Finally...

Finally...after long months of waiting,I'll start the photography course in Sapir college,in order to make time for studying I had to quit my mind numbing and soul wrecking job (why do you think there wasn't any activity in this blog for half a year?) as a customer service clerk in HOT,the cable TV company. I do feel a little scared and nervous but I guess it's a natural thing when you start something new in your life,I hope that I'll make some progress in the way I portrait life and the way I look at it and develop new perspectives,in photography as well as in life.

Today's Song: I Turn my Camera On - Spoon

Today's Quote: Creativity is Great, but Plagiarism is Faster.

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Postcard from Mefalsim

Combining art protest and an "alternative" sense of humour,a resident of mefalsim made a very...how to put it...unique statement about the current state of affairs in the region:

(note to gentile and\or non-hebrew readers:the sticker reads "shalom" which means "peace")

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Postcard from Mefalsim

A lone,slightly ripped,but firm Israeli flag waving,facing the sunset (and gaza)

Sabra Republic

Until recently,Israel held proudly the title of "Only Democracy of the Middle East" but now we are steadily becoming the "South America of the Middle East",with numerous cases of corruption,the top of the police on trial,a rapist President,a pervert Minister of Justice and now Arcadi Gaydamak,a billionare with a more-than-shady past announcing the formation of a movement ironically called "social justice" and a recent poll gave him 14 MK's,should he turns the movement into a party.
what's next? a military coup? oh,wait a minute...

Today's Song: The Drowners - Suede

Today's Quote:There is light at the end of every tunnel...just pray it's not a train!

New Hasbara Strategy: The MySpace Diplomacy

In yet another "brilliant" and "bold" move made to boost our Hasbara (the art of improving Israel's image in the world,mainly in the western media) policies,the Israeli consulate in NY opened a space for "the state of Israel" in MySpace,when i saw the headline,I thought it was a joke,maybe not a funny one,but still a joke,but no,an Israeli official,acting on behalf of the state made this stunt seriously thinking it would make the slightest contribution to the ailing "media war" with the Palestinian side,and what we have in the page,pretty girls,touristic photos,and photos of local celebrities,and some Hollywood stars in the friends list,Leonardo DiCaprio,George Clooney,Natalie Portman,and Regina Spektor (who?) among others,while the Palestinian side uses people with high IQ's and impeccable speech and manners to act on their behalf,and brilliantly,we are only left with trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator of the world's youth.

When i thought the image of our country was cheapened enough i saw that the same people responsible for the bizzare idea mentioned above also opened a blog called isrealli,which has,among it's very "Zionist" content,a video of Bar Refaeli posing in bikinis for Sports Illustrated,it seems that people are trying to win support for Israel through the hormonal activity of young men.

Now look,don't get me wrong,if a private person would make his own space making his own effort of showing another side of Israel,like I try to do for my kassam-stricken region,it would as understandable as welcomed,but in this case,the government,and it's representatives at home and abroad,should refrain from pathetic attempts like this which only degrades and cheapens our already deteriorating image to the world.

Today's Song: Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols

Today's Quote: Whoever said nothing is impossible,never tried slamming a revolving door...

Ophir Pines-Paz in Kibbutz Be'eri

Labor Party MK and former Minister Ophir Pines-Paz came to nearby Kibbutz Be'eri and yours truly,with a small group from Mefalsim,went to see him and listen to what he had to say,about the Party,the state,and his plans,should he be elected Party Chairman in the Party's primary elections that will take place next may,it was very interesting and he made very good points,the most important is that he's looking forward mainly to the chairmanship,and not to any certain ministry or portfolio,unlike our current chairman who took a portfolio incompatible with his own qualities...

Some photos from the event:

Ophir was very polite and he was very kind to have a picture taken with yours truly:

(oh,i forgot to comb my hair in advance...)

Our region,being a Labor Party stronghold,will be visited by notable members of the party in the next months,looking for support in their respective campaigns for chairmanship.

Today's Song: Suedehead - Morrissey


Today's Quote: War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.

IDF Chief Halutz resigns

An earthquake in the military and political echelon: IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz resigned Tuesday night. This was reported by the IDF Spokesperson's Office. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed deep sorrow over the decision. Olmert, who knew beforehand that Halutz was going to resign, asked him to reconsider, but according to the PM's Office, Halutz's decision was decisive and as such, Olmert has no choice but to accept it. Despite vast pressure exerted on Halutz recently, pursuant to the second Lebanon war, the general originally seemed poised for the opposite action. In a press conference presenting the post-war investigation findings, Halutz said "I haven't heard calls from my superiors for me to leave. When they tell me to, I'll respond." Halutz addressed the imminent report by the Winograd commission, expected in February, and stated that if the commission took a different stance, he would comply "as it required." "I chose to take responsibility," said Halutz. "There are those who interpret responsibility as running away. I chose to deal with the investigation and a nation demanding a solution. That is responsibility."

IDF Chief Halutz resigns - News from Israel, Ynetnews

Postcard from Mefalsim

The Grip in Concert!

Just came back from an acoustic concert of a band called The Grip,I enjoyed it pretty much,it was a nice place with an intimate atmosphere,and i took some pictures from it:

Check out their MySpace page,and their website and listen to some of their songs,they sing in english so the language is not an issue in this case,i'm pretty sure you'll like their songs very much like i do :)

Today's Song: There There - Radiohead

Today's Quote: 7/5 of all people don't understand fractions.

Athlete stripped of Bahraini citizenship for competing in Israeli marathon (Ynet News)

Here's something i've found in the Ynet News website:

Authorities have revoked the Bahraini citizenship of a Kenyan-born athlete who ran in an Israeli marathon, the nation's athletic union said Saturday. Bahraini runner Mushir Salem Jawher competed and won the Tiberias Marathon in Israel on Thursday, ending the race in just over 2 hours and 13 minutes. Most Arab states do not recognize Israel, and the Jerusalem Post newspaper said Jawher was the first athlete from an Arab country to compete in an Israeli marathon. Jawher was born in Kenya in 1978 and moved to Bahrain in 2003, according to the International Association of Athletics Federation. The Jerusalem Post cited Jawher as saying he was "very proud" to have run in Israel. Even though Bahrain has no official ties with the Jewish state, "It is a free country," the athlete was quoted as saying.

Athlete stripped of Bahraini citizenship for competing in Israeli marathon - Ynetnews

Yes,as bizarre as it may sound,an arab state punished an athlete with the sole charge of being a true sportsman...

A Winter Casualty

As the winter finally came after a dry autumn,I fell prey to the flu,and suffered a severe cough,that cause my throat and tongue to sore,and when I wanted to sleep i couldn't because the coughing always woke me up,the sickness was the main reason why I didn't posted anything new on the last days.

In my despair i turned to cough syrup which didn't made the slightest change in my condition,now I'm taking cough pills which seem to work,albeit with its side effects,and it's always a good reason to enjoy one of my favorite drinks:lemon and honey tea.

On the other hand,the Winter always gives me the opportunity to take colorful pictures :)

Today's Song: Don't Panic - Coldplay

(the ONLY Coldplay song which i happen to really like and not automatically making my eyes to roll and my finger to change the radio and/or TV channel)

Today's Quote: The believer is happy. The doubter is wise.

Changes in the view,changes in the calendar

Something has changed in the landscape of Mefalsim recently,almost overnight strange white blocks popped out of nowhere,after further observation I realized those strange blocks are mini-shelters strategically positioned in places where children frequent most.

In this reinforment process the Kindergarden and the Nursery have been fortified as well by an extremely thick concrete "roof over the roof" (when i'll find the right word for it i'll change it).

I wish that this year,2007,would be a more peaceful and tranquil year,to ourselves and our neighbors as well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Today's Song: Hitherto - Cocteau Twins

Today's Quote: I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Snoring in the face of danger

My Father (left) and some old dude checking a fallen kassam rocket,Mefalsim,31.8.06.

People in this region,myself included,got accustomed to hear the kassam alarms almost on a daily basis,people even make jokes about it,for example,when we hear the explosion sound that follows the alarm people say it's Ahlama Peretz (the slightly obese wife of Amir Peretz) jumping into a pool...
There are people here that are terrified when the alarm rings,and it's the most natural reaction i can think of,but more and more people are getting apathic about this almost to the point of being nonchalant,people died already from the rockets,but we keep something of a "stiff upper lip" in the face of danger,people living in the north maybe can relate to that behaviour but people living in Central Israel (the vast majority) just can't understand it,one friend of mine from Tel-Aviv visited me and when we were leaving the grocery store the alarm started and she was very surprised that people kept behaving like nothing happened,like they sensed no threat,and I slowly walked with her under the outer roof of the store,just in case;my girlfriend (who also lives in Central Israel) stayed over to sleep in my house,the alarm ranged in the morning and it woke us up,and she couldn't believe that my first reaction was to sleep again immediately.
This reality of our lives being threatened daily is turning us indifferent about it,it's not very natural,but it's something close to a survival strategy,we have 2 choices,to act like this and wait for the best or to live in fear and panic and satisfy the terrorists.

Today's Song: Jeopardy - The Sound
Today's Quote: If you think there is good in everybody,you haven't met everybody.

Postcards from Mefalsim

Photography is a favorite hobby of mine,ever since as a little boy I received from my uncle his old camera,i know that i'm not quite skilled at it but I enjoy it very much,so once in a while i'll publish here some of the pictures i took,and all of them were captured here in Mefalsim :)

Another color in the rainbow

In an unprecedented event in Israel, seven secular Jews who view Judaism as a culture, as opposed to a religion, will be ordained as rabbis Friday in Jerusalem.The ceremony, which will be held at the Israel Museum, comes after the ordainees completed three years of study at the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism in Jerusalem. Twenty five additional students are currently studying at the program.The organization, which promotes "secular humanistic Judaism," is closest to the Reconstructionist Judaism movement in the United States, said Oren Yehi-Shalom, 35, who will be ordained at the ceremony. Yehi-Shalom said that the participants do not pray to God, but believe in man's humanity.The group's Web site lists the belief in God "as a literary character," citing the Dutch philosopher Spinoza, who is recognized as the founder of modern Biblical criticism.

Secular rabbis to be ordained in J'lem | Jerusalem Post

It's always interesting to get to know other currents in the jewish spectrum,other ways to express jewishness according to one's beliefes,but ironically Israel,the state of the jews,doesn't recognize nor tolerates this diversity,one can only look at that fact with disbelief...

Today's Song: Blood Meridian - Hope of the states

Today's Quote: The only reason that I talk to myself is because that I'm the only one whose answers I accept.

We made it! (and we're lucky to have survived to know it)

It's funny,i always complained as a kid about the lack of media coverage about our region,and now,with the cordial help from our neighbors from the other side of the fence we're almost "media darlings",pity that the only thing the interests the media is our struggle and nothing much more than that:

Hanukkah celebrations in Negev kibbutzim and communities surrounding the Gaza Strip took place as scheduled in protected buildings, with most kibbutz members said routine was important for the children. “There is a feeling that as long as the rockets land outside the community, then everything is okay and we can go on with our lives,” Shaar Hanegev Regional Council Head Alon Shuster said. “We will continue our struggle to protect kibbutz members’ homes.”

No Hanukkah celebrations in Sderot - News from Israel, Ynetnews

...and happy hanukkah to you all...

Today's Song: Frightened - The Fall

Today's Quote: You tried, and you failed, so the lesson is, never try. - Homer J. Simpson

Blame it on Israel!

After another daily checkup of my favorite blogs i stumbled upon a cute little song written,composed and sung by Patrick Henry,it's called "It's all because of Israel":

Iraq is in a mess that some are calling civil war

And IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF ISRAEL

One might've thought the Sunni-Shi'a conflict counted more

But IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF ISRAEL

No doubt the world was moving toward a peaceful golden future

Until Zionism brought it to a halt

Now at last we know the name

Of the country we should blame

Everything is Israel's fault

(That's what Iran says)

Everything is Israel's fault

(So why take chances?)

Everything is Israel's fault

And here is the mp3.

Be sure to visit his website and listen to his song,especially to "Stand with Israel" where our neighbors from Sderot are mentioned,enjoy.

Today's Song: Bullet with butterfly wings - The Smashing Pumpkins

Today's Quote: When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

2 Different posts for the price of 1!

1st of all i want to be extremely original and accept Time Magazine's "Man of the Year Award" (along with millions and millions more :),I've made a little acceptance speech for the occasion:
I always knew since those lonely and long afternoons after-school back in 1995,while me and others were sitting and staring at the screen like zombies and waiting up to 5 min. for a website to fully load on Navigator ver.2,that something good will eventually come of this,i want to thank my computer teachers,Shem,for introducing me to this wonder,and Eli Bir,for letting me and others hang around in the technology room of the school and allowed me to keep discovering the hidden wonders of the Internet for hours as an unofficial after-school activity,I want to thank my parents for connecting our home computer to the internet and satisfying my growing internet addiction even further :) (applauds)

And now for something completely different.
A couple of hours ago I heard that Joseph Barbera sadly passed away,and myself being a HUGE Tom & Jerry fan,I want to make a very small homage to the man and the great couple he was part of,by posting one,IMHO,of the best Tom & Jerry episodes ever made:Pecos Pest

Today's Song: Boys don't Cry - The Cure
Today's Quote: A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

An unusual event

Last Tuesday,at math class,i had the middle-course test,against all odds and expectations,i received 65 points,and actually passed a math test,why i was so surprised you might ask,well,let's just say that math was,and still is,a nightmare,just looking at all this numbers gathered with letters,in grids,tables and strange structures freaks me up,I never was very brilliant at math as long as i can remember myself,and I was diagnosed with A.D.D. and dyscalculia,so it's also scientifically proven why i hate math so much,but destiny intervened and i have to receive more than 56 points at the final test,in January 29th,just 4 days after my 25th birthday,so i can study photography (a favorite hobby of mine) next year,and maybe,just maybe make a carrer of something which i happen to like very much.
Oh,the irony...

Today's Song: Numbers - Kraftwerk
Today's Quote: Me,ambivalent? Well,yes and no.

Black "Celebration"

Good morning to the nonexistent readers of this blog,I'm now resting after a nice monthly party of the Israeli Depeche Mode Fanclub ,it was fun,except for the sound,as usual,sometimes too loud,and sometimes you can hear yourself (and others) sing a beautiful song like a bunch of cats in a dark alley at night.
Anyway here is an official t-shirt from their last tour which i bought in last month's party:

Nice color,nice pic,looking good as usual...

And now let's look at the back of the shirt:

Lots of countries,Depeche are popular in more and more places...but wait,i see there's something that catches my eye...


Well,of course,our small country is listed right at the end,just i want to share with you a little fact about that concert in Israel...it never took place!!!

Me and other hundreds,if not thousands of Israeli fans were full of joy when in December of 2005 Depeche Mode announced a long anticipated first concert ever in Israel,and we rushed to buy the tickets with 10-9 months in advance.

The months passed and we eagerly waited for the 3rd of August,but then the war in Lebanon erupted (I won't discuss about it in this post) and the eagerness was replaced with lots and lots of worries,but the band assured they will come,and if they announced it,it will eventually happen,right?

Well,as you know,and lots of us still remember,the show was canceled just THREE (3!) days before it was supposed to take place,and because it was supposed to be the final gig of the tour it was impossible to reschedule it.

The months passed,and now I know that my bitterness because of it,though justified,was also exaggerated,still,i feel a little pinch in my heart when i see that little ISRAEL in the list,or when I stumble by chance upon a note about the gig written before it,I still hope someday will come and I will have the pleasure to see my favorite band in my country.

The only thing that still pisses me off is when stupid people say to me:"I'm sure you felt REAL BAD when they canceled the show".

Today's Song: The Sun and the Rainfall - Depeche Mode
Today's Quote: Out of my mind. Back in five minutes!