Now That You Point It Out...

I've felt for a while that I identify with the mixed orange-blue sentiment, symbolized nicely by itsnodream. In keeping with my general indecisiveness, I've not been vehemently on either side of the raging controversy. I hear a lot of sense in the concept that this move is, as my friend Yoel puts it, "cutting off a limb to save a life." A unilateral seperation puts a clear line between us and them, and it tests them in front of the world. Not that I really believe that we can gain legitimacy in the eyes of the world, but it doesn't hurt to illustrate a dictionary of right/wrong definitions.

But detracting from that imperative is the fear that we are, indeed, rewarding terror, and the complementary fear that we are allowing the source of attacks to come within that much closer range of Israel proper. And of course I have a huge amount of pity for the families who were encouraged to build their lives where they did and now must watch everything be destroyed.

So I have mixed feelings, and I simplistically thought (as others have as well (that last link refers to the July 4 post)) that that would be appropriately represented by intertwining both colors, especially with the addition of white. Blue and white to emphasize what they have symbolized for ages, and orange for the legitimate dissension. But Shanna's recent post has made me think twice.

In choosing orange, the anti-disengagement camp set themselves against the blue. They chose agression instead of cooperation, separation instead of unity. "Jews dont expel Jews" has a much stronger message when we're all wearing the same color.

Hmm.

Addendum: For some good points (and some not-so-good points) on issues from both sides, see the recent discussion over at Chayyei Sarah

Moving right along

It seems we have an apartment, for a great price (including a labor exchange from me), in a great location. I don't know firsthand that the place itself is great, but let's say I have it on reliable authority.

I've also finally finished the Nishmat application and the Masa application and sent them both in, after much hair-pulling, whining, and Kinko's-cursing.

And I've purchased a ticket to Florida to visit my grandfather before I leave the country.

It's only a dent in the list of things I need to accomplish in the next less-than-month, but a start's a start.

Wow, indeed

See the wonderful picture over at Orthomom. That's what's special about us...

The (first) Deed is Done

Alisha is going to Israel.

September 6, 11:oopm.

$374, Israir.

It's a shame I will miss the start of the Nishmat program on Sept. 4, but I am bowing to my panic and to the experience of several comrades who are experienced in the art of moving-to-Israel-to-learn-with-no-money.

Kadima.

Sigh

If only I were looking for an internship in Jerusalem...

On News and Fuzzy Elephants

My mother regularly watches ABC News' This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and sometimes shares with me and my father something that she heard him say.

My mother, however, often has trouble remembering names, and his multi-syllabic one is more difficult than most. So today at lunch, when she made reference to an item she'd heard from him, she tried to tell us who said it, and couldn't think of the name. So she floundered for a minute, and then said to my dad, "...oh, you know -- the elephant!"

Harry Potter Hysteria

I understand that the Harry Potter books are fun and enjoyable; in fact, I enjoy reading them myself. I understand that they're a big fad with kids, and even with adults, and that fads sometimes get overblown by the commercial powers-that-be. Still, walking home on Friday at about 6pm and looking at the NYPD barricades blocking a third of the width of the sidewalk in front of Barnes & Noble in preparation for the line that was already forming for the midnight party in celebration of the release of Book #6, watching people be received at the sign that read "Ask for a yellow bracelet if you have pre-reserved your copy"... I found myself thinking that really, this has gotten just a bit out of hand.

But happy reading, everyone.

Perks

While looking something up, I ran across this in the US Postal Service International Mail Manual:

143.3 Mail of a Former President and Surviving Spouse of a Former President
All nonpolitical mail of former United States Presidents, and of the surviving spouse of a former President, must be accepted without prepayment of postage if it bears the written signature of the sender, or a facsimile signature and the words "POSTAGE AND FEES PAID" in the upper-right corner of the address side.

Seems inconsequential, but I'm trying to decide if I think it's appropriate in principle or not. An employee of the government should of course get government perks, but an ex-employee? Call it part of the pension maybe...but somehow complimentary postal services seems a bit more pretentious than covered health care.

Color-mania

Here's a funny satire on the "color war" going on in Israel these days.

(via Allison)

Disturbing Humor

There is a site, www.homeless.co.il, which is a (rather aptly named) database of apartment listings in Israel. And in the Jerusalem category of that site, there is an apartment listed for rent of $20, in the neighborhood of "Jerusalem," at the address of "Jerusalem." And this is the picture included.

I hope this was meant just as a joke, although it's not in my taste. If it was meant as political satire I'd find it even more disturbing.

Fresh-air-less

My situation today has been somewhat annoying. Yes, I'm enjoying having a day off and certainly enjoying my parents' vacation (although they're probably enjoying it more!) But I've been caught today between a number of things that I've been wanting and/or needing to do at home and wanting to be outside, because it's so freakin' beautiful. I might actually forfeit some of the at-home activities and go out, though, if I could think of what to do outside besides lie on the grass in the park with a book. (Not to suggest that isn't an enjoyable pastime, but it's only comfortable for so long, and inertia tends to outweigh my impulse to travel somewhere to do something I can just as easily do right where I am.)

"Nothing to do in Manhattan???" you ask in shocked disbelief? Well, yes. I've had this problem -- and that reaction -- my whole life. Sure, I could wander around Central Park, but I did that yesterday with a friend, and alone, especially among the throngs of people on a gorgeous holiday weekend, it's not so attractive. I could wander the streets, but truth be told I get suffient temptations to spend money just en route from home to work and back each day -- I don't need to exacerbate the situation. I don't tend to enjoy museums, especially not by myself, and besides, that's not outside. So?

Right. So that's why, except for one short errand, I've been sealed in this apartment all day. Yuck.

Sensory Interference

Have you ever tried eating something with your hands when they have a strong smell on them?

Garlic peach...mmm...