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Day: 21 December 2006

2006 Xmas

Richard Fair wrote on BBC Radio Manchester Blog about his annoyance at sites that are permanently under construction and also at bloggers, who take a Christmas break. I’m jumping up and down with joy because it’s my first year on the blog, and so I created this new label, 2006 Xmas, where I’ll be gathering and/or narrating some Xmas and New Year related stories. Obviously, I cannot collect them all, consequently, the choice is purely random.

Now, for years they have been observing the British monarchy becoming *modern*, and today it looks like the institution (or at least those who represent it) has become almost totally advanced, at least as far as the use of technology is concerned. This year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is going to podcast her Christmas address, which was recorded at the Southwark Cathedral. The article states that

a Yuletide institution, the 10-minute broadcast is televised on December 25 at 3:00 pm (1500 GMT) in Britain, as many families are recovering from their traditional turkey lunch.

The opportunity to download the podcast will mean two things. First, you can recover from your lunch without feeling guilty that you cannot properly tune in to what your governor has got to tell you. [It’s best not to watch TV or to read newspapers while eating, anyway]. Secondly, you can enjoy Her Majesty’s address whenever and wherever you want, and for as many times as you may wish. I think this is even better than a one-off chance to see and to listen to your monarch.

I didn’t hear President Putin considering a podcast of his New Year address. The Russian New Year address happens shortly before midnight 1 January (Moscow time). Most people celebrate the New Year at home or with friends, but some go out to the Red Square and other open places. Wherever they decide to celebrate the New Year, they gather solemnly with the glasses of champagne to listen to the address. The address is followed by the traditional striking of the clock on Spasskaya Tower at the Kremlin, during which you make your New Year resolutions. After the last (12th) strike of the clock the New Year has officially started, and so you drink your champagne and carry on watching your entertainment TV.

There is one thing some people do whilst listening to the clock striking. They write their resolutions on a piece of paper, immediately burn it, mix the ash with champagne, and drink it. I know it sounds weird, but this is considered to be the way to make your wishes come true. I never did it – because I’m pathetic at using a lighter. Every other time I’m using it, I end up burning the tip of my thumb’s nail. So I just repeat my resolutions to myself.

Thanks for reading and visiting! You can connect with me on Google+ @ https://plus.google.com/108262661313082363581/posts/. Julia x

From Blogger to Julia

As I told Richard when we chatted on Radio Manchester, I wasn’t keen on blogging initially. At first, I was totally against the idea, then in late July 2006 I began to contemplate on it (it must’ve been Futuresonic influence). Eventually I saw myself one August night signing up for an account. I’ve chosen Blogger because I had a Google email, so it made sense. And I’ve been generally happy with the service, bearing in mind that I’ve never blogged before. The only thing I find difficult to get my head round is the multiple changes, which may not be the changes after all, but which put a non-hack on alert.

When I was signing up people were advised to sign up for Blogger in Beta, which I did. Now I note that ‘Beta’ sign is crossed out, and I’m reading that we’ve got a fantastic ‘Blogger’ instead. To say that I’m confused is to say nothing, really. Add to this the whole Christmas fever and attempts to manage the list of presentees, and here you go. From what I’ve seen in the new Blogger tour, I’m signed up for the right version of software, and my only hope is that the guys at Blogger have some pity for poor journos, authors and non-hacks and don’t make us switch to something else. That’s our unanimous Christmas wish, and I’m sure all agree.

This Friday I’m hoping to get to this John Lennon Imagine charity gig at RNCM, on which Mancubist blogged some time ago. Which means I’m going to stay up at work until at least 6.30pm. But like I said previously, I’ve been once to Lennon’s commemorative gig in Moscow, so I’m keen to compare my impressions with what they’ll do in Machester. If you see a girl in round specs, it’s probably going to be me.

And – to answer the question someone has been asking to a search engine – Julia is not a Russian name. To be honest, whoever asks exactly what my Russian name is, usually says next that it’s a very nice name. I do agree, but when I was coming over to England in 2003 I reckoned I’d have just enough trouble helping people to spell my surname correctly. I thought I’d do a lot of good to everyone if I use the English equivalent to my Russian name. Besides, I’ve always been translating my name into English.

Believe it or not, most of the times when I say that my name is ‘Julia’, people hear either ‘Julie’ or ‘Julianne’. Whilst doing a radio programme, I have had a plenty of chances to listen to myself pronouncing my name, and as far as I’m concerned it sounds ‘Julia’. Nevertheless, my effort to solve possible problems didn’t bring the desired fruit, as in addition to helping to spell my surname I also have to explain, exactly what my name is.

But after all, I love my name for its versatility, for the fact that it’s spelt and pronounced differently in different European languages. I do like being a chameleon, I must admit. The name itself is of Latin origin, and I will never forget this dialogue with my Latin tutor in Moscow.

Tutor: I note your name is Julia.
Me: Yes.
Tutor: Your parents must’ve named you after Julius Ceasar.
Me: I don’ think they remembered him.

Thanks for reading and visiting! You can connect with me on Google+ @ https://plus.google.com/108262661313082363581/posts/. Julia x
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