Todd In Prague

Maiselova: Shot from A Balcony

2009-02-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm back on the Blog! Sorry for the absence, I had a winter lull there. I blame the short days and abundant sausage. Stay well faithful reader.

Moments Before I Threw a Snowball

2009-02-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

I joke! I threw the snowball before i took the picture. Meet Lenka, she's a world-class skiier and trash-talker.

A Break from Doing 720s

2009-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

That's Frank! We tore up the slopes in Austria last weekend. No broken bones, only sore muscles. Success!

A New Hope!

2009-01-19T13:50:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Obama. Hopefully I'll catch the inauguration via the net tomorrow, and all goes smoothy. Smooth like the soft scented touch of llama fur.

New Year in Krumlov

2009-01-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Cesky Krumlov, It's a Hell of a Town! I rang in 09 with friends in this gorgeous castle town in south Czech Republic. Lots of meat-eating and afternoon napping. It was a terrific way to kick off a New Year, and I'm looking forward to going back soon!

One More Reason I Should Have Been a Rockstar

2009-01-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

What's in the Box?!

2008-12-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Wrath! A wreath, I mean, sorry. Thanks mom!

Baby Jesus Rocks the Manger!

2008-12-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Worth Every Kournos! Over the holiday, we toured one of the many Jindrichuv Hradec highlights, the museum which houses the World's largest mechanical nativity. It took a man 60 years to build and was truly worth every year. It's a terrific example of man's determination to all things mechanized. You can actually watch the wise men bringing Incense and Myrrh! The guy bringing Gold ducks out at the end.

Christmas in Jindrichuv Hradec

2008-12-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

Dekuji Jechesku! I apologize for butchering the Czech, but I had the most fantastic Christmas ever thanks to the Zaijcova family this year. I spent the holiday knee-deep in Czech holiday tradition, complete with Christmas Carp and potato salad. I was embraced like one of the family and it made me feel very welcomed in a town far away from my own. Many thanks to Lenka and her family for a truly unbelievable holiday experience. Golden Pigs forever!

Bend Over and I'll Show Ya!

2008-12-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

Oh Tannenbaum! This is my Christmas Tree. It wasn't easy getting it into my flat, but it looks great! And my home now smells like pine.

Packages Received!

2008-12-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

Delivered! Thank you to everyone who sent me a package this season. They were all received with the exception of a few which I am picking up Monday morning. Some are delivered to one post office, some to another. Anywho, they all brightened my day and are very appreciated. Especially the xmas cookies - thanks Mom!

Blue Cherub Trumpets Holiday!

2008-12-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Got nothing on this one. Just a shot of some Prague decor in Old Town. Hark the Herald!

Happy Mikulas!

2008-12-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

This was a unique night to witness. Mikulas is the Czech holiday that celebrates the coming of St. Mikulas (Santa Claus) to give treats to all the good little boys and girls. Here's the scene: Everyone dresses up as either a devil, an angel, or St Mikulas who's costume is very similar to that of the Vatican. The people dressed as devils run up to all the little children on the street and scare them, because unless they behave themselves, they're going to hell! The good children get candy, the bad - potatoes. Frankly, I'll take the potatoes! Lots of drinking and kids crying. Sorry I don't have any better pictures, but the advent calendar sums up the spirit of the day.

Back On American Soil

2008-12-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

My country 'tis of vis-a. Took a trip to the US Embassy this morning to sort out some Visa-related issues. While I was waiting to be served, a Ukrainian family was there being denied access to the USA. Their 4-year old daughter is an American citizen, and they were trying to figure out how to get back to the home of the whopper. The little girl was drawing a picture of me, so I drew a picture of her and gave it to her mother as they were leaving. Perhaps a crummy door-prize if you're looking for legal US citizenship, but they appreciated the gesture. And it was a damn good likeness....so, maybe not a bad day after all.

Cooking Good in the Neighborhood

2008-12-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

Those are real potatoes! I made dinner tonight and was so proud I took a picture. No recipe involved, just mix and mash in a pan, stir and serve. The broccoli was a little over-cooked, but the pan seared taters were divine. And the chicken, oh baby...if I can keep it down 'til morning, I'll know it was cooked long enough.

More Hat Than Man

2008-11-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

That's rabbit fur! Or so Im told. It's my new headpiece and I plan on making it my staple for the winter. Next up, mittens made of duck feathers.

Coffee and Chit-Chat

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Pull up a chair! I bought this ensemble from a fellow American leaving Prague and moving to Croatia. The table is quite old and both chairs have quite a bit of character. Said the red chair to me on the way home, "Did ya hear the one about the footstool who tried out for the Olympics?"...."He was two feet short."
Yeah, I don't like the red chair either.

What Am I Selling?

2008-11-25T11:44:00.000-08:00

Cottonballs? Milk? Butt-wipes? Welcome to my world when looking at labels and trying to figure out what the hell I'm buying.

The Snogue in Prague Falls Mainly on the Grague

2008-11-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

Its snowing! Well, at least it was this weekend. A good first dusting here and I was out in search of cheap used furniture. It wasn't an entirely fruitless adventure, I did find an abandoned couch behind some bleachers, but upon further inspection decided to leave it for the wildlife. There are rumors of an antique used furniture warehouse somewhere and I'm not giving up just yet. I'll set out again next weekend, and maybe this time I'll ask for some directions.

You Say You Want a Revolution

2008-11-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Independence Day! Today marks the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which as this wikipedia article explains, refers to a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the Communist government. Just a little bit of history for y'all.

Ride The Lightning

2008-11-17T02:23:00.000-08:00

Get some strawberries and let's jam! This morning I stopped off in Namesti Miru on my way to work and picked up a Marris Guitar (pictured above). The guitar is used, but in great condition and Marris is a Czech/Slovak guitar manufacturer, so I feel good keeping it local. I haven't played in weeks, so I'm excited to fill my new apartment with the stoic rhythms of Polly-wally Doodle.

He Ain't Heavy

2008-11-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

He's my brother! And his birthday was yesterday. From all of us here at TIP, we hope you had a stellar day and are starting the best year of your life thus far. Chris is the recently appointed Head Coach of Track & Field at Central York High School in PA, and I'm sure he will be quite busy this winter and spring training tomorrow's champions. As for me, I'm off to move my suitcases into my new home. I signed the lease this morning and am excited to move in and begin my search for gold hidden in the walls.

Room With A View

2008-11-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

Big news in the world today. I've secured a permanent flat! My new home is smack in the middle of Josefov (pronounced Yo-sif-hoff) and I'm moving in tomorrow morning. It's a big 'ol space and my bedroom overlooks the oldest jewish cemetery in all of Europe. Perhaps a bit macabre, but I like it. I also have a balcony which overlooks Maiselova St and is perfect for taking a step out onto and screaming in a british accent "Hey, you there! What day is this?!" and then chucking down a purse of coins...

Todd In Prague Goes Live!

2008-11-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Greetings friends and family! In response to a terrific demand for updates and pictures, I'm launching a blog. Creatively titled, Todd in Prague will be a window into my daily life here in the Bohemian Capital. I am currently working on customizing the design of this bad boy, and I'm hoping that Todd in Prague 2.0 is a mere few days away.

Welcome to Todd in Prague and tune in often for updates!

Yours in Praha,

T