Windows to Russia

Seriously we are a world of children acting like adults….yet we embrace such actions as reality!

Excuse Me!

I am flabbergasted over the latest bull hockey…..

Turkey invades Syria to protect their terrorists!

Turkish soldiers get bombed and die!

Turkey asks NATO/USA for protection from Syria, whom “they” invaded against international laws, in the first place!

And a NATO meeting is held…

NATO had held urgent talks on the crisis on Friday after Turkey requested a rare emergency meeting of members under article 4 of the alliance’s governing treaty, on the grounds that its security was under threat.

Source: Nato expresses ‘full solidarity’ with Turkey over Syria airstrikes | World news | The Guardian

Turkey wanted Syria beat up, because Turkey invaded Syria and provoked Syria to fight back, to protect her (Syrian) home land!

You can’t make this stuff up…

Turkey attacked Syria!
Syria fights back against an invader (Turkey)!
Turkey gets a black eye!
Cries to NATO that Turkey is under a threat!
Wait: This is all while there are “no” Syrian forces in Turkey, yet Turkey has forces illegally “in” Syria…

Therefore, we are expected to believe that Syria is the threat?

You can’t make this stuff up…

Then as I watch the Russian News, it is like, “NATO? Turkey? Syria! Are you guys sicko – psycho?”

Maybe if Turkey/NATO would stay home for once?

WtR

I have talked about many products on WtR, from smartphones to laptops and more than a few people have communicated with me and or Svetochka to tell us that they also purchased and are using many of the devices that I have suggested. Today I will talk about a device that literally blows away Samsung and iPhone 100%…

I am not a big fan of Google in any form and I am not a fan of iPhone at all. So yes what I will be talking about is a phone that has nothing to do with anything that many western countries find acceptable. The Huawei Mate 30….comes in Mate 30 Lite, Mate 30 Pro and just as mine is, Mate 30…

Forget me listing specs. The internet is full of sites with the specs. Just Google it…

First off:

Svetochka and I went to the famous Cellphone computer market in downtown Moscow. I had very little hope of finding a phone that met my needs. Svetochka has a Huawei P30 Pro and for her it is the finest phone she has ever had. It just fits her hands good and is superb quality, exceeding anything else on the market. Huawei makes literally the best quality phone that you can buy these days. The issue with her phone is that it does not feel good and correct in my hands…

Sveta wore out a Samsung Galaxy Zoom phone and that phone did not fit my hands correct either. Sveta has tiny delicate hands and well, I have these huge bear paws for hands….thus what works for her is not going to work for me. I knew what I wanted when we went to the market the other day, yet I also knew that finding what I wanted was not probably going to happen. Out of hundreds of shops, we found one shop that had one phone, actually two, but one had a scratch on the camera. It was a Huawei P20 Pro and it fit the bill for me, yet buying a scratched camera was not going to happen…

We kept looking and found that it was best to look elsewhere, yet I was drawn back one last time to the only store that had something worth it to buy. I looked the Huawei mate 30 over very carefully. It was a Chinese version and it did have Google Apps installed. I knew that the store had installed them and I also knew that resetting the phone would put it back to all original…

So we made a deal finally after eating at the pancake place as I call it and decided to buy the phone…

I found it interesting that out of literally millions and millions of phones, the type I was looking for was almost non-existent. There was every thing else but what I desired. Any and all iPhone’s where available, Samsung had display after display, Chinese phones of all types, except high level Huawei’s. Lots of middle level and low level Huawei’s, but not the flagship versions…

The reason I am telling you all this is because, since Huawei is being illegally treated unfairly by the USA and sanctions stuff. Going anti-Google is the way to go. We have to wean ourselves from actions that illegally bend us to accept things that are not as good as what we should have available to us in a free market. America is not a free market anymore…

Second thing: Do you and or I need Google?

I have studied what the reaction is to no Google on an android phone. You would think from the western press and people in the west that not having Google is like waking up and finding that your family has moved out in the night and never let you know where they went…

I can tell you that you can live without Google. Google is not your family and Google is not your friend also…

Google made it easy to use. I used Google Fit, Gmail and many other Google apps myself and looked at all this no-Google issue as a challenge. Then I found it was not a challenge at all. I found that Huawei has a wonderful App Store. I found F-Droid that is full of non Google needing apps to be perfect for what was missing on the Huawei Store and most of all; I found that battery life tripled by removing all Google. I found One Drive by Microsoft and replaced my Google Drive – damn if it does not work better than GDrive…

I replaced Google Fit with GEOTracker…

That image is a screenshot of my walk to Globus. This was a test run this morning and it was to see if GEOTracker will replace Google Fit and yes it does. This app uses Yandex maps instead of Google maps and for me in Russia that is better by far…

Huawei Mail replaces Gmail and so on and so on. I am finding no learning curve is necessary. These apps are straight forward and very light on resources. That is something Google is not…

My phone now is a GPS animal. It uses everything available to track me. Not just GPS, but everything…

GPS (L1 + L5 dual band) / AGPS / Glonass / BeiDou / Galileo (E1 + E5a dual band) / QZSS (L1 + L5 dual band)

The accuracy is not meters, but centimeters now….I step a few feet to the side and it knows that I did it and this app tracks that. Thus why there is so many wiggles on my walk. I like to stop and look at things as I walk. It is amazing…

I could go on and on, but getting rid of Google could be the start of your life for many people. It is sad really to see comments and hear comments from Russians about no Google on a phone. People are seriously brainwashed into believing that life without Google is akin to death…

Enough about that…

Last but not least:

The camera is the best camera I have ever carried in my pocket. Sveta’s Huawei P30 Pro might have a slightly better camera, but as I said earlier, it just does not work right in my hands. Yet in her hands it is perfect. The mate 30 just fits my hands correctly and therefore, I am able to get really good images when I want to. It has a pro mode that is way beyond my abilities, yet the auto mode makes me happy. I just point and shoot and 99% of the time what I get is wonderful…

The night images are the Cat’s Meow…

The big issue is this:

When we are limited to only certain products then we are not living in a free society. To be told that Huawei is bad and iPhone is good, is not freedom. The choice is mine to make, not the governments, any government. When you have all products to chose from and you make a decision based on your needs, then those products need to be available if they are on the world market. If the demand is there? Then you should be able to find that product in a free market society…

Using the ballyhoo about security against Chinese companies, is nothing but trying to hurt the competition whom has proven to have better products and better prices…

When you live in a country that curtails what is available? For any reason! What is that called? (Authoritarian and or Totalitarian type government?)

By Huawei being banned in America and or whatever country you reside in doing the same, you are missing out on one of the finest cellphone companies in the world….bar none!

WtR

PS: Want Specs?

https://consumer.huawei.com/en/phones/mate30/

https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_30-9886.php

PSS: It is waterproof….IP58 = 5 means: Protected from limited dust ingress. – 8 means: Protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure.

I noticed an uptick in mass buying this morning. People in Russia have been through bad times in their past. It does not take long and they react fast. I posted just a few days ago about stocking for when and if we get home bound due to the virus…

Well today I saw whole carts of oatmeal, pasta and such being bought in the early morning at Globus. Elder Russians are stocking, that did not take long to happen. Prices are starting to jump also…

I guess I am not alone. Even if I am an American in Russia…

Just thinking and walking…

Tonight I will get Svetochka and we will stop and get four cartons of eggs, toilet paper and whatever we decide…

This morning I carried two large bags full of canned goods and egg noodles. We need to get canned fruit and sterilized milk in the cartons. I figure that we need food to easily last one month without buying anything…

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Supplies were flying off the shelves Wednesday, with some shoppers taking pictures of empty shelves at stores across Oahu. This comes after a message from the Health Department to stock up on necessities. There aren’t any coronavirus (COVID-19) cases here in Hawaii, but health officials want people to have food, supplies and medicine just in case.

Source: Worries over panic buying arise as some supply shelves at stores empty out | KHON2

Take it how you want, but when you can’t wipe your butt when you use the bathroom and you can’t order pizza to be delivered. You better have some pasta, salt, canned fish and oil to make a pasta dish. That is what Svetochka and I decided to use as a protein source, canned fish with pasta noodles. Toilet paper is a given and you better get some…

It is inevitable that you will look around and wonder why there is no food to eat. I realize that many of us could loose some weight, but it is a rough way to go. I have been dirt poor and had to eat some pretty terrible things in the past. You will appreciate canned fish and pasta when the SHTF…

I wish I could buy a bunch of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and stock them. Damn good when you have nothing else…

Since a few thousand people a day read this blog, maybe, just maybe a couple of you will stock food and stuff, just for a month time frame and your life will be better…

WtR

PS: If you have a Sweetpea at home like I do and she has a sweet tooth? Better grab some real chocolate bars and stock up! Will help keep the Sweetpea very happy…

When Russia exhibits sovereignty and achieves victories in the military, economy, science, and other domains, Europeans become enraged. Any accomplishment in Russia, any advancement in its development, or any increase in well-being is viewed as a global catastrophe. This view, which emerged in Europe during the 1800s, remains unchanged even in the wake of Russia’s liberal reforms. And this explains why Europe will always encourage various riots and revolutions in Russia in the hopes that they will cause anarchy and internal conflicts. Crimes against Russia? The perpetrators are turned into European heroes. Human rights advocates in the West remain silent when it comes to external brutality against Russians. Russia is seen as hostile and foreign by Europe, which does not wish to see them as fellow Europeans. – kKEETON…

Thought about just Europe and its Russian Fetish…

WtR

Kinda boring in a way, yet surprising also at times…

So I walked deep into the woods today. I was so proud of myself and thought, “Man, I am doing great and getting in shape!”

The tracks I am following will end up smack crossing into Moscow City itself, if I keep going…

Then deep into the woods, no one around for kilometers. The squirrels were tossing acorns from the oaks at me. The silence was wonderful. The snow was falling light and with no wind and I was positive I had found a place that I could yell and act stupid and no one would know I was stupid and…

There was a babushka walking the baby in the woods…

No other paths leading away from where I stood for kilometers in any direction but forward and or backwards. This babushka was walking the baby as if she was next to their home. Freezing weather, snowing and squirrels tossing acorns at all who dare venture this far out….even the chickadees were telling me that I am so far away from civilization itself…

When I got around to passing her, she was probably almost 80 years old. (Russians believe strongly that children/babies need to be outside in all weather!)

Sorry I gotta go….I have a bunch of walking to do, to get so that I can push a baby around in a stroller carriage when I get to 80 + years old….most likely 10 kilometers from her home…

WtR

This morning I walked and decided that it is time to start stocking food. After seeing Italy and South Korea being stomped on by the virus scare and supplies running out. It is time to get ahead of the stampede….Russians will panic at some point and it is time to ease into stocking food for if and when we are told to stay inside and out of the public…

So I carried way too much, but….I stocked up on tuna, salmon and pasta today. I will do it again tomorrow. Globus has some very good prices on canned goods and pastas. These items will last forever literally and when you need food, a can of salmon with spaghetti noodles will sound pretty good. Sounds good anyway…

We will get to the Tiny Russian Village if it gets bad and all this food is able to be transported easily when we go. Perishables will not be stocked. If the SHTF and it might, we will ride it out in the village. Isolated and easy to protect from just about anything and anyone. I do not take things like this lightly. I survived Nam and plan on surviving this, because even if it is not an issue after all, the food will not go to waste…

It is Maslenitsa and that means pancake week…

Russian Maslenitsa Time of the Year!

I made pancakes for Svetochka last night and made them from whole wheat flour. I bought more and we will munch on pancakes this week as we are suppose to do….This is the start of spring. Just look at the link above to see what it is all about…

February 23rd is Defender of the Fatherland Day or just Men’s Day in Russia…

I have been watching several buildings being built as I walk. One is almost done and they used a neat way to help the handicap get into the stores and businesses at the building. Image above…

Maslenitsa sign also above. It is a drawing of what I basically explained in the Maslenitsa article linked above farther up. This is a serious and important time in Russia…

Regardless of what we are told:

I have no doubt that the coronavirus we are dealing with is a man made version of the virus. The people who released it, either by accident and or on purpose need to suffer greatly. It does not matter if we make it in the end. It does not matter if it all finally blows over. The issue is that it is man himself that has built, sustained and nurtured this virus issue…

I find it interesting that after looking at what countries are saying that this issue is not man made…

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Medical experts from Germany, the Netherlands, the US and other nations debunked rumors of unnatural origin of the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to Xinhua report citing The Lancet journal.

Source: Scientists debunk rumors of unnatural coronavirus origin – Science & Space – TASS

I find that my feelings are then confirmed even more by such news above. You could have guessed which countries would say this and you would have guessed correctly for the most part. I do believe that the virus was a targeted virus and it will and or has started to jump the fence so to say. Lets wait and see…

I do believe that this is what happens when a dying Empire flails around striking at everything and everyone…

I despise having a foe that is so tiny you can not see it and do anything about it. I also despise the fact that this particular virus is something that does not have to be. We have labs all over the world creating crap like this and one day we will pay for it all. Is this the time we pay or is it the next time it happens?

China and Russia both are very quiet about the virus origins, they do know something and that is leading to what they have been talking about the last few days, link below…

Russia and China have both declared that they are very close, like by the middle of March, 2020 to a vaccine…

Chinese envoy says coronavirus outbreak will be defeated, effective vaccine developed – World – TASS

I am reading that about 25,000 medical and scientist people from Russia have gone to China and are working with the Chinese to stop this virus from getting much worse. Again as I have been saying, we will see and cross your fingers and hope that China and Russia can get this vaccine workable and usable in time. Time is relentless, as I always say also…

Therefore, you should stock food, stock toilet paper, stock items that will get very hard to find if the SHTF….Italy has found out the hard way….South Korea is finding out right now also…

WtR

PS: I just said above, “this is what happens when a dying Empire flails around striking at everything and everyone”, look at the link below and you will see the flailing and striking at countries…

“The United States is sanctioning 13 foreign entities and individuals in China, Iraq, Russia, and Turkey pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). This action includes new sanctions against five entities/individuals in China and Turkey for supporting Iran’s missile program,” the statement said.

Source: US imposes sanctions on 13 entities and individuals in China, Iraq, Russia, Turkey – World – TASS

Also: Time to stock up on some food. Just in case….you know? Nothing to see here…move along now!

Just walking and looking at life in Russia. Many people walking and going and I have to catch the images when there are not tons of people around. I end up taking multiple images, because someone always seems to pop up out of nowhere. The one of the half finished old home had a woman step out in front of my camera at the second I snapped the image and or many times a car comes roaring by….so I have four shots of the same thing…

-4 C this morning, Spring is here and it is really nice out right now. In fact this has been a wonderful winter. Svetochka said that it has been the best winter she ever remembers. Not to cold….not like a few years ago when Boza and I were in the Tiny Russian Village and fought some very cold days and nights…

Okay, it is officially cold in the Tiny Russian Village…

Thus, we have had it easy this winter. Almost like the Bahamas… 🙂

Have a nice day…

WtR

PS: I am ready to get to the Tiny Russian Village…

Time never stops…

I woke and was immediately thinking about how time is relentless, yet so necessary for existence. Time is the most powerful concept of all and it touches everything that we are able to perceive in our physical, mental and spiritual existence. Even if we could alter time in some fashion, time still moves forward, even as we would alter it. Even if we could go backward in time, that is still time moving forward itself…

Then I remembered time in the bible…

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

BIBLE, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

That is a better way to look at time. Otherwise you get into a, “Which came first the chicken or the egg?”, paradox…

Time for me to go walk. Then when my sweetpea gets home today….time for hugs and kisses…

WtR

Looks like China and Russia have been working diligently on a vaccine for the coronavirus and they just about got it done…

MOSCOW, February 24. /TASS/. Chinese authorities are confident that the novel coronavirus outbreak will be defeated soon and a normal life will resume in most regions across the country by the end of February.

A supposedly effective vaccine has been developed that helps mount an immune response against the infection, and it needs to be fine-tuned and tested, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told reporters on Monday.

“There is confidence in China that soon we will finally defeat this outbreak,” the ambassador said. “Besides the epidemic center [in Wuhan] a normal life will be restored in most provinces and cities by the end of this month. Certainly, I believe this moment will happen later in the center of the outbreak, somewhere in March,” he noted.

According to the diplomat, the vaccine developed in China has proven to be effective, but more tests need to be carried out. “China has developed a vaccine that shows immunity. But these are preliminary results and time is needed for further tests and fine-tuning [the vaccine],” he explained.

China has enhanced cooperation with the international community to fight the coronavirus spread. The World Health Organization has sent a delegation to the country to conduct a study on the novel coronavirus. “This delegation includes two specialists from Russia. Earlier, Russia sent a delegation of medical specialists and our specialists exchanged views. This is a very good start of cooperation between China and Russia in healthcare sector,” he said.

China is ready to step up cooperation with Russia in this field, the envoy noted. “We are very thankful for the support of the Russian leadership and Russian citizens. We see a sign of a good will,” the ambassador said.

On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan – a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Besides China, the cases of COVID-19 have been detected in 30 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.

Currently, the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus has exceeded 77,000 in China, with nearly 2,600 deaths. Some 25,000 people have recovered to date.

Source: Chinese envoy says coronavirus outbreak will be defeated, effective vaccine developed – World – TASS

Cross your fingers and hope they get this done and going soon…

WtR

I walked 19,300 + steps and that came to over 15 kilometers of walking. I finally made it to the Elk Island Lake…

Now I am home and sipping a cup of coffee. It was simply a wonderful walk and I God blessed my morning with such wonderful beautiful snow falling. It almost made me cry, as the huge snow flakes fell for hours as I walked…

It would have been better if my sweetie pie had been with me, but she is teaching the grandkid how to be an outdoor boy and they walk and look at all the birds, squirrels and other fun things to go find, as you walk in the snow…

Have a nice day…

WtR