What a great video! It is an interview with CEO of Saachi and Saachi ad firm in Russia, Shannon Cullum and he gives his take on working and living in the Russian capital called Moscow…
Well worth a watch because when you are done you will have a better understanding of the great Moscow, Russia…
Windows to Russia!
ruble..
RBC, 02.11.2011, Moscow 11:18:05.Ukraine and Russia have clinched an agreement which paves the way for a transition to payments for a part of Russian natural gas supplies in Russian rubles as well as U.S. dollars, National Bank of Ukraine said in a statement late on Monday. Ukraine currently pays Russia some $1 bn a month for gas. Source >>>
Hmm…
Windows to Russia!
Sipping that wonderful cup of coffee (chicory) this morning got me doing some thinking’s. I have been studying and watching a real issue in the Western world that is manifesting itself into a destructive force…
I was thinking back to my past as a food service director. I was in a very political job situation in a state university in the USA. I had to be a liaison between a huge corporation that wants to make lots of money and a government state run institute. That is not an easy job by any means. You have to do things that are against your moral nature in such a position…
Well this example that I am thinking of has to do with something very simple but yet very undermining of our society. It has to do with groups like the LGBT. One day they (LGBT) came into my cafeteria that fed 4000 students at a time and proceeded to put table tents on all the tables promoting the LGBT. Now regardless about what group or who they are. The stated policy in the rules with the state university was no fliers or table tents in the cafeteria. So I removed them as I would any other group that tried to do the same thing several times a week…
I think that you get the gist already: They screamed that I was restricting their freedoms…
To make a long story short: I had to end up allowing the table tents for the LGBT. The federal government got involved, the state government got involved and they changed the rules just for the LGBT at my university. Due to the fact that the federal government would pull funding (lots of money) for minority groups to the university. But all other specialty groups could not be allowed to have flyer’s or table tents in the cafeteria… 🙂
I said okay! Have it your way but you have started a very bad trend…
It was not 6 months and our tables at the cafeteria had less room to eat, from the more than 10 table tents covering the tables. We had every special government group plus a few outside advertisements lined up down the middle of the tables. It was a sad sad thing to see and a waste of resources. I also thought about what this teaches our students…
Next on my thinking’s was about waitresses. I am an old school food service person and the person that comes to your table is a waitress or a waiter. Years ago all management of my company had a meeting. I gave the meeting. This meeting was about the fact that the federal government has made it mandatory that we change wording in our everyday usage and meanings…
We had a list of politically incorrect terms that could not be used anymore. Terms such as waitress became service personnel, employees became partners, firing became terminating and so on and so on and so on. It was no longer permissible to use a gender related term for any employee. Other words being called a waitress was degrading for that woman… 🙁
I myself could go on forever but simple fact is years ago I realized that as a society we really messed up. We allowed the governments to control how we think and what we do. It started many many years ago. It has grown into a huge issue. We allowed smaller groups to control how we live, work, think, act and decide…
Just like we decided that wearing fur was a evil thing to do. Just as we feel that minority groups deserve funding. Just as we can not call a female service personnel a waitress. Just as we can not…
The point is why do we have to play all these games in the first place? It seems to me that this is all more of a weakness in society than a strength. For a strong society that is proud and believes in what they do. They do not have to feel, that they have to change what they say and do and think…
I then thought about a incident that occurred more than once in my life. But this is the true incident I will repeat for you:
I was uptown doing some business one day many many years ago in my American home town. While I was finishing business at the local tax office, I noticed a gathering of men in the town square. They all put on KKK coverings and had a grand parade. It was legal and in America as in Russia you have to get a permit for such parades. They did and were legal. Now I am not against any group expressing their desires and wishes. I do not care if it is the KKK or the LBGT or PETA or whatever. But I think that you must be civilized, nice and morally decent while doing your expressions…
There happened to be a young black man in the town that day. He was from the university 30 miles away. He was a basketball player for the university. As you can get to the gist about now. One black boy and a whole bunch of KKK members parading the town square. Not a good issue…
I finished up business and when I walked out into the street I saw that they had the black boy surrounded. All these funny looking idiots threatening a person. I listened a second and realized that it was soon to get out of hand. I pushed my way through the crowd and grabbed the boy by the hand. I led him over to my truck. Yelling at the crowd the whole time. They were all taken by surprise. For this was a white boy town and no one had ever questioned the KKK here before. I put the young man into my truck and told him to stay quiet and still. I then turned to the crowd and ripped the head covering off the leader. He was my friend in the town. He was looking down because he knew that I was pissed. I told everyone to take off those silly costumes. They did and then I told them this. “You are the reasons that we have so many stupid ass, rules and regulations to protect minorities and that makes me disgusted…” and then I turned to the people standing watching the whole event on the sidewalks by the building fronts. I said to them, “You are all part of the problem. You are too scared to help!”
This is a true story and it was at this time that I realized that people had serious issues in the world and it is because of us that we allow everything to get out of control be it from government to our own home…
I took the young man back to the university. He talked to me on the way. I did ask him if he was stupid? He said he did not think so until now. He said that he realized that he was in deep trouble and never thought that America was this way. He was always told that America is such a perfect world. He also said that he asked his god to help him and then I appeared and pulled him out of harms way. He said it made a believer of him in his god…
I listened to him all the way to his dorm and after he thanked me for the 20th time and was getting out of the truck. I said one last thing to him. “Next time someone like me may not be there. So be careful and do not play the fool again. People will not help you because they are too scared or they are part of the hate. Being a government declared minority is a deficit to you not a benefit as you are led to believe.” He looked at me and said could he come and talk sometime? I said yes and that turned into a huge group discussion of people from all over the world, as time went by. I spent years talking to Africans, Koreans, Vietnamese and many other foreigners about life in America after this incident. At night in my cafeteria we would have meetings and discuss all kinds of issues. This all came about because I would listen to them and tell the truth back, about the way things really are…
I taught that respect, morals, decencies and kindness are cornerstones that we should build a world on…
Yes this was a three cup of coffee article and maybe you don’t want to believe me. That is okay! Because I have done and seen a lot. This dawned on me the other day when Sveta looked at me and said in response to a down time in feelings that I have over my health. She said, “You have done so much compared to most people in the world! You should be happy!” It dawned on me that she was correct. It also dawned on me that I always taught people to believe in yourself, not in what others try to give you as consultation for being what you are not…
Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia!
PS: Yes – I had a lot of people tell me that I should not tell the truth to these foreign students. I had to laugh when I would hear that kind of statements. For you see most of these students were not kids and they had degrees in their country all ready. There was doctors and lawyers and such. I remember a 4 hour talk with a doctor that was arrested during the Chinese Tiananmen Square issues. He was a strong believer in democracy but came to realize that American democracy was tainted with death…
I found that sad to see in someones eyes reflecting back at me…
Something new will be held on Wednesday in Moscow. The first ever contest of the grandmothers (babushkas)…
Called Super-Babushka 2011, the Department of Government of the City Social Welfare has announced…
A total of 105 babushkas all over 50 years old have applied to compete for the titles of Moscow’s most elegant, modern, smart, business minded, creative, artistic and cheerful grandmother…
“They are the core of any family, supporting children and grandchildren, create intimacy and harmony,” the department said in a statement. “Not only are the keepers of family traditions, they are the link between generations. Her energy, wisdom and lust for life are worthy of an admiration.”
The babushka traditionally plays an important role in Russian society. Babushkas raise their children and grandchildren do most household chores, shopping – and therefore often rule the roost in the house… 🙂
Now some of you will ask, “What is a babushka?” That was a good question and I am glad you asked…
From Russian бабушка (bábuška, “grandmother, granny”), diminutive of баба (bába, “old woman”). Simply speaking your grandma…
An example that I see a lot in Russia is that babushkas anywhere at anytime will discipline someone. Lets say your kid is acting the fool on the playground! (Yes I know he would never do that!) But lets just say he is being a rotten brat. Well believe you me there is a babushka watching. She will take care of the situation sooner than later. Even if the child is a stranger to the babushka and even if the mother or father of the kid is nearby (Yes, ignoring their kid!) they will not say anything to the elder babushka that is correcting their child. This is because 99% of the time the babushka is correct and they respect the wisdom of the babushka in any case…
Russians have tremendous respect for their elderly (all elderly) as do most cultures in the East. This is the exact opposite to what happens as the norm in the West. The Babushka is considered very very important in society and that is “just right” as Sveta would say…
I have to say that if you keep the babushkas happy, then life in Russia will be happy…
Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia!
The Russian tall-ship Kruzenshtern is in the Spanish port of Vigo at the end of a two-week voyage from the Canaries…
The call will last 4 days and include on-board visits and a packed bilateral cultural program…
The Kruzenshtern or Krusenstern (Russian: Барк Крузенштерн) is a four masted barque and tall ship that was built in 1926 at Geestemünde in Bremerhaven, Germany as the Padua (named after the Italian city). She was surrendered to the USSR in 1946 as war reparation and renamed after the early 19th century Baltic German explorer in Russian service, Adam Johann Krusenstern (1770–1846). She is now a Russian Navy sail training ship. (Wikipedia)
This ship is incredible and I try to follow it all over the world…
Windows to Russia!
After all most 8 months, the NATO war in Libya is in the liquidation phase on Monday, despite the calls of the provisional leadership of Libya for the operation to continue…
The Security Council voted Oct. 27 to withdraw from the country the no-fly zone entailed by the UN, and the completion of the campaign of the coalition of the West…
The UN mandate for NATO’s action came after reports that the former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was using heavy weapons and aircraft from the Air Force in the repression of the opposition. The reports were later shown to be exaggerated, but ignored by all…
The NATO operation, which began in late March and replaced a bombing campaign by the U.S.A. and allies which was at least a two week command…
During the 8 months, NATO conducted more than 26,000 sorties including 9600 strike sorties… (Remember these numbers are without the first two or three weeks of bombing!)
Critics said that NATO had violated the spirit of the UN resolution, which limited their activities to the protection of civilians, and was a party de facto at war in the civil conflict in Libya. He was also criticized for supplying the rebels with arms in violation of UN embargo, aimed at the coalition to enforce, and turning a blind eye to the thousands of troops from Qatar and the UAE who fought against Gaddafi…
The total death toll of the war is estimated at at least (not less than) 30,000 people by the new government themselves. How many of the victims were civilians killed by NATO bombs is unclear. The alliance said it attacked only military targets, but during the conflict regularly loyal to Gaddafi civilian standing by Gaddafi died in air strikes…
It is difficult to see how those who toppled the regime of Gaddafi can claim moral authority. A number of reports have emerged about the mass executions, forced evictions and other forms of persecution in the rebel-controlled territory. The circumstances of the death of former leader also are highly suspect. Gaddafi was allegedly tortured and summarily executed after capture…
Interim leadership of Libya take full responsibility for national security on Tuesday. They have the task of rebuilding and restoring order in a country awash with weapons and torn by factional divisions. These are people who killed civilians with no remorse just as NATO did…
There are fears that Libya, a socialist secular country under Gaddafi, now become a nation living under Sharia fundamentalist…
The war continues as we read this in Libya. A tribal system that is on the verge of going out of control has been unleashed by the Western intervention…
Windows to Russia!
PS:
“The situation in Libya is already dangerous and it tends to spiral out of control, as the Islamists settle with Gaddafi supporters. The rebels have dug up the grave of the mother of Gaddafi and are requiring information about the whereabouts of Gaddafi’s son Seif al- Islam in the exchange for her bones. If such savage acts are already taking place, you can imagine what will they begin the struggle for political influence, oil, weapons and food. The West will not be able to offer any help in this situation and in 5-10 years it will become clear that Libya needed a strong ruler, such as Gaddafi. This is the same the same conclusion with regarding Iraq. ”
Zapekanka: there is nothing better than a simple Russian cheesecake. A true afternoon delight…
This cheesecake is perfect with an afternoon hot tea. As you know Russians rival the English on hot tea drinking and they just love their biscuits and cookies while they drink tea. If you are having guests over, then this simple cheese cake will fit the bill and it makes everyone know that you care enough to bake for them… 🙂
600 grams of cottage cheese,
1 medium egg,
6-7 tablespoons flour,
half a cup of sugar,
1 teaspoon of baking soda neutralized with vinegar,
a pinch of salt,
50 grams of sour cream,
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract,
2 to 3 teaspoons of raisins
Mix the cottage cheese with all the other ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Then put everything in a glass oven plate plate that has been greased with butter or Crisco.
Spread sour cream on top.
Bake in a medium heat oven for 35 to 40 minutes.
I like to bake it without the sour cream then put a healthy spoon full on it while it is warm. That is yummy. But to follow Russian tradition then spread the sour cream on top and it will probably burn some but that is okay. Just peel the burned layer off and eat…
This is very much like my sweeties recipe of a cottage cheese pudding that she makes and I prefer hers because she makes it with very little or no sugar…
Posted by Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…
While sipping my cup of coffee (chicory) I had to frown at a reader that keeps sending me e-mails. He knows that he is not wanted around Windows to Russia, but he does everything he can to keep implying smart remarks. I have a folder on him with literally a thousand sent items over the e-mail system. He is the king of the e-mail irritants by a long shot now. This ardent fan of Windows to Russia even fakes e-mail address (He uses Medvedev’s name, Putin’s name and other such!) to get around the spam filter that keeps him mostly at bay. But it is starting to look like in my eyes, that I am being harassed…
As I have stated before that being harassed is not something that I take lightly and this person has stepped over the line and has gotten weird in his affliction. Yes this is a person from America. I made the mistake of communicating with this person and feel like a fatal attraction started…
Well enough of that and I feel sorry for this individual, but he needs to get over the fact that I really do not want him to be associated at all with me in any form or manner. So as I have sent in the past, e-mails to his original address and asked for him to please stop sending e-mails and snide remarks. I will post it here in Windows to Russia. If that does not work then I will be sending the thousand+ e-mails to someone who can help in America…
Maybe he thinks he is being cute or smart or maybe he is what he seems to me. A very hateful American that does not like to be told NO!
I guess that you could say that things are much better on Windows to Russia. The hate mail is mostly gone and maybe that is why I am able to concentrate on this one individual. In the past he was part of a huge group of hatred and now that the rest are gone he stands out like a sore thumb…
Maybe he wants attention and does not care how he gets it. So I call him my harassing imbecile of Windows to Russia…
So please it is time to stop and please go away and bother someone else. You are not wanted at Windows to Russia…
Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia!
PS: There – that said it again and now it is on public record as I was told to present it…
This Sunday, Russia for the first time in 30 years will not changed to “wintertime”…
Previously, Russia spent the winter putting their clocks back one hour (like much of the world) on the last Sunday of October…
In February 2011, President Dmitry Medvedev announced plans to abolish the “winter clock reset” in Russia, in a move aimed at saving Russians stress at the annual time change…
Tick Tock says the clock and smiles…
Windows to Russia!
I was drinking my morning cup of coffee and was thinking about the dogs all over the Metro stations of Russia. It just so happens my wife with her trusty new camera, took some pictures of the dogs in the Metro and outside the stations…
The people in Russia do really love their Sobak (Собак). They will walk over them, around them and past them but not disturb them. They will feed them and care for them…
These are city dogs. Dogs that have no home but the city streets or in this case, the Metro stations…
When I first came to Moscow I was not very happy to see all these dogs. I asked where is the animal control officers are to clean out these dogs. My Wife looked at me like I was crazy! I quickly understood that these dogs are totally accepted all over the city. They are part of life in Moscow. I have watched them come and go from metro stations, People hold the doors so the dogs can get in and out. When you walk the Metro station you see little plates of food left in the corners for the dogs. The pregnant dogs are given blankets and cardboard to sleep on. The Cобаки are at home in the Metro…
This is a classic example of care and feeding but no ownership implied…
I accept them now and think that it is normal to see dogs sleeping in the middle of the floor in one of the busiest Metros in the world…
That is Russia for you!
Kyle
PS: I thought that this is an appropriate post to bring back to life from the old days. In 2007 I posted this and until recently it held true. But now these dogs are gone…