Dans ma classe de français, il y a une personne qui fait tous les jours ce que je ne fais jamais depuis trois ans de ma formation à McGill : chaque fois quand il hésite en cherchant d'un mot propre pour mieux s'exprimer, et notre professeure lui aide, il dit 'merci'.
Cela vaut la peine de trouver un mot propre.
2010-11-04
2010-10-26
Cellulars on the barrel!
It is very easy to know whether some people are Russians -- they always lay down their mobile phones on the table in the restaurant.
2010-10-04
Time To Apply
The three years have gone; so, it is time to apply for Canadian citizenship. Or even Citizenship, I hope.
2010-09-13
La Fin du Temps
J'ai noté cette belle afiche, hier. Qui sait combien ça coute, des billets pour cette prestation, hein?
Vert forêt
Ce que j'aime à mon travail, c'est l'imagination des gens qui s'amusent en travaillant.
Ma collègue m'a demandé de colorer des cellules dans une table ; j'ai décidé de préciser à laquelle couleur.
Alors, la réponse m'a étonné : vert forêt !
Profitez-en !
Ma collègue m'a demandé de colorer des cellules dans une table ; j'ai décidé de préciser à laquelle couleur.
Alors, la réponse m'a étonné : vert forêt !
Profitez-en !
2010-09-11
very simple and quick question for you: who are you?
very simple and quick question for you: who are you?
2010-09-08
Toastmasters Is A Good Place For Me?
I have been flirting with the idea to become a presale specialist for some time. This presumes I have to improve my presentation skills as well as my English at all. This is why I visited one of Toastmasters's clubs in Montreal. As a guest, I may to do it three times before deciding to become a member of it.
The only difference between guests and members during the meeting is that guests have no speeches. So, I had time to evaluate what could be useful in business sense. In other words, whether it would give me what I need.
The following is not a comprehensive analysis because it would be a rash judgement to make conclusions basing on one visit. However, some points can be made.
To begin with the advantages, I have to admit that they are very well organized. As far as I can see, they have a well-structured program and a far-going schedule of future meetings.
Also, the meeting itself went smoothly: timing, opening, closing, holding the meeting at whole were perfect. All speakers were treated with respect: nobody was interrupted even in case of overtiming.
Each speech was followed by an 'expert's' evaluation of the positive aspects and points to improve.
From the other hand, such way of communicating seemed to me a bit too formal. There were not questions after presentations; however, from my point of view, this is a very important part of any public discourse.
In regard to the evaluation, I would say two things. First, it is difficult to perceive any kind of evaluation right after the presentation. You are still excited, you need some time to calm down to really understand what you are being told. During the meeting, I saw special pieces of paper for written feedbacks but they are evidently not sufficient to include all information given by the evaluator. In fact, the evaluation itself is a speech that, in turn, is meant to be evaluated. So, the evaluator tends to be more eloquent than needed because he or she is supposed to use all the time given for the evaluation. Some of them told a lot in order to motivate the speaker but missed very important points.
For example, 'the best evaluator of the meeting' (they award not speakers only but evaluators too) did not say in a direct way about the mistake made by the speaker while he was standing all the presentation between the projector and the screen so that the audience hardly could see ten percent of the screen.
(Here I need to make a side note. The toastmasters' step-by-step program of presentation skills development presumes 10 or something levels for their members. At every stage, a member is supposed to demonstrate some set of skills, be it either a capability of speaking without hints or using visuals, as it was in this case.)
I checked the level, and I was surprised because it was the level number eight! What do you think? This guy passed the grade successfully, and the expert was voted as the best evaluator of the meeting!
I noted as well the big difference in the language fluidity and clarity between native speakers and immigrants. I doubt that listening to the latters could improve my language - I am an immigrant with a strong Russian accent!
To summarize, not to be too critical, I would like to confirm that Toastmasters are indeed what they declare to be - a club for making toasts. Everybody is warmly welcomed, the ambiance is very funny (they use humor too ;) and amiable. However, I am not sure that this is a right place where I could reach my goal.
Actually, I got used to work in a more active atmosphere when the speaker and the audience really interact to each other. Also, I do not like to play other roles like evaluator, time-keeper, and so on. But I repeat, this is my first impression only. Even though I tend to trust to my intuition, I have been wrong so many times.
Anyway, I have time to make a decision, so, meanwhile, I am going to check other opportunities like special courses at universities or some kind of public speaking.
The only difference between guests and members during the meeting is that guests have no speeches. So, I had time to evaluate what could be useful in business sense. In other words, whether it would give me what I need.
The following is not a comprehensive analysis because it would be a rash judgement to make conclusions basing on one visit. However, some points can be made.
To begin with the advantages, I have to admit that they are very well organized. As far as I can see, they have a well-structured program and a far-going schedule of future meetings.
Also, the meeting itself went smoothly: timing, opening, closing, holding the meeting at whole were perfect. All speakers were treated with respect: nobody was interrupted even in case of overtiming.
Each speech was followed by an 'expert's' evaluation of the positive aspects and points to improve.
From the other hand, such way of communicating seemed to me a bit too formal. There were not questions after presentations; however, from my point of view, this is a very important part of any public discourse.
In regard to the evaluation, I would say two things. First, it is difficult to perceive any kind of evaluation right after the presentation. You are still excited, you need some time to calm down to really understand what you are being told. During the meeting, I saw special pieces of paper for written feedbacks but they are evidently not sufficient to include all information given by the evaluator. In fact, the evaluation itself is a speech that, in turn, is meant to be evaluated. So, the evaluator tends to be more eloquent than needed because he or she is supposed to use all the time given for the evaluation. Some of them told a lot in order to motivate the speaker but missed very important points.
For example, 'the best evaluator of the meeting' (they award not speakers only but evaluators too) did not say in a direct way about the mistake made by the speaker while he was standing all the presentation between the projector and the screen so that the audience hardly could see ten percent of the screen.
(Here I need to make a side note. The toastmasters' step-by-step program of presentation skills development presumes 10 or something levels for their members. At every stage, a member is supposed to demonstrate some set of skills, be it either a capability of speaking without hints or using visuals, as it was in this case.)
I checked the level, and I was surprised because it was the level number eight! What do you think? This guy passed the grade successfully, and the expert was voted as the best evaluator of the meeting!
I noted as well the big difference in the language fluidity and clarity between native speakers and immigrants. I doubt that listening to the latters could improve my language - I am an immigrant with a strong Russian accent!
To summarize, not to be too critical, I would like to confirm that Toastmasters are indeed what they declare to be - a club for making toasts. Everybody is warmly welcomed, the ambiance is very funny (they use humor too ;) and amiable. However, I am not sure that this is a right place where I could reach my goal.
Actually, I got used to work in a more active atmosphere when the speaker and the audience really interact to each other. Also, I do not like to play other roles like evaluator, time-keeper, and so on. But I repeat, this is my first impression only. Even though I tend to trust to my intuition, I have been wrong so many times.
Anyway, I have time to make a decision, so, meanwhile, I am going to check other opportunities like special courses at universities or some kind of public speaking.
2010-08-26
Who love their jobs?
I wonder how many people do not love their jobs?
55-year-old Bernard Grenier had just come back from a camping trip on Sunday when he realized he was $37.6 million richer than when he went on vacation
The very next day he quit his job as a mechanic...
55-year-old Bernard Grenier had just come back from a camping trip on Sunday when he realized he was $37.6 million richer than when he went on vacation
The very next day he quit his job as a mechanic...
2010-07-27
Une Devinette 3
C'est une plante qui se roule autour d'un support, et c'est ce qui s'exprime beaucoup. Qu'est-ce que c'est?
2010-07-23
Une Devinette 2
Ce matin, j'ai entendu une autre devinette. C'est très simple; cependant, je n'ai même pas réussi de trouver le mot !
Essayez-vous maintenant !
On me donne à manger - j'agrandis; on me donne à boire - je meurs. Qui suis-je?
Essayez-vous maintenant !
On me donne à manger - j'agrandis; on me donne à boire - je meurs. Qui suis-je?
2010-07-16
Une Devinette
Par mon habitude, j'écoute la Radio Planète Jazz en route au travail au matin.
Ce matin, j'ai entendu une devinette que j'aime bien :
Si je dis je me touche pas, si je dis pas je me touche -- Qui suis-je?
Moi, je n'ai pas réussi de la deviner. C'est votre tour maintenant.
Ce matin, j'ai entendu une devinette que j'aime bien :
Si je dis je me touche pas, si je dis pas je me touche -- Qui suis-je?
Moi, je n'ai pas réussi de la deviner. C'est votre tour maintenant.
2010-07-10
Savoire-faire en cuisine
j'aime bien cuisiner; donc, c'est parce que je réfléchis à prendre un cours de cuisine proposé par l'académie culinaire du québec à montréal.
mettons, le cours de la cuisine italienne.
qu'est-ce que vous y pensez? quelques suggestions? commentaires?
mettons, le cours de la cuisine italienne.
qu'est-ce que vous y pensez? quelques suggestions? commentaires?
2010-06-28
Digital content copyright violation
I chose both the video “Video Pirates: The Bane of Hollywood” by 60 Minutes and the article “Copyright Neglected” by Newsweek because the problem of copyright concerns me directly – I consume digital content everyday. Really, I work in software domain, I use a variety of software at work, I chat with friends on my laptops and mobile phone, I watch movies, I listen to a music in the car and in the street (thanks to iPod). And this is really cool because I choose what and when I want to see and listen to.
On the other hand, there is a stumbling block, namely copyright law, that restricts the free use of digital content: images, sounds, videos and so on. The problem is very complex, and I doubt that we could find a comprehensive solution in the near future. At the same time, we can see some good consequences of the “consumers vs providers” battle.
Let's take a look at the musical industry. Hardly could we imagine yesterday that nowadays we would be downloading new albums of the most famous rock bands directly from the Internet for free! I am not talking about the piracy now: some pop stars, like Radiohead or George Michael, allow us to do it. It is legal and it is logic. The fact is that any digital content can be copied and transferred very easy. From my point of view, those musicians got the point and do not try to struggle against the stream but let the people do what they are doing actually. Where is their profit? If you like the product (music), you can pay as much as it is worth to you. Fair enough! This is exactly like vagabond minstrels made their bread in old good times.
Yes, I got the music for free, I have listened to it countless times for free but finally, I bought a ticket for the concert, and, I guess, it covers all the band's costs of its production.
Sure, this is only on aspect of the problem. But anyway, this fight between digital content providers and its consumers should be transformed into a set of agreements between creators and promoters (OK, arts people and sales people.) Creative people are supposed to be creative, consumers are intended to pay and enjoy; thus, it is a sales men's task to make all the parties happy without putting anybody behind the bars.
2010-06-17
Violence On the Road
Having read this interview (“Road warriors”) with a woman who learnt the hard way the politeness rules on the road, I remembered all such cases that have happened to me in my country.
So, I believe it is something intercultural, I would say, common to human nature because humans are animals in fact. Yes, they are social, if you want, socialized, but still animals with all these characteristics related to aggressive behavior, violence and so on. No doubt, this way is much easier to prove to yourself that you are real, you can do something or whatever, I mean, to bolster one’s self-esteem by bullying or pressing offensively someone else.
Behind the wheel a man (or even a woman!) starts feeling powerful, mighty, and it might have an unpredictable impact on some sort of people who become more aggressive on the road. By the way, in fact, as we can see from the statistics, the repercussions of it are horrible: two-thirds of fatal collisions were caused by road rage.
Needless to say that this woman provoked this guy by her mouthing off and that unequivocal, obnoxious gesture – all these put him over the edge, even though he was obviously responsible for this dangerous situation.
I am sure it would have been much better if they had just called 911 to report about this road rage in order to secure themselves and other drivers. But what have me come to teach them if I am like others, too?
2010-06-07
CO2 emissions, death and birth rate in real time
Very impressive website showing the CO2 emission, death and birth rate by country. Just hover the mouse and enjoy!
Now: Food inc documentary
I chose the video “Food, Inc.”, the twenty-minute conversation with the author of a new documentary, because I eat everyday as, I guess and hope, everybody does, without actually thinking what this food on the table comes from.
In fact, this stuff is a sort of discovery for me. The food industry has been dramatically changed in last decades: from little private farms to huge industrialized producers those the largest consumers are such companies like McDonald’s. Wouldn’t it be too gullibly to trust to all these ads that promote easy-accessible-and-cheap food on every corner? Is it really safe for our health? I don’t think so.
I adopted from the philosophy course at the university (frankly speaking, much more from my parents and life experience itself) that there are always two sides of every coin. Dialectics: the more you pay for your food, the less damage to your health you get.
However, this documentary goes even farther: it raises the point about these powerful food companies that actually control the information disclosure about what is going in reality behind the curtain. It looks like these giants are more in power that the government. From my point of view, it may be more dangerous than just junk food consumption.
From my personal experience, I could suggest a really working way of being safe from dangerous food. Everyone could buy or loan a small agricultural holding, sufficient to grow potatoes, tomatoes and onions. My grandparents held cows, pigs, chickens, grew apple trees, cultivated a variety of vegetables and so on. But it would be too naive to suppose that such things are achievable without really hard working from dawn till dusk. Could I live like this? I really don’t know… Anyway, next time in the grocery store I will pay more attention to what I choose.
In fact, this stuff is a sort of discovery for me. The food industry has been dramatically changed in last decades: from little private farms to huge industrialized producers those the largest consumers are such companies like McDonald’s. Wouldn’t it be too gullibly to trust to all these ads that promote easy-accessible-and-cheap food on every corner? Is it really safe for our health? I don’t think so.
I adopted from the philosophy course at the university (frankly speaking, much more from my parents and life experience itself) that there are always two sides of every coin. Dialectics: the more you pay for your food, the less damage to your health you get.
However, this documentary goes even farther: it raises the point about these powerful food companies that actually control the information disclosure about what is going in reality behind the curtain. It looks like these giants are more in power that the government. From my point of view, it may be more dangerous than just junk food consumption.
From my personal experience, I could suggest a really working way of being safe from dangerous food. Everyone could buy or loan a small agricultural holding, sufficient to grow potatoes, tomatoes and onions. My grandparents held cows, pigs, chickens, grew apple trees, cultivated a variety of vegetables and so on. But it would be too naive to suppose that such things are achievable without really hard working from dawn till dusk. Could I live like this? I really don’t know… Anyway, next time in the grocery store I will pay more attention to what I choose.
2010-05-10
TED talks: Lies, damned lies and statistics
The task was to pick up one TED show and write an opinion - be it either positive or negative - in the blog. So do ICVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV (oh! thanks to my cat Vassia for this note)
So do I.
So do I.
I have chosen the video called Lies, damned lies and statistics because I know this ironic expression, which points out implicitly to statistics as the biggest lie. Bearing in mind that this video is devoted to TED talks – a series of very impressive public presentations – I found it very interesting to me because nevertheless I have dealt a lot with presentations; I still need to improve my speaking skills.
This video is all about the statistics that Mr. Warnickle compiled, having analyzed more than five hundred TED talks, existing by now.
So, he shares the results of his research with the audience in a funny way; however, at the same time, he does it in a very professional manner. Juggling with some excerpts from diverse TED talks, he shows how it really works; what impact on the public it has.
Apparently, Sebastian is an outstanding speaker because not only is he capable of flaming the audience but also he can rule the presentation, draw spectators’ attention to the most important points in his agenda.
Moreover, at the end of the presentation, he calls for action – this is the classical presentation structure – calls to use his TEDPAD, the tool, which can create automatically either the white (best) or black (worst) TED talk by combining the words and phrases that are, based on his statistics, positively or negatively perceived by spectators.
From my point of view, he highlighted the three essential components of any good presentation: the topic, the way of delivery, and visuals that the speaker uses on the stage. Nothing’s new for me here, but Sebastian is absolutely right that it is much more important how you look and how you speak than what you speak. Fair enough, because people perceive information rather visually.
I am not sure whether his conclusions about these word-combinations, speaker’ hair length, and dress color have something to do with the reality, but there is no doubt that all presentations can be different. I mean it depends on how we make them.
Homework Exercise: Business
I have decided to post here some of my homework exercise just to practice what I learn. If it is possible I will try to use my own experience.
I worked in sales about ten years, but now, I hope it is finished for me because although it is a very lucrative and driving job, it can be so exhaustive!
In the beginning of my career in sales, I had guts to take a risk to establish my own proper company in my native town. Little by little I gained confidence among other local businessmen, and finally, I got more than hundred clients in my database. What was I doing? I was selling and implementing a local ERP system.
I need to admit that this niche market is very specific because it requires from its players to be on the cutting edge of IT technology. On the other hand, it comes to understanding real businesses' needs: you have to speak to people. Moreover, you have to understand what they really want to get. So, this job comes with its own challenges.
With time, I realized that sooner or later my small company (three people only) would have been swallowed up by a bigger one from the close city. This is why I moved directly to Moscow, the capital of Russia. This megalopolis can offer much more opportunities in sales.
Having changed two Russian companies (they were very interesting to me in the technology meaning) and gained more professional experience in cold-calling and telemarketing, I understood that it was worth trying to settle in an American company, and I found a good one.
This was a world leading ERP vendor working around the globe. By the way, there, I started learning English on a regular basis. The most amazing was the requirement of fluid English to be hired. So, I drew myself by my hair like Baron Munchhausen.
Working there, I bumped into Russian red tape (bureaucracy) and tried to find compromises in order to hammer out a deal with my clients. Yes, at the end of each quarter, I got my money, but hardly could I say that I was happy. This job did not give me feeling of being involved in something really creative and constructive. I felt like a machine in a working cycle: lead generation, follow-up, solution demonstration, offer presentation, price negotiation, and signing the deal. One from ten, if you are so lucky.
Having moved to Canada, I got my first job here in a large American company, which sells computer stuff to the U.S. After the three weeks, I saw very clearly that it was time to stop selling and start learning both languages comme il faut and looking around for a job in the ERP field but from the different side.
Well, now I work as an ERP consultant for a medium-sized Montreal lighting manufacturer, and I am happy to have this job. However, it would not be true to say that I chose the wrong way when I worked in sales. Because I know the name of the game now, the game all the people play every day in life - sale!
Thus, if you are not so shy as to call unknown people to sell them something, and you really want to know where any business' money comes from; sales may be your road to pick.
The first theme is Business.
In the beginning of my career in sales, I had guts to take a risk to establish my own proper company in my native town. Little by little I gained confidence among other local businessmen, and finally, I got more than hundred clients in my database. What was I doing? I was selling and implementing a local ERP system.
I need to admit that this niche market is very specific because it requires from its players to be on the cutting edge of IT technology. On the other hand, it comes to understanding real businesses' needs: you have to speak to people. Moreover, you have to understand what they really want to get. So, this job comes with its own challenges.
With time, I realized that sooner or later my small company (three people only) would have been swallowed up by a bigger one from the close city. This is why I moved directly to Moscow, the capital of Russia. This megalopolis can offer much more opportunities in sales.
Having changed two Russian companies (they were very interesting to me in the technology meaning) and gained more professional experience in cold-calling and telemarketing, I understood that it was worth trying to settle in an American company, and I found a good one.
This was a world leading ERP vendor working around the globe. By the way, there, I started learning English on a regular basis. The most amazing was the requirement of fluid English to be hired. So, I drew myself by my hair like Baron Munchhausen.
Working there, I bumped into Russian red tape (bureaucracy) and tried to find compromises in order to hammer out a deal with my clients. Yes, at the end of each quarter, I got my money, but hardly could I say that I was happy. This job did not give me feeling of being involved in something really creative and constructive. I felt like a machine in a working cycle: lead generation, follow-up, solution demonstration, offer presentation, price negotiation, and signing the deal. One from ten, if you are so lucky.
Having moved to Canada, I got my first job here in a large American company, which sells computer stuff to the U.S. After the three weeks, I saw very clearly that it was time to stop selling and start learning both languages comme il faut and looking around for a job in the ERP field but from the different side.
Well, now I work as an ERP consultant for a medium-sized Montreal lighting manufacturer, and I am happy to have this job. However, it would not be true to say that I chose the wrong way when I worked in sales. Because I know the name of the game now, the game all the people play every day in life - sale!
Thus, if you are not so shy as to call unknown people to sell them something, and you really want to know where any business' money comes from; sales may be your road to pick.
2010-05-04
Rock and Blog
So, it seems I made a right decision: this course is everything to do with blogs. I really like this stuff - I have four blogs.
Moreover, it is a mix of writing and speaking activities. Among other source of information I see TED video blog - one of my favorite ones.
2010-05-03
Another Brick in The...
No-no! Not in the wall but in the foundation of my English. Having got the program attestation, nevertheless I have decided to take an elective course: English vocabulary in conext.
The syllabus promises to be very interesting.
The course focuses on oral/ written communication through the study of vocabulary and its function in discourse. The course will include, among other things:
It starts today; so we'll see soon!
lyrics
The syllabus promises to be very interesting.
The course focuses on oral/ written communication through the study of vocabulary and its function in discourse. The course will include, among other things:
- Formal and informal expressions, newly-coined terms, slang and jargon;
- Idiomatic expressions, and specialized vocabulary;
- The use of resources and reference material.
It starts today; so we'll see soon!
lyrics
2010-01-19
Summary Writing Exercise
All right folks. I continue my English tortures at Mcgill university. This written course is the last one in the program, however, I cannot promise you that this will be enough for me and I won't take another optional one.
Anyway, it's time to check my Summary Writing Exercise. I am here asking you to read the following summary, then the origin and tell me if my summary is short and sweet. I appreciate also any grammar or style correction. Especially from Andy Clark!
Petrol-driven cars will continue to dominate on the market leastwise till 2020, predicted Bob Lutz, the vice-chairman for product design at General Motors. In his opinion, despite oil prices rising, 95% of buyers are not ready yet to reimburse car makers' investments in high-cost plug-in and hybrid engines manufacturing. Mr. Lutz firmly believes that increasing fuel tax will facilitate the development of green technologies. However, this idea is not yet supported by Congress majority, admits Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Lutz also highlights that now it is hard to produce more small vehicles instead of oil-voracious larger ones, because designing and launching a new model car takes as minimum 3 years.
(by Andrew Clark, guardian.co.uk , 11 January 2010)
Anyway, it's time to check my Summary Writing Exercise. I am here asking you to read the following summary, then the origin and tell me if my summary is short and sweet. I appreciate also any grammar or style correction. Especially from Andy Clark!
Petrol-driven cars will continue to dominate on the market leastwise till 2020, predicted Bob Lutz, the vice-chairman for product design at General Motors. In his opinion, despite oil prices rising, 95% of buyers are not ready yet to reimburse car makers' investments in high-cost plug-in and hybrid engines manufacturing. Mr. Lutz firmly believes that increasing fuel tax will facilitate the development of green technologies. However, this idea is not yet supported by Congress majority, admits Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Lutz also highlights that now it is hard to produce more small vehicles instead of oil-voracious larger ones, because designing and launching a new model car takes as minimum 3 years.
(by Andrew Clark, guardian.co.uk , 11 January 2010)
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