Jean

[Jean]

Who is Vladimir Vyssotsky?

It is our greatest poet, he died in 1980. He sang his poems to the guitar, but I wouldn't call him singer-songwriter, because, although his performance was great, absolutely unique, and he was an outstanding theater/cinama actor, too, he was a Poet first and foremost, the best I know although God as my witness, I've loved poetry since a very little cub and would have audacity to say I know what I am talking about.
What he did to our people was incomparable to anything I know in the cultural history of mankind: he told us the truth about ourselves, and in those twilight years of the late Socialism helped us to remain people, to preserve our dignity and not to let die that flame that is inside every soul however hard the authorities want to smother it.

Grrr, I do so wish you could understand Russian!

How long have you been teaching?

Always. There are such people whom God creates teachers: as soon as they learn their ABC, or how to model play-dough, they have to find someone who hasn't learned it yet and pass their knowledge/skills on - Nikolett would understand. I have been teaching for money a little more than twenty years by now.

If you could visit any one place you haven't, where would you go?

Japan! Japan!!!...

What is your favorite poem?

only one?! Let's at least talk categories.
Poetry that sounds:
in Russian, Monument, by Vladimir Vyssotsky
in French, it's Mourir dans tes bras by Salvatore Adamo (another singer-songwriter, but actually a Poet par exellence)
in English, A Simple Twist of Fate by Dylan
Poetry that is on paper:
in Russian, The Black Man, by Sergey Yessenin
in French, Le Grand Testament, by Francois Villon
in English, The Vampire, by Kipling

What is the most beutiful place you've seen in your country?

The whole of the historical center of Saint Petersburg.

and

Spoiler:

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Spoiler:

No, we prefer modern sanitary conveniences!

[Jean]

Nikolett

Who was your first love?

A girl I went to school with. A beautiful, bright, smart, all that girl, but a real vampire...

[Letti]

What's your favourite grammar to teach?

Do you have favourite students or do you love them the same way?

Do you sometimes go to drink with your students?

How old was your youngest and oldest student?

[Letti]

Who was your first love?

A girl I went to school with. A beautiful, bright, smart, all that girl, but a real vampire...

You might give such short answers to others but not to me, my foxy one. *smiles widely*
So?
How did you fall in love with her?
Did she love you?
Why do you say she was a vampire?
How did it end?

[Jean]

What's your favourite grammar to teach?

To the beginners - the Passive Voice, of course! It opens such new horizons, and it's great to see how the students' jaws drop when they finally realize what a Brave New World the Passive Voice opens to us.

On higher levels - anything. It's fun to teach any grammar when students already speak fluently.

Do you have favourite students or do you love them the same way?

Certainly I have favorites. I don't believe in loving everyone equally; I generally don't believe in equality. They are all different, and I feel about all them differently.

Do you sometimes go to drink with your students?

We don't go, we just bring a bottle to class, and drink it! Of course, quite often.

How old was your youngest and oldest student?

The youngest was 15, the oldest 61.

[Brice]

Who is Vladimir Vyssotsky?

It is our greatest poet, he died in 1980. He sang his poems to the guitar, but I wouldn't call him singer-songwriter, because, although his performance was great, absolutely unique, and he was an outstanding theater/cinama actor, too, he was a Poet first and foremost, the best I know although God as my witness, I've loved poetry since a very little cub and would have audacity to say I know what I am talking about.
What he did to our people was incomparable to anything I know in the cultural history of mankind: he told us the truth about ourselves, and in those twilight years of the late Socialism helped us to remain people, to preserve our dignity and not to let die that flame that is inside every soul however hard the authorities want to smother it.

Grrr, I do so wish you could understand Russian!

Are there no faithful translations?

How long have you been teaching?

Always. There are such people whom God creates teachers: as soon as they learn their ABC, or how to model play-dough, they have to find someone who hasn't learned it yet and pass their knowledge/skills on - Nikolett would understand. I have been teaching for money a little more than twenty years by now.

Oh, I understand. I did mean formally and professionally, but yes, people are born to teach.

If you could visit any one place you haven't, where would you go?

Japan! Japan!!!...

I should maybe have known this.

What is your favorite poem?

only one?! Let's at least talk categories.
Poetry that sounds:
in Russian, Monument, by Vladimir Vyssotsky
in French, it's Mourir dans tes bras by Salvatore Adamo (another singer-songwriter, but actually a Poet par exellence)
in English, A Simple Twist of Fate by Dylan
Poetry that is on paper:
in Russian, The Black Man, by Sergey Yessenin
in French, Le Grand Testament, by Francois Villon
in English, The Vampire, by Kipling

Of those I only know some Dylan and Kipling and neither of the poems by them.

What is the most beautiful place you've seen in your country?

The whole of the historical center of Saint Petersburg.

I'm sure there are plenty of places that are not, but what I've seen of both your country and city are beautiful.

and

Spoiler:

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Spoiler:

No, we prefer modern sanitary conveniences!

I thought the answer might be

Spoiler:

wherever the hell he likes.

[Jean]

Who was your first love?

A girl I went to school with. A beautiful, bright, smart, all that girl, but a real vampire...

You might give such short answers to others but not to me, my foxy one. *smiles widely*
So?
How did you fall in love with her?
Did she love you?
Why do you say she was a vampire?
How did it end?

You see, I think it was her who made me a neurotic I am... she and the stupidity with which I was choosing girls exactly like her for years after that. (that's why I didn't recognize Helen as a potential lover - she was way too different)
I fell in love with her because it is compulsory to fall in love when you are someone who reads a lot. When you read, the characters fall in love repeatedly, and it's only natural that you feel it's something you have to do, too.
No, she didn't love me, or anyone else but herself. She found me entertaining, though.
She fed on my suffering. Very trivial, in fact. She said she would call and never did, and I spent hours by the phone, and she stood me up repeatedly, and so on and on. Even now I have those dreams sometimes, that I wait for her, and wait, and wait, and it is snow all around, etc. She graciously let me do things for her, of course, like her math homework and the like.
It ended after school, when we went to different departments of our University, and she just flatly refused to see me again. You see, hers was a department where people like children of Party leaders and such other people studied, and having a friend like me, with my long hair and guitar and wanderings and dubious talks wasn't quite safe for her career; also, there being no math where she studied, she didn' t need my help any longer. I was close to killing myself then, and didn't only thanks to my friends' support.

[Jean]

Are there no faithful translations?

No! you see, there are three main kinds of poetry (as I see it), and their combinations. One is rational, logical and coherent; it tells stories, or develops ideas, philosophical concepts, etc; some great revelations are made that way. Another is beautiful, confusing, dreamlike, inspirational, abandoning in metaphores and visions and images, coming from the more asounding leverls of the Tower; and the other is sent directly from God, with words put the way you feel that's the only way they can be put, so perfectly natural, as though nobody wrote it but this line always existed by itself in eternity... what I would call Absolute poetry. Well, Vyssotsky was Rational (which can be translated) - and Absolute; and that's what can't be translated at all.

Oh, I understand. I did mean formally and professionally, but yes, people are born to teach.

formally - I am afraid, never... I am not affiliated with any institution, I don't advertise (my students bring other students) or have any documents at all.

I'm sure there are plenty of places that are not, but what I've seen of both your country and city are beautiful.

yes, yes, they are! only so dirty and squalid and uncared-for... it is changing for better now, but slowly.

I thought the answer might be wherever the hell he likes. [/SPOILER]

No. We are talking about a bear who treasures culture above all else... and who is so fucking tired of the Soviet tradition that prescribed to think of the Bright Future at the expense of such mundain trifles as a clean public bathroom! Luckily, it has greatly improved in the last 20 years, too.

[Letti]

I am happy you are over it and you could find the woman who deserves you. It's so easy to fall in love with people who are just playing with feelings.
But you found your other half.

[Jean]

[Brice]

Are there no faithful translations?

No! you see, there are three main kinds of poetry (as I see it), and their combinations. One is rational, logical and coherent; it tells stories, or develops ideas, philosophical concepts, etc; some great revelations are made that way. Another is beautiful, confusing, dreamlike, inspirational, abandoning in metaphores and visions and images, coming from the more asounding leverls of the Tower; and the other is sent directly from God, with words put the way you feel that's the only way they can be put, so perfectly natural, as though nobody wrote it but this line always existed by itself in eternity... what I would call Absolute poetry. Well, Vyssotsky was Rational (which can be translated) - and Absolute; and that's what can't be translated at all.

Then I suppose unless I learn Russian I won't be reading his writings.

Oh, I understand. I did mean formally and professionally, but yes, people are born to teach.

formally - I am afraid, never... I am not affiliated with any institution, I don't advertise (my students bring other students) or have any documents at all.

I didn't know that you didn't teach in a school, but if you teach it is your profession.

I'm sure there are plenty of places that are not, but what I've seen of both your country and city are beautiful.

yes, yes, they are! only so dirty and squalid and uncared-for... it is changing for better now, but slowly.[/quote] That is wonderful.

I thought the answer might be wherever the hell he likes. [/SPOILER]

No. We are talking about a bear who treasures culture above all else... and who is so fucking tired of the Soviet tradition that prescribed to think of the Bright Future at the expense of such mundain trifles as a clean public bathroom! Luckily, it has greatly improved in the last 20 years, too.

That is good. I was just kidding, of course.

Certainly I have favorites. I don't believe in loving everyone equally; I generally don't believe in equality. They are all different, and I feel about all them differently

Wise words! Equality is a wicked lie. Individuals should be treated as such.

A few more:

What is your most treasured possesion?

What (if anything) can you not forgive?

What is the easiest way to make you smile?

What is the funniest thing you've heard lately?

[Jean]

Brice: I tried to look for some Vyssotsky on YouTube, but, of course, there are only amateurish recordings, - all Soviet people knew his songs, and had lots of magnet tapes, and exchanged them and re-recorded them for each other... but they were never officially released (with very few exceptions), nor were his poems published when he was alive (he died at the age of 42)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITraTGXv6k8"]YouTube - Владимир Вы�оцкий Я не люблю[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG-VWAxrxms"]YouTube - Вы�оцкий - Лекци� о международном положении[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hjliMj0FBs"]YouTube - Vladimir Vysotsky - Variacii na tsyganskie temy[/ame]

[Brice]

There is a sleeping baby in the house, but I will watch them later with pleasure. Thank You!

[Jean]

Then I suppose unless I learn Russian I won't be reading his writings.

learn, learn, learn Russian! Just imagine: a whole new immense world of poetry and literature! Not, I swear to the Lord, in any way second to that of English/American poetry and literature!

What is your most treasured possesion?

my bears - teddies and little figurines
my small, but growing collection of rosaries
ditto of little stone (jade, carnelian etc) animals
ditto of my rings (jade, carnelian etc)
the mother-of-pearl extinguisher I brought from England (the story will be posted later)
everything I ever was given by my friends, here or in the so-called real life

What (if anything) can you not forgive?

betrayal

What is the easiest way to make you smile?

showing me a cute bear! (or its brother, cat, or anyone bearlike, wombat or groundhog etc)
in fact, any mention of a bear or his ears or his paws or his tail will do the trick!

What is the funniest thing you've heard lately?

Miss Finkelstein called me from London, dropped me by Skype a photo of some yellow round vegetable in a pot, looking like a small melon with spikes (I'll post later) and said:
"Behold, here is the cucumber we bought in Sissinghurst!"
(we, indeed, visited a garden there during the Open Garden week and did buy a minuscule green sprout in a pot that said "cucumber". Well, now it grew.)

[jayson]

Hello my ursine friend.

Let us speak of your musical interests.

You mentioned that you play several instruments. I already knew from previous conversations that you play guitar...

What others do you play?
Of all the instruments you play, which is your favorite? Why?
Of the instruments you do not play, which would you most like to learn?
What is your favorite song/piece to play?
What song/piece do you most wish you could play?
What is the first song you learned to play on the guitar?
Who are some musicians that inspire you to play?

Thanks for taking the time to share this info about yourself, and thanks for always being such a great person/bear to speak with. You make me wish I knew more about the country from which much of family originates.

[alinda]

I do not understand a word that man is saying, but I love his style, and can easily
now see your smile as we tap our feet together

[Jean]

Jayson, thank you for your kind words!

You mentioned that you play several instruments. I already knew from previous conversations that you play guitar...

What others do you play?

I play the piano (passably), the recorder (abominably, but it's not only me - the timbre of those woods seldom makes them acceptable for human ear when played solo, and I've lately had no opportunity to play with anyone else), and the accordion (atrociously)

Of all the instruments you play, which is your favorite? Why?

It would be piano if I could get a little better; but to get a little better I would have to practice, and I have had no access to piano for decades by now... so it's the guitar, and only because I can practice sometimes.

Of the instruments you do not play, which would you most like to learn?

Piano, to play well! of those I don't play at all, it's cello.

What is your favorite song/piece to play?

I am only a poor instrumentalist anyway, I play mostly to accompany my singing... mostly French chansons. I also play a lot of Dylan (and sing, too... recomforting myself with the thought that his voice isn't exactly fit for opera, either).

What song/piece do you most wish you could play?

Rain Song, and some other stuff by Led Zeppelin. I do play it, but not too well. Flamenco, too - I play it, also, but hideously. I am beginning to think I could do with a lesson or two, maybe on DVD or something.

What is the first song you learned to play on the guitar?

Chanson pour l'Auvergnat, by Georges Brassens.
From among songs in English, it was Tomorrow is a Long Time, by Dylan (surprise, surprise!), and then some traditionals.

Who are some musicians that inspire you to play?

I am somewhat ashamed to confess it to a musician, but I am almost never inspired by music, always by lyrics... you already know that bears are 100% verbal animals! One of the few exceptions would be Led Zeppelin whom I love and attempt to play inspite of their lyrics being atrociously poor.

[jayson]

Jayson, thank you for your kind words!

No thanks necessary. You've shown me nothing but kindness.

It would be piano if I could get a little better; but to get a little better I would have to practice, and I have had no access to piano for decades by now... so it's the guitar, and only because I can practice sometimes.

I'm right with you on that one. I can play very little on the piano and would love to learn more but that would require having a piano.

Rain Song, and some other stuff by Led Zeppelin. I do play it, but not too well. ...I am beginning to think I could do with a lesson or two, maybe on DVD or something.

Excellent choice. I was so pleased with myself when I learned how to play that one. It's very rewarding. As far as lessons go, there are any number of good ones out there on the internet. If you are willing to wade through some crap on YouTube you can find some valuable lessons among the muck and mire.

From among songs in English, it was Tomorrow is a Long Time, by Dylan (surprise, surprise!)...

Dylan made it into my early songlist as well. "She Belongs to Me" was among the first handful of songs I remember learning.

I am somewhat ashamed to confess it to a musician, but I am almost never inspired by music, always by lyrics... you already know that bears are 100% verbal animals! One of the few exceptions would be Led Zeppelin whom I love and attempt to play inspite of their lyrics being atrociously poor.

There's no shame there. There is much to lyrical content that can be inspiring (especially when one listens to songwriters like Dylan and Waits). I also agree with you that Zeppelin offers much more musically than lyrically (and I love Hobbits!). Jimmy Page is a riff-writing machine and I have been trying to learn almost all of them. The day I figured out how to play "Moby Dick" was one of the most rewarding days in my electric-guitar playing life.

[Jean]

As far as lessons go, there are any number of good ones out there on the internet. If you are willing to wade through some crap on YouTube you can find some valuable lessons among the muck and mire.

I would have never thought of that! Also, I think I should try some Waits for whom I harbor great respect!

now I am afraid my neighbors will have to lump it... after all, I am not going to drill the wall all day long or shout ot of tune all night long...

::takes the guitar::

[jayson]

Waits is the man. With all due respect to Dylan (and I have a ton of it for him) Waits is at the top of my list of great songwriters. The lyrical content is fantastic and the music is often beyond description. He paints pictures with the music that perfectly set the scene for the worlds in which his songs take place. Even his instrumental songs tell me entire stories. Many of them are fun to play as well.

[Randall Flagg]

How do you feel about the current conflict between Russia and Georgia?

[alinda]

Quote:
Of the instruments you do not play, which would you most like to learn?

Piano, to play well! of those I don't play at all, it's cello.

I am a cello... If given the choice to live only one day any where or when with anyone
what kind of day would it be, what would happen with whom would you spend it?
( I'd choose having all of us on a isolated beach eating & drinking and having a ball)

[Jean]

How do you feel about the current conflict between Russia and Georgia?

here. Sorry, I just don't want those hideous things to be in this thread. I want to keep it friendly and happy.

[Nerak]

Nerak :





P.S. I don't know your favorite flowers, either! What are they?

White roses and lilacs!

[Jean]

White roses and lilacs!