So, it's been awhile but I wanted to get back to writing a bit. Jason Rousman and I are tied for first place after the first week of the playoffs in our pick-em pool having erroneously picked NO to beat Seattle but getting the other three games right. After a far from good fantasy season, I hope we can at least take this title down. Here are our picks for this week's games:
BALT - 3 point underdogs? Best road team in NFL history? Even if they lose, they're covering
ATL - Everyone wants GB but not us. Atlanta had a great season, Matt Ryan is the most underrated QB in the NFL, and they were 7-1 at home this year. GB was 3-5 on the road and 1-2 indoors. ATL gets our respect and our pick
CHI - I know we got burned on Seattle last week but the bottom line is, they're really not that good. I expect Hassleback to come back down to earth this week resulting in a Chicago romp
NYJ - NE will win by a TD or less in a game that's close throughout
I'm especially psyched for the two AFC games - two bitter division rivals, they should both be tight and hard-fought.
In other news, check out this Phish Ghost from New Years: best jam I've heard in a long, long time. It's as transcendent as live improvisational music gets and I'm glad the boys can still throw down this well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Sf8lOdGRw
Also, the Meatstick meets It's a Small World dance number from New Years Eve is really cool - well done: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H1sht6IDmQ&feature=related
Fast forward to the 4:30 mark to get to the good part.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, November 29, 2010
Desperately Need a Cleaning Person
So last Wednesday our cleaning person no-showed. attempts to call her went straight to machine. We called two friends of hers - they all live in an apartment near the shuk for Sri Lankans trying to eke by some basic financial support for their families back home. Everyone's phone went straight to machine. Our only possible conclusion is that they were all deported by our government because their work visas were no longer valid.
We've spent the last week trying to find new cleaning people but to no avail. No one has time. There is a massive shortage of people willing to clean houses in this country (I imagine it's similar to the morons on the right in the u.s. that want all the illegals deported there as if any native American is willing to bus table or pick fruits and vegetables). And the government has taken it upon itself to deport a labor force that provides a valuable service, improves the country's GDP by freeing up individuals to focus on work as opposed to the menial task of cleaning their house. It brings to mind the old phrase: That government which governs best governs least. Bitching won't get our house clean. So please if you know one, send them our way. We're getting desperate here!
We've spent the last week trying to find new cleaning people but to no avail. No one has time. There is a massive shortage of people willing to clean houses in this country (I imagine it's similar to the morons on the right in the u.s. that want all the illegals deported there as if any native American is willing to bus table or pick fruits and vegetables). And the government has taken it upon itself to deport a labor force that provides a valuable service, improves the country's GDP by freeing up individuals to focus on work as opposed to the menial task of cleaning their house. It brings to mind the old phrase: That government which governs best governs least. Bitching won't get our house clean. So please if you know one, send them our way. We're getting desperate here!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Jerusalem - Now a Real City!
So I just got back from spending my morning at the National Wine and Alcohol Discount Center on Haoman Street in Talpiot and it was awesome (no, i'm not being paid a dime to write this ;-)! I dropped around 1,000 shek on 3 cases of wine, booze and beer. With 600 square meters of wall to wall booze, this place is like nothing I've ever seen in Israel - and very little I've seen out of Israel (advertising does work - I saw the ad in the JPost this weekend and decided I had to get there and soon).
In addition to the usual wine deals (which in many cases are on par with the best deals in the shuk but not better), I scored some serious deals on liquor and beer. A bottle of Baccardi was only 80 shek (it's routinely 110 in other places). I got a bottle of 12 year old single malt for just over 200 shek - also a great deal for Israel. But the beer prices were far and away the best. Leffes are only 7 1/2 shek. I got a six pack of Grolsch for 32 shek - that's cheaper than Goldstar. And I got a 4 pack of San Miguel for just 24 shek. The one beer I didn't see there was Taybeh (from Palestine) - it's an excellent beer and usually well priced. I mentioned this to the storekeeper and he told me that since they opened less than a month ago, they're stilling filling out their stock.
I also snagged a bottle of New Zealand's Goose Bay Chardonay (included in wine lists in the WSJ and NY Times) for 89 shek - a bottle I have yet to find anywhere else in Israel. Also got some Baron Herzog from Cali for 33 shek - definitely a good price considering it's an import).
All in all, a morning well spent. Israel, you've come a long way - you should only go from strength to strength.
In addition to the usual wine deals (which in many cases are on par with the best deals in the shuk but not better), I scored some serious deals on liquor and beer. A bottle of Baccardi was only 80 shek (it's routinely 110 in other places). I got a bottle of 12 year old single malt for just over 200 shek - also a great deal for Israel. But the beer prices were far and away the best. Leffes are only 7 1/2 shek. I got a six pack of Grolsch for 32 shek - that's cheaper than Goldstar. And I got a 4 pack of San Miguel for just 24 shek. The one beer I didn't see there was Taybeh (from Palestine) - it's an excellent beer and usually well priced. I mentioned this to the storekeeper and he told me that since they opened less than a month ago, they're stilling filling out their stock.
I also snagged a bottle of New Zealand's Goose Bay Chardonay (included in wine lists in the WSJ and NY Times) for 89 shek - a bottle I have yet to find anywhere else in Israel. Also got some Baron Herzog from Cali for 33 shek - definitely a good price considering it's an import).
All in all, a morning well spent. Israel, you've come a long way - you should only go from strength to strength.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rockin Dentist Mix
So I was at a new dentist this morning after I had a filling fall out last night while flossing (not the first time that's happened) and I decided to try someone in the neighborhood as opposed to driving into the center of the city, finding parking or waiting for a bus and that whole hassle. He was pretty good on the whole with one caveat - he started drilling way too soon before the novacane shot (I think it probably takes several minutes to fully kick in). It hurt like a bitch - like he was right up against the nerve or something. Also, he was a new French immigrant and his Hebrew was no bargain and my French was even worse but we still managed to communicate somehow and he didn't drill the wrong tooth or anything.
So anyway, when I got home, sitting here at my desk with the whole right side of my mouth still numb, I decided to throw together this little Dentist Mix. Feel free to make suggestions for more tracks in the comments section - I think I have a good start here...
click to enlarge
So anyway, when I got home, sitting here at my desk with the whole right side of my mouth still numb, I decided to throw together this little Dentist Mix. Feel free to make suggestions for more tracks in the comments section - I think I have a good start here...
click to enlarge
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
How I Spent My American Summer
I was in the U.S. for a full month along with the fam. We split the time between Riverdale and Syracuse. Here's a brief overview of my trip 'by the numbers' without getting into too much detail on any single item as the kids are staying up/waking up at ungodly hours and are caught somewhere between Jerusalem and NY time:
I played poker once at Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse and won $102. I play online occasionally so it's nice to see how my skills stack up in the real world. Apparently, they stack up fairly well as I didn't get particularly good cards and my margin of earnings came mainly from pots I bluffed people out of without what i imagine was the winning hand.
I got two suits - first time I've gotten a new suit since my wedding five years ago (love ya babe)! I had to get them for three work-related events I had including a visit to the ETF Group at the NY Stock Exchange (thanks Phil!) where I got taken onto the floor during trading hours. There was also a really awesome Company event at NY Vintners that included all you could drink good Israeli wine and Deli from Noah's Ark.
Saw three movies: Toy Story 3 - seriously awesome, Grown Ups - I miss Adam Sandler from 15 years ago!, and The Kids Are Alright - entertaining but really pretty dumb in a Hollywood sort of way.
Ate in/ordered out from four great restaurants: Blossom, a vegan place on the Upper West Side, Le Mare with my great Aunt and Uncle - always great food and conversation, Sushi Metzuyan in Queens - serious Japanese food fest with Simone's bro and sis-in-law and my bro, and we got takeout from Carlos and Gaby's, an excellent Kosher Mexican NYC food chain.
I went to five concerts, four of which were excellent in their own right. We saw Willie nelson at Radio City - that was simply awesome - he's such a great performer, a total crack up on stage. And the fans are hilarious - total drunken rednecks - not mid-town Manhattan types at all. I also saw Umphrey's McGee in Utica while we were in Syracuse - that was the worst of the concerts by far. Then Lotus and Sound tribe Sector 9 at the Roseland Ballroom - people danced so hard it was like an Indian Sweat Lodge (special shout-out to Bron and Vinnick for throwing down old school style). And finally last week two Phish shows at Jones Beach on Tuesday and Wednesday night, which was the summer tour closer. As always, a great time was had by all - was great to have my boy Noam at both shows - he was the maniac filming in the lot with expensive film equipment and I'm happy to say he scored face tickets to both shows without having any in advance. Saw lots of other friends, the music was great, was there with three of my sibs which was tons of fun as well. And of course, I always love sharing in the groove with Simone most of all!
We also spent lots of time hanging with my parents and in-laws - they're all great people and very unique in their own right so that's always a good time. We spent lot of time debating the downtown mosque which led to some very funny conversation, especially at the Shabbat table in my house in Riverdale.
Special shout outs to Zaki, who got me embroiled in what should be an awesome fantasy football season and Eytan for making it back from China in time for at least one night of drinking ;-)
All in all, an excellent stay in the U.S. of A. but I'm also glad to be home.
I played poker once at Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse and won $102. I play online occasionally so it's nice to see how my skills stack up in the real world. Apparently, they stack up fairly well as I didn't get particularly good cards and my margin of earnings came mainly from pots I bluffed people out of without what i imagine was the winning hand.
I got two suits - first time I've gotten a new suit since my wedding five years ago (love ya babe)! I had to get them for three work-related events I had including a visit to the ETF Group at the NY Stock Exchange (thanks Phil!) where I got taken onto the floor during trading hours. There was also a really awesome Company event at NY Vintners that included all you could drink good Israeli wine and Deli from Noah's Ark.
Saw three movies: Toy Story 3 - seriously awesome, Grown Ups - I miss Adam Sandler from 15 years ago!, and The Kids Are Alright - entertaining but really pretty dumb in a Hollywood sort of way.
Ate in/ordered out from four great restaurants: Blossom, a vegan place on the Upper West Side, Le Mare with my great Aunt and Uncle - always great food and conversation, Sushi Metzuyan in Queens - serious Japanese food fest with Simone's bro and sis-in-law and my bro, and we got takeout from Carlos and Gaby's, an excellent Kosher Mexican NYC food chain.
I went to five concerts, four of which were excellent in their own right. We saw Willie nelson at Radio City - that was simply awesome - he's such a great performer, a total crack up on stage. And the fans are hilarious - total drunken rednecks - not mid-town Manhattan types at all. I also saw Umphrey's McGee in Utica while we were in Syracuse - that was the worst of the concerts by far. Then Lotus and Sound tribe Sector 9 at the Roseland Ballroom - people danced so hard it was like an Indian Sweat Lodge (special shout-out to Bron and Vinnick for throwing down old school style). And finally last week two Phish shows at Jones Beach on Tuesday and Wednesday night, which was the summer tour closer. As always, a great time was had by all - was great to have my boy Noam at both shows - he was the maniac filming in the lot with expensive film equipment and I'm happy to say he scored face tickets to both shows without having any in advance. Saw lots of other friends, the music was great, was there with three of my sibs which was tons of fun as well. And of course, I always love sharing in the groove with Simone most of all!
We also spent lots of time hanging with my parents and in-laws - they're all great people and very unique in their own right so that's always a good time. We spent lot of time debating the downtown mosque which led to some very funny conversation, especially at the Shabbat table in my house in Riverdale.
Special shout outs to Zaki, who got me embroiled in what should be an awesome fantasy football season and Eytan for making it back from China in time for at least one night of drinking ;-)
All in all, an excellent stay in the U.S. of A. but I'm also glad to be home.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
There's Hope Yet
Gabe Pransky was so kind as to share this post on 'The New Face of the IDF' with me on Google Reader (btw, anyone with a Gmail account can sign up for the Common Sensorium's rss feed and get off my email list ;-). It tells the story (briefly) of an Arab girl from the Galilee, Elinor Jozef, who become the first female Arab combat soldier in the IDF. Despite objections from her friends, who remind Elinor the IDF kills Arabs, Elinor replies:
As the article concludes:
There was a Katyusha that fell near my house [during the 2nd Lebanon War] and also hurt Arabs. If someone would tell me that serving in the IDF means killing Arabs, I remind them that Arabs also kill Arabs... I believe in what I am doing…[a]t the end of the day, this will always be my home too.So thank you Elinor Jozef for breaking down boundaries and bringing together people of differing backgrounds who share in common that they live in Israel, in a single country on a single piece of land.
As the article concludes:
Tellingly, Jozef does not distinguish between Jew, Arab, Muslim or Christian – in as much as the katyusha rockets from across the border do not make the same distinction either. For her they are all equal; they are all Israelis. And so too is she.As someone who disavows ideological identities, the Common Sensorium salutes you! At the end of the day, people can't really be boiled down merely to the sum total of their beliefs. There is so much more color and complexity than that. Elinor Jozef realizes this at the young age of 20. Anti-Israel ideologues everywhere, take note.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Non-Israelis Need Not Apply
I really shouldn't be blogging on a Friday with so much work to do so I'll make this brief (my epic blog on my best 10 concert experiences ever will have to wait... ;-(
My only point today is that people that don't live in Israel and don't understand the complexity of the situation here and Jewish-Arab/Muslim dynamics shouldn't express strong political opinions one way or another. I have had only positive interactions with Arab residents of this city since moving here almost 6 years ago. The just-ended World Cup only served to highlight that. I had many 'football'-related conversations with passersby, cabbies, gas station attendants, people out strolling on the local promenade overlooking the old city, mostly with arabs. They were all pleasant and fun - Arabs take their football very seriously.
It was capped with my going to watch the final this past Sunday with my friend David over at his work, JVP. I ran into the former editor in chief of Seeking Alpha there with his son (what up Mick?!) - he works there now and sat in the row behind us. Directly in front of him was an old ulpan buddy of mine named Wahid, an Arab E. Jerusalemite. He does some freelance work for JVP and lives nearby in Abu Tor - a mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhood nearby. The ulpan I attended in early 2006 was mixed about 50/50 between Jewish immigrants and E. Jerusalemite Arabs looking to improve their Hebrew for university. Wahid and I always hit it oof and Sunday night was no exception. He seemed genuinely excited to have run into me and spoke very highly of me to his friend he was there with (also Arab). He's a huge football nut (of course) and a generally very affable guy who spends much of his time working with Jews. We agreed to hopefully meet up again sometime soon (I'm leaving to NYC for a month in 3 days).
I write all this because the general perception among both the left and the right living outside this country is that all (or the vast majority of) Arabs living in Israel hate Jews. For the left, it is because of the original sin of Jewish resettlement in this place, only exacerbated by 43 years of settler activity. For the right, it is offered as 'proof' there will never be peace here so damn all Arab Israelis, let's just dig in deeper to our bunkers, because even if an Arab seems nice, he's really just trying to kill us. Living here daily, the reality is infinitely more complex. Oppinionated outsiders, please take note.
My only point today is that people that don't live in Israel and don't understand the complexity of the situation here and Jewish-Arab/Muslim dynamics shouldn't express strong political opinions one way or another. I have had only positive interactions with Arab residents of this city since moving here almost 6 years ago. The just-ended World Cup only served to highlight that. I had many 'football'-related conversations with passersby, cabbies, gas station attendants, people out strolling on the local promenade overlooking the old city, mostly with arabs. They were all pleasant and fun - Arabs take their football very seriously.
It was capped with my going to watch the final this past Sunday with my friend David over at his work, JVP. I ran into the former editor in chief of Seeking Alpha there with his son (what up Mick?!) - he works there now and sat in the row behind us. Directly in front of him was an old ulpan buddy of mine named Wahid, an Arab E. Jerusalemite. He does some freelance work for JVP and lives nearby in Abu Tor - a mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhood nearby. The ulpan I attended in early 2006 was mixed about 50/50 between Jewish immigrants and E. Jerusalemite Arabs looking to improve their Hebrew for university. Wahid and I always hit it oof and Sunday night was no exception. He seemed genuinely excited to have run into me and spoke very highly of me to his friend he was there with (also Arab). He's a huge football nut (of course) and a generally very affable guy who spends much of his time working with Jews. We agreed to hopefully meet up again sometime soon (I'm leaving to NYC for a month in 3 days).
I write all this because the general perception among both the left and the right living outside this country is that all (or the vast majority of) Arabs living in Israel hate Jews. For the left, it is because of the original sin of Jewish resettlement in this place, only exacerbated by 43 years of settler activity. For the right, it is offered as 'proof' there will never be peace here so damn all Arab Israelis, let's just dig in deeper to our bunkers, because even if an Arab seems nice, he's really just trying to kill us. Living here daily, the reality is infinitely more complex. Oppinionated outsiders, please take note.
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