#NoBillNoBreak

The past week at work was a long one with a lot of overtime yet no increase in pay; woos of a salary employee. Your salaryman in the IDF though has less than four months to go and in that time I am figuring out the next steps. My biggest concern moving forward is lodging especially as I do not wish to return to my six car garage and maid service. On the plus side, my apartment now has air conditioning.

Not only was last week filled with fun, but there was political drama both aboard and domestic. The sit-in on the Floor by House Democrats for gun control was quite inspiring to watch and passed the time on a guard shift. Unfortunately not enough came of it, but America does need to change its’ gun control laws such as licensing and education. The same metric is applied to getting a driver’s license.

Unfortunately Afri Cola was not that refreshing.

The events on Thursday caused me to lose $40 for now as the markets took a hit from Brexit. I am not a regular gambling man, but having a small amount of money in an IRA is always a risk. What would be riskier would be selling anything I have especially as the markets will recover. I still need to be looking into diversifying my portfolio though.

The juiceman always squeezes fresh.

Television

The weather is quickly getting warmer making me pine for a colder climate or at least a slower summer. Supposedly my apartment should be getting air conditioners installed which may bring some arctic breezes while being environmentally destructive too. Of course, come late October my living situation will change again, likely entering an official rental agreement which would be a first for me, not counting dormitories or fire stations.

Along with the upcoming apartment renovation, I have also noticed that I am watching more television. Growing up, I didn’t have cable (nor a home PC until 17) so I watched the typical network shows. This was supplemented by video rentals from all over, with the transition from VHS to DVD. At 16, my viewing habits were drastically cut as went to school in the Library of Congress. Lost was in its third season but I never caught up where I left nor do I have plans to.

Henceforth, my viewings were limited to more movies over TV. I couldn’t get into shows in college as it seemed like a waste of time. Once I was fully integrated with Station 10, I did start slowly watching more shows be it trashy reality to Strike Back. Later on, a girlfriend and I started working our way through Buffy the Vampire Slayer; I need to finish the series one day.

Getting to Israel I caught up on season 3 of House of Cards (haven’t seen season 4) but elected to try to be active in experiencing Israel. Alas, a friend shared his Netflix information with me and I sped through Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Unsatisfied, my addiction continued to the Blacklist (AKA deus ex machinas [to me at least]). Having caught up with the shows I wanted, I thought I was done but then there was iZombie

My computer continues to function despite damages.

iZombie is about a medical student turned medical examiner turned zombie (maybe not in that order). The show takes place in the great Pacific Northwest so I am eagerly awaiting the DB Cooper subplot. As with Fight Club, I find that the show is better than the source material. In the case of this patient zero, the comic was based in Eugene, Oregon. Once I finish this show, I should be able to break my television addiction while my podcast stands firm. Speaking of which…

Postal Service

Post Offices, like grocery stores, I find to be a common dominator of humanity. With the grocery store you are able to get a sense for the local flavor as well as products generally found everywhere such as salt, pepper, and flour. Unfortunately, the postal service of a country is less exiting adventure.

The Ink Flag of Eilat

The American postal system prides itself on the serpentine queue. Israel, in a surprise twist is the same way, but as I have found that we have an inability to line up in an orderly fashion here, there is the requirement for numbers to keep us in line. This past week I had to get some postage out in the 21^st century (the local telegraph lines were down), and was fortunate enough to be in and out in 10 minutes. The previous week I had arrived at the Petah Tikvah post office thirty minutes past its opening, and would have been rewarded with an hour plus wait.

Spring Fling at the Kirya

Besides mild adventures at the post office, my time in the service ticks down. With that will also come another Stateside trip, likely from mid-July to mid-August. Another cross country road trip may be in the cards, although it would be with a modern day oxen free wagon, relying upon a sole mustang. I will keep you in the loop as the future progresses.

Improper positioning

Eilat Again

I apologize for the lack of photos, but I wanted to publish an entry while I am also adapting to a new sleep schedule. Lat week there was not an update as I was at Eilat again for for another week of guard duty. The hardest part of my shift last week was the bus ride down, but having invested in a U neck pillow, I easily slept through the ride.

The weather in Israel is getting warmer. Since this is not my first summer, I am getting along with the warmth quite well. This week is the Israeli Burning Man (MidBurn) down in the Negev, an event I will have to attend one year. I also want to attend Burning Man one day too. Which one will happen sooner?

Beyond Eilat, I am in the process of scheduling my Meyuchadat. At present, I do not know where the month off will take me, perhaps even around the world. With the vacation, my time also ticks away and soon the months will turn into days remaining. And from there, well…

Gift of Life

A few minutes ago, I invited a stranger into my apartment, yet before the door slammed shut he was already on the way with a few vials of my blood. Unlike some cult sacrifice gone right, my blood is off to be tested. I admit the speed at which the individual got the drawing done would leave vampires envious.

The event described above because on March 5^th, 2013 in the basement of an American University building, I provided a cheek swab for the Gift of Life. This past week I found out I may be match for a patient in need. Follow up, if I am indeed a match could require a moderately invasive medical procedure as well as time off from the IDF. Since the military does genetic testing for Gift of Life on our induction, maybe I will get the time off needed for the procedure.

On a completely unrelated note, I recently removed most of the social media applications from my iphone4S. I left messaging applications from slack to whatsapp and a few more. I expect the former applications I removed from my phone to stay off my phone permanently especially as I find it relaxing to be without distractions. As I did with my first laptop, my fingers do itch to take a sledgehammer to my cell phone, but that would be a waste of money and leave me severely lacking.

This past week our department went on a trip up north. Compromised of fun and games, there was also lunch on a scenic overlook near Tiberias. In December 2012, my Birthright (Shaglit [Israeli phrase] Birthmark) trip visited the same site. While this entry is light in photos, the first was from 2012 while the current is from last week; enjoy.

This I Believe

The time it takes me to make an Israeli salad has decreased while the complexity has increased. A standard Israeli salad can be defined as tomato, cucumber, and onion. That is standard, and far too basic. I like to spice it up by adding jalapeno, peppers of all colors and even experimented with a nectarine. I do not dice the vegetables as Israeli law mandates so it is not completely authentic. Additionally, a fair amount of the salads are drowned in oil, simply ruining the taste and ones health. I confess I add a dash of salt and pepper especially as I am finding some excellent salt varieties out here.

This past Thursday was Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. One of the most interesting aspects of this is the day prior is Yom Hazikaron, Israeli Memorial Day. Thus, a day of mourning leads into a day of celebration. Following Jewish tradition, Yom Hazikaron goes from sun down to sun down (and has two sirens marking its significance). Thus, when the day ends Israel switches gears into a celebratory mode. I was lucky enough to have a date the night of Yom Ha’atzmaut with a lovely Sabra.

Changing topics entirely, I grew up listening to the radio (never had a cable subscription). While 104.7 KDUK was played on the school bus, more common in whatever house I was in was NPR, be it Oregon Public Broadcasting or KLCC. Once I left home for work in the salt mines at age 16, radio was harder to come by, but I eventually found out a replacement for radio in the form of podcasting. A future Satchuation will be on my love of podcasts and what I listen to from Goosebuds (adults discuss Goosebumps) to Criminal (Radiotopia show about crime) and more. This Saturday one of my casual podcasts, Geek In The City came to an end after six years. I was only listening to them for four years, but it was solid entertainment. One of the better shows I am listening to is called This I Believe. It is a contemporary commentary taken from the 1950s Edward R. Murrow show. I listened to Edward R. Murrow’s first episode of This I Believe and encourage everyone to listen to it as well.This I Believe Edward R. Murrow

Israeli Memories

Last week I was off base completing a course in computer assisted design in the city of Giv’at Shmuel. The city is actually a mild success story for Anglo Olim of Israel which makes sense as it lies between super exciting Petah Tikvah and dull Tel Aviv. The course went well and I learned some new tricks that I will be able to apply shortly.

This week is a short week as I took a day of vacation yesterday to go to a Sefer Torah dedication in Jerusalem. Chayal el Chayal had a Torah donated to them by Billionaire Alexander Rovt in memory of his Mother. Chayal el Chayal provides a family and support system for all lone soldiers. Such services include lodging, Shabbat meals, Holiday meals & packages, trips and more. More information about Chayal el Chayal can be found at www.lonesoldierhome.org/.

Yom HaShoah was this past week with the traditional remembrance for the Holocaust. This week there will be Yom Hazikaron. Both of these days receive a moment of silence that bring the country to a complete standstill. Following Yom Hazikaron will be Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. Yom HaAtzmaut will be filled with BBQs, and other festivities.

Less than 6 months left

I have no clue who would dare write an English language sign on an Israeli base promoting over consumption of free matzoh provided by the FIDF.

With less than 6 months of service left in the IDF, planning for my future gets kicked into a higher gear. I already have some ideas, expecting things to be finalized soon enough. Onto other highlights from Pesach to Punk and even more.

Pesach passed over without a hitch. With Pesach past, my weekly Torah study has also come to a close so I will have to find other weekly social events. I was with a Ashkenazi host family near Kiryat Ono making me miss the Sephardic tradition of last year. The traditional leek whipping shines bright. Maybe that means I need to find a proper Sephardi Princess to marry; do you have any leads beyond Jdate? The Siddur went well as well as the following wheat and wheat by-product free week. I broke the fast with a nice pizza and cola.

Prior to Pesach I went to a punk show in central Tel Aviv. Of the two bands, I found the opening act better. Unfortunately both band names blank me at present. I was also finally able to get my zippo engraved with how I am spelling my name in Hebrew; now I just need to engrave my chrome buckle, but that may be going overboard.

G4S Experience

The past two Shabbats I have been on base pulling guard duty. This is called closing and when I am not guarding I am free to spend my time as I like.  The first weekend I was at my regular base of the Kiria. The weekend after I was in the middle of Israel at a smaller base where we had a coca cola machine fill in for the base store. Fortunately I was able to stretch my legs completing patrols.

The taste of bagged milk is unlike any other.

Coming back to work, I resumed my regular duties with computer assisted design. I will be receiving additional training with the program, thus allowing my skill set as a drafter to increase. I may also have an additional ulpan coming up soon. I should have more stories to share soon.

 

 

 

My weekly Torah study as part of the Bet Daniel will be coming to a close, Services continue at Kehlat Halev located the middle of Tel Aviv. Next week there will not be any services as it is the first night of Pesach. As with Rosh Hashanah, the IDF set me up with a host family albeit a new one. I do not know if it will be a Sefardic family, but their Passovers can be livelier especially if we are whipping each other with leeks. I am also trying to lay my hands on an IDF Haggadah in time.

Beet Latkes

 

 

Participate Don’t Spectate

This past week was Purim and while the holiday is technically two days long, festivities go from Tuesday until Shabbos. With Purim also comes the start of removing hamotzi from your home. I didn’t dress up for any parties but I did go to a Megillah reading at Kehlat Halev. I also had a date Friday where we ended up going to a Purim party in central Tel Aviv.

The day before I went to the water with my friend Josh who was in Israel for a MASA program. On Josh completed he program he had a few days to relax and elected to visit the Dead Sea. Israelis call it the salty sea and having been 3 times, it always relaxing. The same day we also saw Batman V Superman which was good but nothing mind blowing.

While I do not know if my date on Friday will lead to a third one, it brings up memories of another .  The date of yesteryear it was a brief one with a Delta Phi Epsilon sister.  We went to a show at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. The band was Cuban  and a Conga line started. I was very passive in that date (and still can be) so I didn’t jump into the Conga line. In retrospect I could have jumped in and livened up the date. This is a philosophy I am working on adapting where one does not spectate and participates.