Atl 2

Braggy-Braggy

This post is just to say that, while MasterGote may never experience the pains of childbirth, running a marathon, or occupying the highest tax bracket, riding an off-brand, $125, 17kg behemoth of a mountain bike with a loose saddle through snow, mud, sand, and occasional stretches of asphalt for 74km can now be checked off the list of the quite painful (but potentially awesome) things to do in life. Sore bottom, sunburn, and multiple bruises notwithstanding, it was one of the funnest things I've done so far in Russia. The people were absolutely lovely for letting a bum like me join in on their ride, considering I've never "ridden" longer than from Brooklyn to Queens and back and didn't even know the right way to change gears for going uphill (wha? there's a way to go up a hill without standing on the pedals???). Anyway, here are some pictures and here are some more braggy-braggy stats about the ride (in Russian). People back in the BK, start training...

Machoing Up Int'l Women's Day Weekend

Well, I think some of you may know what this post is going to be about.

But first, how about a little down-hill action? I must admit, I was not excited about this hill. Unlike our previous inner-tube outing at Leninskie gory (or in the Sierra Nevadas, for that matter), the snow here had been on the ground for some time and an icy layer had formed. I don't know about our brave companion, but MG had to give pause before committing to launching himself down. (He notes this in the spirit of truthfulness, and not without some embarrassment.)


In his defense, and though it's hard to tell from the photographs, this hill was epically long and treacherously steep.



This is where our hero grabs some air and ends up biting his tongue...


Bravely losing his hat and glasses along the way.


And as wise BrotherGote counsels, любишь кататься, люби и саночьки носить.*


*If you like to ride, you'd better like to carry the sled.

Then it was on to the main event. Represented here by the blind walrus cooling his tail. The walrus, it is well known, is a cold-weather cousin of the gote.


Walrus-gote family reunions are legendary. Here is another commemorative plaque of a reunion past.


Wait, what? I'm sorry, gotes can't read stick figures.


Ah, here we go. Our little changing area.

Friendly ducks gather to lend support.


A little calisthetics...


And...


For some reason, there seems to be no evidence of Alex's dip. But here he is performing gymnastic feats.


And here he is seeking the comfort of old Mr. Greeny.


And if you come visit, you can come swimming too, and then I'll show you the rest of them, even the embarrassing ones, even without creative Photoshopping.

(A big thank you to Alex for documenting the event, and apologies in advance for likely f-ing up the post-production.)

Ugh, That Was Totally Uncalled For! What Was That Lady Thinking? Gross!

Okay, two things.

One:



OMFG, how did I not know about this ahead of time? I suppose this raises a question: what's more important - religious sentiment or sheer awesomeness? Cause, you know, they're dunkin' for Jeebus, people. (via)

And two: Have you seen Rachel Maddow's interview with Gov. F-word, a.k.a. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich? If you have not, you need to download it on the itunes or get it on the youtube or whatever. It is mesmerizing. This man is an absolute maniac and I found it nearly impossible to turn away from his car-wreck of a self-defense. Here's how crazy it was: I actually agreed with him about the "innocent until proven guilty" thing and wished that other politicians *ahem, Eliot Spitzer* would stick up for themselves a bit more instead of slinking off and letting those sharks have the last laugh. What?! Eliot "I am a fucking steamroller" Spitzer? This is some strong brew. Fasten your seat-belts.

More! More! More! And Even More!

Oh huzzah! There is video of old BM himself, a mustachioed bona fide gote if ever I saw one, talking about these photos online! It's in Russian, but it's fun just to see him. Also, I think he makes the butt sex gesture at one point. In reference to the Soviet system, the Soviet system, I swears. Also, you can see the installation and the scale.

Notes on Texture

(Click to enlarge)

Another Boris Mikhailov show = more visual treats.

I love this picture. I love how blitheley the woman from the past stares out of it and is then beheaded by the horizon line (of time?). I love how he's taken a pen to the photograph and carved out little cigarette burn holes onto its surface, breaking the spell that it casts and rhyming at the same time with the weird spots on the seated woman's back. They are the traces of the cupping glass remedy meant to suck the illness out of the lungs or draw the blood up to the surface or something less predictable. But look how those spots continue even onto her underpants, the Soviet blight covering all surfaces with its sickly spots... The only thing I do not like is the pink magic marker lines on her brazier. I never did like his painted-over pictures. Too much, too much too much.

Anyway, sorry to go on like this. I haven't written in a while, and thought I'd post something so GWB's smug little mug wouldn't stare at you any longer. I cannot wait to stream the debates tomorrow morning. Did you hear? I think Obama's like 9 points ahead! Also, I may have made a mistake with my phone number. If you think my cell phone number ends in a 5, it is not true. It ends in a 3. The rest is definitely right. I love you all, good night!

Notes on Sports

Because he is patriotic and keeps up with current affairs, MasterGote says YES to women's beach volleyball.


















PresidentGote is in agreement!