Wonders

It's been a tough few weeks here in squintland. Layoffs are happening all over the world and good people are now out looking for jobs. Of course, those of us on this side of the ocean are still waiting to hear our fate, although I am not optimistic. So it's been a stressful time for all. Bwo is off with her San Diego family in sunny California, and it snowed here yesterday. I know I should be down and depressed, but honestly, I am fine. Change is good and maybe it's about that time for us.

On top of it all I started watching Brian Cox's Wonders of the Universe on Netflix while lazing around last weekend. I was a little disappointed with all the CG and "pyrotechnics" at first but by the second episode I was hooked. There is nothing like huge existential questions like "Why are we here and where do we come from" to put this short stay on earth into proportion. The immense size, diversity and age of our universe is just so mind boggling that the every day issues like employment seem to pale in comparison. I have since watched his Wonders of Life and started on the Wonders of the Solar System last night. These have really helped keep me grounded. 

10 Israeli Whys

i. Why is it that drivers here feel they need to "take an option" on the next lane while driving. What is wrong with the lane you are in that you need to have 10% of your car in the adjacent lane? Pick a lane and go with it.

ii. Why do drivers here feel that they need to swing half their car into the adjacent lane when making a U-turn at a traffic light? There is enough room usually to make the turn without encroaching into my lane and nearly wiping me out.

iii. Why is it that our Israeli ISP is not able to get the whole static IP address thing together? They are as useless as BT in the UK.

iv. Why is it that lawyers never call you back unless it's about your payment?

v. Why is it that the squints here in Haifa seem unable to handle the simple task of flushing the toilet, not to mention using the brush to clean up after?

vi. Why is it that the bathroom next to our bedroom, downstairs in our apartment, has only a cold water faucet? Would it have cost that much extra to put in hot water?

vii. Why does the Coke machine at squint central Yakum only have Coke and Coke Zero? Diet Coke is the second best selling soft drink in the world but it's missing in Yakum.

viii. Why has BA changed from an A320 to a 777 on my usual routes to and from Heathrow? I'm not complaining, but it's a whole lot more annoying people in one place.

ix. Why does it seem that each time I come back to Israel I seem more disconnected and it's harder to find sense in what I do?

x. Why are borekas just so delicious?

Why?

The Sculpture Park

This past weekend we went to The Sculpture Park in Churt (near Farnham in Surrey). It's well worth a visit. There are hundreds of bits of art scattered between the trees in a wonderful woodland setting. The weather was perfect on Saturday morning and even better was lunch at Bel & The Dragon, a very nice country inn across from the park's entrance. Both the food and the beer were excellent. We had a good day.

She's 4 today

Roxy is four today. It's probably not her actual birthday, we don't really know that date, but after she was rescued the vet guessed she was born some time in late March, early April of 2012. So we picked April 1. She has been a gift to all the family. She is a good dog. According to my Fitbit we have walked somewhere in the region of 7500 Kilometers together. She has loved every step. She has chased hundreds of rabbits, caught tens of thousands of balls, cost thousands in vet bills and every second has been pure joy. She does not complain in the rain or snow or frost, she love dips in the river and rolling in the muddy puddles and she loves anyone who just looks at her with fondness.

She has given us so much more than we could ever return. We did not buy her anything fancy or make some sort of stupid doggy cake. Roxy and I just went out for her favorite walk, through the copse, down cutthroat alley, past the playground and next to the horse pasture, onto St. Georges Field with the ball, then onto the big field chasing the ball and flying as high as she could, had a hundred pee stops, through the gap and into the Thames (she lost the ball in the river and sadly watched it float away in the strong current) back home past Ham House and onto the avenues. Once home she got her two treats and lots of water.

A good girl.