Scene and heard

I understand that the Arab/Israeli conflict is considerably more complex than can be delved into in a couple of paragraphs. I am aware of arguments on both sides for the existence/non-existence of an Israeli State and to the degree that someone not experiencing it at first hand, of the psychological effect on Palestinians of having the powerful Israelis next door. I certainly don’t claim that everything Israel has ever done is right, nor do I fail to understand the anger seething among Palestinians and other Arabs. I want there to be a peaceful solution between the two sides. But I do need something explained to me regarding the current conflict.

This question is not aimed at those who do not think Israel should exist, although I would be unlikely to delete any comments from people who feel that way. It is mainly aimed at those who do not consider themselves anti-Semitic, even if others might disagree with their self-assessment, who disapprove of the way Israel handles conflict in general and the current situation more specifically.

Simplistic synopsis: Hamas starts bombing Israel. After two days of bombardment, Israel warns that it will retaliate if the bombings do not cease. The bombings do not cease. Israel retaliates.

Questions:

Should Hamas have stopped bombing?

Do you think Israel should have just taken whatever Hamas wanted to mete out, for as long as it wanted to do so?

What do you feel Israel should have done?

Do you agree that both the timing of the strikes and the means of retaliation are political and fashioned as they are due to upcoming elections?

Do you feel that ultimately, Israel will be more or less likely to negotiate for peace if it is bombed regularly? Think both short and longer term.

What do you feel is the ultimate goal of Hamas and other Arabs with regard to Israel?
Are these goals the same?
Are these goals compatible with the continued existence with Israel?
If not, are these goals compatible with a continued presence of Jews in the region?
If either of the above questions was answered in the negative, would you still expect Israel to negotiate? Would you not expect Israel to fight for its life?


Ultimately, I want peace and I want an Israel. I want to see and understand both sides. But whereas some people seem to think that seeing both sides means accepting the right of only one, I look at the psychology of both. I look at the poor and downtrodden on one side, and the analogous cornered animal on the other and can therefore understand the actions of both. I want dignity for all. I don’t think that very many people understand sufficient to be making the pronouncements that they do, and I’m always willing to learn more. So, pray tell, what do you think I’m missing here? Please try to respond with the same respect with which I ask.

Jan has some amazing friends, two of whom have a party each year on Christmas Day. Apparently, largely the same crowd go each year, and it is easy to see why. I’m hooked! Lawrence cooks up a storm before he joins his friends in a jazz/blues/rock jam. When I had asked Jan if the neighbours minded the music going on until midnight, she responded that they all go to the party! And I met several of them, along with other very interesting people. This was fun!!!!

December 19th was the day of the worst snow in New York for a couple of years or so. I wasn’t here to get the news on exactly how bad it was, as I drove to Hague in the Adirondacks that day. I was assured that there had been no snow up there when I went to pick up my rental Ford Focus, and they were expecting a very few inches. But the estimated 4 ¼ hour drive ended up taking 10 hours, as I went large stretches doing under 25mph, on unlit, icy roads, with blinding snow severely limiting my view. We would find out later that the area had 15-17” of snow.

The first local road we got on after leaving I-81, County Road 11, started with a steep hill. It was so icy that half way up, we were barely edging up the hill even though the speed was registering as 40 mph. We could smell the burning rubber from the smoke kicked up from the tyres, and I had serious doubts that we would make it all the way up. And it was so profoundly dark that I really didn’t know how long the hill was. Fortunately, we did make it!

The next 21 miles took an hour on narrow, windy roads with rarely more than 5 yads visibility. But as hyper-alert as I was to the roads, I was also blown away by the gothic beauty of snow-laden tree branches overhanging the road in a near continuous arch. And although I couldn’t look off-road too often, I couldn’t help but notice the lights shimmering from the houses, off of the lakes. Jan described some of what I was missing – she was absolutely loving the romance of it all.

Before we arrived at Trout House, our wonderful and truly romantic destination, we did get stuck in snow. We were trying to follow the directions that were being given to us by Scott, the owner of Trout House, but didn’t realise we were on the wrong road. We thought we had reached our destination and pulled in to a driveway which we couldn’t pull back out of.

Scott left the comfort of his home to come out and help us, but his muscle added to mine was insufficient. And then Donny appeared in a monster pick-up truck and happily stopped to help us. Hague is one of those sleepy little towns where everyone knows and is friends with everyone else, and that really worked to our benefit. We finally walked into our beautiful cabin after 12:15am.

Apparently, during the summer, families stay at Trout House. But during the winter, it is mostly romantic getaways. And that is of course why Jan and I went. The place is owned and run by Alice and Scott Patchett, a really lovely couple who made us feel not only welcome, but like old friends. And the cabins?

There is actually a large house with several rooms in it as well as the various cabins. We stayed in ‘Paul Revere’, which is the upper floor of a very large cabin. It has a spacious open plan living room/kitchen. The kitchen is actually fully equipped, so you can cook there. There is a log burning fireplace that you can see from the living room and the bedroom. The bedroom has two queen size beds. I suppose that setup is more for the summer guests?! And the bathroom has a large hot tub. There is also a TV, DVD and CD player. Honestly, the only thing that could have made it more relaxing would have been a fish tank!

Behind the cabin was a tree lined hill, and the view from the front was Lake George, which is just across the street from route 17. I’m sure this is spectacular whenever you go there, but snow just turned the entire place into a winter wonderland!

By the time we arrived in Hague, Alice and Scott were very surprised to see us, and perhaps the sensible thing would have been for us to wait a day. Indeed, we did delay our journey back by a day, as the area was blanketed with another 20” of snow on the Sunday, which was our planned leaving date. I didn’t much fancy the idea of navigating the steep hill on CR11 in a downward direction, and Alice strongly advised against and offered us a 3rd night for half price.

I reflected this past very warm weekend on whether we picked the right or wrong weekend to go, and I came to the firm conclusion that we truly lucked out. We went for romance, and snow added to the beauty of the location and to the romantic nature of the trip. Plus, the extra day really made the weekend complete. The only thing I would do differently next time, would be to drive there in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The folks up in the Adirondacks must have worked around the clock to clear the roads. The journey back was easy, although I didn’t want it to end, and found myself slowing down as we came closer to the City.

If you are looking for a short or not so short retreat to a sleepy, beautiful, friendly and romantic place, follow this link.



This last picture was taken after we missed the exit for CR11 on our way home. I pulled in to a driveway to do a safe U-turn, and we were both captivated by the spectacular lake view.

I had a great date with a woman whose conversation made it obvious that she had understated her age in her ad by a few years. When I joked about it with her, she was highly insulted and didn’t respond to my emails or pick up the phone when I called. To her, I say thank you.

Then there was the woman who I got along great with on the phone and who asked that we no speak for the last two days before we met, so as to build up the anticipation. We met at my favourite pub, St. Andrew’s, and had a very nice time. For the second part of the date, we went to one of the ‘New York Sings’ series. Operatic and Choral societies from the entire region fill the audience and sing along to the program music, which on this day was Carmina Burana. For me, it was magnificent, having all of these amazing voices all around me. But she didn’t like it, and 20 minutes before the intermission, she announced that she would leave at the break. And so she did. And I thank her too.

Then there was the woman who I had a great date with but who thought that me calling her 2 days later was too much pressure. We spoke once more, two weeks later, and the conversation was as good as the date had been. But she also never answered when I called, so I stopped. And I give her very special thanks.

Why do I thank these women? Because had things turned out differently with any of them, I would likely not have met Jan. (pictured here with her lovely brother, Lloyd, her 91 year old mother, Anita, and Anita’s 92 year old boyfriend Nate – these two have known each other since 3rd grade and he was Best Man at her wedding!)

In case anyone was wondering, I will be back blogging soon - maybe early next week. Just too busy having fun right now, and when I am home, I have too many things to catch up on.... like doing a little of absolutely nothing! I have stored some things to write about and will no doubt gather more experiences I will wish to share.

In the meantime, Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.......enjoy whichever you celebrate and however you celebrate it.

I wish you all the very best health and happiness.

I don’t see this on US Network ‘News’ shows (I use the word show purposely). Every day, there are stories about the misery in Zimbabwe. It goes a long way beyond the Cholera epidemic that is more widely reported. People are getting cholera because they are forced to drink from sewers. And this in a country that used to be known as the bread basket of Africa!

There is a terrible genocide taking place before our eyes and no country is doing anything about it. Exactly what are we waiting for? In 2002, CBC of Canada said that 6.7 million Zimbabweans faced starvation. By now, that figure will seem low, as almost everyone in the country (pop. 11.35m) is in that predicament. As of 3 years ago, 700 people a day were dying of AIDS.

In case you need it, here’s some perspective: As of the beginning of this year, the birth rate in the UK was 10.65 births per 1,000 people and the population growth rate was 0.276%. Those figures were 14.18 and 0.883%. And Zimbabwe? 31.62 birth per 1,000 and a population growth rate of -0.787%. The Infant mortality rate in the UK was 4.93 per 1,000; in the US it was 6.3; in Zimbabwe, 33.86.

There is a rather dark joke in Zimbabwe that the definition of an optimistic Zimbabwean is one who thinks that the country has hit rock bottom. Sadly, it hasn’t and it won’t until Mugabe is removed.

I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn.

We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.

You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option.

I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and pretend/believe it's not going on.

To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and everyone is in denial).

If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it is-then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say - oh well, that's what happens in Africa

This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our plight---or how can we be rescued? It's a reality! The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality. Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is water.

How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how can I turn them away to sleep out in the open?

I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE don't just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know how.

Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore or deny what's happening.
Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are eliminated, how would you feel? 'If only we knew how bad it really was we could have helped in some way'.

[I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what's coming to us]

For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.

Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be 'illegal' but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.

Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done.

'I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do something.. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God,
I will do.'
Edward Everett Hale



Please send this on to everyone in your address book. We send jokes out
without blinking an eyelid. We don't get told this on the news in South Africa , we only get told what they want us to hear. We all have a chance to do something, even though the something is by pressing forward to as many people as possible. Let's stop talking and let's start doing! There is power in prayer, there is also power in more people knowing about this than you in my address book. This is going to America , Dubai , Australia , France , South Africans all over South Africa , the UK . By forwarding this to all in my address book I have done something. The world needs to know what is going on.

I went with Jan to see this amazing show. I can’t pretend to have seen many musicals, but this was the best I have seen by a long way and absolutely recommended.

This is the story of an 11 year boy in a macho mining town in the North East of England and takes place during the Miners strike of 1984-5 during Maggie Thatcher’s Premiership. His father wants him to box and he wants to dance; and his father just doesn’t get it…. at first.

Politically, it might be somewhat eye-opening to Americans, who all seemed to love Thatcher. In England, some respected her, very few liked her and most truly despised her. And the miners most certainly fell into the last of the three categories, as did yours truly. As I said to the women who were surprised by the anti-Thatcher sentiment and asked me what I thought of her as we were leaving the theatre: “She was a horrible, disgusting, disgusting (more emphasis second time), dreadful, nasty woman…. and I didn’t like her!”

The songs and singing are superb and the dancing is exhilarating. The part of Billy is alternated from one performance to the next between three boys. I suspect the other two are as good as David Alvarez, who performed last Friday. The audience was entirely enraptured and clapped harder and longer than I have previously witnessed at a show.

Honestly folks. Anything you may have heard about this show is true. It is the best musical in many years and instantly takes a place alongside the upper echelon which for me is inhabited by West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof and a few before them, but none since. It is thrilling. See it!

Until today, I had never been near the Rockefeller Center on the evening of the Christmas Tree lighting. I didn’t know what I was missing. And I can honestly say, I wish I still didn’t know what I was missing!

I have a two block walk along 6th Avenue from my office to the Subway. I was faced with road barriers, some manned by Police Officers who didn’t seem to know what to do and some merely impeding my progress. And there were people jamming the sidewalk and there were amblers-a-plenty. The entrance to the subway station was closed, so I had to cross 6th Ave. to confirm my belief that everyone there was from out of town, what narrow opening was left between barriers and cop, was blocked by people stopping when the little red man started flashing. As all New Yorkers know, this is the signal to walk a little faster, not stop! Actually, that isn’t entirely true. The assholes who think they are cool slow down when the light starts flashing!!

Was that the end? Of course not! Droves of people coming off the platform were piling through the turnstiles, two of which were exit only – not that those were the turnstiles people were exiting through of course! The remaining two turnstiles close to the downtown platform were several people deep with people waiting to enter. They were blocking the path of the few sensible people, myself included, who noticed that the other bank of turnstiles had no wait at all. As I approached said turnstile bank, a ditherer changed direction into my path once; hesitated squirrel-like as I manoeuvred to avoid him, then cut me off again. Most frustrating!

Will someone please remind me to take the day off next year if I’m still working in Midtown!

What an amazing few days! Jan met me at the airport. One of her many good friends circled the airport while she waited for me. I was expecting delays and ridiculous crowds, but there were empty seats on the plane and no traffic on either end of the journey. Good thing about the empty seats, because the person who sat next to me started the journey in front of his wife and their 1 and 2 year old kids, but the hyperactive older one ended up with daddy, who kept on elbowing me while dealing with his kid. I’ll be kind and say he was a nice dad.

After our hello – you’d think we hadn’t seen each other in several weeks instead of just one – we went to dinner with a few more friends, plus Jan’s amazing brother, Lloyd, and his lovely wife, Janet, who had just turned 70, but appears to have boundless energy. I stayed at their place the first night there.

Thursday and Saturday Thanksgiving dinners – the first at her Mom’s place, where I stayed the next two nights, and the second at Lloyd’s - sandwiched another visit to a restaurant. We were treated by Jan’s 91 year old mother, who is feisty and funny and like no other person of her age I’ve ever met. Except perhaps for her 92 year old boyfriend who takes stairs better than most 70 year olds, drives like an old fashioned New York Cabbie (the modern variety just aren’t the same) and has a whip smart mind.

Between running and relaxing, Jan and I were inseperable and had a magical time together. The trip to LA was almost an incidental part of the entire journey.

My 3 and a bit days, unsurprisingly, went way too fast. We are already talking about our next visit there. I feel I have new family. And anyone wondering about Jan and I based upon things I have written should know that we are every bit as serious as you were probably suspecting. I don’t say this lightly, but this is the real deal, folks!