Daily Archives: February 28, 2006

Soviet dress is a rather understudied topic. But now we can breathe easier. According to the London Guardian, Professor Olga Gurova from the European University in St. Petersburg is working on a cultural history of underwear in the Soviet period. I have to say, I’ll read it. I find the topic absolutely fascinating. Here is how Gurova explains her work:

In the 1920s, Soviet magazines touted a “regime of cleanliness” for the proletariat. “Underwear,” explains Gurova, “was a compulsory part of that regime.” A goal was established: everyone should have at least two sets, and should change sets at least once every 7-10 days. Mass production was cranked up, underclothing the populace in officially healthy, comfortable, hygienic long johns, boxers, undershirts and bras. Gurova’s research shows that most of these items were “spacious”, and that “there was no big difference in design between male and female ..read more

W. Shedd at Accidental Russophile has “tagged” me. So let me indulge him and whoever else is interested. Four jobs I’ve had:

University Instructor Waiter Forklift Driver Record Store clerk

Four movies I can watch over and over:

Seven The Matrix Pulp Fiction Empire Strikes Back

Four places I’ve lived:

Foster City, California La Verne, California Los Angeles, California Moscow, Russia

Four TV shows I like (ugh, I hate most TV):

The Sopranos Six Feet Under Twin Peaks Seinfeld

Four places I’ve vacationed:

Nurnberg, Germany San Juan, Puerto Rico New Orleans, Louisiana Vegas Baby!

Four of my favorite dishes:

Gumbo Tamales Borsch In n’ Out Burger

Four sites I visit daily:

Hoopshype.com Democracy Now! Informed Comment Marc Cooper

Four Books I’ve Read This Year:

Igal Halfin, Terror in My Soul. Peter Holquist, Making War, Forging Revolution. David Hoffmann, Stalinist Values. Shelia Fitzpatrick, Tear Off the Masks.

What can I say? I’m writing a fucking dissertation. Four bloggers I’m tagging:

“Snow Square” Raffi Aftandelian Andy Young Alexei