24 September 2021

So some of you may have heard we had a rather strong earthquake here the other day. I was at work when it struck. Damage was relatively minor in my neighbourhood, and my house is still standing. Been a few aftershocks since then a couple of which were relatively strong in their own right but fortunately not much more in the way of damage. Going to keep this post short because I've been busy all week but thought I would post this to let anyone who actually still reads my blog that we are all well.

13th September 2021

Erev tov dear readers,

I hope you are well. Things here are well. I've been keeping busy with work and classes and preparing for Yom Kippur. Also watching football and Formula 1. Chelsea had a solid win over the weekend, so that was brilliant. Then UNC Greensboro won 6-0. And of course the Paris Saint-Germain match was another blow out. Celtic too went 3 - 0. On the other hand Dundalk FC lost, and lost to a team they should have steamroller so that was a disappointment. I have not yet seen the AS Roma match ( I live in Australia and the time difference put the match on at a weird time) but that was the next one I wanted to watch. (Online) Classes and work and synagogue's daily daven (also online due to lockdown) come first though. Anyway that's probably all I am going to write tonight, kind of a boring post but it had been a few days and I didn't want to abandon the blog again.

Thursday 9th September 2021

Erev tov dear readers,

It's my second post in three days. Quick! Call a press conference! Yea no, don't actually do that unless you want to be committed to a psych ward, because trust me nothing I ever write will be that interesting. Anyway, yea. I hope you are well. I hope those of you who celebrated Rosh Hashanah had beautiful and meaningful celebration. I hope those of you who are stuck in lockdown as I am found ways to keep the holiday joyous. Tonight at midnight lockdown will be lifted for most of Victoria so for many of you, life will begin to return to normal. I wish you luck and I ask that you do not become complacent. For those of us in Metropolitan Melbourne and Greater Shepparton who will remain in lockdown for the time being, we will get through this. Keeping this post short tonight, because despite the continuing locmdown I have work in the morning. I did however, recently learn one of my former coworkers from my previous job is in hospital, so if you are of a religious disposition please recite tehillim on his behalf. Have a good night.

Tuesday 7th September 2021

Wow! I had no idea how long it had been since my last update. It has been nearly nine months! Well first things first. L'Shanah Tova to all my fellow Jews. And to Jews and non Jews alike I hope this Rosh Hashannah brings you sweet joys for the new year and may Moshiach reveal himself in the year to come! May you all be inscribed in the Book of Life. The past year has certainly been tumultuous. Here in Melbourne we are unfortunately back in lockdown, and that has unfortunately been the case off and on for quite a long time. That said there have been some positives over the last year and for those I am grateful. Firstly, I have started a new job. Some of you may know, I was working as a transcriptionist for Rev. At the end of January however, I moved on to a new position working with the network engineering firm Service Stream. That has been a positive, and a significant step forward for me. Also my wife moved to a new position within her job. We also are now getting ready to move forward with building our house. May G-d will it, we could have our own home by Hanukkah or at least construction will be underway. I have also received my first dose of the COVID vaccine. I won't write too much more tonight, though I will try to do better about posting regularly. Before I go though, I want to give thanks to Rabbi Ari Shishler, Rabbi Ronnie Fine, Rabbi Yosef Kantor, Rabbi Shalom Paltiel and Rabbi Pinchas Taylor. Over the last year each of you in your own way has helped shape my spiritual growth. I look forward every week to the pre Shabbat sermon by Rabbi Paltiel. And of course the daily classes from Rabbis Fine, Kantor and Taylor have really opened my mind and helped me to internalise what it means to be Jewish. And the inspirational messages from Rabbi Shishler have genuinely given me a renewed perspective. So thank you all, I am fortunate to have you in my life and to call you rabbi, teacher and friend. I also want to thank Rabbi Gersh Lazarow, Rabbi Kim Ettlinger and all of the staff at Synagogue Temple Beth Israel. You have really stepped up to keep the community together in worship during some of the most difficult times many of us have ever experienced. I count myself lucky to be part of your wonderful community. I'd also like to thank all of you who may read this, I may not be good about updating this blog, but I appreciate you all. Thank you.

Sunday 17th / January / 2021

Shavua tov readers! Been a pretty good couple of days. Yesterday had synagogue services, then played video games with some friends, the big FIFA plan got postponed until today, so yesterday I just played some Soul Calibur with Garrett and Stephen. Then went and did some soccer training after dinner. Was going to go to the gym too, but my key card has demagnetised itself and there's noone in the office to reprogram it until Monday. Fun. Then today I slept in. Well I got up at 7.30 to feed the cats and give Tiggy his insulin, because he won't let Melissa needle him, so I have to be the one to do it because he doesn't fight me. But then I went back to bed after feeding the cats. Then I got up and went and helped Melissa's dad work on his shed. Then the main event... finally getting to catch up with all the lads and play FIFA and talk football. Good times. Even though he's back in México and has Xbox instead of a playstation we even got Iván on call. So it was pretty good. Speaking of, Iván is doing better post COVID. But yea good times. Had Westley, Daniel, Keon and Westleys brother Garrett whom I also chilled with yesterday for the session plus Iván on the phone. Then made a cheese pizza for dinner. Now I'm just getting caught up on my readings and watching TV. Watched the replay of the Chelsea Fulham match before writing this, then the end of the Rangers Motherwell match live broadcast. I'm glad to report Chelsea won. Go blues.

Friday 15 / January / 2021

Shabbat shalom! Australian Basketball is back, Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers kicked off the delayed start to the 2020 - 21 NBL season tonight. Melbourne had a pretty great start to the season. Beyond that not a particularly busy day, had a work meeting this morning and synagogue services tonight. Then I went down to the local football club to have a kick about, and start getting back into playing shape before our regional football {soccer} league kicks off. During lockdown I kind of got lazy, but the plan now is to try to hit the gym five days a week, as well as doing daily ball control drills and penalty kicks. Anyway yea, that was pretty much my night so far. The fifa session for tomorrow is still going ahead, so that will be pretty awesome. Oh and I made trout and tabouleh for dinner. Kosher and nutritious. Yea going to be a short post tonight so have a good night.

Thursday 14 / January / 2021

Good afternoon dear readers. I am on the verge of falling asleep. It's only afternoon but I have like no energy. I slept through my alarm this morning, My wife Melissa had to wake me to feed the cats and get ready to go this morning. I still feel like I could fall back asleep. Also I am freezing an unable to get warm despite the fact it is 26 degrees out. Granted yesterday was 40 and it was like 38 the day before so it is alot cooler than it has been but still, not exactly cold. Anyway, maybe I can go to bed earlier tonight. I'm caught up with work and studying. After tonight's daily daven at the synagogue and my Tanya class I plan to watch the replay of the Trophée des Champions, and some A League, and sleep. This weekend planning a FIFA session on playstation with the lads. Keon, Garrett, and Daniel confirmed, Westley probably joining, Stephen possibly joining. Anyway I need to get ready to head out. Enjoy the photo of a random bird in my tree.

Teusday 12 / 01 / 2021

It's been a fair while since my last post. There really hasn't been all that much going on here though. The part I was waiting on for the Holden arrived, and I finally got around to using a gift card I had gotten for Hanukkah. Other than that it's mostly been working, studying and watching alot of football {soccer}. On a plus note, my friend Iván whom I believe I mentioned in a previous post had contracted COVID tested negative the other day. So that is of course great news. Um... what else? I made barramundi for dinner. For those who may be unfamiliar with what that it is, it is a kind of fish native to Australia. It's also kosher for anyone who might be interested. Yea not sure what else to write so I will attach a picture of my cat yawning. Also a photo of what dinner looked like for good measure.

Friday 01 / 01 / 2021

Happy New Year! It is nearly five thirty New Years Day morning here in Melbourne as I am writing this. It has been several days since my previous post. I hope everyone who reads this is well and has a wonderful 2021. It is storming pretty heavily here, but we need to the rain so that is a good way to start the year. Also I have been fielding messages all night from friends, family members, co workers and teachers. In fact as I am writing this my philosophy teacher Professor Kaufmann just messaged me to wish me a happy new year, so obviously people are still awake. Also had the rabbi who runs my Tanya class message me, my law professor, my English professor, my parents and lots of other people, so it's nice to feel appropriated and loved. A great way to start the year. Melissa and I spent the new year with her family, unfortunately there is community transmission of the virus in the state Victoria again so some restrictions are back in place, though nothing near as strict as it was, still very few active cases, but since we were covid free for like a month it feels like a step backwards. Anyway speaking of COVID my friend Iván tested positive. He's actually not here, I met him at University but he is from México and is back there living, but I talked to him the other day and he tested positive for COVID on Sunday. Anyway I didn't bring that up to dampen anyone's new years... the good news is he is doing well, fever, cough and some pain but no breathing issues. Hopefully he recovers quickly. Anyway I am going to wrap this post up now. Again Happy New Year.

Friday 25 / December/ 2020

To any of my readers who celebrate Christmas, Merry a Christmas. Since I am Jewish, about the only Christmassy thing I did today was watch the Queen's annual Christmas message on the ABC. Beyond that, Melissa and I had Portuguese food for lunch. It was delicious. Also watched Star Wars A New Hope because why not? And since it is erev shabbat, participated in the Kabbalat Shabbat service at Synagogue Temple Beth Israel. Yea, that was pretty much my day. Also slept alot. Now my cat is demanding food even though he's eaten dinner several hours ago. Oh, also watched the University of Hawai'i (American) football game. They won their championship, second year in a row. Go 'Bows! Also while watching the game I saw one of my friends from UH on tv in the stands. I will have to message him and tell him he was on tv in Australia. Anyway yea enjoy the rest of your day dear readers.

Wednesday 23 / December/ 2020

The summer holidays have started, but it's actually been cold rather than hot. It's 11 degrees (celsius) outside in the middle of summer. Tomorrow night it will drop down to 9. Yes, that's right. Nine. I live outside of Melbourne, and it can get cold just about any time of year. In the mountains summer snow is not totally unheard of even if it's not a frequent occurrence, but this time last year we were experiencing a drought and a heat wave. Last night Oreo actually slept between Melissa and me but under the covers.

Monday 21 / December / 2020

So I didn't write on here yesterday because I went to bed early. I am writing now though. Yesterday wasn't that busy a day. Did some work on the cars, and watched University of Hawai'i basketball (Go 'Bows!) and other than the daily daven at the Synagogue that was pretty much the extent of it. Today of course being Monday was a little busier. Overslept so was running late this morning but got to the office on time. Then pretty much just had a plateful of transcriptions to get through. Came home, read the torah portion for the day, daily daven at the synagogue, then Melissa and I went and got dinner, came home did some studying and now I'm in bed listening to the rain. Not the most exciting day, but a good one nonetheless.

Saturday 19 / December / 2020

So another uneventful day. Seems to be alot of those lately, mind you I'm not complaining, uneventful means nothing bad happened so that tends to be a plus. I actually got a decent amount of sleep too so that's also a plus. And spent much of the day watching the (cricket) test match. Australia beat India. Now it's ridiculously late at night and I have rugby on. Leinster is playing Northampton. My dad is a Leinster supporter so I guess by default that is who I want to win, though I am more a rugby league than rugby union fan, and support Melbourne Storm. Still there's not much else on and it's late at night and I slept alot so now I'm wide awake. Also watched the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game. They won against Barça in the Euroleague. Other than my day pretty much just consisted of synagogue services, and sleep. Glorious sleep. Got up fed the cats this morning then went back to bed until it was time to get up for synagogue services. Then came home fell asleep again. Woke up and Oreo was sleeping on my legs. Then fell asleep again watching cricket... I guess I really needed sleep.

Friday 18th / December / 2020

Shabbat shalom!

So not the most eventful day, but the season finale of The Mandalorian was brilliant. Also the new Grand Tour Madagascar special is out, and that also was pretty entertaining. It was awesome actually. Also of course being Friday, had the Kabbalat Shabbat service at Synagogue Temple Beth Israel. I also bought the part I need to rebuild the window control unit in the car. Also had to get a federal background check done for work last week and the results came back today, no surprise, nothing to report. Yea, that's pretty much it. Short post tonight.

Thursday 17th / December / 2020

So it is the eighth night of Hanukkah. Chag sameach! It has been a mostly good day. Other than I kind of mangled my toe in a shopping trolley wheel (don't ask) and its STILL bleeding like five hours later. But yea, Melissa and I went out to dinner with her parents, then we came home and lit the menorah for the final night and said the Hanukkah blessings and watched the Rugrats Hanukkah Special which we watch every year. So all in all it's been a good day. Now I am getting ready to settle down and read today's page of the Talmud, and then watch some reruns of Top Gear. It's a short post tonight I'm afraid.

Wednesday 16th / December / 2020

Well it is the seventh night of Hanukkah so Hag Sameach! Also congratulations to my mate Westley who has officially graduated from university. Mazel tov man, I knew you could do it. I hopefully won't be too far behind you. Now I'm just relaxing and watching cricket, the menorah is lit and it looks like we are going to get a storm tonight. Hopefully nothing too bad, but the clouds are rolling in heavy. Maybe it will help break some of the heat though. That would be a plus. Anyway it's not been too eventful a day. Got some paperwork done, did a phone interview, got some studying in. Now I can just relax. I like these kinds of days, busy enough to feel accomplished but not over stressful. Uploaded photos of the menorah and the Uni grad. Again mazel tov Westley, you've done me proud mate. Good times chilling in the student lounge, surfing at Satterwhite Point, chilling at the skatepark or arcade, driving through the city blasting Hebrew rap music, playing cricket, cards, snooker etc. You are destined for big things. You are forever my brother. φφκα.

Teusday 15 / December / 2020

So what to write about today? It was an uneventful day on the whole. Still slightly sunburnt but that's not surprising, it takes more than a day to heal. Um... also the cats are extra affectionate tonight. I came home and Oreo came running to me and then was all over me. Then Melissa came home and both Oreo and Tiggy came running and were all over her. Probably going keep it short tonight. But I will add pictures. It's the sixth night of Hanukkah so I will include a picture of my Menorah lit for tonight. Also including photos of the cats.