Feeling unsettled

 I accepted a project of a gym studio that became a full country club and then gradually expanded with a swimming pool, a technical building with pumps and heat exchangers, and then the drainage of a large park and so on. I had invested months of hard work for three months and they were harassing me every day for more and more urgent changes. I gave up, having lost my time and my expected remuneration. I feel unsettled, from now on I shall accept only small projects (but this was a small project!) and define strict payment schedules. I am an old man and these failures make my BP rise. 

Salt makes the body hold on to water, putting extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. Salt -- and worry, and anger -- aren't the only things that can raise blood pressure. Although temporary "spikes" aren't necessarily a problem, numbers that remain high over time can cause serious damage.

Xi Jinping gives a lecture on Inscrutability

 

The Renmin Ribao reports a recent conversation between Xi and Putin.   

　　Xi Jinping pointed out that recently, the situation in eastern Ukraine has undergone rapid changes, which has drawn great attention from the international community. China decides its position based on the merits of the Ukraine issue itself. We must abandon the Cold War mentality, attach importance to and respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiations. China supports Russia and Ukraine to resolve the issue through negotiation. China's basic position on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is consistent. China is willing to work with all parties in the international community to advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

Where stands China?  Who knows? They are inscrutable.  

P.D: A commenter says that Xi's message is crystal clear: "Abandon Cold War mentality", "Respect territorial integrity"... etc.  Xi is against the war in Ukraine. 

Commodities becoming more expensive

 

Apparently, I am still connected to reality, because all the stocks on TASE 35 are red except ICL and Delek. I had to pay 1.6% more for ICL but anyway, I bought and added them to my hoard. The Muscovite Rus  Великое княжество Московское  are back.

Sanctions on Russia

 I think Russia will have difficulties marketing its potash and possibly Bielo Russia too. Ukraine has mobilized its workforce, so its production may suffer. Ergo, ICL's stock will gain. First thing tomorrow: add ICL. Also, oil-related stocks will rise. The whole thing is senseless. It may give ideas to Xi regarding Taiwan. I hate this war. 

Peace and Prosperity Weakens

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the West has to work “very hard” to find alternative sources of energy beyond Russia

The Germans had worked themselves into a dangerous situation. They tried to develop "green" energy sources, phasing out "dirty" sources like nuclear and fossil. Now they depend on Russian gas and oil. Russian forces are poised to attack and they are paralyzed. 

The Woody Allen Paradox

 Woody thinks that the universe has no purpose nor sense, every hundred years humanity recycles itself and a new generation that knows nothing starts again.  And in the long term, the sun cools down and the planets disappear and in the end, the stars go out one by one. One wakes up each morning and goes to work, knowing that this is the truth, yet has to find a purpose in his own life. 

It is a paradox. Or self-deception. 

The Secret History

Ron Unz maintains that the Coronavirus that was discovered in Wuhan in 2019 was an American bioweapon, and it was first applied on the Persian government, and quite effectively, as many of its members died (I remember one sweating in the middle of a press conference and dying the next day). Then it extended to become a pandemia. Revealingly, the Chinese government imposed an immediate countrywide quarantine and Israel imported the Pfizer vaccine and immunized the whole population. Japan closed down all incoming ships and air traffic. The North Korean dictator disappeared and later he was discovered hiding in a remote location.  These vigilant governments reacted immediately and in force. Europe acted confused, England and the Scandinavians hoped that herd immunity will save them.

Unz suggested the zoonosis that decimated China's poultry and then swine industries were American attacks. He also says that the current Russia - American tension is an obvious hoax and the issue is the NordStream gas pipe to Germany. I don't know and did not form any opinion.