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.

Sorry

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A New Project

Last night someone told me that people who are busy always find time, and those who do nothing never have enough time. Well just when I thought my plate was full, another project falls into my lap. The benefits of this project are that it is actually interesting and something that I have a lot of experience in. The big question is will I beable to pull it off. My work on the project will either get me a job or slap me in the face and make me re-think one of the other projects that is currently asking for time. I might actually discuss this project on here, but I have to think about that one first. See ya tomorrow.

Kegs vs. Cases

Its that time of year when my friends for high school and I would organize a new years eve trip to a cabin in the Pocono's. Obviously this year I will not beable to participate, but through the magic of modern technology I have been able to keep up to date on the planning process through mass e-mail. Today an interesting problem arose that I thought I should mention. "Which is better for a weekend of drinking? Kegs or Cases?" I came up with this short list of pros for each, please feel free to add your own.

Kegs:

1. Kegstands
2. Less Mess
3. Doesn't take up valuable fridge space.
4. The thrill of kicking it
5. Solo cups

Cases:

1. Shotguns
2. More Variety
3. No head
4. No ice bags
5. Bottles

Thanksgiving and a Speech

Yesterday, after work I ran home to get my laptop so that I could go over to the Lettonia house to see if the projector is compatible with my computer for the presentation I have to give tonight. After that I went to the store and picked up some pieces of turkey, corn, and veggies. It set a table made of stools with a towel for a table cloth and lit some candles so that everything would be ready by the time Lena got home from class. Everytime I try to surprise her with something romantic she always seems to come home early, or I'm running late, but it didn't turn out that bad. We had a lovely thanksgiving, unfortunately I spent most of the night working on my presentation. This presentation has taken up most of my life for the past week and I will be very happy when it is all over, but only if I do well. I have the feeling that this presentation will be a major disaster. I have spent most of the day working on it while avoiding the mountain of stuff that I have to do for my job. The second unfortunate thing is that my mind is elsewhere trying to deal with a major problem that I won't go into right now. This "other thing" is huge and I wish I could focus all my time and energy to resolving it, but my life won't allow that right now. If all goes well, after tonight I will beable to think clearly and figure something out to make everyone happy. Wish me luck!

Thanksgiving, Ukraine, Kongress, Snow

Happy Thanksgiving!

My plans for thanksgiving consist of getting ready for my presentation tomorrow. I'll probably call home, but there will be nothing major.

I wanted to mention the situation in Ukraine and how crazy things are getting. Even worse is the fact that it is splitting U.S. and Russian relations. All it would take would be one gunshot and Russian troops would move in to protect pro-Russia supporters and then the U.S. would be forced to send in "Peace Keepers" and there goes the whole shabang.

Something that I completely forgot about until I saw it mentioned on Latviansonline was that ALJA Kongress has started today. The American Latvian Youth (Jaunatnes) Association holds their annual congress on Thanksgiving Weekend. I remember going to several in High School and college. I look back with fond memories, but being in Latvia has changed my outlook on the organization as a whole. Before I get ahead of myself I would like to mention my disgust at the fact that an American organization who has voted against merging with their Canadian counterparts has decided to hold their congress in Toronto. Who's in charge? The organization as a whole has lost its way since Latvia regained independence in 1991. Luckily there are a few people that are doing something about it. A new organization is taking shape that will shake the very foundations of ALJA. Philadelphia (Filadefijas) Latvian Youth (Jaunatnes) Organizing (Ricibas) committee (Komiteja) or FLJRK has set about to bring ALJA back to its roots including bring the congress and other events back to Philadelphia and its surrounding area.

Its still snowing.

Bad Day

Well I have nothing big to report, just that its been a crappy day and that I haven't been able to get anything done. I have many many thigns to do, and no time or motivation to do them. I guess I'll just do what everyone else does and blame it on the weather.

Snow

Well, it was snowing when I woke up this morning and there was about a half a foot (15 cm) of snow on the ground and it hasn't stopped snowing since. I checked the weather report and the snow is supposed to stop around...March. This is the Latvian winter I was waiting for. Last year the winter was warm and wet. It was overall just kind of crappy, but this year is going to be full of the winter wonderland scene. I told Lena that I would like to go skiing at some point this year, but that will all depend on time and money. I haven't skied in years, and the mountains (hills) here aren't anything special but it would just be nice to try and relive my youth. To sound even older, Tomorrow is my 5 year high school reunion. I don't think I'm going to make it. I told some friends to get some pictures, but who knows if they are even going to go. 5 years isn't a really long period of time. The 10 year reunion will probably be huge. Who knows where I'll be at that point. Anyway, that's enough ranting for one day.

Monday

Sorry, Alan your not my first comment. Others have commented before you and while comments are few and far between that doesn't take away from the excellent writing (hahaha). Well, I'm glad to see that you finally figured out how to get to my site and post a comment. Anyway, enough about you, here's more about me.

Well, I'm back at work after a four day weekend where I didn't get to relax at all. Thursday was Latvia's independence day filled with parades and fireworks. It was the usual celebration stuff. Friday I had to come into work for an hour because the administration is concerned about a Germany supplement (blah blah). Lena had to work so I hung out at her work for a little while too. Saturday was Management lectures followed by house cleaning followed by dinner at the editor's apartment to discuss The Project. Sunday was more lectures followed by a little relaxation, but that couldn't be enjoyed because of the thought of work the next day pounding in my head. Today at work was spent sending out CV (resumes) and more scheming to figure out a way to get more money. I don't know if it will ever happen, but sometimes its fun to dream or starting several companies all at once in the hopes that one will be successful so that you'll never have to worry about money ever again. Oh well, back to work (AAARGHH).

Last Post (For a little while)

Since tomorrow is a Latvia's independence day and Friday is also a day off, I guess the next time I will beable to post is Mon. Nov. 22., which seems like I very long ways away, but I'm sure I won't be saying that on Sunday. Plans for the holiday consist of participating in national ceremonies on Thursday, relaxing on Friday, and classes on Saturday and Sunday. It will be nice to not have to think about work for awhile, but that just means that all my time will be focused on other projects. So, bye bye for now and if your well behaved then I'll bring you back something nice.

Profile Photo

I should probably explain the change in my profile photo. Well, the picture is from the trip Lena and I had taken to Sigulda with some friends (I think I mentioned it in a previous post). Lena felt that I should change the picture, because its reflects more of what I look like now and how I act. Anyway, so that's about it.

Crazy Weekend

Well, this past weekend was crazy (hence the title). Friday was quiet. Saturday started with Management lectures at 9.00 (9 am) followed by Work at 11.00 (11 am) which was expressed in my previous post. From work it was straight to the fraternity house at 17.00 (5 pm) where this weekend's party started. In honor of Latvia's independence on Thursday (Nov. 18) Lettonia every year has a "Komerš" which is a whole weekend of ceremonies, singing, eating, and drinking (Of Course). Unfortunately I had to leave at midnight (00.00), because I had another Management lecture at 9.00 (9 am) on Sunday. As could be expected I was late to the lecture, but that didn't matter since I wasn't of much use to anyone including myself. After the lecture I dragged myself back to the frat house where a party that started out with 70 men sitting around a huge table in the convent hall was now just ten guys sitting in the kitchen. Some were having breakfast and beers, while other were roaming around house cleaning up and waking up people who had passed out in every corner of the house. It reminded me of the American-Latvian youth weekends that I attended in high school. After I decided that it was enough I went home, shaved and went with Lena to go by a winter jacket that I could wear with my suit, because I was tired of carrying around my jacket in a bag. I would carry my suit jacket in a bag because it would hang out of my fall jacket, which Lena says made me look like a geek. I am a geek no longer (atleast as far as jackets are concerned). OK well that's enough ranting for now. Here's a link to a website where you can read people's novels in progress. Nanomoblogmo.

Working on Saturday

Hey, look at me I'm working on a Saturday!

And now...the explanation.

Next Thursday is Latvia's Independence Day and so instead of working on Friday after a day off the government declares that Friday will also be a day off, but everyone has to work on the Saturday before to make up for the lost work time.

Anyway, that's all I really wanted to say.

Test

This is a test to see if I can post from any email acount.

Whooohoooo!

I figured it out! I need to set the font to Times inorder to see the Latvian letters! Rock on, so now you people should expect to see alot more Latvian on this page.

More Text Tests

I wonder if I need to change the font. ēŗūīāšģķļžčņ,

Encoding

I don't know about you guys, but whenever I type it Latvian it dosen't come up on my computer, so in order to fix this I changed the encoding of the blog to support Latvian characters, but I need to check if it works so here's alittle something in Latvian.

Es pilnīgi nezinu ko rakstīt bet es ceru ka vis izdosies. Man vaidzetu rakstīt kaut ko ar garumzīmem bet man nekas nenak pratā. Nu tagad redzesim. ēŗūīāšģķļžčņ

No photos

I've been trying for the past few days to post pictures to my blog from my email, but it hasn't been working. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep trying. In other news today is "Mārtiņi" here in Latvia. Martini is an ancient harvest festival that is a cross between Thanksgiving and Halloween. Cooked Goose is usually eating and children parade around in costumes trying to ward off evil spirits. Lena and I are planning on going to dinner with Monta and MārtiÅ†ÅĄ (It's also his name day or "Vārdadiena"). Martins is a local DJ with many of the same aspirations that I have to work with sound an music. I had a crazy idea once that we could start our own company, but those ideas will be slow realize, because of our differing schedules. I work during the day at a newspaper. He works at night in clubs all over the RÄĢga. Ok, see ya tomorrow.

Rough Week

Last night was this semester's color awarding ceremony "krasu piesġirÅĄanu", which is when the pledges, who have completed all the requirements, get their colors. Its a night filled with singing and congratulations (usually with a glass of whiskey and a lot of beer). I had a good time. This week is filled with things I have to do for Lettonia, so I hope next week I'll be able to take a week off. Other than work and Lettonia there isn't a whole lot going on. Lena and I forgot our three year and three month anniversary on Sunday so I guess happy anniversary to us.

Weekend Re-Cap

Friday, Lena and I attended the Latvian National Opera to see the Opera "Toska". It was a good Opera (we were late and had to watch the first act standing in the second balcony). The evening was a fraternity and sorority night at the opera where every year the National Opera closes for the student organizations. It was nice seeing everyone proudly wearing their colors and parading around trying to look as respectable as possible. Toska itself was actually enjoyable to watch. It was understandable (other than some other operas I've seen(Magic Flute)). Something that I like about the Latvian National Opera is that all the opera's are subtitled (or overtitled, because the screen appears at the top of the stage). The text makes any opera easier to follow along. Saturday, I woke up late and went to my first lecture of my Management classes. It was as to be expected, somehow interesting and yet, boring at the same time. After class I had to rush to the Lettonia house to get my pitcure taken. Every new class or "coetus" gets their picture taken with their pledgemaster or "olderman" which is then hung on the wall in a room next too the previous "coetus" pictures dating back to 1870. I remember when I was a guest at one of the guest (recruitment) nights, looking at the pictures wondering what life must have been like back then. Now future generations will beable to stare at me. It is kind of a cool feeling. Sunday, I woke up for the first time in a long while not being more tired then when I went to sleep. It felt great. Lena and I spent most of the day in bed watching TV. Later in the evening I got an SMS (text message) that Bar One was showing the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football game. So, as any Eagles fan would do I jumped out of bed and landed at the bar with a beer in my hand. Unfortunately, the game was just painful to watch. I kept wondering if this was the same team that had been playing the previous games. It was a tragic 27-3 loss. Go Eagles!

Report

There is to report today. Just more of the same. Lena and our going to see Toska at the National Opera. Tomorrow classes start. Sunday, more classes. Monday back to work. Here's a blog of two people taking a trip around the world Worldtrip2004.

Helpful Tips

Today I was in sort of a funk. I had a mountain of work to do, but no desire to do it. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I pulled out this list of tips for World Domination. (Most likely posting the list would put me on some kind of government watchdog list). I've posted the list in the World's End section of the Neil Gaiman message board, so I can see what people think. Here's the link Tips and Plans for World Domination.

Post-Election Day

Wednesdays are usually the days when the newspaper goes to press. The editor'n chief is on vacation so I was asked to help proof read the paper. I've done it before, usually when anyone goes on vacation I get the call, but today it was hard to concentrate on the paper when all I wanted to know was who won the U.S. Election. I don't know why. I don't really care who wins. My vote has already been rejected, but I stayed up late last night to watch the first returns, and I after waking up, the first thing I did was turn on the TV to see what had happened. The suspense is killing me. I guess I'm attracted by the pageantry of it all. That should also explain why I like Triple Crown and the Superbowl. The U.S. Election has the same pull as a major sports event, but imagine the TV networks cutting the TV feed on the Superbowl with a message saying that the result will only be announced tomorrow, because the all the spectators have to send in their thoughts (OK bad analogy), but the point is that I hope something happens soon. Here's where I've been watching the action unfold. CNN. BBC.

Election Day

The U.S. Election Day is here and eventhough I voted weeks ago, by absentee ballot, only to have the candidate I voted for stricken from the ballot a week later I still fell compeled to find out whats going on as if it were a sports game. the only problem is that due toe the time difference nothing is happening yet and no results are being post other than from a small village where people voted after midnight which I think is strange, but I guess somebody has to be first and there is probably a historical reason for all of it. In other news I didn't post yesterday, because I was finishing up my paper for Lettonia. I handed in the rough draft yesterday and have to hand in the final on Fri. and prepare a presentation for Nov. 19. Also the governemet has fallen here which means that the President has to pick a new Prime Minister to form a new cabinet, but with all the holiday's this month I doubt its going to happen any time soon. I guess thats all for now.

Quick Post

This weekend is full of stuff that needs to get done. Its also Halloween on Sun., but it dosen't look like there is going to be any partying. I hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Happy Halloween!

To do List

Have you ever had one of those periods in your life when it seems like everything is happening all at once and you can't stop it? I mean, a person can go for months of just absolute boredom, when all of a sudden like lightning out of the blue the whole world falls in on top of you. Here's the list...

1. Work is getting more and more annoying by the day.
2. Its crunch time for Lettonia to get everything done so that by February when my dad comes to visit he can see me get my colors.
2a. I have a paper due on Monday.
2b. I have to learn to fence by the end of the semester
2c. I have to memorize 25 songs and the entire history by the beginning of next semester.
3. School is about to start up again.
4. Money is tight and payday isn't until Nov.
5. Halloween is this weekend and I haven't planned anything (mostly due to reason number 4)
6. Our landlady is coming on Monday and I haven't finished renovating the apartment.
7. The U.S. Elections are on Tuesday, but also due to reason number 4 nothing is planned.
8. I don't even have time to finish this post, So if I don't post for a while I'll be somewhere on this list.

Farewell Terre

Last night we had a kind of farewell dinner for Terre before he continues on his European tour to Bologna, Italy. We went to a Latvian restaurant called Mazie Baltie Krekli (Small White Shirts). Its the restaurant we take everyone when they come to visit. Lena's sister Elina came with us but didn't enjoy the restaurant, so afterwards we went to McDonalds, which only through, Terre did we find out that they are serving onion rings for the time being. Lena had a great time with Terre and it is a shame that we all couldn't have spent more time with him. I guess we'll just have to go visit him in Japan. He has a digital camera and as soon as I ask him for some pictures I'll post them for everyone to see.

Since my Last Post

Well this weekend was interesting. Friday after seeing Lena off at the train station I went to the Lettonia house which turned into a party...which turned into a night on the town...which turned into walking home...which turned into being sick all day on Saturday. I had a large amount of things to accomplish this past weekend and none of it got done. I don't think I'll be partying with my frat brothers again for a very long time. On Saturday, I went to see Terre's exhibition. He's a DJ, but has a movie that goes with the music so it is more of a show. After the show I ended up missing consecutive transports and had to walk home in the rain...again. It was not fun. On Sunday, I woke up early and cleaned the apartment a little before going to meet Terre to show him around Riga and grab some lunch. Later, Lena and her sister Elina came back from Madona. Elina is going to stay with us for a few days. I think she needs a break from Madona. Its rough being a 15 yr. old in a town where there are very few things to do. I showed pictures of Madona to Terre from a calendar we have hanging in our apartment and he said something that fits. "Its one of those places that most kids want to get away from, but that older people want to go back to". I guess Lena and I classify as older people.

The Weekend Ahead

Today Lena is planning to go to Madona for her sister's name day. I wish I could go, but Sat. night is Terre's concert/exhibition. I also have a lot of work to do on my Referats for Lettonia. It seems like November is going to be a full month. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'll think of something. In other news the weather is supposed to be unseasonably warm in Riga this weekend, which of course means that I'm not going to be able to enjoy it. I also wanted to ask if anyone that reads this blog that might have experience working in a Deli to please contact me. I have a few questions relating to the Top Secret Project I'm working on. That's all for now.

Trivia

I found something else to keep you people occupied while reading my blog. There is a link that now stands in the sidebar that goes to a Trivia page where you can register, answer questions, and compare your results against the other people that answer. Right now the question pool is history and geography, but as soon as I figure out how to customize the pool I'll change it to be either more challenging or more interesting. I keep looking for new things to add to this blog as to make it more interesting for the people who visit. I don't know if it is working, but I'll keep trying.

Pictures and a Novel

I don't know if anyone noticed, but my picture hasn't been showing for the past few days. Well, if you have noticed I fixed it, and through fixing it I signed up for flickr so not only will my picture work now, but I will also, be able to post more pictures to my blog. I have many pictures of family and of trips around Latvia that I want to show everyone so hopefully I'll posting those sometime soon. In other blogger news there is a national novel writing challenge that will start Nov. 1 and blogger is offering to do it online for everyone to see. Basically you have to create a new blog which will be your novel and write everyday for a month. By the end of all that writing you should either have a novel or a pretty good idea for one. I don't know if I'm going to sign up for it, because I have many many other things going on right now and I barely have the time to post on my blog every work day. (I think I've just talked myself out of doing it). Anyway, that's all the news for now.

Riga's Music Museum

Today I saw the post for Terre's exhibition on Sat. Lena and I were walking to work this morning and passed by it. Lena said that the poster has been up for the weeks and is all over Riga. I don't know how I've missed it. Terre is my sister's husband's brother who lives in Japan and is a electronic music artist who made a film that he's going to show on Sat. at the Riga Music Museum. It should be a good time. Upon reading the website I'm very interested to see the film. It might be a good place to try out Audioblogger that I signed up for last week. I've been waiting to use it, but due to the fact that you have to make a call to California in order to record your message I've been waiting for the right moment. I'm not sure how much that's going to cost so I want to try it and then see how many times I'll be able to do post from my mobile phone without going broke. Here's the info (go to the bottom and click ENG for English) Lovebomb.

Sigulda

I know it has been awhile since I've posted, but don't worry everything is fine and I'm back and ready for more. My last post was Wed., so I'll do a small re-cap of what has happened since then. The big reason why I didn't post on Thurs. and Fri. was computer trouble. (Those computer eating giant bugs can really be a pain in the butt) The most eventful thing that happened since my last post was Sat. when Lena, I and several of her friends went to Sigulda (a city about 60 km (the number is larger in miles) outside of Riga). Most people go to Sigulda in the fall, because it is a great place to see the leaves change color, but Sat. was all overcast and cold. Even with the weather being far from good we had a great time. We walked around the old castles and saw a famous cave that has a whole bunch of signitures of people from the 19th century. After the walk we went to a place next to a lake for a campfire and a picnic. The place next to the lake was cold and wet, but that was all cured by a fire, some food, and I few bottles (wink, wink). A good time was had by all.

Soccer

Today is the World Cup qualifying match between Latvia and Estonia. Its being held in Riga and there are expected to be a few thousand Estonians crossing the border to support their team. Both teams have played well in the qualifying round and this game could be the deciding factor for either team to move on. There is a lot riding on this game for the Estonians who are trying to establish themselves as a competitor on the same level with Lithuania and Latvia. Lithuania has always dominated in basketball and Latvia recently has dominated in Hockey and Soccer, but this year all three teams are competing for the Baltic pride of having the best soccer team in the Baltics. Lithuania is currently sitting on top of it's qualifying group. Go Latvia!

Talantu Fabrika 4

Not knowing what to post I begin to type while thinking of all the things that I said that I would post about and now have forgotten. I am exhausted from wandering the recesses of my mind for an interesting gem that I could post to make everyone go "Ahhhh!". I delve into my mind trying to remember what I did last night, but that ability has left me long ago with only echoes of TV left in my brain. I know I watched TV last night, but what I watched I don't remember. I pause and look out the window at the church steeple clock wishing that it were time to return to the TV only to have it suck even more memories away from me. And like being zapped on the ear by a friend who has just spent the last half hour rubbing his/her feet on the carpet, I am zapped with an idea, but just as quickly as the feeling was received it was destroyed by the interference of someone needing something at work, but they are too late I have already mentioned my post and will not forget so that I can leave and come back and finish the post.
PAUSE.
I wanted to post about the horrible reality show that is being shown right now in Latvia. Its called Talantu Fabrika 4, some of you might remember me mentioning last season's Muzikala Fabrika. Its basically American idol placed in Latvia and made by the same people that have made all of Latvia's reality TV only something is different. Its Crap! The quality of the video, audio, backgrounds, participants, "experts", is all sub-par on a good day. Lets go down the list shall we.

Video: The camera work and editing looks like its being done by a horny 16 year old boy. Most of the shots consist of boobs and closeups with the female participants, which most of whom are barely 18 themselves. (I only recently realized that the camera operator is the son of the producer and might actually be 16, but that doesn't make it right)

Audio: For a reality show based around people singing, you would think that someone would be paying attention to the audio quality. The whole first week the entire show had the Tin-can effect that when people sound like they are speaking through a metal tube. This past week there were two days in a row when the sound was blown out giving that screaming into a microphone effect that makes the audio impossible to hear and unbareable to listen to.

At this point there is a lot more I could complain about, but I realize that I'm ranting and I will stop so that I can save the few readers I might have left.

Doing Nothing

I really haven't done anything today at work. I have discovered that it is really hard to not do anything at work. I went through my usual list of websites that I go to to find out what's going on in the world a new edition to the list is Mixonline which is a magazine about the world of audio recording. My mind is filled with a plan to make some extra money or to even leave my job here completely. I don't want to talk about my plans, because then I don't think that they will happen. My life seems to be more and more dependent on money to the point where it always seems that I never have enough. Something has to be done to fix this. I'm thinking of discovering a diamond mine in Latvia. All I have to do is find it.

Lots of Stuff

There is a lot of stuff to post and not a lot of time to post it, so everything will just have to be short.
Continued from the last post the interview in front of the EU Parliament for Ingrida Udre was filled with just as many questions about her being able to be a commissioner as questions about her prior convictions.
In other news a law banning duel citizenship in certain government positions has past its first reading. There are two more readings to go. If you want to look look at the law and discuss it you can do it at Latvians Online.
A few days ago I received my absentee ballot, but of course I forgot to bring it to work today so I will have to send it on Monday. For those of you who know me don't worry I'm not going to vote for Bush, but that doesn't mean I'm going to vote for Kerry either. If you want to know who I voted for then you are just going to have to ask me.
In more pleasant news I received an email from a person who stumbled onto my blog and just wanted to let me know that he was reading it. Its always nice to know that people are reading your blog. OK, well that's all the time we have from today so tune in next week to find out if Batman and Robin get out of the penguin's clutches.

Udre

As a person in Latvia I feel that I should mention something about what's going on in the news. Today Latvia's Prime Minister nomination for EU commissioner Ingrida Udre is going up against the EU parliament, because the EU Parliament has to approve the all the new comisioners. There has been hot debates about Udre, becasuse she has been convicted of illegal campaign funding, but because she was the speaker of the parliament she couldn't be prosecuted. She also was an avid anti-EU activist before the EU elections. Even the way she was nominated was suspect because everyone thought that Latvia would just re-nominate the old commissioner, but at the last minute the Prime Minister nominated Udre who is from the PM's own political party and who just "happened" to already be in Brussels when the nomniation was announced. Udre has also been criticized in the past for brining her stylist along on publicly funded trips. Anyway that's whets going on here. Here's some Halloween Cocktail ideas.

Song in my Head

Why is it that Blogger only eats the good and meaningful posts. Yesterday I wrote a great post about fall in Riga. "These words are my own" sorry about that, I have this song in my head from watching MTV Europe when we woke up this morning. "I feel so A D D" I don't know what to do. I don't know who wrote the song, but I do remember thinking that it was more of a Spring and Summer song than a Fall song. The singing style was similar to Pink, but more upbeat and very very catchy. "From my heart flown" I think I'm going to go insane. I just googled the name of the song and here are the lyrics so that you can all join in the fun These Words.

Heating

Well its that time of the year when the city of Riga fires up their heaters to heat the city for the cold weather ahead. Riga is centrally heated, which means that most of the cities buildings have to wait for three days below 10'C (?'F) in order for the heat to get turned on. You can always tell when the heat is being turned on because the whole city smells like ash and paint. Ash because most places are heated with wood or coal and paint, because the furnaces get painted during the summer. Its a warm smell that gives added effect to the darkness creeping in. Its dark by 20.00 (8 PM). Soon it will be dark by 18.00 (6 PM). Lena's thoughts are filled with a new jacket for the winter. Halloween will come and go. I'd like to do something festive, but I doubt that I will be able to pull anything together. Although Halloween is becoming more and more popular here, mostly amongst the youth who want candy. Nothing to do but wait and see what lurks out of the shadows.

Comment

I finally received my first comment by someone who I don't know. The only problem is that he wrote in Latvian and some of the letters aren't visible. I'm going to see if I can fix that some how, but its nice to know that other people have taken an interest in what I'm writing. Ok, well here's a run down of the weekend.

Friday: Lettonia stuff. (I got fed up and left early (I don't' like being a pledge anymore)).

Saturday: Went to Lena's colleague's Birthday party (It was a nice).

Sunday: During the day Lena, some friends of ours, and I went to Kemeri National Park (It's a huge raised swamp that is really cool to walk around, but it is really hard to get to and spending two hours there is more than enough time to see everything). In the evening I went to Bar One to watch an American Football game, the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Chicago Bears (the eagles were winning when I left. I left because it was a Sunday night and I have to work on Monday mornings (Damn)).