Here’s what I want, why I want it, how much it costs, where it can be purchased, and why I’m telling you this:

1. Toyo-View 45CF (4x5 field camera); $500 – $750:

Why: the camera I’m using for the past several months, on my current project, the one I bought used, then modified and altered, isn’t a 100% accurate, probably because of all this modification (but it was fun…). It really bothers me, I’m working so hard on this project for almost two years and there’s no reason why I should compromise on the quality of the final images, since I know they could be better if I had another camera… now, this camera I want is very cheap relatively, I’m not asking for the best, just something I can work with and be confident.

     • buy new or used

2. Treo 650 GSM, unlocked (cellular phone and PDA); $500 – $800:

Why: well, my mobile phone is almost three years old, the battery is terminally ill, sometimes it dies while the phone is ringing, sometimes in the middle of a conversation, even though it is fully charged. Sure, I can buy a new battery for $30, but this phone is too old, and can only have 120 numbers in memory. I really want this new one, it’s a PDA and phone in one, and has a huge, expandable memory for numbers, contacts and other information. With this project I’m doing now I meet new people every week, from different villages across the Negev, and need to stay in touch with them. I want to have all their info in my phone, which village they’re from, our dates and meetings, they’re image, etc… this would really make my work easier…

     • buy here

3. Laptop (I’ll let you know when I figure out which I want, but meanwhile, here’s one of the serious candidates…); $3000 - $4500:

Why: first; I travel often. Second; I work a lot with the computer, It’s almost a part of me. When I’m away from home I sometimes go crazy when I can’t continue to work or check and send mail. Often I go back home from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv only to do something on the computer. When I’m abroad I always use other computers and systems when giving lectures, presenting my work, etc… there are always problems and inconvenience. Besides, soon I’ll live in Austria and will need this anyway as my primary computer.

     • see here

4. A ticket for a few days in Barcelona - $300 - $500:

Why: just want to have a few days with a friend that lives there now, have a beer, listen to music, spend some quality time together. It’s not work or anything like the above items, it’s something for my soul…

     • sometimes cheap here



Why I’m telling you this: first you have to know, these are not all the things I want, rather it’s a very short list of the most urgent ones, the ones that keep my mind occupied and precious time spent carelessly in the above linked websites. Second, these are only the things that you might be able to help me with, and with relative ease. I didn’t write what my fantasies, ambitions or hidden passions are. Just a few material, easy-to-get things that can significantly help me in the near future. The thing is that I really put myself on a very limited budget since last year. I’ve stopped earning money (teaching) in June, to be free to work on the project full time, and as a preparation to leave to Vienna soon. A few requests for funding have been sent but nothing approved yet, nothing is clear. Meanwhile life goes on, I pay rent, buy food, pay taxes, use my car, and the project is very costly. Therefore I can’t buy these things at the moment. Thing is, later will be too late, especially with the first item and the other two are also kinda urgent in terms of work.
Just wanted to let you know all that, maybe some of you have some money and feel like doing a nice thing, maybe you want to help me with this project, which will also help a lot of other people in the future, maybe you were always looking for a way to show your support and appreciation, maybe you just want me to be grateful to you or want me to owe you or do something else in return... maybe you are the real Santa Claus!

I don’t know, it's the internet here, right? just trying my luck.