"Today in History"

Growing up in Zimbabwe, there was a "feature" before the news called "Today in History" which consisted of a primitive graphic of a spinning globe, over which yellow text would run, relating (allegedly) interesting historical facts. At least they were facts, coming as they did before the evening news which was really just ZANU-PF's take on the country and the world. To be fair, things weren't nearly as toxic and rotten in Zimbabwe then (1992 or so) as they were by the time I left (2002), and even if they were, I was only a young child, so my appreciation of politics (although present from an early age) was quite limited.

Anyway, some interesting "Today in History" facts for today, which go together quite well methinks, irreverent iconoclast that I am (or pretend to be):

August 25th, 325 CE

Council of Nicaea ends with adoption of the Nicene Creed establishing the doctrine of the Holy Trinity


August 25th, 1227 CE

Ghengis Khan, [Temudjin], founded Mongolia, dies

Aliyah Update

I'm just waiting for my Aliyah visa to come through from Jewish Agency HQ in Australia. Then it's Aliyah flight booking time - I'm planning to fly on the 7th, (בלי עין הרע). That means "without the evil eye". Not that I'm superstitious or anything, it's just a habit I have of not wanting to "count my chickens". Let you know when I know exactly what's going on...

Chavs of Tehran

I like this idea of posting a picture and then writing about it - I'll try to restrict my picture-posts once I develop the discipline of a blogging routine, but for now I can't resist this one:

This is from the usually side-splittingly funny http://www.uncyclopedia.com/, which used to have an article about the (so-called) Prophet Muhammad which was so funny I cried. Some Politically Correct ASSHOLE has edited it so it's not funny anymore. Uncyclopedia users obviously feel no compunction in making ruthless fun of Jews and Judaism (which is par for the course, we - unlike some other people who will remain nameless - actually have a sense of humour) so why did some jerk have to take great piece of satire and ruin it for everyone?! Does he think that Islamaniacs will find it any less offensive if their Prophet is made fun of in a "cute" way rather than the ruthless roast he so richly deserves?

Time lapse photography

I just realised why my "Sunday photography feature" appears on a Saturday - the blog server is clearly in a time zone half a world (literally) away! Here's a picture of the critters who I take for walks daily. Sniffing and frolicking on the beach, as usual:

Perched atop the beanbag - one of his favourite spots since puppyhood:

That uneasy feeling...

Had lunch with Mum and Phil today. I've been thinking how much I'll miss the family when I finally go to Israel. This and my usual inner self-flagellation had me feeling a bit down. I'm very excited to be going, but it's just the fear of the unknown - and I don't like to see my folks worrying about me. I'm pretty confident though that things are going to work out well for me.

Sunday photography feature

I took this picture of a fur seal last week down at the beach where I walk my dogs every day. The seals are quite often to be found on the rocks or on the beach; I try to make sure the dogs are on the leash before we see them but sometimes it's too late, and I have to chase after them as they bark at and otherwise harass the poor seals. I've seen a penguin (of the Little Blue variety, I think) twice, possibly a chick - I couldn't tell. Davka (the Jewish Murphy's Law) each time I've seen the little bird I haven't had my camera. I just got lucky with the picture of the seal - I've seen them several times when I haven't had a camera and only once when I did. This old boy (or girl) was looking quite past it - I think he'd come up onto the beach to die. I only noticed him when I heard the dogs going off - he just had the energy to raise his head, open his jaws and appear mildly threatening. I tied the dogs to a big driftwood log some way off and the seal posed for a few photographs quite co-operatively. If you wanted a definition of "rheumy-eyed" I think you'd do well to look at this guy.

Shalom! To new beginnings!

Why "Africa Shalom"? Well, I'm from Africa, and Shalom is probably the most widely known Hebrew word there or indeed anywhere. You'll find that a lot of African Christians have quite a "Hebraic" outlook and sensibility. African history - particularly ancient - fascinates me, from Kairouan, Djerba and Essaouria down to Timbuktu, across to Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia and down into Zimbabwe (where I come from).

I currently live in New Zealand, but am moving to Israel in two weeks! Thus I have created this blog to document the process, and share my thoughts as the adventure unfolds.