I expect it's a little different in a parliamentary system, but third parties never survive for long around here.

Well, there are so many here. A few years ago, people from both biggest parties tried to create a new one, the "Center" party. It got nowehere. A little later, another new party was formed based on, to put it blantly, opposing religious people. It went stronger and stronger with each election, but it didn't manage to do much, so I guess it'll get fewer votes in the upcoming elections. Those are the biggest new parties that I can remember, so things can go either way. Well, could. Without Sharon himself, I really don't think this new party has too much to offer. [Edit: more often than not, the people who joined it are considered opportunists who ride on his coattails, not like even pretending to follow some sort of ideology.]

Hamentaschen!

Oh, yeah.

My mom also makes 5 or 6 different kinds of cookies, especially for Purim (and hardly ever, any other time of the year). They're awesome. In Purim, one of the things you do is trade dishes with friends, send a little basket with goodies to a few friends. My roommates can't wait each year for the one from my mom.

Note to self: If I go to Israel, go during Purim.

Hey, Nilly!

My neighbors were screaming their heads off last night and woke Li'l Sphere up over and over again. There was some sort of game on, right?

It was boring though. You just knew how it was going to end.

If I go to Israel, go during Purim.

There are also costumes. And drinking wine (um, not for me. I'm too vanilla for that, which is the less (!) embarrassing way of writing tha tI fall asleep after two sips).

Corwood Industries! How are you doing? Did your baby-son get you anything fun for the holidays? Like a particularly gorgeous smile?

You know what's annoying? A friend I haven't seen in forever asks what I'm doing Friday, then says she was thinking about meeting for drinks at 11. ELEVEN! On a Friday? I'll be asleep by then! Friday is for after-work plans, not late night plans!

There are rules to such things! It's a wonder to me.

I make no plans for 11, cause I'm an old talbots-wearing person now.

I'm pretty sure this friend isn't working, hence the ability to stay out til all hours. But really. It's 11 AM and I'm ready for bed!

I'm even wearing Talbot's right now, come to think of it.

I'd rather plans at 11 on Friday than Saturday, because I'd rather sleep late on a Saturday than a Sunday.

This is not to say that 11 any day is a good time to plan to meet.

ELEVEN! On a Friday?

It took me up to this part of the post to realize you're talking about 11pm, not 11am. Because for us, Friday is the first day of the weekend, so meeting for brunch or something on 11am is a perfect timing. It's even more complicated than timezones.