I'm getting more and more comfortable in Berlin ♥ Still, it's amusing how my impression on the locals (assuming they are locals, of coarse) and their own self-image do not come close to each other. Germans, apparently, see themselves as punctual and meticulous (like in the times of the Soldier King). I compare them not to Russians (we are way too, ( Read more... )

Looks like Johnny had had a very long depression, and then came out of it (hooray!) and started getting things done. 2 debuts in one year seem a lot to me, and that may be continued by a 2012 debut (or not). NEWS are tidied out to a smaller group so that they may (hopefully) start actively working again, if just because 4 people are easier to ( Read more... )

Envy people who don't feel cold. I just got home from Southern Russia on Friday (mixed feelings all the way: I was born close to these parts but now am so obviously an outsider!), on Saturday went to a Running City event in Gatchina and then ran home just after a half of it ( Read more... )

I've paid my course, I've arranged my vacation. Meaning if at work they SUDDENLY say, no, we can't give you 6 weeks, because, you know, you are supposed to WORK here, I will be like: 'Okay, where do I sign a resignation form?'. This vacation costs a shitload of money, several times more they pay me a month. Several. Times. More ( Read more... )

Hooray to the latest anonmeme! Haven't seen them in a while, maybe that's the reason a lot of prompts look so amusing (keep in mind I don't usually like sex) ♥

Original piece of Game of Thrones (what ASOIAF? No ASOIAF fanfiction exists!) *in 2 parts*: here and here. I do not like the pairing, but styling it as a Medieval letter versus Modern ( Read more... )

I like Tampere: iron and brick, a lot of water, population of 200 000 and nonchalant image of a (biggish) city. It seems original, not a provincial capital watercolor strangely merged with a more modern industrial city around a canvas once used for a 18th century fortress plan (hi there, Helsinki), not a typical 'western' city (from a fantasy novel ( Read more... )

My parents became used to spending their vacations in Greece. The same Greece as is now very actively fighting for the economic independence as understood by little kids: “You give me money, I do nothing in return”. Politically, I may be totally biased and probably ill-informed. Personally, I understand the people, but I do not understand strikes ( Read more... )

Saturday was rainy and dull, thought it might have been a blessing in disguise. We've planned a biking excursion for that day, and I'm not that good on a bike ( Read more... )

RunCity is in Tampere on the 6th of August (not news) and I'm going there! I predict myself to be perpetually lost (it starts from the Tampere University, for now I've no idea where it is), but it will be great fun, even if a bit rush: walking through Tampere, finding different interesting places laid out in in the route list, and hopefully not ( Read more... )