Russian Women Discussion

RWD Discussion Groups => Married => Topic started by: ML on December 21, 2014, 11:10:15 AM

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2014, 11:10:15 AM
I know it is a pretty short courtship, but Ochka and I will be wed tomorrow at 1:30 PM.

She could still be here legally under her OPT for another couple of years . . . but we still decided to go ahead with the legal conjoining at this point.

I hope I don't have to eat my words at some point . . . but Ochka really is the most wonderful person (man or woman) that I have ever known. 

She is very even tempered, doesn't get rattled at virtually anything, wakes up in morning with smile on her face and goes to bed with smile on her face.  An indefatigable worker (she is already outdoors working hard while I am still trying to get psyched up to work) and virtually unbelievable lover.

We are planning just a simple ceremony for the two of us; but when word got around, my friends insisted on throwing us a big 'shin-ding' later in the day.  Have been offered use of a condo in Aspen and a large cabin cruiser in Tampa for get-aways, but we are just going to stay local as Ochka wants to get an early start on preparing for her Multivariable Calculus course she will teach in the Spring Semester.

I plan to get started on the AOS paperwork in early January as I have been reading that Immigration will start accepting apps from all the millions of illegals that are here in mid-February.  Once that starts . . . the processes may drag on for years.

Now, just in case any of my detractors are thinking of loving me . . . I can throw out the real reason for getting married before the end of the year.  Ran the numbers; and filing married joint return will save me about $37,000 in Fed taxes compared to single return.  Sold off a lot of stuff this year; money all going to trust funds for future grandchildren.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Misha on December 21, 2014, 11:11:46 AM
Congratulations! May you have many, MANY happy years of happiness together!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Shadow on December 21, 2014, 11:17:08 AM
Congratulations on realising you will not wake up any time soon from this...
I hope this will change nothing at all between the two of you, at least as far as you have shown here.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on December 21, 2014, 11:19:05 AM
Congrats to both of you.  Based upon your description, I am confident your marriage will be a long and happy one.

Our wives seem to have a lot in common in personalities.  Hopefully we can meet in person some time in the future.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: AC on December 21, 2014, 11:23:09 AM
I know it is a pretty short courtship, but Ochka and I will be wed tomorrow at 1:30 PM.

Now, just in case any of my detractors are thinking of loving me . . . I can throw out the real reason for getting married before the end of the year.  Ran the numbers; and filing married joint return will save me about $37,000 in Fed taxes compared to single return. 


 :thumbsup:   Congratulations!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: AkMike on December 21, 2014, 12:02:45 PM
Good for both of you! Congratulations!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on December 21, 2014, 01:10:10 PM
Congratulations!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 21, 2014, 01:54:13 PM
Congratulations!

So all that criticism you received over the years about not being interested in marriage was wrong.  ;) It was only necessary to meet the right woman, live together for a year, and bond - as if you were in a normal relationship rather than one of those international, cross-cultural romances.   

Proof that success comes to those who wait.   You must admit you set the bar high. 

I wish you the best.  I do not believe you will ever have to eat your words.   :D   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on December 21, 2014, 02:25:13 PM
Congratulations, ML.  May you have many happy years together.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 21, 2014, 03:07:08 PM

Somebody has got to stop this madness!!! Marriage is the leading cause of divorce! Grats anyway ML :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on December 21, 2014, 03:33:54 PM
HI ML, the last resistance  fighter have surrendered !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on December 21, 2014, 04:31:27 PM
Congrats!  :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Dave13 on December 23, 2014, 07:54:50 PM
Congratulations to you and your lady!

Dave
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on December 24, 2014, 03:45:46 AM
Like they all said!

Congratulations to the one went from "looking" to "L" - and is now in Heaven!  :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 25, 2014, 11:05:39 AM
Thanks to all for the 'good wishes.'

We have been married now for 4 days.

It was good to finally have sex after living together for nearly 4 years.

We were married by a Circuit Court Judge.  I knew him just a little bit.

He turned out to be quite taken by Ochka and flirted more than he should have.

He first complimented her on her dress which was a beautiful maroon or burgundy color with gold trim.

Then he liked her ear rings.

Then he liked her hair.

Then he took us to another floor of the courthouse to view a newly refinished court room.  This courthouse was built around 1900, so it has the very high ceilings with great craftsmanship that cannot be duplicated today because of labor costs.

I thought he would never finish talking with us (and looking at Ochka) and let us be on our way.

She did look quite stunning.

We then went to a nearby 4 star Italian restaurant for a very nice (but 3 times too much food).  We love tiramisu.

Next day, went to a large banquet hall rented by a couple of business associates who hosted a tremendous feast.  They brought in a small band, singers, some 'go go' dancers and an 'impromptu' comedy group.  It was a lot of fun as they got the audience involved by seeing how well they (audience) could come up with funny words to complete some sentences in a sketch.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on December 25, 2014, 11:28:44 AM
Congratulations to you both  :clapping: and happy Christmas  :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 26, 2014, 12:08:42 PM
Periodically here we get persons criticizing men for being worried about the potential health issues of the FSUW.  Some even ridicule saying: "Why didn't you check out their teeth as if they are horses."

Well crass or not . . . that is not a bad idea.

Recently a part of one of Ochka's back teeth broke off.  It had a large filling in it from before.

We went to my dentist.  Turns out this tooth had previously had a root canal done in Ukraine some years back.

The dentist showed us on X-ray how the root canal had not been completely done and now there was infection in it.  So this root canal would have to be redone now.

And, the X-ray showed that the tooth next to it also needed a root canal.

Ochka wanted to wait until she was in Ukraine next summer to have the work done.  But the dentist told how dangerous this was to have untreated tooth infections.

An Endodontist just happened to be there that day.  He moves around on a rotating basis to different general practictioners offices.   He said he could do the work right then and there.

So we asked about costs.

To redo the one root canal was $1,250.  The other root canal was $975.  The filings for the two teeth would be $237 each.  Crowns for the two teeth will be $996 each.  Initial check up was $75.  X rays were $236.  Teeth cleaning was to be $97.

Yes boys and girls, this adds up to $5,099.

Ochka started crying and saying she didn't want to do it because of that huge price, which really was unconscionable.

But I told her we were going to do it.  She still insisted that we not do the crowns and she would check on prices in Ukraine.

This is a big risk as the dentists told that without the crown, there was danger of splitting the tooth when she bit down on something.

But to calm her down (just a bit) I agreed we would wait awhile on the crowns while she check on Ukraine prices.

OK sure, for me this cost is not a back breaker.

But how many others here can shell out $5,000 or so for two teeth . . . when there are potentially 30 more teeth to go?

And if you brag that you have dental insurance; this just means that your fellow employees will be subsidizing you to pay for dental care for your FSUW.  Their premiums will go up.  Premiums are initially set based on expected care for American teeth, not FSU teeth.

So crude as it may seem . . . checking out teeth isn't such a bad idea.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Shadow on December 26, 2014, 12:11:14 PM
Checking out dentists is also not a bad idea.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on December 26, 2014, 12:49:03 PM
ML,
Agree completely with your post.  We find ourselves in exactly the same predicument.  We are going to bite the bullet and get the work done here even though it is mostly out of pocket expense.  The risks are too high in the long run to use any other option.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 01, 2015, 09:13:23 PM
We stayed home on New Year's Eve.

Ochka was a little disappointed because this was usually biggest party night of year in Ukraine.

But we had done a ton of things in past couple of weeks, and both really weren't up to staying out late, etc.

To compensate, we went out for a nice lunch around 11 AM at Red Lobster.

This was after first walking 3 miles to pre-burn off the calories we would be consuming.

A lot of sales at the malls, but Ochka says she wants absolutely nothing.  What a Gal !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 18, 2015, 11:41:52 AM
A couple of evening ago, we were watching a (taped) episode of Laura, a police detective.

She went to a meeting of sex addicts because one of their members had been murdered.

After I explained to her what it was all about, she asked how much of such activity we would have to perform to be minimally qualified to attend such meetings.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 18, 2015, 11:48:10 AM
Last evening we had 7 couples over to house for a feast.

Ochka wore a skin tight black short dress made of thin knitted material.

This is the type of dress than can only be worn by women with a perfect body . . . unless they want to look ridiculous.

Before guests arrived, Ochka asked me how many of female students at university would look as good as her in this dress.

I told her probably only 2 out of 10.

She guessed it would probably be a somewhat higher proportion than that . . . but she liked my answer.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 20, 2015, 11:45:28 AM
Age Gap, Sugar Daddy, and Daddy Issues

Monday's Dear Abby column had a segment on this issue.

Upon reading it, I realized that perhaps a lot of the success of Ochka and I could be due to fact that she doesn't need me as a Sugar Daddy (although she says I am pretty sweet) and she has a wonderful relationship with her own father.

I wonder how many of the failed age gap relationships that we know of here were related to the Sugar Daddy and Daddy Issues concepts?

The article did mention that when the younger woman was around women more her husband's age, that the older women may not be happy.

In our case, I have noted some jealously toward Ochka by older women, but I sensed it was more related to her youthful figure than her age, since she is not a teeny bopper or even a 20 something.

Interesting also that the younger woman's parents were OK with the marriage; but that the older man's parents were not OK with it.  Typically you would think it would be the opposite.

There hasn't been much discussion here concerning the reactions of parents and other family members of the older man in the age gap relationship.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on January 20, 2015, 12:35:27 PM
I read that column and the age gap is ONLY 17 years between them. What's the big deal?


Besides, there were no Sugar Daddy issues, Most likely Suga' Mamma issues.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 20, 2015, 09:41:22 PM
Yes, I notice that she has economic 'success' but doesn't specifically mention that he has.

So perhaps a gold digger man.

Or maybe he is a FSUM looking for green card.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on January 21, 2015, 12:34:06 PM
Yes, I notice that she has economic 'success' but doesn't specifically mention that he has.

So perhaps a gold digger man.

Or maybe he is a FSUM looking for green card.


 :ROFL:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: southernX on January 22, 2015, 12:02:15 AM
ML congrats to you and your ochka  :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

as for teeth , i i had work done in ukraine , great work , great result and great price !!
no issues at all ,
it wasnt pre planned , just had a toothache while there, ended up getting  the root canal done

SX
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 22, 2015, 09:50:07 PM
We go to all the university women's basketball games.  Unlike the men's games which are sold out, there are plenty of great seats to women's games which usually attract less than 3,000 fans.  That's unless you happen to go to Connecticut or Tennessee games.

Anyway, the women coaches, assistant coaches, student helpers, etc.,  for some reason wear short skirts and 5-7 inch high heels.  I think they are trying to overcome a 'jock image' so they go overboard on the feminine thing.

Last night saw some really great looking legs on the gals who are usually  5' 9' and above.

Ochka appreciated the legs also and informed me that we must go to some theatrical plays so she can dress up and wear high heels.  We had gone quite a bit in previous years, but for some reason have slacked off this past half year or so.

Had to go out today to buy tickets to two touring Broadway plays.
Tickets are $60-90 apiece.  What do such cost right on Broadway in NYC?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on January 23, 2015, 08:16:26 AM
We go to all the university women's basketball games.  Unlike the men's games which are sold out, there are plenty of great seats to women's games which usually attract less than 3,000 fans.  That's unless you happen to go to Connecticut or Tennessee games.

Anyway, the women coaches, assistant coaches, student helpers, etc.,  for some reason wear short skirts and 5-7 inch high heels.  I think they are trying to overcome a 'jock image' so they go overboard on the feminine thing.

Last night saw some really great looking legs on the gals who are usually  5' 9' and above.

Ochka appreciated the legs also and informed me that we must go to some theatrical plays so she can dress up and wear high heels.  We had gone quite a bit in previous years, but for some reason have slacked off this past half year or so.

Had to go out today to buy tickets to two touring Broadway plays.
Tickets are $60-90 apiece.  What do such cost right on Broadway in NYC?

On Broadway $250-up
Off Broadway $75-$350
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on January 23, 2015, 09:46:38 AM
On Broadway $250-up
Off Broadway $75-$350


Well, it depends if it is a hot show. I've seen tickets for under $125.


Try Travelzoo.com Somtimes they have good deals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 03, 2015, 09:39:26 AM
I finally got the AOS (adjustment of status) packet mailed off yesterday.

Forms:

• G-1145, e-Notification
• I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, related forms  and evidence
• G-325A, Biographic Information for each
• I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, related forms and evidence
• I-693 Report of Medical Exam and Vaccination Record
• I-864, Affidavit of Support, related forms and evidence
• I-131, Application for Travel Document, related forms and evidence
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, related forms and evidence

107 pages in total and weighing nearly 2 pounds.


Costs:

I-130  $   420
I-485  $1,070
Medical  $270
Copying  $56
FedEx     $59

Value of a hot chick . . . priceless
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: LiveFromUkraine on February 03, 2015, 09:41:35 AM
I finally got the AOS (adjustment of status) packet mailed off yesterday.

Forms:

• G-1145, e-Notification
• I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, related forms  and evidence
• G-325A, Biographic Information for each
• I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, related forms and evidence
• I-693 Report of Medical Exam and Vaccination Record
• I-864, Affidavit of Support, related forms and evidence
• I-131, Application for Travel Document, related forms and evidence
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, related forms and evidence

107 pages in total and weighing nearly 2 pounds.


Costs:

I-130  $   420
I-485  $1,070
Medical  $270
Copying  $56
FedEx     $59

Value of a hot chick . . . priceless


Who are you trying to kid?  You made her pay for it, didn't you?   :P
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 04, 2015, 09:59:41 PM
Yes, she should pay.

She has a job; I don't have a job.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 22, 2015, 07:41:45 PM
This evening, Ochka called out to me that our meal was nearly ready.

I walked into the kitchen to view this.

I said:  "What the Helsinki are you doing dressed like that . . . we never mentioned this would be anything special?"

She said: "No, but I just like to do things special for you and look good for you?"

What a Gal !

I love this about (many) Ukrainian women.  They are not afraid to admit that they dress for their man.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on February 22, 2015, 08:59:48 PM
This evening, Ochka called out to me that our meal was nearly ready.

I walked into the kitchen to view this.

I said:  "What the Helsinki are you doing dressed like that . . . we never mentioned this would be anything special?"

She said: "No, but I just like to do things special for you and look good for you?"

What a Gal !

I love this about (many) Ukrainian women.  They are not afraid to admit that they dress for their man.

I am also surprised sometimes by the same thing.  They do it out of love.  She also reminds me when I sit down to eat "Prepared with love".

It's great that they dress nicely, even if it's to go to the local grocery store. 

Larissa noticed that you have the same pots and pans as we do.  These women never miss a detail.     :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 04, 2015, 09:17:22 PM
Drove into the big city today for Ochka's appointment at USCIS.

Finger printing and photo for her AOS process.

In a month or so, should receive her second EAD/AP combo card which will be good for a year or until her Green Card arrives, which ever is first.  She already has an EAD card for the F-1 OPT program.

Interview appointment will probably come in 2-3 months if 'normal' is encountered.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 05, 2015, 09:40:25 AM
Good thing that we had the appointment for yesterday.

A foot of snow here today, and still coming  down.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on March 05, 2015, 09:54:48 AM
Krap. 

I'm flying into Chicago today and heading North.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: AC on March 05, 2015, 10:18:43 AM
This evening, Ochka called out to me that our meal was nearly ready.

I walked into the kitchen to view this.

I said:  "What the Helsinki are you doing dressed like that . . . we never mentioned this would be anything special?"

She said: "No, but I just like to do things special for you and look good for you?"

What a Gal !

I love this about (many) Ukrainian women.  They are not afraid to admit that they dress for their man.

The last time the average AW looked like that in the kitchen and had that attitude was 1950.   ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 13, 2015, 09:07:56 PM
Big excitement here.

We have a couple of very big piles of top soil up in a nearby field.  When I put in new road last year for 4 new houses, this topsoil came off the road before gravel and blacktop went down.

These piles now overgrown with long orchard grass, some weeds, etc.  Dead and dried out now, of course.

Ochka wanted me to have a guy bring down some loads to expand a garden  area.  But she wanted to burn off the dead grass, weeds, etc., first.

I told her it would be dangerous because the surrounding field also had this dried grass.

She said,  "no, no . . . we will watch, it will be OK."

So against my better judgement I let her start a fire.

But sure enough, a little wind came and soon we had a heap of trouble on our hands.

It spread over about a quarter acre before I could get some shovels and water to get it stopped.  And luckily, a rain started then so we didn't have to worry about a restart.

Neighbors came and said they should call fire dept.  But I said no; as I think that might have cost $2-3,000, plus a fine for burning without permit, or in wrong season, or something.  But for awhile, I was scared sheeeeetless.

If it had gone another eighth of mile, it would have been into my woods.

I don't want Ochka to think that I am too controlling, so I sometimes let her have her way, even when my experience (in an area) is greater than hers.  Could have been a huge disaster this time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: AC on March 13, 2015, 10:10:51 PM
Big excitement here.

We have a couple of very big piles of top soil up in a nearby field.  When I put in new road last year for 4 new houses, this topsoil came off the road before gravel and blacktop went down.

These piles now overgrown with long orchard grass, some weeds, etc.  Dead and dried out now, of course.

Ochka wanted me to have a guy bring down some loads to expand a garden  area.  But she wanted to burn off the dead grass, weeds, etc., first.

I told her it would be dangerous because the surrounding field also had this dried grass.

She said,  "no, no . . . we will watch, it will be OK."

So against my better judgement I let her start a fire.

But sure enough, a little wind came and soon we had a heap of trouble on our hands.

It spread over about a quarter acre before I could get some shovels and water to get it stopped.  And luckily, a rain started then so we didn't have to worry about a restart.

Neighbors came and said they should call fire dept.  But I said no; as I think that might have cost $2-3,000, plus a fine for burning without permit, or in wrong season, or something.  But for awhile, I was scared sheeeeetless.

If it had gone another eighth of mile, it would have been into my woods.

I don't want Ochka to think that I am too controlling, so I sometimes let her have her way, even when my experience (in an area) is greater than hers.  Could have been a huge disaster this time.

Sounds to me like you got very lucky, and I'm happy to hear that.  However next time hopefully you will wear the pants and be the "real man" who is firm about what needs to be done.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on March 13, 2015, 10:39:24 PM
One of the changes I have made in this marriage is to not sweat the small stuff.  Rather than argue about something,  I let her go ahead and do her thing as long as it does not look like it will be a disaster.   :)   Something like letting your kids make mistakes and learning from them.  Less friction and more lovin.

In this case it looks like you stretched the envelope.   ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 13, 2015, 10:49:42 PM
It spread over about a quarter acre before I could get some shovels and water to get it stopped. 



Should've had that stuff ready to start with. Creating fire breaks with the shovels or equipment and anything to put out fire should be at the scene. Who knows how bad it could've been? We might have seen you and Ochka on national news explaining how preparing for a garden ended up burning a few hundred thousand acres!


If it had gone another eighth of mile, it would have been into my woods.



I keep always keep my wood a safe distance from fire too.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 20, 2015, 08:46:46 PM
Here is a little of what a Ukrainian wife can do for you.

I went from earning some pretty good wages as an independent consultant to earning no wages. 

Why . . . well helping her with English classes for a year, then doing grading and posting of grades for her GTA assignment and now more of same for her instructor position.

And now I am doing more unpaid work.  We had a very small garden for 4 years, but now Ochka has decided we need to get more serious about it.

So, while she is off teaching, I got the job of enlarging the garden space about 5 fold.  Had to take down the existing fence, posts and all, and move out of way.

Had a guy with a backhoe working on a parcel I have for sale, so he came down and loosened up the soil, took out a few very big rocks, dug out a stump, etc.

What thanks did I get when Ochka came home?
You didn't take care to dig up some strawberry plants that were there!!!!!
I didn't even see them or know they were there.

Now, I have to round up someone with rather large tiller or . . . OMG . . . rent one and do myself.

And I was told that chemical fertilizer would not do, and I must find some cow manure.

Get much more fencing, more posts, install the new fence, etc., etc.

This ain't an easy life . . .

All I get out of it is having a smug look on my face when we are out in public and other guys are thinking . . . why the fock does he get to have her!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on March 20, 2015, 10:04:21 PM
LMAO ;D   Sort of in the same boat here.   Just finished planting tomatoes.  Add in working full time, taxi to piano lessons, ballet lessons, ESL classes, swimming lessons (soon), repairing the cars, etc.

Unfortunately, we are so busy we rarely have time to go out anymore.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: cc3 on March 21, 2015, 10:10:45 AM
Carless and landless European urban lifestyle in Lviv is seeming better and better than my decades of typical suburban American existence.

:thumbsup:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 10, 2015, 11:40:27 AM
Ochka continues to be amazed at the difference between FSU and USA with respect to people who have money . . . a lot of money.

In our local community are probably 6 families who are multimillionaires, some really huge.

One such man died a couple of years ago.  He had started a firm 40 or so years ago which grew to several plants across USA and even has some foreign plants.

Don't know for sure, but based on their contributions of $20 million to business college and $50 million to local hospital, I would think they were worth $200 million or more.

We saw his widow (early 60s) at a theatrical performance last year and Ochka remarked how such a person in Ukraine would probably be surrounded by guards and acting very self-important.

Just today, we saw her in WalMart . . . yes WalMart! . . . by herself browsing through the fresh fruit section.  I spoke to her with chit chat about how hard it was raining outside.  She smiled and said, "Yes, I was hoping to do some garden planting, so need the rain to stop."

As we walked on Ochka just looked at me with her mouth agape in amazement.  A multi-multi-multi millionaire in WalMart and talking about planting a garden!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 10, 2015, 05:25:23 PM
ML,

Did you tell her that the majority of millionaires in the United States drive pick-up trucks?  She might get a kick out of that - and it is true. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 10, 2015, 09:11:50 PM

Just today, we saw her in WalMart . . . yes WalMart! . . .




She got money because she knows how to spend it and invest it. I hope she's enjoying life though. Work to live, not live to work.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Welder on April 11, 2015, 06:18:33 AM
Nice thread ML, very cool to read funny everyday life stuff. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 12, 2015, 08:27:55 PM
Fun with an International wife.

Earlier today, we stopped at grocery store and later I was asking Ochka what she thought about the rather strange looking person in line ahead of us.

I said that it was possible the person was a hermaphrodite.  Of course I really know nothing about what such persons might look like; I was just talking.

She understood the word as it is similar in Ukrainian; I guess.

Anyway, I was telling her how if someone irritates us; we tell them to go fock themselves.  And, that such a person could actually do it.

Now . . . flash forward to a hour or so ago.
Ochka was saying how she was so, so, so tired that she was going to bed to sleep.

I said:  "Why do you think that I chose you?"

She:  "Why?"

Me:  "Because you are so young and energetic.  And now you are wanting to go to sleep early and I might want to have sex."  (Not true at all, as that task was this afternoon).

She:  "I don't want to be rude . . . but I could tell you to go fock yourself."

I started laughing almost uncontrollably and she joined in.
We could hardly stop laughing.
It was a great moment.

I said how it was so dangerous for me to teach her anything.

She said that before me, she would never dream of saying some of the things she now said; even to me in private.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2015, 09:26:07 AM
Interesting mail day for Ochka . . . two items of mail.
 
First, her combo EAD/AP card arrived for the AOS process.  Not a really big deal for her compared to many other immigrants who are waiting for such a card, because she already has EAD card for OPT associated with F-1 visa which goes until around July 1st.  And by that date she will probably already have 2 year Green Card anyway.

Second, letter from local court . . . which had her crapping her pants and a bit scared.  I immediately suspected what it was; but wasn't sure.

And I was right . . . it was a summons for her for Jury duty!!

I am pretty sure she cannot serve because not a US citizen, but will have to investigate that situation on internet.

Anyway quite strange because I have NEVER been called for Jury duty during my 100 years or so of living in USA . . . and she gets called.

We were trying to figure out what list she was taken from.  I thought of student list and list when she signed up for Obama Care.
But I think she came up with a more likely story . . . the filing for marriage license.
Still, why was she chosen and not me?
Anyway, she couldn't wait to get on Skype and tell people back in Ukraine about this.  She was really animated when talking to them!!

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on April 17, 2015, 09:58:48 AM
Does Ukraine actually have trial by jury?
 
I have been called for jury duty a few times but was not chosen for a trial. They usually have a lot more people called in than they need for trials.
 
I don't know if you need to be a citizen or not? You have to answer several pages of questions.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2015, 10:07:13 AM
Does Ukraine actually have trial by jury?

I don't understand the relevance of your question with respect to someone who is called for jury duty in USA.

Except if you are wondering if a citizen of Ukraine even understands what jury duty is all about.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on April 17, 2015, 01:54:55 PM
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=ccp&group=00001-01000&file=190-237

(Excerpt)
203.
(a) All persons are eligible and qualified to be prospective trial jurors, except the following:
 
(1) Persons who are not citizens of the United States.
 
(2) Persons who are less than 18 years of age.

(3) Persons who are not domiciliaries of the State of California, as determined pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 2020) of Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Elections Code.

(4) Persons who are not residents of the jurisdiction wherein they are summoned to serve.
 
(5) Persons who have been convicted of malfeasance in office or a felony, and whose civil rights have not been restored.
 
(6) Persons who are not possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language, provided that no person shall be deemed incompetent solely because of the loss of sight or hearing in any degree or other disability which impedes the person's ability to communicate or which impairs or interferes with the person's mobility.
 
(7) Persons who are serving as grand or trial jurors in any court of this state.
 
(8.) Persons who are the subject of conservatorship.

(b) No person shall be excluded from eligibility for jury service in the State of California, for any reason other than those reasons provided by this section.

I do not know if this is the latest version.


Here is an article a couple years old that suggests the citizenship requirement may have been dropped, but do not see anything that indicates if the bill was passed and signed into law.

http://www.usnews.com/news/newsgram/articles/2013/04/26/california-moves-to-ditch-citizenship-requirement-for-jury-duty
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2015, 02:05:33 PM
Doug, thanks for the info.

I found some similar stuff on internet, but nothing that said in black and white that non-citizen meant non-juror.

Called local judicial office and they said no one could serve on jury if non-citizen.

But I gave them a bit of a hard time because of totally inefficient system and forms.

For  instance, first question on info sheet each recipient has to fill out is:  Are you a citizen of USA.

But it is missing the important next sentence:  If you check no, then stop and do not fill out the  rest of the form, merely sign and return.

Instead, (because this sentence is missing) people are left with task of completing the entire long form, sending in . . . and then left hanging with anxiety as to what will happen with (for instance) workplace demands, travel plans, etc.

Very, very arrogant and inconsiderate of those who prepared the form.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on April 17, 2015, 02:20:30 PM
Glad to see the EAD/AP card came today.  I am going to have to calculate how long it was from your date of receipt of the package or biometrics to guess when Larissa's will arrive.  Her biometrics are scheduled for April 21.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2015, 02:27:55 PM
Glad to see the EAD/AP card came today.  I am going to have to calculate how long it was from your date of receipt of the package or biometrics to guess when Larissa's will arrive.  Her biometrics are scheduled for April 21.

Not related to time of Bio as I told you in email . . . except that you must do Bio on or before the date assigned.

73 days from time AOS packet signed for at Chicago Dropbox to date EAD/AP card received in our mail box.

On VisaJourney website most of us who filed in February are getting EAD/AP cards in the 65-75 days time range.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on April 17, 2015, 02:32:16 PM
OK Thanks
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2015, 05:12:31 PM
You all have seen the TV commercials where a stunt man drives a new car like crazy doing all sorts of dangerous moves.

At bottom, always says:  Don't try this at home.

= = = = = = =

Today Ochka gave a private tutoring lesson in calculus in Student Center.

Earlier, we had talked about a romantic evening when she returned.

She called after getting into car, as is our rule.

Me:  Hello
She:  Do you have wine waiting for us?
Me: (After a pause) Who is this calling?
She: (After a pause) Before I answer . . . which number did I call from my address book?

Love this woman !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 28, 2015, 07:20:09 AM
We have been working for over a month now, preparing a garden for planting.  Tons and tons of rocks removed, along with grass, weeds, roots, etc.

I have lost 6 pounds and Ochka lost 5 pounds.

We have been arguing more over this garden during past month than we have argued about anything for past several years.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: fathertime on May 28, 2015, 08:46:44 AM
We have been working for over a month now, preparing a garden for planting.  Tons and tons of rocks removed, along with grass, weeds, roots, etc.

I have lost 6 pounds and Ochka lost 5 pounds.

We have been arguing more over this garden during past month than we have argued about anything for past several years.
How big is your garden going to be?  It usually only takes me a couple days to prepare the area.     What are you growing? Hopefully the arguments are good natured.  The garden should be strictly a source of pleasure. 

Fathertime!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on May 28, 2015, 09:43:12 AM
Trial by jury is extremely rare in Russia and practly non-existent in Ukraine. Most people in Ukraine have no idea what a jury is.
 
USSR abolished jury trial in 1922 and it was not until 1993 that jury trial took place in Russia. The first jury trial in Ukraine was about 2 years ago.
 
Only certain very serious criminal cases are allowed to be a jury trial in Russia and Ukraine.
 
I was called for jury duty several times where I live in USA. I don't remember any question asking if I was a Citizen of USA. You did have to live in juristiction of the court, however. If you were 70 years old or older, you could ask to be excused.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on May 28, 2015, 10:18:16 AM
Trial by jury is extremely rare in Russia and practly non-existent in Ukraine. Most people in Ukraine have no idea what a jury is.
 
USSR abolished jury trial in 1922 and it was not until 1993 that jury trial took place in Russia. The first jury trial in Ukraine was about 2 years ago.
 
Only certain very serious criminal cases are allowed to be a jury trial in Russia and Ukraine.
 
I was called for jury duty several times where I live in USA. I don't remember any question asking if I was a Citizen of USA. You did have to live in juristiction of the court, however. If you were 70 years old or older, you could ask to be excused.

Wayne, you don't get to be invited to be a member of a jury unless you are registered to vote. 

As for Russian and Ukrainian court systems, one of the reasons there are few juries is that cases are often decided by a 'panel' of judges.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 31, 2015, 08:56:39 PM
Wayne, you don't get to be invited to be a member of a jury unless you are registered to vote. 

Not true, because Ochka was not only invited, but the wording was 'commanded' to appear for jury duty . . . while not being registered to vote.

They either got her name from driver's license data base, or maybe from our marriage license registration.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 31, 2015, 09:02:58 PM
More about the garden later . . . but for now . . . I haven't noticed anyone mention about the current 3 days of Trinity for Eastern Orthodox religion.

Ochka said she must not do 'extra' work on these 3 days.  I don't remember her making a 'big deal' about it in previous years . . . but perhaps she was very tired of garden work this year . . . so a convenient excuse.

Anyway, the good news is the excellent Pyrizhky that she made today.

Three varieties of filling:  White soft sweet cheese (that she makes herself), Cherries, and Apples.

As usual, she made a huge batch . . . so we will be eating for several days . . . and gaining weight.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on May 31, 2015, 09:09:02 PM
Wayne, you don't get to be invited to be a member of a jury unless you are registered to vote. 

As for Russian and Ukrainian court systems, one of the reasons there are few juries is that cases are often decided by a 'panel' of judges.

Not true in California.  An excerpt from the states site on jurors.......

Where did the jury office get my name for jury duty?
Names for potential jurors are randomly drawn from voter registration lists obtained from the Secretary of State of California and from lists of driver's license/identification cards obtained from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 01, 2015, 11:06:16 AM
How big is your garden going to be?  It usually only takes me a couple days to prepare the area.     What are you growing? Hopefully the arguments are good natured.  The garden should be strictly a source of pleasure. 

Fathertime!

Garden is about 250 square feet.

Regarding time to prepare . . . you missed point that this is first time for the area and it was filled with rocks, boulders, roots, etc.  Pictures later.

Many things planted and will be planted.  36 tomato bushes planted and that's the main concern for me.

We are already eating strawberries, leaf lettuce of various types, spinach, cilantro (Ochka only, not me), radishes.

Very big task was preparing bed for asparagus.  We dug down at least two feet and took out any signs of heavy clay.  Then had to sift dirt from another pile and put back in.  Planted 26 crowns.  Not supposed to harvest any of it this year, and only a little next year.  Third year is when can start eating a lot of it.  Supposed to keep producing for 20 or so years.

Arguments were not good natured.  I was pretty upset several times and am still a bit concerned about the situation.  Made me wonder for the first time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on June 01, 2015, 11:28:07 AM
Culturally, men do not tend gardens in Ukraine, and UW take their gardens very seriously, especially if they grew up in villages.
 
My Grandmother, God rest her soul, planted everything, weeded, watered, and harvested.  My Grandfather, God rest his soul,  tilled the garden when she told him it was time, and dug up the potatoes, again, on her order, and both under strict supervision.  He also plucked apples from the tallest branches of the tree and gathered rain water in barrels.   My mother hired someone to till her garden.  My father did nothing in the garden, though he did (and still does) all the other yard work.  Now, he plants the garden, and she complains he doesn't know what he is doing, despite the fact they both grew up subsistence farming.
 
In our home, my husband gardens.  He wanted to do so, and though, having grown up among Ukrainian peasants, I think I could do some things better and get bigger yields, I just let him do his thing.  We won't starve if we get 2 rather than 3 bushels of potatoes.
 
From my observations growing up, when it comes to gardens, you, as the husband of a UW, have no right to an opinion.  A simple "yes dear" likely is the best course of action. 8)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Noch1 on June 01, 2015, 12:39:59 PM
I hate gardening, so we made a deal.
I built them, she plants and tends to them.
I get whatever she asks for, to put in them.
She actually knows her stuff and loves it.
She's happy, So I am happy, seems simple enough:)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: fathertime on June 01, 2015, 01:09:37 PM
Garden is about 250 square feet.

Regarding time to prepare . . . you missed point that this is first time for the area and it was filled with rocks, boulders, roots, etc.  Pictures later.

Many things planted and will be planted.  36 tomato bushes planted and that's the main concern for me.

We are already eating strawberries, leaf lettuce of various types, spinach, cilantro (Ochka only, not me), radishes.

Very big task was preparing bed for asparagus.  We dug down at least two feet and took out any signs of heavy clay.  Then had to sift dirt from another pile and put back in.  Planted 26 crowns.  Not supposed to harvest any of it this year, and only a little next year.  Third year is when can start eating a lot of it.  Supposed to keep producing for 20 or so years.

Arguments were not good natured.  I was pretty upset several times and am still a bit concerned about the situation.  Made me wonder for the first time.


Hmmmm, sorry to hear that the arguments could get THAT heated over the garden...that is concerning for you I'm sure....Perhaps if it is too much work to prepare the garden, you could throw some money at it.  Hire somebody to do the real heavy lifting so you can enjoy the project, as must be at in part what the hope was supposed to be.


How big were these rocks?  I'm in California, and don't get many bigger than my fist.   


Good luck,
Fathertime!   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on June 01, 2015, 01:57:50 PM
Culturally, men do not tend gardens in Ukraine, and UW take their gardens very seriously, especially if they grew up in villages.
 
From my observations growing up, when it comes to gardens, you, as the husband of a UW, have no right to an opinion.  A simple "yes dear" likely is the best course of action. 8)

"Yes Dear" is the first Russian expression I learned and use it frequently.  We are in the midst of the same thing as ML but on a smaller scale.  When we had disagreements about some of the new trees and plantings Larissa reminded me that she is the one with the degree in agriculture and a 'Yes Dear' ended the discussion.

As long as I do not have to weed the garden she can do whatever she likes with it.  I hired someone to dig up the clay and prepare the bed for the vegetable garden as well as deep holes for the new fruit trees, so she was happy.  It is true that FSUW take gardening very seriously.  We should have tomatoes and other vegetables coming out our ears in a few weeks.  How can I complain?    ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on June 01, 2015, 09:36:36 PM
Quote
Garden is about 250 square feet.

36 tomato bushes planted and that's the main concern for me.

Planted 26 crowns.  Not supposed to harvest any of it this year, and only a little next year.  Third year is when can start eating a lot of it.  Supposed to keep producing for 20 or so years.

Your garden should be much larger than 250 square feet for what you are growing.

At the minimum, you want 8 square feet per tomato plant.  (2 feet apart, with 4 feet between rows.)  Even at 8 sf, you will have difficulties walking in the tomato jungle.  @8 sf per plant, that's 288 sf just for the tomatoes.

The asparagus should have 1 sf per crown.  That's 10% of your 250 sf garden.  You can pick any spears pencil thickness or larger.  Leave thinner spears alone. 
It's wise to mulch asparagus to suppress weeds.  (And if you cover asparagus when it starts growing spears, you get white spears which are worth more than green spears.)  Also, asparagus can tolerate a lot of salt.  If you make homemade ice cream, dump your salt water on the asparagus.  The salt will help suppress weeds, and asparagus seems to like the salt.

If you planted a 250 sf garden with as many plants as you did, make sure you prevent any weeds from growing or you won't get a crop.  There will be too much competition from weeds, and your plants will be pitiful.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: southernX on June 02, 2015, 12:20:34 AM
ah the anomalies of gardening ,

my wife did not garden naturally when we met .

 In her home city it was the men in her family who controlled the darcha garden , the women got to water it and harvest from the garden .
producing cider,  jams, relishes, pickled veg, compote and all manner of bottled items

still to this day it is the same in the familys darcha , potatoes, watermelon, corn , tomatoes,  paprikes cucumbers , etc are all planted and tended by the men of the house

 my wife  has picked up the  gardening skill  since we met, as i like to garden , mostly vegetables, fruit, but also flowers
she now enjoys watering more than anything else , she also loves the fact that she can walk outside in any season and  harvest something from our garden to cook with or beautify the house

this is all done in typical european style , full apron with a front pocket , gloves ,  cane  hand basket  for the harvest and hat worn on a jaunty angle usually  !!!  :-*

fresh produce is always on our table , we have experimented with all types of preserving and bottling , including olives and cured meats , living in australia we are lucky with the climate we have for outside gardening

SX
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on June 02, 2015, 09:44:36 AM
At our dacha, there is no lawn; the whole area is planted in fruit trees, grapes, strawberries, flowers, etc. The growing season is longer in Crimea than where we live in the states.

I have a vegetable garden here that is about 3000 square feet. I can grow a lot.

You can save space in a garden by using supports for your tomatoes, beans, peas, etc. You can follow the advise for companion planting. You can plant certain things that repel insects.

My wife does not have any place for a garden at her flat, but she always had house plants. She likes to grow orchids.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 02, 2015, 11:07:55 AM
Ooooops . . . big typo by me.

Garden is about 2,500 square feet . . . not 250.

The 250 is approximate square meters which Ochka can better understand.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on June 02, 2015, 12:46:24 PM
Wayne, you don't get to be invited to be a member of a jury unless you are registered to vote. 

As for Russian and Ukrainian court systems, one of the reasons there are few juries is that cases are often decided by a 'panel' of judges.

There is a zillion ways to get on a jury list, the most common is voters lists but
DMV lists are also very common among others. It's far too boring to paste the
details here in ML's thread but if you follow the link and read 197 a, b and c
then you can see all the various methods they have to constitute a jury list.


http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=ccp&group=00001-01000&file=190-237
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on June 02, 2015, 04:56:57 PM
There is a zillion ways to get on a jury list, the most common is voters lists but
DMV lists are also very common among others. It's far too boring to paste the
details here in ML's thread but if you follow the link and read 197 a, b and c
then you can see all the various methods they have to constitute a jury list.


http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=ccp&group=00001-01000&file=190-237

My wife was called for jury duty.
Like Bill mentioned, there are several ways to get on the  mailing list.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 02, 2015, 08:41:34 PM
Gator has been MIA for two months now.

Anyone have an status update on him?

Health problems or . . . .
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on June 02, 2015, 09:57:31 PM
Gator has been MIA for two months now.

Anyone have an status update on him?

Health problems or . . . .


I've been gone for months in the past too. Anybody wonder if I were dead? Anybody wish I were dead? Hopefully Gator's enjoying life.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 03, 2015, 01:48:46 AM
Gator has been MIA for two months now.

Anyone have an status update on him?

Health problems or . . . .

Hopefully he's just enjoying life.  Daveman and GQBlues have been missing for a lot longer.  Nobody seems too worried about them, either.  :devil:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on June 03, 2015, 03:37:10 AM
Daveman & Gator are missed-- there is a difference!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on June 03, 2015, 09:29:01 AM
Fairly certain all the above are fine and living their lives...

I'm not here much either, simply have less time.

 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 03, 2015, 06:24:31 PM
Daveman & Gator are missed-- there is a difference!

 :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 05, 2015, 08:17:17 PM
Ochka went to her first 'closing' with me today, as we sold another acre parcel where new house will be built.

She couldn't believe the stack of papers nearly an inch thick that buyers had to sign with respect to their loan.

And, she wasn't happy when I told her how much in income taxes we were going to pay.  Cost basis was only about 5 percent of the sales price.

A newer (but used) farm pickup may be in the offing.
Current one has some very rusted cross members under the bed.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on June 05, 2015, 09:39:44 PM
In America, pickup trucks are the mode of transportation of millionaires.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Noch1 on June 06, 2015, 03:35:22 AM
In America, pickup trucks are the mode of transportation of millionaires.
Many pick ups are not cheap anymore.
My last truck was 65k

The Millionaire truck owners leave in Texas.
But many rich drive large American SUV's
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 01, 2015, 07:53:13 PM
Ochka tried to scam me today.

We went out for a lunch meal at Cracker Barrel, and afterwards she asked me to drive by the airport.

While there, she jumped out of car, grabbed 2 suitcases, went in and got on airplane for a trip back to Ukraine to visit with family and friends for a month.

Ha . . . but the joke is on her because I paid for the meals with a debit card on her bank account that I took from her purse when she went to ladies room.

A gal has to get up pretty early in morning to pull one over on me . . . a long time reader on RWD who knows about the scams these FSU gals run.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 07, 2015, 02:34:24 PM
Air France is giving some very good prices on tickets from Kyiv - Paris - direct to several cities in USA now.

Even for travel during this peak summer period.

2-3 Flight daily between Paris - Kyiv.

Some on AF and some on Ukraine International.

They are partners with Delta, so some flights Paris to and from USA are on Delta and some on Air France.

But the tickets booked through AF are $300-400 cheaper than the exact same tickets booked through Delta.

The ticket prices on the AF website are a couple of dollars cheaper than any price found for the exact same flights on any of the 'cheap fare' websites.

Just booked round trip ticket for Ochka to return to USA in early August . . . and go back to Ukraine in mid May 2016.

AF - Delta now fly direct Paris to:

Atlanta
Boston
Cincinnati
Chicago
Detroit
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Salt Lake City
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, DC
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on July 08, 2015, 01:14:54 AM
Nor sure I will ever fly on Air Chance (Air France) again unless I can tolerate a couple of days with no luggage at the destination.  I would have to think about the $300-$400 savings vs the inconvenience.    I still prefer the LAX - Amsterdam- Kiev flight.  Lots of sleep time.  LOL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on July 08, 2015, 07:47:18 AM
Nor sure I will ever fly on Air Chance (Air France) again unless I can tolerate a couple of days with no luggage at the destination.  I would have to think about the $300-$400 savings vs the inconvenience.    I still prefer the LAX - Amsterdam- Kiev flight.  Lots of sleep time.  LOL

Ha,

If you hadn't lost your luggage, you might not even be married now.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 08, 2015, 09:25:27 AM
Terrorists, scammers and hackers continue to cause problems for we ordinary folks.

Much of this trouble comes from actions of companies, etc., who are trying to protect us from terrorists, scammers and hackers.

Example:

As soon as Ochka tried to access her gmail account after arrival in Ukraine . . . gmail denied access because it was worried the log in attempt came from a different country.

I was able to log into her account here in USA, and after a lot of checking and hassles, initiated some settings that will allow her to access from Ukraine . . . BUT . . . this will only take effect after 7 days.

In the past, I travelled a lot to different countries and didn't have this type of trouble accessing gmail and other email accounts.

But, it seems things are changing.

Anyone else encounter this sort of thing?

Previously we needed to tell our credit/debit card issuers about travel plans.  Now we need to tell email carriers as well.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on July 08, 2015, 10:05:09 AM
Terrorists, scammers and hackers continue to cause problems for we ordinary folks.

Much of this trouble comes from actions of companies, etc., who are trying to protect us from terrorists, scammers and hackers.

Example:

As soon as Ochka tried to access her gmail account after arrival in Ukraine . . . gmail denied access because it was worried the log in attempt came from a different country.

I was able to log into her account here in USA, and after a lot of checking and hassles, initiated some settings that will allow her to access from Ukraine . . . BUT . . . this will only take effect after 7 days.

In the past, I travelled a lot to different countries and didn't have this type of trouble accessing gmail and other email accounts.

But, it seems things are changing.

Anyone else encounter this sort of thing?

Previously we needed to tell our credit/debit card issuers about travel plans.  Now we need to tell email carriers as well.


Hi ML,


This is done for security reasons. It is a pain in the a**. Basically, when you set up an email (Gmail, Outlook), you give them your mobile phone number and they send you a code to verify that you are you.


If you then access your account from a different device/IP Address/Country, they want to send another code to your mobile device to verify you are the one accessing. I hate this, but it is the world we live in. Not sure if you can contact them before the trip to avoid this. This is called "Multi-factor Authentication" if you want to Bing/Google it. :)


Hope this helps,
HDL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 08, 2015, 12:47:46 PM
Thanks.

But we refuse to give phone numbers when gmail asks for it.

And, even if we did give phone number to gmail, it wouldn't help for this situation because we use entirely different phones in Ukraine compared to what we use in USA.

Just as gmail freaked when she tried to access from Ukraine, it would likely also freak if we remembered to change the phone number from USA to Ukraine number.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Vinnvinny on July 08, 2015, 12:55:38 PM
It’s not so important when one arrives, what’s key is that one eventually does turn up.

With the above in mind, many congrats ML and Ochka. :)

p.s. I didnt read all the thread so I'm hoping you're still together.  ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 08, 2015, 01:15:18 PM
Hi Vinny, haven't seen you around much for awhile . . . at least not in my threads.

Not sure what you are referring to  'eventually does show up.'

Anyway, we are still together . . . at least as of about an hour ago when we talked on Skype.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: yaricksl on July 12, 2015, 11:29:35 AM
Hi,

Me UK and my girlfriend Taiwan are in a similar situation.
I do know from experience of another chap who got married and tried registering in Taiwan. He found the people within the government offices hard to talk to as they needed certified proof that he hadnt been married before. This is actually quite a hard thing to prove when you think about it, they got his birth certificate and then needed to go to a solicitor for a written statement that he had not been married before. However, reading your post it seems likely that you are getting married in the UK first then registering in Taiwan, this is the opposite way round of my case story and I hope it all goes well and you have a great wedding.
It has been a while since you posted this note... maybe you are married already in which case congratulations. I found your previous posts and was interested because I am experiencing the same things in my life, having a relationship where my girlfriend lives far away and we skype a lot. I have some questions like:

Did you find a job in Taiwan?
What job is your girlfriend going to find in the UK?
What are your plans for the future?

Any advice would be great.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on July 12, 2015, 11:46:34 AM
Hi,

Me UK and my girlfriend Taiwan are in a similar situation.
I do know from experience of another chap who got married and tried registering in Taiwan. He found the people within the government offices hard to talk to as they needed certified proof that he hadnt been married before. This is actually quite a hard thing to prove when you think about it, they got his birth certificate and then needed to go to a solicitor for a written statement that he had not been married before. However, reading your post it seems likely that you are getting married in the UK first then registering in Taiwan, this is the opposite way round of my case story and I hope it all goes well and you have a great wedding.
It has been a while since you posted this note... maybe you are married already in which case congratulations. I found your previous posts and was interested because I am experiencing the same things in my life, having a relationship where my girlfriend lives far away and we skype a lot. I have some questions like:

Did you find a job in Taiwan?
What job is your girlfriend going to find in the UK?
What are your plans for the future?

Any advice would be great.

yaricksl,

I recommend that you start a new thread in the immigration and visa section here
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?board=7.0

ML, is an American and his wife is Ukrainian and neither of them were married in Taiwan
and the laws of USA, Ukraine, Taiwan and the UK are all different.

However, I recommend that you start a new thread in the immigration and visa section here
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?board=7.0

I would title the thread, UK man marries in Taiwan advice please and you will probably get
some valuable advice.

Udachi! or Zaohua (good luck!)

Bill
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 12, 2015, 05:06:30 PM
Just saw the post. 

No idea where the Taiwan thing came from.  I was there a hundred years or so ago as a young man serving 4 years in US Navy.

Thanks Bill for setting him straight.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: yaricksl on July 13, 2015, 08:52:39 AM
Hi,

Me UK and my girlfriend Taiwan are in a similar situation.
I do know from experience of another chap who got married and tried registering in Taiwan. He found the people within the government offices hard to talk to as they needed certified proof that he hadnt been married before. This is actually quite a hard thing to prove when you think about it, they got his birth certificate and then needed to go to a solicitor for a written statement that he had not been married before. However, reading your post it seems likely that you are getting married in the UK first then registering in Taiwan, this is the opposite way round of my case story and I hope it all goes well and you have a great wedding.
It has been a while since you posted this note... maybe you are married already in which case congratulations. I found your previous posts and was interested because I am experiencing the same things in my life, having a relationship where my girlfriend lives far away and we skype a lot. I have some questions like:

Did you find a job in Taiwan?
What job is your girlfriend going to find in the UK?
What are your plans for the future?

Any advice would be great.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on July 13, 2015, 09:48:02 AM
Just saw the post. 

No idea where the Taiwan thing came from.  I was there a hundred years or so ago as a young man serving 4 years in US Navy.

Thanks Bill for setting him straight.

Looks like he could have missed my point (http://se.uploads.ru/Tp7vh.gif)

He posted this right after you

Hi,

Me UK and my girlfriend Taiwan are in a similar situation.
I do know from experience of another chap who got married and tried registering in Taiwan. He found the people within the government offices hard to talk to as they needed certified proof that he hadnt been married before. This is actually quite a hard thing to prove when you think about it, they got his birth certificate and then needed to go to a solicitor for a written statement that he had not been married before. However, reading your post it seems likely that you are getting married in the UK first then registering in Taiwan, this is the opposite way round of my case story and I hope it all goes well and you have a great wedding.
It has been a while since you posted this note... maybe you are married already in which case congratulations. I found your previous posts and was interested because I am experiencing the same things in my life, having a relationship where my girlfriend lives far away and we skype a lot. I have some questions like:

Did you find a job in Taiwan?
What job is your girlfriend going to find in the UK?
What are your plans for the future?

Any advice would be great.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 13, 2015, 09:55:36 AM
Am I being stalked by yaricksl ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 16, 2015, 10:09:15 AM
Ochka has been spending time the last couple of days with friends who are finishing off new apartments.

Helping them analyze floor tiling, kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, etc.

They have been remarking to each other how simple it was back in Soviet times.

i.e. There was practically no choice; so not the necessity of all this time spent agonizing over the alternatives.

Also surprisingly, the cost of these new apartments has not decreased over the past year, despite the uncertainties Ukraine faces.

The apartment that Ochka bought and finished out last year would cost a little bit more right now.

And, in general, she says apartment prices have not changed much at all.  There are factors pushing toward lower prices, but this is offset by people in general just holding off selling.

Instead of selling, they are giving their previous older apartments out for rent.

As a result, the prices for rent have dropped noticeably.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 02, 2015, 08:32:16 PM
Ochka is on plane now in Kyiv and heading for Paris for plane change.

Neighbors will be glad when she returns because they are getting tired of me window peeping, etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 03, 2015, 05:38:21 PM
Neighbors will be glad when she returns because they are getting tired of me window peeping, etc.



What's the "etc" and exactly how is your wife going to get you to stop? Inquiring minds want to know.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 03, 2015, 07:47:18 PM
Ochka will get me to 'stop' because she has this large stick that she hits me with when I do something wrong.

And now we are back home.

Her flights were great and she slept a lot on both legs of the flight.

However, upon landing, a lot of delays.  Rain downpour just after landing.  Crews couldn't get plane up to gate for some reason.  Or maybe couldn't get covered walkway to move up to plane.

Then long lines for immigration.

Ochka came in on EAD/AP card for first time.  I  had warned her that I read on Visa Journey that all coming in on this card are taken to secondary inspection station.  And they did for her also.  Another line there.

Then, because of rain, belt system wouldn't work to move luggage to carousel.

Anyway, she is safe and sound here.  Showered, I gave her back massage, and she went immediately to sleep.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 03, 2015, 08:27:04 PM
Ochka will get me to 'stop' because she has this large stick that she hits me with when I do something wrong.



I know you ML and you do a lot of things wrong so you're getting beat on a regular basis. You have rights in America and we can get you help. You may think you deserve everything you get but you're a victim of domestic violence. 911 is your best friend.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 03, 2015, 08:51:18 PM
Yeah, I am going to check into that there 'elder abuse' thing.

Billy, when does your spouse get back into USA from Ukraine?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 03, 2015, 08:57:22 PM
Ochka was asking me what I thought about us buying some older, run-down apartments in Ukraine; then fixing up for rent or selling for profit (hopefully).

In finishing out her new apartment near US Embassy in Kyiv, we found a very good worker/partner in a relative of hers by marriage.

We would put up the money, he would do the work, and then we split the gain on sale.

No, we aren't thinking of buying in Donetsk region.

I told her violence could break out and destroy apartments anywhere in Ukraine . . . but she thinks extremely unlikely in Kyiv and western Ukraine.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on August 04, 2015, 09:41:39 AM
I think you are right.  If Putin decides to go West, it will be a blitzkrieg and will be over before it begins.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 04, 2015, 07:16:29 PM
Billy, when does your spouse get back into USA from Ukraine?



In a month. Fortunately I got you guys to listen to my crappy jokes while I wait.


I told her violence could break out and destroy apartments anywhere in Ukraine . . . but she thinks extremely unlikely in Kyiv and western Ukraine.



If Putin goes for it all, all he'd need to do is take Kiev. My wife's in Western Ukraine so I didn't protest her leaving at this time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 19, 2015, 06:05:13 PM
What prima donnas these women are.

Ochka has just completed three days of university teaching this semester.

Very stressful for her as one course is a new preparation.

So when she came home today, she said:  "I need to celebrate finally getting through these three days.  Let's go out to restaurant."

Three days . . . what the he!!

Who ever heard of celebrating and getting a meal at restaurant after three days . . . when the semester goes until mid-December?

But me being pussy whipped; I obediently complied.

I mean it's not like this stuff she teaches is difficult.

Second semester calculus class to Engineering students and multivariable calculus class to Engineering students. 

Sound fairly simple to me.

I don't know what calculus is, but anything that can vary in multiple ways sounds like a lot of fun.  Probably a snap course and something to do with new math, I suppose.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 19, 2015, 09:31:52 PM
So when she came home today, she said:  "I need to celebrate finally getting through these three days.  Let's go out to restaurant."



You may have been scammed for a free meal. Report back to us what she asks of you after the next three days. We're here to help.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on August 20, 2015, 09:41:09 AM
Calculus has been around for a very long time and there is nothing new about it. Most people don't need it. Math and engineering majors must pass it. Most people would just use a computer.
 
Perhaps your wife is used to being off for the Summer and not wanting it to end?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on August 20, 2015, 12:18:54 PM
 :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 20, 2015, 01:12:20 PM
Ochka has been bugging me to post pictures here of her garden produce.

At time of this pic, tomatoes were just getting started.

Now we have tomatoes coming out our ears and most other places.

We ended up with over 30 tomato bushes.  Just wanted 10 or so, but she planted an entire packet . . . and they all came up and are producing.  Plus bought 3 yellows which are my favorite.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 20, 2015, 01:15:43 PM
Here is something that is really tasty.

Zucchini Pizza.

Slice length way.
Add mayo, tomato, a little garlic  and some cheese on top.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 20, 2015, 05:06:23 PM
Ochka has been bugging me to post pictures here of her garden produce.



Really nice looking vegetables. So nice I'm wondering if Ochka knows how to Photoshop.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on August 20, 2015, 05:12:58 PM
Here is something that is really tasty.

Zucchini Pizza.

Slice length way.
Add mayo, tomato, a little garlic  and some cheese on top.

Looks so good I am going to ask Larissa to give it a try.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on August 20, 2015, 05:40:24 PM
Here is something that is really tasty. Zucchini Pizza. Slice lengthWISE. Add mayo, tomato, a little garlic  and some cheese on top.
Why on earth do you add mayo to a pizza :o?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on August 20, 2015, 06:23:49 PM
Why on earth do you add mayo to a pizza :o?

She's Ukrainian, Sandro - what did you expect?  :devil:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on August 21, 2015, 02:50:30 AM
She's Ukrainian, Sandro - what did you expect?  :devil:

Sort of like northern Germans, they will throw a pineapple slice on top of any dish of food.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 21, 2015, 09:14:29 AM
Sorry, I mis-spoke about the mayo.  Actually Ochka does not use mayo much, unlike others from her area.

Here is the recipe:

Zucchini Pizzas .... Low carb!

Zucchini
Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Sliced tomatoes
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Salt/Pepper

Directions:
Slice the zucchini in half. Slice off some bottom also to keep it stable. Brush with olive oil and top with garlic or garlic powder. Top with sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Use Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese or mixed blend.. Bake 375 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft.



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on August 21, 2015, 10:51:10 AM
Much better - although Parmesan there is a bit redundant along with mozzarella ;).
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 22, 2015, 10:36:34 AM
Went to a picnic last evening for College of Arts and Sciences.  Huge college which the math department is part of.

I knew several professors from different departments and Ochka knew the math professors, of course.

We heard from some that 'you must meet X, Y Z who is new here from Russia.'  I said as nice as possible . . . no please do not send them our way.'

Then, as we were sitting and eating, a geography professor that I knew headed toward us with two women in tow.

I thought . . . oh sheeeeeet!

But it turned out great as the younger mid 30s professor of physics was from . . . Kyiv !!   Yeah.

And the older 60ish woman was her mother who was here (with the father) for 2 months on tourist visa.

The mother also had PhD in physics and worked at some government facility in Ukraine as scientist.  She said she had to sign a bunch of documents promising not to disclose secrets, before she could get out of the country.

Anyway, the three of them gabbed on and on in Ukrainian language.

The mother had spent a lot of time on Maidan supporting those trying to oust Yanokovich back when.

The daughter was not very pretty although she had a model's figure and was around 5 foot 9.  The mother was short and dumpy.

Not all Ukrainian women are 10s.

But very nice people and will be coming to our house soon.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on August 22, 2015, 03:31:32 PM
ML,

Glad to see you guys making friends.  Larissa has been doing the same thing.  I am amazed how word gets around of another new Ukrainian in town.  Friends of friends have been introducing her to many new people. I have already lost track of all of her new friends. 

Of course there is our member, Krassie that she met when I first introduced her to on Skype when we first met in Kiev.  The two of them have chatted regularly on Skype for the past couple of years.  It's nice to have resident members that a new wife can chat with in their native language.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 28, 2015, 12:43:22 PM
W had a LOT of tomatoes this year.

So Ochka fixed some for later days.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 30, 2015, 09:16:53 PM
We had a picnic here today.  Mostly Ochka's fellow faculty in math, but a few others thrown in also.

It looked like a mini UN conference.

Attendees from Ukraine, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Germany, France, Austria, Czech, Israel, India, Taiwan and Japan.

Only three USA native born's in entire group, including myself.

I noticed one math prof had the hots for Ochka, but he is a very shy type.  She took classes from him and thought him a near genius in the classroom, but outside classroom he is lost.  She said she never noticed his his interest in her, but it was clear.  I think he was quite disappointed to find out she was married.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 02, 2015, 09:16:58 PM
Not at all trying to 'rub salt' with respect to the current thread started by EasternSun, but . . .

Today, as with last week (Wednesday), Ochka thinks that because she taught for 3 days she deserves a restaurant dinner.

She really enjoys these and especially our long talks that seem to occur at restaurants.

Anyway, she was telling me of the very scary dream she had last night.

I was insisting that we were going to leave USA and go live in Ukraine.  She was very much against it, and in a terrible fright about it.

Her deceased Grandmother was in the dream also, but she didn't know what the Grandmother might have to do with this planned move to Ukraine.

She tried everything and every reason she could think of to get me to change my mind about us going to Ukraine.

But, in the end, I picked up some suitcases and headed for the door.

She then woke up in a cold sweat from the dream ordeal.

Note:  I never told her about EasternSun's story, so she wasn't just BSing me to show that she was different from his wife.

She and I couldn't figure out where this dream came from because I have never voiced any intention to go live in Ukraine permanently.

And, I thought it best not to ask her why she didn't actually like the idea that I wanted us to go live in Ukraine.  I guess deep down I wouldn't want to hear that she would rather live there than here.

A couple of slight things she said over the past few months leads me to believe she might becoming quite attached to USA. 

She told that when talking with a group of her very close women friends in Ukraine this past summer, she said something along the lines of "we in USA like to do X, Y, Z."    One of her 25 year friends was quite annoyed and 'called her' on referring to herself as part of the 'we' group in USA.  So Ochka realized she had actually thought of 'we' rather than 'they' when referring to people in USA.

And just recently, she remarked that she was really starting to think of our group of friends and acquaintances as people that she doesn't want to be separated from.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 10, 2015, 01:07:31 PM
Ochka has me check over her handouts, quizzes, exams, etc. for English before she does final printout for copying.

So just now, I looked over some of her Multivariable Calculus materials and came across the word 'parallelepiped' that she had typed.

I was ready to mark it as some sort of weird error wherein she had combined some words with misspellings, etc.

But, just decided to check out on Google.

OMG . . . there is such a word !!

Don't read about it . . . you can become a little queasy, as I did.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on September 11, 2015, 03:23:34 AM
So just now, I looked over some of her Multivariable Calculus materials and came across the word 'parallelepiped' that she had typed.I was ready to mark it as some sort of weird error wherein she had combined some words with misspellings, etc.But, just decided to check out on Google.OMG . . . there is such a word !!Don't read about it . . . you can become a little queasy, as I did.
It's just a stretched-out cube ;D:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Parallelepipede.png)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 11, 2015, 08:50:12 AM
Too simple Sandro.

In three dimensions, a parallelepiped is a prism whose faces are all parallelograms. Let A, B, and C be the basis vectors defining a three-dimensional parallelepiped. Then the parallelepiped has volume given by the scalar triple product

Parallelepiped is a three-dimensional figure formed by six parallelograms (the term rhomboid is also sometimes used with this meaning). By analogy, it relates to a parallelogram just as a cube relates to a square or as a cuboid to a rectangle. In Euclidean geometry, its definition encompasses all four concepts (i.e., parallelepiped, parallelogram, cube, and square). In this context of affine geometry, in which angles are not differentiated, its definition admits only parallelograms and parallelepipeds. Three equivalent definitions of parallelepiped are

    a polyhedron with six faces (hexahedron), each of which is a parallelogram,
    a hexahedron with three pairs of parallel faces, and
    a prism of which the base is a parallelogram.

V_(parallelepiped)   =   |A·(BxC)|   
(1)
   =   |C·(AxB)|   
(2)
   =   |B·(CxA)|.   
(3)

In n dimensions, a parallelepiped is the polytope spanned by n vectors v_1, ..., v_n in a vector space over the reals,
span(v_1,...,v_n)=t_1v_1+...+t_nv_n,    
(4)

where t_i in [0,1] for i=1, ..., n. In the usual interpretation, the vector space is taken as Euclidean space, and the content of this parallelepiped is given by
abs(det(v_1,...,v_n)),    
(5)

where the sign of the determinant is taken to be the "orientation" of the "oriented volume" of the parallelepiped.

Given k vectors v_1, ..., v_k in n-dimensional space, their convex hull (along with the zero vector)
{sum_(i)t_iv_i:0<=t_i<=1}    
(6)

is called a parallelepiped, generalizing the notion of a parallelogram, or rather its interior, in the plane. If the number of vectors is equal to the dimension, then
A=(v_1...v_k)    
(7)

is a square matrix, and the volume of the parallelepiped is given by |detA|, where the columns of A are given by the vectors v_i. More generally, a parallelepiped has k dimensional volume given by |detA^(T)A|^(1/2).

When the vectors are tangent vectors, then the parallelepiped represents an infinitesimal k-dimensional volume element. Integrating this volume can give formulas for the volumes of k-dimensional objects in n-dimensional space. More intrinsically, the parallelepiped corresponds to a decomposable element of the exterior algebra Lambda^kR^n.


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on September 11, 2015, 05:49:46 PM
In three dimensions,
    a polyhedron with six faces (hexahedron), each of which is a parallelogram,
    a hexahedron with three pairs of parallel faces, and
    a prism of which the base is a parallelogram.

V_(parallelepiped)   =   |A·(BxC)|   
(1)
   =   |C·(AxB)|   
(2)
   =   |B·(CxA)|.   
(3)

In n dimensions, a parallelepiped is the polytope spanned by n vectors v_1, ..., v_n in a vector space over the reals,
span(v_1,...,v_n)=t_1v_1+...+t_nv_n,    
(4)

where t_i in [0,1] for i=1, ..., n. In the usual interpretation, the vector space is taken as Euclidean space, and the content of this parallelepiped is given by
abs(det(v_1,...,v_n)),    
(5)

where the sign of the determinant is taken to be the "orientation" of the "oriented volume" of the parallelepiped.

Given k vectors v_1, ..., v_k in n-dimensional space, their convex hull (along with the zero vector)
{sum_(i)t_iv_i:0<=t_i<=1}    
(6)

is called a parallelepiped, generalizing the notion of a parallelogram, or rather its interior, in the plane. If the number of vectors is equal to the dimension, then
A=(v_1...v_k)    
(7)


Sorry see no reason to reqoute the entire article. But I am certain that there was no future in maths for me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Photo Guy on September 11, 2015, 06:54:55 PM
Too simple Sandro.

In three dimensions, a parallelepiped is a prism whose faces are all parallelograms. Let A, B, and C be the basis vectors defining a three-dimensional parallelepiped. Then the parallelepiped has volume given by the scalar triple product ...'

My sentiments exactly!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 18, 2015, 08:39:46 AM
How many of you have ever experienced a woman (or man) coming home and saying?:

"I want a pizza and sex."

What a pain.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on September 21, 2015, 05:29:01 PM
ML, The three best things in life are a Scotch before and a nap afterwards.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 21, 2015, 07:39:46 PM
"I want a pizza and sex."

What a pain.



Very demanding woman and always making you do two things at once. How long will you last before you get worn out?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 05, 2015, 08:42:52 PM
This evening we went to a very interesting presentation at the university concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

There were 4 very knowledgeable people on the panel.

Two professors specializing in Eastern Europe.  Both had spent considerable time on the ground in the area.
One of them had been to Ukraine 14 times including several times working as an official observer during  various elections.  He will be going back later this month to monitor some of the local elections.

One military officer with an extensive background in the various war colleges, etc.

One man fairly high up in the State Department with specialty in Eastern Europe.

What was fairly surprising to me was that none of them minced words.  I expected the State Department guy to use diplomatic words like . . . civil war in Eastern Ukraine with alleged help  from Russia.  But no, he used words . . . Russian invasion of Ukraine . . . Russian violation of various treaties, international standards of conduct, etc.

Interestingly, as was noted by others, the State Department guy spoke strongly for sending weapons to Ukraine . . . while the military guy spoke against and urged political solution.

There was discussion at end, and I asked more questions  than anyone.

I asked if I was correct in thinking that USA has proof from our satellites etc., where missile came from that downed the Malaysia flight . . . and that we were withholding this as a bargaining chip with Russia and wanted to avoid embarrassing Russia.

One of the answers was . . . what makes you think Russian people can be embarrassed at any misdeed they do?

I also asked why we weren't doing more to counter all the false propaganda that Russia was putting out.

The answer was that in our system, the reliance is placed on independent news organizations to do this rather than from our government.

At the beginning of my first question, I noted that I had extensive time on the ground in Ukraine myself . . . and that I had a beautiful Ukrainian wife as a result.  That brought smiles all around.

Afterward, the State Dept guy came up to Ochka and started talking to her in perfect (as she told me later) Ukrainian.  They talked for quite some time.  And later, one of the Professors sought her out to talk also . . . in Russian.  He wants her to come to some other events.

And finally, two Ukrainian nationals came to talk with Ochka.  One was a Professor in biosciences and the other working locally in industry.  They also want us to get together with them and others for social events.

Ochka was fairly glowing as we left and thanked me for pointing out that she was Ukrainian.  Without that . . . she would not have been sought out by those folks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 05, 2015, 10:09:24 PM
Thanks for that, ML.  Interesting.

I assume the State Department guy is the son of diaspora Ukrainians. 
Quote


Interestingly, as was noted by others, the State Department guy spoke strongly for sending weapons to Ukraine . . . while the military guy spoke against and urged political solution.



I assume that is because the military guy has seen conflict.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on October 06, 2015, 08:08:47 AM
Fortunately they didn't steal your wife at the end!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on October 06, 2015, 08:29:19 AM
ML,

I am curious if you note a shift in the US diplomatic stance from a year ago.  It seems to me that with Russia ignoring and even confronting US intentions in Syria that slowly the gloves are coming off.

I can tell you that I was talking with a congressional staffer two days ago and she said as much.  She said that the US State Department had specific instructions to treat the Russian nation as belligerents.  I would assume that those instructions came from 1600.

On two other notes and regarding your statement on Russians and misdeeds:

My woman is in Chelyabinsk for a week while I travel.  We got her an apartment through AirBNB.  After paying for the initial stay, our intent was to extend.  The owner said that he was unfamiliar with computers and could we pay him in cash.  I wasn't there, and when N called and asked me what to do, I asked her how we had paid him originally and how he was able to tell me through email to call him at the number we did.  She thought for a moment and I then could hear the conversation in Russia where she read him out. 

He gets paid more in cash because there is no service fee (or commission).  So he was lying to get the additional money.  His response was not even apologetic.

On the second and different note:  I was at a bus station and needed a taxi back to my hotel.  I hopped in the taxi and asked in Russian how much my fare would be.  He stated more than two times the going rate.  I hopped out of the car and told him some not nice things in Russian that my lovely had taught me.  I guess I am losing my patience with this mentality.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 06, 2015, 08:33:00 AM
ML,

I am curious if you note a shift in the US diplomatic stance from a year ago.  It seems to me that with Russia ignoring and even confronting US intentions in Syria that slowly the gloves are coming off.

I can tell you that I was talking with a congressional staffer two days ago and she said as much.  She said that the US State Department had specific instructions to treat the Russian nation as belligerents.  I would assume that those instructions came from 1600.



That status is NOT new. The dragon lady pushed Obama to treat them as so years ago.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 07, 2015, 09:23:20 PM
I assume that is because the military guy has seen conflict.



Shouldn't matter if the guy seen conflict. Conflict is always ugly. War should never be the first step in diplomacy. But in the case of Ukraine, it was clear early on diplomacy and sanctions weren't going to stop Russia from regaining control of Ukraine. Somebody has to have the balls to get in their way.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 08, 2015, 08:45:07 AM

Shouldn't matter if the guy seen conflict. Conflict is always ugly. War should never be the first step in diplomacy. But in the case of Ukraine, it was clear early on diplomacy and sanctions weren't going to stop Russia from regaining control of Ukraine. Somebody has to have the balls to get in their way.


That's right. We need leaders who think with their dicks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 08, 2015, 11:16:58 PM

That's right. We need leaders who think with their dicks.


Balls equal courage. Dicks don't
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 09, 2015, 08:11:07 AM

Balls equal courage. Dicks don't


Heh, what are balls without a dick.  ;)


Besides, you don't see guys comparing the size of their balls, do you?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Noch1 on October 09, 2015, 03:20:55 PM

Heh, what are balls without a dick.  ;)


Besides, you don't see guys comparing the size of their balls, do you?
Every day, its just all in how you look at it :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 09, 2015, 06:38:28 PM
Years ago, I started rolling up a sock and stuffing in front area of my briefs.

Scares a lot of guys and gets approving looks from gals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 12, 2015, 12:58:53 PM
Try a plantain.  ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 12, 2015, 08:35:41 PM
Friends of mine came over for the 4 day weekend.

We took them to university, and in one of the classrooms, they asked Ochka to show some of her calculus class info.

I didn't understand anything, but the husband was an engineer and he understood.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 12, 2015, 08:43:26 PM
I didn't understand anything,



It's the formula for rockets to break Earth's gravitational pull in route to reach Mars. I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 13, 2015, 07:15:41 AM
Oh boy, differential equations. I took Calculus years back with Isaac Newton.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on October 13, 2015, 07:41:00 AM
I thought that the diagram on the board was a pointed object passing into a circular object.  Or am I just obsessed?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 13, 2015, 08:54:56 AM
Obsess more likely.  :P
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on October 13, 2015, 03:15:34 PM
I took Calculus years back with Isaac Newton.
And where did the two of you bring that poor lad :D?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on October 13, 2015, 05:13:01 PM
Oh boy, differential equations. I took Calculus years back with Isaac Newton.

I had my last calculus course back in 1984? but I can't remember any of it.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 14, 2015, 08:11:32 AM
And where did the two of you bring that poor lad :D ?


Why, under an apple tree, of course  ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 18, 2015, 12:40:49 PM
We go Tuesday for Ochka's Green Card interview.

Today during our exercise walk, she was asking what we would do if she was denied.

I told her there was virtually zero percent that she would be denied.

But she persisted . . . what would we do . . . if ?

I told her it wouldn't be a problem for me because there were plenty of other women in Ukraine to bring over.

Seems I will not get any home cooked meals for awhile.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on October 18, 2015, 12:57:25 PM
We go Tuesday for Ochka's Green Card interview.

Today during our exercise walk, she was asking what we would do if she was denied.

I told her there was virtually zero percent that she would be denied.

But she persisted . . . what would we do . . . if ?

I told her it wouldn't be a problem for me because there were plenty of other women in Ukraine to bring over.

Seems I will not get any home cooked meals for awhile.

There are even more in Russia.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 20, 2015, 04:55:03 PM
Went to Ochka's Green Card interview today.

Everything seemed to go OK, but I/O said this office never tells applicants they are approved on the spot, as do some other offices.

However, she sort of hinted that the Green Card would  be coming soon.

And, after we got home from a long day of shopping and eating, the email messages from USCIS had arrived saying Green Card was in production.

I told Ochka I was most happy that I wouldn't have to go through with this again with another gal later.  She liked my humor.

It is harder and harder each year to find real leather shoes locally.

So after the interview and eating at Mexican Restaurant, we went to the Gigantico Mall in the big city.

Now, you won't believe this, but the Louis Vuitton and Manolo Blahnik shoes that Ochka bought fit better and felt better on her feet than the store brands.

She was sure of it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 23, 2015, 02:44:42 PM
Also, of possible interest was fact that the I/O boldly mentioned that Ukrainians were at or near top of list for marriage visa fraud.

I didn't pursue this with the I/O because I didn't want her to focus too much time on it.  So I diverted attention by mentioning the case of the Chinese man and his daughter who had the massive million dollar scheme of fraudulent marriages between Chinese women with money and homeless (some) AM in Los Angeles.  She had read about that also.

Anyway, I was somewhat surprised she said this about Ukraine.

I knew from way back that Ukrainians were near the top for tourist visa fraud; that is coming, overstaying and fading into the ethnic workplace underground.  But I didn't know there was that much marriage fraud going on . . . at least in recent years.

However, it might be true that the number of fraud cases with Ukrainians are relatively high, simply because the number of AM-UW marriages are relatively high.

Anyone else have any info about this?

I initially thought maybe this situation is why they delayed even scheduling our interview for nearly 9 months; but then Doug and his wife did not have this delay.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 28, 2015, 09:19:33 PM
Green Card arrived in mail today . . . and it was actually Green.

I had seen some in previous years that were far from Green actually being somewhat Pink, and people were always asking why they were called Green Cards when they weren't green.

Now they are Green in color.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 29, 2015, 08:59:02 PM
Bridge of Spies movie.

We saw it today.

Highly recommend it.

Take your FSU gal and think in some amazement how you and she are together watching this movie.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on October 30, 2015, 07:46:03 AM
Yeah, I want to see that one.  :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 01, 2015, 10:40:20 AM
Ochka has become pretty good friends with a couple of professors from Poland.  Friday night one of them hosted a party and invited us.  I was a little bit surprised that there were 12 other couples there . . . all Polish.  Didn't know there were so many in town.

They were all PhD professors in the sciences or MDs; both men and women.  So a really high caliber group of people.  I was the only native English speaker, but they all had pretty good English, of course.

Many of them had gone to Oxford or Cambridge in England and most all had children in (or completed) doctoral programs at Stanford, Ivy League schools, etc.

And quite pleasingly, almost all of them individually made a point of coming to sit beside Ochka and me to chat a bit; while the others could be together gabbing away in Polish.  One man had talked to me for about 10 minutes before he commented "you seem to have very good English."  I laughed and told him I was from USA.  He had mistakenly thought I was from Ukraine, along with Ochka.

Also, these people really know how to party.  A lot of drinking and dancing.  But drinking was wine only, no hard stuff which was kind of surprising.  Many of the men danced with Ochka, but I didn't ask any of the other gals to dance.  Ochka is really good at dancing the Polka, which I hadn't really known about.

I knew from previous encounters with EE people that they tend to have more 'at home' parties than Western folks.  This is a carry over from Soviet times when it was not either 'safe or acceptable' to do such in public.  At least that is what I have been told over the years.

All of these folks were in 40s and 50s, so had grown up behind the Iron Curtain when it was still down.

No real beautiful gals, but most had kept fairly fit and trim.

The only drawback of the evening was that most of them lamented the lack of more 'socialized' services in USA.  I get quite irritated at people who come to USA because it is the best country in the world . . . and then want to change USA toward the failed systems where they came from.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on November 01, 2015, 11:09:18 AM
Larissa and I went to see Bridge of Spies last night.  Agree, it is a good movie.

Has anyone learned the secret to how to keep your FSU woman from talking during movies or TV shows?   ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 01, 2015, 11:46:34 AM
Ochka does not talk at the movies, but I often tell her things that I think might have been confusing to her.  We always go during mid-afternoon when only 2-6 other people are in the theatre and sit distant from others, so no one is bothered by my talking to her.  Plus I turn and talk directly into her ear, so voice can be very soft.

At home, we watch a lot of stuff that has been recorded, and she sometimes asks me to pause the show so she can get a clarification from me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on November 01, 2015, 05:29:29 PM
The only drawback of the evening was that most of them lamented the lack of more 'socialized' services in USA.  I get quite irritated at people who come to USA because it is the best country in the world . . . and then want to change USA toward the failed systems where they came from.

Don't be such a snob.  :)  A lot of the "failed" systems in such places have not failed at all - they're just different from what you're used to, so don't assume that they're necessarily inferior.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 01, 2015, 05:47:48 PM
Don't be such a snob.  :)  A lot of the "failed" systems in such places have not failed at all - they're just different from what you're used to, so don't assume that they're necessarily inferior.

They came to my country for a better life for themselves and their children !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on November 01, 2015, 06:17:28 PM
They came to my country for a better life for themselves and their children !!!

So what?  That doesn't necessarily mean that EVERYTHING they left behind was worse than they encounter in the USA.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on November 01, 2015, 06:58:23 PM
Rather than complaining, they could become active to change that which they believe could be better. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 01, 2015, 08:50:02 PM
Pythagoras' Theorem: ..............................24 words.
Lord's Prayer: .......................................... 66 words.
Archimedes' Principle: ..............................67 words.
Ten Commandments: ..............................179 words.
Gettysburg Address: ................................286 words.
US Declaration of Independence: .........1,300 words.
US Constitution with all 27 Amendments: ..7,818 words.
European Union Regulations on Sale of CABBAGES:..26,911 words.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on November 01, 2015, 09:15:16 PM
But EU laws are, I believe, published in all 23 languages of the EU. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 07, 2015, 06:19:24 PM
Woman:  You know what I want for Thanksgiving?

Man:  Turkey, I suppose.

Woman:  I want to have sex on floor in front of fireplace.

Man:  Life is great.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on November 07, 2015, 06:51:47 PM
Could you pass the cranberries?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 07, 2015, 08:27:16 PM
Could you pass the cranberries?

Which meaning of 'pass' are you using?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on November 09, 2015, 12:52:05 PM
Emergency evacuation procedures.  ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on November 09, 2015, 01:34:19 PM
They wouldn't be cranberries any more.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on November 09, 2015, 03:35:40 PM
Isn't it time to change the title of this thread to "Four Year Wonders GOT Married: Ochka and ML" ;)?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 09, 2015, 04:06:59 PM
Isn't it time to change the title of this thread to "Four Year Wonders GOT Married: Ochka and ML" ;)?

That change would be OK with me.

Can you do it Sandro?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 28, 2015, 10:25:01 AM
Black Friday purchases.  Actually Brown Thursday evening.

Toshiba Encore Tablet.  List price $299.  We paid $89.
Toshiba 14 inch laptop.  List price $399.  We paid $119.
Merino wool sports coat (2 of them).  List price $200.  We paid $69.
Formal evening dress.  List price $300.  We paid $54.
Formal evening dress.  List price $250.  We paid $22.
16 GB micro chip (2 of them).  List price $19.  We paid $5

Several other misc items.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 29, 2015, 11:18:53 AM


How were the crowds? I went to a few stores and I've never seen so few people. Traffic wasn't even bad. Not many mind blowing deals and I think more and more people are buying on the internet. Many stores opened at different times so I think that cut down on the crowds. My wife bought me something from Victoria's Secret. Did anybody die at Walmart this year?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 29, 2015, 03:36:12 PM
JC Penny opened at 3 PM on Thursday.  We arrived at about 2:55 and saw a line.  But when we arrived at door, it had just opened and the line was already almost completely in.  Didn't know it, but they handed out $10 coupons  to first 200 people; we got 2.

Best Buy opened at 5 PM, we got there around 5:10 and no line.  A lot of people  inside, but I was able to get the Toshiba tablet.

Office Depot opened at 6 PM, we got there at 5:45 and there was line of about 20 people.  I thought we would be out of luck for the Toshiba laptop, but a guy came along line asking  what we wanted.  He handed out coupons for the items until he ran out.  Luckily, we got the next to last coupon.

Then we went to higher end clothing store and found the dresses for Ochka.  Didn't seem to be a lot of people inside.

Went to WalMart on Friday to pick up the microchips and other misc items.  Went in afternoon, and looked pretty much like a normal shopping day, with respect to number of people inside.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 01, 2015, 11:52:32 AM
Had to return the Toshiba Encore.

First, it locked up and wouldn't turn off.
Search on google gave hint that it might turn off if the + key on volume was held down at same time as power off button.  It worked, but pretty silly system.

Then, it wouldn't turn on even though fully charged and still plugged in to AC.  Tried repeatedly over a 7-8 hour period pushing every combination of keys possible.

Read on Internet that many people were experiencing this same problem.

Then suddenly it came on.

Next day, same thing happened.  Wouldn't come on.

Returned it in that condition.

No hassles at all in Office Depot taking it back.

Strange, all these problems . . . and not just with mine . . . and at same time one reviewer placed the Toshiba Encore in top 10 of all tablets.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 08, 2016, 10:03:30 AM
It's that time of year . . . January 7th . . . so Ochka busy all day on the 6th preparing food guaranteed to make me even fatter.

Two of the items were Kutia and Pirozhki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirozhki

She had three different fillings in the pirozhki; cherries, peaches and sweet cheese that she made herself from scratch starting with Kefir.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefir

In picture, Ochka is grinding poppy seeds (using mortar and pestle) as one of the ingredients of Kutia.  She uses rice as one of the other main ingredients rather than some other grain.

She always tells me that men are supposed to do the grinding of the poppy seeds; but I tell her not in USA since days of male emancipation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jazztropy on January 08, 2016, 11:06:15 AM
Looks delicious
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 13, 2016, 01:44:09 PM
Ochka infrequently reads some news discussion sites in both Russian and Ukrainian.

1) She remarks how funny it is that the same event is portrayed completely differently in Russian vs Ukrainian sites.

2) One thread was about people at ski resorts in France and Switzerland.  The Russians can always be spotted because all (men, women and children) wear flashy fur coats and women all gold and diamonds in restaurants, etc. while others dress as skiers.  Many out-of-shape RM are at the ski resorts who have no intention of skiing.

3) In another thread, the women were stating how all WW were very fat, so WM would be attracted to FSUW who were just a little fat.

I told her number 3 was not true, for myself and most other WM.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ChickMagnet on January 16, 2016, 11:28:32 PM
I'm glad "Wonder" applies to 4 year also. I'm the OWW and still going after 11 years. I wish the best for
you. The important part is not the length before marriage, but the length after marriage.

Mark
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on January 17, 2016, 04:40:39 AM
I'm glad "Wonder" applies to 4 year also. I'm the OWW and still going after 11 years. I wish the best for
you. The important part is not the length before marriage, but the length after marriage.

Mark


I thought that was you from a PM you sent me a few years ago inquiring if I was thee "Maxx." I am glad you are doing fine and well and the Misses too. Your new name had me worried though about that. I thought, "Oh no! Not another casualty!" Well, you outlasted the guy who gave you your title by a few years.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 19, 2016, 01:48:50 PM
Today is the 'blessing of the waters' day on the Orthodox calendar.

Also, supposed to wash your self and then the year will be good to you, or some such.

Ochka told me I must take a shower today, but I told her it was not near enough to the end of the month for that.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 20, 2016, 12:14:31 PM
Kutia and Pirozhki required again for recent religious day.

These were filled with Ochka's home made sweet cheese or cherries.

Yes, I already ate one, to make sure they were OK !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 20, 2016, 12:16:24 PM
Has anyone (or spouse) renewed their Ukrainian passport in USA at Ukrainian Embassy in DC or one of the Ukrainian Consulate offices?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on January 21, 2016, 01:23:23 PM
Kutia and Pirozhki required again for recent religious day.

These were filled with Ochka's home made sweet cheese or cherries.

Yes, I already ate one, to make sure they were OK !!

If you keep eating bread, you are going to lose your girlish figure!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on January 21, 2016, 01:24:32 PM
Has anyone (or spouse) renewed their Ukrainian passport in USA at Ukrainian Embassy in DC or one of the Ukrainian Consulate offices?

I've known people that did.
Seemed a hassle , yet easier than flying back to Ukraine.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 24, 2016, 09:11:24 PM
Winter storm Jonas came through Saturday and dropped 22 inches of snow on us.

I wanted to get one of my guys out with the tractor and blade, but Ochka said she could do it by hand.  So, of course, I had to help.

But then I called the guy anyway, once we got started down the main driveway.  It would have taken us 2 weeks or so to finish by hand.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 24, 2016, 10:27:08 PM


  It would have taken us 2 weeks or so to finish by hand.



Some people pay for that kind of exercise at fitness clubs. You could've gotten two weeks exercise for free but lost the benefit when you called in the tractor.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on January 25, 2016, 05:28:59 PM
Multiply that by 4 and you have Boston from last year.   

When living in Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia, we received almost 36" of snow in one day.  I constructed a toboggan run for my 3-yo son with steep sides so he would not fly into the trees. It took me most of the day.

The snow plows came late the second day and cleared our rural road.  I cleared the driveway on the third day, which was not a difficult task as it was steep and I merely pushed the snow sideways into a ravine rather than shovel it into piles.     

I finally made it to the office around noon of the third day, yet had written a business proposal by longhand. 

It was beautiful but once was enough.  Now I know why I live in the subtropics.  Yet even here I had to wear thermal underwear to play golf. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GuppyCaptain on January 25, 2016, 08:00:00 PM
ML, where do you live that you got 22"? We "escaped" the worst of it with only 6-8" up in the northeast corner of PA where I live, but 29" piled on top of my car awaits me when I finish my trip tomorrow night in BWI. Plus, I'll be plowed in. Can't wait....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 25, 2016, 09:06:43 PM
ML, where do you live that you got 22"? We "escaped" the worst of it with only 6-8" up in the northeast corner of PA where I live, but 29" piled on top of my car awaits me when I finish my trip tomorrow night in BWI. Plus, I'll be plowed in. Can't wait....

We are south of you.  We get hit worst when winter storm comes up from Gulf bringing all that moisture.

You probably get hit more from snow coming down from Canada . . . when wind coming from that direction.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Vaughn on January 30, 2016, 06:27:07 PM
I'm more than a year late to this thread, but ML, allow me to wish you my sincere congratulations. Several years ago in a private exchange you said something like "You are I are two very different people." While that may be so, it strikes me that the difference is more pronounced in how we perceive things and the world. Elvira and I are very happy for both you ~ we all strive to get to the same place, although in our own unique way.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 30, 2016, 09:06:49 PM
Hi   
Thanks a lot for your wishes.  It means a lot to me since you are a straight shooting solid citizen.

I had wondered from time to time what happened to you, since I didn't see you posting.  But I assumed that solid citizen types didn't have time for most of the silliness that goes on here !!  :-)

Give our best to your spouse and family,

ML and Ochka
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 04, 2016, 09:24:32 PM
My spouse is a kisser.

About 2-4 times a day, she is likely to say: "I want to kiss you."

Tonight we were watching "Blacklist" where a lot of killing  occurred.

During a commercial she  turned to me and said:  "I want to kill you."

I looked at her wide eyed . . . and she immediately caught her mistake.  We both started laughing . . . but then I wouldn't let her kiss me.

She wanted to know why.

I said: "This was perhaps a Freudian moment."

That made her a little mad.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on February 04, 2016, 10:33:00 PM

During a commercial she  turned to me and said:  "I want to kill you."



This statement was deep in her subliminal thoughts and if I were you, sleep with one eye open tonight. Every time she said she wanted to kiss you she made it happen, right? She'll make it happen.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 14, 2016, 05:57:53 PM
Valentine's Day 2016.

Despite this being relatively new to Ukraine, Ochka is very much into it.

Pilates in morning while watching discussion shows on TV.
Lite breakfast.
Shower, check email and internet discussion sites.
Off to nice restaurant for early afternoon meal.
Specialty ice cream shop for dessert.
Crank up fireplace at home.
Pull queen sized mattress to front of fireplace.
Activities with very passionate, affectionate and capable Ukrainian gal at height of her sexual powers.
Long sleep and rest in front of very warm fire.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on February 14, 2016, 06:50:11 PM
Valentine's Day 2016.

Despite this being relatively new to Ukraine, Ochka is very much into it.

Pilates in morning while watching discussion shows on TV.
Lite breakfast.
Shower, check email and internet discussion sites.
Off to nice restaurant for early afternoon meal.
Specialty ice cream shop for dessert.
Crank up fireplace at home.
Pull queen sized mattress to front of fireplace.
Activities with very passionate, affectionate and capable Ukrainian gal at height of her sexual powers.
Long sleep and rest in front of very warm fire.


An ideal day.    ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on February 14, 2016, 08:10:29 PM
Activities with very passionate, affectionate and capable Ukrainian gal at height of her sexual powers.



Did those activities include a game of Monopoly? If so, an ideal day.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 15, 2016, 01:46:21 PM

Did those activities include a game of Monopoly? If so, an ideal day.

Actually, we put together a puzzle.
We are a pretty good team, because it only took us 3 hours while the puzzle said 4-5 years.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 15, 2016, 01:53:09 PM
Ochka bought a Hyundai Elantra when she arrived almost 5 years ago.
On snow days, I usually drove her to university in Nissan Frontier stick shift with 4 wheel drive.
She resisted learning stick shift, and I never pushed very hard.
Last fall, I traded in the Nissan for a Ford Ranger automatic with 4 wheel drive.
I told her she could drive it to university on snow days.
She resisted; but I pushed, and had her practice a few times with me in the vehicle.
Finally, last week she drive the Ranger herself to university 3 days.
Now she is telling me she is really liking it, and maybe wants to drive the Ranger all the time !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 18, 2016, 01:18:02 PM
We previously became acquainted with a couple from Ukraine who are both professors at the university.
Last night we went to basketball game with the man and his father who is visiting from Ukraine.
He is retired as professor of Electrical Engineering at a university in Kharkiv.
They told how the family had always spoken Russian at home, but now the family still in Kharkiv and the family here in USA have switched to speaking only Ukrainian at home.
A cousin was wounded in battle in Donetsk, recuperated a couple of months, and has now returned to active duty again in Donetsk region.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mendeleyev on February 28, 2016, 09:40:06 AM
Quote
They told how the family had always spoken Russian at home, but now the family still in Kharkiv and the family here in USA have switched to speaking only Ukrainian at home.

A very common Ukrainian reaction to what is happening. I pray that this conflict will end soon and that Ukrainians will be able to live on their own terms, not being dominated by any power--whether from East or West.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 28, 2016, 11:10:13 AM
Yesterday was my birthday.
Turning 40 is a big event in anyone's life.
Ochka and I walked in morning at nearly empty mall for an hour and had good talks about world events, etc.
Then free breakfast at IHOP.  Join their club to get this.
Also have coupon for free breakfast at Denny's and Bob Evans that are good for a week or so.
Then to another mall where a Health Fair was being held.
We spent about 45 minutes sitting and listening to a free performance given by a Polish Polka band.
Ochka can really dance the Polka well, but I don't, so no go.
She really enjoyed the music and said it reminded her of home.  Polish polka music was always played at weddings, birthday parties, etc., even as they weren't Polish.  But  she did grow up in Western Ukraine where there is a lot of Polish influence.  She said Jewish music was also mostly always played at weddings (along with some Jewish dances), even as they weren't Jewish.
Then home for free late afternoon sex.
Light meal.
Off to university basketball game where I have free tickets.
We won.
Since we had such  a great day with all the free stuff, and I hit almost all green lights all day,  Ochka said I should purchase a PowerBall ticket for the Saturday night drawing.

I did . . . and after checking just now, found out all my luck had been used up on green lights, free meals, free music, free sex, and free basketball tickets.

Later this afternoon we go to a Chamber Music performance.  The tickets were not free.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 01, 2016, 02:00:00 AM
Yesterday was my birthday.
Turning 40 is a big event in anyone's life.





Happy Birthday! You look like you're in your 20's.  Cough cough.




We spent about 45 minutes sitting and listening to a free performance given by a Polish Polka band.
Ochka can really dance the Polka well, but I don't, so no go.
She really enjoyed the music and said it reminded her of home.  Polish polka music was always played at weddings, birthday parties, etc., even as they weren't Polish. 




I like a good Polka. Lawrence Welk does a number of good Polkas.




Then home for free late afternoon sex.





What time of day sex isn't free? Never mind. You can't go wrong sticking with the free sex in the late afternoon.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mendeleyev on March 06, 2016, 11:01:12 AM
МЛ, С днем рождения!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 10, 2016, 04:30:21 PM
Thanks Jim for the birthday wishes.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 10, 2016, 04:39:47 PM
Ochka cleans the house, cars, and yard.
But she doesn't like to clean her computer (delete messages, etc.)
Periodically I go into her email account and delete a ton of old messages, mostly ads, etc.
About 6 months ago, I went into her Skype and cleaned out 'contact requests.'  Don't remember how many there were or the nature.
This week, she asked a person to send a 'contact request' and wanted me to go into her Skype and respond to the contact request, so they could start talking on Skype.
OMG, I encountered about a 100 contact requests from men.
Interestingly, about 40% of them were from guys who had General in front of their name, and many of them were in uniform.
Another 25% or so had Dr. in front of their name, and many of them wearing white lab coats.
So it seems this is one of the latest procedures to hopefully start a relationship with a woman on Skype . . . i.e. claim to be a General or a Doctor.
Ochka does not even have a picture of herself showing on Skype and her age is not listed either.
But I guess just being a female and listing Ukraine is enough to get all this attention.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chicagoguy on March 11, 2016, 08:49:26 AM
My wife also frequently gets similar requests on Skype. Over 2 years ago she changed her picture to an ugly one. Still they kept coming. She doesn't even mention it now. Just assumes there is nothing she can do about is so she just deletes them.

As for me, I can't understand where these people come from or who they are ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 11, 2016, 09:14:44 AM

As for me, I can't understand where these people come from or who they are ?

Just guys with testosterone.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on March 11, 2016, 09:37:45 AM
They are probably scammers from Nigeria or Ghana trying to find new ways to find their victims, lol
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 27, 2016, 09:19:22 PM
Would you believe these two pictures are of the same woman taken today?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on March 28, 2016, 03:08:34 AM
Would you believe these two pictures are of the same woman taken today?

Thank you, ML!  At last we can see what she looks like without you adding terrible acne to her face!  ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on March 28, 2016, 01:33:38 PM
Would you believe these two pictures are of the same woman taken today?


FINALLY!! You got her to a dermatologist to take care of that picture rash.


Man, does she look great or what?


DUDE!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 28, 2016, 02:56:00 PM
Would you believe these two pictures are of the same woman taken today?

My, my!  That is the most beautiful wheelbarrow in the world. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 28, 2016, 03:01:42 PM
Judging by the size of the hole and the photo at the garden shop, she is planting a flowering tree.  Is there enough sun under the oaks?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on March 28, 2016, 03:31:55 PM

FINALLY!! You got her to a dermatologist to take care of that picture rash.


Man, does she look great or what?


DUDE!!

Yeah she's pretty hot now that she's grown out of that skin condition  :devil:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 28, 2016, 03:45:05 PM
Would you believe these two pictures are of the same woman taken today?



Where is the man of the house at in the second photo? Doing the heavy lifting of a camera? Don't tell me you don't have a license to operate a shovel or wheelbarrow.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 28, 2016, 04:00:16 PM

Where is the man of the house at in the second photo? Doing the heavy lifting of a camera? Don't tell me you don't have a license to operate a shovel or wheelbarrow.

ML knows nothing about machinery. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 28, 2016, 07:35:47 PM
Thanks fellas for the good words about my Ochka.
She can outwork me and most any other man or woman.

Gator, that is actually a pile of topsoil that I had brought in after it was skimmed off the top of driveway for one of the new houses being built.

Our garden is full of large rocks and has mostly clay.  So we have been digging out the rocks and clay, hauling it off, and then replacing with the topsoil.  Ochka even insists on sifting the topsoil to remove smaller pebbles.

We did this same thing last year but never finished with the entire rather large garden area.  So this year we are trying to fix up some more of the area.  This past week was spring break from the university, so we got quite a bit done . . . but still more to go.

Those of you who want a woman who will carry more than her share of the work . . . go Ukrainian.

Actually, I would just as soon not do the garden and buy from others who do a garden . . . but Ochka will hear none of that.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 20, 2016, 02:20:20 PM
We may get a divorce over the gardening!!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 01, 2016, 02:54:33 PM
May 1, 2016.  Orthodox Easter day.

Ochka didn't really have the time (because preparing final exams and holding extra review sessions, etc), but still insisted she had to make Paska (Easter bread) and Pyrizhky.

To me, the Paska is rather tasteless, but she likes it a lot.
So she makes the Pyrizhky for me.
Two different fillings in the Pyrizhky;  cherries and apples.

She is embarrassed that her Paska doesn't look very pretty and is lacking decorations, and she figures that Big Bill's spouse prepared something pretty fancy, but . . .
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 01, 2016, 05:29:13 PM
To me, the Paska is rather tasteless, but she likes it a lot.
So she makes the Pyrizhky for me.
Two different fillings in the Pyrizhky; cherries and apples.

I'll put in an order for some apple ones, please!  :toocool:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 01, 2016, 08:05:22 PM
I'll put in an order for some apple ones, please!  :toocool:

Fed Express, UPS, DHL . . . or what ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 02, 2016, 03:19:20 AM
Fed Express, UPS, DHL . . . or what ?

DHL should do the trick!  :zap:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on May 03, 2016, 10:25:29 PM
Big Bill's spouse prepared something pretty fancy, but . . .

It's not a competition  ;D
I didn't get to eat any of it since I'm in Cheyenne and she is in North Dakota.
I'll be flying to see her on Thursday.


(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13082544_492890407574974_3970534575746279435_n.jpg?oh=38caa85e58cc0e12804d322be55c140f&oe=57E2BD2E)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: cc3 on May 04, 2016, 01:14:45 AM

I didn't get to eat any of it since I'm in Cheyenne...


Say, Bill, are you in Cheyenne often? Cheyenne is my American headquarters when visiting the US from Lviv. I'll be there, with my Ukrainian 'better half' (her first US trip), in two weeks!  8)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmobyone on May 04, 2016, 10:43:37 AM
Keep getting fed this cake...it's SO dry.. you need to drink with it...

or better still - pour on some Amaretto


Tastes far better..

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 09, 2016, 04:11:35 PM
Had a 'Ukrainian' end-of-semester picnic at our house yesterday.
17 persons attended (one unmarried), all university associated.
All were born in Ukraine except for one Russian, one Frenchman and myself.  We three are married to Ukrainian women.  The Russian man was of Jewish faith (my guess), was no lover of Russia (thank God) and had left Russia as soon as he could.
Most of the married couples seemed to be within 5 years of each other.
But for two FSU couples, the man might have been 15 years or so older than the woman.
Two of the couples met and married here in USA, even as all 4 were born in Ukraine.
Females were not all 'lookers' but there were no 'porkers.'
Most all attending had PhDs and remaining Masters.
All were very happy to be living in USA; there was no 'bitching and moaning' about USA, and Ochka said, that in private conversations with the females, none complained about their husbands.  They also all lied and told Ochka what I great guy I seemed to be.
When all were gathered, I announced that they should speak in Ukrainian (which they [including the Frenchman] did) and not worry about me.   And, out of kindness, all of them rotated over to me (one or two at a time) and spoke in English.
Luckily, yesterday was one of the few 'rain-less' days for the past several weeks, even as it wasn't quite as warm as I had hoped.
A good time was had by all, there was too much food (of course) and wine was the only drink consumed.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 14, 2016, 09:23:26 PM
This afternoon we went to the new movie "Mother's Day."

A light hearted comedy with some romance which was a nice change of pace from the killings which occur in most of the current TV series.

Ochka really enjoyed it, and it brightened our mood greatly on an overcast rainy day.

For me, nice to view a bevy of good looking slender women with great toned and taunt bodies:  Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Britt Robertson, Courteney Cox, and for really smoking hot . . . check out Shay Mitchell.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: cc3 on May 15, 2016, 03:35:35 AM
This afternoon we went to the new movie "Mother's Day."

A light hearted comedy with some romance which was a nice change of pace from the killings which occur in most of the current TV series.

Ochka really enjoyed it, and it brightened our mood greatly on an overcast rainy day.

For me, nice to view a bevy of good looking slender women with great toned and taunt bodies:  Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Britt Robertson, Courteney Cox, and for really smoking hot . . . check out Shay Mitchell.

There is a plethora of good looking slender women with toned and taunt [sic] (I think you meant 'taut') bodies here in Lviv!  ;) Don't need to wait for a flick to view them.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 18, 2016, 11:25:32 AM
Soon Ochka will be leaving for her annual month-long visit back to Ukraine.

She has been preparing extra-special meals and cooking many things to put in freezer that I can eat later.

And, now that the semester is done, she can take more time to look extra-special for me.

My 40 something can put many 20 somethings to shame.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on May 18, 2016, 11:38:53 AM
All my congratulations for you and your wife,
a little hello from France.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 18, 2016, 02:42:47 PM
All my congratulations for you and your wife,
a little hello from France.

Hey Pat, good to hear from you.
You have been missing so long, I figured you were deep undercover chasing terrorists.
Let us know what's happening in your life.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 19, 2016, 10:23:32 AM
Soon Ochka will be leaving for her annual month-long visit back to Ukraine.


If you're feeling lonely we'll be here for your emotional needs. Some of us may even be available for your physical needs but not me.


Hey Pat, good to hear from you. You have been missing so long, I figured you were deep undercover chasing terrorists.


Always good to hear from Pat. I like to believe when someone is missing for some time, they were abducted and experimented on by aliens. I don't want to be the only person here that had that happen.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 21, 2016, 06:15:55 PM
Ochka arrived safely in Kyiv and is now sleeping at family's place.
 
She is going to check on current apartment prices and maybe we will buy another unfinished unit or two to finish out.  Don't know if apartment prices in Hryvnia have tripled to keep pace with the tripling of Hryvnia to dollar the last year or two.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 25, 2016, 02:13:55 PM
I feel bad for Ochka.  She put a lot of work into the garden and now the strawberries are really producing and she is not getting to eat any.

Also tons of leaf lettuce ready; and radishes which I don't eat.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on May 25, 2016, 02:51:19 PM
I feel bad for Ochka.  She put a lot of work into the garden and now the strawberries are really producing and she is not getting to eat any.

Also tons of leaf lettuce ready; and radishes which I don't eat.

Does that mean you're not getting any either?

 :blowkiss:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 25, 2016, 05:06:58 PM
Does that mean you're not getting any either?

 :blowkiss:

No . . . I am getting the strawberries.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 25, 2016, 06:10:54 PM
No . . . I am getting the strawberries.

Good - they look terrific!  :thumbsup:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: fathertime on May 25, 2016, 06:21:45 PM
I feel bad for Ochka.  She put a lot of work into the garden and now the strawberries are really producing and she is not getting to eat any.

Also tons of leaf lettuce ready; and radishes which I don't eat.


the strawberries look tasty...i remember as a kid strawberries were small, bright red, and super tasty...now store bought ones are the size of a plum but the taste is much duller. 


Fathertime!   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2016, 04:29:19 PM
Yes these taste like real strawberries.  The way they all used to taste in our youth when mostly what you ate was grown by grandparents or other local folks.

We almost never buy strawberries, tomatoes or peaches from supermarkets.  They mostly taste like styrofoam (and don't ask me how I know what styrofoam tastes like).

Blueberries, grapes and apples are fine though.

Right now, mangoes from several supermarkets are tasting great.  Must be the season for them.

I might have some tomatoes in a month or so.

Last fall we found a good source for peaches, but they are  only available in approx a 2 week window.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2016, 04:33:48 PM
Just today I washed carefully, cut-up, smashed with two sizes of potato mashers and added powdered sugar to about 250 strawberries.

Then I put in several cup and half size sealed containers and into freezer.  This was at Ochka's request and direction.  I don't like doing any of this type of stuff, but . . .
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on May 26, 2016, 05:14:08 PM
Yes these taste like real strawberries.  The way they all used to taste in our youth when mostly what you ate was grown by grandparents or other local folks.

We almost never buy strawberries, tomatoes or peaches from supermarkets.  They mostly taste like styrofoam (and don't ask me how I know what styrofoam tastes like).

Have you tried Plant City (FL) strawberries? They were better than what I could get at Publix.

There's a market here where the tomatoes are very good in late August and september.  The rest of the year they are nasty.

When I was a kid we got peaches that had been picked within the previous day or so. They were amazing. Now I've just about given up on buying peaches. As Jerry seinfeld said, "fruit is a gamble".
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on May 26, 2016, 05:53:19 PM
Just today I washed carefully, cut-up, smashed with two sizes of potato mashers and added powdered sugar to about 250 strawberries.

Here we call it "icing sugar."  It's the staple topping for strawberries in this part of the world.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2016, 07:25:33 PM
Have you tried Plant City (FL) strawberries?

Never heard of it; but just now read some on Internet.

If they ship to supermarkets; don't know if they would be labeled as such.

Sounds good.  Can you send me some via email later in the year ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 29, 2016, 10:03:34 AM
Ochka worked hard here putting in fairly large garden before she left.

Now she is working hard weeding and other tasks in her parent's super humongous garden in Ukraine.

I asked her to not gain weight while at her parent's, as she usually does.

She said she would try . . . but I doubt it.
Her mother puts out food like they are recovering from a famine.

The up and down with weight is not healthy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on May 29, 2016, 10:23:31 AM
You wanna discuss your wife's weight on a forum?  You're a braver man than I am.  (Or maybe bravery has nothing to do with it.)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: The Natural on May 29, 2016, 10:44:34 AM
You wanna discuss your wife's weight on a forum?  You're a braver man than I am.  (Or maybe bravery has nothing to do with it.)


Maybe he weighted in the pros and cons and decided to go for it?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 30, 2016, 12:31:23 PM
OMG the strawberries just keep on coming.

In my previous picture, the basket was about 3/4 full.

Yesterday I picked and the basket was overflowing.  I gave several to a couple of neighbor families and ate some myself.

This was still left.  Took me three hours to wash, stem, mash, mix with powdered sugar, put in containers and into freezer.

I need my Ochka !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 30, 2016, 12:33:35 PM
Finally getting rain in western Ukraine the past two weeks or more; after a very dry earlier spring.

So Ochka and her family busy in the huge home garden pulling weeds, hilling up potatoes, etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 10, 2016, 10:25:25 AM
Ochka has been working as part-time Adjunct Instructor in calculus courses for two years now.

A full time position was funded for Fall 2016.  She applied along with 30 others.

She was selected as one of 3 finalists, and went through full interview process just before she left for Ukraine.

Notice came today that she was not selected.

She will be quite disappointed.

But actually I am glad she didn't get the position; and she knew my feelings about this all along.

A full time position with all the lecture preparations, class time, office hours, exam preparations, grading, etc., etc., would have meant we had very little time together 9 months of the year.

Actually, I wish she would not work at all; but I know that she wants to do something . . . probably just to get away from me for some hours each week !!!

Probably the biggest negative of not having full-time job is the health insurance.  The top plan we buy for her costs over $500 a month out of pocket.

I hope she will not become too depressed about this.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 14, 2016, 10:21:33 AM
The notification letter that she didn't get the full time job came in US Mail.

I didn't tell Ochka about it because didn't want to ruin any of her vacation time in Ukraine.

But a faculty member sent her an email of condolences . . . so she now knows . . . and is in bad mood.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on June 14, 2016, 01:00:20 PM
so she now knows . . . and is in bad mood.


But what is important is that you're in a good mood over the results. We have to live with you for a few more months.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on June 14, 2016, 03:54:27 PM
The notification letter that she didn't get the full time job came in US Mail.

I didn't tell Ochka about it because didn't want to ruin any of her vacation time in Ukraine.

But a faculty member sent her an email of condolences . . . so she now knows . . . and is in bad mood.

This is a huge disappointment to Ochka.  It is now important to make sure she does not become discouraged.  Among other things, I suggest you promise that you will search for other opportunities. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 19, 2016, 12:23:09 PM
More on Ochka's teaching job situation.

Thursday, the Dept Chairman sent email to her asking if she were willing to teach 4 courses each semester as Adjunct Instructor and be eligible for benefits.  This is the same situation (course teaching load and benefits) that she would have gotten if she were selected for the Full time Instructor position that she didn't get.

(Currently she is Adjunct teaching 1 or 2 courses each semester with no benefits.  Previously when she inquired about lack of benefits . . . she was told that Adjuncts never get benefits.  So don't no quite how this new offer would include benefits.)

But with the Adjunct 'sticker' the pay is based on a 'per course flat rate' which adds up only to about 2/3 as much as the yearly contract for the Full time Instructor position.

So essentially he was saying she wasn't good enough to be hired for the higher paid full time job, yet she would end up teaching exactly same as the person who did get the higher paid full time job.

This is probably a sure fire age discrimination lawsuit . . . but even when the person wins . . . they lose . . . because of the subsequent working conditions they face.

The person they chose was 20 years younger than her.

Anyway, we talked at length about it.  I didn't want her to accept.  She thought if she didn't accept, she would have no chance in future for another FT position that might come available.  A lot of crying involved, so I finally relented.

We don't know exactly why she was not chosen, but 3 ideas:

1) Age . . . the Dept Chairman probably wants to minimize the number of times he has to go through the hiring process.  The younger the hire; the better the chance the replacement won't be needed for longer time period.  Of course there are hundreds of variables, but still.

2) Language skills.  Ochka is pretty good at English but, of course, she does have the accent.

3) Ochka isn't certain, but she thinks the person selected probably used a lot of computer graphics, etc., in his lecture presentation; whereas she gave a straight blackboard lecture presentation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on June 19, 2016, 12:32:08 PM
ML,


Very sad to read this. The flashier presentation may have helped, but I firmly believe it was an age thing. I see it so much in my profession (software engineering). I posted on another thread about how companies would rather have 3 H1-B visa employees than one experienced engineer.


Good luck to you both,
HDL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 19, 2016, 12:34:54 PM
In retrospect . . . I think we made a big mistake by Ochka choosing to pursue the Masters in Math when she finished the Intensive English Program.

Her original intent was to get a degree in business . . . probably an MBA, but it even better should have been a BS in accounting.

But, she made a big impression on a senior math professor when she sat in on one of his courses (just to get some experience in hearing lecture in English) when she was in the IEP program.  He pushed her masters application through and got her full tuition scholarship and pay as GTA without her even taking the GRE or any other entrance exam.

But, she should have taken the more expensive route of paying tuition to get degree in business or accounting.

Much more job opportunities at much higher pay with business and accounting.

Math people only make good money with defense contractors, etc., which mostly requires US citizenship AND there are no such jobs in our area.

But, on the other hand, with a non-teaching job, Ochka could never be able to go to Ukraine for a month in the summer as she needs to do.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on June 19, 2016, 12:43:07 PM
ML,


If she is good with math, I would recommend she pick up some programming knowledge. Good software people are rare and we are importing bad ones.  :)


HDL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: LiveFromUkraine on June 19, 2016, 01:11:51 PM
A lot of crying involved, so I finally relented.


Dang, she sounds tough.   She got her way even after you cried.  No male tears for that woman.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on June 19, 2016, 01:28:53 PM

I know a lot of academics, some from my days in grad school, and a few are retired law professors, including a former dean.  The academic world is pretty brutal,

Age is probably a factor, but so, would be academic qualifications.  Did the candidate selected get his degree elsewhere?  Universities usually want that for tenure track academics.  Does he have a PhD, or is he working on one?  That also is a consideration.  Has the candidate chosen published any academic papers?  Publication is often a big factor in academia.  Does it appear he has good social skills to schmooze potential donors?

If Ochka has benefits and enjoys what she is doing, this is probably a blessing.  Although she has less job security, she doesn't have many of the other responsibilities expected on the tenure track.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 19, 2016, 08:40:53 PM
Boe, the full time Instructor job was not tenure track and only required a masters degree.  They did have opening for tenure track assistant professor also which required PhD.

The young man selected had just finished his masters degree at this same school, where Ochka got her masters 2 years ago.  Neither he or Ochka has any publications accepted or even submitted, and they probably never will.  He was the GTA for a hugely popular (with students) professor and probably picked up a lot of similar skills by working with that guy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 20, 2016, 10:14:47 PM
Warning to all you guys looking for FSU gals.

They really tend to 'fall apart' after age 40.

Ochka will be back on Saturday, and I will just have to put up with her looks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: onlyFSU4me on June 20, 2016, 10:27:31 PM
You poor soul! I feel soooooo sorry for you!    ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 21, 2016, 04:14:30 PM
Today, Ochka flew from Kyiv to Dublin via Paris.

She will be in Dublin a few days to visit with a relative and two other couples from Ukraine.

Also, she will have a 'look-see' at the townhouse we bought a couple of years back.  It has been rented now for two years to the same family with no problems in rent payment, etc.

A big PIA was going through customs in Dublin.  She said there were 10 booths serving persons from EU and only 2 for non-EU.  Despite several of the EU lines being nearly empty, they did not switch people from the 2 very long non-EU lines to those empty lines.

She reminded how Kyiv is great now for incoming because if lines get too long, they quickly open up new lines.

It was around 85 in Ukraine for many days, but it Ireland it is 68, and the people there said: "It is pretty warm here."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 24, 2016, 08:34:18 PM
Ochka is safely back in our home.

Jet lag is bothering her more than for previous trips.

Real estate market in Ireland is starting to show some improvement, but many bargains still seem to exist with townhouses, etc., that never were finished out before the bust hit.

We may think of buying some more, and Ochka's relative will finish out on profit sharing basis.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 26, 2016, 10:08:32 AM
Well maybe not so many remaining bargains in Ireland as I thought.

Our townhouse has increased in value about 30% in the three or so years since we bought it near the market bottom.

However, if we were to sell, we would lose a lot of that due to decrease in Euro compared to dollar.  That is if we converted to dollars.  Then there would be the taxes. 

Maybe we would wait until President Trump gave us amnesty to bring the dollars back tax free!!

Ochka's new apartment near US Embassy in Kyiv has also seen about 30% appreciation in about 2 years.  This is before factoring in any bombing damage from a further Russian invasion.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on June 26, 2016, 10:26:11 AM
Warning to all you guys looking for FSU gals.

They really tend to 'fall apart' after age 40.

Ochka will be back on Saturday, and I will just have to put up with her looks.

I imagine you are more than ready for Saturday!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 26, 2016, 01:20:33 PM
I imagine you are more than ready for Saturday!

Yes, and that was yesterday.  Actually she came in 4 hours early Friday night.  Was able to get on an earlier flight at the transfer point.

Saturday indeed was a memorable day for us !!!

Jet lag is hitting her today, but not too bad.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 28, 2016, 03:59:37 PM
Girl on windy east coast of Ireland.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on June 28, 2016, 06:41:33 PM
Lovely.

I am so happy that her complexion problems cleared.  LOL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 05, 2016, 02:37:12 PM
Many guys here are frequently stating there are no desirable women in USA.

Well, that is simply not true as shown in the attached pictures.

We were at a picnic on Saturday and talked with a band conductor.  I told him we would attend his concert at noon on the 4th.  We do go every year.

Well, it was raining pretty steady, but I had told him we would be there . . . and Ochka really likes these events . . . so we attended . . . along with about 20 other persons.  Typically there are 300 or so at this annual event.

And, Ochka tried to sing along with most of the patriotic USA songs, so I was pretty proud of her efforts.  We had hand-out sheets with the words.  First time she had done such, so seems some change of heart, but not a big deal with me one way or the other.

Near the end, they play the various military theme songs and ask those who served in those branches to stand up along with their family members when their song was played.  I was U S Navy.

Ochka smiled and asked me if she should stand for relatives who served in various branches of the Soviet military.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 24, 2016, 03:25:17 PM
Hot as he!! here Saturday.
So off to the lake in mountains.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 29, 2016, 08:19:44 AM
A group of us met yesterday to celebrate (late) Ukrainian Independence Day.

12 people born in Ukraine who are either professors or students here at the university plus 5 of their children who are US citizens (having been born here), plus me and another husband who was born in France.

The Frenchman (who speaks good English) and I talked together a lot so that the others could converse in their native language.

This group would do great damage to the stereotype held here regarding the women as, except for Ochka and one other gal, they were not pretty and not slender.

But everyone was highly intelligent, as would be expected given their status;  and very nice people, except for one guy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 08, 2016, 07:38:17 PM
Today, Ochka and I left the house in two vehicles to exercise on a walking rail-trail and then to breakfast.

She then drove to university to teach some classes, while I did some errands, grocery shopping, etc.

Back at home, I stopped at road to get newspaper and check mailbox.  But it was early for mail, so none there as I expected.  It's Ochka's job to get the mail when she comes home in late afternoon.

She came into house.  I said, 'what was in the mail?'
She, 'I never checked because I thought you would get it.'
Me, 'But you knew it was probably too early for mail by the time I came home.'
She, 'Well I thought about checking, but decided I wouldn't.'
Me, 'That wasn't very logical, what would it have hurt to at least check, even if I had already gotten it.'

This conversation went back and forth like this a few more times, without getting overheated.

Finally . . . .

She, 'Ok, well you like having a blonde wife, so I am just giving the entire program.'

Love this woman.

- - - - - -

Note:  Our house in down in woods about a quarter mile off the road, so not simple to just make a quick trip out the door to check the mail.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on September 08, 2016, 08:36:18 PM
Love this woman.

She is clever. 

Quote
Note:  Our house in down in woods about a quarter mile off the road, so not simple to just make a quick trip out the door to check the mail.

The mail will be there tomorrow.  So you can wait a day before throwing out election mailings, blind ads, credit card invitations, ..... 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 12, 2016, 07:19:48 AM
Ochka's Differential Equations class.

Can you solve for Y ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: alex330 on September 12, 2016, 08:12:46 AM
She, 'Ok, well you like having a blonde wife, so I am just giving the entire program.'


LOL, sounds like my wife when she is taking too long to get ready or we are running late. "Well, you chose x,y,z so that is what you get"
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 12, 2016, 08:16:57 AM

ML, are you the student that is taking the photo from the back of the class? Is the teacher so intimidating that you don't want a seat in the front row?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 12, 2016, 10:36:58 AM
ML, are you the student that is taking the photo from the back of the class? Is the teacher so intimidating that you don't want a seat in the front row?

Actually, these photos are frames taken from a film clip.
The university filmed some classes for promotional purposes.  So a professional photographer took.

I am actually afraid to even go into the classroom !!
The formulas make my head spin.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 19, 2016, 07:51:40 AM
Had a picnic here Friday evening for Ochka's colleagues in department of math. Close to 40 people attended.  Ochka really likes playing the hostess; but man was it a lot of  work for me getting the deck, patio, lights, torches, tables, chairs, yard, etc. ready.  She didn't help much in the days leading up to it because of her class preparations, and she gave exams also meaning a lot of grading time.

Anyway, it was worth it to see Ochka so glowing and happy interacting with her friends.  The math department is really international with people from around 12 different countries.  Many of them were award winners or high placement in international math competitions during their high school days, etc.  And most had the required beards . . . the men that is.

Now that I have so much of the 'facilities' in place we decided to go ahead and host a second picnic this Friday evening for another group, which are mostly from my side of the friendship circle.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on September 19, 2016, 08:19:37 AM
Ochka's Differential Equations class.

Can you solve for Y ?
Mine teaches the same, and computer science.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 19, 2016, 06:24:13 PM
Among the math people at our picnic was a young couple who just got married in the summer.

He had been here already 4 years after getting his PhD in a midwestern  state.

I asked his gal if she were from that same state.

She said No;  and then without any other comments from me she went on to say:  We met on an online dating site.  She lived one state away from here.

Most of those in attendance heard her words;  and I heard one person say:  That is the modern way.  And then another agreed.

I was rather surprised at her boldness; but maybe this internet stuff has gone further than I thought.

Anyway, this AW gal would fit right in with what most here are looking for looks wise:  She was about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches, 115-120 pounds or so, B cup, natural blonde hair down to shoulders, 25 years in age or so.  9 in body, 8 in face although maybe higher, but the lighting was not too good where we were talking.  Appeared to be a very pleasant, congenial smiling gal.

He is only about 5 foot 9, slender and mid to late 20s.

Didn't hear anything about her education, but she is  already working here in this city.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 19, 2016, 08:19:48 PM
She said No;  and then without any other comments from me she went on to say:  We met on an online dating site.  She lived one state away from here.

Most of those in attendance heard her words;  and I heard one person say:  That is the modern way.  And then another agreed.

I was rather surprised at her boldness; but maybe this internet stuff has gone further than I thought.


Say it loud and say it proud. Finding love with the help of a computer is the modern way. Been there, done that. Now I just got to figure out how my computer can get me get a million dollars.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 26, 2016, 09:23:03 AM
Had our second Friday evening picnic here last Friday.

Then, I had to spend all day Sunday carrying tables, chairs, lights, torches, grills, etc., to lower garage and basement.  Couldn't believe how many trips I had to make.

Ochka, meanwhile, dug the remaining potatoes in her garden.  I tried to help, but she ran me off after I punctured too many with the potato fork. She got 7 five gallon buckets full this year compared to 2 last year.  And last year the two lasted until first of new year, as she has told me several times.  So  seems we will be having a lot of potatoes.

A little bit of a 'situation' developed with Ochka and her parents . . . and maybe me.

She was innocently telling them how she was grating zucchinis and yellow squash, making them into pancakes, and taking that to university with her for lunch along with her cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, etc.  She loves it . . . while I eat such sometimes for lunch.

Anyway . . . her parents are taking it like this is all she is able to afford to eat . . . and that is MY problem . . . because maybe I am taking all her salary money.  In fact, she is banking all of her salary in a separate account (this is what I insisted) and I am paying all bills.

Pretty silly as they know she has a lot of her own money even before any salary AND this is what they eat also.

She tried to clear it all up with them . . . but once the idea is in place . . .

Also, some of Ochka's friends are asking her why she is working so hard to take care of a garden . . . because she is now in the land of plenty . . . and her husband is supposed to be supporting her in a high lifestyle.

However, this whole garden 'thingy' is Ochka's desire, not mine.

Ochka tells me that she would like to tell these 'friends' that maybe this is the reason she is here and they aren't.  i.e. that they are lazy persons who weren't willing to be adventurous (and risky) like her to move to a better country, to advance her education, and to continue to do hard physical work.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on September 26, 2016, 02:17:15 PM


Ochka tells me that she would like to tell these 'friends' that maybe this is the reason she is here and they aren't.  i.e. that they are lazy persons who weren't willing to be adventurous (and risky) like her to move to a better country, to advance her education, and to continue to do hard physical work. have the free time to pursue her favorite hobbies, one of which is great exercise to stay in shape for her sexy husband.   ;D

Three cheers for Ochka

 :clapping:  :clapping:    :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 26, 2016, 03:04:48 PM
Thanks for the cheers for Ochka.

But, Oh My !! . . .  Sexy husband ??

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on September 26, 2016, 03:18:43 PM
Thanks for the cheers for Ochka.

But, Oh My !! . . .  Sexy husband ??

Are you accusing Ochka of bigamy?  :o

Only joking. You've got the great Tom selleck/Harry Reams 'stache going.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: alex330 on September 26, 2016, 05:38:35 PM
Ochka tells me that she would like to tell these 'friends' that maybe this is the reason she is here and they aren't.  i.e. that they are lazy persons who weren't willing to be adventurous (and risky) like her to move to a better country, to advance her education, and to continue to do hard physical work.


That's the common denominator among the women we know. More adventurous, more open to risk, or more of a go getter. They want more out of life and they make the leap.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 16, 2016, 10:55:49 AM
Went to an OctoberFest yesterday afternoon/evening.

Guess which woman Donald would not have chosen ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on October 16, 2016, 11:05:47 AM
Went to an OctoberFest yesterday afternoon/evening.

Guess which woman Donald would not have chosen ?

The one on the right, facing away from the camera
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 16, 2016, 01:59:48 PM
He would not have chosen either.  One is too large.  The other is over 35, the "expiration date" of a woman, according to Trump.


BTW, nice photo. :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 16, 2016, 04:57:24 PM
He would not have chosen either.  One is too large.  The other is over 35, the "expiration date" of a woman, according to Trump.


BTW, nice photo. :)

Now, where's that "Like" button gone?  :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 17, 2016, 09:07:26 AM
As shown in the new thread by hiii98, the situation of the city size she comes from and the city size you live in is a consideration.

Boe says that those truly in love don't care where they live.  But I think that level of love is fairly rare.
And even if there is true love, something like this can nag or grate on a person so much constantly that it will wear true love down.

Also, in the typical scenario followed by those involved in international romances . . . true love will rarely exist for quite some time.  The best that most can hope for is that the two are compatible and true love may develop over time. 

Given that . . . irritations related to city size and imagined missed pleasures and opportunities could doom even the most compatible (not yet in love) couples.

My spouse and I are quite lucky in that we both were raised in small towns, later lived in large cities, and now could probably live together in any sized town.

I talked with her just last night about this to get a refresher on her ideas.  She noted that (because we live in a university city . . . small city [30,000 permanent citizens] . . . large university [31,000 students]) there are actually just as many things to do here as in cities of a million or so population.  If desired we could go to a musical, theatrical, dance, intellectual presentation, sporting event, etc., almost every day of the year.

Example:  This afternoon there is a presentation by a medical researcher on the aging process (not that I am aging) and tonight there is a presentation by university orchestra conducted by a doctoral candidate, tomorrow there is an economic conference presented by Federal Reserve at 8:00 AM and a presentation regarding Brexit at 4 PM featuring a Swiss government official.  Wednesday is a recital program of woodwind instruments, Friday is concert by State Orchestra, Saturday we go to monthly wine tasting club affair, etc., etc.

Also we have a rather large garden that needs cleaned up of vegetation and prepared for winter.  Saturday morning we went over to a nearby farm and loaded up a pickup with cow manure.  I only slightly knew the guy who was in mid 50s.  When he saw Ochka outworking me with the pitchfork he said . . . Where on earth did you find that woman!!!  Lest he thought I was abusing her, I had to quickly tell that this whole garden thing . . . and the insistence on manure was strictly her idea . . . and she readily backed me up on that.

And, of course, he really took to her and wanted to show her calves, tractors, etc, etc.  We barely escaped.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on October 17, 2016, 01:08:11 PM
He would not have chosen either.  One is too large.  The other is over 35, the "expiration date" of a woman, according to Trump.


BTW, nice photo. :)

The math doesn't add up. Melania is 46 and they've been married 11 years. Why would The Donald marry a woman who's expiration date had clearly passed?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 17, 2016, 04:44:09 PM
The math doesn't add up. Melania is 46 and they've been married 11 years. Why would The Donald marry a woman who's expiration date had clearly passed?

Presumably because she was rather younger than 35 when they met...and he lied again.  ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on October 17, 2016, 07:36:14 PM
Presumably because she was rather younger than 35 when they met...and he lied again.  ;D

According to Boe Melania was expired like a carton of milk and spoiled milk just isn't acceptable for The Donald. Spoiled going on 11 years now  :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on October 17, 2016, 07:53:24 PM
Presumably because she was rather younger than 35 when they met...and he lied again.  ;D

What was his lie?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 17, 2016, 08:04:57 PM
According to Boe Melania was expired like a carton of milk and spoiled milk just isn't acceptable for The Donald. Spoiled going on 11 years now  :D

Maybe that's why he gropes younger women. Plus, Melania has had an awful lot of surgery/Botox to look younger.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 18, 2016, 04:50:20 PM
What was his lie?

That all women's "use by" or "best before" date is their 35th birthday.  ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 18, 2016, 05:21:27 PM
That all women's "use by" or "best before" date is their 35th birthday.  ;D

One should not throw away women when they expire. When a woman reaches 36 years old, you trade her in for two 18 year olds.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 18, 2016, 05:27:04 PM
One should not throw away women when they expire. When a woman reaches 36 years old, you trade her in for two 18 year olds.

Mary Kate 'n' Ashley?  ;D  They would have been about the right age back then.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 26, 2016, 08:42:35 AM
We went to wine tasting party on weekend.

There were 3 couples there living together unmarried.

One woman proudly told me . . . we are progressives.

I agree it's a good idea to stay unmarried, if no considerations suggest otherwise.

But there are many considerations . . . taxes, children, death benefits, etc., that point toward marriage.  And in the case for most here; the immigration status is a major determining factor.

On another note, of the 12 or so women there, only one was not slender.  Most were in their 30s, as I estimated, and all worked at the University.  Who would have guessed this (slender) for a group of AW ?

Oh I just remembered there was one fairly chunky gal there.  She was a visiting professor from Cuba.  Flawless English and very personable.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 26, 2016, 09:20:39 AM
One woman proudly told me . . . we are progressives.


I've met a few women who say they don't care about marriage but deep down they're hoping a man proposes.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on October 26, 2016, 04:20:22 PM
I've met a few women who say they don't care about marriage but deep down they're hoping a man proposes.

True.  My "sort of" sister-in-law has been waiting for at least 15 years!  :'(
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 27, 2016, 02:51:58 PM
We have been invited to (adult) Halloween party Saturday night.

I ordered and just received today two masks. 
One of Donald and one of Hillary that we will wear.

I am going to come up with a set of jokes we can tell.

Example: 

Me (as Donald)  "I will make America great again."

Ochka (as Hillary)  "When I am elected I will make America great again . . . by expelling you to Canada."

Anyone have further ideas on this ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 27, 2016, 09:19:44 PM
Anyone have further ideas on this ?


It's an adult party so check this out. Remember the leaked recording of Donald saying he wanted to grab pussy? Those were words but you can turn that to action. Ochka should wear the Donald mask. Sometime during the party she yells "I want to grab pussy!". Then she grabs you! Of course you'd be wearing the Hillary mask so nobody assumes you're an actual pussy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on October 28, 2016, 06:36:42 AM
It's an adult party so check this out. Remember the leaked recording of Donald saying he wanted to grab pussy? Those were words but you can turn that to action. Ochka should wear the Donald mask. Sometime during the party she yells "I want to grab pussy!". Then she grabs you! Of course you'd be wearing the Hillary mask so nobody assumes you're an actual pussy.

A variant of this idea.

Ochka dresses like Hillary and holds in her hand a large envelope:

(http://www.jampaper.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ManillaClaspEnvelopes-e1381513779842.jpg)



On the envelope are the words:

ACTUAL PHOTO OF TRUMP GRABBING A PUSSY



Inside the envelope is the following photo (not to be shown to your professor friends)












\

(http://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/trump-grabs-pussy.jpg?w=1500&h=1224)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 30, 2016, 10:28:56 AM
Thanks Billy and Gator for your suggestions.

Ochka and I were able to come up with a few humorous bits to tell.  They went over pretty well.

Our masks were a pretty big hit also.

I hated to blur out the face of a gal who attended as she was quite beautiful in face, even as she was only about 5 foot tall.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chicagoguy on October 31, 2016, 09:58:17 AM
My wife had never been married and had never wanted to. Did not like Russian men. At age 50 a friend said just for fun let us check out a web page. As a lark she wrote on my profile. Now married 7 years. She had never in her life paid any attention to U.S. And now she is a citizen.   ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 12, 2016, 02:26:07 PM
Final exam time here at university.
I am working (unpaid) as GTA grader for Ochka's sections  of Differential Equations.
Of course I don't know much about it, but . . .
I look for the 3-4 key equations that are developed in solving, and if they are all there, I  assign the  full 10 points or so for that question.
If anything is missing, that person's exam goes into another pile where Ochka grades with partial credit.

And I  get the very important job of entering scores into  spreadsheet, totaling up columns to determine total points earned for class for each student, dividing by total possible to get percentage, etc.  Do some statistical work to find mean, standard deviation, etc.  This work I can do.

We will be busy at least through Wednesday.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 12, 2016, 02:51:00 PM


We will be busy at least through Wednesday.

With only 17  students to grade?

I had the opportunity to use my higher math education.  In my younger professional years, I worked on a project in which I had to predict the time based overflow from a combined sewer (stormwater and poop) for an EPA water quality research project.  Triple integral calculus.  I gave my work to the project manager.  He had trouble telling right side up, so he took my work to a Chinese PhD.  An hour later, he came back and said well done.  The next phase of the project was not funded, so I never confirmed with real sampling data whether my prediction was correct. 

The work was published, and I may have a copy in the catacombs. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 12, 2016, 03:03:37 PM
With only 17  students to grade?

Where did you get the 17?

Actual number is just over 100.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 22, 2016, 09:07:33 PM
First met 12 1/2 years ago in Ukraine.

Renewed acquaintance 6 1/2 years ago in Ukraine

Living together full time 5 1/2 years in USA.

Two year anniversary of marriage today.

I was all set to change status on profile here to > 2 years; but there is no such option !!

- - - - - - -

Walked 3 miles in morning.
Breakfast at Burger King.
$5.00 coupon gets you 2 sausage, egg, cheese croissants, 2 orders of tater tots, 2 coffees.
$1.00 coupon gets you 5 pieces of French Toast.
Probably no more than 4,000 calories for each person.

I thought that would be enough for anniversary meal, but Ochka nixed that.

So in late afternoon, off to Italian restaurant.

I presented her with gold herringbone necklace just before we left.

In evening, we watched Borat movie at home.
Ochka got a kick out of most of it.
I had seen it before, several years ago.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on December 22, 2016, 09:16:41 PM
Happy anniversary to you and Mrs. ML
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on December 23, 2016, 12:14:58 AM
Happy Anniversary to you and Ochka.  I didn't realize we were ahead of you in anniversaries.  But you do have many years ahead of us in being together.  :)

Many more to come.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: wallm on December 23, 2016, 06:46:54 AM
She must be an angel to tolerate being married to someone who wears an untucked shirt with a jacket.  ;D

Congratulations.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 23, 2016, 07:21:51 AM


Two year anniversary of marriage today.


 :applause:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 24, 2016, 11:04:56 AM
Breakfast at Burger King.
$5.00 coupon gets you 2 sausage, egg, cheese croissants, 2 orders of tater tots, 2 coffees.


Congratulations on getting that coupon! I got that in the mail too and it's a very good deal.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on December 24, 2016, 12:31:57 PM
Congratulations ML! But can you pass one of her differential equations exams?  :D


Here's to many more years of happiness.


HDL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 24, 2016, 02:02:57 PM
Always pleased to read of happiness in this mad endeavour ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on December 28, 2016, 06:21:58 PM
Belated congratulations ML. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 09, 2017, 01:03:09 PM
1) In Ukraine kutia is an essential dish at the Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper (also known as Sviata Vecheria or Svyata Vecherya).

The main ingredients used to make traditional kutia are: wheatberries, poppy seeds and honey. At times, walnuts, dried fruit and raisins are added as well. Kutia is a Lenten dish and no milk or egg products can be used. There are known kutia recipes that use pearl barley or rice instead of wheatberries.

Kutia, as a part of Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper, is used in a number of rituals performed on the night. Kutia is the first out of twelve dishes served for Sviata Vecheria to be tasted. Everyone present must have at least a spoonful of kutia.

2) Pyrizhki with apples or cherries inside.

3) Ukrainian Poppy Seed Roll Makovyi Knysh.
http://www.food.com/recipe/ukrainian-christmas-poppy-seed-roll-makovyi-knysh-194485

4) Deviled eggs; one of my favorites.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 15, 2017, 09:43:36 PM
We watched Golden Globes and was intrigued by La La Land.

Ochka has extra day off, so we decided to go see this movie.

Pretty interesting and enjoyable to watch . . .  until near the end.

They did sort of a screwball ending, which degraded the movie, in my opinion.

Ochka accepted the twist better than I did, and she more quickly understood it was to hint at what might have been.

I can only give it a C+ rating because of the ending; although I understand it stands a good chance of an Oscar also.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 22, 2017, 10:55:26 AM
Jared’s maternal grandfather was Morris/Moishe Raphael ben Yehoshua Stadtmauer (the son of Oscar Yehoshua Stadtmauer and Sophie Wolf). Morris was born in New York, to Polish Jewish parents. Oscar was the son of David Stadtmauer, who was born in Pidhaitsi, Ternopil’s’ka oblast, Ukraine, and of Basia Golda Zimmerman, who was born in Radymno, Jarosław County, Poland.

Ochka's parents were the first to bring this to our attention.
It is big news in the parents' area which is close to Ternopilska oblast.

Jared is apparently behind the push to bring Israel back to near the forefront of our support, compared to Obama years.

Let's hope that he will do the same for Ukraine.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 22, 2017, 11:29:45 AM
Lara Yunaska Trump’s paternal grandfather was Luke Max Yunaska (the son of Jozef/Joseph Yunaska and Suzanna/Susan Hanko). Jozef was Hungarian. Suzanna was reportedly born in Czechoslovakia.

Galya says most all names ending in 'ko' are ethnic Ukrainian.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 22, 2017, 11:35:45 AM
Vanessa best looking of the Trump women.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on January 22, 2017, 11:45:13 AM
I think Melania is the most beautiful Trump, followed by Ivanka.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 22, 2017, 11:49:21 AM
I think Melania is the most beautiful Trump, followed by Ivanka.

Well, you are just wrong !!  :-))

OK, let's just focus on facial beauty.

In that regard,  none can hold a candle to Vanessa.

But if you want to talk about beautiful shape . . . then it would be hard to vote against any of them.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 22, 2017, 06:16:01 PM

ML, you're a little off topic here but I'll play.  You and Larry must be smoking crack cocaine. Ivanka is #1.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 26, 2017, 09:11:30 PM
We went to university women's basketball game Wednesday evening.

Was very pleased to note that about half the gals on the opposing team wore actual shorts . . .  not short shorts, but the mid to upper thigh style.

For years now we have had to put up with the totally ridiculous look of the 'trousers' that hit just below the knee.  As silly as they look, they must be even more uncomfortable when the legs are constantly in motion.

So hope this becomes a trend that sweeps the nation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Larry1 on January 26, 2017, 10:11:08 PM
We went to university women's basketball game Wednesday evening.

Was very pleased to note that about half the gals on the opposing team wore actual shorts . . .  not short shorts, but the mid to upper thigh style.

For years now we have had to put up with the totally ridiculous look of the 'trousers' that hit just below the knee.  As silly as they look, they must be even more uncomfortable when the legs are constantly in motion.

So hope this becomes a trend that sweeps the nation.

The style for "shorts" down below the knees is said to have originated in prison, then to have made its way to the ghetto, then naturally to basketball.

Glad to see some objections to this fashion.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 26, 2017, 11:13:11 AM
http://www.kyivpost.com/lifestyle/romantic-drama-movie-ukraines-famine-holodomor-hits-theaters.html

“Bitter Harvest,” a romantic-drama movie about the famine Holodomor that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s, comes to cinemas in Ukraine and abroad on Feb. 23-24.

The movie directed by George Mendeluk, a German-born Canadian film director, tells a love story of two villagers caught in the ravages of Joseph Stalin’s genocidal policies against the Ukrainian people. The estimated number of people in Ukraine who starved to death in 1932-1933 varies from 2 million to 10 million people.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on February 26, 2017, 12:35:19 PM
In Tampa a couple of ads promoting the film have appeared on TV, yet the film is playing at only one theater.  As of two days ago, Rotten Tomatoes had no reviews. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on February 26, 2017, 07:23:28 PM
Looks like it is playing in Riverside and Anaheim but not Redlands yet.  Will keep an eye out.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 13, 2017, 12:09:48 PM
Wifey was on Spring Break for a week.
We got a lot of yard work and garden cleaning done until weather turned too cold, and had a good time in general.
She has amazing amount of energy.
Now she is back to her University teaching and I am not liking it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 15, 2017, 03:21:07 PM
We have been keeping extremely busy in garden last week and have been very tired - - - too tired even for sex.

We still need to do more work, but I remembered prohibition on certain days.
I asked Ochka if we could work tomorrow, Easter, and she said, No.
I asked if we could have sex.
She said, Yes; but said actually we could not have had it last week because of Lent.  Don't remember that last years.
But anyway, it worked out fine as we were too tired anyway.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 16, 2017, 08:15:53 PM
We have been keeping extremely busy in garden last week and have been very tired - - - too tired even for sex.


I've got a difficult life too. I go to work 8 hours a day. When I come home, the wife makes me work another 8 hours. When I go to bed, the wife makes me work another 8 hours.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 20, 2017, 08:13:23 AM
April picture shows Strawberry patch with lots of blooms.
Today's harvest of Strawberries.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 29, 2017, 09:23:41 PM
Wifey left me today.
She does this every year.
A month in Ukraine.
Hope she comes back.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 31, 2017, 07:53:06 PM

Me wife is leaving too in July.
I have to stay and work.
Somebody has to pay for her vacation in Ukraine.
Hope she comes back.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 10, 2017, 12:36:54 PM
Wife gone nearly two weeks now.
That is about my limit for no sex.
Anyone here available, female . . . or very cute young man?
You won't even have to pay me; at least the first time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 10, 2017, 08:41:13 PM
Wifey due to pick up her new Ukrainian Biometric passport on Wednesday or so.

Then we can go visit her cousin in Italy and spend all winter with Sandro at his home.
He doesn't know this yet.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 11, 2017, 06:26:27 AM
Then we can go visit her cousin in Italy and spend all winter with Sandro at his home.
My balcony is at your disposal ;D. Bring warm clothing and a pup tent.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 11, 2017, 09:03:47 PM
Sandro, we won't be bringing a pup or a kitten, so won't need the tent.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 15, 2017, 02:29:03 PM
http://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-says-blast-near-us-embassy-kyiv-terrorism-us-disagrees.html

The apartment we bought and finished out in 2014-15 is two buildings down from US Embassy in Kyiv.

Before purchase, Ochka opined that it's location would insure its safety.
I told her my idea would be the opposite.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 17, 2017, 09:03:09 PM
Best wishes to all you who are Fathers.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on June 17, 2017, 09:06:44 PM
Best wishes to all you who are Fathers.

I'll bookmark that for September when we have Father's Day...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on June 18, 2017, 01:01:50 PM
Larissa and Lisa are in Kiev now for 6 week vacation.  Both need to get new passports.  Wife said the waiting time for new passports is very long.  What did your wife experience as to waiting time?

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 18, 2017, 03:26:23 PM
Doug, it only costs something like $10 extra to get a quick appointment.  Don't know exact details, but must be easy to find out about and do since my wife did it.
Also, I think for something like another $10, you get the new passport in less than a week.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 18, 2017, 03:48:52 PM
Doug, LAman posted the below in another thread.  Sounds about like what my wife said.

Passport cost-577uah
Expedited(10 day)- 213uah
Service center( faster lines, open longer)-400uah
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on June 18, 2017, 07:00:04 PM
Thanks, I will pass the info along to her.

She is also having to fight the Russian Government in Crimea trying to re-register her apartment in Yalta.  She said it is a mess and the locals try everything they can to take the property away from Ukrainians and register it to themselves.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 18, 2017, 09:18:59 PM
She is also having to fight the Russian Government in Crimea trying to re-register her apartment in Yalta.  She said it is a mess and the locals try everything they can to take the property away from Ukrainians and register it to themselves.

Yes, I had known that was going to happen from the very beginning.
Remember several months or even more than an year ago I suggested she try to sell as soon as possible.
Any price now will be more than zero in the future.
Same goes for Wayne and others.

I know at very beginning, there was a lot of it concerning small businesses that were illegally taken over by Russians who subsequently gained legal ownership.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on June 18, 2017, 09:48:43 PM
Women don't always listen to the advice from their husbands.    ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on June 19, 2017, 06:40:37 AM
There could be a problem if Larrisa does not have Russian citizenship and owns property in Crimea. She could lose it!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on June 19, 2017, 09:25:38 AM
There could be a problem if Larrisa does not have Russian citizenship and owns property in Crimea. She could lose it!

Yes, that is the issue.  That is what she is worried about and trying to jump through all the hoops to get the apartment re-registered.   She is Ukrainian, not Russian.  Another reason to dislike Putin!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on June 19, 2017, 09:54:03 AM
Another thing is the value of her property in US dollars could have gone down. If selling, the buyer would probably need to be Russian.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 21, 2017, 01:25:26 PM
OMG Donald . . . how could you do this.

It has been reported that during meeting with Poroshenko, Donald referred to 'the Ukraine.'

This the last straw for me !!!!!!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 25, 2017, 08:40:33 AM
My spouse will be back in two more days.
Good thing; because my hand lotion container is almost empty.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 25, 2017, 09:45:42 AM
My spouse will be back in two more days.
Good thing; because my hand lotion container is almost empty.

Curmudgeon mode, endeth ?! ...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on June 25, 2017, 11:04:44 AM
My spouse will be back in two more days.
Good thing; because my hand lotion container is almost empty.

Oh, great.  She'll love your soft hands.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 26, 2017, 11:24:02 AM
Global Warming: Advantages and Disadvantages. The heat in Arizona has allowed people to cook full meals including pies by putting them on the dashboard of their cars. Savings of gas and electricity. On the other hand, mailboxes and street signs are also melting.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/its-so-hot-in-arizona-that-street-signs-and-mailboxes-are-melting/70002032
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on June 26, 2017, 11:49:46 AM
Global Warming: Advantages and Disadvantages. The heat in Arizona has allowed people to cook full meals including pies by putting them on the dashboard of their cars. Savings of gas and electricity. On the other hand, mailboxes and street signs are also melting.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/its-so-hot-in-arizona-that-street-signs-and-mailboxes-are-melting/70002032 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/its-so-hot-in-arizona-that-street-signs-and-mailboxes-are-melting/70002032)


Shocking, it is hot in the Desert in the summer. And this just in, it will be colder than a witches tit in Upstate New York next February.  :P


HDL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 26, 2017, 12:27:11 PM
Ukrainian Student wins Gold Medal at Genius Competition

http://www.kyivpost.com/lifestyle/ukrainian-student-wins-gold-genius-olympiad-us.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 26, 2017, 09:16:06 PM
Ochka on plane now in Kyiv headed for intermediate stop in Frankfurt. 
She wasn't sure if she would come back or not, so she just tossed a coin.
Won't arrive in our town until near midnight Tues. 
I have been busy doing laundry and trying to pick up mess that I let pile up over last 4 weeks.  Don't want to get a spanking for not proper care of house.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 26, 2017, 10:37:05 PM
Don't want to get a spanking for not proper care of house.

Are you sure about that ? ......
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on June 27, 2017, 11:59:34 AM
Are you sure about that ? ......

You are looking at this from the wrong perspective - you need to give her a spanking for being away for so long.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 27, 2017, 08:03:07 PM
:)))

Well, the 'good news' is something is distracting ML from posting ....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 06, 2017, 09:43:55 PM
Today, just for fun, I took Ochka to an Estate Auction that was nearby.

Was just planning to show her the atmosphere . . .

but she fell in love with a very extensive China set.  It had 12 place settings of everything imaginable, plus all the special pieces.  112 pieces I think.

It was quite exquisite, I did admit.
The auctioneer showed original purchase document showing price of $699.00 paid about 32 years ago.

Luckily, there weren't many interested, so I was the winning bidder at $225.00.

She has been happy as a lark all afternoon and evening, washing and placing in our China cabinet.

However, I already had two (less extensive) China sets there, so now what to do with them.
I suggested giving away to some younger folks we know from Ukraine, but Ochka said that it was in very bad taste to give used items.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: LAman on July 06, 2017, 11:49:01 PM


However, I already had two (less extensive) China sets there, so now what to do with them.
I suggested giving away to some younger folks we know from Ukraine, but Ochka said that it was in very bad taste to give used items.

Yes ML, much better to BUY used items.....such as extensive china sets??? ))) or even less extensive china sets
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on July 07, 2017, 07:38:30 AM
It cost less than a really nice dinner out (with a good bottle of wine), and made his wife happy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BdHvA on July 07, 2017, 07:44:46 AM
Today, just for fun, I took Ochka to an Estate Auction that was nearby.

Was just planning to show her the atmosphere . . .

but she fell in love with a very extensive China set.  It had 12 place settings of everything imaginable, plus all the special pieces.  112 pieces I think.

It was quite exquisite, I did admit.
The auctioneer showed original purchase document showing price of $699.00 paid about 32 years ago.

Luckily, there weren't many interested, so I was the winning bidder at $225.00.

She has been happy as a lark all afternoon and evening, washing and placing in our China cabinet.

However, I already had two (less extensive) China sets there, so now what to do with them.
I suggested giving away to some younger folks we know from Ukraine, but Ochka said that it was in very bad taste to give used items.

Next you will need to acquire a new larger house.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 11, 2017, 05:27:55 PM
We bought a townhouse along East coast of Ireland back in 2013 near bottom of R.E. market.

Paid approx 80,000 Euros.  Hard to believe, but original buyer had paid 210,000 Euros for this townhouse at height of bubble.  She defaulted, bank repossessed and then we bought.

After purchase, a renter was immediately found and has been there for nearly 3.5 years and pays regularly with deposit into an account we have in Ireland.

Ochka's relative lives very near and manages this for us, although nothing really has needed to be done.

He tells us today that the unit next door which is identical just sold for 130,000 Euros in the recovering housing market.

Yes boys and girls . . . that is 62.5% paper increase for us in 3.5 years. 

I am waiting for full recovery to 210,000 Euros.

Yes, of course, this same gain could have been realized via purchase in one of several cities in USA that went through a bubble burst.  But I liked this deal because it gave country diversification to Ochka's portfolio and we had a trusted caretaker there in Ireland.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 11, 2017, 05:55:59 PM
Tidbit of info.

Ochka has gotten into habit of wearing jeans everywhere since her arrival in USA 6 year ago.

Today, we were going out for breakfast at standard chain restaurant (not fast food).

I said to her . . . wear a dress or skirt with blouse. 
And she did . . . with high heels.

After we returned home she says:  I feel sexy.

Me:  What . . . why?

She:  Just dressing up nice caused that effect.

Me:  OK . . . you are the boss.

Note:  Never heard such a thing ever from my previous wife.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Lily on July 12, 2017, 07:39:57 AM
ML - Beautiful story  8)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 12, 2017, 12:19:03 PM


Ochka has gotten into habit of wearing jeans everywhere since her arrival in USA 6 year ago.

Grounds for divorce - reason: 'unreasonable behaviour '.....


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 12, 2017, 08:09:55 PM
I really don't mind the jeans, as she looks very good in them.

But just got to realizing that I wanted to see her in something different when we are out and about. 

She always dresses up in dress and heels when we are out in evening for dinner, theater, etc.   But I wanted to see in daytime also . . . once in awhile.

Interesting also how she was shocked at how female professors wore jeans to teach when she arrived and was in Intensive English program and then Masters program. 

When she got her first teaching assignment she told me . . . I will wear dress or skirts with medium heels.  I said:  That won't last long. 

And sure enough, she was in jeans and comfortable walking shoes by the second week and never went back to formal dress.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 12, 2017, 10:11:01 PM
Indeed , it is one of the sad things that wives 'adapt' to Western dress 'protocols' ...

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Steamer on July 13, 2017, 05:37:24 AM
Indeed , it is one of the sad things that wives 'adapt' to Western dress 'protocols' ...


Very true but that just makes it easier for my wife to stay a few notches above the women she works with.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on July 15, 2017, 12:31:15 AM
I said to her . . . wear a dress or skirt with blouse. 
And she did . . . with high heels.

After we returned home she says:  I feel sexy.


Feeling sexy is a good thing. You might want to borrow that dress and heels from your wife occasionally. Doesn't matter if you wear panties with the set or leave them out.

it is one of the sad things that wives 'adapt' to Western dress 'protocols' ...


My wife didn't adapt. When we first married, she said don't try to change her. I would be a fool if I did. Half her wardrobe is dresses and skirts. I've got more opportunities to feel sexy than ML does.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 15, 2017, 05:57:15 AM
Feeling sexy is a good thing. You might want to borrow that dress and heels from your wife occasionally. Doesn't matter if you wear panties with the set or leave them out.

I am shocked at even reading about such kinky ideas !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 22, 2017, 02:57:43 PM
Spouse filed ROC for 10 year Green Card today.
$680 filing fee now + $14 copying + $22 Fed Express.

90 days before expiration of 2 year Green Card.

Next event will be receipt of One Year Extension letter.

Then we go to DMV before Oct 20th for 4th or 5th time for her DL issuance/renewal; but only for one year again.  Really a pain.

Completion of ROC and issuance of 10 year Green Card seems to be taking a year or more at Vermont Service Center now.

Several days of my time to gather items, fill in form and organize.

She . . . only works in garden during this time . . . and looks pretty.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on July 22, 2017, 04:36:10 PM
Spouse filed ROC for 10 year Green Card today.
$680 filing fee now + $14 copying + $22 Fed Express.

90 days before expiration of 2 year Green Card.

Next event will be receipt of One Year Extension letter.

Then we go to DMV before Oct 20th for 4th or 5th time for her DL issuance/renewal; but only for one year again.  Really a pain.

Completion of ROC and issuance of 10 year Green Card seems to be taking a year or more at Vermont Service Center now.

Several days of my time to gather items, fill in form and organize.

She . . . only works in garden during this time . . . and looks pretty.

Well, you could save yourself the trouble and send her back to UA.  Just sayin.   :devil:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 22, 2017, 09:20:24 PM
Spouse filed ROC for 10 year Green Card today.

Rep of Cyprus ?

Then we go to DMV

DMV ? Driver Motor Vehicles ?

We don't all live in the US and understand your acronyms ! :)  Seriously.. I am interested to know what ROC stands for.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on July 22, 2017, 09:45:32 PM
Rep of Cyprus ?

DMV ? Driver Motor Vehicles ?

We don't all live in the US and understand your acronyms ! :)  Seriously.. I am interested to know what ROC stands for.

ROC = Removal of conditions
http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/conditional-permanent-residence/remove-conditions-permanent-residence-based-marriage

DMV = Department of Motor Vehicles

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 22, 2017, 10:03:28 PM
Thank ye, kindly, Beel !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 16, 2017, 08:00:06 AM
If my math teacher had looked like this; I might have gone to class more.
But would I have learned more ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Lily on August 16, 2017, 09:25:45 AM
If my math teacher had looked like this; I might have gone to class more.
But would I have learned more ?

You would have been distracted a lot, ML!  :D
Thanks for posting pictures!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on August 16, 2017, 12:35:42 PM
You would have been distracted a lot, ML!  :D
Thanks for posting pictures!


Ditto !! :)
I had a hot music teacher-- I have zero musical skills --but I was good at moving the piano around for her !! :) :-X
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 16, 2017, 04:08:33 PM
If my math teacher had looked like this; I might have gone to class more.
But would I have learned more ?

I had a crush on a teacher and I learned more. There was a teacher I was in lust with. She had big boobs. I was shallow back then. I grew out of it last year. She taught typing and one day I asked a question and she leaned over and showed me how to type. I liked it when she bent over so I made a habit of asking more questions. I learned a lot from her but I secretly wished she'd teach me other things. Because of her, I type with all my fingers. I can type so fast, I can harass people on the internet at twice the rate they harass me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on August 16, 2017, 09:50:24 PM
I had a crush on a teacher and I learned more. There was a teacher I was in lust with. She had big boobs. I was shallow back then. I grew out of it last year. She taught typing and one day I asked a question and she leaned over and showed me how to type. I liked it when she bent over so I made a habit of asking more questions. I learned a lot from her but I secretly wished she'd teach me other things. Because of her, I type with all my fingers. I can type so fast, I can harass people on the internet at twice the rate they harass me.

I am with you Billy  :)
In my case it was not the typing teacher that caused me to sign up for typing class..... it was the fact that this is where the chicks are!  I have always been grateful that I took the class in High School.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on August 17, 2017, 09:37:05 AM
When I was a senior in high school, my advisor told me that I should take typing. So I did! There was one other boy in the class and the rest were girls, mostly 9th or 10th graders.

The teacher was fresh out of college, first year teacher and only a few years older than I. She was very good looking, and one day when I was running late for a track meet and missed the bus, she drove me in her red, convertible sports car to the meet. That day, I came in first in the mile!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 17, 2017, 09:38:57 AM
She was very good looking, and one day when I was running late for a track meet and missed the bus, she drove me in her red, convertible sports car to the meet. That day, I came in first in the mile!



Becoming horny, your testosterone levels were high that day. No wonder you left the other guys in the dust.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 18, 2017, 04:43:24 PM
Wife called as she was getting ready to come home from university today.
Said she wanted pizza and sex after finishing first week of classes.
But classes didn't start until Wednesday, so it seems this type of celebration was not warranted.
I reluctantly agreed anyway.
Scams come in all forms.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 18, 2017, 06:12:29 PM
Said she wanted pizza and sex after finishing first week of classes.



Did she want one serving or a buffet?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 23, 2017, 08:37:14 AM
Ochka got the standard One Year Extension Letter for her 2 year Green Card a couple of weeks ago.

And last week received appointment letter to go to USCIS center for another round of finger printing regarding her application for ROC and to receive 10 year Green Card.  The appointment date is this Friday.

After that, we have to settle in for a wait of a year or more, and in some cases applicants have to go back to get another extension when a year passes.

Could even be a deliberate slow down in the processing.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 28, 2017, 09:59:40 AM
For those of you looking for a Slavic wife . . . avoid the foreign travel and visa problems of getting her here.

100,000 Slavic Christians live in the Vancouver, Oregon area.

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/26/us/ukrainian-christian-refugees.html?mcubz=3
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 28, 2017, 01:53:46 PM

A lot of them are in the Pacific NW. Add another 100,000 in the Seattle area. A lot of people got visas due to the persecution they experienced in the FSU for their beliefs. After Reagan made an agreement with Gorbachav and opened up visas to America, a lot of people in the FSU finally found a need to believe in God. Currently most new immigrants are sponsored by their relatives who arrived in the first and second waves. I've been to their churches. Seemed cult like in some ways. Had to stand on a hard concrete floor with our knees 20-30 minutes at certain times during the service. The service lasted 3 hours. The people  in the congregation were allowed to preach from their seats taking turns with the pastor.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on August 28, 2017, 05:40:06 PM
For those of you looking for a Slavic wife . . . avoid the foreign travel and visa problems of getting her here.

100,000 Slavic Christians live in the Vancouver, Oregon area.

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/26/us/ukrainian-christian-refugees.html?mcubz=3 (http://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/26/us/ukrainian-christian-refugees.html?mcubz=3)


I don't think they marry out of their communities (meaning Pentecostal or Baptist) very often.


Those communities were well established in both Russia and Ukraine.  Baptists had a very high rate of emigration in Tsarist times, due to persecution.  I met Baptists in Soviet times, as there was a large village just outside Kyiv, and my husband worked with a young man from that community.  They were very pious, and they faced tremendous persecution in Soviet times, even during so called "glasnost'".  They did marry outside their community, but only if the outsider accepted their religion.  Only 18,300 Baptists and Pentecosts emigrated to the US from the entire USSR between 1987 and 1990, with another 7,400 leaving in 1991.  However, as the USSR collapsed in August of 1991, it is unknown how many emigrated before the collapse, and how many left after.


What is more interesting is the Old Believer communities in Siberia.  They were completely isolated, living basically off the map, so even Soviet authorities didn't know of them.  One community was discovered in the late 1970's when a Soviet pilot who had been captured by them and used to impregnate women escaped.  They spoke a Russian that doesn't exist anymore, and lived as their ancestors had in the 18th century, when they denounced society and moved into isolation.  There are Old Believer communities in Canada and the Western U.S. as well.  In fact, that was the first Russian my husband heard here, and he went and asked them where they were from.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on August 28, 2017, 06:00:18 PM
For those of you looking for a Slavic wife . . . avoid the foreign travel and visa problems of getting her here.

100,000 Slavic Christians live in the Vancouver, Oregon area.

Washington, not Oregon.

It confused me when I first saw it, because the only Vancouver I've ever heard of (until now) is the one in British Columbia.  How confusing is it for people in the area, considering that they're relatively close together (maybe 150 miles apart)?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 28, 2017, 06:13:10 PM

I don't think they marry out of their communities (meaning Pentecostal or Baptist) very often.



It's hard to get a date with one of those girls but enough FSU people came over that weren't very religious or left their religion and embraced other kinds of Christianity that are easier to get to know.


Washington, not Oregon.

It confused me when I first saw it, because the only Vancouver I've ever heard of (until now) is the one in British Columbia.  How confusing is it for people in the area, considering that they're relatively close together (maybe 150 miles apart)?


When ML said Vancouver, Oregon area, he's technically not wrong. Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR are next door neighbors separated by a river. Large pocket of FSU people in both those cities. I dated a few. A few hours drive from another large pocket of FSU people in the Seattle area. I live between both Vancouvers and people here make sure to say "B.C." after saying Canada's Vancouver.


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on August 28, 2017, 06:18:17 PM
When ML said Vancouver, Oregon area, he's technically not wrong. Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR are next door neighbors separated by a river... I live between both Vancouvers and people here make sure to say "B.C." after saying Canada's Vancouver.

Thanks, Billy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 31, 2017, 12:42:32 PM
Before his career took off as a singer, TV and movie performer, Glenn was in high demand by recording studios.

Here you can see why.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/GUBhE00h9U0?feature=player_detailpage
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 05, 2017, 01:11:55 PM
Yushenko started this way back when, but then Yanokovich reversed it.

This will be the second  try.

http://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/parliament-oks-law-bring-ukrainian-education-closer-european-standards.html

I was in Ukraine in 2009 and talking with University faculty.  They were telling of the problem that would occur when no new students came to university during the switch year.

And, the high schools would have the opposite problem as they wouldn't have teachers for the 12th year.

For universities, it was a one time problem.
For high schools, the problem would continue.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 06, 2017, 03:04:50 PM
Saw a little segment about blockchains on PBS recently.

Bitcoins use that technology, but it can be used for many, many other applications also.
Apparently it is virtually hack-proof.

I am in favor of it . . . but not for Bitcoins or other currencies.
There is no control over Bitcoins and it is probably already a balloon ready to burst.

Also, Monetary Policy is a necessary tool for governments to help the economy.

Whether you like any given Monetary Policy followed by any government at a particular point in time . . . surely no one can believe that nations (or groups of nations - Euro) should not be able to control their own Monetary Policy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 07, 2017, 04:46:29 PM
http://en.newsner.com/he-demands-a-divorce-in-letter-to-wife-but-her-reply-makes-him-regret-every-word/about/family
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on September 07, 2017, 06:23:29 PM
http://en.newsner.com/he-demands-a-divorce-in-letter-to-wife-but-her-reply-makes-him-regret-every-word/about/family

That (and its many variations) is so old!  :deadhorse:

But still funny.  ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 08, 2017, 08:10:03 AM
http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-crime/2298254-half-a-ton-of-gold-stolen-by-yanukovych-family-arrested-abroad-prosecutor.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 08, 2017, 02:10:17 PM

ML, I thought you didn't like off topic posts. I would've never thought information about Glenn Campbell, Yushenko, Yanukovych and Bitcoins can be found here. Can we talk about Alcoholics Anonymous here too?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 08, 2017, 07:41:31 PM
Billy, those are just small items not  worthy of separate threads.

Besides, the rule is:  If I do it, it is by definition OK.  Get with the program.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 09, 2017, 11:48:17 AM
What can our Florida members report about Irma?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 13, 2017, 09:38:20 AM
What ?????
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ChickMagnet on September 16, 2017, 11:43:37 PM
Congratulations!

I'm not sure what the 4 years wonder means but seems to mean it took 4 years.

Hey, it took me 1 week (original One Week Wonder), and 12-13 years later we are still going strong.
This might seem like a controversial statement, but I learned it from a Serbian lady across my street.
She said her love grew over time. And that's the same with me and my wife, although I don't know how
it can grow any stronger.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 23, 2017, 10:14:43 AM
We were recently in art museum.
I kept looking at this pic for a long time.
Wifey wanted to know what I found so riveting.
Couldn't quite figure it out . . . but just something about it.
Can you help me out here ???
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 23, 2017, 10:35:17 AM
Wifey wanted to know what I found so riveting.



ML, I'm with your wife on this one. Sorry.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 16, 2017, 09:19:48 AM

ML, I'm with your wife on this one. Sorry.

Billy, and others, rotate the pic 90 degrees to right.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 16, 2017, 09:35:16 AM
Best turn of good luck we have had in this process of getting wife settled into USA.

We needed to get her a 5th drivers license.  Don't ask . . . but she came on Student Visa, then it was extended, then marriage with filing for 2 year GC which involved first getting EAD, then 2 year Green Card, then filing for 10 year GC, then getting 1 year extension etc.

Each step meant getting renewal which was only good for the limited period covered by the newest document.

So last event was receipt of the 1 year extension letter which came a couple of months ago and her license was due to expire next week.

Our state is a stickler and will only give a new one year license whereas I have read on VisaJourney that some states gave 5 year or more DL right from the beginning.
And when she was at the window the guy gave her a stern talk about fact that if she didn't get the 10 year GC within the next year then she couldn't get a renewal next year . . . bla, bla, bla.

Then we moved to next station and waited to be called for picture taking.
Then wait for card production, lamination, etc.

I told spouse to be sure that they put one year from date of Green Card expiration, rather than one year from date on extension letter (which some states and even some offices within various states have done.)

She looked at the card and came rushing to me with a rather white face.

They had given her a 5 year DL !!!!!

So despite the state rules and the stern talk from the guy . . . he had lost his head and just punched in 5 years because that's what he was used to doing 99 percent of the time.

Wife is afraid we will get letter any day demanding the return of the 5 year DL, but I doubt anyone or their system will catch this.

This bit of good luck will save us perhaps 3-4 more renewals within the next 5 years.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 16, 2017, 09:53:31 AM
Billy, and others, rotate the pic 90 degrees to right.


Nasty, but definitely an improvement!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 16, 2017, 02:11:12 PM
Billy, and others, rotate the pic 90 degrees to right.

No need, I got it right off the bat, LOL
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 09, 2017, 12:35:00 PM
We usually have extra-curricular activity on Thursday mornings because wifey doesn't have to teach courses on that day until mid afternoon.

Tuesday she asked me to look over an exam she had typed to check for spelling errors, etc.  This is standard practice.

I asked her when would I ever get paid for such work.

She replied:  Thursday morning.

Then on Wednesday evening she asked me:

"Will you be ready to cash your check in the morning?"

I had just a momentary puzzled look on my face . . . which she really liked.

And I really liked her humor.  Great Gal !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 09, 2017, 03:34:30 PM
"Will you be ready to cash your check in the morning?"



Well, it's Thursday. Did you check clear or bounce?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 09, 2017, 06:33:00 PM

Well, it's Thursday. Did your check clear or bounce?

Technically it was her check.

I made the deposit without problems.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 23, 2017, 10:03:28 PM
As most in USA know, retailers have moved toward starting the sales at 6 PM or so on Thursday evening.

Wife and I were out for late afternoon Thanksgiving dinner and then went to WalMart arriving at about 5:45 PM.  Had time to look around a bit and find some items.  A huge number of people clogging most aisles but we managed to get near the printers.

At 6:00 we each grabbed up a HP printer selling for $19.  Ochka kept asking why we needed two when we already have two working ones at the house.  But when I took her over to the print cartridge area and she saw they cost nearly $36, she understood why.  The print cartridges are the same as needed in our existing.  Then I searched out and found another HP selling for $49 compared to its regular price of $99, I bought it also.  Presume it is of higher quality and will replace one of our existing when the time comes.

Also bought a Mr Coffee maker for half price, a 24 piece set of Pyrex bowls for half price and pillows for same deal.

We quickly headed for check out and were able to be one of first out of the store.  Later the check-out lines would be a mile long.

Tomorrow a local farm store is selling chain saws for $99 that normally sell for $169.  I plan to buy two if I can.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on November 24, 2017, 10:14:34 AM
Why not buy a laser printer?  Best Buy probably has good Black Friday sales.  They cost more, but print a lot more as well.  I have found them very cost effective.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on November 24, 2017, 02:34:50 PM
The "cheap" printers have horrific refill prices and very short number of prints -- so prove much more expensive and inconvenient to run.

Maybe ok  to print a page very occasionally --but useless for even modest use.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Anotherkiwi on November 26, 2017, 04:35:43 PM
The "cheap" printers have horrific refill prices and very short number of prints -- so prove much more expensive and inconvenient to run.

Maybe ok  to print a page very occasionally --but useless for even modest use.

Especially ones with just a single cartridge, such as Canon Pixma.  Those with individual colour cartridges aren't so bad.  I don't think too many people here actually buy the factory-made ones as replacements, because we can get good to high quality compatible cartridges at a fraction of the price (why pay $35 when you can buy the same thing on-line for $2.75 plus postage)?  The only problem I've encountered is that the chip in a compatible cartridge doesn't always get read properly by the printer, so I get warned that the cartridge is running out of ink when it's actually still two-thirds full.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 16, 2017, 12:07:04 PM
Really a big problem here.

I have been under the weather with something (standard cold, allergies and or flu) for 10 days now.

Haven't been up to joint (pun intended) sex in that time span, although I continue to provide wifey with pleasure one or more times each day.

For 8 days, this wasn't a big problem as she was busy with preparing finals, administering finals, grading, (I accumulated up all page totals, test totals and calculated final course percentages), and posting of grades.

Then 2 days ago she said, OK I am now going to take two days to clean the house . . . and then I am going to expect a lot from you . . .

And now I am still not 100% . . . and she is worried that she might be coming down with this stuff.

Plus our anniversary date is fast approaching.

Back in Ukraine, when anything needed fixed, the most common phrase was . . . 'we need to hire a man/woman.'
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 18, 2017, 12:19:29 PM
We only had a couple of good health days . . . then spouse did catch whatever I had.  Very bad sore throat now and up into one ear.  But this stuff usually doesn't last as long for her as it does me.
Hate to see her break-time from university teaching being spent like this though.

True to her Ukrainian heritage, she went out to garden area and cut off some small twigs from our raspberry bushes.  Boiled them in water to make a tea.

I wasn't too anxious to try, but I did and am still alive.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on December 18, 2017, 12:58:41 PM
I hope you recover soon, but had to laugh about the witches brew that our UA women come up with.  :)
I gave up trying to figure out what Larissa is making for me or to get her to explain why it is supposed to work......just drink the stuff and don't argue about it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on December 18, 2017, 01:41:09 PM
Raspberry leaf is high in Vitamin C.  I don't think you really need it if you are taking Vitamin C in other forms.  Of course, it was used at a time when oranges were uncommon in Ukraine year round, and vitamin tablets were unheard of.

My grandmother used to make a tea that cured colds.  It was made with a specific herb, "polyn.", in Ukrainian, which she gathered in forests.  I think it may be wormwood, but I am not 100% on that, as I am going by the translation.  It was bitter, and I recall when she brewed it when I was ill as a child, I drank it willingly, even eagerly, as I knew that by the next morning, my cold would be gone.

I can still remember the taste of it, and the smell, but I wouldn't try to make it myself.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 22, 2017, 11:07:06 AM
Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary.
However, we have been living together in USA for 6 and half years;
And, we have had some acquaintance for 13 and a half years.

Just changed my profile to show married 3-5 years.

Unfortunately we are both somewhat ill from cold/flu/allergies.
She for 6th day and me for 17th day.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on December 22, 2017, 11:37:51 AM
Congrats on your anniversary and wish you many more to come.

Doug, Larissa, Lisa
 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 22, 2017, 11:55:35 AM
Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary.
However, we have been living together in USA for 6 and half years;
And, we have had some acquaintance for 13 and a half years.

Just changed my profile to show married 3-5 years.

Unfortunately we are both somewhat ill from cold/flu/allergies.
She for 6th day and me for 17th day.

Well, hope you both recover to do your 'time-served' proud !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on December 22, 2017, 01:15:29 PM
Congratulations ML and Ochka.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 22, 2017, 03:26:18 PM
Grats ML and Ochka! Don't look at being ill as a curse. Consider it a blessing that you can't go out and celebrate your anniversary since you must stay home and spend time with the finest people of world all at RWD.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 24, 2017, 12:44:29 PM
Ochka is 'still under the weather' somewhat from the 'common cold' so she is not up to the 12 course tradition for Christmas.

However, she did make cherry filled piroshki and kutia this morning.

We are going to put off our wedding anniversary celebration until after Christmas.  Hope we will both be in top shape in 3 days or so.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 24, 2017, 04:15:42 PM
We decided to go out for an afternoon meal at Denny's which is very near.  This was not our anniversary dinner.

Anyway very nice thing that after we ordered, Ochka looked into my eyes and said:  I love you very much and am very happy to be with you.  And her eyes teared up a little.

We never got each other any Christmas presents . . . but who could ask for anything more than this !!!.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 24, 2017, 04:31:54 PM
Ochka told me this that she had just heard via Skype from an older lady (early 80s) that she knew back in Ukraine.

This woman has only one grandson whose parents are both deceased so they only have each other.

He 30 now and had dated a girl for many years.  She from very wealthy family (house like a French palace), he just normal guy with masters degree and regular job.

He tall and good looking, she short and skinny with no breasts (this is all from Grandmother).  Grandmother had told Ochka 3-4 years ago she hoped he would 'get a tall girl with big breasts under him' and that then he would drop this gal.  But never happened.

3-4 years ago, the girl's mother asked the Grandmother why the grandson didn't marry her daughter.  Grandmother told that he would never have the money to support her as she was accustomed to.  The Mother and girl said that the money didn't matter and that he should either marry her or let her go.

And the Grandmother became more worried that her Grandson would not have someone to 'care for him' when she had passed away . . . so she told Grandson to get married.  Note:  FSU men do a lot that Mothers and Grandmothers tell them to do . . . more so than AM do.

So they married and now she is pregnant.  And for last year or so the now wife has been complaining about the money and that he should 'earn more.'  She likes  to buy new dresses frequently . . . but dress only will not do.  It must be dress, matching shoes, purse, scarves, etc.  Her Mother tells young man that she will provide money but that 'he must be very grateful for it.'

Train wreck coming and too bad a child will now be involved.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: kynrazor on December 24, 2017, 11:45:24 PM
3-4 years ago, the girl's mother asked the Grandmother why the grandson didn't marry her daughter.  Grandmother told that he would never have the money to support her as she was accustomed to.  The Mother and girl said that the money didn't matter and that he should either marry her or let her go.

And the Grandmother became more worried that her Grandson would not have someone to 'care for him' when she had passed away . . . so she told Grandson to get married.  Note:  FSU men do a lot that Mothers and Grandmothers tell them to do . . . more so than AM do.

So they married and now she is pregnant.  And for last year or so the now wife has been complaining about the money and that he should 'earn more.'  She likes  to buy new dresses frequently . . . but dress only will not do.  It must be dress, matching shoes, purse, scarves, etc.  Her Mother tells young man that she will provide money but that 'he must be very grateful for it.'

Train wreck coming and too bad a child will now be involved.

What confuses the heck out of me ML, is if the now pregnant wife is really wealthy, why would she need even more money from her husband? Or is it only her mother who is rich?

I don't see it necessarily as a trainwreck, especially assuming the husband is willing to be a tad more subservient in the household and has good relations with his wife's mother? The wife's family becomes partly provider and husband becomes part-caregiver....a mutually beneficial partnership perhaps?  :popcorn:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 25, 2017, 01:02:12 AM
We decided to go out for an afternoon meal at Denny's which is very near.  This was not our anniversary dinner.

Anyway very nice thing that after we ordered, Ochka looked into my eyes and said:  I love you very much and am very happy to be with you.  And her eyes teared up a little.



That exact thing happened to me and my wife. We went to Denny's for an afternoon me a few days ago.


We never got each other any Christmas presents . . . but who could ask for anything more than this !!!.



An inscription of "I love you" on a Rolex is even better. This Christmas my wife made a book on Shutterfly of containing her favorite photos of me and her together. That was the best present she gave me that wasn't physical in nature.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on December 25, 2017, 02:15:39 AM

That exact thing happened to me and my wife. We went to Denny's for an afternoon me a few days ago.



Perhaps you and ML ordered the same dish and there was something in the food that caused the same reaction?  ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 25, 2017, 10:48:18 AM
What confuses the heck out of me ML, is if the now pregnant wife is really wealthy, why would she need even more money from her husband? Or is it only her mother who is rich?

My wording was 'She from very wealthy family.'

That means the same the world over and  does NOT indicate the 'she or he' yet has any of the wealth.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 25, 2017, 10:51:23 AM

Perhaps you and ML ordered the same dish and there was something in the food that caused the same reaction?  ;)

Nice thought Maxx, but in my case I noted 'after we ordered' implying we had not yet eaten anything.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 31, 2017, 07:00:31 PM
New Year Greetings to all !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 02, 2018, 11:41:56 AM
We have read a lot about reforms, plans for reforms, and lack of reforms in Ukraine.
I can report on one small aspect based on personal experience.
Ochka has a female cousin, early 40s.
She had made a career in banking.  Very low pay similar to banking salaries in USA (except for commercial loan officers and investment bankers.)
She saw advertisement for Senior Analytical Statistician at a National Government Agency in Kyiv.
So she applied.  The personnel people rather dismissively treated her and told how a written exam would be required for her and for several experienced internal candidates.
Note this is a new procedure in Ukraine as typically jobs and promotions are given based on friendships, family connections, bribes, beauty (for female candidates), young age, etc.
She took the exam and scored 100% and no other candidates came close to this score.
It was not believed, so she was called in for an oral exam which she also aced.
None of this was unexpected by her and her family as she had gotten a Red Diploma at graduation from University.
She got the job (despite her age) at double her banking salary, but still not really very much money.
Anyway, one small indication of some reforms actually taking place in Ukraine.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 02, 2018, 12:09:42 PM
She took the exam and scored 100% and no other candidates came close to this score.
It was not believed, so she was called in for an oral exam which she also aced.



Good to hear that the oral exams employers give females today are different than those in the past.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 02, 2018, 03:53:02 PM
THIS news (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42540819 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42540819) suggests that Ukraine has a way to go ((

Ukraine murder probe over lawyer Nozdrovska's death


"Ukrainian police have opened a murder investigation after the body of a lawyer and human rights activist was found in a river in the capital Kiev.

Iryna Nozdrovska, 38, went missing on 29 December. She had worked on the case of her sister, who was killed in 2015 by a car driven by the nephew of a Kiev judge."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 02, 2018, 05:23:43 PM
THIS news (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42540819 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42540819) suggests that Ukraine has a way to go ((

Ukraine murder probe over lawyer Nozdrovska's death


"Ukrainian police have opened a murder investigation after the body of a lawyer and human rights activist was found in a river in the capital Kiev.

Iryna Nozdrovska, 38, went missing on 29 December. She had worked on the case of her sister, who was killed in 2015 by a car driven by the nephew of a Kiev judge."

Yes, that event totally disgusts me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 02, 2018, 05:29:20 PM
Both Ukraine and Russia are still controlled, both politically and economically, by the former Soviet nomenklatura.  These are largely sociopaths.  So, no surprises at extra judicial killings in either country, and no systemic mechanisms for punishing powerful people who abuse their positions.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: whynotme on January 02, 2018, 07:56:32 PM
Both Ukraine and Russia are still controlled, both politically and economically, by the former Soviet nomenklatura.  These are largely sociopaths.  So, no surprises at extra judicial killings in either country, and no systemic mechanisms for punishing powerful people who abuse their positions.

The former Soviet nomenklatura is retired or died long ago. And only the broken record Boethius is repeating the same thing for the last 25 years.  :D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 02, 2018, 07:58:00 PM
No they're not.  Putin is part of the former nomenklatura.  So is Poroshenko.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 02, 2018, 10:23:01 PM
Sorry, whynotme..I'm with Boethiuis on this one.. (

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: whynotme on January 02, 2018, 11:52:49 PM
No they're not.  Putin is part of the former nomenklatura.  So is Poroshenko.

Seems, you have your own definitions for everything  :D I didn't study the biography of Poroshenko, but before 1991 Putin was a modest KGB major who lived in khrushchevka. The Soviet nomenclature were Primakov, Chernomyrdin, Yeltsin ... Putin is another generation, I wouldn't attribute him to the former Soviet nomenclature so unequivocally.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 02, 2018, 11:58:12 PM
Seems, you have your own definitions for everything  :D I didn't study the biography of Poroshenko, but before 1991 Putin was a modest KGB major who lived in khrushchevka. The Soviet nomenclature were Primakov, Chernomyrdin, Yeltsin ... Putin is another generation, I wouldn't attribute him to the former Soviet nomenclature so unequivocally.

I see your point, but Putin was in E.Germany and was humiliated by the fall of the Soviet Union and 'people power'

I believe he very much regrets the fall and is trying to ensure a wave of popular support against a govt cannot over power a Moscow govt. whilst doing 'OK' ( for himself) in the process.. 

If we check his publicly declared  property portfolio he suggests he isn't much better off then he was then.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 03, 2018, 12:30:52 AM
Nomenklatura=members of the CPSU who formed the bureaucratic and governing elite.


Putin, a Lieutenant Colonel of the KGB, was certainly part of the nomenklatura. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 08, 2018, 12:19:21 PM
Went out for Christmas dinner yesterday.

When seated, I said to Ochka:  Merry Christmas.

It took her a few moments to remember the Orthodox Greeting, and the reply I was supposed to say.

What does this indicate ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 08, 2018, 02:28:32 PM
Went out for Christmas dinner yesterday.

When seated, I said to Ochka:  Merry Christmas.

It took her a few moments to remember the Orthodox Greeting, and the reply I was supposed to say.

What does this indicate ??

The possible list is long and many involve alcohol ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 08, 2018, 04:14:21 PM
It doesn't surprise me, as other than in some parts of Western Ukraine (particularly villages), religious greetings disappeared under the communists.  Religious education, in general was very lacking in the USSR.  So, it may be that Ochka did not grow up with these traditional greetings.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: LAman on January 08, 2018, 05:34:58 PM
Went out for Christmas dinner yesterday.

When seated, I said to Ochka:  Merry Christmas.

It took her a few moments to remember the Orthodox Greeting, and the reply I was supposed to say.

What does this indicate ??

Hmmmm, Maybe she's not into you??))

Is this first X-mas you said Merry Christmas? This has got to 3-4th Christmas for both of you.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 08, 2018, 06:56:44 PM
For Ukrainians, a Christmas meal cannot be started without saying "Khristos Razhdayetsya!" (Christ is born!) to which the reply is "Slavite Yoho!" (Glory/Glorify Him!)  That is what ML is referring to. :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 08, 2018, 07:08:12 PM
For Ukrainians, a Christmas meal cannot be started without saying "Khristos Razhdayetsya!" (Christ is born!) to which the reply is "Slavite Yoho!" (Glory/Glorify Him!)  That is what ML is referring to. :)

Yes, these were the two sayings.

And she did know these very well, as her family was practicing Christians, even as it was low key during Soviet times.

Also, she had told me these and what to say in reply every year for the 6 previous Christmases she has been here.

My point was . . . since she had a momentary lapse . . . maybe some indication of her becoming a USA person ??

Also, she is very strident that we get to sporting events in time to hear/sing our national antheum.

She has never vocalized anything about becoming a USA person, but the above gives some hints and she has said she prefers to spend time with USA persons rather than the Ukrainian group here.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on January 08, 2018, 08:55:20 PM
She's been immersed in an English speaking culture daily,for serveral years  it usntbunusual to have to occasionally search for a word in the native tongue.

Been through it myself,years asho,
and certainly my wife searches for a Russian word or two occasionally now.

I don't think it indicates becoming a *USA* person,exactly, but does indicate she spends more time with English speakers than with those speaking her native language.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 09, 2018, 08:34:29 AM
She's been immersed in an English speaking culture daily,for serveral years  it usntbunusual to have to occasionally search for a word in the native tongue.

Been through it myself,years asho,
and certainly my wife searches for a Russian word or two occasionally now.

I don't think it indicates becoming a *USA* person,exactly, but does indicate she spends more time with English speakers than with those speaking her native language.

Good points.  I thought of that myself late last night.
i.e. Speaking English so much.

I knew of young USA college man who spent time in an East German prison back in cold war period for trying to smuggle out an East German man.  Guards only spoke German, so he had to learn.

Two years or so I think.
Upon his return to USA, he had some trouble remembering English words and spoke with rather heavy German accent for several months.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on January 09, 2018, 11:28:15 AM
Everyone is different, but in my experience dealing with total immersion (No English spoken) my pea brain finally adapted to thinking in the *new* language first (not translating it in your mind first) at about 18 months, also start dreaming in the new language,which my wife has also noticed.

In our case my wife has always felt like a western person, so there is transition there as well I suppose but a less distinct line.I honestly can't  think of anything specifucally FSU cultural related in her mannerisms or thinking.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 03, 2018, 12:59:36 PM
Right now, wifey is hauling in firewood to stack in garage for our wood burning furnace.
And I am doing the laundry.
Anything wrong with this ???

Point of fact . . . she loves dealing with firewood, and especially starting the fire, feeding the stove, etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on February 03, 2018, 01:19:29 PM
No, nothing wrong with that.  Laundry is easier.  :)


I love ironing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on February 03, 2018, 03:20:14 PM
And I am doing the laundry.
Anything wrong with this ???



I do not have confidence you can get the clothes clean enough. I washed the clothes one time and my wife complained I didn't use the right water temperature, the right detergent, the correct wash cycle and didn't get the spots out. Apparently washing clothes is a big deal and a sophisticated operation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 03, 2018, 03:28:23 PM

I do not have confidence you can get the clothes clean enough. I washed the clothes one time and my wife complained I didn't use the right water temperature, the right detergent, the correct wash cycle and didn't get the spots out. Apparently washing clothes is a big deal and a sophisticated operation.

Use 'pre wash' for any spots and stains.
We have only one detergent to put in washing machine.

And besides that, I taught wifey how to use washing machine anyway.

Ironing is another matter.  I don't like that.

Cooking also is not my thing.  I can make a huge mess in the kitchen and then proceed to overcook or undercook, splatter oil everywhere, burn some part of my body, get my clothes covered with oil, flour and most anything else.

Eating I can do pretty well.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 05, 2018, 01:13:28 AM
Judging by your comments - your wives have a LOT to worry about - lest you put her red lingerie in with the white  towels on a cottons setting ;)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 30, 2018, 02:31:16 PM
Over the past few years I have sold 15 one acre lots in my real estate development.
I have never reduced the asking price on any parcel, so it's a take it or leave it operation.

Today, I got this message from a guy who had been out and looked a couple of times, and who had all the info about my previous sales and other nearby comparable sales because I had furnished it.

He gave me an offer of about half my asking price (which was in line with my previous sales), and also furnished this statement in support of his 'low ball' offer:

"Land in this area has skyrocketed over the past 10 years for no apparent reasons other than the boom in the housing market."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on March 30, 2018, 03:15:33 PM
Lol!
Did you reply.


"That's right."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 30, 2018, 03:22:03 PM
He gave me an offer of about half my asking price (which was in line with my previous sales), and also furnished this statement in support of his 'low ball' offer:

"Land in this area has skyrocketed over the past 10 years for no apparent reasons other than the boom in the housing market."


Dumb reason he gave you. It certainly didn't motivate you to sell.


There are people and groups out there that offer half the amount of value for property to a whole lot of people. Eventually they will contact one or a few people in financial trouble that will sell. Throw out a thousand offers and if only a few people bite it'll earn millions for those who are buying property at half the value and reselling at full value.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 02, 2018, 09:22:44 AM
In a politically popular move that could change (for the worse) the face of Ukrainian transportation, Rada deputies propose that cars can be imported after owners pay flat fees of 500 euros.

This single fee would replace VAT and excise duties that often top 6,000 euros.
The new fee would apply to new cars and used cars less than 10 years old.

Rada Deputy Oleksandr Shevchenko from UKROP, or the Ukrainian Association of Patriots, tells UNIAN:

"In our time, a car is really not a luxury, but a means of transportation. It is needed for everything – for families, to go to doctors when they are sick, for entrepreneurs, to be mobile and have time to do business, for average people, to visit relatives, travel and relax.”
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 05, 2018, 11:58:48 AM
Guys, this is 'clean Thursday' in Orthodox system.

So even though it is not close to end of month, you may want to shower anyway.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on April 05, 2018, 12:35:13 PM
Traditionally, "clean Thursday" meant washing the feet of someone else, mimicking Jesus' washing the disciples' feet at the Garden of Gethsemane. 


The cleaning of homes is a very literal interpretation (IMHO, misinterpretation) of Matthew 12:43-45 or Luke 11:24-26.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 18, 2018, 09:42:43 AM
The devaluation of the Russian ruble following the imposition of new sanctions by the U.S. has not adversely affected the Hryvnia, according to bankers polled by Interfax-Ukraine. Board Chairman of RwS Bank Vladyslav Kravets explained: "For the first time in 25 years of Ukraine's independence, the sharp decline in the ruble's exchange rate has not adversely affected the hryvnia exchange rate, which, in turn, also attests to achieving greater energy independence of the country.”
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on May 21, 2018, 12:46:56 PM
This seems to have  become a weather or stock market report.
I hope things have gone well for you two.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 30, 2018, 08:34:36 AM
FSUW bodies fall apart in late 40s
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on July 02, 2018, 12:56:21 PM
So are you guys still splitting up ML or did you manage to sort things out?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 02, 2018, 01:06:11 PM
She is still making me meals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on July 02, 2018, 03:02:36 PM
She is still making me meals.

That doesn't mean you're eating them. I predict you both kissed and made up and then kissed and made out.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 04, 2018, 05:22:21 PM
Took Ochka to her first horse races.
Had a good time and even won a small amount on betting.
But lost it all on roulette wheel in casino.  Nothing big though.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on August 04, 2018, 05:43:00 PM
Ah, I used to go to the racetrack all the time as a kid. Lost interest completely in high school, even before I could go watch in the lounge.

My father used to take our kids. He would give them each $20 to bet.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 15, 2018, 07:28:14 PM
Spouse reported that relatives of hers, a young couple and 2 children, are visiting with other relatives of the wife in Berdyansk, Ukraine.

They are having a good time visiting the beach at Sea of Azov and other nearby water attractions, etc.  Sent a lot of nice pics.

I was surprised to hear that the water is clean.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that the Sea of Azov was very polluted.

Plus, I would  think that area is a little too close to potential flare ups with the Russian invaders.

Anyway, news to me that nice beaches there . . . and strange that I don't recall anyone posting here about visiting the beaches there.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on August 15, 2018, 07:38:20 PM
it's "out of the way"
your family is about 75 miles from actual shelling at this very moment
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DaveNY on August 15, 2018, 07:43:34 PM
Spouse reported that relatives of hers, a young couple and 2 children, are visiting with other relatives of the wife in Berdyansk, Ukraine.

They are having a good time visiting the beach at Sea of Azov and other nearby water attractions, etc.  Sent a lot of nice pics.

I was surprised to hear that the water is clean.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that the Sea of Azov was very polluted.

Plus, I would  think that area is a little too close to potential flare ups with the Russian invaders.

Anyway, news to me that nice beaches there . . . and strange that I don't recall anyone posting here about visiting the beaches there.

The Sea of Azov outflows to the Black Sea which outflows to the Med so the Sea of Azov is constantly being cleaned out. Maybe the Russians and Ukrainians decided not to pollute it any more?

I wouldn't be surprised if Russia used the Sea of Azov to infiltrate and harass Ukraine. Considering Putin wants the east of Ukraine for a land bridge to Crimea and Moldova I'm surprised Russia has staged incursions via the Sea before.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on August 15, 2018, 07:50:08 PM
Spouse reported that relatives of hers, a young couple and 2 children, are visiting with other relatives of the wife in Berdyansk, Ukraine.

They are having a good time visiting the beach at Sea of Azov and other nearby water attractions, etc.  Sent a lot of nice pics.

I was surprised to hear that the water is clean.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that the Sea of Azov was very polluted.

Plus, I would  think that area is a little too close to potential flare ups with the Russian invaders.

Anyway, news to me that nice beaches there . . . and strange that I don't recall anyone posting here about visiting the beaches there.

Spent a few days at the Sea of Azov in Taganrog last summer, everything was very nice.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on August 15, 2018, 07:50:21 PM
apologies hit post too soon
shelling is by 45th Heavy Artillery Brigade - these boys have the big stuff
about 40 miles NE of where your family is Ukrainians are digging in their BM-27s, and that's weird!!!!
i'd be a little nervous if I were you...
if the wind is right that may here distant thunder at night
 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on August 15, 2018, 07:55:43 PM
hear not here - i know - tired
tell your family to go no further east than where they are
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on August 15, 2018, 07:57:02 PM
My fiance has friends in Urzuf, who she visits regularly.  I haven't been told about the water condition - she and her friends don't go to the beach during the day and only go for strolls in the evening.  From the photos the sea coast looks really nice.

The latest word from her is that the border checkpoints are the same as always, but tells me of the occasional casualties from shelling that happens.  The last one she mentioned was a month ago when a father and son were killed in a house that was shelled, near Donetsk.



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on August 15, 2018, 07:59:40 PM
I think calmissile did a few trips there before he met his wife.

I know there are no fish (not enough for fishing) in the Dnipro around Kyiv, and that’s been the case for at least a decade.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on August 15, 2018, 08:23:39 PM
Spouse reported that relatives of hers, a young couple and 2 children, are visiting with other relatives of the wife in Berdyansk, Ukraine.

They are having a good time visiting the beach at Sea of Azov and other nearby water attractions, etc.  Sent a lot of nice pics.

I was surprised to hear that the water is clean.
I thought I had heard/read years ago that the Sea of Azov was very polluted.

Plus, I would  think that area is a little too close to potential flare ups with the Russian invaders.

Anyway, news to me that nice beaches there . . . and strange that I don't recall anyone posting here about visiting the beaches there.

I have spent some time in Berdyansk recently  ( on the beaches) and a little time further east !
The water seems clearer than Odesa and down the coast from there . Odesa also seems to have summer jelly fish invasion to deal with.
It does seem bizarre -- but life  quite close to the actual front lines goes on in a remarkably normal way.

It has not stopped many 1000's of Ukrainians taking their traditional beach holiday -- the destinations all along the Ukrainian coastline -- both Azov and Black Sea boom in summer as Ukrainians overwhelmingly have rejected going to Crimea-- and spent their money in Ukraine since 2014 !!

I think calmissile did a few trips there before he met his wife.

I know there are no fish (not enough for fishing) in the Dnipro around Kyiv, and that’s been the case for at least a decade.

On water quality -- I said above that the Azov seems clearer -- how clean it actually is -- do not know.
Downstream from Kyiv --decent size  fish are being caught ( & eaten!!) & there are certainly a lot of people fishing.
There has been an effort to create beach facilities in cities on the Dnieper  -- with quite good facilities and nice sand beaches . Certainly many people are swimming in it.

I would like to see actual water test results in any given area of the Dnieper before swimming in it . It is an absolutely magnificent river.  I have been swimming in both Azov  & Black seas without issues.



ADDED LATER -- ML --the now married self drive Norwegian guy was staying at Berdyansk 2/3 summers ago and wrote about it
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on August 16, 2018, 05:11:32 AM
seriously, ML
if your family got onto to the M14, and drove maybe 20 minutes they’d be on the fringe a war zone
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 24, 2018, 08:28:35 PM
Today, Ochka wore a traditional Ukrainian shirt to University in honor of Independence Day.

She was pleased that many people commented, and even more pleased that the professors from Poland, Czech and Romania knew what she was celebrating.

She was telling me that Ukrainian traditional clothing was more similar to those countries plus Belarus, than it was to Russian traditional clothing.

I took her out to dinner, and then to a small musical which was horrendous.  We left at intermission.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 24, 2018, 09:48:15 PM

Wife and I watched a video of the celebration in Maidan Square. Trump sent Sec of State John Bolton to be on stage with President Poroshenko and American soldiers marched down Khreshchatyk Street.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 02, 2018, 10:02:54 AM
Just this morning after we finished Pilates, I remarked to wife (as I often do) . . . nice A$$.

Then I added; where did you get that, at WalMart or Neiman Marcus?

She replied:  "Can only be ordered on Internet from another country.  Too expensive in USA."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 02, 2018, 10:31:05 AM
She replied:  "Can only be ordered on Internet from another country.  Too expensive in USA."

She's right. Imported ass is the best.

Just read my last post. Had a brain fart with John Bolton's job title.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 12, 2018, 04:22:22 PM
Wife's mother called on Skype in a panic.  Because of the coming hurricane, she must come back home to safety in Ukraine until the threat passes.

Telling her that the storm will be 4 hours away at closest point did no good.

Always forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, flash floods, hurricanes, etc., in USA.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 06, 2018, 11:23:10 AM
You married men, or men in long term relationship with FSUW.

Have you noticed that your gal often doesn't answer the question you asked; but rather answers another somewhat related (or possibly even unrelated) question?

I don't think they are being deliberately antagonistic, but just something in their character causes it.

It is getting a little tiresome for me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on November 06, 2018, 02:15:53 PM
The fact I actually had to try to recall any instances, I cannot honestly say I share the same sentiment, ML. There were times some misunderstanding occurred but those have more to do in the manner I phrased the question which she misunderstood.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DaveNY on November 06, 2018, 03:00:22 PM
You married men, or men in long term relationship with FSUW.

Have you noticed that your gal often doesn't answer the question you asked; but rather answers another somewhat related (or possibly even unrelated) question?

I don't think they are being deliberately antagonistic, but just something in their character causes it.

It is getting a little tiresome for me.

Got to agree with GQB. My wife and I talk all the time. When I'm at the office I can count on her calling on the phone or texting me several times a day about something and I do the same. If I call about what's for dinner or what I need to pick up from the store on my way home I get a detailed answer.

My wife loves lists and will give me a detailed list for stuff to pick up at the store. How many loaves of bread, white or whole wheat, brand, etc.

If we're talking about the kids via text sometimes she will bring about totally unrelated topics such as the her car needs an oil change but that's just her being detailed and the fact that I handle all car related issues even if it's her car. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 06, 2018, 04:54:12 PM
I have had business dealings with Russians
being “evasive” when confronted by questioning is a cultural norm, it means they’re being “cautious”

my wife knows what pleases me
and what irritates me

she understands it is very much in her self interest to be pleasing
and not irritating
it is one of the many things I have have taught her

once you teach a UW obedience
then the rest becomes quite easy...
just like raising children, you have to have discipline with your wife as well

if you ever have to yank the chain on a Ukrainian woman
she will just roll over and expose her unprotected underbelly to you in a show of submission
unlike an American woman, who would never be submissive under any circumstance
it's another thing I really like about my wife
a simple, sweet natured woman
who ALWAYS gets what SHE wants
because I ALWAYS get what I want

more quid = more quo





Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 06, 2018, 04:57:32 PM
You married men, or men in long term relationship with FSUW.

Have you noticed that your gal often doesn't answer the question you asked; but rather answers another somewhat related (or possibly even unrelated) question?


My wife doesn't but my sister does. My sister drives me nuts. I've known a few FSU women that answer a question with a question though.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper on November 06, 2018, 11:19:48 PM
You married men, or men in long term relationship with FSUW.

Have you noticed that your gal often doesn't answer the question you asked; but rather answers another somewhat related (or possibly even unrelated) question?

I don't think they are being deliberately antagonistic, but just something in their character causes it.

It is getting a little tiresome for me.

With my wife, no.
Completely normal question/answer scenarios, I'd be more likely to not answer directly as I might have not understood the questions exact  phrasing. She often leaves out key details when asking me something, as she thinks I already know what's in her head.lol I think because we both read each other too well,but I do have to ask for details at times when answering. Not if i ask the question though.


If she changes a topic out of the blue,she actually normally states that's shes going to do so, prior to the tangent. Normally in a joking way.
So no, really dont see that at all with her.

Have seen it with others though ,many times, it seems a tad common *over there*
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 14, 2018, 10:41:07 AM
Yesterday drove by a parcel that I had sold to a small-time builder.
Noticed he was going back and forth from an excavator to a front loader in digging out the basement area.
Went up to talk with him and got the scoop that his helper had not showed.
So I offered to help him.
With some minimal instruction, I was able to operate the front loader.
Spent about 7 hours on the front loader making probably a couple hundred trips.
What a mind numbing, boring job, and I had aches and pains everywhere during evening and night.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on November 14, 2018, 06:56:13 PM
A front end loader or a skid steer with a bucket?  A true front end loader isn't so bad, as it has softer tires and a better seat.  A skid steer will beat you up though.

You should have gotten on the excavator.  A lot smoother ride and easy to run.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 14, 2018, 09:26:37 PM
A front end loader or a skid steer with a bucket? 


Front end loader is a generic term and skid steer falls into that category. If ML used his feet to operate the bucket and hands to get the machine to travel, he was in a skid steer loader. If he used his feet to get the machine to travel and hands to operate the bucket, he was in a track or wheel loader.

What a mind numbing, boring job,


Carving out dirt is a form of artwork.


I had aches and pains everywhere during evening and night.


You can get used to it. Using your body everyday will make you tougher than nails. With experience you'd get better at working the machines. A good operator would've created a smooth surface to travel on so he wouldn't feel every bump and hole while travelling.


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 14, 2018, 11:30:01 PM
You married men, or men in long term relationship with FSUW.

Have you noticed that your gal often doesn't answer the question you asked; but rather answers another somewhat related (or possibly even unrelated) question?

I don't think they are being deliberately antagonistic, but just something in their character causes it.

It is getting a little tiresome for me.

Two possible scenarios

1/ She understand your question -seems unlikely

2/ She DID understand - but didn't think it important enough to answer - bur as you raised a matter - comes back with something on HER mind ?.....

Why not mention this - with and appropriate smile and wink and answer HER question... and not bother about yours ...


THEN next time she answers you a question - YOU do her 'thang' and just hint that she shoudl know you are being ironic

IF she does it a third time and doesn't take the hint - smile at her and give her just enough time to understand that she is about to be 'punished' ...

After when she is wondering - what was all THAT about ? Explain, you just want her to be as confused as you get ?



Please note that this might back fire - but at least - if she becomes angry - rather than passionate - you can discuss if may be there's a communication / relationship problem ?

Things that 'irritate' when times are good can become MAJOR issues when things are 'bad' - you best to talk 'em trough - if you can ?

I adored my ( nearly ) former wife and 'forgave' some character flaws ( me being being so 'perfect' )  and it is only AFTER being dumped by her - and living with SC - that I appreciate how unreasonable she could be.

ML, you ave posted about shakey times in your relationship in the past and then we noted no mentions disagreements - so we were all pleased for you both.. You are very proud of her and we've seen the way you've posting adoring comments.

I hope you can work it through and laugh about, after ...








Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 16, 2018, 09:28:02 AM
Here is a picture of Case Track Loader like I used.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on November 16, 2018, 09:44:22 AM
Holy Loader Batman! You missed the word 'compact' in there ML.  :P I guess that model came before AM/FM radio and cup holder features, no?

Must not be a very deep basement since the buckets looks like a half-a-yard bucket. At 200 trips means you moved 100 CY in 7 hours!!!! I can move dirt faster than that with 2 labors sharing a shovel in 7 hours!

You're fired! BillyB can employ you instead... :P

Seriously though, the newer model do have better ride. These loaders are a multi-functioning equipment doing general chores around farms and such.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 16, 2018, 10:13:07 AM
I said it was 'like' the one I used.  Just found that pic in a quick search on Internet.
The one I used has already been moved out, and a crew is on the property now erecting the panels used to frame up for pouring of concrete basement walls.

And, I didn't have nearly full loads each trip.  There was a lot of rock that was being chipped out and it was hard for me to get it cleaned up and into a load, with my great inexperience.

Just yesterday and this morning I used the same man's small excavator to dig out some small and medium stumps on another of my parcels I will prepare for sale.  That was also a new and exciting experience for me, and I am sure it took me 10X as long to do it as for you and Billy.

But it is something different for me to do (compared to my normal paperwork and computer stuff) while wifey is off to university.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on November 16, 2018, 11:11:18 AM
...But it is something different for me to do (compared to my normal paperwork and computer stuff) while wifey is off to university.

Yeah, I know what you mean..

Back during the infancy days of my career, I spent a lot of Saturdays behind D9s/D8s and 651s, 633s, and 637/57s..They weren't for production purposes, but rather more for acclimation of what these various equipment can do. I literally move a pile from one point to another, then over again and start over.

Today, I sit behind computers, make calls, make deals, tell people what to do, sign here/sign there, etc...lazy stuff  :P

The basements we dig are at least 2 acres big (bigger the better), could be one story on down to 5-6 stories down depending on building designs (underground parking, etc.). We use 349 excavators/966 loaders, etc...loading bottom-dumps. Walls are shored with rakers, tiebacks, struts and braces.

Site development grading is a whole different operation. That's when we move mountains or rearrange massive terrain for whatever developmental purposes is planned...

I agree with you - field work is a bunch of fun. Tough, but more fun than sitting in the office all day.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 16, 2018, 10:19:16 PM
Here is a picture of Case Track Loader like I used.

That's a skid steer loader with tracks.

And, I didn't have nearly full loads each trip.


As you're entering a pile of dirt, lift up the bucket to add weight to the tires or tracks of a loader to get better traction which would allow you to get more in the bucket.

Today, I sit behind computers, make calls, make deals, tell people what to do, sign here/sign there, etc...lazy stuff  :P


I do that too but occasionally go out with the guys. I like working outdoors more than indoors. I soil cemented the sub-grade and graded the capillary break within a half an inch tolerance with the Komatsu 200 excavator I'm taking the photo from below. Although I'm operating equipment less, I haven't forgotten. I want to comb your hair and shave off ML's mustache using an excavator for all your grooming needs. I think I still got the delicate touch.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 12, 2018, 12:14:34 PM
Ochka received her ten year Green Card in mail today.

We filed her Citizenship papers last week, and have Biomentrics scheduled for afternoon of 24 December.
Any chance the USCIS workers will be drunk when we arrive ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 12, 2018, 12:28:10 PM
Grats. How green is her card?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 12, 2018, 12:41:52 PM
Light green color covers about half of front of card.  Also some light red (actually pink), blue and gray-white on front.  Back about 3/4 covered with the light green color.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 12, 2018, 12:45:24 PM
Ochka received her ten year Green Card in mail today.
[/quote]

Great early Christmas 'gift'....Congratulations !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on December 13, 2018, 01:23:56 AM
  Congrats Ochka -- and of course to ML ! :clapping: ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2018, 10:14:14 AM
Would you believe we need to be at USCIS office Monday to get Ochka finger printed for her Citizenship process.

And government shut down looming.

As I understand it, the processing of Green Cards, Citizenship, etc., is funded by the fees paid by applicants.

But still . . . will USCIS be part of the shut down ??

I suspect it will be impossible to get timely info on whether offices are actually closed or not.
One cannot call an office directly, and the central phone answering people are generally clueless about everything including . . . what year we are in and what day of the week it is.

Not a minor point for us, unlike many others who live in big cities, because we have a two hour drive each way.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on December 21, 2018, 10:54:15 AM
From what I've read only B1 business or similar visas that require interface with the Department of Labor will be affected by the shutdown, as far as USCIS is concerned (as you said, it is a fee-paid department and work under contract).

But I think staff reductions might be a possibility, and perhaps reduced office hours, but not a total shutdown.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2018, 11:02:08 AM
If USCIS office is in a Federal Building, it will be shut down as building will be closed.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on December 21, 2018, 11:15:27 AM
USCIS (DHS) will continue to work albeit without pay. Once the shutdown comes to pass, their 'pay' will be restored.

No chance to turn back for you ML. She will be fingerprinted....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: flitabout62 on December 21, 2018, 11:48:20 AM
Here's where I would expect :-\ USCIS to provide closing information.
 
http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on December 21, 2018, 12:50:57 PM
Here's where I would expect :-\ USCIS to provide closing information.
 
http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings

Awesome! Completely slipped my mind Monday being Christmas eve... :o

http://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-providing-closing-executive-departments-agencies-federal-government-december-24-2018/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2018, 03:26:01 PM
Thanks flitabout62 and GQ for the info.
I was planning to make a hotel reservation today for Sunday night so we could go to the big city early Sunday, have a nice meal, take in some entertainment and then go to Monday USCIS appointment.

But luckily, I remembered about the possible shut down, so decided to hold off on hotel reservation until Saturday or even Sunday morning.  Saw that the hotels giving big discounts because not many travelers to those hotels.

This will screw us up because a rescheduled appointment will come during Spring semester, so lost classroom time, perhaps exams to make up, etc.

Kind of not nice either that the order was signed 18 December, but just promulgated 21 December.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2018, 03:32:36 PM
And speaking of wife's PhD classes, her first semester has ended.
She took 4 courses.
3 A+ and 1 A.
I gave her grief about the one 'plain' A.
She said that professor never gives + or - signs.
I told her that was no excuse and to do better in the Spring !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 02, 2019, 09:58:16 AM
Four years married now just before Christmas day !!

Not as long as many here . . . but moving along.

A lot of 'tensions' in our life with university pressures, working to sell parcels of land, immigration and citizenship filings, property holdings in multiple countries, problems with international banking transactions, helping her relatives, some health issues for both of us, etc., etc., etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 06, 2019, 11:02:48 AM
Ochka is busy making up all the 'required' foods for tonight's Christmas Eve and tomorrow's Christmas day.

Unfortunately, tomorrow is first day of classes for Spring semester at University.

In Ukraine, they are celebrating Christmas on both the traditional day and on Dec 25th.
Some move toward going to Dec 25th completely, as Ochka hears it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 06, 2019, 11:11:55 AM

In Ukraine, they are celebrating Christmas on both the traditional day and on Dec 25th.
Some move toward going to Dec 25th completely, as Ochka hears it.

I expect this will be the case - as they will move closer to the Greek Orthodox calendars ... this may mean a 'catholic' Christmas on the 25th Dec and the Orthodox Easter ...



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 06, 2019, 11:19:30 AM
I expect this will be the case - as they will move closer to the Greek Orthodox calendars ... this may mean a 'catholic' Christmas on the 25th Dec and the Orthodox Easter ...

You are misusing 'Catholic' just like many in FSU do.
You are leaving out Protestants.

I have tried to train Ochka to properly refer to 'Western Christians' rather than 'Catholics' when she wishes to differentiate dates, practices, etc. from Orthodox Christians.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 06, 2019, 11:34:19 AM
You are misusing 'Catholic' just like many in FSU do.
You are leaving out Protestants.

Hi ML- most defo not ))

on this side of the pond the use of the small 'c' in 'catholic' denotes all embracing...I'm guessing it means the same there? ! .....  If I meant to say 'Roman Catholic' it would have a capital 'C'...

I am Protestant ... !   

Church of Ireland / Scotland and England Churches say this format of the Apostle's Creed

"I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Amen.


 


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 07, 2019, 09:58:17 AM
Moby, OK I see where you are coming from.

However, in practice, probably 99% of persons who hear the word catholic will assume that Roman Catholic is meant.  Any thought that they might be thought of as Roman Catholic is very distasteful to many people.

So to avoid this situation, it is far better to refer to Western Christian when one wishes to distinguish from Orthodox Christian.

In further recognition of this desire for clarity, some Protestant churches avoid using the term (catholic) completely, to the extent among many Lutherans of reciting the Creed with the word "Christian" in place of "catholic". (Wikipedia)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on January 07, 2019, 11:01:17 AM
Ecclesia Catholica Alchoholika
A unique new fragrance by Chanel...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 08, 2019, 05:45:49 AM
Thanks for the response ML...  appreciated !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 09, 2019, 11:54:34 AM
Went up to the 'big city' for Ochka's fingerprinting and picture taking for the citizenship process.

One and a half hours to two hours drive for us and appointment at 9AM, so we decided to drive up night before and stay at hotel.  Even being only 10 minutes away, still just made it on time for the 9AM appointment.  I am slow getting around, not her.

Ochka heard Ukrainian language, so asked me if she should go talk with  them.  I said yes.
This couple and their teenage son had won the Green Card lottery.
They were living in the big city, but took them two hours to get there via public transportation.
I wonder about how well these lottery winners can support themselves, but I think there is some sort of financial test they have to pass.

Ochka is always smiling and bubbly, but I detected that the other couple was sort of 'stand offish.'  Perhaps they are sensitive to various scams, etc., and are leery about trusting someone.

Each time we go to the USCIS office I get upset about the number of workers doing virtually nothing, yet the processing times are ridiculous.  Took about 18 months for spouse's 10 year green card and now projected another year or so for Citizenship process.

There were 3 security guards at the check-in scratching their asses.
The fingerprinting and photos done by one guy, and he had a supervisor in an adjacent office.  Each time we have been there (4 times) there were only 2 other people being serviced.
Over in the interview area, the workers were mostly gossiping while the clients waited patiently in their seats.

This processing is funded by the applicants, but we have no control over wasted time and the hiring/firing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Arti99 on January 14, 2019, 06:54:45 AM
I expect this will be the case - as they will move closer to the Greek ukraine mariage (http://www.femme-ukraine.com/) Orthodox calendars ... this may mean a 'catholic' Christmas on the 25th Dec and the Orthodox Easter ...
Hello; i will reply in French :
"Pourquoi certains orthodoxes fêtent-ils Noël après les catholiques
La période de préparation aux fêtes de la Nativité ne s'appelle pas « Avent » mais « Carême de Noël », période de jeûne qui commence 40 jours avant la fête, du 28 (15) novembre, jour de la fête du l'apôtre Philippe (c'est pourquoi cette période est parfois appelée aussi « Carême de Philippe »), au 6 janvier (24 décembre). Les deux dimanches précédant Noël sont appelés respectivement « Dimanche des Ancêtres », consacré aux patriarches et prophètes de l'Ancien Testament, et « Dimanche des Pères », consacré aux parents du Christ selon la chair, tels qu'ils apparaissent dans les Généalogies du Seigneur.
Le 24 décembre (6 janvier), on célèbre les Vêpres de Noël puis une première Liturgie eucharistique au cours de laquelle on proclame l'Évangile de la Nativité. L'office de Minuit comporte les Grandes complies, les Matines, puis une seconde Liturgie eucharistique, avec le canon de saint Jean Chrysostome, lors de laquelle on proclame l'Évangile de la venue des Rois Mages. Le 8 janvier, appelé « Synaxe de la Mère de Dieu », on célèbre l'Eucharistie en l'honneur de la Vierge Marie. Douze jours plus tard, le 6 (19) janvier, les orientaux fêtent l'Épiphanie ou Théophanie, au cours de laquelle ils célèbrent le Baptême le Seigneur."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on January 15, 2019, 12:49:33 AM
Arti99

I do not appreciate you editing my post to include a spam advert for a marriage agency site ..

Desperate and pretty deceptive ...


I hope others will avoid such stunts ...

Mods :

Feel free to delete my post if you decide Arti99's response was spamming

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 29, 2019, 05:10:12 PM
Frequently there are visitors to various departments at universities who present their research progress and/or conclusions.  The math department is no exception.  Doctoral students are required to attend at least 5 of these presentations each semester.

Last Friday a presentation started at 3:00 PM.  The presenter asked how long he had.

The Math Dept Head said (with a smile):  These are all Math folks; they have nothing to do or any place to go on Friday afternoons . . . so you can talk as long as you want to.

When Ochka got home she told me of this, and then asked what I thought the response would be had she spoken up and said:  I do need to get home soon for pizza and sex!!

My kind of Gal !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on January 29, 2019, 05:18:49 PM
So which takes precedence?

This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 29, 2019, 05:27:07 PM
Well luckily the talk did not go on too long . . . so she was able to accomplish all required and desired tasks in a timely manner.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DCcowboy on January 29, 2019, 07:01:11 PM
At least it is open until the 15th, good deal she was a able to get in,the military was never shut down.

:cluebat: edit: note to self read the thread before replying :cluebat:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 11, 2019, 11:01:13 AM
You will be amazed and stunned by this woman's talent and creativity; at least I was.
First is her performance in AGT World Champion Contest in January 2019

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clGC1K7882E

Second is her winning performance for Ukrainian Got Talent Contest in 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOMgDbcA84A

This portrays the rape of Ukraine by Germany in WWII, which is now being continued by the rape of Ukraine starting in 2014 and continuing currently by Russian terrorist forces.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 11, 2019, 12:36:47 PM
I've raved and posted the works of Kseniya Simonova since she was pointed out to me in 2009 - before she went on to win Ukraine's got Talent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova#cite_note-:14-51 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova#cite_note-:14-51)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 11, 2019, 02:24:09 PM
I've raved and posted the works of Kseniya Simonova since she was pointed out to me in 2009 - before she went on to win Ukraine's got Talent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova#cite_note-:14-51 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova#cite_note-:14-51)

Thanks for that reference point.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 12, 2019, 12:55:30 AM
My bad..



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kseniya_Simonova)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 19, 2019, 02:50:02 PM
Ochka got notice in US mail today that her Naturalization interview has been scheduled for late March 2019.

A big surprise because all previous correspondence had indicated a target date of August 2019.

At the interview she will be tested on reading, writing and speaking English; and on her knowledge of the government and history of the United States.

She will have no trouble with the English and, although the second part is not that difficult, it will still be a hassle to study for given her heavy course load already.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DaveNY on February 19, 2019, 03:03:51 PM
Ochka got notice in US mail today that her Naturalization interview has been scheduled for late March 2019.

A big surprise because all previous correspondence had indicated a target date of August 2019.

At the interview she will be tested on reading, writing and speaking English; and on her knowledge of the government and history of the United States.

She will have no trouble with the English and, although the second part is not that difficult, it will still be a hassle to study for given her heavy course load already.

The part about American history and how the US government works isn't difficult. There are videos on Youtube that will give her all the information.

My wife had no problems with the American history part of the test. I doubt she spent much more than 5 or 6 hours reading and testing herself in the months prior to the interview. I'd quiz her from time to time. 

She met people who passed the English knowledge test who couldn't do much more than say Hello and Thank you and count to 100 yet they somehow passed the English comprehension test.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 19, 2019, 03:11:58 PM
Dave, yes I know the government and history part is not difficult stuff.
But that is not the point for wife.

She has practically zero time for such given her existing coursework and teaching.
We were expecting August, which would have given her several summer hours to spend on the study.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 19, 2019, 05:35:05 PM
ahh I remember those days!!!
yes, get the most recent cheat sheet off the interweb and print it
leave on the kitchen table go over and help her memorize the questions, my wife said cheat sheet was essentially the actual test
my wife knew EVEN LESS than the average Trump voter about American History and System of Government
my wife actually has a negative score on this subject, meaning not only has she zero points but she's able to lower the points of people in close proximity of her
BUT she memorized the cheat sheet and got nearly a perfect score
I took all the credit of course for the cheat sheet
as my reward for helping
every morning for a month my wife had to sit naked at the foot of the bed with her feet tucked under her
her back arched and her breasts protruding straight forward
and she must ask me, "yes, master how may I serve you?"
and whatever I say, she has to do it, no matter what it is
and you know what's really bad?
I didn't tell her the correct time, I got 37 instead of 31 days!!!!
anyway, it worked for me!
you can use it if you want
got any of your own?

if ya gotta Russian woman problem...
in yur neigh-bor-hood!
who ya gonna call?
Russ Busters!

slovo!

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jamesukjames on February 19, 2019, 08:51:25 PM
Master.  I prefer to be called sir.  It certainly makes waiters and bar tenders do a double take when your partner calls you sir in public.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jamesukjames on February 19, 2019, 09:06:23 PM
American history.  Deny Viking landings.  Slaughter indigenous population or use bio logical weapons against them as in diseases they were not immune too.  Slaughter indigenous peoples food source.  Turn up late for 2 world wars and from then on meddle and try to influence the whole world as the self declared leaders of the world claim Christianity for the usa .  Try to hoard and control world resources.  Like all civilisations from as far back in time as you can go start to collapse under it's own weight.  There you go usa history in a nut shell.  Apart from the internal mess of intolerant cultures and races.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 19, 2019, 09:16:05 PM
i say old chap, but weren't all those things in fact done by English Men?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DaveNY on February 19, 2019, 09:59:20 PM
American history.  Deny Viking landings. 

Actually a number of American universities have done studies on Vikings trips to modern day Canada and the US. There've been studies that have suggested the Vikings might have gotten as far as parts of the central US. Don't recall any studies saying the Vikings didn't land in the US. If these studies exist they'd probably be outnumbered by studies of Viking travels in the US.

Slaughter indigenous population or use bio logical weapons against them as in diseases they were not immune too.  Slaughter indigenous peoples food source.

Jamesukjames did you study UK and US history in school? Long before the US existed the UK and other European powers were in the Americas fighting indigenous peoples and stealing their food and resources.

These same European powers were doing the same in Africa and parts of Asia at the same time. When you have a moment google the map of the countries that the UK has invaded. It covers most of the world. 

Turn up late for 2 world wars

Both world wars started in Europe. Enough said.

and from then on meddle and try to influence the whole world as the self declared leaders of the world

The UK did the same for centuries in years past. UK fought France and Spain to maintain that title. Besides as mentioned above Europe wasn't very stable for most of the 20th century so some country had to take charge.

claim Christianity for the usa .

Haven't heard of that particular claim although the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have charged many clergy in the Catholic Church with child rape. Is that what you're referring to?


 Try to hoard and control world resources.

Again I mention in the past when the UK was a world power they raped and plundered countries around the globe for food and resources. The US  has a great deal of resources. Add in agreements with Canadian companies and in North America alone we have considerably more. If you read the business section you'll see China is doing the same. Striking deals with Russia and countries in Asia and especially Africa.


Like all civilisations from as far back in time as you can go start to collapse under it's own weight.  There you go usa history in a nut shell.  Apart from the internal mess of intolerant cultures and races.

True. Greece eventually fell. Rome eventually fell. The Mongol Empire eventually fell. The UK eventually fell. Like all superpowers or empires eventually America will be #2 or worse to some new superpower(s). It will likely be a while though.

China has enough problems and many have speculated that China won't be able to make the leap to #1 global superpower due to internal and external struggles. I could be wrong, perhaps any children you might have should learn Mandarin? Personally I think the world would be far worse off if China and/or Russia were the world's only superpower(s). 

http://www.scmp.com/culture/books/article/2119810/jonathan-fenby-why-china-will-not-rule-world-21st-century-subject-his
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 09, 2019, 12:21:28 PM
I am confined to house with a bad cold.
Wife is out bringing in firewood for our wood furnace.
I feel bad about that.
Even worse, next week is her Spring Semester break and we had planned a lot of outdoor work.

But to cheer me up:  (1) a 6,000 square foot house is under construction in my development.
(2) Possibly will sell another acre parcel in next few weeks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 15, 2019, 08:36:32 PM
Wife is making some progress on the 100 Citizenship Questions despite only having time to read through one time.
I made note of the 15 or so she stumbled around with, and will retest her on those.
Only about 11 days to go.

How many of you knew that Maine and Vermont were not part of the original 13 states . . . liars.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on March 15, 2019, 10:51:00 PM
Wife is making some progress on the 100 Citizenship Questions despite only having time to read through one time.
I made note of the 15 or so she stumbled around with, and will retest her on those.
Only about 11 days to go.

How many of you knew that Maine and Vermont were not part of the original 13 states . . . liars.

Hah.  All you have to do is look at the dates on the quarters you have in your pocket.  Those quarters came out based on the date that the state joined the union - or in the case of the original 13 colonies, when they ratified the constitution.   First state?   Delaware., etc.  How many remember when West Virginia became a state .... and why?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 16, 2019, 09:50:05 AM
How many remember when West Virginia became a state .... and why?

I was sick a lot around that time period, so don't remember a lot of what happened.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 21, 2019, 09:25:11 PM
I am scheduled for hernia operation in about 10 days; right in the belly button.

Man was out today to haul off some timber I gave away (he has small sawmill).

We were talking about many things and I mentioned the above.

He gave me the good news that a neighbor of his had the same operation 12 years ago.
Infection developed and spread and never was controlled.  He died.

I was glad Ochka wasn't here to hear it.

But it reminded me again that my financial state of affairs is extremely complicated and I don't think I can ever get it laid out so that Ochka (or anyone) can understand it all.  And I have even simplified it greatly in past 5 years or so (selling off a lot, closing out partnerships, interests in small businesses [I took a lot of ownership positions in lieu of cash for helping get them started], etc.) compared to previously.

Also realized that I have 7 or more email accounts with some info going to various ones [all for good reasons, at least originally] and dozens of passwords for accessing and paying bills (not much paper arriving now) and passwords for various investment accounts, etc., etc., etc.

A real mess for anyone, and even getting difficult for me to keep track of.

We do have updated wills, living medical powers, etc.

Fortunately we go for Ochka's citizenship interview next week, before my operation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 22, 2019, 07:17:42 AM
ML,

First, the hernia surgery is simple.  I am a survivor.  Demand that your surgeon select a proven fabric. 

The surgery is necessary; otherwise, your intestine could become impinged, and that indeed risks fatal infection. Think about that if you now and then take trips to Ukraine or to Upper Bum**ck.

Regarding your financial affairs, it sounds as if you are already simplifying.  Good!  Along this line, I suggest you consolidate your investment accounts into two.  If you have not done it already, complete the beneficiary designation such that your heirs will have immediate access to your account without any legal entanglements.  One of your two remaining accounts should be with an active trustworthy manager (broker) who has performed well.  The manager can help Ochka, who perhaps is not competent about stock investments.  She and other heirs may elect to transfer your self-managed account to the manager. 

Do you have a complicated set of heirs, such as children.  If so, be careful in selecting your Estate Executor.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 22, 2019, 07:25:03 AM
I am scheduled for hernia operation in about 10 days; right in the belly button.

Man was out today to haul off some timber I gave away (he has small sawmill).

We were talking about many things and I mentioned the above.

He gave me the good news that a neighbor of his had the same operation 12 years ago.
Infection developed and spread and never was controlled.  He died.


You will be fine !))



Also realized that I have 7 or more email accounts with some info going to various ones [all for good reasons, at least originally] and dozens of passwords for accessing and paying bills (not much paper arriving now) and passwords for various investment accounts, etc., etc., etc.

A real mess for anyone, and even getting difficult for me to keep track of.



Did senality just kick in?

Only a few days ago your were espousing the figures of VM trips and an organised mind ,))

I am teasing..
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on March 22, 2019, 07:49:29 AM
The surgeon will be too afraid to manage so many passwords and accounts, so don't worry he will do his best to let you survive.
 :P
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 22, 2019, 09:35:17 AM


A real mess for anyone, and even getting difficult for me to keep track of.




Did senality just kick in?

Only a few days ago your were espousing the figures of VM trips and an organised mind ,))

I am teasing..

Actually you are on the right track.
I also had some neurological tests . . . and I only got 60% or so on the short term memory ability part.
Really frightens me because I have had unusual memory abilities my entire life.
I think the short term memory goes first, before the long term memory.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 22, 2019, 09:35:40 AM
The surgeon will be too afraid to manage so many passwords and accounts, so don't worry he will do his best to let you survive.
 :P

Thanks Pat.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 22, 2019, 09:36:24 AM
ML,

First, the hernia surgery is simple.  I am a survivor.  Demand that your surgeon select a proven fabric. 

The surgery is necessary; otherwise, your intestine could become impinged, and that indeed risks fatal infection. Think about that if you now and then take trips to Ukraine or to Upper Bum**ck.

Regarding your financial affairs, it sounds as if you are already simplifying.  Good!  Along this line, I suggest you consolidate your investment accounts into two.  If you have not done it already, complete the beneficiary designation such that your heirs will have immediate access to your account without any legal entanglements.  One of your two remaining accounts should be with an active trustworthy manager (broker) who has performed well.  The manager can help Ochka, who perhaps is not competent about stock investments.  She and other heirs may elect to transfer your self-managed account to the manager. 

Do you have a complicated set of heirs, such as children.  If so, be careful in selecting your Estate Executor.

Thanks for your 'pep' talk and the good advice.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on March 22, 2019, 10:00:52 AM

Really frightens me because I have had unusual memory abilities my entire life.
I think the short term memory goes first, before the long term memory.


I never did and my short term memory ... what was I going to say?   ;)


I read somewhere that with the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes so is Alzheimer's. That demential is really diabetes of the brain. That is the glucose is having difficulty with insulin resistance of the brain cells so the brain cells start to deteriorate and die. I've read the alternative to glucose for energy is ketones, which are much smaller molecules than glucose and penetrate the blood-brain barrier easily. They are also not affected by insulin resistance. I hate bring this up because the suggestion of hope is often slapped down. 


Anyway ML, I hope things get better for us.   

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 22, 2019, 02:30:35 PM

I think the short term memory goes first, before the long term memory.

It's true.  To prove it to yourself, start naming friends from your youth, from your business days, and from  a few months ago. 

Do not fret if you forget where you placed you car keys.  Sadly, if you were to hand car keys to someone affected with Alzheimer's, they would not know the purpose of the keys.  If asked to draw a clock, they are unable to place hourly numbers in correct position. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 22, 2019, 07:12:44 PM
It's true.  To prove it to yourself, start naming friends from your youth, from your business days, and from  a few months ago. 



Do not fret if you forget where you placed you car keys.  Sadly, if you were to hand car keys to someone affected with Alzheimer's, they would not know the purpose of the keys.  If asked to draw a clock, they are unable to place hourly numbers in correct position.

Oh, no!  My Mum is no longer allowed to drive.. She has been diagnosed as having Alzheimer's....She knows EXACTLY what the keys to her Range Rover look like..)).

She is on some new medication that has brought 'the old Mum' back to us...  and BOY does she know those keys.. ((

4 months ago, if you left one's own car keys around.. you might never see them again...

God bless pharmaceutical geniuses.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 24, 2019, 09:11:34 AM
Periodically but not often, wife asks me what are the discussions here.
I tell her they are mostly about politics.

She says . . . where are the romance stories ??
Typical female.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on March 24, 2019, 10:04:28 AM

She is on some new medication that has brought 'the old Mum' back to us...  and BOY does she know those keys.. ((



Do you know how it works?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JohnDearGreen on March 24, 2019, 01:44:14 PM
First, the hernia surgery is simple.  I am a survivor.  Demand that your surgeon select a proven fabric. 
The surgery is necessary; otherwise, your intestine could become impinged, and that indeed risks fatal infection. T
That was the previous recommendation.  Now they tend to recommend "watch and wait".  Wait until you are feeling minor discomfort.  As only a few out of 1000 have the issue,  and the percentage of problems after the surgery is just as high.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 24, 2019, 08:11:09 PM

Do you know how it works?


No..and I do not want to know..in case of side effects!)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on March 25, 2019, 08:28:03 AM

No..and I do not want to know..in case of side effects!)


Knowing your mother's condition may help you know what to watch out for in yourself. Or what diet or dietary method you should consider to counter a condition you might inherit.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 25, 2019, 08:32:21 AM

Knowing your mother's condition may help you know what to watch out for in yourself. Or what diet or dietary method you should consider to counter a condition you might inherit.

If I get to 80 as fit and healthy as she was....I will be happy..

I see nothing in her diet..I do see a genetic pattern ((
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on March 25, 2019, 11:58:06 PM
If I get to 80 as fit and healthy as she was....I will be happy..

I see nothing in her diet..I do see a genetic pattern ((


I got lots to say about that but I'll (If I don't forget  ;) ) do it later.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 26, 2019, 12:05:00 AM
 :thumbsup:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 26, 2019, 06:42:25 AM
Off to the big city for Ochka's Citizenship Interview and Testing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 26, 2019, 09:45:43 AM
Good luck
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 26, 2019, 01:57:32 PM
It will be a walk on the beach.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 26, 2019, 02:03:55 PM
If it's like a Sochi one - big stones - one can fall over v. easily ..;)

I think it will be a soft. sandy one
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 26, 2019, 04:11:26 PM
Wife passed Citizenship Tests which  consisted of 1) Written English, 2) Spoken English, 3) U.S. History and 4) U.S. Government.

To celebrate, we went to restaurant where we spent more than $20.

Oath Ceremony to be scheduled.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 26, 2019, 08:19:57 PM

Great news for Ochka! Congratulations!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 26, 2019, 10:05:27 PM
Happy for both of you!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on March 27, 2019, 12:57:54 AM
Congratulations ML and Ochka!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on March 27, 2019, 01:31:28 AM
Congrats ML
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 27, 2019, 06:27:01 AM

Oath Ceremony to be scheduled.

Excellent. 

Ochka can register to vote after taking the oath. 

At our ceremony, the county registrar of voters (supervisor of elections) sent 3 representatives to help new citizens complete registration documents.   It seemed most of the 50 new citizens formed a line and completed the registration document.   Perhaps those not registering were residents of a different county.       
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on March 27, 2019, 07:00:08 AM
Wife passed Citizenship Tests which  consisted of 1) Written English, 2) Spoken English, 3) U.S. History and 4) U.S. Government.

To celebrate, we went to restaurant where we spent more than $20.

Oath Ceremony to be scheduled.

Damn, big spender! Congrats to you both!  :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 29, 2019, 09:32:15 AM
Quote from: ML on March 26, 2019, 07:11:26 PM

To celebrate, we went to restaurant where we spent more than $20.

Damn, big spender! Congrats to you both!  :clapping:

I was attempting a 'Pavlov' here, but only got one mild rebuke. 
I am disappointed.
Actually, it was one of our largest restaurant bills ever.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 29, 2019, 09:46:25 AM
This morning I was reflecting on what an amazing woman my wife is.

No, I am not inferring that she is greater than many other wives whether local or imported, nor that all (or even most) FSU women will be amazing women.

Nor am I stating that we don't have recurring problems or that it is guaranteed that all will be fine forever.

In her specific instance:

She is taking an overload of PhD courses and teaching a course herself.
She is doing this in a language which is not native to her.
She went through the anxiety and study (even as not difficult) for Citizenship Interview.
She takes almost complete care of all household duties.
She is continuing some yard and garden work.  If I go out to do anything, I tell her to stay in and do her school work, but within minutes she is out working also.
She will soon be tending to a husband who has gone  through an operation.  Minor or not, she will have to miss classes, go through the anxiety, etc.
Even with all of the above, she is always willing for any sex, either just quick for her or long for the both of us.

Oh, and most amazing of all . . . she puts up with me . . . and even smiles.

Could I do the above if it were I on the 'doing' end?  No, I could not.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 29, 2019, 09:59:12 AM
Speaking of sex . . . which you know I am always reluctant to do.

Recently Dan posted about Jack Bragg.

How many of you remember this about Jack going back 10-15 years or so ago?

He had just gone through divorce with his Ukrainian trophy wife from Odesa after (what) 6-10 years of marriage.  (As I recall, she wanted children after affirming to him for many years that she did not.  But, of course, she may have a different story.).

He gave an interview to a magazine (was it GQ or some such) wherein he was still (of course as promoter of his business) praising the FSU women.

He said:  "Not once in 6-10 years (or whatever) did she ever have a headache; not once!"

That has been my experience also.

What about the rest of you men (and women)?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 29, 2019, 10:15:48 AM
I'll probably NOT get married if I answer that Q ...   safe to say, SC doesn't get headaches, either ..

Will that change if married ?


A long time ago I knew someone who said, "Get a giant WhiskEy bottle and put a coin in every time you have sex"... When you get married, "take it out every time you have sex  ... you will not need to borrow from the bank"  ..

He was not married to a FSU woman

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GenMish on March 29, 2019, 03:57:02 PM
Speaking of sex . . . which you know I am always reluctant to do.

Recently Dan posted about Jack Bragg.

How many of you remember this about Jack going back 10-15 years or so ago?

He had just gone through divorce with his Ukrainian trophy wife from Odesa after (what) 6-10 years of marriage.  (As I recall, she wanted children after affirming to him for many years that she did not.  But, of course, she may have a different story.).

He gave an interview to a magazine (was it GQ or some such) wherein he was still (of course as promoter of his business) praising the FSU women.

He said:  "Not once in 6-10 years (or whatever) did she ever have a headache; not once!"

That has been my experience also.

What about the rest of you men (and women)?


38 years experience, 3 WW LT relationships, one FSU wife, none of the 4 ever had a headache. Only one WW(German/Irish mix) thought everyday was too much , but her 3-4 days a week were really worth the wait. What made my FSU wife stand out was 365 days a year(at least for the first 16-17 years), not just 26 days a month. And those 4 days days were just as exciting as the other 26. I never asked, it was not an expectation, just something she wanted to do.


  lol....with my American GFs, it would have been suicde to expect something those 4 days
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on March 29, 2019, 05:04:34 PM

38 years experience, 3 WW LT relationships, one FSU wife, none of the 4 ever had a headache. Only one WW(German/Irish mix) thought everyday was too much , but her 3-4 days a week were really worth the wait. What made my FSU wife stand out was 365 days a year(at least for the first 16-17 years), not just 26 days a month. And those 4 days days were just as exciting as the other 26. I never asked, it was not an expectation, just something she wanted to do.


  lol....with my American GFs, it would have been suicde to expect something those 4 days

Which four days?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GenMish on March 30, 2019, 05:28:34 AM
Which four days?

The 4 days all the dark chocolate in the house disappears
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 01, 2019, 12:35:39 PM
I am in for 'belly button' surgery at 10:45 AM tomorrow.

If I don't survive, the gang will need to elect someone to take over my role here and carry it out properly.

I saw spouse adding up all numbers from our various financial accounts, and looking at tickets for Tahiti.

Just joking; I didn't actually see her doing it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on April 01, 2019, 12:49:10 PM
Good luck, ML.  I am certain everything will be fine. 8)


This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: DaveNY on April 01, 2019, 01:12:28 PM
Had a colonoscopy a few years ago. My wife dropped me off at the hospital in the morning and when she came back to pick me up a few hours later she remarked that she just found out how cheap it was to fly to Paris and live in Paris. She's always wanted to live in Paris.

Best of luck ML.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on April 01, 2019, 01:18:24 PM
You will be good buddy!
Write a last message to RWDvin case you don't survive.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 01, 2019, 02:30:39 PM
You will be good buddy!
Write a last message to RWDvin case you don't survive.

OK, if I don't survive; I will write a message from the 'next place.'
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 01, 2019, 03:52:37 PM
Wishing a speedy recovery!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 01, 2019, 05:11:18 PM
I am in for 'belly button' surgery at 10:45 AM tomorrow.

If I don't survive, the gang will need to elect someone to take over my role here and carry it out properly.




What time should we expect the first terrible joke when you wake up?....


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 03, 2019, 10:27:49 AM
Got through the first 24 hours.  A lot of ugly looking bruising and stitching; and a lot of pain.
But I should look better in a speedo now.  Will post pics upon request.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 03, 2019, 10:31:40 AM
ML - glad to have you back and wishing you a full recovery !
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on April 03, 2019, 11:16:58 AM
Hope you are at 100% soon.

This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 06, 2019, 03:06:40 PM
We are both disappointed that nothing heard yet concerning scheduling of Oath Ceremony  for Ochka.

This is really screwing up plans to buy ticket for her trip to Ukraine this summer.
Especially troubling since she missed going all of last year due to the silly 12 and then 18 month 'flimsy paper' extensions of her 2 year Green Card.
So 2 years since she has seen her parents and other family.

We were lucky as one of first to have the Citizenship Interview from our filing month group on VisaJourney.  But now luck has changed as some who went later got their Oath Ceremony scheduled before they reached parking lot upon leaving.

This is all specific to each USCIS city, so comparisons are meaningless.

On VisaJourney some have gotten scheduled quickly (as exampled above) and other have waited 2 months or more (some even 2 years or so).

I tried calling the central USCIS number once, but gave up after being on hold for 26 minutes.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 06, 2019, 03:52:29 PM
I should look better in a speedo now.  Will post pics upon request.


You've peaked my interest. I wanna see pics.

We are both disappointed that nothing heard yet concerning scheduling of Oath Ceremony  for Ochka.

This is really screwing up plans to buy ticket for her trip to Ukraine this summer.

Lots of immigrants getting citizenship around Seattle. Oath ceremonies happen often. My wife didn't wait long. Same day for some people. Come here and bring your speedo.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 06, 2019, 09:26:32 PM
Virginia takes lead and beats Auburn in last 1.5 seconds.
Auburn guys are going to have nightmares about this for a long time.

Texas Tech outscores Michigan State by 9 points in last minute or so to win the second game.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 07, 2019, 10:31:27 AM
Thank you Krimster for your advice regarding Metal Detectors.

I purchased the one you recommended, and was able to quickly locate some iron survey pins.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 07, 2019, 10:44:40 AM
cool, now go find the oldest spot in town and coin shoot
it never gets old for me, you might like it
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 12, 2019, 09:11:25 AM
Wife finally got scheduled for Oath Ceremony on 24 April 2019.

Now . . . should I worry?

I forget the rule:

I thought the wife would ditch the USA man after she gets the 2 year Green Card.

But maybe the ditching comes after Citizenship achieved.

What's the rule here gang ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 12, 2019, 09:13:51 AM
You haven't had the Police investigate 'fraud', yet ?

You'll be fine :))
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 12, 2019, 09:34:39 AM


But maybe the ditching comes after Citizenship achieved.



Only if you forget the magic words, "Yes, darling."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on April 14, 2019, 03:47:58 PM

What's the rule here gang ??

You don't talk about fight club?


....oops...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 25, 2019, 08:15:33 AM
OK, so Billy first used this phrase some time back.

But I couldn't think of a clever alternative, so will just copy.

Wife participated in Oath Ceremony, and this morning we submitted her USA Passport Application at Post Office.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on April 25, 2019, 11:55:48 AM
OK, so Billy first used this phrase some time back.

But I couldn't think of a clever alternative, so will just copy.

Wife participated in Oath Ceremony, and this morning we submitted her USA Passport Application at Post Office.


Congratulations ML !

No more dealing with USCIS!!!
(http://i.redd.it/n421ah3wu4321.gif)

(http://media.giphy.com/media/MyB0YOY06Tdtu/giphy.gif)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 25, 2019, 06:11:30 PM

Congratulations ML !

No more dealing with USCIS!!!

Thanks Big Bill.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on April 25, 2019, 06:51:38 PM
Wife participated in Oath Ceremony
Did you take pictures?
 
 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on April 25, 2019, 09:11:41 PM
Congrats too.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 26, 2019, 07:55:18 AM
Did you take pictures?
Yes
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 26, 2019, 08:01:19 AM
Congrats too.

Thanks Pat.

There were only 3 caucasians there out of 28 gaining Citizenship.

Those three were women who had married American men.
1 from Ukraine, 1 from France and 1 from Germany.

So not all USA men are going to poverty stricken countries to find disadvantaged women; only I did.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 26, 2019, 10:41:19 AM
If you listen to Trench, you'll be dumped, soon  :deadhorse:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on April 26, 2019, 02:13:06 PM
If you listen to Trench, you'll be dumped, soon  :deadhorse:

?

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 26, 2019, 10:46:02 PM
?

RW just want a passport,  access to your wealth and property.....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 03, 2019, 02:22:23 PM
Wife received her USA Biometric Passport today.

Now she can travel freely most everywhere in the world.

She will go through Ireland on her visit to Ukraine this summer to look in on the townhouse we own there . . . and won't have to get a visa to Ireland !!!

Her passport picture is about the worst ever, but that's life.

She finished the last of the Spring semester final exams today.
As usual she is saying she probably failed some of them.
This from a gal who has gotten A+ in about 80% of her previous MS and PhD courses and straight A in the rest.

Now she, with my help, will have to grade the one section of Differential Equations that she taught this semester.  I am really good at adding up scores (at least to 100) and recording.  I can even grade some stuff with very clear cut answers.

Another bit of perhaps good news.  One of the highest ranked research professors here asked her if she wanted him to be her main adviser and work with him on some research.  One potential downside is that sometimes such professors work their people to death.  Don't know what his reputation is in that respect, but will investigate.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on May 03, 2019, 09:57:56 PM
Might be time to sell up in Ireland? Prices starting to fall..

Congrats to Olga on her academic accomplishments

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 10, 2019, 08:52:30 AM
As I suspected, and despite her typical negativity regarding grades, Ochka got all A grades for Spring 2019 semester in her PhD courses.

Now she is happy spending most all days in her garden.

Got round trip ticket to Kyiv for her end of May visit for about $1,200.  The most we have ever paid, but that was due to us waiting until she had USA passport in hand, so couldn't get best prices that come with early purchases.  justfly.com

From Kyiv, she will make short round trip to Ireland for less than $100 on discount airline with no visa needed due to USA passport.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 10, 2019, 12:04:51 PM
Due to wife's heavy study schedule, we weren't able to go out for dinner at either USA or Ukraine Easter date.  For first time ever, she didn't even make Paska bread.
 
Now we have Mother's Day coming.

This morning she asked when and where we were going for Mother's Day.
We settled on that.
Then she said what about the two Easters?
I said we would combine those with Mother's Day.
She said: What about my end of semester celebration.
Me: Combined also.
She: What about gaining my USA citizenship.
Me: Same.
She: What about anniversary of our first meeting (sometime in early May many years ago).
Me: You are probably catching on.
She: What about our, what she calls 'big sex,' (as opposed to the quick everyday sex for her.)
Me: Same day.

She: Just smiled.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 17, 2019, 05:53:22 PM
Well he actually wasn't there, but . . .

Maxx got me interested in the Keto diet system.  Both wife and I have lost some small amounts, but aren't fully on the system yet as have a lot of stuff to use up first.

However, there are some very tasty recipes on various Keto websites.

We just had one today that was very tasty and very sexy.  We easily follow into the sex trap after such.

Try it . . . but only if you have a reliable sex partner with you.

Creamy Tuscan shrimp  2 servings
1 oz. butter, 1 garlic clove minced, ¾ lb shrimp, 2⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 ½ tbsp white wine, ½ oz. sun-dried tomatoes, ½ tbsp Italian seasoning, 1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese shredded, 1 ½ oz. baby spinach, salt and ground black pepper, ½ lb green asparagus.
In a large frying pan, sauté garlic in butter until golden and translucent. Add shrimp and fry for a few minutes on each side if it is raw.
It should be pink and opaque. Don't over-cook, or it can become dry and rubbery. Remove the shrimp. Add heavy cream, white wine, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and spices. Bring to a simmer. Add parmesan and lower the heat. Simmer for a few more minutes for a creamy consistency.  Add spinach and shrimp and let simmer just until everything is warm.
Clean, trim and chop the asparagus. Boil for a few minutes in lightly salted water and serve with the shrimp.
Add a side of butter-fried mushrooms for a filling, low-carb addition to this already delicious meal!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 17, 2019, 06:28:27 PM
Creamy Tuscan shrimp  2 servings
1 oz. butter, 1 garlic clove minced, ¾ lb shrimp, 2⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 ½ tbsp white wine, ½ oz. sun-dried tomatoes, ½ tbsp Italian seasoning, 1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese shredded, 1 ½ oz. baby spinach, salt and ground black pepper, ½ lb green asparagus.
In a large frying pan, sauté garlic in butter until golden and translucent. Add shrimp and fry for a few minutes on each side if it is raw.
It should be pink and opaque. Don't over-cook, or it can become dry and rubbery. Remove the shrimp. Add heavy cream, white wine, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and spices. Bring to a simmer. Add parmesan and lower the heat. Simmer for a few more minutes for a creamy consistency.  Add spinach and shrimp and let simmer just until everything is warm.
Clean, trim and chop the asparagus. Boil for a few minutes in lightly salted water and serve with the shrimp.
Add a side of butter-fried mushrooms for a filling, low-carb addition to this already delicious meal!

Sounds like a lot of work. At what point can a shortcut be taken to go straight to sex?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on May 18, 2019, 12:01:35 AM
I'll have to start smoking cigarettes after a title like that.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on May 18, 2019, 02:38:12 AM
Well he actually wasn't there, but . . .

Maxx got me interested in the Keto diet system.  Both wife and I have lost some small amounts, but aren't fully on the system yet as have a lot of stuff to use up first.

However, there are some very tasty recipes on various Keto websites.

We just had one today that was very tasty and very sexy.  We easily follow into the sex trap after such.

Try it . . . but only if you have a reliable sex partner with you.

Creamy Tuscan shrimp  2 servings
1 oz. butter, 1 garlic clove minced, ¾ lb shrimp, 2⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 ½ tbsp white wine, ½ oz. sun-dried tomatoes, ½ tbsp Italian seasoning, 1⁄3 cup parmesan cheese shredded, 1 ½ oz. baby spinach, salt and ground black pepper, ½ lb green asparagus.
In a large frying pan, sauté garlic in butter until golden and translucent. Add shrimp and fry for a few minutes on each side if it is raw.
It should be pink and opaque. Don't over-cook, or it can become dry and rubbery. Remove the shrimp. Add heavy cream, white wine, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and spices. Bring to a simmer. Add parmesan and lower the heat. Simmer for a few more minutes for a creamy consistency.  Add spinach and shrimp and let simmer just until everything is warm.
Clean, trim and chop the asparagus. Boil for a few minutes in lightly salted water and serve with the shrimp.
Add a side of butter-fried mushrooms for a filling, low-carb addition to this already delicious meal!
Where does the sex come into it? Unless you’re cooking in the buff?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on May 18, 2019, 04:29:28 AM
Where does the sex come into it? Unless you’re cooking in the buff?


Almost. ML cooked the meal wearing only an apron. Mrs ML thought he was sexy and wanted to drag him into the bedroom. But she is a woman of common sense and practicality and waited for them to finish their meal for the aphrodisiac quality of the keto shrimp on ML.


Then it was this for Mrs ML


(http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33996927298_f7e48b500b.jpg)


and this for ML.


(http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40907632673_28763265bd.jpg)


While he was in his state of bliss he thought, "Who else can I thank besides Mrs ML for this?"


Keto, among its health and aphrodisiac qualities is also known to be good for marriages.


 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on May 18, 2019, 05:17:49 AM

Almost. ML cooked the meal wearing only an apron. Mrs ML thought he was sexy and wanted to drag him into the bedroom. But she is a woman of common sense and practicality and waited for them to finish their meal for the aphrodisiac quality of the keto shrimp on ML.


Then it was this for Mrs ML


(http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33996927298_f7e48b500b.jpg)


and this for ML.


(http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40907632673_28763265bd.jpg)


While he was in his state of bliss he thought, "Who else can I thank besides Mrs ML for this?"


Keto, among its health and aphrodisiac qualities is also known to be good for marriages.
That explains it.
For a moment there I thought the shrimp might have more of a participatory role there. 🤔😳
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on May 18, 2019, 05:34:45 AM
That explains it.
For a moment there I thought the shrimp might have more of a participatory role there. 🤔😳


I have no idea the size of ML's hands.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 29, 2019, 07:02:37 PM
Spouse will take a side trip from Kyiv to Dublin.

We bought her ticket today on Ryan Air, and then started filling out the profile info.

Question: What is your nationality?
Drop down list first listed all the Euro countries.
Then came the remainder.
Scrolled down to the U's and . . . there is no United States.
Repeated and got same result.
Thinking . . . why no USA?
I know USA and Ireland have a 'special' relationship, so trying to think where USA might be.
Opened another screen and Googled: Why no USA on Ryan Air website?
Nothing.
Then wife says:  Look under American.
I say no, other countries get mad when we say American because that suggests there are no other countries in the American Continents.
But look anyway . . . and she was right, there it said American.
OK, continue filling out blocks.
What country issued your Passport?
Ha . . . can't fool me again, so I head right for top of second listing . . . and no American is found.
Scroll on down to bottom . . . and there is United States.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: lyndontom on May 30, 2019, 12:08:43 AM
Spouse will take a side trip from Kyiv to Dublin.

We bought her ticket today on Ryan Air, and then started filling out the profile info.

Question: What is your nationality?
Drop down list first listed all the Euro countries.
Then came the remainder.
Scrolled down to the U's and . . . there is no United States.
Repeated and got same result.
Thinking . . . why no USA?
I know USA and Ireland have a 'special' relationship, so trying to think where USA might be.
Opened another screen and Googled: Why no USA on Ryan Air website?
Nothing.
Then wife says:  Look under American.
I say no, other countries get mad when we say American because that suggests there are no other countries in the American Continents.
But look anyway . . . and she was right, there it said American.
OK, continue filling out blocks.
What country issued your Passport?
Ha . . . can't fool me again, so I head right for top of second listing . . . and no American is found.
Scroll on down to bottom . . . and there is United States.


We Brits get the same with different terms being used interchangeably on the nationality/issuing country questions, though not just with Ryanair. British/Great Britain/United Kingdom seem to be used in a variety of combinations without any real consistency.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on May 30, 2019, 01:48:57 AM
Some countries even put 'England' - which rather peeves the Scots, Welsh and N.Irish .

Whilst I HATE Ryanair - ( They make one show a passport to fly between the UK and Ireland - which is not necessary for immigration purposes ) I DO get the choices..

You are American and your nation is called the USA..


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 31, 2019, 05:07:42 PM
Wife got checked in at airport and arrived at departure gate for flight to Ukraine with stopover in Germany.

Just a few minutes later a German gal we know who is married to an AM arrived at same gate.

They will be on same flight into Germany.  Gossip about USA husbands will be thick!!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 01, 2019, 03:04:26 AM
Greedy men ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 02, 2019, 12:42:01 PM
Just talked with wife on Skype.
She is staying with friends in Kyiv for a few days so that she can go to dentist, medical, etc., before heading west to her parent's home.
She put another friend of hers on to speak to me briefly.
Told me she asked this other friend to come to visit and now asked her to stay overnight at this home where the host friends don't even know this visiting friend.
I said:  Did you ask the host friends about inviting the visitor over and particularly did you ask them if it were OK to have her stay overnight?
She said:  No.  But I knew they would be OK with it.

Imagine doing this in USA !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on June 02, 2019, 03:55:28 PM
Ok, I’m lost.  Who’s on first?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 02, 2019, 07:17:33 PM
Ok, I’m lost.

My wife (referred to hereafter as 'she' or 'her') has (with respect to this posting) Friend 1 and Friend 2.
She is staying with Friend 1 for a few days.
She invited Friend 2 to visit her at Friend 1 home without first asking Friend 1.
She then proceeded to invite Friend 2 to stay overnight at Friend 1 home without first asking Friend 1.
Friend 1 and Friend 2 do not know each other.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on June 03, 2019, 07:57:19 AM
My wife (referred to hereafter as 'she' or 'her') has (with respect to this posting) Friend 1 and Friend 2.
She is staying with Friend 1 for a few days.
She invited Friend 2 to visit her at Friend 1 home without first asking Friend 1.
She then proceeded to invite Friend 2 to stay overnight at Friend 1 home without first asking Friend 1.
Friend 1 and Friend 2 do not know each other.

Thank you, got it.  Last year T was invited to stay in Odessa by her friend (Friend 1) at her friend's friend's house (Friend 2 house).  T didn't know Friend 2 until she got there.

Yes, it is very unusual in the States. I have very good Irish friends (in PA) who are that way, and several Canadian friends, but they are exceptions.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 03, 2019, 08:35:33 AM
I have very good Irish friends (in PA) who are that way, and several Canadian friends, but they are exceptions.

If they are 'Irish' and have lived there more than two generations - they are AMERICANS - seeking a heritage - from an Irishman ;)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on June 03, 2019, 06:22:50 PM
If they are 'Irish' and have lived there more than two generations - they are AMERICANS - seeking a heritage - from an Irishman ;)

Ok, thank you for that.  Not sure why you felt you had to state it.

John and Kathy are from Ireland, moved here about 20 years ago.  Hence they are Irish.  Their kids are Americans with Irish parents.

My dad is American with Slovakian parents.  My mom is Korean with Korean parents.  I am American with American and Korean parents.  Need me to answer any other genealogy questions?

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 03, 2019, 07:24:10 PM
Ok, thank you for that.  Not sure why you felt you had to state it.

John and Kathy are from Ireland, moved here about 20 years ago.  Hence they are Irish.  Their kids are Americans with Irish parents.

My dad is American with Slovakian parents.  My mom is Korean with Korean parents.  I am American with American and Korean parents.  Need me to answer any other genealogy questions?

Firstly, thank you for bothering yo answer and YES they are Irish by my reckoning !

I will explain... Too many Americans...esp in Boston ...have this REALLY annoying habit of playing the 'Oirish card' when they are no more Irish than the current Pope.

They are AMERICANS.. and some of them sent money to terrorist organisations to destabilise my homeland...thinking they were helping 'heroes'...

But thank you for you genealogy and your pride in being American.. I wish more 'Irish' Americans thought like you.



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 06, 2019, 10:21:08 AM
Ukrainians know very little about money and how to manage it, according to a survey that the American International Development Agency, or USAID, and the National Bank of Ukraine released on June 6.

The survey has measured the national financial literacy of 28 countries and gave Ukraine and Poland the lowest scores — 11.6 out of 21. This is also the worst result among the 14 surveyed European countries.

http://www.kyivpost.com/business/usaid-report-ukrainians-have-worst-financial-literacy-in-europe.html


Note:  This does not apply to my Ukrainian wife.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 06, 2019, 10:35:29 AM
this is true, something someone contemplating marriage to a UW needs to consider
just one of many subjects they need to learn, and which you may need to teach
OTOH, this experience proved handy when I gave my oldest daughter a credit card and a bank account from which she is expected to pay her own bills, maintain a balance sheet
raising a Ukrainian wife and American child are similar
besides personal finance, I also taught both how to drive a car!!
and helped them with their schoolwork!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 10, 2019, 09:48:24 PM
We all know, or should know, that most politicians love to spend the public's money, so they must have taxes to do that.

In my state, the Legislature passed a law that allowed cities some so called "Self Rule."
One thing included was the right to impose a city sales tax.
So guess what?  Several cities have already done it.

And, today I closed on sale of a parcel of land.
Took deed to courthouse to record.

My 'bill' included the following line items with individual amounts for each line.
Recording fee
Additional pages recorded past first page
County special fee
State special fee
County excise tax
State excise tax
Housing fee for homeless
County special fee #2
Farm land fee
Heritage program fee
Courthouse improvement fee
Assessor fee
911 Fee
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on June 10, 2019, 11:01:47 PM
Congrats with your states raising taxes. We’ve gone through most phases of that here, although after sighing relief from dodging measure EE, which would’ve raised our property taxes on each of our properties an average of $260.00/EA per year, we found out our home insurances went up an average of 32%. When I called to ask why, they told us it had to be done due to the overwhelming claims made last year due to the wildfires the state suffered.

If that isn’t enough, our governor signed a law today that included providing free health care to illegal immigrants between the ages of 19-25. Payments for this to the tune of $98 million/year via taxation. Why not, they raised our auto insurance premiums the same year they granted these illegal aliens licenses to drive without mandating the same insurance requirements on par with legal residents and citizens. Our raised premiums made up for that.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 10, 2019, 11:18:59 PM
20 years ago in the bay area, it cost me 35K in fees, permits and inspections only (not including construction) to remodel my house...
crazy
besides regular home owner's insurance, you need a high risk earth quake insurance policy in the bay area
that will give you sticker shock
if you bought your property recently in California, then your property taxes are crazy as well
and you could never send your kids to most of the public schools there
so you have to add private school to your budget as well

In Texas home owner's insurance will run you an average of $5,000/yr for a million dollar property with a 1% deductible
consult a Topo map before you buy and you won't need flood insurance, if you do, don't buy there
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on June 11, 2019, 01:54:44 AM
Congrats with your states raising taxes. We’ve gone through most phases of that here, although after sighing relief from dodging measure EE, which would’ve raised our property taxes on each of our properties an average of $260.00/EA per year, we found out our home insurances went up an average of 32%. When I called to ask why, they told us it had to be done due to the overwhelming claims made last year due to the wildfires the state suffered.

If that isn’t enough, our governor signed a law today that included providing free health care to illegal immigrants between the ages of 19-25. Payments for this to the tune of $98 million/year via taxation. Why not, they raised our auto insurance premiums the same year they granted these illegal aliens licenses to drive without mandating the same insurance requirements on par with legal residents and citizens. Our raised premiums made up for that.


I read this and it reminded me of why I left the country of my birth.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on June 11, 2019, 07:58:58 AM

I read this and it reminded me of why I left the country of my birth.

Undue and misappropriated taxation for political agenda is just the tip of the California iceberg, maxx.

Quote
..California’s largest cities are ground zero of the state’s expanding homeless population. Contrary to most city leaders’ claims that this is a housing problem, it is not that simple. While California’s housing costs are through the roof, many of those living on the streets are not even from California, but come here for the state’s liberal policies on drug use, easy theft opportunities and lack of criminal convictions, generous welfare benefits, as well as the “sanctuary” status – and the weather...

Typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and yes...the bubonic plague...iolani thinks SF's poop problem is bad, sheessh, come to LA, homes. I'll show you what *bad* is...and Garcetti (D), our mayor, wants to run for POTUS. LMAO!

http://californiaglobe.com/fr/bill-to-ban-rodenticides-coincides-with-rat-infestation-and-disease-in-los-angeles/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 11, 2019, 09:21:54 AM
"One thing included was the right to impose a city sales tax."

this means the land right outside the city boundary that won't pay this tax, will rise in price...
and the mean price of properties in this area will be higher due to lower property taxes





Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 11, 2019, 11:03:05 AM
"One thing included was the right to impose a city sales tax."

this means the land right outside the city boundary that won't pay this tax, will rise in price...
and the mean price of properties in this area will be higher due to lower property taxes

Krim, you missed that it is a sales tax, not a property tax.

There will be increased sales for those businesses that lie just outside the city boundaries.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 11, 2019, 12:06:27 PM
usually they're connected
if you have one, you have the other...
long time ago I owned a little tiny place in Monterey, California
I had to pay a property tax surcharge, for being in the "downtown business zone" even though I was miles from the downtown business zone, WTF?...
all kinds of surcharges, none of which made any sense to me...
but the weather and the beach, and the mountains south of Carmel, OMG!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: CaptB on June 11, 2019, 09:06:11 PM
Steve,


Congratulations on your wedding !


Capt B
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 11, 2019, 09:09:05 PM
Wife agreed to watch over two children (4 and 6) for a week so the parents (her relatives) could take a vacation.

Luckily, she took them to her parent's small farm in western Ukraine where they have been thrilled to help with daily care of some small farm animals, do some garden work, go fishing in pond and nearby river, etc.

They are pretty good kids with no behavioral problems . . . but I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing and was much too risky.  For instance, she hadn't been back to Ukraine for 2 years, so the youngest didn't even remember who she was.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 11, 2019, 09:47:50 PM
Well. clearly they took to her and most Kids respond well to interesting company.


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 14, 2019, 11:09:55 AM
I much prefer college sports to professional games.
But still, I usually watch the Super Bowl and several of the NBA finals games.

The just completed games between Toronto and Golden State have to rank, for me, as some of the greatest games I have ever seen.

Yes, I know that Jabbar, Chamberlain, et al had talent; but I much prefer the current game wherein the medium and long range (and free throw) shooters are the stars.

And Curry in particular has revolutionized the game (although probably not many can follow him) with his extraordinary range.  He regularly shoots anywhere between the half court line and the 3 point line.

Once, just before a half time, he shot from the free throw line at opposite end from his basket and hit the upper side of the rim.  Another time he shot from under the basket at opposite end from his basket and hit the front of the rim.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 20, 2019, 02:19:47 PM
Where would Melania be if her husband were a democrat?

On the cover of almost every magazine almost every week.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 21, 2019, 12:26:36 AM
Where would Melania be if her husband were a democrat?

On the cover of almost every magazine almost every week.


Is she ?   Not in Europe ...  We had Mrs 'O'Bama' on your 'Late, Late show ' filmed over here, though ;)

She lead a victory over the UK at Dogeball - inflciting heavy damage to 'our' Harry Styles  ( a pop star , apparently )


http://metro.co.uk/2019/06/18/james-corden-late-late-show-uk-london-michelle-obama-hits-harry-styles-crotch-dodgeball-sky-10002534/ (http://metro.co.uk/2019/06/18/james-corden-late-late-show-uk-london-michelle-obama-hits-harry-styles-crotch-dodgeball-sky-10002534/)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 21, 2019, 06:42:07 AM
The Obamas are spending this weekend at the Clooneys' Villa Oleandra in Laglio, on Lake Como.

(http://www.lakecomotourism.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/villa-oleandra-02.jpg)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 21, 2019, 08:09:42 AM
The Obamas are spending this weekend at the Clooneys' Villa Oleandra in Laglio, on Lake Como.

(http://www.lakecomotourism.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/villa-oleandra-02.jpg)

Sandro, did you have to buy a new suit to attend?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on June 21, 2019, 04:10:52 PM
Sandro, did you have to buy a new suit to attend?
Alas, I am not invited :( ;D.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 01, 2019, 10:50:57 AM
Wife returns in 5 hours after month long visit to Ukraine.

Guess it is time to start cleaning the house.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 01, 2019, 10:58:02 AM
freaking panic mode
pay the kids $100
is what I'd do...

think pulp fiction
cleaning out the blood
in the back of the car
I do full forensics
before my wife returns
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 04, 2019, 03:21:44 PM
Still married? )

I am 3 hours away from meeting SC for the first time in 7 weeks
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 05, 2019, 06:37:16 AM
http://bigseventravel.com/2019/06/the-50-sexiest-nationalities-in-the-world-ranked/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on July 05, 2019, 07:11:07 AM
Engish 9th..not bad.

Americans 45th : )

Moby's Oirish..trailing in 50th place ; ))))
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on July 05, 2019, 08:01:04 AM

I'm surprised #30 Russia is not further up the list since Ukraine is #1. They blamed the poor ranking on Putin. I blame America's poor ranking on our manly, tattoo covered, 420 friendly, and overweight women. Some will blame Donald Trump.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 05, 2019, 09:57:43 AM
http://bigseventravel.com/2019/06/the-50-sexiest-nationalities-in-the-world-ranked/


This survey makes no sense.  I understand the "eye of the beholder," yet who are the beholders and what were they beholding.   :o. 

Billy mentioned the large disparity between Ukrainians and Russians.  Another example, the Scandinavian countries are all over the place.  The survey surmised that Norway ranked near the bottom (46th) because it is more literary than Hollywood.  WTF!   And Denmark ranked 2nd.  Swedes consider Danish people as decadent, yet I could not tell a difference among the three. 

Irish people ranked dead last.  I guess friendliness is not a factor.  The Vikings took all the beautiful Irish women back to their homeland, especially the redheads.  Yet the men can be handsome. 

How can a Muslim country be included?

Maybe this is based on comparing celebrities from each country. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JayH on July 05, 2019, 04:02:14 PM


Moby's Oirish..trailing in 50th place ; ))))

That would be the obnoxious factor of moby distorting the numbers ~ :deadhorse:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 05, 2019, 07:38:12 PM

This survey makes no sense. 

Quite.....Garbage in,...garbage out......


How can a Muslim country be included?

??

I can see you never went to Lebanon in Ski season!)

SC is 50 percent 'Muslim'...based on parentage 'ethnicity'...( As Gator says... Eye of the beholder...and all that)

Lots of nations got left out....


Maybe this is based on comparing celebrities from each country.

Sure would explain Armenia appearing ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on July 05, 2019, 08:25:51 PM
The better half has always told me Armenian girls were the most stunning in the FSU, but age out quickly (before 30).

This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 05, 2019, 08:27:35 PM

I can see you never went to Lebanon in Ski season!)


Went skiing in Iran several times.  Almost as good as Colorado except Iranians skied as wild as they drove. 

Yes, Westernized Iranian women are attractive even with their strong features.  However, almost all Iranian women were covered in a chador.  Yes, at a party, they remove the chador to reveal a dress from Paris. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 06, 2019, 01:25:15 AM
You are trying to duck my querying your wondering at the inclusion of any 'muslim' nation...

Lebanese ladies do not wear veils on the slopes..... Nor do Turkish lasses in night clubs

For all his faults al Assad's wife is beautiful and possesses no harsh features..

I have no idea of how sexy she is... but I have had an Iranian g/f when 20 and she was westernised and 'weaponised'....))

I read some tosh about 'muslim' women not being sexy



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 06, 2019, 11:03:07 AM
You are trying to duck my querying your wondering at the inclusion of any 'muslim' nation...

You are talking about an example here and there, yet the author used the phrase "the country as a whole"   (see Pakistan paragraph).

So,  I am not ducking your query.  Maybe I read more comprehensively than you.  :o    Or maybe you read what you want to read, just to interject  some examples which in your mind make you superior.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on July 06, 2019, 11:47:39 AM
When I lived in Philly I met this absolutely gorgeous bartender that was from Syria.  She came over when she was young - she was more american than syrian.

It seems the website took polls on sexy celebrities?  It keeps mentioning models and movie stars as examples.  I really like Mila Kunis, but there are better looking Ukrainians....

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 06, 2019, 01:45:08 PM
i've been to Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and nearby countries, including the middle east and western/eastern europe

for real Ukraine is #1, even ahead of Russia which is #2
not only is there a greater ratio of attractive vrs unattractive women
but the average level of attractiveness is much higher and the outliers,
the women who are EXCEPTIONAL are more numerous
and these women will melt your eyeballs

nothing like a 3rd date banya date with your Ukrainian eye candy girl friend
and you see her naked for the first time

then you'd know what I'm talkin about Willis

for illustration purposes
here's 2 photos of my Ukrainian wife
she is by my estimation
"typical" in appearance for a Ukrainian woman
EXCEPT for her height - she's 6 foot one inch tall!
and her bust size
she's DD!
but otherwise, more or less the typical average woman "you'd meet on the street" in Ukraine

AND THAT'S HOW WE MET!
her 6'1" frame got my attention immediately (I'm 6'4")
a tall, tight hard body Ukrainian woman with long muscular legs
a husky Ukrainian farm girl
who can cook AND keep the place tidy
damn, I'm almost in tears, I'm so gosh darned happy...



 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 06, 2019, 02:21:11 PM

nothing like a 3rd date banya date with your Ukrainian eye candy girl friend
and you see her naked for the first time


Love the private banya.  Introduced to it in St. Piter.  Her idea.  I was such a putz about dating after 25 years of marriage. Awesome, gorgeous body.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 06, 2019, 03:38:30 PM
Problem with banya's and other such . . . the 'shrinkage' situation.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 06, 2019, 03:53:01 PM
"...the 'shrinkage' situation."

NOT in a banya
it's over 110 degrees F in there

you will have the OPPOSITE problem!!!
especially if it's a Ukrainian woman you just met
kinda awkward to sit quietly right next to someone
while you have a telephone pole sticking out of their lap
you probably don't want to do this, unless you're WEIRD or something like Bee Farmer...

and you see the ukrainian wimmin are mind gaming you
with the "oh the Banya it's natural, and not sexual" kinda thang
the whole time they're TOTALLY but DISCREETLY checking out your "package"
yup!

if you're circumcised, then that usually leads to an inquisitive investigation on their part
but STILL not necessarily sexual...

you don't want to be locked and loaded
if you're not gonna to be doin any shooting
if you know what I mean...

OTOH, if you WANT it to turn sexual...
then just hand the keys over to your willy
and let him drive

and just sit back and enjoy the ride
there's no WRONG way to do the banya
it's whatever way you want

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 06, 2019, 09:23:00 PM
You are talking about an example here and there, yet the author used the phrase "the country as a whole"   (see Pakistan paragraph).

So,  I am not ducking your query.  Maybe I read more comprehensively than you.  :o    Or maybe you read what you want to read, just to interject  some examples which in your mind make you superior.

'Ri-ght '....

YOU made the daft comment about the appearance of ' Muslim'  nations....suggesting 'harsh looks' for Persian lasses and you see no duplicity in your 'defence' of a silly, subjective stance on a poll that is equally so.)))?

I have read polls that say Brazilian women are the most sexy...

I thought Ukraine 'won' the poll for an agenda based reason?


 



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 06, 2019, 10:15:59 PM
there are I'm afraid some REALLY FUGLY wimmin in Iran...
very dark skinned, prominant nose, mustache over the lip, short, protruding, bulging eyes
but can have a sweet personality
sounds funny when an Iranian woman is yellin atcha fer messin up the floor or somethin
allah, alee, buka something more about allah, aiiiiiii
or somethin like that
freakin hilarious soundin' because it's so HIGH pitched!!!!

I saw some that would be considered average by Western standards physically
but mentally and "other" factors
I don't think so
I'll take a complete pass on Iran...
would have MUCH better luck in the USA in either Texas or NYC
you'd be AMAZED at how easy it is to pick up redneck girls in Texas!!!
and some are NOT bad at ALL, comparable to Ukraine in quality
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 06, 2019, 10:36:15 PM
May be ML's survey deserves a thread of its own?

US women..if generalising. .....are statistically more likely to be obese... We both know we were referring to a select bunch.



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 07, 2019, 06:45:31 AM

you'd be AMAZED at how easy it is to pick up redneck girls in Texas!!!
and some are NOT bad at ALL, comparable to Ukraine in quality

Actually there has been some talk/articles etc., over the years that Texas may have highest proportion of good looking women in USA.  Don't know exactly why given there is quite a mixture there due to migration from other states.

However, I have spent a few days at both Texas A&M and U Texas Austin and was struck by the unusually large (for USA standards) proportion of strikingly beautiful young women on campus.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 07, 2019, 07:49:30 AM


YOU made the daft comment about the appearance of ' Muslim'  nations....suggesting 'harsh looks' for Persian lasses....



Viewing a "country as a whole," how can one judge the sexy appearance and personality of women from a country whose a) religion requires them to conceal their womanly features and their b) cultural mores subjugate women's public personalities? 

Moby, answer the above question first.  Please no diversion. 

Please answer a second question: Is it not odd given the above that the more conservative Iran ranked higher than more modern Muslim nations where more women are seen in Western styles?    Iranian women are blessed with ample breasts, so maybe that  makes them sexy in the minds of many readers if the readers had dated Iranian women.       


Now a third question:  You were the one who cited Lebanon when talking about Muslim nations, and I do not not consider it a typical Muslim nation.  Do you?





Quote
...and you see no duplicity in your 'defence' of a silly, subjective stance on a poll that is equally so.)))?


Regarding your first point, I assert you have an automatic  contrarian reflex.    In regard to the second point, I concur.  In collecting a sample of its readers, the inconsistencies demonstrate that Big7 did not follow scientific procedures used in applied statistics



Quote
I thought Ukraine 'won' the poll for an agenda based reason?

Who knows?   To quote Big7Travel,  "Survey respondents were given no further specifications of the term ‘sexy’, so interpretation of the word was up to them." 






Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: southernX on July 07, 2019, 05:27:48 PM
no 5 for australia

not bad , but our accent is not that sexy imo

SX
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 07, 2019, 07:05:14 PM
the sheila's on Bondai beach on a Saturday morning should at LEAST get that....
all homegrown AND they speak English, kinda....
but vegemite?
who the hell came up wit that idea?
I would not trust Australians in the kitchen
my mother was British, nothin but 'taters with gravy and roast beef when I was growin up
as I result, I dislike bland British food, 'cept for that yorkshire pudding, which ain't even puddin at all!!!


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: southernX on July 07, 2019, 07:10:42 PM
lot better beaches around australia than bondi krimster

http://travel.stayz.com.au/info/travel-ideas/discover-australia/australias-top-10-beaches

vegemite ??  , yeh its not for everyone , personally i like promite better

http://ericaswallow.com/2009/04/09/marmite-promite-and-vegemite-comparison/


australians in the kitchen .... :clapping: if you ate pommy food as  a kid then you can handle anything an australian might dish up to you mate

SX
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 07, 2019, 08:43:59 PM


Viewing a "country as a whole," how can one judge the sexy appearance and personality of women from a country whose a) religion requires them to conceal their womanly features and their b) cultural mores subjugate women's public personalities? 

Ri-ight..

Next time you go to Bali, 'north' Cyprus, the Turkish Rivera, etc., do be sure to send us photos of such rare sights...


Moby, answer the above question first.  Please no diversion. 

No irony missed, at all, Gator?


Please answer a second question: Is it not odd given the above that the more conservative Iran ranked higher than more modern Muslim nations where more women are seen in Western styles?    Iranian women are blessed with ample breasts, so maybe that  makes them sexy in the minds of many readers if the readers had dated Iranian women.       

The Iranian woman I was lucky enough  to date as a young man was slim and had small breasts..



Now a third question:  You were the one who cited Lebanon when talking about Muslim nations, and I do not not consider it a typical Muslim nation.  Do you?

What is a typical 'Christian ' nation? Any 'answer' I might give is my opinion and I fail to see how it 'helps' you from your sweeping generalisations


Regarding your first point, I assert you have an automatic  contrarian reflex. 

Then your 'assertion' is simply wrong..



  In regard to the second point, I concur.  In collecting a sample of its readers, the inconsistencies demonstrate that Big7 did not follow scientific procedures used in applied statistics



Who knows?   To quote Big7Travel,  "Survey respondents were given no further specifications of the term ‘sexy’, so interpretation of the word was up to them."

Well, at least we agreed on something!)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 07, 2019, 08:51:02 PM
yeah but Bondai is walking distance from the business district!
and Bondai is "top optional"
if the gods smile upon you, as they have upon me
you may be witness
to topless coeds playing volleyball...
and be invited to join their game...
and the pub after...
Australian beer on tap is not at all half bad IMHO...
not at all like Fosters in a can you get in the USA
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on July 08, 2019, 05:41:35 AM
Ri-ight..

Turkish Riviera is not the streets of Teheran, the beating heart of Iran.  Yet Iran was ranked 26th and Turkey did not make the top 50.   

You know you dodged the question.  This discussion can not be completed.   'bye. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on July 08, 2019, 03:09:44 PM
after Russia and Ukraine Belarus and the Baltics
I found Czech and Hungarian wimmin to be SUPER HOT

Trench didn't like Moldovan women, but I've met many Moldovan women who were solid "9's"  and who would've given a kidney to live in the West...
or for that matter for next month groceries even...

if I hadn't met my wife already, 100% I'd have married this cute little Moldovan girl I met in Kishinev
the cutest sweetest girl you could ever imagine, just WOW!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 16, 2019, 09:15:28 AM
My 50 year old teenager
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 21, 2019, 05:29:08 AM
My 50 year old teenager

The photo was lovely ... why has it gone ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 21, 2019, 05:47:42 AM
The photo was lovely ... why has it gone ?

I think it is too risky to post pics here actually, although sometimes I cannot resist.
But probably best to take down quickly before the 'bad guys' can copy and save.

I have read that the 'FaceApp' or whatever it is called is out to cause a lot of harm.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on July 21, 2019, 06:12:40 AM
I think it is too risky to post pics here actually, although sometimes I cannot resist.
But probably best to take down quickly before the 'bad guys' can copy and save.

I have read that the 'FaceApp' or whatever it is called is out to cause a lot of harm.

Each to his own ..

I use a photo-sharing link - so I cab check who's viewing - and from wher and can remove the image - anytime I choose at tha later late = as the image is NOT stored on our forum

Using the links ..Anyone using such an app will only see the images on the forum intended ..  I ensure our FB profile and similar are not searchable from the net ..

IF some saddo wantsto get off on another poster's wife / partner ... they can just dream .. ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 25, 2019, 10:13:27 AM
As I have noted before, at our frequent get-togethers with Ukrainian folks here in our town . . . only my wife and one other gal have really kept their teenage shapes.  These other gals range from mid 30s to mid 40s.

However, 3 new real knockouts have arrived on the local scene at our picnic yesterday.

All are in their late 20s.

One came with her Ukrainian husband who has just started PhD program in Engineering.
Another married a local upper level management AM in his late 30s.
The third is daughter of a newly hired Ukrainian national MD (from USA University) working at the University hospital.

And a big treat, one of these gals graduated from Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, also known as Kiev Conservatory, and thrilled us with her beautiful voice in singing several Ukrainian songs.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 14, 2019, 02:26:39 PM
Random thought.

Generally, since the beginning of time, men would like to to have polygamy type relationships.
In fact, monogamy is rare in the animal kingdom at large. Of the roughly 5,000 species of mammals, only 3 to 5 percent are known to form lifelong pair bonds.
http://www.livescience.com/1135-wild-sex-monogamy-rare.html

Men have been mostly tamed from that by the concept of marriage.
Women, on the other had, prefer monogamy; mostly for the stability provided for children.

Men have had to change their natural behavior; women have not had to.

Note:  I am not aiming to talk only about marriage here, but can't find the right words, so am using monogamy vs polygamy as proxies.  In short:  single partners vs new and many partners.

Men are excited to have a new woman for sex which, over time, implies many partners.  Hence the Romeo, ladies' man, Don Juan, Casanova, Lothario, womanizer, playboy, lover, seducer, philanderer, roaming eye, or whatever concept.

Women seem excited enough just to have a new or infrequently used sexual encounter with the same man.  Not saying they wouldn't be excited by new partner; just they are mostly satisfied to go along with new or infrequent technique with old partner.

On a practical level, for men who are committed to their partner, that latter statement is actually a blessing . . . as I have experienced.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 15, 2019, 06:27:28 AM
have you ever given catnip to a cat and watched the results?
give cannabis to a Russian woman and it does the SAME thing!!!!
it stimulates the appetite and sexuality regions of the brain....
even with just a little...

my wife looks like a typical "sweet Russian woman"...
but give her a little cannabis...
and my wife pounces on me the way a spider pounces on a fly
and she just SAVAGES and DOMINATES me sexually....
then the cannabis wears off and then she'll go and clean the kitchen like it never happened....
WTF? Russians!!!


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on September 15, 2019, 07:25:58 AM
Random thought.

Generally, since the beginning of time, men would like to to have polygamy type relationships.
In fact, monogamy is rare in the animal kingdom at large. Of the roughly 5,000 species of mammals, only 3 to 5 percent are known to form lifelong pair bonds.
http://www.livescience.com/1135-wild-sex-monogamy-rare.html

Men have been mostly tamed from that by the concept of marriage.
Women, on the other had, prefer monogamy; mostly for the stability provided for children.

Men have had to change their natural behavior; women have not had to.

Note:  I am not aiming to talk only about marriage here, but can't find the right words, so am using monogamy vs polygamy as proxies.  In short:  single partners vs new and many partners.

Men are excited to have a new woman for sex which, over time, implies many partners.  Hence the Romeo, ladies' man, Don Juan, Casanova, Lothario, womanizer, playboy, lover, seducer, philanderer, roaming eye, or whatever concept.

Women seem excited enough just to have a new or infrequently used sexual encounter with the same man.  Not saying they wouldn't be excited by new partner; just they are mostly satisfied to go along with new or infrequent technique with old partner.

On a practical level, for men who are committed to their partner, that latter statement is actually a blessing . . . as I have experienced.


While much has been said in the media about cheating husbands and boyfriends, who do you suppose they are cheating with? Women are just more discrete.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 15, 2019, 08:35:44 AM
it is a MAJOR plus to be married to a bi-sexual Russian woman, like fer REAL!!!
I don't get jealous of my wife's girlfriends at all who are always MUCH younger than her (she's the dominant one...)
and it's not cheating if the three of us have sex together!!!!

sure haters are gonna hate!
but rolling around naked with two beautiful Russian women (especially if one is a natural redhead!)
is pretty freakin awesome so just go ahead and hate...
you HATERS have no idea how cool it is having TWO BEAUTIFUL naked Russian women laying next to each other...
BUT I DO!!!!

so you see haters, I don't CHEAT on my wife
I don't go out and look for other women to sleep with...
no...no...no....!!!
my wife brings the women TO ME (but they're for her!)

horrosho, and SHARING IS CARING, now isn't it?
I love this particular form of polyamory, I think it suits ME VERY well, but not many Russian women are bisexual...
so unfortunately,  the rest of you guys are gonna ONLY have sex with just your wives and you're just gonna have to be content with that, whether you like it or not...

my wife does all the work in these 3 way relationships, I'm pretty much just there for the nice ride and the great views and I stay completely out of THEIR dramas...
but OMG!!!
get TWO NAKED Russian women high on Cannabis...
and you will be like a Rodeo Rider on a broncin' buck trying to hold on for dear life!!!
hmmmm hmmmmmm....slovo!!
 
 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on September 16, 2019, 02:58:00 AM
I will bet ML did not expect such news on 'his' thread …!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 16, 2019, 06:47:59 AM
ALWAYS expect the UNEXPECTED.....
and always inspect the expectorant

these are GOLDEN rules to live by!!!!

I have a dream
that one day, we learn to judge people by the content of their character and not by the content of their posts...
that we take the crooked path and make it straight....

but...
just a silly, foolish dream...



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 22, 2019, 04:39:36 PM
I always forget to make lists, but what are the words that FSU folks mispronouce and those that just sound interesting when they are spoken?

Mispronounced:  Most all that involve H or G.
Hamburger


Interesting sounding:
Church
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 22, 2019, 08:39:14 PM
squirrel

and try to get them to spell it
this also trips up Germans...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on September 23, 2019, 07:12:20 AM
Some sound combinations that exist in a language may non exist in another, e.g. Qaththafi,  Хрущёв, etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 23, 2019, 10:55:16 AM
I posted this as a reply to a member in another thread.
But perhaps important to put here also as an example to others who are interested in the English skills of our FSU mates.

- - - - - - -

Spouse did not arrive with excellent English.  Something like 7 hearing and spoken, 6 reading and 3-4 written.

But we immediately enrolled her in two full semesters of Intensive English program at major state university.

Now she is something like 9 hearing and spoken, 8 reading (but 9-10 when reading math materials) and 6-7 written. 

This latter is her biggest weakness and she only survives her needed preparation of written handouts, exams, etc. in her teaching role and term papers as a student due to my correction of her work.  Will be a big problem when I pass on. 

But I can't pressure her for improvement on this now due to her extremely large work load in PhD program.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on September 30, 2019, 10:11:18 AM
My wife's English when I first met her was, FWIW, non-existent. My qualifications back then was the gal must at least have basic, decent knowledge of English. This wasn't so with her at the time, but asked me to 'judge' it for myself when we meet. She said she'll make every effort to be 'decent' by then.

I came to know later on that her first plane ride was the trip from Novo to Moscow to meet me. She said during that flight she was so nervous of the flight and busied herself with the (pirated) Bridge to English CD she was studying that the plane ride seemed shorter than the 4-5 hour it took. She said in addition to her university studies, she concentrated learning English during the 2-3 months period from our first email exchange, too.

Today, her English is excellent, sans the accent. Her written English is far more superior than her verbal ability. Unfortunately, it regresses every time she spends a good deal of time with Russian speakers. I sometimes remind her of this as I seem to correct her pronunciation a bit more often lately.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 30, 2019, 10:22:22 AM
Her written English is far more superior than her verbal ability.

I think that particular ordering is unusual, but not an expert on this.

Anyone have some solid knowledge regarding this topic?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on September 30, 2019, 02:05:37 PM
My Wife's English is better, perhaps sufficient to enroll at community college.

My English is worse,  and was something I took great pride in during my professional days because much of my work ended in a report that went to a courtroom or intensive public participation programs.

At this rate, my wife and I will have our own language.

We look back and laugh about our first meeting.  Wife maybe 200 words of English, me 100 words of Russian.   Dining at restaurants exposed the lack of common words, as dining decorum discourages animated gesticulation and translation books/aids. 

I fear we resembled the Tom Jones dining scene except with less grease and more refinement.  She has refined table manners, Continental of course,  something I have always respected and not common even among educated FSUW. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NLhWVLiF68


As a side note for any beginners in this endeavor, when traveling to places like Thailand, she was hopelessly lost about what to order.  I would always order two different dishes, giving her first choice.  She really appreciated that.    We practice it still today if a creative menu has her undecided. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 30, 2019, 08:19:51 PM
my household is bi-lingual
my wife's social circle is composed mainly of the Russian wives of Exxon/Mobile executives and other oil industry people in either The Woodlands or Houston

at least two days per week, my dinner table will be packed with Russians...
so naturally ALL OF US just switch to Russian, including me and my children as well as guests children...

Moscva ludie find the Crimean idioms that I learned from my wife to be colorful
and I censor out the mat around children

after marrying my wife, and living in Crimea for 3 years
I'd say my spoken Russian has improved more than my wife's spoken English

my BFF here in Houston, is a former GRU major, who came to the USA in the late 90s
who now works in the oil logistics industry in Houston
we only speak Russian together...

my wife struggled through our local community college system to get an Associate Nursing Degree and then took the license to become a LPN
all so she could work for a plastic surgeon and get 50% off his work!!!!

I'm not kidding, that's kinda what all the BS I went through with her over this came down to...
get a discount on her facelift...
WTF!!! women!!!

ML, good ordering technique for a Korean restaurant with the menu only in Korean
you can definitely get ambushed by the menu in a place like this
and you will risk becoming an embarrassing spectacle in front of the other Asian customers
and you will "lose face" because even a 12 year old could make fun of the way you'd eat there!!!

I took my Russian wife and myself and we went to my favorite noodle shops in Fujian, China
you should have seen the reactions we got, I'm 6' 4" and my wife is 6' 1"
we had crowds of "watchers"



 


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 30, 2019, 08:38:34 PM
I took my Russian wife and myself and we went to my favorite noodle shops in Fujian, China
you should have seen the reactions we got, I'm 6' 4" and my wife is 6' 1"
we had crowds of "watchers"

They're not used to seeing giants roam the land. They were probably wondering what your parents fed you back home. Back home we got meat and potatoes, and lots of other nutritious stuff. I'm half Vietnamese and American. I'm much taller than my Vietnamese uncles but their sons born in America growing up eating a Western diet are much taller than me. I think Asians would be much taller if they ate like a Westerner.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 30, 2019, 08:53:14 PM
I'm much taller than my Vietnamese uncles but their sons born in America growing up eating a Western diet are much taller than me. I think Asians would be much taller if they ate like a Westerner.

Protein is one of major factors in growing taller.

So I never understood the lower height of most Asians because many of them have a diet of high protein fish.  But maybe the western diet of beef, pork and chicken, along with some fish, overwhelms the higher fish diet Asians have.  Not an expert on this.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 30, 2019, 09:01:11 PM

I think Westerners diet contains more calcium. Bones have to grow to be taller.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 01, 2019, 07:23:29 AM
usually, first generation American born will tower over their Asian born parents...
it has to be the diet...

I liked the "natural" lunch in China...

one large elephant plant leaf
one ball of rice with a little sugar and vinegar added
4 sardines
wrap up sardine and rice in leaf
fold leaf into square sealing everything inside...
about 4 of these equals one hamburger

no garbage left over!!!!!



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on October 01, 2019, 08:01:08 AM
The Chinese eat pork quite a bit [exported from the USA]
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on October 01, 2019, 10:13:27 AM
Protein is one of major factors in growing taller.

So I never understood the lower height of most Asians because many of them have a diet of high protein fish.  But maybe the western diet of beef, pork and chicken, along with some fish, overwhelms the higher fish diet Asians have.  Not an expert on this.

My theory about this is: Diet

1. Any population whose primary diet consisted of larger portion of 'rice' - then everything else - generally have limited height/growth potential. Rice literally have 'zero' nutritional benefit. This is not only true for Asian folks, but also to the indigenous population of South America. While 'protein-rich' food or other animal-product like Milk, is beneficial to both growth and body/muscle mass, it also shortens the cells' reproduction life cycle. Asians and native south Americans seem to appear younger for their age in relative comparison.

2. Use of feed stocks i.e. growing mass/growth hormones > secondary effect.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on October 01, 2019, 03:26:22 PM
I think Westerners diet contains more calcium. Bones have to grow to be taller.

BINGO!

Proven in studies in Japan.  Japanese children showed dramatic increase in height when their diet was changed to include more dairy products.  My good friend, the former Dutch Agriculture Attache to Japan told me that one.  He was there promoting cheese. 

He tried the same in the Soviet Union (my first  trip to Moscow in 1986).  The Soviets wanted to import cheese, but only if the Dutch accepted cement as payment rather than currency. 

 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 25, 2019, 08:32:42 PM
Ochka has had very stressful last couple of weeks with preparing for tests for classes she is taking in PhD program, preparing for one on one meeting for an independent study class and grading exams for her own students.

Today was the last exam for a couple of weeks, so she was ready for some celebration.

And tomorrow is her birthday.  However, she had already been invited to another event tomorrow, so we decided to have our nice restaurant meal this afternoon.

Remember, in their culture it is a no-no to do a complete celebration before the actual day, so she stopped me when I started to sing 'Happy Birthday' when she arrived home from University.

But, to not seem too harsh on me she said:  Today I will just celebrate my last day of being X years old and tomorrow I will be X+1.

However, I quickly refreshed my calculations (which I already knew for certain) and said:
No today you are X-1 and tomorrow you will be X.

She thought for a moment and said: Oh mine Gott; you are right. WOW I will not be as old as I thought.  She kept beaming for a long time.

Of course if she hadn't been so stressed she never would have been off by a year in her initial thinking.

I did however violate the rule when we were ordering, as I knew that this restaurant gave free dessert on one's birthday . . . so I told our waitress.

Ochka was not unhappy about it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on October 26, 2019, 04:32:37 AM
Nice story

Hope the exams are a breeze for her
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 26, 2019, 11:18:52 AM
As a follow on to my story regarding age of wife.

This morning her parents called on Skype to say Happy Birthday.
Her Father told her that she was X-2 years old.
Mother correctly said, no she is X years old.
Father was not convinced.
Later in unrelated discussion, Mother said something about today being October 30th.
Ochka said . . . How can you think it is 30th when you called me for my birthday . . . 26th.
Mother said:  OMG, how old and forgetful are we becoming ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 26, 2019, 11:56:42 AM
As a follow on to my story regarding age of wife.

This morning her parents called on Skype to say Happy Birthday.
Her Father told her that she was X-2 years old.
Mother correctly said, no she is X years old.
Father was not convinced.
Later in unrelated discussion, Mother said something about today being October 30th.
Ochka said . . . How can you think it is 30th when you called me for my birthday . . . 26th.
Mother said:  OMG, how old and forgetful are we becoming ?


My mom is pretty good at remembering my birthday. Only problem is she can't remember which child of hers I am! ;) ( I am her 12th child of 14!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 26, 2019, 04:33:08 PM
Remember, in their culture it is a no-no to do a complete celebration before the actual day, so she stopped me when I started to sing 'Happy Birthday' when she arrived home from University.


There were times I dated FSU women and couldn't meet them on their birthday. I told them I would like to take them out to celebrate and asked if they prefer a day before or after their birthday. They always said after.

( I am her 12th child of 14!


My mom is the 2nd out of 11 and I thought that was a big number. I don't see many big families today.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 26, 2019, 06:52:29 PM
My mother was one of 10 children.  My father was one of 12 children.
As result, I have about 50 cousins.
Am not close physically or connected to any of them.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on October 27, 2019, 12:38:16 AM
Hi ML

That is a sign of the times..(

I have a 'Coz who is in deep crap at the mo and the family are rallying round the get him the help he needs..

Sometimes, close families can be good.


BTW Why are you so secretive of your good lady's age?

You let it slip in an earlier post ))

How would I know SC is older?;)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 31, 2019, 01:06:27 PM
http://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/3590729/things-you-need-to-know-about-your-vagina-blow-drying-workouts/

I certainly did not know this:  More and more women are going under the knife for designer vaginas.

Women should not eliminate all pubic hair.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on October 31, 2019, 03:16:34 PM
http://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/3590729/things-you-need-to-know-about-your-vagina-blow-drying-workouts/

I certainly did not know this:  More and more women are going under the knife for designer vaginas.

Women should not eliminate all pubic hair.

I watched a program on TV a fair few years back now about women getting 'designer vagina's'. Online material can be found detailing the visual difference on each style of vagina. Beyond each category style every vagina is of course unique but of course cones with all the same usual features.

Apparently the vagina most women want is called 'the Barbie' due to its clean curve which hides any bits poking out. This though can make it harder for guys to see clearly where to insert. Sometimes a bit of an obvious entranceway can be a pleasing sight :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on October 31, 2019, 10:40:43 PM
Trench,

You are always a hoot with your opinions based on what you saw on the net / TV ...

Then, you manage to post something that confirms that it  IS the extent of your 'experience'...((

In the UK such fixes are called 'fanny-plasts' in the 'biz'of those who performed such ops.

 Yup our 'cousins across the pond' even managed to apply said tern 'fanny' and make arses of themselves...?!

To 'bump your fanny' in the US means something elsecover there....





Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 01, 2019, 09:12:45 AM

To 'bump your fanny' in the US means something elsecover there....


I learned such when in the UN a sweet lassie from the British Embassy gave me a bad look.  First time I heard "bonnet" was a car body part.   

When Fanny Hill was written, was "fanny" the same "fanny" of today.   So why did Ian Fleming not call his character Fanny Galore?   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 01, 2019, 09:35:14 AM
http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/10/frasers-phrases-five-mild-american-words-the-british-find-rude
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 15, 2019, 08:41:23 PM
Remember when your mother told you to be sure to have clean underwear because . . .
'what if you are in an accident and they take you to hospital.'

I was reminded of that when Krimster gave advice as to have clean underwear in FSU.

So my true story:

One morning many years ago, I was due to go walking with a group of guys here in USA.
When I put on my clean undershorts that morning, I noticed that the bottom area had developed a large hole.
But I thought, what the heck, I will just wear them anyway and then throw away when I get back home and shower.

Of course,  yes . . . I was T-boned at an intersection by woman on her mobile phone.
Ambulance came, took me to emergency room, had several broken ribs, a broken finger and some other cuts and bruises.

So while I am on first table they cut off my jeans . . . and then before I knew it, a young resident/intern stuck his finger in my butt and announced 'prostate OK.'  Even in my severely pained state, I realized he had probably been tasked with practicing on 10 or more prostates on this day, as there was little chance that broken ribs would be accompanied by prostate damage.

But imagine his surprise when he saw there was a large hole in my shorts right where he needed to do his work !!

And imagine how many of his colleagues he reported this to that day, and on many occasions thereafter.

I have never told this story to my Mother.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 15, 2019, 09:24:03 PM
ML...
prostate exam?
it WASN'T his finger....
they'd NEVER check your prostate under those conditions....
I'm sorry to have to tell you this...
I hope the memory of this incident doesn't interfere in your enjoyment of a normal sex life...
if it does, then I'd have you wife sue that hospital for "alienation of affection"...
that bastard taking advantage of you like that...
you sound REALLY traumatized by it,.... well, actually, only a LITTLE traumatized by it, ya know come to think about it, you DON'T seem traumatized by it!!!
mind if I ask, what color were his eyes?
hey, a doctor, nudge! nudge!
if YOU say he was Ivy League, I will just DIE!!!

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on November 15, 2019, 09:24:16 PM
No.  But you told it to us.   


 :mooning:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on November 15, 2019, 09:33:26 PM
So my true story:

One morning many years ago, I was due to go walking with a group of guys here in USA.
When I put on my clean undershorts that morning, I noticed that the bottom area had developed a large hole.
But I thought, what the heck, I will just wear them anyway and then throw away when I get back home and shower.

Of course,  yes . . . I was T-boned at an intersection by woman on her mobile phone.
Ambulance came, took me to emergency room, had several broken ribs, a broken finger and some other cuts and bruises.

So while I am on first table they cut off my jeans . . . and then before I knew it, a young resident/intern stuck his finger in my butt and announced 'prostate OK.'  Even in my severely pained state, I realized he had probably been tasked with practicing on 10 or more prostates on this day, as there was little chance that broken ribs would be accompanied by prostate damage.

But imagine his surprise when he saw there was a large hole in my shorts right where he needed to do his work !!

And imagine how many of his colleagues he reported this to that day, and on many occasions thereafter.

I have never told this story to my Mother.

Cool story bro. Another reason to wear the dirtiest, stinkiest, poo and piss stained underwear you can create everyday so you don't get sexually assaulted when you're in a state where you can't defend yourself.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 15, 2019, 10:04:03 PM
so this guy in Russia, is having stomach and GI issues, and so he eventually goes to this old village doctor and tells him about his problems....

the old doctor tells him to go to the nearby city to have some tests done
and in a few days come back to his office and he’ll have the test results...

so he does as he’s told, and returns a few days later...

the doctor tells him, I got good news AND bad news...
the good news is we know what the problem is...
the bad news is, it’s a  GIANT TAPEWORM!!!

now there’s normally a very difficult and painful surgical procedure to get rid of a tapeworm of such a large size, however the doctor who performs our prostate exams is ALSO a specialist in TapeWorm removal, so I am going to refer you to him....

“Hello!  I am pleased to meet you, please to return once each week to this office and bring hard boiled egg, cookie and a hammer!!!  thank you, Next Tape Worm patient please...”

so next week, the guy comes back carryin a little paper bag with a hard boiled egg a cookie and a hammer

weird prostate doctor says, “please to lower pants and undwear”, then the doctor took the hard boiled egg and inserted into the man’s rectum, then waited a minute and inserted the cookie,

the man panicked thinking the hammer was next, but sensing this, the doctor said, “that is good” you can go now, but we must do again next week”

so this goes on for week after agonizing week, until with the most recent office visit, the prostate doctor said, “next week is last week, so next week, ONLY bring hard boiled egg and hammer”

so the final week came and the russian guy showed up with a brown paper bag with a hard boiled egg and a hammer

he dropped his pants and underwear and the doctor inserted the hard boiled egg into his patient’s rectum, and waited....
and waited....
then after a couple of more minutes, a big bug head emerged outta the guy’s rectum
and said, “WHERE’S MY COOKIE”?
AND THE DOCTOR HIT THE TAPEWORM ON THE HEAD WITH THE HAMMER!!!!

         THE END!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 28, 2019, 08:22:13 PM
She asked; he replied
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 29, 2019, 01:26:20 AM
VERY funny
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 06, 2019, 09:27:04 AM
Have been looking for ultra lightweight laptop for wife, as she carries to school often.
Most laptops weigh 3.5 to 5 pounds

Found three weighing 2.2 pounds or less.

LG Gram
Acer Swift 5
Asus Pro B9  Not available until sometime in early 2020

I messed around too long and missed sale on LG Gram on Walmart, Amazon and Bestbuy around Black Friday sale days.

Have been checking every day, and just found (and ordered) an Acer Swift 5, 15.6" with I7, 16 GB and 512 SSD at a $480 discount on Amazon.

Regular price $1399, Sale price $919.

Since I lost out on earlier sale of LG Gram, I was ready to pounce on this deal.

Acer Swift 5 Ultra-Thin & Lightweight Laptop 15.6” FHD IPS Touch Display in a thin .23” bezel, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Back-lit Keyboard, Windows 10 SF515-51T-73TY
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 08, 2019, 04:29:27 PM
Have been looking for ultra lightweight laptop for wife, as she carries to school often.

Years ago I gave my wife an Apple.  She loves it, and unlike the others it has never given her trouble.  I don't know about the weight.  Actually I know very little about computers, laptops, etc.  My knowledgeable friends say LG stands for Lower Garbage.     
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 09, 2019, 09:19:54 AM
Wife has had 2 LG Smart Phones and likes them.

I have a flip phone.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 09, 2019, 09:33:27 AM


Since I lost out on earlier sale of LG Gram, I was ready to pounce on this deal.

Acer Swift 5 Ultra-Thin & Lightweight Laptop 15.6” FHD IPS Touch Display in a thin .23” bezel, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Back-lit Keyboard, Windows 10 SF515-51T-73TY

..and how much was THAT ? .. The 8GB Ram model is over $1300 USD in the UK ..
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on December 09, 2019, 10:02:36 AM
If you're going to spend in the neighborhood of 1K I'd recommend looking at a Mac. New, used or refurbished. It's all I use. Faster, more stable and 2-3 times the life of a PC.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 09, 2019, 11:56:05 AM
Hmm, MAC books are fine kit ..but run a distro of Linux that looks like Windows ( dump windows ) and it will fly for WAY less than the price of a Mac ..

They are a triumph of marketing over performance
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 09, 2019, 01:41:07 PM
..and how much was THAT ? .. The 8GB Ram model is over $1300 USD in the UK ..

As I stated earlier; I paid $919 for this and regular price on Amazon was $1399.

Acer Swift 5 Ultra-Thin & Lightweight Laptop 15.6” FHD IPS Touch Display in a thin .23” bezel, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Back-lit Keyboard, Windows 10 SF515-51T-73TY
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 09, 2019, 01:47:49 PM
If you're going to spend in the neighborhood of 1K I'd recommend looking at a Mac. New, used or refurbished. It's all I use. Faster, more stable and 2-3 times the life of a PC.

As I noted, the prime requirement was a 14 or 15 inch laptop weighing 2.2. pounds or less and with this type of capability.

Acer Swift 5 Ultra-Thin & Lightweight (2.2 pounds)Laptop 15.6” FHD IPS Touch Display in a thin .23” bezel, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Back-lit Keyboard, Windows 10 SF515-51T-73TY

In addition, an Apple product for wife can never be considered given that, 1) I use PC and often coordinate back and forth with wife on her school projects that use various software packages, and 2) the University computers are all PC and need coordinated with also.

And, yes I know (a little about) idea that Apple's can run some Windows programs . . . but I am so limited in my abilities that I would never dream of trying to add this capability.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 09, 2019, 03:22:15 PM

Windows 10 is a lot better than past Windows operating systems. The free anti virus programs is excellent to the point you won't need to buy an anti virus program.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 09, 2019, 03:35:11 PM
Windows 10 is a lot better than past Windows operating systems.
Improving on previous releases did not really take much of an effort, considering their dismal performance ::).
Quote
The free anti virus programs is excellent to the point you won't need to buy an anti virus program.
You do not need to buy some excellent anti-virus programs. For 10+ years I have been relying of Softonic programs like Advanced System Care, IObit Malware Fighter, etc. (their free version downloadable) without having a single virus infecting my laptop :D.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 09, 2019, 04:40:04 PM

A few years ago there was a worldwide virus attack on a few hundred thousand computers. Microsoft Defender stopped it over a dozen times that day sending me alerts each time I been hit. I didn't know what attack it was until it was in the news next day. It is a great improvement over anything they had in the past. If you choose to use other anti virus programs, turn off Microsoft Defender. Having multiple virus programs running at the same time isn't beneficial and will slow down your computer.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 09, 2019, 04:44:03 PM
If you choose to use other anti virus programs, turn off Microsoft Defender. Having multiple virus programs running at the same time isn't beneficial and will slow down your computer.
It's on but usually says "No actions needed". If not, it is always wrong ;).
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 09, 2019, 07:20:37 PM
As I stated earlier; I paid $919 for this and regular price on Amazon was $1399.

Acer Swift 5 Ultra-Thin & Lightweight Laptop 15.6” FHD IPS Touch Display in a thin .23” bezel, 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Back-lit Keyboard, Windows 10 SF515-51T-73TY

:))   Sorry, ML, "How much was THAT ?",  meant I was shocked at how much MORE the UK buyer had to pay in comparison .. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 09, 2019, 07:31:21 PM
:))   Sorry, ML, "How much was THAT ?",  meant I was shocked at how much MORE the UK buyer had to pay in comparison ..

Thanks to Donald and the vigorous competitive economy we enjoy.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 09, 2019, 07:36:34 PM
Thanks to Donald and the vigorous competitive economy we enjoy.

"The same price in £ as $ "has always been a 'thang' .. long before 'Trampu' ... 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on December 10, 2019, 05:57:04 AM

And, yes I know (a little about) idea that Apple's can run some Windows programs . . . but I am so limited in my abilities that I would never dream of trying to add this capability.

Microsoft office solves most of those issues
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on December 10, 2019, 08:39:27 AM
And, yes I know (a little about) idea that Apple's can run some Windows programs . . . but I am so limited in my abilities that I would never dream of trying to add this capability.
Check out what Apple says about it here: http://www.apple.com/macos/compatibility/.

Microsoft office solves most of those issues
?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 13, 2019, 09:07:31 AM
Great to be out and about with Classy Lady
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 13, 2019, 10:35:44 AM
Fine lady!  Celebrating the new laptop?   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on December 13, 2019, 11:29:46 AM
Great to be out and about with Classy Lady

You're a lucky man, ML.   Your woman?  Not as much.    :ROFL:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on December 13, 2019, 10:11:53 PM
Enjoy, ML

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2019, 11:55:16 AM
Had breakfast at huge buffet this morning; then wife wanted to do some shopping . . . big surprise.
She looked mainly at sweaters; but I looked in dress area thinking about something for her for our 5th wedding anniversary tomorrow.
I have a great eye for women's clothes.  At least I think so, and many women have said so also.
Anyway, I chose this Calvin Klein dress for wife.
She balked at the price, but I insisted.
She looked great in it.
Will post some pics of her tomorrow in it, if any turn out decent.
She and I are both very non-photogenic and only 1 out of 20 or so look OK.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on December 21, 2019, 12:12:32 PM
Who said your wife wasn't photogenic?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 21, 2019, 12:32:35 PM
Who said your wife wasn't photogenic?

I said it.

Only one out of 20 is OK.

I only post that one here.

My first wife was extremely photogenic.

Note: Photogenic does not mean beautiful.  Just that each pic turns out very good without silly or terrible look on face, etc.

Current wife and I often have a terrible look on some part of face, eyes closed, etc., etc.

Unexplainable why some are photogenic and some not.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on December 21, 2019, 01:13:19 PM
I said it.

Only one out of 20 is OK.

I only post that one here.

My first wife was extremely photogenic.

Note: Photogenic does not mean beautiful.  Just that each pic turns out very good without silly or terrible look on face, etc.

Current wife and I often have a terrible look on some part of face, eyes closed, etc., etc.

Unexplainable why some are photogenic and some not.
I share the same problem, i am, most of the time not photogenic.
Ex wifey was totally photogenic.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 22, 2019, 05:51:50 PM
I always make it a point to tell hostess at restaurants that we are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or some such.

It often pays off, as exemplified by this free dessert for our 5th anniversary dinner.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on December 22, 2019, 10:11:48 PM
Congrats on your 5th.))
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 25, 2019, 11:29:46 AM
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019 to all the good people here.

Hope you all got/get some nookie.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: nano on December 25, 2019, 12:12:30 PM
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019 :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 29, 2019, 11:18:37 AM
Do you have $150,000 just sitting as you wait for a long term investment opportunity?

I searched around and best deal I could find was at Capital One Bank.

You have to use a special code 'save1000' which takes a lot of work to find on the Internet.

Go to capitalone.com/save1000

Open savings account before December 31, 2019 and deposit $150,000.

You will receive a bonus of $1,000.00 if you leave the money intact for 90 days, and earn 1.70% annual interest rate.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on December 29, 2019, 11:35:43 AM
Receiving $1000 off $150,000 after 90 days happens at a 2.67% interest rate. Not spectacular but something is better than nothing if one currently has $150,000 stored under their mattress.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 29, 2019, 04:48:32 PM
Receiving $1000 off $150,000 after 90 days happens at a 2.67% interest rate. Not spectacular but something is better than nothing if one currently has $150,000 stored under their mattress.

Yes, the bonus is at an annualized interest rate of 2.67.
But also get the regular 1.70 interest rate.
So for these first 90 days, the combined earnings rate is 4.47%

Note:  I am not saying this is a great deal for a long term investment.

However, it is about the best thing around for idle cash awaiting further long term investment.

I have already completed this investment; but if anyone knows of something better, please let me know.

Again . . . short term investment with no loss of principal possibilities.

Don't even think of BitCoin and the like.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on December 29, 2019, 06:15:45 PM
the current Fed Discount Rate is 2.25% so banks with good credit can do short term borrowing direct from the fed at this rate...
if a depositor puts 1 million into long term savings in a bank, this shows up as deposit reserve that the bank can borrow against from the Fed at the "Discount Window"!
basically the bank can loan the million dollar deposit out to college students at 7.5%
and THEN borrow a half million against the deposit at 2.25% and loan that out as well...
then they can package the loans into a tranche and sell it...
and pay themselves a mega bonus
and by the time it all crashes they sold everything and now own the third largest coffee plantation in Brazil!
I know this dewd, but I won't say his name... 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 07, 2020, 10:28:57 AM
Wife and I celebrated by going to Dentist !!

She has been complaining about bad pain in upper back jaw for some days.
So yesterday, over her resistance, I called to make appointment for her.
Was able to schedule regular cleaning for myself at same time.

This morning she said pain had subsided and wanted to cancel.
But I refused.
X-rays found nothing but Dentist suspected something was wrong with a root canal she had done in Ukraine.
So he referred and scheduled her for visit to Endodontist next week.

I see a bill for about $3,000.00 on the near horizon.

Welcome to the wonderful world of FSUW teeth.

OK Billy B . . . you know what is coming for you.

Oh yes . . . and Merry Orthodox Christmas Day.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 07, 2020, 12:07:13 PM
I have been getting emails from PayPal for last few weeks wanting me to get their CC.
It has 2% rebates on all purchases and 4% rebates for first 90 days.
So finally got it and now will be our primary card.

Our existing cards are from Chase and Capital One which have 1.5% rebates.

Friend of mine presented his CC which has $50,000 limit to buy new car after he had gotten them down in price to around Dealers Cost + $100.  Note: They still get rebates from manufacturers, so make more than $100.

They refused, as would have to pay Visa something like 3% on $45,000 ($1,350) or so.

This violates the dealer's agreement with Visa (they are not supposed to refuse use of Visa for anything) but actually nothing he could do about it.  They finally agreed to let him put $10,000 on the CC and he gave check for the balance.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 07, 2020, 12:17:23 PM
I have been getting emails from PayPal for last few weeks wanting me to get their CC.
It has 2% rebates on all purchases and 4% rebates for first 90 days.
So finally got it and now will be our primary card.

Our existing cards are from Chase and Capital One which have 1.5% rebates.


I got the Paypal Credit card and they allow me to collect 2% cashback once a month and they put it into the Paypal account for me to use or transfer to the bank. I got the Capital One Quicksilver card and can collect the 1.5% cashback a day or two after every purchase.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 21, 2020, 10:06:09 AM
Epiphany based on Gregorian calendar, was January 19, 2020

Wife's relative in Ireland, along with his wife, went to Irish Sea in early morning, got naked (no one else was around) and dunked themselves in the frigid water 3 times.

My wife asked if we might do that in a future year.

NOT
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 21, 2020, 10:18:39 AM
Wife and I celebrated by going to Dentist !!

She has been complaining about bad pain in upper back jaw for some days.
So yesterday, over her resistance, I called to make appointment for her.
Was able to schedule regular cleaning for myself at same time.

This morning she said pain had subsided and wanted to cancel.
But I refused.
X-rays found nothing but Dentist suspected something was wrong with a root canal she had done in Ukraine.
So he referred and scheduled her for visit to Endodontist next week.

I see a bill for about $3,000.00 on the near horizon.

Welcome to the wonderful world of FSUW teeth.


Went to Endodontist.

Was a very personable guy and seemed to be very competent 40ish.

He showed the X-rays on large screen and indicated areas around two upper back teeth just in front of wisdom tooth (that had previous root canals in Ukraine) where infection was present.

Said two options:
1) redo root canals, refill, etc.  Around $2,000 for each.
2) pull teeth, put in posts and later glue artificial teeth to posts.  Around $3,500 each.

Pain has subsided now (don't know why, if infection still there), so wife told him she would wait to make decision.

After we left, wife told me she could get posts and teeth for $250 each in Ukraine, so she will do that starting with her usual trip to Ukraine this summer.
However, she said there is a 6 month wait between posts and attaching artificial teeth.

That latter situation will cause a big hassle given her PhD program, winter weather, etc. . . . but I didn't bring that issue up.

And, if pain comes back big time before summer . . . . !! ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 21, 2020, 10:59:24 AM
After we left, wife told me she could get posts and teeth for $250 each in Ukraine, so she will do that starting with her usual trip to Ukraine this summer.
However, she said there is a 6 month wait between posts and attaching artificial teeth.


I know an old guy that went to Vietnam and had all his teeth pulled and had his whole mouth replaced with implants within a month and a half. He used Western trained doctors using Western methods and they cater to Westerners on medical tourism who want the job done right and much cheaper than they charge back home. I can't remember what he paid.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 01, 2020, 12:40:52 PM
Wife and I have been watching "Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 3rd Edition" from the Great Courses series.  84 lectures in total and we watch one every few days or so.

Interesting that some of the framework of communism was first laid out (Republic) by Plato 428 - 348 BC.

Then more flesh was provided by Sir Thomas More 1478 - 1535.

More provided his thoughts in a whimsical manner (Utopia) in an attempt to not anger the King.

More was nevertheless executed by Henry VIII, but not for this reason.

Interesting also that some of the framework of capitalism was laid out (Politics) by Plato's student Aristotle 384 - 322 BC.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 02, 2020, 08:47:37 PM
Quite a comeback by Kansas City.

I had my doubts if they could come back from 10 points down with less than 10 minutes to go; but they did it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 05, 2020, 09:23:57 AM
Nancy Pelosi decides to help Donald get re-elected
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 05, 2020, 10:31:22 AM
Nancy Pelosi decides to help Donald get re-elected


I think you missed the initial slur - that resulted in a return of petulance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGqXTv9W4Ek
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 05, 2020, 11:11:16 AM
No, you missed the initial slur.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi broke congressional tradition by introducing President Donald Trump as only "the president of the United States."

Previous House speakers have introduced the sitting commander in chief by saying they had the "high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States."

Pelosi gave President George W. Bush the full introduction in the 2007 State of the Union address.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 05, 2020, 11:20:47 AM
Well, then I apologise...

My estimation of Ms Pelosi has increased)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on February 05, 2020, 01:34:41 PM
Epiphany based on Gregorian calendar, was January 19, 2020

Wife's relative in Ireland, along with his wife, went to Irish Sea in early morning, got naked (no one else was around) and dunked themselves in the frigid water 3 times.

My wife asked if we might do that in a future year.

NOT

Sure, in Cozumel but not in Ireland.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 06, 2020, 09:28:57 AM
??
Hardy Orthodox Christians dunk in waters MUCH cooler than the Irish Sea ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on February 06, 2020, 10:15:52 AM
Well, then I apologise...

My estimation of Ms Pelosi has increased)

Still butt hurt about BREXIT MOOBS? We still keep winning with Trump everyday.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 06, 2020, 11:06:58 AM
THIS thread is about ML related opinions..

Perhaps your 'contribution'  belongs in another place?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 16, 2020, 04:03:04 PM
We were discussing this in another thread, but I forgot where.

I did google search and found the method most often recommended was to soak the cleaned fish in milk for 20 minutes. then rinse off and dry.

The casein in milk binds to the fishy smell particles in fish and then is rinsed away.

I tried this today with my portion of haddock and it did work.
Haddock was one of the least fishy tasting anyway, so don't know how this would work with another type.

Wife is not bothered at all by fishy taste of most any type of fish.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on February 16, 2020, 04:34:28 PM
We were discussing this in another thread, but I forgot where.

I did google search and found the method most often recommended was to soak the cleaned fish in milk for 20 minutes. then rinse off and dry.

The casein in milk binds to the fishy smell particles in fish and then is rinsed away.

I tried this today with my portion of haddock and it did work.
Haddock was one of the least fishy tasting anyway, so don't know how this would work with another type.

Wife is not bothered at all by fishy taste of most any type of fish.

Probably got locked. Growing up in the south we had a fish we called Mudfish. It tasted awful to me and I couldn't eat it as a fish but my grandmother would soak it in buttermilk and make patties out of it with onions and cornmeal and it was mildly palatable. It was a carp. We used buttermilk to soak a lot of wild game and it took the gamey taste out of most anything
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on February 16, 2020, 05:11:24 PM
We were discussing this in another thread, but I forgot where.

I did google search and found the method most often recommended was to soak the cleaned fish in milk for 20 minutes. then rinse off and dry.

The casein in milk binds to the fishy smell particles in fish and then is rinsed away.

I tried this today with my portion of haddock and it did work.
Haddock was one of the least fishy tasting anyway, so don't know how this would work with another type.

Wife is not bothered at all by fishy taste of most any type of fish.

Yeah, but how did the milk taste?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on February 16, 2020, 05:26:57 PM
We were discussing this in another thread, but I forgot where.


The History Buffs thread.


Fresh fish doesn't have a fishy smell, but that freshness lasts only hours.


Lemon will also get rid of that smell.


This post was composed without the aid of google.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on February 16, 2020, 06:55:37 PM
THIS thread is about ML related opinions..

I was joking with my Cozumel comment, not making an argument.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on February 16, 2020, 07:16:55 PM
It was a carp.

Don't make fun of carp.  Where I grew up the African Americans referred to them as buglemouth bass.  ;D ;D

Carp is fatty, and can be eaten when smoked.  Being a bottom feeder, I would be concerned with pollutants, but not bioaccumulation.

I believe Eastern Europeans also  eat smoked carp. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 16, 2020, 09:15:02 PM
My first wife's family were big on fishing in Midwest.

They never kept or ate carp.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on February 17, 2020, 08:26:03 AM
...
I did google search and found the method most often recommended was to soak the cleaned fish in milk for 20 minutes. then rinse off and dry....

Ironically, the fish that I think have one of the least 'fishy taste' to it is called "Bangus, or otherwise known as Milkfish. Predominant in So.East Asia. Pretty bony.

I concur with everyone here that say to stay away from farmed fish. Especially salmon.

My list in order of, IMO, fish with the least fishy taste:

Dover sole, Milkfish, orange roughy and (depending on how prepared) golden Pampano.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on February 17, 2020, 09:10:52 AM
Professional opinions on 6 to eat and 6 to avoid. Some of the 6 are on the "avoid list" because of overfishing, e. g., the orange roughy remarkably can have a lifespan extending 200 years. 

  http://www.onemedical.com/blog/eat-well/healthy-fish-eating-guide
 

I prefer fish with firm flesh:  tuna, cod, grouper, etc.  This video contrasts two similar fish in that regard (if you can understand the "English").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uofRPoRALJc



 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on February 17, 2020, 09:13:53 AM
Yes, the bonus is at an annualized interest rate of 2.67.
But also get the regular 1.70 interest rate.
So for these first 90 days, the combined earnings rate is 4.47%

Note:  I am not saying this is a great deal for a long term investment.

However, it is about the best thing around for idle cash awaiting further long term investment.

I have already completed this investment; but if anyone knows of something better, please let me know.

Again . . . short term investment with no loss of principal possibilities.

Don't even think of BitCoin and the like.

Not too long ago, we had a windfall and wifey and I tried investing in the peer-to-peer lending craze (2015). The return was pretty nice, not great considering there's that looming possibility you can lose your capital. We did fine and had since gotten out of it.

We invested in real estate. One of the unit we got (2011) sold brand new for $465,000.00. We rented the unit out since. The comps today is at $720,000.00 - $760,000.00. The rental market rate at present is at $3,200.00-$3,600.00. We're in the higher-end since it a two-story, 3-BDS/3BA free-standing unit with 2-car garage. Total monthly payment at the current time is ($2,300.00 - P&I, PT,F&HI,HOA). My biggest regret is not being ballsy and 'over-extending' us at the time and investing in 2, not one unit in this location.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 17, 2020, 09:44:51 AM
I have always had some regret I didn't buy a few cheap apartments in Kyiv back in 2004 or so.
They could be had for $20,000 - $30,000 or so.  Then, before the crash, they were selling for near $100,000.  Now, they are back down to around $60,000, which still wouldn't be such a bad gain.

The brother of a good friend of mine bought 4 newer houses in foreclosure in Los Angeles area during crash.  He had good steady income from aerospace with 30 years at same company and wife had 30 years as nurse.  Their home was debt free, so banks gave them 90% loans. Was able to quickly rent all of them out to cover P&I and other costs.  Probably close to double in value today.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on February 17, 2020, 10:01:47 AM
I've no idea details of this particular market, but so far it seems to be fairly lucrative.

I recently caught up with one of my buddies I grew up with and when we discussed his parents, he told me that they sold all their rental units and invested their profit in acquiring two gas stations along Hwy. 15 just outside the Las Vegas proper (northbound/southbound). According to him, the return had been so good his parents regretted not doing it sooner than they did.

He is first-generation Filipino-American - born and raised. His parents are old school. Their parents bought a 3-BR home in South Bay for him, his brother, and sister to live in. They made them pay for the mortgage for a few years. They eventually sold the home and his parents divided the equity amongst the 3, which they in turn used it to buy their own homes. Today, they are all well established family groups living in the nicer neighborhood of Manhattan/Redondo Beach.

Baby steps for giant strides. When well-planned preparedness collide with opportunities.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 20, 2020, 03:25:51 PM
I am having surgery to remove Gall Bladder.
Anyone interested in buying ?
It holds bile really good; in fact it won't let any escape.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on February 20, 2020, 04:27:40 PM
I am having surgery to remove Gall Bladder.
Anyone interested in buying ?
It holds bile really good; in fact it won't let any escape.

Wow.  That can be painful, not releasing bile.  The good thing is the surgery is pretty non-invasive.  Three small 1/4 inch incisions and away you go.   My ex had a gall bladder attack when she was quite young.  The doctors initially thought that she was having a heart attack.   Instead, they found a huge gall stone about the size of a jawbreaker.   Removing her gall bladder only had her down for a week and she was back to normal.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on February 20, 2020, 11:05:22 PM
I am having surgery to remove Gall Bladder.
Anyone interested in buying ?
It holds bile really good; in fact it won't let any escape.


Sorry to hear that ML.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on February 20, 2020, 11:34:15 PM
I am having surgery to remove Gall Bladder.
Anyone interested in buying ?
It holds bile really good; in fact it won't let any escape.

Good luck with the surgery, ML

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on February 21, 2020, 09:29:57 AM
Yes, good luck with the surgery.

After suffering a couple of gallstone attacks  over 10 years ago,  a GI specialist  told me I needed to have my gall bladder removed.  The attacks consisted of painful cramping that lasted several hours.  It alarmed me as my internal health had always been perfect.   
.   
I researched the issue and opted to forgo surgery and instead eat less fat and more fruits and fiber.  No attacks in 10 years.    I am prepared for the surgery if the attacks resume. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 21, 2020, 09:53:55 AM
Yes, good luck with the surgery.

After suffering a couple of gallstone attacks  over 10 years ago,  a GI specialist  told me I needed to have my gall bladder removed.  The attacks consisted of painful cramping that lasted several hours.  It alarmed me as my internal health had always been perfect.   
.   
I researched the issue and opted to forgo surgery and instead eat less fat and more fruits and fiber.  No attacks in 10 years.    I am prepared for the surgery if the attacks resume.

Somewhat the same story with me.  I had first attack in 2013, went through the tests, and was advised by surgeon to have gall bladder removed. 

I decided to think about it for awhile, got the glycopyrrolate Rx which helps stop the gall bladder contractions.  That's what causes the pain when a gall stone is there that prevents bile from going out.

But the problems finally came back big time.  New tests showed my gall bladder almost completely filled with dense sludge inside with some infection.

When checking around, I was amazed to find the large number of my immediate and extended family members who have had gall bladder removed.  Some even in their 30s and 40s.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on February 21, 2020, 11:19:18 AM
Never had "sludge."  Between that and your family history, its time for surgical removal. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 12, 2020, 09:42:21 AM
Just got released from my gall bladder surgey

Was late getting started on me by 4 hours due to complications from guy two paces ahead of me.

Then my procedure also took double estimated time

Mine was heavily infected with yellow pus and some signs of gangrene

Took a lot of extra time to get all the bits and pieces found and cleaned out.

Best part was talking with and then going to sleep looking at 32 year old female anesthesiologist with flawless light olive skin, medium blonde hair, whitest white teeth you could use as a mirror, and with a huge smile.Where do they find such gals, and how are they kept hidden on a daily basis.

Anyway, I did not come out of the anesthesia properly and wasn't talking coherenty, so some concern about a mini TIA which i had had before.

So they kept me estra 3 days.  Still having a lot of trouble waulking and just noticing I have to type each word 304 times to get it right  Fingers don't go where brain directs them to go  Took me forever to type this short message and had to correct virtualy every word 2-4 time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 12, 2020, 10:01:21 AM
Hi ML,

Glad to see you are through the proceedure and your 'powers of observation' are still functioning..

Take it easy and enjoy the attention..

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 12, 2020, 10:24:27 AM
Just got released from my gall bladder surgey

Was late getting started on me by 4 hours due to complications from guy two paces ahead of me.

Then my procedure also took double estimated time

Mine was heavily infected with yellow pus and some signs of gangrene

Took a lot of extra time to get all the bits and pieces found and cleaned out.

Best part was talking with and then going to sleep looking at 32 year old female anesthesiologist with flawless light olive skin, medium blonde hair, whitest white teeth you could use as a mirror, and with a huge smile.Where do they find such gals, and how are they kept hidden on a daily basis.

Anyway, I did not come out of the anesthesia properly and wasn't talking coherenty, so some concern about a mini TIA which i had had before.

So they kept me estra 3 days.  Still having a lot of trouble waulking and just noticing I have to type each word 304 times to get it right  Fingers don't go where brain directs them to go  Took me forever to type this short message and had to correct virtualy every word 2-4 time.

I wish you safe and speedy recovery. Take your time and get well.

After all, the NBA suspended the season indefinitely so you're not missing any action on the hardfloor. Rudy Gobert and Donovan 'Spiderman' Mitchell tested positive for COVID-19, and one of the officlal who refereed that game. Utah was supposed to plan Oklahoma last night, so they promptly cancelled that game upon learning of Gobert's case. As did the game between Sacramento and New Orleans since that referee was to officiate the game between them tested positive.

Major League Baseball was to have their opening day next week. Now that's all up in the air. March Madness tournament is now being played on empty arenas.

So, rest, be well. You're not missing much right now.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on March 12, 2020, 12:08:55 PM
dewd, your friends were all going to play a MEAN trick on you!
they were going to wear disguises and dress as doctors and nurses
and pretend to all lay dead on the floor...
when you awoke after surgery...
but then decided not to at the last second...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on March 12, 2020, 12:11:18 PM
Hope you heal quickly, ML.




This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on March 12, 2020, 01:11:26 PM
ML, we wish you a speedy recovery. Yea, the cutest nurses seem to show up just before you go to sleep.  :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 12, 2020, 02:48:45 PM
dewd, your friends were all going to play a MEAN trick on you!
they were going to wear disguises and dress as doctors and nurses
and pretend to all lay dead on the floor...
when you awoke after surgery...
but then decided not to at the last second...

Krimster, you are 'black'....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 12, 2020, 03:27:56 PM

Mine was heavily infected with yellow pus and some signs of gangrene


Sounds like they got it out in time. Wishing you a full recovery.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SANDRO43 on March 12, 2020, 03:33:03 PM
Your advantage now is that people will no longer be able to tell you "You have a gall..." ;D. Best wishes!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 12, 2020, 05:12:49 PM
Gangrene!!! 

You were fortunate and wise to have the surgery.

Sepsis was a possibility. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 17, 2020, 10:05:14 AM
I know that everyone really likes to hear about other peoples illnesses and operations, so . . .

My temperature started rising 2nd night I got back home.
When it hit 102, we headed out to ER around 1 AM.

Did a lot of blood work and CAT and probably some other.

Said it was serious in that possibly some blockage of main liver drain into stomach.

Said I could get sepsis, peritonitis, liver failure and a bunch of other such.

Told my sweet wife that it was possible I could die.

Said there was only one MD in town who was certified to go down esophagus, then a mirror and camera at end could look up the liver drain tube to see if there were blockage and, if yes, a thin wire would extend up and start cleaning.  Sounds pretty unbelievable to me as an 180 degree turn involved here . . .  I didn't really hear any of this until later.

Anyway, that MD was at an another hospital in town, so they put me to sleep, started pumping me full of antibiotics, put catheter in my peter, put the big breathing apparatus down my throat and took by ambulance to second hospital and into ICU arriving around 9 am.

Then the nightmare continued as they couldn't find this one MD and my urine bladder wasn't draining.
So very painful wait for urology guy to show up.  He determined that the first catheter had been inserted incorrectly and had cut through my prostate and perhaps the balloon thingy had been blown up partially in my prostate.

So second catheter inserted with extra ports for cleaning.  They started sucking out from one port, and then pumping saline into second port.  Urine was full of blood and clots.  Had to perform that routine 30 times to finally get all the blood and clots out.
The specialist MD was finally found out of town and wouldn't come back for 2 days.
The surgical MDs here also told wife to be prepared for my death if they couldn't get infection under control or if my liver had been damaged from the incision to cut gall bladder off of the liver.

MRI showed no problems for the incision in liver and several other considerations, but HIDA scan did show that nothing could flow from liver down into stomach which verified a blockage.

After three miserable nights and days, my operation was scheduled for 1 PM.  I had not been allowed to put any food or water into my stomach for three days now because anything in stomach would stimulate liver to pump more bile into the blocked tube.

Anyway, I survived.  The Doc was able to clean out tube and placed a stent at bottom where it tapers down.  I will return in 3-4 weeks for another look-see down there and stent removal.

Meanwhile catheter still inserted so I am carrying the 'bag.'

A lot of pain at site of gall bladder and in my peter which has blood coming out to external but not into bladder, as pee is pretty clear now.

Am confident the gall bladder area pain will resolve, but I am worried big time about urinary tract infection, incontinence, etc., etc.

Anyway, just wanted to brighten your day and take your thoughts off Corona and elections.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 17, 2020, 10:32:04 AM
Holy Smokes, ML!!

I needed anesthesia just reading your post. OUCH!

I hope you feel better soon, man. It sounds like Joe, the plumber did a number on you..

Get well, man.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GenMish on March 17, 2020, 10:47:51 AM
I know that everyone really likes to hear about other peoples illnesses and operations, so . . .

My temperature started rising 2nd night I got back home.
When it hit 102, we headed out to ER around 1 AM.

Did a lot of blood work and CAT and probably some other.

Said it was serious in that possibly some blockage of main liver drain into stomach.

Said I could get sepsis, peritonitis, liver failure and a bunch of other such.

Told my sweet wife that it was possible I could die.

Said there was only one MD in town who was certified to go down esophagus, then a mirror and camera at end could look up the liver drain tube to see if there were blockage and, if yes, a thin wire would extend up and start cleaning.  Sounds pretty unbelievable to me as an 180 degree turn involved here . . .  I didn't really hear any of this until later.

Anyway, that MD was at an another hospital in town, so they put me to sleep, started pumping me full of antibiotics, put catheter in my peter, put the big breathing apparatus down my throat and took by ambulance to second hospital and into ICU arriving around 9 am.

Then the nightmare continued as they couldn't find this one MD and my urine bladder wasn't draining.
So very painful wait for urology guy to show up.  He determined that the first catheter had been inserted incorrectly and had cut through my prostate and perhaps the balloon thingy had been blown up partially in my prostate.

So second catheter inserted with extra ports for cleaning.  They started sucking out from one port, and then pumping saline into second port.  Urine was full of blood and clots.  Had to perform that routine 30 times to finally get all the blood and clots out.
The specialist MD was finally found out of town and wouldn't come back for 2 days.
The surgical MDs here also told wife to be prepared for my death if they couldn't get infection under control or if my liver had been damaged from the incision to cut gall bladder off of the liver.

MRI showed no problems for the incision in liver and several other considerations, but HIDA scan did show that nothing could flow from liver down into stomach which verified a blockage.

After three miserable nights and days, my operation was scheduled for 1 PM.  I had not been allowed to put any food or water into my stomach for three days now because anything in stomach would stimulate liver to pump more bile into the blocked tube.

Anyway, I survived.  The Doc was able to clean out tube and placed a stent at bottom where it tapers down.  I will return in 3-4 weeks for another look-see down there and stent removal.

Meanwhile catheter still inserted so I am carrying the 'bag.'

A lot of pain at site of gall bladder and in my peter which has blood coming out to external but not into bladder, as pee is pretty clear now.

Am confident the gall bladder area pain will resolve, but I am worried big time about urinary tract infection, incontinence, etc., etc.

Anyway, just wanted to brighten your day and take your thoughts off Corona and elections.

Best wishes to you ML, I am pulling for you and yours
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on March 17, 2020, 10:58:20 AM
ML,

if you selfishly keep your pain and suffering ALL TO YOUR SELF
then THE VIRUS WINS!!!

instead, laugh at it...

what i’d TOTALLY do if I was you
is to draw a face on your undoubtedly enormous willy
add a little wig, and a hat, and big ears...
and while your’re drinking lemonade through a clear plastic straw...
you cut to your willy, apparently doing the same thing in unison with you....

and you can add your own squeaky voice soundtrack
while "manipulating" him into making simulated facial expressions
kinda like he's your ventriloquist dummy
and you have him say, "wen de life give-a you lemons, you make-a lemonade!"
then have him drink some (backwards video)

and then cut to you drinking actual lemonade through a straw
and you say, "yeah Willy, you're right!"
I would be stunned if you don’t get at least a million hits on youtube with something like that

Penis Puppeteers are VERY popular with women!
even "high brow" women!

when I was younger, I did a performance art piece called "Pelican in Flight"
using my scrotum...

and remember...
no matter what, the show must go on!
 
de nada!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 17, 2020, 03:13:08 PM
ML, when considering gall bladder surgery, I had heard of a couple cases with complications  involving the liver duct.  Your case is the worse,  not that it makes you feel better.   

Because of gangrene., the surgery was a necessity.  It sounds as if you now have it under control, but must have had some depressing thoughts during this long episode.

Get well soon!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 17, 2020, 05:22:39 PM

Anyway, I survived.


Wonderful. Now you just got to survive coronavirus and tomorrow's asteroid and you're good to go.

http://www.ibtimes.com/asteroid-could-cause-atmospheric-explosion-if-it-gets-too-close-2940563
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on March 17, 2020, 06:04:50 PM
Happy to hear the surgery worked out OK.  Get well soon.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on March 18, 2020, 05:46:40 AM
Wow ML, that is just crazy. I am glad everything worked out so far. Hoping for your speedy recovery.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 18, 2020, 10:01:05 AM
ML, when considering gall bladder surgery, I had heard of a couple cases with complications  involving the liver duct.  Your case is the worse,  not that it makes you feel better.   

Actually my case was not the worst.  Got PM from another member here who had a much worse gall bladder situation than mine . . . at least until I can continue to develop more problems.

Many thanks to all for their good and encouraging remarks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 18, 2020, 12:27:26 PM
Actually my case was not the worst.  Got PM from another member here who had a much worse gall bladder situation than mine . . . at least until I can continue to develop more problems.

Many thanks to all for their good and encouraging remarks.

Hope you stay in second place and testing your Roto Rootered middle leg.     
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 18, 2020, 04:20:39 PM
ML, just read of your living hell.

I'm VERY glad to read that you've come through this and hope Peter will also recover and be otherwise engaged, along with your GallBladder region and UT issue

At least this virus will soon mean your Olya will be home more to nurse you ;)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 23, 2020, 04:38:24 PM
Just hearing that there is income limit for getting any checks related to this corona situation.

Seems to be only those below $75,000 will qualify.

Don't know if that will be based on 2019 tax returns and whether it would be Adjusted Gross Income or Taxable Income.

Anyway, I thought it was silly to send to everyone and I was feeling guilty about taking.

No guilt feelings now.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 23, 2020, 04:56:46 PM
It's based on 2018 return. $75K for single filer, $150K for couple (AGI). $500/child additional. You'll be given two payments. Direct deposit, if not will be mailed. This was based on last Saturday's breakdown, as this seem to be fluid so it may have been modified since.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on March 23, 2020, 05:21:40 PM
Seems to be only those below $75,000 will qualify.


Not necessarily. The checks get smaller for those making over $75k. This article explains it. Of course things could change last minute since Congress is still debating a few little details.

http://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/3/23/21190955/stimulus-checks-from-government-approved

I was feeling guilty about taking.


If you or anybody here feel guilty taking the money, I will help take the money off your hands so you have a clean conscience. What are friends for?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 28, 2020, 08:58:52 AM
Neighbor man had his picture taken by friend while holding fish he caught.

Now wife says he can't go fishn there no more.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 28, 2020, 10:17:38 AM
Neighbor man had his picture taken by friend while holding fish he caught.

Beautifully defined pelvic fins on the smallmouth bass. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on March 30, 2020, 11:30:18 AM
I know that everyone really likes to hear about other peoples illnesses and operations, so . . .

My temperature started rising 2nd night I got back home.
When it hit 102, we headed out to ER around 1 AM.

Did a lot of blood work and CAT and probably some other.

Said it was serious in that possibly some blockage of main liver drain into stomach.

Said I could get sepsis, peritonitis, liver failure and a bunch of other such.

Told my sweet wife that it was possible I could die.

Said there was only one MD in town who was certified to go down esophagus, then a mirror and camera at end could look up the liver drain tube to see if there were blockage and, if yes, a thin wire would extend up and start cleaning.  Sounds pretty unbelievable to me as an 180 degree turn involved here . . .  I didn't really hear any of this until later.

Anyway, that MD was at an another hospital in town, so they put me to sleep, started pumping me full of antibiotics, put catheter in my peter, put the big breathing apparatus down my throat and took by ambulance to second hospital and into ICU arriving around 9 am.

Then the nightmare continued as they couldn't find this one MD and my urine bladder wasn't draining.
So very painful wait for urology guy to show up.  He determined that the first catheter had been inserted incorrectly and had cut through my prostate and perhaps the balloon thingy had been blown up partially in my prostate.

So second catheter inserted with extra ports for cleaning.  They started sucking out from one port, and then pumping saline into second port.  Urine was full of blood and clots.  Had to perform that routine 30 times to finally get all the blood and clots out.
The specialist MD was finally found out of town and wouldn't come back for 2 days.
The surgical MDs here also told wife to be prepared for my death if they couldn't get infection under control or if my liver had been damaged from the incision to cut gall bladder off of the liver.

MRI showed no problems for the incision in liver and several other considerations, but HIDA scan did show that nothing could flow from liver down into stomach which verified a blockage.

After three miserable nights and days, my operation was scheduled for 1 PM.  I had not been allowed to put any food or water into my stomach for three days now because anything in stomach would stimulate liver to pump more bile into the blocked tube.

Anyway, I survived.  The Doc was able to clean out tube and placed a stent at bottom where it tapers down.  I will return in 3-4 weeks for another look-see down there and stent removal.

Meanwhile catheter still inserted so I am carrying the 'bag.'

A lot of pain at site of gall bladder and in my peter which has blood coming out to external but not into bladder, as pee is pretty clear now.

Am confident the gall bladder area pain will resolve, but I am worried big time about urinary tract infection, incontinence, etc., etc.

Anyway, just wanted to brighten your day and take your thoughts off Corona and elections.
 
Damned s....That was damned serious.
Finally you were treated before the covid incoming wave.
Happy you are still around us  dear friend.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 31, 2020, 09:24:19 AM
Wife says that Russian news is stating that Russia is sending Medical Equipment and Supplies to USA.  And that Donald has thanked Putin.

I did google search and found no such thing.

Anyone else know anything about this?

If Russia does offer to send us anything . . . I hope we REFUSE.

It would be too great of a trophy for Putin and . . . they would expect MUCH, MUCH more back from us when the virus really hits them.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 31, 2020, 10:15:19 AM
I thought I heard Trump said this in one of the presser recently.

I wouldn't put too much stock over it as I understand the majority of the things Russia sent to Italy, prior to being ignored by the EU and other European nations, were pretty much useless to aid and/or  combat the virus.

Moreover, the medical professionals they allegedly sent were dispatched not from their health ministry but from their defense ministry. :devil:

As for China, I read where a Chinese private company sold and sent hundreds of thousands of masks to the Netherlands/Czech but had to send them back because over 80% of them failed, or didn't meet specifications.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on March 31, 2020, 10:29:54 AM


I wouldn't put too much stock over it as I understand the majority of the things Russia sent to Italy, prior to being ignored by the EU and other European nations, were pretty much useless to aid and/or  combat the virus.

[/quote]


Nor would i put much stock re Italy being 'ignored' by fellow EU states .. now or before ...

Like you'll already be finding, State by State, County by County - folks will look inwards .


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 31, 2020, 10:43:26 AM
'PRIOR', adjective; defined: existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/not-a-single-eu-country-responded-to-italian-plea-for-help-with-coronavirus

http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-aims-better-control-coronavirus-responses/

http://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/14/coronavirus-eu-abandoning-italy-china-aid/

~...The Union Civil Protection Mechanism is the bland name under which the EU’s crisis hub—the Emergency Response Coordination Centre—operates. It monitors natural and manmade disasters around the clock, and when an EU member state can no longer handle a crisis on its own it can turn to the crisis hub. The hub forwards the appeal to other member states, which can then volunteer assistance. (The assistance is later reimbursed by the recipient country.)…~

More or less the same US platform called "FEMA".
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 31, 2020, 12:55:29 PM
My wife not typical FSU W in many respects.

We have been working hard setting up Zoom and Crowdmark for her use in teaching Differential Equations on-line for her first time ever.

All on-campus courses have been cancelled at the University and every thing on-line.

So today at 3:30 PM was the time for her first interaction with students on Zoom.

At about 3:15 PM I peeked into her office and said . . . have you looked at yourself in the mirror?

She said:  Oh mine Gott !

Had to quickly fix her hair at least, and change into a decent looking blouse.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 31, 2020, 01:40:26 PM
ML-

A bit off topic...are you already up and about? Recent post-surgery recoup behind you now?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 31, 2020, 02:17:04 PM
ML-

A bit off topic...are you already up and about? Recent post-surgery recoup behind you now?

Hate to be a complainer, but . . .

No I am not OK, despite my plethora of postings and jokes.
My humor will be the last to go, it seems.

Don't remember what I posted before, but docs botched me up twice.

I am still far below par and suffering from UTI.
Can't eat well and have all sorts of bathroom issues.

First course of Bactrim antibiotic did not cure the UTI as I tested at > 100,000 units of ecoli in urine.
Now am on Cipro.
Thanks for asking.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on March 31, 2020, 02:27:43 PM
No need to respond, but I hope the new med brings better result.

Humor is always a great thing. Keep up the spirit and hope you feel better soon.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on March 31, 2020, 04:59:55 PM

First course of Bactrim antibiotic did not cure the UTI as I tested at > 100,000 units of ecoli in urine.
Now am on Cipro.
Thanks for asking.


Each day you suffer is one day closer to feeling well. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Belvis on April 01, 2020, 02:59:02 AM
Wife says that Russian news is stating that Russia is sending Medical Equipment and Supplies to USA.  And that Donald has thanked Putin.

I did google search and found no such thing.

Anyone else know anything about this?

If Russia does offer to send us anything . . . I hope we REFUSE.

It would be too great of a trophy for Putin and . . . they would expect MUCH, MUCH more back from us when the virus really hits them.

A lot of references like this one: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/coronavirus-russia-sends-plane-full-of-medical-supplies-to-us
Your approach is biased, that means far from reality. It's OK for social media, acceptable in politics and  but causes failure in business.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 01, 2020, 03:26:15 AM
Hate to be a complainer, but . . .

ML, sorry to hear you're not, yet, fully, recovered and I doubt anyone on here thinks you are complaining



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 01, 2020, 03:27:34 PM
Wife had minor computer problem that I solved for her.
She is so wrapped up in school work, and behind due to her care for me, that she said nothing.

So I said:  Where is my thank you?
She said:  Thank you.
Pressing on, I said:  Where is our sex?
She said: In Quarantine.

Of course it is myself, not her, that can't fully participate in such.

TMI ?

IDK !

I still enjoyed her quick wit.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 02, 2020, 10:25:22 AM
Unbelievable.

In my 100 years or so as citizen of USA, I have never been called for jury duty.

As I reported here back in 2015 or so, Ukrainian wife got mail notice to fill out form and report for jury duty.  I think they got her name from marriage license filing or from DMV.

My idea was confirmed, after a phone call to county, that non USA citizens could not serve on juries.

So that jury duty was avoided.

Now wife is USA citizen; and yesterday she got another notice to fill out form and report for jury duty . . . in May I think.

That will be when she will want to be in Ukraine . . . depending on how Corona plays out.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 02, 2020, 01:25:39 PM
Back in December 2019, I told of program at Capital One where you could earn $1,000 bonus by opening a new account and adding at least $150,000 before Dec 31st, and keeping that minimum for 90 days. 

That program no longer exists, of course, but they have new program.
Same as above except earn $500 bonus for $50,000 account opened and funded before 15 April, 2020.

I can't do this because not available to anyone who has previously opened account since 2016.

New program:

http://www.capitalone.com/new500/

I need to search around to see what is available at other financial institutions.

Would love to dump a bunch of cash into Stock Index fund now, but too risky for wife and we are accumulating cash to buy new house, if she takes a university job somewhere else in a year or so.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 15, 2020, 10:16:07 AM
$2,400 went into our bank account today.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2020, 10:30:09 AM

That's fast. Check your online bank info to see if Trump's name is next to the money deposited.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on April 15, 2020, 12:11:03 PM
Trump's name will only appear on paper checks
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2020, 12:38:36 PM
Trump's name will only appear on paper checks


Checks are going out next week according to the news video below. Fake News said Trump isn't legally authorized to sign the checks leaving their readers to believe the checks are no good and will bounce. Video also said 80 million Americans will get their money today.  :clapping:  Money is spreading faster than the virus.  :clapping:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzMNV2qH2IA
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 15, 2020, 03:23:30 PM
$2,400 went into our bank account today.

:ROFL:

I think that's my max limit for my Trump Campaign donation. Wifey and I are on the wrong trades, we don't even get a 'good job' letter from the IRS.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 15, 2020, 03:44:19 PM
I also received a credit to my bank account identified merely as "IRS TREAS TAX REF ON 04/15." 

No "good job' letter either.  However, I did receive a visit at home from two stone-faced men resembling modern day versions of the agents seen on HBO's "The Plot Against America."  They questioned whether I was doing my part.  They also asked  if I knew of any suspicious behavior related to the pandemic emergency.  I mentioned krimster, and they replied they already knew about him. 


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 15, 2020, 04:49:34 PM
:ROFL:

I think that's my max limit for my Trump Campaign donation. Wifey and I are on the wrong trades, we don't even get a 'good job' letter from the IRS.

The IRS only has two questions for me:   How much have you got?  and When can we get it?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on April 15, 2020, 06:09:58 PM
Checks are going out next week according to the news video below. Fake News said Trump isn't legally authorized to sign the checks leaving their readers to believe the checks are no good and will bounce. Video also said 80 million Americans will get their money today.  :clapping:  Money is spreading faster than the virus.  :clapping:




Sorry to burst your bubble Billy but Trump is not signing the checks. His name is appearing on the Memo line. He cannot legally sign those checks...... :rolleyes:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2020, 06:48:32 PM
Sorry to burst your bubble Billy but Trump is not signing the checks.


Doesn't matter. Mission accomplished for fake news. Some people probably not going to vote for Trump now since they were educated Trump signed the checks and consequently, the checks got delayed.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 15, 2020, 06:53:49 PM
I never read or heard anywhere that Donald would sign the checks.

I only heard that Donald's name would be somewhere on the checks.
I guess it will be in the Memo section in bottom left hand corner.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 15, 2020, 08:48:50 PM
I never read or heard anywhere that Donald would sign the checks.

I only heard that Donald's name would be somewhere on the checks.
I guess it will be in the Memo section in bottom left hand corner.

You must've read real news. You must've not read Gator's cut and paste from an article saying "It will be the first time a president's signature appears on an IRS disbursement"

Here's a few articles questioning Trump's signature move and/or the legality of it. They're victims of fake news or they took the Washington Post article and twisted the story some more to get people pissed at Trump.

http://www.ccn.com/trumps-stupid-decision-to-sign-stimulus-checks-will-backfire/

http://www.citizensforethics.org/trump-signing-coronavirus-checks-is-nonsensical-and-probably-illegal/

NY Times even posted a photo of Trump's signature in their article to show us what it will look like on the check

http://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/stimulus-check-trump-signature.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 16, 2020, 01:49:08 AM
Abraham Lincoln's signature was not required on the resolution that went through the House and the Senate, abolishing slavery.   But he signed anyway as an affirmative endorsement of the resolution.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 17, 2020, 07:33:28 PM
Wife insists on spending a lot of effort in making this a few times every year.
Much, much kneading of the dough.

A lot of time to make something which is fairly bland tasting.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 17, 2020, 11:02:24 PM
I find adding Amoretto helps  :shh:

(http://media-verticommnetwork1.netdna-ssl.com/wines/disaronno-amaretto-50cl-1313802-s350.jpg)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 18, 2020, 07:41:10 AM
Looks like a good idea.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 18, 2020, 09:13:14 AM
Wife insists on spending a lot of effort in making this a few times every year.
Much, much kneading of the dough.

A lot of time to make something which is fairly bland tasting.

My wife's paska is okay, "just okay" as the commercial goes.  Part of the allure is the aroma from kneading and curing.   

It is something like fruit cake but drier.  As with fruit cake, and as Moobs suggested, flavored alcohol helps.  My wife uses a fine dark rum (DIPLOMATICA RESERVA EXCLUSIVA, which is a superb sippin' rum from Venezuela and has displaced cognac from the No. 1 place at our home). 

(http://www.totalwine.com/dynamic/x490,sq/media/sys_master/twmmedia/h80/h53/12291701899294.png)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on April 18, 2020, 10:17:23 AM
You must've read real news. You must've not read Gator's cut and paste from an article saying "It will be the first time a president's signature appears on an IRS disbursement"

Here's a few articles questioning Trump's signature move and/or the legality of it. They're victims of fake news or they took the Washington Post article and twisted the story some more to get people pissed at Trump.

http://www.ccn.com/trumps-stupid-decision-to-sign-stimulus-checks-will-backfire/ (http://www.ccn.com/trumps-stupid-decision-to-sign-stimulus-checks-will-backfire/)

http://www.citizensforethics.org/trump-signing-coronavirus-checks-is-nonsensical-and-probably-illegal/ (http://www.citizensforethics.org/trump-signing-coronavirus-checks-is-nonsensical-and-probably-illegal/)

NY Times even posted a photo of Trump's signature in their article to show us what it will look like on the check

http://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/stimulus-check-trump-signature.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/stimulus-check-trump-signature.html)


Dude, re-read your own posting. His signature will appear on the checks. They will not be on the authorized signature line. Keep drinking that Trump cool-aid , lol.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 18, 2020, 11:51:19 AM

Dude, re-read your own posting. His signature will appear on the checks. They will not be on the authorized signature line. Keep drinking that Trump cool-aid , lol.


Trump Kool aid? It's the media that is making a big deal about it and can't get their story right. A few articles posted and what Gator read in a cut and paste said signature will be on the checks but ABC news link below and many others like it says Trump's name will be on it but not the signature. ML hasn't read a story that Trump will have his signature on the checks. Every day the news media makes a big deal out of nothing story. I figure the 2+ years of fake news Trump/Russia collusion stories would've taught them a lesson  but it seems their liberals readers enjoy those stories so they continue to get fed.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/apparently-unprecedented-move-treasury-includes-trumps-coronavirus-stimulus/story?id=70162533

In other news, not as important, there is a worldwide pandemic caused by the pathogen of the century.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on April 18, 2020, 02:13:17 PM

Dude, re-read your own posting. His signature will appear on the checks. They will not be on the authorized signature line. Keep drinking that Trump cool-aid , lol.

Billy has appointed himself chief of the 'fake' news patrol so he sees it everywhere. Thank God for Billy. If not for him, none of us would have any idea what's really going on in the world.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on April 18, 2020, 07:03:31 PM
Wife insists on spending a lot of effort in making this a few times every year.
Much, much kneading of the dough.

A lot of time to make something which is fairly bland tasting.

Hmm, our paskas are always sweet, not bland.  We don't make them with icing sugar - always a cross on top, and an egg white wash so the top is shiny.  Never any alcohol, either.

If your wife made great paska in Ukraine, and not so great here, it's probably because American flour is different (it is - it's even different from Canadian flour, and I have found that a locally produced flour is the best), the butter is very different (I can confirm), even the yeast is different (in Ukraine, live yeast is used mostly, which is somewhat like our sourdough starters).  She should read some paska recipes online, posted by Americans, to determine if ratios need to be adjusted.

This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 22, 2020, 09:21:55 AM
Just finished reading this book published in 2007.  Picked it up sometime back for $1.00 at some book sale in a mall.

Quite compelling for those interested in such.  Supposedly the most accurate account yet as previous accounts were incorrectly flavored by Soviets wishing to insert Lenin et al as central figures when, in fact, they had nothing to do with it.

The revolt and take over of the ship was engineered by common seamen led by 26 year old Afanasy Nikolayevich Matyushenko.

The revolt had been planned for many months by sailors serving on many ships headquartered in Sevastopol.  They met on hillsides overlooking the bay and made plans.

Despite the planning, ironically it was put into play almost spontaneously on the Potemkin due to rancid meat being put into the daily borscht.

Don't mess with an Ukrainian's borscht !!!

Very, very extensively researched and documented from hundreds of sources including diaries and notes from the seamen involved, most of whom miraculously escaped execution.  Also was able to draw from previously secret Soviet archives that became available after 1992.

This event occurred in 1905, whereas the revolution was finally reached in 1917; although the result achieved by Lenin and Stalin was not that desired by the young sailors in 1905.  They would have viewed the Soviet system as equally terrible with that they were trying to overthrow.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 22, 2020, 09:34:50 AM
My God, man,

You're a regular Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 22, 2020, 09:51:45 AM
My God, man,

You're a regular Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein!

Sorry, don't quite get my association (in your mind) with the film maker.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 22, 2020, 12:26:40 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca0c4vEc5Is
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 22, 2020, 01:50:41 PM
Yes, I know about Sergei directing a Potemkin movie . . . but I still don't understand you connecting he and I.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: jone on April 22, 2020, 08:03:21 PM
You both told the Potemkin story.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 23, 2020, 07:40:28 AM
You both told the Potemkin story.

OK
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 25, 2020, 02:02:41 PM
Strange as it may seem to some . . . most of the FSU gals I spent time with, and my current FSU wife . . . all liked to go to McDonalds, especially for breakfasts.

When my wife goes for a month to Ukraine, she tells me one of the things she misses the most is having breakfast with me at McDs or BK, Hardees, etc.

Typically we walk for an hour, and then go to eat to make sure we don't lose any weight.

Thus, this 'close down' is causing her withdrawal symptoms.

So yesterday, when I had to make a run to grocery store for milk and bread, I sneaked over to the frozen aisle and snagged some packages of Bob Evans and Jimmy Dean frozen biscuits with sausage, egg and cheese.

I figured this would take away the edge somewhat and keep her happier during quarantine. 

It seemed to have worked . . . so far.

- - - -

As a side note:  I lost about 8 pounds after my GB surgery (not counting the 10 pounds of excess water I lost, that had accumulated from surgery, as is common) because I didn't feel like eating much.
So I have a little room for excessive calorie consumption.
Wife . . . not that room !!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on April 25, 2020, 10:26:09 PM
Breakfast is the most important meal for T.  She said once that she thinks about it all night before going to sleep.

We normally make breakfast at home, unless we're at a hotel.  I always need to book a room rate that includes breakfast.

Funny enough, breakfast is the only meal I'll tolerate at McD's.  The ones in Ukraine seem better, more fancier than the ones here.

Maybe splurge once in a while and get your wife McD's takeout?


It's great to hear you are getting better and are well enough to go to the store.   :clapping:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 25, 2020, 11:51:33 PM
Strange as it may seem to some . . . most of the FSU gals I spent time with, and my current FSU wife . . . all liked to go to McDonalds, especially for breakfasts.

I am 'banned' from McDs and fast food pumped with sugar .. ;)

Really glad to read you're getting out and eating junk food ..   


What do you think causes the complaint you suffer from .... 'bad' diet, may be ? 


BTW, when I'm not with SC I put on weight and eat less healthy food ..

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on April 26, 2020, 05:34:28 AM
Strange as it may seem to some . . . most of the FSU gals I spent time with, and my current FSU wife . . . all liked to go to McDonalds, especially for breakfasts.

When my wife goes for a month to Ukraine, she tells me one of the things she misses the most is having breakfast with me at McDs or BK, Hardees, etc.



That reminds me of Sunday morning breakfasts in the States. What crowds! I should try and do the same with breakfast burritos and other breakfast food items here in Batumi. Right across the street is the old Armenian Apostolic Church.


Quote
Originally a wooden church built in 1873. Destroyed in the 1880s, a new stone church was built with local donations and the works was carried out under the supervision of an Austrian architect. It was used as a planetarium during the Soviet times, which saved the building from destruction. In 1992 the Planetarium was moved to Batumi State University and the church was re-opened.


Restaurants will be allowed to reopen starting June 8th.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 26, 2020, 09:09:04 AM
Strange as it may seem to some . . . most of the FSU gals I spent time with, and my current FSU wife . . . all liked to go to McDonalds, especially for breakfasts....

Wifey will never shy away from Mickey D's Sausage McMuffin and hash browns. Everytime we set off on the road trip that starts early in the mornings, "Oh Boy! McDonald's here we come!" She'd always say...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 26, 2020, 09:23:02 AM
Mickey D's Sausage McMuffin and hash browns.



Just had that plus coffee at Micky D's this morning. I wake up hours before the wife and that is my favorite meal there. Wife will got to Micky D's with me once a year. She, like most people, crave fatty foods. The reason she'll only go once a year is because she doesn't want to get overweight.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 26, 2020, 04:29:27 PM
Wife is bugging me that we should watch Chernobyl movie that people are raving about.

But my google search turns up 10 or more movies, some on big screen and some mini series on TV.

Which is the 'correct' one ??

We don't have cable or satellite, so that may rule out the 'correct' one.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 26, 2020, 05:50:45 PM


Which is the 'correct' one ??


It is a HBO series.  Some streaming services may carry HBO.  I believe Hulu does and it may have a free trail subscription.  HBO is likley an add on. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 26, 2020, 06:33:46 PM
Some streaming services may carry HBO.  I believe Hulu does and it may have a free trail subscription.  HBO is likley an add on.

I know it's hard for most to comprehend . . . but as I wrote above:

"We don't have cable or satellite, . . ."
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 26, 2020, 06:48:58 PM
it's on youtube, but...
don't watch it
people have committed suicide after watching it...
whatever the hell you do, if you watch the HBO Chernobyl series
do NOT!!
I repeat DO NOT watch the Soviet Sci-Fi film called "Stalker" right after binging on  Chernobyl
if you do, you will mentally scar yourself
and completely let go of this thing called "Hope"
none of us have any hope of getting out of this...
it's always sooner or later
but one day, it'll be today
for everyone
one way...
or another...
when your number comes up, then it's your turn
at the checkout line

i'd avoid the express line this time
and go for the longest line....

as marie antoinette said for her last words, "please monsieur, a moment longer"

my last words will be, "triage this MFers"




Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 26, 2020, 07:42:44 PM
I know it's hard for most to comprehend . . . but as I wrote above:

"We don't have cable or satellite, . . ."

Presumably you have WiFi. Hopefully you also have a smartTV. If so, get amazon Prime, even on a trial basis. They have HBO lined in, then just watched their 2019 miniseries.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 26, 2020, 07:47:12 PM
I know it's hard for most to comprehend . . . but as I wrote above:

"We don't have cable or satellite, . . ."

Hulu available on devices other than Smart TV.   I am sure Hulu has a help center to guide you from your computer to your TV.     

Youtube and Amazon Prime may also work. 



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 26, 2020, 07:51:29 PM

I repeat DO NOT watch the Soviet Sci-Fi film called "Stalker" right after binging on  Chernobyl
if you do, you will mentally scar yourself
and completely let go of this thing called "Hope"


I watched 'Stalker'....... put me to sleep....the next day was beautiful.....  I guess there is no "Hope" for me....... 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 26, 2020, 08:37:41 PM
not really much hope
just acceptance
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 07:53:01 AM
See, GQ and Gator verified what I wrote:

I know it's hard for most to comprehend . . . but as I wrote above:

"We don't have cable or satellite, . . ."

- - - - - - - -

GQBlues:

Presumably you have WiFi. Hopefully you also have a smartTV. If so, get amazon Prime, even on a trial basis. They have HBO lined in, then just watched their 2019 miniseries.

- - - - - - -

Gator

Hulu available on devices other than Smart TV.   I am sure Hulu has a help center to guide you from your computer to your TV.     

Youtube and Amazon Prime may also work.

- - - - - -

You can have the smartest TV in the world, but with no cable or satellite . . .  there can be no Hulu, Amazon Prime or HBO or ANY SUCH THING.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 27, 2020, 08:17:18 AM
See, GQ and Gator verified what I wrote:

I know it's hard for most to comprehend . . . but as I wrote above:

"We don't have cable or satellite, . . ."

- - - - - - - -

GQBlues:

Presumably you have WiFi. Hopefully you also have a smartTV. If so, get amazon Prime, even on a trial basis. They have HBO lined in, then just watched their 2019 miniseries.

- - - - - - -

Gator

Hulu available on devices other than Smart TV.   I am sure Hulu has a help center to guide you from your computer to your TV.     

Youtube and Amazon Prime may also work.

- - - - - -

You can have the smartest TV in the world, but with no cable or satellite . . .  there can be no Hulu, Amazon Prime or HBO or ANY SUCH THING.

Let's try this another way, do you have a smart TV (it's a yes or no question)? You presumably have internet because you are posting here. Have you heard of streaming? You can hook a smart TV up to your wifi and viola' you have cable at your fingertips with no cable connection or a satellite dish. Yes, it is that easy
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2020, 08:24:58 AM
ML-

Unless your computer is hooked up through the ol' dial-up modem to connect to the internet and post on RWD, you likely have WIFI. This is not the same as cable or satellite subscription services.

SmartTV hooks up through WIFI. If you don't have SmartTV, then your TV can simply become a monitor by hooking it up to such streaming devices like Roku, Playstation, BluRay player, etc...

If these devices above is/are not available, then use the computer you're using and sign up to either Amazon Prime, etc...and watch the show from your computer.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on April 27, 2020, 08:37:10 AM
I have similar situation...low data cap, speed sometimes to slow for streaming.

Have you considered something like this;
BASIC FREE TO AIR SYSTEM - No Contract to Sign! - No Monthly Fee for the Programming!

http://www.rickssatelliteusa.com/rickssatellitesatellitesystems.htm

I am considering this system...http://www.rickssatelliteusa.com/globalstarsys400.htm
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 27, 2020, 08:43:57 AM
I bought a "Free-to-Air" receiver from ebay for around $30, added a better antenna, I get all the Houston Channels
just plug in the back of the TV with all the other boxes
I will use this next year to check the status of the "Food Riots" when they hit Houston and watch for when they head North
then the Neighborhood Watch goes into DefCon 3
I like Rembrandt's "The Night Watch"
we bad...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 27, 2020, 09:09:05 AM
I have similar situation...low data cap, speed sometimes to slow for streaming.

Have you considered something like this;
BASIC FREE TO AIR SYSTEM - No Contract to Sign! - No Monthly Fee for the Programming!

http://www.rickssatelliteusa.com/rickssatellitesatellitesystems.htm

I am considering this system...http://www.rickssatelliteusa.com/globalstarsys400.htm

Why would you consider buying a motorised system for FTA ?

Motorised systems are a maintenance nightmare..

FAR better to get multiple fixed dishes if you want to point at a few 'birds' ..


I imported and installed thousands of systems and TV / data uplinks in the noughties in the E.Med ... Dishes bigger than houses sometimes ..  I refused to sell motorised in the end (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmg3e9ixsdc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmg3e9ixsdc)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on April 27, 2020, 09:27:59 AM
Why would you consider buying a motorised system for FTA ?

Motorised systems are a maintenance nightmare..

FAR better to get multiple fixed dishes if you want to point at a few 'birds' ..


I imported and installed thousands of systems and TV / data uplinks in the noughties in the E.Med ... Dishes bigger than houses sometimes ..  I refused to sell motorised in the end (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmg3e9ixsdc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmg3e9ixsdc)



Most just set on Galaxy19 and leave it, but occasionally it is fun to play around and see what all you can get. Or something they want to watch is on another bird. Almost all hobbyist dishes in US are motorized.  Also many are the 30-48 inch ones, not the BUDS.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 27, 2020, 09:49:05 AM
ML,

Wifey and I were in remote part of New Mexico at health spa.    We drove to higher elevation to watch an incredible sunset (enhanced by air particulates from  CA wildfires). 

We stayed afterwards for the "cosmos" show.  While waiting for the stars and galaxies, I streamed a MLB game and the wife watched some Russian music thingy.  No cable.  No satellite. 

Had we brought our computer, we could have hooked up to a larger screen, following the notes my son gave me on how to connect. 

Should have brought a dessert to share in the desert.    For us Florida people, it gets dark and cool fast in the high desert.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 27, 2020, 10:38:36 AM

There's a way to get video from the smart phone to a smart tv or computer to watch on larger screens.

http://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/wirelessly-stream-videos-photos-apple-tv-a-iphd29858fd3/ios

http://www.apowersoft.com/stream-iphone-video-to-pc.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2020, 11:08:01 AM
I think maybe by now ML's motivation to watch anything 'Chernobyl' had been diminished by the confusion arising from cable/satellite/WIFi/SmartTV, etc..
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:24:22 PM
I think maybe by now ML's motivation to watch anything 'Chernobyl' had been diminished by the confusion arising from cable/satellite/WIFi/SmartTV, etc..

Actually, now I don't want to watch after reading reviews.

Many claim it is simply propaganda financed by fossil fuel industry to discourage the use of nuclear energy.

And, Krimster mentioned high suicide rate after viewing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:28:54 PM
Let's try this another way, do you have a smart TV (it's a yes or no question)? You presumably have internet because you are posting here. Have you heard of streaming? You can hook a smart TV up to your wifi and viola' you have cable at your fingertips with no cable connection or a satellite dish. Yes, it is that easy

I hate to belabor this further, but

Without cable or satellite . . . what do you suppose would be feeding any wifi ??

And, would this something feeding wifi (not cable or satellite), be capable of streaming anything ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:30:40 PM
ML-

Unless your computer is hooked up through the ol' dial-up modem to connect to the internet and post on RWD, you likely have WIFI. This is not the same as cable or satellite subscription services.

I hate to belabor this further, but

Without cable or satellite . . . what do you suppose would be feeding any wifi ??

And, would this something feeding wifi (not cable or satellite), be capable of streaming anything ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:33:50 PM
ML,

Wifey and I were in remote part of New Mexico at health spa.    We drove to higher elevation to watch an incredible sunset (enhanced by air particulates from  CA wildfires). 

We stayed afterwards for the "cosmos" show.  While waiting for the stars and galaxies, I streamed a MLB game and the wife watched some Russian music thingy.  No cable.  No satellite. 

Had we brought our computer, we could have hooked up to a larger screen, following the notes my son gave me on how to connect. 

Should have brought a dessert to share in the desert.    For us Florida people, it gets dark and cool fast in the high desert.

Of course you didn't use cable or satellite.

But you seem unaware of what was feeding your smart phone.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:38:24 PM
There's a way to get video from the smart phone to a smart tv or computer to watch on larger screens.

Again, I know hard to comprehend . . . but I have a flip phone which is powered by TracFone for $6.66 a month . . . for phone usage only, and I don't even use it except when away from home to call wife to tell when I will be coming back, etc., and for emergency use (hope not) for auto breakdowns, etc.  I haven't even made any phone calls for past 3 months or so due to health problems and now the lockdowns.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:45:30 PM
I bought a "Free-to-Air" receiver from ebay for around $30, added a better antenna, I get all the Houston Channels
just plug in the back of the TV with all the other boxes
I will use this next year to check the status of the "Food Riots" when they hit Houston and watch for when they head North
then the Neighborhood Watch goes into DefCon 3
I like Rembrandt's "The Night Watch"
we bad...

I  also two antennas in my attic, one pointing north the other south.

This allows us to get all the standard broadcast channels plus PBS and a few independents that broadcast 50 year old movies.

But it doesn't pick up anything like HBO, Netflix or anything that goes out via cable or satellite.

And, I have added a Channel Master box that allows for recording of two channels at same time.  Have an add on 2 GB hard drive, so have a hundred hours or so of things recorded for later watching.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 27, 2020, 12:55:07 PM
I hate to belabor this further, but

Without cable or satellite . . . what do you suppose would be feeding any wifi ??

And, would this something feeding wifi (not cable or satellite), be capable of streaming anything ??

Yes or no questions
Do you have a smart TV in your home?

Do you have wifi in your home?

If the answer to these two questions are yes, then you have the ability to watch what is referred to as "streaming television". It is better than cable as in you can buy only what you wish without having to buy a lot of crap you don't.

Your smart TV once it is online via your wifi has preset links already programmed into it that allows you to try (most 30 days free trial) the 1000's of streaming services available. You can buy individual channels, networks or entire cable systems. You can buy just movies, or sports, news, porn, whatever it is you want to watch. Either by the program or for certain periods of time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 12:56:42 PM
Now that I have told much more than necessary, let me repeat . . . I cannot get anything that needs to be streamed from anywhere as I don't have cable, satellite, or high speed internet from my phone line.

This is my choice, and has nothing to do with cost.

Long ago I rejected the idea of signing up for cable (this was when it was available at my previous homes) because it was well known that we watch FAR TOO MUCH television which I didn't want to subject my children to.

Currently, there is no cable available in my development.

And, those who do have satellite in this area are extremely unhappy with ANY of the various service providers.

And I won't be buying a smart phone or smart phone service to make 3-4 phone calls per month.

Long distance phone calls throughout USA and to Canada are available for free via google email account, and probably several other sources.

Wife can talk with all relatives back home via Skype which works fine from our slow speed phone internet connection.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 27, 2020, 01:17:57 PM
Now that I have told much more than necessary, let me repeat . . . I cannot get anything that needs to be streamed from anywhere as I don't have cable, satellite, or high speed internet from my phone line.

This is my choice, and has nothing to do with cost.

Long ago I rejected the idea of signing up for cable (this was when it was available at my previous homes) because it was well known that we watch FAR TOO MUCH television which I didn't want to subject my children to.

Currently, there is no cable available in my development.

And, those who do have satellite in this area are extremely unhappy with ANY of the various service providers.

And I won't be buying a smart phone or smart phone service to make 3-4 phone calls per month.

Long distance phone calls throughout USA and to Canada are available for free via google email account, and probably several other sources.

Wife can talk with all relatives back home via Skype which works fine from our slow speed phone internet connection.

Then your answer to one of those two questions was "no". You cheap bastard
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2020, 01:36:30 PM
I hate to belabor this further, but

Without cable or satellite . . . what do you suppose would be feeding any wifi ??

And, would this something feeding wifi (not cable or satellite), be capable of streaming anything ??

ML-

You need not have cable or satellite to have 'relatively' high speed internet access, albeit likely limited if compared to cable or especially Fios. Digital Subscriber Line, or better known as DSL, runs through your telephone line. If you're connecting to the internet, you should have DSL available even in the 'Land of the Tasadays' where you apparently are.

Likely a quick phone call to your telephone service provider you'll be able to ask what DSL speeds are available in your area.

But if these are too cumbersome to pursue, or too much to deal with our collective annoying ignorance of your situation, and if the motivation to watch a great Chernobyl movie/documentary is still intact, may I suggest this option instead? (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/chernobyl-dvd-2019/34686855.p?skuId=34686855)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 27, 2020, 01:50:52 PM
the motivation to watch a great Chernobyl movie/documentary is still intact, may I suggest this option instead? (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/chernobyl-dvd-2019/34686855.p?skuId=34686855)


That's a good idea. In the quest to watch Chernobyl, you have just prevented a meltdown(no pun intended). If ML can get his wife what she wants, she will love him long time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 27, 2020, 01:55:04 PM
ML-

You need not have cable or satellite to have 'relatively' high speed internet access, albeit likely limited if compared to cable or especially Fios. Digital Subscriber Line, or better known as DSL, runs through your telephone line. If you're connecting to the internet, you should have DSL available even in the 'Land of the Tasadays' where you apparently are.

Likely a quick phone call to your telephone service provider you'll be able to ask what DSL speeds are available in your area.

But if these are too cumbersome to pursue, or too much to deal with our collective annoying ignorance of your situation, and if the motivation to watch a great Chernobyl movie/documentary is still intact, may I suggest this option instead? (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/chernobyl-dvd-2019/34686855.p?skuId=34686855)

I cut the cord to cable about 8 years ago. I tired of the constant increases and having to call them every month. At the time I had a DSL with 7mbps for internet use only. It worked and streamed with 7mbps albeit quite aggravating. That was all that was available in my area at the time. Actually most every cable program was available on the net but you had to find it. Finding it sometimes was a/the issue. At the time Ruku was a fairly new concept but I got one and it worked fine with 7 mbps. As soon as I moved and could upgrade speeds, I did. I have cable internet only now because of the 150 mbps speed but still stream. It is really the way to go, for me anyways.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2020, 02:12:56 PM
Yeah, these are constantly evolving, FP. Remember when the first digital camera came out when it was 3MB and was advertised as the end-all best picture you can ever get, just like the ol' 1080 p Hi-Def? Now these things are literally obsolete. 4K/UHD was the hottest thing going until 8K is introduced.

Hell, Blu-Ray is ho-hum now that you have live streaming...

Same thing with Broadband/FioS, etc...I remember winning a Vizio 45" LCD TV in a raffle in one of our golf tourney. It cost $2k+ at the time, now it’s likely obsolete. I already had a 60" plasma, which is also obsolete now, and so I put the TV in a spare bedroom in our old home. It's still there and hopefully our tenant have some use for it. Serves the purpose I suppose but neither one compares to the latest tech available.

That's a good idea. In the quest to watch Chernobyl, you have just prevented a meltdown(no pun intended). If ML can get his wife what she wants, she will love him long time.

Lawrd knows, I'm always glad to be of help...:devil:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 07:00:41 PM
As we got a direct deposit for Stimulus (or whatever it was) money, didn't get to see Donald's name on a check.

But today, we got personal letter from Donald telling that the money was direct deposited for us.

I am sure we were part of a very small, select group that got these personal letters.

Previously we had gotten personal letters from Melania and Ivanka.  Sure they were asking for contributions, but I think we were highly thought of anyway.

Based on this series of personal letters we are getting, I think a job offer in Donald's second term is a sure thing.

But don't know if I will have the time, even as they say no one can turn down a request from the president to serve our country.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2020, 07:17:54 PM
That’s awesome ML! Lucky guy.

TBH, and I don’t know if I should share this, but I got an invitation to have coffee with Ivanka myself not too long ago. As I know what this seemingly innocent invitation for coffee often leads to, being married I knew I couldn’t and shouldn’t. So I had to turn her down. No regrets man.

I can only hope I didn’t break her down too bad and she was able to move on.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 07:42:11 PM
I don't remember coffee being mentioned in letter I got from Ivanka; so I am feeling a little bit offended by this slight!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 08:06:50 PM
1936  Serving as Lieutenant Colonel
1941 March Promoted to full Colonel
1941 October Promoted to one star Brigadier General
1942 March Promoted to two star Major General
1942 July Promoted to three star Lieutenant General
1943 Promoted to four star General
1944 Promoted to five star General of the Army
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 27, 2020, 08:12:53 PM
I got an invitation to have coffee with Ivanka myself not too long ago.


She hits on all the guys. I turned her down. I have high standards and a reputation to protect.

Previously we had gotten personal letters from Melania and Ivanka.  Sure they were asking for contributions,


Scammers! I knew it.

1936  Serving as Lieutenant Colonel
1941 March Promoted to full Colonel
1941 October Promoted to one star Brigadier General
1942 March Promoted to two star Major General
1942 July Promoted to three star Lieutenant General
1943 Promoted to four star General
1944 Promoted to five star General of the Army

I like Ike
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on April 27, 2020, 08:17:45 PM
Long distance phone calls throughout USA and to Canada are available for free via google email account, and probably several other sources.

Wife can talk with all relatives back home via Skype which works fine from our slow speed phone internet connection.

Hi ML,

I assume from the above post that you have a DSL internet connection?  Which phone company? 

Depending on your DSL line speed, you may be able to stream content.

Here's an article from http://itstillworks.com/dsl-good-streaming-32499.html (http://itstillworks.com/dsl-good-streaming-32499.html) :

Quote
Using a DSL connection, you may be able to stream video, but the clarity of the video will depend on your network speed. Hulu, a popular video streaming website, recommends that you use connections with a minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps. Netflix requires that you have a minimum speed of .5 Mbps but also recommends 1.5 Mbps. If you are streaming HD video, Netflix recommends a download speed of 5.0 Mbps. Under those guidelines, a DSL connection would be fast enough to stream video with reasonable quality, assuming that you are getting optimal performance from your phone line and equipment. However, if you want a high-quality streaming experience, a faster cable connection is a better choice.

To watch, use your computer or hook your computer to a TV that has a video in or HDML port, or...a smart tv...



Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2020, 08:43:30 PM

Depending on your DSL line speed, you may be able to stream content.


We do have a DSL line.

We cannot stream ANYTHING.

Yes, have tried multiple times.

Don't know what the Mbps available is, but whatever . . . cannot stream anything or even download movies.

Can watch short clips on youtube, with some delays.

But thanks for all the input fellow posters.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 27, 2020, 09:05:39 PM
We do have a DSL line.

We cannot stream ANYTHING.

Yes, have tried multiple times.

Don't know what the Mbps available is, but whatever . . . cannot stream anything or even download movies.

Can watch short clips on youtube, with some delays.

But thanks for all the input fellow posters.

http://www.speedtest.net/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 27, 2020, 09:13:01 PM

http://www.speedtest.net/

I got 106.31 Mbps download speed.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 28, 2020, 12:35:49 AM
Most people don't test their speed, properly:

http://www.lifewire.com/rules-for-a-more-accurate-internet-speed-test-2617984 (http://www.lifewire.com/rules-for-a-more-accurate-internet-speed-test-2617984)

Most people only refer to their download results ?! 


The UPLOAD is vitally important, as are ping times  - esp if you have gaming kids in the house.

The Upload is how fast you can send stuff to the internet ( and confirm receipt, before another incoming piece of data is allowed to arrive) - so it affects your download speed

Ping times demonstrate latency .. how quickly info takes to go from / to  your computer , tablet or phone  to a server ... longer ping times are associated with wireless fed internet, the worst being satellite internet .. which can make for a VERY noticeable delay in responses - if being used for videochat. 

100Mbs ( down) would, initially, suggest a more than reasonable internet connection - if other criteria are good, too.

*I* prefer to use speedof.me as ( historically) Speedtest.net seems to be overly optimistic and took FAR to long to come across to HTML5 from flash ... 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 28, 2020, 07:24:36 AM
http://www.speedtest.net/

I tried and got message:  No Results
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on April 28, 2020, 07:33:18 AM
I tried and got message:  No Results

That's weird. Try again. When I was on dsl I checked it regularly usually with no issue. There usually are a couple of location options in which to check it from. If it doesn't work on one try one of the other locations. I just got 189 but I'm at work with a dozen others on the same connection
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 28, 2020, 08:01:09 AM
Are you running a virus checker, ML...?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 28, 2020, 08:04:05 AM
Are you running a virus checker, ML...?

Certainly.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on April 28, 2020, 10:21:51 AM
Actually, now I don't want to watch after reading reviews.

Many claim it is simply propaganda financed by fossil fuel industry to discourage the use of nuclear energy.

And, Krimster mentioned high suicide rate after viewing.

I thought it was very good. The only thing it did was make me angry at the stupid communist leaders trying to cover everything up and hiding everything from the people that were affected by it.

I don't understand why people would commit suicide after watching.  I would like to see the links to that, to even begin to believe it.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on April 28, 2020, 10:27:43 AM
http://www.speedtest.net/

http://speedof.me/ (http://speedof.me/)

Is good as well.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 28, 2020, 12:38:06 PM
Certainly.

Try running the test in safe mode with the virus checker off ...or... just try running speedof.me .... type this is your mobile or tablet's browser ....when connected to your wifi and run the test close to the router


I note Brillynt also posted about speedof.me


From my earlier post:



*I* prefer to use speedof.me as ( historically) Speedtest.net seems to be overly optimistic and took FAR to long to come across to HTML5 from flash ...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 28, 2020, 12:58:20 PM
Fellow posters.  Thanks a lot for all the info and suggestions.
My Internet connection problem has already taken up too much time and space.
I actually accepted my situation long ago, so shouldn't have brought it up here.
I will not respond to further postings on this topic in this thread.
Thanks again, ML
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 28, 2020, 06:18:38 PM
are there any civilized places in Arkansas with broadband and running water, indoor plumbing and such?
maybe try living there instead, and learn how to use a lawn mower instead of just letting your goats graze around the yard and "fertilize" it as well
or do what I do and hire Mexicans!!
it's easy being civilized and living like a white person even in Arkansas
it all depends on location
check it out...

HUD houses will be dirt cheap in a few more years, the last HUD house I bought was for $89,000 + closing and fixup....
buy one for yourself or rent them out...
all of mine purchased before 2009 have already paid off the purchase price
but next year they may end up being half last year's renting price
hopefully tax and insurance will fall as well

I just don't understand how you can live in the 21st century without broadband
unless you're some kinda religious ascetic wearing course weaved fabric living in a mud hut that you and your wife built yourself in the middle of the Arkansas wildnerness
and you raise pigs inside a stick fence in the back of the mudhouse
and your outhouse door actually has a crescent moon on it

you know...
wait a minute....
are you a REDNECK?


Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 28, 2020, 06:28:18 PM
Interview of and film shown to 83 year old USA veteran of WWII who flew Spitfires in WWII.
He had to crash land the Spitfire wheels up and never knew that someone had filmed the event until shown the film some 63 years later.

He had tremendous recall of his missions over Germany during WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 28, 2020, 09:31:30 PM
Interview of and film shown to 83 year old USA veteran of WWII who flew Spitfires in WWII.
He had to crash land the Spitfire wheels up and never knew that someone had filmed the event until shown the film some 63 years later.

He had tremendous recall of his missions over Germany during WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

Nice historical film. I Googled the pilot's name and he lived in Tacoma WA, not too far from me. He died in 2016. It was interesting to learn he flew a Spitfire with US Army Air Force markings all the way to Berlin and back in WWII.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on April 28, 2020, 09:58:59 PM
Wow, thanks, ML !

Lovely story

Had to check up on where RAF base Mount Farm was :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Mount_Farm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Mount_Farm)

My first reaction was also , You can't have flown a Spitfire from England to Berlin and back ... No guns ? Wonderful guy

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 01, 2020, 09:58:47 AM
http://www.kyivpost.com/lifestyle/couples-get-creative-to-keep-romance-alive-during-quarantine.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 03, 2020, 10:07:25 AM
Wife got notice to report for jury duty 5 or so years ago.
She was not a US Citizen at that time, and when we notified them, they removed her name.
But, last week she got second notice.
She replied that although she had everyday English and excellent knowledge of math words, symbols, etc. . . .
she might have trouble with understanding words used in the trials and back and forth arguments from lawyers.
And that she needed to go to Ukraine to tend to her aged parents.
Head judge ignored all that and told her to report.
Then, continuing this silliness, told her if she didn't understand the proceedings, she was to immediately inform the presiding judge.
Which she is going to have to do for sure . . . so just a big waste of time for everyone.
And for sure the lawyers for one side, or both, are going to request her dismissal.
50 days of service starting next week.

Even more strange, she called twice in 5 years or so . . . I have never been called.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 03, 2020, 10:28:53 AM
I have never been called.


It's random. I've been called a couple of times within a few years and then go 15+ years without being called.

It's their job to deny almost everybody who wants to get out of jury duty. They want you to show up to make sure they have enough people in the jury pool and will dismiss those who are asking to be dismiss. One guy got dismissed because he says for anybody to be tried in court to begin with, he believes they are presumed guilty. Last year I got called and asked to be excused because I already had a vacation set up to be in Mexico the time I'm supposed to show up. They denied me. I wasn't going to show up regardless but later did send me a letter I didn't have to come because they had enough people.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 04, 2020, 08:31:41 AM
An article appeared in local newspaper that originally appeared in Chicago Tribune, April 16, 2020.
Author Christen A. Johnson (female).
She quotes some other 'experts' in her 14 suggestions.

I think there will be a lot of protests sent to local newspaper over this.

If You Don't Live Together:
Take advantage of technology. “Increase sexting, video sexting and mutual masturbation via video,” said Herzog.

If You Live Together:
The banks are still open. Actually walk in and speak with a teller (with your protective gear on, of course), and withdraw the approximate cash you’d spend on a regular date night — but get it in ones. Create a sexy set up at home, give your partner the stack of $1 bills to throw at you while you derobe. You now have an in-house strip club.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on May 04, 2020, 09:13:00 AM
IMHO, the best approach is putting that energy into "working out"
get yourself in peak condition for the fight that lies ahead of you...
I run 3 times per day (even in the Texas heat) and once at night...
been doing it for over 2 months now, have more than doubled my running distance, greatly increasing my stamina
I'll be completely ready to face anything or anyone by end of summer


 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on May 04, 2020, 02:43:42 PM
If You Live Together:
The banks are still open. Actually walk in and speak with a teller (with your protective gear on, of course), and withdraw the approximate cash you’d spend on a regular date night — but get it in ones. Create a sexy set up at home, give your partner the stack of $1 bills to throw at you while you derobe. You now have an in-house strip club.

I take it the author's date nights are normally at strip clubs?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 04, 2020, 03:59:28 PM
Finnish guy supposedly killed more than 500 Russians in 100 days.
In 1939, the Soviet troops are advancing towards the Finnish border. Tasked with a simple mission, a sole sniper is hell-bent on stopping the proceeding of the enemy.
Simo Häyhä, a prolific sniper in Finland, leads his people to victory over the impending Russians in the Winter War of 1939.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2yxn_3XCws


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsRjmq5x938
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on May 04, 2020, 10:33:51 PM
Shame of the Winter War was that the Finns lost most of Karelia and decided Nazi Germany was an enemy of Stalin so a 'friend' ...  Post WW2 'reparations' meant handing over even more of Karelia to the USSR.

In all my travels, driving as snow started falling in Karelia and the borderlands with Finland filled me with the most awe.

I bought 12 litres of craft beer from Vyborg before crossing - for my hosts in Finland and had no idea that Vyborg had been their family's home town.



Some 'historical experts' suggest Finns have forgotten the loss of Karelia ..    :wallbash: 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 05, 2020, 08:50:42 AM
This doesn't warrant its own thread . . . but I just was recently researching it, and there was some discussion recently on other threads about what a partner gets in divorce.

- - - - -

I have been watching re-runs of Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Wife isn't much interested but she watches some.  I was telling her about Johnny's 4 wives, etc. and decided to google them.

Couldn't find any info about money wife 2 got. She was apparently having an affair with Frank Gifford.
Wife 3 was variously reported to have gotten $20 million or $35,000 a month, or maybe both.
Wife 4 inherited all that was there, which was around $450 million and she gave $150 million to a foundation in his name.  He had been earning $40 million a year, but they spent lavishly, so only $450 million left.

Situation with wife 1 was most interesting.  She produced his only 3 children.
They divorced long before he started earning big money, but the divorce settlement specified she would get 15% of his earnings for life . . . until she remarried.
At the time, he was probably earning $50,000 a year or so, giving her $7,500.
If she would have stayed with this 15% . . . her yearly income would have been quite nice as time went on.
But, she wanted to get married, so they went to court and changed agreement so that she would get $13,500 a year whether she married or not.
She married a few days later.

Years later she, of course, was sick about what she had agreed to, and went back to court seeking millions a year.  She said his later wives spent more on one dress that she got all  year.

Judge turned her down.

Note:  I never understood Johnny's (and other wealthy men's) urge to get remarried.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on May 05, 2020, 01:03:18 PM
I don't think Wife 4 received all of Carson's fortune.  They were separated when he died.


This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 05, 2020, 03:11:42 PM
Wife reminded me that she has not been away from our property for over 6 weeks now.

I have gone to the grocery store 3 times during this period.
I am at high risk of dying from Corona if contracted, but I knew that I would get it from her anyway, if she had caught it, so I might just as well be the one to go out amongst the troops.
Wore cap, face mask, wrap around safety glasses and medical type gloves and used disinfectant on gloves when I returned to car; and put all clothes in washer as soon as back home.  Never passed anyone face to face in store.

Plus she was super over burdened with her PhD courses and extensive typing to send materials to her own Differential Equations students prior to Zoom sessions.

Anyway, she said that when she finishes grading finals, she at least wants to go for a long drive.  I told her we could drive to small town 12 miles away to satisfy her travel urges.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on May 05, 2020, 03:23:02 PM
Just get her a VR and Smithsonian's 'Aerial America' videos. The next best thing to 'being there'.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 05, 2020, 04:22:53 PM
I am at high risk of dying from Corona if contracted,


You need protection. Photo of a full body condom in the article below

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/man-selling-body-condom-facebook-9771844

Or you can go with a unitard. If you buy either of these, post some photos.

UNITARD (http://www.amazon.com/Shinningstar-Elastic-Unitard-Costumes-Bodysuit/dp/B074W2F9QJ/ref=pd_sbs_121_6/144-7109454-1893762?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B074VWMD9D&pd_rd_r=0aa13fef-7eab-42e7-b967-34a4ec0cfdea&pd_rd_w=Ajcoe&pd_rd_wg=s6MXo&pf_rd_p=d13bb895-21d3-4e96-94a7-553aaae51224&pf_rd_r=KYTCW1M5VQ5B8E74FBAT&psc=1&refRID=KYTCW1M5VQ5B8E74FBAT)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: SteveInBoston on May 06, 2020, 03:18:27 PM
Full body condom?

http://youtu.be/wV_BPDi8Ems (http://youtu.be/wV_BPDi8Ems)

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 11, 2020, 03:26:26 PM
As a follow-up. 

Judge instructed Ochka (and all others on the list) to call a specified number after 5 PM on each day (Sunday through Thursday, starting May 10th) to see if they needed to report at 8:30 AM the next day.
So she called Sunday around 6 and got message that due to Corona, her entire group was dismissed from jury duty for the stated term of 40 days. (I mistakenly wrote 50 days before.)

She was happy to get the news; but I was thinking . . . what will this do to 6th Amendment right to speedy trial?


Wife got notice to report for jury duty 5 or so years ago.
She was not a US Citizen at that time, and when we notified them, they removed her name.
But, last week she got second notice.
She replied that although she had everyday English and excellent knowledge of math words, symbols, etc. . . .
she might have trouble with understanding words used in the trials and back and forth arguments from lawyers.
And that she needed to go to Ukraine to tend to her aged parents.
Head judge ignored all that and told her to report.
Then, continuing this silliness, told her if she didn't understand the proceedings, she was to immediately inform the presiding judge.
Which she is going to have to do for sure . . . so just a big waste of time for everyone.
And for sure the lawyers for one side, or both, are going to request her dismissal.
50 days of service starting next week.

Even more strange, she called twice in 5 years or so . . . I have never been called.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 23, 2020, 08:20:28 AM
Ochka and I have been married for over 5 years now.
We have been living together in USA for 9 years this coming July.
We became romantically involved 10 years ago.

But we actually first met 16 years ago in early May.  We remember the specifics, because it was during the time of Victory/May Day celebrations in Ukraine, and the year (2004) coincided with the birth of a relative of mine.

Our meeting was in a business setting, and we were both married to others at the time, but . . .

We have decided to celebrate that we have been involved for 16 years.

I am claiming this so that I can be one of the 'oldest' of the 'old timers' here.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 23, 2020, 09:00:02 AM
Ochka and I have been married for over 5 years now.
We have been living together in USA for 9 years this coming July.
We became romantically involved 10 years ago.

But we actually first met 16 years ago in early May.  We remember the specifics, because it was during the time of Victory/May Day celebrations in Ukraine, and the year (2004) coincided with the birth of a relative of mine.


One thing I have a hard time remembering is birthdays and when I met someone. It's usually the women who have to remind me when we first wrote each other, when we first met, when the first of anything happened. They like to celebrate many anniversaries. Maybe they want a gift for each anniversary?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2020, 07:45:37 AM
Went yesterday morning for Covid test.
Results back and posted in my online medical chart already.
Negative for Covid 19.
Of course the disclaimer that . . . "tests not 100% guaranteed.  Must also consider your symptoms (I have none) and who you have had contact with (I try to protect well when shopping, etc.)"
I will get call this afternoon as to when to report to hospital tomorrow to have a look-see down my stomach and up the liver tube which was blocked after gall bladder surgery.  If all looks well, doc will remove the stent that was placed at bottom of the liver tube.
Wife cannot even come into hospital, but it is too hot to wait in car, so we are just now thinking about what she will do.  University buildings not open, so that is not an option.  She doesn't want to go visit with some friends who live fairly close to hospital because of the risk.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2020, 07:50:56 AM
Garden planting more expensive this year because many, many more people into it.
We usually get tomato plants, egg plants, etc., for $3.50 - $4.50 for packs of 4-6.
Apparently those snapped up early, and now all that is available are single larger plants for $3-4 each.
Wife couldn't even find seeds for something she wanted (can't remember what).
Can't even find straw in town now.
Lowes won't help load heavy items into SUVs or hatchbacks because of 'social distancing.'  But they will load into pickup trucks if we stay in truck.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 26, 2020, 07:25:45 PM
Well I just tested negative for Covid, but my 98 year old Mother was tested for second time in 2 weeks and was positive.  Negative 2 weeks ago.

She is in full care very nice nursing home and says she feels fine.
Something doesn't add up, but . . .
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on May 26, 2020, 10:21:09 PM
Well, whatever happens, hope she's OK.. a fine age.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 26, 2020, 10:28:58 PM

Hopefully your mother got a faulty test
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on May 27, 2020, 08:36:29 AM
Well I just tested negative for Covid, but my 98 year old Mother was tested for second time in 2 weeks and was positive.  Negative 2 weeks ago.

She is in full care very nice nursing home and says she feels fine.
Something doesn't add up, but . . .

My sympathy. 

Given your health and hers, you probably can not visit her.  More sympathy. 

98 years.  That's something!  My parents both died at 80.  I would have loved another 18 years.  MY mom would be here today if so. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 25, 2020, 06:59:22 AM
Well I just tested negative for Covid, but my 98 year old Mother was tested for second time in 2 weeks and was positive.  Negative 2 weeks ago.

She is in full care very nice nursing home and says she feels fine.
Something doesn't add up, but . . .

As update, amazingly she seems to have survived.  All extra care has been suspended and she only has cough and some shortness of breath remaining.  Has gone from full time oxygen to only a couple of times a day.

She is a very tough gal.

But then she went to bathroom by herself for first time . . . and fell down hitting her head when going back toward her bed.  Was taken to hospital next day with very large bump on head.

I thought . . . oh no, she survived Covid, and now this will be her end.

But no . . . she was only in a couple of days, and declared to be OK.
She was even back to her feisty self as nurses told . . . e.g.  I can certainly dress myself and walk!!  Why isn't my son Ted here ?  (her favorite son . . . not me).
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on June 25, 2020, 07:29:10 AM
That's good news, ML!

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 27, 2020, 01:15:17 PM
I have been surprised at the level of interest shown in my parcels of real estate for sale.

Nothing like the levels of earlier years, but still some viewings and perhaps some deals will occur in next week or so.

Some sales by others of existing homes also occurring nearby at not much of a discount from asking.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 07, 2020, 07:12:05 PM
Wife is close to deciding to not continue in PhD program and to not try to teach or have any job.
Several things:
She is noticing how much better she feels now that the semester is over.
During semesters she often told of twitches or electrical shocks in her spine and neck, fluctuating blood pressure, higher than normal pulse rate, stomach problems, skin rashes around neck area, and on and on.
A couple of weeks ago she said . . . If we sell a parcel of land this summer during this Covid crisis, I will take it as a sign from God that it is OK for me to discontinue PhD program and stop working outside our house and property.
So last week, I did sell not only one parcel, but two parcels . . . to same person . . . a young MD whose wife told me they were looking for a place to build their forever home.  Probably 6,000 sq feet, 4 car garage, in-ground swimming pool, cabana and pool house, tennis court, garden and greenhouse.  He wrote us out check for over $300,000 and said he was only $40,000 short of having the remaining money . . . and that he would get it in bonus money the end of August.
This morning I wrote out message for wife to send to department chair and chair of PhD program.
She is still sitting on it.

Not sure how much he makes per year, but thought it was pretty thrifty of them to accumulate close to $400,000 in just three years out of residency.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on July 07, 2020, 09:25:14 PM
a young MD whose wife told me they were looking for a place to build their forever home.



She'll get bored with the forever home after 10 years.




This morning I wrote out message for wife to send to department chair and chair of PhD program.She is still sitting on it.


How bad did you insult those department heads?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 14, 2020, 09:58:40 AM
Well now it appears that spouse will not entirely abandon her PhD program.
As a student, she was included in with the 18-25 year olds and everyone paid $1,000 per semester for a very good insurance plan with Aetna.  And this fee was paid by University for those who were GTAs as part of their salary package.
We checked into private plans via Affordable Care Act and found that it would cost her around $15,000 per year !!!!
She refused to go that route, so decided to sign up for 6 hours of research which was needed for her PhD program anyway.
Six hours was minimum needed to continue in the student insurance plan.  Since she will not be GTA, she will pay the $1,000 per semester.
She did get a tuition scholarship to cover the six hours.
She has completed all required coursework for PhD.  Remaining is 18 hours of research which is supposed to lead to a dissertation topic and completion of the dissertation.
Earlier she was very worried about research (which is completely unstructured of course) and was much more comfortable with just taking structured classes.
Now she says with taking no classes and teaching no classes, the research doesn't sound so bad.
We are hoping her major advisor will 'feed' her a topic, and he has hinted he might have some ideas.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: calmissile on July 14, 2020, 12:40:55 PM
How close is she to finishing her Phd program?  What is her major?  I would think that if she is anywhere near close to completing it, it would be a good idea.  Even though you prefer her to not work, it is always a good backup skill set in case something unexpected happens in the future.  Wish my wife had that much ambition.  :)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 14, 2020, 03:05:01 PM
How close is she to finishing her Phd program?  What is her major?  I would think that if she is anywhere near close to completing it, it would be a good idea.  Even though you prefer her to not work, it is always a good backup skill set in case something unexpected happens in the future.  Wish my wife had that much ambition.  :)

As I noted above, she has to complete at least 18 hours of supervised research and complete a dissertation.

I did this in one year, but the math department here seems to require that this be done over two years.

Her major is math.

There actually is an excess of recent PhD math majors, even as there is a shortage of math teachers for secondary schools which are mostly filled by those with masters degrees.

And the secondary schools controlled by unions will not let PhDs, who can teach university courses, teach in secondary schools unless they spend an extra two years taking courses about 'how to teach.'

This is how our STEM system in USA is failing because STEM courses at secondary school level are manned by those who took courses on 'how to teach' but in many (most) cases were not smart enough to take the difficult math courses at university.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 24, 2020, 05:54:51 PM
My 70 year old female cousin died of Covid last week back in my midwest home state.
A 67 year old male neighbor (but not too near) died of Covid last week.

My 98 year old mother survived Covid and a fall wherein she hit her head.
But now, she is having severe breathing problems and they do not expect her to live much longer.
She tested negative in repeat test a few days ago, but apparently she has blood clots in lungs which happens with those who have/had Covid.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on August 24, 2020, 06:54:22 PM
My 70 year old female cousin died of Covid last week back in my midwest home state.
A 67 year old male neighbor (but not too near) died of Covid last week.


They died of covid and not "with" covid?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on August 24, 2020, 10:18:01 PM
Hi ML

Sorry to hear of your family's encounters with COVID-19.


Keep safe.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 04, 2020, 08:55:52 PM
The recent Kyiv fire was in the building where one of wife's apartments is located.
It is one building away from US Embassy building and we just finished out her apartment back in 2014 in this newly constructed (at the time) building.
Her apartment is on 8th floor west side, whereas the fire was 24th floor east side.
Two brothers lived in the apartment which was stacked full of items (don't know what they were) that caught fire.
One brother died in the fire.
The second one climbed out window, jumped down onto an air conditioner next to window on 23rd floor.
Luckily a woman in that apartment saw him, and luckily her window would open, so he was able to get in.  Don't know if I would have made that jump !!
He is in critical condition at hospital with burns over a large portion of his body.
Wife's relative lives in her apartment.  He and his wife and 2 children evacuated with all others and he took video for an hour including the event described above.  He made the video available to news media.
They were some of the first to get out because a friend who lived on 25th floor called to tell them of the fire just below him.
An unfortunate situation was that water had been shut off in that area for repairs earlier, and full pressure was not available.
Also, the only fire truck with long enough ladder to get to 24th floor was on west bank of river and didn't get there for 40 minutes.
Great camaraderie is being shown as the apartment dwellers are inviting people whose apartments damaged by water and smoke to stay with them, furnishing food, clothing, etc.
And most all are pitching in to help clean up the apartments of fellow apartment dwellers.
No electricity was back on at time of last Skype call to Kyiv.

Some info here:
http://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/fire-contained-in-kyiv-apartment-on-24th-floor-dead-body-found.html

The fire was in 4Б Sikorskoho Street in Kyiv, Ukraine  . . . not just 4 as noted in KyivPost article.  4 is the Embassy.

http://tinyurl.com/ya8lzhvv
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on September 04, 2020, 09:39:08 PM
the only fire truck with long enough ladder to get to 24th floor was on west bank of river and didn't get there for 40 minutes.
I would have never thought that there was a ladder that would go that high.
Quote
Great camaraderie is being shown as the apartment dwellers are inviting people whose apartments damaged by water and smoke to stay with them, furnishing food, clothing, etc.
That is extremely thoughtful considering the pandemic issue. Hopefully there is no prolonged [like months] mess.
 
Quote
http://www.google.com/maps/place/Aviakonstructor+Igor+Sikorsky+St,+4-%D0%91,+Kyiv,+Ukraine,+02000/@50.4653815,30.4322046,475m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x40d4cc4b8515bcbf:0x1f0410b6272a6813!8m2!3d50.4655864!4d30.4297584?hl=en (http://www.google.com/maps/place/Aviakonstructor+Igor+Sikorsky+St,+4-%D0%91,+Kyiv,+Ukraine,+02000/@50.4653815,30.4322046,475m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x40d4cc4b8515bcbf:0x1f0410b6272a6813!8m2!3d50.4655864!4d30.4297584?hl=en)
Those apartment buildings look pretty new. My wife lived on the 9th floor of hers in Odessa. She finally sold it after 13 years of renting it out. I always was uneasy about a fire situation. Apparently... there was no insurance policy as I understand.
Go figure.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 05, 2020, 09:17:06 AM

I don't ever want to live in an apartment building. Thin walls, noisy neighbors and increased chance for fire and water damage.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 05, 2020, 09:23:04 AM
I don't ever want to live in an apartment building. Thin walls, noisy neighbors and increased chance for fire and water damage.

Same for me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 07, 2020, 03:01:43 PM
Infrequently wife asks me what are the topics on this board.

She is mystified why there is talk of virus and politics and virtually none of romance.

So where is the romance ??

During this time of increased (forced) togetherness, there should at least be some pregnancies to announce.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: rwd123 on September 07, 2020, 08:54:50 PM
Infrequently wife asks me what are the topics on this board.

She is mystified why there is talk of virus and politics and virtually none of romance.

So where is the romance ??

During this time of increased (forced) togetherness, there should at least be some pregnancies to announce.
The bees can't meet the birds because borders are closed. That explains the single guys.

Married guys don't need an explanation about where the romance is, it died in 1964.  :P
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on September 07, 2020, 11:01:48 PM
I don't ever want to live in an apartment building. Thin walls, noisy neighbors and increased chance for fire and water damage.

I would agree, normally

I lived in an apt in Cyprus near the sea front with sea views  and my neighbours were older.  There was a sense of community.

One noisy family and all that can be spoilt

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 10, 2020, 03:16:50 PM
I haven't kept up as much as others regarding the candidate's actual plans.

But just today, I saw a side-by-side layout of the candidate's positions on many issues.

Regarding Long Term Capital Gains Tax Rate.
Donald is in favor of lowering top rate from 20% to 15%

Joe says he will push  to raise top rate to match top rate on ordinary income.

OK, so who cares and what will be the economic impact.  First we must understand the rationale for having a capital gains tax rate lower than tax rate on ordinary income.

Ordinary income is currently earned at the current level of prices.

Items eligible for long term classification were purchased at least 2 years ago and perhaps as long as 20, 30, 40, etc. years ago.  i.e. They were purchased when the value of a dollar was different (much different) than the value of a dollar today.

For simplicity, assume an asset purchased 10 years ago and it's value having increased at exactly the same rate as inflation.  When it is sold today, there is a taxable gain . . . but in reality there is zero gain after inflation considered.  So any tax at all on the gain will cause the investor to be in a lesser position than they were 10 years ago.

A very logical and fair tax code will take this into consideration by saying . . . hey, let's lessen the penalty somewhat by imposing a LTCG rate that is less than that paid on current ordinary income.

It is hoped, of course, that the value will actually increase by more than the inflation rate.

Aside from fairness to investors regarding inflation . . . there is a huge benefit to general economy for this attempt to lessen the punishment of those who take the risk of investing for the long term.  Increasing the punishment for those who do take this risk will lead to a decrease in economic activity.

I can provide exact personal example to illustrate.

Among other investments, I am currently selling off one acre (or larger) parcels from a larger plot I purchased 30 years ago.  My nominal (before considering inflation) gain per acre is quite large.  However, my real (inflation adjusted) gain is much, much smaller although still positive.

The fact that I have incurred substantial risk for 30 years (the value could have tanked for dozens of reasons) is given some reward by not allowing taxes to eat up all of the real gain.

Joe's plan will mean that my real gain after taxes will shrink considerably.

What will be the economic consequences?  I can think of at least three.

1) I and others in similar circumstances will simply stop selling parcels of land, and wait for a future lowering back down of the LTCG rate.  This will lead to fewer parcels available, lessened new home construction, lowered demand for construction workers and materials, etc., etc.

2) From the perspective of larger investors, there will be a decrease in their undertaking expensive and risky projects that they hope have a long term payoff when they might cash out years from now.

3) Going back to point 1, there will even be a perverse effect on Joe's plan to extract higher taxes from successful persons.  For those of us who stop selling . . . our assets will pass to heirs at a 'stepped-up' tax basis equal to the  current market value at time of death.  If heirs then sell at this new current value and tax basis, there will be zero new taxes for Joe.  Joe would have been better off to leave LTCG rates alone and actually collect more tax dollars during his term.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on September 11, 2020, 09:45:10 AM
Very interesting insight, ML. If your 'fear' holds true, I'm interested to hear what option you have, if any...

So far in our industry, a lot of the monies behind a good swatch of development are fed by Chinese-based investors. Despite the climate between the US/Sino, Chinese investors into the US hasn't really waned that much. I'm somewhat surprised by this because of the obvious, and the daily deluge of information almost telling us we are on the verge of war with them.

The other interesting thing too is, ME used to be THE biggest monies behind RE investment, at least in our region, but they've paled in comparison with Chinese aggression. Residential development are brisk, but isolated in high density dwellings, mostly 'apartments' over condos/zero lot confines. SFH is almost non-existent. Hotels are steady. Commercial, especially retail, is dead on the water. Whatever does come up are mixed into those mixed-use development.

Believe or not, even COVID haven't really impacted this Sino-surge.

I do not know what impact the current condition will do with a Biden win this November. Right now, it seems oblivious to anything going on. Not Trump or Biden. Not the virus. Not any Geo-political  posturing...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on September 11, 2020, 03:11:52 PM
ML,

Mutual funds make annual distributions to owners, and these would be taxable as ordinary income. 

I have far more individual stocks than funds, yet a Biden victory could convince me to sell funds before 2021, actually well before the distributions.   A national wave of such selling would lower the market.   So maybe some trimming elsewhere is advisable.   

Some areas of the market should do well under Biden. such as infrastructure plays and those training programs needed so policemen know how to help  criminals get in touch with their feelings.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 26, 2020, 10:21:56 AM
My Ukrainian wife is very distraught about the military plane crash that killed 26 or so aviation students and instructors.

http://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/plane-crashes-in-kharkiv-oblast-killing-at-least-20-people.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on September 26, 2020, 03:23:21 PM
RE that crash...
Quote
Jason Neighbors stated----- I hope they replace their planes faster than they do their trolleybuses)
Have there been any deadly trolley crashes over there?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on September 29, 2020, 03:46:02 PM
Wife has been hard at work all semester learning how to code using the Maxima mathematical software and using it to write a program which might be useful in her potential doctoral dissertation.

I haven't done any original programming for several years, and used mostly Fortran back then.

I am quite nervous when about once a day she calls me in to help her debug her program.

I know nothing about it, of course, and nothing about the math problem she is working on.

However, it mostly works out as I hope.

That is to say . . . by her trying to explain to me the steps she has coded . . . she finds the mistake herself.

Then she dismisses me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 08, 2020, 08:19:43 PM
More specifically, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Information Policy is set to add “the culture of Ukrainian borsch cooking” to the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

That’s an important step ahead of Ukraine’s plan to nominate the culture of Ukrainian borsch cooking for the same kind of list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.

UNESCO’s list already includes Ukrainian Petrykivka decorative painting, the tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics and Cossack’s songs of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Apart from borsch, the cultural ministry is set to add four more items to the heritage list: the technology of creating the Klembivska embroidered shirt with a flower, Easter celebration “Lead the Lord” in the Rozkoshivka village in Vinnytsia Oblast, Borshchiv folk embroidery and the creation of the Carpathian lizhnyk, a thick blanket made of sheep’s wool. 

http://www.kyivpost.com/lifestyle/ukraine-to-recognize-borscht-as-intangible-cultural-heritage.html
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 10, 2020, 08:15:18 AM
Wife and I have had a couple of problems most likely caused by this 24/7 together issue.
What about the rest of you ?

DEAR ABBY:

Since the coronavirus lockdown began, my wife and I have been cooped up together all day, every day.

Though we have lived together for 35 years, she’s now discovering that I “don’t cook vegetables correctly.”

I don’t sort the trash the way she thinks it should be, so I can’t take out the garbage without her first inspecting it.

Not only do I not wash the dishes properly, I don’t even wash my face right.

Thus far the only thing I seem to be able to do is go to the restroom without her supervision, but I lock the door now just in case she decides to kibitz.

I realize that during this tense time, people feel a loss of control over their own lives and try to compensate however they can. I’m able to hang on to my patience almost all the time, but occasionally I want to either scream at her or look for an apartment of my own.

Do you have any advice for either or both of us?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on October 10, 2020, 03:28:38 PM
It has been a test.  I am constantly corrected about my mitigation practices. 

It will get better. 

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 11, 2020, 02:08:30 PM
A joy to watch.
Texas scores 14 points in last 3 minutes to tie and force overtime.
Overtime 1, both score and still tied.
Overtime 2, both score and still tied.
Overtime 3, Oklahoma blocks Texas field goal attempt; Oklahoma kicker misses short field goal after going 51/51 last year.
Overtime 4, Oklahoma scores, Texas does not, as their pass attempt was intercepted in end zone.

I know there were other close games on Saturday and a few upsets of top 25 teams.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on October 12, 2020, 05:28:57 AM
The Big 12 is looking mighty weak this year
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 12, 2020, 07:57:02 AM

Some of you guys may have remembered the LSU Texas A & M game a few years ago. LSU had the lead and they intercepted the ball from Texas A & M with less than 2 minutes left in the game. The LSU players gave their coach a sticky Gatorade bath in celebration. Texas A & M miraculously tied the game. The game went into 7 overtimes with Texas A & M winning it. I feel sorry for the LSU coach who had to endure being wet and sticky for 7 overtimes only to lose the game.

http://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/Ed-Orgeron-LSU-Texas-AM-7-overtime-game-133681616/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 14, 2020, 08:43:32 AM
Wife's relative living permanently in Ireland (actually has citizenship now) made short trip back to Ukraine for dental work.
He heard Ireland will close border on October 19th due to Covid
He is due to return tomorrow and will have to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Was unsure if he could even get back into Ireland if trying to return 19th or later.

As fantastic situation, he got tickets for 15 Euros each way.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on October 15, 2020, 02:01:43 PM
I would agree, normally

I lived in an apt in Cyprus near the sea front with sea views  and my neighbours were older.  There was a sense of community.

One noisy family and all that can be spoilt
+1
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on October 15, 2020, 02:06:30 PM
I haven't kept up as much as others regarding the candidate's actual plans.

But just today, I saw a side-by-side layout of the candidate's positions on many issues.

Regarding Long Term Capital Gains Tax Rate.
Donald is in favor of lowering top rate from 20% to 15%

Joe says he will push  to raise top rate to match top rate on ordinary income.

OK, so who cares and what will be the economic impact.  First we must understand the rationale for having a capital gains tax rate lower than tax rate on ordinary income.

Ordinary income is currently earned at the current level of prices.

Items eligible for long term classification were purchased at least 2 years ago and perhaps as long as 20, 30, 40, etc. years ago.  i.e. They were purchased when the value of a dollar was different (much different) than the value of a dollar today.

For simplicity, assume an asset purchased 10 years ago and it's value having increased at exactly the same rate as inflation.  When it is sold today, there is a taxable gain . . . but in reality there is zero gain after inflation considered.  So any tax at all on the gain will cause the investor to be in a lesser position than they were 10 years ago.

A very logical and fair tax code will take this into consideration by saying . . . hey, let's lessen the penalty somewhat by imposing a LTCG rate that is less than that paid on current ordinary income.

It is hoped, of course, that the value will actually increase by more than the inflation rate.

Aside from fairness to investors regarding inflation . . . there is a huge benefit to general economy for this attempt to lessen the punishment of those who take the risk of investing for the long term.  Increasing the punishment for those who do take this risk will lead to a decrease in economic activity.

I can provide exact personal example to illustrate.

Among other investments, I am currently selling off one acre (or larger) parcels from a larger plot I purchased 30 years ago.  My nominal (before considering inflation) gain per acre is quite large.  However, my real (inflation adjusted) gain is much, much smaller although still positive.

The fact that I have incurred substantial risk for 30 years (the value could have tanked for dozens of reasons) is given some reward by not allowing taxes to eat up all of the real gain.

Joe's plan will mean that my real gain after taxes will shrink considerably.

What will be the economic consequences?  I can think of at least three.

1) I and others in similar circumstances will simply stop selling parcels of land, and wait for a future lowering back down of the LTCG rate.  This will lead to fewer parcels available, lessened new home construction, lowered demand for construction workers and materials, etc., etc.

2) From the perspective of larger investors, there will be a decrease in their undertaking expensive and risky projects that they hope have a long term payoff when they might cash out years from now.

3) Going back to point 1, there will even be a perverse effect on Joe's plan to extract higher taxes from successful persons.  For those of us who stop selling . . . our assets will pass to heirs at a 'stepped-up' tax basis equal to the  current market value at time of death.  If heirs then sell at this new current value and tax basis, there will be zero new taxes for Joe.  Joe would have been better off to leave LTCG rates alone and actually collect more tax dollars during his term.

Interesting, well demonstrated
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on October 16, 2020, 12:30:58 AM

Was unsure if he could even get back into Ireland if trying to return 19th or later.

Cannot see a scenario whereby accessing the 'south' from N.Ireland would be impossible, politically.

As fantastic situation, he got tickets for 15 Euros each way.

Can they find me flights from Russia to Greece for the same ? ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 16, 2020, 10:43:33 AM
Cannot see a scenario whereby accessing the 'south' from N.Ireland would be impossible, politically.

Can they find me flights from Russia to Greece for the same ? ;)

Nothing to do with N. Ireland.

He is coming from Kyiv to Dublin.  Actually flies today.

The 15 Euro tickets were on Ryan Air.  Don't know if Ryan flies to Russia or Greece.  I guess not if you have already looked for such inexpensive tickets.  And the cost might be substantially different on different routes even with similar distances.  Something about free market supply and demand . . . I would think.

He had a lot of dental work done in Ukraine.  Figured the cost was one fourth of cost in Ireland.  And the dentist was a man a year younger than himself whom he had known in high school.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on October 17, 2020, 12:38:37 AM
Nothing to do with N. Ireland.

)) ..IF the Republic was closing it's borders ..  I'd be VERY surprised if it tried to refuse folks from N.Ireland entering ...  it would be political dynamite


The 15 Euro tickets were on Ryan Air.  Don't know if Ryan flies to Russia or Greece.  I guess not if you have already looked for such inexpensive tickets.  And the cost might be substantially different on different routes even with similar distances.  Something about free market supply and demand . . . I would think.

He had a lot of dental work done in Ukraine.  Figured the cost was one fourth of cost in Ireland.  And the dentist was a man a year younger than himself whom he had known in high school.

Thanks, for the info ... Indeed, western based low cost airlines have flown routes to Russia, but as even most visa holding RU citizens can't fly to most EU nations...

I HAVE discovered Greece may be still be 'green' for both the UK and RU ...

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 21, 2020, 04:36:52 PM
I have sold 14 or so parcels of R.E. in last 10 years or so.
For each, I have my own very simple 2 page contract including signature lines for Seller and Buyer.
No R.E. agents ever involved and no attorneys involved and at this stage.
Later, their (or bank's) attorneys do Title Search, review the deed I prepare, etc.
So now along comes a man who graduated from Harvard Law School.
He dicked around for 3-4 weeks with how many and which parcels he and wife wanted to buy and said he had all cash.
So I had to prepare 3 different contracts over this period as they changed their minds.
Finally he tells me he is too worried about signing my simple contract and wanted to consult with a R.E. Attorney. 
OMG . . . a Harvard Attorney specializing in Corporate law needs to work with another attorney for a simple R.E. transaction that 14 other buyers have signed on my back deck, or on the hood of my truck.
Today, he sent me the 7 page sales contract they came up with . . . including provision that I pay for this document.

I told him to fock off . . . even as around quarter of million dollars lost.

Quite funny that earlier he had told me he asked the other attorney to review my 2 page contract with a 'light touch.'

My FSU wife had the right idea from beginning . . . she said we shouldn't sell to an attorney because they would probably sue us regarding simple things over the years.

I agreed she was right . . . but didn't want to pass up chance for quarter of million dollar sale . . . with almost 90% being profit.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on October 21, 2020, 04:59:44 PM
I have sold 14 or so parcels of R.E. in last 10 years or so.
For each, I have my own very simple 2 page contract including signature lines for Seller and Buyer.
No R.E. agents ever involved and no attorneys involved and at this stage.
Later, their (or bank's) attorneys do Title Search, review the deed I prepare, etc.
So now along comes a man who graduated from Harvard Law School.
He dicked around for 3-4 weeks with how many and which parcels he and wife wanted to buy and said he had all cash.
So I had to prepare 3 different contracts over this period as they changed their minds.
Finally he tells me he is too worried about signing my simple contract and wanted to consult with a R.E. Attorney. 
OMG . . . a Harvard Attorney specializing in Corporate law needs to work with another attorney for a simple R.E. transaction that 14 other buyers have signed on my back deck, or on the hood of my truck.
Today, he sent me the 7 page sales contract they came up with . . . including provision that I pay for this document.

I told him to fock off . . . even as around quarter of million dollars lost.

Quite funny that earlier he had told me he asked the other attorney to review my 2 page contract with a 'light touch.'

My FSU wife had the right idea from beginning . . . she said we shouldn't sell to an attorney because they would probably sue us regarding simple things over the years.

I agreed she was right . . . but didn't want to pass up chance for quarter of million dollar sale . . . with almost 90% being profit.

Rather than to tell him to FU, why not mark up the 7 page document with what you find permissible and welcome him to resubmit it?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Confederate on October 21, 2020, 06:04:15 PM
Rather than to tell him to FU, why not mark up the 7 page document with what you find permissible and welcome him to resubmit it?

Because just as it's not wise to throw good money after bad it's also not wise to waste quality time on bad apples.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on October 21, 2020, 07:13:33 PM
we shouldn't sell to an attorney because they would probably sue us regarding simple things over the years.



Let's say his foundation cracks and he sues you for selling land that isn't suitable to build on. You're going to have to hire a geotech company to do a study of the soils to prove he's wrong. Let's say there's garbage buried on the property by the previous owner. He'll sue you for the cost to remove it. Let's say there's something about the property that wasn't disclosed and his hand picked appraiser appraises the property on the low side, he'll go after you for the loss of value. You'll probably owe him money more than the value of the property when he's done with you. Each time you go to court with him, he'll request all your financial and business records hoping to find something you did illegal. Then he'll call the local government reporting you're doing something illegal or try to get say there's wetlands or a rare animal or plant on your other properties so they can be built on which devalues the property. Or maybe you two will become the best of friends but I doubt that will happen.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: fathertime on October 21, 2020, 07:46:06 PM
Rather than to tell him to FU, why not mark up the 7 page document with what you find permissible and welcome him to resubmit it?
I like this idea, it lets him know you are in charge of how this is going to go, and it also keeps the burden on him...of which you aren't going to pay.  Of course there is a lot of satisfaction in the FU approach when somebody puts unreasonable barriers on a deal.     This guy sounds like a pain in the ass, and your wife probably has a decent chance of being right so I'd keep the deal more than air tight from your view.

Fathertime! 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on October 22, 2020, 01:06:13 AM
ML,

Of course, your wife is right, 'first impressions' and all.  Over the years I've found mutual trust is worth much more than the best-written contract.  The longer a contract is, the more verbiage there is to dispute down the road. You'd be looking at another couple rounds of 'negotiations', likely needing a lawyer yourself.  Next, he'll be knocking down his offer for what you want to be taken back out of the contract. Consider yourself as his corporate takeover target :)

Takes just one @hole waving paper to ruin a neighborhood.  The bottom line IMO is whether you or others in the 'hood would like having him around.

Peace is priceless.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 22, 2020, 10:25:31 AM
Thanks to all who commented.

The comments by Billy and BC are very relevant, and detail out my feelings and the possibilities more than I did in my own wording.

Just to clarify . . . there is no 'going back.'
I made that clear to him.

I almost think he will come back in a few days, apologize and say let's go with my 2 page contract.

Reason being that he and wife were really fascinated by the property, had their builder out twice and excavator once.  We had extensive and exhaustive emails back and forth multiple times per day for a couple of weeks.

That will give me more satisfaction to tell him to never again email, phone or show up at my doorstep.

I still can't really comprehend how anyone can come to my small development, see 13 new houses being lived in and another under construction, fall in love with their chosen parcels . . . and then, out of worry, refuse to follow the same purchase procedure as all previous buyers did.  And then be so arrogant as to present me with a 7 page document to replace my 2 page document.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: fathertime on October 22, 2020, 11:11:40 AM

Reason being that he and wife were really fascinated by the property, had their builder out twice and excavator once.  We had extensive and exhaustive emails back and forth multiple times per day for a couple of weeks.

That will give me more satisfaction to tell him to never again email, phone or show up at my doorstep.

 
Go with what give you the most satisfaction....the money isn't worth it (Unless it is critical). 

Fathertime!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on October 25, 2020, 03:34:53 PM
A stray kitten showed up at our house.  He won't leave.
I sent email to around 30 nearby homes; no one has claimed him.
Seems we now have a cat.
Our garage is heated, so that's where he is going to live.
He is very young, maybe only 3 months old or so; hope he becomes a good hunter.
A friend of mine, living in another state, identified his breed as "Maine Coon."
A google search revealed breeders get $800-2,000 for such.
Maybe I will find him a girlfriend.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Wayne on October 26, 2020, 09:41:41 AM
We have a male. Yes, if you have the documents to show, you can get paid to breed him.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 05, 2020, 06:17:34 AM
Republican Victoria Spartz, 42, a Ukrainian American politician and businesswoman, who was born in Ukraine's Chernihiv region, has become member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 5th District.

Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/world/u-s-elections-ukrainian-american-female-politician-elected-house-member-11207540.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Spartz
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 05, 2020, 06:33:49 AM

....hope he becomes a good hunter.


This horrifies songbird lovers such as me. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_predation_on_wildlife

I would vote Democrat if they promised to enact a law requiring cats to be declawed, neutered and kept indoors. 

Fortunately the coyotes in Florida are dining on cats allowed outdoors.  Nevertheless, in my 25+ years here I have noticed reduced populations of some songbird species (and I live adjacent to protected nature preserve of several hundred square miles).     
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on November 05, 2020, 08:24:23 AM
Reason being that he and wife were really fascinated by the property, had their builder out twice and excavator once.  We had extensive and exhaustive emails back and forth multiple times per day for a couple of weeks.

He never paid the builder or excavator a dime either.

Go with your wife's gut reaction.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 05, 2020, 09:32:19 AM
This horrifies songbird lovers such as me. 

This cat will only hunt mice and other such ground animals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 05, 2020, 09:41:18 AM
Newly elected to House of Representatives, Victoria Spartz was born and raised in Ukraine's Chernihiv region, immigrated to the United States in 2000 and became a U.S. citizen in 2006. She married Jason Spartz in 2000, and they have 2 daughters. Before moving to the United States, Spartz earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from the Kyiv National Economic University. She earned a Master of Accountancy from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.  She worked for a 'Big 4' CPA firm.

Sounds like she was a Mail Order Bride.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on November 05, 2020, 10:58:50 AM
This horrifies songbird lovers such as me.
Robins are disappearing. They are ground feeders for insects and worms and susceptible to ambush.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on November 05, 2020, 11:06:07 AM
Newly elected to House of Representatives, Victoria Spartz was born and raised in the Ukraine ....
Off the twitter page------
(http://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmBjap6XUAA8McK?format=jpg&name=small)
 
Quote
US House candidate, IN-5I am so honored and humbled by the trust the people of #IN05 (http://twitter.com/hashtag/IN05?src=hashtag_click) have placed in me.  I want to thank my husband Jason, my daughters, my family, my friends, and all of you who supported our campaign and voted for me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Confederate on November 05, 2020, 11:44:49 AM
This horrifies songbird lovers such as me. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_predation_on_wildlife

I would vote Democrat if they promised to enact a law requiring cats to be declawed, neutered and kept indoors. 

Fortunately the coyotes in Florida are dining on cats allowed outdoors.  Nevertheless, in my 25+ years here I have noticed reduced populations of some songbird species (and I live adjacent to protected nature preserve of several hundred square miles).   

Declawing a cat is cruel and inhumane. SMH.

Let the cat be as he is. A cat is part of nature's plan for balance. As he is.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on November 05, 2020, 12:48:51 PM
Domestic cats are not indigenous to North America.


Our neighbour had five cats that used to roam.  All were eaten by a coyote.  Stupid neighbours just replaced them, which is a form of animal cruelty. 


This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Confederate on November 05, 2020, 01:12:55 PM
Domestic cats are not indigenous to North America.


Our neighbour had five cats that used to roam.  All were eaten by a coyote.  Stupid neighbours just replaced them, which is a form of animal cruelty. 


This post was composed without the aid of google.

Coyotes need to eat also. You can be sure those were quick deaths.

If the neighbor loves his cat it's his responsibility to keep them inside when near wild animals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 05, 2020, 02:21:46 PM
This cat will only hunt mice and other such ground animals.


Impossible.  It goes against their instinct. 


Quote
The Moral Cost of Cats

A bird-loving scientist calls for an end to outdoor cats “once and for all”.....free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals annually.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/moral-cost-of-cats-180960505/


Quote
   Predation by domestic cats is the number-one direct, human-caused threat to birds in the United States and Canada.

http://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/

Keep reading.  You will not find one scientific article stating cats are good for nature.

On beautiful mornings while sitting on your patio, do you not enjoy the songs from birds? 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 05, 2020, 02:25:25 PM

Let the cat be as he is. A cat is part of nature's plan for balance. As he is.

The words of an environmental barbarian. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 05, 2020, 02:26:26 PM
Domestic cats are not indigenous to North America.

You understand.  Thank you. 
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Confederate on November 05, 2020, 02:28:55 PM
The words of an environmental barbarian.

Thank you.

But you're ignoring that for the most part I believe cats should be kept indoors.

Perhaps N. American birds also need to evolve better survival skills.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on November 05, 2020, 09:25:53 PM
(http://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/PR-photo_Cat-with-bird_Vishnevskiy-Vasily_Shutterstock-1-002-37rmhg7whz4yavyrkoakui.jpg)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 12, 2020, 09:12:10 PM
Small town where wife grew up (and parents still live there) made it to August with zero cases of Covid.

Then it started.  Now they have several new cases every day and deaths are coming.

She knew 4 of those who have died just in the past week.

Her Mother reports that many people have just given up and take the attitude that whatever happens will happen and nothing we can do about it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Confederate on November 12, 2020, 10:14:48 PM
Small town where wife grew up (and parents still live there) made it to August with zero cases of Covid.

Then it started.  Now they have several new cases every day and deaths are coming.

She knew 4 of those who have died just in the past week.

Her Mother reports that many people have just given up and take the attitude that whatever happens will happen and nothing we can do about it.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is deluded.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 13, 2020, 07:51:54 AM
Anyone who tells you otherwise is deluded.

Well, I must be 'deluded'... along with all the health workers, carers and management who are trying to keep hospitals, old folks homes and other institutions  functioning whilst risking their health or lives for us ..
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 13, 2020, 08:16:18 PM
Anyone surprised that two elderly men can prolong an election for such an extended period of time ??
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on November 13, 2020, 08:57:12 PM
Anyone surprised that two elderly men can prolong an election for such an extended period of time ??
Good one (http://www.jfkassassinationforum.com/Smileys/DarkB/cheesy.gif)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 14, 2020, 01:17:03 AM
ML..I posted this 5 days ago)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 15, 2020, 10:47:02 AM
Wife asked this morning: When are we having sex?

I said:  Let me check the weather forecast.

Why ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 15, 2020, 10:57:21 AM
Do they forecast blue moons ?;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 17, 2020, 09:30:10 AM
Wife has female cousin living in Italy and married to Italian man.
Italians, along with most all Europeans have political views that would be considered left wing in USA.
(Note: I say this because it has been stated here by those living in Europe).

Wife had long Skype talk with cousin yesterday because it was cousin's birthday.

Cousin said her Italian husband asked her to ask: 

"Why did Americans vote Trump out?  He did not lead USA into additional international wars, he forced Europe to increase spending on our own defense, he led USA into great economy before Covid, he had plans to halt illegal immigration."

Wife replied:  Because stupid voters here who vote based on personality rather than policies.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on November 17, 2020, 12:56:47 PM
That's something for a Ukrainian to say, given the Trump administration's less than enthusiastic attitude toward Ukraine.


This post was composed without the aid of google.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: msmob on November 18, 2020, 05:24:23 AM
Wife has female cousin living in Italy and married to Italian man.
Italians, along with most all Europeans have political views that would be considered left wing in USA.
(Note: I say this because it has been stated here by those living in Europe).

'Those' being ..examples, please..?

I wish Sandro was still around to remind you that northern Italy has quite right of centre 'patriot' support. Germany has it's AfD, Greece is locking up Golden Dawn supporters involved in murdering immigrants, France has its FN and the UK has Farage, et al


Cousin said her Italian husband asked her to ask: 

"Why did Americans vote Trump out?  He did not lead USA into additional international wars, he forced Europe to increase spending on our own defense, he led USA into great economy before Covid, he had plans to halt illegal immigration."

1/ He oversaw a continued presence in E.Syria - withdrawing against the will of Generals there and in 'Kurdistan'

2/ The economy was already great ...

3/ He plans to build a wall and get the Mexicans to pay for it ? ;)


One wonders if Wifey's cousin watches too much Fox

Not commententing on wifey's thoughts ;)
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on November 26, 2020, 12:09:42 PM
Be sure to watch this program.
Quite fascinating covering all the nominations from Bork to Barrett

After the Bork defeat in 1987, a young Mitch McConnell gave address in which he said the Democrats would forever rue that day.

It took Mitch 33 years to finalize his revenge.

I had never heard this particular phrasing, but once when Trump asked Mitch how he was holding up regarding Kavanaugh, Mitch said:  "I am stronger than mule piss."
Probably those of you from the south have heard this before.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/supreme-revenge/
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 12, 2020, 06:20:26 PM
I served 4 years in U S Navy.  Army-Navy game usually one of best games all season.

But today . . . .

1) Navy couldn't score on 4 downs from one yard line.

2) Had a touchdown called back for holding.

3) Failed to make easy recovery of Army fumble wherein Navy guy could have walked into end zone.

4) Fumbled ball in their own territory leading only touchdown of game; by Army.

5) Were tackled in own end zone giving 2 points to Army.

6) About the only thing they didn't do was send some of their gals out in Dallas Cowgirl outfits.

Note: This last comment was totally uncalled for and made without any knowledge of the looks of said gals.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 14, 2020, 10:07:16 AM
Totally inconceivable how Time Magazine did not choose this group.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on December 14, 2020, 11:15:21 AM
I agree.  I thought the same thing at the time the announcement was made.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 14, 2020, 05:30:05 PM
Has my annual medical 'session' today.
Because of Covid, they wanting to curtail number of people actually arriving.
So they called last week and asked if I would be OK with a phone 'session,' which I agreed to since I have no current health complaints.
It was to be of two parts:  First RN would call and go over the standard check list and review my medications for refills needed.  Then MD would call to verify that I wanted and needed the meds and ask what questions I had, etc.

So I have had a standing prescription for Cialis.  Actually I haven't filled it for over 10 years.  I got it when I was meeting with several women on my trips and wanted to have it on hand if I felt a 'performance problem' due to anxiety, etc.

The RN and I had a very long and friendly talk about many things unrelated to my health; she was working from home and I guess was not pressed for time.

When she started going down the Rx list, I was surprised when she saw the Cialis and said: "You still sexually active?"  Presumably she thought I was too old.  I said: Yes Ma'am.

She said: I can't even find men in their 50s who are interested in sex.

I didn't even know her name and I never encounter the same RN in my annual visits; and have no idea what she looks like.

Of course I could probably get her fired for such questions and comments . . . but didn't bother me a bit.

Later, when I talked to the MD, he was also talkative and working from home.
I had only seen him briefly once before when he was assigned to me last December, as my long-time MD was retiring.
Turns out he lives not too far from me and went through medical school with the MD I sold some real estate to this past summer.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on December 15, 2020, 07:16:52 AM
Whoops,

I was making an offtopic comment.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 22, 2020, 06:01:04 PM
Today is our 6th wedding anniversary.

Had a big time celebration . . . at home.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: I/O on December 22, 2020, 07:54:56 PM
Today is our 6th wedding anniversary.

Had a big time celebration . . . at home.
Well done, you only get 20 for murder these days....
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on December 23, 2020, 01:46:55 AM
Today is our 6th wedding anniversary.

Had a big time celebration . . . at home.
Congratulations!!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 24, 2020, 10:23:30 AM
Wife has been wanting White Christmas.

Supposed to be light rain most of day 24th, turning to snow around 9 PM.
Snow flurries all night and up to 10 AM or so on 25th.
So seems like she will get her wish, although maybe not a lot of snow.
Downside is that our high temp for next two days will only be 20 F.  Ouch !!

We have been eating a lot, and will continue through the end of year.

Then, she says, we will go on a strict diet !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on December 25, 2020, 03:53:39 PM
Christmas meal
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 04, 2021, 02:38:00 PM
I fell over top of ladder propped on tree limb (circumstances too hard to explain),
Have 9 broken ribs and broken clavicale, all on rhs,
Been in hospital 5 days now and lot of complications arising.
Sorry can't contribute much as needed  to volume of postings.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on January 04, 2021, 03:05:42 PM
I fell over top of ladder propped on tree limb (circumstances too hard to explain),
Have 9 broken ribs and broken clavicale, all on rhs,
Been in hospital 5 days now and lot of complications arising.
Sorry can't contribute much as needed  to volume of postings.

My best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: I/O on January 04, 2021, 04:36:47 PM
Recover quickly. I did my ankle 3 years ago, still have 4 screws in there...
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on January 04, 2021, 07:24:22 PM
I fell over top of ladder propped on tree limb (circumstances too hard to explain),
Have 9 broken ribs and broken clavicale, all on rhs,
Been in hospital 5 days now and lot of complications arising.
Sorry can't contribute much as needed  to volume of postings.


Yikes! that sucks. Hoping for your speedy recovery!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on January 04, 2021, 09:48:51 PM
I fell over top of ladder propped on tree limb (circumstances too hard to explain),
Have 9 broken ribs and broken clavicale, all on rhs,
Been in hospital 5 days now and lot of complications arising.
Sorry can't contribute much as needed  to volume of postings.




 Is that what you got to do to get attention from the wife these days? Hope you get better soon!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on January 04, 2021, 10:43:29 PM
Get well soon........and be more careful!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 13, 2021, 08:32:54 PM
How many wives / girlfriends made the required Kutia dish for evening meal ?

My wife did, grinding up poppy seeds by hand.

I am home from hospital now.

Still have severe pain only mitigated by the notorious oxycontin.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 17, 2021, 08:55:30 AM
I told back on October 25 about a very young kitten showing up at our house and refusing to leave.

Interesting events with respect to spouse.

When we first met I asked her a lot of questions about her favorite this and that.
When it came to animals, she said she really didn't care for any of them, even as her parents had always had dogs and cats.

So now the tiny grey, long haired kitten.

It first came into an open door and jumped up onto a bar stool and then onto the counter top where I was talking on phone.

I called wife to take it away.   She came and with huge smile said, where on earth?
I said I didn't know.
She immediately set about finding something to feed him.
I tried to give kitty away to girl visiting neighbors and wife looked somewhat upset, but said nothing.
Parents wouldn't let girl keep kitten, so back he was.

Flash forward to now, and wife has become extremely attached to this kitten.
Cooks special food for him, checks on food dish frequently, worries about where he is when he goes outdoors, etc.

So from not liking any animals, to a kitten lover.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: kynrazor on January 18, 2021, 08:51:15 AM
I fell over top of ladder propped on tree limb (circumstances too hard to explain),
Have 9 broken ribs and broken clavicale, all on rhs,
Been in hospital 5 days now and lot of complications arising.

Oh dear. Get well soon ML! Have adequate nutrition and rest and the ribs will heal fast. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a better 2021 for yourself and loved ones.

Sincerely,
Kyn
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 18, 2021, 08:54:40 AM
Last few days I have been having trouble with Gastroesophageal reflux.

Have to consume a lot of generic Mylanta to get the burn under control.

Wife started boiling flax seed which produces something with a consistency very much like snot.

Forces me to drink it.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 18, 2021, 08:56:24 AM
Oh dear. Get well soon ML! Have adequate nutrition and rest and the ribs will heal fast. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a better 2021 for yourself and loved ones.

Sincerely,
Kyn

Thanks.
However ribs are not going to heal fast !!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: tfcrew on January 18, 2021, 07:26:49 PM
I fell over top of ladder ..........
As I did 20 yrs ago and also 15 yrs before that. Both times broke my left foot ...it took two surgeries to fix. I will go [now] only 4 feet up on that ladder and that's it   :popcorn:
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 19, 2021, 06:58:16 AM
As I did 20 yrs ago and also 15 yrs before that. Both times broke my left foot ...it took two surgeries to fix. I will go [now] only 4 feet up on that ladder and that's it   :popcorn:
Yes ladders are dangerous, but my first time with a fall.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 21, 2021, 10:40:09 AM
As I wrote before . . . I fell over top of 12 foot ladder and broke 9 ribs and clavicle back on Dec 30th.  I broke 9 ribs (some in two places) and my clavicle.  I was in hospital for 9 days and then returned home.  It has been now 3 weeks and one day since the event.   I am still in considerable pain which is only partially alleviated by the infamous oxycontin.

Point here being . . . my much younger, and above my league in looks, Ukrainian wife has taken excellent care of me.  Without her I would have had to hire almost full time help.
I can only rest and sleep in my large recliner which she has to help me get out of, which includes 1 or 2 times during the night for the pee process.
She helps me clean up after poo poo, and takes me to shower where she scrubs me down.
I have developed a lot of trouble with GERD which has been mostly controlled by her feeding me smaller amounts every 3 hours or so rather than standard 3 meals a day.
All this she has done smiling without a word of complaint.

So yes, you can achieve a woman out of your league in FSU and slight attraction from her side can turn into true love.

Now does this guarantee that we will live 'happily ever after?'
No it does not.

- - - - - -

Also let me say that my American wife would have taken the same excellent care of me; even during our last few strained years.
I am very lucky to have married two women who were excellent persons in terms of character, etc.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: 2tallbill on January 25, 2021, 07:27:06 AM
Last few days I have been having trouble with Gastroesophageal reflux.

Have to consume a lot of generic Mylanta to get the burn under control.

Wife started boiling flax seed which produces something with a consistency very much like snot.

Forces me to drink it.


I've had several buddies who swear that taking mustard is a cure for
Gastroesophageal reflux.

I found several articles that back the idea. Here are two.

Mustard for heartburn & acid reflux relief
http://www.nourishdoc.com/TreatmentPlans/Mustard-for-heartburn-relief-acidity-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd#


Do You Swallow a Spoonful of Mustard for Heartburn?
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/do-you-swallow-a-spoonful-of-mustard-for-heartburn

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 25, 2021, 09:08:07 AM

I've had several buddies who swear that taking mustard is a cure for
Gastroesophageal reflux.

I found several articles that back the idea. Here are two.

Mustard for heartburn & acid reflux relief
http://www.nourishdoc.com/TreatmentPlans/Mustard-for-heartburn-relief-acidity-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd#


Do You Swallow a Spoonful of Mustard for Heartburn?
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/do-you-swallow-a-spoonful-of-mustard-for-heartburn

Thanks Big Bill for this info.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 31, 2021, 05:43:05 PM
With my broken ribs and particularly broken clavicle, I cannot wash myself very well, if at all.

So wife has been scrubbing me down in shower, and shaving me.

I am starting to think she enjoys taking care of me as, of course, I enjoy her attention.

And now it seems she even likes shaving me.

What's with that ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 08, 2021, 10:49:24 AM
The two segments of my broken clavicle are too far apart to ever heal, according to my visit with ortho.  So they are going to cut, pull, reposition, screw in stainless steel plate, and sew back up.

But I must first go to cardio to get clearance that my heart is up to the procedure.
Go there tomorrow.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: kynrazor on February 11, 2021, 07:53:11 AM
The two segments of my broken clavicle are too far apart to ever heal, according to my visit with ortho.  So they are going to cut, pull, reposition, screw in stainless steel plate, and sew back up.

But I must first go to cardio to get clearance that my heart is up to the procedure.
Go there tomorrow.

Oh dear, does sound more serious than I first thought. I'm so happy for you ML that you have your wife so close, and caring for you like an important part of her.

Best wishes with the surgery and I really wish you a speedy recovery.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 11, 2021, 08:53:10 AM
Thanks for your kind words Kyn.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Maxx2 on February 11, 2021, 10:20:41 AM
All the best to you ML!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 11, 2021, 12:47:12 PM
Thanks Maxx for your posting.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 12, 2021, 07:24:25 PM
Got my second Pfizer covid vaccination today.
Supposed to attain max effectiveness in 2 weeks.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on February 13, 2021, 12:20:40 PM
Got my second Pfizer covid vaccination today.
Supposed to attain max effectiveness in 2 weeks.


Any side effects? I know someone who after taking the second Moderna vaccine, they felt like a train hit them.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 13, 2021, 02:46:29 PM

Any side effects? I know someone who after taking the second Moderna vaccine, they felt like a train hit them.

No problems after 27 hours or so.

I exercise my arm every couple of hours or so, as the nurse said this second shot is reported to cause more stiffness than first shot.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 14, 2021, 11:10:31 AM
48 hours after second Pfizer vaccination.
No adverse affects . . . except for shrinkage of penis.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on February 14, 2021, 11:19:47 AM
48 hours after second Pfizer vaccination.
No adverse affects . . . except for shrinkage of penis.


You'll need a few more shots then to get it down to a manageable size of 10 inches.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ChickMagnet on February 20, 2021, 02:47:41 AM
I'm the original One Week Wonder and I think I'm on 17 years now. It shows that what you read here is sometimes bullshit. Especially by Kenc a 45 year old man who married a 20 year old, and is the man who coined the term One Week Wonder. What an idiot he was in that young gal ran away from him in 10 years, yet my One Week Marriage is still going after 17 years. So, do your own thing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ChickMagnet on February 20, 2021, 02:54:43 AM
Can anyone top those facts with respect to Kenc's stupid, yet so intelligent post at that time. I debated him and most of you thought I was off my rocker. I'm still going with my wonderful lady. Now, the staying together part is mostly from me. Because after being wrong every day for 17 years, you kinda get worn down. But, I just keep letting her know she's the best experience in my life.

Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 20, 2021, 06:56:01 AM
Why was he an idiot if his marriage only lasted 10 years ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 21, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
Wife has relative living in Ireland.
In conversation today, it was stated that neighbor woman was sent to jail for 3 days for failure to pay TV reception fee for 3 years.

Woman bragged later that she viewed it as vacation from family.
They picked her up at her home and drove her to jail.
She got 3 meals each day without any cooking or cleaning of dishes.
The gave her a pack of cigarettes each day.
They gave her 2 euro each day for incidentals.
They drove her back home from jail.

I viewed this story with suspicion . . . so checked it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland

Several downsides I would think . . . including police record now.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 28, 2021, 04:12:25 PM
If yes, be careful regarding timing of filing of 2020 tax return.

Apparently Stimulus Checks will be based on latest tax return available to IRS.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 03, 2021, 12:26:48 PM
Watching old crime drama where young Russian gal placed into Witness Protection Program out west for testifying against mobsters in NYC.

They set her up in apartment and took her grocery  shopping, etc.

As leaving, officer gal asked her:  Is there anything else you want?

The Russian gal said:  They promised me new breasts also.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 05, 2021, 08:23:13 AM
Gonzaga - UCLA 2021  One of best basketball games ever.

Suggs of Gonzaga banks in a shot from just inside half court line to give Gonzaga the win in overtime.

Gonzaga coach Few has best percentage record of any active coach; but his salary at not quite 2 million per year is dwarfed by many others making 4-8 million per year.

But he likes the homey life in Spokane and fly fishing.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 05, 2021, 09:48:40 AM
Broke my heart! My gutty lil Bruins didn’t lose the game they merely ran out of time. I agree with Clark Kellog.

UCLA had beaten a No1 seed, a 2 and a 6th seed in addition to beating Abilene Christian who beat 3rd rank Texas before getting buzzed by the Bruins. No one in this tourney had a tougher schedule getting to the final 4. That’s not even counting coming back from 12 down at halftime against M-State Spartans just to earn an at-large entry.

All time classic. Much respect to Mick Cronin for bringing back Wooden’s legacy.

That was a bad call against Juzang to end regulation time! That was a Timme flop. But Juzang should’ve passé the ball to Juaquez on the wing as he was tripled team just before the charge call.

Congrats Gonzaga! A nice payback for the ‘06 slam!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 06, 2021, 08:45:01 AM
OMG what a huge surprise.  Not that Gonzaga lost, but the magnitude of same.

Baylor's offense rebounding and 3 point shooting in first 5 minutes of game was the tale of the loss by Gonzaga.

I was pulling for Gonzaga (mostly to have them achieve a no loss season), even as I reside in the Big 12 conference.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 14, 2021, 11:17:11 AM
Five students completed PhD in Math at wife's university this year.

2 Chinese
2 Arabs
1 African
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2021, 12:41:22 PM
Wife passed her comprehensive written PhD exam a week ago yesterday.

Then yesterday she passed her comprehensive oral exam which consisted a lot about presenting her dissertation proposal.

Now the final step is completion of the dissertation.

She actually has quite a bit of it completed already . . . about 40 pages of pure equations and proofs with only a few actual words thrown in.

She probably could complete over the summer, but she is planning to drag it out until mid January of next year.

Reason being . . . health insurance.  As a student she can get good coverage for $2,000 a year.
This same level of insurance would cost $15,000 if she were not a student.
And it is too late to get a teaching job lined up for Fall Semester 2021 as those are mostly filled by March-April by those who have the PhD already in hand.
Plus, we don't have our house ready for sale; and she can't go off and leave me here alone because I am such a baby I can't take care of myself.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on April 27, 2021, 02:05:41 PM
Wife passed her comprehensive written PhD exam a week ago yesterday.

Then yesterday she passed her comprehensive oral exam which consisted a lot about presenting her dissertation proposal.

Now the final step is completion of the dissertation.

She actually has quite a bit of it completed already . . . about 40 pages of pure equations and proofs with only a few actual words thrown in.

She probably could complete over the summer, but she is planning to drag it out until mid January of next year.

Reason being . . . health insurance.  As a student she can get good coverage for $2,000 a year.
This same level of insurance would cost $15,000 if she were not a student.
And it is too late to get a teaching job lined up for Fall Semester 2021 as those are mostly filled by March-April by those who have the PhD already in hand.
Plus, we don't have our house ready for sale; and she can't go off and leave me here alone because I am such a baby I can't take care of myself.


LMAO!


Congratulations for the wife, ML! May she fulfill all that she desires with her career! Very impressive!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 27, 2021, 04:12:02 PM
Congrats!!

How does it feel to be married to someone smarter than yourself?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on April 27, 2021, 05:08:44 PM



ML's wife has high level education and has a job making tons of money. ML gets mind blowing sex. It's debatable on who's the smart one.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2021, 06:42:35 PM
Congrats!!

How does it feel to be married to someone smarter than yourself?

Doesn't bother me at all.
And she doesn't know she is smarter, has denied it when I told her such, and (most importantly) never acts like she thinks she is smarter than me.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2021, 06:45:52 PM


ML's wife has high level education and has a job making tons of money. ML gets mind blowing sex. It's debatable on who's the smart one.

No, math professors don't make tons of money; they don't even make good money.
Accounting and finance professors . . . that's another story . . . sorry we didn't take her in that direction.
Double the salary of math professors, even as math folks have to have same or higher IQ.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 27, 2021, 06:46:30 PM

Congratulations for the wife, ML! May she fulfill all that she desires with her career! Very impressive!

Thanks for the good words.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on April 28, 2021, 05:10:01 AM
...and (most importantly) never acts like she thinks she is smarter than me.

Great point.  I would find that pedantic..... fatal in any relationship.  No one likes an "I told you so."

You are justifiably proud of her.    Again, congrats.  Both to her and to you.   
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on April 28, 2021, 11:08:51 AM
Wife passed her comprehensive written PhD exam a week ago yesterday.

Then yesterday she passed her comprehensive oral exam which consisted a lot about presenting her dissertation proposal.

Now the final step is completion of the dissertation.

She actually has quite a bit of it completed already . . . about 40 pages of pure equations and proofs with only a few actual words thrown in.

She probably could complete over the summer, but she is planning to drag it out until mid January of next year.

Reason being . . . health insurance.  As a student she can get good coverage for $2,000 a year.
This same level of insurance would cost $15,000 if she were not a student.
And it is too late to get a teaching job lined up for Fall Semester 2021 as those are mostly filled by March-April by those who have the PhD already in hand.
Plus, we don't have our house ready for sale; and she can't go off and leave me here alone because I am such a baby I can't take care of myself.
Congrat ML! Wish you to come back healthy quickly as much as possible  ;D
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 28, 2021, 11:40:19 AM
Congrat ML! Wish you to come back healthy quickly as much as possible  ;D

Thanks Pat.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 02, 2021, 07:07:28 AM
 'Alithos Anesti!,  'Alithos Anesti!,  'Alithos Anesti!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 03, 2021, 04:54:58 PM
Is Elon getting worried ?
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on May 03, 2021, 05:14:01 PM
Congratulations to Mrs. ML!
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 03, 2021, 09:33:39 PM
Is Elon getting worried ?


Worried about divorce? Musk is single. Some people are saying Gates is getting divorced because he's into pedophilia. Maybe wife found out. Bill Gates did fly on the Lolita Express AFTER Epstein served some time.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 08, 2021, 05:46:43 PM
Congratulations to Mrs. ML!

Thanks Boe.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on May 14, 2021, 09:10:47 AM
For several months now I have been predicting to friends that there will at some point be a strong backlash by ordinary genteel white folks (not just extremist red necks) against BLM and particularly the idea that we should feel 'white shame.'

Just recently voters in Southlake, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, overwhelmingly elected two school board candidates who opposed a proposed “cultural competence action plan” for the district over two who supported it, by a margin greater than that which separated Donald Trump and Joe Biden in November.

The plan laid out a series of objectives and ways to achieve them, including mandatory “cultural sensitivity training” for students and staff, evaluating instructors on their “cultural competence,” and student-led bias self-assessments with the goal of demonstrating the ethos of “white privilege,” white shame and “white fragility”

CYNTHIA M. ALLEN is a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

- - - - - -

Sure, this is just one small isolated (for now) incident, but I predict it will grow.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: mhr7 on May 14, 2021, 09:37:18 AM
For several months now I have been predicting to friends that there will at some point be a strong backlash by ordinary genteel white folks (not just extremist red necks) against BLM and particularly the idea that we should feel 'white shame.'

Just recently voters in Southlake, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, overwhelmingly elected two school board candidates who opposed a proposed “cultural competence action plan” for the district over two who supported it, by a margin greater than that which separated Donald Trump and Joe Biden in November.

The plan laid out a series of objectives and ways to achieve them, including mandatory “cultural sensitivity training” for students and staff, evaluating instructors on their “cultural competence,” and student-led bias self-assessments with the goal of demonstrating the ethos of “white privilege,” white shame and “white fragility”

CYNTHIA M. ALLEN is a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

- - - - - -

Sure, this is just one small isolated (for now) incident, but I predict it will grow.

The ethnic composition of the population of Southlake is composed of 23,274 White residents (80%), 2,409 Asian residents (8.28%), 1,781 Hispanic residents (6.12%), 959 Black residents (3.3%), and 550 from two or more races.

Those numbers come from Wikipedia. it's a fairly white city where I wouldn't expect "white-shame" type issues to gain much traction. I'm not against more things from different cultures being taught and appreciated, but not at the expense of shaming another. I'm white and feel no shame for anything. But we're a multi-culti country so we can't just ignore anything non-white.
Title: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on May 14, 2021, 09:42:12 AM
For several months now I have been predicting to friends that there will at some point be a strong backlash by ordinary genteel white folks (not just extremist red necks) against BLM and particularly the idea that we should feel 'white shame.'

Sure, this is just one small isolated (for now) incident, but I predict it will grow.


Whites are the majority and when push comes to shove, the majority will win making the minority resent the majority even more. Our government knows this so this is what our government wants. Conflict between whites and minorities, women against men, young against old, and conflicts between religions to keep us divided and focused on ourselves asking our government to help instead of united and focused on our government. There's only one way to fix this and end this nightmare. That is to replace our government.
Title: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: ML on May 16, 2021, 09:57:03 AM
Wife was selected for jury duty several years ago before she was USA citizen.  So when we sent in that paperwork, she was excused.
Last year she was selected again.  We sent in paperwork stating she would not be able to understand back and forth arguments.  But judge refused to excuse her.  In end, because of covid, all trials were cancelled for her time slot.
Now she has been called for third time.  (despite my 100 years of living here, never been called once).
Her jury time is to start on 21 June and go through end of July, so we hustled around yesterday and got her plane tickets to leave here on Saturday.
Wasted a bunch of time on the cheapo sights . . . and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy directly from United Airlines.  Got very good times for leaving, returning, time between flights, etc.

Big hassle was/is going to be the Covid testing.

Ukraine requires test within 72 hours of arriving.  But all local testing takes 3-5 days for results, so can never meet the criteria.  No facility does Rapid test in our area.

Checked at departure airport . . . and they do Rapid test with 20 minute results . . . at a cost of nearly $300.
Wife just hates to pay these prices (and the airfare ticket prices) . . . but I told her I would pay and for her to stop agonizing about it.
Frankfurt airport also does Rapid test for something like 250 euros, so about same price.

She was going to try to go to Ukraine something this summer anyway, since wasn't able to go last year.

And her parents starting to say things like . . . we may never be able to see you again as we can die at any time . . . which, of course, is true.

I don't understand why Ukraine (and other places) don't have alternative rules applying to those who have cards indicating they have both Pfizer shots.

Now will she also need 72 hour test results when she returns to USA ???
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: mhr7 on May 16, 2021, 11:20:57 AM
Wife was selected for jury duty several years ago before she was USA citizen.  So when we sent in that paperwork, she was excused.
Last year she was selected again.  We sent in paperwork stating she would not be able to understand back and forth arguments.  But judge refused to excuse her.  In end, because of covid, all trials were cancelled for her time slot.
Now she has been called for third time.  (despite my 100 years of living here, never been called once).
Her jury time is to start on 21 June and go through end of July, so we hustled around yesterday and got her plane tickets to leave here on Saturday.
Wasted a bunch of time on the cheapo sights . . . and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy directly from United Airlines.  Got very good times for leaving, returning, time between flights, etc.

Big hassle was/is going to be the Covid testing.

Ukraine requires test within 72 hours of arriving.  But all local testing takes 3-5 days for results, so can never meet the criteria.  No facility does Rapid test in our area.

Checked at departure airport . . . and they do Rapid test with 20 minute results . . . at a cost of nearly $300.
Wife just hates to pay these prices (and the airfare ticket prices) . . . but I told her I would pay and for her to stop agonizing about it.
Frankfurt airport also does Rapid test for something like 250 euros, so about same price.

She was going to try to go to Ukraine something this summer anyway, since wasn't able to go last year.

And her parents starting to say things like . . . we may never be able to see you again as we can die at any time . . . which, of course, is true.

I don't understand why Ukraine (and other places) don't have alternative rules applying to those who have cards indicating they have both Pfizer shots.

Now will she also need 72 hour test results when she returns to USA ???

Isn't she a US citizen? Doesn't that mean she's lost her Ukrainian citizenship because they only allow one?
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: ML on May 16, 2021, 11:59:25 AM
Isn't she a US citizen? Doesn't that mean she's lost her Ukrainian citizenship because they only allow one?

Yes, but what is your point/relevance with respect to what I have posted?

But actually no, because the rule has never been enforced.  Many top political leaders have dual (or more) citizenships.
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: mhr7 on May 16, 2021, 12:02:27 PM
Yes, but what is your point/relevance with respect to what I have posted?

But actually no, because the rule has never been enforced.  Many top political leaders have dual (or more) citizenships.

My point was that she is no longer a citizen of Ukraine so why is jury duty even an issue. Or will they penalize her the next time she goes to Ukraine and goes through customs if she skips jury duty?
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: ML on May 16, 2021, 01:56:27 PM
Wife was selected for jury duty several years ago before she was USA citizen.  So when we sent in that paperwork, she was excused.
Last year she was selected again.  We sent in paperwork stating she would not be able to understand back and forth arguments.  But judge refused to excuse her.  In end, because of covid, all trials were cancelled for her time slot.
Now she has been called for third time.  (despite my 100 years of living here, never been called once).

- - - - -  -
I posted the above.  And from that . . . you got that she had been called for jury duty in Ukraine ?

- - - - - -

My point was that she is no longer a citizen of Ukraine so why is jury duty even an issue. Or will they penalize her the next time she goes to Ukraine and goes through customs if she skips jury duty?
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: mhr7 on May 16, 2021, 02:08:32 PM
Wife was selected for jury duty several years ago before she was USA citizen.  So when we sent in that paperwork, she was excused.
Last year she was selected again.  We sent in paperwork stating she would not be able to understand back and forth arguments.  But judge refused to excuse her.  In end, because of covid, all trials were cancelled for her time slot.
Now she has been called for third time.  (despite my 100 years of living here, never been called once).

- - - - -  -
I posted the above.  And from that . . . you got that she had been called for jury duty in Ukraine ?

- - - - - -

Fair enough, I skimmed your story and read jury duty, judge not allowing it to be skipped, rushing to get tickets. I put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on May 16, 2021, 03:14:56 PM
Ukraine doesn't have jury trials the way common law jurisdictions have.  Jury trials were reintroduced in 2010, and then, only for offenses punishable by life imprisonment.  In reality, they just aren't used.
Title: Re: Wife going to Ukraine on Saturday
Post by: Sailor291 on May 17, 2021, 06:31:56 AM
Isn't she a US citizen? Doesn't that mean she's lost her Ukrainian citizenship because they only allow one?

I don’t know if you are referring to U.S. law or Ukrainian law, but, as for the U.S. side, one can have 10 citizenships as far as U.S. law is concerned.  The law is actually silent on the issue.  Ukraine on the other hand as far as I know only allows Ukrainian citizenship.  To my knowledge they never enforce it however. 

My two cents, take it or leave it.
Title: Ticket price to Ukraine jumped $622
Post by: ML on May 19, 2021, 04:47:21 PM
I bought wife ticket to Kyiv on 15 May and now checking on 19 May for the exact same flight on United.

Cost went up $622 in 4 days.
Title: Free rapid testing for Covid
Post by: ML on May 21, 2021, 06:52:09 AM
Was really surprised when discovered that Walgreens Drug, in conjunction with PWN Health Labs, was offering free rapid testing for Covid.
I suppose Fed (we taxpayers are paying).
Anyway wife provided swab at 11:45AM and got negative results via email link at 8:37 PM.

Saved us around $275 for test at airport here in USA or 225 or so Euros in Frankfurt.
Title: Re: Free rapid testing for Covid
Post by: John Gaunt on May 21, 2021, 09:30:13 AM
Was really surprised when discovered that Walgreens Drug, in conjunction with PWN Health Labs, was offering free rapid testing for Covid.
I suppose Fed (we taxpayers are paying).
Anyway wife provided swab at 11:45AM and got negative results via email link at 8:37 PM.

Saved us around $275 for test at airport here in USA or 225 or so Euros in Frankfurt.
Is it a PCR test or the lateral flow test?
Title: Re: Free rapid testing for Covid
Post by: Sailor291 on May 21, 2021, 10:08:28 AM
Was really surprised when discovered that Walgreens Drug, in conjunction with PWN Health Labs, was offering free rapid testing for Covid.
I suppose Fed (we taxpayers are paying).
Anyway wife provided swab at 11:45AM and got negative results via email link at 8:37 PM.

Saved us around $275 for test at airport here in USA or 225 or so Euros in Frankfurt.

Will Ukraine accept this test??
Title: Re: Free rapid testing for Covid
Post by: ML on May 21, 2021, 11:49:35 AM
Is it a PCR test or the lateral flow test?

The results sheet says PCR
Title: Re: Free rapid testing for Covid
Post by: ML on May 21, 2021, 11:56:30 AM
Will Ukraine accept this test??

Well let's hope so.

If not, she can get tested at airport in Ukraine.

But more serious question . . . will boarding flight in Frankfurt accept.

The flight from Frankfurt to Kyiv is United, as is flight from IAD to Frankfurt.
So presumably, boarding flight at IAD will be the critical one.

Airlines are sensitive to this because for Covid testing, just like the required visa situation (for those needing such), airlines have to pay for returning a passenger denied entry into a country because of covid or visa issues.
Title: Wife has left me
Post by: ML on May 22, 2021, 03:35:13 PM
Well wife is off on her way to Frankfurt.

The Covid test she got here worked for that boarding.

Don't know if I will survive without her.

She has been scrubbing me in shower since my fall from ladder on 29 December 2020.

Today on way home from airport I purchased a medical type adjustable stool to put in shower.

Can't take the chance of a fall since no one to pick me up.

She told me about 5 times in last 3 days that, if I wanted her to, she would cancel her trip and stay with me.
Title: Ukrainian woman just going to Ukraine for a vacation visit
Post by: ML on May 22, 2021, 03:37:44 PM
For first time since she arrived 10 years ago . . .

Wife said she was just realizing that she was viewing this trip to Ukraine as somewhere to go visit . . .

rather than going home. 

Said her home was now in USA.
Title: Re: Wife has left me
Post by: BillyB on May 22, 2021, 04:51:53 PM
She has been scrubbing me in shower since my fall from ladder on 29 December 2020.



Does she scrub in every nook and cranny? I'm going to try that fall trick to see if my wife will give me daily scrubs in the shower. You got a pretty good racket going on.
Title: Re: Wife has left me
Post by: ML on May 22, 2021, 05:03:09 PM

Does she scrub in every nook and cranny? I'm going to try that fall trick to see if my wife will give me daily scrubs in the shower. You got a pretty good racket going on.

Yes.

But it is pretty hard to fake 9 broken ribs plus a broken clavicle.

You can hire someone to provide the real breaks . . . but it's pretty painful.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on May 22, 2021, 11:05:47 PM
Oh my ML... Really sorry to hear that. Must have been quite a fall for such serious damage!  Had one mildly cracked rib long ago. I was miserable for weeks.
Title: BC has hurt me
Post by: ML on May 25, 2021, 09:00:38 AM
Oh my ML... Really sorry to hear that. Must have been quite a fall for such serious damage!  Had one mildly cracked rib long ago. I was miserable for weeks.

BC you are quite behind the times !!

I reported my fall and broken bones way back in January, and probably several times since.

Now I am subject to emotional trauma that you have not been following my thread closely.

I will have to schedule extra therapy sessions to deal with this.
Title: Wife in Kyiv
Post by: ML on May 25, 2021, 09:18:23 AM
Wife arrived in Kyiv on Sunday afternoon, their time.

Because of jet lag, she didn't sleep well the 2 nights there, so far; but still feeling somewhat more rested today.

She is staying in the newer condo (they call them apartments, but is like our condos) she purchased in 2014, which is currently occupied by a relative.

This relative and others (including me) finished off that bare condo over a period of a year or so.
It is a quite nice 3 room (the way they measure it) condo and is near the newer US Embassy west of city center.

She has some medical appointments mid week, and then will go on to her parent's home west of Kyiv later in the week.

Her relative purchased a new Peugeot earlier this year, and she says it is a very nice ride.

This guy wears white gloves when driving it and vacuums after each drive, if someone else has ridden in it !!!  Wonder how long that will last ?

I remember back in the day when young guys washed and waxed their cars each weekend, but never wore white gloves.

Today, cars seem to never need waxing; thanks to much improved miracle paints.
Title: Re: BC has hurt me
Post by: BC on May 25, 2021, 12:22:14 PM
BC you are quite behind the times !!

I reported my fall and broken bones way back in January, and probably several times since.

Now I am subject to emotional trauma that you have not been following my thread closely.

I will have to schedule extra therapy sessions to deal with this.

Indeed ML...Musta whizzed right past me.. old age I reckon.  I remember posting when you were thinking about selling your lot, then IIRC something about whiskey or such afterwards.  Sorry, I'll pay more attention now! :)
Title: Ukrainian gals go to Ukraine for medical care
Post by: ML on June 02, 2021, 06:31:13 PM
Wife has gone to 5 medical appointments in her 10 days or so in Ukraine.

These were all at non-government facilities where you pay; but the prices were really quite cheap . . . like $20 for office visit and (for example) for $50 you can get complete body MRI scans.  In USA that would be something like $1,500 - $2,000.

So why didn't she have these appointments in USA . . . she has good health insurance here.

1) Can't get to specialists in USA without going thru family doctor.  Often time this FD will not refer you to specialist if they are not convinced.

2) Even if FD refers you . . . it can take weeks and even months to get an appointment.

3) Most MDs in USA will not really spend time with the patient to discuss items . . . both before tests and after tests.

4) Now in Ukraine, she was able to go to any specialist she wanted, and could get in within 2-4 days of calling.  She has been very pleased with the facilities and the physicians really spent a lot of time with her and talked a lot 'with' her.

5) . . .

Anyway, today wife had visit with Neurologist.  This guy was a friend of a relative of wife, so he talked with her about more than just her concerns.

He started by telling her that the woman he had seen just before her was a UW living in France, and before that woman was a UW living in Canada.

Not really suggesting they came exclusively for medical treatment but, like my wife, they were there, so sought out treatment.

Further, he told that physicians in these private clinics were seeing an uptick in non-Ukrainian persons coming from Western European countries for medical treatment.

They cited some of same reasons I gave above for case of my wife . . . and one additional . . . they didn't think the care they were getting at the socialized medicine facilities was very good.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on June 03, 2021, 12:21:35 AM
My wife is doing the same.
Dentist appointments, seeing another specialist today.
As you said, it’s quite cheap and the private clinics offer a good service.
Healthcare in the UK is pretty bad as well. Long waiting times and depending where you live the level of care varies.
It may be ‘free’ at the point of use but doesn't necessarily mean it’s better.
Title: Re: Ukrainian gals go to Ukraine for medical care
Post by: BC on June 03, 2021, 02:49:56 AM
Wife has gone to 5 medical appointments in her 10 days or so in Ukraine.

My wife is doing the same.
Dentist appointments, seeing another specialist today.

Make that three of us.  My wife and daughter will be doing the same in a few weeks.



Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on June 03, 2021, 11:03:01 AM
Further, he told that physicians in these private clinics were seeing an uptick in non-Ukrainian persons coming from Western European countries for medical treatment.

They cited some of same reasons I gave above for case of my wife . . . and one additional . . . they didn't think the care they were getting at the socialized medicine facilities was very good.


Most physicians in Ukraine who provide private care also work in state facilities.


Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable seeking medical treatment in Ukraine.  Medical education there varies, and is not always of good quality.  Moreover, the problem of fake diplomas still exists in Ukraine.  If I had a medical emergency there, I would seek treatment, but I wouldn't go there specifically for medical treatment.


Our medicine is completely "socialized", in that private are options are relatively limited.  General practitioners are the gatekeepers to specialists here.  I haven't had to consult a lot of specialists, but any time I have needed one (opthamologist the most recent), I've had no issue getting an appointment.  I think a lot of FSU individuals, though, would have issues with the number of (Canadian born) South Asian and Asian physicians here. 
Title: Re: Ukrainian gals go to Ukraine for medical care
Post by: ML on June 03, 2021, 11:19:50 AM

Most physicians in Ukraine who provide private care also work in state facilities.


Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable seeking medical treatment in Ukraine.  Medical education there varies, and is not always of good quality.  Moreover, the problem of fake diplomas still exists in Ukraine.  If I had a medical emergency there, I would seek treatment, but I wouldn't go there specifically for medical treatment.


Our medicine is completely "socialized", in that private are options are relatively limited.  General practitioners are the gatekeepers to specialists here.  I haven't had to consult a lot of specialists, but any time I have needed on (opthamologist the most recent), I've had no issue getting an appointment.  I think a lot of FSU individuals, though, would have issues with the numbers of South Asian and Asian physicians here.

Yes, I understand what you say about medicine in Ukraine in general.

However, as always, depends on who you know.
In Ochka's case, she has a relative and a 'relative of a relative' in the medical field who steer her to competent folks.

Already she has learned the causes of two issues (from two different specialists) that have been giving her some health problems although, if anything can be done to help there or here is another question.
Title: Wife departing Ukraine in this Covid era
Post by: ML on June 18, 2021, 03:04:56 PM
Just talked to wife and she is going to bed now around midnight in Kyiv.
A short night for her as she will be at Kyiv airport at 5 AM.
She took Covid test yesterday at 3 PM and got negative results today.
I had some panic as her results referred to SARS-CoV-2 when I knew she needed results for Covid 19.
A google search revealed that Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, shortened to SARS-CoV-2, is actually the virus that causes COVID-19 (the disease).
Then email from Lufthansa wanted her to submit Covid test result 12 hours before flight.
I got that uploaded for her, and then message came back from Lufthansa saying she must submit German DEA form.
So I went to that website and filled in her info; then pop-up said she didn't need to submit because Ukraine was not a risk area.
Thus two different Lufthansa websites are in disagreement.

Anyway, we will have some anxiety about all of this until she is actually able to board her flight in Kyiv and again in Frankfurt.

The moslem terrorists really messed up our travel system starting back in 2001 and now Covid has added to the problems of traveling.
Title: Re: Wife departing Ukraine in this Covid era
Post by: Brillynt on June 19, 2021, 04:45:07 AM
Just talked to wife and she is going to bed now around midnight in Kyiv.
A short night for her as she will be at Kyiv airport at 5 AM.
She took Covid test yesterday at 3 PM and got negative results today.
I had some panic as her results referred to SARS-CoV-2 when I knew she needed results for Covid 19.
A google search revealed that Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, shortened to SARS-CoV-2, is actually the virus that causes COVID-19 (the disease).
Then email from Lufthansa wanted her to submit Covid test result 12 hours before flight.
I got that uploaded for her, and then message came back from Lufthansa saying she must submit German DEA form.
So I went to that website and filled in her info; then pop-up said she didn't need to submit because Ukraine was not a risk area.
Thus two different Lufthansa websites are in disagreement.

Anyway, we will have some anxiety about all of this until she is actually able to board her flight in Kyiv and again in Frankfurt.

The moslem terrorists really messed up our travel system starting back in 2001 and now Covid has added to the problems of traveling.

Thanks for the info.  My wife will be flying back in 2 weeks on Lufthansa via Frankfurt.  I had seen earlier that Germany requires the PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Germany. So we are ensuring she takes the test in the correct time window.  If you would not mind posting how the Frankfurt experience goes I would appreciate it.  Did your wife do the PCR test at the airport or locally in Kiev?
Title: Re: Wife departing Ukraine in this Covid era
Post by: Sailor291 on June 19, 2021, 05:15:05 AM
Thanks for the info.  My wife will be flying back in 2 weeks on Lufthansa via Frankfurt.  I had seen earlier that Germany requires the PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Germany. So we are ensuring she takes the test in the correct time window.  If you would not mind posting how the Frankfurt experience goes I would appreciate it.  Did your wife do the PCR test at the airport or locally in Kiev?

Wife and I are in Ukraine as we speak.  We will be flying home to Texas on Tuesday.  Lviv to Frankfurt to Houston.  As of today the United web site says that we don’t need any tests or vaccines for transiting Frankfurt since we are going to a non Schengen country (the U.S.). We are both vaccinated anyway and will be getting the PCR test to make Joe Biden happy in Kviv.  If my old mind can remember I will post our Frankfurt experience after we get home. 
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on June 19, 2021, 06:45:41 AM
She got test somewhere in Kyiv city, not at airport.
I'll post more info once she arrives here at our home.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on June 19, 2021, 01:37:22 PM
She got test somewhere in Kyiv city, not at airport.
I'll post more info once she arrives here at our home.

Thanks in advance for the information.
Title: Re: Wife departing Ukraine in this Covid era
Post by: Brillynt on June 19, 2021, 01:38:23 PM
Wife and I are in Ukraine as we speak.  We will be flying home to Texas on Tuesday.  Lviv to Frankfurt to Houston.  As of today the United web site says that we don’t need any tests or vaccines for transiting Frankfurt since we are going to a non Schengen country (the U.S.). We are both vaccinated anyway and will be getting the PCR test to make Joe Biden happy in Kviv.  If my old mind can remember I will post our Frankfurt experience after we get home.

Thanks
Title: Covid tests in Ukraine
Post by: ML on June 20, 2021, 06:34:50 PM
Wife got her PCR Covid test at Synevo in Kyiv.
The particular location was at Prospect Peremohy 80/57.
This is near the Beresteiska Metro station.
Probably other locations also in Kyiv.
Cost was 950 Hryvnia or about $35.
She was swabbed at 3 PM and result came via email at 12:15 AM so about 9 hours.
She liked their facility as it was very professional and very clean.
Website:  http://www.synevo.ua/en

Their write-up:

Synevo is the European chain of medical laboratories in Ukraine
The chain of medical laboratories Synevo is a part of the medical holding Medicover and consists of 41 laboratories in Eastern and Central Europe. Established in 1995 in response to the growing demand for high-quality healthcare services in Poland, Medicover subsequently expanded to other countries, fulfilling similar needs. Today, Medicover’s largest operations are in Poland, Germany, Romania and Ukraine. Medicover provides a broad spectrum of healthcare services via an extensive network of ambulatory clinics, hospitals, specialty-care facilities and laboratories through two divisions – Healthcare Services and Diagnostic Services.
Title: Presenting Covid test results at airports
Post by: ML on June 20, 2021, 06:39:11 PM
Wife had to show Negative PCR Covid test result (in English) about 3 times when going through boarding process at Kyiv airport.

The she had to show it about 3 times when changing planes in Frankfurt.

And show it about 3 times when going through Immigration and Passport control after landing in USA.
Title: Re: Presenting Covid test results at airports
Post by: Sailor291 on June 20, 2021, 10:57:02 PM
Wife had to show Negative PCR Covid test result (in English) about 3 times when going through boarding process at Kyiv airport.

The she had to show it about 3 times when changing planes in Frankfurt.

And show it about 3 times when going through Immigration and Passport control after landing in USA.

Trying to figure out what’s the point of showing it after you get to the U.S.?  What they going to do, send you back to where you came from? 

What state did she enter the U.S., NY?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Brillynt on June 21, 2021, 01:46:44 PM
ML,

Thank you for all the info. One more question, they provided the PCR results in English as well as Ukrainian?
Title: Covid test results in what language
Post by: ML on June 21, 2021, 02:15:40 PM
ML,

Thank you for all the info. One more question, they provided the PCR results in English as well as Ukrainian?

They will provide in the language you want . . . provided they have that capability.
English and Ukrainian certainly on the list.
Title: Anyone personally know someone who was murdered
Post by: ML on June 23, 2021, 11:40:16 AM
Deaths come in three's or some such !!

I have suffered the death of two close relatives recently.  One of a stroke and one from Covid.

Then, just yesterday, got news about a former friend who had been beaten severely and then shot 4 times.  This happened about a week ago, and no suspects at this point.

I say 'former' because I hadn't had any contact with him for over 20 years as we both relocated away from the area where we had gone to university together and were also fairly close business acquaintances for a couple of years.

I suffer more emotionally from the loss of relatives . . . but am shocked more about this murder.
Title: Explanation for high housing prices and cost of construction
Post by: ML on July 01, 2021, 09:03:17 AM
In the Rant thread which covers several topics, I mentioned government interference as a reason why supply side can be 'out-of-whack'!

That appears to be the case with respect to housing prices.
- - - - - -

Bruce Yandle is a distinguished adjunct fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, dean emeritus of the Clemson College of Business and Behavioral Sciences, and a former executive director of the Federal Trade Commission. He wrote this column for Tribune News Service.

As if homebuyers, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers don’t have enough to think about in this summer’s hard-to-read economy, the price of framing lumber has skyrocketed from $600 per thousand board feet to more than $1,400 in the last six months. Higher-cost lumber has added an estimated $36,000 to the average price of a new home. Some may wonder about President Donald Trump’s 2017 decision to impose 20 percent tariffs on Canadian timber products, and we should all question Biden administration threats to reimpose them.

Though softened to 9 percent in the early days of the new administration, the tariffs caused U.S. consumers to bear the brunt of a misguided effort that, oddly enough, put substantial sums in the pockets of Canadian-owned U.S. lumber producers, as well as their U.S.-owned competitors. How all this could make America great again is difficult to imagine.

The Trump decision was extraordinary at the time because it imposed higher tariffs on the products of specific Canadian firms that exported to the United States (while also more typically laying an overall tariff on all producers). U.S. interests favoring the tariffs, which were primarily American-operated Pacific Northwest mills, pointed to Canadian government subsidies which they claimed unfairly assisted Canadian firms to obtain logs from government-owned forest land.

Those who were opposed to the tariffs, like American homebuilders, argued that the subsidy allegation was hard to prove, and that higher tariffs would surely impose high costs on American consumers.

All of this was in conjunction with failed efforts by trade negotiators to resolve a decades’ long U.S.-Canadian dispute regarding Canada’s tariffs on U.S. dairy products. While the war of words roared away, no one seemed to point to the fact that Canadian-owned U.S. lumber mills would be counted among the big winners in the Make America Great Again trade skirmish. But that’s exactly what happened.

When the COVID pandemic hit and trillions of dollars of federal stimulus funds began making their way into the bank of accounts of hard-hit (and not-so-hard-hit) American consumers, the options for spending money were rather limited. With millions working at home for the first time ever, countless families decided this would be a good time to add a deck, another room, or move up to a new home. Demand for building materials shot skyward as did prices for lumber, steel, and copper.

Meanwhile, domestic lumber producers — whether U.S. or Canadian owned — banked substantial profits. In a survey of the top 10 U.S.-based 2020 lumber producers, three were Canadian owned, and their combined volume accounted for more than 30 percent of the total Big 10 production.

Is there a lesson to be learned here? Most people understand that tariffs leave some winners and some losers. A somewhat-smaller group, which includes most economists who study such things, recognizes that tariffs impose far greater costs on all consumers combined than benefits provided to the interests they protect. This is nothing new. It has been known and commented on for ages. It’s also no secret that politicians respond to organized interests. Consumers — in this case our homebuyers and deck builders — are not especially well-organized.

But there is a harder lesson to heed: No group of Washington’s brightest and best can have enough knowledge to predict what will actually happen — who will benefit and who will pay — when major policy interventions occur. Try as we might, we just can’t get it right. But we can perhaps learn to accept what we don’t know and be more cautious before pulling a tariff trigger.

Even now, the Biden administration is attempting once again to settle the Canadian-U.S. timber controversy, and along with it the dairy products trade problem. And even now, the U.S. trade negotiator is calling for a return to Trump-level lumber tariffs, up from the recently reduced 9 percent level, perhaps as part of a negotiating strategy.

Meanwhile, Canadian owners of U.S. lumber producers smile all the way to the bank.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: GQBlues on July 01, 2021, 09:33:04 AM
I had actually touched on this two weeks ago re: lumber - albeit from a different perspective.


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=21622.msg556787;topicseen#msg556787 (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=21622.msg556787;topicseen#msg556787)
Title: Explanation for high housing prices and cost of construction
Post by: ML on July 01, 2021, 09:43:50 AM
I had actually touched on this two weeks ago re: lumber - albeit from a different perspective.


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=21622.msg556787;topicseen#msg556787 (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=21622.msg556787;topicseen#msg556787)

Yes, your discussion covered price increases due to shutting down of lumber production.

My referenced article focused on price increases due to tariffs.

So a double whammy on prices . . . ouch.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on July 02, 2021, 12:40:49 PM
Canada will never concede on dairy tariffs, because they benefit, primarily, Quebec farmers.  It's not really much of an issue elsewhere in the country.  There was an attempt to cut some of those tariffs in the past, which was a political firestorm.


Dairy products in Canada are hormone free, but very expensive.  A liter of milk costs $2.20.  A pound of butter is close to $5 ($4.39 at Costco).  Good butter (flavour wise) is over $7 a pound, and is still not as good as Irish butters, which are locked out of our market.  The only things I think are really good here are yogurts and Quebec produced cheeses.
Title: USA Canada tariffs, food price comparisons, etc.
Post by: ML on July 05, 2021, 11:40:37 AM
Canada will never concede on dairy tariffs, because they benefit, primarily, Quebec farmers.  It's not really much of an issue elsewhere in the country.  There was an attempt to cut some of those tariffs in the past, which was a political firestorm.


Dairy products in Canada are hormone free, but very expensive.  A liter of milk costs $2.20.  A pound of butter is close to $5 ($4.39 at Costco).  Good butter (flavour wise) is over $7 a pound, and is still not as good as Irish butters, which are locked out of our market.  The only things I think are really good here are yogurts and Quebec produced cheeses.

Wife has been back from Ukraine a couple of weeks now.  I reported the above to  her.

Then she remarked how food here in USA is actually cheaper than in Kyiv.
She mentioned specifically basics like eggs and milk.

Out west of Kyiv where her parents live . . . they have several chickens, so plenty of eggs which they trade some for milk from a neighbor who has a cow.
Title: Fun with Ukrainian friends
Post by: ML on July 05, 2021, 11:53:46 AM
We had our Ukrainian group over for 4th of July evening BBQ.
Three couples are Ukrainian on both sides.
Three couples have Ukrainian woman with western man.
Two younger male university students.
One female university student in late 30s with a teenage son (no one knows nor have asked status of or whereabouts of his father).
She has just finished PhD and taken a teaching job in Midwest USA.

As unexpected bonus, two of our neighbor families set off quite lengthy fireworks displays which we could see most of through the trees while on our back deck.
Title: Most important Olympic results
Post by: ML on July 29, 2021, 03:53:51 PM
Despite the ravages of Covid and the country being invaded . . .

Ukraine finished 6th in the world in the 2021 Mathematical Olympiad.

China
Russian Federation
South Korea
USA
Canada
Ukraine

http://www.imo-official.org/year_country_r.aspx?year=2021
Title: Former Anti-Vaxer changes his tune now that he has Covid
Post by: ML on August 22, 2021, 07:40:49 PM
http://hosted.ap.org/kentuckytoday/article/2fcf35918ce407462dc3a25d983fe7b7/one-time-vaccine-skeptic-recounts-his-fight-against-covid
Title: Ukraine doing great in para-Olympics
Post by: ML on August 31, 2021, 07:43:42 AM
Ukraine is in 4-5th place (varies each day) in medals at para-Olympics in Japan.

Wife is amazed since Ukraine has not done much for people with disabilities compared to, say, USA.

She is wondering if Ukraine government will pay nice rewards to the people winning medals here as they did in the standard Olympics.
$100,000 to gold medalists, $75,000 for silver and $50,000 for bronze.

Now we will see how much interest and comments on this posting that actually involves FSU people as compared to the number of posting on Afghanistan, Vaccine arguments, USA politics, etc.
Title: Wife is back in classroom
Post by: ML on August 31, 2021, 07:58:48 AM
Ochka decided not to teach anything for Fall and Spring 2020-21.
This was due to Covid concerns and my health issues (broken ribs and clavicle).

Now, despite Covid still here, she is back in University classroom for
Fall 2021 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.  (Note: this title is somewhat misleading as most such have full responsibility for the class; not just helping regular professors)

She and all students are wearing masks.

Also there is strict adherence to seating assignments.
This is due to reporting requirements if any student develops Covid.
In that case, professors must report the names of students sitting beside, in front of and in back of those students.

Office hours are conducted via Zoom.

Wife has completed everything for PhD except dissertation which she is working on.

Now a very big job is to search for job openings for Fall 2022 and submit applications along with a ton of supplemental info.

Guess who gets to do that latter job !!!

There is some possibility that she will be able to get a job right here at the University, even as all Universities have a dislike for (and some even have absolute rules against) hiring back their own students.  The idea is to achieve genetic (in the academic sense) diversity of thought, rather than inbreeding.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on August 31, 2021, 08:34:38 AM
Really great to hear all is well, with your ol' bones recovering, and your wife going far with her career! 

I assume she loves her calling, so great to hear she can get back in the classroom again.

IIRC jb's wife is also a PhD, prof at some university down south.  Haven't heard from him despite sending an email. Hope they are doing well.  Have you heard from him recently?


Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 31, 2021, 08:44:14 AM
I assume she loves her calling, so great to hear she can get back in the classroom again.


Yes, wife can't imagine doing any job other than teaching.
And it has one big advantage that most FSU folks desire . . . 2-3 months free in summer to return to visit family and friends.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 31, 2021, 08:47:04 AM
IIRC jb's wife is also a PhD, prof at some university down south.  Haven't heard from him despite sending an email. Hope they are doing well.  Have you heard from him recently?

Haven't seen him anywhere for several years.

I don't think his wife has PhD.
I think she taught at Junior College or High School.
I remember jb telling about helping to grade her Algebra tests.

Our current poster 'Steamer' has FSU wife with PhD in math also.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on August 31, 2021, 09:29:33 AM
Yes, wife can't imagine doing any job other than teaching.
And it has one big advantage that most FSU folks desire . . . 2-3 months free in summer to return to visit family and friends.

Not only FSU folks.  My father was a teacher, and we always enjoyed the summer months on long travels.  Some summers we would live near a university where dad would further his studies. Even drove across the USA and back to the east coast. We kids knew how to set up a 2 BR tent in a few minutes.  Many, many good experiences as a kid.  Only downside was that few cars back then had air conditioning, and ours did not.  Old station wagon with a big rack on the top for all the camping gear.  Later a VW van with even larger rack with more camping stuff, LOL.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on August 31, 2021, 10:50:15 AM
  Only downside was that few cars back then had air conditioning, and ours did not. 

Yes, none of my parent's cars back then had A/C.
But it didn't really bother us.
Windows were the A/C of the day.
Now, I get allergy problems if I drive even a few miles with windows down as my truck's A/C is on the fritz.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on August 31, 2021, 07:35:52 PM
Now, I get allergy problems if I drive even a few miles with windows down as my truck's A/C is on the fritz.



Compressor not turning on or turning on but not blowing very cold? Get UV leak detector to see if there's a leak somewhere. Low pressure will prevent the compressor turning on. Fix the leak. Get a cheap vacuum pump like the one in the link below to get the atmosphere out of the system before you install new A/C refrigerant. I can direct you to a youtube video for step by step instructions if you need.


http://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-61245.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=117789273518&adsetid=117789273518&product=61245&store=190&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpreJBhDvARIsAF1_BU1hbthtUKerN6Wty44tVUpoRtyCKqCv5zaX1VIsJx33oJIk7uUJSkIaAkxFEALw_wcB
Title: Amazing Para-Olympic results for Ukraine
Post by: ML on September 06, 2021, 08:49:14 AM

Rank Team   Gold    Silver Bronze    Total
1.   China   96   60   51   207
2.   GBritain   41   38   45   124
3.   RPC    36   33   49   118
4.   USA    37   36   31   104
5.   Ukraine   24   47   27   98


Wife is continually amazed at what these Ukrainian folks achieve given that virtually no government help is provided; and the attitude of most Ukrainians toward handicapped people is  . . . they should stay home and out of the way.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on September 06, 2021, 11:03:05 AM
Driven is a word I can use to describe UA folks I have known and work with for the last 20+ years.  Very motivated to get ahead in life.
Title: How could Ida skip from New Orleans to New York City ??
Post by: ML on September 07, 2021, 07:38:07 AM
Could someone explain how Ida mostly skipped over Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and western Pennsylvania . . . and then hit hard in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City ??

What 'big guy or gal' said:  "OK let's hold all that water up in the sky until we get to NY "  and then was able to pull it off ?
Title: Where were you on 9/11/2001
Post by: ML on September 11, 2021, 05:59:37 PM
I was in St Petersburg, Russia on a consulting assignment and NOT chasing RW.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: CaptB on September 11, 2021, 06:57:59 PM
I was in Tver, Russia on 9/11. I was in the office of LTP (Lifetime Partners) talking to my friend Chuck. The news was on...on the offie tv when the announcement came on. We thought it was a comedy  sketch. Our Russian friends immediately said this was a "real" news report.....a plane had crashed into the trade center buildings. I had to stay in Russia for an extra week as fights coming from abroad were canceled.


My friend JB was also in Russia (Moscow) at the time. He had to go back (on time)as he was teaching a group of oil mining workers classes in technical aspects of locating oil.
He made it back to the US the long way. He took a train to Helsinki....a plane to London.....then to London, Ontario........a bus to Detroit.......then flew to Houston. I was happy to stay the extra week.


Capt B
Title: College Football week 2
Post by: ML on September 12, 2021, 09:51:17 AM
Unranked Stanford came down to my USC boys and beat them at home.  Ouch !!

But my U of Iowa team beat cross state rival Iowa State at ISU's home field.  Both teams were ranked in top 10.

I'll bet Ohio State and Texas fans are in quite a bit of shock.

Can Notre Dame maintain 8 ranking after just barely beating weaker teams two weeks in a row?

And, as usual, there was a plethora of stupid matchups.  The big boys should be ashamed of themselves.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BillyB on September 14, 2021, 09:18:21 AM



9/11 I was at Caterpillar getting a hydraulic hose. Howard Stern was on their radio. At first I thought it was a joke because it came from Howard.
Title: Ali Documentary on PBS
Post by: ML on September 23, 2021, 09:52:02 AM
I recorded all 4 episodes and then only watched the boxing matches.

Most significant take away from the viewing was the tremendous athletic ability of Ali.

He could easily have been an NBA point guard, an NFL quarterback or even a tight end.

Would have been great to see him on Dancing with the Stars in his prime.
Title: Too many Whites and Asians
Post by: ML on October 09, 2021, 10:21:41 AM
New York City is going to eliminate the Gifted Program in city schools because there are too many Whites and Asians in the program.
Title: Re: Too many Whites and Asians
Post by: GQBlues on October 10, 2021, 06:01:37 AM
New York City is going to eliminate the Gifted Program in city schools because there are too many Whites and Asians in the program.

They’re called Magnet Schools in LA, and they’ve been focus of complaints and lawsuits over the years due to the demographic makeshift of its students. Basically the same pains NY went through.
Title: Offense fireworks vs Defense grind it out
Post by: ML on October 10, 2021, 09:53:10 AM
I saw both yesterday.

Oklahoma vs Texas

Iowa vs Penn State

I like the offensive showcases.
Title: Latest Covid safety guidelines
Post by: ML on October 24, 2021, 04:06:14 PM
Fully vaccinated people can take their masks off in the shower . . . if no one else is at home.
Title: Beware with expanding DNA data base
Post by: ML on October 28, 2021, 04:56:21 PM
We have all heard how the expanding DNA data base has helped in catching criminals . . . decades after the deed.

On a more benign level (perhaps), it is helping to expand families.

I am not into the DNA thingy, but my sister is.

She has now found two new previously unknown close relatives, thanks  to the actions of our male family members.

1. Our Uncle (now deceased for many years) fathered a man, who in turn fathered another man who is my great nephew.  This great nephew was told by his father on his deathbed that who he thought was his grandfather, really wasn't.  This father had heard about it as an adult after his mother passed, but the relatives who told him only had heard the man's last name (same as mine).  Anyway, this (new) grand nephew connected with my sister via the DNA data base.

2) Our brother (tragically killed in an accident 20 years ago) fathered a son . . . his only child (our nephew).  He had first told his suspicions of this to other relatives 25 or so years ago, but none believed him as he was prone to 'tell tales' . . . putting it mildly.  The woman disappeared and he could not find her.  And he shortly thereafter relocated to another city.

Now this (new) nephew and my sister have connected via the DNA data base.

No father was listed on his birth certificate, and his mother would not  talk about it, even as she was on her deathbed a few years back from (something).

Then, in discussions with his grandfather, he was told that the mother first wanted to get an abortion and later changed her mind toward putting him up for adoption, and still later decided to keep him.  She had 'disappeared' because she knew my brother would not have agreed to either.  All the info this grandfather told matched up with what my brother had told all those years ago.

This (new) nephew decided to do the DNA thingy to obtain heath histories (if nothing else), as is often recommended.

Nothing bad has come from my sister's hobby (so far) . . . but as always, be careful what you wish for !!

Can you believe that early on (before she heard the details from this new nephew regarding dates, cities, etc.) . . . she had suspicions that I was the father ??

Stay tuned for more family expansion stories.
Title: Eye candy
Post by: ML on November 28, 2021, 04:05:02 PM
Had some people over for Thanksgiving.
One very young couple was visiting from Eastern Europe, but not part of FSU.
She is an airline stewardess with looks like used to be required.
Brightened up my day.
Title: Riley wise to go west
Post by: ML on November 29, 2021, 05:06:43 PM
Good move by Riley.
As Oklahoma moves to SEC, the chances of continued 12-0 or 11-1 seasons goes down the drain.
At USC (one of my schools) he can move them up to 12-0 or 11-1 seasons in short order in the much weaker Pac 12 (compared to SEC).

Overall a really dumb move for OK and TX to go to SEC.
They will never have as good football records in SEC as they have had (OK in particular) in Big 12.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Faux Pas on November 29, 2021, 05:32:05 PM
Time will tell. The coaching carousel seems to take a wild spin every year. This year has been exceptionally fast but the new fresh young hot item coaches from a few years ago are getting tossed like yesterdays trash. Many of these getting the high dollar long term contracts will be given a few years then tossed out on their ear too. I don't blame them, strike while the iron is hot and take the payoff to go away when it doesn't work

Riley is a good coach, not really a great one, yet. He hasn't won anything more than the Big 12. Its rumored USC bought both of his OK houses plus are paying 6 mil toward his Cali house, plus 10 mil a year? Crazy
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper1 on December 01, 2021, 12:09:56 AM
Really great to hear all is well, with your ol' bones recovering, and your wife going far with her career! 

I assume she loves her calling, so great to hear she can get back in the classroom again.

IIRC jb's wife is also a PhD, prof at some university down south.  Haven't heard from him despite sending an email. Hope they are doing well.  Have you heard from him recently?

BC ,yeah I still hear from john, he is doing very well(family is as well)
:)
Title: Get rid of Notre Dame
Post by: ML on December 02, 2021, 07:19:44 PM
What is this nonsense ?

The management committee studying expansion of football playoffs is comprised of the 10 major college football conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director.

Sure I know Notre Dame is an independent for football . . . but I would tell them . . . join a league and be represented by a commissioner like every other team . . . or go pee up a rope.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on December 03, 2021, 01:38:20 AM
BC ,yeah I still hear from john, he is doing very well(family is as well)
:)

That's great to hear AJ, next time you touch bases with them, do send my very best regards and wishes.
Title: 7 years married
Post by: ML on December 23, 2021, 10:18:00 AM
Yesterday 7th wedding anniversary for us.

But we have been living together for 10 and a half years since she arrived in USA, so I like to count that.

And we first met, albeit briefly, 17 and a half years ago, so I like that number even better.

Wifey loves Olive Garden and we have gone there for most every anniversary, birthday, etc.

But the Olive Garden in our town is so popular that it is full-up every day, every hour.

Just too risky to go now with Omicron, so we searched around.
(Yes we are both fully vaccinated including booster, but there are always break through cases.  Only 80-93 percent effective as I understand it. And even as those of us with booster usually only get a 'little-bit' sick with Omicron . . . why get sick at all ?  I don't understand why people try to ridicule the vaccines when they hear of break through cases when it has always been stated that they are only 80-93 percent effective)

Decided on Outback after I visited early afternoon the day before and found few people there at 1-2 PM.

Turned out to be a great choice.

Few people, great service and extremely tasty food.
Their mushroom and shrimp appetizers are extremely tasty, perhaps a lot to do with the accompanying dipping sauces.
And we love those black bread loafs, which they usually give an extra one to take home.

I always tell it is an anniversary, birthday, etc. and sure enough we got complimentary huge Chocolate Thunder from Down Under.

Only gained about 7 pounds.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on December 23, 2021, 11:48:52 AM
Hearty Congrats to you both!  Glad you were able to enjoy an evening out together.

Only gained about 7 pounds.

And you still have the holidays ahead :)
Title: We are having a white Orthodox Christmas
Post by: ML on January 06, 2022, 06:26:53 PM
We are having a white Orthodox Christmas on January 7th.
Snow coming down all evening and into early morning.
So a white Christmas is assured for happy wife.

We have already eaten a substantial quantity of wife's kutia, vareniki, and  pyrizhky.

No snow at all for the December 25th date.
Title: Shannon Bream
Post by: ML on January 24, 2022, 09:43:06 AM
Fox has been trying out several people to replace Chris Wallace for Sunday News show.

Couldn't believe how stunning Shannon Bream looked.

Checked her out and was shocked to see she is 51 years old.
Asked wife to guess her age and she said mid 30s.

Further investigation revealed Shannon was Miss Virginia when she went to college there, and later was Miss Florida when she went to college there.
And she came in 4th in Miss USA contest.

http://www.google.com/search?q=picture+of+shannon+bream&oq=picture+of+shannon+bream&aqs=chrome..69i57.7204j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Title: Picture of Crow
Post by: ML on January 24, 2022, 10:05:45 AM
I was searching for pictures of crows, and this popped up.

I can see now why Lance wanted to be in top shape.

Are her legs really that long ? !!
Title: Re: Picture of Crow
Post by: GQBlues on January 24, 2022, 10:57:59 AM
I was searching for pictures of crows, and this popped up.

I can see now why Lance wanted to be in top shape.

Are her legs really that long ? !!


Lance, along with Clapton and Kid Rock, would know..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CCWMMEN1Vc


I met Sheryl at the Viper Room on Sunset just right before the release of her Tuesday Night Music Club's album. She used to play there along with the likes of Adam Duritz, and little known J.R. (Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars). The same year then club co-owner, River Phoenix (Johnny Depp, etc..), also a budding heartthrob superstar, unfortunately died in front of that club of drug overdoes.

Viper Room was such an awesome LA hangout in the'90s....pure gold.   
Title: Bodies of Female Ice Dancers at 2022 Olympics
Post by: ML on February 14, 2022, 11:49:32 AM
Got to admit it, the two Russian gals had the best bodies (especially thighs) of all the gals.

Victoria Sinitsina second place finish; Alexandra Stepanova fifth place finish.

And can't believe how her partner can stand to look at the nose (OMG) of French gal Gabriella Papadakis (Greek last name) who finished first.

Surely she and her family have heard of Rhinoplasty, which is one of the simplest of procedures.
Title: CAS decisively ruled regarding Russian skater Kamila Valieva - - - NOT
Post by: ML on February 14, 2022, 12:02:37 PM
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) very decisively ruled that they cannot decide !!!

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva can continue to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Games, an international body ruled Monday.

However, Olympic officials say there will be no medal ceremony if she finishes in the top three. Nor will there be a ceremony for the team figure skating event, meaning athletes including U.S. figure skaters will leave the Olympics without their medals.

The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a global sports arbiter, allows Valieva, 15, to compete in this week’s individual event, in which she is favored to win gold. Officials did not rule on whether Valieva had committed a doping offense.

In a statement after the decision, the International Olympic Committee said that due to the “inconclusive situation,” no medal ceremonies involving Valieva would take place during the Beijing Games. That includes the ceremony for the team event, which Russian skaters won Feb. 7, the day before Valieva was reported to have tested positive in December for trimetazidine, a heart medication that experts say could give athletes an edge.

A final decision will be made before the 2026 Winter Olympics (my comment).
Title: Re: CAS decisively ruled regarding Russian skater Kamila Valieva - - - NOT
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 14, 2022, 03:22:53 PM
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) very decisively ruled that they cannot decide !!!

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva can continue to compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Games, an international body ruled Monday.

However, Olympic officials say there will be no medal ceremony if she finishes in the top three. Nor will there be a ceremony for the team figure skating event, meaning athletes including U.S. figure skaters will leave the Olympics without their medals.

The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a global sports arbiter, allows Valieva, 15, to compete in this week’s individual event, in which she is favored to win gold. Officials did not rule on whether Valieva had committed a doping offense.

In a statement after the decision, the International Olympic Committee said that due to the “inconclusive situation,” no medal ceremonies involving Valieva would take place during the Beijing Games. That includes the ceremony for the team event, which Russian skaters won Feb. 7, the day before Valieva was reported to have tested positive in December for trimetazidine, a heart medication that experts say could give athletes an edge.

A final decision will be made before the 2026 Winter Olympics (my comment).

Very naughty Russia girl, don't know why but I find bad Russian girls like that so hot :luv: Perhaps it's the James Bond type of bad Russian girl vibe. Too young for me though. Can't see how they can let her continue the whole point was to ban athletes from competing who had a previous failed drugs test. If they got the result after she had competed then it should stand as an invalid performance to my mind as that's what the status of those who are banned from entering essentially is, they are invalid to compete. So don't see what difference it makes whether she had already made the performance. Otherwise unfair that all the other dopers got banned and she did not just in the basis of late forwarding of the doping result, she wasn't cleared to compete in effect.

Just find so many Russian chicks have a great bod though, nice tight waist, hot looking facially, few western girls can match. If I ever have any girls with a slim Russian/Ukrainian girl I think I would get them into once skating or gymnastics, keep them focused on a nice trim figure that's something to be proud of like these girls :)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper1 on February 15, 2022, 10:00:17 AM
I'm glad  you stated 15 is too young for you Trench.
🙄

As far as it relates to the  committes decisions, as a minor, that I am sure came into play regarding the closed health records,and  status  of a drug prescribed to her by a physician and whether a exemption was filed regarding a health condition and the drug as a treatment

It's certainly not the first time the driv has caused controversy in skating, nor thr first time coaches, teams ,athletes tried a work around warranted or not.
It might be the first time the regs regarding a minors sealed  health records was in.play?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 17, 2022, 09:31:02 AM
I'm glad  you stated 15 is too young for you Trench.
🙄

As far as it relates to the  committes decisions, as a minor, that I am sure came into play regarding the closed health records,and  status  of a drug prescribed to her by a physician and whether a exemption was filed regarding a health condition and the drug as a treatment

It's certainly not the first time the driv has caused controversy in skating, nor thr first time coaches, teams ,athletes tried a work around warranted or not.
It might be the first time the regs regarding a minors sealed  health records was in.play?

Well I could easily wait for her to grow up :cheesy:

Looks like all the strain of it it all has been getting to her, she messed up today and fell on her ass so thereby missing out on Olympic Gold or any medal in that event. She could still possibly get her medal from the team even but that will depend on them going through it all and coming to a decision. Some reason of it was about her grandfather's med mistakingly contaminating the sample lol, yeah right. Turns out it was three banned substances so it's going to be difficult to wash with that I would have thought.

Whether she knew anything about it or just the coaches etc telling her to take something and it was fine who knows. Whatever the case it may have messed her ice skating career up. She was probably good enough to do well enough but my guess is that while the drugs may have no longer been in her system it may have given her the boost needed to be able to train to do the triple twist stuff that no other skater has done before.

Briefly looking at the skating today and those Russian chicks are just so perfect in their physique moreso than any of the other nations I think. Just so slender but also well toned, proportionate, dainty and can wear their skating dresses elegantly. While not all Russian girls are quite like that many aren't far off it and potentially one of the great pluses of going for a FSW I think, some have just such wonderful figures that, that alone is something to marvel at :)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 17, 2022, 09:47:01 AM
Briefly looking at the skating today and those Russian chicks are just so perfect in their physique moreso than any of the other nations I think. Just so slender but also well toned, proportionate, dainty and can wear their skating dresses elegantly. While not all Russian girls are quite like that many aren't far off it and potentially one of the great pluses of going for a FSW I think, some have just such wonderful figures that, that alone is something to marvel at :)

But remember that many of them turn into chunky Babuskas.
Title: FSU wife finally lands desired job
Post by: ML on February 18, 2022, 05:06:22 PM
Wife tried for permanent teaching job at a major USA university 6 years ago, and came in second place.

She continued to teach part time for two years with masters degree and then finally decided to enter PhD program.

She is due to receive the PhD this Summer or maybe even at end of this Spring semester . . . and just today was notified that she got a permanent faculty job starting in Fall 2022.

A long hard process that finally paid off.

I am proud of her achievement and happy for her, but not very happy for myself.  She will have a very heavy work load for 9 months, then spend a month or more in Ukraine, leaving very little time for me.

I would basically be better off with a wealthy widow near my own age; except she would look like a woman near my age !!!

But maybe wife will decide to quit after a year or two and let us enjoy life more, as we don't need her salary money.
Title: Re: FSU wife finally lands desired job
Post by: fathertime on February 19, 2022, 06:22:37 AM

I would basically be better off with a wealthy widow near my own age; except she would look like a woman near my age !!!
If you look at the general population for most men that doesn't seem to matter much.   For you it does, and for me it would too.

Fathertime! 
Title: Re: FSU wife finally lands desired job
Post by: Patagonie on February 19, 2022, 11:23:44 AM
Wife tried for permanent teaching job at a major USA university 6 years ago, and came in second place.

She continued to teach part time for two years with masters degree and then finally decided to enter PhD program.

She is due to receive the PhD this Summer or maybe even at end of this Spring semester . . . and just today was notified that she got a permanent faculty job starting in Fall 2022.

A long hard process that finally paid off.

I am proud of her achievement and happy for her, but not very happy for myself.  She will have a very heavy work load for 9 months, then spend a month or more in Ukraine, leaving very little time for me.

I would basically be better off with a wealthy widow near my own age; except she would look like a woman near my age !!!

But maybe wife will decide to quit after a year or two and let us enjoy life more, as we don't need her salary money.
Congrats ML, I know that you suffer from not spending the time you would like to spend with her.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 19, 2022, 01:16:16 PM
But remember that many of them turn into chunky Babuskas.

Yeah I always wondered what happened there whether it was a genetic thing or just diet. I kind of got the impression it was a genetic thing. To be honest I wouldn't be too bothered at that age I don't think as long as she didn't get massive. I kind of accept that older people aren't going to be in the best of shape most of the time and that's understandable as health can deteriorate and looking good becomes of less importance. For younger women I think it's really not on exercising a bit of self control should be something they should really consider before going overboard in the cream cakes and donuts.

Well saw the naughty Russian girl got the ice smack her bum a few times yesterday missing out on a medal in the process, got just what she deserved I think :crackwhip:
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Muzh on February 19, 2022, 05:29:17 PM
Yeah I always wondered what happened there whether it was a genetic thing or just diet.


Are you under the impression that eating salo is a fat burning proposition?  8)
Title: Ireland suspends visa requirement for Ukrainians
Post by: ML on February 25, 2022, 09:04:27 PM
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD has announced the immediate lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland.

It will apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland.

The Statutory Instrument removing the visa requirement for Ukraine nationals as an emergency measure takes immediate effect.

http://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/00aef-minister-mcentee-announces-immediate-lifting-of-visa-requirements-between-ukraine-and-ireland/#:~:text=The%20Minister%20for%20Justice%20Helen,who%20are%20resident%20in%20Ireland.

This is another possibility for my wife's relatives in Ukraine, as she also has a relative who is now a citizen of Ireland.  They (the Irish folks) have already extended the invitation.

Wife also owns a townhouse in Ireland, but it is occupied by long-term renters.
Title: In God's hands
Post by: ML on March 05, 2022, 11:45:47 AM
Some of wife's family, and her in-laws family, (women and children only) are now preparing to leave Ukraine.
They are to end up in Ireland where other family already lives.
Ireland has waived visa requirements for Ukrainians.
We have faculty friends here from Romania and they have arranged that the Ukrainians can come to live with relatives in Romania for any days needed until they can arrange flights to Ireland.
I told wife that she can spend any and all of our money to help these people.
She started crying . . . does this a lot, of course.
She related to me how when she was standing in line applying for Student Visa to come to USA 11 years ago, she said:
God if I should go to USA, then please approve my visa.
If I should not go, then deny my visa.
Now she is saying that this was the reason her visa was approved so that she could be with me and get this help for these people to escape from the terrorist Russians and cover any expenses needed.

Quite heart rendering . . . and will give the Russian supporters here reason to snicker.
Title: Re: In God's hands
Post by: Admin on March 05, 2022, 11:54:00 AM
Some of wife's family, and her in-laws family, (women and children only) are now preparing to leave Ukraine.
They are to end up in Ireland where other family already lives.
Ireland has waived visa requirements for Ukrainians.
We have faculty friends here from Romania and they have arranged that the Ukrainians can come to live with relatives in Romania for any days needed until they can arrange flights to Ireland.
I told wife that she can spend any and all of our money to help these people.
She started crying . . . does this a lot, of course.
She related to me how when she was standing in line applying for Student Visa to come to USA 11 years ago, she said:
God if I should go to USA, then please approve my visa.
If I should not go, then deny my visa.
Now she is saying that this was the reason her visa was approved so that she could be with me and get this help for these people to escape from the terrorist Russians and cover any expenses needed.

Quite heart rendering . . . and will give the Russian supporters here reason to snicker.

ML,

Ignore the hecklers here. They are few, though noisy, but their hyena-like tendencies to nip at the heels of useful and accurate posts is coming to an end.

Recognizing there is little comfort to be offered from simple words in an internet discussion forum - know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.


Please continue posting updates, if you can and if you care to. Many people are starved for information right now, so every little bit is helpful.

Warmly .....
Title: Re: In God's hands
Post by: Patagonie on March 05, 2022, 12:00:30 PM
Some of wife's family, and her in-laws family, (women and children only) are now preparing to leave Ukraine.
They are to end up in Ireland where other family already lives.
Ireland has waived visa requirements for Ukrainians.
We have faculty friends here from Romania and they have arranged that the Ukrainians can come to live with relatives in Romania for any days needed until they can arrange flights to Ireland.
I told wife that she can spend any and all of our money to help these people.
She started crying . . . does this a lot, of course.
She related to me how when she was standing in line applying for Student Visa to come to USA 11 years ago, she said:
God if I should go to USA, then please approve my visa.
If I should not go, then deny my visa.
Now she is saying that this was the reason her visa was approved so that she could be with me and get this help for these people to escape from the terrorist Russians and cover any expenses needed.

Quite heart rendering . . . and will give the Russian supporters here reason to snicker.

Good information, well done ML
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 05, 2022, 12:29:27 PM
I’m heading to Europe tomorrow to help some family get out.
Other family members are now behind the lines and it’s too dangerous to travel through them as the Ruskies are shooting at civilians.

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Admin on March 05, 2022, 12:32:12 PM
I’m heading to Europe tomorrow to help some family get out.
Other family members are now behind the lines and it’s too dangerous to travel through them as the Ruskies are shooting at civilians.

God speed. If you are able and willing, updates are welcomed.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 05, 2022, 12:35:21 PM
God speed. If you are able and willing, updates are welcomed.

Thanks, I’ll try.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper1 on March 05, 2022, 03:46:54 PM
Thanks, I’ll try.
Good Luck John, prayers for you and yours
Title: A beautiful face to view
Post by: ML on March 06, 2022, 10:40:04 AM
Don't mean to trivialize the sad situation for Ukraine, and the world, but a small point of brightness.

Today's Fox News Sunday host was again Shannon Bream.
They seem to be trying out dozens of people to replace Chris Wallace.

OMG she is such a beauty to look at in her face, even as I am not normally a face man.  Probably has a knockout body also, but that was hidden.

I can't find a URL to show of her program today.
Can someone help and post such ?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 06, 2022, 11:10:33 AM
Good Luck John, prayers for you and yours

Thanks, Jumper.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 06, 2022, 11:17:13 AM
God speed. If you are able and willing, updates are welcomed.
Don’t want to Hijack ML’s thread but just a quick update.

My family members crossed into Hungary. The border crossing is Zahony. No huge crowds there so it may be a better option to cross if anyone wants to avoid Poland as the situation there is quite grim. Not as easy to get to as from Lviv is a more direct route.
Another downside is language as Magyar is incomprehensible to all while in Poland there is enough similarity between Polish and Ukrainian to be understandable.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 06, 2022, 11:20:10 AM
Not as easy to get to as from Lviv is a more direct route.

I don't understand this comment.
Title: Fleeing through Poland
Post by: ML on March 06, 2022, 11:35:40 AM
The border crossing is Zahony. No huge crowds there so it may be a better option to cross if anyone wants to avoid Poland as the situation there is quite grim.

What is grim about Poland situation?
You mean just the long lines, or something else.

Wife's family and friends changed their plans and are going through Poland rather than Romania as I told earlier.

They already bought flights on RyanAir direct Warsaw to Dublin for 20 euro each.

The flight is not until Friday, but they found friends to stay with in Poland.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 06, 2022, 12:17:38 PM
I don't understand this comment.
Getting to the Polish border from Lviv is easier, either by train/bus/car. The problem was the volume of vehicles on the road to the border crossing which was causing the tailbacks.
The Hungarian border is a bit further away so not as accessible as it ( the border) is from Lviv.
Title: Re: Fleeing through Poland
Post by: John Gaunt on March 06, 2022, 12:19:51 PM
What is grim about Poland situation?
You mean just the long lines, or something else.

Wife's family and friends changed their plans and are going through Poland rather than Romania as I told earlier.

They already bought flights on RyanAir direct Warsaw to Dublin for 20 euro each.

The flight is not until Friday, but they found friends to stay with in Poland.
Only because of the sheer numbers of people who have already entered Poland and seeking refuge there. For your wife’s family it shouldn’t be an issue as they are not staying in Poland.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JohnDearGreen on March 06, 2022, 12:45:43 PM
wait times for cars at Polish border crossings, 4-35 hours.
2 day wait at Korczowa crossing if not in car.

http://pl.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/March-6-1600.pdf
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on March 06, 2022, 12:48:31 PM
wait times for cars at Polish border crossings, 4-35 hours.
2 day wait at Korczowa crossing if not in car.

http://pl.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/March-6-1600.pdf

Why a longer wait if on foot than if in a car ?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JohnDearGreen on March 06, 2022, 01:06:01 PM

I would think more come by train than by car.

"Thousands of people fleeing Ukraine wait in line at the border for processing as they attempt to enter Korczowa, Poland on March 4, 2022. Officials say border crossing time could be two days at this specific location. Women waiting with children as young a two months old holding their children as they inched closer to the border. Millions more are expected to flee in the coming days and weeks as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine. Russian military forces continue to shell major cities around Ukraine, forcing people to flee the country by train and car."

http://www.vcstar.com/picture-gallery/news/world/2022/02/25/ukrainians-flee-neighboring-countries-following-russian-attack/6940808001/
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: JohnDearGreen on March 06, 2022, 09:12:22 PM
Here is an interactive map for wait times at all border crossings.

http://cydefops.com/ukraine-border-wait-times
Title: Five Ukrainian Women and escape from Russian terrorist invaders.
Post by: ML on March 08, 2022, 09:57:48 AM
Five Ukrainian Women (UW) and escape from Russian terrorist invaders.

UW1 lives in USA.
UW2 is married to close relative of UW1
UW3 and UW4 are cousins of UW2
UW5 is married to another close relative of UW1 and lives in Ireland

UW2 is driven by her father from major Ukrainian city to a small town quite some distance from the major city in the first days of terrorist Russian attacks on Ukraine. 
There they stay with relatives of father.
UW2 has been provided with substantial sum of funds from UW1 several weeks ago.
They are soon joined by UW3 and UW4.

Father of UW2 drives her UW3, and UW4 to small town very near Polish border where they stay with friend of father's.

UW3 has Ukrainian boyfriend.  This man has a friend in Poland who has a special pass to go between Ukraine and Poland on a regular basis to deliver humanitarian items.  He drives across border into Ukraine and picks up UW2, UW3 and UW4.  He then delivers them to Warsaw.

In Warsaw they stay with Polish friend of UW4.

UW1 buys airline tickets for them to fly to Ireland.

One hitch.  In haste to leave home, UW2 picks up her husband's International Passport instead of her own.  She does have her 'so called' Domestic Passport.

A call to airline indicates she will have no trouble boarding plane to Ireland with the Domestic Passport.

But as second check, UW2 today was able to visit Irish Embassy in Warsaw and verified she can gain entry to Ireland with only Domestic Passport.

The entire group will stay with UW5 in Ireland.  UW5 has already evidenced interest in introducing UW4 to a male Ukrainian friend of her and her husband who lives near them in Ireland.

UW1 owns a townhouse in Ireland near her relative which is now leased out until this fall.  After that, the visitors can live there, if they are unable to return to Ukraine before.  Meanwhile her male relative in Ireland will be in a house with 4 women (along with assorted children).  After some time, he may volunteer to go back to Ukraine !!

- - - - - -

With some embellishment, this will make for a TV movie.
What are your suggestions?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on March 08, 2022, 07:28:43 PM
Which witch is which?

Nah, you better not call it that though.
Title: Ukrainian Grandmother arrives in our town
Post by: ML on March 09, 2022, 09:35:03 PM
The mother of the wife of one of our Ukrainian couples arrived in our town yesterday.

Took her quite some time to cross the border into Poland as priority given to women with children.

She has only one grandchild who lives here, of course.  She is a widow.
She has a multi entry visa to USA and has been here a couple of times before.

The wife is a USA citizen, so she could start process to get her mother a green card.

But the woman says she plans to go back to Ukraine as soon as possible.  My wife thinks she is in her mid 70s.
Title: American singing Ukrainian National Anthem
Post by: ML on March 12, 2022, 09:22:42 AM
English words are shown on the screen

http://www.facebook.com/watch?v=460682429136738
Title: Some of wife's family now in Ireland
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 08:51:44 AM
Some of wife's close and more distant family have now arrived in Ireland.
They are now living with another of wife's relatives.
Soon, they will move into wife's townhouse in Ireland.

I had thought that the lease on her townhouse was not up until this fall, but actually it was up at end of January and had not been renewed yet.

So they told occupants about their need to move, and the occupants were very understanding and are looking for an alternative now.

These relatives arrived in Ireland with only carry on luggage.  Some clothes worn by woman relative in Ireland fits and they are even wearing jeans and shirts of a teenage male relative in Ireland.

But the clothes they brought are heavy for Ukraine winter and they say it is fairly warm in Ireland now.

So need to go out to buy quite a bit of new clothes, particularly for the two young children who were brought along.

These two children were already fairly well along in English studies, so won't have too much problem with starting school in Ireland.  Talks were already held with principal of local school and he said they were welcome to attend at no cost.

Some talk that Ireland will give work permits immediately to the Ukrainians arriving, but not clarified yet.

Two of the women are trained as lawyers and won't likely find any work in that area.  Probably will have to take jobs as waitresses, etc.

However, one of them is highly proficient in English and actually was currently working on obtaining certification as English teacher in Ukraine.  So perhaps she could find job as a paralegal.  Unsure about English skills of the other lawyer.

The third woman is a medical doctor and can likely find work in some area of the medical field, although she will not be allowed to practice medicine (I suppose).  Unsure about her English skills also.

Title: Ukrainian wife in USA has lost 12 pounds
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 08:55:58 AM
My wife reported this morning that she has now lost 12 pounds since the Russian terrorist invasion of Ukraine.

Due to stress and she has cut back substantially on intake of food.

She was actually up 20 pounds or so from her arrival weight 11 years ago.

I like the weight loss, but not the circumstance that is causing it.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 13, 2022, 12:45:25 PM
Glad to hear that your wife’s family members are safe in Ireland.
Title: Some of wife's family now in Ireland
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 01:44:24 PM
Glad to hear that your wife’s family members are safe in Ireland.

Thanks John
Title: U.S. man goes to Ukraine for his daughter and grandson
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 01:45:56 PM
U.S. man goes to Ukraine for his daughter and grandson
Associated Press

As millions of refugees flee Ukraine, a Massachusetts man has gone to the country to help his daughter and grandson escape.
William Hubbard recently flew to Poland and crossed the border to
Ukraine on foot before joining his daughter, Aislinn, and her 8-month-old son, Seraphim, at their home near Kyiv, WCVB-TV reports.
Aislinn moved to Ukraine in 2018 at age 16 to study ballet at the prestigious Kyiv Choreographic College. She tried to leave before Russia began its invasion, but her son does not have a birth certificate or passport because he was born in a home during the coronavirus pandemic.
William previously flew to Ukraine to help arrange a DNA test to prove
Seraphim ’s U.S. citizenship, but it was unsuccessful.
Hubbard and his wife, Deborah, spent weeks trying to help from their home in Fitchburg. But as Russian forces advanced, William decided to make his way to Aislinn and Seraphim and help them flee.
“I did what any dad would do, I guess, in this situation, ” Hubbard told
WCVB- TV.
Once he was in Ukraine, Hubbard took a train to Kyiv and reunited with his daughter and grandson.
They packed their belongings and four cats and said goodbye to Aislinn’s
boyfriend, the father of Seraphim, who was not able to leave the country.
The three fled west, joining other refugees heading for neighboring countries. On Friday, the three were waiting at the border with Slovakia.
Even without a passport for his grandson, Hubbard said he was confident they will be allowed to cross the border.
“That’s what dads do,” he said. “They take care of their family."
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Lily on March 13, 2022, 01:51:36 PM
I have read from a Ukrainian woman who has married in the US but her daughter and grandkid are in Ukraine. After the invasion, the mother has caught a flight to Poland, then rented a car in Poland and has crossed the border with Ukraine. Now her daughter is with her in the US.


Mothers!
Title: U.S. man goes to Ukraine for his daughter and grandson
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 01:53:35 PM
I have read from a Ukrainian woman who has married in the US but her daughter and grandkid are in Ukraine. After the invasion, the mother has caught a flight to Poland, then rented a car in Poland and has crossed the border with Ukraine. Now her daughter is with her in the US.
Mothers!

Yes, usually both Mothers and Fathers will go to any lengths to help their children.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on March 13, 2022, 02:30:36 PM
My FiL has escaped to Poland.
His wife is already in the US visiting with their daughter ( married to a US citizen). She had gone to visit before the war started.
He had a visa interview scheduled before Covid happened which was kicked down the road several times with the latest slot for sometime later in the year.

Unfortunately he will not be able to apply for a non immigrant visa now as he will be unable to prove he will return to Ukraine now.
His daughter could sponsor an immigrant visa but who knows how long that will take.

Between a rock and a hard place now.
Title: Ireland welcoming Ukrainians; United Kingdom shunning them
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 02:43:33 PM
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/13/dublin-welcomes-dazed-ukrainian-arrivals-with-food-buggies-and-toys
Title: John's Father in Law
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 02:58:43 PM
My FiL has escaped to Poland.
His wife is already in the US visiting with their daughter ( married to a US citizen). She had gone to visit before the war started.
He had a visa interview scheduled before Covid happened which was kicked down the road several times with the latest slot for sometime later in the year.

Unfortunately he will not be able to apply for a non immigrant visa now as he will be unable to prove he will return to Ukraine now.
His daughter could sponsor an immigrant visa but who knows how long that will take.

Between a rock and a hard place now.

John, how about having him go to Ireland.
Then you or your wife goes to Ireland to transport him.
With the open borders to Northern Ireland and Great Britain, he could be with you.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on March 13, 2022, 03:01:06 PM
ML


Ireland has taken in 5,500 Ukrainian refugees so far.


The UK has taken in 1,000 Ukrainian refugees so far.


The UK Government has asked people here to take Ukrainian refugees into their homes, if they have sufficient space, for a minimum period of 6 months,and so far 20,000 households have said they will take them.


As a thank you the UK Government will be giving those households £350 a month .


Hardly "shunning " Ukrainian refugees. :rolleyes:
Title: UK not welcoming Ukrainians ??
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 03:10:43 PM
ML
Ireland has taken in 5,500 Ukrainian refugees so far.
The UK has taken in 1,000 Ukrainian refugees so far.
The UK Government has asked people here to take Ukrainian refugees into their homes, if they have sufficient space, for a minimum period of 6 months, and so far 20,000 households have said they will take them.
As a thank you the UK Government will be giving those households £350 a month .
Hardly "shunning " Ukrainian refugees. :rolleyes:

Sorry, I have no direct knowledge and was only going by the newspaper article.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on March 13, 2022, 03:13:54 PM
The Guardian is a left-wing anti-Government news rag.


You remember Moby ?


It was his favourite paper.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on March 13, 2022, 03:18:37 PM
I like The Guardian. I also like The Telegraph.
Title: UK not welcoming Ukrainians ??
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 03:19:47 PM
The Guardian is a left-wing anti-Government news rag.
You remember Moby ?
It was his favourite paper.

OK, I need educating.  :-)
But doubt if I will remember the leaning of UK newspapers . . . for more than an hour.
Title: Newspaper orientation
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 03:25:54 PM
The Guardian is a left-wing anti-Government news rag.
You remember Moby ?
It was his favourite paper.

All major USA newspapers are left-wing . . . but not anti-government.
The more government the better.

Even the Wall Street Journal is only middle of the road.  Not pro-business and right leaning as in earlier years.

Right of center newspapers can mostly be found in smaller inland cities.
Look for the Red states.
And even then they must be independent . . . not owned by a chain.
Title: A$$holes remain A$$holes
Post by: ML on March 13, 2022, 03:36:05 PM
Another Ukrainian woman whose husband is a millionaire (maybe multiple) is now in Ireland.  She was not a very nice person in Ukraine.

She has been complaining about the free accommodations she accepted as not being up to her standards.

A local private school said her child could attend free.
The other Ukrainians known to my wife told her she must pay since she can easily do so.  But she has refused.

Local citizens brought large amounts of food to my wife's relatives when they knew extra people arrived from Ukraine.
But this relative refused the food saying it should go to those who are in much more unfortunate circumstances.

But the millionaire wife took the free food.
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: John Gaunt on March 13, 2022, 09:00:23 PM
John, how about having him go to Ireland.
Then you or your wife goes to Ireland to transport him.
With the open borders to Northern Ireland and Great Britain, he could be with you.
Unfortunately, I am not in the UK so he can’t be with us. Even if we were, crossing over the border, while possible, does not offer a long term solution.
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: BC on March 13, 2022, 11:21:02 PM
Unfortunately, I am not in the UK so he can’t be with us. Even if we were, crossing over the border, while possible, does not offer a long term solution.

JG,

long shot, but maybe have folks in the US contact the US Embassy folks in Poland.  Contact info in the following link.

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/information-for-us-citizens-in-Ukraine.html
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on March 14, 2022, 02:51:43 AM
4000 Visa's have now been issued by the UK to Ukrainian refugees.


21 children with severe Cancer have now arrived in the UK from Ukraine for treatment .


Really nice to see all the Ukrainians being spoken to in Ukraine are saying thank you so much and how appreciative they are of the support and help being given to them by the UK since before and during the Russian invasion of their country.


We're the Ukrainians second favourite country now for a reason  :)
Title: Ukrainians going into United Kingdom
Post by: ML on March 14, 2022, 07:09:02 AM
4000 Visa's have now been issued by the UK to Ukrainian refugees.
21 children with severe Cancer have now arrived in the UK from Ukraine for treatment .
Really nice to see all the Ukrainians being spoken to in Ukraine are saying thank you so much and how appreciative they are of the support and help being given to them by the UK since before and during the Russian invasion of their country.
We're the Ukrainians second favourite country now for a reason  :)

OK, thanks for the more accurate statement.
Good work !!
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: ML on March 14, 2022, 07:15:05 AM
JG, long shot, but maybe have folks in the US contact the US Embassy folks in Poland.  Contact info in the following link.
http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/information-for-us-citizens-in-Ukraine.html

BC, that article focuses on US citizens trying to get out of Ukraine.

Or did you mean it is just a good place to get started by clicking on some of the links ?
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: John Gaunt on March 14, 2022, 08:22:27 AM
JG,

long shot, but maybe have folks in the US contact the US Embassy folks in Poland.  Contact info in the following link.

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/information-for-us-citizens-in-Ukraine.html
I’ve been in touch with the US authorities.

No easy answers, unfortunately.
It seems the US is not being particularly flexible in respect of UKR refugees.

Also, what are the Canadians doing?
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: Patagonie on March 14, 2022, 09:54:50 AM
I’ve been in touch with the US authorities.

No easy answers, unfortunately.
It seems the US is not being particularly flexible in respect of UKR refugees.

Also, what are the Canadians doing?
I suppose they are doing better because I know someone who has just landed there.
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: Boethius on March 14, 2022, 12:27:34 PM
Also, what are the Canadians doing?


Canada hasn't put a limit on the number of refugees it will take.  It is processing them from Warsaw, currently.


For those with family in Canada, the process is fast tracked - as little as a week to get a two year visa.  That's because no economic support is required from the Canadian government of non relative sponsors.  The two year visas will be reconsidered when the time comes.
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: BC on March 14, 2022, 12:48:31 PM
BC, that article focuses on US citizens trying to get out of Ukraine.

Or did you mean it is just a good place to get started by clicking on some of the links ?

Just a good place to get started with specific contact information and the location of consulate folks in the border area.
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: ML on March 14, 2022, 01:19:52 PM
For those with family in Canada, the process is fast tracked - as little as a week to get a two year visa.  That's because no economic support is required from the Canadian government of non relative sponsors.

Something sounds off here.

Did you mean to say 'relative sponsors' rather than 'non relative sponsors?'
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Lily on March 14, 2022, 02:49:01 PM



http://youtu.be/gtK03KYsLT0 (http://youtu.be/gtK03KYsLT0)
Title: Re: John's Father in Law
Post by: Boethius on March 14, 2022, 03:12:48 PM
Something sounds off here.

Did you mean to say 'relative sponsors' rather than 'non relative sponsors?'


Yes.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Patagonie on March 14, 2022, 03:24:03 PM
Thank you Lily, I get a clear understanding now.

Title: Tracking the Russian Yachts
Post by: ML on March 15, 2022, 09:11:30 AM
Hopefully all of these can be confiscated and sold with money used to rebuild Ukraine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGYxqpTBzb8
Title: Statements of Russian Mothers, Wives and Girlfriends
Post by: ML on March 20, 2022, 09:16:20 AM
Wife is on websites where there are played telephone calls between Russian soldiers in Ukraine and their supposedly loved ones back in Russia.

When Ukraine captures Russian soldiers, they have them call their Mothers to tell of their situation.

One Russian asks his Mother to contact all the military commanders she can to try to get him back to Russia and for her to go to streets to protest the War.

Mother replies:  "It is too dangerous for me to do.  It would be better for our family if you were dead rather than captured."

In intercepted phone calls between Russian soldiers and their wives/girlfriends, the soldiers tell of breaking into shops and homes and stealing watches, rings, etc.

Some of the wives/girlfriends respond with words such as:  "Great news.  Please send us these items before you are killed."

In another exchange Russian soldier said: I could get you some gold rings but I would have to take them from dead bodies.  Would you accept such?  Woman replies: That is fine, I would wash and disinfect them.
Title: Ukrainian children in Irish schools
Post by: ML on April 01, 2022, 03:19:32 PM
Wife's relative who escaped to Ireland has two boys, 9 and 7.

In Ukraine, the system is that children have same teacher for grades 1-4 except for English classes.

Unfortunately the 9 year old got stuck with a not-so-good teacher and he has developed a dislike for school.

But now, he is loving school in Ireland.
His mother has been teaching them English intensively for the last couple of years, so he is doing OK in Ireland.
He tells that he understands nothing the teacher says, but he can read the assignments and understands what he is supposed to do.
Of course we know he will start to understand her quickly as children generally do.

The 7 year old has always loved school and he also is doing well in the Irish school.
Title: More chicken sheeeeet Russian actions
Post by: ML on April 01, 2022, 03:26:19 PM
Wife has a couple of older female friends who live in northwestern suburbs of Kyiv.

They had grown tired of living in subways, so a couple of weeks ago said 'the hell with it' and moved back into their apartments.

She talks on Skype and Viber daily with them.

Now they tell how they can see the withdrawing Russian troops are putting young Ukrainian children on the front of their trucks and tanks to discourage Ukrainian military from firing on them.

Russians also putting mines and other explosives in the surrounding woods as they leave and putting explosives in the dead bodies lying in streets.
Title: Another human story
Post by: ML on April 01, 2022, 03:34:02 PM
Wife's contacts in Kyiv tell this story.

Ukrainian soldiers killed a Russian soldier.
In searching his body they found a dozen or more gold rings, necklaces, etc.
And they found his ID, VK contact info and his wife's VK info.

They took pictures of him and his 'booty' and posted to his wife on VK.

Here is all the jewelry you were expecting your husband to send to you, but he won't be sending because he is dead.

She quickly closed out her VK account.
Title: Human interest story
Post by: ML on April 03, 2022, 10:23:24 AM
Good friend of wife has daughter who fled to Slovakia with 2 children under 4 years of age.
She has been in ill health since birth of youngest child and having a hard time by herself in Slovakia.
A distant female cousin of her father was later also fleeing with two young children and had a contact in Austria.
A well-to-do family in Austria provided the two women and the 4 young children with an apartment rent free.  This family lives in another property in the countryside.

Story was that the grandfather of this Austrian man lost both legs while with German army in Ukraine in WWII.  A Ukrainian family took him in and nursed him for over a year until end of the war.

This apartment action was repayment for kindness of 78 years ago.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 03, 2022, 12:30:55 PM
Nice story ML.

What goes around comes around.  Gift of giving and such.
Title: Ukraine Defense (2022) Anthem
Post by: ML on April 03, 2022, 06:37:41 PM
Ukraine Defense (2022) Anthem

This is now being sung around the world.

Chervona Kalyna  Red Cranberry

In the meadow, there a red kalyna, has bent down low ,
For some reason, our glorious Ukraine, has been worried so.
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
 
Do not bend low, Oh red kalyna, You have a white flower.
Do not worry, glorious Ukraine, You have a free people.
And we'll take that red kalyna and will raise it up,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
And we'll take that red kalyna and will raise it up,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
 
Marching forward, our fellow volunteers, into a bloody fray,
For to free, our brother - Ukrainians, from hostile chains.
And we, our brother - Ukrainians, we will then liberate,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
And we, our brother - Ukrainians, we will then liberate,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
 
Oh in the field, of early spring wheat, there's a golden furrow,
Then began, the Ukrainian riflemen to, engage the enemy,
And we'll take, that precious, early wheat and will gather it,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
And we'll take, that precious, early wheat and will gather it,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
 
When the stormy winds blow forth from the wide steppes,
They will glorify, through out Ukraine, the Sich riflemen.
And we'll take the glory of the riflemen preserving it,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!
And we'll take the glory of the riflemen preserving it,
And we, our glorious Ukraine, shall, hey - hey, cheer up - and rejoice!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_vT0Vud5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXCILWHjnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu8m5FA2nL8



Title: Ireland update
Post by: ML on April 07, 2022, 10:54:23 AM
Recall that wife's one close relative and her two young boys, and her two female cousins escaped to Ireland to live with wife's other close relative.

Wife has townhouse there, but it was rented out.
Renters were asked to leave, but it was found that Ireland has law that renters can stay (after eviction notice) one month for every year they have rented.  That was 7 years.

But renters agreed to leave anyway last Monday.

Wife's relatives shocked to find the poor state of cleanliness in the townhouse.  But given there were three 30 something UWs available to clean, no real problem.  Some plastering needed for holes in walls and some other minor damage needing repair also.

But everyone happy that no longer 4 women, 4 children and one man living in Ireland relative's single family dwelling.  Probably the one man most of all !!!
Title: Relatives moving back near and into Kyiv
Post by: ML on April 07, 2022, 11:11:29 AM
Wife's close relative that escaped to Ireland has mother, father and younger brother still in Ukraine.

They escaped to father's parent's home in small town 150 or so miles west of Kyiv.

Now mother and father moved back into their single family home about 20 miles west of Kyiv and about 10 miles south of the infamous Bucha.

And brother has moved into my wife's condominium near US Embassy and will start back with his job on Monday.  He is almost a walking skeleton with crohn's disease and was rejected by military.

No damage to either home . . . so far.

Soon the father will go to live with my wife's parents further west to help put in garden crops.

The mother is a school teacher, but her school was completely destroyed.
Title: Dodged a bullet
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 08:46:49 AM
I have kept infrequent contact over the past 12 years or so (Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Birthdays, etc.) with a woman that I spent serious time with in Ukraine and on vacation trips. 

She had declared her love for me in stronger terms than any woman ever has.
She perhaps had highest IQ of any person I have known, and helped me improve my chess game substantially.
But our relationship had to end because of her volatility.

She married Ukrainian man about 4 years ago (her second marriage).

Now, after receiving some opinion pieces I forwarded to her about the war in Ukraine (like what we share here), . . .

she has branded me an IDIOT.

She was wild about sex, and even taught me a few things . . . but I feel thankful that I escaped.

And finally, I will cease communication with her.

Title: Construction costs - - - water lines
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 09:02:57 AM
Planning is underway to extend the 4 inch main water line into a new area in my small single family residential development.

This pipe was costing $2.50 a foot 3 years ago.

Now the pipe can only be had for $8.00 a foot and is not readily available.

The price for all the free money given away and production shut down during Covid.

Luckily (I hope) at least one contractor is not planning to gouge me on the installation costs in his bid.  He is mostly a one man operation with occasional help from his retired father, so doesn't have to contend with increased labor costs.


Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 14, 2022, 09:39:21 AM
So a stimulus designed to replace LOST INCOME during the Covid shutdown from 2 years ago is NOW responsible for inflation, even in other countries
you should've TRIED buying plubing supplies in Texas after our ill-prepared, unregulated power grid shutdown the entire state and millions of homes were damaged by freezing pipes
try finding ANY plumbing supplies in Texas after that
meanwhile, states to the North, where it was even colder, BUT had regulated their grid, were all just fine

totally see why you voted for Trump
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper1 on April 14, 2022, 12:16:05 PM
Krimster2-

You know its more simple than that,Water lines in northern climes are buried deeper or insulted well.
We have such *cold snaps for months every year.

It can in part be from.building codes,regulation but it's mostly from.common sense.
Building any home here a person would take weather into account.

If Florida had such a  freek cold snap it would be a diaster as well.
I see tons of water lines, meters  really shallow or completely exposed there.


Trump nor Biden need not be involved for that to be the facts, nor with 20/20 hindsight could anyone say that the Florida keys should regulate water line code to 5 feet deep as it doesn't make sense unless an usual  weather event occured.

That said i'm always surprised at how shallow water lines are in the south.

Whats the cost of initially  burying deeper to.prepare for a once in a lifetime event.vs the costs of more common regular  repairs when things require more hours to dig up.

I don't have that.answer but utility companies do (I used to work for one). And they lay.pipe * accordingly ;)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 14, 2022, 12:37:03 PM
i'm not talking about Minnesotta,
I'm talking Kansas and Oklahoma, just across the border from Texas, more or less same winter climate as northern Texas
those states have regulated utilities, and they're connected to the national grid
they were just fine
ours isn't regulated/connected and it collapsed

our grid isn't designed to serve the people of texas
it's designed to make its owners richer
so on top of billions in damages, we had to pay billions EXTRA to the people who were responsible
when the cost of electricity went through the roof
cuz that's the way THEY setup the contract
nothing at all to do with weather, pipes, etc
everything to do with GREED



Title: Re: Dodged a bullet
Post by: Boethius on April 14, 2022, 12:49:21 PM
I have kept infrequent contact over the past 12 years or so (Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Birthdays, etc.) with a woman that I spent serious time with in Ukraine and on vacation trips. 

She had declared her love for me in stronger terms than any woman ever has.
She perhaps had highest IQ of any person I have known, and helped me improve my chess game substantially.
But our relationship had to end because of her volatility.

She married Ukrainian man about 4 years ago (her second marriage).

Now, after receiving some opinion pieces I forwarded to her about the war in Ukraine (like what we share here), . . .

she has branded me an IDIOT.

She was wild about sex, and even taught me a few things . . . but I feel thankful that I escaped.

And finally, I will cease communication with her.


What about what you sent her made you an idiot?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 14, 2022, 12:58:45 PM
because the articles he sent her were about the Crimean war. (1853-1856)...
Title: Re: Dodged a bullet
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 02:26:07 PM

What about what you sent her made you an idiot?

Not sure what specific article set her off.
It wasn't about any of my own thoughts.
Just forwarded or cut and paste some editorials, etc., the same as I or others post here.

Her comment was something like "you are an idiot to believe this stuff."

Anyway, good to finally cut off communication with her, even as wife is not the jealous type.
Title: Re: Dodged a bullet
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 14, 2022, 02:42:42 PM
Not sure what specific article set her off.
It wasn't about any of my own thoughts.
Just forwarded or cut and paste some editorials, etc., the same as I or others post here.

Her comment was something like "you are an idiot to believe this stuff."

Anyway, good to finally cut off communication with her, even as wife is not the jealous type.


I assume from your posts that she's pro-Russian ?


If so is she an ethnic Russian living in Ukraine ?
Title: Dodged a bullet
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 02:43:22 PM
because the articles he sent her were about the Crimean war. (1853-1856)...

Yes, I asked her if she had met Florence Nightingale.
Title: Re: Dodged a bullet
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 02:50:59 PM

I assume from your posts that she's pro-Russian ?


If so is she an ethnic Russian living in Ukraine ?

No, she is not pro-Russian.
Her father is ethnic Russian and mother is ethnic Ukrainian.
She is very very pro-Ukrainian.
Even as most of us here are pro-Ukrainian we often post criticisms of various Ukrainian and western leaders, or praise various Ukrainian and western leaders.
Something in one of those posts led to her idea that I was an idiot, even as I didn't write the article.
It often happens that even friends don't agree on a particular idea or article, but we don't call each other idiots.
So obviously something else at play.
If I were big headed . . . I could imagine that things are not going well in her second marriage and she is lashing out at me for not choosing her.
Delayed 'scorned woman' effect.
But I could be totally wrong about this.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on April 14, 2022, 03:02:57 PM
Or she is stressed from living under constant threat of siege.

Be the bigger person.
Title: Dodged a bullet
Post by: ML on April 14, 2022, 03:27:49 PM
Or she is stressed from living under constant threat of siege.
Be the bigger person.

I will be.  I did not respond in anger to her.
This isn't the first time she has sort of 'put down' on me, so I think it has been a build up.
Anyway, for sure time to call it quits.
I have never maintained a cordial relationship with someone who disrespected me . . . except if there were some business left to finish out.

I am more concerned now with the cost of water pipes !!

Excavation guys and casual workers have maintained their hourly rates to me.

One guy raised the price slightly to deliver some gravel for a new road, to compensate for increased gas prices.

Yesterday wife and I put down grass seed and straw on about a quarter acre that had been cleared as a house site example on a two acre plot.

She didn't raise her price at all.

Problem now is no substantial rain forecast for the next 10 days.
Title: Benjamin Franklin and Ukraine
Post by: ML on April 16, 2022, 03:35:51 PM
PBS is just now running a 2 part series on life of Benjamin Franklin.

Very interesting and wife and I were quite struck by the similarities of the interplay of Colonies - British - French and the current interplay of Ukraine - Russia - Western Countries.

Just one - - - to get you interested.

France didn't want to provide much help to the colonies until it was demonstrated that the colonies were putting up a good fight against the British.

A very good production and I highly recommend it.
Title: Special operations under the water
Post by: ML on April 18, 2022, 03:13:36 PM
How Ukraine was clever in sinking a Russian ship.
Details have emerged of how Ukraine’s military distracted the Russian warship Moskva with drones before missiles were launched, causing significant damage to the vessel as it burst into flames and later sank.
Apparently Ukraine sent two drones into the sky East of the Moskva.  This attracted the attention of the Moskva's radar and the sailors on board.
Then Ukraine launched two of its newest R-360 Neptune class anti-ship missiles from a hidden battery in the southern port city of Odessa which hit the Moskva from the West.

Russia now claims Ukraine had nothing to do with it, and that the Moskva was merely reassigned to 'special operations under the water.'

Слава Україні !  Slava Ukraini ! (Glory to Ukraine !)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Jumper1 on April 18, 2022, 08:44:12 PM
That's what I'd heard prior.
The ships hi res radar (that can.pick up stuff near the surface ) is 180 degrees capable.
A drone was used as a decoy and a geo locating guidance to occupy th ed radar to face away.the low res radar is 360 degrees ,but has more issues detecting things near the surface like Neptune's running low near  the waves (and bigger waves this time )
They also having the drone to.locate and signal to  arm the neptunes last moments making detection more difficult.

I do think Ukraine had fired missles prior at the moscva and its anti missile systems had defeated those.
They came up with a better tactic.

Title: Ireland update
Post by: ML on April 19, 2022, 09:14:26 AM
The 3 Ukrainian women and 2 children of one of them have now fully moved into my wife's townhouse along the eastern coast of Ireland south of Dublin.

A lot of wall patching, painting, replacement of kitchen counter tops and replacement of carpeting on stairway accomplished.

A couple of new beds, clothes washer and microwave purchased.

One of the women is to have major birthday milestone this week.
Pre-war, she had planned to take a birthday trip to Italy.
As a consolation prize, the group is planning to take her to Dublin for extensive site-seeing to celebrate.

As a side note:  I am horrified that these townhouse units have short and fat water heaters in the attic !!  Apparently very common in newer construction in Ireland.  I am expecting the unit to fall through the ceiling or at a minimum to start leaking through the ceiling.
Title: 4th Pfizer vaccine
Post by: ML on April 23, 2022, 10:27:22 AM
Got my 4th dose of Pfizer Covid vaccine yesterday.
Such a slight sensation from the needle that I wondered if the gal even punctured my  skin.
But then, about 6 hours later my arm started to hurt, and a couple of hours later my arm felt like Mike Tyson had slugged it.
So this must have been the dose that has the computer chip in it.
I think someone forgot to file off the sharp corners of the chip.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 23, 2022, 01:48:51 PM
I had two sputnick vaccines and two moderna vaccines
still freakin got Covid!

I was sick for about a week, joint aches, shortness of breath, fever, EXTREME fatigue, and one eye was bleeding

after about 2 weeks, was back to normal
I credit the vaccines with saving my life
and I understand that generally vaccines don't provide absolute protection, but relative protection, and reduce the spreading of the disease

worst part of my covid experience was quarantining myself from everyone, but no one else around me got sick!!
they just dropped food off and picked up garbage

I’ll get some kind of booster in the fall, smart thing would be to make an RNA vaccine for flu and covid in the same injection
when I got the moderna vax, I also got the vax for shingles

my daughters and I were in Israel, I used connections to get the panel of vaccines that IDF receives including the Israeli anthrax vax, which is better than the old USA one

so i’m prepared for next Chinese virus as best I can be
however, Israel wouldn’t give me a smallpox vax, cuz they say it’s too dangerous for geezers
apparently, the vax gives you a mild case of smallpox!
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on April 23, 2022, 05:24:04 PM
Thanks for the update Krimster.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 23, 2022, 06:51:54 PM
de nada senor
Title: 'Christos Anesti! '
Post by: ML on April 24, 2022, 07:32:28 AM
'Christos Anesti! '
'Alithos Anesti! '

'Christos Anesti! '
'Alithos Anesti! '

'Christos Anesti! '
'Alithos Anesti! '
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on April 24, 2022, 07:43:08 AM
KaPootin launched cruise missiles on a residential district of Odessa, killing 8 civilians including a baby, then went to church in Moscow to celebrate Easter

http://twitter.com/i/status/1517975685607870464

Priase the lord, and pass the ammunition
Title: Ireland update
Post by: ML on April 27, 2022, 12:25:36 PM
The wife of my wife's close relative in Ireland was just hired by a local school board to teach Ukrainian students who have relocated to  Ireland.

She was a math teacher in Ukraine for 10+ years before moving to Ireland.
But she had been wasting her talent for 11 or so years in Ireland working as a low level manager in hotel industry.
I had been suggesting to her for years that she see what was required to get certified to teach in Ireland, but she never followed up.
Now this opportunity just 'dropped in her lap' due to the influx of Ukrainians and her fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 04:08:12 AM
As of Monday 25th April,27100 Ukrainian Refugees/Asylum seekers have now arrived in the UK. :)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 05:29:41 AM
My MiL has got her permission to enter the UK. A relatively painless process.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 06:32:35 AM
I suspect many of the hold-ups some people have been whining about are background checks..especially if the refugees are from the Donbas region


Our Government quite rightly has to check to see whether they are pro-Putinists,which could make them potential saboteurs, or not.


I was watching an elderly couple in Ukraine on CNN,who'd lost their home in the Donbas after the Russians bombed it ,and they were ranting at the journalist that it was all the USA's fault and that Putin only wanted peace.


The Ukrainian bloke who'd rescued them and got them to a place of safety had to tell them "stop with that BS ".


Who'd want people like them here ?


Many a mistake is made in  haste.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 07:40:29 AM

Our Government quite rightly has to check to see whether they are pro-Putinists,which could make them potential saboteurs, or not.


And how would that be accomplished?  Is gov.uk hiring mind readers nowadays?

I know more than a dozen here that had to leave UA. None were quizzed regarding their political ideology.

A fool's errand.

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 08:44:01 AM
And how would that be accomplished?  Is gov.uk hiring mind readers nowadays?

I know more than a dozen here that had to leave UA. None were quizzed regarding their political ideology.

A fool's errand.
Exactly. It’s an online form. No interrogation at any point.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 08:50:43 AM
As of Monday 25th April,27100 Ukrainian Refugees/Asylum seekers have now arrived in the UK. :)

Over 100,000 are now in Italy.

After the Chornobyl accident, Italy regularly invited UA children to come here each summer to relax and detoxify.  They lived with normal Italian host families.  Some have returned and are staying with the very same families that hosted them back then, all grown up now with their own kids.

25th April was Italian Independence Day with official ceremonies in the town square.  All UA folks in town were invited to participate and join upfront with the officials, sing the UA national anthem, and say a few words.  Kids were given small welcome gifts and the UA folks chipped in and gave the town a basket of sunflowers.  The war in UA was condemned by all the official speakers, local and regional government officials, consuls from Morocco, Greece, Ukraine, and representatives of Catholic, Jewish and Islamic faiths.  After the ceremonies, the mayor invited the UA families and their hosts to the best pizzeria in town for dinner.  It was a nice day and evening.

(http://i.postimg.cc/bvP7VgQM/Screen-Shot-2022-04-28-at-17-17-44.png)
(some areas blurred for privacy)
Title: Western countries should screen those that want to come in from Ukraine
Post by: ML on April 28, 2022, 09:08:46 AM
Quote from: Chelseaboy on Today at 08:32:35 AM

Our Government quite rightly has to check to see whether they are pro-Putinists,which could make them potential saboteurs, or not.

- - - - - - - -

And how would that be accomplished?  Is gov.uk hiring mind readers nowadays?

I know more than a dozen here that had to leave UA. None were quizzed regarding their political ideology.

A fool's errand.

- - - - -

BC I disagree with you on this issue.

Each country taking in refugees from any country have the right (and the obligation) to try to determine the leanings of the individual refugees regarding important matters.

It's never dependent on 'mind reading' but rather on standard question and answer procedures.  Sure there can be lies, but any screening is better than none.

In the situation given earlier, if someone is ranting about it being the fault of USA and Putin only wants peace . . . then put those folks in a group that will be sent to the east rather than to the west.

I posted earlier how a wealthy Ukrainian woman was complaining about the place she was given to live for free in Ireland.  If I were in charge, I would put her on the first plane back to Ukraine.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 09:23:55 AM
ML,

In Italy, immigrants are granted the exact same constitutional rights as citizens (with the exception of voting), including the right to freedom of expression.  You may find it is the same in many countries. I highly doubt a UA citizen granted even temporary immigration status could be deported for expressing support of Putin and Russia's war.

Doing as you describe seems more like something one would expect Russia to do. We don't need to fear as Putin does. We're stronger than that or?

The folks you describe could face deportation if they break the laws of their host country.  I have no objection to such.

Title: Cracking down
Post by: ML on April 28, 2022, 09:26:21 AM
ML,

In Italy, immigrants are granted the exact same constitutional rights as citizens (with the exception of voting), including the right to freedom of expression.  You may find it is the same in many countries. I highly doubt a UA citizen granted even temporary immigration status could be deported for expressing support of Putin and Russia's war.

Doing as you describe seems more like something one would expect Russia to do. We don't need to fear as Putin does. We're stronger than that or?

The folks you describe could face deportation if they break the laws of their host country.  I have no objection to such.

Things will be different when I am in charge !!  :-)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 09:32:55 AM
 ;D
Title: Sexy granddaughter of Loretta Lynn
Post by: ML on April 28, 2022, 09:33:51 AM
Grandkids of Loretta and Conway perform famous songs.

'Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-03l9INLAM
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 10:04:37 AM
Exactly. It’s an online form. No interrogation at any point.


The UK Government has actually said they're screening applicants before allowing them into the UK...particularly as Putler has said he's targeting London because of the UK's strong support for Ukraine.


He considers us as the ringleader in galvanizing the rest of Europe against Russia...with Johnson,Truss,Wallace and other members of our Cabinet all now banned from Russia.


They don't need to interrogate..there are more discreet ways of finding out ..such as being in touch with the Ukraine Government and asking questions about certain applicants for them to investigate their family history,ethnic background..any criminal record,anti-west/pro-Russian leanings etc.


By the way the forms needed to be filled out by potential Ukrainian refugees to the UK are far more exhaustive for people coming here with no family already here..it's taking many weeks to find out if they'll be allowed in or not...purely because of the checks.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 10:11:44 AM

The UK Government has actually said they're screening applicants before allowing them into the UK...particularly as Putler has said he's targeting London because of the UK's strong support for Ukraine.


He considers us as the ringleader in galvanizing the rest of Europe against Russia...with Johnson,Truss,Wallace and other members of our Cabinet all now banned from Russia.


They don't need to interrogate..there are more discreet ways of finding out ..such as being in touch with the Ukraine Government and asking questions about certain applicants for them to investigate their family history,ethnic background..any criminal record,anti-west/pro-Russian leanings etc.

No, that doesn’t happen. And do you really think that the UKR govt would be devoting time and valuable resources doing that.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 10:15:22 AM
And how would that be accomplished?  Is gov.uk hiring mind readers nowadays?

I know more than a dozen here that had to leave UA. None were quizzed regarding their political ideology.

A fool's errand.


Well to be fair Italy has done very little in supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine ..you've mainly stood on the sidelines compared to the UK,so i doubt Putler is going to send saboteurs there,so the checks are not needed in comparison.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 10:23:13 AM
No, that doesn’t happen. And do you really think that the UKR govt would be devoting time and valuable resources doing that.


Of course they would..they wouldn't want the stigma of any of their people attacking the UK from within and therefore potentially losing our support because they couldn't be arsed doing the necessary checks for potential terrorists.


Imagine the outcry if Johnson or any other members of the Cabinet were assassinated by a Putin supporter from Ukraine.


Putin and his cronies would be in their element "See we warned the west that Ukraine is full of Nazi's..now you know why we need to exterminate them "


The USA and UK are Ukraine's biggest supporters in this war with lethal aid...you think they'd risk losing that ?


Damn right they'd do the checks if asked.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 10:43:12 AM
Chelseaboy,

the same checks are being done that apply to any immigrant.

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 10:51:02 AM
Chelseaboy,

the same checks are being done that apply to any immigrant.


You have no idea what checks are being done on Ukrainian refugees entering the UK.


The FACT's are that the media,the potential hosts who are providing accomodation and the opposition parties have   ALL been complaining about the unusual length of time it's taking for Ukrainians  being allowed into the UK.


5-6 weeks after the forms had been completed the visa's still hadn't been issued..why do you think that is ?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 11:09:18 AM
Well to be fair Italy has done very little in supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine ..you've mainly stood on the sidelines compared to the UK,so i doubt Putler is going to send saboteurs there,so the checks are not needed in comparison.

Grasping at straws using the common straw man argument?

I haven't kept track of who is sending what.  There is a list on Wiki but I don't know how accurate it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 11:21:31 AM

Of course they would..they wouldn't want the stigma of any of their people attacking the UK from within and therefore potentially losing our support because they couldn't be arsed doing the necessary checks for potential terrorists.


Imagine the outcry if Johnson or any other members of the Cabinet were assassinated by a Putin supporter from Ukraine.


Putin and his cronies would be in their element "See we warned the west that Ukraine is full of Nazi's..now you know why we need to exterminate them "


The USA and UK are Ukraine's biggest supporters in this war with lethal aid...you think they'd risk losing that ?


Damn right they'd do the checks if asked.
Nope. Doesn’t work like that.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 11:22:06 AM
Chelseaboy,

the same checks are being done that apply to any immigrant.

Exactly.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 11:23:52 AM

You have no idea what checks are being done on Ukrainian refugees entering the UK.


The FACT's are that the media,the potential hosts who are providing accomodation and the opposition parties have   ALL been complaining about the unusual length of time it's taking for Ukrainians  being allowed into the UK.


5-6 weeks after the forms had been completed the visa's still hadn't been issued..why do you think that is ?
No facts here.
It’s just usual Home Office incompetence, nothing more sinister.

You’re taking 2+2 and making 5.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 11:33:42 AM
Grasping at straws using the common straw man argument?

I haven't kept track of who is sending what.  There is a list on Wiki but I don't know how accurate it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War)


Well we've sent 5.500 NLAW anti-tank weapons,which the Ukrainians say are the best they've received...although the Javelin may prove better in the Donbas as it's more open and less close combat.


We've also sent the Star-streak Air defence systems ,which the Ukrainians have also raved about.


We're sending armoured Star-streak Air defence systems ,armoured troop carriers and anti-ship missile systems..Ukrainian troops are currently being trained on all these.


We've also  recently put boots on the ground in Ukraine ,with elite Special Forces troops giving hands-on training to Ukrainian troops in Ukraine.


There's a reason why Ukrainians now consider us their second favourite country and cannot thank us enough for our support.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 11:41:53 AM
No facts here.
It’s just usual Home Office incompetence, nothing more sinister.

You’re taking 2+2 and making 5.


On 9th March Boris Johnson stated that Britain needed to carry out security checks on Ukrainian refugees when asked about the delays in letting them enter the UK.


He also said they were needed to stop "unscrupulous " Putin exploiting the situation.


I'll leave that fact there.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on April 28, 2022, 11:45:26 AM

You have no idea what checks are being done on Ukrainian refugees entering the UK.


That's a fair response.  Do you have information indicating UA folks seeking temporary shelter in UK are being delayed more than the norm due to security concerns and additional security checks?

It seems the UK, unlike EU, requires a visa before entering. Huge bureaucratic hurdle, possibly made more difficult by reports of possible abuse of the new Homes for Ukraine scheme and having to first ensure that those offering homes are qualified to do so and have appropriate living space.

Maybe any additional 'security checks' are aimed at prospective UK hosts instead?  For example, single males desiring to sponsor single UA females.  Hmm... Where have I heard that before?





Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 11:54:46 AM
That's a fair response.  Do you have information indicating UA folks seeking temporary shelter in UK are being delayed more than the norm due to security concerns and additional security checks?

It seems the UK, unlike EU, requires a visa before entering. Huge bureaucratic hurdle, possibly made more difficult by reports of possible abuse of the new Homes for Ukraine scheme and having to first ensure that those offering homes are qualified to do so and have appropriate living space.

Maybe any additional 'security checks' are aimed at prospective UK hosts instead?  For example, single males desiring to sponsor single UA females.  Hmm... Where have I heard that before?


I just covered about the security checks in my post above while you were posting this.


As for dodgy single men in the UK trying to sponsor single UA females for sexual motives ..yep that has been happening :(
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 12:05:29 PM

On 9th March Boris Johnson stated that Britain needed to carry out security checks on Ukrainian refugees when asked about the delays in letting them enter the UK.


He also said they were needed to stop "unscrupulous " Putin exploiting the situation.


I'll leave that fact there.
Normal checks carried out on every visa applicant from every country. The point is there are no additional checks done on UKR applicants, let alone any by the Ukrainians. That would require data sharing agreements.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 28, 2022, 12:57:19 PM
Normal checks carried out on every visa applicant from every country. The point is there are no additional checks done on UKR applicants, let alone any by the Ukrainians. That would require data sharing agreements.


You can argue until you're Blue in the face.


The FACT remains that our Prime Minister specifically mentioned Putin as the reason for the security checks on Ukrainians coming into the UK.


On 1st March in the House of Commons Tory MP Mark Harper ,a former Immigration Minister, said "The Putin regime is a regime that will not hesitate to send agents here to kill British citizens .It's the Home Secretary's job to make sure we keep people safe."


If you think they've been doing that by just doing bog-standard checks i'd say you're being very naive.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: John Gaunt on April 28, 2022, 03:29:02 PM

You can argue until you're Blue in the face.


The FACT remains that our Prime Minister specifically mentioned Putin as the reason for the security checks on Ukrainians coming into the UK.


On 1st March in the House of Commons Tory MP Mark Harper ,a former Immigration Minister, said "The Putin regime is a regime that will not hesitate to send agents here to kill British citizens .It's the Home Secretary's job to make sure we keep people safe."


If you think they've been doing that by just doing bog-standard checks i'd say you're being very naive.
You haven’t a scooby doo.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on April 30, 2022, 09:44:05 AM
As of Monday 25th April,27100 Ukrainian Refugees/Asylum seekers have now arrived in the UK. :)

Going by national governments’ official numbers, Germany is their most likely destination: more Ukrainians (almost 400,000) are already here than in other large European states such as France (51,000), Italy, (about 100,000) and Spain (135,000). Britain, outside the EU and with a slow-moving visa system in place, has taken in only about 27,000, although 86,000 visas have been granted.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/30/ukraine-refugees-are-flocking-to-germany-and-shunning-the-uk
Title: Actual story from Kharkiv
Post by: ML on April 30, 2022, 11:13:36 AM
We went to a concert last night with music honoring Ukraine.
First time our entire Ukrainian group has been together since last summer.
The parents of three of the married Ukrainian couples are now here in USA.

One set of parents from Kharkiv.  They are quite well-to-do (at at least were) and had nice apartment in city center and a large dacha outside of town.  Apartment completely demolished.

They went to the dacha as soon as Russian terrorists invaded.
It has a large basement and eventually 16 people ended up there and stayed together for over 30 days.  The missiles and artillery rounds came over the dacha daily.  They came up out of basement for only short periods to get additional supplies, etc.

Only 2 Russian soldiers came to the dacha.  They were very young and very scared.  They only pointed their rifles at ground.  They told that 60 of their tanks had been destroyed and they wanted to surrender.  The father made contact with Ukrainian soldiers who came and took the young men away.

The son here in USA made arrangements with friends in Kharkiv to retrieve his parents and get them to Polish border.  The mother was (and still is) extremely traumatized and refused to leave the basement.  Finally she agreed to leave as son was saying, if she didn't, he would have to come get her himself.

She (mid 60s) now just sits and stares blankly into space.  Previously she was the most active and talkative of the group of parents.

Another of the fathers has prostate cancer and his daughter here having to pay full price for treatments as no insurance.  Luckily she and her French husband can afford as they are both professors here in demand fields making over $150,000 each.

All of these parents have been here before and have multi entry visas.  I think they said they can stay for 18 months under new provisions.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on April 30, 2022, 01:42:18 PM
Putler.....destroying people's lives daily.


I doubt the Russian people are elated at seeing their 18 year-olds now getting called up to fight in Ukraine...they must know by now the fate awaiting them.



It's up to the Russians to change things by ousting him and replacing him with a moderate to save their country from disaster.
Title: Russian writer says: The words “good” and “Russian” cannot now coexist
Post by: ML on May 01, 2022, 09:29:58 AM
Putin’s war and Russian identity.   April 30, 2022 by Anastasia Edel

“Russia is not Putin.” As a lecturer in Russian history, and an ex-Soviet Russian American, I have said these words many times. But now the treasures of Russia’s culture — its poetry, novels, movies, theater, symphonies — must be weighed against the current regime’s premeditated murder of the innocent. In this new world, the rest of Russian history and culture is reduced to mere back story by Feb. 24.

Start with what Ivan Turgenev called the “great, powerful, righteous and free Russian language” that should comfort me in “days of dreary musings.” As a writer whose sensibility was shaped by Russian and Soviet classics, I took great pains to teach Russian to my American-born children. I wanted them to read Alexander Pushkin’s verses, Anton Chekhov’s stories and Mikhail Bulgakov’s novels — all those books my husband and I brought with us to America —in the language in which they were written.

But I cannot view Russian today as righteous or free. I hear it as the language of Russian occupiers and officials telling Ukrainians to surrender, or of Ukrainian defenders swearing at a Russian warship: a tool for battlefield exchanges. It’s the language wielded by mothers in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Bucha to curse the killers of their children. The war, cynically unfolding during the Great Lent, has tainted the Russian language, just as it has the Russian Orthodox Church, whose head blessed the invasion. I haven’t picked up a Russian book in seven weeks. Nor did I buy egg decoration kits for the Russian Easter last Sunday.

Then there’s what I was taught to view as “Russian character” — my character. Teachers, movies, plays and textbooks told me that wars of aggression were the lot of other nations; that the very purpose of our existence was to heroically defend the Motherland. We were the nation of “Peace to the World” (a giant sign next to my house in the U.S.S.R.), of “Ask those soldiers lying under the birch trees if Russians want war” (a line from a song we learned in school).

But Vladimir Putin has hijacked the real suffering that World War II brought to the U.S.S.R. and used it to feed the cult of Russian victory.  For years, his propaganda machine stoked aggression under the guise of celebrating heroism. But how can Russia be a nation of heroes if it kills and tortures its neighbors? As bombs pummel Ukrainian cities, the Russian part of my Russian American identity is slowly dying.
I held hope during the first days of war that at last Putin had gone too far. The Russian people would rise up, sweeping away the regime that deceives them, abuses them, steals their children’s future. Russia would “wake up from its slumber,” as Pushkin would put it, and do away with “oppressive reign” — with a popular movement to stop the death and destruction, cracking open the door to redemption.

Two months in, the war shows no signs of abating. Thousands are dead, mutilated, brutalized. The hope for revolution is gone. The nation of Chekhov and Dostoyevsky has failed to stop the atrocities waged in its name. Plenty of Russians oppose the war, but whether deceived by propaganda or frightened by the ever-worsening repression in their country, many have been cowed into outward support or even acceptance. “If there’s no nuclear bombing,” a relative in Moscow told me, “one can live.”

Most of the Russian Americans I know are in a state of shock, disbelief — and guilt by association. As we follow the plight of our Ukrainian family and friends, it feels as though we’re sleepwalking. It doesn’t matter how strongly we have opposed Putin’s regime or how long ago we left. We know that there’s no return to our pre-war selves: Our identities have to be rebuilt. I’m not sure who I will be when I start sifting through the rubble.

Hope, however, is a stubborn thing. From a picture-perfect California college town, my older daughter sends me her poem. “My heart beats,” it starts, “at the same fluttering pace as one that breathes the fumes of evil in Kyiv, and breaks the same, across the vast Pacific.” My younger daughter, a high schooler, records a Ukrainian folk song and asks me to send it to my colleague in Odesa as he shelters in the underground garage of his apartment building from Russian air strikes.  My daughters, born an ocean away, take this tragedy as their tragedy. They think about the world deeply. They are against this awful war. And they insist that they are Russian.

Since Feb. 24, I have felt like the words “good” and “Russian” can scarcely coexist. But as my first-generation Russian American daughters pray for peace and fund raise for Ukraine, I can envision a different Russian identity: humbler, freer and with a stronger sense of collective responsibility. First, we must end this war.

Anastasia Edel, a San Francisco-based writer who grew up in southern Russia, is the author of “Russia: Putin’s Playground: Empire, Revolution, and the New Tsar.”
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on May 01, 2022, 12:51:50 PM
Thanks for posting this article ML. A profound and interesting read....
Title: Mother's Day Wishes
Post by: ML on May 08, 2022, 05:46:20 AM
Best wishes to all the Mother's today !  :-)   :)   :D

And greeting to you 'muthers' also.
Title: On the front line in Ukraine's invasion by Russian terrorists
Post by: ML on May 09, 2022, 10:18:32 AM
My wife's closest relative has now been sent to the front lines somewhere around Kharkiv.

He volunteered in first days of war and is assigned to a medical unit.

Our life here in USA will be shattered if . . .

He has contributed his nearly new automobile to the war effort.

- - - - -

In other news, wife of my wife's close relative in Ireland has landed a full time job with Irish government working with Ukrainian refugees.

She had earlier gotten a part-time job in local school district working with Ukrainian kids enrolled in Irish schools.

- - - - -

The three female cousins and 2 children living in my wife's townhouse in Ireland have repainted it top to bottom, and this past weekend cleaned and refinished the back decking.  Next they will work on the wood fencing and a storage building.

Title: Even after recent declines, the stock market isn’t a good value
Post by: ML on June 06, 2022, 04:11:23 PM
For those of you who have some 'extra' cash, it appears this is still not the time to put it in the stock market.

I have felt this way, and the more detailed research by the respected author confirms this.

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS: PERSONAL INVESTING
Are Stocks Undervalued Yet?
Eight valuation models suggest that even after recent declines, the stock market isn’t a good value
By Mark Hulbert
June 4, 2022 5:30 am ET

http://www.wsj.com/articles/stock-market-undervalued-bear-market-11654263036

http://newslettercollector.com/newsletter/markets-special-edition-are-stocks-undervalued-yet/

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 06, 2022, 07:51:08 PM
ya wanna invest in commodities that Russia controls, but the appreciation may have already happened
I bought nickle, platinum, palladium and petroleum futures last year
I previously bought foreclosed houses and rent them, I average an 8% return this way minus taxes, insurance, maintenance
and a market approciation of 200-300% since purchase, which is untaxed, but does raise the rents
but that was many years ago, you can't buy ANY foreclosures now, cuz corporate bidders are there and drove up the prices
investing in busineseses with a cash flow is good as well
i'm retiring soon and will live quite comfortably off my investments
Title: Scientific Tips For Post-Covid Flirting
Post by: ML on June 21, 2022, 04:15:30 PM
Scientific Tips For Post-Covid Flirting

SUSAN PINKER  Wall Street Journal

NOW THAT MANY of us are emerging from our Covid shells, blinking at the spring sun, it’s time  to refresh some pre-pandemic pastimes. Like flirting, for example.

A dating app can call up several romantic prospects within a five mile radius of where you stand, but can it hold your gaze, or lightly brush your bare arm while passing by?
No, for subtle—and not so subtle—sexual signals, nothing beats the frisson one gets when flirting in person.  If, after over two years, you can’t remember how it’s done, a new research
paper offers helpful guidance as to what types of signals work best, with whom, and under what conditions.
To take some familiar examples:
When a woman shows a bit of skin, moves close to a man, brushes by him or otherwise makes body contact, men are moved to pursue the relationship, at least in the short term.
A woman is likely to show interest in a man who makes her laugh, is generous, looks her in the eye and is a good listener, among other signs that show that he has resources to spare and is
ready to commit.
Humans have been using these strategies to attract mates for millions of years, according to evolutionary psychologists. Those that worked were passed along to the next generations and still provide a distant thrum underlying our efforts to attract and keep a partner.
But after decades of flux in sexual and gender power dynamics, have the old ways of wooing lost some of their hold?
Women have equaled or overtaken men in some occupations and even out-earned them in a few others.
Does a man’s ability to flaunt his wealth still work as a flirting strategy?
Is a woman’s appearance and willingness to make body contact still as important in attracting a man’s interest?
The study, “Perceived Effectiveness of Flirtation Tactics,” compared the flirting preferences of more than 1,000 heterosexual persons between 18 and 30 years old who completed a 40-item questionnaire about flirting and sexual attraction.
Half were in the U.S., half in Norway.
The research team, led by Leif Edward Otteson Kennair of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and T. Joel Wade of Bucknell University, set out to bolster the evolutionary
arguments about flirting described in a 1993 paper by David Buss and David Schmitt. The two University of Michigan psychology professors found that men and women evolved flirting strategies unique to each sex and specific to a short-or long-term goal.
For a fling, a man would seek signals that a woman is sexually available and looking for minimal commitment.
For a long term commitment, he would favor someone young and attractive—stand-ins for fertility—who would be faithful and a good parent.
Women seeking short-term partners look for signals of physical strength and generosity.
For the long term, women look for observable cues of ambition, industry, income and status.
Primal signals are at work when it comes to flirting; triggers have persisted over time, across continents and cultural divides. The question now is whether in-person flirting is the same as before the pandemic, the same as before women’s educational and occupational gains and nearly the same as eons ago. And the answer seems to be yes, yes and yes.
There is one difference. In the past, being funny was a pivotal trait for a man, but a woman’s jokes often didn’t register.
Now, the latest research shows, humor is a gender-equal form of flirting.
All of this suggests that you can rely on your muscle memory of flirting, as not much has changed.

So for the men here who are looking, the big take-away is  . . .

Women look for observable cues of ambition, industry, income, status and humor.
Title: Biden Got The Energy Market He Wanted
Post by: ML on June 24, 2022, 07:40:10 AM
Biden Got The Energy Market He Wanted   WSJ                June 23, 2022

Since taking office, Mr. Biden has labored hard to make American fossil-fuel production more costly so green energy alternatives become more attractive. He succeeded, and the result is record prices.

Trying to limit the political damage of skyrocketing gasoline prices, the Biden administration on Sunday trotted out Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Ms. Granholm said “we need to have increased production, so that everyday citizens in America will not be feeling this pain that they’re feeling right now.”

The context of the discussion was President Biden’s upcoming visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council, where he’ll ask the Saudis to increase oil production. Ms. Granholm got the general principle right: The answer to high prices is increased supply. What she got wrong was locating the solution some 7,500 miles away in Middle Eastern oil fields.

On his first day in office, Mr. Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline and halted new leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A week later, he banned new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and in June he shut down exploration on existing leases in ANWR. In October, he increased the regulatory burdens on building pipelines and other infrastructure. This February he limited leasing in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. At every turn Team Biden has worked to restrict and reduce domestic oil and gas production.

Almost a year after a federal judge enjoined the White House from implementing its pause on leases in federal lands and waters, the administration in April finally offered 144,400 acres for exploration—only 20% of the acreage originally slated for this tranche of leases. The administration also raised the federal royalty by 50%, increasing the cost on American consumers. It nominated regulatory officials hostile to fossil fuels and issued climate disclosure rules that made lenders skittish about providing capital.

Team Biden got what it wanted: Daily U.S. oil production dropped from 12.29 million barrels in 2019 to an estimated 11.85 million in 2022, well after demand had rebounded from the pandemic.

Mr. Biden blames Vladimir Putin, but prices rose quite a bit before Russia invaded Ukraine. In January 2021, the average price of regular gasoline was $2.33 a gallon. By February 2022, it was up to $3.52. As of May, the average price was $4.44; so 56% of that price rise predated the invasion.

After doing everything in his power to constrict American supply, Mr. Biden is now threatening a windfall-profits tax, even though oil and gas production saw only a 4.7% net profit margin last year. Compare that with Microsoft’s 39% net margin, Facebook’s 33%, Google’s 30% and Apple’s 27%. Yet Mr. Biden won’t confiscate tech company profits.

The president now proposes a three-month holiday from the 18.4-cent-a-gallon federal gasoline tax. But this would raise demand and increase the deficit while doing nothing to boost production.

If Mr. Biden were serious about lowering fuel prices, he’d follow the advice of President Clinton’s Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who suggested Sunday “an all-in more- energy-supply approach that emphasizes freeing up fossil fuels.” That means undoing all of Mr. Biden’s earlier decisions that pushed oil and gas prices up. It’s important to start now. It took a year and a half of bad actions to get here; it’ll take time to increase supply and thereby produce downward pressure on prices.

In pursuit of climate goals, Mr. Biden’s policies raised costs for oil and gas and reduced supply. The result is higher gasoline and diesel prices at a time when inflation is already driving up the price of everything else. Mr. Biden got what he wanted, and it’s making life harder for ordinary
Americans.

The fault lies with Mr. Biden, not with Putin, the US oil industry or Middle Eastern oil producers.

Karl Rove
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 24, 2022, 09:15:00 AM
Sure…
go ahead and pay Russians and Arabs for your oil while simultaneously destroying the planet
sounds REAL SMART!

Make sure there’s as much anti-renewable propaganda as possible, because every watt of renewable means one less watt of fossil fuel profit
sounds REAL SMART!

and make sure the oil and gas monopolies will keep dumping money on the politicians who are supposed to regulate them...
yeah, that sounds REAL SMART to

gawsh yur a gen-yus
Title: Best energy plan is............
Post by: 2tallbill on June 24, 2022, 10:08:36 AM
Sure…
go ahead and pay Russians and Arabs for your oil while simultaneously destroying the planet
sounds REAL SMART!

What's dumb is to attack and try to destroy your ONLY reliable source of energy
before you have something to replace it. Biden's fallback plan B was to beg the
Arabs and Venezuelan's for it. What's dumb is to evacuate the military from
Afghanistan before the civilians or the military hardware. Ask Ukraine if they
would have liked to have some of that stuff.

(http://cdn.creators.com/1054/328209/328209_image.jpg)


(http://cdn.creators.com/1054/328110/328110_image.jpg)


(http://cdn.creators.com/1054/327716/327716_image.jpg)


(http://i.makeagif.com/media/4-18-2016/ArJ8mE.gif)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 24, 2022, 10:22:54 AM
sure let the MOST RADICAL SUNNI ISLAMIC Republic kill as many people as it wants
who cares if they finaced 9-11 or the Khobar Towers bombing, or killed a journalist and dismembered his body
cuz OIL!!!

guess what country all our renewable energy comes from?
our OWN!!!

guess how long it'll last?

guess what the "monthly consumables" cost is

guess how many jobs creating this industry would create HERE!!!

but it will 100% negatively impact fossil fuel profits and their political donations
so, well, forget about it...
they'll make sure it never sees the light of day, by espousing the usual TOTAL BS THEY ALWAYS DO!

the usual Trump supporters brainwashed by right-wing media will ALL support the fossil fuel industry!!!
why?

Guns
Jesus
Babies
white supremecy
hating on libs and liberalism

meanwhile, the world is turning into an apocalyptic nightmare, right before your eyes, and you're all FURIOUJSLY trying to pin it on Biden
you can't REALLY be this freakin dumb, or can you?
after all, YOU ALL voted for Trump, WTF is WRONG with your brain, does it hurt verry much?
I hope you get well...
my kindest regards







 
Title: How we got to gas prices
Post by: ML on June 24, 2022, 10:48:37 AM
Note:  To add a bit of clarification, I was not indicating that what Biden did was wrong or that it is not a good goal to work toward green energy.

The point was . . . Biden took policy down a particular path. 
This path led to the outcome. 
Not man-like to not own up to how we got to the current outcome.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on June 24, 2022, 11:03:33 AM
I disagree with Rove. Prices would be exactly where they are even without those policies because of the war. They would have likely been in the $85 range even without a war. The problem is that there isn’t refining capacity in the US. It’s not about a lack of oil.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on June 24, 2022, 11:06:38 AM
The oil companies are fully vested in higher prices and support pro-fossil fuel friendly political candidates

they have 100X more to do with gas prices than Biden…
but sure, go ahead and give them a free pass, while you jump on Biden
cuz that’s why the oil companies all pay heavily into FOX, to make sure people like you feel this way

please don’t quote Karl Rove as a credible source on ANYTHING other than BIG DONOR Republican Propaganda

and I got your “MAN UP” right here holmes….
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on June 24, 2022, 11:10:14 AM
Many factors play in to the calculation.

http://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/062122-us-refining-capacity-falls-to-lowest-mark-in-8-years-amid-record-prices-eia
Title: Gearing up for heating in Ukraine during the coming winter
Post by: ML on June 26, 2022, 08:46:18 PM
Wife's folks live in a stand alone house just outside a smaller town west of Kyiv.

Back in the late 1980s, they installed a gas fired furnace for heating.
Previously they burned coal.

Now there is a prospect of no gas, or at least greatly lessened amount, in the near future.

My wife arranged with a distant relative to purchase and install a modern coal and wood burning furnace adjacent to the gas furnace in her parent's house.

Her folks never get rid of anything (similar to myself), so they still have maybe a years worth or more of coal that's been in storage for over 30 years.

And there is an old falling down house on their property that pieces of wood can be taken from as needed to supplement the coal or for use just on cooler days.  My wife has been irritated forever about why this old house has not been taken down and the site cleaned up.  Now it will be useful.

Planning ahead !!
Title: With respect to Ukraine: Good things follow from giving in to aggressive bullies
Post by: ML on July 09, 2022, 08:37:31 AM
Good things follow from giving in to aggressive bullies.

Our parents (at least some of them) taught us this.

So best for the USA to save some money right now with respect to support for Ukraine against bully Putin and terrorist fascist Russia.

There will be no larger costs in terms of dollars or lives of USA military personnel in the future from giving in to bully Putin and terrorist fascist Russia right now.  History has proven this.

"Peace for our time" was a declaration made by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in his 30 September 1938 remarks in London after returning from a visit with Hitler in Germany.

There they had signed the (now) infamous Munich Agreement.

Chamberlain said that all Hitler wants is a piece of Czechoslovakia. 

If we let him have that, then Europe will be at peace, and lives and money will have been saved right now and in the future.

After Chamberlain left, bully Hitler turned to his group and said . . .

What a naive idiot, his parents must have taught him nothing !

And Germany began the invasion of Poland shortly thereafter.

But luckily for the USA, since Germany, Japan and Italy had not formed an alliance, we avoided involvement in WW II.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now in 2022, if we just let bully Putin have a piece of Ukraine, then he will be satisfied and Europe will be at peace.

And bully China will also look favorably upon us giving in to bully Putin and will cease all their own expansionist plans.

We in the USA can sleep soundly knowing that there will be no future threat to us or any other country.

There will be tremendous savings on military preparedness.

Unlike bully Hitler, bully Putin and terrorist fascist Russia (and bully China) can be trusted to abide by agreements.

And luckily for us, Russia and China have not agreed to any support for each other.   

Yes Putin and Xi signed an agreement in February 2022 that said " . . .  friendship between the two States has no limits, there are no ‘forbidden’ areas of cooperation . . ."

But I think they were just joking at the Olympics.

- - - - - - - - -

In 1994, USA, UK and Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum.

This agreement provided that, in turn for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons (which they did), USA, UK and Russia (later China and France also signed on) guaranteed they would not " . . . threatening or using military force or economic coercion against Ukraine . . ."

As far as I can ascertain, bully Putin and terrorist fascist Russia have abided by this agreement with respect to not invading Ukraine.  At least I haven't heard about any such.

So bully Putin (and all terrorist fascist Russians) can be trusted to abide by any future agreements signed with respect to ending the fascist Russian terrorist invasion of Ukraine.

And bully China has not helped bully Putin. 

As I understand, China (and India) have cut back totally on any purchases of Russian gas and oil, so as to reduce money bully Putin has to continue his fascist terrorist invasion of Ukraine.

Let bullies have what they want . . . and we will have a wonderful, peaceful world.
History has proven this over and over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 13, 2022, 05:45:39 AM
Wife presented academic research paper at her first conference yesterday.

OMG, for that 30 minute presentation, she and I worked on it full time for two weeks.

She did all the math, of course, but I put in a lot of time with looking up references, learning how to format all the math formulations in the LaTex software package, how to program the codes to produce graphs, charts, etc., and finally the typing,

Put a lot of stress on us, but not to the extent of threatening our marriage like some of her previous academic stresses have.

Now final stage is still to fine tune her dissertation for defense in mid-August.  That should have been accomplished several months ago, but wife simply could not pull herself away from constant watching the Ukrainian news on various Internet sites.

Now that this push for the conference presentation is over, there is no certainty she won't go back to non-stop watching of news and screw up completion of her dissertation before Fall semester starts.

In that case, a good likelihood she will never finish; and 4 years of our lives will have been wasted on the PhD program.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on July 13, 2022, 07:09:25 AM
Learning is never wasted, ML ;)

For many, it's tough staying motivated with bad things going on back home.  Feeling any type of celebration is wrong, feeling useless, and even some shame about being able to live so well while so many others are suffering and losing all that they worked their whole lives for.

Going through somewhat similar circumstances with a family I'm sponsoring.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 13, 2022, 08:41:52 AM
Learning is never wasted, ML ;)

For many, it's tough staying motivated with bad things going on back home.  Feeling any type of celebration is wrong, feeling useless, and even some shame about being able to live so well while so many others are suffering and losing all that they worked their whole lives for.

Going through somewhat similar circumstances with a family I'm sponsoring.

BC, thanks for your comments here and more in your PM to me.

However, in the current case the 4 years on PhD will have been wasted.

She is going to be teaching the same courses that she did 4 years ago when she only had masters degree.

She finally went into PhD program because she was only working as adjunct back then, with assignments never a given from semester to semester.

However, this past spring she was finally hired full time as Instructor (with still only masters completed) which is all she really wanted anyway.

With PhD completed, she can move into Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor track.

But, if she doesn't complete PhD dissertation, she will be stuck at Instructor forever . . . which she could have achieved with only Masters degree.

So yes, in that case, the last 4 years will have been wasted.  Sure she learned a lot of high level stuff . . . which she will never ever use again . . . and is no better at cooking, sex, conversation (because I will NEVER understand any of it), etc., than she was before.

And we have both aged considerably and had our health deteriorate significantly from the experience . . . more than we would have without the experience.

Her PhD was much harder on me, than my own was.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on July 13, 2022, 09:57:27 AM

However, this past spring she was finally hired full time as Instructor (with still only masters completed) which is all she really wanted anyway.

Sounds good to me..

Maybe your wife found a nice niche that lies well within her lifestyle expectations and comfort zone?  Would a Ph.D. be overqualified for that position?

Would it be safe to assume that with her smarts, she enjoys being at the top of the pack without an imposing title, rather than just another newbie Ph.D. in a different environment, expected to publish publish publish and make the coffee?

IIRC my dad stopped at masters+. I suspect he felt a Ph.D. would distance him from the classroom and student group/age he felt he could help the most...

Maybe your expectations are playing a greater role than is healthy?  I'm pretty sure you are very proud of her accomplishments, getting greedy? hahaha.

Yeah... lots of questions.... LOL.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on July 13, 2022, 02:18:36 PM
BC, I don't expect anyone to keep fully up to date, but to expand:

She has finished 4 years of PhD coursework, has passed the final written and final oral exam for PhD, and has worked on dissertation for one year.
She is due to finish within 4 weeks.

So this is not something she is contemplating starting.

And to repeat what I wrote years ago . . . I did not push her to do PhD.
So not my 'expectations.'

Anyway, we are getting far afield  here, as I was originally only addressing your comment about 'learning is never wasted' and pointing out that 'ex post' her 4 years of learning was wasted, given where she ended up.

And she has ended up right where she wanted originally . . . before starting PhD.

But we both lost four years of our life, both aged considerably, and both suffered declines in health from the process.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on July 14, 2022, 02:55:49 AM
ML,

ahh... I linked the efforts for a Ph.D. with helping to address the desire for a permanent position.

Guess my math didn't add up correctly :)

Wishing you both the very best.

Title: Ukrainian soldier killed in Kherson region
Post by: ML on August 08, 2022, 10:10:55 AM
We just heard today from one of the Ukrainian gals who is local here and part of our group.

Her male cousin was killed on Saturday while engaged in operations in the Kherson Region.

Mid 30s age.

He was an only child and she was an only child.
They were born the same year and were very close while growing up; more like brother and sister.

He had volunteered first day of invasion.
He had been back in his home area for a short rest, and had just returned to the battle zone the day before he was killed.
Title: Ukrainian wife in full distress
Post by: ML on August 08, 2022, 10:16:02 AM
My wife's closest relative joined volunteer army on first day of invasion.
He is now part of regular army in the medical category.
He was stationed around Kyiv for a few months, and then sent to the front lines in Kharkiv area.
Now he has been given orders to rotate back to Kyiv.
He has resisted and doesn't want to leave the front lines.
Title: Re: Ukrainian soldier killed in Kherson region
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 08, 2022, 06:29:13 PM

He had volunteered first day of invasion.

When will people learn to never volunteer!
Title: Re: Ukrainian soldier killed in Kherson region
Post by: Chelseaboy on August 09, 2022, 04:25:50 AM
When will people learn to never volunteer!


Hmmm'


As you know Ukrainian men between the ages of 18-60 can't do a runner to another country as you would.


So you either volunteer or wait to be called-up to fight the orc invaders.


Now,if all the men there took your attitude ,then no-one would volunteer.


This would mean the orcs would soon overrun the country and coming to where you live very soon.


Personally i'd rather die with a weapon in my hands,alongside friends and colleagues..killing as many orcs as i can until they kill me.


Or you can be Billy no mates,with your neighbours looking at you with derision, and wait until the orcs break into your home,tie your hands behind your back and if you're lucky shoot you in the back of the head..or if you're unlucky they'll castrate you before killing you.


Of course men with plenty of money,which you haven't, had the third option of legging it and giving up their home before the 18-60 law was brought in.
Title: Re: Ukrainian soldier killed in Kherson region
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 09, 2022, 06:24:02 AM

Hmmm'


As you know Ukrainian men between the ages of 18-60 can't do a runner to another country as you would.


So you either volunteer or wait to be called-up to fight the orc invaders.


Now,if all the men there took your attitude ,then no-one would volunteer.


This would mean the orcs would soon overrun the country and coming to where you live very soon.


Personally i'd rather die with a weapon in my hands,alongside friends and colleagues..killing as many orcs as i can until they kill me.


Or you can be Billy no mates,with your neighbours looking at you with derision, and wait until the orcs break into your home,tie your hands behind your back and if you're lucky shoot you in the back of the head..or if you're unlucky they'll castrate you before killing you.


Of course men with plenty of money,which you haven't, had the third option of legging it and giving up their home before the 18-60 law was brought in.

In reality virtually any Ukrainian guy can leave as the border with the EU nations is long and porous. So long as the guy scouts well around the border checkpoints he is highly unlikely to be caught if going right out into the wilderness to cross. Running into the border force on the other side is no problem as they are excepting any refugees including men. Ukraine hasn't the resources to patrol the border with the EU so probability of success is high. Some Ukrainian men have if course taken this way out. All depends how they view it I guess.

In terms of volunteers the Army became inundated with so many they didn't know what to do with. It's takes time to train and then they use as needed. Better to wait to be called up as the odds of surviving are usually better as less time at the front means less time exposed to risk. All depends on your life and how you view life I think.
Title: Dr Ochka
Post by: ML on August 13, 2022, 09:12:06 AM
Ochka successfully defended her PhD dissertation in Mathematics the past week.
So now she has the title of Dr., but she still can't repair my broken bones or cure my future diseases.

And she has been hired full time to teach at the University which is very rare as Universities don't like to hire back their own graduates.
Something about academic incest.  The goal is to bring in those trained somewhere else with ideas and knowledge different from existing faculty.

But she is known as such a superior teacher, they didn't want her to get away.

So what does this all mean?

1) Unlike in some (most?) other countries of the world, in USA age is not a barrier to starting and finishing academic work at the highest levels.

2) FSU gals (some) can come to the west, become proficient in English,
 achieve much in education, and attain gainful prestigious  employment.

3) Downside:
a) both of our health's have declined due to the ordeal of attaining PhD.  The mental strain and the severe decline in physical activity because of lack of time.
b) I would rather have a 'stay at home wife' at this stage of my life.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on August 13, 2022, 11:40:28 AM
No pain, no gain ML.

Upside, you'll be able to afford a caretaker.

(http://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/5674b325-3821-46e3-a044-e948bc85c784_1.a55f0ddd29c1f57608d722942c46c0ab.jpeg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on August 13, 2022, 11:52:18 AM
And hearty congratulations to you both!
Title: Sad story
Post by: ML on August 23, 2022, 06:08:30 PM
Young PhD from another country arrived here Fall 2021 for a 2 year appointment as 'Post Doctoral.'

His girlfriend came separately later on tourist visa.
They had no car (he did have drivers license) but lived maybe 3-4 miles from university and walking no big deal for such folks.

Wife befriended them and even drove to bring them to our house twice, and we drove them to other events twice.  They got married here in May and then she was able to return on his visa status.

Last week he told my wife that he was going to buy a car.
A relative of a friend of a relative of a friend of a neighbor who knew his barber . . . was going to get him a good deal.

A flag went up in my mind . . . but I decided to stay quiet.

Today she tells me we are going to pick them up tomorrow to go to Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations.

I said:  What about their car ?

She says:  He gave $2,500 cash to the guy as half payment for a $5,000 car . . . and now the guy disappeared.

She continued:  I told him . . . OMG why didn't you discuss this with my husband (me) before you did this !!

Great for the image of USA folks.
Title: Another sad story
Post by: ML on August 23, 2022, 06:29:22 PM
I picked up wife after her teaching today and we looked at a couple of Condos that were just a 10-15 minute walk from university and overlooking river.

Thinking of buying such as a place for her to stay during heavy snows, or maybe we will both stay there most of the winter.

Anyway . . . she later wanted to go to a restaurant and I had noticed that a new Turkish restaurant opened in town.  We had enjoyed such on our previous visits to Turkey.

A 50ish distinguished looking fellow was our waiter.
He spoke decent English but very softly.

After ordering, I got up to go wash my hands and experienced a very sharp pain in my back.  I could not straighten up for several seconds.

He had observed and came over to me and said:
You should not get up like you did from a half turned position.
He sat in my chair and demonstrated how to rise.

I said:  Where are you from and what did you do there?

He replied:  I am a Kurd and was living in southern Turkey working as an orthopedic doctor.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on August 24, 2022, 05:43:18 AM
ML,

many years ago, when I was in Germany, my back molars gave me pain signals. I called a few dentists, and appointments were not directly available.  I called one more with a strange name, and he said to come by anytime.  I drove to the address he gave and found an old stone mansion-type house that looked like it was from an Adams Family movie, even the furnishings.  No other patients were there. He noticed I was not German, and I found out he was from Turkey. He took me back to his studio, filled with dental chair and equipment from the Frankenstein era but all very clean. I don't recall exactly, but I wonder if the dentist's drill setup had pedals. I was sure I needed a couple of fillings, but he insisted otherwise and filed down a couple of molars back there. Dubiously, I paid his very reasonable fee and went home.  A day later, the pain was gone. 
Title: Ireland - Ukraine update
Post by: ML on August 30, 2022, 03:07:54 PM
I posted this back in April.
Recall that wife's one close relative and her two young boys, and her two female cousins escaped to Ireland to live with wife's other close relative.

Wife has townhouse there, but it was rented out.
Renters were asked to leave, but it was found that Ireland has law that renters can stay (after eviction notice) one month for every year they have rented.  That was 7 years.

But renters agreed to leave anyway last Monday.

Wife's relatives shocked to find the poor state of cleanliness in the townhouse.  But given there were three 30 something UWs available to clean, no real problem.  Some plastering needed for holes in walls and some other minor damage needing repair also.

But everyone happy that no longer 4 women, 4 children and one man living in Ireland relative's single family dwelling.  Probably the one man most of all !!!

- - - - - - - - -

The two female cousins (mid to late 30s) left Ireland today to fly back to Ukraine.
I didn't think this was a good plan, but they went anyway.

My wife's close relative with the two young sons (9 and 7) wanted to go also, but didn't.

And my wife was quite irritated with her for a couple of weeks in that she said she wasn't going to enroll the boys in Irish school and they would attend Ukrainian classes via Zoom.

But she did change her mind and enrolled the boys in Irish school.

She had also earlier applied to teach in Irish school.  They first told her nothing available, but today called and asked her to fill out paperwork for security clearance checking, etc.

She had at end of Spring semester finished up a thesis for masters degree and got certified by Ukrainian University to teach English in Ukraine.

Don't think they will have her teaching English in Ireland, but probably need someone to help the Ukrainian students enrolled in the Irish school to transition to English.
Title: Re: Dr Ochka
Post by: Daveman on August 31, 2022, 07:20:34 PM
Ochka successfully defended her PhD dissertation in Mathematics the past week.
So now she has the title of Dr., but she still can't repair my broken bones or cure my future diseases.

And she has been hired full time to teach at the University which is very rare as Universities don't like to hire back their own graduates.
Something about academic incest.  The goal is to bring in those trained somewhere else with ideas and knowledge different from existing faculty.

But she is known as such a superior teacher, they didn't want her to get away.


Well alright!! Belated Congratulations Dr. Ochka!!   +Impressive accomplishments!

Title: Due diligence for student loans and Moral Hazard
Post by: ML on September 05, 2022, 04:08:06 PM
The fundamental flaw with student loans is a lack of due diligence. If you apply for a bank loan or credit card, the lender looks at your financial condition and estimates your ability to repay.

That doesn’t happen with student loans. If a student is accepted at
a school, he/she gets a loan regardless of his/her chances to graduate or the earnings potential of his/her course of study.

This flaw can be fixed: The government should lend to schools, and the schools lend to the students. Since the school would be on the hook for the debt, it would be forced to act with due diligence in making its loans. 

Very quickly there would be a tremendous drop in the students admitted to degree programs that provide no employment prospects or none with earnings potential to pay back the loans.

And the fundamental flaw with loan forgiveness is the Moral Hazard it creates.

google Moral Hazard.

Lack of incentive to guard against risk where one is protected from its consequences.

Moral hazard is a situation in which a party engages in risky behavior or fails to act in good faith because it knows others (taxpayers in this case) will bear the economic consequences of their behavior.

Moral hazard is occurring right now when the decision is made to bail out those who owe student loan debt.

In the current situation, this applies to both students and universities with respect to student loans.

Very few will not understand that this current bailout will lead to even more bad behavior on the side of both students and universities as they count on future bailouts.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 05, 2022, 07:35:19 PM
The GREATER moral hazard is creating a capitalistic society that values profit over people
one that monetizes social services like health and education at a high cost so that it can privatize profits for those at the top, while shoving ever increasing costs to the people at the bottom
for example UnitedHealthcare is a Wall Street Hedge fund that receives it’s funding from profits from healthcare premiums and plays the market with it.  Obamacare capped health insurance profits at 20%, pre Obamacare, they were higher, partially by not insuring anyone with any kind of pre-existing condition, thereby assuring their customers were ONLY perfectly healthy people to maximize profits.
Many people without health insurance died, I consider that a much more serious moral hazard

Europe mostly subsidizes education and health care and they have better outcomes than their more expensive US counterparts.  The return on this investment for education is a more productive work force that will pay higher taxes, for example I went to school on the GI bill, and the extra income my education earned me, repaid the government’s education support many, many fold…

the government didn’t directly loan students the money, they loaned the money to banks, at .25 to .50 discount rate interest, who in turn loaned it to students at MUCH higher interest, this is the way US capitalism works…

the problem with giving a $trillion+ dollar debt to young people, is their money goes to the banks, and the top .1 % instead of into the “real economy”

basic economics will tell you that wealth concentration at the top is “unhealthy”
you can take a $billion and give it to one guy at a hedge fund, and how many cars, air conditioners and other goods and services will this one guy buy?
Vrs taking a $billion and distributing $10,000 to 100,000 people
this is called “aggregate consumer demand”
unequal wealth distribution decreases aggregate consumer demand, and will slow the economy
so this action will not only benefit students, but the entire society, far better to do this than to cut taxes once again on the wealthy and corporations

for a guy who is supposed to be mentally deficient, Dark Brandon has made some shrewd political moves
but I think his best ones are yet to come...
must really suck being a Trump voter now...
and let's not forget that Trump himself had over 280 million dollars in debt forgiven
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/10/27/report-trump-had-over-280-million-in-debt-forgiven-and-avoided-paying-taxes-on-most-of-it/?sh=4b88ce667ac4
did that moral hazard worry you when you voted for him???


Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 09, 2022, 08:14:39 PM
land of the late fee
and home of the debt slave

Marx said:

elites use the banks to run their extraction mechanism against the poor and middle class.  they use the forces of financialization (debt to the State-approved banking cartels) that are used to indenture the populace to the banking center:

this is how ya gotta look at it
and once you do, you realize things are NEVER gonna go back to "NORMAL"
Title: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: ML on September 10, 2022, 08:14:01 AM
We are just starting the process of purchasing large quantities of thermal underwear to send to Ukrainian Troops.

Finding it here shouldn't be a problem; but getting to Ukraine might be a problem.

In past years we have send many large boxes of clothes via Meest, but don't know their current status.
Title: Re: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 10, 2022, 11:24:49 AM
We are just starting the process of purchasing large quantities of thermal underwear to send to Ukrainian Troops.

Finding it here shouldn't be a problem; but getting to Ukraine might be a problem.

In past years we have send many large boxes of clothes via Meest, but don't know their current status.

That's great thought ML, I'm sure CB will be onboard with this thermal underwear effort.

Possibly it might be cheaper to purchase in a country like Poland and send on hence avoiding the high transportation costs and delivery time.

I'm not sure about how to get it in there exactly. I know of people who drove over from the UK with gear for the refugees and they had a point at the border to drop it off. At the time I kind of thought it would have likely been cheaper and easier to fly to Poland hire a van for the day and but there and drop it off but it takes all types I guess.

Possibly you could see if there is a charity on to this one already or possibly suggest it to one as they can have greater reach even if not always as quick of the mark.

I guess other than that is to intact the Ukrainian Embassy on the matter. Either they will already have bought enough thermal underwear & winter gear for their troops or they will be in greatfull need of it likely being pretty skint and might be able to suggest or set up a route to get it to where it's needed :)

Just found this link for donations of thermal winter gear for Ukrainian troops. Can only assume they are legit etc but you would have to check that out:

http://buy4aukrainian.org/
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 10, 2022, 11:55:57 AM
The GREATER moral hazard is creating a capitalistic society that values profit over people
one that monetizes social services like health and education at a high cost so that it can privatize profits for those at the top, while shoving ever increasing costs to the people at the bottom
for example UnitedHealthcare is a Wall Street Hedge fund that receives it’s funding from profits from healthcare premiums and plays the market with it.  Obamacare capped health insurance profits at 20%, pre Obamacare, they were higher, partially by not insuring anyone with any kind of pre-existing condition, thereby assuring their customers were ONLY perfectly healthy people to maximize profits.
Many people without health insurance died, I consider that a much more serious moral hazard

Europe mostly subsidizes education and health care and they have better outcomes than their more expensive US counterparts.  The return on this investment for education is a more productive work force that will pay higher taxes, for example I went to school on the GI bill, and the extra income my education earned me, repaid the government’s education support many, many fold…

the government didn’t directly loan students the money, they loaned the money to banks, at .25 to .50 discount rate interest, who in turn loaned it to students at MUCH higher interest, this is the way US capitalism works…

the problem with giving a $trillion+ dollar debt to young people, is their money goes to the banks, and the top .1 % instead of into the “real economy”

basic economics will tell you that wealth concentration at the top is “unhealthy”
you can take a $billion and give it to one guy at a hedge fund, and how many cars, air conditioners and other goods and services will this one guy buy?
Vrs taking a $billion and distributing $10,000 to 100,000 people
this is called “aggregate consumer demand”
unequal wealth distribution decreases aggregate consumer demand, and will slow the economy
so this action will not only benefit students, but the entire society, far better to do this than to cut taxes once again on the wealthy and corporations

for a guy who is supposed to be mentally deficient, Dark Brandon has made some shrewd political moves
but I think his best ones are yet to come...
must really suck being a Trump voter now...
and let's not forget that Trump himself had over 280 million dollars in debt forgiven
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/10/27/report-trump-had-over-280-million-in-debt-forgiven-and-avoided-paying-taxes-on-most-of-it/?sh=4b88ce667ac4
did that moral hazard worry you when you voted for him???

I remember when I was in Copenhagen about a decade ago now. I was doing some of the excursions out that way and the bus driver was telling everyone how Uni education out there was completely free! Apparently so long as you were from an EU country you could go there and do a Uni course completely free!!! That sounded great but then the driver said, 'well of course it's not completely free, not as far as Danish tax payers are concerned as the income tax rate most pay is around 40 percent' - at the time. UK it's around 20 percent over the £12.5k tax free initial earning amount plus roughly 12 percent National Insurance for State Pension & NHS, so 32 percent of pay after £12.5k tax free for both taxes per annum.

The student grant and loan scheme we have here in the UK isn't too bad. Loan repayments only start after an earning threshold is breached somewhere in the direction of £25k per annum split on a monthly basis of course. If it's not paid off by around retirement, 65 or so, the whole student loan is written off lol along with any interest accumulated on it.

I hear the student loan system in the US is much more brutal, it doesn't sound like something I would like to be on the recieving end off. Then again I get the impression that earning money in the US is a lot more easier. That I think is the problem with the western system, you really have to be damn careful in what you chose and be real good at it to get to the good money either that or have a lot of sheer damn luck. For most the salary earnings on leaving Uni in the UK are not all that good, for many they are little better than high school leavers salary at 16, 17 or 18. That I wonder may be the downside of not unleashing market forces, possibly. That we're restraining ourselves by wanting something on the cheap but then unable to be commercial with it at the end of Uni as because everyone is taxed more means they can only pay less, possibly more students doing uni than otherwise and possibly students not being offended enough by poor salary offers and walking away.

I mean everyone likes a freebie, something of good value in the cheap and while I would fear steep prices at the same time I wonder if we're all buggering ourselves by not charging the going rate for everything at source.

A Marxist society may have it's merits, I was a fan of Marx when younger and still think there is worth in it. I would say though that in any society the society has to extract a certain amount of productivity from its workforce to remain viable and that's true whether the society is Capitalist or Communist. People look for a free ride here and there but for society as a whole the price is to be paid somewhere. Of course Capitalism can risk extracting too high a price from the poor and to the rich as I think you rightly point out.
Title: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: ML on September 10, 2022, 04:58:38 PM
That's great thought ML, I'm sure CB will be onboard with this thermal underwear effort.

Possibly it might be cheaper to purchase in a country like Poland and send on hence avoiding the high transportation costs and delivery time.

I'm not sure about how to get it in there exactly. I know of people who drove over from the UK with gear for the refugees and they had a point at the border to drop it off. At the time I kind of thought it would have likely been cheaper and easier to fly to Poland hire a van for the day and but there and drop it off but it takes all types I guess.

Possibly you could see if there is a charity on to this one already or possibly suggest it to one as they can have greater reach even if not always as quick of the mark.

I guess other than that is to intact the Ukrainian Embassy on the matter. Either they will already have bought enough thermal underwear & winter gear for their troops or they will be in greatfull need of it likely being pretty skint and might be able to suggest or set up a route to get it to where it's needed :)

Just found this link for donations of thermal winter gear for Ukrainian troops. Can only assume they are legit etc but you would have to check that out:

http://buy4aukrainian.org/

Thanks for that website.  We have sent 3 times to a website that is supposed to be buying drones for Ukraine military, but never really sure it happens.

This time we are thinking of buying the items and shipping.
Wife just told me she is going to check with her relative in Ireland about buying as shipping to Ukraine should be cheaper from there.

Walmart here shows:

http://www.walmart.com/browse/clothing/mens-thermal-underwear-long-johns/5438_133197_2092159_1309809
Title: Re: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: Trenchcoat on September 11, 2022, 05:30:35 PM
Thanks for that website.  We have sent 3 times to a website that is supposed to be buying drones for Ukraine military, but never really sure it happens.

This time we are thinking of buying the items and shipping.
Wife just told me she is going to check with her relative in Ireland about buying as shipping to Ukraine should be cheaper from there.

Walmart here shows:

http://www.walmart.com/browse/clothing/mens-thermal-underwear-long-johns/5438_133197_2092159_1309809

Yeah, I'm always dubious of charities, many take big chunks for Directors salary and all sorts out of what were donations given by those thinking it would go towards the good cause. I think charities should really be made to be a lot more transparent with where the money will go that is donated in terms of other than the cause stated. I've no idea in the one in the link I gave it's just what Google turned up. I wouldn't know if all, some or any of the money goes to what they say they will do. End of the day anyone can bung up a website some pics and watch the money roll in. I really dislike those who go out to deceive to get rich quick themselves.

I think your idea is a good one ML, I think you sound like the sort of guy with experience capable of expanding the idea on a larger scale if you so wished. I think there are probably a lot of people that wouldn't mind doing likewise but would prefer to buy the stuff themselves and send on so they know it's going to get there rather than money and pray and hope sort of thing. Keep us updated on how things go ;)
Title: 73 year old takes first job
Post by: ML on September 15, 2022, 08:40:07 AM
73 year old takes first job.

I have been pulling for Charles for 20 or more years.
I think the Queen was selfish in not resigning many years ago.

He has quite an impressive voice during speeches.
Title: Re: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: Bee Farmer on September 16, 2022, 04:20:30 AM
In past years we have send many large boxes of clothes via Meest, but don't know their current status.

Meest is operating in Ukraine. 

Tracking will show it leaving the US, and then arriving in Lviv.  I assume it actually goes to Poland, and then is shipped by train to Lviv.

I don't know how well the delivery service in Kyiv is yet.  I have sent a few packages to Kyiv.  Packages that were in transit on Feb 24 sat around for a month before they were processed.  Delivery to an address in Kyiv was pretty much wishful thinking, but the recipient could go to the Meest office in Kyiv and pick up the package.

I don't know if the delivery issues in Kyiv have been resolved.  (I assume they have.)  The recipient of the packages I send is often out of town doing hospital related stuff for the military, and she will have someone else pick up the package for her at the Meest office.  She always ends up with the package when she returns to Kyiv.

DHL is operating in Ukraine.  I have had packages shipped from Ukraine to me here in the US via DHL. I assume DHL will deliver in Ukraine since packages can be sent from Ukraine via DHL, but I don't know the cost of sending packages with DHL.
Title: Re: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops
Post by: SteveInBoston on September 18, 2022, 05:28:23 AM
We are just starting the process of purchasing large quantities of thermal underwear to send to Ukrainian Troops.

Finding it here shouldn't be a problem; but getting to Ukraine might be a problem.

In past years we have send many large boxes of clothes via Meest, but don't know their current status.

Meest still works.  We sent a package last month to Kyiv and it arrive in about 2 weeks. 

Meet uses 2 shipping companies, their own Meest and their partner Dnipro.  In my area, if we drop off the package on Friday and pay the shipping costs before noon on Monday, they will send it via Dnipro.  Any other weekday they send by Meest. 

The only parcel we had issues with was the one we sent via Meest shipping instead of Dnipro.  To be fair, it was sent just before the war broke out.  But they showed it was in Lviv in March but then it got sent around to various distribution centers in other cities.  Twice they call us to let us know it was ready for pickup, and when our sister went to retrieve it, the local office said it was not physically there.  We gave up on it and tried for about a month to get a refund, when out of the blue it showed up in Kyiv. 

It had 2 boxes of chocolates from Costco, the 1.5 kg variety pack from Hersey and Mars.  My nephew said the chocolates seem fine from the outside, but they did not try any yet.
Title: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops - Update
Post by: ML on September 24, 2022, 06:21:07 PM
Haven't gotten final word yet, but . . .

One of our Ukrainian men here in town has taken the lead and negotiated with WalMart to buy several thousand dollars worth of these items at a steep discount.

Apparently Meest is going to ship to Ukraine at no cost.

Will give more of an update soon . . . I think.
Title: Ukrainian divorce rate up
Post by: ML on September 24, 2022, 06:25:06 PM
Wife reports that from her gossip sources . . .

Ukrainian men staying in Ukraine are divorcing absent wives as they have found new female friends who remained in Ukraine.

Ukrainian women who are in the west are divorcing their Ukrainian husbands as they are finding new mates in the west.
Title: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops - More
Post by: ML on October 02, 2022, 11:25:47 AM
5 of the Ukrainian couples here in our small University town kicked in $1,000 each for this project.
The purchases were made at Sam's Club.
A place in New York city was found that would ship for very low cost.
I didn't catch the name of that shipping firm yet.
Two of the guys drove to NYC last week in a large van to deliver the items.
One of the couples has family there in Ukraine where the items will be shipped to.

Next we are going to pitch in to help by a (some) drones.
Title: Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador to USA.
Post by: ML on October 02, 2022, 11:33:32 AM
Margaret Hoover had Oksana Markarova on her latest show.
A very impressive gal.

The question came up:  Should western countries take in Russians who are fleeing the draft?

Oksana:  NO.

Margaret:  But they are protesting the war against Ukraine.

Oksana:  They didn't protest the war since February.  All they really want to do is avoid the draft and chance to be injured or killed.
Title: Re: Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador to USA.
Post by: Chelseaboy on October 03, 2022, 03:15:56 AM
Margaret Hoover had Oksana Markarova on her latest show.
A very impressive gal.

The question came up:  Should western countries take in Russians who are fleeing the draft?

Oksana:  NO.

Margaret:  But they are protesting the war against Ukraine.

Oksana:  They didn't protest the war since February.  All they really want to do is avoid the draft and chance to be injured or killed.


She's spot-on.


The reality is the Russians are now terrified of the Ukrainians.


The Russian men are fleeing their country because they're afraid to face Ukrainian troops...absolutely petrified.

They were fine with putting Z stickers on their cars and glorying in their troops raping and killing women and children,castrating pow's ,executing unarmed civilians,shelling and bombing Ukrainians in their homes...but having to go and fight Ukrainian troops means them running like the cowardly scum they are.

The Russian orcs currently in Ukraine are equally as terrified of the Ukrainian troops.
The orcs are good at killing and torturing unarmed civilians,but when it comes to fighting armed men they're a cowardly rabble.
Many Ukrainian troops are saying with contempt"when the orcs see us they always run ".
The orcs say "We hit the Ukrainian troops but they don't go down".


I suspect the majority of Ukrainian troops losses are through artillery fire.Now that much of that has been destroyed by HIMARS,we're seeing how much better Ukraine's fighting men are than the raping,castrating,executing Russians.


The myth of the tough guy Russian men has been busted forever.Now we see them for what they are...a barbaric,bullying,wimpering bunch of cowards who run from Ukrainian men and cowardly flee their own country rather than fight those superior Ukrainian warriors.


By the way i see the Ukrainians are now doing exactly as i said they should..they're encircling the orcs,as at Lyman,and then slaughtering them as they try to escape.
They're now looking to encircle other areas to do exactly the same.


25k orcs trapped in Kherson apparently  >:D












Title: Thermal Underwear to Ukrainian Troops - More 2
Post by: ML on October 03, 2022, 08:12:21 AM
5 of the Ukrainian couples here in our small University town kicked in $1,000 each for this project.
The purchases were made at Sam's Club.
A place in New York city was found that would ship for very low cost.
I didn't catch the name of that shipping firm yet.
Two of the guys drove to NYC last week in a large van to deliver the items.
One of the couples has family there in Ukraine where the items will be shipped to.

Next we are going to pitch in to help by a (some) drones.

More update.  The shipping company was not in NYC, rather being just outside Wilmington, DE.

http://ukraine-express.com/en/offices/

For charity shipments they charged $2.30/lb, so we paid $1098 for shipping 477 pounds (12 boxes) of clothes.

Title: The more nurturing the man, the lower his sex drive.
Post by: ML on October 14, 2022, 11:47:41 AM
The more nurturing the man, the lower his sex drive.

Frequency of marital sex is lower for couples in which the husband often
does traditionally feminine chores such as cooking, cleaning and taking care of kids.

Not surprising as such activities lower the production of testosterone for the man.

Read summary of three studies in the Wall Street Journal article attached.
Title: Re: Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador to USA.
Post by: cameraguymn on October 14, 2022, 07:46:33 PM
I don't know. It is really easy for us to say Russian men should have protested the war in February. We don't get punished, brutalized or imprisoned.

Now when you are left with imprisonment or probably death and defeat and you protest - that doesn't make you a coward. That makes you with someone who has nothing to lose.

I spoke with some Russians and they said it succinctly and quietly, "Well yeah, the whole world gives weapons to Ukraine. They should kick ass." Ten billion and counting from America alone.

I have friends in both countries. Rage against Putin and the government but you can't say Russian men or Russian people are evil too.

I'm all for Ukraine winning back their lands. But I'm not for the senseless deaths of young men on either side.


She's spot-on.


The reality is the Russians are now terrified of the Ukrainians.


The Russian men are fleeing their country because they're afraid to face Ukrainian troops...absolutely petrified.

They were fine with putting Z stickers on their cars and glorying in their troops raping and killing women and children,castrating pow's ,executing unarmed civilians,shelling and bombing Ukrainians in their homes...but having to go and fight Ukrainian troops means them running like the cowardly scum they are.

The Russian orcs currently in Ukraine are equally as terrified of the Ukrainian troops.
The orcs are good at killing and torturing unarmed civilians,but when it comes to fighting armed men they're a cowardly rabble.
Many Ukrainian troops are saying with contempt"when the orcs see us they always run ".
The orcs say "We hit the Ukrainian troops but they don't go down".


I suspect the majority of Ukrainian troops losses are through artillery fire.Now that much of that has been destroyed by HIMARS,we're seeing how much better Ukraine's fighting men are than the raping,castrating,executing Russians.


The myth of the tough guy Russian men has been busted forever.Now we see them for what they are...a barbaric,bullying,wimpering bunch of cowards who run from Ukrainian men and cowardly flee their own country rather than fight those superior Ukrainian warriors.


By the way i see the Ukrainians are now doing exactly as i said they should..they're encircling the orcs,as at Lyman,and then slaughtering them as they try to escape.
They're now looking to encircle other areas to do exactly the same.


25k orcs trapped in Kherson apparently  >:D
Title: Russians support killing Ukrainian children
Post by: ML on October 15, 2022, 09:14:13 AM
Rage against Putin and the government but you can't say Russian men or Russian people are evil too.

You are deluded.
The vast majority of Russians fully support the total destruction of Ukraine including killing Ukrainian children.
Title: Re: Russians support killing Ukrainian children
Post by: cameraguymn on October 15, 2022, 09:46:16 AM
Please show me this poll.

Many Russians support the idea (false or whatever) of liberating Russians in Eastern Ukraine. I want to see a poll that shows any Russian fully supporting killing Ukrainian children.

I had the utmost respect for your wit and intelligence once but if you can't separate the Russian government's will (i.e. Putin's will) from the Russian people then that assumption of mine is in error. I'm not here to attack anyone. I don't even mind being called delusional. But, "The vast majority of Russians fully support the total destruction of Ukraine including killing Ukrainian children." How is that statement anywhere close to true or intelligent?

But I was just there in Russia. I met probably 25 Russians and every single one was opposed to the war or spoke badly against it. Half of them had relatives or origins in Ukraine. Many of them had friends in Ukraine.

You are deluded.
The vast majority of Russians fully support the total destruction of Ukraine including killing Ukrainian children.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: cameraguymn on October 15, 2022, 09:48:00 AM
I understand this is an emotional issue. I have a very close friend who is Ukrainian. Smart, logical, and reasonable. She hates all Russians. Period.
Title: Re: Russians support killing Ukrainian children
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2022, 03:37:10 PM
Please show me this poll.

Many Russians support the idea (false or whatever) of liberating Russians in Eastern Ukraine. I want to see a poll that shows any Russian fully supporting killing Ukrainian children.

I had the utmost respect for your wit and intelligence once but if you can't separate the Russian government's will (i.e. Putin's will) from the Russian people then that assumption of mine is in error. I'm not here to attack anyone. I don't even mind being called delusional. But, "The vast majority of Russians fully support the total destruction of Ukraine including killing Ukrainian children." How is that statement anywhere close to true or intelligent?

But I was just there in Russia. I met probably 25 Russians and every single one was opposed to the war or spoke badly against it. Half of them had relatives or origins in Ukraine. Many of them had friends in Ukraine.

You must not read or speak Russian.  There is plenty of such sentiment expressed on Telegram, on Russian sites, and in intercepted calls recorded and released by the SBU.  I remember one call, between a soldier on the front and his wife (a teacher or childcare worker - can't remember which) in Russia, in the first 3 weeks of the war.  She expressed a desire to torture Ukrainian children.  Even her husband was shocked.  Ukrainians identified her, and her husband, on VK.  The desire to rape, torture, and murder “hohols” is actually pretty common. 


Most Russians are not opposed to the war.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2022, 03:45:04 PM
The latest poll -


http://www.levada.ru/en/2022/10/07/conflict-with-ukraine-september-2022/ (http://www.levada.ru/en/2022/10/07/conflict-with-ukraine-september-2022/)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2022, 05:18:49 PM
Here’s an interesting analysis relevant to the invasion.

http://snyder.substack.com/p/as-ukraine-goes-so-goes-the-world?r=1nzldk&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post#details
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2022, 08:01:12 PM
Another article on the Russian mentality/

http://www.politico.eu/article/russia-revanchism-deeper-vladimir-putin-war-ukraine/
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: cameraguymn on October 16, 2022, 09:07:05 AM
Now having said what I said - I have to be honest. A few of the Russians I spoke to did not believe in the war crimes the Russians are doing in Ukraine. They are discounting rapes and inhumane treatment of war prisoners.
Title: Re: Russians support killing Ukrainian children
Post by: ML on October 16, 2022, 09:13:21 AM
Now having said what I said - I have to be honest. A few of the Russians I spoke to did not believe in the war crimes the Russians are doing in Ukraine. They are discounting rapes and inhumane treatment of war prisoners.

But you still are not ready to eat ALL the words you wrote disparaging my statements ?
Title: Re: Russians support killing Ukrainian children
Post by: ML on October 16, 2022, 09:15:01 AM
Boe, thanks for doing the legwork to support my assertions.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 18, 2022, 11:19:03 AM
I found an excerpt from the SBU recording I described -

http://www.facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine/videos/420986662742961 (http://www.facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine/videos/420986662742961)

"I would inject them with with drugs, and if it worked, I'd look into their eyes and say "Die, suffer."  I would cut their wee wees and carve stars out of their backs, and cut out parts of their ear every day, their finger, so that they would hurt badly." 

The husband answers "They're children, Yulia."

She responds "I just hate these Ukrainians, I hate them."

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Chelseaboy on October 18, 2022, 11:55:50 AM
It's clear there are plenty of sick and twisted Russians out there...men and women.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 18, 2022, 04:56:22 PM
This is Vladimir Zolkin, a journalist and Ukrainian activist. He interviews Russian POWs, with their permission. Typically he calls their parents, tells them their son is safe, asks why their government is killing Ukrainians, then allows the POW to speak to their parents. Those conversations typically are about how the POW is safe. Sometimes, the POW and parents break down in tears.

Here is one attempted interview that demonstrates a typical Russian mentality.

http://mobile.twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1582492174922395648?s=20&t=kvPFP0FTs05GbdaxdcI5NQ
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 23, 2022, 12:26:03 AM
Anton Krasovsky, director of broadcasting for state owned Russia Today, in a broadcast, suggests drowning or burning Ukrainian children, and that rapes have not occurred (despite it being investigated and verified by independent investigative bodies, including the UN).

The fact this is broadcast means it’s officially accepted, perhaps even directed.

Anyone who believes the Russian population doesn’t endorse this is not accepting reality.

BTW, the writer being interviewed, Sergei Lyukanenko (a Ukrainian surname) is either outright lying about being told by children in 1980 that "moskali" occupied Ukraine, or his family was under suspicion for "anti Soviet activity" in 1980.  No child would have said that at that time, it would have been extremely dangerous for the child's family, unless they were asked to do so by authorities.


Lyukanenko would have known this, as would Krasovsky, as both were former communist party members.

http://mobile.twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1584054018145685504 (http://mobile.twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1584054018145685504)
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 23, 2022, 08:38:58 PM
Russian pundits denying the existence of Ukrainians.

http://tinyurl.com/4sxn436c
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on October 24, 2022, 04:47:37 AM
Russian pundits denying the existence of Ukrainians.

http://tinyurl.com/4sxn436c

That is probably why it's still called a 'special military operation.'  If the official stance is that Ukraine does not exist (as Putin says), and RU declares war, it becomes a civil war.
Title: Purchased another house
Post by: ML on November 05, 2022, 05:42:04 PM
UW wife and I signed to purchase another house.
It is older and needs a lot of fix-up.
For some reason, wife instantly became attached to it.
It does meet a lot of our criteria, and is especially appealing in that she can walk to the University.
We checked, one mile and 20 minutes.  Slight and very gradual incline going to University.
We plan to keep existing house for at least a year or so until we know that the other house and location will be acceptable.
Will be quite a change as we go from multiple acres to less than half acre.  Noise is non existent here . . . but always a possibility in town.
As is my rule . . . we made very 'low ball' offer.
But it was accepted as we are cash buyers which is a relief to sellers as many deals take 3 months or more to close due to loan processing and can even fall apart if buyer doesn't get a loan. 
And the current interest rates have taken many buyers out of the market.  That's another reason for us holding on to existing house for a year or so.

We are hoping the cold weather and snow holds off quite a while so we can get some exterior work done in the next couple of months.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on November 05, 2022, 11:54:38 PM
Sounds great ML!  Half acre is still sizeable.

At least the way home from work will be downhill :)

Enjoy your new home together!
Title: Those looking are less interested in looks after pandemic
Post by: ML on November 20, 2022, 07:46:18 PM
Wall Street Journal  November 15, 2022

Researchers surveyed a national, demographically representative sample of 5,000 single Americans age 18 and older who aren’t in a committed relationship.

Single people had a lot of time to think during the pandemic, says Helen Fisher, a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and the lead researcher on the study. Now, many have a clearer idea of what they want—and what to do to get it.

Nearly three-quarters of participants say they want to find a partner who wants to marry, roughly similar to last year and up from 58% in 2019. And half of singles say they’re even more eager to find a relationship this year than in the past.

Almost three-quarters of single people say they only want to go on a first date with someone they already know they have good chemistry with, the study shows. To figure this out, they’re spending more time on phone calls and video chats. Today, one-quarter of singles say they’ve had a video chat with a date before meeting in person, up from 6% in 2019. 

When they do meet, slightly more than one-third of singles say they will wait to have sex. And—surprise!—men were more likely than women to say they’d wait: 40%, compared with 33% of women. 

Three traits are new to the top five since the pandemic: Singles said they’re looking for partners who are comfortable with their own sexuality; able to communicate their own wants and needs; and who are emotionally mature. (This last one hit the top five for the first time last year, as the pandemic raged.)

A sense of humor stayed on the list—it’s always a favorite.

And what dropped out of the top five during the pandemic? Physical attraction.

Half of the singles surveyed this year said they’ve fallen in love with someone they weren’t initially attracted to, up from 39% in 2019. This is the highest this number has been in the past decade.

Title: Property purchase finally closed
Post by: ML on December 11, 2022, 06:28:34 PM
Despite not needing a loan to purchase (which drags out a lot of purchases), this deal dragged on for a couple of months due to chain-of-title issues.

Husband and wife bought, then transferred a half interest to an elderly relative who transferred that half interest to a niece who then transferred back to man who then transferred to a trust.

But I caught the fact that he only transferred the half interest to trust which meant the other half interest went into his estate when he died a few years back.

Widow thought she could transfer entire property to us as Trustee . . .  but I said, no-go . . . you must also sign as Executor of Estate and I want a grown daughter (who lived in distant state) to sign also.

That caused a snag as widow hadn't planned to give daughter anything.

After some weeks, daughter finally signed.  I suppose (but don't know) that she extracted some money from the mother.

But now it is too cold for us to get much done on the exterior of the property as we had planned.
Title: Final exam time
Post by: ML on December 11, 2022, 06:31:43 PM
Time for final exams at university next week, so wife was busy all weekend preparing exams.
Then she will be busy for several days grading.
I will even get to help on the 'simplest' questions!
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on December 12, 2022, 10:10:33 AM
Guess it's nice to get some closure (pun intended). Have fun with your new home!

Ahh, grading time!  I remember us young kids taking turns sitting on dad's knee in the evening, "helping" him grade... Sometimes he'd let us write the letters and +-

Enjoy it all you can while you can!
Title: Stupid Me
Post by: ML on December 12, 2022, 03:28:34 PM
I just fell for Internet scam.
Got email from Lowes.
Asked me to fill out survey and have chance to win a Dewalt Power Station only paying shipping charges.
I filled out the survey and clicked go.
Congratulations, I won !!
Gave my credit card info for $6.99 payment.

Only about 3 minutes later did I look at the  original email purportedly from Lowes.
The email was from:  Iamthewebman.com

Immediately contacted my credit card company and cancelled our two cards.

They wouldn't cancel the charge right now as I admitted I did the transaction.
So have to  do an appeal.
But the important thing was to get the cards cancelled before Iamthewebman started running up big charges.
Title: US Citizen deported
Post by: ML on December 12, 2022, 06:23:58 PM
On the TV series Last Man Standing, owners Ed and Mike discover a valued employee is actually in USA illegally.

Mike:  We need to try to help him fix this up.

Ed:  I will contact an Immigration Attorney who helped me with a problem I had with an ex-girlfriend.

Mike: But wasn't the result that she was deported?

Ed:  Yes, and that wasn't easy for us to achieve, since she was born in Kansas !!
Title: Re: Stupid Me
Post by: BC on December 12, 2022, 11:43:13 PM
I just fell for Internet scam.
Got email from Lowes.

Yeah, I noticed lowes sends out a survey almost every time you shop, so it's easy to get suckered in as being 'just another one of those, and is legit.

Treat any too-good-to-be-true emails as suspect.  Glad you had second thoughts and checked again.

Gmail usually does a pretty good, but not perfect, job of filtering such.



Title: FIGHT ALZHEIMER'S !!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ML on December 19, 2022, 10:51:35 AM
FIGHT ALZHEIMER'S    !!!!!!!!!!

Five delegates A, B, C, D, E were at a conference.

1) Three delegates could speak Ukrainian.
2) The most common language was Spanish.
3) The only common language between C and E was Polish.
4) The only common language between A, B, and E was French.
5) B and C spoke English, but when D joined them, their only common language was Spanish.
6) One of the delegates spoke all 5 languages; another spoke 4, another spoke 3, another spoke 2 and the remaining spoke only one language.

What language(s) did each delegate speak?
Title: Re: FIGHT ALZHEIMER'S !!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Bee Farmer on December 19, 2022, 07:15:27 PM
FIGHT ALZHEIMER'S    !!!!!!!!!!

Five delegates A, B, C, D, E were at a conference.

1) Three delegates could speak Ukrainian.
2) The most common language was Spanish.
3) The only common language between C and E was Polish.
4) The only common language between A, B, and E was French.
5) B and C spoke English, but when D joined them, their only common language was Spanish.
6) One of the delegates spoke all 5 languages; another spoke 4, another spoke 3, another spoke 2 and the remaining spoke only one language.

What language(s) did each delegate speak?

A French Spanish Ukrainian

B French English Spanish Ukrainian Polish

C Polish English Spanish Ukrainian

D Spanish

E Polish French   
Title: Royal Flush in Ukraine
Post by: ML on December 24, 2022, 02:05:21 PM
Wife's friends back in Ukraine tell about what is a Royal Flush in  Ukraine now.

1. Running cold water.
2. Running hot water.
3. Electricity.
4. Heat.
5. Internet.

Not many have achieved a Royal Flush recently.

One female friend reported to my wife that she had been without electricity for 3 days.
She turned on light switch in her bedroom so light might wake her up if/when electricity came on.

Electricity came on at 3:30 AM today; so she jumped up and ran 2 loads of laundry through washer and dryer.
Title: Merry Orthodox Christmas
Post by: ML on January 07, 2023, 10:33:33 AM
Merry Orthodox Christmas to one and all.

Ochka spent quite a bit of time yesterday making tons of  багата кутя and bushel baskets of пиріжки (with apples and cherries inside) . . .  or so it seems.

I'll probably gain another 5 pounds.

After several years of her here, I look about 7 months pregnant now.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on January 07, 2023, 11:30:36 AM
Look on the bright side.  In another 2 months you get your old figure back.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Shadow on January 08, 2023, 04:55:12 AM
Make sure your champagne is stocked for old new year net week. :D
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on January 08, 2023, 08:23:41 AM
Make sure your Champagne is stocked for old new year net week. :D

Already taken care of, due to getting a gift of Champagne.

I actually don't care much for Champagne.

Much prefer Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, or even Sparkling Apple Cider.

During this season and previously on Thanksgiving, we drank quite a bit of Egg Nog, which is generally only available this time of year.

Probably only has around a thousand calories per glass, plus tons of cholesterol.
Title: Crowdfunded Technology Gives Ukraine Edge on Front Line
Post by: ML on January 11, 2023, 05:39:33 PM
We have contributed to 3 such programs.  All run by people known to Ukrainian families here in our city.
- - - - - - - - -
Crowdfunded Technology Gives Ukraine Edge on Front Line
Wall Street Journal January 11, 2022

LVIV, Ukraine—From his base at a century-old villa here, computer programmer Dmytro Zhlutenko fielded a call from the front line with an urgent request. A unit lost one of the aerial drones it uses to track Russian troops and help artillery target them. Could he send a fresh one?  Mr. Zhlutenko messaged a contact in the Netherlands, who found a suitable craft on eBay and shipped it to Poland.  From there, another volunteer sent it by car to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, where Mr. Zhlutenko drove it east.  Within a week, a reconnaissance team at the front was using it to spot Russian tanks and troops, and drop small bombs on them.

Such small-scale crowd funded operations have been instrumental in helping Ukraine turn the tide against Russia.  Mr. Zhlutenko’s fund—named Dzyga’s Paw, after his dog—is one of hundreds that function outside regular military procurement channels, delivering vital equipment to the front line, from encrypted radios to Starlink internet terminals.  The informal, decentralized networks are hard for authoritarian Russia to stop or replicate.  They align with the approach of the Ukrainian military, where on-the-ground commanders are given much autonomy.

The equipment provided by Mr. Zhlutenko helps units operate in small, autonomous teams that have given Ukraine a critical advantage in combating Russia’s lumbering army.  The commercially available equipment—which largely can be brought across the border from Poland with no paperwork— has helped the army use Western weapons, as well as Soviet-era models, more effectively by providing data that helps aim their fire, thus conserving ammunition.  Volunteers get instant feedback from the front line on which makes and models work best.

While his friends headed to the front lines at the start of the war in February, Mr. Zhlutenko left his job and turned his tech savvy to the war effort. The 24-year-old put about $60,000 into equipping his friends. After he shared posts about his efforts on Twitter, others asked how they
could chip in. He created a fund run like a startup from his iPad in his home in Lviv. So far, he
has raised roughly $700,000.

Daan Nielander, a 34-year old Dutch janitor, is one of his suppliers. Mr. Nielander began by sourcing encrypted radios for Ukrainian troops. He tracked down a set of radios for a modest price and offered them on Twitter. Mr. Zhlutenko bought them and they started working together.  One day in September, Mr. Zhlutenko messaged Mr. Nielander with the request for a drone. The call came from Skala Battalion, a crew of about 120 men named after its commander, whose towering frame earned him the same alias as U.S. actor Dwayne Johnson: the Rock, or Skala.

Mr. Nielander trawled websites for a good deal on a secondhand Mavic 3, made by China’s SZ DJI Technology Co., the world’s largest maker of consumer drones. Powered by four rotors, it weighs about 2 pounds and is beloved by video graphers — and military reconnaissance teams — for its powerful zoom camera. Skala’s men often attach a 3D-printed plastic claw that releases a bomblet when triggered by a button on the remote-control panel.  Mr. Nielander ships the equipment to an intermediary in Warsaw, who dispatches parcels via private vehicles across the border to Mr. Zhlutenko in Lviv.  Mr. Zhlutenko sends them to the front line or takes them himself.

In September, he sped east in his car packed with Starlink terminals, the drone, food, sleeping bags and other supplies for Skala and other units.  Mr. Zhlutenko got to know Skala—whose real name is Maj. Yuriy Harkaviy—through a volunteer named Viktor Yatsunyk, after helping Mr. Yatsunyk tweak some small, radio-controlled drones to prevent the Russians from tracking them.

Mr. Yatsunyk, better known as Britanets, or Brit, because he had lived in the U.K. for 25 years, received the shipment at the group’s headquarters in a village house.  Small teams typically
launch drones and beam live feeds to artillery units nearby using Starlink. Those units use the images to direct their fire in real time.  “This is a war of technology,”  said Britanets, who was
killed days later by a land mine.
Title: More Ukrainians training in USA
Post by: ML on January 20, 2023, 06:14:54 PM
I posted before that wife's contacts reported that Ukrainians were in Oklahoma training regarding Patriots.

Now she got the word that other Ukrainians are here training regarding F-16s.
Title: Leopard tanks
Post by: ML on January 20, 2023, 06:21:43 PM
New German defense minister stated that only Chancellor could make decision to allow Leopards be sent to Ukraine.

But then he went on to say that he put out the order to take inventory of all Leopards, where they were, what was their state of readiness, etc.

So sounds like Chancellor will soon be giving the green light.

I don't really understand Chancellor's worry about 'going it alone' when several other European states have stated they are ready to send Leopards to Ukraine.

Why he has been insisting to this point that USA must send Abrams, when USA has already sent tons of the latest fighting equipment?
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Hammer2722 on January 20, 2023, 07:54:03 PM
Yeah, it makes no sense to send Abrams tanks as they have jet turbine engines and the Ukrainians don't have the capability to maintain them properly. Tanks with diesels make better sense. Especially the Leopards since there are literally thousands of them out there.
Title: Re: Leopard tanks
Post by: Bee Farmer on January 20, 2023, 08:21:23 PM
I don't really understand Chancellor's worry about 'going it alone' when several other European states have stated they are ready to send Leopards to Ukraine.

Why he has been insisting to this point that USA must send Abrams, when USA has already sent tons of the latest fighting equipment?

Let's not forget that after WWI, Germany was prohibited from building up an army.  They built it up in the Soviet Union, and then brought everything back to Germany to launch the WWII offensives.

Germany is f**ked hardcore.  Germany is probably paying the highest price of any western country due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Their entire economy is based upon Russian natural gas.  And now that's gone.  (Nafta 2 killed their auto industry, since autos sold in the US have to be 80% made in North America.) 
BASF is currently in the process of moving all the physical infrastructure from Germany to Louisiana to try to stay alive.  They think they can get everything operational within 2 years, and then ship the petrochemical products back to Germany to keep their economy afloat.  I suspect it's wishful thinking.

I think Germany is hoping that somehow the situation in Ukraine can be resolve quickly and easily, Nord Stream can be repaired, and they can go back to being a big happy business family with Russia again and it can be business as usual again.  Germany is acting like a bitter ex who can't accept the divorce, and thinks that somehow everything can get worked out.  I think Germany is afraid of doing anything that would antagonize Russia, and prevent reconciliation between the two countries.  I think reconciliation with Russia is Germany's goal.

Natural gas prices are something like 6 times higher in Germany than they were before.

I would be curious to know what the Germans are asking for in negotiations.  Publicly it has been said the German want Americans to give Abrams tanks

I don't buy the argument that Ukraine can't work on Abrams tanks.  Ukraine has a very developed aerospace industry.  The logistics supply chain is an issue.  Abrams tanks weighing 10 or 20 tons more than other tanks is an issue in mud too.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on January 21, 2023, 09:06:43 AM
Tanks are an offensive weapon
and right now, both sides are playing more defense than offense

for Ukraine, the tanks would mainly be useful in an attempt to cut-off Crimea
while closing the Canal, and re-bombing the Kerch Bridge
and there's only ONE functioning gas pipe-line from Russia to Crimea that can can also be easily removed
and this pipeline fuels Crimea's two gas fired power generators

Crimea only has a handful of ports, so Ukraine can EASILY mine these a few km offshore
combine all the above and in a few months Crimea falls without spending a lot of Ukrainian lives
and you will capture BOATLOADS of Russian hardware as well!!

just cut-it off, and let it wither and die (what Putin is trying to do to Ukraine)
rather than invade and try to kill it

the Russian economy is bleeding HEAVILY
so if you're in a knife fight with such an enemy
a REALLY good strategy (and I KNOW)
is to keep him  working, while watching him bleed out until he falls
and because you KNOW this, you take lesser risks yourself, just pin him down

Russia is VERY pinned down!
if you start counting from Nov 2014, when Putin seized Crimea until now
Russia's GDP has declined 10%
and by the 10th anniversary of that date, it will likely be down 15%!!!

WOW!
all the economic ties to Europe that took Russians 50 years to build, are mostly gone
and again folks, look at the slope of the curve of these two variables
Russian Pipeline Gas vrs American LNG
Ka-Ching baby!
and lookin at that downward slope, when is the Russian one gonna be ZERO?

Daily opearting costs of Ukrainian war $400 million/Day
Gas Industry Loss $150 million/day
Oil Industry Loss $100 million/day
other Loss $50 million/day
and a "Special Military Inventory Reduction Program" that's about $50 billion so far
followed by asset seizures of another $400 billion

If "we" can keep the war going AT LEAST until the Russian Presidential Election of March 2024
Russia will be like a HUGE giant yellow pimple, filled with yucky puss
and Ukraine will put it's thumb on one side
and NATO on the other
and you can imagine what's gonna happen

before the rats jump out of the sinking ship
they're gonna scratch and claw each other
with rat pack vrs rat pack down to the last rat

now am I glad I never let the Russians put "tats" on me or what?
what will happen when there's a HUGE mass exodus from Russia, at the end of next year, bigger than the draft dodgers in 2022...
in 2022, there was a mass exodus of oligarch money, $250 billion to be exact
to avoid "handing it over" to Russia's Internal Revenue in exhange for bonds that must be held...

Car sales in Russia collapsed by around 60% last year and it's still falling...
primarily a production issue
about 3.5 million people in Russia depend on the autmotive industry to make a living...

if you combine Russia's official unemployment rate and people on unpaid furlough statistics
you find about 1 in every 8 workers is NOT currently working in Russia today...

go into any "Gypermarket" in Moscva, and you see a massive change from a year ago, weird looking Russian Costco Style products with funky labels at 30% higher prices from then
more shopping security, "i.e. Babooshki Militsa" one in each isle to watch for shop lifters, nastiest harpies you could ever imagine if they catch someone, such shrieking you've NEVER heard!!!!
borja moi!!!






Title: Joe made it to Kyiv
Post by: ML on February 20, 2023, 09:18:42 AM
I told my wife that I thought Joe would make a quick trip to Kyiv.
She thought he wouldn't due to security reasons.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 20, 2023, 11:06:59 AM
Putin's only hope for victory in Ukraine is to show that his will to win is stonger than Biden's will to win...
Biden's trip proved that HE's the one willing to go full-out and not ole Pooty-Poot hiding behind a table in Moscow

a brilliant premptive move by Biden, the ball has been FIRMLY kicked into Putin's court,
Putin will now be forced to raise the ante with a stronger offensive
and a new threatening ICBM Missile "test launch"

if either of these turn into disasters
then it increases chance of cloudy novichok weather in the summer  june-august

Putin needs an exit strategy (not just for Russia in Ukraine, but also for himself)
the question is how much of what he stole will he be allowed to keep
and who decides

I for one, would like the military to stage a coup and topple Putin and arrest ALL OLIGARCHS and confiscate EVERYTHING (before the west does anyway)

Then declare The Soviet Republic of Russia CCP
and all the animals will be equal once more
and we can all play and get along with others

I'm just a dreamer
that one day
all the workers of the world
will be united under one banner
and there will be no more exploitation
AHAHA, just kidding
Title: Real estate keeps going
Post by: ML on February 20, 2023, 12:44:40 PM
Surprisingly (given economic uncertainty) we sold another parcel of land last week, with cash payment.
I had not really wanted to sell as we are getting payoff this year for a sale last fall and I was concerned about tax brackets.
So when this couple contacted us (we have no For Sale signs out, but they got our info from an earlier buyer) I told wife I would tell them a price that was $20,000 higher than our sale last fall.
They replied:  OK, fine.
So I was in a panic until I ran the numbers and determined we would be in same marginal tax bracket even with their purchase, thus went ahead with the deal.
Title: Wife ecstatic with her own house
Post by: ML on February 20, 2023, 01:12:38 PM
Strange thing (or Boe can probably explain why it is not strange), concering wife's feeling about the second house we bought here in town.

She has mentioned softly a couple of times that she feels the house we are living in is not really 'her house' even after I put her name on new deed as equal co-owner.

So she is co-owner of current house, owns two condo's in Kyiv, multiple country properties west of Kyiv, and a townhouse in Ireland.

For this second house, I put her name on it as sole owner.  There are some property tax situations that I am playing around with in doing this.

And WOW . . . she is completely 'taken' by this second house.  It needs tons of work as has been a rental for 7 years.  She has completly sanded (on her knees) the very wide oak base board related to 1,400 square feet of oak flooring.  Next will come the trim boards around all doors.  I keep telling her we can hire this work done, but she wants to do it.

Just today a crew came in to sand down and refinish this 1,400 sq. ft. of flooring  Said it would take 5-7 days.  She is hoping they will stop for the day soon enough for her to go work on the side boards after she is finished teaching today!!  Then there are the doors themself, which she wants to clean, sand, stain and seal.  We have been paying a guy and his young daughters to do a lot of sweep up work inside house, garage, basement and outdoors; and more will come.

She has done tons of work on this current property . . .  but she seems almost obsessed with this second house . . . that is solely in her name.  She hasn't hinted at all about such feeling, but I can see it.

Anyway, the time can come after it is all finished off . . . we have wild ass guessed $100,000 for new roof, new shakes/shingles for gable ends, new kitchen cabinets and flooring, some new bath fixtures, refinishing the oak flooring, all new kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, etc., etc., etc. . . . when she might do a 'Turbo' job on me.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 21, 2023, 12:07:59 PM
Saw a program on TV a few years back, it was about a Millionaire English guy living in the UK. He was into the Orchestra scene, didn't play so much himself but went along to listen. Anyway, he ended up picking up a FSW who played the Chelo I think or some instrument like that. She was much, much younger than he was, likely at least a twenty year age gap, he was starting to age a bit, near retirement age if he worked. Think they had a child together also. Anyhow, after they had been together a number of years he decides to give her a large sum of money, around a million pounds I think it was. Seems it was kind of to say, 'hey to those that think this chick is just with me for my money here's to prove otherwise'. He subsequently found out that she was basically with him because he had money, duh! Not long after she left him and hooked up with a much younger dude - why of course would she be with a much older dude otherwise???

Didn't end well for either I'm afraid. The Millionaire guy no doubt feeling humiliated and made a fool off ended up murdering her. The Police of course found out it was him and he got sent down for a long time, probably the rest of his life.

Moral of the story is I think, never let go off your hold on the power in a relationship, the money. It's what the women want you to have and respect you for it however much they may complain. Lose control of the money in the relationship and you risk losing the relationship.
Title: Wife ecstatic with her own house
Post by: ML on February 21, 2023, 12:15:27 PM

Moral of the story is I think, never let go off your hold on the power in a relationship, the money. It's what the women want you to have and respect you for it however much they may complain. Lose control of the money in the relationship and you risk losing the relationship.

Sounds like pretty good reasoning/advice.
I did give her a big chunk with this second house; but there is a much bigger chunk left, so we will see.
Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Wife ecstatic with her own house
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 22, 2023, 02:38:35 AM
Sounds like pretty good reasoning/advice.
I did give her a big chunk with this second house; but there is a much bigger chunk left, so we will see.
Thanks for posting.

You're a decent guy ML so I hope whatever happens works out for the best for you. She may just be happy to have her own place and be able to have it how she wants. I know with my town (terrace) house that I enjoy being able to have it how I want. I've spent more time and money than needs be on it both the house and the garden. It should pay dividends in the end in terms of greater house value, living enjoyment and lodger income for a small house though. I done a lot of work and I don't even intend to live in it all that much but it should be more bearable should I need to than a bland dull house & garden/back yard where I might end up hating to live.

So I don't think even with the above said it's necessarily a sure thing that she would leave you, it possibly may not be a great move but who knows. There's the case for companionship and I get the impression from your posts on here you're likely a great guy to be around. Even if there was a split it would at least set you free to go fish again in the FSU, you could be jetting off like me to Chișinău to find one  ;D. So yeah I wouldn't get doom & gloomy about it but in a way see it as a test to see if she would stick by you in old age when you need care or find out then when it's too late. At least finding out now you can take action while you're still able bodied and find another girl, it may however not come to that and she may just enjoy home renovating as chicks love all that interiors stuff. So either way I wouldn't sweat it.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on February 22, 2023, 04:45:37 AM

Moral of the story is I think, never let go off your hold on the power in a relationship, the money. It's what the women want you to have and respect you for it however much they may complain. Lose control of the money in the relationship and you risk losing the relationship.

Money is just another aspect of building a trusting relationship.  The most important part IMO is for both partners to sit down together, understand the household income, and be able to maintain a household budget. A one-sided, restrictive 'allowance' is something you give your young kids, not your wife, and in certain circumstances, could border on abuse.  Heck, someday she might well out-earn you by a bundle, maybe even be the sole earner in your household. 
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on February 22, 2023, 03:26:17 PM

ML, I suspect the reason she prefers the new house is because it is something you purchased together.  The home you live in, even if she has added touches, is your house, from a time before you were together.  A fair number of people feel this way, probably women more than men.  I personally wouldn't care, I don't think. 

Moral of the story is I think, never let go off your hold on the power in a relationship, the money. It's what the women want you to have and respect you for it however much they may complain. Lose control of the money in the relationship and you risk losing the relationship.


No, that isn't the moral.  The moral is, if you use money as bait, don't be surprised at the results.  His wife probably never respected him.  In a marriage, you don't live with money.  You live with an individual. 
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on February 23, 2023, 12:45:52 PM
Money is just another aspect of building a trusting relationship.  The most important part IMO is for both partners to sit down together, understand the household income, and be able to maintain a household budget. A one-sided, restrictive 'allowance' is something you give your young kids, not your wife, and in certain circumstances, could border on abuse.  Heck, someday she might well out-earn you by a bundle, maybe even be the sole earner in your household.

That's western thinking BC, I would rather the woman not go out to work forgoing her earning more doesn't bother me, the risk of upsetting the hypergamy scale does as we all know what that can bring. Giving her restrictive allowance would suit me fine as after all that is what happens out in the FSU and are used to. No problem for me to work out the Household budget makes most sense for me to handle that.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: BC on February 24, 2023, 11:48:43 AM
What you described could be considered domestic/spousal abuse in the UK, Trench.

-having your finances controlled, or not
being given enough to buy food,
medication or pay bills

-not being allowed to leave your house,
or stopped from going to college
or work
Title: History forecasts inevitable major war
Post by: ML on February 28, 2023, 08:36:28 AM
One of the best (short analysis) I have read.
- - - - - - - - - -

History forecasts inevitable major war  February 27, 2023 by John M. Crisp

Our future is foreshadowed by our past, and few human activities have shaped our history more than our near-irresistible compulsion to fight each other. War is as characteristic of humanity as religion and the drive to procreate.

At our best, we aspire to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. Religion has generally made a virtue of peace. History is replete with organizations that have campaigned against war in the abstract. Even now, the aptly named British-based MAW (Movement for the Abolition of War) asserts that war is not inevitable and imagines its eradication.

Whether the admirable goals of these efforts were ever actually realistic is not as important as the regrettable fact that they have manifestly failed. The scent of war is in the air, and it’s growing stronger. And as much as we may hate it, we cannot ignore it.

We sometimes speak of “just” and “unjust” wars. Unjust wars contain subcategories: wars that are “ill advised,” “based on misinformation” or “just plain stupid.” Unfortunately, we usually make these judgments only in retrospect, long after great resources and many lives have been wasted.

But history doesn’t run in retrospect, and the current war in Ukraine lies before us. Locally, the war is about territory and sovereignty. Globally, the stakes are much higher. It’s not unduly idealistic to characterize the war as a showdown between authoritarianism and democracy, between tyranny and freedom. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the West must choose between these polar opposites.

Thus far, the West has chosen. The United States, NATO and the European Union have engineered a calibrated response that, combined with Ukrainian courage and will, has brought the war to a precarious stalemate.

The stalemate is unlikely to last, however, and although the Biden administration has committed to standing behind Ukraine for “as long as it takes,” there’s no guarantee that a Republican-controlled House — or many ordinary Americans, for that matter — will be willing to maintain this level of support.

In fact, polls and prominent Republicans — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, former president Donald Trump, presidential aspirant Ron DeSantis — have shown signs of waning support for Ukraine. Concerns about the war are legitimate. But much of this equivocation reflects domestic politics: Many Republicans would rather see Joe Biden lose in Ukraine than Vladimir Putin.

But before we bail on Ukraine, consider two stark facts:

First, there are “good guys” and “bad guys” in this global conflict. We are on the side of the “good guys.” I’m wary of the term “exceptional” to describe our nation. It sounds like bragging, the sort of thing that other people should say about us, rather than what we should say about ourselves.

But despite our flaws and failures our system of governance is far superior to Russia’s, China’s, Iran’s, Saudi Arabia’s, Hungary’s or that of any of the burgeoning autocracies in the world.

Unfortunately, autocracy and tyranny are the historical default, and maintaining an exceptional democratic nation in a dangerous world requires positive action.

Second, positive action in defense of democracy often requires force. The last war that we could reasonably call a “good war” was World War II, the worldwide struggle to defend Western values — freedom, individual rights, equality, self-governance — from Nazi Germany and an imperialist Japan.

The war in Ukraine is that same struggle, writ small.

Do not mistake me for a hawk. I came of age in a generation that made an anthem out of “All we are saying … is give peace a chance.” But the growing conflict between freedom and tyranny is unlikely to be resolved peacefully. The fact that the major opponents in this conflict have nuclear weapons makes our prospects unimaginably dangerous. A major war would be catastrophic. Nevertheless, this is a war that the West cannot afford to lose.

One hopes for a diplomatic resolution. History suggests otherwise.  We often say that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Unfortunately, even those who remember history are often doomed to repeat it, as well.
John M. Crisp, an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service.
Title: Today’s debt ceiling will become tomorrow’s dreaded debt bomb
Post by: ML on February 28, 2023, 09:01:22 AM
A great piece, although perhaps a little too 'deep' for average boy or girl.
- - - - - - - - -

Today’s debt ceiling will become tomorrow’s dreaded debt bomb

February 27, 2023by Karl W. Smith

As disconcerting as the U.S.’s current debt situation is, the outlook is even worse. When the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office updated its forecasts this month, it estimated that debt held by the public will climb to $46 trillion by 2033 from $31 trillion currently. This puts the country one step closer to the dreaded “debt bomb” scenario, which would make today’s battle over whether to raise the $31 trillion debt ceiling look quaint in comparison.

In short, a debt bomb occurs when a country’s borrowings get so large that it has to borrow just to service the debt and meet interest payments. That, in theory, causes interest rates to rise, forcing a government to accumulate yet even more debt. In a sense, a debt bomb is a death spiral for a country.

There are ways out, but they’re all painful. Once this pernicious cycle has started, the only way it can be arrested is by a sharp increase in taxes, an equally sharp decrease in spending or a default. The third scenario is unthinkable for the U.S., which oversees the world’s primary reserve currency. Congress would undoubtedly take the steps necessary to prevent a default, but a rapid rise in taxes and collapse in spending would almost certainly throw the country into a severe recession — or worse.

So, where do things stand? The key stat to look at is federal interest payments as a percentage of gross domestic product. In 2022, such outlays amounted to 1.87% of GDP. Although that’s higher than any time in the past 20 years, it’s a fair bit lower than the 1991 peak of 3.16%. Indeed, it’s lower than the entire period from 1980 to 2001.

That’s not to say there aren’t similarities between today and the period from 1980 to 2001. The most obvious is Federal Reserve policy. Just like now, the central bank then was pursuing a deliberate disinflationary policy. Policymakers need to keep interest rates high relative to the growth rate of the economy if it hopes to stamp out inflation. The downside to such a strategy is that even in good times, when government revenue surges, interest on existing debt would surge as well, preventing the budget deficit from narrowing by much.

What’s different is that back then both the White House and Congress made decreasing the size of government a priority. Federal outlays as a percentage of GDP shrank from a peak of 22.9% in 1983 to 17.7% in 2001. The decline wasn’t linear, with outlays increasing a bit from 1980 to 1983 as the effect of higher interest rates overwhelmed a drop in non-interest spending.

In contrast, the CBO projects federal outlays will rise from 23.7% of GDP in 2023 to 25.3% in 2033. Moreover, the CBO predicts that trend to continue indefinitely, with outlays reaching as much as 29% of GDP after 2044. As a result, federal interest payments are on track to reach 3.6% of GDP by 2033 and as much as 6.2% by 2044. The latter figure is twice as high as anything the U.S. has seen in the post-war period. If these projections are accurate the U.S. will become vulnerable to a debt-bomb scenario over the next 10 to 20 years.

What’s really worrisome is that the CBO’s estimates may actually be optimistic. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) produces alternative projections relative to the CBO baseline that have proven accurate. Under its scenarios, interest reaches 3.9% of GDP in 2033 and 4.4% in 2044. If the CRFB’s high-cost scenario proves correct, federal interest payments as a percentage of GDP will reach record levels by 2025. That makes a debt-bomb a realistic possibility by the early 2030s.

One might hold out hope that higher revenues could alleviate the problem, but that would be going against history. The CBO estimates that federal revenues averaged 17.4% of GDP from 1974 to 2022. In 2022, they reached 19.6% on the back of booming asset prices and corporate profits. Thus, revenues are already well above historical norms and likely to decline in the future. Indeed, the CBO projects they will average 18.1% by 2032.

Revenues only played a small role when the federal budget was brought into balance over the 1980s and 1990s. In 1981, revenues were a then record 19.1% of GDP, before shrinking over most of the next 20 years, matching roughly the historical average. Closing the deficit gap with revenues alone would require unprecedented increases in tax receipts in the face of falling asset prices. That’s extremely difficult to accomplish while maintaining the Biden administration’s promise that no family making less $400,000 a year will see their taxes increase.

This leaves little hope that America will alter its fiscal trajectory over the next decade. Unless Congress and the White House make a sharp reversal and miraculously come up with a plan to shrink the deficit, the U.S. will be staring at the risk of a damaging debt bomb before too long.

Karl W. Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.
Previously, he was vice president for federal policy at the Tax Foundation.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 28, 2023, 09:49:01 AM
any arguments about "the ecoomy" are not going to be made in "good faith" by republicans...

facts:
the biggest surge in the deficits was ALWAYS under Republicans when they cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans.... 
The record deficit was Trump of course, part of the "plan" to deconstruct the DEEP STATE, i.e. the American government
under Bill Clinton, we actually HAD a balanced budget!!!

Republicans want the money that goes to social security to go to wall street instead
so they've been trying years to "privitize it" just to give it to them
now they also want to cut it so they can take the inflows to social security from the poor instead of income taxes on the wealthy

can you say "CLASS WAR"?
and that's what this is...

but since you all watch "conservative christian news"
you know the real problem is transexual atheists crossing the southern border to stage transexual shows to brainwash our children into using flouride toothpaste
so noone takes you guys seriously with your jewish space lasers and george santos and all the rest

a historical side note:
you should read Benjamin Franklyn's observation of the British economy under the gold standard vrs the "colonial dollar" a fiat currency
the gold standard favored the aristocracy, the printed colonial dollars gave the new american economy a huge advantage over the inflexible gold standard

a lot of the dollars aren't borrowed but created by credit
the Treasury can add for instance, a billion dollars to the balance sheet of a federal reserve branch with just a computer
that's credit, and it spends just like a t-bill purchased by china
it's called debt monetization, check it out...

bottom line, the wealthiest Americans didn't want to pay taxes
so they gamed the system
now they want poor people to make up the shortfall
it's not too hard for you to understand, now is it?

Title: Tomorrows debt bomb
Post by: ML on February 28, 2023, 10:31:07 AM
What does your reply have to do with the analysis provided by the author  giving strong evidence that the problem is perhaps insurmountable ?

He doesn't suggest a solution, nor have I.

My sources of current news are local newspaper, Wall Street Journal, and left wing PBS (because I want to avoid commercials), and Fox News Sunday (Shannon Bream is beautiful to look at). 

Fox News Sunday was nothing like the rest of Fox (which I cannot get) under Chris Wallace and the same holds for current under Shannon. 

Unlike CBS, NBC, and ABC . . . Fox News Sunday has 2 left wingers and 2 right wingers on their analyis panel.

I don't know why Fox News Sunday shows up on my local channel, whereas the weekday Fox News does not.

So I do not watch on TV any right wing news, nor do I watch any Christian news.

I am conservative in my economics and liberal regarding social items. 
I don't care who is buggering whom.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 28, 2023, 11:37:31 AM
his "analysis" is BS
oligarchs WANT the governments to spend more than they take in to stimulate the economy to make stocks and other assets rise in value
but they don't want to pay the taxes to support this

the republican party did "donor support" to cut the taxes of their wealthiest donors to a tiny fraction of what it was in 1980
hence "the middle class tax cut" LOL that cut corporate taxes 50%

does he address this in his article?
no, how convieniant to be omitted...


then you use oligarch controlled media like fox or bloomberg
to push the fake narrative
that golly, since rich people pay much LESS taxes now (and we won't even mention this, of course)
by default then, poor people receiving entitled benefits (entitled - because the PEOPLE paid for them)
are the ones who are gonna HAVE TO pay...
by receiving less social benefits, THAT THEY ALREADY PAID FOR...

you wanna pay off a trillion of government debt, or 2 trillion, or 10 trillion?
simple, tell the treasury to issue a credit to the federal reserve
and then have them deposit it as a payment towards the debt

you just pulled the money out of thin air
and reduced the debt by a couple of trillion
so easy, a cave man, or majorie taylor green could do it, even trump

the debt ceiling can be breached, by minting a trillion dollar platinum coin, read about it...
why not make a bunch of em, and pay off the debt
and use some coins to build a new panama canal and reduce our fossil fuel use
by building small modular nuclear reactors and renewables
oh, and fund a new nuclear arms race...
cuz the 50 year old leftovers from the cold war against the USSR
aren't gonna be good enuff to go up against china, iran, north korea...
we need all new stuff
and frankly rich oligarchs are REALLY annoying
and the best way to get them to STFU
is to tax the living daylights out of them

debt and credit go together...
we can use credit to cancel out at least part of the debt

banks are middlemen - their profits are a cost to everyone else
big banks borrow from the feds discount window at .25% interest
and flip this money to college students for something like 20X higher interest rate
and we pat ourselves on the back for having a free market economy
while we make a generation of new debt slaves
millions who toil away most of their lives for the benefit of a few bank executives
freedumb  and keepitallism


Title: Top 50% only pay 97% of Federal Taxes
Post by: ML on February 28, 2023, 03:24:58 PM
Yes, top 50% of taxpayers don't pay their fair share.
They only paid 97% of Federal income taxes.
Top 1% only paid 42.3%.
OMG they paid almost as much as the remaining 99% of taxpayers.
But that's not enough.

http://taxfoundation.org/publications/latest-federal-income-tax-data/

The average income tax rate in 2020 was 13.6 percent. The top 1 percent of taxpayers paid a 25.99 percent average rate, more than eight times higher than the 3.1 percent average rate paid by the bottom half of taxpayers.

The top 1 percent’s  share of federal income taxes paid rose from 38.8 percent to 42.3 percent.

The top 50 percent of all taxpayers paid 97.7 percent of all federal individual income taxes, while the bottom 50 percent paid the remaining 2.3 percent.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 28, 2023, 06:13:07 PM
more BS...

google how top corps pay ZERO taxes
look how many in the financial industry get special treatment, like the "carried interest" tax break
do your comparison about taxes with ALL TAXES as a percentage of income vrs rich and poor...
and you see the poor, PAY WAY more than their share of taxes
and of course, it's by design

look how Teddy Roosevelt stood up for the working class when income taxes were introduced
"we don't want to tax the labor of the working class"
but instead the income derived from capital
so, indexed for inflation, first income tax didn't start until $60,000 yr income (today's dollars)

the republican party, the party of "big business"
has dramatically reduced taxes for the rich
but not so much for average Americans
so, ya gotta scare 'em
with madeup stories about transexuals from tiajuana who voted for Biden

any of this sound familiar
or do you still believe in right wing fairy tales

of course your sources don't want you to know this
cuz it'd show that poor people like YOU are getting ripped off by the rich
and trust me, you ain't rich, so thinking you're one, isn't gonna make you one
especially when YOU are being played like a fiddle

how happy are ya gonna be when most of the rich people ripping you off in the USA
are ALL gonna be rich Chinese a-holes
will you still like keepitalism?




Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: ML on February 28, 2023, 06:27:22 PM
The 'facts' I presented were for individuals, so why you are being intellectually dishonest by bringing in corporate taxes?

And, you are confusing (again deliberately and dishonestly) tax rates vs tax dollar amounts.
The top 1% and 50% pay the vast dollar amounts compared to bottom group no matter what you want to present as tax rates.

Doesn't matter what tax breaks the top are getting, they are still carrying almost the entire burden for us.

Rather than complain about the (absurdly high) dollar level of tax dollars paid by the top . . . we should all be embarassed that others are carrying the load for us.

More than 72 million American households will pay no federal income taxes this year, marking a large decline from last year, the Tax Policy Center said.

So how can these folks be taken advantage of in the tax system when they pay zero federal income taxes?

And again, don't try to pull fast switches (a typical form intellectual dishonesty) by talking about other taxes in reply to my discussion of federal income taxes.

Notice I have not used bombastic wording.

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on February 28, 2023, 06:38:32 PM
you don't get to cherry-pick your data to fit the BS narrative
instead, your narrative falls flat with the facts, cuz it's FALSE

why bother defendig it, it's BS....
and you KNOW IT

you're a good example
of poor whites who will always work against their own economic interests to support the status quo
cuz they think they're benefitting from it

critical race theory breakthrough  = most white people are ignorant idiots and EASY to manipulate
example: more of you went off to die for massa in the civil war than who are dying now for Putin
how stoopid would you have to be to do this...
yet, here are white people, by the hundreds of thousands...
like lemmings to the sea

to me, ya'll are just plain dumb, almost child-like, devoid of any common sense
and no matter how much I try and help you people
you refuse to listen


Title: Ukrainian in-laws won't take advantage of USA relatives
Post by: ML on May 28, 2023, 11:10:40 AM
Wife's parents are both suffering greatly from leg and back problems from a lifetime of hard physical work in garden and with small animals (in addition to their day jobs).

Now both can hardly get up from chairs, sofa, etc.

My wife is very distraught.

The mother needs knee surgery which she says is too expensive.

We have left several thousand dollars with them (which has never been touched) and told that we will send whatever more is needed.

Mother became very upset.

"I have never taken any money from others and will not do it now . . . and that is my final answer."

My wife did talk this week to her mother's female cousin asking her to help the parents (and receive   payments from us) . . . but to never tell that we asked her to do such and never mentioning money received.

This cousin is not in perfect health either, but better than either parent.

This cousin played a good role in that, when wife talked to parents today, mother mentioned how nice it was that her cousin just happened to come by as she was returning from a nearby village where she had a garden area.  The cousin then went to nearest grocery store and brought back some staple items.

Now to find a way to get some money to this (technology challenged) cousin.
Wife is to talk to the cousin's daughter to see about setting up a PayPal account or some such.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on May 28, 2023, 12:37:57 PM
if he has proper ID and lives in a major city then Western Union, etc works OK...
you also have to make sure they don't get scammed by bogus doctors lookin to hustle people out of their dollars with bogus medical issues and produckta
been there, done that, got the color t-shirts
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on May 28, 2023, 12:53:02 PM
If she can open a bank account, Wise is a good way to send with minimal fees.
Title: Re: Leopard tanks
Post by: 2tallbill on May 28, 2023, 05:52:30 PM
Why he has been insisting to this point that USA must send Abrams, when USA has already sent tons of the latest fighting equipment?

Because he's a sissy boy girly man, afraid of what might happen if Moscow see's his
shadow and the winter is longer. He's a member of the Woke Girl Social Democratic
Party and he could get cancelled if he is shown to stand up to Putin. He is supposed
to cower in fear and wait until somebody with a spine tells him to move.

Title: Clarification regarding Musk, Starlink, and Crimea
Post by: ML on September 18, 2023, 07:44:52 AM
Clarification regarding Musk, Starlink, and Crimea

In a new biography of Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson wrote:  “Allowing the use of Starlink for the attack, [Mr. Musk] concluded, could be a disaster for the world. So he told his engineers to turn off coverage within a hundred kilometers of the Crimean coast.”

But on Sept. 8 Mr. Isaacson issued a clarification: Mr. Musk didn’t disable Starlink in the area; he declined a Ukrainian request to enable it.

Mr. Musk said complying with the Ukrainian request would have violated American sanctions against Russia: “We’re not allowed to actually turn on connectivity to [Russian-controlled Crimea] without explicit government approval.  We did not have such approval.   And, you know, we certainly have provided huge support for the Ukraine government.”

Starlink, a privately owned network, has provided $100 million in free service to Ukraine since the war began, letting the country defend itself and re-establish communications destroyed by hundreds of Russian missiles.  What’s more, Mr. Musk says he would have complied if President Biden ordered him to turn on his privately owned network for Ukraine.

“While I’m not President Biden’s biggest fan, if I had received a presidential directive to turn it on, I would have done so. Because I do regard the president as the chief executive officer of the country.  Whether I want that person to be president or not, I still respect the office.”
   
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on September 18, 2023, 08:48:26 AM
don't wanna alienate your dick tater clients, now do ya?
google elon musk and putin
google China and elon musk

but he's your hero, a rich white man
this is who you worship and what you worship
just another kinda "Aryan Jesus" to worship
cuz when you wuz little you wuz "poor"
sure, I know ya gonna "play THAT card"
but EVENTUALLY ya "shouda WIZED-UP" but I don't really see any sign of that in you!!

why can't you see the internal contradictions of your reactionary beliefs?
Hillary's emails under russian corrupted FBI and Russian hacking with no charges (except to head FBI Agent AND Russian Hackers!)
vrs
91 felony indictments
and civil case of sexual harassment
and if you can't parse that into just RIGHT OR WRONG, then WTF is wrong with YOU!



Title: US Aid to Ukraine is a ‘Bonanza’ for the US Economy
Post by: ML on October 04, 2023, 06:26:20 PM
US Aid to Ukraine is a ‘Bonanza’ for the US Economy as most of the money provided is actually spent in the USA.

Several dozen US towns, mostly in the middle of the country, are likely to experience benefits for some time from the war in Ukraine if we continue to help Ukraine fight the Russian terrorist invasion.

Dramatic events unfolding in Washington DC have put the future of US aid to Ukraine in jeopardy, with hardline Republicans insisting their country simply can’t afford to keep funding Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion. But the argument that the US is simply writing “blank checks” and handing over bags of cash to Ukraine is both simplistic and incorrect, as most of the money is actually spent in the USA.

As the German Marshall Fund (GMF), a US think tank, wrote recently: “US military support for Ukraine is helping put American industry back on track.” GMF added: “The numbers suggest that sustained support is a win-win for Ukrainians and the American people. A large portion of the money designated for Ukraine is being spent in the USA, bolstering the defense industry and sustaining American manufacturing jobs. “This translates to more business for US companies and sustained employment for rural communities in which they operate."

The good news for the Ukrainians doing the fighting and the Americans doing the manufacturing, is that the dynamics of the Russo-Ukrainian War’s ammo bottleneck seems to be changing. The Americans are gearing up to deliver more ammo.

As of early September 2023, only a single factory, the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania, was actually machining the steel 155mm artillery shell bodies. A facility in Iowa that does assembly was putting together about 24,000 shells a month – roughly three times the volume at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Scranton factory is currently operating at max capacity, 24/7, and employs 300 workers in jobs paying well compared to most other work in the region. By August 2024 new capacity will raise volumes to over 80,000 shells a month, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in comments to War Zone.

The Pentagon in December 2022 announced plans to expand production capacity in three 155mm shell plants – in Scranton, in Kingsport, Tennessee, and in Middletown, Iowa. At the time the plan was aiming for 40,000 shells a month capacity, but as of October 2023, the target was twice that. The plan called for upstream investment to increase capacity of generic sub-components like primer, propellant, projective and fuse, as well as more exotic supply chain monkey wrenches like the laser sensor on the end of the precision-guided shell, or the mini-rocket fitted into the base of the long range shell.
If and when the US hits its 80,000-shells-a-month 2024 target, the three companies operating the plants – General Dynamics, American Ordnance and IMT Defense respectively – will collectivelyreceive $250 million a month from US taxpayers. Most of that money transfer will recirculate in those three communities as salaries and dividends. The rest will be passed on to another 200 to 300 American companies feeding the 155mm artillery shell logistics chain.

That kind of cash injection in places like Scranton, Kingsport, and Middletown is roughly equivalent to the construction and staffing of a brand-new Amazon robotics fulfillment center near allthree of those mid-sized towns, every six months.

The economic effect of shifting from very little to massed 155mm shell production, in each of those communities, will probably go on as long as the Pentagon keeps on ordering 155mm artillery shells, researchers have calculated.
Assuming American political will to help Ukrainians fight against the Russian invasion doesn’t reverse course (never a given), dozens and potentially hundreds of communities across the US could see their economies jump-started by Pentagon demand for US-manufactured war materials that get expended – not just artillery shells, but things like anti-aircraft missiles, replacement engines, and long- and short range drones.

Lockheed Martin, the aerospace and defense corporation that manufacturers the HIMARS/M270 rockets, assembles both launch systems and rockets in Camden, Arkansas. The corporate plan is to double its launcher production capacity (from 48 to 96) by the end of 2025, and the cash knock-on effect is already hitting Rocket City, West Virginia, where Grumman manufactures the rocket engines.

US production capacity expansion plans of key munitions being used in Ukraine have been announced by Raytheon, which manufacturers the NASAMS anti-aircraft missile in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and by Martin-Marietta, which makes Patriot anti-aircraft missile in Orlando, Florida. Global Times called the flood of orders to US arms manufacturers “a bonanza.”

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in comments on US debates about supplying arms to Ukraine said: “It’s a cynical yet simple mathematical calculation of war.

If you have the ability to destroy the military capabilities of your strategic adversary for only a small percent of your defense budget without using your own army, can this be considered a ‘good investment’?

If this percentage of the defense budget stays mostly in your country, stimulating your defense companies, creating new jobs and increasing your military capabilities – what doubts can there be?” Podolyak added: “And if this allows Ukraine to fundamentally defend freedom, democracy and destroy a key sponsor of global instability – isn’t this an investment in a just and secure future for you and us?”

Stefan Korshak is the Kyiv Post Senior Defense Correspondent. He is from Houston Texas and is a Yalie. He has worked in journalism in the former Soviet space for more than twenty years, and from2015-2019 he led patrols in the Mariupol sector for the OSCE monitoring mission in Donbass.
   
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 04, 2023, 06:58:43 PM
very good point ML,

these are "Industrially produced mfg goods" domestically made and not imported
labor intensive
and this expenditure will have a "multiplying effect" of at least 50%
meaning every dollar of expenditure will generate 1.5 dollar of productivity for the overall economy
it also underscores our own shortcomings in terms of being able to fight a major future war, and not just a guerilla one, but a REAL one
with a near peer enemy
like a coalition of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia
vrs Israel, NATO

did everybody in Russia and USA enjoy your little "Emergency! Everyone To Get From Street!" drill today....
oh my what a WEIRD coincidence, said NO ONE!!!!

in Soviet Russian far east, they don't eat ANY Pussy at all!
why knot?
cuz the bumzhee already ate every single kissa they could catch!!!!
ahahaha!!


it's why me and my kids don't live in Israel, let alone Russia
and why we're relocating completely out of the USA in 5 more years
my family and I have already seen the rocket contrails in Israel
and my old home in Sevastopol had broken windows recently, due to the drone strikes

so, besides seeking an improved climate
we're moving to a secret location....shhhhhhhh...
somewhere over the rainbow
somewhere, out of range...

the ONLY people in congress who have shown opposition to sending military aid to Ukraine
are "you know who"

the ones known as the" Russian caucus" , the ones who just cancelled McCarthy's speakership
the ones who want to shutdown the government
the ones who polish Trump's shoes EVERY DAY

Change My Mind...



Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on October 04, 2023, 08:46:54 PM
ML, I'm all in favor of helping Ukraine, but it's complete BS that aid to Ukraine is a bonanza to the US economy.  It is a drain to the economy.

Where does the money come from that pays for the aid?  The US taxpayer's pockets.

If you tax me, and then use the tax dollars to pay me to make products that are given to someone else...the economy has not improved.

If you don't believe me, try this experiment.  Pay me X amount of money to do some work making a product.  After I am done, give that product to other people.  Then tell me how much your economic situation improved by doing that.

The aid to Ukraine would only be a boon to the American economy if someone else (foreigners) were paying for the stuff we are making.

But if we are going to spend tax dollars, I would rather see it spent on aid to Ukraine than studying the effect of mosquito farts on mice that have been fed cocaine.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 05, 2023, 07:32:45 AM
sure, OK Jan,

Bush spent a trillion USD$ in Iraq, why? what'd it really get us?
Then he spent another trillion dollars in Afghanistan to kill Osama Bin Ladin, who in the end, was killed by a spy and two helicopters full of US NAVY Seals under Obama
Then you have Trump, whose complete inaction on covid, being more concerned over his polls then how many people were gonna die
well,,,
more than a million died
and Trump's Covid deficit was another 4 trillion $USD
add it up and whadda ya get?
7 trillion $USD republican debt, for literally nothing....

whatever we spend IN THE USA to support Ukraine will

weaken an essential player in "The Axis of Evil" one that is a REAL threat to the "status quo" world order, from people who want "a new world order" and who know how to attack us from "the inside"  Putin is already shakin down oligarchs for a billion $USD for Trump related purposes
strengthen our own production and investment in production of armaments, like Biden's spending to make sure we're not gonna outsource critical semiconductors to China, so our busines class can make more money that way
this war has shown that in the future "chips" are gonna be WAY more important than ships

Russia intends to use Ukraine as a stepping stone, towards future acquisitions
Moldova will be taken by Ukrainian soldiers
Georgia will be taken by Ukrainian/Moldovan soldiers
and so on...
all the way to Alaska bitches!!!!
and then freakin Innuits are gonna land on the beaches of California!!!

if we did as you suggest, and eliminate ALL deficit spending, which last yr was 1.4 trillion
it would likely take something like a bit over 2 trillion $USD out of the economy due to the "multiplier effect"

a greater than 10% reduction in GDP, that's a depression
big cuts to education and health care funding
leadfing to a massive increase in unemployment....
YOU YOURSELF might be one of the unemployed

assets would depreciate in value
leading to less investment
and a continuing downward spiral
it's called the 1930s

now do ya understand WHY we don't do that?
and why we had "A New Deal" with Mr Rosevelt

matter cannot be created
but money can be!!

you can coin it
you can print it
or you can get the Treasury to issue "credits" from your computer terminal to the 12 Federal Reserve banks
who then offers a "discount window" to major banks for like .25% interest
and the banks turn around and flip that money to home buyers and college students for between 6 to 8%
and all that was digital
no money actually touched hands

you still say money can't be created?


if people borrowed from the government that's socialism and would be bad
but if a commercial bank borrows from the government and then lends it to poor people but charges them more
well, that's capitalism, and that's just great (for rich people)

Discount Window
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/discountwindow.asp

Treasury did a massive multi-trillion credit issue during Covid,
infinite supply of almost free money to commerciaal banks
plus purchase of equities to stop market plunge
at one brief moment the Treasury held 10% of Apple common shares to hold the price
plunge protection team at the treasury
and despite all these advantages given to them
the rich don't wanna pay the taxes that support this
they want the poor to...

the fundamental struggle in western society
has ALWAYS been between rich and poor

same in Russia
between oligarchs and everbody else

Title: Where have all the good men gone?
Post by: ML on October 09, 2023, 07:33:47 AM
Where have all the good men gone?
October 8, 2023 11:02 pm by Syndicated Columnist
by Nicole Russell

In our feminist-focused society, where efforts to create legal and societal gender parity have been mostly successful, it’s easy to forget about the men. After all, thanks to the patriarchy, they’ve been doing fine for ages.

Except now, they’re really not.

Pew Research confirms that more than 60% of young men are single, nearly twice the rate of unattached young women. Three of every 10 U.S. adults aren’t in a relationship of any kind, married, dating, or engaged. This has spread to all U.S. adults; 34% of women and 63% of men are single. The number of sexually active Americans is also at a 30-year low.

As much as sex is an indicator for most of being in a healthy relationship, that’s bad news. Worst of all? Half of single men aren’t even looking for a relationship.

“Men in their 20s are more likely than women in their 20s to be romantically uninvolved, sexually dormant, friendless and lonely,” explained Daniel De V isé in a piece at The Hill. “They stand at the vanguard of an epidemic of declining marriage, sexuality and relationships that afflicts all of young America.”

People aren’t finding love the way they used to, and that could have something to do with the statistics. Online dating is popular. Almost a quarter of the population uses it and men far outnumber women on the apps. Two in every five couples have met online and a small share — almost 15% — have had a relationship lasting at least a year with a person they met online.

However, for all its conveniences, online dating has done two things for men that have hurt them and contributed to their growing elusiveness. One, the “swipe culture” has let men continue to seek brief, sexual encounters rather than enduring romantic relationships. Two, online dating is really fantastic for only the top few men. You know, the top 5% of men who rate high in attractiveness, height and income, have the best shot at most of the women. Men of average appearance, height and income struggle — and often wind up alone.

Even though the pandemic has been over for a while, it seems like some people haven’t stopped hibernating, and it’s taking a toll on men’s health. Our men are increasingly lonely and unhappy. Young men commit suicide at four times the rate of young women.

Another reason men may be rejecting even trying to find love is that they don’t really need women, or may not feel like they do, because of the ubiquitousness of online porn.

A majority (57%) of men ages 30-49 report having watched pornography in the past month. Regular porn use distorts real-life relationships which require effort, communication, consistency, and more to remain healthy. Porn is a substitute for real sex with a real-life woman, which also requires more effort than logging onto a website. If porn addicts are married or in a relationship, they often feel shame or embarrassment about their amount of porn viewing and so they hide it. This discovery leads to an even more fractured relationship.

OnlyFans is a similar substitute, and perhaps worse in the sense that many men report turning to these paid accounts not just for titillation or sex but for a quasi-relationship. While some statistics show that more married than single men are users on OnlyFans, it’s clear both are seeking the site to satiate emotional or sexual needs they purport aren’t being filled.

Women, on the other hand, seem to be struggling far less. Data shows unmarried, childless women are the “happiest subgroup in the population.” Women now collect nearly 60% of bachelor’s degrees, and pay parity is increasing.

This shift in the dynamic in gender parity has played a role, though it’s hard to tell how much, and which came first: Did women start to out-achieve men and men couldn’t keep up so they gave up? Did men get addicted to porn and give up relationships so then women just moved up in the world without them?

Feminism has produced some great things in terms of the legal and societal parity women deserve. Now, women have more job opportunities and make more money than ever. But if women have gotten to the place financially where they don’t think they need a man, this mindset could be driving men out of the dating marketplace. This isn’t to wholly blame women at all.

Men also seem to be struggling to respond to this new generation of accomplished, high-achieving, high-earning women and, rather than up their own “game,” increase their value, embrace emotional maturity, and seek to still earn a woman’s love and respect, they simply give in to self-loathing, self-pity and self-sabotage.

Either way, unhappy, lonely, single men aren’t good for society. Men are natural providers and protectors. They often take on the most difficult work and spearhead the toughest industries: Firefighting, law enforcement, military, manufacturing. We need men to remain productive, happy, competent members of society.

Women are naturally attracted to men who demonstrate this potential and crave a relationship with this kind of healthy, mature, high-value male. But if he’s sitting at home, watching porn and playing video games, numbing his desires instead of seeking a relationship or being purposeful at work, this is far less attractive.

It’s hard to say exactly why men aren’t seeking relationships — both sexes need to take a hard look at themselves. But there are women out there seeking men who want love. Now, we need more men who want the same.

Nicole Russell is an opinion writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She has covered law, politics and cultural issues for The Washington Examiner, The Daily Signal, The Atlantic and The New York Post.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Trenchcoat on October 09, 2023, 04:56:58 PM
Women just don't get it in the west. The guy needs the carrot dangled first. No guy is going to climb the Everest career ladder to put in all that hard work up front in the hope he can get up that ladder and hopefully then be worthy of a woman.

No he's going to sit back and think, 'I don't need all that shit because A). My odds of getting there are remote even after putting in loads of real hard work, and B). I may not get the reward of a decent or good woman at the end of it as a certainty.

It's pure logic. So they say, ok I'm comfortable enough here, girls aren't bothering with me so I'll switch on the TV, plug in the Xbox, open the tinnies, etc. Back in the day it was an upfront deal, the guy was on higher wages than women, set up as a provider. The girl knew that she needed to get in on the ground floor with a guy and they would work together to get somewhere.

Now women expect a guy to be ready baked and only want in if it seems he's got what it takes. They are just stupidly unrealistic in their expectations and life. Many flock to a guy who has got it and get used for sex. One of my Sister's main gripes after she got divorced from her first husband looking around for a guy was, 'there's no decent men out there', turns out by decent she meant a good job with their own house. She found a guy in the end but it just highlights the problem. Women don't get that by changing the game they aren't going to get more (the money in the system as a whole roughly remains the same) they just screw up the men and make what they want a lot harder to find.


With Russia & Ukraine, it's basically the West, the USA, UK & the EU playing a game. They are letting either side wear the crap down off each other, their armies and their economies. Sure we are helping Ukraine but only so much as to produce a stalemate. A stalemate as we know from WWI wears each side down in a war of attrition. The victor the west hopes will be the west, they can come in after and both Ukraine & Russia will be enfeebled and at our whim to do what we wish in order to make life economically bearable. That I believe the west had decided upon from the start.
Title: Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?
Post by: ML on October 11, 2023, 07:13:52 PM
Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?

Israel is going to destroy Palestinians.

Palestinians themselves can prevent this by . . .

Capturing the Hamas terrorists and handing them over to Israel.
Title: Re: Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?
Post by: Trenchcoat on October 11, 2023, 11:03:51 PM
Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?

Israel is going to destroy Palestinians.

Palestinians themselves can prevent this by . . .

Capturing the Hamas terrorists and handing them over to Israel.

If I were Israel I would just push the whole lot of Palestinians in the Gaza strip over the border into Egypt. Problem then permanently solved forever more instead of it reoccurring over & over again. Possibly they might do that, the cutting off supplies the first stage in such action. I think Israel would be silly not to take such action, they may get a lot of condemnation in the short term but that would pass then they are sorted forever more, problem gone.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 13, 2023, 06:57:28 AM
I knew the Gaza attack would begin in the North and move south
by attacking first on the northern edge, the IDF is only exposed on one axis and can't be surrounded or outflanked or cut-off...

IDF will use "bait tanks" to try and get Hamas to shoot anti-tank weapons at them
and then the IDF will shred them block-by-block
any resistance, that block is turned into rubble, and then advance to the next block, as Hamas is squeezed into a smaller and smaller pocket

Hamas deliberately chose to do this, EXPECTING THIS RESPONSE from Israel
it's designed for the Arab World to come together in response to the optics of Israel bombing Arab civilians, which is a WAR CRIME doncha know!!
Hamas is willing to sacrifice their people, turn them "into martyrs" which gives them a noble purpose as they decapitate infants in order for Iran and other Arab states to get political capital to overcome the Shia/Sunni division, and forge a new axis of Russia/Iran/Saudi Arabia and go FULL ON NUCLEAR BABY!!
This is part of Putin's "New world Order" plan

at this point, there is absolutely ZERO CHANCE of there being peace in the middle east
and it's pointless for Israel to pursue a moderate approach to give diplomatic efforts a chance
and should feel free to make a lesson for other arab states to reflect on before commiting hostile acts aginst them joos
but Israel will be in a race to liquidate Hamas, while the rest of the Arab world is debating on whether they want to participate in "The Running Of The Jews" festival

sooner or later, you're ALL going to learn to LOVE THE BOMB!!!!
the only way to overcome global warming
is to have a nuclear winter!!!

look at it this way...
couple of thousand years from now, it won't matter if we had a nuclear war in the late 2020s....

in the next 2 yr, Russia will terminate all its nuclear treaties
SALT and test ban

this launches a new global nuclear arms race
once the VERY first tactical nuke is used, then it's not long before it's a monthly event...
especially when you look at the cost/benefit ratio of nukes vrs much more expensive conventional armies
as well as ease of use

mini neutron bombs and nuclear EMP bombs
an idea
whose time is coming

none of you are gonna be ready for the future that I see...
as the rude beast crawls towards Bethleham
one day you're all gonna see it in your 'hood as well





Title: follow the money smoking gun in moscow
Post by: krimster2 on October 14, 2023, 09:37:19 AM
Hamas received millions of dollars through cryptocurrency exchange with office in Moscow City - The Wall Street Journal

The Palestinian Jihad group allegedly received more than $93 million dollars through digital wallets on the eve of its attack on Israel. Hamas also used a similar funding scheme.

WSJ, citing data from the analytical company Elliptic, states that the attack on Israel was partially financed through the popular crypto exchange Garantex, registered in Moscow.
Title: Re: Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?
Post by: 2tallbill on October 14, 2023, 04:01:00 PM
Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?

Hamas won one election with 30% of the vote and they never had an election
again. Hamas has guns, rocket launchers and psychopathic murdering lunatics
that will chop off your babies head and launch missiles from your rooftop at
Israel. What does a normal Palestinian have to combat that with?

Title: Re: Why won't Palestinians turn against Hamas ?
Post by: ML on October 14, 2023, 06:18:33 PM
Hamas won one election with 30% of the vote and they never had an election
again. Hamas has guns, rocket launchers and psychopathic murdering lunatics
that will chop off your babies head and launch missiles from your rooftop at
Israel. What does a normal Palestinian have to combat that with?

There are 1.6 million Palestinians living in Israel . . . that's what.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 15, 2023, 04:07:28 PM
the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are connected through Putin's goals

Putin arms Hammas
Putin transferred almost 100 million USD$ before Hammas attack (WSJ article)

Putin's Gaza war goals

The conflict escalates into a regional war with the U.S. becoming directly involved.
OPEC responds with an oil embargo.
Iran closes the strait of Hormuz.
The price of oil reaches $200/barrel.
Europe succumbs into a full-blown energy crisis due to LNG shortage.
Massive spike in energy prices reinvigorates inflation with central banks responding
Financial markets and the global banking sector collapse.
Debt crisis engulfs the U.S. forcing the Federal Reserve to another financial market bailout.
Petrodollar trade collapses
Dollar collapses
Hyperinflation emerges
West curtails ukraine support

and wait'll ya'll see what Putin does NEXT YEAR in the USA for the "election" of Donald Trump
ya'll won't even see it coming until it's too late







Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2023, 04:56:53 PM
Putin’s not that smart.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 15, 2023, 06:19:11 PM
ya'll need to learn
never underestimate your enemies....
money is the west achille's heel
where it's most vulnerable
I can assure you Putin is WELL aware of this

a zero-sum game has only one winner
if putin plays his cards right....

I totally see a path for Putin to achieve his goals by the end of 2025
and if I see it, there's 300 FSB analysts who see it even better







Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Boethius on October 15, 2023, 07:49:14 PM
I doubt rather strongly, that Middle East players are going to send troops in for the benefit of Palestinians. Iran May, only because of their intense hatred of Israel, but not others.

Oil was trading at $110 a barrel at times in 2013, and the economy was strong. The market will adjust.

Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 16, 2023, 06:17:16 AM
well...
at the moment Putin and Xi are sending anti-ship missiles to Iran to threaten the US Navy guarding the middle east
and sucking up to the Saudi Crown Prince's nuclear ambitions

putin is most interested in the part where oil goes to above $200/barrel and europe loses LNG and HAS to buy Russian gas again
Iran doesn't have to invade israel, just close the straights of Hormuz
but to do that, they'll attack israel with terror weapons to trigger a response
and when israel responds, then Iran AND SAUDI ARABIA start an oil embargo and shuts down Hormuz but lets Chinese bound ships through

I'm pretty sure this is the basic plan....
what I'm trying to point out
is the war in Ukraine ain't gonna be won on the battlefield in Ukraine
and the war is gonna EXPAND on to new fronts
the middle east being one...

the current war over the "new world order" with the axis of evil
is only just beginning
ukraine is just one front of this war
and Israel another
new fronts will be emerging

please remember how 19 terrorists armed with Box cutters
killed thousands of Americans caused 100 billion USD$ in direct damage
and a trillion USD$ in economic damage
and led to wars that cost the USA thousands of lives and trillions of USD$

so it doesn't take as much to kill a giant as you think it does





Title: Imagine the cost of the alternative
Post by: ML on October 20, 2023, 08:55:47 PM
PBS Newshour in reference to the $100 billion proposed package.

. . . the wars in Israel and in Ukraine, the wars that both countries are fighting, are not just their own, but they're linked directly to U.S. national security interests.

There is a link between the fighting that's going on, Ukraine fighting for its democracy and very existence against the Russian invasion, and Israel fighting for its democracy as a result of the terrorist attacks by Hamas.

If those democracies were to fall to those terroristic activities, then what does that mean for the democratic experiment around the world? It's absolutely right to say that, in both those efforts, the United States is the indispensable nation.

. . . but if the U.S. begins withdrawing, then that's a green light to Putin, that's a green light to Hamas.

So the U.S. has to be involved. It's not a role we have ever loved. But if you happen to be as dominant an economic and military power as you are, it's a role that's thrust upon you. If you don't take these actions up front, then it's immensely more costly later.

The administration put together an aid package that includes aid to Israel, aid to Ukraine. It's some on the Southern border. It's a big multi let's-keep-the-world-safe aid package, let's fight-off-barbarism aid package. And it's expensive.

Imagine how much our defense budget would have to go up if Russia took over Ukraine, if China took over Taiwan, or if somehow Hamas was able to push Israel out of existence. Imagine how much more we would be spending.  It would be astronomical.

So this bill that the administration has put together, while costly, is way less than the alternative that would result from inaction now.

   
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 21, 2023, 06:03:19 AM
comedy and revolutions in human affairs
are all about the "TIMING"
knowing "when" is as important as knowing "what"

the current wars have many contradictions, like the 3 day war in Ukraine now at day 603
like Hamas knew EXACTLY how Israel would respond to the brutal murder of over 1,000 of it's citizens, based on previous Hamas mass rocket attacks, but even though they knew Gaza civilians would be paying the price, they went right ahead and butchered Israeli children anyway, and even accidentally blew up one of their own refugee shelters with a rocket mis-fire
of course, ya wanna be able to kill enemy civilians, and then use your own for shields

so it's gonna be THAT kind of a fight, is it NOW??

meanwhile, Putin has a big smile
155mm artillery shells that were gonna be for Ukraine are now diverted to Israel
google it
connect the dots
quo bono?

http://crooksandliars.com/2023/10/israeli-politician-blasts-russia-kremlintv

Title: English uber alles
Post by: ML on October 30, 2023, 08:46:48 AM
Reasoning for not spending time learning Ukrainian or Russian.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on October 30, 2023, 09:47:46 AM
French, was once the "lingua franca" how'd that work out in the 21st century, other than for ordering off the menu de jour at Le Café de la Paix?

don't rely on the status quo, cuz it changes like the weather
rely on your own knowledge and skill set, which requires LEARNING, which is something you should EMBRACE and not fear...
quick thinking and command of multiple languages is a potential life saving skill set when you're travelin in much of the world
and this gives you the ability to go to places tourists NEVER go to, and THESE are the places that you can make incredible discoveries and profit$

but not everyone will need this, most travelers are dilettants without any real commitment to a purpose, so they don't need to invest the time and resources for this
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on October 30, 2023, 11:26:04 AM
 Learning python and C++ will probably be more profitable than learning Ukrainian or Russian for most people.
Title: Programming Languages
Post by: ML on October 30, 2023, 05:15:34 PM
Learning python and C++ will probably be more profitable than learning Ukrainian or Russian for most people.

Exactly correct.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Daveman on November 01, 2023, 01:16:05 PM
Learning python and C++ will probably be more profitable than learning Ukrainian or Russian for most people.

Naw man, Fortran and COBOL is where it's at! Maybe a splash of PASCAL.

Probably SQL and babysitting databases is about the the coushiest high paying job on the planet. Everything is in a database. Everything. Talk about job security.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 01, 2023, 02:18:48 PM
if I were a young engineering student TODAY, instead of being a retired one, i'd have some DEEP concerns about the AI programs, such as chatgpt4 that are being used to create "AI Coders", not to mention all the other white collar jobs that may be effected by this new type of  AI

the traditional approach of combining education plus experience to develop commercial "skill sets" that you can use to find employment, will be impacted by this, possibly it will completely invalidate it, I think at most, you're lookin at about 10 years for this to happen

this is why I tell my children, do not rely on the existing employment model for your future
instead, rely on skill sets that are "physical" and individual, a simple example being auto and appliance repair

oh, and the best choice of all, being a criminal...
example, whatever the government prohibits, find a way to make and sell it and avoid detection

the big AI Large Language Models will have "guard rails" to prohibit criminal use
leaving an area of opportunity for humans

i've worked on "both sides of the fence"
crime definitely PAYS!!!

note:
see for yourself the power of AI Coding Today below
http://towardsdatascience.com/from-punch-cards-to-chatgpt-42c2a09ac01a

wanna play around with some of the low end LLMs?
try this
http://chat.lmsys.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=gamma&utm_campaign=-lmsys-2023

knowing how to distill alchohol or convert CBD to THC will be a much more profitable skill set than seeking employment as a "developer"


Title: Muslims to boycott Jewish items
Post by: ML on November 01, 2023, 08:03:27 PM
A Jewish Boycott

A short time ago, Iran's Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the Muslim World to boycott anything  and everything that originates with the Jewish people.

In response, Meyer M. Treinkman, a pharmacist, out of the kindness of his heart, offered to assist them in their boycott as follows:

"Any Muslim who has Syphilis must not be cured by Salvarsan discovered by a Jew, Dr. Ehrlich. He should not even try to find out whether he has Syphilis, because the Wasserman Test is the discovery of a Jew. If a Muslim suspects that he has Gonorrhea, he must not seek diagnosis, because he will be using the method of a Jew named Neissner.

"A Muslim who has heart disease must not use Digitalis, a discovery by a Jew, Ludwig Traube.

Should he suffer with a toothache, he must not use Novocaine, a discovery of the Jews, Widal and Weil.

If a Muslim has Diabetes, he must not use Insulin, the result of research by Minkowsky, a Jew. If one has a headache, he must shun Pyramidon and Antypyrin, due to the Jews, Spiro and Ellege.

Muslims with convulsions must put up with them because it was a Jew, Oscar Leibreich, who proposed the use of Chloral Hydrate.

Arabs must do likewise with their psychic ailments because Freud, father of psychoanalysis, was a Jew.

Should a Muslim child get Diphtheria, he must refrain from the “Schick" reaction which was invented by the Jew, Bella Schick.

"Muslims should be ready to die in great numbers and must not permit treatment of ear and brain damage, work of Jewish Nobel Prize winner, Robert Baram.

They should continue to die or remain crippled by Infantile Paralysis because the discoverer of the anti-polio vaccine is a Jew, Jonas Salk.

"Muslims must refuse to use Streptomycin and continue to die of Tuberculosis because a Jew, Zalman Waxman, invented the wonder drug against this killing disease.

Muslim doctors must discard all discoveries and improvements by dermatologist Judas Sehn Benedict, or the lung specialist, Frawnkel, and of many other world renowned Jewish scientists and medical experts.

"In short, good and loyal Muslims properly and fittingly should remain afflicted with Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Heart Disease, Headaches, Typhus, Diabetes, Mental Disorders, Polio Convulsions and Tuberculosis and be proud to obey the Islamic boycott."

Oh, and by the way, don't call for a doctor on your cell phone because the cell phone was invented in Israel by a Jewish engineer.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Bee Farmer on November 01, 2023, 08:17:27 PM
Since Judaism is about 2000 years older than Islam, does that mean Muslims must boycott kosher food and only eat halal foods that are not kosher? 

I hope they are hungry for horsemeat and shellfish.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 02, 2023, 06:15:05 AM
you left out a buncha jews
for example, Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine (1860 - 1930), a Jewish bacteriologist, was born in Odesa
see http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21122347/

and don't forget the guy who trolls the repugnant republican Trump voters on RWD is a half-Jew!!!

arabs without oil money are a buncha goat herders cooking dinner over a camel dung fire, and when the oil's gone they'll revert to that once more...
there's a sect of wahabism (sp?) that believes the use of ANY medical procedures invented after the time of Mohammed is immoral to use
deep philosophical thinkers they are(n't) the only thing they read is the Q'uran
just religious zealots with AKs and rockets
who are easy puppets to manipulate (easier than Russians) by their Iranian puppet masters and their Russian allies
this war is to block the Abraham accords, so as to not isolate Iran from the rest of the arab world
it's a war of propaganda, "look! Israeli war crimes"
at the moment Israel doesn't give 2 phuques about public opinion
so all the public agitation about it is for local consumption

if I were in charge, I'd get flame thrower tanks and a couple of battalions of soldiers with flame throwers and start on one side of Gaza and go all the way to the other
but eventually Israel is gonna have to take down Iran's nuke program, USA has no balls for this and sought appeasement, how'd that work out?
there is no diplomatic solution to the mideast, only a military one

look how weak the Russian military is today, compared to WW!!
USA is in the same position

israel needs to be completely self reliant
and needs to go after Hamas's money
see this
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/far-from-war-in-gaza-hamas-chief-oversees-vast-financial-network/ar-AA1jg5oa

on the eve of the Oct 7 attack, Hamas mysteriously received 100 million USD$, some of it from Russia
was that the payoff for the attack to their chief?


Title: Ireland’s Tax-Cutting Success Story
Post by: ML on November 02, 2023, 09:31:01 AM
Ireland’s Tax-Cutting Success Story
It slashed its levy on corporations and became a magnet for business and jobs.

By Stephen Moore and Steve Forbes  Nov. 1, 2023 6:19 pm ET

European Union officials and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen are pushing for a global minimum corporate tax, and no wonder. High-tax countries are getting bled to death, while low-tax ones experience stunning growth.

Ireland, whose economy grew by 12.5% last year—faster than any other European nation—is one of the greatest tax-cutting success stories of modern times. The Journal recently reported that Ireland is “swimming in money.” It’s a vivid example of the Laffer Curve, which shows that lower tax rates can result in faster growth and higher revenue.

In the 1990s, Ireland had a dismal welfare-state economy. Between 1971 and 1991, its national debt as a share of gross domestic product rose from 40% to 95%, and its unemployment rate topped out just shy of 18% in 1987. But in 1995, Dublin implemented a controversial about-face economic plan. The country replaced its 40% corporate tax rate with a 12.5% rate, phased in over about a decade. Ireland became a magnet for new business and capital investment.

It worked. Even the most optimistic architects of this low flat rate couldn’t have imagined the economic recovery it would launch. The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland reports that the number of U.S. multinational companies operating in Ireland now stands at about 950, with 209,000 employees. Only five million people live in Ireland. This is the equivalent of a U.S. policy creating 10 million jobs.

Ireland is an industrialized country with one of the world’s largest budget surpluses, thanks to new tax revenue, especially from big tech and pharmaceutical companies domiciled in Dublin. The mystery is why other nations haven’t imitated the Irish. The left has ridiculed international tax competition as a “race to the bottom,” even as Ireland has raced straight to the top.

The Biden administration—which has proposed raising the U.S. corporate tax rate from 21% to between 25% and 30%, as well as higher tax rates on capital gains and dividends—doesn’t get this at all. These are self-defeating policies that the Irish rejected, to their great benefit.

Mr. Moore is an economist with the Heritage Foundation. Mr. Forbes is chairman and editor of Forbes Media and co-author of the book “Inflation: What It Is, Why It’s Bad, and How to Fix It.” They are co-founders of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: krimster2 on November 02, 2023, 10:17:45 AM
ireland's personal tax rate is 20% and 40%, higher than the USA
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/tax/income-tax/how-your-tax-is-calculated/
and don't forget Ireland has a 20% VAT also higher than usa's sales tax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation_tax_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland
U.S.–controlled multinationals, either legally based in the U.S. or legally based in Ireland (e.g. tax inversions), dominate Ireland's economy.  In January 2018, Eurostat used 2015 data to show the gross operating surplus of foreign companies in Ireland was almost exclusively from U.S. companies, with the UK was a distant second, and little other foreign firm activity.

so the purpose of this low tax was to encourage foreign countries (mainly the usa) to relocate corporations there to hire Irish workers
and NOT for existing domestic irish corporations
that's not the situation in the USA, hence we don't need to follow ireland
cuz the only foreign corps we'd get would be Chinese lookin to steal our IP and water

anyway, glad I was able to clear that up for you

also, a great number of large US corporations already pay ZERO taxes like Donald Trump did thanks to tax lobyy loopholes
http://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/14/how-companies-like-amazon-nike-and-fedex-avoid-paying-federal-taxes-.html


Title: Free Meals on Veterans Day in USA
Post by: ML on November 10, 2023, 01:52:24 PM
Veterans, remember your chance to get free food and other items tomorrow November 11, 2023.

Available items can be found here:

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html
Title: Stop Aid to Ukraine so USA Military Men and Women can actively start fighting.
Post by: ML on November 16, 2023, 11:25:19 AM
Stop Aid to Ukraine so USA Military Men and Women (and allies) can actively start fighting.

The sooner Russia can take over Ukraine, the sooner they can move against NATO countries.

This, in turn, will allow USA Military Men and Women (and allies) to actively start fighting rather than just training with boring war games, etc.

Most are not even aware that Putin's goal is not just to take over Ukraine, but to re-establish the the Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) with the new name of Russian Empire and to expand it to include other countries that were controlled by the Soviet Union (Albania, Bulgaria, Czech, Slovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania).

And most are unaware that Putin's death or loss of office will not change this goal as the vast majority of the Russian people fully support this goal.

Prime Minister Chamberlain of UK proudly proclaimed in September 1938 . . . we have agreed to let Hitler take over the Sudetenland (a geographical area of Czechoslovakia which had a large population of German speakers).  That is all he wants and we will have peace in our time.  Within a year Germany waged war on Poland followed by Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, France, UK, et al.

However Russia won't follow this path, if we just let them have Ukraine, because they are more trustworthy than 1930s Germans.

And the rules about consequences of giving in to bullies no longer applies.

But, if they do move past Ukraine, USA Men and Women (and allies) can actively start fighting rather than just waiting around.

Then USA and allies can expend more than just paper money.

- - - - - - - -

The West has failed to recognize that Mr. Putin’s 2007 speech at the Munich Security Conference amounted to a declaration of war on the West. What happened in Georgia in 2008, Ukraine in 2014, Syria in 2015 and Ukraine again in 2022 has been a series of kinetic campaigns in that war.

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/not-just-ukraine-putin-wants-to-remake-the-world/

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/22/putin-speech-russia-empire-threat-ukraine-moscow

http://www.cnn.com/2022/06/10/europe/russia-putin-empire-restoration-endgame-intl-cmd/index.html


   
Title: Good info re origins of current conflict in Israel
Post by: ML on November 16, 2023, 07:51:56 PM
Very, very informative for those, like me, who are mystified about what is going on and why.
Important take-away . . . it was/is arab/muslim countries outside the area that caused the problems just as much as Hamas is doing now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btVFgqkgkzw
Title: PROXY WARS FROM SPARTA TO UKRAINE
Post by: ML on November 18, 2023, 09:12:54 PM
This is probably pretty deep reading for some here, so sorry for that.
- - - - - - - - - - -

PROXY WARS FROM SPARTA TO UKRAINE
Wall Street Journal interview November 18, 2023

Paul Rahe is one of the world’s top scholars of ancient military history.  When we meet, he wants
to talk about war in the present tense: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas pogrom in Israel and China’s covetous eye on Taiwan.

He likens Vladimir Putin’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine to Athens’s attempt to conquer
Sicily from 415-13 B.C. And he says it is great sense for the U.S. to back Ukraine as it was for the Spartans to help Sicily—which is to say, it’s a no-brainer.

For Mr. Rahe, antiquity isn’t merely academic. Embedded within it are truths that can help us
sidestep present-day minefields and steer us toward common sense and smart strategy. These
are qualities he finds in short supply on America’s “isolationist right,” in whose ranks he includes Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Mr. Rahe believes that the Athenian and Russian invasions, 2,436 years apart, were both acts of
“madness” and “greedy overreach” as well as expressions of  “an erotic desire for grandeur.” The aggressors not only scorned the resolve of their targets—the Syracusans of Sicily and the Russians of Ukrainians, respectively—but also overestimated their own “capacities and chances of success.”

For the Athenian leaders, the allure of Sicily was so great that they ignored “logistical difficulties of waging war on an island 800 nautical miles away.” Mr. Putin “didn’t ever ask himself what could go wrong.”  Mr. Rahe would like current U.S. leaders them to learn to appreciate the strategic utility of proxy wars.  “Why can’t they see that the United States is fighting just such a war against Russia in Ukraine?” he says. “And they’re fighting it on the cheap. It’s just like Sparta used the Sicilians as proxies to cripple the old enemy Athens by 413 B.C.”  Proxy wars are a great bargain because they can cost so little.

Hamas’s invasion of Israel says Mr. Rahe, “ is also a proxy war. Who trained them? Who planned it? Who funds Hamas?  The Iranians. What does it cost the Iranians, a little bit of money?”  How many Iranian soldiers died?  “Probably next to none. They’re doing it cut-price, and they gain an enormous amount because they’ve got the entire Arab world up in arms over this.”  From an Iranian perspective, he says, “it’s brilliant. There was an alliance forming between Israel and the Sunni Arab states against Iran. That alliance is now in question, not because the Arab leaders have any sympathy for Hamas at all, but because of the Arab Street.”

History repeats itself: “There’s nothing known to grand strategists today that Thucydides hadn’t already worked out.” The first great historian, Thucydides would have grasped right away why the U.S. backs Ukraine with political support and military equipment. But Mr. Rahe thinks he’d have wondered why the support isn’t full-bore. When your rival “gets enmeshed in a war with another power, shouldn’t you provide that other power with all the means to bleed your rival?”

Proxy wars are the result of a politico-military impasse, Mr. Rahe says. History “is no stranger to enduring strategic rivalries in which neither power can deliver a knock-out blow to the other.” Athens and Sparta are the first significant example. Rome and Carthage were exquisitely stalemated a short while later, as were England and France in the 18th century and the U.S. and the Soviet Union for nearly half a century after World War II.  That last conflict has resurfaced as the West grapples with Mr. Putin’s revanchist Russia.  The competition with China for global supremacy guarantees a strategic stalemate for the ages, unless there’s a conflagration over Taiwan.

Stalemate doesn’t mean paralysis, Mr. Rahe makes clear. “So, what do you do in situations like
that? You can bleed your opponent if they foolishly, or out of necessity, get into a war with a third power—even a small power—in circumstances where you can supply that power with what they need to fight.” That doesn’t have to be done covertly—as in Ukraine, “it’s usually apparent.”

Sparta’s intervention in Sicily was remarkable. It took the form of a single general, Gylippus, who was smuggled into Sicily in 414 B.C.  “Within a week of arriving,” Mr. Rahe, says, Gylippus “stiffened Sicilian resolve with his generalship to such an extent that he turned the tide of the war decisively against Athens.”  Rarely in history “has a power gained so much at so little cost through the efforts of a single man.”

Cut to Ukraine. The U.S. has stiffened Ukrainian resolve with a supply of advanced weaponry that has hit the Russian army hard. European countries have joined the effort, “some more enthusiastically than others, even as it should be acknowledged that our own supply of weapons has been unimpressive.”

Yet he thinks U.S. politicians, even those who support Ukraine, have been too risk-averse. “Are there dangers in a proxy war?” he says. “Yes, sure, you can get drawn into it and then your people begin to die.” Asked for an example, he says: “The American Revolution. It was a proxy war of the French, the Dutch and the Spanish. They wanted to knock the Brits down.”  But the French “got drawn in. At the Battle of Yorktown there were more French than American troops.” The American Revolution “was a great victory for France.  But there was a price to pay.  The French Revolution,” which was brought on in part by the fiscal ruin that resulted from overreach in projecting power.

“Some people argue that we’ve got the same problem now in the U.S.,” Mr. Rahe says, “and that the price of our bleeding Russia may be a breakdown of our economic system. I don’t happen to agree with them.”  The Cold War was a series of proxy wars, starting with Korea and Vietnam, where “the Chinese began but the Russians had more resources. It was very effective, and did us enormous damage. The American army was a mess after Vietnam.” The U.S. was able to “re-
turn the favor in Afghanistan, and that, arguably, brought down the Soviet regime.” Losing Afghanistan “was particularly humiliating because of the ideological commitments of the Soviet Union. Communism can never fail. It can never withdraw. Once a country is socialist, it’s socialist forever.”  Withdrawal from Afghanistan was “unthinkable,” but “they ended up having to do it.”

Is President Biden a modern-day Gylippus in his defense of Ukraine? The question makes Mr. Rahe laugh out loud. “It’s hard to think of him in those terms,” he says. “If anything, it is Volodymyr Zelensky.” The Ukrainian president famously refused a U.S. offer to evacuate him from Kyiv, saying, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”  That “put Biden in an impossible position. After the withdrawal from Afghanistan, he couldn’t be humiliated by a brave Ukrainian patriot wanting to defend his country and asking for help. Zelensky drove Biden.”

Mr. Rahe regrets that the West is fighting a “half-hearted” proxy war in Ukraine, but he says it’s
better than not fighting at all. He also cautions against arguments that the Ukraine crisis is the West’s fault and that aiding Ukraine has driven Russia into China’s arms. Russia “was already solidly aligned with China,” Mr. Rahe says. He contends that such arguments  “ignore Russian political culture, and ignore the fact that it will never be ‘saturated’ ”—a term Otto von Bismarck coined to describe a country that feels it has enough territory and therefore enough swagger.

Is the war in Ukraine also a proxy war for Beijing? “Well, you could argue, if you looked at it
from a Chinese perspective, that getting the Americans to expend resources in Ukraine strengthens China.” But Mr. Rahe thinks that would be counterproductive for the Chinese, inasmuch as it has galvanized Japan. “The Japanese response to the Ukraine war is to double its military budget,” he says. The Japanese have recognized “that wars have not been abolished and that we’ve gone through a 30-year period of delusion since the end of the Cold War.” Japan could acquire nuclear weapons and “will go nuclear if China moves on Taiwan.” The southernmost islands of Japan, he points out, are “closer to Taiwan than the Chinese ports are. Furthermore, the Japanese are also psychologically close to Taiwan.”

Mr. Rahe has a message to Republicans like Messrs. Trump and Ramaswamy:
“Listen to the Europeans. Listen to the Estonians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Poles, Czechs and Romanians.  Listen to the Swedes and the Finns. They think this is highly significant.” If Russia isn’t stopped in Ukraine, it may advance farther, drawing the U.S. in through its obligations under the NATO treaty. And “all the talk about the money we’re sending over, that’s cheap rhetoric. We’re not sending very much at all, in terms of our overall budget.”

As for Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Rahe thinks he’d “sober up in office.” He will see that “the first function of government is national defense, and that America’s longstanding policy is that if there’s going to be fighting, we don’t want it here. We want it over there. America’s defense perimeter? We want it way out there.” A proxy war in Eastern Europe is better than a war in
North America. It’s time for us to think like Spartans.
Title: Wife has Covid
Post by: ML on November 21, 2023, 09:12:08 AM
Just as week of Thanksgiving break at university started, wife decided to start Covid on the first day (last Saturday).

We were planning a week of solid work on renovating our second house here in the city.
Now she has an excuse.

All this surprising as we both got 4th covid vaccine 5 weeks ago.
No vaccine is ever 100% effective, but newstories indicate less severe Covid for those vaccinated.

Also surprising since she has lasted several years without getting Covid despite teaching classes with several infected students present in each class (before they were detected).

Anyway she is not in terrible shape, but not feeling great.

If and when (most likely) I catch it . . . it will probably be a different situation as I am in highest risk group based on multiple factors.

No need to isolate from her as she was spreading it toward me on days leading up to Saturday when we didn't know she was infected.
Title: Now I have Covid
Post by: ML on November 24, 2023, 01:46:03 PM
I tested positive for Covid today.
This despite multiple Covid vaccines, the most recent being the super-duper lastest formulation in October.
But, if all goes according to news reports, I will only suffer mildly for a week or so and not die of this.
Today was my first test, although I started not feeling well 2 + days ago.  Thought it was just seasonal allergies.
Wife tested positive a week or so ago and is slowly feeling better, but still not well.

Info says a person usually displays symptoms 5-6 days after contact with someone who is positive.
But catch is, the other persons don't know they have Covid at that earlier contact time.

Wife just heard today that another of our Ukrainian friends here was just diagnosed today.  He was at a medical research conference last week.  His two parents are living with them, and they are in high risk category for multiple factors.

Another local friend thinks infection for her occured at dental cleaning visit.
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Grumpy on November 24, 2023, 05:21:24 PM
 I hope your wife and you have a speedy and full recovery.
Title: Next year ALL illegal immigrants in California will be eligible for Medicaid
Post by: ML on November 29, 2023, 12:04:34 PM
Next year all illegal immigrants in California will be eligible for Medicaid.

Currently such coverage goes to illegal immigrants under the ages of 26 and over 50.
Title: Very interesting view inside the mind of Elon Musk
Post by: ML on November 30, 2023, 08:11:50 PM
A super interesting, just happened, interview with Elon Musk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BfMuHDfGJI
Title: Florida State - - - ouch !!
Post by: ML on December 03, 2023, 01:19:52 PM
But I think they got it right.

With the players who can play . . . Florida State could not put on a good game against any of the 4 chosen.

And their schedule was not as tough.
Title: Ukrainian sniper sets new world record by killing Russian officer 2.5 miles away
Post by: ML on December 05, 2023, 11:56:52 AM
Ukrainian sniper sets new world record by killing Russian officer 2.5 miles away.
http://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukrainian-sniper-breaks-cover-to-claim-world-record-hit-of-more-than-2-miles-2b1c820e

Vyacheslav Kovalskiy’s 12,468-foot shot Nov. 18 traveled further than the length of two Brooklyn Bridges in about 9 seconds to kill the enemy soldier, according to footage of the incident reviewed by The Wall Street Journal on Monday.

The sniper was given the go-ahead after his colleague used a laser to measure the distance and specialist software and meteorological data to calculate the effects of the wind, humidity, temperature and even the curvature of the Earth. The wind was projected to alter the trajectory of the bullet by about 200 feet.

After a test shot 1,000 feet to the side of the target revealed that they had gotten the wind speed wrong, Kovalskiy reset, reloaded and fired his bullet — half a foot long at 6.2 inches — at a speed of 960 mph.“You have to [shoot] immediately because the wind changes constantly,” Kovalskiy explained to the outlet.  

This time his aim was on target, breaking the old record for a kill shot by more than 850 feet.

But before it was even confirmed in the field that he had hit his target, Kovalskiy said, he was already packing up his rifle, a Ukraine-made Volodar Obriyu, which translates to “Horizon’s Lord.”

Kovalskiy has already won long-distance shooting competitions in Europe and North America.

US ballistics expert Brad Millard told the paper that the 9-second timing of the shot’s trajectory in the video was accurate.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12770127/Ukrainian-sniper-claims-new-world-record-picking-Russian-soldier-2-36-miles-away-using-Lord-Horizon-gun.html
http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/video-ukrainian-sniper-breaks-world-record-after-killing-russian-soldier-from-3-8-km-away-4591145
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUpf08lT5po
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvW6dnQoJ5I
Title: Re: Florida State - - - ouch !!
Post by: mhr7 on December 05, 2023, 08:22:56 PM
But I think they got it right.

With the players who can play . . . Florida State could not put on a good game against any of the 4 chosen.

And their schedule was not as tough.

No, FSU doesn't belong but I would replace Texas with Georgia. I know Texas beat Alabama at one point but I don't think they would now and I believe Georgia is still a top 4 team.
Title: Blues Fairy
Post by: ML on December 13, 2023, 09:32:21 PM
Blues Fairy used to post here.

I remember she posted once that men would honk horns at her even as she was pushing baby carriage.

With that body . . . I wonder why !!
Title: Re: Four Year Wonders Got Married: Ochka and ML
Post by: Gator on December 31, 2023, 10:23:20 AM
Thanks for keeping the light on with snippets of your happy marriage. 
Title: Ever wonder how the mess in the Middle East got started ?
Post by: ML on December 31, 2023, 06:28:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjnBmH8b0Ko
Title: Arctic Blast hit hard in most areas of USA
Post by: ML on January 21, 2024, 05:27:10 PM
Highs in upper teens and lows in single digits in middle America

Boe, Northkape and other of you 'northerners' please take these temps back where they belong!!
Title: Ukrainian refugee working for me now
Post by: ML on March 27, 2024, 06:59:45 PM
Our Ukrainian group told wife and I about a recently arrived refugee, wife and two children.

They are being sponsored by Catholic Church, but not sure if they are Catholic [ I guess they probably will be at some point !!  :-) ]

Anyway, he is thrilled to be making some money himself (helping with our renovation project) rather than completely relying on the sponsors.

He has degree in Mechanical Engineering, so knows his way around doing things.

I am a little unhappy that he is here rather than in military in Ukraine.
Wife can't get a real answer as to how he got out of Ukraine, but he did tell her that no bribes were paid.

They lived in Kharkiv and their apartment building was bombed.  Lived in bathroom for several weeks.  Then apartment was bombed again  so they moved to a town west of Kharkiv.  That town was bombed, so they moved to another town which was also bombed, etc., etc.

He is quite nervous and jumpy, probably PTSD; but a good worker.
Title: Ukrainian refugee working for me now
Post by: ML on March 27, 2024, 07:04:53 PM
Funny tidbit.

I do all my own plumbing, electrical, woodwork, drywall, painting, flooring,  and everything else except concrete.

The Ukrainian refugee asked what Engineering degree I had.

He was quite shocked when I told him my degrees were in Accounting, Finance and International business.