Winter has come!

I returned to a Russian winter in half-swing, which promptly kicked itself up into full-swing, just as I finished unpacking my suitcase. My moustache freezes from every time i hit the street, the moisture from my nasal exhalations collecting on the frozen whiskers. The stray cats are bountiful in this city, and I always wondered how they could possibly survive in such a climate, come winter. One night I spied the secret of their survival.The floodlights that illuminate the arches of the Kazan Cathedral also provide the nightwarmth that keeps the streetcats of Russia alive. They huddle here and wait for the sun.In addition to keeping the cats alive, the lights to create a handsome sight when one (huddled in scarf and coat) approaches the cathedral. Essential and proper winter attire. One must be prepared for the elements. I will be back in Texas in March for my brother's wedding. Until then, my love to you all, and keep warm!

С Новым Годом!

Happy new year to you all! It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks as I ventured forth from the cold north to pay a visit to my dear friends and family in Texas. It was a great surprise for my Mom, who had no idea I was coming, and a real treat for me, as I hadn't anticipated returning until March. So first off, thanks to my Dad for gifting me a ticket to come back. Despite losing my Russian work visa somewhere along the way, and scrambling to replace it at the embassy in Paris, it was an alltogether joyous trip. Here are photos.Here's my friend and sometime roomate (and editor of effing press) Scott Pierce crossing Shoal Creek. Though the buildup of massive skyscraping loftblocs troubled me more than a little, it warmed my heart to see old Austin sights, like the thundercloud lightning bolt glowing in the window.In Dallas, a happy reunion with Ben Berger and Greg Martin. We walked Oak Lawn and Greenville, and visited the new Good Records location (its polyphonic!). Ben and I thrashed Greg and some drunk guy in foosball (though the blame for the loss lies on the drunk guy and not Greg, who played quite valiantly) and doubting bartenders scrutinized my passport before aquiescing to serve me lone star.After a harrowing day in Paris, running about, documents and money in hand, visa concerns filling my brain, I recline in the pre-boarding lounge at Charles De Gaulle airport. It's 10:30, and I'm waiting for a plane to Helsinki, and losing my mind a bit. So this is the ceiling of the terminal....it seemed beautiful to me at the time. Suppose it still is.I arrived back in Russia just in time for Old (Gregorian) Russian New Year. The Russians celebrate whenever possible, and fireworks are of course a necessity. A group of us found an exit out to the roof, and shot off bottle rockets with champagne and cheering. We were saluted by other rooftops in return. In this photos we have two Englishmen, Liam and Craig (head sticking out the window), two Russian ladies, Luba and Yana, and Dan the Wisconsonite. We stepped carefully up there, as the snow was falling and the metal roof was quite slick. Dan nearly lost it here.Star with sparkler!Sparklers for everyone!
A Russian new year roofscape. This is the top of St. Petersburg. May you all enjoy the new year and all it brings. I send my love from Russia.