Birkus — Records & Real Life

 “So, what exactly is a Home Sharing Provider?” I asked a friend once. He paused. “Is that, like, an internet provider... but for housing? Maybe like Airbnb?” Makes you laugh—until it doesn’t. The Reality Behind the Title When I first learned what being a Home Sharing Provider actually means, I was shocked. It’s not a trendy gig. It’s not tech. It’s not Airbnb. It’s something far more demanding—and far less acknowledged. A Home Sharing Provider is someone who opens their home to care for an adult with disabilities, offering round-the-clock support. You become a caregiver, a house manager, a cook, a therapist, a planner, and a crisis responder—rolled into one. You do it all. But you do it with fewer rights, more responsibility, no paid vacation, no sick leave, no benefits, and little to no social protection. You’re labeled an “independent contractor.” In the eyes of the system, it’s not even a job. It’s a lifestyle. That’s what Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) calls it. Follow ...

With my respect for law and public borders. Written by Andrey Makarevich. Translated by Viktor Birkus. With my respect for law and public borders, I walk by street, not same as anyone. Despite the traffic rules and orders, I use the opposite pedestrian run. For that I see, just only one main reason, It simply looks a piece of cake, In moving stream, just napes and necks in vision, By this reverse, it helps to see a face.

The Know and Belief. Written by Andrey Makarevich. Translated by Viktor Birkus. Our life goes from edge to edge; At both sides, the doors are located, And “I know” on the last door is written “I believe” you can read at the entrance. Having only one head, you will never Open both doors and come at the same time. When you trust, you do it not knowing; When you know, it’s no longer believing. As expanding a personal mind Every day from the moment of birth, We explore the roads of knowledge And some doubt arrives with cognition. And the mystery will be there forever With no help from the scientist’s eggheads – “When we know”, we are immensely weak, “With a faith”, we are at our strongest.

Existing or to be . Written by Yuri Voronov. Translated by Viktor Birkus. Among at all that intertwined in our life, Quite often selfishness leads us. Existing or to be, that is the question. Look like someone or somebody to be? Be brave, or just pretend to brave? You sacrificed, loved, created, taught, Or only talk about it in public, Afraid confess you in the truth? What striving you: pretending or to be? How much cost life in luxury and rest, When try to sculpt her into falseness dress? Pretend is easy, difficult to be.

Without Me , 1916, Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin. Translated by Viktor Birkus. I think one day, I’ll pass away ; And in this selfsame empty room Will the same chair and table stay, And image, ancient and stern. A butterfly, likewise today, In a fluffy tender, rainbow silk Will come on a sunny summer day To fly and trembling on a sunbeam Fathomless bottom of the sky Looks in the window day and night; And the azure sea with calmed light Tempts into boundless happy flight.

Welcome, and thank you for visiting. My name is Viktor. I was born in the 20th century, in a quiet corner of a giant spiral galaxy we call the Milky Way—on a small blue planet named Earth, near the geographic center of Europe, in a beautiful seaside city in Ukraine. I now live in Vancouver, Canada, where I enjoy exploring architecture, landscapes, and fleeting human moments—captured through photography and video. This blog is more than just visuals. It’s a space where I share what moves me — not only through the lens, but also through translated poetry, personal essays, and reflections on the world around us. You’ll find stories here—sometimes quiet, sometimes bold. They may appear as images, words, or unanswered questions. If something resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s stay thoughtful, let’s stay human. ST SASKTODAY.ca A fresh perspective from Viktor Birkus WTW ...