Okhta Centre

If you find it a little odd that I keep writing about this subject, I do too.  It should technically have nothing to do with the Power Vertical, but as I noted in my previous post on this subject, it is turning into a possible Clan War.  It is also something that is close to my heart because I lived in Peter for 4 months at Uni.  And if I were there now, I would so have been out there with the protesters last weekend.  To me this is just another example of the complete lack of respect that the Putin regime has for its country, and its citizens.

P.S. Watch the video in this article entitled “Miller, put your phallus away!”  It is worth it for the sign alone.  Actually, just watch all the videos.

Gazprom

continues its quest for world domination.  Great job, guys!  But I still want your adverts online.  Also, I am voting no on the “Corn Palace” (it seriously does look like a corn cob).  Think of Smolnyy!

A couple more thoughts on Gazprom from FT.com, and from Alexei Miller.

Birthday Greetings

I have sat through a lot of birthday greetings over the past three years.  In general the greetings are poem-like in structure, and while I have no doubt they are sincere, they are pretty horrible.  But what do you expect from a country where the birthday song is horrendously depressing?  I have always kind of wondered why the song ends “it’s a pity, a birthday only comes once a year.”  Why?  Your birthday sounds like it is awful, why would you want two (or more) in one year?

All that to say, Alexei Miller has a birthday greeting to Rem Vyakhirev.  If you do not know the story of Rem Vyakhirev, let me give you a quick summary: Rem was the former head of Gazprom.  A pretty shady character (who wasn’t in the 90s?), Rem was ousted by Putin & Co in 2001.  Apparently, there is no enmity on either side for this because Alexei Miller recently awarded him “with Gazprom Highest Mark of Distinction “For Outstanding Services”, No.1.” on the occasion of Rem’s 75th birthday.  

In addition to award, Alexei Borisovich said to Rem: “On the occasion of your anniversary, please, accept our best wishes for sound health, happiness, prosperity and active longevity.”  This does not rhyme in English, and I do not think it rhymes in Russian, either, which I find disappointing.  Also, I don’t think it is as cool as mine, even though mine needs more work… maybe I should just repost the words to the Russian Birthday Song. Or, this is a better idea, you can watch the video here.