Sometimes it takes some work to find blogworthy items. Other times the material just falls in my lap, or in this case, in my inbox. Somehow I've gotten myself on the list of Sovietski Collection (website: Sovietski.com), a company that sells "Unique Russian and Eastern European Gear." Some of my favorite items, with actual quotes from the catalog (accompanied by my suggested alternative commentary):

Genuine Persian lamb wool cap (p. 20), "Just like the one worn by Russian President Putin." (That's right, whether you are shutting down opposition newspapers or revisiting the good old days when KGB torture chambers were more amply funded, this hat has "Burdgeoning Fascist" written all over it. Comes in Nazi green or Comintern Red.)

Josef Stalin coffee mug (p. 24), "highlighting historic political moments." (It's always hard to execute the children of your political enemies, but a good cup of joe sure makes these tough political moments worth bearing.)

An "intricately enameled brass" KGB badge (p. 31). (Those frumpy historians have ruined the fun in dressing like a Gestapo stormtrooper, but have you considered the KGB? Their reign of terror lasted longer, and darn it, they just looked spiffier.)

Lead figures of "Movers and Shakers of the Russian state" (p. 35), featuring Ivan the Terrible, who, "though ruthless, is also credited with unifying the Russian state." (For a limited time only, buy Ivan and we'll throw in Mao Tse-Tung, who though bloodthirsty, is also credited with reintroducing many Chinese citizens to a fat-free diet of roots and tree bark.)

But the best item, oh, the one that takes the borscht, is a "precision German wristwatch" that "evokes the skin of the classic Junkers JU-52." You remember those classic Junkers JU-52, the ones that bombed Belgium.

I'll bet Sovietski.com provides a really pleasant work environment.