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| ((I just discovered I never published this! Here ya go!))
Pretty intense winds are giving my neighborhood a forboding atmosphere tonight. The weather neccessitates way more clothing in the month of August than I am used to. I'm tired and just finished reading Jail Bird by Kurt Vonnegut and can't be motivated to do much of anything at the moment. My brain wishes to present: The 2008 Russian Security Guard Awards!! See the Russian security guards wearing their best suits, sitting at round elegant dinner tables, which are draped in white clothes. The room is filled to the brim with anticipation, nervous laughter and some confusion (of course!) No one knows what to expect. I come out, either dressed up for the occasion (borrowing something of Susan's) or wearing jeans, wellies and a space tunic (I should stay in character). The room is silent and ready for the ceremony. Most improved attitude in a previously cranky security guard: When I first started tutoring Katya, I always dreaded the moment I had to push the button at the gate of her complex. At least when I can enter a building and talk to a security guard face to face, I usually convince him I am harmless after about 30 seconds of interaction. The button at the gate system is usually asking for disaster, annoyance and frustration. This winter was no exception, even though I was there almost everyday. One day, in an attempt to make things more pleasant for both of us, I smiled more than usual and said good morning with as much cheer as possible. It worked! The security guard in Katya's building finally stopped looking like he wanted to shove me under a snow drift. Unfortunately, Katya left for Antarctica three days later, and I haven't been back there ever since. Most helpful security guard: Most security guards just want me to go away as soon as possible, so they shove me off in the right direction the second they can glean what I want. When I walked into the Aeroflot office to buy plane tickets, I wasn't expecting any questions from security, and I had no idea what the man was saying to me. Rather than yell at me or treat me like a complete idiot, this one took the time to gesture, point and make faces to get his point across. When I finally understood and answered him, he was both proud of me and pleased with himself. He walked me over to the desk I needed and wished me a happy trip! Security guard most likely to need therapy after interaction with me: I am often the person in a room with the least amount of shame when it comes to drink and rock n roll music. The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show at B2 was no exception. Filled with euphoria, I accidentally stepped about six inches to my right and apparently crossed the invisible but invincible VIP line. The incredibly stern secuirty guard admonished me and looked disgusted at the way I put on heirs. This inspired me to attempt what no one else has ever tried: to make this guy smile! I proceeded to rock out more than I have ever rocked out at a BRMC show (which is saying A LOT). Every so often I would turn to him and smile and nod. Nothing. Well, maybe a little suspicion and sidelong glances. Then I tried talking to him in between songs. Have I mentioned how crap my Russian is?? I asked him if he liked the show, if he liked music, does he ever dance, did he know they were from California. I could not break him. I can't quite remember everything else I tried... but he finally had an expression on his face by the end of the show: one that screamed "When will this American chick GO AWAY?!" I felt like I won. Security guard most likely to end up accidentally engaged to me: This award, unlike our final one of the evening, is simple: the security guard at Susan's bank. One day, while meaning to tell him I was there to take Susan to lunch, I asked him if he would like to have lunch with me. The moment I said it, I just walked away to wait for Susan in the corner. Security guard of the year!! So many to choose from! The security guard at the Russian consulate in Tel Aviv was particularly awesome. I enjoyed the three way conversation we attempted, a mix of Russian, Hebrew and English (my aunt was there and her Hebrew is a lot like my Russian) He seemed amused by the characters who frequent the visa department, the most colourful and insane out of all Russian consulates I've ever been to. Not a drop of hostility in this man! But he is not the winner :( There was also the friendly guard outside the consulate in London, who remembers me every time I go and appeared to be deeply sympathetic to all the running around I had to do. But the real winner, the Russian security guard I would recommend to anybody is...... The one outside the American embassy in Moscow!! We had such a good time making sure I wasn't carrying a bomb! When we couldn't figure out why I kept beeping, we were relieved to discover it was just my ipod! This is a story I can only tell in person, but I assure you, that guy is truly the Russian Security Guard of the Year!!!
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| http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/music/rock-pop/productions/atp-concerts-spiritua-13-10-46500
Two nights of this!! In a row! In October. I plan to have two different minds for each performance. You can do that with this album, have different minds, different experiences; that's why it is still brilliant after twelve years. Pasha thinks I ought to be put on ice until then, for what kind of spazzing will I sustain for months on end? He is right, but I could also check into a sanitorium in Switzerland and cultivate my 19th century heroine personna. Contemplate mountains! Maybe the desert is more suitable. Hide out with the Beduoin till lonliness is through to the bone, burnt down and as small as existence. Regardless, it will be Moscow that houses me over these months, in its particular madness, racing from student to student, a new scheme from door to door. I'll be fragile but resiliant! I'll be exhausted, but the spark won't go out!!
Stay tuned.
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| My year of weird:
First, I'd like to thank 2008 for never boring me. Did I think I would finish out the year in a form of exile? No. Am I surprised? No. Cause nothing ever happened according to plan this year, but all of it was one hell of a trip... the trip just keeps on going........
Here's the count:
Nine is the number of countries my body existed in (Russia, England, Portugal, Israel, Scotland, Belgium, United States, Finland, Hungary) I would have hit ten if I had gone to Estonia for this visa, but I will be going there near the end of the exile period.
Four is the number of Russian consulates I visited. I wish to not count how many TIMES I visited these consulates.
Three is the number of times I saw Spiritualized, and the number of cities I saw them in, and the number of countries as well.
Three is the number of flats I lived in. Not the stablest way to live....
Two is the amount of times my heart was moderately broken. This isn't intense, really, for me.
One is the number of new scars I got on my body. It will be one memento of the year that I won't forget or lose!
One is the number of iron deficiencies I have had, and I hope never to add to that!!!
Countless: the lives of Russian security guards I have touched. Also, the schemes I have hatched. And the rubles I have squandered.
I bet I will have more later, but that is the numeric value of the year.
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| Props to life!! I am grateful that I am able to do what I want. I love the fact that my family and friends are the best, even though it is hard to be apart (especially on T-gives). I am pleased that all my students today were angelic and amusing, from the four year old, to the seven year old, to Sveta, all of whom made me genuinely laugh quite a bit! I am happy as a clam that I got to see fantastic places this year, and am ready to go off to Budapest next month. I am ecstatic still that Spiritualized came to MY city! So it's a sad-ish happy-ish day, which for me feels like the best kind of day.
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| Sorry, I do have shame, but I just don't let it affect my blog titles.
This lovely photo of Finnish Architecture by Night was in my hostel room. Some will enjoy the red pumps, others will enjoy.... um, yeah.
I like boats. I ended up here after getting a coffee at one of those tiny neighborhood cafes where you sit a little awkwardly among the people of Helsinki but everything is intriguing, confusing and disorienting. The harbour set me straight, and I do wish I had spent more time exploring the coastline. Oh well, next time!
I found Senate Square and the Cathedral without much effort; I found a bunch of power lines, too. Helsinki just made a lot of sense as a city, so I never got terribly lost, and she constantly revealed little secrets. It's all in the details: doorknobs, courtyards, dogs.
More later, maybe?
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