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Almost 9/11/11. And the media blitz goes on along with other recaps of the past decade.

Meanwhile, the world goes on in its crooked little way. And for me, let there be sleep! I really conked out last night and this morning. Didn't want to get up but finally did so.

Watched a strangely coincidental movie tonight: The Syrian Bride. A film by an Israeli about a woman who lives in the Golan Heights and is marrying a Syrian. The film depicts the many family members, each with their won turmoils, and how they come together to marry off one of their loved ones into a new life that she can never reverse. When she steps across the border into Syria, she can no longer return to the Israeli territories. The film managed to dip into many of the kinds of questions and problems that face the people in that area, as well as some larger political issues regarding borders, rights, and relative freedoms. Given what's taking place in Syria now, the film is somewhat prescient.

The rain and lightning storms last night started several fires, some of which may still be burning.

Read about a group of chimpanzees that were kept caged for over 30 years and have been released outdoors for the first time in their captivity. The animals were initially captured as lab animals for HIV research. For most of their lives they have been kept in cages with no contact with each other or access to the outdoors. The videos of their release show the animals looking happy and pleased with their new freedom. They could live another 30 years. Their new surroundings are in Austria in a park-like setting that was built expressly for them.