Well some people have too much time on their hands
I was minding my own business, just sitting on the bar when this happened
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/L80S1SloMB4z3kcA
cheers
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What the heck did you do Sunday?!?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
its all because of the wild boar
I fasted this week, I say it again since they were doubters, yes I need to diet, but I can survive a day without food. We had a great post fast meal at Alla’s mom and later showed our Alaska highlights movie- part one, the early days.
Why did I fast again the same week? Not 25 hours , only 16.
I need to pass a physical for my green card application, so we made an appointment at 1 pm, the day before they call and say that I have to fast for 12 hours (Kippur was Sunday, this was on Tuesday)- so quite a shocking week for my stomach. Had I known I had to fast I would have scheduled for the morning.
So I fasted again, and somewhat hungry I came to the doctor’s office before the scheduled time and filled out some paper work, than hungrily waited for the doc, half an hour in the waiting room, why do they call it the waiting room (check old Seinfeld episodes for the answer). The doc was nice and thorough , but also violated me in ways I don’t want to divulge( it’s a physical).
Then I went to the lab to give a blood sample, and all the lab stuff. I also got a flu shot. Right after I wolfed down a couple of sandwiches.
So after fasting 1 and ¾ of a day you would think my Karma would be good and indeed a day later I am notified that I may be traveling to some non capital major European city for work. The good thing about it is the timing. Since my mom, Moti , shai and Michal are travelling to Switzerland and Italy next week, I already had a weekend planned to join them, I don’t get to see my brother and sister very often so I was looking forward for that.
I had to mass it up…
On Friday we had lunch at a very good Thai place, the peppermint Thai. I tried some out of the ordinary(for me) dishes before there and liked every single one. This time I tried wild boar with rice and some irregular vegetables. The boar in some peanut sauces was very well done. Never ate a boar before. Unfortunately the boar is a more impressive form of pig, which I believe to be a non kosher animal.
Apparently a boar is stronger than my 1.75 fasting days. because a few hours later (even god has processing time, being the holidays and all) I find out about 3 more forms I have to fill for the INS ( I hate paper work) and a minute later my euro trip was cancelled. In short, more work and less play.
As the old man in the Simpsons said after a laser hit his eye “my cataracts are gone, I can see all the colors of the rainbow, then the laser hits again, and his sight goes away and he says, well “easy come ,easy go”
So now a day later the forms are filled and we will going to inna’s suka later today. The only questions is to make another sinya or red velvet cake?
p.s irregular vegetables include string beans (tried them for the 1st time, to stringy but edible with peanut sauce), some form of egg plant (did not even consider trying it) pees (getting used to them)
regular vegetables include red and green pepper (which I usually dislike in any form but fresh, but they were good in the Thai place)
p.s2 – we asked if you say SAAATTAI or SaiiiiiTaiiiii (the Thai chicken on a stick) but its Saaaaateiiiiii
cheers a happy Sukot
Monday, September 28, 2009
on fast things and fasting
Alla was taking me to a place where one of us is more excited about then the other.
A place with thrill, rush and excitement.
No I am not talking about shopping
But , Cedar point!!!
Saturday was full of rain, Monday the same, but Sunday , the day before kipur was a beautiful day. With NO lines
We did all the roller coasters (and they have a lot of them) 3 haunted house, pirate ship Giant swing, max air(cool device) and even had time for corn on the cob and ice cream.
Enjoy
Oh at 7.30 the fast began.. now it is done (yes I fasted!!, now its time to break it
cheers
| You are invited to view Alla's photo album: Cedar Point
Message from Alla: A day in Cedar Point. We got to go on all the rides. There were no lines! If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
happy birthday from the IRS
A few months back I filed my taxes, a day before the day line ( a record for me). And I forgot about it, even though I was due to get a big refund. But you know I don’t care about money, especially if paper work is involved. Lucky for my retirement fund, my finance’e does.
And recently I have started to take care of my paper work. (my mom is probably crying from joy right now)
Including talking to banks, lawyers, various web sites, university, DMV (after a fun fine….didnt renew my sticker on time…idiot me) , basically things I would have pushed till the very last second, and beyond in the past.
So today was told to decide that I am checking the status of my refund. Which was a very nice refund , courtesy of S.HR.J. and. So I checked out the site I used to file. They only said it was accepted. Luckily Google knows everything and the IRS has a web site for fools like me that tells them what’s going on. So I was astonished to see that on April 24th the government cut me a check. I quickly logged in to my bank account (something I recently got the hang of doing after ,much fuss over nothing of course) and what do you know, It was there.
One less errand and I was surprised by the efficient IRS ( I am not just saying this to avoid an audit)
Don’t think that working (paper work) on my spare time is something I like, but I recognize this a needed habit. Even though I am grumpy about it, I should bring flowers to my finance’e as apology, or maybe just cook another great meal.
Allush made plain pasta the day before, just the noodles (she loves that, I need at least ketchup) . so I created 2 new recipes from scratch, I had the muse.
The 1st I took some of the ready pasta and fried it in olive oil, added black pepper, cut fresh garlic, and loaded it with feta cheese……mmmmmmmmm
I took the other half, and also olive oil (I am out of olive oil now… need to go shopping), with heavy cream, white wine, black pepper lots of sock eye Salmon that we brought back from Alaska.
I usually like my own cooking, it is usually simple ingredient, nothing fancy but good, but yesterday I hit the jack muse pot.
The food was devoured.
I think today mash potatoes with salmon, never tried it. I have not yet managed to create great mash potatoes. Decent yes, but not great, it seems so simple but it’s not.
So check list
University – waiting on book, after 3rd email I think I have it
IRS refund- check
Rabbi- not yet
Civil wedding date- November 9th, shaker city hall at 11:15, no need to bring suites
Jewish wedding ceremony- June 9th – saba well at 8:15 sharp
DJ- waiting for recommendations
Photographer – see DJ
Immigration lawyer- in processing
Invitations- need to start
Seating arrangement- when invitations return
vowels – need to write
baby- not yet
new place- waiting on work
wedding Dress- check (it’s a beautiful dress… yes, I haven’t seen it, I just know)
liquor- need to buy
food- need to order
flights to Israel- need to book
u see, the list of errands never ends
but all for a good cause
by this time next year….
Well I need to keep some things secret
Cheers
Gone cooking
p.s happy birthday meirav
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Snakes on a plane, walking on fire and broken glass
One last thing on the trip
On the flight back I was wearing my favorite flying T-shirt – that reads "Snakes on A Plane" the movie was awful but I like the shirt. So as we go on the plane the shirt is noticed by the stewardess. But the guy behind me as we are boarding has a T-shirt with a photo of a real snake (my T-Shirt just had the logo). So we got our picture taken together of course with the real evidence that there are indeed snakes on the plane.
Then after needing to switch seats (our flights were booked separately, so I had to ask politely\bully some passenger to move, I thought I was asking, Alla said I was a bit to firm,,, well, never mind, we got to sit together next to the snakes guy. The guy, a kid actually , 17 I would guess, spend a summer in Alaska as a deck hand on a fishing vessel and had experiences of his own, so we exchanged tales and had a pleasant flight.
A few days later, back in Ctown, we went to an evening of culture. The Columbus philharmonic which is a well known philharmonic (never heard of it before myself) had a show at the blossom open theatre. It's a big stage with covered seating and behind lots of grass for people to sit. So we brought blankets and food.
The event tonight as I was told was the philharmonic playing cartoon music. So I had no choice but to come. In truth, it was better than expected. On big screen they displayed old Warner brothers cartoon (bugs bunny, Duffy, mip mip the road runner and the wily coyote and even the Flintstones), but the music was played by the philharmonic. Now that is why I call Classic.
We went to another cultural event . MOCA cleveland, MOCA (I dislike the drink btw) is the museum of contemporary arts; we went to the opening night to a display of israely art. Other then 1 photo which was cools (lots of lines that looks like 3D) I didn't get the Art piece. I guess everyone has there own notion of what art is. Since this was opening night, there were photographers there, so check out my face book page for a link to MOCA which has our photos.
The photos which we sent a few days ago were of the marriage license, not the marriage, I am still single (but it will change soon☺)
It was a spontaneous decision, we went with the morning traffic down town to the Probate court. The court is an impressive building, built in a European style. We walked in , passed security, and made it to the probate court room after another couple who needed star bucks to get married. We gave our details to the clerk and then we had to be sworn in (raise our hands and stuff) , and that's it, we are now licensed to be married.
Last week was a perfect September day in cleveland. I went to Wendy park to play beach volleyball. After a rainy summer, this September is great, sunny and dry. At the park they held a biking event, and over 50 bikers were paddling up and down and falling over obstacles. Wendy park is on the lake, and lots of sails were there enjoying windsurfing, we played volleyball for 3 hours and tons of kites flew by. There was a kiting event as well; and you don't see kites like they used too, they are more complex now, build with layers and hi-tech materials, I need to find the photos (not taken by me).
My leg is still not well , so I felt great being able to play (with my leg brace). With the Cleveland browns(they lost) in the nearby stadium, it felt that the entire city was out enjoying the day.
Now it's form filling season, green card applications, work visa extensions and such. Paper work is not my favorite thing but we need to complete it.
I am continuing my 20k training and yesterday passed the 5.5 miles mark- with running and walking, slow progress but progress none the less. I am becoming active again with Gym and after a long time, played tennis. The level wasn't great, the rust was obvious and I was holding my sprints back, but I won 9-7. Need to return to my former self, but if I won't be careful I may reinjure myself, so I am being careful.
Yesterday I went to a fire walking event. I didn't know what it was.
It was a seminar of overcoming your fears. They used similar techniques and wording like the landmark forum if you know what it is. This technique of mass healing works. For me anyways. The instructor showed few things, to walk on glass, bend arrows with the soft tissue of the neck, bend still with the neck and bread wooden boards. The only things I was anxious about is the walk on broken glass, so when he asked for volunteers, I jumped.
They spread broken glass on the floor and demonstrated how to walk on it (slowly, one step at a time, and shift your feet if you step on something sharp). So, with Enigma's 'return to innocence' playing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JpJjsHgYHA) I stepped on the broken glass and 5-6 steps later I was on the other side. My biggest fear is public speaking, I get so nervous every single time. Even after speaking on the stand in a suit and tie in front of 50 people last year, I still feel it. So I was suppose to relate the glass breaking to my fear and "invent" an affirmation to undo the fear. Not very creative but "I know what I am doing" was recited by me as I went through the glass. I was the 2nd of 4 volunteers to walk on the glass and it felt great. After wards other people broke boards, some made it on first attempt, one girl needed 5 but they all got it. Then people attached pointed arrows to their necks, if you strike with the arrow you will get hurt, but if you just hold it tight and push against it, the frail wood will break, this was easier for all who done it. Then they did the same thing with a still pole (same kind used for construction) which hurt a bit for some but most made it (only 1 could not). All these stuff, even the glass are easy (once you have done it) but before it is scary. On the glass I was fearing cuts which will prevent me from running for a while, but my feet are perfectly fine and uncut.
Then came the fire walk. They had 2 fires going from logs of woods, it burnet for a couple of hours till its reached 1200f then they broke up the coals and made a path of fire. We were all in a big circle around it, and I was positioning myself to be the 1st (since it is scarier), then they started the walk from the other corner of the circle, so I quickly rushed to the other side and was 7th or so to cross. It was weird, and easy. The fire didn't feel hot at all. No one got burnt and almost everyone (close to a 100 people) made it. I had to redo it and walked 4 times over the coals.
was it a mind changing experience, I don't think so, not to me anyway.
I think the real life changing experience is coming up this November, when we get married! Both my parents will be here. So fun weekend expected.
This is a civil marriage for the green card, we are still doing the real ceremony in Israel on June 9th.
Till then, remember, don't try it at home.
cheers
On the flight back I was wearing my favorite flying T-shirt – that reads "Snakes on A Plane" the movie was awful but I like the shirt. So as we go on the plane the shirt is noticed by the stewardess. But the guy behind me as we are boarding has a T-shirt with a photo of a real snake (my T-Shirt just had the logo). So we got our picture taken together of course with the real evidence that there are indeed snakes on the plane.
Then after needing to switch seats (our flights were booked separately, so I had to ask politely\bully some passenger to move, I thought I was asking, Alla said I was a bit to firm,,, well, never mind, we got to sit together next to the snakes guy. The guy, a kid actually , 17 I would guess, spend a summer in Alaska as a deck hand on a fishing vessel and had experiences of his own, so we exchanged tales and had a pleasant flight.
A few days later, back in Ctown, we went to an evening of culture. The Columbus philharmonic which is a well known philharmonic (never heard of it before myself) had a show at the blossom open theatre. It's a big stage with covered seating and behind lots of grass for people to sit. So we brought blankets and food.
The event tonight as I was told was the philharmonic playing cartoon music. So I had no choice but to come. In truth, it was better than expected. On big screen they displayed old Warner brothers cartoon (bugs bunny, Duffy, mip mip the road runner and the wily coyote and even the Flintstones), but the music was played by the philharmonic. Now that is why I call Classic.
We went to another cultural event . MOCA cleveland, MOCA (I dislike the drink btw) is the museum of contemporary arts; we went to the opening night to a display of israely art. Other then 1 photo which was cools (lots of lines that looks like 3D) I didn't get the Art piece. I guess everyone has there own notion of what art is. Since this was opening night, there were photographers there, so check out my face book page for a link to MOCA which has our photos.
The photos which we sent a few days ago were of the marriage license, not the marriage, I am still single (but it will change soon☺)
It was a spontaneous decision, we went with the morning traffic down town to the Probate court. The court is an impressive building, built in a European style. We walked in , passed security, and made it to the probate court room after another couple who needed star bucks to get married. We gave our details to the clerk and then we had to be sworn in (raise our hands and stuff) , and that's it, we are now licensed to be married.
Last week was a perfect September day in cleveland. I went to Wendy park to play beach volleyball. After a rainy summer, this September is great, sunny and dry. At the park they held a biking event, and over 50 bikers were paddling up and down and falling over obstacles. Wendy park is on the lake, and lots of sails were there enjoying windsurfing, we played volleyball for 3 hours and tons of kites flew by. There was a kiting event as well; and you don't see kites like they used too, they are more complex now, build with layers and hi-tech materials, I need to find the photos (not taken by me).
My leg is still not well , so I felt great being able to play (with my leg brace). With the Cleveland browns(they lost) in the nearby stadium, it felt that the entire city was out enjoying the day.
Now it's form filling season, green card applications, work visa extensions and such. Paper work is not my favorite thing but we need to complete it.
I am continuing my 20k training and yesterday passed the 5.5 miles mark- with running and walking, slow progress but progress none the less. I am becoming active again with Gym and after a long time, played tennis. The level wasn't great, the rust was obvious and I was holding my sprints back, but I won 9-7. Need to return to my former self, but if I won't be careful I may reinjure myself, so I am being careful.
Yesterday I went to a fire walking event. I didn't know what it was.
It was a seminar of overcoming your fears. They used similar techniques and wording like the landmark forum if you know what it is. This technique of mass healing works. For me anyways. The instructor showed few things, to walk on glass, bend arrows with the soft tissue of the neck, bend still with the neck and bread wooden boards. The only things I was anxious about is the walk on broken glass, so when he asked for volunteers, I jumped.
They spread broken glass on the floor and demonstrated how to walk on it (slowly, one step at a time, and shift your feet if you step on something sharp). So, with Enigma's 'return to innocence' playing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JpJjsHgYHA) I stepped on the broken glass and 5-6 steps later I was on the other side. My biggest fear is public speaking, I get so nervous every single time. Even after speaking on the stand in a suit and tie in front of 50 people last year, I still feel it. So I was suppose to relate the glass breaking to my fear and "invent" an affirmation to undo the fear. Not very creative but "I know what I am doing" was recited by me as I went through the glass. I was the 2nd of 4 volunteers to walk on the glass and it felt great. After wards other people broke boards, some made it on first attempt, one girl needed 5 but they all got it. Then people attached pointed arrows to their necks, if you strike with the arrow you will get hurt, but if you just hold it tight and push against it, the frail wood will break, this was easier for all who done it. Then they did the same thing with a still pole (same kind used for construction) which hurt a bit for some but most made it (only 1 could not). All these stuff, even the glass are easy (once you have done it) but before it is scary. On the glass I was fearing cuts which will prevent me from running for a while, but my feet are perfectly fine and uncut.
Then came the fire walk. They had 2 fires going from logs of woods, it burnet for a couple of hours till its reached 1200f then they broke up the coals and made a path of fire. We were all in a big circle around it, and I was positioning myself to be the 1st (since it is scarier), then they started the walk from the other corner of the circle, so I quickly rushed to the other side and was 7th or so to cross. It was weird, and easy. The fire didn't feel hot at all. No one got burnt and almost everyone (close to a 100 people) made it. I had to redo it and walked 4 times over the coals.
was it a mind changing experience, I don't think so, not to me anyway.
I think the real life changing experience is coming up this November, when we get married! Both my parents will be here. So fun weekend expected.
This is a civil marriage for the green card, we are still doing the real ceremony in Israel on June 9th.
Till then, remember, don't try it at home.
cheers
Friday, September 18, 2009
shhhhhhh- its a secret
I will divulge the details later but
Shhhh it’s a secret
We got a marriage license
Don’t tell any one
Shana Tova
| You are invited to view Alla's photo album: Marriage Lisence
Message from Alla: These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.
|
Monday, September 14, 2009
FW: Invitation to view Alla's Picasa Web Album - denali- 1st day hike
Enjoy photos of our arrival to Denali
No wild lifeL but a simple hike
From: Alla [mailto:a.greenberg2010@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 2:49 AM
To: Gil Even
Subject: Invitation to view Alla's Picasa Web Album - denali- 1st day hike
| You are invited to view Alla's photo album: denali- 1st day hike
Message from Alla: These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google. If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.
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