From Mischa

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:00:15 AM)

Hello!

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:00:21 AM)

How are you?

Mischa says: (6:00:25 AM)

Hi!

Mischa says: (6:00:29 AM)

I'm so glad you're here.

Mischa says: (6:00:34 AM)

So here's the situation.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:00:36 AM)

Why would I be anywhere else?

Mischa says: (6:00:37 AM)

The Italians are great.

Mischa says: (6:00:41 AM)

I don't know.

Mischa says: (6:00:53 AM)

They told me that no Italian animal is ever left behind.

Mischa says: (6:00:59 AM)

Of course I can take Pites tomorrow.

Mischa says: (6:01:04 AM)

BUT the plane tomorrow is too small.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:01:11 AM)

I mean, my brother's in a fucking disaster zone, it would be kind of cold to go off to Muay Thai right now.

Mischa says: (6:01:19 AM)

It's the President of Italy's personal jet.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:01:28 AM)

Mischa says: (6:01:29 AM)

So I can't leave yet if I'm to save Pites.

Mischa says: (6:01:48 AM)

I have to wait a week.

The problem is, I don't have an official link with the UN once Cristina is gone.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:02:50 AM)

Ah.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:03:01 AM)

You did marry the woman.

Mischa says: (6:03:05 AM)

I was offered a contract with WFP today,

Mischa says: (6:03:20 AM)

but they can't get it aprroved and signed and so on for at least a week.

Mischa says: (6:03:23 AM)

It needs to go to Rome.

Mischa says: (6:03:38 AM)

But I can't abandon Pites.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:03:39 AM)

Hey, are we going to get cut off soon?

Mischa says: (6:03:40 AM)

I just can't.

Mischa says: (6:03:44 AM)

I don't think so.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:03:50 AM)

Because if so, we should sharpen up the communication a bit.

Mischa says: (6:03:52 AM)

I'm at Log Base.

Mischa says: (6:03:56 AM)

Oh.

Mischa says: (6:04:00 AM)

Everyone's a critic.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:04:20 AM)

No, you can't leave Pites. Are you saying that if you stay behind, they'll throw you and the cat out on the streets to fend for yourselves?

Mischa says: (6:04:29 AM)

Not sure.

Mischa says: (6:04:33 AM)

The situation is very fluid.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:04:49 AM)

Because you know, I don't think it sounds so good on the streets.

Mischa says: (6:04:50 AM)

But most Italians have decided to stay for the time, not go.

Mischa says: (6:05:02 AM)

It really depends on where and what and how things are going.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:05:16 AM)

Can you just put Pites in a knapsack and take her with you tomorrow?

Mischa says: (6:05:27 AM)

Meow. Meow. Meow. Ad infinitum.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:05:32 AM)

I mean, are they really examining the contents of the luggage that closely?

Mischa says: (6:05:41 AM)

No luggage allowed.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:05:45 AM)

Well, once you're airborn, who cares? Oh, I see.

Mischa says: (6:05:53 AM)

They were totally sympathetic.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:06:14 AM)

What was there recommendation for where you stay while waiting a week?

Mischa says: (6:06:15 AM)

But I can be evacuated anytime I want by the Americans.

Mischa says: (6:06:21 AM)

I just go to the airport.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:06:29 AM)

And what's their cat policy?

Mischa says: (6:06:35 AM)

And the Italians will evacuate me also, on the next flight.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:06:36 AM)

Is going to the airport easy?

Mischa says: (6:06:48 AM)

Claire?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:06:56 AM)

That's me.

Mischa says: (6:06:58 AM)

Getting to the airport is easy enough.

Mischa says: (6:07:33 AM)

Getting around is not difficult.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:08:00 AM)

But?

Mischa says: (6:08:11 AM)

No buts.

Mischa says: (6:08:15 AM)

I'm just cluing you in.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:08:26 AM)

I feel there's a question here I'm supposed to answer, though.

Mischa says: (6:08:35 AM)

Not really.

Mischa says: (6:08:42 AM)

I just feel bad if I stay and bad if I go.

Mischa says: (6:08:55 AM)

I feel totally lousy about everything.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:09:17 AM)

Well, it's kind of a bad-feeling situation, what with everyone dead, screaming, dying, maimed, starving, and hopeless.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:09:39 AM)

I think it would be quite abnormal to be feeling terrific.

Mischa says: (6:09:45 AM)

Yes.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:10:25 AM)

You can't leave Pites.

Mischa says: (6:10:32 AM)

If they relent at the airport and they let me take Pites, I'll leave tomorrow.

Mischa says: (6:10:36 AM)

If not, I'm staying here.

Mischa says: (6:11:02 AM)

I can't leave here.

Mischa says: (6:11:05 AM)

They'll eat her.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:11:11 AM)

I agree.

Mischa says: (6:11:33 AM)

I guess I never need to finish that novel now.

Mischa says: (6:11:36 AM)

That's a good thing.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:11:48 AM)

And if you have to stay, I don't see how they could tell you -- oh, of course not, you're made, now --

Mischa says: (6:12:16 AM)

It's kind of like when twenty years ago God sent that huge earthquake in SF to get me out of my 11th grade biology exam.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:12:20 AM)

I don't see how they could tell the husband of a UN employee who is there only as her husband that he's on the street.

Mischa says: (6:12:28 AM)

Yes, they can.

Mischa says: (6:12:32 AM)

They offered to evacuate me.

Mischa says: (6:12:40 AM)

There is no housing here.

Mischa says: (6:12:49 AM)

Also, I don't want to be here.

Mischa says: (6:12:53 AM)

Logbase is awful.

Mischa says: (6:13:19 AM)

If Cristina were dead or missing, of course, I really could just hang around indefinitely.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:13:48 AM)

Well, if they turf you out of logbase with your cat, what would you do?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:14:00 AM)

I mean, it doesn't sound like you could just check into a comfy hotel.

Mischa says: (6:14:00 AM)

Claire, I'm definitely going home.

Mischa says: (6:14:09 AM)

My house is totally fine.

Mischa says: (6:14:17 AM)

I gave the keys to my Haitian neighbors.

Mischa says: (6:14:24 AM)

We'll all live there for a week.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:14:45 AM)

You got any kind of security there?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:14:51 AM)

Water?

Mischa says: (6:15:29 AM)

Plenty of water, good security.

Mischa says: (6:15:54 AM)

But friends with better places still have offered me accomodations.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:16:00 AM)

Who's providing the security? Don't you imagine lots of people are going to want that water?

Mischa says: (6:16:45 AM)

Of course that's true.

Mischa says: (6:16:54 AM)

But for the time being, things remain calm.

Mischa says: (6:17:03 AM)

But I can't just abandon Pites.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:17:20 AM)

What is the US policy on taking her?

Mischa says: (6:17:36 AM)

Negative.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:17:43 AM)

Why?

Mischa says: (6:18:04 AM)

Beats me.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:18:33 AM)

Probably to avoid the PR problem of people saying, "Look, they rescue their pets but not us."

Mischa says: (6:18:48 AM)

I guess.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:19:31 AM)

I would think given the general chaos that you might have a reasonable chance of talking your way onto the flight with the cat.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:19:43 AM)

Do you know who the captain is?

Mischa says: (6:19:48 AM)

Anne thinks you're amazing, by the way.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:19:54 AM)

Anne does?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:20:01 AM)

On what basis?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:20:21 AM)

Never mind. Let's focus on Pites, since you might get cut off.

Mischa says: (6:20:47 AM)

I won't get cut off/

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:20:49 AM)

If I knew who was making the pet policy, maybe I could get a waiver for you.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:21:03 AM)

That directive comes from somewhere, after all.

Mischa says: (6:21:07 AM)

Claire, it's not a pet policy. THe plane is simply not large enough.

Mischa says: (6:21:20 AM)

They were fervidly pro-Pites.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:21:32 AM)

Well look, you plus Pites equals one slightly chubby person.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:21:44 AM)

Or even one normal-weight person, since you're quite slender.

Mischa says: (6:21:52 AM)

Uh huh.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:22:29 AM)

Is this a military plane or a commercial one?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:23:30 AM)

By the way, how is Bruno holding up?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:23:38 AM)

Rossella was quite worried.

Mischa says: (6:23:40 AM)

All things considering, he's holding up well.

Mischa says: (6:23:45 AM)

Very well.

Mischa says: (6:23:50 AM)

But it's good that he leaves tomorrow.

But the article they wrote about Cristina is a pure fiction.

Mischa says: (6:24:30 AM)

Every detail is wrong.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:24:36 AM)

and as if you all nearly perished at the hands of a demented machete-wielding zombie army in your home.

Mischa says: (6:24:36 AM)

And every quotation invented.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:24:42 AM)

I reckoned so.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:25:13 AM)

I figure the Turkish and the Italian press: same-same.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:25:53 AM)

OK, back to Pites: If you can't get her on the plane, you wait until you can, and you go to the safest place you can find in the interim, is that right?

Mischa says: (6:26:14 AM)

Or if I can things squared away, I get a UN badge and start work.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:26:21 AM)

What work would you do?

Mischa says: (6:26:22 AM)

But yes, that's the plan.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:26:27 AM)

And do you want me to come?

Mischa says: (6:26:32 AM)

They wanted me to write reports.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:26:33 AM)

I mean, I was planning to, anyway.

Mischa says: (6:26:40 AM)

No, what would you do here?

Mischa says: (6:26:46 AM)

How would you get here?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:26:48 AM)

Well, whatever might help.

Mischa says: (6:26:57 AM)

Also, my pal Ben Lowy is showing up in a few days to take photos.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:26:58 AM)

There are some volunteer groups going out;

Mischa says: (6:27:03 AM)

Really?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:27:04 AM)

I have a plane ticket already.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:27:06 AM)

Yes.

Mischa says: (6:27:18 AM)

Are there commercial flights in and out?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:27:23 AM)

Dunno,

Mischa says: (6:27:47 AM)

I kind of doubt it.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:27:58 AM)

Darnley Merzier Bryan Looking for Fluent English & Creole Speakers to go to Haiti THIS SUNDAY fOR 30 Days. TRAINING IS ALL DAY TOMORROW WITH THE RED CROSS- Email your info to: maevatheartist@gmail.com ASAP and will receive a phone call.( SERIOUS AND DEDICATED ONLY- THIS IS ALL VOLUNTEER)

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:28:08 AM)

I wrote, they said they'd contact me.

Mischa says: (6:28:17 AM)

You don't speak Creole.

Mischa says: (6:28:33 AM)

I'm sure I could find work outside the UN system.

Mischa says: (6:28:53 AM)

Oy

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:28:53 AM)

No, but I speak French.

Mischa says: (6:29:06 AM)

Wouldn't help.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:29:19 AM)

Well, whatever. If they want me, should I come?

Mischa says: (6:29:24 AM)

No.

Mischa says: (6:29:27 AM)

It fucking sucks here.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:29:31 AM)

I know.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:29:36 AM)

But maybe I could help.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:29:55 AM)

OK.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:30:03 AM)

Well, get out fast, then.

Mischa says: (6:30:15 AM)

I want to.

Mischa says: (6:30:20 AM)

But I have to save Pites.

Mischa says: (6:30:24 AM)

She's family.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:30:39 AM)

Is there no one you would trust to bring her on a later plane?

Mischa says: (6:30:43 AM)

Nope.

Mischa says: (6:30:59 AM)

You can't ask anyone to do that, you know?

Mischa says: (6:31:09 AM)

It's a big responsibility.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:31:54 AM)

OK. What is the flight number of the plane you'd be taking tomorrow?

Mischa says: (6:31:56 AM)

There you go.

Mischa says: (6:32:11 AM)

It's a private flight organized by the Italian government.

Mischa says: (6:32:16 AM)

There is no flight number.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:32:20 AM)

Flight commander?

Mischa says: (6:33:02 AM)

What the hell do I know?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:33:30 AM)

Get me info about this -- do not doubt my magical powers here at HQS! --

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:34:03 AM)

I may know someone who would know someone who could encourage them to think of Pites in the right way.

Mischa says: (6:34:22 AM)

Not with the Italian government.

Mischa says: (6:34:23 AM)

Trust me.

Mischa says: (6:34:31 AM)

They were totally PRO Pites.

Mischa says: (6:34:36 AM)

They insisted she be evacuated.

Mischa says: (6:34:41 AM)

Just on the next flight.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:34:49 AM)

Ah, you said that about them not really, really wanting the licence plate. They really, really wanted it.

Mischa says: (6:35:05 AM)

Incidentally, almost the entire Italian community is NOT leaving.

Mischa says: (6:35:14 AM)

That's why the plane is so small, because almost every wants to stay.

Mischa says: (6:35:33 AM)

I don't doubt they wanted the license plate.

Mischa says: (6:35:41 AM)

I just doubted they could do anything useful with it.

Mischa says: (6:35:56 AM)

My good friend Pooja wrote this:

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:36:02 AM)

Well, I am very willing to use my extensive network of networked people to see if I can make them an offer they can't refuse, where Pites is concerned.

Mischa says: (6:36:24 AM)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/opinion/14bhatia.html?hp

Mischa says: (6:36:40 AM)

You will have no pull with the wops on this one.

Mischa says: (6:36:45 AM)

And it will not be appreciated.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:37:04 AM)

"Pull" isn't the right way to think of it.

Mischa says: (6:38:07 AM)

Please, I have enough trouble with my meddlesome father in law.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:38:56 AM)

At your service. I am just offering, should you wish to accept.

Mischa says: (6:39:56 AM)

One step at a time.

Mischa says: (6:40:02 AM)

I'm going to bed.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:40:18 AM)

OK, but if you want me to work on that, give me advance notice.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:40:29 AM)

Any other message you want me to pass on?

Mischa says: (6:40:38 AM)

Hey! How's our mom doing?

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:40:41 AM)

ANyone else alive?

Mischa says: (6:40:46 AM)

She hasn't called, hasn't emailed.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:40:51 AM)

She's fine.

Mischa says: (6:41:06 AM)

And you'd think she'd make an effort to stay on IM, but she hasn't.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:41:07 AM)

She's basically not the one you want with you in a foxhole.

Mischa says: (6:44:49 AM)

I've got to go now.

Mischa says: (6:44:51 AM)

I'm too sleepy.

Mischa says: (6:45:00 AM)

I'll keep you informed.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:45:01 AM)

OQuiclly: Anyone else alive?

Mischa says: (6:45:19 AM)

I'm at Logbase. I know less than you.

Mischa says: (6:45:40 AM)

All I know is what I see on the internet.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:45:40 AM)

How long would you guess it would be before cell coverage is restored>

Mischa says: (6:46:04 AM)

Funny thing is, people say it IS restored, at least on the Voila and Haitel networks.

Mischa says: (6:46:15 AM)

So I'd say Digicell -- my network -- should be back very soon.

Mischa says: (6:46:28 AM)

Digicell is the best network typically.

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:46:30 AM)

OK, I'll let people know.

Mischa says: (6:46:57 AM)

I'll be in touch tomorrow.

Mischa says: (6:46:59 AM)

Bye!

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:47:06 AM)

OK, Bye!

berlinski_c@hotmail.com says: (6:47:18 AM)

Oh, Grandma wants to know if you've got enough to eat.