FUEL CRISIS
Category: Automotive

I just got in from doing a bit of yard work; it was time I cut my grass. Got my hands on a push reel mower. It's GREAT!

NO GAS

NO NOISE

NO PROBLEMS

Once inside, I made myself a salad and turned on the tube. Plastered all over the television is the disaster that happened in Iowa killing 4 teens. Seems like these disasters are happening more often and causing greater damage. Just 2 days ago we had tornado warnings in Toronto. Thankfully nothing touched down.

The news segment (CNN) cut from the disaster in Iowa to the NEW electric car. Not a hybrid or some sort of impractical prototype, but to a fully functional 4-passenger sedan that emits ZERO emissions and can do 0-60 in less then 4 seconds on electricity alone. Its also capable of doing 200 miles (for the rest of the world that's over 320 kilometers) on a single charge.
The reporter was excited and hopeful that this NEW technology might be the way of the future.
Watch the link below and see how NEW this technology really is.

Keep in mind Bush was inaugurated in 2001.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-7202740060236675590&hl=en

Once watched, imagine this:

Had the BUSH administration not stolen the election in 2001 Al Gore would be president. Gore's stand on Global Warming would have put the electric car into mass production instead of the gas guzzling SUV's 8 years ago.

Feel free to let your mind run wild with that!

11:44 AM - 3 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Coming home

I left my hotel in Tel Aviv at 1:45pm. I got into a cab and made my way to Ben Gourion Airport where I was to board a 5pm flight to London Heathrow.

Upon entering the airport grounds (still on the road) we (the cab) where stopped by airport security and questioned as to why we're entering the airport. The driver advised that I was traveling and so I was requested to show my passport.

We made our way through the grounds and towards Terminal 4 to the departures. I unloaded my bags and proceeded to make my way into the airport. As I headed towards the doors, yet another security agent asks me the exact same questions as the previous guy. Again I advise that I'm traveling, give the details and was allowed to enter the airport.

I walk through the airport doors and yet again another security agent asks the same questions. This is the 3rd time I had to produce my documents and reason for being there and I haven't even made it to the check in counter yet.

I made my way through the airport towards the British Airways counter and was greeted by another security agent waiting at the entrance of the line. I was asked to show my passport and reason for being there. Again I explain that I am traveling provide my passport and I was allowed to enter the check in line.

Seeing it's a Saturday, there aren't many travelers. Saturday is a day of rest here. They call it Shavuot. I take no more then 20 steps towards the luggage scanner (they scan luggage prior to even getting your boarding pass) and I'm asked to produce my passport to yet another security agent. I'm a little confused as I just showed it no more then 30 seconds ago. I advise him of this and was informed that if I cant follow instructions I will not be allowed to leave Israel.

So for the 5th time in 10 minutes I pull out my passport and hand it to him. He begins to ask me questions like "What are you doing here" and "where's your passport".

I'm caught off guard with such ridicules questions. I thought it was pretty obvious that I'm traveling seeing that I'm holding bags and just handed over my passport. but the question that really stumped me was "where's your passport?" So in a smart ass and annoyed way I reply "its in your hands". This answer leads to yet another questions, "what about your other passport?"

What other passport? I begin to think this guy is on some sort of drugs or something and my confused look grants me the lovely opportunity to be searched.

I'm requested to go to the security counter and the questions start.

I was drilled with over a hundred questions most of them repeated several times. Things like when did you arrive, how long have you been here, where did you go... you know, standard airport questions, or so I thought. After all the standard questions I was then asked things like…

Did you speak to anyone while you where here? What was the movie about? Do you keep a journal? What did you write about? Did you take pictures of what you saw? Did you communicate with people outside the country?

After answering these and other personal questions, I was requested to provide my journal, all my photographs, my laptop (they looked at my files and emails), and the people who I was in contact with.

Once this processes was completed I was taken to a room and had to endure a complete strip search. They checked every seam in my clothing and ran a metal scanner over my naked body. Thank god I got no pins in my leg or arms cause I'm sure if that thing beeped while I was naked they would have stuck there fingers up my ass and or cut me open.

After 20 minutes of being in a room naked, I was allowed to leave and return to my luggage. As I got closer to the security counter I could see that every article that was in my luggage's had been removed from my bag and was being checked by over 10 security agents.

As I stood there I see other travelers just walking past me without any problems until an Arab man passed and sure enough he had to endure the exact same thing. But aren't we all capable of terrorist acts? The Chinese where the first to use the tactic of hijacking a plane and crashing it, or how about Samuel Byck (an American Jew) who tried to hijack a plane and crash it into the white house in attempt to kill Nixon back in 1974.

You see, im not complaining about the search or what I had to endure, after all "its for our own safety". But singling out specific individuals based on current trends, could lead to more danger. Let us not forget the Italian Red Brigades, the Irish Republican Army, Peru's Shining Path, Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Weathermen and some members of U.S. "militia" organizations, among many groups. As for Religiously inspired terrorism, there are the Christian opponents of abortion in the United States; the extremist Sikhs in India; and Japan's Aum Shinrikyo, who released nerve gas in Tokyo's subway system (1995) just to name a few.


"To live in fear is not to live at all"

9:36 AM - 10 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Bitter tourist

One week in Jerusalem and I can honestly say this place is full of the biggest jackass's on the planet!! Everyone is an asshole to everyone.

I don't get it, this is the foundation of 3 major religions where Holy Men have walked and preached the way of life. I'm no religion major but wasn't the way of life supposed to be a happy one?

Trying to get around this place is the biggest pain in the ass. One cabbie tells you 60 NIS another 50, another will do it for 40 and so on and so on when in actuality it only cost 30 NIS. Try getting from an Arab part of town to a Jewish part of town is a nightmare in itself. Your better off taking a bus.

There are Jewish busses and Arab busses and no bus stops. You flag the bus like a cabbie and it stops. Jewish busses don't go into Arab area's and vise versa. You have to constantly transfer buses and I'm starting to suspect I look Arab to the Jews and Jewish to the Arabs cause they never stop!

Heaven forbid you need to ask anyone anything. I cant understand how a city with so much tourism can have so many people that don't understand a single word of English. Not one word. The other day I asked someone where I could find a store that sold cigarettes. The person replies in another language. Obviously they didn't speak English. Even though the word "Cigarette" sounds similar in most languages.. Not a problem, I know how to speak the universal language… body language. I rubbed my fingers together implying the action of money then pretended to smoke. All I expected was a point of a finger in a direction. Nothing! I walked away baffled and sure enough just up the street was a store with smokes.

With all that a side, if you don't deal with the people here the place is actually very beautiful. Its history, landscapes and ancient ruins is absolutely stunning.

Oh, and I had my camera stolen (that's the real reason why im so bitter) so I have no pictures. Fortunately I still have my 35mm film camera, unfortunately for you, I don't have them digitized. Looks like your going to have to come here to see it for yourself. Beware of the cabbies!

Tomorrow we leave for Tel Aviv. 3 weeks on the coast of the Mediterranean. I need to get another camera.

11:00 AM - 11 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Leaving Palestine

The time has come to leave Palestine. Next stop Jerusalem, Israel. Although I've been back and forth between to the two places, I've officially given back the keys and get my new place today (Abrahams House). I'm going to miss this place.



The streets…


The buildings…


The animals…


The people…



Thanks for the experience.



There is one thing I wanted to blog about but didn't get around to it. They way they use natural resources, in this case, to heat water.

Take a look atop the buildings



Water is kept on the roof in a black tank and heated by those solar panels. Pretty darn resourceful if you ask me.

12:58 AM - 13 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

I'm a daddy!!!

Several days ago we shot a scene at a gas station/diner. It was a hot and sunny, a typical day in the desert. I had my breakfast and made my way towards the back of the diner where the equipment truck was parked. As I approached the truck, I noticed a dogs head peek out from behind some sort of wall.




I love dogs but there's no way in hell I'm getting near this mess. I hopped on the back of my truck and started grabbing my gear. A few minutes passed and I looked back at the dog, she had four little puppies around her. I could see two of them feeding.




These where the worst conditions I've ever seen a dog kept in. All around the dog was dirt, shit, garbage and rotten food. As bad as I felt I really needed to move my ass and get things ready. Besides, I wasn't going to start messing around with some rabid dog that just had a litter, I don't t need another dog bite.

A few hours passed and I decided to go back to check the dog, maybe clean up the area a bit, after all she has 4 little puppies. As I cornered the building, I hesitated to get closer. I feared she might attack me to protect her pups. I inched a little closer and she welcomed me with a wagging tail. As I pat her on the head I notice two dead puppies on the other side of the barrier.




ASSHOLES!!!!!

It was so hot they must have died of dehydration or heat. I ran for a wet towel to cool down the other two puppies. I couldn't tell if the mother would bite if I touched the pups so I ask one of the guys to hold the leash. I placed the towel down and moved the pups. After cooling them off (they where barely alive) I laid them on the wet towel and told the guy to release the leash. She went straight to the pups, gave them a sniff then came and licked my hand. I found a bucket, filled it with water and placed it near her. I cupped a few handfuls and sprinkled the puppies with a little more water. Once the mother was relaxed and lying with the two puppies, I grabbed a plastic bag and disposed of the 2 dead ones.

Through out they day the sound guy a long with myself would check on the dogs and make sure they where okay. Judging by the condition they where kept in, I didn't bother looking for its owner. I wanted to kick him/her in the face.

The day went on and we kept tending to the dog every chance we got. Actually, he would never get near the dog. He would stand back and let me know if he "thought" the dog was going to attack while I cooled down the little ones. Give me a heads up kinda thing. By now I could tell the mother trusted me so I wasn't all that worried.




I knew that if we left the puppies there they would eventually die. Someone had to take them. It was obvious that the owner couldn't care less about these animals. I approached the guy who seems to run the dinner and through a translator advise him that the dog out back had a litter. The man nods his head and affirms us that he already knew this. I point out that two of them died and how I had disposed of them. Again, he couldn't care less. When she (my translator) asked him if I could have the remaining two puppies his answer was "No, they are mine and they stay there". When the girl explained they would die in those conditions his reply was "So let them die who gives a shit".

This man is the biggest piece of shit on the planet!




I had to figure out a way to get the puppies out of there. This fucker wasn't going to give them to me and now he knows I want them. Through out the day I tended to the dogs, changed the water, cool down the puppies, brought food and pet the mom. At this point the mother was so comfortable with me, she allowed me to grab the pups and dip them in the bucket to cool them off and give them a little bath.

Towards the end of the day I decided I was going to take the puppies. I know this sounds very stupid, for they are only a week old at most, their eyes not even open, but if I left them there they would die like the others.

If you see this man feel free to run him over



I'm sure this dick head knew something was up. Every time I was out back near the truck one of his staff would pop out and watch me. At one point he even walked around the area to see if he could find the dead ones I told the owner about.

DING DONG!!!!!

I know its bad, believe me, I thought of all other options as to how to save these puppies and this is all I had. You see, the bozo never found the other two puppies. I placed them beside the truck in a plastic bag, which he failed to see. The ones that are alive are hanging one their last breath so they don't move much. If I get someone to distract the guy I could swap the puppies, place them in the cab and continue to work as if all was normal. And that's exactly what I did. The costume girl asked him a question, he turned around, and I swapped the puppies and put them in the truck. By the time he turned back I was loading the last piece of equipment. I lock up the truck, hop in and tell the driver to take off. I felt awful placing the dead pups near the mother and taking her live ones but what else was I to do?

Before coming home I stopped at a supermarket for baby bottles and formula. Its hard to get them to drink from bottle, I guess it doesn't feel like their mom. I found that they would rather suck on my finger instead of the bottle. I figured out a way to feed them by letting them suck on my finger while I pour the formula on my hand and letting it trickle to down my fingers.




I've looked for animal shelters and rescue centers but they tell me they don't exist here. Although they sleep most of the time I have to bring them with me on set. You have no idea how ridicules I feel showing up to work with 2 puppies in a desk drawer and a bottle of baby formula.

Any ideas on what to do from here would be greatly appreciated.

11:30 PM - 30 Comments - 34 Kudos - Add Comment

Dumb de dumb duMB DUMB

If you recall a few days back I crossed one of the check points between Israel and Palestine where I was greeted by a beautiful lady holding a fully automatic weapon. I was reluctant to make conversation with her, the whole gun thing threw me off. I wouldn't want to put myself in danger while I'm here.

So today I hopped on a crowded bus...


…had this guy shave my face with a razor...


…then had lunch on a street made famous for the amount of bombings that occurred on it.


I knew I should've eaten more fish… oh wait I'm allergic. See I have an excuse for my stupidity therefore it's excused.

However I'm not that dumb. After getting cleaned up and before heading to the bomb capital of the world I made my way to the Old City.

Home to several sites of religious importance, this 220 acre city (1 square Kilometer) is divided into 4 neighborhoods.

The Muslim Quarter
The Christian Quarter
The Jewish Quarter
The Armenian Quarter

I could regurgitate all its history and sights but you'd be better off looking it up on the net if your interested. Like I said I'm allergic to fish, but I did eat a lot of carrots










What where you expecting, pictures of JC's Tomb, The Western Wall or the Al-Aksa mosque? I think you can find those online as well.

After all that walking and a heavy lunch I was ready to go home for a nap. It was hot! I approached a taxi stand where there was a bunch of drivers just standing around talking. I ask how much to French Hill (area where I'm staying) and one guy says 50 Sheqels, another 45, another 40. I pull out all my money and see I only have 35 Sheqels. One guy was "Nice" enough and agreed to take me for all I had.

While in the cab I tried to make conversation with the driver but he wasn't interested. As we neared the place (about a 7 minute drive) and things became familiar, I gave directions on how to get to the house. He gives me this odd look and says "this is as far as you get". Whatever, the house is only 1 block away so I give the guy his money and make my way out.

Just as I open the door he turns back and tells me I didn't give him 35 Sheckels. That I only gave him 25 Sheqels and 10 Arogots. What the hell is an Arogot? I never used Arogots He gives me the coin and It's definitely not 10 Sheqels.




1 Sheqel = 100 Agorots

1 US Dollor = 4 Sheqel


I could have sworn I had 35 Sheqels when I emptied my pockets at the cab stand. Could I have just got the two confused? Maybe I should eat more carrots? Hmm… Wait a second… Only after I gave him the money and was about to get out did he show me the coin was not 10 Sheqels but 10 Arogots. Could he have swapped the coin?? Nahhh Who would be such a dick for $2.50.

Anyway, I tell the dude its all I got and he starts to cry and complain how its 35 and what I gave him wasn't good enough. I explain to him that its all I got and how I live just up the street. He begins to complain how its to far, that 35 Sheqels isn't enough to get me to the house and that I didn't even give him 35 Sheqels, blah blah blah. I couldn't believe this DICK. I explain to him very slowly that this was an honest mistake. If he would just drive to the house, I could run in and get some money. I will even pay the difference. So he drives away huffing and puffing like a little suck. We get to the house and he's still muttering something I don't understand. I tell him to wait while I go get my money

I return with a 100 Sheqel bill and hand it to him. He gives me back the original money I gave him and 40 Sheqels change from my 100.

SIXY SHEQELS!!

At this point I was ready to pull him out of the car and demonstrated a good old Canadian hockey bout, however, I believe in Karma and when this ass hole gets robbed and beaten, I will pay another 60 Sheckels just for the replay.

I later found out from the neighbor that to get from Jaffa St to the house is about 25 Sheckels.

MOTHER FUCKER!!!!

Oh and Agorots are like cents here. Not used in Palestine but used in Israel.

6:49 AM - 18 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

Amazing Gadget!

I'm back at my pad in Jerusalem. This time I got a key, a stocked fridge and a lesson on how to use the Atmor Lotus 2005. This little box eliminates all that fussing with the knob.

No, its not a sex toy (although that doesn't sound like a bad idea), its a water heater.



I had hot water!!

Just select the setting of choice for your shower head and taadaa, you got your temperature. Flush the toilet, wash some dishes or fill the pool, the temperature never changes.

Down – Down Off - Cold Useless setting.

Up – Down Luke warm Great for those hot sticky days.

Down – Up Hot Perfect shower!

Up – Up Scolding When you just need some pain.



What's you're setting?

6:37 AM - 21 Comments - 22 Kudos - Add Comment

Where Different Worlds Collide

I've been going to and from Israel and Palestine the last several days and could help but noticed a something a little weird.

All that separates these to places is a Wall. There are people and communities on both sides of this wall. No empty vast space between them, just a wall.

In Palestine on route to Israel.



A little closer…








Almost there…



Just before the check point.



At this point I was asked to stop taking pictures. I was in the car with an Arab and he wanted to avoid problems.

As we pull into the check point, we're greeted by two 19 year old soldiers. Both armed with fully automatics, and in full army gear. One of them was a girl and I must say, a very attractive girl. That gun hanging from her shoulders was kinda hot.

Anyway, the Arab gets scrutinized interrogated and asked to open the vehicle for inspection while I try to get a better look at the girl and her gun. After 5 minutes of busting the Arabs nuts they let us through.

Oh what you know, paved roads, street markings and no Graffiti.


Whats this… Street lights, sidewalk and trees…



Multiple lanes and new buildings…


Keep in mind these pictures are all taken within half a kilometer.

What are your thoughts??

6:21 AM - 15 Comments - 22 Kudos - Add Comment

Mud anyone?

After a shitty day in water and mud, I decided to spend my 2nd day off at a place famous for its water and mud.

THE DEAD SEA

How's this place not considered on of the natural wonder of the world?

Its the lowest point of dry land on the planet with the shoreline being more then 400 meters below sea level. Its salt content is over 30 percent making Zaganaki taste as sweet as a lollipop in comparison. No life in these waters. The high salt content also makes the water very dense. Just sit right back and float away, you can't sink!

The average temperature on the shore is 40 degrees, the water itself around 25. The temperatures continue to rise every year thanks to global warming. We can also thank global warming when this fascinating place turns into a giant salt flat. The water levels drop a meter per year as more water evaporates then is fed into the sea.

Trying to swim here sucks!! You're forced to float on your back with your head and feet above water. When you try to flip onto your stomach and swim, you're constantly fighting the urge to be flipped back onto your ass. If you manage to stay on your stomach and swim splashed water WILL get in your eyes. Pepper spray is like Visine compared to this stuff.

So why do people come here?

Its great for your body! After coming out of the water your skin feels 10 years younger. Spread mud all over your body… 20 years.



Holy shit, it just hit me, I've seen a lot of water! In less then three months I've been to:


The Gulf of Mexico


The Atlantic Ocean,


The Sultan Sea

Shit!! No picture!! Anyone have a picture of the Sultan Sea?




Pacific Ocean


The Mediterranean Sea



The Dead Sea.



Not bad for a smuck like me. ;)

3:42 AM - 11 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

My day off

Last night I figured I'd come to Jerusalem and do some sight seeing, I wasn't scheduled to be on set till 10pm this evening.

Getting from Rahamallah (That's the correct spelling) to Jerusalem is a pain in the ass with all its check points and fully automatics in your face, and that's only if you have a ride (mine's in the shop). Sam, our project manager, has an empty pad in Jerusalem. He lives in Ramallah (Palestine), but pays rent in Jerusalem so he's can have Israeli residency (this whole thing is fucked up). He offers to give me a lift and crash at his place He also offers to be my tour guide. What a nice guy.

I wake up in the morning and the place is dark. I reach for my phone to check the time and suddenly remember its at the shop being re-programmed. The window is covered with some kind of shutter, but through the holes I can see light. I walk into the next room and notice Sam's not there. I call his name but no answer. I go to the kitchen and look out the glass door (also the main door), it's a little cloudy. I reach for the handle to step outside and notice there's a lock on the door. Oh shit! This door better be open or he better be in the washroom jerking off. I look to the washroom… doors wide open. FUCK!! I turn the handle, ITS LOCKED!! FUCK!!!!

I search the kitchen for a key but turn up with nothing. No food, no coffee no nothing. What the fuck! I decide I'm going to take a shower and hope he just went for some coffee or something.

I turn on the shower and there is no hot water. Literally NO hot water! The handle was turned all the way and no water came out. I test the sink, again no water. No hot water through out the whole place.

I go back to the living room and again look at window. Ahh the window, great idea!! I write a note:

"Sam, you locked me in the house! I broke out and went to get a coffee. Be back soon."

I open the window and made my way out.


I get to the street and look around to familiarize myself. It starts to rain a bit. I spot this guy and ask if he knew what street I'm on. He could tell I was lost or out of place and asks if I just came from that house (pointing at the place I just broke out off).

Did he see me climb out the window??

I explain how I'm staying with a friend and that I'm just heading out to grab a coffee. Coincidently, he's the owner of the house and lives just upstairs. He tells me its going to rain and offers me to join him for a coffee at his place. As I think about it for a second its starts to rain a little harder. I decide to scrap the walk and take him up on his offer.

I join him and his girlfriend for a coffee and talk for a bit. The rain seem to be getting harder.

Half hour later Sam shows up. I thank Annas and his girfriend for the hospitality and leave.

Turns out Sam had an urgent meeting in the morning and left his number on a note I missed.

The plan was to go pick up Natalie (A cutie that works with us) and do some site seeing. The rain started to come down a little harder. As we made our way down the mountain, I noticed the water rising in the streets. .

Near the top of the hill….



A little lower…


and lower


and lower



We never made it to Natalie house. Eventually the Police and UN arrived to get people out. By this time the rain had stopped but everything was flooded. On our way back up we had to drive through this


which was the cause of this…




It wasn't till late afternoon that we where notified that that call time was canceled. However, this was not do to the rain that fell. Earlier in the day an Hamas building in Gaza was blown up. We got word from the city we where suppose to shot in not to enter as they expect there to be riots this evening.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6663141.stm

AWESOME!!! I get another day off. Anyone care to join me??

3:53 PM - 17 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment