Doris Lessing's Nobel Acceptance Speech-- what has the internet done to us...?

Just had to share this with you. The British writer Doris Lessing has just received the Nobel prize for literature and some of her acceptance words have really touched me. And made me think a lot about how much I used to read. As a little girl I would "swallow books" (as we say in Hebrew), and now, nothing. Almost nothing (and when I do read, it's plays and scripts..). I am not proud of it, there is actually shame involved. But I fully acknowledge it. And the following words make me want to investigate this further for myself. Is it over? Or will I go back to reading? I would love to hear what you think.

Here is a quote:

"We are in a fragmenting culture, where our certainties of even a few decades ago are questioned and where it is common for young men and women, who have had years of education, to know nothing of the world, to have read nothing, knowing only some speciality or other, for instance, computers.

What has happened to us is an amazing invention - computers and the internet and TV. It is a revolution. This is not the first revolution the human race has dealt with. The printing revolution, which did not take place in a matter of a few decades, but took much longer, transformed our minds and ways of thinking. A foolhardy lot, we accepted it all, as we always do, never asked: "What is going to happen to us now, with this invention of print?" In the same way, we never thought to ask, "How will our lives, our way of thinking, be changed by the internet, which has seduced a whole generation with its inanities so that even quite reasonable people will confess that, once they are hooked, it is hard to cut free, and they may find a whole day has passed in blogging etc?"

Very recently, anyone even mildly educated would respect learning, education and our great store of literature. Of course we all know that when this happy state was with us, people would pretend to read, would pretend respect for learning. But it is on record that working men and women longed for books, evidenced by the founding of working-men's libraries, institutes, and the colleges of the 18th and 19th centuries. Reading, books, used to be part of a general education. Older people, talking to young ones, must understand just how much of an education reading was, because the young ones know so much less.

We all know this sad story. But we do not know the end of it. We think of the old adage, "Reading maketh a full man" - reading makes a woman and a man full of information, of history, of all kinds of knowledge".

Happy Thanksgiving (Warning: a bit spiritual-cheeezzzy)

I love this day.

Just to say Thank You for everything that we have

I feel blessed and grateful for what I have.

And this is also a day to stop and kick ourselves in the ass if we tend to TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED.
I try to make it one of my mottos in life: to appreciate everything that I've got. Acknowledging that makes you more grounded, content and at peace. You know how when you win something or get really good news you jump up and down but in seconds forget about it? I try to keep the jumping up and down as long as I can. (And on the same token, I try to keep the dwelling on the shit that happens to a minimum. TRY I say..).
It works. Trust me! Makes your soul smile more often.

I will stop now, in case the sarcastic have to run and throw up.

Happy Happy Thanksgiving, eat lots of yummy holiday food, cuz it's the best!!! (and don't throw up).

My Visitor

I have just spent intense 10 days with my dear childhood friend from Israel.
It's amazing how much you can learn in such a short time about yourself, about where you come from and where you're going. This was her first adult visit to NY, first time she came to visit me here. The cultural differences adding up throughout the years have smacked us on the face. It was strange. We grew up in the same place and yet it feels like I've always been here in NY. I've realized that more than ever during her visit with me. I can't help it, my identity has changed a lot throughout the years. It's actually fascinating to me every time I realize that. For the first time in my life I am accepting the fluidity of my identity, and that is a very rewarding sensation. To know who you are and to accept that. Even if it's a bit complicated on the cultural level. Being born and raised in Israel. Spending all of my adult life in New York City.

Anyway, my very dear friend got sucked into the shopping hysteria here and there was nothing I could do to pull her out. Hours and hours of running around (and not finding anything to buy most of the time- Go figure! New York's vast selection was not sufficient for her...), overwhelmed by the huge crowds, the noise and the insanity of New York City, but not letting it stop her. I got flustered by it, I stopped joining her on her shopping missions. It worked for both of us...

I wanted to take her to the calm places, to the Cloisters, to all the beautiful parks, to walk by the Hudson, one of my favorite things to do here.
But no, most of it didn't happen. I only got to share with her a small percentage of my NY, and her visit is over already.
She's leaving tomorrow. Oh, yes, I did share my New York night life with her. At least that.

So now we have to wait for next time. Hopefully then I'll be able to squeeze in the real magic of New York City, its enchanting vicinity and the best kept secrets of the best town in the world.

Kickbox it all Out!

Good morning Friday. I am heading out to the gym soon. This is my kickboxing day.

It’s a tradition. I let it all out! Aggressions, frustrations, and just plain old fury. Well, actually, fury makes me sound somewhat violent and that’s not true. But life tends to attract toxins and negative energy, so once a week, if I haven’t managed to naturally do so, I kick and punch the hell out of anything, and anybody that wishes to stop me, without risking anybody’s life, of course. It’s the closest thing to meditation. I’m not very good at “immobile” meditation, but I can certainly enter “the zone” while repeating dozens of roundhouse kicks…

And then- I’m clean; I take a deep breath, and have a sense of center, of inner strength, of clarity, potency (not to say- omnipotence). I am ready for the world, and the world is ready for me.

Last night I saw a movie that ended with “There is no way to Peace- Peace IS the way!”. It had to do with cultural and social battles, but it can be translated to inner peace too.

Kickboxing, then, is my peace. It also makes me feel hot and sexy.

Whiplash - Holocaust - Perspective- 4/16/2007

4/16/2007 Holocaust Memorial Day here in Israel. Early morning. Quiet and sad songs on the radio. On my way to run some errands with my parents, sitting in the back of my dad's German car, I am suddenly pushed forward, stretching my seat belt (thank God I'm a good girl who wears her seat belt even in the back seat), shocked and all, and then… pain. Holocaust Memorial Day, my dad is worried about me, about my back and my neck and so he takes me to the hospital. It's a stupid whiplash. Come on… it's nothing. All the concern and even guilt (although it was the car behind us that hit us hard) is coming from a person who at pre-school age spent a couple of weeks walking 150 miles from Bricheva to Transnistria in Ukraine, carrying a backpack almost as big as he was… surrounded by Nazi soldiers, watching his granny being buried alive because the soldiers didn't want her to slow down the pace. My dad, who used to be a skinny little kid who doesn't eat, not because it's "yucky" ("yucky" was my childhood nickname for warm milk..) but because there's no food. Horrific sights, death, guns, blood, hunger and humiliation have become an integral part of his life at such an early age, and still, his youngest child's stupid whiplash fills him up with such concern, on the same day that brings up all of those unbearable memories. The Irony. One more thing: The car behind us hit our car real hard. In fact, judging from the sound, the shock, the jump, and the effect it had on my back, I assumed that the back of our car was completely totalled. But no, our strong German engineered car has come out almost without a scratch and has actually saved me from a much more serious injury. Nuff irony for one day. I had a lot of time to think at the emergency room today, how lucky I am to have a father like my aba ("father" in Hebrew): I am thankful to be here in this world- beside the obvious fact that his not-so-obvious survival from the Nazis is one of the reasons I have been born, I am also grateful for growing up with a father who taught me how to truly appreciate and celebrate life and how to never take anything that I have for granted.

My Niece's Film- 4/7/2007

My Niece's Film

Posted by: admin 4/7/2007 I am here with my niece and her girlfriends. They are 9 years old but act much older than I did when I was their age. Which brings me to the fact that I am forced to write a blog with them right now.... I am currently circled by a group of little dictators who would like to tell the world about their movie. Ready? Ok, first let me preface by telling you that they have written a script for a short film, called "Three Friends", which will be shot on a mini DV. My niece wrote the music and lyrics for the theme song, and is also directing. Her friend Aya is the procuder and Aya's father, a heart surgeon, is the editor (maybe cutting hearts helps with cutting movies). I play Aya's annoying mother. The story is based on the life of the three friends, Geffen (my beautiful niece), Aya and Omer (nicknamed "Three Muskeeteers" at school...). Each one dreams of being something else: Geffen's is about being "cool" and getting "high grades" in school, Aya is all about becoming a famous athlete and Omer needs to be a beautiful princess. They go to the library one day and find an interesting book. They read it together and "enter" the story told there. The book makes them become what they dream of becoming. Shooting starts in a few weeks, and in fact we have just rehearsed one of the scenes. It's still hard for me to believe that 9 years olds are producing a movie, and before my eyes. I am happy to bring my experience and help them as much as I can, I am extremely proud of my niece (although wish a more stable career than show business-- despite the fact that she has already performed in a couple of major Israeli stage productions) and can't wait for the premiere. Have a lovely weekend, full of discoveries! Permalink | Trackback Comments (2) Add Comment Re: My Niece's Film By TheElectricTurtle on 4/7/2007 Hey Liat, May I gey a role in this movie, I've huge experience as a statistic in manny East European movies and boom holder in leading productions in Kaschastan.... Looking forward to my audition. When should I call u?..... Anyhow I'd be glad to get one ticket fr the premier...and if u don't mind also for my 9 kids and two wives... T.E.T Re: My Niece's Film By Matti on 4/9/2007 Geffenooshkoot!

Enchanted April- 4/2/2007

4/2/2007 Erev Pesach- Passover Eve, Israel. My mom likes cooking for an army troupe, although there are not that many of us. She made chicken soup in this huge pot I've only seen in industrial kitchens. There is so much food...and wine...for those of you not familiar with Passover (especially those who think we drink blood and stuff like that....LOL), we drink four glasses of wine, and eat, and read the Haggadah, and sing. And dance (maybe that is just a Ron family custom. Works well when you're drunk. Highly recommended.) It has become so "in" to hate the holiday family gatherings. It's really uncool to like it. But what can I do, I can't help it. I love my family and I always loved celebrating the holidays with everyone here. And being in NY all these years made me appreciate it even more. So yes, I admit it, I'm not gonna lie: I have waited for Pesach, for the holiday atmosphere, for the coming together of the family, for the hussle and bussle everywhere in the stores, for the holiday calls, text messages and emails, for the songs on the radio, for the food, for the loud drunk "table" songs, for my nephew singing "Ma Nishtana", for the message of this holiday- coming out of slavery=Freedom + Spring Spring Spring. Yes, Passover's second name is "Festival of Spring", and to me the combination of spring and unchaining ourselves of whatever is obstructing us and inhibiting us, is an exciting way to celebrate my own religion and culture, that has pretty cool messages and symbols. People have different versions of celebrating Jewish holidays, and I think it's a lot more versatile here in Israel than anywhere else in the world (I'll elaborate on that some other time), maybe we're less "chained" to rigid tradition (I'm refering to secular Israelis, which is most of us here), I don't know. But anyway, there's nothing like feeling the holiday in the air, which I can never take for granted as there is no other place in the world where you can actually feel it in the air. I'm rambling all over the place and I have some cooking to do. (I'm in charge of salads if you insist) I've been getting emails about falling in love with Israel through my blog so I thought... why not... I'll tell more about what's it like over here. More to come soon. Happy Spring to All!!! Permalink | Trackback Comments (1) Add Comment Re: Enchanted April By johnicomehome on 4/3/2007 One of the most exciting descriptions of Passover atmosphere. I wish myself next passover in Israel.

My Old/new Seaport- 3/25/2007

3/25/2007 I love Tel Aviv Seaport !! It's so beautiful. I spent the afternoon with my colorful family in the old port to celebrate my sister's birthday. It was nice and warm and after the yummy late lunch we walked on the promenade, watched the fascinating breaking waves and the magical sunset. Inhaling sea air my brother asked me : "Anything as good as this in Manhattan?!". Well, in many ways he's right, it is indeed unmatched. Also the promenade and the whole complex have lately gone through some major renovations and restoration. The big question is: why am I telling you all this?! Well, maybe because I like to share my discoveries, maybe because I like encouraging people to broaden their horizons- don't take anything for granted; learn to revel in the obvious beauty, it makes life richer and more profound. If we derive joy from new experiences and new thrills only, if we only notice the new, the "just arrived", the "just released", the "latest", the "it's finally here", we really miss out, you know? The fact that it's obvious doesn't mean that it can't be magical and thrilling. We saw a lot of drinking and already red-drunk British people over there today, getting ready for the big soccer game. Thousands of Brits have filled out Tel Aviv today, and I must say it was quite amusing. It's like we've been invaded by England (again.... since they left in 1948).... Just kidding... but they were really funny, what can I say... Anyway, good luck to the our team!

Beaufort- 3/21/2007

Beaufort

3/21/2007 I finally saw "Beaufort" last night. I have been following the intense PR, festival victories and this loaded subject matter. Oh, God, this was not a popcorn flick... It was hard to watch, it made me squirm in my seat every 5 minutes, and yes, it made me cry more than once (shut up- I hardly cry in movies!!). If it's playing near you (and it WILL, especially after winning Berlin Festival), go see it. Be prepared for a bit of a painful ride, but I really think this movie is important. It depicts a specific time in a specific place in very recent history, and it opens a window to a world most of us are not exposed to. Having lived both in Israel and in the States, it reminded me of how surreal it is- 18 year old guys, kids who in America get to party in college- experience a completely different type of reality here in Israel. And it doesn't matter that a lot of them are not "fighters" or combat soldiers like those in the movie, it's still so .... strange, and sad. Growing up in Israel you're always told by your parents: "when you're 18, you won't go to the army cuz there won't be an army anymore".... we keep hoping and we'll never stop dreaming. "Beaufort" bravely emphasizes how young these soldiers were, they were (and are) just kids. People all over the world, who are only fed by the media when it comes to Israel, should watch this film. It is much closer to reality than any news report. I have been away from here for a long time, and find myself feeling torn between my Israeli and American identity, but this movie filled me with this Israeli air as I have not experienced lately. We are so weird, we are so absurd, but we are also very special and should be proud of who we are and of what we stand for. No state in the world is like Israel (lucky them...), and I hope the world understands us better, soon. Maybe this movie will open an eye or two. nuff patriotic gush for one day. Permalink | Trackback Comments (1) Add Comment Re: Beaufort By Dana on 3/24/2007 Hey Girl, Love your new and updated website! Didn't hear about this film. I'll take your word for it though. :))

I Have a Carrrr!- 3/15/2007

For the first time in my life, I have my own car!! This is Big!! I always had the excuses that Manhattan didn't require a car (which is true) and that I'm a driving-phobic (which I was due to an accident which luckily kept me alive), or that I simply really really hated driving--but here in Israel, which is my current residence, it has become a necessity. And yes... I kinda like driving now... (never believed that one would change, but hey, I always surprise myself! A good lesson to know)

I picked up the car today, it's a used 98' white Kia Pride, it's charmingly ugly (I have no idea who designed it!!), I gave it a nickname, and I'm planning on decorating it and making it a little portable suite. A very sweetly scented suite. Yay! With cushions, a purple blanket, pictures, stickers and curtains. I know I'm a little (too?) giddy, but I've never owned a car, and I have actually been scared of the responsibility. It seemed like an unnecessary headache. But as my dear friend Karin phrased it : "you are going to feel ecstatic with liberty". And how can you beat That?

More to come on that....

Last night I have taught a Middle Eastern dance workshop at a bachelorette party. It was so exciting to convey my knowledge and moves with the sweet and shy bride and her hilarious friends. It was a "light"Orthodox group (very modern), and they really impressed and surprised me with how open and coordinated they were. Even better than some of my "professional" students.

Ah, the joy of dance!!!

Welcome to Liat's Blog- 3/10/2007

3/10/2007 My new website is finally ready! I got sick of the old format and decided to change it all. And not only will I have new content here, for the first time in my website history, I'll be in charge on everything. I can change anything and everything here whenever I want (so don't expect any masterful graphics...) and it feels good to have this kind of control. I know I'm not inventing the wheel, but for me it's huge, since my website has always been static and unchanging. So the next step is to start filling in content....Bear with me, and it will all be here soon, and then... it'll constantly change, cuz, as I said, the wheel in is my hands... ... One more thing: I've just come back from a day in the snow, which is a big deal in Israel. After 9 New York winters of never playing in the snow so much and so zealously, I find myself back here, where it hardly ever snows, running around like a little kid. Mount Hermon houses Israel's only ski resort.