nose to the grindstone

Apparently I missed a bit of a downer week at work. We failed to hire for one of our two Spanish positions and everyone was feeling pretty beleaguered by week's end. Then there was the college executive committee meeting where all sorts of budgetary doom and gloom was meted out. Glad I missed that. It was warm while I was away and a lot of the snow has melted. I'm pasting in a picture of my favorite billboard from the Moscow trip. It's a play on alphabets.

Moscow getaway

My sister asks why I am here in the middle of the term. I got invited to a conference and it seemed too good a chance to pass up. My way was paid, I got to attend a two day, quintessentially Russian academic event, and see my dearest friend Liz and family. The only disappointment has been the unseasonably warm weather - it hasn't dipped below freezing at all really. Yesterday Liz's daughter skipped school and we hit the town - galleries, shopping and a sushi lunch. The Tretyakovsky which is my favorite gallery bar none has a whole slew of previously undisplayed paintings up now which was great fun.

Spain in Moscow

Last night we went to a wine tasting at "the premier Spanish restaurant in Moscow". Of course, it is probably the only Spanish restaurant in Moscow, but that should not detract from its reputation. It was great fun, mainly because I got to see a New Zealander whom I only see each time I drop into Moscow. He is very funny and we had a grand time snatching up the gustatory glasses and nibbles.

cafeteria

today i went and found the cafeteria to have my lunch. There are two sides -- one for students, the other for teachers. Very civilized. Anyway, I stood in line, got some soup and a pirozhok (meat pie) and took a glass of apple juice. The woman in front of me chose the same juice. She took a sip and curled her lip - "sour" she said. When it was her turn to pay, she told the cashier that the juice was sour. The cashier left her post and went to the back. She returned with a very large, aproned woman who was clearly in charge of the food. She announced, "the juice is fine, completely normal." The woman insisted "no, its sour". "Nope, absolutely fine." End of story. She had to pay for the juice. Welcome to Russian customer service. Incidentally, I thought the juice was fine too.

Moscow

This trip, as all trips to Russia, requires much extensive blogging. A small vignette for starters. For those of you concerned about your carbon footprint. Get more concerned - you are working for Russia too. Today at the conference I am attending I sat near the window only to realize that the window air conditioning unit was cranked full blast to combat the relentless central heating that is a feature of all Moscow public buildings...

just prior to the accident - note moose in background

close brush

So I am sitting here with a neck brace on and a bottle of lortab to hand after flying from an inner tube and planting myself headfirst in a snow bank yesterday. Thank god I am not dead or paralyzed! I'm just in masses of pain and have been told I must rest and stay away from work all week. This seems impossible, but I shall try my best. Up until the 'accident' it had been a beautiful hike up a canyon. We saw three moose and had a little picnic - all with Nancy who was visiting for the weekend. We had planned to go to a movie after the walk but instead got to have our very own episode of ER. Just incase, they insisted on strapping me to one of those backboards a la Hannibal Lector... and I got to have my first cat scan. How was everyone else's weekend?