Today I finally got to go to a supermarket, and let's just say that things here in Israel make Wegman's look like white dog poop. My jet lag was still an issue, so I headed to Mister Zol at 8:00 to get some product for myself. First thing you notice: the produce is bazily fresh. How can it not be since it is all coming from within a three hour drive to Jerusalem? Rhetorical question, I know. This means besides the apples being ripe, so are the oranges, and so are the bananas and so are the avocadoes and DON'T YOU EVER FORGET ABOUT THE PERSIMMONS. Israel is also at the crossroads of the world, right where Asia, Europe, and Africa meet, and this centralized location makes immigration even more melting-potty than the US, meaning your standard grocer here carries products from a lot of countries, including pumpkin noodles (also bazily, though made to be preserved so not exactly fresh). All things being kosher, as well as being extremely fresh since it is mostly slaughtered and prepared in Israel is also helpful. So I was able to have a delightful dinner of stir-fried pumpkin noodles, grilled chicken, fresh spinach, fresh red pepper, and fresh mushrooms. What a delight.
But for lunch, the name of the game was Burgers Bar. No offense to you Californians, but Burgers Bar, though much more expensive, makes In-N-Out look like a McDonalds where Ronald personally poops on each burger right in front of the person who eats it. Even if that person happens to be waiting for someone to bring them said burger in another location. Student discounts make it less of a splurge than it has to be. I had a lamb burger with fresh tomato, lettuce and Israeli pickles (much more garlic than an American pickle along with not being a gherkin but a much smaller cucumber), as well as a squirt of pesto on each side. And don't get me started on the French fries, which are real French fries because I watched the dude slice the potato right above the deep fryer in order that it would drop into it. Everything was finished at the same time, and then I was able to enjoy a tender lamb burger and succulent fries with a Fanta made with sugar at the same time. Amazing.
Anyways, tomorrow, myself and some American friends are going to try to watch the draft at an Irish Pub that is essentially open all the time. Hopefully, 2:00 (military time, represent) will not cause them to turn a haughty eye towards us Yanks as people discuss uncertainty on television and give lofty expectations to people who are barely out of high school.
Anyways, we know the deal with the Clippers and Blake Griffin and the #1 slot (remember when I predicted he'd be player of the year?). But afterwards? Here is my take on the lottery:
2. Memphis Grizzlies-Brandon Jennings-Showed way more this year in Europe according to nbadraft.net, and peep this EuroMix from Free Darko:
3. OKC Thunder-James Harden-just think about it: Westbrook at the 1, Harden at the 2, Durant at the 3, Green at the 4, and maybe someone else besides Nenad Krstic as the future at center. The 1-4 make me want to play NBA 2K10(?) for days.
4. Sacramento Kings-Ricky Rubio-we know about the weird-ass workout, but maybe it is time to put "European White Chocolate" in place. Otherwise, Beno Udrih looks like that appealing of an option. Beno Udrih. GOB says, "COME ON!"
5. Minnesota Timberwolves-Hasheem Thabeet-just what the doctor ordered, someone who can take the pressure off Big Al in the post. I like the future with Thabeet (don't hate, dude can pick and pop the midrange), and being hurt will let him slip a little.
6. Timberwolves-No more Randy Foye, so I'm assuming one goes guard here, and what better way than the point with Stephen Curry, who will also need some time but could form a lethal triad with Big Al and Hasheem eventually, and it looks like losing is in the cards with the economic crisis and the expected offloading of the acquired contracts from the Wizards.
7. Golden State Warriors-Jordan Hill-It's time to admit Nellie Ball is what it is and get a fourth thin big to put in that lineup. Might as well start running with this lineup and get the easy deuces.
8. New York Knicks-TRADE-they were waiting for Curry or Rubio, and Tyreke Evans is not the same (Remember how Steve Nash can pull up for 3? Yeah, Tyreke had a lot of trouble with that concept last year while playing shooting guard and really kept it in the lane when he played point), so maybe a trade is in order.
9. Toronto Raptors-Chase Budinger-Chris Bosh, who royally fucked my fantasy team last year, wants to cash in in 2010, so now what? Go for the need at either wing position and try to convince him this team is worth it. James Johnson is also a definite possibility.
10. Milwaukee Bucks-Ty Lawson-They probably should get some inside aid, but it might not happen, Otherwise, going for a floor general type would be best right here.
11. New Jersey Nets-James Johnson-same need as the Raptors, so they should take the leftover swingman.
12. Charlotte Bobcats-TRADE-This team grew some potential on a hot streak to end the year, so where do they go from here? They mostly need to solidify that post, and you know MJ loves him some Carolina, in the form of Psycho T. Which seems stupid, but his flailing post game could work out short term.
13. Indiana Pacers- -Definite need for a floor general here, especially one that doesnt make people think he'll be permanently paralyzed everytime he goes to the rim.
14. Phoenix Suns-Jonny Flynn-This is the only pick I will ever be sure of because I was declaring it done in January. Under Steve Nash's tutelage, the position will evolve to include the athleticism of Flynn with the IQ of Nash, with a possible analogy to Kung Fu Panda.
Big ups are in order for USA Soccer after they kept the Spanish at bay yesterday and ended the longest unbeaten streak ever by a FIFA national team. But the reason was the hustle. USA will outhustle a team in the Confederations Cup, but next year it is unlikely that the Spanish will let this happen (The Portuguese on the other hand are a lazy people...I KID! But seriously, what HAPPENED in 2002?). I am impressed with Bob Bradley's ability to get the Yanks' minds out of the gutter of defeat to outscore their last two opponents 5-0, especially since Egypt was coming off of a blasting of Italy and giving Brazil a run for its money. Things are definitely looking way better for South Africa in 2010 for the Yanks than for Germany in 2006.
And when I do go to South Africa, I feel very lucky that Joseph Shabalala, the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, promised everyone at the show I went to with my friends Seb and Gabe a place to stay during the tournament. As long as I can get tickets, I'm crashing there and straight chilling to some a cappella stylings while recharging for the next game. Now we need to find out where he actually lives.
Stay Forever Young, People!
Jun 24, 2009
Jun 23, 2009
Recording Liiiiive from Somewhere...
I arrived yesterday at around 4:30 to Ben Gurion International Airport, and let's just say that it took me 20 minutes to get through customs control because my ears did mad poppin' off during the flight from Paris. Also, while going through security in Paris, I somehow was able to function without a translation necessary. And during the flight to Paris, I finally got to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which is definitely a masterpiece, albeit the longest masterpiece. The makeup was just splendiferous. And how can one make a tragedy that long? David Fincher, you never cease to amaze me.
Sorry for that backwards chronology a la Memento, that one episode of Seinfeld, and AP US History inspired by that episode of Seinfeld, but back to my arrival. I got into a packed Sherut and we made our way to Jerusalem on an alternate path taking a route towards Modiin since Route 1 was bumper to bumper for kilometres. One of the more prominent things you see on this route is the construction of the barrier. It will continue to be a point of contention in negotiations especially because Israel may decide to take in settlements like Gush Emunim on its side, and especially because, when coupled with Netanyahu's condition of Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, will eliminate the right of return that is seen as essential to many Palestinians who are now refugees after having lived on land they believed they rightfully owned beforehand. So, where do we go from there? The problem is that someone will get disappointed in these negotiations, with no one deserving it any more than the other. However, Israeli disappointment should be kept to a minimum. Remember that Israel has won all those wars and in the case of one Israel's peace agreements with Arab countries, with Egypt, Israel has made concessions. Egypt received the Sinai, receiving popular tourist locales such as Mount Sinai and Sharm al Sheik, as well as having all land surrounding the Suez Canal (however, there doesn't seem to be any risk of Mubarak trying to nationalize like Nasser did in 1956) along with a peace guarantee, which was all Israel really wanted out of the negotiations ater the near disaster that was the Yom Kippur War. The treaty with Jordan was seen as just a normalization as Israel had left the Jordanian Army in shambles after the Six Day War.
But do the Israelis have a duty to help a refugee issue that the creation of their state made an issue? I believe so. As Arabs label the Israeli government as having characterisitics of the Nazi regime, Israel should look back to the time when Jews were made into a refugee situation by the Nazis and had to struggle to establish their own land. Netanyahu has taken the first step to helping them realize this goal, but Palestinian leaders must realize that Israel never was able to achieve all its aspirations as a nation in terms of territory and international standing. Hopefully, a peace treaty with the Palestinians will help Israel not be seen as a pariah within the UN (Security Council membership finally if they join a bloc?) and possibly make it easier to qualify for the World Cup (UEFA can be a bit of a doozy).
Other tidbits:
Most awkward situation of my life: Wearing a t-shirt and shorts in Har Nof, I learned I had to walk through a wedding hall to pick up my phone since the front door had a chain around it. I was unaware that a wedding was going on, so I basically got looked at like I was on a walk of shame while entering and exiting the phone store.
An Act of War: The relative with whom I was staying was unable to help me pick up my phone, so her significant other drove me to Har Nof in her place. He took me to get the most amazing pita ever: the Jerusalem, which has chicken, turkey, shwarma, and lamb. I know, right? But anyways, he also told me about his son's experience as part of the Mifgash (encounter) for Birthright. Reportedly, some "extracurricular" activities were going on between the Israeli soldiers and the American college students and, HAFTA-AH! (SURPRISE!-you just got your second piece of Hebrew vocabulary in ONE paragraph), an Israeli soldier got swine flu. Is this considered an act of biological warfare? I'll go with no, but seriously, scientists, we need to get this shit under control.
I'm signing off for now, but I'll try to get back on here tomorrow. I start class on Thursday, but there is mandatory orientation tomorrow.
Peace and love. I leave you with the Jerusalem sunset and Chords Bridge:
Sorry for that backwards chronology a la Memento, that one episode of Seinfeld, and AP US History inspired by that episode of Seinfeld, but back to my arrival. I got into a packed Sherut and we made our way to Jerusalem on an alternate path taking a route towards Modiin since Route 1 was bumper to bumper for kilometres. One of the more prominent things you see on this route is the construction of the barrier. It will continue to be a point of contention in negotiations especially because Israel may decide to take in settlements like Gush Emunim on its side, and especially because, when coupled with Netanyahu's condition of Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, will eliminate the right of return that is seen as essential to many Palestinians who are now refugees after having lived on land they believed they rightfully owned beforehand. So, where do we go from there? The problem is that someone will get disappointed in these negotiations, with no one deserving it any more than the other. However, Israeli disappointment should be kept to a minimum. Remember that Israel has won all those wars and in the case of one Israel's peace agreements with Arab countries, with Egypt, Israel has made concessions. Egypt received the Sinai, receiving popular tourist locales such as Mount Sinai and Sharm al Sheik, as well as having all land surrounding the Suez Canal (however, there doesn't seem to be any risk of Mubarak trying to nationalize like Nasser did in 1956) along with a peace guarantee, which was all Israel really wanted out of the negotiations ater the near disaster that was the Yom Kippur War. The treaty with Jordan was seen as just a normalization as Israel had left the Jordanian Army in shambles after the Six Day War.
But do the Israelis have a duty to help a refugee issue that the creation of their state made an issue? I believe so. As Arabs label the Israeli government as having characterisitics of the Nazi regime, Israel should look back to the time when Jews were made into a refugee situation by the Nazis and had to struggle to establish their own land. Netanyahu has taken the first step to helping them realize this goal, but Palestinian leaders must realize that Israel never was able to achieve all its aspirations as a nation in terms of territory and international standing. Hopefully, a peace treaty with the Palestinians will help Israel not be seen as a pariah within the UN (Security Council membership finally if they join a bloc?) and possibly make it easier to qualify for the World Cup (UEFA can be a bit of a doozy).
Other tidbits:
Most awkward situation of my life: Wearing a t-shirt and shorts in Har Nof, I learned I had to walk through a wedding hall to pick up my phone since the front door had a chain around it. I was unaware that a wedding was going on, so I basically got looked at like I was on a walk of shame while entering and exiting the phone store.
An Act of War: The relative with whom I was staying was unable to help me pick up my phone, so her significant other drove me to Har Nof in her place. He took me to get the most amazing pita ever: the Jerusalem, which has chicken, turkey, shwarma, and lamb. I know, right? But anyways, he also told me about his son's experience as part of the Mifgash (encounter) for Birthright. Reportedly, some "extracurricular" activities were going on between the Israeli soldiers and the American college students and, HAFTA-AH! (SURPRISE!-you just got your second piece of Hebrew vocabulary in ONE paragraph), an Israeli soldier got swine flu. Is this considered an act of biological warfare? I'll go with no, but seriously, scientists, we need to get this shit under control.
I'm signing off for now, but I'll try to get back on here tomorrow. I start class on Thursday, but there is mandatory orientation tomorrow.
Peace and love. I leave you with the Jerusalem sunset and Chords Bridge:
Jun 19, 2009
Introduction to your Summer Months
As some of you may know, I'm leaving for Israel on Sunday, and I will be writing about my experiences there right here on this blog. While I am over there I will be staying in Jerusalem doing Ulpan at Hebrew University along with working as an intern at the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. I have decided to move in this direction of the Israeli-Arab conflict with my major for now, and I hope my work will be beneficial to my professional development along with benefiting the world with better ideas for satisfying all parties in this conflict in the hopes of ending it.
A big issue in this is the United States of America. Support of Israel by Americans is important to the state's survival, and Israel is very aware of this. Yesterday I met with the Israeli Consular General of Philadelphia as well as other consular officials in an effort for them to introduce us to other students studying abroad in Israel, help us prepare for our trip, and to prepare us to be advocates when we return to Philadelphia after our return. This is all very reasonable, and I am sure that I will return with this mindset. But my friend Mariel sent me a disturbing video of Americans who were abroad there this past semester that just disgusted me. Here it is:
Quite a bit of disturbing myth in this, but my favorite is the fat (EDIT: I'm sorry, rotund) girl who first appears at the 1:03 mark and claims to be a Political Science major. I will respond to each of her points right now because she is foolish and stupid, and if you happen to know her, let her know my thoughts:
"I think it's really fucked up that he's going to all the Arab states and not Israel"-Simply put, the relationship between the US and Israel will weaken slightly during Obama's time in office, but in the long-term this will do everyone good. And Obama will make a trip to Israel eventually. Plus, the point of this trip was to revitalize the American relationship with the Muslim world, so staying away from Israel is not that big an issue. He never made a point in Cairo to Netanyahu that was as explicit or status-changing as Reagan asking Gorbachev to tear down the wall, so we'll put your total at one ignorant sentence.
"Oh, he's a Muslim for sure, and who even knows if he was born in the United States? We haven't seen his birth certificate yet"-I like how stupid both clauses of this first sentence are. First off, so what if he is a Muslim? The constitution doesn't say that a Muslim can't be president. And being a Muslim doesn't go hand in hand with anti-Semitism.
Secondly, I know he was born in the United States because he has an American birth certificate that we have seen. Some idiots (read: Fox News correspondents/hosts) have said it is fake. The "Birthers" are insane, but whatever. It's fine that some photocopying error caused the Republican Party to start personally attacking Obama's eligibility before the election, but then again they're turning a blind eye to their own party Bristol Palin abstinence education hypocrisy. If you look at John McCain's birth certificate, it says he was born in Panama. Last I heard, Panama was a sovereign state in Central America that was never part of the United States. Even when McCain was born in 1761 (actually 1936). The exception made for him to run for president is irrational and stupid, but it was never questioned because the Democrats continue to have real issues to use in campaigns instead of personal attacks. Anyways, her belief in this combined with the first part of the sentence causes me to grade this one as 1.5 ignorant, stupid sentences, so she is now up to 2.5.
"Bullshit, he's not from the US, he's like a terrorist."-So when every job you ever apply for in the United States (and probably Israel too) sees this video and decides to reject you, you'll know where to get that first job out of college: BORDER MILITIA!
"Just what is he doing for this country so far? Nothing"-You know, more stuff than the last president who helped get Hamas elected as the majority in the Palestinian parliament and slightly derailed the peace process. And he's actually trying to get the country out of the recession that our last president caused. Democrats as presidents are always cleaning up the economy after Republicans fuck it up (see: Bill Clinton getting us a budget surplus after trickle-down economics failed for the 12th year in a row). And why do Republicans make universal health care sound so bad? RED FEAR so that they can keep their lower-income supporters pissed that they pay such high premiums because the bureaucracy is run by for-profit insurance companies instead of the government. If poor people got real facts about socialism, they might realize it would actually be beneficial for them.
I'm a Political Science major, so like...I KNOW MY SHIT."-The first part of this sentence may be true. The second? We're about to find out it was a complete lie. Unless she dissects her poops to find the stuff she digested and harken back to the buffet meal she put away an hour ago.
Interviewer: "Do you know who Benjamin Netanyahu is?"
Rotund Girl: "No"
Hotter friend: "no"
Rotund Girl: "Isn't he the Israel Prime Minister or something? Who is Benjamin Yahu?"
Exactly. You have no idea what you are talking about. You come to Israel, claim to be a Political Science major, and then can't even pronounce the prime minister's name? You are full of shit, or lard. Or Bissli.
My goal is to dispel blind support and make sure it has meaning. We need to see that both sides have faults that need to be corrected. Idiots like this obese woman need to shut up and read up, and not blindly follow something, because then when someone who is actually informed talks to you, you can't respond. You'll have no chance. Calling Obama a pussy or the n-word will do nothing but make you seem more irrational, but calling him out for specific quotes or policy will do much more. So the goal of my posts for the next 2 months are to kill ignorance and spread knowledge. I'll keep you informed about the news and let you know about my surroundings.
And how about that drunk religious hippy at 2:02? He is by far the funniest part of that video, especially because he smartly doesn't say anything.
A big issue in this is the United States of America. Support of Israel by Americans is important to the state's survival, and Israel is very aware of this. Yesterday I met with the Israeli Consular General of Philadelphia as well as other consular officials in an effort for them to introduce us to other students studying abroad in Israel, help us prepare for our trip, and to prepare us to be advocates when we return to Philadelphia after our return. This is all very reasonable, and I am sure that I will return with this mindset. But my friend Mariel sent me a disturbing video of Americans who were abroad there this past semester that just disgusted me. Here it is:
Quite a bit of disturbing myth in this, but my favorite is the fat (EDIT: I'm sorry, rotund) girl who first appears at the 1:03 mark and claims to be a Political Science major. I will respond to each of her points right now because she is foolish and stupid, and if you happen to know her, let her know my thoughts:
"I think it's really fucked up that he's going to all the Arab states and not Israel"-Simply put, the relationship between the US and Israel will weaken slightly during Obama's time in office, but in the long-term this will do everyone good. And Obama will make a trip to Israel eventually. Plus, the point of this trip was to revitalize the American relationship with the Muslim world, so staying away from Israel is not that big an issue. He never made a point in Cairo to Netanyahu that was as explicit or status-changing as Reagan asking Gorbachev to tear down the wall, so we'll put your total at one ignorant sentence.
"Oh, he's a Muslim for sure, and who even knows if he was born in the United States? We haven't seen his birth certificate yet"-I like how stupid both clauses of this first sentence are. First off, so what if he is a Muslim? The constitution doesn't say that a Muslim can't be president. And being a Muslim doesn't go hand in hand with anti-Semitism.
Secondly, I know he was born in the United States because he has an American birth certificate that we have seen. Some idiots (read: Fox News correspondents/hosts) have said it is fake. The "Birthers" are insane, but whatever. It's fine that some photocopying error caused the Republican Party to start personally attacking Obama's eligibility before the election, but then again they're turning a blind eye to their own party Bristol Palin abstinence education hypocrisy. If you look at John McCain's birth certificate, it says he was born in Panama. Last I heard, Panama was a sovereign state in Central America that was never part of the United States. Even when McCain was born in 1761 (actually 1936). The exception made for him to run for president is irrational and stupid, but it was never questioned because the Democrats continue to have real issues to use in campaigns instead of personal attacks. Anyways, her belief in this combined with the first part of the sentence causes me to grade this one as 1.5 ignorant, stupid sentences, so she is now up to 2.5.
"Bullshit, he's not from the US, he's like a terrorist."-So when every job you ever apply for in the United States (and probably Israel too) sees this video and decides to reject you, you'll know where to get that first job out of college: BORDER MILITIA!
"Just what is he doing for this country so far? Nothing"-You know, more stuff than the last president who helped get Hamas elected as the majority in the Palestinian parliament and slightly derailed the peace process. And he's actually trying to get the country out of the recession that our last president caused. Democrats as presidents are always cleaning up the economy after Republicans fuck it up (see: Bill Clinton getting us a budget surplus after trickle-down economics failed for the 12th year in a row). And why do Republicans make universal health care sound so bad? RED FEAR so that they can keep their lower-income supporters pissed that they pay such high premiums because the bureaucracy is run by for-profit insurance companies instead of the government. If poor people got real facts about socialism, they might realize it would actually be beneficial for them.
I'm a Political Science major, so like...I KNOW MY SHIT."-The first part of this sentence may be true. The second? We're about to find out it was a complete lie. Unless she dissects her poops to find the stuff she digested and harken back to the buffet meal she put away an hour ago.
Interviewer: "Do you know who Benjamin Netanyahu is?"
Rotund Girl: "No"
Hotter friend: "no"
Rotund Girl: "Isn't he the Israel Prime Minister or something? Who is Benjamin Yahu?"
Exactly. You have no idea what you are talking about. You come to Israel, claim to be a Political Science major, and then can't even pronounce the prime minister's name? You are full of shit, or lard. Or Bissli.
My goal is to dispel blind support and make sure it has meaning. We need to see that both sides have faults that need to be corrected. Idiots like this obese woman need to shut up and read up, and not blindly follow something, because then when someone who is actually informed talks to you, you can't respond. You'll have no chance. Calling Obama a pussy or the n-word will do nothing but make you seem more irrational, but calling him out for specific quotes or policy will do much more. So the goal of my posts for the next 2 months are to kill ignorance and spread knowledge. I'll keep you informed about the news and let you know about my surroundings.
And how about that drunk religious hippy at 2:02? He is by far the funniest part of that video, especially because he smartly doesn't say anything.
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