“When I wish to find out how good or how wicked anyone is, or what are his thoughts at the moment, I fashion the expression of my face, accurately as possible, in accordance with the expression of his, and then wait to see what thoughts or sentiments arise in my own mind or heart, as if to match with the expression” Edgar Allan Poe

I am frequent visitor to Vienna zoo. I believe animals have also soul and move in eternal circles of reborns, as humans do. Perhaps I was antelope not so long time ago. The only problem with zoo animals is that they are in state of lethargy, one needs endless paitence to wait, when they change the pose to catch a moment for photo.

When I came back to lathe, I saw inspector with measure gadget there probing my patterns. He declared high percentage of deficiency and recommended to sharpen the drill. It was smoke break in instrumental store, and a group of middle-aged workers gathered around the table. Black plate of old radio was on the wall.
While uncle Vanya was sharpening my drill, I listened to the radio and to small talk of oldies.
There were no victims and no buildings destruction in republic after night earthquake, except of few clay huts collapse in province.

One old turner told how he witnessed strong earthquake many years ago in mountains area, when canyon suddenly appeared within a few meters from him, devoured people and cattle, and then formed new, smooth plateau. Then there were rumors about replacement in power structures. It was not 1937, but 1977, but people still talked by euphemisms. The chief editor of town newspaper was fired. His typesetter in print shop missed one letter in composition, what came out unnoticed. Newspaper was issued as usual by 100.000 copies circulation with words: traitor Brezhnev- instead of -chairman Brezhnev- printed in bold shrift at the first page.
Getting the drill, I still didn’t work, as hand crane was out of order and could not transport me new supply of pieces. I decided to climb up 30-meters staircase and check what was going wrong. (more…)

The moral postulate of soviet society was simple: who does not work must not eat, and parasitism was considered to be hardest sin. One could even be in problems with police suspected in parasitic mode of existence.

Living in center of Europe nowadays, I see symbiotic relationships with society to be of no great fault at all, as life constantly brings me in touch with Austrians who exist on behalf of social benefits for years, imitating intense activity and presenting extraordinary image of themselves to the world.

In spite of my devotion to spiritual teachings of new age, where abundance as form of energy is available for everybody, I still convinced that universal law of prosperity has formula of short blanket: you can feel very good in social system only on expense of others (more…)

It was 5 o’clock in the morning. I lay in darkness of the room awaken by strange sensation. The night was sticky and still, and full moon accompanied by blinking pearl of lonely star beamed in the open window. A moment later neighbors dog gave low howl of misery and supplication, and distant wails of other dogs echoed it.

It was some time before my morning shift at the plant, and still seized by odd feeling, I got up to prepare a cup of tea. Electric bulb hanging down from ceiling of kitchen on the long cord lighted up paint washed walls and shining spherical teapot at the table. Bulb was moving back and forth, as if swayed by wind. Then I realized with mixture of exhilaration and dismay it was earthquake and ran out in the yard, as people in seismic zones normally do being not sure house would stand stronger shoves. However, all was still around, and minute later peacock in nearby yard crowed his solemn greeting for coming dawn. It was only slight wave – not more than three units on Richter scale that day, and inspecting plaster of our old brick house later, I found only one new crack.

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Once I met an old artist in the street, he was in his usual shabby jacket with fringes at the bottom, dragging heavy suitcase with sketches and looking thoughtful. When I asked him, what was going on, he replied: “It is always the same – too much of work and too little or nothing of wage”
Hej, my blog, the sacred wheel is turning on in spite of all odds! I just seek the way to promote my project “Faces of Austrian politics” I am positively more and more fond of Hermann Hesse writings, consider him to be great author. What I have come across today in his book: “Thank you, good man,” said Siddhartha, “I am afraid I have no gift to give you, no payment, I am homeless.”
“I could see that, – said the ferryman, “And I did not expect any payment or gift from you, you will give it to me some other time.” “Do you think so?”- asked Siddhartha merrily
“Certainly. I have learned that from the river; everything comes back”

May Demonstration

It was traditional the 1 May demo and Day of the Work in Vienna yesterday, and to express their solidarity with social-democratic, communist and national minorities movements in the country thousands of people marched along streets of the city toward Parliament and City council, where chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, mayor Michael Häupl, trades-union leader Rudolf Hundstorfer held their welcoming speeches.
Alfred Gusenbauer, greeted by applauds of massive crowd at Rathausplatz, expressed motto of the day in a few words:
- We all want to have not only work, we want to have good work!

I was in this crowd, and after manifestation discovered with surprise that Alfred Gusenbauer was quite approachable and open for communication with everybody, what was difficult to expect from Russian public figures of the same rank. The last ones probably always wanted to protect themselves from potential terrorists, provocateurs and charity pleaders. I also noticed that mayor and chancellor, belonging to the same social-democratic party and representing Austrian establishment, often use word -Genossen- (Comrades) when they address audience.
I thought the word was prerogative of communists and activists of fascist Germany (Parteigenossen),

on that reason (separating themselves from their own communist past), the word was for along time already banned in Russia by public opinion and sounds funny today there. On some reason, police stopped the march of communists and minorities by Parliament yesterday. The colors were the same – red, but one could quickly guess who stood for authority and who not. One of my Demo picture was used in weekly selection of Reuters world news agency