What makes the FSU so interesting?

[Ooooops]

She was afraid I would be eating too many TV dinners if she didn't do this for me.

I'm sorry to say this but "plov" out of the freezer IS a TV dinner.      

[ML]

Yes, in one respect.  But, in her view, it was made with loving hands and tender thoughts, and . . . does not have all those unhealthy add-ons that food processors put in.  Very tasty also.   

Anyway, quit trying to screw up my romantic food stories.   

[Ooooops]

Anyway, quit trying to screw up my romantic food stories.   

[mendeleyev]

Today, 12 June, is День России, the "Day of Russia" and marks the independence of Russia from the former Soviet Union.




We should point out that Russian's don't view this in quite the same way an American would look at the 4th of July. For Russians alive today their country was the Soviet Union and it is hard to claim independence from yourself. Instead most Russians see this period in history as another incarnation of a state that has existed for over a thousand years.



For some Russians it is a day to travel to the dacha and tend to the summer garden and cut grass & weeds. Others took part in sport and educational competitions or in city celebrations and cultural presentations.



Meanwhile at the Kremlin President Putin presented the annual Russian national awards for achievement.



The ceremony took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall. The Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology was conferred to Anatoly Derevyanko for his outstanding research and publications on the earliest history of humans in Eurasia and the formation of anatomically modern humans.



Also receiving awards were Georgy Karzov, Yaroslav Shtrombakh and Alexei Dub for developing a new class of high radiation-resistant materials for nuclear reactor pressure vessels and methods for increasing their lifespan; and to Yefim Mezhiritsky, Sergei Nikulin and Viktor Shurygin for creating the Yars strategic missile system.



Others receiving awards for Science included Gleb Dobrovolsky (posthumously), Dmitry Pavlov and Andrei Adrianov for a series of fundamental works in studying biological diversity and its preservation and environmental safety assurance.


Recommended reading on the significance of the Day of Russia:

http://rbth.ru/society/2013/06/12/june_12_how_declaration_of_sovereignty_saved_russia_27001.html

[ML]

Yes, always interesting how the entities making up FSU celebrate independence from SU . . . as if there were some other country or group of people (outside the FSU) that kept them in bondage.

[mendeleyev]

Happy birthday Trans Siberian Railway!

Nine time zones, over 9,000 kilometers, sixteen major rivers, and from one continent to another is what happens while traveling through twenty-one regions on the Trans Siberian.




This trip can be traveled on three different routes and all trains travel using Moscow time which can be confusing when you several times away from Moscow.





June 13, 1891 was the date, 122 years ago, when Emperor Alexander II approved construction of a Trans-Siberian railway,  opening up the east to European Russia.





The journey is long--7 days from start to finish and so we encourage Western passengers to purchase tickets for either Kupe (2nd class) or Spalny (first class).

Here is a great link with very helpful information for travelers.

[mendeleyev]

Russia turns right on red.

Oh boy, we could play word games with that headline, but we won't. Starting this coming Monday the city of Moscow will test the idea of allowing motorists to turn right on red at six city intersections. Hopefully the city will do a good job of educating drivers to come to a complete stop before turning on red.

This is a city where accidents are already high and streets usually congested but many other countries use this successfully as a way to alleviate traffic backups at busy intersections and the city hopes that the right on red experiment will lead to increased traffic flow.


Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (r) with Deputy Mayor Pyotr Biryukov (l) inspecting improvements near Triumfalnaya Square.

The experiment will also be tested in Russia's southwestern city of Belgorod. Currently it is illegal to make a right turn on red in Russia.

[mendeleyev]

Sometimes I'm asked if the "chicks" in Russia are prettier than in the USA? Well, while there are pretty chicks in every country, of course they are prettier in Russia. What kind of answer do these cats expect me to give?!

So, to illustrate the point that Russian chicks are prettier, here is a one minute video with proof positive.

[SANDRO43]

Currently it is illegal to make a right turn on red in Russia.

As mostly everywhere else. How about the pedestrians who are crossing the same intersection with their GREEN light ? Is the Moscow Municipality increasing the number of ambulances ?

[ghost of moon goddess]

Sometimes I'm asked if the "chicks" in Russia are prettier than in the USA? Well, while there are pretty chicks in every country, of course they are prettier in Russia.

Mendy, I'm afraid that your assertion that the Russian chicks are prettier than their Western "sisters" can be regarded as "politically incorrect" 

[ML]

Mendy, I'm afraid that your assertion that the Russian chicks are prettier than their Western "sisters" can be regarded as "politically incorrect" 

Yes, just wait until this is reported to the American Poultry Association, then translated into chick talk and reported to subjects.

[ghost of moon goddess]

Yes, just wait until this is reported to the American Poultry Association, then translated into chick talk and reported to subjects.

What about cocks' opinion, is it supposed to take it into account in decision making on this subject? 

[LAman]

Still waiting to hear from the Russian and American Hens on this matter.......let alone their cocks'......

[Larry1]

Mendy, I'm afraid that your assertion that the Russian chicks are prettier than their Western "sisters" can be regarded as "politically incorrect" 

I imagine it would be politically incorrect.  But I think it's true.  One of the goals of political correctness is to remove certain questions from debate and discussion.  If these things cannot be examined and debated then one side has won the non-debate.

I think this has some similarity to techniques the Bolshies used, although in considerably milder form.  People were not allowed to question certain things.  If they did so they were enemies of the people and thus in line for retribution of some kind. 

I expect one of the defenders of political correctness to come along and tell me why it was a bad thing that the Communist Party got to decide what things could be debated but it's A OK that the arbiters of political correctness get to decide what things can be debated. 

[mendeleyev]

As mostly everywhere else. How about the pedestrians who are crossing the same intersection with their GREEN light ? Is the Moscow Municipality increasing the number of ambulances

Good point, Sandro, especially given Russian drivers. Oy Vey!

In countries who have it, two things are present:

- Drivers have cultivated a respect for the rights of Presbyterians pedestrians.

- Drivers are taught to look and yield to Presbyterians pedestrians.



 

[mendeleyev]

Mendy, I'm afraid that your assertion that the Russian chicks are prettier than their Western "sisters" can be regarded as "politically incorrect"

 

[Ooooops]

In countries who have it, two things are present:

- Drivers have cultivated a respect for the rights of Presbyterians pedestrians.

- Drivers are taught to look and yield to Presbyterians pedestrians.

Or you are in China and then none of the rules apply.      

[ML]

What about cocks' opinion, is it supposed to take it into account in decision making on this subject? 

Be careful when using this word with WM as it has a second meaning.

Similar to carefulness needed when talking about pussy cats and not using the word cat.

A business woman in Russia said to me:  You must come to my home and look at my tri-colored pussy.  I was in a panic until she clarified and I realized that she had a calico kitten.

[ghost of moon goddess]

Be careful when using this word with WM as it has a second meaning.

Similar to carefulness needed when talking about pussy cats and not using the word cat.

A business woman in Russia said to me:  You must come to my home and look at my tri-colored pussy.  I was in a panic until she clarified and I realized that she had a calico kitten.

Don't worry, I've been careful around WM for donkey's years ----  armed with some pages torn out of my English through pictures Workbook that I always keep on hand for the WM that look for a double meaning. 

For instance, these ones are helpful in situations when men lose focus and start panicking over names for domestic fowls or domesticated mammals 

[Belvis]

Don't worry, I've been careful around WM for donkey's years ----  armed with some pages torn out of my English through pictures Workbook that I always keep on hand for the WM that look for a double meaning. 

I guess you have the pictures with both meanings for clarity sake ? 

[ML]

Don't worry, I've been careful around WM for donkey's years ----  armed with some pages torn out of my English through pictures Workbook that I always keep on hand for the WM that look for a double meaning. 

For instance, these ones are helpful in situations when men lose focus and start panicking over names for domestic fowls or domesticated mammals 

Simpler . . . just refer those as roosters and donkeys.   

Unless you are asking for the first or calling them the second. 

[ghost of moon goddess]

Simpler . . . just refer those as roosters and donkeys.   

Unless you are asking for the first or calling them the second. 

For the sake of clarity, I prefer "more than one could dream of" ----- capons by Golden cockerel*

To avoid double entendres (if any)
*Cockerel: male chicken, i.e. young, i.e. not fully matured, i.e. never mated with hens rooster

[ML]

For the sake of clarity, I prefer "more than one could dream of" ----- capons by Golden cockerel*

To avoid double entendres (if any)
*Cockerel: male chicken, i.e. young, i.e. not fully matured, i.e. never mated with hens rooster

Ah yes, I love the 'cordon bleu' and also 'chicken Kyiv.'

Lucky for you that you are not in the USA, given your preference for cockerel vs cock.   

Here, there are penalties for adult females, as well as for adult males.

[ghost of moon goddess]

Oh man!     Had the Sun of Russian poetry known Americans, he might have altered his phrase: a Russian without opinion is like a "popka" without a hole.

Or was it Gogol who coined it? 

[Muzh]

A business woman in Russia said to me:  You must come to my home and look at my tri-colored pussy.  I was in a panic until she clarified and I realized that she had a calico kitten.

I don't understand why that put you in a state of panic. ???