White Christmas

It is looking like I'll have a white Christmas here in Moscow. It has been snowing off and on for the last two days and it has left a decent coating on the streets, sidewalks, trees, etc. Though I'm sad that I won't be home with my family for Christmas, I am confident that I will have a good one with my roommates. For each of us it will be our first Christmas away from home, but we've worked together pretty well to plan what should be a good time; we agreed on no gifts, but a good dinner, some Christmas songs, and the drinking of a lot of Gluhwein planned. Our home internet has been dead for over 2 weeks, but in the act of some sort of miracle it started working (and then died again) and completed the download of A Christmas Story and almost finished It's a Wonderful Life-I'm hoping for another internet miracle tonight. Anyways, I don't really have anything to say, I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, tell you all to be safe and enjoy the time, remember the true meaning of Christmas and don't cry if you don't get that ipod or whatever, be happy with what you have because most have so much less. Also keep in mind your friends who are suffering and going through rough times, I have some friends undergoing cancer treatments so pray for them, remember the homeless and the lonely, those with nowhere to go and nobody to be with. Regardless of your political views, remember the soldiers overseas, some surrounded by hate who can't be with their families. I think Christmas is a time to be thankful for what you have and to work to help others, not a time to be selfish; if you're stuck in Moscow, be happy you have good friends; if you're stuck in Cincinnati, be happy you're not with Joe Dees in Moscow. Just don't get down on yourselves, feel good and spread the cheer. Well I hope all of your Christmas wishes come true, my only wish is to see that big dog, but I'm willing to wait for something so good.

Post Christmas update: Everything went really well and was a lot of fun. We all drank more than our share and ate until we were full, we sang Christmas songs and even did some dancing. I hope everybody out there had as good of a Christmas as me. I even got my "miracle" and watched It's a Wonderful Life, which like always made me bawl my eyes out-so good. The strangest part of it all was how it felt like Christmas in my heart, but walking around outside the city was still just as angry and busy as ever-"do they know it's Christmas time at all?"

Fondue and Friendly Faces

Here I sit, watching the time tick by as I await the hour of departure, like a condemned man I feel both short of time and like the world has slowed its rotation. Things are good here, it has gotten a little cold and a thin blanket of slow gives the trees a soft and friendly disposition, but at the same time I dream of seeing the sun shine over the rolling Kentucky hills, being received with a friendly smile and thank you after patronizing a store, simple organization, and being shown that ever taken for granted American respect for one another's space. America was founded on space you know. Moscow, Russia is definitely a fun place, but I rarely feel welcomed around the city, the exceptions being when I visit a friend's. Last night was such an occasion. Karsten, his girlfriend, Q-Murder, Juliet, and I were invited to Irina and Evelyn's for a fondue party and found it to be most enjoyable and hospitable. I myself had never been to a fondue party, but found it a lot of fun; it was fromage (cheese), chocolate, and an abundance of wine; of course I was going to like it. Now the hangover from said wine lasted well past noon today, which was truly a blessing in disguise. For it was around 2 o'clock that I managed to drag myself to the 5th Circle to retrieve my passport/visa. And after a 45min wait in the hot, crowded, and stuffy hallway I got into the office to get my stuff, after which I hurried away never minding the 2 snobby, whored up skanks who entered after me, snaking the entire line who had been waiting-- it was not my job to deliver their return for such inconsiderate acts, that is Karma's job, but judging by the respect they gave to themselves, it was no surprise they showed such respect for everyone else, and I believe their turn will definitely come. But my wait ended up being for the good, for on the way home I happened, by pure chance to meet the other (previously only rumored about urban legends) Americans that are here on campus. I was just walking down the sidewalk and heard the sound of well spoken, real English, complete with terms like: "those motherfuckers can fuck theirselves with that shit." "Americans!" I thought excitedly. Turning around I saw the faces of two self-respecting African-Americans (there are many Africans on campus, but you could see the American in these guys' eyes) laughing and smiling as they walked. "Are you American?!" I asked. "Yeah! You?" they responded in equal surprise and excitement. They're from Boston; good Sox and Celtic fans, and had a friend with them from "the good part of Jersey." It was, and they agreed, great to speak freely with another Americans, aside from the d-bag tourists you find on Red Square or wherever. The one even said, "it's wild to just meet somebody and not have to speak slowly to assure their understanding."
Either way I feel that my mission to Russia is now complete and I can go home happy (I still have 19 days) since I met the fabled "other Americans." My French friends have begun their exodus for the Christmas holiday, Celine left this morning, a few others this afternoon, and Juliet will on Saturday. It is really sad to see them go, knowing that more than likely I will never see them again, yet they meant so much to me, and did so much for me over the past few months. But I guess life moves on, and if we still saw and talked to everyone we ever befriended our lives would be too busy and crowded to spend time with those we are truly lucky to be close with. Everybody plays a role in the scripts that are our lives, some have bit parts, some cameos, and some have their names in the opening titles; but either way we all have our roles and influence one another. Not to mention the great differences which keep us separated: with some it is true, measured distance; some it is the impossible to measure distance of death; and with others it is not physical distance at all, we can be just mere feet from one another, looking into one another's eyes, but by various motives we refuse to have anything more to do with one another, regardless of what we meant and did before. I believe that anyone can be strong with a good, strong friend by his/her side, but to march on alone after your friends and comrades are gone takes true strength and courage; and it is this courage that finds the next friend and the next scene of our lives. Sometimes we must be the one who falls out and goes our own way, and sometimes we must be the one from whom is departed, but either way we must be strong and never forget that which we were given by those of our past.

Randomness

I don't know where this will go, but let's see. First off, I'll talk about how awesome it was last night when I went out to an "American" restaurant (we were told it was Mexican-I wouldn't go to an "American" restaurant) that was some weird pseudo-Western restaurant with cowboy stuff everywhere, and instead of being greeted by the typical, extremely loud "UMPTS! UMPTS! UMPTS!" of bad techno, I was greeted by Willie fuckin' Nelson! It was awesome. I can hardly express how great it was to hear the classic country soundtrack of Waylon, Johnny Cash, Willie, Patsy Cline, Hank SR and more. It was like a quiet piece of heaven in the middle of chaos. Seriously, I've gotten to the point that when I go to a restaurant I am relieved if they're playing the original Justin Timberlake or Britney Spears song instead of the techno remix, and to hear Folsom Prison Blues...sunshine after a bad storm. My date thought it was crazy that I knew all the words, she'd never even heard of the people we were listening to, like she looked up at the picture of Roy Rogers above our table and asked who he was. At one point I heard Lorreta Lynn singing Coal Miner's Daughter and thought of John Denver's lyrics in Country Roads: "I hear her voice in the morning as she calls to me, THE RADIO REMINDS ME OF MY HOME FAR AWAY, driving down the road I get a feeling that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday." Call me weird or whatever, but it was so great to hear the songs that remind me of drinking beer, working on cars, and bonding with my father. I think Irina thought I was weird, she even said I might be the strangest person she's ever met, but I take it as a compliment-especially considering that she asked me out again for tonight.
I counted and realized today that I have exactly 1 month left in Moscow. I find that to be really sad, but kinda cool. I've really been enjoying my time here, especially lately I've been having a lot of fun and been feeling great. The city is absolutely incredible and I suggest everybody check it out at least once in their lives, though you'll need more than once to really see and experience it. But at the same time I'm ready for the slow, organized, and relaxed atmosphere of the Kentucky side of Cincinnati. It's all had me reflecting on my experience and thinking, "what have I learned here?" Yeah, I've learned a lot about Russia, the Russians, and Russian, but the biggest thing I've learned is about myself and life in general. I don't want to say that I've found enlightenment or the meaning of life, but I've learned that it really is the small things in life that make it great, yeah the big moments are exciting and can feel triumphant, but it's the little things (especially your own outlook on life) that make life enjoyable and give you happiness. You can't depend on other people to make you happy, if you can't make yourself happy, how can you expect somebody else to do so? But at the same time our own happiness is dependent on others, our lives are all interconnected. We must work everyday to be happy and give happiness to others, we really must treat others the way we would want to be treated, we must be patient with one another, and must feel compassion for your neighbors. We are given but one life (more or less), and once you die you're dead-regardless of the existence of Heaven, Hell, or Reincarnation. You must be confident in yourself and happy in this life, for that is what it is all about, and if there is something afterwards, I think a happy mindset helps you achieve that afterlife which you desire. I think to be genuinely happy you must be good, and according to everything I've read, being good is a prerequisite for that positive afterlife. I don't know, I think happiness is completely exclusive from material possessions, you can be happy with nothing or everything if you put your mind to it and enjoy life for what it is. We can't live just for today, and we can't live just for tomorrow, we must learn the proper balance of the two.
I can also announce that I have what I think is < 90% of my souvenir/Christmas shopping done, which feels really good. But I have one or 2 more things that may or not bring adventure in my quest to buy them-every day out is an adventure for me, it's just the level of adventure that changes. I really can't walk about Moscow without being stared at, I don't know what it is, but it makes some of my friends nervous, and occasionally makes me nervous too. Maybe I'll write about the Izmailovsky Market later, or maybe you can just google it, either way it is an awesome place filled with crazy stuff. I just hope I haven't forgotten anybody (which is most likely inevitable no matter how well I've planned and organized my shopping list) and that everybody likes their haul. Anyways, I'm sure there is more randomness of which to speak, we all know how long winded I can be, but I'll call this entry a game. Until next time, be happy and have fun, I'll see you all soon, and try to write even sooner.

AIM

I signed up for an Aol Instant Messenger account. My screenname is DeezSkateboards so add me and look for for online.

First Snow

As I sit by the window watching the snow continue to gently fall outside I am reminded that I haven't posted a blog in a long time, but I don't really know what to say. I guess we'll just see where it goes. Today was the day of the first snow of the winter in Moscow (November 20th), well it actually began to snow lightly yesterday, but today is when it really started to fall and accumulate. The snow is rather beautiful as it blankets the city, but even more beautiful when it is accompanied by the picturesque scenes of little Russian churches, so today I went on a little excursion after class. [side story: it is really funny how even though there is a couple inches of snow on the ground and the sidewalks are largely uncleared, the Russian women still wear giant 4in heels, and to watch them cling to each other for balance as they creep along the icy sidewalk being swiftly passed by the men and more practical girls wearing regular shoes or boots is of great entertainment to me.] For my expedition in the snow I went to Gorky Park to take some cool snow pictures (I got a couple, I'll try and post my favorite-a little church outside Gorky Park near Metro station Oktyabrskaya). The first thing I see as I step out of the Metro car at station Oktyabrskaya is a police officer standing over and guarding the body of (what looked to be) a homeless man who had died on the bench. The officer was impatiently and repeatedly checking his watch as he was presumably waiting for whomever was to come and collect the body, all the while the gray, hollow eyes of the man stared into the infinite that was the passing trains. I only glanced for a second to see why the милиционер was standing there, but the yellow/gray skin on the shocked looking face of the dead man will probably stick with me for years, with the sound of the girls in front of me giggling in my ears. And so my life moves on. Stepping outside the Metro station I found it to be snowing harder than it was when I entered, with the wind blowing sternly and freshly in my face, but the dead man hung on my heart and I somehow found the city quieter than I ever had before, yet the sidewalks were still bustling and traffic was chaotic like usual; he was but one in a city of millions, and it seemed that the biggest event in his being just passed on unnoticed and without the concern of the city who claimed him. Gorky Park itself was very quiet and lifeless, its large gate beckoning those who pass, its entrances opened wide, but with very few footprints leading in or out. Inside the snow seemed thicker and heavier than outside, and just the several feet that separated the inside from the outside seemed to make a whole world of difference-I felt like I was no longer in “the city,” but somewhere else; somewhere serene, sane, and welcoming. Looking about I saw a few figures moving against the snow in the distance, but I was alone-oh the glory and greatness of finding anywhere to be alone when you live in a cramped apartment with 6 roommates in the overcrowded city of Moscow! It no longer felt cold, but rather warm and homely with a safe feeling, even though I was probably the most vulnerable I have been in the city. It was still light out, maybe 4:00 but the clouds and snow gave everything a dusky feel, but as I wondered about taking photos of that which interested me I was approached by a security guard who informed me that the park was closed; from what I understood from him it closes at sunset (which wasn't technically for another hour at least), but I guess considering that the sun never really rose, it was that dude's discretion as to closing time-yet 2 douchebags walked on by without being told to leave...go figure...it is Russia. For example: If you go to the Kremlin they will try to rip you off. There is a price for Russians (75rubles), a price for foreigners (350rubles), and a price for any student (50rubles). Upon showing my Russian University ID card I was told that it wasn't good enough, she wanted my American student ID (keep in mind I don't carry it because nobody has ever accepted it), I lied and said that I only studied in Russia so that was my only ID, to which she told me I was иностранец (foreign) so I needed a foreign ID. Then when I disagreed she refused to sell me a ticket at all for 5 minutes. Finally, she offered to sell me one for the full foreign price, which I took, but that day was ruined on account of the resulting bad mood, so now I have to go back to the Kremlin (I forgot my camera that time anyways). I guess the first thing you have to learn in Russia is that you can't win, which is a difficult thing for old Joe Dees. It really is just odd, the lack of respect shown for people in Moscow is mind blowing, especially when you befriend a Russian and meet their hospitality. They offer you anything and will give you whatever you need, but on the streets with strangers it is a jungle in which the slow are trampled under foot, pedestrians are targets for drivers, and the fact that the train will leave at the same time whether you or I enter first is completely irrelevant so people are pushed aside at will. Being a good Kentucky boy used to the slow and easy suburban life where there is always space to be found makes it a bit hard at times, but I think I get by OK with the help of the Dalai Lama's teachings, my mp3s (to remind me of good music-Russian pop is absolutely horrid and ubiquitous), and the half liters of Lowenbrau that cost 30rubles downstairs. I've found new sources of patience in recent weeks, and take great pleasure in the very small things of life while dreaming of the simple things we take for granted at home: washing machines, personal space, non-smoking sections, the people in front of you in line at McDonald's not rehearsing for their porno film, etc. And even though Russia is always trying to drag me down, such as my phone liking to not let me get important calls; last weekend as I sat home bored and alone, designing skateboard graphics I'll never use, a friend tried to call me to hangout but my phone was “out of service” and I received the text message she then sent at 10:30 at like 4AM or something!!!, or how I searched for over an hour for a monument that must be hidden in plain sight-- when I checked Google Earth I discovered that I had to have walked by the 75ft behemoth 3 times (or else they have removed one of the most famous and award winning Soviet sculptures), not to mention finding that the Russian government censors tourist/interesting spots on Google Earth; I still walk around with my head held high and a smile on my face for no real reason-and I get funny looks for it too, men in Russia are supposed to scowl or something. And even though class is long, extremely boring, feels like high school all over again, and I've neared and possibly passed the “burnout” phase, I still get the opportunity (when I skip class, sshhh don't tell anyone) to go out and see Moscow for what it is at this point in its history. I get to see its world split between its regal, Imperial, and religious years, its “glorious” Soviet past, the horrors of the 1990s, and the current state of capitalist boom/rush to the future while trying to glorify what has been. I get to see the poor beggars who had put their entire lives into the now extinct Soviet system, banking on its social security system walk by brand new Bentleys. I see once heralded structures of architectural masterpiece crumble for lack of need in an overgrown park while the everyday Russian smiles in its cold shadow selling whatever wears she can tote in her bags. (Like I was speaking of before, if there is a face it is extremely friendly, but where no faces are seen all rules and respect are missing.) It truly is a great and mysterious place worthy of its enigmatic reputation, Mother Russia. If only I had a little more patience, or maybe some more personal space in which to relax, and if they didn't wear so much damn fur (it is sickening to me), I think I could like this place quite a bit, but then again I think that its odd and contradictory nature is what attracted me to her in the first place.

Злой Заяц

Hoody Hooo!!!! Halloween got way out of control! It turned out just like an American Halloween party-- the French did a pretty good job of getting into the spirit. The entire Halloween Party Checklist was checked off: drunkenness, pumpkins, bobbing for apples, bad costumes, good costumes, somebody hooked up with a random girl/guy, somebody puked, hooliganism, candy, a scuffle, horror movies, a visit (or 2) from the authorities...the whole nine yards, I guess I did a pretty good job bringing Halloween to Moscow. Let's go through the list.
Drunkenness: We had a fridge full of beer, several bottles of vodka, some wine, and a tub of punch/hooch (the kind with the fruit in it), and some people brought their own booze! Glasses were broken, the floor turned black from who knows what, pieces of costumes were found everywhere, people lost cell phones...it was great.
Pumpkins: After a rather lengthy search through the рынок my roommates and I found pumpkins and our costumes. Our costumes ranged from good to bad: mine was bad-I was a ninja; Karsten's was really good-he was an old Russian lady, a Babushka. The pumpkins were strange, we payed almost $20 for a decent sized one and a rather small one, and I learned that Russian pumpkins are different than American ones. First off they're not as orange, and secondly they're much harder to carve due to having a lot more “meat” to them. I figure that they've been bred differently from the ones at home since here people buy them to cook and make food from and at home we just have fun cutting them up and smashing them. But I got them carved and think I did a really good job of it, especially when considering that the pressure was on, everybody was watching and expecting great things. The first, the big one is just a classic pumpkin head, and the little one is what I call Злой Заяц or The Evil Hare.
Costumes: People did a really good job getting creative. You have to remember that there is no tradition of Halloween in their culture, and no Halloween Expresses in Moscow, yet some of these people had costumes that would be good and could maybe win prizes at an American party. My favorites were Gui2 dressing as Heath Ledger's Joker (very well too), Karsten as the Babushka, Yuri dressed as a mummy (wrapping himself in toilet paper), and Orlando's werewolf.
Love: Orlando was spotted on the balcony making out with some Russian girl we met while playing football last week, and they didn't complain when they were locked out there and the curtains drawn.
Ralphing: Yuri. Dude won the Ghoul of the Night Award. He was the drunkest, had tons of fun, the mummy costume was great (we are still finding pieces of it in random places 20+ hours later), and he finished the night like a true ghoul: puking in his bathroom sink.
Hooliganism: Some of the French enjoyed the old game of ringing doorbells and running like hell, and one of the French girls (probably the most refined of them too) enjoyed a round of throwing apple cores at cars on the street.
The fight: While Yuri was puking I went to check on him and found him in a hilarious position sitting on the edge of the bathtub leaning against the sink so I wanted a picture, but when I tried I got attacked by one of the French girls. Then 20 minutes later she came back to my apartment so I told her to leave in 3 languages (Karsten was delighted when I got really upset and went to German “Aus! Aus Mein Haus! Schnell!), and when she didn't I threw a glass of water in her face (she left). Then 5-10 minutes later her friend, another French girl came, took my glass and threw the water in my face, which was cool and what I deserved, but then she raised the glass like she was going to hit me with it, at which time I grabbed her by the throat, held her at arm's length and showed her the door. There was massive drama and chaos. Some people disappeared and others found it funny when I said that it was typical of Halloween. On the whole it was a bad situation whose fall-out has yet to be seen, I honestly think I really fucked up. This may require a good old-fashioned American Thanksgiving dinner to make peace... But on with the story.
Authorities: The командант made 2 appearances, the first rather early. She laughed at our costumes and gave us a warning about something or other. Then at almost 1AM she showed up again, this time angry and making everybody who didn't live in the building leave, which didn't faze Orlando who was locked on the balcony or stop the French from going crazy-- it was before the drama. So on this front I think I'm winning, nobody else's parties have brought 2 visits from the authorities...Ah Halloween, always a good time. As The Misfits said: “this day anything goes.” I hope you guys all had a good Halloween with plenty of ghouls, fun, and chaos.

Consumer Products Pt I

Well it seems that my recent trip to Стадион Локомотив (Lokomotiv Stadium) gave me more than just the joy of watching a soccer match. [the match itself wasn't that great, Lokomotiv lost 0-2 and looked terrible, but the stadium is awesome, very modern with jumbotrons, electronic ad boards, and an actual locomotive out in front. It was sweet. And the tickets were decent seats for only 100 rubles] The poor play, coupled with the cold and rain seem to have aided in my picking up a cold. Yesterday I was semi-functional, but today (Oct. 21) I have ordered myself to stay in bed. So since I am absolutely worthless, laying in bed at 1pm and didn't go to class, I figure I'll write a blog and later try and post it through our brand new internet connection at home. (which only works for an hour a day, but that hour is randomly distributed daily) With the cold came the experience of buying and trying Russian cold medication (I was too stupid to pack some DayQuil and NyQuil), so I'll let you know about my favorite consumer products.
I'll start with my recent purchase of the Russian NyQuil equivalent, called Колдрекс Найт. First off, medications in Russia are pretty cheap, this brand name stuff was only like $5. Additionally, medications aren't found in the grocery store, you have to go to the аптека, drug store place . OK, on to the experience. It looked like NyQuil, smelled like NyQuil, I guess it worked liked NyQuil (I slept like 12 hours), but it didn't really taste like NyQuil. The best descriptor I can find would be Roger Miller's description of moonshine in his song 'Chug-a-Lug': “brrbrbbrr I done a double back flip” “mmmm my ears still ring” “wmwme I run ten miles” “makes you wanna holler hidey ho, burns your tummy don't you know.” Or maybe Popeye: “well blow me down.” Stuff was potent. Strongest stuff I've had in my life-I imagine its factory actually being a couple of Kentucky rednecks taking advantage of open and burgeoning Russian markets with less regulation than in the USA by moving their stills to the woods outside Moscow bottling and labeling the stuff as cough medicine. --“Jarvis, you put the dye in it yet?” --”Cletus you done watch-ed me put the sock in it right after I pissed in it for that medikiney flavor.” --”Dang Jar, you knows I can't 'member dat much.” --”'ts Ok just get it bottles and in the truck...and don't forget to scrape the flies off the top this time!” It really put the vodka to shame, which is my next topic. When you go to the grocery store, there is an entire aisle dedicated to liquor, 80% of which is vodka. In a smaller grocery store here, you have more vodka options than you have beer options in Kroger. I won't even venture to guess how many options you have in the larger stores, I'll need to photograph it some time. There is cheap stuff which tastes like rubbing alcohol, but most are really good. I don't drink much of it so I don't really have a favorite, though my roommates always buy one called “Зелёная Марка” (Green Brand/Mark) or something. It is pretty good and runs about $5 per ¾ liter. Or you can buy Stoli for like $6 per ¾ liter, which tastes better IMO, but there are no shortages of options, and the shopping experience becomes overwhelming.
As for beer, there is a decent selection of both Russian beers and your major German brands, as well as Miller Genuine Draft, which still makes me giggle when I see people buy it for the same price and instead of Lowenbrau or Stella. I usually drink Russian beers which run just about $1-$1.50 per liter. There is Baltika #3 or #7 (though there are a few of those numbers in between too), Бочка Золото (Bochka Gold), Невское (Nevskoye), and Старый Мелник (Starii Melnik), as well as a few super cheapies. My favorites are the Невское and Старый Мелник, and my purchase decision is affected by which is available in the bottle at whatever store I'm shopping. Stuff is pretty good, but that doesn't stop my German friend Karsten from bitching about it all the time.
Books. The Russians read a lot. At least half of the people I see on the Metro or bus are reading a newspaper or a book. Bookstores are everywhere and always packed with people. The books themselves are super cheap: I bought a copy of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea in English for $3. I've seen Tolstoi novels in Russian for like $4, and new, nonfiction works for about $5. Unfortunately, I am yet to find a used book store in which to find old Soviet books of interest to me.
Candy. The Russians seem to love candy as much as me, you can buy it everywhere and for pretty cheap: a Snickers type candy bar is still about 50cents-my favorites are the Mars bar, the Kit Kat big cat, and one called “Nuts,” which is nugat with hazelnuts covered with chocolate. Russian milk chocolate is incredibly good, especially the stuff from the chocolate factory called Красный Октьябр (Red October). It runs about a dollar for a bar a little bigger than your typical Hershey bar, but you can find other good chocolate in the Рынок or from babushkas outside Metro stops for about 50cents.
But the hidden and unknown crown jewel of Russian shopping has to be these things called рулеты, a рулет (rulet) is essentially a giant Little Debbie snack cake which costs about 50 cents (for some reason the cheaper the better). They're available in strawberry, mixed berry, cherry, blueberry and sometimes chocolate. They are like the absolute ultimate of Deezian foods. Can you imaging a Little Debbie strawberry shortcake roll that you can cut up with a knife and give desert to 5-7 people? “Joe, bring your favorite desert to the party.” And I show up with mega Debbie. Glorious.
But don't think shopping is all well and good, yes there are ramen noodles and they're still only like 10 cents per pack, but there are always crowds in the grocery, if you walk too slow and daze off into space you will suffer the fate of the lost and misplaced drunk in Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls. I think they like to hide things in the supermarket too. “There's mayonnaise, ketchup, etc, but where is the mustard? Between the diapers and tampons behind the condoms? Спасибо.” Some things are expensive: orange juice (one of my addictions) is like $5 or more per gallon. And some things just suck. You know the paper they use in the little Gideon Bibles? That's the toilet paper, I just don't know who buys it from whom. Do the Gideons fund their Bible operation by selling toilet paper in Russia, or do the Russian toilet paper manufacturers make extra cash printing Bibles? And the good stuff is like that paper you find in your pocket that you left there and ran through the washing machine, except ironed and put on a roll. Grapes still have seeds, which means the raisins do too. And don't think you'll find orange cheese, and don't ask unless you want to see the angry lady working the cheese counter's confused face. Actually you can find orange cheese, but it requires a trip across the River Styx into the belly of the Beast-the 5th Circle- the Mega-Ashan at the super-mega-mall. Crowds that resemble ants swarming a piece of candy on a summer's sidewalk. “OK, juice, eggs, and cheese; what's this line here by the loading dock? Oh, the checkout line.” You'd think you were waiting to ride the Vortex in 1989-complete with mullets and people engaging in activities describable as foreplay, but without the signs saying how long you'll be waiting from this point.
I should also mention for the smokers that a pack of Marlboros or Camels are about $1.50 and generic brands are as little as 50cents or less. I'll prolly write a Consumer Products Part II sometime, there is a lot of fun to be had-actually I should have planned this all out better and written a multi-part series divided into organized groups: my favorties, butts and booze, other shit, the shopping experience. Go away!

Just a quickie

I went to the embassy to vote yesterday (I never got my absentee ballot so I had to go do a Federal Provisional one) but it was closed (it closed at 4 I was there at 4:15. So I just went down the street and skated the Новый Арбат-where there is a seemingly endless line of low to mid knee height gray marble ledges. Absolutely awesome spot. I skated OK, layed down some cool tricks and a sweet line or two, but it was nothing like the religious experience of my last session. The highlight trick wise was an ollie up on the ledge to ollie up to b/s tailslide on the "extension." But the best part of the session was when I heard kids talking about me, and then after I cussed at an old lady in French I heard one yell "он француц" (he's french) to the other guys. I found it all hilarious. Last night was an awesome night of school night drinking, first at a bar watching the Russia football match, then at some girls' place and then after getting the boot, at some dudes' we barely know where we drank more and watched the Germany match. Now for what actually makes me cool. I went to the embassy and voted today, (which required a >15 minute bus ride in a hot, standing room only bus before a 45 minute ride in a stuffy, stifling packed to the gills Metro) but in the space for President I got to write in big, bold, capital letters: OBAMA, so it was all worth it. Unfortunately they didn't have any of the cool little "I voted" stickers. History is being made. Awesomeness! But probably more important in Kentucky, I got to vote against the bastard Mitch McConnell and write "Lunsford." Now it's just wait and see.

And I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I put in a request to extend my stay here another semester. The school here in Russia has approved, but we're waiting to hear NKU's verdict and word about scholarships, tuition, etc. The decision would put off graduation another semester and therefore delay grad school for a year, but I think it would definitely be worth it in regards to how much I would learn, classes offered, and the impacts of such on my grad school applications. I will keep you updated and maybe try to write a bigger, fuller report in the coming days.

It took me a little while

It took a few weekends more than I thought, do to first jet-lag and then an off weekend, but I finally made it to a football (soccer) match. On Sunday 14 Sept. Karsten, Orlando, and I went to the great Luzhniki Stadium, which as part of the Lenin Sports Complex was built for the 1980 Olympic Games (the ones in which the Americans boycotted in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan the previous year). The stadium itself is rather large and of a sort of neo-classical style. It is round, fully enclosed (not a dome, though it does have a partial roof that covers the seating) with sorts of pillars around it. From the outside it is rather plain, on the inside it has artificial turf, 2 jumbotrons that did nothing more than say the score in plain font, and seats of red, orange, and yellow- apparently that color scheme trend of the 1970s did not pass over the Soviet Union. The stadium is easily accessible by the Metro, about a par 5 distance (Tiger could drive it) from the station Спортивная. It is surrounded by a park like setting with areas for giant tents to be set up for events, several smaller outbuildings, a giant statue of Lenin, and a dilapidated looking and nearly crumbling swimming stadium; in other words it is set up well for the Olympic games: plenty of room for people to meander around, a pretty and inviting setting, easily accessible to tourists, etc. The day we were there, there was a chill in the air, with gray clouds, and a cold breeze; the park areas were cordoned off by barricades, the tents closed, no alcohol allowed even in the Metro station, and police/soldiers (they're very difficult to tell apart in Russia) everywhere.
The match was between ЦСКА, one of the Moscow teams, and Луч-Энергия Владивосток, the team from Vladivostok. Honestly, the play wasn't very good, the final score was 3-1 ЦСКА, the goals were decent, but the overall play was no better than you see in the MLS (I've seen much better in MLS actually)-it definitely wasn't like watching a big EPL or World Cup match. The stadium was very empty, one half of it was actually gated off except for a little section for the Vladivostok fans (there were no more than 100 of them in the section!) The ЦСКА section was rather impressive, while not huge, they made a good amount of noise, stomping and chanting waving flags and lighting flares when their team scored, it was really cool. We sat in what we assume to be the soldier and children section. There was maybe 50 of us in the section, 25 being off duty soldiers in dress uniform, freezing due to lack of coats, and then there were a bunch of parents with kids. The kids were really cute all bundled up wearing little ЦСКА hats and scarves waving little flags; two of the older ones, maybe 10-11, were hilarious hooligans in the making, chanting along with the fanatic section and trash talking the entire match.
While the game lacked excitement, other than the gnarlitivity (how's that for a Deezian word?) of the fanatics' songs, chants, stomping, etc, the real experience came afterwards. When we left the stadium we noticed even more police and soldiers than we saw going in, each one eying the group and individuals intently, with their frequency and intensity of their angry looks increasing as we got closer to the Metro station. This then culminated into a grand police and soldier finale. The final 150 or so meters to the Metro's entrance was lined by police and soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder creating a pathway about a meter wide in which to walk. The first 50 meters were ordinary looking police officers, the second 50: police holding their clubs in hand wearing riot helmets, and the last 50: out and out soldiers wearing camouflage holding their batons; each group being separated from the other by officers on horseback. It was a truly intimidating receiving line meant to do exactly what it did: keep order and calm the people walking through. As we approached their receiving line everybody was talking, laughing, hooting, etc, but as we walked along the police path all was quite and it seemed like nobody around uttered a word or sound, every step a horse took in its place rang out loudly and echoed from every direction. The faces of the police and soldiers were far brighter than I would have imagined though, some wore smiles and seemed almost inviting, others had serious and intent looks, while others looked simply bored. In total, I would guess that there were more police/soldiers in and around the stadium than there were fans. But everything seemed to go smoothly, so I guess this Russian formula works in the way intended-then again it was a small match with a team from Vladivostok, who travels the 10 hours from Vladivostok to watch a football match that means almost nothing? I'd say it was the perfect inaugural match for me, calm, not too intimidating and in a what I am told relatively inviting atmosphere. The only trouble we had was upon entering the stadium; my studded belt and chain wallet set off the metal detectors prompting a pat down. The first officer seemed to have serious problems with my stuff, but his superior smiled, waved me on, and said “иностранец” (foreigner) as he shrugged to the first officer. Next time I will, as I did this time, be sure to wear neutral colors, but also avoid anything that could be an issue. Maybe the next match will be packed and really loud: I just hope I sit in the safe kiddie section again!

Update: Well interestingly enough I have now been to another match and still haven't posted about the first. This one was between Динамо (Москва) and Сатурн (from just outside Moscow) at Dynamo stadium in Moscow. I personally think the play was better than the other match though the first half was really boring. I think I liked this one better because it seemed to have less fanfare and I didn't feel as tense: for one Dynamo stadium is 80 years old and feels like a semi-dilapidated highschool or college stadium (very Communist too) so it gave the Russian authorities less concern, for 2 we sat closer to the field among fans that hurled curses at both teams for the entire match, and for 3 I feel much more comfortable in Russia and have developed the ability to communicate with people. The negative of it all was that I got to witness Russian racism: when a black player took a corner and when one was subbed out, parts of the crowd would make monkey noises and yell racial slurs, it was absolutely disgusting. Each and every black player in Russia is a Jackie Robinson showing incredible courage and confidence, I give them my full respect. Other than the racism it was awesome.

Random pictures and normal bs

I guess they consider my language abilities good enough to get by, because they have added classes to my schedule. No longer do I only have Russian language classes 5 hours a day, 6 days a week, but now I have class 5 hours a day, 6 days a week in which 3 hours a week I have a history of Russia class taught in Russian and 1 hour of sport-I chose football (soccer). The history class is really cool, I don't really know what the teacher is saying, (though today I understood pretty well) and I can't get my books for another few days, but I know the material so all is pretty good (I intend to keep my degree in Russian history a secret so that the teacher just thinks I'm some type of history idiot savant-which I may be anyways). In class now we're talking about the origins of the Russian people, not quite my forte or primary era of interest, but it is really cool. Learning Russian history in Russian is absolutely incredible and inspiring to me, I just wish I could understand more and take more history classes-this I think is just what I need though, more conversation in which I'm interested-it has me really motivated to learn more Russian (as if I wasn't already motivated). Since starting the history course a few days ago I have been studying twice as hard, speaking more, reading more, and not as afraid to ask someone a word. I don't think I can stress how much I want to take more classes, I may even look into staying here another semester (but that idea is still a secret). The sport class is really cool, it is just more than an hour every Friday morning on an indoor soccer field. The teacher is an ex-Russian professional, rather strict but fun loving and all smiles. Just like a little practice, we warm-up, due some drills, then divide into teams and scrimmage before warming down and going home. The people in the class are really cool, there are 2 Russian girls, a Russian guy from Vladivostok (which is just as far from Moscow as Cincinnati btw), 2 Iranians, 2 guys from Tanzania, another African from where I forget, and a Venezuelan. Because I'm tall, slow, with good reflexes, and American (a fact that still surprises and intrigues people around here-the coach guessed me to be German or Finish) I was picked to be a вратарь (goalkeeper) and did awesome. My team won 2-1, and the goal against me was just a dumb mistake. The game was a lot of fun even though the Venezuelan was really good and on the other team-he's a great midfielder quick, with good ball handling skills, but can't finish a goal to save his life-I could read him like a book. Anyways, everything is going really well, I'm working hard but having a lot of fun. I have learned a lot and can see/hear improvement everyday; I just have a problem learning verbs, but I think I'll be speaking well by the time I leave.
Last night we had a fire drill in our dormitory: at 4:30AM! We go down stairs and outside and they have people spraying hoses and yelling on megaphones for effect and everything. I guess if you're gonna do it do it right? I also have a new favorite place in Moscow: the рынок (market) just down the road. It is a rather large, sprawling outdoor flea market type place with all kinds of different booths selling everything from fur coats to vegetables, bootleg DVDs to hats, bootleg sports jerseys to lingerie, kitchen appliances to shoes. It is awesome, a great place for anthropological observation as well as good, cheap shopping. Yesterday I bought a bootleg DVD with the first 8 Friday the 13th movies horribly dubbed into Russian with the same guy translating every character with absolutely no emotion. It is one of the funniest things ever bought for $4. The рынок is awesome. The people you meet there, the haggling over prices, the competitors yelling over a lower price to you, and just the all around Russian atmosphere. It is also a great place to hear and speak useful Russian, so I count the money I spend on bootleg DVDs and jerseys to be tax deductible-educational expenses. Anyways, keep it real, enjoy your perfect KY fall weather and check back soon, eventually I'll post the blog about going to the football (soccer) match back in mid Sept. Speaking of football, how 'bout dem Bengals? Browns aren't much better so I won't talk. Наоборот, Go Crew! And I read that post-season baseball is kicking ass too.

Mold Star Chili

Saturday was my night to cook and represent the United States for my roommates and some other friends, of course I can't represent the entire USA because it is so diverse, but I used my Kentucky and Cincinnati pride and represented my little part of the world. Shopping for the ingredients was a real trip, in part because the Russian-English dictionary doesn't have a lot of cooking terms, some things come differently in Russia, and some just don't exist-but thanks to Orlando's help I made due with what I had, made a few substitutions, and got what I needed. I made Cincinnati Chili: 3 ways! There seems to be no way of finding Cheddar Cheese in my part of Moscow, but the Russian guda(sp) cheese did OK. It all turned out pretty damn good, it tasted like Cincinnati Chili, a little on the spicy side, but it was really good; not quite Skyline, but definitely good enough to represent the dish and to even get a round of applause from all of the at first skeptical, but afterwards very satisfied eaters. Everybody loved it! They all said it was really good, and all went for second helpings. I felt very proud of both my work and of being from Cincinnati. I then followed the chili up with opening and sharing one of the bottles of Maker's Mark I had brought to be used as gifts (the other still will, but I figure my roommates needed some too. I figured bourbon was the perfect representative of Kentucky, especially some good bourbon. (It was the best bourbon I've ever tasted!) Overall I think they all really liked the bourbon, a few couldn't really handle it and had to cut it with water, but most talked about its “sour mash” (not with that term of course) taste, and it being really good. A few really wanted seconds, but there wasn't enough to go around. The chili and bourbon was so good that a couple of the people added KY and Cincinnati to their list of places to visit in America. It wasn't all fun for my friends though, they had to sit through my talk about Cincinnati and Kentucky history, about being split and lost between North and South, and all that shit. But overall I was really proud to be a Kentuckian from the South side of Cincinnati, I wanted to sing “My Old Kentucky Home,” and if I would have somehow just then heard it being sung before a Wildcat football game I probably would have cried. I wish I had me a KY flag. We definitely have our faults in the USA, KY, and Cincy, but being away and representing them really makes me respect them and want to change them for the better. I don't think we're done, just kinda lost and need to find our way; there are many good things about my home, and we need to work together to change the bad. Friends, we need to work to begin the change today. Register to vote, get your friends and family to register, ask them if they like what they see happening in our country and state: credit crises, corporate welfare, but no help for individuals, a falling dollar, imperialism etc... and get them to vote for Obama and Lunsford,and some progressive leadership in Frankfort, Columbus, and DC. Obama and the Democrats are far, far from perfect or even “progressive,” but they are better than the current status quo alternative, and after their election provide a better platform from which to work and build a New America. We need to educate. We need to campaign for progressives and even run for local offices ourselves, even if we don't win we spread the word and educate. The United States has always been a nation of advancement, ingenuity, and progress; together we can build a strong and prosperous nation in which children can do better than their parents, find meaningful employment after graduation, afford simple medical procedures and insurance, and attend college without the great specter of eternal debt hanging above their head. So eat some chili and sip some bourbon for me, remember your friends, who you are and where you are from: but never forget that you are no better than anyone else: Mexican, French, German, Iraqi or Chinese. We have but one world, and from our little part of it we must make the whole better. Sorry if you don't like political rants, I just see a fading light that doesn't need to expire; and if you disagree with my views, send me a link to your blog and we'll be even.

Собачки Москвы

I struggle to stroll about Moscow viewing the many beautiful sights without having my heart broken. There are thousands, I estimate (with no real evidence, simply a guess) that there are well more than 100,000 stray dogs in Moscow. They mostly look rather similar to one another, some type of shepard or hound mix of medium size, I really can't tell, but sometimes you see one resembling a Chow, or some type of terrier; however they all have a look about them and you can tell they are Russian and one of Moscow's Dogs-much like how you can often tell a Russian by the look in their eye regardless of race or ethnic background. It is hard to describe and guess how many of these dogs live in the city, you can hardly walk about a Metro station without seeing one or two. One is sleeping in the corner by a kiosk while another sits outside in a patch of grass near the stairs watching the people go by. It is also interesting to note that in my three weeks here I have only seen one feral cat, a scarcity that may be related to the preponderance of dogs roaming the same streets; or maybe the cats are more shy and keep to the shadows and alleys, I don't know. From what I understand from asking around, Moscow has no type of animal control, shelters, or programs to help or eradicate the dogs. They simply live on their own in the big city, begging scraps, rummaging through garbage, befriending a kind person for a bite to eat, and seeking out a warm, dry place to sleep. The life for these dogs can not be easy; I've heard stories that laboratories and different groups capture them for experiments and product testing since nobody really cares and they are cheap and abundant. They seem to live and roam mostly alone, though they are commonly seen sleeping in pairs, but only once have I seen what could be described as a “pack.” There were 6-8 of them, trotting with tails and heads held high; one obviously being the top dog walking out in front, and another limping along, but keeping up in the middle of the pack and seemingly unperturbed, on three legs. They seem to be mostly friendly, (though as I was trying to photograph one today-the perfect picture of one by the Metro stairs- he barked at me, it was the first time I'd ever heard one bark or express any sort of displeasure) sometimes timid, sometimes bold and with little concern of the people walking by, they always seem intelligent and with good knowledge of life in the big city. They know where people eat, they know where people don't walk, they know how to disappear, and even how to cross a 6 (or more) lane boulevard. They know they can cross major intersections with the underground crosswalks or Metro stations (I'm yet to see one actually ride the trains, but I don't doubt that they do), and I've also seen one sit patiently at a crosswalk and cross only after the light turned green! It is worth noting that they never seem too thin, overly mangy, or wearing the scars of battles, though they're never overweight or well groomed either, nor do they seem sad or disgruntled at their lot; they are truly Russian, they take the cards they are dealt, trudge along and make the most of that which is life. As for their fellow Muscovites, the human ones, the dogs seem mostly ignored, just part of the Metro, sidewalk, city, and scenery, much like the babushkas selling flowers, herbs or other trinkets. They go mostly unnoticed, and I am given peculiar stares from people for looking upon the dogs with obvious sympathy or for photographing one; it is only rarely that I see a person give one attention, and even then it has always been a poor and lonely looking old man wearing his old Soviet ribbons on his well-worn jacket offering the dog a crust of stale bread, talking cheerfully to it as if a child relative: “Привет собачка! Как дела?” almost hoping that the dog will reply and speak of the days before Gorbachev when he held some important position or another in the bureaucracy of this ministry or that. In another place or time these dogs could be some child's best friend or hold an important position in this family or that, but as it is they are just quiet, well-adapted, adorable, and overlooked pieces of the massive system that is Moscow; in which people never stop moving, a square meter to oneself is cherished and a quiet corner is feverishly prayed for.

On a more personal note: today (the day I wrote this 9/16/08) I got rather discouraged with a poor performance in class after studying the chapter hard last night, the language barrier in part involving a security guard lecturing me about God knows what and a girl who just kept talking about something (maybe good, maybe bad, I don't know), and had just an overall case of feeling down. It was one of those things where I was a little tired, it was cold, I thought I was beginning to feel sick, and everything just kinda sucked; I started feeling annoyed at a lot of the Russian horseshit, my inabilities with language and partaking in the horseshit, the mullets (I want to make signs of a mullet silhouette with a big red circle and slash through it and the word “HET” in giant letters and put them around the city), and maybe even a touch of homesickness-I really wanted a cheeseburger, to communicate (though I've developed an obsession with expressing disdain in ways in which people can't understand-everyone knows the major English curses-so far 'bite it' is my fav). It was just one of those days. Then after a little nap, some homework, and some Wu-Tang I put on some underarmour, a hoodie and my big flannel and rode my skateboard to Юго-Западная, took a few pictures of dogs, and had me a Big Mac. It was the best Big Mac I've had in my entire life, it tasted good (about the same as one in KY) but meant so much more to me at that point. The McDonald's experience was hilarious in itself, the place was packed with maybe a 10 minute line even though they had about 10 registers open. When I got to the teller, a teenager named Aleksandr, I understood 'here or to go' but he didn't understand my здесь (here) and annoyingly pulled out the picture menu! Then when I said “Big Mac” (more like 'Beeg Makk') Aleksandr corrected me 'Beek Maak,' and I thought to myself, “c'mon Sasha, who's the American here? I think I know how to say Big Mac.” But either way the Big Mac and fries was glorious, and only about $3.50, much less than I was willing to pay for a respite and slice of Americana. After I returned home I realized that I felt totally different than I had just a few hours before, I was 'refilled' (do I have to pay you royalties for that Turpin?). So as I lay here on my bed typing this I feel absolutely confident and ready for whatever tomorrow will throw at me, I feel content, happy, and lucky to be where I am-I miss my dog, but I did just write a thing about dogs-but I feel really good. I think it was the ride on the skateboard that did it, and even though I neither attempted nor turned not a single trick it felt really good and very natural just rolling and pushing. Earlier today while staring out a window daydreaming during my class break I asked myself who and what I am, and I now realize that I am a skateboarder now and probably forever, whether I skate everyday, once a year, or even never see a board at all. It is a part of my being and who I am, it makes me feel whole. When I have my skateboard I feel more confident, let the worries of life melt away, and express myself in a universal language nobody needs to understand but myself, I feel like Joe Dees(z), not the scared and confused dude with the blank stare on his face as shit goes on around him. That may be pretty lame or whatever, but 'bite it,' it makes sense to me.

This has become really long, sorry. But I read that there were some pretty serious storms with some gnarly wind back home, so I really hope everybody and everything is alright-if you're dead send me an email and let me know it's all good. I also realized I haven't told about going to the soccer game (awesome), but I'll save that for later this week or so. I also just realized I forgot to transfer the dog pictures from my camera, so they'll have to be posted later.

Pics of my friends

The first picture is of some of my friends at the Kremlin-from left to right: Celine (the scowler), Juliet, Virginie, Amandin, Karsten (the German). The other pic is drunk in the Metro after Moscow City Day-l-r: Virginie, Juliet, Karsten, and Celine. They are all great and a lot of fun, and there are more "characters" not in the photos, but I'd say these are my closest friends here. I hang out most with Karsten and Celine, just because they like to drink beer and play cards/dice. I'm also starting the typically Deezian task of handing out nicknames: so far there is a French guy named Yuri (who may become Koopa), a French girl named CiCi, a French guy named Gitu, and my roommate Guy is Little Romeo.

Weekend in LA

I've had a very eventful weekend, it is endless excitement in the [I'm still working on a name for our flat]. I've decided that I will from now on write my blog entries at home offline and copy paste them later (did I say that in a previous entry?) Anyways I am currently sitting at the kitchen table listening to the Killers on our “kitchen stereo” (an old computer Orlando finagled from a neighbor) watching Orlando stab at the glacial ice accumulations in our fridge/freezer with a giant foot long knife- our fridge got so much ice that it will no longer close and is dripping water everywhere. And though this is not innately that humorous, it is of great amusement to me. Less amusing, or maybe more depending on how you look at it, but of great excitement was Friday night. First I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth before going out (the door was open) and while brushing I hear someone talking to me from behind-it was Orlando relaxing in a bubble bath-I almost choked on my toothbrush from surprise and uncontrollable laughter. Then later I went out to a bar with the French and Karsten(the German) where we met up with the French girls, but had to be back in the dorm by 1am, so we moved the Party home to our kitchen. It was me, Gui, Orlando, and Karsten, with 5 French women: (I'm sorry I butcher their names both verbally and in spelling) Virginie, Juliet, Amandin, Celine, and Natalie. At about 3am the building's security women burst into our flat and busted us (the French) for smoking; saying absolutely nothing about the loud music, vodka, beer, drunkenness, etc. As a result we had to go before the Commandant and apologize, promising to behave better in the future, and Celine (a most interesting character: very dark, always wearing a scowl, drinks heavily, chain-smokes, but is extremely warm and friendly when you get through the rough exterior and befriend her) must write a letter explaining herself and asking forgiveness-absolutely hilarious. In all there was no real trouble, just a lot of fun.
Saturday was the “Day of Moscow” festivities and celebration, in which there are all kinds of performances, ado, events; Moscow closes some streets so that people can walk around everywhere and stuff like that. So yesterday I made my first trek to the city center, had my first glimpse of the Bolshoi, the Kremlin, Lubyanka, St Basil's, etc, but not a great look due to the crowd and festivities. We got down there too late for the big party (we were playing football(soccer) and got a late start, but we still got to walk around, see the decorations (being taken down) and could stand in the middle of a 6 lane street drinking beer. It was truly incredible, all of the people, all of the excitement, the atmosphere and everything. Karsten and I were possibly the coolest guys in the whole city; it was the two of us with 5 beautiful French women. We met some Russian soccer hooligans who were disappointed that I was an American that hated all war, and that Karsten was a German that did not like Hitler; then when I explained why explained to them why “nigger” (their favorite word) was bad, they only liked it more. It was a rather disheartening experience. But for the most part the night was very good, drinking with the French girls and doing “Metro gymnastics” (where you do flips and shit using the Metro's handrails). I was also reminded of one thing I love about the USA: bathrooms are free and aplenty, I really don't know what Europe has against letting you piss.
I have also been given a new job: I 'translate' (explain) the slang in American music for Karsten and the French, they will seek me out or call me and ask stuff like, “In the Red Hot Chili Pepper song... he says 'cop a feel' what does that mean?”; and I have taken it upon myself to teach them some slang such as “sausage fest” and “pimping;” as well some good Deezian slang such as “lurking nasty.” I play off the Deezian slang as if it is common, yet the one French girl Juliet seems to know the difference and doesn't care to learn the Deezian, but Karsten on the other hand loves my turns of phrase and is beginning to use some!
As for school and my Russian, things are getting better. My teacher has realized that I do know stuff, and it's just a matter of not being able to understand spoken words yet, and me being timid to speak because my accent is so bad and nearly uninterpretable by the Russians. So far I'm having the time of my life and am feeling 5 years younger-I feel like I'm in the Little House in the Ghetto again, only with stranger characters (maybe) and more/prettier women always around. Celine and a few Russian girls even invited me to go out tonight, but I'm not quite recovered from the last two nights. It's as Mike Kerner once said of Lexington: “it must be some parallel universe, people actually think Joe Dees is cool.” Or maybe I'm just a novelty-but either way I like the attention.

On the left (I think-if this works properly) Is the commemoration to the conquering of space. On the right is the giant statue of Yuri Gagarin at Ploshad' Gagarina. FYI: Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space-and yes I did realize that all of my tourism so far has been Kosmos related. I was going to go to Khrushchev's grave today, but instead I've been working on my computer, I'm giving everything I have to fixing it. I think I may ride the old "skatboad" here in a minute to relax-the weather is absolutely perfect today.

Ok, so I've arrived in Moscow in one piece without any major issues, other than the crippling, but improving, jet-lag. My hostel does not have internet, and due to a computer issue I had a little problem locating the interweb, and I still have some problems keeping connections. Where to begin? My housing, it was supposed to be free, and I was told so by Evgenii Vladimirovich, but I've been charged some 220 Ruble fee by the scary ladies who run the building, but 220 rubles is only about $9 so I'll just let it go. But I am holding off on paying another day or so, last night they sent these two beautiful Russian women up to collect from one of the Frenchmen, they can collect from me anyday!!! The room is OK, it is kinda like an old style Soviet Communal apartment where there is a common kitchen and bathroom for the two rooms. In room A lives 4 Frenchmen: Matheu(sp) a nice guy with an honest smile and decent English abilities; Fredreich(sp) just moved in yesterday and I haven't spoken with him; Quinten(sp) a very nice, shy, nerdy, but friendly guy whose English seems limited; and Orlando, one of the strangest people I've met, but very nice in that French kind of way, he speaks near fluent English and Russian, as well as quite a bit of German-he is really quite the character seemingly knowing everyone in the building. I live in room 'B' (I need to enable the Russian characters) with another Frenchmen named Guillermo(sp) who is rather funny and speaks good English; and with a German named Karlsen(sp) who is awesome, he speaks exceptional English as well as pretty good Russian. Karlsen is a bigtime football (soccer) fan, we plan to see games together, but he has also been extremely helpful to me by helping to translate for me, he accompanied me to the office with the scary ladies as well as to the cellphone store (I was informed by 3 different officials that a cell phone was necessary) we must be quite the pair, a German who repeatedly asks for things to be repeated translating for an American who has one of the best (I don't mean to brag but I think I've gotten pretty good at it) blank stares this side of the Moskva River. I have also been told that I am the ONLY American on campus, so it gives me a good excuse as well as a novelty aspect. More about the flat, it is pretty cool, the guys are all cool and very helpful, the French love to cook and are possibly the only reason I am not starving, I've had trouble adjusting I must admit, as well as trouble adjusting to the fromage (sp), my stomach is all kinds of jacked and my shitake cycle is weird if you get what I'm saying-which reminds me that packing my toilet paper was among the best decisions I've ever made, even the “good” stuff at the stores here is like you'd find in the rest area bathroom, I just pray I packed enough. Did I mention the roaches? I am in what is considered one of the “best” dorms, which is reserved for good Russian students and western Europeans, but by American standards it is pretty low, but I really don't mind, I think it's OK, especially when I hear that students of darker skin are given far less and subject to the police harassment-it makes me feel rather sad honestly, and I look upon the little roaches (they're only about a centimeter long) as a minor inconvenience, though I find it odd that they don't scurry when you hit the lights, I guess they feel entitled to the night.

As to language, I have found that my Russian is extremely deficient, and today I was placed in the beginner classes with students who only have 1 to 2 months Russian experience! I honestly think I can do better and know more than it has seemed so far, or maybe I'm just retarded, I don't know. I feel like I've worked too hard for a year or so now to only be a basic beginner. I am extremely scared to speak and come off as very shy and apprehensive. Maybe I am just odd, because I can read signs faster than my German “translator.” I think I just need some mental switch to flick on, in which I will begin to hear sentences rather than words. All and all it is extremely disheartening, and at times frustrating, I can't figure out what to do. I just don't think I've learned how to utilize what I know. As I said before, I have mastered the blank stare, and others have found that if they write what they are saying in simple words I understand, or stick to short phrases. As of now I am greatly indebted to Evgenii, his assistant Diana, Karlsen, and Orlando for their help, without them I would be destitute and done. Overall, everybody has been extremely helpful, friendly, and patient.

Now to the city, the city of Moscow is one of the most beautiful in the world; outside of some of the dilapidated Soviet architecture(which interests me), there are many beautiful buildings, as well as a plethora of trees and flowers, it is so colorful I wonder how people could have described it as drab-maybe some buildings, but whatever. And this is not to mention the beautiful women that are seen everywhere. Moscow is a very diverse city, you see people of all races and ethnicities and the women are all gorgeous regardless. I could type forever about them: their airs, confident struts, and most magnificently striking and boisterous eyes; their eyes all seem to tell a story and are definitely windows into their souls, moods, and every thought and emotion, it is incredible. I only wonder why this phenomenon is so rare in American women. Back to the city. It is also apparent and obvious that capitalism has taken hold well in the Russian people, they love advertising, labels, and as many shops and vendors as you can cram into a space, yet they still revere their Soviet past. At one point when Orlando referred to Stalin as a criminal, the Russian girls we were with became rather offended and upset-yet people always find it strange that I have an interest in Khrushchev- I don't know, maybe it is strange, but maybe the strangeness is what intrigues me so. So I've only ventured out from campus once, I am saving the Kremlin for a later date, and I went to the old All Soviet Expo Center, now the All Russian Expo Center. I could write about it for hours, with its once proud buildings representing the Soviet Republics now falling into disrepair, and its centerpiece theater, once a palace to Communism's accomplishments, now with graffiti that reads “Nirvana Cobaine 4 evr” is filled with its intent's antithesis- a shopping mall. But it was still neat, Lenin still stood watch surrounded by hammers and sickles, the one fountain was still gorgeous while the other, flanked by old Aeroflot Tupelev planes and a space rocket(Soviet technological achievement), is filled with trash and algae, it made me rather pensive, a perfect mood for what I was viewing. A place once revered and shown off for all foreign dignitaries to see the greatness of the USSR, now struggling to find its place in 21^st Century Russia, too meaningful still to destroy, but largely unneeded. Next to the Expo center was the monument to the conquering of the Cosmos, breathtakingly set in a luscious park, marble everywhere, statues, and plaques culminating with the giant monument. I'll see if I can post a few pictures. Here is where I first met the Militsia (police) apparently the main part was closed for repairs, but he was still kind enough to allow me to take pictures-I was rather surprised by his cordialness and kindness, he was even patient with my poor Russian. Or maybe he just saw the absolute wonderment and awe in my eyes? But it was good to see that the Soviet's accomplishments in space, as well as this park/monument is still cared for and respected. Anyways, I am sorry this first post was so big, though I could make it bigger. I have no class tomorrow, so maybe I will go to Novodevichy and see Khrushchev's grave. The weather has sucked a bit, off and on showers and kinda cold. And my knee hurts, as do my feet from an insane amount of walking. OK, that's enough for now, I'll post more later. Random thought: I've really been digging Operation Ivy; coupled with the noise canceling headphones (which saved me on the plane) are like a piece of heaven in an old Soviet dormitory.

T-minus 10 Days

I leave in 10 days and think I am ready to go. Mentally I feel prepared, and I think I have everything lined up. I still haven't got my visa, but the application is at the Russian Consulate and I trust them to return my stuff in time. Other than that I think I have what I need, I just need to pack it all up and board the plane. As to preparations, I think I have just about everything done. I have a few more grad school application materials to prepare, but I think I have all of the "must be done in the states before I leave" stuff out of the way.

As to life, I feel like I have been super busy with work, and preparations-not to mention the Olympics having me glued to the TV. I have a bunch of stuff I want to do before I leave, but just wonder if there will be time, but then again it's not like I'm leaving forever-or am I??? duh duh dunnnn j/k.

And what about Russia? There's been a lot of news and I've answered the "what about Georgia?" and "what's up with Georgia?" questions a million times over. The short answer: I don't believe violence is ever the answer, and I think there are a lot of pots calling kettles black. As to how I feel it will affect me, I don't think it will have any serious repercussions as to my visit and quest of learning Russian and bringing goodwill; though I know it will add to the educational experience in witnessing international politics from another social angle-it is all about perspective. In another piece of Russian news, the great Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn recently died and was buried in Moscow, so I have another grave to visit and pay respects. Selfishly I wish Mr. Solzhenitsyn could have waited another month to die; and as many of you know, the Russians take great pride in their authors and pay them the respect in death that they deserve, and I would have liked to have witnessed the spectacular funeral given to Solzhenitsyn and paid my respects.

It's been a while...

OK. I have finally made contact to the Russian Consulate and learned what I need for my student visa. The key piece of which is the official invitation from the Russian university, which I have recently learned is in the works. Apparently the university assembles your information and then sends a visa request form to the Russian immigration service who produces the invitation and decides on the candidate's visa dates and validity-or something like that. I have also learned that the semester lasts from September 1 through December 30, and though I haven't yet learned the dates in which my visa will be valid, I purchased my plane tickets; I figured that in the event the visa dates are somehow more exclusive than my tickets, the airline's $200 reschedule fee will be cheaper than the tickets by the time the Russians get back to me with dates (the tickets seem to go up in price weekly, in the last week they went up $50). If my dates hold, I will fly out of CVG (Cincy) on American Airlines at 3:00pm Thursday Aug 28 and land at DME Domodedovo airport in Moscow at about noon on Friday Aug 29. Coming home I'll leave Moscow about noon on Saturday January 3 and arrive home at about 11:30 that night. Each way I have a single stop in Chicago; on the way I have a 2 hour layover, but on the way back it is nearly 5 hours. So with the purchase of the tickets, and their nonrefundable nature, it means that no matter what I'll be going to Russia this year-even if for some crazy reason I don't get to go for school, I'll change the ticket dates and go on a tourist visa for a week or two.

Additionally, I have sold my Triumph, meaning that my insurance costs will go down, I have a spot in the garage for my car, and I got enough money out of it to pay my car payment and other bills while I'm gone as well as cover a good portion of my plane ticket-so I'm looking alright money wise. Speaking of which, if any of you have extra cash on hand, idle, and itching to be spent, you can buy me an ipod touch. Those things are awesome, the wifi google maps would really come in handy in Moscow...

Back to Reality

Well my knee went out again, but it doesn't seem too serious and may actually be for the positive. I was starting to worry that the stress of school (a certain [terrible] American politics class in particular and my determination to earn an A in it) was driving me back into my old skateboard addiction. I feel I may have been taking it too seriously, and though I don't feel I let it get in the way of school as I once did, I still think it took a little too much of my attention and concern. Like I said I don't think this knee injury is very serious, I doubt I'll even need to see a doctor, it feels more like a reality check. I recognize that skateboarding is a huge part of my past and a great and positive influence on who I am as a person, I should never let it leave my life, but I know I must keep it in its place, from here on out it must be "skatboading" not skateboarding. I think this injury even came about because I let the 'e' and 'r' return, I was warming up to show off. The timing was also pretty good for a good old fashioned realization, the day before a presentation about perestroika, and right after my school stress began to ebb. Overall I feel really good, the knee is sore, but I feel realigned.

Page 2: In other news, my friend Joe showed me how to set windows up to allow typing in Russian. Я люблю мою новую русскую клавиатуру. With just an alt + shift I can switch to typing in Russian, it is glorious. I had to write the letters on the keys with a sharpie so I can hunt and peck, it makes my keyboard look crowded, dirty, and messy, but it is totally worth it.

Scholarship!

I have been awarded $3,000 by the NKU International Study Scholarship.

Update: Apparently I have been awarded $250 from the NKU language department's scholarship too.

Generic Update

I have been extremely swamped with school work lately, multiple 10+ page papers, presentations, projects, etc, so I haven't really had much of a chance to do anything noteworthy regarding my trip, we're currently working on the Visa application, which is kinda confusing. We have had contact with PFUR (the Russian school I'll be attending) and they said I may potentially have free housing! Which would be awesome. I am yet to even post my Triumph for sale, seeing I'd have no time to meet potential buyers. I have applied for two separate scholarships, but need to look and apply for more (so if anybody knows of any, let me know). In other news regarding the trip, I bought a digital camera so I can take tons of good pictures. I got a Kodak EasyShare 7.2 Megapixel and a 2 gig memory card. Thing seems pretty cool and it was a good deal.
I'm also still in the process of saving as much money as possible, but Murphy's Law never abates, for some reason my insurance didn't cover as much of my dental checkup as it should, and I have to get two of my wisdom teeth removed.

The Rocket-air to Russia

I've had the idea for this blog for months, and I thought I'd know what to say, but...
Anyways, I learned yesterday that I was accepted to the exchange program at school, which means I will be spending a semester at People's Friendship University in Moscow, learning Russian and exploring Russian life, culture, history, politics, and sociology. My primary goal is to improve my Russian language skills, but I also hope to gain insight and understandings of Russian culture and Moscow as a city to help me better understand Russian History. Secondarily, I hope to look into the Muscovite/Russian punk scene past and present, as well as the history of skateboarding in Russia. I realize that my deficiencies in the language will prevent a thorough or really effective study of the subjects, but this trip is only the first of many, and will be used as a basis from which to work so that I can better study the subjects in future visits. I'm so excited about this I feel I could write forever, I've dreamed of going to Russia for years and now it appears to be coming true. There are so many aspects of this, and so many things I want to see, study, and experience that it is almost overwhelming and needs focus-but as I said before this trip's purpose is to build foundations from which to build my future studies, and of course learn the requisite Russian I will need to work with, but I guess that's part of the foundation.
I also realize that I have a lot to do to prepare for this trip. I have been saving money for months, but need to save a lot more and sell my Triumph. There is a lot of research I need to do, and a lot of information I need to know before I go. I have scholarship applications, grants to find, cheap airfare, list out everything I have to see in Moscow, figure out dates of travel, what I need for the trip, what I need for school, get affairs in order, etc, etc, etc, etc...
I also must admit that I am a little nervous, this is probably the biggest leap I'll have made in my life to date, and there is a lot of preparation to be done, so I feel I can't celebrate until I'm ready to go.