Monday, November 30, 2009

When Possoms Attack from the Heavens

Sitting at the table for seder-chassidus by night (The LAST and LONGEST hour) I look up. To my great surprise I see an unwelcome creature walking along the top of the archways near the ceiling (the ceiling is about 20ft high. The place used to be a palace for the queen and the architecture has been preserved). A possum. I immediately point it out to the three at my table. seconds later others in the zal make the same observation and everything instantly falls into disarray. Everyone leaves their seats to marvel at this uncanny occurrence. The possum runs back and forth a bit and then does the unthinkable. It jumps! As it sails through the air to the zal below the bochurim plummet into a haze of panic and terror. The possum lands as the entire zal is transformed into a circus of bochurim chasing, running from, yelling, and standing up on the chairs in reaction to this menacing mammal. Myself and my good friend Adam Finck hardly budge. Adam sips his mint tea as I simply observe my fellow peers in mild amusement. The possum scurries past me and soon runs out an open door. I look left and right. Amongst all the bochurim in mid-run, on chairs, standing on tables, I realize Adam and I are the ONLY ones seated. Nerves of steal?
They will speak for years to come of the possum that soared around the zal- onto a guy's face and attacked him! (That IS how rumors are started)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Bochur Knowledge

Now I knew not all the bochurim here would be the most savvy people in the world. I've gathered some of my favorite bits of wisdom my fellow peers:

  • It's debatable if penguins have feathers.
  • Your skin becomes tan because of protein
  • Airplanes dump their waste directly into the air. It disintegrates before it hit the ground
  • There are medicines that just make you arm fall off as opposed to amputation
  • Bacteria turns into bugs
  • The reason there is no gravity in space is because everything would fall down
  • The (scientific) definition of fruit is anything that's sweet (and again some say it's the protein).
  • Oh and apparently America is suffering from a huge cholov-yisroel milk shortage. However Obama is now involved and is brokering a deal w/ Israel to import milk. I had no idea
And then when I seemingly giggle for no reason they look at me strangely.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

It's Certainly Been a While

I haven't waxed philosophy or written of humorous adventures in some time now. Now I'm in Australia. I did not think I'd ever be on this side of the world and yet here I am, albeit thanks to hard work. The toilets don't swirl the other way. they don't even swirl at all. For a while I kept almost getting hit my cars because I looked the wrong way all the time. Fries are chips. tomato is tomahto. and ketchup is tomahto sauce for that matter. Everything is "Cheers mate" and "No worries." I like it quite a bit.
I've already had a few adventures (and miss-adventures) and humorous occurrences. To many for one post. But it will come out.
The learning is great I must say. Though he schedule is long, but that's why there's coffee. And there's plenty of it here!