December 03


Sunday

 December 28, 2003

New kid in the blo(g)ck

Anne's sweetie, Mark, has a blog too. Welcome to the blogging world, Mark, and let me tell you... If you're going to write about biking and photography - you have a reader here *s*. Good luck to ya!

Lorien said it @ 04:17 PM MT

::: Button :::

See it for what it is, people. There's crap smeared all over the place

MEMRI sent out a report today, regarding the Palestinian Authority Sermons 2000-2003. Now, reading this, it seems no one needs to trash the Palestinians. By reading this stuff coming directly from their "religious kitchen chefs", they're doing a very good job by themselves! Want few examples? There ya go:

Ceremons include Themes of Arab hatred of the USA. The US has begun a Crusader war against the Arabs. The battle between Muslims and the US is a religious war that has its roots centuries ago.

Sermons often call for Palestinians to become martyrs, or Shahids. The concept of educating children to become martyrs occurs regularly in sermons.

"Annihilating" Jews by Palestinians becoming suicide bombers and "detonating" themselves in their midst, and by saving "a bullet is order to stick it in a Jew's head," are examples of the many calls for killing Jews in Palestinian sermons. Within sermons, Jews are commonly referred to as the descendants of pigs and apes, and as calf-worshippers.

Sermons include calls for the expulsion of Jews from Israel and for their "return to Europe." According to the sermons, this will be done by re-conquering Jerusalem, Haifa, Safed, Jaffa, Ramle, and other Israeli cities and districts such as the Negev and the Galilee.

Conspiracy theories against America and Jews are the subject of many sermons dealing with the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and the September 11, 2001 attack.

You don't believe the written words? Fine! Watch the videos! See the kind of crap entertainment the Arab countries surrounding Israel and the Palestinian authority supply for their viewers' pleasure. Don't miss the one called The Muslim Woman Magazine: Hosted by Doaa 'Amer (scroll down towards the end), featuring a little 3.5 years old girl who already has been trained to hate the Jews and tell stories about them. And the host claims she's a real Moslem. Ha!

Now, remind me please... who was it who said that Islam is a religion of peace, which will bring peace to the world? Yea, I remember now... All those who say that radical Moslems don't represent ALL Moslems...

Maybe not, but they sure have the loudest filthiest mouths.

Lorien said it @ 03:32 PM MT


Saturday
      December 27, 2003

No! Not from you, Zionist!

Stupid, ignorant, disgusting, evil bunch of assholes (Link via LGF). The head... The head is fucked up over there... and the simple people die.

Lorien said it @ 11:00 PM MT

::: Button :::

The day after

Just cleaning up a little bit here... not a real post ;-))

Lorien said it @ 11:23 AM MT

Friday
 December 26, 2003

Last (eight) candle of Hanukkah

Eight candle of HanukkahSo we had a good boxing day bargain, and we saved ourselves 30$ can. Joe bought himself a new 19" Samsung monitor, and is happy like someone who had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It has nice sharp colors, and it's great to watch TV on as well.

We had a couple of friends for dinner tonight, and we spend seven hours together, which seemed like three. It was a nice evening, which started with lighting the last candle of Hanukkah, continued with finishing the leftovers from Christmas eve, and later we just had a nice talk and lots of laughs.

It sure was a nice ending to the whole Hanukkah/Christmas ceremony. Nice company and a good food again. I hate to think what the scale will tell me tomorrow morning, but hell... we live only once! ;-))

Lorien said it @ 11:59 PM MT

::: Button :::

Again

Four killed, 20 hurt in Geha bombing. Another homicide bombing in Israel yesterday.

The attack was the first successful suicide bombing since the one at Maxim's restaurant in Haifa on October 4, which killed 21 people. There have been 22 other attempted suicide bombings in the interim, according to the IDF Spokesman, but all were foiled by the security services.

The 4 dead Israelis, 19 to 20 years old, have been buried today. May they rest in peace. My deepest condolences are being sent to their families.

::: Button :::

Tragedy in Iran

20,000 feared dead in Iran quake:

The Iranian government said as many as 20,000 people may have died in the quake, which was centered near the ancient city of Bam about 610 miles (975 km) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

The quake struck at 5:27 a.m. Friday (8:57 p.m. ET Thursday) as people were sleeping.

The people from Blog Iran are sending mails since this morning, trying to raise awareness to the fact the Iranian government is looking elsewhere when help is needed. They're also compiling an online photo gallery portraying the quake's devastation, and have opened a discussion forum for incoming news and views here.

Mercy Corps is accepting donations to assist families affected by the powerful earthquake in Iran that has left tens of thousands homeless. The American Jewish World Service (AJWS), a nonsectarian international development and relief organization, is also collecting funds to assist in the efforts to help the people of Iran.

I'm sending my condolences to the people of Iran at these hard awful times.

Lorien said it @ 02:09 PM MT

Thursday
       December 25, 2003

Seventh candle of Hanukkah... and Merry Christmas

Seventh candle of HanukkahIt was a quiet day... most of it anyway. Later in the evening we went out to the Glenmore Inn for Christmas dinner. It's the same place we had our wedding at. Each year we go there for Christmas, and it has become a tradition for us.

We like this place, we feel very nostalgic about it, and we enjoy our meal without the need to slave over it.

I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a great day. Anne had her birthday today, so Happy Birthday, Anne! I hope you had a wonderful day *s*. I'm going to take this opportunity and let you know how glad I'm we've met on the net. You're blessed to be one of those few who have a special heart and soul... and I feel joy to know you!

Lorien said it @ 09:04 PM MT


Wednesday

         December 24, 2003

Sixth candle of Hanukkah... and X-mas eve

Sixth candle of HanukkahIt's over... X-mas eve dinner with Joe's kids and our friend. It was nice... The food was yummy and the company was mostly young and restless... and joking;-)). There was a present exchange, some booze was flowing down our throats, and now we sit here - my Joe and me - sipping Godet white chocolate liquor and eating white Belgium chocolate... Not good for our health and figure, but ho-so-yummy!!! *s*.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Feliz navidad!

Lorien said it @ 11:34 PM MT

Tuesday
  December 23, 2003

Fifth candle of Hanukkah... and being thankful

Fifth candle of HanukkahI'm slaving like a dog here, getting ready for tomorrow night. We're having Joe's kids + girl friends + our friend for Christmas eve dinner... total of 8 people around the table. It's the cooking part (that I love)... and the cleaning part (that I hate with passion)... and it's the planning and orchestrating it all... Oy Vey, I'm tired, and still have lots to do!

But I'm thankful... for the tender warm light brought in by my Hanukkah candles... and the little shiny bulbs on the tree... and the gorgeous smell and taste of my beef dish, which has just finished cooking... and the beautiful people who come here and leave me with emotional kind words... and my sweet one, who does EVERYTHING in his power to make me feel good.

I'm very thankful tonight... for life is good!!! *s*.

Lorien said it @ 06:35 PM MT

Monday
  December 22, 2003

Fourth candle of Hanukkah... and thanks to a friend

Fourth candle of HanukkahI've got a Christmas card from Nancze in the mail today... Yay!!! Thank you so much sweetie... it made me very happy. And... mmm... we're running a bit late this year with our cards... but... do expect one ;-))

 

 

 

Lorien said it @ 07:09 PM MT

Sunday
 December 21, 2003

Third candle of Hanukkah... and accumulating lights

Third candle of HanukkahJoe just called from work (yes, he works on Sundays too sometimes), and I've lit the third candle of Hanukkah with him being with me over the phone. It feels nice not to do it all alone, you know...

Other than that, don't have much to tell. It's a struggling time for me, with the cut down on smoking and all... but I'll manage. Hey, if you'd like to see some gorgeous Christmas lights display photos, check our December lights series. They turned out pretty satisfactory *s*... and there are lots of new photos there, including candles photos. Check it out!

Lorien said it @ 06:13 PM MT

Saturday
     December 20, 2003

Second candle of Hanukkah... no words

Second candle of Hanukkah

Lorien said it @ 11:00 PM MT

Friday
December 19, 2003

Anniversary... and the first candle of Hanukkah

4 yearsFour years ago, today, we tied the knot...
And ever since...
It's just getting better!
May it last till the end of our days...
May it always be filled with light...
Like tonight, the first candle of Hanukkah.
Double celebration for us today...

We're blessed... with bliss! *s*.

 

Look at the lovely card mom and bro sent us!

 


And this was our first candle of Hanukkah, lit in the Hanukia Joe built for me.

First candle of Hanukkah

Lorien said it @ 12:35 AM MT

Thursday
       December 18, 2003

Mom is coming back to life

Mom had 2 family events to attend to today. One was a happy one... Dad's cousin just became a grand grandma to twins, a boy and a girl. The other was was a memorial service to dad's cousin's husband who passed away last year (and mom couldn't attend the funeral back then).

While talking to her over the net I could notice the happy sound of her voice. She said our relatives where very happy to meet her. The last time she met with this branch of the family was 6 years ago. Since then, she couldn't leave dad alone and had to decline every invitation she got. And today, after so long, she met people, she talked to people, she kissed and hugged with people, and it felt great!!! *s*.

And it makes me feel great too, to see mom coming back to life again after so many lonely years. Even though she says she feels overwhelmed by those meetings, I'm truly happy she goes out and meet people. That's the way it should be!

Lorien said it @ 02:52 PM MT

Wednesday
         December 17, 2003

Spooky!

Ok... Will someone explain to me how it is done???

Lorien said it @ 09:48 PM MT

Tuesday
   December 16, 2003

Today IS the day!

Today is the big day: LOTR marathon, where people can watch ALL three movies in a row at the theaters! How did I miss that one??? I know... Here in Calgary they sold tickets on November 17th. I wasn't here at that time, I was in Israel. Oh well, missed this one ;-(.

But, we'll watch the Return of the king this coming Friday, as part of our 4th anniversary celebrations *s*. Yippy!!! I can't wait!!!

And... I met Gollum in person, so there!!! ;-))

Gollum and me

Lorien said it @ 11:27 AM MT

Sunday
 December 14, 2003

An historic day

It's no news by now, 'cause I woke up late today, but I'll put it here for my own records and memory...

Finally, the tyrant has been captured! One down, one to go.

Lorien said it @ 01:27 PM MT

Friday
 December 12, 2003

Christmasy link

Here's a nice Christmasy link for ya. Got it today on E-mail. Click a deer for a holiday cheer!

Lorien said it @ 10:56 PM MT

Thursday
       December 11, 2003

Make suicide bombings a crime against humanity

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is initiating a worldwide campaign to make suicide bombings a crime against humanity. You can act now by sending E-mails to U.S. President George Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and French President Jacques Chirac.

You're given a tool to let world leaders know how you feel about those bastards who think they're geniuses because they invented an ultimate weapon to kill lots of people at once, and at the same time argue they're doing it in the name of their god. There's your chance to act!

Lorien said it @ 07:09 PM MT

::: Button :::

There's a way to reach world peace

Movies director David Lynch joins forces with real estate developer and a former magazine executive to try and raise $1 billion to spread Transcendental Meditation all over the world.

Their main plan is to establish a University of World Peace in the United States, allowing 8,000 scholarships to teach the Transcendental Meditation techniques of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Lynch, who has been meditating for 34 years, believes that when large numbers of people use the Transcendental Meditation techniques, violent crime, warfare and terrorism will decrease.

Lynch knows people laugh at his plan and ideas... but let me tell you something. I've tried Transcendental Meditation some 25 years ago. I was serving time in the army back then. It was a very stressful time for me, accompanied with almost daily bad headaches. A friend who served with me at the same base suggested we'll try Transcendental Meditation.

We took a course in Tel-Aviv, had 4 meetings with a qualified instructor, got our mantras and practiced this form of meditation for 3 months. Miraculously, my headaches were gone, and in a short period of time I've become a relaxed happy human being.

Why did I do it for only 3 months, you ask? Because I was an immature lazy sob back then. I didn't realize that in order to achieve something in life, I had to pull myself up and invest in something to better my life. The funny part is, Transcendental Meditation doesn't require much. Twice a day, for around 20 minutes, one has to sit still and just do it. Not much to invest, now is it?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says that his techniques reduce stress, improve health, enrich mental functioning, enhance personal relationships, and increase job productivity and job satisfaction. Studies also show that TM technique Meditators have warmer interpersonal relationships, less anxiety, increased self-esteem and self-confidence, increased problem-solving ability and greater creativity. The individual spontaneously radiates a purifying and nourishing influence of positivity and harmony in society as a whole.

And if enough people will do it around the world, the influence of it will be global!

Now, we can all be skeptic, of course, and laugh at those ideas as well... or, we can try it ourselves, and see if it does any good to our own personal life... and go from there. I, for one, might go back to it since I already have the knowledge how to do it. What the hell... what do I have to lose?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Lorien said it @ 10:26 AM MT

Monday
   December 8, 2003

Oh, the challenge!

As if I don't have enough struggles in my life, I've taken upon myself another one. Please tell me I can do it.

Click! Click! Click!
Click!

Lorien said it @ 06:58 PM MT

Saturday
      December 6, 2003

The universe and us

There's a whole vast mysterious universe out there... waiting for us humans to discover its wonders. The Geminid meteor shower will be peaking on the night of December 1314. On New Years Eve the Lord of the Rings will be closer to Earth and brighter than at any time in three decades...

And down here on earth, we humans do the best we can to maintain our little wars alive...

How long??? And for what???

This morning's sunrise

Lorien said it @ 08:15 AM MT

Tuesday
    December 2, 2003

Let the light in

December... a month of holidays... holidays of light. And this year, having Hanukkah all wrapped around Christmas makes it even more special.

Being an atheist, holidays (any holidays) don't have any religious meaning in my perceptions... none what so ever. Me needing to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah means I again remember and feel a part of an old nation which kept itself alive for more than 3,000 years - against all odds - and survived. Lighting the candles of the Hanukkia for 8 days (and by that allowing the light to become bigger and brighter) means I'm letting the collective memory stored in my genes be awakened. I know where I came from, I know my past, and I feel proud of my heritage.

And for the last few years, I also have a need to celebrate Christmas, and perform the ritual of setting up a tree and decorating our personal space. Again, there's no religious aspect to it at all, but by doing this I've found another way of incorporating myself into Joe's life, and letting him touch my own. It's us sharing ourselves on these happy times that make it all even more worthy.

Beyond the reasons stated above, I love to celebrate both holidays because of my inner child, who looks at the shining light which comes from the candles and the tree with wide open eyes, and imagining herself in wonderland. The contrast between the freezing cold of the outside and the glowing warmth of the inside plays magic on her imagination, and for few weeks she revives her young soul by bringing and breathing the light in.

So what does December bring our way???

Button Hanukkah, The Jewish Festival of Light holiday, begins Friday evening, December 19. On the same day, Joe and I celebrate our 4th anniversary. As part of the celebration, we're going to see "LOTR - Return of the king", and later light the first Hanukkah candle in the Hanukia Joe built for me, and go out for dinner.

Button On the eve of Christmas, Joe's kids will join us for dinner, together with a friend of ours. Good food, good company, lots of fun!

Button On Christmas day Joe and I will dine at the Glenmore Inn restaurant... same place where we got married *s*.

Button Mom bought a Hanukia when I was there. This year, she will light the candles again. Stating that she might be alone in the evenings, I offered to share it with her on the net, by singing together Hanukkah songs through BuddyPhone. That should be fun *s*.

I love December. Don't you???

December holidays

Button A note:

Way down south - Eilat series is up at the photolog. 24 photos from Eilat, Israel right there, waiting to make your senses sing ;-)).

Lorien said it @ 09:21 PM MT

Monday
   December 1, 2003

A new month, and a new project

Just a short one to archive last month's entries and let you know we participated in the 26 things project, and our page is up and running. I've started this one while I was in Israel, and it contains few photos of my brother as well, and of course - Joe's too.

Funny part is (and not "haha" funny ...) that the collection of the photos is a mix between Israel and Canada... just like me *s*.

Lorien said it @ 08:15 AM MT

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