Real Hell

I'm really not sure where to start with this one. It's been kindly submitted by George Bazhenov (go visit his site or his blog here (though you'll need to be able to read Russian).
I'll let George tell this in his own words. Expect a cocktail stick with a cheese chunk of humor and a pineapple chunk of pathos.


"That was very near to hell in 1998 - quarter million Sierra Leonean refugees fleeing across the border and into Guinea. My job was to take part in an effort to feed all of them and my agency started recruiting field monitors. Applications started to arrive in their hundreds, way too more for us to process. There were real gems, West Africans love theatrics but in a situation of hunger and despair this sounded tragic and nobody laughed at their job applications that in normal conditions would be circulated through offices and learned by heart to retell near a soda fountain.

I still keep one and I still think that it carries more tragedy than comedy with it.

Letter of Request
I am twenty-one (21) year old Sierra Leonean Refugee student and I am writing to have you as my abducted father should it be possible. The widely propagated news of your authenticity by individuals around town aroused my curiosity for a fraternal relationship with you.
I hope to have some facial conversation with you at your convenience, so that I can furnish you with detailed information about myself.
Sir, I strongly promise to make use of any opportunity you may offer me to your greatest satisfaction.
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely yours,
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx"

Sorry if you were expecting a LOL today, but this one had to be posted.
Normal, irreverent service will be resumed soon.