One year ago I have been invited as an expert to get interviewed live on one of the TV programs. Technical scope of the television channel – more than 30 million people and it is broadcasted by more than 500 regional cable and air operators of the European part of Russia, Ural, Siberia, North Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, countries of Transcaucasia, Middle Asia, Baltic and others. Live broadcast is a good thing, especially because in my biography I have already participated in a set of direct teleethers. I have been assured of the success. I did not consider one nuance, however. It was next day after my Birthday, and in Moscow there was an awful, intolerable heat. Experts understand what that means J. Anyways, whoever is interested can look up the live interview on RuTube http://rutube.ru/tracks/2133678.html. See you in the next live broadcasted program!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Wish to give without demanding anything back. To be close, when you’re far away. That is love…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Common phrase – «coffee in bed!» But what about coffee on the table? It’s worth it, believe me…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Hot July afternoon. Island on boiling Katun. Thunderstorm darkness and sparkling lightning behind the peaks of Altay Mountains. Hennessy and Tan. Favorite French cognac and real Armenian tan with cucumber and dill. Place of interconnecting cultures. Taste of life…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Was in Saint-Petersburg recently. Flew in closer to late afternoon. Of course, almost immediately I went to my favorite book store. Literally at first sight noticed this book «Loneliness in web» by J.L. Wisniewski. I never heard anything about the book, nor about Wisniewski. But, desire to buy it occurred instantly. Why? Maybe, the name was intriguing, maybe… Don’t know. At that time the phone rang. Partners came for negotiations. Had to return to the hotel. And closer to midnight, after the meeting, I returned to the book store and bought the book. Read it. It’s a very Slavic novel… «And from everything, that is infinite, love has the shortest term…»

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I was observing our compatriots at the Saint-Petersburg International Economic Forum, and at Moscow Venture Forum and Russia-Canada Business Summit, which I participated in recently, and was thinking. There are so many of our «ex» scientists and businessmen worry about Russia, think about it, help out, and however can. And how many of our «today’s» officials, who can be found only on welcoming speeches, lunches and dinners…. Then question arises: who is our «ex», and how is our «today»?

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Have you ever been to a Show of Japanese drummers TAIKOZA? Have you heard the soundtrack to «The Last Samurai» movie? That is TAIKOZA! Lots of drums, from tiny to huge, three Japanese men, three Japanese women and a European – multi-instrumentalist, nerve and leader of the group.

Powerful rhythms. Although in the beginning performers were a bit shy. Or just adjusting? Thought about Japanese restraints in character. Especially because just finished reading «Art of business communication with Japanese partners», where in detail it was described how different Japanese, European and North American people are. Russians are not Japanese. So the auditorium actively and friendly was supporting the group. And on the faces of «restricted» citizens of a country of rising sun smiles occurred, dances have begun, entering the auditorium and communication with people. Drummers partially got rid of their clothes. :) All action began to remind very much Russian performances. Melodies of shakuhachi and fue (bamboo flutes) were very similar to Russian motives, and koto sounded as habitual to us harp. And duel from two parties on one drum of a Japanese woman and the European? It was not duel, it was an erotic suite! At the end of the performance familiar tunes of «Podmoskovnie vechera», «Kalinka’ and applauses were endless! Good job! With full soul, incredible energy, with changing costumes, with respect to the viewers and country! TAIKOZA-YES!!!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Have spent several hours for business in Altay region in a five star sanatorium «Crown of Altay», located on two islands, interconnected with a capital bridge and surrounded with azure waters from the beauty-river Katun. Caucasian hospitality! Fascinating nature! Delicious home made Armenian cuisine! I RE-COM-MEND!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I flew to cold and rainy St.-Petersburg, have participated in World Grain Forum, carried out within the limits of St.-Petersburg International Economic Forum 2009. Some say, they even showed me on television. Well, what can you do when you’re famous :). From impressions: obviously, helpful event. However, it was more political than economic. What else have I noted with my captious sight of a business consultant, was management, brightly shown on the level of first persons of government and government business. I shall explain. The first one to present on the Forum was the President of Russia D. Medvedev. Moreover, despite his busy schedule, he stayed in the auditorium during the entire plenary session. Good job! You can’t say the same about some Russian heads of authorities and government business structures. Even their speeches reminded of reports at Congresses of the CPSU, followed by fast disappearance from the stage, «English-like», without waiting for questions and further discussion, forced to blush those who were in auditorium for «motherland» in front of foreigners. That was the brightly shown «management». It is not enough to say good and right words, it is necessary for subordinates to be motivated to carry out assigned actions from the heads. And bare in advance understood responsibility otherwise. So, if the President turns to me, I will help out with management. How can I resist – it is my profession. Maybe then life of people will start getting better? ;)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

On the weekend went to Le Meridienne Moscow Country Club for 14^th President’s Cup of Russia golf championship. There were a lot of people: diplomats, businessmen, deputies, security, beautiful women, mass media… Didn’t present, it was too hot ;))

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I have always wanted to visit Blessed Matryona’s grave. Got ready on Saturday and went to Saint Intercession Convent. While I was walking, I already had this light feeling in my soul. I cant say that there was a lot of people. There were tooooo many people! A lot of people with flowers. Line-ups to her icons. To her gravesite – huge lines. As usual, someone tried to skip the line. Slight soul protest was caused by obvious «coinization» – everywhere and in large quantities urns to donate. As if you have to pay to get to icons. Well, I guess, we are all sinners… But, my soul was still calm and bright… Natural historical paradox – Matryona had nothing, and every day thousands and thousands people from different countries come to her with their thoughts. Governors of all times always had everything and more. And you can never come to them. And nobody is. And they don’t get it. And nobody addresses to them in their thoughts. It is a reason to think about the meaning of your life…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I was walking around one university park in Ottawa recently. Then I look into some sort of a bog, and see a turtle. Big, approximately 30-40 cm. Rumor has it, during winter they bury themselves in silt. It’s interesting how climate, flora and fauna of Ontario are similar to West Siberia. Only grapes are grown, there is wine making and in city parks there are turtles. Miraculous…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I was wondering not long ago what cuisine and where in North America I like to eat the most?
Sushi – San Francisco!
Bison steak and ribs – Saskatoon.
Italian cuisine – Santa Rosa.
Croissants and coffee – Montreal.
Variety and quality – Toronto.
Rumor has it, good French cuisine is in Quebec city, great steaks – in New York. Orleans cuisine, I was told, is not bad. We’ll try!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Improvement of our corporate web site has been carried out: http://smolentsev.com. Opportunities to translate the website on many languages of the world have been added. Division «Blogs» has appeared where you can read personal opinions and impressions of employees of International Corporation «SMOLENTSEV and Partners» on the most diverse topics of life, society, culture, sports, art, etc. These and other convenient new additions will increase amount of visitors and will make visit to our website more pleasant. Welcome!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

New emotions… New impressions…. New photos….

http://en.smolentsev.com/corp/hobby/

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

In 2005 Russian movie «The Italian» has past by me… Plot: Italian family with no kids comes to a provincial … to adopt a child from Russia. They really liked six year old Vanya. Future for the boy is rich life in sunny Italy. But the boy decides to find his mom….

And yesterday one Canadian family has invited me to watch this movie. Good movie! It would be great if more movies like this were shown on screens! And thank you to the kind foreigners for showing such movies to Russians.

And by the way. In Canada, there are a lot of families that have adopted Russian children. For that – I bow!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

With my constant movements around the world, recently I started thinking about recreation of my organism’s resources. Choice was formed a while ago. Swimming – gets you back in shape, love it! But not everywhere and not always pools are by your side. Wushu – there’s something in graceful yet precise movements. Just can’t find a Teacher. I was afraid of yoga a bit for its statics. However, decided to try. Statics was a joke! First lesson with attentive, professional and kind Teacher, and – viva yoga!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to ever participate in famous poetry evenings in Polytechnical Museum in Moscow. Was too young and didn’t live in Moscow. However, recently I went to a young people poetry evening in an African restaurant in Ottawa, which was organized by my daughter Daria and her husband-poet William. To my surprise, it was completely full, teenagers had to sit between the tables and on the floor. There were some masters – professional poets, and beginners-amateurs. Any one could come to the microphone with his or her work. Enjoyed some performances – bright, interesting themes, good presentation. But, most pleasant thing about all this was that in today’s pop world there are places, where in kind atmosphere young free Poetry is heard….

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I am grateful to Destiny for meeting so many interesting people! Sometimes somewhere and sometime when I least expect it. And that, perhaps, is one of the consistencies of definition – happiness.

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

In Canada’s capital – Ottawa, an exhibition-auction of my photos has been carried out. Wanted to present different genres. Choice narrowed down to «Enchanted Forest -2», «Tyrannosaur», «Path home», «Loneliness», «Sunrise in Siberia», «Harrows-swans», «Cycle of life» (http://en.smolentsev.com/corp/hobby/). 

Part of profit from sold works has been given to the fund supporting Carleton University Womyn’s  Centre.

Exhibition-auction has been carried out within limits of INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY GALA (March 8^th, 2009), organized by Women In Leadership Foundation Carleton Club (Daria Smolentseva, President). Among participants of International Women’s Day Gala were Ms. Claire Beckton, Deputy Minister for Status of Women and Dr. Roseanne Runte, President of Carleton University.

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com