Yesterday I went and saw Seven Pounds - the Will Smith Movie.

Ok - this is one of those movies that you are probably going to have to see about 2-3 times to make sure you get everything that is going on.  By the mid point of the movie, while I had an idea of what was going on...I will still thoroughly confused.  By the end of the movie it all makes sense for the most part.

Even the title did not make sense - until I read IMDB and found the connection to the merchant of Venice...where one has to give a pound of flesh for each transgression...hence you have an idea of what the movie is about - if you knew that ahead of time.

This is not the typical Will Smith action movie...This is a serious drama and tear jerker...Yet HIGHLY recommended....especially if you like thinking and movies that are philosophically inclined.  And honestly there were parts of the movie that at the time did not make sense until after the movie and you are thinking about the various scenes and then the dots start connecting.

Yes, this is on the DVD list...but damn..I cant really say see this movie when you want to be inspired...yet that is part of the joy of this movie is that it is inspiring..in a pay it forward sort of way.  Because it is darker...substantially darker - with some humorous moments like when Will Smith enters his hotel room and the clerk is asking him..how long is he going to stay..and Smith says..well I was going to stay until I die...and the hotel clerk says You have to pay in advance for that...yes a small hint of humor that took the cutting edge off the seriousness of the movie.

This is a truly multi-layered movie...and one of Will Smith's best work so far.  The trailers made this movie seem very complicated...and honestly, the movie is very complicated...but worth it. 

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From Israellycool!

9:49PM: Some mind-blowing statistics:

• Number of rockets fired into Israel since Dec 27: 565
• Number of mortar shells fired into Israel since Dec 27: 200
• Number of rockets fired into Israel since beginning 2005: 5700
• Number of mortar shells fired into Israel since beginning 2005: 4000
• Number of rockets fired into Israel in 2008: 2000+
• Number of mortar shells fired into Israel in 2008: 1600+
• Number of rockets fired into Israel during 6-month “truce”: 361
• Number of mortar shells fired into Israel during 6-month “truce”: 303
• Number of people killed by rockets and mortar shells since firing began in 2000: 37
• Number of people wounded by rockets and mortar shells since beginning of Operation Cast Lead: 1272

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hi... youtube has removed 2 of my tribute vids for copywright infringement, "Summer Breeze" and the "Tasha, Dishka, Natalie, Brookers" any one download them?, have a copy? thanks

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Really? O'Rlly?

Is this how it is going to end up?  First we have the Southern Border and Gaza.....then rockets from Lebanon...shots from Syria and now the Eastern Border with Jordan? 

The main question is this a warning....or a precursor to another general war? 

According to Israel Matzav -

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I have had steady contact with John @ the Jewish Agency.  When we last updated things we had gotten back from So California and got the info about my grandfather.  Since then I have found out that the information just is not enough to prove I am Jewish.  That seems to be the primary hurdle.  I have to find a way to connect the dots.  And, despite the law of return stating that it can go by any grandparent...the Jewish Agency prefers (almost requires) it to be done via the female of the line...hence my grandmother.and mother.

So that is what I have been up to.  My grandmother has given me a very good lead.  I found out that she registered my mom's birth in a Shul in Shangai.  Under Rabbi Ashkenazi (who upon research seems to be Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi - who headed the religious organization in Shanghai prior to and during WWII.)

If I can get that information then I am in!  As I will have my birth certificate somewhere around my house.

Honestly I feel I am about half way there.  I have no idea if the Synogague in China exists or if they have the records but I have a hunch they do.

Some info I have learned is that according to my grandmother she believes her mom (my Great grandmother) was born in or around Gomel Russia (now Beylorussia).  My Grandfather's family was from somewhere in Lithuania.  I already knew this but they all fled during the Russian Revolution.  In Shangai, my mom's family lived in the French Quarter on Prince Henry St.  And they walked to Shul on Saturday mornings (which my grandma said she complained because she said she didnt like the walk. LOL)

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In case you're interested.

Thanks to the Muqata!  Definitely one of the best blogs ever.

Click here!

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Say it isn't so!

But according to Muqata it is breaking news.

With the my reading about it - it seems more like a warning of things to come.  This is land that Israel should NEVER give back to Syria.  Shit, Syria has no chance to win it by war...if anything it seems they are saying ease up on Gaza or the border here will heat up.

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Phil Collins - I missed again


Genesis - Misunderstanding


Genesis - No reply at all

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Honestly I am surprised...a good surprise!

390-5!!!!

Very nice!!!! Very good news for Israel and for democracy!

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Click here  

I forgot where I found this link...I think Jewlicious....but I have been looking through them for a few days.   Stunning..and so artistic....It really makes me wish I had an artistic / creative bone in my body to do something like this...or even like the clips or such...but at least I can appreciate the work of others.   Check out the pics and just appreciate the beauty.

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Might be - Real Genius and it has a very good soundtrack - though underrated.

With all the seriousness going on...I think its time to lighten the load just a bit on this Shabbos evening

Falling


Number One


Everyone wants to rule the world

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1 best 80s movies?
1) Back to the future
2) Ghostbusters
3) Indiana Jones

Posted by: Luc at January 12, 2009 04:06 AM (c5SiE)

2 They are all good flicks. 

I dont think I have a FAVORITE 80s flick.  There are too many!

Breakfast Club, Real Genius, Back to the Future (G-d that brings me memories) LOL...Empire strikes back...all great movies.  Even Red Dawn!

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at January 12, 2009 07:26 AM (V+ylD)

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Something to really look forward too this year is the demise of the NY Times....and now at Ace's one of the worst newspapers next to the NY Slimes....is the Seattle Post-Intelligencer....and the rumors are they are ging to go under!  What a gift this will be...to have these bastions of liberalism come crashing down!!!! Oh the Schadenfreude is just too tasty!!!!!

To all those "deciders" better practice this phrase - Would you like frys with your meal?

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Stolen shamelessly from Ace!

click here!

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1 Got a post up over at DPUD about it.

Posted by: eddiebear at January 08, 2009 10:46 AM (wnU1W)

2 Yep!  I saw...good choice on the pic!

Still it doesn't do them justice...when you have seen....live.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at January 08, 2009 10:51 AM (V+ylD)

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I got a text from Lital...so I called her.

She got the rainboots...(long story) and this time they fit! LOL

She said Hi to everyone here...and we talked abit about a variety of subjects.  She said her school is giving them all homework while the college is closed due to the war.  I sort of wondered about that...at least now I know that answer....that even if college is closed they still have homework.  She had spent sometime in Eliat.  And is enjoying life as much as she can.

Hehe I think she was impressed that she was able to text me and that I received it.

Ok so it's a good morning.

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Up north close to Lebanon? 

That is what seems to be happening.  Muqata has been publishing reports that rockets have been hitting northern Israeli communities!?!

Now Hamas and Hezbullah are denying that they have been sending rockets...so what's left the Lebanese army?  If this thing escalates all bets are off...since Hamas just rejected the Egyptian ceasefire proposal.

Welcome to bizarro world everyone!

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First they came for the banking and mortgage industry....Next the steel industry...and the automobile industry...but now things have really hit a threshold....the Porn industry is now seeking a bailout!  Oh yes....yes my friends...GGW (Girls Gone Wild) and Hustler are going to petiton Congress for $5 Billion dollars!

Hey if we gave those other industries HUNDREDS of Billions..and we now own freaking soccer teams...this seems reasonable to me.

From Ace!  Who states:

This could have a "ripple effect" reverberating through the rubber sex novelty industry, the swingers' magazine industry, and even the late-night-programming-on-HBO-and-Cinemax industry.

Why, an entire region of twenty square miles of California could be devastated.

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Must read!  Simply amazing....I hope this is the way things will pan out for the future!

Click here.

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You know, I don't like war...but this one has been necessary for YEARS...and Israel should not let up until the rockets coming from Gaza are absolutely silenced.

Today the big talk has been ceasefire...for what fucking purpose?  Rockets are still falling in Israel between 25-45+ a day from Gaza.  Yes there has been positive results and taking the fight to Hamas is needed and should not be halted.  Yet today has been the international community's desire to prevent Israel from self defence.  I figured Israel would cave - just like in Second Lebanaon....and in other wars they have had to fight.

However, we have an excellent decision by the Israeli cabinent to continue the war - from Muqata!

5:30 PM Israel's cabinet gives green light for continued Gaza operation (YNET)

____

I am so relieved that Israel is taking the fight to where it needs to be taken.  Israel should NOT let up until there is silence....Silence from Gaza and making damn sure that Hamas is crippled and is unable to get resupplied with munitions to fire back into Israel.

As with all my my posts in my mind I hope and pray that our friends and their friends and family will all be safe during this very surreal and dangerous time.

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And controversial....but hey...that is what I am.

My thoughts go along this line and tell me if I am crazy or agree or disagree.

Israel has exchanged over 200 prisoners/terrorists for the bodies of Regev and Goldwasser...I believe that this is the norm...I heard rumors of 300 prisoners was going to be the price for the release of Schalit. 

Basically it seems that the life of 1 Jew equals 300 Palestinians?  If my math isn't mistaken.

Now in the war...6 Jews have died (3 from friendly fire).  On the flip side over 600 Hamasholes have died.

Now we have a ratio of 1 Jew for every 200 Hamasholes dead. Is there something ironic about this ratio?   Besides me being morbid for even thinking this up?

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Ok that makes everyone!

Talked to Noah today - he is safe...his soon is safe too...Remember we met him in Tel Aviv..and he was our tour guide up north to Nazareth.  We have pictures of him and meeting his son.   He said everyone is safe.  He did ask for prayers for his gf's grandmother who is close enough for the conflict to hear missiles every single day.   Keep her in your prayers. 

I am so relieved that everyone we know and are close to is safe.  May Hashem keep them safe.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at 07:20 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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