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So I had a shoot today for Maxim Russia. And as usual, the magazine is full of T & A. Lots of local talent, of course. So the shoot wasn't bad at all. It was pleasant, fun and conceptual. DIdn't pay much, but at least it was smooth and fun. The idea was to shoot an editorial photo illustration for an article in the next issue. What the editorial content is, i have no idea. But the arrangement was to center on a typical Russian Trash Sovietsky family having a party. Of course, this was a exaggerated mock family with hired bit players and all, but I've been in Russia long enough that it didn't seem exaggerated. This is how many families are. And of course, a hot Russian babe in the mix.

Well, not much really exciting happening lately. The only notable event was that I travelled outside of Moscow to a city/town called Zelenogorad, which means Green City. It's a city built in the Soviet times to compete with Silicon Valley. It was pretty much a secret city, but since the fall of the Soviet Union, it's been opened up. So an old foreign guy like me, may go to visit my young 23 year old friend for her birthday party. Oooofff! Much vodka. I'll bring some back. Good stuff for cheap called Green Mark Vodka at $4 for 500ml bottle. Seriously, it's a reintroduced soviet recipe created faithfully.

Gone away is the sunshine
Here to stay is the grey grime
A muddy cold sight
We're drinking tonight
Walking in a Winter Fuckerland

In the meadow we freeze our balls off
And drink bad moonshine that can kill us
We'll get drunk and tell people to fuck off
Until the Militia comes raids us

When they beat, ain't it chiilling
Though your nose gets a bleeding
We'll slip them some pay
The Moscovite way
Walking in a Winter Fuckerland

Walking in a Winter Fuckerland
Walking in a Winter Fuckerland

So I'm a whore. I did a shitty job shooting some shitty athlete celebrity for some shitty magazine for shitty pay. Because I just don't have enough work here as of the last few months to refuse. Sucks, I need to do more.

Okay, this weekend, I decided to stay sober. But before you praise me on my fortitude, if some chick called me tonight, I'd probably be swaggering home later tonight. In any case, none has called, so I can tell you what I witness last night. Much is said about Russia and Russians. Lots of it propaganda by the West to discredit Russia and sow seeds of discontent amongst it's own people. But some of it is very true for some of the people here. Last night, some oligarch (an oligarch is a guy who had gained vast control of fortunes from the crumbling Soviet Union) had a birthday party for his girlfriend, and for the entertainment of 50 or so guest, he hired A-ha. A-who? A-ha. Yes that crappy 80's one hit wonder band. From all accounts he paid a small fortune for this shindig. Why? Well because he has the money. Why A-ha? Because he has no taste. So there you have it, lots of new money and no taste. That's new Russia for you! (see movie section for A-ha video)

I went to St. Petersburg for the first time yesterday, but only for the day. I took an overnight train there, then flew back the same day. I went to shoot a portrait of Alexander Sokurov, film director. He made this beautiful film about Emperor Hirohito call "The Sun." Basically, I had 30 minutes to shoot him. Not that he was hurrying me, but we had a plane to catch. For an hour and a half (while he was being interviewed by the magazine, Esquire), the producer Katya and I were searching for a location. Ultimately all the locations were shit or unavailable, so I settled on using lighting to make a shit situation better.