The Russians are a strange lot. Best known for their dancing bears, the Iron Curtin, their world renowned 'mail order bride' system, and for being the only people group on the planet that die if they accidentally end up with more blood in their system than vodka, they are also apparently very keen on creating unusual stamps. Very unusual stamps.

Now, as we know, postal stamps are a great way of recognising national pride and achievements. Major events are commemorated and celebrated through postal stamps, heroic people and their feats become veritable stamp icons. The above stamp was created in 1968, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of world war two. It depicts Soviet soldiers moving forward to victory across a battlescape, with the Soviet Communist flag flying proudly in the top right hand corner. Most of the right hand side of the stamp is occupied by what appears to be a soviet worker expressing his gratitude to a Soviet soldier... through the art of interpretive pashing.

Yeap. Pashing. That dude with the Moustache and floral pattern on the hem of his shirt is saying "Thankyou Brother for risking your life for the greater good of our people" by ramming his tongue down the throat of that guy with the tin hat and rifle. Awesome.

In the West, we love our fellow man. In Russia, fellow man loves YOU!

It did get me thinking though... for all those people out there this upcoming New Years Eve, standing around under Sydney's harbour bridge, surrounded by couples making out by the exploding light of 10,000 fireworks, don't be so narrow minded. If you can't find a random stranger of the opposite sex to pash on NYE, why not turn to your fellow man, and show them some Russian love.

Find that lonely man under the bridge with the big moustache and the Police / Indian / Construction worker / Cowboy / Military / Leatherman outfit, wrap your arms around him tightly and say "Thankyou brother for Liberating me" with a big sloppy man kiss. Heck who knows, he may just be better looking than that chick you were oggling all night through your beer goggles anyway. I mean, for NYE, most people are as drunk as Russians anyway, so no one will remember it... unless of course they record it on their mobile phones... hmm.

So from all of us here at lifeofsuch.com thanks for reading in 07, and Happy New Years and many wonderful returns for 2008.