Posts Tagged ‘czechoslovakia’

(courtesy of Jan Sedláček’s amazing Prague Daily Photo: okay, so these three are Slovaks, but you get the idea)

Yeah, I’m in that kind of mood today, so get it while you can.

Here are 10 things I dig most about my beloved Czechs ("Meine Prager verstehen mich"/"My Praguers understand me"):

1) Czechs are humble and cute and nice and kind and delicious: When you encounter one of them in the early morning hours on the cobbles, you just want to reach out and give ‘em a big bear hug. They can be like little kiddies who don’t want to hurt a soul. Your heart just goes out to them in situations like these. I know mine does.

2) Waiting tables and working in cafes or restaurants is a life’s calling, not merely a job: As such, I rarely – if ever – have to repeat my coffee or food preferences at all of my usual foxholes (and there are several!), such is the level of ADM’s predictability. And I’m the sort of cat who likes that kind of routine. And I’m not talking about your run-of-the-mill starving artists or Plain Jane people looking to connect the dots between school and a “more secure” future. They’re almost permanent fixtures in the places I frequent, and I appreciate and take care of them in my own special way. They take their jobs seriously, which is a helluva lot more than I can say for the average Starbucks barista.

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So March 21-27, 2010 came and went…

It marked the absolute worst week I’ve had during this first calendar quarter and I’m frankly shocked I made it through in one piece. I didn’t think I would (h/t to you-know-who). I still haven’t recovered and don’t think I shall for quite some time yet.

I just hope it doesn’t take that long, though, because I think I’ve had about enough of eating crow. What I went through I don’t even wish on my enemies. It was hell. The worst hell I’ve been through at this stage of my life. I don’t even think I’m ready to put it into words yet, though I certainly have my share of horrible imagery. I’ll get back to ya…

I’m also loathe to report that it’s been something of an even more uneventful weekend. I’m limping into my upcoming two weeks off truly battered, bruised, and licking some very deep wounds.

For those who sent support and condolences by email and Facebook, I’m eternally grateful. I’ll always remember you for it. For those who didn’t, well allow me to share some of my unfortunate sadness with you now…

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I attended this photo exhibit last night by Lubomir Kotek. Highly recommended for some late-’80s shots of life in the Former Czechoslovakia. All Bloc-heads and Commie-philes will enjoy the bleak Socialist-era photos on display and Prague’s ever-present scaffolding and constructions in the then-hardline Communist  nation. Amazing stuff.