It's such a stark contrast to see today's Tzahal and how things used to be. The entire transformation of the IDF from what used be a more or less European styled military rooted in Eastern European culture to a modern Middle Eastern army is still quite shocking.

We Salute You

I have no problem with Memorial Day barbecues and letting loose and having fun. I do have a problem with not remembering those who gave us this right.

Just This

Liam Neeson, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Willow. That's all.

My View from Here

After a few days of reflection, the outrage remains. I can't think of anything more unsettling than to realize that soldiers and veterans who have sacrificed so much on behalf of the public and the country, having dedicated their time serving overseas in dangerous places are now unsafe upon returning home. It's a situation that cannot be accepted, and I can't adequately even describe how outraged it makes me feel.

At the same time, vitriolic rhetoric and hate speech directed collectively and individually towards people, just because they are of Muslim faith or background is just as equally shameful. Extremism in all its forms in the enemy, and it needs to be combated no matter where it emanates from.

R.I.P Drummer Lee Rigby. Royal Artillery. British Army.

COYS

Proud to wave the Spurs banner everywhere I go.

Gareth Bale. No introduction needed.

Night Watch

2008 

Transatlantic Blues

Long haul flights are not a particular favorite of mine, in order to make a nearly 12 hour flight back semi-enjoyable, I can only hope that whatever carrier I'm flying on has a vast movie selection on board. I try to bring books I love, but sometimes it's just not enough . Even on the barely two hour flight to Istanbul, I remember Turkish Airlines having the ultimate entertainment system in place for all passengers. If things could only have been similar on my way back from the states just recently. I know I may sound  like a complete tv addict and a bit spoiled, but I can't help it.

It was my luck that the entire airline strike that was going on in Israel had just come to an end, and everything that was shutdown had finally reopened. On the way over, I severely lucked out and happened to be placed in a row where the middle seat was open and I was conveniently spaciously seated by the aisle. Unfortunately things were not exactly the same on the way back. In all my years of flying, I have never been on such a packed flight, everyone who had their previous flights canceled or delayed were now being packed onto our plane. No space was even remotely available. Even seats regularly reserved for the flight crew were given to passengers and people were even taking entire suitcases with them on board. Suffice it to say, it could have been more enjoyable. Thankfully I've developed a relatively decent ability to fall asleep on planes, and a pretty good tolerance for bad movies.

I don't know how Tom Cruise still gets away with making movies like this. I'm starting to see the appeal though, because after sitting through some woefully attempted comedies this year, I can say honestly that Jack Reacher provides more laughs than any of them, albeit mostly unintentionally. The kind that I still contend to be the best.

L.E.S Forever

Even though I was very young at the time, I can still tap into my memories as a kid and remember what New York City used to be like. Certain areas like the Lower East Side and the East Village around Alphabet City in particular are practically unrecognizable now due to gentrification and look as if they could have existed on another planet. It's completely mind boggling to see how things are today and how they used to be.

L.E.S Forever

J'lem

Much nicer than Tel Aviv.

Israel FB

RMAS

Ever since I've read The Junior Officers' Reading Club I've developed this somewhat romaticized notion of Sandhurst. It's not entirely a Hogwarts with guns, but it still has a type of mythical allure that is exclusively unique. It's also probably the finest military academy in the world.