Russian Debutante's Journal

My Brighton Beach Memoirs

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 05:24:23 GMT

some notes on licence plates I observed through my excursions to Brighton:

on an orange Hummer, "AXYEHHHHHO"
on a Mercedes Truck, "HE TBOE"
some SUV, "BE3Y Ko3"
Then there was "3AKOH"

A little targeted sociological experiment. Extrapolate what you will.

Zaibatsu

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:40:32 GMT

In a rather pensive mood after ringing in the New Year, I decided to check the latest words added to the Merriam-Webster's in '06. It turns out unibrow, google (the verb), and drama queen were some of the additions. As well as a word that was new to me - zaibatsu. What a great freaking word. And it's in Japanese- how appropriate for an addition to the English dictionary. Not to mention the linguistic link to the Russian word(s), which bears an ironic twist to the word's actual meaning - "financial cliques," or business conglomerates...

Bush to Blair at G8 Summit

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 23:15:58 GMT

"See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

and after lunch at the summit:
"You eight hours? Me, too. Russia's a big country and you're a big country," Bush said, at one point telling a waiter he wanted Diet Coke. "Takes him eight hours to fly home. Russia's big and so is China. Yeah Blair, what're you doing? Are you leaving."

source: Boston Globe

nymfea and I...in Moscow..

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:32:55 GMT

http://users.livejournal.com/_jpg_/67764.html

Nothin' like a little domestic violence to bring the neighbors closer

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:49:06 GMT

The first time we got to meet our neighbors [since moving to NY in October] was today when we went to deliver cookies and apologies for my roommate's boyfriend's disturbing behavior. She thanked them for their concern and coming by after they heard yelling and loud noises. The boyfriend rang everyone's doorbell in the building to get up to our apartment because she wasn't letting him in. Once in, some fighing ensued and the neighbors called the cops. Unfortunately it wasn't the first time these particular cops saw this boyfriend misbehaving.. "Well, well, look who we have here...Looks like someone has a little problem with alcohol and violent behavior..." He recently scored a court date for throwing a chair off his balcony, luckily for him the same cops were underneath his building.

How embarassing for her... She is a beautiful, educated woman with a wonderful career.. This is not a trailor park. Its too bad people get off on these kinds of relationships. On the bright side, we now know the names of all the neighbors' pets and that cement factory wakes them up in the morning too and that none of us are fond of the landlord.

morning thoughts

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 11:19:17 GMT

I woke up today and Manhattan was missing
It was swallowed by the heavy fog...
My beautiful friend that greets me each morning
Lost in the uncertainty of clouds
What I wouldn't give to change the way things happened
Bring back the lights and certainty
For life indeed brings consequences...some clear and others dim
When all the chaos dissipates and the view becomes bis clear
I long that the city returns untainted to relish in and believe

Overheard in NY

Thu, 18 May 2006 04:21:25 GMT

me to guy in coffee shop: Could I get some quarters to feed the meter?

Guy in coffee shop: No, but I could show you how to fail a meter.....!
*** *** **** *** *****

me: Oh yea?

Guy: You take one of those sticks of gum for $.25 and break it in half and wiggle it inside the quarter slot. Works every time. Just don't let the cops see you doing it. We failed all the meters on the whole block one time.

...

Tibetian Kodak moment

Mon, 15 May 2006 00:35:03 GMT

I can't believe I didn't have my little casio with me... Today walking in Union Square, I witnessed a Tibetian monk fully garbed in a red cloak (like this) and little bamboo sandals pulling out a matching pink Motorolla RAZR cell phone to answer a call. Oh it was a deliscious image.

P.S. When searching for an image of a tibetian monk, the first link was Amazon - advertising, "The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk (Hardcover)" and offering me rebates on
"all Motorolla all the time."

memoirs of a pharma rep

Wed, 10 May 2006 02:08:48 GMT

when i started in this industry i was wary of the perception the pharmaceutical companies held in the eyes of the general public. After being at the forefront of selling drugs to physicians for a little while, I have mixed feelings about the corrupt reputation the industry enjoys. On one hand, the regulations, free competition, threat of law suits and the FDA seem to keep the doctor's perscribing habits in the best interest of the patient. Most doctors, by the nature of their professions and training care for the well-being of their patients and if they don't, the threat of malpractice law suits will keep them from perscribing anything that is not the best choice for the patient/medical condition. On the other hand, there are several physician types that contradict the latter. First, there are physicians that are so ill-informed or not up-to-date with their medical research, that reps that have new infromation have the upper hand in educating the physician on treatment strategies, drugs of choice and patient information. Second, and most striking - the money hungry/relationship influenced docs. There are phyicians that have started perscribing my drugs to help me out when they never saw these medications as an option in the past. There are also physicians that have started writing scripts of a medication after they were paid to be speakers for a particular brand. This is not shocking. But is it bad? The patient would probably be uneasy to find out...
This is the nature of sales... I can sleep safely at night knowing that the drugs I carry are good products and have helped many patients during their course. But, can we be sure that the doctor is always applying the best patient type to the product and making all the right treatment decisions? Another question to ask is whether the pharmaceutical industry is evil corrupt or is it the medical profession that lets it be?

Examples to come...

Feng Shui

Wed, 10 May 2006 01:44:35 GMT

The ancient Chinese practice suggests that different parts of the home mirror various aspects of a person's life. So, if a certain part in your home is cluttered or experiencing negative energy - the representative part of your life will be experiencing the same phenomenon.

I was thinking of this as I was driving in my car; crammed with boxes of pharmaceutical products, sales information, brochures, marketing giveaways, etc... stacked so high I could barely see out of my back window. What part of my life does the car represent: Work/career. Being that my office is essentially this Company given Chevy Impala, I realized it clearly could use some organizing in order to straighten out the unclarity in the career path aspect.

Checking e-mail hurts IQ more than smoking pot...

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 19:54:45 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/22/text.iq/index.html

what about doing both at the same time....

Flying the friendly skies

Mon, 19 Jul 2004 17:22:51 GMT

This article is scary and hit home for me because I was in a similar situation during a recent flight.

Check it

Morning Thoughts

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 22:00:27 GMT

I just slept with a guy. On the train. It was nice. We both fell asleep sitting in the same seat. I was reading and he was using a laptop and we both dozed off. I didn't even look at him before or after, but from the corner of my eyes I could see he was young, nicely dressed, no wedding ring. He got off before I did, we didn't exchange any words or even glances. Funny how such an intimate thing- sleeping next to another person can happen in such an impersonal manner and place- the northbound Metra train to Lake Bluff.

Che Burashka

Wed, 02 Jun 2004 19:32:02 GMT

Almost no more Vegas

Wed, 02 Jun 2004 17:51:53 GMT

So i'm not good at deciphering the validity of so-called conspiracy theories, maybe I can get some help.
A lady I work with, who has a friend in the CIA informed me of this incident that occurred during the first week of March Madness in Las Vegas. Apparently, this CIA employee, himself, was part of a team who intercepted a truck carrying enough explosives to take out the whole Las Vegas strip. During this busy time for the strip (is it ever not busy?), officials were able to go off a tip they received and stop the catastrophe. Yes, it was stopped before it happened and more panic would probably ensue if this news got publicized, but what else are we not being told? Is it ethical to hide such critical safety information? How can we find out if this truly went down?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~

Tue, 25 May 2004 03:52:17 GMT

skipped dance class and went to read. My mind was moving too fast to go dance. Steve is a terrible teacher when newbies try his class. I've counted and he made three girls cry since I started. He gets easily annoyed when people come with no dance background and won't break down the moves for them. I can identify that it is hard from his point of view to corrdinate all different levels of ability in one class, but as a teacher you need to teach and have patience, not run through the movements so fast that only a few of us can catch on. Although, it would probably be too slow for me to stand there while he teaches basics. Another section is what he needs. end of thought.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Fantastic film

Tue, 25 May 2004 03:41:04 GMT

"The Saddest Music in the World"
Two glass legs full of beer up!
That's what I give it. See it to understand.

Stylistically great, it looks like a 1930's movie, but made this year.

on corporate e-mails

Mon, 17 May 2004 19:05:26 GMT

You don't care whether I'm doing well or not. You don't care whether I had a great weekend, you don't really know me. Lame attempt at personalization, let's just keep this professional.

Its not at my earliest convenience you want this answer/document/phone call.., it was Yesterday you wanted it. Sugar-coating your request is annoying because now I have to fluff up my reply, I hate that.

"Thanks in advance!"- Isn't it rude to thank someone in before they did anything? Its like prodding. This fakeness takes all the nicety out of these words.

Best Regards and wishes, Respectfully yours truly, Sincerely,

and fuck you in advance.

;)

My 10 day Israel Trip Itinerary

Thu, 13 May 2004 01:12:22 GMT

Depart the US on overnight flight to Israel

Day 1- Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport
Ascend to Jerusalem
Say Shehehianu at a vantage point overlooking the Old City
Session: The Many Faces Of Israeli Society – an overview of Israeli society
Overnight Hotel Neve Ilan
____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2- Ascend to Jerusalem
View the Old City from Mt. Zion
Enter the Jewish Quarter via the Zion Gate
Tour the Jewish Quarter and learn about it's historic key sites:

* The Hurva Synagogue
* The Cardo
* The Broad Wall
* The Herodian Mansion
* The Southern Wall Excavations
Enjoy a spiritual visit to the Western Wall
Ascend to the rooftops of the Old City for a "bids eye" tour of Jerusalem – city of 3 religions
Depart Jerusalem and head north
Enjoy home hospitality and dinner (kosher) at the Druze Village of Ossafia, and learn about this unique minority which is very loyal to the State of Israel
Continue to the hotel in Haifa
Session: Preparation for the Mifgash
Overnight Haifa
____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3- Israelis arrive at the hotel for the Mifgash program
Session: Getting to know the Israelis
View the magnificent Bahai Gardens
Drive to Zfat – city of Mystical Judaism
Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists galleries
View the Golan and Syria from atop Mt. Bental
Onward to Kibbutz Merom Golan
Session: Meet with residents of the Kibbutz and discuss the price of peace (return of the Golan Heights)
Overnight Kibbutz Merom Golan

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4 - Enjoy a nature walk at the Bannias Springs
A Security Seminar at Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch for a chance to lean about life in the north of Israel
View the Hula Valley from Mitzpe Gadot
Visit the Talmudic Synagogue in Katzrin
Then a Kayaking adventure on the Jordan River
Head to a Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee
In the evening bathe – a Kumzitz party
Overnight: A Kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5 - Visit the Kibbutz Kinneret Yard and Cemetery to hear about the Halutzim, the pioneers who came to the Land of Israel at the end of the 19th century to build the land, and to be built by the experience.
Visit Zichron Ya'akov
Hear the stories about this quaint town's past including romance, wine, spies and betrayal
Arrive in Tel Aviv
Kabbalat Shabbat
Festive Shabbat Dinner
Shabbat Activity Overnight Tel Aviv

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 6 - Optional Shabbat Services
Session: Parashat Ha-Shabbat - the weekly Torah reading
Walking tour of Tel Aviv – the first Hebrew speaking metropolis
Session: Politics in Israel and Middle East
Havdallah
Disco Party at on of Tel Aviv clubs
Overnight: Tel Aviv

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 7 - Begin the day with a visit to Independence Hall, where Ben Gurion declared the rebirth of the Jewish state
Continue to Tel Maresha for a "Hands On" experience with the past as you participate in an archeological dig
Visit the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim
Head south into the desert
Enjoy a Camel Trek, followed by a Hafla (feast) in a Bedouin Tent
Overnight in a Bedouin Tent in the desert
____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 8 - Ascend Massada via the Roman ramp, tour Herod's Palaces and hear about its Jewish defenders who chose death over slavery at the hands of the Romans
Descend via the Snake Path
Enjoy a chance to swim (float) in the Dead Sea
Seminar on programs in Israel
Preparation Session for Yad Vashem
Overnight Hotel Neve Ilan

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 9 - Program at Yad Vashem including meeting with a Survivor, visits to the museum, the Children's Memorial and a service at the Valley of the Lost Communities
Continue to Mt. Herzl, to the gravesites of Herzl and Rabin and the Military Cemetery, to complete the idea of "From Destruction to Rebirth"
Enjoy a farewell visit to the Wall
Return Hotel Neve Ilan
Closing sessions: What did the trip achieve for you, Going back to your community and Feedback (logistics)
Drive to Ben Gurion Airport
____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 10- Depart for North America

***a trip of a lifetime, I cannot wait. I am welcoming the spiritual experiences of walking on that land. ***

much ado about nothing

Thu, 06 May 2004 01:44:02 GMT

i'll let this one take me here...
that one, the next day, there- I wanted to see that show anyway.
Oh yes, Sunday night sounds great- that exhibit should be wonderful
wine me
dine me
I still don't like you
why? you are gentlemen, intelligent, nice, handsome, modest, blah blah.
But you are all meaningless to me.
If the right one came along, i'd drop you in a second
I'm not a cold bitch
to a large extent I am curbing my boredom
I am keeping otherwise occupied
***

Thu, 06 May 2004 01:02:16 GMT

Such a voyeur, I am. Love reading other people's thoughts but can't seem to get my own out there. I feel judged. Why? Who knows. This is a record more for myself anyway. The idea of my thoughts exposed, naked, published- however trivial they may be, is appealing but frightening.

musical neighbors

Wed, 05 May 2004 21:55:18 GMT

The living room floor started shaking and loud music was eminating from the neighbors beneath us as I was about to go to bed last night. My downstairs musical neighbors decided to have a jam session. 10 pm on Monday night isn't really late, but I was exhausted. Thought about going down there and bitching them out. Then another completely different feeling occured to me. I haven't met these people yet, maybe I should go down there and introduce myself and listent to the music live.
Sure it would sound better than through my hardwood floors. Afterall, I was bored anyway.
Knocked on their door, said I was their upstairs neighbor after which they immediately said, "So Sorry, we'll try to keep it down". To which I said that I actually thought they sound awesome and wanted to know if I could come and hear them inside. They were so excited that a neighbor came down to hang out and not tell them to keep it down.
The group was made up of one girl (really sexy too) who did the vocals and played guitar. A guy on backup guitar and a second guy played banjos and a rattling sort of ball, like a big baby's rattle. The girls' voice was simply amazing. Turns out she composed all the music and wrote all the words.
Spent such a wonderful evening with them! Glad I didn't bitch them out, they are wonderful. They have a show downtown tonight, I'll be going to check them out. So glad I met my musical neighbors...

Overheard on the street- a girl on her cell phone

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 03:25:12 GMT

"We have time to have sex again before I leave"
.......
"My flight takes off at 5:30 and I don't have any bags to check"
.......
"...sure, you could watch that...while I get the equipment ready"

Powerful Movie Short

Fri, 09 Apr 2004 17:41:03 GMT

Poster

Check out this movie short, "The Martyr" where my friend plays the leading role. He plays a Palistinian boy who dresses as an Israeli and goes into a Jewish community to... blow them up. The poster is of the scene where he, the bomber, experiences a conflict after feeling a connection with the people in the cafe. He becomes conflicted whether to push the button in his jacket. A complete movie in 12 minutes, although I hope the movie studios decide to take it on as a full feature. Should be at most major film festivals, so excited I am for him!!

Dr. Seuss Sees America, 2004

Fri, 09 Apr 2004 13:51:10 GMT

A little something to lighten the burden of these stressful times...

Dr. Seuss Sees America, 2004

The Whos down in Whoville liked people a lot,
But the Grinch in the White House most certainly did not.
He didn't arrive there by the will of the Whos,
But stole the election that he really did lose.
Vowed to "rule from the middle," then installed his regime.
(Did this really happen, or is it just a bad dream?)

He didn't listen to voters, just his friends he was pleasin'
Now, please don't ask why, who knows what's the reason.
It could be his heart wasn't working just right.
It could be, perhaps, that he wasn't too bright.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
Is that both brain and heart were two sizes too small.
In times of great turmoil, this was bad news,
To have a government that ignores its Whos.

But the Whos shrugged their shoulders, went on with their work,
Their duties as citizens so casually did shirk.
They shopped at the mall and watched their T.V.
They drove a gas guzzling big S.U.V.,
Oblivious to what was going on in D.C.,
Ignoring the threats to democracy.
They read the same papers that ran the same leads,
Reporting what only served corporate needs.
(For the policies affecting the lives of all nations
Were made by the giant U.S. Corporations.)
Big business grew fatter, fed by its own greed,
And by people who shopped for the things they didn't need.

But amidst all the apathy came signs of unrest,
The Whos came to see we were fouling our nest.
And the people who cared for the ideals of this nation

Began to discuss and exchange information:
The things they couldn't read, in the corporate-owned news,
Of FTAA meetings and CIA coups,
Of drilling for oil and restricting rights.
They published some books, created Websites,
Began to write letters, and use their e-mail
(Though Homeland Security might send them to jail!)

What began as a whisper soon grew to a roar,
These things going on they could no longer ignore.
They started to rise up and reach out to all
Let their voices be heard, they rose to the call,
To vote, to petition, to gather, dissent,
To question the policies of the "President."
As greed gained in power and power knew no shame
The Whos came together, sang "Not in our name!"
One by one from their sleep and their slumber they woke
The old and the young, all kinds of folk,
The black, brown and white, the gay, bi- and straight,
All united to sing, "Feed our hope, not our hate!
Stop stockpiling weapons and aiming for war!
Stop feeding the rich, start feeding the poor!
Stop storming the deserts to fuel SUV's!
Stop telling us lies on the mainstream T.V.'s!
Stop treating our children as a market to sack!
Stop feeding them Barney, Barbie and Big Mac!
Stop trying to addict them to lifelong consuming,
In a time when severe global warming is looming!
Stop sanctions that are killing the kids in Iraq!
Start dealing with ours that are strung out on crack!"

A mighty sound started to rise and to grow,
"The old way of thinking simply must go!
Enough of God versus Allah, Muslim vs. Jew
With what lies ahead, it simply won't do.
No American dream that cares only for wealth
Ignoring the need for community health
The rivers and forests are demanding their pay,
If we're to survive, we must walk a new way.
No more excessive and mindless consumption
Let's sharpen our minds and garner our gumption.
For the ideas are simple, but the practice is hard,
And not to be won by a poem on a card.
It needs the ideas and the acts of each Who,
So let's get together and plan what to do!"

And so they all gathered from all 'round the Earth
And from it all came a miraculous birth.
The hearts and the minds of the Whos they did grow,
Three sizes to fit what they felt and they know.
While the Grinches they shrank from their hate and their greed,
Bearing the weight of their every foul deed.

From that day onward the standard of wealth,
Was whatever fed the Whos spiritual health.
They gathered together to revel and feast,
And thanked all who worked to conquer their beast.
For although our story pits Grinches 'gainst Whos,
The true battle lies in what we daily choose.
For inside each Grinch is a tiny small Who,
And inside each Who is a tiny Grinch too.
One thrives on love and one thrives on greed.
Who will win out? It depends who you feed!