Being diplomatic is so hard! As well as to restrict yourself, and not to want for more you can actually hold.

I was always thinking of getting a Mac. Not that I was obssesed with this idea, but lately it became obvious: I need to try and switch. The time is perfect now: new iMacs, new Minis, new iLife! The final (and probably a bit silly) step towards buying a Mac was made a few days ago when I’ve participated in MacHeist, the annual ‘Sale Grande’ of software for Mac. It was a bundle worth hundreds of $$$ I’ve purchased just for $39! Only in the morning I’ve realized I can’t install any of them!!!

So it is obvious I need to get a Mac. The problem is that these computers are quite pricey, and my budget is tied to family’s budget, so I can’t spend too much. Besides, my girlfriend wouldn’t allow me such a purchase. And that’s where diplomacy begin.

First of all, I needed to prepare my girlfriend for being comfortable with spending considerable amound of money on a computer. Thus my initial talk with her was about our budget limits, and future earnings. Of course she didn’t like the idea of spending this much on a computer. The trick was then that I’ve mentioned the price of the new 24” iMac in standard configuration, and throughout the next couple of days I was insisting on buying just this very model. We’ve gone through really hard couple of days!

Secondly, I’ve ‘discovered’ that there is twice as cheap model, Mac Mini, which does all the same things, but lacks built-in screen, keyboard, and mouse. My girlfriend was so tired of defending the budget, that readily accepted this alternative.

The trick is that during the first phase I kind of came to like the 24” iMac! So, I think the Mac Mini is just the first tiny step into the vast Apple world!

Oh, finally! I’ve got enough time to write about recent events, and there were quite a few!

First of all, there was Puppeteers Day on March, 21st. In my opininon, the fact, that it is so close to St.Patrick’s Day, really means something! At least, not a usual day it was. Atmosphere of joy and fun prevailed thoughout the day, which was by the way my workday! Champaigne and cheers in the evening made it into a fine holiday.

Secondly, I’ve participated in a morning TV show on a local Moscow station ‘Doverie’. Theatre’s Day is coming (March, 27th), so many shows are shot these days about theatre, actors, and all things related. The theme of the show was, of course, ‘Theatre’. Since it is Youth Year in Russia, several representatives of youth-related institutions were invited. Among them Mr. Spesivtsev, director, actor, head of Moscow Youth Theatre; Mr. Rubtsov, head of the famous ‘Bakhrushinsky’ theatre musium; and your humble blogger as a representative of a theatre for the very young.

The whole event took about two hours and it was really fun. Many jokes, smiles, open-minded people, generous hosts, supportive environment. The latter was especially pleasant, since it was my first time being a guest in a show with such great people!

The show will air on March 27th, in the morning on channel ‘Doverie’ (Moscow). It is so bad I wouldn’t be able to watch it for the channel is not available in the area I live in. Still, maybe I’ll find an Internet-based site, which will translate this particular show.

For all of us out there who loves Ireland and/or related to it! This is a great opportunity to unite with people we know and make new friends as well! Happy St.Patrick’s Day!

Looking at the Wikipedia article does little explanation of this traditional holiday. Wearing green does a bit more. Having fun a ‘Grand’ way (taking part in a parade), singing, enjoying people around you – that’s what the holiday is about for me. I wish more people in Russia would participate.

Once again my article is about Audible title. This time it is a comedy genre. I love African Americans (or shall I say ‘chocolate’ instead?), the unique atmosphere they always carry with them, and of course their very natural humour.

Larry Willmore’s “I’d Rather We Got Casinos, and Other Black Thoughts” is not a long listen, but it is a highly condensed, hilarious, smart collection of strange/unbelieveable/mystifying observations of ‘brothers’.

Howcome brothers never see UFOs? Why all brothers talk along while watching movies? Why ‘African American’ brand is no longer cool, and what should it be instead? These are just tips of the broad iceberg of humour in this book. My strong recommendation, the ‘five-star’!