Ipods, BO and an Aussie

I think my ipod can knows how I am feeling. Has apple created technology to read your mind? I usually just use my ipod to listen to podcasts of NPR and Savagelove, while I travel on the bus. But lately I have been listening to music all the time. I haven’t had the energy to make many playlists, instead spending lots of time on ‘shuffle’ mode. Lately I have needed to space out on the 45 min ride home, after spending 8 hours staring at a computer screen, trying to make the words come out. When I walked out of the library and slipped on my ear buds, it new exactly what I wanted! Up-beat music to make the walk to the bus stop more enjoyable. In the evening in plays mellow music, and the morning more upbeat? Of course 90% of the time it is going to play something I like, since it is a selection within my music, but there are over 4,500 songs to choose from. Plus a couple dozen research interviews. So far only one of those has come on. Not so fun when you are walking along, bopping to your music, and all of sudden you hear “em.. de Palestinians were never part of dis project…form da beginning. But we tried to convince de Israelians to include them,” in a strong Arabic accent. It takes me back instantly to a world of checkpoints and fresh kaak and shabaab, middle aged men and dusty shoes, argila and tea with mint. Not in a bad way. In a good way. In a homesick kind of way…

I am facing the facts – I am stuck on the Middle East. Things in London are picking up – sometimes there is sun, I have reconnected with friends and things are moving with the big D, but ultimately I don’t want to stay here too long. I don’t want to get lazy. I don’t like the way people here smell. I much prefer the stench of Middle Easterner’s who have not showered combined with the Abu Turki’s pit toilet to the old men here, reeking of stale cigarettes and cheap alcohol. Is that wrong? When I go back I will probably regret thinking it aloud, but when I walk by a homeless man peeing in the alley on my way to the High Street, when the wind changes and I get a whiff I start to feel queasy. I suppose that is a natural reaction.

My 2nd flatmate is back. He was in Spain for over 3 weeks. I didn’t expect him until tomorrow, and wanted to clean a little before his return. Oh well. Now it is the 3 of us together again…

Friday morning. I should be at school by now. 13 days and counting. Good Shabbos.