Random Thoughts after another Worrying Christmas
First of all, I want to wish a Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it. Hope you had a good time and are in good health. I want to especially send a big hug to every member of the #Hive community with whom I or other members of my family have had the joy of interacting. Hive has been about the only good thing that has happened to us this year.
Random after-ChristmasThoughts
If you were still able to have some kind of celebration, count your blessings and consider yourself lucky; many were not that blessed. I feel we may join pretty soon that part of the world population that do not celebrate Christmas, not because we are going to convert to another religion (in my particular case, I do not partake of any, I just follow some family traditions now devoid of religious significance), but because, at this pace, it will be impossible in a few years for any of our families to continue fulfilling the tradition.
Source
Translation: "Fatherland, Socialism, or death!" "We´ll be back"
In the last 6 or 7 years, we've started to lose count, Venezuelans have experienced a steady decline of our living conditions, our traditions, and our hope that things can get any better.
Covid-19 has been the straw the broke the camel’s back. By forcing other economies into recession, cutting jobs, and limiting people’s ability to move around. This pandemic, with all the uncertainty and manipulation surrounding it, has been a curse for the countries whose people have been forced to flee due to wars, violence, natural, or socialism/communism-induced disasters.
This Christmas has just proven our greatest fears: every year things can get even worse. We have lost our capacity to provide our families with the most fundamental living conditions, let alone provide the "perks" of a festivity that has meant so much in our culture and was always a marker of economic, social, and emotional stability.
We could not even take pictures of our dinner table this year. We were about not to have one. At the last minute, I decided to sacrifice some money which was going to be used for medical expenses to buy what would be our Christmas dinner. We were unable to make any repairs in the house (for the 7th year in a raw), paint a single wall, buy new clothes, drinks, presents, or Christmas-related adornments/decorations. Forget about inviting or visiting any friends or relatives, not so much because of fear of the virus (people here don’t really care much about it), but because of the economic limitations and all the restrictions caused by the collapse of every single thing that makes a country be a country.
Source
-LEFT- "You look so much like me, you can't deceive me..." -CORONAVIRUS-
This has been one more Christmas without my children, without freedom, without the possibility of planning a future for the younger ones or just providing them with the opportunities for them to decide what to do with their lives. We have gotten used to the brevity and almost impersonal interactions allowed by smart phones. We are forgetting what it is to have an honest, long, face-to-face conversation with our loved ones; what it means to hug them and feel their pains and joys.
My son, José from Perú
This situation seems to have come to stay. Our political crisis gets messier every day and for the first time since I turned 18 and was able to exercise my right to vote I see an overwhelming rejection to anything political (more 80% of the population). We can’t trust the government and we can’t trust the opposition, who every day confirm all the theories about their complicity in this tragic charade. This means that the possibility of a peaceful political resolution is every day less likely.
We know now that Venezuela may join the red list of nations that have been left to their own devices by the international community. If we think about Syria, Rwanda, or even Cuba way before them, we know that time is measured differently by politicians (in their comfort zones) than by the victims of tyrannical regimes. As that famous tango song says, “20 years is nothing”. It may not be for biological evolution, but it is a lot for human suffering.
Of course, not everything is about suffering. We have been wired to avoid pain and pursue more joyful interests, so obviously people found ways to have a good time despite adversity. There was still Christmas dinner, trees and nativities in some homes. Some people fulfilled their sacred traditions with the fidelity of religious duties (painting the house, buying presents for their young children, dressing up for the video call and social media sharing). I see all these adaptations, disguised as resiliency and idiosyncrasy, as a dangerous capitulation on a fight that was supposed to be radicalized some years ago. Teachers, for instance, continue complaining about their meager salaries, while they continue fulfilling their duties now in the form of online education (even if they are not longer educating). Most public employees keep complaining about their inability to survive only with the government “tips”, but they keep working, thus allowing that same government that oppresses them to function and continue oppressing them.
Source
Sactions..."The crisis is your fault!"
I hope it does not take too much of 2021 for people around the world to see that the problem was not the virus itself, but the political and economic interests behind the "contingency", and in the particular case of Venezuela, in case Biden finally gets to sit in the oval office, I hope those who still blame the sanctions for our crisis can see the true color of the parties involved.
Celebrating Christmas under the current circumstances has become an exhausting psychological effort. I hope my people do not have to play pretend next year and we can truly celebrate something.
Thanks for stopping by
https://twitter.com/yagguaraparo/status/1342601133118935040
I know it was not your intention to do so, but this post has made me very sad for many reasons; It also makes me feel guilty that right at this moment I I can get anything I want...That's the nature of the country I live in and the financial ability I have within it. I don't mean a Lamborghini here, I mean food, clothing, internet service, household utilities and things that here we all probably take for granted. Things you struggle to provide for yourselves.
I'm not as up to date with your problems, the reasons you folks suffer so many shortages, and I don't know what I can do to help other than support you here on hive in the small way I'm able. But what I can do is tell you how much I respect your resilience, your drive and the way you manage a smile. I can tell you how awesome it is that you have raised your children so well, imprinted the values that so many here in a privileged country do not have. I can tell you how happy it makes me that you keep standing up and walking...Every day.
I have had moments in my life where giving in seemed the easier option and in truth it was. I didn't though, through stubbornness, self-respect, or just the fact I refused to let down those around me...I stood up and kept walking...It is what you're doing and I respect that, in all of you. Yes, these are hollow words that will have no real bearing upon your situation but I wanted to say it. You need to know that what you do is special and many here would be unable to do it...They'd just hold their hand out for money rather than stand and take that step, and the next.
Thank you for this post and for reminding me that no matter how bad my life seems others suffer more. I have just sent June a message on Discord right now...Please ask her about it.
And...Merry Christmas from me Henrry...
Thank you very much. That was very generous of you.
Please, don't (feel guilty). It was certainly not my intention to make anyone in a better possition feel guilty. Neither it was to inspire pity, even though I know it's hard not to if one is to narrate pitiful accounts like this. The thing is we work hard; we have always done it. My wife and I went to college and got degrees because at some point in our recent history that was a guarantee of success and stability. Things changed and now degrees mean nothing. In fact, I dare to say that those who are doing better now are doing so thanks to not being bound to a degree-oriented job.
Even among my folks here, there are people who have managed to stay not only afloat; they have managed to do better and keep decent standards of living, etc. Most of them have done it thanks to hard work; most of them were already in an advantageous possition (business owners, for instance) and just needed to reinvent themselves playing along with whatever game rules the government came up with. I admire them and am glad for their personal success (but I know that won't mean much unless the whole country succeeds, and that's not going to happen under this regime).
The point is, I believe people should feel proud of their standing, especially if they have gotten there through honest hard work. It is frustrating though (and I know some people would rather be spared this kind of rant) when no matter how hard you work you can see any results (like swimming in circles).
Your words do have a great deal of meaning and value to us. We have done our best to behave here as we do in our daily lives. It is rewarding to get the feeling that we are cultivating true friendships based on common interests and values. I do not exagerate when I say Hive has been a lifesaver for us (and I think I speak for a lot of other Venezuelans here). It's not just the money we can make here (which I am sure has literally saved lives in more than one way), it is the opportunity it has given us to breath, to see that what we do makes sense somehow (whether it is a song, a drawing, a poem, or just a joke).
Some of us have found here training for future projects, inspiration from others' examples, and a relief from so much ugliness around us.
I know some people here may have issues with posts like this. I hope I won't have to clarify that I mean nothing but honest expression of a personal reality. I know others see it differently and decide that their blogs will never project such image (and I applaud that); I know some hate people who present themselves as weak and needy and think this platform should not be used to get some benefit from self-pitying. I do not want this to be misconstrued as such. I have used my blog as freely as I can honestly do and I hope one day my children will see in everything I posted here not just expressions of my intellectual and artistic interests but a chronicle of their country and how many factors affected our lives in many ways.
Please, my friend, celebrate your country and circumstances. It gives me joy and hope that other places in this planet have managed to provide their people with better lives. I saw it in the States and I know it can be done. I also know that it takes people and governments working together guided by the same values and goals.
You're welcome mate, it's a pleasure to help people that help themselves when I can.
I can't help but feeling that you folks would feel trapped, like hamsters on a wheel running but not getting anywhere; I don't know if that's how you feel but it's how I would feel if I was unable to move things forward, take action and know there'll be a result. It must be very frustrating.
You mention posts like this and I understand what you mean...I've seen many posts presenting a neediness, the self-pity you refer to, and it's not a good look, especially when people do it all the time. I've even had people hit me up on Discord seeking money from me, support through voting and fiat transfers for various things...It makes me feel uncomfortable and has the opposite effect to that which that person wishes generally. Self-expression is a different matter though and I see your post as such, not a plea for pity; Maybe it's because I know you a little better and know you wouldn't write a post like that.
I believe that hive should be a place where a person an express themselves and whilst in doing so people may judge them for it I don't feel that's right to do so. But humans are judgemental and so it happens.
I hope things improve for you, and if not then maybe y'all need to stage a revolution. It's worked before.
That's exactly the feeling: a hamster's wheel, a treadmill, a time loop. The sad thing is that I know that for many who have left and are supposed to be in a better situation now, in countries with better economies, with services that work, etc., it has become the same thing. People work 12, 16 hours a day and all the make is barely enough to cover "food and floor", as they say.
Getting up every day convinced that you can break the loop and try a different path to get a different result is a struggle, but many keep doing it.
The revolution, or in this case counter-revolution, will happen at some point. One tries to raise awareness of the power of organization and common ground. The mayority will not follow suit until they feel they have nothing to lose. In my mind we all got to that point 3 years ago, but human perception of reality is as varied as humans themselves, so we'll have to wait some more (maybe for another Xmas miracle, hopefully better than the "fall" of the Soviet Union).
Counter revolution, yes that's what I meant. Let's hope people wake up and make it happen, put the right people in power and move the country forward.
Also, we're all on the treadmill I suppose. I mean I have to go to work, there's no option not to do so and so I'm as trapped as others. Of course my situation isn't as bad as others financially but like most I'm on an eat, work, sleep cycle. I'm trying to break it, to work towards something, but it's hard, even here in Australia.
Not that I'm trying to draw similarities to your plight and that of Venezuela - There are none!
Anyway, I am not religious so the praying thing doesn't work for me, I'll hope that things improve and you folks get the break you need.
As echoes with my brother, it saddens me that people seem destined to suffer, but gladens me that not all will fold under the pressure. Resiliency is a gift and a curse in this regard - we can put up with a lot more than we should have to put up with.
One day, I hope you and all of us are able to be a part of a better way.
Thank you very much. I appreciate your support and I agree with you. In our particular case we have gotten to extreme and unjustifiable levels of submission and oppresion and some people want to sell that as something to be proud of. I do not own a car,but if I did I would not feel proud of my not giving up in my attempt to fill my car with gas. I can't look at my children in the eyes with pride just because I went day after day, for weeks, to the same gas station and put up with all kinds of abuse under scorching sun until I got my tank filled (well, not quite, only 50%).
We are talking about hundreds of thousands of drivers across the country just sitting and even sleeping in their cars, obediently accepting whatever outrageous explanation a national guard spit out at them for their humiliation.
And do not get me started about the elders and what they have to go through to collect their pensions, which it is just enough for them to buy breakfast (after waiting for hours in lines at the banks) and pay for the car back home.
It's tough and I think that part of not giving up has to do with leaving a record of all those things, ugly as that record may be.
Merry Christmas and happy new year for @hlezama and family. I hope you get better life in 2021. Warm regard from Indonesia.
Merry Christmas, my friend. It's been a while. Hope things are going well in Indonesia. My best wishes for you and your loved ones.
Unfortunately this doesn’t help with anything. I just told @galenkp that I can’t teach you how to fish....
So hopefully this helps with my personal guilt... I hope you can exchange hive for local currency.
Thank you very much, @azircon
I understand the view and I appreciate the gesture.
We do know how to fish. We do all kinds of fishing actually (as I write this words, I am also working on some translations as part of my freelance activities, which also include teaching English, different kinds of tutoring, and proofreading texts). It's just that under a populist big-government regime that spawned the biggest hyperinflation the price of fish is not enough for your fishing to mean much. Sometimes you can't even catch the fish because it has been driven away by those ruling over the waters. My wife at some point had 3 jobs, we barely saw each other, and still was not enough.
No need to feel guilty about our circumstances. It is what it is. I know it will have to improve some day. We keep exploring alternatives and learning skills that would allow us to have more options open.
As hard as this is to read, I'm grateful you shared it. There is so much propaganda and blame going around, that I am grateful to hear direct from the people in their countries the truth of what is actually happening.
Thank you very much.
I have done my best to document our reality, with all the risks that implies.
@tipu curate 2
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 120/150) Liquid rewards.
I can’t add a whole lot more than what the great words that have already been spoken by Galen and some others but what I am thankful for is to have the opportunity to interact with you, engage and see real testimonies of what sounds like a hard working family trying to do the best they can and not give in to do what is being forced upon the country. This economic disaster is a planned destruction of economies by psychopaths that want to rule humanity with a sadistic iron fist. This virus is nothing more than a typical flu. It’s a complete charade and countless people go along like good puppies and let them do what they want, forcing so many others to get ruined out of a herd mentality.
With hive and crypto we have the ability to have an opportunity to make some much needed money on the side, to connect with remarkable people from the entire world and support each other in what ways we can. That’s a true testament to people helping people, keeping going together. Government is not going to help us, we need to help ourselves. I’m sad at the situation you and many others are in but I’m really glad to have a way to do what I can to help you out. It’s not a lot but it all adds up in the end and it keeps putting one foot in front of the other and sets a good example for your family and lots of others.
Thanks, @cmplxty
We appreciate it.
About the virus, here we can see the manipulation mroe clearly. The regime has used the restrictions to prevent people from reacting to the gas crisis that would have paralized the country even without the pandemic ever happening; you can't move freely from one town to another or gather to protest, but the government organizes election rallies or Xmas parties and crams stadiums with thousands of people with total disregard for "bio-safety measures". It's just insane.
I think that the crypto world will definitely contribute to bypassing governments' manipulations (economic or otherwise) and providing people with viable alternatives for income and social interaction. We've witnessed what these kinds of communities can achieve and it will be a matter of time for global adoption to take place and allow their full development.
So much of what you say resonates for me. I worry that this country could head down the same road. Especially since they found another huge offshore gas deposit. This was the thinnest Christmas ever for us. Like you, we are not religious, but rather enjoy the traditions. For the first time in more than 20 years,I just didn't get into it. No decorations, no table, no turkey. I just did not work and although I have done some "traditional" food/baking,that's because we have a friend coming to visit (who will pay her own way - she has a lucrative job with a parastatal) and for sale. Corona has decimated tourism and a lot of our economy and along with that, my income. My debt doesn't bear thinking about and writing mills - given our exchange rate and cost of living, earn me less than a domestic worker on minimum wage.
Yet, somehow, we get on. I have to believe that things will improve.
I worry about Venezuela. I am glad that our government's attitude has changed as I do believe in the value of international pressure. It takes too long, though.
I wish I could do more than commiserate. Please do not stop writing "this type of post". The world needs to hear and read Every Man's stories.
I wish you and your family strength, health and peace.
May 2021 be kinder to us all.
Thank you very much, @fionasfavourites
I too hope 2021 somehow gives people the chance to prove they learned something from 2020's disasters. Governments should make amends if they really want global stability and democracy.
Unless they are run by insane people, like ours, who take pride in their mistakes and the pain they cause. Of the recent tragedy I posted about (people drowning trying to reach Trinidad), the government just issued a statement blaming the victims themselves (too many people in the boat, no safety measures, illegal boarding, etc.). No mention to the causes of their desperate attempt, no sign of admission of responsibility.
Our best wishes for youand your loved ones too.
I subscribe your words:
Thank you, too, for your wishes.
News of that and that incident reached us: I listen to an independent radio station and heard that. I have no words. A dreadful humanitarian disaster has been playing itself out between South Africa and Zimbabwe over this period. The authorities are not taking responsibiity.
And our health systems are not far from collapsing under the strain of this second wave and the new variant of covid...
Anyhow, we all have to just soldier on!
!tangent & !XMAS
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I feel for you and the people of Venezuela. I am so grateful that even in such dire straits you have taken time and energy to share with us. This pain may be long but it's not forever. We stand with you as you continue to struggle for the soul of your nation. All the best to your family in the upcoming year.
Thanks a lot. I appreciate your stopping by.
Our best wishes for you and yours too.
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@hlezama Es muy triste la realidad que vivien en Venezuela ya que es un reflejo del futuro cercano de muchos países que siguen el mismo camino como por ejemplo Argentina. Leyendo el libro "El Arte de la guerra" he aprendido las estrategias socialistas que estas destruyendo muchos países. Gracias por compartir tu realidad! Saludos.
Gracias por tu comentario. Ese texto, así como otros similares (El Príncipe de Maquiavelo) se convirtieron en "libros de cabecera" de los políticos con inclinaciones totalitarias (tanto de derecha como de izquierda). Si fueran lecturas obligadas en las escuelas y liceo, los jóvenes entenderían a tiempo cómo funciona la politica y serían ciudadanos concientes y exigentes para con su clase política.
Por desgracia, seguimos viendo ejemplos que son variaciones delmismo tema. Cada país "jura" que ellos no son como este o aquel que fracasó, que ellos lo harán diferente (Chile, Argentina, etc.). Yo tenía la ilusa esperanza de que el caso venezolano, radical como ha sido, fuera todo lo que el resto del mundo necesitaba para abstenerse de coquetear con la izquierda.
Pero ya sabemos como termina esa película
@hlezama, personas que entiendan como funciona este sistema y enseñarlo, así como para llegar haste este punto se ha trabajado duramente durante casi dos décadas, ¿Cómo podemos actuar en las siguientes décadas? Pensando en revertir dicha situación. Saludos y Bendiciones!
Va a ser un arduo trabajo de reingeniería social, pero por suerte ya hay experiencias en el mundo post-socialista/comunista.
La principal herramienta de trabajo deberá ser la educación sin ataduras politico-ideológicas (aunque estamos concientes que cualquier postura Anti socialista/comunista es también una ideología). Se debe volver a formar ciudadanos para adaptarse a los cambios tecnológicos y las indicaciones, que puedan incorporar esos cambios en sus sociedades, no formar esclavos para servirle al estado o al gobierno de turno.
Habrá que borrar toda la iconografía y el neo-lenguaje creado por el chavismo (eso, con voluntad civil y política sería lo más fácil). El culto a la personalidad del líder, el endiosamoiento del líder y el caudillismo regional deben desaparecer de la política venezolana o solo estaríamos cambiando un mal por otro.
Ahhhh, My friend. I weep for you and your family and your country. It is so sad that the conditions have gotten that awful for you and yours.
Not that it's much consolation but I don't think Venezuela will ever be on the forgotten list like Palestine and Syria because of the huge puddle of oil that is under your country. No country can or will forget that.
I hope, sincerely hope, that things will not be so bad for you and your family on next Christmas.
With all my hope for a better New Year!
Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your thoughts and good wishes. The problem with all our natural resources is that have found their way into powerful mafias and these mafias (Turkey, China, Russia) and these mafias have conflicting and intriguing relationships with the powers that allegedly should be doing something on our behalf, even if interestedly
My conclusion, considering how easily totalitarian regimes keep ruling around the world, is that corrupt and inept as they are, they are convenient for a lot of people
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Saludos Hlezama, me motivo ver tu post, y mas en esta fecha tan importante que la Navidad lo cual es reunir familia y compartir. lamentablemente llevamos como lo has escrito 7 años sin poder difrutar de las Navidades como deberia ser tu optimismo da fuerza en seguir luchando en el Pais, aunque estan limitados los trabajos ha hecho que seamos imigrantes alejandonos de lo que mas queremos la familia y nuestro hijos. Muchos de nosotros tenemos la esperanza de volver y tener las navidades como antes tener una cena, tomar muchas fotos con nuestras familia y amigos, yo tambien quisiera poder tener a mi familia cerca poder abrazar por lo menos cada Navidades. FELIZ NAVIDAD Hlezam..
Saludos, @enrique79
Gracias por comentar. Se que para muchos que están fuera estos largos años han sido aún más duros, lejos de sus seres queridos, sin garantías de escenso o estabilidad social y víctimas de muchos abusos. Ha sido una conjugación de muchos males juntos. Esperemos el nuevo año traiga cambios positivos para todos.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and now also, Happy New Year! :)
Let's hope its a good one.
Also thanks for reblogging the wine-token post. I had not heard about it. Here is some !WINE to celebrate the new year!