ah, israel, how i've missed you

no, really. i wouldn't joke about something like that.



i didn't go out the other night - my last night in cape town and i passed out into such deep slumber that there was no returning until morning. i'm still irritated about that.

i spent the last morning getting photos printed and doing some last minute shopping with my mother. protoplasm, cuz and family, and my sister and her son came over during the packing to say goodbye, and then we were off.

it's always a very confusing time. leaving cape town is never easy. as luck would have it, my mother saved the day by accidentally having brought my israeli sim card with her - that would have been disastrous if i'd left it behind.

i don't really remember the flight to johannesburg. except that one of the engine bolts was loose, and during landing it kept sliding in and out. worrying, that. i was going to mention it on the way out, but aside from the fact that i was in a hurry, everyone behind me was pushing to get out. here's hoping it's no biggie.

i fortunately made my connecting flight, and had about an hour to spare ambling aimlessly around the duty free area, reading, smoking last cigarettes, and boarding was delayed so we spent about half an hour just sitting by the gate waiting.

the flight back was actually quite pleasant - the lady next to me wasn't talkative, but was polite, and i didn't have to get up the entire time. i just dozed or read, and watched the movie step up, which wasn't too bad if you actually like dance.

i got off the plane at 7am, got my baggage, and took the train to tel aviv. i got home, showered and shaved and brushed my teeth, and went to my base to pick up my things from the kid's desk. everyone was surprised to see me - i wasn't supposed to go back there at all - but i didn't have much time so i just said hi and disappeared.

the mongoose was upset about my not having contacted him before i left for south africa; it was only this afternoon that we finally got the story sorted out. i dropped off his gifts, and made my way to the primary base.

our commander there is usually the source of all our problems, but today she was actually pleasant and trying to be helpful. unfortunately, somebody else fucked everything up, and i've been sent back to the base i've just left. i have about a month to go before i'm released... and i don't actually have anything to do now that piles has replaced me... and i've already said goodbye...

i called up my commander to inform him that i'll be back in the office tomorrow. i'm fairly relaxed about the whole thing; at least i have contingency plans. worst case, i'm essentially getting a month's holiday to sort out my post-army shit.

after screaming at the secretariat for a bit, i went to work to say hi and have lunch with spot. and the new "programmer": i walked in, and finally had an opportunity to shout "who are you? and why are you sitting in my seat?" :P

i came home, slept for a couple of hours, woke up and had a chat with the kid, messed around online for a bit, and went to cafeneto to sit with spot again. all the friendly waitresses were there tonight except for sunshine... i can't say i'm not disappointed. i'm now going to have a shower and go to sleep; i guess tomorrow's a "normal" day for me.