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Russian Federation1016 Posts
Do I wish this blog was about 10k posts? Of course, but currently I have only 461. Ha-ha, newbie!!! I think the age of 25 years is a milestone, so it's nice to reflect a little. I guess I'll write only about 3 or 4 events of my life to keep it short. Besides, I'm sure only these 3-4 timespans are important.
I was born in Russia which automatically means hard difficulty in RPG mode. Not nightmare like Africa, but not cakewalk like Switzerland (no offense) as well. The early childhood I spent in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, because my father was an engineer at the space rocket launching program. I even was at the pad a couple of times, but I don't remember that. I like to think that these 3 years are the reason, why I like to go stargazing. In Russia there are a lot of places in the middle of nowhere for this "activity".
Let's fast forward to 1998. It was a year I got into StarCraft. I remember that the 5th mission in original game ("Revolution") was the hardest for me, because I dropped vultures 4 at a time. For my 15 APM even this desperate tactic was a challenge... That summer I went to the sea camp with my classmates. While every other boy and girl enjoyed swimming, dancing, sports, etc., I sat in the tree shadows and read a very thick book about Starcraft (it was included in the box). But it didn't help me to win even one match on B.net. But even with all these defeats, "StarCraft just makes sense to me." Release of WoL was the happiest day of 2010.
In October 2011 I was sitting in the plane to Germany and thought: "Roman, you did it! You've found Master program in Europe and the road into investment banking will be opened to you". I've got the degree in March 2013 and already had couple of internships by that time. The social life was sent to hell. Don't want to brag, but I will: I'm fairly good with numbers and statistics in general. I wanted to work for a rating agency like S&P or Moody's. Well, I didn't get a position there, but was offered a nice job in risk management at a well known company in August 2013. AND I SNAPPED!
Suddenly, I started to hate all financial sector of economy. All these banks and bankers, hedge funds and investment companies. I just wanted real manufacturing. I wanted to see the real product in my hands instead of endless paper reports. So I cleared my account, went skiing and mountaineering for couple of weeks. There I met a guy who owns a small factory in the north (not THE NORTH, but close to that) of Russia and produces mountaineering equipment. Company'e chief designer got his diploma in the best Russian university, worked in military for missile designing, but with 1991 he went to the freewheeling and ended up here, making so cool items, that world leaders were impressed if I put their reaction in modest words. I was offered to manage all foreign economic activity of the company. This position guaranteed me business trips to the so beloved mountains, interesting tasks and a big potential with slim chances for realisation. I agreed. As simple as that. And now I'm absolutely happy! I'm sure I'm in the right place at the right time. Probably, I'll make much much less money here than in Frankfurt am Main, but mountaineering is my true passion, so I'm ready to give up sterling silver cufflinks and handmade ties for iceaxes and crampons. If only you could see my parents' faces when they heard about this decision.
The blog is getting too long, time to wrap it up. At the age of 25 I've found myself in a completely different place comparing to my goals from 4-5 (even 2) years ago. But I have inner piece, I smile when I go to bed and smile when I wake up. And that is priceless.
By the way, БОМБЕР ЧЕМПИОН!!! ("Bomber is the Champion" in Russian)
 
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On June 10 2014 19:05 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I smile when I go to bed and smile when I wake up. And that is priceless.
This is all one can ask for in life and the only thing i aim for. In my eyes, you've truly "made it".
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On June 10 2014 19:07 Capped wrote:Show nested quote +On June 10 2014 19:05 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I smile when I go to bed and smile when I wake up. And that is priceless.
This is all one can ask for in life and the only thing i aim for. In my eyes, you've truly "made it".
agree 100%. Congrats!
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
On June 10 2014 19:29 y0su wrote:Show nested quote +On June 10 2014 19:07 Capped wrote:On June 10 2014 19:05 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I smile when I go to bed and smile when I wake up. And that is priceless.
This is all one can ask for in life and the only thing i aim for. In my eyes, you've truly "made it". agree 100%. Congrats!
Thanks! But we all should understand that this situation occures RIGHT NOW. I don't know how the things will be in a year. Remember, I play RPG in Russia - hard mode 
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United States24799 Posts
Haha the part about the book that comes with starcraft made me crack up... I have all those various books and they are great for a laugh once in a while.
And wow, quite an ending you have to that blog. We'll see if you feel the same way 2 years, and 4 years out, or if you will have another realization.
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On June 10 2014 19:48 IAmWithStupid wrote:Show nested quote +On June 10 2014 19:29 y0su wrote:On June 10 2014 19:07 Capped wrote:On June 10 2014 19:05 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I smile when I go to bed and smile when I wake up. And that is priceless.
This is all one can ask for in life and the only thing i aim for. In my eyes, you've truly "made it". agree 100%. Congrats! Thanks! But we all should understand that this situation occures RIGHT NOW. I don't know how the things will be in a year. Remember, I play RPG in Russia - hard mode
True. But at least you're trying. You can always do something boring later :D
also, Happy Birthday!
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I was born in Russia which automatically means hard difficulty in RPG mode.
lmao
Pretty great blog
I'm currently doing a PhD and I'm not exactly happy with the job tbh. 1 year in so 3 to go, I don't want to give up now but I've told myself I will make 100% sure that my future jobs are jobs that I really enjoy. I think it's an incredibly important aspect of leading a happy life, so kudos to you!
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
Honestly, I expected that people will call me stupid for giving up investment banking. A little devil with high voice, that lives inside, periodically tells me it was a crazy mistake. Well, we all have doubts, but the image of 5000+ mountains beat the doubtes as unscouted proxy 2 Gates beat triple hatch before pool
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There's more to life than money. Investment banking might get you money, but it doesn't automagically make you happy.
Baldur's Gate is still a good RPG even though the graphics might be dated.
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
On June 10 2014 21:13 Lonyo wrote:
There's more to life than money. Investment banking might get you money, but it doesn't automagically make you happy.
Baldur's Gate is still a good RPG even though the graphics might be dated.
Nice one! I'll steal this for future use!
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As a person who was close to the matter of rating agencies - can you please elaborate some more on their impact on global economy? To what extent their reports can boost up or ruin national economies? And how much profit they make of it?
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
On June 10 2014 22:30 wingpawn wrote:
As a person who was close to the matter of rating agencies - can you please elaborate some more on their impact on global economy? To what extent their reports can boost up or ruin national economies? And how much profit they make of it?
It can be a very long discussion... I didn't get into the Big Three credit rating agencies (S&P, Moody's, Fitch group), so I can't tell about their profits or stuff salaries. The easiest way to describe their impact is through the cost of borrowing.
1. S&P gives you AAA rating, you can borrow cheap credit resources! Actually, banks are willing to give you money!
2. S&P gives you D- rating, the costs of borrowing will skyrocket.
Since the economy nowadays is built up on loans, the access to financial resources plays a huge role.
Rating agencies should be independent, but we all saw how they decreased the ratings of Russia and Russian companies with the start of Ukranian crisis. I don't want to argue about that here, it is the difficult topic even for 99,99% of Earth's population and I'm definitely not one of the 0,01%...
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How good did you actually get in BW if you don't mind me asking? Did you ladder on iccup or anything prior to that?
And congrats, good to hear you're happy about your current situation. 
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Russian Federation1016 Posts
I was able to beat BW campaign, but with ladder... Let's put it this way: if I was born in Sparta and was judged by my skills in BW, I would be thrown from the highest mountain into the deapest cleft...
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Bisutopia19385 Posts
The joker smiles 100% of time too. I think his face is stuck that way. You should see a doctor.
<3
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Thanks for sharing! Hopefully I will be joining your state of mind in a few years
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TLADT24920 Posts
Good blog. Glad to see that you ended up with a job you love and hope things only improve from here on out. Best of luck!
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EPT
