TR to Moscow

[OlgaH]

The problem with opera is that it is a compromise between theatrical action and music. The best operatic pieces are arias, where singers blast off on some emotion while dramatic action stands still. Since an opera is a story, action is made to proceed through often boring recitativi which, as the name implies, tell about developments between one aria and the next.

IMO, one of the most enjoyable operas of all is Bizet's Carmen  .

For me it is also about acting art. I have noticed that their acting very often is full of so called "theatrical cliché" in feeling performing. I understand they also should compromise between tempo-rhythm of music and tempo-rhythm of their roles' emotional experience, but I also can see not so skillful actor techniques in their acting.


Agree about Carmen 

[Blues Fairy]

IMO, one of the most enjoyable operas of all is Bizet's Carmen  .

Agree 100%.
Seguedille ("Pres des remparts de Seville...") is my favorite piece, I hum it all the time!

[SANDRO43]

For me it is also about acting art. I have noticed that their acting very often is full of so called "theatrical cliché" in feeling performing. I understand they also should compromise between tempo-rhythm of music and tempo-rhythm of their roles' emotional experience, but I also can see not so skillful actor techniques in their acting.

That'd be for the stage director to correct and improve upon, if possible. The involvement of reputable stage directors has increased over these past 30 years or so, for instance I recall ecstatic reviews of some Zeffirelli's contributions, dating from the times of Maria Callas's heyday (never saw one live, though, only excerpts on TV and they looked alright, acting-wise).

[SANDRO43]

Agree 100%. Seguedille ("Pres des remparts de Seville...") is my favorite piece, I hum it all the time!

BF, Carmen is simply replete with unforgettable arias . For those unfamiliar with your reference, here's Teresa Berganza and Placido Domingo's version:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg88_tF733k[/youtube]

Carmen's 4 acts are much more digestible than any of Wagner's operas, for instance.

Incidentally it's rather curious how many French composers (Ravel is an example among others, although he was born in the Basque part of France) seem to have been so successful in portraying what we believe is Spain's spirit. Territorial proximity, maybe ?

[docetae]

That'd be for the stage director to correct and improve upon, if possible. The involvment of reputable stage directors has increased over these past 30 years or so, for instance I recall ecstatic reviews of some Zeffirelli's contributions, dating from the times of Maria Callas's heyday (never saw one live, though, only excerpts on TV and they looked alright, acting-wise).

You should see the rake progress ...

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVW_M7aC4gM[/youtube]

[Diplomacy]

It looks like you are doing well, and she seems like one of the good ones.  I will throw a theory out there for you.  The fact that you cook, know architecture, theater, sent flowers, and clean is strange and funny at the same time to them.

You want to see some fun, be a fly on the wall as my friend and I are in action. His MIL is out of her element with men like us around.  We made a great meal, cleaned up after it, was watching his son(who was our helper), weeded the garden, and prepared the bulbs for spring flowers.

His MIL, just about cried at some points, we had to find her things to do.  She is just not used to men doing all this sort of stuff.  She does admit we do a great job, and we are beautiful men.  But her and his wife giggle and banter back and forth.  I got enough of the conversation to know that we are best husband material, because we do much more than work. 

Of course then I got the giggle monster in Ukraine now, after she hears the reports from his wife and MIL.  On top of the fact that the children love me.  The little boy says all happy and says he is glad I am back to see him.  He claps, gives me a high 5, then hugs me and says you come back.  Then says I can not leave, when it is time to leave.

Now all the time she asks, what I made for food.  Did you wash your clothes?  Clean your house?  Then giggles and says I make best husband.

Of course, that may be isolated, and they are best friends.  So they think the same thing is funny.  Just a theory.

[Sculpto]

Awesome story Diplomacy..

OK now get this you guys.. I don't know if she is really serious about it.. but, she has told me on numerous occasions that she would make the money so I can dedicate myself to my art work which has suffered over the last few years because of the complexities of art world economics. 

I can't know if that is really what will happen.. or if I would even be comfortable with it.. but I never expected such a proposal from a RW. 

[Misha]

OK now get this you guys.. I don't know if she is really serious about it.. but, she has told me on numerous occasions that she would make the money so I can dedicate myself to my art work which has suffered over the last few years because of the complexities of art world economics.

Okay, this is confusing. Do you mean that she would work in the United States? Or does she mean that you could live in Russia and she would work to support your art work?

As for the former, that is not very realistic. She would be a young Russian-language journalist seeking to establish a career in the United States. Because of language issues, I have my doubts as to whether she could get a decent paying job. 

I can't know if that is really what will happen.. or if I would even be comfortable with it.. but I never expected such a proposal from a RW. 

Well, to me it seems as if she might have unrealistic expectations as to what is in store for her as an immigrant in another country. This may pose problems IMHO in the long run.

[Sculpto]

Okay, this is confusing. Do you mean that she would work in the United States? Or does she mean that you could live in Russia and she would work to support your art work?

As for the former, that is not very realistic. She would be a young Russian-language journalist seeking to establish a career in the United States. Because of language issues, I have my doubts as to whether she could get a decent paying job. 

Well, to me it seems as if she might have unrealistic expectations as to what is in store for her as an immigrant in another country. This may pose problems IMHO in the long run.

I am well aware of the potential limitations of what she dreamed out loud.  On the other hand I meet with Russians and Ukrainians at least weekly at my job, sometimes more often, and they seem to be doing very very well in this country so I would never underestimate anyone.  This is an exceptionally smart and talented young woman who is already in a position of responsibility.  Besides.. in my dream world the best place to live is neither the USA or Russia but in the mountains of southern Mexico.  For a creative person with a good education there are some very interesting opportunities in that area.  I have sent her a lot more photos of that area than I have of California and she is a lot more interested in Mexico than California.  Frankly with the way the economy is going it might be better there in the future anyway since their economy is almost 100% local and without globalization issues.

[Misha]

I am well aware of the potential limitations of what she dreamed out loud.  On the other hand I meet with Russians and Ukrainians at least weekly at my job, sometimes more often, and they seem to be doing very very well in this country so I would never underestimate anyone.

Yes, but there are differences between an artist and a journalist. Linguistic barriers are not as high for an artist as a journalist. A journalist sells their ability to write well. This would be difficult for a Russian-speaker in the United States (or Mexico) unless they can find a job at a local Russian-language newspaper.

Besides.. in my dream world the best place to live is neither the USA or Russia but in the mountains of southern Mexico.  For a creative person with a good education there are some very interesting opportunities in that area.  I have sent her a lot more photos of that area than I have of California and she is a lot more interested in Mexico than California.  Frankly with the way the economy is going it might be better there in the future anyway since their economy is almost 100% local and without globalization issues.

What exactly does this mean that their economy is 100% local? Sorry, but there are not economies IMHO that are not global in one way or another. What exactly are the opportunities for an American artist and a Russian-language journalist in the mountains of Mexico? Sorry, I am just not getting something here.




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[Sculpto]

First of all there are several Russian language media outlets in the Bay Area.  I know a woman here who is from Novosibirsk who worked at Siberian Vogue and is working for the SF russian language weekly.  So, there are jobs...

Secondly.. languages can be learned.. she has self taught herself an amazing amount of English int he year I have known her.  When we first started speaking on the phone the conversations were really short.  Now we are able to actually have decent conversation as long as I keep it relatively simple and don't use slang.  In a year she could be fluent in English.  If she needed to learn Spanish I am quite sure she would be able to do so very easily after learning English. 

The economy in the part of Mexico I spend my time is literally almost 100% local.  They produce 99% of their own food, 90% of their own clothes and other household goods like furniture, ceramics, building materials and so on.  The only things imported are cars which even today number less than 20,000 in a city of 200,000 and electronics like computers and tvs.  They have a strong export sector in flowers, coffee, raw chocolate, exotic lumber, oil, hydroelectric power, and several other areas that more than offset their limited imports. The entire Zapatista rebellion was predicated on reinforcing and developing the local economy.  While the rest of the world was globalizing they localized and I am 100% sure they will be in a better and more stable situation when all of this is done as a result.  Lots of different parts of Mexico are in the same scenario.  Thankfully not everyone in the world bought into the myth of American "free markets" or shipping jobs to China and India and a lot of people in alot of places saw right through the lie that is now coming home to break our backs.  Now, even as I say that I should point out there are two economies in that part of the world.  One economy is the peasantry that essentially lives outside the money economy instead living by a millenia old system of barter, and the other is the "townie" economy that lives on commerce and light industry.  I can tap into the townie economy easily enough.  SCLC is an artists town like Taos or Santa Fe in New Mexico or San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico.  People go there to buy art.  My Mexicano artist friends who still live there are doing quite well for themselves and have a really nice quality of life not encumbered by commuting, insurance payments, processed foods and the moral poverty of supporting an illegal war.  There are numerous actual paper daily newspapers that are all quite stable and do a lot of investigative journalism.  Aside form my artist friends down there I know dozens of journalists who would be fascinated to have an actual Russian to work with.  The University still has a strong Marxist leaning so they would instantly turn a Russian into a celebrity.  To this day giving Russian names to children is HUGE.  Count the numbers of Elenas, Katerinas, Victorias, Marinas, Yuris, Ivans and so on you will find in Mexico.  They are common.  Mexico is the ONLY country that accepted Trotsky.  (I have been to his house which is now a museum just a few blocks from Frida Khalo)

Misha I don't think or live inside a box and have made an extraordinary effort to find a girl with the same qualities.  if she decides to do something.. she will do it. 

[Misha]

Well, the problem with living outside the box figuratively is that it can lead to someone living in a box literally 

[OlgaH]

if she decides to do something.. she will do it. 

That's true  If she has a desire and patience she will do just fine.  She is not the first who will make a career abroad and I think she will not be last 

Robert and I are planning our next cruise... I would love to go to Mexico.   

[Sculpto]

Misha,
having lived in a box in a prior life I can tell you it is not all that bad.  LOL  So, lets just say different strokes for different folks and call the discussion over.

Olga.. if you are planning a Mexico trip we should talk.  I can stear you in the right direction to avoid tourist traps and really experience the country in a very safe and nice way.

[groovlstk]

First of all there are several Russian language media outlets in the Bay Area.  I know a woman here who is from Novosibirsk who worked at Siberian Vogue and is working for the SF russian language weekly.  So, there are jobs...

Sculpto,

I know I'm jumping the gun here but something to keep in the back of your mind should things work out and progress to the point where you file a K1: never let her fall into the trap of working for Russian firms operating in the US. People may give me flack for saying this, but they are ghettos of low pay, no health insurance, and bad working conditions. I'm talking in very general terms here, of course, but these firms prey on Russian expats who are either here illegally or don't have the language skills or confidence to work for American firms. Don't let her go off in that direction even if it's more comfortable for her.

[Sculpto]

Groov,
I saw that this summer with the Ukrainian and Russian girls I met here in SF.  Most of them came over on the work/travel visa program and overstayed their visas.  All of them are working for ex Soviets either as day care providers or in retail.  In every case they are being underpaid and forced to work hours that are not in conformation with California labor law.  Even now that these girls got their papers in order and are here legally they are still being abused by their employer.  I was also told by the girls not to come to the daycare to pick them up because I was making the owner nervous.  Clearly she was afraid I might report her and cause her scam to come crumbling down.  This woman has all the girls living in apartments she owns and she deducts rent directly from the cash she pays them.  She is not taking withholding or paying SSI nor providing health insurance.  I asked the Russian girls why they will put up with such abuse.. could it be so terrible where they are from.  Then they told me to read about Vladikavkaz. 

You know, we sit here and talk about how amazing Moscow culture is these days but it is easy to forget Russia is still a mess in many many ways. 

If my girl comes over she will have me to watch her back.  I know how the system works and my best friends wife is an extremely well known labor attorney and for a rebel as I am I also know two SF supervisors well enough that they take my calls in their offices if I need something like graffiti abatement or getting the street cleaners to run the machine at 5mph like they are supposed to instead of the 25 mph they try to get away with.  For an old hippie I can be pretty intimidating if I need to be. 

[Diplomacy]

Yes, sculpto all that matters is that you are both perfect for each other.  I do think they were just trying to help, not rain on a parade.  Of course, I am sure this was not an immediate goal and one over time. 

The point that is important IMO, is that she would be willing to do that for you.  You both are driven by passion and art.  It is a different philosophy than a lot of people have.  I think history proves it is a thin line between genius and insanity.  It is very possible to be consumed by one's passion. 

Be it sculptor, painter, business person, or politician.  You can name numerous famous minds that have crossed over to a dark place.  On the flip side, there are many that have done tremendous good under the same condition.

[Sculpto]

Most artists I know live their lives walking a fine line on the border of chaos.  some handle it perfectly well their whole lives and some lose it and get the "artists disease" of depression and sometimes worse.

I guess I have been one of the lucky ones who has always been able to stay on that edge without it making me crazy.  It has benefits though of not be afraid to take big risks sometimes and live life by my own rules.

Anyway, I had a long yahoo chat with my girl last night.  She told me she will arrive in Moscow a couple days before me and wanted to know if it would be ok for her to move into the apartment a day early so she can clean and get food and have everything ready for me.  She insists on paying for this extra day herself.  I gave her the number for the Moscow contact for the apartment and called him to let him know she would be calling.  He said no problem he will meet with her and give the keys. 

The excitement in her voice is making me nuts in a good way.  I can't wait to see her.  I think it will be very very emotional in the airport.  When we first started communicatig a year ago I had a gotee.  I shaved it off several months ago and she didn't like it.  She asked me if I was still shaving and I said no, I let it grow back for her but it came out grey (UGH!) and is that ok for her.  She said yes she prefer it that way. 

I get the feeling I might not be seeing much of Moscow on this trip.   

Oh and BTW, her sister had her baby yesterday.. a little boy without a name.  Is it normal that kids are born without names?

[Sculpto]

My girl just got on the train in Tomsk headed for Moscow.  She will arrive a few days before me.  She will be staying with a girlfriend the first couple days and then move into the apartment the day before I arrive to get things set up and then meet me at the airport the next day.  She will send sms during the trip when they make stops in major cities where she will have phone service. 

Tomorrow I have the day off and will finish up my prep.  I need to go by the travel agent and pick up my passport with the visa stamp, bring some clothes to the dry cleaners and have them cleaned and pressed and made ready for packing, lay out all my stuff I want to bring and begin the culling process.  I prefer to travel  light but I want to be prepared for any event or circumstance and I would prefer not to have to deal with getting laundry done as there is no washing machine in the apartment we are staying in. 

Last night I took a rather large piece of raw Mexican amber and fashioned it into the shape of a heart.  I designed it to be imperfect.  If all goes well with my girl I will present this gift to her near the end of the trip.  I mounted it to a basic gold chain, but, from what i have been reading about jewellry I am thinking I might be better off getting the gold once I am there.  I also have a very special bottle of wine given to me a number of years ago by a client I became very good friends with.  I have been saving this bottle for a special occasion.  I am also going to bring a bottle of Frangelica (my favorite) and maybe a congac.  I would like to bring some cannabis truffles a friend of mine makes but I think it is too big  a risk as they do have a distinct green choclate aroma (YUM).   I will probably go the Godiva or maybe Sees Candy route on normal chocolate though there are  a number of local artisan chocolate makers in the Bay Area so I may decide to splurge and get the really good stuff. 

[Sculpto]

I just got an SMS from my girl.  It means the train is past Ekaterinaburg.  I tried to call her but it didn't work.  No biggie.. man, my heart is thumping...

One of my clients is really pissing me off.  He owes me $1500 and just put me off till Friday and I need to be packed and ready to go to the airport on Friday night.  If this guy flakes on me I am gonna go to his house and tear out his freakin cabinets.

[Sculpto]

I talked to my girl this morning.  She arrived in Moscow safely and was out drinking with her friends.  I got another "HI ERIC" from the group over the phone..   I get the feeling there is going to be a bunch of people waiting for me, not just one girl... LOL

[BC]

Good luck Sculpto.

Keep your feet (expectations) on the ground, you're already at 35,000 feet and haven't even boarded the flight yet.

"Mr. Sculpto, please proceed immediately to gate B35 for immediate boarding.. -Last call..  In-flight boarding is not allowed."

[Sculpto]

Thanks BC.. anticipation is difficult.. once I am on the ground I will be fine.

[2tallbill]

Sculpto, I am from the Bay Area as well. I have a couple of suggestions
for gift ideas.

1. San Francisco has two chocolate factories Ghirardelli and Sees make their
truffles here. I would find out if your GF likes dark chocolates or milk chocolates.
Then buy a couple of small boxes of Sees truffles and a couple of gift bags of
Ghiradelli's . Most RW like hearing the fact that their are two world famous
chocolate factories here.

2. Buy a couple picture books of San Francisco, the bay area and Califonia. They
have several at either Barnes & Noble or at Borders. You can show her pictures
of some of the many sites around here. I will bet that the pages will be "dog eared"
in no time. Maybe one of the Napa area, especially if you are bringing a Napa Valley
bottle of wine.

Udachi ! (good luck!)

Bill

[Sculpto]

Hiya Bill,
Great minds think alike.  I already did both of your suggestions.  I got the Ghirardelli sampler and the Sees autumn truffle collection.  I also got a bottle of Frangelica which is my fav and goes great with chocolates.  LOL!  Plus I made a photo book of my own photos from my Mexico travels for her.  Only about 40 hours now and I will finally be on a plane.  With all the tossing and turning I have been doing at night I should have no problem sleeping on the New York-Moscow leg which is good.  Should keep the jet lag to a minimum on the way there.  Coming back will be another story.. I will arrive at SFO at 10 pm and have to be at work the next morning.
E