Russian cosmonauts never had sex in space: Expert - World News, 195015

As if we haven't thought of enough positions or ways to do it, now we speculate what sex would be like in zero gravity. Would a member of the "Mile High Club" be upgraded to the next level for getting off in outer space?

Russian cosmonauts never had sex in space: Expert - World News, 195015

Increasing the Russian Workweek

Increase the work week to 60 hours?! Egads man, what are you thinking? Most countries spent the better part of the 20th century reducing the work week, and now some tycoon who's never swung a hammer or lifted a shovel wants to increase it?! Allowing business owner to personally manage their workforce sounds like a good idea, by reducing government involvment, but will not work in reality.

The French must be beside themselves, with their 35 hour week! Thankfully, Prime Minister Putin has other thoughts on this matter.

Putin against longer working week

16:34 20/04/2011 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he did not support the idea of increasing the working week recently suggested by a local oligarch.>>

Other news of the day

Subway bombing suspects confess: Belarus president - World - CBC News

Subway bombing suspects confess: Belarus president - World - CBC News

Yuri Gagarin: 50 Years in Space!

I would be remiss if I did not mention that yesterday, April 12, was the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic flight into space. Celebrations were held throughout Russia as well at Space exloration centers worldwide. Fifty years on Yuri continues to be a motivational ambassador for future space explorers. It was often said that Yuri had a smile that could warm up the cold war.

Cosmonautics Day Concludes with Fireworks Displays throughout Moscow
Apr 13, 2011

Russia's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Yury Gagarin's 108 minute journey into space finished on Tuesday evening in Moscow with coordinated fireworks displays across the capital, RIA Novosti. The massive salute to the Soviet hero involved sending up 50 fireworks at each of 13 locations, including Sparrow Hills overlooking the center of the city.

The celebrations were ordered by President Dmitry Medvedev and a Defense Ministry spokesman said they included two completely new fireworks – the bracelet and Tatyana's Day. All the fireworks were made in Russia, the spokesman added.

The first manned spaceflight took place on April 12, 1961, when Gagarin blasted off from Baikonur in the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan in the Vostok spacecraft. He parachuted to Earth less than two hours later in Russia's Saratov Region.

Events marking the anniversary were held in Baikonur and Saratov, as well as other Russian cities and 70 countries around the world.

Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service

The St. Petersburg Times - Russia’s Next Top Model?

The St. Petersburg Times - Russia’s Next Top Model?

**Sigh**It would appear that even Russia is not immune to mind numbing silliness of reality TV. Not to be outdone by the US version of Top Model, now we have Top Model po-Russki, hosted by Russian socialite Ksenia Sobchak. Well if anything, it will certainly be racier and prettier women. Why not, I'll check it out.

Tragedy at Minsk Subway

Following the bomb blast of April 12, 2011, in the Minsk Metro stations, Belarus is changed forever. News sources report that this is the first terror event in modern Belarus history, and hopefully the last. Neighboring Russia has a long history of terror attacks, and their people have come to expect this as a normal event. Belarus has enjoyed a relative quiet twenty years, since the Soviet Union broke up, and has often viewed terror as something that happens elsewhere. It is sad to see a countries emotions completely change overnight. It reminds me of how the US felt the day after the Sept 11 attacks in 2001. I don't wish those emotions on anyone.




Many of the elderly of Belarus remember the horrors of World War II, and thankfully, the subsequent generations have been spared needing to deal with fears such as this. It's almost as if the country has lost its innocence. The video I've posted below tells the story. It is in Russian, but the emotions are the same. Makeshift memorials have been erected, masses and services are being held, all to remember and pay respects to those who have died or have been injured. The second lady in the interview says that you can see the sorrow on the faces of the people in the city. I could see the sorrow in my wife's face as she saw the news clips on the Internet, of the horror that occurred in the same Metro station that I would buy her flowers before I picked her up from work. I'll never be able to think of it in the same way.



Tragedy at Minsk Subway » Belteleradiocompany

Minsk Metro Blast

You could not have hit me any closer to home. Minsk is my home away from home, and I've been through this station countless of times and will be there again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dead, wounded in Minsk metro blast - emergencies ministry

19:59 11/04/2011 An as yet unspecified number of people were killed in a blast that hit Minsk's Oktyabrskaya metro station on Monday, an emergencies ministry official said.>>

Other news of the day

Russian Street Art

Russian street art (literally) takes prize! I love this story, it is a perfect example of the sense of humor I spoke of.

Russian radical art group snatches state prize for FSB phallus

13:29 08/04/2011 The controversial Russian art collective Voina (War) has won a state prize for contemporary art, in a massive embarrassment for the Federal Security Service (FSB), the powerful successor to the KGB.>>

Other news of the day

The Russian Soul

One of the best attributes of the Russian people is their sense of humor. Having lived through some of the most horrific events in history, they still smile, and enjoy laughing more than any I've ever met. The television and movie programs that are produced there are second to none and deserve worldwide attention. One of my favorite programs is "Nasha Russia", or "Our Russia". A product of some of the most talented comics in Russia, I've watched this show for years. In December 2010 they produced the movie "Nasha Russia: Balls of Fate". The trailer is in Russian, but you can see, that it is funny, and a joy for any person studying Russian.

Russian Life: The Russian in me

Russian Life: The Russian in me: "The Russian culture has been a part of me for a long time. I grew up in a house that celebrated some Russian traditions, based on my mother'..."

Long Live Belarus

Long Live Belarus

When we read a travel magazine we are taken to exotic locations, often near turquoise water with white sand, or to Alpine ski resorts that cater to the rich and famous. I think that sometimes, In this day and age of competition, we take for granted, the natural beauty of wheat field or undisturbed forest, the silence of agricultural village at dawn, or the smell of chimney smoke in the air at dinner time.  These may conjure up memories of old times, for some, but in one corner of Europe it is the way life goes on.  Welcome to Belarus.

I am not a sentimental person, by any means. And it takes a lot to move me, but for some reason, when I leave Belarus each time, I choke up a little. Perhaps I should start from the beginning.  My relationship with Belarus began in late 1996 when I received orders to the US Embassy as a Marine Guard.  From then on, Belarus has been a part of my life.  I lived there for 16 months, and married a wonderful woman, with whom I have two gorgeous daughters.  If you had told me at the age of twenty-one, that I’d be as connected to Belarus as I am, I’d have called a damned fool and walked away.

Sadly, what most people know of Belarus is what they read, hear from others or see what’s on the TV after a demonstration.  Politics seem to overshadow anyone’s positive impressions of any location.  This holds true in Belarus as well, but if you’re smart and can put the seriousness of the current situation behind you, I would encourage you to get out and enjoy the scenery. The people of Belarus are warm and giving and you’ll never leave a table hungry.

For the art lovers we have the birthplace of Marc Chagall, military historians would  be interested in seeing the birthplace of General Tadeusz Kościuszko, there’s something for everyone. Occupying the crossroads of the geographic center of Europe, Belarus is a door from east to west. Sharing its western and northern borders with the European Union nations of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and its southern and eastern borders with Ukraine and Russia,  Belarus could not be any more centric if it tried. When I visit, I often take short trips to nearby countries, and it’s as simple as buying a train of short plane ride. In a matter of minutes you can change between three languages, and hear at least three more from travelers coming from the far corners of the old Soviet Union.

I am often impressed by the amount of goods that I can buy when I visit Minsk. Fruits from and vegetables from Uzbekistan, wine from Georgia, fish from the Baltic Sea, caviar from Siberia, and to wash it all down, fresh beer from local Belarusian breweries. A trip to the local market, and parting with ten dollars and you and three friends can have a nice picnic in the forest. Hell, who needs a market? During the summer, the intersections of any road become small farmers markets, with villagers peddling fruits and veggies, fresh sour cream, and catch of the day from the nearest lake.

I’ve spent many hours sitting outside of my in-laws house, at a makeshift table, eating slow cooked meats, fish, and salads, while talking, arguing, laughing, crying, but never walking away upset. No rush, no problem, this is the mantra that I hear again and again, and that I wish I could replicate in my hectic life in the States. I’m often asked whether it’s worth it, to work each day from morning until night, to put your kids in a daycare, and to rush home to cook dinner, so that I can repeat the process the next day. I haven’t been able to answer that yet. I’m impressed, jealous actually, that I visit other countries and see people who have far less than I do, and even less opportunity, and they are more content and happier than I am, why? I hope that I find the answer some day. In the meantime, I have my respite in knowing that my version of heaven is only a day away by flight. I think I’ll call home now.

The Russian in me

The Russian culture has been a part of me for a long time. I grew up in a house that celebrated some Russian traditions, based on my mother's heritage. I didn't always know why we gave gifts in January, or HAD to have a Kielbasa on Easter, but I figured it out later in life. As a Marine I was fortunate to be posted at the US Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. While not a part of Russia proper, Belarus has been significantly influence by Russia for nearly all of its history. It was there that I learned to speak Russian, and have a greater appreciation of the culture and people.

I am starting this blog to bring to life some of the interesting cultural aspects of the Russian speaking people, which will include many parts of the Former Soviet Union. What this blog will not be, is an outlet for political ranting, there is too much of that as it is. Instead, here, you'll hear of the lighter side of the Russian people; how the live, eat, play, and think. You'll also here of my strange, long road and assimilation into the culture. More on that later.