Saturday, July 04, 2009

My first 4th of July that I am celebrating in the states in 7 years. It has been many months, but sometimes it still feels weird to be back in the U.S..
Why is my life never in balance? When one part is going great another is failing. I would be happy if everything was average as long as i can avoid the terrible

Monday, April 06, 2009

A Good Day

Well, today was a good day. I went back to Millersville for the first time since I graduated, it was good. It was no where near as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I saw a few old friends and talked to the students who seemed slightly more interested in me being there then I had expected. After that as I was getting off the turnpike I received a phone call from my parents that they had found a new bar and were drinking, so I joined them. There is a new irish pub type place with a huge selection of beers and soccer on the TVs, after that I helped my mother take canned food to the soup kitchen, and now I am typing this so it has been a good day. Tomorrow starts another work week and next weekend is Easter, so I doubt I am going to get to relax for awhile. Anyway, things are looking up.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Nada Surf - Popular

"Three important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she prefers the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby you will remain friends"

Back to normal

Now that my brother has returned my life has returned to its regular routine. I am continuing the job hunt. Work is getting more bearable. I am glad I have a job, since so many people don't, but I am continuing the search to find the right job for me, even if it means moving out of Philly.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Free Time

Well, things are looking up. I am house sitting for my brother while he is on his honeymoon. Overall the time I have spent house sitting has been pretty uneventful. I realized that when I start living on my own again I will have to fill my life with other things like organizations or projects. It has been relaxing, and I know that tomorrow at work I will regret complaining about the free time, but that is the way it is.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Monday

Today is a regular Monday, but the best part about Monday is Top Gear. I can't wait.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring

The weekend is here...Spring is here...hopefully nice weather will be here as well. It is days like this that make me want to make a new start at life. Let's see what I recieve from the world this weekend.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

March Craziness

Well, today starts March Maddness. It is the first time in 6 years that I am going to beable to watch and or care about it. March Maddness always kinda made me wish that I would have gone to a "big name" school, but it is just with sports and everytime I tell someone that I went to Millersville. The first question is always "Where?" Don't get me wrong I loved my time at The Ville, but it is just sometimes like during March or college football season that I wish i could see my school's games on TV and follow their stats on ESPN. Oh well.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Ignore

So, I have come to a few conclusions. The one is that my job is so repetitious that it gives me alot of time to think, and as I have noticed before when I am left to my own thoughts they start to question everything, and while I do think that my situation might be my fault, because of the fact that I havent figured what to do about it, I have decided to do what I normally do with problems and that is to keep my head down and hope that it will go away. I know that it isnt the best idea, and I might change my mind after more thinking tomorrow, but for now I am going to ignore it.

Next

So, my quest to find out why I am where I am continues. If I were a business or a project I was working on I would answer the following questions. 1. Where am I now? Where do I want to be? What do I need to do to get there? How do I know when I am there? Now the problem is two fold. Either I don't know the answers to those questions or I don't want to admit to myself the answers to those questions. Admitting things to myself is a problem I have discovered. I have been doing things for certain reasons, but then when I look back at what I have done, I realize that the reasons had to be something else. I used to think that we should be judged by our actions, well if that is true, then I am screwed. I need to start doing better things.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Me?

Ok, so things haven't really gone the way I had hoped that they would. I usually instead of changing things just deal with what is given me, and if i was put in a bad situation, I would somehow distance myself from the situations and either make the most of it or just put my head down and move on, but after recent events I have started to wonder I the problem is me. Well it is alittle more that wondering, I am pretty sure the problem is me, but now the problem is that I dont know how to change that. I used to be an easy going person and an a**hole and it worked for me, but that might be the reason I am where I am. Either way, I have heard that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Well, I admit I am an a**hole.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Day four

Today was a slower day, but I am getting used to the people I work with. Also due to a meeting for long time employees I got to leave 45 min early so that is nice. One of the people I work with says we are doing well, I guess thats why we spent the last few minutes "looking busy", but I guess thats normal. Anyway, things are going well.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Day three

Today was a good day at work. I met some new people, and as much as I don't like people I have realized that they do affect the situation. The work I am doing seems to be more stable and regular. I guess it is the kinda of thing i am going to continue on doing. Even though things are looking up I am still continuing the search for a management job.

Day two

Well day two of work is over. I am settling into the job. I am troubled by the lack of thoughts I have while doing the job. The job is repetitive enough that I should beable to do the job while thinking of other things, but they dont seem to be there, maybe I am still too new and my mind is still focused on not screwing up. Either way, things are moving along.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Job

Well things are looking up. Tomorrow I start a warehouse job. Its a far cry from the management level stuff I have been doing, but at this point all I want is an honest days pay for an honest days work. So I am kind of excited, but of course I am not going to stop my search for something bigger and better.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Places

So, life right now is moving forward at a steady pace. I can't seem to catch a break with job openings. I keep making it to the third or final round of interviews and but then nothing. I am thinking that I need to get out of philly and head west. There seems to be more opportunity in places like Ohio. I dont know why, but Ohio doesnt sound like the kind of place I want to move to. I have passed through Ohio with not so good memories. I would like to go to DC, Baltimore, Boston. Anywhere but NYC. That place is too big for its own good. Too many people in a small area. I wouldnt mind being near a beach or a large body of water either. I dont mind traveling. I used to like it alot, but now I get irritated with people quickly when I am traveling.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Happy Hour

Well, things are moving along. Last night was a the "Happy Hour" at the Latvian House in Philly. It went great. I brought Alan and our "fuksi" Janis who is studying at Penn. Everyone had a great time. I have given up beer for lent and as such I was DD. I only had a few cocktails it was nice, but I have discovered that I get bored quickly when everyone is drinking and I am not. I am going have to figure out a game to play to myself to stay interested.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Update

OK, so it has been a really really really long time since I have used this blog, but I figure since I have a bit of free time, and since I want to expand my internet presence I figured I might as well give a little update of my life. I have moved back to the U.S. I am currently looking for a job. My reasons for leaving are based on several factors, but the major one is that the economic situation is shrinking faster than here. That is why my hope is that I will find something here in the U.S..

Friday, March 14, 2008

Twitter

Since twitter wont confirm my latvian mobile number then i am going to
twitter to my blog. I am sitting in c!q! trying to figure out what to
do tonight.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Success!!

I can blog from my phone. This should make this much more easy, and I will be able to blog more. OK. Thats it for now.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Test

Test

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Let's try this again

I was listening to the "This American Life" podcast where the topic was trying to remember things from your youth. One of the stories was about a guy and his diary. It made me sad for having to throw out my diary, but as I am not a sad person I wanted to start writting again and thought that the blog would be a great way of getting back into the swing of recording my daily life. I don't know how long I will do this but I will try my best.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Stumble

Since people are still stumbling upon this blog and since I don't know when I will beable to update it again I feel that I should leave information that is usefull for people that are looking for more information about Latvia. Here are a list of useful links that will help you in Latvia. The Second list is a list of stuff that I just think that I should link to.

1. Ham & Cheese

2. Riga, Latvia

3. Riga In Your Pocket

4. The U.S. Embassy in Riga

5. Riga City Council Website


1. Penn's Podcast

2. This Week in Tech Podcast

3. Funny Cartoons

4. The Best Source of News

5. Go Eagles!

Friday, July 28, 2006

1 year

Well on July 25th 2006 we celebrated 1 year since we openned Ham & Cheese. So we have passed the statistic of 3 out of 4 businesses fail in their first year. We haven't failed yet.

On another note I have decided that it is useless to continue this blog on a regular basis until I can blog by sms from Latvia or we get internet in the Sandwich Shop. When big things happen I of course will try to write about them, but as for the everyday stuff I just can't keep that going anymore.

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Best Day Ev..ar

Today we hit a new high in sales. I am really tired, but I had to tell someone so there you go. Goodnight.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Hockey

Well the chaos has begun. Old town is a wash with Scandinavians. You can follow all the action at www.hokejs.lv.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

More Work

My usuall day.

Sleep, Work, Eat, Email, Blog, Wash, Sleep.

Rinse, Repeat Wipe Hands on Pants.

Thats enough for today.

Friday, April 14, 2006

More Posts

Well I am posting again, but I don't really have anything to say, but I thought I would let you know about what my plans are for Easter. Tomorrow I have to work, but after that I am heading to Madona by bus. There I will spend Easter with Lena and her family. On monday morning I we be back on a bus to Riga inorder to go to work. Sometime next week is my birthday, but it looks like I will have to work on my birthday. We have been presented with an opportunity to sell Sandwiches at a sporting event which would be huge for us. I wasn't really planning on doing anything for my birthday anyway, because the next day is the grand ball of Lena sorority so we will celebrate there. If I remember I will take some nice Easter pitures to post. Wait for them.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Spring Has Sprung

Well just as soon as the snow hit the ground it melted and spring started, but of course with spring comes rain. It is also Palm Sunday or as it is known here as Pussywillow Sunday, because Palms don't grow this far north and pussywillow have been used for thousands of years here to ward off evil and sickness. Anyway, that is you knowledge dosage for today.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

IMGP1560


IMGP1560
Originally uploaded by Auseklis.
I want this to be my new profile picture, but it is too big. I will have to make it smaller somehow.

Lets blow the dust off of the blog.

Yeah so I guess it has been a long time since I have blogged so I guess I need to make up for lost time, but of course as always as soon as I start writing I forget what I was going to write about. It sucks that I can't blog from my phone through sms. Anyway, It was snowing here yesterday. SNOWING IN APRIL. Yeah... I don't know how much more of that I can take, but today was a great spring day. (place tinfoil hat on head) Overall I that that whoever is contolling the weather machines is just screwing with our heads (remove tinfoil hat). As far as the business we have a new website now and it looks better then the old one. Sales are increasing, but so is the amount of crap that surrounds the shop like crap on a bug. Since I haven't blogged in forever and a day I don't really know who will read this, so I guess I can say whatever I want and know one will notice. Give this huge opportunity I draw a complete blank like an sheet of paper. OK well I will wrap up this joyful wondering through the receses of my mind. I hope all is well.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

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.

Thursday, June 30, 2005

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.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

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.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

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.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

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.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

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.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

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.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

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.

Monday, May 09, 2005

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.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

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.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

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.

Monday, April 11, 2005

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.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

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.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

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

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

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.

Friday, March 18, 2005

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

Thursday, March 17, 2005

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

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

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.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

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.

Monday, March 07, 2005

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.



Monday, February 28, 2005

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.

Friday, February 25, 2005

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.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

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.

Monday, February 21, 2005

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.

Friday, February 18, 2005

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.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

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)

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

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.

Friday, February 11, 2005

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).

Thursday, February 10, 2005

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.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

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.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

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.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

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!!

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

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.

Monday, January 31, 2005

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.

Friday, January 28, 2005

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.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

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.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

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.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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.

Monday, January 24, 2005

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.

Friday, January 21, 2005

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.

Monday, January 17, 2005

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!

Friday, January 14, 2005

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.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

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.

Monday, January 10, 2005

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.

Friday, January 07, 2005

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.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

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.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

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.

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

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.

Monday, January 03, 2005

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.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Sorry

Sorry, too much to do. I'll post later sometime when I have more time.

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

The Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice! Today is the shortest day of the year, which means that its time to party like its 2000 B.C. The ancient tradition is to take a large log and to put all the bad energy (sins, spirits, daemons, etc.) into the log and drag it around town collecting these evil things and then burn the log in a huge fire to purify the town and the people, so they are ready for the new year. There is of course a lot of singing and dancing to go with the purification ceremony, which means good times for everyone. In related news the shortest day of the year also means that from now until mid-summers the days will get longer and not darker. Wooohooo!

Monday, December 20, 2004

Good Weekend

I finally got the chance to relax a little this weekend. Lena and I slept in until noon on both days. The weather was crappy so we didn't go out much. I tried not to go at all, but sometimes that just isn't possible. Things are going well. I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in Madona. It should (and always is) a good time. In other news, it was trying to snow here, but all that came down was a wet mush. Unless something changes it doesn't look like its going to be a white Christmas, but from what I've been told it is white in Madona, so things are looking up. Anyway, that's all for now.

Friday, December 17, 2004

My quiet requests

Well Christmas time is here, actually it's been here for awhile, but I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to enjoy it. I probably won't be enjoying it any time soon. In case it anyone was wondering what Christmas in Riga is like I'll start the countdown. The big thing is the Christmas market that has been set up outside of my office window in Oldtown. I remember more decorations last year. The Christmas spirit isn't as strong this year as is was last year or maybe I just haven't noticed. Lena and I are planning on going ice skating on Saturday, which should be fun. The place where we are going should be completely engulfed in the Christmas spirit, so hopefully I'll get a feeling for it then. I have been constantly thinking of the new year and all the hope and joy that I am expecting it to bring. I heard from a colleague that 2005 is shaping up to be one of the most profound years of his life. I'm hoping that 2005 will be a turning point for me as well, and that from that point on my life will be full of nothing, but happiness and joy with moments that make great stories to be told to children and grand-children. Maybe I am expecting to much. The one thing that I have to continually remember is that none of this will happen by me just sitting here and hoping. Which of course begs the question of whether I'm doing enough to make the changes. In truth, I have no idea. Conceding I don't know what needs to be done. I know where I am now, and that it is not where I want to be. I know where I want to be, but I'm unclear as to how I get there. I do know how I will know once I've gotten there. At that point my life should be complete, and there won't be anything left to do but live it.

Thursday, December 16, 2004

The Weather.

I think I've been posting a little too much about myself, so I think that I should do a little run down of what is going on in Latvia. Well, its cold, but not as cold as it could be. I remember last year around this time it was - 12 degree C (? 'F). Which for those of you who don't know that means that no matter how many layers of clothing you put on, as soon as that wind blows your going to feel it. It's a piercing wind that seems to go all the way to your bones. Most people don't stand around outside for very long. Along with the wind comes the darkness. For you southerners, which is everyone (except Scandinavia and St. Petersburg). It starts getting dark around here at 3 PM (15.00) and when the sun doesn't shine for a few weeks you start to notice it. Usually around mid January you start to her people asking each other the last time the remember seeing the sun (?Dark City?). I saw the sun on Sunday. I haven't really been bothered by the darkness as much as I was last year. Lena helps a lot to take my mind off those kinds of things. Usually the weather doesn't bother her at all. I really am grateful to have Lena by my side through the long winters. Oh well, there I go talking about myself again when I wanted to talk about Latvia. Maybe next time.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

It's Here!

Well things are finally looking up, because I got a call from the package guy. My family in the U.S. sends Lena and I packages about 4 times a year usually filled with junk food, because you can't get decent junk food in Latvia. The package guy is the guy who delivers the packages and he usually calls to see if we are home. Well, he called this morning and said that he would drop off the package this evening, so ever since this morning I've been eagerly awaiting the end of the day so that Lena and I can rush home and have an early Christmas. Lena and I were going to start a new diet today, but I guess that idea is going to have to wait until we eat everything. In other news the one project that involved a radio station is holding its first event on Friday, which should be interesting, and without even doing anything this project is going to help and turn into another project that involves setting up a consultant firm. Oh well, that's all for now.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Tired

I don't really have anything important to say, other than I'm tired. Why is it that I'm always tired after I eat lunch? I think that this isn't good...long pause...what!whathappend? Oh, sorry I must have dosed off there for a bit, but I'm back now and ready for action, but there is no action to be had. O.K. well I don't feel like writing anymore you can just make up the rest yourselves. Bye.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Worst

Does anyone remember afew weeks ago when I said that everytime I say "its the worst day ever" then right around the corner there is another day that's even worse. Well for those of you who don't remember it seems like everytime I say "this is the worst day ever" there is always another day that's just around the corner that's even worse. For those of you whose heads haven't exploded, "This is the worst day ever". Things are going poorly. I seem to be losing control of my life. I don't know why it took so long, but yesterday I realized that I'm not as good a person as I thought I was. I realized that I had made some mistakes in my life, but I thought that a mistake was a mistake and there was nothing a person could do but move on, but now looking back on all the mistakes I realize that I have just been careless. There have been countless times when if I would have just stopped to think I could have avoided total disaster. And while I don't want to be consumed by regrets, I have the feeling that it is already to late to learn from my mistakes. Learning to stop and think is one thing, but learning how to handle a disaster after is has happened is completely different. Preventing the disaster from happening again is easy, but trying to get people to forget the disaster is impossible. The only hope I have found is a stupid quote from and movie I've forgotten long ago "Time heals all wounds", but what happens if you don't have time, or if everyone involved can't wait. How can time do it's work when memory is constantly regurgitating the information so it stays fresh in your mind? Is it possible to fight memory? How do you fight it? Right now that more actual quote that is running through my head which I'm still not sure if I'm going to listen to or not is "Every New Year's Eve is a second chance". I'm still not sure if that's true or if I want it to be true. Right now all I know is that I'm lost. My mind is betraying me, while my heart is staying on the path, which has turned into a rocky cliff leading up into the blinding light.

Thank you for reading. This rant has been more for me than for you, but thank you for participating. If any of this makes sense to anyone, please write me an explanation, because I have no idea.

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Worries

Well, another day another thing to worry about. Tomorrow I'm going to finally read my paper that I have written for Lettonia. I still am not sure how I'm going to do, but at this point it has been put off for so long that I am not worrying about it too much. Things at work are getting better. I finally started doing a few things that I've been trying to get out of the way, but that I haven't had the motivation to do. One big thing that worries me that I need to send out Christmas cards to everyone tomorrow so that they get them around Christmas time, but I haven't been able to get to the store to pick them up. I took the night off from Lettonia so that I can take care of things like the Christmas cards. Lena and I still have no plans for New Years, but today our grand plans of traveling somewhere have been boiled down to either the cultural centre in Riga or the cultural center in Madona. My vote is for the one in Madona, because we will know more people and beable to let loose a little more. The cultural center events in Riga are usually full of rich old people that long for the days of the first republic. It is a shame though that we won't be going anywhere like Tallinn or Minsk, but those things will come with time.

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

A Lost Friend

Today, I got an email from a guy named Janis who was here when I arrived in Latvia in the fall of 2002. We used to party hard and had a good time doing it. He tried to do what I have done and make a life for himself here in Latvia. Its hard to come here and start a new life. Anyway, he moved to California and as I understood things went well there, but now he has a huge credit card debt and is looking to go teach English in South Korea to pay it off and make some money so that he can move back here and give living here another try. I told him I'd help him out as much as I could, but that will all depend on the completions of my projects. If things go well then I'll not only beable to give him a job, but I'll beable to help other foreign Latvians that want to come here, but don't want to work at The Baltic Times and don't speak Russian as to beable to get a better job. Many people have come and gone since I've been here. I guess I'm barely hanging on myself, but I've plans.

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Things to do

Again I have been slacking on blogging duties. I have been going months without anything to do and now all of a sudden the heavens have opened up and I don't have time to blog anymore. Don't worry I will find time to blog even if it is not regularly. I have so many things to do I thought my head was going to "Asplode" but on Sun. I sat down and wrote out a list of things I have to do and rank them in the order that I have to do them. It turned out to be 12 things that reach into next summer. I did a presentation for one project this morning that went well and I can finally reveal that I have been hired as a consultant to StarFM (A radio station that just launched a morning show and is looking for help with it's image), which means that I won't be leaving The Baltic Times right away, but I will be sending a lot of emails and going to presentation while working at The Baltic Times. Other projects I don't want to jinx so I'll keep them on the"downlow", but don't worry as soon as something happens you'll be the first to know.