Congratulations.

I called Bituach Leumi today to take care of some bureaucratic insanity which it pains me to get into.

They told me I just got married recently. So congratulations to me.

I asked them, who did I marry?

The World’s Food and Commodities Crisis Has Only Just Began

My Aunt who’s in Connecticut said they are limiting the amount of rice you can buy at Cosco. A similar case occurred in a supermarket here in Israel not long ago. Oil prices are surging. China and other producers are restricting the export of grains in order to ensure domestic food supply.

The world has become so needy and accustomed to exhausting energy sources, natural resources and commodities. Even though it is a stretch to say that the living outnumber the dead (the current world population outnumbers the combined historical world populations), however way you compute it. Still, more people are alive today than have ever lived before at any given time.

Therefore, there are far greater considerations as to supply of goods that haven’t been taken into account. 100 million people have already been put in danger by the current situation. We used to think this situation will not affect us. Many people feel that at the western countries, one can always pay more and get what he want. So maybe we will have to pay for food what we do now for gold?

Well, maybe. But maybe the now “poor” countries will realize that their gold is worth them their lives, and simply won’t sell it.

Possible Conclusions: Buy commodities, Live in Asia, Develop alternative energy sources (conserving energy is not nearly enough - we will use it all up sooner or even sooner), stock up on food, what else?

Smurfs - Did you know?

I am dedicating this post to them in honor of their 50th Anniversary. I grew up loving this show.

Did you know that they started off as a Belgium comic? Did you know that the Smurfs TV cartoon dates back to the 80s?

Did you know that Papa Smurf was 542 years old in 1958, and hasn’t aged a day since? That their mushroom houses are three apples high?

Did you know that the Smurfs are accused to be a portrayal of an idealized communist society? Think about it, Papa Smurf has a red cap, all Smurfs are equal, they have no monetary system, they are all happy (except for Grumpy).

Did you know that they are also accused as being anti-Semite? Gargamel, the bad evil guy has a large nose. When the Smurfs are celebrating Christmas, a Menorah is seen in his dark house (Hanuka time…) And when he sends Smurfette to cause them trouble, Papa Smurf turns her from evil to good - by turning her hair from dark to blonde.

Finally, did you know that a new Smurfs movie is expected to be released in 2009? Hurray! I’m planning on watching it, despite its affiliation with the dark side.

I want to drive to Europe

For years now I’ve had a dream. To just get in the car and drive. To Europe. From my home in Israel. I love driving. I love traveling. They could be great together.

Someone told me I can call it a dream for “world peace” or “hummus in Damascus”. But the truth is, that’s not where I’m coming from. I just want to get in the car and drive to Europe. That’s all. Not that all the rest of the peace utopia wouldn’t be awesome as well; that’s a dream I certainly share with the rest of the world. But this driving to Europe thing is my own personal dream.

I got so excited recently when I’ve heard the news re negotiations with Syria. Not sure I’m happy with their context or consequences, but hey, they still got my hopes up. Syria is the main obstacle now on my way to Europe. I can drive through Jordan, Turkey, etc. Even through Iraq (I’m a US citizen). But not Syria.

Na’ama the Survivor

Na’ama Keisari just won the Israeli “survivor” show. I think she really deserved it. There are many reasons why I’m such a supporter of hers. One of the main ones is that she won while still maintaining a good relationship with the candidates she has sent home earlier in the series. She was very strategic and yet did not cause such a strong antagonism towards her as some other candidates have.

Additionally, though she is not as physically strong as some of the others, she is very strong-minded; and has put so much effort into the experience. It seems that it has been much more physically challenging to her than to the other finalists. And yet, she “survived” it all the same.

Mazal tov Na’ama, you are indeed a role model.

Herzl Day

Today is Herzl day.

Herzl is an example to a true visionary. He envisioned the state of Israel. As I see it, Israel today is not that far from what he had in mind.

Imagination is a key first step for doing great things.

It’s surely risky, but the reward is in the experience itself. Walter Bruan, who was my CEO when I was a trader, once said (in a video to new traders) “you know how much you love it now when you’re not doing that well, imagine how much you’ll love it when you’ll be making $”. That sentence stuck with me. There is so much to say about the path. You have to love what you’re doing and be passionate about it.

And as a fridge magnet I have says: Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go… (T.S. Eliot)

Herzl may not have truly believed that we would achieve so much. But he tried. And if he were to see Israel today, I’m sure he would have been proud.