I read it on Ynet (the Hebrew version of it is much more balanced than the English one), which rarely translates and if it does it only translates the most rightist articles, but I'll try to find a link in English.

Where were they supposed to go? Excellent question. I guess the answer is somewhere along the lines of "nobody really cares, they don't count as human beings".

Sorry, Hil, I can't find a link in English.

And also, mother of all AARRRGGGGHH: Sirens were heard 3 minutes ago in Qiryat Shmona in the north. Maybe rocket launching from the north. I'm waiting for updates.

I'm feeling dehydrated again. Not sure why this keeps happening. I've been tested for all the usual causes, and everything looks fine. Just suddenly guzzling water and still feeling really dry.

The predictions for what DC will be like during inauguration keep getting crazier. Really seems like this city just isn't big enough to hold all of the people who are going to be here. They're cutting off traffic to huge portions of the city. I'm kind of torn between wanting to be a part of it and wanting to hide from the crowds. I think I might try to go to some of the pre-inauguration stuff, maybe that'll be a little less crowded than inauguration day.

Yep. Rockets did land in north of Israel. Joy.

Hil, I hope you'll feel better. And I can relate to your feeling, but maybe because I'm not really an urban type. Jerusalem is the only city I ever felt comfortable living in.

Yep. Rockets did land in north of Israel. Joy.

Oh, great.

There was some newscast or TV program or something I watched a few years ago, that had one segment where an elderly Arab Israeli man walked a reporter around the remains of the village where he grew up, and then they were sitting on a bench on the beach (I'm pretty sure it was in Tel Aviv), talking about the situation. Elderly man says, "...and peace will be good for everyone -- good for the Jews, good for the Muslims,..." Random surfer dude walking by adds, "Good for the surfers!" Elderly man, without missing a beat, continues, "...good for the surfers, good for everybody." It was hysterical. I'm trying to find this clip again, but I can't remember enough about the program to get the right search terms.

I'm with you Hil. Torn about how to enjoy the Inauguration with as little agita as possible.

My landlord is actually considering sleeping in the store Monday night so that he can be open on the day. Chances are good he won't be able to get in from MD otherwise.

I almost offered to let him crash in my office but, you know what? I'm just not that good. I WILL lend him my -5 rated sleeping bag and large Therma-rest though. Must make a note to offer.

Given the maps of closures we've seen, the friend with the fireplace and plasma screen is looking better all the time.

OMG, y'all. This has been such a long week and it's only freaking Tuesday.

We told our die-hard drama kids (which is about 100 kids...15% of the student body) that their beloved program is in jeopardy today. I gotta say, pissed off and righteous middle schoolers are a sight to behold. There are petitions, posters, letters to the school board, letters to the local paper, buttons being designed. Parents are already emailing and asking what to do. The PTO met tonight and it was part of their agenda. It's being addressed at the union meeting tomorrow (which should be interesting!). College students and high school students who went through the program are contacting the school board and paper.

I've been compiling research that shows how the arts, and drama in particular, aid in student learning, especially helping to raise those blasted test scores. I've also put together a chart detailing all the language arts standards that I actually address in my drama classes (frankly, it surprised even me how many I hit). All this research will be put together in a packet for the school board.

Considering none of this became public until yesterday, it's amazing how fast people are moving.

Maybe I'm living here too long, but it sounds very reasonable comment to me.

Truth be told, I'm on the hunt after the people who don't want peace here. Just to ask what their fucking agenda is, because even the extremists want peace - they only differ on the way to get it. I just want to find those people, look them in the eye, and ask them if it's worth it, whatever it is they're getting from the current situation.

Considering none of this became public until yesterday, it's amazing how fast people are moving.

That's good, right?

Given the maps of closures we've seen, the friend with the fireplace and plasma screen is looking better all the time.

I live within the area where streets are going to be closed, so I can pretty much walk to anywhere I'd want to be. The security checkpoints for the parade look like a pain -- the parade gets pretty close to my apartment, but the closest checkpoint to actually get in to view the parade is several blocks further away.