It has been a long time since I posted to this blog. Saw this news article earlier and could not resist posting this photo!

This daredevil sought to prove that skydiving and heavy drinking can go together as part of a dangerous stunt in a vertical wind tunnel.

The tunnels replicate the conditions of an actual skydive by blasting powerful jets of air directly upwards, causing anyone inside the chamber to "float".

They are used to train divers for proper free falls, but this man decided to combine the experience with some alcoholic refreshment.

He is shown visibly struggling to open his lips against the force of the gust, but eventually manages to bring the bottle to his mouth and take a sip.

While you might think that vodka would be the natural choice of the daredevil Russian skydiver, the stuntman was actually drinking from a bottle of samogon, a moonshine that was illegal in the country until recently.

Samogan is ususally distilled from sugar, but can also be made from corn, potatoes and even plywood. It was especially popular during the Soviet era when vodka supplies could be unstable.

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everybody is talking about Russia's overtime win last night as they beat Canada for the world ice hockey gold medal. Last night all the cars were driving in down-town blowing their horns and people were celebrating.

Team Russia pose with their gold medals and trophy.

Continue reading "Russia rallies to beat Canada for world ice hockey gold" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[This was a good commentary on Putin's power transition to Medvedev.]

As ex-President Putin settles in to his new role as Prime Minister, he has every reason to congratulate himself.

After all, he has not only written the script for his constitutional coup d'etat, but staged the play and given himself the starring role as well.

(Click the article link to read more.)

Continue reading "Russia: A totalitarian regime in thrall to a Tsar who's creating the new Facist empire" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

News article is below. Video from RussiaToday:

Continue reading "Russia has a new president - Medvedev is President, Putin is Prime Minister" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Moscow court has sentenced a U.S. pastor to more than three years in prison for illegally bringing hunting ammunition to Russia.

3 Years Doesn't Fit the Crime in Miles Case...

Continue reading "U.S. Pastor jailed in Russia" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This story was in the Moscow Times.
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I saw it coming as soon as Tim Russert cornered Senator Hillary Clinton into naming President Vladimir Putin's heir. She dodged, ducked and plunged into the now famous: "Um, Med-medvedova, whatever."
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Granted, saying Medvedev's name isn't a piece of cake - it took me a few times to get it figured out.

Read on to the full article AND to see Clinton looking like a fool... not hard for her...

Continue reading "Dmitry Whatever" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There were some demonstrations on Sunday (day of elections). The Kremlin is very tight with who it lets demonstrate (they cite traffic concerns and inconvenience to the public). Several groups were out protesting both the election and the Kremlin's choice to not let them protest. Of course, that brought out the riot police. One such protest was near the Christiye Prudy metro which isn't far from our flat.

But, all that said, we really haven't seen any changes or felt any impact. It is business as usual. The "regular" people seem isolated from it all. So far, everyone that I have spoken with did not vote! Don't know how they got a 70% turnout rate!

Changes will probably come small and progressively.

The big news is cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine because of debt.

I have included several news stories and op-ed pieces about the election. Read on.

Continue reading "Elections are over. Medvedev is President. (No surprise there.)" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 07:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

14. Moscow, Russia. Index contamination: 43.4. As Forbes magazine writes, in a city where the cost of rent exceed 3 thousand dollars a month, there is no normal piped water, and the degree of air pollution exceeds allowable limits.

Posted by Justin Hall at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Andrew McChesney
The Moscow Times, Staff Writer

DAVOS, Switzerland -- Augie Fabela II, co-founder of VimpelCom, did not look the least bit worried as he stretched back in his seat and flashed a smile as white as the snowdrifts outside.

Around him, the world's biggest investors and politicians were nervously debating at the World Economic Forum the impact that the U.S. financial crisis would have on the global economy, how big the crisis might grow and how long it would last.

Continue on to read the full article...

Continue reading "Russia's Economy Looks Good From Davos" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 08:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This morning I should have received the new laptop from our UK office. By mid-day nothing had arrived. Followed up with the shipper and the laptop is still in the UK. Russian customs wants 285 pounds (~$600 USD) to let the laptop through!!!! It is a used laptop probably with value ~$500. WOW. Send it back to the UK office. I'll figure something else out.

Posted by Justin Hall at 06:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Preparing for the upcoming March elections, Putin today fired Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. News articles are included. More to come, for sure.

Continue reading "Putin fires Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and "dissolves the government"" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The St. Pete Times (that's St. Pete, Russia) had an interesting article recently about how Russia deals with incidents verses other countries. It's a good read and included below.

Continue reading "Defending the Defenseless" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the RGS guys pointed me to Sea Buckthorn. It's a small orange berry that grows in the Russian mountains. You can find it in tea, for example.

Posted by Justin Hall at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Putin made international headlines this past weekend when he suspended Russia's participation in a weapons treaty. I'll say, Putin is enormously popular here! The story is included.

Continue reading "Putin Suspends Russia's Participation in Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 12:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a service of Google that will connect you to me anonymously. Give it a shot :) Click the button then enter your name and phone. The service will call you then call me.

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:09 PM | Permalink

By no means am I a political scholar. Take that under advisement when you read the below! What I write here is my perspective on American life compared to our Russian Federation friends.

This is long so grab a cup of coffee, a notepad to jot down comments, and start reading.

Continue reading "My Socio-economic Perspective Comparing Russia to the USA" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello on this fine Friday. One week from about now I'll be on a plane back to the states. Am I ready? Maybe. It really has been a good several weeks over here. I feel like I have stayed in touch with the "home front." Granted, the personal one-on-one and face time can't be matched. What do I miss most? Those Sunday afternoon sports times! Whether it be baseball, football, racquetball, water sports or whatever that is what I really miss! My exercise routine here has been terrible. Be ready to play a LOT of ball when I get back! I need to offset all this heavy Russian cuisine.

Posted by Justin Hall at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My phone, actually SIM card, PUKed out on me today...

Continue reading "MTC vs. Cingular" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just a short note to say hi and happy Wednesday. It is a very nice day weather wise her in Russia's capital city. Probably about 30 deg C. Enjoy your Wed.

Posted by Justin Hall at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sochi beats Pyeongchang, South Korea after Salzburg, Austria, is eliminated on the first ballot.

Continue reading "Just announced: Sochi, Russia, to host 2014 Games" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have slightly redesigned the blog so that all photo shows are now linked from the front. You no longer have to dig into the blog entry to view photo shows. Of course, you are still highly encouraged to read the full blog entry! Enjoy.

Posted by Justin Hall at 06:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Moscow Times - An age-old Russian belief that air conditioning is a sure route to colds and flu has led to growing numbers of hot and grumpy expats in the summer.

Continue reading "Hot Tempers Over Cool Air" »

Posted by Justin Hall at 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)