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.

Why should one consider worshiping the moon?

“Survivor” - You may have been surprised to learn that I am up to date with this television series. Whoever knows me is very well aware of the fact that I rarely watch TV.

Incidentally they’ve been posting the “Survivor” episodes on their website. (Actually the only episode I’ve watched in a TV set was the last one). But don’t think I’m trying to encourage TV stations to broadcast online by watching them when they do so. There’s a more compelling reason: In general I have an affinity to these type of “survival” shows, you should know that I’m an avid “Lost” fan as well.

Part of the reason that I’m so interested in this genre, is that in the past I have had a survival experience myself. Have you had one as well?

While traveling in Crete, we were hiking through a gorge. We had the impression that it would be a short walk of an hour and a half or so, therefore left very late in the day with hardly any supplies. Needless to say, that was not the case and we had to spend the night in the cold (it was winter time, and we were wet after having passed through the stream numerous times).

I will not elaborate on this experience itself, only about some of my impressions. That night I understood how people have worshiped the celestial bodies. Beforehand I couldn’t comprehend how it would be possible to seriously acknowledge them as saviors. But now I do.

It rained several times during the night; but when the moon was out, we knew we were safe - there were no clouds and it wasn’t as dark, as we had some moon light. There are no words in which I can express the joy of seeing a glimpse of light in the morning, knowing that the sun will soon be out.

One of the other main things I learned that night was about myself. How I handle intense situations. This is partially why I am intrigued with the portrayal of other individuals or groups who deal with various types of survival experiences.

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.