Today is Sunday, Janurary 3rd, 2010 and it is now 10:09PM here in Brooklyn, N.Y., USA.
Since my last entry more than 1 month ago I have taken 2 trips East. Trip #1 was to take care of some long standing issues with business back on Mindanao. I left on 12/06, taking China Air out of NY, stopping in Anchorage, Alaska for refueling and plane deicing, and back into the stratosphere to Tapei, Taiwan.
Taiwan is usually an 8 to 12 hour layover, not enough time to leave the airport but this time I did wing it through Immigration and Customs to see a mate of mine who is working with the Tapei Govt.
I usually will not consider doing that because I usually am carrying methadone (if heading East) or morphine or oxycontin (oxycodone) if heading West. Tapei has curious red plastic signs on its walls warning that methadone is absolutely prohibited. It is very curious indeed since Taiwan has its own methadone programmes!
Had a bit of lunch with my mate, met his cute Chinese GF, with her so-so looking friend (nope, was not interested)...then time to do it again. Got flagged this time, and actually had my 14 methadone bottles manhandled but I am a good talker, and always have my ps and qs in order.
Got into Makati (Manila) at 4 PM and went directly to my flat. Since August I have sublet a condo in the Rada building (Rada Regency). This was the 1st time I even entered it. A deceased BLer, many old BLers will remember, Xtcxtc used to have a duplex there.
Inrerestingly, when u sublet or rent in the Philippines the units are absolutely bare. You have to buy your own stove, fridge, etc. The rent is amazingly low, 400 US a month for a studio, in one of the most luxurious buildings in the nation. Pool on the roof, private gym, concierge, security, private pedestrian bridge to the 4 malls in Makati, and mini mall on the 1st floor of the building.
My flat is fully accomodated since I had a cousin of mine handle it. It is in the Legaspi Village section of Makati/ In the adjoining Salcedo Village section the nation's only Jewish Community. 250 Jews!!!
My Clan, Dwek, paid 50% of the cost in constructing the only synagouge and I have 4 Clansmen, 1 with family, living in the area. The Israeli Embassy is around the corner and so I decided, now that my marriage is ending, it would be grand to have a flat in the capital to escape to now and again.
Spent a day enjoying my new bed, and then flew down to Butuan, on Mindanao. The big news as soon as I landed, was the "Maguindanao Massacre." I did a thread on it in CE and P if anyone is interested ("2010 Election, Philippine Style").
To recap, very briefly, a gubneratorial race on the island turned violent (they always do) and resulted in the single worst case of violence against journalists. On Monday 11/23, 61 people were shot at point blank range by a pro-govt paramilitary loyal to the Ampatuan Clan. The Ampatuan are Moros, Muslims, of the Maguindanaon ethnicity. A man from the Mangufdadatu Clan (also Moro, same ethnicity) decided to challenge the Clan which rules West Central Mindanao, by filing for candidacy in the May, 2010 Elections.
He sent his wife, Clanswomen, 2 attorneys and 30 journalists in a convoy to the provincial capital 1 hour away. Entering Ampatuan territory and stopped at a Police Checkpoint they were waylaid by at least 100 gunmen.
Driven through the jungle they were executed, and were being buried when the AFP (army) happened upon the gruesome crimescene.
The crime shocked the nation but I feel its hypocritical to say the least. The NY Times did a piece on it, Philippine Media is working it for all its worth yet on the border of our cattle operation in Prosperidad a Manobo tribesmen, leading his men in a family feud, took 60 schoolkids hostage when the army tried serving arrest warrants on 4 murders...story did not even rate a mention! 34 were killed 2 km off my compound in an NPA (Maoist Insurgency) and AFP (army) confrontation and again, nothing outside the province!
Anyway, picked up by our driver Ondoy and driven the 90 klicks south to San Franz. I have to admit, I love Mindanao. Have no fucken idea why, drives me bloody crazy but it actually feels like home!
In the compound said hi to everyone, and had a big lunch. Spent 3 busy days doing the paperwork, signing what needed signing, and discussing my deploding marriage.
Ahhhhh...my marriage hahaha...Well Rizza is still on Cebu, we are still not together, and I did not see her at all. I am looking into divorcing her abroad, probablly in Israel and then trying to file it in Mindanao. There is a clause in Philippine Law that allows Foreigners who marry Filipinas to divorce in the Foreigner's land and then have that divorce given legal standing within the Philippines. There is a question as to whether -or-not this holds true ONLY for marriages contracted in said Foreign lands.
Rizza and I were originally married in a Jewish religious marriage in Israel when she was a juvenile (in Ph Law). Ergo, THAT marriage isn't recognised in Ph Law. We then had a Civil Ceremony in San Franz when she reached maturity. That is the marriage at the center of this issue.
Attorneys are working on it.
I then flew out of Davao, back into Makati and left that same day for NYC, the same way I arrived. Got back here 12/10.
I have always enjoyed the Holiday Season in NYC...I love the cold, I love grey skies and snow...Go figure. We (Jews) do not celebrate Xmas, nor is Chanukkah (Hanukkah) an equivalent despite the disgusting efforts of largely assimilated American-Jews to make it so.
Chanukkah, which means "Re-Dedication," celebrates a martial victory, the defeat of the Seleucid Greek nation of Syria by Jewish guerillas under the Hasmosean Clan, usually known as the "Maccabbi Clan."
The Seleucids were Greeks, descended from Seleucid, a general in Alexander the Great's army (like the Ptolemaics of Egypt, who descended from the general Ptolemy).
The Seleucids began pressing their heel on Judea, finally trying to impose its pagan religion upon the Jews.A Seleucid official entering a Judean hill village had the townspeople gather in the plaza, and tried to compel them to offer obesiance to the Seleucid cult. Finally a village man stepped forward to make the ritual sacrifice.
A Village elder, a patriarch of the Hasmoesan Clan stepped forward and lopped his head off for daring to commit sacrilege. The men then turned on the Seleucids and annihilated the party. Knowing retirbution would be coming the men then fled deep into the hills and launched a guerilla war against the Seleucids.
Finally wining, and retaking the capital of Jerusalem, the Jews were horrified to see that the Seleucids had defiled the Temple. Clearing the Temple they then prepared to offer the first (Jewish) ritual sacrifice but found only enough Holy Oil to last 1 day. Knowing that it would take 1 week, at least, to prepare enough oil, they prayed for a miracle and went about "Re-dedicating" the Temple.
As they prepared the oil they were astonished to find that the single day's worth of oil lasted 8 full days, just enough time to allow for the new oil's preperation. This is why the holiday is 8 days long, and why 8 candles are lit on the Menorah (8 sticked candelbra).
The traditional food for the holiday are jelly donuts that we fry at home ourselves, and we have a gambling game we play with a little 4 sided spinning top called a "Dreid'l." The top has a Hebrew letter on each of the 4 sides and you bet on which side will land face up.
American-Jews do not eat donuts, and only children play with tops. They eat a potatoe pancake called "Latkeh," which they eat with sour cream and/or apple sauce.
A disgusting practice adopted by American-Jews is gift giving on the holiday. I have seen many that give 1 present a day for each of the 8 days. This is an absolute abomination that at best makes Israelis laugh drisivle at our American brothers. It is done solely to ape Xtians. Even worse, some have adopted Xmas trees, which they call "Hannukah Bushes." It is enough to make most Jews vomit.
Since my last entry more than 1 month ago I have taken 2 trips East. Trip #1 was to take care of some long standing issues with business back on Mindanao. I left on 12/06, taking China Air out of NY, stopping in Anchorage, Alaska for refueling and plane deicing, and back into the stratosphere to Tapei, Taiwan.
Taiwan is usually an 8 to 12 hour layover, not enough time to leave the airport but this time I did wing it through Immigration and Customs to see a mate of mine who is working with the Tapei Govt.
I usually will not consider doing that because I usually am carrying methadone (if heading East) or morphine or oxycontin (oxycodone) if heading West. Tapei has curious red plastic signs on its walls warning that methadone is absolutely prohibited. It is very curious indeed since Taiwan has its own methadone programmes!
Had a bit of lunch with my mate, met his cute Chinese GF, with her so-so looking friend (nope, was not interested)...then time to do it again. Got flagged this time, and actually had my 14 methadone bottles manhandled but I am a good talker, and always have my ps and qs in order.
Got into Makati (Manila) at 4 PM and went directly to my flat. Since August I have sublet a condo in the Rada building (Rada Regency). This was the 1st time I even entered it. A deceased BLer, many old BLers will remember, Xtcxtc used to have a duplex there.
Inrerestingly, when u sublet or rent in the Philippines the units are absolutely bare. You have to buy your own stove, fridge, etc. The rent is amazingly low, 400 US a month for a studio, in one of the most luxurious buildings in the nation. Pool on the roof, private gym, concierge, security, private pedestrian bridge to the 4 malls in Makati, and mini mall on the 1st floor of the building.
My flat is fully accomodated since I had a cousin of mine handle it. It is in the Legaspi Village section of Makati/ In the adjoining Salcedo Village section the nation's only Jewish Community. 250 Jews!!!
My Clan, Dwek, paid 50% of the cost in constructing the only synagouge and I have 4 Clansmen, 1 with family, living in the area. The Israeli Embassy is around the corner and so I decided, now that my marriage is ending, it would be grand to have a flat in the capital to escape to now and again.
Spent a day enjoying my new bed, and then flew down to Butuan, on Mindanao. The big news as soon as I landed, was the "Maguindanao Massacre." I did a thread on it in CE and P if anyone is interested ("2010 Election, Philippine Style").
To recap, very briefly, a gubneratorial race on the island turned violent (they always do) and resulted in the single worst case of violence against journalists. On Monday 11/23, 61 people were shot at point blank range by a pro-govt paramilitary loyal to the Ampatuan Clan. The Ampatuan are Moros, Muslims, of the Maguindanaon ethnicity. A man from the Mangufdadatu Clan (also Moro, same ethnicity) decided to challenge the Clan which rules West Central Mindanao, by filing for candidacy in the May, 2010 Elections.
He sent his wife, Clanswomen, 2 attorneys and 30 journalists in a convoy to the provincial capital 1 hour away. Entering Ampatuan territory and stopped at a Police Checkpoint they were waylaid by at least 100 gunmen.
Driven through the jungle they were executed, and were being buried when the AFP (army) happened upon the gruesome crimescene.
The crime shocked the nation but I feel its hypocritical to say the least. The NY Times did a piece on it, Philippine Media is working it for all its worth yet on the border of our cattle operation in Prosperidad a Manobo tribesmen, leading his men in a family feud, took 60 schoolkids hostage when the army tried serving arrest warrants on 4 murders...story did not even rate a mention! 34 were killed 2 km off my compound in an NPA (Maoist Insurgency) and AFP (army) confrontation and again, nothing outside the province!
Anyway, picked up by our driver Ondoy and driven the 90 klicks south to San Franz. I have to admit, I love Mindanao. Have no fucken idea why, drives me bloody crazy but it actually feels like home!
In the compound said hi to everyone, and had a big lunch. Spent 3 busy days doing the paperwork, signing what needed signing, and discussing my deploding marriage.
Ahhhhh...my marriage hahaha...Well Rizza is still on Cebu, we are still not together, and I did not see her at all. I am looking into divorcing her abroad, probablly in Israel and then trying to file it in Mindanao. There is a clause in Philippine Law that allows Foreigners who marry Filipinas to divorce in the Foreigner's land and then have that divorce given legal standing within the Philippines. There is a question as to whether -or-not this holds true ONLY for marriages contracted in said Foreign lands.
Rizza and I were originally married in a Jewish religious marriage in Israel when she was a juvenile (in Ph Law). Ergo, THAT marriage isn't recognised in Ph Law. We then had a Civil Ceremony in San Franz when she reached maturity. That is the marriage at the center of this issue.
Attorneys are working on it.
I then flew out of Davao, back into Makati and left that same day for NYC, the same way I arrived. Got back here 12/10.
I have always enjoyed the Holiday Season in NYC...I love the cold, I love grey skies and snow...Go figure. We (Jews) do not celebrate Xmas, nor is Chanukkah (Hanukkah) an equivalent despite the disgusting efforts of largely assimilated American-Jews to make it so.
Chanukkah, which means "Re-Dedication," celebrates a martial victory, the defeat of the Seleucid Greek nation of Syria by Jewish guerillas under the Hasmosean Clan, usually known as the "Maccabbi Clan."
The Seleucids were Greeks, descended from Seleucid, a general in Alexander the Great's army (like the Ptolemaics of Egypt, who descended from the general Ptolemy).
The Seleucids began pressing their heel on Judea, finally trying to impose its pagan religion upon the Jews.A Seleucid official entering a Judean hill village had the townspeople gather in the plaza, and tried to compel them to offer obesiance to the Seleucid cult. Finally a village man stepped forward to make the ritual sacrifice.
A Village elder, a patriarch of the Hasmoesan Clan stepped forward and lopped his head off for daring to commit sacrilege. The men then turned on the Seleucids and annihilated the party. Knowing retirbution would be coming the men then fled deep into the hills and launched a guerilla war against the Seleucids.
Finally wining, and retaking the capital of Jerusalem, the Jews were horrified to see that the Seleucids had defiled the Temple. Clearing the Temple they then prepared to offer the first (Jewish) ritual sacrifice but found only enough Holy Oil to last 1 day. Knowing that it would take 1 week, at least, to prepare enough oil, they prayed for a miracle and went about "Re-dedicating" the Temple.
As they prepared the oil they were astonished to find that the single day's worth of oil lasted 8 full days, just enough time to allow for the new oil's preperation. This is why the holiday is 8 days long, and why 8 candles are lit on the Menorah (8 sticked candelbra).
The traditional food for the holiday are jelly donuts that we fry at home ourselves, and we have a gambling game we play with a little 4 sided spinning top called a "Dreid'l." The top has a Hebrew letter on each of the 4 sides and you bet on which side will land face up.
American-Jews do not eat donuts, and only children play with tops. They eat a potatoe pancake called "Latkeh," which they eat with sour cream and/or apple sauce.
A disgusting practice adopted by American-Jews is gift giving on the holiday. I have seen many that give 1 present a day for each of the 8 days. This is an absolute abomination that at best makes Israelis laugh drisivle at our American brothers. It is done solely to ape Xtians. Even worse, some have adopted Xmas trees, which they call "Hannukah Bushes." It is enough to make most Jews vomit.