Snowman with boobs

About three centimeters of new snow last night. Walking Iggy around a park an unusual snowman got my attention. Or is it now a snowwoman? Iggy liked her. Although a smile is falling off her face.  

Home Holidays

Two weeks ago left for Zagreb. Whatever could go wrong with the flight - went wrong. The plane was delayed. Plus it was not heated. Arrived in Vienna too late to catch a connection to Zagreb. Had to overnight in Vienna. But on Friday evening could get my suitcase. When I arrived to Zagreb had a fever and was sick.
During the week had almost daily visit to the doctors. Than my tooth started to bother me. Visited a dentist too. When it rains it pours. On my next to last day when with my mum to my parents house outside the city. We found the house was flooded. Thanks to good and practical neighbour the leak was stopped and we got rid of water in few hours.
It felt good to be on a plane back to Kiev.  When I landed in Kiev there was no shuttle bus on the airport. We had to wait 30 min for a bus to take us to the immigration terminal. Nobody seemed upset. None surprised with a lack of organization and coordination.
When I got out of the pane I was greeted by a drizzle. When I arrived home - it was snowing. Winter continues to firmly hold her grip.

Weekends without internet

The temperature remains around -15 degrees. Few days ago a forecast for this weekend was -30 degrees. Thank God the forecast was wrong.

Last Saturday around early afternoon I found myself without internet connection. I called a provider to investigate what happened with the connection. After they took my contract number, than a mobile phone number they informed me "a specialist will call me". A specialist did not call for two hours. I called again. The call center of a provider informed me there is "авария" or accident in my neighbourhood. I was assured all specialists work hard to restore connection. They worked so hard the internet was connected only by Monday evening.

This Saturday also around noon internet connection was gone. Again called a service center. Again it was "авария". But this time seems "specialists" fixed it faster.

What I find interesting is the internet provider does not elaborate what the actual accident is. I find it strange internet connection disappears for two consecutive weekends on Saturday. 

I do not like being disconnected. My usual weekend routine is skype, kindle downloads, ipad downloads, reading papers and reviews online. Well - routine changed. I spent last two weekends reading books. Today went to movie with Katja.

We saw "We". It got poor reviews but I was curious. The movie was dubbed in Ukrainian. But without internet at home even a movie dubbed in a language I do not understand sounds as an exciting thing to do.The movie surprised me. Nice costume drama. Liked the parallel love stories which I could follow even with  limited understanding of Ukrainian.

There is a character called Evgeniy in the movie. Good looking. No resemblance to a Slavic type. Trust me.

After the movie enjoyed a nice dinner with Katja. Than got home - and realized I am connected again.

It's good to have a change of routine - but I am so happy I am connected again.

On the photo below - the movie theatre building.

Warming up!

After -27 degrees yesterday it warmed up. It's -15 now. It feels so warm Igor would put his shorts on - if it would not snow so much.

Red Dress and Garry Hume

Thanks to my friend Luba (many, many thanks!!!) I was on the opening of two exhibitions at the Pinchuk Art Center yesterday evening. Focus of Pinchuk Art Center is contemporary art (http://pinchukartcentre.org/en/). First exhibition is of photos by Jeff Wall. His photographs capture moments in everyday life - people on street, kids, windows, gardens, etc.
Second exhibition is of paintings by Garry Hume - simple, abstract but warm paintings in mute colors.
For me the theme of both exhibitions is simplicity. Seeing a young girl in a red cocktail dress with lace stockings among muted colors of Hume paintings felt like artistic dichotomy.
But looking at the photo the red dress with white walls and gray floor looks as a great combination.

Sunny morning

It's freezing but sunny. I like the dryness in the air. It feels pure. Today the sky was incredibly crisspy blue.
My friend Sveta told me a following phrase:
I feel as a blue blue sky where nothing sticks to me.
Feel great today.

Muito obrigado

It's -17 degrees for about a week. So how to cope with -17?  Let's say a great company of friends helps a lot. Few bottles of smooth red wine do not hurt either. Even better if friends love Maria Bethania and Ivete Sangalo whose warm voices and beautiful songs bring tropical Brazil to arctic winter. With great music it is hard to sit or stand. One has to move and dance. With such friends cold weather does not matter.
Luis and Julia - thanks for a great evening.   
Btw - the forecast for the next week is -22. I'll better stock up on "Bad boy"...