View source for Blog/December 2023/Dec 15th

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It was a “normal” ''ḥanukka'' week, by and large. Unfortunately, we had to make a [https://www.shiva.com/learning-center/visiting-shiva/shiva-call ''shiva'' call] to acquaintances of ours whose son was killed in action a few days ago. This has, sadly, become more common of late.

Other than that, though, our week was not particularly noteworthy. I made a [https://8th-dev.com/forum/index.php/topic,2773.msg16140.html new release] of 8th, the last of the year, and kicked off our “year end sale”. Both Esther and I have been working as usual, with little actual interest in doing so.

What we’ve actually been spending the majority of our mental powers on is preparations for our upcoming trip to the Grands. Esther can’t pass a toy store or clothing shop without at least taking a look to see what might be appropriate for, or wanted by them. We can’t help ourselves.

Various things of note:
* ''Once again'', [https://penamacorrespondent.blog/what-the-papers-say-and-what-they-dont/ my friend’s blog] of the past week.
* Two of my favorites at once: Mallen discusses Prof. Hossenfelder’s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IfAsdI9uEU “shocking predictions”] on climate action.
* Further on the climate: Oslo’s new buses are [https://wattsupwiththat.com/2023/12/13/oslos-e-bus-fleet-could-use-some-warmingcity-paralyzed-as-buses-break-down-due-to-cold/ paralyzed by the cold weather]. I mean, who could have predicted cold winters in Norway?
* IBM’s [https://www.theindustry.pw/p/ibms-racist-hiring-scandal racist hiring scandal] (among other things), and some [https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2023/10/06/to-schnorr-and-beyond-part-1/ cryptography] and [https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2023/11/decoupling-for-security.html digital security].
* On [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-777940 hardening of positions] and a peace activist’s [https://freebeacon.com/israel/irit-lahav-nir-oz-survivor/ change of heart].
* And in an uplifting demonstration of God’s existence, a Turkish lawmaker [https://nypost.com/2023/12/14/news/turkish-lawmaker-who-had-heart-attack-slamming-israel-dies/ keels over and dies] after going on an anti-Israel rant. <span dir='rtl'>עם ישראל חי</span>!

We’re looking forward to having Sarah and Yarin over for dinner tonight. I doubt we can match their culinary expectations after their Japan junket, but we’ll try not to disappoint them too much.

Happy birthday, Sarah!

And we didn’t eat even one [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufganiyah ''sufganiya''] the entire holiday!

The weather was fine for the most part, though we did have a significant rain storm. It’s supposed to be clear and chilly over ''shabbat'' and into next week. It’s getting cold in the house, almost to the point we’re considering heating…

This ''shabbat'' we’ve got guests, who will hopefully enjoy:
<br>
homemade ''ḥallah'',
herby baked salmon,
miso-vegetable soup,
eggplant bake,
roast beef,
various ''salatim'',
and brownies.

Until next time,<br>
''shabbat shalom''! <br>

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