August 25, 2017
Did I tell you about the zoo? I'm still recovering from it. There were many many families of ultra-religious, Muslim, and tourists. The locals have probably preferred to do normal things on these incredibly hot days.
I'm not going to say a word about our leaders. When I was a kid we watched the news on television and found our leaders much worthy of imitation. Even though we wanted Adlai, we respected Ike. It wasn't until Nixon that I suspected there could be something wrong with such important people. It was wonderful then to talk politics with the family, with kids, even with the school nurse.
August 27, 2017
So terrifying to talk politics and so wonderful to talk about every day. As Emily Dickinson once wrote, “How fine it is to talk. What miracles the news is! Not Bismark but ourselves.” Examples:1. I'm reading at a bookstore in Rehovot on Tuesday evening (Milta Books on Yacov Street 36). there was no publicity as far as I know until I put it on facebook on Friday. Now the seats are almost all reserved. I can relax, maybe. 2. That dress I bought - remember - one size too big - the seamstress is fixing it. And I brought along another dress that had been hanging in my closet for years that was too sexy to wear and I may have it 'altered' by tuesday. 3. My Yiddish book is almost ready. All I need to find is a good editor and a translator from Yiddish to Hebrew.
But that wasn't what Emily Dickinson meant.
August 28, 2017
Conan O'Brian is in town. A few days ago when he landed he walked around the city and was very impressed with the cool people. it's the same feeling when i walk around Tel Aviv. This summer has been too hot and pressured for me to really enjoy it but I think i will make an effort on Thursday. Tel Aviv makes me forget everything.
>So here we are sitting in a cafe on Herzl Street with my sister-in-law who is 83. Not only does she identify almost everyone who passes by and their parents, she also identifies that the building across the street is one built by her grandfather (Api - Ezi's grandfather too). I was thinking so much about the newness of this city that I forgot about the generations of people dedicated to Tel Aviv.
August 29, 3017
Tonight - Rehovot - 8 p.m. Milta books. yacov 36. you have been warned.
Avi Gabai is revolutionizing the labor party and i think he's going to make it. He's adding people who are winners, he's going for politically savvy people, military experts, etc. Considering the rest of the political leaders, he's got it right.
(later that evening)
You should have been there. It was like in the old days - a tiny space filled with books and people. No sound systerm. Incredibly warm atmosphere. Fantastic host who always asked the right questions. unfortunately the audience was much bigger than the shop, so many people couldn't get in.
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