The good news

The good news is that the Moscow Times reports that the suicide rate is the Russian capital is falling.

 The bad news is that...

If you can't do it right...

...don't do it at all.

The president has faced a lot of criticism recently...

Crisis? What Crisis? (part 2)

I wrote about some Russians' reactions to the Rouble's fall a few weeks back.

Had some more feedback...

Competition time

Saw this beauty on a Russian social network...

Can you tell what it is yet?

Salad Recipe: Mushroom Meadow/ грибная поляна

It was a typical, Russian New Year for us and there were with plenty of salads, including Mushroom Meadow (Gribnaya Polyana).

photo of the month

On a day in the UK when wintery weather is rearing its ugly head and the daytime has been rapidly changing between bright and night-like overcast, bringing hail, snow and sleet. Here in Britain, I feel the weather creates a sense of drudgery... oh god, it's miserable, let's stay in all wrapped up and warm.

With the view of Russia as a place of temporary stay, the drudgery disappeared and was replaced by an appreciation of the absurdity and the eternal battle of man versus weather. Another day coping with the Siberian winter was viewed as a personal victory.

stalagmite or stalactite?

Russia bans transgender drivers

It has been widely reported that the Russian government has decided to ban transgender people from driving (BBC, Guardian). They have added many conditions which they deem to be "mental disorders", including transgenderism, fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism, as well as kleptomaniacs and those with a gambling addiction.

Of course, Russia's absurdly high road accident (mortality) rate (30,000 deaths and 250,000 injuries annually) has nothing to do with alcohol, macho driving stupidity or poorly-maintained vehicles. If you want a laugh, watch (some of) this collection of videos from Russian dashcams.

With homosexuality sometimes viewed as an 'illness' in Russia, you can't help but wonder which direction such a law change might go next.

Now, cue the piss-take...