RE: the Edward Cullen body shimmer, I was with Alibelle when she bought some as a gift for someone.

I am almost done with my secret santa gift. OR I should say, I'm done with half of it.

Nilly, that is amazing. I wonder if Jon B has seen it?

I have now! (thanks, Hec) -- AWESOME!

(x-posted with Bitches)

Ginger, I hope you're home and safe by now.

IsraGaza updates (for Natter is too far away, for now): More bombings, more attacks, more despair. Be'er Sheva been told to get its shelters ready. It's kindda beyond me at the moment. And today's xkcd really sums it up: link.

So hoping my sis can get out of this hell for 48 hours. She really needs it.

And thank you guys, again. You've been wonderful through the whole way. I have people avoiding my online presence at the moment, and I'm not sure if that's because they don't know what to say or because they think my country is the only evil on this.

I'm going to uni soon, so I'm not sure I'll update much today. If you want me to repost my recommended links for keeping update in English, let me know.

Edit: also, Israel will let 100 trucks with humanitarian equipment to enter the Strip. Gaza claims Gilad Shalit was wounded during one of the attacks.

Thanks for the updates, but don't worry on our behalf about keeping us current, Shir. You take care of yourself, and we're continuously thinking of you, and your family, and those around you.

Glad to hear the humanitarian stuff was permitted in.

OK, last update: Palestinians report 7 dead tonight. More riots, especially in the north. And for some reason, Rice wanted to share and said she admires Arial Sharon.

Update: the vice to the General Chief of Staff is saying that's it's just the start, and the worse is yet to come. There are stabbing incidents and nonstop rocket launches that costs lives and property.

Israel, so it seems, try to destroy Hamas' infrastructure - also literally. Not that I know why they think it'll do good to anyone. According to UN, out of the 300+ casualties to far, 51 were civilians. They also have 1000+ wounded.

I'm trying to understand safer ways to get to my parents' house for weekends at the moment, not worry too much (friends were called) and trying to keep up with the mass of studies.

Another update: it seems like entering the Strip would happen soon. Why no one had define aims for this yet? "Destroying Gaza" isn't an aim, for the love of God.

My heart aches for all the people. My admittedly not close reading of history says that while bombing may affect infrastructure, it also strengthens the hearts of your enemies and makes them ever more determined against you.

Rice is such a well-meaning tool. Do you know she gave Benazir Bhutto personal reassurances that she could return to Pakistan safely, that the US would put enough pressure on the gov't to have enough security, et cetera?

Timelies all!

Got back from Florida last night. Spent a few days with my folks, then drove down to Key West. Aside from a rooster crowing in the middle of the night every night, Key West was fun.

(I have a doctor's appointment at 9 which is why I'm here posting and not at work)

My admittedly not close reading of history says that while bombing may affect infrastructure, it also strengthens the hearts of your enemies and makes them ever more determined against you

All I know that destroying every single piece of frame, authority or infrastructure those people ever knew won't get them 1. to like my country better, 2. solve any fucking problem, unless they're talking about bombing the whole area, killing everyone and retake the Strip under Israeli control.

So I'm eager for an explanation from my government. The "stop the rocket launching" is great - I'm all in favor of, really, but it's a blur - if Hamas or Fatah aren't the people you want there, and you're killing them, then... what do you expect the people there to do?

Is it Monday? Or am I dreaming?

I needed sleeping pills to get to sleep, so while my body is now awake, my brain is pickled in a sea of gronk.