This is my personal experience, though, I’m not pretending to sound/act as an expert, but here is the top 2 places I would buy a cup of Cappuccino at:

1. Starbucks. If you’re lucky enough to find a Starbucks nearby, then this is a nobrainer – go get it there! The best coffee one can find in Russia is served at this place.
2. Chockoladnitsa (aka Chocolateer). This is surprisingly good place to get a decent cup of Cappuccino. Even though the range of products is not as wide as in Starbucks, the taste still holds close to original.

Now, lets take a look at fast-food offers. Generally, you shouldn’t buy coffee there, it sucks! However, if there is no other place around, take a chance at MacDonald’s or Sbarro. And, please, never ever waste your dimes at places like ‘Rostiks KFC’, ‘Kroshka-Kartoshka’ (‘Little Potato’), ‘Teremok’ and such. You’ll get an over-burned, cheap, sometimes even chemically over-flavored drink, which has no resemblance to anything like coffee, and may be very dangerous to your stomach too!

So, if you want to drink a cup of coffee in Russia, find a Starbucks or a coffee-house, but not a fast-food. Happy Labor Day!

Please, be patient, I hope by the end of the month it all will be over. Let’s just assume I’m having a vacation, taking a break from Internet! See ya in August!

Here is the briefing. Most of the politicians on local level do not recognize the world’s financial situation. I’d even say they’re purposefully ignoring (at least making it seem so) the obvious. You think I’m being mean? Sarcastic? Well, see for yourself.

Here is the recent (dated June 9th 2009) article from well-known Russian newpaper ‘Commercent’: ‘Noginsky County Has Brought the Financial Crisis to an End.’ Noginsk is a small town in Moscow region, the kind of place where local politicians do their best to jump into the big game.

While trying to be noticed all means are good! This time the Head of Noginsk county, Mr. Laptev, issued a decree, where words ‘financial crisis’ were literally banned from speech of all local authorities. Preambule states that ‘…all the nescessary steps were taken to create a financially prospective environment on the territory of Noginsk County…’ I live in Noginsk county, and I’d effectively argue this statement, still not going to.

Instead, let’s see what’s in the decree. The main idea is that financial hardships are only thoughts in some panicy heads, not the real situation around. Now not only I myself, but almost anyone in the whole interdependent world, would effectively argue this idea!

Apparently, Mr. Laptev doesn’t recognize the free speech right either, as the decree conflicts with it in the very essence by mentioning a possible punishment for using the ‘bad’ words. Some officials might even get fired! Mr. Laptev compares that to a ‘dress code’: ‘…I prohibit wearing short skirts at the department building, this is of the same sort…’ No comments.

One last thing to mention. Mr. Laptev reserves the right to supervise the implementation of the decree all to himself…

It seems, I’ve finally found that very theme with the set of all the functions desired. Not more and not less. Let me introduce you to the Dyna Blue theme, which is free and distributed by WebDesignLessons.com.

It’s a visually appealing theme, with a feature I was searching for a long time. I’m talking about the ‘Featured’ section right at the top, where you can see some selected articles. Also, there is a block of ads (probably empty right now), where I can advertise with Google AdSense, or with any other program. There is also a banner space at the very top, it’s empty right now, but I’ll find a way to fill it with some appropriate information.

To say no more, I just also wanted to mention, that this shift was made possible by the newest 2.8 version of WordPress. One of the new functions is precisely the one, that allows to add new themes very easily, just like you’re installing a new plug-in!