Russian Women Discussion

RWD Discussion Groups => Trip Reports => Topic started by: 2tallbill on December 30, 2006, 01:07:36 PM

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 30, 2006, 01:07:36 PM
 I have made a relatively unplanned trip to St Pete. I got a quick visa from go to Russia which has offices in San Francisco, so I dropped off my
passport and picked it up with a visa in it a few days earlier.

My house keeper usually stays with my son during these trips but she is 9 months pregnant and due any moment. I drove 12 hours to my Grandfathers house on the 23rd with my 16 year old son and spent New Years Eve and a couple of hours Christmas day with them.

My Son will stay with my sister. I then drove the short 12 hour drive back to California and slept the rest of Christmas night. I had to arrive at the airport at 4:00am on the 27th so I just stayed up all night and left my house at 3:00am. Parked in long term and began my journey.

Some back ground on me. I am a 45 year old single Dad business owner in the San Francisco bay area. I have been to Odessa once (Stirlitz as my guide) to Kiev twice (Stirlitz and Pavel once each) then I went on my own to Lugansk. I have only finished 9 lessons on Pimsleur so my Russian is very basic.

I got onto my United airlines flight to New York with out a hitch. I tried unsuccessfully to get a bulkhead or exit row seat I am 6' 7" and they reserve these seats for people under 6 foot.

On the Aeroflot part of the journey I was told that I couldnt get an exit row seat unless I was fluent in Russian. So I was seated with a woman very beautiful Ruskia but with a two year old raised by the devil himself. I was bit not once, not twice but three times. I was the oldest of 6 kids and raised a few myself but have never dealt with a kid so wild.

The Aeroflot flight was two hours late and so I missed my connecting flight. I dont sleep on planes and of course I stayed up all the night before to get to the flight at Oh dark thirty. I arrived in Moscow and my bags were not there. No problem buying clothes for a 6' 7" man since every clothing store has clothes my size......... NOT!!!

I went to the baggage clerk and he assured me that my bags went on to St Petersburg without me. I didnt believe this. I knew that I had to take my bags through customs. I had a change of clothes on my carry on and then went into the airport looking for the free shuttle

Of course finding the free shuttle in a barrage of lying taxi drivers is close to impossible for a man who cant read a single word of Russian. I went and got something to eat before negociating a $20 fare between airports.

Of course the price changes as we were leaving but I stuck to my guns.
the driver was not going to let me leave the car but I gave him my I havent slept in DAYs look and I have three bites on my leg look and my I would like to kill you look if you try to stop me. One of those looks made the driver suddenly think that the 20 fare was a fair price since we agreed on it before I got into the cab.

to be continued
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jinx13 on December 30, 2006, 01:29:53 PM
 Hey Bill,

  I am also a tall (6'4) business owner from the San Francisco Bay Area  :) I'm in the East Bay, Brentwood (near Walnut Creek)

  Sounds like your trip is off to a rough start so far, but hopefully it will get better. I'm sure St. Pete is beautiful during the holidays, but probably bitter cold, you're much braver than this California boy!

 What is the reason for the trip? To spend New Years with  a special woman, or are you planning to meet some new ladies?  - Dave

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rags II on December 30, 2006, 02:11:48 PM
Happy Holidays 2Tall!

Being 6'3" and having endured way too many Aeroflot flights with unruly kids (usually the parents being passed out drunk leaving them to terrorize the rest of the passengers) I feel your pain. I'm wondering why you didn't fly Aeroflot through SEA to SVO. Maybe that route has been cut since I did it in 2000.

In any case I hope that your trip goes well and that your bags are indeed in SPB waiting for you.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Stirlitz on December 30, 2006, 03:13:34 PM
Sorry to hear about that. For some reason, they so often lose baggage! Outrageous.

Have fun in Peter!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TwoBitBandit on December 30, 2006, 10:15:53 PM
I'm wondering why you guys even take Aeroflot at all.  I took Aeroflot my first time to Russia and my experience was so horrible that I'll never do it again.  Now, I only use them on intra-Russia flights where nobody else flies.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on December 30, 2006, 10:29:38 PM
I can agree with that.  I flew it once too (not counting in Russia)  The only good thing I can say about it was the food was ok.   Trying to get it past my knees which were up around my face in the tiny space I had between seats was difficult.   The other thing I could not complain about was the movie.  There wasn't one.  It only took about two weeks to be able to walk again after that flight.

I am a price shopper when it comes to flying.  I find the cheapest fare I can unless it is Aeroflot.  I couldn't care how much less they are.  I would not fly them again for free. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 31, 2006, 04:16:51 AM
Why aeroflop??  It was a last minute decision to go to I have over a quarter million miles on Delta, but any ticket I tried to get cost about 3k last minute. So I used the travel feature on this site and got a ticket for about 1300. But like turbo, I will not repeat this again (except for my flight home) I would have happily paid another 1700 clams in hind site but like everyone else I have to learn these things on my own.

I am in the right airport now but my flight left hours before. So, I march up to an Aeroflot window and get cut in front of by several Russian women. I have played power forward in college and although they were all much better than me I also played against a few NBA players.

I did a screen move with a pick off with my fore arm followed with multiple suite case bumps that put me very close to the front and I regained some of my manhood, although one scrappy babooshka who used an umbrella like a harpoon got ahead of me and I am not messin with her again. I am convinced that the Babooska has lead bayonette charges against the Germans after her unit ran out of amunition.
I bow to superior talent.

Once I got to the front I was informed I missed my flight (gee I knew that) I needed to get a new ticket by going upstairs to room $!!@#%.
I went to several rooms but I am not sure that there really is a $!!@#%.
So after a while I ended up talking to Helen a supervisor. She got Anna to give me a new ticket for the next flight.

I rushed back to get my carryon Xrayed and missed my flight while waiting in another line.

This whole story could be about the rude and obnoxious people at aeroflot. I did eventually get to St Pete (three missed flights and 5 hours late) there is more than I told you but I did actually find my bags in St Pete which I was sure would not be there. So I will spare you the rest of the mess.
Back to the adventure.........

I had an agency eventually find me at the airport in St Pete, and then I was driven to my flat. It was run down and not up to the Standards I was used to. After days without sleep I would have agreed to stay on a park bench. I wanted some time to scope things out so I agreed to stay five days (out of ten) and payed.

The Next day I met M a very cute gal I had been writing and my absolutely primary reason for the trip. (basically I was going wovo but I had a couple of back up plans) She has a masters degree, knows four Languages fluently.

She was a little shy at first and to be honest about half of the women I meet are a little surprised at my height when I first meet them even when I was a teenager. Things flow along nicely M is cute and funny and off we go.

I can usually walk at a pace that leaves most mortals several kilometers behind me in minutes but not with M. She is only 5' 5" but at one time she smiled to me and said "Keep up or you may get lost." We went shopping dont worry she paid for her stuff, I paid for mine.

My flat needed supplies, she needed some last minute gifts for New Years. I got the full Russian experience riding super steep long escalators a fall would be death and the smelly subways, and incredibly cramped busses. But I survived it all and carried many many bags along the way. M did her part and carried a load that would leave many pack mules scurrying, and she did this at buried in the mass of bodies in the subways and busses.

At least I could see over everyones head and I would have had a screaming fit if I had to do this at arm pit level. M seems generally concerned to make sure that I am not hungry or thirsty at any time and will stop everything to make sure that my tank is topped off.

To be continued more to come..........
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 31, 2006, 04:27:21 AM
Stirlitz, you and Pavel have spoiled me on what to expect from an apartment in the FSU

ZhelAyu tebe schaslIvovo NOvovo gOda!

by the way if anyone is in St Pete give me a call on my local cell 89213895476 I will buy the first Piva


Happy New Year to all!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wiz on December 31, 2006, 05:25:32 AM
I'm wondering why you guys even take Aeroflot at all.  I took Aeroflot my first time to Russia and my experience was so horrible that I'll never do it again.  Now, I only use them on intra-Russia flights where nobody else flies.

I am afraid I have to disagree with all of your comments about Aeroflot and I am not a shareholder of the airline.

I flew several times with them from London and internally in Russia and found their service very good. Of course after hearing various comments, before, my expectations were very low when I decided to try them due to the very cheap price and I was surprised flying in a brand new Airbus airliner. My transfer from Terminal 2 to 1 was very smooth and have never lost my luggage in any of my trips.

When I decided to change my flights, as I explained in my Dilemma post, I had no problem whatsoever. Terminal 2 is very easy to follow around and the transfers between the airports very easy if you follow their instructions.

Sorry boys but for their prices I will continue using them and I don't care if they do not provide service with a smile.

I like to add that I do not speak Russian and of course I had no problem because most of them speak a few words of English.

I think is a matter of attitude and how you deal with them, so you get back what you give out.

Actually in UFA Aeroflot Office the girls there are superb with their helping attitude and poor English. Of course I will not say the same for the girls stationed in London Heathrow Airport which are not that helpful and despite speaking very good English they insist talking Russian to me......but who cares.

Lufthansa was charging nearly 800 dollars for a return ticket to UFA and Aeroflot charged me 380 Dollars.

Beat that!


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: CaptB on December 31, 2006, 05:44:31 AM
2 RT flights Chicago/Moscow and 6 RT flights NY/Moscow using only Areoflot. Good food......always had a movie.......but the same two TV monitors were broken (never repaired) over a three year period. Love those Russian pilots (most are ex-military)......they really like going vertical on take-off :) I am lucky........I ask the flight attendent......."dva vino.......pazhowsta"......dinner......and sleep like a baby for 5-6 hours. At the time (2001 - 2004) they were always the cheapest (from GLAVS Travel, NY)......now it seems Czech Air is
the lowest being offered through consolidators. Russia is a little "rough" around the edges...........just suits my style. Flying Areoflot eases me into......the "Russian way".......before arrival.

Capt B
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on December 31, 2006, 06:57:51 AM
I will say this about Aeroflot.  Their domestic service has improved considerably since I first flew them a decade ago.   Even on a long domestic flight back then the only service was a beverage service and the only beverage was water.   The exit door area that we grill people about being fit enough to sit in were piled to the top of the exit door with luggage.   There were lots of stories about pigs running up and down the aisles on flights, of course dogs and cats too.   Of course in those days you didn't have to worry about fighting your way through the lines of pushy Ruskies.  You had to find your way to the door with the little sign that said Intourist and they kept you segregated from the natives.  Finding that little door was often like finding a needle in a haystack.   Sometimes you had to load your own bags on the plane just like a greyhound bus. 

On international flights now, I could probably take it if they added a few more inches between the seats.  I am only 5'11" I don't know how a really tall person could squeeze in there at all.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 01, 2007, 03:43:39 AM
Funny that! I flew with Aeroflop all the time & never had a problem. All my problems were with Air Canada. They lost my luggage between Edmonton & Calgary, a 45 minute flight!!  Aeroflop was late a couple of times but never missed a connection, if I had one. But Air Canada for what they charge sucks Bigtime!!
Have fun in SPB Bill!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: I/O on January 01, 2007, 04:12:52 AM
Entertainment plus...!!! No doubt.  As regards to Aerosh!t as mine and I have come to refer to them.  I have had mixed experience with them and on balance they would have to be considerably cheaper than others to extract 1 rouble from me now.  However, I never say never. 

I've used Moldova air (Which you probably almost need to take you own beach chairs if you want a seat that is possible to sit in), Kras Air and a host of others, but without doubt the standout for me has been S-7 (Formerly Siberian Airlines)  They cover much of Russia and a good number of international routes also. Although the planes are often older, they are clean and the service is first rate. 

The challenges of the FSU, but it is good fun and I wouldn't swap some of those experiences for anything.

I/O who has weaved in and out of a few tight spots whilst visiting the FSU.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 01, 2007, 08:19:20 AM
The adventure continues...........

before Meeting M I walked around looking for a local cell phone. I wanted to have something in which to communicate where ever I was and also to call back to the US and check on various things and of course my Son who is with my Sister and his cousins.

I went into a phone store speaking exactly zero in technical Russian about cell phones and my needs. I find a guy who spoke a little more than zero technical English about cell phones. He got me a nokia and signed me up for MegaFon. He asked for my passport. I showed it to him and then he pulled out his own passport and signed me up with a plan where I buy a Sim card for the minutes I need.

Note This was a mistake, you have to have a Russian passport for MegaFon in order to buy additional Sim cards. I didn't know this or understand this at the time. So now I got to go back to the same store each time to buy Sim cards. And for the life of me I cant figure out how to call the US.

About the Next installment. I have a disagreement with M. I am sure that some of you will disagree how I handled it. In hindsite I would have went about it a little differently but who knows. I don't want to spend hours discussing every detail and have decided to just say this.

I had a disagreement with her. It might be irreconcilable differences or maybe not.

I gave myself a quick pep talk about how I am not going to waste a trip wovo and that I can turn this into a productive trip if I get with the program. So I am now looking at my plan B, C and so forth.

I contact Ksenia at VIP international and tell her that I want to meet some ladies. She said come in and talk to one of her managers. This is December 30th at 4 pm and the biggest Russian holiday of all time is going to happen the next day. But one of her cute young managers got out several picture books for me and I quickly made a list of those who had contacted me previously and a list of others that caught my eye and had some knowledge of English.

The cute little manager asked me about ten questions and started burning the phone lines like a woman possessed, speaking rapid machinegun Russian, she was definitely on her game even though she was leaving in an hour to begin her own holiday with her best friend waiting for her to leave. From time to time she I saw the wind slip out of her sails but she just lit back up with new determination.

The problem she kept running into was that all the girls she managed to reach had already gone into full New Years celebration mode with family and friends and the agency itself was going to be closed until January third.

The cute little manager has a name I just couldn't remember it until just now. Yana managed to get me a date in a couple hours with V. She wasn't someone that I had any previous contact with. I went to the internet cafe and worked my own game as well. I am a platinum member with Elena's Models and after a quick search wrote several of them telling them I was here in St Pete and would like to meet them.

I also went onto http://free-dating-agency.com where I have a profile and also
http://freepersonals.ru .

To be continued...................
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 01, 2007, 03:40:05 PM
the saga continues..............

Date with V, the last minute thing. I put on my leather jacket (it has been relatively warm in St Pete the entire time I have been here) I get a rose on the way to the agency and arrive a few minutes early.

There is another American there Fred (not his real name) and we exchange contact information in case we want to do something later since the agency is going to be closed until the 3rd. I meet V, she seems nice, speaks decent English but not exactly my type but I think I might as well get a bite and see what she is like. So I grab the leather jacket hanging from the coat rack and off we go.

It seems dark going down the stairs to the exit and I reach for my flashlight and realize its not in my pocket which is strange because I remember putting it there earlier. Well I am chatting up V while we head to a little sushi place. and I look at my arms and realize that my jacket is about 4 inches short on each arm hmmmm..........

When I take off my jacket I notice that it has the exact same label as my jacket should except the size is extra large. I wear and XXLT and this is not my jacket. I finish eating with V and we walk back to the agency I took Fred's Jacket. He was staying in a hotel just around the corner so I drop it off.

There are definitely no sparks with me for V and although she likes me I can't see asking her out again. I walk V home which is less than a block away. I go to kiss her on the cheek and she turns her head and I get the lips and a big smile. mmmm..........not so bad.

I walk back to the internet cafe and start working options D, E, F and so forth.........

To be continued

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on January 01, 2007, 04:05:11 PM
There are definitely no sparks with me for V and although she likes me I can't see asking her out again.

Bill,

I'm enjoying the TR but am curious about the lack of sparks with V???  I'm not overly familiar with your previous posts and was surprised (envious) that you took such a quick trip so I'm interested in what qualities your looking for in a girl.

By the way...  If you have time we'd love to see some photos etc.  Also,  I know we might be asking for a bit much but some abbreviated "Restaurant Reviews" would be great too...  hahaha... Am I asking too much???  OK, OK, I'll email my pic and a short email so when you meet girls "without sparks" maybe you can pass my info on.  KIDDING... I'M KIDDING!

Enjoying the trip report though!

Kuna
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 01, 2007, 04:18:28 PM
Hey, I got a bite on Elena's feelers that I put out earlier and she speaks good English.
Still working on various backup plans, I know a cute Ruskia in Pskov which is not that far away considering I am 11 time zones from home.

I gave her a call on my local cell phone which was very very far from my brightest move since now I had to explain why I wasn't on the way to see her. I am not a man who will try to BS a woman, they are waaay too crafty and Russian women have a BS meter that can pick up the slightest whiff of BS at a thousand paces on a windy day. I fumble around with the visit to M that fell apart and although I was not completely out of hot water my stumbling bumbling confession was the truth and she knew it.

more to follow..........
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 01, 2007, 04:32:12 PM
Kuna, don't worry I didn't take any offense.

The question that you asked about what am I looking for is a good one and a complicated one. I know the answer but it sounds a little corny and I didn't really want my trip report to turn into what I should be looking for instead, but I will tell you anyway.
This is what I have printed in my profile as for what I am looking for

I am not looking for a woman that I can live with, I am looking for a woman that I can't live without. What am I looking for? I want it all. I want love, beauty, passion, honesty, a confidant, a real companion, a lover, a wife. I want a woman who wants to be a woman and who wants her man to be a man. (I told you I want it all :-) I am a Catholic and I am looking for a Christian woman, I don't fall on my knees and pray every five minutes but I am a believer and NOT looking for an atheist.

Now what did V do or not do to get excluded? I guess it would be difficult to put my finger on but she didnt have it. These are what I am looking for and others may look for something else.

Take care

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on January 01, 2007, 05:32:18 PM
Bill,

Thanks for the response... I don't think what you're looking for is corny at all.  If that's what you're looking for then "good on you!"... If there's one thing people can't criticize it's when we've thought about we want and we decide to take that path!

Regarding your previous post about calling your other lady on your local cell phone...  Hmmm... this is the one big concern for my trip.  Meeting multiple girls without explicitly telling most of them that I'm meeting others.

I've told one girl and I know she feels "difficult" about it.  I haven't explicitly told the other three though at no point have I told them I am just meeting one.  Not sure what will happen but like you I'll have to confront it when it does come up.

I hope you sort out your current predicament, and wish you good luck on your trip!

Cheers,

Kuna

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rags II on January 02, 2007, 12:21:35 AM
Sorry that your plan A & B have fallen through but enjoy your trip anyway. You just never know when lightning will strike (but more than likely it will be on the last days of your trip).

I'm glad your weather is "mild" for St Pete. It got up into the mid 60's in Sac today but I'd trade it all to be trippin' in SPB...for the sights not the ladies. Some day the family and I will get up there.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 02, 2007, 02:37:20 AM
Kuna, I would be the worst to ask advice about juggling women. I have been on two trips wmvo )write many visit one) but I have created a few disasters (and some fun as well) on my wmvm (write many visit many). I think that this is a great topic for its own thread. I will post a new thread on it now. I would be very interested in what some of the veterans have to say about navigating these waters.

I called and made a date with O the from Elena's we were to meet at The Europa Hotel. She gave me directions as only some women without the concept of the time space continuum and linear thought can give.

But to make things easier she sprinkled in several incredibly long Russian landmarks like go to Prospect asdlkfjasodifjaosdjf, then when you come to the big building turn right then go behind asdpzscbvjmqwlnmgb and it will be between two other buildings you can't miss it.

There are many men who wont ask strangers for directions but I am not one of those men. I asked directions every couple of hundred meters with mixed success. Gde gastinistsi Europa? followed by either shrugs finger pointing or detailed instructions in Russian (the finger pointing worked the best)

I did make the decision to only ask cute Ruskias for directions. I figured it would increase my chances to meet a cute Ruskia (boy I am cooking with gas now LOL) I talked to at least a dozen Ruskias this way.

While standing directly outside of the Hotel I asked another cute Ruskia where the Hotel Europa was and she pointed me to the lobby. I meet O and we have a dinner. She wanted to make plans to ring in the new year with me. I didn't really feel attracted to her and so I told her that I liked her but only as a friend and not romantically.

O took this in stride and said she thought that it would be incredibly unlucky to spend the New Year alone and not in the company with friends. She would take me with her to a New Years celebration at a friends house as a friend and even introduce me to her single friends.

Wow, nice response I thought and a minute later she sees another friend who was recently married to a foreign man from Finland. The couple invite us to join them for Tea and invite us to a celebration at their flat.

O and I grab a taxi go to my flat, where I pick up some of my coffee table books about California and the bay area and a bottle of Champaign and a cake and back into a taxi her friends house named N1.

It is beginning to snow fairly good and Mario Andreddi (did I spell his name wrong?) would have been terrified at the speeds at which we weaved in and out of traffic missing other cars and pedestrians by mere inches and making driving lanes where none are apparent, and aggressively cutting off cars while using the horn as often as possible.

To increase the safety margin the taxi driver had piled many little nick knacks on his dash effectively blocking the defroster creating tiny little portholes in which to view things like cross traffic. I am sure this helped keep his focus and I think the little nip of cheer he occasionally took from a flask secreted inside his jacket was to relieve holiday stress.

O and I arrive alive (shaken not stirred) at the flat of N1 who is making a spread of food made for an army but still working on it. I know my way around a kitchen and cut many vegetables, potatoes, peeled eggs and generally won the heart of the women present with my culinary skills. I could have slayed several dragons and swam an alligator infested moat scaled the castle walls and defeated the evil black night and I would not have been as popular. (honestly I just chopped stuff)

They all acted like my beginning Russian was nearly fluent and through praises at me that would have swelled the head of most men, but I knew I was butchering the language and that they were just trying to make me feel welcome.

Several toasts were made saying good bye to 2006 and several more were made to welcome 2007 and the bright possibilities ahead. Wisely I learned before not to try to drink vodka with Russians and took tiny sips of champaign with each toast. When they asked why I wasn't drinking much of my vodka, I explained that O would break her back trying to carry me home.

N1 was a gracious host, she gave me a small figurine of a pig since this was to be the Chinese year of the pig and it would give me much financial success. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the Chinese New Year was on a different day and I had a marvelous time. One of the guests Z gave us a relatively unexciting ride home, I sent O home in a taxi from my flat with a kiss on the cheek.

to be continued..............
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 02, 2007, 04:36:34 AM
I am currently trying several methods to meet Ruskias including just walking up to a woman and talking to her, this has worked for me about a thousand times in the USA but my Russian is very basic at best. I will let you know its a little more intimidating than it sounds here but now that I have told all you that I will do it, then I would appear to be a big chicken if I didn't follow through. I will let you know how well this is working.

There are still no agencies open yet they seem to be closed for the holidays.

I found an English Newspaper with an advertisement for learning Russian for 3.99 euros per hour, I would like to definitely work something like that into my schedule

to be continued..........
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruce on January 02, 2007, 05:06:52 AM
2tallbill - nice honest trip report.  It looks like you are learning a lot.  One of the only advantages smaller guys like I have is on the airplane, so hopefully you learned your lesson to get the bulkhead seat in advance next time.  I hope you learned your lesson not to WOVO or even to extensively write a few and visit in the future.  It seems this mistake is made again and again and again by even board readers.  I liked your answer to Kuna about what was wrong with V.  There is no reason why you should not be able to fulfill your wishes.  Next time go to a target rich environment, meet many and you very well may fulfill your wish.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 02, 2007, 09:01:55 AM
OK, I did it. 7 failures to one success. I approached eight women and the eighth agreed to have tea with me (and cake I had to sweeten the deal pun intended)

Her name is M2 and she is only 20 years old.....I know I am going to burn in hell for this, but actually I needed to have a little success. We talked about California weather etc. She was sooooooo............cute but I am not seeking a 20 year old but it was a nice confidence booster at the right time.

Actually, when I was on a different date with M1 there was a cutie ( who was working) checking me out at one of the shops by the cell phone store, so I will go back and see if I can find her and the store.

I have been talking from time to time with Fred about getting together sometime and maybe working a double date or something. We haven't worked out anything yet.

I am far from giving up (I am either stubborn stupid or both) and I really appreciate the nice Pm's and sms and even a call from one member. Tomorrow the agencies open and I expect to have some success there once Yana starts working her groove.

to be continued..........

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 02, 2007, 09:53:30 AM
Bruce, I am not convinced that this is not a target rich environment. There are lots and lots of beautiful women everywhere I look. I think I will have more success when the agencies open tomorrow.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruce on January 02, 2007, 10:38:22 AM
Bill, St. Pete is a great place, do not get me wrong.  It is a target rich environment.  However, big cities everywhere tend to be a little bit faster then smaller ones so though there are plenty of fish moving, you have to be able to catch them when they decide to stop  ;).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Stirlitz on January 03, 2007, 03:46:56 AM
WOVO sucks. I have always maintained that.
Stirlitz, you and Pavel have spoiled me on what to expect from an apartment in the FSU
We always try to find the best.
Note This was a mistake, you have to have a Russian passport for MegaFon in order to buy additional Sim cards. I didn't know this or understand this at the time. So now I got to go back to the same store each time to buy Sim cards. And for the life of me I cant figure out how to call the US.
As far as I am concerned, there is another option of making payment. You can buy scratch cards with a pin code that you enter into your cell phone on your own. I am not sure but I do not think you need a passport to buy the cars. At least, when I was in Russia I did that. I used Beeline and MTS though. Anyway, you need to have someone figure that out for you.

About calling the US, try to locate the button on your cell phone which is responsible for the plus. You either press and hold it down until the plus appears, or press it twice. After you got the plus, dial 1. Then your area code and phone number. This should work. But I am not sure, those Russian always invent things. I wish I was there so I could help you and figure it all out, I am sure that it would not take me long.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 03, 2007, 08:54:24 AM
Stirlitz / Igor, you are right. The plus sign is what I need to use to call the US and I used the wrong term with sim cards. I have found two different ways to replenish the minutes on my phone. Sometimes it is difficult or impossible to keep up to date on a trip report.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 03, 2007, 09:18:30 AM
Tick tock the clock is turning and Yana the industrious cute manager is still on vacation and the other manager there just wanted me to wait a day or so to see what shook out.

The other manager T is really lazy (especially by Yanas standards) and doesn't really care to call anyone. After about eight tries I finally got her to get back out the picture books so I could recompile a list of ladies so she could call them and set up some more meetings. She did not want to do this, but I wasn't going to stop standing at her desk looking down at her until she did. I have two meetings for tomorrow and none for today. I struck out at a couple of other things as well.

I did meet the famous Phil Amour (I spelled his last name wrong) Noted philosopher, philanthropist, teacher of English and St Petersburg resident ate lunch with me and passed down more than a few pearls of wisdom sprinkled with personal stories and anecdotes.

I still need to register my visa and find some laundry detergent and a few other house keeping needs.

It has been noted in many other trip reports but when you buy something for 40 rubles (pronounced Rubbles like Barney on the Flintstones) if you hand them a 500 ruble bill then the babushka in the kiosk will act like you asked to sleep with her 12 year old daughter. You will definitely not be getting what ever it is that you wanted to buy.

I have a few more leads to follow up on and have gone through all my old mail and found several women that wrote me from St Pete over the last year. Some of those women are very attractive and speak English, I never followed up on them earlier because I was focused on Ukraine at the time.

Its snowing outside when I came in. I am one of those smelly Russian guys now. I have been bundled up going outside in the cold and inside to superheated rooms where my warm clothes become sticky and back out again. When I took off my coat I realized the odor that I was smelling came from me.

A couple of misc notes. The tap in the bathroom doubles for the sink or the bath you just swivel it where you want it and of course you have the water weasle shower attachment which can spray water all over the bathroom if you are not prepared. The water smells like raw sewage but it only smells like rotten eggs (a definite upgrade) if you let it run for a while. I have been to Mexico a zillion times and utilize safe water habits at all times. I use bottled water even on the rinse cycle when washing dishes.

The Russian Piva tastes very good, comes in 1 and 2 liter bottles and is only about 10 to 15% alcohol and its very cheap. Premium American beer is about 5% comes in 12 oz bottles.

They sell a multitude of stuff that looks like milk but is NOT milk. I bought something that I thought was milk but was actually something between milk and sour cream. I actually poured it on my cereal and took a bite. It wasn't pleasant. They also sell a combination of milk and juice which I had (again by mistake) in Ukraine not so bad, and also a combination of milk and yogurt (another mistake by me). I highly reccommend learning the name for milk although at this moment in time I am a big hypocrite because I dint know it yet, but my
estaco translator does.

On another more humble note, I tried to touch base with M to see if there was anything there and was ignored / shot down. I wasn't going to say anything about it but thought in the interest of honesty I would put it in the report.



to be continued......................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Todd on January 03, 2007, 11:08:30 AM
I know this might seem counterintuitive, but, in your posting so far, you have done none of the tourist activities that you might do while you are in St. Petersburg.  While time may be limited, it might be a good idea to do some of these things.  In fact, instead of going to a Cafe, why not go to the Hermitage on a first meeting?  Your conversations might even be far more enlightening.  If museums aren't your bag, do a walking tour of St. Petersburg with someone you are meeting and take advantage of the mild winter.  It just seems a shame to go so far and not take advantage of the city.  At the very least, it will give you some intelligent coversation topics when you are meeting women in St. Petersburg.  Do others agree?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruce on January 03, 2007, 11:22:38 AM
Todd, agree 100% with your post.  Peter the Great's hall of oddities.  The Russian Museum, The hermitage, Church of Spilled blood, St. Isaac's, Mirinsky theatre etc. should be taken advantage of while you are in St. Petersburg.  Sounds like you may have put straight kefir on your cereal Bill.  By the way Bill, go to Laima near the Church of the Spilled blood.  It is a restaurant with a large screen Tv upstairs which usually has current American and Russian music videos, with also a lot of young pretty women.  If you spot one or more it may be a good place to strike up a conversation, see where it goes etc.  Best of luck.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 03, 2007, 11:41:43 AM
You know Bruce and Todd you are right, and I don't think this has ever happened to me before. I was always one of the stop and smell the roses guys.

I did tour around and take some photos, but since I am in an internet cafe I haven't tried to download them.

I am still going to put a 100% effort into finding someone but, I will spend a little more time on checking out St Pete and smelling any roses I might find.

Thanks for the reality check.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Stirlitz on January 03, 2007, 01:59:11 PM
Stirlitz / Igor, you are right. The plus sign is what I need to use to call the US and I used the wrong term with sim cards.
I remember now they call them Karta Express Oplaty (Express Payment Card).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 04, 2007, 07:51:59 AM
To answer the question someone asked me about what agencies Phil reccommended in St Petersburg..........

Phil offered advice, ideas, stories, theories on Russian thought, examinations of Russian woman attributes and a multitude of things but he did not reccommend an agency. You would have to talk to Phil yourself to understand. Its a little like climbing the mountain to talk to the swami or whatever (I am joking a little)
Phil did like Richard in Tyver but that is quite a ways from St Pete.

Yes, there are many beautiful Russian women in fir coats and believe it or not MINI SKIRTS!!!! in January mmmmmmmm..........ochen horosho!!!

For a date I bring a couple coffee table books about San Francisco and California, I also bring some Sees chocolate (the truffles are made in San Francisco). Which gives me something to talk about. I have 5 books but only bring two. They would have to accept an invitation for tea and more chocolate at my apartment to see the rest. (Dont worry, I am a perfect gentleman for the most part) Then the rest is just what ever charm I have.

I have two dates to attend tonight and I have one date for tomorrow with the possibility for two more. I have to leave to make sure that I am on my game.

To be continued..................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 04, 2007, 09:22:56 AM
One other thing. I used the old catching flies with honey approach at the agency.
I have noticed that Russian women survive on Tea and Sweets. I brought in a cake from a bakery that I found on the way to the agency. I said the cake was for all of  their hard work. Well this turned things around very quickly. Once T was fueled up with cake she was burning up the phone lines like Yana before. She told me she would try to call the girls she hadn't reached before every hour until she got hold of them. 

I also have contacted another agency and they are trying to schedule a date with a woman who wrote me in the past. The woman has agreed to meet me but like anything else in Russia it has to go at its own pace to be scheduled. I think I see more cake in the future.





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: KenC on January 04, 2007, 10:06:18 AM
Bill,
The cake thing was genius!  Good thinking and good luck..
KenC
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 04, 2007, 11:13:12 AM
AHHHH, your learnin'  tadpole, nothin' better than sweets to get a Russian Womans attention. In real hard cases a few flowers are also known to grease the wheels ;D ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 04, 2007, 01:47:30 PM
WOW getting a kudo from both Ken and Richard in one post is a little like winning the lottery two days in a row. It just doesn't happen very often.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 04, 2007, 01:56:47 PM
I had a date with a woman named E1 and then a little later with a woman E2 they had the same first names they were both exciting in completely different ways, they were each very different and although I am rarely at the loss of words and actually I am not really now (but I want a night to sleep on this)  I am going to go out and walk around (smell any roses I see) and drink a piva.

To be continued.........................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Captmonk1 on January 04, 2007, 09:56:48 PM
Phil offered advice, ideas, stories, theories on Russian thought, examinations of Russian woman attributes and a multitude of things but he did not reccommend an agency. You would have to talk to Phil yourself to understand. Its a little like climbing the mountain to talk to the swami or whatever (I am joking a little)


LOL...that was pretty funny....and true. I like Phil...but he is different...in a good way of course.

What age are you looking for? What's the youngest you would go? I think Calcowboy's wife's sister lives in St. Pete and may be looking for a western guy...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 05, 2007, 09:24:18 AM
Captmonk1, I don't actually know the answer to the question of how young I would go. I am heading back on the 7th. If she would like to meet me let me know by PM of course.
Thanks
Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 05, 2007, 09:47:10 AM
Today I met Elena at the Love Formula agency. I had a date with a gorgeous woman named m3,

M3 was tall, gorgeous, very very exciting. M3 was model beautiful. She would turn heads in any place anywhere any time. We were seated at a nice restaurant by a cute waitress. The waitress spoke good English and took our orders and left. Did I tell you that M3 was beautiful? She was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L !!!!!!!!

In about ten minutes I knew that I would be a miserable man with M3. She would be way too high maintenance. That woman needs a man with a private jet. She couldn't meet me tomorrow because she was flying to Milan to go shopping. My big head told my little head to RUN FOREST RUN!!!!

So M3 and I left the restaurant and what did you think I did?? I kissed M3 on the cheek and sent her off walking. Then I marched back into the restaurant and asked the cute waitress for a date. Her Name is M4, but there are too many Ms so her name is now Sally. Sally didn't get off until 11:00pm, but she had the next day off.

So I am to call Sally at noon and spend some time with her.

I went back to Elena's agency (not Elena's Models). Elena showed me some pictures and I picked out a number of them. Elena had very beautiful eyes. I was going to get a ride back to my flat by a man at the agency. I asked the man if Elena was married and he said that she was in fact married.... and married to him specifically. Well you can't hit the ball out of the park if you don't take any swings. He didn't seem to take any offense that I asked.

To BE continued.........................


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 05, 2007, 04:20:57 PM
Elena asked me extensively about what I didn't like about M2 and she pulled out two different woman for me based on what I said. One was a picture of V whom I had already met and then she highly recommended to me named D. She set it up for 10:00pm.

I had picked a couple of women from her books and one was named R. Elena told me that M2 would be a dream compared to R. I took her word for it.

D showed up right on Ruskia time. (a half hour late) she was beautiful, exciting, excellent English she actually was an exchange student at University of Cal Davis 1997, which is very close by my house so she knew quite a bit about the bay area. D had all the bells and whistles that were on my future Mrs too tall list. She was funny and had green eyes...............

By the way Elena knew that I asked her husband about her. I have embarrassed myself about a trillion times before so this was no big deal. One time I had mistakenly sent a client my profile, several pictures and a letter introducing myself. (at least it was an unmarried female client)

I will call her (D) some time tomorrow.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.


To be continued...........
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: viking on January 05, 2007, 04:33:45 PM
uh oh. Sounds like you might be spending some time with D> Good luck buddy!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on January 05, 2007, 09:18:50 PM
She couldn't meet me tomorrow because she was flying to Milan to go shopping.
She may be high-maintenance, but is also a wise shopper : after-Xmas sales start today here in Milan ;).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on January 05, 2007, 10:27:37 PM
Yep, the wife told me today she bought a bunch of Italian leather summer shoes,  (mid-winter in Moscow),, I'm a lucky man to have such a smart shopper.  This move prolly saved me a bundle.   Geesh!, the guys who are still single have no idea what awaits them... Of course, a lot will depend on her class and sophistication.  If they are lucky enough to figure it all out.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on January 06, 2007, 06:48:05 AM
Yep, the wife told me today she bought a bunch of Italian leather summer shoes,  (mid-winter in Moscow)

Very funny that here some people thing that Italian product are high quality... here in Belgium, we think that Italian product are on the same level that China product or Taiwan product...

We have more respect from Russian product that the italian one... maybe it is because Italian product are cheap for ussince they are become European members ' lower tax level )... too much people think that high price mean quality... but the price in shop have nothing to make with quality... it is related to taxe... you are part indian... you cannot imagine the price of Indian product here... and the reputation of quality they have...

Einstein have say that all is relatif... same thing for product...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on January 06, 2007, 10:58:18 AM
Very funny that here some people thing that Italian product are high quality... here in Belgium, we think that Italian product are on the same level that China product or Taiwan product...
Bruno, I don't know how much experience you have with REAL Italian shoes, whose soles should be embossed with the legends MADE IN ITALY and VERO CUOIO (real leather).
Quote
We have more respect from Russian product that the italian one...
Well, if you go around dressed as in your avatar, than Russian boots make sense ;). So far, I've never seen any Russian shoes in Italian shops, therefore I cannot really have an opinion on their quality.
Quote
maybe it is because Italian product are cheap for us since they are  European members ... too much people think that high price mean quality...
This is rather contradictory. Are Italian shoes cheap or expensive in Belgium ? Anyway, good shoe-making is expensive because it is rather labour-intensive, and I am not referring to designer shoes like Gucci's, where you pay for a lot more than labour and materials. The shoes I buy here are usually mid-range (say, around €100 for a pair of loafers), and quite satisfactory.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 06, 2007, 04:03:37 PM
The plot thickens............

Elena who is happily married www.love-formula.com (http://www.love-formula.com) , arranged for me to see two more ladies, I had a phone number from Sally that I was to call at noon, I was also supposed to call D which I really really liked and I also had to pick up my visa registration.

I stopped by the visa registration place and nobody was there. I made some of my calls but couldn't reach Sally. So, I went to Elena's to see if she could help me with a ticket problem. Then while walking to my next date with J, I stop by the Visa registration place and see the guy leaving (the guy looks like Santa Clause). I got Elena to stop him. He was leaving for the holidays but got my registration for me.

J was nice, cute and an aerobics instructor who taught at the University. But to be honest we didn't click for some reason. So, after eating some sashlik (some kind of tasty barbecue) I left her with the cheek kiss. I had a date with a woman named R at 8:00pm so I called and set up a meeting with Sally at 9:30pm.

Wait a moment................

I have somehow managed to set up three dates in one day. I am not used to doing this. I have never done this. Who knows if this is even a wise thing to do. A mans mind is not designed to be pulled in this many directions. I have difficulty walking and chewing gum sometimes.

I meet R2 and we have Tea and some kind of chocolate heaven. I am not a big desert eater but this stuff was fantastic. I really like R2. She is cute, smart, sassy, very personable, very good English and I just plain liked her. I didn't like the idea of cutting the date short to meet with Sally but R2 actually had something she had to leave to go to as well.

So I walk R2 to the Metro kiss on the cheek but I want to call her again for sure. She has something...........

I meet Sally and we go for a walk and she is really cute. Sally has a look and I don't know exactly how to describe it. I guess the look is a Me Tarzan you Jane, vine swinging, drums pounding, feeling like you are truly doing something that is going to involve ropes, cameras and jello.

I take Sally to the local coffee place and we have tea, she doesn't want to eat anything but they have great barbecued shrimp and a Caprice salad. We do through my two books I brought with me and Sally looks at me and asked what else I could show her.

I said ddugh..dd.ddugh. ddd.ddd. dugh. Which I pulled off with very close to zero on the coolness scale. I might have recovered with the I have chocolate from San Francisco and three more books but I doubt it. If my teenage son saw this I would have rated well below zero.

We went back to my apartment to look at the new books and I had already developed a few ideas about the chocolate. (I couldn't have two stuttering incidents in less than a hour I need to be prepared).

About half way through the book I have on the Wine country to the North of San Francisco and only a few bites into the chocolate things begin to develop that are not proper for a gentleman to write about in a public forum............

BUT..........................

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have made about six million mistakes in my life. But I DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH MARRIED WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I am getting reassembled and getting her reassembled and making my way to the door she said that this is Russia and its not a big deal. Well I am still at only six million mistakes. I put her into a taxi before six million and one could happen. If someone wants to destroy their marriage then they can do it without my help.

To BE continued........................The plot thickens............

Elena who is happily married www.love-formula.com (http://www.love-formula.com) , arranged for me to see two more ladies, I had a phone number from Sally that I was to call at noon, I was also supposed to call D which I really really liked and I also had to pick up my visa registration.

I stopped by the visa registration place and nobody was there. I made some of my calls but couldn't reach Sally. So, I went to Elena's to see if she could help me with a ticket problem. Then while walking to my next date with J, I stop by the Visa registration place and see the guy leaving (the guy looks like Santa Clause). I got Elena to stop him. He was leaving for the holidays but got my registration for me.

J was nice, cute and an aerobics instructor who taught at the University. But to be honest we didn't click for some reason. So, after eating some sashlik (some kind of tasty barbecue) I left her with the cheek kiss. I had a date with a woman named R at 8:00pm so I called and set up a meeting with Sally at 9:30pm.

Wait a moment................

I have somehow managed to set up three dates in one day. I am not used to doing this. I have never done this. Who knows if this is even a wise thing to do. A mans mind is not designed to be pulled in this many directions. I have difficulty walking and chewing gum sometimes.

I meet R2 and we have Tea and some kind of chocolate heaven. I am not a big desert eater but this stuff was fantastic. I really like R2. She is cute, smart, sassy, very personable, very good English and I just plain liked her. I didn't like the idea of cutting the date short to meet with Sally but R2 actually had something she had to leave to go to as well.

So I walk R2 to the Metro kiss on the cheek but I want to call her again for sure. She has something...........

I meet Sally and we go for a walk and she is really cute. Sally has a look and I don't know exactly how to describe it. I guess the look is a Me Tarzan you Jane, vine swinging, drums pounding, feeling like you are truly doing something that is going to involve ropes, cameras and jello.

I take Sally to the local coffee place and we have tea, she doesn't want to eat anything but they have great barbecued shrimp and a Caprice salad. We do through my two books I brought with me and Sally looks at me and asked what else I could show her.

I said ddugh..dd.ddugh. ddd.ddd. dugh. Which I pulled off with very close to zero on the coolness scale. I might have recovered with the I have chocolate from San Francisco and three more books but I doubt it. If my teenage son saw this I would have rated well below zero.

We went back to my apartment to look at the new books and I had already developed a few ideas about the chocolate. (I couldn't have two stuttering incidents in less than a hour I need to be prepared).

About half way through the book I have on the Wine country to the North of San Francisco and only a few bites into the chocolate things begin to develop that are not proper for a gentleman to write about in a public forum............

BUT..........................

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE TELLS ME SHE IS MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have made about six million mistakes in my life. But I DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH MARRIED WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I am getting reassembled and getting her reassembled and making my way to the door she said that this is Russia and its not a big deal. Well I am still at only six million mistakes. I put her into a taxi before six million and one could happen. If someone wants to destroy their marriage then they can do it without my help.

To BE continued........................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on January 06, 2007, 04:27:01 PM
 :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

Loving the Trip Report!!!

Bill, how long is your trip in total???

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 06, 2007, 04:40:24 PM
Kuna,
I am headed home tomorrow night. I have two dates scheduled for tomorrow and I would like to contact R2 and D again.

Take care,
Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 06, 2007, 04:56:54 PM
I'm shaking my head...sorry but the fact that she is MARRIED speaks volumes to me about the quality of the agency you have chosen Bill. Obviously these people are either not screening the women or they are bait.
Not a good sign in my book.
JMHO
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 06, 2007, 05:09:47 PM
Rvrwind. I did not meet this woman through an agency. She was a cute waitress that was at the restuarant at one of my dates.

I have tried to meet women a multitude of ways including just walking up and talking to them.

Phil had some cool things to say about you
Take care,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 07, 2007, 03:49:52 AM
Oh, Okay, I thought she was an agency woman, Sorry.
It seems she may be looking to trade up. ;) Glad you chose to run, messing with married women here is a whole lot different than back in the real world. Russian men are not well known for their Teddy Bear dispositions & are real jealous! I've seen an incident or three over here & the resulting outcome ain't pretty.
Oh Ooooo, Phil spreadin' the word, gotta find a hidin' spot now!!! ;D ;D
Keep on keepin' on Bill!!! :)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Phil dAmore on January 07, 2007, 04:53:07 PM
Hey 2Tall!

Thanks for the kind words!  Sorry I didn't get to see you again before you left town, but from reading this I can see how you were kind of busy!

Thoroughly enjoyed meeting with you and having lunch! 

Hope we can meet again!!

Phil
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 09, 2007, 03:23:03 AM
Phil, looks like your confuser , I mean computer is back to working again.

I will post more as soon as I can take a breath.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 09, 2007, 03:16:50 PM
It wasn't cold but the picture sure looks like it.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 09, 2007, 03:19:37 PM
I stayed in an apartment that looked like the typical demilitarized zone, but it was actually quiet and safe.
Title: Still Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on January 11, 2007, 01:07:51 PM
New Years party in St Pete
Title: I don't even know
Post by: 2tallbill on January 11, 2007, 01:14:56 PM
I don't have any idea what the picture of this is. Everywhere I turned there was some big old building with a statue in front of it. This is typical everytime I turned around.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 11, 2007, 04:01:42 PM
I see you partied at Phils on New Years. I recognize the furniture, LOL Good one Phil & Nina know how to throw a good shagg!!! ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 11, 2007, 04:41:16 PM
Rvrwind.....
He must have a rented it out LOL or it must be a common type, because I wasnt at Phils.

It was a woman's flat Named Nastya........

I will make a post this evening

I just got back from a ton of travel


Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 11, 2007, 05:39:20 PM
On my dates I kind of came up with a routine,

A couple of things that I brought that I havent noticed before were a

I brought a pad of paper. I can write out a word or draw something to explain it. I do this at work all the time it worked wonders here.

A couple of coffee table books of the area, and I came up with a little description of each picture. Alcatraz and Ghiradellis chocolates got the most attention.

I have a couple of Russian language jokes I would tell. Feel free to steal them for your own uses.

My first one was about my theory on Russian and English language.
I believe that English words are primarily formed with the tongue and
I believe that Russian words are primarily formed with the lips.
They would generally agree with this....
My punch line was

"Since you speak both you must be a great kisser."

I also told them that I thought that by kissing a native speaking Russian woman that I would greatly improve my Russian.

I tell her that I have theories on most things.

Then a little later If I liked her I would expand on my serious theories about keeping a happy wife.
It goes like this:

I have theories on keeping a happy wife. A woman is a complicated and fragile creature. A famous author wrote a book that Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. (I have not read this book) He is correct in this assessment. So my theory is that you should ignore a woman at your peril. A woman is NOT a doormat (to wipe your feet on), or a maid, or a servant. If you treat her like a servant, a maid or doormat your life will be like very uninspiring as a result. If however you kiss her, surprise her, call her to tell you how you appreciate and care for her, tell her in the presence of others how wonderful she is, and love her like life itself depends on it. You will have a most enthusiastic, creative, passionate and, exciting wife that can not wait to get her man into a private situation. She will make her husband smile throughout the day (and sing her name at night) and call her again to tell her how wonderful she is. It is a self perpetuating prophecy. Love begets more love which begets more love. It is simple if you give a woman love, surprises, respect, care, and kisses you will get a tigress wife, a confidant, and a woman who will slay a multitude of problems throughout her day and still think of creative ways to make her man happy. Some days a woman will be sad, afraid, or gloomy for no reason. It is something that happens due to the nitrogen content in the air or maybe the rotation of the earth or possibly due to the magnetic aspects of the North Pole or something that men are not smart enough to understand. If on these days a husband spends a little extra time to let her know how much he cares about her and how much he needs and loves his wife she will bounce back to her brave and happy self in short order.

This is my formal written theory so, when just talking about it I sometimes leave out things like singing his name at night etc.

Also please NOTE that I said ******IF I LIKED HER****** I didnt talk about this unless I really liked them.

Usually by this time I have a very interested Ruskia and we talk about a number of things.

to be continued..............
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 12, 2007, 02:08:06 AM
Quote
Rvrwind.....
He must have a rented it out LOL or it must be a common type, because I wasnt at Phils
Really, my mistake then.
Sure looks like the same shelves & those speakers look like his.
Mmmm, maybe a generic thing, LOL.
I do apologize.
I like your schpeal for those you like, very romantic stuff, women like romantic stuff. ;)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Phil dAmore on January 12, 2007, 08:21:01 AM
Nope, it's not my place... my shelves aren't quite so elaborate.

You really should get up here more often!!



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 12, 2007, 08:35:00 AM
Quote
You really should get up here more often!!
Yeah, it has been awhile, LOL. Have to do that soon. :)
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on January 12, 2007, 06:50:45 PM
another Russian building
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 13, 2007, 09:18:49 PM
Elena calls and tells me I have two more dates.
J2 first and V2 second. J2 and V2 are both highly recommended by Elena.

I go to flip on the light in my flat and the light makes a popping sound and goes out. Damn I think now my room will be dark. But its worse than that. The power is out in the entire flat.

I have a flashlight but now I have to find it. It becomes progressively more important that I find it because my bladder is about to burst. I somehow find it in the dark and finish my call to nature. I bathe, shave, find clothes and get dressed in the dark. To my relief I spilled very little blood during the shaving routine. I can't iron my clothes however and put on the least Rumpled ones I can find.

I am red green color blind which is much worse in the dark. I have a couple of systems to keep track of what colors go with what, but in the dark all bets are off.

I luckily have my cell phone fully charged, Elena calls and says she is outside to pick me up for my next date. I am ready with at least 4 to 5 seconds to spare.

I meet with J2 and she has to watch her sister’s children later so I mistakenly thought she said that we need to go to the Metro, my apartment is between the Metro and the Moscowitz train station. So I walk us in that direction. J2 is tall just under six feet tall and attractive and very interested in me. She knew every fact and word on my profile and her English was quite good.

We were able to talk as if we knew each other for some time but the problem was that I was now comparing everyone I meet to R2 now and there was just more electricity with R2. I then realized that I had led her in the opposite direction to where she needed to go. She had thought that I was just leading her there to get closer to my apartment. Maybe I was doing that subconsciously but I really thought I was doing a good deed.

We had tea and cake (the staples of the Ruskia diet) and I walked her back to where she should have been headed. Kiss on the cheek and off I go to meet Elena and V2 which is hours away. I call Andre the apartment manager and he doesnt act like he really cares about the light not working in the apartment. I even used the "I think I smell smoke" which will get any non Russian apartment manager running.

To be continued...........
Title: Trippin in St Pete in the dark
Post by: 2tallbill on January 14, 2007, 08:43:53 PM
I forgot a little story a couple of days earlier. After one of my dates I had the guy at the hotel call me a taxi and negotiate the fare. I did this because everything has two prices a low price for Russians and a high price for me and other foreigners. A taxi soon showed up and I jumped inside. He would not drive away with me. Eventually he was able to tell me he was waiting for someone else.

So the guy standing at the door flags down a car (every car in the FSU is a potential taxi). He negotiates the fare and sends me on my way. The driver of the private car says something to me @TKRGBM<QBNIIO( and then )(&)*NONOO**Y(&GB) ) )U UUU.........He quickly realizes that I am not a Ruskiy and makes a couple of turns and drops me off where I am supposed to meet Elena.

I pay the guy get out and he is gone. He just dumped me on a random street. It doesn't immediately dawn on me but when it did I had a big barrel laugh about it. I use my ability to ask for directions to the many cute Ruskia’s that I saw all over, and about 25 minutes later I arrive at Elena's agency. She was very concerned. I didn’t give it a second thought.

Back to where I left the T/R...........

I call Elena at www.love-formula.com and she calls the apartment manager as a favor because she did not help me get the flat to begin with. Elena helped me with a ticket problem as well even though she did not get the tickets for me.

I guess what I am saying is that she is nice and helpful even when she isn't getting a commission for something.

Elena gets Andre (the apartment guy) to agree to come by the apartment and check it out. I was supposed to check out at noon originally but I talked to Andre the day before and he agreed that I could stay until 6:00pm since I was leaving at 7:00pm to go to the airport and fly to Moscow.

I try to pack in the dark and basically just stuffed everything into my bags. I had bought a few things while I was there like an iron, some knives because all flats that I have ever been to in the FSU have lousy knives. I like to cook and having a couple of knives is essential.

Before you know it Elena calls and is ready to pick me up for a meeting with V2. One detail about Elena, she likes her office and her cars to be at least warm enough to bake bread in. I know a number of women who are the same way. I am wearing a sweater and I'm sweating.

I meet V2 and she’s a doll. She is funny, sassy and is able to throw me off my game a couple of times with humor or teasing. She gave me a book of Russian short stories written in English and we had a good time. She has to leave because of a previous thing that she had to go to. Otherwise I would have been happy to spend the rest of my few hours with her. I give her a kiss on the cheek and I am off hoofing it back to my flat.


I decide to give R2 a call and see if I can't meet her again for tea. We set it up to meet outside my flat and walk to a nearby cafe. I need another shower from the power walking and the ride in Elena’s mobile bakery. André shows up and I explain what I did and what happened.

I know slightly less about electricity than I do about time travel. I looked in the panel before and there were only two circuit breakers. I tried them both. The power would come on for 1/2 a second then be right back off. I know that they use 220 here and decided that having been shocked many times with 110 here I will avoid messing around any further.

Andre changed the light bulb in the room and went back to flick the circuit breaker again. I see a poof and some light in the panel and the power goes out. Remember I know very little about electricity but I think that maybe there might be some dust inside the switch so I go over and blow on the switch and flick the switch again.

So I am a genius and the power is restored! So I gather my things to get in the shower plug in my iron and cell phone and get ready to jump in the bath.
Andre is not capable of leaving this alone. He flips the switch a number of times and now we are in darkness again.

I thought the cab thing was funny. I thought that a million things about my trip were funny. But in total darkness, and smelling like I rolled in something dead, and with a date in a few minutes, and when it really did not need to be dark at all I was able to maintained my composure. I rarely lose my temper and I was going to simply take a fast bath / shower with the water weasel attachment while André flipped the switch a hundred more times.

BUT.........When Audre asked me to pay extra for staying later than noon that my amazing powers that I have to keep my cool disappeared. My head exploded and using not nearly enough Russian for most people to understand I explained to Audrey that he had D*rmo for brains (Sh*t) and that flying pigs, snow balls from hell and him having sex with two super models were all going to happen way before he got more money from me.

Audre went back to the circuit breakers and concentrated on it like the answers to all the problems of the Universe were inside instead of two circuit breakers. I still to this day can't believe what happened. He flipped the switch and the power was back on.

I gave him the extra money and showered, put on an ironed shirt and met R2 outside for some tea and cake. Andre will be meeting a couple of super models at any time now.

To be continued...........

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: av8or1 on January 15, 2007, 07:29:44 AM
Ok I give...why the switch to give him the money?  Did you get my PM?

Best to all,

Jerry
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 15, 2007, 11:09:27 AM
Av8or1,

Sorry I didn't return your PM earlier. I wanted to give you something better than a half baked answer.

About the decision to pay him, I rarely loose my temper and Andre looked so pathetic that I felt sorry for him after my tirade. Really words can't describe the intensity that he used to stare at the electrical panel and..........I don't know I just a big softy I guess.

Take care,

Bill
Title: WARNING BORING TRAVEL PART OF TRIP REPORT TO FOLLOW
Post by: 2tallbill on January 19, 2007, 01:24:04 AM
WARNING  boring traveling part of trip report ahead.
WARNING  boring traveling part of trip report ahead.
WARNING  boring traveling part of trip report ahead.

Since I packed primarily in the dark I just stuffed all my clothes in my various bags without any concern for folding or wrinkles. I did take make sure I had a clean set of clothing in my carry on bag for the arduous trip home. I Elena and her husband gave me a ride to the airport in St Petersburg and went inside to make sure I was in the right spot. I arrived in Moscow at nearly Midnight with a 7 hour layover.

I briefly entertained the idea of taking a taxi to see Red Square or something but I realized that scrambling around the last several days was beginning to take a toll and I had a very long trip ahead of me. Aeroflot has a transfer booth with two babushkas working in it. I talked to them and they warned me to avoid the cab drivers. I smiled and chatted with them while waiting for the baggage to arrive.

After collecting my bags I went back to the booth to make sure I could find the free shuttle. When they realized my plan was to stay in the other airport all night they said that they could find a cheap hotel ($60) on the way to the airport. After looking at my tickets they said it was too early to take the free transport to the airport and called and set up a taxi (100 rubles) to pick me up at the hotel and take me to the airport at 5:00am.

Then one of the babushkas decided to walk me through the taxi drivers and wait for the transport with me in the rain. It’s another case where being friendly and talking to people has paid dividends. She got into the bus and told the bus driver where to drop me.

I slept for 3 glorious hours, showered and got into the taxi and arrived at the airport. Here is where stuffing my clothes into my bags paid off. Every single passenger had to put their bags on a table and every single item was removed and checked. Then I just stuffed it back in drawing a few laughs from the security folks.

I asked for an exit row seat but was told no at the check in counter (not fluent in Russian). I was seated again with a woman and a child and thoughts of teeth marks again entered my mind. I helped a couple really short babushkas lift their bags into the overhead bins and charmed a flight attendant by doing so and she put me in an exit row seat by a cute Ruskia named E5. She spoke excellent English and we had a number of nice conversations. (I think the flight was 11 or so hours)

I had a 6 hour 30 minute layover at JFK (I changed my shirt in the bathroom) an hour wait on the tarmac and a 5 and a half hour flight to SFO and an hour drive to get home to my bed. Then I drove 12 hours to pick up my son and after a few hours sleep a quick 12 hour drive back home. I slept like a baby.

I will review my notes and post a random notes / summation soon.
Thanks again for all the nice words and pms.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 21, 2007, 12:56:48 AM
Totally Random Notes

After reading my report I wish there was a way to go back and correct all my errors in spelling and grammar. I usually try to check it better but things were happening too quickly and I was scrambling unsuccessfully to keep everything up to date. Also they served Piva at the internet café which could have been a factor as well.

I accidentally left my beauty bag, the bag with all the essential items to keep up my sleek and handsome appearance behind, including my razor, toothbrush, hair gel etc. I would have really enjoyed the toothbrush when I arrived at JFK. I did bring along a huge quantity of sugarless gum which every Ruskias loved after tea and cake or a meal.

I brought with me one large bath towel. The towels provided at every apartment that I have been to in the FSU have been thread bare and suitable only for drying small things that are only slightly damp.

Elena at www.love-formula.com has several women in picture books that are not on her website. If you are heading to St Petersburg I would recommend talking to her.

I also had a good response from the people at Russianlovematch. Oksana and Alena were both very helpful and put me in touch with Elena. Oksana even helped me with a Russian word or phrase that I couldn’t figure out (in transliteration so I could understand).

I brought a note book with me to draw out ideas and to write words. Most Russian women can read words they don’t understand when spoken. But this next part is a key precaution! Make sure that you have a place marked (I bent the page over) where you don’t show another woman’s notes or words or drawings. Since I started in the front and worked to the back I simply opened it to spot with an empty page in between.

Someone asked me about my decision to pay Andre after the day in the dark incident. I rarely loose my temper and he looked so pathetic after my tirade. Really words can’t describe the intensity that he used to stare at the electrical panel and I guess I’m just a big softy. To his credit he refused to take it at first so I put it in his front pocket.

I really liked the idea of just walking up to women and talking to them but after the one day Elena had me too busy to try it again except for the date I managed to get with the married waitress.

So far on each of my 5 trips having a small flashlight was essential. I have used it to shave with (and to find and remove traces of shaving cream) quite a number of times.

I emailed myself a signed notarized copy of an Attestation form. This is a form disclosing how many times I was convicted of felonies, drug smuggling and prostitution ring running etc. to keep in tune with the laws enacted last March. I only had to report the rings I was caught running however. I gave a copy of the disclosure form to the agencies that I went to.

In Russian grocery stores they have yards of rows of squeeze bags of mayonnaise. Some of these bags have tomatoes on them, some have cucumbers. Others have various interesting things pictured on the bag. So being adventurous and remembering all the different things that they will put in a carton of milk, I selected three different bags thinking I would have just about the most exciting sandwiches in the FSU. When I got home I found that I had three bags of identical mayonnaise as far as I can tell. I might use a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise a day so three bags would be at least a years supply.

Three bags of mayonnaise would most likely be a three week supply for your average Ruskia. They put lots of mayonnaise on everything even their soup sometimes. They also will put sour cream in their soup which before my first trip to the FSU I had never tried. Now I put it in borsch and it’s quite tasty. Russian sour cream is thinner than American sour cream but thicker than Mexican and in my opinion tastes better.

Almost all restaurants have several kinds of juice; many are made fresh for you on the spot. I had a couple different kinds with each meal that I ate out. This is one place where you can trust the pictures on the juice boxes in a Russian store. If it has pineapples on it then you are getting pineapple juice.

Every grocery store had a variety of mystery meats. I had no idea what many of them were so I stayed with precooked ham which I felt fairly safe with.

I know a little Spanish (I live in California) and can tell you that I have often confused it with Russian at times. I would be searching for a word in Russian and the Spanish word (it’s a foreign language after all) would pop out. I can tell you for a fact that if you substitute Spanish word for a Russian word it will not help you in anyway to get your idea across. I can also tell you if you say a Russian word for a Spanish word to a Mexican that he will look at you cross eyed.

In an airport I saw a group of Russian men smoking directly beneath a No Smoking sign. When an American fired up his cigarette (he was wearing a cowboy hat) an airport official quickly came over and told him it was against the rules.

On a previous trip I was in an airplane (KLM) and when somebody entered the bathroom there was a drawing of a man and a woman in a circle with a line through it. There were a couple of College guys seated next to me drinking and having a good time. I pointed to the sign and they explained to me that it meant that the bathroom was occupied. Relieved I told them I thought it meant that the mile high club was not allowed. They thought this was so hilarious that they insisted that I have a drink with them.

Summary
This is my fifth trip to the FSU. I have read hours and hours and hours on this forum and others. Anytime I saw a new trip report I read it with zeal. I had already read all of the archives and old reports a couple of times each. I came to think I almost knew some of the people writing these reports and making all these posts. I think I learned a lot and decided to make a trip myself. I had to learn some of the lessons told by others the hard way (thinking that surely this couldn’t happen to me), but I avoided a many of the common pitfalls.

Initially I wasn’t going to write a trip report but then I thought that I have gained so much from the reports of others that I should pass on to others what so many others have passed on to me.

I have decided to write to V2 to see where it may lead. I have tried to call her but haven’t been able to reach her as of today.

I was asked earlier what I was seeking for in a woman and this is what I wrote in my profile. It’s a little corny but here it is.

I am not looking for a woman that I can live with, I am looking for a woman that I can't live without. What am I looking for? I want it all. I want love, beauty, passion, honesty, a confidant, a real companion, a lover, a wife. I want a woman who wants to be a woman and who wants her man to be a man. (I told you I want it all :-) I am a Catholic and I am looking for a Christian woman, I don't fall on my knees and pray every five minutes but I am a believer and NOT looking for an atheist.

I haven’t found the end of the rainbow yet and I will never stop looking until I find it. I will not give up seeking that which would make me happy.

I especially want to thank all those people who wrote a trip report before me and the ones writing them now.

If I think of something else to add I will. Thanks again for all the nice things that so many people have said in this post and pms.

Take care,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on January 21, 2007, 01:17:40 AM
Well Done Bill.
Even though you may not have found 'the one' you deffinitly have some fond memories. That in my mind makes any trip abroad a success. If you can go home & charish those memories you already have accomplished what many others have failed to & that is to expand your horizons & your knowledge of the world we live in & the people we share it with. :)
Good luck with whatever the future holds for you.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Stirlitz on January 21, 2007, 03:09:30 AM
One of the greatest trip reports I have read so far. My compliments!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on January 21, 2007, 07:27:49 AM
Trip Reports can be a wonderful learning experience and yours is one that many will find to be a great benefit.  It was outstanding and I am sure you will have success be it from this trip or the next.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Stirlitz on January 21, 2007, 07:33:35 AM
What surprises me is that Bill used to keep silence before. He had hardly posted anything on public boards (as far as I am concerned) before this trip. I wonder what happened.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 21, 2007, 07:38:11 AM
Turbo, reading your 210 or so trip reports and now that you have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is an inspiration for all those who attempt this endeavour. I wish there was some way to catalog and arrange the Odyssey of Turbo (not unlike that of Homer) it would have a sticky and a must read for Newbies.

thank you for you kind words

Bill

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 21, 2007, 07:47:42 AM
Igor,
I will send you a pm which will explain.

Thanks for the nice comments

Bill

For those who don't know Igor (Stirlitz) he is a great guy and if you are traveling to Ukraine
he can help you in a thousand different ways. He isn't simply a translator (which he is good at) but a
resource.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on January 21, 2007, 08:05:58 AM
Turbo, reading your 210 or so trip reports and now that you have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is an inspiration for all those who attempt this endeavour. I wish there was some way to catalog and arrange the Odyssey of Turbo (not unlike that of Homer) it would have a sticky and a must read for Newbies.
Bill

Bill, I have to say if I made trip reports on my efforts before finding RWD it would be a lot of good lessons in how NOT to do things.   I did have a lot of interesting experiences though and it was fun even if it did not produce the results I wanted at the time. 

Thanks for the nice comments.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Michelangelo on January 21, 2007, 03:16:17 PM
Bill, I enjoyed reading your TR.  Thanks for sharing.  I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit...

michelangelo
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on February 01, 2007, 03:58:22 AM
 Michelangelo, I have read each of your trip reports a dozen times at least (ok a half a dozen times). Part of the reason I made this report is because of guys like you and Turbo

Thanks,

Bill

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Michelangelo on February 01, 2007, 06:52:56 PM
Thanks, Bill....and good wishes and great luck to you!

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on February 02, 2007, 09:24:02 AM
Yes, Thank you Bill.  You have my best wishes also.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: PeeWee on February 05, 2007, 10:43:18 PM
I will say this about Aeroflot.  Their domestic service has improved considerably since I first flew them a decade ago.   Even on a long domestic flight back then the only service was a beverage service and the only beverage was water.   The exit door area that we grill people about being fit enough to sit in were piled to the top of the exit door with luggage.   There were lots of stories about pigs running up and down the aisles on flights, of course dogs and cats too.   Of course in those days you didn't have to worry about fighting your way through the lines of pushy Ruskies.  You had to find your way to the door with the little sign that said Intourist and they kept you segregated from the natives.  Finding that little door was often like finding a needle in a haystack.   Sometimes you had to load your own bags on the plane just like a greyhound bus. 

On international flights now, I could probably take it if they added a few more inches between the seats.  I am only 5'11" I don't know how a really tall person could squeeze in there at all.

Well if you lads would just think to spring for either a business class or 1st class ticket then you would find out the Aeroflot is a great airline. I have yet to fly coach and the reason for that is that I suspected what would happen is what you are now all complaining about. ON the other hand I have had world class service everytime I have flown on Aeroflot...which is only 4 times but the service was miles ahead of any domestic US airline.

Peewee
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on February 06, 2007, 05:00:25 AM
To be honest the biggest complaint I have with aeroflot is the physical impossibility of getting my legs where they are suppsed to be in the alloted space and first class would solve that. Still for me I can make a trip every two months without tapping into my reserves and if I flew first class I could not do that. With other airlines I can at least feel like a human being and for the small amount of time the value is not there for me.
Title: Leg room
Post by: 2tallbill on February 06, 2007, 04:55:29 PM
I got to agree with Turbo on this one there wasn't ANY leg room, I realize that no airline
makes seats for me but this airline had the least amount of legroom in a regular seat for an international flight that I have ever experienced.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wiz on February 07, 2007, 02:36:06 AM
Well if you lads would just think to spring for either a business class or 1st class ticket then you would find out the Aeroflot is a great airline. I have yet to fly coach and the reason for that is that I suspected what would happen is what you are now all complaining about. ON the other hand I have had world class service everytime I have flown on Aeroflot...which is only 4 times but the service was miles ahead of any domestic US airline.

Peewee

PeeWee

Not everybody has your ability to pay for first class or the knack to be upgraded especially me the poor pensioner from UK.

I am sorry I have to disagree with you about the Aeroflot London service, which I found even in coach class very good and much better than KLM, Lufthansa and of course BA, but then I am only 1.80 m height so I have no problems with my legroom in the brand new Airbus 321 Aeroflot flies from London to Moscow.

In the past I flew a few times Continental from London, NW and American coach class and found their services the same as the Aeroflot on their very old Tupolev 154 between Moscow and Ufa..........

On the hand I flew Miami-London on Continental first class and also LA - London Upper class on Virgin and Virgin was miles ahead of CO.

Sorry but I will stick to my coach class which now I can afford.....LOL

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on February 11, 2007, 12:19:49 AM
Wiz, I like the new avitar,

Take care,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on February 12, 2007, 01:17:17 AM
Things I always pack for my trip

I know that the kind of clothes to bring depends on the time of year.

I walk on average 5-10 miles per day so I bring very good walking shoes and a pair of hiking boots. 

Foot powder or baby powder makes those ten miles more comfortable.

Small Flashlight, I have never been to the FSU without the power going off at least once.

Condoms, did you ever need one and not have one? It is not a good feeling.

Chap Stick to keep those lips kissable and works for hang nails too

I-pod / CD player

Gum, I bring a lot and offer it out to Ruskias they seem to appreciate it.

Digital camera

Extra change of clothes in your carry on bag.

Electric converters and adapters

Some coffee table picture books of your area

Baby wipes

I bring a Swiss army knife in my packed luggage. I have used the little scissors and the screwdriver feature on every single trip at least once.

I have an estaco electronic translator it is incredibly useful. You must be able to spell to use it however so a handheld dictionary is a good back up.

A full size American fluffy bath towel, the ones in the apartments are always small and thread bare.

Things I do before heading out on a trip
Haircut a week before, I think it takes a week before my hair looks good after a haircut obviously YMMV
I get a manicure and pedicure a day or two before leaving, I know it’s not the most manly thing to do but they do look at your finger nails.
I check to see that there is no hair growing where it shouldn't ie, nose ears etc.

The last thing I reccomend it to bring your sense of humor. Things rarely go as planned and yet you can still have a good time if you have your head on straight.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 15, 2007, 03:00:34 PM
Latest update. V2 the lady I liked the most decided that she didn't want to continue with me. The trip as a result was a bust, I will regroup and plan for my next endeavour.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on March 15, 2007, 04:52:35 PM
Sorry to hear that Bill.   The pathway to happiness has a few potholes along the way sometimes but hang in there and you will find someone who makes you happy that she decided she did not wish to continue.   

Persistance pays.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: catzenmouse on March 16, 2007, 09:04:42 AM
Bill,

 Sorry it didn't work out for you. Her loss right! Now you'll have another chance to see a different place and get new experiences.

Ken
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wiz on March 16, 2007, 12:35:07 PM
Wiz, I like the new avitar,

Take care,

Bill

Thanks Bill and I am sorry it did not worked for you also.

Never mind new horizons and new places to visit soon.

Plenty of fish in the sea..........

Good luck
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on March 16, 2007, 11:43:51 PM
Sorry to hear that Bill, but really the trip wasn't a total bust, you got to see a great city, enjoy the sights, sounds & smells & even got to meet my buddy, the infamous Phil d'Amour!!!  ;)
Maybe your next trip will be to Tver?  ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 17, 2007, 02:02:17 AM
Sorry to hear that Bill, but really the trip wasn't a total bust, you got to see a great city, enjoy the sights, sounds & smells & even got to meet my buddy, the infamous Phil d'Amour!!!  ;)
Maybe your next trip will be to Tver?  ;D

Good point, I should have waited an hour after my last phone call to V2 before I made my post.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 17, 2007, 02:05:09 AM
Wiz, Turbo, Rvrwind, catzenmouse

Thank you guys for the well wishes. Don't worry I am already working on another plan.
Maybe my sixth trip will be the one.

Thanks again,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Turboguy on March 17, 2007, 11:39:09 AM
Great Bill.  If it is you will be 14 ahead of me.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 28, 2007, 05:49:31 PM
Turbo,

I hope I don't have to go 14 more times before finding the one for me.

Bill

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 07, 2007, 02:35:56 AM
Ok, I stepped in it now. I managed to make several Russian women mad at me by posting their photos. I thought by covering the ladies eyes that I was protecting their identity.

One lady actually gave me permission to put her photo in the report but the others did not.

Also somehow one lady thought I said I slept with several Russian women. I never wrote that I did and the truth is I did not sleep with any of the women and if I did I surely wouldn't write about it in a trip report.

The Cute helpful agency manager whos name I got wrong in the report is named NAstya.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TwoBitBandit on April 11, 2007, 11:07:49 PM
Wow, you really did step in it.  They're pissed!

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6484
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 12, 2007, 11:37:46 AM
Wow, you really did step in it.  They're pissed!

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6484

And he is listed in the black list with Eric, the hotdog man...

http://gallery.antidate.org/index.php?cat=2
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: catzenmouse on April 12, 2007, 11:53:21 AM
Looks like your done for now Bill!

Want the number to my ex? She's gained about 100 lbs since our divorce and has all the patented AW traits (or I guess I should say CW as she is Canadian).

Just let me know and I'll be happy to help you out... ::)

Ken
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: groovlstk on April 12, 2007, 12:08:43 PM
This is a really tough break, on the one hand everyone wants to see photos and TRs make for some of the best reading on the site. I guess if there's a lesson in all this, it's ignore the voyeuristic el dorkos who ask to see photos and stick with your story.

I know I was quaking in my boots when it came time to show my fiancee the TRs that I'd written here... it wasn't pleasant but I knew it had to be done. She knew the bare outlines of my romantic adventures, but still I spent a long afternoon in the doghouse until she read my final TRs where I wrote about our meetings.

On the plus side, Prince Alpo's gone missing since his hotdog pal was outed on antidate.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 12, 2007, 12:30:07 PM
Not too worry Bill. Some ladies just never grow up!!
They can date 10 men, no problem, you date four women & your a horn dog, go figure ???.
Nice pic of you over there though, LOL. ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 12, 2007, 12:45:13 PM
Well they managed to twist everything I wrote into something horrible!!!

I am now a SEX tourist. But don't I have to have sex first???????

How do I become a sex tourist without having sex!!!!!!!

I can't read Russian so, I translated it using a program. It's pretty clear that they think I am slime. I wrote an explaination in English but I doubt that it will do me any good.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 12, 2007, 12:49:07 PM
Here is my explaination on antidate:

I went to Russia to visit ONE WOMAN. I did not go to visit several. I had exchanged many letters, webchats, and other communication with her.
We had a disagreement. It was not about sex!!! We had only just met in person and we had a disagreement. I am not going to explain a private disagreement in a public forum.

I could see that we were not going to have a future together so I told her this. The only person that could have known about all these letters was the woman that I came to meet. I called her M in my trip report. I did not use her name to protect her privacy!

So at that point I decided to try to meet others to see if we had chemistry. I had tea and cake with these ladies or lunch or dinner. I did not sleep with them. I did not use tricks to deceive them. I had not met these other ladies previously so I did not send them letters about my life, my failed marriage or my son or any other thing.

I did post pictures in my report and it was most likely a mistake to do this. I shouldn't have done this. I DID HOWEVER ELIMINATE THERE EYES TO KEEP THEir IDENTITIES PRIVATE.

I was a gentleman at all times. I did not have SEX with any of these ladies. The ladies I met were polite, kind, sincere, feminine and serious. I did not ever treat one of these nice ladies with anything except respect.

About the other reference about which ponds are fished out. I did NOT start that thread. I do not consider women as fish. The thread was started by someone else. I used the analogy of the threads writer. I made a comment about agencies where they use the same profiles of women over and over again. For a separate example in a different thread on a different site I told about how my profile had been hijacked by an agency that I never heard of. I received many letters from an agency I had never joined. I changed my picture to a fat man wearing a diaper and I still received several letters from this scam site.

Now as for what I did in my trip report. I place photos (with eyes missing) on a public forum without their permission. If any of these ladies sends me an email I will ask the administrator to the site to remove them. I can't remove them myself. I talked to the site administrator and I think he will do this for me if I ask.

That is the only thing I have done wrong. I admit it and I am sorry if I hurt anyone by doing that. But calling me a sex tourist, or preying on Russian or Ukrainian women is simply untrue.

My first trip to the FSU was to Odessa. I met only one woman on that trip. She later tried to scam me. I arranged English lessons for her and she told the instructor that she didn't want to learn English but she would pretend to do so for half of the money.

My second trip was to Kiev. I was going to meet the woman from Odessa a second time, but I found out about her scam and didn't go to Odessa. I did go to Kiev since I had already bought the ticket. I was again during New Years so I was mostly a tourist. NOT A SEX TOURIST!!! I did meet a nice woman named Anna and we remain friends even today. I liked the wonderful food, the beautiful architecture and the nice friendly people.

My fourth trip was to Lugansk. I thought I was in LOVE!!! I really was in love. I met a woman who had a daughter and spent ten of the best days of my life with her. When I left we talked on the phone every day. Then suddenly I can't get hold of her. When I finally reached her (I had people searching for her) she sent me an email. She said that her exhusband took her daughter away from her and hurt her. She was even hospitalized. She promised to never see me again in order to get her daughter back. I tried to tell her I could protect her. But I never heard from her again.

My Fifth trip was to St Petersburg. I went again to see only one woman. She was clever, educated, funny, cute, everything you would want in a woman. I wrote her many letters, I chatted with her on a website where I could see her, and a couple of times where we could chat two way and she could see me. We had a disagreement. I went to see her on the 28th of December. I did not see her the night when I arrived she was too busy and it was late. The next day she met me in the afternoon. She took me shopping. I followed her through a million stores while she bought gifts for her family and friends for New Years.

My fourth trip I was actually the first time I came with the idea to meet more than one woman. I liked a woman but we had never met. I was going to visit my friend Anna again and another woman named Elena. The first woman did not have chemistry with me. I did not have chemistry with Anna although we are still friends today and Elena did not kiss me and yet she asked me to buy her an $800 coat. I didnt have sex with any of these women!!!!!!!!! I am not a sex tourist. I am seeking my other half. I have simply met the wrong women!

During the shopping trips she ran out of money. She asked me to loan her some money. I did. She was going to pay me back the next day. She did not pay me back. When we were sitting down having tea, she told me she would only be able to meet me for 2 hours the next day. I had come half way around the world to see her and only her. Then she told me she would not meet me on New years eve at all and she would not meet me on New Years day at all either. This is when I had enough. She could have told me to come at another time if she was going to leave me alone on Russia's biggest holiday of the Year! She obviously wasn't serious about me so I ended it there.

So that is when I decided to try to meet others. I did not plan to meet all these ladies. I was meeting them to see if we had chemistry. If I found a woman that I had chemistry with then I would continue to write and communicate and then plan another trip to see her.

Now all this is the truth. I am not a sex tourist! I had the bad judgement to post pictures of nice ladies on a forum. I believed that by covering their eyes I was protecting their identity. I wrote the report so others could learn about Russia, and Russians from my perspective. Maybe one of these guys would get on a plane to meet his lady instead of just writing lots of letters.

Now I have my own file at antidate where REAL sex tourists are reported on and where REAL woman abusers are.

Just my two kopecks.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 12, 2007, 12:52:54 PM
Quote
I wrote an explaination in English but I doubt that it will do me any good.

Probably not, Femnazi's are pussies compared to pissed off Russian Women, LOL.
I always get a kick out of reading over there. Takes me awhile too but I'm starting to believe their in the same league as Jim at Agency Scams. Don't have to be the truth, just a good story. ::)
Look at it this way Bill - As long as they are picking on you, they're leaving the rest of us alone!!!
Yeah, go figure, a sex tourist that doesn't have sex, hmmmm, a whole new catagory for them to argue about. They can call it the 'Non-Sex Tourist Forum' inspired by Bill, TFF! :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 12, 2007, 01:28:40 PM
Here is my explaination on antidate:...

Too soft... too long...

I have some experience with antidate... in so place, a JB style reply is perfect... i mean a short strong reply... your own reply will give them new munition to shot you again...

Maybe it is better for you to post in the english forum at http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showforum=53 ... there, you will find some men who are members here and in the other forum... and maybe some support...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 12, 2007, 01:55:53 PM
Bill,

Sorry to hear about this situation (just read it). You have been really screwed over. I would not just acquisce to having your photo posted on that website. I would raise Cain and threaten legal action. It is obvious that the only thing that got you on that site is your screw up of posting these ladies photos on this website (VERY unwise).

On another note, and please do not take this the wrong way, you seem to be almost *too* nice a guy to be trying to deal with FSUW. Most of them have a sharp edge to their personalities and characters. And really nice nice American guys are virtual shark bait to these women. I read your TR (and the references to other FSU trips) and could tell that while you generally had a good time you were not standing up for yourself. You were getting used right and left everywhere you went. FSUW absolutely cannot stand a man that they sense in any way is weak. To them, the "nice" of American "nice guy" is a weakling. Worse, once they do not respect you they consider it an open invitation to use you for shopping trips or to just blow you off to fend for yourself despite the long distance that you have traveled to meet them.

I recommend that you stay out of the major FSU cities. AND Lugansk - how can any WM not know that that is the scam capital of the FSU? Stay away for there!

I also recommend that you bone up a little bit.
I recommend that you cop a little macho attitude about this
whole FSUW thing especially when you are over there. It will
go along way to help gaining a little respect from these women. But even that won't be a guarantee. Most FSUW listed with agencies are some of the worst women their country has to offer. That is just the nature of the beast. Even the most careful mining is fraught with peril.

I also recommend to you and every single other WM out there that it is very unwise to go around the FSU telling the FSUW that you are meeting about this or any other discussion board forum that you post at. I have seen time and time again how that has resulted in the crash and burn scenario we see here, with TG/VWRW, Wiz/whatshername....it is just a really wimpy thing to do in addition to being unwise.

Again Bill, DO NOT TAKE THAT WEBSITE POSTING LAYING DOWN.  You made a big mistake with that long mushy MUSHY overly detailed response. That just dug your hole deeper b/c to them it just confirms that your are a wimpy guy that does not scare them. GET AN ATTITUDE ABOUT IT!!! FOR GOD'S SAKE STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!!!

Good luck.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 12, 2007, 02:47:40 PM
I never told anyone in Russia about my posts or about this forum.
There is one exception but she was not a member of any agency. It was the gal that I met while walking down the street. She is not even looking for a foriegn husband and I did not give her the website address. There is no way that she could have put everything together, or would have even care to do so.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 12, 2007, 03:14:07 PM
Bill,

It's a shame that you're on the same scammer list as men who send pictures of their dicks to FSU women. I can't be a good judge of the women who post at anti-date since I don't read Russian but if you ever read an anti-scam forum full of men, they seem jaded and disgruntled and have a hard time moving forward after a bad experience. That would not be a good attitude for a man or woman to have if they are looking to get married.

Keep in mind, some women at anti-date read this site and others and if they think a man did wrong, they talk about it on anti-date. It seems your trip report has been read and you qualify to be listed on their scam list.

As far as meeting gold diggers, professional daters and having many unsuccessful trips, I think you need to re-think what you're doing wrong. I know you've used questionable agencies and you probably know that you'd be hammered hard if you talk about them much on the forums. But there is a good reason people hammer bad agencies. There are good women in bad agencies and people have survived walking through minefields but why take a chance? There are less riskier roads in life to take.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 12, 2007, 06:30:17 PM
Looks like your done for now Bill!

Want the number to my ex? She's gained about 100 lbs since our divorce and has all the patented AW traits (or I guess I should say CW as she is Canadian).

Just let me know and I'll be happy to help you out... ::)

Ken

Ken you crack me up LOL,

Thanks for making me smile,

A few angry anonymous, previously bitten, bitter Russian women took some shots at me.
But never fear! It would take more than an alligator filled moat, fire breathing dragons and a black knight or three to even slow me down. You can write all the things that worry me on the back of a postage stamp. Although its a little unfair to be on their black list (who said life was fair?) If you look on the back of the postage stamp this isn't on it.

Just my two kopecks

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: catzenmouse on April 12, 2007, 07:06:06 PM
Good for you Bill!

Keep your head up and keep pluggin' on. I'm betting that many of the ladies who frequent that site are not ones that you would want to bother with anyway. Sure that are some good ones like the lady Bruno has found but just like the AM scammer type forums they tend to be filled with small minded very bitter individuals.

Good Luck and Happy Travels!

Ken
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 12, 2007, 09:03:49 PM
Bill I adamantly agree with WmGO you need to respond better than you did.  I think I know which of one these lovelies started this. Have you figured it out yet?  :brightidea: You better remember you are swimming in shark infested waters and when you hurt one they all frenzy. I hope you have learned a valuable lesson grasshopper. Bill I have been advised from a friend in Saint Petersburg, her name is  LOL and she is writing the anti date site in your behalf.



LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TwoBitBandit on April 12, 2007, 10:15:22 PM
Bill, I came across that link to antidate because I read their forum occasionally.  I've been studying Russian for about four years and read it to learn more about their attitudes and also improve my Russian.  I was pretty shocked to see your photo on the site.  I recognized it immediately since we'd met in person a few weeks ago.

I agree with WmGO that your response was not very effective.  However, I don't think there's really any point in responding further on their forum.  Just let them bicker amongst themselves.  You're not going to change their mind.  You have no leverage with them.  Just let it go.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 12, 2007, 10:29:18 PM
Just Tell 'em what my Grandpappy would!!!
KISS my skinny white A$$!!!!
Two Bit is right, you'll never change their minds - yep reminds me of Jimbo!! ;D ;D
Like I said it don't have to be factual they just put up what they want & who they want I'm thinkin'. Being in Russia you can't touch them. Most decent Russian women I know that have checked out Antidate never go back. They figure its full of bitter women with attitudes very close to the Feminazi's in the west. Get burnt & cry the blues. Sh!t happens, don't sweat it Bill, we all know the truth of it. :)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Phil dAmore on April 13, 2007, 12:17:19 AM
Damn, and I thought only the media could twist the facts that horribly...

I've seen a lot of guys come through St. Pete and I know a sex tourist when I see one.  You, Bill are most definitely NOT a sex tourist.  In fact you are one of the few I have seen that didn't even have it as an option.

I loved the way they took the part about your carrying condoms so totally out of context.  Obviously they have never heard the phrase 'be prepared'..

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 13, 2007, 12:23:05 AM
Most decent Russian women I know that have checked out Antidate never go back.

http://www.love-from-russia.be/1_4_127.gif

http://www.love-from-russia.be/1_4_89.gif

You are insulting my girlfriend by saying that she is not a decent woman...

Before write something, better think before... and really, what is your personal problem with antidate ? Each time that we speak about these forum, you are the first to attack... if guys cannot handle antidate, better not go in Russia seeking a wife... on these forum, they are more tender that in reality...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2007, 12:36:45 AM
Damn, and I thought only the media could twist the facts that horribly...

I've seen a lot of guys come through St. Pete and I know a sex tourist when I see you.  You, Bill are most definitely NOT a sex tourist.  In fact you are one of the few I have seen that didn't even have it as an option.

I loved the way they took the part about your carrying condoms so totally out of context.  Obviously they have never heard the phrase 'be prepared'..



Phil, I thought it was funny too. What should I do make babies and spread STDs around? It would be a good case of a guy getting his photo on antidate. Wait a moment you can get a photo on the antidate by writing a trip report.
there are 215 trip report threads at this site alone!!!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 13, 2007, 09:07:56 AM
    It really bothers me that this has happened to Bill. He obviously does not deserve it. I am trying to figure out how it happened. Bill says he did not give the RWD site  to anyone he went out with. I cannot read much Russian, but I do note a reference in one of the lady's posts that references a part of Bill's pre trip report listing items he is taking, specifically condoms. Any sane rational and responsible man will always take them wherever he travels, especially the FSU where HIV is rampant. I am trying to figure out if that or some other reason exists for Bill being marked like this.     This is a very serious and dangerous precedent if he is being hung out based not on what he did there but rather what he posted here about taking condoms....Legal, what do you know about this?

REQUEST! Can Olga, Elen and Jazzy please interpret what those ladies are saying about Bill and post a summary here . I would like to know this and where they are getting their information from to accuse Bill of being...well  it is not perfectly clear what they are saying but I understand from this forum that they are saying Bill was a sex tourist or something....

Bill, I know I may have sounded a little hard on you but trust me I am on your side.....I cannot stand all of the crap that is involved in this FSUW "MOB" thing especially when good people get shafted like this (whether it is the WM or the FSUW who is the victim)....this is just way beyond the typical shafting that is associated with this very risky undertaking....it is rank libel....it should not be tolerated....

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 13, 2007, 09:51:14 AM
Bill says he did not give the RWD site  to anyone he went out with.

Bill have not only post on RWD... the reference that girls speak about is located at http://forum.uwguide.net/index.php?showtopic=21 ... it is at these place thathe post pic of the girls...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 13, 2007, 09:57:14 AM
So if they did it because he posted their pics how did they know?? I mean, I see up thread where someone mentioned that some of the antidate FSUW monitor this forum, but you would think that if someone was going to accuse Bill of improprieties that it would be the specific FSUW that he met and dated in St.Pete....that is why I have asked the FSUW here to interpret their posting for us.....this is still a mystery to me and because it is such a serious and terrible precedent I would like to know all of the details...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 10:13:18 AM
I have read the forum.antidate. What I can say?

To my mind it is a site for girls who are having a grudge against men because these men have  preferred other girls  to these girls. In most cases it is a site to express a women' vendetta. I think even scammers can put on this site a photo of man and writes the lampoons if he doesn't send her money for her ill mother - vendetta.

Kvinna, woman who is the administrator, has written:  now in english (sorry I am not good at it).
Of course reading  Bill's posts about his trips, Kvinna and others girls use their imaginations. They have seen the words "condom" in Bill's posts and now they "suck round" this subject.  :cheesygrin:

Kvinna has posted the Bill's quoter:

I am currently trying several methods to meet Ruskias including just walking up to a woman and talking to her, this has worked for me about a thousand times in the USA but my Russian is very basic at best.

Then she has asked the girls " What is an image of Russian women forms after reading his words?"  :cluebat:

I just wonder how many men are victims of  these women' poor minds.
Reading Kvinna's posts I think she  just hates all men and in Bill's reports she sees only his report about sex in the FSU. I would kill this bastard who has ruined her life. I really feel sorry for Kvinna.

Other girls are writing silly posts joining in Kvinna's song, hating and stopping women who try to protect the victims of this site.

Olga.





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 10:54:23 AM
One woman has posted a photo of man and written that he is pedophile. There is no letters from him to her, photos and any proofs.  Now photo of this man on antidate.forum with the terrible brand of shame.

Olga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 13, 2007, 11:25:36 AM
Olga,

Based on your reading of the antidate - Bill thread, is the following correct:

1. none of the FSUW that are posting about him are women that he met in FSU, and

2. all of their negative judgment on Bill is based solely on what Bill posted here on RWD or other discussion forums about his trip(s) to FSU.

Also, a question - if #2 above is correct what exactly is it about his trip reports that is the basis for their judgment? a reference to condoms? Also, do they accuse him of being a sex tourist? if so, based on what? just packing condoms?

Thank you for clarifying.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Lily on April 13, 2007, 11:51:56 AM
My understanding is that Bill is accused merely because of the fact that he has  posted a report about his search for a wife for general public. Further, the antidate members tell that the general tone of his report shows disrespect to Russian women and is destructive for their reputation abroad. Also one woman said that she is going to monitor other trip reports to look for other candidates to blacklist.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2007, 11:57:48 AM
WmGO I will send you a PM

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 13, 2007, 12:01:30 PM
    It really bothers me that this has happened to Bill. He obviously does not deserve it. I am trying to figure out how it happened. Bill says he did not give the RWD site  to anyone he went out with. I cannot read much Russian, but I do note a reference in one of the lady's posts that references a part of Bill's pre trip report listing items he is taking, specifically condoms. Any sane rational and responsible man will always take them wherever he travels, especially the FSU where HIV is rampant. I am trying to figure out if that or some other reason exists for Bill being marked like this.     This is a very serious and dangerous precedent if he is being hung out based not on what he did there but rather what he posted here about taking condoms....Legal, what do you know about this?

you are so funny, cutie
don't you think that you can buy condoms in Russia if you will have some "chemistry" lol. Or you think Russia is so wild country that you will hardly find any condom here?
Why should you bring them if you have only serious intention, and not involved in sex-tourism?
also I dare quting post from another baord, as I did it on antidate

Quote
QUOTE
I was going to mention to you about you being pegged as such a little earlier, but I figured your T/R is all over the internet, and whatever backlash that stemmed from it will likely get back to you sooner than later.
As for the allegation of you being a sex tourist, you tell us you're not, and maybe that is the case; but from the ladies' viewpoint, maybe it's a bit harder to believe. If anyone read your T/R, they'll find how incredibly easy it is to assume you had sex with most, if not all, of the women..
How? First, your T/R is laced with you going out with multiple women. 2) You seem to be talking quite a bit about attractive women that were making your head spin....then, 3) You posted pictures of some of the women.....then, 4) You write this as part of must bring list:
Quote
Quote:Condoms, did you ever need one and not have one? It is not a good feeling.
Chap Stick to keep those lips kissable and works for hang nails too
I'm not saying you are a sex tourist, nor imply it; but you haven't exactly gone out of your way to make sure people didn't get the wrong impression about you either...
I hope these all get sorted out for you...

also my point of view that seems none of you don't want to notice

Your TR is ruined RW's reputation more and more. Your RP encurage other sex-turist come to Russia and do the same like you did. Well, you have been not successful шт your plans, but if xomeone will fallow advices of your fellow WmGO what will be then. You, americans already made anything for turning us into this shitty situation. So we cannot let you turn out Russian into International brothel as it happened with Thailand, and we don't let you think about our women like about the easy of approach dolls
Those old time is over. Each of you who don't respect us in general will be blacklisted

as for m-me Olga, I suppose at first she could learn good manners before try to be prosperous with diplomacy
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 13, 2007, 12:47:29 PM

Those old time is over. Each of you who don't respect us in general will be blacklisted


After seeing the misinterpretations, misrepresentations, and overall gossipy mentality over absolutely *nothing* you and your feeding frenzied followers have pulled out of your popkas, I have zero "general respect" for you or your minions at all.  I respect Russia and Russian ladies immensely, but, I have zero respect for any of you.

2tallbill didn't even have sex on his trip.... 

but *I* sure did...

I bought condoms - "preservatifs" - in Russia, they are right there with the bubble gum and candy, right???  and I used them with absolute happiness, joy, blissful delight, and with all the gusto and majestic grace I could throw into it - spawning round after round after round after round after round of orgasmic ecstasy.  Oh, and the Russian lady seemed to like it too... better get her on that list "Treason" list.

Feel free to blacklist me as well.  I'm obviously  ::) (rolling eyes) ::) a sex tourist.

David
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 13, 2007, 12:53:35 PM
you are so funny, cutie
don't you think that you can buy condoms in Russia if you will have some "chemistry" lol. Or you think Russia is so wild country that you will hardly find any condom here?
Why should you bring them if you have only serious intention, and not involved in sex-tourism?

Hmmm... for all my trip, i take toilet paper ( lavendel parfum ), coffee ( moka ) and condom ( fruity parfum )... so, i am maybe a sex tourist !

About condom in Russia... at the market, several are out of date... and i don't wish that they break down during use... having some chemistry generally happen at night... not a lot of Russian city have night shop... i imagine the scene... your are in the sofa with your darling, thing become slowly hot, you take your winter clothes and go outside trying to find condom after midnight, when you are back, she is away... of course, some in the fire of passion will not use condom... and one russian woman pregnant !!!

Before complain about western men, i am curious to know how much Russian men have condom in their wallet... ok, i give you a advantage, you can count the married one... hmmm, not sure that it is a advantage since it seem that some russian men are unfaithfull...

Western men making Russia like a brothel... maybe you need first clean before your door... if Russian women was not promoting themself on the internet, no visitor... if some of them was not showing more skin that a American porno star, no sex tourist... some western men are sex tourist but who promote themself on the internet in a provocative way... the same about previous problem where you are shock by old men visiting young ladies... why the sexy young RW who is only 20 year old seek a man who is between 40 year and 60 year old...

Yes, these sex tourist are bad but your girls attract them !!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2007, 12:58:52 PM
I totally disagree with you Kvinna

First about condoms surely you think it is wise to use them. Honestly you can't be serious as to think that it is unwise to bring them. Of course I know that there are condoms in Russia. But I had problems buying milk for crying out load!!

I know exactly what the English word for them is. I know exactly where to buy them. I don't want to imagine the experience of trying to pantomime what a condom is in a shop that doesn't sell them to a poor Russian lady who works there!!!

Could you imagine going into a store that might not even sell condoms and ask for them???? not knowing the word for them ????

Lets imagine how I would explain this to a young shop keeping girl without being super vulgar.

Ok It's not impossible to do this. I would type condoms in my estaco translator and show it to someone and hope for the best. But bringing them is a ten thousand times better idea. First you have them and you know where they are. Imagine that after meeting a woman many many times and she and you both feel passion come up and you both decide that this is the time. Then is the time to start learning the Russian word for condoms???? and what shops sell them???
and please honey stay in that mood while I go shopping for condoms???

Give me a break! Bring them with you thats why they are on the list! If you don't find love, if you don't have a use for them then you bring them back home. But planning to not find love is like planning to fail at it!!

Maybe you could say don't be crass, you did not need to put it on the list all men know to have these things when they need them. Well maybe you would have a point about that. But to call a man who is being responsible and advising others not to be stupid enough not to have a condom when its needed is beyond rational thought!!!

Putting a man on a black list with sexual predators, child pornographers, married men, etc for telling men to be responsible and bring condoms is defeating the purpose of having a list of bad men.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 01:13:42 PM


as for m-me Olga, I suppose at first she could learn good manners before try to be prosperous with diplomacy

Kvinna-Lilya,

How have you named yourself on forum.antidate? B!tch? Where are your good manners when you posts BS about men and their photos on forum.antidate without any real proofs?

This is your quoter:
other version
мал, да еблив

After it you have said me about my good manners and diplomacy...   :mooning:

Olga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 13, 2007, 01:14:13 PM
Putting a man on a black list with sexual predators, child pornographers, married men, etc for telling men to be responsible and bring condoms is defeating the purpose of having a list of bad men.
Bill

how offten you advise to bring condoms in public board when someone is going to visit Italy for example&
Or maybe you don't feel so hard asking italian young shop keeper girl to salle you a condom?

to Bruno

Quote
Western men making Russia like a brothel... maybe you need first clean before your door... if Russian women was not promoting themself on the internet, no visitor... if some of them was not showing more skin that a American porno star, no sex tourist... some western men are sex tourist but who promote themself on the internet in a provocative way... the same about previous problem where you are shock by old men visiting young ladies... why the sexy young RW who is only 20 year old seek a man who is between 40 year and 60 year old...
Will your next step be apology of rapists?
Yes, we have a lot of problems with promoting themselves but it doesn't give the rights to describe most russians girls like object for male sexusal fantasies.
Bill's tr is mostly good advertising for sex-tourists and that was our general point



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 13, 2007, 01:18:28 PM
Kvinna, i have a new photo of Bill for you... you can post it on antidate... unfortunaly, it show that Bill don't use condom for having sex with Russian women... it is only part of his casual costume...

 :ROFL:  :ROFL:  :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 13, 2007, 01:37:56 PM
how offten you advise to bring condoms in public board when someone is going to visit Italy?

Every single time I know someone is going to Italy specifically to meet a girl and could possibly develop relations which would lead in that direction.

Quote
to Bruno
Will your next step be apology of rapists?

Absolutely ridiculous attempt to equate  or even compare someone sincerely searching for a life partner with a rapist.  Absurd.

Quote
Yes, we have a lot of problems with promoting themselves but it doesn't give the rights to describe most russians girls like object for male sexusal fantasies.
Bill's tr is mostly good advertising for sex-tourists and that was our general point

You could have a general point, which I, as an American man would have been able to understand and accept.  However, your behavior is that of a terrorist by holding someone's reputation hostage until your "demands" are met.  This behavior is a disgrace to Russia and a shame to the Russian women you claim to represent...

David
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 13, 2007, 03:02:41 PM
Kvinna,

I would make a joke and say that Bill had to bring his own condoms because Russia does not sell extra-large preservatives.  However, this is a serious matter.  It troubles  Bill, and if what he says is true, it is unjust.

Unlike Blacklists for Russian women scammers, you did allow Bill to file an objection in writing and you posted it.  Thus, if any future women in Bill’s life find his name on your site, they can at least read his version and decide for themselves.  I commend your site for allowing such.

I just reread Bill’s trip report, I see two versions.

Version I - He leaves some things mostly unstated, except for one comment “things begin to develop that are not proper for a gentleman to write about in a public forum” (more on that later).  And dependent upon a person’s perspective, someone could infer that he and she were busy as minks. At least the opportunity presented itself for such on unknown number of occasions.  And he did write that he had more books and chocos in his apartment in case a woman was interested.  This perhaps would encourage real sex tourists to attempt the same who would not leave anything in doubt.   I hope this is what alarms you the most. 

Version II - Another person could read his report and draw the conclusion that Russian women are finicky, teasers, cold and/or deceivers.  The examples:  RW No. 1 attracts him to make a trip just to see her, which he does and upon his arrival things fall apart.  My experience is that if a RW likes a man, she will find a way to keep him. This sounds as if she jilted him.  He then attempted to revive his trip by meeting women for short dates to drink coffee.  He likes RW No. 2  but learns she is married (the one where “things begin to develop…”).  This bothers him, and a real sex tourist would care less if a woman is married or not.  He eventually develops a fondness for RW No. 3, and after the trip she tells him to forget it.  Most of the meetings with RW end with a “paka” and a kiss on the cheek.  What man would want to fly 10,000 miles to meet such cold women?

So you and your Antidate collaborators could infer anything.  You task is a noble one, as indeed there are sex predators out there who need to be stopped.  Are you certain Bill is one?

Some other questions:

I would think most RW would find his joke silly about pronouncing English and Russian words and being a good kisser.  How many of your Antidate women would consider that as a viable sexual ploy?

Do you have a grey list?

Do you have a definition of the term “sex tourist”?  One should be developed because the term is used frequently.   
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 13, 2007, 03:28:38 PM
Never mind
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 03:38:48 PM
The fact of the matter is this was all started by a woman who felt she was jilted and she wanted her vengeance. Bill you are a decent man from what I am told by good friend of mine and Olga's in Saint Petersburg. Look at it this way it is your And Warhol Moment.



LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 13, 2007, 04:28:17 PM
Kvinna,

It is certainly a noble cause to try to look out for your country and it's women. However, in doing so you are morally obligated to  follow some kind of code of ethics. Admittedly, until reading this thread  yesterday I had never even heard of your website. But what I can tell so far, including my reading of your post, is that it appears that you do not have any kind of ethical standards or guidelines for posting a man on your "blacklist" . Granted, in looking at the photos of the men on your site, most of them do really look like bad people. However to be legitimate you must have some kind of standards that prevent innocent men from being slandered. That is supposed to mean a report by at least one, and really at least two, aggrieved women.

You now say that "anyone who does not respect us will be blacklisted." That is a morally bankrupt standard. And it reflects very poorly on you and your country. As stated above, blacklisting by definition should be based on proof and confirmation of specific wrongdoing, not feeling or the lack of feeling of "respect."

Of course, I would agree that if a man is posting trip reports bragging about having sexual relations with multiple women then yes they have confessed to improprieties. Speaking for myself, I do not approve of that. In my country I am what folks would refer to as a "religious conservative." So I can completely relate to what you are trying to do with your website. However, let me also say this so that you can have an understanding about my country: for the past 20 or so years, ever since the HIV reality reared it's ugly head, the government, the schools, doctors, civic leaders and yes peoples parents, have been sounding the alarm about HIV (and unplanned pregnancy) and therefore have been very vocal for people to use condoms - and to make sure they are available when needed. So in American culture, it is just considered by most people to be normal and expected for men to have them, even when they travel. Yes, if everyone obeyed God's laws, there would be no need for them. But it is not a perfect world. And you are not obeying God's laws when you blacklist a man with no proof or threaten to blacklist men who you say "do not respect" you just because they disagree with you. You purport to be doing some kind of moral service for your country, but without moral and ethical standards you are being hypocritical - and unjust.

I think you are guilty of jumping to a lot of conclusions about this condom thing involving Bill. Admittedly, I don't know him, but from just reading his trip reports I did not see anything that indicated he was behaving like a sex tourist. I think you have treated him very unfair. I respectfully request that you pray about this and ask God to lead you and guide you in the matter of reconsidering the blacklist of Bill.

WmGO
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 13, 2007, 04:52:06 PM
Kvinna,

You have many times, on forums, complained about anti-scam sites who unjustly list FSU women for minor reasons or without evidence but it seems you and the ladies at anti-date are capable of doing what you abhor. It's hypocrisy and it hurts the credibility of your anti-scam list to start confusing the innocent with the guilty. I hope you would take steps to improve the standards of your anti-scam list to be an example for other anti-scam sites to follow. I hope you would champion the rights of innocent men besides just the women. It'll be a sad place at anti-date when people there judge, convict, and execute men on the basis of those men not respecting FSU women. There are much bigger problems out there to focus on.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 04:58:09 PM
I am to the understanding that Russia has a very difficult problem with aids. I remember Julia Roberts and I think the Rolling stones were doing some fund raising benefits for a Russian woman with aids that started an aids  organization in Saint Petersburg.  The world is more aware now and it is an individual responsibility and I think Bill just showed the world he was trying to be responsible not only to himself but to the woman he mite encounter.  Also to answer Kvinna when I went and lived in Italy my friend discussed the very fact about bringing condoms with me and to practice safe sex, another German friend states the same thing. You could also advocate this on your board if you really wanted to help those woman.
 WmGO you are absolutely correct and hopefully some good can come out of this and just maybe   Kvinna, will do some good as she so adamantly advocates we will just have to watch and see.


LEGAL

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on April 13, 2007, 06:34:40 PM
...when I went and lived in Italy my friend discussed the very fact about bringing condoms with me and to practice safe sex...
Every single time I know someone is going to Italy specifically to meet a girl and could possibly develop relations which would lead in that direction.

LEGAL & Daveman, I shall soon open an Italian Anti-Date, and you'll be its first Black List entries, because you DARED to discuss bringing those things over here, thereby severely damaging the reputation of Italian women, as well as hurting the legitimate business interests of the Italian latex industry >:(.

And, by the way, you Americans are also responsible for polluting our beautiful language : one of the many Italian terms for condom is goldone, originating from the fact that G.I.s disembarking in Italy in WWII were given those self-defense weapons in Army-issue, golden-coloured wrappers ;D ;D ;D.

But let's get back to Russia :
Quote
Russian Doctor Launches Fancy Condoms for Demanding Clients - MosNews
A Moscow-based doctor has launched production of individually tailored condoms, according to a report posted by Ananova.com. Moscow urologist Dr Pyotr Pomozov started making condoms to order after a number of patients complained they had problems finding ones that fitted.
(http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/11/07/condoms.shtml for the full article). So, maybe bringing your own to Russia is not a bad idea, after all, particularly if you cannot spare the time for a fitting session :D.

And now, for the benefit of history buffs:
Quote
Legend has it that the condom was the creation of one Dr.Condom, during the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685) . it is believed that the King, alarmed at the number of his illegitimate children, publicised his need for a device to prevent pregnency. His court physician, named Condom,then invented the condom. Earlier,in Europe,it was recommended as a prophylactic measure against venereal diseases in the sixteenth century. The Italian physician Falloppio,in 1564,was the first to recommend the use of a linen sheath moistened with a lotion,as a protection against venereal diseases. In 1597, Hercule Saxonia published a description of a modified version, impregnated with inorganic salts and allowed to dry. The word "Condom" was derived from the Latin word "Condus" meaning a receptacle. Interestingly, while the French referred to it as "La capote anglaise", the English termed it the "French letter" (envelope). In the eighteenth century it was known as "Preservative", "Machine" or "Armour". Condoms in those days were made of caeca of sheep or other animals. Its use became very popular in England and was mentioned in the erotic poetry of the time. The famous English writer Boswell wrote in his London Journal on 10th May 1763 that he "picked up a strong young jolly damsel, led her to Westminister Bridge and there, in "Armour" complete, did I enjoy her upon this noble edifice". In the 1890s rubber was introduced for the manufacture of condoms and from the 1930s latex condoms have been in use.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 13, 2007, 06:47:58 PM
Ah Sandro Gratci Gratci mucho amore and baci baci to all the donde bella senorinas in Italy
OK Sandro I know I butchered the language, but I can speak some Italian and like French and Russian it is very romantic to me :blowkiss:


Sandro thats the business we should be in that is a money maker the custom condom company!  Any takers  :usdeyes:
Amory

Roberto
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 13, 2007, 08:16:00 PM
Sandro,

Let me take a guess.  Did your good Dr. Falloppio in his research of human reproduction discover tubes connecting ovaries to the uterus?  The egotist probably named them after himself.  Instead he could have used his name for the linen sheath, and we would be calling them Falloppians rather than condoms or preservatives.  Do you also know the source of the Russian term?   What does it preserve?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 13, 2007, 08:26:04 PM
Quote
Interestingly, while the French referred to it as "La capote anglaise", the English termed it the "French letter" (envelope).

.. and what do the Germans call them?

Quote
der Pariser  condom, rubber ("Parisian")

full circle..  well almost..
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 12:03:08 AM
Kvinna,
Version I - He leaves some things mostly unstated, except for one comment “things begin to develop that are not proper for a gentleman to write about in a public forum” (more on that later).  And dependent upon a person’s perspective, someone could infer that he and she were busy as minks. At least the opportunity presented itself for such on unknown number of occasions.  And he did write that he had more books and chocos in his apartment in case a woman was interested.  This perhaps would encourage real sex tourists to attempt the same who would not leave anything in doubt.   I hope this is what alarms you the most. 

Version II - Another person could read his report and draw the conclusion that Russian women are finicky, teasers, cold and/or deceivers.  The examples:  RW No. 1 attracts him to make a trip just to see her, which he does and upon his arrival things fall apart.  My experience is that if a RW likes a man, she will find a way to keep him. This sounds as if she jilted him.  He then attempted to revive his trip by meeting women for short dates to drink coffee.  He likes RW No. 2  but learns she is married (the one where “things begin to develop…”).  This bothers him, and a real sex tourist would care less if a woman is married or not.  He eventually develops a fondness for RW No. 3, and after the trip she tells him to forget it.  Most of the meetings with RW end with a “paka” and a kiss on the cheek.  What man would want to fly 10,000 miles to Some other questions:

I would think most RW would find his joke silly about pronouncing English and Russian words and being a good kisser.  How many of your Antidate women would consider that as a viable sexual ploy?

Do you have a grey list?

Do you have a definition of the term “sex tourist”?  One should be developed because the term is used frequently.   


OK, here everybody focused on term "sex-touris", but the very first post on that thread says that this old playboy come to Russia and Ukraina without serious intentions, but just for fun. Even more after all he describes his adventures on public board (we know now as minimum 3 forums that are filled with his confession), and teachs other men how to "fish" Russian girls (and general opinion on antidate, that his opus is good manual for sex-touris - maybe from this you caught this term - "sex-tourist").
If you want to know my humble opinion, well, if Bill is sex-touris then he is sex-tourist loser. It is obviously from his text, he would want to deep into this, but his attempt is failed.

Now what we meant on antidate is in this case are 2 levels - personal and general
General is his "novel" encourages the sex-tourists to start out their sexual adventures in Russia - 1.
portraits RW and Russia in not decent colors
Personal level - this guy with his confession alerted all women: to date with him is very dangerous for their integrity and security. Everybody who met him sooner or later will be posted in public board on the Net (btw, most of those who write their TR in such open way are also dangerouse for girls personal security).
Si I suppose we have to warn others if thei don't want to illuminate the Net with their photos and stories, or to find their private letters on some board, they should stay away from this guy
I think it is fair, because now when he feels terrible to find himself on antidate blacklist,, Bill knows exactly what do "his" girls feel finding their photos and stories on 3 board (as minimum).



Title: Bull Dermo!!! (sh*t)
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 12:43:51 AM
Bull Sh*t

I went to Russia on short notice. I talked with M and we decided to meet. So I did not plan this trip far in advance although I talked with her about meeting for quite some time.

I went to see her WOVO which means to write one and visit one.

I was only planning to meet this one woman!

I did not plan to meet others!

Things did not work out with me and M

You write many things about me that were not my plan at all

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 14, 2007, 12:46:51 AM
 :ROFL:
Quote
You are insulting my girlfriend by saying that she is not a decent woman...

Before write something, better think before... and really, what is your personal problem with antidate ? Each time that we speak about these forum, you are the first to attack... if guys cannot handle antidate, better not go in Russia seeking a wife... on these forum, they are more tender that in reality...
A little sensitive arn't we Bruno??? ::)
First of all I don't recall mentioning your lady at all. I explicitly referred to "the decent women I know"! As I don't know your lady I guess she is not in the equation.
If your going to jump down my throat, get your facts straight.
As for me attacking AntiDate, are you as insane as they are. Everything I read on there is 'Male Bashing'. The same damn thing we hate in western women. Are you telling me your last couple of critical posts of Anti-Date were supporting them. I critisize when I see wrong or injustice & Anti-Date is becoming just as bad as Jim's List & Agency Scams.
I am now going to take the gloves off & lay it on the line. If that offends AntiDate or any others TFB its time to tell it like it is & if you don't like it you can kiss my skinny white a$$!!! If you want a PC opinion don't read any further cause you won't get it. :-*
First of all giving someone the title 'sex tourist' implies that he came here for the sole purpose of getting sex, which Bill wasn't & didn't.
I am of the firm opinion that even if he or any other man was, so what. Are you women not mature enough or responsible enough to accept your part in this little game. Very simple, you don't want to be used by a 'sex tourist' DON'T TAKE YOUR PANTIES OFF!!!!
I am so tired of women always blaming the men. Cannot you keep your panties on until your wedding night? Would sure discourage the 'sex tourist' wouldn't it? Quit balming us for your lack of morality & look to yourselves. All you have to do is say, NO!!! Too simple!!! But you see, you don't because you enjoy sex as much as we do & in fact use it as a weapon, a lure & bait to get what you want & when you don't, you blame it on us & call us 'sex tourists'. Well I for one see you as being just as bad & untill you are willing to keep your panties on & say, no, then I am afraid you have no right to b!tch about it later!!!
If you can & do do that then there can be no 'sex tourists', right? Too friggin' simple. Its called taking responsibility for your own actions which women in general are loath to do when it comes to sex. It always has been & always will be the mans fault because the woman can't keep her panties on!!! ::) ::)
And don't give me the age old bull about how convincing he was or he talked me into it. It takes two to tango & when you accept that you accept responsibility for your own actions. The fact remains THAT WOMEN ARE JUST AS AT FAULT AS MEN BUT REFUSE TO ADMIT IT & TAKE THIER LUMPS just like they insist we must!!
Get a life & grow up!!!
Flame away, I'm ready for your damn BBQ!!! At least I'll get roasted for telling the truth that too many others are thinking but too afraid to voice!!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 14, 2007, 12:51:52 AM
Quote
You write many things about me that were not my plan at all
Surely that does not surprise you Bill. They will never take responsibility for their actions, its not in their makeup.
Its always the mans fault, even when they willingly participate!!! ::)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 14, 2007, 12:52:39 AM
Kvinna,

If you type "World sex guide" in google, you will see a forum of men who are real sex tourists. While this forum, RWD, may have 60 members online at any time with just over 2000 menmbers, that forum will have 600 members online at any time and they have nearly 173,000 members. You will find men talking about their trip reports in detail and showing pics of their dicks and cum on FSU women they had sex with. Plenty of guys there that will fill your scam list. Pics used to be seen by non-members  but it seems one has to be a member now. Maybe you and the girls can sign up there and clean up that forum. The only problem is that sex tourists will not show their faces and you must identify the men by their penises.
Title: Bull Dermo!!! (sh*t)
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 01:06:03 AM
Bull Sh*t

I went to Russia on short notice. I talked with M and we decided to meet. So I did not plan this trip far in advance although I talked with her about meeting for quite some time.

I went to see her WOVO which means to write one and visit one.

I was only planning to meet this one woman!

I did not plan to meet others!

Things did not work out with me and

If I wanted to have sex, I had the opportunity with a married woman, but as soon as I found out that she was married I sent her away in a taxi!

You write many things about me that were not my plan at all

There are a number of lies posted in the antedate forum where they said I told in many letters about things like my ex-wife, my life story etc. I did not send any other women in St Pete these letters so that is false!

I was written about by a woman who claims these things and they are not true. Read the report! Don’t parse little segments of it. I told the truth in every instance and I am not a sex tourist! This is a fact.

You have made your forum about bad men, married men, porno men and brutes.
Now you include a man who had no interest before or after to seek women for only sex. You describe me as a sex tourist who failed to be a sex tourist.  Well can't you define every man who visits Russia as a potential sex tourist who was a failure? Unless he was successful? Then he would be a sex tourist in fact?

You could actually do good with your forum and expose those who really harm women. Those slim balls that cheat on their wives and go to Russia and do these things.

But no, you are angry about some past things and decide to lay these past things on my lap.

I do not know the events that happened that make you hate me. I am not responsible for it however.


Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 01:12:02 AM
some how I made a double post

Who is the mod on this forum. I want to remove some of the pictures on this thread.

Thanks,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 01:21:26 AM
Kvinna, take heed of what Billy wrote:

You have many times, on forums, complained about anti-scam sites who unjustly list FSU women for minor reasons or without evidence but it seems you and the ladies at anti-date are capable of doing what you abhor. It's hypocrisy and it hurts the credibility of your anti-scam list to start confusing the innocent with the guilty.

He is absolutely right.

You often criticize anti-scam sites for posting photos and personal letters of accused scammers without verification. I agree with you. You turn around and do the same to men.

You criticize people like 'Honest Jim' for being a self proclaimed judge of women. I agree with you. Yet you are self-proclaimed judge over men who you claim 'disrespect' Russian women.

You condemn men who interfere with the private lives of their pen pals by delivering flowers as a test and hire investigators. Yet you mess with the private lives of men who you do not know.

You do exactly what you condemn on your own site. You are no better than your enemy.

Tall Bill is condemned for posting photos and relating personal experiences in a public forum. He did so with the intention of helping others.

What do you do? You take photos and letters that were sent in private and you post them in public. Do the women on anti-date not relate personal and private experiences? Do these men give you consent to post their photos and letters? I already know the answers to all this. Now, you do so with the intention of helping others as well, but it is no different or better than what Bill did by writing his trip report.

Bill is condemned for going on a trip to Russia 'just for fun'. Although this is clearly not true, tell me where is it declared that a man can visit Russia only with serious intentions to find a wife? There are many reasons to visit Russia. If a man wants to take a tour and he meets women along the way, what is wrong with that as long as he is not deceptive?

What is a 'sex tourist'?

Men travel to Russia for many reasons. Some fly across the world for a blind date with an unknown woman they plan to marry. Some hook up with easy girls and prostitutes. Some deceive women in order to have sex.

For me only the deception is wrong. Consensual sex between adult men and women is their own damn business. Like Canadian Cowboy says, it takes two to tango. If a woman decides to drop her panties for a man that she has known for one day, that is her decision.

A man that decieves a woman is wrong. However, a woman who expects something in return for sex, be it gifts or the promise to marry is also wrong.

Sure there is a seedy side to this 'business'. Tall Bill is not a part of it. Kvinna, why do you focus all your energy on this seedy side? If you insist on doing so, target the right sites as BillyB says instead of regular nice guys like Tall Bill. Tackle that World Sex Guide. You will have your hands full.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 01:45:51 AM
Jooky,

I read your trip report before I ever went on my first trip to the FSU

I wrote my trip report because of guys like you.

Since I have read so many reports like yours and others I felt obligated to write a report
to tell others my thoughts about and perceptions.

But this antidate forum just twists everything or just makes up out of
thin air what I wrote.

Take care,



Bill

I am in the chat if you are still online
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 01:52:24 AM
Kvinna, take heed of what Billy wrote:
You have many times, on forums, complained about anti-scam sites who unjustly list FSU women for minor reasons or without evidence but it seems you and the ladies at anti-date are capable of doing what you abhor. It's hypocrisy and it hurts the credibility of your anti-scam list to start confusing the innocent with the guilty.
He is absolutely right.
You often criticize anti-scam sites for posting photos and personal letters of accused scammers without verification. I agree with you. You turn around and do the same to men.
You criticize people like 'Honest Jim' for being a self proclaimed judge of women. I agree with you. Yet you are self-proclaimed judge over men who you claim 'disrespect' Russian women.
You condemn men who interfere with the private lives of their pen pals by delivering flowers as a test and hire investigators. Yet you mess with the private lives of men who you do not know.
You do exactly what you condemn on your own site. You are no better than your enemy.
Tall Bill is condemned for posting photos and relating personal experiences in a public forum. He did so with the intention of helping others.
What do you do? You take photos and letters that were sent in private and you post them in public. Do the women on anti-date not relate personal and private experiences? Do these men give you consent to post their photos and letters? I already know the answers to all this. Now, you do so with the intention of helping others as well, but it is no different or better than what Bill did by writing his trip report.
Bill is condemned for going on a trip to Russia 'just for fun'. Although this is clearly not true, tell me where is it declared that a man can visit Russia only with serious intentions to find a wife? There are many reasons to visit Russia. If a man wants to take a tour and he meets women along the way, what is wrong with that as long as he is not deceptive?
What is a 'sex tourist'?
Men travel to Russia for many reasons. Some fly across the world for a blind date with an unknown woman they plan to marry. Some hook up with easy girls and prostitutes. Some deceive women in order to have sex.
For me only the deception is wrong. Consensual sex between adult men and women is their own damn business. Like Canadian Cowboy says, it takes two to tango. If a woman decides to drop her panties for a man that she has known for one day, that is her decision.
A man that decieves a woman is wrong. However, a woman who expects something in return for sex, be it gifts or the promise to marry is also wrong.
Sure there is a seedy side to this 'business'. Tall Bill is not a part of it. Kvinna, why do you focus all your energy on this seedy side? If you insist on doing so, target the right sites as BillyB says instead of regular nice guys like Tall Bill. Tackle that World Sex Guide. You will have your hands full.
well well well, what the holy anger is here
We interfer into your private life? and what you did all this time? when we asked americans guys on RWG in 2003 if that is right to publish private female letters, what answer we got? it is american tradition
so now when we started to follow your tradition you don't like your own remedy?
you don't like to illuminate our board, but don't care if russian gilrs likes your confession about them in trip-reports or don't. You never cared about consequences of your "stories", "confenbssion" and so on
after official sites of Embassies start warning their citizens against russian women
we cannot be tolerant toward such writes as Jim and Bill
How can we stop you? only with your remedy. you have gotten what you spreaded
hypocrisy you said, well, let's it be hypocrisy. We mostly used to be labeled by you, westerners

PS. Once again I would warn even you BillyB against person who cannot keep his tongue behind his teeth. If you like to deal with such ppl it is your business, but I have to warn you that someday he could devulgue your story on some board only for fun
PPS. Bruno after this story seems have troubles with his girlfriend about that he wrote on antidate board. It means that now we touch very serious problem
Thank to all

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 02:22:55 AM
Ridiculous.

Nobody said it was an 'american tradition' to publish private female letters. Pure bull*snip*.

What happened on the RWG in the past is quite simple:

Some men posted 'private' scammer letters. Those are not true private correspondences. They are form letters, usually written by a man and mass mailed to suckers. Posting these types of letters helps both men and women.

A few men posted portions of true private letters asking for opinions. These actions were not condoned by the RWG regulars. Every time I remember this happening, several posters would immediately act telling the poster that it is disrespectful for people to post private letters and information.

When you say 'you have gotten what you spreaded', who is that directed to? Me? You know very well that I am against 'Honest Jim', anti-scam sites, private investigations and the direct interference of people's private lives. This is why it is disheartening to see you engage in the same activities you claim to deplore.

If Russia is getting a bad reputation for being a mecca for so called sex tourists, who do you blame? Don't you think part of the blame falls on the women who readily sleep with any unattractive man that comes along with a wallet full of cash?

Let me ask you a simple question.
Your site encourages women to share personal information of the men they meet.
Why do you find it wrong when a man does the same?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 14, 2007, 02:44:01 AM
I think I can see a little 'truth' from both sides.

Some might forget (or not even realize) that an internet forum is indeed a publication, open for anyone to peruse and thanks to Google and other search engines easily accessable.  Unless permission has been given to publish information that can clearly identify a person, such as picture, real names, etc it could be construed as invasion of privacy.  I'm not talking law here, just my 'jist' of what is reasonable.

This doesn't necessarily mean that one cannot post TR's, just be a bit sensitive as to what supplementary information you provide.

Regarding the sex tourist angle, it is indeed a two sided sword.. there are those on both sides that abuse 'marriage minded'.

As we don't see many goodtime girls or professional daters in FSU posting here, nor do we see western guys blatantly chasing the sex angle (closest call is Albert IMHO), seems to prove that there is little to be gained by such folks posting here.

Kvinna,  the real 'bad' guys and girls are not here or on your board..  they obviously have other things to do and other places to go.

I think what might be happening is that your audience (and some here also) are trying to tackle folks that are more 'accessible' and not the true troublemakers that are impossible to find.

Some guys (and gals) may indeed overstep the privacy angle on RW boards, but it does not mean they are sex tourists.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 03:03:11 AM

Kvinna,  the real 'bad' guys and girls are not here or on your board..  they obviously have other things to do and other places to go.

I think what might be happening is that your audience (and some here also) are trying to tackle folks that are more 'accessible' and not the true troublemakers that are impossible to find.

Some guys (and gals) may indeed overstep the privacy angle on RW boards, but it does not mean they are sex tourists.

This was my impression as well.  It seemed that an example had to be made of *someone* and bill just happened to get nailed to 'make the general point'.  The result of the "We're pissed and we're not going to take it anymore" mentality, but without a true 'offender' to crucify, they found someone who mentions several girls in a TR and nailed him to the cross.

I have no problem understanding their point. I simply see the method of delivery as reprehensible.  If it really is a privacy issue, I am sure a simple letter to Dan explaining the situation and concerns would have been enough - but it's obvious from the writings that privacy is *not* the issue.  I just hate that someone who obviously respected every woman he came in contact with gets nailed as their example when there are real  disrespectful sex idiots out there... and like you say... just not here to be found.

Dave
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 03:03:51 AM
Let me ask you a simple question.
Your site encourages women to share personal information of the men they meet.
Why do you find it wrong when a man does the same?

Lol, Jooky
so as I see you decidу to twist facts and datas
good luck to you, Jooky
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 03:24:08 AM
Kvinna,  the real 'bad' guys and girls are not here or on your board..  they obviously have other things to do and other places to go.
I think what might be happening is that your audience (and some here also) are trying to tackle folks that are more 'accessible' and not the true troublemakers that are impossible to find.
Some guys (and gals) may indeed overstep the privacy angle on RW boards, but it does not mean they are sex tourists.

BC seems I really fail with explanation, though I really did my best for this
maybe because you never have been in our shoes, it is not your fault of course
look, any our word can have some consequences, right? otherwhise why there is a lot of ethical Charters for journalists and reporters. If someone think about himself as about reporter or author he should consider any consequences after his opus
and yes online forum is public place, some experts called it the participation journalism
so now, try to analize the role of RWG, RWD, RMP and so on and Antidate and their memebers for creating impression and imiges of each other. You have to know that the professional journalism very offten takes stories and thems and subject from online non-professional source, i.e. forums, blogs and public chats. MOB industry is a hot potatoe for mass-media
I googled a lot of articles in english about Russian women, I saw most western documentaries about Russian women...
So now I can only offer you to be a russian woman for a while (2 weeks) on the Net, and tell us this virtual trip report.


As for bad guys and girl on those two forums. I am sure "bad girls" visit us very offten and some of them take part on antidate too (and we cut them off as soon as recognize them)/ The same with this board. People come to us for information, and we can take resposibility for this or not


PS. How can author explain us those contradictions from his report
http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6484&view=findpost&p=174629
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 14, 2007, 03:56:13 AM
BC seems I really fail with explanation,

Kvinna,

With this post of yours I think you did not fail..

I understand your viewpoint but as you say there is little chance of me fully understanding what a RW's experiences online..

I'm sure though it can be a spooky, kooky place and your site does seem to have some extreme examples..

I took a look at the related thread on your site briefly.  I was not aware Bill was participating to such an extent there and elsewhere.

Oh well that's his business and I'm sure he is in good hands there..

:whew:..



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 03:59:11 AM
So now I can only offer you to be a russian woman for a while (2 weeks) on the Net, and tell us this virtual trip report.


As for bad guys and girl on those two forums. I am sure "bad girls" visit us very offten and some of them take part on antidate too (and we cut them off as soon as recognize them)/ The same with this board. People come to us for information, and we can take resposibility for this or not


Kvinna, I am sure there are many of us who can and do understand the point you are making. There are many things both sides can learn from this.  It is impossible for us to fully understand from a Russian Woman perspective, but we can come close.  Why not take bill off the blacklist, then start a new thread where we can discuss the real important issues here, and all of us learn something from this. 

Everyone on this board advocates quite vocally the "Respect of Russian Women".  But this way you have chosen to make your point will only create animosity with those who really do have the same goals that you have.  I just don't get that.

I took this blacklist issue quite seriously because you are interfering with someone who is sincerely seeking a life partner.  It simply isn't right.  Perhaps it will have no effect on his search for a partner, but that's not the point. It's the principle involved.

Dave
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 14, 2007, 04:20:37 AM
If you guys feel so strongly why don't you campaign to have kivinna banned from this forum?  It would at least give her one less outlet for her venom.  Since I'm equally sure she in on every other forum spewing this same sort of hateful anti-man crap she'll still get her message out, just not here.

I, for one would not miss her for a microsecond, she certainly contributes nothing that parallels or adds to this board's agenda.

Petition Dan for relief, report every offensive post to the Moderators, explain why you found the post offensive if it was an out-and-out lie or slanderous.  That's the way you get things done in the real world.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 14, 2007, 06:45:05 AM
PPS. Bruno after this story seems have troubles with his girlfriend about that he wrote on antidate board. It means that now we touch very serious problem

Yes, you are right... touch a very serious problem...

The problem is about how FSU ladies from antidate choose element from some post at other place and organise them in a way who show that the poster is a bad man...

What you are making with the post of Bill is similar to what happen between my girlfriend and me... lately, she have call me a liar on your forum... happily for me, one year ago, i have post what i and she have say on the RWD forum...

Your forum transform normal RW in parano who find evidence in crazy little details... or who fabric evidence from their mind if they cannot find some... by example, a package send by me with a little mistake in the address lead a RW to think that i have other ladies. Seem that some have use too much from the clue bat  :cluebat:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 14, 2007, 07:03:04 AM
Yes, you are right... touch a very serious problem...

The problem is about how FSU ladies from antidate choose element from some post at other place and organise them in a way who show that the poster is a bad man...

What you are making with the post of Bill is similar to what happen between my girlfriend and me... lately, she have call me a liar on your forum... happily for me, one year ago, i have post what i and she have say on the RWD forum...

Your forum transform normal RW in parano who find evidence in crazy little details... or who fabric evidence from their mind if they cannot find some... by example, a package send by me with a little mistake in the address lead a RW to think that i have other ladies. Seem that some have use too much from the clue bat  :cluebat:

Bruno,

I hope that your problems are NOT serious - and that you are able to overcome them. I also hope Kvinna was not making that announcement with any pleasure. It would be a shame for the relationship you have worked so long and hard to create, to crumble because of some misunderstanding from an internet board post. It is MORE shameful, if some people take delight in seeing (or causing) that relationship to crumble. That would be VERY sad and shameful.

If you guys feel so strongly why don't you campaign to have kivinna banned from this forum?  It would at least give her one less outlet for her venom.  Since I'm equally sure she in on every other forum spewing this same sort of hateful anti-man crap she'll still get her message out, just not here.

I, for one would not miss her for a microsecond, she certainly contributes nothing that parallels or adds to this board's agenda.

Petition Dan for relief, report every offensive post to the Moderators, explain why you found the post offensive if it was an out-and-out lie or slanderous.  That's the way you get things done in the real world.

jb,

As most know, I have been embroiled in a pretty serious campaign to right some wrongs created by an internet do-gooder who claims his motives are to protect guys from scammers and scam agencies. In fact, I recall Antidate's genesis being partly to counter-balance some of the perceived wrongs from this same internet crusader.

I have had some success in working with Kvinna and the ladies at Antidate, and while I agree that they have stepped over the line with their vilification of Bill, I also think they might be persuaded to reconsider based on logic and facts - just as WmGO has called upon them to do.

In my opinion, the fact that Kvinna has posted here means that she is listening. She may come across as recalcitrant - and her comments may be offensive to some - but to mute her would result in a FAR worse situation which has almost no prospect of reconciliation.

For that reason, I think it would be a mistake to ban her. I honestly believe there *is* a common ground that can be reached - albeit one which takes a lot of work to achieve.

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Haseki Hurem on April 14, 2007, 07:04:06 AM
Bill,
Unfortunately, you've managed to show only the worst of the local life, that is what makes ladies... nervouse.

And the question is: how we can really show, that we are different?
(I better say, part of us is what you described, but part of us is not.)

After reading the local reports the impression is sad...

And the point is (sorry, I don't remember who said this) - one of you asked Kvinna: why the news show only the worst?

The same is with the trip reports - it is the sort of the news. Only the part to attract the best rating goes in...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on April 14, 2007, 07:04:27 AM
:offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic:
Sandro,Let me take a guess.  Did your good Dr. Falloppio in his research of human reproduction discover tubes connecting ovaries to the uterus?
The very man.  
Quote
The egotist probably named them after himself.
As well as: Fallopian canal, Fallopian ligament, Fallopian pregnancy, Fallotomy (i.e. division of the Fallopian tubes, not what it might sound at first ;D).
Quote
Instead he could have used his name for the linen sheath, and we would be calling them Falloppians rather than condoms or preservatives.
Marketing and name-branding were not much in evidence in the late 1500s ;).
Quote
Do you also know the source of the Russian term?   What does it preserve?
We, too, use the terms preservativo and profilattico, because they are supposed to protect us from the danger of contracting the mal francioso or mal de Naples, so called because the first cases appeared in Naples during Charles VIII's occupation and were blamed on some of his French mercenaries, who supposedly included veterans of Cristoforo Colombo's expeditions.

The term syphilis was coined by Gerolamo Fracastoro (1478-1553), a doctor-philosopher-poet from Verona who wrote Syphilis sive de morbo gallico and was inspired by the myth of Syphilus, the young shepherd who had offended Apollo and was punished with a terrible disease that covered his whole body with ulcers.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 07:06:17 AM

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6484&view=findpost&p=174629

I  have read  it. I think nadezhda31 is woman so called M because she is "yelling"  trying to defend herself. Bill I think you did not loan her enough money. Maybe you should send her more money  :usdeyes:

Olga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 07:50:17 AM
International dating differs dramatically from dating within one’s peer group.  Women are vulnerable. 

My personal example:  The RW who became my fiancée slept with me soon after meeting.  A few meetings later I learned this went against her character.  She confided that she was not ready, yet liked me and trusted me and feared she would lose me if she said “no”.   She had no regrets, but I still felt bad. 

If you have spent a lot of time with some of these women, you will learn that many are indeed sweet, who want to find love and to please her man.  Many men are also looking for love, and would not knowingly deceive the object of their affection.  However, because men and women are not on a level playing field, the few (I hope few) sex predators can take advantage of FSU women. 

Personally I think Anti-date is needed.  However, this episode with Bill does make me question the credibility of Antidate. 

Bill’s case is a good opportunity to take this debate and improve Antidate’s credibility.   What is needed?  A Code of Conduct  (or Ethics) for men is needed to guide Anti-dates’s decision making, to add some rigor, and to help men with good intentions. 

BTW, I usually align myself with JB.  This time, I disagree.  I welcome Kvinna.  Some line of communication is needed.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jack on April 14, 2007, 09:21:13 AM
Ban Kvinna!   Yea, that's the way to get things resolved.  You don't like what the messenger has to say, just ban them.

Or better yet, Kvinna, we won't ban you but because we think it would help you if you had some time away from RWD, you can come back after you get married.



Kvinna's intentions are, and have been, good.   EVERYONE, makes mistakes.  Kvinna, like many here,  is a strong minded person. 

I'm going to try to take a step back for a few minutes and ask you guys to try to look at the situation through Kvinna's eyes.  Although I, as an American man, could never accurately feel or sense what Kvinna has seen over the last decade, I'm going to take a shot at some of the things that Kvinna and Helen and many other Moscow women could be seeing and feeling.

What was a closed country for much of their lives has been opened to the outside world. Prior to 1991 Russian men had all to themselves the worlds most beautiful women. Even today Russian men are spoiled by these women. For generations many Russian men knew they can spend 1 year, 2 years with a Russian woman and trade her in after they got tired of her as they had, and have, an endless supply of the world's most beautiful women.  One of the many stories being told about why Russian women seek a foreign man has some truths to it, certain foreign men will be better husbands and fathers.

Now I want to say I am speaking from my own personal perspective and I did not see how Russian men were treating Russian women in the 50's, or 60's or 80's.  My personal experience only goes back some 13 years.  During this time I have met many wonderful Russian men who were wonderful fathers, wonderful husbands and hard working providers. Faithful men who loved there wife's and children.  To say such men in Russia or Ukraine do not exist is more agency bullschit. Sure they exist.  Unfortunately, in my personal experience again, only about 25% of Russian men are this way.  One out of four.  Maybe Kvinna, other Russian women, will greatly disagree with me, maybe they will think it's 50%, or about half the men are good men. I would be greatly surprised if they would try to argue the point with me that more than 50% are what they consider good, faithful husband and fathers. But if I am wrong and it's 1 out or 2 Russian men as compared to 1 out of 4, many Russian women do know that they stand a good chance of finding a good husband, father, and provider in a foreign man.

Kvinna lives in Moscow.  In 1992, 93, 94, 95 where were ALL foreign men going?  To Moscow. Hundreds of thousands of men from all over the world, and a lot from a America, ran, swam, flew, to Moscow as soon as they could get there.  You hear the stories of the wealthy 5ft 6 balding man of 63 bringing to America a 24 year old 5ft 9 inch 120 pound goddess of a woman?  These were true stories in 93, 94, 95 and even 96.   Soon the world's playboys descended on Moscow and then St. Petersburg.  Kvinna and other Russian women see agencies like European Connections and Anastasia coming to Moscow with 70 American men meeting 250 ladies on Friday, 200 more ladies on Saturday and another 175 ladies on Sunday.  And I hate to say it but most of these men were not the best men we had to offer.

Kvinna see's thousands of these men coming to Moscow and "buying"  these young women's affection.  Yes, buying.  Money, clothes, jewelry, purse's, new shoes.  Over and over again she see's this happening. The same men coming trip after trip and buying new and younger women every trip.   If anyone wants to dispute this, you don't know what you are talking about.

In my 15 trips to Moscow over the years I have also learned a little about Moscow.  I am sure Kvinna is not going to like hearing this, and of course it's only my opinion, but there is no city in the world that has as many beautiful bad girls as Moscow. Why is this?  Again only my opinion.  Russia is a vast country, the largest in the world. Russia has the most beautiful women in the world.  All across Russia, in villages of 200 people, in small cities of 2000 people, there are millions of young and beautiful girls. Many of these stunning, beautiful girls know they have no real future in this city of 6500 people in western Siberia, she thinks to make something of herself she needs to go to the big city, she'll go to Moscow where maybe she can make something of herself, where maybe she can build a happy future. She does not want to live in this little city all her life.

Every day 1500 young and beautiful women from all over Russia, some from Ukraine, come to Moscow in an attempt to find a better life and make something of themselves. Every week 10,000 new young and stunning beauties come to this city of what, 12 million, 15 million people?  In a country where the population is decreasing, you have a city that is one of the worlds most populated cities and continues to grow at an alarming rate.

Many of these ladies who come to Moscow from the far corners of Russia are educated. They apply for this job or that job. Many of these stunning beauties find jobs. In today's Moscow unfortunately the bosses of many companies realize the fringe benefits they can, and do, receive from hiring a stunning beauty.

But not all these young beauties get the jobs they want. Many do not. What do they do, how do they survive?  Many of these young women, to survive, have to  get into the sex industry in one form or another.  Escorts, nude modeling, prostitution.  Again, no city in the world has as many beautiful bad girls as Moscow.

Kvinna see's this. She see's the constant trail of sex tourist coming to Moscow to play with, to buy, these young women.  Kvinna and other Russian women do not like what they see and a few years ago thought they would do what they could to help ease or change this situation.  Her intentions are good. 

Kvinna, when an anti-scam site will post photos of good women as scammers and this becomes known the site over time will eventually lose any creditability it has.
You have created a site with good intentions. If you allow your site to post and list men as bad who are not bad, over time your site could also lose credibility. Everyone makes mistakes Kvinna, it's no big deal, it's life. You don't want to see all your good work, and work of those who have helped you, to be diminished. 

Kvinna, list bad men.  List the sex tourist, I'll do all I can to support you.  But Kvinna, don't mistakenly list a good guy as bad. If it happens by accident, correct the mistake. In this case Kvinna I ask you to please remove everything you have posted about Bill.  A mistake has been made that could effect the good reputation you are wanting to build.   A mistake is made, again no problem as you have the means to correct this mistake and in an attempt to embellish the Anti-date goal and mission, to help maintain it's credibility, I ask you to please correct this mistake.





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 14, 2007, 09:33:52 AM
Ban Kvinna!   Yea, that's the way to get things resolved.  You don't like what the messenger has to say, just ban them.

Or better yet, Kvinna, we won't ban you but because we think it would help you if you had some time away from RWD, you can come back after you get married.

In defense of jb (not that he needs, or even wants, my defense), I see his suggestion as sort of a tit-for-tat move.

Sadly, it is commonplace in many parts of the 'net for site owners to engage in a monologue - not allowing others to be heard - OR - if a forum, engaging in Draconian measures to silence the opposition (banning those who oppose their views). Some have accused RWD of such things, but I believe the facts speak for themselves and we do our very best to allow ALL to be heard - even when it is difficult to hear, and/or respond.

So.... my suspicion is that jb was merely recognizing the silencing done elsewhere, and suggesting we respond in kind. Admittedly, there is often a great temptation to do just that - respond in kind where a perceived wrong has been done. I just do not believe that is the answer.

FWIW

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 14, 2007, 09:44:47 AM
Once again I would warn even you BillyB against person who cannot keep his tongue behind his teeth. If you like to deal with such ppl it is your business, but I have to warn you that someday he could devulgue your story on some board only for fun


I've never exchange posts with tall Bill except in this thread. Even if someone wanted to throw my story out for fun or hurt, the people who matter to me read my trip report and know the story. The reason I've been defending Bill is because I feel the ladies at anti-date are hanging him unjustly. Why have you allowed Bill's thread to stand but you erase a thread against a former poster here named Anono(Robert)?  I'm sure you read Anono's trip reports and Albert's. Those trip reports are clearly different from Bill's.

Kvinna, you control the tempo of your forum and you are in a position of power and infuence. I'm sure many women are influenced by what they read at your forum. I think it's honorable to warn women of sex tourists but I hope you would also guide your women there with knowledge on how to create a happy loving marriage with a good man when she finds one. There's more than one way to improve people's lives. Have a well rounded and balanced site and you will have well rounded and balanced people participate there.

I urge you and the ladies at anti-date to go to the forum at World Sex Guide and read. You will certainly forget about Tall Bill since he doesn't come close to those guys. Those guys are a different animal.

Jack, yes men are buying women with money and gifts so shame on them but women can't be bought unless they're willing to be sold. Shame on those women for promoting behavior like that from men.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 09:54:13 AM
Your site encourages women to share personal information of the men they meet.so as I see you decidу to twist facts and datas

Twisting facts? Your site doesn't encourage women to share personal information? What about your black list? What about the very thread about Tall Bill in question where his full name, location, links to his profile and personal details he related to a correspondent are disclosed?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: groovlstk on April 14, 2007, 10:10:44 AM
I hate to defend Prince Alfie's hotdog-eating pal Eric, but it's pretty apparent now that his thread on antidate -- like Bill's -- was initiated not by the woman he met in Kiev, but by some antidate harpy who read PA's third-party trip report here.

So basically there was a third-party trip report here on RWD that was never endorsed or commented on by the guy who experienced it. Then, a fourth party stole Eric's photo along with the TR's juicy parts -- all Prince Alfie's opinions -- and used it to roast him.

Kvinna, aren't you a journalist by trade? I know antidate isn't Pravda, but don't you consider sources to be pretty important when you tear a guy's reputation to shreds? Honestly, you're making Honest Jim look like Edward R. Murrow in comparison...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 10:28:54 AM
I hate to defend Prince Alfie's hotdog-eating pal Eric

I hate to defend this guy too. He's beyond strange. However, you are right. He was criticized and black listed on third party information.

The guy did fly to Ukraine and met a single woman. His intentions are serious and although he has many strange qualities he is upfront and honest (even proud) of them. He's certainly not a sex tourist or scammer. Why do women need to be warned about him?

The intention might be good, but the wrong men are being targeted. As pointed out above, there are thousands of true sex tourists, but they ain't hanging around this board looking for information. That world sex guide is a much better place to start.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 14, 2007, 11:31:25 AM
I hate to defend this guy too. He's beyond strange. However, you are right. He was criticized and black listed on third party information.


I guess the root of the matter lies to which extent a third or fourth party is discussed without their consent.

I remember a few years back some guy that sent his bride to be something like 25K to ship her bed to the US and then started asking around some forum if anyone had seen her lately..  As a report of a scam, evidence of how gullible some guys can be, or even for a good laugh quite ok..  Posting a picture of the guy, his name, his address, his telephone number or whatever would not have served any purpose at all except to sensationalize and reward whatever misguided agenda the poster had.

I don't know what agenda Alfie had, but bottom line is that IMHO he was not being responsible by including Eric's picture and other personal info that added very little, if any true value to the story.  Reflecting a bit I do feel kinda sorry for being a silent participant and for not objecting when I knew something was not quite 'right'. Thanks for pointing this out Jooky.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 12:03:30 PM
I hate to defend Prince Alfie's hotdog-eating pal Eric, but it's pretty apparent now that his thread on antidate -- like Bill's -- was initiated not by the woman he met in Kiev, but by some antidate harpy who read PA's third-party trip report here..

I thought this guy was a figment of Alfie's imagination just to screw around on the board.   That was one of the first threads I read here.  I can see this guy making the list of "Ten Most Bizarre Men Searching For An FSU Wife", but for him to be blacklisted... yeah.. that's laughable.  Really.   What exactly was he blacklisted for? Serial Weirdness? May as well blacklist Charlie Brown wearing his holey Halloween Costume... "I got a rock..."



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 14, 2007, 01:27:54 PM
I hate to defend Prince Alfie's hotdog-eating pal Eric

I hate to defend this guy too. He's beyond strange. However, you are right. He was criticized and black listed on third party information.

The guy did fly to Ukraine and met a single woman. His intentions are serious and although he has many strange qualities he is upfront and honest (even proud) of them. He's certainly not a sex tourist or scammer. Why do women need to be warned about him?

The intention might be good, but the wrong men are being targeted. As pointed out above, there are thousands of true sex tourists, but they ain't hanging around this board looking for information. That world sex guide is a much better place to start.

Sorry... i am the guilty here... it is me who have inform Kvinna about the topic... who have try to make Alfie in communication with Kvinna since Alfie was saying that Eric was stopping his e-mail to the lady...

Antidate black list is not only about scammer or sex tourist... you have some keyboard romeo, some liar, etc... Why i have feel that the woman need to be warned ? Very simple... It was not about the guy itself but more about his situation... sharing appartment with a other guy, no money for decent food, no stable job, etc... by example, what will be the situation if they marry and she discover all when she is coming with a K3...

No need to justify... i have think that it was go that the lady he was visiting know about the topic... maybe i was wrong, maybe i was right but it is too late for change something... but for these case, Kvinna is not responsible, i was the initiator who have inform about the topic... so, i am the guilty... maybe a new poll for see if i need to be banned until marriage like it have happen recently for a other member... i don't care, i am tired of RW... i will wait until the "martian" women visit us, maybe it will be better choice !
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 14, 2007, 01:46:24 PM
I also hope Kvinna was not making that announcement with any pleasure.

I don't think so... same if in these case, i am on the opposite side from Kvinna... i think that some friendship exist between us and no hate... it is what i feel but i can be wrong

Quote
It would be a shame for the relationship you have worked so long and hard to create, to crumble because of some misunderstanding from an internet board post.

The internet board was simply the last thing but other thing have happen before... by example the two visa refusal... by example, my move to a new house who have need to use a lot of my holiday and delayed a marriage in Ukraine... my lack of understanding what she really mean ( sometime she say "no" but wish "yes" and i am not always able to see it. For me, "yes" is "yes" and "no" is "no" ).

Yes, in these again misluck relationship, i have learn more... now, i am almost sure that RW are not for me... people say that they are direct but it is only true in case of argument, when it is too late... in normal time, they don't say always what they think... sometime, they say the reverse of what they think...

Maybe, like she have write in his last post ( who is now edited ), it is better for us to choose own way... but she is not a bitch like she have write... Hmmm, just see that she is with "opted-out" status now... right, she don't need to read anymore what i write... so, i choose for no more write detail about what have happen between us... i don't like write on the back of someone who cannot reply.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 14, 2007, 01:54:28 PM
i don't care, i am tired of RW... i will wait until the "martian" women visit us, maybe it will be better choice !

Yeah, like jb often says.. this venture is not for everyone.

I think those that do eventually realize the truth in his words are not failures but winners in their own right.


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 02:12:40 PM
what will be the situation if they marry and she discover all when she is coming with a K3...

That's the kind of thinking that happens when the facts of the story are missing.
In this case, I talked to this guy Eric. I agree his is one bizarre character, but...

- The single lady he was talking to that he went to visit works for the US embassy. She will be coming to the US on a tourist visa.

- Eric is upfront about his financial situation. He is proud of his anti-capitalist views.

- This woman talked to Eric daily. She was well aware and accepting of all the things people here would have liked to warn her about. Her decision was to take things slow and visit Eric on his own turf.

So what did she need to be 'warned' about? Sometimes people here seem to forget that we are adults. If she accepts this guy that is her decision to make. So he is a strange guy. Does that give anyone the right to make a public mockery of him?

So again, this is the problem with 'blacklisting' people without the full facts or proper evidence.

Tall Bill is 'black listed' for what reason? Because he thinks that approaching women on the streets is a good way to meet? Because he met more than one woman for tea and cake? So what? This is called dating. Because he advises men to carry condoms? This is called responsibility.

He is accused of 'encouraging sex tourists'. Specifically in what way? There are much bigger targets that really do encourage 'sex tourists'.

You are right, Bruno, not only are 'sex tourists' black listed, so are 'keyboard Romeos', 'liars', 'losers' and so on. How do you label a 'liar'? Because someone else said so? What if they are lying? How about a 'keyboard Romeo'? Men and women often correspond with many people online, most of which they will never meet. We might meet one person, but end up as a 'keyboard Romeo' to another. And who is to judge a 'loser'?

Some guys get blacklisted for sending naked cock photos, right? Do you really need to warn women about these guys? I mean, by the time a woman makes first contact, she's already gotten the naked pic in the mail. Can't she judge for herself that this is not the type of guy she is looking for?

And believe it or not, there are women that DO write to these type of guys, meet them, and marry them. As I've said before, there are men and women who send provocative, naked, sexual photos as part of their visa application. There are plenty of strange people in this world. Should they all be 'black listed'? Or can't adults be responsible and make their own judgements about the people that they meet?

Frankly, this 'black listing' of people, women and men, on the net is ridiculous. It is the action of bitter an cruel people. It is one thing to express your opinions online. It is another to indite them without proper trial in a form a 'black list'.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TwoBitBandit on April 14, 2007, 02:19:24 PM
Very well said, Jooky.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Haseki Hurem on April 14, 2007, 02:30:28 PM
to Bruno

quoting myself:
if you cannot come till autumn, you can not come at all.
unquote.

Bitchy? Yes.

Breaking the relationship? emmm... maybe other men here will explain you yes-s and no-s of this message.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 03:13:12 PM
Frankly, this 'black listing' of people, women and men, on the net is ridiculous. It is the action of bitter an cruel people. It is one thing to express your opinions online. It is another to indite them without proper trial in a form a 'black list'.

OK if antidate is unuseful for you, don't visit it and live in peace
though somewomen think AD is useful

for those who have nothing against our site, I give you a link that you could decide should the woman warn adult women against that man  or not

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6516

as for Anono's report on Antidate, I dare not to comment that story, though if other participants would like to say something I don't mind
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 03:18:55 PM
Jooky,

I hear what you're saying and agree with your post but the members of the board reacted only on what they were told by Alfie.

What were Alfie's motivations in his posts?  His naivety is so complete that he was excited and happy that a friend was finally going to FSU to fulfill on an Internet romance. Alfie posted information about his friend and that information raised concern.  I was one of those highly critical of him.

When did I become critical?  When Alfie said "Eric the Hotdog Eater" had told her everything but cut off all contact with Alfie and was preventing the girl from receiving email.  The most damning information Alfie gave was that "Eric the Hotdog Eater" once smashed up his apartment so badly the police had to be called.

Now... I do not believe all men tell women the truth and I don't believe Eric would have told the girl the police once went to his apartment because he was smashing it up.  I believe (based on what Alfie said) that there was a safety issue for that girl.

I don't think for a moment that Alfie was trying to make things bad for Eric. He defended and empathised with him the whole way through.

Eric and other high risk characters should be exposed but they should have the right to respond.

Bill is not a sex tourist... we all know that.  Kvinna would know that too if she was honest with herself.  She should remove his listing from Antidate but she should continue to expose men that put women at risk.  

Yes, I was critical of Eric and I still am. I don't think all women can make informed decisions when some men would be just as well practiced at deception as the scammers are in Russia.

Kuna
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 03:25:35 PM
i will wait until the "martian" women visit us, maybe it will be better choice !

I was already married to her... antennae and all...  it's not as good as you think :-))))
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 14, 2007, 03:26:25 PM
kvinna,

Dan somehow sees value in you and your site, which I confess, I do not.  Nor do see value in Jim's List.  Much of what I've seen and read is hear-say, he said-she said, with little or no direct evidence.  Yet people are black listed on an internet site viewable by anyone with a computer.   I don't think that's being fair or truthful.  It sounds more like man-hating, vengeful bitchiness.

I suppose I should be careful, there's a picture or two of me around here, maybe I'll end up on your black list too. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 03:35:39 PM
kvinna,
I suppose I should be careful, there's a picture or two of me around here, maybe I'll end up on your black list too. 

Yeah, maybe

but we have some questio

here is 2 parts from Bill's opus

Quote
The Next day I met M a very cute gal I had been writing and my absolutely primary reason for the trip. (basically I was going wovo but I had a couple of back up plans) She has a masters degree, knows four Languages fluently.
She was a little shy at first and to be honest about half of the women I meet are a little surprised at my height when I first meet them even when I was a teenager. Things flow along nicely M is cute and funny and off we go.
I can usually walk at a pace that leaves most mortals several kilometers behind me in minutes but not with M. She is only 5' 5" but at one time she smiled to me and said "Keep up or you may get lost." We went shopping but dont worry she paid for her stuff, I paid for mine.


Quote
I met a woman I called M I was visiting only her.
Did she tell you I loaned her money to buy gifts for her family for New Years? and she did not repay me???
I have her Name her address, her phone number and her photos without her eyes missing. I could put her on a scam list right now for not paying the money back. I can talk to the main agency that she is at.
During the shopping trips she ran out of money. She asked me to loan her some money. I did. She was going to pay me back the next day. She did not pay me back.

so  what part is true
and now if Nadezha that started Bill's thread, is M, I think she has right to post him on antidate after all
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 03:48:19 PM
I absolutely agree with JB.

Kuna, the situation with Alfie and his friend Eric is the perfect example of what I'm trying to illustrate.

Alfie is a crazy anonymous character that appears on these boards. From his posts didn't you gather that he lives with quite a few fantastic notions swimming in his head and that his vision of reality is a bit off?

So he tells a story and posts some photos of his friend. We don't know this guy. Maybe Alfie made up these stories, or exagerrated them. Maybe Alfie is jealous. Maybe Alfie is chasing the same woman. Or maybe not.

Alfie says his friend blocked him from emailing this girl. Hell, my friends don't write to the girls I pursue. Do yours? So what's the true story?

The point is: Sure when a person comes here with these types of stories it makes sense to jump all over them. I understand your reaction. But to 'blacklist' this person based on hearsay is entirely different. Often angry and jaded men and women will accuse people falsely for many reasons. To post them on a blacklist without evidence is wrong. The innocent get marked along with the guilty, as in the case of Tall Bill.

Kvinna, do you at least understand the point I am making?

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TexasBoar on April 14, 2007, 03:51:36 PM
You know, Kvinna, here in Texas we have a saying . . . "the rule of holes is, if you find yourself in one, STOP DIGGING."

"M" has a right to put Bill on A-D as a "sex tourist" because she owes him money??? Or because he didn't pay for HER groceries for the week?

Sheeeeesh.  

~Boar
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 14, 2007, 03:54:38 PM
kvinna,

Dan somehow sees value in you and your site, which I confess, I do not.  Nor do see value in Jim's List.  Much of what I've seen and read is hear-say, he said-she said, with little or no direct evidence.  Yet people are black listed on an internet site viewable by anyone with a computer.   I don't think that's being fair or truthful.  It sounds more like man-hating, vengeful bitchiness.

I suppose I should be careful, there's a picture or two of me around here, maybe I'll end up on your black list too. 

John,

I completely agree with you that blacklist sites are dubious, at the very best. When we started CMA, one of the questions I was often asked is whether I would publish a blacklist - and my response was, and remains, that I never want to be in the business of publishing a blacklist. The judgments, absent any REAL evidence, are just outside of my personal value system - and I fail to see how any internet site can establish a credible process which involves impugning people.

As I said - I believe Kvinna started Antidate in part, at least, to respond to the blacklisting of women which they felt was unfair.

Anyway, I *do* find value in Kvinna. I believe her heart is in the right place. I continue to hope she recognizes that Bill does not deserve this treatment. The mere fact that he has made some trivial inconsistency in his posts, is NOT a sound basis for labelling someone a "sex tourist." It is just wrong.

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 03:55:39 PM
"M" has a right to put Bill on A-D as a "sex tourist" because she owes him money??? Or because he didn't pay for HER groceries for the week?
Sheeeeesh.  
~Boar

seems you decode to digg that hole for Bill
because he slandered her in public

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 03:57:34 PM
Jooky,

You are critical of Kvinna's approach, yet I find it much fairer than the sites listing bad RW.  Do you believe her overall undertaking is needed by RW?  If so, what would you do differently?

I encourage her to continue her work.  It could be improved by adding more rigor to to their judgments.  For sure, some more balance would help, a devil's advocate if you will.  I wonder if AD has many RW posters who are happy with their western man?  

You should read the Stefan Eberharter story she cited (not the skiier).  I used software translator so I am missing a lot.  Nevertheless, the firat post was all I could stomach.  The man is a disgusting pig, and that is his good side.  Being impotent, he can not be termed a sex tourist.  

Yes, AD should warn other women of such low-lifes.  Does this make him crawl back under the rock to hide?  He could find another trusting woman.

I always advise that a man should know his woman, spend plenty of time with her.  aqwa1 spent very few days with her Stefan before deciding to marry him.  Because of that failure, she is also culpable.

While AD  may identify bad men, I imagine AD's list is only the tip of the iceberg.  I hope AD has a campaign to educate women not about individual men, but about clues and red flags to spot such men.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 03:58:23 PM
seems you decode to digg that hole for Bill
because he slandered her in public


Please explain the correlation between "slander" and "sex tourist".  Unless there is a very strange fetish I don't know about (and believe me I'm weird),  this is still a ludicrous argument for the 'blacklist'...

Dave

edit: if the allegation is true, he slandered some pseudonym "M".. no one would have had a clue who she is if SHE hadn't outed herself. Put her on the blacklist for betraying her own confidentiality.  :-)))
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 04:01:16 PM
mere fact that he has made some trivial inconsistency in his posts, is NOT a sound basis for labelling someone a "sex tourist." It is just wrong.
- Dan
look, Dan
none on antidate labeled him a "sex-tourist", he was called old playboy who has not serious intention, but only look for fun to report it on open board with photos
after all, Bill start screaming he was labelled sex-tourist, so if he wished it to be like that, why should we have something agains that?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: TexasBoar on April 14, 2007, 04:15:19 PM
seems you decode to digg that hole for Bill
because he slandered her in public

.. .  he slandered some pseudonym "M".. no one would have had a clue who she is if SHE hadn't outed herself. Put her on the blacklist for betraying her own confidentiality.  :-)))

Ma'am, I believe you are far too emotionally invested in this to see what a complete and total idiot you are being here . . . so I will keep in mind another Texas saying, about pigs and opera, and withdraw from the conversation.

~Boar
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 04:34:39 PM
Ma'am, I believe you are far too emotionally invested in this to see what a complete and total idiot you are being here . . . so I will keep in mind another Texas saying, about pigs and opera, and withdraw from the conversation.

~Boar

uhu, when someone lacks of logic he jumps into snub

for others I want to remind about private photos that was published by Bill. Also want to mention that girls on those photos aren't scammer and never have been suspected in it
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 04:57:06 PM
look, Dan
none on antidate labeled him a "sex-tourist", he was called old playboy who has not serious intention, but only look for fun to report it on open board with photos
after all, Bill start screaming he was labelled sex-tourist, so if he wished it to be like that, why should we have something agains that?


read this first post on your forum
Дорогие девушки России и Украины! Я хочу предупредить т.к. сама в ШОКЕ!!!!
Bill Wehrli from USA из Калифорнии, 45 лет, есть сын 16 лет. Сначала кажется очень интеллигентным, воспитанным и серьезным. А на деле это 45-летний стареющий плай-бой, который разъезжает по России и Украине периодически ПРОСТО ДЛЯ РАЗВЛЕЧЕНИЯ и дешевого секса! Пишет всем одни и те же письма! Длинющие рассказы про детство, про его неудачный брак, про сумашедшую бывшую жену, про разные теории как сделать женщину счастливой! Говорит что он очень честный и серьезный. НО! осторожней! Он переписывается, созванивается, пишет смс, и встречается с немыслимым количеством девушек! Готов броситься даже на первую попавшуюся официантку! Очень опытный! Он знает что нравится женщинам! Вот ссылка на форум

This is a poor translation

Dear girls of Russia and Ukraine! I wish to warn since itself in the SHOCK!!!!
Bill Wehrli from USA from California, 45 years, are the son of 16 years. First it seems very intelligent, brought up and serious. And in practice it is 45-years growing old плай-fight which drives about across Russia and to Ukraine it is periodically simple FOR ENTERTAINMENT and cheap sex! Writes to all the same letters! Длинющие stories about the childhood, about its unsuccessful marriage, about сумашедшую the former wife, about different theories how to make the woman happy!

Ok I go to Ukraine for entertainment and cheap sex!!!!

but I was not labled as a sex tourist.

I give up what is a sex tourist??? Maybe someone can explain it to me

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:10:10 PM
read this first post on your forum
Дорогие девушки России и Украины! Я хочу предупредить т.к. сама в ШОКЕ!!!!
Bill Wehrli from USA из Калифорнии, 45 лет, есть сын 16 лет. Сначала кажется очень интеллигентным, воспитанным и серьезным. А на деле это 45-летний стареющий плай-бой, который разъезжает по России и Украине периодически ПРОСТО ДЛЯ РАЗВЛЕЧЕНИЯ и дешевого секса! Пишет всем одни и те же письма! Длинющие рассказы про детство, про его неудачный брак, про сумашедшую бывшую жену, про разные теории как сделать женщину счастливой! Говорит что он очень честный и серьезный. НО! осторожней! Он переписывается, созванивается, пишет смс, и встречается с немыслимым количеством девушек! Готов броситься даже на первую попавшуюся официантку! Очень опытный! Он знает что нравится женщинам! Вот ссылка на форум

This is a poor translation

Dear girls of Russia and Ukraine! I wish to warn since itself in the SHOCK!!!!
Bill Wehrli from USA from California, 45 years, are the son of 16 years. First it seems very intelligent, brought up and serious. And in practice it is 45-years growing old плай-fight which drives about across Russia and to Ukraine it is periodically simple FOR ENTERTAINMENT and cheap sex! Writes to all the same letters! Длинющие stories about the childhood, about its unsuccessful marriage, about сумашедшую the former wife, about different theories how to make the woman happy!

You made traslation only first part of this text

second part is
Quote
He writes, sms, phones and dates with a lot of women (btw, some women on antidate admitt he wrote to them). He is ready to hook up even waitress in cafe. Very sophisticated. He knows very well that women like him

Agree, Bill, it can be written only by woman that knows you very well
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:17:15 PM


http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6516



A woman who has written this story about her unhappy married life in Austria of course is not Stephen King but she was trying. Again they are just words and words are not any proof. Maybe this woman just tries to take vengeance on her Austrian ex-husband after divorce.

Olga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 14, 2007, 05:20:16 PM
It still resembles too much like a Salem witch hunt for my taste.  It seems being guilty in the eyes of the accuser is enough to burn a person at the stake.  I feel sorry for the likes of people like kivnna and Jim, and feel sorrier for the folks who have been tainted by both.  It's a bad waste of good breathing air.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 05:24:04 PM
You are critical of Kvinna's approach, yet I find it much fairer than the sites listing bad RW.

The approach in both cases is to blacklist an individual based on hearsay. There is no verification, and in fact verification would be an impossible process in most cases.

Anti Scam sites at least purport to target scammers - that is men behind a pretty woman's facade seeking solely to draw money from a sucker's pocket. AntiDate blacklists men that simply could best be described as 'losers'. I fail to see the purpose of that.

I read a portion of the linked story. So a woman married an impotent, drunk slob. That does not free this woman from responsibility. She chose to marry him. What about 'in good times and in bad' 'for better or worse'? This is why people should not marry strangers.

And remember, there are two sides to every story.

Do you believe her overall undertaking is needed by RW?

Her site - a forum for women to discuss their issues, yes. The black list, no.

I have no problem with this woman 'M' or whatever her name is telling her side of the Tall Bill story. I do think it's wrong to put Tall Bill's personal information on the board and black list him with the reason 'his story encourages sex tourists'. That's pure bull.

Have you read the comments posted about Tall Bill? About how he is an ugly loser and so on? If those type of comments were made on this board about a woman I would find them entirely unacceptable.

educate women not about individual men, but about clues and red flags to spot such men

Agreed. That makes sense.

Look, probably all of us have been lied to. We've all probably dated and met people we ended up disliking, people with bad habits, people who's actions we don't like, people who have hurt us. So what? That's part of life.

Should we start a black list for every one with a messy house? All women who have acted like bitches? Everyone that has told a lie? Anyone who's had a violent outburst? Everyone who has been interested in more than one person at a time? It's ridiculous. There's not enough space on the web.

What do I suggest? That people grow up and act like adults. Use your brain. Look for real relationships not fantasies. Take time to get to know the person you marry. Take responsibility for your own actions. Is it that hard?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 05:30:39 PM
You made traslation only first part of this text

second part is
Agree, Bill, it can be written only by woman that knows you very well

Did he have sex with this woman or not?  Did he have sex with any of the others?  

It's time to cut the crap and start speaking the truth.

If he didn't have sex with them then he has been slandered.

The only thing I've seen that he did wrong was post their pictures.  If that's what this is all about attack him for that and stop contriving slanderous stories about things he didn't do!

Kuna
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:32:12 PM
Do you believe her overall undertaking is needed by RW?
Her site - a forum for women to discuss their issues, yes. The black list, no.

you can agree or disagree but blacklist exist and will exist further

as for above comment about vengeance on ex-husband, well, it's only matter of time and we will see what author of this post say after her divorce
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:33:10 PM
Maybe its time for international Court? at least there everyone has to use hard facts real evidence. That means no Kangaroo Court. NO pun on my Aussies down under



LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:34:30 PM
Maybe its time for international Court?



LEGAL
yes, I think so, International Court is good deal espacially for Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 05:34:51 PM
Writes to all the same letters!

The exact same form letters? Or similar letters?

Every normal person tells the same stories to different people. If you tell someone about your life, the story's not going to change much is it?

He writes, sms, phones and dates with a lot of women

So what? Is this a crime? It is much wiser to date and get to know many people and not commit to an online stranger, and women do this just as much as men.

He is not deceiving anyone or using them solely for sex. What is wrong with dating?

Frankly, if this woman wants to rant about her experience with Tall Bill, it's ok with me, just as his report of his experiences is ok. I think it's good to see both sides of a story.

But then to take this and accuse Bill of seeking only cheap sex is an extrapolation that makes no logical sense. Well, what should we expect.

you can agree or disagree but blacklist exist and will exist further

I'm well aware of that. Answer me this: How is your list different that Jim's list which you despise? Or is your list simply a reaction to Jim's and similar lists? Is is simply an Eye for an Eye?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:36:45 PM
You do realize you can be held liable for damages.

LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:38:47 PM
You do realize you can be held liable for damages.

LEGAL

really, don't forget realize too that Bill will be held liable for damages as well
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 05:46:21 PM
This has become like one of those bad reality TV shows..  I think that Russian version of "Married With Children" makes more sense..
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:46:55 PM
You must weigh the risks? vs cost plus outcome. I do believe you would be held to a higher standard than bill. Bill is held to reasonable man standard. you are held higher due to your high public profile and power position. Just something you mite want to consider?

LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 05:48:34 PM
you can agree or disagree but blacklist exist and will exist further

I'm well aware of that. Answer me this: How is your list different that Jim's list which you despise? Or is your list simply a reaction to Jim's and similar lists? Is is simply an Eye for an Eye?

Kvinna, you say Tall Bill is black listed for encouraging sex tourists.

Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.

When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:49:28 PM
You must weigh the risks? vs cost plus outcome. I do believe you would be held to a higher standard than bill.

LEGAL

Don't scare me, I count profit too from this International Court
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:51:36 PM
Is that what this is about for you publicity?


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:52:50 PM
I was only being logical?


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:53:41 PM
you can agree or disagree but blacklist exist and will exist further

I'm well aware of that. Answer me this: How is your list different that Jim's list which you despise? Or is your list simply a reaction to Jim's and similar lists? Is is simply an Eye for an Eye?

Yes Jooky it was our answer an Eye for an Eye as well. Other ways don't work in MOB industry
Kvinna, you say Tall Bill is black listed for encouraging sex tourists.
Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.
When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?
which site do you mean?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 05:55:23 PM
Is that what this is about for you publicity?


LEGAL

we have enough publicity in Russia and abroad, you can ask Thor
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 05:56:12 PM
I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 05:57:27 PM
which site do you mean?

This site. RWD. Take a good look.

Eye for an Eye as well. Other ways don't work in MOB industry

I suggest other ways. You really are not gaining credibility by blacklisting people like Tall Bill. On the thread on Anti-Date there is a discussion as well regarding this decision.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 05:59:46 PM
Kvinna,

You didn't answer my question...

Did Bill have sex with this woman or not?  Did he have sex with any of the others?

If not you've slandered him by asserting that he was just there for entertainment and cheap sex.

These are simple questions that should have simple answers.  I'd love to hear you answers!

Kuna
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:01:18 PM
I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?
LEGAL

they read it already I posted link on this discussion
don't you think it will be stupid to hide such topic from antidate members
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:02:40 PM
For example, why Kvinna put photo of man on black list.

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=2654&st=0&p=64632&#entry64632

Девочки, а у меня такая история. Долгие поиски привели к тому, что я все-таки нашла того, кого искала. Он приехал ко мне в Беларусь. Встреча была романтической, и мы поняли друг друга. Он сделал мне предложение стать его женой. Сомнений у меня не было. Он от меня ни чего не скрывал. Да и меня ни чего не пугает в этом человеке. Купил мне кольцо и как настоящий мужик. Сказал, будь моей женой. Ему 45 лет, он живет в Америке. Начали делать документы. Но вчера он пишет, что я не смогу забрать свою дочь. Только через какое-то время. Я очень расстроилась. Расскажите мне, как правильно это делать? он говорит, что виза сначала дается мне, я должна ехать и вступить с ним в брак. А потом получать визу на ребенка. Правильно ли это?  

Girls, this my  story.  He  arrived to me to Belarus. The our meeting was romantic, and we  understood each other. He has proposed me to become his wife. I had not any doubts.  Nothing frightens me in this person. He has bought me a ring and as the true man. He told me - be my wife. He is  45   and lives in America. We have started to make our documents. But yesterday he has written, that I cannot take my daughter with me. Only in some time. I was very much upset.  Tell  me how  to do it correctly? He says, that before I will get visa then I should go and marry him and then we will receive a visa for the child. Is it correct?


Is it a big reason to put photo of man on black list?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: START2 on April 14, 2007, 06:03:32 PM
Kvinna, and Guys,
  Have to say I don't know much about this subject but I can say it seems wierd. I assume there's a need for the service but when it doesn't distinguish between right and wrong and groups all involved in one big pot, then that service fails in it's attempts to be reputable. Kvinna, do you know your own countrymen/women  make lots of money bringing guys there to do whatever it is they do? Do you disparage them? Do you ever point the finger at your sisters? Do you try to educate them to keep their legs closed? Do you try to tell them not to be common beggers and scam artists?? Do you raid their homes when they have a foreign guest there and admonish them? Or is your job only to spread and print and insite the trash I read for a few minutes. Have your women become as greedy and stupid and PC as american women and you have seemed to become? Keep this up and that's all you will have. I know if you go after the people that promote that there, you'll and up not among the living. You seem so angry dear. Do you like men or women better? Are some of these guys invading your dating territory or maybe it could be the women are hi-jacking your marks. If you keep it stirred up enough I'm sure you'll get any result you desire. To all the really good gals there, I know they'll be fine. That never changes. To the ones that play the games, well, you'll just keep gettin to hang with the scum. Maybe I should just toss up my hands and tell you to enjoy it now. With the way Putin's going, soon all you'll have to play with are his hench men and your ex husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, or what ever it is you associate with.
  Guys, I lived in Ukr. enough to see all the foreign guys there. They all ain't american by any stretch. The women accomodate  most of them. There are some innocent victims I reaslize, but it's mostly a TWO way street. Some guys come for sex, some women love to take their money and the circle goes round and round. Most of the women that had their photo in public for Bill probably would have said nothing about their schemes had their friends not seem them here. By calling him a sex tourist, it seems it took the heat off them. And Kvinna helped them right along and fanned the flames just like she's doing now. So Kvinna, as your sitting with your girls there and seeing how popular you are here for a few days, remember all good things come to an end. You'll find a dew dollars on another story I'm sure.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:04:07 PM
You don't answer any body's question.      I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?   



LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:04:53 PM
Kvinna,
You didn't answer my question...
Did Bill have sex with this woman or not?  Did he have sex with any of the others?

as you are a lawer you have to know what is an improper defendant
so ask the proper defendant this question
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 06:05:27 PM
they read it already I posted link on this discussion
don't you think it will be stupid to hide such topic from antidate members

Hey Antidate members... NYAH NYAH NYAH!!!  (sticking out tongue and making faces)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:06:59 PM
For example, why Kvinna put photo of man on black list.

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=2654&st=0&p=64632&#entry64632

Девочки, а у меня такая история. Долгие поиски привели к тому, что я все-таки нашла того, кого искала. Он приехал ко мне в Беларусь. Встреча была романтической, и мы поняли друг друга. Он сделал мне предложение стать его женой. Сомнений у меня не было. Он от меня ни чего не скрывал. Да и меня ни чего не пугает в этом человеке. Купил мне кольцо и как настоящий мужик. Сказал, будь моей женой. Ему 45 лет, он живет в Америке. Начали делать документы. Но вчера он пишет, что я не смогу забрать свою дочь. Только через какое-то время. Я очень расстроилась. Расскажите мне, как правильно это делать? он говорит, что виза сначала дается мне, я должна ехать и вступить с ним в брак. А потом получать визу на ребенка. Правильно ли это?  

Girls, this my  story.  He  arrived to me to Belarus. The our meeting was romantic, and we  understood each other. He has proposed me to become his wife. I had not any doubts.  Nothing frightens me in this person. He has bought me a ring and as the true man. He told me - be my wife. He is  45   and lives in America. We have started to make our documents. But yesterday he has written, that I cannot take my daughter with me. Only in some time. I was very much upset.  Tell  me how  to do it correctly? He says, that before I will get visa then I should go and marry him and then we will receive a visa for the child. Is it correct?


Is it a big reason to put photo of man on black list?

read all this thread
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:08:07 PM
Kvinna  I would love to see you speak out like this against Putin Who loves all the money coming into your country from tourism. I wonder what would happen to you ?


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:09:21 PM
You don't answer any body's question.      I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?   



LEGAL

open your eyes scroll up and find my answer
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:10:02 PM
You don't answer any body's question.      I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?   



LEGAL

Again it is a simple question? I wonder why you won't answer me or Kuna


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:11:49 PM
they read it already I posted link on this discussion
don't you think it will be stupid to hide such topic from antidate members

Lets try it again?

Quote from: LEGAL on Today at 09:04:07 PM
You don't answer any body's question.      I am curious would you allow this discussion on your board for your members to read?   



LEGAL

Again it is a simple question? I wonder why you won't answer me or Kuna


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:12:59 PM
Its a simple yes or no ?

LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:14:13 PM
Again it is a simple question? I wonder why you won't answer me or Kuna


LEGAL

open your eyes scroll up and find my answer
it is simple answer
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:15:37 PM
You won't answer the question and you know why? YES OR NO


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 14, 2007, 06:16:09 PM
I'd like answers too. Do I need to ask again? ;D

Hey Kuna, Bill has already stated repeatedly that he didn't have sex with any of the women on this trip.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:16:16 PM
You won't answer the question and you know why?


LEGAL
tell me
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:16:55 PM
YES OR NO

LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:19:05 PM
read all this thread

Kvinna,

This woman has written that it was just misunderstanding but you, Kvinna, still have photo of this man on your black list.

Olga
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 06:21:24 PM
Geez, BC's reference to "Needle in a haystack" becomes more vivid, more lucid, more abundantly clear with each passing day...

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:21:51 PM
Kvinna,

This woman has written that it was just misunderstanding but you, Kvinna, still have photo of this man on your black list.

Olga


give me the link where she wrote this?

also
he will be on black list untill all photos will be deleted on another board
http://forum.<ToS Violation>.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=16


by the way, it is how to play chess with seminude woman in bedroom
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:26:56 PM
give me the link where she wrote this?

also
he will be on black list untill all photos will be deleted on another board
http://forum.<ToS Violation>.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=16


by the way, it is how to play chess with seminude woman in bedroom

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=2654&st=50

LOL You even do not know what girls write on your antidate.org   :cheesygrin:

Olga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 06:32:07 PM
http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=2654&st=50

LOL You even do not know what girls write on your antidate.org   :cheesygrin:

Olga.

I am really glad you have time to read everything what guys write here and girls write on antidate
keep doing this, as I go to bed
have a nice reading
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 06:36:18 PM
I am really glad you have time to read everything what guys write here and girls write on antidate
keep doing this, as I go to bed
have a nice reading


Slotkih Snov
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:38:58 PM
Goodnight, Great Hypocrite, to you and your selective bias journalism. Will you allow Russian woman in America to post on your board?  LETS SEE IF SHE ANSWERS THIS.


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 14, 2007, 06:41:26 PM
Kvinna,

Bill in his trip report said he started the trip to visit one woman. Only after it didn't work out with M, he saw other women. He also refused sex with a married woman who said it's no big deal in Russia. These are hardly the actions of a sex tourist/playboy.

I have translated some of your sub-forum topics and your descriptionns and here is what I read:

The black list of grooms: The fullest list of deceivers and bastards of the Internet

Virtual "cemetery" of grooms: The list of men which die and revive during online of acquaintances

Black reporters: Propagandists and propagandists who the opuses undermine reputation and offend Russian women. Bill is talked about in this forum

Men-writers: Men who write letters but anybody do not meet. BTW, I written to hundreds of women who might accuse me of being a keyboard romeo but clearly, I am a serious man with sincere intentions who is capable of commiting to one woman. What basis does a man get accused as a keyboard romeo? Just on the opinion of a woman who was angry because a guy she had high hopes for does not visit?

Doubtful persons: If you precisely do not know: whether you is guilty muzhina or not, ask about it here. Men from this section are not brought on a board of a shame before final finding-out of circumstances. Are circumstances based on evidence?    

The black list: Here are based the men menacing to ladies by punishments are most violent. Here them have transferred after the acted complaints from women. An input in this of section paid to prevent occurrence here voluntary pomoshnikov the western muzhiks. Do I understand this right, that people paid to have men blacklisted in this forum?

Revenge of the annoyed women: Ways of the refined and rough revenge to offenders.

Scandals of week


Kvinna, how would you feel if you saw a men's forum that talked about revenge towards women from annoyed men and the forum owner's attitude is an eye for an eye? You do have some positive forums subjects but you are putting too much energy towards the wrong men lately. Some people have bad dates, it doesn't mean they belong with the scum of the world. I have shown you a place to go where there are hundreds of thousands of sex tourists. If your mission is to truly help FSU women and save them from insincere men, go there.





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 06:41:41 PM
Notice how Kvinna never wants to answer questions. I thought journalist never sleep in the FSU?

LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 14, 2007, 06:49:31 PM
Notice how Kvinna never wants to answer questions. I thought journalist never sleep in the FSU?

LEGAL

She's not a journalist.  A journalist digs for the truth in a story, journaling the story based on the facts, Kvinna has an agenda to journal.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 14, 2007, 06:54:02 PM
Dan,

Are you really sure you want RWD to be aligned with such a troll and her site of man haters?

She has dodged a simple question with a one word answer for three pages, yes or no... I becomes clear to me she doesn't know if Tall Bill got lucky or not,,, but that didn't stop her from putting him on the black list.  Now she goes on to threaten that her list will grow.  I suppose we all have to mind our P's and Q's now, lest we all end up on the Anti-Date Black List...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 07:00:57 PM
jb I toast you and the other good members of RWd with a shot of  my SYR Vodka I am sitting here drinking. I had a good reason for asking her those questions, that I will not reveal just yet.   who remembers the sting? 


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 14, 2007, 07:09:59 PM
  I suppose we all have to mind our P's and Q's now, lest we all end up on the Anti-Date Black List...

Some lady at antidate is VERY upset with something Tigerpaws written since reading RWD the last few days. I wouldn't be surprised if we see pics of him there soon.

The women at antidate have ruled that if Bill erases his pics of women in his trip reports, they will erase his pics at their site but the thread will remain since it's public opinion.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 14, 2007, 07:35:00 PM
Dan,

Are you really sure you want RWD to be aligned with such a troll and her site of man haters?

She has dodged a simple question with a one word answer for three pages, yes or no... I becomes clear to me she doesn't know if Tall Bill got lucky or not,,, but that didn't stop her from putting him on the black list.  Now she goes on to threaten that her list will grow.  I suppose we all have to mind our P's and Q's now, lest we all end up on the Anti-Date Black List...

John,

I don't think anyone needs to be any more circumspect than normal. As it has always been, people should exercise good judgment in posting their experiences, and should consider the feelings/interests of others in their posts.

As for being "aligned" with Kvinna - does that come from my response to your call to ban her? Stating that I am not going to ban someone is not the same as being "aligned" with them. I have, and I will, endeavor to work with Kvinna on projects where there may be common ground.

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 08:12:59 PM
Is part of this a cultural clash?

The men here come from a society where 100 criminals are on the streets to assure one innocent people is not in jail.  In old Soviet days, it seems that 100 innocent people were in jail to make sure one bad guy was not on the streets. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 08:21:49 PM
The more I think about this, the more unfair it seems.

The AD ladies are far from virtuous.  I recall 2-3 years ago a very popular AD thread.  It seems that the women posted FRONTAL NUDITY photos of men and were rating the penises. Some men’s faces were shown too. The women had a lot of fun. 

What if we took the scantily clad and nude photos we have received from RW and posted them? Then commented on them?  Imagine the reaction from AD.  Anyway, I would never participate in such as it is tasteless and sophomoric.  And RWD members would never allow such.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 08:29:05 PM
Jooky,

I just wanted to know if Bill had slept with this woman or not and whether he slept with others.

Of course I've heard Bill say that he didn't but he's on some sort of a black list so he can't be trusted can he?  It's the Internet - you can trust the Internet can't you?


Kvinna,  

I'm not a lawyer... I'm just a simple man asking simple questions.  You know that you have maligned a good man's reputation but you're too pig-headed to do anything about it.

I applaud you for outting the bad guys.. I really do... but it's a disgrace to publicly slander a man when he did not do what he was accused of.

If you read RWD you'll see this community defends not just men or women, it defends what is right and wrong.  You should take note of that.

The impression I have of Antidate now is that it's there for bitter women who hate men and will pollute the good nature of good hearted women.


Bill,

As you've been accused of having sex with this woman why not post her picture for all of us to see.  Let's see who is creating all this ruckus.

If you've done it as they accuse you of why not show us who she is?


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 08:34:47 PM
Calm down Kuna.  That would not be gentlemanly.  The AD women may not act like ladies (see my post above), yet that is no reason to sink to their level.

 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 08:38:22 PM

Olga and legal asked,

Quote
Will you allow Russian woman in America to post on your board?  LETS SEE IF SHE ANSWERS THIS.

Good question.  A few pages ago, when I felt more sympathetic to the AD cause, I asked if she had many AD posters who were happy with their Western men.  No answer.

Here at RWD rare is it that everyone is aligned the same.  And I think a couple of people even take the opposite side just to stir things up.  Such balanced discussion usually and eventually concludes with something plausible.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jet on April 14, 2007, 08:42:50 PM
Kvinna, 

I'm not a lawyer... I'm just a simple man asking simple questions.  You know that you have maligned a good man's reputation but you're too pig-headed to do anything about it.

I applaud you for outting the bad guys.. I really do... but it's a disgrace to publicly slander a man when he did not do what he was accused of.

If you read RWD you'll see this community defends not just men or women, it defends what is right and wrong.  You should take note of that.

The impression I have of Antidate now is that it's there for bitter women who hate men and will pollute the good nature of good hearted women.


As I see it right now, the immediate problem created by Kvinna's refusal to address this issue, is that AntiDate henceforth will be battling a HUGE credibility problem. If left unchecked, the entire site will be worthless to anyone except the "bitter women" who created it and will therefore harm the very women it was built to protect. By ignoring the problem Kvinna is just shooting herself in the foot.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 14, 2007, 08:49:04 PM
Kuna Gator is right! You are a good man with values, who has a good woman and you are embarking on a wonderful loving journey with your soon to be wife. Don't get caught up in this. There is a reason I did what I did tonight, some of you may know why, I will leave it at that.


LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 09:04:20 PM
Gator and Legal,

You mean my suggestion to post the pic??? It might have been a little facetious to suggest it and I'm sure Bill wouldn't post it...

My point was if Antidate wants to treat someone so badly without being accountable then they shouldn't complain if men act in dreadful ways too.

When they do "out" someone who's a blatant sex tourist they should be applauded - BUT Kvinna has refused to answer a really simple question.  Did Bill sleep with this woman or not?

It's a simple question that will define her (and AD's) integrity and yet she won't answer it.

His mistake was to post pictures of the women he met on the Internet and he now knows that was wrong.

They've decided to target him for such things as taking condoms on his trip.  I think most men would end up on their blacklist if this is a criteria.

Kvinna needs to be honest or her site will be tainted as much as the real sex tourists.

Kuna
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 14, 2007, 09:09:49 PM
I think Kvinna stayed up well past her bedtime.  You must commend her for her determination (have seen such before in many RW).  People were barraging her, she was reacting, possibly being pushed into a position she would not support with a fresh mind.  

Let her put her head to the pillow and see what she has to say after she has time to think.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2007, 09:17:50 PM
Gator and Legal,

You mean my suggestion to post the pic??? It might have been a little facetious to suggest it and I'm sure Bill wouldn't post it...

My point was if Antidate wants to treat someone so badly without being accountable then they shouldn't complain if men act in dreadful ways too.

When they do "out" someone who's a blatant sex tourist they should be applauded - BUT Kvinna has refused to answer a really simple question.  Did Bill sleep with this woman or not?

It's a simple question that will define her (and AD's) integrity and yet she won't answer it.

His mistake was to post pictures of the women he met on the Internet and he now knows that was wrong.

They've decided to target him for such things as taking condoms on his trip.  I think most men would end up on their blacklist if this is a criteria.

Kvinna needs to be honest or her site will be tainted as much as the real sex tourists.

Kuna


Men who don't bring condoms would be a better group to put on a black list.
I have requested that the pictures be removed in all the various sites that I posted them.
So far I am just waiting on two sites to do so. The rwprimer and Stirlitz Ukrainian women web site

They have been removed from everywhere else.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kuna on April 14, 2007, 09:23:15 PM
hahahaha... Gator, I do realise the time over there.  I'm sitting here tapping my fingers on my desk waiting for a "appropriate" time to phone My Girl.  We've had crappy phone network problems all weekend and therefore haven't spoken much.

Our conversations go something like this:

Hel  o My I'm glad final eek wi you.  O no I ill n't hear oo prop erly...

VERY frustrating.


Re: Kvinna,
I just hope she's reasonable over this.  Our community (the RW/Westerm Men community) needs more people with good intentions.  There's too many bad people involved in this pursuit and if Antidate are simply taking an opposing position because they hate men then it would be a great loss.

Fair enough if they're out to spoil the party of the losers and mongrels that intentionally hurt women...  I'd reckon if they asked for RWD's help to protect women from these types I'm sure they'd get plenty.  We're not here to do anything except promote and educate on healthy happy International Relationships.

I feel bad for Bill because I don't think he's done anything wrong... I hope common sense prevails eventually.

Kuna (Who's gone back to tapping his fingers on his desk)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 14, 2007, 09:31:39 PM
edit: if the allegation is true, he slandered some pseudonym "M".. no one would have had a clue who she is if SHE hadn't outed herself. Put her on the blacklist for betraying her own confidentiality.  :-)))

And what about the picture with little white band on the eyes... ladies can be easily reconize... remember, the photo's are one of the problem on the antidate topic...

Now, directly list Bill without inform Bill is too much strong... why not have PM him and ask him to remove the picture... it have happen for my nikolaev trip... one of the two girl i have know during these trip have ask me to remove the picture... and i have remove them... I have a big trip report to Odessa who was never posted because the lady, same after modification/correction of the trip report by her, have not really wish that i post it...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 14, 2007, 10:21:46 PM
When they do "out" someone who's a blatant sex tourist they should be applauded - BUT Kvinna has refused to answer a really simple question.  Did Bill sleep with this woman or not?

It's a simple question that will define her (and AD's) integrity and yet she won't answer it.

Don't respond because they don't yet know... if i have good understand, they try to "analize" picture posted by Bill... on one of them, Bill is with a lady... AD girl think that the top part of the lady dress who can be see is lingerie and not a summer dress... So, they have no evidence but try to seek indirect evidence who can mean that maybe he have intimate relation with one...

Hmmm, are we sex tourist... when a RW wrote me : "I need regular sex. And not in two years, but now, and years ago, in fact."... seem that some RW use western men like a sex object... in so case, who is the sex tourist ? And my ex-russian wife have explain something similar to me after the divorce when we was again in bed together... when i have ask her why, she have reply that she need sex, that it is good for the health... Sex without feeling, only for the sake of sex... Who are the sex tourist !... Don't they have sex shop in Russia where RW can buy some vibrator's...

In the Bill story, he speak about a married woman who is ready to have sex with him... Again, who is the sex tourist ?

We speak a lot about unfaithful Russian men... but what about Russian women... of course, all RW are not sex maniac but it become difficult to find the right wife between the scammer, the gold-digger, the pro-dater, the trade-up, the GCG, the unfaithful sex maniac, etc... Find a RW is very easy, find the right one is like win the lottery... of course, if you win the jackpot, you will be happy until the end of your life... but for one winner, you have a lot of looser who live hell...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 14, 2007, 11:03:10 PM
Don't respond because they don't yet know... if i have good understand, they try to "analize" picture posted by Bill... on one of them, Bill is with a lady... AD girl think that the top part of the lady dress who can be see is lingerie and not a summer dress... So, they have no evidence but try to seek indirect evidence who can mean that maybe he have intimate relation with one...

This sounds like a witch hunt to me. If he floats, he is a witch, if he sinks and drowns, he is not. Either way the punishment is the same...death.  Circumstantial evidence has led to the punishment of many innocent people. Amazing that the top part of a dress can all of a sudden be lingerie just by looking at a picture. Apparently they will do whatever to convict this person not by any sound evidence, but because it is all they want to do. Indirect evidence is not evidence at all, it's just another way to pervert the truth.  The old KGB would be proud of their investigative styles and finding guilt where none can be found. It's another case of guilt by association.  If they can't prove the dress was lingerie, then perhaps her earrings indicated they slept together, or one hair was out of place which meant they slept together. Perhaps his shirt was a tad bit messed which means he slept with her. They will make the indirect evidence fit the crime! To the firing squad Bill must go! Any last requests? 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 14, 2007, 11:51:38 PM
Goodnight, Great Hypocrite, to you and your selective bias journalism. Will you allow Russian woman in America to post on your board?  LETS SEE IF SHE ANSWERS THIS.


LEGAL

Yes, save your wife.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 12:01:56 AM
Kvinna,

Bill in his trip report said he started the trip to visit one woman. Only after it didn't work out with M, he saw other women. He also refused sex with a married woman who said it's no big deal in Russia. These are hardly the actions of a sex tourist/playboy.
from Bill's opus
Quote
The Next day I met M a very cute gal I had been writing and my absolutely primary reason for the trip. (basically I was going wovo but I had a couple of back up plans)

Kvinna, how would you feel if you saw a men's forum that talked about revenge towards women from annoyed men and the forum owner's attitude is an eye for an eye?
hahaha
go and look at Scam secion on men forums, you think it is different from us?

Some people have bad dates, it doesn't mean they belong with the scum of the world. I have shown you a place to go where there are hundreds of thousands of sex tourists. If your mission is to truly help FSU women and save them from insincere men, go there.

once again, check men forums, look at mirror and don't blame the mirror for showing a crooked face





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 12:08:09 AM
What if we took the scantily clad and nude photos we have received from RW and posted them? Then commented on them? 

well, ask BillyB he knows such forums, so you can joyn
but I have to say for publication those nude photo you would someohow help us, at least some silly women will be afraid to take and send nude pictures
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 12:10:04 AM
Jooky,

I just wanted to know if Bill had slept with this woman or not and whether he slept with others.
Kvinna,  
I'm not a lawyer... I'm just a simple man asking simple questions.  You know that you have maligned a good man's reputation but you're too pig-headed to do anything about it.

Kuna, tell me plese
had Bill slept with this woman or not and whether he slept with others?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 12:20:29 AM
you know what guy
there is some site that well promouting now in american mass-media, Don't Date him, girls.com colled
and I am sure most of you heard about this. But you don't care, because most of you hardly are intriguing to Western women
and now I hear this scream only because most of you feel you can be free to do what you liked to do. Yeah, Big Sister looks after you, lol
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 12:21:47 AM
If these women are making claims that Bill is a sex tourist and posting his picture on AD without any proof other than what they say, can we post accusations that these women are prostitutes and post their pictures on AD, and the only proof is what we say? Seems to be fair. Ask these women how they would react. Please don't use the excuse that it is happening on other sites, the question is, can we post this on AD? Before replying, make sure you understand that I said "If" this was occurring on AD.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 12:29:21 AM
Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.

When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?


Kvinna, you gave me a private response to this. Would you like to make it public?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 12:33:38 AM
If these women are making claims that Bill is a sex tourist and posting his picture on AD without any proof other than what they say, can we post accusations that these women are prostitutes and post their pictures on AD, and the only proof is what we say? Seems to be fair. Ask these women how they would react. Please don't use the excuse that it is happening on other sites, the question is, can we post this on AD? Before replying, make sure you understand that I said "If" this was occurring on AD.
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?
and now you scream! look loke double standards
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 12:37:34 AM
Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.

When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?



There are pictures on this site that some may find as promoting sex tourism. No argument from me there. Also some web sites do the same. Again, no argument from me there.

The question is if Bill is a sex tourist? Where is the evidence other than heresay? Heresay is not evidence. It could easily be written by someone feeling jilted. I don't like antiscam sites at all. Whether they make claims about women or men. Most of them posting to those sites are fools who messed up their own lives and want to put the blame on someone else for their lack of judgement or because they were dumped. Those sites are norhing more than another form of scam.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 12:40:27 AM
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?
and now you scream! look loke double standards

I despise antiscam (or scam) sections and sites. They are filled with nothing but whiners. It holds true whether it is the men or women making those accusations. They need to get a life and shut down all those sites.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Haseki Hurem on April 15, 2007, 12:42:10 AM
guys, really - thank you for taking so much care about RW morals. It flatters
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 12:43:16 AM
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?
and now you scream! look loke double standards

Justifying why your site does it because you claim double standard, is just as despicable. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Haseki Hurem on April 15, 2007, 12:51:23 AM
wxman

you are right, doing despisible things should be the exclusive right of the rwd :)  :cluebat:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 12:55:33 AM
That's why I said "just as". No one site has sole ownership of being despicable.  :)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 01:00:19 AM
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?

This is most definitely not what we all do every day in the scam sections.

You do realize that the scammers typically pointed out in scam sections are men right? And that the letters posted are typically form letters, mass mailed and also written by men. You know this, right?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 01:07:53 AM
Oh no!  You destroyed my illusion of all these gorgeous babes sitting in front on their computer and diligently sending me form letters professing their love for me.  :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 01:21:41 AM
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?

This is most definitely not what we all do every day in the scam sections.

You do realize that the scammers typically pointed out in scam sections are men right? And that the letters posted are typically form letters, mass mailed and also written by men. You know this, right?

Dear Jooky, I see how wonderfull you can twist every words you got. But I relly wonder what is your reason to take part in this discussion. As I see those guys that don't feel any inner guilt toward Russian women don't look into this thread
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 15, 2007, 01:27:16 AM
don't you all do the same every day in the scam secions?

This is most definitely not what we all do every day in the scam sections.

Kvinna,

Jooky makes a good point here..  I have seen several times where women have been reported on this board as scammers but defended by many members after the story evolved and more evidence came to light.

I know it may be different elsewhere.

As a result, the 'Scam' section here on this board is probably one of the slowest sections around..  Guys (and women) need to usually report something substantial in order for the report to be accepted by members.

I think you will find that RWD is quite 'picky' on this subject..  and that is good imho..
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 01:31:41 AM
I think you will find that RWD is quite 'picky' on this subject..  and that is good imho..

we are also very  'picky', but don't know why most of women  think Bill should memorize on antidate
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 01:38:59 AM
And what about the picture with little white band on the eyes... ladies can be easily reconize... remember, the photo's are one of the problem on the antidate topic...

Well, that's something I can't really comment on because I never give the photos more than a passing glance as part of the story, and often times I read the posts without being logged in so I don't see photos at all.  The photos are nice to give a bit of a window to the story, but I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep if there were no photos at all.  From the first day here, I've thought the photos in TR's come across as "Look at the hot girl/s I met" manly chest beating (whether intentional or not), but I seem to be well in the minority with that thinking. 

Like I've mentioned before, I think they do have some valid points that would be excellent to get out into the public concerning respect for FSU women, and exactly how women perceive what we post about them.  This method of making their point, however, just leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.   The extreme wasn't necessary and it certainly did NOT need to be this way.  Extremes are always unhealthy. 

RWD is a different kind of board.  If she or "M" or any lady would have sent a PM to or Dan voicing concerns over the photos in a TR, I bet my right arm that he would have listened, understood the situation and removed them.  If anything, the admins of this board err to the side of caution.

I didn't know his TR was on several different sites, but the original problem was stated as being his TR on this board - basically that he met several different women during his trip, he had condoms in his possession, he had brought these condoms from America rather than buying them in Russia, and his report might encourage sex tourists I guess because he had the audacity to mention the women are beautiful and posted some photos.  Later more items like "slander" were added to the laundry list.  It's a truly ridiculous situation that didn't need to exist.

The cement effect was in full force from the beginning of this fiasco. 




Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 01:40:12 AM
Kvinna, what words do I twist?

I have seen several times where women have been reported on this board as scammers but defended by many members after the story evolved and more evidence came to light.

I have seen this often.

You are saying that your unjust blacklisting of men without evidence parallels what happens on scam sections of these sites. Eye for an eye.

But that it not what typically happens on scam sections. Either real scammers are discussed, with evidence, or people accuse women of scamming and a discussion ensues.

When you accuse 'us' who are you talking to? I know that I've told men not to post personal contact of women. I've often battled against men who use private investigations and even the flower photo scheme.

I sure don't feel any guilt about anything I've done. I think it's fine for a man to meet several or many women and for a woman to meet several or many men, anywhere in the world, just as Bill did. I don't see anything wrong with two adults consenting to sex even thought that has nothing to do with Bill's situation.

 I see that a man is being unjustly condemned. I see deception and hypocrisy which I despise. That is why I am posting here.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 01:46:37 AM
You are saying that your unjust blacklisting of men without evidence parallels what happens on scam sections of these sites. Eye for an eye.

Maybe I should remind you story about blacklisting of Robert Mudge on our board and happened after this?
Yes, he was blacklisted without evidence (or proofs) by several of guys from this board
look at mirror
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 01:53:48 AM
Ok I look at mirror. I don't see a problem.

I have no idea who Robert Mudge is. If he was unjustly black listed on your site, I hope you unlisted him. Did you? Will you do the same for Bill? Or do you feel that he is a menace to Russian women?

Did I unjustly black list somebody?

You seem to group all men on this board, or it is all men, as one group. We are not all one group. There is not man versus woman battle that requires an Eye for Eye vendetta.

Can you publicly answer my question?

Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.

When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 15, 2007, 02:04:35 AM
Ok I look at mirror. I don't see a problem.

I have no idea who Robert Mudge is. If he was unjustly black listed on your site, I hope you unlisted him. Did you? Will you do the same for Bill? Or do you feel that he is a menace to Russian women?

Did I unjustly black list somebody?

You seem to group all men on this board, or it is all men, as one group. We are not all one group. There is not man versus woman battle that requires an Eye for Eye vendetta.

Can you publicly answer my question?

Take a good look at this site and the photos posted in the Gallery section. Tell me honestly whether you think some of the photos posted here encourage sex tourists or not.

When you log in there is a google ad tower advertising well known agencies that promote tours, select ladies based on looks for their sites, and recruit good looking women off the streets of Russia to appear in profiles. Do these agencies encourage sex tourists? Does this site, by allowing those ads in turn encourage sex tourists?


I said you, yes, those agencies do this. and RWD as well as RWG and many men sites by posting a such trip reports do the same.
Why I works with RWD you asked me? We have a lot of disagreements, but I think sometimes we can find sometiong common that can be useful for both parts, but not in this case with Bill
I think I should stop to take part in this thread because I am sure we hardly can find so called consensus of opinion. Mostly you are not our targeting audience, so I only waste time to trying explain our perspective
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 02:18:01 AM
I see, and I'm not twisting your words here:

You are willing to work with the RWD, instead of black listing them, even though they allow activities that you feel promote sex tourism because you find some use for them (what that use is unclear).

You have no use for Bill, so it's ok to unjustly black list him as part of your Eye for an Eye vendetta against Anti-Scam sites that you deplore.

Frankly, your attitude shocks me. Your perspective is clear. It demands no further explanation. I did at one time think you had some positive intentions. I now see that you don't.

I highly question Dan's involvement with your business. The way Tall Bill has been allowed to be mocked and insulted on AntiDate disgusts me. This entire discussion makes me sick. Why? Because I have worked hard on these forums to stop the men who unjustly accuse, slander, spy upon and disrespect women, and I condemn those that do the same to men. There is a better way than Eye for an Eye.

I can't say anymore but that your direct insult upthread to Legal's wife Olga is completely classless, uncalled for and I hope it is not allowed to stand on this board.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 15, 2007, 02:28:16 AM
Dan,

For the record, I did not call for kivnna to be banned, I merely suggested that those men who felt strongly about kivnna not being able to spew her flithy accusations should get together and petition to have her banned.  
  
I said:
Quote
If you guys feel so strongly why don't you campaign to have kivinna banned from this forum?  It would at least give her one less outlet for her venom.  Since I'm equally sure she in on every other forum spewing this same sort of hateful anti-man crap she'll still get her message out, just not here.
I, for one would not miss her for a microsecond, she certainly contributes nothing that parallels or adds to this board's agenda.
Petition Dan for relief, report every offensive post to the Moderators, explain why you found the post offensive if it was an out-and-out lie or slanderous.  That's the way you get things done in the real world.

That was over on about page 10, now I see 10 more pages have transpired with no progress being made.   What we are seeing is an increasingly adamant, and stubborn kivnna, who is determined to have her own way.  I sometimes see this trait in my own wife, but not on such levels and certainly not on such issues.  I think it's a Russian cultural trait, some RWs just have more of it than others.

Again, just a suggestion, (short of bannishment), perhaps everyone should just place kivnna on "ignore",  without an audience this thread would not have grown to 20 pages of kvinna rants, ravings, question dodging, and other anti-men garbage.  And make no mistake, that's what it is, just garbage,,, no "good" was done here.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 02:44:30 AM
And make no mistake, that's what it is, just garbage,,, no "good" was done here.

I agree most was garbage.  But, I sure learned something from this.  Let's just say, I now realize that some women deserve even more respect for being classy ladies... while others have *really* opened my eyes to what true treasures these classy ladies actually are.  We have a few of these treasures on this board.

Dave

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 15, 2007, 04:00:31 AM
You have no use for Bill, so it's ok to unjustly black list him as part of your Eye for an Eye vendetta against Anti-Scam sites that you deplore.

Don't worry... in short time, Bill will be forget... on the same AD topic, some ladies have find new victims... Tigerpaws, Wiz, Albert... In short time, every men who have go near a RW will be reviewed... and if they say something bad for the RW reputation, they will be black listed ( don't care if what is say about RW is true or wrong )...

They have start a pool :

Quote
должны ли люди, которые рушат нашу репутацию и оскорбляют нас быть размещенными на Доску Позора?

result for now : 6 yes, 1 no... since i am the 1 "no", everybody other have vote "yes"...

Now, what mean give a bad reputation to RW ? Let take the Bill case... in his trip report, he wrote that he have refuse to have sex with a married RW... wrong, since now married RW will have the reputation to have sex with other that the husband... Bill have his ticket for the black list... don't care if what he say is true...

On these forum, i have explain that my ex-russian wife have ask the divorce the same day that she have receive her green card... wrong... i give RW the reputation to be CGC... don't care if it is true... Hmmm, maybe i can send one of my photo to Antidate, so they will be able to black list me in a easy way...

Edit : the time i make these post, one more "Da" in the poll...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 04:28:42 AM
Well, Bruno,

If what you are saying here actually represents their true attitude, then their credibility will soon become so laughable that for a man to be placed on their blacklist will be a badge of honor.

I am sure there are good women over there who realize what nonsense this actually is. They'll make a stand eventually as good people always do.  If not, I wouldn't be interested in knowing them even as friends and much less as a possible life partner (even if I were looking for one).  I now have considerable doubts that any intelligent Russian women (without a vendetta) take that dribble seriously.  If they do, I don't want to be involved with them on any level anyway. They're simply not in my league.... yours either.

Dave

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 15, 2007, 05:21:42 AM
Bruno, I was the other Da in the poll. LOL

I had all the offending photos removed from all the sites.

I think that they will remove my photo from the page but I also think they should remove the links to my profiles on Elena's models etc.

They wrote quite a bit of vile things about me that are quite frankly completely ugly and untrue.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 05:31:29 AM
Bruno, I was the other Da in the poll. LOL

I had all the offending photos removed from all the sites.

I think that they will remove my photo from the page but I also think they should remove the links to my profiles on Elena's models etc.

They wrote quite a bit of vile things about me that are quite frankly completely ugly and untrue.

Bill

Bill,
I agree they should remove the links..  I can't believe this happened over such an innocuous trip report.  Hopefully it will not have an adverse effect on your future search for a real life partner.  One day you can hold your dream girl in your arms, look back on this nonsense and laugh... it COULD happen!  ;D

Dave
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 15, 2007, 06:37:33 AM
Daveman wrote,

Quote
Let's just say, I now realize that some women deserve even more respect for being classy ladies...

Well Dave, I think if you treat each and every woman with utmost respect, you may indeed inspire her to behave as a classy lady.  If not, politely walk away.

The issue with AD apparently is not whether Bill slept with anyone, it is whether he showed proper respect for RW.   

I doubt the "AD image police" read all lengthy T/Rs carefully, so I suppose the photos set off the AD alarms.  I personally found the white dots very weird, certainly not conveying a joyful mood, and even suggesting the women were conquests. 

Alarmed by the photos, the AD women combed through Bill’s report and distorted anything that could possibly resemble disrespectful behavior, even if it was a great stretch of imagination (e. g., backup plan, bringing condoms). 

What I find despicable by AD is that they overlooked the evidence that says he was respectful (similar to Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong).  That makes AD, in my opinion, much more disrespectful than Bill.   Worse, it is intentional disrespect unlike the unitentional disrespect Bill showed. 

Those wrongfully accused by Nifong had recourse and justice eventually prevailed.  Is there justice at AD?

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 07:36:14 AM


Well Dave, I think if you treat each and every woman with utmost respect, you may indeed inspire her to behave as a classy lady.  If not, politely walk away.

Point taken.  Completely.  :)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 15, 2007, 08:30:50 AM
OK, guys, Kvinna has came to her own conclusion  about American men. I think it says enough.

http://forum.antidate.org/index.php?showtopic=6484&st=350
"Кстати, знаете к какому выводу я пришла пришла, вступив в ту дискуссию по поводу Билла на hDL/ Не дай Бог никому выяйти замуж за амера, все, чему их научили - это играть со словами, и переворачивать смыслы. В итоге вам докажут, что это вы во всем виноваты, а потому по скончаю браку вы останетесь должны и заставят расплачиваться даже по их собственным кредитам

By the way, do you know what a conclusion I come to associating on the occasion of Bill on hDL/? God forbid! to be married to amer (American man).   All  they have been taught is to play with the words and twist a sense. As a result they will be proved you that you are guilty of all,  therefore on termination your marriage you will be a debtor and have to pay off their debts".



Olga.
 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jooky on April 15, 2007, 08:31:03 AM
They wrote quite a bit of vile things about me that are quite frankly completely ugly and untrue.

Including being called a 'coward' for not pursuing the married waitress. Sure reveals the character of his detractors.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 15, 2007, 08:43:15 AM
Quote
All they (AM) have been taught is to play with the words and twist a sense. As a result they will be proved you that you are guilty of all,  therefore on termination your marriage you will be a debtor and have to pay off their debts.

This conclusion exceeds the limits of my imagination to comprehend.

Something is at work here (Bill's case) that Kvinna can not express or we can not grasp.  That happens sometimes between my girlfriend and me.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Zmejka on April 15, 2007, 09:05:38 AM
A few pages ago, when I felt more sympathetic to the AD cause, I asked if she had many AD posters who were happy with their Western men. 

So i'm the poster on antidate and here and on some other forums and happy with my man. I just tend to think that many girls don't usually read trip reports and even some innocent things can upset them - i assume this exactly happened to Bill. This controversion resembles that "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" saying, both parties are to blame for it, may be that little drop that Bill had to bring with posting that pictures or mentions of gum or condoms overwhelmed the glass. It's connected more not with justice but with bitter experience. It's difficult to rule out this situation.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 09:11:28 AM
So i'm the poster on antidate and here and on some other forums and happy with my man. I just tend to think that many girls don't usually read trip reports and even some innocent things can upset them - i assume this exactly happened to Bill. This controversion resembles that "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" saying, both parties are to blame for it, may be that little drop that Bill had to bring with posting that pictures or mentions of gum or condoms overwhelmed the glass. It's connected more not with justice but with bitter experience. It's difficult to rule out this situation.

Now this is an intelligent, well expressed thought that I can completely understand, Zmejka.  Thank you for posting.  :)

David
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Lily on April 15, 2007, 09:13:01 AM
This conclusion exceeds the limits of my imagination to comprehend.

Something is at work here (Bill's case) that Kvinna can not express or we can not grasp.  That happens sometimes between my girlfriend and me.



Gator, don't worry about it. I can not grasp lots of things that are expressed by antidate at the Bill's case either, despite I am Russian :)

Mysterious Russian soul..:)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on April 15, 2007, 09:14:47 AM
All they (AM) have been taught is to play with the words and twist a sense. As a result they will be proved you that you are guilty of all,  therefore on termination your marriage you will be a debtor and have to pay off their debts.


She's saying, all American men have been taught to play with the words and twist the meaning, so as a result, they will prove the Russian Woman is guilty (AM not accepting responsibility, but instead twisting the blame to her), therefore when the marriage breaks up, the Russian Woman will bear the burden...


I think...  ;D

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 15, 2007, 09:35:50 AM
So i'm the poster on antidate and here and on some other forums and happy with my man. I just tend to think that many girls don't usually read trip reports and even some innocent things can upset them - i assume this exactly happened to Bill. This controversion resembles that "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" saying, both parties are to blame for it, may be that little drop that Bill had to bring with posting that pictures or mentions of gum or condoms overwhelmed the glass. It's connected more not with justice but with bitter experience. It's difficult to rule out this situation.

On the basis of bitter experience they try to make  justice. Zmeika, I have noticed some girls even have not read  Bill's trip reports and just repeated the words of each other in different ways.

Olga.   
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2007, 09:44:20 AM
Maybe I should remind you story about blacklisting of Robert Mudge on our board and happened after this?
Yes, he was blacklisted without evidence (or proofs) by several of guys from this board
look at mirror


Robert(Anono) was blacklisted by antidate at antidate, not the guys here. Unlike Bill, he did talk about sex on his trip reports and post photos of the ladies he had sex with. So you ruled there was no evidence and remove the thread pertaining to Robert. Lucky guy, I guess AD considers Bill worse so that's why his thread will remain?

Kvinna, I've have participated in your English speaking forum and even debated your love, Zvi. You and him don't believe in the holocaust because you see no evidence that Nazi's targeted Jews. If evidence is so important to you, then what evidence do you have that Bill had sex with anyone and posted their picture? If he did not have sex, then all he did was try to anonymously post pics of ladies he visited. Maybe one could call it tacky but it's not a crime.

I have seen a lady, Zmejka, at AD quote Tigerpaws pertaining to something he wrote in 2005. Is this something the guys here will be subject too? Will AD girls start taking men's words from this forum on a regular basis and debate whether or not they should be on the blacklist? The guy will be ridiculed but he will not be invited to defend himself? Should the guys here have the eye for an eye attitude and list AD women on a blacklist if they say something that disrespects men? Particularly American men since I see topics over there that have a number of women putting down Americans.

Some of the people at antidate inability to see the hate Nazi's had for the Jews has the same inability to see the hate they have for men. When hate rules the mind, justice and tolerance does not prevail. I don't think looking in the mirror is going to help.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 15, 2007, 09:59:02 AM
Quote
So i'm the poster on antidate and here and on some other forums and happy with my man. I just tend to think that many girls don't usually read trip reports and even some innocent things can upset them - i assume this exactly happened to Bill. This controversion resembles that "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" saying, both parties are to blame for it, may be that little drop that Bill had to bring with posting that pictures or mentions of gum or condoms overwhelmed the glass. It's connected more not with justice but with bitter experience. It's difficult to rule out this situation.

Thank you Zmejka.  A very credible explanation.

It is so easy for everyone to jump to conclusions in spirited discussions on the Internet.  Perception always dominates reality.  The answer usually sits somewhere in the middle. 

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Zmejka on April 15, 2007, 10:08:37 AM
I have seen a lady, Zmejka, at AD quote Tigerpaws pertaining to something he wrote in 2005. Is this something the guys here will be subject too?

I made a post with the words "that pissed me off when i read it the first time" and it was true. I remember how the members of this board were also not pleased with that expressed attitude. I didn't offer to post him onto a black board, i quoted him as an example of an attitude that can really reflect our reputation in that newly-opened section. Anyway he's married and they deal with their own issues inside their family. But if such statements would do a man who is in the search - i would prefer to be warned about it.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 15, 2007, 11:33:56 AM
There is no such thing as a sex tourist!!!
Are ya' friggin' nuts???? ::)
Ya' can't be a sex tourist if you don't have sex & you can't have sex if they don't take their panties off!!! So how can any man be a sex tourist??? Even if he comes here or anywhere looking specifically for sex, if no women oblige him, how can he be a sex tourist??? And if they do oblige him it is of their own free will, so how can that constitute a sex tourist???
Gawd, I'm with jb, what a waste of bandwidth!!!
Kvinna has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Antidate will lie or whatever they have to do to blacklist the innocent along with the guilty. All antiscam sites should be outlawed.
Where I come from when you scream wolf & there is no wolf, you find yourself in more trouble than the wolf. :cluebat: :cluebat: :cluebat:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 15, 2007, 11:42:20 AM
Once a person posts on any site it is there for the whole world to see. I see no problem with Zmejka quoting another person and using it in another forum to express her dissatisfaction. She didn't accuse Tigerpaws of being a sex tourist and post his picture. She didn't cross the line and label someone a sex tourist or scammer and then post their picture. That is the problem with scam site and forums. They may label a man or women unjustly with their photos which can affect a person throughout their lives. More and more, employers are googling prospective employees and if they come across these false allegations, this person might not be hired as the employer will not know if they are true or not. Being labelled a sex tourist, prostitute, etc, based on the words of somebody else without true recourse amounts to nothing more than a witch hunt.  Having these so called scam sites, people may think they are reading legitimate information on someone, but in reality, no one knows what is really true or not, and the real crime is ruining someone's reputation based on false accusations.    
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 15, 2007, 11:59:51 AM
There is no such thing as a sex tourist!!!

Yes, they exist... but the definition of them is very different of what AD women think...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_tourist

Quote
Sex tourism is travel (by men or women) to engage in sexual intercourse or sexual activity with prostitutes, and is typically undertaken internationally by tourists from wealthier countries whose payment for services may then be rendered either in cash or in kind.

The World Tourism Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, defines sex tourism as "trips organized from within the tourism sector, or from outside this sector but using its structures and networks, with the primary purpose of effecting a commercial sexual relationship by the tourist with residents at the destination".

So, a sex tourist pay hooker... it is a "business"

And seem that sex tourist exist for both gender :

Quote
The primary destinations for female sex tourism are Southern Europe (mainly Italy, former Yugoslavia, Turkey, Greece and Spain), the Caribbean (led by Jamaica, Barbados and the Dominican Republic), the Gambia and Kenya in Africa, the Philippines and Pattaya or Phuket in Thailand. Lesser destinations include Nepal, Morocco, Fiji, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Female sex tourism differs from male sex tourism, in that women do not usually go to specific bars. Women usually give clothes, meals, cash and gifts to their prostitutes, but not all (especially in Southern Europe) expect compensation.

This remember me a story from when i was with my marriage agency... i have refuse the advert from a RW... Why ? She was not seeking a husband but free holiday in exchange of night prestation... She was seeking a man who pay the trip, the stay ( hosting, food, etc ). She was free the day but he can enjoy her at night... Yes, you have women like this in FSU... and i think that so women are hurting more the russian reputation that the Bill report...

One more quote for Richard :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_sex_tourism
Quote
Tourist women are called Shirley Valentines (if British), longtails (in Bermuda), yellow cabs (Japan) and, in Jamaica, milk bottles if newly arrived or Stellas if black. Female sex tourism in Barbados has been dubbed “Canadian secretary syndrome.”

Richard, can you explain what is so special to the "Canadian secretary"  :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 15, 2007, 12:02:48 PM
wxman - dead on & therein lies the reality of what these sites can & do do to a pperson or businesses reputation. I have no problem with their intentions, those are grand ideals, but irrifutable proof must accompany any accusation, period!!!
If they cannot prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt, they should not be permitted to post it!!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 15, 2007, 12:06:48 PM
Quote
Richard, can you explain what is so special to the "Canadian secretary"

Sorry Bruno, no I cannot. I've never had one & most I have seen are 100 lbs overwieght so why & where this term came from are totally beyond me. Maybe some other Canucklehead on the board can enlighten you & me!! :o
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 15, 2007, 12:19:32 PM
Sorry Bruno, no I cannot. I've never had one & most I have seen are 100 lbs overwieght so why & where this term came from are totally beyond me.

No problem... i know why... because they are 100lbs overweight, they cannot have a local man... so, they seek in very poor country where they can have sex in exchange of some shoes...

Sex tourist from both sex go to other country for have something that they cannot have home... Some country have more light law about prostitution, some country close eyes on child prostitution, etc...

Here in Belgium, law have change a little a few year ago... Belgium sex tourist who have sex relation with minor ( below 18 y.o. ) can be send to jail in Belgium, same if the fact have happen in a country who allow it... it was the end of the charter plane to Asia full of Belgium sex tourist seeking very young girls...

It is time to have international law who apply worldwide... criminality don't know the borders... but it is almost impossible... you will always have a country who refuse to sign any protocal because the sex industry mean a lot of money...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 15, 2007, 12:42:56 PM
I am glad that this matter involving the blacklisting of Bill seems to be working towards some kind resolution. I think that it wise to take a look back at what we have learned. Since it is easier for me to organize my thoughts with numbered paragraphs, I will use that writing method, bearing in mind that I am not placing them in any order of importance. And I am addressing not just RWD but also the AD audience:

1. It is unwise and inappropriate to post an FSUW's photo on this or any other RW discussion site without the woman's knowledge, permission and consent. This is true even if the face is partially covered.

2. Sex tourism is morally reprehensible and RW such as those on antidate have every right to and should combat that in *appropriate* ways.    

3. It is not appropriate to "blacklist" a man as a "playboy with no serious intentions" unless there is absolute concrete proof of this. The same is true for the higher indictment of "sex tourist".  It is not appropriate to do so just based on innocuous statements in a man's trip report. It must be based on a clear admission of no serious intentions or confessing to activity evidencing no serious intentions such as admitting to sleeping or trying to sleep with multiple women.

And just traveling to the FSU many times and meeting a lot of women is NOT being a "playboy". It merely demonstrates the near impossibility of a man just waltzing over to a foreign country and finding a needle (the soulmate) in a haystack. The fact that a man keeps trying only proves his earnest desire and hopes (some would say his foolhardyness) to find a wife against bad odds. Restated: multiple trips meeting multiple women standing alone does not indicate much less prove that a man has no serious intentions. In point of fact, it proves the opposite.

4. One woman's conclusory allegation  that a man is a playboy with no serious intentions is simply not enough to justify putting a man on a blacklist. Discussing it in their forum yes, putting the man on a blacklist no.

5. It is fair game for AD or any other Russian women wesite to discuss in their forum the contents of WM's trip reports posted on the internet. However, it is not fair to jump to terrible conclusions about a man and his intentions based on speculation, supposition cultural misunderstanding or personal bias against WM-FSUW dating.

6. Any WM posting a trip report should be circumspect in how he reports about his trip. Don't post photos of FSUW if they have not given permission.

7. Sexual relations is the single most private matter between a man and a woman and therefore is not appropriate to be discussed or even mentioned in a trip report IMHO. Keep private things private.

8. Any AD member reading a WM's trip report should remember that most people reading forums such as this want to read trip reports more than anything else. It is human nature to be curious and want to know what happended with a man and his trip to another country. WM, especially American men, have a style and method including the use of national phrases and slang that RW will not understand. In addition, men may tend to "jazz up" the report to make it more interestng. In writing a report some men are subconsciously turned into "want to be" novelists, and so will say things and include things that are entirely innocent, but which makes the report more interesting to read and many of these things can be misunderstood by RW.

IT is not fair for any RW to jump to conclusions about innocuous items in a man's trip report as being disrespectful or bad.  If you read it and have a question about it you are morally obligated to question the man about it as opposed to jumping to conclusions about him. May I say one more thing about this without any AD ladies getting mad? That is this: of all the countries I have traveled to in my life there are no people more prone to making assumptions and jumping to conclusions than Russian and Ukrainian people. This is not a put down, it is just an observation on my part which I have discussed with dozens of FSU people over the years and they all have agreed with me that yes they have a bad tendency to do this. So if you find yourself doing that, recognize it and adjust to be fair.

{Caveat: by making a cultural observation I am only doing that. It is  not judgment. If I critiqued my own country the list would go from here to the moon, but that is not the subject of this post.}

9. I am glad to hear that once all of the FSUW photos that Bill posted on the internet are removed that AD will remove his photo from and his designation on the blacklist. This is a fair conclusion. Thank you AD, Kvinna et al. for being willing to do this.

10. This is a serious item that I cannot leave out - the subject of condoms. Yes Kvinna, I have been to your country many times and I know you have preservatives there just like all countries have them. The subject of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted/unplanned pregnancy is TOO SERIOUS for anyone anywhere  to be criticising a man for having condoms with him. We have a global crisis. It is life and death serious. My first advice to everyone would be: obey God. My next advice would be, if you cannot control yourself at least don't play Russian roulette. Be responsible. And responsibilty cuts both ways  -  it is just as much about protecting the woman as it is the man. It is therefore NOT appropriate to be negatively judging a man, any man, over the condom issue. This is a critical area for detente and mutual understanding promoting responsibilty to combat a global scourge.  In other words, a "hands off" zone.

{Yes, it is tacky for a man to mention it in his trip report} ( tacky means poor taste).

***************************************************
CHANGING SUBJECTS.....

11. On your website Kvinna I noticed a thread where a lady asks what would a man prefer in woman: good looks or a woman who has good utilitarian skills (or something like that). Her avatar photo, as most of the avatar photos of your posters, is a very attractive model type woman. Is that her real photo? Are the other avatar photos the real photos of the posters? I was just wondering..........it seems AD has many unusually attractive women just looking at the avatar photos......:)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2007, 12:44:09 PM
I made a post with the words "that pissed me off when i read it the first time" and it was true. I remember how the members of this board were also not pleased with that expressed attitude. I didn't offer to post him onto a black board, i quoted him as an example of an attitude that can really reflect our reputation in that newly-opened section. Anyway he's married and they deal with their own issues inside their family. But if such statements would do a man who is in the search - i would prefer to be warned about it.

Why didn't you take the the wise words men say at RWD and bring it to AD to show how most of us think? Or, did you want to take the worst you could find and add to the feeding frenzy? Those ladies at AD have already stereotyped the men here. You didn't just hurt Tigerpaws, you hurt all guys here.

Taking words off this forum breaks copywrite laws I believe. But it is also unproffesional to gossip behind people's back. If you want the ladies at AD to read what Tigerpaws said, send them a link and they could debate him face to face in his thread instead of talking behind his back without being able to defend himself.

As you say, you were not pleased with TP's attitude nor were the members of this board. Did you tell the ladies at AD that the majority of men here did not approve of what Tigerpaws said or were they left to believe men here supported his words. I don't support TP's quoted words but I haven't read everything he wrote either.

You didn't offer to post TP on the blacklist but you do have the attitude you liked to be warned about it. It is that attitude that will get more and more men on a blacklist based on select people choosing certain words or phrases out of many to condemn the person as a whole. :-*
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 15, 2007, 12:49:22 PM
Yes Bruno, there should be a few international laws. Not only regardin this subject but regarding so called anti scam websites as well.
Sex is & always has been the oldest industry in the world. Why people get their panties in such a knot over it is beyond me. As long as it is between two consenting adults (over 18) in my opinion its nobody elses friggin' business.
Prostitution should be handled as it is in the Netherlands rather than scorned. Regulate it, licence it & tax the hell out of it. Simple & would probably cut back on the amount of rapes worldwide if these eggheads new they could go down to the local & pay $25.00 for a fling. Would also put the woman beating pimps & forced prostitution out of business!! As long as it is adults participating I see no harm in it whatsoever.
But when it comes to children & sex or child porn the penalty for those should be made so high that anybody would be afraid to pursue that path. Making a eunich out of them works for me! ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Zmejka on April 15, 2007, 01:35:33 PM
Why didn't you take the the wise words men say at RWD and bring it to AD to show how most of us think? Or, did you want to take the worst you could find and add to the feeding frenzy?

BillyB, i wish you won't get overreacted as it's already difficult situation. It was my opinion and i brought his words as an example when the speech touched those whose words can ruin russian reputation. I want to stress that many girls don't read trip reports and don't know in what way some of them are being discussed. In a way i wanted to let the people see the differenct between what can be written and Bill's report and that the last is quite innocent. I don't want to touch TigerPaws' personality and if i hurted it i did it not intentionally. And i'm sorry. I think i don't need bringing the following posts from this forum to antidate as women as men can also make comclusions.
May be that post didn't suit right that topic and was viewed in wrong light. I don't want any of the parties get paranoid and starting shooting at each other just to hurt more.
You know the value of black list is that women (and men) save their time and not persue people who behaved badly in the past. Of course the patterns of behavior can be known through dating provess but black lists can prevent that meeting to happen if a person doesn't have credits. And i would like to be warned of such a behavor.
Now i'm against placing people there according to one person's talking. I will be working together with Kvinna on deleting of out-of-date or proveless information from the black list. I didn't know how large is unsatisfaction on the part of russian woman by men's behavor. It's pouring over the edge and Bill just happened to be the last straw that broke the camel back. 
It becomes more complicated to judge what to consider "offending for russian reputation". Some people are against that man post their trip reports and tell in it where they went with a lady, what they did etc. They consider it to be private matter and not for the eyes of the public community added it's not some useful information about FSU. How to deal with it? Where to find a solution?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 15, 2007, 02:23:05 PM
I am glad that this matter involving the blacklisting of Bill seems to be working towards some kind resolution. I think that it wise to take a look back at what we have learned. Since it is easier for me to organize my thoughts with numbered paragraphs, I will use that writing method, bearing in mind that I am not placing them in any order of importance. And I am addressing not just RWD but also the AD audience:

1. It is unwise and inappropriate to post an FSUW's photo on this or any other RW discussion site without the woman's knowledge, permission and consent. This is true even if the face is partially covered.

2. Sex tourism is morally reprehensible and RW such as those on antidate have every right to and should combat that in *appropriate* ways.   

3. It is not appropriate to "blacklist" a man as a "playboy with no serious intentions" unless there is absolute concrete proof of this. The same is true for the higher indictment of "sex tourist".  It is not appropriate to do so just based on innocuous statements in a man's trip report. It must be based on a clear admission of no serious intentions or confessing to activity evidencing no serious intentions such as admitting to sleeping or trying to sleep with multiple women.

And just traveling to the FSU many times and meeting a lot of women is NOT being a "playboy". It merely demonstrates the near impossibility of a man just waltzing over to a foreign country and finding a needle (the soulmate) in a haystack. The fact that a man keeps trying only proves his earnest desire and hopes (some would say his foolhardyness) to find a wife against bad odds. Restated: multiple trips meeting multiple women standing alone does not indicate much less prove that a man has no serious intentions. In point of fact, it proves the opposite.

4. One woman's conclusory allegation  that a man is a playboy with no serious intentions is simply not enough to justify putting a man on a blacklist. Discussing it in their forum yes, putting the man on a blacklist no.

5. It is fair game for AD or any other Russian women wesite to discuss in their forum the contents of WM's trip reports posted on the internet. However, it is not fair to jump to terrible conclusions about a man and his intentions based on speculation, supposition cultural misunderstanding or personal bias against WM-FSUW dating.

6. Any WM posting a trip report should be circumspect in how he reports about his trip. Don't post photos of FSUW if they have not given permission.

7. Sexual relations is the single most private matter between a man and a woman and therefore is not appropriate to be discussed or even mentioned in a trip report IMHO. Keep private things private.

8. Any AD member reading a WM's trip report should remember that most people reading forums such as this want to read trip reports more than anything else. It is human nature to be curious and want to know what happended with a man and his trip to another country. WM, especially American men, have a style and method including the use of national phrases and slang that RW will not understand. In addition, men may tend to "jazz up" the report to make it more interestng. In writing a report some men are subconsciously turned into "want to be" novelists, and so will say things and include things that are entirely innocent, but which makes the report more interesting to read and many of these things can be misunderstood by RW.

IT is not fair for any RW to jump to conclusions about innocuous items in a man's trip report as being disrespectful or bad.  If you read it and have a question about it you are morally obligated to question the man about it as opposed to jumping to conclusions about him. May I say one more thing about this without any AD ladies getting mad? That is this: of all the countries I have traveled to in my life there are no people more prone to making assumptions and jumping to conclusions than Russian and Ukrainian people. This is not a put down, it is just an observation on my part which I have discussed with dozens of FSU people over the years and they all have agreed with me that yes they have a bad tendency to do this. So if you find yourself doing that, recognize it and adjust to be fair.

{Caveat: by making a cultural observation I am only doing that. It is  not judgment. If I critiqued my own country the list would go from here to the moon, but that is not the subject of this post.}

9. I am glad to hear that once all of the FSUW photos that Bill posted on the internet are removed that AD will remove his photo from and his designation on the blacklist. This is a fair conclusion. Thank you AD, Kvinna et al. for being willing to do this.

10. This is a serious item that I cannot leave out - the subject of condoms. Yes Kvinna, I have been to your country many times and I know you have preservatives there just like all countries have them. The subject of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted/unplanned pregnancy is TOO SERIOUS for anyone anywhere  to be criticising a man for having condoms with him. We have a global crisis. It is life and death serious. My first advice to everyone would be: obey God. My next advice would be, if you cannot control yourself at least don't play Russian roulette. Be responsible. And responsibilty cuts both ways  -  it is just as much about protecting the woman as it is the man. It is therefore NOT appropriate to be negatively judging a man, any man, over the condom issue. This is a critical area for detente and mutual understanding promoting responsibilty to combat a global scourge.  In other words, a "hands off" zone.

{Yes, it is tacky for a man to mention it in his trip report} ( tacky means poor taste).

***************************************************
CHANGING SUBJECTS.....

11. On your website Kvinna I noticed a thread where a lady asks what would a man prefer in woman: good looks or a woman who has good utilitarian skills (or something like that). Her avatar photo, as most of the avatar photos of your posters, is a very attractive model type woman. Is that her real photo? Are the other avatar photos the real photos of the posters? I was just wondering..........it seems AD has many unusually attractive women just looking at the avatar photos......:)

William,

Thanks for that. Whenever controversies erupt - and as we come to the point of calming them - it is always a great idea to step back and prepare a "lessons learned" piece which sorts through all the controversies and captures the essential elements in the form of how to move forward productively.

I think you did a terrific job of consolidating a great many posts into the essential 'take-aways.'

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 15, 2007, 02:28:48 PM
Thank you WmGo.  Anyone else interested in how to address this spirited issue, please read here:


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=4339.0


And post your own ideas here:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?board=39.0

All ideas are welcome.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: groovlstk on April 16, 2007, 01:39:24 PM
I am glad that this matter involving the blacklisting of Bill seems to be working towards some kind resolution.

Resolution? Huh????

Quote from: Dan
William,

Thanks for that. Whenever controversies erupt - and as we come to the point of calming them - it is always a great idea to step back and prepare a "lessons learned" piece which sorts through all the controversies and captures the essential elements in the form of how to move forward productively.

Excuse me, but before you guys go around congratulating each other and talking about lessons learned, what exactly has been resolved and what lessons were learned, and by whom?

Bill's photos and the thread villifying him are still front and center on AD, Kvinna has unequivocally stated that she has no plans to remove the photos and posts, and the only conciliation I see is on the part of RWD members who want to sweep it all under the rug and pretend that their impassioned and logical reasoning has swayed Kvinna and her ilk.

Unless I'm blind, the only "lesson" I can see in all of this is that it's crude and unwarranted to post a woman's photos and/or personal information in a trip report without her permission.

And that's all.

I'm sorry to keep this thread going but I think it's only fair to Bill to at least acknowledge that from now on, it looks like he's on his own in trying to have his photos removed and his reputation restored.   

Dan, I apologize for the negative tone of my post, I know you have your hands full and you do a great job of running this board. I'm simply confused at how this thread has evolved. The last few posts indicate that there has been some sort of compromise and that Bill will at least be given a fair shake yet there's absolutely nothing from Kvinna or anyone from AD to indicate this. Unless there's something going on behind the scenes which has yet to play out, the "resolution" is simple acquiescence on our part.
 >:(
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 16, 2007, 02:00:13 PM
Groove,

It has been posted above that AD agreed to remove Bill's blacklist designation and photo once he removed all of the FSUW photos he posted on various websites with his trip report. I am proceeding forward on the basis that that is correct. If it is not, then I want to know about it as then this thread would certainly still be very much alive.

If the info that an agreement was reached is correct, then after all of Bill's TR photos are removed  from the websites where he posted them, we can check to see if AD kept their agreement. If not then yes there is much still to be done....
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 16, 2007, 02:02:43 PM
Resolution? Huh????

Excuse me, but before you guys go around congratulating each other and talking about lessons learned, what exactly has been resolved and what lessons were learned, and by whom?

Bill's photos and the thread villifying him are still front and center on AD, Kvinna has unequivocally stated that she has no plans to remove the photos and posts, and the only conciliation I see is on the part of RWD members who want to sweep it all under the rug and pretend that their impassioned and logical reasoning has swayed Kvinna and her ilk.

Unless I'm blind, the only "lesson" I can see in all of this is that it's crude and unwarranted to post a woman's photos and/or personal information in a trip report without her permission.

And that's all.

I'm sorry to keep this thread going but I think it's only fair to Bill to at least acknowledge that from now on, it looks like he's on his own in trying to have his photos removed and his reputation restored.   

Dan, I apologize for the negative tone of my post, I know you have your hands full and you do a great job of running this board. I'm simply confused at how this thread has evolved. The last few posts indicate that there has been some sort of compromise and that Bill will at least be given a fair shake yet there's absolutely nothing from Kvinna or anyone from AD to indicate this. Unless there's something going on behind the scenes which has yet to play out, the "resolution" is simple acquiescence on our part.
 >:(

No apology necessary.

At the time of my post, for some reason, I thought I had read that Kvinna had agreed to remove the material about Bill - just as soon as the photos Bill posted were removed. Bill managed to get all the photos removed - and I believe Kvinna has removed Bill's photo in the AD Blacklist.

Part of the problem when a firestorm of this sort erupts is - Kvinna now has a conundrum. Assuming she gives similar consideration to members at AD that is given here at RWD, she will be unable to unilaterally remove the lengthy topic in which Bill was 'discussed' (ridiculed is probably a better term). I think she *should* remove it - but at the same time, there are some who feel the same about me and lengthy topics here, and I have refused because it would not be fair to the members who contributed.

I have no idea how Kvinna will resolve this.

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 16, 2007, 02:28:39 PM
Quote
It has been posted above that AD agreed to remove Bill's blacklist designation and photo once he removed all of the FSUW photos he posted on various websites with his trip report. I am proceeding forward on the basis that that is correct. If it is not, then I want to know about it as then this thread would certainly still be very much alive.
I want to know what gives them the right to dictate anything to anybody!!!
Are any of them in the photos?? If not then its none of their friggin' business, PERIOD!!
Bunch of damed brainless Babushkas that need to get a life!!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 16, 2007, 02:37:20 PM
I want to know what gives them the right to dictate anything to anybody!!!
Are any of them in the photos?? If not then its none of their friggin' business, PERIOD!!
Bunch of damed brainless Babushkas that need to get a life!!!

Not to distract us from the present focus - but couldn't the same thing be said of ANY site which opts to create a "Blacklist"?

Careful there Richard - you are looking like you about to pop a cork  :exploding:

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 16, 2007, 02:43:46 PM
Richard,

In principle I agree with you 100%.

However, and this was never clear to me, there
was a woman on AD by the name of Nedezhda31
who started the thread accusing Bill of being a "playboy
with no serious intentions" and maybe she is one of the ladies
that Bill met in St. Pete...it has been suggested that she is the  "M' in his TR....don't know....it is really weird...I also would like to know what really happened betweeen Bill and "M' that so abruptly led to their saying sayanora to each other so quickly after meeting for the first time.....if Nadezhda31 is "M" then it would be enlightening to know what happened...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 16, 2007, 03:11:32 PM
Yes Dan, that could be said of any site that starts a backlist. If your gonna start one certain ethics & guidelines need to be followed, above all absolute proof & truth!! I have only seen one that adheres to that in the strictest sense possible, the rest are just wanna be's & never will be's.
I may pop a cork but it ain't the one your thinkin'of!!! :ROFL: :ROFL:
WimGo, my Russian is far from perfect but I muddled through some of it & I never came across one instance where she outright said she was "M". So I take that as she is not. If she is then she has shown herself to be spiteful & vindictive, for whatever reason, I don't know. Maybe Bill didn't buy her enough goodies or take her to the fanciest resturant, who the hell knows. With women like hat it don't take much to set them off.
If it is her a simple email to Bill would have solved everything, by choosing the path she did shows her charchter way worse than what Bill wrote about her. So in my opinion she should thank Bill for being the nice guy he is & quit her whinning! ::)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 16, 2007, 03:31:39 PM
Wm go, I sent you a PM

The woman who started the thread had to be either M or V2. They were the only women that I wrote to and the information they said in the thread could have only been from them. I wrote to M before the trip and V2 after. I tend to think it was V2 because she said that I sent letters, sms and phone calls for nearly three months.

But either way it appears that my first and last name and my picture and profiles from Elena's models along with a 20 page (and getting longer by the day) collection of smears, lies, and falsehoods is on the AD site and not going to go away. Yes all the offending photos have been removed from all the sites.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 16, 2007, 08:21:39 PM
I started to translate some of the antidate forum about my trip report.

I did the best I can to translate this. I surely made a thousand mistakes. My Russian is basic at best. When I had no idea at all what they were saying I simply just put what the Electronic Translator spit out or made an educated guess. Sometimes the writers used slang or spelled words wrong or the words that were not in the dictionary.
I used http://translation2.paralink.com/ and a couple of dictionaries to do this

I removed most of the links and I didn’t include quotes from others previously listed this was time consuming enough.

Yes, I know I made a thousand mistakes! I am 99% sure the starter of this page was V2

nadezhda31
Dear girls of Russia and Ukraine! I wish to warn since itself in the SHOCK!!!!
Bill ******* from USA from California, 45 years old with a son of 16 years. First he seems very intelligent, well brought up and serious. And in practice it is 45-years growing old плай-fight which drives about across Russia and to Ukraine periodically simply FOR ENTERTAINMENT and cheap sex!

He writes the same letters to everyone! Life stories about his childhood, about his unsuccessful marriage, about different theories how to make the woman happy!

He in detail describes his trip to Russia! Where he shares this experience with others who wish to do the same! They compare women " To fish in a pond ". It describes receptions and tricks about how to fool women! He even gives examples of jokes and letters for others by means of which it traps a females feelings! Thus names women simply THEY! As weight!

In the beginning of the romantic examples it writes at a forum: Cautiously do not read at whom a weak stomach! Can present his attitude toward us? To Russian women?!!!

In his report for this trip! Imagine! And in fact most likely it is serious girls! To which it very much is pleasant (liked)! In this number and I! Fortunately my photo in not posted! But what a shock I was tested even without my photo being seen! It after 3 months of Dear dialogue and almost daily phone calls! Uncountable compliments!!! I am madly disappointed! Very much I wish to warn others!!!! At its forum almost all citations from his letters! Подробнейшое the description of his adventures!!!

his nick name too_tall
The same name е-mail
He is 2 meters tall!

Malyavka
In дядька careful, глазья to maidens повырезал on a photo, шоб have not recognized...
And in general another surprises me, here here sometimes on a forum it would be desirable something to write, express simply, and that not always time is, though, like, not on a throat is loaded at present. Where does this man get the time to write about his adventures?

nadezhda31
In дядька careful, глазья to maidens повырезал on a photo, шоб have not recognized...
And in general another surprise for me, here. Sometimes on a forum it would be desirable to write something, expressing simply, and there is not always time for it, though, like, not on a throat is loaded at present. Where does this man get the time to write about his trips?

Ната@
He writes he is not a keyboard Romeo **********I am guessing on this translation guys
It lives it.. кайф at it such..:ninja:
фразочка I am not a keyboard romeo, and we окопники.. окопники..;)


Malyavka
Нат, or the truth at the some people a life poor such. What more to borrow there is nothing:unsure:

nadezhda31
Yes it is exact!:)
Whether you consider costs to me to inform on it агентсву through which also gets acquainted, I mean real аг-in (firm) which reduced it with these girls? Let know about the clients, or do you consider it is useless? Or not of interest? What do you think?

Malyavka
The hope, I here thought above YOUR question... And what you can tell in agency? In what it is guilty? What has met ten? Well also that - has not found still that unique. In search what on a site writes about the adventures? Well and what here криминал? It even eyes carefully повырезал to compromise. And that describes everything, well many about the travel write... It not my opinion, and simply possible reaction

Hunter
The man is nothing, even lazy his "story" to read began. The girls in the photos are so very young. It is necessary to inform others about this so they know to avoid him.
The good fellow, the Hope, that on антидейт has placed it, to warn others. The present sex-tourist with adventures and to proofs " not подкопаешся ".:yes:

Ната@
I here esteemed маненько.. Little girls and впямь decent..
Note of the naturalist, мля:ninja:

sonate10
Ladies, this report stands my hair on end and have begun to crawl around my head. He would cut out a woman’s heart!

Princesska
It is possible to give the information, whether in other they it will read a question up to the end, those for whom it is business...?...... But all the same give it, let know with whom deal. That not only is спамеры and prostitutes, but also these here ugly creatures who behind it and go here who knows there can be somebody in the further your references to these " a note sex-tourist " can help what нибудь to the girl...

tendertiger
He should be put on the black list, referring to his adventures. The goat.

femi.da
Триндец!!! This all is similar me on a note of any maniac!
Excuse for an immodest question, Hope and how to you it managed to be found out?

Незнакомка
What unpleasant person he is!

nadezhda31
Here some endurances from the report of this tourist! I think to girls it will be curious...
******Here she posted most of my trip Report*******

Lovely
Awfully!!! My opinion - on a board of its shame.... Too to me the sorter, a pancake
*******In reference to me bringing condoms********

Nazi
Who its photo separately from girls can can cut out and in a theme to insert. It always to remove a site can (change) and the ends then will not find.

nadezhda31
I with pleasure, but do not know as it here to make. Someone can prompt? Thanks in advance

Java
This ugly creature too wrote to me, only I in a garden have sent it. Господя, 45 already, and all cannot be developed!

Заноза
nadezhda31, yes simply copy its photos to itself, and then place in a picture album and the reference here place
*********this is where they put my picture on the black list**********

Malenkaya Kriska
Nightmare! He wrote something to me too, but his luscious physiognomy at once has not liked and very tall too. Here the ugly creature that, and!!! How to you has carried to find all this an applied art? Has amused, as it was frightened of a beauty who has gathered for shopping to Milan to go. Too to me the businessman:D Was frightened of that that the waitress married, a reluctance видать was to receive on eggs from ейного the husband.:D:D Simply закомплексованный cowardly loser, tries such to justify here in the image the insignificant existence on great planets
******she is obviously pulling her punches LOL******

nadezhda31
He too wrote to you длинющие letters about сумашедшую the former wife? And other plaintive letters?:D
To me something is simple at once it was not pleasant, somehow unnaturally all seemed, letters foolish, at all it is not pleasant to me when muzhiks complain, especially to women, especially which hardly know! I have simply typed its name in Yahoo - and there at once references to all this delirium send....!!!!
******the letters that she found me charming in now turn her off*****

Malenkaya Kriska
I didn’t like him, neither a photo, nor a structure, therefore I did not begin to waste time on translation of the letter.
*** Note I paid the agency to translate the letter but they gave it to her untranslated***

lunadeplata
ОФИГЕТЬ!!! And IT still touches!!!!! Reports тупорылые writes. Memoirs of the is sexual-anxious vegetable. It as it is necessary to poor maidens to want to America that in 20 years to peck on the 45-years muzhik.... As they say, there would be a demand, there will be also an offer.

nadezhda31
Girls here has still found this ugly creature forums
http: // www.rwprimer.com/forum14/381.html
http: // www.russianwomendiscussion.com/Foru... =profile; u=2056
There the whole party of such maniacs seems! Can and from other friends someone will find! It should be useful!
*******they are singing our praises*****NOT****

AlisaSelezneva
Here in fact сука!!!! Would go on адалт sites-so нет-to it it is necessary a brain preliminary потрахать. For eggs and in a museum of such friends.
And how many should be at this ugly creature of a free time what write such постищи????
******more compliments on the forum***NYET!***

This is where I started responding.

And I will stop in case this is not allowed to continue, I don’t want to waste extra time.
Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Rvrwind on April 16, 2007, 10:01:36 PM
Yes Bill, the immaturity of these women is totally amazing.
All she had to do was send you an email & ask you to remove the offending picture, that in my opinion wasn't offensive anyway, & knowing you I know you would have removed it post haste.
By her starting this firestorm she has shown her true character. You should be gratefull in retrospect that you did choose not to continue your relationship with this woman, & I use the term 'woman' rather losely!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Kvinna on April 16, 2007, 11:55:36 PM
Yes all the offending photos have been removed from all the sites.

Bill

and your photo have been removed immediately from Board of Shame you didn't see it it is only your problem
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wxman on April 17, 2007, 01:19:39 AM
I sense a big hug coming!   :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: WmGO on April 17, 2007, 09:56:35 AM
abc deleted to avoid confusion from my manic moment.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2007, 01:11:04 PM
and your photo have been removed immediately from Board of Shame you didn't see it it is only your problem

Yes you kept your promise I agree. But my profile with Elena's models and other agencies with my photos, email etc is still linked to your site

I never linked to the ladies agency profiles or listed their private email and I think it is wrong that you do this to me.


Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 17, 2007, 01:24:37 PM
Yes you kept your promise I agree. But my profile with Elena's models and other agencies with my photos, email etc is still linked to your site


Do I detect a little whine with the cheese?  :ROFL:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2007, 01:38:26 PM
BC, you don't have a 18+ page diatribe spouting lies about you, with your first and last name, the city you live in, your email address and photos of you. You would blow your stack I am sure. Then if I told you that you were whining..............

Take care,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jet on April 17, 2007, 09:09:29 PM
BC, you don't have a 18+ page diatribe spouting lies about you, with your first and last name, the city you live in, your email address and photos of you.

You are correct he does not. Have you stopped to consider the fact that there's probably a very good reason for that?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 17, 2007, 09:14:30 PM
Ah Jet maybe grasshopper has learned his leason & hopefully others :cheesygrin:



LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2007, 10:51:50 PM
You are correct he does not. Have you stopped to consider the fact that there's probably a very good reason for that?


Jet, yes I know I did something wrong (posting photos of ladies with their eyes covered up).

I admit it.

and BC didn't do this at all.

I understand that.

The antidate website could do some good. Or they could lose their effectiveness by
targeting people who made little mistakes and compare them to people who are
bad people. Like married men who meet RW, or men who make women pregnant and
disappear, or who pass on STDs, or a hundred other bad things.

But by putting me in the same mix as these bad men is like comparing rapists with jaywalkers.
Jaywalkers can be a pain in the ass! they can disrupt traffic or possibly cause an accident.
But rapists screw up peoples lives usually forever.

Saying I am whining about it isn't right, for three reasons. First I shouldn't be considered in the same breath as
those people and second they use any and all posts here to validate themselves, and third because they
could be using their 18+ pages of energy and effort to expose a REAL sex tourist or a real bad person.

I respect both of you. Jet and BC. I have read a ton of your posts and learned from them.

take care,

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 17, 2007, 11:10:45 PM
BC, you don't have a 18+ page diatribe spouting lies about you, with your first and last name, the city you live in, your email address and photos of you. You would blow your stack I am sure. Then if I told you that you were whining..............

Take care,

Bill


Bill,

I think Jet summed it up pretty well.

Whether those 18 pages are lies or whatever is irrelevant at this point.  The fact that your personal information information is present seems to be the major concern and I think we can agree that there is only one ultimate source for this information.

Consider this.. Would you have posted your profile, picture and such on your local K-mart bulletin board? - I think not.. even if you had it would likely not have the wide audience as it does on the net which is paramount to posting it in every shop, billboard and telephone pole in every city on earth.  It is bound to be noticed and used for whatever reasons just or not.

I think we should look at another angle also.. you entrusted your information to an agency to release your information for a particular purpose.. what were the conditions of that trust relationship?  What conditions or terms of agreement applied to both you as poster and viewers allowed to see your profile?  Were there any violations of these terms or possible copyright infringements involved?

If one of your objections is that your profile is being cross linked to other sites the solution to this is a 'no brainer'..



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 18, 2007, 06:18:22 AM
Quote
If one of your objections is that your profile is being cross linked to other sites the solution to this is a 'no brainer'..

Help me BC, because I am not sure what you mean. 

When first corresponding with women, one's profile is available to them if writing through an agency.  Also, we justifiably feel the necessity to know a RW's name, address, telephone number, etc. (one of the 10 commandments), as they should obtain from us before agreeing to meet.

Are you talking about the T/R?  Two choices:

1,  One could take the approach of Albert and give no photos, names, etc. yet report how to give a woman an orgasm while riding the Metro.

2.  Or one could try and share the joy of meeting these wonderful RW, and use photos to tell the story.

Which of these is aligned with the goals of RWD's target audience?

Which gives a better impression of RW, RWD, the poster?

And if Anti-date continues their unjustified harassment campaign, which of the two types of reports will become prevalent?

I feel that if T/Rs required a photo of the poster, he would not describe events that were harmful to the image of RW.  Just a thought and something the "guidelines for conduct of men" may or may not address.

Bill attempted the second type of report and made some mistakes.  In his analogy, he did jaywalk.  It deserves a warning, but it is not a felony.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jb on April 18, 2007, 06:22:53 AM
I fear that complicating this T/R section with a lot of rules that stretch beyond what we consider "common sense", will result in T/Rs which look like the following:

"I just returned from xxxx, I spent two weeks with XXXXX, and had a great time".  EOS.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 18, 2007, 06:39:51 AM
If that is the effect, then the rules are bad.  And if there are many rules, that is particularly bad (I also cherish my civil liberties as you do). 

Perhaps you are right, an adult should know what to do.  Yet, some adults with good intentions do not know waht to do.  We see that frequently with men being scammed, making bad choices, etc. 

Anyway, what type of T/Rs will be written if someone fears misinterpretation by the heavy handed members of Anti-Date?

T/Rs add a lot to RWD, can be the most interesting reading, and offer the best opportunities to learn.

You and I both recall the T/Rs from 5 years ago.  I remember few photos.  AJ's wedding perhaps but that was not a T/R and what a beautiful couple.  Yet most stories were tasteful and not demeaning of RW.  And we did not need  Anti-Date to make us behave properly.



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: groovlstk on April 18, 2007, 06:44:26 AM
My TR days are thankfully over, but if I were still in the field after witnessing what happened here I'd keep my experiences to myself and maybe a few trusted friends.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on April 18, 2007, 06:51:01 AM
Exactly!  And Groovie you are not alone.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on April 18, 2007, 07:39:37 AM

Quote
If one of your objections is that your profile is being cross linked to other sites the solution to this is a 'no brainer'..
Help me BC, because I am not sure what you mean. 


Gator,

Here I was addressing that men and women listing their profiles should be able to control them.  We have often heard of women having difficulties removing their profiles and men will probably experience similar difficulties.  It's up to the men and women signing up to such services to read and understand and even question what their agreement is with the service provider.  There are technical ways to prevent profile copying and cross linking, maybe not foolproof but still will deter the average user.  I would only use a service that could provide reasonable assurances that my information is somewhat protected from 'leeching' and guarantees to remove it when requested.

Technology is changing so quickly it is difficult for many to assess the future impact of their actions.

Quote

Are you talking about the T/R?  Two choices:

1,  One could take the approach of Albert and give no photos, names, etc. yet report how to give a woman an orgasm while riding the Metro.

2.  Or one could try and share the joy of meeting these wonderful RW, and use photos to tell the story.

Which of these is aligned with the goals of RWD's target audience?

Which gives a better impression of RW, RWD, the poster?


Of course Nr. 2 is preferrable although even Albert's posts do establish the fact that visuals are not needed.  His depictions were quite detailed enough to get 'the picture'.  I have enjoyed many a TR without a single picture or name.

If pictures or other information is included in a TR that can identify the third party involved, then my feeling is that this person should also agree..  probably the only rule really needed.

Yes a 'witchhunt' is an overboard reaction but it does bring aspects of this venture to light we haven't really taken seriously or fully discussed before..  Now with the 'tables turned' the spotlight is on the men involved.  Lets learn from all this.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on April 18, 2007, 09:16:13 AM
My TR days are thankfully over, but if I were still in the field after witnessing what happened here I'd keep my experiences to myself and maybe a few trusted friends.

I fear that complicating this T/R section with a lot of rules that stretch beyond what we consider "common sense", will result in T/Rs which look like the following:

"I just returned from xxxx, I spent two weeks with XXXXX, and had a great time".  EOS.

Help me BC, because I am not sure what you mean. 

When first corresponding with women, one's profile is available to them if writing through an agency.  Also, we justifiably feel the necessity to know a RW's name, address, telephone number, etc. (one of the 10 commandments), as they should obtain from us before agreeing to meet.

Are you talking about the T/R?  Two choices:

1,  One could take the approach of Albert and give no photos, names, etc. yet report how to give a woman an orgasm while riding the Metro.

2.  Or one could try and share the joy of meeting these wonderful RW, and use photos to tell the story.

Which of these is aligned with the goals of RWD's target audience?

Which gives a better impression of RW, RWD, the poster?

And if Anti-date continues their unjustified harassment campaign, which of the two types of reports will become prevalent?

I feel that if T/Rs required a photo of the poster, he would not describe events that were harmful to the image of RW.  Just a thought and something the "guidelines for conduct of men" may or may not address.

Bill attempted the second type of report and made some mistakes.  In his analogy, he did jaywalk.  It deserves a warning, but it is not a felony.

Insofar as the pilfering of material from RWD for purposes of ridicule elsewhere, there *ARE* some possibile solutions which will substantially reduce the opportunity for the pilferers to take material - even for those who are hosted outside the US and are difficult to reach with the US legal system.

Just a little time, and I will provide a solution so that guys may feel confident of their unfettered posting of relevant (and appropriate) materials at RWD without fear of ridicule from other sites.

- Dan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bruno on April 18, 2007, 10:10:43 AM
Insofar as the pilfering of material from RWD for purposes of ridicule elsewhere, there *ARE* some possibile solutions which will substantially reduce the opportunity for the pilferers to take material - even for those who are hosted outside the US and are difficult to reach with the US legal system.

Just a little time, and I will provide a solution so that guys may feel confident of their unfettered posting of relevant (and appropriate) materials at RWD without fear of ridicule from other sites.

- Dan

Curious to see it... since so much tool exist for leech content, same protected...

For Firefox user, a single plug in called "DownThemAll"... for a full site, HTTPTrack, a few minute for a mirror...

OK Dan, try to make RWD bullet proof... and i will test it... if problem find, i will PM you... i hope with a solution...

Actually, Real Media can give a enough good protection... when people use Windows... ActiveX function too but a lot of people stop them since they are used for trojan... Linux and Mac have no ActiveX function...

But if you have a good access to your server, you can make a routine that any outside domain call send to the home page of your domain... so direct link from other place will always be redirected to the home page of RWD...

More complex for the system... in place of "http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=3432.345", something like "http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?sesc=59bf6aaf9b2f44ad7dc7921ce836b796", where "59bf6aaf9b2f44ad7dc7921ce836b796" is a unique number generated, related to the page viewed, to the member loggin/password... so link will only be valid to the original member... can add a timing... after, one hour, these link is not more active...

But all this can complicate seriously your work for the setup... and make some supplemental load on your server...

In any case, good luck !
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LEGAL on April 18, 2007, 02:00:05 PM
Thank you Dan & Bruno.
Dan I would also suggest you talk to Jet he has excellent insight on this.
Please see what you can do about protecting our family photos that we post?
LEGAL
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: START2 on April 18, 2007, 05:49:35 PM
Bill,
  was just catching up here and got to thinking. It may be time to cheer up. You know the saying "good guys finish last". Well , now you be the bad guy. They always got the cutest chicks and of course women can't help themselves and will want to spend all the time they can trying to change you and make you respectable. All that holds true in the FSU too. Ok, I know this appears to be a serious situation, but all the hype has only led to more infamy for you. I think when the thread dies here, it dies there.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 18, 2007, 06:23:55 PM
Bill,
  was just catching up here and got to thinking. It may be time to cheer up. You know the saying "good guys finish last". Well , now you be the bad guy. They always got the cutest chicks and of course women can't help themselves and will want to spend all the time they can trying to change you and make you respectable. All that holds true in the FSU too. Ok, I know this appears to be a serious situation, but all the hype has only led to more infamy for you. I think when the thread dies here, it dies there.

Hey thanks,

I have stopped worrying about them and stopped arguing with them.

take care,

Bill
Title: My first trip to the FSU was to Odessa
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 01:53:59 PM
Some years ago (9 or 10), I was recently divorced and had always seen these
advertisements in my email about HOT Russian women who would marry a guy
and they would live happily ever after !!!

So I decided to research the subject and after quite a bit of eye popping photos I
found a long forgotten forum. I started reading and reading and reading. I learned
quite a bit (I thought) and read all kinds of trip reports about how all these guys
would go off and horribly fail or find true love or something in between.

I figured that I could do as well as those guys and back then the long forgotten
forum had these advertisements on the side and I figured if they advertised there
then they must be good. (WRONG)

So I signed up for Elenas Models, A Pretty Woman and Russian Love Match (RLM). 
I got a couple digital photos, slapped together a profile and I was off and running.
I put together an introduction letter and wrote a bunch of hotties. I also received
letters from a bunch as well.

That's when I learned about video chat on RLM. I started chatting with several girls
and after some sifting I decided to visit Odessa and meet a 28 year old single parent
named Natalia.

Stirlitz was a regular poster at a long forgotten forum and I had heard good things
about him so I hired him to be my guide. I had traveled to Western Europe, England
and several times to Italy but this would be my first trip behind the Iron Curtain.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures042.jpg)

Natalia didn't know English and Stirlitz would translate, arrange transportation, a cell
phone, apartment etc.

It was a miserable trip. I forget all the details, I flew first to Amsterdam
(I think) then on to Kiev. On the plane they give you a little scrap of paper
which looks like newspaper which you fill out the exact same information at
the top and at the bottom.

When I arrived in Kiev I walked up to passport control and gave them my
passport and the little scrap of paper and then the man asked me where I
was staying. I didn't know so I said "I don't know"

He told me to go back to America and come back when I know where I am
staying.  :rolleyes2:

Title: Odessa many many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 01:55:30 PM
I made arrangements but I didn't know that I would have to tell
anyone about them, nobody ever asked me that before.  I had Stirlitz to pick
me up when I arrive in Odessa and take me there so why would I need to know?   

Lesson One: carry the address where you are staying with you

So I used one of my standard tactics that rarely fails. I did my Big Dumb American
impression and just stood there looking dumb and not saying a word. If I can't out
smart them I can always out dumb them and after a seemingly long time. The guy
got disgusted and bam bam bam my passport was stamped. He cut the little scrap
of newpaper in half and gave me half of it.

Lesson Two: DON"T LOSE that little scrap of paper !!!!!

I got off the plane and met Pavel. He was a friendly face and gathered up me and my
belongings and had my ticket from Kiev to Odessa (and back). I had a few hour layover
so he took me to a little restaurant and I ate a bowl of bright red borscht with a lump of
white sour cream in the middle of it. I had never tried borscht frankly it didn't sound all
that appetizing to me, but when in Rome .... ... .. .  I Loved it !!! I LOVED IT !!

The international terminal is different than the domestic terminal. you go out of a door
and down some stairs and it's around the corner. Pavel got me in the right line and he
left for parts unknown.  I remember getting into a plane that Amelia Earhart wouldn't
fly because it was too old. The cabin lights sometimes went out, very strange sounds
would just happen and the seats were made for midgets.

The idiot in front of me was drunk and was so animated in his talking and
arm waving bouncing all over the place causing the seat to dig into my legs.
Not wanting to be an ugly American, I just grinned and finally we arrived
without crashing everyone except me clapped and cheered the pilots bravery
and we deplaned.

I would have kissed the ground if there were not smelly puddles of stuff on
the ground and I didn't really want to offend anyone especially the guys who 
were carrying automatic weapons and expressions that made me think that
they wouldn't get the joke.
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 01:57:20 PM
Alive and on the ground !!!

I gather my bag and find Stirlitz or he finds me rather. Nobody has problems
finding me in a crowded room ever.

So he takes me to a place to exchange some dollars into grivna. Then we meet 
a very cute lady who rents me the apartment. We go to the nearby market and
buy water, toilet paper, food, tea and other various assorted stuff.

Stirlitz hands me a cell phone (he rents them out) and then we go to a gal in a kiosk
and buy a card with minutes on it. He shows me a few tricks on using it and we decide
to meet the next day since I am not meeting Natalia until tomorrow evening. I planned
this so that I could recover from the flight.

I hit the sack and fall asleep like the dead.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures021.jpg)

Sometime I think 4:00 am local time I wake up. My kidneys are about to burst for some
reason I have to go to the toilet NOW. It is zero light pitch black absolute zero light.

I fumble around and can't find the switch or any switch. I get turned around and start
bumping into things hoping that my bladder will not fail me now. I find eventually find a
light then the toilet no messes were made. I promised myself from that day forward
that I would have a better plan.

I went back to sleep, then awaken suddenly and look around. I can't freaking believe
it. I got on a plane to fly half way around the world to meet a girl !!!
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:01:22 PM
Apartments in Odessa are different than the USA. A studio apartment is
called a one room apartment. A one bedroom apartment is called a two
room apartment. I rented a "two room" apartment.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures022.jpg)

I wake up for good. Shower and shave and walk around Odessa.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures023.jpg)

I get lost relatively easily so I snap a photo or two anytime I take a turn
that way I can thumb through the photos and find my way back. Also
after my experience with passport control I carry my address with me so
that I can ask a stranger how to get back.

A couple weeks before my trip I had ordered Learn Ukrainian by Pimsleur but
was told that everyone speaks Russian in Odessa so I ordered a Russian one 
that had not arrived.

I bought a $10 set of russian CDs that promised I would learn Russian in only a
couple of days  :chuckle:   :laugh:   ;D   :chuckle:   :laugh:   :nod:   :laugh:
I probably did learn 20 words but had not quite yet mastered the entire language
by the time I arrived. I also didn't know how to read Cyrillic either. So I walked
around Odessa with a headset on learning a Russian word here and there.

Lesson three: Learning Russian is hard !!!

(http://i.imgflip.com/j28s2.jpg)
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:04:45 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures025.jpg)

The night finally arrived, I was going to wear a shirt and tie with
a sports coat (I read somewhere that I should) and the lights go
out.

Lesson four: Always have a flashlight in the FSU !!

I found my flashlight and did the last of my getting handsome and
ready preparations with a flashlight.

We go to Max's  which is a restaurant near the Opera house to meet
Natalia and the agency translator. The agency had wanted to provide all
kinds of services, translation, airport pickup, flowers, apartment and other
things but I wanted them out of the picture because I have read repeatedly
that you should get the agency out of the way as soon as possible.

I met her she seemed stiff and nervous. I kissed her cheek and we sat down
and had dinner. Honestly it felt off to me. I have dated enough and as a salesman
I am pretty good at sizing up and judging people (at least I think I am). 

Dinner came and we dropped her off at her apartment I gave her a kiss on the cheek
we made arrangements to meet the next day, then Stirlitz and I left.

Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:08:39 PM
The next day we collect Natalia and her daughter and walk all over Odessa.

Her daughter was 8 years old funny and bouncing around everywhere. She
was an amazing gymnast and as a father of three boys and no girls I fell in
love with the little girl and she seemed to think I was pretty cool too.

The days go by we are getting along great, the conversation is good she
seems interested and interesting. The daughter is fun and I am really enjoying
her. But at the end of the day all I am getting is the cheek.

Note this photo is from 9+ years ago so I don't think anyone will recognize them
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures018.jpg)

Stirlitz wants me to go to another agency and see a few more women to give
me perspective while Natalia is at work. She is working only half days since I am
there to see her.

I half heartedly go to an agency. I look through the girls but I really don't make any
arrangements. I should have but I didn't.
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:09:54 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures041.jpg)

The days are going by and I have read a hundred times "if a FSUW is into you then
you will know it!" this girl wasn't into me. I kept ignoring Stirlitz and I shouldn't have,
but I did. I had made up a list of things I wanted in a woman and showed them to
Natalia, I forget what they were but sexual passion was on the list.

I went through the other things first, blah blah blah and she agreed that she had those
things and I did too. Then we came upon the passion item, and I said that you are not
this at all. You are as cold as a fish or you don't like me.

She assured me she liked me and that she just didn't hop into bed with every guy that
she meets. 

Everybody should realize that Stirlitz is translating this and I am ignoring him and so is
she. He was a very good invisible translator. OK back to the story.

Me: "hop into bed?" I haven't even got a kiss on the lips.
Her: I have lipstick on you will wreck it?
Me: That's the lousiest excuse I ever heard besides sometimes you
need to wreck your lipstick or are you a cold fish?

Her: I am NOT a cold fish, I am just making sure.
Me: You don't hold hands, or sit next to me or lean against me
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Her: If I decide to .............then you will have your hands full and
won't be able to handle all of me and all I want.
Me: we will see about that.
Her: Yes we will

So off we go to eat lunch and after lunch Natalia informs Stirlitz that
he needs to take the little girl "V" for a walk so that she can F#ck my
eyes out.

more to follow
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:12:30 PM
Hours later, and nearly blind (eyes having been almost f#cked out)
and Stirlitz calls to see if I was going to come up for air any time soon. I
reluctantly replied that yes I would be coming up for air soon and that I would
call him back.

He had taken "V" to a museum, and to a bookstore to buy a book and
various other places

Natalia and I get dressed and Sterlitz and V arrive and V informs us that she
is putting on a gymnastic show and that we should watch the performance. 

I cut up some cheese, sausage, arranged some crackers along with grapes and
apple wedges poured some juice and we sit down to watch the show.

So "V" does her little gymnastic show, and I try to convince Natalia
to spend the night. She has gone cold and no under no circumstances
will she spend the night and we are back to kisses on the cheek. You
might argue that hey not in front of her daughter, but it was more than
that she was suddenly cold.

So I take her home with plans for the next day. She is to arrive at approximately
3:00 pm.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures054.jpg)

I have most of the day (my last day because I leave tomorrow) to think about
hot / cold Natalia, there is a internet cafe a 100 meters from my flat and I go
there check email and now I am starting to think that I should have listened to
Stirlitz and maybe meet another woman or two, but I don't.

The weather is drizzling all day, the power goes out, 3:00 pm rolls around and no
Natalia, then 3:30 then 3:45 pm. Sometime after 4:00 she knocks on the door
of the flat I open it and she looks pissed. 

Natalia "are you ready?"
Bill         I don't say anything because I don't understand the question.
So she says again as I am helping her out of her coat
Natalia    "are you ready?" 
Bill            "For What?"

Natalia     "For what you did !!! "
Bill            "What I did?"

Natalia        "first get me hot tea to drink!!"
Bill            rolls eyes and walks into kitchen wondering to self WTF?
                   I put water in the kettle to make tea

Natalia            "It was raining and cold and I had to walk up the stairs in the pitch black"
Stirlitz grumbles " Bill I should have recommended this, a gentleman should walk the
                           girl up the stairs especially when the power is out."   

Natalia         "that's not all !!! " I was in chat at the agency with a guy and he says
                   "blah, blah, blah, blah about you !!!"

I stand up and walk over to Natalia. Honestly I didn't do this to scare her, it just
happens when I jump up and walk over to people quickly. I am a foot taller (31 cm)
and 130 pounds (59KG) heavier (more than double her weight) and her eyes got as
big as saucers and I obviously was scaring her which is not what I wanted to do.

Bill           "sit down"
Natalia      sits
Bill            sits
Bill       "Let me get this straight"
           "You wanted me to stand outside in the rain for over an hour"
           "while you chatted with some other man at the agency?"
           "this guy that I have never met or talked to and blah blah blah?"
Natalia   "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah !!!!
Natalia   "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah !!!!
Natalia   "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah !!!!
Natalia   "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah !!!!
Natalia   "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah !!!!

Bill       I have had enough and I get Natalia's coat
Bill        "Your leaving, Igor (Stirlitz) will take you home"
Natalia  surprised expression               
Stirlitz   "Bill you should walk her home"

So I walk Natalia home with Stirlitz and I go back to my apartment, I am
leaving the next day.
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:14:46 PM
Stirlitz calls a while later and says that Natalia doesn't want you to leave like
this. She wants to see you again before you go.

Bill         "I don't know, the whole hot cold thing is kind of strange."
Stirlitz    "You have to call her on the phone and ask her to come by at 11:00pm
Bill         " I don't know Russian well enough to do that"
Stirlitz    "You still have to do it, she knows what you are going to ask then she
               will come to your apartment at 11:00pm "

Bill          "Do you really want to be here at 11:00pm?"
Stirlitz     "no, she wants to have sex with you"

[Note to all] I am just a guy. It's 9:00 pm on my last day and a hot woman wants
to have sex with me. I am not a saint or a priest or an oak tree and I had flown
halfway around the world to meet this girl and my head was spinning because all
the blood left my brain and filled the head below my shoulders not above it. Besides
HER POPKA WAS SOOOOOOOOOO CUTE !!!! I admit my brain wasn't working. 

Back to the story
So I called Natalia, and she says some stuff in Russian. She showed up at 11:00 pm on
the dot and she was fun, fun, fun, fun. It wasn't just the sex which was great but we
laughed. I created a game where she would point the flashlight on a body part and if
I said the right word in Russian then I was rewarded with kisses.

I have an ectaco translator, and we sat naked on the bed passing it back and forth
having a great time. Neither of us slept even for a minute.

Stay tuned more to come ...  . .. . .. . . .
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:17:16 PM
So, some time around 5:00 am we were rolling around and having fun, Natalia
tells me that she has to go back to her flat, since "V" is there sleeping alone she
tells me several times on the the translator.

(http://emoticonhq.com/images/ICQ/surprised.jpg) (http://emoticonhq.com/images/ICQ/surprised.jpg)

WHAT?

I had never considered that she left her daughter alone, what if she woke up scared?
So she calls a taxi, I ride with her the and drop her off and pay for the taxi and ride
back. She has to get V read for school and she has to work for a few hours and will
meet me at noon for lunch, then I will fly to Kiev and spend the night then retrace
my steps back to San Francisco. 

I am really sleepy so I hit the sack for a couple of hours, shower, shave and pack. I
bought a few food items that I didn't use and I gave them to Stirlitz. I had bought a
"real knife" for cutting and cooking and I packed a box of stuff for Natalia. I brought
a couple of gifts like picture books of California and the bay area that we looked
through while I told her anecdotes about them.   

They have two semi famous a chocolate factories in San Francisco. Ghirardelli's and
Sees, so I had given her chocolate.

I meet Natalia again at the place we have lunch every day and cold fish Natalia is back
the fun spunky girl is gone. I am kind of in a daze myself having spent the entire night
in carnal pleasure. It was clouding my brain, I tried to talk to her about the future, but
she was non committal, I convinced her to accept English language lessons that I would
pay for. She wanted me to pay for group lessons through the agency but I wanted her
to have one on one instruction because she had been in group English lessons (paid for
by some other guy) and couldn't speak a word of English.

When it was time to leave, I got the cheek. I was frustrated but made excuses for her
Sybil like personality in my mind. It's easy to justify, maybe she was tired, maybe it's
the culture, blah blah blah. I was definitely putting her on a pedestal that she didn't
belong on and she got there only because she was hot and rolled me well in the hay. 

OK, I never told anyone this including Stirlitz. 

When I was taking Natalia home in the taxi, we were passing the translator back and
forth. She told me she desperately needed $200.00. It was insignificant to me at the
time, I thought we would probably be married some day. It was easy to justify it in my
head, she had taken significant time off work to be with me and this would help her out
so I did it.

I fly back to Kiev, Pavel has an apartment for me. He does the pickup from the airport,
fills me up with another fantastic bowl of borscht, drops me off at the apartment and I
sleep like I am dead........

I wake up to a pounding on the door like the police were coming to get me. It was
Pavel and he had been there for quite a while alternating between the phone and the
door. I answer the phone first in case he is calling to warn me not to open the door. 

He drops me off at the airport, I go through passport control and can't find the little
scrap of newspaper that I had written on 10 days ago  :o  The passport control lady
was friendly right up to the point that I told her I couldn't find it. Then she looked at
me like I had been caught trying to smuggle C-4 and radio controlled timers in my bag.

She looked through my passport, and the scrap of paper was stuck between two
pages and it plopped out on her desk and all was well again as the C-4 turned out
to be caviar that I had bought near the Black Sea.

I fly the grueling trip back to SFO and sleep like I am dead.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures040.jpg)

I bought tickets to go back to Kiev (the Odessa ticket is bought separately back then)
for Christmas so I can see her again.

I had paid for a month of language instruction and it was time to pay for another month.
That's when Natalia came up with her bold plan. . . . . . . . .
Title: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 13, 2015, 02:21:43 PM
Her Bold plan was a creative scam

Natalia came up with a creative way to scam me.

First however, let me tell you the contact between us was strange. She would
write 2 line letters and was totally cold. My pimsleur Russian had arrived and I was
working on it diligently. I was sure that she was chatting with others at RLM and I
was barely part of the mix. I was having more trouble making excuses for her now.
I had told her that I had bought tickets to see her again. She had a million reasons
why I couldn't come. 

Then she came up with the scam.

She had taken nearly a month of language instruction and it was time to pay for more.
She had told Stirlitz that she didn't want to learn English and surely didn't want to meet
me again. However she did want half of the money that I would pay him for her language
instruction.  (http://smileyshack.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/s_shocked-18.gif?w=33&h=33)

If he didn't give her half she would tell me that he never gave her the previous month
of instruction and since she had f#cked me I would be putty and I would believe her
and not him (http://thumb9.shutterstock.com/thumb_small/1248838/228242536/stock-vector-emoticon-smiley-coughing-228242536.jpg) 

I had been ignoring all the red flags and now it bit me in the ass.
I knew something was hinky, I kept making justifications in my head. 
I had a ticket to Kiev leaving in a week or so and nobody to visit. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on April 13, 2015, 05:25:14 PM
TooTall

One of the best recollection 8-9 year TRs I have ever read. Ironically enough I read this TR when you posted it on the long ago forgotten forum and remember the flashlight tip. I've probably never been to the FSU without a flashlight as a result. However, I've never used the flashlight that I can remember.  :popcorn: Carry on, this is good stuff and well worth revisiting
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: cc3 on April 13, 2015, 09:47:20 PM
I use the flashlight in my cell phone frequently in UA, by necessity.
Title: Re: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: BillyB on April 13, 2015, 10:39:48 PM
Natalia came up with a creative way to scam me.
 


Most men would enjoy a scam that begins with mind blowing sex.
Title: Re: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: pokerintherear on April 14, 2015, 05:10:16 AM

Most men would enjoy a scam that begins with mind blowing sex.

This is how the most "expensive" scams, emotional or monetary,  start.  A way to set the hook deep.
Title: Re: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2015, 11:13:34 AM
This is how the most "expensive" scams, emotional or monetary,  start.  A way to set the hook deep.

Yes, that might have been her plan. She did eventually get married
to an American. God help the poor guy.

Title: So back at start for the first time in the FSU challenge
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2015, 12:09:50 PM
So I was back at square one in the FSUW challenge sweepstakes

I had already purchased tickets to Kiev, for the day after Christmas
so I went anyway on a visit many trip. I arranged dates through
agencies, Stirlitz was my translator but many of the girl spoke
good English so I didn't need him. I paid him by the day for the
entire trip so that he was available anytime I needed him.

I was in a pizza place on New Years eve and saw the cutest little
gal. She was way too young for me, but she had a sparkle in her
eye so I asked her if she would like to spend New Years eve with
me!

She thought that would be a great idea so we had a date. Now it
was time for Stirlitz to scramble to get us into a party and he came
through with flying colors. The party had an Master of Ceremonies
who would do little sketches and announce various entertainment.

We were having a great time, then Stirlitz insisted that I go to the
front of the room to talk to the master of ceremonies. Apparently
it was a call for the unmarried men. They gave us elaborate
instructions in Russian which I didn't understand.

Apparently we were supposed to give a fake strip tease dance for the
crowd. Since they wanted me to go first, it took me a while to get going
and as a result I only got second place in the contest.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/bill%20smallstriptease_zpso53t84z7.jpg)

Yes, you've seen it here folks 2tallbill in a bonnet and a tutu dancing.

The second prize performance of the annual all male review and dance
competition. We were judge by the applause volume and although the
contest could have been rigged, it did sound like the first place guy
actually got louder applause than I did

I still haven't forgiven Stirlitz for sending me up there to begin with.

The rest of the night was fun, they had a naked girl who did a ballet
routine with a bird and singers and music and dancing. It was pretty
cool, not vulgar at all. They had good food and the little pizza girl
was fun, fun, fun. I had a blast.

more to follow
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on April 14, 2015, 03:50:14 PM
Bill, if your going to give us a great recap of your adventures.
You should have your own thread. Maybe call it,
2TB excellent adventures.:)
Title: Kiev, where's the chicken?
Post by: 2tallbill on April 14, 2015, 04:10:50 PM
Carry on, this is good stuff and well worth revisiting

Thanks, I thought I would try to put all my stuff in the same place.

Bill, if your going to give us a great recap of your adventures.
You should have your own thread. Maybe call it,
2TB excellent adventures.:)

This thread will work fine, I recommended the same name Suggestion
to one of the other guys who was writing a trip report.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: PBRstreetg on April 14, 2015, 08:17:01 PM
Bill privet-
I was just going to add quickly that a mini mag light or LED light has been invaluable on every trip I've taken too. The first night of first trip within a half hour at the hotel the power went out for over an hour.
Other times there are many dark stairwells in the FSU. Unlike the US were we leave the lights on all day/night it can be quite dark there. To the point where you have to check doors sometimes at cafes etc. to know if they are open. Even banks!

Anyway that flashlight makes a good little gift on your last day for somebody.

Thanks
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anathema on April 14, 2015, 08:32:06 PM
I also always pack a little Surefire.  I've never had to use it but I've heard the stories.
Title: Re: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: AC on April 14, 2015, 08:53:41 PM

Most men would enjoy a scam that begins with mind blowing sex.

Interesting read but I hope that your wife doesn't see it, 2tallBill.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on April 15, 2015, 01:11:46 AM
))

excellent recollection of your Odessa trip, Beel..

We didn't have cloud based photo storage and my TR photos were long since deleted as I knew it was not a good idea to keep such things around when the future RU wife was coming to try living with me.

She still managed to find a cached photo of a mini bikini clad popa that I really didn't know still existed  ;D

I can understand your 'weakness' at the time - re bedroom olympics - and such TRs are a salutory lesson.

How we/ our partners react / behave after an act of intimacy is JUST as important as the before/ during....

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 15, 2015, 11:39:00 AM
excellent recollection of your Odessa trip, Beel..

I wrote about the Odessa trip a few years ago. I just hadn't posted
about it here. I thought that maybe putting all the TR's in one spot
would be helpful rather than scattered all over the internet.

The Kiev trip, I hadn't written about before so that's coming out of
the fuzzy/cobweb filled area of my brain.


We didn't have cloud based photo storage and my TR photos were long since deleted as I knew it was not a good idea to keep such things around when the future RU wife was coming to try living with me.

She still managed to find a cached photo of a mini bikini clad popa that I really didn't know still existed  ;D

I deleted all the photos off my hard drive quite some time ago. Unless the photo
of the bikini clad poppa belongs to your Sister, Daughter or Mother the photo must go!



I can understand your 'weakness' at the time - re bedroom olympics - and such TRs are a salutory lesson.

How we/ our partners react / behave after an act of intimacy is JUST as important as the before/ during....

I knew that I was ignoring the little voice in my head, it was talking to
me telling me things weren't ok. I knew it, I was just ignoring it.

After every trip to the FSU I spent quite a bit of time both analyzing
what I did right, what I did wrong and how to improve next time.
The only way to do that was to be brutally honest with myself. I think
the most important thing that I learned in all searching and travels
was learned in this first trip was

To break it off and move on. Sure you might have a lot of\
emotions, desires, efforts and hope tied up in this one girl, but
if it's not there today, it's not going to be there tomorrow. You are
just wasting the time that you could be spending finding your true
love.

Don't waste another minute with little Miss cold heart Hot Nogi/popka

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: AC on April 15, 2015, 11:43:42 AM

Don't waste another minute with little Miss cold heart Hot popka


 :shock:   

Title: Second trip to Kiev
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2015, 09:30:50 AM
Recap: I traveled first to Odessa in November, then to Kiev for New Years and this trip was
made in February.

This trip was to be a Meet many trip. I cultivated several contacts from various agencies
Anna was a gorgeous girl from her photos but when I met her in person she admitted that
her photos were nearly 10 years old and at least 30 pounds lighter.

I met a girl for dinner then when she was leaving she asked me for taxi money and tried
to tell me it would cost $30 to get where she was going. I knew it was way too high but
handed over the money and crossed her off the list.

Elena looked amazing and we had several dates before she asked me to buy her an $800
coat. I laughed and told her that she hadn't even kissed me yet. I was promised a kiss
(only $800  :D ) but she got kicked to the curb. I met another Elena who I thought was
an excellent candidate and she was very funny had married an Australian man but he
died and she returned to Kiev. She broke it off with me (Bill got kicked to the curb  :o ).

Pavel* , picked me up at the airport and did some translating for me but for the most
part I went around on my own setting up meetings from an internet cafe. I was easily
able to set up several meetings but for the most part I wasn't finding the type of girl
that would qualify for the future Mrs 2tallbill.

I wasn't going to settle so I went home quite a bit more experienced and confidant that
I was going to eventually find the girl for me.

I went home and started writing more girls, I decided to meet a girl from St Pete
and this trip report was the result of that adventure. I had the bug. 

* http://www.ukraine-travel-advisor.com/kiev-interpreter.html
Title: Contacts in Ukraine
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2015, 10:54:34 AM
During my first and second trip to Ukraine I utilized the services of Igor Kalinin
who has been a member here at the forum avatar name Stierlitz.

You can find Stierlitz from his website here http://www.igorkalinin.com/index.en.html
I highly recommend his services and he is what I call the invisible translator. I would
look at the girl and say something and he would translate it. He was very adept at
keeping up with even quick conversations. He also is helpful for finding a flat, transporting
to and from the airport. He will give you advice (I unwisely ignored some of it during
my trip to Odessa)

Steirlitz by the way is Russia's James Bond a suave and brilliant spy who foils all kinds of various plots by the WWII Nazi's.  In playful moments I call Mrs 2tallbill , Ms Stirlitz and
find it necessary to search her for secrets and contraband  ;D 

In my third trip I went to Kiev and used Pavel for finding a flat, translation and some
transport. Pavel is a great guy and has a smorgasbord of anecdotes and sayings.
I highly recommend Pavel as well. You can find Pavel at his website here

http://www.ukraine-travel-advisor.com/kiev-interpreter.html

Title: Romance in Lugansk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 18, 2015, 11:30:02 AM
This story you can only read here. I haven't written about this elsewhere.

I was back in the USA and still using Russian Love Match* which is a typical pay per view
pay to chat, write letters agency. I met a cute girl who was way too young for me. This is still
before my St Pete trip so I think I was 24 and she was going to have a birthday in September
so I arranged to meet her a couple days before her birthday. I was 44 and she would turn 25
so 19 year difference.

She had broken several agency rules and got me her phone number and contact information.
She was also a translator and teacher of English and she was soooooooooooooo cute. She was
also very funny and could make me laugh, she liked my humor as well.

I don't sleep on airplanes well at all, I've even taken Ambien before and it just makes me
super tired and miserable. So I usually arrive looking like a zombie. However when I arrived
in Kiev I had something like a 6 hour layover, so I had Pavel pick me up and take me to his
flat. I showered, shaved and hit his couch for a couple hours then a bowl of his wife's borscht
and I was a new man instead of a zombie.

I arrived in Lugansk, collected my bag and looked around. It was sunny outside and then
I saw Yuliana get out of a cab that she arranged for us. She seemed very shy when she walked
up to me so I picked her up and spun around a couple times. She squealed, I smooched her
and off we go in the cab.

We walked the streets of Lugansk, hand in hand. I would ask her if she wanted something to
drink and she always said no. NOTE to newbies an FSUW will often say no because they
don't want to take advantage of your generosity. Many Russians will offer you the shirt off their
back but you are supposed to say no as well. Because she said no, I said "I am thirsty and it's
warm outside,  I will buy two waters/juice/whatever in case you get thirsty later." She was
always happy that I bought her something to drink anyway. 

We had a fantastic time and really hit it off. She was every bit as sweet, interesting and funny
as I hoped. We spent the next two weeks together and I was becoming more and more sure
that I had found the girl for me.

The two weeks were over before you know it and I had to get on a plane and go home. She
went with me to the airport and there were huge crocodile tears streaming down her face.
This was a first for me. When I went to Odessa, I met with a hot/cold girl (mostly cold). On
my visit many trips to Kiev, I never found a girl who I hit it off with, but now I had and I
didn't want to get on a plane and leave this girl behind.

I arrived back in the SF Bay Area where I lived back then and called her. She said she missed
me and we spoke about when we could meet again.

Then she fell off the map and disappeared. I got Pavel to track her down and he came back
with her story. She was light headed and fell down on the bus, her phone was broken in the
fall and she was taken to the hospital for a transfusion, she told her daughter about me and
her daughter told her exhusband and he threatened her. Blah, blah, blah we can't be together,
yada, yada, yada she is afraid of her exhusband who could hurt her and so on it went.

The story doesn't matter, it was time to move on. Yes, I really liked her but once the stories
and the excuses start flying it's time to pull up stakes and move on.

So, I started writing letters and December came along and I was headed to St Pete which is
where this trip report actually started.

I only hope that newbies can read these trip reports and glean something from them.

Udachi!


Bill


*NOTE: I don't recommend using pay by the letter or pay to chat agencies. I would avoid them.
There is too much temptation for the local agencies to write letters on behalf of the ladies and
other shenanigans. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: AC on April 18, 2015, 05:45:24 PM
Bill, I get the feeling with this last one that she actually decided to get back with her husband.  No matter, as you said too many excuses and it was time to move on.  Thanks for having the courage to share all of this stuff.
Title: Re: Romance in Lugansk
Post by: alex330 on April 18, 2015, 06:01:00 PM
We walked the streets of Lugansk, hand in hand. I would ask her if she wanted something to
drink and she always said no. NOTE to newbies an FSUW will often say no because they
don't want to take advantage of your generosity. 

My thoughts on this from a trip to Ukraine and learning the hard way. As a gentleman you should want to do something for the woman and just go ahead and do so rather than ask her if she would like x,y,z.
Title: No doesn't always mean no
Post by: 2tallbill on April 19, 2015, 10:02:47 AM
My thoughts on this from a trip to Ukraine and learning the hard way. As a gentleman you should want to do something for the woman and just go ahead and do so rather than ask her if she would like x,y,z.

No often does NOT mean no with an FSUW.

FSUW  can change their minds, Did you ever move furniture around for an AW? believe me FSUW can change their minds too.

No can mean "help me change my mind" it doesn't mean "make me admit I was wrong"

another example

She hasn't made up her mind yet but you wanted an answer so she says Nyet, which is the default answer to most questions if she hasn't thought about it yet. So if she says no then there is a more than fair chance that she hasn't really given it enough thought to make a decision

another example
 
You can be walking down the street and see a kiosk which sells water, drinks etc.
You ask her if she wants anything. She says no because she wants to be polite but the truth is she would like a water or a drink.

You should then say, "I am thirsty and pick two waters but before paying for the waters ask "would you like water or maybe something else?" then she says yes that she prefers the water.

Very often in the FSU people say no to be polite. You will also notice that if you say no, you will be offered the same thing again and again to make sure that you are not just saying no to be polite. I can remember at least a hundred times where an RW first said "no" to an offered drink or something and then she was absolutely delighted that I got her something anyway.

I can list a dozen other reasons why no might not mean no with RW

Before anyone gives me a bunch of femi BS about how "no means no" believe me if the answer is H-E-L-L    N-O !!! !! ! I have yet to meet an FSUW who has a problem communicating that. 
Title: Re: No doesn't always mean no
Post by: AC on April 19, 2015, 10:13:40 AM
Before anyone gives me a bunch of femi BS about how "no means no" believe me if the answer is H-E-L-L    N-O !!! !! ! I have yet to meet an FSUW who has a problem communicating that.

...
Title: Local Russian girls
Post by: 2tallbill on April 22, 2015, 06:04:50 AM
After returning from St Petersburg I dated several local Russian girls. Most after
one or two dates and I could see that they weren't for me. However, I found a girl
who lived about 3 1/2 hours away in Northern California and we started dating.

She was a sweet girl and we dated for about 6 months with me traveling up North
every weekend, occasionally I would go get her and bring her to stay with me in
the Bay Area where I lived at the time.

She had married a man and came to the USA on a K1 visa. They divorced but she
had never really gotten over him. When discussing some aspect of our future she
always wanted things to be exactly like they were with her exhusband. His name
or what he did would always come up in nearly any serious conversation we had.

Eventually I realized that she wasn't over him and hadn't moved on yet enough to
have a go with me. We talked about this extensively but in the end we broke it off.

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 23, 2015, 07:53:22 AM
I joined Lucky Lovers and wrote hundreds of girls eventually narrowing it down to
one girl from Dnepropetrovsk. I talked to my girl about writing a trip report after which
she said "but Beel, I will keel you!"

So we made a sort of compromise about what I could write about and what I couldn't.

I used my Delta skymiles to buy a round trip ticket to Kiev from San Francisco.
I have to pay about $180 for the taxes and misc stuff. I was scheduled to leave
San Francisco at 6:30 am on December 19th 2009.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/10/29/article-0-190F5EF700000578-93_306x300.jpg)

I made the 10 thousand arrangements that a single dad must make to
be at the airport at 5:00 am that morning. I was promptly stuck at the
end of a line that was about a mile long.

In a short 3 hours of waiting in line I got my turn with the haggard Delta
airlines employee who already got told how, where and when to stick his
head up his @$$ by a hundred people before me. I didn't have any new,
insightful or particularly clever ways to tell him that it sucked that the flight
was canceled and that there were no available flights today, or even
tomorrow.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/WelcomeAboard4.jpg)


So the Delta agent sent me off on Sunday evening traveling to Atlanta
and eventually getting to JFK after many hours of layovers. No they
didn't really give a crap about my non refundable Aerosvit tickets that
I would be losing, they didn't really care about anything except getting
me out of their face.

(http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e1/a7/70/e1a770361ab08d7b8cf10cf3110f6271.jpg)

I got home about noon and called Delta customer dis-service. I looked at my
ticket leaving Sunday evening and many hours of layovers and rescheduled
it to leave on Monday morning and arriving in Kiev at the same time. I also
arranged exit row seats to help my long legs survive the flights.

The Monday flight 5:00 am drop off and again I was in a huge line.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/airlines4.jpg)

I started having thoughts that I wouldn't get through however, the line started
moving and I was on my way heading back to the land of wonder.
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 24, 2015, 06:38:08 AM
My Girl found an apartment for about $27 per night
since it was in Grivnas it's hard to say exactly what
the rate is.

Like most FSU apartments it looked like a demilitarized zone
on the outside.

This is the standard Welcoming steel entry

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto009.jpg)

This is the stairway just inside the door. The smell inside the door reminds me of the
smell of a backed up urinal in a Mexican strip club (not that I've ever been in one  ;D )
It didn't smell like flowers. I used a flash on the camera otherwise it was pitch black
inside.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto028.jpg)


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on April 24, 2015, 07:17:19 AM
OMG - how 'welcoming '
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 24, 2015, 11:09:48 AM
OMG - how 'welcoming '

Yeah, it was dark and smelly. The inside wasn't bad though.

NOTE to newbies:
They call a studio apartment a one room apartment and a one bedroom
apartment a two room apartment.

This is a one room or studio apartment.
(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15482;image)

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15480;image)


The balcony which wasn't heated and it was freezing cold which worked
great for storing leftovers since the refrigerator was pretty small.
(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15484;image)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on April 24, 2015, 12:54:02 PM
Looks about right, LOL. Apartment was nice for that kind of money.
At least she wasn't trying to put you in something like that for 150 a night.
Which we have all heard of those stories.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 24, 2015, 02:17:49 PM
My apartment here in Russia is the exact same style. I don't know how they get furniture up the stairs. No urine smell however, thank god. It is a two room apartment.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 24, 2015, 04:32:46 PM
WELCOME, MHR7!

- Happy to see you here.  Don't be a stranger!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: JayH on April 24, 2015, 06:39:35 PM
My apartment here in Russia is the exact same style. I don't know how they get furniture up the stairs. No urine smell however, thank god. It is a two room apartment.
Welcome  :welcome:

For the benefit of those who have not seen for themselves-- entrance and hallway.stairs--often have nothing to do with the level of the apartment. I have seen  AAAAA apartment with entrances like this and worse.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 25, 2015, 02:45:16 AM
Thank you jone, Jay!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Chicagoguy on April 25, 2015, 07:50:24 AM
I am not happy when there are dark entryways. But entryway does not always match interiors. Exteriors are often not so welcoming either.

Have no oligarch friends in the newest buildings. 8)
Title: Welcome to the forum mhr7
Post by: 2tallbill on April 25, 2015, 08:56:11 AM
Thank you jone, Jay!

Welcome to the forum!
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 25, 2015, 09:01:20 AM
This was back in 2009 and the first time I had seen a tankless water heater
in the FSU.

It worked sporadically. Most of the time you would be showering in warm
water, but it was just enough to lull you into a false sense of security before
turning instantly to some temperature only slightly warmer than freezing.

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15486;image)

In later trips I found plenty of tankless hot water heaters that worked fine but
this wasn't one of them.

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 25, 2015, 09:04:19 AM
Having hit my head about a million times in my life, I tend to look up
and not down, however you might want to look down while walking in
the FSU. You will never see an FSUW step on a manhole cover, but in
this case the cover was missing entirely.

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15488;image)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LAman on April 25, 2015, 10:00:26 AM
All I gotta say is with so much 'trippin'......you will eventually fall on your face many times....

most call it gravity.....but we all know better!! ;)
Title: Re: Welcome to the forum mhr7
Post by: mhr7 on April 25, 2015, 11:04:11 AM
Welcome to the forum!
Thanks Bill!
Title: Trippin all over the place
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 07:54:42 AM
All I gotta say is with so much 'trippin'......you will eventually fall on your face many times....

most call it gravity.....but we all know better!! ;)

Yes, much of my face planting was my fault. Chasing too young girls, going after the
wrong girls etc. I did learn and started making different mistakes instead of the same
ones again and again.

If a newbie could just learn two things from all my meandering around, they would
be miles and miles ahead.

1. You gotta be the one driving the bus
2. If this isn't the future Mrs __________ your name here then dump her and move on.

Udachi!

Bill 




Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 08:01:58 AM
So I was pursuing a girl in Dnepropetrovsk.

In my mind she had it all. She is pretty, tall, educated, very smart, excellent English,
she could make me laugh and laugh, is sexy and has amazing green eyes. She can
walk a zillion miles in the ice and snow in high heel boots and keep up with my long
strides without any visible effort. All the boxes on my list were checked off.

Another manhole cover

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15490;image)

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 08:04:36 AM


View outside the apartment window.

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15492;image)

People were always walking pets in the mornings.

Many people were outside and beating the hell out of the snow
for some mysterious reason. I asked my GF and she explained
that they had brought out their area rugs and placed them in
the snow and beat them in preparation for the New Year
celebrations.

Here is a picture of yours truly with a completely uncool hat on
my head. It was warm and even more uncool with the flaps down.

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15571;image)


The frozen Dnieper river is behind me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnieper_River

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 08:06:02 AM
The sinks only have one basin for the most part. So I
set up a little dish of concentrated soapy water for dishes
rather than put a new dab on the sponge each time.

(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15573;image)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 08:09:10 AM
We went all over Dnepropetrovsk riding these little 
Microbus / Vans which costs between 1.5 and 2 grivna
per person, the exchange rate at the time was about
8hr per dollar, so 20-25 cents per ride.   

In the Microbus, you get in and shut the door behind you.
Then you find a seat if there is one and pass the money
up to the passenger in front of you telling them how many
you are paying for, then the driver makes change while
driving and passes it back the same way.

Often when I was in the middle money came forward with
instructions odin (one) dva (two) etc. sometimes they had
more elaborate instructions so I had to rely on my GF to
pass them forward.

I tried to figure the buses out but I never understood why
we were getting on one little van / bus and not another.
They really all looked alike to me.

We passed this park with all these different limestone looking
things. I have no idea what they are. It wasn't a graveyard.
My GF didn't know what is was either.


(http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5560.0;attach=15818;image)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 26, 2015, 08:30:24 AM
Bill,

I'm having trouble seeing the pictures that you're inserting.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on April 26, 2015, 08:55:05 AM
His pics aren't working jone. No links even as if, he didn't post them
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Larry1 on April 26, 2015, 09:14:07 AM
I see Bill's photos
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on April 26, 2015, 09:45:52 AM
I see Bill's photos

You see pics in Bills last 3 posts?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Larry1 on April 26, 2015, 09:58:45 AM
You see pics in Bills last 3 posts?

Yes, two pics of snow-covered landscape in reply #403, a pic of a kitchen sink in reply #404, and snow-covered landscape again in reply #405.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LAman on April 26, 2015, 10:05:00 AM
I see Bill's photos

I suppose you see dead people too?????


I see only X
what about #402?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Larry1 on April 26, 2015, 10:13:39 AM
I suppose you see dead people too?????


I see only X
what about #402?

Never seen dead people (except from the ones in caskets at funeral homes). I had a girlfriend who claimed to see ghosts every day. We were driving in my car one evening and she said there were two of them in the backseat. I am not making that up.

But I see a pic of snow-covered ground in reply #402
Title: Re: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Steamer on April 26, 2015, 10:18:55 AM
Many people were outside and beating the hell out of the snow
for some mysterious reason. I asked my GF and she explained
that they had brought out their area rugs and placed them in
the snow and beat them in preparation for the New Year
celebrations.



My wife and I do the same thing during the winter in Michigan. Put the rugs face down in the snow and rub them around and then shake them out. It's to clean them.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on April 26, 2015, 05:11:48 PM

I see Bill's photos like I see dead people. Maybe if we turn off the xxx filter, we'd be able to see them. :P
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 26, 2015, 09:39:19 PM
Nope - I can't see them either!
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 10:33:48 PM
Nope - I can't see them either!


The sink in the Kitchen
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto029.jpg)

Man hole cover
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto011.jpg)

Another man hole cover
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto012.jpg?t=1430026381)

Tankless water heater
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto097.jpg)


Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2015, 10:34:35 PM
View from the balcony

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto004.jpg?t=1430026298)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 27, 2015, 03:38:47 AM
Thanks Bill - that's better!   :thumbsup:
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 08:18:24 AM
Thanks Bill - that's better!   :thumbsup:

I was taking a short cut rather than linking to them directly from photobucket.

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 09:54:27 AM
The park by the river in Dnepropetrovsk


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto059.jpg)
Title: Getting lost in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 09:55:49 AM
These are the Mysterious statues that I don't know what they might be

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto058.jpg)

Title: Squatting in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 10:04:56 AM
I've ran across these toilets a number of times. I've never had to use
when while suffering Montezuma's revenge but I shudder to think about it.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto056.jpg?t=1430067363)
Title: Re: Squatting in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: jone on April 27, 2015, 10:19:09 AM
I've ran across these toilets a number of times. I've never had to use
when while suffering Montezuma's revenge but I shudder to think about it.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto056.jpg?t=1430067363)

I thought that was what the manhole cover was used for.
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 10:35:15 AM
When I was in Dnepropetrovsk, I paid as you go buying additional minutes from
outside Kiosks like this one

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto055.jpg)
Title: Ukraine World Cup
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 10:39:01 AM
They were going to have the world cup in Ukraine and Poland that year so
I took a photo of the new Dnepropetrovsk soccer/football stadium. I didn't
know this was the back until later.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto054.jpg)


Patriotic world cup body paint girls  ;D posted purely for sexist enjoyment purposes.
(http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/4a/68/69/4a6869ba5b0536818e728480b01a35f7.jpg)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4mPceSuW4VQ/TDJViR6eJcI/AAAAAAAAAdc/T3fiJ2d7dTY/s400/Airbrus+Body+Painting+Show+the+Spirit+Africa+World+Cup+2010.jpg)
Title: Re: Ukraine World Cup
Post by: LAman on April 27, 2015, 01:50:03 PM
They were going to have the world cup in Ukraine and Poland that year so
I took a photo of the new Dnepropetrovsk soccer/football stadium. I didn't
know this was the back until later.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto054.jpg)


Patriotic world cup body paint girls  ;D posted purely for sexist enjoyment purposes.
(http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/4a/68/69/4a6869ba5b0536818e728480b01a35f7.jpg)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4mPceSuW4VQ/TDJViR6eJcI/AAAAAAAAAdc/T3fiJ2d7dTY/s400/Airbrus+Body+Painting+Show+the+Spirit+Africa+World+Cup+2010.jpg)

Yep....I want those girls on my team!!!!

BTW Bill, I passed by there several times a couple months ago...I thought it was the front entrance!!!
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 04:51:11 PM
More Apartment photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto006.jpg?t=1430092134)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto005.jpg?t=1430092142)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto007.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 27, 2015, 04:52:07 PM
Photo by the river

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto062.jpg)
Title: Re: Squatting in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 27, 2015, 06:21:32 PM
I've ran across these toilets a number of times. I've never had to use
when while suffering Montezuma's revenge but I shudder to think about it.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto056.jpg?t=1430067363)

At least it has a flush button and looks clean, although that hole would require some seriously good aiming!  This is why I recommend getting your defecation out of the way before you leave your apartment or hotel room each day.  You never know WHAT sort of public conveniences may await your urgent distress!  :shock: :mooning:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on April 28, 2015, 02:38:05 AM
Funny I only seen one of these types of toilets in my travels.
What made it funny, is it was the only one I had to pay for.
It was outside the restaurant, around back, a kind old Babuska
was there tending the door, I think it was 5 grv. :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 28, 2015, 05:37:33 AM
Funny I only seen one of these types of toilets in my travels.

You are SO lucky!  I can't remember seeing any that looked anywhere near this clean or well-maintained - they were usually badly stained (yellow, of course), sometimes with part of the porcelain broken, and normally with "doors" that provided no privacy at all!  I couldn't believe that Sochi Railway Station had only this type of toilet for the general (male) public - at least their "invalids" toilet had a standard bowl and seat.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 07:32:24 AM
You are SO lucky!  I can't remember seeing any that looked anywhere near this clean or well-maintained

This was at a Pizza place and if you look closely at the photo at the right
it even had a mostly full roll the non-abrasive white toilet paper rather
than being empty or the brown corrugated, solvent impregnated, scouring
USSR paper. 
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 08:10:46 AM
WARNING: Bill attempts to pass along a Russian language hack.

In the old days there used to be a little bubble on the carbonated water to
let you know you were getting carbonated but they mixed things up lately
recently to confuse people or possibly to sell more water when somebody
came home with the wrong thing.


The first bottle is carbonated it says Gasovanya.  Russian is tricky because they
use different symbols for a letter like we do in print or in cursive. The backward
S is a G,

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto098.jpg)

The second bottle is still or no gas.  "He" in Ruskiy doesn't relate to that gas that
makes your voice sound funny after breathing it from balloons. He = Ne and
ne = no or not. So He on a water bottle usually means no gas.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto099.jpg)

Title: The Magic Closet
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 08:24:53 AM
While in Dnpropetrovsk I had a what I call a magic closet.

I would take off my dirty clothes and toss them on the floor in the closet.
Then later I would find them suspended on ropes strung across the room
which also made very effective neck ringers if you are anywhere nears as
tall as I am. Then later I would find those very same clothes pressed and
folded or on hangers in the same closet.

You might ask yourself how is this magic? The answer is that my apartment
didn't have a washer or a dryer in it. It did have an iron.

My GF would take the dirty clothes to her apartment across the city on a minibus
then lug the wet clothes back on another minibus in freezing weather then string
them up on various ropes and devices that she engineered for drying. After that
she would iron and fold or hang up the clothes.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto032.jpg)

Everything got washed, including the curtains, the bedding and anything else that
stayed in one spot long enough.

If you look through the clothes you can see that I managed to find the smallest and
most sparse evergreen tree to act as our New Year tree.
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk and finding Taras Shevchenko
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 08:42:47 AM
During the day we would walk around the city and see the parks, museums
and do what I call smelling the roses. There was one very cold and windy park
near the river with a giant statue of Taras Shevchenko. If you look at the bottom
left hand corner of the photo you can see me looking up at the statue.


Taras Shevchenko is Ukraine's most famous and one of the most loved
poets. His poems were in Ukrainian, not Russian and many say his poetry captures
the Ukrainian spirit.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto071.jpg)


The Testament

Dig my grave and raise my barrow
By the Dnieper-side
In Ukraina, my own land,
A fair land and wide.
I will lie and watch the cornfields,
Listen through the years
To the river voices roaring,
Roaring in my ears.

When I hear the call
Of the racing flood,
Loud with hated blood,
I will leave them all,
Fields and hills; and force my way
Right up to the Throne
Where God sits alone;
Clasp His feet and pray…
But till that day
What is God to me?

Bury me, be done with me,
Rise and break your chain,
Water your new liberty
With blood for rain.
Then, in the mighty family
Of all men that are free,
May be sometimes, very softly
You will speak of me?

Taras Shevchenko
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on April 28, 2015, 08:50:37 AM
One correction - Shevchenko did write poems in Russian, and in Polish, in addition to Ukrainian.  He was a serf, and was sent to St. Petersburg to study by his owner, as he was a talented artist (as in painter).  In St. Petersburg, he met a group of artists who admired his artistic talent, and Karl Bruillov auctioned a painting to buy Shevchenko's freedom.


Initially, Shevchenko's Ukrainian language poetry was written with Latin letters.  After living in St. Petersburg, he started using the Cyrillic alphabet.  His poetry generally is not well translated, and his later poems are very complex.

Google "Shevchenko art Aral", to see his best art, when he was in the army in Aral.  He was sent there as a punishment, and the solitude is evident in all his pieces.  At that time, he was also under surveillance.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: cc3 on April 28, 2015, 08:59:55 AM
Moving, spiritual, and very appropriate poetry for today's beleaguered, assaulted, and suffering Ukraina, as it defends itself against the Putinist imperial aggression.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 10:59:55 AM
One correction - Shevchenko did write poems in Russian, and in Polish, in addition to Ukrainian.  He was a serf, and was sent to St. Petersburg to study by his owner, as he was a talented artist (as in painter).  In St. Petersburg, he met a group of artists who admired his artistic talent, and Karl Bruillov auctioned a painting to buy Shevchenko's freedom.


Initially, Shevchenko's Ukrainian language poetry was written with Latin letters.  After living in St. Petersburg, he started writing using the Cyrillic alphabet.  His poetry generally is not well translated, and his later poems are very complex.

Google "Shevchenko art Aral", to see his best art, when he was in the army in Aral.  He was sent there as a punishment, and the solitude is evident in all his pieces.  At that time, he was also under surveillance.


Excellent addition to my trip report. I highly recommend trying to learn something about
the people, places, language, culture and history you visit especially when you are visiting
a girl in her city.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Patagonie on April 28, 2015, 11:59:54 AM
I wrote about the Odessa trip a few years ago. I just hadn't posted
about it here. I thought that maybe putting all the TR's in one spot
would be helpful rather than scattered all over the internet.

The Kiev trip, I hadn't written about before so that's coming out of
the fuzzy/cobweb filled area of my brain.


I deleted all the photos off my hard drive quite some time ago. Unless the photo
of the bikini clad poppa belongs to your Sister, Daughter or Mother the photo must go!


I knew that I was ignoring the little voice in my head, it was talking to
me telling me things weren't ok. I knew it, I was just ignoring it.

After every trip to the FSU I spent quite a bit of time both analyzing
what I did right, what I did wrong and how to improve next time.
The only way to do that was to be brutally honest with myself. I think
the most important thing that I learned in all searching and travels
was learned in this first trip was

To break it off and move on. Sure you might have a lot of\
emotions, desires, efforts and hope tied up in this one girl, but
if it's not there today, it's not going to be there tomorrow. You are
just wasting the time that you could be spending finding your true
love.

Don't waste another minute with little Miss cold heart Hot Nogi/popka

Udachi!

Bill
:clapping:
Bill i think to be persistent and what you are saying in this post are two of the MAIN factors of the success
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: LAman on April 28, 2015, 04:10:10 PM
This was at a Pizza place and if you look closely at the photo at the right
it even had a mostly full roll the non-abrasive white toilet paper rather
than being empty or the brown corrugated, solvent impregnated, scouring
USSR paper.

Oh...I thought the brush located in upper left corner was used to clean yourself!!!! :P
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:23:47 PM
Oh...I thought the brush located in upper left corner was used to clean yourself!!!! :P

 :D  :D
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:33:49 PM
I was a California boy back during this trip and was freezing during the
trips to the park by the river. We did visit the zoo, but it was heart breaking
to see. I couldn't bring myself to take any photos of the poor animals there.
They were dirty, and had loaves of bread to eat and skinny. The bears looked
as if their coats were for a larger animal.

The goats looked to be having a good ole time but the rest of the animals looked
very pathetic.

The closer to the river the colder the wind
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto064.jpg)

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:37:54 PM
There is this cute little church that you had to take the bridge to get to.
My fuzzy brain tells me it was called Monastery Island, but Google tells
me it's Monastic Island. Maybe somebody with better recollection can
tell us more about it.


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto066.jpg)
Was founded by Byzantine monks
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:40:47 PM
Here is a photo of the train bridge that crosses the river. I took the photo partially
because of the dichotomy between the freezing weather and the model on the billboard
who is glistening with sweat, plus I like bridges.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto067.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:45:11 PM
If you look on the railing of the bridge you will see padlocks. The Monastery Island
church is a very popular attraction for young couples to get married. The tradition
is that the lovers put their names on the locks then lock them onto the bridge railing
and as long as the lock remains locked the couple will be together.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto068.jpg) 

Then they throw the key into the river. While I was there I didn't see a single forlorn
young man or woman in the water searching for the key.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto069.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 04:56:12 PM
With New Years arriving we went to the market and gathered a frightening
collection of food. It was frightening because I carried it all over the city of
Dnepropetrovsk. My GF said that the market in Dnepropetrovsk was the
largest in Ukraine. I mentioned that Odessa also had a large market possibly
even larger and I was shut down for mentioning such a falsehood  ;D

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Bill%20meat_zpsazjmxyro.jpg?t=1430178659)

While walking through the market my GF would sample, touch and taste nearly
everything. She sampled a half dozen pomegranates before selecting several and
everything was out in the open including raw meat and fish and all of which was
touched by hundreds. 

While in the market you pay for each item from each table separately then if you want a
bag to carry it in you must pay for the bag (they call it a packet)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on April 28, 2015, 04:58:21 PM
If you look on the railing of the bridge you will see padlocks. The Monastery Island church is a very popular attraction for young couples to get married. The tradition is that the lovers put their names on the locks then lock them onto the bridge railing and as long as the lock remains locked the couple will be together.
 

Then they throw the key into the river. While I was there I didn't see a single forlorn young man or woman in the water searching for the key.


That "tradition" developed from a novel,  Federico Moccia's bestseller Ho Voglia di Te (I Want You).  Putting locks on a bridge in Soviet times would have landed the newlyweds in jail for hooliganism. 
 
What was a tradition for young couples after WWII was to visit the tomb of the unknown soldier in the town/city of marriage.
Title: Dnepropetrovsk say that five times fast
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 05:11:44 PM
That "tradition" developed from a novel,  Federico Moccia's bestseller Ho Voglia di Te (I Want You).  Putting locks on a bridge in Soviet times would have landed the newlyweds in jail for hooliganism. 
 
What was a tradition for young couples after WWII was to visit the tomb of the unknown soldier in the town/city of marriage.

I went looking for an English version of the movie on Amazon but didn't find one.

Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 28, 2015, 05:14:31 PM
Meat handling was a bit scary by Western standards, but the fish was the scariest
by far. It was a limp, fishy smelling, oily, slickery fishy fish. When we took it home
she poured me a piva (beer) pulled out a knife and skinned the rascal right on the
table and took a hunk of it with her knife and made me eat it raw (the piva helped).

For those about to eat something skip the next paragraph.

Yep, I ate about a third of some kind of slightly smoked but raw, chewy
oily fish. Then something inside me started to rumble. I could feel my
bowels turning to apple sauce. I didn't get full blown Montezuma's revenge
just his less violent but still unfriendly cousin.

I had eaten enough in my book to get at least a medal of some sort. I refused to
eat more and was immune to kisses or all other various means (my GF had many)
to eat one more bite.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 28, 2015, 05:33:09 PM
This was at a Pizza place and if you look closely at the photo at the right it even had a mostly full roll the non-abrasive white toilet paper rather than being empty or the brown corrugated, solvent impregnated, scouring USSR paper.

One good thing about fast-food restaurants in the FSU is that they have Western-style toilets.  These are a VERY good alternative to the squat toilets - if you have time to find one before the need overpowers you!  Admittedly, all the kiosk toilets I encountered in the cities had seats (as, of course, did the port-a-loos - from their very design there is no alternative!).  At least the basbushki guarding them always had toilet paper and, to be fair, I never encountered the pot-scrubbing variety.
Title: Re: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 28, 2015, 05:37:51 PM
If you look on the railing of the bridge you will see padlocks. The Monastery Island
church is a very popular attraction for young couples to get married. The tradition
is that the lovers put their names on the locks then lock them onto the bridge railing
and as long as the lock remains locked the couple will be together.

Then they throw the key into the river. While I was there I didn't see a single forlorn
young man or woman in the water searching for the key.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto069.jpg)

There's a bridge in Odessa which is groaning under the weight of the locks shackled to it.  There's also a beautiful bridge in Krasnodar which is used for the same purpose - this is one of my photos in the Gallery.

(http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/gallery/6659_30_06_12_5_53_23.jpeg)
Title: Re: Dnepropetrovsk say that five times fast
Post by: Boethius on April 28, 2015, 05:58:01 PM
I went looking for an English version of the movie on Amazon but didn't find one.
Here you go -
http://www.amazon.com/Desire-voglia-NON-USA-FORMAT-Import/dp/B000TJ8I0G (http://www.amazon.com/Desire-voglia-NON-USA-FORMAT-Import/dp/B000TJ8I0G)
 
 
Title: Re: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: BillyB on April 28, 2015, 08:10:46 PM
There's a bridge in Odessa which is groaning under the weight of the locks shackled to it.  There's also a beautiful bridge in Krasnodar which is used for the same purpose - this is one of my photos in the Gallery.

(http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/gallery/6659_30_06_12_5_53_23.jpeg)


There are many cities in the FSU with such bridges.


The tradition is that the lovers put their names on the locks then lock them onto the bridge railing
and as long as the lock remains locked the couple will be together.



Unfortunately for the lovers the locks eventually get cut by government workers resulting in the demise of many relationships! Some bridges have locks on every square cm of the railing. Too much weight make pedestrian bridges unsafe.
Title: Re: Trippin in Odessa
Post by: Bee Farmer on April 28, 2015, 10:58:21 PM
This is one of the apartments I stayed at in Odessa. $45 a night.

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20016a_zpsvw3p1t0d.jpg)

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20004_zpsejsztoqe.jpg)

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20005_zpsgt6gayoa.jpg)

The back balcony.

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20007_zps3yjbylz1.jpg)

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20011a_zpsglzz1p3h.jpg)

Mother In Law Bridge in Odessa.  (What my terp Marina called it.)

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20038_zpsfgtxmi9k.jpg)

At the end of the bridge was this heart shaped sculpture.  It was created for people to put their locks here to reduce the number of locks on the bridge.

(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s637/BeeFarmerHoney/9-27-13%20039_zpscwnkns9j.jpg)
Title: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 30, 2015, 07:24:17 AM
So New Year was upon us and my GF cooked up a feast.

This is cutlets which are kinda like little pork meat
loaf patties. She has her own meat grinder and
doesn't trust what the store might put into them.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto085.jpg)

Her recipe is top secret and I was busy preparing other stuff so I didn't see
what she put inside them but you can find a recipe for Pork Cutlets here

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/russian-ground-pork-cutlets/


Here they are getting fried up in a pan. I bought this pan because the pans in the flat sucked
and I didn't want to cook with them. I bought a good knife, a pan and a few other items.
My GF brought several of her dishes from home.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Bill%20sausage_zpsvycmwake.jpg)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Bill%20sausage_zpsvycmwake.jpg)
Title: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on April 30, 2015, 07:45:33 AM
The dish on the left is some kind of tasty chicken.
She put it in sweet sour cream (isn't that an oxymoron?)
overnight. Then made some kind of crumbs with spices
(Ukrainian shake and bake) and then fried it. It was surprisingly
moist and tender. 

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Bill%20cutlets%20and%20herring%201_zpsr4avlpeq.jpg?t=1430318044)

The dish on the right is a Russian/Ukrainian dish with Herring and lots of mayonnaise.

I ate everything that she placed in front of me, some of the stuff like Holodetz I
ate as little as possible. My parents had several policies regarding eating dinner
(I don't subscribe to these theories)

1. You ate everything on your plate or you got spanked and then ate
everything on your plate. When they served liver I sometimes opted for
a spanking first.

2. You can either eat it now or you could eat it right now.
Staring at your food or whining about it wasn't allowed.

My policy regarding kids eating is that you must take one bite of something
before you announce you don't like something. You can't just look at it and
say that you don't like it. I also made up names for different food to get my
son to eat it. Asparagus was Giant Bug Legs and we made bug eating sounds
while eating it. 

Title: Re: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Anotherkiwi on April 30, 2015, 05:47:20 PM
My policy regarding kids eating is that you must take one bite of something before you announce you don't like something. You can't just look at it and say that you don't like it. I also made up names for different food to get my son to eat it. Asparagus was Giant Bug Legs and we made bug eating sounds while eating it.

Ingenious, Bill, but that still wouldn't make me like asparagus!
Title: Re: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: AC on May 01, 2015, 09:40:17 PM
Ingenious, Bill, but that still wouldn't make me like asparagus!

This is now.  But what if your father had been as clever as Bill and called it giant bug legs when you were 5 years old?
Title: Re: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 02, 2015, 08:35:14 AM
This is now.  But what if your father had been as clever as Bill and called it giant bug legs when you were 5 years old?

Wouldn't have mattered if he had gazumped David Bowie and pretended it was spiders from Mars - it's the TASTE that I'm not fond of!
Title: Re: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: AC on May 02, 2015, 08:38:11 AM
Wouldn't have mattered if he had gazumped David Bowie and pretended it was spiders from Mars - it's the TASTE that I'm not fond of!

Okay, got it.   ;D

What about broccoli?  Do you at least like broccoli?
Title: Open the hanger and let the airplane fly in
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 10:38:17 AM
(http://ch.grosshome.com/images/1985/ch851231.gif)


(http://purposebeyondpain.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/calvin-at-dinner-calvin-26-hobbes-145791_490_358.gif)


(http://www.zotzelectrical.com/pcimages/CHbeanies.gif)

Note: Calvin and Hobbes comics created by Bill Watterson and property of
Universal Press Syndicate
and   Andrews McMeel Publishing
Title: New Year feast in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 10:56:43 AM
This was an interesting but quite tasty dish. It had chicken, pomegranate, mayonnaise,
onions and beets in it.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto084-1.jpg) 
Title: New Year feast in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:00:19 AM
The sunflower. This was a tasty dip of sorts, the chips around the dip are Pringles
so I sorta doubt that this is an ethnic Ukrainian dish  ;D

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto083-1.jpg)

The dip was too thick and would break the chip, so you needed a fork to scoop the
dip onto your chip.
Title: New Year feast in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:07:52 AM
If you don't recognize the Eastern European dish on the left it's because I made
it and it's not Eastern European. It's pork fried rice. 

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto087.jpg)

The dish on the right is called Holodets. It's a type of meat jelly, and it was my least
favorite Ukrainian dish. My now Russian wife makes it with more meat and less jelly
and it's far more palatable. This was made by my GF's mother so I choked it down.

We had some special hot sweet horseradish sauce that had beets it in. The Holodets
went down far easier with some of the horseradish sauce on it.

You can find a recipe for holodets here
http://www.melaniecooks.com/russian-holodets-meat-jelly-recipe/5063/

Title: New Year feast in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:14:12 AM
Here is most of the New Years spread we also had some deviled
eggs with shrimp and some potato salad that I made.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto082-1.jpg)

We put the leftovers out on the enclosed balcony which worked as
a giant refrigerator. The leftovers kept us fed for many days.
Title: Trippin in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:19:30 AM
My GF had a son and he was very shy at first but after our first snowball
fight all shyness was gone. We had a lot of fun and he enjoyed pulling little
practical jokes on his mother (and me) The days went along too fast like always
and this girl was obviously someone special. She took excellent care of me and
thought that it was absolutely necessary to try to get me to eat one additional
plate of food.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto080.jpg)

Title: too soon it was time to go
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:24:45 AM
This was a building called the two pencils.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto060.jpg)


We enjoyed each other and my GF could find something to laugh at about
ordinary things. She could understand the most nuanced joke that I would
tell then add something to it. The girl was a dream and too soon it was time
to go.

She took me to the airport we kissed goodbye and I was headed back.........

The airline had this giant supersoaker to deice the plane
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto080.jpg)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sexyphoto110.jpg)
Title: Re: New Year in Dnepropetrovsk
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 02, 2015, 11:27:51 AM
Okay, got it.   ;D

What about broccoli?  Do you at least like broccoli?

I LOVE broccoli!  :thumbsup:
Title: How it went to crap
Post by: 2tallbill on May 02, 2015, 11:38:19 AM
Not written anywhere but here...........

My GF was a good girl and we cared for each other, however life threw me
a number of curve balls. A financial calamity, the dire sickness of a family member
and some other hardships and then some other things just made it too difficult
to keep things together. These long distance relationships are fragile and need
much more effort, care, time, money and energy to keep things together than I
had available at the time.

I stopped searching for an FSUW and worked to get my life together.

One time when a Western man was going to Skype with her for the first time she
was nervous and wanted me to look her over to make sure everything was fine.
So of course I asked her how did she age so much since we last talked and asked
if a mosquito bite her in the eye? She laughed and was relieved.

She has read another version of this story posted elsewhere, laughed and was
happy with it.

She is married now to an American and they live in the USA. Occasionally (not often)
she will call me when she needs to be cheered up about something.

Eventually I got my life back in order, ducks lined back up and was ready to start
once again. Starting completely from scratch.
Title: Re: How it went to crap
Post by: AC on May 02, 2015, 07:07:13 PM
Eventually I got my life back in order, ducks lined back up and was ready to start
once again. Starting completely from scratch.

 :clapping: 
Title: So I started a MySpace page
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 12:52:58 PM
I started a MySpace page for a different forum and became friends
with over 1100 FSUW from all over the world. Yes, that's right over
1100 FSUW. Some were flakes, one was a transvestite (I booted
him or her) some were sweet girls one was convinced that I was
some trafficker of women. Some used fake photos of various actresses
etc.

However you can be sure that I made cyber friends with many, many
FSUW.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 01:12:17 PM
Georgia Peaches

Lynyrd Skynyrd  Georgia Peaches  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34nwZS6fZo
Lauren Alaina  Georgia Peaches     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfWmFevHdQo

I have a theory (more than one theory actually) but here is one of my theories
about about finding a wife. It goes like this....

Find a clever girl with pretty eyes who likes to laugh, because in 30 years she will
still be a clever girl with pretty eyes who likes to laugh.

So what does Bill do? he is minding his own business on MySpace and finds a girl
with the most vivid and pretty blue eyes on the entire internet. I figured it must
be due to Photoshop because there is no way a girl has eyes like that, but I decide
to send her a comment, and then a conversation develops,

I send her a letter, then another, we chat on Skype and no kidding she really has
eyes that will stop traffic. I am not the shyest guy around but I have honestly
forgotten what I was saying in mid sentence while talking to her on Skype and
she is largely unaware of this quality about herself, very humble and a bit shy.

So I send her more letters (my whole life story spills out) and we chat on skype
almost every day, and finally, it's time that I get on a plane to see if she thinks
I am too old, tall, ugly or funny smelling and don't under estimate funny smelling.

I met the prettiest girl once but she wore something that repelled both bugs and
yours truly so I don't recommend underestimating that one person thinks smells
like flowers and another person thinks would be good for removing paint.

Where was I? oh yes a pretty girl in Georgia with eyes that cause poets to write
verses that don't rhyme and singers to sing outside windows horribly out of tune
causing the neighbors to complain.

I went online and bought a ticket to Georgia from Vayama via Kyak using my
bank card. My son bought something online with the same card (without telling
me) and the number was used on a dodgy internet site so the bank cancelled
the card, voided the ticket sale and of course never told me. (Bank America)

I get a letter from Vayama telling me about it, and after a half dozen calls over
a period of 2 and a half weeks I have a new card and the tickets and I hate
Bank of America.

I did tell them I would be traveling to Georgia but I have zero confidence in
them that the card will be suitable for anything other than for scraping old
gum up from under bar stools. 

More to follow.............
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 01:30:38 PM



(http://deeperwants.com/ratboys_anvil_2/airline.jpg)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/airlinejokes.jpg)

(http://www.westerlies.org/images/Life%20of%20a%20commuter.jpg)

(http://afrocityblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/airline-fees1.gif)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 01:36:00 PM

Turkish Prisons Airlines didn't have much legroom.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/0419111746a.jpg)

Note #1 this is the seat when the passenger in front didn't recline their seat.
Also when the seats reclined the legs moved forward so it was absolutely
impossible for me to recline the seat even an inch.

Note # 2 there were two women who neither one were more than 5' 3" tall
sitting in an exit row seat their feet barely touching the bulkheads. I could
have keeeeeled them

Title: Learning Russian is EASY compared to Georgian
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 01:51:57 PM
Learning Georgian is vastly more difficult than learning Russian
(and learning Russian is very hard!) Here for example is the
Georgian alphabet
(http://www.omniglot.com/images/writing/georgian2.gif)

They have three main languages in Georgia and they use the same alphabet.
Their letters are equivalent, sharing the same names and alphabetical order
and all three are unicameral (make no distinction between upper and lower
case).

The imaginary Georgian girl will be called Sally. Since I haven't met any Sally's
from Georgia it's easier to imagine that Sally is imaginary.

Gamarjoba = Hello
Gagimarjos = hello (what you say back to someone saying hello)


Rogar khar? = how are you?
Kargad = well or good bye
Kargi = good
Kargod = well
These are good responses to Rogar Khar


Me var Billi = I am Bill
Me mkvia Bili = my name is Bill

Nakhvamdis = good bye

Ki = yes
ara = no
an = or
ki an ara = yes or no
Xom = ok and sometimes yes
Xo = ok
gasagebia = I see
You won't be using gasagebia a lot  :chuckle:

Ver gavige = I don’t understand
Bills most commonly used Georgian phrase

Gmadlobt = thank you
Madloba = thanks
arafris = u r welcome,  or not at all

shavi chai = black tea
minda shavi chai = I want black tea

Kochagh = molodetz (Russian word) = good boy / girl  or atta boy
Have success = carmatebas gisurveb!

mshvidobiani dghe = peaceful day
(as in "have a peaceful day" )

ghame mshvidobisa good night
dzili nebisa  = sleep tight (approximately)
tkbili dzili = sweet dreams

nichieri = capable
It is a compliment to be called nichieri

Var = you
medzineba = i am sleepy
how much does it cost? = ra Ghirs?
Title: Georgian language
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 02:13:36 PM
Some advanced Georgian for lovers


If I know what love is, it is because of you.
თუ მე ვიცი რა არის სიყვარული, ეს შენი დამსახურებაა
Tu me vici ra aris sikvaruli, es damsakhurebaa.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop.
სიყვარული იწყება ღიმილით, გრძელდება კოცნით, მთავრდება ცრემლით
Sikvaruli itskeba gimilit, gdzaldeba kocniT, mtavrdeba tsremliT

My love for you will never break.. even when i'm old and gray!
ჩემი სიყვარული არასდროს დაიმსხვრევა, მე მეყვარები მაშინაც როდესაც ვიქნები მოხუცი და ნაცრისფერი
Chemi sikvaruli arasdros daimskhvreba, me mekvarebi mashinac rodesats viknebi mokhuci da natsrisFeri

Love at first sight is possible, but it pays to take a second look.
სიყვარული ერთი ნახვით შესაძლებელია, მაგრამ ის მოითხოვს (სიტყვასიტყვით: უხდის) მეორე ნახვას
SikvaruliaearTi nakhvit shesadzlebelia, magram is moiTkhovs (literally: ukhdis) meore nakhvas
Title: Additional Georgian language information
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2015, 03:13:33 PM
Sandro has some additional information about Georgian languages posted
here http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=17626.msg396583#msg396583

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on May 04, 2015, 03:20:00 PM
I'd say that the Georgian script is the lesser difficulty of the language, it's very orthographic (accurate in its representation of sounds). A major problem is that it is not an Indo-European language, and therefore its structure is rather alien to us ;).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on May 04, 2015, 07:39:06 PM
Bill
We know a Georgian couple that lived in our same town prior to our last move. Ironically enough we moved into the same neighborhood. The wife spoke good English and the husband, not so much. I found them to be truly some quality folks. Very gracious and generous. Good people. They reminded somewhat of Italians. Even when they were having normal conversations among themselves they were about 6 octaves above everyone else and looked mad. If one didn't know better you'd think they were about to kill each other.
Title: Re: Learning Russian is EASY compared to Georgian
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 05, 2015, 12:14:30 AM
They have three main languages in Georgia and they use the same alphabet. Their letters are equivalent, sharing the same names and alphabetical order and all three are unicameral (make no distinction between upper and lower case).

Do Redneck and Hillbilly count as separate languages in Georgia?  :ROFL:

Oh, sorry, Bill - you meant the OTHER Georgia!  8)
Title: Re: Learning Russian is EASY compared to Georgian
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 03:42:16 PM
Do Redneck and Hillbilly count as separate languages in Georgia?  :ROFL:

Oh, sorry, Bill - you meant the OTHER Georgia!  8)

Not a true story
My teacher was giving us a spelling test and told us to spell rat.
Little Johnny said is that rat/mouse or rat/now ?
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 03:46:03 PM
Bill
We know a Georgian couple that lived in our same town prior to our last move. Ironically enough we moved into the same neighborhood. The wife spoke good English and the husband, not so much. I found them to be truly some quality folks. Very gracious and generous. Good people. They reminded somewhat of Italians. Even when they were having normal conversations among themselves they were about 6 octaves above everyone else and looked mad. If one didn't know better you'd think they were about to kill each other.

They have several throat clearing noises in their vocabulary. One of the worst is
Kho which means OK. The K is silent but tells you to pull phlegm up from your
throat. Watching a beautiful girl say it 20 times on the phone to somebody else is
NOT appealing in my opinion.
Title: Georgians know nobody can speak their language
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 03:50:11 PM
I'd say that the Georgian script is the lesser difficulty of the language, it's very orthographic (accurate in its representation of sounds). A major problem is that it is not an Indo-European language, and therefore its structure is rather alien to us ;).

The girl that I was coming to visit was an English teacher and her sister was a Georgian
language teacher (who knew 3-4 dialects of Georgian) and they said that nobody but
babies could learn Georgian. They were very impressed that I was giving it a try.
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: SANDRO43 on May 05, 2015, 03:59:07 PM
They have several throat clearing noises in their vocabulary. One of the worst is Kho which means OK. The K is silent but tells you to pull phlegm up from your throat.
Reminds me of Arabic with its 3 different Hs, the 3rd being REALLY explosive as in:
حرب  (harb=war)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 04:10:40 PM
Secret Agents

I told you that I started a MySpace page with over 1100 FSUW, of which 99 were Georgian
girls. Since I had found this beautiful blue eyed woman to pursue I enlisted the help of
many of the other girls to help me with my quest. I called these girls my secret agents.

They would help me do all kinds of different things. The Blue Eyed girl had a sister
Gvantsa who was every bit as beautiful as she was and I would ask her to help me
with a surprise or something and at least half the time Gvantsa helped me create a
surprise and the other half Gvantsa would instead pull a practical joke. Back in those
days none of the online translators did Georgian and none of them would do it in
transliteration which I could then repeat.

So I would have Gvantsa help me with the translation to transliteration. I would write
a little poem in English and Gvantsa would translate it to Georgian in Latin letters.
I would write "Your eyes are like deep mountain lakes of water on a cloudless day" 
and she would translate it for me to say "Anna has a funny nose reminds me of a
garden hose"  and then When I got Anna on Skype I would tell Anna about her nose
in Georgian.
 
Although it was very funny, I started getting other MySpace friends to help me
because they wouldn't change the words or pull elaborate tricks on me. There
was also a girl named Alenika who I knew from LuckyLovers.net and another
forum. She helped me get a nice flat at a good price and helped with some other
local arrangements. We were virtual friends.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 04:18:08 PM
I left Portland Oregon on Tuesday at 10:35 am and arrived beaten and battered
at the Tblisi airport at 2:45am on Thursday  All flights into or out of Tblisi arrive
or leave sometime around 3:00 am. I crossed 12 time zones and had been traveling
for 2 1/2 days.

I arrived at my apartment at about 4:00 am, even though I was tired beyond words
to describe,  eventually (I am guessing I went to sleep around 5:00am) and I woke
up at 10:30 am Thursday.

I had a bunch of things to accomplish
I bought some water, toilet paper, cheese, bread, milk, cereal, tea, juice, etc.

List that I can remember
Exchange some dollars for Lari
Find an internet cafe

I bought a cell phone NOTE this is a three step process*
1. You find a phone store and buy a phone.
2. You find a sim card store and buy a sim card
3. You buy prepaid minutes to use the phone

You thought you could go to one place in Georgia and get all three of these things?
ha ha ha ha ha ha  :chuckle:  don't be silly, why would you wish to do this?

The phone situation seems to be more complex than I could figure out. Just because
you dial a girl on the phone and she answers while you are in the US does not mean
you can dial the same number and expect for it to be connected while you are in
Tblisi. Some of the numbers have to be changed I hadn't learned which numbers or
how or why but I am on the case and will report my findings.

I have tried to call my secret agents and have been unsuccessful so far. (I reached
only one)

I walked up and down the hills enough to run a mountain goat into the ground.


* When you ask why they are not all three Phone, Sim Card and Minutes in the same
place they act as if you are asking why they don't sell aftershave along with spare
airplane parts, maybe traveling 11 time zones away* and lack of sleep, and fatigue
are contributing to my lack of understanding. 

Title: Sliced bread is over rated, hot and cold Running water is where it's at
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 04:37:02 PM
Hot and cold running water are often taken for GRANTED* in the West.

Today the Hot water came from a kettle on the stove and the cold water came
from a tap on the shower. Over many trips I have worked out a system of getting myself
semi presentable when one of the following is not available.

1. electricity (shave with care)
2. hot water
3. no water (can you say moist towlettes?)

Today it was no hot water. I boiled a pot and kettle on the stove, and took it into the bath with me.
 

Pre shower: Prepare a number of cups of hot tea to fortify oneself internally
Then did a "Navy" shower routine
1. get wet
2. soap up
3. rinse
4. dry off quickly

I use the hot water for soaping up and rinsing of vitals (family jewels etc)
and cold water for washing hair and limbs and any place still soapy when the
hot water is gone.

Post shower routine another cup of Joe and I am good to go (black tea in my case).




* Today I was reminded once again that Grant and Ed (the founding members of Granted) were in fact  sheep buggering bastards difficult gents.
Title: Re: Sliced bread is over rated, hot and cold Running water is where it's at
Post by: AC on May 05, 2015, 05:07:18 PM
2tallbill,
I find it amazing that you travelled so far, I am assuming in the cattle area of the plane (and not first class) and that you are so tall (IIRC 6' 8").  It must also have been a real hassle for such a big guy to function in some of these "apartments" which as most of us know are usually quiet small.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on May 05, 2015, 05:09:46 PM
Quote
All flights into or out of Tblisi arrive or leave sometime around 3:00 am.

It's an odd airport. Not very busy at all during the day but between 7pm and 7am the place really comes alive.
Title: Airline seats for midgets
Post by: 2tallbill on May 05, 2015, 05:50:20 PM
2tallbill,
I find it amazing that you travelled so far, I am assuming in the cattle area of the plane (and not first class) and that you are so tall (IIRC 6' 8").  It must also have been a real hassle for such a big guy to function in some of these "apartments" which as most of us know are usually quiet small.

I'm only 6' 7" (201cm) I've ridden in business class a few times when I had enough
miles for the upgrade. I've never paid for the enormous upcharge. If I can get an exit
row seat for the over the water part of the trip then I am golden (I get it about half of
the time)
Title: Bill's bachelor pad
Post by: 2tallbill on May 06, 2015, 08:00:26 AM
Here is the entrance to Bill's sophisticated Georgian bachelor pad and the nerve center
for Georgian romance operations.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/c3ae1f8e-1d3d-423b-99dc-8748a28de3c6_zpsisyvscuy.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 06, 2015, 08:07:14 AM
This is the street that I lived on so I took a photo of the street sign. Everyone recognized
it when I asked for directions.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi105.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 06, 2015, 08:15:03 AM
The toilet ran a zillion gallons and hour just flushing all the time. So I took
that back off and I could see that all the parts needed for the toilet to work
weren't present. So I turned off the water in the back and I would turn it
back on when I needed it. I told the land lady about it but if I were to measure
her concern on a scale of 0 to 10, I think this problem would rate a .005 which
is significantly less than a one.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/46482dfa-0748-4ea9-8416-ac78b784131e_zpskpcvim4p.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:24:14 PM
This is the entrance to the bachelor pad.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi001-3.jpg)

A couple days after arriving it became apparent that I had once again traveled to
meet a girl who liked me very much but wasn't romantically interested in me. It
came as a bit of a shock, and I was terribly disappointed and frustrated. I went
to a bar and had several beers pondering how I would once again have to start and
how all the talking, letters and Skyping for months had led to nothing.

Everyone, myself included will tell you not to get too emotionally involved before
you meet. Yet I managed to do so anyway. So once again I gave myself a pep talk,
and I will go out, smell the flowers, taste the food, explore the history and culture
and become a tourist in this beautiful city, then go to the internet cafe and start
writing girls to see who I could meet.




Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:26:45 PM
I often take photos of my surroundings so that if I get turned around I
can find my way back. So I took this photo

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi004.jpg)

Later I would discover that every third corner looked like this  ;D
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:27:47 PM
A street artist selling his wares.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi007.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:29:11 PM
One of the garbage cans outside seem to have a small fire going on inside it.
It didn't bother any of the locals so I didn't let it bother me either.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi008.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:29:57 PM
Near the center

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi011.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi012.jpg)
Title: Trippin around Tblisi
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:32:26 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi013.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi014.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi015.jpg)
Title: Tblisi is really beautiful a land of ancient Churches and incredible sights
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:33:59 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi016.jpg)

Title: Tblisi is really beautiful a land of ancient Churches and incredible sights
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:34:51 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi018.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi019.jpg)
Title: Tblisi is really beautiful a land of ancient Churches and incredible sights
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:36:08 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi020.jpg)


The presidential palace (Georgian White House)
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi021.jpg)
Title: Tblisi is really beautiful a land of ancient Churches and incredible sights
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2015, 05:36:43 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi022.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi023.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi024.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BillyB on May 08, 2015, 06:31:26 PM


When you talked to strangers on the street or in markets in Georgia, where they happy to talk to you after hearing your accent? Would it be easy for a guy visiting Georgia to meet ladies in public? Not all FSU countries are bride hunter friendly.
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: msmobyone on May 10, 2015, 05:21:22 AM
Turkish Prisons Airlines didn't have much legroom.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/0419111746a.jpg)



:)))

I actually like THY - Turkish airlines = 'they hate you"

They aren't the cheapest but fly where I need to go...  and seem to value you business.

Istanbul is 'chaotic' but a classic cultural mix. The Turkish Lira is really weak and it's a good place for a vacation with a FSU partner - or to meet up with family  / friends
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 10, 2015, 01:16:06 PM
When you talked to strangers on the street or in markets in Georgia, where they happy to talk to you after hearing your accent?

The Georgian people are the friendliest people in anyplace that I've ever went.
I walked in a bar looking for another restaurant so I told a waitress that I was
looking for the @$$%%)(IU&*(^&%JHHGGFVH <<<<< use your
own indecipherable name here. The waitress told me they had excellent food at
her bar and I explained that I was meeting a girl and was told to meet her there.

She tried to give me directions but could tell I had no clue to what she was saying.
So the girl went in the back room, grabbed her coat then my hand and walked
along a labyrinth-like path and presented me to the door of the ____________
indecipherable name restaurant then turned around to return to work.

She was a very cute young girl maybe 20 years old. (if she were 10 years older I
would have asked her out on a date)

Would it be easy for a guy visiting Georgia to meet ladies in public?
Not all FSU countries are bride hunter friendly.

Yes and no

You could ask a girl for directions or any kind of help within reason.
Georgia is very friendly by any standard. Georgia might be friendly
towards bride hunters however it's nearly impossible for bride hunters
to hunt brides in Georgia.

It would be easier to go bride hunting in a convent. I will try to make the
situation more clear. At this point in my adventure I was just starting to
find out  what the various difficulties hunting brides in Georgia might be. 

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 10, 2015, 01:26:34 PM
:)))

I actually like THY - Turkish airlines = 'they hate you"

They aren't the cheapest but fly where I need to go...  and seem to value you business.

Istanbul is 'chaotic' but a classic cultural mix. The Turkish Lira is really weak and it's a good place for a vacation with a FSU partner - or to meet up with family  / friends

The seats were made for midgets more so than any airline I've ever flown.
It would have been impossible for me to do something like put down the
tray table to eat for example. If I got a dollar for every time I was hit with a
trolley going down the isle or bumped with something I would have made
maybe a hundred bucks each way.

For a XXLT sized man the trip was pure torture.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 10, 2015, 02:18:44 PM
I had been warned by more than a few well meaning individuals about going to
Georgia that I should be very very careful since

1. It's a Muslim country and they will cut off my head and put it on a stick
2. It's near Chechnya and those radicals there will cut off my head and put it on a stick
3. They are at war with Russia! I could be bombed or in a Russian POW camp for eternity.

First Georgia is a Christian country

Second for those who can look up a map on Google but don't know topography
or about mountain ranges. There is a range of mountains between Georgia and
Chechnya. Everything to the West of these mountains is called Europe and everything
to the East of these mountains is called Asia.

This is because this is a HUGE mountain range and it separates the two continents
even though it is one land mass.

Third The shooting war is over. Most Georgians and Russian like each other.

Having said this most Georgians consider themselves Europeans and they identify
each other as such. Without getting into geopolitics or techtonic plate science I have
no problem with calling them European especially since they are on the Black Sea and
no Mt Range goes through the middle of the Black sea to separate Europe and Asia.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 10, 2015, 02:58:32 PM
FREEDOM SQUARE IN TBILISI
Freedom Square in the center of Tbilisi was built in the early 19th century


Following the collapse of the Russian Empire the square was re-named Freedom Square during the foundation of the First Georgian Republic in 1918 but renamed, first “Beria Square”, and then “Lenin Square” during Soviet times.
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi112.jpg)

If you look at the gold Statue in the photo I can tell you that it had a statue of Lenin
until 1991 when it was removed following Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union.


If you look over the shoulder of Freedom Square you will see a large statue in
the background, which can be seen from most of the city.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi111.jpg)

In 1907, the square was the location for an audacious and bloody bank robbery, involving Joseph Stalin, which netted the equivalent of 4 million US dollars in today’s money1.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi115.jpg)





1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1907_Tiflis_bank_robbery
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:46:52 PM
The Georgian Flag

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi121.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi099.jpg)

The Georgian Duma

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi119.jpg)


A close up of the Stone work at the Duma

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi120.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:50:39 PM
I sell windows so naturally I take a photo of them wherever I am

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi116.jpg)


I am sure that's this is no interest of anyone but myself, but there is an Inswing door
in the center with sliding windows to the sides. It's nearly impossible to make sliding
windows that tall and narrow and for them still to work very well. They are probably
frozen/painted shut but I would love to go up and mess with them to find out.
I managed not to knock on the doors and ask it I could play with their windows.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:51:50 PM
Downtown Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi114.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:52:45 PM
Walking around downtown Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi113.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:53:51 PM
Walking around Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi109.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:54:31 PM
Walking around Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi108.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi106.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:55:17 PM
Walking around in Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi107.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:56:38 PM
Walking around Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi104.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 12:59:14 PM
There is a church or a castle or something historically significant every 30 meters
in Tblisi. It's the Georgian equivalent of walking around Trajan's forum

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi103.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi102.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:03:30 PM
Christianity came very early to Georgia which was first preached in Georgia
by the Apostles Simon and Andrew in the 1st century. It became the state
religion of Kartli (Iberia) in 337

Most Georgians are Christian, but they have Jewish and Muslim roots as well.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi101.jpg)
There is a Mosque on the other side of this, I could see it with my eye but I couldn't get
the camera to see it.


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi100.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:06:24 PM
Downtown Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi098.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:07:22 PM
The Mosque

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi097.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:14:19 PM
According to legend, the present-day territory of Tbilisi was surrounded by forests
King Vakhtang I Gorgasali went hunting in the heavily wooded region with a falcon
The King's falcon injured a pheasant during the hunt, after which both birds fell into
a nearby hot spring and died from burns.

King Vakhtang became so impressed with the hot springs that he decided to cut down
the forest and build a city on the location. The name Tbilisi derives from the Old Georgian
word "Tbili", meaning warm.

Here are the Hot baths that are in the Center of the city
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi096.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi095.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi094.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi093.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:15:47 PM
Walking around the center of Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi092.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:17:35 PM
In Tblisi you are really tripping over Churches

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi091.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi089.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:23:48 PM
Kartvlis Deda

In Celebration to Georgia's 1500 anniversary Prominent Georgian sculptor
Elguja Amashukeli designed the twenty-meter aluminium figure of a woman
in Georgian national dress. She symbolizes the Georgian national character:
in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends,
and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies

This very much symbolizes Georgian philosophy. They will very easily welcome
you into their homes as a friend, but if you want a scrap, they will accommodate
you with that as well. 

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi086.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi075.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:26:23 PM
Mtkvari River

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi085.jpg)


That tower is a TV tower

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi083.jpg)



(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi069.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi082.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:31:25 PM
A fisherman who seems to be catching sticks
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi080.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi079.jpg)

A school girl waiting for her bus
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi084.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi078.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:32:47 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi077.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:34:51 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi074.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:35:21 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi073.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi072.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:43:44 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi071.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi063.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:46:10 PM
Walking around Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi068.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi067.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi066.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:47:41 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi064.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi055.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi053.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:51:50 PM
I was walking around by myself, snapping photos hoping later to have some
pretty local girl tell me all about the local history of these photos.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi061.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi058.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:52:44 PM
Georgia's Presidential Palace (White House)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi057.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi056.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 01:56:10 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi054.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi052.jpg)


Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 02:00:25 PM
Sergei Parajanov

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi050.jpg)

Sergei Parajanov (January 9, 1924 – July 20, 1990) was an Armenian film director
and artist from the Soviet Union who made significant contributions to Ukrainian,
Armenian and Georgian cinema. He invented his own cinematic style, which was
totally out of step with the guiding principles of socialist realism (the only sanctioned
art style in the USSR). This, combined with his controversial lifestyle and behavior,
led Soviet authorities to repeatedly persecute and imprison him, and suppress his films.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 02:01:50 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi043.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/PictureTblisi042.jpg)


Title: Most never married Georgian girls are virgins
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 04:42:07 PM
So back to my search for the future Mrs 2tallbill

I was told that by the girl that I came to see that although she liked me
very much, and thought I was handsome, charming, etc that she wouldn't
be moving forward with me and that she wasn't romantically interested in
me.

What most people here don't know is that most never married Georgian girls
are virgins.


When I say most, let's say 80% of the never married girls under 35 years old. 

I was not searching in Georgia for a virgin. I would have preferred a girl who wasn't
a virgin. In my mind finding a girl in her early thirties that is a virgin only tells you that
she managed NOT to have sex for her entire life. How is that an advantage? or even
preferable? in my mind at my age, it's not.

The main advantage is that she would be free of STD's and some sexual hangups
but who knows what kind of hangups she might have from being a virgin for 30+
years?

I spent a lot of time getting to know this girl. If I didn't like her so much then I would
have rejected her because she was a virgin. She was really smart, really pretty, well
educated and her English was off the charts good. She was funny, interesting and she
really did have amazing eyes. She was the whole package which is why I decided to
go meet her.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on May 13, 2015, 05:18:45 PM
Quote
What most people here don't know is that most never married Georgian girls are virgins.


Didn't they say that about WW half a century ago?  Wasn't true then, and I doubt it's true about Georgian girls.  Society imposes that on them, so I suspect they say they're virgins, even if they are not.


Just food for thought, waiting for your next instalment. 


BTW, your photos are great.
Title: Georgian virgins?
Post by: 2tallbill on May 13, 2015, 05:56:28 PM
Didn't they say that about WW half a century ago?

I don't know, I was 3 years old and not in the hunt  :D


I doubt it's true about Georgian girls.  Society imposes that on them, so I suspect they say they're virgins, even if they are not.

I knew that people would question this but they live in a different society.
I wish I could get Alenika or one of my Georgian friends here to comment.

The girls are not permitted out, unchaperoned. They are kept with their
family at all times. However, I don't know this is true, it's only what I've
been told. I had a very, very, difficult time meeting Georgian girls on my
own.


Just food for thought, waiting for your next instalment. 

Speaking of food for thought, I will get to the amazing food soon.


BTW, your photos are great.

Thank you

Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Faux Pas on May 14, 2015, 10:14:51 AM

I knew that people would question this but they live in a different society.
I wish I could get Alenika or one of my Georgian friends here to comment.

The girls are not permitted out, unchaperoned. They are kept with their
family at all times. However, I don't know this is true, it's only what I've
been told. I had a very, very, difficult time meeting Georgian girls on my
own.


TooTall,

Yeah I think you've been fed a bill of goods, too. Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Georgian culture I understand is a bit different and not as open sexually as other places but, not 80% virgins different? It's not as open but, that doesn't mean they're not having sex. Your experience only means they didn't have sex with you  :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Slumba on May 14, 2015, 04:51:34 PM
I think Bill is more accurate, than not, about the virginity stuff.  My knowledge comes from talking privately, with a guy married to a Georgian girl, among other sources.

Bill, did you get up into the mountains at all?  There are mountains near Tbilisi, am I correct?
Title: Georgian virgins?
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 08:27:00 AM
TooTall,

Yeah I think you've been fed a bill of goods, too. Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. Georgian culture I understand is a bit different and not as open sexually as other places but, not 80% virgins different? It's not as open but, that doesn't mean they're not having sex. Your experience only means they didn't have sex with you  :D

Faux Pas,

I understand your skepticism, but there are only a few of us that have been to
Georgia. Moby, Mendy, MH3? (I got his moniker wrong I'm sure)

It's not Russia or Ukraine, I've been to Russia 5 times and to Ukraine 5 times and I
didn't get laid during my first trip to Russia yet I didn't go around saying that the girls
were all virgins.

I'm not an inexperienced newbie, I made 99 Georgian friends on MySpace and
communicated frequently with several of them. I made over 1100 FSUW friends
on MySpace and I am very good at communicating with them. I've frequently
invited them to chat and they've interacted with some of the guys here. Larry
and others are sure to remember.

I also had conversations with quite a number of Foreigners who were living in Georgia.
Many of them worked for American companies who had operations there. They would
work in Georgia for a month or so then fly out. NONE of them had local girl friends.

As you've stated (my bold) above, my experience is that they didn't have sex with
me and that's true, but your experience in Georgia is zero.

There aren't any MOB agencies and there never have been any in Georgia. Go online
and check the MOB sites, they might have one or two girls from Georgia on them but
just as likely they have none.

The 80% was a guess, but it's just a guess. I will try to invite a Georgian girl or two
here but most of the girls I know from my trip are married now.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 08:31:47 AM
I think Bill is more accurate, than not, about the virginity stuff.  My knowledge comes from talking privately, with a guy married to a Georgian girl, among other sources.

Bill, did you get up into the mountains at all?  There are mountains near Tbilisi, am I correct?

No, I spent my entire time in Tblisi. The mountains in Georgia are amazing.
Here are a few photos

(http://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/22268_1091621706612_1756611_n.jpg?oh=7305cf4e88010b7a30549e3ab69e4465&oe=5600B1A9)


(http://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/22268_1091614866441_8378589_n.jpg?oh=c20a1da5f563703879d88ab193d5ac2f&oe=55D2C83A)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 08:41:04 AM
(http://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p180x540/209654_1351723769001_3268953_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Faux Pas on May 15, 2015, 09:25:28 AM
Faux Pas,

I understand your skepticism, but there are only a few of us that have been to
Georgia. Moby, Mendy, MH3? (I got his moniker wrong I'm sure)

It's not Russia or Ukraine, I've been to Russia 5 times and to Ukraine 5 times and I
didn't get laid during my first trip to Russia yet I didn't go around saying that the girls
were all virgins.

I'm not an inexperienced newbie, I made 99 Georgian friends on MySpace and
communicated frequently with several of them. I made over 1100 FSUW friends
on MySpace and I am very good at communicating with them. I've frequently
invited them to chat and they've interacted with some of the guys here. Larry
and others are sure to remember.

I also had conversations with quite a number of Foreigners who were living in Georgia.
Many of them worked for American companies who had operations there. They would
work in Georgia for a month or so then fly out. NONE of them had local girl friends.

As you've stated (my bold) above, my experience is that they didn't have sex with
me and that's true, but your experience in Georgia is zero.

There aren't any MOB agencies and there never have been any in Georgia. Go online
and check the MOB sites, they might have one or two girls from Georgia on them but
just as likely they have none.

The 80% was a guess, but it's just a guess. I will try to invite a Georgian girl or two
here but most of the girls I know from my trip are married now.

Udachi!

Bill

Bill,  my apologies if you took my comment as a hit on you or your character, it wasn't. I just disagree with you. You are correct, my experience in Georgia is zero. However, your one trip and 99 My space pals is hardly a qualifier for you as all knowledgeable on the virtues of Georgian women. I realize your 80% is nothing more than a haphazard guess. My guess from what I know (granted which is next to nil) would be wayyy less and yes, that is only a guess as well.

I know some Georgians and 6-8 of them happen to be younger females. I know their sexuality is tied to their family honor and that is held in high esteem in Georgian society and firecely protected by the males of the family. But, that doesn't make them virgins. It would lend itself to making them much more selective and secretive but hardly virgins. FWIW
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 15, 2015, 09:33:16 AM
For what its worth:

In the small town I grew up in, it was always the pastor's daughters that fooled around.  It was because of the severe restrictions placed on them in an otherwise somewhat permissive society.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: AC on May 15, 2015, 09:42:21 AM
I know some Georgians and 6-8 of them happen to be younger females. I know their sexuality is tied to their family honor and that is held in high esteem in Georgian society and firecely protected by the males of the family.

This.  Just my two cents, but from what little I've heard, it's more like a traditional Muslim country than most Western countries.  They might not be 80% virgins, but I suspect they are extremely cautious.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Larry1 on May 15, 2015, 09:53:19 AM
I know some Georgians and 6-8 of them happen to be younger females. I know their sexuality is tied to their family honor and that is held in high esteem in Georgian society and firecely protected by the males of the family. But, that doesn't make them virgins. It would lend itself to making them much more selective and secretive but hardly virgins. FWIW

I've dated only one Georgian (she had immigrated to the US) and she told me that her family had been very protective about her that way.

Where I live we have a lot of Chaldeans, a Christian group from the Middle East.  The Chaldean girls looked,dressed, and talked just like Americans. A co-worker of mine told me that he went to high school with lots of them. He said they MUST be virgins at marriage, but when they dated guys they would generally allow the guys to have anal sex with them.  It was such a common phenomenon that people called them Chaldean virgins.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: jone on May 15, 2015, 09:54:50 AM
I've dated only one Georgian (she had immigrated to the US) and she told me that her family had been very protective about her that way.

Where I live we have a lot of Chaldeans, a Christian group from the Middle East.  The Chaldean girls looked,dressed, and talked just like Americans. A co-worker of mine told me that he went to high school with lots of them. He said they MUST be virgins at marriage, but when they dated guys they would generally allow the guys to have anal sex with them.  It was such a common phenomenon that people called them Chaldean virgins.

What did you call them?
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Larry1 on May 15, 2015, 10:04:01 AM
What did you call them?

I never went out with one.  :(
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on May 15, 2015, 10:27:26 AM
I think much of it depends on the age of the girl, the location in Georgia and how well the family knows the guy who wants to date their daughter. In smaller towns and villages it would be more common for a girl to be escorted by a patroni (older brother, male cousin) to make sure her date minds his manners. Older women and those from bigger cities would be less likely to have an escort.

Tbilisi isn't that much different than many other cities in the FSU. Women go out to bars and clubs and have a social life similar to those in Russia and Ukraine. However, it did seem to me that Georgians are a bit more concerned about reputations and 'what the neighbors would think'.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on May 15, 2015, 10:54:45 AM
Interesting, mh7.  I read Bill's post to my better half this morning (he's visited Georgia numerous times), and he laughed.  But, like you, he did say that may be the case in villages, but not in Tbilisi.   


It reminded him of a story of a guy he worked with who was married to a Georgian.  The guy would stay at work for hours, because he said the first thing that occurred when he went home is, his wife would drag him to bed.  The guy was always exhausted, but the result was the same no matter what time he went home.  Perhaps she was making up for the lost virginal years.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Faux Pas on May 15, 2015, 04:06:12 PM
I never went out with one.  :(

Well apparently you didn't call them enough  :D

My wife's first husband was from Tbilsi consequently, she visited much, knows many Georgians and the culture. She describes it as "restrained" but the women not overly different from Russians in sexual attitude. As I said I know some Georgian women and I personally can't tell the difference in them and the many Russian and Ukrainian women I know FWIW
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 05:14:28 PM
Interesting, mh7.  I read Bill's post to my better half this morning (he's visited Georgia numerous times), and he laughed.  But, like you, he did say that may be the case in villages, but not in Tbilisi.   

The girl that I visited lived in Kutaisi which isn't necessarily a village but it's
not Tblisi. I met her in Tblisi with the theory that if things worked out we would
travel to her home in Kutaisi and spend a week there. She had cousins in Tblisi
and stayed with them. Things didn't work out so I never traveled to Kutaisi.

These girls all fasted, they all went to church every single day (it was Easter week)
and church lasted 3+ hours. You can find Russians in Tblisi, you can find hookers
in Tblisi (I didn't look for them but they have them).

Nobody pulled anything over on me, I'm neither gullible nor easily fooled. and I've
seen more than my share of holier than thou types who were anything but.

Title: Georgian virgins?
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 05:17:32 PM
Bill,  my apologies if you took my comment as a hit on you or your character, it wasn't. I just disagree with you. You are correct, my experience in Georgia is zero. However, your one trip and 99 My space pals is hardly a qualifier for you as all knowledgeable on the virtues of Georgian women. I realize your 80% is nothing more than a haphazard guess. My guess from what I know (granted which is next to nil) would be wayyy less and yes, that is only a guess as well.

I know some Georgians and 6-8 of them happen to be younger females. I know their sexuality is tied to their family honor and that is held in high esteem in Georgian society and fiercely protected by the males of the family. But, that doesn't make them virgins. It would lend itself to making them much more selective and secretive but hardly virgins. FWIW

Don't worry, I didn't take any offense and I was sure that somebody would question
my proclamation.

Brasscasing has some experience dating in Georgia but he keeps most of his personal
stuff personal.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on May 15, 2015, 05:37:27 PM
Quote
These girls all fasted, they all went to church every single day (it was Easter week) and church lasted 3+ hours.

Georgians are definitely more religious than Russians and Ukrainians, they take great pride in their christian heritage. A friend of mine there made it his mission to show me, what seemed like, every single church in the country ::). The first several were very interesting but, in case you didn't notice, every church in the country looks exactly the same.
Title: Churches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2015, 05:49:52 PM
Georgians are definitely more religious than Russians and Ukrainians, they take great pride in their christian heritage. A friend of mine there made it his mission to show me, what seemed like, every single church in the country ::). The first several were very interesting but, in case you didn't notice, every church in the country looks exactly the same.

They do tend to start running together and with the super complicated names it's
even more difficult to remember which one is which. Also they still have services in
some very old churches. I took photos of countless churches.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 16, 2015, 02:25:16 PM
I made a couple of videos and uploaded them to youtube.


Tblisi at night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LpwpXpbVWE
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 16, 2015, 02:27:23 PM
Tblisi during the day down on the river


http://youtu.be/O9ChWQOuS4U

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 16, 2015, 02:54:10 PM
 The entire meal including black tea and a take home box cost less
than 10.00 lari (a lari back then was like 1.5:1) 

One is Lobiani– "Bean khachapuri", bread baked with a seasoned bean stuffing
The other is Spicy Beef stuffed Khachapuri both of these khachapuri are from
the Imereti region. I would describe it as stuffed pizza bread, maybe a little
bit like Calizone. The lobiani was a bit dry.

you can find a recipe for Lobiani here
http://georgianrecipes.net/2013/03/29/georgian-lobiani-bean-bread/


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Picture006.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 16, 2015, 03:11:53 PM
I opened an account on Mamba and had lots of trouble using it.
It seemed every hour or so that they would block my account or
to determine my photos shouldn't be allowed.  I didn't even send
out photos of my penis (for once  ;D )

I eventually figured out my Mamba account but getting a Georgian
girl to agree to meet me was nearly impossible.

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:31:46 AM
I want to describe the general friendliness of the people I meet.

Every stranger will stop whatever they are doing to help me.
In a store a girl who doesn't understand a word of English will
search endlessly for whatever it is that I need.

People here are friendly, helpful and sincere and proud of the beauty of the
city around them. They genuinely want me to enjoy my stay and to come
again. Another thing is that, nobody, and I mean nobody mistakes me for
a Georgian.
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:33:51 AM
I got into a taxi and the driver told me to put on my seatbelt  :o  :o
I was sure that could only be a bad sign. Apparently it's a law now
and the second taxi driver told me the same.

The traffic is subdued compared to Russia or Ukraine. It is similar, in that
the lines on the road are there as mere suggestions, and that a new lane
can be generated without regard to those silly painted lines.

In Freedom Square traffic comes in at all angles and leaves in something
like six directions. Somehow we weren't killed when we entered the flow
of 6 different paths crossing. The driver just veered one way and the other
drivers managed to veer a different way that by chance (it seemed) wasn't
the same way that we dodged.

Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:35:17 AM
http://youtu.be/DiFUmTHs9ZE

Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:36:25 AM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/Picture006.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/Picture005.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/Picture001.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:37:19 AM
Walking around Tblisi

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/Picture007.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:42:12 AM
Eating a medium adjaruli Khachapuri They also had a large and an
extra large. It must be for feeding a large family or a boy scout troop. This was
a cheesy flavorful stuffed bread that melts in your mouth.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Bill%20in%20Tblisi_zpsjitvwmmc.jpg?t=1431794346)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:50:50 AM
This is Kupati with Tkemali sauce
This is a zesty, spicy, tangy sauce made from sour plums and peppers.
I LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!  this! The Kupati is a garlicy spicy sausage. I would
recommend not eating this if you expect to have kisses later. My burps
could have peeled the paint off the bathroom walls!

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Picture002-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2015, 09:54:17 AM
This is Chashushuli
Tangy mildly hot with a peppery taste

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Picture001-2.jpg)

If you like spicy, zesty food then you can find some of the best most interesting
food in Georgia.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 17, 2015, 06:02:57 PM
If you like spicy, zesty food then you can find some of the best most interesting food in Georgia.

And if you don't?   :'(  Please tell me that they also do Russian-style bland.  :whew:
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 18, 2015, 07:29:25 AM
And if you don't?   :'(  Please tell me that they also do Russian-style bland.  :whew:

They have Russian food and many types of food which isn't spicy. They excel at
dishes with walnuts and walnut sauces. They have a zillion kinds of cheese stuffed
breads and potato dishes. They have several types of cheeses unique to Georgia
and they claim to have invented wine. They have special ovens just for cooking
bread and they have stuffed dumplings called Khinkali that are divine.

They have over a dozen unique soups, salads and maybe a couple dozen vegetarian
dishes. I've only eaten one stuffed fish but they have an entire menu of seafood and
freshwater fish dishes as well.

Sterlet with Satsivi (Sturgeon with a walnut sauce)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Sterlet_with_satsivi.JPG/1600px-Sterlet_with_satsivi.JPG)


Only like meat and potatoes? they do that in a variety of ways. Most Russian/Ukrainian
cities have at least one Georgian restaurant so you don't have to go to Georgia to
experience Georgian food, although it's much more difficult to find it here in the states.

Udachi!


Bill
Title: Many Georgians make their own wine
Post by: 2tallbill on May 21, 2015, 10:42:02 AM
Many Georgian families make their own wine. They also claim that wine was invented
in Georgia.


I would love to tell you that this wine was stomped by beautiful Georgian maidens
but it wouldn't be true. They used a wine press.

(http://s3.amazonaws.com/hires.aviary.com/k/7904993e4e6b4c4490a86542454fbcd3/15052117/c6d3ad08-1623-40c7-8059-a1248f060bb3.jpg)
Title: Chicken with Satsivi
Post by: 2tallbill on May 21, 2015, 10:48:17 AM
Chicken with Satsivi
Satsivi is a paste made from Walnuts, garlic and spices

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Picture003-1.jpg)

You can find a recipe for Satsivi here
http://georgianrecipes.net/tag/satsivi/
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 21, 2015, 10:59:48 AM
A dessert made with grapes and grape juice

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Picture004-1.jpg)



[edit by Bill to correct spelling noted by Sandro]
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: SANDRO43 on May 21, 2015, 12:07:14 PM
A desert made with grapes and grape juice
Very refreshing for weary camel drivers ;D.

(http://rememberingletters.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/china-xinjiang-desert-caravan.jpg#ActualImage)
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 21, 2015, 01:01:22 PM
Very refreshing for weary camel drivers ;D.

 ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 21, 2015, 03:25:12 PM
Bill, we'll be happy to go on a Dessert Safari with you any time you feel like it.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Patagonie on May 21, 2015, 03:48:48 PM
I've dated only one Georgian (she had immigrated to the US) and she told me that her family had been very protective about her that way.

Where I live we have a lot of Chaldeans, a Christian group from the Middle East.  The Chaldean girls looked,dressed, and talked just like Americans. A co-worker of mine told me that he went to high school with lots of them. He said they MUST be virgins at marriage, but when they dated guys they would generally allow the guys to have anal sex with them.  It was such a common phenomenon that people called them Chaldean virgins.
I really need to date those women.
And still virgin after, fascinating.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: ML on May 21, 2015, 04:32:42 PM
I really need to date those women.
And still virgin after, fascinating.

This is a 'locational' virgin concept.
Title: Re: Georgian virgins?
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 21, 2015, 05:49:46 PM
I really need to date those women.
And still virgin after, fascinating.

I see ... you've now converted your wife to the idea of a standard-style French marriage.  ;D 8) :ROFL:
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 23, 2015, 05:07:36 PM
So back to the trip report in Georgia.

One of my Secret Agents Eka and her charming friend cooked up a Georgian feast
called a Supra.

They served home made Georgian wine, Satsivi and a bunch of other totally
unpronounceable yet delicious delicacies.

One thing about a sufra. There must be bread, salt and wine on the table. In the
old days salt was much sought after and not as easy to come by, but those three
things must be on the table. 

We would take turns toasting each other. For example during my toast to Eka I
would proclaim how she has a wonderful smile, etc, and how I appreciated her
inviting me into her home and introducing me to her friends, and then at the
end we said kxa#$%^nkto <<<<< (a Georgian word I forgot and we would
clink our glasses together take a drink and the toast would move on to the next
person. The toasts would make several rounds of the table.

There are even different kinds of toasts where instead of clinking the glasses
together mildly you would crash them together instead.

This supra was planned on short notice, and as a result Fatima apologized profusely
at the "sparse table that she put together" In my mind it was a feast, in hers it was
barely fit for a guest. I also had to ask her 20 times to relax, that it is a great feast
and that I wanted her to sit so I could enjoy her company.


From Wikipedia
A Supra (Georgian [supra]) is a traditional Georgian feast and an important part of
Georgian social culture. There are two types of supra: a festive supra  lxɪnɪs sʊpra
called a keipi, and a sombre supra tflis sʊpra, called a kelekhi that is always held
after burials.

Here is the Supra that Fatima (Eka's friend) made entirely in my honor.
I put numbers on the individual items so that you can see what is what.
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/sufra.jpg)

Item # 1 is called phelamushi or felamushi which is made from pure
grape juice and is boiled for a long time until it is reduced by half and
is very sweet. Add corn flour to the juice mixture and stir with a wooden
spoon. Eka's and her mother use half corn flour and half wheat flour where
Fatima uses only corn flour.

Depending on the type of grape and the felamushi recipe. For example red
grapes they usually use all wheat flour (white not whole grain)

The mixture is stirred often for about a half an hour. Add nuts (if desired)
pour into a pan and let cool.

Item # 2 Boiled Chicken, which is boiled with its fat.
The chicken is the base then you add your various delectable
sauces to it. 

for example baja and tkemali sauces

Item # 3

Painted Eggs

Bills recipe............ cut up sticks called tsengo
throw sticks and eggs into a bowl and boil for 10 minutes and
then forget about them. The eggs are not consistently colored

Ekas recipe
Put tsengo in woter and boil for long time until the water becomes
dark redthen allow it to cool down add eggs and boil 20 min on low
fire move from heat and slowly add cool water.
Eka's eggs are better than Bills

# 4 Ghomi

It has like a porridge consistency and  it is made with rice, millet
and corn flour Ghomi has a neutral taste and is intended to enhance the food added to it.

Ghomi is served hot and most often a flavorful Georgian cheese
like "imeruli or sulguni" is added to it. You can also add harder
cheeses as well

You put Ghomi on your plate and pour the various delectable sauces
on it.

#5 home made pickles
#6 salt (absolutely required by tradition for any supra)

#7 is Lavashi or Georgian flat bread.

#8 is khachapuri, which has a hundred variations. Usually
a cheese filled bread but really a hundred different kinds
which vary from family to family and region to region and
even different khachapuri for fasting*

*for fasting it can be filled with beans, potatoes, or yeast added
and allowed to rise with greens inside as well

#9 Greens
Radish, onions, tarragon (others can be added as well) 

#10 Candies

#11 Home made wine Yes it's in a beer bottle but it is wine.

#18 Cake Bill went to a store to buy a cake, they only had two things that looked like cake. I bought this one (it was dry and sucked)

#12 Chicken Salad

#13 Fried Chicken

#14 Young Cheese called imeruli

#15 is potato salad, while not a Georgian National Dish it is
still very popular. Just like in the US everybody has their own
recipe. This salad had sweet corn and peas in it.

#16 is Ideali it is a soft cookie made with honey and nuts
and other mysterious ingredients.

#17 Satsivi !!!!!
It is a Georgian dish made with chicken or turkey and walnuts.
It has a different taste than I expected. It is served both hot and
cold. I did not expect the dish to be so flavorful.

18 Lame Cake that Bill brought (tasted like cardboard) 

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 23, 2015, 05:15:47 PM
Here is the inside of the English speaking Foreigner Bar "Scarlet Sails"
The bartenders were cute girls who spoke excellent English and engaging,
they and they had a pretty good band.

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0224.jpg)

I made a few foreign friends at the Scarlet Sails (the Scarlet Sails is the title of a children's
book) One group was from Germany and they had been doing some extreme skiing in
the incredible mountains in Georgia.



Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 23, 2015, 05:34:11 PM
I will give a typical example of how I tried to date a Georgian girl who previously
friended me on MySpace. First they don't really date, but I am getting ahead of
myself.

Here is an example, I wrote a letter to one of the girls I friended on MySpace.
(all names changed)

From me

Gamarjoba Maya (name not Maya), I am in Tblisi for a few days! would you like to
meet for tea? if so please send your contact information to me preferably by text
my phone XXXXX my email YYYY , blah blah blah
Bill

From her
Hi, ok, very nice , I think I can drink tea  or maybe coffee!!! :))) Hope you like Tbilisi!!! :)))
I saw now your letter, I don't use myspace , just sometimes!!! Welcome!!!

End of story, she never responded again, never gave me contact information etc.

Another girl Nino (name not Nino)

Letter one
Gamarjoba Nino, I am in Tblisi for a few days! would you like to meet for tea? if so please send your contact information to me preferably by text my
phone XXXXX my email YYYY , blah blah blah
Bill

From Nino
Oh Bill so nice to hear from you ))))  when did you arrive in Tblisi?
blah blah blah, yada yada yada   
Nino

Letter two

Gamarjoba Nino,
I am so glad to see your letter I arrived a few days ago but I am leaving soon.
blah blah blah, yada yada yada
blah blah blah, yada yada yada
blah blah blah, yada yada yada
I would like to meet you for tea. Please send me an sms as soon as you read this.
I am leaving soon and don't want to miss seeing you
blah blah blah, yada yada yada
blah blah blah, yada yada yada

Kargad
Bill

From Nino (a couple of days later)
When are you leaving?


This exact same story happened again and again and again!!!
10 days in a country and you would likely not even get a girls
phone number. Remember several of these girls I had exchanged
notes with, and greetings, and a dozen other things on MySpace.

There was one woman who I exchanged 5 Letters (5 from me and 5 from
her) and I still to this day have no idea how to contact her, not that I would.
I can find a dumb bunny here if I wanted one.

One girl I exchanged several letters a dozen sms's with but she decided she
wanted to go to Poti with her friends instead and said that she would meet
me the next time I come to Tblisi. This girl didn't give me her cell phone number
for many days.


If you really want to marry a Georgian girl, get a job there and live there
for two years or so, go to Mass every Sunday and holy day(its only 3 hours),
fast during the fasts and I would give you a pretty good chance of being
engaged to a girl who is STILL a virgin, but will probably let you hold her hand
(but don't get any wild ideas). 

A couple of friends showed my photo around, many girls liked what they saw
but NONE would agree to meet.
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 23, 2015, 06:42:57 PM
A couple of friends showed my photo around, many girls liked what they saw but NONE would agree to meet.

Bill, all joking aside, have you ever thought that they may simply have been intimidated by your size?  A lot of girls of average height (say 160-170 cm) could quite easily freak out at the thought of going out with someone who is over 2 metres tall.

As you're into the sporty type, perhaps you should have tried for Maria Sharapova, Eva Hrdinova or Jocelyn Rae (all tennis players who are 6' 2" or 6' 3" tall in your money).
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 11:45:49 AM
Bill, all joking aside, have you ever thought that they may simply have been intimidated by your size?  A lot of girls of average height (say 160-170 cm) could quite easily freak out at the thought of going out with someone who is over 2 metres tall.

As you're into the sporty type, perhaps you should have tried for Maria Sharapova, Eva Hrdinova or Jocelyn Rae (all tennis players who are 6' 2" or 6' 3" tall in your money).

There is a small percentage of women who think I'm too tall. It's been my experience
that most like me, and tall girls are cRaZy about me. Maria Sharapova is out of
my league/age but yes, I've often checked out the tallest girls at an agency since I
know that I've got an excellent chance with them. You wouldn't believe how many
short girls like me too. 

Georgia is just different, by the time I made this trip I've been to Ukraine 5 times and
Russia once and I've dated countless American girls. Things are radically different in
Georgia.

Comparing pursuing Georgian and Russian women are like comparing Aluminum siding
with hair gel.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 11:53:13 AM
An oligarchs house

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0182.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 11:54:06 AM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0183.jpg)

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0184.jpg)


(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0186.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 11:59:51 AM

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0128.jpg)

Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:03:48 PM
This is a quote from Alenika a friend of mine in Georgia, who made this quote about me
at a different place online.

" :-) yes, one of the spies is me ;)
Looking at Bill and his trip now I would agree that Georgia is not a best place to look
for wife, at least not the way as it is used by most [different forum] members.

Don't want to to say Bill did something wrong, he didn't.

But yes, difficult to look here if need back up plans - there is almost no chance here
for it, neither agencies, not girls who are easy to meet accidentally. Only if back up 
plan is tourism this would work fine as Georgia is tourist-friendly country. I would
underline word "friendly". But again - friendly if to take in account people's attitude
only as not many people speak English here still, and not many signs in English,
at least not yet.

That is, it is not easy for English speakers to find ways here to travel alone.

I think there is only one valid reason to come here for woman - if like her really a lot,
and only her (which was true in Bill's case) and when are 100% sure she likes you
the same much. Or - if you are patient enough in case if she likes you but not so
much yet, to behave according to Georgian culture and customs, which says that
man should patiently chase woman for some time, to win her heart, etc.

There is a positive side in chasing woman in Georgia though - it's hardly that she'll
appear to be a scammer, even though it is must in our culture that man spends
money on woman while coutring her. But woman usually will accept significant things
from man when think there is potential of common future with him. The more she
accept, the more sure she is in common future.

I also don't think that Georgian women make better wives, think it's about the same
kind of wives as all FSU women make.

The only difference maybe that she usually has less relationships (or zero) in past.
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:05:56 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0080.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:06:37 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0078.jpg)
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:07:35 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0077.jpg)

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0070.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:10:11 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/bill03.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: AC on May 24, 2015, 12:19:37 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/bill03.jpg)

That is a very good photo, Bill.  Did you use it on one of your profiles?  It shows how FSUW expect a guy to dress.  On a slightly different subject, I agree with the other poster that your height was possibly working against you.  Many women prefer a taller man, but perhaps not as tall as you are.  I notice quite a few FSU women who are 6 feet or so.  Did you marry a taller lady, or was it not important to you?
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 24, 2015, 12:20:31 PM
So, what I did was I wrote to most of my 99 MySpace friends and ask them if they
wanted to meet for tea. I also wrote to hundreds of girls on Mamba and various
other places that I could find.

Not counting my Spies who are friends and not romantic interests I was only able to
meet 4 girls and that includes the girl that I came to see. Hundreds of letters and hours
of efforts utilizing my back up plan produced 3 dates.

So, I spent more time with my friends and they were excellent hosts and they fed me
excellent food and showed me the sights.

When I got home I started looking at every single aspect of my pursuit of FSUW. Who
and how I approached them. Who I weeded out and who I didn't. I reassessed what
my goals were. I rewrote my profile, I decided I needed to change things up.

more to follow................
Title: Re: Georgia Peaches
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 24, 2015, 05:45:47 PM
An oligarchs house

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0182.jpg)

A monument to incredibly bad taste...  :puke:
Title: Re: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 24, 2015, 05:47:00 PM
(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/bill03.jpg)

Apart from this photo, Bill (which I agree is a good one), did you take ANY photos in Tbilisi which did not include a church?  Or is that actually physically impossible?  :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: nic80b on May 27, 2015, 08:43:10 AM
thank you Bill for sharing your experience, your stories are just amazing.
I like the way you explain things, as well as your thoughts.
you appear to be a humble, respectful and wise man at all levels.
Title: Trippin in Georgia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 27, 2015, 09:06:58 AM
thank you Bill for sharing your experience, your stories are just amazing.
I like the way you explain things, as well as your thoughts.
you appear to be a humble, respectful and wise man at all levels.

You're making me blush  ;D

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Georgia Peaches
Post by: 2tallbill on May 27, 2015, 09:43:14 AM
It was becoming Spring in Georgia flowers were blooming, the birds were
singing and love was in the air, but it would also rain.

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0179.jpg)

(http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/loves_georgia/IMG_0180.jpg)
Title: Go back to Start and Don't collect $200.00
Post by: 2tallbill on May 27, 2015, 09:54:20 AM
When I arrived back home, I got a bad cold the developed into pneumonia.

I was sick for a good 3 weeks and during this time I took a very serious look
at every aspect of how, what, why, and who of my searching. I looked at each
individual thing that I did and looked at how I could improve it.

Oh, by the way I very soon bought a camping trailer, and drove it over the Rocky
Mountains to work in the oil fields of North Dakota. I got a job that would allow me
to take off a week or more several times per year.

More to follow..................
 
Title: Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on May 27, 2015, 10:01:13 AM
In June I wrote a pretty girl a letter on Lucky Lovers,

We talked on Skype every day, I called her on the phone every day for a few months.
I was thinking of going to meet her in her city but then she said that she planned to
visit Portland Oregon of all places  :o  :o  :o

I am sure what many of you are thinking, you are thinking Bill is walking into a scam.
That it is very difficult for a FSUW to get a visa to the USA and that I will get the frantic
call asking for visa money, or something similar.

I have heard about this a hundred times.

However I didn't get this vibe from this girl at all.
I was sure that this wasn't happening.

How was I sure? Scammers won't talk to you every day on Skype and talk
to you about everything under the sun. They don't have time, they have to
send hundreds of letters out to hook a man and can't be tied up on Skype
or the phone. Most FSUW are not scammers and I my spidey senses would
have sent me a signal and this girl was sending me signals of interest, her
laugh, her questions, her answers and everything about her were sincere.

Title: My past comes back from the dead
Post by: 2tallbill on May 27, 2015, 10:07:01 AM
So I got into my car after work and start driving like a madman towards Portland Oregon.
It's only 24 hours of driving after 12 hours of work.

During my drive I decide to give the girl a call and see how things are progressing and she
says that she was going to Oregon but didn't want to meet me. She came across an old
antidate thread about me and decided I was a sex tourist.

If you've been reading along from the beginning you might remember that I was branded
a sex tourist while I was in St Pete. She Googled my name and found the thread about me
while I was somewhere in Montana driving like a banshee towards Oregon.
Title: Re: My past comes back from the dead
Post by: Faux Pas on May 27, 2015, 10:13:39 AM
So I got into my car after work and start driving like a madman towards Portland Oregon.
It's only 24 hours of driving after 12 hours of work.

During my drive I decide to give the girl a call and see how things are progressing and she
says that she was going to Oregon but didn't want to meet me. She came across an old
antidate thread about me and decided I was a sex tourist.

If you've been reading along from the beginning you might remember that I was branded
a sex tourist while I was in St Pete.
She Googled my name and found the thread about me
while I was somewhere in Montana driving like a banshee towards Oregon.

I remember that! Have you paid your tribute to Anti-date lately?  ;)
Title: My past comes back from the dead
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 08:41:15 AM
I remember that! Have you paid your tribute to Anti-date lately?  ;)

No, I've moved on.
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 08:50:09 AM
I am somewhere in the huge state of Montana and I pull over my car trying to explain that
I am not a sex tourist and was met with some fairly serious skepticism. How do you disprove
a negative?

So I call the girl from Dnepropetrovsk and ask her if she would talk to this new girl
friend and I contact the Georgian girl and they both agree to give me sterling character
references. Then I directed her to the URL of my actual trip report so she could read it
and decide for herself.

She was reluctant at first but finally agreed that she would talk to my character references.
Then I tore off heading West over the Rocky Mountains hoping that I wasn't making a trip
for nothing. (http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/sad/depressed.gif)(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/sad/depressed.gif)
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 12:38:46 PM
I drove like my hair was on fire until I was dog tired and I nowhere near a city so I
pulled over at a rest stop, reclined my drivers seat and dozed off. This was near the
Great Divide in the Rocky Mountains elevation 5,730 ft (1,750 m).

I woke up a couple hours later with my teeth chattering, so off I drove again like a
bank robber getaway driver.

I called PBG (she was bringing her daughter on the trip) to see if my potential
romantic status was still in peril. PBG had talked to my exGF in Dnepropetrovsk
who gave me an excellent reference and then she read the trip report and wondered
if the AD girls weren't all cRaZy about their perceptions of my sex tourist
designation.

My potential romantic status was back in the green so I continued driving my car
like I was mad at it through Montana, the pan handle of Idaho, through Washington
state then heading South into Oregon.

I arrive in Troutdale just outside of Portland Oregon and see a Motel 6 sign with
my name on it. I had just driven 24 hours after getting off work with two hours
of sleep.

I rented a room, then I took the car down to the car wash to scrape off the 18 million
bugs that I slaughtered along the way. I cleaned out the inside too and got rid of the
various cups, wrappers, dead bodies and detritus that I had accumulated as well.

I bought a bottle of Windex (actually blue generic stuff instead) and paper towels
and wiped down every surface inside the car. I bought a small ice chest, and put
some cheese, and grapes and some sparkling cider in it and some raisins and some
smoked almonds too.

I set the alarm on my cell phone then slept like I was dead.
Title: Re: Driving like a banshee
Post by: jone on May 28, 2015, 01:54:36 PM
I drove like my hair was on fire until I was dog tired and I nowhere near a city so I
pulled over at a rest stop, reclined my drivers seat and dozed off. This was near the
Great Divide in the Rocky Mountains elevation 5,730 ft (1,750 m).

I woke up a couple hours later with my teeth chattering, so off I drove again like a
bank robber getaway driver.

I called PBG (she was bringing her daughter on the trip) to see if my potential
romantic status was still in peril. PBG had talked to my exGF in Dnepropetrovsk
who gave me an excellent reference and then she read the trip report and wondered
if the AD girls weren't all cRaZy about their perceptions of my sex tourist
designation.

My potential romantic status was back in the green so I continued driving my car
like I was mad at it through Montana, the pan handle of Idaho, through Washington
state then heading South into Oregon.

I arrive in Troutdale just outside of Portland Oregon and see a Motel 6 sign with
my name on it. I had just driven 24 hours after getting off work with two hours
of sleep.

I rented a room, then I took the car down to the car wash to scrape off the 18 million
bugs that I slaughtered along the way. I cleaned out the inside too and got rid of the
various cups, wrappers, dead bodies and detritus that I had accumulated as well.

I bought a bottle of Windex (actually blue generic stuff instead) and paper towels
and wiped down every surface inside the car. I bought a small ice chest, and put
some cheese, and grapes and some sparkling cider in it and some raisins and some
smoked almonds too.

I set the alarm on my cell phone then slept like I was dead.

Damn, Bill,

You know all my tricks.  Except I would have put some Amor All on the tires.  You can get it at a Dollar store if you know what you are looking for.

 :popcorn: :popcorn:
Title: Re: Driving like a banshee
Post by: Larry1 on May 28, 2015, 02:08:06 PM
Damn, Bill,

You know all my tricks.  Except I would have put some Amor All on the tires.  You can get it at a Dollar store if you know what you are looking for.

 :popcorn: :popcorn:

I'd put the Amor All on the girl.  It might work.
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 02:31:03 PM
Damn, Bill,

You know all my tricks.  Except I would have put some Amor All on the tires.  You can get it at a Dollar store if you know what you are looking for.

 :popcorn: :popcorn:

That would have been an excellent addition to my preparations.
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 02:34:33 PM
I'd put the Amor All on the girl.  It might work.

Kind of a wax on wax off girl buffing treatment?
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2015, 02:38:05 PM
I wake up feeling alive once again. I shower, shave, scrape off the barnacles and make sure
I don't have any wild hair growing out of my nose or ears and jump into my car (it's an
old Mercedes ML320) I stick the car into reverse back out and then the find that the car
won't go into a forward gear (http://crosstowntorrents.org/images/smilies/th_panic.gif)

I am scheduled to meet PBG and her daughter in two hours at the airport.

I turn off the car and manage to get the car (by driving backwards) into another parking spot.
The transmission will not go into a forward gear. (http://crosstowntorrents.org/images/smilies/th_panic.gif)(http://www.mdjunction.com/components/com_joomlaboard/uploaded/images/panic.gif)
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 29, 2015, 07:13:34 AM
I went into motel 6 and told the clerks there about my problem and that
I would get my car out the next day. Then I grabbed my bag and called
a taxi to go to the airport.

I arrived in plenty of time and waited for PBG and her daughter. I get
some tokens for the Max which is Portland's light rail that goes close to
the hotel. The flight arrived and I waited nearly two hours but finally they
come down the ramp. I pass out two cheek kisses the PBG seemed pleasant
but not excited to see me.

With the 2 hour delay I had plenty of time to figure out which line to get
on and approximately where to get off. I also have an old college roomie
who lives in Portland and has a German car. He told me about a place I
could go where they wouldn't ding me too badly.

So we gather ourselves and head off to the Max. On the Max I ask them
about their adventures so far and tell a few stories and a few jokes and
get a few laughs as we bump on down the line.

They are both a bit sleepy from the trip but seem interested in everything
around them. We get to the hotel and go up to our rooms agreeing to meet
in 20 minutes after they get freshened up. 

Of course 20 minutes in FSUW time is about double from clock time but
they are ready and we start walking around the city. We find some kind of
cultural festival and some parks and statues and I take many photos of them
at various points of interest. Portland is a very beautiful city.

After quite a bit of walking, I asked if they were hungry. They said not really,
but in my experience FSUW  often say that to be polite so I said we could sit
inside and have some tea and look at some of the things we could see tomorrow
(I had some tourist brochures of things nearby. There are a lot of seafood places,
I know that they both like seafood so I picked one and we went inside.

After ordering tea, I said that after the airline food they should have a little
something to eat. I ordered some tuna, some vegetables and fruit along with
bread with olive oil, cheese, and several other things.

I suggested we place it in the center of the table and we all could try a variety of
things. I found out that I was right they seemed plenty hungry when the food came.

I suggested a number of attractions like the Rose garden, the zoo, the Japanese
gardens, OMSI (a museum) Mt Hood, Multnomah falls etc, while they looked over
the brochures.
 
After eating we did more walking and they both started looking pretty drowsy. I
suggested much earlier that they should try to stay up a bit to combat the jet lag
but I could see that they were not going to last long before hitting the land of
slumber. So I suggested that we go back to the hotel and get a hot chocolate
(it had cooled down a bit) and they both liked that idea.

We agreed to meet in the morning. My spidey senses were telling me that PBG
liked me, enjoyed my company but wasn't romantically interested. Like a lot of
guys do I tried to tell myself it was because of the jet lag, or something or
anything else.

to be continued.............
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 29, 2015, 08:49:25 AM
Well done Peter Parker.  You are the consummate host under disagreeable circumstances.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mendeleyev on May 30, 2015, 08:52:08 AM
Enjoyable read, Beeeeel.  :D
Title: Trippin all over the place
Post by: 2tallbill on May 30, 2015, 12:10:01 PM
Enjoyable read, Beeeeel.  :D

 ;D

Thanks Mendy
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on May 30, 2015, 12:23:53 PM
So I go to sleep and wake up at O'dark thirty, take a cab back to my car and get inside.

I start the car and it goes frontwards and backwards. I drive to the German repair place
that my friend recommended. They check it out and tell me that there is a fault in the
catastrophic converter (or something similar). They reset something and I am on my way.

I get back just as PBG and her daughter show up.

I take them to the Rose Garden

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/portland009.jpg)

Next to the Rose Garden are the Japanese Gardens so we go to those as well.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/portland032.jpg)

Then we check out the Columbia river where I break out a little picnic lunch that I had
packed earlier. They are amazed at the beauty and nature around them along with the
friendly and helpful people that we met. They fed the squirrels some of the trail mix that
I bought and they were in heaven.

We head off to Multnomah Falls and there is a little hiking trail. We go hiking up the
trail and look over the Columbia River.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/portland044.jpg)

I can see that the girl likes me but has no romantic interest in me. I took the girls back to
the hotel, we ate dinner and I talked with PBG after her daughter went up to the room.
I gave her information on a bunch of places where she could stay that weren't too expensive.
I packed up my car and headed back to North Dakota driving like a banshee since my home
is only 24 hours away.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/portland045.jpg)

I talked to this girl every day on Skype for hours. I was bummed out. This was becoming a
little like a broken record, but I'm not giving up. I am either too stupid, too stubborn or both
to give up. 

More to follow..................
Title: Back in North Dakota (Norf Dekody)
Post by: 2tallbill on May 30, 2015, 12:40:13 PM
I am back in North Dakota and sign back up with Elena's models and Lucky Lovers.net

I wrote a zillion letters and then one November morning I came across this 6' tall Green
Eyed Girl (GEG) who was an English teacher so I wrote her a short letter letting her know
that it was highly unlikely that we were going to get married and live happily ever after if
she didn't write me back. Of course she wrote me back (she's only human) and the letter
exchange began.

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 30, 2015, 12:42:54 PM
So after a couple of letters I popped the question.

Yes, I wanted her phone number. I had to promise to try not to get drunk and
call her at 4:00 am too many times. She had a nice laugh, her English was good
so then I really popped the question.

Yes, I wanted to chat on Skype. She balked a bit, so I explained that if she thought
that I didn't look like a shaved monkey on a fisheyed Skype lens that she might not
go running away screaming when she sees me in the airport. She thought that might
be a good idea.

I was working 13 hour days but only 6 days a week at that time so I called her
every day but we only chatted on Skype only on Saturday and Sunday in her 
evening.

We covered every subject under the sun including subjects that some people
here think you can only speak about after marriage and then only in hushed
tones.

More than once I asked her why she wasn't married, all the local men surely
can't be blind how would they drive? It would be chaos ! She said that there
were a lot of beautiful girls in Russia she was just average there etc. But one
time she said that sometimes she has a little bit difficult personality.

I asked her "what do you mean?" and she didn't really explain in a way that
I could understand. I probed around a bit without success, so I filed it away
for future exploration.

More to come...........
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 30, 2015, 04:21:18 PM
A six foot tall GEG is way too tall for you, 2tall.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 31, 2015, 12:38:03 PM
A six foot tall GEG is way too tall for you, 2tall.

Maybe, she is only 7 inches shorter than me.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 31, 2015, 12:39:37 PM
So we talk on the phone and chat.

In her photos at EM she looked a bit average. She looked even better on Skype.
How can any girl look better on Skype? The plastic fish eyed lens doesn't improve
the looks of anyone (in my opinion) Maybe she was growing on me?

She laughed at my jokes (most of them) she was engaging. She was very tall
(which is a plus) and so I logged on to Kayak.com and bought tickets to Moscow
SVO for January.

She would be with her family in St Pete for New Years and then her mother and
son would go on to Voronezh without her. She would meet me in the airport and
we would walk around Red Square then hop on an overnight train to Voronezh.

That was plan A. What happens if she looks at me in the airport and runs screaming
away?  :o

I didn't have a very good plan B. Ok, let's be honest I had NO PLAN B.
I know that I should have a backup plan. I am the poster boy for a guy
who should have a backup plan.

I've traveled a zillion miles across the planet to meet a girl and then it didn't
work out. I've never been abandoned the airport yet.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on May 31, 2015, 12:41:57 PM
I received my Passport with Visa attached*

I bought a smarter than me phone. (it's locked because I didn't know any better)
I bought the biggest one that they had that wasn't an Ipad. I have big hands and
old man eyes and I don't want to read minuscule text (because I can't)

I told the phone sales people that I was going to Russia and it needed to work.
I might as well had been speaking to them in Russian, they just sold me a phone
without any consideration to how it would work overseas.

I'm in the Bakken oil fields my flight leaves at Ohhhh so Dark Thirty in Bismarck.
There has been snow, ice and freezing fog. So I leave the day before my flight.
Check into a Motel 6, shower, shave, set three different alarms on my phone
drink a Piva and hit the sack.

I'm colorblind, tone deaf, dyslexic and dumb. What could possibly go wrong?  :P


*I used gotorussia.com they also promise to give you miles when you use them
but as of today they lie.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 12:55:02 PM
I woke up with the first alarm. Jumped (staggered) into the shower and
was finished packing when the taxi showed up to take me to the airport.
I picked up my suitcase and POP! the handle came off in my hand.

Nothing to worry about because there was a handle on the other side so
I pick it up and POP! the second handle comes off in my hand.

So I just pick it up my stuff like a wanna be bag lady or maybe looking like
Steve Martin in the Jerk and throw it in the trunk. I'm 3+ hours from home
and I'm gonna make this one work*.

(http://www.funcage.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/the-jerk-original.jpg)


I make it to the airport with plenty of time. The Bismarck airport is tiny.
26 or so hours later I arrive in Moscow. I get very little sleep but did manage
to sweet talk the Flight Attendant into giving me an exit row seat for the flight
over the Ocean so I was able to nod off from time to time.

I get through the various lines, gather my bags and make way for the exits.
I get through the exits and I see a tall beautiful girl waiting for me with a
huge smile. I give her a cheek kiss and a hug (she smells nice too) and we
go off towards the exits GEG and me.

I see a little cafe and suggest we get some tea. I am in serious need of some
caffeine. I get tea GEG gets some hot cocoa and the waitress rolls her eyes.
Did GEG say something offensive? did I smell offensive? did I do some ugly
American thing? why did she do that?

I ask about exchanging some money and getting a Russian sim card for my
phone. GEG says that it would be better to get a sim card in Voronezh with a
local Voronezh phone number, which makes sense so I agree.

more to follow


*The long extending pull handle is still on the suitcase.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 12:57:59 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0617_zps7b46ccaa.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 01:00:25 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0616_zpsbb08798a.jpg)
Note the woman in the photo is innocent, and was just in the way. She has no past, present
or future role in my trip report.




Title: Rushing around Moscow
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 01:00:54 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0598_zpsd44f0eb6.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 01:01:23 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0597_zps6ae48f6c.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 01:05:16 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0618_zps82c34fa5.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 02:10:00 PM
Note: The orange hat has been thrown away by my Russian wife. She didn't like it.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0607_zpsa065ce8e.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 02:20:45 PM
We get fueled up with tea and coffee at a shop inside the airport and
then hustle off to the train. It's snowing outside, Moscow was not designed
for guys to drag suitcases around with them. We buy train tickets (actually
she does since I haven't exchanged any Rubles yet.) for an evening trip to
Voronezh and then we find a place nearby up and down many staircases of
icy snowy stairs to stash our bags.

We go out and exchange some of my dollars for Rubles and I finally feel like
I am not a leach using her money for everything. I try to give her some then
but she poo poos the idea. We get on another train and end up at Red Square.

Red Square was very very very cool. We went inside the church, took photos and
generally walked around being tourists. We had dozens of photos taken of us
together.

Waves of sleepiness start hitting me like I was marching forward in a hot strong
wind, so I suggest more caffeine. GEG likes the idea so we have some coffee, tea
and cake. I decide that I got my second wind and off we go to be tourists again.

We walk and talk for hours. Checking out bustling Moscow, and the sites.

I suggest we get something to eat. My head feels like I was on one of those
spinning carnival rides. The combination of lack of sleep caffeine and sweets
on an otherwise empty stomach was sending me towards Zombieland.

We find an authentic Ukrainian Restaurant and sit down. I order some borscht
and black bread and an entire pot of black tea, she orders some tasty looking
blini with raspberries and cream(I think)  The conversation is going well, she
seems genuinely interested in me. Her English was good, but occasionally I
would get going too fast and have to repeat what I said.

I am really fading fast the day has ended and we are nowhere near where we
need to be so we walked, took a train to collect our bags, then took another
train to somewhere else (it was a blur) then we finally go onto the train to
Voronezh. We were the only passengers in the little compartment.  :devil:
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 02:53:49 PM
So the train takes off towards Voronezh and I'm not going to talk about some of the
specifics about the ride on the train.

Some thoughts regarding the train
1. The toilet goes right onto the tracks  :o
2. They gave us sheets and a thin blanket which was far too short to make up
the bunks that folded down out of the walls. I would have liked to have another
one but it wasn't too bad. I felt like I had a childs blanket that covered my shins
to my nipples.  :o
3. The tickets GEG bought included food, but if you don't do this then I would
recommend stocking up a back pack of things to eat and drink.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0649_zps4fcbcc4c.jpg)
This is the Voronezh train station


We arrived in Voronezh and GEG called the apartment manager, who arrived at my
apartment about the same time that as it took us to walk from the train station
which was only a few blocks away.

We unpacked, I jumped into the tub to wash with a water weasel hose. For those
who haven't been to the FSU. They always have this hose attachment to the tub.
The pressure of the water causes the hose to flop around unless you got a good
hold of it. If you let go the thing will pretty much drench anything that is below
the 1.5 meter mark (5 feet) it's a learned skill that varies from water weasel to
water weasel.

I did manage to drench my clothes, the floor and pretty much everything else.
Eventually (in a future washing) I learned how to trap the water weasel without
soaking everything in the room. [Note this is at least the 20th time I soaked a
room with the water weasel attachment so it's possible that I'll never learn]

The towels are thread bare and there aren't enough of them (more than two) to
use one as a bath mat since then GEG wouldn't have one. I dried myself as well
as possible while still in the tub, then stepped on my wet clothes then used the
mop in the corner to soak up the water.

There is a washing machine in the corner that I learned to put my clothes. It isn't
completely water weasel safe but I would say it's far better than the floor.

More to follow.
Title: Nickle tour of my Voronezh Apartment
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 03:05:00 PM
This was the apartment that I rented, it was approximately $50 per night.
Please excuse the goofball cameraman and narrator  ;D
http://youtu.be/Pb01ueNyyCE


Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 01, 2015, 03:06:34 PM
My apartment was located above a little bar/cafe that made it's own beer and
had a house band that played each evening called the Pintagon (like the Pentagon)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0622_zps580348de.jpg)
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 01, 2015, 09:15:42 PM
We unpacked, I jumped into the tub to wash with a water weasel hose. For those who haven't been to the FSU. They always have this hose attachment to the tub. The pressure of the water causes the hose to flop around unless you got a good hold of it. If you let go the thing will pretty much drench anything that is below the 1.5 meter mark (5 feet) it's a learned skill that varies from water weasel to water weasel.

Something I couldn't get over in the FSU - why is the radical Western invention known as the "shower curtain" unknown in so many apartments?  :o  There's no problem if you're in a (rare) apartment with a dedicated shower stall, but just about every apartment I've seen has a shower over the bath, all with the flexible hose instead of the usual Western shower head fixed to the wall, and no protection for the floor or other fittings.  While there are many Western showers with a flexible hose, they ALL have the option of leaving it fixed to the wall or resting in a bracket so that you can use it "hands-free."

For those of you contemplating inviting anyone (not just a woman) directly from Eastern Europe to stay, and you have a fixed shower over the bath, make sure they know what the shower curtain is for BEFORE you let them loose in the bathroom.  :D  Chances are that, even if pulled across, the bottom of the curtain may be left outside the tub, so that you'll find a flood anyway.  :sad:

This is NOT a dig at foreigners - it's just what people are (or are not) used to.  I had never seen a bidet before I travelled to France, and had absolutely no idea how to use it.  At least I didn't flood the bathroom!
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 02, 2015, 05:30:15 AM
I had never seen a bidet before I travelled to France, and had absolutely no idea how to use it.
I remember a news item many years ago about a foreign couple who had rented an apartment here, and converted it to a flower bed to gentrify the bathroom :D.
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: LiveFromUkraine on June 02, 2015, 09:12:43 AM
I had never seen a bidet before I travelled to France, and had absolutely no idea how to use it.  At least I didn't flood the bathroom!


My first time was in India. 


(http://design-altruism-project.org/images/Baths/bucket.jpg)


 :P
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Faux Pas on June 02, 2015, 09:22:38 AM

My first time was in India. 


(http://design-altruism-project.org/images/Baths/bucket.jpg)


 :P

Are you sure that was in India?  :D
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 10:09:44 AM
So GEG and I moved into the apartment in the video and play house.

We went to get my visa registered at the post office. GEG cut to the front
of the line and asked the bureaucrat at the desk about registering my visa.
She was sent to another line which  she also jumped. Where she was sent
back to the original line which she jumped again.

Apparently GEG annoyed the bureaucrat. The bureaucrat eventually gave
GEG the proper form to fill out. GEG began filling it out and I gave her the
information as she asked for it. GEG got bounced around from line to line. 

She had to fill out the form three times before the bureaucrat was satisfied.
A blind man could tell that GEG was pissed. When we finally got done, we
walked outside and guess who got chewed out?

1. Russian bureaucracy
2. Mean lady at the post office
3. Bill

If you guessed 1 or 2 you would be wrong.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 10:14:35 AM
GEG (Green Eyed Girl) started off by cutting in line, insisting on the bureaucrats
not being bureaucrats and I could tell by her tone of voice she was not treating
them as equals so they ran her through her paces as only Russian bureaucrats
know how to do.

Some American bureaucrats are the same. Some get perverse pleasure in getting
people to jump through hoops. NOTE I wrote SOME not all or most. However, it's
always been my experience that you can catch more flies with honey than with
vinegar or attitude. 

She was frustrated and basically vented on me. I let her blow off her steam but
when she went in for round two I put a stop to it. It seems she doesn't treat
everyone nicely some waiters / waitresses for example but sometimes others
as well.

I saw a few flags orange not red, I think that she is a little bit high maintenance.
Let's call it moderately high maintenance. GEG is tall, beautiful, interesting, and
has many positive attributes. I think she might make some man a good wife, but
not me since we broke up the next day. 

Title: Once again alone and far from home
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 10:21:27 AM
So once again I am alone and far from home. I go to a internet cafe
fire up Mamba, Elena's models, free sites and social networking sites.
I write several letters and quickly have several dates, who I start
meeting as soon as possible.

I have a friend in Voronezh she is a very cute girl who Jumper and Larry
both know as a friend as well. (this is truly a small world) I will call her Sally.
She has excellent English, is funny, has a bubbly laugh and did I say she is
cute? Yes she has a photo in the dictionary under the word.

Why not pursue Sally?
I would be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to her but something inside me
tells me that she and I are destined to be friends.

I set up a meeting with a tall girl named E! who is cute speaks good English,
we have coffee / tea, walk around in the square in the snow but I don't feel
anything even slightly resembling a spark.

I meet Sally for lunch and talk about life. Sally tells me she never really liked
GEG (Green Eyed Girl) from conversations about her. (They didn't meet in person)
Sally has some kind of 7th sense about FSUW and was able to accurately predict
all kinds of conversations / situations that GEG and myself the actually happened.
Sally had GEG pegged. We eat lunch and off I go back to the internet cafe.

Where I set up a date in the evening with M!
I set up a date with E2! but she wants to change it at the last minute.

I have a few more dates nothing exciting. One girl is a smoker and another is
a stick. Not slim, not skinny but a stick. I continue setting up dates concentrating
on girls who speak some English.

Again, I meet Sally for lunch and she gives me advice/pointers as well.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 10:27:28 AM
I see a girl with beautiful green eyes on one of the social networking
sites. I send her a quick letter

Hi (her name here)
My name is Bill and I was looking at different profiles but when I saw
your amazing eyes I had to write you immediately. My friends say I am
tall, funny, clever and interesting (I love my friends) why don't you meet
me for coffee or tea and cake and see if my friends are correct?

Pishi!

Bill


She answers saying that her English isn't that great so I reply that one
of my friends is a translator. 

I set up a meeting at a downtown cafe. I talk to Sally and she agrees to
come along and give me her opinion as well along with a little help with
translating if necessary.

I get to the meeting, look at this girls eyes and I am stunned. Her eyes
actually radiate electricity. I have dated plenty of beautiful women. I am
stunned and amazed by how this girls eyes smile at me.

I get instant primal urges to pick up this girl and drag her to my cave.
Luckily I am able to resist the urges and sit down and talk with this girl
her name for this TR will be AE (Angel Eyes)

Sally likes the girl immediately and tells me so. 15 minutes later Sally says
"She is a smart girl." at the end of the meeting I set up another date.

After the meeting Sally and I talk. Sally is impressed with AE (Angel Eyes).
She tells me that she is a good girl. Sally rarely passes out compliments
about a girl anywhere near this frequently.

I was impressed too.

more to come. . . . .. . . ...
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 02, 2015, 06:16:00 PM
I remember a news item many years ago about a foreign couple who had rented an apartment here, and converted it to a flower bed to gentrify the bathroom :D.

Nice!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 02, 2015, 06:21:06 PM
After the meeting Sally and I talk. Sally is impressed with AE (Angel Eyes). She tells me that she is a good girl. Sally rarely passes out compliments about a girl anywhere near this frequently.

I was impressed too.

more to come. . . . .. . . ...

For goodness' sake, Bill!  Please ignore your family, work and any other outside commitments, and concentrate on telling this story!   :devil:  It's absolutely riveting. :clapping:
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 06:29:22 PM
For goodness' sake, Bill!  Please ignore your family, work and any other outside commitments, and concentrate on telling this story!   :devil:  It's absolutely riveting. :clapping:

I'm glad you like it  ;D
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 06:34:05 PM
The plot thickens ...................

I have a date that evening with AE (Angel Eyes) and GEG calls me (Green Eyed Girl)

GEG explains that she rented the apartment for me and the apartment manager
had some questions as to the time I was leaving because she had another
renter who wanted it after I left. The apartment manager doesn't speak a word
of English (I know this is true) and that she needed to translate. GEG goes on to
explain that she really needs to meet me that evening since she will be busy at
work the rest of the week.

I said, "I don't know, I'm kind of busy I'll see what I can do." Which GEG
took as a yes. 

I go to meet with AE (Angel Eyes) at a Sushi place we both know about
(Sally had agreed to meet us there as well). I just as I arrive I get a text 
GEG saying that she is on the way to my apartment............  :o  :o

Don't worry it gets worse ......................
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 06:40:19 PM
It gets worse.............

While we are waiting for our food at the Sushi place I give my camera
to Sally to take a photo of us. After Sally takes the photo Angel Eyes (AE)
asks to see.

Sally says "sure, but I want to look first." As Sally is going through the photos
she looks at me and telepathically asks about deleting GEG photos from my
camera which occurs to me as Sally is going through the photos. I don't have
the ability to communicate telepathically but I quickly nod my head, and Sally
deletes all the photos with Green Eyed Girl (GEG) in them.

Now I get another SMS from GEG telling me she would spend the night and
that we should F#CK (her words not mine) then get back together as a couple. 

Angel Eyes gets the camera from Sally and goes through the photos and explains
that tonight at midnight there is a Orthodox ceremony where they bless the water
and pass it out. She asks me if I would like to come.

Now I have an angel on one shoulder telling me to go to the water blessing ceremony
with Angel Eyes and the Devil SCREAMING in my other ear that the ceremony is going
to be
1. Long
2. At midnight
3. In Russian
4. I will NOT be getting F#cked (her words) by GEG unless I said no.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/simpsonsangeldevil_zpsce72a397.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: KenInUtah on June 02, 2015, 07:09:04 PM
I hope you started thinking with the big head and not the little one!
Title: Don't think that temptation never entered my mind
Post by: 2tallbill on June 03, 2015, 11:26:11 AM
I hope you started thinking with the big head and not the little one!

Don't think for a second that I wasn't seriously tempted to do the wrong thing.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 03, 2015, 11:33:09 AM
My locked smarter than me phone with a Russian sim card in it
makes this whistle sound whenever I get an sms. I have been
getting a series of whistles from GEG now.

Sally looks at me with eyebrows raised and Angel Eyes looks at me expectantly
awaiting my answer about the evenings activities. I explain that GEG is supposed
to meet me regarding the apartment so that she could translate for me with the
apartment manager. I explain that GEG is not the most patient girl in the world
hence the sms barrage.

Sally looks at me like I just lost my mind.

Sally volunteers to do the translating for me, great idea I say. I better call GEG
to tell her that it's not necessary to meet. Once again Sally gives me the look
that told me that she thinks I have emptied my gun shooting myself in the foot
and have decided to reload.

I step outside and make the call. Before I can say a single word GEG says "I am
waiting outside the apartment door! Come down and let me in! I AM READY!"
(very briefly I imagine what she is ready for) then I explain that I am not in the
apartment building. "WHAT!" she says........"WHY!?!" I try to explain that I am meeting
with Sally and only get a few words out before GEG starts on a screaming diatribe
about her views of my various, assorted (and numerous)  shortcomings in a way that
causes the hair on the inside of my ear to catch fire.

I am beginning to realize that this very tall beautiful girl has probably told some
lucky men besides myself that she was going to F#ck him, but it was quite possible
that I was the first to not readily agree. Not long after that thought occurred to me
GEG said F#CK YOU! and hung up.

I started to go inside but got another sms from GEG. I looked at the time
(nearly 10:00 pm) quickly turned off my phone and walked inside.

Sally and said "Beel, Angel Eyes wants to know if you will go to the water blessing
ceremony and I really think you should go" I read Sally loud and clear, so I said it
will begin in only two hours. It makes no sense for me to go to my apartment,
maybe Angel Eyes and I can walk  around talking then go to the Church
(the Church was a couple hundred meters from the Sushi Place)

Relieved, Sally said that this was an excellent idea. That she would go home and
that Angel Eyes and myself would continue the evening without her.

We walk around arm in arm, chatting. I try to tell joke or two sometimes with
success. Right next to the church was an internet cafe where I had found Angel
Eyes profile. There is a young Russian kid there maybe 20 years old who after
finding out I was an American became the founding member of the 2tallbill fan
club. He knew I had come to Voronezh to meet a girl and that things didn't
work out so I was trying to find another.

He is friendly nearly to the point of being a pest, but I can't help but like him.
When he sees me with Angel Eyes he gives me the thumbs up (he approves
of her too)

I explain that I want two computers side by side with the internet so that we
could chat together on them using google translate. Angel Eyes knows a bit
of English but is very shy when she can't think of a word.

We chat back and forth. I tell jokes and stories and only seconds later the
two hours is gone and it's time to go to the church. We go inside, purchase
some candles and go over to a large stainless steal container with water in
it a tin cup beside it. She drinks several cups of the water and hands the
cup to me.

I NEVER drink water in Russia that doesn't come out of a plastic bottle. However
this evening I decide to give it a whirl. I start to drink it and she stops me. She
shows me how to drink from the cup. You don't touch the cup to your lips. You
touch the cup to the skin about a 1/4 inch below your lips. Then lift the cup, the
water pours onto your skin, over your lip and into your mouth. I drink most of the
water in the cup and she finishes the rest.

There are a number of priests walking around giving blessings, waving incense
over the alter, and to the general congregation. There are many statues and
paintings of various saints. With numerous candles burning around them.

They had a babushka brigade at least one in charge of each saint who kept the
candles burning, monitored the excess wax, would move the candles about and
generally keep the area tidy. They had no compunction about snatching the candle
out of your hand and from that time on it was her candle and NOT yours.

Angel Eyes went to several different saints offered candles and prayers and I kept
quiet and hoped that I didn't do anything to draw the ire from any of the babushkas.
Finally we made our way to to the where Angel Eyes collected a couple gallons of
water which she was going to take home with her.

We walked outside, arranged to meet the next morning (it was probably around
3:00 am) so it wouldn't be too far in the distant future. I tried to get a kiss before
she left but I got the cheek.

Off to bed I go alone, with thoughts of the dazzling girl with Angelic eyes.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on June 03, 2015, 11:38:13 AM
Beel,

I'll bet that shower was cold when you fired up the water weasel. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: southernX on June 03, 2015, 06:07:57 PM
Quote
WHAT!" she says........"WHY!?!" I try to explain that I am meeting
with Sally and only get a few words out before GEG starts on a screaming diatribe
about her views of my various, assorted (and numerous)  shortcomings in a way that
causes the hair on the inside of my ear to catch fire.


bill , absolute gold humour above, ;D

im sure all of us married guys have experienced some of that ear catching fire at odd times  ;)

SX
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 03, 2015, 06:18:46 PM

bill , absolute gold humour above, ;D

im sure all of us married guys have experienced some of that ear catching fire at odd times  ;)

SX

The temptation to see her was suddenly not so hard to resist  ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on June 03, 2015, 06:20:16 PM
Hey, Bill,

Can you get me GEG's full name and phone number?   :devilish:


Just in the off chance I am ever in Voronezh.    :thumbsup:

Title: Barking up the wrong tree
Post by: 2tallbill on June 03, 2015, 07:08:28 PM
Hey, Bill,

Can you get me GEG's full name and phone number?   :devilish:


Just in the off chance I am ever in Voronezh.    :thumbsup:

She's married to somebody else now. Hopefully they are happy
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 03, 2015, 07:11:50 PM
I spent the next evening and all day Saturday with Angel Eyes. The more
time I spent with her the more I convinced that this is the girl I have been
looking for all these years.

Saturday evening Angel Eyes and Sally take me to the airport. I get on a plane
to Moscow DME. I take a taxi to SVO (I forget which one) and stay up all night
in the airport waiting for my early morning flight.

I am cautiously optimistic that Angel Eyes is the one.

I fly 20+ hours and arrive in Bismarck North Freaking colder than a witches
tit Dekody. It's -14F (-25C) with wind and freezing fog. I haven't slept in a
very long time. My son arrives with some of his buddies to pick me up. They
all complain about the bad fog and icy roads. So I buy 3 Rock Star energy
drinks and back to the oil patch we go.

My son and his buddies say not a word as they play their various games and
electronic gadgets. This gets on my nerves as I am dead dog tires, so I tell
them I haven't slept in days and if they all want to end up dead in the ditch
then by all means be a quiet as possible because I could really use the sleep.

So they keep me awake with their stories, questions and antics. Finally somewhere
in the Bad lands the 3 rockstar energy drinks work through my system and I need to pull over to pee.

If anyone wants to know, I can confirm that -14F is not the best temperature in
which to expose Willy. The wind was howling and so was I. I can tell you
Mr Happy wasn't.

More to follow
Title: Re: Barking up the wrong tree
Post by: jone on June 03, 2015, 07:58:17 PM
She's married to somebody else now. Hopefully they are happy

If it is an American guy, she'll fit right in.  In three years they will probably think she's a native.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 09:42:52 AM
So, I arrived home and started the process of getting to know Angel Eyes
and winning her heart. I told her my life story, she told me hers. We exchanged
emails, sms, phone conversation and she starts studying English.

I had a single visit visa so I sent off my passport for a 1 year multi-entry
visa to gotoRussia.com . I don't have enough time left on my passport
before it expires for a 3 year multi entry visa.

I bought tickets for April to Voronezh. This time landing at DME, which has
direct flights from there to Voronezh. Angel Eyes finds a different apartment
with wifi in it (fifth floor no elevator I find out later).
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 09:44:23 AM
April comes and I had put off getting a plane ticket to Voronezh and
I start looking for a ticket and none are to be found  :o they are sold
out

I ask angel eyes and she finds one of her friends to drive from Voronezh
(6 hours each way) to pick me up and drop me in Voronezh for approximately
$250 (I forget how much exactly) which after a few calculations is just a few
dollars more than the gas will cost. 

I arrive in the airport and a big guy holding a sign with my name on it is standing
at the arrivals. I say hi, he doesn't speak English and neither does the cute girl
who arrived with him.

I put my bags in his well used but clean Mercedes van he hands me a pillow and a
tells me spat' (sleep) which sounds like a good idea to me. He drives off like a 
madman weaving in and out of traffic, and slowing down when his radar detector
goes off.

I decide to give sleep a try and shortly later I am off to dreamland.
Title: Before I leave I send my Auntie a birthday greeting
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 09:46:44 AM
My Auntie had a birthday so I took this video of myself in Balmy Norf Dekody
before leaving on my trip to wish her happy birthday.


http://youtu.be/kczMO0j7lsw?list=UUvFUHQZ_ja1G16LqA3VT9ZQ
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 09:59:57 AM
I wake up in a haze while we barrel down the highway my bladder
needs relief and if we don't hit any of the cars that we are narrowly
missing then I am going to eventually need to find a toilet/tree/bush. 

I definitely think the driver Yuri (not his real name) has NASCAR type skills
and his ponytailed navigator Penny (not her real name either) is always
scrutinizing the radar detector for any pip or squeak that it emits. I probably
don't need to state that Russian roads are not the smoothest (insert under-
statement of the year award here) somehow Yuri always misses the huge
potholes and every other hazard that pops up unannounced but Penny's
ponytail hasn't stopped bobbing (nor my bladder) since we left the airport.

I engage them in some conversation with my limited Russian but before
I can bring up the world туалет (toilet) the radar detector starts screaming
Yuri hits the breaks and pulls into a gas station. Penny's ponytail got it's first
break. I jump out, explain that I need the toilet, that I will be back shortly
and to please not leave without me.

I use the toilet, splash some water on my haggard sleep deprived face then
I buy some water, Lipton bottled iced tea (at room temperature) and some gum
(I plan on getting the lips rather than the cheek this time) 

We arrive in Voronezh and Yuri takes us to the apartment my girl arranged for
us. I get out and Angel Eyes wraps here arms around me. Wow she smells great,
she looks divine, her eyes can light up the night sky. I get my kiss and go back
for a second which I get that one returned as well.

We separate, I gather my bags and we make our way to the stairwell and I drag
my bag up to the fifth floor where we arrive to a dinner that Angel Eyes prepared
for us including Yuri and Penny. We eat, the food was amazing, She had obviously
spent significant time putting together this spread.

Eventually Yuri and Penny leave. I find out that Penny is Yuri's mistress  :o and
that his wife in nothing like the bubbly, bouncy, ponytailed Penny.

I use the bathroom tub with whirly gig water weasel to remove some of the
filth and bilge that one acquires after traveling half way around the world.
I shave, brush my teeth and knock off the barnacles and go back to the
kitchen to find that she has already done the dishes and put everything away.

She is looking at me, her eyes like deep pools of emerald water reflecting
back rays of the sun like little stars blinking back at me. Her smile is like
a warm blanket on a cold night.

to be continued...............
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Noch1 on June 04, 2015, 11:15:31 AM


She is looking at me, her eyes like deep pools of emerald water reflecting
back rays of the sun like little stars blinking back at me. Her smile is like
a warm blanket on a cold night.

to be continued...............
Why don't you tell us, how you really feel :)

Great storey.
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:39:43 PM
Why don't you tell us, how you really feel :)

Great storey.

I'll try to be more specific next time  ;D
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:43:14 PM
AE (Angel Eyes) and I spend the next days together experiencing pure bliss.
We walk around Voronezh looking at the historic parks. We have long talks
late into the evening. I am becoming more and more smitten each day.

AE has a daughter named SG (Smiley Girl) who has been studying English 
as well and comes to see us at lunch time. I make some hot cocoa and show
her how to melt marshmallows in it. The marshmallows are a hit. Lunch is
Borscht, salad, pork fried rice (I made this) some kind of tasty meat that was
cooked with a bell pepper and cheese on the top of it, bread and juice.

SG is a sweet girl, very well mannered and quick with a joke or funny prank.
She's taken on the job as official photographer. On a number of occasions,
I will yell "STOP! it's the paparazzi !" which will make her giggle wildly while
taking many more photos.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:45:36 PM
Voronezh WWII Memorial
January photos
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0669_zpsf9622356.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0666_zpsba9283ed.jpg)


Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:46:18 PM
January Photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0668_zpsd4341a58.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0667_zps99410a98.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:47:20 PM
January Photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0670_zpsa4e1b1ae.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:47:50 PM
January Photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0664_zps183e34ba.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:49:15 PM
January Photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0663_zpse0a2d2a3.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0660_zps72cda25c.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0658_zpsb467d3d4.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:53:09 PM
Voronezh in January

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0655_zpsa8ce9401.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0654_zps24e54217.jpg)
Title: The January Elevator over the Pintagon Pub
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:56:26 PM
When I was in Voronezh in January they had two elevators. One elevator had no
lights and I refused to get on it. The second elevator had 1/4" plywood for walls
and they were very flexible. I could imagine falling to my death if I leaned against
them

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0651_zpsdb279997.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0650_zps3f9ce523.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:57:36 PM
Another shot of the train station

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0648_zps2c8b788b.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:58:17 PM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0647_zps98fc2c51.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 12:58:55 PM
Here is the church where the water blessing took place

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0646_zps75e9ac19.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:00:31 PM
Here is the internet cafe with the first member of the 2tallbill fan club Voronezh chapter

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0644_zps09d02731.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:01:48 PM
I was trying to figure out how to catch a ballet or something to learn a little
more about Russian culture.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0643_zps4e7c84d9.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:02:34 PM
More January Voronezh photos

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0625_zpsd6a7e759.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0624_zps11d47e65.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0623_zps6829d348.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:05:37 PM
Some very hardy fishermen fishing in the Voronezh River

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0677_zps075133b4.jpg)



I'm more of a fair weather fisherman myself
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0678_zps45aae98c.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:06:40 PM
Voronezh was awarded a medal for their efforts and sacrifice in WWII
January photo

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0679_zpsd387c160.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:07:50 PM
I don't know what this is but you don't walk by something like this without
taking a photo

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0681_zps89cd46e3.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:08:55 PM
January photo

At the busiest streets they have an underground for crossing.
This is where the pan handlers hang out. I got rid of all my
excess airline peanuts (and a few rubles) this way

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0656_zpsc07f3d85.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:12:37 PM
Mayonnaise comes in these squeeze bags in Russia. Much more handy than the jars we
use here. Another thing is that they have entire isles of mayonnaise. If you read from the
beginning I tell you about all the different types, but I haven't been able to taste the difference
between one type and another. I like Russian mayonnaise.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_0676_zps640aba16.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:13:11 PM
January video near the Center

http://youtu.be/R6AR6ci2HdA


Walking around through a crowded bar

http://youtu.be/R6AR6ci2HdA
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 04, 2015, 01:17:08 PM
The Stadium in Voronezh local football team is FC Fakel (Vinny told me)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_07231_zps6a130eba.jpg)


January photos of some slippery walking
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/IMG_07281_zps27d723b3.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 06, 2015, 10:29:49 AM
Angel Eyes (AE) and I spent almost every moment together talking about
everything under the sun. The days flew by, we went to parks and the
center and historical sites.

I bought tickets to cinema and we watched Oblivion with Tom Cruise.
When you go to a cinema you select your seats and your tickets are
issued for those seats. The very front row has great legroom but I usually
sit in the center seats about halfway up. Most movies were filmed to be
viewed from that spot and I can sit in a bed of nail for the short time a
movie lasts, it's nothing compared to an international flight and the
theater has a lot more leg room.

Anyway I watched the movie, maybe I understood about half of it.
I thought it was just as interesting to watch AE while she watched
the movie. That girl has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen.

The days went by too fast. The realization that I was going to leave
this amazing girl behind and go back to Norf Dekody started sinking
in. I was definitely becoming more and more smitten and more and
more sure that this was the girl that I had been looking for all these
years.

I couldn't find a flight out of Voronezh on Monday morning in time to
catch my Moscow flight, so I jumped on a bus Sunday evening and
arrived 6-7 hours later at DME in Moscow. The bus dropped me
(and a few others) in a spot where I have to climb over a short barrier
(slightly less than a meter tall) and walk to the airport.

I stay up all night, head bobbing in an uncomfortable airport lounge
chair and flew out in the morning, I arrive in Washington DC only to find
that we landed too late due to the air traffic controllers being furloughed.
The customer disservice woman did not give a flying f#ck that we missed
our connecting flights. I strongly dislike that woman.

So I spend a night in a hotel staring at the ceiling before falling to sleep wishing
I was with Angel Eyes. I woke up the next day and flew the American leg of the
journey back.

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 06, 2015, 10:35:47 AM
So I was back in the Bakken oil fields, selling building materials to house
the multitude of oil field workers that crammed into Norf Dekody.

AE and I were exchanging letters, Skype and phone calls every day. Both
AE and Smiley Girl were taking English lessons. We plan for a trip to Barcelona.
AE and SG get Schengen visas and then the one of those curve balls that life throws
us from time to time happens.

I've been working for a company for 17 months and in that time we've gone through
6 managers. The Manager decides that the sales staff is making too much money
and we are all jobless within a week.

It put a damper on going to Spain and I spend the next few weeks getting a much
better job making more money as do all the other sales people.

The manager who made the decision was fired within a month and
now they have manager number 7 (number 9 as I am writing this today).
I have absolutely no animosity with the old company or manager. They made
a business decision nothing personal was involved. I even put together a list
of key projects, accounts and pending sales that needed to be followed up on.
I don't believe in burning bridges behind me.

In the end I had a much better job, more flexibility, stability and it's been
considerably more fun. I made a point before accepting their offer that I would
be needing to visit AE on a fairly regular basis and they agreed.

So I buy tickets to Moscow, AE buys my e ticket to Voronezh and I cram myself
in an airline seat again.

More to follow............
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 06, 2015, 10:43:19 AM
Smiley Girl collects little refrigerator magnets, which sounds like a harmless
enough hobby to me and she quizzed me repeatedly wanting to know if they
have such things in America and a dozen other magnet related questions. Until
that time I had very close to zero interest in refrigerator magnets. So close to
zero that I didn't remember seeing any in years.

I went down to the little local history museum that might get 5 customers per
day to walk through it. I imagined that maybe I might find a book or two about
North Dakota that might make it seem not quite so barren, desolate and treeless.

I had almost made my way to the book rack when I got rushed by a little old lady
asking "can I help you?" there was another little old lady who wasn't as quick was
only a few steps behind her ready to be very helpful as well. So I told them that
I was traveling to Russia to visit friends and I wanted to show them a nice picture
book of North Dakota.

I could have walked in with Cary Grant and gathered less attention and hubbub.
They proceeded to show me every book with photos in the museum from which I
selected three of them and this pleased them to no end. The not quite as fast
little old lady asked would you like anything else?

"Well as a matter of fact there is" I said that, "there is a young Russian girl who
collects refrigerator magnets and she would absolutely love to have one with
North Dakota on it."

Imagine walking in with Cary Grant, Jimmy Stuart, Spencer Tracy and the entire
cast of Gone with the Wind, the Little old lady was clearly experiencing something
very close to pure joy. Breathless they rushed over to show me a small collection
of Magnets. I selected several of them.

One was the shape of North Dakota with a thermometer on it in both Celsius and
Fahrenheit, one was a Buffalo shaped one. They had some syrup made from the
berries of trees native to North Dakota so I bought some of that.   

I was leaving North Dakota by the way of Denver, Newark, Zurich and Moscow and
each airport had a magnet or two. I bought one from each airport and put it in my
backpack away from my cell phone and credit cards.  I had also brought marshmallows,
chocolate, peanut butter and Mrs Butterworths syrup.

I arrive in Voronezh my bag appears on the carousel I go through the doors and
there is Angel Eyes waiting to greet me. You can't imagine how glad I was to see her.

More to follow.........

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 02:36:28 AM
AE has a taxi waiting to whisk us off to an apartment that she has found for us.
She tells me it's on the 10th floor and that I will get accustomed to the stairs
very quickly.  :o

She tells me later that there is a lift so that I don't actually have to use the
stairs.

When I open my suitcase she takes the magnet with the thermometer and
places it outside the window so we can see the temperature outside. AE had
already purchased some provisions so that we didn't need to go shopping on
my first evening.

I have eleven days to spend with AE and each moment I become more and
more convinced that I have finally found the girl for me.

The days fly by, Angel Eyes and I walk during the day in parks and visit
museums.

I throw my dirty clothes into the corner of my closet. They magically disappear
and become washed, dried, pressed. folded and put away the next day.

I explained to AE that she did not need to iron my t shirts since I wore them
under my shirt. Angel Eyes just shook her head looking at me as if saying
poor bachelor Beel doesn't even know that his t shirts must be ironed.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 02:38:20 AM
One day we go to a water park. It has a hot tubs, a giant pool, a banya,
water slides and some kind of bubbling area that a group of Babushka's
monopolize completely.

Smiley Girl and I go up to the top of the park and Smiley Girl jumps on one of 
the slides and disappears, I count off something like 20 seconds and jump on
the slide after her.

I have no idea how I did this, but as I go around the last bend I see Smiley Girl
plop down in the water immediately in front of me. How did she go down so slowly?
how did I gain 20 seconds on her?  :o

I throw my arms against the sides of the slide and remove some skin from each
elbow slowing me just enough that Smiley Girl barely paddles away just before I
crash into the spot she just vacated. I am considerably twice the size of Smiley Girl
and it would have ruined the day.

We are paddling back and I noticed one of the Babuskas have temporarily vacated
her bubbling spot I point it out and SG and I take off like banshees before the
Babushka rotation takes place. Angel eyes arrives and can't believe we secured a bubble
spot. I spend a few moments in the bubbles and don't see anything particularly special
about them.

One of the Babushka's is glaring at us while three of us are using a bubble spot that
usually only one babushka occupies. I don't see anything particularly special about the
bubbles or the bubble area.

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 11:29:23 AM
If I told a story somewhat weather related one of them would run over to
the thermometer magnet which had both Celsius and Fahrenheit on it and
announce the temperature in both. 

A short time after I left both could tell you fairly accurately the temperature
was in Fahrenheit. Only when it was very cold would they check first to make
sure.

Angel Eyes and I went to the cinema and watch Gravity in 3D with glasses and
everything. You buy tickets to actual seats locations in Russia. Angel Eyes always
worries about my legs. The truth is that I can sit in any size chair for a movie, it's
sitting 9 hours on a flight in seats made for midgets that causes me grief.

Sandra Bullocks performance was spell-bounding, not to mention that she looks
exceptional in shorts (her lesbian haircut excepted).

(http://media.portable.tv/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Sandra-Bullock-Gravity-2-Portable.jpg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qSBUTcTX5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIwXGq0zD0

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 11:35:58 AM
Way before I want the days to end they come to an end. Angel Eyes, Smiley Girl 
and I meet with Sally and her son for lunch. Sally is always fun, warm and bubbly 
and her son is always very polite and a gentleman. We say goodbye to Sally and
walk around Voronezh looking for a couple hats for myself. I want one of those
Russian fur hats and maybe a beanie too.

I bought a Russian fur hat which is very toasty warm, as a matter of fact if the
temperature is above zero Fahrenheit the hat feels too warm. I found a Russian
beanie and I wear it quite often. 

This being my last day I walk around in a funk. I want to be upbeat and enjoy my
last moments with AE, I always get into a funk the day before I leave and AE always
the day I leave, luckily we don't both do it on the same day.

The days are gone, now I have to get back on a plane leaving Angel Eyes behind.
It's more difficult every single time . Every step is like walking upwind in a storm
with weighted legs.

AE goes with me to the airport, a few kisses and hugs and off I go. I look back
a while later and AE is still standing there looking at me with sad eyes. I put on
the brave face, wave and smile.

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 11:39:10 AM
I arrive in North Dakota with an endless supply of work.
I check the internet every couple of days for deals on 
flights.

I find one with Delta for an excellent price and I am able
to use some of my miles too.

The flight leaves Dickinson goes to Minneapolis to Amsterdam to
Moscow SVO. The problem is that I have to get from SVO to DME
in order to fly to Voronezh. The traffic can be terrible and there
isn't a direct train/bus/subway etc to get there.

The dates of my trip are leaving December 26th arriving in SVO at
6:00 pm. I need to get to DME in about 3 1/2 hours so that I can
get on my 10:20 pm flight to Voronezh arriving at 11:20 pm

This will be my 4th trip to see AE in the year that we met.

Title: Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 07, 2015, 11:45:24 AM
December 22nd
Living the dream in Norf Dekody

It's -19F outside (-28C). I roll down my window to ask a guy a
question. The window rolls all the way down and now it won't roll up.
I wiggle the switch and it breaks off in my hand. GRRRRRRRRRRR  >:(

I mess with it for about an hour and decide it's not going to work, but
I have managed to cause most of my body below my knees to turn numb
from the cold.

It's Sunday at 7:00 pm in Watford City. It might as well be 3:00 am
I walk into the store and start sweet talking the store manager. I
finally convince them to give me a roll of shrink wrap. Putting shrink
wrap on something that cold is difficult to do. It doesn't want to stick
to anything including itself.

However I finally get it wrapped up and drive home. Wind is blowing
through the window at 45 mph (and now 23 below zero) but I didn't
die. I will warm up and figure out how to fix it tomorrow.

The next day I work on it but it seems that the entire panel of switches
must be replaced.

http://youtu.be/nqMnnJ5LWCc

I am driving my car with shrink wrap around where the window would be if it
were rolled up. The flapping nearly makes you deaf at speeds over 40 mph.

It's Christmas eve and I leave to Russia on the 26th. There is one barber where
I live, but he and his wife has decided to take off for a month.

My back has been giving me problems and lately my neck and shoulder are acting
up as well.

I have a cousin who lives an hour and a half away, we will spend Christmas eve
and part of Christmas together. As I drive through Williston on the way through
I pull over at Walmart to pick up a few supplies. I am nearly deaf in my left ear
from the flapping noise. 

The place is ALWAYS a zoo, today was no different. They have two barbers in
Walmart and I sign up for the last haircut for the day. Don't worry we will rush
it for you is their motto. The lady asks how do I want it? I said the same but
shorter. Twenty seconds later and far too late to complain most of my hair is
less than 3/8" long (.9 CM) and a few minutes later my hair is shorter than it's
been at any time in my entire adult life.

There is nothing I can do now, it will most likely grow back eventually.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1487831_3980456685681_1689786074_o.jpg)

I go to my cousins and we eat a feast that can't be beat and I go to
sleep on a mattress that can't be more than 5 feet long on the floor.
I wake up in pain, my back and neck are killing me. I pop several aspirins
and drink several liters of water. 

Guess what? my cousins kids happened to be good enough that year for
Santa to reward them with all kinds of loot and booty.

(http://image.cpsimg.com/sites/carparts-mc/design/s7/Images/spacer.gif)

My cousin and I get his electrical testing stuff and figure out how to roll
up the window without the switch. (actually he figures it out, saying that
I helped would be vastly overstating my importance)  So, I order a new
switch on Amazon.

My son and I drive home in relative silence with a closed window. We bring
home enough left overs to stuff ourselves again and hit the sack because we
will be heading to the airport at Oh so dark thirty on December 26th.

more to follow...................
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 08, 2015, 05:03:47 AM
The alarm goes off way too soon and I pack up and head to the airport
which is an hour and a half drive or more depending on the weather.

The weather is typical North Dakota weather, snowy, windy, and the darkest
dark outside. You can't see the center line or any lines on the road but you
can see grooves that the semis have worn into the road. The grooves are wider
than the wheels of any car so you are either in one groove or the other or you
are transitioning between grooves, which is a bit hairy on snow and icy roads.

My flight plan is as follows. I fly out of Dickinson North Dakota at 5:55 am
then layover in Minneapolis until 3:25 pm then arrive in Amsterdam at 6:35 am
and have a 5 hour layover before landing in SVO in Moscow.

Then I must get from SVO to DME to fly to Voronezh.

I had inquired about how to get from one airport to the next online
I printed out the entire thread along with instructions/maps. Angel
Eyes sent me instructions written in Russian and translated to English.

I arrive in Minneapolis with a sore neck and back with the expectations
of spending several hours waiting. I called Delta customer service and
they tell me that I can upgrade to an exit row for more money. I say
GREAT and agree to pay.

However they told me that they can't actually give me the seats and that
I must wait until one hour before the flight and then get the seats from the
flight people at the airport.

I walk around the airport and see a masseuse and decide to get a tune up.
45 minutes later, I think that he found every knot in my back and neck and
used a hammer and pry bar to pound out each knot. I do feel considerably
better.
 
I am the first person at the desk when the flight opens but they are very sorry
because they can't let me sit in the exit row regardless of how much money I
offer them.

So I fly to Amsterdam and I am able to convince the polite and professional
people there that they should take 30 Euros of my money and exchange it for
an exit row seat.

I get on the flight to SVO and decide this is a good time to change my sim card
from USA to my Russian megaphone version. I take out my Russian sim card, then
the flight attendants make an announcement and I look down and my Russian sim
card is gone. I search, I check my cuffs, I crawl around on the floor I look everywhere
for it. It's gone, it was zapped into a parallel universe where another Beel needed it
more than I did.

I read the instructions on how to get between airports another 25 times at least.
None of the instructions explain where you find the ticket counter or ticket machine.
You are expected to know this already.

I arrive in SVO, my bag is there, I don't have any drama from passport control.
Things are going smooth.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 08, 2015, 05:10:03 AM
While waiting for my bag to hit the carousel I review the instructions one more time
on how to get from SVO to DME. I keep thinking that it should have more information
about where to go to get the tickets.

I go through passport control and I cut through the gypsy cab drivers and start to
follow the signs to AeroExpress, no of course the signs don't say AeroExpress why
would they use the same name as the directions? However this is the only train so it
must be the train.

I am making my way towards AeroExpress and see a slim, beautiful girl with laserbeam
eyes and a dazzling smile.

Angel Eyes was standing in front of me !!!

Her company had their office party the night before and she plied her boss with plenty of
drinks. Somewhere along the way she got him to realize that nobody would be able to work
the next day as planned because of the hangovers. Once he agreed, she shot off like a rocket
before he changed his mind and jumped on a train to Moscow packing nothing.

She had only arrived minutes before I had, however she had purchased most of the tickets
to get to DME.

I was glad to see Angel Eyes, it was a great surprise. Dragging a huge suit case filled mostly
with presents and my laptop and backpack (also filled with presents) through the maze to DME
was a MAJOR pain in the @ss. I have learned not to pack many clothes, Angel Eyes washes them
the moment they touch the floor and so I have more room for presents and stuff that I won't
need to haul back with me.

Handling bags on the 45 degree slope escalators before the subway
with people pushing behind me was a pain. A lighter person than
myself who hasn't traded elbows with 6' 10" power forwards might
have tumbled down a few hundred stairs.

We took the circle (brown? I am colorblind) subway route which
is the shortest, and it got us to the next leg of the journey. From
that point there are still tickets to buy and crowds to navigate and
stairs to go up and down with heavy bags.

Lesson learned today don't fly into SVO if you need to fly out of DME
the same day.

We weave through the confusing maze to DME and sit next to each other
on the short flightto Voronezh. Angel Eyes brother picks us up and then
the trouble begins.

More to follow.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 08, 2015, 05:36:59 AM
The trouble begins..........................

We collect my bags from the baggage claim exit and find Angel Eyes brother waiting for us.
AE opens her phone to find that it's completely dead. NOTE: this is very very common for
Angel Eyes. My phone is never dead, because I charge it when it gets low, I always know
the battery condition of my cell phone. AE has 974 great things about her but having her
cell phone in working order is not one of them.

AE is on very close to zero sleep and not making a lot of sense as she tosses out instructions
in Russian at 280 kph which is way too fast for me to comprehend.

Here are the problems as I see them.
1. AE has a dead phone

2. The apartment manager is supposed to meet us at the apartment
since she hasn't been paid yet.

3. I sent AE the money to pay for the apartment and AE put it into her
bank account. Which makes sense a small single girl wouldn't want to
carry large amounts of cash in her purse.

4. The only contact number for the apartment manager is on AE's dead phone.

5. It's past midnight and both of us are sleepy and AE has not eaten all day.

6. I was standing in line with our bags and gave AE a wad of cash from my
pocket with instructions to buy something to eat while I waited in line from
a kiosk. She came back just when we needed to leave to get on the plane
with nothing to eat because the prices were too high. I didn't care if they
wanted $25 for a muffin, I wanted her to have a little fuel inside her so that
her brain would work with no food and no sleep, but AE doesn't pay airport
prices for food.

7. AE's brothers newly pregnant wife is suffering from all the time sickness
which is similar to morning sickness but she is nauseous ALL of the time and
calling the brother every 15 minutes (so far he has the patience of Job)

AE wants to go to the ATM and retrieve the money then hopefully meet the apartment
manager at the apartment. This seems relatively reasonable however, I am fairly dubious
regarding the manager actually waiting on us at the apartment at midnight between Friday
night and Saturday morning without a follow up phone call and lastly, I think that AE needs
to get some food. I know what would happen if I had gone all day without eating until midnight
it wouldn't be pretty.

However, like my cell phone always being charged I always keep my stomach charged
too.

AE's brother drives us to 4 different ATMs before we find ONE that will turn over the
cash required to rent the apartment.

We arrive at the apartment and the apartment manager is not there. I am not surprised
That's when AE's becomes confused and begins arguing with her brother. Her brother
is still showing an extreme amount of patience.

I explain that we need to
1. Get some food for Angel Eyes and charge her phone at the same time.
2. We can take our bags into a nearby restaurant and AE's brother can go home
and comfort his poor sick wife and eliminate that entire factor from the equation.
3. We can call the manager and arrange a time to meet at the apartment
4. We can take a taxi to the apartment no need for AE's brother to stay awake all night
driving us around while he has a sick pregnant wife that needs him.

They all seem to agree but when AE and I step outside her brothers car he zooms off
into the night.  :laugh:  100% of my advice was ignored.

AE explains that her brother will be back in 30 minutes.

I need to explain that 30 minutes for AE is sort of a relative measurement of time.
Kind of like carbon dating in that it's not very precise when you break it into minutes
hours or days.

So we go into the restaurant and get seated. AE is all about reading the menu so I
remind her that the phone could be charging while we read the menu, order, wait
for our food, then eat it. She agrees and disappears.

Behind where we are seated are a group of young very drunk Russian men seated
at a table across from some young drunk chain smoking Russian girls. AE comes
back but forgot the menu which she eventually explains that she decided to order
and pay for both of us.

I'm not very picky about food, I can eat anything and I am not particularly hungry
so I don't mind at all. The waiter arrives with some water for me and tea for AE and
leaves.

The young drunks behind us however decide that they need to punch each other
while standing only inches away from me. The girls at the table seem to be somehow
involved and I stand up and step aside watching the two young drunk men fight which
is pretty comical in that they are moving almost in slow motion.

The waiters arrive and break up the slow motion fighting, our food arrives and I have
a couple of salads in front of me something with fish and something Greek. AE digs in
and explains that the girls at the next table were egging the drunk boys on and
testosterone mixed with alcohol did the rest.

When the food is finished AE gets her phone and calls the manager who will meet us at
the restaurant in 15 minutes. We have been at the restaurant for well over an hour and
I am steadfastly ignoring all time estimates or when I might see my bags again. I have
spent the last 35+ hours wearing the clothes on my back and I was considering whether
they should be washed or would burning them be more appropriate?

The apartment manager arrives maybe 45 minutes later and AE says "Beel wait two minutes"
and jumps into the car with the manager. I look in the windows and can see there is only
room for AE and the manager and nothing else. If we had our bags they would not fit and
certainly I wouldn't fit in the car.

So, I go back inside and order some water with gas and a drunk Russian man comes up
to me and decides that his life long goal was to be my best friend forever. I make polite
small talk, finish my bottle of water and excuse myself to go to the mens room.

The toilet is a complete mess, I use it, zip up and wash up and come outside to find that
my future best friend forever hasn't given up this easily. I buy another water with gas
and he invites me over and introduces me to everyone that he can interrupt which included
most of the people in the restaurant.

I haven't slept in ages, it's been at least two bottles of water with gas since AE jumped
into the managers car and I excuse myself from the drunk to explain that my girlfriend
desperately needs my attention and that I better go see what she wants.

I knock on the window to which AE looks at me like two minutes have not yet elapsed.
I explain that my new best friend forever (nbff) has offered to let me sleep on his couch
and has invited us inside to have some drinks.
 
AE finally extracts herself from the manager and we go walking down the street with nbff
tailing along. I explain that we are done partying and will not need any further help.

AE says something in Russian that causes him to stop, stand up straight, turn around and
go back to the restaurant without a further comment. I'm not sure what she said but it
was very effective. Then she turns to me and gives me her beaming smile.

We are only a couple miles from the apartment and begin walking towards it. I ask about
my bags and only then does AE decide to call her brother to meet us there. There is more,
it took hours and eventually at about 5:00 am we drift off to sleep.

more to follow .....................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Wayne on June 08, 2015, 10:03:46 AM
The photo you posted on post 682 shows many icons of the various Saints in the Russian Orthodox Church. Most Russian people have a given name corresponding to a Saint, and there will be an icon for this person.

We have copies of certain icons on the walls. You also should have certain ones in your car. You should have them in your suit case.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on June 09, 2015, 01:12:56 AM
Beel,

I adored how AE went to Moscow to meet you :clapping:

Before the fast services to svo and dme were up and running, I used to take the Marshrutki and Metro services to cross Moscow. I have never seen Red Square.. :D

About mobilniks ... what is it about FSUW and mobile / cell phones....  they forget 'em, drop 'em, forget to charge them  or forget to pay the bill on time ... :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 09, 2015, 04:15:11 AM
About mobilniks ... what is it about FSUW and mobile / cell phones....  they forget 'em, drop 'em, forget to charge them  or forget to pay the bill on time ... :D

But always, and I mean ALWAYS, have them attached to their ears as they walk around!
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2015, 10:00:25 AM
The next days are spent in complete and total bliss.

I only have about 4 days clothes packed since the rest of the room was for
gifts and various stuff that I had promised to bring.

We plan to spend New Years with Sally and her son. We are bringing ice cream,
strawberries, and chicken that AE smothered in some kind of mustard sauce and
baked, champagne and of course cake.

We arrive and Sally who is naturally bubbly and cheerful is even more so since she
started making Martini's. NOTE: these are not the Martinis's that you think. It's some
kind of wine in a green bottle mixed with juice. They also have bottles of wine and
champagne open too.

Sally has other guests as well, including a very cute FSUW who we will refer to as
Stormy Eyes who cooked up an enormous table full of various delectable and delightful
dishes. 

Sally had an entire counter with various ingredients and was in the process of making
a Caprese salad I made some kind of seafood salad. I shelled, cleaned, deveined shrimp
and sauteed them in olive oil and garlic. Then made a salad and a salad dressing with
the shrimp on top for each person.

We toasted goodbye to 2013
We toasted hello to 2014
We toasted to everyones, health, happiness and pursuit of love.

Then before the stroke of midnight they turned on the TV to watch Putin's address to the
nation. After Putin's address an enormous firework display started up. Then the TV channel
became some kind of musical variety show with various stars ringing in the New Year and
offering toasts and songs.

I never mentioned before but AE is not much of a drinker and get's tipsy after one glass of
wine. She was happy, bubbly, giggly and more than a little bit tipsy.

The night ended late into the morning and with everyone in excellent spirits, we took a taxi
home.

More to follow
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2015, 10:05:10 AM
Beel,
I adored how AE went to Moscow to meet you :clapping:

Yeah, that was pretty sweet.

Before the fast services to svo and dme were up and running, I used to take the Marshrutki and Metro services to cross Moscow. I have never seen Red Square.. :D

You should go see it. Stop and smell the roses from time to time

Before the fast services to svo and dme were up and running, I used to take the Marshrutki and Metro services to cross Moscow.

It's a real maze to navigate

About mobilniks ... what is it about FSUW and mobile / cell phones....  they forget 'em, drop 'em, forget to charge them  or forget to pay the bill on time ... :D

Ain't that the truth, she has a million other positive attributes but the concept of time
and the concept of what it takes to keep your phone working aren't present.
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: Faux Pas on June 09, 2015, 10:06:09 AM


We arrive and Sally who is naturally bubbly and cheerful is even more so since she
started making Martini's. NOTE: these are not the Martinis's that you think. It's some
kind of wine in a green bottle mixed with juice
. They also have bottles of wine and
champagne open too.



Bill is this the Sangria type drink? A combo of wine and tonic water with a liqueur or juice splashed in?
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2015, 10:35:22 AM
Bill is this the Sangria type drink? A combo of wine and tonic water with a liqueur or juice splashed in?

It's more like wine and juice mixed together.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2015, 10:37:01 AM
I had 4 bids to finish and I woke up at 4:30 am and started working on them
some time in the morning Angel Eyes wakes up and starts rushing around cooking,
cleaning, arranging etc.

Today at some time Mamma, Pappa, Brother, Sister in Law and her niece are
all coming for dinner. I made seafood salads and Angel Eyes was cooking
up a storm and rushing around like her hair was on fire. Cleaning, cooking,
arranging etc.

I am in my underwear finishing the last bid and ding dong the door bell goes off.
 :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o 

Who is at the door? Angel Eyes calmly says Mamma, Pappa, Brother, Sister in
Law, her niece and Smiley Girl are downstairs. I sincerely thought she would
have given me 10 minutes notice to at least put on a pair of pants. So now I
get pants and a shirt on just as they are walking in the door.

Angel Eyes is still in fervent worker mode and seems more than a bit anxious.
I say hello to everyone, help everyone get their coats off and put away, then
I get everyone seated and go into the kitchen. Angel Eyes can prepare a whole
rash of various things simultaneously. Her hands were flying, and she seemed
very stressed, I rubbed her shoulders and said spokoynoy, spokoynoy and it did
seem to calm things down a bit.

I got Niece and Smiley girl in charge of setting the table. I made Martini's
(Wine mixed with Juice) for the adults and we had Sparkling cider for the kids
and pregnant Sister in Law and brother who was driving. 

I got the cornucopia of food stuffs that Angel Eyes had created from scratch
put together on the table and I could see AE was finally starting to calm down.

Mamma had been watching me out of the corner of her eye the entire time.
Pappa made the first toast wishing us all a New Year, then other toasts followed.

Then I asked Smiley Girl to translate while I made a toast announcing that I had
met AE a year ago and that every moment from that day forward my life had been
better and better and I announced that Angel Eyes had agree to marry me and
spend the rest of her life with me1.

There were cheers, the wedding rings made a revolution of the table. Smiley Girl
who was translating made more noise than you think could come out a girl her
size.

For those of you who don't know Mamma, she is a bit of a hard sell on anything.
So far I had received at best a polite smile. I had my turned on my charm to full
brilliance and as the day went on I could see that I was slowly winning Mamma
over. Let me stress again I was S-L-O-W-L-Y winning her over.

Everyone enjoyed the food and festivities and they were getting ready to go and
Mamma announces that we will be visiting her for Orthodox Christmas Dinner at
12:00 sharp.

I got everyone's hats and coats assembled and they all leave. AE was totally
relaxed and happy. I thought that I made some good progress with Mamma
which I had been warned in advance repeatedly that it wouldn't be an easy
chore to do. 


 
1. How did I ask Angel Eyes to marry me? I had told her at least 50-60
times that I was going to marry her and that she was going to spend her
life with me and that we would live happily ever after. It was a foregone
conclusion that we both knew was going to happen. When I finally asked
her it was a bit anticlimactic but I got a nod, and a hug and a kiss.
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 07:39:59 AM
Angel Eyes and I am told by Mamma that we will be
spending Russian Christmas with them and that we are to
arrive at noon.  :scared0005:

Angel Eyes is never on time for anything and Christmas was
no different. When we eventually arrived, everything was ready
and waiting. We got the hats, jackets, boots etc stowed and we
walked into the dining room to see a table piled with tasty food.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/RussianChristmas_zps09ce2cb2.jpg)


It took me several plate fulls of food before I had tried everything
and one salad I ate again and again.


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/fishpenissalad_zpsa989f42f.jpg)

So naturally I asked how it was made and all the females in the
room smiled at me. Angel Eyes eventually told me it was fish
penis salad or fish testicle salad (I never found out which it was).

 :o

Naturally I didn't believe them and they pulled out some fish
penis or testicles (not sure which) and showed them to me.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/fishpenis_zps03332c94.jpg)


It's sturgeon penis or testicles which are huge fish.
I admit that it was very tasty and that I had several plates of the stuff.
Who knows how much I would have eaten if I had known first  :chuckle:

We ate and watched a movie where all the girls (even Mamma) cried
I didn't understand enough to get the entire thing. It was about some
Beautiful singer, who endures hardships and eventually becomes 
famous but has some kind of rehabilitating disease and fights through
it to sing tearful ballads and performances.

Eventually it was time to go, and Angel Eyes brother drove us. I
offered to fill up his gas tank, he had picked us up a number of
times but he said I was crazy and wouldn't accept anything.

I was worried a little bit that he would be offended that I offered,
he did drive us around, pick us up at the airport and was going
to drop us off there as well .

Gas isn't less expensive in Russia than USA (as far as I can tell)
However he didn't seem bothered by it.

I think my stock went up a few degrees with Mamma but she's a
tough sell.
 
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 07:41:51 AM
The days fly by (they always do) and the time to head back approaches.

I always feel sad the day before and Angel Eyes always feels sad the day of
my leaving. For whatever reason all the airlines in Voronezh canceled their
flights to Moscow so I was stuck leaving the day before my Moscow flight
leaves.

I pack up my bag (I am beginning to wonder why I bother) and Angel Eyes
takes one look at the bag and repacks it.

I get on a bus (6 hours to SVO) they dump us off. We have to cross a road
with high speed drivers whizzing by, then I stay up all night for my morning
flight back to the Bakken Oilfields of Western North Dakota (21 hours).

The trip is pure agony, I hate traveling home (35 hours door to door) and
especially hate leaving Angel Eyes behind.

Title: Rushing around at home
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 07:46:55 AM
Angel Eyes (AE) and I talk everyday on Skype or the phone. Her internet
connection is occasionally too slow for a webcam and we get cut off
every two minutes. When that happens after trying to connect a dozen
times we resort to just voice or chatting by keyboard.

Angel Eyes applies for and gets a multi-year multi-entry USA tourist
visa and we start trying to make plans to meet asap. Of course Skype
seems to go haywire when we try to make any plans. Ticket prices are
going up each day and of course AE wants to help.

AE sends me every discount fare on the world wide web from Moscow to
either JFK or Dulles. The problem is that to buy a stand alone fare from
JFK to North Dakota is hundreds more than to package the entire trip 
together. Apparently there is nothing I can do to convey/translate this
in a way that she can understand.

I got up early this morning and have been working feverishly to get everything
wrapped up so that I could burn several hours often required to buy the tickets
today but after a dozen calls/sms to her cell phone I couldn't reach her.

AE was too vague about the day she could leave. She said she had Monday
off but does that mean she could leave the Friday night before? since she
almost always has Saturday and Sunday off? or should I buy the ticket for
Monday?  but then maybe she had Monday off because she agreed to work 
on the weekend?

I would hate to burn 2 days especially on the weekend that we could be
spending together.

Eventually she sends me an sms. She was chatting with Sally who is AJ's,
Larry's and my mutual friend, and just saw that she had all the calls and
sms.

I confirm the day she can fly out and purchase tickets for more than I'd
like ($1,388) but not too terrible considering she will be here in 18 days.
If I had known earlier when she would get her visa and what days she
had off I could have save $300 or so, but I could have made a much
bigger killing if I knew the results of the March Madness basketball
brackets in advance.

So, now I need to convert my bachelor pad into something considerably
less bachelor like and give everything a serious spring cleaning as well  ;D

We already started with fire hoses, wheel barrels, shovels and a rake this
weekend, so everything is man clean. Man clean is where you probably won't
require a penicillin or tetanus booster to enter the premises. We are still
quite a stretch from being women clean.

I will go buy more bleach, windex, and an assortment of scouring brushes
and solvents.

Edit to add:

AE is flying back to Voronezh with one day to spare before Smiley Girls birthday.
My original plan wouldn't have given AE enough time for this. I'm glad I waited
until she and Sally were done discussing gardening and toe polish and all the
vitally important stuff that took hours to discuss before I bought the tickets. 
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 11:00:45 AM
Down to nine more days and Angel Eyes will be here,

I've cleaned everything as well as two bachelors can do it.

Angel Eyes has this contraption that she uses for massage it
basically sends an electric stimuli under the skin. It feels a bit
like you have ants crawling around under your skin and she
swears that it will cure or kill whatever ails me.

I wouldn't let her do it but she is very insistent that this thing
is the very best thing since they stopped using leaches. I call
it Frankenstein because of the electrical element in it. Apparently
she is bringing Frankenstein with her. I won't remind her to use it 

She wants to see every square inch of the USA in the two weeks
that she will be here. I tried to explain that the US is a big place 
and far too big to see everything.

So far we have Yellow Stone, the Grand Canyon, Portland Oregon and
the Pacific Ocean (note only Yellow Stone isn't further than a thousand
miles away)

I'm going to need to get her site seeing goals down to a manageable list.
We can't see Niagara Falls and the Seattle Space Needle in the same day
without photo shop or time travel.

Title: Re: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: jone on June 11, 2015, 01:30:59 PM
I'm going to need to get her site seeing goals down to a manageable list.
We can't see Niagara Falls and the Seattle Space Needle in the same day
without photo shop or time travel.

You might be able to.  But that would be going East to West.  Not the other way around.

Title: Rushing across America
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 04:05:41 PM
You might be able to.  But that would be going East to West.  Not the other way around.

It's 2,618 miles from Niagara Falls to Seattle Washington, so it would be a longer
drive than I like to make in a day. 
Title: Bill's FSUW Cliff Notes Review
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 04:21:18 PM
Bill's FSUW Cliff Notes Review

I found an old dead forum about 9-10 years ago.
I traveled to Odessa to meet a girl who tried to scam me after the trip.
I traveled Twice to Kiev to meet several girls WMVM
I traveled to Lugansk to meet a girl and it went great but fell apart later
I traveled to St Petersburg to meet a girl it fell apart on day 1-2 so I was
visit many for the rest of the trip. I found this forum and started this trip
report at this time.

I dated a local Russian girl for 6 months
I traveled to Dnepropetrovsk and it went great but fell apart later
I traveled to Georgia and it didn't work out
I had an American girl friend for maybe 4 months
I moved to North Dakota and traveled to Oregon to meet a girl from Kiev
I traveled to Voronezh Russia to meet a girl but it didn't work out so I met
many other girls eventually finding Angel Eyes and spent the rest of my time with her.
I made 3 more trips to Voronezh to see Angel Eyes for a total of 4 trips.
Angel Eyes is coming to see me now for approx 3 weeks in May.

Now you are caught up with my adventures reported here thus far (May of 2014) 
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 04:34:47 PM
I've got 1/2 hour before she arrives and I have a to do list
that would take at least 6 hours to complete if everything
fell into place. Oh well, some of it's not going to get done.

I cleaned every possible old girl friend photo off of my computer. I've cleaned
the car, the house, I purchased and washed new sheets for the bed and some
pink towels and wash cloths for her.

My youngest son lives with me he is 23 and has been some help. He bought 6
red roses for me to give her when she arrives and came up with the brilliant
idea to give one to the little 90+ year old land lady who lives a couple houses
down the street so that we had an odd amount of flowers to give her on arrival
and a vase.

Note to Newbies: You give an odd quantity of flowers to sweethearts (and never
yellow) even quantities is only for funerals.

I am stocking up on a few of her favorite items and cooking scallops with Alfredo
sauce and cheese stuffed tortellini for dinner. 

She is making the same trip that I have several times which has never failed to
leave me completely exhausted. Bus ride to Moscow (7 hours) then staying up all
night at the airport waiting for the flight the next day then flying to New York,
Minneapolis to Dickinson North Dakota in about 20 hours.

So I imagine after the nickle tour of the house, that a shower, dinner and bed
will be next.
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 04:43:01 PM
Angel Eyes arrives her plane was actually early so therefore I was late.
My son had procured a half dozen roses and we gave one of them to our
little old lady land lady who has sort of adopted us. She brings us cookies,
and various treats from time to time. Needless to say she was ecstatic to
get a solitary red rose (her name is Rose by the way).

I have gave AE a very dismal account of life in North Dakota. I did not want
to make it appear better than it is. North Dakota has worse weather than her
city in Russia. We have less trees and her city has more people then the entire
state. I wanted AE to make her own assessment and I tried to be very conservative
regarding things here.

She was early so I was late. I arrive to see Angel Eyes standing there waiting for
her bag to unload, present the flowers and receive a hundred kisses and hugs.
Angel Eyes meets my son, and then she turns to me and jabbers at 100 mph in
Russian. My max is about 25 mph. So I turn and jabber at 180 mph in English
(her max is about 35 mph) and she laughs and we synchronize speeds.

The airport is well out of town and there isn't a tree to be seen, so I tell her that
this is the Dickinson city center, and we see a shrub as we get closer to town so
I tell her that is the city tree, it's very famous and we should stop and take a photo.

She laughs and we continue toward town.

We unload her bags, I make her some of her special tea. which is chamomile tea
with Russian honey, lemon and peeled sliced ginger. I prepared a feast but she
isn't hungry and explains that Delta was on a mission to make her fat.

Angel Eyes becomes very drowsy, and is shortly off to dreamland.

More to follow...............................
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on June 11, 2015, 05:37:07 PM
Congrats and good luck. For some reason I'd thought you two were already married.

The house won't be clean but, she'll be okay with it  ;D
Title: Rushing around in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2015, 10:33:06 PM
Congrats and good luck. For some reason I'd thought you two were already married.

The house won't be clean but, she'll be okay with it  ;D

We are already married, I was summarizing where we were at that moment in
time May of 2014 and my path leading up till that time. In my effort to be less
confusing, I guess I was more so.

Udachi!

Bill 
Title: Re: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: msmobyone on June 11, 2015, 10:56:04 PM
I make her some of her special tea. which is chamomile tea
with Russian honey, lemon and peeled sliced ginger.

How did you get RU honey into the US ?  ;)

Tried the black stuff .. ? Yummy...and I normally think honey is too sweet on it's
own
Title: Russian Honey
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 11:41:17 AM
How did you get RU honey into the US ?  ;)

Tried the black stuff .. ? Yummy...and I normally think honey is too sweet on it's
own

Angel Eyes bought some containers and put them in my checked luggage.
I never thought to declare it, should I have?

Title: Re: Russian Honey
Post by: Faux Pas on June 12, 2015, 11:43:45 AM
Angel Eyes bought some containers and put them in my checked luggage.
I never thought to declare it, should I have?

No, never declare any food items in your luggage unless you're up for 6 hours of interrogation
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 11:46:08 AM
Angel Eyes is sleeping like an Angel when I get up at 5:30 am and
drop my son off at his work and then I go to my computer and tear
into my work hoping to get most of it done before AE wakes up.

Angel Eyes sleeps approximately 12 hours and comes to me sleepy eyed
and smiling (I am crazy about this girl) and we go in and put together
some breakfast and then properly caught up with sleep and nutrition
AE starts reorganizing my world.

A little background,

A few years ago the economy in California tanked, my 94 year old Grandfather
who that year went elk hunting deep into the woods, shot an elk and packed it
out with horses had always been in peak physical condition suffers a heart
condition at 96 and is now bedridden.

He could get up and walk around but he needs his house remodeled and I drop
everything and move to Oregon to do the work for him and he dies a few months
later.

The economy sucks so I buy a camping trailer and drag it over the Rocky Mountains
to North Defreezing DaKota and I am living in a field in a camping trailer for the
next 18 months. The great advantage is that I am allowed virtually all the time off
that I need to visit Russia.

I make friends and many contacts and find a friend who is moving back to Oregon
and I jump on the house he is living in. I buy all his furnishings and take over his
lease. The land lady loves me.

I never moved a thing. Everything seemed fine to me. I never dug into the lower
cabinets to see what was in there. I never dug around in the garage to see what
was in there. I bought all the crap my friend had left behind.

I never put anything in a cabinet below my knees because if I did I would have to
bend down and get it out of there. Nothing down in those cabinets was bothering
anybody so kind of like snakes, since they leave me alone, I left them alone.

I had visited Angel Eyes 4 times and now she wakes up fully revived with sleep
and breakfast and EVERYTHING is going to change  :o  :o  :o  :laugh:

Stuff I've never seen before is drug out, cleaned, disassembled, reassembled,
organized and rearranged. I started to protest but could see in an instant that
any protests were fruitless. My phone started ringing in earnest and lots of
work was still to be done, so I retreated back to my work area semi oblivious
to the frantic activity around me.

I summoned to go out to the detached garage to help lift some old furniture and
drag it back to the house. I have given up asking questions as to what was going
on since things seemed to be shaping up nicely enough.

AE had totally reorganized a hundred things in a much better, more convenient, 
more practical and functional order and she seemed very pleased with the ongoing
result. She was happy, so I am happy.

It's time to pick up my son from work and I collect him and return to find that AE
had put together a tasty feast while I was away. We all ate and my son who
ordinarily treats housework like puss from plague victims pitches in to help with
the dishes.

Seems like AE is winning him over as well. 

More to follow
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 11:46:30 AM
My son and I had done a lot of cleaning before she arrived. I had crawled
around on the floor cleaning baseboards, I had taken apart light fixtures
and washed them.

It was man clean. Now Angel Eyes was in the process of making it woman clean.

Women can see microscopic dirt down at the atomic level. Men can see dirt if it
is visible to the naked eye. I was sent off to buy rubber gloves and was told
what size she wore. They have a size? Not in North Dakota they don't.

There was one size of gloves and one color yellow and only one pair left on the
rack. I bought them along with some more blue cleaning spray stuff and some
white spray cleaning stuff.

Soon the house was gleaming and smelled a little bit like heaven.

She bustled around the house with an energy that radiated off of her
to everything around her
Title: Russian Honey
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 11:47:47 AM
No, never declare any food items in your luggage unless you're up for 6 hours of interrogation

LOL, ok I'm glad it never crossed my mind  :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: KenInUtah on June 12, 2015, 05:11:27 PM
Every day I look forward to your next entry Bill.  Great Read!
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:19:01 PM
Every day I look forward to your next entry Bill.  Great Read!

Thanks Ken, it's good to know that somebody is reading my tale.  ;D


This is where I was living before moving into a house. It would get very cold inside

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/54138_2608659831617_1209445389_o.jpg)
I built some skirting around it with 2" Dow foam insulation and put a little heater underneath
but the heater would invariably turn itself off and the floor would get crazy cold.

Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:22:50 PM
Angel Eyes rides around with me while I make a few jobsite calls.

We meet with the school officials and fill out some paperwork at the
school that Smiley Girl will go to. I drive around the school with my
cell phone camera and make a video so that Smiley Girl can see it.

Sorry about the sound, the wind messed it up

http://youtu.be/NuLtOcysGIQ

We go to the bank and open an account with Wells Fargo for AE, this
way I can deposit money here and she can withdraw it there. We chose
Wells Fargo because they have locations everywhere.

I drive around and show AE some of the local interests and we take photos
that might interest Smiley Girl

(http://www.delsjourney.com/images/news/news_01-12-03/1-8016-Where-Dad-Attended-in-43.jpg)


(http://sayanythingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Dickinson_State_University.jpg)


(http://www.higheredjobs.com/images/AccountImages/1023_1.jpg)

Yes, I admit that North Dakota isn't a very exciting place to live. I
want Angel Eyes and Smiley Girl to see where they will live and a small
look into what their lives will be like.

I have appointments in neighboring cities so we pack up for early for our
cross country trip and head off.
Title: Rushing around Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:53:46 PM
Angel Eyes and I pack up for a two day business trip. I travel though my
territory making stops at various job sites and pointing out some of the
interesting things along the way.

Somehow we lost all of the photos for this portion of the trip. I will post them
later if they show up somewhere (we took just under a thousand photos)

Angel Eyes was amazed at the huge flames coming out of the ground and all
the drilling rigs etc. These are my photos

This drilling rig is right next to where our camp was they drill down over
two miles deep and over a mile horizontally. It takes millions of gallons of
water to frack a well. 
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p843x403/336009_2343148914010_879634397_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p843x403/289942_2343153154116_1508043852_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/616205_2376837796211_1484864458_o.jpg)

the Missouri River

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/487311_2348219480771_1215023548_n.jpg?oh=5efdd4e48cb630d2a353ab427b486f69&oe=562D8AFB)
Title: Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:55:45 PM
Sunset on the prairie
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p843x403/178708_2339096892712_1357133660_o.jpg)
Title: Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:58:15 PM
Not my photos of North Dakota


(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/28/article-2269517-173856D8000005DC-749_964x624.jpg)

You can actually see North Dakota from space because of the flares from oilwells
(http://grist.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/gas-flaring-seen-from-space.png?w=470&h=362)

Right after they frac a well the flames can be over a hundred feet high
and it makes the night into day. You don't just hear the roar you can
feel it.
Title: Grassy Butte North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 05:59:15 PM
I took these photos my first winter in North Dakota
A little church in Grassy Butte

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t31.0-8/s960x960/466772_2718117447989_1308807187_o.jpg)


The Bad Lands
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/201293_2718189529791_1716840_o.jpg)

Driving to the airport on the surface of Mars
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/478679_2718148968777_519863418_o.jpg)
Title: In a move that turned out to be one of my most brilliant ideas of all time
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2015, 06:06:03 PM
My cousin lives in Ray North Dakota which is at the Northern end of my territory
and we stay with him for a night. Angel Eyes charms my niece and nephew and
my cousins take a liking to her as well.

Before leaving we had packed an ice chest and put in many provisions and Angel
Eyes was always putting something tasty together during our trip while saving us
hundreds of dollars that I would have spent in cafes and restaurants.

I had appointments running up until 3:00 pm on Wednesday and was hoping to
shove off at 3:30 or so but I ran into a talkative customer that kept me until
4:30.

Angel Eyes had ambitious plans for our road trip taking us across, North Dakota,
Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.  :o

In a move that turned out to be one of my most brilliant ideas of all time
I told Angel Eyes that there is a very important American custom that lovers
must kiss after crossing a river and good luck for all that do. Angel Eyes
readily agreed that this was a great custom and that we should adopt it!

I knew that there were many river crossings during our trip but had not realized
that I would get several kisses per hour every day of our trip.  (http://www.sherv.net/cm/icons/hug.gif)


Angel Eyes was assigned the duties of navigator and did an exceptional job
and I was assigned the job of driving like a banshee to get us across the wild
wild west.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Patagonie on June 13, 2015, 01:50:01 AM
In a move that turned out to be one of my most brilliant ideas of all time
I told Angel Eyes that there is a very important American custom that lovers
must kiss after crossing a river and good luck for all that do. Angel Eyes
readily agreed that this was a great custom and that we should adopt it!

This one is precious  :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:
Great idea, if i were not married i would adopt it for every date. Something like : "we have a custom in my country, each time we see a yellow car we kiss"
Well done Beel!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 13, 2015, 05:53:36 AM
Great idea, if i were not married i would adopt it for every date. Something like : "we have a custom in my country, each time we see a yellow car we kiss"
Well done Beel!

What's being married got to do with it?  I'm sure your wife would love something as romantic as this every time you leave the house together!
Title: Re: Russian Honey
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 13, 2015, 06:44:17 AM
Angel Eyes bought some containers and put them in my checked luggage.
I never thought to declare it, should I have?

Seriously?  :cluebat:

Dunno about the USA, but all fruit and most other foodstuffs are prohibited imports into New Zealand because of the potential harm to our agricultural sector.  It forms such a large part of our economy, both domestic and international, that we can't risk any infections or infestations.  We have amnesty bins in the Immigration sections of our international airports for people to dump stuff.  The penalties are pretty severe if you get caught with undeclared products - up to five years in prison for the most severe breaches of our import regulations.  See more here: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/items-to-declare/ and here: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/paying-fines/

As someone who was formerly accredited to inspect shipping containers on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I can tell you that we DON'T want to find red-back spiders, snakes, varroa mites or anything similar which might disrupt our economy.  Luckily I never found anything more disturbing than what turned out to be the egg mass of a harmless spider.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Patagonie on June 13, 2015, 07:41:03 AM
What's being married got to do with it?  I'm sure your wife would love something as romantic as this every time you leave the house together!

But i never told you the many customs she has already to fulfill which make her definitively giving up to  wear a pantie.
Title: Re: Russian Honey
Post by: Faux Pas on June 13, 2015, 08:52:14 AM
Seriously?  :cluebat:

Dunno about the USA, but all fruit and most other foodstuffs are prohibited imports into New Zealand because of the potential harm to our agricultural sector.  It forms such a large part of our economy, both domestic and international, that we can't risk any infections or infestations.  We have amnesty bins in the Immigration sections of our international airports for people to dump stuff.  The penalties are pretty severe if you get caught with undeclared products - up to five years in prison for the most severe breaches of our import regulations.  See more here: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/items-to-declare/ and here: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/arriving-in-new-zealand/paying-fines/

As someone who was formerly accredited to inspect shipping containers on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I can tell you that we DON'T want to find red-back spiders, snakes, varroa mites or anything similar which might disrupt our economy.  Luckily I never found anything more disturbing than what turned out to be the egg mass of a harmless spider.

Yeah God help the county that gets brought to it's knees by a jar of honey

 :cluebat:
Title: Re: Rushing around Norf Dekody
Post by: ML on June 13, 2015, 11:19:37 AM
This drilling rig is right next to where our camp was they drill down over
two miles deep and over a mile horizontally. It takes millions of gallons of
water to frack a well.

Here is some very good info concerning fracking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUNBwqovI9U
Title: Re: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: ML on June 13, 2015, 11:23:41 AM
This is where I was living before moving into a house. It would get very cold inside

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/54138_2608659831617_1209445389_o.jpg)
I built some skirting around it with 2" Dow foam insulation and put a little heater underneath
but the heater would invariably turn itself off and the floor would get crazy cold.

Last May, Ochka and I rented a motor home from Cruise America, and traveled from Denver to Pacific coast and back to Denver.

We suffered through some cold nights and then hit some 100 degree days in California where we suffered some more nights.

Yes, there are heaters and AC units, but the poorly insulated roof and sides make such futile.  Plus too noisy  to sleep while running anyway.
Title: Re: Russian Honey
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 11:38:18 AM
Seriously?  :cluebat:

Dunno about the USA, but all fruit and most other foodstuffs are prohibited imports into New Zealand because of the potential harm to our agricultural sector.

Yes, we have restrictions on fruits, vegetables and plants. They can carry insects or
eggs of insects or other diseases with them. A jar of jam wouldn't have the same
restriction since the heating process in canning the jam would kill any of the bugs.
The same could be said of a bottle of maple syrup. It never occurred to me to research
the import of honey.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Camping in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 11:46:39 AM
Yes, there are heaters and AC units, but the poorly insulated roof and sides make such futile.  Plus too noisy  to sleep while running anyway.

I ran out of propane one night when it was -28F with a 28mph wind. (-33C 45kph)
I woke up a friend and borrowed some. Connecting the metal fittings was a major
pain in the butt. Camping in a trailer in the winter in North Dakota certainly isn't
for everyone  ;D   I could tell another 5 dozen stories.
Title: For those of you who haven't traveled with an FSUW
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:26:05 PM
Angel Eyes saw a million things to photograph in North Dakota. I explained that
the view outside the window will become exponentially better as we head West.
During the first part of the journey not a single tree had gone by that wasn't
photographed and I was asked if we should stop, photograph it properly.

We did stop a lot and I drove fast to make up time. I have been in enough
Russian cabs to know that this bothered Angel Eyes not at all. I did get a lot
of mileage of let's wait until you see what's over the next hill/bend/etc.

We crossed into Montana and my prediction of the view becoming more beautiful
started becoming reality.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/montana_zps64e61955.jpg?t=1401047153)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:33:27 PM
We are always driving along at 75-80 mph (120-129 kph) and the
photos were taken out the front or side windows. The front window
had a plethora of bug carcasses splayed all over it at all times. I 
washed the window several times per day but in minutes it would
become a bug grave yard again. 

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/montana_zps043f9b0c.jpg)

Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:36:43 PM
Angel Eyes navigational skills keep us heading West.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/q82/p600x600/1540451_4390838064959_2085836735183994757_o.jpg)
Title: We crossed the Yellow Stone river at least a hundred times
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:38:43 PM
We crossed the Yellow Stone River at least a hundred times and I collected my kiss

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/q82/p600x600/10295551_4390846225163_5277282588855279697_o.jpg)

There were another dozen rivers along the way as well.
Title: No tree was safe from being photographed for posterity
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:40:58 PM
No tree was safe from being photographed for posterity

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10295314_4390881186037_2916403077692422352_o.jpg)



(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10339283_4392759672998_8390354266742544067_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:42:53 PM
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1398465_4390885066134_5803095905646383380_o.jpg)


Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:44:34 PM
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10333276_4390891866304_7930478892812771206_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:53:43 PM
Angel Eyes tried to photograph everything she saw, however I would spot a deer
and point it out to her, she would yell "Aleeeeneeee!!!!" and dive for her camera 
unfortunately by the time she got her camera ready for action the deer would always
be long gone.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10355671_4390888426218_707993887256311808_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:55:38 PM
We stopped in Missoula for fuel and to stretch my legs. Angel Eyes never
stopped snapping photos but she did see a shopping center and announced
that she was going to go shopping. I gave her a strict time limit (which I
knew would be broken) and off she went but not first without smelling the
blossoming trees.


(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10353495_4390865025633_4584320715587838742_o.jpg)
Title: Professional Shopper
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 12:58:40 PM
Knowing that she was a hardened professional shopper who seeks out bargains
with the nose of a blood hound I took her to Ross Dress for less and announced
that I would listen to music in the car and she should send me an sms if she
needed anything.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10293637_4390863825603_8652813197795881724_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1511483_4390866825678_1982927064208848540_o.jpg)
Title: Professional Shopper
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 01:00:06 PM
Note: this coat was at one of the stores. She announced that she would look
great in it and snapped a photo of it, then went back to hunting bargains
methodically looking at an touching every item in the store. Little did I know that
on the trip back I was expected to remember which store she could find the coat
in.  :o  I have a photographic memory however I ran out of film sometime in the
1980's

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10379548_4390870185762_61920871062402512_o.jpg)
Title: Professional Shopper
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 01:03:08 PM
Only a half hour past the strict shopping curfew we got back on the road
once again to drive like escaping felons tearing across the state.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10363463_4390872305815_6522837063973229882_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 13, 2015, 01:05:07 PM
I continue on driving like a madman killing bugs with reckless abandon
and getting sweet kisses every time we cross a river, life is great  ;D

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10011761_4390882186062_4960341926660901343_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:26:24 PM
(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10353238_4392761473043_4043778486174666752_o.jpg)


Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:27:01 PM
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10256195_4392764433117_3838343507655567406_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:27:32 PM
(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10333425_4392748272713_5739065250743700109_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:27:57 PM
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/57478_4392748512719_4985366378345363784_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Montana
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:29:01 PM
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10010141_4392747192686_960999786833008894_o.jpg)

Title: Rushing around in Idaho
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:30:33 PM
We finally cross the huge state of Montana and cross through the pan handle
of Idaho.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/idaho_zpsc2478f24.jpg)

Angel Eyes pronounces Idaho so poorly that she had to say it a
half dozen times for me to understand what she was saying.

So I did the little rhyme, who da ho? NO! I da ho, you da ho? No I da ho
We da ho? No! I da ho! and pretty soon she was saying it pretty well. 

Then of course we switched over to I scream, you scream we all scream for
ice cream!
Title: Rushing around in Idaho
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 02:40:39 PM
There is a Moscow Idaho much to Angel Eyes excitement and surprise
she takes quite a number of photos to the signs to Moscow. However
we are headed to Spokane Washington

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/moscow%20idaho_zpsrx1yxqhy.jpg)



(http://cs616526.vk.me/v616526856/1298b/z6EskgVWjg0.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Idaho
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:02:14 PM
Can one only see so much beautiful nature? Is there a threshold where it doesn't
ever get more beautiful than that? If so then Coeur d'Alene might be one of
those places. I can't find my photos (these were taken by others)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Idaho%20coeur%20d%20Alene%203_zpsuvlklnd1.jpg)

(http://loveofidaho.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/122699993.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/Idaho%20coeur%20d%20Alene%201_zpslv2bs5pu.jpg)

Title: Rushing around in Washington
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:08:51 PM
We cross into Washington but didn't have time and take a photo of the
sign because there was no place to even dream of stopping and we weren't
ready for it.

I tried to double back but Angel Eyes vetoed the idea once she figured out
what I was doing. I wanted to have a photo of her in front of each State sign.
Maybe even USCIS would believe she was there.

So we continued on through Washington.

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10285510_4390903946606_3247871887955221364_o.jpg)

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10380518_4390904626623_1800619328568090788_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10338473_4390904866629_4470499393792634209_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Washington
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:10:40 PM
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10339523_4390905346641_1240004602009566468_o.jpg)

I finally found a Washington State park sign so I photographed Angel Eyes with
the sign (she is edited out here)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/washington_zpse8935b1f.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Washington
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:14:07 PM
More Washington State, unfortunately we drive through a lot of the State in the
Dark.

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10317778_4390908186712_2896095700065436907_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/l/t31.0-8/s960x960/10355468_4390909026733_7459982561627744990_o.jpg)


Aleenee ! Aleenee ! Aleenee ! Aleenee ! Aleenee !  (deer) but Angel Eyes was
just a tad too slow to catch one on film. Here is where he would have been
if he just stayed where he was.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10329735_4390910306765_8645092021503819267_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on June 14, 2015, 03:14:24 PM
Not true.  I see her arm. 
Title: Rushing around in Washington
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:18:33 PM
Not true.  I see her arm.

It was a stunt double
Title: Road trip with a Russian woman
Post by: 2tallbill on June 14, 2015, 03:30:26 PM
One thing about traveling with Angel Eyes is that she has a sixth
sense if I am hungry or should pull over and call it a day.

We loaded an ice chest with various things to eat that AE had prepared for the trip.
I also bought a couple of things like trail mix, smoked almonds and some various nuts,
and raisins etc.

Whenever I started feeling hungry AE would put together something for us to eat.
I always stopped for whoever's bladder called first (usually mine since I drink Gallons
of iced tea each day). If I selected a bush for relief, AE had no qualms using a bush.
Going on a road trip with AE is a joy.

However, one thing that really worried her was the poor starving squirrels at the
rest stops. He insisted that they would die painful deaths if she didn't feed them
a lot of my trail mix.

Here is a photo of one of the unfortunate starving rascals.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/squirrel_zpswsdisnil.jpg?t=1434233838)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:25:30 AM
So we continue racing on through the night to Oregon. The Oregon/Washington
border is the Columbia River which has a bridge across it and somewhere in the
middle of the bridge was a sign Welcoming us to Oregon. Angel Eyes wasn't
quick enough on the draw with the camera. My sister had invited us to stay
with her (she lives in Oregon) and we decide to take her up on it.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10256676_4390914506870_2255363668924758532_o.jpg)

My nieces and nephews are all there to quiz Angel eyes who feels like she is
in the land of the giants. My sister 6 ft, Nephew 6' 5" Niece 6' 3" and Nephew
6' 1" (he is only 13) but Angel Eyes wins them all over and they like her. I think
my sister has adopted her  :chuckle:

Pendleton Oregon is a cowboy town and Angel Eyes is intrigued and snaps photos
at everything. I don't think they have cowboys in Russia.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/s960x960/10010768_4390935587397_5107815767402445520_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:27:27 AM
Paper companies have tree farms like this with trees that grow super fast.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/1912382_4390936747426_8134057405620779172_o.jpg)


The Columbia river gorge is always windy and home to world class
windsurfing and wind farms. Fossil Oregon is the tiny little village
where I graduated from High school back when we drove covered
wagons to school.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10372960_4390943587597_2043459935088760588_o.jpg)


Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:29:15 AM
My sister got up at the crack of dawn and cooked us breakfast.
We drained the water out of the ice chest, replaced the ice, added
provisions, filled up with gas and washed the windshield for only
the 10,000th time and off we go flying down the highway again.

Angel Eyes snaps a photo every 100 meters or so
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10382330_4390948587722_1596213916396245811_o.jpg)

Angel Eyes is still in charge of navigation and does a remarkable job of it.
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/s960x960/10256069_4390952027808_6698723030261259163_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/s960x960/10320884_4390950787777_6291713408871019479_o.jpg)

Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:31:24 AM
Mt Hood is in the distance, they are closing for skiing during the weekend we
are there. I have skied there in July before but apparently they don't have as
much snow this year. I would have loved to go up there. The views are incredible,
you can go up the ski lifts nearly to the top of the 11,250 ft (3,429 meters) Mountain

They have the lifts operating in the summer too for site seeing.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/1614277_4390964188112_5129414175524297309_o.jpg)

Fishing in Oregon is very popular especially salmon fishing
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/s960x960/10338593_4390966508170_5954011567806554491_o.jpg)

Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:33:59 AM
The Eastern part of Oregon is High Desert separated by the
Cascade Mt Range and the Western part of the state is lush
and green. The Mountains keep the rain to the Western part.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1015039_4390968108210_140834186940715006_o.jpg)

We are approaching the Western part and things become
much greener.
Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:35:12 AM
As we travel west the land becomes more lush and green with every mile.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10272662_4390972308315_3595272190094567760_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10380210_4390973628348_7773474850296231540_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:38:05 AM
Angel Eyes is a very happy girl snapping photos, taking videos and
filling her half dozen memory cards with everything she sees.

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10010821_4390974188362_9135081407867136394_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10348947_4390978588472_8134219815337289288_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t31.0-8/s960x960/10271163_4390984668624_1679792653202307503_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:39:58 AM
Multnomah Falls takes Angel Eyes breath away.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10380826_4390985628648_1438768163968591127_o.jpg)

AE put together a little picnic for us to eat and we ate admiring the
nature around us. We stopped rushing so frantically once we got
into Portland. We stayed in nearby Troutdale for $59 per night rather
than in Portland for double or triple that.

I had wanted to stay in Mc Menamins crystal ballroom makes their own
beer and has concerts there nearly every weekend and they are in downtown
so we could walk around but they were sold out by the time I tried to get a
room there.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/CrystalHotel
Title: Not Rushing around in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:43:42 AM
So now that we arrived we started at a less frantic pace. Deciding to stop
and smell the roses so to speak which was probably a good plan since our
next stop was to the Portland International Rose Gardens.

I have a hundreds of photos of the Rose Garden but they all have Angel Eyes
in them and would look silly if I cropped her out of them.
(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10295219_4396251520292_5916555576388513312_o.jpg)

Angel Eyes loves flowers and enjoyed wandering around in them.
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10273170_4398030364762_331675575758821899_o.jpg)
Title: Not Rushing around in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:48:10 AM
Did, "I never promised you a rose garden" song ever get stuck
in your head? It didn't happen to me here, watching AE admire and
enjoy everything around us was a blast.

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/10380701_4398030804773_2826503428737801937_o.jpg)

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1957928_4398030964777_594790201004423572_o.jpg)

Title: Not Rushing around in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:51:45 AM
Right next to the Rose Garden is the Japanese Gardens. If you thought that
Angel Eyes would have gotten bored looking at flowers you would be wrong.

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1957928_4398030964777_594790201004423572_o.jpg)

When you go in they have some granola type inform you of Garden etiquette
absolutely no eating, no loud noises, don't pick the flowers, no sudden moves
and a host of other crap. AE broke every single one of the rules within the first
20 minutes. There was some kind of edible plant that she simply walked up to
snapped off a piece and popped it into her mouth before I could say don't do
that  :laugh:

I did point out a sign that specifically said not to pick the plants and there was
a $500 fine for getting caught doing it. So she agreed to refrain from eating
any of the other plants or animals  ;D

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/s960x960/1980392_4398032644819_4907722402970227436_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10256609_4397587913701_6207891745413378919_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 16, 2015, 07:57:20 AM
Angel Eyes continued to flout all the other rules. We weren't supposed
to eat anything and Angel Eyes pulled out some sunflower seeds and
popped them in her mouth. I am pretty sure something that could
potentially grow into a non native Japanese plant would definitely qualify
as something not to be eaten, but I was wasting my time pointing these
things out to her so, I stopped doing it.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10365402_4398040205008_1129149585808413388_o.jpg)

I figured as long as AE didn't spear a fish and grill it using an ancient Banzai
tree or something similar that I would be pretty lucky.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10365402_4398040205008_1129149585808413388_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/s960x960/10255879_4398040685020_854261699080774784_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10257245_4398046885175_5857964149965692451_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: STaty on June 16, 2015, 02:34:34 PM
Hi! This is a very beautiful flowers and photos !!! I think that was a wonderful smell in the  Portland International Rose Gardens!! !
Title: Portland International Rosegardens
Post by: 2tallbill on June 19, 2015, 11:04:17 AM
Hi! This is a very beautiful flowers and photos !!! I think that was a wonderful smell in the  Portland International Rose Gardens!! !

Yes, you are right. The smell is wonderful.
Title: Japanese Gardens
Post by: 2tallbill on June 20, 2015, 03:19:51 PM
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31.0-8/s960x960/905842_4398047365187_9106340137760220094_o.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/japanesegardens1_zps7819700c.jpg)


(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/japanesegardens3_zpsf53b1abf.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 20, 2015, 03:22:47 PM
So we are in Portland and I call one of my old University buddies,
we meet with him and his girl friend and have a night on the town.
AE charms them too and the next day we take off for the Oregon
Coast. I hadn't been there in over 20 years but we travel to Newport
where I know they have an aquarium and a beach with cold cold water.

I have been telling AE that the water is too cold but she has been
half ignoring me.

We arrive at nearly dusk and air/water and wind are cold. AE is extremely
happy and she collects a bottle of water and a bottle of sand from the
ocean. Now she has water from the Black Sea, The Med and now the Pacific.

Did I say she was extremely happy, you can judge for yourself.

http://youtu.be/gX8kOPwPTGU

Title: Rushing around the Oregon Coast
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:02:35 PM
There is a cool aquarium in NewPort Oregon and Angel Eyes loved looking at the
various animals and sites.

Sharks!
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/sharks_zps3d7318a9.jpg)

Title: Beach flowers
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:03:02 PM
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10362816_4398064845624_1818035027404772487_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:05:08 PM
So we spend the evening in Newport and go to the Aquarium and spend
hours there. Looking at all the different creatures, they had plenty of kids
things to do for little kids.

I am told that we are spending two days here so I rent the Hotel for another
night.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10333268_4398057685445_5843760097564703649_o.jpg)

Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:05:39 PM
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10383851_4398058165457_3951538873222273610_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10348650_4398058045454_509026590448838285_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Russia
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:06:44 PM
They had outside exhibits with seals, sealions and otters

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1921246_4398058765472_8485988214928337221_o.jpg)


Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:13:04 PM
We spend the rest of a lazy day wandering around on the beach.
I am told we are eating fish! so I find a place and we split a grilled
tuna and each have cups of clam chowder.

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/q81/p600x600/10380701_4398055485390_348664982438745369_o.jpg)

Google maps says the way back is to retrace our steps but I break out the paper
map and come up with a trip that AE likes. We go North up the Coast Highway
make a photo and cafe stop in Tillamook (where they make cheese) and take
some photos and head East all the way back to North Dakota. AE studies the
map and agrees.

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10339483_4416175178371_3200750959858265257_o.jpg)

When we awake the next morning AE puts together a breakfast from items in
our ice chest and packs away all the treasure that she had found on the beach.
We fuel up and off we go

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/57542_4510674500795_7942642417195091802_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:13:49 PM
(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/l/t31.0-8/p480x480/10498112_4510675180812_501335946121791194_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:14:50 PM
I am driving along and keep seeing these beautiful yellow wild flowers that
I know from experience smell divine. I pull the car off the road and AE says
what's the matter? As I go tromping up the hill and pick some of them for
her. I acquired lots of boyfriend points doing that.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10293834_4401927022176_5101608829880727050_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:16:28 PM
(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10463639_4518202048979_5473410688229444467_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10348855_4416175418377_6345171490512153592_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10348894_4416176618407_6892489751235948849_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin around the 45th Parallel
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:17:33 PM
We drive along and I see the 45th Parallel sign that we are exactly halfway
between the North pole and the equator. So I pull two U turns so that we
can document that accomplishment.

(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10295425_4401934622366_7931149854965601757_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 23, 2015, 12:18:22 PM
The Weather along the Oregon coast in the Spring changes every 15
minutes, we had sun, rain, sun, rain.

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10372859_4401924902123_2597331591710943558_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:46:35 AM
Angel Eyes had her bikini under her clothes and was determined to give
swimming a try. I tried to explain that the water was too cold but she
assured me that it was warm. She had been in it up to her calves the day
before.

I stopped at a sandy beach because I didn't want her to try it at one of the
rocky beaches and she jumped out peeled off her clothes and pranced around
in and out of the surf having a great time. I had fun just watching her, then
just as I knew it would a big wave barreled into her and she took a tumble 
and got all the way wet and after a few more minutes it was time to get out.

An older English woman was on the beach and said that it reminded her when
she was young swimming in the North Sea. AE kept telling me it wasn't cold
as she swapped out her bikini to her clothes inside the car and had goosebumps
from head to toe with a giant smile on her face  ;D

We continued driving along the coast highway, although much of it was well inland
and we couldn't see the Ocean, it still beat returning on the same path.

My car has seat heaters and I turned on AE's heater till the goose bumps were
gone.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10259267_4401935622391_4500274007212846627_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:48:03 AM
Once we got to Tillamook, we split an order of fish and chips and
each of us had a cup of clam chowder and AE had hot tea.

I had seen a few signs and old cobwebs of memories of some scenic beaches
near there. I asked her if she wanted to spend 30 minutes while I tried to find
them and she thought that was a grand idea.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10355691_4401938222456_2048372798658708413_o.jpg)


Treasure!!!

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10348738_4402622559564_1023315757858539128_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:50:31 AM
(http://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10403974_4400086896174_5713225402640703952_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:51:44 AM
One minute sun the next minute was rain

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10369099_4401942062552_5815695755865431235_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10259309_4416199418977_3244778186874124723_o.jpg)

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10317633_4416161898039_83630047159504238_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:55:19 AM
(http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10348894_4416176618407_6892489751235948849_o.jpg)


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Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:58:06 AM
Having found the ocean I was a hero again. We stocked the ice chest with
more ice and provisions and away we go.

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Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:58:51 AM
We take off East leaving the Ocean behind and cross some fields that
I don't know what they are. I stop to take a look and of course Angel
Eyes picks one and takes a bite of it, which I wish she wouldn't do when
neither of us know what it is.

Does anyone know what this is? there were several fields of this

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Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2015, 09:59:59 AM
Back to the Trip Report Angel Eyes is having a blast, she enjoys the scenery
and snapping a zillion photos. She has also decided that when she is tired
of driving that therefore I am tired of driving and for safety sake we need
to stop. I wanted to drive all the way through Washington and get at least
into Idaho or better yet Montana but it's not going to happen.

I've tried arguing but it falls on deaf ears. I have decided to let the
whoever gets tired first (her) or the weakest bladder (me because I
drink several liters of tea and water every day) determine our stops.

I also get hungry first but she has a sixth sense about that always
making a snack or popping something in my mouth when I start feeling
hungry.

More to come
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on June 24, 2015, 10:03:05 AM
Quote
Does anyone know what this is? there were several fields of this

It is clover.
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 03:51:25 PM
It is clover.

What's it for? grazing? feed?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on June 26, 2015, 03:54:49 PM
I don't know.  I assume it is used as animal feed.
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:01:18 PM
I don't know.  I assume it is used as animal feed.

I pulled over and looked at it. Angel Eyes picked some and ate some.
I've met 2 year old children who were more skeptical of sticking something
in their mouths.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10344148_4416200699009_6132115757866913037_o.jpg)

I hope that it didn't have any insecticides etc on it.
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:02:49 PM
Driving around about half lost in Portland I would set up my cell phone as a hot spot
for my laptop and my trusty little navigator Angel Eyes would figure out which road
to take.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p600x600/10373056_4416201059018_7206578093351471856_o.jpg)

Another River and more kisses  ;D
Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:04:14 PM
Portland Oregon driving with my sweet kissing navigator
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Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:04:58 PM
Another of Angel Eyes duties was speed limit monitor. Entering into towns the
speed frequently changes and little towns in Oregon and other places LOVE to
pass out speeding tickets. I gave her the job of announcing the speed anytime
we passed a sign if I was driving faster than the speed and she was pretty good
at it and I didn't get any tickets.

Generally speaking on the Highway I set the cruise control to the speed limit
plus a 3-4 mph. If you listen carefully to her Russian narrated video in the
middle of she says 55 in English I look down and sure enough I am at 60 mph
so I back off the speed.

Speeding tickets in North Dakota are fined at $1 for each MPH over the speed
limit. In most other states the penalties are quite severe.
Title: Rushing around in the USA
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:07:35 PM
Driving towards the Rockies with commentary by Angel Eyes in Russian.

http://youtu.be/d8X6tPk1Sn0
Title: Driving along the Oregon Coast with Angel Eyes giving commentary
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:10:22 PM
Driving around the Oregon Coast with Angel Eyes giving commentary in Russian

http://youtu.be/npAO6JXD7P8

Title: Rushing around Oregon
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:11:54 PM
Driving around in Oregon with commentary by Angel Eyes in Russian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JH-6achmbE&feature=youtu.be

Title: Rushing around the USA
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:18:56 PM
We headed back to North Dakota and Angel Eyes took no fewer photos
coming than she did going. We did stop at a manufacturers outlets Mall
where Angel Eyes power shopped while I caught up with emails and various
stuff that doesn't stop just because you are on vacation.

My various family members who met AE sent off glowing reports to those
who hadn't. The number of family who want to meet her has grown substantially.

We spend two days driving back to North Dakota. One the way West we missed
it when we passed the Continental Divide

(http://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/p720x720/10258815_4404696771418_2678346415888653513_o.jpg)

The rain that falls East of this line eventually arrives in the Atlantic Ocean and the
rain that falls West of this line eventually arrives in the Pacific Ocean. The elevation
here is 6393 feet or 1948 meters
Title: I can't believe she has to go home
Post by: 2tallbill on June 26, 2015, 04:24:44 PM
We arrive back in North Dakota and have a couple days to relax. We
meet with the people at the Jr High school to see what they would
need to register Smiley Girl. They basically want transcripts and
immunization records, I explained that they have a little different
grading system and everything is in Russian.

I agree to get everything translated.

We spend the last days together, dropping Angel Eyes off at the
airport is becoming nearly impossibly difficult. I don't have words
to explain. Here I am sending AE thousands of miles away, when
that's the last thing that I want to do. I can't believe that I am
putting this woman on a plane. Why would I send her away? I
don't want her to go. I am completely and totally smitten with this
girl.

We hug, kiss and say good bye and my son tries unsuccessfully to
cheer me up with jokes and antics (he has many) as I drive back
home.

to be continued,
Title: Rushing around Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 28, 2015, 05:22:44 PM
Angel Eyes has a close girlfriend in New York who married an American
guy and has 4 kids with him. She has wanted to visit her but like most
people at this stage we are trying to spend all of our time together
possible.

I've been going to Kayak.com and a host of others trying to find the best
deal on a flight from MOW (Moscow airports) to DIK (Dickinson). I popped
onto Delta's website and they do a couple of weird things. First all the prices
are in Euro's which aren't frequently used in either Russia or the USA and
secondly every trip has an 18+ hour layover in some place. Who wants to
subject themselves to that?

I call customer dis-service at Delta and if I don't want my girls to spend
18or more hours someplace en route then I have to pay an extra
$500.00 x two tickets.

So I go back to the drawing board and like usual I check other airports
like BIS (Bismarck) and find out the price is less and that they spend
an 18+ hour layover in New York, where her girl friend lives. It's
3:20 am in Russia and I don't want to wake up Angel eyes so I buy the
two electronic tickets and send them to AE's email along with a mushy
love letter.

Guess who woke up, read the letter and was very happy with her
fiance'? Yep, I got major points for both the layover and the letter
with mushy stuff.

So I got a ton of work to do to make my house presentable again,
create a place for Smiley girl to sleep, and a multitude of other
arrangements. 

More to come
Title: Re: Rushing around Norf Dekody
Post by: jone on June 28, 2015, 06:02:31 PM
Angel Eyes has a close girlfriend in New York who married an American
guy and has 4 kids with him. She has wanted to visit her but like most
people at this stage we are trying to spend all of our time together
possible.

I've been going to Kayak.com and a host of others trying to find the best
deal on a flight from MOW (Moscow airports) to DIK (Dickinson). I popped
onto Delta's website and they do a couple of weird things. First all the prices
are in Euro's which aren't frequently used in either Russia or the USA and
secondly every trip has an 18+ hour layover in some place. Who wants to
subject themselves to that?

I call customer dis-service at Delta and if I don't want my girls to spend
18or more hours someplace en route then I have to pay an extra
$500.00 x two tickets.

So I go back to the drawing board and like usual I check other airports
like BIS (Bismarck) and find out the price is less and that they spend
an 18+ hour layover in New York, where her girl friend lives. It's
3:20 am in Russia and I don't want to wake up Angel eyes so I buy the
two electronic tickets and send them to AE's email along with a mushy
love letter.

Guess who woke up, read the letter and was very happy with her
fiance'? Yep, I got major points for both the layover and the letter
with mushy stuff.

So I got a ton of work to do to make my house presentable again,
create a place for Smiley girl to sleep, and a multitude of other
arrangements. 

More to come

Where are we in the sequence now?  Smiley Girl's first trip to the US?
Title: Rushing around Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 29, 2015, 02:07:05 PM
Where are we in the sequence now?  Smiley Girl's first trip to the US?

Yes, we are in sequence and Smiley Girl's first trip to the USA and Angel Eyes second
trip.

I'm sorry that I bounced around but My Trip to St Pete was my first trip report but I had
made 4 trips before going there. So then I had to dig in the cobwebbed recesses of my
brain to remember the details of the first trips then add in the subsequent trips. There
are advantages of writing them all separately but then they become hard to find later.

Putting all of my trip reports in one place is easier to find but chronologically hard to
follow since I didn't write them in that way.

Hopefully, it's not too hard to follow.
Title: Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 29, 2015, 02:15:28 PM
Angel Eyes and Smiley Girl arrive at JFK at 2:10 pm Eastern Time. AE
has specific instructions to contact me as soon as possible after she clears
customs. I worry that some official will decide to send them back or some
of the various other horrors that I have read on Visa Journey.

I finally get a call at 5:49 pm, more than 3 1/2 hours later that AE and SG
are safe and sound. AE doesn't have a ticking clock in her head like I do.
15 minutes and 3 1/2 hours are essentially the same if you compare it to
glacier flow or continental drift. However, if you are worried about somebody
then it's like holding your breath for a minute then catching your breath and
then doing again repeatedly.

They will arrive in Bismarck tomorrow afternoon. I am cleaning all the stuff
that hasn't been cleaned since she left last time in May and my son is actually
helping me. 

Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on June 29, 2015, 02:19:00 PM
As I was getting ready to leave for the airport in Bismarck and huge sinking
feeling hits my guts. Bismarck is in the Central Time zone  :o how could I
forget this  :o

My city is in Mountain time which is an hour earlier. It's 100 miles (161 km)
to Bismarck! I am going to be late.

I start laying rubber as I set the cruise control to 80 mph (129 kph). My son realizes
that I messed and always being the helpful sort he says "Classic Dad, just classic."
I arrive at the airport over 15 minutes late and go inside to find out that Angel Eyes
and Smiley girl have missed their flight and will be arriving in about an hour.  ;D 

I had brought along a spray bottle and some paper towels and give the interior of the
car a scrubbing and pick up a couple bottles of water, apple juice, peanuts and raisins
for snacks. (If only I had known to armor all the tires).

I had already bought flowers for each of them and gave them to the girls when they
arrived. Man Angel Eyes smells good  ;D

I took them to a mall and got them both sim cards for their phones, then we
went to a Mongolian barbecue where you pick out your own plate of stuff then
they fry it up for you.

They had a good time in New York with some beach photos but they were wiped out
and wanted to head home. Angel Eyes had some water from the Atlantic Ocean and
some assorted shells and other valuable treasure. I get them unpacked fed and settled
and they are soon off to dreamland.

More to follow
Title: Trippin in Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on June 29, 2015, 02:48:17 PM
The weekend arrives and we take off to Bismarck and the zoo.

They love the animals but are unable to follow any of the zoo rules.
They feed animals that they aren't supposed to feed. They touch
animals that say DON'T TOUCH!!

Then one of the bears has it's arm hung out trying to reach through
the bars as far as it can. So Smiley girl squeezes through the bars on
our side of the double fence and tries to reach the bears arm (claw).

I flip out and tell her that she might not realize how tasty she would be
compared to boring zoo food. She just wanted to touch it  :o  I nearly
swallowed my head. The bears claws were at least 6-8" long and if
Smiley Girl touched those claws with her little delicate hand the bear
could easily rip her arm off.

She is a total city girl and has never been around wild animals. They are
wild animals and they survive by eating other smaller, slower and naive
animals.They had double fences almost 6 feet apart. Why would the zoo
do this? Could it be that they didn't want the bears eating the arms of
young girls?

To this day she  still doesn't think she was in any danger and that no harm
would come to her but she knows that my head will explode if she tries to
touch the bear again and most people try to avoid being around my head
when it explodes.

After the zoo we have a picnic that Angel Eyes packed for us on the Missouri
River. Yes I got kissed both over and back by Angel Eyes and cheek kissed by
Smiley Girl when we head back.

Life is good  ;D

Title: Rushing around in Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on July 01, 2015, 11:07:02 AM
I have a huge loop in my sales territory that occasionally I take so
I tell the girls and that we are leaving the next day at NOON exactly.
Anyone who is not completely and totally ready, loaded and has not
already emptied their bowels and bladders at precisely NOON the next
day will be left behind to fend on their own and certainly will NOT be
riding with me because I will have left already.

At 2:39 pm on the dot the next day I am backing out of the driveway.  :D

The plan is to go to Watford City and meet three customers then to Williston and
drop off two windows that barely fit in the car when carrying 2 Russian girls with
all their supporting gear for a couple days away from home.

I somehow accomplish everything in Watford City and head to Williston. The road
construction is horrific and it takes more hours. My nephew lives in nearby Ray and 
will be 2 on Sunday so we head to the Williston Walmart which is just like a Chinese
fire drill during an air raid, but add a little zombie apocalypse in (some of the oil field
workers wear their soiled work clothes to Walmart).

There are nearly zero females in Williston who weigh less than 250lbs and those
who are in the sub 200 range are clearly above average and get stares. Smiley
Girl is teasing her mom (in Russian) about all the stares that she is getting.

The girls select several loud toys that will make shrill noises if you push any of
the many buttons they have. I decided to give my nephews parents a break and
grabbed a big excavator tractor* that will make less noise and will keep a 2 year
old busy and happy for hours. I also grabbed a Minnie Mouse color book for my
niece.

more to follow


*Note he plays with the big excavator tractor at least once a day even now nearly
a year later. Young boys LOVE excavators and playing in the dirt
Title: Rushing around in South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:13:20 PM
After making the loop of my territory we headed into South Dakota.

We went through Sturgis which is a huge biker rally area but not when
we went through however


We visited Mount Rushmore

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/SD1.jpg)

Title: Rushing around South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:14:36 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd2.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd1.6.jpg)
Title: Rushing around South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:16:05 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd1.7.jpg)


We drove through a wild animal park. Angel Eyes and Smiley Girl
opened the windows against park rules (and sensibility) even in the
bear exhibits

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/Bear%20Country.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:18:10 PM
Smiley Girl would touch the bear if I hadn't threatened that my head would
explode and she would be covered in blood and brains which would attract
the zombies AND the bears

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd8.jpg)
Title: Rushing around in South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:19:47 PM
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/SD7.jpg)

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd5.jpg)
Title: Rushing around South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:22:50 PM
If you haven't eaten buffalo, I recommend it. It's quite tasty. Note these are
live animals and will get offended if you try to eat them. You can usually get
buffalo from your local butcher, you just have to ask for it.

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/SD6.jpg)


(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/sd10.jpg)
Title: Rushing around South Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 07, 2015, 12:30:58 PM
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(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1891259_4916213159008_6883384071134721397_n.jpg?oh=a17b2aeef9324cfa60c22e186e971fd8&oe=565812FE)


Title: Keep on trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2015, 08:28:24 AM
We are taking another trip and will hopefully see parts of Wyoming,
Utah, the Rocky Mountains, Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

Angel eyes and Smiley girl will meet my parents for the first time.
I warned her that they are cRaZy so far she doesn't believe me  :D
The Grand Canyon part might be a little too ambitious for us but my girl
always tries to fit 20 hours of adventures in an 8 hour window.

The car is gassed up and ready to go. I am leaving to buy provisions for
the ice chest. Angel Eyes has cooked up a storm so we won't be eating
in many cafe's along the way. I keep working on a honey do list that is
nearly done and will be heading out shortly.

If my crazy parents don't drive her totally nuts then definitely she's a keeper
Title: Still trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2015, 08:54:18 AM
The four of us Angel Eyes, Smiley Girl, my 24 year old son and
myself piled into the car and took off racing South West down the
USA. We drove through North Dakota to South Dakota then through
Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. The speed limit through much
of Wyoming and Utah was 80 mph (128 kph). 

more to follow
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on July 09, 2015, 01:32:17 PM
I have heard in a few of those states you can drive as fast you can afford.
Not sure if true. But lily lucky I don't live in such place :)
Title: I feel the need for speed
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2015, 08:49:47 AM
I have heard in a few of those states you can drive as fast you can afford.
Not sure if true. But lily lucky I don't live in such place :)

North Dakota is a long, long way from anywhere, the Interstate is long, wide and smooth.
You wouldn't see me drive that fast in the winter, but in the summer I set the cruise control
and the road flies by. I've taught Smiley Girl and Angel Eyes some American songs and they
sing part and I sing part.

Me: Old McDonald had a farm
Them: (in cute Russian accents sing) "Eeee eye Eeee eye Ohhhhhh........"
Me: and on his farm he had some..............
Smiley girl always gets to pick the animal: Frogs
Them: "Eeee eye Eeee eye Ohhhhhh......."
Me (I always do the animal noises)

and on we go barreling down the interstate singing and laughing........ life is great!
Title: Rushing around the USA
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 02:41:17 PM
We drive through North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah,
Arizona and Nevada arriving in Las Vegas a little over 1200 miles
(1931km). I had booked rooms at Circus Circus on Price line for
$37 per night. My parents, two of my sisters and 4 nieces and
nephews are due in later in the evening.

We arrive a little too early to check in, Priceline had only booked us
for one night instead of two. We head out to the factory outlets mall.
Angel Eyes had made her self a blue dress with her sewing machine
and I was told to buy son and myself blue shirts to match.

They don't have any big and tall shops at the mall so we head over to
J.C. Penny's which does have big and tall clothing and finish our shopping
in typical man fashion in about 6 minutes including parking. We were told
to leave the girls alone and pick them up in three hours.

I go online and fill out a marriage license pre-application http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/clerk/Pages/PreApp.aspx
Note: you need to use Explorer for the site to work.

We find a watering hole, I am drinking ice tea (not the Long Island variety)
and my son drinks a soda as we catch up on various sporting events. Angel
Eyes gives me a call hours later and we go pick them up.

Angel Eyes had bought a really attractive slinky looking evening gown and
a blue dress for Smiley girl (and had spent less than $80)

Next stop is

Marriage License Bureau
201 E Clark Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Office Hours:
8:00a.m.-Midnight, 7 days a week/365 days a year - including holidays

We arrive but they can't accept anything but cash today so I walk down
to Bank of America around the corner and come back with cash.

Since I had preregistered we get to go straight to the front of the line and
we get a marriage license quicker than it took to buy blue shirts at Penney's.

More to follow.............
Title: Getting married
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 02:46:17 PM
I started looking for an FSUW in 2005 making my first trip November of 2005.

After making nearly every mistake known to man, Here I am in November of 2014
finally getting married.

Getting married was kind of anticlimactic. I found a cheesy little chapel in Las Vegas.
They tried to nickle and dime us to death. Examples $5.00 for every person exceeding
8 people, $30.00 for my sister who is a professional photographer to take photos. They
wanted a $50 tip for the minister. They asked me to tip the photographer even though
we paid $30.00 so that my sister could do it. If I was in a mood to gripe, I could have
but I was really happy to be getting married.

Angel Eyes had made her own dress and looked like an Angel. Smiley girl was all smiles.
99% of FSUW LOVE to pose for photos and we went off to the Bellagio to have photos
taken. I don't have most of the photos back yet, however here are some of the Bellagio
itself which has water and music shows every hour.

(http://hdwallpapercorner.com/gallery/6052-bellagio-las-vegas-hotels-800x600.jpg)


Title: Getting married
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 02:47:31 PM
The Bellagio

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Bellagio_display_9-11-2010.jpg)


(http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/bellagio-001-lance-vaughn.jpg)
Title: Driving like a banshee
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 02:48:32 PM
So after too many hours taking photos we were on our way back and I was dying
of thirst and along comes a guy selling Bud Light 2 for $5.00. I don't really care for
light beer but I paid him for two and drank one. I still have the other beer in my
fridge until I get thirsty enough to want another  ;D

The night eventually ended and the next day we all met for breakfast before leaving.

Angel eyes had won the hearts of my sisters and they were all in tears saying good bye.
My nieces and nephews got smooches and hugs.


Then the four of us pile in the car it was nearly 90F (+32C). I was wearing shorts
and off we drive heading for Norf Dekody.

We went through Nevada, Arizona and Utah and I pull over to the side of the road
so my son and I could take a pit stop by a bush. I get back in and drive off and Smiley
girl starts yelling. Apparently Angel Eyes who is not she of using a handy offroad bush
as well had stepped out of the car and I had just left my new wife behind  :o

I back up and retrieve the newly minted Mrs 2tallbill and many hours later we
arrive in Pocatello Idaho at 4462 feet elevation (1360 meters) I was still wearing
shorts but the outside temperature was -4F (-20C) I grabbed a pair of pants and
changed in the bathroom of a gas station and took off again.

I wish I would have stopped in Pocatello for the night but I wanted to get back
so I kept driving and the road between Pocatello and Butte Montana became
treacherous with fog, icy roads and very bad visibility. It turned into many hours
of white knuckle driving arriving. Angel Eyes asked about a bush and I looked at
the thermometer and it said -16F (-26C) and she decided she could wait. Minus
16F in November is too damn cold for November.

I had to drive 40-45 miles per hour in many places and we arrived in Butte Montana
at 4:30 am. I get hotel rooms and we all sleep until we have to checkout at noon. If
I waited until 5:00 am then I could have stayed until the next day, but nobody was
interested in waiting another half hour. 
 
It's snowing but now we are on the interstate and they keep the road fairly well plowed.
We arrive back home in North Dakota at 8:30 pm.

More to come..............
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on July 11, 2015, 03:56:33 PM
It is illegal for banshees to drive in 43 states.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 05:00:57 PM
It is illegal for banshees to drive in 43 states.

Luckily the Western States of Norf Dekody, Souf dekody, Wyoming, Utah,
Arizoner and Kneevada are banshee friendly States as is Hanna Montana. 
Title: Rushing around with Russians
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2015, 06:05:27 PM
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11109812_785266091589686_1106006198141017246_n.jpg?oh=29681e2d7bb7b9fc9f29866f5cc8e6b6&oe=561DEDA2)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on July 11, 2015, 06:37:12 PM
Luckily the Western States of Norf Dekody, Souf dekody, Wyoming, Utah,
Arizoner and Kneevada are banshee friendly States as is Hanna Montana.


Robert Heinlein, in his classic, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress wrote about a beautiful woman by the name of Wyoming Knott.  They called her Why Nott for short.

Title: First Thanksgiving with Russian girls
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 10:28:53 AM
The girls have never experienced Thanksgiving since they didn't have
Pilgrims, Mayflowers or Plymouth Rocks. So I decided that they should
get the full experience.

I ordered a turducken from the Gourmet Butcher Block in Gretna, LA.
What is a turducken? It's a deboned turkey stuffed with a deboned duck
stuffed with a deboned chicken with corn bread stuffing and sausage stuffing
in between the layers. It's a cajun specialty and it has lots of spices. For those
who don't like turkey because it's too dry, buy one of these and you won't complain
about dry meat.

Here's a photo 

(http://www.schallerweber.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/foo_ck_turducken_1223.jpeg)


We went to my cousins house the day before and spent the night so that we
could get up and start cooking.

I went through the various family traditions
1. Everybody makes something
2. You eat until you pass out.
3. You watch some football

We woke up and I got the Turducken in the oven on the bottom rack because
many pies were going to be baked in the upper rack. We ate a large American
style breakfast Bacon, Eggs, Sausage, Hash browns, biscuits and gravy.

Then we started cooking and preparing in earnest. My cousin's wife's sister.
My "cousin in law" is the title I gave her went to culinary school and started
making amazing delectable treats, while I made the potato salad and Angel
Eyes and Smiley girl made some Russian salads. My son made his pumpkin
cheese cake and we started popping from the couch to the TV to watch the
various football games. 

More salads, deserts, home made rolls, deviled eggs, and various dishes
continued to roll out of the kitchen.
Title: First Thanksgiving with Russian girls
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 10:31:30 AM
Although Smiley Girl is 13 she has a wonderful time with my 8 year old niece.
My niece got her hair braided at least a dozen different ways and Smiley girl
really is some kind of braiding expert. She even has her own head with hair
back in Russia that she uses for various experimental designs.

Smiley Girl is a complete city girl. She hasn't been around animals much but
she loves them and will do almost anything just to pet one. On a previous
trip to a wild animal park/petting zoo Smiley Girl petted any and all animals
who would allow it. She also has zero fear of wild animals which she needs
to learn at least to be careful around them.

So my niece took Smiley Girl out to feed the horses which need food since all
the grazing is gone/covered with snow/ice and they need more a lot more feed
in the winter to keep warm. Then they came into the house and played on the
floor with Barbies and toy horses.

Being around a 13 year old takes a bit of getting used to. One minute she is
an adult discussing various things, the next minute she is playing with toys.
She laughs frequently and with joy but can burst into tears at any moment.
Such is the life of a teenage girl.

Luckily I had three sisters and watched them go through this.
Title: The pitter patter of little feet?
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 10:44:21 AM
Angel Eyes and I went to the doctor today. 

Angel Eyes told me this morning it will be any day now even though
she isn't due till February 10th. We are expecting a bouncing baby boy
(according to the doctor) but Angel Eyes, Smiley Girl and my cousin in
law (who is a girl) are convinced that we will be having a girl.

You can argue with them, but it's a waste of time. I usually go to a neighboring
town 3 hours away and have been told that I will be not be doing that anymore.

It's been 102 years since I changed any diapers or was woke up in the
middle of the night by crying, and while my plan is to put Angel Eyes in
charge of this (she has mobile pre-warmed dual baby feeders) I am sure
I will be called into service as well.
Title: The pitter patter of little feet?
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 10:50:46 AM
I bought a crib today and enough assorted baby stuff to require a
small addition to the house we live in.

AE is timing contractions and talking about car seats

Warning 2tallbill rant to follow

When I was a kid, just after the era of covered wagons we drove around in
the family car. They put us all in the car and we went wherever we had to
go. We had 5 seat belts, 6 kids and two adults. The lack of seat belts wasn't
a problem because nobody wore them anyway.

My dad always drove, and my mom had the littlest in her lap and since I
was the oldest (and biggest) the second littlest was always in my lap.

This is going to be a huge surprise for some of you, as it certainly was for
me. Some time between when I was a kid and now things have radically
changed and the little tykes must each be assigned not only a seat belt, but
they are also assigned a car seat.

These are apparently safety devices designed to make sure that if everyone
else dies in a car wreck that the kids will live on to be orphans if the jaws
of life are able to extract them. Back in my day they didn't do this for both
humanitarian reasons and to keep the orphanages from filling up too fast.

In addition car seats MUST be in the back seat and face backwards when the
little tykes  are less than 30lbs (13kg) and then you throw that car seat away
and buy a different one that is bigger and faces front. They made this a law
because the loony bins weren't full enough and knowing that no child on Earth
wants to forced to stare backwards when all the fun action is faced forward
therefore the child's only recourse is to drive everyone nuts in the car.

One historical thing to point out, is that I never got carsick in a car. Part of the
reason that never happened was because nobody was silly enough (or stupid
enough) to tie me up facing backwards in a car. They quite accurately would
have determined that I would revolt against any such ideas and getting me into
the car would be similar to putting a cat in the toilet and shutting the lid.

They might get me in the first time but from that day forward teeth, blood and
spit would be involved.
 
When I was a kid, you were carried until you learned to walk which happened
sometime around your first birthday and then you walked or got left behind or
were sold off to the circus. Luckily none of my brothers or sisters were willing
to take the chance of falling behind and getting sold off to the circus so they
kept up.

These days apparently the circuses have all the kids they need since it's much
cheaper to buy them overseas, so the market for slow American kids evaporated
overnight. Now days you must put a child in a wheeled device (called a stroller).

I've done a little research and discovered stroller is a French word for stinky puke
catcher. 

So you must buy one of these puke catchers, put the kid in there and push them
around even though the good lord gives them legs. It's no wonder kids these days
get fat because they no longer fear the circus and they don't have to run to keep
up. How many times did I have a little brother or sister holding my hand being
drug along with their legs churning like egg beaters to keep up? I don't know but
it's a big number and none of them were fat after the day they learned to walk.

So why bring up three seemingly unrelated historical events?
1. learning to walk
2. being pushed in strollers
3. and forcibly strapping an unwilling child backwards in a car?
 
Some enterprising businessman decided to combine all this into one multipurpose
device. A car seat which you remove and then attach to a stroller. The only advantage
of combining these two concepts that I can think of is that once you got the little tyke
strapped in he will bite less when being transferred from the wheeled puke catcher to
the reverse facing car puke catcher.

After learning all this we bought a multipurpose rear facing car puke catching device
that will also fit into a wheeled strolling puke catching device. We will have to throw it
away when he gets up to 30lbs* (13KG) but it will probably stink worse than a sewage
treatment plant and won't be worth saving anyway. 

More to follow................


* In the 2tallbill family you reach the 30lb plateau well before your first birthday.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on July 12, 2015, 01:18:06 PM
Congrats once again on marriage and new baby.
Glad your rant is over, as you will find there are many more rules,
concerning children and adults, since you have grown from child hood. Enjoy:)
Title: What no shock collars?
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 02:05:09 PM
Congrats once again on marriage and new baby.
Glad your rant is over, as you will find there are many more rules,
concerning children and adults, since you have grown from child hood. Enjoy:)

Next thing you will tell me is that they frown on shock collars  ;D

(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/childcare.jpg)

A photo of my niece and nephew, as you can see baby sitting isn't really that hard  ;D
Title: Re: What no shock collars?
Post by: SANDRO43 on July 12, 2015, 03:25:56 PM
A photo of my niece and nephew
Is it bi-sexual :o?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on July 12, 2015, 03:39:08 PM
There are two of them in there - niece is behind the nephew.


Cute kids.  Is that the dog's crate?
Title: Adventures in babysitting
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 04:01:06 PM
There are two of them in there - niece is behind the nephew.

Cute kids.  Is that the dog's crate?

Yes there are two of them in there, they were told not to play in there
by their Mom, but it wasn't two minutes later that they managed to lock
themselves in. My sister has always been a quick draw with the camera.

They are pretty cute but I am their totally biased Uncle and Godfather
Title: TANSTAAFL!
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 04:11:27 PM

Robert Heinlein, in his classic, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress wrote about a beautiful woman by the name of Wyoming Knott.  They called her Why Nott for short.

Book 3: TANSTAAFL!
(The title is an acronym for There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch!)
Title: Knitting booties?
Post by: 2tallbill on July 13, 2015, 01:01:14 PM
Angel Eyes has been knitting up a storm and made some kind of baby
outfit kind of like footie pajama's and she knitted a little hat for his head
with ears at the top like he's a cat or bear or something. When I touched
it was super soft, and I said "I want one!!" but I was shut down  ;D

She made him several sets of babies booties as well.

Title: sonogram
Post by: 2tallbill on July 13, 2015, 01:02:14 PM
According to the sonogram and the doctor we will have a boy. However,
if you ask Angel Eyes, Smiley girl and my cousin (also a girl) they will tell
you they think it's a girl for reasons only they know. My theory is that I
don't see any profit in arguing with them. Girls can wear blue too.

Title: Back when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth
Post by: 2tallbill on July 13, 2015, 01:07:07 PM
Reminds me of an old story .........................

When I was in the 5th grade there was the cutest girl (also in the 5th grade)
Who I was kind of sweet on. She seemed to like me too. She sat behind me
on the school bus and would say things pretending that her barbie doll was
whispering in my ear.

I don't know about when the rest of you were in the 5th grade, but 5th grade boys
in Blythe California could not be seen sharing whispers with barbie dolls or you would
be considered the opposite of cool for the rest of your life. I had let her do the dolly
whisper thing several times but my future reputation was in deep peril. So eventually,
I grabbed the barbie and tossed it back to her over my shoulder.

The bus window was open maybe 2 inches (5 cm) and somehow the barbie
went out the window. If I had intentionally tossed the doll out of the window
I would have failed on 97 of 100 tries, yet somehow I managed to do this
accidentally, as the shrieking behind me soon announced to everyone including
the bus driver what happened.

I was sent out of the bus to search for the doll, but couldn't find it. The bus driver 
was sure that I had done this on purpose. She even pointed at the window and
said "how could you accidentally make a barbie doll go out this window!? It's only
open 2 inches!"

I was kicked off the bus for a week. I bought the girl a new barbie doll later that
evening but the damage was done and the cute little girl hated me for all time. (http://www.smilieicons.com/smiley/small/crying-emoticon.gif)
and we never flirted again.

I lived only 7 miles from the school so I had to walk that distance to and from school
each day for a week. I had to get up early and make my own breakfast and take off
for school when my brothers and sisters were just waking up. My parents did believe
me that it was an accident, so I didn't get into any additional trouble on top of walk to
and fro each day plus the price of a Barbie.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: tick tock, the baby's day is getting near
Post by: 2tallbill on July 13, 2015, 01:14:16 PM
Angel Eyes was absolutely sure she would be having the baby today and
told me and Smiley Girl about it. Telling Smiley Girl was a tactical mistake.
You must understand that Smiley Girl is at an age where her emotions
bounce around like electrons in a nuclear accelerator. She gets far too
excited, can't concentrate and assumes that there is no chance that the
baby won't be coming along any minute.

Smiley Girl gets a ride home with me on 4 out of 5 days each week. SG
asked if she would need to walk home or the hospital after school. She
was too excited to eat breakfast when I told her that there is a good
chance that the baby wouldn't arrive today Smiley girl didn't believe me.

We were low on food, so I ran to the store to stock up on some basic
provisions and then picked up Angel eyes for the appointment with the
doctor at 8:45 am. They do several different things including a baby heart
stress test to make sure everything is ok.

However, when they did the pelvic exam AE measured only 4 cm
which was the same as the previous appointment last week.

AE was crestfallen and we got some tears on the way home. AE has
pregnant woman hormones running around in her veins and it was too
much for her so the water works began, but I was able to cheer her
up in fairly short order.

I had put together the crib and various baby furniture last night and we
have a bag packed for a trip to the hospital. I've even made a dry run with
Smiley girl in case I was away for some reason. We have to go to the front
of the hospital and take a left if the baby starts arriving before 9:00 pm and
we go to the back of the hospital and go down a long hallway to the right if
the baby comes after 9:00pm.

We have a special number to call which I tried calling and of course nobody
answered and it went directly to voice mail. This is the Bakken Oil boom-fields
of North Dakota and we are very used to the idea that nobody will answer a
phone, even an emergency line.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on July 15, 2015, 12:56:44 AM
Ah.. nothing like a woman awaiting an imminent birth ...  ;)

Always enjoy reading your updates, beel
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 17, 2015, 12:37:07 PM
Angel Eyes has been a trooper with her pregnancy so far and still keeps the
house spotless, the clothes washed and everyone well fed. She only has a few
pregnant food fetishes one of them is that she can't stand peanut butter and of
course I love peanut butter cookies and Reeses Peanut butter cups but I have
mostly stopped eating them, because she can smell them a mile away.

I will eat anything and Angel Eyes is a good cook but she will put together a
combination of things for breakfast that aren't usual by American standards.
I've lost a little over 20 pounds since AE arrived from the better diet and I
have to wear a belt or most of my pants will slide down.

We have a doctor appointment on Friday and if the baby doesn't arrive earlier we
have induction on Monday morning (when I say we what I meant was to say she
has it and I will be on hand). 

Also she is a knitting machine, and all kinds of baby clothes and accessories
have popped up out of nothing but yarn. Our new boy won't have to go naked
after all.  ;D

She has been searching for some kind of baby detergent. Apparently a babies
skin is too delicate for the regular stuff. I tried to tell her that regular detergent
is just fine but she's not buying that story, so if anyone knows of something super
mild let me know or maybe I will buy some Woolite or something.

Yesterday I went to Smiley Girls parent teacher conference and her teachers
all raved about what a good student and how well liked she was. Smiley girl
is still pretty shy and conscientious of her accent. She can actually speak and
understand English well (in my opinion) but they can't understand her accent
like I can.

When the girls arrived I didn't have a room for Smiley girl, but I had a large
open area in the basement. So I built a room for her with a closet and niche
and insulated everything so now Smiley girl now has the nicest and warmest 
room in the house.

Smiley girl loves to sing and sings various songs for at least an hour each evening
we hear a variety of songs in both English and Russian rising up from down the
stairs.

Everybody cross their fingers for Angel Eyes and 2Smallbill (I will come up with
a better nickname)

More to follow 

Bill
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 17, 2015, 12:38:55 PM
AE  was absolutely certain that she was going to have the baby a week ago,
which is similar to her feminine intuition that they baby will be a girl when the
sonogram says it's going to be a boy. She is with baby and has hormones
circulating inside her and has been incredibly reasonable and easy to deal with
so when she makes a proclamation, I see no reason to argue about it. 

Likewise when she says she desperately craving apples that you can be sure
that I run out of the house and forage for apples day or night.

She has been having Braxton Hicks (false labor) for months now. On Monday
morning she will be induced if she hasn't had the baby before then.

(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff288/Lynn_Diabetes/EMOTICONS/200912653238.gif)

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Angel Eyes water broke so no need to wait till Monday
Post by: 2tallbill on July 17, 2015, 01:11:08 PM
Angel Eyes water broke so no need to wait till Monday

Two hours after the water broke Alexander was born
7lbs 9 oz 3.43 kg hasn't been measured for length yet

Angel Eyes raved about how cool the hospital was (it's brand new and still being
finished) and took photos to make her girlfriends jealous. Of the two hours since
her water broke she spend an hour and a half in a giant tub of water, then she
spent less than 30 minutes delivering the baby.

During the two hours none of my jokes were considered very funny. I thought
a brilliant joke came into my head. Angel Eyes was having labor pains while
dilating, I was supposed to press my hand against her back and she would
go through the contraction. This had been going on for about 45 minutes when
I said "boy oh boy, is my hand getting tired!" The doctor (a woman) looked at me
as if she wanted to kill me. AE knew I was joking but was busy enough huffing
and puffing etc to react at my attempts at humor. I was really surprised how
fast the baby was born.   

Here is a photo (that I only recently have been told that I can share) taken many
days later of the boy and I trying to catch a few zzzz's  but the paparazzi never
rest! they snapped this photo catching us unaware.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/boy_zpskysikppk.jpg)

Here is a photo of the boy Alexander aka Sasha with the very cool getup that Angel Eyes
knitted for him. (I still want one) This is in his car seat with all kinds of stupid warning labels
on it. I didn't find a warning label telling me not to leave the baby and the car seat on the
roof and to drive off, so it must be just fine to do so, otherwise surely they would warn me
not to do it.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/p600x600/1796776_10200568407248505_7433620261155383211_o.jpg)
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 19, 2015, 03:21:44 PM
Smiley girl is very very excitable which was one reason (among many)
that despite her protestations wasn't allowed to come. After a phone call
I told her under no circumstances was she to call me again, that I would
call her back shortly and especially not to call or send an sms to Angle Eyes.

So within 5 minutes she called me at least 8 times and sent me countless sms
and when she realized I wasn't going to answer she went on to start pestering
AE.

Since the labor went so fast I turned on the phone and called Smiley Girl who
was sure that she was in terrible trouble for ignoring my previous instructions.
When I told her to get ready that I was coming to pick her up so that she could
see the baby I heard squeals of happiness over the phone  :laugh:

The cell phone reception in the hospital was like 1/2 of a bar and getting the message
out was hampered by delays but I finally set up a family/group sms and sent out an update
wisely saying "and that's all I know" which might have cut down the inevitable questions
that I didn't know the answer to and wouldn't occur to me to ask. 

Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 19, 2015, 03:28:44 PM
I've been assigned a number of honey do list things by Angel Eyes before she
gets out of the hospital in a few hours. I delegated some of this to my son and
Smiley Girl. My 24 year old son is a good enough kid but he goes to work at
4:30 am (I give him a ride) and by the time he gets home he is dead tired. So
the project I gave him to do was done about as half ass as it could have been
done while still appearing as if he did something.

I assigned Smiley Girl a task (she is usually very good at doing chores) and she
did only marginally better but the mess that she made in the kitchen, refrigerator
and stove far exceeded any benefit of handing the project to her. She did vacuum
the house but somewhere along the way the vacuum ate a belt which obviously
wasn't her fault.

I gave my son a ride to work this morning at 4:30 am and one of his jobs is to
start the car 20 minutes before so it gets warmed up and to shovel the walkway
which he didn't do . It's -5F (-21C) and we ride to work in the cold. I was told to 
to wash the car today, which my only option is to drive it through one of the machine
wash jobs they have around here. I put the hose away in late October and won't
bring it out again until June.

I tried to sleep when I got home but at 8:00 am gave it up.

The inside of the car is clean, the outside looks like I drove through a mud field for two
weeks. I've stripped the bed and threw the sheets and pillow cases into the washer and
made a serious dent in the disaster in the kitchen.

I still have some files/papers to organize in my office, then throw the sheets in the dryer
and finish the kitchen disaster. I still have two pieces of furniture to relocate based on
Angel Eyes current baby rearing/housewifing plan which is subject to change without
notice. It will disrupt traffic flow but that's part of her plan.

I need to get the car seat properly attached in the back seat facing the rear and then
go to collect Angel Eyes and the boy with moniker to be determined later. I've gotten
all the rest of the other stuff on the honey do list done last night. I need to fill up the
window washing fluid and add a quart of oil to the car. I need to shovel the sidewalk
and path around the house otherwise Angel Eyes will go out and do it in her slippers,
which I have forbidden her to do (as if that ever slowed her down)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: fathertime on July 19, 2015, 03:50:02 PM
1st, congratulations on your newborn


2nd if that is a photo of you and the child, the boy looks so much like that an outsider might think it was 100% your DNA.


3rd...did I understand you right...it is -5 degrees out there this time of year? Arctic circle? 


4th...Perhaps you have good reason, but, why do you drive your 24 year old boy to work a 4:30AM?  I'm done driving my kids at 16, unless an emergency pops up.


Fathertime! 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on July 19, 2015, 05:53:39 PM
3rd...did I understand you right...it is -5 degrees out there this time of year? Arctic circle? 

This was in January!  I agree - it would be a big help, Bill, if you could put a timeline on these posts!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on July 19, 2015, 09:41:33 PM
I think Bill made it fairly clear he was documenting his entire journey, his failures and ultimate success in finding Angel Eyes.  Given he has a full time job, drives his son to work at 4:30 a.m., has a marriage of under a year, a teen aged stepdaughter, and a baby boy, we should be grateful he is willing to spend the time to document as much as he has. 


We are now in the winter of 2015.  Not too difficult to figure out.
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 20, 2015, 11:15:51 AM
1st, congratulations on your newborn

2nd if that is a photo of you and the child, the boy looks so much like that an outsider might think it was 100% your DNA.

3rd...did I understand you right...it is -5 degrees out there this time of year? Arctic circle? 

Fathertime!

This was in January!  I agree - it would be a big help, Bill, if you could put a timeline on these posts!


Thank you, my son Alexander aka Sasha was born at the end of January 2015,
Boethius has all the details correct. I've elected to forgo the DNA test to establish
paternity based on the opinion from everyone that the poor boy looks like me
(joking) Late January in North Dakota can get very cold but it's the wind that makes
it brutal.

Eventually hopefully, I will get this T/R caught up and then when I make a post
it will be semi current. When I wrote the Trippin in St Pete T/R years ago, I had
already made a trip to Odessa, twice to Kiev to Lugansk then to St Petersburg,   
then to Dnepropetrovsk, then to Georgia then to Portland, then 4 times to
Voronezh to see Angel Eyes then she visits me twice and we get married.   

The usual method is to write them all as separate T/Rs and to let others try to find
them if they are interested.

I decided to try to put all of my reports here all in one place so that somebody could
get the whole story, but the timeline would be harder to follow since I wrote it out of
sequence.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Sleep deprivation and other attractions to parenthood
Post by: 2tallbill on July 20, 2015, 11:31:29 AM
I think Bill made it fairly clear he was documenting his entire journey, his failures and ultimate success in finding Angel Eyes.  Given he has a full time job, drives his son to work at 4:30 a.m., has a marriage of under a year, a teen aged stepdaughter, and a baby boy, we should be grateful he is willing to spend the time to document as much as he has. 

We are now in the winter of 2015.  Not too difficult to figure out.

Yes, you have the details figured out. The boy currently wakes up two to three times per
night convinced that he is starving and wasting away to nothing. (He is in the top 90% for
height at his age) While I do get woke up too, Angel Eyes does 99.99% of the late night
work and has the patience of Job.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Sleep deprivation
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not getting much sleep, but I only sleep for 4-6 hours at most anyway.

Alexander keeps Angel Eyes up most of the nights. I take over for her at
6:00 am and he generally goes straight to sleep (lucky me) and AE sleeps
like she's dead. I shovel the snow, wake up Smiley girl and make breakfast
for everyone. I put AE's breakfast in the microwave for when she wakes up
and I make her tea, which is green tea with ginger and lemon and put it in
a stainless steel insulated cup with a lid.

I shovel more snow and take Smiley girl to school.

Alexander is doing ok, He had a small amount of jaundice when we left the
hospital. It's been sunny lately so AE holds him near the window so he can
get a little sun and his skin is looking much better. His sack was a little red
so AE let him go commando for a few hours and he is more pink and less
red now. 

We have an appointment with a pediatrician this afternoon for follow up etc
Title: Sleep deprivation
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:22:38 PM
Alexander got two thumbs up from his baby doc yesterday

I went out to warm up the car and the hood of the car was slightly open.
I am not sure how that happened but it wouldn't close completely. I played
around with it and it wouldn't move so I stuck my head inside the car to look
at the outside temperature and saw that it was -11F (-23.9C) so it just got
frozen. I sprayed some WD40 on it and was able to wiggle it around and close
the hood.

When things get hot then cold here water melts then refreezes in the most
inconvenient places.

I made rolled oats for breakfast and filled the sink with hot soapy water. It has been
the rule since Angel Eyes came home from the hospital that everyone would wash their
own dishes and put them away. Smiley Girl who is usually pretty good at following the
rule decided that today she should just leave her dishes on the table instead. I pointed
them out to her and she said that she didn't have time to do them.

I explained that if I did them then I wouldn't have time to take her to school, but it's
only -11F outside so she should bundle up before walking. I got the silent treatment
but she did her dishes.
Title: Sleep deprivation
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:24:07 PM
Currently we are at t + 1 hour 45 minutes to get loaded into the car.

I've already begun altering the time that I report that we are expected
to arrive for appointments. We've even missed some (by an hour and a
half) that had to be rescheduled.

I am not allowed to do anything that might help us take less time.
The fact that I was the oldest of 6 kids or that I've raised a number of
kids already are not credible references that I won't screw everything
up or forget something vitally important.

Apparently they won't give chloroform to new Dads. I've tried to explain
that if we have a fire everyone will burn alive, but the doctors don't seem
to understand the necessity. I guess I will have to resort to a bonk on the
head if we have a fire or other life threatening emergency. (Just kidding
for the perpetually offended)
Title: Trippin on Valentines day
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:26:14 PM
Alexander goes through approximately 8 diapers per day and he's
15 days old which is 120 diapers if you want to do the math and
yet somehow I have managed to change zero of them.

Walmart is a nut house but I stopped in there yesterday to pick up
flowers and candy for both Angel Eyes and Smiley girl for Valentines
day.

Angel Eyes knows that in the USA you buy flowers by the dozen.
Once that she found out that I had been giving one flower to our
nonagenarian landlord Angel Eyes proclaimed that I should give the
whole dozen to her and that she would place 7 flowers in a vase in
the living room and 5 flowers in a vase in the kitchen thereby not
needing to give any of her flowers away.

I somehow found a bouquet of roses with 13 roses in it. I still gave
one rose to the landlord leaving an even amount of flowers so that
they could be split between rooms in various vases. Smiley girl got
a colorful arrangement (not roses)

Smiley Girl took at least a dozen selfies with all the flowers and all
the candy. I will cook dinner tonight some kind of surf and turf.
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:29:02 PM
True story,

The day I first arrived in Norf Dekody, I met a man who must have
been 80 years old. He was probably 5' 4" (163cm) and 140 lbs (63 KG).
I was putting the connections for my trailer together and I asked if he
had a knife.

He said,

"Son, as soon as I got big enough to kill a man with my bare hands
I stopped carrying a knife."   :D
Title: Rushing around in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:34:14 PM
Some of my theories on life and happiness.


Note: I have a son named Tim. We have different theories on Cleaning
the kitchen.

Bill's theory on happiness, the world and life in general #271 A & B

Bills theory A: You wash every dish and then you clean the entire
kitchen. Man clean does not equal women clean. I don't have all
the scouring brushes, scrubbing powders, solvents, etc to make
something woman clean.

All counters are to be free of dirt or growth of any kind.
Then every time you cook or use a dish you clean it and
put it away and this way it's always clean.

Bills theory B as it relates to girls: Girls will generally think better
of a man who is capable of keeping the barnacle buildup under control
and counters free of dead cats than a man who doesn't. She will still see
him as hopelessly inept but all men who are non OCD men are inept at such
things.

Tims theory A: You dirty every dish, pan or surface in the house
including a gravy boat used twice a year or a soup ladle which he has
never used before for the purposes of ladling soup and make them all
dirty.

Then you only clean what is minimally required to make yourself something
to eat and then leave it this way permanently or wait for somebody else to
clean it up.

Tims theory B as it relates to girls:
1. The buildup of mold spores will improve his immune system and
make him more attractive to girls as all women naturally want to
procreate with a healthy and vigorous man.
2. Who cares

Analysis: Bill's theory and Tim's theory are incompatible and
mutually exclusive theories to be used in the same kitchen.
Using these theories in the same kitchen will most likely cause
conflict between the two theory holders.

Argumentum ad baculum: The meaner, tougher, and scarier theory holder
(in this case Bill) will prevail most often.
Title: Rushing around North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:45:35 PM
Bills theory about happiness, the world and, life in general # 17

I am a man. My default mode is happy. That means I am generally
happy most of the time. If I am not happy then 97.63% of the time
one of the following three H's is the cause. 2.37% of the time it's
something else and statistically unimportant as it will usually go
away on it's own or I will forget all about it or my team with win
the next week.

What are the three H's you ask?

Hurting, Hungry and Horny. If I seem in a bad mood then you might ask

Bill are you in pain? if no then you might ask
Bill when did you eat last? are you hungry? in not then you know


Bills theory on happiness, the world and life in general #4

Don't try to figure out women. For some reason they like us.
This doesn't make sense since we are bigger, hairier, not as soft
and don't smell as nice. Just work with what you have there is no
need to get all philosophical* about it.

*Freud should have listened to my advice

Bill theories about happiness, the world and, life in general #8

There are 117 generally accepted theories about women developed
by men over the last 150 years.

Unfortunately they are all wrong.

Go back to Bills theory #4 and read it again.
Title: Trippin through life
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:48:49 PM
Bill's theories about happiness, women, the world and life #2

Find a clever girl with pretty eyes who likes to laugh
and in 30 years she will still be a clever girl with pretty
eyes who likes to laugh.
Title: Trippin all over the place
Post by: 2tallbill on July 25, 2015, 04:49:50 PM
Bill's theory about happiness, the world and life in general # 111
As it relates to teenage boys.

Yes although I am in fact slightly older than mud
I was in fact at one time 18, 19 and, 20 years old
and I too thought my father was stupid and didn't
know anything. I was totally wrong and he was
mostly right


True story. I was looking for a parking place in a busy place where every
parking spot was taken. However one car had taken two spots.

I had a post it note in my car so I put a note on the drivers side window.

The note said

"I hope you don't f#ck like you park,
because you will never get it in!"

I eventually found another spot and was watching the reaction
of the young Asian girl who picked up the note as she was getting
into her car. She laughed all the way out of the parking lot.
Title: 100 years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on September 15, 2015, 01:39:49 PM
Back when I was a young man a friend of mine (Jerry) and I hoisted several
beers and talked about everything under the sun. Eventually we talked about
past adventures and potential new adventures. Some time during the beers
and the talking we somehow got the idea in our heads that Alaska would be
a great place to visit.

Why wait we thought we weren't getting any younger so we decided that night
to hitch hike to Alaska . It would be a great! We would have a great adventure! 
Neither of us forgot about it when we woke up the next day so we started making
plans. I borrowed a backpack and began packing what I thought I might need.

The day before we left my friends father died. He wouldn't be able to go. So
what's a guy like me to do in such as predicament? I had this great adventure
planned so I did what any normal guy would do.

That's right, I convinced another friend of mine that we should walk hitch
hike to Alaska. He already had a backpack and sleeping bag so off we went. It
took us two days to get to Seattle Washington and try as we may we couldn't
get a ride any further North.

Naturally we couldn't let a little problem like being 2,263 miles away stop us so
I bought a car for $300.00. This was back in the early 1980's and even back
then a $300.00 car wasn't the best most reliable car in the world so wisely
I bought 2 adjustable wrenches and two screwdrivers and drove the over 
2,263 miles (3642KM) to Anchorage Alaska .

In case you are wondering we encountered a few mechanical problems.
We broke an A frame, a shock absorber, rebuilt the carburetor (I had to pay
for this because it was beyond my mechanical ability and tools) we had so
many flat tires that I couldn't even guess as to the amount. We broke out a
head light and a tail light, the drive shaft fell out when the u joint broke, but
besides those problems we kept driving.

While we were driving we kept getting closer and closer to this huge mountain
range. I looked on the Canadian map and they listed the peaks at 3000 to 4000.
Being an American I could not believe that these huge mountains were only 4000
feet tall. It was because they were not 3-4 thousand feet tall they were 3-4 thousand
meters tall! Canadian maps list everything in Meters.  :o

We continued driving towards them until they completely filled the windshield
and I could see no way the road could go through them. That's because the
road could not go through them instead it made a very sharp right hand turn
and went nearly 500 miles (800KM) around them.

(http://www.alaskahighwayarchives.ca/images/map05.gif)

When I arrived in  Anchorage  we had almost no money, knew no people
and had no jobs or prospects for jobs. The next day we drove to construction
sites and with in hours we both had jobs. I had a job carrying sheet rock up
a ladder all day which is fairly physically demanding work. I was in excellent
condition since I was a college basketball player. As a team we worked out 4
hours a day 6 days a week. I could run any normal construction worker into
the ground.

When lunch time came I didn't have money for lunch so I told them I would
work through lunch because I didn't bring a lunch with me. They were so
impressed that they bought me lunch and later dinner and paid me at the end
of the day.

Many of you know this but In Alaska the weather is so cold that they can
only build during the summer so they work every day. I took one day off
the entire summer.

I camped in a park (which was not allowed) and took showers at a KOA RV
park. It cost a dime to take a shower but it really took two dimes to get soaped
up and rinsed off. You couldn't put two dimes in at the same time, you had to
wait until the hot water turned off and the water would shoot on you at slightly
above absolute zero, then walk around the stall and put in another dime then
get back in the shower.

(http://www.kappit.com/img/pics/201407_1404_hgggd_sm.)

My friend slept in the car but I was too tall to sleep in the car and the mosquitoes
were famously called the Alaskan State  bird and it was daylight over 20 hours a
day. I slept with 2 sleeping bags one I pulled up to my arm pits and another I
pulled over my head. Otherwise it was impossible to sleep in the day light with
the mosquitoes and their never ending attacks. We saw bears, moose, mountain
sheep all sorts of other wildlife.

We worked all summer long and then one morning I woke up with frost covering
the front of my sleeping bag so we quit our jobs and went home. With enough
stories to keep us going until the next summer.

When next summer rolled around my friend (whose father died) decided that
missing out on the adventure was so painful that after feeding me a dozen beers
we decided to that we would head off to Alaska for summer. He did have a much
more reliable car but I took the two adjustable wrenches and screw drivers
anyway.

One thing about Alaska is that there are virtually no women. Even the fat ugly
ones with missing teeth were surrounded by men. I did not have a single date
or even a prospect of a single date my entire time that I was there. I think the
incredibly long harsh Alaskan winters that keep women from going or at least
staying there.

My Aunt later lived in Two Rivers Alaska for several years. It had weeks at a
time where the temperature never got above -70 F (-57C) and it was in total
darkness for months. She said that she had pick of the men there but was
uninterested in the vast majority of them because they drank too much,
smelled too bad or had other antisocial problems.

On the second trip I got a temporary job unloading 50 gallon (190 liter) drums
onto pallets. The drums weighed over 400 pounds (190 kilos). If I pushed them
very hard they would tip on the edge and I would roll them balancing on the
edge. It is very hard to do this at first since the container had liquid in it. It
would slosh and the balancing point would change and I fought to keep it from
tipping over.

There were supposed to be two of us doing this but I was the only one
who showed up to work to do it. I did learn to find the balance point and
I impressed my boss who was surprised that I could do it by myself. At the
end of the day I was done unloading the semi trailer and he offered me a job
which I worked every day for the rest of the summer for his brother's asphalt
sealing company. It was very difficult dirty smelly work but not nearly as hard
as unloading those barrels.

Towards the end of the summer after work my friend told me that he wasn't
feeling well. He went to sleep in the car and I went to sleep in the park. He
came out in the middle of the night and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital.
I was half asleep and asked him if he thought we could meet some cute nurses.
After all we had not even seen a cute unmarried woman in almost 2 months
and we were single men in our early 20's.

He told me he was in serious pain so I drove him to the hospital. As it turned
out he needed an emergency appendectomy. He stayed in the hospital for
about a week because they did not want him sleeping in a car. I went to see
him every day and did not see a cute unmarried nurse on any of my visits.
He claimed to have seen one but he was on morphine for pain at the time
so I doubt that he did. When he got out I drove him back to the lower 48

I think that going to Alaska was a small adventure compared to pursuing a
woman from the FSU half way around the world

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on September 15, 2015, 03:40:01 PM
Great story Bill  :applause:
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on September 17, 2015, 02:23:06 PM
Angel Eyes makes borscht and then blends it up and Sasha absolutely loves it.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12003307_10201156876359865_2168665093739112267_n.jpg?oh=f7140caf3ef2405bb152c665f894c07e&oe=569B1977)

I also changed my first diaper in many years. I can't say I missed it much


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 17, 2015, 02:32:25 PM
Great story Bill  :applause:

Spasibo
Title: Re: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: Fash on September 24, 2015, 11:40:45 PM
Angel Eyes makes borscht and then blends it up and Sasha absolutely loves it.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12003307_10201156876359865_2168665093739112267_n.jpg?oh=f7140caf3ef2405bb152c665f894c07e&oe=569B1977)

I also changed my first diaper in many years. I can't say I missed it much


What a great looking kid. I enjoyed your story Bill. You are a giving person, and in return you have received happiness. Well done.

Also, the photographs were fantastic, and I loved the ones from Georgia (on another thread I think).

All The Best,
Fash
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on September 26, 2015, 11:22:56 AM
One thing that both Angel Eyes and Smiley Girl would do is to eat raw bacon.

I told them they can't do this because it isn't cooked or cured enough. They
rolled their eyes at me, but eventually they stopped eating it raw. Trichinosis
has pretty much been eliminated in US pork but the USDA still recommends
cooking pork to the internal temperature of 145F

Yesterday Angel Eyes mixed the precooked hot dogs with the bacon and put
them in the same package. I tried to explain that the hot dogs were precooked
but I didn't make any progress.

Title: Re: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: SANDRO43 on September 26, 2015, 03:26:20 PM
One thing that both Angel Eyes and Smiley Girl would do is to eat raw bacon.
Have them try our pancetta instead ;), it's raw pork belly meat salt-cured and spiced with black pepper and sometimes other spices:

(http://laquercia.us/images/product/lg/104RolledPancetta4_21_2011LaQuercia.jpg#ActualImage)
Title: Re: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: ML on September 27, 2015, 09:40:12 AM
. . . eat raw bacon. I told them they can't do this because it isn't cooked or cured enough.  They rolled their eyes at me, . . .

I tried to explain that the hot dogs were precooked
but I didn't make any progress.

You seemed to have missed contents of Lesson Package #1.

People 'over there' know more about everything than we do; even about things they have no experience with.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on September 27, 2015, 10:00:47 AM
Yeah, the national parasite of Russia is the Trichina Worm.  Although, I'm sure there are others.
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on September 27, 2015, 12:03:45 PM
Yeah, the national parasite of Russia is the Trichina Worm.  Although, I'm sure there are others.

You seemed to have missed contents of Lesson Package #1.

People 'over there' know more about everything than we do; even about things they have no experience with.

I got them to stop eating raw bacon by explaining we might not have the exact same
"completely safe" curing techniques that they have in Russia.  :P

Have them try our pancetta instead ;), it's raw pork belly meat salt-cured and spiced with black pepper and sometimes other spices:

I love pancetta, it's the same cut of the pig as bacon but usually much thinner and spiced
differently of course.
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on October 10, 2015, 06:13:56 PM
The heating element on our oven burned out. I've never fixed one before.
Angel Eyes is the MacGyver of cooking, she baked a cake on our gas barbecue.
I've gotta buy flour at least once a month. Previously I wouldn't buy flour even
once per year.

Angel Eyes doesn't need a recipe book, she just starts mixing stuff together and
later you have cake. I was never able to bake anything because, I've never been
one to follow directions. On my reportcard starting in the first grade my school
teachers started complaining about it. "Little Billy won't follow directions" 

We had to go to Fargo North Dakota a second time to get a ITIN number to file my
tax return. We spent a beautiful day walking around in a park after meeting the
IRS.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/t31.0-0/p600x600/12045556_10201207143696517_6192042415313849697_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Fargo
Post by: 2tallbill on October 10, 2015, 06:15:44 PM
This is Mini-me waiting to get something to eat at a Mexican Restaurant in Fargo

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/t31.0-0/p600x600/12091255_10201205742741494_6520403749979823659_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on October 10, 2015, 11:21:14 PM
Wow,  he's grown so much!  Great photo, Bill.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on October 11, 2015, 01:52:41 AM
The boy is looking good Bill, Handsome boy.
Must come from his Mother :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Muzh on October 12, 2015, 12:56:52 PM
What a handsome boy!!


Must look like his mother.  :P


Happy for you guys.
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on October 12, 2015, 06:20:04 PM
What a handsome boy!!

Must look like his mother.  :P

Happy for you guys.

The boy is looking good Bill, Handsome boy.
Must come from his Mother :D

Thanks guys
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on November 02, 2015, 05:35:02 PM
My nieces gave Angel Eyes a complete makeover.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12189556_10201250069889645_5852398437611879664_n.jpg?oh=72674c54e0e2e1e3ed05ed7e26051c4a&oe=56CBB9E0)

Angel Eyes had at least 20 bows in her hair when they were finished,
you can only imagine how beautiful she looked!! My nieces wanted
to do a manicure and a pedicure but Angel Eyes had done this herself
very recently and had to turn down their offer
Title: Happily Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on November 11, 2015, 11:27:01 AM
After a search of over 9 years, dates with hundreds of women and spanning
3 different continents of the globe, I found Angel Eyes. Upon finding her, I
immediately began a campaign of pursuing her until I wore her down and she
agreed to marry me. Last night we celebrated our first anniversary of her
surrender with some family and friends. Wow what a ride!

Udachi!

Bill

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 11, 2015, 01:35:40 PM
Congratulations on your anniversary. 


May you celebrate many more.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on November 11, 2015, 01:36:38 PM
Congrats to you and your Angel on your first year.
Wishes for many more and great success.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on November 11, 2015, 03:25:37 PM
Congrats Bill! Ya done good
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 12, 2015, 10:03:07 AM
Congrats Bill! Ya done good

Congrats to you and your Angel on your first year.
Wishes for many more and great success.

Congratulations on your anniversary. 


May you celebrate many more.


Thank you everyone!!!
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on November 26, 2015, 08:03:59 PM
I've got the snow shoveled, so I get Mini-me to help me cook dinner1.
Having the boy stand on a chair is incredibly dangerous if you are in
Russia, but in the USA every kid in my family did just fine.

Mini me is able to do all kinds of important helper work with just a
spatula and some running water.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/12313769_10201313627758552_8044194155008576889_n.jpg?oh=3fc63bdc29b4dabb5b47bfa07906d4a4&oe=56F59460)


Dinner

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12316422_10201313628198563_437174802761641629_n.jpg?oh=a5d27a28b020a121c3e8e9ed2847d398&oe=56F1D573)


1. My part of the dinner was the potato salad, the turkey and stuffing, and
a vegetable dish, but we ended up not making it, due to the time.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on December 01, 2015, 10:02:14 PM
How old is your son (this youngest one) now ?

He appears to already be about 5 foot 2 inches.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2015, 02:20:46 AM
How old is your son (this youngest one) now ?

He appears to already be about 5 foot 2 inches.

He's standing on a chair and lots of help if you need somebody to take all
the stuff out of a cabinet or to splash water in a sink. He's 10 months old

Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on December 11, 2015, 05:01:27 PM
We had to go to Fargo for USCIS and it's only 4 1/2 hours each way,
but luckily I had a helper when we came to a rest stop.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12347809_10201345946806508_7563230553880965212_n.jpg?oh=9eebd8d17f6dcdf2e4bb78b5b7026206&oe=56D59114)



It's good to have somebody to keep an eye on the gauges and stuff.
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12360097_10201345959686830_1303318110728631886_n.jpg?oh=1811aec421ab02fceb0b14679f670faa&oe=56E84F42)
Title: Re: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: Faux Pas on December 12, 2015, 03:45:29 PM
We had to go to Fargo for USCIS and it's only 4 1/2 hours each way,
but luckily I had a helper when we came to a rest stop.

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12347809_10201345946806508_7563230553880965212_n.jpg?oh=9eebd8d17f6dcdf2e4bb78b5b7026206&oe=56D59114)



 :thumbsup:
Title: Ankle deep in baby poop
Post by: 2tallbill on December 13, 2015, 12:18:43 PM
Warning don't read immediately before or during meals. The title should be
warning enough but this secondary warning has been provided for those lacking
common sense but would blame me anyway for spoiling their appetite.

Angel Eyes insisted that we buy a baby potty toilet and every time my boy
mini-me passed gas she strips off his diaper and puts him on the baby toilet
and makes sounds that are supposed to induce toilet use. About half the time
he looks around as if we are cRaZy to ever think he would pee or poop in
or on such a thing. The other half of the time he actually uses it to pee or poop.

So, I get put in charge of the baby, while Angel Eyes runs some errands. I am
working on spreadsheets for the next year's business plan.

My boy Mini-me starts ripping farts like he had beans and beer for breakfast.
My lazy gene tells me not to worry, let him poop in the diaper and not to worry
about it. Angel Eyes is due back any second and next years business plan is due
next week. Unfortunately, my lazy gene didn't win out so I took off the boy's
diaper and put him on the baby toilet.

Mini-me looks at me like I'm crazy and scoots off the baby toilet and crawls under
a table. I start looking at last years sales and my spreadsheets and two minutes
later look up and see that Mini-me pooped on the carpet  :o and has baby poop
smeared all over himself.

(http://soletschat.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/macaulay-culkin-home-alone-the-good-son-my-girl-macaulay-culkin-31171548-675-1000.jpg)

I fly into action as the official barn door closer after the livestock has fled and put the
boy back on the baby toilet which only causes poop to be spread further. I call Angel
Eyes but she doesn't answer because her phone is ringing and is plugged in less than
three feet (one meter) away.

I haul Mini-me into the bathroom and start cleaning up baby poop off the baby. I see
that this isn't going to be a job for baby wipes and more likely the job for a fire hose.
I get about 90% of the baby poop cleaned off the boy and Angel Eyes shows up to
wondering why I am running bathwater. I briefly explain that there is a pile of poop
on the carpet and that the boy still needs a thorough cleaning as well.

She elects to take over the baby washing and sends me to deal with the carpet. I
eventually get the carpet clean. She will clean it again as well since she has standards
that rival most world class biological containment labs and I learned my lesson.

The lesson learned being "trust your lazy gene!!"




Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Noch1 on December 13, 2015, 02:27:23 PM
Thats funny from where I am sitting  :D
Title: Trippin in baby poop
Post by: 2tallbill on December 23, 2015, 01:32:34 PM
Thats funny from where I am sitting  :D

My son who is now 25 did far worse. My exwife used to think that while I was working
in my office that I could simultaneously also watch a toddler. She would come home
and yell at me "You were supposed to be watching the baby!!!" To which I always
replied "I was" and then look to see that he had taken off his diaper and coated most
of the kitchen floor and refrigerator in baby poop.

My Russian wife has no such expectations of me, while I'm working except for this one
time, which of course I failed badly (and she wasn't surprised).

Mini-me is about 1/3 to 1/2 potty trained. Which means if AE is watching him she can
read his mind and put him on the baby toilet when he needs to pee or poop. Some days
he doesn't even dirty or wet a diaper. I don't have the mind reading gene and the boy
doesn't talk much yet (he is very fluent in gibberish), so when he's with me he will use
the diaper.


Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on December 23, 2015, 02:03:22 PM
While we were in Fargo ND to deal with USCIS I had searched and found a
market that sold Eastern European goods. I drove up to the store and said
we should look in it. Angel Eyes will look in any store for any reason without
question. She is a professional shopper and can spend all day just looking and
be totally happy.

However, when she started seeing all this Eastern European stuff, she gave me
the baby and did a quick inventory of every item in the entire store. She was in
temporary sensory overload. Then she pulled out her cell phone and activated
her North Dakota FSU girl network to see what she needed to buy for them.

Then she slowly strolled the entire phone will giving a running commentary of
the items available on each isle, refrigerator case etc. It was a little dinky store
but I got a cart because I could put Mini-me in it for short duration's I didn't
want to try to hold all the items Angel Eyes was going to select.

I picked out a big jar of caviar and put it in the cart. AE looked at it and put it
back. "Beel eet eeesn't fresh and eeet's expensive." I said "you can't get fresh
caviar 1700 miles (2735km) from the ocean"

So I put it back in the cart and told her I wanted blini with caviar for Christmas or
New Years so she left it in the cart since New Years is an acceptable reason to splurge
on a treat.

AE will look at every item and physically touch 50% of them or more. She will read labels
and reject or accept various items. After we had a cart segregated by the end user I
bought all the items in three separate purchase and AE was beaming.

We ate lunch in a restaurant then headed home. It's only 4.5 hours away and it's snowing.

More to follow...........
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on January 04, 2016, 04:30:04 PM
My wife can actually make stuff like this out of yarn. (I tried to post a photo here but
today it's not cooperating.

http://prjaga.ru/vyazanie-dlya-detej/noski-tapki-pinetki/pinetki-spicami-dlya-novorozhdennyh

One of her friends from Moldova bought a dress for $250.00 that she mistakenly
used American sizes and the dress was way too big for her. So Angel Eyes, takes
her down to her basement laboratory and makes a zillion measurements and two
days later her Moldovan friend has a dress that fits her perfectly.
.
I had a bag of old shirts and stuff that I was going to use for oil/paint rags and
Angel Eyes turned it into clothing for Mini-me. 
Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on January 05, 2016, 12:05:45 PM
Angel Eyes Russian MacGyver skills

Here Angel Eyes is making sure that Mini-me's knitted socks are the right size.
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/945854_450508421813173_3726867317190472332_n.jpg?oh=0c0da4086157f51cd7b8a81f71904b7d&oe=5710B48D)


Angel Eyes has a zillion jars of various vegetables from her garden. These are tomatoes
(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/12032134_425585650972117_1513333545359080666_n.jpg?oh=02b2a602a5c2382b8bd2ab5436df2a1e&oe=5700D86A)


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on January 11, 2016, 11:48:43 AM
Big Bill,  my Gal has a bigger variety of jar types than does your Gal . . . and colors of jar lids also . . . even as I have smaller feet size to offer.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on February 11, 2016, 12:16:28 AM
Threads like this are simply  and a great start to the day..

FSU ladies are wonderful.. got woken up with a viber message - 5am my time - with a series of photos - asking me if she was viewing Lasers from her beach in Thailand and should she approach them to ask where one could hire one..she knows I love sailing LASERS on a windy day.


Title: Trippin in North Dakota
Post by: 2tallbill on February 12, 2016, 07:43:43 PM
Big Bill,  my Gal has a bigger variety of jar types than does your Gal . . . and colors of jar lids also . . . even as I have smaller feet size to offer.

ML, Angel Eyes has a similar variety too, they were on a different shelf.
She has cucumbers and apples in every kind of jar and lid.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on February 12, 2016, 07:45:05 PM
Threads like this are simply  and a great start to the day..

FSU ladies are wonderful.. got woken up with a viber message - 5am my time - with a series of photos - asking me if she was viewing Lasers from her beach in Thailand and should she approach them to ask where one could hire one..she knows I love sailing LASERS on a windy day.

Thanks, 

I need to put together an update. So much has happened recently.
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 24, 2016, 07:24:27 PM
I don't know if anyone's been watching but the price of oil has dropped to
$30.00 per barrel and construction has slowed down considerably in Norf Dekody.

So I got a sales job in Denver covering Northern Colorado and I came up here
and have been living in hotels for the last 25 days. I'll move Angel Eyes and my
family here as soon as I find a place to live. So here I am sitting in a hotel room
bored to tears and missing my wife and family.

A few photos from the wilds mountains of Colorado

(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/260559_10201506308575452_6810366811515744455_n.jpg?oh=929ed7193f4a4a0677da16d2966889d0&oe=5769DAE8)

(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12593464_10201506310975512_6427863935934884472_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 24, 2016, 07:25:31 PM


(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12642452_10201506313415573_2880985081082367231_n.jpg?oh=359b61e4f4bb117638cb2f5ed4d9da57&oe=57640F24)


(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/12661775_10201506314055589_1767616682936656755_n.jpg?oh=bc6eedd1b99234094ead8ce38bc7928d&oe=57608EAE)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 24, 2016, 07:26:51 PM


(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/66881_10201534240673737_8815986814623310939_n.jpg?oh=4ebb82075a4e0d8b5124e5034f13e6ad&oe=57641FD6)

Where Coors is made
(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/12694810_10201534240953744_7429215574752532016_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 24, 2016, 07:27:51 PM

(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/t31.0-8/12715957_10201534239193700_7000023699716955538_o.jpg)


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Chicagoguy on February 24, 2016, 09:06:51 PM
Colorado is one of the places where I could easily have lived. The problem is getting a good job. It would certainly have been on my short list. North Dakota would be at the bottom of a long list.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on February 24, 2016, 11:32:31 PM
Hi Beel

Lot's of Russians near Denver... :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on February 25, 2016, 12:31:58 AM
Quote
So I got a sales job in Denver

Great! My hometown, we'll have to get together this summer.
Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: cc3 on February 25, 2016, 06:50:53 AM
I don't know if anyone's been watching but the price of oil has dropped to
$30.00 per barrel and construction has slowed down considerably in Norf Dekody.

So I got a sales job in Denver covering Northern Colorado and I came up here
and have been living in hotels for the last 25 days. I'll move Angel Eyes and my
family here as soon as I find a place to live. So here I am sitting in a hotel room
bored to tears and missing my wife and family.

A few photos from the wilds mountains of Colorado

(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/260559_10201506308575452_6810366811515744455_n.jpg?oh=929ed7193f4a4a0677da16d2966889d0&oe=5769DAE8)

(http://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12593464_10201506310975512_6427863935934884472_o.jpg)

Congratulations, Bill! You have gained admission to and an economic basis (your new job) for living in one of the best places in the US! As a NoCo (Northern Colorado) expat living in my new home of Lviv, UA, I envy you and really miss my US home (Loveland).

By the way, great photos of you at 'Red Rocks', but you failed to identify this locale, for forum readers, as one of the most famous and scenic outdoor concert venues in the entire world ...located near Morrison, CO, just west of Denver, in the foothills of the Rockies.
Title: Trippin Among the Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Post by: 2tallbill on February 26, 2016, 05:06:38 AM
The Beatles played at Red Rocks in 1964 and the Dead played there many times as did many others.

(http://secondstorygarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/beatles.jpg)


(http://luxdenver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/redrockscrazy_0.jpeg)

The Grateful Dead 
(http://www.dead.net/sites/default/files/images/19790812_1718.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Wayne on February 26, 2016, 10:27:31 AM
Going back to the photos of home canned food, you showed a lot of jars that would not seal properly. You are better off to use only proper canning jars with new lids each time. Also, the rings should be removed from the jars after the lids are sealed and the jars have cooled. If you go to use a jar and the lid is not pressed down (and properly sealed) you should discard the product.
 
If you are doing canning in a high altitude area, you would need ot use a pressure cooker to make sure you process the product at a high enough temperature to kill all the germs.
Title: Convincing a Russian woman and picking your battles
Post by: 2tallbill on February 27, 2016, 11:43:09 AM
Going back to the photos of home canned food, you showed a lot of jars that would not seal properly. You are better off to use only proper canning jars with new lids each time. Also, the rings should be removed from the jars after the lids are sealed and the jars have cooled. If you go to use a jar and the lid is not pressed down (and properly sealed) you should discard the product.
 
If you are doing canning in a high altitude area, you would need ot use a pressure cooker to make sure you process the product at a high enough temperature to kill all the germs.


While I agree with you, convincing an FSUW that what they've been doing
for years is dangerous or will kill you is futile. I bought a bunch of canning
jars and lids and Angel Eyes filled them like a good girl. I would have bought
more if she told me, but she didn't and started using various jars and lids
that she has been squirreling away for months.

I've eyeballed her technique and the jars and lids. While the jars and lids
aren't ideal, I've decided that if she hasn't killed anybody by now that we
are probably going to live. I'll buy more jars and more lids each year and
maybe eventually we will have enough to contain her harvests.

If we all die tomorrow, I can surely say that I've enjoyed the ride thus far.

Udachi!


Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BorisS on February 27, 2016, 12:29:43 PM
Great thread, Bill! Hang in there. You will all be back together soon. We had a garden the first two years she was here but she decided it was more cost effective and less time consuming to get our vegetables from the International Store. As long as she is cooking them it is all good :-))
Title: Trippin in Denver
Post by: 2tallbill on February 27, 2016, 04:27:29 PM
Great! My hometown, we'll have to get together this summer.

Ok, your on we'll do it!

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 27, 2016, 05:15:10 PM
Great thread, Bill! Hang in there. You will all be back together soon. We had a garden the first two years she was here but she decided it was more cost effective and less time consuming to get our vegetables from the International Store. As long as she is cooking them it is all good :-))

While at home Angel Eyes does 95% of the house hold duties and most
of the cooking during the week. On the weekends I usually cook.

Now that I am living in hotels, some restaurant does the cooking and
I'm eating really crappy food half of the time. They don't have ANY
ethnic food in North Dakota unless you happen to be married to
somebody from another country like I am.

The wildest food they have in North Dakota is pizza or taco bell and
they are so far from the ocean that you never order fish. We would
go out to a restaurant less than once per month because the food
wasn't nearly as good as something we could whip up at home.

Since arriving
in Denver, I've been eating fish again and an occasional ethnic dish
as well.

(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/t31.0-8/12748067_10201576666014344_9207536472332784096_o.jpg)





Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 27, 2016, 05:23:47 PM
Today, I did the stuff I usually do on Sunday, I washed my clothes and pickup. caught
up some correspondence that I fell behind on. I rented the movie "Bridge of Spies"
on Amazon but haven't watched it yet.

Whenever, I watch a movie that has some part of the FSU with Angel Eyes she
points out all of the inconsistencies, mistakes etc, with Hollywood there are
always many of them.

Tomorrow, I will go out house hunting (for rent)

Udachi!


Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mendeleyev on February 28, 2016, 01:05:36 AM
Bill, loved the movie "Bridge of Spies" with Tom Hanks! Watched it (twice) on recent Aeroflot flights and soaked it in.

I started a topic on the movie here (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=20594.msg424542#msg424542).
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on February 28, 2016, 10:24:05 AM
Bill, loved the movie "Bridge of Spies" with Tom Hanks! Watched it (twice) on recent Aeroflot flights and soaked it in.

I started a topic on the movie here (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=20594.msg424542#msg424542).

I watched it last night, it was pretty good.
Title: Trippin in Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on March 19, 2016, 11:08:12 AM
I'm leaving to Seattle for a week, and will travel back to North
Dakota to see Angel Eyes and family. Mini-me is saying Dadadadada
to me on Skype and walking around a bit like a short noisier version of
Yosemite Sam. It will have been 54 days which is far too long to be apart.


(http://pre10.deviantart.net/84ab/th/pre/i/2014/122/3/d/yosemite_sam_by_irishmanreynolds-d7gv41h.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: redfeather on March 19, 2016, 07:13:00 PM
Bill,
I finished up reading your trip report, and you have me laughing so hard my side hurts.  I can relate to all of what you are writing.  I have been on the AlCan Highway, and I spent two years in Alaska with the Army freezing my azz off and those stories just brought back good memories.  Little-me looks like he is coming right along, and the diaper story was funny to me because my kids did something similar and it looked like that scene from Dumb and Dumber with the Hershey bar only it wasn't in the rest room it was all over the living room.  Too funny.  Please keep your update rolling along because this is the best entertainment I have had in years.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 20, 2016, 08:21:45 AM
Bill,
I finished up reading your trip report, and you have me laughing so hard my side hurts.  I can relate to all of what you are writing.  I have been on the AlCan Highway, and I spent two years in Alaska with the Army freezing my azz off and those stories just brought back good memories.  Little-me looks like he is coming right along, and the diaper story was funny to me because my kids did something similar and it looked like that scene from Dumb and Dumber with the Hershey bar only it wasn't in the rest room it was all over the living room.  Too funny.  Please keep your update rolling along because this is the best entertainment I have had in years.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, thank you for the compliments I appreciate it.

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on March 25, 2016, 11:46:16 PM
Just caught up on your life, Beel.. Hope the reunion was / will be all you hope for  :D
Title: Trippin in Norf Dekody
Post by: 2tallbill on March 27, 2016, 09:42:20 AM
Just caught up on your life, Beel.. Hope the reunion was / will be all you hope for  :D

It's been too good to be true. I've spent several hours crawling around
on the floor making truck, tractor and train sounds with Mini-Me.

I am making a terriaki type stir fry with vegetables, pork and chow mien
for later and of course, I've gotten some nice TLC time with Angel Eyes.


Title: Re: Trippin in Denver
Post by: ML on March 27, 2016, 08:44:12 PM
Ok, your on we'll do it!

Your is possessive; so I am not sure what 'on' is that someone possesses; and what you plan to do to it.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on March 27, 2016, 08:47:51 PM
Golden is a very nice little town.

Love those bronzes that are all around town.

And that white water river that runs right through town is fun to watch the boaters in.

Colorado School of Mining a great school.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on March 28, 2016, 02:16:49 AM
Golden is a very nice little town.

Love those bronzes that are all around town.

And that white water river that runs right through town is fun to watch the boaters in.

Colorado School of Mining Mines a great school.
Title: Re: Trippin in Norf Dekody
Post by: msmobyone on April 02, 2016, 10:17:52 AM
It's been too good to be true. I've spent several hours crawling around
on the floor making truck, tractor and train sounds with Mini-Me.

I am making a terriaki type stir fry with vegetables, pork and chow mien
for later and of course, I've gotten some nice TLC time with Angel Eyes.

 :clapping:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on April 08, 2016, 07:52:23 PM
Bill, I am only on page 1, but this is a great trip report, and very very funny. I cannot stop laughing. I wish you'd come with me to Belarus and provide comic relief. I know there are 38 pages to this trip report, I have not even finished page one, so I will either be up until 5AM reading this (not!) or I will have to spread this out over the entire weekend. I hope there are pics of Mrs. 2TallBill. You are a handsome, good-looking guy and have a great sense of humor (way more important, I think, than physical appearance) so I imagine Mrs. EdTooTallJones (I mean Mrs. 2TallBill) is very beautiful and pretty Woman. I have little doubt your Wife is very lovely. And being married to you, I bet she never stops laughing, from the time she wakes up in the AM to the time her head finally hits the pillow at night. ;)
Title: Re: Trippin in Fargo
Post by: treadmilldude on April 08, 2016, 08:04:05 PM
This is Mini-me waiting to get something to eat at a Mexican Restaurant in Fargo

(http://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/t31.0-0/p600x600/12091255_10201205742741494_6520403749979823659_o.jpg)

So handsome Bill. Cute little boy!!
Title: Trippin in the USA
Post by: 2tallbill on April 09, 2016, 06:29:37 AM
The other (5) girls from Mamba, I have been skyping with for a few weeks, who are from Belarus......at this point I just don't even care about them any more. I just do not even care about the other girls. My heart is telling me with undeniable certainty that Olya is possibly the nicest girl I have ever met, and it would be a mistake to continue to Skype and chat on VK with the other 5 girls from Belarus, when the only girl I ever think about, now, is Olya and her "Little Princess". I never, never, NEVER even think about the other 5 girls. Olya and her Daughter are the only girls I even think of. I have not communicated with the other 5 girls in, now, 3 days, and I am not sure this is even fair of me to be doing this, as they are all sending me messages on Skype, VK and Mamba asking me "Where are you? What happened to you?" I do not have the courage, I am too chicken, too scared to write them back and explain to them how much I adore my "Princess" and my "Little Princess".

When you find a girl that is head and shoulders above the others, you do the following.

1. Buy a ticket, rent an apartment get on a plane and win the girls heart.
2. Write the other girls a letter short and to the point.

"I am pursuing someone else, I wish you success, happiness and love!"
Udachi!

Your name here.

3. Have a backup plan

4. DON'T POST THEIR PHOTOS ON A PUBLIC FORUM.

Gator has warned you about this, I will warn you about this. Hit the report to moderator
button and ask the mods to remove the photos. They will do it for you if you ask them.

There are @ssholes who have nothing better to do than to use those photos to find
your girl. They will contact her and they will cause you grief that you don't need. They
will find something you said and twist it around to mean something else. This has
happened to me and almost everyone around here likes me.

5. I understand you are excited about this girl, that's understandable, however you
need to remain cautiously optimistic. Remember that it's rare that a guy meets a girl
and everything works out on his first trip.

Udachi!

Bill

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mendeleyev on April 09, 2016, 11:18:36 AM
Handsome little fellow you have there, Beeeel.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on April 09, 2016, 11:52:44 AM
Isn't Bill's little boy handsome mendeleyev?
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 09, 2016, 04:25:22 PM
Thanks Mendy and TMD for the compliments.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Trippin across the fruited plains
Post by: 2tallbill on May 04, 2016, 06:57:25 PM
This is Monday on the way to Laramie Wyoming

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13139290_10201868232223317_6769594173102274959_n.jpg?oh=ce19ba41043014964bc901deb9afedc5&oe=57B22CFC)

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13086765_10201868232263318_6477743756409907062_o.jpg)

I will fly to North Dakota tomorrow to see Angel Eyes.



Mini-me decided to play in the water or maybe he was taking the ice-bucket
challenge.

(http://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13179297_493972307466784_9140050534209872086_n.jpg?oh=7d0c16694563f46e799f52eef6630e2d&oe=57AB2242)

More news updates to follow
Title: Trippin in across Minnersohdah
Post by: 2tallbill on May 09, 2016, 10:31:28 PM
I arrived in North Dakota scooped up Angel Eyes and Mini Me and
drove East towards Bloomington Minnesota. It's where I have to go
to bring Angel Eyes to her adjustment of status meeting. It's only
9 1/2 hours each way.

So I take off like I've got bees chasing me and zoom across North Dakota
and Minnesota. We stop at a rest stop and I pull out the ice chest that
Angel Eyes put together and we have a picnic lunch. It's Mothers day so
I call my Mom and we go on Facebook chat so she can see Mini Me running
around the park like setting. Mini Me still runs around like he's been in the
saddle a bit too long, but he's definitely getting faster. He has three speeds
full tilt forward, full tilt backwards and full stop, any other speed he is
either accelerating or decelerating.

According to Angel Eyes they don't havedesignated rest stops in Russia,
so you simply pull over anywhere and use the facilities that nature
provided.

I've booked a hotel in Bloomington and we have a 1:00pm appointment
on Victory Day. I've hired a translator for Angel Eyes, her English is good
but she doesn't understand the intricacies of smuggling, drug dealing or
other questions that we've been told will be asked.

The translator arrives before the appointment and we go in to see the
USCIS officer. We provide evidence that our marriage is real, then he
questions me about various things, then questions Angel Eyes on whether
or not she is a spy, a member of the communist party and several pages
of other things that she has never been involved in. I am glad we had a
translator.

At the end of the interview the officer tells us that we passed and we
should receive a letter in a week and a green card in about a month.

I pack Angel Eyes and Mini Me back in the car and make the 9 1/2 hour
trip back to Western North Dakota.

More to follow..................


 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on May 11, 2016, 08:05:57 PM
Best wishes on your spouse getting that first Green Card.
Title: Trippin at USCIS
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 08:39:51 AM
Best wishes on your spouse getting that first Green Card.

Thanks, ML
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 10:34:34 AM
So, I get back to North Dakota and rent a twenty foot UHaul in Bismarck.
I drive 100 miles West to Dickinson ND and get to work. I have a 25 ft camper
trailer in the back yard. I replaced 3 of the 4 tires (I replace one a couple years ago)
and I get all the trailer lights working. The UHaul truck has a hitch but it's only 2"
and I need a 2 5/16". There is a 2x2 receiver so I buy a buy a hitch that will fit into
that.

Angel Eyes has been working feverishly on boxing all of our belongings and marking
on the boxes what is inside them. I load up every box, stick of furniture and it easily
fits inside the 20 truck with select things in the the trailer.

We wake up at bright and early the next day and despite my plans and threats that
everyone not ready will be left behind I drive off with the trailer in tow during a typical
mid May snow and wind storm. My 25 year old son is driving my Mercedez along with
my family.

A 20ft truck towing a 25 ft trailer make a pretty good sail for the wind which is howling
in different directions pushing or pulling me all over the road as I drive white knuckled
across the wind blasted plains.


(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13177865_497224587141556_4741492902604294495_n.jpg?oh=33b4757cf28e00442c04015e8ca563e4&oe=57D32F34)


(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13173078_497223607141654_1859330200861676080_o.jpg)


During the trip a hard side wind tore the propane tank cover off the trailer.
My son managed to pull over and get it before it was ran over too bad.

Note the photo isn't mine. It's one I found online
(http://www.americanrvcompany.com/assets/images/Camco/40542.jpg)


Title: Trippin to Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 10:38:54 AM
I moved to North Dakota with a plan to find and marry a good woman from
the FSU, I accomplished that and with the price of oil down to $40 a barrel
I waved good bye to the state in my rear view mirror.

NOTE: if a woman follows you to North Dakota she is probably a keeper.

(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13220662_497068683823813_213500250042004892_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13226850_497067163823965_4506358807928716301_n.jpg?oh=291d24e12e1d349bd17008cd7cc07456&oe=57DE994D)


Title: Trippin to Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 10:51:34 AM
We arrive at our new home in Cheyenne Wyoming at about midnight.

I unload enough beds and equipment to keep Angel Eyes and Mini Me
set for the night and I sit in a chair drink a piva and try to wind down
from the hectic trip. I then jump into the shower, and then into bed
our temporary separation that started on Feb First is over*

I think to myself "how can Angel Eyes hair still smell so good and pass
out from exhaustion a second later.


* Note to those not following closely. Angel Eyes and I lived in North Dakota
with the price of oil dropping, the construction industry dropped off a cliff I
found a job in Northern Colorado. I moved up there on Feb 1st living in hotels
and AIRBNB rooms and Angel Eyes waited for me in North Dakota while I went
through training then found a house. The real estate market is super hot in the
area so I ended up settling for one in Cheyenne.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: cc3 on May 15, 2016, 12:23:25 PM
Bill, welcome to Cheyenne! My Ukrainian wife and I should be arriving there on or about Thursday, 19 May, for her first trip to the US to meet my family. Want to rendezvous for pivo and to let our spouses Slavicize with each other? PM me so I will know whether I should bring extra Lviv pivo in my baggage. I'm already importing some for my son in Cheyenne.
Title: Trippin in the small world
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 02:46:01 PM
Bill, welcome to Cheyenne! My Ukrainian wife and I should be arriving there on or about Thursday, 19 May, for her first trip to the US to meet my family. Want to rendezvous for pivo and to let our spouses Slavicize with each other? PM me so I will know whether I should bring extra Lviv pivo in my baggage. I'm already importing some for my son in Cheyenne.

By all means stop on by. I am sure the girls will want to chat 107 mph in Russian.
I sent you my contact information via PM. I am still unloading boxes but Angel Eyes
will have them all gathered up and everything put away by tomorrow.

Lviv piva? sure I love piva.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin to Wyoming
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 15, 2016, 07:23:21 PM
I found a job in Northern Colorado. I moved up there on Feb 1st living in hotels and AIRBNB rooms and Angel Eyes waited for me in North Dakota while I went through training then found a house. The real estate market is super hot in the area so I ended up settling for one in Cheyenne.

So how far away is your new job from your new home?  Can you commute daily, or will it have to be weekly?
Title: Trippin to Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2016, 09:23:05 PM
So how far away is your new job from your new home?  Can you commute daily, or will it have to be weekly?

I don't have a typical commute as an outside sales rep with a large sales territory
covering parts of three states. I have customers that are a few miles from where I
live and others that are further away. I'm relatively well located to visit most of
my customers on a regular basis and I have an office in my home. 

Title: Trippin at 6063ft (1848 meters above sea level)
Post by: 2tallbill on May 17, 2016, 01:52:49 PM
It's mid May and it's freaking snowing

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13239974_10201917960346489_8823332505721207970_n.jpg?oh=4d4a96c24dafbc109e84dfaf3028ee18&oe=57E2EA50)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Hammer2722 on May 17, 2016, 01:55:38 PM
 :shock:

Yikes!!!!
Title: Re: Trippin at 6063ft (1848 meters above sea level)
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 17, 2016, 05:50:12 PM
It's mid May and it's freaking snowing

Yep!  Same here - one of our South Island snowfields has just had its first proper snowfall of the autumn.  Fingers crossed for a good season throughout the country (although there are only three proper skifields in the North Island, all on Mt Ruapehu).
Title: Trippin at 6063ft (1848 meters above sea level)
Post by: 2tallbill on May 18, 2016, 07:32:38 AM
Yep!  Same here - one of our South Island snowfields has just had its first proper snowfall of the autumn.  Fingers crossed for a good season throughout the country (although there are only three proper skifields in the North Island, all on Mt Ruapehu).

We have some good skiing locations in Colorado and Wyoming. I haven't been skiing in
4 years. They don't have Mountains in North Dakota (or even hills).

I've read that there is a new $7.5m chairlift at Whakapapa that must be exciting.
Title: Re: Trippin at 6063ft (1848 meters above sea level)
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 19, 2016, 06:03:37 PM
I've read that there is a new $7.5m chairlift at Whakapapa that must be exciting.

The operating company had to wait for the renewal of their licence to run the skifield, which happened in December, before they could go ahead with this new Quad express lift.  They're aiming to replace an old T-bar lift next summer as well, ready for the 2017 season.
Title: Trippin at 6063ft (1848 meters above sea level)
Post by: 2tallbill on May 22, 2016, 06:27:30 PM
We had some guests over.

I was making potato salad (among other things) and asked Angel Eyes how long
I should boil the eggs. She told me ten minutes, which is the same time you would
boil them at sea level. I knew it wasn't the same at 6000 ft so I looked it up on the
internet and they suggested 15 minutes with a 3 minute cooling period. I actually
boiled them for 17 minutes then doused them in cold water. Taking off the shells 
took 5 seconds or less.

We made smore's after the barbecue and a good time was had by all.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 22, 2016, 06:30:35 PM
Hey, I used to boil eggs for 14 minutes but then I boiled the water at a higher temperature and they were done sooner.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on May 23, 2016, 05:38:24 AM
I boiled the water at a higher temperature
How did you achieve that ::)?

Water always boils at the same temperature at a given atmospheric pressure, lower than 100°C at altitude as in 2tallbill's case and higher only if you go below sea level as in, say, the Qattara depression or the Dead Sea area.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 23, 2016, 06:59:56 AM
How did you achieve that ::)?

Water always boils at the same temperature at a given atmospheric pressure, lower than 100°C at altitude as in 2tallbill's case and higher only if you go below sea level as in, say, the Qattara depression or the Dead Sea area.

 :ROFL:   Sandro, I never thought I'd catch you with my humor.   
Title: Trippin over the barbecue
Post by: 2tallbill on May 25, 2016, 07:50:23 AM
Bill, welcome to Cheyenne! My Ukrainian wife and I should be arriving there on or about Thursday, 19 May, for her first trip to the US to meet my family. Want to rendezvous for pivo and to let our spouses Slavicize with each other? PM me so I will know whether I should bring extra Lviv pivo in my baggage. I'm already importing some for my son in Cheyenne.

CC it was great to meet with you and your lovely wife.

Thanks for stopping by, Angel Eyes had a great time!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: cc3 on May 25, 2016, 10:16:46 PM
Bill, you and Angel Eyes were a wonderful host and hostess! To invite us to a cookout dinner when you had only been in your Cheyenne home about one week was a fantastic gesture. Nina and I both had a very enjoyable time! And...MiniMe is an amazing little guy!

We're looking forward to future Cheyenne encounters, especially in the near future, when we will have our Ukrainian daughter (my stepdaughter) with us!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on May 26, 2016, 07:34:46 PM
Bill, you and Angel Eyes were a wonderful host and hostess! To invite us to a cookout dinner when you had only been in your Cheyenne home about one week was a fantastic gesture. Nina and I both had a very enjoyable time! And...MiniMe is an amazing little guy!

We're looking forward to future Cheyenne encounters, especially in the near future, when we will have our Ukrainian daughter (my stepdaughter) with us!

You and Big Bill need to get a room !!
Title: Trippin in the kitchen
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2016, 04:59:10 PM
How did you achieve that ::)?

Water always boils at the same temperature at a given atmospheric pressure, lower than 100°C at altitude as in 2tallbill's case and higher only if you go below sea level as in, say, the Qattara depression or the Dead Sea area.

Pressure cooker?

(http://modernistcuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Boiling-Under-Pressure-table.jpg)

Title: Stubborn
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2016, 05:21:13 PM
Angel Eyes has some theories on child raising that disagree with mine.

For example, I will scoot a chair up to the counter and let Mini-me stand
on it and help. He is 14 months old, so you can imagine how much help he
is. Angel Eyes acts as if we were cleaning autoparts in gasoline, and I let the
boy smoke a stogie. Just because none of 2tall's previous kids, nieces and
nephews 100% of which helped me in the kitchen were never dismembered,
maimed, disfigured or killed is irrelevant. 

Since I am just as stubborn as Angel Eyes when I cook he gets to help while
Angel Eyes scurries around looking for various OSHA infractions. When she
cooks, he doesn't get to help.


Title: Re: Stubborn
Post by: Larry1 on May 28, 2016, 05:32:00 PM
Angel Eyes has some theories on child raising that disagree with mine.

For example, I will scoot a chair up to the counter and let Mini-me stand
on it and help. He is 14 months old, so you can imagine how much help he
is. Angel Eyes acts as if we were cleaning autoparts in gasoline, and I let the
boy smoke a stogie. Just because none of 2tall's previous kids, nieces and
nephews 100% of which helped me in the kitchen were never dismembered,
maimed, disfigured or killed is irrelevant. 

Since I am just as stubborn as Angel Eyes when I cook he gets to help while
Angel Eyes scurries around looking for various OSHA infractions. When she
cooks, he doesn't get to help.

Congratulations on successfully standing up to a RW.  You're lucky that you managed to snag one of the good-natured ones instead of the other sort. But as I recall you had some experience spotting and shedding the other sort, so maybe this was part luck and part skill.
Title: Re: Stubborn
Post by: JayH on May 28, 2016, 05:42:23 PM
Angel Eyes has some theories on child raising that disagree with mine.

For example, I will scoot a chair up to the counter and let Mini-me stand
on it and help. He is 14 months old, so you can imagine how much help he
is. Angel Eyes acts as if we were cleaning autoparts in gasoline, and I let the
boy smoke a stogie. Just because none of 2tall's previous kids, nieces and
nephews 100% of which helped me in the kitchen were never dismembered,
maimed, disfigured or killed is irrelevant. 

Since I am just as stubborn as Angel Eyes when I cook he gets to help while
Angel Eyes scurries around looking for various OSHA infractions. When she
cooks, he doesn't get to help.

  A FSUW  stubborn? Surely you mistaken !! :)
Title: Re: Trippin in the kitchen
Post by: SANDRO43 on May 29, 2016, 06:40:20 AM
Pressure cooker?
You're right, I had forgotten about it.

(http://beaninstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Pressure-Cooker.jpg#ActualImage)
Title: Stubborn
Post by: 2tallbill on May 29, 2016, 11:18:20 AM
Congratulations on successfully standing up to a RW.  You're lucky that you managed to snag one of the good-natured ones instead of the other sort. But as I recall you had some experience spotting and shedding the other sort, so maybe this was part luck and part skill.


  A FSUW  stubborn? Surely you mistaken !! :)


Angel Eyes is definitely very good-natured (and stubborn) I was lucky to have found
her but skilled enough to see what I found and pursued her exclusively.

The first time I called her my stubborn Russian girl, she feigned some anger (and some
was real) tried to punch my kidney with her little bony fist. I said "you are stubborn",
and she said "I thought you said stupid Russian girl" so I said, "not stupid, but stubborn"
and she said "what is stubborn?" to which I replied "upryamaya devushka" and she said
Ya konechno" (certainly I am) as if it was an excellent character trait. 

Angel Eyes is the manager of the household and I don't micromanage her activities
and only occasionally does she try to micromanage mine.  ;D

Title: Re: Stubborn
Post by: Faux Pas on May 31, 2016, 02:40:59 PM
Angel Eyes has some theories on child raising that disagree with mine.

For example, I will scoot a chair up to the counter and let Mini-me stand
on it and help. He is 14 months old, so you can imagine how much help he
is. Angel Eyes acts as if we were cleaning autoparts in gasoline, and I let the
boy smoke a stogie. Just because none of 2tall's previous kids, nieces and
nephews 100% of which helped me in the kitchen were never dismembered,
maimed, disfigured or killed is irrelevant. 

Since I am just as stubborn as Angel Eyes when I cook he gets to help while
Angel Eyes scurries around looking for various OSHA infractions. When she
cooks, he doesn't get to help.

Choose your battles wisely  ;D
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:22:31 PM
Today rather than work in the yard we took a trip to the Mountains in Wyoming
Angel Eyes loves the mountains and many wild flowers were blooming

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13346651_10202021107805111_5324336942821013536_n.jpg?oh=da38e71279eb9563bd5c652c96dfcc52&oe=580A224A)
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:24:25 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445483_10202021109925164_8472962537698173657_n.jpg?oh=06c348f6544280b81aa3dc215e8b6185&oe=5808B1B9)


Mini-me was about to plow the back 40 in Centennial Wyoming
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13443194_10202021116285323_140967177206911502_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13435407_10202021120285423_3157838666698210948_n.jpg?oh=0abad402239f4e43e0dccb302fae2ace&oe=57FF0502)
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:25:44 PM
Centennial Wyoming

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13415477_10202021143646007_3400094268116631893_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13392045_10202021154406276_7015262643217316911_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:28:31 PM
The Snowy Range area (I wonder how it got it's name?) Yes, it's June

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13416772_10202020992802236_8599502712424507232_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13392266_10202021022282973_878504656213296665_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13445811_10202021024763035_727917701973257675_n.jpg?oh=865794770235ebabcc4c77ea304fa6d1&oe=57D56FBD)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13422427_10202021027403101_8883893156981573056_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:30:19 PM
If there is mud to be found then Mini-me will find it

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13411765_10202021029283148_5348595809177286174_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13412019_10202021055243797_2445288866261106820_o.jpg)

There was a storm coming in

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13403926_10202021056843837_7040862333197384984_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 11, 2016, 09:31:56 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450939_10202021062443977_5152323357587416333_n.jpg?oh=458d94fbadddcba2f5898bb3c6a8cca2&oe=57D0FCA1)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13416789_10202021065324049_4271324692893760894_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13443049_10202021070564180_965128223524528327_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13416759_10202021074564280_6636816498437130717_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 11, 2016, 11:10:43 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13435407_10202021120285423_3157838666698210948_n.jpg?oh=0abad402239f4e43e0dccb302fae2ace&oe=57FF0502)

What is this, Bill?  Some sort of grain silo?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: cc3 on June 12, 2016, 08:04:09 AM
The Rockies...fantastic treasure of our country...and my beloved residence when not in Ukraine!
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 17, 2016, 02:41:54 PM
What is this, Bill?  Some sort of grain silo?

I think it's a small paper mill
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 17, 2016, 02:45:33 PM
Mini-Me likes to help in the garden. I figure he won't melt, so I let him.

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/20160612_131656_zpsycofuvst.jpg)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/20160612_131554_zpsnov1gsfi.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 18, 2016, 02:44:38 AM
I think it's a small paper mill

Thanks, Bill.  I don't think that I've ever seen anything quite like it before now.
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: ML on June 18, 2016, 08:43:00 AM
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/20160612_131656_zpsycofuvst.jpg)

I would like to see more of the legs.
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 18, 2016, 10:25:25 AM
I would like to see more of the legs.

I'm sure you would  ;D

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: philb on June 18, 2016, 02:46:08 PM
Bill, I just wanted to say welcome to Wyoming. These May snow storms are the norm and an early June snow is not all that rare.  I live in Casper. 
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on June 18, 2016, 05:28:04 PM
Bill, I just wanted to say welcome to Wyoming. These May snow storms are the norm and an early June snow is not all that rare.  I live in Casper.

I go to Casper at the end of every month.


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on June 18, 2016, 05:35:46 PM
Whose legs do you want to see more of ML? Bill's little boy or his lovely Wife? Just teasing!  :P
Title: Trippin in Mountains
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:01:18 AM
Angel Eyes said she wasn't hungry but I told her I was going to barbecue some
provisions for her to pack in the ice chest, because we were going for a drive in
the mountains and walk around and smell the roses. She LOVES going to the
mountains and she bustled off to start a beehive of activities.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13521983_10202100404067468_8555150525212733194_n.jpg?oh=33b8f537c33cb2ddcba61704f4f094cc&oe=57F3E437)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13438949_10202100404107469_925640829420821614_n.jpg?oh=a7c2ef80c077f5f06f8c34821c4bd092&oe=57EE0994)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:05:25 AM
Of course Angel Eyes wants to see every pebble, blade of grass, Mountain, tree or
squirrel all in the same day. I pulled up some maps online and made a route. Angel
Eyes packed up and ice chest with all kinds of stuff to eat and we took off to
"see the nature"


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13521983_10202100404267473_7100237721393392679_n.jpg?oh=440855dff48cbb55f535c931063f9702&oe=57E92C6D)


Angel Eyes loves driving and hiking around in the mountains. Mini-me
seems content enough as long as he gets to run around outside frequently
enough. Since there is something photo worthy around every corner we
tend to stop a lot if there is light enough to see.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13590432_10202100404907489_4870077293701087684_n.jpg?oh=eabd595d6b06e3bec238118fd6edd4c4&oe=57F5DC32)


Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:09:43 AM
Angel Eyes always packs a shovel and a bucket and a long plastic bin for me
to dig up various mountain flowers. This trip I was supposed to be on the lookout
for pretty or interesting rocks as well. I spotted these so we stopped to load some
into the pickup for later arrangement in Angel Eyes garden.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13612113_10202100405027492_5666216417610607314_n.jpg?oh=430a7f78c1573ace85fd411aa384b69f&oe=580577E5)


In the old days I could pretty much lift anything, but after many strains later, I have
learned not to pick up the biggest rock that I could budge. We still had plenty of
rocks that will look great in Angel Eyes garden
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13533199_10202100405427502_2366371289137362674_n.jpg?oh=5eeb69dc74e2407a4df887b8bd587067&oe=57ED8F80)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:10:58 AM
These will be growing in AE's garden soon

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13580522_10202100413547705_8840674227791161818_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13580593_10202100551151145_4083831354174146450_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13528606_10202100559671358_2087831128225984489_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13580386_10202100561231397_3033529527428013563_o.jpg)


Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:12:59 AM
Ignore the date on the photos, the calendar is off in the settings.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13559211_10202100413827712_8633250793255624296_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13524552_10202100544790986_2192885064136318790_n.jpg?oh=5af17ef74aa3e93e909b5a9841d91c5b&oe=57ECF006)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13603391_10202100413347700_8666790721971191119_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13559211_10202100413827712_8633250793255624296_o.jpg)


Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:13:58 AM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13558813_10202100414467728_93658499958825157_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13584826_10202100542590931_2826797012229170863_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13603599_10202100414827737_4519328082857578962_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13528835_10202100480629382_3984420647436987390_n.jpg?oh=23ed22edcfddd61d0c9b3c1b60963edd&oe=58071BA9)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:15:26 AM
Mini-me has always been a pretty good helper, but posing for photos is not
something that he will help with. His job is to run around and you are on
your own if you want to record the event for posterity.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13495300_10202100489469603_8548702338818727292_n.jpg?oh=fd13d8bd4f0e9ad36e3b052fbc58036a&oe=57FC14A6)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13603223_10202100565671508_4163573667206130443_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13558645_10202100491389651_7013814798710210553_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13575908_10202100535950765_3145627938087160395_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13528593_10202100509790111_2675702208584895816_o.jpg)

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:16:17 AM

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13584756_10202100514150220_47727072611195019_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13576617_10202100540990891_4176123027248693354_o.jpg)

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 10:26:16 AM
For those who have been following my adventure. I told Angel Eyes that it's
a very important tradition for lovers to kiss after crossing a river. AE has since
learned that this is tradition only applies to us, but I get sweet kisses anytime
a river is crossed. Creeks, lakes, streams and brooks don't count, but if it's a
river kisses are dispensed.

This is a one lane bridge over the Colorado River
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13582168_10202100582431927_3686162902752862776_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13568789_10202100593872213_1346613305515053018_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13582005_10202100586552030_8860756281829952337_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13584643_10202100589672108_3947183652769267445_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13528051_10202100593432202_5807833333224197864_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: Anotherkiwi on July 03, 2016, 05:26:01 PM
Ignore the date on the photos, the calendar is off in the settings.

Great photos, Bill, but why ignore the date?  It shows 3rd July - did you not take these yesterday?
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2016, 05:45:10 PM
Great photos, Bill, but why ignore the date?  It shows 3rd July - did you not take these yesterday?

Whoops,

I guess it does. Here in the USA it says March 7th, we swap the month/day around
compared to Europe
Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: Anotherkiwi on July 03, 2016, 06:48:40 PM
Whoops,

I guess it does. Here in the USA it says March 7th, we swap the month/day around
compared to Europe the entire rest of the world.

There - fixed that for you!  8)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 08, 2016, 08:38:27 PM
There - fixed that for you!  8)

Thanks for correcting me on that. Only Micronesia and the USA that use mm/dd/yy
but more than a few who use yy/mm/dd. Most everyone else complied with the ISO
and DIN standards.

Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: Faux Pas on July 09, 2016, 06:01:06 AM
Ignore the date on the photos, the calendar is off in the settings.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13559211_10202100413827712_8633250793255624296_o.jpg)



Nice pics Bill! Did your VCR always blink 12:00 too?  ;D
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2016, 08:37:05 AM
Nice pics Bill! Did your VCR always blink 12:00 too?  ;D

Only after the power went out.
Title: Trippin at the book store
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2016, 08:41:44 AM
When my older son was a boy, he would agree that we weren't going to buy any
toys, then we would go to Toy's R us and play with the toys for a couple of hours.

Yesterday, I dropped Angel Eyes off at Ross Dress for less and Mini-me and I
went to the book store. They had some books in the shapes of tractors, trucks
and motorcycles. Mini-me won't pose for a photo, you have to snap it when he
looks up, which with a cell phone is nearly impossible, because it has to think
first.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13606464_10202120629013079_3658892291182483380_n.jpg?oh=ebb66033a3ed65d3252bc9b4ff5c6b3a&oe=57EC7A64)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2016, 11:43:49 PM
We took off Saturday to explore the Rocky Mountain national park.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13613590_518550415008973_582811521139678151_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13662320_10202124491549640_5811671594439945133_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13612267_10202124545670993_3233218464394714058_n.jpg?oh=9dc50533a0b1c31481d2210253ed06e6&oe=57F9CCE0)

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 09, 2016, 11:44:44 PM
You gotta run fast if you want to see everything!

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13615042_10202124550151105_4916804865620212973_n.jpg?oh=171763f8dd22555aa9c1994f579b53b0&oe=5831C4DC)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 11:09:10 AM
Angel Eyes loves the mountains and is wild about wild flowers. We found many interesting
rocks to put around her flowers and garden at home. If you've hiked uphill with a child
on your back at 12000 ft (3657 meters) then you know what it's like. Angel Eyes as far
as I can tell go keep going forever. She has a resting heart rate at about 38 beats per
minute. When you marry a younger woman you need to keep up with her. I managed
ok.

Some photos



(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13613105_10202124567631542_1211648309936670320_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13661798_10202124584871973_2819469582768979447_o.jpg)

Getting started
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13603603_10202124586792021_2064395038997678474_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13606530_518567195007295_285452980848089823_n.jpg?oh=2b14eaff4989073e93d7188429dc03ea&oe=57FD911E)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13653010_518563101674371_7434631078868989978_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on July 10, 2016, 11:45:47 AM
Nice photos Bill. I've been through RMNP several times and it amazes me every time. Last summer I even got to see several moose up close for the first time. Glad you enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on July 10, 2016, 11:54:52 AM
Very handsome little boy Bill. He is absolutely adorable. I hope to be as blessed as you someday soon.

Although I want either 2 girls, or 3 girls. I do not necessarily want any boys, as boys are so hard to raise, very expensive, not as sweet as little girls and talk back to their parents. Little girls, on the other hand, are Angels 24/7. Girls never talk back to their Mom and Dad and always do as they are told the first time they are told do something. Girls are very cheap to raise, they never want you to buy them anything expensive, even as they enter their teenage years. Plus, little girls just adore their Dads in a way I am not sure little boys can. I am actually closer to my Sister's 2 little girls than her Son and I enjoy spending time with my nieces more than my Nephew.

You have probably said it somewhere, but I forget. How old is the little terror? He does look well behaved in your pictures, so maybe he is the one boy that is easy to raise.
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 12:29:49 PM
Nice photos Bill. I've been through RMNP several times and it amazes me every time. Last summer I even got to see several moose up close for the first time. Glad you enjoyed it.

Angel Eyes took photos of some chipmunks and was just as excited about them as
she was the Elk. She also took some photos of a black bear but we haven't found
them yet. It's possible that in her excitement (she gets really excited when she sees
any animal including a robin) that she either didn't take the photo or missed them
entirely in the shot.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 12:48:02 PM
Although I want either 2 girls, or 3 girls. I do not necessarily want any boys, as boys are so hard to raise, very expensive, not as sweet as little girls and talk back to their parents.

Mini-me is pretty good for the most part. Boys drive their fathers nuts and girls drive
their mothers nuts. Boys (as a general rule) get more stitches and fall out of more
trees and punch each other in the nose more often. They tend to get over their fights
and hold fewer grudges.
 
Girls (as a general rule) use their charm more than their fists, but they can be very
bratty* (especially to each other) which you tend not to notice if you are a victim
of their charm offensive which most fathers, uncles and older brothers are).

Ask a few mothers of 12-16 year old girls and you will learn more.

This is a topic with a thousand variations and a million opinions, if you want to
discuss it further, I started a thread here where the subject won't get buried. http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=21019.new#new             


Udachi!

Bill


*I used bratty rather than vindictive, conniving, terrorizing little snakes because
it sounded sweeter.
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 01:19:48 PM
If you are going to the Rocky Mountains then you better have a
good breakfast and plenty of forks to eat it with  ;D

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13592402_10202124595632242_6544150626243606801_n.jpg?oh=dc4db39922c659d1f314cba1a3d7f8d8&oe=583704C8)

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 01:22:35 PM
They have glaciers in the Rocky Mountains in July.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13662021_518556375008377_7632763091211704657_o.jpg)

Nobody in photo is part of this TR they were innocently captured in the photo
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13613377_518558511674830_6833619350488061885_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13614995_518558841674797_8129364974449534174_n.jpg?oh=ebc1e6cd598b917dd650a4113ba2ed6f&oe=58362C9A)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 05:47:10 PM
Nice photos Bill. I've been through RMNP several times and it amazes me every time. Last summer I even got to see several moose up close for the first time. Glad you enjoyed it.

Next time you are in the area we can barbecue or pack a picnic for the woods!
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 05:48:51 PM


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13582009_10202124591192131_8717677055433225109_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13600255_10202124593592191_574197017862422098_n.jpg?oh=a36f851bd95047be2761637535cf2814&oe=5834E9A0)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13612395_10202124553151180_6736943126893338680_n.jpg?oh=cdbb0909be5c038613ca9b98785c7ace&oe=5833B9AB)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 05:53:18 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13607045_518565785007436_8205305929890327319_n.jpg?oh=f88cdd9b00ec14b68a5daa80b9d76499&oe=57EA00CE)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13590473_518564835007531_1896235720303032793_n.jpg?oh=fad2dcdcbe22dc472afa8ca03fdc8179&oe=582EA2BB)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13612158_518566585007356_7204538927305223019_n.jpg?oh=0b7d83e0f51ca5052d4ea643b72b00ff&oe=583446B0)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 06:02:15 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13626964_518567548340593_690228084310209932_n.jpg?oh=5d3cdd373945c5f84cdf95d81d9475e3&oe=58355467)



(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13620979_518567785007236_1210543073470256843_n.jpg?oh=ef48921bbab29e17f62ffda616bedfa8&oe=5835E398)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13620291_518567955007219_1505567866136723892_n.jpg?oh=c0a33cf18d8a4e0fb3391f7a43adc136&oe=57F7FB58)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2016, 06:19:56 PM
During our travels I pick up rocks and Angel Eyes uses them to go around her flowers

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13659158_10202128164921472_4009969236232380194_n.jpg?oh=5a18f2ace9d105ee5a401b32e6b79518&oe=57F16A61)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on July 10, 2016, 08:34:47 PM
Little girls, on the other hand, are Angels 24/7. Girls never talk back to their Mom and Dad and always do as they are told the first time they are told do something.

Wake up call. 

My daughter gave her parents much more trouble than did her brother regarding 'talking back' and many other things.

I finally got her to quit slamming her bedroom door by telling her I would remove it from its hinges and take it away the next time she did it.

She only did it once more her remaining time living at home . . . and quickly came running out saying "It was an accident !"
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on July 11, 2016, 07:17:32 AM
Wake up call. 

My daughter gave her parents much more trouble than did her brother regarding 'talking back' and many other things.

I finally got her to quit slamming her bedroom door by telling her I would remove it from its hinges and take it away the next time she did it.

She only did it once more her remaining time living at home . . . and quickly came running out saying "It was an accident !"

Utterly Brilliant parenting skills
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 18, 2016, 07:57:04 AM
My father came to visit and he brought one of my nieces and a nephew.
We went driving in the mountains and walked around taking photos.

Here is a lake that had the same name as Angel Eyes.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t35.0-12/13709744_10202157214607696_458556835_o.jpg?oh=53144495832192981d358a8a22bff8a4&oe=578F25EC)

We saw deer, prong horn sheep, elk and assorted critters like chipmunks.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13652954_521726024691412_7950845429750465234_o.jpg)


Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: ML on July 18, 2016, 09:55:46 AM

Here is a lake that had the same name as Angel Eyes.


Her name is Shoshone ?  Sort of an unusual name for a Russian woman.
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 18, 2016, 10:09:48 AM
Her name is Shoshone ?  Sort of an unusual name for a Russian woman.

Her name is Angelskiye Glaza which is sort of an unusual name for an American lake  :D
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 19, 2016, 08:51:14 AM
I don't slow down or dodge chipmunks or squirrels, they are likely to change direction
at the last second and you are just as likely to swerve into them as you are to dodge
them. Besides, they don't cause much body damage to a pickup and I've known people
to swerve to miss a varmint only to wreck themselves. Also the little critters seem to
do pretty well getting out of the way.

As a city girl, Angel Eyes is as enamored about squirrels or chipmunks as she is about
every other animal. She will also feed the poor starving creatures even with a sign 10 ft
away (3 meters) telling her specifically not to. 

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13600174_10202128165281481_3973151347131187546_n.jpg?oh=1a9cf4f1dc4e84991287b7ea665b7dfa&oe=58252600)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on July 19, 2016, 11:08:39 AM
Mini-Me and I at lake Angelski Glaza

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13669754_521724688024879_8662314939014395571_n.jpg?oh=ca1259ed747f7724fb622d844e65eff5&oe=58224589)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/l/t31.0-8/13701218_521724581358223_6214883007555935105_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Jumper on August 06, 2016, 03:44:47 PM
Great photos Bill, thanks for sharing!
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on August 23, 2016, 06:14:00 PM
Sunset in Cheyenne,

If you are pursuing an FSUW my advice is to take a photo of every flower or sunset
and send it to your girl in the FSU.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14047293_536148259915855_109744305062375338_o.jpg)

Angel Eyes goes out every morning and picks veggies for our meals.
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14055198_536084313255583_4342037175140170648_n.jpg?oh=f70dea0ad3afd01e7aad4433f09c12e1&oe=5857E3B7)

Sometimes the hail stones beat up the veggies
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13932720_533051976892150_4908712772823563753_n.jpg?oh=98455208fb0c197f54209fdb2cb9e206&oe=58576B09)
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on August 23, 2016, 06:20:59 PM
I have an older stepson who got married. We drove to be there with him.

Minnie me is a big boy and is feeding himself the day after the wedding.
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13907047_532552593608755_3073386693068530101_n.jpg?oh=ad1f84b0d508d1b6ed4baa6c5920a9a6&oe=58476402)


Mini Me is playing checkers at my stepson's reception. Bet you didn't know
he could double jump?
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14034831_10202272976101661_2969905731643761213_n.jpg?oh=dcd4e9487e1051b81259ab9e23343232&oe=58545ED8)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on August 23, 2016, 06:26:35 PM
Thanks for sharing, Bill. 

Hail stones!    The weather in the Dakotas is interesting to say the least. 

That does not look like a child's plate - I guess no hot dogs and French fries for Mini me.  And juice of course.  Russian women are very mindful about feeding their children nourishing food. 
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on August 23, 2016, 06:36:34 PM
Thanks for sharing, Bill. 

Hail stones!    The weather in the Dakotas is interesting to say the least. 

That does not look like a child's plate - I guess no hot dogs and French fries for Mini me.  And juice of course.  Russian women are very mindful about feeding their children nourishing food.

I'm in Cheyenne Wyoming these days.

We got Mini Me his own plate and ordered some side dishes for him.
I don't think mini me ever had a hot dog. Maybe when he gets old
enough to go with me to a baseball game, he will have his chance.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Gator on August 23, 2016, 09:52:27 PM
Cheyenne!  You are now closer to civilization. 

I know RW mothers and food for their children.   I took one child to the movies and bought him popcorn and a coke, telling him it was our secret.  He kept the secret.  Actually we shared the popcorn because the box was huge. 

When the kids go to school,  they experience freedom about what to eat.  That is until mama discovers how to go online and see what the kid ate at lunch.   ;D  I agreed with her - he ate pizza every day of the week under the a la carte plan.  So we put him on a lunch plan (veggies and a meat).   
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on August 27, 2016, 12:04:54 PM

Your son is adorable, Bill.

Russians and Ukrainians do eat wieners, boiled and usually served with mashed potatoes and a hot mustard. In Ukraine, they are also baked with sauerkraut. The sauerkraut dish is our daughter's favourite food, though I make it with ribs, which also is common in Ukraine.


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Faux Pas on August 27, 2016, 09:28:06 PM
Your son is adorable, Bill.

Russians and Ukrainians do eat wieners, boiled and usually served with mashed potatoes and a hot mustard. In Ukraine, they are also baked with sauerkraut. The sauerkraut dish is our daughter's favourite food, though I make it with ribs, which also is common in Ukraine.

Ribs and sauerkraut, really?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on August 27, 2016, 10:14:09 PM
Yes. It's delicious. Your wife may know this recipe. It is common in Ukraine. I don't know about Russia. It's also one of my mother's favourite foods.
Title: Trippin with hotdogs
Post by: 2tallbill on August 27, 2016, 11:20:16 PM
Your son is adorable, Bill.

Russians and Ukrainians do eat wieners, boiled and usually served with mashed potatoes and a hot mustard. In Ukraine, they are also baked with sauerkraut. The sauerkraut dish is our daughter's favourite food, though I make it with ribs, which also is common in Ukraine.

Thank you, he must take after his mom.
I've bought polish wieners before which are precooked and Angel Eyes put them
in the same package as the bacon which was not precooked I got her to believe
that we can't eat uncooked bacon in the USA but I stopped buying the wieners.

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on August 27, 2016, 11:22:12 PM
Cheyenne!  You are now closer to civilization. 

Yes and we've even been to a FSU picnic.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on August 28, 2016, 03:57:07 AM
I agree with Boethius 2Tall, MiniMe is a very sweet, adorable little boy. I'd love to have a sweet, cute little boy just like Mini-me in the next 3 to 4 years. I want that so badly, I pray about it every night before I go to sleep. Talk to God and ask him to bring a wonderful FSU woman into my life, and bless us with 2 beautiful, healthy children. I say I want 2 little girls....but if I have one little girl and one healthy little boy as sweet and cute as Minime, then I would be the most blessed man on Earth.

Little boys are a handful though!  :) Oh my goodness, as my Nephew grew up, I was constantly chasing him around everywhere, throwing the baseball and football with him, driving him to the parks and playing on the playground with him for hours. Taking him to water parks and amusement parks with his friends and girls I were dating at the time. My Nephew literally wore me out. I am in extremely good physical shape, my cardio is outstanding, but that little boy just wore me out and made me feel like I was 160 years-old!

I am sure after a day of chasing Minime around, you feel like you have had the workout of your life Bill!  :)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 11:50:01 AM
I've never been to Independence pass. I wanted to go there in early May of 1985
but it wasn't open for the season yet. Angel Eyes loaded up an ice chest, Mini me
got into his car seat and we headed for the Hills.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14188630_10202344023917812_7314898229996262346_o.jpg)

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 11:51:31 AM
I had barbecued Friday night so we had plenty of goodies for a picnic and
plenty of sites to have one as well

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14086227_10202344025077841_7493505375436130665_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:04:22 PM
Angel Eyes shot the video with my cell phone while I was driving. I always have
a charged battery and she never does especially at the end of the day.
I don't recommend trying to peek over the edge while driving down the road.

http://youtu.be/hXqpVYoS05A

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:11:38 PM

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14117687_10202344035038090_6053418784999803419_n.jpg?oh=acdc3debdd346f2747ecb0d44682dd87&oe=58571705)


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmobyone on August 28, 2016, 12:12:26 PM
Great vid, Beel

It is a lady's 'thang'- lack of a charged battery.

I have bought my women family members - incl. SC-  backup battery cell packs..


Unless they have one for each handbag... then it's uncharged' ..)))


Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:12:52 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14188362_10202344041678256_2898603572869494856_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:17:00 PM
Great vid, Beel

It is a lady's 'thang'- lack of a charged battery.

Yeah, it's a given

It's also a given that they will commandeer your phone since it has a fully
charged battery. It's also a given that they will leave their phone in the car
when they go exploring in nearly any kind of shopping situation and therefore
be completely out of contact.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:24:03 PM
The summit is at 12,095 feet (3687 meters) above sea level

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14086247_10202344019357698_3791002080431483756_o.jpg)
Title: Sunset in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 12:25:03 PM
The Sunsets in the mountains can be amazing.

As it started getting dark, Angel Eyes kept snapping photos and playing with the
settings on my phone. Who knows if I will ever get them back to where I had them.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14138015_10202345079824209_4314124480316235078_o.jpg)

Color started filling the horizon
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14115512_10202345080264220_6427913100720715550_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14188450_10202345080584228_4976414284286631152_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14124268_10202345080344222_5371798543661927683_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14124906_10202345080944237_2778735208297296628_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14188140_10202345081224244_618914823707623795_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14195278_10202344019757708_4107116733598289567_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on August 28, 2016, 12:28:14 PM
Beautiful photos Bill.

Have you done Wolf Creek or Red Mountain passes yet? In winter, both will get the adrenaline pumping (even in summer it can happen). Both are in SW Colorado, the most beautiful part of the state in my opinion.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on August 28, 2016, 02:56:22 PM
Beautiful photos Bill.

Have you done Wolf Creek or Red Mountain passes yet? In winter, both will get the adrenaline pumping (even in summer it can happen). Both are in SW Colorado, the most beautiful part of the state in my opinion.

I did Wolf Creek pass back in the 1980's, it's a bit far for a day trip from Cheyenne.
I haven't seen Red Mountain pass. Angel Eyes is excited to see everything, we could
leave on a Friday and get back on a Monday. There are many, many places that I haven't
seen around here and if you have a favorite by all means let me know.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 03, 2016, 03:15:19 PM
Beautiful photos Bill.

Have you done Wolf Creek or Red Mountain passes yet? In winter, both will get the adrenaline pumping (even in summer it can happen). Both are in SW Colorado, the most beautiful part of the state in my opinion.

I just looked at a map and the Red Mountain would be a good trip for a 3 day weekend.
However, we are thinking about either Pikes Peak or maybe the Mount Evans Byway
which often times closes after labor day.

I barbecued today and Angel Eyes will pack a cooler. I could pack it but she would
just take everything out and do it again herself. I made bread, fish, pork and a big
assortment of vegetables.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 05, 2016, 02:42:55 PM
On Sunday we took drove up to Mount Evans is the road into the sky. Drive from
8,700 feet at Idaho Spring where you turn off Interstate 70 to 14,240 feet to the
summit. It was 82 in Denver when we passed through and a few degrees above
freezing at the Summit. At the top it was alternating between snow and hail and
the winds were howling at about 40 mph. Luckily Mini-me was asleep, but I don't
even go snow skiing when there are 40mph winds and hail, I might ski the trees
but I certainly don't spend any more time than necessary outside.

Angel Eyes did hike up to the Summit and then later complained of a headache.
I said that she shouldn't have made the hike without a proper coat or a proper
hat and she actually agreed with me that it wasn't her best idea.

Later we had a nice picnic at Echo Lake, the temp was in the low 70's and
Mini Me fed the local starving ducks some of his bread.

Angel Eyes took a photo of a Blue Jay and rejoiced as if she had gotten a
non-blurry photo of big foot riding a unicorn.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p280x280/14203278_541590852704929_2205723513369377879_n.jpg?oh=a94e92a8a727e2910430bb4754917736&oe=584AF960)

More to follow
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 05, 2016, 03:42:15 PM
At the top of Mount Evans

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14188546_541835306013817_3242178665741557543_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14231227_541834492680565_1962525960747858728_o.jpg)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14258180_541833359347345_7971745342232850659_o.jpg)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 05, 2016, 03:49:50 PM
Near the top

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14125718_10202345082584278_5287698713432859172_o.jpg)


Lake Echo 10,600 ft was in the 70's and beautiful only a few thousand
feet lower. We had a nice picnic with barbecue that I made and a salad
that Angel Eyes had picked that morning from her garden.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14241635_10202383108014890_1068127217879128259_o.jpg)

By the way, I was told that these are Russian ducks.  ;D
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14249776_10202383108974914_7602082071526766533_o.jpg)

Mini-me has no fear of falling and certainly no fear of drowning.
After his 99th attempt to go swimming with the "Russian ducks"
I put him on my shoulders
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14241655_10202383110934963_3828122754495527275_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14196052_10202383111574979_3123589440890114030_o.jpg)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14231999_10202383113575029_2038248013237664714_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: ML on September 09, 2016, 08:18:38 AM
However, we are thinking about either Pikes Peak . . .

We bought tickets on the train that goes up to Pikes Peak during our trip in the RV back in 2014.

But when appointed time came, I was fighting a head cold, so Ochka went up by herself.

This was in early May and it was quite chilly and windy going up as people opened windows.

Ochka wore jeans, shirt, sweater and one of my medium weight coats.  She was appalled that many parents took their young children along with just a first layer of clothing and some babies had bare feet exposed.

Parking is quite limited at the train boarding spot, so keep that in mind.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BorisS on September 09, 2016, 02:18:24 PM
Good stuff, Bill. Thanks for posting it...
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 13, 2016, 09:27:47 AM
We bought tickets on the train that goes up to Pikes Peak during our trip in the RV back in 2014.

But when appointed time came, I was fighting a head cold, so Ochka went up by herself.


I wouldn't willingly go up to 14,000 feet without all my sinuses/ears working perfectly.
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on September 13, 2016, 09:28:04 AM
Good stuff, Bill. Thanks for posting it...

Thanks,

Boris,

Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on September 13, 2016, 09:32:47 AM
I don't mention this very often (because I'm a guy) but I am crazy in love with Angel
Eyes and very happy. I wake up every day to those smiling eyes, it's something that
approaches pure bliss. Angel Eyes only loves me about 99 times more. How that much
love can exist inside one small female human is amazing.

All the searching, all the disappointments, all the trips home alone in cramped airline
seats were worth it. I only hope that others can find the happiness that I have.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on September 17, 2016, 03:02:58 PM
Happy for you Big Bill.

One thing I am very thankful for about Ochka . . . is that she is usually smiling going to bed and smiling getting up in morning.  Not a very common trait; I would think.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bee Farmer on September 29, 2016, 08:51:30 PM
Quote
Angel Eyes is excited to see everything, we could
leave on a Friday and get back on a Monday. There are many, many places that I haven't
seen around here and if you have a favorite by all means let me know.

I would definitely recommend Jewel Cave in South Dakota.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Cave_National_Monument  http://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm

If you are at Jewel Cave, you might as well visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Devil's Tower and the Badlands too.  But I would put Jewel Cave at the very top of the list.

The Jewel Cave website says parents are not supposed to carry children.  Everyone is supposed to be able to walk the 1/2 mile of the scenic tour.  There are a couple narrow spots you have to squeeze through, where it would be difficult to get through carrying a baby.  But for most of the tour, the cave openings are big enough that you could carry Mini Me if he didn't want to walk.
Title: Trippin in happiness
Post by: 2tallbill on October 03, 2016, 02:42:43 PM
Some random stuff

We went to a European festival and in another stroke of brilliance I bought some
expensive jam sold by two very attractive women from Poland. I gave Angel Eyes
a taste and told her how much I paid for it, to which she replied

"Beeeel, I can make better!" Now we have several dozen jars of very tasty preserves
in our basement closet/pantry. 

Angel Eyes is signed up for English classes at the local community college and goes
4 days per week. It's free for Green card holders. The class is 90% female and she's
the only FSUW. The instructor says that they usually have a few FSUW.

We are supposed to have close to freezing temperatures and Angel Eyes is worried
about her garden freezing. I have a couple of customers who sell plastic sheeting and
will buy some of it before dropping her off for her classes.




Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: Faux Pas on October 03, 2016, 02:47:05 PM
Some random stuff

Some random replies

Quote
Angel Eyes is signed up for English classes at the local community college and goes
4 days per week. It's free for Green card holders. The class is 90% female and she's
the only FSUW. The instructor says that they usually have a few FSUW.

What are the other nationalities?

Quote
We are supposed to have close to freezing temperatures and Angel Eyes is worried
about her garden freezing. I have a couple of customers who sell plastic sheeting and
will buy some of it before dropping her off for her classes.

You might be missing the boat here Bill unless the plastic sheeting keeps the ground warm?
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on October 03, 2016, 02:48:11 PM
I would definitely recommend Jewel Cave in South Dakota.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewel_Cave_National_Monument  http://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm

If you are at Jewel Cave, you might as well visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Devil's Tower and the Badlands too.  But I would put Jewel Cave at the very top of the list.

The Jewel Cave website says parents are not supposed to carry children.  Everyone is supposed to be able to walk the 1/2 mile of the scenic tour.  There are a couple narrow spots you have to squeeze through, where it would be difficult to get through carrying a baby.  But for most of the tour, the cave openings are big enough that you could carry Mini Me if he didn't want to walk.

Thanks for the links, I've taken the family to Mt Rushmore but not the other places
you mentioned.

Mini me gets placed on the ground and then I grab his hand and he runs along side
me with his little legs churning like egg beaters. If he can't keep up then he doesn't
get to go or gets sold to the circus (his choice) so far he chooses to keep up.

I only carry him when his legs are too short to get through something.

Title: Trippin in happiness
Post by: 2tallbill on October 03, 2016, 02:52:41 PM
Some random replies

What are the other nationalities?

You might be missing the boat here Bill unless the plastic sheeting keeps the ground warm?

I'm not very good at looking at people and determining their nationalities.
Mostly Hispanic women, Asian women and a couple of Somali men? 

The plastic sheeting keeps the heat in a little bit. It's a stop gap until the harvest is
over or it gets really cold (which means the harvest is over). I'm deferring to her
superior gardening skills.

Title: Trippin in happiness
Post by: 2tallbill on October 03, 2016, 02:55:03 PM
Happy for you Big Bill.

One thing I am very thankful for about Ochka . . . is that she is usually smiling going to bed and smiling getting up in morning.  Not a very common trait; I would think.

Thanks,

When Angel Eyes is smiling in bed I usually have some fun and debauchery filled
hours ahead of me.
Title: Trippin in happiness
Post by: 2tallbill on October 03, 2016, 03:06:59 PM
Angel Eyes made many jars of very tasty jams and I made my Strawberry Salsa.

I had plans to make regular salsa but it hasn't happened yet and our tomato harvest
hasn't been enough for me to get enough tomatoes passed down on to me.

My nearly world famous (only nobody knows about it)
Canned Strawberry Salsa


Ingredients:
12 cups of bite-size chopped strawberries (about 4 quarts) Angel Eyes (AE)
chopped them.
1/2 cup Agave Sweetener
5 cups of raw,unbleached sugar

Ingredients Cut & Ready To Go
1 1/4 cups white onions, diced small packed tightly
1 cup diced red onion packed tightly
1 cup of jalapeno I smoked them in my smoker, removed all seeds and chopped
fine in my small food processor which is an attachment to our blender
(packed super tightly for measuring purposes)
1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 cup red bellpepper I smoked the red peppers but not the green
peppers for no reason other than I still had room in my smoker
1/2 cup green bellpepper packed tightly
1/4 cup finely chopped mint Angel Eyes (AE) produces this by the ton in her garden
1 tsp sea salt (I used Morton’s salt)
1 1/4 cups of apple cider vinegar

Boil sugar, vinegar and agave sweetener until sugar has dissolved. Add all onions, peppers, herbs, lime juice and spices and bring to aboil. Turn off heat and add the strawberries. Mix well.

Hot Pack Into Jars
Hot pack into pint size jars. AE filled several jars with salsa and had 1 pint left over that was pure liquid which AE put in a separate jar. I am using it to marinate some pork that I will barbecue tonight.

Angel Eyes canned the salsa using secret Russian methods. I’m not allowed to help and certainly not allowed to touch anything while she does this.

NOTE: Handling jalapeno peppers with your bare hands isn't a good idea. It takes
days for the burning to stop and you can't touch a woman anyplace sensitive
(or yourself for that matter) for a day or two. I recommend that you wear gloves
when doing this. This salsa is too spicy by most FSUW standards. Your options are
either to make crappy tasteless salsa or to do it right. I chose the latter.

Angel Eyes will eat my salsa on meat (think of horseradish for primed rib). 

Udachi!

Bill 
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: Faux Pas on October 03, 2016, 03:18:32 PM

The plastic sheeting keeps the heat in a little bit. It's a stop gap until the harvest is
over or it gets really cold (which means the harvest is over). I'm deferring to her
superior gardening skills.

 It might buy AE a few days. I personally wouldn't go to the trouble. Largely will depend on how low the temps get along with your altitude. You're pretty high aren't you? I still have a healthy bounty after abandoning it for a few weeks
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on October 04, 2016, 11:53:26 AM
I live in a northern gardening climate. 


Root vegetables don't need to be covered.  In fact, a frost makes them tastier, although carrots will, if the frost is severe, lose their texture (crunchiness).  Otherwise, I'm with FP.  Vegetables won't grow any more, so it's best to pick them.



Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on October 05, 2016, 06:11:32 PM
I live in a northern gardening climate. 


Root vegetables don't need to be covered.  In fact, a frost makes them tastier, although carrots will, if the frost is severe, lose their texture (crunchiness).  Otherwise, I'm with FP.  Vegetables won't grow any more, so it's best to pick them.

She changed her other mind. I was going to buy plastic and then she said never mind
but she still came up with a honey do list item for me to do instead. I let her manage
the gardening but I help when she needs help with planting or tilling in the Spring
and I mow the yard. 

Her school had a second enrollment and now she has a few Russian speaking
people in her class. She was very excited about that. The teacher apparently
had to tell them all to speak English a couple of times.

Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on October 05, 2016, 06:19:24 PM
The basement pantry. If you notice fewer old mayonnaise jars than last year it's
because I bought a whole bunch of various sized canning jars and lids.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14484877_555088371355177_7700849086140639582_n.jpg?oh=010a6405ac52ab868da936fe608bc8f2&oe=5868D72F)


I've gotta teach Angel Eyes how to make zucchini bread next. 
Do they have it in Russia?

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14055198_536084313255583_4342037175140170648_n.jpg?oh=3e84df2a1e4ff161879efe8e49b7eb71&oe=58A6FDB7)

Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: ML on October 06, 2016, 02:35:23 PM

Angel Eyes is signed up for English classes at the local community college and goes
4 days per week. It's free for Green card holders.

Don't tell Calmissile about this.
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 13, 2016, 02:29:03 PM
Don't tell Calmissile about this.

Here in Washington, most immigrants can sign up for English classes at the local Literacy council. They usually only charge about 10.00 per class if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 13, 2016, 05:00:52 PM
I thought that calmissile made the point in another thread that Larissa had started with the free (or nearly free) classes at her local college or high school, and found that she wasn't learning anything that she didn't already know because the pace of the class was glacially slow.
Title: Trippin with my shol'nitsa
Post by: 2tallbill on October 13, 2016, 05:31:58 PM
I thought that calmissile made the point in another thread that Larissa had started with the free (or nearly free) classes at her local college or high school, and found that she wasn't learning anything that she didn't already know because the pace of the class was glacially slow.

Angel Eyes speaks decent English. I don't know how much she learns.
She likes going to the class and it keeps her out of trouble.

Title: Re: Trippin with my shol'nitsa
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 13, 2016, 06:09:57 PM
Angel Eyes speaks decent English. I don't know how much she learns.
She likes going to the class and it keeps her out of trouble.

And you can retire to the man-cave with Mini-Me...  :devil:
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: whynotme on October 13, 2016, 10:15:34 PM
Here in Washington, most immigrants can sign up for English classes at the local Literacy council. They usually only charge about 10.00 per class if I remember correctly.
It costs $35.00 for the quarter, $10.00 - for refugees and such. Waste of time, in my opinion. The only plus for me was the job offer after first quarter of classes.
Different nationalities are in class from Somali, Myanmar, Vietnam, many Kurds, Iraqis, many from Latin America, many from Ukraine. None from Russia.  :D May be they don't come here, may be they know English well enough.
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: Faux Pas on October 14, 2016, 08:00:55 AM
Here in Washington, most immigrants can sign up for English classes at the local Literacy council. They usually only charge about 10.00 per class if I remember correctly.

Cal could have hired a private tutor for the cost of what he says he's paying. I'd have her picking up an engineering degree while she's there
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: jone on October 14, 2016, 08:11:54 AM
Cal could have hired a private tutor for the cost of what he says he's paying. I'd have her picking up an engineering degree while she's there

I've taken graduate level businss courses at UCLA that weren't as expensive.  But that is the way our university system works.
Title: Trippin in happiness
Post by: 2tallbill on October 14, 2016, 09:52:26 AM
It costs $35.00 for the quarter, $10.00 - for refugees and such. Waste of time, in my opinion. The only plus for me was the job offer after first quarter of classes.
Different nationalities are in class from Somali, Myanmar, Vietnam, many Kurds, Iraqis, many from Latin America, many from Ukraine. None from Russia.  :D May be they don't come here, may be they know English well enough.

I only went to the first class with Angel Eyes, but in my opinion none of her classmates
were as educated as her or Whynotme. 

Title: Trippin with my shol'nitsa
Post by: 2tallbill on October 14, 2016, 09:57:40 AM
And you can retire to the man-cave with Mini-Me...  :devil:

Yes, Mini-Me and I break out his trucks and tractors and have a great time on the living
room carpet. Then I tell him "let's go get Mamma!" and he runs to the closet to get his
shoes. (He knows he can't go without them on his feet)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on October 14, 2016, 10:08:46 AM
Big Bill . . . what about your teenage daughter?

How did she fare changing high schools again ?

Is she about ready for college now ?
Title: Re: Trippin in happiness
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 14, 2016, 11:00:18 AM
Cal could have hired a private tutor for the cost of what he says he's paying. I'd have her picking up an engineering degree while she's there
Agreed.....
Title: Trippin in turkey's
Post by: 2tallbill on November 24, 2016, 12:33:36 PM
We are having Thanksgiving with a Ukrainian couple and an American named Fred
(not his real name)

I'm cooking the Turkey, mashed potatoes and I've been told to make potato salad
last minute as well (Angel Eyes requested it) which would mean I have to go back
to the store, which I hate to do on Thanksgiving. 

My 26 year old son is making chocolate cheesecake pies and pumpkin pies.
Angel Eyes is making Shuba and other various treats.

Fred is making sweet potatoes and the Ukrainian couple are making bread and
some kind of salad, hors d'oeuvres and other specialties that I was told about
in Russian but quickly forgot zarkuski? 

Mini me loves to help and already took all the pots and pans out of the cupboards
and reorganized them for us on the floor.
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on January 05, 2017, 01:59:58 PM
We are now at the high for the day +1F (-17C)
and it should stay nice like this until 4 pm when
it will start getting cold again and the wind will pick
up. Later tonight -11F and windy. (-24C)

Mini-me always like to lend a hand getting the snow
shoveled and taken care of.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/15823450_598591740338173_5640778900229301618_n.jpg?oh=4dadbab1d358e9ad1d7fc36479589a7b&oe=58EBC775)
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: jone on January 05, 2017, 03:01:25 PM
We are now at the high for the day +1F (-17C)
and it should stay nice like this until 4 pm when
it will start getting cold again and the wind will pick
up. Later tonight -11F and windy. (-24C)

Mini-me always like to lend a hand getting the snow
shoveled and taken care of.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/15823450_598591740338173_5640778900229301618_n.jpg?oh=4dadbab1d358e9ad1d7fc36479589a7b&oe=58EBC775)

Wow, Bill,

He did a great job.  Look at how clean that sidewalk looks!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Hammer2722 on January 05, 2017, 03:15:07 PM
Just what I like to see. Train them while they're young.  :clapping:
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on January 06, 2017, 01:57:36 PM
Mini me is a lot of help. Here are a few winter photos.


Our front yard
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15826840_598690266994987_5491792884352755336_n.jpg?oh=f23e9102853d99134eb42e1f9ac21252&oe=58D82A48)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15894644_599083486955665_5306759624659851877_n.jpg?oh=8c7aa287e4d397202f9db5fce03ccae0&oe=59225C66)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15665849_592783937585620_319240570045324651_n.jpg?oh=70351a526f20b520e13a8af88be25a6f&oe=58D8772A)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15356755_586030911594256_4522569822366659405_n.jpg?oh=eccda58aab3815f90d90f8bdc6feaf32&oe=58D9D925)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bounder on January 09, 2017, 01:48:43 PM
I don't know.  I assume it is used as animal feed.

I once read that clover can be planted over fallow land to prevent other weeds from growing, but also does not grow back the next season.  So perhaps it was fallow fields?
Title: Trippin in the fields of clover
Post by: 2tallbill on January 09, 2017, 05:00:57 PM
I once read that clover can be planted over fallow land to prevent other weeds from growing, but also does not grow back the next season.  So perhaps it was fallow fields?

Maybe, but they don't do much fallow farming in Western Oregon.
My guess is that they feed it to cows or dairy cows. Clover is supposed
to make tasty milk, but I am far from an expert in dairy cows.



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on January 09, 2017, 06:19:22 PM
I never got formal classroom training in farming, but did spend summers at my Grandparent's farm in bountiful Iowa.

They grew both clover and alfalfa for their cows.
I was involved in the processes of cutting, letting it cure a few sunny days on the ground, raking up into rows and then either loading with pitchfork onto hay wagon, or watching as hired machine operators baled it.

If it were loose hay, we had a pulley system that lifted up large stacks off the hay wagon and hoisted up and into the hayloft of the barn.

Anyway, clover was like a special treat for the animals; they really loved it.

One big danger . . . if cows ever got into a wet clover field in error . . . they often died as extensive gas was produced inside that could not be expelled.

We would find them dead and blown up so far they looked like round balloons.  If they were noticed soon enough (before death), a knife could be stuck into strategic spots in their stomachs that would allow the gas to escape.  I saw my Grandfather do it once.
Title: Trippin on the family farm
Post by: 2tallbill on January 10, 2017, 11:09:12 AM
I never got formal classroom training in farming, but did spend summers at my Grandparent's farm in bountiful Iowa.

They grew both clover and alfalfa for their cows.
I was involved in the processes of cutting, letting it cure a few sunny days on the ground, raking up into rows and then either loading with pitchfork onto hay wagon, or watching as hired machine operators baled it.

If it were loose hay, we had a pulley system that lifted up large stacks off the hay wagon and hoisted up and into the hayloft of the barn.

Anyway, clover was like a special treat for the animals; they really loved it.

One big danger . . . if cows ever got into a wet clover field in error . . . they often died as extensive gas was produced inside that could not be expelled.

We would find them dead and blown up so far they looked like round balloons.  If they were noticed soon enough (before death), a knife could be stuck into strategic spots in their stomachs that would allow the gas to escape.  I saw my Grandfather do it once.


It's very common with horses, they don't have the multi chamber stomachs that cows
do. I have similar experiences, it's more dry in Central Oregon (you need more water
for alfalfa or clover) and we would make hay out of some of our wheat. I started stacking
bales and driving a farm truck when I was 10-11 years old.

Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on January 18, 2017, 11:44:31 AM
5 years ago today I made the fateful decision to go to a water blessing at a church
with Angel Eyes rather than go back to my apartment to have sex with another girl.
It turned out to be a great decision!



(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/2tallbill/simpsonsangeldevil_zpsce72a397.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on January 18, 2017, 12:07:15 PM
5 years ago today I made the fateful decision to go to a water blessing at a church
with Angel Eyes rather than go back to my apartment to have sex with another girl.
It turned out to be a great decision!


Congratulations on an outstanding decision Bill!


HDL
Title: Re: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: ML on January 18, 2017, 01:03:43 PM
5 years ago today I made the fateful decision to go to a water blessing at a church
with Angel Eyes rather than go back to my apartment to have sex with another girl.

Surely you could have achieved both with a little planning.
Title: Trippin in Wyoming
Post by: 2tallbill on January 18, 2017, 01:48:54 PM
Surely you could have achieved both with a little planning.

While it might have made for a great story, more likely I would have screwed things
up with both girls. Green eyed girl was clearly not for me and I would have had to
get to my apartment in record time, deceive her to get her naked, do the deed and
then somehow get out of my own apartment in one piece while not smelling like sex,
then getting back in record time to the Church, all in under two hours. Without James
Bond style knock out gas it would have been highly improbable. 

I realize that you were writing in jest, but I had been looking for 9 long years and
I had just found an excellent candidate for Mrs 2tallbill, so I made a decision and
stuck with it. If I could go back in time, I would make the exact same decision again.


Title: Trippin to Denver
Post by: 2tallbill on January 31, 2017, 05:00:48 PM
Mini Me turned 2 years old. We went to the Aquarium in Denver.

As you can see he is two fisted, with a bottle and a sippy cup.
My sister made this famous years ago, when she carried both a tequila
shooter and a wine glass.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16299322_955418541257807_3976055424803613000_n.jpg?oh=82ef1f04da43d662fae9ceaac29ea4aa&oe=5908BDB8)

Mini-me got the anti shark dive suit, while I had to hold my breath
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16406714_955418617924466_4190832533798922489_n.jpg?oh=4dc30d472a1f9460e9dd27e61232ae99&oe=590161D9)

There are a lot of dials, gauges, switches and settings to monitor at an
aquarium. As you can see mini me has everything under control.
You can also note that Angel Eyes dresses the poor boy as if he could be
caught in a blizzard at any time!.
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16425863_955419304591064_6538472328757764922_n.jpg?oh=ea346925dddfab0230adc6f6a7895ef9&oe=594C2F4F)


Gotta have that birthday cake!
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16406716_610177509179596_3897266804540766042_n.jpg?oh=74f18052451799966b64a5b8aa6647a2&oe=590860F4)


It's better to look down at the fish
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/16403284_955420754590919_1263080389227965712_o.jpg?oh=668894386ef67e4fa3807cd21f8c9b60&oe=5916DC47)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on February 04, 2017, 01:45:16 PM
Nice pics Big Bill; thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: onlyFSU4me on February 04, 2017, 02:13:19 PM
I second that, thanks Bill! The young fella sure is getting big!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bounder on February 04, 2017, 03:09:43 PM
Happy birthday to your boy, Bill. And belated congratulations on your five year anniversary!
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on February 04, 2017, 04:16:08 PM
Happy birthday to your boy, Bill. And belated congratulations on your five year anniversary!

Thanks,

We've known each other 5 years we've been married only about half that.
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on February 04, 2017, 04:18:25 PM
Nice pics Big Bill; thanks for sharing.

I second that, thanks Bill! The young fella sure is getting big!

Thanks guys,

Mini-me is in the top 95 percentile in height, it's a big shock I know.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: Bounder on February 04, 2017, 04:19:28 PM
We've known each other 5 years we've been married only about half that.

Then, congratulations on 5 years since meeting! :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Tom_traveller on February 06, 2017, 01:09:12 AM
I also was in St Pete and I'm sure that this is one of the best reports. However,do you guys have some recommendations for cultural life and night life?
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on February 06, 2017, 07:55:37 AM
I also was in St Pete and I'm sure that this is one of the best reports. However,do you guys have some recommendations for cultural life and night life?

I was there over the New Year holidays and didn't follow my own rule of stopping and
smelling the roses, which was a mistake.

For Culture, I  would recommend that you go to the Hermitage, Church of the Savior
on Blood, and Peterhof Palace. There are many, many more. Going to a ballet or concert
are cheap by Western Standards and I recommend it as well.

For nightlife, I would date hot FSUW. I wouldn't go to bars to pick up on women.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on February 06, 2017, 08:06:26 AM
I was there over the New Year holidays and didn't follow my own rule of stopping and
smelling the roses, which was a mistake.

For Culture, I  would recommend that you go to the Hermitage, Church of the Savior
on Blood, and Peterhof Palace. There are many, many more. Going to a ballet or concert
are cheap by Western Standards and I recommend it as well.

For nightlife, I would date hot FSUW. I wouldn't go to bars to pick up on women.

Udachi!

Bill


Thanks, Beel - I didn't realise the Palace at Peterhof WAS open during the winter months ... The gardens are only open May-Oct


I found this great Spb resource site :


http://www.saint-petersburg.com/peterhof/visiting-peterhof/ (http://www.saint-petersburg.com/peterhof/visiting-peterhof/)


If Ballet is your thing - and even if it you THOUGHT it isn't - I recommend the Mariinsky Theatre 


http://www.saint-petersburg.com/buildings/mariinsky-theatre/







 (http://www.saint-petersburg.com/buildings/mariinsky-theatre/)
Title: Trippin in St Pete and elsewhere
Post by: 2tallbill on February 06, 2017, 10:35:19 AM
Thanks, Beel - I didn't realise the Palace at Peterhof WAS open during the winter months ... The gardens are only open May-Oct

I didn't follow my own advice and visit those places.

I recommended those places because Mendy wrote so elegantly about them and
I trust his opinion.

I went to the ballet in Voronezh but not in St Pete
Title: Trippin on Easter
Post by: 2tallbill on April 16, 2017, 01:02:50 PM
Easter table, the soup is called okroshka it's a cold soup with
kvas, sour cream, cucumber, radish, egg, fresh dill and other
secret stuff.

Holodetz (which isn't for everyone) is meat with jelly,
the cake is called kulichi, it's a traditional easter cake,
caviar on toast, Russian sausage called old Kiev,
Russian candies and for the American part we had my
Potato salad, sparkling cider and Easter Lillies.


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17990935_1006288022837525_6580667789138242966_n.jpg?oh=4caa41681ba7523d287ce86785727e2c&oe=59925BAE)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17966832_1006315349501459_8418906302093017971_o.jpg?oh=8e35ebbff82f8e8d048b70021365a53b&oe=597DF706)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 16, 2017, 02:12:23 PM
We only had three cakes and all were purchased from a wonderful bakery in the city center. This was the first year I tried the tvorog Easter cake, which is quite good! We also spent a few hours at the church last night but came home around midnite. Happy Easter Bill!
Title: Trippin in Easter
Post by: ML on April 16, 2017, 02:51:40 PM
We were so busy past week that I forgot to call to make reservation at one of several upscale restaurants/hotels for Easter buffet.
I called yesterday (Saturday) but most were completely booked for all time slots.  Those that had time slots were for after 3 PM, and we wanted to go before noon for sure.
So we ended up going to Golden Corral . . . wow, big time place.
But Ochka was a good trooper and didn't complain about it, and she still dressed up pretty nicely.
We were more formally dressed than anyone there, but that's OK.
Ochka did insist on making Paska yesterday.
She did burn some of the beaten egg topping because of not returning from garden in time to get it out of oven.
Tastes OK to me, but she was disappointed in the outcome.
Title: Re: Trippin in Sochi's Easter
Post by: msmob on April 16, 2017, 10:04:57 PM
S.C. can't cook to save her life - other than great omelettes :) 

Neighbours presented us with cakes and homemade wine from Georgia - we politely ducked invites to Church - based on previous experiences - beautiful - but (sorry) - boring..  Orthodox services drag on, too long.

Went to the Irish bar to watch the F1 GP - but they wanted to show Manchester Utd v Chel'ski'   - so left in a 'huff' and watched it at home ...Man Utd beat Chelsea - so serves them right for not letting me watch the Formula 1

Lots of happy Russians were out on the promenades with their kids - 18C and sunny - but we could tell the non-locals as they dress like they are in Moscow / Siberia ..... look a little obvious amongst the Palm trees )
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 17, 2017, 08:13:07 AM
Of cultural interest is the disparity of dates between most Western Christian Churches and the Russian Orthodox Easter.  Typically it is weeks or a month apart.  This year it is on the same day.  Convenient for Russian/Western couples.  Where is Mendy when we need him to comment on this stuff?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 17, 2017, 08:35:00 AM
We only had three cakes and all were purchased from a wonderful bakery in the city center. This was the first year I tried the tvorog Easter cake, which is quite good! We also spent a few hours at the church last night but came home around midnite. Happy Easter Bill!

No.  You can't stop there.  What did the cake taste like?   That frosting almost looks like vanilla ice cream. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 17, 2017, 08:43:14 AM
Bill,

I know that your potato salad is tops.  Don't know how you keep the weight off.  However, when I was growing up, my grandmother made us German potato salad.  For those of you who don't know, this potato salad has bacon and vinegar to give it a kick.  It is usually served warm.

I got the recipe from my sisters and have made it several times over the past year.  Unfortunately, it never lasts more than a day as it seems to bring in lots of visitors to the kitchen.

This is a very close rendition to my family's recipe heirloom:

(http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/560x315/586962.jpg)

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/83097/authentic-german-potato-salad/
Title: Re: Trippin on Easter
Post by: ML on April 17, 2017, 09:09:58 AM

Holodetz (which isn't for everyone) is meat with jelly,

Yes . . . I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on April 17, 2017, 09:15:40 AM
This was the first year I tried the tvorog Easter cake,

Tvorog is a cheese; not a cake.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 17, 2017, 09:17:37 AM
No.  You can't stop there.  What did the cake taste like?   That frosting almost looks like vanilla ice cream.

It actually doesn't have frosting, what you see is how the whole cake looks. It's made from tvorog, eggs, cream, sugar, vanilla and various other ingredients. It has a texture similar to custard cheesecake and tastes very sweet. A mold, like the one below, is used to shape it and it needs to be refrigerated.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 17, 2017, 09:20:39 AM
Tvorog is a cheese; not a cake.

Not at Easter ;D
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:08:33 PM
Angel Eyes likes to drive into the mountains so we drove up to the Stanley Hotel.
This is the Stanley Hotel which was built by F.O. Stanley invented the Stanley
Steamer car. This hotel was inspirational role in Stephen King's novel, The Shining
and later made into a movie starring Jack Nicholson

(http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3e/e2/fd/3ee2fd6e321107cf30a5e74adf829eaf.jpg)

A Stanley Steamer set the world record for the fastest mile in an automobile in 1906
(http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fred-marriott-stanley-steamer-racing.jpg)

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (one all kinds of cRaZy)
(http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/the-shining-1980/large_zc5y5OwKSV9MDXpfWxwrOjyRHsq.jpg)


Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:09:48 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17966042_1006924349440559_2844784275960175237_o.jpg?oh=f4465aab2abcb299a1415eb1b76f9d40&oe=5997EA65)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17966930_1006924572773870_1659563620585797319_o.jpg?oh=a3a046e93c46987eaa728c9749e416d2&oe=594F7172)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17991502_1006925476107113_5367221053830022125_o.jpg?oh=79b9b9892d8b0765a748bf6fcc7c8b7d&oe=5984FAD7)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:10:18 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17972226_1006925922773735_7481188220572496557_o.jpg?oh=01bd995ed3d7e647f641ce95e110d780&oe=5996F314)
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:15:48 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/17990436_1006926189440375_209532043650661889_o.jpg?oh=9cc1871b88a21f5cc6b6f566d2005e5b&oe=594EA35B)
Title: Trippin on Easter
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:24:54 PM
Yes . . . I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

I can choke down pretty much anything if I have to. Angel Eyes makes hers with
85% meat and 15% jelly which is far easier to choke down. I added a little bit
of Russian horse radish with beets which makes it even better.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:27:11 PM
Bill,

I know that your potato salad is tops.  Don't know how you keep the weight off.  However, when I was growing up, my grandmother made us German potato salad.  For those of you who don't know, this potato salad has bacon and vinegar to give it a kick.  It is usually served warm.

In the USA potato salad is like borscht in the FSU, every family has their own recipe variation.
I put bacon in my potato salad as well.
Title: Trippin on Easter
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2017, 01:29:41 PM
We only had three cakes and all were purchased from a wonderful bakery in the city center. This was the first year I tried the tvorog Easter cake, which is quite good! We also spent a few hours at the church last night but came home around midnite. Happy Easter Bill!

Happy Easter to you as well!

Happy Easter to ML, Moby, Jone and all those who have managed to muddle through my
saga.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on April 17, 2017, 03:31:23 PM
In the USA potato salad is like borscht in the FSU, every family has their own recipe variation.
I put bacon in my potato salad as well.

Glad you make it, Beel.  If a Russian woman makes it, you wind up with the potato salad ..... and salo for the rest of the week.
Title: Trippin around the garden
Post by: 2tallbill on April 21, 2017, 12:33:24 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18058185_649130668617613_3896332831955365646_n.jpg?oh=64cfc499e251805b87e073a21c3f15fd&oe=5994CC42)

I was going to try to get a handle on all the dandelions that had
popped up and then mow the yard, but I've decided to put it off
for now. 
Title: Re: Trippin around the garden
Post by: Hammer2722 on April 25, 2017, 10:40:19 AM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18058185_649130668617613_3896332831955365646_n.jpg?oh=64cfc499e251805b87e073a21c3f15fd&oe=5994CC42)

I was going to try to get a handle on all the dandelions that had
popped up and then mow the yard, but I've decided to put it off
for now.
A wise choice Bill.....  ;)
Title: Trippin in yard
Post by: 2tallbill on May 06, 2017, 07:35:26 PM
Angel Eyes runs my social calendar, today she had me working
in the yard/garden all day today and tomorrow there is a Russian
picnic in Denver.

(http://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18033986_10155107557859435_4706725326972550631_n.jpg?oh=ac0f4659861ebc815060a0cca481a39e&oe=59BBF39E)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on May 06, 2017, 09:24:38 PM
Have a great day, Beel ! How many thousands are expected to show up ..... Denver and it's environs has SO many RU expats.

Title: Trippin around in Denver
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2017, 10:15:46 AM
Have a great day, Beel ! How many thousands are expected to show up ..... Denver and it's environs has SO many RU expats.

There were probably a hundred RU expats there and every FSUW thought that
they needed to feed me  :D so that I wouldn't waste away to nothing.  ;D
Title: Trippin around in Denver
Post by: 2tallbill on May 08, 2017, 10:18:36 AM
Mini Me likes any kind of picnic or celebration

(http://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18358951_656572644540082_7794972284911005146_o.jpg?oh=e939a6a7765c4f8111fd28a8b7e05e72&oe=59B07787)


I was carrying Mini Me around and he decided he didn't like
where we we going so he bit me on the top of the head.
He got into big trouble for that.

(http://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18422781_656572054540141_1919670407961857092_o.jpg?oh=ccd9e12bda70a5f3f99cca4f941fb30a&oe=5980D985)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on May 08, 2017, 03:02:30 PM
Getting bit on your head is not a pleasant experience.
Title: Re: Trippin around in Denver
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 08, 2017, 06:15:07 PM
(http://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18422781_656572054540141_1919670407961857092_o.jpg?oh=ccd9e12bda70a5f3f99cca4f941fb30a&oe=5980D985)

I'm glad you had a good time, Bill, but I would have walked away as soon as I saw that orange and black flag.
Title: Trippin with a Russian Woman
Post by: 2tallbill on May 16, 2017, 12:04:45 PM
I found some Russian dressing in the store, I ate it when I was a kid
(during the cold war) at which time I am reasonably sure that the
USA didn't import large quantities of salad dressing from Russia
nor exchange recipes for the same.

(http://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/c481842d-a5bc-45cb-a1b9-7b5b735efcd9_1.501f4a81886c91f986c5480c1f914725.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF)


Obviously I had to buy it and bring it home. Later I made a salad
for Angel Eyes and presented the bottle as

"Official Authentic Russian Dressing for Salads."
The bottle was snatched out of my hand then scrutinized, it's contents were
tasted, smelled, examined and proclaimed to be a complete fraud. I had to eat
the whole bottle of phony salad dressing over the next couple of weeks
without any help at all.



Title: Re: Trippin with a Russian Woman
Post by: msmob on May 16, 2017, 11:54:12 PM
I had to eat
the whole bottle of phony salad dressing over the next couple of weeks
without any help at all.

 :D


Title: Trippin in the snow
Post by: 2tallbill on May 18, 2017, 11:37:13 AM
We have a snow storm rolling in and are supposed to get between
one and three feet of snow. Oh joy!

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18588866_1025349990931328_1000542420994184032_o.jpg?oh=820f19cf85219a4d4ff80b2064e68b8d&oe=59B2482F)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18588971_1025350154264645_1167815149694807663_o.jpg?oh=3dfa5d0345b40221c54c162ab5940f24&oe=59AF1FC2)

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18518015_660770344120312_7980271088616272918_o.jpg?oh=b4fb41a3c3c53a0515a1951d800862e9&oe=59B3D676)

Title: Trippin in the snow
Post by: 2tallbill on May 19, 2017, 10:34:20 AM
More snow, luckily I have a home office day scheduled and don't
have to drive around with the cRaZiEs They have drivers who
think that their 4x4 vehicle has magic unicorn tires so they drive
at 75-80 mph then crash their cars off the road occasionally wiping
others out in the process.


Out my office window
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18528059_1025902547542739_8918556405552175567_n.jpg?oh=cee261a7451376436f797d5f5a2302e9&oe=59B3A0A3)


Title: Re: Trippin in the snow
Post by: cc3 on May 20, 2017, 05:16:26 AM
More snow, luckily I have a home office day scheduled and don't
have to drive around with the cRaZiEs They have drivers who
think that their 4x4 vehicle has magic unicorn tires so they drive
at 75-80 mph then crash their cars off the road occasionally wiping
others out in the process.


When I lived in Colorado, it was a natural assumption that those crazy snow speeders in their SUV's where most likely recently relocated Californians or Texans.
Title: Hell we have hail!
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2017, 03:29:40 PM
http://youtu.be/t69ub6Cs4oY


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: tfcrew on June 12, 2017, 03:45:01 PM
Hail Mary!
What kind of damage?
Title: Hell we have hail!
Post by: 2tallbill on June 12, 2017, 03:50:55 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19055050_1040819092717751_969410575427262085_o.jpg?oh=d2fad2613a486993571dc48454a678bd&oe=59E76BD0)
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19221776_1040819206051073_8089853411945153560_o.jpg?oh=26e575897eb5db7f38757b37eb24d897&oe=59DB4710)



(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19055133_1040819389384388_8415188016928467413_o.jpg?oh=e33fb2e9538ca04dcee0d35f1b6b9640&oe=59D6D17A)



(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19055247_1040819492717711_7683763768719818301_o.jpg?oh=40105c4de45ef4edb1537ff5f936dd97&oe=59DE1C55)







Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: tfcrew on June 12, 2017, 05:44:16 PM
Tornadoes, baseball-sized hail in Laramie County, Cheyenne

CHEYENNE – A tornado touched down briefly 11 miles northeast of Cheyenne just after 4:30 p.m. today, and others were reported near both Carpenter and Pine Bluffs.
No information was immediately available about possible injuries or property damage, though first-responder scanner traffic indicated at least one home on County Road 151 near Carpenter suffered extensive roof damage.
A low-pressure storm system moved into Cheyenne and Laramie County from the west Monday afternoon around 3 p.m., bringing thunderstorms, wind, rain and hail. Northern parts of the city and county reported baseball-sized hail, causing damage to vehicles and property around 4 p.m.
As of 5:20 p.m., tornado warnings were in effect for southeastern and northeastern Laramie County until 5:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

It also came down badly in Minnesota and Wisconsin ....

   Minnesota Residents Haul Out Snow Blowers to Remove Hail  Residents in a northern suburb or Minneapolis had to bring out winter plows and shovels to clear away hail.   | June 12, 2017, at 4:31 p.m.

http://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2017-06-12/storm-leaves-piles-of-hail-in-minnesota-city


Videos..


http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/06/12/this-brutal-derecho-shredded-trees-and-dumped-piles-of-hail-in-minnesota/


 
   
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 02, 2017, 02:22:58 PM
Mini Me helping out in the garden


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19511054_1055333371266323_660302533754031662_n.jpg?oh=8a9a33d551ee98390b764250b341e03b&oe=59DA1B77)


Angel Eyes does about 90% and I contribute my 10% of the work.
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19598790_1055333417932985_613451937308949301_n.jpg?oh=140db24d50933d1bc4d9f31c96487b45&oe=5A07AB73)


Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 02, 2017, 07:01:22 PM
Every interesting and or flat rock in or near the Rocky Mountains was scrutinized
so that I could run out and get it and carry it home for various landscaping needs.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19575238_1055420181257642_6599483894763985908_o.jpg?oh=79c8d08692665363ed0807c3a018c56b&oe=59D46014)


The mail man like to make an alternate route through Angel Eyes then short
flowers to the neighbors hourse. A small pile of strategically placed stones
cut his shortcut short.
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19577401_1055419761257684_6981740089619005427_o.jpg?oh=8a43080bada0deef2ac6e04f2ed55fd7&oe=5A0A7E7E)


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on July 05, 2017, 09:29:24 AM
Did Mini Me get to watch any fireworks?
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 05, 2017, 12:42:35 PM
Did Mini Me get to watch any fireworks?

Yes of course and Angel Eyes recorded it using a super bright light to
blind me so that I couldn't see them. He loved the fireworks but was
even more inspired by the colored glow sticks that were handed out.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19665643_683753555155324_2172375635537086770_n.jpg?oh=bd40c121f9f1d9547bc3c59dc537a897&oe=59D023CE)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on July 05, 2017, 10:16:13 PM
He's really growing up.
Title: Trippin down the highway
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:40:09 PM
Angel Eyes filmed a thunder cloud as we were heading home after
we spend the day traveling to Colorado Springs, the zoo and sites
in between

http://youtu.be/TDK4h65tVLU
Title: Driving and singing along
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:42:33 PM
We went to the animal fair,
The birds and the beasts were there,
The old baboon by the light of the moon
Was combing his long grey hair

The monkey he got drunk
And fell down the elephant's trunk
The elephant sneezed and went down on his knees
And that was the end of the monkey monkey monkey monk...

I learned that some when I was a little boy. We tended to sing songs in the
car when we go places and that's something that I have continued. Angel
Eyes and Smiley girl sing all these songs while we drive down the road.

Their favorite is Ole McDonald
Title: The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:43:50 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20232639_1069015346564792_4843644214493867358_o.jpg?oh=ed0e3df5dc863547afeb5ea94b791b10&oe=5A109AA3)


Title: The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:46:23 PM
The Garden of the gods. We took the photo at the wrong angle, this is
supposed to look like two camels kissing

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20232752_1069013726564954_7512767495350084819_o.jpg?oh=33cf6c5252b6ea80511496c91afa5059&oe=5A031CD5)

Here is what the photo is supposed to look like

(http://topworldresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Garden-of-the-Gods-Kissing-Camels-Full-Moon.jpg)
Title: Lions and tigers and bears............. OH MY!
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:47:29 PM
Angel Eyes with a bear

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20247759_1069013576564969_8515140199613500829_o.jpg?oh=4a2c730563f75123d58369351c11a7d0&oe=59F80EF3)
Title: The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Post by: 2tallbill on July 23, 2017, 04:48:42 PM
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20286962_1069012919898368_8419641684198386537_o.jpg?oh=2ab406c5b5922d2279bb3d8bf4b28c64&oe=59F713D3)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on July 30, 2017, 01:30:09 PM
Big Bill, we were at Garden of Gods a couple of years back.

A very nice place to visit with some unique formations.

I was surprised to read there was a nearby zoo with the name Cheyenne attached.  I thought there was some law that Cheyenne could only be associated with Wyoming.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 31, 2017, 08:24:43 PM
Big Bill, we were at Garden of Gods a couple of years back.

A very nice place to visit with some unique formations.

I was surprised to read there was a nearby zoo with the name Cheyenne attached.  I thought there was some law that Cheyenne could only be associated with Wyoming.

There was a law but nobody told the Cheyenne Indians so they licensed their name
all over the place. Since it was their name to begin with the law was deemed invalid.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Anotherkiwi on August 01, 2017, 05:29:15 PM
There was a law but nobody told the Cheyenne Indians so they licensed their name all over the place. Since it was their name to begin with the law was deemed invalid.

They must get a pretty penny from Chevrolet, then!  :usd:
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on August 02, 2017, 07:56:15 AM
They must get a pretty penny from Chevrolet, then!  :usd:

They weren't the best businessmen, they sold licenses primarily in
exchange for pretty beads, bolts of colorful cloth and mirrors.
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: 2tallbill on October 30, 2017, 08:10:08 PM
Driving in the Mountains

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22780298_732044413659571_3922625275613936994_n.jpg?oh=efd463d1a5b41b0b9dd044463be8dea3&oe=5A781320)


A little snow on the way back
(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22814458_732044623659550_6143191483241928758_n.jpg?oh=6e6a35f984b0485b116574a79f7630e8&oe=5AA8444C)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 11, 2017, 04:23:21 PM
We are celebrating our third anniversary this weekend.
Seriously, I had been telling everyone it was our fourth
but I was wrong (Angel Eyes pointed it out to me). 

The third is the "leather anniversary" I don't think it will
be too difficult getting Angel Eyes to dress up  :devil:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on November 11, 2017, 04:25:14 PM
We are celebrating our third anniversary this weekend.
Seriously, I had been telling everyone it was our fourth
but I was wrong (Angel Eyes pointed it out to me). 

The third is the "leather anniversary" I don't think it will
be too difficult getting Angel Eyes to dress up  :devil:

Congratulations Bill!! :clapping:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: whynotme on November 11, 2017, 05:09:17 PM
Поздравляем!  :clapping: :clapping:
Title: Re: Trippin in the mountains of Colerady
Post by: wallm on November 11, 2017, 05:37:31 PM
Driving in the Mountains

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22780298_732044413659571_3922625275613936994_n.jpg?oh=efd463d1a5b41b0b9dd044463be8dea3&oe=5A781320)

I bet this is I-70W. The most scenic drive I had been on.

I will be doing that drive again next weekend. Hoping for no unexpected snow as I drive higher into the mountains.

We could be practically neighbors but I thought you live in ND.....

Congrats on the Anniversary!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: onlyFSU4me on November 11, 2017, 05:48:15 PM
Congrats Bill!!!   :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 12, 2017, 04:10:32 PM
Congratulations Bill and Mrs. Bill.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on November 13, 2017, 12:49:57 AM
We are celebrating our third anniversary this weekend.



 :applause: :luv: :flowers: :cheesy:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on November 13, 2017, 02:45:46 AM
Congratulations on your 3rd Wedding Anniversary Bill. That is very cool!! I am happy for you and Angel Eyes.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 13, 2017, 07:53:54 AM
Congratulations Bill!! :clapping:

Thank you!

I bet this is I-70W. The most scenic drive I had been on.

I will be doing that drive again next weekend. Hoping for no unexpected snow as I drive higher into the mountains.

We could be practically neighbors but I thought you live in ND.....

Congrats on the Anniversary!!

I drive up to Glenwood Springs every week on Monday or Tuesday and
back to Cheyenne every Friday. The price of oil took a dump so I moved
out of North Dekody

Thank you we had a nice Anniversary

Congrats Bill!!!   :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 ;)  Thank you


Congratulations Bill and Mrs. Bill.

Thanks, I've never been happier


:applause: :luv: :flowers: :cheesy:

 ;D    :D


Congratulations on your 3rd Wedding Anniversary Bill. That is very cool!! I am happy for you and Angel Eyes.

I searched for nine years, she was definitely worth the wait


Поздравляем!  :clapping: :clapping:

Spasibo Bolshoye

Title: Trippin with the banks and airlines
Post by: 2tallbill on November 13, 2017, 10:30:23 AM
Angel Eyes has a friend flying back to her city in Russia
on the 24th. I figured it would be a big help having a
friend with her when she flew back to see Mamma.
I tried to buy tickets for Angel Eyes and Mini me on
Aeroflot on Sunday.

They didn't accept my card so I called Bank of America
and was informed that they were closed. So, I called
Monday and they told me as a special favor for such
a beloved customer as myself that they declined the
payment.

I explained that I wanted to pay Aeroflot and they told
me that my card was now perfect and that there would
be no problems. Of course Angel Eyes wants to call
Aeroflot and talk 117 mph in Russian to somebody
which she has done several times.

Hopefully she isn't on several no fly lists now.

I've called B of A AND Aeroflot 4 times each and both
say that the other is at fault. This has only taken 3
hours and 23 minutes out of my day today, and now
my patience is strained.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: treadmilldude on November 13, 2017, 11:27:11 AM
Bill, sorry you are having trouble getting flight tickets.

Question for you.....I made it through about 40% of your epic trip report (or at least one of them, I think you might actually have multiple trip reports??) but just have not had the chance to finish it. Hopefully, some day soon I will be able to finish it, bit it is seriously long!! That is the Mother of all trip reports!! Economy of words is not a strength of yours Bill.   :)

Anyways, did you ever talk about your wedding to Angel Eyes? Give any details about the wedding here on RWD, such as where it was held (US, Russia?), small/medium/large - size wedding, environment (Church, outside, Dallas Cowboys Stadium? (Myself, I will be getting married on the 50 yard-line of Cowboys' Stadium. Emmitt Smith will be my Best Man and one of the Cowgirl Cheerleaders will be the Little Ring Girl. Sandro will be the Little Ring Boy, he'll look so adorable.). Any pictures of your Marriage to Angel Eyes?

I think I speak for a lot of the members here on RWD, 2Tall, when I say it would be very cool to see some pictures from your wedding to Angel Eyes. Thank you Bill. Congratulations again on the Big 3 Years!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 14, 2017, 01:35:32 AM
I've had my card declined for online purchases.  Each time, VISA had blocked the purchase.  I called VISA, not the bank, usually while I was still online at the purchase point, and they fixed it immediately with verification of my identity.  I think you have to call the credit card provider, not the bank.



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 14, 2017, 05:59:09 PM
Bill, sorry you are having trouble getting flight tickets.

Anyways, did you ever talk about your wedding to Angel Eyes? Give any details about the wedding here on RWD, such as where it was held (US, Russia?), small/medium/large - size wedding, environment (Church, outside, Dallas Cowboys Stadium? (Myself, I will be getting married on the 50 yard-line of Cowboys' Stadium. Emmitt Smith will be my Best Man and one of the Cowgirl Cheerleaders will be the Little Ring Girl. Sandro will be the Little Ring Boy, he'll look so adorable.). Any pictures of your Marriage to Angel Eyes?

I think I speak for a lot of the members here on RWD, 2Tall, when I say it would be very cool to see some pictures from your wedding to Angel Eyes. Thank you Bill. Congratulations again on the Big 3 Years!!

Most of the details that you ask about are in the trip report except photos of
Angel Eyes. I'm not going to posting photos of her on a public forum.

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 14, 2017, 06:04:06 PM
I've had my card declined for online purchases.  Each time, VISA had blocked the purchase.  I called VISA, not the bank, usually while I was still online at the purchase point, and they fixed it immediately with verification of my identity.  I think you have to call the credit card provider, not the bank.

I used my bank ATM card rather than a credit card. I ended up going through
Kayak.com to buy the same tickets and it went through.
Title: Trippin in airports
Post by: 2tallbill on November 23, 2017, 05:25:39 PM
I put Angel Eyes and Mini me on a red eye flight to JFK (11:58pm)
where they will spend a day with her friend in NYC then fly out the
next day to Moscow.

She has a flaky friend named FM for Flaky Masha (not her real name) 
who is also from Voronezh and who is visiting a potential boy friend in
Miami then flying back to Russia. So I bought the tickets so that Angel
Eyes would have some help navigating the airport with a 2 year old, a
stroller, and suitcases.

FM is a slim moderately attractive Russian woman (40 years old) with
an occasional infatuation with Hindu. She is a strict vegetarian except
when she is eating tasty fish or shrimp or something else.

So FM ends up dating mostly Indian guys since that's where you will
find the most Hindu's although she doesn't like many of them all that
much as the ones that she usually meets are usually cheaper than a
starving Scotsman with only one coin in his pocket and some aren't
the most romantic bunch either.

Flaky Masha's potential boyfriend decides that he doesn't want her
to leave quite so soon so he changes her tickets and Angel Eyes
doesn't find out about this early this morning.

Mini Me is well into his terrible two's and it was reported to me that
he was a terror on the flight for Angel Eyes, the passengers and the
airline staff. He did manage to get off the plane without getting put
on the TSA no fly list.   

Angel Eyes drug (dragged?) Mini Me to the baggage carousel and
collected her bag, but not her stroller.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeVUGjfS5_0/V0ZHlyP2y_I/AAAAAAAADzw/mnL74BniWdU7o0n6bzq3PlVkhAeEloQwQCLcB/s1600/elinor2.jpg)

Note these jokes don't belong to me. If you want to use them for
commercial purposes please contact Cartoonstock.com
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/travel-tourism-sock-lost_sock-luggage-baggage-bags-rmo0105_low.jpg)


Only two hours later of waiting in the airport they announce that they found
her stroller and away she goes to the taxi stand. Angel Eyes deftly negotiates
a $70 fee for her ride to her friends house and away they go. At the end of the
trip the cabbie suggested a $35 tip but was shut down like the steel door in
Lubyanka.

I don't know how closely people have been following my thread, but way
back when I was romancing Angel Eyes, I acquired the services of a guy
named Yuri (not his real name) and his mistress Penny (not her real name
either) and they picked me up at the airport in Moscow and brought me back
to Voronezh only rarely getting all four wheels off the ground.

Apparently Penny is no longer his mistress and he is still game to make the
round trip to pick up Angel Eyes and Mini Me for 7000 rubles ($119.75). It's 
too low as it barely pays for his gas, so I told him 8000 rubles (136.86)
which isn't much more but I know at least will pay for the gas both ways.

I have a turkey in the oven, potatoes on the stove and a chocolate cream
pie to check on. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

More to follow.................

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 01, 2017, 10:26:16 PM
Hi Beel,  went past Voronezh c. midnight on Wednesday night - on the train -  was disappointed not to be woken up by Mini-me and Angel-Eyes knocking on my window ;)

If he gets too much - tell Angel-Eyes to threaten to pop him on the overnight train to Sochi and live with us.. ;)



Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2017, 05:36:46 PM
Hi Beel,  went past Voronezh c. midnight on Wednesday night - on the train -  was disappointed not to be woken up by Mini-me and Angel-Eyes knocking on my window ;)

If he gets too much - tell Angel-Eyes to threaten to pop him on the overnight train to Sochi and live with us.. ;)

She will be in Voronezh till after Christmas, Mini Me can be a handful at
times. He will try way more stuff with her than he will with me. He has
bitten me maybe 3 times and her at least 103 times.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2017, 05:38:07 PM
Sunset

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/24210536_1138890879577238_8336121538162974617_o.jpg?oh=1480b32dbadafe0e6eb4e88cf43198e5&oe=5A9E4D26)

The drive up highway 70

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/24254821_1138891686243824_5837493829956272410_o.jpg?oh=fd0d8b966f9376723463c8df29e249aa&oe=5AD20201)


Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2017, 05:42:45 PM
When I talked to Angel Eyes she was complaining about the
Russian winter weather and said that she forgot how miserable
it can be there in the winter time.

Smiley Girl went to some kind of ice skating show.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 10, 2017, 12:30:40 AM
Approaching Voronezh, again and it is grey, misty and a lot of the snow has melted ...   The temp is plus 6C @10.30 am

Hope she hasn't too many bite marks ))
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 10, 2017, 08:59:13 AM
Approaching Voronezh, again and it is grey, misty and a lot of the snow has melted ...   The temp is plus 6C @10.30 am

Hope she hasn't too many bite marks ))

Mini Me has settled down and is having a blast, his babushka and dedushka
seem to like him as well.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on December 11, 2017, 12:12:48 PM
Approaching Voronezh, again and it is grey, misty and a lot of the snow has melted ...   The temp is plus 6C @10.30 am

Hope she hasn't too many bite marks ))

This road trip of yours is just in order to make you THE authority on everything FSU, come on admit it Mobe ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 13, 2017, 04:46:55 AM
I know more about their trains  - as most Russians didn't know you could TAKE a car on the train..
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 20, 2017, 08:28:13 PM
I am seriously missing Angel Eyes and Mini-Me

I pick them up at the airport in nine days. Angel Eyes is getting
some dental work done. There were discussions whether it was
better to get it done here or there, but in the end they are her
teeth and she is getting it done there.

I miss that girl.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 21, 2017, 10:56:04 AM
Hi Beel,

Many of us can appreciate and understand your pain and longing.

Will be interesting to hear what Angel Eyes ( and you)  thinks of her dental work
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on December 25, 2017, 06:59:01 PM
Angel Eyes is beginning her long trip back tomorrow.
She will fly to Moscow tomorrow morning, then fly to
JFK later in the afternoon. Then she will spend a few
days in New York with her Russian school friend and
then fly to me on the Red Eye Friday the 29th.

I will work in the Aspen area next week and time my
trip back with her arrival at the airport.

That means that the spotless house she left looks like a
couple bachelors lived in it while she was gone and that
we probably need to remove the whiskey bottles, dead
cats and give the place a general cleaning.

I was in charge of the house plants while she was gone
and while they might live, they don't look good. I was
home only on the weekends, so they only got water once
a week (at best). I will contact a member here that hasn't
been active in years on the forum and ask if she has any
advice on rejuvenating the orchid or should I just replace it.
 

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/26060086_1152602971539362_717467871470572252_o.jpg?oh=d075ebf4893f856508cf30044632672f&oe=5AFA1F70)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/26024118_1152603044872688_4043594855245870141_o.jpg?oh=8e10a282ae22b23c6197a4b6799cdbc1&oe=5AB65908)


(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/25627142_1152603101539349_8328664433806149853_o.jpg?oh=1e80f90bc7ac1ed3b287c3b922e7361b&oe=5ACDB1B6)
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 25, 2017, 07:02:46 PM
We have started the house cleaning process. We bought blue
spray similar to Windex and White Bathroom spray stuff and
I have been hosing down every surface with one of the two
sprays.

I won't get a chance to get back in the house again before I
pick up Angel Eyes at the airport.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: whynotme on December 26, 2017, 02:32:32 AM
Beel, just cut dead roots, leaves and flowers, and buy new orchid for your wife.
Title: Trippin in the flowers
Post by: 2tallbill on December 26, 2017, 03:44:36 AM
Beel, just cut dead roots, leaves and flowers, and buy new orchid for your wife.

Spasibo bolshoy,

Title: Sleenin
Post by: 2tallbill on December 26, 2017, 03:52:34 AM
At 3:44am my time my wife called in desperation her plane arrival
was late and that Aeroflot required that I buy a new tickets for
only $2,000.00 that it was unfortunate that she was late, but
they wouldn't apply any credit for the old ticket.

Since it's nearly impossible to buy a ticket from Aeroflot I got
on the phone with Delta, who I have a zillion skymiles with.
However, cooler heads at Aeroflot eventually decided to
give her the next flight for no additional fee.

She is on the way back as I write this.

zzzzzzzzzzzz................
 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 26, 2017, 04:30:21 AM
OMG, Beel

glad common sense prevailed at Aeroflot

Enjoy the reunion
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Doll on December 26, 2017, 07:09:26 AM
My plane was late for 5 hours (Krasnodar- Moscow). I got the chance to fly next day flight, a night in the hotel and free meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). All- free, paid nothing. All I need to do was to speak to a Aeroflot representative.
Title: Re: Sleenin
Post by: ML on December 26, 2017, 11:24:44 AM
At 3:44am my time my wife called in desperation her plane arrival
was late and that Aeroflot required that I buy a new tickets for
only $2,000.00 that it was unfortunate that she was late, but
they wouldn't apply any credit for the old ticket.

Since it's nearly impossible to buy a ticket from Aeroflot I got
on the phone with Delta, who I have a zillion skymiles with.
However, cooler heads at Aeroflot eventually decided to
give her the next flight for no additional fee.

She is on the way back as I write this.

zzzzzzzzzzzz................
 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bill

There are many variables in such situations.

If the ticket is booked through one airline itself, even where different airlines are involved . . . then they generally all honor delays of flights caused by any of the airlines.

However, if you buy the ticket through a third party like Orbitz and they book with two or more airlines . . . then each airline does not have to honor delays caused by other airlines or even the weather.  The agents at check-in can quickly tell from the various codes on the ticket what the case is.  This is generally not well understood by the ticket buyers. 

But the kicker variable is the agent who first confronts the situation.
He/she might have been given authority to show mercy; and it would also depend on the mood of this agent.

It serves no purpose for individuals to say:  "This happened to me and this was my outcome, so the same will apply to you."
It is a crap shoot.

I have encountered both outcomes from the agents.
Title: Re: Sleepin
Post by: 2tallbill on December 26, 2017, 01:16:18 PM
There are many variables in such situations.

If the ticket is booked through one airline itself, even where different airlines are involved . . . then they generally all honor delays of flights caused by any of the airlines.

However, if you buy the ticket through a third party like Orbitz and they book with two or more airlines . . . then each airline does not have to honor delays caused by other airlines or even the weather.  The agents at check-in can quickly tell from the various codes on the ticket what the case is.  This is generally not well understood by the ticket buyers. 

But the kicker variable is the agent who first confronts the situation.
He/she might have been given authority to show mercy; and it would also depend on the mood of this agent.

It serves no purpose for individuals to say:  "This happened to me and this was my outcome, so the same will apply to you."
It is a crap shoot.

I have encountered both outcomes from the agents.

My very stubborn but adorable Russian wife the constant.
She always wants to slap together a hodgepodge itinerary and
I never go along with it, but I did this time because she was
going to get to make the trip with her flaky friend who could
help her with Mini Me, but the flaky friend didn't fly with her
because she changed her tickets and didn't tell anyone.
 
Since the entire itinerary was made separately she had little
recourse. I told her about all the problems and expense slapping
together various odds and ends together could entail and sure
enough it happened. 

It's far easier and far less expensive to make an entire travel plan
start to finish from one source like Kayak for example. You also have
better baggage transfers etc.

I asked her to call me when she arrives in JFK, but she hasn't. My
guess is her phone is dead because it's only happened to her 10,000
times and it happens to me once or twice a year, but never when I am
traveling because I pay special attention to the condition of my phone
battery. She has other very admirable traits that more than make up
for it.

I could pull out my hair but that would hurt so I don't.

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 26, 2017, 09:23:02 PM
Hi Beel

We may never agree on politics, but - as ever - you portray a situation I know all too well... re the charge state of a mobile ( cell phone) ...

To be fair, Angel Eyes has Mini Me as a 'distraction; ? ;)







Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 27, 2017, 07:39:48 PM
Hi Beel

We may never agree on politics, but - as ever - you portray a situation I know all too well... re the charge state of a mobile ( cell phone) ...

To be fair, Angel Eyes has Mini Me as a 'distraction; ? ;)

For sure he was.  ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 28, 2017, 12:21:00 AM
I'll take that as a, "they're home" !  ;)
Title: Home at last
Post by: 2tallbill on December 30, 2017, 10:27:22 AM
I'll take that as a, "they're home" !  ;)

Got home last night 11 pm.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on December 30, 2017, 11:36:22 AM
How many days to recover / re adjust to being so many hours behind, again ?((
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 31, 2017, 05:00:17 PM
How many days to recover / re adjust to being so many hours behind, again ?

Angel Eyes spent a few days in with her school friend in New York before
she got on a plane to Denver. Angel Eyes isn't the problem, it's Mini-me.
He wakes up at 4:30-5:00 am then runs around like he is Willy E Coyote
chasing the road runner until noon and then he crashes and burns at
11:00am till 2:00 pm (or noon till 3:00pm) then he is back to chasing
that pesky road runner until 8:00pm and then it's back to sleep. 

I got Angel Eyes to take a nap today when Mini-Me went down since
tonight is New Years Eve and she woke up with a spark in her eye and
a dance in her step.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I am cooking glazed ham and potatoes, Angel eyes is doing a couple
of salads and my son is making a chocolate cheesecake pie. I probably
saved a few bucks on Christmas and we are wrapping a few gifts that
Angel Eyes will place around our tree which came out of a box since
they don't have trees in North Dakota like they do here.

Title: Trippin in with Mini Me
Post by: 2tallbill on February 19, 2018, 11:49:22 AM
We were doing some house hunting up in the Rockies
Mini me loves road trips but likes to get out of the car
to run around or play in the snow.

(http://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/28276373_781731308690881_6564683911895486332_n.jpg?oh=4c89bb582784a69bb11709fd1a4a49d8&oe=5B1BB6CF)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: wallm on March 05, 2018, 08:49:42 PM
Good looking kid, Bill.

Here is an unsolicited piece of advice. Make him an Eagles fan. Plenty of winning in the next decade.  ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on March 05, 2018, 11:41:30 PM
Good looking kid, Bill.

Here is an unsolicited piece of advice. Make him an Eagles fan. Plenty of winning in the next decade.  ;D

I let them pick who they like.
Title: Re: Trippin in with Mini Me
Post by: I/O on March 06, 2018, 01:35:36 AM
Mini me loves road trips but likes to get out of the car to run around or play
As they do... ;D


God looking lad.
Title: Trippin in with Mini Me
Post by: 2tallbill on April 15, 2018, 01:44:25 PM
As they do... ;D


Good looking lad.

Luckily he has his mother to thank for that
Title: Trippin in the Rocky Mountains
Post by: 2tallbill on April 15, 2018, 02:14:12 PM
We moved to the Rocky Mountains and Angel Eyes made us a
picknic basket and I designed a road trip to see the sights and
sounds with stops for me to pick up rocks for our garden and
to admire the nature around us.

Mount Sopris 12,953ft = 3,948 Meters
(http://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30051953_1218675968265395_4416233903952500932_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeEjrJUWZFzAzwrpw7ZzBHOMGgZAANJ5d5t4pbrUq9uPqGIKommVoDMkk_zhZY4BQui-ujOU8r0qn9GcTAGsVeC30e5ZoP8QnjK4cY_B26xBsg&oh=64d9256e1fa1160dd10441453e5caf3e&oe=5B753425)


Rocky Mountain Elk
(http://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30167428_1218673731598952_3398531560833950041_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeEAVasNv-b6JiaLsFOQ5Y_WWXjcI2QXsVCLLbCaSNpWXyUljoP5kjcjKnN2B4iqVroG1R9LCB43foquSJWPrjLO8cOdcfCK83-YYF04ZDlbKQ&oh=c4b6499dbdaf51ed12d77c4c665cb2b5&oe=5B664D02)

Mule Deer
(http://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30051583_1218670908265901_4304132137247970279_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeFOnqeF3VoKZfHoKJw6nGWPYtdJUdSp95TCJHrYlgXAcKRp77Kvk_LydaPxHDC7hvPwKAClCBge5vZRj7ZxeWIJlSZ2HIVsa4-IZVNo5_b8LQ&oh=6168a619634fd2809bc97642e7e0eb71&oe=5B662515)


Driving in the clouds
(http://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/29872465_1218678748265117_1616749382453466301_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeGM-BCLnUBdj6q6aFV3OOa2SQLAv_WmrHUS8iB6nFi_sYRLJtfJyT-RSO4UGSdDNknwqfLAJH0lAF68VrAMj9aR_6YfFPQgFRuVbD1CdZpbnQ&oh=ee6d84be2356369d2058aeb650eefd44&oe=5B64DFB3)

Can you see the forest through the trees?
(http://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/30052137_1218671888265803_312052258698119706_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeF9L8kcGuQoUTmVwqzB3V--LdaOPczDa4eO4qPXxNg1o4P1NOU_30Uu8wmavXjRbK_xS1CIjakOrlLBI8TqYSOwAoa3aZI1eyOMkvq6aJexWg&oh=97d904cab23c300d89200cb7f3bce460&oe=5B5D22D8)
Title: Trippin in the garden
Post by: 2tallbill on June 05, 2018, 06:00:12 PM
Angel Eyes garden is starting to show up on the table
each meal. I can wait until the tomatoes are ready.
The radishes are huge!

(http://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34321883_830762783787733_7954973868274221056_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f9760443f159a29dd3693083f1e56765&oe=5BC47966)

Title: Re: Trippin in the garden
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 05, 2018, 06:18:45 PM
Angel Eyes garden is starting to show up on the table
each meal. I can wait until the tomatoes are ready.
The radishes are huge!

You "can" wait, or you "can't" wait?

You can keep the radishes.  ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in the garden
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 05, 2018, 06:34:58 PM
You can keep the radishes.  ;D
Ravanelli are an essential ingredient for a good Pinzimonio (raw vegetables that you dip in olive oil) ;):

(http://www.academiabarilla.com/anteprima_pinzimonio_1200.jpg?h=21b80b2a2149fdf70faf9a490f590e5b935a10b6#ActualImage)

Title: Re: Trippin in the garden
Post by: ML on June 05, 2018, 08:45:28 PM
Ravanelli are an essential ingredient for a good Pinzimonio (raw vegetables that you dip in olive oil) ;):

Much better would be to dip the raw vegetables into a white dressing like Ranch, Roquefort, etc.
Bread into the olive oil.

Regarding radishes . . . spouse has them growing by the tons.  She loves and tries to put a tiny one onto my plate each meal.

I readily eat every bit of our asparagus that I can.
Title: Re: Trippin in the garden
Post by: ML on June 05, 2018, 08:49:36 PM
Angel Eyes garden is starting to show up on the table
each meal. I can wait until the tomatoes are ready.
The radishes are huge!

Spouse has the radishes also which she loves, and I can tolerate one.

You will be waiting a couple of months for tomatoes; one of my favorites also along with green beans, spinach, and the current asparagus and strawberries.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: southernX on June 06, 2018, 12:09:50 AM
tip with the radishes  ;)

radish and cucumber salad with sour cream as below , FSU favourite

 12 radishes of any variety  , top and tail them , wash them well then slice  ,
2 small lebanese cucumbers , washed and sliced
1x soup spoon of chopped fresh parsley
1x soup spoon of chopped fresh fennel

add all of the above to a med glass bowl , then mix in approx 150gm of good quality sour cream , chill for 30 mins and serve with any meal you like ,

my mob love it , even the radish haters , ;)
 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on June 06, 2018, 12:28:05 AM
Thanks to Beel and Co for a great sub thread
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: HappyP on July 10, 2018, 01:20:09 PM
Since everyone has shared stories, I will also share mine.
About St. Petersburg will not tell you, about it already told, but about the trip from it I'll tell.
There is one very interesting railway tour: http://rusrailtravel.ru/trans-siberian (http://rusrailtravel.ru/trans-siberian) - Trans-Siberian Railway Tour and we heard about it with a friend from friends. In general, they decided to take the risk to go and see the country. 18 days not so much by the standards of the size of Russia itself. Large cities ended quickly, and boundless expanses of steppes, forests and fields began. This I have never seen before. It's like feeling standing in a forest in front of a pine in a mile. And it began what is shown only in some ethnic films.
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/60/big.jpg)
Lake Baikal
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/556/big.jpg)
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/559/big.jpg)
a little bit of Mongolia
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/165/big.jpg)
the national park of Mongolia named Chingiz Khan
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/897/big.JPG)
(http://rusrailtravel.ru/assets/photos/images/577/big.jpg)
And many other things. Unreal cool place. Definitely would advise those who have not been there yet.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on July 13, 2018, 04:30:17 AM
Not sure if this is an advert - but the photos are great

A good friend of mine was a guide on such a trip (£6800?) to Peking - starting in London..

Title: Angel Eyes is garden girl
Post by: 2tallbill on September 08, 2018, 05:59:18 PM
I make salsa, marinara, barbecue sauce, rhubarb preserves and a
multitude of other things for winter. Much of this I get from Angel
Eyes garden.


(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41382385_1369376793195311_2432766851952934912_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=0785e938ad2dbb827b3abcbbe399a5c2&oe=5C20C13F)


(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/40137879_910638349133509_7100265025499037696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8d1eee607b2375f02f13b5009ddb12d7&oe=5C3753F4)


(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41185030_1369523896513934_5197265978437664768_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=37454cae94ce1c276c345e380b9ecde0&oe=5BEEAE10)

(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41310734_1369524429847214_4139870108476506112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=1b013e400d98521fc35524034b778190&oe=5C214446)


(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=916824208514923&set=a.305119513018732&type=3)


(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41303398_916824215181589_1845316798757470208_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=47baf710d387b532ea5d48177215c9cb&oe=5C2D2215)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on September 08, 2018, 11:06:01 PM
Impressed with the quantity and your skills, Beel
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on September 09, 2018, 09:14:01 AM
Impressed with the quantity and your skills, Beel

Angel Eyes does the canning part and she makes the pickles and a couple of
combinations of veggies and adjika. She makes a half dozen varieties of jams
and another half dozen for syrups for her pancakes and blini. 

The neighbor has fruit trees but they don't have the time or inclination to tend
to them, so they ask Angel Eyes to do it (otherwise the bears will) and she makes
some jam or preserves for them too. A pretty good size bear got into both our back
yards last Sunday night so they and Angel Eyes are being much more diligent keeping
the fruit picked. 

Udachi!

Bill

 
Title: We love garden fresh veggies
Post by: 2tallbill on September 09, 2018, 05:30:32 PM
Impressed with the quantity and your skills, Beel

This year we have a much larger garden and the hail didn't wipe it out.
We are canning another dozen 32 oz jars tonight and then I am done
until I start making barbecue sauce for Christmas.

I give away barbecue sauce as Christmas gifts. My older son broke my 
Aunties gallon (3.78 liters) jug of barbecue sauce. I knew that she would
kill him and I was still sorta fond of him. So I went through her secret stash
of recipes and made a new batch it takes an entire 750 ml bottle of Jack
Daniels whiskey per gallon.

The recipe won first prize at the County fair in Oregon several years in a
row and I am not supposed to know it, but I do. 

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on September 09, 2018, 09:50:58 PM
If those bears were smarter and knew what was stored in them  jars... 

Never realised there was such an incentive to keep one's garden tidy... I have apples a plenty falling to the ground ... ((





Title: Trippin over bears
Post by: 2tallbill on September 10, 2018, 09:36:49 AM
If those bears were smarter and knew what was stored in them  jars... 

Never realised there was such an incentive to keep one's garden tidy... I have apples a plenty falling to the ground ... ((

Bears are fairly smart and they are more than happy to eat tasty apples and
plums from the neighbors trees. Once the neighbors saw a bear in the back
yard doing exactly that, they invited Angel Eyes to help them harvest. Now
she is going to make some preserves from apples and plums.
 

(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41502776_1371394746326849_8252334236795666432_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=a32eca76181619ae267fc3032616e4d4&oe=5C24000D)


(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41435176_1371394629660194_8852103841038991360_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=d0ea56788585e2df874f3a3a72953bbb&oe=5C2B2663)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on September 10, 2018, 09:52:18 AM
:thumbs:
Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on October 12, 2018, 12:23:22 PM
It snowed so most of the garden died. I am always sad, that soon we will be eating
the crappy store bought tomatoes, but Angel eyes is always ready to move on
(probably since she does 90% or more of the work).

(http://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/43878401_1394315977368059_4213507498860085248_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&oh=ce6e972c1e950d9634fdd1e1d55f5086&oe=5C5282C5)
Title: Trippin in the garden
Post by: 2tallbill on October 12, 2018, 12:26:45 PM
You can keep the radishes.  ;D

They're not for everybody. I like em.

From Wikipedia
Red radishes are packed with Vitamins E, A, C, B6, and K. Plus it's high on antioxidants,
fiber, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and manganese.

Title: Trippin in the mountains of Colorado
Post by: 2tallbill on January 12, 2019, 11:19:53 AM
Angel Eyes and Mini Me made a snowman. Mini Me tried to destroy it many times when
they started but once he realized what they were making he really got into it.

(http://scontent.fapa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/49898222_1473234989476157_2017192696929583104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fapa1-1.fna&oh=8bc9c925e18aff892766cfc89b360925&oe=5CBFD0E7)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on January 13, 2019, 12:05:57 AM
Looks like a Snowman with a Fez ? ;)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 13, 2019, 11:28:56 AM
Looks like a Snowman with a Fez ? ;)

It's a lampshade, he's trying to be the life of the party
Title: Update married bliss and all that stuff
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2019, 09:39:35 AM
What??

Last I knew you were in Wyoming.

Did you officially announce the change here and get approval for the move ??


I stopped requesting approval for my moves once I stopped getting comp
rides on the forum jet. Now days as far as I know only Boe and Sandro
get jet rides for free. If anybody else gets free rides then I will be more
jealous than a school girl without a date to the prom.

I lived in Wyoming then got a Temporary job offer in Glenwood Springs
Colorado. It was for one year but stretched to 14 months. It was located
sorta between Vail and Aspen and was a great area for what I do.

They wanted me to stay on, but they didn't want to pay me so I moved
on. I signed up for another temporary job in Austin Texas and I am living
here in a rented room from a airbnb host until I find a place for the whole
family to live.

After being married and living in total bliss this totally sucks @ss.
It was 100F degrees (37.8) yesterday but it's only supposed to get
to 99F today humidity is at 51%. 

Austin has a population of about a million people, it's known for it's
eclectic live music scene and it's the first place that qualifies as NOT
a tiny village to Angel Eyes. Man I miss that girl.

If any of our members lives in or near Austin, send me a PM.

Photo of the Austin Skyline taken from a Google search
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Austin_skyline_in_2014.jpg)

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on June 09, 2019, 10:12:49 AM

don't ANY of y'all find it ironic that a guy who can't find a woman in Ukraine
is telling guys married to FSU women
that he would win a Russian "Jeopardy Contest" and not any of them

Chivo? shto te gavorite?

no, you wouldn't win Russian Jeopardy JayJay...
ALL the married guys here know more than you
Title: Re: Update married bliss and all that stuff
Post by: ML on June 09, 2019, 10:55:36 AM

They wanted me to stay on, but they didn't want to pay me so I moved
on. I signed up for another temporary job in Austin Texas and I am living
here in a rented room from a airbnb host until I find a place for the whole
family to live.

After being married and living in total bliss this totally sucks @ss.
It was 100F degrees (37.8) yesterday but it's only supposed to get
to 99F today humidity is at 51%. 

Austin has a population of about a million people, it's known for it's
eclectic live music scene and it's the first place that qualifies as NOT
a tiny village to Angel Eyes. Man I miss that girl.

I have spent some time in Austin as I had a relative who lived there at the time.

I liked it pretty well except for one thing that I couldn't take.

The wind . . . which pretty much blows all the time.
For anyone with allergies, wind is the killer.

Have someone show you where the "Dellionaire's" live.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on June 09, 2019, 11:17:51 AM
wassa matta wicha man...
Austin ain't hot in June....
no, July is when it STARTS to get hot....

then there's the "skeeters"
they carry a virus called West Nile that mainly effects middle aged or older folks, google it
but...
to make up for it, Fireworks are legal in Texas
you can buy your kids firecrackers for July 4th
so whatcha complinin 'bout
I got me a whole case of "Black Cats", the originals

and, the sporting opportunities here are limitless!!!
I do a thing called "squirrel fishing"
took my dad's old bamboo fly rod, use some 12 lb monofilament,
added an 18 inch leader with a half oz sinker and two peanuts tied to the end
cast off the back porch into the back yard
and troll the squirrels
we have a great time (wife and kids will bring me drinks and make sure I'm OK, cuz sometimes the squirrels get outta control and go into a peanut feeding frenzy)
would rather do this than actual fishing in the Caribbean
it's great here
I take my meds
will you be my friend
I have a real pony and a dog



Title: Update married bliss and all that neat stuff
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2019, 11:39:53 AM
Have someone show you where the "Dellionaire's" live.

If you apply for a building permit for a house with construction costs
exceeding 1 million dollars. (NOTE: you have to say it like Dr Evil from
Austin Powers) I will track you down. There were 4 this week and 3 the
week before. I meet the contractors, the architects and everyone involved,
rinse and repeat and before long I've got my finger on the pulse of the
high end construction in my area.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2019, 11:40:37 AM
wassa matta wicha man...
Austin ain't hot in June....
no, July is when it STARTS to get hot....

then there's the "skeeters"
they carry a virus called West Nile that mainly effects middle aged or older folks, google it
but...
to make up for it, Fireworks are legal in Texas
you can buy your kids firecrackers for July 4th
so whatcha complinin 'bout
I got me a whole case of "Black Cats", the originals

and, the sporting opportunities here are limitless!!!
I do a thing called "squirrel fishing"
took my dad's old bamboo fly rod, use some 12 lb monofilament,
added an 18 inch leader with a half oz sinker and two peanuts tied to the end
cast off the back porch into the back yard
and troll the squirrels
we have a great time
would rather do this than actual fishing in the Caribbean
it's great here
I take my meds
will you be my friend
I have a real pony and a dog

Hahahaha!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on June 09, 2019, 12:06:20 PM
I live about a mile from a a Pentecostal church, that not only do the faithful prove their faith by handling live rattle snakes, but...
they also "speak in tongues"
half the guys there, wear cowboy hats, so I started wearing one to
I go a couple of time per year
I only had the guts to speak in tongues in front of others once, when I brought a friend there and wanted to blow his mind even more than it was...
I alter my appearance a little...
I wear black, horn-rimmed glasses
and I slick my hair back
and I squint at people...
I look pretty normal there, and nobody pays me any mind...
I just sits there
and I sings the gospel
with all my heart,

swing low...
sweet chariot...
coming for to carry me home...

so if you tune in to Texas
you will see that the reality
is FAR funnier than ANYTHING you'll find on TV or Movies
I dig it's weirdness
but can't wait to leave in a few more years like you
after my kids "have launched"



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 09, 2019, 03:18:45 PM
Austin ain't hot in June....no, July is when it STARTS to get hot....
I lived in Austin in April-May, 1997 and it started to get hot in mid April. Fortunately my condo residence had a swimming pool, and often there was a pleasant breeze blowing :D, IINM down from Canada.

No climate change, eh :-\?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on June 09, 2019, 03:40:15 PM
I lived in Austin in April-May, 1997 and it started to get hot in mid April. Fortunately my condo residence had a swimming pool, and often there was a pleasant breeze blowing :D, IINM down from Canada.

No climate change, eh :-\?

I have a book called Texas by James Michener written back in 1985
it talked all about Texas History from the mid 1500's till the 1980's.
They talked about the hot humid summers back in the olden days.

You were in Texas in April-May. It's always been hot in Texas in June
and more so in July and August. Having said all that we have a thread
about Global Warming.

The Earth has been getting warmer since the last ice age 11,000 years
ago, I didn't know that it's been disputed. What's been disputed is
whether man and his machines are making it happen faster or slower.
Most of the history of the planet the Earth has been without polar caps
at all. At one time there was a land bridge from South America all the
way to Antarctica that separated the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans making
the Earth MUCH warmer than it is now. 

If anybody cares to debate Global Warming and it's causes, effects
and what to do about it can do so here. 

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=2243.msg505436#msg505436

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on June 09, 2019, 04:23:25 PM
BTW,
I know you have kids...

so listen up!
they have “ticks” in Austin, they are much smaller than the more common brown tick you may be more used to, I don’t know the name of this particular local genus, but google it so you and your wife know what it looks like,
you’ll find these more commonly in the “woods”
much smaller than what you’re used to, but the same shape and they ARE disease carrying!
I've scraped a few off my kids, and I repeat they are TINY in comparison to other tick species.

also, all of southern Texas, Louisiana, Florida has the “flesh eating bacteria”
google “flesh eating bacteria” Galveston
any kind of swamp water will have this in it
guess where kids like to play
do NOT let your kids play with open cuts in this environment

also, rattlers, and scorpions under rocks here, make sure your kids know not to put their hands under things

if your kids are going to public school, 100% teach them how to fight...
both my kids have decked bullies
the schools in Texas are “segregated” into 2 groups
“Advanced Placement” which is actually just the average kids
and the kids below that
the lower kids will be predominantly minorities
no attempt is made to educate them, but you can’t fail them either
so they’re just given a barely passing grade, but some can’t read or write
there’s no discipline in the schools some classes teachers will openly tolerate talking, using their phone
the difference between when you went to school and today's school, will totally blow your mind!
if you haven't already picked an area to live, then you know there's a lot of differences there
if I was going to live in Austin, I'd probably pick the University area...


 
Title: Trippin and livin the dream
Post by: 2tallbill on July 02, 2019, 05:12:53 PM
Update,

I signed up for a temporary gig in Austin Texas. I was driving by and saw a
sign. NOTE: Photo is from early June. 104F is 40C

We might move here, time will tell.

(http://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64550057_1605634952902826_4597071206791774208_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkUZ4d83ClIOGfISNxESHu0RziAoUfhrSi9TOptRJL5yyOeJ0rx-5-fWLclKLl-U8d6nEgIQj45J75bF9fFh-5g&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=245f207099ed62e75ddd8057b0bd45e5&oe=5DBA76A0)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on July 02, 2019, 05:42:32 PM
new Texas menace for you to worry about!!!!
if you have snails in your back yard
then this year you may end up with parasitic disease carrying guinea flat worms
google it, I'm not joking
make sure your kids stay clear of these and the "kissing bugs"  google that as well
on july 4, i'm gonna fire off a machinegun in my backyard at the edge of a forest
neighbors will think it's fireworks....
it's a yearly tradition
sweet...
Title: Trippin and livin the dream
Post by: 2tallbill on July 03, 2019, 12:07:25 PM
I left Angel Eyes and Mini me on May 4th and headed to Texas and we've
been doing our thrice daily Skype calls, but I miss them too much so I
bought tickets for a trip back next weekend for a three day weekend.

I'll be spending the 4th of July weekend here in Austin. I've been
invited to a couple of bbq's and Willie Nelson apparently has a
4th of July picnic that's supposed to be fun.
Title: Trippin in the Gulf
Post by: 2tallbill on September 01, 2019, 12:05:41 PM
Update

Angel Eyes had a birthday so she and Mini me came down
to see me in Austin. We went rental house hunting and spent
some time outside.

I was over 100F (38C) and the humidity was between 50 and
60% and we hadn't found a house that she liked for the price
she liked.

She is usually a trooper to whatever comes but she got a bit
wilty after being outside too much. I took her to the office and
she talked to the owner of the company I'm doing work for.
He asked her how she liked Texas.

She said "not too much, eet's too hot" I knew I had some work
to do. 

So I took her to Lake Travis, and the River and drove around
the rolling hills filled with trees. The next day we went to Padre
Island and she got to frolic around in the Gulf's warm waters.

Since Colorado is a landlocked state with limited fish (pronounced
feesh) I took her to a restaurant and ordered a half dozen different
types of feesh for the center of the table and then we helped
ourselves to what we wanted.

I also ordered her a Ginger beer (non alcoholic) and she also
drank a regular beer.

We headed back to Austin and I asked her to take another look
at Zillow for a rental house. She found a couple that came out
that very day so we drove to two of them but the third one she
really liked. The homeowners were moving out and making
repairs so I knocked on the door.

They let us in and showed us around and Angel Eyes really liked
the house AND the rental price (rarely happens) so they sent
an email to their agent and I sent one to ours and we locked
it up. It's official, the 2talls are moving to Austin.

I took Angel Eyes out to a crab shack and we spent one last
night together before I put her and Mini me on a plane back
to Colorado. Angel Eyes was lucky on the trip back that
Mini Me reviewed all the safety features of the aircraft
in the event of an emergency.

(http://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69266800_1664045863728401_7166430147745153024_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQkcpMIpfzOTKzzZocOVg_oy6lKMBWYW1P32aCIt1VVvbOPdLAugTD58iwNjYwiVTbOD6yWoGzE1LJ0cf8uRCBtn&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=24f1a475b5e75cb08b9729eff1c63454&oe=5DC8D070)




Title: Trippin in the Gulf
Post by: 2tallbill on September 01, 2019, 12:40:21 PM


(http://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69516270_1675052445961076_3002065007555903488_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=AQmSILVGA_CHV7lnqvvbwofHfK-hGx_tnWVE7lWKaUps6Y4Z9qOtfCOovVtGFLxK1X6wGatwWqwSPrDrIqaW-Inf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=227db25e02228e30d47d1704df686879&oe=5E079953)


http://youtu.be/UCmUhYSr-e4

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on September 01, 2019, 12:47:55 PM
Congratulations on reuniting your family, Bill.


Where is Smiley Girl?


This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 01, 2019, 08:58:04 PM
you do need to check out info about Vibrio Vulnificus
they've had fatal cases in the Galveston area, google it!!
don't let your kids play with open cuts in this water!
seriously, read about it!!!!

I spend my gulf time on South Padre Island which hasn't had any cases yet....
plus I can take the tour bus to Mexico which takes about 45 minutes...
and do all kindsza crazy stuff down there in Mexicanos, oh yeah...
you can walk a little on the wild side down there...
iz ok!
and I love Mexican silver from Taxco!






Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on September 01, 2019, 11:01:58 PM
Leaving Colorado for Texas, you have to be insane.  :cluebat:
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: jone on September 02, 2019, 12:17:08 AM
Gonna have a helluva time trying to keep that vegetable patch growing.   Of course, if you believe the Texans, their carrots are the biggest carrots in the world, their cabbages are the biggest cabbages in the world, etc. etc.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 02, 2019, 07:34:25 AM
Texas carrots ARE the biggest!!!
this was my oldest daughter's garden behind our house from the time when she was little like in the photo
carrots are on the right, all this was used to feed her pet rabbits
now she's a sophomore majoring in biochemistry at Rice University and moved into a loft on campus
so now there's no more rabbits or garden or even daughter.... sigh....
I'd be really sad and depressed about this...
but since my other daughter is away all day today
my wife and her friend Olga are sunbathing nude by the pool
and my wife just asked me to mix margaritas....
yes!!
Texas carrots ARE the biggest, just ask my wife or her friend Olga...
they'll tell ya'
they both REALLY LOVE big carrots!!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 02, 2019, 01:49:09 PM
I spend my gulf time on South Padre Island which hasn't had any cases yet....
plus I can take the tour bus to Mexico which takes about 45 minutes...
and do all kindsza crazy stuff down there in Mexicanos, oh yeah...
you can walk a little on the wild side down there...
iz ok!
and I love Mexican silver from Taxco!

That's where I took Angel Eyes.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 02, 2019, 01:55:37 PM
but since my other daughter is away all day today
my wife and her friend Olga are sunbathing nude by the pool
and my wife just asked me to mix margaritas....
yes!!
Texas carrots ARE the biggest, just ask my wife or her friend Olga...
they'll tell ya'
they both REALLY LOVE big carrots!!!

:D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 02, 2019, 02:01:13 PM
Leaving Colorado for Texas, you have to be insane.  :cluebat:

Yeah, I thought so as well, but it's prettier here than you think
even in August/September and I wasn't getting paid my last
months in Colorado.

Gonna have a helluva time trying to keep that vegetable patch growing.   Of course, if you believe the Texans, their carrots are the biggest carrots in the world, their cabbages are the biggest cabbages in the world, etc. etc.

I've talked to people who say that they grow two crops of tomatoes each
year here. Angel Eyes took photos of every bush or tree with flowers and
she has been working the internet as well. She will figure it out.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 02, 2019, 02:02:06 PM
Congratulations on reuniting your family, Bill.

Where is Smiley Girl?

She is attending College in Voronezh.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 02, 2019, 03:09:58 PM
"I've talked to people who say that they grow two crops of tomatoes each
year here."



it's normal for plants to yield fruit well into December, same as California
a lot more pests here to deal with however...

don't go to south padre during a holiday or you will get stuck in traffic!!!


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on September 02, 2019, 05:39:41 PM
She is attending College in Voronezh.
Could you please ask her if the imposing, Palladian-style Imperial Bank building is still there, maybe under a different name?

(http://www.floriani.it/townhouse.jpg)

It is where my great-grandfather Leonid Pavlovic Alexeieff (Govenor of the bank's Voronezh branch) and his family resided from 1896 until he died in 1901 (http://www.floriani.it/leonida-eng.htm).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 03, 2019, 08:58:52 AM
I saw a building in Voronezh University that looks EXACTLY like the picture you have
but sorry I don't know the name of the building, I was just passing by in front of it...
I do remember there was a sign outside this building that said something about "1920" but I didn't read it all
but the building looks EXACTLY like that!!!
maybe it's it, I'm not sure, but the image in my memory matches it...
that would be a cool place to live!!!!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on September 03, 2019, 10:23:24 AM
I saw a building in Voronezh University that looks EXACTLY like the picture you have but sorry I don't know the name of the building, I was just passing by in front of it...I do remember there was a sign outside this building that said something about "1920" but I didn't read it all but the building looks EXACTLY like that!!!
Probably it was converted to Uni use...in1920 ;). Bill's daughter should be able to verify that, since she's attending college there.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 16, 2019, 04:53:34 PM
Probably it was converted to Uni use...in1920 ;). Bill's daughter should be able to verify that, since she's attending college there.

We are moving to Texas, when we get settled I'll ask Angel Eyes about it.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 16, 2019, 05:23:31 PM
don't worry you'll like the weather better in another month...
Halloween is big in Austin, if your kids are here then you should let them go out trick or treating!!!
don't wear a ghost costume, people here get it confused for the KKK
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on October 14, 2019, 05:04:29 PM
Three weeks ago, I flew to Denver and then took a shuttle to
Glenwood Springs Colorado. I rented a 26 foot Uhaul Truck
(8 meters) and filled it up with the beds and tables and various
household things we've acquired. Then I hooked up my 25 foot
(a little less than 8 meters) trailer to the back of that and drove
to Texas. There are Mountain passes that exceed 11000 ft
(3352 Meters) elevation and it's approximately 1100 miles
(1770 KM)

Then I unloaded everything into our new house and went back 
to work on Monday. I couldn't lift my arms above my head, but
I rarely need to do that at work anyway.

I completed a half dozen honey do lists.

Angel Eyes is a very good wife and she knows if she puts
11 million things on one list that I'll never look at the list.
However, if she puts 15 things on a list, that I will hurry
up and grind them out. Then she will give me all sorts
of accolades as if I swam across an alligator filled moat,
slew the black knight and his dragon and rescued the
princess.

Then the next day she will come up with another list
and away I go slaying dragons and alligators.

It snowed huge in Colorado this weekend and it was
in the mid 80's here. (Today got over 90) 

Angel Eyes got her permanent residency. 

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on October 14, 2019, 05:14:34 PM
that's a long ride....
I think you like the weather better now...

if your kids are trick or treat age, it's a good way for you to meet the neighbors by accompanying them...
if you live in a rich neighborhood, older kids from outside will try and snatch your kid's candy, so ya gotta have someone "riding shotgun"
if that task falls to you then it's also a good way for you to meet the neighbors without looking like you're spying...

if you're ever thinking of taking your family to Central America, the only safe country is Costa Rica
only 3 1/2 hours flying time to San Juan, Costa Rica from Houston!!!!
tons of family stuff to do there, very inexpensive, safe for Americans with children...


Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on October 15, 2019, 07:32:27 AM
that's a long ride....
I think you like the weather better now...

if your kids are trick or treat age, it's a good way for you to meet
the neighbors by accompanying them...
if you live in a rich neighborhood, older kids from outside will try and snatch your kid's candy, so ya gotta have someone "riding shotgun"
if that task falls to you then it's also a good way for you to meet the neighbors without looking like you're spying...

if you're ever thinking of taking your family to Central America, the only safe country is Costa Rica
only 3 1/2 hours flying time to San Juan, Costa Rica from Houston!!!!
tons of family stuff to do there, very inexpensive, safe for Americans with children...

Good stuff Krimster!

I'll mention both ideas to Angel Eyes

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on October 16, 2019, 03:05:23 AM
Those of the sort of family things I love to read from Beel.

I am just trying to imagine trying to explain to a UK or any other nation I can think of this side of the pond why towing two trailers is 'OK' , 'coz it is done in America))).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on October 16, 2019, 11:05:03 AM

I am just trying to imagine trying to explain to a UK or any other nation I can think of this side of the pond why towing two trailers is 'OK' , 'coz it is done in America))).

He towed one trailer hooked to one truck.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on October 16, 2019, 01:57:22 PM
He towed one trailer hooked to one truck.


 :cheesy:

Thanks for demonstrating I missed the word TRUCK in front of U-haul  :-[
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on October 16, 2019, 03:19:01 PM

 :cheesy:

Thanks for demonstrating I missed the word TRUCK in front of U-haul  :-[

There was no word TRUCK in front of U-Haul.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on October 17, 2019, 08:45:42 AM
I rented a 26 foot Uhaul Truck
(8 meters)

Thee pedant force is strong with you, ML
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on October 18, 2019, 04:54:11 PM
Thee pedant force is strong with you, ML

Thanks.  It's about all I have going for me.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on October 19, 2019, 05:10:30 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Patagonie on October 31, 2019, 01:46:53 AM
Yes Costa Rica is a good spot, i have good informations also about this country.
Title: Re: Once again alone and far from home
Post by: 2tallbill on November 10, 2019, 11:10:28 AM

I have a friend in Voronezh she is a very cute girl who Jumper and Larry
both know as a friend as well. (this is truly a small world) I will call her Sally.
She has excellent English, is funny, has a bubbly laugh and did I say she is
cute? Yes she has a photo in the dictionary under the word.

Again, I meet Sally for lunch and she gives me advice/pointers as well.


Does everybody remember Sally? She's the cute little
English teacher friend of mine, she also knows Larry
and AJ. She got married and moved to Arizona. She
hated all my previous girlfriends until I met Angel Eyes,
and then she loved her.

Angel Eyes has several little hobbies, one of which is
walking around and finding rocks. The big ones, I drag
back to put in the garden around flowers and such.

I bought her a rock tumbler and the little rocks she
picks up and polishes and makes into jewelry.

It's a nice little hobby and it costs kopecks per month
and keeps her busy and happy. Happy wife, happy
life.

There is a nearly famous rock show in Quartzsite AZ
that I mentioned ONCE to Angel Eyes and she has
since decided that I had promised to take her
there (I know I didn't).

Angel Eyes and Sally have been conspiring to have
a great time at this hole in wall rock show, which is
200 miles from civilization, 100 miles from water
and 10 feet from hell. (It get stupid hot in the summer).

(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/b22f43_a877f9ce15e34f918ee692d18a799c7f~mv2_d_4000_3000_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_560,h_480,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/b22f43_a877f9ce15e34f918ee692d18a799c7f~mv2_d_4000_3000_s_4_2.webp)

I have been told we ARE going and fun will be had. I
remember going to it in the past and being bored to
death, but Angel Eyes is really looking forward to it,
so I am going to take her and give it my best effort
to have lots of fun.

 
Tyson Wells Rock and Gem Show
January 3 - 12, 2020
Tyson Wells Show Grounds
Quartzsite, AZ 85346   

Title: Trippin in Austin
Post by: 2tallbill on March 12, 2020, 01:58:04 PM
We've been tilling the soil, planting flowers and vegetables and
Angel Eyes has been working us to death. Hopefully I will be
rewarded with fresh garden vegetables in a couple of months.

It was 84F today

Title: Re: Trippin in Austin
Post by: GQBlues on March 12, 2020, 04:06:40 PM
We've been tilling the soil, planting flowers and vegetables and
Angel Eyes has been working us to death. Hopefully I will be
rewarded with fresh garden vegetables in a couple of months.

It was 84F today

84F?!? We're in the middle of a 2 week northerly storm.

Just saw the 'Rock' post above, how was that? I took wifey to Crystal Cave after Grand Canyon the last time we were there. If you have claustrophobia, I'd suggest not going.

That was actually boring for me. I would've rather hiked more trails in the Canyon.
Title: Trippin in Texas
Post by: 2tallbill on March 24, 2020, 04:37:42 PM
The first tomato

(http://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91107188_1879942262138759_3272712788325171200_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=rn28QfmXS2cAX8tagXZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=c0faae260e6d1dd4a64289a3e661ab72&oe=5EA1FE15)
Title: Re: Trippin in Texas
Post by: jone on March 24, 2020, 04:57:21 PM
The first tomato

(http://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91107188_1879942262138759_3272712788325171200_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=rn28QfmXS2cAX8tagXZ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=c0faae260e6d1dd4a64289a3e661ab72&oe=5EA1FE15)

Looks three spiders doing a group hug.
Title: Trippin in Texas
Post by: 2tallbill on March 25, 2020, 05:28:46 PM
Looks three spiders doing a group hug.

Yeah, it looks a bit like Frankenstein, but I will eat it when it turns red. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 04, 2020, 11:56:23 AM
Could you please ask her if the imposing, Palladian-style Imperial Bank building is still there, maybe under a different name?

(http://www.floriani.it/townhouse.jpg)

It is where my great-grandfather Leonid Pavlovic Alexeieff (Govenor of the bank's Voronezh branch) and his family resided from 1896 until he died in 1901 (http://www.floriani.it/leonida-eng.htm).

I asked Angel Eyes and she said that there are two buildings that it could
be depending on what street it is on. If it's on 20 Letiya Oktyabrya then it's
the Architect Building Academa, where they teach architecture however when
the other thought was it's a pedagogy school but when we looked up those
buildings they are different than your building.

Do you have an address or a street maybe? She is very happy to help and had
several other suggestions but if you had a little more to go on it would help a
lot.

Of course 90% of Voronezh was destroyed in WW2 and your building could have
been one of those destroyed.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: SANDRO43 on April 04, 2020, 03:10:06 PM
Sorry no, I do not have/know its address, I guess that at the end of the 1800's one was not needed to locate such an important and grand edifice, probably just saying "the Bank" was enough ;).
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 16, 2020, 02:38:06 PM
We really want/need to be in Voronezh in September, who knows
what the travel restrictions (or lack of) will be like then.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on April 16, 2020, 04:24:56 PM
We really want/need to be in Voronezh in September, who knows
what the travel restrictions (or lack of) will be like then.

Just go see the play "The Two Gentlemen of Voronezh."  It will be like a visit to Voronezh.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: msmob on April 17, 2020, 01:49:27 AM
We really want/need to be in Voronezh in September, who knows
what the travel restrictions (or lack of) will be like then.

Good news .. Aeroflot will let you book flights  from August 1st 2020...
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 17, 2020, 09:03:34 AM
Good news .. Aeroflot will let you book flights  from August 1st 2020...

Thank you for the information.
Title: Trippin in the warm sandy beaches of Mustang Island
Post by: 2tallbill on May 25, 2020, 10:27:38 AM
NOTE: For those who want to comment on visiting the
beach and covid, go start a thread and comment there.

We have been cooped up indoors for many weeks and
I decided that frolicking on the sandy beaches and Salt
water was way better.



Mini Me is getting his road trip on
(http://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/100623002_1938588982940753_2971634953810345984_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=adURjwTY_OgAX9tUHMf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&_nc_tp=7&oh=f2f1a7197f2bb91ad63f0a671ac3b4b0&oe=5EF23693)




So many waves, so much sand what to do first?
(http://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/100906030_1938588912940760_3094597724306145280_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=i3nCXHBURDQAX8didVQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&_nc_tp=7&oh=dede6ae6af9cd9fbd51a42f128d4a8c8&oe=5EF220C2)


Things didn't go perfectly. On the first night I was driving and the right
front tire blew out. I put on the stupid miniature spare tire (it took me
almost two hours to do this) sweating like a pig and drove back to the
hotel. The next morning the left front tire popped as well. Grrrrr......

more to come

 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on July 10, 2020, 05:24:38 PM
The tomatoes plants are nearly as tall as I am.

Tomato Trees!!
Title: Making mountains out of ant hills
Post by: 2tallbill on July 11, 2020, 05:47:09 PM
They have Fire Ants in Texas. They aren't called pesky ants,
they aren't called inconvenient ants. They are called fire ants
it's because it's not fun when they bite you. 

NOTE TO SELF: Do not run over fire ant hill with
weed wacker.
Title: Living the Dream
Post by: 2tallbill on August 05, 2020, 01:35:32 PM
Angel Eyes has a garden that produces enough pickle
size cucumbers to feed a small island nation. She also
recipe for pickles but it's a bit plain.

My Auntie has a recipe for pickles and has won a blue
ribbon in the county fair for a couple decades in a row.
My Auntie loves me but not enough to share her recipe
with me.

So I have been experimenting with recipes looking for
something zesty and spicy that is similar to what my
Auntie has.

My first batch I think I had too much vinegar. I tend to
over do it to keep the acid content high.

I use a combination of dried hot red chili peppers, garlic, mustard
seeds, dill seed, garlic, peppercorns, dill, crushed bay leaves, onions,
horse radish leaves, allspice berries, coriander seeds and salt.

Title: Living the Dream
Post by: 2tallbill on August 05, 2020, 01:37:57 PM
They grow peaches near where we live so I bought a half bushel of them.
Angel Eyes makes it into Jam and it's fantastic for blini, ice cream or even
toast.

Her jam is far better than anything that you can buy in a store
and doesn't a million preservatives and additives in it. Yes she
uses every type of jar and lid. It doesn't matter how many jars
or lids that I buy she will still use her recycled stuff.

I've argued with her about it but she is incredibly stubborn and
has agreed not to give any Franken Jars away to my friends or
relatives. Her Russian girlfriends LOVE her franken jar jam.


Title: Garden camouflage & RW Texas adventures
Post by: 2tallbill on August 07, 2020, 03:19:01 PM
The garden is still producing tomatoes. We had to build a
cover over the top that lets a little sun in. Apparently in
Texas the heat kills tomatoes. I put 8 ft tall posts around
the tomato portion of our garden and I built a wire mesh
above them put what could be described as a camouflage
canopy for the top. It allows some sun and some ventilation.

Who knows if it will work.

Tomorrow I will be making salsa and Angel Eyes will be canning 
it for me. This year we have a variety of hot peppers that are
ready to be picked and added to the salsa.

Usually I fry, then smoke the hot peppers. It adds a lot of
flavor and I'll take photos tomorrow (hopefully). 

Udachi!

Bill
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on August 07, 2020, 07:41:16 PM
more tons of chemical agents were released into the atmosphere here in The Woodlands recently than at an anti-Trump rally in Portland, to try and reduce the number of West Nile Virus carryin’ mosquitos...

as well as accidentally completely eliminating the local honey bee population

oh...
if only I wasn’t so mercilessly cruel to BeeKeeper
I guess this is why you should never “burn bridges”

however, with no pollinators
means no ‘maters

just the time for incel bee keepers
to rise, and claim the prize
they dream about
what strange dreams
incel fools have at night
OMG, they must be truly BIZARRE!

Title: Re: Garden camouflage & RW Texas adventures
Post by: Brillynt on August 08, 2020, 06:39:51 AM
The garden is still producing tomatoes. We had to build a
cover over the top that lets a little sun in. Apparently in
Texas the heat kills tomatoes. I put 8 ft tall posts around
the tomato portion of our garden and I built a wire mesh
above them put what could be described as a camouflage
canopy for the top. It allows some sun and some ventilation.

Who knows if it will work.

Tomorrow I will be making salsa and Angel Eyes will be canning 
it for me. This year we have a variety of hot peppers that are
ready to be picked and added to the salsa.

Usually I fry, then smoke the hot peppers. It adds a lot of
flavor and I'll take photos tomorrow (hopefully). 

Udachi!

Bill

Bill,

If that camo cloth does not work out try looking for "Shade Cloth". It is made to block X% of sun light and is used in gardens and greenhouses.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: GQBlues on August 08, 2020, 07:47:34 AM
The garden is still producing tomatoes. We had to build a
cover over the top that lets a little sun in. Apparently in
Texas the heat kills tomatoes. I put 8 ft tall posts around
the tomato portion of our garden and I built a wire mesh
above them put what could be described as a camouflage
canopy for the top. It allows some sun and some ventilation.

Who knows if it will work.

Tomorrow I will be making salsa and Angel Eyes will be canning 
it for me. This year we have a variety of hot peppers that are
ready to be picked and added to the salsa.

Usually I fry, then smoke the hot peppers. It adds a lot of
flavor and I'll take photos tomorrow (hopefully). 

Udachi!

Bill

Bill-

Camarillo is huge for tomato crop. They grow them in these rows of massive greenhouses - hot house tomatoes. I don’t know how big of an area you have for your tomato plot but they love humid condition. You can get greenhouses in various sizes and they relatively inexpensive.

hot houses (http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Greenhouses/21132/subcat.html?featuredproduct=28288129&featuredoption=49535223&kid=9553000357392&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=33368088-000-000&cnc=US&guid=885b719f-7040-4890-a4cc-b9c4b89a0d55&cid=248959&type=pla&targetid=pla-314090748958&track=pspla&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrn5BRB2EiwAZgL9oqxCfkiNCb3iWjhiK8OVCo4TljIeOdsL9X7wIYcsY5-94zCsp_fxABoCM7IQAvD_BwE)

Otherwise you can get sheets of 16 mil visqueen for shade. It filters the sun and traps the moisture inside promoting higher level of carbon.
Title: Tomato, tahmahto
Post by: 2tallbill on August 08, 2020, 10:28:00 AM
Bill-

Camarillo is huge for tomato crop. They grow them in these rows of massive greenhouses - hot house tomatoes. I don’t know how big of an area you have for your tomato plot but they love humid condition. You can get greenhouses in various sizes and they relatively inexpensive.

Otherwise you can get sheets of 16 mil visqueen for shade. It filters the sun and traps the moisture inside promoting higher level of carbon.

We have many varieties of tomatoes, Mamma from Voronezh gave Angel
Eyes some seeds plus she exchanges seeds with the local Russian girl
network. We bought many varieties on Amazon and she keeps seeds from
the tastiest tomatoes she harvests each year.

I have tried for many years to grow tomatoes myself and have been very
unsuccessful so Angel Eyes is totally in charge. I built the sun screen
apparatus because Angel Eyes would have built something cobbled together
with stuff in our garage, a couple of ropes and it would have blown over
and wrecked the tomatoes the first time the wind blew.

I went to Home Desperate and bought several 8 ft tall steel fence posts
then made a wire net above and then put the canopy on top.

I will have to take photos and post them here.

Udachi!

Bill 

I will take some photos and post them here

Title: Garden camouflage & RW Texas adventures
Post by: 2tallbill on August 08, 2020, 10:29:35 AM
Bill,

If that camo cloth does not work out try looking for "Shade Cloth". It is made to block X% of sun light and is used in gardens and greenhouses.

My apparatus has only been in place for a few days. If it doesn't work, I will
look for what you describe.

Thank you for the tip.
Title: Re: Garden camouflage & RW Texas adventures
Post by: BillyB on August 08, 2020, 11:44:28 AM
I built a wire mesh
above them put what could be described as a camouflage
canopy for the top. It allows some sun and some ventilation.


If it's camo netting, it would be better than visqueen or cloth. I use 40' x 100' visqueen to keep rain off dirt and lots of sandbags are needed to keep it down since the wind will pick it up like a parachute and send it thousands of feet down the road. Camo netting allows air to pass through.
Title: Garden camouflage & RW Texas adventures
Post by: 2tallbill on August 08, 2020, 01:02:01 PM
Camo netting allows air to pass through.

Yes, it does.

It's approximately 10ft by 18ft (3 meters x 5.4)

In this section we have tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, and
various salad ingredients.

Title: Trippin in Austin
Post by: 2tallbill on October 12, 2020, 01:10:21 PM
The purple dish is called Selyodka pod shuboy  or Shuba for short.

This is called Herring with a fur coat. However Angel Eyes made this
with Steelhead then salted and spiced it herself. It's a truly incredible
combination of flavors. NOTE not everybody likes this.

The cake is really, really tasty. It takes at least 6 hours to make and
it's a combination of two recipes for
Tort Kievsky & Pitsutz (Russian)
Tort Kyevskyy & Pytsuts  (Ukrainian)
Киевский & Пицуц (Russian)
.
It's a nutty, sweet, chocolatey and crunchy but moist not dry.

NOTE TO ALL Your wife must really love you to make this for you. It
takes too long and has too many details for her to make it if she is
only so-so about you

Note to those who speak Ukrainian, please feel free to correct my spelling
or Transliteration. Angel Eyes checked my Russian

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 16, 2020, 02:57:48 PM
Smiley Girl is married and has a daughter now.
Was she too young? Did it happen too fast?

For sure it did, but I am Stepfather and Step Grandfather
so I am not the inquisitor of spilt milk or barn door closer
historian and finger wagger.

My job is to say oooh and ahhh over Skype or baby photos
I'm not allowed to post baby photos yet.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on December 16, 2020, 03:32:21 PM
Smiley Girl is married and has a daughter now.
Was she too young? Did it happen too fast?

For sure it did, but I am Stepfather and Step Grandfather
so I am not the inquisitor of spilt milk or barn door closer
historian and finger wagger.

My job is to say oooh and ahhh over Skype or baby photos
I'm not allowed to post baby photos yet.

I think when you started dating Angel Eyes, Smiley Girl was only 12-13. They do grow up quickly in the FSU.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 09, 2021, 04:51:57 PM
I think when you started dating Angel Eyes, Smiley Girl was only 12-13. They do grow up quickly in the FSU.

For sure they do. Photo of our bitterly cold Texas winters where
the temperatures occasionally drop below 70F. 

Title: Trippin in Texas
Post by: 2tallbill on January 16, 2021, 03:00:56 PM
Note: If you have Covid comments there are threads all about covid
for you to comment on.

We are having two couples over for food and drinks both the women
are Russian. There will be some kids involved as well. I have to clear
one of my work tables to make a kids table.

Angel Eyes and two other Russian women are cooking up a storm for
the get together tomorrow. Naturally, with three Russian women all
competing like Olympians to produce more food than can be consumed
by all the starving children in Africa.

The original party was for Angel Eyes passing her final tests and
getting her citizenship, but she hasn't gotten it yet. She did pass
the tests in English and Government but then she had to answer a
series of questions that she didn't understand but knew they were
life or death questions. 

She was given the questions verbally and she locked up and shut down
and said, repeatedly that she doesn't understand the questions.

Example below of statement before the questions began.

"If any of Item Numbers 22. - 28. apply to you, you must answer "Yes" even
if your records have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise cleared. You must
disclose this information even if someone, including a judge, law enforcement
officer, or attorney, told you that it no longer constitutes a record or told you
that you do not have to disclose the information."


She got nervous and knew that she didn't understand Expunged or otherwise
cleared among other phrases. So now she has to go back and answer those
questions and then she can become a citizen.

Regardless a party has been planned and the show must go on.

We apparently don't have the proper amount of identical wine glasses and
mismatched glasses won't do. I am dropping off Angel Eyes to remedy that
situation while I will be shopping for the ingredients for the food I will be
making.

Title: Re: Trippin in Texas
Post by: ML on January 17, 2021, 08:25:30 AM


"If any of Item Numbers 22. - 28. apply to you, you must answer "Yes" even if your records have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise cleared. You must disclose this information even if someone, including a judge, law enforcement officer, or attorney, told you that it no longer constitutes a record or told you that you do not have to disclose the information."

She got nervous and knew that she didn't understand Expunged or otherwise cleared among other phrases. So now she has to go back and answer those questions and then she can become a citizen.

Big Bill, those are the same questions that are on the printed (or on-line) document that must be answered and submitted before the interview.
Title: Trippin in Texas
Post by: 2tallbill on January 17, 2021, 09:57:17 AM
Big Bill, those are the same questions that are on the printed (or on-line) document that must be answered and submitted before the interview.

Yes, they are exactly. She was asked these questions for her first interview
but I had hired a translator to help. She was in with the USCIS official alone
and she got scared, obviously you can't answer any of those questions
incorrectly.

She will be fine for her next and hopefully last interview.

Title: Trippin in peach jam
Post by: 2tallbill on May 31, 2021, 02:18:29 PM
I saw a woman selling peaches on the side of the road.

Now we will have peach jam for our blini!(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/1rkxSgErLGppw0LF4YYPK1ZplgT47ohTYKweAPSwBIxJh_xr7i_v04JU0K6PzbS6gXomJCAPkT97Y4GTv2EgPFI0F-ZNR6xiEIfydn7yG5ZkdLJB0Sa6m31d2w)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Hammer2722 on May 31, 2021, 06:56:39 PM
Yum! Love Peaches....
Title: Re: My Odyssey to Odessa many years ago
Post by: 2tallbill on September 19, 2021, 07:46:18 AM
I went back to sleep, then awaken suddenly and look around. I can't freaking believe
it. I got on a plane to fly half way around the world to meet a girl !!!

My first trip all those many years ago. I had decided that I would check out
the hot women from Eastern Europe. I have made every mistake imaginable
but was too dumb or too stubborn to quit and nine years later found the woman
of my dreams.
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on November 14, 2021, 10:08:36 AM
Father time (the real one, not the forum member) marches on and Smiley
Girl gets married and has a baby. So naturally, we want to go to Russia
and see the new Grandbaby and bounce her on our knees. Going to
Russia involves myself and Mini-Me getting Visa's.

We needed an invitation from Smiley Girl who sent it to us and then we filled
out the paperwork and drove to Houston (4 hour drive) to turn it in to the
company who processes the front end of this for the Russian consulate.

We were sent away because the invitation had among other things, comma's
in the wrong places. So Smiley Girl has to do it again and we get to make
the trip again.

We went ahead and spent the night in Galveston overlooking the Gulf of Mexico
and had a seafood dinner that couldn't be beat. The pecan encrusted Mahi mahi
was absolutely divine, the best that I have ever eaten. The snapper was tasty as
well. The Chardonnay was good but not great.


Gaidos Seafood Restaurant
http://www.gaidos.com/

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on November 14, 2021, 07:10:09 PM
Big Bill, these items can be conducted via email attachments . . . at least that's what I did way back in the day.

No need for 4 hour drives . . . unless you just want to take the drive.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 14, 2021, 10:28:52 PM
In Russian (and Ukrainian), more than in English, a misplaced comma can change the meaning of a sentence.  Not saying that's what happened, just information to put out there.


Wow, time flies.  I hope SmileyGirl is happy.  I'm sure it's difficult for your wife to have her daughter and grandchild so far away.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: LAman on November 15, 2021, 06:50:33 PM

We needed an invitation from Smiley Girl who sent it to us and then we filled
out the paperwork and drove to Houston (4 hour drive) to turn it in to the
company who processes the front end of this for the Russian consulate.

 
 


You sound like a newbie!!!
No you 'need' an invitation from Smiley Girl. You can just do a regular tourist visa and get a FREE invitation from a company doing process for Russian consulates... all through the mail, they are still doing this process.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on November 16, 2021, 05:58:03 AM

You sound like a newbie!!!
No you 'need' an invitation from Smiley Girl. You can just do a regular tourist visa and get a FREE invitation from a company doing process for Russian consulates... all through the mail, they are still doing this process.


They aren't doing regular tourist visa's because of Covid.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: LAman on November 16, 2021, 08:07:29 AM

They aren't doing regular tourist visa's because of Covid.


My friend just got his visa two months ago and was in Russia last month.


Here is the decree for resuming issuance:
Visa to Russia (mid.ru) (http://washington.mid.ru/en/consular-services/citizens-usa/visa-to-russia/)
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: LAman on November 16, 2021, 08:23:30 AM

They aren't doing regular tourist visa's because of Covid.


This is place I use:


Russia Visa 2021 | World Visit Center (http://worldvisitcenter.com/russia-visa-2021/)


My friend used another company

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 16, 2021, 10:05:57 AM
Guest visas are issued for longer periods, so there is an advantage to them.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 20, 2022, 05:44:40 PM
We all caught Covid, and we have all recovered. I don't know which one
they never told us.

I caught it first and was teased that I was complaining of imaginary man flu type
joint pain. Four days later Angel Eyes suffered the same and I asked if she had
something worse than the imaginary man flu variety.

Mini Me usually runs around at 75 mph, but covid slowed him down to running
around at only 69 mph.
Title: Tiptoe through the tulips
Post by: 2tallbill on April 03, 2022, 03:47:42 PM
Occasionally, I buy Angel Eyes flowers.

The last two times, Valentines day and March 8th. She looked at
the flowers like a mad scientist looks at cadaver brains. Angel
Eyes has resurrected those flowers just like Frankenstein. She
cut off parts of them and grew new roots from which she is
transplanting into new pots. Shazam! the flowers that keep on
giving.

NOTE: The flowers were not tulips. They were roses and something
else.

 
Title: Ideas? Solutions?
Post by: 2tallbill on August 24, 2022, 08:02:24 PM
I have a grandbaby and I intend to bounce her on my knee.

I bought tickets from Delta to fly to Istanbul from Austin TX.
I can take Turkish air to Moscow for $3,000.00 and change 
I am about to bite the bullet and just pay it but it seems excessive.
NOTE: I can change my Delta tickets to another place if it makes
sense.

NOTE: Angel Eyes has a permanent US resident with greencard. That
means she can't travel to Helsinki, Riga, Tallin etc. without a Schenghan
visa which she doesn't currently have.

Mini me and I are us citizen's we have visitors visa's to Russia.

Does anyone have a better idea/solution? Than ponying up $3K to Turkish
airlines?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on August 25, 2022, 06:29:13 AM
Big Bill, you will have little trade value, unlike the basketball gal Britney Griner.

And by the way, I saw her play 3 times when her team visited our university.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 25, 2022, 12:09:02 PM
Not like you for your wallet to be squeaking Beel, at this rate you'll end up a cheapskate like me :D

Only thoughts would be look at flights going through Serbia or perhaps a Mediterranean country to Moscow.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on August 27, 2022, 09:52:16 AM
Not like you for your wallet to be squeaking Beel, at this rate you'll end up a cheapskate like me :D

Only thoughts would be look at flights going through Serbia or perhaps a Mediterranean country to Moscow.


I couldn't pay Aeroflot no matter how fat my wallet was, because you have
to pay from a Russian bank. Angel Eyes came up with a solution and the tickets
have been purchased. If anyone wants to import some Russian heavy crude,
call Angel Eyes, she and her network of girlfriends will bypass the Sanctions
like they didn't exist.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 27, 2022, 05:13:49 PM

I couldn't pay Aeroflot no matter how fat my wallet was, because you have
to pay from a Russian bank. Angel Eyes came up with a solution and the tickets
have been purchased. If anyone wants to import some Russian heavy crude,
call Angel Eyes, she and her network of girlfriends will bypass the Sanctions
like they didn't exist.

Looks like 'Air Serbia' do flights to Moscow through Serbia but it may not be particularly any cheaper even with a slightly shorter route. Some carrier called Pegasus also apparently go to Moscow as well. Wizz Air was going to go to Moscow from Abu Dhabi but they cancelled it a couple of weeks back as people in the UK and possibly elsewhere protested that it was breaking the Embargo which I can understand.

Turkish Air are fine enough to fly with and Istanbul a big airport hub that is well organized generally so not a bad choice I think. I went through there for the Cyprus trip so all was fine enough, real hot walking out on the tarmac at Istanbul though.

Title: Istanbul Airports
Post by: ML on August 28, 2022, 07:57:34 AM
Like in the New York area, there are two or more international airports in Istanbul.

Be careful to note which airport you fly into and out from.

You can arrive in Europe and then have to go all the way to Asia to depart !!  :-)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on August 28, 2022, 11:00:48 AM
If it’s your first time to Turkey, I’d stick to Istanbul only
if not, you can consider a short flight from Istanbul to Mamaris on the west coast of turkey
beautiful beaches, etc…
do NOT take the bus, you will regret it…

will be plenty of Russians there, 80% will be ones fleeing Russia, other 20% will be hard-core Pootin fans, so your mileage may vary

the rest of Turkey is over-run with Syrian refugees, making it more dangerous the further east you go
wouldn’t go there

Istanbul is pretty safe at night compared to the USA, plenty of people around even at night
the atmosphere is pretty mellow

turkish lira collapsed, making foreign script really valuable
these days prices are up in USD, compared to years ago
but not too many places where you can get a 5 star hotel for under $200 per night
shopping is almost the same as a big US city, malls, etc.

biggest annoyance, being stalked by carpet sellers, everybody and his little brother trying to give you a deal on everything, highly annoying but not dangerous
so you gotta develop some kinda non-aggressive strategy for dealing with them

if you love history, the place will blow you away, only behind Rome, for that experience
Title: Naked and Afraid
Post by: 2tallbill on September 11, 2022, 07:12:42 AM
Nearly naked & afraid

I have arrived in Voronezh
Without bags, +8C outside
temperature one pair of
pants freshly laundered but wet.
3 rolls of white non Soviet
toilet paper.

I have a head cold and I'm sleep
deprived.

Smiley Girl made a pot of
chicken soup, which I have
just finished the last drop.

Show of hands how many
have gone in search/shopping
For pants/big and tall store abroad
without actually wearing pants?
AMAZON DOES NOT COUNT !

More to follow
This Post fat fingered on my cellphone
Without reading glasses. If you can even read this consider yourself  fortunate.
Please do not clog up this thread with
my spelling/grammar shortcomings
which are likely as plentiful as they are annoying
Title: Istanbul Airports
Post by: 2tallbill on September 11, 2022, 08:56:53 AM
Like in the New York area, there are two or more international airports in Istanbul.

Be careful to note which airport you fly into and out from.

You can arrive in Europe and then have to go all the way to Asia to depart !!  :-)


After KLM lost our bags and cancelled the rest of our flights.
They shipped us out on a flight to the Airport on the Asian side
(SAW) Then we found a shuttle between the airports $100.00 and
went to the right airport (IST) but missed our flight to Moscow on
Aeroflot.

I got us a hotel and we showered and ate.

I called KLM but they cancelled all the flights and want an extra $1,200
to $1,800 to allow us to use them to return to the USA.

They don't give a flying f#ck* where our bags may be. 



*flying F#ck is a technical term which means they don't care even a little bit.
A normal person that you meet at the beach for example, doesn't normally
want bad things to happen to you. If you were sitting in the sun getting
burned to a crisp. If asked they might tell you that yes, you look fried
and offer you some of their aloe vera. This is caring on a far higher
level than not giving a flying F#ck.

The not caring a flying f#ck would have zero problem with charging you
two thousand dollars for a glop of their aloe vera. 

The sleep deprivation is hitting me now.

I will be in the chat if anyone wants to chat
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/chat/

Title: Re: Istanbul Airports
Post by: ML on September 11, 2022, 12:27:15 PM

After KLM lost our bags and cancelled the rest of our flights.
They shipped us out on a flight to the Airport on the Asian side
(SAW) Then we found a shuttle between the airports $100.00 and
went to the right airport (IST) but missed our flight to Moscow on
Aeroflot.
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/chat/

Big Bill, thanks  for the  update.

On one of my trips, I flew into airport on European side and a gal came down to the airport on Asian side.  I knew about this, and arranged for the same limo (like you did) to take me over to the Asian side.

We then flew from  the Asian side down to Antalya.

When we came back from Antalya, her airline said they had cancelled the flight she was due to be on (they regularly do such if not enough tickets sold) and rebooked her on  flight the next day.  They paid for her a hotel room near the airport.  I was due to take the limo back to European side and catch flight that same day.

But, I didn't want to leave her alone, so I decided to stay with her.  The dickheads at hotel insisted that I pay for staying.

Ok, so we stayed, went to nice dinner, and then I had to start calling to change my flight and limo pickup.

The gal wanted to have one last roll in the hay, but no way could I perform given that I had to do all this rearranging.  So she was quite annoyed at me.

The next morning, I gave her around $300 to have on hand for any emergencies she might encounter before she got back to Ukraine.

I was ticked when she told me a few days later that, as soon as I left in the limo, she hopped on bus routes to go over to European side of Istanbul and hunt around for a fur coat which she bought.  She had no idea where to go or how to get there . . . but she got help from 'other FSU gals' she encountered along the way who told her which buses to take, which shops to visit, etc.  Like their own club or mafia!!

I told her that money was for emergency only.  Then she got huffy and  said she would pay me back.  But she never had any means to pay me back, and I didn't want paid back anyway.  So I was trying to take care of her and keep her safe  . . . but she never realized or appreciated it.

That was the end of our relationship.  Before that . . . it was shaping up to have some possibilities.

- - - - -

Sorry to intrude on your trip report, but has some relevance for others . . . perhaps.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 11, 2022, 05:01:33 PM
I think trips abroad can add a lot of unwanted difficulties to a relationship ML. The more simpler and straight forward to keep them the better. When I did the Cyprus trip with Kherson Girl I accidentally booked us on a flight to the Turkish side if Cyprus thinking we could easily travel to the Greek side. For me not too difficult as an EU citizen but for her it was chancing it (as non EU citizen). It all came down to the rift between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots and the Greek part being part of the EU. Anyhow I ended up having to buy her a plane ticket to the Greek side while I flew into the Turkish side then taxied across to meet her at an airport in the Greek side (and same back at end of holiday :-\ ). So money wasted on flight tickets for her to the Turkish side that I couldn't get refunded. I had no idea about any issue there when booking who would. Didn't really fancy doing the Turkish side as more arrid and a lot of the hotels far more expensive and not sure that much to do there. I made the best I could of it but it didn't help matters with a somewhat difficult girl to start with (i.e shopping impulse). Anyway, yeah I would like to think I would be more avoidant of getting into such a situation again in future.
Title: Re: Istanbul Airports
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 11, 2022, 05:20:49 PM

After KLM lost our bags and cancelled the rest of our flights.
They shipped us out on a flight to the Airport on the Asian side
(SAW) Then we found a shuttle between the airports $100.00 and
went to the right airport (IST) but missed our flight to Moscow on
Aeroflot.

I got us a hotel and we showered and ate.

I called KLM but they cancelled all the flights and want an extra $1,200
to $1,800 to allow us to use them to return to the USA.

They don't give a flying f#ck* where our bags may be. 



*flying F#ck is a technical term which means they don't care even a little bit.
A normal person that you meet at the beach for example, doesn't normally
want bad things to happen to you. If you were sitting in the sun getting
burned to a crisp. If asked they might tell you that yes, you look fried
and offer you some of their aloe vera. This is caring on a far higher
level than not giving a flying F#ck.

The not caring a flying f#ck would have zero problem with charging you
two thousand dollars for a glop of their aloe vera. 

The sleep deprivation is hitting me now.

I will be in the chat if anyone wants to chat
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/chat/

Great to see a trip report from the FSU after all this COVID stuff Bill, well done :D

Yeah missing baggage can be a b*tch. I had it on my Odessa/Nikolaev trip flying into Odessa. I was flying with LOT all the way but with a transfer in Warsaw. Problem was with a quick transfer over another plane meant I got on the plane but my baggage didn't. I got it the following day and they sent it to my hotel (had to fill in all the list baggage firms at Odessa Airport :(  ). By then though I had stressed out a lot that I wouldn't be getting it back and bought a shirt, etc as backup while in Odessa. After that and noticing how swiftly others moved with cabin luggage rather than hold luggage I have ever since just gone with cabin luggage. I can't take as much but often I find I don't really need that much anyway.

My guess is if you were changing to different airport sides in Istanbul is that it probably takes a long while for baggage to be re-routed. So possibly similar thing but odds are you'll get your luggage at some point soon. I think these days in recent years they have their own luggage tracking system that tracks luggage more effectively than in the past. Another thing to consider is getting tracking fobs on luggage, Apple do one where you can track stuff on your phone. I've got one from another company but a bit bigger as slightly older, it gives some handy updates on location but not always 100 percent all the time.

So I thought you were going to fly with Turkish Airlines?

Anyway ol'Trenchies idea of going through Serbia might not have been a bad one, no doubt a much smaller airport hub situation so potentially as long as enough transfer time between flights baggage all may have gone more smoothly  ;)
Title: Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
Post by: 2tallbill on September 11, 2022, 10:56:03 PM
My Granddaughter needs a monker and therefore shall be known in future posts
 as shorty.
She has 3 distinguishing features.
She is short/fat and has a pumpkin
head. Her butt is only about 6 inches off the
ground when she runs.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 11, 2022, 11:08:12 PM
I have been chasing Shorty around Smiley Girls apartment
and she has somehow managed avoiding bumping her
head into countless sharp corners. Her little legs move like
  egg beaters weaving in and out of furniture without braining
Herself wbile laughing hysterically.

The trip and all the pain has now been officially worth it.


.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on September 11, 2022, 11:13:36 PM
Good to hear all's well that ends well 2tall!

Enjoy your stay and family time.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: rwd123 on September 12, 2022, 05:03:02 PM

I couldn't pay Aeroflot no matter how fat my wallet was, because you have
to pay from a Russian bank. Angel Eyes came up with a solution and the tickets
have been purchased.
I'd be interested to know more.

Sorry to hear about your airline calamities. I have heard of countless horror stories this year, particularly with European airliners. I wouldn't fly with them unless it was point-to-point. Not sure if Arab carriers like Qatar/Emirates/Etihad have been experiencing similar level of problems.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 13, 2022, 12:42:01 AM
I'd be interested to know more.

Smileygirl lives in Russia and has a Russian bank and credit card.
We also have friends with rental property in Russia. They have 
Russian banks and Rubles in Russia. We also know people who
travel back and forth frequently who have several thousand Rubles
in an envelope under their mattress.

Having multiple friends and family with rubles in the Russian banking
system who are willing to buy things on for us on our behalf is the magic.

Title: How did Smiley Girl get her moniker?
Post by: 2tallbill on September 13, 2022, 12:48:57 AM
Smiley Girl

How did Smiley Girl get her moniker? It's not because she walks around smiling
all the time, Russians don't do that. They think only the mentally handicapped do
that. It's because her smile lights up a room when she chooses to do so.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 13, 2022, 01:36:50 AM
How are things looking in Russkyia Bill, is the economy collapsing around them?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: rwd123 on September 13, 2022, 07:44:36 PM
Smileygirl lives in Russia and has a Russian bank and credit card.
We also have friends with rental property in Russia. They have 
Russian banks and Rubles in Russia. We also know people who
travel back and forth frequently who have several thousand Rubles
in an envelope under their mattress.
Oh ok thanks. I need to grab a Mir card but haven't checked if it can be done outside of the country or not. Always travel with plenty of greenbacks.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 14, 2022, 01:40:26 AM
How are things looking in Russkyia Bill, is the economy collapsing around them?

Not enough for you to benefit, prices are as high as the USA for food and such
things.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 14, 2022, 11:45:35 AM
Not enough for you to benefit, prices are as high as the USA for food and such
things.

Things must be real bad there then, obviously inflation really high and hitting home. As a westerner you and even me ;) would be able to afford it but on the low wages most Russians get they must be really suffering bad.
Title: Re: Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 14, 2022, 11:48:47 AM
My Granddaughter needs a monker

Plum Bum ;D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 14, 2022, 01:04:01 PM
"Super Pooper"

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 19, 2022, 07:20:10 AM
It took several hours at the police station today  to register my Visa
There has to be a better way
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 19, 2022, 08:53:05 AM
It took several hours at the police station today  to register my Visa
There has to be a better way

Yep, you just look for a girl in a visa free FSU country :D
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on September 19, 2022, 11:09:45 AM
It took several hours at the police station today  to register my Visa
There has to be a better way

Faux Pau has always called those who didn't want to fight the visa battle in Russia as sissies.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on September 19, 2022, 11:27:05 AM
yo Sabaka

this is why I surrounded myself with beautiful female personal assistants, they usually give Ovir a small present to go to the front of the line, I just sign the paperwork, and my assistant takes it to the ovir office

Russian wimmin do pretty much whatever I ask em to, cuz I know how to be VERY persuasive with 'em
but ya gotta have the right woman for the job, so the bigger the pool to choose talent from, the better...

in Moscva, you're known by the number of beautiful wimmin in your entourage, and how much eye-candy you have when you go out...
you'll spend a LOT on jewelry there!!!  cuz wimmin don't like to be "out-blinged" by others... hence the market for shiny stones
but one man's burden can serve as an opportunity to another...
and it's why I moved from Crypto to diamonds and other gemstones
there's a super hot market right now
the markup on jewelry is CRAZY, especially in Russia!!
EZ Money manoga kapusta






Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on September 20, 2022, 09:13:22 AM
Faux Pau has always called those who didn't want to fight the visa battle in Russia as sissies.


The fine for not doing it is 5000 rubles
That's my new plan
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on September 20, 2022, 11:32:56 AM
Yeah, 2tall, registering is a bear.

The first time I went to RU, I got the visa, registered after arrival, took half a day, then wifey convinced me to overstay, sweated a week till got an extension visa and then they didn't want to let me board the plane to leave because the second visa wasn't registered.  Go figure..
Title: Trippin in the corn fields
Post by: 2tallbill on November 14, 2022, 05:12:06 PM
I never got formal classroom training in farming, but did spend summers at my Grandparent's farm in bountiful Iowa.

There are two window companies in Iowa, Pella and Windsor.
I have sold both of them. One thing about both companies is
they know nothing about their competitors and 100% of their
Marketing or design team went to Iowa or Iowa State.

 
Title: What to share with the peanut gallery
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 06:54:21 AM
When advising others on what to share in a forum 
I generally recommend the less the better. I had an
extreme health event happen to me in Russia. (If you are
a believer in prayer. Please pray for me. I will also start a
peanut gallery thread for conversations about me being
a moron (some of which are richly deserved)

I will ask the mods to help keep the moron debates in the
peanut area.

Title: Trippin in Voronezh
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 08:21:01 AM
It's time for me to return to home. Angel Eyes will stay and get a new
Russian passport, play with her Grandbaby, visit with Smileygirl, girlfriends,
Mamma etc. 

Getting from Voronezh to SVO isn't rocket science but Angel Eyes wants
to take me door to door, riding the train, subway (the brown line) Note:
I am red/green colorblind and if you are then everything is brown. The red
line is undistinguishable from the brown line to me.

There is a very user unfriendly Russian language website to make train
reservations, it took her hours to secure and purchase 2 tickets to Moscow.

There was speculation among the babushka news/gossip network that
security was at an all time high because of fears that as high volume hub
of materiel in the Ukrainian war effort Voronezh could be subject to
attacks/reprisals by Ukrainian infiltrators/saboteurs/spies and nasty stuff
could happen.

During the entirety of the cold war Voronezh was a closed city. They built
all the space/ICBM rockets, and all the nuclear powerplants components for
the entire FSU. If it was high tech, secret and cutting edge they did it there.
Think Lasers/fighter jets

There was also a channel on the Babushka speculation/news and gossip
network that believed that travel would once again become restricted for
Russians and naturally all foreigners. Speculations among even well educated
and well informed Babushka's did manage to raise Angel Eyes normally serene/calm stress levels tick up quite a bit.

Title: Trippin in Voronezh
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 01:34:19 PM
When we try to board the train the conductors announce that we had two tickets
but both were in my name and that only I was allowed to board. There existed
no argument that would allow Angels Eyes to come with me. I told Angel Eyes
to offer a $500.00 bribe, which she did but to no avail.

I told Angel eyes to give me some kopecks because I had maybe 100 rubles
on me and zero dollars. While running along the track chasing the departing
train Angel Eyes tossed her wallet to me between the two female conductors
who were physically using their forearms to prevent my wife from boarding
the train.

I caught her wallet in the air (could have gone worse). Ask yourself how many
times you can say
"f#ck me" in a 2 minute timed competition. I might be the world record
holder of the event.

i get escorted to my cabin which I am sharing with a quietly sleeping Russian
family of 3 who don't in my mind need to be awakened hearing me try to break
my "f - me world record again"

I kick off my shoes towards the Russian family pile, sit down and assess what I
have and what I lack.  Only then could I put together a plan of actions to forward
my goals.

I have a fully charged smart phone with a Russian translation app. I have Whatsapp
where i can contact Angel eyes, Smileygirl or others. I open up my wife's wallet
and find two black Russian credit cards with a couple thousand dollars of available
spending on them. There was a very small number of loose Rubles and there was a
document with Angel eyes beautiful face on it. She threw her wallet to me, with her
GREENCARD in it.  They do not let Russian girls fly on planes to the USA without her GREENCARD!! Now i know that my plan must involve getting this back to her. 

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on November 27, 2022, 02:13:50 PM
jump off the train in the middle of the night
find a farm and offer to work on the farm for room and board
start a new life there
then move on
learn to play the guitar and become a traveling minstral singer (but DON'T put on blackface!!)
every problem is just an opportunity in disguise, amiright?

no innocence abroad
livin in an FSU city for cheapskates!
Trench, Pay Attention!


if you dress like a high end foreigner, dress shirt, tie and jacket
check online to see which 4/5 star hotels have a complimentary continental breakfast
go in early, just walk in like you own the damned place
and get your free breakfast!!!
a free breakfast in Russia to start your day!!

2 bars of chocolate and a can of authentic Virginia Honey Baked Ham
will get you laid in most of Russia next year
enjoy!!!


Title: Don't cross the streams!!!
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 05:54:51 PM
The family that I was traveling with said that they would help me.
The wife/mom Olya was chatting with my Angel eyes.

I blew up the transformers, touched the middle rail, shorted out the CPU and crossed the streams.

(http://ghostbustersnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/crossing_the_streams_ghostbusters.jpg)

I had a medical brain meltdown/seizure my eyes and neck twisted up and to
the left. I thought my spine would snap. I couldn't breathe and I was going
down hot. There was a nice steel ladder so my face broke my fall.

I couldn't breathe it was 15-20 minutes before I could talk. The wife/mom Olya
took some video and sent it to my Angel eyes. Immediately gear boxes started
meshing, levers were being pulled and actions were in motion. I had a very
capable Russian women willing to move mountains to save her man.

A doctor who spoke English stepped on the train at the next stop. I was still
on the ground and I was told to Stay one of the women conductors decided
that meant that she should sit on my chest to enforce the order.
I only tried to push her off a dozen times. I currently had the collective strength of
a sickly 3 year old girl, the conductor was in zero danger of getting tossed off my
chest.

After a cursory inspection the doctor asked me what I wanted to do. Do I want
to go to a Russian hospital or attempt to resume my trip. My medical speaking 
fluency in Russian could be best described as weak in my assessment. I
was already on train and if  the  conductor would get off me I could take my seat
and try to pretend that I wasn't a sickly 3 year old girl.

More to follow.

Peanut gallery link here.
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=25683.0

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 27, 2022, 06:15:46 PM
That sounds like a stroke.

I hope you are on the mend.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 06:20:41 PM
jump off the train in the middle of the night
find a farm and offer to work on the farm for room and board
start a new life there
then move on
learn to play the guitar and become a traveling minstral singer (but DON'T put on blackface!!)
every problem is just an opportunity in disguise, amiright?

no innocence abroad
livin in an FSU city for cheapskates!
Trench, Pay Attention!


if you dress like a high end foreigner, dress shirt, tie and jacket
check online to see which 4/5 star hotels have a complimentary continental breakfast
go in early, just walk in like you own the damned place
and get your free breakfast!!!
a free breakfast in Russia to start your day!!

2 bars of chocolate and a can of authentic Virginia Honey Baked Ham
will get you laid in most of Russia next year
enjoy!!!

Trench is missing out on these gems! But the lurker/newbies can still use them!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 27, 2022, 06:22:42 PM
That sounds like a stroke.

I hope you are on the mend.

That's what I feared at first the most as well, more will follow
Title: Trippin through the airports
Post by: 2tallbill on November 28, 2022, 05:17:10 AM
My adoptive Russian family of 3 was adorable, good looking and had agreed to help me
navigate the labyrinth like path (slightly exaggerating the complexities) to get from the
train to SVO. My recently fried brain had still not yet reset to the bare minimum standards
necessary to keep my sh!p together. I was pounding water trying to flush the fog, haze and
grogginess out of my system.

I have long legs and normally my strides will carry me rapidly to any direction I point myself
in, nobody can match my pace, but normally was gone. My family had a 4 year old with his
very own suitcase with wheels. He was cuter than words can describe, able to weave through
significant traffic behind his Mamma. I however was struggling to keep up without f#cking up.

I dropped repeatedly and scattered on the floor every piece of paper or ticket or document that
I needed to keep together for me to get out of Dodge. Frequently Olya showing the patience of
Job would stop her son and wait for me to catch up.

She would point out when I had not picked up my passport after dropping it. I was operating
at several levels below minimally functional, but only a half level above playing in my own poop. 
The seizure I had previously had created significant pain and stiffness in every joint that I can
identify. I dropped everything I touched. When stuff hit the ground I either stepped on it or kicked
it to someplace that was difficult to access.

Now I had to navigate myself from Moscow to Amsterdam to Istanbul to Austin Texas without
the Angel of mercy helping me along. I made on thousand F#ck ups along the way but I will
spare you the countless, boring mind numbing details. I eventually arrived back in Austin alive
but scattered. My son picked me up at the airport and my hot mess was headed home.

more to follow . . . . . . . . . .
Title: Trippin through the airports
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 07:31:02 AM
Time line for this post happening was approximately 9-22-2022
I had flown home, drank enough water to keep float my kidneys, showered
to remove the barnacles and hit the sack and slept like I was dead for a good
12 hours 

I had previously scheduled a meet & greet with some top builders and architects
with an open bar, drinks and hors d'oeuvres for that and some local live music, 
an evening by the pool of a nice hotel in Austin.

When I say that I scheduled this, I didn't. I should say my job was not to make sure
we had a venue or music or drinks. My job was to get the players to show up and
then to be 2tallbill convincing them to consider my company for goods and services
rather than who they were currently using. I am pretty good at the latter job, but
the organizing venues etc. is not something anyone competent would want my help
with. At home Angel Eyes is in charge of our social calendar. She is an organizational
force of nature. I'm better suited to ensure that we have enough propane for the grille
or enough ice for the beer.

We are a team, I don't tell her how to do her stuff, she doesn't tell me how to get more
or better customers. We each manage our own domains

more to follow . . . . . . . . . .
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on November 29, 2022, 08:51:15 AM
Big Bill,  what were the USA physicians able to determine ex post regarding your medical/physical issues in your trip back to USA?
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 08:59:14 AM
Big Bill,  what were the USA physicians able to determine ex post regarding your medical/physical issues in your trip back to USA?

This is where we change my moniker from 2tallbill to 2stupid to consume air Bill.
(http://media3.giphy.com/media/7ysE9nJs7Weg8/200w.gif?cid=6c09b952j47wqg3i9gq1iq1hl6cumwk9hxu73er68wi4ja9z&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)


(http://64.media.tumblr.com/384688c87f7b4e8a971e79703706ddfd/tumblr_o4ebmkzdm81tamedoo1_250.gifv)

Only the biggest jerk/idiot/man_who_plays_with his poop in modern history would blow off
this major life event like it was a jambed finger that needed some ice or rest, but that's
exactly what I did. I was not capable of going to the schmooze event with my still crispy
brain so, I made arrangements for management to know my goals and who to talk to.

I Googled stuff, that was the extent of my research on what happened to me.
Yes this ended up biting me in the @ss, yes I deserve any and all the ridicule
in the world. I am guilty and offer no defense for my inactions. I am F#cking stupid! I have
a young family who needs/relies on me. I let them down. Who will teach mini me to play
catch with a baseball? or a football or to make a layup, If I am not around?

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on November 29, 2022, 09:54:40 AM
I made arrangements for management to know my goals and who to talk to.

I don't understand what this means . . . especially as it relates to your train episode.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Hammer2722 on November 29, 2022, 10:20:42 AM
I don't understand what this means . . . especially as it relates to your train episode.


It means he failed to quickly follow up on his medical episode.....
Title: If I only had a brain
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 10:26:33 AM
I don't understand what this means . . . especially as it relates to your train episode.

It means little or nothing, it was a previous commitment that I was unable to keep so I
had others do it/deal with it.

Title: If I only had a brain
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 10:41:57 AM

It means he failed to quickly follow up on his medical episode.....


Exactly, correct.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on November 29, 2022, 01:52:51 PM
I had a TIA about 9 years ago.

The tip off was due to Wernicke's Aphasia or word salad.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Patagonie on November 29, 2022, 04:31:23 PM
Someone of my family just got half paralyzed by jumping in the plane, despite he knew that he had some trouble with his medical condition.
I am not a specialist, but look like you played the Russian roulette.
Hope that you have done all the necessary checks. 
That's serious man. 
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 04:35:50 PM
Someone of my family just got half paralyzed by jumping in the plane, despite he knew that he had some trouble with his medical condition.
I am not a specialist, but look like you played the Russian roulette.
Hope that you have done all the necessary checks. 
That's serious man.

I played Russian roulette with 5 bullets in the six shooter. I will tell more in a post soon
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 29, 2022, 04:36:58 PM
I had a TIA about 9 years ago.

The tip off was due to Wernicke's Aphasia or word salad.

I'm sending you and Pat a PM.
Title: Trippin through life without a brain
Post by: 2tallbill on November 30, 2022, 02:58:32 PM
Angel Eyes and Mini Me was finally headed home! I had been home a month
and did NOT meet a single doctor or medical professional, which was mind
numbingly stupid (and deadly dangerous). The airlines (Delta/KLM) had not
yet found our bags and they didn't give a F#ck about it.

Angel Eyes had prepared gallons upon gallons of Borscht put it in containers
and froze it in our freezer before we left so that I would have access to healthy
food while she was gone. I had been eating better and had lost 10 KG (22lbs)
since my return. 

Time line for this post happening was approximately 10-22-2022 approximately one
month since the Russian railroad incident.

more to follow . . . . . . . . . .
Title: rebooting my hard drive
Post by: 2tallbill on December 01, 2022, 10:55:17 AM
Time line for this post happening was approximately 11-22-2022
Angel Eyes and Mini Me were back. I had Ordered two Turducken's
in anticipation of the upcoming holidays.

I had my family back and I was nearly operating at full function
I was sleeping in bed next to Angel Eyes and it started again. I
was having another seizure. I wanted to wake my wife but I had
lost the ability to speak or even breathe.

My jaws clamped down and my teeth ground some nice holes in my
tongue and cheeks.

Angel Eyes woke up startled, jumped up administered three fast punches
to my face in hopes of rebooting my hard drive. When that didn't work,
she ran and got my 30 year old son who still lives with us. He is the only
one strong enough to lift or move me.

A quick call to 9-11 and the Calvary was on the way. After a perfunctory
inspection, I was loaded on a gurney and hauled away with lights and
sirens and curious neighbors looking on. I am too tall for a gurney and I
felt I was going to be in one of those YouTube Videos where the ambulance
doors open and I fly out the back, but that didn't happen the first responders
satisfied themselves with smaller goals like hitting every pothole in Texas
instead.   

more to follow . . . . . . . . . .
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on December 01, 2022, 01:28:59 PM
I was once T-boned in car wreck.  Found out later I had 9 ribs broken, some in two places.

Ambulance guys put me on gurney and insisted I lay my legs flat so they could put straps around legs and other places of my body.  But I couldn't because of extreme pain in my back if I did.

So they refused to put straps around parts of my body where they could, and refused to protect me as I almost fell off gurney several times on way to ER.  If you don't do things their way (even where you physically can't) . . . you can be SOL.
Title: Trippin through life without a brain
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2022, 11:33:37 AM
NOTE: I advise others not to share all the stuff I am sharing on a public forum. There are a number
of Crazies and wacko birds who have sick motivations and would get true joy from causing others
grief or hardship because you disagreed with them on disposing of fingernail filing debris.
I AM NOT joking. Don't do this !!


I arrive shaken not stirred to the hospital and although my voice sounds like a 97 year old man
with emphysema. They have determined that I know my name, address, todays date and my DOB
along with enough things for them to rule out stroke. Next I give my wedding ring to Angel Eyes and
I am headed into an MRI machine that looks like a birth canal. Nothing fits me 201cm/128kg, this has
been my world for my entire adult life. Whining about doesn't help but joking does a little bit.

I have found that maintaining your humor (even gallows humor) and a positive outlook tends to
vastly improve things around you.

I came out of the MRI feeling like a discarded sex toy from a leper woman's prison.

The MRI result was scary. If you took a major league baseball and chopped it in half it would be
the same size as the tumor growing inside my melon. They said that it's been slowly growing
for the last 10-20 years. The options were to cut it out or die. I selected the cutting it out option
from that list. They did give me the option of waiting another week, but putting this off seemed
to be counter productive.

They did go through a rather extensive list of things that could potentially go wrong. The list
included things like death and/or the brain function of stewed tomatoes.

I explained that I rarely used my brain anyway so lets steam ahead as if we knew what we
are doing.

More to follow
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on December 02, 2022, 12:17:06 PM
Big Bill,  could use be made of that white duct tape or ribbon on table below your computer screen?
Title: Using your head vs brain
Post by: 2tallbill on December 02, 2022, 02:18:03 PM
Big Bill,  could use be made of that white duct tape or ribbon on table below your computer screen?

I've often found good uses for my head. If stranding on a ladder I used it many times to hold
sheet rock in place while myself and others screw it off.

Title: Re: Trippin through life without a brain
Post by: Brillynt on December 03, 2022, 06:19:02 AM
NOTE: I advise others not to share all the stuff I am sharing on a public forum. There are a number
of Crazies and wacko birds who have sick motivations and would get true joy from causing others
grief or hardship because you disagreed with them on disposing of fingernail filing debris.
I AM NOT joking. Don't do this !!


I arrive shaken not stirred to the hospital and although my voice sounds like a 97 year old man
with emphysema. They have determined that I know my name, address, todays date and my DOB
along with enough things for them to rule out stroke. Next I give my wedding ring to Angel Eyes and
I am headed into an MRI machine that looks like a birth canal. Nothing fits me 201cm/128kg, this has
been my world for my entire adult life. Whining about doesn't help but joking does a little bit.

I have found that maintaining your humor (even gallows humor) and a positive outlook tends to
vastly improve things around you.

I came out of the MRI feeling like a discarded sex toy from a leper woman's prison.

The MRI result was scary. If you took a major league baseball and chopped it in half it would be
the same size as the tumor growing inside my melon. They said that it's been slowly growing
for the last 10-20 years. The options were to cut it out or die. I selected the cutting it out option
from that list. They did give me the option of waiting another week, but putting this off seemed
to be counter productive.

They did go through a rather extensive list of things that could potentially go wrong. The list
included things like death and/or the brain function of stewed tomatoes.

I explained that I rarely used my brain anyway so lets steam ahead as if we knew what we
are doing.

More to follow

Damn Bill,

Since you are still posting, I will assume you came thru the surgery fairly well. Still, I am glad to hear you found out what was causing the problem. I wish you good health going forward and I hope everything turns out good.

Thanks for all the stories and generally good advice!

Udachi!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on December 03, 2022, 01:21:37 PM
I second Brillynt's post.

Best wishes for a complete recovery 2tall!

Absolutely amazing what doctors can do these days. You probably have some of the best and brightest that will get you through this.

Udachi!





Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Lily on December 03, 2022, 05:41:36 PM
Please count me in - wishing Bill a good outcome, and a good health!
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on December 04, 2022, 05:07:43 PM
Really sorry to hear of the situation Bill, you've been good to me here and I appreciate all that you have done for me. I too am hoping that you pull through you're a decent guy and have helped out many people here. I wish you a successful operation and a speedy recovery. Hoping to hear from you again on this forum soon.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on December 05, 2022, 01:25:54 AM
I believe the operation has already taken place, so it must have been successful. 


I do hope your health issues are behind you, Bill.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Admin on December 05, 2022, 09:12:19 AM
Joining in the chorus of wishing you restoration to full health Bill. Your participation here at RWD is very much appreciated.
Title: Hurray, I'm still kicking!!
Post by: 2tallbill on December 05, 2022, 10:52:06 AM
Tuesday 11/22/2022

Note: I don't recommend that others share all the personal stuff that I am sharing.
There are too many freaks out there in cyberspace, that get off on causing people
grief.

I very much appreciate all the well wishers and those sending positivity my way.

They bolted my head to some sort of plate (they don't want you moving during brain surgery)
and hacked out the tumor in a procedure that took over 8 hours. Then they transferred me into 
a bed in the ICU and that's when I started my charm campaign to get out of the hospital and
back to my home.

Obviously, I wasn't ready yet. They were busy feeding massive amounts of drugs through my
system through IV lines into my body. I was on steroids to keep my brain from swelling, and
anti seizure medications. The hospital is probably the best place on Earth if you are seeking
to catch a gnarly infection. So they were pouring antibiotics in me as well.

I was intubated during surgery, which is not nearly as sexy as it sounds, now my voice sounds
like a 92 year old man with emphysema.

I have some new scars that qualify me for immediate consideration for Hollywood acting roles
where dystopian mutants take over the world. If I can find a midget to ride on my back, I could
play in the next Mad Maxx Thunder Dome sequel.

I needed this like I needed another hole in my head........................ but guess what?!?!
I actually HAVE ANOTHER HOLE IN MY HEAD!

My wife loves me, and I am getting stronger every day. I estimate my strength right now
as being able to beat most 6 year old girls in arm wrestling without cheating. I am strictly
forbidden from head butting anyone if I do lose and I have been advised not to sleep directly
on the new hole in my head.



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Chelseaboy on December 05, 2022, 12:17:04 PM
Really sorry to see what's happened to you Bill.


You're one of the good guys so hang in there for your family and for yourself,and your family will give you the strength you need to do that.


Wishing you all the best.



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Hammer2722 on December 05, 2022, 03:39:30 PM
Glad to see you got through your surgery Bill, and with your sense of humor intact!!!! Get well....
Title: Trippin
Post by: 2tallbill on December 05, 2022, 04:05:28 PM
Really sorry to see what's happened to you Bill.


You're one of the good guys so hang in there for your family and for yourself, and your family will give you the strength you need to do that.


Wishing you all the best.

Don't feel sorry for me, I am living the dream. My wife loves, loves, loves me.
The big 1/2 baseball sized toad stool is level one benign. There is some level
two stuff, I Googled that like a madman but I won't know more until the
oncologist passes out their prognostications.

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Grumpy on December 05, 2022, 07:56:22 PM
 Did they remove any of the stubbornness? Listen to the docs and your wife, get well fast.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: Chelseaboy on December 06, 2022, 03:33:27 AM
Don't feel sorry for me, I am living the dream. My wife loves, loves, loves me.
The big 1/2 baseball sized toad stool is level one benign. There is some level
two stuff, I Googled that like a madman but I won't know more until the
oncologist passes out their prognostications.


My dad had a benign tumour at the back of his Brain in his fifties.


The operation to remove it was a success but left a hole in the back of his head.


He was offered the chance by  the surgeons to then have a metal plate inserted to cover the hole .but he never bothered to have that done.
Title: Re: Trippin
Post by: Trenchcoat on December 06, 2022, 04:36:39 PM
Don't feel sorry for me, I am living the dream. My wife loves, loves, loves me.
The big 1/2 baseball sized toad stool is level one benign. There is some level
two stuff, I Googled that like a madman but I won't know more until the
oncologist passes out their prognostications.

Good to hear you got through the surgery and all went well Bill, I'm glad that it did for you. Any remaining issues I'm sure they'll sort out, luckily more stuff they can do these days than years ago. I was surprised to see a quick recovery so far. Odds are the surgery has given many more years to you so good for you on that. For now on the plus side you'll likely be able to enjoy Christmas with your family so look forward to that. Happy holidays :)
Title: Metal plates & Airport X Ray machines.
Post by: 2tallbill on December 09, 2022, 08:54:12 AM

My dad had a benign tumour at the back of his Brain in his fifties.


The operation to remove it was a success but left a hole in the back of his head.


He was offered the chance by  the surgeons to then have a metal plate inserted to cover the hole .but he never bothered to have that done.


A titanium plate in my head was the original plan, but once they found tumor growing into the bone
they changed plans on the fly and used a titanium mesh (think screen door) to cover the new hole
in my head and screwed it off. See the attached artist drawing, NOTE: He is a better brain surgeon
than he is at drawing portraits. 
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on December 09, 2022, 09:54:59 AM
With some luck, you might be able to hear to your local radio station without a radio.  I hope it's one you enjoy :)
Title: local radio ne sejchas, butthead da, head butting nyet
Post by: 2tallbill on December 17, 2022, 09:42:05 AM
With some luck, you might be able to hear to your local radio station without a radio. 
I hope it's one you enjoy :)

I still need a radio to hear the local stations, I am still allowed to be a butthead,
but I have been forbidden from head butting. Hopefully, I can remember to keep
the two of them straight.

ne sejchas = not now
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on December 17, 2022, 10:08:47 AM
2tall,

I suspect frequent collision with door jambs is more of an issue, maybe the culprit.  Were they able to sand down a couple of inches to give a bit more headroom?
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on December 17, 2022, 02:47:43 PM
2tall,

I suspect frequent collision with door jambs is more of an issue, maybe the culprit.  Were they able to sand down a couple of inches to give a bit more headroom?

They didn't sand my head, but you are correct, door jambs, door closers, ceiling fans and
chandeliers, have all cracked my head a couple hundred times each. I've left blood and fur
(hair) on too many garage doors closers to count. I used my head as a battering ram while
wearing a football helmet countless times as well. 

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on December 17, 2022, 03:05:18 PM
By code, upper door jambs are supposed to be 6 foot 8 inches.
Title: Trippin on stuff
Post by: 2tallbill on December 17, 2022, 04:36:16 PM
By code, upper door jambs are supposed to be 6 foot 8 inches.


Older houses, carpeting and a pad on top of the hardwood floors and
back in the days before I began chasing Russian women, I wore shoes
in the house, I usually ducked but sometimes I didn't.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Bee Farmer on December 17, 2022, 09:07:44 PM
By code, upper door jambs are supposed to be 6 foot 8 inches.

What about the lower jambs?  What if I measure from the top of the jam to the floor?  Is that considered the lower jamb?

Door jambs are the 2 vertical sides of a doorframe.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: BC on December 18, 2022, 09:14:14 AM
Door jambs are the 2 vertical sides of a doorframe.

I've often heard of the horizontal part at the top being referred to as a "head jamb", or "header".  Both are appropriate names I reckon.
Title: Six foot 8 inches
Post by: ML on December 18, 2022, 11:12:46 AM
I read in a construction book that if a person can correctly build steps, they can probably correctly do anything required to construct a house.

Well, I did it.

As I recall . . . there were several 'tricky' steps . . . three of which were:
1) realizing that the top step was different from others because you were (at that point) stepping up onto tongue and groove plywood rather than another oak step.
2) similar for stepping from last step down onto plywood rather than another step.
3) determining where to stop the flooring above the steps.  This is where  the same code requirement came in that there must be 6 feet 8 inches from the critical step up to the flooring (or whatever) above.
A crew was framing up and kept bugging me to tell them where to stop the flooring above the future steps to lower level.
I kept furiously calculating and told them of the 6 foot 8  inch rule.  The head guy said: "how many 6 foot 8 inch people are going to be using these steps?"

Later one of the workers told me privately, that they always had to call in a specialist to determine how to build steps (rise and run) and solve this overhead problem.

Subsequently . . . as I entered friend's homes, I always looked at the head clearence going up or down steps.    Many of them did not meet code.
Title: Defer to those who know
Post by: 2tallbill on January 22, 2023, 03:08:58 PM
I read in a construction book that if a person can correctly build steps, they can probably correctly do anything required to construct a house.

Correctly building stairs is advanced carpentry for sure. A complicated roof where you
had several pitches that met at different places always looked difficult.
(http://i.pinimg.com/originals/10/8f/e4/108fe4a32b8443600b0a482b748b472a.jpg)

In the window factory I worked in. Windows with compound radii especially where they
had compound radii meeting different compound radii. Those were considered difficult.
(http://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/thumbnails/006/895/965/small/gothic-windows-outline-set-silhouette-of-vintage-stained-glass-church-frames-element-of-traditional-european-architecture-vector.jpg)

I was never good enough to frame that roof or build one of those windows. I knew my
limitations and would defer to those who knew their trade better than I did.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on January 22, 2023, 03:38:39 PM
when I lived on the East Coast, a lot of the 19th/early 20th century houses
were build by ship-wrights in the off boat building season

they built with an amazingly high level of woodworking skill (and all with hand tools)
as machines do more and more, people are gonna know less and less about this level of craftmanship...
and instead of craftmen being highly paid,
they'll instead be a laborer with little human capital to leverage

this is what America's owners want!
the commodization of all labor
and mass production of all products

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on January 22, 2023, 03:51:16 PM
I've built my own stairs and also constructed pre-cut ones. Building your own stairs, mine was a straight flight, is pretty tricky. Fortunately both stairs finished at floor level with all the risers of equal height. Even the pre-cut ones were tricky as again I needed to do exacting measurements to get it in to fit right, that included working out the number of treads. Turned out there was only one combination that fitted in ok, any other way and it be a banging head/screwing up room space moment.

In fairness I was aided by the company I bought my stairs from in the UK, Stairbox as they have an online tool where you can adjust tread & riser sizes and can do top and/or bottom winders, left/right, etc ;) Still takes a lot of working out, one oversight and you risk ordering stairs that may be useless/a big problem to install, so would be a potentially expensive mistake.

Those windows are interesting Bill, I have some knowledge of basic geometry, did a little Stonemasonry training a number of years ago. Never really went into it but was useful for other stuff. The roof & windows aren't as difficult as they might first appear. For instance to get the rafters to meet at the centre point just but a level beam across on the wall and put a post up on n the centre, then just measure the top of the post down to the out edge. Much the same with the windows, just mark the centre point drawn up to desired height and then an arch over to the bottom of where you want the arch to go both sides.

A lot of drawing stuff like that or anything geometric is much the same process over and over. It's all just splitting it up by marking off points, centre points so you've find a point to work from to draw it all out ;)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Daveman on January 22, 2023, 08:58:01 PM
Damn Bill.. I missed this... glad you came through this surgery ok.  Are you out of the woods now?
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on January 22, 2023, 09:09:57 PM
Bill now has one of those stained glass windows he's shown above in the back of his head...
to keep the bright sun off his brain and the wind and rain out
cuz frankly, Bill would need those things, like he'd need another hole in his head...

I'm sorry Bill, too soon???
hey, anyone here from Jersey?
don't forget to get your parking comped at the bar!



Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 23, 2023, 04:32:54 PM
Bill now has one of those stained glass windows he's shown above in the back of his head...
to keep the bright sun off his brain and the wind and rain out
cuz frankly, Bill would need those things, like he'd need another hole in his head...

I'm sorry Bill, too soon???
hey, anyone here from Jersey?
don't forget to get your parking comped at the bar!

Always enjoy your humor Krimster!
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on January 23, 2023, 04:35:09 PM
Damn Bill.. I missed this... glad you came through this surgery ok.  Are you out of the woods now?

I've got radiation coming down the pike still. Hopefully, I won't glow in the dark, it will be
too hard to sneak up on my wife at night.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on January 23, 2023, 05:54:43 PM
which has less side effetcs, radiation or chemo, why do they treat you one way and not the other????
you weren't in the military right, so you don't have VA or Tri-care?
what's the insurance hassle like?

BTW, almost 3 yr ago my wife had emergency chest surgery in San Jose, Costa Rica...
Closest hospital was the main municipal one and my driver almost drove through the front lobby to get there...

until she was stable, my wife spent a week there
then moved to the second biggest hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica, a private one, where I could buy her a private room + treatment for like $2k per week
until she improved enough to fly her back to the USA and into a USA hospital straight from the airport
and she used the health insurance she bought as a group plan for her chain of skin care salons

in the municipal Costa Rican hospital everything was free!
both ICUs were just like in the USA
staffed by very HQ doctors, some from US medical schools and so spoke PERFECT ENGLISH
they SAVED MY WIFE'S LIFE
but my wife is also INCREDIBLY STRONG!!!

BTW, many of you don't believe the above story is true, so here's the DEAL...
I GOT ALL THE RECEIPTS to prove it, but they're in Spanish of course!!!
but you can easily read the hospital reports... comprende?

so I put my receipts against, ummmm, what, what are you offering?
if nothing, then YOU don't get to challenge my story
and it stands AS FACT!

otherwise, if I'm willing to "show you mine"
why you ain't willin to do the same?
huh Willis???

any takers?
cuz I'm gonna call BS on all the people calling BS on ME!
but "without having skin in the game" like I'm willing to do...
you ain't even gonna be allowed to play
so either play or fold...

but I GOT the receipts and cards
and only a total fool would bet against it
and shheeeeettt, that's at least HALF ya'all

Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 07, 2023, 07:44:55 PM
Update

I am half way through the radiation treatment 5 days per week for 6 weeks.
My hair started falling out in clumps so Angel Eyes marched me into the
masterbath and shaved my head. She didn't want me looking like a cabbage
patch oldie (my words not hers)

They tell me this is to make sure that no cancer cells that were missed by the
scalpel would probably get killed by doing this.

I am only posting this as an update. I don't desire any sympathy or consolling.
Angel Eyes is taking excellent care of me as only she can. She is asking twenty
questions during doctor appointments for every one of mine. I am so happy that
we found each other.

Udachi!

Bill   
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on April 08, 2023, 10:25:15 AM
Hoping that all progresses well for you Big Bill.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: mhr7 on April 08, 2023, 11:14:11 AM
Best of luck Bill.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: krimster2 on April 10, 2023, 08:02:22 AM
""After your death, you will be what you were before your birth." - Schopenhauer"

Wot? i'm gonna turn into a sperm cell after I die?
I dunno bout them european philosophizers
of course Schopenhauer used to "drink by the hour"
but there's nothin Nietzhe couldn't teach ya
'bout the lifting of a cup

to do is to be
to be is to do
scobby-do
ruh-oh

just say no to drugs and stay in school, kids



Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on April 15, 2023, 04:17:05 PM
""After your death, you will be what you were before your birth." - Schopenhauer"

Wot? i'm gonna turn into a sperm cell after I die?

I'm a bit angry that they won't let me take a spider into my radiation
therapy. . . . . . . . . . . .  How am I going to become Spiderman ??!! ??

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on May 08, 2023, 01:58:52 PM

I am only posting this as an update. I don't desire any sympathy or consolling.


I am happy to do both :D

Seriously I hope you are getting on ok Bill, it can't be easy, no doubt you'll be glad to get to the end of the radiation treatment. Hope you get better soon ;)
Title: certificate of completion
Post by: 2tallbill on May 12, 2023, 11:45:26 AM
Hope you get better soon ;)

I am on the mend. I finished my last radiation treatment on 5/1 and they gave me a
certificate of completion. I said GREAT I just received my first participation trophy!

I appreciate everyone's positive thoughts and good wishes. Thanks everyone

Bill
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on May 14, 2023, 05:52:10 AM
I'm a bit angry that they won't let me take a spider into my radiation
therapy. . . . . . . . . . . .  How am I going to become Spiderman ??!! ??

My sister said, "forget Spiderman and do gamma rays, you could be the Incredible Hulk!"
My wife told her, that already happens whenever she runs around the house in her underwear.
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: ML on May 14, 2023, 05:31:17 PM
My sister said, "forget Spiderman and do gamma rays, you could be the Incredible Hulk!"
My wife told her, that already happens whenever she runs around the house in her underwear.

Why is she running around the house dressed in such !!!
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on May 15, 2023, 05:50:21 AM
Why is she running around the house dressed in such !!!

If she doesn't run, I'll catch her for sure.
Title: Re: Before I leave I send my Auntie a birthday greeting
Post by: 2tallbill on November 05, 2023, 12:36:36 PM
My Auntie had a birthday so I took this video of myself in Balmy Norf Dekody
before leaving on my trip to wish her happy birthday.


http://youtu.be/kczMO0j7lsw?list=UUvFUHQZ_ja1G16LqA3VT9ZQ


Somehow the link to the video above has been broken. I don't know if any mod
wants to fix it or not.
Here is a working link if someone does
http://youtu.be/kczMO0j7lsw

Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Trenchcoat on November 05, 2023, 01:45:27 PM
Interesting to see you in real life Bill, the snow is really pelting down there 🥶

Good of you to post :)

Kind of funny I imagined you to have more of an accent, the kind of American, yeeerrrr... Lol :D
Title: Accents in USA
Post by: ML on November 05, 2023, 03:21:17 PM
USA folks do not have accents.

Well . . . except those in the South, the Northeast, Minnesota and Norf Dekody.
Title: Re: Accents in USA
Post by: Trenchcoat on November 10, 2023, 03:08:04 AM
USA folks do not have accents.

Well . . . except those in the South, the Northeast, Minnesota and Norf Dekody.

Y'all should try and speak like our Jacob here ;D

http://youtu.be/crjoi8hCgjg?si=HiXkEiwqx8fblkSI
Title: Navigating the longest story ever told
Post by: 2tallbill on November 12, 2023, 12:29:35 PM
I started my trip report in the middle

Pages 1-4   Trippin in St Pete
5-15          Fighting with a coven of witches from a now
                 defunct hate organization called antidate.
15             My first trip. Photo below
15 1/2-16  A mish mash of trips
16 1/2-19  Dnepropetrovsk, say it don't spray it   
19-25        Georgia Peaches
25             Portland OR to meet a girl from Kiev called Driving like a Banshee
26-current  Meeting a girl from Voronezh called Rushing around Russia




My first trip years ago 
(http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/xx257/ruadventures/billspictures054.jpg)
Title: Re: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: Boethius on November 12, 2023, 01:37:10 PM
Your wife is more tolerant than I am. All your photos of you with other women, save your ex wife, would be gone.  In fact, I suggest you do that anyway and let her know she’s the only memory of a Russian woman you want.
Title: Deleting photos of 'other' women
Post by: ML on November 13, 2023, 08:07:06 AM
Your wife is more tolerant than I am. All your photos of you with other women, save your ex wife, would be gone.  In fact, I suggest you do that anyway and let her know she’s the only memory of a Russian woman you want.

I did, in fact, delete all photos and film clips of other women.

Sometimes I regret that I did the deletions; just curious to look and reminisce.

Especially I wouldn't mind viewing some of the film clips I took of the women doing some solo erotic dancing for my pleasure.

A funny story:  One gal liked to get nude frequently in apartments and regularly danced nude.
She was a really good dancer and I asked her to get dressed for a dance so I could film and show my Mother her abilities.
She did get dressed and was wearing a rather full short skirt.
But when she did a twirling routine . . . alas she was wasn't wearing any panties.
So much for something I could show my Mother !!

Anyway I wouldn't mind wife having pictures of other men.
But this is somewhat of a false equivalency, as she only had one boyfriend and married him.
Then, after her husband died, only one romantic partner before she and I got together.
And, in fact, a picture of this man is on my computer and her computer.
He just happened to be in a group picture with a bunch of her friends that she sent to me.
Title: Trippin in St Pete
Post by: 2tallbill on November 14, 2023, 09:25:06 AM
Your wife is more tolerant than I am. All your photos of you with other women, save your ex wife, would be gone.  In fact, I suggest you do that anyway and let her know she’s the only memory of a Russian woman you want.

I don't have any photos of women, that photo is in the ether. I loaded that photo to the internet
nearly 17 years ago. I don't have access to photobucket. I have no idea what the password might
be. That woman would not exist here either except that she attempted a scam. My older son(s)
have photos of my exwife, but I don't.

I abandoned my Facebook and Myspace pages from those days. I have a Facebook account from
after meeting my wife. I have zero photo history online before that. I copied that link from here.
I got a new email address after meeting my wife so that I could easily print out our history for
USCIS.

Title: Re: Accents in USA
Post by: 2tallbill on March 19, 2024, 08:52:42 AM
USA folks do not have accents.

Norf Dekody.

Yew Betcha!
Title: Deleting photos of 'other' women
Post by: 2tallbill on March 19, 2024, 09:44:27 AM
Sometimes I regret that I did the deletions; just curious to look and reminisce.

I have a wife and a 9 year old boy and a new gig, but if I want to reminisce when
my wife takes my son to his Russian school on Sundays, I can do that here.