Thursday, August 09, 2007
I'm going to Singapore Tuesday. I actually used to live there, but it's been a while and most of the people I knew when I was there have moved on. But doing interesting stuff, and slightly looking forward to that hot/sweaty/humid SE Asia feeling. It rained very intensely yesterday, and that .. damp smell reminded me of not-eating durian on a hot Singapore day.
I couldn't remember about power plugs. Are they the same/different/what? But, joy of the internet, it's easy. Look. Someone has taken pictures. Singapore is like the UK. I knew that, really.
I couldn't remember about power plugs. Are they the same/different/what? But, joy of the internet, it's easy. Look. Someone has taken pictures. Singapore is like the UK. I knew that, really.
Claire Morgan's art is both relaxing and inspiring. Thanks for the heads-up, Z.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
If you're interested in the history of virtual worlds and the social implications, check out the latest (well, first) Virtual Worlds Forum Europe podcast.
It's the Guardian's Jonathan Freedland in conversation with Professor Richard Bartle - click here to hear it on your PC. Jonathan's latest Sam Bourne novel is set partly in Second Life (one of quite a few virtual worlds, but quite a big one).
And you can hear the Guardian canteen in the background.
It's the Guardian's Jonathan Freedland in conversation with Professor Richard Bartle - click here to hear it on your PC. Jonathan's latest Sam Bourne novel is set partly in Second Life (one of quite a few virtual worlds, but quite a big one).
And you can hear the Guardian canteen in the background.
Friday, August 03, 2007
It's like buses, right? Nothing for weeks, then three at once.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about a lot of stuff. I've been on Facebook a lot. I don't know why. It's slightly addictive, but in a stupid way. I love the friends wheel app: I'm mesmerised by all the Jewish people in one section pratically solid with connectivity, and then the randomers, people I wasn't so sure I knew but I'm basically polite (and working on the benign non-stalker reality theory) so said yes to their friend requests. To friend. Who knew it was a verb.
People still send me Linked In requests, and I file them, aka do nothing. LinkedIn is basically Facebook in a suit with a two drink maximum, and I like to party. I'm informal. It doesn't do it for me.
The other thing I got into is the zero-inbox thing. It's one of those internet cults like the hipster PDA execpt this works. I took over 2000 emails and filed them in a file called archive. I now have 32 emails and I deal with them immediately, and move all the crap I didn't know what to do with into the archive file. And I use follow up flags for priorities (and purple for personal).
Writing. Yes, good question. I'm working on two things. One, "virtual worlds and the Jewish question" because there's always a Jewish question. Short answer (elevator pitch) community. Long answer: wait.
Also... I've been thinking about this. I'm basically from the film generation. I grew up at the tail end of the John Hughes heyday, and people like me, and a little older or younger, if they work in advertising, secretly, they have a film script. And all the books people I know write? They're filmic. It's not that they've got their eye on the film rights - except they have - it's just we grew up on that: old fashioned literary structures feel... old fashioned.
But younger people: twenties, teens. It's the game generation. Gameplay is where it's at.
What I've noticed, since I last had a real job (Industry Standard, 2001), is that work has got very informal. Gameish. Coffee-like. Like, you have a lot of coffee nowadays. Time was, coffee was for people on bikes. Now, everyone's meeting rooms look like Pret a Manger, and meeting is a dirty word and informality is it. I've been into a few offices recently (media companies, sure) where frankly they're nicer than my house. Of course you'd spend a long time in the office is there are nice sofas, good coffee and a party vibe.
Other thing on my mind: what drives virtual worlds, both social and gameplay, it seems, is the inherent desire for narrative. Olden days, narrative was bible stories, then shakespeare... the ageold desire to engage with the story, any story, it doesnt' go away. People don't really have religion, and they may not have literature, but the basic human desire: it's there.
I'm rambling. Semi-formed thoughts, late nights, washing to do.
Hello, I'm back.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about a lot of stuff. I've been on Facebook a lot. I don't know why. It's slightly addictive, but in a stupid way. I love the friends wheel app: I'm mesmerised by all the Jewish people in one section pratically solid with connectivity, and then the randomers, people I wasn't so sure I knew but I'm basically polite (and working on the benign non-stalker reality theory) so said yes to their friend requests. To friend. Who knew it was a verb.
People still send me Linked In requests, and I file them, aka do nothing. LinkedIn is basically Facebook in a suit with a two drink maximum, and I like to party. I'm informal. It doesn't do it for me.
The other thing I got into is the zero-inbox thing. It's one of those internet cults like the hipster PDA execpt this works. I took over 2000 emails and filed them in a file called archive. I now have 32 emails and I deal with them immediately, and move all the crap I didn't know what to do with into the archive file. And I use follow up flags for priorities (and purple for personal).
Writing. Yes, good question. I'm working on two things. One, "virtual worlds and the Jewish question" because there's always a Jewish question. Short answer (elevator pitch) community. Long answer: wait.
Also... I've been thinking about this. I'm basically from the film generation. I grew up at the tail end of the John Hughes heyday, and people like me, and a little older or younger, if they work in advertising, secretly, they have a film script. And all the books people I know write? They're filmic. It's not that they've got their eye on the film rights - except they have - it's just we grew up on that: old fashioned literary structures feel... old fashioned.
But younger people: twenties, teens. It's the game generation. Gameplay is where it's at.
What I've noticed, since I last had a real job (Industry Standard, 2001), is that work has got very informal. Gameish. Coffee-like. Like, you have a lot of coffee nowadays. Time was, coffee was for people on bikes. Now, everyone's meeting rooms look like Pret a Manger, and meeting is a dirty word and informality is it. I've been into a few offices recently (media companies, sure) where frankly they're nicer than my house. Of course you'd spend a long time in the office is there are nice sofas, good coffee and a party vibe.
Other thing on my mind: what drives virtual worlds, both social and gameplay, it seems, is the inherent desire for narrative. Olden days, narrative was bible stories, then shakespeare... the ageold desire to engage with the story, any story, it doesnt' go away. People don't really have religion, and they may not have literature, but the basic human desire: it's there.
I'm rambling. Semi-formed thoughts, late nights, washing to do.
Hello, I'm back.
Just got off the phone with Clay Shirky and then Yoz pointed me to this great video of him talking about Love, Internet Style. Sample quote: "they didn't care that they'd seen it work in practice, they knew it didn't work in theory."
Love it.
Love it.
Monday, July 16, 2007
So, I'm kinda excited that there was a full page feature on the impact of virtual worlds on business in the Guardian on Saturday, and it talks about the Virtual Worlds Forum Europe - the conference I'm putting together.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Alan Johnson is free!
(I actually wrote this at 8am, but got distracted).
I so rarely use exclamation marks, but I feel relieved, and happy, and was even quite tearful. Frankly, what has the world come to when I'm happy that someone who should never have been kidnapped is released. Just hoping Alan is feeling kindly-disposed to my favourite middle Eastern country. Although, I suspect he just wants a cup of tea, a sit-down and a hug. At least, that's what I'd want. Although I would also probably add a Costbux Caramel Machiatto and some spiritual sustenance.
(I actually wrote this at 8am, but got distracted).
I so rarely use exclamation marks, but I feel relieved, and happy, and was even quite tearful. Frankly, what has the world come to when I'm happy that someone who should never have been kidnapped is released. Just hoping Alan is feeling kindly-disposed to my favourite middle Eastern country. Although, I suspect he just wants a cup of tea, a sit-down and a hug. At least, that's what I'd want. Although I would also probably add a Costbux Caramel Machiatto and some spiritual sustenance.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
As you know, probably, I'm not usually this quiet. I've been working pretty solidly for the last little while on a new project, a launch.
It's Europe's largest virtual worlds confex - a conference and exhibition about this fascinating emerging sector. We've got some great speakers, cool sponsors, and a lovely location... all to be unveiled shortly.
In the meantime... here's a peek at a little corner of our lovely (and very large) venue...
It's Europe's largest virtual worlds confex - a conference and exhibition about this fascinating emerging sector. We've got some great speakers, cool sponsors, and a lovely location... all to be unveiled shortly.
In the meantime... here's a peek at a little corner of our lovely (and very large) venue...
Falun Gong
Sometimes, when I'm really busy and running aorund town and trying to get everything into my day, I think to myself, I know. I'll go stand outside Riba on Great Portland Street and move slowly, as if through frozen cotton wool, but with grace, style and closed eyes. Maybe if I do that, I'll feel calmer. And the traffic'll slow down. Maybe.
Hello, long time and all that. Been a little busy. Well, more than a little. A lot.
Anyway, a final word on Moldova. I raised the £5k, which is great for the community of Moldova, and the trip is going ahead on the new revised date in October (which sadly I can't make). Of course I'm a little disappointed personally, but I feel like I did something good for the world. I hope to get to Moldova some time soon, and I may even make it next May, but in the meantime, time to draw a line under it.
A line.
Other news, soon. Promise.
Anyway, a final word on Moldova. I raised the £5k, which is great for the community of Moldova, and the trip is going ahead on the new revised date in October (which sadly I can't make). Of course I'm a little disappointed personally, but I feel like I did something good for the world. I hope to get to Moldova some time soon, and I may even make it next May, but in the meantime, time to draw a line under it.
A line.
Other news, soon. Promise.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Went to a great "Science and Virtual Worlds" talk at the Apple Store last night - check it out on my other blog.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Given my green-ish credentials, this'll come as no surprise.
An NY buddy of mine, Judith Helfand, has made another great movie (Blue Vinyl was quite something), called Everything's Cool, about global warming. Right now, it's just doing the film festival circuit in the USA, but I can't wait for it to get this side of the pond (except, it should travel slowly).
I haven't seen the movie yet, but if it's half as good as Blue Vinyl, I imagine it'll be pretty good. Judith has a unique combination of wit, humour and personal stories that she brings to her work, and I'm sure this'll be no exception.
An NY buddy of mine, Judith Helfand, has made another great movie (Blue Vinyl was quite something), called Everything's Cool, about global warming. Right now, it's just doing the film festival circuit in the USA, but I can't wait for it to get this side of the pond (except, it should travel slowly).
I haven't seen the movie yet, but if it's half as good as Blue Vinyl, I imagine it'll be pretty good. Judith has a unique combination of wit, humour and personal stories that she brings to her work, and I'm sure this'll be no exception.
Did you know there's a Penguin Paperback Spotters' Guild?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Colourtelly.tv - TV without prejudice. Don't know much about it, but sounds interesting.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
I know what ails me: continuous partial attention.
I turned off getting Twitters direct to my phone because I felt like I was in that experiment (Milgrom?) where they keep giving you electric shocks. But some people. I mean, it gets busy. This morning, Mike B told me this new word: twitterhoea and he's right.
I mean, I know there's a human desire to communicate (hell, I've been blogging over five years and it's nearly/over a million words, although I never count), so I get that. But, you get tired. You know?
And I have to email people and say "I'll be away from desk for a few hours, please call my mobile." How retro. How twentieth century. I must get a blackberry.
I turned off getting Twitters direct to my phone because I felt like I was in that experiment (Milgrom?) where they keep giving you electric shocks. But some people. I mean, it gets busy. This morning, Mike B told me this new word: twitterhoea and he's right.
I mean, I know there's a human desire to communicate (hell, I've been blogging over five years and it's nearly/over a million words, although I never count), so I get that. But, you get tired. You know?
And I have to email people and say "I'll be away from desk for a few hours, please call my mobile." How retro. How twentieth century. I must get a blackberry.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Tuesday, went to Tim Guest's book launch - I loved My Life in Orange, and I'm pretty excited about Second Lives. Listen to him just now on Start The Week.
It seems to me that, come July 1st when pubs go no-smoking they will be absolutely crawling with Jews. Because we may increasingly like drinking, but we're not so great with the smoking.
Friday, June 08, 2007
About a year ago I came to the trAce conference in Leicester, which was a little... odd (for me, as a different kind of online writer), but I did take some lovely photos.
Here I am at Women Business Blogging in Leicester (the centre of the universe, surely) and I couldn't get the wifi to work this morning, so couldn't get this pic of Meg up in realtime. Her keynote was great, though.
Met some interesting people. Good conversations. Nice to be out of the (soho) office.
I have no idea why this came into my mind now, but I'm pretty sure John Amaechi was in my brother's year at school. Although I suspect he played more Rugby than basketball in dowtown Stockport.
Happy birthday, Dan. This one's for you.
Happy birthday, Dan. This one's for you.
through the glass bottle
Pizza Express, Liverpool Street, great - but weird - light, more than a few glasses of wine and excellent company. And my trusty camera.
Theatre roundup: because I don't want you to think I've been activity-free. On the contrary, I've been fitting a lot in, and there's just ... not a lot of bandwidth left.
Taking Care of Baby at the Hampstead Theatre is kinda harrowing, as it's about the Donna McAuliffe case. It's verbatim theatre (new to me) which means it ends up having a slightly Big Brother feel to it. Reminds me a little of Capturing the Friedmans; essentially it's about truth, and what counts as truth. Be aware: you might think it's all over in one act, but it's an interval, not the end.
Little Shop of Horrors at the Duke of York's Theatre. Sheridan Smith plays Audrey, and she had some serious fans in the audience. The plant is amazing - both in terms of technology and voice. I don't even like musicals (exceptions for this and Rocky Horror, kitsch being my middle name). Feed me. See it.
All Mouth at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark's finest. This is a total must-see. A brilliant, insightful comedy, which really shows the inside track on advertising and luvvies, and had me thinking about the characters for days afterwards.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Nowadays, I'm always banging on about sensible financial planning, maximising your tax efficient savings etc. Fidelity have this cool little toy so you can see what might (or might not) happen to your pension.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Here are some things I did recently...
saw Zodiac - scary murders, but good, if long movie. From David Fincher, who did Seven (7even). A chick flick, it ain't.
saw How We Are, the photography exhibition at the Tate Britain. Rainy bank holiday monday; heaving. I've added my pix (haven't we all) to the flickr group. (And they fixed the exhibit since Meg went)
made humous. A few times.
Went to shul... a few times. Ate cheesecake: a lot of times.
Had a lie-in and read the Sunday papers over two days. They are truly the gift that goes on giving.
and dinner last night at the North London Tavern. Local, great food (if a lot of shouty football people) and the venue for Thursday's JCC Jcast party (hey, there are a lot of Js in there...)
Friday, May 25, 2007
Well, it's been yomtov for two days, and I feel like I had something of an enforced holiday, which was quite nice. Never use the world nice, Mrs Havelock told me that in Junior School.
Anyway, I went to shul, ate lots of cheesecake, had meals, hung out with friends. Yesterday there was a communcal shul lunch (To a remarkably high standard), and afterwards about forty of us went to Fortune Green and played cricket (or watched, as I was not wearing my cricket shoes. I was wearing green platform espadrilles which S was quite jealous of).
So there we were... a large, multi-generational group of overdressed people (we'd been to shul, some people were wearing hats)sitting around in the park on a Thursday afternoon.We must have looked odd. Actually, I suspect we looked like a cult: a cult of over-accessoried cricket players/watchers. We got some strange looks.
And it's odd that today's Friday and I feel like it's Monday because I just had two days off.
And I'm in a Starbucks. And the internet (which I will never spell with a Capital I) still thinks I'm German.
Anyway, I went to shul, ate lots of cheesecake, had meals, hung out with friends. Yesterday there was a communcal shul lunch (To a remarkably high standard), and afterwards about forty of us went to Fortune Green and played cricket (or watched, as I was not wearing my cricket shoes. I was wearing green platform espadrilles which S was quite jealous of).
So there we were... a large, multi-generational group of overdressed people (we'd been to shul, some people were wearing hats)sitting around in the park on a Thursday afternoon.We must have looked odd. Actually, I suspect we looked like a cult: a cult of over-accessoried cricket players/watchers. We got some strange looks.
And it's odd that today's Friday and I feel like it's Monday because I just had two days off.
And I'm in a Starbucks. And the internet (which I will never spell with a Capital I) still thinks I'm German.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Oh, I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. Really.
I'm working on something big, really big. I'll be able to tell you more next week.
In the meantime, tonight is Shavuot - otherwise known as the cheesecake eating Festival. I've made three, and delivered them all over north London. And tonight, if I can stay awake, I'll be at a tikkun leil shavuot.
I'm working on something big, really big. I'll be able to tell you more next week.
In the meantime, tonight is Shavuot - otherwise known as the cheesecake eating Festival. I've made three, and delivered them all over north London. And tonight, if I can stay awake, I'll be at a tikkun leil shavuot.
Monday, May 21, 2007
DSC02546
Nature is weird, and I love that. This tree looks like a cross between a tyrannosaurus' foot and, well... a tree.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
DSC02530
Few weekends back, spent a lovely day at Kew Gardens. Today's looking like a gorgeous sunny day, and it reminded me of the sun glinting through the leaves.
Friday, May 18, 2007
See, this is what the internet is great for.
I, oddly, see the world lolcat (lolcatz)twice in a couple of minutes, and think, weird new word, what's this. So I google, and the socialogy of lolcats, caturdays, kitty pidgin etc, is revealed to me through the wonder of wikipedia.
Of course, in the olden days, all this stuff would have happened slower, and in a more distributed way (I'm at internet speed, right?. But I love it how a trend/fad can happen in a relatively short period, everyone can get it, the world can come into commom usage blah blah blah.
I once had a boss who had that cat thing. She liked cats, and had cute kitten pitctures on her desk, and if the internet had existed, then, she would have posted pictures of her kittens there.
I didn't get it then, and I think I might not get it now.
I, oddly, see the world lolcat (lolcatz)twice in a couple of minutes, and think, weird new word, what's this. So I google, and the socialogy of lolcats, caturdays, kitty pidgin etc, is revealed to me through the wonder of wikipedia.
Of course, in the olden days, all this stuff would have happened slower, and in a more distributed way (I'm at internet speed, right?. But I love it how a trend/fad can happen in a relatively short period, everyone can get it, the world can come into commom usage blah blah blah.
I once had a boss who had that cat thing. She liked cats, and had cute kitten pitctures on her desk, and if the internet had existed, then, she would have posted pictures of her kittens there.
I didn't get it then, and I think I might not get it now.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Moldova Trip Update - I'm not going
I feel very sad writing this, but basically, my (personal) trip has been indefinitely postponed. The original trip was in May, and then due to van delivery problems was postponed till the end of June. The suppliers didn't make the dates, and so the trip is now happening in October. I can't go in October, as I'm involved in a new project, so, basically, I can't go.
You probably have a lot of questions, like how hard is it to buy vans etc. We can only take vans that are serviceable in Moldova, which limits our manufacturer choice. Additionally, there have, apparently been industry changes in the European and East European wholesale distribution model that affected our purchase. I dont' know all the details, but I am assured that the guys on the project have done everything they can to try and solve this, and they can't.
It's obviously very disappointing. For me and for people who supported me. However, the trip itself will still go ahead, and the community in Moldova will still get the vans and aid/equiptment they need.
I will be writing in the snail-mail way to all my donors and supporters to explain the situation fully, and I'm sorry. This is a situation genuinely out of my control.
There is a small chance that I may go next May, but frankly that's a year away. I will, obviously keep you informed.
Thanks for all your support.
I feel very sad writing this, but basically, my (personal) trip has been indefinitely postponed. The original trip was in May, and then due to van delivery problems was postponed till the end of June. The suppliers didn't make the dates, and so the trip is now happening in October. I can't go in October, as I'm involved in a new project, so, basically, I can't go.
You probably have a lot of questions, like how hard is it to buy vans etc. We can only take vans that are serviceable in Moldova, which limits our manufacturer choice. Additionally, there have, apparently been industry changes in the European and East European wholesale distribution model that affected our purchase. I dont' know all the details, but I am assured that the guys on the project have done everything they can to try and solve this, and they can't.
It's obviously very disappointing. For me and for people who supported me. However, the trip itself will still go ahead, and the community in Moldova will still get the vans and aid/equiptment they need.
I will be writing in the snail-mail way to all my donors and supporters to explain the situation fully, and I'm sorry. This is a situation genuinely out of my control.
There is a small chance that I may go next May, but frankly that's a year away. I will, obviously keep you informed.
Thanks for all your support.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
You know how it is - like buses. Or nuns, for that matter. So I'd never head of Maximo Park and then like two people mention them to me in less than twenty four hours. Serendipity? Co-incidence? Just the way things are.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Moldova Trip - Update
You've probably realised I've been a little quiet about this, and I'm theoretically going to Moldova this Sunday.
Unfortunately there's been a delay to the trip (an issue out of my hands, to do with WJR's purchasing of the vans, and changes in the European van wholesale distribution chain), so it looks like the trip will be the last week of June. This is yet to be confirmed, and I will keep you posted.
I've been aware of the postponement for some weeks, and was hoping to be able to post a fixed date so you (and I) would know where I'm at, but it's not worked out that way.
I massively appreciate all the huge support I've received from people I know and people I don't. Thank you.
You've probably realised I've been a little quiet about this, and I'm theoretically going to Moldova this Sunday.
Unfortunately there's been a delay to the trip (an issue out of my hands, to do with WJR's purchasing of the vans, and changes in the European van wholesale distribution chain), so it looks like the trip will be the last week of June. This is yet to be confirmed, and I will keep you posted.
I've been aware of the postponement for some weeks, and was hoping to be able to post a fixed date so you (and I) would know where I'm at, but it's not worked out that way.
I massively appreciate all the huge support I've received from people I know and people I don't. Thank you.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
With Eurovision in the air, I'm quite excited about this.
My friend David made this great film, in a four man team (one of whom is Jonathan Walton ace trumpeter and song writer from Oi Va Voi) Said Murad, long regarded as once of the most distinguished Palestinian musicians from Sabreen, is off to Finland to lobby for their inclusion.
It's number five on Journeyman (global distributor), which is cool, and here it is.
My friend David made this great film, in a four man team (one of whom is Jonathan Walton ace trumpeter and song writer from Oi Va Voi) Said Murad, long regarded as once of the most distinguished Palestinian musicians from Sabreen, is off to Finland to lobby for their inclusion.
It's number five on Journeyman (global distributor), which is cool, and here it is.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Saturday, May 05, 2007
So, someone I vaguely know got in touch with me (email) and said, "do you know about this? It's what all the cool kids are doing now - Foxbook?"
And I said, "Foxbook? Is that like Facebook for foxes?"
And I said, "Foxbook? Is that like Facebook for foxes?"
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Roderick Alphonso Wilson
12th May 1961 - 6th April 2007
More than a couple of people noticed that I’ve been a little quiet, low-post, in the last week or so, and I’ll tell you why.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my friend Rod, whose funeral I attended last Friday.
I met Rod when we both trained as ChildLine telephone counsellors in about 1989. I know; I can’t believe it’s that long ago, either.
The nature of group counselling training is that you get to know the people in your group pretty well; people share their life experiences, childhood, the things that shaped them. Rod had just lost his brother Chris – horribly young, to cancer - and he talked about him quite a lot. In that few months’ training we connected, and have stayed in touch ever since.
Of course, living in London, it’s a big city, and you don’t see all the friends you want to see as often as you’d like; and you kinda always expect people to be there. We’d go out clubbing, meet for lunch occasionally, talk on the phone, plan to meet for drinks, get busy… and last summer, Rod called me to tell me had stomach cancer. He was pretty upbeat, at that time, about his treatment.
Rod looked like (a young) Samuel L Jackson and had a voice like Barry White. He sang at my party a few years ago, and people are still talking about it. Over the years I’ve watched him perform in the band he met at the London Transport Museum, at parties, in pubs – he had a voice that put everyone else in the shade. He was too disinterested in (his own putative) celebrity to queue up for two days to be in whatever Be Famous For Five Minutes show was being promoted, but if he had, he’d totally have outshone everyone else there (although he was always totally up-to-date on whatever had happened to Kylie or the latest daytime TV star). And also, he had a surprising lack of arrogance for one so talented and fabulous looking.
In the last eighteen years we’ve danced (together), sung (him), gossiped, laughed and cried; Rod was the best dancer I’ve ever met, and one of the warmest people I’ve known, and he had an insight, wit and warmth that I will miss, terribly.
For a long time, in the nineties, he used to come to my work Christmas party with me. He was a total hit; he could talk to everyone from the cleaner to the CEO. A couple of year ago when my (former) Famous Neighbour invited me to their engagement party, and I was worried about not actually knowing anyone else there, Rod came with me, and Famous Neighbour greeted him like a long-lost friend, and by the end of the evening he’d spotted all the celebrities, become firm friends with half the party… and boy, did we dance. You know when you dance with someone who’s better than you, and they make you look good?
That was Rod’s secret; he had a magic power to make everyone feel good about themselves. Every time we met up or talked on the phone I’d leave feeling… uplifted. Like all is right with the world. I’m not saying he was an angel; he had a wicked wit and loved to gossip, but all with the truest, deepest soul.
I’d never been to a humanist funeral before. Being an observant Jew there are rules about how things get done (quickly, no music, to a formula) and it was a real revelation to attend such an uplifting and… almost inspiring ceremony.
It feels to me like Jewish funerals are always on a rush-before-shabbes Friday afternoon at Rainsough in Manchester; it’s dark, spine-chillingly cold, windier than you can imagine, and you climb the hill to the seen-better-days ohel (hall) and it’s Wuthering Heights and it’s cold and it’s dark.
So it was incredibly moving to share over an hour with Rod’s other friends and family, in a lovely space, with a garden outside on a sunny day; to listen, sing, share, cry. His family, work colleagues, friends and partner spoke deeply movingly about Rod, and it was a true celebration of everything he was, everything he gave. Rod and I shared a real love of soul and RnB music, and I don’t think I’ll ever listen to Mary Mary again without thinking about him. But then, that’s a good thing.
I am proud to call Rod Wilson my friend. I am very, very sorry he has gone, but I will never forget all the wonderful things about humanity he taught me.
12th May 1961 - 6th April 2007
More than a couple of people noticed that I’ve been a little quiet, low-post, in the last week or so, and I’ll tell you why.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my friend Rod, whose funeral I attended last Friday.
I met Rod when we both trained as ChildLine telephone counsellors in about 1989. I know; I can’t believe it’s that long ago, either.
The nature of group counselling training is that you get to know the people in your group pretty well; people share their life experiences, childhood, the things that shaped them. Rod had just lost his brother Chris – horribly young, to cancer - and he talked about him quite a lot. In that few months’ training we connected, and have stayed in touch ever since.
Of course, living in London, it’s a big city, and you don’t see all the friends you want to see as often as you’d like; and you kinda always expect people to be there. We’d go out clubbing, meet for lunch occasionally, talk on the phone, plan to meet for drinks, get busy… and last summer, Rod called me to tell me had stomach cancer. He was pretty upbeat, at that time, about his treatment.
Rod looked like (a young) Samuel L Jackson and had a voice like Barry White. He sang at my party a few years ago, and people are still talking about it. Over the years I’ve watched him perform in the band he met at the London Transport Museum, at parties, in pubs – he had a voice that put everyone else in the shade. He was too disinterested in (his own putative) celebrity to queue up for two days to be in whatever Be Famous For Five Minutes show was being promoted, but if he had, he’d totally have outshone everyone else there (although he was always totally up-to-date on whatever had happened to Kylie or the latest daytime TV star). And also, he had a surprising lack of arrogance for one so talented and fabulous looking.
In the last eighteen years we’ve danced (together), sung (him), gossiped, laughed and cried; Rod was the best dancer I’ve ever met, and one of the warmest people I’ve known, and he had an insight, wit and warmth that I will miss, terribly.
For a long time, in the nineties, he used to come to my work Christmas party with me. He was a total hit; he could talk to everyone from the cleaner to the CEO. A couple of year ago when my (former) Famous Neighbour invited me to their engagement party, and I was worried about not actually knowing anyone else there, Rod came with me, and Famous Neighbour greeted him like a long-lost friend, and by the end of the evening he’d spotted all the celebrities, become firm friends with half the party… and boy, did we dance. You know when you dance with someone who’s better than you, and they make you look good?
That was Rod’s secret; he had a magic power to make everyone feel good about themselves. Every time we met up or talked on the phone I’d leave feeling… uplifted. Like all is right with the world. I’m not saying he was an angel; he had a wicked wit and loved to gossip, but all with the truest, deepest soul.
I’d never been to a humanist funeral before. Being an observant Jew there are rules about how things get done (quickly, no music, to a formula) and it was a real revelation to attend such an uplifting and… almost inspiring ceremony.
It feels to me like Jewish funerals are always on a rush-before-shabbes Friday afternoon at Rainsough in Manchester; it’s dark, spine-chillingly cold, windier than you can imagine, and you climb the hill to the seen-better-days ohel (hall) and it’s Wuthering Heights and it’s cold and it’s dark.
So it was incredibly moving to share over an hour with Rod’s other friends and family, in a lovely space, with a garden outside on a sunny day; to listen, sing, share, cry. His family, work colleagues, friends and partner spoke deeply movingly about Rod, and it was a true celebration of everything he was, everything he gave. Rod and I shared a real love of soul and RnB music, and I don’t think I’ll ever listen to Mary Mary again without thinking about him. But then, that’s a good thing.
I am proud to call Rod Wilson my friend. I am very, very sorry he has gone, but I will never forget all the wonderful things about humanity he taught me.
Monday, April 30, 2007
I am so loving the Penguin Paperback Spotters' Guild on flickr. And they have even got the apostrophe in the right place.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
tricyclemap
And if you're coming by tube, turn right when you come out of Kilburn (Jubilee line) tube, and it's about 5 minutes. Parking, should be plenty on a Sunday (although clearly better to leave your car at home given film topic etc). On 189, 16, 32 and 316 bus route.
See Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth for charity
So if you want to see the charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth, it's TODAY at 12.30 (for nibbles) and 1pm for the film. It's £12.50 including nibbles, and THERE ARE SOME TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR, so do please turn up if you fancy it. Bookings on 020 7328 1000 (although not sure what time they open).
See you later:)
So if you want to see the charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth, it's TODAY at 12.30 (for nibbles) and 1pm for the film. It's £12.50 including nibbles, and THERE ARE SOME TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR, so do please turn up if you fancy it. Bookings on 020 7328 1000 (although not sure what time they open).
See you later:)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Ooooh, maxi dresses are back this summer. Not that I remember then from first time around, but I totally subscribe to the view that mini skirts should not exist in sizes bigger than a size 12. I think if you (I) have slightly chubby legs, keep away from short skirts, leggings, and any combo thereof. Thus spake the un-fashion maven.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
That whole silliness about the Sainsbury's not-a-plastic bag? I mean, it's nice that Anya Hindmarch has done a brand extension etc etc, but I mean, changing hands for £500 on eBay? Maybe celebrity handbags have just gone too far.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Talk about dog-eat-dog; this is bank eat bank; RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland unveils a bid to buy ING, trumping the Barclays bid.
This reminds me of the time that I was involved in a small shul, and our "president" spent all his time on communal politics and forgot to organise Friday nught dinners and Purim parties and things that people like. Eventually, we disappeared...
In the meantime, I can't get my bank manager to call me back. See...
This reminds me of the time that I was involved in a small shul, and our "president" spent all his time on communal politics and forgot to organise Friday nught dinners and Purim parties and things that people like. Eventually, we disappeared...
In the meantime, I can't get my bank manager to call me back. See...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Very superhero - a kryptonite-like mineral has been discovered in Serbia. Except it isn't green and doesn't sap your superpowers.
Friday, April 20, 2007
S just sent me this, to tell me that the BBC is scrapping the Heaven and Earth show.
I am upset. This is silly. How will Heart and Soul or Bangers and Mash or Shuls and Mosques or whatever duality based not-funky programme be better? I love Gloria. Why can't you just beef up what you've got.
I'm not resistant to change, honest.
I am upset. This is silly. How will Heart and Soul or Bangers and Mash or Shuls and Mosques or whatever duality based not-funky programme be better? I love Gloria. Why can't you just beef up what you've got.
I'm not resistant to change, honest.
A good friend of mine said to me that I have this whole property thing going on that I never blog about.
So here I am.
I love property. If it wasn't very embarassing, I'd definitely love to be an estate agent, and I can price any NW2/3/6/8 place at 95% accuracy and NW1/4/5/11/N2/N3 at about 75%. And there's one street in Finchley where I actually know the price of practically every house in the road.
All this a shortcut to say that my gut feel is that a houseprice crash is coming. I know the macro stuff (lack of supply, demographics, changing families (more divorces/single people etc) meaning increased demand) says no crash, but it seems to be that things are really crazily overpriced. I nearly moved the Finchey two and a half years ago, and the place has increased by almost 50% in that time. As I say, crazy.
Anyway, good market analysis and summary in today's Guardian, and if you have a largeish mortgage, I'd run and get the last fixed rate tomorrow.
So here I am.
I love property. If it wasn't very embarassing, I'd definitely love to be an estate agent, and I can price any NW2/3/6/8 place at 95% accuracy and NW1/4/5/11/N2/N3 at about 75%. And there's one street in Finchley where I actually know the price of practically every house in the road.
All this a shortcut to say that my gut feel is that a houseprice crash is coming. I know the macro stuff (lack of supply, demographics, changing families (more divorces/single people etc) meaning increased demand) says no crash, but it seems to be that things are really crazily overpriced. I nearly moved the Finchey two and a half years ago, and the place has increased by almost 50% in that time. As I say, crazy.
Anyway, good market analysis and summary in today's Guardian, and if you have a largeish mortgage, I'd run and get the last fixed rate tomorrow.
Every time I hear David Miliband referred to as a geek, a little corner of my European defunct IT mountain dies. Geek is good, OK? Take back the power.
Very disappointed to hear that the Spitz, that great, independent music venue in Spitalfields has been given notice to quit. I've seen great stuff there, from GhettoPlotz to OiVaVoi, and I'd hate to see it go. You can sign the petition here.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
See Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth for charity
So if you want to see the charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth, it's a week on Sunday. The movie got two oscars (best documentary feature and best original song (oddly)), but is no longer on general release.
This is a great opportunity to (a) see a movie about green things, (b) do something for charity, (c) go to the Tricyle which is my local cinema and has lovely pink seats, (d) get nibbles and (soft) drink included in the low price of £12.50.
You probably remember that I'm doing a humanitarian aid mission to Moldova (next door to Romania, and where my family came from over a hundred years ago) in May (although this now may be June).
Anyway, I'd love you to come, and to tell all your friends. And if you can't make it, but you'd still like to support my mission, then you can do so here. And if you already have, thank you (again).
So if you want to see the charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth, it's a week on Sunday. The movie got two oscars (best documentary feature and best original song (oddly)), but is no longer on general release.
This is a great opportunity to (a) see a movie about green things, (b) do something for charity, (c) go to the Tricyle which is my local cinema and has lovely pink seats, (d) get nibbles and (soft) drink included in the low price of £12.50.
You probably remember that I'm doing a humanitarian aid mission to Moldova (next door to Romania, and where my family came from over a hundred years ago) in May (although this now may be June).
Anyway, I'd love you to come, and to tell all your friends. And if you can't make it, but you'd still like to support my mission, then you can do so here. And if you already have, thank you (again).
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I really really want some Moo notecards. They are both moo and notecardy.
While I don't totally understand the back-to-dead-tree business model, they look lovely and yummy and I like post anyway and I must get some now.
While I don't totally understand the back-to-dead-tree business model, they look lovely and yummy and I like post anyway and I must get some now.
I know that this is not everyone's idea of great news, but Google Spreadsheets has added charts. How cool is that. We're all about the thin computing here at Sashinka Towers.
Well, this is a whole new class of crime: wifi theft.
Interesting. I mean, first that the bloke put cardboard in his car windows but you could see the light from the laptop (early in the morning = dark), so clearly felt he was doing something wrong. Also, is this really a crime? If you don't put WEP on your wifi, then you're saying, come in and play. Granted, the telcos don't like it because they want more people to pay.
Interesting. I mean, first that the bloke put cardboard in his car windows but you could see the light from the laptop (early in the morning = dark), so clearly felt he was doing something wrong. Also, is this really a crime? If you don't put WEP on your wifi, then you're saying, come in and play. Granted, the telcos don't like it because they want more people to pay.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
rainbow babe
I don't know if this is a sad thing or not.
I took this photo nearly two years ago - I remember the exact sunny day, walking from Kilburn to West Hampstead - and this was some nice rainbow graffiti at the top of Mill Lane in some community garden project.
The sun just caught my hair and even on my camphone I looked like I had a rainbow growing out of my head, which is a look I have been trying to achieve ever since.
Anyway, this morning, striding up Mill Lane, iPod in-ear, in my own little world, I walk past, and look out for the familiar, friendly graffiti.
And it's gone.
That whole section of wall has been painted over, a new and shiny white (ripe for the local graffiti artists, I can tell you, YBS, whoever they may be will doubtless get there first (aside, I always think s/he works for the Yorkshire Building Society)). Blank. Bare - although as I say, I'm sure not for long.
I feel a nostalgia. I think this might be my favourite photo ever, that I've taken. And I always felt like it was a bit like a blog post; off-the-cuff, on-the-run. I (hardly) ever go back and improve or correct blog posts, but I know I could, and I think I felt like I could go back and get the photo again, better, if I wanted to.
But now I can't.
Things change, I know. One can be too...attached to things. It is, after all, only graffiti and some would say better painted over. And worse things happen.
But, y'know.
I took this photo nearly two years ago - I remember the exact sunny day, walking from Kilburn to West Hampstead - and this was some nice rainbow graffiti at the top of Mill Lane in some community garden project.
The sun just caught my hair and even on my camphone I looked like I had a rainbow growing out of my head, which is a look I have been trying to achieve ever since.
Anyway, this morning, striding up Mill Lane, iPod in-ear, in my own little world, I walk past, and look out for the familiar, friendly graffiti.
And it's gone.
That whole section of wall has been painted over, a new and shiny white (ripe for the local graffiti artists, I can tell you, YBS, whoever they may be will doubtless get there first (aside, I always think s/he works for the Yorkshire Building Society)). Blank. Bare - although as I say, I'm sure not for long.
I feel a nostalgia. I think this might be my favourite photo ever, that I've taken. And I always felt like it was a bit like a blog post; off-the-cuff, on-the-run. I (hardly) ever go back and improve or correct blog posts, but I know I could, and I think I felt like I could go back and get the photo again, better, if I wanted to.
But now I can't.
Things change, I know. One can be too...attached to things. It is, after all, only graffiti and some would say better painted over. And worse things happen.
But, y'know.
It's a well-know-fact that everyone would be more efficient if they just read more how-to-be-efficient books and wrote more lists than they know what to do with.
The strange thing about the "productivity industry" is that the more time you spend immersing yourself in it, the less time you have to actually do stuff. Weird, innit?
Once, I had a client who was very GTD-enabled (getting things done, it's a cult, I tell ya), and he spent most of his time in meetings moving things on his PDA from his "for me to do" list to his "waiting for someone else to get back to me" list. I mean, it seemed odd, but he was remarkably effective, if a little Aspergic.
Anyway, without wasting further time, I give you The Top 50 productivity blogs.
The strange thing about the "productivity industry" is that the more time you spend immersing yourself in it, the less time you have to actually do stuff. Weird, innit?
Once, I had a client who was very GTD-enabled (getting things done, it's a cult, I tell ya), and he spent most of his time in meetings moving things on his PDA from his "for me to do" list to his "waiting for someone else to get back to me" list. I mean, it seemed odd, but he was remarkably effective, if a little Aspergic.
Anyway, without wasting further time, I give you The Top 50 productivity blogs.
Thanks to S, who I suspect off the back of my Neve Tzedek photos sent me this link - Urban Curators. I'm one. Aren't we all? Decay is my middle name.
Monday, April 16, 2007
So I really only joined Facebook because I wanted to promote my Inconvenient Truth screening (which is a week on Sunday, if you want to come...). Honest. I got a very cute email from someone not so down-with-the-kids, but thoughtful, nonetheless, saying "had I heard about Foxbook, it would be a really good place to put my movie thing".
So I signed up. And then, in the last two weeks, I've become slightly addicted to it. Partly, because I have a slightly addictive personality (I'm guessing) and partly because... well, I don't totally know why. I mean, the people I know in real life I know, and the people I vaguely know I run into at parties, and the people I don't know, I don't know.
But now, I know what my 19 year old cousin is doing at university, and when people are very status-enabled (ie they change their status all the time) I know how they feel and what they're doing and everything.
And the wall thing. I went on Facebook and saw that two of my friends had left me really public messages. Nice stuff, how are you, let's have coffee. But still, I don't know how I feel, living my life in public. (You may think this silly, given that I've been blogging for more than five years and some would say that I totally live my life in public, but... it's different. Really.)
So I'm a natural networker (people tell me), although since I got my PVR I've spent a lot of quality time with my TV, and since I'm a little bit of a geek, I like the systemetising of it all, and of course it's a stalker's dream (if I were so inclined), but I've spent a lot of time there, and I don't even know why.
People keep asking me how many friends I have. On facebook.
And then I joined LinkedIn. For years/months I got invites from people, and I thought what's this, and then I got the bug and I'm doing that, too.
In fact, I'm spending so much time on (online) social networking and web-two-point-nought that I'm not actually doing any work.
Must go out to lunch, now.
I have had a meeting this morning. And two conference calls.
So I signed up. And then, in the last two weeks, I've become slightly addicted to it. Partly, because I have a slightly addictive personality (I'm guessing) and partly because... well, I don't totally know why. I mean, the people I know in real life I know, and the people I vaguely know I run into at parties, and the people I don't know, I don't know.
But now, I know what my 19 year old cousin is doing at university, and when people are very status-enabled (ie they change their status all the time) I know how they feel and what they're doing and everything.
And the wall thing. I went on Facebook and saw that two of my friends had left me really public messages. Nice stuff, how are you, let's have coffee. But still, I don't know how I feel, living my life in public. (You may think this silly, given that I've been blogging for more than five years and some would say that I totally live my life in public, but... it's different. Really.)
So I'm a natural networker (people tell me), although since I got my PVR I've spent a lot of quality time with my TV, and since I'm a little bit of a geek, I like the systemetising of it all, and of course it's a stalker's dream (if I were so inclined), but I've spent a lot of time there, and I don't even know why.
People keep asking me how many friends I have. On facebook.
And then I joined LinkedIn. For years/months I got invites from people, and I thought what's this, and then I got the bug and I'm doing that, too.
In fact, I'm spending so much time on (online) social networking and web-two-point-nought that I'm not actually doing any work.
Must go out to lunch, now.
I have had a meeting this morning. And two conference calls.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
One thing I love about Sundays: the Heaven and Earth show. This week, a disputatious debate on The Secret (which sounds like second cousin's to Noel Edmonds' cosmic ordering), and The Telegraph's Andrew Pierce on the panel. I am like this far from calling him Monday (these things don't really work in text) to tell him that it's chutzpah, not hoooot-spar.
I saw this grafitti in Israel a couple of times, and then through the magic of google i discovered it's a progressive rock band - Odradek - and I've been listening to their stuff on myspace and I really like them.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Well, it's been one of those days. I am feeling slightly... hassled, I guess is the fairest thing to say.
A few things have happened:
- someone keyed my car. I have no idea who or when or even why. And it's hardly worth getting it repaired in the bodyshop because (a) I don't really approve of cars anyway, and (b) I live in Kilburn and someone will probably do it again.
- my flatmate's visitor (mistakenly) locked me into my house. Which was just extra hassle I didn't need, although all turned out fine, even if it did take me 30 minutes to work out what had happened.
- a big (personal) project I've been working on for months and months has to be postponed and I'm just disappointed.
- I was going out for lunch tomorrow, and then it turned out that one of the other guest's children is recovering from shingles and I decided not to go. Could be me over-reacting, but I've got too much on and don't fancy getting sick, if I can avoid it.
Other things, too. But tired. At least I have one House left on my PVR.
A few things have happened:
- someone keyed my car. I have no idea who or when or even why. And it's hardly worth getting it repaired in the bodyshop because (a) I don't really approve of cars anyway, and (b) I live in Kilburn and someone will probably do it again.
- my flatmate's visitor (mistakenly) locked me into my house. Which was just extra hassle I didn't need, although all turned out fine, even if it did take me 30 minutes to work out what had happened.
- a big (personal) project I've been working on for months and months has to be postponed and I'm just disappointed.
- I was going out for lunch tomorrow, and then it turned out that one of the other guest's children is recovering from shingles and I decided not to go. Could be me over-reacting, but I've got too much on and don't fancy getting sick, if I can avoid it.
Other things, too. But tired. At least I have one House left on my PVR.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Great Guardian piece on Mimi Ito's flickr stream on bento boxes. The pictures are perfect: great fusion/vegan food, too.
Interesting, too, that she calls her Flickr stream a blog. What a blog is has changed.
Interesting, too, that she calls her Flickr stream a blog. What a blog is has changed.
You know I'm going to Moldova in May? I heard Crossing Continents on Radio 4 this morning (you can listen again here), and it was about Moldova. Poorest country in Europe and a third of adults have left home to leave their children to grow up alone.
I'm back, I'm back, I'm back.
I know I was a little short on words/long on pictures for the last ten days, but hey, I was on holiday. So if you sent me email, I might not have got to it, either.
I had a lovely time, which I will write about at some point. Let's just say I ate a lot of matzah.
Four squillion things to do now I'm back in the saddle, but Mike pointed me to this piece on Unreliable Witness, which had me properly falling off my chair. I am a little bit in love with UW, shy as he may be.
Have a nice day. What have you been up to, Easterly speaking?
I know I was a little short on words/long on pictures for the last ten days, but hey, I was on holiday. So if you sent me email, I might not have got to it, either.
I had a lovely time, which I will write about at some point. Let's just say I ate a lot of matzah.
Four squillion things to do now I'm back in the saddle, but Mike pointed me to this piece on Unreliable Witness, which had me properly falling off my chair. I am a little bit in love with UW, shy as he may be.
Have a nice day. What have you been up to, Easterly speaking?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
See Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth for charity
You probably remember that I'm doing a humanitarian aid mission to Moldova (next door to Romania, and where my family came from over a hundred years ago) in May.
I have a chunk of money to raise, and I'm doing it by organising a charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth. The movie got two oscars (best documentary feature and best original song (oddly)), but is no longer on general release.
So this is a great opportunity to (a) see a movie about green things, (b) do something for charity, (c) go to the Tricyle which is my local cinema and has lovely pink seats, (d) get nibbles and (soft) drink included in the low price of £12.50.
Anyway, I'd love you to come, and to tell all your friends. And if you can't make it, but you'd still like to support my mission, then you can do so here. And if you already have, thank you.
You probably remember that I'm doing a humanitarian aid mission to Moldova (next door to Romania, and where my family came from over a hundred years ago) in May.
I have a chunk of money to raise, and I'm doing it by organising a charity screening of An Inconvenient Truth. The movie got two oscars (best documentary feature and best original song (oddly)), but is no longer on general release.
So this is a great opportunity to (a) see a movie about green things, (b) do something for charity, (c) go to the Tricyle which is my local cinema and has lovely pink seats, (d) get nibbles and (soft) drink included in the low price of £12.50.
Anyway, I'd love you to come, and to tell all your friends. And if you can't make it, but you'd still like to support my mission, then you can do so here. And if you already have, thank you.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
DSC02289
This building was apparently the first hotel in Tel Aviv, now in a state of some disrepair, but apparently just been purchased to turn into "departments" (as a woman in a shop told me).
DSC02299
Whoever does the "am yisrael chai" (long live the people of israel) graffiti, really gets around.
DSC02324
This image totally catches the area of Neve Zedek in South Tel Aviv. The area was the first district of Tel Aviv to be built, maybe a hundred or so years ago, and was peopled by writers, intellectuals, artists. Now it's being rejuvenated, but some of the original inhabitants are still there: this captures the duality. Funky bar downstairs, older women with unattractive headcovering upstairs (who is waving to me, as you can see in the photo).
DSC02330
The empties from what must have been quite a serious seder: four (sacramental) glasses of wine, plus wine with the meal, times your whole family - equals a lot of recycling.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Because I am the number three search on google for coconut pyramid, and I realise many of my readers may never have seen these, er, delectable passover sweets (yeah, right), here's a pic from the market this morning.
DSC02172
So I had lovely mint tea (tea nana) with lunch, but sadly I was too late for the humous because humous is kitniot (pulses) and I'm ashkenazi and ashkenazim don't eat pulses on Passover (although I'm seriously considering becoming sefardi for this reason) and now we're in that twiighlight zone where it isn't pesach yet, but you have to eat pesach food, but not matzah.
Rules, rules.
Rules, rules.
nachman me'uman
It's a little known fact that I did my undergraduate dissertation on Nachman of Breslov (a chassidic rebbe of the nineteenth century), and you see this stickers everywhere: na, nach, nachma, nachman me'uman (from Uman).
DSC02147
This is the view from my window.
I can see the sea. The sea! I never use exclamation marks (I don't, really, approve of them), but I have a childish joy in seeing the sea.
Tel Aviv is kinda like Manchester, but with a beach. This is not so bad. My nephews are very confused, though: they know they're on holiday, but they keep seeing people from CHeadle because the whole of Cheadle feels like it's in Israel, and nearly all of them are staying at our hotel. "Look, it's that man from shul," they keep saying.
I can see the sea. The sea! I never use exclamation marks (I don't, really, approve of them), but I have a childish joy in seeing the sea.
Tel Aviv is kinda like Manchester, but with a beach. This is not so bad. My nephews are very confused, though: they know they're on holiday, but they keep seeing people from CHeadle because the whole of Cheadle feels like it's in Israel, and nearly all of them are staying at our hotel. "Look, it's that man from shul," they keep saying.
bathr's duties
Of course there are bathr's duties. Life is about rights and responsibilities.
I am stoping myself from going out to get the domain name bathr.com. It's a web2.0 startup, bathing meets social networking. It's gonna be a winner. I'm talking to VCs.
I am stoping myself from going out to get the domain name bathr.com. It's a web2.0 startup, bathing meets social networking. It's gonna be a winner. I'm talking to VCs.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
India Knight's thoughtful piece in today's Times about suing bloggers.
In other news, I am here in Israel, land of great service, slightly damp mediterranean weather, moderately shouty, demanding people, my family and unspeakably expensive wifi access.
I am home (ish).
In other news, I am here in Israel, land of great service, slightly damp mediterranean weather, moderately shouty, demanding people, my family and unspeakably expensive wifi access.
I am home (ish).
Crack of dawn. I'm off to Israel. For pesach. I've sold my chometz, cleaned my fridge, packed my (not insubstantial) bag and ordered a taxi for 6.50.
A charter from Stansted - you think they have wifi?
If I don't see/speak to you before; chag kasher v'same'ach. Have a lovely seder(s).
A charter from Stansted - you think they have wifi?
If I don't see/speak to you before; chag kasher v'same'ach. Have a lovely seder(s).
DSC02114
More Romanian Jews at Haifa.
Afterwards, the guy working the exhibit told me I'm not supposed to take pictures, but he could see I was crying, and he let me carry on.
Afterwards, the guy working the exhibit told me I'm not supposed to take pictures, but he could see I was crying, and he let me carry on.
While I was in NY, the conference I was at was oddly (beshert?) held at the Jewish Heritage Museum, and they had an exhibit of Ruth Gruber photos.
This is Romanian Jews greeting each other at Haifa in 1951. Looking at this photo really made my cry.
Maybe because my family once-a-long-time-ago came from Romania/Moldova, although my great-grandfather's siblings' families, we don't really know anything about, so I don't know what happened to them during the war. Once branch apparently went to Argentina, and I've tried to find them.
Maybe it's because a couple of years ago I was priveleged to meet Ruth Gruber(who is now 97 but honestly only looked about 63 when I met her) and I sat at her feet, spellbound listening to her stories.
Or maybe it was the jetlag catching up with me.
This is Romanian Jews greeting each other at Haifa in 1951. Looking at this photo really made my cry.
Maybe because my family once-a-long-time-ago came from Romania/Moldova, although my great-grandfather's siblings' families, we don't really know anything about, so I don't know what happened to them during the war. Once branch apparently went to Argentina, and I've tried to find them.
Maybe it's because a couple of years ago I was priveleged to meet Ruth Gruber(who is now 97 but honestly only looked about 63 when I met her) and I sat at her feet, spellbound listening to her stories.
Or maybe it was the jetlag catching up with me.
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