Picnics & TrueBlood Monday, Jul 6 2009

I’ve been working in the office most of the weekend. The writing is coming along and I’m starting to get into the full swing of it which means everything in my life is starting to rotate around it. I got a bit bummed out this afternoon though. I took a break from the writing – working in my office – and went outside where there was a picnic going on for the 4th of July. They have it every year here and despite the rain there probably was 100 people in attendance this year. They use to have the best fireworks show in town – seriously – but the city raised the insurance/permit requirements a couple years ago and made it too expensive to host anymore. So now just a picnic.

I got bummed because when I was leaving, I recalled last year. My mom loved these picnics and I had driven her over and got her situated etc.  Even let her break her medical diet a bit. Then I had to take her home early because she was worn down from the day’s activity. It was also much hotter last year. But I remembered all that and it just sorta bummed me out a bit.

On the other hand and with brighter subject matter, a bunch of high school students and college students asked me to join them at their table so I did. I happened to mention that I had watched the first season of TrueBlood since I’ve been back. The twelve episodes fit my love of vampire stories quite nicely and unlike ‘Twilight’ these are vampires that act like vampires.

One of the girls who I was sitting with leaned over to me and said, “I’ve seen that too but keep it to yourself. On the downlo between you and me, ok?” And I was like “Sure. Whatever.” Then she added, “I really liked it as well.” and smiled.

Then I recalled she is very religious and actually a bit introverted. Cute and smart but likes to keep to herself. Then I also recalled her mother – also religious – hates anything vampire related and actually got real upset when someone hung a Twilight calendar in our office when that movie came out last year. So I figured between all the biting, wild sex, violence, and some unusual focus on religion, she would be catching flak if it became open knowledge. Again, whatever. But I smiled at the fact she really liked it.

TrueBlood is not your typical vampire show. It is shown on HBO meaning they aren’t constrained by what they’re allowed to show people. So it is more like watching an R rated movie which is way kewl. Because what is a vampire show if they don’t bite, have blood, show an evil side, and the characters don’t have sex and personal quandries? No, this is a really good show.

The cast goes a long way in pulling this off. The star is the character Sookie played by Anna Paquin who is a fine actress and I think still the youngest actress ever to win an Oscar. The show is part romance with Sookie falling for the vampire Bill, part mystery with people constantly turning up dead (in season one there was a serial killer), and part small southern town soap opera. The show is different in that in the premise people know vampires exist and they’ve come out in the open with the invention of synthetic blood although as fans know they still prefer the real thing. 

I’m only sorry there were 12 episodes to the first season and I look forward to when the second season – being shown now I think on HBO (which I don’t get) – ends up on DVD so I can order it. IF there is a drawback to the show, it is with the way it is produced. Sometimes the storyline will take a detour of sorts – just so slightly – and this comes from the fact that from what I can tell on the credits a different writer and director are used for each episode.  I think if a group of writers stayed on it, the characters would be still stronger.

The other thing I liked from this show was the soundtrack which I bought. It is really good. If you watch the show, the opening theme song is going to stick in your head. There is great music in this series and the soundtrack is a good place to start.

Somehow a small southern town’s picnic being tied into the show is something the writers of TrueBlood could actually appreciate. Just as long as I don’t find a corpse.

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‘Rough Mix’ Radio Show Saturday, Jul 4 2009

For the last half hour I’ve been listening to the premiere of Rough Mix a radio show on npr/public radio that I am getting via the net. This is a really, really good radio show. They have a mix of rock, blues, americana… just a little bit of everything. Big stars and small ones. It’s like having a really good dj turned loose on your ipod.

I’m getting the show via http://wkms.org . On Saturdays they have mostly music shows and I love listening to them from time to time just to hear new groups or music that’s out there but since the collapse of commerical radio is hard to be exposed to without someone tipping you off. FYI: For some reason, don’t know why, even though it is listed as an option I can never get the station to stream via Windows Media. I have to use one of the other options listed.

I don’t know what kind of deal Rough Mix got but I would say they are a keeper. Thanks for giving us music lovers something to jam with on Saturday afternoons. Rock on, baby. Rock on.

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Things New – In France & Israel Thursday, Jul 2 2009

I always like to see how everyday life is wherever it is I am traveling too. I think this is one of the great things about traveling. On my recent trip I discovered some new things and observations which I share now:

1. In Belgium, they’ve put a device in the hotels where in order to get electricity in your room, you must insert your room key card into it. Without the card, no lights. This makes sure lights aren’t left on and is actually kinda smart if you think about it but admittedly it took me a moment to figure out why the lights weren’t coming on when I first checked in.

2. Mass transport is expanding in both Europe and Israel. Europe has always had rail lines but they continue to expand their use and the ones they do have are really, really nice to use. Israel has just adapted rail use this decade but already it has become a major form of transportation there. And they are building a tram line through Jerusalem which someday will be up and running if they can figure out all the security precautions.  The U.S. is getting left so far behind in this category.

3. Before I left for the trip, people warned me how ‘rude’ the French were. I knew my friends weren’t that way of course but I braced myself for exposure to the general population. Were people wrong!!! It was one of the most polite places I’ve ever been in my life. People were courteous to each other and if you needed help – which I did more than once – people politiely took time to assist you. I was really, really impressed by that.

4. The French have got to be one of the most individualistic cultures when it comes to how people dress. People dress well but you can spend a whole day on the street and be hard pressed to find two people wearing the same outfits or looking alike in their dress.  I thought that was so kewl! The creative side of me loved it.

4. I don’t think the recession is hitting as hard in Europe and the Middle East as here despite what is said on tv in the states. People are feeling it – don’t get me wrong. But there is less the panic that there is here in the States. Part of this may be that people overseas actually save for a rainy day and also companies – in the case of some of my friends – will cut back hours for everyone first before cutting a job altogether. There is also more government involvement in helping people score jobs or just keeping them afloat. We don’t have that in the States.  What we do have is the highest pay gap between executives and workers in the world. Maybe if the executives took a little less the workers might be able to stay on?

5. Clothes were much cheaper in Europe and Israel than I anticipated. Hard to compare to the states because some things were WAY cheaper while others WAY more expensive. But overall, I found the prices reasonable which took me off guard.

6. Forget Michael Jackson – Elvis rules. I don’t know how many times I heard Elvis on this trip but the most memorable time I heard him was in the Old City of Jerusalem where I think it was ‘The Wonder of You’ was blaring out of a Palestinian shop.  Something about being in those ancient streets and hearing Elvis that had a surreal quality about it.

7. Israeli’s don’t know the meaning of ‘well-done’ if you order a burger. I think I ordered a burger twice while there, both times well done, and what I got was the outside looking very well done and the inside rare. Meaning of course they had the temp too high to cook the burger.

8. The Best Beer I had on the trip was Nostradamus in Brussels. It was really good. First time I’ve ever had it but I need to see if we can get it here. Probably not.

9. I was confused in France by the time. This is going to sound weird, but the sun seemed to go down really late in France. I mean there was light until like 10 p.m.. I am sure there is some scientific reason for all this but I found it really kewl. I wonder though if in winter it seems like the sun sets really early to compensate?

10. France has some really good cheese. And some good wine to go with the cheese.

 

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Anticipation At The Post Office Wednesday, Jul 1 2009

I wish I’d had my camera first thing this morning so I would’ve have had a picture to put with this post. I was running errands first of the morning and one of those stops included the Post Office. Walking in, I noticed people with their boxes open but the people were just staring at the boxes which were empty.

“Ok…” I thought. “The mail hasn’t all been put out yet and people are waiting”. It happens.

Then I went to the counter and found a guy mad as hell because a government check hadn’t arrived today and as he so bluntly let everyone know, it is always here on the 1st of the month. The supervisor explained that all the mail had been put out already. She even double-checked for him and had the news greeted with several not so polite remarks.

Then it dawned on me. All these people by their boxes – waiting on government checks. On my way out, I let one lady know that the mail had been put out already so she wouldn’t keep standing there aimlessly. “Well, that can’t be.” She exclaimed. Again, I wish I’d had my camera because from the look on her face you’d thought I’d just told her they’d proven the world was flat after all.

Who knows what happened to the checks. Maybe they missed the truck. Post Office is cutting back. They actually removed the stamp machine from our post office and put up a sign that stamps could be purchased elsewhere. That makes a lot of sense right? And now they have just one person behind the counter instead of the two or three they use to have which of course is causing lines.

Maybe the government figured – like the rest of us often do when paying a utility bill or something when money is tight – that hey, they’d mail the checks in the afternoon instead of the morning and it’d still be mailed on time but be cashed a day late. The amount of savings that is to a government agency is in the tens of thousands easily by the time you start calculating interest they’re making.

This all occurred on a day when the State of California declared they no longer can pay bills and are sending out IOU’s. The Detroit school system filed bankruptcy because they’re only 700 million plus in debt. How does a school system get that far in debt anyway? Apparently, business math wasn’t being taught.

All this brings me back to the scene of people staring at their empty post office boxes this morning. I don’t mind people getting government money. Most people need it. But it makes me wonder, doesn’t it occur to people – especially in these times – that hey, just maybe that money isn’t going to be guaranted forever?

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Since I’ve Been Back Tuesday, Jun 30 2009

Since I’ve been back in the States this week, I’ve noticed a few things. Some important and some oh, probably not so important. Here is a short rundown:

1. The influence of Michael Jackson is way overrated. Can anyone name a single band that will name him as their major influence? Sure he had some good songs but his real legacy is choreographed videos/dance numbers. We like Thriller but we like the video of Thriller more.  I’m pretty much sick of the wall to wall coverage this is getting on the news. It’s ridiculous.

2. But the above may be to cover that American tv is just awful! I swear, they are showing the same movies etc. on tv that they were a month ago when I left. Quite pitiful considering tv is one thing that we use to be really good at. And news, forget it. I got better coverage when I was overseas. Not sure CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc. know what real news is anymore.  And personally, I think the airing of Larry King, Nancy Grace, Dick Morris, Keith Obermann, Anderson Cooper, constitutes crimes against humanity and those responsible should be prosecuted.

3. My stomach is having trouble re-adjusting to the American diet.  I miss my falafel, shawarma, French cheese, and everything else delicious I had to nibble on while I was gone.

4. I miss the walking. We are so car oriented here in the States that walking down a flight of stairs constitutes a major workout as opposed to walking 20 minutes to get somewhere in Tel Aviv 10x a day or walking for an hour after midnight in Brussels to get home *lol*.  My body keeps saying, ‘let’s walk somewhere’. *sigh*.

5. I’m having trouble concentrating on coversations. Everything seems a bit frivolous to me at the moment.

6. I think my writing will be my saving grace. It’s the only thing I seem excited about at the moment and I’m actually motivated in that area.

7.  My poker playing has improved. I was in a bad rut the couple weeks leading up to my trip and not playing well at all. Since I’ve been back, I’m playing much more confidently and better. Not sure why but I am glad.

Just a few observations about my little corner of the planet since I’ve been back. The only thing to add is that I’m missing everyone already.

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Tel Aviv Poker Sunday, Jun 28 2009

Thanks to my friend Guy, I was tipped off to a place in Tel Aviv where cash poker games are held twice a week. I caught one of the nights while there and it was awesome. The games start around 11 p.m. and go until about 4 a.m. They do it a bit differently there. People bring in their home poker chips/cards and set up at a table. When the table is full (say 9 players) they take no more players. So basically, each table is it’s own entity and it makes it interesting. Most tables set limits of buy-in’s to 50 or 100 shekels. There were probably 70 players in the place that night. Almost all guys. I only saw a couple women players.

The play is much more loose than in the States. This reflects the ethnic diversity of the players. The thing about Israel, everyone comes from a different culture. So at one of my tables, there was a Russian, an Indian, a couple Europeans, and native Israelis. Doesn’t get more international than that.

How’d I fare? So-so. I ended up about 200 shekels down which is about 50 bucks. I can trace the lost to three hands. I had JJ which lost on the river. The very next hand I caught KK which lost on the river. Later another KK which lost on the river. Two other guys also caught KK and lost. It wasn’t a night to be playing Kings. I had an absolutely great time though and didn’t mind the loss to much. It’s something we can’t do in the States and the taste of freedome was refreshing. If you’re ever in Tel Aviv check out the place below for a good game.

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Rudo y Cursi Sunday, Jun 28 2009

On the recommendation of a couple of my Israeli friends, I went and saw the movie Rudo y Cursi my last day in Tel Aviv. This is the story of two step-brothers who constantly are rivals to one another. They start off on a plantation in rural Mexico barely existing in poverty and are accidently discovered by a scout to become pro futbol players and major stars. It is soon apparent that they are way in over their heads with their new found success. Soon things spiral out of control with tragic consequences. I won’t spoil the ending here but it is a good one.

There is solid performances in this movie as well as a good script and fine directing. This movie is worth the price of admission if it comes your way. I was glad I got to see it in Tel Aviv as there is little chance it will come my way in the States.

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Leaving Tel Aviv Saturday, Jun 27 2009

On my last day in Tel Aviv, I managed to do something I hadn’t done since my mom’s funeral really – I wrote. In the last couple months I’ve had good concepts for poems, songs, etc. but just hadn’t been able to put anything down on paper. I’d have to look back but I really think the last piece I wrote was the poem for my mom’s funeral.

I wasn’t worried that I’d lost the ‘ability’ to write but knew it was important to just get something down on paper to get over that ‘hump’ as it might be called. Since I have a book contract now, it was doubly important. I’ve always liked writing in Tel Aviv. I think because there is a lot of creativity influences around. Oddly, I sorta felt that way in France too but never really had a good opportunity to dig into something there.

My last day in Tel Aviv was pretty long in that I had to check out of my hotel at noon. I went to a museum then saw a movie. My friends were taking me out later in the evening before going to the airport at like 2 a.m. I had a couple spare hours in the evening so sitting at a cafe called movieing.com (great chips by the way) and over a glass of Spanish wine I wrote the following poem. It’s not great but doesn’t suck either.

Leaving Tel Aviv

Here I sit, about to say goodbye

The right words escape me

The parting moment suspended in motion.

 

Do I say I love you?

Like two estranged lovers who can’t let go?

Heartfelt it may be but I still leave.

 

The tides of the hustling bustle city hold

Delusions of a world where I don’t erode

As though my thoughts – words – can withstand the current.

 

The ghosts that haunt this place

Assure me my time will surely come

When everyman’s destiny meets me face to face.

 

Leaving Tel Aviv not so easy even as the plane whisks me away

I may caress another

But secretly who can take your place?

 

 

 

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Biblical Zoo Jerusalem Tuesday, Jun 23 2009

I leave in less than 48 hrs for the States. Not looking forward to it is an understatement. But I thought I would share just a small fraction of photos I got from the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem which is a really awesome zoo. I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go there.

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Ten Odd Observation Sunday, Jun 21 2009

Here are some little odd observations I’ve made in the last couple weeks while traveling around:

1. The Orthodox Jew on rollerblades skating frantically to finish errands before shabbat started.

2. Ringtones on an Israeli bus are interesting. You will hear pop songs, Israeli songs, Arabic music, sound effects, but oddly enough I have yet to hear any real rap.

3. The Moslem effort to show the world that only Moslems should be on the Temple Mount has had the effect of destroying what was once a crammed packed business area around the Lions Gate. It’s probably the most quiet and pretty much deserted gate now. 90% of those businesses were Moslem owned.

4. The older lady playing the accordin on the street to get the extra coinage. My mom played according and owned the same one from the 1950’s til the day she died. I gave the lady a shekel.

5.  The Mall at the Jaffa/Yaffo Gate just seems ridiculous the more I think about it. It is nice but so out of place. No one goes there hardly during the day.

6. The change in Moslem women. You see them often wearing the fancy heels etc. and twice on this trip I’ve seen them enter a pub with a guy which I admit just shocked me.

7. Orthodox Jews begging – especially at the Wall – just really ticks me off. They get so much government money and exemptions…. get a job.

8. I’m really going to miss the food when I go home.

9. My friends and I are just as lousy pool players as we were 10 years ago. You’d think we’d improve by now.

10. The h2o ‘live on the web’ ceremony I encountered at the Yaffo/Jaffa gate which was part pagan (drum ritual and call of ancestors), part Jewish, part hippie, part lets chant and bring some good karma to the world. It fell apart in the first 2 minutes when the sirens went off during their opening call to the ’spirits’, ‘gods’ and ‘ancestors’ for peace and harmony. 30 seconds later a bunch of druggies who probably could’ve used a shower 6 months ago came bouncing through singing to the top of their lungs. I really couldn’t figure out what h20 were about but it was hard to take them seriously after that. I got it on video though.

 

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