It's 3:05am as I'm writing this - I can't sleep. Too anxious. Nervous. Amazed. Cautious...
I tried going to sleep a few hours ago, and I had this dream...I dreamed that Americans voted for their first Black President...and then I got all happy/anxious/nervous etc.
In a way, I'm somewhat relieved I can't vote in tomorrow's election - it's a tough choice (not really) with so much at stake.
A lot of people don't want Obama to win - whether it's because of his inexperience, his aloof attitude, his "Muslimness", his "Blackness", his "non-Bushness", his "values" or a myriad of other reasons. To be honest, I'm still not sure he's the best man for the job - though in my opinion he's better than the other man they've got running...McCain - Catch the Taste (oh wait, that's the Alomar version...)!
I guess what gets me going on the Obama-bandwagon is the fact that what America and indeed Americans need most is a statesman. A true politician, a PR-guy that can re-sell the American name, vision and dream - not only to Americans, but to the rest of the world too...This election is historic on a number of senses - many obvious to voters and non-voters alike - but what's been overlooked is the fact that the next President of the United States will have to turn his attention to repairing the political damage and turmoil caused by Bush & Co.
This isn't about the best tax policy (they're both shit), the best decision maker, or even what's best for America - this election is purely for the purposes of demonstrating to the world that Americans are ready, that they're serious about fixing their image in the eyes of the world. It's time to reclaim some of their past glory - kinda like a "comeback tour" - America is about to go out on tour, try and reconnect with some of their old fans, maybe sign a few autographs along the way, play a few benefit gigs while trying to recapture the glory days...they've reunited the key musicians and background crew - now it's time to audition the lead singer - the main attraction - question is...will America go the way of The Who or will they whip up some Kanye....tomorrow night we find out - and tickets for this world tour go on sale Wednesday Morning...
Hope you like Hip Hop....
DONE.
PEACE.
OUT.
E
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
October
A little something to get us in the right frame of mind this month...
October
October and the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear.
What do I care?
October and kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on
And on.
Thanks to Bono n' the boys...
October
October and the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear.
What do I care?
October and kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on
And on.
Thanks to Bono n' the boys...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Happy New (Jew) Year!
"...and to all a good night!!!"
And that's how Santa and Mrs. Claus moved out from their two bedroom basement apartment in the lower-east side, to the North Pole....what a schlep!
Oh, hello kids, didn't realize that it's that time of year...time to break out the Apples and the Honey, the Ram's Horn, Gifelte Fish and of course...Manishevitz!!!
This year, marks the start of a very good year (just like Frank used to sing)...
5769. Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine YEARS...LONG....LONG....LONG YEARS. People, and by people, I am of course referring to the Goyim (sorry to my goyim friends....its been 5...769 long years and I love you just the same - let's see you nail that musical reference), often ask how is it that Jews have been around so long - and the truth is, we haven't...it's just that we're counting in JST - Jewish Standard Time (ever see a Jew say goodbye at a party -myself included-it takes at LEAST 30 minutes to do what the Gentiles can in under 3 minutes flat)!!
2008 Gentile Years = 5769 Jewish Years.
Hmm, come to think of it, it seems like only yesterday it was 5740...and I was but a wee baby, fresh outta the oven, and speaking of ovens...I think the Brisket is about done...mmm I'm getting hungry.
Anyways, this is my attempt at revisiting old and new friends alike, wishing those of you who celebrate, a happy, healthy and successful new year, filled with good times, good memories and great sushi!
This blog be back - I know, I've said it before, and well...if NKOTB can make a successful comeback...dammit, I can too!
Oh Oh Oh Oh Ohhhhhhhh.... The Blog's Back!
I can't believe I just did that...
To My Brothers from Other Mothers, and My Sisters from Other Misters...
Shana Tova Muthafcukas!!!!!!!!!
(I think that FCUK is going to be using that on T-Shirts next year, if not, they should, and if they do...I want credit and commish!!!!)
With Love and What Not,
EM
Done.
PEACE.
And that's how Santa and Mrs. Claus moved out from their two bedroom basement apartment in the lower-east side, to the North Pole....what a schlep!
Oh, hello kids, didn't realize that it's that time of year...time to break out the Apples and the Honey, the Ram's Horn, Gifelte Fish and of course...Manishevitz!!!
This year, marks the start of a very good year (just like Frank used to sing)...
5769. Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Nine YEARS...LONG....LONG....LONG YEARS. People, and by people, I am of course referring to the Goyim (sorry to my goyim friends....its been 5...769 long years and I love you just the same - let's see you nail that musical reference), often ask how is it that Jews have been around so long - and the truth is, we haven't...it's just that we're counting in JST - Jewish Standard Time (ever see a Jew say goodbye at a party -myself included-it takes at LEAST 30 minutes to do what the Gentiles can in under 3 minutes flat)!!
2008 Gentile Years = 5769 Jewish Years.
Hmm, come to think of it, it seems like only yesterday it was 5740...and I was but a wee baby, fresh outta the oven, and speaking of ovens...I think the Brisket is about done...mmm I'm getting hungry.
Anyways, this is my attempt at revisiting old and new friends alike, wishing those of you who celebrate, a happy, healthy and successful new year, filled with good times, good memories and great sushi!
This blog be back - I know, I've said it before, and well...if NKOTB can make a successful comeback...dammit, I can too!
Oh Oh Oh Oh Ohhhhhhhh.... The Blog's Back!
I can't believe I just did that...
To My Brothers from Other Mothers, and My Sisters from Other Misters...
Shana Tova Muthafcukas!!!!!!!!!
(I think that FCUK is going to be using that on T-Shirts next year, if not, they should, and if they do...I want credit and commish!!!!)
With Love and What Not,
EM
Done.
PEACE.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
They Shit Err Shoot...They Score?!
Picture this...Sicily..1947... (IF ANYONE JUST GOT THAT REFERENCE - YOU'RE AS STRANGE AS I AM)
OK, seriously now - I'd been out all day wasting my hours at the local court house, attempting to fight the fact that my driver's license was arbitrarily suspended without notice (supposedly I didn't pay a traffic ticket fine (3 to be exact) and they decided to notify me BY MAIL that my license was suspended) - anyhoo...while I'm out fighting for justice (I won) the beloved hockey team in our local 'burg, the RICHEST TEAM IN THE NHL, THE FORBES-RANKED NUMBER 1 NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY TEAM IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATION, THE "WE-HAVEN'T-WON-A-STANLEY-CUP-IN-FORTY-YEARS-BUT-IT'S-OK-BECAUSE-OUR-BEER-IS-ONLY-$13.00-HOCKEY TEAM, THE REBUILDING, THE RE-BUDDING, THE ENVIABLE, THE DESIRABLE, THE DESPERATE, THE BELOVED TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS.... they're GIVING AWAY FREE TICKETS TO A HOCKEY GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stop the presses!! Nay, fire 'em up!!! Them sunombitches done gone ca-raaayyyyy-zeeeeee!!!!
Here's the part that's really interesting - the Leafs claim they're doing this so that they can get a newer, fresher, louder crowd than average - a la Toronto FC dynamic happening over at BMO Field down the road - so, where's the interesting bit??
THE GENIUSES AT MLSE ARE OFFERING THEIR SEASON-SEAT HOLDERS, THE NOT-SO-LOUD-NOT-SO-NEW-NOT-SO-FRESH-NOT -SO-AVERAGE-VERY CURRENT CROWD...THESE DOUCHES (present Douches whom I know and have actually taken me to see a Leafs game on their own account, excluded of course and by "Douches" I just mean you, my beloved and loyal friend(s)) THEY GET FIRST CRACK AT THE FREE TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, um...just who?? WHOOO?????? WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE HECK ELSE IS THERE TO QUALIFY FOR FREEBIES??? AND ITS PRE-SEASON AT THAT DONTCHA KNOW!!!!!
Coca-Cola to the rescue!!! The big bad boys at Coke are "sponsoring" the game - so MLSE still gets their share o' the shekels, the rich still fork over season ticket costs, and get a FREEBIE thrown in there for good measure (someones gotta come up with a way to cover up the future stink emanating from the ice surface below this year - "hey, sure we're only 14-56 but, hey, c'mon Sal, we did give you AN EXTRA PRE-SEASON GAME FOR FREE!!!!!" ya, that'll keep 'em quiet!!!
Kudos though, Kudos all around to the brainiacs at MLSE's marketing department - how to cover up for the fact that this team will most likely fail (brutally so) to compete for a post-season spot, how well they can cover up for the fact that their LOYAL TEAM CAPTAIN OF 9 PLUS SEASONS (and 4 non-Captain years give or take) IS PROBABLY JUMPING SHIP (OR BEING THROWN OVERBOARD DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT), ohhh, how genius of them to bring in a 41 year old past time hero (I still love ya Cujo) and sprinkle some mass media on an 18-year old defenceman, that, let's face it half of us never even freakin' heard of yet we're already buying the hype that this kid's the next great NEXT GREAT ONE that's going to be our saviour - he's fuckin' 18 years old give the kid a break - he can't even buy himself the champagne that you're planning on dousing him with at the parade at Yonge and Carlton!!!!!!!!!
Free tickets. Harrumph! Bah Humbug! Nay!
So, um, how do I get a pair??
(stupid loyal-ass Leafs fans...this is why we'll NEVER win a cup again)
Done.
Peace.
EM
(Go Leafs Go!!!)
OK, seriously now - I'd been out all day wasting my hours at the local court house, attempting to fight the fact that my driver's license was arbitrarily suspended without notice (supposedly I didn't pay a traffic ticket fine (3 to be exact) and they decided to notify me BY MAIL that my license was suspended) - anyhoo...while I'm out fighting for justice (I won) the beloved hockey team in our local 'burg, the RICHEST TEAM IN THE NHL, THE FORBES-RANKED NUMBER 1 NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY TEAM IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATION, THE "WE-HAVEN'T-WON-A-STANLEY-CUP-IN-FORTY-YEARS-BUT-IT'S-OK-BECAUSE-OUR-BEER-IS-ONLY-$13.00-HOCKEY TEAM, THE REBUILDING, THE RE-BUDDING, THE ENVIABLE, THE DESIRABLE, THE DESPERATE, THE BELOVED TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS.... they're GIVING AWAY FREE TICKETS TO A HOCKEY GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stop the presses!! Nay, fire 'em up!!! Them sunombitches done gone ca-raaayyyyy-zeeeeee!!!!
Here's the part that's really interesting - the Leafs claim they're doing this so that they can get a newer, fresher, louder crowd than average - a la Toronto FC dynamic happening over at BMO Field down the road - so, where's the interesting bit??
THE GENIUSES AT MLSE ARE OFFERING THEIR SEASON-SEAT HOLDERS, THE NOT-SO-LOUD-NOT-SO-NEW-NOT-SO-FRESH-NOT -SO-AVERAGE-VERY CURRENT CROWD...THESE DOUCHES (present Douches whom I know and have actually taken me to see a Leafs game on their own account, excluded of course and by "Douches" I just mean you, my beloved and loyal friend(s)) THEY GET FIRST CRACK AT THE FREE TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, um...just who?? WHOOO?????? WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE HECK ELSE IS THERE TO QUALIFY FOR FREEBIES??? AND ITS PRE-SEASON AT THAT DONTCHA KNOW!!!!!
Coca-Cola to the rescue!!! The big bad boys at Coke are "sponsoring" the game - so MLSE still gets their share o' the shekels, the rich still fork over season ticket costs, and get a FREEBIE thrown in there for good measure (someones gotta come up with a way to cover up the future stink emanating from the ice surface below this year - "hey, sure we're only 14-56 but, hey, c'mon Sal, we did give you AN EXTRA PRE-SEASON GAME FOR FREE!!!!!" ya, that'll keep 'em quiet!!!
Kudos though, Kudos all around to the brainiacs at MLSE's marketing department - how to cover up for the fact that this team will most likely fail (brutally so) to compete for a post-season spot, how well they can cover up for the fact that their LOYAL TEAM CAPTAIN OF 9 PLUS SEASONS (and 4 non-Captain years give or take) IS PROBABLY JUMPING SHIP (OR BEING THROWN OVERBOARD DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT), ohhh, how genius of them to bring in a 41 year old past time hero (I still love ya Cujo) and sprinkle some mass media on an 18-year old defenceman, that, let's face it half of us never even freakin' heard of yet we're already buying the hype that this kid's the next great NEXT GREAT ONE that's going to be our saviour - he's fuckin' 18 years old give the kid a break - he can't even buy himself the champagne that you're planning on dousing him with at the parade at Yonge and Carlton!!!!!!!!!
Free tickets. Harrumph! Bah Humbug! Nay!
So, um, how do I get a pair??
(stupid loyal-ass Leafs fans...this is why we'll NEVER win a cup again)
Done.
Peace.
EM
(Go Leafs Go!!!)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Things I could do without...
There are times in my life where I get frustrated - no big deal, afterall, we all get a lil' frustrated every now and again, right?
What helps my moments to stand out are the fact that, well, its happening to me. Selfish? Perhaps.
Where am I going with this you ask...or you don't ask?! I'll tell you.
Today, or technically, yesterday, I got it in me to flip around my bedroom set in my "huge room". As things currently stand, I've no space. The furniture is simply too large for the room and there's certainly nothing masterful about this Master Bedroom that the builder set forth in his fucked up sketch he called "building plan".
Anyways, up until a few hours ago, I was only able to fit my bed and two night tables - the dresser and armoire had to be placed strategically in shite places in the rest of the condo - tonight, I've managed to fir the dresser in (rather nicely) - the bed faces a new direction - North -and the LCD TV is awkwardly positioned (temporarily) on the dresser and I've had to sacrifice the convenience of having "side night tables" for simply "night tables, which are located within the confines of the bedroom". The armoire, however, remains apart from its friends. Alone. Solitary. At war with itself - or maybe not, seeing as how its bloody inanimate, nonetheless - there's less of my wardrobe in the corridors than there was yesterday!!!
This all however, came at a large price - y'see in order to facilitate the restructuring, I had to enlist the help of my dad. My father is fantastic...the problem is when we have to do manual labour of some sort together - he turns into this barking man, shouting at me if I fail to read his mind EXACTLY at the right time and place as would be required of me. My mother, ever so helpful enjoys standing around, pointing and "directing". Me, its my room, hell, its my OWN PLACE...do I get a say as to where I want things?? Fuck no.
These, my friends, are just examples, mere tips of icebergs, large floating icebergs of frustration, that I, Ellie Miron, could certainly do without...
Done...for now.
Peace.
EM
What helps my moments to stand out are the fact that, well, its happening to me. Selfish? Perhaps.
Where am I going with this you ask...or you don't ask?! I'll tell you.
Today, or technically, yesterday, I got it in me to flip around my bedroom set in my "huge room". As things currently stand, I've no space. The furniture is simply too large for the room and there's certainly nothing masterful about this Master Bedroom that the builder set forth in his fucked up sketch he called "building plan".
Anyways, up until a few hours ago, I was only able to fit my bed and two night tables - the dresser and armoire had to be placed strategically in shite places in the rest of the condo - tonight, I've managed to fir the dresser in (rather nicely) - the bed faces a new direction - North -and the LCD TV is awkwardly positioned (temporarily) on the dresser and I've had to sacrifice the convenience of having "side night tables" for simply "night tables, which are located within the confines of the bedroom". The armoire, however, remains apart from its friends. Alone. Solitary. At war with itself - or maybe not, seeing as how its bloody inanimate, nonetheless - there's less of my wardrobe in the corridors than there was yesterday!!!
This all however, came at a large price - y'see in order to facilitate the restructuring, I had to enlist the help of my dad. My father is fantastic...the problem is when we have to do manual labour of some sort together - he turns into this barking man, shouting at me if I fail to read his mind EXACTLY at the right time and place as would be required of me. My mother, ever so helpful enjoys standing around, pointing and "directing". Me, its my room, hell, its my OWN PLACE...do I get a say as to where I want things?? Fuck no.
These, my friends, are just examples, mere tips of icebergs, large floating icebergs of frustration, that I, Ellie Miron, could certainly do without...
Done...for now.
Peace.
EM
Monday, July 14, 2008
150!!!
Taking a cue from Dave, I've decided to title this particularly overdue post 150 - as it is my 150th posting online. Its a nice round number, and I think an impressive feat, considering I don't blog regularly.
I miss the idea of blogging. I have neglected it far too long and I know I've said that in the past, and I know that I know, that I've said that in the past...the thing is, for those of you who blog, and for those of you who don't - its hard work.
Not only are you thinking of something creative to say (on those occasions where you can't readily provide good fodder for readers) but you've got to put SOME effort into how it comes across - are you going to include a photo? if so...which one? where will it best suit the posting....EDITING...its annoying.
So where have I been since my last posting? What have I been up to? All good and routine questions...
Allow me to elaborate, explain and/or expand:
Firstly, I'm formally back from the other side of the ocean, England and all her glory was a wonderful place to live, and though I probably could have withstood a few more months of beautiful grey skies and glorious rain - I opted to come home early and begin the Quest for the Holy Job. I took immense pleasure in my travels of Europe and there's plenty more to see and do, however I so admire and in fact am enamoured with the feeling of being home, in the company of my family and friends.
I shall soon be a proper bachelor for approximately a few weeks as the renovations at Chateau Miron (the elder Miron clan) will have come to a close by the 25th of this the 7th month of the Year 2008...(so biblical of me) and they'll have retreated to their new place of permanence, and so that finally I can host me a BBQ without having to "kick 'em out for a few hours" amongst other future habits I intend to partake in around the home (the others being namely playing Playstation 3 - ROCKBAND and watching TV without having to go into the other room for privacy) - this of course, all ends upon the moving in of a future roommate (which, may or may not happen as early as August 5th).
Anyways, other than that, not too much has happened.
Life, shouldn't be flagrant - the rooftop to the basement...the last of the rockstars, when hip-hop drove the big cars...in the time when new media was the big idea...a random U2 line thrown in for good measure.
Oh, and let me take this opportunity to give a "shout out" to a few people who are well deserving of such a "street" thing for me to do:
A massive and warm welcome into the world (and now onto the Internet) to two new ladies in my life (in no particular order, other than in which they were received onto planet Earth) - Lauren Allie Lipman and Addison Brooke DeBora!!!! Their parents, tired, and proud, but mostly tired...they talk of nothing else other than you two goobers, oh and baby strollers and nappy-naps and where to get a good family-friendly meal - domestication has outdone them all...but....you two gorgeous girls are very much worth the change in conversation - plus, at least we don't have to focus on them making fun of me, but rather on how cute you babies are...so...thanks!!!!
I love you both very much - and your parents too!!
Congrats and Big Ups/Mazels to Udi and Nathalie Sela on their recent marriage - its about freakin' time!!!!
Mazel n' Good Things to Rael Levy and Edith Buzaglo on their recent agreement to begin to share the rest of their lives formally, together, forever n' ever...for she is now his betrothed-to-be and he is her handbag-holder-for-life-and-honey-does-this-make-me-look-fat-judgererr forever n' ever...may his pain be swift, silent and filled with great romantic escapades - this is my shite way of saying Mazel Tov on getting engaged.
To Adrijana and Stephen Malka- newlyweds - please, don't get out of bed at all in the Mayan Riv...seriously, if I see pics I'll know the honeymoon was...less than expected - only kidding guys...and seriously I was honoured to attend your wedding - looking forward to seeing some embarrassing moments on your wedding video/DVD/blu-ray whatever they're putting it out on these days!!
Alisa Cohen and Neil Patel - I have to say, way back when I saw these two in high school with the googly eyes and the gaga-stares....I never would have pictured the day that 'ol pukey - c'mon you GOTTA remember that one mate -would have realized what a great catch Ms. Cohen is/was/always will be - and decided to plant a rock the size of Mt. Rushmore on her hand - we're gonna miss you in Michigan guys...so c'mon open up a few Quizno's around here...Marty makes a mean sub!!! (found a way to get to you LEVS). Mazel Tov.
Congrats to Gabe Hackman for realizing that its about time to stop going to CAMP - Mr. Watterworth -the jury awaits your future decision.
Welcome Home to Cliff Fletcher and Cito Gaston - boys, don't go fuckin' shit up like you did the first time 'round. I'm just sayin'...
The infamous Ilya "Tavarish" Kachko - bonne chance mon ami a vos voyage aux France est votre etudes pour obtainier le grand title du MBA!!! - Translation from my crap french - the Kid's movin' to the outskirts of Paris to become a world-famous banker extraordinaire and is pursuing an MBA degree - and will no doubt succeed in his endeavours - though I'm rather keen to hear about Asia and its nooks and crannies upon your impending return...Toronto's going to be slightly different next year my man...so this is a preemptive shout out of best luck and warm wishes from your friend - Miron.
And to Mr. Martin Levy...for you good sir, many thanks for much entertainment thus far - the Summer of '08 is going to be a good one...let's get our drink on - only, you're STILL not mixing my drinks!!!
OK, I think that's about enough for now...time to roll up into some sleep!!
OH - I did get a MacBook - Damn, these things are fun...
OK...more to come, soon enough!!
Done.
Peace.
EM.
I miss the idea of blogging. I have neglected it far too long and I know I've said that in the past, and I know that I know, that I've said that in the past...the thing is, for those of you who blog, and for those of you who don't - its hard work.
Not only are you thinking of something creative to say (on those occasions where you can't readily provide good fodder for readers) but you've got to put SOME effort into how it comes across - are you going to include a photo? if so...which one? where will it best suit the posting....EDITING...its annoying.
So where have I been since my last posting? What have I been up to? All good and routine questions...
Allow me to elaborate, explain and/or expand:
Firstly, I'm formally back from the other side of the ocean, England and all her glory was a wonderful place to live, and though I probably could have withstood a few more months of beautiful grey skies and glorious rain - I opted to come home early and begin the Quest for the Holy Job. I took immense pleasure in my travels of Europe and there's plenty more to see and do, however I so admire and in fact am enamoured with the feeling of being home, in the company of my family and friends.
I shall soon be a proper bachelor for approximately a few weeks as the renovations at Chateau Miron (the elder Miron clan) will have come to a close by the 25th of this the 7th month of the Year 2008...(so biblical of me) and they'll have retreated to their new place of permanence, and so that finally I can host me a BBQ without having to "kick 'em out for a few hours" amongst other future habits I intend to partake in around the home (the others being namely playing Playstation 3 - ROCKBAND and watching TV without having to go into the other room for privacy) - this of course, all ends upon the moving in of a future roommate (which, may or may not happen as early as August 5th).
Anyways, other than that, not too much has happened.
Life, shouldn't be flagrant - the rooftop to the basement...the last of the rockstars, when hip-hop drove the big cars...in the time when new media was the big idea...a random U2 line thrown in for good measure.
Oh, and let me take this opportunity to give a "shout out" to a few people who are well deserving of such a "street" thing for me to do:
A massive and warm welcome into the world (and now onto the Internet) to two new ladies in my life (in no particular order, other than in which they were received onto planet Earth) - Lauren Allie Lipman and Addison Brooke DeBora!!!! Their parents, tired, and proud, but mostly tired...they talk of nothing else other than you two goobers, oh and baby strollers and nappy-naps and where to get a good family-friendly meal - domestication has outdone them all...but....you two gorgeous girls are very much worth the change in conversation - plus, at least we don't have to focus on them making fun of me, but rather on how cute you babies are...so...thanks!!!!
I love you both very much - and your parents too!!
Congrats and Big Ups/Mazels to Udi and Nathalie Sela on their recent marriage - its about freakin' time!!!!
Mazel n' Good Things to Rael Levy and Edith Buzaglo on their recent agreement to begin to share the rest of their lives formally, together, forever n' ever...for she is now his betrothed-to-be and he is her handbag-holder-for-life-and-honey-does-this-make-me-look-fat-judgererr forever n' ever...may his pain be swift, silent and filled with great romantic escapades - this is my shite way of saying Mazel Tov on getting engaged.
To Adrijana and Stephen Malka- newlyweds - please, don't get out of bed at all in the Mayan Riv...seriously, if I see pics I'll know the honeymoon was...less than expected - only kidding guys...and seriously I was honoured to attend your wedding - looking forward to seeing some embarrassing moments on your wedding video/DVD/blu-ray whatever they're putting it out on these days!!
Alisa Cohen and Neil Patel - I have to say, way back when I saw these two in high school with the googly eyes and the gaga-stares....I never would have pictured the day that 'ol pukey - c'mon you GOTTA remember that one mate -would have realized what a great catch Ms. Cohen is/was/always will be - and decided to plant a rock the size of Mt. Rushmore on her hand - we're gonna miss you in Michigan guys...so c'mon open up a few Quizno's around here...Marty makes a mean sub!!! (found a way to get to you LEVS). Mazel Tov.
Congrats to Gabe Hackman for realizing that its about time to stop going to CAMP - Mr. Watterworth -the jury awaits your future decision.
Welcome Home to Cliff Fletcher and Cito Gaston - boys, don't go fuckin' shit up like you did the first time 'round. I'm just sayin'...
The infamous Ilya "Tavarish" Kachko - bonne chance mon ami a vos voyage aux France est votre etudes pour obtainier le grand title du MBA!!! - Translation from my crap french - the Kid's movin' to the outskirts of Paris to become a world-famous banker extraordinaire and is pursuing an MBA degree - and will no doubt succeed in his endeavours - though I'm rather keen to hear about Asia and its nooks and crannies upon your impending return...Toronto's going to be slightly different next year my man...so this is a preemptive shout out of best luck and warm wishes from your friend - Miron.
And to Mr. Martin Levy...for you good sir, many thanks for much entertainment thus far - the Summer of '08 is going to be a good one...let's get our drink on - only, you're STILL not mixing my drinks!!!
OK, I think that's about enough for now...time to roll up into some sleep!!
OH - I did get a MacBook - Damn, these things are fun...
OK...more to come, soon enough!!
Done.
Peace.
EM.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Politicizing Passover
HAPPY PASSOVER - CHAG SAMEACH!!!
This one, comes to you live from the Holy Land - I know, I know not often do I blog in a timely manner, but I think this one is appropriate enough - plus a lot's been going on!
Firstly, a little status update as to my overall well-being and whereabouts: Currently I'm in Israel, after having spent the past 6 months or so living abroad in the Queen's Country - England! I loved my experience in London, as trying as it was at times - and I most certainly wouldn't trade it for anything, or at least not most things...everything's got some kind of price on it, sometimes.
Yada Yada Yada... I'm doing the Jewey thing here in Israel, visiting the sights, seeing the family and the friends and of course, celebrating the holiday.
Most notable are the similarities and the differences when it comes to the "Chag Aviv" or "Spring Holiday" here in Israel compared to back in Toronto...
While I could (and just might) go on about the ins/outs of what you'd find on the passover seder plate next to you, or the dishes that are about to make your next week both a tongue-tingling pleasure and a gut-busting, gassious nightmare, the most notable fact is that here, in the Holy Land - they only have ONE, UN(E), UNO, SOLO, EIN, ECHAD... 1 NIGHT OF PASSOVER SEDER. That's it. No More. No Less.
Now, those in the know (or those that think they know) will tell you this is because the great rabbinic minds who've studied and interpreted Torah for centuries, who've asked, and answered, and asked again many a question in relation to God's wonderful celebration as to where Moses n' the Jews took a wrong turn in the Sinai, they will tell you that the reason that in the "Golah" the "Outer World" (outside Israel) they celebrate with 8 nights (TWO SEDERS) is, something to do with the rising and setting of the sun, the lunar calendars the differentiation therein, and the spinning of the earth on its axis - and yada yada yada, just in case we're off by a day, we eat n' repeat - twice!
I have in fact another working theory - its Politics!
Now, what do I mean by politics? I am not referring to any UN resolutions, political manifestos, party platforms, international treaties or wars, but rather the simple, easy to digest (excpet for some, the matzah) fact that when it comes to Jewish holidays, no greater factor exists than that of FAMILY.
Families are what we base our holidays on. The closeness, the comraderie, the food, the wine, the kibbutzing, the uncle who never fully zips his fly after coming out of the toilet, the uncle that never bothers to do up his pants when entering the house in the first place, the aunt that complains about the style of cooking, the kids that don't wanna eat "that gross nasty looking stuff" and the reading...oh the reading...the long, same 'ol story as last year hagaddah/haggadah/hagudah - the unauthorised biography of Moses n' Co.
Having bore this in mind, I think that the reason that the bulk of the world's Jews (who currently almost tie with the overall number of Israeli Jews) celebrate 2 nights is b/c they have to settle any political flare-ups amongst the families before they errupt into all out irrepairable damage.
This can be especially traumatic for a newlywed couple - and this is where I think the Israelis have it wrong - where do you hold the big bite?? My mother's or your mother's?? What's wrong with My Mother? Nothing - what's wrong with "MY" mother?? - also nothing!!! And let's not even START with the grandmothers!!! For some its simple logistics/geography - we live in Haifa, and 90% of the loved ones are Haifa-based, so why would we go to Jerusalem to visit YOUR family? (the answer usually involves whether or not the man actually ENJOYS having sex) - but they compromise - I guess kinda like the goyim do with Christmas - one year here, the next year there - kinda simple really...
Where am I going with this really? Here's where I think the Israelis have it down pat: The problem, is readily solved with the initial decision. There's no true struggle (this from the mouths of babes) they simply acknowledge - this year here, next year there - end of story. Or, they alternate by throwing say, two lesser holidays over to one side (I'll trade you a Purim and Chanukah for a Rosh Hashana or a Pesach - you CAN'T EVER get both - its not plausible - in fact, Peace in the Middle East is more of an attainable goal than to get TWO major holidays at YOUR place - in the same calendar year (JEWISH CALENDAR) - obviously)!
I must however take into account a slight exception to this rule, that is to say, if you are the extended family's most LOGICAL (read: you've got the room to host) place to hold seders n' such - then, by default you get a first night automatic - at least in my house it was like that - until that is, they sold the house! But, back to my point - in the outside world it becomes a struggle, a game, a political mindfield to navigate who goes where, when and how! Israelis, they just break it down nicely.
This year, as stated, I've been celebrating in Israel - and tonight, in what should've been and indeed has been for the past 27 years - a 2nd night of seders - I went to the movies. I saw a great lil' flick (The Air I Breathe) which has a screwy ending (similar to Vantage Point) but it was great - no stuffing myself with extra matzah, leftover vs. freshly prepared meat dishes etc...however - Do you know how crowded the cinema was?????? Hmmm, maybe, just maybe the 2nd night is warranted...who knows?
All I do know is that its not the same, no matter what, when you're not at home with the ones you love the most - that is no slight against my family whom I adore and admire so much out here, but, there's nothing like MY MOTHER'S GIFILTE FISH - sure your mom makes a nice dish, but MY MOM'S ROCKS!!! The other thing I'm gonna miss this year is the 2nd night leftover cleanup party at the Chateau Litowitz in Thornhill - but that's another blog altogether!!!
I'm gonna go hit the hay, and tomorrow its beach day (again)!!!
Chag Sameach and Kasher Le Pesach (oh don't get me started on that)!!!
Lots of Love from the Holy Land!
PEACE (Seriously, we need some 'round here)
Done
EM
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Time
I was writing in my journal a few days ago (ironic, a blog and journal, but hey, that's how it is) and I had been thinking about time, time spent here in Europe, time I've enjoyed and the times I've missed back home...and I heard some sort of quote which I can't recall exactly, nor can I attribute it accurately at the moment, but its roughly like this:
"People shouldn't complain about time or more importantly a lack of time - if Aristotle, Plato, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Van Gogh...if they all managed to reach such accomplishments in their lives without complaining about time or even worrying about time, then shouldn't we, today as a society be able to do the same?"
I've probably ruined the quote, or the gist....but it was simply a thought that I've been having as of late - realizing that I've spent 6 months (almost) in Europe, and I've still got this lingering feeling that I haven't been able to see or do as much as I'd have liked...yet, when I glance back at the photos or think of the moments, I've done a lot...
Time
Is a tameless beast beating
Within our hearts and minds
Entering and exiting without
Grandeur or notice.
Time endures, time passes while
Some of us fail, some worse than others.
Time is precious, time is copious
Time is endless - so how do we manage to
Waste it? Why do we run out of it? How?
Time is a mystery, with a solution only
Unto itself...
Look at the time!
What time is it?
How much time do you have?
My, how time flies!
Where does the time go?
I wonder,
If time worries about us
As much as we worry about it?
Clearly, this is a one-way relationship
Or...better yet, its an...
Unyielding infatuation.
I think we ought
To get some help...
Now...
Where'd I leave my watch?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Spring in Spring Hill (aka Tel Aviv)
Its been a hectic month so forgive the lack of blogging...what shall I report on then?
The rise of the Canadian dollar? The rise of the cost of crude oil? The rise of Barack Obama? How about the fall(ing) of snow in T.O.? The fall of the U.S. Greenback? The fall of Hillary Clinton (it'll happen eventually, maybe)?
Whatever your choice, you probably won't get it at the moment...I'm simply far too busy.
Its hard to believe that Spring is around the corner, and in just a few weeks time, I'll be spending it in Israel. My journey to Europe is coming to an end and though a large part of me is rather glad to be winding down and heading home - there's still a large (possibly larger) part of me that's wishing I could check more of the continent out.
Influenced by Bill Bryson's writings on Europe and travel in general, fuelled by the fact that I'm merely a 2-3 hour flight away from most any major destination I fancy, done in by the fact that my wallet is stretched like no hide before it...I've just been made to come to grips with the reality that the wandering Jew must wander a little less this year, and so, with nary a sound, I have chosen to mark one my last major journeys (thus far) with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
I've got loads of family, and certainly they're a top, top reason why I want to go visit - combined with the fact that from London its a mere 4:45 hour journey, you'd be mad not to go...but the true reason, the honest to goodness push behind the decision to over-extend myself financially, was that I could be able to have at least one (and in my case, my first) Passover experience, in Israel.
Those of you who know me, know I'm not a religious man by any means. I believe in God...
I Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up.
Don't believe in excess
Success is to give
Don't believe in riches
But you should see where I live.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in forced entry
Don't believe in rape
But every time she passes by
Wild thoughts escape.
Don't believe in Death Row
Skid row or the gangs.
Don't believe in the Uzi
It just went off in my hands.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in cocaine
Got a speedball in my head
I could cut and crack you open
Did you hear what I said?
Don't believe them when they tell me
There ain't no cure.
The rich stay healthy
The sick stay poor.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's gonna get him
If I don't get him first.
Don't believe that Rock 'n' Roll
Can really change the world
As it spins in revolution
Yeah, it spirals and turns.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in the sixties
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up.
Heard a singer on the radio
Late last night
Says he's gonna kick the darkness
Till it bleeds daylight.
I, I believe in love.
Feel like I'm fallin'
I'm spinnin' on a wheel
It always stops beside a name
A presence I can feel.
I believe in love.
Stop!
Sorry, a little U2-based rant in there (that's God Part II for those who were wondering)
Anyhow, the thought that I can be in the Holy Land, in the place our ancestors were trying to get to, so hard, so desperately, the place that we today are fighting so hard to hold onto, it just somehow seems fitting to me - it'll be strange not to be at home with my immediate family and friends, lest we forget the Chez Litowitz ritual (which I'm happy to say I've made it out to for the past 14 years, so sad the streak is broken, seriously)...but I think it'll be ok - I'll still have family, and I think a little bit of some extra spiritualism that week (or the three that I'll be there for anyways...)
As for the other bits n' bobs...work's going well, the dating - may have just picked up a notch - going out on Saturday with my Prague Pick-Up....ahhh Prague...a city built by visionaries of architecture, wonderment and a lil' sheer luck that it didn't get destroyed to shit in WWII.
That'll be a story for another time - soon, I promise indeed...for now I must lay my head down to sleep...
Just want you to know I haven't forgotten you, my reader(s)!
Done.
Peace.
EM
PS - as a pure asides, it looks (sadly, very, very sadly) that I'll be unsuccessful in planning a visit to Ireland - so, I propose a future trip - an homage of sorts to Potatoes, Blarney, Guinness and Celtic Music (oh, and um..a lil' U2-age on the sides) - who's in/out/up for a laugh???
The rise of the Canadian dollar? The rise of the cost of crude oil? The rise of Barack Obama? How about the fall(ing) of snow in T.O.? The fall of the U.S. Greenback? The fall of Hillary Clinton (it'll happen eventually, maybe)?
Whatever your choice, you probably won't get it at the moment...I'm simply far too busy.
Its hard to believe that Spring is around the corner, and in just a few weeks time, I'll be spending it in Israel. My journey to Europe is coming to an end and though a large part of me is rather glad to be winding down and heading home - there's still a large (possibly larger) part of me that's wishing I could check more of the continent out.
Influenced by Bill Bryson's writings on Europe and travel in general, fuelled by the fact that I'm merely a 2-3 hour flight away from most any major destination I fancy, done in by the fact that my wallet is stretched like no hide before it...I've just been made to come to grips with the reality that the wandering Jew must wander a little less this year, and so, with nary a sound, I have chosen to mark one my last major journeys (thus far) with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
I've got loads of family, and certainly they're a top, top reason why I want to go visit - combined with the fact that from London its a mere 4:45 hour journey, you'd be mad not to go...but the true reason, the honest to goodness push behind the decision to over-extend myself financially, was that I could be able to have at least one (and in my case, my first) Passover experience, in Israel.
Those of you who know me, know I'm not a religious man by any means. I believe in God...
I Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up.
Don't believe in excess
Success is to give
Don't believe in riches
But you should see where I live.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in forced entry
Don't believe in rape
But every time she passes by
Wild thoughts escape.
Don't believe in Death Row
Skid row or the gangs.
Don't believe in the Uzi
It just went off in my hands.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in cocaine
Got a speedball in my head
I could cut and crack you open
Did you hear what I said?
Don't believe them when they tell me
There ain't no cure.
The rich stay healthy
The sick stay poor.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's gonna get him
If I don't get him first.
Don't believe that Rock 'n' Roll
Can really change the world
As it spins in revolution
Yeah, it spirals and turns.
I, I believe in love.
Don't believe in the sixties
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up.
Heard a singer on the radio
Late last night
Says he's gonna kick the darkness
Till it bleeds daylight.
I, I believe in love.
Feel like I'm fallin'
I'm spinnin' on a wheel
It always stops beside a name
A presence I can feel.
I believe in love.
Stop!
Sorry, a little U2-based rant in there (that's God Part II for those who were wondering)
Anyhow, the thought that I can be in the Holy Land, in the place our ancestors were trying to get to, so hard, so desperately, the place that we today are fighting so hard to hold onto, it just somehow seems fitting to me - it'll be strange not to be at home with my immediate family and friends, lest we forget the Chez Litowitz ritual (which I'm happy to say I've made it out to for the past 14 years, so sad the streak is broken, seriously)...but I think it'll be ok - I'll still have family, and I think a little bit of some extra spiritualism that week (or the three that I'll be there for anyways...)
As for the other bits n' bobs...work's going well, the dating - may have just picked up a notch - going out on Saturday with my Prague Pick-Up....ahhh Prague...a city built by visionaries of architecture, wonderment and a lil' sheer luck that it didn't get destroyed to shit in WWII.
That'll be a story for another time - soon, I promise indeed...for now I must lay my head down to sleep...
Just want you to know I haven't forgotten you, my reader(s)!
Done.
Peace.
EM
PS - as a pure asides, it looks (sadly, very, very sadly) that I'll be unsuccessful in planning a visit to Ireland - so, I propose a future trip - an homage of sorts to Potatoes, Blarney, Guinness and Celtic Music (oh, and um..a lil' U2-age on the sides) - who's in/out/up for a laugh???
Friday, February 08, 2008
Ivy League - INDEED!
I arrived at Oxford's train station at half past eleven, the sun, magically was shining, though the clouds were doing their English-best to shield the people from any form of repigmentation at all. My first impressions of this nearly 1000 year old haunt was, sadly - "meh". I was expecting gothic churches and steeples, towers and cobbled paths, instead I was greeted by the sights of the SAID Business School of Oxford University - a modern bohemeth of a building, erected no doubt on some historic plow field of god knows whom.
This wasn't looking at all fruitful - ne'er the less I trudged onwards, mainly because of the fact that the 19GBP return ticket I paid might as well make itself worthwhile, and the next train back to London's Paddington Station wasn't due for at least an hour - might as well eat something!
I wandered up to the sightseeing guide booth - debated paying the student fare of 8.50 as opposed to the grotesquely overrated 10 pounds for an "adult" - boy am I glad that UofT doesn't put an expiry date on their student cards - and I'm cheekily proud enough to say I'm glad that I have the moxie or chutzpah to carry it around me still - a year after I've graduated their institution and am enjoying the benefits of European Student Discounts at large - ISIC my butt!!!
I digress, I passed on the opportunity to have an hour's tour with "David, a great guide, one of our best!" and chose to wander the streets of Oxfordshire on me own...glad I did. At this point though, I was still in a state of disappointment - I thought to myself - just find the damn University gift shop and grab the Oxford sweatshirt and back to the train!! Purchase in hand, I came out of the store 30 pounds lighter - GBP's that is (but its a beauty of a sweatshirt - embroidered n' everything) and looked up at the marvel that stood before me - St. Mary's Church. This gothic structure took my breath away - the clock tower with the gargoyles, the spires pointing straight up into the air, the majestic blossoming tree that overextended itself above the gated entrance. Inside the church was maginficent - stained glass windows depicting a vast number of biblical scenes as well as lords and sires of the day, the floors were actually tombs - this was a monument/tomb/shrine/church - people had burried themselves beneath the floors, inside the walls, it was eerily creepy and at the same time completely fascinating - I almost felt like we were in an Indiana Jones movie - only no holy grail to be found. I wandered about, snapped some photographs - I always feel reluctant to photograph places of worship, but others were snapping away - flash and all - so group mentality took over and I took some shots.
Making my way into the sacred, holy, pontificated room that was the gift shop, the lovely old lady - so quaint and pleasant offered me the opportunity to climb up the tower and have a 360 degree panoramic view of Oxfordshire - I asked how much was the climb - 3GBP for adults, 2GBP if you're a student - ka ching!!! "One student ticket please - oh, here's my student card, its from the University of Toronto..." - "oh you're from Toronto, my cousin has a friend who lives in Hamilton is that near by..." asked the lovely lady - "sure, somewhat - 65kms away, but rather nice town - one student ticket please..." - she carries on, "Mildred always told me I should come to Canada, and to Vancouver - is that close by??" - I breathed in, relaxed, counted to five and thought what you need to sell in here is more globes/atlases - doesn't anyone in the learned-world study geography anymore??
Baited breath, I forked over the 2 quid, got my "receipt" and up the narrow, steep and winding staircase I crept. I made it to the top - eventually - and with my knapsack in tow, camera at the ready I just melted when I saw the city spread out before me. Now, this was more like it - church steeples and gothic buildings, victorian, edwardian, elizabethan structures and housing around - it reminded me of my time in Cambridge - now it looked like a place that's been around for centuries, nay, millenia, and I was standing at the highest part in town - I could see the farmers fields off in the distance, to my right Christchurch College - home to England's most noted students of Oxford - including Lewis Caroll - the nom-du-plume of an Oxford professor who penned Alice in Wonderland - the dining hall was home to much of the inspired characters in the book and Disney film - did you know that Alice actually had dark-hair, not blonde? The Rabbit was actually based on the Dean of the College - who was often late for meals, and no one could start to eat until he had arrived....also, and more recently, Christchurch College's dining hall was home to the film industry - a little movie about some wizard-kid at a special school with owls and potions n' lotions mixing about - you may have heard about it, Harry-something....and the Golden Compass was filmed in there too...not bad.
Standing at the top of the tower, I walked about the 360 degrees, taking in the sights, and as I was about to leave - a lovely, I'd say ravishing, in fact I will, because its my blog, dark-haired, slender and beautiful looking girl turned to me, smiled, and nodded as though we were both standing in the presence of something magical. We exchanged glances a few times, she whipped out her camera and begand sizing up the artistic photograph she wanted taken - she asked me if I minded taking her photograph at all - it nearly dropped out of my hands and off the ledge - but it was all good, I snapped the picture and began to ask her where she's from - Argentina has some beautiful looking girls...seriously. Then we stood and just marvelled at the domed cathedral-like building in front of us, I remarked how we don't have much of those types of buildings back home in Canada - she smiled, "yes, us too, not in Argentina" - hmmm, I just stared, trying not to stare - she could have at this point begun to recite the ingredients off a can of soup in Spanish and I'd have hung on every word.
Then, in a moment of sheer brilliance on my part, as she began to trek onwards around the spiralled tower, I turned to her and said "ok, enjoy the tower...bye!" - and I left. She kind of made this disappointed look, at least that's what I think I saw on her face as I began my descent down the spiralling, tortured staircase. I had to crawl into a window space to let an elderly Turkish (I think they were Turkish, they sound like they were from Turkey, so let's just go with Turkish, ok??) family to climb up - and as I stood inside the walls of the stairwell, clutching my bag and standing there like an idiot, I thought to myself "you idiot! Go back up there! Talk to her! Fuckin' knob...." I arrived back to the sweet old lady in the gift shop and stood around talking to her for a minute, I oogled the trinkets she was selling, History of Oxford books, Oxford pens, pencils, Royal Mail Box keychains...cute really, I was hoping to see a Prince Charles or Queen Elizabeth II bobblehead doll - no luck - though I now vow to you my readers, that should I come across one, I shall certainly buy it! - in any event, I noticed that there was a CCTV monitor - where she could keep track of any of us dummies throwing cameras off the roof, or nearly falling over etc. - I spotted the girl making her way down and I thought to myself, I'll wait her out prentending to look at the tombs of dead Englishmen and women and that's what I did. I managed to catch her eye, gave her a smile, slowed down my pace - you have to let them catch up to you if you're gonna stalk 'em properly!
I opened with some cheesey comparitive line about Argentina - she laughed, answered me and that's when I threw in "Hi, I'm Ellie...nice to meet you" - Julietta - she even said it in her Penelope Cruz type lilt in her voice - HU-LEE-ETTA - ahh I melted.
So, Julietta, what are you seeing next?? I hear there's a great sight at this Christchurch College (the Harry Potter place for those of you not following along) - would you care to join me? "Sure!" - we walked about the city, took in the sights, laughed at our silly jokes, occasionally stumbling on language barriers - her english was overly impressive, my spanish was riddiculously crude and completely unnecssary - she complimented my efforts nonetheless.
We scoured the city, looking for Harry and his lil' Potterites...took photos - man this was amazing - this girl was bright, sexy, intelligent beyond her years, stunning - and she was with me! HA!
After walking about the college, I asked her if she'd like to have dinner with me - "yes, I would" - magic...her exact and proper attempt at speaking the Queen's English was melting my insides - we agreed to meet back at 6pm - she needed a little rest in her hostel - for she was staying the night in Oxford, whilst I had to get back home to London for work the next day (subsequently, I got home at 230am - so I didn't go to work, but that's neither here nor there). We met up again, and picked up where we left off - she with her two younger siblings, me with my sister, she with her plans to be a lawyer like her Argentinan father - me, a teacher, career-path slowly being carved before me - she with her 18 years of age - me suddenly feeling like a creepy old man, 10 years her senior - now, I know what you're thinking - and in part I'd be in agreement with you - when I was ten years younger, she was playing in sandboxes etc...yes, but, you see, funny thing about travelling the world where your annoying friends who'd rib you about this shit aren't around - you just don't care. To be very honest, I suspected she was young - 21 or 22, not 18, she doesn't look 18, but its of no concern to any major court of law on the face of this earth, so I shant be bothered about it either.
We dined in Oxford's finest Italian-themed restaurants - Pizza Hut - she was craving pizza since leaving home nearly a month ago, and me, being nearly broke-as-shit, was more than happy to pay a few quid for an oily-slice of yummy goodness!! We talked about cultural differences, likes and dislikes, I made sure to compliment her beauty, she, a straight-forward person played along nicely.
We walked the streets of Oxford at night - the students were out on the prowl, ready for some drunken fun and misadventure - it reminded me an awful lot of being at Western - for you non-Canadian readers its a university town in, ironically, London, Ontario. We stopped into a little place for a follow-up dessert - more conversations,laughs, and photos....we agreed that it was time to wrap up this beautiful day, I needed to catch a train home, she needed some sleep in a grungy hostel - we walked back to her place, agreeing that we'd love to hang out again in London, exchanged phone numbers and emails (oh, that reminds me I need to send her some photos) and then a simple hug and kiss on the cheek goodnight - it was fantastic, and I await the next time we meet here in London.
(On a side note I would like to add that I had made an effort for more of a passionate ending to this particular day, but it was not meant to be)
The train ride home was less than exciitng - the only train due for a while was calling on ALL stops in between, meaning the 57 minute journey that I was hoping for was going to turn into a 1:57 minute journey - thank goodness for the iPod. Yes, all in all it was an ispiring day at Oxfordshire, Oxford University was a massive place, the town itself quaint and a good blend of past and present architecture, though I think they kind of went overboard on the modernity bit - but the women, ahhh the women, well let's just say I've now got a sudden craving to visit South America...
Done.
Peace.
EM
This wasn't looking at all fruitful - ne'er the less I trudged onwards, mainly because of the fact that the 19GBP return ticket I paid might as well make itself worthwhile, and the next train back to London's Paddington Station wasn't due for at least an hour - might as well eat something!
I wandered up to the sightseeing guide booth - debated paying the student fare of 8.50 as opposed to the grotesquely overrated 10 pounds for an "adult" - boy am I glad that UofT doesn't put an expiry date on their student cards - and I'm cheekily proud enough to say I'm glad that I have the moxie or chutzpah to carry it around me still - a year after I've graduated their institution and am enjoying the benefits of European Student Discounts at large - ISIC my butt!!!
I digress, I passed on the opportunity to have an hour's tour with "David, a great guide, one of our best!" and chose to wander the streets of Oxfordshire on me own...glad I did. At this point though, I was still in a state of disappointment - I thought to myself - just find the damn University gift shop and grab the Oxford sweatshirt and back to the train!! Purchase in hand, I came out of the store 30 pounds lighter - GBP's that is (but its a beauty of a sweatshirt - embroidered n' everything) and looked up at the marvel that stood before me - St. Mary's Church. This gothic structure took my breath away - the clock tower with the gargoyles, the spires pointing straight up into the air, the majestic blossoming tree that overextended itself above the gated entrance. Inside the church was maginficent - stained glass windows depicting a vast number of biblical scenes as well as lords and sires of the day, the floors were actually tombs - this was a monument/tomb/shrine/church - people had burried themselves beneath the floors, inside the walls, it was eerily creepy and at the same time completely fascinating - I almost felt like we were in an Indiana Jones movie - only no holy grail to be found. I wandered about, snapped some photographs - I always feel reluctant to photograph places of worship, but others were snapping away - flash and all - so group mentality took over and I took some shots.
Making my way into the sacred, holy, pontificated room that was the gift shop, the lovely old lady - so quaint and pleasant offered me the opportunity to climb up the tower and have a 360 degree panoramic view of Oxfordshire - I asked how much was the climb - 3GBP for adults, 2GBP if you're a student - ka ching!!! "One student ticket please - oh, here's my student card, its from the University of Toronto..." - "oh you're from Toronto, my cousin has a friend who lives in Hamilton is that near by..." asked the lovely lady - "sure, somewhat - 65kms away, but rather nice town - one student ticket please..." - she carries on, "Mildred always told me I should come to Canada, and to Vancouver - is that close by??" - I breathed in, relaxed, counted to five and thought what you need to sell in here is more globes/atlases - doesn't anyone in the learned-world study geography anymore??
Baited breath, I forked over the 2 quid, got my "receipt" and up the narrow, steep and winding staircase I crept. I made it to the top - eventually - and with my knapsack in tow, camera at the ready I just melted when I saw the city spread out before me. Now, this was more like it - church steeples and gothic buildings, victorian, edwardian, elizabethan structures and housing around - it reminded me of my time in Cambridge - now it looked like a place that's been around for centuries, nay, millenia, and I was standing at the highest part in town - I could see the farmers fields off in the distance, to my right Christchurch College - home to England's most noted students of Oxford - including Lewis Caroll - the nom-du-plume of an Oxford professor who penned Alice in Wonderland - the dining hall was home to much of the inspired characters in the book and Disney film - did you know that Alice actually had dark-hair, not blonde? The Rabbit was actually based on the Dean of the College - who was often late for meals, and no one could start to eat until he had arrived....also, and more recently, Christchurch College's dining hall was home to the film industry - a little movie about some wizard-kid at a special school with owls and potions n' lotions mixing about - you may have heard about it, Harry-something....and the Golden Compass was filmed in there too...not bad.
Standing at the top of the tower, I walked about the 360 degrees, taking in the sights, and as I was about to leave - a lovely, I'd say ravishing, in fact I will, because its my blog, dark-haired, slender and beautiful looking girl turned to me, smiled, and nodded as though we were both standing in the presence of something magical. We exchanged glances a few times, she whipped out her camera and begand sizing up the artistic photograph she wanted taken - she asked me if I minded taking her photograph at all - it nearly dropped out of my hands and off the ledge - but it was all good, I snapped the picture and began to ask her where she's from - Argentina has some beautiful looking girls...seriously. Then we stood and just marvelled at the domed cathedral-like building in front of us, I remarked how we don't have much of those types of buildings back home in Canada - she smiled, "yes, us too, not in Argentina" - hmmm, I just stared, trying not to stare - she could have at this point begun to recite the ingredients off a can of soup in Spanish and I'd have hung on every word.
Then, in a moment of sheer brilliance on my part, as she began to trek onwards around the spiralled tower, I turned to her and said "ok, enjoy the tower...bye!" - and I left. She kind of made this disappointed look, at least that's what I think I saw on her face as I began my descent down the spiralling, tortured staircase. I had to crawl into a window space to let an elderly Turkish (I think they were Turkish, they sound like they were from Turkey, so let's just go with Turkish, ok??) family to climb up - and as I stood inside the walls of the stairwell, clutching my bag and standing there like an idiot, I thought to myself "you idiot! Go back up there! Talk to her! Fuckin' knob...." I arrived back to the sweet old lady in the gift shop and stood around talking to her for a minute, I oogled the trinkets she was selling, History of Oxford books, Oxford pens, pencils, Royal Mail Box keychains...cute really, I was hoping to see a Prince Charles or Queen Elizabeth II bobblehead doll - no luck - though I now vow to you my readers, that should I come across one, I shall certainly buy it! - in any event, I noticed that there was a CCTV monitor - where she could keep track of any of us dummies throwing cameras off the roof, or nearly falling over etc. - I spotted the girl making her way down and I thought to myself, I'll wait her out prentending to look at the tombs of dead Englishmen and women and that's what I did. I managed to catch her eye, gave her a smile, slowed down my pace - you have to let them catch up to you if you're gonna stalk 'em properly!
I opened with some cheesey comparitive line about Argentina - she laughed, answered me and that's when I threw in "Hi, I'm Ellie...nice to meet you" - Julietta - she even said it in her Penelope Cruz type lilt in her voice - HU-LEE-ETTA - ahh I melted.
So, Julietta, what are you seeing next?? I hear there's a great sight at this Christchurch College (the Harry Potter place for those of you not following along) - would you care to join me? "Sure!" - we walked about the city, took in the sights, laughed at our silly jokes, occasionally stumbling on language barriers - her english was overly impressive, my spanish was riddiculously crude and completely unnecssary - she complimented my efforts nonetheless.
We scoured the city, looking for Harry and his lil' Potterites...took photos - man this was amazing - this girl was bright, sexy, intelligent beyond her years, stunning - and she was with me! HA!
After walking about the college, I asked her if she'd like to have dinner with me - "yes, I would" - magic...her exact and proper attempt at speaking the Queen's English was melting my insides - we agreed to meet back at 6pm - she needed a little rest in her hostel - for she was staying the night in Oxford, whilst I had to get back home to London for work the next day (subsequently, I got home at 230am - so I didn't go to work, but that's neither here nor there). We met up again, and picked up where we left off - she with her two younger siblings, me with my sister, she with her plans to be a lawyer like her Argentinan father - me, a teacher, career-path slowly being carved before me - she with her 18 years of age - me suddenly feeling like a creepy old man, 10 years her senior - now, I know what you're thinking - and in part I'd be in agreement with you - when I was ten years younger, she was playing in sandboxes etc...yes, but, you see, funny thing about travelling the world where your annoying friends who'd rib you about this shit aren't around - you just don't care. To be very honest, I suspected she was young - 21 or 22, not 18, she doesn't look 18, but its of no concern to any major court of law on the face of this earth, so I shant be bothered about it either.
We dined in Oxford's finest Italian-themed restaurants - Pizza Hut - she was craving pizza since leaving home nearly a month ago, and me, being nearly broke-as-shit, was more than happy to pay a few quid for an oily-slice of yummy goodness!! We talked about cultural differences, likes and dislikes, I made sure to compliment her beauty, she, a straight-forward person played along nicely.
We walked the streets of Oxford at night - the students were out on the prowl, ready for some drunken fun and misadventure - it reminded me an awful lot of being at Western - for you non-Canadian readers its a university town in, ironically, London, Ontario. We stopped into a little place for a follow-up dessert - more conversations,laughs, and photos....we agreed that it was time to wrap up this beautiful day, I needed to catch a train home, she needed some sleep in a grungy hostel - we walked back to her place, agreeing that we'd love to hang out again in London, exchanged phone numbers and emails (oh, that reminds me I need to send her some photos) and then a simple hug and kiss on the cheek goodnight - it was fantastic, and I await the next time we meet here in London.
(On a side note I would like to add that I had made an effort for more of a passionate ending to this particular day, but it was not meant to be)
The train ride home was less than exciitng - the only train due for a while was calling on ALL stops in between, meaning the 57 minute journey that I was hoping for was going to turn into a 1:57 minute journey - thank goodness for the iPod. Yes, all in all it was an ispiring day at Oxfordshire, Oxford University was a massive place, the town itself quaint and a good blend of past and present architecture, though I think they kind of went overboard on the modernity bit - but the women, ahhh the women, well let's just say I've now got a sudden craving to visit South America...
Done.
Peace.
EM
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The Wandering Jew
Blog Readers Rejoice!! For He hath returned to cyberspace...
Yes kids, I'm back - man I make more comebacks than George Foreman does in boxing - which I hear he's considering doing again, or more than Michael Jordan does for basketball - and its my hope that I too can become a giant in my field, a champion of champions, and reign supremely in cyberspace as one of the best bloggers ever!!
Of course, I recognize that A)I'd need to blog more than once every six weeks B)I'd need more than 5 readers and C)I actually don't have a "C" but good things come in 3's...
Right, so, what have I been up to as of late? Well, for starters I'm working at a fantastic school, very supportive learning and teaching environment, and wouldn't you know it I'm actually utilizing my Political Science background/degree???!!!!
I'm teaching Citizenship - which is the UK equivalent to Ontario's curriculum standard of Civics. In effect we discuss different ideas related to citizenship - from why we have laws in society, to reasons that we should become "actively involved or proactive citizens" and whether or not we should vote, care about the environment, international aid etc. - its fascinating stuff, at least to me, and the kids seem to enjoy it as well.
I've been a professional teacher now for nearly 4 months - actively working and getting paid to teach - and its amazing. I'm still not quite in love with the profession, I think its too soon to be in love, maybe we're at the point where I'm in "like" with it. I certainly enjoy getting in there, discussing the topics, watching the students' minds at work - we take our youth for granted sometime - not always, but sometimes.
On the social side of life in London - I've been spending time with new friends, going on some interesting dates, picking up and putting down, number-closing and happily NOT drunk-dialing (or texting, texting is VERY big here in the UK) - and trying to gear up my travel calendar.
I've booked myself a trip to Prague next weekend - the 21st to the 24th of February - and I'm very excited to be going. Countries still on my "hit list" are - Scotland, Ireland, Spain and possibly something Scandinavian. Outside chances of hitting up Monaco, Nice, Sicily, Pisa, Berlin, Moscow and/or Ibiza are...undetermined at best. I of course welcome all visitors, and note that anyone wishing to join me in the Holy Land during Passover (Pesach) is more than welcome - where you'll stay, that's another story, but we can work something out - I'm hoping to be there for the 20th of April (possibly earlier) and experience a very Jewish Passover!!!
Entertainment lately has consisted of me seeing Chris Rock in Brixton (often considered the armpit of London, where gun crime isn't so unusual, to the point where in the first 5 minutes of his set, Rock opened with the line "Brixton! Get paid...n' RUN!!!!" - he was brilliant of course, and if you get the chance to see him live, do it!!!
Next up for me are the Brit Awards - featuring a tribute award to none other than Sir Paul McCartney - and a special performance (I'm predicting a new song, followed by some rendition of Hey Jude and/or a Wings melody to boot...I'll let you know if I'm right) as well. On tap that night are slated performances by Kaiser Chiefs (seen them already too), Rihanna (umbrella-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay.....), Kylie Minogue (or just Kylie if you're British, Australian or Gay), Mika (again, just Mika if you're British, Australian or Gay) and of course I get to watch Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne host the damn thing...a;jlkfsjdf;lksjwesnfzm,nvcvnha;ksdjhfjkahdfh gwgh,,,/vodka...asd;lfkjas;ldkfjwoiefhadhaksjdhfakjh fuckin' bitches...ksjd;lfkajsd;fklj good night!! (my Ozzie impression online).
That, folks I believe sums up the past few weeks, the next few weeks and well, there's more but you'll have to keep reading online for details!
PEACE OUT!
DONE!
EM
Yes kids, I'm back - man I make more comebacks than George Foreman does in boxing - which I hear he's considering doing again, or more than Michael Jordan does for basketball - and its my hope that I too can become a giant in my field, a champion of champions, and reign supremely in cyberspace as one of the best bloggers ever!!
Of course, I recognize that A)I'd need to blog more than once every six weeks B)I'd need more than 5 readers and C)I actually don't have a "C" but good things come in 3's...
Right, so, what have I been up to as of late? Well, for starters I'm working at a fantastic school, very supportive learning and teaching environment, and wouldn't you know it I'm actually utilizing my Political Science background/degree???!!!!
I'm teaching Citizenship - which is the UK equivalent to Ontario's curriculum standard of Civics. In effect we discuss different ideas related to citizenship - from why we have laws in society, to reasons that we should become "actively involved or proactive citizens" and whether or not we should vote, care about the environment, international aid etc. - its fascinating stuff, at least to me, and the kids seem to enjoy it as well.
I've been a professional teacher now for nearly 4 months - actively working and getting paid to teach - and its amazing. I'm still not quite in love with the profession, I think its too soon to be in love, maybe we're at the point where I'm in "like" with it. I certainly enjoy getting in there, discussing the topics, watching the students' minds at work - we take our youth for granted sometime - not always, but sometimes.
On the social side of life in London - I've been spending time with new friends, going on some interesting dates, picking up and putting down, number-closing and happily NOT drunk-dialing (or texting, texting is VERY big here in the UK) - and trying to gear up my travel calendar.
I've booked myself a trip to Prague next weekend - the 21st to the 24th of February - and I'm very excited to be going. Countries still on my "hit list" are - Scotland, Ireland, Spain and possibly something Scandinavian. Outside chances of hitting up Monaco, Nice, Sicily, Pisa, Berlin, Moscow and/or Ibiza are...undetermined at best. I of course welcome all visitors, and note that anyone wishing to join me in the Holy Land during Passover (Pesach) is more than welcome - where you'll stay, that's another story, but we can work something out - I'm hoping to be there for the 20th of April (possibly earlier) and experience a very Jewish Passover!!!
Entertainment lately has consisted of me seeing Chris Rock in Brixton (often considered the armpit of London, where gun crime isn't so unusual, to the point where in the first 5 minutes of his set, Rock opened with the line "Brixton! Get paid...n' RUN!!!!" - he was brilliant of course, and if you get the chance to see him live, do it!!!
Next up for me are the Brit Awards - featuring a tribute award to none other than Sir Paul McCartney - and a special performance (I'm predicting a new song, followed by some rendition of Hey Jude and/or a Wings melody to boot...I'll let you know if I'm right) as well. On tap that night are slated performances by Kaiser Chiefs (seen them already too), Rihanna (umbrella-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay.....), Kylie Minogue (or just Kylie if you're British, Australian or Gay), Mika (again, just Mika if you're British, Australian or Gay) and of course I get to watch Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne host the damn thing...a;jlkfsjdf;lksjwesnfzm,nvcvnha;ksdjhfjkahdfh gwgh,,,/vodka...asd;lfkjas;ldkfjwoiefhadhaksjdhfakjh fuckin' bitches...ksjd;lfkajsd;fklj good night!! (my Ozzie impression online).
That, folks I believe sums up the past few weeks, the next few weeks and well, there's more but you'll have to keep reading online for details!
PEACE OUT!
DONE!
EM
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Happy New Year...Same 'ol blog...same 'ol opinions...
Firstly, let me say Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.
I'm still in London, and I apologise for not blogging more often - oddly, I've bought a journal - so I'm multi-tasking...
Now, I ask that you click on the title link and read the article in full - THEN...read my response (which I submitted to CNN) - doubt that they'll read it, but I sent it anyways...
just in case here's the link - http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/09/btsc.wedeman.bush/index.html
Same 'ol Ellie, eh kids??
Here's my response below:
The following is a response to CNN's Ben Wederman's report on President Bush's trip to Israel and the Mid-East. Mr. Wederman made mention of the fact that President Bush would be traveling to Gaza and the West Bank but would not be getting a "behind the scenes look" at the plight of the Palestinians - and he's right, the Palestinians are suffering - and its all because of Israel.
Israel created the infrastructure, the roads, the electric grids, the homes, the sewage systems etc., which one finds throughout Gaza. When Israel was the occupying force in the territory, when it had its defensive measures in place to protect Jews living in Gaza - it was Israel's fault that the Arab (be they Christian or Muslim) population was made to suffer. When the Arabs and indeed much of the world demanded that Israel walk away from the Gaza strip - and hand over full control to the Palestinian Authority, it did so; at a painful cost. Today, the area is run by Hamas, there are no Jews, no Israelis present in Gaza. Gazans are free to travel from the Northern point of the Strip to the Southern point, free to bask in the beautiful beaches of the Strip - and not a single "occupier - (read Jew/Israeli)" is there to prevent that. Yet, its still Israel's fault that Gazans are suffering.
Israel and indeed Israel's supporters cannot (read USA) cannot nor should not be held liable to a ridiculous double standard that much of the world's media and influential body-politic (read UN) impose upon her. When, tell me, will it be the responsibility of the Palestinians (be it Hamas, PA, whomever) to take care of themselves? When will they be held accountable for their own degradation of their surroundings? Perhaps, just perhaps, if the ruling terrorist, yes, terrorist - anyone that condones, recruits, applauds for the suicidal killing/torture of its own peoples, along with those of innocent others is in my books, a terrorist - perhaps, if they weren't too busy building bombs, but rather fixing roads, perhaps instead of building tunnels to smuggle arms, if they were building foundations for revamped housing, or schools, or hospitals - if they held telethons to raise millions of dollars amongst Arab countries, not for the buying of armaments, but for the collection of food and diapers and clothing - maybe, just maybe, the situation in Gaza might be a bit better, don't you think?
I have accepted Israel's doghouse status in the world - Israel can never do enough good, only evil in this world...but that will not deter me from pointing out to your readers and reporters the truth - the fate of the Palestinians rests squarely on their own shoulders. Palestinians that support governments that condone the use of terror, that call for the destruction of Israel, will only be met with determined defense and conviction by Israel and her supporters. Palestinians brave enough to forge ahead for peace, will have to struggle to depose those ruthless and savage "people" who are determined to see their own people fail and suffer.
Israel is not responsible for the Palestinians. Israelis are not responsible for Palestinians...I have yet to hear about Arab-nation states that have helped their brethren. It seems as though, the Palestinians are responsible for themselves...and its time they started demanding better for themselves.
I ask you Mr. Wederman, will President Bush visit a classroom of Palestinians learning about their Israeli neighbours? Will he visit a mosque that preaches peace and love with her Jewish neighbours? Will President Bush visit any other Arab nation (asides from the cold peace between Egypt and Jordan) that is willing to make sacrifices for Peace? Has any other state in the region have any leaders who are not interested in self-preservation and greed? Will President Bush get to see Saudi classroom texts that call for the destruction of Israel and the Jews (assuming that those textbooks even recognize the State of Israel in the first place)??
The point is - Israel is not perfect, and we all know this, but to square the blame for the plight of Palestinians squarely on her shoulders is ridiculous. I suppose next we ought to blame the farmers of the mid-western US for agreeing to send their sons and daughters to countries like Afghanistan and Iraq - perhaps we ought to drudge up these patriots and charge them with crimes against humanity and blame the plight of innocent Iraqis/Afghans squarely on their shoulders - we might as well...its only a short connection of the dots...something you don't have issue with doing at the moment.
You need to understand that browbeating THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC AND TRULY FREE NATION-STATE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT GOING TO WIN YOU MUCH SUPPORT.
Why not more coverage of women's rights in Iran or Saudi Arabia? How about some behind-the-scenes stories at the treatment of non-Muslims in some of Israel's neighbouring countries?
Or is it Israel's fault that those people are suffering too?
Imagine sir, if you will the following scenario:
22 nation-states in the Middle East. 21 of whom are predominately Jewish in religion/culture. 1 Arab state. How many wars do we have then? How much hatred exists? How many executions? Beheadings? Calls for Jihad? Roadside bombs? Scud-rocket attacks? Invasions? Calls for genocide/Acts of genocide? Flag burnings? Tortures? Kidnappings?
Yes, clearly, Israel is to blame...
I'm still in London, and I apologise for not blogging more often - oddly, I've bought a journal - so I'm multi-tasking...
Now, I ask that you click on the title link and read the article in full - THEN...read my response (which I submitted to CNN) - doubt that they'll read it, but I sent it anyways...
just in case here's the link - http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/09/btsc.wedeman.bush/index.html
Same 'ol Ellie, eh kids??
Here's my response below:
The following is a response to CNN's Ben Wederman's report on President Bush's trip to Israel and the Mid-East. Mr. Wederman made mention of the fact that President Bush would be traveling to Gaza and the West Bank but would not be getting a "behind the scenes look" at the plight of the Palestinians - and he's right, the Palestinians are suffering - and its all because of Israel.
Israel created the infrastructure, the roads, the electric grids, the homes, the sewage systems etc., which one finds throughout Gaza. When Israel was the occupying force in the territory, when it had its defensive measures in place to protect Jews living in Gaza - it was Israel's fault that the Arab (be they Christian or Muslim) population was made to suffer. When the Arabs and indeed much of the world demanded that Israel walk away from the Gaza strip - and hand over full control to the Palestinian Authority, it did so; at a painful cost. Today, the area is run by Hamas, there are no Jews, no Israelis present in Gaza. Gazans are free to travel from the Northern point of the Strip to the Southern point, free to bask in the beautiful beaches of the Strip - and not a single "occupier - (read Jew/Israeli)" is there to prevent that. Yet, its still Israel's fault that Gazans are suffering.
Israel and indeed Israel's supporters cannot (read USA) cannot nor should not be held liable to a ridiculous double standard that much of the world's media and influential body-politic (read UN) impose upon her. When, tell me, will it be the responsibility of the Palestinians (be it Hamas, PA, whomever) to take care of themselves? When will they be held accountable for their own degradation of their surroundings? Perhaps, just perhaps, if the ruling terrorist, yes, terrorist - anyone that condones, recruits, applauds for the suicidal killing/torture of its own peoples, along with those of innocent others is in my books, a terrorist - perhaps, if they weren't too busy building bombs, but rather fixing roads, perhaps instead of building tunnels to smuggle arms, if they were building foundations for revamped housing, or schools, or hospitals - if they held telethons to raise millions of dollars amongst Arab countries, not for the buying of armaments, but for the collection of food and diapers and clothing - maybe, just maybe, the situation in Gaza might be a bit better, don't you think?
I have accepted Israel's doghouse status in the world - Israel can never do enough good, only evil in this world...but that will not deter me from pointing out to your readers and reporters the truth - the fate of the Palestinians rests squarely on their own shoulders. Palestinians that support governments that condone the use of terror, that call for the destruction of Israel, will only be met with determined defense and conviction by Israel and her supporters. Palestinians brave enough to forge ahead for peace, will have to struggle to depose those ruthless and savage "people" who are determined to see their own people fail and suffer.
Israel is not responsible for the Palestinians. Israelis are not responsible for Palestinians...I have yet to hear about Arab-nation states that have helped their brethren. It seems as though, the Palestinians are responsible for themselves...and its time they started demanding better for themselves.
I ask you Mr. Wederman, will President Bush visit a classroom of Palestinians learning about their Israeli neighbours? Will he visit a mosque that preaches peace and love with her Jewish neighbours? Will President Bush visit any other Arab nation (asides from the cold peace between Egypt and Jordan) that is willing to make sacrifices for Peace? Has any other state in the region have any leaders who are not interested in self-preservation and greed? Will President Bush get to see Saudi classroom texts that call for the destruction of Israel and the Jews (assuming that those textbooks even recognize the State of Israel in the first place)??
The point is - Israel is not perfect, and we all know this, but to square the blame for the plight of Palestinians squarely on her shoulders is ridiculous. I suppose next we ought to blame the farmers of the mid-western US for agreeing to send their sons and daughters to countries like Afghanistan and Iraq - perhaps we ought to drudge up these patriots and charge them with crimes against humanity and blame the plight of innocent Iraqis/Afghans squarely on their shoulders - we might as well...its only a short connection of the dots...something you don't have issue with doing at the moment.
You need to understand that browbeating THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC AND TRULY FREE NATION-STATE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT GOING TO WIN YOU MUCH SUPPORT.
Why not more coverage of women's rights in Iran or Saudi Arabia? How about some behind-the-scenes stories at the treatment of non-Muslims in some of Israel's neighbouring countries?
Or is it Israel's fault that those people are suffering too?
Imagine sir, if you will the following scenario:
22 nation-states in the Middle East. 21 of whom are predominately Jewish in religion/culture. 1 Arab state. How many wars do we have then? How much hatred exists? How many executions? Beheadings? Calls for Jihad? Roadside bombs? Scud-rocket attacks? Invasions? Calls for genocide/Acts of genocide? Flag burnings? Tortures? Kidnappings?
Yes, clearly, Israel is to blame...
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