Catharsis

 Another reason why I don't think McKain is capable of being President... a MUST read!!

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836909,00.html

 Did anyone watch Hillary last night at the Democratic National Convention?

Wow, what a speech. I absolutely love her! I specifically love the jab she made at McKain and Bush in relation to the Twin Cities, "It makes sense that John McCain will be with President Bush in the Twin Cities because they're awfully hard to tell apart."

HAHAHAH!!!!

I'm so glad her speech was all about uniting the parties and attempting to persuade her followers to vote for Obama. It was very classy and shows how much she truly cares about the future of our country.

From Natalie:

Dear all,
 
Here's another update about the situation in here... I know many of you watch TV or read the news in various web sites, but this is what I see from here:

Generally - I'm doing all right. It's really safe out here, in Tbilisi and I think it's good we stayed here. After all, it's the capital and I doubt Russians would risk to attack the city - that would look really alarming. Although, whatever the already did and keep doing isn't less shocking.

Well, the Russian troops were supposed to withdraw a few days ago (when the agreement on cease fire was verbally achieved), but they stayed. Gosh, I've seen such things on TV that I'm in an absolute shock! OK, I'm not talking about those separatist troops robbing and looting abandoned (and not abandoned) houses and shops and setting everything at fire.. I'm not talking about them raping and killing innocent civillians... I'm talking about official Russian army doing some astonishing things! They moved in the west Georgia (where the conflict had nothing to do with), moved into Poti-harbour, bombed the ships and robbed Georgian military base. Russian soldiers are taking literaryly everything from the bases that's possible to take. And I'm not talking about arms any more - I'm talking about clothes (bullet-proof vests, army shoes, jackets), generators, radiators, office supplies (comps, faxes, printers, chairs, tables), even tooth-paste and washing powder! They took - EVERYTHING!!!!
 
There're some videos on youtube about what Russian soldiers were doing in Gori.
Simply type "Russian soldiers in Gori" in the search field and "enjoy" the video.

Well, the Russian army keeps on doing its military deeds. The day before yeasterday they blew up a railway section near Kaspi (it's a town near Gori)... And though considering the agreements everything should be getting back to normal (as much as possible), they've surrounded Gori and wouldn't let all the humanitarian aid go into the town, just a part of it, which is not enough for those people who didn't live the town and went through this terrible tragedy. I really don't know what their point is - do they want these people to starve to daeth or what?! 

What they're doing it absolutely indignating! We have signed the agreement and we don't want to violate it. And seems like that's what they want, what they're trying to do - they want to provoke us, to make us violate our agreement, break our word...

The general in Gori said they would leave after they'll be subsituted by peace-keeping army. Seems like Russia wants to have the permanent army even in Gori and other towns/villages now (just like South Ossetia). At the same time, Russian government officially declared that Abkhazian and South Ossetian people will not want to be a part of Georgia. People or separatist "government"? Did anyone ask those refugees who were forced to leave their homes more than a decade ago? Those who had huge awesome houses and vast plantations and had to leave all that to save their lives; had to leave those houses and plantations so that later Russians could move in?!

I wish it's over soon - at least those Russian freakings. I do know that the situation is very far from being back normal. There already are about 60,000 registered refugees in Tbilisi!!! Generally in Georgia their number is already almost 200,000! There are very many "lost" civilians. Some refugees say their family members (mostly men - fathers and husbands) didn't leave their houses and now there's no way to contact them and the families don't even know if they're alive or not... The stories of the refugees are absolutely heart-breaking. Many of them witnessed their loved ones getting killed. There are people who flee from Tskhinvali (S.O.) or Abkhazia more than a decade ago, who started everything all over and now had to give it all up again. They're twice refugees...

It's really, really very sad.. But I'm glad there are so many people supporting Georgians; so many protest meetings being held all over the world!

Once again, thank you all for your support and care. Thank you so much!!!

The night before last, at 4:30am, a sound of bomb explosion awoke me - here, in Tbilisi, in the middle of the city. Yes, this time I got scared.. As we found out in the morning, Russian air force destroyed the airline radars in the suburbs of Tbilisi. Some might think that if it's SUBURBS it's not that dangerous, but those of you who haven't been to Tbilisi, please mind, that Tbilisi is not L.A.or N.Y., it's not that big. So, yes - it was a big deal, it was dangerous..

Later in the evening there was an information that Russian troops (after supposedly invading Georgian towns Senaki, Gori and Zugdidi) were marching towards Tbilisi. My mother-in-law was regretting we didn't listen to her and didn't go to Batumi where she's currently staying... my father - regretting we didn't leave for Kakhetia... People started to panic. They were getting gas at the gas-stations, heading towards... God knows where.. Some - trying to get some grocery supplies.. Even my husband, who's usually quite calm, was a bit worried too.

I don't know why, but I had probably never been so calm and self-possessed before. Probably that's because I remember how my friend Silke wrote to me many years ago to keep in mind that "MY THOUGHTS ARE VERY STRONG. SO, I [SHOULD] CAREFULLY CHOOSE THEM". I was almost 100% sure that the night would be quiet and safe. Last night I slept like a baby :) and the night was quiet all over Georgia indeed...

Though after Russia decleared "cease fire", they've still bombarded Gori and other parts of Georgia today. Nevertheless, the war seems to be drawing to its end.. The whole world saw how "friendly" and "peacemaking" Russians are. Probably the West does want to help us.. But I think the "strong and creamy" countries of the world have also understood how weak and helpless they are when it come for Russia. Europe basicly depends on Russian gas.. America wouldn't risk to do ANYTHING without European support. And international organizations.. Oh, give me a break! The UN couldn't come up with a single resolution for almost a week! Word are meaningless..

It's rediculous how Russia is supposing that Georgian President should resign. It's true, that there were many people in Georgia led by strong Georgian oposition, who didn't like Saakashvili much either. But today Georgia is more united than it has probably ever been. All the oposition parties, all those who previously opposed the president are now on his side. I don't know what's gonna happen in the future, but today Georgia is totally UNITED. There're things happening and words spoken that make me all touchy, make me cry...

I feel disappointed that there was no other way found to solve this issue..

I feel said for those killed (hope their lives weren't lost in vain)..

I feel sorry for those left without shelter..

But I feel proud for my country and its people, I really do.

Maybe Russia has managed to weeken Georgia from economical and military point of view.. But spiritually - the country has probably never been stronger!!! 

God bless us... God bless all of you!!!..

I think something has changed in my life...or perhaps it’s a choice that I’ve made. I like to think that I make my own path in life so I think it’s safe to say that whatever I’m feeling right now is from choices that I’ve made.

I’m no longer playing any MMO’s. I’ve quit, uninstalled, and cancelled them all. Period.

From this past weekend I’ve realized that I lovevivianne  even more. I wish more people could have been there like we’d planned, but fate seems to smile on circumstances that you don’t expect. So here again, I’m reminded of the fact that you should never have expectations when coming into something. It’s more fun that way and more often than not you’re pleasantly surprised. 

I think the world has opened up to me. Not in the successful, money-making sort of way...but rather internally and spiritually. I’m tired of living my life around things and objects that should define who I am. The definition of myself should spawn from my internal feelings and beliefs, especially my spiritual side. That alone should shatter all of the material things that surround us every day, which it does.

Which is why I wish I were rich. Wait, that doesn’t make sense right? Well, if I didn’t have to worry about making a dollar and paying my way through life then I could focus on the more important things that actually matter in this world. I always loved the concept of the Star Trek films...a civilization always trying to better themselves where all the necessities you will ever need are available without question. 

Have any of you ever received the feeling what your purpose here on Earth is? I mean, we are here...right now...working at our jobs, visiting our friends, drinking martinis...but what are the reasons? I like to think we are here to better our spiritual selves to attain that higher self being. But then I ask another question...why do we even do that? Why are our spiritual selves so flawed that we have to go through tests to make us better?

If our spirits were created by some higher power known as god, why aren’t we perfect? 

Anyway, aside from all the spiritual stuff that’s running around in my head, work is going very well. I’m covering for an Art Director next week which is, yet, more exposure to the Creative Team...if doing the Alaska designs weren’t enough. I applied for an AD position and the hiring manager has told me 3 times that she wanted me for the position. She even went to HR and referred me for it. So, it looks good, but she’s a flake...so I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else got the position and I’m standing here looking retarded. I’m holding no expectations and I’m treating this as if I’ve never heard a word she’s spoken to me. *crosses fingers*

I’m heading to a family reunion this weekend. It’ll be exciting to see everyone. Have a great weekend all!

Pronounced "Cool", is the new rival to Google. In fact, it's search engine technology is from the woman who created Google's technology. She quit, created a better technology and called it Cuil. Her name is Anna Patterson.

www.cuil.com