Hello from Russia!

[Kenny Shovel]

Oh-oh-oh. Too bad. Maybe I should take some courses too?

Your English when posting is good, however being able to follow a play or understand the jokes in a comedy club (which will be full of specific British cultural references) is another matter.
BTW if you want to improve your English why not try getting the audio (CD) version alongside the next English book you get, you can try reading and listening to it being read at the same time. It may help you get used to hearing spoken English if that is less familiar than written English.

And as to foreign software, what they sell here is mostly stolen. So I never met stolen software that has been 100% workable and reliable. And as for foreign maps - the last time I searched, I found nothing interesting here. But that was last Autumn, really...

Seriously, an A-Z and a good tourist map, like the popout one, should be ok for you. I seem to remember that newsstands in the centre of London have tourist guides in Russian, also some Russian newspapers.

We have our own "politician" who is positioning himself as a "simple folks' man" - that's Mr. Jirinovsky, who speaks sometimes absolute abracadabra, who gets in a quarrel now and again, who has beaten some deputates in our Duma and a woman reporter or two in public. Some people say that he is not so simple, but a very thoroughly calculated personality, functioning by the Kremlin's order, and that could easily be the case, as sometimes he speaks very sensible things.

Prescott doesn’t really ‘position himself’ he just makes mistakes, but because he is seen as more natural (unlike other politicians who try to control their image) and not really powerful, he is forgiven more readily then others would be.

Oh no, that would be much more interesting for me to try to understand that myself. Though, it seems I more often fail at it than not so far (really, some of my jokes were lost on you, as it seemed). Alas, it seems my poor language skills trick me again.
Please show me when I fail to understand your joke, - maybe that would help me some...

Ok, but it may not all be because of your language skills, at one place I worked I had to make a little flag I would wave when I was joking so they understood.

I think that quite a lot of great ideas could be found while drinking. The problem is not to drink too heavy, so these ideas could be remembered afterwards... In ordinary life we do not pay too much attention to each other, maybe, so in a pub while we are closer to each other that could bring up something...

Well indeed…
http://www.library.adelaide.edu.au/guide/hum/philosophy/philos_song.html
Nice background picture of my favourite literary character “the good soldier Svejk” on that page although you’ll need the slang dictionary to understand it…
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

He tried, but was told that they wouldn't take money. That could be because they hoped to impress the driver so they could get a bigger bribe, I think. And of course they would have got their $100-150 on the spot, as that is the usual thing and the driver always has money for such occasions.
So all that fuss had been absolutely pointless.

How odd, customs guards to stupid to be able to shake down a driver for money, I would of thought that’s the first thing they learn from the ‘on the job’ training…

Yes, when I got home yesterday, the daughter has been reading yours. I think I should copy this thread for her to read, after all, to know more about UK. I am not sure I want her to read this whole forum though... But she would, I think.

I’ll see if I can find any good online guides to Britain although if you can read English this guy is supposed to be good:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bryson
with this book regarded as an excellent outsiders view of Britain:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0552996009/202-1745164-8397458

 

[abecedarian]

Hey, since you're accustomed to seeing wild bears walking around in your neighborhood, I bet you'd like the book I finished last night. The Bear Went Over the Mountain by William Kotzwinkle. It's a satire, about a bear who finds a novel under a tree, takes it to town, buys a suit, then lands a contract, and becomes a "person".. I think it would make a great film.

 

[Kenny Shovel]

In case you haven't already found it, this may be useful:

http://www.visitbritain.com/VB3-ru-RU/index.aspx

 

[Sergo]

Your English when posting is good, however being able to follow a play or understand the jokes in a comedy club (which will be full of specific British cultural references) is another matter.

Yep, exactly. And as I do not have much practice speaking and listening English - that's my biggest problem. Two or three years ago I've tried to record some news from BBC and CNN and then repeatedly listen to them until I could write everything down to the last word. I think that helped some, but in the end I got bored with it.

BTW if you want to improve your English why not try getting the audio (CD) version alongside the next English book you get, you can try reading and listening to it being read at the same time. It may help you get used to hearing spoken English if that is less familiar than written English.

Yep, that would be good. The best would have been to get some software for my pocketbook, that would enable me to read and hear at the same time, as I doudt it very much that I would ever sit at home and read a real book while listening to a CD.
I think there are places where such CDs could be obtained... Though in the shop I usually visit I hadn't seen anything like that today. (I bought a "DaVinci Code" there, as it seems everybody has read it except me, "Cloud Atlass" - somebody mentioned it here at TBF and "Under the Net" by Iris Murdoch, I've read "The Black Prince" and liked it 20 years ago or so...)

Seriously, an A-Z and a good tourist map, like the popout one, should be ok for you. I seem to remember that newsstands in the centre of London have tourist guides in Russian, also some Russian newspapers.

I bought today a Philip's folding map of central London. With my old A-Z for more details I think that would be enough. They have here A-Zs of several sizes and several other maps.

Prescott doesn’t really ‘position himself’ he just makes mistakes, but because he is seen as more natural (unlike other politicians who try to control their image) and not really powerful, he is forgiven more readily then others would be.

I see. And our Mr. Jirinovsky is loved by the people as a man who speaks and does what he thinks. I am sure it is his made-up image, not his real person mostly.

Ok, but it may not all be because of your language skills, at one place I worked I had to make a little flag I would wave when I was joking so they understood.

You know, I think that the best joke is told with a serious face. My stepfather's father had been a genius at that: he could have told the funniest thing with the plainest and even bored impression. It was possible to fall to floor after some of his jokes. And sometimes nobody understood it has been a joke until the very last words. Alas, I do not have his abilities.

Well indeed…
http://www.library.adelaide.edu.au/guide/hum/philosophy/philos_song.html
Nice background picture of my favourite literary character “the good soldier Svejk” on that page although you’ll need the slang dictionary to understand it…
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

Yep, I've saved the slang dictionary from the previous time you mentioned it.
And "the good soldier Svejk" had been one of the most liked books here in the Kommunist times...

How odd, customs guards to stupid to be able to shake down a driver for money, I would of thought that’s the first thing they learn from the ‘on the job’ training…

That time it hadn't been customs people, but the police... Militia... Customs would have asked for more, but I usually arrange it with them in advance. And at that point usually nothing happened before, so we never thought of any precautions...

I’ll see if I can find any good online guides to Britain although if you can read English this guy is supposed to be good:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bryson
with this book regarded as an excellent outsiders view of Britain:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0552996009/202-1745164-8397458

OK, thanks.
By the way, have you ever used this: http://uk.multimap.com/map?
I found a London map there, along with aerial photos. Quite useful, I think.

We started preparations for applying for UK visa. We were offered two hotels - Hilton Paddington and Thistle Lancaster Gate Hotel. As it could be convinient to stay in Hilton near Paddington, we thought to take it, but then we decided in favor of Thisle. It's near Hide Park, and that is too tempting for me to resist...

 

[Sergo]

Hey, since you're accustomed to seeing wild bears walking around in your neighborhood, I bet you'd like the book I finished last night. The Bear Went Over the Mountain by William Kotzwinkle. It's a satire, about a bear who finds a novel under a tree, takes it to town, buys a suit, then lands a contract, and becomes a "person".. I think it would make a great film.

Yep, that's a good idea. "See that big guy with a broad smile and a blonde on his elbow? I'll be damned if I hadn't seen him in the Zoo last week..."

I think sometimes that there are some beasts between us really. But not the big wild bears, though - beasts of much smaller and sleazier variety... Those who can look you in the eye and pretend they are human and honest, then disappear with your money in the next instance.

 

[Sergo]

In case you haven't already found it, this may be useful:

http://www.visitbritain.com/VB3-ru-RU/index.aspx

Thanks, we had it opened yesterday from my wife's comp at home...

 

[abecedarian]

Yep, that's a good idea. "See that big guy with a broad smile and a blonde on his elbow? I'll be damned if I hadn't seen him in the Zoo last week..."

I think sometimes that there are some beasts between us really. But not the big wild bears, though - beasts of much smaller and sleazier variety... Those who can look you in the eye and pretend they are human and honest, then disappear with your money in the next instance.

yep, at least a wild bear is just an honest to goodness critter,but Beasts..there's nothing honest about them at all.

 

[Sergo]

yep, at least a wild bear is just an honest to goodness critter,but Beasts..there's nothing honest about them at all.

Exactly.

BTW, yesterday I got an offer in my mail - to buy a Pioneer Plasma Panel, which regularly costs $5500 here, for $3200. They say it is from a lot confiscated by our customs.
OK, now I call them. Everything OK, but to have a proof that I will really get the Pioneer they want me to transfer 30% to some account of theirs, without any obligations or contracts.
OK, I ask them, you will have my money as a proof that I need that thing.
But what will be the proof that you will deliver the thing to me, after you got my money? They couldn't answer that question.
So I will have to pay $5500 for the plasma, if I ever decide to buy it.

 

[abecedarian]

Exactly.

BTW, yesterday I got an offer in my mail - to buy a Pioneer Plasma Panel, which regularly costs $5500 here, for $3200. They say it is from a lot confiscated by our customs.
OK, now I call them. Everything OK, but to have a proof that I will really get the Pioneer they want me to transfer 30% to some account of theirs, without any obligations or contracts.
OK, I ask them, you will have my money as a proof that I need that thing.
But what will be the proof that you will deliver the thing to me, after you got my money? They couldn't answer that question.
So I will have to pay $5500 for the plasma, if I ever decide to buy it.

Boy, that smacks of a scam to me! A ligitimate business would not work that way. Can you have them investigated? I'd at least take the mailing to the police and have them be informed that this potential scam is around. Are you wearing sharkbait cologne or something??

 

[Sergo]

Boy, that smacks of a scam to me! A ligitimate business would not work that way. Can you have them investigated? I'd at least take the mailing to the police and have them be informed that this potential scam is around. Are you wearing sharkbait cologne or something??

Errr... You see, it is much better here right now than it had been before, but just the same some things are still like your "Wild West" back then.
The people who did it are surely illigitimate, and I am sure they send hundred thousand of such offers, and it is possible that 5 or 10 people will play with them. That's our Russian soul for you - we believe in somebody giving us anything for free. So we are ready to pay dear for another lesson of logic.

As to the police... Nobody will try to investigate it: there are no address in the mail or anything except telephone number, and I belive these people throw it away after several days.

We have really too much things like this. The only way to stay put is to be alert and never forget that there are some small sleazy beasts among us.

 

[abecedarian]

Errr... You see, it is much better here right now than it had been before, but just the same some things are still like your "Wild West" back then.
The people who did it are surely illigitimate, and I am sure they send hundred thousand of such offers, and it is possible that 5 or 10 people will play with them. That's our Russian soul for you - we believe in somebody giving us anything for free. So we are ready to pay dear for another lesson of logic.

As to the police... Nobody will try to investigate it: there are no address in the mail or anything except telephone number, and I belive these people throw it away after several days.

We have really too much things like this. The only way to stay put is to be alert and never forget that there are some small sleazy beasts among us.

Around here the saying goes: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is..

It's too bad there's not a Russian Better Business Bureau.. I hate to think of people being duped of their hard earned money.. but it's not just a Russian problem.. my mother in law has her Masters in Education, and taught for over 30 years, but is an absolute idiot about trusting strangers with her money..

 

[Sergo]

Around here the saying goes: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is..

It's too bad there's not a Russian Better Business Bureau.. I hate to think of people being duped of their hard earned money.. but it's not just a Russian problem.. my mother in law has her Masters in Education, and taught for over 30 years, but is an absolute idiot about trusting strangers with her money..

Yep, that's really too bad, but how to help such people is beyond me.
I've tried several times, really, but sometimes the person thinks it's you who want to cheat, or that you do not want he/she to succeed because of envy etc...

I heard only the other day that our Mr. Kovalev - a wellknown human rights champion - got cheated by some street player, and even invited him to his flat, where gave him the money he lose in a game (really, such games are arranged so it is impossible to win). I thought that situation was obvious to anybody with half a wit, but quite serious people keep falling for it...

 

[abecedarian]

Yep, that's really too bad, but how to help such people is beyond me.
I've tried several times, really, but sometimes the person thinks it's you who want to cheat, or that you do not want he/she to succeed because of envy etc...

I heard only the other day that our Mr. Kovalev - a wellknown human rights champion - got cheated by some street player, and even invited him to his flat, where gave him the money he lose in a game (really, such games are arranged so it is impossible to win). I thought that situation was obvious to anybody with half a wit, but quite serious people keep falling for it...

You know, I'm thinking that there's a certain chemical in our brains that makes some of us want to believe everyone is our friend, even when reality proves the fallacy of that belief. There's such a fine line between giving people the benefit of the doubt, and pure foolishness. My mom always said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." The trouble is, we keep encountering different Beasts.. or at least the beasts keep changing fur coats...

BTW-my mom had LOTS of sayings...

 

[Sergo]

You know, I'm thinking that there's a certain chemical in our brains that makes some of us want to believe everyone is our friend, even when reality proves the fallacy of that belief. There's such a fine line between giving people the benefit of the doubt, and pure foolishness. My mom always said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." The trouble is, we keep encountering different Beasts.. or at least the beasts keep changing fur coats...

As to us, Russians, our problem is we were taught for many years to believe our authorities, our massmedia etc. (Of course there were those who believed and those who didn't, but the majoruty believed). Then our Socialism ended, and we were told by those who became our authorities that now we live in a country of free commerce. As at the same moment on the streets appeared expensive cars and new private houses, and some scums began a promo company on our TV about huge profits in several weeks, so tens and hundreds thousand people run to give their money to the beasts. And after some time we had several companies blowed up with all these people (there were politicians, police chiefs, diplomats, popular singers there as well as homewifes and simple Jones) losing their money... But some of those who had some money left, tried the same thing again and again. Some are still trying, though it is not all that easy to find a "stealing company" now...

BTW-my mom had LOTS of sayings...

Are you sure she wasn't Russian? We have lots of sayings...

 

[abecedarian]

As to us, Russians, our problem is we were taught for many years to believe our authorities, our massmedia etc. (Of course there were those who believed and those who didn't, but the majoruty believed). Then our Socialism ended, and we were told by those who became our authorities that now we live in a country of free commerce. As at the same moment on the streets appeared expensive cars and new private houses, and some scums began a promo company on our TV about huge profits in several weeks, so tens and hundreds thousand people run to give their money to the beasts. And after some time we had several companies blowed up with all these people (there were politicians, police chiefs, diplomats, popular singers there as well as homewifes and simple Jones) losing their money... But some of those who had some money left, tried the same thing again and again. Some are still trying, though it is not all that easy to find a "stealing company" now...


Are you sure she wasn't Russian? We have lots of sayings...

She wasn't Russian,but she was a Southerner... I think she would have fit right in with your basic Russian mom...

Anyway, sounds like Russia after Socialism, is a lot like the USA before consumer advocacy and the unionization of most of our industries. Not that unions have been a perfect solution, by any stretch of the keen imagination. Russia also sounds like she's going through a period much like our Reconstruction era after the Civil War(which was anything BUT civil ) It really hasn't been all that long since the fall of socialism, and I think it would be very hard to be in the middle of all that change.. specially for the older people. It is a great time to be a beast...unfortunately. I guess its up to the open-eyed humans to try to educate the ones around you to the wiles and ways of these beasts..

 

[Sergo]

She wasn't Russian,but she was a Southerner... I think she would have fit right in with your basic Russian mom...

Anyway, sounds like Russia after Socialism, is a lot like the USA before consumer advocacy and the unionization of most of our industries. Not that unions have been a perfect solution, by any stretch of the keen imagination. Russia also sounds like she's going through a period much like our Reconstruction era after the Civil War(which was anything BUT civil ) It really hasn't been all that long since the fall of socialism, and I think it would be very hard to be in the middle of all that change.. specially for the older people. It is a great time to be a beast...unfortunately. I guess its up to the open-eyed humans to try to educate the ones around you to the wiles and ways of these beasts..

You are right. But... Some people just wouldn't educate. They cannot stop believing in a free fortune which will somehow drop before them, so every little sleazy thing is much dearer to them then friends or relatives explaining them reality.

 

[abecedarian]

You are right. But... Some people just wouldn't educate. They cannot stop believing in a free fortune which will somehow drop before them, so every little sleazy thing is much dearer to them then friends or relatives explaining them reality.

There's another ancient American saying (lol)- "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink."

to which another wise American said,"yeah but you CAN put salt in his oats!"


Have you ever noticed how often these wise old sayings have critters in them??

But you're right about people craving baubles and trinkets over love and wisdom from a loved one..which brings us back to our bears and beasts analogy..

 

[Kenny Shovel]

Yep, exactly. And as I do not have much practice speaking and listening English - that's my biggest problem. Two or three years ago I've tried to record some news from BBC and CNN and then repeatedly listen to them until I could write everything down to the last word. I think that helped some, but in the end I got bored with it.

Apparently there is going to be an English Language Russian news station:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4614809.stm

As it will presumably feature Russian local news heavily it may be more interesting to you than BBC or CNN.

I think there are places where such CDs could be obtained... Though in the shop I usually visit I hadn't seen anything like that today. (I bought a "DaVinci Code" there, as it seems everybody has read it except me, "Cloud Atlass" - somebody mentioned it here at TBF and "Under the Net" by Iris Murdoch, I've read "The Black Prince" and liked it 20 years ago or so...)

I’ve heard better reviews of “Cloud Atlas” than “The Da Vinci Code”, but as I’ve read neither myself I can’t really comment.

I bought today a Philip's folding map of central London. With my old A-Z for more details I think that would be enough. They have here A-Zs of several sizes and several other maps.

I’m sure you’ve got good maps but again I would suggest the popout ones are worth having a look at; I got one of Berlin when I visited there with friends last year, and we used it all the time as it was so easy to carry.

I see. And our Mr. Jirinovsky is loved by the people as a man who speaks and does what he thinks. I am sure it is his made-up image, not his real person mostly.

The art of following politics is the art of trying to look behind the smoke and mirrors I guess.

You know, I think that the best joke is told with a serious face. My stepfather's father had been a genius at that: he could have told the funniest thing with the plainest and even bored impression. It was possible to fall to floor after some of his jokes. And sometimes nobody understood it has been a joke until the very last words. Alas, I do not have his abilities.

This is called a ‘dry sense of humour’ in England, it’s quite popular.
Your relative sounds a bit like me (if I can be so immodest); I remember on one of my school reports my form teacher wrote “David has an extremely dry sense of humour which he uses at the expense of members of the teaching staff all too readily”. Of course it’s hard to use that on the internet as people expect you to use faces everywhere, and of course you Russians do seem to love using exclamation marks, don’t you!!!

And "the good soldier Svejk" had been one of the most liked books here in the Kommunist times...

I quite like Czech Literature, and “Svejk” is one of my favourite books, I also like “The adventures of Ivan Chonkin” by V Vionovich, which is kind of a Russian version of “Svejk”.

That time it hadn't been customs people, but the police... Militia... Customs would have asked for more, but I usually arrange it with them in advance. And at that point usually nothing happened before, so we never thought of any precautions...

That’s the trouble with people in uniform I guess, they can be so unpredictable. It’s almost as if the first day of training involves having the top of their head opened up and their sense of rational thought removed with sharpened chop-sticks.

By the way, have you ever used this: http://uk.multimap.com/map?
I found a London map there, along with aerial photos. Quite useful, I think.

Yeah, Multi-map is used quite a lot, especially in business for printing out maps when you need to get somewhere new.

BTW, this is the area I live:

http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.c...able=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=25000&in.x=7&in.y=14

The green bit is the country park I told you about.

We started preparations for applying for UK visa. We were offered two hotels - Hilton Paddington and Thistle Lancaster Gate Hotel. As it could be convinient to stay in Hilton near Paddington, we thought to take it, but then we decided in favor of Thisle. It's near Hide Park, and that is too tempting for me to resist...

I would imagine that they are probably about 5 minutes walk from each other, and from Paddington station, so useful if you manage to be in London whilst your daughter is studying.

 

[Sergo]

Apparently there is going to be an English Language Russian news station:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4614809.stm

As it will presumably feature Russian local news heavily it may be more interesting to you than BBC or CNN.

Maybe. But the more exausting part is trying to put on paper every single word. Without that this task is senseless - as I usually get a general meaning of any news article that I hear as it is. But to understand everething is my really my goal...

I’ve heard better reviews of “Cloud Atlas” than “The Da Vinci Code”, but as I’ve read neither myself I can’t really comment.

And you haven't read Iris Murdoch?

I’m sure you’ve got good maps but again I would suggest the popout ones are worth having a look at; I got one of Berlin when I visited there with friends last year, and we used it all the time as it was so easy to carry.

OK, I surely will. I like maps, so the more - the better.

This is called a ‘dry sense of humour’ in England, it’s quite popular.
Your relative sounds a bit like me (if I can be so immodest); I remember on one of my school reports my form teacher wrote “David has an extremely dry sense of humour which he uses at the expense of members of the teaching staff all too readily”. Of course it’s hard to use that on the internet as people expect you to use faces everywhere, and of course you Russians do seem to love using exclamation marks, don’t you!!!

I see. I must confess that this "dry sense of humor" is a very rare thing here. Without straining my mind I cannot remember anyone else having it save for the relative I mentioned, and he died 30 years ago or so. (He was an intelligent. A good engineer, who had been able to buy a flat in the center of Moscow - on the Arbat street. His library had been one of the biggest I've seen then - too bad I have not been allowed to take books from it...). My stepfather had a different sense of humor - he started to laugh at his joke in the middle of it usually.

Really, I like dots better...

I quite like Czech Literature, and “Svejk” is one of my favourite books, I also like “The adventures of Ivan Chonkin” by V Vionovich, which is kind of a Russian version of “Svejk”.

I liked "Svejk" and all my friends had read it. But I have not heard in years anything about the book here, and nobody from my daughter class read it, as far as I know.

That’s the trouble with people in uniform I guess, they can be so unpredictable. It’s almost as if the first day of training involves having the top of their head opened up and their sense of rational thought removed with sharpened chop-sticks.

While I was reading yours about the people in uniform, my colleague, manager, dealing with Kingston, Micron & A-Data came in and told me again that it is time to flee before our people in uniform spoiled our life for us. He says that it is in our Russian soul not to care much about anything including our own lives, and as our uniformed people are Russian too - it is natural to expect them not to care much about anything.
I do not know. My logic tells me it's a false idea. But Mike travelled to all of Europe and also to many distant places in Russia I haven't even heard of...

Yeah, Multi-map is used quite a lot, especially in business for printing out maps when you need to get somewhere new.

BTW, this is the area I live:

The green bit is the country park I told you about.

Wow. Nice place. Seems to be like our dacha villages. Which is your street?

I would imagine that they are probably about 5 minutes walk from each other, and from Paddington station, so useful if you manage to be in London whilst your daughter is studying.

It seemed to me that 10 - 15 mins would be more realistic... Yes, we should be there from 8.07.05 to 16.07.05, or something like that.

 

[Sergo]

There's another ancient American saying (lol)- "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink."

to which another wise American said,"yeah but you CAN put salt in his oats!"


Have you ever noticed how often these wise old sayings have critters in them??

But you're right about people craving baubles and trinkets over love and wisdom from a loved one..which brings us back to our bears and beasts analogy..

Yep, there are positevely some close relations between our peoples, judging by our sayings. Too bad those relations could not be traced in some other respects...

Sure, I am a wise man capable of understanding of the most important things...