My favourite so far has to be the Russian Radio Player gadget.  In its tiny widget like frame it manages to fit the live streams of 67 Russian radio stations catering for every taste – from ??? ?? (Hit FM) to ??? ?????? (Echo of Moscow). 

I have to confess – I’ve not spent the evening listening to the cultured words of ??? ??????, favouring instead the cheesy pop of  ?????? ????.

Also worth checking out is the Russian Word a Day sidebar gadget, for those days when you’re too lazy to reach for inspiration in the dictionary.  Combine this with the Russian Radion Player, and you’re guaranteed to increase your vocabulary!

With all these new toys to play with, it may be some time before you see the next blog post…

Russian Radio Player Gadget on your Windows Vista Sidebar is a post from: Siberian Light

Well, I thought it was interesting.

Anyway, you can learn more about Stalin (the former Soviet leader, not the guy who lives in my building) by visitng Wikipedia.

Update: While we’re on the subject of Stalin, this article made me chuckle: Stalin clears up unpaid bills.

Stalin in London is a post from: Siberian Light

“That is correct, Colonel. Our captain has been taken into custody by what appears to be a Soviet military unit.” Spock barely moved as he spoke. “If my suspicion is correct, they may believe Captain Kirk to be an American espionage agent. If this is so, then his life is in grave danger.”

Steve’s face grew somber. “That would be a pretty fair assumption. Where do you think he was captured?”

“About 67.3km Northeast of Irkutsk,” the Vulcan replied.

Steve’s brow furrowed. “There’s a secret military installation in that area. If your Captain was down there, you have a problem on your hands. What was he doing down there, anyway?”

“We were working on an experiment, there was an error, and Captain Kirk was part of the recovery party sent down to retrieve the experiment.” Spock was determined to give Steve as much information as he could without telling him anything.

Now, if I were a Star Trek fan-fiction writer (which I am not), or even Mr Spock (which I am also not) I’d be taking this opportunity to make the most of Ensign Pavel Chekov. He is, after all, a Russian and, presumably, speaks a little of the local lingo. But, does he appear in this story? Ummm, no.

Update: Goodness, I almost forgot to mention – the Steve mentioned above is Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man. So, we have a Star Trek / Six Million Dollar Man / Soviet Union crossover. At least, I assume it’s the Six Million Dollar Steve Austin, and not the guy from WWF – because that would be just too wierd.

Captain Kirk in Irkutsk is a post from: Siberian Light

Siberian Light has never been nominated for an award before, and I’m slightly intimidated but very very very very happy to realise that I’ve not just been put up for one award, but two!

So, come vote (for me!) in the Best CIS Blog and Best Weblog Focused on a Single Country or Region categories.  And while you’re there, go visit all the other European Blogs too.  They’re really rather good.

Update: Back from work at last!  Which means I finally have the time to put up a list of the excellent blogs I’m competing against in the Best CIS Blog category:

The Russian Dilettante by Alex(ei)

Neeka’s Backlog by Veronica Khokhlova

The Argus by Nathan Hamm et al (including, once in a very blue moon, me)

Foreign Notes by Scott W Clarke

Nominees for the Best Weblog Focused on a Single Country or Region are too many to list here.  The Glory of Carniola looks to be the deserved front runner to date.

Satin Pajamas and Important Awards is a post from: Siberian Light