What were the first few things you learned to say in Russian, and why?

[pianojangee 0]

Cheburashka haha Ok not really. I learned about 10 words or Phrases back in high school. However the first word I learned from my Natasha was Cheburaska. Does anyone know what this thing actually is? looks like a mon chi chi

Frank

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95qCtdpmlc...feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95qCtdpmlc...feature=related</a>

[Okiebollweevil 0]

You might also get the bad guy to just laugh himself to death But seriously, the sight of a small, pink pistol could be met with disbelief and you would have to use it.

I never even thought of it like that. You are probably right though, a pink (or other "colored") gun could make a bad guy "call the bluff" and insist that I use it. I've hoped I'll never have to use my carry gun but what's sad is the older and older I get (and more "good citzens" I run into) the less I hope that it never gets used. I don't know if it's just my BS toleratometer wearing out (maybe needs recalibrated?) or if it's that with each passing year of getting up, going to work, paying taxes, and seeing my community go farther and farther into the crapper that I just start to care less. I don't know. Maybe one day I'll get it. Til then, I have a black gun.

We are off to Chicago this weekend - so we will have some drive time to talk about guns. I'll keep you posted.

Now there's proof that gun control works if there ever was any! Cook County has some of the strictest gun control laws in the entire country. Should be one of the nicest, safest places.... right?

If only the criminals would follow all the gun laws too.....

Edited: I actually wrote my Congressman a few months back when HR45 was introduced and asked him if we were to model our national policy of gun control based on the "success" of Chicago gun control, is that what he was looking to vote for? So far, no reply. And no votes either, so maybe it worked!

Been awhile since my wife got citizenship, but couldn't resist GUNS, my two cents on a carry piece for a member of the fairer sex-S&W model 49 with the shrouded hammer. Shoots 5-38 cal. can shoot from a pocket or purse without a hammer snag, but does have a hammer. Would load it with glaser safety slugs-little BB shot in liquid teflon- guaranteed thug stopper but won't go through the wall and kill the neighbor. Would investigate a "Feminine protection" purse that has a built-in holster. Bought one at a gun show for the ex, very nice concealment. My new citizen likes her H&R 22 single action, and I'm with Slim with a 12 ga. winchester defender for the house.

[slim 1,533]

and I'm with Slim with a 12 ga. winchester defender for the house.

Even my wife likes this one! (Of course, she hasn't shot it yet, so we'll see how she likes it after that. However, she's asked several times, "when we will be shoot your big gun?" And she's also talked about "pulling it out" if there's trouble, so I know she feels better knowing it's in there.)

Is citizenship a requirement for Concealed Carry in your state? (Everyone?)

Here in Ohio there are residency restrictions but LPRs are permitted to obtain a license. My wife hasn't expressed any interest in CCH yet, but maybe someday she will. My mom and stepdad are taking their training course this weekend. My mom, who's been one of those, "guns are scary" type people all her life. Hope for the future? Change we can believe in?????

[K1researcher 0]

citizenship is a requirement here ... MO

[WalkonWildSide 0]

However the first word I learned from my Natasha was Cheburaska. Does anyone know what this thing actually is? looks like a mon chi chi

Frank

hahahahha....dima just showed me a video with Cheburashka! it does look like a mon chi chi!!

No one knows...he came from the box of oranges. Everyone should watch the video. One of the key things about understanding Russian culture. Same way you have to know who Mickey Mouse is to understand American culture. And no American Culture is not an oxymoron.

[Brad and Vika 129]

And no American Culture is not an oxymoron.

Right. Not an oxymoron.... just, er.... unique Mickey Mouse isn't tough to figure out in a cultural context, but try explaining Elvira, Joe the cable guy, or a place like Las Vegas to some one who hasn't been here.

[slim 1,533]

Also try to explain the concept of "yield" while driving. Good luck with that one.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Also try to explain the concept of "yield" while driving. Good luck with that one.

Yield, schmield. In kentucky, all street signs either mean "drive fast here" or "drive really fast now". Turn signals, etc. are always optional

[WalkonWildSide 0]

Growing up in Boston I learned there isn't any traffic laws, just mere suggestions.

Driving in Hawaii I learned that when there are a few drops of rain, everyone needs to slow down to under 20MPH. Mind you it rains almost every day in Hawaii.

[WalkonWildSide 0]

Right. Not an oxymoron.... just, er.... unique Mickey Mouse isn't tough to figure out in a cultural context, but try explaining Elvira, Joe the cable guy, or a place like Las Vegas to some one who hasn't been here.

Of course American culture is unique, it is the blending of hundreds of cultures. The one I can't explain properly is Thanksgiving.

Them....Thanksgiving, you eat turkey and lots of food with family and friends.

ME........Yes

Them....Isn't Thanksgiving commerating the survival of the Pilgrims first years in America and that survival was dependent upon the aid of the Native Americans.

Me........Yes

Them....Didn't Americans kill all the Native Americans? And now you are celebrating that betrayal of friendship, kindness and killing all of them?

Me........Ah....well....not all of them, there are some Native Americans left alive in the US.

Them....Where?

Me........All around the US...They have casinos.

Them....Why do Native Americans have casinos? Did they lose a bet? American is such a strange place.

Me........Yes, Yes, Yes it is.

Edited May 9, 2009 by easytarget

[Brad and Vika 129]

Right. Not an oxymoron.... just, er.... unique Mickey Mouse isn't tough to figure out in a cultural context, but try explaining Elvira, Joe the cable guy, or a place like Las Vegas to some one who hasn't been here.

Of course American culture is unique, it is the blending of hundreds of cultures. The one I can't explain properly is Thanksgiving.

Them....Thanksgiving, you eat turkey and lots of food with family and friends.

ME........Yes

Them....Isn't Thanksgiving commerating the survival of the Pilgrims first years in America and that survival was dependent upon the aid of the Native Americans.

Me........Yes

Them....Didn't Americans kill all the Native Americans? And now you are celebrating that betrayal of friendship, kindness and killing all of them?

Me........Ah....well....not all of them, there are some Native Americans left alive in the US.

Them....Where?

Me........All around the US...They have casinos.

Them....Why do Native Americans have casinos? Did they lose a bet? American is such a strange place.

Me........Yes, Yes, Yes it is.

Right. Because of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Indians actually TOOK the right to operate casinos away from the states where the tribes are located. I think of it as a kind of revenge for the genocidal activities of the past. Kind of funny how some of the "tribes" turned into "Nations" that then fractured into many Tribes (each being entitled to one or more casinos). And the big winner is Harrah's Gaming, Inc.

[slim 1,533]

In kentucky, all street signs either mean "drive fast here" or "drive really fast now". Turn signals, etc. are always optional

I like the bullet hole "decorations" in them too.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Try explaining why you've stopped at a red light at 2am, there's no traffic around, and yet you wait right through that 3 minute light without another car in site. You can explain all you want about the possibility of there being a cop around, and even dip your toe into the "what if we all just stopped following the rules" waters, but in the end she will ridicule you and say what great material this will make in her next letter home.

Just sayin'.

True, but my wife really seems to pay so little attention to that stuff while I am driving that there are seldom many questions.

[Brad and Vika 129]

In kentucky, all street signs either mean "drive fast here" or "drive really fast now". Turn signals, etc. are always optional

I like the bullet hole "decorations" in them too.

That caused a whole other discussion about guns:

Vika - What are those wholes in signs from?

Me - Bullets.

Vika - From who?

Me - Legally armed citizens of the sovereign Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Vika - Americans all carry guns around to shoot their own street signs? Stupid!

Me - Sometimes, as shooting signs from moving vehicles is a national sport. Mostly we just shoot each other though.

Vika - Do you shoot signs with your guns?

Me - Not any more, because my eyesight isn't good enough to hit a sign from a moving car. I might accidentally shoot an innocent dog or cat instead.

Vika - What about innocent people?

Me - There aren't any.

Vika - When will I have gun too?

Me - I will look into it right away. Do you prefer to shoot stop signs, or general road signs on the highway.

Vika - I won't shoot signs, it is stupid!

[WalkonWildSide 0]

I wouldn't be buying her a gun anytime soon.

Although she is right shooting street signs is pretty stupid.