05/26/2008	Over Memorial Day long weekend we had a bus trip to New Orleans. It was our first trip like that and we liked it very much. It`s definitely different from all inclusive vacations but has its own advantage and fun.
04/21/2008	Due to problems in the real estate market and financial business Viktoria's hours at work were cut. Now she works only two days a week. So she decided to make extra money as a model for Italian Superbike company Ducati :)
01/21/2008	Today at 8:45 a.m. our Bekky left us for the better place where she wont feel pain anymore and would be always happy as she was all these 11 years. Rest in peace and you always will be in ours hearts
05/28/2007	I just got back from my first hiking trip. With few friends from PA I visited SouthWest of USA - five National Parks in Utah and Arizona. We got lucky with the weather, it was hot only first day when we were hiking in Zion National Park. But then it was just perfect. After one day hike in Zion we drove to Arizona (Navajo territories) and went to Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower) for one day. Then we spent three days hiking in Bryce National Park. From where we drove to Arches National Park and spent one more day there. Finally we got to Canyonland National Park where we did three days/two nights hike into Chesler Park. There we stayed for two nights in our tents and during a day hiked around. Last night we spent in Las Vegas. All around it was awesome trip. Should do more like that :)
09/09/2006	It took me one year to prepare my bike for the track. It took even more to prepare myself :). And finally on the 9/9/2006 I and Artem went to Putnam track (Indiana) and joined NESBA track event. We got lucky - the weather was just perfect for the track - 80 F. Even I was a beginner and probably the slowest one on the track I really like it and got hooked to it. Now I will wait for next season to continue my track education.
03/08/2006	Today Viktoria had one more surgery for her injured foot/ankle. This time doctor released the nerve which was pressured between muscles and bone. As well they cut some tendons that limited her right foot motion. The surgery had taken more than two hours. Now Vika back to her plastic boot and crutches for 3-4 weeks. Poor baby....
03/01/2006	Viktoria's sister Irina after 7 hours of the delay finally arrived to Chicago. I witnessed a happy family reunion. Welcome to USA !!!
01/29/2006	Vail rocks! Nine of us went on a ski trip to Vail and spent there 4 days. We skied 2 days at Vail, one at Beaver Creek, and one (last) day at Breckenridge. It awesome to ski whole day and than spent evening in the company of your friends. Thanks guys for inviting me, for the ski lessons, for the company that I enjoyed.
01/22/2006	We just celebrated my mom's 65th birthday. This time at Russian restaraunt Versale.
01/05/2006	This year we all decided to escape cold Chicago and went to celebrate New Year in Mexico. Happy New 2006 year to everyone and best wishes to all our friends and relatives.
12/07/2005	This december as the last one we visited Domenican Republic and staied at RIU Palace Macao. Even this year it was more crowded than last year (thanks to destroyed Mexico) we had a lot of a fun and met a our German friends from the previous year.
10/16/2005	One of the latest, if not the last, warm and sunny weekend I spent with guys from CRR (Chicago Russian Riders) at RT41 drag strip. There I learned how to get max from my bike and fast lunch technique. It was real fun.
10/03/2005	Вчера, после 34 часового путешествия, на конец-то добрались домой. Вылетев из Чикаго в 12 часов дня, мы в 5 утра по-местному времени, были в Форосе. В час дня мы проводили Петруху в последний путь. Остаток дня и половину следующего мы провели в Южном и у Сережки в доме, который он практически закончил. В 5:30 вечера мы уже были в пути на Харьков. Пол первого ночи Сережка вугрузил нас у подьезда дома Викиных родителей. Осташиеся дни, с понедельника по субботу, мы провели в Харькове, встречаясь с родными и друзьями, которых не видели 10 лет. Это было незабываемое время!! И не смотря на изматывающую дорогу туда и назад, мы привезли с собой множество теплых чувств и воспоминаний. Хочется верить это была наша не последняя поездка на родину.``Пусть кричат уродина, А она мне нравится, Хоть и не красавица...`` Ю.Шевчук.
09/22/2005	Кто-то помнит 21 сентября как последний день лета, а я его буду помнить как последний день жизни. Жизни моего близкого друга - Петра Рогожникова. 22 сентября, в 8 часов утра по киевскому времени его сердце остановилось. Ему только исполнилось 37 лет...... God, is it your f*king justice !!!
09/05/2005	The Labor Day long weekend surprised us with beautiful weather. Something as "good bye summer". And we this weekend did say "good bye camping" as well. It was our last trip to Wisconsin for this year. This time we pay visit to Bong Recreation Area. To make this camping unforgettable I was riding there my bike and Viktoria drove the car with all our load. Damn, I had to start to do it long ago !!!! Thanks god, just in 9 moths we will start new camping season. And this time I will ride to every campground ! :)
08/28/2005	Today I first time with members of Chicago Russian Riders (CRR) club was on a trip to Wisconsin (Whitewater). The day was just perfect for the riding and about 20 people showed up. We had 10 sport bikes and same number of cruisers in our group. What the nice trip !!! Sadly I had to turn back to Chicago with few other riders after first stop and missed all the fun of the second - more interested part of the trip. I am sure next ride I will stay to the very end. Thanks to all members of CRR for the company and special thanks to APTEM how prepared the trip.
08/10/2005	Eh... Time is really flying. Today our family is TEN. And these were the best years of my life. I hope Viktoria can say the same from her side. And yet, Vika, I am still loving you and nothing out there can change it !!! Happy anniversary Barsuki !!!
06/15/2005	It's a BOY !!! Congrats to Mark and Inna McNally on Daniel's arrival. The son and his mom are fine. The boy is 8 pounds (3.6 kg) and 21.5 in (54.5 cm).
06/05/2005	Just yesterday we got back from our week long vacation at Jamaica. First time Viktoria was happy to get home ASAP when we were leaving Boscobel Beaches resort. But even resort was bad that I won't recommend any of my friends to go there it couldn't ruin our vacation.
06/02/2005	It's great to be on a vacation. And the weather in Jamaica is perfect instead of every day T-Storm that was promised to us by forecast. We enjoy sun, ocean and each other. One more important news - today's Natasha's birthday. Hard to believe but she is 20 now. The time is really flying. Happy BD Nata and our best wishes to you.
04/12/2005	I would like to congratulate everybody who graduated from HPI - Engineering Physical department - AUD (AMC) with their professional holiday - Cosmonautics Day !!!
04/10/2005	What is the great day! It's over 80 F outside - looks like we skipping Spring and jumping directly into Summer. And we spent whole day in the yard getting our cars ready to the camping season.
03/13/2005	Yesterday first time and probably the last as well I got to the slopes. I and my friend Dmitry Morozov went to Alpine Valley where we had incredible day. It was sunny day with temperature around 32-34 F with no wind. And what is more important there were no lines on the lifts. So we had non-stop skiing from 9:15 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.. I wish I could have at least one more trip like that before a spring take over. And I wish Mark will join me there. Hey man, Happy Birthday :-)
02/28/2005	Mark's treatment is finished and test results look good. Starting today he is back to normal life and to his work. That means we will have our regular coffee break on Thursday. Wow, it has been long break since beginning of last September.
02/25/2005	It was couple of months from my last post. Looks like I'm getting older or lazier :-). Actually neither. It is just my old server machine got retired and it took some time to make new one as a mirror of the replaced server. Now it's deployed and running much faster than old one. From now on I have no limit for new posts and pictures. So come back soon to check it out.
12/12/2004	We just got back from our first trip to Dominican Republic. It was beautiful week. We stayed at Riu Palace Macao - one of the best resorts in Punta Cana. Everything was perfect - weather, ocean, people, and hotel itself. The only minus - it was too short. :(
12/02/2004	Today it happened. Just after nine years of waiting Viktoria became a US citizen. From now on she can travel around the word proudly presenting her blue American passport to any custom officers.
11/13/2004	One more time Viktoria decided to change her hair style. She went from long hair to short. Try to tell me she made a wrong choice....
10/31/2004	Yana's and Andrew's kids had their first Halloween party this year. I wish I can have that much fun in my life !
10/24/2004	This year fall was unusually farm and sunny. The "Indian Summer" continued till end of the October. It was so nice to get out of the house and enjoy all the beauty of the Autumn forest.
09/30/2004	The kitchen and the second level bath now have a new look. Bad I couldn't take a picture of the new bath cause it's too small to get in and make a shot. But the kitchen is another story... See it for your self :^)
09/29/2004	Finally after two months of remodeling my home back to a normal condition with all outlets working and with the power always on. So my server is up and running as it should be. A lot of things happened during that period. The most important one is here.
08/12/2004	Finally I found a time to finish edit pictures for the trip to Colorado. And just six month later you can see it on the web. Sorry...
06/25/2004	This Friday we got together with Mark and Inna to celebrate Inna's birthday. The weather was just perfect and the pleasant addition to the incredible dinner at Argentinean restaurant in Lincoln Park. I hope we can do it more often.
06/24/2004	Long time didn't touch my web page. I know this news will put a smile on Mark's face. But that is true - now you can subscribe for the RSS feed at this site too. (www.vikol.com/rss)
01/25/2004	First time this year I went to ski at Alpine Valley. On this trip I joined Mark and Inna. We had a lot of fun even the temperature dropped to 18 F. It's sad that Vika can't ski this year. But may be next one...
01/05/2004	Mark and Inna invited us for the "Wine and cheese" evening. At same time we were saying good bye to Mark's dad David. That was a real pleasure.
01/01/2004	This time we celebrated New Year with Yana and Andrey at their place. There were few more guests and a lot of fun. We got home only around 5 A.M. I think my mother in law was little bit scared with my driving after "killing" something 1.5L of vodka with Gena.... Don't worry mom - could be worse !!! Happy New Year to all of you !!!!!!!
12/16/2003	Yesterday, right after our arrival from Cancun we went back to the airport to meet Viktoria's mom. It's not that often she surprised us with a visit. But this time we will celebrate Christmas and New Year with her.
12/15/2003	There is nothing better then in the middle of the Winter, when it's cold and snowing outside, go somewhere (like Mexico) to enjoy sun, ocean and a beach. Living in Ukraine I was sure it's possible only in Summer.
10/31/2003	For so many years we finally had a real Halloween party with costumes. It's turned out to be a great entertainment not only for kids but for adults as well. We should do it more often.
06/06/2003	Today is Natasha's Prom. Whole day she was busy getting ready. And in the evening ... O my God !!! She looks just gorgeous !!! Hey girl, can I take you to the prom?
06/02/2003	I can't believe it! My daughter is 18 years old. We celebrated her birthday at Spanish restaurant in downtown of Arlington Heights. It was lovely evening out there. But in one week she's graduating from high school and leaving us for Ohio. There she will study at University of Cincinnati with major in ballet. Good luck Nata and best wishes to you....
05/21/2003	It's almost three months from the day when Vika injured her right leg. And she still can't walk.Three weeks ago she had surgery and dr. Rodrigez installed Elizarov's device on her right leg. It didn't look pretty before that but now it looks for sure ugly. I will say it look scary. We are looking for two more weeks till the doctor will remove it and let Viktoria to start her physical therapy. But the worst thing is that Vika damaged one of the main nerve behind her knee and the muscles in the lower part of her leg don't response on the brain signal. And the recovery of this nerve can take up to two years. So here we are... I hope they are wrong and Vika will start to walk in few months.
03/29/2003	Last time twenty ! Isn't it sad. But what we can do about it - nothing. So lets enjoy every day that is passing by, catch happy moments of our life and hope that we become not only aged but wiser as well. Happy birthday Vika and best wishes to you on this special day. I really love you !!!
03/04/2003	As Alex sad : "I haven't had a vacation like that ever in my life !". It says everything about our four day trip to Dillon, Colorado. For me it was the first trip to Colorado at all. We had skied almost for four full days. One day at Vail and three days at Keystone. I'm pretty sure that pictures will tell you more then I can !
02/01/2003	It was our second trip to Alpine Valley. The day became the mix of feelings. It was grief and sore from national tragedy. At 10:00 a.m. Inna called us and told about explosion of Columbia. And at same time we enjoyed warm winter day of skiing.
01/11/2003	It has been almost two years since we last time skiing. And the temperature of 20 F could not stop us from enjoying that sunny day at Alpine Valley ski resort in Wisconsin.
01/01/2003	Yes, it's already one minute past 12:00 a.m.. That means 2003 arrived at Chicago. But with all good things that happened to me in the last week of 2002 I don't want to say it adieu. I even beginning to believe there is somebody up there who watch me. May be my guardian angel... And I know who that is. This is my lovely wife Vika. She is my guardian angel. I wish 2003 will be better than 2002 if it's possible or at least the same. I wish it to all of you my friends ! HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS !!!
12/26/2002	I can't belive it. My sister invited me to celebrate New Year with all other members of our family and couple friends. I even called the guy to set it up.... Sorry, but there is no miracle even if we want it so much...
12/26/2002	Hey guys! After all it's my birthday today !!! You wont to believe what a surprise Viktoria prepared for me ... It's a car of my dream. I've been thinking about it for last three years... And now it's parked in my garage! I got the BMW X5 2003 (3.0 Black Sapphire Metallic with black interior, Rear Climate Package, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Heated steering wheel, Xenon headlights, Automatic dimming inside and outside rear-view mirrors. I'm on the seventh heaven !!!!
12/25/2002	It's Christmas Day. Today Mark and Inna one more time gathered our family around their table. As last year Dave cooked turkey and served it in the way I've never seen before. Thanks guys it was the best celebration of Christmas we have ever had.
12/23/2002	Finally we got into McNally's pub and tried real Giness. Thanks a lot Dave (Mark's dad) for the invitation. It was our pleasure to spent evening with Dave, Mark, Inna and Alex Gorbikov at this Irish pub and find out what is Irish kitchen is.
11/30/2002	This year same as the last one Natasha took part in ballet Nutcracker. She had few roles there. Here is the only one picture that I was able to take (Natasha on the right side of the trio).
11/26/2002	Today is birthday of my best friend Igor Kvach. He is forty today. And even he is in Ukraine and I'm here in Chicago I feel as he always next to me... Best wishes to you Kvachishka and Happy Birthday !
09/21/2002	Wow !!! After one year vacation Viktoria started work at new place. From now we will call her Clinique consultant. She works at Marshall Field on Woodfield Mall. Good luck Vika !
08/23/2002	Looks like it was our last camping rip for this year. This time we explored Long Lake Recreation area. Bekky for the first time joined us and became a real camping-dog. I liked this camp site and the lake very much. It would be on the second place after PineWood for now.
08/16/2002	Wow... It arrived today - my first real photo quality printer - Epson 2200. I didn't expect it that fast because the company I ordered it from was out of stock. They sad it would be shipped after August 20. And now it's here. I didn't try to print yet. Just had time to install it. But it looks great !!!
08/11/2002	It was our second camping trip to Wisconsin. This time we stayed at Bong State Recreation Area. And even it was too much of the heat we still were able to have fun and enjoy the camping.
07/21/2002	I don't remember when last time I visited Detroit. But this time we had a lot of fun. With our friends we went to Ann Arbor to enjoy one of the bigest in the country Art Fair. All streets of downtonw were filled with different kind of art and people who was looking something special for their collections.
07/04/2002	We and our friends went to Wisconsin to celebrate 4 th of July. We stayed at Pinewood campground for two nights. It was the first camping trip for Viktoria. After that she became a camping maniac.
06/29/2002	It was first time when I saw formula 1 car racing not on TV screen. Oh, my God! I was impressed with the speed and the sound of this car on the track. One day I will try it myself..
06/16/2002	Thursday, June 13 was Inna`s birthday. But because it was a week day we got all together only on Sunday. Inna made a great choice. The party was at Big Bowl restaraunt (Tai kitchen). The company and the food were beautiful. And later we had awesome birthday cake with cigars at Inna`s place.
06/02/2002	It was not just June 2. It was Natasha's birthday. And for all members of our big family it was a lot of fun and great party.
05/30/2002	Today finally after one week break my server up and running again. Now it has bigger hard drive and running Mandrake 8.2. This version comes with PHP 4.1.2 which support XML and XSLT. This page is a proof that XSLT works.