Thank you, made me smile and laugh, your lovely black humor!! Here in thevstates, Ohio, only time people look is when I am walking in the park, most nod and say good morning., except for the woman who says there are cameras
everywhere, she probably right, but she uses her arms as she walks in angles, to ward off pictures she says of her. Idk. But in stores, no,⁹ and I often wonder why we avoid eye contact, I want smiles, hellos, caring, oh well, most look stressed, I'm stressed , but I still try to be pleasant.
Living in a neighboring country to Czechia, reading Riley's post feels so natural. I can only wonder if it feels exotic to people living far away - as he was chasing mythical dodo birds around Mauritius.
So here's a little exotic tidbit from our neck of the woods:
Street names went through stunning & brave transformation in last few decades in Eastern Europe. Before 1989, street names had to be another cog in socialistic propaganda machine, so the street names were related to Soviet statesmen, generals, Soviet and E.European towns etc. So the street where I lived was Blagoevgrad street, named after a small town in Bulgaria, likely there was some partnership and mayors were penpals.
After 1989 came era of uncritical adoration of the west, so my street name was promptly changed to Pittsburg street (more penpal friends amongst nobility?)
And then finally came era of national awakening and the street name was changed to a local poet.
Since it is not in globalist interests to promote pride in anything national, I predict the street name will be changed eventually to Bill Gates Abbatoir.
Aug 23, 2023·edited Aug 23, 2023Liked by Edward Slavsquat
ZOMG! A (crappy, barely discernible) pic of Marko – the sole sane person in either my meatful or internetty worlds for most of the first year of covid, and then he got Ukraine right (not to mention being my intro to all things Slavsquat).
Just … wow. My best to you both.
When I was a kid, the Marshal in Stratego was a 1, and the Scout a 9. But at some point it switched and the Marshal was now a 9 and the lowly Scout a 1. If I went to Austerlitz, I’d hope to at least find out which it was in the actual War of the Third Coalition. Also postcards.
There is nothing so deliciously illicit as a glass of wine early in the morning, made especially more decadent if it accompanies leftover pizza or spaghetti--cold. I type this in my afternoon South Florida sunshine with an Italian Pinot Noir. Also, never forget the Wine Drinker's Credo: "Enough is enough....and too much is just right."
"In the Moscow metro everyone tries their hardest not to look at anybody. People gaze at the ceiling of the subway car, or stare at their shoes, or pretend to type something important on their phone."
On the NYC subways which are nowhere as elegant as the one's in Moscow, but basically moving sardine can shitholes, 💩 no one dares to make eye contact with any of the other passengers since you can't be sure if they're violent schizophrenics or someone who has been terribly abused and will interpret your stare as a threat.
Sounds like it was a real nice white experiment! Such eloquent descriptions must mean there is plenty of sun in those grapes ;)
Btw, Germans really really hate Czech and their much better beer (beer quality: the reason to hate nations). Beer related history is very rich and if it would be the only factor to consider, Id respect Czechs over Germans anyday. That said, even with all other factors, I still like Czech people more than Germans. Must be the communism which is connecting us lolz.
What a delightful piece, Riley! So the battlefield did not have any monuments to see? Heh it probably had a fee to enter too; governments like to extort the peasantry to experience their own history.
Give my regards to Marko; his voice is missed. Good Luck on your next wine experiment but I'd cheat for absinthe too!
My girlfriend and I often stop at Slavkov for a snifter of its wonderful cheap petrol on our drive to or from her home town in South Morava. Last year we happened to go by train instead and it happened to be my birthday, so some kindly youths we met who were dressed in Slipknot costumes and had been up since the night before at a Slipknot concert in Prague got me absolutely hammered on Božkov by 9am. Moravian life is pretty good! I look forward to your next missive from Mikulov
Now that you're near Marko, you just have to kidnap him and hold him under ransom until he agrees to restart the Worst Of All Worlds podcast with you/Rolo.
Thank you, made me smile and laugh, your lovely black humor!! Here in thevstates, Ohio, only time people look is when I am walking in the park, most nod and say good morning., except for the woman who says there are cameras
everywhere, she probably right, but she uses her arms as she walks in angles, to ward off pictures she says of her. Idk. But in stores, no,⁹ and I often wonder why we avoid eye contact, I want smiles, hellos, caring, oh well, most look stressed, I'm stressed , but I still try to be pleasant.
Living in a neighboring country to Czechia, reading Riley's post feels so natural. I can only wonder if it feels exotic to people living far away - as he was chasing mythical dodo birds around Mauritius.
So here's a little exotic tidbit from our neck of the woods:
Street names went through stunning & brave transformation in last few decades in Eastern Europe. Before 1989, street names had to be another cog in socialistic propaganda machine, so the street names were related to Soviet statesmen, generals, Soviet and E.European towns etc. So the street where I lived was Blagoevgrad street, named after a small town in Bulgaria, likely there was some partnership and mayors were penpals.
After 1989 came era of uncritical adoration of the west, so my street name was promptly changed to Pittsburg street (more penpal friends amongst nobility?)
And then finally came era of national awakening and the street name was changed to a local poet.
Since it is not in globalist interests to promote pride in anything national, I predict the street name will be changed eventually to Bill Gates Abbatoir.
ZOMG! A (crappy, barely discernible) pic of Marko – the sole sane person in either my meatful or internetty worlds for most of the first year of covid, and then he got Ukraine right (not to mention being my intro to all things Slavsquat).
Just … wow. My best to you both.
When I was a kid, the Marshal in Stratego was a 1, and the Scout a 9. But at some point it switched and the Marshal was now a 9 and the lowly Scout a 1. If I went to Austerlitz, I’d hope to at least find out which it was in the actual War of the Third Coalition. Also postcards.
You have made my day with this brilliantly funny and insightfully-written essay. I think I'll still be chuckling over it come bedtime. MAny thanks.
There is nothing so deliciously illicit as a glass of wine early in the morning, made especially more decadent if it accompanies leftover pizza or spaghetti--cold. I type this in my afternoon South Florida sunshine with an Italian Pinot Noir. Also, never forget the Wine Drinker's Credo: "Enough is enough....and too much is just right."
Cheers.
"In the Moscow metro everyone tries their hardest not to look at anybody. People gaze at the ceiling of the subway car, or stare at their shoes, or pretend to type something important on their phone."
On the NYC subways which are nowhere as elegant as the one's in Moscow, but basically moving sardine can shitholes, 💩 no one dares to make eye contact with any of the other passengers since you can't be sure if they're violent schizophrenics or someone who has been terribly abused and will interpret your stare as a threat.
An essay so nice, I read it three fucking times. (haha, no, I wouldn't be so pretentious as to say 'thrice.')
A thoroughly charming series of dispatches
Nazdar!
Makes me want to live in or near Brno (without the U). We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no
Sounds like it was a real nice white experiment! Such eloquent descriptions must mean there is plenty of sun in those grapes ;)
Btw, Germans really really hate Czech and their much better beer (beer quality: the reason to hate nations). Beer related history is very rich and if it would be the only factor to consider, Id respect Czechs over Germans anyday. That said, even with all other factors, I still like Czech people more than Germans. Must be the communism which is connecting us lolz.
What a delightful piece, Riley! So the battlefield did not have any monuments to see? Heh it probably had a fee to enter too; governments like to extort the peasantry to experience their own history.
Give my regards to Marko; his voice is missed. Good Luck on your next wine experiment but I'd cheat for absinthe too!
I love looking people square in the kisser. I smile broadly and nod every chance I get. The more uncomfortable they are with it, the better.
Except for maskholes. I get irate when I see them and try to muster my most malevolent, derisive scowl.
Good to read Marko is drinking well!
My girlfriend and I often stop at Slavkov for a snifter of its wonderful cheap petrol on our drive to or from her home town in South Morava. Last year we happened to go by train instead and it happened to be my birthday, so some kindly youths we met who were dressed in Slipknot costumes and had been up since the night before at a Slipknot concert in Prague got me absolutely hammered on Božkov by 9am. Moravian life is pretty good! I look forward to your next missive from Mikulov
"You don’t have to be sure. No one is sure in 2023. You just have to be willing." I think I'll make this my motto :)
Looking forward to the next part.
Nice news.
Now that you're near Marko, you just have to kidnap him and hold him under ransom until he agrees to restart the Worst Of All Worlds podcast with you/Rolo.
I'll pay the ransom if needed.