<DIV>Over the last week, some agency/organization estimatee that Moscow is the third most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live. Indeed, it is not cheap here. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But, after waiting for over a year, my electric bill finally arrived. I knew my utility Mosenerago (at the center of a war between the monopoly UES and Mayor Luzhkov), would start direct billing. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My Russian wife simply didn't understand, she has never heard of any individual being required to pay for electricity.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Our flat has the following: the usual kitchen stuff that takes up energy. Plus, four computers, a printer, two televisions, radios, and the other usual stuff, washer-dyer, clocks. We also have to leave a light on during the night so the cat won't attack our two dogs. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sum total for electricity use for the past 12 months: $96. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This is part of Putin's reforms -- and a lot of people are really upset! </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <BR><BR><B><I> </I></B></DIV><p>__________________________________________________<br>Do You Yahoo!?<br>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around <br>http://mail.yahoo.com