The Bunster and I spent the morning together yesterday in the old town here in Wroclaw. It was good for the soul. This little man speaks 3 languages and has lived in so many different places, and he is only 3 years old. He is of course very lucky. The war has destroyed so many people’s lives and there is death constantly. What happened now in Odessa with that apartment building that was hit is just pure evil, and it does not stop.

I never know what the Bunster is thinking. What comes out of his mouth is often such a surprise and it can be so delightful. While we were strolling around together he says that he loves mommy and that he loves daddy. I asked him if he also loves his toy cars and if he loves chocolate. He thinks for a few moments and says “I like my toy cars and chocolate. They are not people. Mommy and daddy are people.” I can eat him up.

So that is what goes through the mind of a Bun. And what his dad is thinking is as follows: How come this man Johnson can hold up the aid to Ukraine because he is influenced by Trump, who is not the boss, but Biden, who is the boss, can do nothing to get Johnson to do the right thing. It just does not add up. It seems like Trump has captured the Republicans. I am no expert on American politics but the system appears to be dysfunctional, and again, something feels off. Where is the political will? Where is their memory? Where is their conscious?

Another thought I have … what will happen at year end with the elections in America. If Trump wins, well, er, God help us all. And if Trump loses, then what happens. If Biden wins by a landslide then I think all will be ok, but if it is very close, and Trump loses, then what will happen. Trump is going to go crazy and start screaming how it was rigged, and how it was stolen from him … and his base of gun owning intellectuals is going to do what exactly ?! I am scared to think. I reckon a civil war could erupt in America. I see Alex Garland’s film “Civil War” opens in theaters next month. A taste of things to come … ???

Two years ago today we woke up around 5 am when the apartment building started shaking and the sound of evil explosions could be heard all over. That was the day our lives changed, and they will never be the same again. We have been living out of a suitcase since then and when I look at the suitcase it is not that big.

The world learned this during the pandemic – we don’t need a lot to live. A roof over our heads, a comfortable bed, a hot shower, food in the fridge … and of course, health, love, family, hope. The war has taken this all up a notch or two. I know so many people that are living out of a suitcase because of this war, and yes, it is not easy, but I still hear laughter. And hope is still there.

Yes, we don’t need much to live. We do need hope, and a bit of inspiration. What we don’t need are false promises, fickle friends, and anything do with Trump. Other things we don’t need include social media and Fox News.

The people I know in Ukraine have all become much more straight forward. That old expression of “say what you mean and mean what you say” is more and more the norm, and that is good. And people appreciate what they have, and enjoy the moment. We don’t need to take photos on mobile phones of every experience – we are not all photographers.

Life has become more simple since the war began, and the future is uncertain. What is for sure is that Ukraine will survive, and if I am wrong about this, then the world is going to hell.

I often get asked how life is in Kyiv. It is not a simple answer. But for sure, life goes on. All seems ok, but just below the surface there is so much pain, trauma, fear and anxiety. How does anyone plan for the future with so much uncertainty?! This is a brave country and everyone loves their homeland – I don’t know a single person that is not trying to help with the war effort. Of course, not everyone is a solider, but everyone I know is either donating to the military, helping to raise money, involved with different charities, helping the army with logistics and supplies, crowdsourcing drones for the armed forces, and whatever else you can imagine. These are not normal activities for countries that are not at war. So yes, in Kyiv life is different but that does not mean that you don’t hear laughter. Quite the opposite in fact. We actually went to the movies last week in Kyiv and saw a funny film, on Tuesday early evening, and the next day, that early Wednesday morning, before the sun came up, 22 ballistic missiles were sent by Russia to Kyiv. It is scary, and yes, people died. And again, life goes on. But nothing is normal.

People are appreciating what they have. No one is taking anything for granted. Perhaps this is what happens when your existence is under threat. I assume it focuses the mind, and the spirit. Family, health, friends. These are the things that matter the most. Relationships. I have less friends these days. Since the start of the war I have lost touch with many people I used to know. Most of my truest friends are here in Kyiv. Again, perhaps this is because of the war. Perhaps this trauma has brought everyone in Kyiv closer together.

There is an attitude here of “We will do it today.” Because no one knows what will happen tomorrow. Perhaps there is wisdom here for the world. And also, there is more laughter here than ever before. And love too. Yes, often it can be a nervous laughter, but no one here has given up on living. Quite the opposite. People are getting married and having babies, and life continues.

There are some jokes going around, and a lot of commentary, about the world at large and the dysfunction in America. As someone said to me the other day, when the bigger war comes to the rest of the world in the next couple of years here in Ukraine everyone will be mentally ready and they will say to the West, “Welcome to the club.”

“Please do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself why Putin is still able to continue it.” – Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Biden made a speech on his visit to Kyiv when he said “as long as it takes”. We don’t hear/see that on the news any more. Instead, it is all about the Tucker Putin show, for some reason. God knows. Americans seem to be out of touch with the realities in the rest of the world, or at least they don’t think they need to care, as whatever happens it won’t affect them. This is very naïve, in my view. And, have you seen what that lunatic Trump has been saying lately about NATO. Yup, that club is going to open up. Everyone will be joining in the not so distant future.

In the past 24 hours I have had so many surreal experiences. Last night Marta took me to the cinema to see Poor Things. What an unusual film – we did enjoy it, but it is not for everyone. You have to be in the right mood.

What makes this movie experience interesting is that we were in a cinema in Kyiv. And then, this morning, at around 7 am, there was a big Russian strike on Kyiv, and other parts of the country. We went down to the basement bomb shelter and joined other people from the building. There were quite a few children there and also, some dogs.

While we were in the bomb shelter I was thinking about Poor Things, that film, and those pathetic Russians. Not to mention the weak Americans who cannot pull their finger out of their asses and do the right thing. What went down here this morning no one should ever have to experience. And yet, it keeps on happening, coming up on two years on the 24^th of this month. And no one is stopping this evil lunatic in Russia.

There is a bigger war coming, and if anyone wonders how come, it is because the privileged and pampered West is too worried about nonsense, when evil is staring the world in the face, and everyone is in denial. This evil is not being stopped and it will continue. And it is already spreading. Just look at what is going on in the world. Aggression and war are the new norms, and it all goes back to Russia.

Such poor things indeed. We are living in a poor world. There may be a lot of billionaires and powerful people out there, but they are so poor. If the men with power in this world were truly rich then none of this would be happening.

Later this month marks two years since the start of this evil war. A war that no one here understands. And by here, I mean here in Kyiv. I am at home and have been here for a few weeks. End of next week I will go back to Wroclaw and then a month later I will come back to Kyiv. And so it will go for 2024.

Let me ask you something. If you are reading this and you perhaps know me, and then you later read in the newspaper that I am a convicted mass murderer would you still talk to me … ? If you hear repeatedly that I am evil would you still call me … ? If you found out that I was a bad person would you still want to have anything to do with me … ? If I knew someone and then I learned that this person was evil I would have nothing further to do with them.

Putin and his henchmen are pure evil. Russia is a problem, to Ukraine, and to the world. And yet, Russians are going on holiday to so many parts of the world, constantly. Every friend of mine who travels tells me that wherever they go it is full of Russians. And international companies continue to do business with Russia. And Russians buy products abroad and have them sent to Russia. WTF ?!

Is the world in denial or something ?! I don’t get it. What has to happen here in Ukraine for someone to scream “ENOUGH !!!”

That old famous quote comes to mind, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

I play a small role in a software start-up venture called PYGIO. A few weeks ago the company had its third birthday and it was a magical moment in time. The PYGIO team is humble, hard working and spirited. The company is growing and there is so much potential. There have been so many amazing people coming together on this journey and one day it will make for a fantastic story. And speaking of stories, please have a look at this. I hope this piece of text captures your imagination a wee bit.