Friday night I went back to my "roots" in Ann Arbor, to the Conservative Minyan (now
Dor Chadash). Impressive how far the Minyan has come in the years since I switched to the
Orthodox Minyan. I still don't know where I stand in terms of egal/non-egal, and would still rather call myself "observant" or "religious" than a label like "Conservative" or "Orthodox," but it was a nice service. Jeremy Baruch did a great job leading Kabbalat Shabbat, Carlebach style, and people were actually participating! Quite a stretch from my failed solo performance when I attempted to lead Carlebach style back in 2000.
Shabbas was walking through Ann Arbor, being entertained by old friends, a crazy squirrel eating a slice of pizza in the Diag, and colorful Ann Arbor personalities.
(Kid 1: "
Dude, we missed Hash Bash... What do we do now?"
Kid 2: "At least we made it here, man..."
drag on cigarette "Let's take a victory lap around the Diag.")
Kol HaKavod concert Saturday night was really good--I was impressed. Quite a difference from a few years ago, when their concerts were almost painful to listen to. Now they're actually good; I didn't even have to force myself not to cringe! And of course Fox got to go up for the traditional "alumni song,"
Nachamu. :) Party at the boys house afterwards made me realize I've gotten too old for house parties...
This evening Bethany, Roth & I went to the
Banff Mountain Film Festival. Oh my
goodness, was it amazing... Couple favorites:
"One World" is this intense kayak film, with huge whitewater. Totally awesome.
"A Russian Wave" is this hysterical film about this girl & guy scouting whitewater in Russia. And of course, my favorite,
"Alone Across Australia," the amazing tale of John Muir's solo hike across Australia.
Wow.
Bethany & I are going to go camping this spring, when I get back from Israel. I so can't wait...
