Congo

Lately i got interested in reading about central african countries, especially DRC (Democractic Republic of Congo).

In short, DRC is the 12th biggest country with estimate population of 62 million,(Former Belgium colony got independence in 1960), faced two civil wars in the last decade. Had roughly 120,000km of well-maintained roads,as well as national rail/boat services (on congo river) during the independence, now left with less than 1000 km of road remain. Long story, short DRC is being called "Undeveloping country of world".

Mighty Congo River flows thro the heart of the country(second longest river in africa after Nile, runs over 4,700 km). Tim Butcher, British journalist followed the path the river whole way thus by crossing the country in 2004 describing his experiences in his classic book Blood River. Tim takes journey which most people considered as suicidal journey (because of civil war in the country, for more info please read here and here), following the Legendary H.M.Stanley's epic trans-africa journey.

Honestly, reading Tim's experience was quite depressing,like his experience with toddler and his mom.He explains "I looked at the sickly child and tried to think of another country in the world where a baby born half a century earlier had more chance of surviving than today". Lines like "safest place for a Congolese is the forest" confirms that, DRC is undeveloping. He finishes his journey in Kinshasa and notes,"no capital city in the world more unrepresentative of its country". Tim finishes his book with following "Major lesson I learned on my trek through modern central Africa was that the most valuable asset stolen from the Congo was the sovereignty of its people"

You can read Guardian review here

BBC Reports this today. Quite depressing. God save DRC.

Funny Job Application

McDONALDS APPLICATION

This is an actual job application a 17-year-old boy submitted at a McDonald's fast-food establishment in Florida – and they hired him because he was so honest and funny!

NAME: Greg Bulmash

SEX: Not yet. Still waiting for the right person.

DESIRED POSITION: Company's President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever's available. If I were in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying here in the first place.

DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severance package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.

EDUCATION: Yes.

LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.

SALARY: Less than I'm worth.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.

REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.

HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.

PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a more intimate environment.

MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 LBS?: Of what?

DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing house Sweepstakes.

DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job no, on my breaks yes.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde super model who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.

DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Yes – Absolutely.

SIGN HERE: Aries.