Things here in Jerusalem are starting to cool down...in the literal sense. We've gone from 85 degrees to ~50 degrees in the space of a week. I wasn't aware, but apparently there are only two seasons in Israel, not four: Summer and Winter. Meaning that it stays above 80 degrees 6 months of the year, and then is sub 50 degrees 6 months of the year. Weak!

With "winter" has also come rainy season, which is kind of the reason I'm writing this blog. There are major differences in the way Americans and Israelis think about rain (and this ties back into my last blog post about appreciation). In America when it starts raining, we sing "rain rain go away, come again some other day." Why? Because rain is annoying. It makes us smelly. It's inconvenient, because it makes us wet. It increases traffic, it delays planes, etc etc etc.

But in Israel, people sing songs of joy when it rains. The Jews pray three times a day for rain. There's no phrase in Hebrew for "rain rain go away," only the popular moniker "rain: COME!" Even the cab drivers who don't believe in Gd, or even care about prayers or anything get all excited when it rains. In Israel, rain is a source of blessing and happiness.

Why? Because Israel is dependent on rain. No civilization can survive in the Middle East without a water source. And as countries have become increasing modernized, they have increasingly tapped out their natural water sources, lakes, etc. In order for industries to survive in Israel, in order for crops to subsist, rain must fall. Rain isn't a just natural phenomenon here, it's a necessity for staying alive.

But if you think about, that holds true for the entire world. We just don't appreciate it. We take our water sources for granted, and waste gallons upon gallons of water. But if there wasn't rain in the USA, our famers would die out as well. Our lawns wouldn't be perfectly manicured green. We couldn't go golfing. Rain is undoubtedly inconvenient. But the Israelis have the proper appreciation for rain, because it's far more relevant to their lives on a day to day basis. I've read articles that Las Vegas may run out of water in the next 10-20 years. If so, I think its citizens will have a far greater appreciation for rain when they're forced to ration every last drop of water, and their lives change significantly.

Anyways...that was my one point for the day. I have other things to say, like I could rant about the stock market and my major swings lately, but I'm trying to care less. I've played poker once over the past two weeks, took a shot at some good $25/$50 games and ran ~3 buyins under EV to lose a lot of money. But it's okay. As always, I have enough, and there are other things to focus on.

Ttys soonsies,
Ezra M