Onwards!

Made it to Tel Aviv, via a completely unnecessary three-part train trip that had me following directions to get off at one station, wait half an hour, catch another train to take me one stop further, and then catch a train going back the other way that made a stop at the station I was just at.

I have no idea why.

So I'm sitting on the floor at Ben Gurion. Two hours to go until my ticket counter opens, five until take off, god willing.

Wee.

And we're off!

On the train headed to Tel Aviv. My flight doesn't leave until 7am, but whatever. It was easier than wandering the empty streets of Jerusalem until four in the morning.

First up, Greece. Then Italy, and Beth!

Just in case...

Just in case you're one of those who believes that ignorant conspiracy theorists/jingoists/idiots only exist on the conservative side of things...


http://greenville.craigslist.org/vnn/1095776301.html

Epicurious.

How did Epicurus ever come to give his name to Epicurean? Is there some logical explanation?

Yikes.

Hi. Despite lack of evidence to support the matter, I am, in fact, alive.

Random thoughts....


*) Dad sent me a deep fryer! Making french fries is so much easier now.. although I'm in the market for good fried chicken batter recipes. Attempt #1 is kind of ... bland.

*) The dish soap here does precisely jack on pots coated in oil.

*) Macaroni and cheese made with Laughing Cow (You know...those processed cheese wedges you always get with your 'continental breakfast' in Europe... the ones that are slightly better than Velveeta) is... different, and doesn't have a lot of flavor.

*) I get to see Beth in less than a week!! In Italy!!

*) I think I'll be home in June.

*) I have no idea what I'm doing when I get there. Erf.

*) Met with some CPTers (Christian Peacemaker Team) yesterday... interesting folk. The fight out in the less-populated areas of Palestine is similar in origin, but entirely different in nature, it seems, than the one here in Bethlehem.

*) You have to walk through two separate security checkpoints to get into the Mosque of al-Ibrahim in Hebron. Apparently even the Israeli Police don't trust the IDF.

*) I am horrible at frisbee golf.

*) Ruffino Chianti is worth the 8 bucks you should spend on it. And not a penny more. Why was this featured on the Sopranos? They were rich! They could have afforded something better! Would $13 a bottle have killed them?

*) This time a year and a half ago, I would've loved Ruffino. I blame you for this, Captain.

*) Did I mention Beth and I are going to be in Italy next week?

Don’t be late,
Just come with us;
And know you’re not the kind to make a fuss.
It’s gonna be great,
It’s gonna be cool,
It’s going to separate you from the fools.

Life inside - like a holiday.
‘Cause when it’s time to leave you’ll do almost anything to stay..

We’re gonna need every ounce of strength you have,
Because it’s hard to lead an army through the din.
We’re gonna need everyone to show some class,
Only true believers hear the violins.

And so you feel
Alone again,
Even when you’re with your closest friends.
It’s not a game
You need to play,
Sheep don’t often stand by what they say.

We’re trying to save you from a mediocre soundtrack
Because we know how hard it is to look on back

We’re gonna need every ounce of strength you have,
Because it’s hard to lead an army through the din.
We’re gonna need everyone to show some class,
Only true believers hear the violins.
- Face, "Hear the Violins"
(l: Andy Waldeck, m: Tony Lopacinski. One of the last/lost ETA songs..)

Ireland Day in Palestine!

...isn't celebrated by very many people, I'm finding. Including the internationals, it seems. Thus, St. Patrick's Day 2009 is, at the moment, myself, a liter of Jameson's, and this:

(And no, I'm not planning on drinking a liter of Jameson's on my own today... that's just the only bottle size I could find. The four Guinness, however, may very well disappear. We shall see.

Originally, here, I was going to post a link to something describing the truth behind the whole "St. Patrick Drove Away the Snakes" for Beth, but I can't find anything academic enough to pass muster, so just remember as you drink, that St. Patrick converted a nation, and if Christian history teaches us one thing, that it's highly likely that he didn't do it with just shamrocks and a staff.

So be sure to take a shot for the druids!

"Relapse" is due out sometime this year.

How did I just, now, finally get around to listening to "No Apologies" from Eminem?

I think he's toying with me. After 8 Mile I had a (perhaps unrealistic) fantasy wherein the next album from Em would be consistently of the caliber of "Lose Yourself" and "Rabbit Run." Encore was.. not quite that.

"No Apologies" is.. if not at the same level as "Lose Yourself," at least worthy of sharing space on the same disc... so now starts the (potentially deflating) process of (once again) waiting for an album that I can only pray will be as good as it could be.

(If the first single off the new album is another "The Real Slim Shady" clone, I swear I'll fly to Chicago and very diplomatically -- and in a Christian manner -- smack Em upside the head. I will then flee, very very quickly, before I get shot.)

Three and a half minutes.. felt like a lifetime.

Had a chance to watch "Once" the other day with Paul, and was astounded. It's exceptionally crafted, and apart from that, the story is beautiful. If there's any hint of a musicians' soul trapped inside of you, it's bound to make you want to drop everything and make music.

In a similar current, the Understudies' EP is now available on ITunes. Check for it there, or go to http://www.understudies.net for a direct link. It's slightly re-mixed from the originals, which helps out, although I'm still not impressed with the drums in the mix. The vocals shine, and guitars and piano are great; Ryan and I kind of get lost in the background. For the bass, it's a shame, as Ryan is rock-solid; for the drums, this is a mixed blessing.. the drums on the tracks are probably the least appealing of the ensemble, so the more you can tune them out, the better! Someday the band will realize this and find a capable drummer, and then their rise to the top will be unstoppable. Really, check it out, if for nothing else than the songwriting; Laura and Mike have real gifts.

Also, go check out the band tonight, if you're around Silver Spring. DO IT.

In search of Stephen

Thursday, my usual "wander Jerusalem" day. It's no DC, but it's got its own certain charms.

Today was an al-Quds day, rather than venturing into the modern end of things. Stopped off at Geo's, near Our Redeemer, which makes decent sandwiches. Had a Budvar, which, long story short, is made by the "other" and/or "original" (depending on who you ask) Budweiser brewery in the Czech Republic. Not the greatest, but much better than its American counterpart.

Went in search of the Lion's Gate/St. Stephen's gate. Apparently there's a church dedicated to St. Stephen outside of said gate, where he is said to have been stoned.

It's horribly marked, or I'm horribly blind, because I failed to find it. I did walk up near the grotto, and the Church of All Nations/Gethsemane, on the other side of the Mount of Olives. Was invited to share the lunch of a local Arab man at the grotto; we talked for a while, turns out he's from a Bedouin family from Sudan. (His family's been in Jerusalem over 200 years, but he still claims that he is a Bedouin. Nationality over here is not transient, even a little.) Interesting fellow.

Made my way back into the Old City and wandered back home. Turns out, there's debate (Oh! Everlasting debate!) as to where Stephen was stoned, and it may be more likely that it was outside of the Damascus Gate. Blargh.

Speaking of deacons... here's a little bit that I missed in "Early Church and Creeds" class.. apparently, not only were the first deacons ordained (that much I knew...grrr, ELCA), but some were made Bishops.

ELCA, we have to talk, again. And that talk begins with everyone getting over their fear of desecrating the sacred office of the pastor (which, btw, is a fear grounded in nothing confessional, and I would submit, stands in stark opposition to Luther's teachings). Ordaining our deacons isn't going to ruin the church forever. All that it would do is put us at parity with the global church, and...that's it. Unless you're scared that it would make it legal for deacons to be elected bishop..but, well, I can imagine worse things than someone whose life is dedicated to service at the margin of church and world being given a crozier.

Hamburgers!

Today was a cooking and sauce day.

First up: red wine reduction. I used Cremisan Cotes du Cremisan for this, a blended red of indeterminate makeup. Whatev. I need to swipe Walter's recipe for this, 'cause I know for a fact I'm missing a ton of ingredients.

While that was reducing, I moved on to balsalmic vinagrette, which is probably the easiest thing in the world to make. Turned out pretty well.. now, to find lettuce that looks appetizing. It's not easy.

About four hours after starting, I finally had my burger, which was marinated and then cooked on my hot plate, in a sauce pan. Yeesh.

Reduction worked well, but the overall product is still lacking due to the quality of beef. (Hint: There is very little quality in the beef.)

Miss of the night: dijon mustard mayo. The French, apparently, have a very different idea of what dijon mayo should taste (and smell!) like than we do in the states. Yikes. So regular mustard-mayo it is.

The end.

I readily admit to liking dc Talk.

"I need divine intervention,
Your divine intervention,
You're divine, you're the vine,
I'm the branch, you're the vine,
I'm the fig leaf, you're the branch,
You're divine.."


- Kevin (K-Max) Max, 'Blind.'

Disclaimer

Hello, gentle readers.

It has recently come to my attention that there may be a demographic in my readership which I might offend (unintentionally) by some of my various word choices.

It's been a very hard day, going back and forth on this subject. With myself and in conversation with others.

This is an interesting position to be in. This blog is intended to be informal. It's public in that I don't limit who reads it, but I am not advertising it nor seeking out a 'general readership.' It exists for my family and friends to gain glimpses into my life and what's going on in my brain.

I have been intentional in not using it as a diary or a memoir. I realize it is a public forum. That being said, I am not writing for the public. While I do not seek to offend, use inflammatory language for shock value, or aim to cause anyone emotional discomfort, I have come to the conclusion that, on occasion, something may slip out. When these words and phrases do come out, it is because they (in my opinion) most accurately reflect the emotional state which I wish to convey with the thought I am making at the time. They are not chosen arbitrarily. There is a reason that some words are considered "strong language." It is because they are, indeed, strong, and have a power not otherwise accessible.

I have spent quite a while reconsidering the possibly offensive word choices I have used since arriving in Palestine. I believe I can find four. As I see it, if I've lived for over two months in an occupied zone, watching an entire race of people being treated so inhumanely that radicals therein resort to equally inhumane terrorism, if I've managed to only swear four times, I'll take it as a victory. That being said, I have reconsidered two of the four word choices, as in retrospect they were unnecessary by my own definition. The other two I've left in. I apologize to any that may take offense therewith.

Questions/comments/witch burnings, hit me up. Be glad to hear them.