Blimey! Another thrilling episode in my tale of how I ended up in Israel!

You can tell Christmas is coming, eh? I'm about to unpack the tinsel and Christmas tree, but first had to get this episode off my chest: Episode 11 of How I ended up in the Holy Land. But I promise, not a mention of Christmas, not even once...

And an early Christmas present for all my readers - this is me, back then, looking moody and magnificent. Nowadays it's less of the magnificent and more of the moody!

The saga continues of how I ended up in Israel...

Here's yet another episode - Part 10 - of just why I ended up in the Holy Land and stayed...this time it's back to something familiar, but with exciting stuff just round the corner...

Ninja Girl gonna get you!

The story of how I ended up in Israel continueth...

Oh yes, even more good stuff about some pasty white English lad landing in the Holy Land. And staying. So it's time for Part 9 - the summer of 93! The best summer of my life!

Madonna's concert in Tel Aviv: a review

So, the Queen of Pop paid Israel a little visit this week. In fact, she's still here. So Mads, if you're reading, nice job love! And can I touch those biceps?

Seriously, a knockout concert, the lady knows how to put on a performance. If you have the chance to catch her live, go and see her (although you'll have to wait for the next World Tour now, as the Tel Aviv gigs were the last of her tour). I was well impressed.

And here's the full review of the Madonna concert in Tel Aviv over at igoogledisrael.com, go check it out.

That time again. Are you sitting comfortably?

Time once more for another episode of my tale of how I ended up in the Holy Land, episode 8! Bleedin' 'eck, is it ever going to end?? Read it and weep baby!

I believe I can fly!

School is out. For good.

Well, that's it for the old English school in smallsville. I packed up this last week and finally lugged the yellow sofa out with a friend's MPV. I peeled off the branded window posters lovingly created by the missus, even swept the floor. But...there's nobody moving in to take over.

I couldn't find somebody to take it on even with the potential that is there in smallsville. Should have taken that big cash offer I had a few months ago, but you live and learn. I thought the business was worth more than the offer, so didn't snap it up.

And there's nobody taking over the lease of the shop, so the landlord is left footing the bill for the foreseeable future. The Recession has kicked in at smallsville, although the numbers of people wanting to learn English has not dropped. It really is a recession proof business, especially the kiddies market.

But for me, right now, it's not the right business. Maybe in the future, who knows. I've probably got all the tools to start it up again, much faster and much better. We shall see.

Meanwhile, I've saved all the best students for one afternoon a week, either sat in coffee shops or at their homes. Might just have to drink a beer and teach English at the same time...damn shame.

How I ended up in Israel - Episode 7!

Wow, episode 7 - is this ever going to end?! Some more good stuff, this time how and why I make an unexpected return to England. And not a deportation paper in sight! Enjoy!

My new baby

Being without regular employment takes some getting used to, especially after being pampered for the last 10 years in hi-tech. But hey, I'm enjoying it. And again, hats off to Corridor Land, who helped pay for this little thing below, because no employment means no company car means we had to go out and buy one...it's a Mazda Premacy, by the way.

Echoes from a corridor

Say what you want about Corridor Land, and hey, let's face it, I pretty much did, they have surprised me for the good yet again this week. Yes indeed, Corridor Land.

Let's say I was a little surprised when my bank called and said I had a dollar deposit in my account, and wanted to know if I'd like to convert it to shekels. I asked "Who the feck is sending me dollars, and so many of them?" and was delighted to hear her spell out the name in English - "C-o-r-r-i-d-o-r-L-a-n-d".

Apparently the options I bought upon leaving the place had come to fruition and that meant another chunk of cash in my bank account. This is the last one though, unfortunately. Full of shit they may have been, but administratively they run a tight ship, you've gotta admit.

I would of said the drinks are on me, but my overdraft swallowed it all up. Sorry innit.

4 The Dude

Today my boy hits the ripe old age of 4. Pic below isn't the best quality, but it's the best I have from his 4th birthday party in the kindergarten. Junior, you are the dudest dude I know, I hope you have a great great day and get all the presents you want (he actually received them all already!).
Love you loads,
Daddy anglosaxy

How I ended up in Israel...And stayed. Part 6!

As promised, more tales from my early days in the Holy Land, now we've reached Part 6. This time Saddam is defeated, but another Iraqi threat looms on the horizon...

Catch up

OK, so it's hot and sticky round here, innit. And I have some personal shit going down which is limiting my time a little and taking away a bit of the focus that I thought I'd have. News to come on all that, but until I get the nod from the guys in black suits, I can't let you know. Could be good news, could be bad, it's kind of all in the balance as we speak.

Had one of the hardest days of my life a couple of weeks ago when juniorette had to go in for a biopsy and they knocked her out for a few minutes. Ain't ashamed to say I had a tear in my eye when I left her on the hospital bed with her eyes rolling back as the anaesthesia took hold. Feckin' hard, I can tell you. A big respect goes out to all those parents who have really sick kids. My little princess looks like she has Celiac, which basically means a gluton-free diet for the rest of her life. Final confirmation on that next week. But Celiac is definitely a lot easier than some ailments out there, so we're not too upset, it's more of a learning mission on what foods she can and can't eat. We'll get there.

I have a fair amount of free time, which I'm devoting to the Internet and some freelancing here and there. And I can't wait to have the kids finish kindergarden this summer. The beach and my kids are so going to love each other this August!

That free time involves trying desperately to keep to a daily routine on the igoogledisrael.com site and blog, which is almost holding up amid ever-growing numbers. Much higher numbers than I ever got here on anglosaxy by the way...and I'm also dreaming of launching a footie site all about English footie and footballing wives, but it's a question of time. If anyone fancies joining forces with me on it, I'd be willing to strike up some kind of partnership to get it kicked off. Let me know if you're interested.

And no, not even looking for a "proper" job. After being humiliated by geeks anonymous at an interview at one of the big boys, I don't want to force myself into that shit again. Only if I really really have to...a long way down the road...

Yalla, off to write Part 6 of my adventures...will post a link here when I'm done.

Part 5 of my tale of how I ended up in Israel. Time for the Scuds!

Time for a return to the days of Saddam Hussein and Scuds and gas masks. And plenty of beer and feeding calves on moshavs. Here's Part 5 of my story of how I got to Israel, and stayed.

There's more! Part 4 of my story of how I ended up in Israel

Time for yet another episode of love and, er, travelling on boats. Here's Part 4 of my story of how I got to Israel, and stayed. Offers invited for screenplays, as long as Bar Refaeli is cast as my first Israeli girlfriend.

High as a kite

Part 3 of my tale of woe and joy - how I ended up in Israel!

Time for another rip-roaring adventure, here's Part 3 of my story of how I got to Israel, and stayed. Pictures are from a pre-digital era, so excuse the quality, innit.

Got to pay the bills

Went for another job interview this afternoon. Wasn't too bad, just didn't feel any chemistry despite my efforts at being fairly charming. The hours are good though and the work is fairly easy from what I saw, so it could keep the wolves from the door for a while. Had to do yet another test to prove my worth, but this one was probably the easiest test I've ever done. We'll see if anything comes of it. Had to pay 27 shekels parking (for 2 fecking hours only!) which really pissed me off, while the potential company's refusal to pay for it hopefully won't be a sign of things to come...if we get any further down the road...

Anyway, tomorrow you'll have another episode of my adventures to read, you have been warned!

The Depeche Mode concert in Israel: a review

Well, the event of the year has come and gone, at least for me anyway. Forget about the Pope, he's just an old Christian geezer here to stir up trouble, I'm talking about 3 lads from the home land, otherwise known as Depeche Mode.

This is a band I've grown up with over the last 29 years, and a one constant in my ever-changing life. Always loved them, probably always will. The show on Sunday was a big moment, not just for me, but for many Israelis. If you want to read my full, bodylicious review, see here.

And here's a clip of It's No Good, recorded by moi, arm hoisted high...enjoy!