Wednesday, September 12, 2007
UNC Weekend
I am at home for the time being, still looking for something to do. I have worked some odd and very temporary jobs, but nothing substantial. This past week was the most eventful, I subbed for two days as an administrative assistant, football season started and I went to UNC for the weekend.
Working was not so bad, I somehow made a contacts that might lead to real work, to be followed up today.
The Thursday night opener to the NFL season was very country, being held in Indianapolis, but the festivities were acceptable and appropriate. The game itself was fairly boring through halftime, when it was a 10-all tie, not quite the shootout everyone was expecting. After halftime, the Colts decided they were going to win and scored 31 points while the Saints folded like a lawn chair and scored no more.
My weekend at UNC was much more exciting than either of the previous two items. I braved I-40 for an hour and it was a zoo as always. Once I arrived without getting lost I enjoyed some time in the quad under a beautiful Carolina blue sky before going inside to get ready for Shabbat.
Shabbat activities started quite early as there was a speaker before shul. There was quite a crowd, including some 35 Elon kids as well as a good number of people who did not stick around for services or dinner (or went to Chabad). The speaker in question was Dan Alon, an Israeli Olympic fencer who survived the 1972 Munich massacre. He told us his background and gave us the run-up to the 1972 Olympics. He then walked us through the night and following morning of the attack. It was both powerful and interesting as he says he is the only survivor who speaks about the attack. He did mention the film 'Munich" briefly, but not in a significant manner.
Kabbalat Shabbat followed, but we held our own social services on the vaunted couches of the main Hillel lobby. Dinner was Persian chicken, rice, challah, my challah and sweet potatoes. Good quality food (and free) for the 50-75 who stayed through services for it. Birkat was limited to the first paragraph, though apparently the tradition is for the frummer students to cluster and finish while everyone else is cleaning up.
After dinner we spent a relaxed night in the suite listening to Wayne Ellington occasionally cranking up the bass in his room. Shabbat morning I went to services with Miss K where she read Torah and I lead Torah service. Afterwards was free lunch and then back to the ranch for more hanging out/napping.
Saturday night involved dinner, football, a birthday party and then observing people at bars (as well as sampling delicious cheese fries).
Sunday brought a shopping trip, much more football (I'll spare you an analysis of why and how the Panthers won) and Hungry Russians for six. Eventually I peeled myself away and drove back down I-40 in the dark (not fun) before finally finding my way home. Once home I naturally watched the Giants - Cowboys shootout before making a midnight airport run.
Shanah Tovah.
Working was not so bad, I somehow made a contacts that might lead to real work, to be followed up today.
The Thursday night opener to the NFL season was very country, being held in Indianapolis, but the festivities were acceptable and appropriate. The game itself was fairly boring through halftime, when it was a 10-all tie, not quite the shootout everyone was expecting. After halftime, the Colts decided they were going to win and scored 31 points while the Saints folded like a lawn chair and scored no more.
My weekend at UNC was much more exciting than either of the previous two items. I braved I-40 for an hour and it was a zoo as always. Once I arrived without getting lost I enjoyed some time in the quad under a beautiful Carolina blue sky before going inside to get ready for Shabbat.
Shabbat activities started quite early as there was a speaker before shul. There was quite a crowd, including some 35 Elon kids as well as a good number of people who did not stick around for services or dinner (or went to Chabad). The speaker in question was Dan Alon, an Israeli Olympic fencer who survived the 1972 Munich massacre. He told us his background and gave us the run-up to the 1972 Olympics. He then walked us through the night and following morning of the attack. It was both powerful and interesting as he says he is the only survivor who speaks about the attack. He did mention the film 'Munich" briefly, but not in a significant manner.
Kabbalat Shabbat followed, but we held our own social services on the vaunted couches of the main Hillel lobby. Dinner was Persian chicken, rice, challah, my challah and sweet potatoes. Good quality food (and free) for the 50-75 who stayed through services for it. Birkat was limited to the first paragraph, though apparently the tradition is for the frummer students to cluster and finish while everyone else is cleaning up.
After dinner we spent a relaxed night in the suite listening to Wayne Ellington occasionally cranking up the bass in his room. Shabbat morning I went to services with Miss K where she read Torah and I lead Torah service. Afterwards was free lunch and then back to the ranch for more hanging out/napping.
Saturday night involved dinner, football, a birthday party and then observing people at bars (as well as sampling delicious cheese fries).
Sunday brought a shopping trip, much more football (I'll spare you an analysis of why and how the Panthers won) and Hungry Russians for six. Eventually I peeled myself away and drove back down I-40 in the dark (not fun) before finally finding my way home. Once home I naturally watched the Giants - Cowboys shootout before making a midnight airport run.
Shanah Tovah.
# posted by Daniel @ 1:01 AM 
