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Re: Книга Жени "Другое шоу" || Evgeni's book "Another show"

Mila, you are just so wonderful to translate this amazing book. One of the best books I've ever read!

I was blown away by how much I never knew about this extraordinary man! I've been watching him skate and following his life since he was 15, and yet so much was unknown to me despite me reading every (English-translated) article/interview available! It is just incredible to find out just how difficult and torturous his life was on and off the ice.

I was most surprised to find out he was born, what, a month early? For his dear mother to bring him into this world in the first place must have been difficult! And the motion sickness and respiratory problems... the poor dear :(

It is nice to see him bear his soul to the readers. I just saw a part of 2010 Olympics LP from BBC commentary with Robin Cousins, and he commented that Zhenya showed that he wasn't "as invincible as he seems to think he is." Anyone who has read this book would know for sure that he does not think of himself as invincible.

I can't imagine being a child going through the bullying he had endured at the hands of the older boys. I've suffered plenty of bullying but it was never anything like that. I cannot believe the cruelty and malice in that one boy's heart and mind when he (and how good of Zhenya not to mention his name!) took that kettle and placed it against 10-year-old Zhenya's arm. I hope that boy was punished for it... or at the very least, he has the knowledge that Zhenya, who endured all of that and plenty more, is now the greatest male skater in his generation!

I was touched by how spiritual he was when he spoke of his belief in a guardian angel. The 03-04 season, for me as a spectator and fan, was proof enough that he had one! But for him to say he physically felt and believed that the angel was with him on the ice at some points, it was surreal!

I've long believed that the events of our childhood shape who we become as adults, not just in occupations/hobbies, but personalities. Anyone who thinks that he is arrogant would likely have their minds changed when they hear/read about his childhood. He is stubborn and proud, certainly! But arrogant? Not a chance in hell!

There was one sentence that really surprised me. When he spoke of Alexander Abt, who is another inspirational figure to me, he said that he grew up on the streets. I know VERY little of Sasha's life, only the struggles with injuries. I was so saddened to hear about that... I can understand why he would not go into details but I sure would be interested to know more about that...

Anyway, it is really nice that even though Zhenya has endured such torment, he does not name names for the most part. I think that shows great respect on his part.

It was so interesting to find out more about his first marriage. It seemed so private at first, and what came out later seemed to me to be a bit speculative, but the book was very thorough and detailed about it all. Nice to see that as well.

What actually made me cry was reading about his experiences at 05 Worlds in Moscow. We all knew he was injured, but I for one had no idea how truly PAINFUL it was for him. When he revealed that he could not even get out of BED the day of the free skate, that just broke my heart. I just can't imagine going through everything that he went through... He MUST have angels watching over him for him to be so strong!

I hope that he does write another book and that he will talk about Vancouver 2010. It would be SO nice to read about things from his own perspective, to know things that the public did not know and likely would NEVER know unless he spoke out. I bet he'd have a few not-niceties to say about the vicious North American media too!

As I read this incredible translation, I felt as though he were sitting right in front of me, talking to me as though I were a lifelong friend. The tone is so casual, and his vocabulary, whether in Russian or in the translation, was well-placed. I feel as if I know him so much better on the whole, and I have you to thank for it, Mila.

Thank you.
by AnyaNikolaievna
07 Aug 2011, 09:54
 
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Re: OFF topic.... any discussions

Hi guys! Yeah I know it's been a while. I've unfortunately been busy. But listen, can I ask some assistance and favor from those fluent in Russian?

I am writing a novel for National Novel Writing Month, about a young boy who receives a very special gift from Grandfather Frost, and how he realizes that the gift, and all those he has gotten over the years from Grandfather Frost, were from his father all along. The gift is a very elaborate, homemade music box which plays his father's lullaby which he sings to him in Russian. The song is actually a Welsh song, however, and translated by my character's father from several English versions to one complete Russian one.

The song is "All Through The Night." I don't know if I should trust Google Translate with the lyrics, so I am asking for assistance here.

In the early 1970s, Aleksei Kristianovich Potemerenko (my character's father, and yes you can see who inspired me for the surname ;)) was a dancer in the Bolshoi Ballet. While on tour in London for The Nutcracker, exploring the city, he hears an outdoor choir singing the song. He does not know English well enough to understand what is being sung, but he enjoys the music enough to acquire several recordings of it.

A few years later, Aleksei discovers means to teach himself English, and as he does so he finally understands the lyrics to the song he loves so much. A few years after this, he has a son, and decides to pass his own personal translation of the song to him as a lullaby. It is this song that plays in the music box.

What do you think, guys? In general, how do you feel about the plot so far? Can someone help with translating the lyrics?

Here are the lyrics. The reason I chose this particular song is because the message embodies exactly how Aleksei feels about Evgeni (yes, my protagonist's name is Evgeni Alekseievich Potemerenko :)).

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee
All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and vale in slumber steeping,
I my loving vigil keeping
All through the night.

While the moon her watch is keeping
All through the night
While the weary world is sleeping
All through the night
Over thy spirit gently stealing
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
All through the night.

Angels watching ever round thee
All through the night
In thy slumbers close surround thee
All through the night
They will of all fears disarm thee,
No forebodings should alarm thee,
They will let no peril harm thee
All through the night.

Deep the silence 'round us spreading
all through the night.
Dark the path that we are treading
all through the night.
Still the coming day discerning
by the hope within us burning.
To the dawn our footsteps turning
all through the night.

Star of faith the dark adorning
all through the night.
Leads us fearless towards the morning
all through the night.
Though our hearts be wrapt in sorrow,
from the hope of dawn we borrow
promise of a glad tomorrow
all through the night.

Oh, and if there is already a Russian version of this song (according to wikipedia it has been translated into many languages, but Russian is not listed as one of them) that was around at the time this is set, please let me know!

Thanks a lot in advance guys!
by AnyaNikolaievna
01 Nov 2012, 12:05
 
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Re: Чемпионат России || Russian Nationals 2013/14, 22-27.12.

WOW! LOVE the choreography and musical arrangement! Fantastic!

His costume is so perfect, nice and simple.

Amazing performance. I can't wait to see reports!
by AnyaNikolaievna
24 Dec 2013, 15:06
 
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Re: Ваше творчество || Your creative works

THANKS FOR THE MEMORY: A EVGENI PLUSHENKO TRIBUTE SONG

Thanks for the memory
Of Dortmund and St. Pete, Washington, D.C.,
Your wiggling hips and lack of slips in Colorado Springs
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory
Your charming little grin, and Edvin's violin,
Your fourth in Nice, you wouldn't cease, 'til you went home with a win!
How lovely it was!

Many's the time that you feasted,
But many's the time that you fasted.
Oh, well, it was swell while it lasted!
You did have fun, but now you're done,

So thanks for the memory,
Your high Godfather score, and then Tango Amour,
You sure have had your troubles, but kept coming back for more,
I thank you so much!

Thanks for the memory,
For Two-Step Nadya, beautiful Rossiya,
And don't forget Nijinsky and 300 and Tosca!
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory,
Of your sparkling blue eyes, your striving for the prize,
It means so much for me to say my personal goodbyes...
I thank you so much!

Medals in every Olympics,
Where you were a shaker and mover,
Still it's a shame about Vancouver...
That's life, I guess, you did your best!

Thanks for the memory,
Of your straightline footwork, when you skated to Cirque,
And when you lost to Sandhu and you did not even smirk,
How lovely that was!

Thanks for the memory,
Of Biellmanns and donuts, some little finger cuts,
And when you were fourteen you did a 'Tano triple Lutz!
How lovely that was!

Thanks for the memory,
Of Pittsburgh in '01, and Pittsburgh in '02,
Because those were the only times that I got to see you!
How lovely that was!

Thanks for the memory,
Your gorgeous Adagio, your lovely Flamenco,
And how I jumped when you trumped your rivals in Torino!
How lovely that was!

You'll say goodbye on a high note,
By finishing right where you began,
You are an inspirational man,
You see, it's true, hooray for you!

And thanks for the memory
Strictly entre nous, Zhenya, how are you?
And now your thirteen years as a competitor are through,
Wish I could have met you!
Cheerio, tootle-oo,
And thank you so much!
by AnyaNikolaievna
26 Dec 2013, 21:10
 
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Re: Чемпионат России || Russian Nationals 2013/14, 22-27.12.

I am extremely sad that his injury has affected him so much. I prayed so much for him to recover, but I worried that it would take its toll.

May Skadi bless him (Goddess of Winter Sports).

Zhenka, you are still magnificent, and always will be an inspiration to me. You are stronger than most casual watchers give you credit for.

I haven't counted you out yet! I have the utmost confidence that you will end up in Sochi in February... but if so, I hope and pray that you are HEALTHY when you do that.

The important thing now is that you focus on getting better, and take care of your children, and your wife, and prepare for your little one!
by AnyaNikolaievna
26 Dec 2013, 21:07
 
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Re: Ваше творчество || Your creative works

I FINALLY did it, guys! I RECORDED A VERSION OF THE SONG! Mind you, I had to include some graphics so that youtube could play it. This is a rough version of it, you can tell I made some pretty major changes in the placement of the various verses, and I added another interlude to make sense with the melody. I am also not really a musician, so I had to sing this a capella. Hopefully my voice isn't TOO terrible!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdK2KhXLvbc&list=UUKnaJFmedMVAzWaKgctK3DA&feature=c4-overview
by AnyaNikolaievna
11 Feb 2014, 21:55
 
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Re: Мужчины - КП & ПП || Men - Short & Free Programs 13/14.0

I'm proud of him for fighting so hard. He's given everything to his sport and his country. I hold the highest respect for him, as always. May his God, and my Gods, bless him. I pray to the Goddess Frigga that he will recover very soon.
by AnyaNikolaievna
14 Feb 2014, 03:24
 
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Re: Пресса о Жене, интервью Жени || Press about Evgeni ON Ic

I really had no idea how bad it was, but that was a convern I had about him when he got to training so soon after the operation. My sister had plenty of knee operations and every time the doctors said she was doing too much too fast... Over the season I thought he was ok... I really didn't know it was so bad.

I'm going to make an offering to Frigga tonight (Goddess of Health) for Zhenya. I hope that he recovers soon... I'm glad that he is putting this all in the perspective that it should be put in. He needs to focus on his life off the ice, his family, his wife, his children. Worry about skating another time when he is healthy. I know a lot of fans want to see him skate, but I'm sure none of us fans want to see him risk his health doing it. Not anymore. Paralysis is nothing to mess around with. I'm glad he knows it... and my heart goes out to him. I wish I could be with him in person to give him a real embrace, but for now I'll just express my words of support and encouragement.

I REALLY hope he was joking about 2018. I think he was, but knowing him...
by AnyaNikolaievna
22 Feb 2014, 22:45
 
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Re: Вне льда (cтатьи,фото,видео)|| Evgeni OFF the ice

He is so refined in that tux... it's amazing how far he's come. Twenty years ago, he was in poverty...

I wonder if he ever does self-reflection on that... wonder if it ever just hits him like, "Wow, look at where I am, look at where I was before..."

Amazing.
by AnyaNikolaievna
27 Sep 2014, 21:06
 
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Re: Вне льда (cтатьи,фото,видео)|| Evgeni OFF the ice

I agree. I'm sure he has never forgotten his roots though; his charitable work and political and social views illustrate that... He has such character. He's truly blessed. It's just amazing to think that so many years ago he went to bed hungry, now he can eat delicacies if he desired... Such an inspiration, truly.
by AnyaNikolaievna
28 Sep 2014, 21:20
 
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Re: OFF topic.... any discussions

Hey guys!
It's been a long time I know. *sigh* Lot has been going on this year. Lot of family health crises. Had a lot of stress. But I'm here again!

I am gearing up for "NaNoWriMo," "National Novel Writing Month" for those who are wondering what that is. Starting midnight of November 1st, I have until 11:59 PM (23:59) November 30th, to write a novel of 50,000 words or more. I don't have to finish it by that time, I just have to reach that goal of 50,000. This is my 3rd year trying this. My first year, 2011, I won, reaching 51,000+ words. 2012, though, was PATHETIC. I didn't even make it to 20,000. Last year, though, I am proud to say that while I didn't win, I did manage to write 18,000 words on the last day, making a final count of over 48,000! My inspiration was Zhenya. On November 29th, I only had 25,000. I'd all but given up, but I looked at Zhenya... he is my Muse, my greatest inspiration, and I thought, if he can do everything that he has done with his injuries, I can write 25,000 in two days. So that night I wrote 5,000. The next day, I worked hard, taking a few breaks in between (if I'd taken one less break I would have won... but my character Nadya was starting to write herself and was getting on my nerves and that was holding me back...) I wrote the rest. I'm extremely proud of how well I did despite not winning; I could hear Zhenya's voice in my head urging me to go on, to keep fighting through it. My Muse is a man who never gives up, so why should I?

Well, despite writing so much, I was not satisfied with how I was telling this story which I have been trying to put into novel form for many years. So I decided to start over in April, for "Camp NaNoWriMo." It's not the real thing, but it is a personal challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I kept having doubts that I could tell this story the way I wanted to, and again I turned to Zhenya for inspiration and encouragement... I had only a few thousand words when my mother had to go to the hospital and nearly died... after that I was too stressed to write. I figured I'd try again in July, but before that happened, I found myself dealing with even more stress. So I figured I would try again in November, when it REALLY counts.

So I figured I would get some thoughts and encouragement from people here. I'm going to share my plot, and you guys can tell me what you think...

I made up the surname for my protagonist. *blush* It is meant as an inside joke, but when and if I actually get it published, I have been advised by Russian friends to change it to a more realistic surname. Until I can think of one or receive suggestions, I'll stick with the one I have, then replace it in the editing process.

The story takes place in October of 2001. Evgeni Potemerenko reluctantly moves to America, accompanied by his father, Aleksei. Evgeni is an aspiring but relatively poor figure skater. He was advised to move to America by his coach, Natalya Ignatieva, not for better training or living conditions, but to save himself from a terrible fate at home.

Eighteen-year-old Evgeni fell in love with Ekaterina Solovieva, the daughter of wealthy mafiya boss Maxim Soloviev. Soloviev has tried everything he could think of to keep Zhenya and Katya apart, because he felt that his daughter deserved someone wealthier and more worthy than a poor figure skater. After various attempts fail, Maxim simply arranges for Katya to marry another man, Nikolai Borisov, the son of another mafiya boss. Nikolai is very kind to Ekaterina, but the two have no romantic chemistry. Months before the wedding is to take place, Katya sees Zhenya in secret. Eventually, she becomes pregnant with Zhenya's child. Fearing that her parents would disown her, or force her to get an abortion, or worse, that the Borisov family would kill her, Zhenya and Katya plead with her parents to release her from the arrangement. It infuriates Soloviev, who threatens to disown her and throw her out on the streets. Even though Zhenya would have opened his home to her, he knows that losing her family is what Katya wanted to avoid in the first place. He doesn't care what happens to him; he just wants Katya to be happy. So he declares that he raped her.

Soloviev throws Zhenya out of his home, and then makes arrangements for him to be kidnapped. He has Zhenya held for three and a half months, during which time Zhenya is starved, dehydrated, deprived of sleep, and brutally tortured, socomized, and raped by his male captors. Soloviev eventually releases Zhenya, after pressure from Natalya's influential mafiya friends beg him to. More than that, Evgeni was starting to go insane, making the tortures not as effective as they were before. Soloviev is vindictive; he woudl rather Evgeni suffer for the rest of his life, than kill him.

But there is a condition of his release: He must never go near Katya again. This is an impossible demand for Zhenya, and Aleksei knows it. So it is decided that to ensure his safety, to ensure that he and Katya are kept apart, Aleksei insists that Evgeni move to America, leaving everything and everyone he knows and loves behind in St. Petersburg.

He and his father stay with a close friend of Natalya's, former star skater Liam Collins, who manages a skating tour "Golden Blades." Collins and his family welcome the two with open arms, but soon discover how frail Evgeni is mentally and physically. The reason he was tortured is not yet revealed to them; Aleksei tells them that it must come from Zhenya himself, or he will never trust them at all.

It takes a long time for Zhenya to recover mentally and physically to the point where he is ready to start training and get a job. Until that time, he is supported financially by Natalya, who provides everything she can to help him, including physical care. To his heartache, he must miss the 2001-02 Olympic season, so he can take all the necessary time to recover from his ordeal. Aleksei is only able to stay with Evgeni for a few months, and then he must return to St. Petersburg for his job as a teacher at the Kirov Ballet Academy.

Liam offers to sponsor Evgeni, paying for all of his skating expenses that the Russian Figure Skating Federation will not cover. He helps him get back on the ice, and offers him a position in the "Golden Blades" tour. Evgeni also gets a job at a local coffee shop. Things seem to be getting better for him, and yet he is still tormented by the memories of his captivity, having panic and anxiety attacks, flashbacks, and nightmares. Seemingly trivial things such as cigarette smoke and the humming of various machines trigger vivid flashbacks. Evgeni will not speak of his experiences to anyone. The only one who is able to truly comfort him is his father.

Liam repeatedly suggests that Evgeni seek out a therapist, but for several reasons, Evgeni always declines. Finally, the time comes when he is able to compete again, in the 2003-04 season. Once the press start asking him questions about his absence, he is horrified and appalled at the rumors that the press had been spreading about him since his captivity: they said that he was a drug addict and in a secret rehabilitation facility in Switzerland. Evgeni is too traumatized to speak the truth about his captivity, but doesn't have a reasonable explanation for his absence aside from the truth. This added stress only serves to torment him further.

In the summer of 2004, Evgeni is on tour with "Golden Blades" when he receives news that Aleksei had a stroke. Evgeni longs to go to St. Petersburg immediately to be with him, but something prevents him from going (NOT SURE WHAT...). About a week or so later, Evgeni is devaststed to learn that his father has passed away.

This news breaks Evgeni's heart, and he slips into a deep depression. He reflects on the relationship they had, how he never kept any secrets from him... and then he realizes that there was an experience he blocked out of his mind. It is a repressed memory of his first coach, Leonid Tartarov, and how he abused him mentally, physically, and even sexually for years without Evgeni telling his father or anyone else about it. (This little detail will actually not be revealed in this book; that is to be revealed in the following one). To rid himself of the pain from these repressed memories, Evgeni slits his wrist. Liam finds him barely alive and bleeding on the floor and rushes him to the hospital. There, Evgeni asks Liam to get his local priest before the medical personel begin to work on him.

Evgeni manages to recover, and yet he still won't speak of Tartarov's abuse. Liam assumes the suicide attempt was out of grief, and Evgeni does not do or say anything for Liam to think otherwise.

As Evgeni struggles to get his life and career on track, he is shocked to see Ekaterina with their child visiting him. Katya tells him that she couldn't stay with Nikolai anymore. His parents kept pressuring them to have children of their own, and Katya could never make love with someone she did not love. Nikolai kindly allows her to get a divorce, and she comes home to Evgeni, asking if they can live together, as they had always wanted to.

Well, that's about what I have for this. I'd really appreciate some feedback especially from you guys. As you can tell, Plushenko is extremely dear to my heart, and above all I want to create a character and story that he and his fans woudl approve of... I also want this to be acceptable by both Russians and non-Russians, that means accuracy to all things Russian that I put in there, as well as expressing them in ways that non-Russians understand...

This is just the first part of a saga I've been working on, like I said, for many years. The next part focuses on Danyil, Evgeni's half-brother. But that's another long story. For now, I'm focusing on writing Zhenya's story. My Zhenya is a supporting character in that; I actually might have Katya and Zhenya reunite not in the first book, but in the second...

So what do you think?
by AnyaNikolaievna
29 Sep 2014, 20:27
 
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Re: OFF topic.... any discussions

Well, guys, here's an update for those who are interested in my novel's progress...

I WON NANOWRIMO!!!!!!!!!

The book is nowhere NEAR finished, but I am so proud of winning, and for laying the foundation to what I think is a wonderful story inspired by our great Tzar of the ice. I hope to edit and add more in January, and when it is finished, I will happily offer the file to those who would like to read it. I would appreciate serious critiques and feedback if anyone is interested. I want this novel series to be something that Evgeni, and his fans, and Russians, and non-Russians, will enjoy and learn from.

I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my boyfriend, who is also a Plushy fan. He pushed me that last day when I had over 10,000 words left to write. When I felt like giving up, I remembered our Zhenya. He never gives up, so why should I? If he can come back from a back injury to do what he did in the Team Event in Sochi, then I can certainly write 10,000 words in a day! And I did!

"Frozen Tears" now has a great foundation to build upon. I even have some nice little subplots to develop, and unexpected character relationships to work on as well. I will keep all of you posted on the progress!
by AnyaNikolaievna
16 Dec 2014, 23:45
 
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