Programmer Day

Today is Programmer Day, my professional holiday! Officially, Russia Programmer's Day was first celebrated on September 11, 2009, when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree that sets a new official Russian professional holiday. According to this document, Programmer's Day will be celebrated in Russia every 256th day of year.
The number 256 was chosen because it is the number of integers that can be expressed using a single eight-byte. This date has long since become an unofficial holiday of people who tied his career with their career with computer programming.

Day of the end of Second World War

Russia observes first new memorable date - the day of the end of World War II.
Earlier, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law "On the days of glory and celebration of anniversaries of Russia”. Under which, the 2 September in Russia set a new memorable date - the Day of the End of Second World War.

The new memorial will mark the date September 2, because 65 years ago on this day on board the American battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay the capitulation of Japan was signed. From the Japanese side the act was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Shigemitsu Mamoru and Chief of Staff Umezu Esidziro. From the Allies side the act was signed by General Douglas MacArthur (USA), Bruce Frazer (UK) and Lt. Gen. KN Derevianko (USSR).

"During the Manchurian strategic operation, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the Kuril amphibious operations group of the Armed Forces of the USSR in the Far East, defeated the troops of the Japanese Kwantung Army and liberated the north-eastern China, North Korea, southern Sakhalin and the Kuril islands. Thus, it brought the end of World War II "- said in a memorandum to the bill.

At present, Russia has 10 anniversaries: The Day of Russian students (25 January), Day of Astronautics (12 April), Memorial and Grief Day, (June 22), Day of the Baptism of Russia (July 28), Day of Partisans and Undergrounds (29 June), The day of the End of World War II (September 2), Solidarity Day in the Fight Against Terrorism (September 3), Day of the October Revolution of 1917 (November 7), Heroes of the Motherland Day (9 December), Day of the RF Constitution (December 12).

Abkhazia

Abkhazia is small country which is located in north-western part of the Caucasus between the rivers Psou and Inguri, south-west by the Black Sea. Abkhazia has a little rugged coastline, more than 210 km in length with frequent wide pebble beaches. Seas, subtropical vegetation, turbulent rivers, and peaks Caucasian mountains give Abkhazia exceptional beauty. Abkhazia's population is about two hundred thousand people. Many Russian love to have a vacation at Abkhazia since it is cheap and Abkhazian are very friendly with Russian (especially after Georgia-Russia war of August 2008).


Просмотреть увеличенную карту

So in August 2008 Georgian troops launched massive artillery shelling and storming South Ossetia capital Tskhinvali city and surrounding areas. The next day Russia officially joined with conflict as part of the operation to force Georgia to peace. The next day Abkhazia joined with the conflict within the military assistance agreements between the members of the Union of Unrecognized States. They both Abkhazia and South Ossetia were part of Georgia but Georgia lost control over them about 20 years ago. Three days later Russia officially announced the successful completion of the operation to force Georgian authorities to peace. August 26, 2008 The Russian Federation recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Also, the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.

Turkey vacation

Last week we were in Turkey. It was my second vacation of the year. This time I went with my wife Natasha, my daughter Katya and my stepson Vanya.

We stayed at Ozkaymak Alaaddin resort. This resort is in Avsallar settlement near Alanya. The resort has six floors with many rooms. It has a really nice pool because of the way it is shaped and design. It includes a swim up bar located near the pool. Also it has swimming pool for baby, mini aqua park and indoor pool. The resort has a big restaurant and three bars. There are enough various food and local drinks. I think I recovered a couple of kilograms.

The beach is with sand and is near the hotel. We had a lot of opportunity to swim and sunbathe. There are many various fishes around big stones in the water. Me and Vanya dived and viewed them. I also saw turtles. I have a few photos of them but they did not swim close enough. The first three days Kate was being pulled from the sea. But later she seemed tired of the bitter salt water, and we swam with her on the hands.

The excursion that we did was a yacht ride in Alanya. It took all day. We had four stops for swimming, lunch, review of the caves in the rocks on the shore and stroll along Alanya town. When we strolled along we visited Alanya Red Tower and ate ice cream at a restaurant in honor of Ivan's birthday.

The Turks are very fond of children. Every Turk over the age of thirty stopped to play with Katya.

I can really say that I had a good time with family.

Here is few photos.

«Police Act»

A new version of the Militia Act was published on the zakonoproekt2010.ru site. This new version of the law was renamed the "Police Act". There are two interesting fact about this Act.

The first one is that this was the first bill passed by a general discussion before the debate in the Duma. Anyone can register and comment on this bill. I hope this practice will continue.

The second fact is that Militia will be renamed to Police. "In my opinion, it's time to return the Militia of its former name and continue to call the law enforcement Police"- said Dmitry Medvedev. It seems that the word "militia" is associated with negative feelings. But I think that simple renaming will not change militia's working. I’m also afraid that it will cost too much money in the renaming procedure. I think this money will be spent for nothing.

last news

It was a very busy week for me and I did not have free time to post a new message in the blog. My wife Natasha finally got a driver's license. So we will have more free time now. She went to the driver's courses several times a week for 2 hours while I took care of little Katya. Although, Katya is no longer little. She is one and a half years.

Two weeks ago Katya had eaten something wrong and became sick. It was problem for us because we wanted to go on holiday. But now she feels good and we have bought a tour to Turkey. I’m a little worried about Katya because now in Turkey is very hot. Today it’s about 32 degrees in Alania. On the other hand it’s about 40 degrees here in Russia today. So maybe I'm worried for nothing.

By the way, abnormal hot weather continues to remain in Russia. In addition to this now there are many wildfires. There are burning peats near Tver. And every day the city enveloped in smoke. Depending on the wind sometimes the smoke dissipates. This is a terrible cataclysm.

This week we had an accident with electricity. Monday night lights suddenly lit up very brightly. I heard a burst control unit of warm floor in the bathroom. Then I turned off the electricity switch. As we discovered later, the voltage was 400 volts. As we learned later in the neighboring yard tree fell and broke electrical wires. Total losses amounted to two power supply and control unit warm floor. It’s about $200.

Anyway we are going to flight to Turkey on 13 August. And now we are covered with pleasant preparations before the trip.

Valentin Dikul

Valentin Dikul is a circus strongman. He is famous because he broke his back in young age and later he rehabilitated himself and went back to the circus as a circus strongman. Also he made Guinness World Record in powerlifting in 1999(he was 51 years old).



He was born April 3, 1948. When he was 15 years old he was a trapeze artist in the circus. One day he fell from a height of 13 meters in an accident. The diagnosis of the doctors was: "Compression fracture of the spine in the lumbar spine and brain injury. Valentin Dikul will hold the remainder of his life in a wheelchair."

At the hospital, he began training with a rigid energy. Nobody believe that he will succeed. He continued to train five - six hours a day for five years. But his feet did not act. Suddenly he had a fever, terribly hurt joints, Valentin lost consciousness. When he woke up he was unable to move his hands and talking. But after a week he felt the work of muscles of his legs. Two weeks later he could walk with two sticks.

Valentin Dikul decided to return to the arena as circus strongman. He continued to train and seven months later he had gone already without sticks. And four years later he easily goes up in the iron boots of his own invention. In 1970 Dikul returned to the arena as a power juggler. He performed exceptionally difficult tricks with tossing 80 kilo kettlebells.



Also Valentin Dikul developed its own method of rehabilitation after a back injury. Currently he has two clinics in Moscow devoted to helping others overcome their spinal injuries.

World Whale Day

Today is World Whale Day. This holiday is celebrated around the world. This holiday was established in 1986, when the International Whaling Commission banned whale hunting, after 200 years of ruthless extermination. The ban is still in effect today and it means that the worldwide hunt for whales, as well as trade in whale meat is forbidden. However, this date is considered as a day to protect not only whales, but all marine mammals. Every year on this day, various environmental groups hold rally in defense of whales and other marine mammals. This day has particular importance for Russia, as dozens of species of whales, dolphins and seals live in the seas of our country. Many of them are endangered and listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Placebo effect

A placebo is a physiologically inert substance used as a medicinal drug to reassure a patient. A Placebo effect is a positive therapeutic effect claimed by a patient after receiving a placebo. Generally, the term "placebo effect" is a positive therapeutic effect not only medicine drug, but for example from some kind of radiation, conversation, laser therapy, etc.
An efficiency of the Placebo depends on patient’s suggestibility and external circumstances of the treatment. Bigger and brighter pills have the greater effect. Placebo injection works better than a placebo tablet. Sometimes doctors deliberately prescribe placebos to patients who prone to autosuggestion symptoms of sick. In this case, they avoid unnecessary drug therapy and multiple drug complications. The positive effect of homeopathic is also explained by placebo effect. Placebo effect may be explained by as a result of suggestion the patient's brain begins developing substances with appropriate action, including endorphins, which in effect partially replacing the action of the drug. The second factor that ensures the effectiveness of placebos is increasing general immunity of human.
The placebo effect makes it more difficult to evaluate new treatments. I think all clinical trials should be double blinded so that the researchers also do not know which subjects are receiving the active or placebo treatment.

Abnormal heat in the heart of Russia will continue until July 22

“There is abnormally hot weather with temperatures exceeding the norm more than seven degrees in the Central Federal District. It will remain until July 22” said official site of Roshydromet.

During this period daytime temperatures will be 30-35 degrees throughout central Russia. At the same time in the Kaluga, Tula, Ryazan, Bryansk, Orel, Lipetsk, Tambov, Kursk, Belgorod and Voronezh regions thermometer can reach to 36-38 degrees.
In 15 hours on July 16 there was recorded temperature of 33 degrees at the station "VVC". It’s new maximum of temperature In Moscow. Previously, the maximum rate for that day was 32.8 degrees. It was recorded in 1938. July 17, there were 35 degrees in Moscow.

Another interesting fact is that the heat stays on the north of Russia in Yakutia. In winter season a temperature can reach minus 70 degrees in Yakutia. Last week there were more than 30 degrees in Yakutia. Thus annual temperature difference is about 100 degrees in Yakutia.

Bastille Day

There is a big supermarket in Tver. It name is “Tver” but it better known by its informal name, Bastille. I wonder why we called it Bastille. It looks like a big fortress. And I think Bastille is one of well-known fortresses in Russia. This suggests that we like French history and culture.




Anyway, today is July, 14 and today is Bastille Day. In 1789, the insurgent Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress-prison and released seven prisoners. This event is considered the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille fortress-prison is a token of royal despotism. And the storm of the Bastille is a token of freedom and political liberation. Bastille Day is the French national holiday. The word "Bastille" has become common.

In France the official program of the celebration includes a series of balls: balls of fire, a grand ball, which takes place July, 13 in the Tuileries Gardens. In the Bastille Day there is a solemn military parade on the Champs Elysees. The parade begins at 10 am with Etoile and moves toward the Louvre in front of the President of France. Finale of the festival becomes a big salute and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower and the Mars field at 10 pm. Then there are many parties in discotheques, bars, nightclubs, houses and in the streets.

My first sushi

About 2 years ago I visited my friends and it was first time when I made and tasted sushi. Then I ate sushi few times in restaurants. But it’s not cheap meal and I cannot allow myself to eat as much as I want. This weekend I have bought a sushi kit and cooked my first sushi.

Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of cooked cold rice which is commonly topped with fish or other seafood or put into rolls. There are many different kinds of sushi. I cooked hosomaki. It’s a thin rolled sushi. A typical hosomaki has a diameter of about two centimeters. They generally contain only one or two fillings. I used salmon, cucumber, cheese and prawn for fillings in different combinations.

Also I cooked few nigirizushi. It consisted of an oblong mound of sushi rice with a bit of wasabi and topped with salmon. It was very delicious. And I hope to repeat it soon.

Альбом: Famile

Salvador Dalí came to Tver

At the beginning of the 60 of last century, the great surrealist Salvador Dali illustrated the Divine Comedy by Dante. He made one hundred graphic works in xylography. It’s exactly the number of songs. A gang of cutters cut out the boards for 3500 impressions for three years. Because each color needs its own board.
“Tver is the second city in Russia, where we brought the exposure” - Alexander Schelyakov said, one of the organizers of the exhibition. Before this the exhibition was in Voronezh. Works from private German collections contains all 100 works of the series. The Russian museums do not have any works of this series, though it was published more than 1000 copies.

According to legend, Dali once admitted to journalists that he Dante did not read, and his wife and muse Gala told him the plot works. However, when you look at the work you understand that the great hoaxer was cunning. he is too deeply felt the poem. There are also traditional features Dali: stilts and ants. For the first time, the famous top view of figure of the crucified Christ appears in this series. Surrealistic interpretation of Dali's classic poem of Dante is one of the best of his works in book graphics and one of the most monumental of his works.

I’ll visit this exhibition this weekend indeed.

Kupala Day part two

Girls dance around the birch tree and sing. The boys make "raids" on this dance of trying to snatch birch. Then the guy who snatched up the birch tree should run to the river, where he is waiting for the others. On the bank of the river people break off pieces of birch twigs and store them as a symbol of fertility. Then the tree should be thrown on the water. Then people throw wreaths of flowers and blessed herbs in water. After that they begin to swim. In the evening all go to the fire. A girl should burn the fire. From this point the festivity begins. People ask riddles, walk with masks, sing songs and play games.

When the fire burned, the girls begin to choose a boyfriend. The girl slaps the guy on the shoulder and runs away. The guy should catch her. Then the couple holds hands and jumps over the fire. If during a jump hands will not disband then the pair is compiled. If the pair is not compiled they start begin with other partners. After all pairs are completed they have lavish feast. Then in the night, light the wooden wheel and wheel it to the water. Then in the night, set fire to a wooden wheel and wheel it to the water. On the bank of the river the couples exchanged garlands. After that they put his garland on the raft of twigs and straws and put it on the water. Then naked couples swim and make love. Singles are going at the campfire and protect the holiday from the robbers and evil spirits.

There is a legend that if someone finds this night blooming fern he or she will gain incredible power. It is a real challenge because the fern don’t bloom.

Kupala Day

Kupala Day is the feast of the summer solstice. It’s one of the major pagan festivals of the Slavs. It’s the feast of the sun, summer and the green meadow. On Kupala eve people make up a complex set of ritual. In the morning the girls gather herbs and flowers, weave wreaths and store herbs, amulets (wormwood, St. John's wort, stinging nettle) for all participants in the festival. Herbs for the amulet are usually attached to a belt.

In good time the boys should cut down a tree (birch, willow, maple) in one and a half or two human heights. It should be set on the place chosen for the festivities (clean and flat field along the river or lake). The girls should decorate the tree with flowers and colored scraps of fabric. The tree symbolizes Mother Earth. Then they put doll size of half a man under the tree. This doll symbolizes Yarilo. Yarilo is deity of sun.

The doll is knitted straw or made of molded clay. And then the doll is dressed and decorated with wreath, flowers and ribbons. The doll should have big penis that symbolizes fertility. The boys prepared firewood and piled up near the tree two fires. One huge bonfire is for the night festivities. And another lesser bonfire is for the funeral pyre to burn idol of Yarilo. The main action begins in the late afternoon, close to sunset
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To be continued…

Gerontology

Gerontology is the study of biological, social and psychological aspects of human aging, its causes and ways to combat it (rejuvenation). Gerontology is relatively young science. It appeared about a century ago. However, the huge increase in the elderly population has led to this becoming one of the most rapidly growing fields. People have always sought to somehow prolong life. But only in the 20th century gerontology beginning to provide answers to the most important question - how to avoid premature aging.

Genetically predetermined potential of human body is 100-120 years of life. Researches that were conducted in gerontology in the last decade, suggests that it’s possible to extend of the active period of life. Biomedical gerontology, also known as experimental gerontology and life extension, prevents, and even reverse aging in humans. Curing age-related diseases is one approach, and slowing down the underlying processes of aging is another. Most "life extensionists" believe the human life span can be altered within the next century, if not sooner. "Optimists" such as Aubrey DeGrey are of the opinion that the first person to reach one thousand years of age has already been born.
Anyway, I'm going to live forever as long as everything goes OK…

Homeopathy: The Test

Today I have watched the documentary movie about homeopathy. The movie tells about attempts to prove that homeopathy works. Homeopathy is a method of treatment, the main principle of which is the appointment of small quantities of drugs that cause symptoms similar to disease. It’s interesting that some of homeopathic cures are diluted so much that they do not remain the original substance. However, homeopaths claim that homeopathic water has memory carries out the transfer of biological information. Modern scientific medicine is skeptical of homeopathy. Few clinical trials of homeopathic preparations did not show differences between the homeopathic remedy and placebo. Skeptic James Randi has offered $1m to anyone who can provide convincing evidence of homeopathy effects. He is still keeping his money. However, there are many people who take homeopathic cures and convince that they work.

The Treeman

Today, I have watched the documentary movie about a 36-year old Indonesian man named Dede Koswara, the so-called "Treeman". He is affected with a terrible disease that has covered his body with tree like roots. The movie tells about the search for the cure for Dede. He is a poor fisherman from a small Indonesian village. Because of his disease he cannot work and provide his family with money. He has 2 teenage children.

Nobody cared about him until American dermatologist, Dr Gaspari, hears of Dede’s story and goes to Indonesia to meet Dede. He finds that Dede suffers from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), or common warts. Dede has a low immune deficiency that has allowed the virus to flourish to a massive, deforming infection. After that, Indonesian officials took Dede in hospital and provided him with treatment. Dr Gaspari suggested chemotherapy but Indonesian doctors prescribed surgery treatment. Dede was in hospital for about nine months. Doctors removed 90% warts from Dede’s body (over 4-pounds). But I think it’s only a temporary relief. They haven't cured him yet and warts will grow again. Below are pictures before and after treatment.

The Tunguska Event

On June 30, 1908, a giant fire ball flew over the vast territory of Central Siberia. The flight was accompanied by a loud sound, bright lights and it ended with a powerful explosion. The blast knocked down a forest in a radius of 40 kilometers. For several nights an unusual light phenomena called "bright nights summer 1908” were observed.
There are many theories about this event. Most of the people consider that it was big meteorite. Since 1927 scientists tried to find traces of explosion. However, the usual meteor crater has not been found so far. Other scientists noticed that area of fallen timber has a characteristic form of "Butterfly". So, the explosion was not in the collision of a body with the earth's surface, but before that in the air at an altitude of 5-10 kilometers. Some people think that it was Alien spaceship crash.
Anyway, the Tunguska event is the largest impact event over land in Earth's recent history. Estimates of the energy of the blast are about 10–15 megatons of TNT (42–63 PJ). It is roughly equal to the United States' Castle Bravo thermonuclear bomb tested on March 1, 1954. It is also about 1,000 times as powerful as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

My White Water Heroes

Eric Jakson. Eric Jakson was born on March 3, 1964. He is a world-champion freestyle kayaker, kayak designer, and small business owner. He has good family. His children Emily and Dane are also competitive kayakers and have won different world kayaking competitions. Eric has been world champion for four times on freestyle kayaking (1993, 2001, 2005, 2007). In 1992, Jackson competed in Barcelona as part of the U.S. Olympic team, finishing 13th in the K-1 event. After spending many years designing kayaks for various manufacturers, Eric founded Jackson Kayak in October 2003. I like Eric because he successfully managed to balance his hobby, family, and business.


Tao Berman. Tao Berman was born in 1979. He is very likely the most famous extreme kayaker around the world. He has set 3 world records so far. The first one is World Record Waterfall Descent at 98.4ft or 30 meters. (current World Record Waterfall Descent is about 60 meters :). Also, Tao has more than 50 first waterfalls descents. I like Tao because he has made a name in sports, and now other people pay him money for kayaking.

Year of France-Russia 2010

This year is year of Russia in France and vice-versa year of France in Russia. Year of France-Russia 2010 are held in both countries and includes over 350 events. It’s a unique opportunity for Russians and French to closer look at each other. This year they have a chance to improve our knowledge about our countries, about our history, our culture. We can understand how we live today in France and in Russia. During this year, France will be shown Russia all richness of its cultural, historical heritage and modern art. At the same time, the Russian program in France is designed to promote greater familiarity with modern Russian.

Christ’s apostles portraits was found in Rome

Italian archaeologists found oldest images of the apostles Peter, Paul, Andrew and John. “This is the oldest images of the apostles, which pertain to the end of 4th century” said the head of the archaeological excavation Fabrizio Visconti. Images were found in tomb which is in catacombs of St. Thecla near Cathedral of St. Paul. It seems that painting with a biblical explanation was ordered by a woman from a noble family, how was later buried there. This discovery demonstrates that the aristocrats in Rome later turned to Christianity. It’s interesting that tomb is located under an eight-storey building, which was built in the middle of last century. Fortunately, during the construction of the building, the catacombs were not damaged. Another interesting fact is that the images were opened by using the latest laser technology. This laser technology allows uncovering lime debris a few centimeters thick which was formed on the walls for one and a half millennia.

Father’s Day

Yesterday, I received my daily letter from calend.ru with description of current holidays and I read about Father’s Day. Father’s Day is being celebrated every third Sunday of June in many countries. The first time Father’s Day was started to be celebrated was in America. In 1909 after listening to a church sermon about Mother's Day, Sonora Smart Dodd remembered that her father William Smart brought up five children and her. Sonora wanted her father knew what he is particular for her. Sonora suggested to local authorities to establish a new holiday. Local authorities supported her approach and they intended to arrange the holiday on William Smart birthday, June 5. But the time to prepare for celebration was not enough and so the holiday was moved to June 19. Soon, the holiday has become very popular in other cities of the US. Father’s Day is an expression of love and gratitude to fathers. I hope Father’s Day will be an official holiday in Russia.

Buffett, Gates ask billionaires to give away wealth to charity

The richest people of the world Bill Gates and Warren Buffett asked other richest people of the world to give donate at least half his money to charity. Gates and his wife, Melinda, already established Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Foundation allocates funds to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in poor countries, as well as the development of education in the U.S. and the computerization of public libraries. I really think it’s very nice idea. If each oligarch give some money to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, expand educational opportunities and access to information technology our world will be better place. And of course, when I become an oligarch, I certainly will spend the part of my money to charity. I hope it will happen soon :).

Hornets from hell

Many years ago I read "Hoja Nasretdin" novel and I very well remembered one scene in which Hoja explained his plan to punish greedy wealthy man. Hoja caught a hornet and put him in the spider net. The fat spider delighted and jumped at the delicious moth. But the delicious moth was terrible killer and he killed the fat spider. I imaged this scene and, and it struck my young brain. Two days ago I watched “Hornets from hell” documental movie produced by National Geographic. I have never known that hornets are such a terrible killers. Hornet’s venom can be lethal even to people who are not allergic if the dose is sufficient. So few hornets can kill human. 30 hornets can kill 30000 bees in 3 hours. An attack of hornets on a bees hive is awesome show. I’m very glad that hornets don’t live near my town :)…

Dream came true

Today, our dream about kitchen came true. For more than one and half year we lived without kitchen furniture. A few times we tried to choose kitchen furniture in various shops but without any success. In some cases the price was high and in other cases something happened. Last time we tried to order kitchen furniture in a shop where our friend works. He promised to make big discount. But suddenly he retired and we were back to square one. All this time we read dozen of design magazines to try to find some ideas about kitchen design and colors. Anyway, today the kitchen has been installed. And we are happy now :). Below are photos before and after installation.

weekend training

last Saturday, I went to Okulovka’s slalom canal with my friends Alexey and Anatoly and we had nice KAYAKtraining. In the morning, we loaded the two freestyle and the two slalom boats and we started to go at 8 o’clock. We reached our destination at 12:30. The road took 4 and half hours because we ran into two traffic jams. Alexey and Anatoly took salom boats and went to slalom trace. Because I did not have free slalom boat, I took the freestyle one and went to the hole. Two hours later we had lunch break. After lunch Alexey took second playboat and joined with me in hole. At the same time Anatoly took camera and made few pictures. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon we went back to Tver. After 30 minutes on the way we suddenly heard a crack and thunder. We stopped and got out of the car. Our boat was scattered across the road. Fortunately, the road was empty. I found that the strap was fried out. It was a mysterious accident, and we have not understood why it happened . I transferred boats for more than 5 years now and it was first time when the strap was broken in 30 minutes. Then we fixed the strap, tied boats and arrived to Tver without accidents. Anyway, it was a sunny day and we had a great time and much fun.

Lyrics Training

Some time ago I found an internet resource for funny language learning. It’s Lyrics Training site. Lyrics Training is a pretty good tool which combines language learning, music listening, song learning and touch typing:). This tool allows me sometimes to take work break, relax and learn some song.

My first online shopping story

About six month ago, I found out that my notebook should be replaced soon with a new battery. A month later the battery died finally and I began to find a new battery for my notebook. I asked about in shops but shop managers told me that they don’t sell battery for notebooks. So, I decided to order a battery by internet. I checked a notebook manufacturer site and find one for $140. I continued my search and found one for $70 on a Ukrainian site. The guys form this site claimed that they sell original batteries from a factory store in China so batteries are cheap. I trusted them and made an order three months ago. They told me that the package would be delivered by airmail. A week later, I checked the Chinese mail tracking system and found out that the package have already left China. Then I checked Russian mail tracking system within two months and found nothing about my package. Then I began to worry about that. Last week, the package appeared in Russian mail tracking system, hurray! Finally, yesterday I received the battery and put it on my notebook. I suspect the package didn’t fly by airmail. I think a little Chinese guy put the battery inside his big bag and went to Moscow by foot. At dark night he crossed the border and arrived in Moscow two month later so the batteries are cheap :)… Anyway, I have new battery and I'm happy.

Lolita

Yesterday, I found a store of online English movies. Some of them have subtitles. I watched “Lolita” movie directed by Adrian Lyne, based on a novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov. I have never read the novel, but now I’m going to read this one at leisure. This is a dramatic story about a forbidden love between British professor and 14-year-old step daughter, Dolores. Young nymphet played with the feelings of an old man who could not overcome his passion. He believed that he found his new love. This is story doesn't have a happy ending.

2010 extreme outdoor festival “Green Basin”

The 2010 extreme outdoor festival “Green Basin” is over. The festival took place in the Tver region on the Tverza river on June 06th. The festival consists of kayaking race, extreme relay, children relay, volleyball competition and water tourist relay. I participated in kayak race. I got 4th place in K1 and 4th place in K2. Our club team wins 1st place on the water team competition. Natasha and I took part in organizaing this competition also. It was sunny and we all burnt our skin (especially little Katya). We had a great time and much fun.





Results of festival are here.
Photos are here.

"The Flynn Effect"

Today, I read article about “The Flynn Effect”. The article answered the question: “Are human beings getting smarter?”. And the answer is: “Yes, but in one very specific way.” The main fact is that people who have taken IQ tests have gotten increasingly better scores - on average, three points better for every decade that has passed. Other interesting fact is that test takers did better on sections that required a special kind of reasoning or problem solving. According to Flynn, it happens because of the amount technology that is increasing in our life. I think it’s really true. New hi-tech devices, TV and computers makes our children smarter and develop logic. But on other hand they replace books and live communication. It can also reduce memorizing and social skills. Maybe it’s a part of human evolution process :)