White Elephant

Wake up...

2007-12-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

we're group B this morning....
I wonder why after being with her for 5 years I still can't quite explain that one to Sarah?

I also wonder how another year has gone by and I got stuck in the "oh Shit I missed Moe's Birthday AGAIN" rut...
Soon to be followed by the I fogot Timm and Adam's Birthdays so I might as well just stick it all in here =(

Winter is not as good for my mental and emational well being as summer....
when I have to get up at 5:30 and there's no sun! just plain WRONG.

wush wush

2007-11-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

Wush wush was a name that was given to the "sea peoples" known biblically as the Philistines...

I thought I should share something after two months....

with one hand...

2007-09-28T06:57:00.001-07:00

with one hand I type this while the oter rests on Raphael's sleeping back. let's see about a picture before he wakes up..

How is it possible

2007-09-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Did I really fall so far off the face of the Earth?

When I logged on to see that my last post was over two months ago I was astounded!

I haven't been in school all summer - I think I posted somewhere that I was taking a course to become a licenced tour guide in Israel - it's almost like a masters program where as far as anyting relates to Israel I have to know everything from the dawn of civilization to present times. It's Archaeology, history, geology, geography, theology and some other stuff that I guess I haven't learned yet;)

So I spent my summer working for Archaeological Seminars at the dig for a day program in Bet Guvren national park. I could write a ton about working there but I think I'll hold that for later.

As the busy tourist season ended abruptly in the last week of August I spent time back at construction as well as doing odd bits of work here and there - from driving around friends - to moving someone across the country - to painting an apartment I've tred to make as much cash as possible so that once school really starts rolling in October I can cut down to two days a week and spend more time with Raphael and focusing on school.

Sarah is doing well she is spending the majority of her time with Raphael having some fantastic help from her mom wo came here with her dad for six monts in total (which is almost over!) She's also been finishing up her internship hours for Chinese medicine (only 20 left) then she can start to pick up private clients.

Raphael is amazing. He has suc a wonderful smile that it makes even te most sleep deprived person melt.

Well as I mention sleep depervation guess I should go in that direction myself.
Last couple of random thngs recently I've been reading biblcal atlases - of cource Harry Potter - and te Atlantic monthly in the bathroom. I've been lstening to little music but it includes the Hold steady's spernatural sunday, Revrend hortan heat, and a couple of mixes that include the paperboys. I also have put quite a few ours in transit into the gameboy advance I inherited when m friend Daniel left the country - mostly Yoshi's island (which includes "Mario Bros" and Castlevania.

Oh eah I also sould direct y'all here

So tired...

2007-06-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Long days at the dig, long nights with diapers - I feel jet lagged....

It's fun ;)

Smells like Timm...

2007-06-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

So Sarah told me to look in the fridge when I got home this evening - Lo and Behold, I find a can of Mountain Dew (She later tells me that she knew this would get her good wife points =)
Since I've been sweating all day I stick it in the freezer to get it really cold. When I open it and take m first slurp - I have an image of sitting at the taco bell on clark street playing MTG with Timm and getting lots o refills...

Raphael is doing very well - he sleeps eats cries and poops just like a baby should.

How bout this?

2007-06-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

link

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle....

2007-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Raphael (because we like it) with a middle name of Tsvi (after my Fathers father)

let's see if this works...

It's a boy!

2007-05-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

After hour of labour at 10:45pm my son was born by ceaserian.

The name will go up (after we know it and) after the "bris" in 8 days.

Five AM

2007-05-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Water broke so off we go!

On time?

2007-05-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

When the real (as oppossed to Braxton hicks) contractions started in the 35th week - we went to the hospital where Sarah was given 2 bags of saline through a drip, and told to stay off here feet for 2 weeks.

Now, weeks later we have araved on the due date.

On a tagential note taht will come back around...

We have friends over regularly for Friday night dinner, one of these friends - a journalist currently overseas is perpetualy late - so if dinner was slated for 7 - we'd invite her at 6:30.
Another couple was always early, so much so that if dinner wouldn't be ready til 7 - we'd invite them at 7:15.
With this artillerly like targeting, the five of us would all be ready to eat at just about the same time.

Because of this I started to become very aware of what time we show up at other peoples homes... I realised that we were consistantly between right on time to about three minutes late -

So if our child follows our lead - I expect that either today or tommorow will involve a trip to the hosptal. =)

In other news it is bittersweet to see ths picture of two children together but oceans away from me. May they have lifetimes of happiness and health ahead!

a picture is worth a thousand words

2007-04-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Expected end May. may come sooner....

Joy to the world and love to my friends.

Phil

As you suggested

2007-01-28T23:50:00.000-08:00

So let's see what's new...

torrents for movies, tv and best of all some comics...
I've read most of the Marvel Civil War series - Te frontlnes title is I think the best. Even better though someone at work (rather my former place of employment) turned me on o a Vertigo title "Y - the Last Man" - highly recomended. While the Civil War will likel get saved to discs and kept - one day when Y is fisished I'll buy the graphic novels.

Well just got a work call so I'm off to mix concrete.

Cheer up Eft - it'll be ok...

Seesh!

2007-01-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

Finally got logged in!

Let's see what's new...

I'm unemployed - started a two year tour guide course - I'll get three months severance from my last job tax-free as long as I don't go back within 6 months.

As soon as I get my last check I'll step down to the unemployment office because right now it seems like getting 75% of what I was making will be the highest income I can obtain. (it's weird tat I'll be officially unemployed for the first time in my life!)

The tour guide course popped up suddenly as an idea around Tuesday as I was wondering what I wanted to do with my future in Israel. I had already seen that making a career at IDT wasn't as stable as I might have liked. I interviewed for a job with a call center that worked for online gaming (which I would have taken if the guide course didn't open up right wen it did). The part of te online gaming that really made me feel icky inside was they saw that I had been doin Retention for the past three years and liked that I might be able to help them do winbacks n the future. Winback being when you solicit former users and try to entice them to use the service again. It felt a bit too much like slinging Smack. "ey man - ain't seen you around in while - here take a dime bag on the house - wat you don't even ave our kit any more, no worries you can borrow mine just bring it back to me when you come for more next week,,,"
That's what I call crapmeat salad!

So I think I'm Good for 6 months - definitely 4 after that maybe I ca already start to work in tourism some where - time Will tell...

Happy Hanukah!

2006-12-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

And an even happier Birthday to Moe - belated as always....

WRONG!

2006-12-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

One Day

I'll play one of those - for now I'm thinking I'm on my way to an x-box or PS2 and about 2 years from an iPod =)

Like Dylan said...

2006-12-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

They gave us "at least 30 days notice" so I may still be wit tem a bit longer - I may move elsewere in my company, or I may get a severance package - "I gotta wear shades..."

In other news I finally learned how to make really good hash browns!

Some time ago I laenrd that one sould first boil the potatos - recently I found out that after words one should dry them in an oven before peeling them (once again thats after boiling before frying) AW HELLS YEAH! You know what I'll be makin for a while now...

Oh and just for the record - the drying in the oven is apparently also recomended for mased taters - but I ain't tried that yet.

Phil

MEAT

2006-11-22T03:49:00.000-08:00

3 Kilo's chicken breast
1 - 3 kilo ciken
3 kilo's ground beef
5 entrecot steaks
1/2 kilo ground turkey
8 cans of tuna

I smile now when I open the freezer - I think I'm set for a while...

What's the deal?

2006-11-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

So I upgraded to Blogger Beta - I don't see the difference and I completely forgot what I was going to write about to begin with.
yup I'm a space cadet.

Substance D

2006-11-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

Back in the Good Ole Days - we knew the were the good 'ole days - their were a few albums, Pretty hate machine for playing Phantstar2, Strong reaction for getting up in the morning, Blood Sugar Sex Magic for entertaining in the other room, and Counting Crows along with Cypress Hill for nights when everybody came back from the Stube smelling like Pork Rinds.

their was also an Author - one book specifically - Philip K Dick, A Scanner Darkly.

Tomorrow I'm going to see the movie, If it hadn't been for the conversation with God sitting on curb in Gastonia - I'd go back to my own Substance D. That conversation and of course being all grown up and married.

Sometimes I get homesick - but it's not just my friends I miss, not just my home I miss, - it's those days that we knew while we were having them - that they were days we would remember forever...

Hoping the movie is at least OK,
Phil

Karma

2006-11-02T02:13:00.000-08:00

So I've been watching Burnt copes of a show called "my name is Earl" - Many of these epesodes don't play - ironic for a show about Karma.

Outside of that, Every one of the five really cool guys with fire has now been married!

So a Big's Whoop Whoop to Moe for catching a good one!

and (on a completly different topc) a big "Where the hell did you find that!" for eft for his Oct 27th entry. Thanks man.

Holy SOCKS!

2006-10-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

I wonder if this blog software would have said anything if I had indeed sworn in the title...

Over two months since I've posted here - so I guess that means that:
A: the computer wasn't working
B: My boring fucking job has kept me too bus
C: I've been having too much fun doing other stuff to stop and write
D: I'm totall obcessed with some video game
E: The bachleor part rocked so hard that I just now have regained sobriety

Well let me sa that the new ergonomic keeboard that Sarh bought seems to really not like the wa my hands sit because it usually dosn't let me tpe the letter "Y".

She spent three weeks in Minniapolis - and I had my friend Davey staying with me during much of that time. I miss the part of my life where I would regularly sleep on other people's couches...

anyway - I'm back to working 3-11, or at least I will be once my little third world country is not the only one off daylight savings time, for now it's 2-10.

I had to fire somebody a couple of weeks ago - that really sucked, I mea he really should not have been hired to work in a call center to begn with, and I tried to get him to understand what was required of him for a couple of months... the worst part is - I can't really tink of a work environment that would be suitable for him - he means well - he just never quite got all the rules for social conduct in order. I dunno... I just had to let 'em go...

In other newsthe first rain fell esterday - it was the kind my dad always warned me about - "just enough to bring all the oil to the surface, and not enough to wash it away"

For those of you who still have our Dads - talk to them, even if the just sa the same things the always have - you'll miss it when they're gone...

Well damned if I ain't just a bit meloncholy, it wasn't what I intended when I sat down to write - though I guess that's likel to happen when one sits down to write not knowing what'll come out.

I like random punctuation -

I also like drawing - one of these days I'll decide that my budget can afford it and I'll go take a class. I tried one out some time back, it was a bit pricey and fucked up my sleep cycles for a week. It also wasn't quite what I wanted (read as he didn't magically make me great in the three hour session) it was drawing still lifes whch while I find overall boring - I found that what he taught me about measuring and lines was excellant. I just want to study sequential art.

I stored away most of my magic books the other week - I still have a couple out in case I get the itch - though one of the things I really liked about doing magic was keeping myself amused at work, now I just drink a lot of coffee - eh, at least I'm not smokng these days...

Miami Vice Tea

2006-07-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

a. Collin glass, filled with ice
b. 1/2 gin
c. 1/2 oz vodka
d. 1/2 oz peach schnapps
e. 1 oz Orange Juice
f. Fill with 7-up

The bachelor party plans are coming along quite well, I just found my card catalog of drinks which will offer inspiration for the shopping.

downloading comic books has been inspiring and with any luck I can turn the inspiration inward and produce something of intresic value.

Of course any value I generate from comic book can only pale in the inspiration of Steve and Michelle back in Chicago. May their Child come into the world healthy and share a life filled with happiness and blessings for the Probst family.

With Love,
Phil

Ho-Hum

2006-07-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

I'm awake a lot earlier then I should be -
This does not bode well for the home team.

Well as long as I'm up I might as well run into town for bunny supplies and blank DVD's to use with this borrowed DVD burner to make copies of Doctor Who. (I tried to defragment the hard drive and got a message saying it's too full to defrag)

Well that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Sleepless night

2006-06-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

What kind of Low-life am I?

I am a retention/cancellation/saves specialist/supervisor/coach/team leader...

I've taken my customer service/theater/communication skills and developed them to a call center environment.

As an ex-pat living abroad I could teach English (tried it pays like shit/treated like Shit/and too much bad karma for the way I treated my Spanish classes) instead I found myself in a call center.

The part that feels shitty; after reading 150plus comments on a blog about canceling AOL - I'm actually good at this job.

I'm overtired, broke (payroll fucked up last months check and still haven't corrected it, and that plus an international flight...) unmotivated to work on magic - the closest thing to a goal that might be inspirational -

I don't currently want to be an ex-smoker and the mosquitoes are keeping me awake

Harrumph

From the land of the Phone Whores...

2006-06-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

So I get an email the other day that says:

So are you one of these dickheads?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13447232/

With a signature down here.

(Damn, I really am doing a Shitty job keeping up with people if that's the most personal e-mail I get in a month.)

Well the answer I sent back was "without listening to it yeah, more or less"
after listening to the clip that has been the talk of the office for past week including a couple of policy changes I retract my answer -

No I don't badger people, I'm not that kind of phone whore. I'm more of the - make eye contact, flirt a little, flash my tits kind of phone whore. If that doesn't get me into the car - I'll just move on there's another car coming.
The agent on that call did not show any respect for the guy who was calling in. Even if the bitter fat kid said "I don't use it" and the money grubbing agent saw a great quantity of time online, the phone business is no place to answer offence with offence. To do the job right it's like using a sniper rifle, and you need distance for that, the pushy salesman on the phone was trying to use a sniper rifle like a baseball bat, sure it'll take some people down but it ain't they way it's supposed to be used.
Personally as a coach - I don't think the guy should have been fired - I think he should be taught to respect people more and properly use the tools he's given.

Well I guess I'll go drop a few e-mails...

Woah

2006-06-09T02:28:00.000-07:00

Shit I wonder if anyone else will find this, at this point I feel like I'm dropping a message in a bottle it's been so long since I was in touch.

The list of people who I have been thinking about (and obviously not) contacting is extensive.

To everyone in Chicago - I still owe all shades of Thank You's. It was such a great visit I almost forgot my original reason for returning was bad news based.

Moving forward, I've been working towards getting my Physical shape in tune. Given the conditions of my father's death; in and out of the hospital until his death at 63 - and my grandfather's death; fully mobile until a heart attack at 96 - I've got to choose the lifestyle that will let me have the most enjoyment out of my time on this earth.
So since I returned I've gone to the gym at least twice (three times the goal) a week. I'm doing about half an hour on elliptical machine then moving over to the weight machine and doing 60 plus reps of pull downs or butterfly's straight through with a low amount of weight; then after another quick stretch sitting back down and doing twelve with "real weight". I find that the real bodily pain is coming in two days later when I lose part of my full range of motion. Sarah says I need to stretch more, is she really always right?
I've also been slipping around with cigarettes - I had quit, then when I changed positions and was training back on the phones, they slipped back in - so I was smoking again in Chicago - quit again when I returned, started again last week and now for the third time I'll pick up Allen Carrs easy way to quit. They say three times a charm...
I've also, at the recommendation of the trainer at the gym as well as good sense stepped away from all the sugar crap I was consuming everyday. So my minimum of 1/2 a liter coke a day had no part of last week - as well I stayed away from the 1 sheqel chocolate covered peanut machine.
I think this was a big part of what pulled me back towards cigarettes last week (the first at work of "Sugar Free* June") to smoking. You get a break, and want some kind of self destructive treat that changes your body chemistry, right?

Well it looks like next week will have me off the phones and working on the next step of my training. Three more weeks and I'll have my new team =) So that means that I lose the phone cord leash which will make Phil a very happy camper.

The other things I've been doing since getting back, besides work and health. Sarah put Bearshare on the computer - so she's been collecting Doctor Who's and I've been getting episodes of Prison Break and comic books. (damn this thing slows down the machine while it's running) Though Bear share is taking some focus - it's nothing compared to hours upon hours I've spent listening to new musicand categorizing it all, sorting it all through itunes. I still haven't got any of my low memory mp3 players working right with the computer - though each one already has some music in it so I ain't suffrin'.

Well having decided to binge before purging - I came home last night "stinking of cigarettes" so I better go do some good around the house to keep some "Shalom in the home" - so a good weekend to all, and to all a Good Shabbos...

Bad news and Good news

2006-04-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Bad first - @3:00 a.m est my grandpa died.
I hadn't yet got the e-mail that he'd had a heart attack, and then I got the voicemail. He had recently had his 96th birthday. He is survived by my uncle Richard after having lost his wife and first son (my dad) several years ago.

Good news - because I'm still in training for my new position - they are willing to extend my training period so I'm taking a couple of weeks off to go back to Chicago.

If anyone still checks this blog then here's the heads up - I leave for the funeral Saturday night and then slid into Chicago after. I don't have an exact idea of how this all will work out - just that that it will.

=P

Working for the little yellow man

2006-04-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

So the phone company hass been shrinking - but not worry they refocused thier efforts on the global call centers. the biggest, highest turn-over, and highest pressure client in that big web browser/cable company. you know the one I spent years trying to get my mom to get rid of - while I've been in training because my outword wierdness and ability to communicate well with people (even if I do owe about 30 e-mails) seems to be just what thier looking for in thier "coaches".

11 pm to 7 am and about 2000 sheqel a month more on the low end (that's about $6)

It's really a good set of sales skills/professional development tools that I'm being trained to work with...

If I seem a little loopy it's because it's 4 am

in other news - I've been playing a lot of Civ II - finally getting a clue what to do after the 1500's but I think I'll gettired of the game before I figure out how to win by more than points.

Here's to missing my friends - I hope you're all doing well and think about me as I do you.

Ok no thumb pictures

2006-04-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

So once upon a time I said I was going to post a picture of what required a tetnus shot. Fergit about it. I can't seem to get my pictures in order well enough.
Anyway the story goes like this - I was volenteered to do a magic show. Not having any real time to prepare and knowing that it would take the day off I had just put a lot of effort into getting, I was hesitant. Did I also mention it was a hebrew speaking audience (I still don't feel anywhere near comfortable enough with my Hebrew to perform in it.) So it was a group of highschool aged kids that stayed at this school which was "last stop before Juvie". Hmmmm.... high school criminals - that's a GREAT group... Anyhow every year this group does a big thing - this years theme was "the Circus". There were kids that dressed as animals - others dressed as clowns - and a group or two that did some acrobatics. We were the finale - the basic breakdown was my partner spoke and did most of the magic, where I clowned and did other parts. In total the show went far better then I expected - the needle swallowing was a little rushed and underplayed and the multiplying balls counted on us being on a stage and since we weren't - it was too small.

So what does this have to do with a tetnus shot?
Not much - except on the way home, when I was walking home from the bus I decided I needed one more good deed in my day.

In Hebrew I ask "do you need any help?"
Amidst the layers of stuff strewn on the ground the answer was "Yes, please."
"ok" I said, "I know cars better then Hebrew", "here you move that this way".

I move the scissor jack from the center of the frame to the notch behind the front tire. "here, continue"

"Ok thanks" as he starts to raise the car.

My hand is checking by the jack to make sure it's in line - (after thinking about it for a couple of days I finally realized what happenened) As the front tire left the groung the car shifted and my left thumb got pinched between the car and the jack.

"OUCH" Looking at my thumb I see blood begin to pour out of one spot - looks like a bad puncture...
"I'm sorry" then I continued in English "you all have to finish on your own - I better go home"

Worried, "are you OK? I'm so sorry"
Back to Hebrew "no - no - I'm alright - I live close"

Startled by the whole thing he thanks my back as I'm walking away.

Two steps - I turn around and ask in Hebrew "Do you have a tablecloth?"

Understanding my words better then my need he comes back with a couple of napkins.

Ten minutes of walking with my napkin wrapped thumb held tightly in my right hand above my hand I get home.

Sarah's roused slightly from her sleep "do I need to get up?"
"No - just tell me where the hydrogenperoxide is..."
"on top of the refridgerator"
"ok... .... .... OWWW OWWW OWW... Ok - I think you need to get up."
"what happened?"
I give a short explination and ask her to get her glasses.
"why? let me see."
"Do I still have a thumbnail?"
"ah, um, No, no you don't"

The next day I got the best service at the Kupat Cholim (clinic) that I've ever seen=)

Why Twiddly-dee that DID require a tetnus shot....

2006-03-06T14:15:00.001-08:00

I have some gross picture that are going to go up soon.

Nothing broken, and nothing missing that won't grow back....

Can I get an AMEN

2006-02-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

remember this playing audio

with this on the video?

I swear the matched up better then Pink Floyd with Wizard of OZ...

Ain't a thing

2006-02-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

I wanna watch Eft's renovation on TV =(

one more

2006-02-12T10:00:00.001-08:00

I felt this one

"because our computers Suck like that"

2006-02-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

Ah the things that someone will tell a customer to make them feel better about thier phone service.

So the home PC was just upgraded to windows XP - now I just have to find that NERO utility to restore all the saved files...

I think I'll finally get around to using Flikr to upload the photos so I can put them on this blog like I said I planned on doing from the beginning.

So let's since my last post - not the quicky this morning...

1 couple got enganged
2 babies were born to friends
1 couple broke up
And that's all from WUJS connections...

My family from the North came to visit

Sarah and I bought an "aron" a wordrobe/closet

I'm still a non-smoker
Sarah stopped drinking coffee
I'm now drinking more

I got new brakes on my "old" (now only) bike
I built a shelf in the old-smaller-uglier closet
NOTE closets in Israel aren't built in they are homemade or cheaply made or old/quality external units.

So I just attempted to upload a photo from the engagement party - it may only work while I'm logged on at work, we shall see...

I gues it's back to the grind for Phil

www.choppingblock.org - this guy makes me look like I update everyday!

I feel into a burning ring

2006-02-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

of fire, I went down down down---

"most people don't have my issues"
said by a co-worker - and it is so thankfully true, for most of us.

back to work I go...

Some days

2006-01-25T06:54:00.000-08:00

Some days I like to scare cats -
some days I say words like "drats"

Sometimes I find something to say
Sometimes I make it up along the way

There are times when I like to work
there are times when I like to (Smirk)

Sometimes I am very patient,
and sometimes a want a machette...

Smirk

4 weeks today

2006-01-19T01:58:00.000-08:00

"hippos are 800 pounds" from the directors commentary on Madagascar.

But that has nothing to do with 4 weeks.
As of Sundown tonight - I will be 4 weeks ciggerette free!

To anyone else who really wants to be a non-smoker I would not particularly recomend the Zyban that I took, rather I would reccomend "Allan Carrs E-Z way to Quit"

While the Zyban must've made a difference in feeling physical withdrwal - without the book I would have started smoking while still taking the Zyban -

Once again, drugs without behaviour modification are only good for recreational purposes. I mean aren't any good at all... ;)

Especially For Moe and Timm

2006-01-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Ah the "Good 'Ole Days"

Guyths - Guyths...

Ok it was Whiskey sour instead of Dave's Insanity -
I don't think in all the Three Stooges I've watched I've enjoyed someone else's misery as much as that freak-out.

I swear I thought it was Timm

2006-01-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

http://www.pvponline.com/pvp_alive.php3

I wanna rock:

2006-01-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

a. I'm raw base and I'm here to get down?
b. Turn it down you say, Well all I got to say to you is time again I say, "No!"?
c. The door keeps swinging open and I want it to stop?

I'll bet if I was a little more savy I could make this a real
a. pole
b. pool
c. poll

Well that post'll get this year started in the same almost meaningless - slighty cryptic, random rambling way that the last year has you all acoustomed too.

For all ma peeps out there with the recent birthday's Happy birthday (yes Cyndi I did just compare you along with everyone else to a marshmellow chick).

And to the other Capercorns around the corner - hope it's another year filled the good jelly stuff like doughnuts!

Yup yup yup

Stalking...

2005-12-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

So I find myself having a disagreement with someone about the responsibilities of the family. Meaning - they don't want to have anything to do with my friends' bills (the one who never came back from the cruise). Because I signed the sevurity deposit the landlord is looking to me.

The only "help" they gave in clearing out the apartment was insisting that I bring them the key, then going in and taking all the appliences - it looked like the place had been robbed when I came back. In order to get the key back so I could finish at the apartment I had... bah

The point is, I had actually heard of his cousin's husband as a truly respectable and fair contractor - not the uptight fuck that I have been talking to.

So there's this listserve for English speakers in Jerusalem - I happened to see his name appear on it today so I'm going through the archives and following his posts.

I know about his children's health conditions, what items he has been trying to sell for over a year...

I also just read a post saying that he was looking for a lightwieght wheelchair "for a friend" with cancer - matbe the "cousin" is further then I thought, oh well I'll keep reading...

a month later...

2005-12-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

So three years ago acording to the Jewish calender, November 26th on the Gregorian calender my dad left this world.

I love euphamisims -
and I miss my Paw.

I'm sorry Miss Johnson...

2005-12-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

Wooo I am for real, never meant to - - wait, that was Miss Jackson Aw hell it was off-key in my head anyway.

One part of my job is "sup calls"
a customer who feels like they are not getting a satisfactory answer from the representative they are speaking to, comes to me. I have two ways of talking to these people, the first is with a great deal of kindness - the other is with "an iron fist".
Ms Johnson got the iron fist - basically what that means is that I repeat what the representative said - apologize for the inconvenience - let them rant for about 30 seconds, restate what I said at the beginning, and begin my chorus of "is there anything else I can help you with?"
I already answered that, is there anything else I can help you with?
Right, I cannot make it happen any faster, is there anything else I can help with?
I'm sorry, I thought I was clear when I said__________,is there anything else I can help you with?

I can be such a prick.
And I really kind of like it =)

OMG

2005-12-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.4q.cc/t/index.php?topthirty

only worksafe if you can laugh out loud.
Not to be read by anyone under 20.

I pity the fool that don't follow that link.
or cut and paste it cuz I'm too slow for HTML

Drama

2005-12-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

So the "brown-noser" of many months ago is pissed off at me.

Sigh

Drama

oops...

2005-12-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

So the first bike was stolen in Be'er Sheva - cheap lock.
The second bike was stolen after Sarah left it downstairs at our old place "almost definatly" locked up.

The most recent bike - I got from my friend tom when he went back to the states. Kenton was the brand - it was light, had front and rear shocks (that's why I fell off it twice in the first week I had it=)once he get's his house built I'll be paying him for it with scrolls for the Mezzuzahs there.

It was locked to the tree downstairs from where I live - I had just spent a hundred shekel getting my front tire replaced (I had already patched it at least four times) I had tire liners put in the front and back and gotten the rims trued.

I locked it up on Friday afternoon - on Saturday night we were walking home and when we turned the corner I saw the tree empty and stopped in my tracks...

HEY!

2005-12-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

That was like work for a while there!

I'm goin' outside to call Sarah.

BASTARDS!

2005-12-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

The Fucking bicycles in the same number of years.

The last one - still not paid for was the first bike I ever had with Shocks.
After patching the front tire no less then four times...

Gotta Work!

Wasteland

2005-12-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

This has got to be the hardest (&%^ing game I'v ever played!

I've died more times in this game then Super Mario Bros.
Well, ok, not that many - but I only played for two hours and...man it's hard.

Holy Shit

2005-12-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5014080

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me!

while I should

2005-11-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

finally be getting everything off the computer to put Windows XP on it - I might delay a little longer just to download and play:
http://compactiongames.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=compactiongames&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-underdogs.org%2Fgame.php%3Fgameid%3D2425

Howitzer anyone?

Moe for the Win!

2005-11-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

Ding Ding Ding!

LOL

bonus points!

2005-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Can you name the girlfriend?

He also used to say...

2005-11-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

"Cut the grab ass - I can hear the PreWorldWarOne china!"

I finally figured out years later that it was the cieling fan with glass covers over the bulbs that he actually heard.

I still remember when he came upstairs and found me with my first girlfriend who was only partially dressed. my pulse quickens just to remeber the combined embarresment of the three of us.

Oops thought I posted this last week...

as my father used to say:

2005-11-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

Where there's a will, there's a relative.

So I don't know in the end how it all works when there is no body to bury.
The two theories of how my friend died are:
Suicide or siezure.

Since he had made a lot of friends here at IDT - but most of them weren't in regular contact, I've had this horrible spotlight for the past 2 days as the vultures circle around picking up as much of what happened as they would like to hear...

Well ain't I a cheery bear?

The end of a chapter

2005-11-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

This seems to be an answer - but really it just brings about more questions...

JPost.com » Israel » Article

Nov. 6, 2005 13:52
Haifa police: J'lem man fell off ship and drowned
By JPOST.COM STAFF

Haifa police released Sunday afternoon the name of a vacationer who disappeared last week from the passenger ship Iris.

Gershon Ellen Baruchis, 52, from Jerusalem apparently did not disembark from the Iris upon its return to Haifa from Marmaris, Turkey. His passport and personal effects were found in his cabin aboard the ship.

Israel Radio reported that Baruchis is believed to have fallen overboard while the Iris was at sea.

Harumph

2005-10-30T13:28:00.000-08:00

So what do you say to a friend when you find out he stopped the kemo for his bone cancer - b/c the kemo isn't going to help?

It's been a little rough - and what makes it really feel gross is he keeps telling me things he wants me to have when he dies...
So I'm getting a new fridge...as soon as my friend dies,
And a kick ass Harley davidson jacket that is a perfect fit...as soon as my friend dies,
A new laptop, printer, couch...

So while a obviously don't want my friend to die - I'm starting to look forward to it?!

That's fucked up.

If I was just a little smarter...

2005-10-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'd figure out how to put these links somewhere better:
http://www.mousewax.com/
http://www.greystoneinn.net/ read from the begining - the earlier strips are better imho
http://devilspanties.keenspot.com/

These are a few of my favorite sites.

back from the boxes

2005-10-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

The new apartment - Rehov Eilat 1 - is about 7 minutes from the old place.

The street that we moved from and the street that we moved to are both "alley" streets. that means that getting movers was ridiculus - the truck would have been useless - down the stairs, out the courtyard, short walk on the sidewalk to the next stairs into the truck. the truck drives around 6 blocks to get 2 blocks further then unloads where it will take another four blocks of walking - or it drives 7 blocks to get 3 blocks further, and have 2 more sets of sidewalk stairs before coming to the entrance of the apartment where we will go up one more flight of stairs.

I bought a handcart and some beer. It would have gone a little easier if two friends hadn't "conviently" left the country.

I'll be back.

I'n not dead yet!

2005-09-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

Just moving

Going through the motions

2005-09-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to look busy here at work - I could be working on a contest, or putting together the next round of reviews for my team, or gathering the information for the new training manual.

But I just can't be bothered.

In other news it was great to hear from Moe, and the sleep lost from last weeks three weddings has almost been caught up.

I just feel like bitching about work, and any colorful anecdotes would almost gaurentee the "wrong" person walking up and reading over my shoulder.

So hi to my 3-4 readers and Shabbat Shalom.

3-5 Days!

2005-08-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

So I puked after a party for the first time in a long time.

Bachleor party, no girls - just intoxicants. Start off with ciggerettes, Drum no-filter to highten the dehydration. 2 Bong hits of Hash with Tabacco, Next we're moving on to the next place and i find myself drinking Jameson's Irish whisky out of a brown paper bag - mind you there are no open container laws in Israel so the brown bag wasn't needed, just gave it a nice touch.

2nd place, start smoking Kind Bud through a Chillum - followed by a joint of shwag. More Jameson, Goldstar. Smoking some more...

So I get home, smelling like smoke - feeling pretty tired. Sarah's been asleep for awhile so I decide when to whistle (like I always do when I come home) and send a text message saying "I'm home".

I lay down on the couch on our porch. And the spinning begins...

Some time shortly later, I find myself looking for my keys - so i can get to my good friend the toilet - we've got some catchjing up to do, no keys. Did I lose them, did I leave without - Shit it doesn't matter, what am I going to puke into?

Cooler?
no - I'm not putting food in it after, it'll never be clean enough. Hey here's that ripped Butterfly chair - with the ripped jeans that I was going to take into town - I can use the jeans...
Shit Blanket in the way - move the blan---How long can I hold this in my mouth...

I finally decided not to get the chair fixed and hauled it out.

The best part about throwing up?
Sarah was amused enough at the story that she didn't give me any grief for coming home smelling like an ashtray.

Liquer beer and Smoke ...

Every day

2005-08-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Things are getting closer running faster than a roller coaster.

Allright I was about to write a very exciting and interesting piece - but my boss called so I'm off to shovel dirt.

I didn't really know what I was going to write anyway...
P

And just so you know!

2005-08-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Whoever got the quarter is going to have a hard time using it.

I wear a belt regularly now!

Finished reading the 6th Harry Potter - even though my copy hasn't arrived.
I wonder what kind of freak actually scanned the whole book within a day of it's release.

I'm going to poop now ;)

Where to Start?

2005-07-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

My sister Sara points out that I Sometimes use what she calls Winnie The Pooh capitalization - where I use a capital letter just for emphasis - she said it's not appropriate for a Resume.

I was told once upon a time that people have a year after a wedding to send out thank you notes - I guess I've put them off as long as I can. The funny part being that I wrote some of them about six months ago but they are still sitting around in a basket.

After 2 months without my digital camera because it was "being repaired" they finally replaced it with a new olympus with roughly the same specs.

My Guitar lessons are going well - anyone who remembers our wedding (or it's pictures) remembers a fellow in a wheelchair playing guitar. He (Gary) has been giving me lessons that have finally brought me to a point where a can play a nice multi-chord rhythym.

I've taken 2 of a ten weeks of Swedish Massage - a friend of mine (Shial) was looking for someone to take this course with him. At the end we recieve a certification which I guess means I can walk into any Hotel/Spa and start practicing for pay. Our classes work out to about 88% hebrew 2% French and 10% English. (please remember that 63% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

I'm still doing construction a day or two per week. The most recent job has involved shoveling out a room about the size a typical Chicago Bedroom filled to the cieling with dirt. I'd explain why the dirt was there in the first place if I understood any better.

Internet at home - yeah, I can't go online at night because the computer is in the bedroom - and during the mornings before I go to IDT if I have time to relax I'm generally just playing through the maps on Warcraft 3 - though occasionaly I'll respond to an e-mail or two.

The other cool recent thing that I've done - I get a call one Sunday morning asking if I want to teach at an English speaking day camp. I'm told they're short a drama teacher and an art teacher. (this started right before the promotion so I was doing 4 day weeks) So I set a time - go accross the city and meet with the easily distractable Camp Director - who I think lost my faith about 15 minutes into our sceduled time when she answered her cellular phone saying "Oh I was just about to call you!" anyway to make a long story short (maybe I'll make it longer again later) I taught 5 classes to the 7th/8th grade group who then put on a magic show (with a little help from the teacher)

I wonder if I was more awake - would I proofread this?

No no no and I hope so

2005-06-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

This was a reference to that post when I was "acting supervisor" now I'm getting promoted.

this means no more time under the microscope and I should be able to slid into my blog regularly again.

What' the difference between me and Tony Danza?

2005-06-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

He was and I will be,
and obviously the number of times touching Melissa Milano

This is the day, this is the hour

2005-06-22T04:35:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting at my desk getting ready for my shift which I will pause after about an hour to go to my interview -- Did i mention I'm wearing a tie and I haven't smoked in 36 hours?

Waiting

2005-06-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

I've been wearing shirts with buttons - not surfing much - not complaining about Shit that annoys me.

They are in the process of interviewing the 6 candidates for the position - I wait.
I try to keep my nose clean (as opposed to at least one other person who keeps her nose Shit Brown) and I wait - I'm being watched...
I'm feeling paranoid
I don't care "all that much" (as long as the brown-noser doesn't get the job)
I'm just tired of being a good boy
I could really use the raise....

Annoyance ain't just a theatre

2005-06-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Fuckin' shit Bastards

Potential

2005-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

The position directly above me has opened up, so I'm in line for a promotion.
I'm noy supposed to surf these days and I'm trying to keep out of trouble - BORED

First off...

2005-05-26T05:26:00.000-07:00

So I still haven't seen anyone elses star wars horoscope or weapon of choice.
While attending George B Armstrong Elemantary School "The Empire Strikes Back" was released.
I remember Movie Day at Patowatamee (What a name to give a kid to try and spell!) Day Camp when I was seven.

I remeber sitting in the seating area that's too close to the screen, what did I know, it was the first time I was ever at a movie without my parents.

I'm sure we all remeber and others have discussed, The size of the screens that the first three were released on.
(sittimg too close to the screen distorst both the picture and the sound but I digress)
The main thing I recall from the movie was the ice planet. The theater was so cold that later in life when I heard about Smell O Vision it seemed like an obvious extension of what they did by putting a buch O kids from a hot bus into an air conditioned theater.

Just in case...

2005-05-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hey you! Random Lurker! why are you reading my blog!
You should be looking at Good stuff

Why do I like these stupid things?

2005-05-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Star Wars Horoscope for Taurus

You are a dependable creature, but you do tend to be stubborn.
You like material possessions and love to win at games.
You hate being bossed around or losing.
You may succumb to your physical strength when upset.

Star wars character you are most like: Chewbacca

What is Your Star Wars Horoscope?

kick-ass stereo

2005-05-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

OOhhhh- almost forgot.
So after reading this living simply website, I went on another round of purging stuff/crap/junk around the house. The fact that I'll only garbage pick one item at a time has helped but you know how old habits die...
So we were recently given a tv, broken Dvd player that powers a woofer and three of the possible five surround sound speakers. Now it would have been a little cooler if the player could recognise any disk, or if the other 2 speaker were around but I certainly didn't complain and after fucking with it for an hour when i first got it - I haven't touched the DVD player at all. When I watch tv I end up watching "the Apprentice" so surround sound wasn't a big concern. (Anyway we move the tv at least once a week so the extra speakers would mean extra work.

So my cd player was bought here a couple of years ago, and while it's a nice boom box, it has recently gotten even moodier about reading disks.

Now I have a small table with:
a keyboard on the bracing of the legs
a powerpc set to autoplay whatever cd it has in it
a dvd player that after three pushes of a button on the remote will read vid1
a woofer (I know it would sound better elsewhere)
two small speakers

It looks odd/cool/impressive and as soon as I figure out how to load music onto the hard drives I'll learn those keyboard commands so my juke box will never nee a monitor.

Old Gym Shirt

2005-05-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ah, highschool gym class.
I remember double period Gym through my entire Junior year because I thought I could beat the system the two years previous.

Now I work at a cubicle-and would really like to play a different sport for five weeks, except that dancing one - Freshman square dancing and the "Electric Slide" which I never could get the hang of.

Oh, and here's one of my favorite Gym memories, picture spending the night with a girl - nothing happens, I believe this was the night that created the phrase "those cakes aren't even in the oven". In the course of nothing happening I discovered "Blue Balls". While the condition itself is unpleasant at best, having to run a mile in Gym - oh my poor cajones...

pissant

2005-05-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

Alrighty now I feel a little better then yesterday - I got a chance to sit around in my underwear and play 2 hours of Warcraft III. Yup I am a fucking addict - it doesn't even matter so much as to the focus of my addiction but my personality has and probably always will lead me to obsess over something..

yup

2005-05-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

I'm a crab ass.
I talked to someone earlier today who was talking about working in the same place for 10 years - that sounds like HELL. Must get ritalin....

back to work

2005-04-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I'm giggling like a little girl. Thanks Timm.

So my eight hours in the captains chair areover, now I spend my last hours back on the phone.

What did I learn today? I learned that Fark is fun. that given --oops here's a call

oh yeah given the chance we are all slackers at heart.
This one very type A girl I work with has spent 16 hours- two whole fucking shifts making big posters for some new project that is comming up. And she's such a um really nice girl (Shit I don't think I ever gave this blog to anyone at work....)

I learned - shit another call,
that The Space Bar - besides being a game about solving a murder on the planet Armpit VI designed by the same guy who designed the infamous Hitchhikers Game, is some strange old-skool styled chat board. (Yes Mr. Blair I do know what runnon sentances are, thank you very much.) I logged into this thing thinking I was getting into a game - thinking Shit white text, black backgroud dos feel this guy most be playing with this interface to get the old timers into his style. I type in "jump" and see (myusername) Jump
Alright that seems to have done nothing.
I type in "sit" and see (myusername)sit
hmmmm...
someone logs on
I type in "What are we supposed to do inhere?" and see (myusername)What are we supposed to do in here?
so these two people start chating.
I felt like i had just walked into El Gato Negro.

Me and Tony Danza

2005-04-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

And the Question is?

Ok-I'm done feeling self concious

2005-04-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

So I dropped off for a couple of days in part b/c I felt self concious about writing a blog instead of E-mail - and then it just slipped out of my routine again.

So inside my routine, lots more project rockstar, lots O web comics, a little bit of Warcraft III. Going to my sisters for Passover, going to Arad for a wedding where I did ballons during the reception for the kids.

Work
some more work
a little more work for variety

A lot of cleaning for Passover.

I stopped reading crimelibraries B/c I realised after I started reading them again I was having nightmares-so i stopped reading, and stopped having nightmares.

Sarah was supposed to go away for a three day martial arts confrence, but bc of some logistic problem it was cancelled and instead they're just having extra classes around the city. I realised that i was looking forward to the confrence bc three days of staying up till 5 am playing Warcraft would have been a great veg out.

In other game news I think i'm close to finishing FF2 on the gameboy at which time I'll have to ship it off to the states... wierd memorory music "I just realised that all this equipment I'm carrying around dosn't do any good if I don't equip it...."

because

2005-04-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is fun!

I almost passed out!

2005-04-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

So Sarah studies Ju-JitSu and often in the early afternoon she shows me what she learned. In part because I'm curious, in part because it's fun to roll around together, and in part so she can practice.
This week there's this special guest teacher and she learned new stuff - on thing was at the end of "a three move combo!" (use your mortal Kombat voice her) she puts on this choke hold - alegedly if she does it right the person passes out in 3 to 6 seconds. so she has me sit down becaus the first two moves would hurt - she locks me up in this sleeper and does't push after a couple of seconds she lets go. Sudenly the blood rushes through my head and I get dizzy. I grab onto her and give her a big hug. A big hug as in holding on so that the floor doesn't race up to meet my forehead.

In other news --
Of course my blog reads like responces to eft's
right now
YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO READS THIS!
=)

I'm still tripping...

2005-04-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

But only a little.
"If I was smarter - I would hate the world" said by the head of HR
Okay - so maybe I never should have seen the 2nd and 2nd and a half matrix movies, they really took the first one down in my "oh my goodness" movies list.

that said-
I watched the first one again some months ago and decided to watch the others again - pause -

"I will let it become the subject of my ignorance" said by my Supervisor in passing

-resume- So last night I watched the last film again, first time since the theaters, and taking away it's pedestal was really good for the movie. there were a variety of special effects from Cgi to puppets (this is a great thing in my book!). The only effect i couldn't bear was the "blinded neo" face make-up Shit ya gots the budjet!
on the flip side I did like the "through his eyes" perspective.

The moral of all my ramblings is that two years later it's a good film.
now I think I'll upgrade my computer and download it =)

Anybody suggest a good firewall?

Well Shit!

2005-04-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

I guess it's about that time when I should write something more substantial then a couple of lines. And speaking of lines I just made up a joke!
Two lines walk into a restaurant and seat them selves,
The waiter walks up to them and says, "Hey - What do you think you're doing? we don't serve lines here - you guys have to go in the back!"

I'm not a Hater

2005-04-12T13:18:00.002-07:00

I'm a gamer!
I like all kinds of games!
I like Chess, Backgammon, Magic (tapping arm to get vien ready), Spades, and just about anything I've played with Timm =)

I'm not a Hater

2005-04-12T13:18:00.001-07:00

I'm a gamer!
I like all kinds of games!
I like Chess, Backgammon, Magic (tapping arm to get vien ready), Spades, and just about anything I've played with Timm =)

If I ruled the world...

2005-04-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

Then the next time I played RISK everyone will gang up on me. Mainly because i started this game reminding everybody that Matt won last time and if we let him win twice in a row he would be unbearable.

As RATT said...
"What comes around goes around"
then again maybe an 80's hair band didn't originate that idea.

I'd rather be playing WARCRAFT...
and for my third and final song reference for the day,
"I'm an adict it's true I feel alive..."

who the hell is...

2005-04-06T07:39:00.001-07:00

Bonnie Hunt?

who the hell is...

2005-04-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Bonnie Hunt?

tired bear

2005-04-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

This bear stays up late at night - and then gets up early to play Warcraft.
Must - Play - Warcraft....

I spend too much time inside thees days - need to start Saturday basketball again soon - well maybe next week, this week is RISK.

So anyone get anything good for April Fools day?

cheater

2005-04-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Yup I make a resolution just to skirt around it - let's see if it lasts a week

comments vs emails

2005-03-31T07:22:00.000-08:00

I like comments - I'm going to resolve to leave 2 comments a wee... Wait what was I saying - got distracted can you Imagine?

Aren't deposits supposed to be paid b4 they set you up?

If they Buxom I funds um!

Those are my comments - something coherent someday....

Awww SHIT!

2005-03-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

The monkey's are running the zoo and do to recent events at work I finaly said yes to being the in-charge on my team and half a day later the supervisor is out and I'm running the show- even better I only know half of what I should so I'm taking a holiday at work...
Gotta go - my margarita's coming up!

Oh how the truth hurts!

2005-03-29T07:13:00.000-08:00

"A week without posting? Might have to start calling me Phil. I've been working the front desk, so I haven't been in front of a computer all day."

Ouch. So true - but ouch!
So from the news desk i'm talking occasional part time work with a "tour Operator" Da'at orginises "educational tours". The bad side is that in Israel a second job is taxed Stupidly high. (like 40 - 50%)
The solution?
They're going to pay me in vactions - flights, Hotels...
So the plan is a flight to Eilat, stay in a nice Hotel, and swim with the Dolphins

so my friends blog says he's "Calm" and his page has...

2005-03-29T06:51:00.000-08:00

Shotgun
You preferred a weapon with 58% power over speed and 52% range over melee.

You use a Shotgun. While not the fastest gun in the west, a shotgun's raw power and ease of use make it an extremely potent weapon. Some shotguns can also be loaded with many different types of ammunition, providing a versatility many guns don't have. Choosing your shots, you fell your opponents immediately and without pause.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 92% on power

You scored higher than 57% on range

Link: The What's Your Signature Weapon Test written by inurashii on Ok Cupid

Where have I been

2005-03-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

So last week my work schedule changed to 4 days a week 10 hours a day. What does this mean?
1. 3 Day weekends -- AH YEAH
2. A change of pace -- oh yes
3. I'm working my Dad's old shift -- hmmm...
4. I get a cab ride home, so I walk to work instead of ride.

In other news...
Last Saturday night I "worked" as an auctioneer for a charity art event. I had volunteered from the beginning b/c I thought that it was something I could do to help a worthy cause (battered women). I was offered 5% of the 30% that the organizer was taking, which, after discussion at home, I decided to accept.
50 pieces of art - maybe 200$ as a low average, hmm that'll help the overdraft at the bank.
So it's the night of the auction - I've talked to the organizer 3 times in 2 days - she's overwhelmed. I get on my Tux and take a cab to the auction.

The people seem to be arriving late, or wait maybe they're just not coming...
By the time I've got the third piece up I've come to realize that I'm pitching to the Artist,their friends, family, and a table of rotory club seniors who made their "donation" by paying 195 NIS (45$) and aren't ready to put up the starting $100 bid on any of the art. I ask the "crowd" "now I'm hoping that you all are waiting for a particular piece... If you are waiting for a particular piece let me see you nod your head." crickets chirp and I see two people shaking their heads 'no'. Well I guess I'm not making my cabfare... I did get some really kind words from the artists and organizer including 2 people asking if that was what I did for a living.

Well it looks like work computers are crashing so off I go

Absolutly must see

2005-03-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

http://crowncommission.com/dailygrind/

GGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

2005-03-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

Is there really anymore to say?
Oh yeah, I'm doing an auction on March 12th - I volenteered to do it for the charity that's raising money for battered women, but it looks they're going to pay me 5%
I'm sick of this place of employment, but then again have I ever had a job for more than a year that I like?