Disengaging from Hubski for a while. In my first month and a half, I've already managed to clash with a number of locals. Either I'm doing something wrong, or I'm doing something right. Going to figure that out. Besides, depression made its presence known again. I'm on the backswing but still not a pleasant interlocutor.

A Hubskier told me, in a private conversation, that the other Russian, the guy people were firmly associating me with, also fought with depression. Frankly, I'm not surprised that he was: it is a glum country. One thing I realized, though, is that you would never know were it for me telling you so. Not only are Americans uninterested in the outside culture — something noted way back in the 30s — Russia has become a boogeyman for the rest of the Western world. "Oh, you're gonna do this? But what if Russia?"

I'm not saying you're supposed to care about Russia. I think it would be a good idea to look into the enemy the state names, to see if they're as bad as they are. That's something Henry Rollins said that resonated with me. The people are not the threat. I'm not evil. Lots of people I know are nowhere near evil. The petty scumbags I get to see? Less than one percent — and that's everywhere.

Speaking of the outside world: I found the kind of a suit I want to graduate in.

No black robes, no square hats: bright, white-orange-gold coat — a symbol of celebration rather than sullen seriousness.

Rosa has been cooling due to the mood swing. I've gotten much clarity for the other things, so it's been worth it.

I'm working on a little game that it the essence what I wish to see in design: minimal semiotics for a very high symbol-to-meaning ratio. It's stupid-simple and it may not mean much to you, but it means a world to me to be able to craft it. I'll share it as soon as it's ready.