the army!!!!!! No more having to wake up and head back and be completely worth nothing!....that is until I have reserve duty....but its too early to think about that. Now that it happened, I still find it hard to believe that it happened. I still am in shock. I keep waiting for the moment when I'll get a call from my commander telling me that I have to come back and so and so a time. What it actually feels like is that I had this huuuuuuuuge weight on top of me and all of a sudden it was cut off and left behind. Feels great. They just told me a month ago that I got my request to get out now approved and until the end they tried to screw me over as much as possible at the end, just so I wouldn't forget.
What else, my parents were then in town for a week (so I actually got a week off for that), but unfortunately we didn't really do too much. More relaxing, which is always good for me. As for how I feel about my army service? Well I can say it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but at the same time it was by far the most meaningful thing I've ever finished. I mean, I've done other big things that pepole may say were big in my life, like receiving a degree from university, but I never really felt that I had to work that hard or really felt like I accomplished anything.It was more just the next step that was in my path. In short, what I'm saying is that I'm very proud of what I did and I can say that I still have some Zionism left in me.
I know I had a ton more to write about, but I don't remember. I'll try to give an update soon.
Ah, also, I will be in MN in a week until the end of december 'studying' for teh gmat test....and I'm not ready for the cold at all

An apple a day may keep the dr away, but that also means in the army...

2008-09-10T21:34:00.002+03:00

I realized that I haven't updated in way way too long. Besides my life not really having anything new and exciting (maybe for everybody else, but for me it's always the same so I don't realize that people may be interested...), to my credit I have been in the army for basically the past month and a half with like a day off in the middle.
Here is a short rundown of some maybe exciting/not exciting things (at least in my life) that have happened. First off we did a week/a couple of days of war simulation. basically regarding my job, it meant doing the exact same thing (sitting and staring), but with added stress (no sleeping for days except dozing off for maybe a minute here or there and almost no food). It really sucked and I still dont know how I stayed up with no food, but once you are done with something like that, you are a little proud and impressed that you could pass something like that (although I would not recommend it for anybody). To then reward us a little, we went for a little hike in the Golan. As it is summer (dry season), everything is brown and thus a lot less pretty. Nonetheless, it was still nice to just be able to go for a little hike. The highlight of it all was that we took a short break right next to an apple orchard. I thus was obligated to take a fresh apple off the tree. The Golan I guess is famous (at least in Israel) for their apples. Let me tell you, it was the best apple I've ever had in my life! It might be due to the regular oily army food I'm used to eating, but I'm going with it just being amazing. Also, they brought us some apple juice made in the Golan, which was also the best apple juice I've ever had. One day when I'll have a life again (one day...), I'll have to go back for apples from the north. Speaking of having a life...I'm trying to get my time shortened. Thus far I have not been successful, but I haven't given up and will keep trying. I will obviously keep the blog updated if I find out. Continuingly flowing on this subject, I have moved up a rank (this just means I've been in the army for a year and 4 months) to the rank of 'SAMAL' or according to the English translation 'sargeant'. It bascially means that I'm worth a little more than absolutely nothing, but barely....
Last buy not least, life as a 'lonely soldier' (that's the very happy title I've been given, meaning that I have no family here) basically really sucks. Once a year they have a 'day o' fun' on some beach for us with a free lunch, and more importantly, a day off from the army! So we did that last thursday which was great. How am I writing on a wednesday you ask? Well I got a week off! I'm supposed to get a week off once every 4 months, but this has only been the second one I've received. As you can understand, the supposed benefits from the army aren't usually received...it all sucks

2,000 year document

2008-07-12T18:40:00.002+03:00

So, not much different going on here. I had a really hard couple of weeks as I'm realizing that a lot of the people I'm with in the army are just a complete waste of space. Some of them are great, but the others just ruin it all. So it was pretty bad, but had a weekend off which was nice, but I'm already dreading going back. The most interesting thing that happened to me recently was two weeks ago. I was in Jerusalem and went to the Israel Museum as they have on display for the first time part of the Isaih scroll which is part of the Dead Sea scrolls. http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/HTMLs/article2.aspx?c0=12807&bsp=12644&bss933=12807
Basically the Isaih scroll was found complete and is 2,000 years old. Usually they only have a photo copy out as it is so valuable, but now they put out a few pages (i didn't realize that it would only be a few pages until I got there, but oh well), but it was still cool nonetheless. The pieces shown were full pages without anything missing. It's amazing that something so old could be preserved so well. I have a book that I just bought that is now completely ruined after putting it in my backpack....
Other than that, my life is still not at all exciting.

Back in Israel

2008-06-21T14:18:00.002+03:00

It's been a long time since I've gotten around to blogging. First off, I landed safely, but without one of my suitcases. My guess is that it got stuck in Detroit as I arrived there and my next plane took off within 30 minutes. I barely made it, so I assume my suitcase didn't. No worry, I got it eventually. When leaving the airpot, I saw Air Force One parked somewhere. Thus I assumed that Bush was in town (which he was). It's something I've never seen, so I guess that was a little exciting.
I got a few days off to try to recover before having to go back to the army which was much needed as when I got back, I then had to stay there for 3 weeks! They made me pay for being gone for so long. I did the same old stuff I always did with like 4 hrs of sleep night.
So really there is not too much to report on as I've basically have been in the army non-stop.
Ah, one thing. I just started a course. It's along the line of work I've been doing, just learning some new stuff and equipment. I dont know exactly where or exactly what I'll be doing, but it's basically like what I'm doing, but a little raise. Basically it gives the army more options to use me. I'm in the course for a month and then I think I may end up doing another course related, but that I obviously wont find out until the day before, as usual with the army....
until next time.

A little taste of freedom!

2008-05-13T18:41:00.002+03:00

Well all, if you did not know, I just spent a month having a little taste of what freedom is like. I got a month off from the army to come visit my family. Because of my status of being a 'lonely soldier' in the army, meaning I have no parents there, I get some special benefits including a month per year to visit my family. I hear from different times that people want my blog updated and I must apologize. First off I get home once every 3 weeks and second, the same boring stuff happens every day, so I never can think of something to report on. For now, I guess I'll give a little update of how I spent my last month.
To begin with, I had put in a request to leave the for the states about 2 months before I wanted to leave. But since nothing gets done until the last minute along with a lot of complaining, I got permission to leave 2 weeks before my flight. I then also had to run around the country, because the army paid for my ticket and so also had to get that taken care of last minute. Beside leaving no time, I ended up getting a ticket obviously.
I finally got here right before Passover, which was filled with everybody being in town in a two day period which meant no time to see anybody.....
Besides visiting with family and friends here in 'the land of clear water' (minnesota), I then went off to visit my grandma and grandpa in my favorite city and yours, Omaha. We did a lot of visiting over the few days and saw how the city's new construction projects (a new road) are starting to make it into a 'booming' city....
After a few days back in MN, I was off to visit the sis' with Michael in Madison. I decided that I did not like going back to Madison after being gone for 2 years. Everybody was so young! they are little kids. When I had left, I knew I was done withe the place, but now I really realized that my time had passed. Oh well. I had a few friends also meet me there for a day and for the most part we had good weather. From Madison, my brother and I got to Milwaukee and flew out to Arizona to meet our parents. First stop was the Grand Canyon. We actually had to get to Vegas since my dad had work, but I had already been there twice before and so had enough of it already. Well at least there are many other places I'd rather see which I haven't.Lets put it this way: I realized that outside of the places where I have relatives or went to school (madison and omaha), Las Vegas has now been the most visited city in my life and it isn't even a real city! So we went to the Grand Canyon a little first to see something new and please me. It was really neat to see, but you can only see so much up on the rim. I guess next time I'll have to go on a river rafting tour or some camping down below. But nonetheless, it is quite amazing.
We then drove 4 hrs to Vegas. Not much to report on here, because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas....
Actually we just walked around, saw a few shows and came back. It was a good time despite me not really wanting to go.Despite me not writing in a long long time, I dont want to make this too long.
I had an amazing time here in the states and really forgot about life in the army. So now, I'm really dreading going back. But going back I guess is one more step toward the end.

Joevak

2008-03-29T15:56:00.002+03:00

Yes, its a sad life/blog when the title is 'Joevak'. Well I'm sure from everybody else's point of view, my life is a lot more exciting than everybody else. Well doing shift after shift of guard duty, it all blurs into one, leaving my mind a blank on what to report on. This is basically how my life looks right now. I do 8 hr shifts with 8 hrs off. But during those 8 hrs, it includes and hour before and an hour after 'talking about what is to be done and what happened that day' leaving only a maximum of 4 hrs to sleep a day. Honestly I have no clue how I'm doing it, but somehow you just keep going. On top of that I go home once every 3 weeks for 2.5 days. So yeah, the army sucks.
But recently (starting last week), they sent me to another 3 week Hebrew course! Its a lot of fun. First off I'm with some friends and other foreigners (not Israelis for a change). We are learning from 9 am to 9 pm. Sounds long, but its a lot more laid back and no commanders giving you trouble all day long! It's a nice change of pace.
While I was there (at my old base), I went with a friend who was sent back to finish the obstacle course we have to do. While there, who do I see? JOevak! It was hilarious. I rarely see him as we are both busy. So I caught up to Joe right after the beginning and didn't let him quit/not pass. I pushed him through the entire thing and threw him up and over the obstacles. In the end he passed! Now he never has to do it again.
Other note. I've finally realized after reading a few books here that all the books you can buy in English here are sent from England and not the US. After coming across a ton of words I have no clue about I realized that this was the case. At first I thought that I just am horrible at English, which I am, but then I put two and two together.
One last thing. I'm working on coming to the US in a couple weeks (mid april). I got permission to leave and even went to buy a ticket on thursday, only to find out that I needed my passport with me to buy it. So i have to go back on sunday morning and hopefully will be able to update next weekend with the dates!
ok, hope to see everybody soon!

Look, I'm a South Park Character!

2008-02-16T21:24:00.003+02:00

Not too much to report on, so I figured I'd throw this in. I found out you can make you own South Park Character. So I obviously had to make one of myself. I wanted to make myself with my real,non-army, curly, jewfro hair, but i guess that doesn't reflect my life as of now. How does it look?

Lots and Lots of Walking. Did I Mention the Walking?

2008-01-18T19:35:00.000+02:00

Ok..its been a while and since then, quite a bit has happened. Now lets just see if I remember it all or at least some of it. First lets go way back. Possibly even further back than my last blog. Not too exciting, but explains the picture. Here is me and my other friend (and actually isn't 18 like everybody else,but 26 American from Indiana who likes Kirby Puckett and so thus makes him the even bigger sucker in the army. Being 26 part, not the kirby..) Dan. During Chanukah they would give us Sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) every day. at 500+ calories a pop, i guess you could say that every day I easily counteracted the amount of exercise that we did. Only in a frikin Jewish army do they give out food like that for the holiday. This happened a long time ago, but i just acquired the picture and so am sharing it.

One of the other big events of my last month or so was going to Joe's TEKES (ceremony). Just like I had a ceremony at the beginning of "swearing myself into the army" Joe had one too, also at the Kotel. I asked special permission to be able to go to it as we came here together, are good friends from home, both without any family, etc. In short, they let me go. It was funny to see it from the other side. It felt like so long ago that I was doing the same thing (but it was only a couple of months) and am so glad I'm not doing it all over again. Looking back at what I've done is kinda neat and can't believe that I've done it all, but there is no chance in hell I would/could ever do it again. Yuck.

The next big thing/things I've done over this past month took up a total of a day (or well more than a day if you take into consideration the pain that followed). As I've mentioned before in other blogs (I think), we do these long hikes ever once in a while. All the hikes are building up to a huge long one where you get the barrette (no clue how to spell it. the french word...). So we did one to "prepare" for the big one. Problem is that we did it in the middle of the night and it took over 9 hrs to do. Also, at the beginning, it was pouring and so we were walking in thick mud with rain outfits and sliding all over. In short, not a great way to start a long hike with heavy equipment. At the end of the hike we had to carry the stretcher just to add more pain. Where we normally are supposed to have like 25ish carrying it, everybody was in "too much pain" to carry it. Yeah, so what?! Everybody was in a ton of pain! But they could only think of themselves, thus I was one of the few that had to carry it. There was about 8 of us carrying it (in rotation) in which they say that is equivalent to about 3 km for every km that is done. in total the hike was 39 km (or about 24ish miles). So that was that. Then, two weeks later/a little over a week ago, we had the 'real' hike. This time it was 54 km (32 miles) total, with them having added an extra 4 km toward the end just to make it worse. The picture above is me right before (while I was still alive) and somebody putting face paint on me just for fun. The one good thing about this hike was that we did it in the northern part of Israel and as it has been raining lately, everything was really green and beautiful. That was good for about the first third only, because after that point, I was in to much pain to care anymore about the view. Wow was I in pain. One of the hardest parts of it all is the length. Not the distance length (but that was hard too), but the time. It took up over 12 hrs! half a day! it just gets so boring. There are only so many things you can think about besides the pain...
Speaking of pain...I was fine the first third or a little more, but then the bottom of my feet started to hurt. Thus, every single step I took hurt. I really dont know how I did it. They kept saying that it'll be hard, but you'll be thinking about getting the barrette and so you'll be able to handle the pain. Let me tell you that they are VERY wrong. I could have cared less about it all. Even during the ceremony afterward when they were giving us the barrette, I didn't care. They could have left me with the old plain one and I wouldn't have cared. Now, a week later I guess it's kinda cool, but at the time I couldn't have cared less. After these long hikes, you get this horrible rash from the vest rubbing against your side. They thus take the name of the popular food 'shawarma' or 'gyro' as they eat in america and call it that. I think its from the idea of over a long period of time the rash develops and keeps getting worse and worse. Same idea with the food. It takes a long time to cook. here is a picture of my side....

shawarmot:

Other than that....it got down to 32 degrees celcius all week! yeah its a ton colder in mn, but when you are outside ALL day and sleeping in tents, let me tell you that it isn't fun. only 3 more weeks of training!

6 Blades!

2007-12-15T13:21:00.000+02:00

ok, so my life still royally sucks in the army. i feel that there is never much to report on. My days are so long that they all just become one. If you ask me at night what I had done that day, I honestly couldn't tell you what I did that day and what I did they day before. So Ill try to give a short update.
I still cant stand the army and can't wait for it to be over. Basically I hate being treated like zero, but it has been getting a little better. For example, they aren't quite as strict on the discipline which is a little nicer. One thing that I'm sure is unique to the Israeli army as compared to the US army is how we relate to our commanders. Now we've passed the stage where we had to call them "commander so and so" (which is already a huge step up from a normal army where they are generally just "sir") and now I am supposed to just call them by their first name. They actually correct us if we accidently say commander. It's an interesting approach to it all I think.
One of the other hard things is the weather. It's sooooo cold. Not like Minnesota cold (thank God), but still cold. Especially as we are outside all day without proper clothes and sleeping in tents. It is the desert so it does get pretty cold at night. in addition, during the day it gets really hot, so it's not like your body gets used to the cold. It gets both extremes, the hot and the cold. One plus though, we got some cool fleece jackets the other day from a nice donor that are really warm!
What else. Ah, the title of the blog. Way back when during my senior year of college, we used to also joke about the 5 blade razor (with one extra blade in back) and so we would always joke and get really excited that there was a razor with 6 blades! So I found in one of my piles of stuff this razor that I think I got free from the army in the beginning, but never used. SO I finally used the 6 blade razor! Must I say that it is pretty good. Ok, not much of a story, but at least one person will appreciate it (ben).
ONe last thing as this is probably getting long and I have lots of stuff to still do. Contrats to Zvi on getting married. I still can't believe it. Obviously I couldn't make it. But zvi, I'm still waiting for pics....

Grandpa Joel Comes to Israel

2007-11-21T21:25:00.000+02:00

Ok, so gotta go to bed as have to return to the army in the morning, but first a quick update. My parents and grandpa were just here for the past week. This meant that I got another week off from the army! Although I got a week off, I didn't get much sleep. We always were up and going early and I drove the entire time. Here is a rundown of what we did. Diaspora Museum and Yafo (of Jaffa in English). Then Palmach Museum. Quesaria and Soccer game against Russia. Jerusalem and Stalagamite caves. That is the rundown along with visiting with people and eating a lot of steak.
One of the highlights was the soccer game. We sat with a lot of Russian fans. basically, if Israel won, it would give England another chance to make it to the Euro 2008. I didn't understand all the peopel cheering for Russia. Aren't they living in theis country because they wanted to escape it there? So why are they still cheering for Russia. What was worse, was that there was a soldier there cheering for Russia.
Best part, we won with one minute left in the game!!!!!
Grandpa hadn't been here in 30 years and was shocked to see the growth. I think he had a really good time, but was also very ready to go by the end.
Ok, gotta go to bed. Glad everybody came, but now I got too used to being a normal person again and it will be very hard to go back to being worth nothing...

My dog ate my homework...

2007-11-07T18:16:00.000+02:00

Alright, finally I'll give a little update. I'll try to keep it short as it's always overwhelming to see something really long and have the motivation to read it. And anyways, the combination of having been too long and too much, will cause me to forget many of things, so it'll probably be shorter.
So last I left you was with a short tale of lightning hitting the house.Actually, I had come home for a half day in order to take care of some things as I have that right as I'm a 'lonely soldier'. So I get days here and there to take care of stuff that a mother would normally take care of. They only gave me a half a day which caused much argument between them and me. Oh well. Long story short, I ended up not even leaving the house as (this seems like one of those stories you tell your teacher as to why you didn't do your homework) lightning hit the house and so workers were here trying to fix things and so couldn't leave them here alone. So I dont know if my commanders actually believed me, but what can you do? I went back for literally one night in order to do some physical test that we also did at the beginning to training to see how we've progressed. I did well. Dont know my score in points, but I did the 'maximum' in pushups and situps (76 and 85) and then ran 2 km in around 7:50.
I then came home like a day later after being gone for 2 weeks, and the internet was still out, so I couldn't update you all on my not so exciting life. And now, there is no way I can remember anything exciting to tell from way back when.
The beginning of the next we consisted of me learning how to use/operate a really really really heavy gun. It's called the MAG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_MAG) and is 10.85 kilos (like 22+pounds). Yeah, sounds bad, but then imagine running (more sprint, or as much as one can sprint), crawling, rolling, etc. for like 40 minutes plus a day.... Ahhhhhhh. i can't even think about it. It bascially was some of the hardest stuff I've ever done in my life. I wanted to cry at the end. Not exagerating.
After many days of running and rolling, we finally shot the gun some. Wow it is powerful! It was made for WWI, but for some reason, nobody has been able to make a better gun, so they still use it. One of the cool things about the gun is at night you shoot red tracer bullets incase you are stuck somewhere. It is really cool because its a machine gun and so you shoot like 60 in a row into the air. In Hebrew it's called 'red sky' as the sky is filled with red tracers. I will say it does look cooler from afar than when actually shooting them, but still cool. So there I was shooting these bullets nonstop when all of a sudden I feel a burning on the back of my theigh. I quickly stood up (which you definetely aren't supposed to do while shooting) and looked down. A bullet shell had landed on my lap and burned a hole in my pants and I guess luckily rolled in the direction of my leg. But I will have a huge burn mark on my leg now 2 weeks later. The week ended with a 21 km hike with all the gear which was really hard. But now basic training is OVER!!! But dont worry, I still have "advanced training" wihch means that it doesn't end.I think it's pretty much the same stupid stuff just with a different name. I hear though that they treat us a little better (at least I hope).

Lighhtning strikes and no Blgging

2007-11-02T14:13:00.000+02:00

To all my fans/those who sometimes read my blog, I must apologize for the severe lack of blogging. For one, I have been in the army for a month while being home for exactly 1 day in the middle. In addition, the day before I came home, lightning struck my relatives house and knocked out many electronical devices, including the internet. So just giving you a quick update and will be posting shortly. Stay tuned...

Grenades and Tear gas

2007-09-14T11:10:00.000+03:00

Yeah, it kinda sounds like I was breaking up a demonstration, but let me tell you, I was not. These past couple of weeks have been filled with its ups and downs. Lets go back in time. I left you hanging before my "swearing in" ceremony at the kotel. It ended up being really neat and I had a good time doing it. I even got there early and called the ole 'rents and they found me live on the "kotel cam", so that was pretty neat. It was actually pretty funny. You could pick out all the Americans as they were all standing in the same empty area (less empty as we were all standing there) and calling to the states to see if we could be seen. So that was that.
The beginning of the week after was hell. We slept all week in the field and shot the gun a lot. Everybody was miserable. Same clothes all week (which i normally don't mind), crappy army field rations, and basically being on your feet 18 hours a day in the hot desert sun. It sucked. I was questioning why I was doing all this. Then i got a much needed surprise. There was a party for all the chayal boded (those who don't have family here) on some beach, so i got to leave early and go hang out at the beach all day with really good food. So that was great. Even better, I found out my long lost roommate Diamond, was in Israel for like 2 days. I was in the army, so figured I wouldn't be able to see him. After my party, I was in the Tel Aviv bus station and he schleped his rear end down in a cab during rush hour from herzlia beach to see him. It only ended up being for 30 minutes, but it was great nonetheless.

The next week was short as it is now Rosh Hashana and luckily my group didn't have to guard and so got a long weekend.
Here is the quick rundown. Sounds like exciting things, but cant go into too much detail. One, we threw a grenade. one fake one and one real one.it was kinda scary holding it in my hand. after throwing it, we had to duck down behind a wall, so I didn't even get to watch it explode. oh well, it was really loud and will probably be the only time in my life I'll have thrown a grenade. Then the next day they brought us into a small tent with gas masks.They had us take them off and the tent was filled with tear gas. ahhhhh. soooooo painful. I only lasted a few seconds inside before running out and then around into the wind. i couldn't stop coughing and my eyes were burning. They idea was to have us feel like what it is like. I now understand how when used, it breaks up crowds/demonstrations real well. Just hope Im not in one of them!

Kirby Puckett and other random stuff

2007-08-25T11:10:00.000+03:00

Maybe Kirby Puckett should be labled under the category of 'random stuff' as its not a name that gernally would come up in Israel...ever. It's been a long while since I last wrote. I have been gone for a few weeks, but other times I'm home for only a day and have a million other things to take care of. So I'll try to give you the rundown.
So how does Kirby Puckett fit in with Israel? So there I am with my group in the army. Sorry, I dont know the english words only the Hebrew ones. Basically it consists of about 100 people. Platoon?Regiment? no clue. But it was 9 of us who was on kitchen duty that day. There aren't very many Americans with me, but one of the only other ones happened to be working with me that day. I think he was happier than me as his hebrew is worse than mine, so he was finally happy to be able to speak freely in a language. I must say it was very nice as well. He is from Indiana and 25 (making me not the oldest and craziest for joining!).It was all hillarious and then he later mentioned Kirby Puckett. What?! Turns out, that he was his favorite baseball player for some reason or another. Who ever thought that Kirby Puckett's name would turn up in the Israeli army? On another note, turns out he also happens to be my friends roomate in Jerusalem. Small world.
The large group I'm with (the 100 people one) also consists of lots of religious people. "Well aren't there generally lots of religious people in the religious army?" you may be asking. Well, no. but these are really religious. They are people that would generally be "too religious" and want an excemption in order to "study". So they do this program where they study for 2 years, then some service and then more studying. so I give them lots of credit, but you can really see the difference in the way we all are. So they are disperssed amongst the small groups of 10. So we were sitting around on saturday doing nothing. The religious discussing with the non religious. It's hillarious, because this is probably the first time that these two groups have really been in contact with each other. What's funny is the non religious comepletely not understanding anything that they do. Example is that they would ask them questions that the religious just always too for granted, but they still find it funny, despite the differences. For example: one non-religious asked what the 10 commandments were. So they answered. The non-religious started counting. "Ah, he said" making a joke "I've kept 5 of them in my life!" So we asked "which five?" he started mentioning "i have't murdered" "lied?" "oh yeah" "stolen?" "yup...." We all burst out laughing, including the relious. At least they are able to find humor in it all.
What else. So far the army isn't anything like I'd expect it to be. I was kinda expecting it to be something like you see on TV where your 35 year old drill sargeant yells at you calling you names and treats you like you are worth less than dirt. Maybe that is the difference between the Israeli army and US. for one my commander is 21 and they treat us like we are humans (at least as much as you can for an army). Yeah we have to address him as "commander", but then we are also able to say "commander yossi" which is better than "sir, yet sir". He has also been really good to me. He always asks if I understood what we are learning about and then pulls me aside to explain it again. So overall I'm much more pleased than I expected. I'll tell one more quick story, as this is getting long and I dont have much time. So we also slowly build up our physical stamina. No long 30 miles runs right off the bat. We do do a ton of pushups every day (I did over 500 one day a week ago). So on Wednesday night we went to bed at 730 pm. Who goes to bed that early? Honestly? We were woken up at 2 am to go on a march/hike. It was my turn to carry the water canteen. Let me tell you, it made it a lot harder. adding another 10 lbs or so on your back in addition to the vest, which has more water and other weight, makes it tough. But we did 6 kilometers (like between 3 and 4 miles). It was fun but hard.
Ok, that is a very rough update. I'll try to get updating more and then I can make my stories better instead of glossing over them.
incase anybody cares, I have my "swearing in" ceremony on Thursday Aug. 30 at the Kotel/Western wall. It should be pretty cool. I'm sure the quality will be crappy and a far away view where you wont be able to see anything, but there is this thing on the internet (www.thekotel.org) which is a live feed of the area. So you could in theory see me during it. 730 pm on the 30th.
Ok, gotta go eat and unfortunately have to start getting ready to leave.

D'oh

2007-08-05T17:22:00.000+03:00

yeah, the title isn't very original, but what can you do. It represents my last week, we'll say. The picture isn't mine, but I needed sand and I figured that I also needed a picture of a camel in my blog as my summary of my blog tells all about how camels are the main mode of transportation here. I arrived to my new base last sunday which is located in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the desert. It's like a 45 min drive from Be'er Sheva and kinda near the city of Arad. We have a view of sand and more sand with Arad on the horizon. So really nothing to draw my attention. The week didn't really consist of much besides a lot of bitch work. Lots of people tried out for multiple days to be in special units and then therefore do "real"things in their service and potentially be in more dangerous situations. Not for me. Instead, I did gardening work ALL week. pulling weeds and bagging them up. We are basically the freshmen on the base and so they give us all the crappy work. It sucked. On top of that, it is hot as the desert...its not so humid (a dry heat) which is nice, but at the same time you get more dehydrated and dont realize it.REally hot. I not have the equivalent of the farmers tan here (just on my arms though), but here there are not so many farmers and they call it the army tan. i guess that's what happens when you have an army that everybody goes to. As it's a desert, it gets cold at night which is a nice change to the warmth, but its been getting pretty cold and its summer, so I dont know what will happen in the winter.
Really the week was uneventful. Basic training starts tomorrow and goes for like 7 months. Ahhhhhh. So im about to get my behind kicked by some 19 year olds. Itll potentially be the worst months of my life, but I think in the end I'll feel like I've accomplished something. We'll have to wait and see.
My cousin had downloaded the new Simpsons movie. I heard it wasn't very good, but its the Simpsons and so I figured a downloaded copy is the best way to watch it. It actually was much much better than I expected it to be. I'd even say it was decently funny. It may have even been good to watch in the theater, but now that is too late. It was actually funny, in the opening "chalkboard" scene, it says "I will not download this movie" which I think meant that they wanted you to download it...
Ok, that's all for now. It looks like from now on I'll probably be away for 2/3 periods (maybe even more...but we wont talk aboutthat now), so Ill try to update as often as possible. Alright, off to torture myself

A week at the worst place on earth

2007-07-28T23:00:00.000+03:00

So I dont have much time to write as I need to wake up early, but Ill give a quick update. I finished my Hebrew course on sunday. I guess I never mentioned the week before either. So we took a two day trip to Jerusalem. The picture is of me, my Brazilian friend and then some random African that wanted to get in the picture as well. While there and going to our place of lodging, I saw a youth group standing there. Sure enough it was a group from Muss (where I worked). I yelled to the teacher and ran over for a second where he proceeded to yell "hey girls, come get a picture with a soldier." so that was funny, but then I had to leave. So back to more recent events. After the course, they sent us back to the main army office where we waited to be relocated. After telling me where I'd be going, they they surprised me the day after and tried to send me to anti-aircraft. I refused to go, but only after switching my uniform (see pic). It is a really nice uniform (used by the airforce and navy), but its not what I wanted. The job supposedly really sucks a lot. So I refused to board the bus. At this point I think they realized they had made a mistake. But instead of telling me the problem, they left me in the dark for 2 whole days where I did absolutely nothing except sit around, get yelled at and cleaned bathrooms over and over and over again.It sucked a lot. In addition, all of my friends had already left to their places and so I was alone. Finally, without telling me what was actually happening, I was brought back to change uniforms back to green (but this time with red boots. picture to come later).Then a few hours later I got on the correct bus and luckily got to go home for the weekend. Trust me, it was a million times worse than it sounds. yuck, what a horrible place. Now I'm off again and start for real tomorrow. Ahhhhhhhh! I'm actually pretty scared. It's going to be really hard. Physically and mentally. Most likely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. No question about it. But I guess it needs to happen at some point. Im guessing in about 24 hrs (or much sooner), my brain will stop to function due to Hebrew overload. ahhhhhhhhhhh.
ok, off to bed

Sarah sees her favorite cousin!

2007-07-14T15:35:00.000+03:00

After me trying to hop over to Jerusalem to catch Sarah while her group was wandering around (except I missed my bus and therefore was too late), I found her at her place of residence for the weekend. Here is proof. Only those of the Jacobson lineage will probably care anything about this. But enjoy...

11:30 wake up...

2007-07-12T10:11:00.000+03:00

So its been a while since I last blogged. I'd like to say that a lot has happened, but it really hasn't. Actually, a lot probably did happen, but my days feel like weeks and I can't remember for the life of me what happened one day vs. another. Being awake for 18 hours a day does that to you. I guess I'll just ramble some things off. This past week we did guard duty on base, which meant that I had to stay there all weekend. Ahhhh. Soooooooo boring. This time it was only 2 hr shifts, which was like a blink of an eye compared to the 8 hr shifts I did that one time. It was kinda interesting at times. Especially doing shifts with people from Uzbekistan, Brazil, Ukraine, and Argentina, with everything conducted in Hebrew as it is the common broken language we all know. But really it was interesting. We could pretty much have real conversations. Guarding consisted of being in one place and doing nothing except stare off into space. There was absolutely no danger except maybe from a rabid cat or something wanering around. So here is a story. I was all done with my shifts (so I thought), until they changed the schedule so that I would have one more at midnight until 2 am the night before we left for the weekend. So I tried to get some sleep before hand and set my alarm for 11:30. Punishment for being late to your shift is 2 hrs delay of leaving base, and if you miss your shift, you stay for the weekend. So there I was, sound asleep. Suddenly somebody wakes me up. "we have guard duty now!" I look at my watch and it is 23:55 (11:55 pm for those clockedly impared). And I'm supposed to get there 15 min early. I had set my alarm on my clock for 1130 am instead of pm. stupid stupid. I jumped out of bed and got dressed in record time, arrived at the place exactly on time. but the commander was aparently not in the best of mood and gave me 2 hrs delay of leaving for the weekend. Thing was, I was at my location on time, just not there 15 min early to check my gun to make sure no bullets accidently entered my gun even there there are never any bullets remotely close to it ever.Damn. I was so pissed all day. The result of this was that I couldn't leave base until 6 pm and therfore the bus i needed stopped running, so I had to go way out of my way. Long story short, it took it 5 hrs to get home. In a country the size of Israel, nothing like that should happen. Oh well, Im now home.
On another note, I read something interesting in an Amos Oz article/short story he wrote. It is about this guy named Pinchas Lavon. Lavon was a politician that one day just decided to quit. He said "politics is a business that nobody comes out unscathed." When asked whether it is because they all become corrupt, he responded with something I found really interesting. he said "On the contrary. Politics is a very clean business. Too clean. Sterile, in fact. Eventually you stop seeing people, you stop tackling human misery, and you deal only in 'factors', 'data' and 'problems'. Real objects are replaced by silhouettes. The word 'factor' is a key symptom: when a politician stops saying 'man', 'comrade', and starts talking about positive and negative factors, that is a sign that he has reached the sterile plase."
Interesting spin, eh?

Goldfarb spotting!

2007-06-21T22:05:00.000+03:00

So there I was, a little over a week ago, sitting in a bar witha couple of friends after my week of guard duty. There were a bunch of loud annoying americans at the table next to us, but we continued with what we were doing. Suddenly, I look over and I see the back of a tall red head. No, sorry everybody, it wasn't that type of tall red head. There is only one tall red head that I know, but didn't even know that this "person" was in the country. So I gave him a huge punch in the arm as this was now the second time he had been in this country and not even called me. Yes, it was Goldfarb. Yes, he's a bastard and didn't call, but he's Goldfarb so I couldn't get too upset. We talked and caught up for a little, which was a lot of fun. So after my boring, yet meaningful week of guard duty, I realized that I wasn't only helping guard Israel, but also Goldfarb. And we all know how much help that kids needs for protection...

Action shots

2007-06-16T11:09:00.001+03:00

Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians

2007-06-16T01:47:00.000+03:00

So I realize that its been way too long since I've blogged. One week I did miss completely, but then I've been gone in the army for the past two weeks and am finally back. Here is roughly what happened, but I cant remember it all, not will try as it will be way to long. First off I spent a week up north in the Golan Heights. More specifically I was on Mr. Hermon (see picture) on outposts located on the peak of the mountain. It was neat, because people aren't allowed to go up there and even most peopel in the army cant, so we were kinda special. The picture is me overlooking Syria and Lebanon. Basically we spent all week "preparing for potential war with Syria/Lebanon" that is supposed to happen this summer. As we are the lowest form in the army, actually we are below the lowest, they can use us for stupid things that nobody else wants to do. so we spent all week making tons of sandbags and building barbed wire fences.It was neat to know that we were kinda doing something, but still at times it was boring. But the view was amazing! We were above the cloud line which was neat as well.
That was basically that, and now seems sooooo long ago. I'd have more pictures, but you aren't allowed to take pictures of teh bases or anything so it doens't get into enemy hands.
Then we went back and kinda finished up basic training. They now claim that things will be less strict, but really they are the same. Yeah we have more time to go between place to place, but then they have "higher expectations" for us, so they say, and really it all levels out to what it was. So that's really annoying. We had a ceremony marking the end of basic training. It was on the Kinneret which was pretty, but the whole thing was kinda stupid, because the course I'm in is a big joke, so who really cares about the ceremony. It's called a swearing in ceremony, as in theory we all swore that we'd give our lives for the country/army if need be.
Then we were off the next day to East Jerusalem and I've been there for the past week. We worked with the Magav (which is short for Mishmar Gvul)meaning border patrol. Our job was to be their protection. They did all the work checking people's id cards, but when their backs were turned, somebody could in theory pull out a knife/gun, which is where we would come in. We walked around with a loaded gun, so it was kinda nervous and I always was checking to make sure the safety was on. Shifts were 8 hrs long, which doesn't include transportation time. So my days looked like this. 3:45 am wake up and then sitting around all day and finally getting back around 1:30-2:00 pm. Really really long days and sooooo boring. Sitting or standing in one spot for that long is really boring. Wow. I also had to wear either a knifeproof or a bulletproof jacket. In theory where I was working was dangerous and there are terrorists always trying to get through and if they were stopped there (as we were like teh last line of defense), they'd probably do whatever they planned to do there. But I wasn't nervous. Despite the boringness, I actually found it really meaningful. When we drove around after the shift and I'd watch everybody just going around with their everyday lives, it made me feel really good. I put my life on the line (in theory) so they could live normally. I found it to be one of the more meaningful things I've done. On another note, it was interesting to see the checkpoints and all. Yeah, there are problems with them, I can't deny, but overall they ran a lot more smoothly than you hear from the news. Almost all people were able to pass through, and those that weren't able to, it was due to them not having the proper identificaiton. So pretty simple. But no waiting in lines for more than a minute or so. There is some yelling going on, but imagine hearing all the excuses in the world of trying to get through and for security reasons, they only allow people with proper identification to pass through and so somebody giving them excuses, when they aren't allowed to pass through anyways, gets annoying. There are some better ways to deal with it all, but overall I think it was a million times better than normally reported. Anyways, it was all interesting.
Ok, that is roughly what I've been up to in a nutshell. I'm sure that there was much more exciting things, but one, I dont remember and two, even if I did, the days are so long and they all blur together.
The Hebrew course is finally supposed to start this week. So about 7 hrs of hebrew a day. I'm excited to do some learning again as its been awhile and the army does a good job of making you not do too much independent thinking.
Thats all for now. I'm tyring to get some pics from somebody, so I'll post them when I have them.

There are some benefits to waking up before 5 am

2007-05-26T15:24:00.000+03:00

Despite having to wake up before 5 in the morning, there are some good things...that is when I get a moment to sit and enjoy. Look at this view!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2007-05-26T12:59:00.000+03:00

Israel is slowly becoming updated. Despite getting music/movies, etc generally 6 months (if we're lucky) later than everybody else, globalization is taking its toll. One would think that a country that leads the world in technological developement would be just as quick to release movies and all. Sometimes now, movies open here at the same time. Example, Pirates of the Carribean 3. I went with my cousin yesterday afternoon. We went to buy tickets and when I went to take out money, they saw my "sodier id card" and so asked if i was a soldier. Usually I'm quick to take advantage of student (or something like it) discounts, but I completely forgot that in this country they dont have student discounts, but rather soldier discounts. I completely forgot. Oh well, they helped me. So we went into the movie. Movies in Israel are so funny. First off, they have assigned seating. ok, so we went in and nobody was there so we sat somewhere. This may be the only thing in Israel where they keep things orderly. Somebody came and we were in their seats even though there was nobody else there, so we had to move. This happened a few times. I guess you have to laugh at it.
Personally I didn't like the movie at all, but this may be due to a few reasons:
1) I never saw the second instalment of the series
2)having not seen number 2, I was a little lost, and in general I have a hard time following movies, unless its like Mighty Ducks or something simple
3) after 15 minutes of the movie I dozed off for a good 20 minutes. oops, oh well.
So all in all, it was kinda a waste.
Also, for those who have never been to a movie in Israel, it is one of the funnier things in life. They have an intermission. I think this may be for a few reasons. 1) so people can go smoke. 2)bathroom break and you dont miss the movie and 3)more excuses to go buy more food.
But the best part is is that they dont bother to make the intermission inbetween scenes which would be logical (which is maybe why they dont do it). Rather, they just find the middle of the movie and cut it in half. Example, there was a big battle scene just starting and people killing each other and then we had to wait like 5 minutes to start it up again. Arrrrrrr!

Don't shoot, we are your friends

2007-05-22T18:17:00.000+03:00

No, I'm not embarrassed to admit that I love the movie "Mars Attacks," but this picture only relates to this blog entry because it has to to with aliens. I received this from my grandparents. I didn't do the research to verify the facts, but even if it isn't all true, it still would be funny. Read:
Many will recall that, on July 8, 1947, witnesses claimed an unidentified object, with five aliens aboard, crashed onto a sheep and cattle ranch just outside Roswell, New Mexico. This is a well-known incident many say has long been covered up by the United States Air Force and the federal government. However, what you may NOT know, is that in the month of March 1948, exactly nine months later, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Condoleezza Rice, and Dan Quayle were all born. See what happens when aliens breed with sheep? This information may clear up a lot of questions

Some pics

2007-05-19T10:09:00.000+03:00

Here are some pics that somebody sent me. I'll try to take some myself, but you need to be sneaky about it, as you aren't supposed to take pictures of the base. So here is one with me and some kid, I'm guessing we are waiting to go into the shooting range, but we could easily just be sitting around anywhere. The other is a pic of most of my group I'm with. Some are missing, but it's most of us.

Lots of sitting around and cleaning

2007-05-18T17:47:00.001+03:00

Alright, you can all see how it's official now. A picture of me in uniform! I must say wearing the same thing every day has its positives and negatives. For one, its annoying wearing the same thing, but at the same time, I never need to think about what I'm going to wear or wearing the same outfit too many times. Also, it means that I always have a napkin close at hand. I've always used my pants to clean my hands, but now it's almost encouraged. Works for me! This uniform (actually I wear a nicer "public" version when I leave base as seen in the picture) also gets me free public transportation everywhere! Amazing.
This week went by quickly. The days go by slowly, but looking back, it was quick. Lots of sitting around and waiting. Really, we do nothing for most the day. Thursday was a great example. Wake up and then do morning cleaning which takes a while. Then ate breakfast and sat around pretty much until lunch. Then after lunch we had a little class and then did the "weekend" cleaning which consisted of the exact same thing we did in the morning. I didn't know that something can get dirty 3 hrs later when it was just sitting there and not being used. Then more sitting around and we went to bed early.
The highlight of the week was going to the shooting range. We had been carrying around guns for over a week, learning all about them and now finally got to use them. In all we only shot like 20 bullets, but it was fun. Only problem is that there were so many people that we basically sat around for hours in between the different times we were able to go in.
Not much else to report on. I only have a few more weeks of basic training (I think), but then again, they don't really tell us anything until the moment it happens.
Ah, funny story. Everything we do is so funny and people are making jokes all the time, and obviously I get bored during the day and so find lots of entertainment in this and so laugh. So a couple days ago I had to do a total of 80 pushups just for laughing, but probably should have done more as I get away with laughing a lot. It wasn't all at once, but the first time I laughed and had to do 40. Then later in the day I was laughing when everybody was standing at attention and so I had to go and do 20. I came back into the square-like formation we were in and immediately started laughing, so had to do 20 more. Its all hillarious, espcially when I laugh while doing the pushups.

One week under my belt

2007-05-12T13:44:00.000+03:00

Alright everybody, I've officially completed my first full week of the army. Actually, more like a camp. I'm technically in the army, but the stuff I'm doing is really fake. Its like a transition step until the real army and real culture shock. Right now it is a bunch of people who need to improve their english (ie 2/3 russians, and then the rest a combo of english speakers). It's actually one of the funnier experiences ever thus far. This first month is "basic training" which is so easy. The hardest thing (besides waking up at 4:45 every mornign and getting less than 6 hrs of sleep) is continuously having to run like 20 ft in 10 seconds and making two even lines. Time after time. Its annoying. Basically we hurry up to get to places, just in order to wait. Most our day is waiting.
Here is how an average day works:
4:45 wake up
5:15 be fully dressed lined up outside.
7 min to run inside and shave and shine your shoes
then 4 min to go and fold a stupid blanket a certain way
4 min to go fold another blanket a stupid way
etc. etc.
then we go stand outside the cafeteria for like 30 waiting to go in. for every meal we have to line up in rows of three and have to announce the arrival of all these "important people." it's actually really funny. It goes something like this: "(one person yells)5 seconds until ___ comes. (everybody) 5 seconds. (one person) for the arrival of _____, we give our attention. (everybody) attention!" then the person comes and tells us to have a good meal and we yell the same back. then another person will come and we'll have to announce their arrival as well. this happnes for about 5 people in a row. Its so rediculous that its funny. i'll for sure get in trouble soon as i laugh all the time.
then we'll go learn about something and run around more lining up about everywhere.
this goes on and on.
I've actually learned a lot of different things that i'd never had imagined I'd ever know. For example, I can tell you all the pieces and history, etc of the M-16. It's actually pretty interesting. The company that makes the guns (american company) also makes toys. Go figure. what a world we live in. Maybe that's where that movie "Toys" comes from.
I also now carry around a gun all the time while I'm on base. As they say, its your new best friend. I have to put it under my pillow when i sleep and bring it to the shower as well. Crazy. We haven't shot them yet, but just so far just getting used to it.
What else. My group that I spend all day with is 10 people. A couple from Uzbekistan, couple from Russian/ukraine, another american, canadian, south african adn sweede. Its an interesting group. We just laugh all day long and have a good time. We even get our commander to laugh at least once a day and they aren't supposed to at all.
Speaking of commander, its all really funny. My commander is (i think) a 19 year old little girl. We dont know anything about her except her first name (which we are not allowed to use), so this is just a guess. Actually the highest ranking person that we've met and have contact with started the army 2.5 years ago, which makes her no more than 21 years old, if that. Basically, its all really funny. Anybody read the book "Catch-22"? its kinda like that. Nothing makes any sense.
I feel like more happened, but I'll have to update more next time.
Dont worry everybody, I'm still alive and everything is just really funny and rediculous.

Ode to the cousin who thinks I'm the greatest

2007-05-01T19:00:00.000+03:00

So this blog is dedicated to Sarah Mogelbutt. As I'm her favorite cousin, she has gotten a little sad/left out that I didn't mention her in a blog yet (more specifically when I visited cold Minnesota). So this one goes out to you. And yes, everybody, she is talking to wall. It's not worth explaining it all...

Last day of independence...

2007-05-01T18:22:00.000+03:00

Well all, tomorrow, my full independence ends for a year and a half. I start the army. Don't worry, i wont get killed. im starting in the army's ulpan (hebrew course) for like a 3 month period. as far as i know/hear, it sucks. i get about 6 hrs of sleep and my day is filled wiht learning hebrew, guard duty,learning army stuff and getting yelled at by somebody younger than me. so we'll see. But its pretty crazy that its happening. I'm not too scared, as i figure there is no point in making myself scared. i think more anxious. like going off to school for the first time, or starting a new job. I just dont know what's ahead of me and curious to get it started so i can know. eh, ill get through it, everybody does. I'll update more when I know and when I get a free weekend (whenever that is).
On a different, but similar note, my bro came in the other day to see me off and then visit some of his friends. After having his plane delayed by a day, he arrived on saturday. We then went to a misibat giyus (army party) for me. it basically consisted of people sitting around at a pub on the beach in tel aviv. it was fun.
I still dont realize that this is all happening, but i guess ill be in for a big surprise tomorrow! till next time...

Paaaarty

2007-04-24T20:27:00.000+03:00

So I am able to say that the last few days have been a little eventful. I feel that I had something in addition to write about, but I guess I'll just have to start with what is coming to mind. So last friday I went with two friends to Tel Aviv where we had the worst meal ever on the face of the earth, but more importantly tried to go fishing. Key word here is try. We went out onto the rock, but had no luck. we had a fishing pole that was 4.5 meter long. Eh, it only lasted like 20 min, but it was fun.
Then sat I went on a tiny hike to an archeological site where they found the oldest document containing Hebrew (or something similar to it).
Then here is the fun. After memorial day where everybody is really sad and everything that goes on in the country is sad. TV, radio, etc. Then the day immediately turns into Independence Day. Here Independence Day isn't like the 4th of July where nobody really remembers why we celebrate it and its just an excuse for a day off of work which we all love. But here it was so short ago. So I went to this outdoor concert that began at 11 pm and ended at...not sure, my guess is 8, but I left with 2 bands left as it was already 6 am and I had a bar-b-q (or as Israelis like to call it "on the fire"). So I'm on 3 hrs of sleep roughly. But all in all it was awesome. Lots of bands one after another and I even knew a few songs! Down side was that there were a ton of little high schoolers running around. I guess they dont have bedtimes here...

www.glotter.com

2007-04-19T15:03:00.000+03:00

I still think that this is some sort of joke, but you read correct. Somebody (who is not of the glotter clan) has taken the domain name of 'glotter'. I still don't understand it. To my curiosity, I emailed the guy. He is an Austrian and made the site as he wanted to use the world 'globetrotter', so took the 'glo' and 'tter' to create, yep, you guessed it "glotter". At least that's what he told me. Pretty crazy. I still don't fully understand what the point of the website is. Are Glotters taking over the world?

Mexican Mayonnaise

2007-04-10T07:46:00.000+03:00

My trip to the US is about to draw to a close. It was filled with visiting people, going to Twins games and being a true American and being a consumer. First off, there were surprisingly many people that were in town this past week and a half. The good ole Michael Diamond (aka Civil-War Monger)came in from Madison. He was able to get a few days out of jail (no, he's not there yet, only working) and come to see Minnesota for the first time. I personally think it was a very successful trip up to MN, mainly because he came and didn't get sucked into the largest tourist trap in the world, the Mall of America. Actually it was probably because we didn't let him go. We played some chess like the olden days of school where we split 1-1. In addition to him coming in town, my grandparents came as well for a few days from the great state of Nebraska. Yes, some people do live in Nebraska. We did a few Seders and ate some matza. Just the basic Passover stuff.
Today I attended my second of two Twins games. We won the first, but then got destroyed today to the Yankees. You know, the Yankees that respresent all that is evil in this world. I was also able to watch some games on my father's new, rediculously sized HDTV. It's like you are at the games. Also, besides sports games, HDTVs are great for watching animal shows which I've been watching. Specifically the show "Planet Earth". AMAZING stuff! It deserves a whole blog just to itself.
Finally I get to the most important topic. Mexican Mayonnaise. You may be sitting there asking yourself "what is this so-called Mexican Mayonnaise?" Well it all started a little over a year ago when Ben Cohen and I were sitting there discussing some great food called sour cream. (I believe that somebody was eating mexican food at the time) when we came to the conclusion that sour cream is just what Mexicans use as Mayonnaise. We all know that mayo is amazing and so is "sour cream" and thus this is their version of it. Hence the name "mexican mayonnaise". I'm embarrased to say that I had forgotten the term, but I hope that it will never slip my mind again and that you will all adopt the new and proper name for the condiment. Mexican Mayonnaise for all!

I think I've lost it

2007-03-20T22:25:00.000+02:00

I really don't know what has gotten into me. I don't even ride roller coasters. First I got skydiving, but now I do this, which I think is crazier. So there I was in Eilat, the hottest part of Israel (normally in the high 80's in winter, but obviously when we go it is in teh 60's) and walking on the boardwalk at night. Some of the kids come up and say that did this slingshot bungee thing. They said it was only 60. "Dollars?"I asked (as I believe it is something like that in the states, or at least I've heard). Nope, shekels. At least Israel has something cheap besides vegetables. I never thought I'd do something like this, but I couldn't pass something so crazy and so cheap. Its like $12. So there I was sitting in the chair thinking I may actually be the craziest person alive. After building up tention, they release the sling. To tell you the truth, I don't really remember what happened. It was over before I knew it. Actually it was kinda scary at first, but that passed quickly. I did get a little nautious as I just had eaten a really gross and greasy shawarma. Oh well, I guess it was worth it. Now I can say I 've done it. No, the pic isn't of me, it isn't even of Eilat where it took place. But it is a bungee slingshot (or whatever they are called) and it is roughly what it looked like, minus a huge body of water next to it.
On another note, I went on a huge hike in Eilat. It was 20 km (like 12.5 miles) and amazing. Such great views. I really enjoy the desert more and more.

What happens with no kids in the hosue

2007-03-09T15:04:00.000+02:00

So, they say you go crazy when all of your kids move out of the house. I think it has happned to my father. You know, how people turn into wearwolves/wherewolves/warewolves (what is it?) when it's a full moon? Well my father has turned into someting. I don't even know what it is. Somebody please help!!!

My computer...

2007-03-03T14:42:00.000+02:00

My computer I feel is on its last legs of life. Actually it is literally on its last leg, as I always seem to lose the little pegs/legs on the bottom. But whenever I use it, it is now going on jumbly and I cant see anything. It's quite sad. Although it has lasted me 4.5 years without any problems. I just hope this isn't the end. Keep truckin oh little one...

The Flying "V"

2007-03-01T11:47:00.000+02:00

Last week we went up north to the Hula Valley. This is a place where 500,000 birds stopover during their migration south. They all bottleneck here for some reason, even though they dont have highways poorly built like humans. I guess they have poorly built highways of airstreams. Thanks a lot God. geeze. so we watched a 'mystery mind ride' sort of movie about the birds. It was really neat. The seats moved and they even would splash water and blow wind on you for different times. I guess you had to be there. But I learned something new (which maybe everybody else knows already). The "Flying V isn't just for good ice-skating formation in order to score an important goal in hockey. It is used by birds for the same reason that bikers ride really close behind one another...drafting. So birds use each others drafts in order to save energy and then trade off turns for who leads.
I guess it wasn't that exciting. I just dont have much else to report to you all. There may be some good things, but I'm way too busy to have my mind working to remember to report them all.

Fivel goes east!

2007-02-22T21:49:00.000+02:00

disclaimer: sorry to my blogging fans, but it may be that only one person will find entertainment in this story. with that said, i waste no more time...
So there I was, climbing Massada at the buttcrack of dawn (actually it was before the buttcrack as the sun wasn't close to rising. it was about 4 am)in order to see the sun rise. We get to the top and were welcomed by clouds, so the kids didn't see it. oh well, i still enjoyed hiking. So the group i was walking around with went to have a discussion in the old synagogue found up there. There was a group finishing up praying (they also climbed up early to pray and see the lack of sunrise) and the teacher commented to me that they were probably one of those groups that recently became really religious and dont understand why (like "AISH"). It seemed possible after looking at them. Most had left the area with only a few remaining. I looked up and sure enough, standing there was somebody I knew from madison. I actually didn't know him that well, but I had seen him around here and there at Hillel, and sure enough he was somebody who was becoming more religious over the years. I spoke to him for a minute. He asked me to remind me his name, so I did. Then he reminded me (do you say that?) that his name was "Fivel". What? I thought. I couldn't remember his name, but I forsure knew that it wasn't that.(Diamond, you are probably thinking the same thing if you are reading this). He quickly said I probably knew him by his old name of Yevgeni. What a funny kid. That was about it. I guess not that exciting. you had to be there and have kinda known this kid. oh well. ill try to get some good stuff next time, but im gone every single day and dont have much time to get to computers.

#1 Gopher fan

2007-02-19T22:33:00.000+02:00

Despite the crappiness of those Golden (or not so golden) Gophers, they still have their #1 fan attending the games. Here is a picture taken by the famous Ben Cohen and his fancy new camera. Just had to share this picture, even though the biggest fan looks a little down, maybe one day they'll get their act turned around. Keep up the spirit! Remember the good old days...

Poland: The Land with No Color

2007-02-11T14:19:00.000+02:00

So I made it back from Poland. I dont know quite how to put anything into words. Overall I had an amazing time. I thought it would be a place that I would want to go once and then never go again, but I now find that I do want to go back and learn more. It really puts the Holocaust into a better perspective. We saw a lot of lost communities and synagogues. These were towns that were 50,60,70... percent Jewish before the war and now there are none. All the synagogues are now run by non-Jews and everything is set up like a museum to the lost race, exactly what Hitler intended. It was very hard to see everything in cases and on display (see picture below). Some of the places were beautiful, yet sad as they are no longer. As somebody put it, it was if you could almost reach out and touch it. We also went searching on some free time for some other places that used to exist but aren't on any map or tour book. I'll just give the best example. We heard about this old synagogue that was found in a courtyard in Krakow. After searching all the courtyards in the street, we finally found it. It was behind a locked door. It was somebody's private property. Once something that was bustling with life, is now so dead. We couldn't quite push the door open enough in order to take a good pic, so we did what was proper in honor of all those who lost their lives. We brought some life and memory back to the place...we broke down the padlock so we could see it. It was quite a rush. Got some pics and then had to run once somebody found us out and was yelling something to do with the police. (the picture is somewhere on this blog, but dont quite know how to place it in the proper place).
On the same subject of seeing things on display, there were many other instances where the past was just sitting there and so hard to comprehend/see (see pictures somewhere on this blog). One was in certain old Jewish neighborhoods you could see the old holes from where the mezuzot used to be. Or one of the worst things was in the Aushwitz death camp where they have displays of stolen Jewish items. Huge rooms of suitcases, pots/pans, shoes, etc. In the suitcase room, one of the kids had found the suitcase that belonged to his great uncle who dies there based off reading the name that was written on the bag. pretty creepy. It was all so much to take in. One of the other most sickeing things was how the Poles make money off of the Jews/their culture after killing them all. Some examples are having "jewish" restaurants with "jewish" names in order to trick people that it is jewish. or rebuilding completely ruined graveyards with fake tombstones, just so people will come. They even sell figurines of Jews (and if you look at the pic, they look quite antisemetic). Everywhere we went we would get nasty looks/comments as if they were thinking "oh, we didn't kill you all?" It was hard to take. As opposed to Germany, the antisemetism hasn't ended in Poland.
I could go on for a long time, but it wouldn't accomplish much and I'd go on forever, but I'll touch on the death camps. They were each hard in their own respect. One (see pic) was a former death camp, but the nazis completely destroyed it and today it is just a park. The only way you would know that it was a death camp would be that there is a little memorial in the back. Otherwise, we saw teens flirting on a park bench not 20 feet from the memorial and other people walking their dogs. It was crazy.Others were easier to see. One still had their crematoriam left in perfect condition. It woudl be functional in 24 hrs. It still even had ash left in it. And for those who say that the public didn't knwo about them? many were within the city and this specific one, Poles would go out on their balcony and watch the killings as it was not 100 feet from their house. It is hard to comprehend. One of the ones that hit home the hardest was Birkenau (aushwithz II) where 1.5 million Jews were killed in a few years. The most shocking part was the vast size of it. it took 10 minutes to walk across the width of it, and the length must have been about twice as long. One last camp I'll speak about. Sobibor. Here, the nazis were so embarassed that there was an escape from here that they completely covered it up. They planted trees over the entire camp and it looks just like a forest today. All the trees are about 60 years old and it is part of a national forest. Even those who learn and know about the Holocaust, it is hard to understand and believe, let alone for those who deny it.
I dont know if any of this made any sense, but that is because it also didn't make that much sense to me. It was hard to comprehend, but it also put a whole new light on everything. It was very important to see and I got so much more out of it after being there. The country itself sucked and was always the color grey, even when the sun was out.

Anna Nicole Smith's death as headline news=The world is officially about to end

2007-02-09T10:14:00.000+02:00

So I just got back from Poland (which will be another blog when I actually have time) and checked out the news. I still haven't even had time to check email as I've got to run again, but the headlines of the news upset me so much that it was blog worthy. As isn't the purpose of a blog to rant about pointless things that you want to rant about even if nobody cares? That said, I'll get back to the story. So there I was, checking out what is important happening in this world. You know, stuff like people being killed in Iraq/Israel/this place where 1,000's die a day, whats it called....oh yeah, Darfur. One would think that these are important, but no. The death of Anna Nicole Smith (somebody who is famous for marrying a rich guy so she could inheret the money. although I must say that it is a brilliant idea) is the most important news item. This is absolutely sickening. I have nothing more to say besides that the world I think has officially come to an end, or is very close to doing so.

Mini Israel, no really, it's mini

2007-01-26T18:54:00.000+02:00

So Rachel was here visiting for a week inbetween my groups for work. Both she and I have been to a lot of the main "tourist" sites, so I looked for something different. What I found ended up being the "ultimate tourist site". Just by the name you can tell, Mini Israel. It is a small model of major sites in the country. You feel like Godzilla walking through it. Basically, it is hillarious. Everything is done really well and they even have moving objects such as cars, dairy factories (moves inside,but doesn't really produce dairy), along with people bowing to pray (both Jews and Muslims) with added sound effects. It had something like 30,000 model people and specially grown miniature trees for the model.There were mini airplanes driving around, mini people, mini restaurants, mini crusader fortresses, mini churches, mini skycrapers (at least for israel standards), mini mountain (also considered mountain in Israeli standards), mini trees, mini mosques and synagogues, etc, etc. All hillarious. The entire time I was just laughing and laughing. For how lame it sounds, it was actually pretty enjoyalbe. It's not a place that one could go to more than one time, but for a one time thing, amazing.

Short update for all my fans

2007-01-24T12:57:00.000+02:00

Sorry guys, I can't think of a good topic for this blog. I realize that it has been a long while since updating, so I'll give at least a little news.
I just finished my first group working. They were a really good group. Don't want to say too much good/bad incase they happen to be reading this (no, but really, they were a great group). So now I'm just taking a few days off before I have to go back and prepare for the next group. Speaking of which, I leave for Poland in one week. I dont know if I'll be updating before then, as I've have writers blog block. No good ideas come to me lately. I'll try to think really hard. So yeah, Poland. I imagine a country set about 200 years back in time, minus about 3 million people in their population in which they've kiled. REally depressing, but important to see. We'll see how it goes.
On a more happy note, when all my campers left, I aquired some great things for the "David Glotter aliya fund":
-sleeping pad
-crazy creek chair!!!!!!!
-thermos (dont think I'll ever use it, but the potential is there)
-enough toothpaste to last me a long long time
-some rugs
-towels, sheets,blanket (fleece)
-plus many other odds and ends

it was all great!
also, i foudn the game Risk here (called "seekoon" as in danger). now just have to find frinds in order to play. haha.
ok, hopefully ill think of good blog topic to have better blogging with.
another side note. Rachel is here visiting.

Costco really has it all, I'm dead serious

2007-01-13T15:58:00.000+02:00

So I've noticed the first America withdrawal and that this country is in much need of. It would be a great success here. Actually I was searching the costco website as somebody told me of this thing they got there which I needed to check out for myself. I do a quick glance at the front page of the site and notice something strange in the toolbar (or whatever you want to call it). It was situated in the bottom left corner. I knew that costco has everything, but this I couldn't believe. "Funerals". Obviously I needed to check it out. Low and behold you can buy caskets at costco. HOw does one plan this out? Is it one of those things where you go to get your pictures developed and while wandering around you buy a 100 pack of hilighters, 3 lbs of roast beef, a huge tub of fake licorice that tastes like playdogh, and oh, I think I need a casket as well? or maybe its the opposite, you go to buy all the food for a funeral or something and then see a casket (although one would probably be boughten beforehand). I dont understand it. But now I guess I've got to start searching for new things that they dont carry (which I seem to think doesn't exist)

Some interestig info I learned

2007-01-13T13:40:00.000+02:00

So there I was sitting around on a quiet Friday evening. About half of the campers had nowhere to go for the weekend so I had to stay back. I didn't have anything planned so we did a lot of sitting around. One kid pointed out something which I had never noticed/ever given a moments thoughts about. In America (maybe even western countries?) in general, girls names end in a vowel/'ie" sound. Think about it. Obviously there are exceptions, but generally this is teh case. So does this mean America actually has some culture or its own?
To show, here is the list of girls on my trip:
Maya x2
Gabrielle
Anne
Aviva
Joanie
Sara
Jessica
Debora x2
Dana
Arielle
Zoe
Amy
Emma
Joanna
Abby
Kathrine

exceptions:
Brynn (but that has some scottish or some crazy country background)
Ariel

Crazy. maybe its a jewish thing, but i dont think so

Yossi Arrives!

2007-01-09T21:26:00.000+02:00

He's walked the walk, but rarely talked the talk (and this applies to me as well),but Yossi (joevak) has actually come to Israel. Over the years we have both been known to have a million (yes, a million) ideas. generally outrageous ones, but ideas at that. On very rare occasions, if ever, we actually follow through with one. So when we both said that we were going to move to Israel, it seemed extremely far fetched. But......here we are. I still don't believe it at all. For me, let alone him. So I think that since we've actually done this, it cancels out just about all the talking that we've done up until this point. It's great to have him here even though I lent him my cell phone a few weeks ago and so still don't have it back, but I'm working on that.

Mission Accomplished and Then Some...

2006-12-31T09:48:00.000+02:00

I am now just past the halfway point with my first group on Muss. So far it has gone great. A lot of fun and busy traveling. Since arriving in Israel, my desire to go to Poland has gotten stronger. I've always wanted to go, but it was always just an idea. I know that it would be a really hard trip. Not one that I would enjoy to much, but one that is really important for me to do. It is extremely important to see some of the places where the Holocaust took place. Something hard, but for me it needed to be done. Coming from the states, the only programs I knew of were ones like "March of the Living" which cost something like #3,000 for a week trip. After coming here and finding out that a good portion of Israelis go to Poland for part of the high school, it made me want to go more. I had a few issues I had to deal with first and other criteria in order to go to Poland. 1) needed to be cheap. 2) would preferably go asap as the army is coming soon and then want to travel to other more exciting places before school starts again which once that starts, my life kinda starts. 3)I would need a guided tour. you cant understand all that you are seeing. 4) although it would be freezing, winter would be the best time to go as you would be able to understand things a little more. Seeing the concentration camps with grass and lively I feel misrepresents them. 5) trip would need to end in israel in order to give it some happiness.
With that said....I am accomplishing all those and then some. The next group that I am working with is starting in Poland, which means FREE TRIP TO POLAND!!!!! (plus i get paid a little). so yeah, I'm still not quite sure how I pulled that one off, but I did.

Why America Sucks, Honestly

2006-12-24T08:59:00.000+02:00

UNBELIEVALBLE

I really have nothing more to say on this article besides that people are crazy and disgusting. Who cares?!

From CNN.com:
Freedom Tower's wrong-way flag removed
POSTED: 9:20 a.m. EST, December 21, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) -- An American flag plastered on the first steel column for the Freedom Tower at ground zero was removed Wednesday after the builders realized the stars and stripes were on the wrong side.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey removed the decal on the 31-foot column after the media questioned the display, with the 50 stars on the right side instead of the left.

"When it's laying down, it's correct," said Bill Dolphin, 73, of Ocala, Florida. "When it gets lifted up into the air, the blue field should be on the other side." (Watch for the wrong-way flag Video)

Federal flag code requires that, whether displayed horizontally or vertically, the blue field displaying 50 stars is always on the left side to the viewer.

When construction workers put the decal onto the column as it lay on the ground, the flag was horizontal and the stars were on the left, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said.

Once a giant crane raised the column, the flag was also vertical, with the stars on the right, Coleman said.

A decal that puts the stars and stripes in the correct place will be put on the column Thursday or Friday, Coleman said.

The column was one of two raised in a ceremony Tuesday. A third column -- covered with signatures of New Yorkers and September 11 victims' relatives, as well as pictures of some firefighters killed in the 2001 attack -- will be installed in the coming days.

In about 18 months, concrete will cover the flag and the columns as construction of the 1,776-foot building to replace the twin towers continues.

But the stars and stripes should be in the right place until then, said Joan Bury, 71, of Aberdeen, New Jersey, who said she found the wrong-way flag "disgraceful" when she saw it in her morning newspaper.

After learning that the flag would be set right, she said: "I'm so happy they're going to take care of that."

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sufganiyot, Sufganiyot and More Sufganiyot

2006-12-22T08:36:00.000+02:00

WOW! There is something that living in the States and celebrating chanukah really misses out. That is of the jelly doughnut in Hebrew called Sufganiyot. I may have had one here and there in the states, but I can tell you that these past few weeks, I think I've had enough to make up for all the year that I've missed out on. I've had waaaaaay too many. Also, on a side note, they aren't the most healthy for you. They are about 500 calories a piece. Only problem is that they are so easy to keep eating. Besides that, I've really enjoyed celebrating chanukah here. Mainly because it is simply a holiday and not just a hallmark,consumer holiday as to rival with Christmas. Nobody gives any presents here and people just celebrate it for the real reasons (no, not the "miracle of the oil" as that is a made up story). It is just a nice time and much more modest. Maybe people are just happy with the sufganiyot, I'm not quite sure. Also, I've realized after being forgotten, that I am missing the season of Christmas. It really is a season. I know for sure that it lasts longer than fall or spring. I don't mind at all if people celebrate it, as it is there culture/belief, but once it is every single step you take and thrown in your face, that is when it gets rediculous. Thus in America, Chanukah has become something to compete with Christmas so the little kids wont feel left out at school if they don't get a gift. But I could go on forever with this. All in all, I've eaten a ton of sufganiot and probably have clogged my arteries, but I'm just making up for all the other years I guess.

Just Like The Movies

2006-12-10T09:50:00.000+02:00

So there I was....taking the only train back to campus here. Normally the train ends at the stop I need, but this time they kept announcing that the train would end at the stop before. So when we get to the stop in which they kept announcing, I get off. I knew something was wrong. I see the conductor way down at the end of the platform. So I run all the way down with my massive bag on my back and one on my front carrying 40 oragnes I had freshly picked to bring back. I want to ask the conductor if there is another stop. So I'm sprinting. He sees me, we make eye contact. Right out of the movie, the train starts moving. I kept running (no, I didn't run into a pole) to catch up to the open door. I was running out of space and the conducter tells me I have to stop. I realize I probably wouldn't make it in time as the train was picking up speed and I was carrying a ton. Then, all of a sudden, the train stops! I guess he must have stopped it for me! Amazing. I guess it isn't that exciting, but it was at the time.

Finally I've splurged And Gave Into A 4-Year Holdout

2006-12-09T15:57:00.000+02:00

Ok, I finally gave in. After being too cheap throughout all of college to go out and buy some "real" speakers for my computer, I have finally bought some. They aren't the greatest, but they are better than the cheap speakers I would find somewhere inside my house every year before school began, only to find out that one of them didn't work, thus I would only have one crappy speaker. I've been holding out for all this time, don't quite know why, but finally I went out and bought some. To some, they still may be seen as crappy, but it is a huge step up from what I've had. Plus it has a subwoofer. Sounds pretty fancy to me. The company is Boss, Koss, Ross, Sloss, something along those lines. I'm pretty excited about it. Actually the main reason I finally bought some is that I needed to outcompete with the loud music that the kids play in the dorm, as they play crap like rap and dave mathews. Gotta be louder, although those littel ipod speakers I think still provide more sound than mine. I've been thinking about just outlawing rap music. I think I have that power. Thus, this has been my big purchase thus far from being in Israel.....and probably my last for a while.

Just A Normal Days Walk

2006-12-07T17:12:00.000+02:00

It is times like these that remind me how neat it is to have all your history right at your fingertips. Or in this case, at your feet. The other day we went on a hike that I had actually never done before, and didn't even realize that this existed. Over the past few years, the antiquities department has begun excavations in the location of the "City of David." Where King David established his city 3,000 years ago. There were many cool things that have been found so far. One, is the base of what they believe to be the location of the palace. They even found what seemed to be an ancient toilet. Pretty advaced if you ask me. They found food remains below the rock with the hole in it, some proving it was a toilet. In the room next door, they found a destruction layer dating to 586 BCE when the Temple was destroyed, with a large lot of seals used by important people underneath it (meaning that they were older than that ( some matching up with names used in the Bible). Pretty neat. The city was able to survive some of the attacks due to its fortification, but having a water source was the essential part. Hezzekiah built a detour for the water tunnel 500 meters or so in order to bring the water into the city for survival. We hiked through the entire tunnel which still carries water (although not used). It was one of the coolest hikes I've done. For one, it was through water the entire time at times up my thighs. What was even more unique about it was that this was made over 2,000 years ago and was the reason that the city was able to survive, and there we were just walking through it. So much important history. The water was also crystal clear, although I later found out that some of the students really had to relive themselves, and so at the moment that everybody turned off their flahslights too see, or not see, the darkness, they took a piss. At least they don't use it anymore......

I Liiiiike.....Not

2006-12-03T08:54:00.000+02:00

So, the Borat movie finally came out here in Israel, so I had to convince my kids to go see it. Although most of them had already seen it, 22 of the 30 decided to go see it again. As with normal movies, I decided to go in with little expectations. Good thing. The movie was not so good. Really too bad. There were some parts which were hillarious almost to the point of crying, but all the rest of the filler and everything, just wasn't that great. The show is much much better, I must say. The interactions are what makes the character and the show so funny. If it had just been him interviewing/interacting for an hour and 20 min, it would have been much better. I feel they edited aout a lot of the funny parts. Such as with the idiotic drunken frat boys. I'm sure they said much more stupid, racist, idiotic things (come on, they were frat boys, who obviously had some horrible things to say....come on, play it out). Frankly I'm a little dissapointed.

No Luggage

2006-12-01T11:42:00.000+02:00

So despite the nationwide strike, the kids got off just in time. The strike began at 6 am here and they took off just at 6, so by the time it was officially announced, they had already been in transit and thus were allowed to land. So they got here. Only problem is that there was nobody to unload their baggage. At least they arrived, while all other flights were canceled. They were luckily told to bring a few things in their carry on due to the strike. We returned to the airport yesterday for our first "field trip" only for them to see the ugly side of Israel. The one with the lines and the yelling. After dealing with the lines, they somehow quickly got their bags, all but 9 of them. The 9 kids from DC area had their luggage lost on the way to NY and thus still do not have their stuff. What a start to the program! At least they are taking it well.....so far. In solidarity, I am not changing my clothes, just to make them feel a little less upset. That is until they all receive their clothes or their is a protest against me to change my clothes. We'll see. So far though, things are good. Kids seem like a good group. Some know my brother (although everybody seems to know him) where others know my freshman year roomate and another's sister saw me when I was visiting camp this summer. Small world. There will obviously be some small (I hope) issues that we can already see, but overall it looks like it should be a lot of fun, but a lot of work. I'm still not used to waking up at 6:45. That is the latest I'll be waking up. On trip days it is something like 6:15 and as early as 2 something, but I try not to think of that yet. Not much else going on here, just been a lot of planning, so it is nice to actually have the kids here, even without their luggage. On other news, Borat just came out here the other day, so I'm trying to plan a "trip" for us to go.

Does This Make Me A True Israeli?

2006-11-29T09:40:00.000+02:00

For those who know me, I'm not a big fan of cell phones. Actually, most of the time I think they are pretty aweful. They cause people to be antisocial, talk really loud in public area such as the bus, and they probably cause cancer in which case we are all royaly screwed. So, I think that it is enough that I have one cell phone. With this job starting today (?), they gave me another cell phone to use. So now I have to walk around with two cell phones. Rediculous, absolutly rediculous. Especially when I have to go through security before entering anywhere, such as a mall. I have to take out my cell phones, both of them and put them to the side. Crazy.
So back to the job. We've been preparing for the last few days. You know, putting all those "happy and exciting" signs all over to make them feel at home and planning out the first couple of days. As we are in Israel though and they still for some reason implement the national union system, when one group is unhappy, then the whole country shuts down. So if the meter maids are unhappy, then the garbage collectors, public transportation, teachers, and airport strike, just to name a few. So lets focus on the airport. Fancy, the kids are supposed to arrive today, but with the airport closed, we aren't sure if they are coming. HAHAAHA. AAHHHHHHH. Oh well, we'll just have to see. And the worst part is that even if they don't make it today, I wouldn't even be able to go home until they get here in order to "get a day off" as the trains wouldn't be working. Oh, well. It's just all funny, but we'll see what happens. I'll try to keep you updated, but things could get really busy for a while here. Maybe this is Gods way of punishing me. Giving me two cell phones, when I have enough time managing and answering one.

AH, The Clippers Broke!

2006-11-22T21:05:00.000+02:00

So there I was, giving myself a haircut. Actually I let my little cousins cut my hair. So there we were cutting away, when suddenly the machine just stopped working. As you can see by the picture, we didn't quite finish. Hey, at least we got the left side done, whew. You don't want to not have the left side done. I guess I'll just have to finish the rest using the good old fashioned way, scissors. So, until next blogging.....

Ode To The Sewing Machine With A Twist Of Weird Al

2006-11-19T00:37:00.000+02:00

What is the first thing somebody does when they receive their license? Obviously go out driving. Nope not me, actually I still haven't driven since finding out I got my license. It's just not as exciting this time around....maybe if I were 16 again. So two stories have I. The Sewing Machine. No, I'm not reffering to an actual sewing machine which mends clothes, but to the other one. The one built about as well, but is actually just a nick-name for the old 1953 MG which used to be part of the family until after years (about 5) of claiming to trying to sell it, my father finally came through on his word and sold the car. Luckily for me, my dad doesn't act right away on things and we had the car long enough for me how to learn manual transmission. Yes, I learned to drive manual on a a car 50 years old. And yes as well to your next question, I did blow the transmission once. But hey, you gotta learn sometime. I took my driving test Friday morning (woke up at 6 am) with manual transmission (here you have to get a drivers license with manual if you want to drive manual) and passed! I took a few lessons first just to get used to the car I would be using and to get more practice on "newer" cars. Let me tell you, it was lots of fun driving an old car (actually a lot more fun than any other car I've driven. even more than a $80,000 Mercedes convertable that I drove), but I got so used to driving such a crappy stick shift that I had a little trouble getting used to this "new technology." I was like the generation that are so used to certain things that the new technology is just too much. As you know, with automatic transmission when one releases the break, the car inches forward automatically. With the MG, this obviously didn't happen. With the new cars, when you start releasing the clutch, the car starts to inch forward without immediately needing to give the car gas. Second, I was so used to changing gears (mainly just going into first gear) by listening and feeling the car to tell me when its needed that these new cars are silent. What is one supposed to do. Actually I didn't have problems with this car, but when I drove my friends brand new car this summer, I stalled it a few times, because it was too silent and I couldn't hear the engine. Oh well. So basically, these new manual transmissions drive for themselves. A lot easier and a completely different world from the 50's, but not as fun. So really what I'm trying to get at this story is that I now have my license. So what do "Weird Al Yankovic" and "The Sewing Machine" have in common? Well, not much besides the both relate to driving in a car. This is where my final judgement of Israeli Radio was decided. So there I was, driving around (before getting my new license) and listening to the radio. A lot of the time I just listen to talk radio in order to improve my listening skills. Yes, it is improving, but not enough because I'm sure I am listening to some quite boring programs much of the time, but don't pick up enough of it to understand that it is horribly boring. Otherwise, normal radio is many times iffy. Some good songs, but other times they get new songs, and by new I mean they came out in the US about 10 years ago....which includes a lot of crap. So there I was driving around and who comes on the radio? Weird Al Yankovic. Granted I haven't really listend or fully enjoyed/appreciated him as much as I did that day driving since I've been around 13, but I gained a whole new appreciation for Israeli radio. I agree, his songs aren't that great (unless you are 13), but "pop" radio in the states just flat out sucks. So for them to put something as crazy as Weird Al on the radio, I think takes some balls. Who puts him on? Honestly. But it is better than the US radio, so kudos to them. If I go the rest of my life and don't hear him on the radio again, my life won't be a loss, but that I heard it once, I decided made me quite happy. Thank you Weird Al for giving Israeli radio the opportunity to be more ballsy and top US "radio."

Final Round: Glotter vs. Standardized Tests (current score: 0-3)

2006-11-14T19:24:00.000+02:00

Finally, it's over. I went face to face with one of my lifelong enemies, the standardized test, especially those ones that are required to enter school. Just when I thought I was all done with them when I went to university, BAM, I find out that I need to take them again in order to get into grad school. Damn, it never seems to end. For any of you who know me, these tests do me in. I might be the worst person even to take them. Honestly. It almost prevented me from going to university. For those who don't remember/are not aware, I took the ACT three times. THREE! Nobody does it that many times. And the best part about it was that my first two scores were the same, but then my last score went down! Hahahah. At least I laught at it now. But afterwards, it just confirmed to me that these tests are my antichrist (antiglotter if you'd like to call it that). I am also of the belief that one shouldn't have to pay a forture and "study" for these tests. But as our world is really really messed up, one must "study" for these tests, just even to keep up with everybody else. It is actually one of the major problems in the world society as a whole. This about it. So most people "study" for well over a month (I believe), where 2.5 weeks ago, I decided to sell my soul to business school (as of these past 2.5 weeks, that has been my decision, but who knows what the future will bring) and take this test quickly before my job starts. So I ""studied"" (notice the double quotation marks= i kinda didn't fully study the fake studies) these past few weeks and now, I am finally done. Let me note: During the test (which consisted of two essays, a math section and an English section all on computer, so one cannot go back to redo answers, yuk!) the offices both next door and one floor up, decided to do construction during the middle of my test. It was actually pretty funny, but also sucked a lot at the same time. Maybe my score would have been higher, don't know. So I got my unofficial score. My math score was the best I've gotten, but at the same time, my English score was the lowest I've gotten. My final score was 590, which was higher than my practice tests. So I guess I can't complain too much. I am able to go to one of the Universities here, but not the best. So now I'm sitting here and I have this feeling that I never thought I'd have. I actually kinda want a higher score. Even if I wouldn't go to one of the universities, at least I would know that I'd be able to. I thought I'd be so happy to be done, but now, do I want to do it again????????? Will there be a sequel? Eh, probably not, but only time will tell.

(please note in picture: it appears that I'm studying for this test (or another test maybe), but I am actually just looking at a map of Egypt and probably figuring out something for the trip when I was there....or maybe I was studying, but just studying how to not get killed while there)

Ancient Roman Schvitzes And Toilets

2006-11-10T11:48:00.000+02:00

Alright, some actual news. For all those fans who keep requesting more bloging (I didn't realized that people actually read this...). For one, this past weekend I was up in the northern region of the country (so like 20 minutes away. haha. no actually a few hours) and visited a site I have actually never been to before. It was the ancient city of Bet She'an. It was pretty cool with a lot of different ancient civilizations being represented there, but mainly Roman. Most of the site was the old Roman city which is about 2,000 years old. There were many pillars that were put up again to reconstruct the market, along with structures of other buildings. It was pretty ellaborate, but they say that they have only uncovered about 10% so far. In the back of the site was a tel. such as Tel Aviv, or Tel _______(fill in about a million other Israeli cities). For those unfamiliar, a tel is a mound where civilizations have built ontop of one another, thus creating this "hill" that needs to be excavated. So this Tel has on top even older remains (or replicas of them) from time periods 3,000+ years ago, including when Egypt ruled the area. Pretty cool. Also from this tel, one has an amazing view looking in all directions including toward the Jordanian mountains not far away, but you still weren't able to see the "raging" Jordan River. One day I'll find it.......
The best part of the site was obviously the ancient schvitz (sauna/bathhouse). Those Romans were quite smart I must say. Even the the area is rediculously hot in the summer (so maybe they weren't so smart), they knew how important it is to have a schvitz in your city. It was actually pretty big, a lot bigger than the one at the JCC! They even had the mosaics on the floor still. Oh what a life they must have lived. Also, one can see in the picture above the anciet toilets from the city. How they figured out that these were toilets, I dont know. I mean I could make guesses, but some of you may get grossed out. But based off the picture here (which I actually didn't take, as I forgot my camera, but luckily found this pic on the internet) and a drawing they had on location, I guess the people would just plop a cheeck on each slab of stone and that was that. They said that there wasn't any apparent speparation between men and womens sides. Hmm.
So I guess that is about all.
I've basically been really busy studying for the GMAT test on tuesday. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but as of now, I've decided to sell my soul to business and get my MBA (but dont worry, I dont plan on going to school for a couple more years). We'll see how it goes. These tests are the devil to me and I would need a really really good score in order to get into one of the good Universities here, so we'll see. I'll let you know how I did.
Also to note in my life: I've taken one lesson to get my liscense. Will do one more and then take the test. I can't believe I have to take the stupid driving test all over again. Pause. Everybody ponder this: If you were to have to take a driving test all over again, would you pass? I'm guessing you are all saying no. Yeah, so that's what I'm thinking.

Glottsagna 0.7-Israel Ingredients 0.3

2006-10-31T22:51:00.000+02:00

Round 1, personally was not too much of a success to me. Over this past year I have learned to become pretty good (although really it takes no skill) at making lasagna, or as it is more commonly referred to as "Glottsagna." Since arriving in Israel, I had yet to attempt to reproduce my previous success for a few reasons. 1) I didn't know if all the ingredients existed here (in theory they should, but sometimes they are missing out on those basic things in life which you think that everybody has) and 2) was a little worried that it wouldn't quite come out. After taking about 5 days to locate all the ingredients, including a mad dash to multiple stores before Shabbat started and everything closed down (which I was also not successful), I eventually gathered everything. Side note: I think this mad dash and hour before everything closed is forecasting how my life will be played out every Friday. I will realize, a hour before, that everything will be closing for over a day and that if I want something I need to get it then. This will include a mad dash and I sometimes may be successful and other times not. This time, I was only somewhat successful. I got most of the ingredients needed, but only to find out later that I forgot to buy something, which at this point it was too late to go out and buy. So, I had to wait another two more days. Damn. Oh well, just better to get used to it.....
Oh, back to the story. I finally got the ingredients and made the lasagna. I personally felt that it didn't come out so great (maybe I have high expectations), but my family loved it. Therefore the rating. I didn't think it was so great, but my family is the reason that it received 7/10 of a point. I need to work on getting better ingredients and figuring out what to improve which will take time, but at least I started on the right foot.

WONDERS OF THE WORLD

2006-10-29T22:20:00.000+02:00

So it's that time again. You know, that one that comes once every 2,200 years. It's time to decide the new "7 Wonders of the World." The previous wonders of the world were last chosen in 200 BCE by Philon of Byzantium, of which only one of the wonders sitll exist, the pyramids (which I must say are quite wonderous indeed). So I guess there is some 'official' committee that is organizing the new list of wonders. But it is up to you, the new Philon of Byzantiums, to decide. What you need to do is go here: http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php?id=8&L=0 and simply vote. Yes you need to register and all, and yes, I guess you can keep making up names, etc, but still. You are making part of history! Maybe one day if this is every remembered, they will make up some name like Philon of Byzantium for us all, that is if the world lasts another 2,200 years, which I am highly doubting. So really it doesn't really mater, but kinda cool anyways. Although I voted, they seemed to leave out (in my opinion. although I'm sure others share it with me), one of the greatest wonders of the world (see picture). Elections in the US might be in a few days (I think), but this is obviously much more important and has a much greater bearing on the future of the world! Vote early, and vote often! (some famous quote, which I still don't fully understand. eh, go figure).

Hmmmmmm.......I Wonder What Jesus Would Look Like In the 21st Centry?

2006-10-23T17:24:00.000+02:00

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the love of God, WHY! I guess there must be something in the water down in Panama, all those values and ways of living, flushed right down the drain.
Anybody with any other comments?

So Long English, Hello Travel

2006-10-21T14:00:00.000+02:00

Change of plans. No more teaching English for me! I will now be a counselor on the Alexander Muss program which starts in mid/end-November. Although I will now have to deal with all those 16 year old problems, I will get paid more in 2 months than I would in 6 months teaching English. Also, I get to travel all around and get free room and board! For those who know, this is the same program I did when I was in high school. So for now, more time to putz around. Maybe I'll use this time to get my drivers license. It sucks, I need to take at least one lesson and pass the driving test. I thought I was all done with that stuff. Ok, that is all for now.

One Of The Few Reasons a SUV Comes In Handy

2006-10-16T22:27:00.000+02:00

I am a huge anti-SUV person. I really despise them. But I have seen a (as in one) reason why they come in handy. Finally, some actual news of what has gone on in my life. So this past weekend, I went with my family to on a Jeep trip. During my life span thus far, I had never been on a so called "Jeep trip" and so didn't quite understand the concept. I had gone on camping trips where we needed higher clearance vehicles as we have destroyed a car attemping this past summer in Montana (But got to spend some quality time in Big Timber!), but never on just a Jeep trip. It is not that complicated of a concept. Basically we just drive on 'hiking trails for cars,' but these trails go up and down huge boulders and over terrain that would for sure destroy normal sized cars. Pot holes were like freshly paved roads on this trip. Well good thing that my relatives own a rediculously sized car, especially for Israel, as we all know how friendly Israel is with all the oil bearing countries! So we went out and drove all around. I really can say that I love the desert. Great scenery and just a grand old time. Also during this trip (a total of about 6 jeeps) I have seen how israelis do not know how to go camping. Everytime I've gone camping, we either just bring cheese or if we have a little gas stove, we make rice and just change the spices everynight. Here, we put on top of the jeep a huuuuuuge charcaol grill that weighs a ton, along with a big gas stove and a big gas container. Along with this, we were incharge of the food for everybody. Really, it was enough food to feed all of Africa. It was so rediculous. Only for TWO days!!!!!!! Also, they all brought these huge tents that were easily bigger than my bedroom from school last year! So to fight this, I chose to sleep outside, which was actually perfect weather (feeling jealous all you suckers from the north?! muhahaha). Despite the rediculousness, it was still nice to have such a huge bbq in the middle of the desert after driving for a few hours over huge boulders. All this was great. I was even impressed by their motivation to throw everything away. One of the main issues I have with this countries is that it is disgustingly dirty. Everywhere you go, there is trash everywhere. People just do not care. They think after they have served in the army, they can treat the land like a trash can as it is less important than defesnse. So I was impressed by the motivation to keep clean. I should have known better. After the bonfire was coming to a close and people were trickling off to bed, the main guy 'leading' the trip comes up with two full garbage bags. He then proceeds to put them directly into the fire in order for everything to just burn away. At that moment, I literally felt sick to my stomach. I couldn't believe it! What can I do now. I'll just have to save the world, one piece of trash at a time.

"Winter"-a poem written by Mark Glotter

2006-10-10T23:51:00.000+02:00

This short blog is to honor the upcoming Minnesota winter that I can say that I am quite glad that I will not be taking part in.
"Winter"
written by my father Mark Glotter (actually more likely just switched his name into it and then sent it out in an email and claiming as his own. Anybody call shinanigans?)

"SHIT, It's Cold!"

Homer Hanky vs. Mr. Hankey

2006-10-06T09:22:00.000+02:00

It dawned on me just now about the potential similarities between two great things in this world 1) the Homer Hanky, which have helped the Twins win two World Series, but has not brought much success the last few years and 2) Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo who emerges from the toilet bowl on Christmas Eve and brings presents to good boys and girls whose diet has been high in fiber.

Despite the the names sounding exactly alike (I forget the proper English word for this......good thing I'm going to be and English teacher), but they are of no relation. It is like whether/weather, two/to/too, steak/stake, etc. They sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Just another one of those crazy things about America (even though the language didn't originate there) that things need to be weird and make no sense (lack of metric system, measuring the temperature in farenheight, etc.). So despite the names sounding alike, they are different. Mr. Hankey has an 'e' between the 'k' and the 'y' where Homer Hanky does not. Think of it this way. The 'e' could mean that you need to have 'E'xtra fiber in your diet for Mr. Hank'e'y to come, where if you have 'e'xtra fiber in your diet and are in the situation of using the Homer Hanky, then you may be spending extra time away and dealing with that 'e'xtra fiber in places where the Homer Hanky does not help your cause......unless maybe it does there too

(Actually when finding this picture, I came across a hillarious website: http://waltonfeed.com/old/out.html Hillarious! There is even a "biffy" or in this case "outhousey" tipping story....)

PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARTY (Maybe this also deserves another: Wha, Wha, Wha???!!!!)

2006-10-05T00:21:00.000+02:00

Personally after reading the headline from cnn.com of "War plans: Congress OKs $20 mil for victory parties" I was shocked. I was shocked for multiple obvious reason. 1)The problems over in Iraq and Afghanistan are quite big problems indeed and aren' anywhere near victories. On a quick side note, it is even worse what is going on in Afghanistan as the Taliban is taking over the country again and that is never good. This was the first, and somewhat legitimate, mess the US (and the world) got into and the US completely abandoned it. Ok, enough rambling on this. 2)who determines when there is "victory?" Didn't they already declare "Mission Accomplished?" I thought so. and 3)That is one big party. Count me in. That is a whole lot of party hats, cakes (preferably ice cream cakes), beer, etc. Heck, they could buy the whole Willy Wonka Factory and a whole lot of Oompa Loompas (now that is what I call a party!). Beer and Oompa Loompas, what could be better? For those unaware of what Oompa Loompas are, or just want to read up a little about them, I am providing you some reading material from the greatest thing since Sliced Bread (I know I already used this, but I forget for what), which I think calls for it's own Blog: Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oompa_Loompas But, it all really doesn't matter, because it doesn't appear that this party will take place. Way to go! Get everybody's hopes up and then not even throw the party. That is my good tax money that is going to that! PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Have A Dream

2006-10-04T00:35:00.000+02:00

So there I was. It was late last night, very late. Actually, I was in the middle of a dream. What a dream. I went skydiving.....again. It was soooo amazing. As I have now experienced skydiving once (see first blog), I now know the thrill and thus was able to experience it in my dream. I felt like I was actually free-falling (but I guess that is what dreams do...). While in the dream I was so happy that I had now gone skydiving twice. But then.....I awoke. But even now that I'm awake, I'm still am happy that I "experieced" skydiving again.
Above: Picture of me skydiving in my dream plus two others (look for the dots)
Below: Funny picture at the skydiving place. There was a tornado nearby a few years back and they took this picture. Sorry to you (plus I, myself am upset that I didn't get a more clear picture) that it is blurry, but you'll still get the point. Hillarious

Wha, Wha, Wha???!!!!

2006-10-03T20:46:00.000+02:00

Maybe the news over in this part of the world is different. Did I read things correctly? Did the Twins really win the division?! I still don't know how. Really. Back over a month ago when the Twins were on a tear, I obviously knew they were the best team in baseball, but didn't think that they would be able to keep playing that well, especially with only having one good pitcher (I mean amazing pitcher, but the others were not even average). I even offered to make a bet with my brother on whether the Twins would make the playoffs.

Just like the Energizer Bunny, they kept going and going. Then the day of attonment came about and so I did not have access to the internet and I guess I must have done something good, because somehow the Twins took the division. Will somebody explain to me how? I still don't know how this all happened, especially after how horrendous they were at the beginning of the year. Hey, all in all, at least the White Sox didn't make the playoffs. Now just got to get rid of the Yankees

"THERE WAS ONLY ONE CATCH...AND THAT WAS CATCH-22"

2006-09-28T20:37:00.000+03:00

There are always those books you see or hear that are those you "just have to read" as they are considered by many as some of the best books. I always question myself (as I'm sure you, the reader, does as well) whether these books are actually THAT good and worth reading. Or more importantly, is it worth moving it to the top of my long long list of books to read? Since this past summer, I have found the answer to be YES. Those books that everybody has as some of the best of all time, are that good (at least the books that I read). First book: 'Brave New World' (I feel like I'm supposed to italicize books or soemthing like that, but oh well). Everybody read! Amazing. Along the same lines (kind of) as '1984,' but in my opinion much better. And it is really short. Then I tried 'Darkness at Noon' (which is on many people's lists, but also happend to be on my reading list in freshman year's political theory course, but I never read, so I figure, why not now?). Very very good book, worth the read (maybe not the top of your list, but maybe 2 or 3...). Finally, I know you all see this book everywhere and you are saying to yourself (unless you've already read it), "yeah, I'll read that one day" etc. etc. STOP! I was once like you, but put this book on the top of your reading list (followed by brave new world): 'Catch-22.' What a book. It is both serious, but also hillarious. At times it is so rediculous that I couldn't help myself from laughing. It really is worth being "one of the best books." Pick it up when you are next going to read a book, maybe in a month, a week, or maybe even later today, but don't wait! Your life will be changed forever, I know mine was since I've finished it last week.

"Helping the World Communicate Since 1878"

2006-09-27T14:43:00.000+03:00

Although I just updated my blog a few hours ago, I have lots of new news. For one, I opened my health insurance so I now can get sick. But more importantly, I am now a part of the slogan you see above. I am no longer unemployed! Actually I need to go to training and they can then tell me that they don't want me, but hopefully I should last through that. Basically, this company "Berlitz" teaches languages in classes of 7 or less. I think that most of my students will be older than me, which will be really funny. I always thought my English was horrible, but I guess it is good enough to teach. Who would have thought? Ask me what a pronoun is? No clue.....something relating to a noun. Also, pay isn't so good here, although this job pays better than minimum wage. I get starting 27 shekel (~$6) an hour and work a minimum of 9 hours a week. Lets do the math: 27shekel X 9hrs=243 shekel a week......a whopping $54. I'll be raking in the dough before you know it. Hopefully it will at least pay for my bus costs. Hopefully they'll give me more hours, but I'll have to find out more at the meeting next week and then a week and a half of training in a few weeks time. Does this mean that I inheret the "teacher's handwriting" that all teachers have?.......

A Lot of Waiting

2006-09-27T11:43:00.000+03:00

I know I haven't updated in a while, but there really hasn't been much to report on. I'm still searching for jobs and things to do. Got some leads (maybe teaching English, because somehow my English is deemed good), but otherwise just still trying to get settled. I still haven't opened a bank account or registered for my free health insurance (thank you Socialism!). Otherwise, lately I've gone and visited some friends who are now back in the country, so it was very nice to interact with people and not just sit at home. As you can see by the picture, I guess I am now official. Pretty crazy. This is my Te'udat Zehut (identity card) which I guess I'm supposed to carry at all times as they are able to question me whenever, but we'll see.
So now that I have that, the next most official thing for me to have to do is......the army. Every citizen of the country is required to join the army. At the age of 18, guys are required 3 years of service and girls 2. As for me, being the old (in army years) age of 22, I'm required to serve......actually that is a good question. It is either 6 months or 1.5 years, I've heard both, but I'll get it figured out at some point. So I actually started the entire process yesterday. On Monday, I received in the mail my "Tzav Rishon" or my first draft or something like that. The date they gave me was for Tuesday (the following day). I guess that was kind of good as it didn't give me too much time to freak out. It wasn't much, besides waiting, waiting and more waiting. Basically I filled out a really long form, they asked me questions, I took some mental tests and all the time inbetween.....I waited. Really the whole process should have taken about 1.5 hours, but one needs to remember that I am in Israel and nothing like this runs smoothly, so it ended up taking me from 930-1530 (this form of time is just easier to use than am/pm, so just for the future, remmeber, and it is easier for subtraction purposed (1530-930=6 hrs). All in all, nothing really happened there besides me getting really bored. Now I just have to wait until I get more in the mail.
Other than that, it is the holiday season here, about a holiday a week for 3 weeks, so people are running around, etc. Actually it is funny, before Rosh Hashana(new year) began on Friday, everybody was sending text messages to everybody wishing them a happy new year. So many were sent that some of the systems overloaded, but dont worry, the cell phone companies make a whopping $3.5 million over a two day period just from texts alone. Damn phone companies. Although....what is good about how cells work here as opposed to the States is that in the States, both people are charged for a call, where here, you receive free incoming calls. But in the end, I think it all end up being about the same. Maybe I'll start a new company, it'll make millions. Ok, enough rambling for now. Hopefully more exciting news will happen that I can report on.

Cool Picture

2006-09-16T21:35:00.000+03:00

As I am now in the land where people ride camels instead of driving cars, I thought this picture would be fitting. It is an amazing picture. The camels are the little white lines where the black part is just their shadow. pretty cool! For the sake of this blog, we'll say that this picture was not photoshoped at all. Also, when looking up the photographer of this picture (george steinmetz, as he should get some credit), I came across his website which has this amazing picture on it:

DISCLAIMER:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! POTENTIAL TO BE DISGUSTED! (and for some may think is it innapropriate)
DON'T SAY I DID'T WARN YOU

This picture is amazing for two reasons. One, on the caption is says the guys name (who is in teh picture) is the fourth from the right. not to sound racist, but no kidding. two, if you look closely at the people he is with, the picture is pretty amazing. if only we walked around like that in our culture......

Finally, The History Of Sliced Bread

2006-09-13T14:13:00.000+03:00

I have today stumbled across the history of sliced bread, which I'm sure you are all dying to hear about. Actually I must thank gmail once again. As they 'spy' on what you write and pick out key words that you use in order to advertise to you, it must have picked out in the email I wrote when I said "it is the greatest invention since sliced bread." Bam, they advertised this article for me:

History is full of great inventions. But, with all due respect to the wheel, none are as celebrated as sliced bread. Because so many enthusiastic consumers enjoy comparing products to the breakfast staple, we thought it high time to give its creator, Otto Frederick Rohwedder, his due.
Mr. Rohwedder was born in the great state of Iowa and is generally credited with inventing the first automatic bread slicer in 1928. Before this, people had to slice their own bread, or, in a pinch, rip off a hunk. According to Food Reference, Rohwedder's invention was initially poo-pooed by bakers who felt sliced bread would go stale too quickly. Eventually, Rohwedder constructed a slicer that also wrapped the bread, effectively solving the problem.

In 1930, Wonder Bread began selling pre-sliced bread. Other large bakeries quickly hopped on the bandwagon. The trend also helped to boost the popularity of another invention still in use today -- the toaster. We wouldn't call it the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it's certainly up there.
(http://ask.yahoo.com/20060905.html)

'Crocodile Hunter Fans' Do Hunting Of Own

2006-09-12T21:44:00.000+03:00

Fans of the Crocodile Hunter (didn't know there was such a strong following) are taking revenge on all those innocent sting rays who did nothing, but suffer from one stingrays actions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5338118.stm
This seems to be a common human action, to have the innocent people suffer for one person's actions. Let the rest of the animal kingdom feel the same as we must go through! I hope these people realize that things like this just cause the people (in this case stingrays) to be more upset and lose reason as to why this is all happening and will start taking it out on the wrong people (australia and eventually everybody else) instead of just the one (the killer of Steve Irwin). Viva La Resistance.

Man, I love this blog thing way too much, I can just put random stuff that I want. Muhahaha

Me in the Star Tribune

2006-09-12T13:03:00.000+03:00

Here is an article from September 10th Minneapolis newspaper wiht a mention of your truely: http://www.startribune.com/389/story/657526.html

Me With A Few Of My Idols

2006-09-12T01:09:00.000+03:00

So did you look yet? I'm leaving you with some pics. One of me (with rainbow as usually hovers over my head) and the others are just quality pics of a few of my role models in life....

Ben and my biggest role model in life, the one and only JB (keep on collecting that junk!)

Last, but not least:

Aliyah Revolution

2006-09-06T22:03:00.000+03:00

Jews, Jews and more Jews. Wow, they were everywhere. So I have now arrived her in Israel and it is now starting to hit me some that I am here. Seems way to crazy to even comprehend. I'll back up for a minute. I first was in New York for a few days with my parents before my lifelong journey. I visited some friends and went to a few Yankees vs Twins games. It was really neat to see baseball outdoors where it is supposed to be played. It also bothered me an incredible amount seeing so many Yankee fans. It was somewhat sickening actually. At least I saw us win one game.
Then I arrived at the airport. After checking in I started looking around to see if there were anybody else "like me" on the flight. By like me I mean not religious. I seemed to be one of a kind. Of the 200+ people on the flight, there may have been maybe 10 of us who were not religious and wearing a kippah. Crazy. There was a short ceremony at the airport before I left where a person indirectly mentioned me. He said there were singles from NY to Minnesota. Obviously I am the only one from MN, so that was pretty funny. The plane ride itself was hillarioius. Filled with a bunch of Jews making aliyah. Everybody was in the same boat. Everybody with the same fears, concerns,etc. People were walking around, talking to each other. All in all it was a crazy sight. We arrived at the airpot to a celebration and another short ceremony. Then paperwork and more paperwork. I arrive at 11 am and didn't get out until close to 330 pm. But I am now officially an Israeli citizen! Crazy. Like I said, it is starting to sink in and questioning myself, but once I settle in some and get some sleep, I'm sure I'll be better. I'm working on an hour or so of sleep over the past few days. As of now, I have no clue what I will be doing next week, which just adds to my anxieties. Maybe live with my relatives? Maybe an absorption center? maybe even a job??????? who knows. You'd like to know I'm sure, but I'd like to know even more. Until next time.....

The Second Most Crazy Thing I Could Do

2006-08-19T04:35:00.000+03:00

So there I am, a few months back tinking....what is the craziest thing I could go do that I would never imagine doing in my life? The answer was skydiving. After a few unsuccesful attempts to arrange a time, it was finally set....for 8 am. Unfortunately I had to schlep around town first so my day began at 5:45 am. I knew I couldn't let myself think about jumping out of an airplane at 11,000 feet, or else I would get too scared. After signing my life away to the company and getting 5 minutes of training, we were up in the plane. The pilot showed up with shorts and sandals after he had to "relay important messages to the toilet." We then took off a grass field which I did not think was possible. Thinking along the lines of not wanting to think about what I was about to do, I volunteered to jump first.

The door opens and I walk over to the edge. I jokingly gave my last farewell to my friends (listed in order of jumping, who I somehow convinced to do this with me) Joevak, Shiran and Gonen incase I never saw them again. "Ready (we rocked forward), set (rocked back) and before I heard go, I was diving out of the plane. Just like falling in head first to scuba dive, but minus the water and wind blowing in your face and being 11,000 feet in the air. For about a half second I didn't know what I got myself into, but then right after it was the most amazing thing ever. It is impossible to describe. Free fall was amazing! Supposedly it laster 40-50 seconds, but it felt like 10. The time to open the chute came way too soon, which we then floated back down safely to earth. What a thrill. My first words to the others when done were: Ok, lets do it again!
I may have found a new profession, a skydive instructor. New company(?): Skydiving and Scuba diving company. Any good name ideas?
All in all this was the best thing to happen to me since sliced bread and the next craziest thing I could do besides moving to Israel.