Just found this passage in a blog by an American emigre to Israel who raised a family there. This is how he described his daughter’s high school graduation:
I had to laugh at the background music someone chose to play while each student in the 5 classes of 35 kids was called up. Israelis usually ignore the lyrics of English songs, preferring to make their choose on the musical vibe. So, as our kids were receiving their certificates, we were treated to a Nina Simone soundalike performing easy listening cocktail jazz versions of songs like “Pride (In the Name of Love” by U2 with its lyrics “Shots rang out in the Memphis night,” and The Police’s “Roxanne” about a prosititute.
So, kids… once you can understand how this happens, you’ll be able to understand most facets of Israeli society. Trust me.
It’s good for the soul to live in large cities. More importantly, us native New Yorkers aren’t made for places with no street life (unless, that is, you belong to the wife-and-kids crowd. I don’t yet). That’s a major factor that influenced my move, along with the fact that I would soon be paying $10 a day in train fares if I didn’t.
That, and the fact that I now have a bedroom with enough room for me to stretch my arms without hitting both walls. Can’t stress how damn important that is.
And, eventually, back to the American heimat.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Big Audio Dynamite - Rush
Bought to you by the What-I-Was-Listening-To-On-WDRE-When-I-Was-12 Consortium.
Was stopped and interrogated at the train station today after my bag was x-rayed. It turns out they mistook my highlighter pen for a knife.
GOOD TIMES.
GPOYW parties grad student style.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Leatherface - Baked Potato
I’ve read the books of men and women and death
I’ve stood in bars listening to conversations
About Jesus Christ and the refugee’s and the Royal family
Everybody knows hot to cook baked potatoes
Everybody knows but they still tell you
Everybody knows which way the wind blows
Everybody knows there’s catastrophe
Then comes the film packed full of art
You know that for a start and people like me
Have something to sing about
Everybody knows which way the wind blows
Everybody knows but they still tell you
Everybody knows to cook baked potatoes
Everybody knows you can’t fill your boots
Forever and ever and ever
Seeing black sand can’t become to anything
A sally army marching band wasn’t what I had in mind
Seeing black sand and *it’s coughing like big mound*
Being black sand feeling
And I’ve read the books of men and women and death
I’ve stood in bars listening to conversations
About Jesus Christ and the refugee’s and the Royal family
Impersonate Cliff Richards lip or Iggy with a bottle
Is not as ridiculous as Black Rod knocking
On a door once a year and never getting in
Because he want’s the people to come and listen to the Queen
Jews and Muslims unite against Jerusalem Museum of Tolerance:
A new Jewish-Muslim initiative is seeking to derail the planned Museum of Tolerance, which is currently being built in Jerusalem on the site of a former Muslim cemetery.
The initiative’s hopes to get the site declared ritually impure under Jewish law, due to the fact that the construction has involved unearthing the remains of hundreds of Muslims. Such a declaration would keep religious Jews from visiting the museum.
Somewhere, Mel Brooks is laughing heartily. (Hat tip:
IPCRI)
