Do You See What Happens When You Find a Stranger in the Alps?

This is what happens, Larry.

The above gentleman/Bill Bruford lookalike is Alexander Semin from the Washington Capitals hockey team. I wanted to quote some relevant passages from an interview conducted on the Alexander Ovechkin blog, here. Follow the link for the whole interview. It's quite interesting. Questions are in bold, Mr. Semin's responses in plain text, my comments in parentheses:

Isn't the (NHL) rink too small for a dozen men in armor? It creates a spectacle.

Because it is crowded? Well, of course. More shots, more physical battles.

But in overtime when it's four on four, it's more spacious, and it looks better. I disagree. The crowd is bigger on every game, that's the criterion...

Why (is it harder to play in New York than in DC)? Because we are young and everything is interesting for us. And New York is like second Moscow, everything is open there for 24 hours. Too many temptations, and the buzz and the noise.

Plus there are two NHL teams. Even three. New Jersey is based nearby.

How about exotic hockey south? Florida, home of Panters or California, the residence of Ducks? There, I think, is even harder to play. Florida, Miami, always sunny, the beach. You understand what's there.

(I understand what's there too, even though I live in Philadelphia, the residence of Flyers.

Suddenly we get a glimpse into Russian life through a simple real-estate question...)

You said before that you were renting a house in Washington. Now I got the house. I bought it this year. A lot easier now.

Are you satisfied with the land? Over there the house prices depend on the size of the land. It depends also on location, in what part of the town. I live next to the training arena. 15 minutes away. I am happy with everything.

No exhaust from huge trucks? No, they dont have it. It all seems like outside of the city and surrounded with green trees. The green trees are all over.

(This makes me realize that I am lucky to live in a place with no exhaust from huge trucks.

NOW it gets interesting... what is the meaning of life, Mr. Semin?)

Is there a God? I think so.

Just a hockey God or universal God? God throughout the universe, of course. He directs all that there is on Earth.

The Americans as a nation are very religious. Their whole families go to the church, and there are many churches. I don't know about it.

When you'll have a family, will you go too, maybe? I go to church already. We have this option. We go to church all the time.

In the States most churches are Protestant. I don't know, I go to the Russian Orthodox Church.

(The interviewer knows more about organized religion in America than a lot of Americans do, apparently. However, he does NOT know about how wealthy Americans spend their money, nor does he know about the American president.)

Who among NHL players lives a glamor life? Those who have already played five or six years or more.

Some may have built a house with 60 floors? No such thing? Or someone has a car that is 20 yards long? And why would you need one?

Is it inconvenient? I think so.

Do they talk about George W. Bush? No, I did not hear.

Well, at least is there such person? I know who he is. Like he will be replaced, as far as I know.

(Finally, Mr. Semin is grounded in reality and humility. We all should be so lucky.)

What is done wrong in the world? This is not for me. I won't even try.

Shouldn't young man think about it? And what will it change? Even if I say something. What's the point?

God can hear you. You go to church. I still won't say anything condemning anyone.

Bravo.

Love,

mitchconnor