Good luck with the car, Daniel. God knows we have a lot of car troubles of ourselves here too, which can be a pain in the ass.

While I'll fondly indulge in every type (or just most types...?) of Buffista snuggling, I am OK and sorry if I overwhelmed the thread. I accept this is gonna be my reality, and this is complicated shit. I'm looking forward to finding the good stuff which will have to come along the way, while restraining myself from taking my rage on random people/property of the settlement, because I don't think I'd like jail very much. I'm accepting this; just not fully, not yet.

A lot of ~ma to your dad and his surroundings, omnis.

Shir, I was too sleepy to post last night but I'm really glad to read that you've found a way to come to some sort of peace with where it looks like you may be living. It's not what you would choose, but it's not entirely in your control, so finding a way to live with it is important. And your temporary host sounds like a fascinating woman.

Shir, I am fascinated by your posts; they're teaching me so much about Israel and all of the complications that are involved with living day to day life. Please don't feel like you can't or shouldn't post about it. We're here for you (even though I am more lurker than poster these days, due to life).

Shir, I agree with javachik. I'm interested in your posts because they are not only about you (and that's enough to be important around here) but also because they are about life in a part of the world I wish I knew more about.

Hmmmm. On one hand, my running group is starting tonight. I enjoyed it the last time I participated, and I certainly need the exercise. The people involved are nice, too.

On the other hand, it's going to be mid-60s F and quite likely rainy. And half my department either is or recently has been out with the 'flu. I know that getting cold and wet doesn't make you sick, but it can lower your resistance.

So, cardio with potential 'flu or dodging the virus, but having that dodge be the only notable exercise I get today?

Oh, y'all. I love this place.

I'm not sure how well I represent Israel: I can only represent myself, and I have some difficulties with doing that alone sometimes.

A good example that one of my Seattle hosts used, describing Israelis, and that there's a warp and woof or religious beliefs and political opinion. One can be on any of the places: orthodox and left wing, or secular and right wing. It doesn't matter, and everyone has a place (though most people here will say that they feel they don't have a place. I think that if you can say that, you're aware of your place or what it should be. One of the most important things I learned from analysis of historical texts is to look what's not written in them. So I somewhat feel like if you can articulate your need for place, you've already made the first step in creating it).

Shir, you're an Israeli view. We don't get enough of those in the U.S., so of course we're interested.

And we'd no more expect you to be the Israeli view than we'd expect any of ourselves to give the U.S. view.

I'm finding your perspective fascinating , Shir.

ma for Bartleby

ION, i don't want to go to work today. But If I don't the rest of the week will be less fun.

t rubs belly

I ate too much spinach, mushroom, feta, and artichoke pizza.

All the cupcake talk recently gave me a yen. The DH, who does not have nearly the sweet tooth I have, surprised me last night. When I suggested that I stop by Yummy Cupcake and pick up dessert for us tonight, his response was an instantaneous "Yes, that is a BRILLIANT idea."