i'm having a bad day.  actually, i think the past few days have been less-than-stellar.. i don't really know what's going on with me.  i'm cranky, impatient, and generally annoyed with most things.  partly it has to do with the fact that i FINALLY managed to find a good deal on a vcr and dvd, and i can't seem to get the damn vcr working properly.  now, mind you, i consider myself to be not exactly an amateur at electronic devices.. i can generally figure most things out without a manual and without calling the damn techies.  but this is officially beyond my knowledge base.. of course it has to do with all the format differences between the US and here.. but long story short, it appears that it is IMPOSSIBLE to have my vcr and my cable both connected at the same time (oddly enough, i just realized i can say that whole sentence in hebrew). :)  anyway, as many of you know, i am a compulsive video watcher, so obviously this is not an insignificant problem for me.  i have posted the (lengthy) question on the magical listserv over here, so i hope to have an answer soon.  regardless, it's a big fat hassle, and i hate having to deal with shit like this -- having to return it, look for another one, blah blah blah.

second on the top ten most annoying things in alison's life right now, is that i am STILL trying to figure out what the hell i'm going to do with my washer and dryer.  i've been haggling about this with the guy from my moving company for at least six weeks now, and i still feel like i'm at step one.  at multiple steps in the process, i thought i had everything worked out, and then another problem arose.  first it was can it fit through my bathroom door, then it was do i have enough electricity in the apartment, then do i have a gas hook-up where i need it, then do i have a hot water hook-up where i need it, then ventilation... of course, the answer to all these things is no.  well, no, if i don't want to spend more money.  so of course, hiring someone to take the machines apart, take the door-jam apart, get the damn things in the apt., put them back together (yes humpty dumpty), run a new gas line, a new water line, a new ventilation system -- all told it will be around 1800 NIS (around $400).  and the machines themselves cost $1500 altogether, with shipping, etc!  of course, they will supposedly live longer than i will.

but there are pros and cons.. pros of american machines -- more longevity, much shorter cycles, much bigger capacity, run on less electricity, cost is worth it given the quality (nothing beats a maytag!).  cons -- they're huge, will almost always be a problem getting in and out of this and future apts., will almost always require extra hooking-up such as this in most apts., will be a general pain in the ass as far as schlepping.  pros of european machines -- they're here, i can get them in my house TOMORROW!, don't have to deal with this bullshit, my apt. is ready for them, apparently the longer cycles get your clothes cleaner.  cons -- will last 10 years maximum, smaller capacity, waaaay longer cycles (2 hrs to wash one load!), the washer has to heat water itself so it takes a long time, supposely it's harder on your clothes because there's no agitator.  it looks like i can probably get some reasonable machines here for maybe $1000.  as you can see, this decision is a big pain in my ass.  to top it all off, i have a mound of dirty laundry the size of mt. everest.

third on the list is that my brand new carbon monoxide detector is not working.. god knows why.  i can't imagine that it's as simple as a low battery.  i have begun using my kerosene heater this week, so the detector is quite necessary as many people have advised me that this is the only way for me to make sure not to die.  the heater's working great.. i think.. although i'm getting a little light-headed..  .   .      . (just kidding)  anyway, i clearly need to get the detector working.

numbers four through ten.. i don't know, i'm just not feeling myself lately.  it has really been since jon was here, to be honest.  it was great to see him, and really great to get my luggage!  and it was wonderful to spend time with him.. for the first, oh, maybe six hours.  it was all downhill from there.  we had a big fight that has still left me feeling very angry and hurt, and all of a sudden i realized that the first time i have felt unhappy here was when one of my best friends was visiting me.  that made me feel terrible.. and i felt terrible for making him feel bad.. and since then, i've just felt yucky.  i'm trying to shake it off, but i can't figure out why i haven't been able to yet.  i'm sure this is connected to the fact that the guy i was seeing here for NO MORE than 10 days hasn't called me in 4.  i haven't had a chance to write about him.. it was no big deal.. very intense for a week and a half and then he decided it was too intense.. which i saw coming.  it wasn't anything i really wanted to pursue long-term, but it was nice to have someone to hang out with, it was GREAT to practice my hebrew with him, and he was really nice.  he did my laundry.  (all the more reason why i wish he was calling now!)

anyway, that's life.  i've decided to re-focus myself this week.  i need to get back on track with whatever parts of the israeli bureacracy i can deal with now (i think i can start the israeli driver's license process, and i know i have to turn in my form for health insurance.)  i hereby pledge to see my lift shipped this week from new jersey, come hell or high water (let's hope no high water!)!  and i am going to make some calls and figure out if i can apply to graduate programs this year, even if i think there's no chance in hell i will get in. :)

in the good news department.. 1) my hebrew is going very well and i'm enjoying the ulpan very much.  we're moving quickly and i haven't gotten a question wrong in ages. 2) i have let sava explore the neighborhood off-leash a few times in the past week and she has done very well -- and the best part is that she knew which door is ours and she came right back to it! 3) my heater hasn't killed me yet. 4) my seattle phone number, while finicky, is working, and i have placed many calls already to my wonderful friends and family members in the states.  beware, you too may receive a call! :)

please feel free to call also -- (206) 384-4262.  just please remember the time difference -- 10 hours ahead of the west coast, 7 hours ahead of the east.  love you guys.  i'll write more soon.. as if this wasn't enough! :)