4 reasons a nuclear war with Russia will be less likely under the Millennials (and some Gen Xers)

One of the themes–both spoken and unspoken–at the seminar I talked about last post, was that hope for better relations with Russia rests on the shoulders of the younger generation. If you’ll recall, I even noted more optimism from the junior panel than the established panel.

Things are getting better and will stay on a trajectory of getting better simply because we were not born into the boiling pot of the Cold War. I’m throwing Gen-X (1970-1985) into the mix because of the first bullet you’ll see in a bit, and because some were simply too young to remember the hot bed. As my physics professor once said, “we [Gen Xers] rejected authority, wore flannel and listened to Pearl Jam.” So that counts in terms of not being directly exposed to a Cold War culture (unless you want to split hairs and say that they were exposed at as a baby, so that might be just as important, if not more than. But, I don’t want to go down that road.)

So, in the style of the voice of my generation–Cracked–let’s get this show on the road.

Tags: america/russia, outside sources, cold war, history

007 and the Cold War Stereotype

So…sorry for being a week late. Again. Finals kind of snuck up on me and hit me over the head screaming, “Everything is due a week earlier than you thought!” And it’s been a mad dash to the end to get papers and projects in. I haven’t slept in three days. But here I am, in a coffee shop listening to Pandora very appropriately play the soundtrack to The Crimson Tide, trying to write an article about Cold War stereotypes, instead of wrapped in a blanket, sound asleep.

I do it for you, people.

Tags: america/russia, cold war, history, out and about in the city, school

Rasputin gets angry…and then I do

Today, I’m talking about the rock opera Brother Russia. Haven’t heard of it? Well, it just debuted this month and as far as I can tell, it’s a pretty small venue. Here is a link. The summary’s in the description box. I don’t want to talk too much about the play itself, because the acting, the singing, lyrics were great. It’s the subject that I have issue with.

Tags: out and about in the city, outside sources, writing

In the spirit of keeping to a schedule

I got sick last week, so I don’t have anything ready for today. I’ll have something ready and up by Saturday. Tomorrow’s a little crazy-booked too. So look for something by then!

For those of you who are curious, the next article is about the Last Royal Family of Russia.

It’ll be good.

Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off

And start all over again.

This post will be a bit short, in-between a photo blurb and a full article, and it’s a bit more personal than usual.

I came across an article on the Smashable Magazine website. Smashable, for those who don’t know, is design magazine for print and web developers. They also have a community of designers offering advise and tips. The article in question was a showcase of Russian webdesigners along an interview with Gennady V. Osypenko, a famous Kiev-based designer, also known as Genn, working with companies from Eastern Europe, and Dmitry Sulliwan, a Russian freelance Web designer. What I saw here was extremely heartwarming and comforting. I knew that there were many Russian web and print designers and that, among other things, it was a quickly growing sector of the economy; every time I’m out looking for business card designs or portfolio fodder, at least half submissions are from -skiis, -skayas or -chenkos.

You see…there’s been a lot of wrong turns and detours in the past five years. And when I say wrong turn, I mean, cars diving right off the damn cliff. But through it all, I’ve had my writing and my designing. I began my psuedo-career in design in the ninth grade of high school, by taking a Photoshop class. But then after, Mom had me help her design her school’s yearbook pages. Today, I don’t turn any report in without churning it through InDesign. I manage the layout and design of a political organization at my university.

I studied Russian with the goal of eventually working for my government. But that door has rather closed and sealed itself (not without my own jadedness; it comes from living in the Capital). I’ve been kind of floundering around, with no real certainty of tomorrow, and unsure of what to do with my random skills of the Russian language, rockin’ the InDesign and love of the font Rockwell. It’s very comforting to see that there’s a future in design, and that I’ll have the chance to use my chosen foreign language as well. That I didn’t just waste my time or that I can’t exploit my talent.

For the first time, in a really, really long time, I feel like things are going to be alright.

And with that–I have a second blog! This one is about writing, Russian culture and history, and this next one is about design. I’m going to start carrying my camera around when I walk around the city, looking at things like brands, color schemes and structure. And I’ll also show off some of my work, sort of a portfolio if you will. Nothing is up yet, but when I have the official launch of it, I’ll let you know. Here’s the URL:

atinycitydetail.wordpress.com

Here are some snippets from the interview with some art pieces. (The bold in the designers’ responses are my own)

Tags: practical russian

The Post that YouTube Took Over

I have had it with this m---f---- Hipsters in this m---f---- Soviet Russia.

I love musicals. And I love hipsters. Ironically, of course.

Earlier this month, I dropped into John’s office to pester him, and I saw posted on his cubicle wall, an announcement for the film “Stilyagi,” Hipsters. It was the last film in a series of screenings that my school hosts at the Russian Embassy, through an organization called the Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC). The tagline read What do you get when you cross Grease with Soviet Russia? With that, and the poster (check out all those retina-searing colors!), I knew I was going to love it.

And love it, I did.

Tags: america/russia, movies, out and about in the city

Disney Villain Songs

Sometimes I wonder if Disney villain songs sound so much better in Russian because we’re still taught that Russia is the “Great Advisory.” I wonder if Russian kids think their villain songs sound more sinister in English. (Please note that this is not something I’m seriously thinking about. Just some thoughts running around in my head as I listen to these songs to study.) This is no particular order, either. Enjoy!

Tags: america/russia, animation, childhood, disney