How ridiculous is this?
Dear Prof. Dr. Dr.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
ridiculous wording
Today I had to write a responsive letter to a stranger. Although I haven't met him what he'd sent was of particular interest to me. He'd signed his letter with his full title so I used it in my greeting.
How ridiculous is this?
How ridiculous is this?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Karneval Parade in Ptuj, Slovenia aka... all the cowbells in the world
Ptuj (pronounced Puh-toohey, sort of like you're spitting out something foul) is a rather small town in Slovenia but is the sight of the largest Karneval celebration in the country. It has a whole weekend of parties, parades and festivities. I took weekend trip with some friends - Friday in Brno and Saturday/Sunday in Ptuj - back in Prague before midnight Sunday night.
Saturday night was a large party with a few thousand people (I was number 2659 and there were hundreds behind me in life) all in incredible costumes, live bands and a lot of happiness. Sunday was a giant parade - not only the participants but most of the observers were in costume.
Traditionally there is a character, known as a kurent, which also looks a lot like a Native American kachina, that is the most popular costume of choice. Those who wear it train all year to participate - the clothing and hopping and dancing, the shaking and rattling - the sheer number of people in the "tribe" - it's all quite overwhelming.
Here is the tiniest little bit of the experience. It's a bit loud so adjust accordingly.
And I doubt you'll ever call for 'More cowbell' again!!
Saturday night was a large party with a few thousand people (I was number 2659 and there were hundreds behind me in life) all in incredible costumes, live bands and a lot of happiness. Sunday was a giant parade - not only the participants but most of the observers were in costume.
Traditionally there is a character, known as a kurent, which also looks a lot like a Native American kachina, that is the most popular costume of choice. Those who wear it train all year to participate - the clothing and hopping and dancing, the shaking and rattling - the sheer number of people in the "tribe" - it's all quite overwhelming.
Here is the tiniest little bit of the experience. It's a bit loud so adjust accordingly.
And I doubt you'll ever call for 'More cowbell' again!!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
the couch and other stuff
Yes, it's too cold in my room, so tonight I've got the couch. I've also got stitches and can't sleep on my side, so another reason why it's the couch tonight... no room to roll over.
I was hoping for a really cool bandage but that didn't happen. I'm not hurt or anything, it was a totally minor planned procedure, but it was an experience - in a room full of people only one other person spoke English and that only came to light when I asked directly, after gowned and draped and blinded by the lights, "Does anyone here speak English?" I can understand some stuf - do you have allergies, are you sick, go to xyz, here is your prescription, stuff like that.... but when it comes to medical issues beyond the mundane I believe absolute clarity is important. He didn't like to speak English very much - only when I asked a direction question or they had to ask me a direct question... and once when I flinched he asked if it hurt... I said yes and that ended the conversation. (?)
I thought this was the first time I've had stitches and was getting a bit nervous about getting them out. Then about thirty minutes ago I realized it's the first time I was conscious when I got stitches, and that I've actually had them a few other times before.
But those were in the US and they were dissolving stitches and more discreetly placed. These are not dissolving ones and they're on my face and not so neat (I can't see all of them, only the bits of thread peeking through the not so cool bandage, but I can see that they're not as neat and tiny and tidy.... which in itself was stressing me out, too, as my vanity started kicking in - I don't have much vanity, but the little bit I do have is fierce and intense and doesn't let go.... like... like a baby pitbull with lockjaw. Quite a vanity battle going on right now but I think I'm winning.) Anyway, it will be a few days before I get to see what I actually look like now. And in the meantime, I have come to the conclusion... they should have sent me to a plastic surgeon to begin with (this was affirmed by the doctor's conversation during the procedure) - in Czech but I can understand some stuff... like that.). But they didn't. And if I feel really self conscious in the future I can always go on my own - but if it comes to that I should wait until I'm much older and really really ready and by then, vanity will have won so I can use that little bit of cosmetic correction as a cover for more invasive or drastic plastic surgery since I will be getting a facial procedure done anyway. To be honest though, I rather like my face. And I think I can handle a little scar; it's still my face. Any major alteration and it would no longer be my face; it would be somebody else's design on my face.
I was hoping for a really cool bandage but that didn't happen. I'm not hurt or anything, it was a totally minor planned procedure, but it was an experience - in a room full of people only one other person spoke English and that only came to light when I asked directly, after gowned and draped and blinded by the lights, "Does anyone here speak English?" I can understand some stuf - do you have allergies, are you sick, go to xyz, here is your prescription, stuff like that.... but when it comes to medical issues beyond the mundane I believe absolute clarity is important. He didn't like to speak English very much - only when I asked a direction question or they had to ask me a direct question... and once when I flinched he asked if it hurt... I said yes and that ended the conversation. (?)
I thought this was the first time I've had stitches and was getting a bit nervous about getting them out. Then about thirty minutes ago I realized it's the first time I was conscious when I got stitches, and that I've actually had them a few other times before.
But those were in the US and they were dissolving stitches and more discreetly placed. These are not dissolving ones and they're on my face and not so neat (I can't see all of them, only the bits of thread peeking through the not so cool bandage, but I can see that they're not as neat and tiny and tidy.... which in itself was stressing me out, too, as my vanity started kicking in - I don't have much vanity, but the little bit I do have is fierce and intense and doesn't let go.... like... like a baby pitbull with lockjaw. Quite a vanity battle going on right now but I think I'm winning.) Anyway, it will be a few days before I get to see what I actually look like now. And in the meantime, I have come to the conclusion... they should have sent me to a plastic surgeon to begin with (this was affirmed by the doctor's conversation during the procedure) - in Czech but I can understand some stuff... like that.). But they didn't. And if I feel really self conscious in the future I can always go on my own - but if it comes to that I should wait until I'm much older and really really ready and by then, vanity will have won so I can use that little bit of cosmetic correction as a cover for more invasive or drastic plastic surgery since I will be getting a facial procedure done anyway. To be honest though, I rather like my face. And I think I can handle a little scar; it's still my face. Any major alteration and it would no longer be my face; it would be somebody else's design on my face.
Monday, February 6, 2012
It is damn cold
At 9am I check the weather forecast so I could appropriately bundle up. On my phone it read -16-.... the high was listed as -11 and the low for the day/night as -15. Somehow, someway, something seems to not have been working. With the sun out and a few hours in to daylight it was colder than the projected low for the night. UGH!
In other locations in the country, it's been down to -39.4 (that is about -39F) and diesel lines are freezing. Apparently this freeze may lead to another potential oil crisis. Eastern Europe gets their heating oil from Russia and Russian demands have increased drastically due to the freeze and so limiting what's available for the rest of us.
While the rest of the house isn't exactly warm my bedroom is freezing. I've been sleeping with flannel pajamas, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, socks, two down blankets and a water bottle. It's a lot warmer downstairs. About three steps from the downstairs level you can feel a drastic shift in temperature. If this doesn't end soon I'll start sleeping on the couch.
In other locations in the country, it's been down to -39.4 (that is about -39F) and diesel lines are freezing. Apparently this freeze may lead to another potential oil crisis. Eastern Europe gets their heating oil from Russia and Russian demands have increased drastically due to the freeze and so limiting what's available for the rest of us.
While the rest of the house isn't exactly warm my bedroom is freezing. I've been sleeping with flannel pajamas, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, socks, two down blankets and a water bottle. It's a lot warmer downstairs. About three steps from the downstairs level you can feel a drastic shift in temperature. If this doesn't end soon I'll start sleeping on the couch.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
It's that time of year...
... when I need to wish the most wonderful mother a person could hope for a very happy birthday. I love you Mom. Just so you know... I've called you at home a few times, on your cell, at Dad's office and at your parents. You already know we didn't connect, but I wanted you to read this because - it's the first time I've felt like your mother - trying to track you down and not succeeding :) I hope you were out having a lot of fun! And I hope you enjoyed our silly serenade. Happy Birthday.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Polish Pottery
Last year I took a trip to Bolselawiec with the mother of my kid's friend while they, the kids, rather the senior class, were on a school trip. Apparently, even though they were in Istanbul at the time, the girls had wanted to go pottery shopping too. Well they both graduated and one moved away. This is the first time since graduation we've all been back in Prague together so we scheduled a trip.
Here is the outcome - my purchases only - the monkey had her own. I spent no more than $50 USD.
What you see there, from the top left, is a rectangle serving dish, 2 cereal bowls (one is tilted so you can see inside it), another deeper bowl, a little teapot thingy for teabags, 4 salad plates, 2 little tiny bowls, a big mug, and a spoon rest.
I love Polish pottery. I love the colors and patterns and the heft to it. I started buying it in the US about 16 years ago, when I was in my early 20s. Part of what I like about it is that other than the 4 plates and the 2 bowls, nothing I have is the same - plates don't match bowls that don't match cups that don't match anything else. But they work together. If you break something you can just add something new and pretty and make a nice trip of it while you're at it.
Here is the outcome - my purchases only - the monkey had her own. I spent no more than $50 USD.
What you see there, from the top left, is a rectangle serving dish, 2 cereal bowls (one is tilted so you can see inside it), another deeper bowl, a little teapot thingy for teabags, 4 salad plates, 2 little tiny bowls, a big mug, and a spoon rest.
I love Polish pottery. I love the colors and patterns and the heft to it. I started buying it in the US about 16 years ago, when I was in my early 20s. Part of what I like about it is that other than the 4 plates and the 2 bowls, nothing I have is the same - plates don't match bowls that don't match cups that don't match anything else. But they work together. If you break something you can just add something new and pretty and make a nice trip of it while you're at it.
Monday, January 2, 2012
new year, crazy weather
This year I continued my streak of uber-fabulous and exciting NYE celebrations. Since moving to Europe in 2008 I've spent the occasion:
2009: Landing in Prague after a Christmas visit back home - sick and without my daughter who had visa problems. Unbeknownst to me, at the time, I had pneumonia. I spent the night in my cold, empty flat way out on the edge of the city, without much food or any company, exhausted, coughing and watching fireworks in the valley beyond my flat from the comfort of my bed.
2010: Some of my family had come for a visit. This was the last night for my brother who had an early AM flight back to Canada. It was quite and mellow and an early evening. (My personal high note when reviewing the years covered)
2011: On a plane. Probably over the Atlantic, somewhere between the North America and Europe. With my daughter. At least one of us was sick but I don't remember which one, it might have been both.
2012: Bought tickets and was excited for a 5 day celebration some friends had organized. Promptly got sick and missed the whole thing. Gave the kid my pass and she, and her friends, had the best new year's eve celebration of their lives. I stayed home, watched fireworks from both my bedroom balcony and the roof-line windows in the living room and then watched movies with the cat. We live in a different flat now, one near the center, fireworks started about 3:30 pm and lasted until about 7 am... and then started again the evening of the 1st, but only for a little while.
Today - it's the 2nd of January, 2012. We don't have any snow in the city, have hardly had any rain. it's 52F right now. Cloudy and gray but not cold by any stretch of the imagination. Which is good cause I'm still sick, we both are now, and I have to go for a walk to the grocery store to get some food for dinner.
2009: Landing in Prague after a Christmas visit back home - sick and without my daughter who had visa problems. Unbeknownst to me, at the time, I had pneumonia. I spent the night in my cold, empty flat way out on the edge of the city, without much food or any company, exhausted, coughing and watching fireworks in the valley beyond my flat from the comfort of my bed.
2010: Some of my family had come for a visit. This was the last night for my brother who had an early AM flight back to Canada. It was quite and mellow and an early evening. (My personal high note when reviewing the years covered)
2011: On a plane. Probably over the Atlantic, somewhere between the North America and Europe. With my daughter. At least one of us was sick but I don't remember which one, it might have been both.
2012: Bought tickets and was excited for a 5 day celebration some friends had organized. Promptly got sick and missed the whole thing. Gave the kid my pass and she, and her friends, had the best new year's eve celebration of their lives. I stayed home, watched fireworks from both my bedroom balcony and the roof-line windows in the living room and then watched movies with the cat. We live in a different flat now, one near the center, fireworks started about 3:30 pm and lasted until about 7 am... and then started again the evening of the 1st, but only for a little while.
Today - it's the 2nd of January, 2012. We don't have any snow in the city, have hardly had any rain. it's 52F right now. Cloudy and gray but not cold by any stretch of the imagination. Which is good cause I'm still sick, we both are now, and I have to go for a walk to the grocery store to get some food for dinner.
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