Shto? (this is the extent of the Russian I have learned today).

[rebness]

... The less said on the whole LJ downtime, the better. I don't blame LJ, nor will I migrate to Dreamwidth (though I will definitely back up this journal). I hope that the site goes from strength to strength and that the Russian bloggers continue to have a platform for their views. Asshat bloody authorities.

For those who do want to help (and for those of us whose most pressing matter is finding some fanfic, not trying to take on a corrupt government) here's an excellent post by Cesare on how to help if you want to support LJ and the Russian bloggers. I promise to stop refreshing the page continually in future. :p

For all LJ's faults (and there are rather a few), I really do love the site. I love the sense of community, I love that when they do mess up, we at least get some drama/feedback from the owners instead of the blank, sinister ways of Facebook and I love it for serving all my fannish and nerdish needs. Long may it continue.

Anyway! I was just writing up a capslock post for the VC_Media community on the Grand National horse race. I mentioned this to mothergoddamn and her reply cracked me up. Had to share:

When I was little the horse I bet on broke its neck and I mourned it and wrote it a poem and sat drawing it and became obsessed with its trainer and used to address my diary to it like Anne Frank to Kitty.

I allow this woman into my house, flist. My house.

Comments

[ozfille]

Animal welfare groups have been vigorously campaigning to have jumps racing banned after 10 horses died during races and compulsory trials in Victoria in 2010 and there have been further calls this year to ban them after three horses fell and one was put down during hurdles races in Warrnambool earlier this week. They were banned years ago in this state (NSW) as too cruel but I guess the Victorian government gets money from the gambling on the races and doesn't want to lose a source of income, ignoring the risks to the riders and their horses.

As for lj's owners, I admire their support for the dissident bloggers. It takes rare courage to face up to Putin and his cronies - you just have to look at the number of people his group of thugs has persecuted and the number of investigative journalists they have killed or beaten up over the last few years to silence the few voices of dissent left. I guess after the success of the 'facebook' revolts in Egypt and Tunisia and Libya his intention to continue running Russia with an iron fist indefinitely might appear to be less of a sure thing and he is cracking down hard on any dissenting opinions whenever they crop up. He has cyber-thugs as well as the real life bruisers he lets off the leash to terrorise people wanting to express their point of view or critique his government's activities and policies.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I don't get why they insist on keeping the jumps in. Every single year, a horse gets injured or worse, dies. We should follow your lead on this one.

I completely, completely agree with you on LJ's owners. I think they get a lot of flack, particularly when compared with the owners of DW, but this is a good fight and long may they continue it. I think LJ Russia's counterpart is very, very brave to speak out about it; I don't know that I would dare if I were her.

[mcgarrygirl78.livejournal.com]

This whole thing, and I admit to only knowing pieces of it, with the Russian government trying to shut down LJ so people cant speak out, insane. For all its flaws, I am thankful everyday that I live in a country where I can speak my mind and not end up in some dark jail somewhere never to be heard from again.

I'm sticking with LJ too, I'm not migrating but you did give me a good plan to back up my journal just in case. It's kinda scary to think of this place disappearing....the people I care about are here. And of course all my nerdish, fannish delights.

As for mothergoddamn, LOL. She brings the lolz at least. Who doesnt want to invite over people who bring the lolz : D

[rebness.livejournal.com]

For all its flaws, I am thankful everyday that I live in a country where I can speak my mind and not end up in some dark jail somewhere never to be heard from again.

A thousand times word. And I really do hope you (and the rest of my flist) stay. We're too invested in this site. :D

[keep-warm.livejournal.com]

WHEN I WAS LITTLE BEFORE I OBJECTED ON GROUNDS OF HORSE ABUSE MY DAD LET ME PICK AND I PICKED THE WINNER BECAUSE THE JOCKEY WAS WEARING PINK AND PURPLE AND MY RELATIVES BECAME CONVINCED I HAD PSYCHIC HORSE DEFINING POWERS BUT THEN THE NEXT ONE I PICKED LOST, SO WE ALL WENT ON AS NORMAL.

I BOUGHT A SET OF ROALD DAHL BOOKS WITH MY WINNINGS, THOUGH I SUSPECT MY PARENTS MAY HAVE MADE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

YOU'RE EXCITED TODAY

Aww, that's kind of cute, though! And I love that you bought Roald Dahl books. If I hadn't been too busy trying to stop David McCabe stealing my apples, I would totally have been your friend. <3

[iskra667.livejournal.com]

Oh, so that's what the 'political blogs' were targetted for! LJ just said the attacks were political, but didn't explain further and I got curious. lol, my LJ might get targetted because I've got a russian username :D Let the russian police waste their time and money on closing down gay vamp porn :D

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Yeah! LJ should have given us more info on the site earlier, I think, because then people would have been more understanding. May they defeat these cyber thugs!

Okay, so explain your name to me, devushka. I don't speak Russian anywhere near well enough to get the word/reference. :D

[iskra667.livejournal.com]

lol, 'iskra' is 'spark' in russian and polish. It's a relic from my lefty high school days, lol :D I still use it because it sounds good and it's usually free as a username on any forum or site, so convenient. I don't speak russian or polish, but polish guys regularly chat to me online because they think I'm polish so it's fun :)

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Ah, well! Now I know! Probably won't ever need to use 'spark' on my travels, but still...

That's pretty awesome, though. You're either going to get some Russian/Polish admirers or the Kremlin after you.

I'm thinking of getting a pomeranian dog this year and for some reason, I want to give it a Russian-esque name. *Adds Iskra to list*

[iskra667.livejournal.com]

ah ah, you might, if your car won't start and you need the spark plugs replaced! :D

Also there is a dog names Karenin (after Anna Karenina) in 'unbearable lightness of being'.

[marvystoop.livejournal.com]

Today i did a mini cossack dance (i squatted then stood up and carried on with my day) especially for LJ.

I shan't be going to any other 'site either ::stays put::

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Hahahahaa. I want to see you do that.

GOOD. STAY HERE. We have cake and biscuits and singalongs. Sometimes.

[marvystoop.livejournal.com]

There's minimal movement involved, but it's effective. It cures stuff. Sometimes. Leg cramp mostly.

Oh, oh, OH! I can use this time to practice my Glee teachings. Come, harmonize with me while i bust some moves.