A couple of weekends ago I decided to sign-up for the Sofia Weekly to email me the top headlines from the week in Bulgaria.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  The news from the online newspaper tends to be short and the articles are often not that well written but I read the headlines anyway.  I like to try to keep up on what others think are the most important things happening in Bulgaria.

So on Saturday mornings I am sent an email which the news condensed into headlines. And I have to admit it's kind of depressing.  I mean I think the news is often depressing but check out these headlines. These aren't exactly what I want to read first thing on Saturday morning:
<ul>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110933">Bulgarian Beer Consumption Slumps by 12% in 2009</a> It seems that the economy, unemployment, the flu and a bad tourist season are to blame. I am afraid it might be me.  Last year I had more free time in Bulgaria and drank beer more regularly than this year where it feels like all I do now is teach, plan my next lesson and grade homework.  There's no time for a beer with friends.</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110777">Ukraine Pays Russia November Gas Supplies</a> They paid on time. This on the surface may be good news but it means that there's still the threat of Russia cutting the gas off if/when the Ukraine can't pay in the future. And man, oh man, it was cold last year when Russia cut the gas flow to Europe.  I'm not really looking forward to this a second time around.</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110953">Highest Price of Bulgaria IDs Skyrockets to BGN 250</a> This isn't for everyone just people who need expedited passports. Still this seems pretty extravagant.</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110972">Bulgaria Police to Hold Smoking Protest over Lack of Bonuses</a> Um, no way.  This is really the best way to protest?! A smoking protest over a lack of bonuses? Only in Bulgaria.</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110810">1 in 4 Bulgarians Involved in Corruption Practices in 2009 </a>Alright.  One in Four pay a bribe in exchange for a favor.  And apparently corruption is deeply seated in Bulgaria.  Go figure.</li>
	<li><a href="Military Mine Blamed for Deadly Blast at Bulgarian Orphanage">Military Mine Blamed for Deadly Blast at Bulgarian Orphanage</a> Really? This is awful. How does something like this happen?</li>
</ul>
There was one exciting piece of news this morning.
<ul>
	<li><a href="http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110944">Bulgaria's Plovdiv Named World's Sixth Oldest City</a> This is pretty cool.</li>
</ul>
So, that's that, I am thinking about ending my email notification of the news headlines in Bulgaria because they are depressing.  And I don't really like it when my morning starts off this way. It's okay to be depressed on Mondays but Saturdays? I don't like it.
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