YouTube sensation of a wrong kind: the parasailing donkey makes me sick to my stomach
Disgraceful and cruel are just some of the words that come to mind...
This amateur video showing a donkey being sent into the air parasailing over the Azov sea in the Krasnodar region of Russia has stirred outrage and disgust online and has now made its way to the TV screens around the world and even BBC has picked up this story. It's also the most popular video in the News & Politics category on YouTube.
The stunt was staged by local vendors trying to advertise their parasailing services for people on the beach. Well, their ingenuity got them worldwide indignation and a potential two-year jail term. Authorities in Russia are launching an animal cruelty probe into this incident.
Whoever was shooting this video and a couple of other people in the background did find the whole situation amusing and can be heard laughing in the video. But, Russian media are saying people on the beach were shell-shocked to see an animal being jacked up into the skies. Eyewitnesses say the donkey could be heard bellowing from 40 meters above in the air, where it was suspended for at least half an hour.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare is now encouraging people to send personal messages to the Governor of Krasnodar to ask for an appropriate punishment for the culprits, but I have serious doubts any of them would even have to pay a fine...
And don't even get me started on the condition of zoo animals in Russia, where it's not rare to see tropical animals quivering in their cramped cages in subfreezing temperatures in winter time. On the other extreme, hundreds of the so-called "prop" animals are forced to pose for photos with tourists in Russian resorts, working under the scorching sun with little or no food, water or shade provided for them.
I am a big opponent of zoos and animal exploitation anywhere in the world, but Russia clearly has a problem to address here... and the parasailing donkey is just another example.
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Oscar-Winning Documentary “Moscow Strikes Back” – WW2 History: 1943 To 2010
May 9 marked the 65th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. The Victory Day has always been very special in my family growing up. We were fortunate and none of my family passed away in that war, but the pain and the suffering that engulfed the nation hit so hard that six and a half decades later, we still feel it.. of course, myself being the third generation survivor, I know it from the accounts of others, but this intangible legacy is inherited, it is almost inbred.
This year around May 9, I came across the footage that I never knew existed. A documentary titled "Moscow Strikes Back" was shot in October 1941 and documented one the bloodiest and most pivotal points in WW2 - the Battle of Moscow. The movie received an Oscar at the 15th Academy Awards ceremony in 1943, half a world a way in the sunny Los Angeles where the ravaging war on the Eastern front was but a concept on the movie screen. A unifying thread, the movie symbolized an era when the US and the USSR were still allies, fighting against the same evil.
Here is an excerpt:
After watching the movie, I did some digging to find out more about the people behind the footage. It turns out the Soviet Union had 258 wartime videographers. Of them, every second one was injured, every forth - was killed. Collectively, they shot 3.5 million meters of tape, every centimeter of which had to be torn from the grip of death.
But, how much has changed? Thinking of dozens of reporters and cameramen dying on the front lines around the world every year, I think we ought to give more respect to the people who still dare risk their lives to document history for us ... after all, tape is one of the few things remaining that does not lie. It is how we choose to use and interpret it that is sometimes questionable...
Remembering Olympic Vancouver: Local Photographer Jeremy Lim Brings Back Olympic Memories In Colours2010 (Look For Russian Trikolor!)
It is one of those simple, yet brilliant ideas that you just wish you thought of yourself -- take an Olympic city, crazy fans, endless energy, the world coming together and immortalize it all in amazing photography.
Jeremy Lim, Colours2010.com
Jeremy Lim, Vancouver photographer and freelancer, did just that. He is behind Colours2010 - Celebrating The World In Vancouver, a photo project that had Lim spending nights walking the streets of Vancouver during the Games in search of photography gold -- sincere emotions on the faces of people from 33 different countries cheering for their colours.
I love the distinct Canadian-ness of this project though. From the red Olympic mittens that Jeremy is wearing in his project cover photo, to the little Canadian flag sticking out from his backpack, to the very Canadian spelling of "colours," the Canadiana is oozing rampant here.
"I'll remember the people I met - the handshakes, the hugs," says Jeremy on his site. "The jubilation after every victory. The dance parties. The awkward costumes. The comoradery and all the surprises. And I was there, to capture every last minute of it."
I second every word of that as I look back at my own Olympic experience.
And, for a little Russian twist, here are photos of the Russian fans that Jeremy let me re-post on my blog ... See you in Sochi?
**All photo copyright belongs to Jeremy Lim.
“Canada Believes In Canucks” … and Russia Does Too!
Vancouver Canucks - Los Angeles Kings Playoff Game #2, April 17, 2010
Russia’s “Citizen” Road Repairs: Get ‘Em Road Potholes Fixed!
When everything else fails, try the Internet. That seams to be the new mantra of drivers in Vladivostok, one of Russia’s most remote cities. Tired of the unresponsiveness of local officials to the dire need to repair roads in the center of Vladivostok, the drivers parked their cars and spilled their anger in an Internet forum. The online consensus was to use collective buying power and patch up the roads once and for all.
Russia’ RIANovosti reports that the drivers have each chipped in to buy some ashphalt and hire a road crew to assist in the road repairs. Hours of work, and the city of Vladivostok now has two newly repaired stretches of city road to be proud of.
I personally think this is a business model in disguise for fixing Russian infrastructure. First, it speeds things up. Considerably. Secondly, it only comes down to pennies when the entire city chips in. Except, I thought that was how the provincial tax worked. But, in any case, I do seriously think that owning a stretch of that road will do the trick for some of the reckless drivers out there who cruise around with no regard for public property. Watch for them to slow down before the stretch of the road that they personally helped to «sponsor».
Pre-Easter Orthodox Lent: My Personal Journey
So, it is Orthodox lent time. Well, technically the Great Lent started on February 15. But, I decided to do at least one week of this year's lent anyway. So, here I am eating no meat, fish, sea food or dairy products since this Monday. I have two more days to go, and I have to say -- surprisingly, I am feeling good.
I am not the most devout Orthodox Christian, so I have never really lented in my life. I tried two or three years ago, and the most I could go for was three weeks. But, I kind of liked the experience of having to resist...
In the modern world, we are not used to having to resist anything. Within reason, we can usually get whatever we feel like -- be it food, clothes, cars or vacations. So, the notion of refusing your wishes can be odd.
The Orthodox lent also gets you to go through the torture of resisting your temptations all by yourself, unassisted. That is also something that I don't get a lot of in my life living in a first world nation. I mean, if you want to quit smoking, you just stick a plastic patch on your arm, and Nicorette does the trick for you. If you want to stop eating, you go to Jennie Craig and she will feed you the food that will make your slim. Again, the helping hand is always there if you want it. But, how often do we get to face our temptations all on our own? Hm.. Kind of scary, eh?
It is an interesting experience that can be daunting, but it is also something that I think all of us could use more of. It definitely opens your eyes to what is under-valued and how addicted you are to certain things in your life.
Meanwhile, here is a photo resume of some of the items that I can and can't eat while I am lenting for a week. Looks like I am in for some serious "soul cleansing"...
CAN EAT
CAN'T EAT
Welcome To YTFiles
Hi everyone! I’m starting this blog called YTFILES. YT are my initials and I thought the name was catchy and easy to remember.
I am based in glorious Vancouver, Canada, where I have been living for the last 8 years. I am hoping to blog about something very specific, something that I believe I have a unique perspective on. I want to bring a fresh take on everything Russia-related – news, events, culture, media, politics, fashion…the list of topics to explore is endless.
I speak Russian, I love my culture, and I want people to understand it. I feel that I can give an interesting take on Russia – a fresh perspective from someone who has been born and raised in the USSR, but grew up in North America. I want to steer away from the stereotype wrought, lackluster approach to Russia ubiquitous in the media nowadays. Hence, I am writing this blog!
In recent years, it seems the interest toward Russia has not ceased. In fact, it seems people are as fascinated by this country as ever. Winston Churchill once said, “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” I think, to this day, Churchill’s quote is quite characteristic of how many people feel about Russia.
So, through my insider knowledge, I’m here to try to make this great geographic and cultural enormity called Russia less of a riddle. I grew up surrounded by Russian culture, but having had moved to Canada in my teen years, I have come to accept the Canadian culture as my own as well. The West and the East juxtaposed in my view of the world have, I hope, negated any potential bias in me, so that I can present any story straight up.
With that, welcome to YTFiles!