I was reading in The Kyiv Independent about “Ukrainian oligarchs, businessmen leave country en masse. According to the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet, over 20 private jets left Kyiv on Feb. 13. Over the past two weeks, planes owned by oligarchs Rinat Akhmetov, Victor Pinchuk, businessmen Vadym Novinsky, Vadym Stolar and Vasyl Khmelnytsky all left the country.”

https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/13/7323857/

If these geniuses all want to help Ukraine then they can stay away. Yup, don’t come back.

It is fascinating how these parasites who take and take and take are the ones that are leaving. They are not role models and they don’t help anyone. They are actually a big part of the problem. They create no value for the country, they create no jobs, and they are corrupt and twisted. In my simple view, they help no one but themselves. So again, help Ukraine and never return.

The situation in Ukraine with the Russian army parking on the Ukrainian border is causing a lot of stress. And yet, Russia has said repeatedly that they are not planning to invade Ukraine. But Western media continues to suggest that an attack could happen any day now. And again, Russia keeps saying they are not not going to invade Ukraine. So what exactly is Russia doing?!

If Russia does invade then isn’t Russia a big fat liar. Who would ever trust Russia again? And why would they attack Ukraine? I understand Russia is not happy about NATO’s expansion over the years but why then attack Ukraine. Attack NATO if you are not happy with them but what has Ukraine done to Russia. Russia does not want Ukraine to join NATO but as it stands Ukraine is not part of NATO so what is the problem. Yes, I know I am over simplifying things but the questions here really are simple. Is Russia going to invade Ukraine and can Mr. Putin really be such a madman. I can’t believe that. I am not getting it. Russia keeps saying they are not planning on invading Ukraine and on the news last night the Americans and the Brits are telling their citizens to leave Ukraine right away. Again, what exactly has Ukraine done to Russia?

Russia says Ukraine is a part of Russia and that they are their brothers. Who kills their brothers ???

Western news suggests that missiles could bomb cities in Ukraine as part of the first Russian strike. This sounds like terrorism. When Israel gets missiles fired at Tel Aviv that is terrorism, but this is not about terrorists. This is about the Russian army. They must have a plan but at this stage no one has a clue what it is.

Our little man is almost a year-and-a-half old. Wow, time is flying. The Bunster is such a cool dude. We love him to bits.

Corona finally got us. Felt like a kak flu – feeling better today. Phew. We were lucky. Many people have died from this freakin’ thing.

We have been so scared to catch corona, especially with the Bunster and all, but now we can tick it off the list. We are fully vaccinated and have been so careful but we caught it somehow. And so many people who we know have it too. The corona craziness continues.

A bigger disease in the world though has been around a lot longer and it is far more devastating. It is called greed.

I was in bed for the weekend and was thinking: is greed and selfishness the same thing … ? I looked up on Google and found this: Selfishness is when you want something just for yourself. Greed is when you want more than what you need.

I am a selfish person. But no more selfish than the next person. We live in a selfish world. But I don’t believe I am greedy, or ever have been. And sadly, so many people I have met in my life are very greedy. Doesn’t mean I don’t like them or that they are bad people. But this global greed disease is damaging the world, way more than the corona virus.

I read something on Twitter this week that really got me thinking: Money can’t make rich people happy, but it can make poor people happy.

We all need to give more. After all, the best way to receive it so give. One way to help cure this greed disease is to be more generous. Patience, love, generosity … these all used to be more evident in simpler times. That is my perception.

Do you know which is the largest country in Europe? I have a feeling you didn’t know. Go to Google and take a look. The answer is: Ukraine. Most people don’t know this, and for sure, like where I come from (South Africa) most people don’t know what or where is Ukraine.

My partner Dimitri wrote this text below – I am sharing it here. It is a good read.

Ukraine has been in the limelight a lot recently: over 20 unicorn start-ups, thriving culture and much more. Now the largest country in Europe is in the news once again, and this time it is not for a good reason. The ongoing crisis between East and West is culminating in Ukraine, where the debate is being played out politically and physically.

Now is the time to hire Ukrainian and Eastern European talent, keeping the working economy healthy. We stand with our teams and friends across Ukraine as work and life continues despite the mounting pressure on the border with Russia.

From PYGIO’s view, we are born in the cloud and remote-work native. We do not need to be in any particular space to do our work to make our clients win. We work with teams globally and are committed to helping each of them be safe where we can.

We were recently in Kharkiv (very close to the Russian border – a peaceful university city), Kyiv (the bustling capital) and Lviv (Western Ukraine) and we believe these cities will remain stable, prosperous and free.

For a succinct analysis into what is transpiring in the region, see Fareed Zakaria’s take here: https://youtu.be/bVwd7TW_v-4

For 6 reasons “Why are US and Russian tensions escalating over the Ukraine?” click here : https://youtu.be/LCK6daF9fNc

Today has a been a peaceful and soulful day. I hope the rest of the year is like this.

I saw a funny thing on the Net earlier that said “Let’s make Year Three of Covid the best one yet !!!”

Yeah, there certainly were a lot of jokes flying around in 2021. We needed to laugh – it is always the best medicine. It was not an easy year for most folk I reckon.

I closed the books last night on some stuff and those stories need to stay in the past. As my one mentor once told me “Every problem has an expiry date.” I think 2022 is going to be another challenging year for the world, and I also think the stock market bubble will finally pop during the next 12 years. Then we are going to see more craziness.

I walked a few different paths this year on the work front. The PYGIO journey, which was filled with important lessons and milestones, will continue this year and we start off this month with some exciting potential. On the film front, we are waiting to receive on offer from a distributor for our documentary “57” about violent crime in South Africa. The film turned out very good – it is an important and powerful piece of work. I hope we conclude something in the next couple of months. We have another film project just raring to go.

Happy new year. Try and remember that it is better to be kind than to be right. The world needs more kindness in 2022.

The Bunster is 11 months old today. Soon he will be one year old. Wow. Where did the time go … ?

The Bunster is pure magic.