Month: May 2005

It’s REALLY late.
I had one hectic week at the new job, and it’s shaping up nicely. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m sure that I’ll have the place in top form in record time. I’m going to be doing a lot more than I thought, but hey, they’re paying pretty decently for it.

Thanks to , I got the loan from the bank. Thursday night, instead of heading home, I headed out to Tel aviv, where I stayed at my friend Idan’s place, and we looked around at some nice bike models on the web.
Found a nice listing, and then called Friday morning to see the bike.
It’s a Kawasaki EN-500, for those not in the know, it’s a “custom” bike, meaning it looks a lot like a Harley, laid-back style and all. All nickel, chrome, and the gas tank (the only real colored part) is a deep eggplant.
We popped it into Idan’s main garage guy, who checked it out (and charged me 200nis less than anyone else – Idan works wonders) and gave his seal of approval.
Idan, who comes from a biker family, tried to drive the price down a bit, and we went back to his folks’ place, where they (BIG biker people) also tried to drive the price down a touch, but to no avail.
So we settled on 21K NIS, and signed a contract and all. After the previous owner left, Idan’s folks congratulated me on my new vehicle, and sat me down for “the talk” – safety, what to be afraid of on Israeli streets, etc. I’m glad – this was within my budget, so all is good.

As luck would have it, Friday was also the day a major accessories and parts importer in Tel Aviv was having a major “Happening”, and Idan drove me there on his bike to set me up with gear.
The amount of amazingly beautiful tricked-out bikes there was astounding, and some people revving their motors up were setting off everyone’s alarms. Wow.
I bought a wonderful solid black Shoei helmet, a black Laret summer armored jacket, a pair of Kevlar and Carbon gloves and two heavy security chains (they weigh a TON!). As Idan knows the main honcho there, they talked, set me up with all of it for 2800 instead of 4300. And he threw in a free helmet nose protector and disc lock. I’m quite happy with my purchases.

We drove back to his place, dropped off the gear, suited up with my new gear, and went to shoot some pool. After a couple hours, we went out, and met up with his folks and a bunch of other major bikers who meet on a weekly basis, and I saw some bikes that would blow your mind. Heavy Harleys customized to the max, crotch rockets that if you attached wings to them could literally fly, and I got see Idan’s dad’s new BMW RT1200 in the open, and I was impressed. That machine leaves hope for the rest of us peons that there is something bigger and better to look for in the future.

When we left the restaurant, Idan’s folks drove next to us, and played some awesome music on his bike’s CD changer(!) on the external speakers for us to hear, not just playing in their helmet speakers (!!).

So you ask – how come Mike hasn’t been driving around himself? Well, I’ll tell you.
By the time we signed the contract, paid the seller, and took a deep breath, it was too late to call any insurance agents or companies to arrange that. Idan’s dad was adamant – no insurance, no ride. I agree wholeheartedly. This is my life we’re talking about.
So here I am, in Tel Aviv, and will probably stick around until Sunday morning, when I deal with the legal ownership paperwork, insurance, and time permitting, get a couple of things done for the bike before I have to leave and drive to Lod for work.
I’m looking forward to it. And I’ll post pictures the moment I get a charger for this damn cellphone/digicam (from work).
So this was my quick update, and I’m going to sleep now, dammit.

So today will be my third day of my new exciting job in Lod.
The last two days and the next couple are comprised of my training period, where the complete and utter onslaught of information is a little daunting, but not overwhelming just yet. (It’s only whelming, not overwhelming???!)
Today I go to see about a loan for a bike, and hopefully, if all goes well, the Friday I might already have a noise-making, smoke-belching, pedestrian-killing, track-making hawg. Sounds great, don’t it?
I’m meeting Shannon in a bit for a nice morning cup of coffee – trying to find time to see her before she’s gone for the summer. Once I have mine own transportation, my hours are a mite more flexible. Especially when my direct boss is the one who called me to offer me the job, also a good friend, and an understanding one at that. Turns out both he and Shannon are “graduating” their B.A. ceremony two days apart.
I feel a little left out, academically. It seems like everyone is either in university, on their way to it, or post-university.
Am I one of the last self-made men?

I’m not going to wax philosophical about Independence Day, that’s not what I do.
Tuesday was my last day at my job as a Tech Support Engineer. I’m not too sorry to see the last of the job.
I’m sure I’ll miss the people and camaraderie that I have developed there over the last year and a half, but I get to move on now.
Last night, Shannon accompanied me on a final prank on my old boss. We waited until the office was empty, went on up and inflated about 100 balloons and dumped them around my boss’s seat.
After that, we had a nice snack at the “Coffee Mill” on Emek, and then went dancing until I was ready to fall off my feet.

Yesterday, I was offered a role in series of short plays, by David Ives. It’s a short called “Babel’s in Arms” from the “Time Flies” show, and it’s the story of two brawny construction workers, tasked with building the Tower of Babel.
Now, I read thru it, and it’s pretty funny and ridiculous, however the director wants me to act alongside a woman in the role of the other brawny construction worker (which is not true to the original). I have no problem with the fact that women can do hard labor, in fact I promote it! Let them do all the work, dammit. 🙂 But there’s just some things that guys do and say when they’re hanging out as guys, things you would never do around a woman, no matter how tomboy or tough she might be.
That’s pretty much my main concern with taking this part – not that my opposite wouldn’t be able to play a convincing role, but that I might not be able to play off of a female character like I would a male one.

We’ll see.

For especially – and anyone else the rest of you might know in the field –
Graphic Designer (CJI-01)

Updated: 11-May-2005

Description: GUI design for applications and products
Creative design portion of marketing projects (site, newsletters, banners, advertising, etcetera)
Branding design elements for mobile products as well as Web and print materials
Design and produce print and trade show materials, including magazine ads, brochures, data sheets, CD ROMS, booth collateral, sales packets, etcetera

Requirements: At least 4 years experience as senior level designer
Fluent on the PC in both vector and bitmap applications
Illustration and 3D skills
Basic HTML skills
Macromedia Flash skills
Familiarity and experience with mobile and wireless device

Caveat Emptor!
The final line-up for Thursday’s THHGTTG viewing at the Rav Chen theater, 7:30pm is:
, , & , myself & Shannon.
Have cash ready ASAP. Bring a towel, this is required!
I understand that everyone except myself and Shannon will probably be at the / BBQ until the show, so please all show up at the same time.
I am still working on the logistics of making it there on time with Shannon, as a previous engagement end at 7pm. 🙁
Looking forward to sharing the experience!

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Net Shoppers Network.
We currently have (in stock!) a few devices and comparative prices for you, and will be glad to provide the service of supplying them to you for cash.
The wonderful devices are: iPod photo (2 each of both 30GB and 60GB) and iPod Shuffle (3 each of both 1GB and 512MB).

Here’s a comparison table:

	Israel List Price (NIS)	My Price (NIS)	My Price (USD)
iPod Shuffle – 512 MB	820	600	140
iPod Shuffle – 1GB	1150	850	200
iPod Photo – 30GB	2500	1800	410
iPod Photo – 60GB	3000	2300	520

A link to Apple’s web site comparison is here.

These are all brand new, slightly higher than list in the USA, and a fully guaranteed by Apple worldwide.

All comments to this post are screened, so you can safely respond to me here, and we can work out how to get you your new iPod device.

Hiya everyone!
The Guide is opening this Thursday, and I am opening the floor for discussion – who wants to come to the 19:30 PM showing? Remember, it’s also Independence day here, so take that into account when timing your schedule.
I can pre-order tickets, and select their locations, but only for a little while longer.
Price of a ticket is 35 NIS, if ordered thru me, payable in cash upon arrival at the theater. Better if paid before, of course. If ordered, and you didn’t make it, payment is still required!
This obviously guarantees you a seat, esp. with the rest of the gang, in around the 7th or 8th row (this is a bit behind mid-theater, and is a good location).
The floor is open, ladies and gents, for the next day or so, so any questions, ideas, comments, fire away!

So….
It’s been a while since I updated this damn thing, and here I am, sitting at work, not doing much, and decided to have at it.
Event #1 – I passed my 3rd driving exam. I am now the proud holder of a motorcycle license. By all rights, I shouldn’t have, as I screwed up for a split second on the figure eights, but the examiner was looking elsewhere and didn’t see. Thursday was an angst-filled day for me, until I heard the results.
Event #2 – The con was one hell of a drag. It turned out ok, but only because I dragged every last little detail into order at the last minute. I have made my intentions clear to the new Icon manager, and he will feel the brunt of my wrath if he screws up.
Event #3 – Shannon’s Birthday was Friday, and I took her out to a nice restaurant on Thursday night, and then called her at midnight to sing happy birthday to her. Her present hasn’t arrived from the USA, which worries me.
Event #4 – I’m tying up loose ends at work, looking forward to the end of this week, when I get to prank my office, in which I inflate a ridiculous amount of balloons and stuff my office full of them, to commemorate how deflated they will be when I’m gone.

In fact, #4 reminds me how this place used to look before i arrived. What a boring environment. I hope they don’t all commit mass suicide. That’d be a damn shame.

Event #5 – As of the 15th, I will be working as a SysAdmin for a software company in Lod, and will be commuting daily. I hope I can get funding for a bike by then. Bank manager’s being an asshole, and might not play nice this time.
Event #6 – Had a last-minute guest this weekend, and we ended up going to a beach party in Herzliya, after which I got some decent sleep, and spent the day relaxing. I did not show up at & ‘s place, in case anyone was confused about that.

So that’s all for now, hope you feel informed.
I’ve got to run, going home to cook dinner for Shannon & myself!

From a lot of friends:
Seven Deadly Sins
ANGER
Who did you last get angry with?
Corporate customers
What is your weapon of choice?
Short blades
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
Only if severely provoked
How about of the same sex?
Sure, and have bloodied and broken on more than one occasion.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
Definitely Mom
What is your pet peeve?
Acquired stupidity in intelligent people
Do you keep grudges, or can you let things go?
Don’t think I’ve ever had a grudge for more than 30 minutes

SLOTH
What is one thing you’re supposed to do daily that you have not done in a long time?
Brush my teeth. I know, that’s gross…. I’m LAZY
What is the latest you’ve ever woken up?
Dunno the hour – but I slept 30 hours straight after the Con
Name a person you’ve been meaning to contact, but haven’t.
Grandma
What is the last lame excuse you made?
I was too busy.
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
Yup. I’ve had some BORING late nights
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
Never hit snooze. It’s far away, and requires me to actually get up to shut it off.

GLUTTONY
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
Cafe Aroma’s House Special
Do you eat the skin of off chicken?
No, vegetarian
Have you ever used a professional diet company?
Tried Herbalife – Is that a diet company? It sucked!
Are you anorexic?
Don’t I wish
Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods?
Spicy, with a touch of salt
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, lunch?
Not really. The whole vegetarian thing works, trust me

LUST
How many people have you seen naked?
In person, over 30
How many people have seen YOU naked?
Have absolutely no idea. A lot, I’m sure. More than would have liked to…
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of the opposite sex during a normal conversation?
Staring? Glancing, the occasional look…
What is your favorite body part on the opposite sex?
Trick question! TNA, of course, legs, arms…. hell, I like the whole package, and I do NOT have body parts in my freezer!
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
Yup. Both sides of the fence, too. Not entirely pleasant
Have you ever had to get tested for an STD or pregnancy?
Not yet, but I give blood, and they do routine tests and will inform you if there is something wrong.

GREED
How many credit cards do you own?
2
What’s your guilty pleasure store?
eBay? olSale?
If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
Pay off debts, buy a few things, invest a buttload in real estate
Would you rather be rich, or famous?
Famous. With fame, come riches, but I just LOVE the spotlight.
Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?
Still working on that….
Have you ever stolen anything?
Yep. Don’t ask
How many MP3s are on your hard drive?
Over 100GB. Lost count after a while. At least 80GB are in solid albums, tagged to the extreme

PRIDE
What one thing have you done that you’re most proud of?
Managing to get this far on the cards I’ve been dealt
What one thing have you done that your parents are most proud of?
Dunno. Potty training? Growing up?
What thing would you like to accomplish in your life?
Teaching
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill?
Yup. The odds are better that way.
Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score?
Yup
What did you do today that you’re proud of?
I picked up my interim license and paid for the real one

ENVY
What item (or person) of your friends would you most want to have for your own?
Nobody’s specific – powerful laptop (my definition of powerful is a bit different than yours, I’m sure)
Who would you want to go on “Trading Spaces” with?
Bill Gates
If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
God
Have you ever been cheated on?
Not to my knowledge
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different?
Smaller waistline
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
Emotional response
Do you wish you’d come up with this survey?
Now that question is just annoying.

---

Because I thought the list was crappy anyways –

Your Taste in Music:

90’s Pop: Highest Influence

Classic Rock: Highest Influence

80’s Rock: High Influence

90’s Alternative: High Influence

80’s Alternative: Medium Influence

80’s Pop: Medium Influence

80’s R&B: Medium Influence

Adult Alternative: Medium Influence

Gangsta Rap: Medium Influence

Hair Bands: Medium Influence

Old School Hip Hop: Medium Influence

Progressive Rock: Medium Influence

90’s Hip Hop: Low Influence

90’s R&B: Low Influence

90’s Rock: Low Influence

Alternative Rock: Low Influence

Country: Low Influence

Punk: Low Influence

Wonder if THAT means anything….

---

This is by the way of , and the results are long….

Braggart You are 85% Rational, 100% Extroverted, 42% Brutal, and 85% Arrogant.

You are the Braggart! Like Muhammad Ali, you would surely tell everyone that you are “The Greatest” whilst bragging incessantly about your intelligence, your skills, and your abilities. You tend to be a thinker rather than a feeler, and combined with your extroversion and arrogance, this makes you someone who probably just LOVES to brag about his accomplishments. Despite this, however, you are a very gentle, tender person and truly care about others’ feelings. You just happen to care more about yourself. Unlike Ali, of course, you are rather rational as opposed to emotional, and you are also much more gentle. But his arrogance and extroversion best reflect the most visible aspects of your personality. Your personality defect is the fact that you are extremely overconfident, extroverted, and perhaps rather lacking in emotions. YOU ARE THE GREATEST! Or so you keep telling yourself every night, in hopes that eventually everyone else on the planet will agree. Well, sorry, we probably won’t. To put it less negatively: 1. You are more RATIONAL than intuitive. 2. You are more EXTROVERTED than introverted. 3. You are more GENTLE than brutal. 4. You are more ARROGANT than humble. Compatibility: Your exact opposite is the Bitch-Slap. Other personalities you would probably get along with are the Hand-Raiser, the Haughty Intellectual, and the Capitalist Pig. * * If you scored near fifty percent for a certain trait (42%-58%), you could very well go either way. For example, someone with 42% Extroversion is slightly leaning towards being an introvert, but is close enough to being an extrovert to be classified that way as well. Below is a list of the other personality types so that you can determine which other possible categories you may fill if you scored near fifty percent for certain traits. The other personality types: The Emo Kid: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Humble. The Starving Artist: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Bitch-Slap: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Humble. The Brute: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Hippie: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble. The Televangelist: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Schoolyard Bully: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble. The Class Clown: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Robot: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Humble. The Haughty Intellectual: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Spiteful Loner: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Humble. The Sociopath: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Hand-Raiser: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble. The Braggart: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Capitalist Pig: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble. The Smartass: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 74% on Rationality You scored higher than 96% on Extroversion You scored higher than 45% on Brutality You scored higher than 91% on Arrogance

Link: The Personality Defect Test written by saint_gasoline on OkCupid Free Online Dating

---

Here’s one weird one that took entirely too long to do:

Jerklet Jerking purity = 65%

While you may be more experienced than the average masturbator, there’s no denying that you don’t really have your heart set on this whole beating-off project. Did you really have to renew your subscription to Playboy for another ten years? Please just make whatever purchase you’ve decided on so I can help the next customer.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 58% on purity

Link: The Thinking Man’s Masturbation Test written by mimsably on Ok Cupid