Reading Russian

Does anyone else think “man, I really wish I could read Russian?”
I don’t even need to write in it or be fluent, yet. Just read it.
As some may know, I’m in the process of learning a few foreign languages. One thing they have in common is a familiar alphabet. Whether or not I have learned the words I can come upon any paragraph, sentence, caption etc. and have some idea of what it could be saying. Attempting to read words I don’t understand is an enjoyable process for me because it feels like it’s adding something to my brain.

Not so much with Russian. I mean sure, I’ve seen the alphabet thanks to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, but it’s left my head just like anything else that has to do with Winter Olympics.
“You bet I’ll keep up with all the international figure skating competitions!” an eager fan once said.
I even looked it up online to get a more thorough idea since they were so fast during opening ceremonies. Unfortunately, without having any real grasp on the alphabet or the language, it might as well be Japanese.

Why do I wish I could read it?
Because just like any other culture in the world, there’s beauty in it and it’s a way to connect. Be it through art, literature, music or just thoughts. And when I follow or interact with people who share their art and parts of themselves, I don’t scoff and think “wish they’d write in English sometime.” I think, “dammit, wish I knew more languages.”

There Comes a Moment When

Some days, there comes a moment when you’re feeling optimistic and even excited about your future.
Upon noticing this, life turns to you and says “hey, I know what little dreams you have are fragile.” Then smashes a brick through them.
Today was such a day.
~L.A. Lanier

What If…

“What if I became so awesome, humanity couldn’t handle it?”
“Everyone dies?”
“Yeah.”
“I think there’s a fear of that.”

Dialogue I wrote up for this week’s Friday Phrases after seeing a Tweet about “Mephobia” and found it amusing. Humor aside, I wonder if there isn’t a bit of this in many people, myself included, that are hesitant of trying their best for fear of things actually going well for them. The flip of that, is clearly there are plenty of people who put things out there whether their best or not. Here’s to continuing to extinguish my “mephobia.”

A Tanka: Flowing Mane

Flowing mane* of dark
Amazon like in stature
Kind, but do not cross
An ear for brutality
With fondness for the printed

*For an Instagrammed version with a neat background, click the link 😉

Instagobs

Upon one of my first #art explorations on Instagram, I observed there was a large number of ass selfies, some even video, leading me to believe those sharing were Twerking. If mastered, that search result isn’t too absurd. Not everyone can do it, and an abundance of rear meat helps, but anyone could learn or teach themselves.