Я проверил свои знания русского языка и получил пятерку. Сходи, проверься?

phrase of the day

When did ignorance become a point of view?

no surprise here

You scored as Polish. Polish 88% Russian 75% Irish 63% Danish 50% Spanish 38% Dutch 38% Swiss 38% Italian 38% German 38% French 25% British 25% Belgian 25% Molvanian 13% Turkish 0% Which European nationality should you have created with QuizFarm.com

phrase of the day

As we begin to uncover the ideological roots of the rubber plant...

Svetlana Boym examining a famous Soviet painting from the Stalin era, "Moving to The New Apartment."
Svetlana Boym, Soviet Everyday Culture: An Oxymoron?

For some reason, I find this phrase absolutely hilarious. To me it's a perfect case of unintentional humour. Yet, it somewhat saddens me too - it's a sad realization that I will never be able to write something like this; even if I wanted to.

Adieu?

As one can say there has been many updates to this blog for a while. But no, I haven't forgotten that I have a blog. It's just that...[multiplicity of reasons to be inserted here] and yet, there's the main one - this blog was created with the intent to polish my writing skills. However, I am going to be really up to the "other kind of writing" for a while and therefore keeping this blog alive would be an additional burden.
Never say never, and perhaps I will be back after some time but for now it's a goodbye.


My sincerest thanks to those who ever read this blog. I really appreciate it.

Moscow doesn't believe tears: a PC feedback

Yesterday I watched "Moskva slezam ne verit" for the umpteen time, though it was probably the first time I saw it from the very beginning. Enjoyed it all over again. I usually write about my own impressions here but in case of this movie, after having become well versed in the 'correct party line of the PC code', I had a hunch that not all Westerners would find the story of a successful business woman who is desperate to get married very endearing. Turned out I was right. Here's what one IMDB reviewer wrote:

Being Western, I found myself questioning whether she had truly achieved something. The crown of achievement, we are taught, is independence, equality. Whereas she achieved that in a career and in her lifestyle, in her heart, she yearned for a man, to be the little wife, and to submit herself to a patriarchal marriage. But, in the end, who are we to judge another's happiness?

Isn't it hilarious? Especially the last part which helps to understand that cultural relativism trumps all other considerations. No matter what...

Italy - Germany

Hands down, the best game of the tournament.