Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Marina's LiveJournal:

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Friday, September 2nd, 2005
1:19 pm	Coincidental movie references in... movies It happens often, references that you recognize, and know you would not have recognized a few days earlier. Let's call them coincidental references. I had one coincidental movie reference happen recently. I saw The Maltese Falcon, and two days later I was watching Broken Flowers, where the main character asked a girl if her probing father is Sam Spade (a private detective from the The Maltese Falcon). That's when I wanted to jump up in the movie theater and scream "I got it! I got it!" Well, what are the chances? How likely is it that someone would watch a 1941 Film-Noir/Mystery movie in 2005 two days before they see an Adventure/Comedy/Drama movie that mentions a character from the former movie? How many movies have references to Sam Spade anyway? The other coincidental movie reference in a movie happened a while ago. I saw Taxi Driver. Shortly after that, I was watching an episode of Sex and the City where Miranda visits Steve in his small apartment that he jokes looks like DeNiro’s place in Taxi Driver. Having seen the other movie adds a host of meaning to this comparison. For example, you can interpret it as Steve trying to dispel Miranda's concerns by being upfront about seeming strangeness of his lifestyle. (12 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, August 21st, 2005
2:53 pm	At brunch Today at brunch, once everyone accepted that we did not find a proper brunch place in Arlington, and made peace with lunch-dinner food choices in Not Your Average Joe's, Masha was telling about the game called "Assassin". They played it with people from her lab in Princeton over a course of a few weeks. There were different rules, one of which was that to be immune, guys could wear female underwear and girls could wear ice buckets on their heads. (My understanding was that guys did not have to wear female underwear on their heads, but rather just as underwear.) A discussion on the fairness of such rules and thoughts on necessary demonstrations followed. Towards the end: Danya: There are female boxers too. Anya (tuning in into the conversation): Aha! I saw a movie about it! Volodya: Yeah, it's called "Million Dollar Baby". Masha: That's right, Hilary Swank got an Oscar for a movie about female underwear. Curtain. (Comment on this)
Friday, February 18th, 2005
12:29 pm	Friday trivia This is used as a club in what city? (18 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 26th, 2005
12:30 pm	Enter Sir Leigh Teabing Thanks to a thoughtful present from Dima, I'm now joining the progressive ranks of my contemporaries who have read "The Da Vinci Code". I'm listening to an abridged version on the CDs and I am about half way through. It's fun, it's easy, and the CD version does not leave any space for guessing, so far I din't feel like there were places where I could have had a hunch about something, it just keeps pumping in the new information and the new adventures. Well, except for the painfully obvious places like why the police thinks that Langdon jumped out of the window or what could the account number for the safe deposit box be or which world the panicky nun will be in once Silas is done at the Church of Saint-Sulpice. With the account number, the delay and the sound of revelation with which they thought of what could it be was annoying and almost offensive. Did anyone try decoding the anagrams before the characters did? Obviously, in my case, the audio version was not conducive to doing that. The entrance of Sir Leigh Teabing made me excited about the movie they are making based on the book. I really want to see this character walk and talk! It also says that they got Audrey Tautou to play Sophie Neveu, how perfect, how appealing! Audrey Tautou is already an icon for a confused French girl. Current Music: You could do it in the city, You could do it in a zone... (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, November 25th, 2004
9:03 pm	Some form of justice If you enter the word "Holocaust" in Google, it comes back with 6 million hits... I've seen this number before, it's an estimate of the number of Jewish lives lost. A commemorating board in the Ghetto in Venice. Campo del Ghetto with a concentration camp watchtower and two carabinieri. Sukkah along a canal, we were asked to join in for lunch. Apparently, current Jewish population of Venice is around 500 people, but many of the people we met were from Chabad, living in Venice for a few years. I knew they would not be happy about us taking pictures during the holiday, but the photo opportunity was too tempting. We were indeed asked not to take pictures when Sveta was photographing children in Campo del Ghetto. I suppose it was the children's mother. Somewhat intending it as a provocation, I asked her if we shouldn't take pictures because she doesn't want us to confuse the children about the rules. To what she replied that she didn't make those rules, G-d made them, and they apply to us as well. In fact, I was disappointed by her answer. Having made a step back from the Orthodox crowd, I sense an agenda in their conversations too easily, and dislike what seems to be their mentality of "unless we can convert this secular person, he is of no interest to us". During lunch, to which they invited all interested passerbys, our most pleasant company was the couple from Switzerland with their daughter, who turned to an Orthodox way of life only when they were adults. ( Children photographed by Sveta and other pictures on the subject. ) (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, November 15th, 2004
6:18 pm	Моя поездка в Сан Франциско, часть вторая, заключительная В предверии рассказов об Италии (все быстро скрестили пальцы), надо бы закончить рассказ о поездке в СФ. Суббота. Я встречаюсь с мамиными знакомыми "шашистами", одна женщина, которая живёт в СФ, и пара с сыном, которые случайно приехали на те же выходные в СФ из Чикаго. Одна из моих последних фотографий с Петей, это где ему лет 5, а мне лет 13, и я его держу на руках. Теперь так совсем не получится. С Петей и его мамой, Анитой, мы как-то отдыхали вместе в Трускавце. Также у их семьи ещё в Киеве появилась видеокамера, и они пришли к нам в гости, и снимали, как я показываю свою комнату. Говорят, у них сейчас где-то есть эти съёмки. Также они сняли застолье у нас дома, и когда позже его прокручивали в быстром режиме, все очень смеялись, т.к. всем стало понятно кто усерднее всех набирал себе еду в тарелку (кажется это был мой папа, или какой-то другой мужчина). А вот при быстром просмотре записи с застолья у них дома, кажется, так отличилась я. Было приятно увидеться с людьми, с которыми связаны такие тёплые детские воспоминания. Т.к. других предложений не было, мы пошли в полюбившийся мне ресторанчик Savor. После, мы с девчонками поехали на прогулку в Ботанический сад и в Японский садик, о котором я грезила уже несколько лет. Но после того как мы часик проболтали на скамеечке в Ботаническом саду, Ирка начала замерзать, и в Японский садик я пошла сама. Та же история, что и в предыдущий день, примерно час до закрытия, а я уже на месте, снова приобщаюсь к японской культуре. Самой мне по садику понравилось гулять, можно пройти все тропинки, возвращаясь в предыдущую точку, чтоб испробовать другое направление. Подумалось о том, что в жизни так не получается, особенно если решаешь идти с кем-то рядом. Жизнь -- она прямая, в ней Нет непройденных путей, Есть один, что выбрал ты, Смесь реалий и мечты. ( Потом ) (14 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, November 12th, 2004
1:31 am	Два ослоумия и одна мАтивация Мама приготовила вкусные артишоки с сырной начинкой, я съела три на завтрак и насытилась. Я: Спасибо, получился такой здоровый завтрак. Мама: Ну хочешь закусить пирожным, для более сбалансированного питания? Мама разговаривает с подругой по телефону. Мама: А ко мне приехал ребёнок! Мы с ним играем в дочки-матери...на деньги. Подруга: А какие правила игры? Ребёнок приезжает и ты ему отдаёшь последние деньги? Я: Мама, правда ведь я всё могу? Мама: Конечно, ты ведь у меня самая-самая... А что бы ты хотела? Я: Ну вот, например, похудеть. Мама: Нет, это забудь, это невозможное. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 19th, 2004
6:11 pm	Anyone wants to go for this tonight? ---reposted from the davis_square community--- You've been KLONE'd (or will be tonight!) KLONE videos are available here for your viewing pleasure: http://www.torkvar.com/klone/prop.html You may catch KLONE this evening at The Skybar, 518 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, for a mere $6. They will be playing with Lilac Ambush (http://www.lilacambush.com) and Bow Ever Down (http://www.boweverdown.com). Doors at 8:00 PM. DJ Mao will be spinning. Skybar's bartenders kick arse. http://www.skybar.us (Walking distance from the Porter Sq. T stop for the non-lazy; plenty of on-street parking for those driving in). XOXO, ---Anders (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 9th, 2004
3:30 pm	The kick of the day Four guys in my car, repeating phrases with a faked Italian accent after my "Italian for beginners" tape. I was rolling, literally! (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, August 1st, 2004
8:41 pm	Моя поездка в Сан Франциско, часть первая Четверг. В аэропорту тьма народу, мне нравится ощущение повседневности полётов, большинство людей наверняка едут куда-то на несколько дней, на выходные, ну или, в худшем случае, возвращаются из деловых поездок. В самолёте читаю The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, наверняка думаю о жизни, это моё время. А вот я уже иду по коридору в аэропорту Сан Хосе, мой самолёт задержался ровно настолько, чтоб я встретила alinafa в потоке выходящих из самолёта из Сан Диего. Алинаф весь в косичках, но ещё без шляпы, шляпа будет потом. Встречаем Ирочку и Женечку, точнее это они нас встречают. Трёп, узнаём о жизни интёрнов, завозим Женечку в Пало Альто, сами попадаем к Ирке домой. У неё есть гараж, но т.к. открывать его морока, она паркуется на улице. Похоже так делают многие, в крайнем случае, паркуясь непосредственно перекрывая въезд в свой гараж. Нас трое, плюс вино, сыр и фрукты. ( Утро. ) (15 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, July 12th, 2004
3:11 pm	Я тут создала community rh_stories, приходите байки рассказывать. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, June 14th, 2004
11:38 am	Two quotes: "Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, may produce all the effects of drunkenness." --Oscar Wilde "In this life there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants. The other is getting it." --Oscar Wilde A thought: When you see a good merchandise, you don't need to ask for advice. Two findings: Mazik (from Yiddish) -- rascal, impish, mischievous person, esp. a child ;-) Contrary to the popular legend, Michelangelo did not paint frescoes of the Sistine Chapel lying flat on his back, this myth came from a propagation of an incorrect translation of the word that meant "leaning backwards," used in one of the early biographies of his life. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 25th, 2004
6:49 pm	"Good-bye, Cheney?" An interesting article my friend Sasha Veytsman wrote, suggesting that Bush could swap Dick Cheney for someone else, perhaps Rudy Giuliani. With the media pundits overwhelmingly focusing on Senator Kerry’s selection of a running-mate, should some attention be also paid to President Bush’s choice for Vice President? The White House currently maintains that Dick Cheney will remain with the President for the next four years. However, if Bush’s approval ratings fail to improve in the coming weeks, would there be a shift to find a replacement for Cheney? ( The precedent for changing running-mates during reelection... ) (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 20th, 2004
12:04 pm	"How many shoes, how little closet space." "First, there was parking..." -- in recent days, this proved to be an undeniable part of the story about creation of the universe. I love libraries, the feeling of anticipation when your roam through a shelf of books to find the one you are looking for is one of my favorite feelings of all times. I also idealize the quiet tables tucked in behind the rows of shelves in the libraries, how much could be learned behind them, how little unrushed time we have in life for that. I was in luck three days ago, when I was browsing for a book on tape, and came across something I am really enjoying. I wanted something that has unconnected stories, so that I would not have to worry and rewind each time I get distracted by the road, also I was looking for something informative and entertaining. The book is called "Rick Steves' Postcards from Europe: 25 Years of Travel Tales from Americas Foremost Guidebook Writer," check it out (literally) if you get a chance, it will get your juices flowing for the European travel. But I was out of luck yesterday, when I wanted to check out another book I looked up in the catalog, but was in a rush to get to class. Looking chaotically and nervously through the shelves did not do any good. I stopped by in the morning, but apparently it's not open until 1pm... Perhaps tonight... (23 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 13th, 2004
1:47 pm	So close to home! Anyone else thinks it's cool that Cambridge will be the first city in Massachusetts to issue same-sex marriage licenses? They are going to start doing it at midnight this Sunday night. Provincetown officials said they'll have such a busy day on Monday, they better get enough sleep, he-he:). meshko, that's a bit of life here that came to my mind when I read your post. The issue of gay marriages must sound ridiculous to people back there. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 5th, 2004
4:10 pm	Procreation childfree...maternity leave...crying babies or cute monkeys...defiant teens Do people have a responsibility to procreate? No. People have children for egoistic reasons, people might as well decide not to have children for egoistic reasons. Having a child is not just a free gift of life with a bonus 18-year severance package. We all know parents often like to control child's life and (rightfully) expect a severance package in return. So to speak, bringing a new child into the world is a value-added enterprise, but it is in no way a selfless act of random kindness. You put in a lot of energy, others benefit from your endeavor, but you expect returns too. Our parents often think that we have that responsibility. They did their part in "making a part of themselves" live on in this world, and now they expect us to continue the tradition. People want their name not to be forgotten and a family lineage is the most attainable solution for that. While I understand that sentiment and suspect that I might also feel the same way, I understand that other people might not want to invest themselves into having a child just to satisfy such sentiment of their parents. When people are lost in finding meaning of their life, they could say that their children are that meaning. So what is that like, bringing in other people who will also struggle to understand life, and thus shifting your unsatisfied (if not to say, unsatisfiable) desire to do that to them? While also trying to control them to do what you did? Don't get me wrong, I don't have a different meaning of life to offer, but I feel that there is something wrong with this cycle for the sake of itself. Having a strong family is an admirable thing to do in one's life, but labeling someone "the meaning of your life," and later scrutinizing their actions under that slogan is not, they deserve their chance in finding that meaning. On a lighter note, in "Lost in Translation" the lead guy says that his children are the most delightful people he's ever met in his life. Personally, I would like to have a chance to experience that:). (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, April 26th, 2004
5:07 pm	Мне было 6... В ответ на это. Помню, что был выходной день, и мы с мамой гуляли по городу. Помню, что шла по высокому бордюру Первомайского парка. А потом мы пришли домой, и родители смотрели значение слова радиация в энциклопедии. Потом я несколько дней не выходила из дома, почему-то много лежала, может приболела. Окна не открывали, наверно иногда открывали форточку, и она была затянута марлей. Помню, что мы смотрели первомайскую демонстрацию по телевизору, и родители ужасались, что её проводят и что наши соседи с первого этажа пошли на неё со своей дочкой. Потом у этой девочки были какие-то отклонения, но я не знаю именно ли из-за радиации. Кажется родители говорили что да, т.к. она провела всё лето в Киеве. Я знала что детей отправляли в лагеря целыми классами, и мне казалось что это было бы интересно, было жалко что родители не отдали меня в школу в предыдущем году. Потом меня на всё лето отправили в Одессу, мы жили у маминых друзей, там со мной по очереди были бабушка, дядя со своей дочкой и мама. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 21st, 2004
12:47 pm	Bang-bang... She got more than she bargained for. Kill Bill vol 2 -- a feel good movie, who would have thought. It did have a side effect of euphoria;). Current Mood: Solitude of killing Current Music: Bang-bang -- the love theme from the movie;) (Comment on this)
Thursday, April 15th, 2004
12:45 pm	At 5: girls play with dolls, guys play with cars. At 25: girls play with cars, guys play with dolls. Current Mood: contemplative (Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 6th, 2004
11:24 am	First Seder: gained some insight, more sense of belonging and three pounds... Second Seder: how I will fit into the skirt that I retrieved on the weekend from the "slimming down" section of my closet remains a mystery. Pesach Sameach everybody! (4 Comments |Comment on this)