Firstly, I think war correspondents are the bravest people alive. Five journalists have been killed in Syria in 2012. Today Marie Colvin was killed when their makeshift media center was hit by shell near Homs. How do these people do their jobs knowing their lives are on the line. Read More »

I’m a big fan of NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert”. You need to watch Rodrigo y Gabriela ‘s amazing live show. This is virtuosity. (Yeah, Yeah, It’s not Tuesday, Shuddap already). Read More »

I had a lousy day. I was up at 2am – jetlag. I foolishly slept for an hour yesterday afternoon and then went to sleep at 10: 30pm thinking that would be it for the night, but no. I shot awake at 2am, knowing full well that was it. I have been here, done this jetlag thing before, so I did what any reasonable person would do, I went to work. Read More »

It was much harder than usual to return home. I missed the kids and looked forward to seeing them, but the usual post vacation depression set in when I heard the first Hebrew shout of “Baruch, tkneh li sandwitch” in Newark airport. Read More »

This is always the hard part of the trip. The time with my family in Houston is running out. Tomorrow we will take our absolutely laden cases (we came to the US with two and leave with four) to the airport and fly off to NYC. Read More »

I am once again waiting at the airport. This time in Sacramento. We are off to Houston next to see the family. I am looking forward to this. We arrived in Folsom with two cases completely empty (except for bwo’s bag that was filled with another empty bag). Read More »

We’re now in California. The trip was long and very tiring but we made our 50 minute connection in Frankfurt quite easily as did our luggage, luckily. It took an hour and a half for our cases to appear on the carousel. It seems the San Francisco customs department decided to check each and every case to look for contraband fruit and veg. Read More »

Once again here I am sitting near gate C6 at Ben Gurion Airport, waiting to fly. This time at least it’s with bwo, although her lovely company does not come cheap. We already needed to drop some serious cash at the duty free (one needs to constantly keep updating one’s potions and lotions), and we haven’t even left the country yet. Read More »

It’s a rainy stormy night out there. Quite cold too.  I like this kind of weather as it makes me want to sit here in the warmth of my office at home and do some work.  My dad had this theory that the cold weather led people to be more productive and hence the superiority of the northern climate based people. Read More »

I must say, I was surprised by the above effort to surpass the 80%. Firstly, as a well known lover of chips, I was impressed with the “Chef’s Edition” Tapuchips, as designed by the famous chip chef “Ayal Shani” (I’ve never heard of him myself). Read More »

There is a lot to be said for hot soup on a cold and rainy Friday morning. My first wife (I risk bwo’s wrath here, but if it was good for my father, then “the first wife” moniker will just have to do) made an awesome “grain soup”. Read More »

Sorry, I have been a bit busy of late. I have what to write about, and will get to it later. In the mean time, I leave you with this, it must be some of the worst English translation I have ever seen. Read More »

A conversation in Hebrew this morning. me: Hello. him: Can I speak to Sharon. me: Sorry, you must have the wrong number, there is no Sharon here. him: I definitely dialed the right number. me: Sorry, but you must be mistaken. him: But, I know I dialed the correct number. I dialed 054-XXX 6962. me: My number is 054-XXX 9696. Read More »

I know it’s not cool to post two lots of music videos one after the other (day after day).  But, there is such excellent stuff being pushed my way (mainly on FB).  Check out these two videos.  I have never hear of either before but both are excellent. Read More »

Once again my nephews come through with the good music. This time it’s from Eddie.  I think this live rehearsal of “The Weight” with Mavis Staples, Nick Lowe and Wilco at the Chicago Civic Opera House is wonderful. Just watch it and enjoy. If that was not enough try (another gem from Eddie) this one for size . Read More »

I’m listening to a fascinating book, A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage . His basic premise is that we could rethink the three ages of man (stone, bronze and iron) that are based on his tool usage, and perhaps think in terms of drinks. Read More »

And there we thought we had a rocking party to see in the new year.  Nephew Stevie was once again in NYC at the Phish concert in MSG. Just check this out. It’s a bit ling but worth it. Watch it full screen. Read More »

Happy New Year! May 2012 be all you want it to be.  We saw in the new year with the usual New Year’s Eve bash.  It was a little smaller than usual, but no less fun. If we didn’t do this party then all of us would just sit around or sleep through the New Year. Read More »

Last Night I plugged my iphone in to charge from my windows laptop. it asked me if I wanted to look at the pictures I had on the phone. Now I don’t remember ever having looked at the pictures, even though from time to very remote time I snap something with my phone when I have no camera (which usually lives in my bag). Read More »

Nephew blackedwino reminded me of last year’s Christmas where we were all in Houston and we listened to David Sedaris’ telling of a Dutch Christmas Story. Well, like all good things it is now available on YouTube.  You really should listen to this (Oh, and read all his books). http: //digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/dank-u-sinterklaasje. Read More »