Recent Events

I live right next to a large open market, but sometimes I have the desire to purchase items in a proper supermarket. It is easier to have everything under one roof with one check out in the end, instead of going from stall to stall squeezing fruit and negotiating prices and ending up with lots of plastic bags. For whatever reason, whenever it comes to paying for my purchases there is a problem: the check-out lady goes on break when it's my turn; the customer in front of me has a problem with coupons or at the last minute realizes they forgot something on the opposite side of the store. But last night was a unique experience - the man in front of me was OCD. I didn't realize it until he started putting things on the belt. He waited to place his items until the woman in front him removed all her purchases. He then took things out of his cart, one at a time, and neatly placed them in rows. He had 3 of everything - 3 cucumbers, 3 tomatoes, 3 butters, 3 yogurts. It was fascinating to watch, so I didn't care that it took him forever to fish out the money and pay. The woman behind the register did not wait for him to pack up to start running my items, and when my malawach got near his yogurt he freaked out a little, but it all worked out.

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The strikes aren't over, but the students are back making lots of noise in the hallways and taking up the good spots in the library. It takes 10 minutes to get through security now since the buses to and from campus are so full, but at least they haven't noticed that my student ID is expired. Yesterday, on my way back home, I was listening to a SavageLovecast on my ipod. I noticed that the woman sitting next to me was reading a book in English. I glanced at the page and read something about being "flushed" and then "the top of her bra". Turns out the book was called "the best kiss". Nothing quite like riding through Meah Shea'arim, a very Haredi neighborhood, with our own vices.

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I was building up karma points for a couple days and it paid off. On Saturday I traveled in and out with Bethlehem with 2 friends, one of whom is Israeli, without incident. We saw Banksy's art and more, and were on the Italian news. A good time was had by all.



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Now back to work. I need to get ahead on things. Tomorrow there is a Christmas party in my neighborhood. Wednesday I am going to Aqaba for a few hours for a meeting. Thursday morning is a meeting in Tel Aviv. Then my sister comes to visit on Saturday!
Why won't this cold go away? Happy Holidays.