Hi there.

I don't know what to write, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive and well. I don't know if I posted it before, but here is that link to the Sandwich Shop. www.ham-cheese.com.

NASCAR?

OK, OK, OK, so I can't post everyday like I wanted, but I'm posting now so back off. As you can imagine I have been really busy, but I bet you can't guess what I'm doing right now. I'm watching NASCAR. I don't know what the heck is going on, but from a broadcasting point of view they have to have atleast 3000 commentators, and all of them are WAY too into the racing. But I guess it is a red state thing. Anyway enough of that it is night time and almost time to go to bed. This weekend is going to be a working weekend so who knows when I'm going to be able to post again, but I'll try.

Title

OK so I missed a day, but I was busy. Yesterday was a regular day like I haven't had in a long time. It was full of work and school. It is back to the grind and no sign of relief ahead. It looks like I'm not going to have a day off until we open in hopefully two weeks. My work life is now filled with the little things like toilet paper and light bulbs. It is the little things that we have been putting off because we knew it would just take 2-3 days to take care of. Worrying about the little things also means that we are in the home stretch. Most of the big things are either taken care of or finishing. OK well now it is back to work.

New Shoes

Today, Lena and moved around a bit and I met up with Gary to see what more needs to be done with Ham & Cheese before we open. There is still alot to do and it is days like this that make openning day seem so far away, but it will be here soon we just need to keep our noses to the grindstone and everything will work out. After meeting Gary, Lena and I went to see the Anton Corbain Exhibition. He takes artistic pictures of famous people. I liked it. Lena says she liked it too. From the exhibition we went to the mall to look for an airmatress for when Adams comes to visit, but they were all out so we are just going to have to wait. In the mean time I bought new shoes. Overall things are going well, tomorrow it is back the Sandwich Shop.

Summer Sun

Well the midsummers festival is over and Lena and are bedridden due to the sun poisoning recieved after falling asleep on the beach. The party itself was great and I hope to have pictures up somewhere for all to see. Other than that nothing else is really going on. Sorry so short, but my face hurts.

Hey Hey

Hey Hey everyone look at me I've got internet at home now. Lena and I decided that this really would mak everything so much easier, with work and school. The price is right and it is cable internet so it is fast. Of course this means that the night before the Jani celebration we are staying up and playing for the internet and more importantly the internet functions on alot of my Mac software. What this means for you guys is that I will finally be able to keep up with all the posting. So stay tuned for all the latest.

Wow it has almost been a whole month

I can't believe that it has been that long since I've posted. You will have to forgive me, because I've have been so busy that I even haven't had a drink in two weeks. OK thats is not as bad as it sounds, but I have been really busy. The Sandwich Shop now to be known as Ham & Cheese is around three weeks away from opening. Things are going really well of course everything has it's ups and downs but the overall movement is a good one. In other news today I acompanied Lena to the airport. She is going to a conference in Pottsdam, Germany concerning cultural management. She will be back on Sunday. I really don't have time to rant as I usually do so this amount of information will have to do for now. It might be that the next time I post the Shop will be open.

Everybody! Everybody!

Everybody! Everybody!

Here is a link to the homestarrunner website for those of you who don't know or for those of you who have forgotten I strongly encourage you to catch up on your strongbad emails. I am going to try and post everyday again like I used to, but I'm not promising any awe inspiring posts. Most of them will probably be just like this.

Back to the Grind

Well now that Aris has left I can return to the stress filled routine that is my life, but before I do that I wanted to post, because I know that the last few posts have just been quick ones, so I wanted to have alteast one normal post before I start running around again. Overall things are going well the sandwich shop is alittle behind schedule, but it is nothing of major concern, because now that we have found a place next to the University of Latvia our target audience is students who will only be there in the fall, so it gives us a little time to work with and set things up so that everything works great. In other news school is also going well although, due to health problems with the professor's mother last week and this week we won't have lectures, which is good, because it gives me time to catch up on all the work and reading, but of course I only wish all the best for the professor's mother. Due to school, I haven't been keeping up with my Lettonia responsiblities, and hopefully this week I will beable to let the guys know that I haven't forgoten about them. In fact tonight is an important night which I will beable to attend, but this weekend is a larger event that I won't beable to attend. In other news my uncle Dzintars in coming to Latvia on Wednsday with his family, I don't really know how this is going to affect everything that I have to get done, but I haven't seen them in a long time and it will be nice to catch up on how they are doing. In news that I had completely forgoten, the Kentucky Derby took place last Saturday and I missed it along with all the pre-coverage. Today I read everythiing I could in the New York Times about what happened and when the next race in the tripple crown is. the problem is that the race is run at 6 pm EST which means 02.00 (2 AM) here, so it dosen't look like I'm going to see that one either, but hopefully I will have time to read what is going on, maybe I can fine a copy of the New York Times somewhere. Anyway, I guess this post is long enough, and I think I have run out of things to say so I'll just stop.

More of the Same

I know I have been really slacking in the Blogging department, but I've been busy so lay off. It is raining today, which makes my daily running around that much more of a pain. Tomorrow is a day off, because of independance day. If the weather were nice Lena and I would go somewhere, but it dosen't look like that is going to happen. Overall things have been going well. Aris is in town so I've been spend a lot of time with him, because it could be another eight years before I get to hang out with him again. Tonight is the Latvia vs USA hockey game at the world championships in Austria. Latvia needs a win or a tie and the U.S. needs a big piece of humble pie. I still don't know where I'm going to be watching the game, but those kinds of things always seem to work out in the end. OK, well I guess I've done enough ranting for this week. Who konws when I will post again.

Crapload

A whole crapload of stuff has happened since the last time I posted. I don't have a lot of time so I'm going to have to make this quick.

1. Turned 24, parties were fun, low key, but fun.
2. Started School, I'm going for an MBA in Marketing and a teaching certification to teach English in Venice in the fall.
3. We found a place for the Sandwich Shop. It is right outside of old town between the University of Latvia, Rigas Cultural Center and the National Opera.
4. Lena and I booked our flights to Pisa, Italy.
5. Lenas friend Iveta had her second child, Roberts.
6. Aris is in town.

That is all I can think of at the moment. I don't know when I'm going to beable to post again, but I'll have to make an effort to keep on top of this so that everyone knows what's going on.

Just checking

I'm just checking in. Lena and I are doing fine. Things are going well. The Sandwich Shop is moving along nicely, we are just having some real estate issues, but everthing else is ready to go. Once everything is up and running things are going to be better. O.K. I don't think I have anything else to say so keep it real, but make sure that keeping it real doesn't go wrong.

Sorry no Pictures

Since I can't post pictures easily without the right click option I am going to have to resort to writting. Overall things are going well. The sun is shining and the temperature outside is slowly climbing. It was rainny over the weekend which was kind of a bummer, because we really couldn't do anything. However, on Saturday we went shopping, and if you've been reading this blog then you are aware of my feelings on shopping. I'm just waiting for the wind to die down and then we will beable to enjoy the great weather outside. OK well as you may have noticed I don't really have anything to write about so I'm just going to stop now and let you get back to whatever it was that you were doing before this.

Hey.

Hey there, how is everyone? I know, I know, it has been way to long since I've written. Anyway, the sandwich shop is going well. Things are moving forward. They aren't moving forward as fast as I would like, but atleast they are moving. Outside of work things are also going well. Of course money is tight, but that is nothing new, and I've come to terms with the fact that money will always be tight, because as soon as there is extra money then imediatly something is though of to do with it. The weather has gotten a whole heck of alot better and hopefully I'll be sitting on the beach relaxing, before the month is through. OK, well I think that is enough ranting and raving for one post. P.S. Another reason that I haven't been post so often is because since I have to use my laptop to post I can't right click to post pictures and the spell checker dosen't work. I am a terrible speller, and when I can't think of the correct spelling I just usually delete the whole sentance. I apologize for any misspelled words.

Lieldienas

I hope everyone had a great easter. I don't have alot of time so I'll give you the quick run down. On Thursday Lena and I got a ride to Madona from Lena's schoolmate Sintija. We took Pepper along, because he would have been four days home alone. Unfortunetly we forgot to not feed him before we left so he crapped twice in his box on the way. Lena and I were very embarassed. On Friday Lena had to meet with the organizer of Madona's summer concert festival to do an interview for a project for school. After that We meet Lena's other classmates and their respective significant others to go and visit Sintija at her work, which is a lovely french cheatue in the countryside. We had a wonderful evening and many of the pictures in the link are from that night. Then starting on Saturday and following through to Sunday we met with both Lena's grandmothers and a few aunts and uncles. Those would be the family pictures. The wig pictures were from Easter Lunch at Lena's uncle. The other pictures that are of Lena's sister and friend who were fasinated by the digital cammera and you can see the results. Overall it was a great trip and Lena and I are both sad that it had to end.

MYFOTO

Post

This is just a quick post to check in and let everyone know I'm still alive and kicking. Things are going well with Baltic Sandwiches, but slower than I had imagined. Lena and I are going to be heading to Madona for Easter, which should be fun. I don't have a picture to post, but I should have several when we get back. Anyway it is gradually getting warmer and everyone keeps saying (praying) that spring is around the corner. OK, well I guess that is all for today.

JD 2005 - Bildes

Hey, since I don't have any new pictures of my own I'm going to post the pictures of my brother Adams' organized Jauniesu Dienas. It looks like everyone had a great time, and I'm glad to see so many new faces that make me feel older and older with every picture.

JD 2005 - Bildes

BlogThis!

I jut found this thing that allows me to blog whatever I see on the internet with a click of the botton. So I'm trying it out. I realize that I haven't been keeping people up todate on whats going on in Latvia so here is a link to one of Aarons stories. I couldn't think of a good picture today, so I'll try and do better tomorrow. In other news today was the first day in a long time when the temperature went above freezing.


Art - The Baltic Times- NEWS FROM ESTONIA,LATVIA AND LITHUANIA

Little Post Big News

I have a boatload of stuff to do, but I realized today that I haven't posted in a while and thought that I should. Well it is official now so I can tell you what the Big Project has been. There is a group of us that are opening a Sandwich Shop in Riga. The Company is called Baltic Sandwiches and thats about all we have right now. I've been working on it full time since I quit The Baltic Times. Gary has been in the states doing research and putting together a menu. He gets back tomorrow, and that is when things get thrown into full gear. There is a massive amount of things that need to be done and very little time to do them in, because we want to be open by the end of April as to hit the tourist rush that is expected. OK, gotta go.

British Embassy

IMG_0148
Originally uploaded by Auseklis.

This is a picture of when I went to the British Embassy to recieve our diplomas from the British Ambassidor to Latvia. I have been taking these Marketing and Management classes so that I can one day get an MBA. Overall things are going well, from this picture that is a few weeks old I realize that I should take more pictures as to keep you people up to date.

Hello There

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy so lay off. Things are going well. At the very least I am much more relaxed since I quit The Baltic Times. I am currently at The Baltic Times office patiently waiting my pay check, which is always a stressful time, because no one ever knows how much they are going to get. All it takes is for the boss to come up with another way to motivate the workers and there goes half the pay check. Anyway, enough about me here are some pictures from the party Aaron threw from Aelita who is here visiting for a few days.

Time to Start Anew

Well today is my last regular day at work here at The Baltic Times. I'm sure that I'm going to come back to finish up some stuff at some point. I have to write a few invoices so that I keep getting the 10% commission every month that I was promised. It also means that I might not be posting for a while, because I won't have free access to a computer, but don't worry I will continue to post even if it won't be every day as it has been up until now.

This picture was taken this past weekend in Madona at the dance following the "žeton vakars" for the high school that Ļena went to. The other two people in the picture are Māra and Mārtiņš. They both graduated with Ļena. I don't know what Mārtiņš is doing with his finger, but I'm sure it is meant to be cool.



Anyway, so I guess that is all for now. Wish me luck.

Quick Post

Sorry no picture today, I just wanted to say hi and that we are heading to Madona for the weekend so we should have some great pictures from there when I come in for my last day of work on Monday.

I'm Back

Sorry I was sick for the last two days and hence my reason for not posting, but now I'm back and ready for more. I don't know if I mentioned this before but Dad was in town visiting for a few days, I didn't get to see him much because he was running around doing things for work, but here is a picture of when we went to lunch one day. I like this picture because I think Lena look particularly good in it.

Vincent's First Month

Hey here is a picture of my nephew Vincent upon arriving home from the hospital after being born. He is about a month old. We were all a little worried that he was dangerously underweight from the first pictures we were sent here, but he seems to be growing fine and should be running around and causing trouble in no time.

Early Post

I know that I usually post later in the day, but today is a busy day with a bowling tournament at the end of it. Yes, it is that time of the year again when The Baltic Times organizes a bowling tournament for the diplomatic community, and that is one of the most boring event I have ever attended. On the up side this could be the last bowling event that I will attend. Anyway enough with the complaining and more with the photos. This is a picture of me with my "Krāsu tevs" (Frat Big Brother). I know that all of my pictures have been of Lettonia, but that will change soon as soon as I have time to copy the pictures off of my computer at home and bring them to work to post them. Things like that take time which I don't have a lot of.



To make up for the third Lettonia picture in a row here is a link to a better Latvian photo blog. Canned environments.

Hey That Guy

This picture was taken right after I recieved my "Krāsas" (colors). Lena mentioned that there is a contest "Latvijā" (in Latvia) somewhere where you can enter pictures that have interesting people or things in the background. The guy in the background is one of our new "fukši" (pledges), but I have no idea what the heck he is doing.



In other news I decided not only to post a photo a day, but also to use a Latvian word everyday to expand your vocabulary. (You can thank me later)

Welcome to my Photoblog

So much to tell, so little time. I haven't blogged since Friday so let me start there. Friday I had my Olderman Exam which went well, but not as well as I would have wanted it to. Saturday I went to watch the fencing tournament, where Andris from our frat won. Woohoo! Sunday was a lazy day filled with shopping and relaxing. Monday during Lunch Dad and I went to go get me a digital camera. We bought the Canon PowerShot A85 it is great a will fill the little free time I had very nicely. The best part of the camera is that now I will beable to post pictures of the stuff I talk about on this blog. On Monday night I received my colors in the fraternity. The first few pictures that I'm going to post will all be from that night. Needless to say I was really up to par on Tuesday, but today I'm feeling much better. So here is the first photo. (Drum Roll)



This is a picture before I got my colors with Andris who won the fencing tournament and has been teaching me fencing for the past few weeks.

Bizz, Bizz

Well, last night I passed my fencing test and I have the scars to prove it. Today has been filled with the Big Project and nervousness about the Olderman Exam I have to take tonight. The Olderman Exam is a general exam about the Fraternity, it's history and the way things are done. After that I have to sing three songs that I'm not sure I know, because I have been running around all day I haven't had time to look at them. The big thing is the exam if I don't pass that then there is no point worrying about the songs, so in a "worst-case" situation I can save them for Monday, but that will be cutting it really close. If all goes well tonight then Monday I will find out if I get my colors or not. Anyway, as then say in Latvia..."hold your thumbs" (cross your fingers).

The Best Worst Day Ever

Today started off bad. I was late getting up and going to work then we had two Major set backs with the Big Project. We are behind schedule and today we thought that we would move ahead, but document problems push us back to Monday. The other big problem was that we lost the space that we thought we were going to move into, but everything is O.K., because I just got back from a meeting where we found a bigger and better place that is just slightly more expensive. It is a good thing I over estimated a few things in the budget to cover these kinds of situations. In other news I have to take my fencing test today, so of course I'm a little nervous, but I've been doing fine so far and the only thing I was worried about was the fact that I was having a bad day and I didn't want that to affect my test. I have been reassured by the turn of events surrounding the new place. That is all for now. Have a nice day.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've got soooo much to do and so very little time to do it in I don't know what is going to happen. I have to memorize I bunch of stuff for Lettonia by Friday so that I can pass the exam. The exam is the big thing at the moment. The Big Project is way behind schedule, but it will have to wait until next week, because I have to get this Lettonia stuff done so that Dad can see me get my colors, while he is here. I only have two problems with the Big Project and they are that I don't have the money right now and that if we don't get things done so we might lose the space we want to move into by the end of the month. Other than that things are going well. Well, actually I haven't been able to see much of Lena, because of all the stuff I have to do, and it has been really depressing me. I want to spend more time with her, but I guess that will just have to wait until next week. She starts school tomorrow, which means that we are going to see even less of each other. Right now it sucks, but I just keep telling myself that all this is just so that latter on in life everything will be taken care of and we can be together as much as we want. Sorry, ranting again. Anyway, in other news I gave up hard alcohol for Lent which starts today. I still haven't found a church that I want to be a part of here in Riga, but I figured I'd give something up for Lent anyway. Hey, anything that washes away your sins can't hurt. Except the Spanish Inquisition.

The Weekend Re-Cap

It is that time again for the Weekend Re-Cap. On Friday Dad arrived, but Lena and I only got to see him for a few minutes because we were on our way to Madona to see Lena's family. Friday night we walked around Madona and ate a lot. On Saturday we slept in and then went to visit Lena's grandmother and her aunts who only speak Russian. So it was a learning experience for me. Now, I know from where Lena gets her attitude. She has an aunt that likes to argue just as much as Lena does. That night we met Lena's friends Liga, Ieva, and Aleksis for a night on the town in Madona which means sitting in the only bar I've ever sat in, in Madona which is run by a guy named Harold who speaks German and likes to fish. After we were all kind of drunk we went home and went to sleep only to wake up early so that we could catch the bus back to Riga. We arrived in Riga on Sunday afternoon and met Dad for an early dinner before I had to go to "Paukstundas" (fencing) at the Lettonia house, I received a couple of bruises, but it is all part of the fun. After Lettonia I went home and tried to get some sleep but that didn't happen and after a few hours I had to leave to go get Dad so that we could go to Paddy Whealan's to watch the Superbowl. The usual crowd of expats were there it was fun until the game started. The Eagles choked as all Philadelphia teams choke. The city has broken my heart so many times I don't know if I can ever trust it again. The last quarter of the game was a joke the Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb was definitely no aware of the clock, because as they ran out of time down by three points to lose the game. Because I stayed up watching the Superbowl I didn't come to work yesterday. It was nice I slept until one and worked on the project a little before I had to go to Lettonia again. I have to go everyday this week with a whole lot wrapping up on Friday. If everything goes well next weekend I should receive my colors and then I can focus on more important things like Lena.

An Anouncement

Today is my brother's birthday. You may remeber him from such roles as : "My Brother", "The Guy Who Lived in the Next Room", and the award winning "Hey, its that Guy!" Anyway all joking aside I just wanted to wish him a happy birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAMS!!

Sink or Swim

Well, I handed in my letter of resignation today. I'm going to work until the end of the month, but that will be it. Then it will be either sink or swim. I don't know how it happened, but I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, and it doesn't look like I'm going to stop anytime soon. If you have been reading, then everything that I've been waiting for and planning is going to happen this month. It is funny how things work out. Actually it is not funny at all, it is crazy. Anyway, let me just stop myself before I start ranting and raving. I've said my piece for the day.

The Weekend

What can I say? Friday was fun. Saturday was a blast. Sunday was terrible. Monday I'm tired and queasy. Everyone catch that? Let me start at the beginning. Friday after work I went to Lettonia which was fun. Saturday during the day I went to a fraternity fencing tournament, but had to leave before the fun started, because I had to get ready for the party. The party was a blast. Everyone showed up, which was my biggest worry going into the party, because last year for my birthday very few people showed up. After the party a bunch of us went out for drinks and Pelmeni so we didn't make it home until 4 or 5. Needless to say I was pretty far gone by the time I got home. Everything was fine until the next morning when I was woken up by the sound of someone doing the technocolor yawn. Only when I completely woke up did I realize that it was me. Needless to say the entire next day was spent making long-distance calls on the big porcelain telephone. Every half hour on the dot. You could have set your watch by it. I couldn't even keep water down. Anyway that's enough of the enthralling visualization for one day. Today I'm feeling much better. It will deffinetly be a name day that very few people will forget.

8351 Karlis's in the World.

Well, today is my name day, and it has been constant running. I have had sooo many things to do that I still don't know if I'm going to be able to do it all. After celebrating at work, I have to go to Lettonia for more fun in the sun, but Lena's uncle whose in Riga for the night wants me to go drinking with him and buy a car from a guy he knows. Lena's uncle Valdis is more myth than person. The stories about him are bigger than him. He's the only person I know who has gone to work in another country and then gets there and decides not to work, because he was offered a better job than the one he was promised. OK, I'm not going to continue to talk about him, because it just upsets me, but now I'm faced with the situation that I have to get out of drinking with him so that I can go drink with the Lettonia guys. Oh, well I'll think of something. Stay tuned for the party update and hangover on Monday.

Blogger

I don't know if the last post worked so I'm not going to re-write it. There was really only one important thing that deserves repeating and that is to wish my mom an happy names day, but I still don't think that she read this blog. OK, thats enough for now. I'm tired.

Better Day

Today, I'm doing much better (thanks for asking). No sick feeling, and only minor nervousness about having to fence everyday for the next three weeks. There is something soothing about whacking another guy with a steel blade that takes away fear. In more good news for my final test I won't have to worry about being strapped into protective gear, because there won't be any. No shirt, a helmet, and a heavy cloth that protects the lower parts. In case you haven't noticed, I have gone completely into "Lettonia" mode. Much to the dismay of Lena. These are going to be a tough three weeks, but if successful it means that I will beable to spend more time with her, and as the project with Gary gets underway it means more money for us. I just hope that she understands. I have a few things planned that I hope will cheer her up when things get crazy and I'll be spending most of my time at Lettonia.

Fear

I am currently ill, because of the McDonalds that Lena and I had at lunch. I think I eat McDonalds too infrequently for my stomach to handle it. Lena loves it, but realizes that it is unhealthy and only eats it when she gives into the temptation that is McDonalds. They pump the smell of burgers and fries into the street so that everyone that walks by gets a craving. Worse then being sick is that fact that today I have to fence in Lettonia and now on top of being incredibly nervous I am also sick. I don't know why I'm nervous. Actually I know exactly why I'm nervous, but I don't know why it is a crippling nervousness. During fencing, each fencer is strapped into protective gear. I have a fear of being strapped into anything. I don't know where this fear came from. Most people avoid things that they are afraid of, but I can't avoid fencing. I have to fence so that I can get my colors when my Dad comes to visit. He is going to be here from the 4th until the 22nd, and there are many things that I have to finish before the 14th of Feb. deadline. Anyway, I think I've exposed enough weakness for one day.

Go Eagles!

Last night I watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons. OK, so I didn't see the end of the game, but they were winning when I left in the middle of the 3rd quarter. I had to go because otherwise I would have had to walk the 40 min. home in the -2'C weather. It is a great feeling. Fourth time is the charm. Now it is on to the Superbowl. Which I will be watching Live at 1:30 AM on Monday morning. In other news, Lena and I spent all day Saturday just relaxing, but because I was out last night watching the game I don't feel anymore relaxed than normal, but overall things are going well in my life. I just need to keep control on the projects I have going on right now, while at the same time trying to keep my job long enough to quit. The next big thing on my plate is getting my colors in Lettonia. My day is coming on the 4th of Feb, and I have until the 14th to get everything done. It doesn't leave me with a lot of time, but with a little luck and a whole lot of studying I should be able to get things done. Somehow this turned into larger post than I intended, but I guess I've said everything I needed to say at this moment.

Quick Post

I'd like to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday, I don't think she reads this, but I thought I should say it anyway. In other news, there is no other news other than this blog that is one of the featured blogs on blogger.com. Iraq.

Hey There.

This past weekend was full of events. On Fri. in Lettonia we had our first Guest Night to recruit new members and one German from Curonia (The Baltic-German Fraternity where Lettonia's founders got the rules that govern Lettonia) showed up. It was an interesting evening overall. On Saturday, I had my last lecture in Management, because the last two classes last year weren't held. Now, I have three case studies that I have to finish by Friday. Also on on Saturday, I discussed the future of the second project on my list of projects, but this project doesn't have a hurried deadline and we can take our time, which is nice. Saturday night, I went over to Aarons for a little gathering, while Lena went and partied with her friends. Sunday I met with Gary and we talked about the major project. Things are going forward. I just need to figure out if will beable to add to the money that is needed to start the business. Sunday evening, I went to Paddy's to watch the NFL playoffs where the Eagles beat the Vikings. There were two of us rooting for Philly and a whole table of Minnesota fans. Next week will be the deciding game against the Atlanta Falcons. That is going to be a big game that everyone in Philadelphia is worried about because it will be the fourth consecutive time that the Eagles will play in the NFC Championship game. They have lost the previous three times. Go Eagles!

Happy Name Day Roberts

It was pointed out to me that I didn't post yesterday and that I still haven't posted today, so I' m posting now. I don't really have anything to say other than to wish all the Roberts a happy name day and that winter seems to be right around the cornner. It has been eerily warm so far in Latvia, but the temperature is heading south in a fast way. Atleast all the storm warnings are over. In other news today is the first guest night of the season for Lettonia, so if anyone wants to join just let me know, you have until the 28th of Jan. Which also happens to be my name day. Oh, and before I forget sometime next week I think I'm finally going to revel what the big project is that I'm working on, because nex week we will finalize the paper work so that we can sue the pants off of anyone that tries to steal the ideal. Once the idea is safe I'll let everyone know what it is and gladly accept any suggestions or words of wisdom. I guess that is all for now. I'll let you know if anything changes.

Introducing Vincent

I was informed today that yesterday my sister Elena gave birth to Vincent Oliver Thaemilitz weighing in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 in. Happy Birthday and Congratulation to the parents.

Hurricane and a cure for the common cold

Well, the big news in Latvia is The Storm. Lena and I are fine though, so thanks for asking. Here is a picture of where Lena and I spent New Years (Minus the Roof). Apparently its not over yet either. Parts of Estonia are being evacuated for a second wave of flooding and high winds.

In other news, Lena is sick, and unfortunately I have way too much to do to be able to take care of her like I want to. But most of the stuff is just today, so tomorrow I'll beable to spend the whole evening with her. The cures I have in mind start with tried and trusted Melnais Balsams which is a drink that many of my friends will attest to as being able to cure a cold all most instantly. After that its just a lot of Soup, Garlic, and Vitamin C. I'll let you know if it works.

Thank Goodness it is Friday

Its Friday...Woohoo! Lena and I are going to a concert tonight...Woohoo! We are going to sleep all day tomorrow...Woohoo! Its dark..I'm tired..I don't want to be at work...Woo!, um, er...yeah. I have come to the conclusion that the weather has a direct effect on everyone in Riga and possibly everyone in Latvia. Today was disturbingly dark. I woke up incredibly tired. I got to work and one of my colleagues was asleep at her desk. All anyone has been able to talk about all day is how tired they are and how no one has any motivation to work. Lena has been stuck alone at work for most of the day due to one of her colleagues being sick. We tried to chat but the stupid computers at my job are running Linux and the root system is password protected so I can't get any of the chat programs to work right. I would hate to be at work alone. I think I would go insane trying to figure out things to do. I know it sounds crazy, but I sometimes get the feeling that their is nothing worth while on the internet anymore. How many times can you read BoingBoing? In one day when your seven hours ahead of everyone.

A good day.

Today is a good day. Gary and I have found another solid investor is our project and he has OK'd a place. The place is a little small, but doesn't need a whole lot of renovation and we wouldn't have to go through an agency, so things are looking up. Gary is getting more and more excited by the day. I just hope that the business won't let us down. In other news this is the first day in a long time where I'm going to go home and make Lena dinner. I really like making dinner for Lena, but the past few weeks have been so packed that I haven't been able to just leave work at 18.00 (6 pm), go home and make dinner. Today I'm going to try out a new recipe that fits her new blood type diet. Overall things are going well. In other news I have become fascinated by this new blog about t-shirts. One of the newest posts is how to turn old t-shirts into underwear. Preshrunk.

Projects, Projects everywhere and not a drop to drink.

Most of the projects I'm working on have stalled and so today I started planning my name day celebration on the 28th of Jan.. I've planned everything except where I'm going to get the money to pay for it, and since today was payday and the 28th is at the end of the month I doubt that there will be enough left to pay for the party. I had planned to reserve a place with a sauna, pool table, and ping pong table. Last year I just invited everyone to a bar and it actually turned out nice, so maybe I'll just do that again, but not at the same bar. The bar has changed. So I'll keep the plan for my birthday and look for a bar that has enough space to fit all of my friends, which seems to be getting fewer and fewer by the year. If this keeps up I'll only need a closet and a mirror to throw a party. No pity for me, I'll be fine. By the way, I mentioned yesterday that I entered Lena and I in a drawing, because Lena likes concerts. Well, I couldn't wait so it looks like we'll be going to a concert on Friday by one of Lena's favorite bands and the name of the street that we live on.

I blog therefore I am.

What to post. What to post. The snow is gone. It has been a warm December. There is a quote that I read off of a T-shirt on a blog, that said, "If I had a dollar for everytime I had 60 cents I would be Canada". I don't know why, but I find it funny. Its kind of like the World's End slogan "This shirt is pants". These little awkward sayings that don't make any sense but make people smile.
I just remembered something of value to post. Today, I entered Lena and I in a drawing to win tickets to a concert that has Latvian bands playing their hits from the past 15 years. I know how much Lena likes concerts and it would be really great if we could go. At the very least it would be something of interest to post.

Happy New Year!

The new year is here, full of new hopes and dreams. I know that it has been awhile since I've posted so I'll do a short re-cap of whats going on and then get to some links that I think are worth mentioning.
Lena and I spent Christmas and new years in Madona. It was a lot of partying and good times had by all. There were probably many many memorable moments, but seeing as how at the moment I don't remember any of them, I won't say anything. Anyway, its not time to remember the past. This is the time to look to the future, and as long as I can get my butt in gear, this should be a pretty great year. I still have a huge load of projects that I'm working on, but finally I'm wading through them, because the closer I get to some of them, the more I realize that they are not possible at this point in time and that I should focus on the ones that are not only possible, but beneficial as well.
OK. Thats enough ranting and raving.
This is a link to a tsunami blog that helps coordinate relief efforts and blogs from the disaster. Tsunamihelp.
This is a link to a ABCNEWS article declaring bloggers the 2004 people of the year. ABCNEWS.
This is a link to a blog about t-shirts. I like it. If I had the time I would make my own t-shirts. Preshrunk.