Saturday, January 16, 2010

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.

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