we briefly return to our main topic which so quickly became our second topic. (not that i'm complaining by ANY means.............

it's been a long time since i wrote of Israel.....

what a weird place. period.

three major cultures fraction into thousands of offshoots and branches; each distinct and unique, will still -slightly- borrowing concepts from their neighbors.
from the white kippaed rock-throwing chareidim to the russian orthodox monks in their black robes.
the skunk haired arsnim street punks sidestepping the mir student with his black borsolino.
and the american 'exchange' students-weaving through with the chienese tour group wearing the 'jesus saves' tshirts (acquired from the scandinavian scientolgy messiah deluge) on their way to see the dome of the rock.
all being half suspiciously inspected by the 19 year old idf private and the 75 year old ragtag beggar alike.

burning trash; graffiti; sounds of shouting talmud and obscenities- it's all here.

but you got to love it.
like that dysfunctional eclectic member of your family.
you love 'em. no questions asked.

(although they do occasionally piss the hell outta you.)

THE HAPPIEST MAN IN THE WORLD

just wanted to share this teeny bit of news with my extended web family:

I [soapmaker] HAVE ASKED THE HAND OF FLOR [aka bigtoe] IN THE HOLY UNION OF MATRIMONY.....
... AND SHE SAID YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with thanks to God and love to you all, i sign off
-THE HAPPIEST MAN IN THE WORLD [aka soapmaker]