Juggling Faith

I have been struggling lately to read anything that has any significant weight to it, like books for an example. Newspaper and magazine articles have pretty much been the end-all. I am trying to get back into the swing of things, but it is a struggle. After nearly a month, I have almost finished The Juggler and the King, a book that challenges the jewish reader to accept and to devote himself entirely to god. Due to recent events in my corner of the jewish community, I am deeply struggling to accept the wisdom of this book. The Juggler would explain that my personal problems within the jewish community are not meant to define my faith, but it is only meant to test it further. It is meant to see if I will stay true to my faith despite the obsacles that god lays forth to me. Well, I just do not understand why I would have to get kicked in the ass, tested, by the very people who are supposed to be watching out for me. I will finish the Juggler because it was recommended to me from a person that I respect, but it is no way encouraging me to break out of my reading rut.


Now Playing the Chronicles of Narnia by Harry Gregson-Williams

A Puzzling Day at the De Young

I spent some of the day with a puzzling fellow named 'J.' A week ago, we had arranged to play some racquet ball today at Golden Gate Park in the 'hand ball only' courts. (Don't worry, except for the one homeless guy who seemed upset, I don't think anyone legitimate had any objections as to our particular use of the court.) We played for about an hour and then 'J' insisted that we walk over to the new de Young museum so that he could illuminate me with a brief tour. While there is hardly any doubt that the racquet ball game played more to my strengths, 'J' was obviously in his element went we got to the museum. From the start, he was providing me with a great number of intricate details about the design and the art of the museum. I was very impressed, and I know that if he wasn't a lawyer that he could surely work there. But what surprised me more than the tour itself was that 'J' was actually "taking" the time by choice to explain and to show me a number of things at the museum. it seemed that he was genuinely interested in teaching me about something that I didn't know anything about. And this is why I am a bit puzzled by his character. Is he just showing a generosity and pleasantry that I am not accustomed to seeing in a stranger, or is there something deceptive in the air?



Now Playing the Matrix Reloaded by Don Davis

Positively Social

I was very hopeful that the day was going to be positively social. I was asked on Wendesday if I had wanted to go "to the sea," and I was very excited by the possibility of this day companion. I will not go as far to say that a tragedy has occured since my 'sea' companion had failed to materialize, but I am very disappointed for its non-occurence.

My nighttime plans were very edgy from the start, but there was some potential that I would be intertwined that night within some agreeable party. Well, strike two. It seems that the Rosh Hashanah holiday had created a temporary flux in tonights nighttime scheduling, and it is unfortunate that it was not able to sort itself out for the remainder of the night.

So what did my day events consist of you ask? Well, it was very productive.... Sherrybaby **, Casper ***, Stay Alive *1/2, and Stick It **.



Now Playing Battlestar Galactica Miniseries by Richard Gibbs

No Hard Hat, No Way

It was a busy day. There was several shifts of work that I had to attend to. One of them was slightly controversial because I did not have my own hard hat to enter the premises (a mall under construction), and the security staff was not backing down on this one. Finally, in order to get in I had to call for the previous days security staff in order to vouch for my good name (and reputation). After my work shifts I did some shoe shopping with two of the new Israeli's that I am befriending. And then finally my day ended with 2.5 hours of basketball followed by a dinner at In n' Out. Now for my 4.5 hours of sleep.


Now Playing the Jackie Brown soundtrack

Sneak Preview of the Mall

I was able to go into the new Bloomingdale's Mall today while it was still under construction.It is not slated to be open for another 11 days.
This mall is going to do some tremendous business. They have gloriously used the old Emporium sky dome as the centerpiece of the entire building, and it does look terrific. To my own benefit, a new Century movie theater is slated to open on the 5th floor of this place, right above a new Borders store. I definitely think that the future opening of this new mall-palace may finally put down that ill-conceived wreck we call the Metreon.


Now Playing the Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert

Damn Cowardice

I knew then that it would haunt me for the rest of the day. I was at lunch earlier with M, and this beautiful girl asked the two of us if we knew in what country they speak Aramaic (Of course, I forgot that it was a dead language, but that didn't matter. I do credit Comme for the help in that). After a minute of guessing and calling a friend, we answered her question and we continued our meals. When it as time to go, I said a couple of inquisitive things to the girl (who was alone and reading a bible) and then I left with M, because it seemed to awkward to stay behind and chat up a stranger. Also, I didn't stay behind because I am a enormous coward in these matters, and to everyone here, I already know that know this. Be gentle you heavenly bodies!



Now Playing Enemy at the Gates by James Horner

Updating the Past

I have been even slower than normal to update my blog. This isn't intentional. There are many things that I wish to address from the past three weeks of my life, but it has been difficult because of my schedule. But I promise that I will begin to catch up on my past while I maintain the present. I expect to divulge on my trip to Cancun as well as add some stories on jewish woes. Thank you for continuing to check up on me!



Now Playing the Top Gun soundtrack

United 93

Positively, United 93 is one of the most emotional films of the year. I was glued to my seat, full of tension and terror for nearly the entire film. It didn't matter that I was already familiar with the tragic saga of this SFO bound flight, because I could hardly even conceive of the situation before. My immersion into this film was so unique that I must commend director and writer Paul Greengrass with my highest regards for his magnificent labor. His film is a marvel that distances itself from the syrup of World Trade Center, and to its credit, never strays from the larger picture. United 93 is a true dedication to the events of September 11, and is a powerful addition to modern cinema.



Now Playing the Fellowship of the Ring by Howard Shore