tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.comments2023-05-07T11:02:46.902+03:00News from the Eastern BlogNews from the Eastern Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04173232701550659444noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-79682331760604759542010-05-07T02:51:15.700+04:002010-05-07T02:51:15.700+04:00The most powerful successor state to Kievan Rus...The most powerful successor state to Kievan Rus' was Moscow, which served as the main force in the Russian reunification process and independence struggle against the Golden Horde. Moscow gradually reunified the surrounding Russian principalities and came to dominate the cultural and political legacy of Kievan Rus'. By the 18th century, the nation had greatly expanded through conquest, annexation, and exploration to become the Russian Empire, which was the third largest empire in history, stretching from Poland in Europe to Alaska in North America.mbt shoeshttp://www.buymbtshoes.net/footwear.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-66459877838899923112010-04-21T23:13:45.096+04:002010-04-21T23:13:45.096+04:00I'm not sure why I never replied to your comme...I'm not sure why I never replied to your comment before - perhaps I was drowning in the depths of my dissertation, or more likely I was just deeply frustrated by your response. <br /><br />'Corruption was part of Russia before Russia was even born (how about that!)' <br />'In meanwhile we'll dig dipper into our famous soul and seek answers there' <br /><br />With fatalistic attitudes like that, you are right, Russia will never change. You have to believe in soem sort of human determinism. To drop an EU analogy in here (I do love those): in the past, war between Europe's great powers was believed to be in the hearts and souls of all Europeans. And now look at Europe. Somehow all those warlike Europeans managed to overcome that, so going against tradition existing before Europe was even born. How about that! <br /><br />I realise this sounds sickeningly like a saccharine-sweet American 'Believe in change' spiel - ok, it is a believe-in-change spiel - but honestly, changes in opinions constitute a force for greater change. There would never be reform if people did not believe it was possible.<br /><br />But then again, perhaps you're right. A country with citizens basing their identity on a nationalist concept dreamt up in the eighteenth century probably is doomed.<br /><br />Good night.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-48644405787817687602010-04-14T12:33:19.534+04:002010-04-14T12:33:19.534+04:00Nice article. Familiar stuff. I've been in Rus...Nice article. Familiar stuff. I've been in Russia over 6 years...now in Omsk, Siberia. =)<br /><br />Used to blog too but been busy lately<br />(or just lazy!) - <br /><br />http://alex-j.livejournal.com/<br /><br />Get in touch. =)<br />AlAJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15694969922111363846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-90189037908535911732010-03-20T05:23:31.959+03:002010-03-20T05:23:31.959+03:00Ladies, ladies, ladies you are so naive when it co...Ladies, ladies, ladies you are so naive when it comes to Russia. Your knowledge (both of you ladies) about Russia is wonderful and admirable but somewhat simplistic. Corruption was part of Russia before Russia was even born (how about that!)<br />Sometimes foreigners confused Russia with civilised nation. <br />Just talking about few cases (Lukoil dr., Ikea, killer cop, etc) will not make 'system of corruption' go away.<br />So How can you fix something when you don't even try? So how can you fix corruption in Russia when most: politicians, policemen, bureaucrats, etc., rely on 'kickbacks', bribes, and 'gifts'? I don't know. Maybe Russia needs another Stalin, back then people feared for their lives, thus acomplished ALOT.<br />But next Stalin is not coming, we have only miracle to hope for. In meanwhile we'll dig dipper into our famous soul and seek answers there (don't worry ladies it is tradition, just like corruption)<br /><br />take care,A.R.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556721850767668843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-51401541652333465292010-03-19T23:27:32.875+03:002010-03-19T23:27:32.875+03:00Hi A.R.G., have to agree with Katie there, a fitti...Hi A.R.G., have to agree with Katie there, a fitting analogy can sometimes hit the nail on the head and finally push home the same point that's been discussed a thousand times over. Piles of 1000-page reports have surely been written on the topic, criticising and making recommendations, but most people aren't going to read them. What they are going to read is a nicely written article like Loshak's - and once they start talking that's when the ball starts rolling. Or in this case - maybe it already has? What do you think?Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767738244695217898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-13837824642433100092010-03-19T15:43:03.761+03:002010-03-19T15:43:03.761+03:00I'm sorry A.R.G. but I have to disagree with y...I'm sorry A.R.G. but I have to disagree with you on this one - in what way is Loshak making fun of everyday life in Russia? His analogy to Alice in Wonderland is hardly comic - he's using it to highlight the utter absurdity of a corrupt system. <br /><br />And isn't writing about problems and making them public one of the first steps towards resolving them? Even if this article has been written thousands of times before its important to keep pointing out how unnatural and absurd corruption is to prevent it becoming accepted in its entirety.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-37316057682852972042010-03-19T04:46:51.771+03:002010-03-19T04:46:51.771+03:00Thanks,
...But what this article suppose to prov...Thanks, <br /><br />...But what this article suppose to prove? We all know what a !@#$^& Russian system is! (or lack of system, depending of your pov)<br />Similar article has been written yesteday, 10, 100, 200 years ago. Everybody knows what Russian problems are, describing them in such humorous way..., proves exactly what? That Russians are good at political humor, haha. Joke is ON us. <br /><br />Making fun of everyday life in Russia is easy, while solving problems (or at least making an effort)<br /> is tough. <br /> Not surprisingly Andrei chose the easier path in !@#$%^ life.A.R.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556721850767668843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-61328389385452294762010-03-08T18:47:33.921+03:002010-03-08T18:47:33.921+03:00Go for it Emma!Go for it Emma!Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767738244695217898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-24810329138603360912010-02-14T15:26:53.741+03:002010-02-14T15:26:53.741+03:00I'm not sure that its only in Russia that corr...I'm not sure that its only in Russia that corruption is seen as a necessary part of day-to-day life. We were debating Medvedev's anti-corruption policy in class the other day and the conversation took a somewhat unexpected turn when some of the Italian students started asking what was so wrong with corruption: 'in my country, Italy, we have corruption and sometimes and it makes systems more efficient, no?' Our lecturer was at a loss for words. The general lack of condemnation of corruption in the class (of mostly EU citizens) was pretty shocking. Small scale corruption may make everyday life a little smoother but its always a sign of a corrupt system.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-56274709708078697272010-02-12T01:47:21.866+03:002010-02-12T01:47:21.866+03:00Mhmmm... this is definitely spam but I think I'...Mhmmm... this is definitely spam but I think I'll let it stand since it combines two wonderful things: blogging and climate change awareness. Apply, all of you, please!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-26823343121737149692010-02-11T18:14:31.217+03:002010-02-11T18:14:31.217+03:00Invitation TH!NK3: Developing World blogging compe...Invitation TH!NK3: Developing World blogging competition<br /><br />Dear Blogger,<br /><br />Internationally renowned blogging competition seeks enthusiastic journalists, bloggers, students and experts!<br /><br />TH!NK3: Developing World is the latest in the European Journalism Centre's TH!NK ABOUT IT blogging series and will feature 100 participants from 27 EU member states, neighbourhood countries and beyond, as they track sustainable development efforts and global cooperation initiatives around the globe. The blogging competition will run from 24 March to 31 August and begins with a launch event in Brussels, 22-23 March. Participation in TH!NK3: Developing World includes travel opportunities to Asia, Africa and New York City, where TH!NKers will report on development issues from on the ground! <br /><br />Sign Up today: thinkaboutit.eu or contact info@thinkaboutit.eu for more information. Cross-posting is permitted.<br /><br /><br />Best regards, <br /><br />TH!NK TeamUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07439607206662306496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-90824431326075219452010-02-06T18:01:58.110+03:002010-02-06T18:01:58.110+03:00Au fait, moi je veux bien contribuer, mais à condi...Au fait, moi je veux bien contribuer, mais à condition que vous corrigiez mon anglais et que vous acceptiez des articles totalement futiles !Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03118286321889150183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-26376524097474092502010-02-03T02:58:49.977+03:002010-02-03T02:58:49.977+03:00Preceding this age of twits who twatter it was Sha...Preceding this age of twits who twatter it was Shakespeare who said: <br /><br />Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,<br />And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,<br />I will be brief. <br /><br />(Not to say that what you write is in anyway tedious - quite the opposite, in fact! - but I think we're trying to persuade the people who sit silent in our lectures, burning with unsaid thoughts...)Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-58252146777337484902010-02-02T22:37:40.460+03:002010-02-02T22:37:40.460+03:00You lost me at "in around 700 words" ......You lost me at "in around 700 words" ...poemlesshttp://poemless.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-19958208437379020192010-02-01T06:34:25.655+03:002010-02-01T06:34:25.655+03:00If only I could put two thoughts together, then I ...If only I could put two thoughts together, then I could have been rich and famous :)A.R.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556721850767668843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-51369330101658776082010-01-26T12:21:38.678+03:002010-01-26T12:21:38.678+03:00ARG I agree that the Russian brides thing is certa...ARG I agree that the Russian brides thing is certainly not a scam, it is indeed a place where interested sides can meet, but unfortunately the sad reality behind both sides' motivations is what makes the whole thing leave a bitter taste in your mouth.<br /><br />Louis Theroux did this on Thai Brides, I think it sums up the process quite well:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmy_fnFqjfM<br /><br />Overheard on a jam-packed beach in Odessa a few years ago where lying right by me is a girl of about 25 and an Australian man of around 60. The conversation overheard went something like:<br /><br />Man "When I saw your picture on the site I just couldn't believe you wanted to meet an old guy like me."<br />Girl "I just saw your beautiful eyes"<br /><br />And big fat wallet?Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767738244695217898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-62854554746650545602010-01-26T12:05:10.951+03:002010-01-26T12:05:10.951+03:00(From the "The True Born Englishman")(From the "The True Born Englishman")Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767738244695217898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-76017041550136052752010-01-26T12:04:24.073+03:002010-01-26T12:04:24.073+03:00Daniel Defoe :)
Thus from a mixture of all kinds ...Daniel Defoe :)<br /><br />Thus from a mixture of all kinds began,<br />That heterogeneous thing an Englishman; <br /> In eager rapes and furious lust begot, <br /> Betwixt a painted Briton and a Scot; <br /> Whose gendering offspring quickly learned to bow, <br /> And yoke their heifers to the Roman plough; <br /> From whence a mongrel half-bred race there came, <br /> With neither name nor nation, speech nor fame;<br />In whose hot veins new mixtures quickly ran, <br /> Infused betwixt a Saxon and a Dane; <br /> While their rank daughters, to their parents just, <br /> Received all nations with promiscuous lust. <br /> This nauseous brood directly did contain <br /> The well-extracted brood of Englishmen.Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08767738244695217898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-11759898773266602392010-01-23T03:56:58.829+03:002010-01-23T03:56:58.829+03:00I typed "homme" on the French Google jus...I typed "homme" on the French Google just to have a look. Well, autocompletology really is an amazing science: who would think that people were interested in learning about "famous naked men"?<br />Scarier: if you type "russes" you get "Russian rape", "Hot Russians" and "Drunk Russians".<br />I think we've just discovered an easy way to get depressed...Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03118286321889150183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-27639300570396785882010-01-21T10:02:51.582+03:002010-01-21T10:02:51.582+03:00Thanks very much for your reply, A.R.G. - I'm ...Thanks very much for your reply, A.R.G. - I'm happy to get any feedback at all! <br /><br />I think I over-generalised on scams and, as a Russian, you definitely know more about this than I do. I wanted to focus more on the fact that when you make a generic search for Russia it comes up with Russian brides/women - which is pretty depressing, if that's the most common popular perception of Russia. (And I don't mean that just from a 'feminist' point of view, or someone interested in women's generations. It suggests that Russian women, as objects, are perhaps more emblematic of Western perceptions of Russia, than other things: say literature, history or even Russia's role today... <br /><br />That said, I was joking a little bit and I doubt that the Google search is fully representative! A comedy show described the internet the other day as 'an adventure playground for mentals' - not so PC but maybe some truth there... In any case, the nature of the bride buying/meeting requires the internet which probably messes up the search figures too.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-78581455641008435392010-01-21T05:25:22.969+03:002010-01-21T05:25:22.969+03:00"Russian/Ukrainian brides" is not all sc..."Russian/Ukrainian brides" is not all scams. And its NOT 'buying brides', it is places where interested sides could meet, and if they both like (or desperate) eachother, then they could get married. Sort of like dating agency. <br />To me as Russian man it is horrible that Russian women are viewed like that. But hey there is no shortage of British, American, French, (and Russian) etc, women who do much worse things (like porn)<br />And still..., I don't think of you gals any less. Just life! Some wanna leave Russia with bolding, old dudes. Some wanna leave UK and enter Hollywood 'Adult Industry'. <br /><br />Anyway..., sorry, thats Not kind of comment you were looking for. Is just that there is a little bit of truth in every stereotype.A.R.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556721850767668843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-28067647292465424172009-11-13T23:59:49.980+03:002009-11-13T23:59:49.980+03:00Yes, That's right on aeroflot:)
I was struck w...Yes, That's right on aeroflot:)<br />I was struck when saw it. So funny:)<br /><br />First snow has fallen here. St.Petersburg miss you as well :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06932233840594433848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-78176222446592364492009-11-12T00:34:57.524+03:002009-11-12T00:34:57.524+03:00Ha ha! Was it this article on aeroflot?
http://new...Ha ha! Was it this article on aeroflot?<br />http://newsfromtheeastern.blogspot.com/2009/09/weekend-break-for-two-in-borovsk.html<br />If not, then we are just being used as free columnists - the cheek!<br />Hope all is well in St Petersburg - I miss it :(Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285635464797983483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-40148205820898790492009-11-11T20:38:36.842+03:002009-11-11T20:38:36.842+03:00Hi, Katie
I've seen a part of this post in mag...Hi, Katie<br />I've seen a part of this post in magazin. Did you know that?<br />It was in plane two weeks ago.<br /><br />Sergei KynevUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06932233840594433848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878409756348053291.post-43119481898483563712009-11-09T14:33:29.776+03:002009-11-09T14:33:29.776+03:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Georgehttp://www.weekend-breaks.go.ro/noreply@blogger.com