So - I work in Tel Aviv, in an area where there aren't so many restaurants that I like, and that I can afford, so I have been splitting my lunches between two places. The first place makes grilled meat sandwiches (cold cuts on a whole wheat roll, "toasted" and quite yummy). The second place is a small Italian place, where I can get a personal pizza (and whole wheat IS an option). What I like about both of these is that they food is good, whole wheat is a very important option for me, and both places are much less expensive than standard Tel Aviv lunch options.
This week, I was in the Italian place on Monday, and I saw a guy sitting in the kitchen (not preparing food, but in the kitchen anyway) smoking a cigarette. Right after I saw that, the manager came to the table with my food. I said to the manager "Please tell me that I didn't just see somebody smoking in the kitchen". His response was (in Hebrew) "Ein Matzav" - which translates to "Not a chance!". I asked him to please go check, just to make sure. Nothing else was said, nor (so I thought), needed.
I was back on Thursday. This time, while I was eating, I looked towards the kitchen again. The other guy that had been smoking on Monday wasn't there, but the manager (remember him? He's the one whose automatic response whas that there was No Way someone had been smoking in the kitchen!) - that same manager was in the doorway to kitchen - facing in - and smoking a cigarette!
When I finished the pizza and went to the counter, I said to the manager "A couple of days ago, when I asked if it was possible that I saw somebody smoking in the kitchen, you told me that it was not possible at all. Now I see that it is more than possible". He at least had the sense to look embarrassed and not argue with me. I then told him that maybe when I can be sure that people don't smoke in the kitchen where the food is being made then I can come back and eat there again. He said "I promise - it will never happen again!", but unfortunately, I can only believe that it won't happen when he sees that I'm there.
It's very possible that if he had answered differently the first time I saw someone smoking there, that I wouldn't have been so upset and turned off by the place. If he had said on Monday - "You're right - I'll tell him to stop", I could have accepted his a bit more on face value. But when his automatic response was "Ein Matzav!" - as if the concept was completely unthinkable - it made his own doing all the more hypocritical.
Oh well, I'll miss the pizza but not the bullshit...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Welcome to my blog - Enter at your own risk
So, I have toyed with the idea of doing this for a very long time, but for some reason never got around to it. There is probably a very good reason why I never got around to it before (aside from my ADD), but I'd just as soon not start exploring that.
Rather, I'd like to try figuring out why I am finally starting it now.
I've often been told that I'm a good writer, and that it's a pity that I don't do it more often. But I don't think that's what has pushed me into starting to blog.
I know some people with a lot going on in their lives to share - for example a very close friend who has been battling an illness for a while - and they find blogging the easiest way to keep their friends and loved ones posted on everything. Thank God, for me that's not an issue, therefore also not what has inspired me to start blogging.
I also know that there are many folks who blog because they are pushing a particular agenda - for example their political views, and they find that this is an excellent tool for them to do so without anybody interrupting them to tell them how wrong they are. Alas - that's also not my driving force. I will probably discuss political issues sometimes in here, as well as various and sundry social issues, but without any intention (or interest) in "swaying the masses".
My reasons are much less lofty, and much more selfish.
I often get the feeling that people think that I talk too much. The worst part is that I can't really disagree with them - I know that it's true. I am constantly telling myself that I wish I were quieter, more "in the background", less feeling the need to share every thought, joke, anecdote and idea that pops into my over-active brain. But it is not to be. I can't seem to find a way to simply STFU!
So this is my attempt at an "out". If I can express and share all of gets stuck in my skull here, maybe I won't feel the need to share it with anyone and everyone who happens to be stuck with me at any given time.
I hope.
We'll see.
One of the things that it means is the I want to start blogging for and foremost for me. The thoughts and ideas are in my mind and I'm looking for a venue to set them free. It doesn't matter if anybody reads them (although you are welcome to do so). It doesn't matter (most of the time) what people think of these Ramblings (although I am always open to discussion about them - whether or not we agree). I have no intention or interest in "converting" anybody to my way of thinking, I just want to express what I feel the need to express.
Often, having the opportunity to express freely, as in a blog, is exactly what a person needs in order to understand the thoughts and ideas for themselves. I have a feeling that this will often be the case for me.
This will not be a political blog, although living in Israel, it would not be possible or realistic (or healthy, for that matter) to never discuss politics. Nor will it be a "causes" blog, although there will inevitably be some causes that I mention - either for or against.
One disclaimer that I should write here - and I have no doubt that I will repeat this very many times throughout the blog - I am not and make no claims to be an "expert" on anything. My views on politics, social issues, child-rearing, history, and whatever else - are simply that - MY views. I haven't studied these things in the university, or written major research papers on them, or conducted in-depth surveys gathering comprehensive information. I am an every day John Q. Public, who keeps up with the news on a fairly regular basis, who reads some opinion pieces to get varying perspectives, and whose ideas have been shaped by his own experiences. No more and no less.
This blog will be exactly what the title implies - Ramblings. Plain and simple. Any interesting, amusing, enjoyable or thought-provoking discussions that may come out of it are the icing on the proverbial cake, but even without the icing, I hope to enjoy the cake in and of itself.
If you enjoy it as well, that's wonderful. If not, and you choose to not read my Ramblings, that's fine too.
Asher
Rather, I'd like to try figuring out why I am finally starting it now.
I've often been told that I'm a good writer, and that it's a pity that I don't do it more often. But I don't think that's what has pushed me into starting to blog.
I know some people with a lot going on in their lives to share - for example a very close friend who has been battling an illness for a while - and they find blogging the easiest way to keep their friends and loved ones posted on everything. Thank God, for me that's not an issue, therefore also not what has inspired me to start blogging.
I also know that there are many folks who blog because they are pushing a particular agenda - for example their political views, and they find that this is an excellent tool for them to do so without anybody interrupting them to tell them how wrong they are. Alas - that's also not my driving force. I will probably discuss political issues sometimes in here, as well as various and sundry social issues, but without any intention (or interest) in "swaying the masses".
My reasons are much less lofty, and much more selfish.
I often get the feeling that people think that I talk too much. The worst part is that I can't really disagree with them - I know that it's true. I am constantly telling myself that I wish I were quieter, more "in the background", less feeling the need to share every thought, joke, anecdote and idea that pops into my over-active brain. But it is not to be. I can't seem to find a way to simply STFU!
So this is my attempt at an "out". If I can express and share all of gets stuck in my skull here, maybe I won't feel the need to share it with anyone and everyone who happens to be stuck with me at any given time.
I hope.
We'll see.
One of the things that it means is the I want to start blogging for and foremost for me. The thoughts and ideas are in my mind and I'm looking for a venue to set them free. It doesn't matter if anybody reads them (although you are welcome to do so). It doesn't matter (most of the time) what people think of these Ramblings (although I am always open to discussion about them - whether or not we agree). I have no intention or interest in "converting" anybody to my way of thinking, I just want to express what I feel the need to express.
Often, having the opportunity to express freely, as in a blog, is exactly what a person needs in order to understand the thoughts and ideas for themselves. I have a feeling that this will often be the case for me.
This will not be a political blog, although living in Israel, it would not be possible or realistic (or healthy, for that matter) to never discuss politics. Nor will it be a "causes" blog, although there will inevitably be some causes that I mention - either for or against.
One disclaimer that I should write here - and I have no doubt that I will repeat this very many times throughout the blog - I am not and make no claims to be an "expert" on anything. My views on politics, social issues, child-rearing, history, and whatever else - are simply that - MY views. I haven't studied these things in the university, or written major research papers on them, or conducted in-depth surveys gathering comprehensive information. I am an every day John Q. Public, who keeps up with the news on a fairly regular basis, who reads some opinion pieces to get varying perspectives, and whose ideas have been shaped by his own experiences. No more and no less.
This blog will be exactly what the title implies - Ramblings. Plain and simple. Any interesting, amusing, enjoyable or thought-provoking discussions that may come out of it are the icing on the proverbial cake, but even without the icing, I hope to enjoy the cake in and of itself.
If you enjoy it as well, that's wonderful. If not, and you choose to not read my Ramblings, that's fine too.
Asher
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