Andrei, I feel your pain. From the ongoing hellish circus in the U.S., I watch the nonstop travesty of trials and sentencing of democracy advocates, journalists and finger legislators in my birthplace😩
At times like this, writing is not a luxury, but a survival necessity, but first take care of yourself, put on the oxygen mask so then you do what needs to be done! Sending you and your family warmest wishes for a healthy and peaceful holiday! See you in 2025♥️
Yes, Sharron thanks! so many connotations😹😹😹 but technically, they were forced to resign, or the directly elected local seats were eliminated by the so-called reforms in HK. So sadly, former…
Andrei, it's been great having you around here in Substack. We're all sort of holding our breath right now, but that's why we all need to honor our commitments to ourselves as writers.
What a stressful time, Andrei ! Well done regarding your book. Wishing you, your family and lovely feline, a Merry Christmas and hoping for good outcomes in the New Year 🩷
Wow, Andrei... mind you things are quite in flux in the US too... Looks like the entire world is wobbling right now. Meanwhile we keep writing, right? Congrats on the progress on the book. And happy Christmas and New Year!
Same, Martine! And yeah, it seems like chaos reigns everywhere these days. Excited and a bit afraid to see what the new year will bring. Happy holidays!
Andrei, I read this ages ago but forgot to post (little people keep stealing my time). Hope you’re recovering and sending you the best wishes for 2025 x
I'm sorry to read this. In my country, there are also problems with corrupt politicians. I know it's hard, but I hope you feel better during the days and enjoy Christmas time with your family and friends.
This is brutal, Andrei. I'm sorry. It seems to echo much of the political landscape of the world, unfortunately. It doesn't give me much hope for the future, but we must maintain hope otherwise everything would be despair.
Wishing you as much of a happy holidays as is possible. Keep up with the writing, for sanity's sake if nothing else.
It's strange to me. I thought Romania became independent after the USSR dissolved and established its own democracy. But you continue to suffer from unprecedented turmoil. What about your independent intelligentsia? I have an impression that the world has forgotten what democracy really means. I am so sorry for your troubles. At least you have a positive note in your book. Happy New Year, and best wishes for your health in any sense!
As I say, democracy is brittle. And I don’t think most people saw this coming, because bad as it’s been, Romania has managed to protect its independence thus far. I hope we continue to do so. Happy holidays, Larisa!
Thank you. As a former Soviet Russian living in the USA, I see that Russia is now even worse than before under Putin's regime. My friend is Romanian, whose uncle was in the Cheochesky government and one of the main figures in the country's security. (I forgot his name; he was a Jew under a Romanian pseudonym) I thought that having gotten rid of these kinds of people, your country became (if even brittle) democratic, but I see from your article that it has become more authoritative than Putin's Russia. I see you love your country and don't want to leave, as the Russian intelligentsia left Russia because of Putin's war with Ukraine.
I don’t want to give the wrong impression. Authoritative, Romania is not, at least not yet. The issue right now is keeping it from turning into an autocracy.
"These days, writing my little novella about an old man and a cat has felt less than unimportant..." Now it is more important than ever to maintain personal balance. Andrei, the sun will rise tomorrow morning just as it has done for over 4 billion years. Take heart in that. Tomorrow morning, we humans will rise with that sun, as we have for more than 300,000 years. We’ll square our tired shoulders and go about the daily business of finding food and shelter and belonging. All else is farce. Remember that.
I totally understand your exhaustion- we’re going through something similar here- the 😱that comes with the wannabe dictator that will be taking the USA down a very dark path deepens daily.
I so get this, here in the US -- also having trouble getting out of bed ... sort of ...
😔
Andrei, I feel your pain. From the ongoing hellish circus in the U.S., I watch the nonstop travesty of trials and sentencing of democracy advocates, journalists and finger legislators in my birthplace😩
At times like this, writing is not a luxury, but a survival necessity, but first take care of yourself, put on the oxygen mask so then you do what needs to be done! Sending you and your family warmest wishes for a healthy and peaceful holiday! See you in 2025♥️
I mean “former legislators”
I sort of liked finger legislators, Sharon. Made sense to me in all its possible definitions...
Sharron at 🌿LEAVES
Yes, Sharron thanks! so many connotations😹😹😹 but technically, they were forced to resign, or the directly elected local seats were eliminated by the so-called reforms in HK. So sadly, former…
Andrei, it's been great having you around here in Substack. We're all sort of holding our breath right now, but that's why we all need to honor our commitments to ourselves as writers.
I'm glad I could help you.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Happy New Year to you and your family. Pupic :)
You’re a quuality person, Camila. I’m glad to have made your acquaintance here. Happy holidays to you!
Thank you!
What a stressful time, Andrei ! Well done regarding your book. Wishing you, your family and lovely feline, a Merry Christmas and hoping for good outcomes in the New Year 🩷
Likewise, dear Maureen! Happy holidays!
Wow, Andrei... mind you things are quite in flux in the US too... Looks like the entire world is wobbling right now. Meanwhile we keep writing, right? Congrats on the progress on the book. And happy Christmas and New Year!
Same, Martine! And yeah, it seems like chaos reigns everywhere these days. Excited and a bit afraid to see what the new year will bring. Happy holidays!
Andrei, I read this ages ago but forgot to post (little people keep stealing my time). Hope you’re recovering and sending you the best wishes for 2025 x
Hey, Sonia! Hanging in there, yeah. Thanks for the thoughts!
Wishing you inspiration, fulfillment, joy, and health in the new year. Stay strong, hopeful, and patient!
I'm sorry to read this. In my country, there are also problems with corrupt politicians. I know it's hard, but I hope you feel better during the days and enjoy Christmas time with your family and friends.
I'm looking forward to your first novel!
Best wishes from Spain 😊
This is brutal, Andrei. I'm sorry. It seems to echo much of the political landscape of the world, unfortunately. It doesn't give me much hope for the future, but we must maintain hope otherwise everything would be despair.
Wishing you as much of a happy holidays as is possible. Keep up with the writing, for sanity's sake if nothing else.
It's strange to me. I thought Romania became independent after the USSR dissolved and established its own democracy. But you continue to suffer from unprecedented turmoil. What about your independent intelligentsia? I have an impression that the world has forgotten what democracy really means. I am so sorry for your troubles. At least you have a positive note in your book. Happy New Year, and best wishes for your health in any sense!
As I say, democracy is brittle. And I don’t think most people saw this coming, because bad as it’s been, Romania has managed to protect its independence thus far. I hope we continue to do so. Happy holidays, Larisa!
Thank you. As a former Soviet Russian living in the USA, I see that Russia is now even worse than before under Putin's regime. My friend is Romanian, whose uncle was in the Cheochesky government and one of the main figures in the country's security. (I forgot his name; he was a Jew under a Romanian pseudonym) I thought that having gotten rid of these kinds of people, your country became (if even brittle) democratic, but I see from your article that it has become more authoritative than Putin's Russia. I see you love your country and don't want to leave, as the Russian intelligentsia left Russia because of Putin's war with Ukraine.
I don’t want to give the wrong impression. Authoritative, Romania is not, at least not yet. The issue right now is keeping it from turning into an autocracy.
"These days, writing my little novella about an old man and a cat has felt less than unimportant..." Now it is more important than ever to maintain personal balance. Andrei, the sun will rise tomorrow morning just as it has done for over 4 billion years. Take heart in that. Tomorrow morning, we humans will rise with that sun, as we have for more than 300,000 years. We’ll square our tired shoulders and go about the daily business of finding food and shelter and belonging. All else is farce. Remember that.
That IS true. Thanks for the reminder, Sharron. I have to hold onto that wider perspective. Happy holidays!
Dear Andrei,
I totally understand your exhaustion- we’re going through something similar here- the 😱that comes with the wannabe dictator that will be taking the USA down a very dark path deepens daily.
Good luck with your second draft-
God bless 🙏🏻