the long and deafening silence

Greetings people,

I'm not dead. I'm just busy. Which means that i've been neglecting my blog. (Standard procedure for when my life gets busy) So it might interest you to know a few things that have been happening as of late.

First, work is progressing rather lovely, paying well and offering lots of other opportunities and worldly experiences. I teach two senior execs at a large Russian bank and thoroughly enjoy doing so.

I've also taken up playing paintball and have organized several events for friends, students and collegues over the last few months. I have my own equipment (which rocks the socks so much in terms of reliablity and overall coolness) For those of you interested in brands, it's a BT Designs BT-4 Assault. It's semi auto at the moment, but the electronic grip frame is on order from the states giving it the ability to shoot fully automatic as well as several other firing modes.
I've been getting plenty of bruises (although fewer and fewer after each game) and barely give them enough time to heal before organizing the next game. Photo: In the visor for the 5th time that day. Smile!


Mum and Sal came for a two week visit which was whole new levels of awesomeness. Viewers of Sal's myspace and Mum's Flickr account have no doubt seen pictures already and have been wowed by the beauty of this city. But really, photos cannot do this place justice. Just ask them when they return to Aus, you simply have to get out there and see it yourself. It was a fantastic two weeks of catching up and sightseeing and I am genuinely disappointed that they are gone. They are currently in Saint Petersburg and will be on their way to Denmark for the Scandinavian leg of their crazy European Odyssey. So to Mum and Sal, thank you so much for visiting and Sveta and I wish you the best for the rest of your holiday!! Say hi to Princess Mezza for us!
Photo: We all try and do our best to pull an EU Family Photo. SCORED!

The weather in Moscow currently is quite nice. Not too hot and certainly not too cold. Rain is not too frequent and humidity is not as high as it was last year at this time. All in all, very livable conditions.

After a long wait, agonizing and craving my long lost Logitech Z-5500's, I finally gave in and ordered a new set. They arrived a few weeks ago, they are installed and pumping. The sound is just as good as I remember it and is gauranteed to get my neighbors back for all the times they have kept me awake moving their damned furniture.
Photo: Z-5500's. Sexy as I remember them.

The set that has got me going crazy at the moment is From Jasmund to Wittow - Mixed by Marco Torrance. If you are into Chillout and Ambient, and this set is not a part of your collection I suggest you stop reading this damn blog and get it here right now. (Right-click and Save As for you IE users, poor sods) Not quite as good but still of a high quality is another Marco Torrance set, Silent Trains of Thought. It is available here too. (Right-Click and Save As)
Photos: Left-Jasmund (Germany), Right-Wittow (Germany)

Well I hope all you peoples in your respective corners of the world are keeping happy and well. If you aren't happy, I recommend rectifying your unhappiness immediately, striving for more appreciable feelings. Take care of yo bad selves.

Matt.