the bird on fire

How to Always Win at Monopoly

October 11, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Junior Indy Behr

I asked the Blog Staff to share their special skills. Indy, unbeknownst to most of us, is a skilled Monopoly player and student of the game. If he pulls a Monopoly board out during Scarefest, think twice before accepting his challenge to play.
Blog Advisor Zachik

I am an avid fan of Monopoly. I have over 20 sets and have many strategies to help me win. Keep in mind that a lot of people use “house rules” when playing, but this article will go with the assumption that you will be playing by the true rules. This means no Free Parking Money, and no getting extra money for landing on Go. I am going to show you how to create a housing shortage, how to stay in jail for your own benefit, why railroads are not good, and why rolling a seven is so important.

The Housing Shortage Strategy

One of my favorite strategies for winning at Monopoly is the housing shortage strategy. Now you have to really nitpick the rules to discover this one, but it’s very effective. If you get two full-color sets of a property, I say that you should always buy four houses, and do not upgrade to a hotel. This is because in order to build a hotel, you need four houses, and those houses need to be physically present. As such, if you have two full-color sets, you can build 24 houses when only 32 come in the box. This means that no matter how many color sets another player gets, they can only build up to eight houses or one hotel. You’ve created a housing shortage, to your advantage.

The Jail Strategy

This one apparently is pretty popular among professional Monopoly players, but I figured this one out on my own. By letting other players go three times while you avoid ever having to hit any of their properties, you can both save and make a hefty amount of money. Though some house rules freeze imprisoned players’ assets, this is not actually a rule. This means that if you stay in jail, you can get potentially thousands of dollars from other players while you never even move. There is, however, one flaw to this method: you are forced to roll each time the dice come to you, and if you roll a double, you will be forced against your will to leave jail rather than paying $50 at the end of your sentence.

Utilities and Railroads

Many people don’t know this one, but utilities are pretty much never worth your time, and it’s often the same with railroads. A world Monopoly champion has stated that there is only a 3% chance that someone is actually going to make a profit off of these properties. After all, with utilities, the maximum you can get is $120 when it costs $300. With railroads, it is incredibly difficult to make a profit. If you only get one, you need someone to land on it eight times to break even. If you have two, you still need eight. And, you can’t build houses or hotels on them!

The Rule of Seven

I found this strategy probably five years ago, and though it only works in specific circumstances, this trick has easily become my favorite of them all. I am not a math expert by any means, but what I do know is that when rolling two six-sided dice, you are most likely to roll a seven. This is where this strategy comes into play. If someone is exactly seven spaces away from a property of yours with a color set, move every house to it immediately. You can switch it back right after, but this gives you a high probability of draining all of their money. You can also use this trick to your advantage in other ways, like not buying something significant if you are seven spaces away from a $200 tax.

So, now you know a few surefire ways to beat your opponents the next time you play a game of Monopoly.

Monopoly anyone?

Eating Healthy

October 6, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

In answering “How to Live a Healthy Life,” thebirdonfire.org staffers offer a few health hacks. Penny suggests we (sadly) put down the sour-cream-and-onion chips and pick up an apple or two.

By Penny Andreas, 7th grader

Fries, burgers, pizza, ice cream–these foods are so delicious, but there is one bad side to them….They are terrible for your health. Though they are tasty and hard to resist, it’s important to know what happens when you eat unhealthy foods.

Healthy Diets

To be healthy, you don’t need to be skin-and-bone thin or be on a Keto diet. It just means getting the right nutrients for your body. Since bodies are constantly working, it really is important that you pay attention to what you eat. Harmful foods that have high sodium can give you intense headaches, migraines, acne, and more. Instead of eating junk all day, think of eating two or three servings of “growing food.” Growing food is literally things that have nutrients you need to survive–such as vitamins and minerals.

Why is it Important to Eat Well?

Eating healthy is important because certain foods make natural “shields” to other diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Eating well also provides a good boost to life. Technically, you can live longer when healthy, and you also can be more active. Not only does eating healthy make you feel good physically, it also makes you feel good mentally. Your brain naturally releases happy hormones, but it can be quickly altered by junkie foods.

Things to Eat

When I get home from school, most of the time I’m very hungry, and I reach for the chips and candy. Thanks to my mom, I know now that there are much better options to eat. For example, nuts and granola are way more nutritious than the good ol’ sour-cream-and-onion chips. For breakfast, yogurt, granola, and fruit are delicious AND nutritious. When you’re eating a sandwich for lunch, a good side is some fruit and popcorn. Popcorn is actually good for you, just minus the extra butter, salt, and additional candy.

As you can see, eating healthy is a natural requirement of life, and it is important to watch what goes in your body. This doesn’t mean you have to be vegan or what not; it just means don’t eat junk food your whole life. An apple a day, really does keep the doctor away.

What the flute?

October 6, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By 7th-Grader Penny Andreas

I’ve come to learn our PVS bloggers are skilled in surprising arenas: fencing, appearing to listen without truly listening (teachers and parents, take note), winning at Monopoly always. Penny, we come to find out, has been playing the flute for years. She shares with us the history and basics of making beautiful sounds come out of this reedy instrument.
Blog Advisor Zachik

Flutes are one of the earliest known instruments. There is record of them back in Germany over 35,000 years ago. Many cultures and traditions have their own style and version of flute playing. One of the oldest traditional flutes is the Japanese Shakuhachi.

The Shakuhachi

A Shakuhachi is a very ancient Japanese and Chinese flute. It is a wide, end-blown flute that is made out of madake bamboo with five finger holes. The bamboo flute was made in Japan in the 16th century, and it was called Fuke Shakuhachi. It was used often when meditating. Not many people play the Shakuhachi nowadays, but there are many soundtracks and songs that incorporate this peaceful flute. Try listening to Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo Flute Meditation & Relaxation Music.

Western Concert Flute

This flute is very well known in places like the U.S. It is usually referred to simply as “the flute.” Western Concert Flutes are very common and are used as beginning instruments for bands. These flutes are mainly made out of metal, but really expensive ones can be gold or copper. The Western Concert Flute is again a very old flute. Did you know that George Washington, James Madison, and Leonardo da Vinci played the flute? (earlylightmusic.weebly)

_{I have been playing the flute for two years now. I started when I was 10, joining my school band. About three months in, I started to take lessons. My teacher taught me so many “flute hacks” and helped me become confident with my flute playing and performing. I was very self-conscious about my performance, until I did my first one. Hearing the trombones and all of the other instruments behind me was thrilling, and playing along, hearing the notes in symphony, was beautiful. (The celebration at the end was exciting, too.)}
Penny Andreas

Beginner Basics

Now that you know at least some background on the flute, these are the first things to know when you are playing the flute. The flute can be very complicated. Playing the flute relies on moving your hands without seeing them. Want to play the flute? Make sure you have a lot of time because flute playing can be hard to master and learn.

The Three Main Parts

One important thing about playing is setting up. The common flute has three parts: the head, the body, and the bottom. The head is obviously at the top, the body in the middle, and the bottom at the bottom. You can simply put these pieces together by just connecting them through the holes.

Position

Most people think that there is no wrong way to handle the flute. This is wrong. There is a special order to place your hands so you can reach all of the finger holes to create different notes. You always want your left hand holding the upper body, and facing behind you. Your right hand however will hold the lower part of the body AND the bottom. This hand should be facing in front of you. If you are sitting or standing while playing, make sure that your back is straight. If you are slouching, it can affect your breathing and will make playing much harder.

Making a Sound

When you first get your flute, trust me, you will automatically want to make noise. To be able to do this, you will need to know the key parts to making beautiful noise. Number one is your embouchure. This fancy word embouchure actually just means your mouth shape. This is very important because you simply can’t make a sound by just making a random circle shape with your mouth. A simple way to describe your embouchure is making your mouth look like you are about to whistle. Then slightly curve the ends of your mouth. This is what an embouchure for the flute should look like.

* * * * *

Now that you get the basic idea of flute playing, I recommend taking lessons or watching YouTube tutorials. For taking lessons, I would choose Amanda Barro. Even though she is in Idaho, she is a great teacher. You can work with her via Zoom or Facetime. For YouTube videos, you could watch basically anyone; they should all help you. A good site to start with is, Dr. Selfridge’s Flute Tutorials @ drselfridgemusic.com. I know flute playing requires a lot to take in, but it is definitely worth it. Playing the flute can calm you and is a great subject for bragging!

See With A Good Eye!

October 5, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

As we closed out September, the Blog Staff examined health issues. Alyna plans on doing something in Ophthalmology when she gets older. The eyes fascinate her that much. She feels the eyes are very important in the human body and to our existence.

By Junior Alyna Rei

Our eyes are what help us humans see everything in the world. The eyes help the brain tell what kind of objects or other artifacts we are looking at. If our other senses are disabled, our eyes can still help us see what can put us in danger. Since the eyes are so important in our everyday lives, I will give you some tips on how to keep our eyes healthy and ready to see the world.

Blogger Indy Behr volunteered his eyes for this post.

Wear sunglasses:

I do this every time I go outside when it is very sunny. I try to find sunglasses that will protect me from the harsh sun. UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun might harm your eyes if you don’t use the proper sunglasses. Your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration increases with excessive UV exposure. Ideally, your sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation (webmd.com). Your eyes are better shielded from the sun by wraparound lenses. Be aware; when reducing glare while driving, polarized lenses–which are not always UV protectant–don’t always provide sufficient protection.

Do not look at a screen for too long:

These days, looking at a screen is a very common habit. Even I fall into this habit often. When you look at a screen for too long, your eyes can strain, dry up, and can give you blurry vision. When I do look at a screen, I try to look away from the screen every 10 minutes for at least 30 seconds. You can also get glasses specifically for the screens. Some people use blue-light glasses. I have a pair. I feel the glasses lessen the effect of eye strain. The last thing that you can do if you’ve been staring at a screen for hours is blink a couple of times. If this doesn’t help, you can also use artificial tears, aka eye drops.

Go see your eye doctor:

It is always important to get a check up regularly with your eye doctor. Since we do so much with our eyes, it’s essential our eyes get regular clean bills of health.

Why Ethiopian Coffee Culture is So Fascinating

October 5, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We know Indy digs coffee. He has his own Coffee Room, for goodness sake. So, when I asked the Blog group to explore the theme of CULTURE, Indy combined his love for coffee with his unquenchable curiosity and dove into the culture of Ethiopian Coffee.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By Junior Indy Behr

The idea of roasting and brewing the seeds of coffee plants was likely first thought of in the East African nation of Ethiopia. As a result, a fascinating coffee culture has developed over many centuries that is still present in Ethiopia today. Over 400 million pounds of coffee beans are harvested in Ethiopia annually, and the beverage created is enjoyed across the world.

The History of Ethiopian Coffee

Legend states that in 700 BCE, a man in Ethiopia one day approached his goats and found them to be doing something best described as dancing. He determined that this was a result of them consuming red fruits of the coffee arabica plants that are native to Africa. There is a divergence of opinion of what comes next in this legend, but most versions agree the man excitedly told a monk he had found a plant that would keep people awake.

One version states the monk was thrilled and that he ate the beans to pray longer and sleep less. The other story is that the monk dismissed the goatherder’s findings and threw the beans into a fire, accidentally creating the first instance of roasted coffee beans, which the man then ground and then boiled, creating the first ever cup of coffee. Coffee then made its way around the world, first with travelers going to Yemen through the Red Sea with coffee on board (coffee also grew well in Yemen), and it spread throughout the Middle East. It then made its way into Europe and Asia and eventually traveled throughout the entire world.

The Growing of Ethiopian Coffee

Coffee in Ethiopia is relatively easy to grow as it is native to Ethiopia. It is actually the fifth largest coffee-producing country in the world, and there are over 15 million farmers who spend all of winter plucking the fruits from trees by hand. With over 390 million pounds of coffee being exported from this country annually, this nation has had a massive impact on the coffee industry. Coffee is a significant supporter of Ethiopia’s economy as a result of this. Coffee production in Ethiopia has been severely damaged by climate change and government crises in recent years. However, many coffee companies from around the world have established cooperatives to help fund small coffee farms in Ethiopia.

Yirgacheffe is a subregion in Sidamo, Ethiopia. The region grows a large amount of the coffee made in Ethiopia, and many people call its product one of the world’s best varieties of coffee. Its flavor is chocolatey with notes of fruit. Harrar is another large coffee-producing region. Its product is unique in that the coffee is dry processed as opposed to wet, and its flavor is earthy. This region also grows peaberry coffee, which is a rare species where each cherry of coffee has one bean instead of two. Though I have only had the opportunity to taste this variety once, I enjoyed it a lot. It was very light and almost tasted like tea.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies

Ethiopia’s culture is still very much influenced by coffee in the present day. The Ethiopian coffee ceremonies have been seen throughout the world as a way of bringing people together to have conversations over a cup of delicious coffee. The beans are roasted on an iron pan, and people often inhale and appreciate the smells that coffee gives off while it roasts. The coffee is then ground in a mortar before being put into a clay pot with very hot water to brew.

Ethiopian coffee is served with things like sugar or salt, and frankincense is lit to create smoke that some believe rids the room of bad spirits. People are expected to drink at least three cups of coffee, as they believe one’s spirit transforms after three cups are enjoyed. However, there is no limit to how much coffee one can have until all of it has been consumed.

I don’t need to hear it

October 4, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

In our Blog pursuit of sharing mastered and sought-after skills, Alyna spotlights a skill essential to every adolescent: How to Master Selective Hearing.

By Junior Alyna Rei

I am generally a silent person. I like to hear rather than talk. But, there are some times when I just choose to not listen to my surroundings. This is what I call selective hearing. For the people that don’t know, selective hearing is when a person only listens to the things that they feel are important. In my case, I only listen to the things that I want to hear. 90% of the time, I actually listen to important topics, but when I can pass through and not listen to useless information, I tune my ears out of the conversation.

Why hear selectively?

This certain skill can be seen as rude and inconsiderate. I only do this when necessary. Would you listen to something that sounds boring and unnecessary? Probably not. For the people that do, I envy you. I have not the tolerance. Again, I only listen to the things that I know are important. But, when I hear a topic that doesn’t involve or interest me, my ears will naturally muffle whatever someone is saying.

How do you hear selectively?

I feel like this skill comes to a person naturally. I have never had to “learn” how to listen to things that I only needed to, but I did perfect the skill. The key to doing this involves finding something else to focus your attention on.

I also use headphones a lot. This is a big distraction to my ears. When I can, I put headphones on all the time. I know that is a bad habit for my poor ears, but, oh well.

Where can you hear selectively?

I use this skill when I need to. This can be anywhere: office, school, the car. It can even be in your own home.

Here’s the process.

When I feel the need to tune out, I focus my brain on a memory, a fantasy, a song, a favorite image, or a Wordle. If I have the chance, I put on my headphones and focus on music, a podcast, or an audio book that excites me.

Keep in mind, I always show a straight face doing this. It’s important to not make a face that is obviously showing zero interest in a topic. That’s what makes a person know that I have no interest in what they are talking about. Note: I have heard that my straight face can be scary, so you may want to perfect your own resting faux interest face.

Here’s how it works: when a classmate is very loud for no reason, and I feel I don’t need to hear that person, I go into the zone of blocking everything out. Many people call this spacing out. When I space out, I look at a certain thing, such as something that is not moving. When I do this, my ears tend to block everything out. My face is rested and frozen. If I really want to block everything out, I put on my headphones (specifically noise canceling) and maybe put on music that has lyrics. When music has lyrics, I tend to focus on the lyrics, thus blocking out everything else. Spacing out and having selective hearing happens to be a habit now for me, but I call it a skill.

The face to use when performing selective hearing is just a straight relaxed face. Sort of like the 😐 emoji.

Cancel Cancel Culture

September 29, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

thebirdonfire.org bloggers spent the week examining cultures and countries. Luke looks critically at the phenomenon of a social culture.

By Junior Luke Sonderman

What is cancel culture?

In recent years, you may have heard people talk about politicians, actors, social media influencers, and even everyday people in society being “canceled” for something they say, promote, or do. This is the foundation of cancel culture. To be canceled is basically to be cast out of society or from any social group. This may mean being banned from social media, losing employment, or being labeled as someone not fit to function in society.

Why is cancel culture so prominent today?

Personally, I believe that cancel culture is so prominent because it is the easiest and fastest way to hold someone accountable for their actions while not giving the accused a chance to make their case. In 2019, the 27-year-old Former Editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue Magazine, Alexi McCammond, “parted ways” with her job after an “anti-asian and homophobic” tweet from when she was 17 resurfaced (heritage.org). The platforms advertising was pulled and Vogue had to let go MCammond (heritage.org). One out-of-context tweet from ten years ago can be grounds to fire an employee and cancel someone from society. It is the easiest way for people to ruin someone’s social reputation without giving them a sliver of a chance to salvage it.

Where does freedom of speech play a role in cancel culture?

Well, it is partially true that in the United States, citizens are free to speak their mind without having interference from the government. But, private organizations like Twitter and Instagram are free to sensor anything they like on their personal platforms. Recently a social media sensation Andrew Tate was permanently banned from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for being a “dangerous individual or organization” (variety.com). Andrew Tate’s rise to fame came from his controversial views on gender stereotypes, gender equality, and how he thinks men should treat women. His confident and insouciant demeanor as well as his supercars and money has made him a large appeal to teenage boys who want to live like him. Spreading misogyny and sexist ideas to the next generation is a very dangerous plague, but is it the job of companies like Twitter and Instagram to censor what is on their platform?

“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”
Mark Twain

It is the job of social media users to make opinions and decide for themselves what is right or wrong, not the job of the platform. Just because there are young teens on social media, companies should not censor and tailor their platform for what they should and shouldn’t be exposed to.

Why cancel culture is so dangerous?

Although cancel culture does silence some people with dangerous and controversial beliefs, cancel culture can also ruin the lives of people who have made mistakes. We are sending a message to the world that it is not okay to make mistakes and forgiveness is no longer something that is acceptable in society. We are also accepting blatant censorship as an American norm that is right now confined to private companies but is spreading quickly to our education systems and leading us away from a free, democratic nation.

Потерял*

September 29, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Junior Remy Haring

Junior Remy Haring continues with his fifth installment of his serial fiction inspired by The New Order–a mod for Hearts of Iron IV. If you recall, Remy visits an alternate dark history here, where, in WWII, the Axis powers have won.

Chita Wilderness. No Idea what the day is.

I am lost. I don’t know what day it is or where I am. I tossed my dog tag into the bushes and ripped off the Double Eagle on my uniform. All I have is my rifle and an old bowie knife. The dense pines seem to just keep going and going. I can’t tell if I’m going east or west because the sun is completely blocked by the trees. I know one thing for sure; I cannot go back. If I was found to be a deserter, I would be hanged or worse.

There is no sign of human activity here. No tracks, buildings, not even a dirt road. I think it has been a day since the war began? But, I can’t be sure. My stomach feels hollow. My head feels hollow. Everything feels hollow. I need food and water, and fast. I make my way through the forest. The pine trees go up forever and ever. It is absolutely quiet. No birds, no raccoons, nothing-until I hear crackling and voices.

It doesn’t sound like Russian, Chinese or, hell, even Nivkh. As I advance closer to the sound, keeping a low profile, I see two men: both in their 20s wearing Japanese uniforms. They are huddled, sitting by a fire, clasping what looks like a bowl of soup. An army truck is behind them with the Rising Sun emblazoned on its side. I must have crossed the border into Mengkukuo.

I don’t know what to do. I desperately need food and water, but these two look as lost as I am. Then, I remember that the Japanese government is helping Amur’s full-scale invasion of the other warlord states, but these two are not involved. More likely than not they are a lost patrol or something. But, then I realize the first rule out here on this edge of the world: kill or be killed. I’m not proud of what I do.

I leap from the bushes, point my rifle at them, and shout aggressively in Russian. The two are too startled to reach for their weapons. They put up their hands in surrender, and in broken Russian one of them replies, “T-take wh-what y-ou n-need, d-dont k-kill us.” I lower my rifle, steal some rice, soup, and, without another word, I slip back into the wilderness.

What can I say? I am desperate and starving. I must have scared them though. Night is falling fast, and I need shelter quickly. Fortunately, it is still light out. The trees just keep going and going with no end in sight. I’m pretty sure I am going west; the shadows of the trees point east. Out of the corner of my eyes something glints, starkly contrasting to the cold, dark forest.

As I look closer, I realize it is the skylight of an abandoned log cabin. There is a small, decrepit chimney that looks more like a pile of stones protruding from the snow than anything else, but it will have to do. Thankfully, the entrance isn’t snowed in, and I can open the old, splintered door. Inside is an old wood stove, a pile of wood and an old cot. Dust blocks my vision, but I find shelter at last.…

*Lost

Take a trip to the Philippines!

September 28, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Junior Alyna Rei

My family is from the Philippines. I have family members back in the Philippines and some in the States. There’s no specific place in the Philippines that my entire family is from as some of them are from different parts, but in this cultural article, I will be talking about my grandma from my mom’s side. She is from Apalit, Pampanga. I decided to interview her about her experience of living there. The following is our text interview.

Left to right: My dad, me, my mom, Josiah, and Lola–my grandma

Alyna- “What is the atmosphere like there in Pampanga?”

Lola- “The atmosphere in Pampanga

… is nice, quiet, peaceful and relaxing.

Living there in general….

Is easy and comfortable with housemaids to give a helping hand.

Cost of living is affordable.”

Alyna- “What places are a must to visit when you go?”

Lola- “Places to visit in the Philippines:

Baguio

… the summer capital of the Philippines.

… the weather is cool all year round.

Manila

… the oldest city in the Philippines.

Boracay

… white sand beaches

Cebu

… where the founder of the Philippines, Ferdinand Magellan, first step his feet”

Alyna- “What foods are recommended to eat there?”

Lola- “Food:

Roasted pig

Chicken adobo

Noodles (pansit)

Egg rolls”

Alyna- “How is Pampanga different than the rest of the Philippines?”

Lola- “Pampanga is the center of the most part of the Philippines and it’s known for its good food.”

Alyna- “When you came to the states, how was living in the US different from Pampanga?”

Lola- “… the weather there are only two seasons in the Philippines–the rainy season and the dry season

… the living comfort – the United States is highly industrialized country while the Philippines is not.”

Alyna- “What is your most favorite part about Pampanga?”

Lola- “… the authentic foods

… the big shopping malls.”

Alyna- “What is your least favorite part about Pampanga?”

Lola- “… too much rain

… hot weather”

Alyna- “Are there any other places you recommend in the Philippines as a whole?”

Lola- “… Clark and Subic (former US and Naval bases)

… Baguio, a place for fresh flowers and vegetables,

Mountainous views like rice terraces.”

Salamat lola!

(Thank you Grandma!)

My grandmother, Lola Francis, in her backyard in the Philippines

Война*

September 28, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

Junior Remy Haring continues with his fourth installment of his serial fiction inspired by The New Order–a mod for Hearts of Iron IV. If you recall, Remy visits an alternate dark history here, where, in WWII, the Axis powers have won.

Somewhere in Chita, the Russian Far East, January 26, 1962

Last morning a letter appeared at my doorstep. It was a faded beige color with the stamp depicting the Double Eagle. After Rodzaevsky’s speech, I knew what it was about: I was going to be conscripted into the army and forced on to the Chita front. I was ordered to report to the army office or face death by hanging.

The next day, I was sitting on the back of a military truck wearing a fur hat one size too small and a snow camo suit. My dog tag read Alexander Titov. Sitting across from me was a gangly young man-couldn’t have been older than 19. His entire body was shaking, and he was wearing an oversized military helmet that had “Don’t tell mother I’m in Chita” painted on it. He could barely hold the rifle he was given. He was smoking cigarette after cigarette. I really didn’t know what to say or do to calm him down.

The sun was almost completely blocked out by the trees. Only little flecks pierced down like golden arrows. The only things I could hear were the humming of the engine and the tires crunching against the snow. Every snap of a twig, every sound in the darkness could be an ambush. I was too high on adrenaline to even think of sleeping. God knows what might happen if I woke up to an ambush. Behind me was another truck. The driver gestured to me to look ahead. I don’t know how long the boy and I had been sitting there, but neither of us dared to speak. The forest seemed to just keep going and going until the truck stopped.

The driver ordered us to leave the truck; it was time. The boy was now a wreck: hands trembling, helmet knocked askew. He could barely stand on his thin legs. Poor sod looked like he hadn’t eaten anything for days. The place we stopped was a small Chita camp in a forest clearing. There were tents dotting the forest floor, and in the center there were three soldiers around a fire. The one in the middle was playing the guitar, and they were drunkenly singing soldier’s songs from the Russian Civil War. It was almost serene until the first shot was fired.

I took cover behind a log and propped up my rifle. All I could see was smoke from the now burning tents and the silhouettes of my fellow men, writhing and screaming under the cloak of embers. I didn’t know what to do. My hand was too shaky to aim at anything properly, and, even if I could, I could very well have shot the boy mistakenly. All of this raced through my head until I heard a single, solitary pop and the thud of a body.

Behind me was the lifeless body of the boy who less than an hour ago was sitting with me. Standing above him was a Blackshirt with a smoking pistol. He looked me dead in the eyes, pointed the gun at me and simply said, “Your life or the life of the enemy: choose one. Your order is to advance on to the enemy position.” I turned back and began advancing alone towards the torched camp. Smoke clouded my vision and filled my lungs. I was a good fifty yards ahead of the Blackshirt. I finally broke. I ran. I didn’t care where. I just couldn’t do this. I hunted plenty of small game. I laid plenty of traps. But I couldn’t take the life of another man. I stumbled over many things on the ground. I didn’t know what they were, and I did not care. I ran like a wounded animal off into the Siberian Hinterland.

*War