Recent purchase 1984 MH

[james j neiweem]

Looks like alot of birch trees in Russia.

[Vladislav]

20 hours ago, Brocky said:

Vlad, THANK YOU for the history lesson.. I have learned many things about your country I did not know before.. I cannot begin to imagine travel was that restricted..How much were the people allowed to move around within the Soviet Union???

Actually Soviet Union restricted plenty of people's rights and abilities of what we at modern times count as normal. I just cannot imagine how really things were bad before and during WW2 since a lot of blood was spilled and people were killed without a court or just ordered to actions followed to death with no chances to survive. I didn't live those days so only try to figure out the truth from modern publications because local propoganda was always doing perfect job of stating how beautiful life in the country was and is.

Of what I remember very good of living 14 years until the end of USSR people were ordered to live along Socialistic rules. Every man MUST be employed to government service, being not employed for more than a month or two was a crime. Women were exception, could provide household job but the most preferred to work. Education was for free (and still is in many cases) including colledges and universities. But there was a point. If a person got hight degree it meant he was not allowed to work for a "worker" job. He must be an engeneer, scientist etc. He couldn't work with a lathe at a plant, drive a truck or operate a showel or doser. The matter was the state spent efforts for his education so he must pay back. And that makes sence on my mind regardless was limiting man's rights. Basic work time was limited to 8 hours a day 5 days a week and 28 PAYED days off once in a year. Men got retirenment in 60 and women in 55. The size of retirenment payment depended on the time the person was employed and was actually sufficient. At least during 80's years when I was informed on that. People were allowed to travel all over the country's land including Socialist republics such as Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Kazahstan, Latvia, Litva etc. Exception was multiple "closed" cities which were different "strategic" facilities where production of military materials and equipment was located, space industry and so on. People lived there as in normal cities but the territory was fenced with guared gates to enter and exit. Those who were inside could go outside with no limitations (but usually didn't need that much). Others couldn't go in without special permission. There are still some areas of such style (for example submarine bases) but much less in number.

Travels outside of USSR were impossible. Including Socialist countries like East Germany, Poland, Yougoslavia and others. Those were behind the USSR border. In fact a person needed and exit visa to get off. Sure some people went to foreign countries but that required such visa and must be reasoned. For example my dad made 2 trips to Cuba and 2 to Poland. But those concerned his job. He provided development of Laser equipment and side products (the main sure was for military) were medical setup for eye surgary. Soviet government supplied that equipment to those countries so he was ordered to go there and provide start and run in to operation. The duration of stay, location and amount of money changed were strictly controlled. Lucky people were those who had long term job in foreign countries, especially Western ones. Those people could import high quality goods into SU including clothes, cassete recorders and cars. The problem of shortage of common goods in the country was a follow of main efforts put into military production, space research and other strategical means. Now i think there was a reason of studieing a WW2 lesson so that made sence. But the issue was Socialist economy was the government economy and actually was in many cases inefficient.

Interesting that nowadays many mostly older people complain about current layout and say that it was much better at SU times. But it seems to me that those saying that are who by some reason felt themsef very good because they got good position or were able to steal and satisfy their needs (and those latter kind ones were many in number). Or another possible reason is (as it seems to me) people remember time when they were young, healthy and active as their best part of life. And Socialism or Capitalism gets a role of a side matter.

[Vladislav]

8 hours ago, james j neiweem said:

Looks like alot of birch trees in Russia.

Yes, many of them. But there are areas which look different. Mostly were the ground is sandy.

[Brocky]

Vlad, thanks again for taking the time to explain these matters. Your spoken English is very good, but it must be harder to work in the written English..

[Vladislav]

17 hours ago, Brocky said:

Vlad, thanks again for taking the time to explain these matters. Your spoken English is very good, but it must be harder to work in the written English..

Seems opposit to me. When I write I have time to form my phrases. Also I'm able to keep attention to grammer. And after all is written I read over and put some corrections (I also do that when type in Russian). When you speak you put ready phrases, no time to think on how to use a word. That's why I prefere to write correct. I'm getting used to correct forms so when time to talk I could do it automatically. Another story is prononsation and recognizing people's answers. Real communication is required for that but I don't have much of. On the other hand language is a tool you should have a reason to use. So if I live in America or talk with people every day I would try to put my speach to perfect level. And as long as I just travel ocassionally and exchange letters with friends some fluent grade of English satisfys me. Actually English is a part of my hobby which makes the life more interesting and helps to see things wider. So i just enjoy it without putting extreme efforts into.

[Whiskymack]

Vlad, your English is coming along terrifically. I can't vouch for your spoken English having never met you but I can see that your writing has improved so much over the years. You certainly put me to shame! I can't write in any other language than English.

[Vladislav]

8 hours ago, Whiskymack said:

Vlad, your English is coming along terrifically. I can't vouch for your spoken English having never met you but I can see that your writing has improved so much over the years. You certainly put me to shame! I can't write in any other language than English.

Alastair, thank you for the comment. I sure noted that now I type much easier than before and feel the order of words better. The issue (and respect to our members) the community is not critical to my skills and take me as is. It's comfortable but I don't see my mistakes. At the same time during the years when reading posts on here I see many phrases repeating so when I start saying another way I feel that I'm wrong. Worth to admit it's a very pleasant way of studying English to me since I both study the language and Mack trucks

Of writing in other languages I could do it relatively suitable in German until hoocked up on here. Now much less German communications because of more connections with English speaking people. But you are not a person who should feel ashamed of lack of any skill as long as your craftmanship is so high.

Unfortunately it's a trouble to me to get GB visa so looks like we could meet in a different country only.