Nine Things That Happened (or Didn't) in June

Hmmm - this is a rather creative way to say that I should have been writing more in my blog throughout the month of June, but I've been too busy and the World Cup is much too important.

1.) I got a cubicle. Actually, it's a desk pushed up against the wall in the file room. But me and the other three товарищи (comrades) who I share the file room with, we pulled out a giant wall map from 1992 from dusty storage, and now we call the file room "the Map Room" even though virtually every other room and cubicle in the building I work in has a world map. But "Map Room" sounds so much impressive than "I work in the file room," which implies that I am only allowed to have safety scissors.

2.) I learned that since 1992, only a few things have changed in world geography, including Zaire is now D-Rock, Rockefeller Center in New York is now 30-Rock and the Balkans have grown quite a bit more colorful.

3.) I attended two Ukrainian Barbecues this month. The first boasted hot dogs, veggie burgers and an assortment of pre-packaged mayonnaise salads in a suburban park in Virginia. The only thing authentically Ukrainian about this first party was that American Peace Corps volunteers played wiffle ball followed by an absurdly raunchy guys vs. girls version of charades. At this party, I learned the meaning of several new words which I wish I had never know the meaning.

At the second Ukrainian barbecue this motnh, we cooked shashlik over a Weber Charcoal grill in Rock Creek Park in DC. I discovered then that mayonnaise-sour cream marinade on pork skewers is a tasty rival to my own "Tatarski Shashlik" which involved chicken marinated a seasoned oil & vinegar dressing suped up with Sriracha.

After attempting two "authentic" Ukrainian barbecues this month, I happened on the conclusion that one in America might be better off on the next attempt to wander off out in the dead of Winter... ...deep into the forest somewhere with some adventurous friends, juice, Ukrainian vodka and meat skewers... ...followed in tow by several caffeinated dogs - unleashed... ...and a cell phone playing a crackling MP3 version of some Ruslan song.

4.) A few highly articulate men lost their self-control this month, some intentionally so as to appear well-meaning. Some who meant not well and had no intention to be seen losing their self-control.

5.) There was Brazilian Food Night at my friend Greg's house; a steamy establishment once owned by Nancy Reagan's soothsayer. There I ate the most perfectly prepared collared greens I had ever beheld. And it was there that I discovered the Caipirinha (Rum + ice + sugar + lime = PERFECTION).

6.) England beat Germany... ...forty-four years ago! Oh Britannia!

7.) I didn't buy a new camera this month - which is why I have no pictures from the things that happened in June. Sorry. Maybe next month.

8.) BP failed to stop the oil leak in the Gulf. BP says - Sorry. Maybe next month.

9.) Anti-corruption efforts are evidentally gaining traction in Russia. A Russian Fisheries Official who was suspected of corruption was being chased in his car by the police last Friday when he threw $322,000 out of his window. The man was arrested.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65R2UJ20100628