Super-Duper Wacky n' Tacky Euro Adventure

...and the worst part it is, it really in fact hasn't even begun to poke its ugly head out. Highs are struggling to reach 60 here and I sure look goofy as hell with my huge snow jacket, gloves and beanie when some kids are walking around in their t-shirts. But you know what the real test is: If in fact I am wearing the same Under Armour under shirt I used to wear on cold nights in Oregon with nothing other than a football jersey to protect me, and I am wearing that same undershirt today, inside, with a jacket on and I am still FREAKING FREEZING!

Ok, so the real bad part about the whole cold thing is that we are enduring some of the worst of the season right now. What's that you say Beto? I thought it hasn't even frozen over or snowed yet for that matter! Well, son, you're right but my true meaning is that there exists no central heating at the current time. Yes, with some glorious leftovers from the broke-ass Russian Federation of the 1990's, it is now city law that natural gas will not be released to homes and businesses for another few weeks. Yes you read correctly, I said there is currently no heating. So it turns out the state will not release gas until there are five consecutive days below 10 degrees celcius. For us non-human calculators out there, that means when it does not reach above 50 farenheit for five days, only then will Moscow be allowed to be comfortable. OK, I could be completely over-reacting as I ususally mis-interpret many things from Russians that hate articles and non-active verbs, but I'm pretty sure that's what the deal is. From what I understand, this was a measure put in place to prevent shortages when the fuel price was artificially low. It could still have a price cieling on it; that I haven't been able to figure out. But regardless. Prices most def need to be liberalized and let me have my damn heating! It's not like there is any shortage of natural gas in this country. Ask Putin, he loves his energy revenues. Now let my love my energy useage and please let me thaw out!

OK, it really isn't that bad, but one thing is sure: I have gotten way too spoiled at Stanford. The picture, by the way, isn't from this season. But have no doubt, once it snows I will be all over the city with camera in hand. Can't wait!