February 23, 2022 Boring Weather Disappoints Meteorologist "During the first half of the week, the weather will be warm with temperatures eight to nine degrees above normal. Daytime temperatures are expected to be plus two to five degrees, nighttime temperatures from minus one to plus two degrees. Wind on Monday will be up to 17 m/s, precipitation is light, but also sleet and rain. This is such uniform and boring weather." – A disappointed meteorologist describing Moscow's upcoming weather Cities & Towns Environment Media Moscow Quote
February 16, 2022 A Priest's Life Hack for Marital Strife “If you had a fight with your wife, then you should ask for forgiveness like this: 'Darling, please forgive me for asking you to marry me….' There is a real chance that suddenly your wife will smile and forgive you. True, wives are unpredictable in their grievances—you can die from violence.” – A Russian priest's "life hack" for marital struggles. Family Men Religion Women Quote
February 09, 2022 A Not-So Sobering Message “About the dangers of alcohol, volumes have been written on the benefits of more than one brochure! From lack of education, we walk for five days and crawl for two! And, on Saturday morning, Russia from space looks like.” – An unintelligible sign alerting Muscovites to the effects of alcohol. Cities & Towns Customs Food & Drink Moscow Social Issues Quote
February 02, 2022 Copperfield? I Hardly Know Her! “Usually, to put money on a card, you need an ATM; with magicians, everything is much simpler: just rub a coin and it becomes invisible.” – Eugene, at Nevyansk prison, as he shows off a magic trick. Journalism Law Men Urban Life Quote
January 26, 2022 An Unofficial Open to the Winter Olympics? “I consider the Tomsk Winter Olympic Games open!” – Viewers joke as a man chases after his escaped plastic bathtub in the city of Tomsk. Cities & Towns Internet Sports Urban Life Quote
January 19, 2022 The Russian Granny Made of Steel "I have enough safety margin for a lot more. Nothing is impossible, even at such a venerable age. Take care of yourself, dear friends, and never be afraid of anything." – Maria Koltakova, the "Steel Granny," imparting wisdom, insight, and encouragement. Biographies Cities & Towns History Memoir Military War Women Quote
January 12, 2022 The Grinch Who Regretted "Dear residents! My deepest apologies. I confess I went too far with the alcohol. I am ready to financially compensate for the damage for the toys." – A note from an anonymous Christmas tree thief from Krasnoyarsk, published January 10. Holidays Humor Quote
January 05, 2022 Dead Morose: Never Too Late for the New Year "Thank God no one is writing any filth. Everything somehow really worked out very soulfully. This kind of thing is a sincere message from one to the other." – A representative of the Omsk ritual company “Heritage,” explaining the response to a New Year’s letter-writing campaign for the deceased, headed by a very punny Dead Morose. Family Holidays Quote
December 29, 2021 Courting Father Christmas "Since I am also a lawyer, I can act as an attorney for Father Christmas, and remind the plaintiff that Father Christmas fulfills wishes and gives gifts only to good girls and boys. Let him analyze his behavior and, perhaps, find something that has prevented Father Christmas from presenting him with gifts for the New Year holidays. This will be the main line of defense." – On December 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to defend Father Christmas after a St. Petersburg lawyer sued the gift-bringer. Holidays Humor Law Quote
December 22, 2021 A Sweet Treat "Ancient instincts work – I licked the thing." – Hermitage artist-restorer Galina Fedorova discovers a candy stuck to the ball gown of Grand Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II. Art Culture History Quote
December 15, 2021 Barking Up the Right Tree "Yes, we growl and bite. Yes, we have sharp teeth and strong grip. But we are the prerequisite for progress. We are the antidote against tyranny." – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Dmitriy Muratov, celebrating the work of journalists on December 10. Journalism Media News Quote
December 08, 2021 The Breadwinner "Any region [of the Russian Federation], a Russian citizen, a Russian person – these are our people. We have never split. Can we help with something in agriculture – please. We will give the last grain, super-elite [grain], so all is well." – From the website of Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, on December 2. Int'l Relations Politics Quote
