Worst pick-up line ever, and other adventures from Succot so far

I have to work backwards chronologically on this one because I am still amazed that I heard this. I just came back from "Ted and Zev's big succot wine tasting event." I was that cheap person who comes, doesn't pay, and just shmoozes without participating in the wine part. Ted is the owner of the Wii that I've talked about before, and Zev is the founder of janglo so I blame him for the potential employers I've been screwed over by. But anyway... I intended to stay for twenty minutes, but found myself sitting comfortably and enjoying myself enough to not bother getting up... except for this person across from me who's like the token creepy guy at parties that Shira always winds up talking too much to. I was trying to immerse myself in the conversation to my right, but didn't succeed enough to stop this guy from making random comments to me and asking for details about my roommate (she might not know that part until she reads this). So suddenly this guy says, "Your hebrew name is Rivka? So if I bring camels to you will you give them water?" Thankfully Yoel's choked laugh covered up me saying that I would throw the water on him. Needless to say, I wasn't very impressed. The evening continued with more references in my mind to Shira as Yoel explained that he was type 5 of the nine personality types. I am intrigued. Shortly after that I talked briefly with a possible member of the mosad who admits to changing his name often, so I won't even bother recalling it here, and he "snuck" me a sip of wine. It was good, but until I am employed I'm not about to shell out 35 shekalim for an event like that.

Now I can backtrack to shabbat. For shabbat I went with Sam and Michal to our cousins on Har Hadar. Their backyard is the memorial to the Harel brigade, and features genuine bunkers and tanks. Also at the site is a tower from which you can see most of Israel. It is pretty incredible. It's like the view Avraham could have seen when Hashem showed him every inch of the land.

Friday: It was weird. I was so confused about what day it was! This one day yom tov stuff is confusing. Alissa, Lisa, and I did a fabulous job cleaning the apartment, and then I had to leave for Har Hadar. Harriet had a terrible day locked up in Alissa's room so we could clean without her splashing in the water. We have no learned that when Harriet would be sent to Alissa's room and not cry, it was really because she was going out the window, onto the narrow ledge, and into our neighbor's bedroom. Glad we figured that one out. As I type this Harriet is curled up against me dozing. So cute. I think I am rather attached.

And now I finally get to the first day of yom tov itself. For dinner I was invited to a family I had been in touch with at one point about babysitting. I turned them down for the first family things well through with. At least I got a great meal out of it. They have six kids and the youngest three are adorable two year old triplet boys. There were nine guests total, all of whom were more or less close to my age (my standards have changed dramatically), and everyone was really friendly. Unfortunately many of the guests were tourists, but it was still great being in a comfortable social environment. For lunch I went to Ted's succah. He asked me to bring a vegetable side dish, but I am not sure why. All he provided was meat. Lots and lots of meat. It was incredible. Who needs a side dish? I met more people over the age of thirty, but had a good time. I guess every person counts somehow.

One more thing- over shabbat I read The Phantom Tollbooth. It is the most amazing book ever. If I tried to explain why, I wouldn't know where to start. If you care to have a deep philosophical discussion about it, you know where to find me.