Christophe -- any time you didn't put pen to paper with your beautiful handwriting was a crime! But how nice that you have all the lovely kit in your office. Isn't the iPad the news, though!

Thanks Alison for those thoughts. I remember your first computer was a Mac and how astonishing it seemed! I also recall your partner being an early convert to all things iPod and pointing out to me that all the Mac products are designed to be swirled and caressed, are all dials and round instead of the sharp window edges. I always point that out to HRH who has torn through the key pads of about 2 Mac Book Airs and keeps poking his iPad impatiently!

Marilyn: You embolden me to bore the universe with an entire blog post on this! give me a few days!

Dear FRWS: I spent three days wondering what your name might mean. I'm still wondering. For an electric skillet, try Williams & Olliver in Smolensky Passazh. If they don't have it, no one will. Why do you want an electric skillet? Are you living in a dorm? As for an electric blanket -- wait a few more days until the heat comes on and then perhaps you can just cross that one off your To-do list. For more information, check out this post on the trials and tribulations of living with Russian central heating: http://dividingmytime.typepad.com/my-blog/bad-radiators-make-worse-neighbors.html

It is a shocker, isn't it, if you aren't ready for it. I am intrigued by the PH issue: your existing brick, was, indeed, perfect. One associate (who prefers not to be named) says that it is because SS needs the money for elections, but I think that can't be right since he won't be running....very odd.

It is very tedious, is it not, to have a writing colleague who does nothing but describe mayonaise based salads? And I agree, bologna does not kick a recipe off to the best start!

All over what????? Or all over as in KAPUT?!?!

Marc, lovely to hear from you! Intrigued on your take -- and more importantly your wife and daughter's take on the show. My emigre friends are all horrified. The dialog is a howl, though, isn't it?

I'm astonished your better half let you do that.

It seems like a win win, doesn't it Spymom!?!?!?!

Maureen, that is pretty amazing! It has to be my first musical tribute!

Cinderella, I always thought the high-heel wearers in Moscow had to be gold diggers, but I didn't take it THAT literally!!! Hope you are well!

As a blogger who fearlessly features plasticine and Q-Tip body parts on her platform, I think perhaps it is a little slow for you, but, as Masha above suggests, have a 20 minute break and enjoy!!

Nastia, That is a very good point I was a tad hesitant to bring up. Interesting! Jennifer

Thanks Matt! Appreciate the complement and always fun to hear from someone else who is enjoying a "mixed marriage."

Not sure this should be the first thing someone starving for Russian anything should be. But would love to get together!

You embolden me...

You are, of course, the classiest Beet in the whole wide world! I laughed too...but at them, you know, not with them. Big difference.