The Altar of Pain

— What have you built? — I’ve asked him.

— It’s the altar of pain. — Was the answer.

He was 11 years old.

Winter is coming

As simple, as unevitable, as long forgotten.

Arkhangelsk

Abend stille in der Nacht...

A new beginning

This is Zero Mark - the place, where all the roads in Arkhangelsk region took their start.

Hope, I can get a good start of the week here too.

Smile

When nobody watches...

Lost Hope

This is the Church of Christ the Saviour.

In early years of the twentienth century it was destroyed, and long time the Church of Christ the Saviour was the symbol of monstrocities of communists.

After all, Soviet Union was not very scary place to live. Wasn't more than modern Russia is now, though they have very, very different things to be scared of.

But when Soviet Union was gone, people say, that the Church of Christ the Saviour is to be rebuilt - as a symbol of Russia reborn. It IS rebuilt now - and what do we see? This beautiful temple is known for too much money spent on it. If not this temple, I often hear, than there could be more better things now.

People, what's wrong with you? You have your dream come true.

I don't understand you.

Empty mind

Last days I'm out of thoughts. It's like sitting in semidark room and listen rain sounds.

But I don't complain - I've got plenty deeds to be done, and now I can just do, without distractions and sparks of inspiration to do something other.

Must hurry.

 

A piece of another world

Sometimes it's worth to look for nothing particular.

Hot water

Hot water is blessing upon us. Hot water means tea or coffee, long bath meditation or quick refreshing shower, and warm, inner warm, when it's so cold everywhere.

Childhood

Sometimes people eagerly wish to return into their child age. First years of living seems so comfort and painless. But still they say: "You're too adult for such things". And when I meet these two sides of some men, I think myself "Gosh!".

Why we try to totally remove our inner child nature? Just for only desperate wish to bring it back?

Fire Iron

Fire iron is a fabulous tool. This magic rod creates good food and warm - which are very magic things themselves, especially in North.

Some faery tales still living amongst us.

Under the Bridge

There's something in under the bridges, what makes me watch still and stand in awe.

Perhaps, there's a drop of troll in me, don't you think?

Sign of Home

Hey, I know that today it is a popular trend in Russia to travel to Southern countries, like Egypt and Turkey. But I don't want it, don't wish to go somewhere because it's what where everyone else want to go.

I like the nothern summer, short but surprisingly warm, with bright sun and clear blue sky. I don't need pineapples, I need apples. And pines.

Oldtimer

I always smile when see old cars on the streets. When every new model look just the same, some people look original just driving cars from past times.

They tell me again and again the spell of being calm and solid in these consumer days: just because it isn't new, doesn't mean it's bad.

 

Angel of frost

In my homeland there is a custom to build ice figures and buildings to celebrate Xmas and Happy New Year. Such beauty not seldom nowadays: in many countries you can find skilled ice-cutters, who show their masterpieces in the days of cold.

Still there is some greatness to watch the ice city when it's really cold - minus thirty or thirty five by the Celsium scale. It's a living faery tale of frost in front of you.

Autumn in Moscow is stuffy and cloudy. And these days I close my eyes and try to remember this magic view of angel of frost by my skin.

River Subway

There were talks recently about creating "river subway" in Moscow. Several ships will transfer people through few stops on the Moscow river.

Still, this won't be subway (russian word метро has nothing with sub in it) because it will lack speed and coverage of true subway system. But it possibly will be a nice way to spend your time on board of such "river train".

I think it will be.

Past Glory

Yeah, this is famous Buran (rus. Blizzard) — russian Space Shuttle. Some time ago it was top-level spacecraft. And now it serves as a museum in the amusement park.

Our world is funniest place to watch.

Street Art

Sometimes it is fun to look into dark corners of the city. You can witness, for example, a rat paratrooper's infiltration in the human world.

But don't worry. There is a cat guard down there.

We're safe.

Silence

There is something sacral in these moments.

After big noisy city, where every minute is scheduled and busy, to wake up and listen measured rhythm of sea shore. For minutes. For hours.

И смотреть на пар, поднимающийся из кружки с чаем.

And watch to the steam rising from the cup of tea.