Under A Bohemian Moon

my internal clock feels the need to go off at 7:15am no matter what time I went to sleep or which time zone I am in.. very annoying when travelling or staying up/out too late....  so after finally falling asleep about 4:30am I rose to a grey rainy day... the kind poets write about... clearly a sign it was to be a poetic day... thanks to the wonders of technology and more specifically, Skype, I was able to lie in bed, eyes closed, while a man, who about a 1000 choices ago could have been the love of my life, read me one of his favorite poems. Surely a fine way to start the day.... followed by Peter Gabriel and U2 in the misty rain.... walked into the restaurant where I planned to spend the day to be greeted by more of Mr. Gabriel... a big burger, nice and pink.... Celtic music, Czech style... looks to be a fine day for grading papers.... later tonight, my friend Gail, performing her mad and marvelous, Human Jukebox the perfect Sunday to follow a nearly perfect Saturday... 

Tuesday, November 17th 2009 -- 20 years after the Velvet Revolution brought freedom to Czechoslovakia and playwright Vaclav Havel to the presidency. Today's celebration started with a walk re-tracing the steps of the students that marched against the Communist Regime. I joined the march late but managed to end up in the front of the crowd. Thousands of people, all ages, all walks of life, peacefully walking together, waving flags, carrying banners, jangling keys.... the emotions were high and it was contagious. As I walked I thought about being American, and one born on July 4th.. which has always been ironic as I am not known for my patriotism. I thought about how lazy we have become as Americans, how we take our freedom for granted... while we talk about fighting to protect our freedom and fight terrorism, we don't show up at the polls--- when we don't understand why our children are fat and under educated, but we don't create a government and environment to fight tho...

 

These are photos from August 3-10 at English4You camp  

these are photos from Aug 3 to 10 English4You camp 

One day when talking to my occasional student, Hana, who is the secretary at the tennis club, I asked her how she was, and she said, “Oh I have to do everything around here. Everyone wants everything done, but no one is willing to help out.” – So I said, “Oh you are like the Little Red Hen.” And she looked at me with a perplexed expression. So I explained to her that the Little Red Hen is a famous story and that I would find a copy of it for her. So a couple of weeks later, I gave her a copy of the story (only a one page version) and she said she would read it when she had some time. A few days later, I saw her and she said that she was indeed like the Little Red Hen, but she didn’t even get any bread to eat at the end. So I have had a copy of the story with me and have had several of my students read it, with very interesting reactions. One of my students, a 22 year-old, who has VERY old-fashioned values (i.e. he thinks his girlfriend is too ambitious, and this is a BAD ...

August first.... settling through my first summer in Prague... lovely times... although most people seem to disappear, there is plenty to do... as there are zillions of parks and beer gardens, it's all about being outside. The 9:30pm sunsets, the countless picnics, outdoor movies on one of the islands in the river, oh and tennis.... ah tennis... I have the good fortune to have several students who play tennis, and therefore teach many of my lessons at the big tennis center in the city. Not just any tennis center, but the second oldest tennis club in Europe (the oldest being Wimbledon). yeah this is where you train if you are going to become a pro!!! Did I mention that tennis is one of my FAVORITE sports?!?!? So I spend the better part of two days a week, hanging out at the tennis center, teaching, and since most of my lessons are just conversations, it's a good life! The summer will end with a trip to Sumava, which is THE place in Southern Bohemia, known for it's hiking and...

My hungry eyes drink in your intense looks, funny, tired, loaded My hungry mouth nibbles your lips, cushiony and sweet My hungry breasts suckle your seeking mouth, whisky and milk My hungry cunt devours your beautiful cock, its elegant curve wielded with finesse My hungry mind feasts on your words, your thoughts, cruel beautiful angry poet My hungry soul gulps the abyss – dark, extravagant, dangerous, divine My hungry heart sucks yours - lost, wounded too much pain in so little time

soft wrinkled faded with age do the words still have value though the page has been turned many a time do the rhythms still have rhyme is she all told old cold comfort in young arms mean her no harm to fall from above in love with youth and charm don’t be alarmed what i see in your eyes doesn’t mean that i’m wise only know what i’ve seen where i’ve been and your soul though it’s old is still young fresh and your flesh and mine will always mesh till the end of time

blue eyed lion roars through desert on black hawk plants paws firmly in sand protecting little weaverbirds eagle is helpless swallowed by own pride talons tear at self wings, throat shredded small desert lizards explode in most unexpected places turning weaverbirds into scarlet specks in sand lion rides hawk back to cave licks wounds and waits for night moon comes she brings no peace only momentary solace

or in other words, as that is already very much "czechlish" - NO PROBLEM BABY!!! Greetings gentle readers.. again my apologies for being lax in recording my experiences on this blog.. but the last couple of months have be rather busy.. falling love getting my heart broken not once but twice in one month... ah.. and both times it was beautiful.. the universe is handing me lessons on a silver platter... learn to let go.. no one is every yours.. you are the only one who belongs to you... and know what you want and never settle for less, we all deserve that. Oh and actually, love does conquer all. It just isn't a very good housekeeper! Spring is quickly becoming summer, as I prepare for a month long visit from my mom and try to make sure I have an income for the summer.. such is the life of an English teacher in Prague.. classes end and the Czechs go on a two month holiday.. well not completely, but everyone spends every weekend at their cottage and only tourists fill the c...

Greetings Gentle Readers... it's been a while.. and in the mean time.. spring has SPRUNG!!! Flowers blooming, buds on trees, birds singing and the short skirts are out (the Prague girls where something a bit larger than a wide belt as a skirt, about 7" to 10" in length). It's odd that they do that given the Easter tradition here.. on Easter Monday, village boys go from door to door demanding Easter eggs, sweets and often shots of slivovice (very STRONG plum liqueur) - they threaten to whip the girls with whips made from braided willow switches, so I am sure that applied with full force, they can leave a nasty welt. But it's all done in good fun.. the girls can retaliate by dumping buckets of water on the boys. It's a fun game and is supposed to guarantee a successful year for the men! I think the pagan origins of this are obvious, men coming to ask women for their eggs... hmmmm. Have been making a real effort to learn the language, it's hard.. the of...