Rips day of pinook

 

Badass Class

Who knew Rip can write so eloquently

"Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist" ~George Carlin

I sometimes try to explain to people what I miss about home while I'm away for extended periods. It goes something like this: While home, a friend may come, pick me up, and together with other friends we may go out to a bar, lounge or something of the sort. The whole night I wouldn't have to open my mouth. Meaning, they know me, they know my past and are more than familiar with who I am and what I'm like. While away, on the other hand, I have to constantly flap my lips while in the presence of new people. This, so that I can give them fuel with which to get to know me, my ways, my past, and again, who I am. It is frustrating at times because I like to be quiet and study my surroundings. Sometimes I find I have much to contribute to a conversation but haven't the energy or the care to share, allowing people to babble on and on while my inner thoughts are screaming "Shut The Fuck Up Already". I'm trying to keep from becoming jaded because when that happens I quickly get bored of my surroundings and want new ones. More so than anywhere else I've been, I feel Israelis are selfish and care more for themselves and their pockets than they do the world at large. Ethics in business is a foreign term here. I recall researching gun laws in Israel before coming because I like to keep a firearm at home wherever I rest my head but too strict they are and make them nearly impossible to attain legally. I've come to the conclusion that if ever I'll need one, the process I'll have to follow to get hold of it would involve giving some lanky 18 year old soldier a Brooklyn style stomping and taking one from him as one would a lollipop from a feisty child. The language barrier is annoying and I sometimes find it difficult to offend people properly. This I will have to work on.

Weekend in Jerusalem

Yum!

 Mt Spice

 Mmmm Braiiinnzz

 Coptic church

 A request made of Jesus by someone next to his grave

 Some other crap

 Jesuses grave

Dustin Humphrey, surf photographer

Gillys 2011 Review - "Fuck this guy" Occupy Wall street

My friend Nervous suggested I post a review of the very eventful year that just passed and so here. 

They say you can take a mad person going berserk to the ocean and he will immediately calm. In my opinion, it's because you see this godly mass of water that is somehow contained. Japans tsunami is the reason the mad calm. I was mesmerized, amazed, shocked and sad for the Japs. Seeing this mass of water swallowing in one gulp so much land, homes and cars drifting away or even exploding   
from all the water filling it. Utterly, very violently spectacular. There's no doubt we're all already exposed to Fukushimas nuclear leak. Couple of weeks ago I was translating material from Johnson and Johnson, a client of ours, and there were several pages explaining they have found some devices made by other suppliers of theirs with radiation on the electrical parts bought from Japan. Basically, they were making sure we dont use products from japan to construct the computer systems we make for them. J&J is a rather large and ethical company. These are rare. Others have no problem using their contaminated parts. So yea, that new baby monitor you got for your newborn, probably radioactive.

The way I look at it, the Occupy Wall Street movement and the protests in Zuccotti Park

    are a result of some well spoken dude, an honest looking Black/Hawaiin man who may or may not be muslim, talking about wanting change around 4 years ago. His name rhymes with Osama and although it was unintended, this jackass who lied about bringing change planted a seed that grew in the minds of the youth (his biggest support group). This is why we now see the 99%ers. I remember once reading the story below:

Indian Chief ‘Two Eagles’ was asked by a white U.S. government official, “You have observed the white man for 90 years. You’ve seen his wars and his technological advances. You’ve seen his progress and the damage he’s done.”

The Chief nodded in agreement.

The official continued, “Considering all these events, in your opinion where did the white man go wrong?”

The Chief stared at the government official and then replied, “When white man find land, Indians running it, no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water. Women did all the work, Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night having sex.”

Then the chief leaned back and smiled, “Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that.”  

Somewhere between the time Indian Chief 'Two Eagles' speaks of and now, what happened is what I call "The Retardation of Society". Technologically more advanced yes, but, together with it came a twisted system and way of life that molded the world into one that is far from Ideal. Cruel and evil even. I'm not sure, if ever in history, there's been a global revolution the likes of which we're seeing. I wish it were possible, what OWSers keep saying about peaceful protest. It Isn't, we are dealing with elite types that see the deaths of hundreds of thousands as profit because they own bomb factories. They will use their influence or position in government to kill citizens of their own countries using the police or military. This, to protect their capability to make billions. I understand greed, but the world, it seems, has become irreversibly corrupt. Governments are structured in an unnecesserily complicated way. A way that is dificult for an average layman to understand. Confused, people are, and so instead of  trying to understand, realize how fukt the establishment is, they tune into CNN where a member of said establishment has produced a daily drama series like 90210 or Law and Order that they dubbed "Daily News" and script the info that is fed to your brain. Not only that but they poison it by spending 50 out of 60 minutes of their allotted time trying to scare you, depress you, or to sway your thinking to agree with whatever is on the list for the day.
 So, having long ago realized the general world population are a bunch of easily misled, programmable shmucks, the US Government managed to convince the world that they have killed Osama Bin Laden. Ya know, the same guy the US Defense Dept and CIA worked very closely with to kick Russias ass in the late 80's. I mean listen, when you want to use this Mt. Everest sized mountain of money America *had in its reserves because of many years of taxing prosperity, you need to start wars. It's simple, a soldier on the ground in Afghanistan will be on patrol and see a glimmer in the mountainous distance, call in air support to drop a $500,000  JDAM on the glimmers location.

Cost of manufacturing bomb probably 10k.Cost of production videos with Osama reading threats saying "Death To America" from scripts written by the CIA, 50k. Starting a new world order, PRICELESS. Anyway the backwards way in which our world works is probably the biggest conspiracy in human history.

 Probably involving a select few world hyper elites who descended from the founders of the current world order. These people want the world economys to crash. 

Not only for me but for others as well interesting things have gone down. One example is this vid  bouncing around the web with Libyas Qadaffi being anally raped   with a long knife after his people revolted, somehow armed themselves, and with their combined vigor and  balls of steel, squashed his army, killed most of his family and then after brutally beating and molesting him, a bullet they put through his brain. Just picture, a man who is accustomed to only the luxuriously fanciest, comfortable and finest a life, having a mob of 2,000 militant types showing you the polar opposite of that as you spend your lifes last moments.

As for Egypts Mubarak, alls I can say is that you dont flaunt the things you robbed in front of all the people from whom you've  robbed them. Pin stripe suits when looked at under a microscope show his name Hosni Mubarak in the stripes, $100,000 a suit. Wealthiest person in Egypt and how you ask? By stealing everything from his people. The man thought he was a pharoah. Funny how confident and healthy he looked during his reign and now on tv, in his court appearances, they wheel him in in a wheelchair looking all sickly and weak, an obvious and desperate ruse .
 I remember when the initial days of the Arab spring in Egypt when the protestors were calm and civil. Saw a video of Mubaraks envoy plowing through a crowd of people.  Rag dollish, in every direction bodys flew. 

This year there's been more self immolations then there has been in the past 5 years combined.  
This uber extreme method of protesting is one I'll never comprehend. I guess am not spiritually inclined. I think I understand the message they are trying to send but they fail to realize that those in control dont digest this messsage in the intended way. They are used to not giving fucks, and so why would they be anything but happy that an annoying voice was silenced.

The wailing North Koreans, to me is an interesting phenomenon. The way he influences his people is similar to the way a cult leader does his followers. It seems like their really emotional over this out there. Still, they might be acting. So the son, Kim Jong-un

In my opinion, if he really will have control of the country, he will change this satellite image 

from a baron, lifeless country to one that will thrive and glow like the south. Educated in Switzerland and most definitely savvy as to the internet, he may just be what NK needs. 

And so to conclude, it's become firmly understood that this world is a carnival of madness that needs to be trudged through with the same caution as a haunted house. But fear not because fear is poison to proper progress in ones life. So is shame but we can talk about that another time.

Song for the moment:

The current

Incredible how many changes are taking place in my life. I knew I needed this but had no way of taking action. Changed countries, homes, jobs, found an amazing partner, now living with said partner, new car... Truth is I was sick of my life and what it's become back in NYC and am bear hugging the opportunity that was given to me to reinvent myself here. I am still me but my atmosphere has changed and from the inside out I am arranging things in the order that fancies me best. In the order I always thought things should be. I knew I needed a good girl to share life with and to feel complete. This I was given. The novelty of being in Israel has faded but I am wholeheartedly embracing the current stage at which I stand. The one where I am becoming settled and accustomed to my surroundings. One where routine kicks in. Routine, so long as it isn't boring is fine. It is a routine that consists of seeing new things, taking new steps and enjoying new life stages. They are happening concurrently but overwhelming it isn't. It's fun. 

2011 in one pic

Car Burning Dead Sea

Dead Sea

Bandit's Roost - 1888 Old School NYC

The fuck?

A Models Pose

It seems Rip is in Love

My Girl & I

Go karting in Haifa w/Alona and her friends.

Ida taken 1st had I not gone NY on em and smashed into everyone.

                                        

Karolina - Af Echad

Good tymes

I am among true occupiers here in Israel. We are surrounded by and intertwined with ayrabs. You can tell them apart off the bat. I should mention, I quarrel with no one until they crap in my lawn and have no problem with hard working people like the many ayrabs are. Certain smells remind me of times I've visited and I'm then reminded --- I now live here. A warm feeling I get. It's like some switch was turned on somewhere upstairs that says now is Gils time. So, I run around in this Peugeot 206 I picked up, I keep Rip more company then he's used to and am reaching a level of appreciation for music unlike any before. For an eternity I had to keep to myself myself (take a sec)... I would not give nor would I care to take. Kinda like parve ice cream or cake. Always on the "never getting married" tip. If I was given just a minute chance of someone possessing some of the qualities of a great girl, Ida been ecstatic. I wasn't though, the switch has been flicked and my "luck" is beaming. I'm in a familiar place, one of possibilities, where what happens is things. A place into where I was always told things will fall. I never believed.

...

The art of Michael Lisowski

Current times

The current

I'm finding it very much liberating to live here in Israel. So many changes. I feel that here I can conform people and things to my liking rather than having them shape me. I kinda feel like for over 30 years I've been swimming through muddy waters looking for a place where I belong. My home. It's a certain comfort that's taking me back to times I used to dream big and felt I can change things.  All this seems possible again. In a way I feel like the only person living on earth. This because I am very much in my own world. Different I am and I care not. I feel misunderstood but it really doesn't phase me as I can't expect a herd to understand why they're being herded. People in this country see some sort of novelty in me because I did Aliyah. Whenever I mention it to people I get tangled in an exchange of words that  lasts long as fuck. Also, I think people here feel Americans are easily led on or taken advantage of.  Here I am, home from work, music blasting, reminiscing. Not long ago Danman asked me if I miss NY and was surprised when my reply was "fuck no".

Inspiring

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA. It was believed that he had nothing left of any value.


Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. 




One nurse took her copy to Missouri. 


The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.


And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.




Crabby Old Man... 
What do you see nurses? . . ... . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . . . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .... . . . . With faraway eyes?


Who dribbles his food . . . .. . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice .. .. . .... . The things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?


Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . .. . .. . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .... . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . .. . You're not looking at me.


I'll tell you who I am. . . . .... . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . .. . As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .. . . .. With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . .. ... .. Who love one another.


A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . ... A lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . .. My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.


At Twenty-Five, now . . . .... . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. . . . . With ties that should last.


At Forty, my young sons . . ... . . Have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children .. . . . My loved one and me.


Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .... . . . Young of their own.
And I think of the years .. . . .. . And the love that I've known.


I'm now an old man . . . . ..... And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . Where I once had a heart.


But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . ... . Life over again.


I think of the years, all too few . . . . ... Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . .. . . That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . ... . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . ... . . Look closer . .. . See ME!!




Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. 


We will all, one day, be there, too!

Ego Sum In Diligo

Whenever asked why it is I don't smile often I am reminded of the shit that i try to forget in regards to what goes on in this world. The act of not smiling often or of not being happy-go-lucky, like my dog, isn't caused by some recent thought or immediate occurrence much more so than it is by the manifestation of a jaded depression. Absolutely sickens me to see Mayor Bloomberg throw around his cronie cops arresting and abusing innocent people that see through the tint people like the Bilderbergs plastered around  them as if saying "alright you had your little time to have fun here in Zucotti park now go home you little vagrants". It sucks to say this but we need to beat some people in congress and the senate much like the Libyans did when they captured Qadafi until they accept the change that's coming. I don't agree with the majority saying peaceful protesting is the way to go. Our governments (worldwide) should be taken back from whence they've strayed, the  American way, with numbers and guns.  On a lighter note - definitely going through some chemical changes here in the holy land. I'm pretty sure I know who the culprit is... Life feels more real. I can say with confidence that I will move and shake things in this little country.Gut feeling.

Moooood

And I thought my dogs breed was huge

Good Things

I've been saying it's been a while since I've felt the way I do. Truth is I never felt this way. Although crap from the past is still somewhat covering up (like resin) the feeling of ecstatic happiness I know I want to feel because of where I currently stand, still, I see amazing things and great times lying ahead. Never before have I met someone who I seriously feel can compliment me well in the years to come, one who I feel may be a good mother to my kids. It is an exciting and at the same time wonderful thing to have had this happen to me so soon into my integration here. I imagine the content on this blog may just be influenced by this beautiful person in the future.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Road Trippin' [Official Music Video]

Manu Chao - Me gustas tu