I would like to meet New Year so that it will be remembered. But the holiday passes and often only disappointment remains. Read our bad advice and maybe you'll understand why.

1. Start celebrating the New Year long before December 31: with colleagues, relatives, girlfriends, acquaintances from your last vacation, childhood friends, with people who visit the fitness center or dance group with you; with the parents of your child's classmates.

And every time, eat up, get drunk and have fun until you drop. Then you will approach the holiday without strength, energy and any desire to take part in any other celebration. And you will look at wine and delicacies with disgust.

2. Especially try to distinguish yourself in corporate party. Come to work right in the morning in an evening outfit that is as revealing as possible: a top with two square centimeters of shiny fabric, a translucent mini-mini skirt. Let your new manager stare at your flirty bra strap all day. Under no circumstances go to lunch: look at how many delicious things the people responsible for the holiday bought.

Let the first portion of strong drink fall on an empty stomach. The next morning, having difficulty remembering yesterday, you will begin to assure others that you only drank a sip of champagne. But it will be tomorrow. And today... grab the quiet manager by the chest and, driving him into a corner, breathing heavily, ask: “Are you a man or not?” Declare every dance “white” and endlessly invite the boss. Suggest to him right away: “Let’s talk on a first-name basis, huh? It's easier!"

Having merged with him in ecstasy during some tango, whisper in his ear: “When are you going to raise my salary, you bastard? Oh, you naughty..." Every now and then make toasts praising your boss. And if he came with his wife, do not forget to insert that no woman deserves such a man. If you do all this, then the next day you will not only have a headache, but also such an unbearable feeling of shame that resigning will seem like the best way out.

3. Or you may not participate in the corporate party, setting yourself up against others and offending the boss, who believes that such events bring the team together. Wait until the last day to complete your annual report and dive into it while everyone is having fun. Let your bent figure behind the monitor be a constant reproach to them. When the room becomes excessively noisy, say in a stern voice: “Can’t it be quieter? By the way, they work here!” You will not only ruin the mood of anyone who pays attention to you - most have already conveniently forgotten about you - but also yourself.

4. It's also good to organize a party in advance for relatives - especially those you don't like. If Aunt Galya hasn’t spoken to Aunt Nadya for five years, call them both. Let them finally sort things out in public! As a result, all your loved ones will be divided into two groups and quarrel with each other. And if for some reason this does not happen, start sorting things out separately with each guest.

Remind your mother-in-law of how she deliberately dropped the clip under the bed to check if there was dust there. And to your cousin - how she took the scoop from you as a child and still hasn’t returned it. For your uncle, who after the first drink begins to sing loudly and conduct an invisible orchestra, quietly add more alcohol. It’s also good to drop fried chicken on your mother-in-law’s favorite blouse, and then start a discussion about what powder is best to remove the stain.

5. Or you can organize everything differently - quietly and calmly. How many photos did you take on your last vacation? More than two hundred? Gather your guests around the computer and start showing them around, explaining in detail where you were and what you did: “We are swimming in the sea. And this is us in the restaurant. Oh, on the beach again..."

6. Postpone the purchase of gifts and products until December 31 - in the hope that all this will certainly be done in advance. When you find a line at the supermarket as long as a May Day demonstration, throw a tantrum that the cashiers are too slow. Then, after standing in a traffic jam for half a day, angry and unhappy, tell your loved ones at home everything that has accumulated over the year.

7. However, you can ruin your mood without leaving home. Start spring cleaning on December 31st. Move the cabinets, tables and refrigerator away from the walls - look how much stuff has piled up there over the year! Finally, figure out on the mezzanines: what to throw away and what to let lie around.

If your family comes into your hand at this moment, let out a roar worthy of the Tiger, the symbol of the passing year. At 11 pm, find out that the festive dinner is not ready, grab your head, and make a scandal with your family on the topic: “Why should I be the only one thinking about everything?”

8. Or, on the contrary, you can devote yourself entirely to cooking on this day. There is enough food to prepare to feed a company of first-year soldiers. Moreover, the dishes must be extremely complex and labor-intensive. For example: jellied meat, jellied fish, turkey, homemade dumplings, dozens of salads with many ingredients, the “Delicious” cake, which is made over two days, and always some new treat according to a recipe from a glossy magazine with the motto: “What happens - Don't know". The main rules are not to eat anything from morning until night, get tired, twitch and, barely waiting for the chimes, fall into bed.

9. Summing up spoils the mood, especially if done out loud at the table. Raise a glass of champagne and start listing what you wanted to do in the past year: lose 5 kg, take English courses, run in the morning and meditate in the evenings. Make sure you haven't even started anything and sit back discouraged.

10. The New Year is a great opportunity to finally start raising children. Five year old child clearly explain that there is no Santa Claus, and parents buy gifts. When he cries, shame him: “He’s so big, but he believes all this nonsense.” Under no circumstances should you let your teenager go to see friends or go to a disco.

New Year is a holiday at home, let him, offended by everyone, sadly sit at the table and listen to your discussions of TV shows: “Well, there’s nothing to watch again!”

11. If you are invited to visit, a week before the New Year, make a firm decision to start losing weight. While salivating at the sight of various treats and tempting smells, chew only a cabbage leaf, washing it down with mineral water. Then, when you return home, open the refrigerator and eat everything that was prepared for the week ahead.

12. If you live alone, then inform everyone in advance that you will not be celebrating the New Year: that evening you decided to go to bed early. Refuse any invitations: you will do just fine without company, and New Year is not a holiday. After midnight, when people come out to set off fireworks, you will feel lonely, abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

Immediately try to rectify the situation and, taking a bottle of champagne, take a taxi to the other end of the city - to those who invited you back in mid-December. When you get there in the morning, you find a confused housewife in a nightgown, a mountain of unwashed dishes in the kitchen and an awakened owner who cannot understand why you showed up to them at night with a bottle.

13. Are you tired of spending every New Year watching TV? Go with your friends to the forest! Moreover, agree approximately on the place: “We’ll meet in that clearing where we found a lot of mushrooms in the summer.” Since it gets dark early in winter, when you arrive, make sure that all the clearings are similar to each other. Wander for a long time among the trees with a flashlight, announcing the surroundings with a heartbreaking “Aw!” Find out that your high-heeled boots are not at all suitable for forest trips, and the festive makeup you worked on for two hours is running down your face along with melted snowflakes.

14. You can also spontaneously decide to go to the country. Arriving at the place, you see that the road to the holiday village is covered with snow, there is no electricity or gas in the house. Over your New Year's outfits, put on old padded jackets and pea coats, in which you dug potatoes in the fall, and start eating in the dark the frozen salads you brought with you. Barely waiting for the morning to return home with a fever and lie in bed with a cold throughout the holidays.

15. If you want something exotic, then go somewhere in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. Even if the plane's departure is delayed by eight hours, then you will have a long flight, squeezed into a narrow economy class seat. Upon arrival, you find out that the New Year is celebrated there at a completely different time from ours: December 31 and January 1 are normal working days here. Wandering through the empty streets, desperately envy those who stayed at home: there is snow, there is a Christmas tree, there is a congratulation from the president and Olivier salad...

16. And most importantly, prepare yourself for the fact that the New Year is

It’s not a holiday, it’s just a waste of money, nerves and energy. And then no matter how you meet him, you will be bored, sad, and have no one to give a hand to...

Natalia KLINSKAYA

On the eve of the holiday, be sure to complete all your tasks

“For me, the days before the New Year have long turned into an obstacle course. After all, there is so much that needs to be changed in order to start next year with a clean slate. As a result, the to-do list grows like a snowball, and, trying to cope with everything, you literally fall off your feet. Last year, for example, I decided to finish renovating my apartment. In principle, all that remained was to re-stick the wallpaper in the hallway. On the morning of December 31, the apartment was a complete mess, the Christmas tree was not decorated, and I was fiddling with the last roll, which I had to buy on an emergency basis. As a result, I was so exhausted that, barely waiting for the chimes to strike, I drank a glass of champagne and went to bed. That's the whole holiday." (Irina, 40 years old)

Where is the mistake? The desire to “clean up all the tails” before the New Year is very commendable if it does not come at the expense of your well-being. And for this you need to plan your time correctly. At the end of November - beginning of December, make a list of things that you would like to complete in the old year. Having soberly assessed how realistic it is, hang it in a visible place and do it to the best of your ability.

Be sure to include food for the holiday table and general cleaning. With this approach, at least for the last day or two you will have the opportunity to more or less relax and preen your feathers in order to meet the holiday in all its splendor, and not seething with irritation and collapsing from fatigue.

Try to surprise your guests with your culinary skills

“On New Year’s Day, a large group of friends traditionally gathers at our dacha. One day I decided to surprise everyone with French cuisine. The recipes, judging by the descriptions, were not too labor-intensive. So in the morning I calmly decorated the room and went to the kitchen, hoping that by the time the guests arrived I would have everything ready and would have time to get myself in order. As a result, people had already begun to slowly gather, and I was still fiddling with the cooking. The onion pie, for which I spent two and a half hours, went into the bucket: it’s unlikely that anyone would be tempted by this mess.

I had to prepare another appetizer, and chickens were still waiting for me; they had to be stuffed with tangerines and chicken livers... I sat down at the table at the very last moment. And I felt so sorry for myself: everyone around me was smart and cheerful, but I, like a cornered horse, didn’t even have time to do my hair. The most annoying thing is that the chickens were left completely untouched. I won’t repeat such “feats” again.” (Anna, 26 years old)

Where is the mistake? When preparing a festive table, it is important to correctly calculate your energy and time, so it is better not to try new recipes: they require a certain skill. And then don’t forget - you are about to celebrate the New Year, and not fight for the title of “Best Chef”.

Cook if you want, but know when to stop. Believe me: a cheerful hostess will bring much more joy to guests than the fifth salad on the table. Therefore, it is better to agree in advance with those who will celebrate your holiday that, for example, you prepare the main course, and the rest - salads or appetizers.

On New Year's Eve, make peace with those with whom you are in a quarrel.

“My grandmother always said that all grievances and bad feelings towards other people should remain in the old year. My older sister and I never got along, and after my grandmother gave me her apartment, we actually quarreled to smithereens. I wanted to talk like a human being, to congratulate you on the holiday... For some reason I remembered all the good things that happened in our childhood. I called Tatyana on December 31, full of the best feelings, and she answered: “You always got the best things. Because of you, my whole life is going wrong. Damn you! And she hung up. I was shocked and for a long time could not get rid of the feeling of incomprehensible guilt.” (Oksana, 35 years old)

Where is the mistake? Rushing up the past on the eve of the holidays means taking a big risk with your peace of mind. This is especially true on New Year's Eve and Christmas, when you begin to live more by emotions than by reason or calculation. Please note that the people with whom you would like to establish relationships are also in a “limbo” state and may not be ready for such conversations.

During the pre-holiday period, the psyche is relaxed, which means it is more vulnerable. Hence, by the way, such hysterical reactions on their part are likely. Therefore, if you have a desire to “bury the hatchet,” postpone this event until after the holiday period, when your psyche will be more collected. And it’s better if you do this not over the phone, but in person.

Don't count on holiday expenses!

“For the last three years, we have celebrated all the holidays quite modestly: finances did not allow it. Last year, Igor finally found a decent place, and on New Year’s Eve we both received an award, so we decided: “Why not show off? After all, we only live once!” The husband decided to invite a friend and his family: it was he who helped him get a job and more than once helped him with money in difficult times. We bought fireworks, drinks, and various delicacies. The table was literally bursting, but it was a bit boring. The only people who were delighted were the children, mainly because of the fireworks. After the holiday, I felt empty and tired, and when I counted how much we had left, I was simply in shock. For the rest of January I had to eat potatoes and rollton.” (Svetlana, 31 years old)

Where is the mistake? The shock of an empty wallet is not the most pleasant start to the new year. Therefore, even if you earn good money, you need to allocate a specific amount in advance that you can spend on all sorts of pleasures. What they will be depends on your desires and needs. The main thing is that they bring you sincere joy. By the way, festive mood is determined not only by how many food and drinks are on your table.

Much depends on your invention and imagination, on how close to you in spirit the people gathered for festive table. So don't be discouraged if you can't afford oysters in champagne this New Year's Eve. It’s better to call old friends, come up with pranks, competitions, games in advance, organize a photo shoot, sing, dance, in a word, have fun with all your might. And, believe me, from such a New Year's Eve you will have only the best memories.

Celebrate the holiday in an unfamiliar company

“I had to celebrate the New Year completely alone, so I gladly accepted the invitation of Olga, a former school friend, whom we had not seen for ten years. I also thought that suddenly I would meet my fate... At first everything was wonderful: laughter, toasts, making acquaintances. Pretty quickly everyone got drunk, then one by one, including the women, they started telling dirty jokes. It was unpleasant. When one of the guests, to the applause of those present, suggested organizing a striptease session, I decided to quietly leave. Olga’s husband began to pester me in the corridor, and if she had not come out, I don’t know how it would have ended. Taking advantage of their argument, I grabbed my things and ran out the door. How did I know that such a company would gather there?” (Natalia, 28 years old)

Where is the mistake? New year's night- Not best time for such experiments. After all, without really knowing people, you cannot know what to expect from them. You won’t necessarily end up in the company of drunkards or vulgar people. These may simply be people with interests alien to you, with different concepts, with different manners, and this can cause not only disappointments, but also conflicts. Therefore, if you decide to go to an unfamiliar company, do not have any big illusions, do not expect that your new acquaintances will meet your expectations. And be sure to think about how you can return home if something suddenly doesn’t suit you.

And even if, despite our warnings, you don’t spend this holiday the way you wanted and dreamed, don’t be upset! Don’t program yourself for further worries: since the New Year’s Eve was unsuccessful, then the whole year will DEFINITELY be unsuccessful! Thought is material. In the end, happiness in the coming year depends on yourself, on how you look at this world: with caution or with confidence that “tomorrow will be better than yesterday.”

“For me, the days before the New Year have long turned into an obstacle course. After all, there is so much that needs to be changed in order to start next year with a clean slate. As a result, the to-do list grows like a snowball, and, trying to cope with everything, you literally fall off your feet. Last year, for example, I decided to finish renovating my apartment. Basically, all that remained was to re-stick the wallpaper in the hallway. On the morning of December 31, the apartment was a complete mess, the Christmas tree was not decorated, and I was fiddling with the last roll, which I had to buy on an emergency basis. As a result, I was so exhausted that, barely waiting for the chimes to strike, I drank a glass of champagne and went to bed. That's the whole holiday." (Irina, 40 years old)

Where is the mistake? The desire to “clean up all the tails” before the New Year is very commendable if it does not come at the expense of your well-being. And for this you need to plan your time correctly. At the end of November - beginning of December, make a list of things that you would like to complete in the old year. Having soberly assessed how realistic it is, hang it in a visible place and do it to the best of your ability.

Be sure to include the purchase of gifts, food for the holiday table, and general cleaning. With this approach, at least for the last day or two you will have the opportunity to more or less relax and preen your feathers in order to meet the holiday in all its splendor, and not seething with irritation and collapsing from fatigue.

Try to surprise your guests with your culinary skills

“On New Year’s Day, a large group of friends traditionally gathers at our dacha. One day I decided to surprise everyone with French cuisine. The recipes, judging by the descriptions, were not too labor-intensive. So in the morning I calmly decorated the room and went to the kitchen, hoping that by the time the guests arrived I would have everything ready and would have time to get myself in order. As a result, people had already begun to slowly gather, and I was still fiddling with the cooking. The onion pie, for which I spent two and a half hours, went into the bucket: it’s unlikely that anyone would be tempted by this mess.

I had to prepare another appetizer, and chickens were still waiting for me; they had to be stuffed with tangerines and chicken livers... I sat down at the table at the very last moment. And I felt so sorry for myself: everyone around me was smart and cheerful, but I, like a cornered horse, didn’t even have time to do my hair. The most annoying thing is that the chickens were left completely untouched. I won’t repeat such “feats” again.” (Anna, 26 years old)

Where is the mistake? When preparing a festive table, it is important to correctly calculate your energy and time, so it is better not to try new recipes: they require a certain skill. And then don’t forget - you are about to celebrate the New Year, and not fight for the title of “Best Chef”.

Cook if you want, but know when to stop. Believe me: a cheerful hostess will bring much more joy to guests than the fifth salad on the table. Therefore, it is better to agree in advance with those who will celebrate your holiday that, for example, you prepare the main course, and the rest - salads or appetizers.

On New Year's Eve, make peace with those with whom you are in a quarrel.

“My grandmother always said that all grievances and bad feelings towards other people should remain in the old year. My older sister and I never got along, and after my grandmother gave me her apartment, we actually quarreled to smithereens. I wanted to talk like a human being, to congratulate you on the holiday... For some reason I remembered all the good things that happened in our childhood. I called Tatyana on December 31, full of the best feelings, and she answered: “You always got the best things. Because of you, my whole life is going wrong. Damn you! And she hung up. I was shocked and for a long time could not get rid of the feeling of incomprehensible guilt.” (Oksana, 35 years old)

Where is the mistake? Rushing up the past on the eve of the holidays means taking a big risk with your peace of mind. This is especially true on New Year's Eve and Christmas, when you begin to live more by emotions than by reason or calculation. Please note that the people with whom you would like to establish relationships are also in a “suspended” state and may not be ready for such conversations.

During the pre-holiday period, the psyche is relaxed, which means it is more vulnerable. Hence, by the way, such hysterical reactions on their part are likely. Therefore, if you have a desire to “bury the hatchet,” postpone this event until after the holiday period, when your psyche will be more collected. And it’s better if you do this not over the phone, but in person.

Don't count on holiday expenses!

“For the last three years, we have celebrated all the holidays quite modestly: finances did not allow it. Last year, Igor finally found a decent place, and on New Year’s Eve we both received an award, so we decided: “Why not show off? After all, we only live once!” The husband decided to invite a friend and his family: it was he who helped him get a job and more than once helped him with money in difficult times. We bought fireworks, drinks, and various delicacies. The table was literally bursting, but it was a bit boring. The only people who were delighted were the children, mainly because of the fireworks. After the holiday, I felt empty and tired, and when I counted how much we had left, I was simply in shock. For the rest of January I had to eat potatoes and rollton.” (Svetlana, 31 years old)

Where is the mistake? The shock of an empty wallet is not the most pleasant start to the new year. Therefore, even if you earn good money, you need to allocate a specific amount in advance that you can spend on all sorts of pleasures. What they will be depends on your desires and needs. The main thing is that they bring you sincere joy. By the way, the festive mood is determined not only by how many food and drinks are on your table.

Much depends on your invention and imagination, on how close in spirit the people gathered at the festive table are to you. So don't be discouraged if you can't afford oysters in champagne this New Year's Eve. It’s better to call old friends, come up with pranks, competitions, games in advance, organize a photo shoot, sing, dance, in a word, have fun with all your might. And, believe me, from such a New Year's Eve you will have only the best memories.

Celebrate the holiday in an unfamiliar company

“I had to celebrate the New Year completely alone, so I gladly accepted the invitation of Olga, a former school friend, whom we had not seen for ten years. I also thought that suddenly I would meet my fate... At first everything was wonderful: laughter, toasts, making acquaintances. Pretty quickly everyone got drunk, then one by one, including the women, they started telling dirty jokes. It was unpleasant. When one of the guests, to the applause of those present, suggested organizing a striptease session, I decided to quietly leave. Olga’s husband began to pester me in the corridor, and if she had not come out, I don’t know how it would have ended. Taking advantage of their argument, I grabbed my things and ran out the door. How did I know that such a company would gather there?” (Natalia, 28 years old)

Where is the mistake? New Year's Eve is not the best time for such experiments. After all, without really knowing people, you cannot know what to expect from them. You won’t necessarily end up in the company of drunkards or vulgar people. These may simply be people with interests alien to you, with different concepts, with different manners, and this can cause not only disappointments, but also conflicts. Therefore, if you decide to go to an unfamiliar company, do not have any big illusions, do not expect that your new acquaintances will meet your expectations. And be sure to think about how you can return home if something suddenly doesn’t suit you.

And even if, despite our warnings, you don’t spend this holiday the way you wanted and dreamed, don’t be upset! Don’t program yourself for further worries: since the New Year’s Eve was unsuccessful, then the whole year will DEFINITELY be unsuccessful! Thought is material. In the end, happiness in the coming year depends on yourself, on how you look at this world: with caution or with confidence that “tomorrow will be better than yesterday.”

I wish you happiness, joy and good luck!

The life and amazing adventures of Nurbey Gulia - professor of mechanics Alexander Petrovich Nikonov

Ruined New Year

Ruined New Year

New Year 1969 has arrived. Lilya, Tamara, and I decided to celebrate it together. But then Roman and Galya also “asked” to come to us.

We need to lull Tonya’s vigilance,” Roman suggested, “let’s take more bottles, come to my place, give Tonya a drink, and then we’ll quickly sneak away.”

I foolishly agreed. We took vodka, beer, port wine and champagne. Roman lived two kilometers from me. In addition, there was a fairly large park between us, which we crossed if we walked. We took the transport and at about eight o’clock in the evening we went to Roman’s apartment.

Tonya didn’t like that I came, but she was pleased that Roman was going, as he said, to celebrate the New Year with his family. The kids - one a schoolgirl, the other about five years old - were hanging around their dad. Roman opened the vodka and offered to drink it old year. We washed it down with beer. Once again - for the old year, and again washed down with beer.

Stupid Tonya drank everything that Roman poured, and I, no smarter, did the same. Then I did not know that you need to start with the weakest drink and drink, only increasing its strength. After vodka - beer or champagne - this is khan! But he acted according to plan, and I foolishly drank everything that was poured. Roman himself didn’t drink much of the vodka, sticking mostly to beer.

The vodka was drunk, we switched to port wine and champagne. Roman suggested making a blend by mixing these drinks. It turned out delicious and we drank with all our hearts. I noticed that Roman was drinking beer again instead of a blend. And here is the first result - Tonya fell with a crash. We joyfully grabbed her by the arms and legs and put her to bed, and we ourselves began to drink further. The children squealed, and Roman shooed them into the nursery.

Just as we were getting ready to go, Roman suggested a drink “for the road”, after which I forgot.

My awakening was one of the most nightmares of my life. A dim and unfamiliar room, I’m lying on my back, dressed, in socks without shoes. On the left is a wall, on the right is some kind of breathing mountain, which, upon closer examination, turned out to be Tonya. My head was already spinning, and when I realized that I was squeezed between the wall and Tonya, I felt sick. Looking at the clock, I realized that I had celebrated the New Year in bed with Tonya. In horror, I began to carefully climb over Tony’s huge body, and at that time she came to her senses.

What are you doing to me? - she asked in her hoarse voice, grabbing my sides. The children stood nearby and silently watched what was happening. - Where is Roman? - Tonya croaked, but with a sour smile I said that I knew this just like she did, since I slept through the New Year with her in the bed. Tonya stood up, took my coat and hat off the hanger, picked up my shoes, and threw everything out the door. I went out to the site and got dressed, but I couldn’t put on the damn boots without the horn. I crushed their backs and, as if wearing flip-flops, went out into the street.

It was about one in the morning and over thirty degrees below zero with the wind. No transport, no living soul. There was nowhere to go and I, gathering my will into a fist, wandered home. I walked back and forth to the park, and there I was faced with a dilemma - to walk around or “directly”. And I went straight ahead.

My feet got stuck in the deep snow, my slipper boots kept slipping off my feet. The breeze blew, covering his tracks. I thought that if I stopped or fell, they would only discover me in late spring, when the snow had melted. Dozens of such “snowdrops” were found in Tolyatti, especially in parks and vacant lots, in the spring.

The will - into the fist, and - just forward! How I managed to overcome these snowdrifts in the park is now a mystery to me. The Volga Hotel appeared, and there were our white houses. With the last of my strength, I reached my entrance and went inside, still not believing that I was alive. My feet were frozen to the bones, my fingers couldn’t bend. I called the elevator and realized that I was going to throw up. My cheeks are swollen, but I’m already ringing the doorbell. The door is opened by a tearful Lilya, and I immediately vomit on the threshold of the door.

But I smile - I’m home, which means I’m saved! Again I am among my people, the terrible Tonya is behind me, behind me is the difficult path in flip-flops, the deadly snowdrifts in the park, and the wind covering all traces! Tamara came up to me and took me to the bathroom. Roman and Galya sat shyly in the corner of the room.

What a bastard you are, Roman! - That’s all I said to him, and Galya began hitting his bald head with her fist. But then, at my suggestion, they drank to the most important New Year - Greenwich time, and everyone cheered up a little. Roman promised me an “indemnity” - two bottles of champagne.

On the first day of January, we got enough sleep here and there. But Roman remembered that Tony had a working day, which meant his youngest daughter was in kindergarten. And in order to seem like a decent person, he decided to pick her up from the garden himself. We drank on the way and went to kindergarten together, fortunately he was very close.

We went inside and Roman’s daughter was taken out. But when the girl saw me, she attacked me in a rage and began beating my ribs and stomach with her fists.

Why did you sleep with my mother yesterday? - the child screamed shrilly, - she got sick after that! The teacher and the parents who came to pick up the children looked at us with hostility.

Why did you sleep with their mother? - Roman asked me, making devilish antics, barely restraining himself from laughing, - she got sick after that! “He picked up the screaming girl in his arms, and we left the kindergarten.

The next day, when I entered the department, I saw Ponosyan there with his face twisted with anger.

Why did you complain about me? Are you crazy, or what? - he asked me with a strong Armenian accent.

I wanted to send him to the corresponding mother, but I only said threateningly:

Let's talk somewhere else!

I collected things from my desk and moved them to the design bureau, on the door of which I hung a sign: “Accumulation Laboratory mechanical energy(LAME)" at the department of "Theory of Machines and Mechanisms". On January 2nd, by order, I was already transferred to the department of Rabbi. On his advice, I took evening groups. Firstly, teachers were reluctant to take classes there, and secondly, and this was the main thing, all the middle and top management of Tolyatti enterprises studied in the evening department. And I had to make metal products!

Life took its course. In the morning - Tamara, in the afternoon - LAME and drawings, in the evening - classes, at night - dinner for the three of us, and then - my wife and sleep in a pleasant group. Once a month - my trip to Moscow, once a quarter - Lily’s trip to Lviv for money; per year - publication of about ten to fifteen of my articles and inventions.

And around May, the working documentation for the “hybrid” was ready. I began to look for a worthy manufacturer among the evening students and found one. This was the chief mechanic of the huge Volgocemmash plant. And I had to teach this man, almost twice my age, with enormous knowledge and experience, the differential equations of motion of mechanism links, plans of speeds and accelerations! Yes, he doesn’t care about these speed plans when he had to fulfill much more important plans, and these plans included the production of a “hybrid”.

Looking at the drawings, he immediately realized how the “hybrid” would work, but just like Atoyan, he said:

It would be like this in fifty years, but now there’s no time for that!

But he accepted the drawings and immediately sent them to his design bureau for “revision.”

You can’t bring such drawings into the workshop, Nurbey Vladimirovich, people will break their stomachs! - he quietly told me, - and then treat them!

I myself knew that they would tear me apart, but where could I find experienced designers who knew production, and even technologists to constantly consult with them! I had to visit the factory ten times for consultations, and by September they brought me two copies finished products- “hybrids” for buses. And they didn’t even take the money - what do we need, they say, your pennies!

But the money came in handy for us, it’s never too much!

In the summer I was forced to be in Togliatti to visit the plant. Lilya went on her entire two-month vacation to Tbilisi to visit her children. Tamara and I went to the beach through a pine forest. Straight into bathing suits with towels over the shoulder and a handbag with pleasant contents. At home, dinner with wine and TV were enough for us. Well, “training”, of course.

By the end of August, we both really missed Lila, who arrived at the start of classes. She also missed us, and we were sincerely happy to meet. And ahead of me was a difficult and final academic year at the Togliatti Polytechnic Institute.