Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Stalking, Bullying & Harrassment

... What do you do?

If he's a stalker, go to the police. Internet Police (FBI) and Local Police (Guatemala) and any other sites they are stalking you. FaceBook, Travelocity, wherever they harass and try to intimidate you. If they menace you in public physically, take a picture of them with your cell phones and immediately send it to your email to later turn over to the police. The date and time will be automatically recorded.

Bullying is treated the same way now-a-days, as is wife-beating. Some people never learn. But they can find out when they are (finally!) in handcuffs!

Keep records of all communications and posts. This will all count in court. Everyone has the right to be save. No one has the right to threaten or intimidate another. Even the bullies and cowards of this world will have to learn! They are, after all, one and the same.

House Of Saddam

House Of Saddam
A New HBO Miniseries On The Rise & Fall Of Saddam Hussein. Dec 7, 9pm.
www.hbo.com/films/houseofsaddam

Landlord Hooked on Drugs



Watch: Dave Chappelle- Drugs (Your Landlord is Hooked on Drugs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSsCzfyTrTQ&feature=related

LOL! One never knows...

A Troll is a Troll

Hi kid, I grew up as a greedy reader, a book every two days; which no doubt explains my eye problems.(New glasses Thursday): there were lots of Trolls in my books but I'd kind of forgotten them until I went on line and found them lurking everywhere. Now, Gandalf would know how to deal with this scum. All I can do is shoot an arrow here and there. Yours Cat

Definition of a "Troll"

Definition of a "Troll"
Posted in the Offbeat Forum
http://www.topix.com/forum/news/weird/TTEK0AEKIUGL6EFG4

From Rebecca Goodwin, Chamblee, GA, Thursday Nov 6


Lots of talk about trolls lately but everyone seems to have a different definition on what a troll is. I always thought of a troll as someone who is unregistered and who just runs around making snide comments, then returns back under their bridge.


Hey Hey Tiger Lilly, Jacksonville, FL, Thursday Nov 6

My dad taught me that all things are relative. Keeping that in mind, different people will define a troll differently. So, I'll just say what I think a troll is and others can say what they think a troll is. If enough people post to this thread, we will have a better idea what we all see as troll posters.
To me, a troll is someone who comes here to cause problems. They may just make posts to everyone or they may pick one or more posters and reply to them. They have major issues to deal with and instead of getting the help they need, they come here and go for the quick fix. By that I mean, when they post their comments and read the replies, it makes them feel better in the short run. Because it's just a quick fix, it must be done over and over again, cause it does not last that long. Many times trolls make troll polls. They pick one or more posters and start a poll where we can all vote and post. You have all seen these polls, like Who Is Here Too Much Or Who Is The Most Sexually Frustrated, that kind of thing. Some trolls are more like stalkers and they target one poster and just go after them with a vengence. There are times regulars don't get along and they fight back and forth and call each other trolls. To me, those people are not trolls, they are just having a disagreement, they don't like each other, and they fight it out. Ok, that is my take, I hope others will post to this thread. I would love to read what others think about this subject."


BC in Chicago, Bloomingdale, IL, Thursday Nov 6

As I see it, there are two main categories of trolls:
The first is by far the more obvious - the foam at the mouth, calling everyone names, hating everyone who disagrees even slightly with them, generally offensive kind, who is openly out to bait people and gets his/her kicks out of the outrage and havoc they cause.

The second kind is by far harder to detect, weeks may go by before it becomes obvious. That's the more subtle kind, who--on the surface--is all sweetness and light, peace to all, let's all get along, etc., etc. Then, out of the blue, the claws come out. This particular troll often just picks on one or two people and stabs them in the back again and again (frequently for no discernible reason). This is actually the more vicious kind, because many other posters will defend this one, since he/she is "such a nice person," "means so well," "has not done anything bad" (to others, that is), etc. etc. I have found this kind more often in the RW too, such as in offices. The first kind wouldn't last long in a work environment--what employer/HR department puts up with openly offensive troublemakers? But the second category gets away with this crap for years.

Do I have a solution? Other than ignore, ignore, ignore, no - I don't. However, unlike the real world, we don't have to take it this seriously here.

Just my take on it...

---

Bababooeey, “Yes, I do bite!!”, Thursday Nov 6


You forgot about the mutant quasi-trolls who are registered and do that exact same thing. I think it's related to multiple personality disorder coupled with living under power lines or adjacent to chemical/nuclear plants & eating paint chips as a child. Gives one the impression that they are more than they really are.

---

Pretty Feet, Sicklerville, NJ, Thursday Nov 6

i'd say a troll is someone who continues to harass others day in and day out.
its like they come here for just that reason, but i do think theres a reason for it.
IMO i think that troll is acting out frustrations that he feels with topix and the people itself.
hes frustrated because he feels hes being rejected here. in other words, people arent responding to him so he feels the need to say things to hurt and annoy others to get even.
its his way of getting attention, whether its the right kind or not doesnt matter, hes being noticed and people are finally "talking" to him. whether its justified doesnt matter either, because to him it is. its his way of being the "star on topix".
thats what i think, rejection causes a powerful emotion that a person feels and everyone has their way of dealing with it.

then again i think some trolls are just messing with it, having a good laugh at other peoples expense. its a thrill for them.

whatever, i still say if a person is bothering u then, best to ignore and not read any of their stuff. if u do, then u are putting urself in harms way. if u dont read them, they cant hurt u..
:O)


---

D Louis

I would think that a troll is some one who has no love or real joy in their life. And just hates to see others so happy. I, like so many others come here to post and have a little fun. A troll is some one who hates to see people happy and having fun. And that's why they are always on the attack. Or just maybe they were that kid who was bullied all through school. (I am not a fan of bullying at all.)

---

Bababooeey

Actually just 2 tiny minded dopes with nothing better to do. At this point all they do is take limp noodle potshots amusing themselves and nobody else with gutter snipes & broken record comments.

---


(more)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Update on Hotel from Hell, Posada Los Encuentros

Soon enough I hope this situation will be resolved; it has gotten very ugly, having to go to higher courts as no meditation resolution was achieved. However, I am learning just how low some people will go, including the owner Richard Morgan, but it will ultimately work in my favor when the truth comes out. The worse he tries to do to me, the more it goes to show his true nature and character. So filled with anger and hate! I've never seen anything like this, especially in a "professional" situation, by someone who runs a so-called hotel. His emails are so vile and vicious it's hard not to imagine that this person was divorcing me, when I don't even know him. He has tried to slander my character at every turn, but he has nothing to work with but anger and fear.

Now we will have two lawsuits in two countries and I will be able to write a book on how "not to get ripped off" by an unwholesome hotel that does not even abide by the law. There are so many violations there that Morgan will be in for a number of very big surprises. He's just making things worse for HIMSELF by attacking me (which changes NOTHING regarding the court cases), but that doesn't seem to matter to Morgan at all. Things will get even more interesting very shortly. The biggest lesson to learn here, for me, is to NEVER pay in advance, ever again, no matter what the story is. If I hadn't done that, Morgan could never have stolen this money from me. It's almost $2,000.00 and he isn't going to get to keep it. No matter what, he will have to repay me the correct amount. He will have to find someone else to "punish and penalize" with his anger. Why he feels the need to do this, I will never know. But I hope it ends soon.

What makes some people just plain MEAN? Barking dogs that have a bite... I'll take a stick to him if he tries to attack me again. Next time he threatens me, I'll get a restraining order. In the U.S. and in Guatemala we have protections from people like him.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

(Management representative) response - LOL!

What a joke: Richard Morgan, owner, posted this under MY review, but not the other person's. Does he think that by ignoring their negative review it will "just go away?" Has he threatened to sue them as well for "defamation?" LOL... we'll see about that. Cleaning a public hot tub "several times a week" is unhygenic and unheard of here. Everyone cleans it every day, just like they used to when I stayed there before. Morgan's obstinancy is going to do nothing but bite him in the a*** as he admits here that he doesn't clean the tub every day as he should. Now, to the Hotel complaint board! Photos don't lie.


Management Response
birdmanPanajachel, owner
(Management representative)
Jul 16, 2008
Posada Los Encuentros was established nearly 10 years ago by the current owner who lives on the premises and is directly involved in its management as well as with helping guests understand the unique natural and cultural dimensions of the Atitlan environment. Our employees are neighbors who are highly trusted. They have worked with us for years and have been almost invariably praised by guests. While physical discomforts and unexpected encounters with nature sometimes occur in this Third World environment, The posada management is dedicated to minimizing problems associated with these and minor construction inconveniences. We always respond immediate to client concerns. Our "hot tub" is filled with natural, mineralized thermal waters and is, thus, from a source not completely under our control. To best benefit our clients,we keep it chemical-free and change the waters several times weekly. The overwhelming satisfaction with our lodgings have been well-appreciated by reviews of our guests on tripadvisor and other travel broker site s that help travelers select an appropriate destination.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

“Worst experience of my life”

Reviews from TripAdvisor.com

“Worst experience of my life”
Posada Los Encuentros
Review from TripAdvisor.com
1 of 5 stars
AnonymousNY020
NY NY
Jun 30, 2008

The Posada Los Encuentros used to be one of our favorite places to stay, but ever since the owner's wife left, things have gone downhill to a terrible degree. The room was filthy, dirt was a quarter of an inch thick under the carpet, windowsills were covered with dead insects and dirt, dirty windows, broken window screens, water bottle was filthy with dirty yellow water provided, the outdoor hot tub was rarely cleaned and covered in slime, with nests of biting insects under the lid when you opened it!

The construction materials and debris were everywhere with workers pounding from 7:00 a.m. on until the night, sometimes six or seven days a week, and the overall atmosphere was one of chaos, conflict and confusion. This place will be avoided at all costs, at least until it receives new management or ownership of some kind. Sad state of affairs to see such a lovely place, with such a previous excellent reputation, be driven into the ground.

The employees of the hotel also tried to gain money from us by fraudulent means, so this is not a safe, friendly or trustworthy place to stay. After notifying the owner of some of the problems, we received hostile, aggressive and threatening emails, which are being filed with the Hotel tourist board in Guatemala.

It's unfortunate that the ownership and management of this previously fine hotel has changed. Until major changes take place, this is not an enjoyable or safe place to be.

* This TripAdvisor Member:
o Liked — Nearby Lake Atitlan. Nothing about the accommodation.
o Disliked — Terrible service, noise, dirty room, construction debris, unsafe and dangerous conditions.

“Friendly place, but terribly dirty”

Another review from the same time period I stayed there; service has really gone downhill. Some people never learn, do they?

“Friendly place, but terribly dirty”
Posada Los Encuentros
Review from TripAdvisor.com
2 of 5 stars
CAExplorers
Leeds
Jul 5, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

We stayed here in May and although the staff were friendly enough the place needed a darn good clean.

The room was stuffy and smelt unclean, the heavy rugs were filthy and the fresh water outside looked very dubious. Thick layer of dush below th bed and around the room.

One look at the hottub and we declined...it needed to be clean or at least slightly clean for us to put one toe in.

After reading reviews of the place we were a little let down by what could be a wonderful place to stay.

Once they've really cleaned up, freshenend the rooms, washed out the hot tub it would eb OK, but our advice is don't stay until they've dne that.

* This TripAdvisor Member:
o Liked — Not a huge amount!
o Disliked — Very, very dirty

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CAExplorers's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 25-34
Member since: July 05, 2008

* My ratings for this hotel are:
o 2 of 5 stars Value
o 1 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
o 3 of 5 stars Service

New Rental agreement - Posada Los Encuentros 4.25.08

I rec'd this on April 25, 2008, wired 6 months rent money in advance to Richard Morgan's bank account, now he says this contract is "NOT LEGAL AND HE WON'T HONOR IT" here in Guatemala. He set me up from the start, and is charging me $1,000.00 per month instead of the $350.00 per month that was agreed upon. Nothing costs $1,000.00 per month here in Guatemala, not even the largest mansions with lakefront property. I was there one month and ten days and am being charged $2,000.00 including "penalty." This man is a real crook from the get-go. For one room that he said he would rent for $350.00 per month. It's unbelievable.

But emails DO count in the states, a small fact he may have overlooked, and he had me send the money from the US to his US bank account, and I return to the states in less than two weeks. Perhaps he has forgotten all this? Time will tell, won't it? What will the judges in Guatemala and the United States have to say about this, as well as the Consumer Protection and Hotel complaint boards in both countries? I do have some rights, no matter what Mr. Morgan and his girlfriend may believe. We'll see, won't we?


---

New Rental agreement - Posada Los Encuentros

Adventures in Education, Inc.

At Lake Atitlan

Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala, C.A.


STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT



Guests: Cathrine Todd ctodd1000@gmail.com


Description of Services: # 6 El Nidito

1 Person ( based 7 month Rental agreement)

01 April– 3 April– 2 nights

03 April– 31 October– 7 Month $2400

Monthly $350

excluding breakfast



TOTAL: US $ 2400.00


Date Transaction Amount Balance Explanation


01/27/2008 cash $1200.00 $1200.00 cash

04/01/2008 cash $1200.00 $0 Bank of America


Management


Monthly Rent starting with November 2008 $480 excluding breakfast


Monthly Rent will jump up again from December 2008

How am I ? Up & Down

Catherine Todd, Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:52 AM
To: Learned Luddite

Thanks, Cat...

"Dear Catherine, listened to the music and my Irish feet started tapping the measure even as my brain was listening to the subtle interplay of the musicians.To be fair, this is not my fault, my mother was a Fitzgerald and Celtic music always whips up something in my blood and moves my feet."

So glad you liked the music! I had no inkling you were Irish (like me - mother was a Merrick) but something told me you might like it! I particularly loved the way you described your "experience" of it.

I'm doing so-so with the horrible Richard and his horrible girlfriend. Bouncing all over the place, actually. Being "big" being "small" trying to figure out if it's worth it to purse getting my money here and / or in the states, how much will it cost financially to fly from NC to AZ to file against his corporation there (can file by mail, have to appear in court), wondering why oh why did he do this to me, so eager to lie, so eager to steal... how could I have been such a fool, afraid to pay anyone anything now no matter what kind of "contract" I have written in stone... that's the worst part. I don't know how to do business anymore, or trust anyone for anything. It's like being robbed and raped by someone you KNEW.

I had put other people up there at the hotel for a week before, I had stayed there for two weeks myself to "be sure everything was alright" and everything was "fine." I couldn't wait to move in. Then the first day, everything changes and I know I've made a BIG mistake, but he has all my money. That was another mistake: he wanted three months rent in advance, I ended up giving him six or seven months. Looking back, I can't believe it, but I did this all the time with my previous landlord (since I'm back and forth to the states all the time) and it worked out fine.

Then his manager tries to take me for everything I've got, I find out Richard's wife has left and divorced him, he's out of money and his true character comes out. I become the target. It's just unbelievable. Now his evil witch girlfriend (in her fifties, probably) with her cocaine and alcohol addictions (same as him?) comes to defend Richard and calls me all kinds of names and accuses me of criminal activities in court (no proof of course) and they both jump up in my face and threaten me the moment the judge leaves the room. It was awful and still is. Just like growing up at home. Mother and Father and punishment and a beating waiting in the wings. Growing up in a Nazi concentration camp where nothing you did was ever right, the rules always kept changing, you were penalized and punished at whim, lies were accepted as truth, and death was waiting around every door.

Last night went to a spiritual healing at the local church with the pastor's wife and a Guatemalan friend, who has been getting me to go to church, and it really helped. While I was there.

Then up all night again for the second night in a row. This HAS to be God's way of "clearing my heart" and forcing me to see that I do have power now, I am not a helpless, blameless child who is getting the sh** kicked out of her, that I do have rights and I CAN stand up for myself. I used to be so good at standing up, but I did it with "full armour" and a defensive posture. Now that I've tried to give up anger and not react that way, not go on the offensive which I do so well, I'm sitting here lost and alone. And afraid. And full of tears. I actually cried in front of everyone at the magistrate's office after those two threatened me and I ran out of the room. I was mortified, but since it's a Latin American country tears are more than acceptable. It was the strangest experience of my life, seeing myself sitting there scared out of my wits, tears streaming down my face, talking about how my father was "just like Richard, so angry and so violent" and how my father "tried to strangle me in front of witnesses" and tried to kill me three different times.

When will I get over this? I hope the answer is NOW. Now that I am at least showing my fear on the outside as well as keeping it on the inside, but not forever under wraps. I am NOT the "fearless individual" that everyone thinks I am. I do things that require great courage - from me - since I am so fearful of so many things, but I do them anyway, but that doesn't make me NOT FEARFUL. So now if I can get the "inside to match the outside" maybe things will be alright. Fear can come out to play, so to speak, and then it can go on it's way. Maybe it will be over that way. If I can take care of the Richard thing, and not let it destroy my peace of mind - which it is doing right now - then I will have won. That is all I can hope for and it will be enough.

My wonderful translator Gabriella, who is studying to be a lawyer, says "Don't worry Catherine. We are going to teach Richard a lesson - about how he has to treat people. He obviously hasn't learned this yet and we are here to do it."

Amen. Then she said "You have to get over being so afraid, as this fear is making you sick."

Doubly true. I said "I've been trying my whole life. How do I do it?"

I have stood up for myself over and over again, but the fear never truly leaves. Now I'm trying to do with with asking God at the same time to help me on this road and to hold my hand. If these poor Guatemalans can have peace and be happy day by day, then I with all my credit cards and belongings must be able to hope the same will come my way. This is my church and my happiness, waiting in the wings. I believe the word is "Faith" and I hope it will return, once again. It's been gone for such a long time.


Lesson from the church yesterday:

I apparently have to FORGIVE Richard (ughhh) and ALLOW God to "replace the stolen money" while STILL going to the "big court in Solola" and I was down on my knees praying while the two women were calling God into the room and into me, into my heart to change my heart, to help me and heal me and give me faith. Tears were flowing, let me tell you.

I tell you, to a lapsed Catholic like me, it was pretty incredible. But I don't have the right kind of book to read at night when the devils close in. Now that it's daytime someone started playing music at 7:00 a.m. and I went to sleep around 4 or 5, and I have appointments with people all day so am exhausted for the second day. I am not sure what to do but LEARN how to PRAY.

I have to develop FAITH in something; what else is there in the END?

What's with all these capitals, I can hear her say as she types away... Good to hear from you this morning and be reminded of the "toe-tapping magical dance" that cannot "lead us astray." Will keep listening to this beautiful music; I downloaded three albums worth.

How are YOU doing? I looked up "Luddite" online before I got your answer, and yes, they were one and the same! LOL...
Your friend, Catherine

"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna



On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:20 AM, Learned Luddite wrote:

Dear Catherine, listened to the music and my Irish feet started tapping the measure even as my brain was listening to the subtle interplay of the musicians.To be fair, this is not my fault, my mother was a Fitzgerald and celtic music always whips up something in my blood and moves my feet.
Heel to toe and row on row, all for Mairie's wedding! This was superb.
Are you alright with the awful Richard?
Your friend, Cat


If you want to hear some really interesting, beautiful folk / Celtic music - different than anything I've heard before, listen to "Music of Waters" by Shira Kammen at Magnatune.com. http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/shira-waters/

You can listen to the entire album and buy the CD or a download later on if you want. She's got 6 albums out, all are great. I have a monthly subscription and can download whatever I want. It's really great. This music is really incredible. Love "Downstream" the best, and some of the fiddle and drumming tracks.
/
I've attached "Downstream" by Shira Kammen. Will this mp3 file open and play on your computer? Give it a try and let me know... gorgeous Folk / Celtic music. If not, you can listen to it on the website. Yours, Catherine

Going to court against Richard Morgan

I love it

Learned Luddite, Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:20 AM
To: Catherine Todd
Dear Catherine, listened to the music and my Irish feet started tapping the measure even as my brain was listening to the subtle interplay of the musicians.To be fair, this is not my fault, my mother was a Fitzgerald and celtic music always whips up something in my blood and moves my feet.
Heel to toe and row on row, all for Mairie's wedding! This was superb.
Are you alright with the awful Richard?
Your friend, Cat

Catherine Todd wrote:

If you want to hear some really interesting, beautiful folk / Celtic music - different than anything I've heard before, listen to "Music of Waters" by Shira Kammen at Magnatune.com. http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/shira-waters/

You can listen to the entire album and buy the CD or a download later on if you want. She's got 6 albums out, all are great. I have a monthly subscription and can download whatever I want. It's really great. This music is really incredible. Love "Downstream" the best, and some of the fiddle and drumming tracks.

I've attached "Downstream" by Shira Kammen. Will this mp3 file open and play on your computer? Give it a try and let me know... gorgeous Folk / Celtic music. If not, you can listen to it on the website. Yours, Catherine

---

Catherine Todd, Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:54 AM
To: Learned Luddite
Forgot to mention that Richard is "going to sue me for defamation." I gave him a bad review mark online and I filed against him in court. I wonder if he's going to threaten the other person who gave him a bad review at TripAdvisory, too? I wrote to them to see what their policy is about this. We'll see, but it's awful to be threatened this way by a barking dog who needs to be shot. Not too much compassion in me right now, is there? CT

Monday, July 14, 2008

Focus on the POSITIVE


photo from Flickr, Catherine Todd, flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/

Don't worry, Catherine...

Dear Catherine,

This will go in your way, I'm sure. These people sound aggressive and using and really hitting on you for money.
Go back to NC, take several deep breathes and think about how aggressive YOU want to be; because you may have to do that, you know? Never nice but often necessary.
If not tell me and I'll send you my favorite cousin from Florida, who's very nice but very muscled.
Here all is well. My butterfly tree, which I was sure would not survive at this altitude has and is flowering like mad; the purple flowers are covered all day by butterflies of all colors.I watch them for hours at a time, beats doing the dishes.
And come whenever you want!
Yours, Cat



Dear Cat,

You must have read my mind... just came back today from "mediation court" with the awful Richard Morgan, owner of Posada Los Encuentros, and his even-worse girlfriend who both verbally attacked and threatened me right in the judicial's meeting room. And he's an American! This happened right after the alcoholic girlfriend said her speech about how he is a man "muy tranquillo" and both of us started to laugh. We couldn't help it!

He is known all over town for being "un hombre muy malo" (a very bad man) with a terrible temper. Everyone has seen it as Mr. Morgan can't control himself. Especially when there's drinking involved (which seems to be quite frequent these days). They blew up in front of the mediation judge, and the moment she left the room went after me, raising fists and threatening words. I am very traumatized right now, but the young woman who went with me to translate (it's all in Spanish) told me not to worry about it, since no agreement was reached we will file in the main courthouse. The mediation judge said the same thing. After 2.5 years of tranquility and safety, I now have enemies and threats against me. All because I paid in advance. When will I ever learn?

This man is absolutely crazy. Just like my father, so it is doubly - or triply- (word) traumatizing. Thanks for writing. I've given up all ideas of building a house right now, but I hope when I get back my energy will return. I leave for the U.S. for one or two months to sell the rest of my personal property and come back here to "live." But starting off like this isn't so great, is it?

I will go to the "big court" and stand up for myself no matter what. Plus I can sue him in the states (which I will), since he says "he never signed anything" and the emails he sent me aren't valid here in Guatemala. He set me up from the beginning! What a rat. Does he really think he can get away with stealing money from me and there will be no consequences? I guess abusers never learn, do they? He beat his wife and she left him and divorced him, and now he starts in on me. He's like a barking dog baring his teeth going after everyone, a "barking dog on a chain." That's how the judicial office people described him after the hearing was over. They told me not to be afraid of him, and tomorrow I go to the police station to take out a restraining order against him. When will this all ever end? Who knows, but I will take all necessary steps to protect myself.

It doesn't look like he's learned anything at all, but the strange thing is I still feel sorry for him. I always did, even as I avoided him as much as possible. There seems to be some kind of spark that says he "wants to do well," but he is so conflicted and confused he's like a puppet on a string of his own emotions. Then add in "liar and cheat." Not a good combination. Threatening me isn't going to change his life except for the worst. His own anger will destroy him in the end, not me. So, these are his consequences, as my feeling sorry for him is not enough to let him keep $1,500.00 of my money, not enough to let him keep attacking me, but he seems to be such an angry unhappy person and everything is failing around him. It reminds me of a statement I read that "every attack is a cry for help" by one of the Course of Miracles people, I think it was... but he needs to find the Red Cross or the Coast Guard to come to his rescue, not me. No matter how much I wish I could help him, I am too traumatized by his behavior to be of any use to him. Except for money, and that's out. I have my own post-traumatic stress to bear. Oh, yes.

Richard Morgan apparently has no thought as to consequences of his actions, and by attacking me he is really only attacking himself. If only I could see that at "the time of action," when it is all being directed at me. He (and his awful girlfriend Natalie) are like dark thunderclouds wherever they go, and his hotel is a "castle of conflict and confusion." It is bound to fail as it already is. They move about town and smile occasionally and say "hi," but anyone that really knows them stays far away. I guess I'll be joining that club.

But I feel sorry for someone who is so blind to their own actions, and is completely controlled by their own anger. No good can come of it, and in the end, he (and she) are the ones that suffer the most. But I won't let them make me suffer anymore. Oh, No. Those days are over!

I will take care of myself, no matter how afraid I am to do so. If I have to, I will hire a bodyguard to go with me to court as well, and a video camera to film it all. Along with my lawyer and translator. God does provide us oftentimes with what we need (not all the time, but most of the time nowadays, anyway). I am a grown woman and this childhood fear and post-traumatic stress has got to end. NOW. Just because my father could beat us "at will" and we had no protection, the laws have changed both here and in Guatemala. Wonders of wonders!

People can't hurt others just because they feel like it anymore! Just because they can't or won't control themselves. Can you imagine? Raised fists don't cut it anymore. I guess the world really is changing around me, and I can - I hope - let go of my fear and see those brilliant changes around me, shining like newborn stars. I will pray and pray and ask God for guidance and for the strength and the will to learn to FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE in the MIDST of the negative. The Devil is always waiting on one's shoulder or just around the corner, but God always sends many angels, in and out of disguise. Right? Right.

Thanks so much for writing and sending green building info, and reminding me of the beautiful butterflies happily sipping nectar on a butterfly bush. It reminds me of what I am supposed to be focusing on NOW! I really need that now. Wish I were THERE, in my beloved France, looking at your volcanoes, RIGHT NOW! :) smile!

Yours, Catherine

P.S. I could use your cousin in Florida right now! LOL
I'm listening to the most beautiful, incredible music right now: Shira Kammen, "Music of Waters" on magnatune.com. You can listen to the whole album there, and download if you like. This is ethnic/celtic music like I've never heard before. Fantastic. Then listen to John Fleagle, medieval musician that Shira Kammen played with. Gorgeous in it's simplicity and beauty. magnatune.com/artists/albums/fleagle-bliss/hifi_play

Your environmental eco-build online magazine link is GREAT, I expect to use a lot of their ideas! I've already subscribed: E Magazine, emagazine.com/index.php

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead!


First night and first morning arising in my new apartment on Calle de los Tigres, in Panajachel, with a gorgeous volcano view. The Tigers will Protect me. Peace and Quiet and Inspiration Abounds!

Thank God I was able to find the grace and the strength to leave that soul-sapping "castle of conflict and confusion" that is called Posada Los Encuentros. I was surrounded by Devils and now I am free. I was only there for a little over one month, but it felt like a year. Make that YEARS. Like being in a prison camp waiting to find a way out. NOTHING in the world could be worth staying where one is not wanted, disliked, where one is being ripped off, ignored, damaged and destroyed by deceitful vengeful greedy individuals. This has NEVER happened to me in how many years? I can hardly remember. I have been in shock the whole time, as I haven't been treated like this since I was a child. Talk about ongoing trauma! But I hope it has helped me to see that damaged individuals can only damage others in return. All that is needed is to move away. Vote with one's feet. I am (luckily) not living in a dictatorship so I am fee to come and go as I please. It's up to me, my decision and my pocketbook. I decided no amount of money is worth giving up my emotional health and mental sanity. So. There. I AM GONE. I AM FREE! It's. All. Over. Now. Including. The. Silent. Shouting!

The spell is broken! All it took was being willing to "let go" of six months rent paid in advance (around $2,000) and being willing to go to court if I have to, to get it back. I've already talked to my lawyer and she is prepared to write a letter and file for me. Plus missing three other places, within ten to thirty minutes each, which is very unusual for me. Each week I would start another search. Finally I realized that no matter "how quiet I was, or how much I tried to comply and do nothing, say nothing, be invisible," nothing there was going to change. Just like growing up at home or living in NC in the negative space I was in. That's when I realized I was doing a "repeat performance" of "hoping things would change." Well, they didn't at Los Encuentros, they just got worse until I was in physical and mental and emotional danger. So finally I was ready to go to a hotel, and God saw fit to show me this last apartment which is perfect for now. I can't tell you the overwhelming loneliness I felt when first moving in, over the last three days, but thank God I was able to stick it out and now, freedom and bliss, all is well.

I got involved at Los Encuentros thinking "all my problems would be solved" and yet I had fear involved. Fear of the future, fear of buying the lots, fear of building. I thought L.E. would be able to help with all that, but instead they fed off all that. I hope I have learned some kind of lesson. What, I don't know, as most people in my life are positive influences. I guess all I can do is be prepared for those few negative ones that come along, and don't get involved financially with them, or at least for as little as possible. I hope - hope - hope I have learned my lesson now! And thank you thank you thank you for giving me the strength to leave. That's all it took. To "vote with my feet" and get up and go. Amen. Now it's just left for me to write the email to Richard requesting a refund, and list all the reasons why. I'll do that later when my strength returns.

No amount of money can be worth losing one' spiritual freedom (i.e. strength, courage, inspiration and joy), so I will have to look into the Wicked Witch and her Monkey Minions, as that is surely where I was living. The hotel part there is quite different, since people are only there for a few days. But stay a little bit longer, and Richard, Christian & Don Juan will begin "cooking your bones."

I have escaped with my life and NEVER ever will go back there again. Posada Los Encuentros is a firepit from hell. Every other day was another torture, and one never knew from what angle it would come. Just like growing up at "home." No wonder his wife left him!

But the best part is after considerable prayers and trying to live in freedom in my mind, the angels must have been looking out for me: I was able to find this beautiful larger place, and I can move back to my "real home" in Sid's place which is HUGE right near my lots on July 1st! This is the best news yet!

I can't wait; I can start drafting and building up a storm and hopefully help with the Pura Vida Recycling Program and build with the "ecobricks" (ecodrillos) technique they are using! I CAN'T WAIT!