Chuck or Nate?

So here's the BIG question of the year: Nate or Chuck?

Typical American Abercrombie model-esque or Hot fake American accent with an attitude?

You know you love me xoxo

Hunting for flats

When the title of this post is uttered by Ms Eva Cohen, those who know her well groan and say "argh, not again..."

Yep... moving again. Looking for a flat in Jerusalem for the summer beginning in May. And hey while I'm at it, I may as well make this into an advertisement! If you know of anything please contact me!

I'm going to see Insomnia tomorrow night for the radio station. Not sure why... I don't know anything by them and I probably won't be able to find anyone to go with me! Aside from the usual "I should be doing my assignments" thing... But I'm sure it'll be good -always up for hearing new stuff!

LSRfm.com will be back up and running this coming week, once I know my news slot I'll let you know!

Occupied Botany

The Botany House on campus is "occupied". Such a thing clearly is university endorsed as it a university building. Ridiculous. Also ridiculous? The reinstatement of a Holocaust denying bishop on Holocaust Memorial Day. If I didn't have tact, I would say the Pope is a real German ass.

I will get a new poll up soon; I haven't had anything exceptional occur to me to ask you guys, but it will come!

Second semester is underway now with the hope it will be better, and brighter, than the fall semester. Or "autumn," rather.

I have been in communication with the BBC online service over an article they posted last week which said Uganda is "the Israel of Africa." If ever you read something which you really disagree with, do something about it. That goes for anything you see or hear on broadcast journalism as well. Journalists seem to think they are above real life and can print anything. It is the public's duty to keep this in check.

Here's a nice political cartoon for the day.


I always find it interesting how there's these prevalent views about terrorism around the world, but when it comes to the Hamas/Hizbullah/etc. vs. Israel conflict, all the sudden it's "different" and the terrorism is en mass deemed acceptable.

Back in the sunny UK

After a horrible ordeal on Thomson Airways I am back in Leeds; beginning my 10th semester of university. Joy!

I am going home to Edmonton for Pesach though so that is something to look forward to! But for now I'm content NOT flying for a good month and a half.

Am trying to think of something poignant to write but nothing is coming to me. Another day, another blog.

Gute nacht meine freunden!

Farbreng it

Mayanot Womens had theur 1st year anniversary last night and it was a beautiful affair. Followed by many inspiring words by several of our teachers. I've also learned some really nice nigunim since I came here and it was amazing to feel so apart of something into the late hours of the night in the heart of Jerusalem.

I sit here procrastinating like usual. I would prefer to stay here but there is a real world out there awaiting my return!

Not on here often while here as its a very full schedule, I'll be in touch again probably once I'm back in Leeds.

-E

The week ahead

Lovely Shabbos in Efrat and now looking forward to the week ahead. Had a class in Tanya this morning and now just checking up on all my internet distractions during breakfast break (that sounds redundant doesn't it?).

This afternoon going to a Sfarim store, I have a few I want to get -especially a Tanya with translation.

Wednesday will be especially a good day because my ring from Hadaya will be ready :)

I have a couple articles due eventually for the JI, but so busy here that I probably won't get anything done until I return to the UK. Previous article wasn't put online so if you're outside of the Vancouver area, sorry!

-E

B'aretz

I've Arrived!

But I'm in class right now haha so I should go!

Talk soon :)

Silly silly silly!

I was supposed to fly to Israel this morning. I was indecisive up until the last minute about whether to go. I didn't. And as soon as I didn't, I regretted it so I went and booked a flight out of Luton Tuesday morning. Such a waste of time and money -flying out of Manchester is sooo much easier! Blah.

I just couldn't sit around Leeds for the next couple weeks.

Was very tired once I got back from Sweden. I was in transit for 10 hours but the flight was less than 2 hours long. Yippee!

At least I know my way in Israel and it won't take long from Ben Gurion before I'm settled at the sem.

I can't wait until I leave here. I sat for hours applying for jobs in Burbank even though I know I won't hear back from any of them and that even if I did, I couldn't go. The dreariness here has gotten to me.

Exhausted!

I am all traveled out! Caught a 449am train to the airport in Oslo this morning. Once at my cousins in Sweden I napped for a couple hours this afternoon, but I am still so very tired. And I'm not even in the home stretch! Must get back to England Friday and then back off to Israel on Sunday. I think after this spurt, travel will be cut down significantly as it just takes so much energy! Commuting between Leeds and Manchester will probably suffice for getaways this coming semester!

My cousins live in the country north of Stockholm, closer to a place called Uppsala. There's kilometres of ice on the land for skating and a fresh snow fall. As soon as I got off the plane this morning the same sensation hit me as in Norway when I went to at World's End. It was bright. Really bright. It made me reminiscint of home with how the light is here. I couldn't keep my eyes open. The same thing happened when I returned home to Canada in the summer from England. It's as though the country of England just lives under a constant haze. It's like stepping out from the darkness into the beam of a pair of headlights.

No photos from Sweden yet, but here's one from my daytrip into Oslo yesterday with Anette:


A view of the Oslo frozen over harbour by the Opera House.

Oh and, it's pretty sweet to be in Sweden just as Canada kicked their ass in the World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game yesterday! Wooooooo!!

Yayyy!!!

YAYYYY SNOW!!!!!

At World's End

Verdens Ende at Tjome, on the Island of Tjome, Norway 35km from Stokke, south of Oslo

In English: At World's End.

I was just as excited when I stopped at Camden in London and a pub was named that also. Although it was the worst of the 3 Pirates of the Caribbean movies, still exciting to have a Johnny Depp movie reference! Haha. But of course, geeky moment aside, the view was stunning.

Going to Oslo tomorrow since we went to the island today. It was so pretty, and serene. There wasn't a sound. When the ducks made a noise it was so distinct. I'm quite the urbanite, but this was so calm and beautiful. It was minus 12 and brilliant. The air was crisp, brisk and clear. Such a... departure from English city living. Really clears the head.

Hei fra Norge!

(Hi from Norway!)

I stepped off the plane and WOW what a breath of fresh air! Minus ten and brilliant! So fresh, clear and exhilirating! (Nothing like the English weather that... chills to the bone and gets you soaked to boot! I'll take a real cold any day to a damp, humid cold!)

I'm much looking forward to going into Oslo with Anette tomorrow :)

Chill Factor

I was brought to something that probably has been one of the strangest places I have ever been to. It's not really all that strange a place in general, but for me, born and bred in the Canadian north, it was... I hate to overuse this word, but: surreal. It's this place called Chill Factor in Manchester and it is an indoor ski hill. I have never seen anything like it. It's like... a miniature, mickey mouse attempt by a country who don't know the real thing, to feel like they're in the mountains. Even the wall papering in the toilets is of snowy foliage. It's just quite strange to encounter an imitation of something that is so natural where I'm from. And for £17/hour to boot.

I fly to Norway tomorrow. I'm not all that excited. It's going to be a big shlepp and I should seriously be doing my uni work. It will be a nice photo op in any event and it will be lovely to see my roommate and cousins.

At the moment I wish I were in California. I have a love affair with California. And there are soooo many jobs in NBC, ABC etc. that I really wish I could apply for instead of being stuck on this side of the pond!!

I am currently sitting with my mini-PC, but Mac is definitely running away with the poll numbers right now. What do you use/wish you could use?

Even 1984 won't be like 1984

It must have been a bit strange to witness the year 1984. Orwell made it eternally an important date representing universal human fears, feelings and traits.


Lucky for the SuperBowl, Mac cashed in on the opportunity to make an advertisement which would also stay with us, and become famous years down the line in a computer dominated society that technicians and scientists in 1984 could only dream of.

1984 Mac Superbowl ad

What's your favourite "Hi, I'm a Mac" "And I'm a PC" ad?:

Mac's spiffy ad collection

My favourite is the Computer Cart from 2007 when PC whispers "fatal error". Oh glee!

***

So I leave for Norway on Sunday. It will be cold. So too will Sweden be cold when I fly to Stockholm from Oslo.


I got my unexpected dose of snow while I was in Italy and am not really in need of a snow shot anymore! I am determined to enjoy myself though! No sitting in and procrastinating from uni work I am not going to do anyway instead of enjoying myself, and definitely no concussion. No concussion? That's a plan. One should always plan to not get a concussion, it's the cool way to travel!

On another note, anyone want to do two assignments on communications in the European Union for me? Awesome, thanks!!

Sigh. Off to Manchester tomorrow. Cannot get out of Leeds quick enough!! I would put a photo to represent this but unfortunately google images only brings up football bashing photos. Leeds United do really suck though.

Time to take poll

It is probably more an indication of who I know than an accurate sampling of the general population, but "men and women can't be friends because the sex thing always gets in the way", as proclaimed by Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, has prevailed by 7 votes to 5.

The next poll was triggered by an advertisement I saw on a billboard near Piccadilly station in Manchester. It was of an older, greying man with glasses saying "I'm a PC and I'm proud of it." Now, that's the first I have seen of anything like that, which means it has taken Bill Gates' team years to combat Justin Long (check him hilariously in Zak and Miri Make a Porno) in the incredibly catchy MAC commercials. (I have often wanted to see if its possible to get a reel of all the commercials made). Now, is this ad even helping poor old PC? It's like saying "I know I'm old and my brain is slightly fried, but I'm embracing it." I actually think it's quite counter productive. But anyway. I must confess I am a part-time PC user since the heartbreaking incident involving my roommate, beer and my brand new baby MacBook. It still works, but not 100% and I had to invest in a tiny PC :( Shame, shame! I know!

I mean... I am not meaning to sway the vote AT ALL.

It's still 5769

"Why is this night different than all other nights?" It's not.

I wonder if there's a world record yet in consecutive Scrubs episodes watched...

I Heart Zachary Israel Braff


Ooooh the sexy Jewish doctor fantasy...

I can't do this all on my own, no I'm no, I'm no Superman...