sore thumb

I haven't been blogging much due to a very sore thumb, which has been sore for weeks now. I finally today went to seek treatment, and it is still sore but I am now watching my bad mousing habits, the way I grip the mouse with my thumb, which makes no sense! Anyhow, I am almost recovered from our trip, we came straight into two days of holiday for Jewish New Year, computers and telephones off, much socializing with friends, a great way to reacclimatise. And this week it is Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, a fast day, an amazing time to be in Israel because the roads are almost completely empty of cars for 24 hours.... children take their bikes and skateboards (are they very 80s? Am I showing my age?) and ride down the middle of the streets, it's surreal. Apparently, scientists come to Israel to study what effect a car-less day has on air pollution every year. If only there were more days like this, and less cars. Yes, but, I do drive. Of course I do. I don't go that far...

I am busy planning my book launch for next Sat night, to which almost 200 people have been invited. I am hoping they don't all show up! Mainly because that is a really large number of people and I am not sure my friend JM who is hosting the launch in his beautiful flat, can take that many, and partly because I am going to be reading a few short short stories, and I don't want such a large audience, all staring at me. Hmm. I will have to get used to the idea. I have 140 books to sell, and am selling them around and about. I sold one last night at a meeting of a new party standing for the Jerusalem municipal elections. Nothing to do with the elections: a friend asked about the book, I whipped out a copy, money was produced, I signed it, much excitement! How lovely!

J is as we speak working on the films of my readings in Cork, will post those here and on YouTube shortly. I am trying to get over the fact that I hate seeing myself on film, that I look huge, is that really my nose? Get over it, get over it.

Ok, must get on with the October issue of The Short Review, taking it easy on the thumb!