Blague posts, revisited

And now, a moment to revisit old posts and provide further insight and updates.

Škoda!
Remember our mentioning that Škoda had undergone a transformation in the last decade, following Volkswagen's taking over the company? Karl read an article recently on Škoda's privatization, noting just how far Škoda had come in improving its image and quality. A German car magazine rated one Škoda model favorably against a comparable Volkswagen (possibly the Passat), a source of angst for VW's psyche. And an Austrian car magazine went so far as to choose a Škoda over a Mercedes-Benz! 

Škoda then

Škoda now

Hello, Ogilvy?
Karl and I had lunch at Argument recently, and it's actually a lovely restaurant. We shared mushroom soup, gnocchi with chicken and pesto, and brownie á la mode. Our only complaint was the music. What is it with the '80s soundtrack that's pumped through restaurants? We “enjoyed” Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Steve Winwood, and Phil Collins, among others.

Look, I went to high school and college in the '80s. I like a trip down memory lane as much as anyone. But the music was just that little bit too loud for a restaurant atmosphere. I didn't just want to have fun. I wanted to have lunch and maybe a little conversation with my husband. But my train of thought kept leaving the station.

I know. I'm old. But, hey, even Cyndi knew when it was time to give up the shtick and tone it down a bit.

Cyndi Lauper then

Cyndi Lauper now

As for the name "Argument?" Our server didn't have any good explanation.

"I don't know. Maybe because it comes at the beginning of the alphabet?" she suggested.

Well, sure. But so do Accordion, Aesthetic, Aubergine and Archipelago, all of which, in my opinion, make better nonsensical names for a restaurant. But what do I know?

Divoká Šárka
We have not gone geocaching since the weather turned colder but look forward to getting back to it with the spring thaw. Friends sent us a travel bug to place in a cache. We're going to give it a destination of Oneonta, New York, and see if it beats us home.  

Company!
Yippee! Today friends arrived from Oneonta for a visit. We were all eager for them to arrive. The boys resisted sleep last night, which may be just as well. Our visitors (which include two kids close to Ben and Garrett's ages) will be on east coast time for at least a few days, so they'll all be up late tonight, I fear. Perhaps the boys will sleep in a bit tomorrow? (HA!)

It may work out just fine, though. Garrett helpfully pointed out that C, the five-year-old boy, shouldn't be affected by the time change, because "he can't tell time yet."

Right.

Get Out the Vote
Karl is working on a post about Czech politics. It's got everything: scandal! corruption! audio tape! Prague sewage treatment plant remodel generates corruption. Environment minister out. Takes good and bad down the drain with him. 

Kuky se vrací
The family enjoyed the cinema experience of Kuky, and we gave the boys the DVD for Christmas. Thankfully it has English subtitles. Not sure if it's available on Netflix yet, but it's delightful and worth a viewing. Just know that Czechs are a little looser in their interpretation of language appropriate for a general audience. Just a touch.

Večerníček
We still enjoy a daily dose of Večerníček when schedules permit. My favorite series thus far has been Karlík Zlata rybka (Karl the Goldfish) about a magical fish who hops out of his pond, walks on his back fins, 

and grants wishes for two frogs, Señor and Amigo, in the local swamp.

Yes, it's a little odd. But it has a great theme song. Though it's no Eye of the Tiger it always got Garrett up and grooving.

December inspires tradition in everyone, and Večerníček is no exception. We enjoyed a week or more of Josef Lada stories, and then claymation Vánoční koledy (Christmas carols). The boys liked the Lada but were pleased to see the end of the carols. Last night we started Krteček (Little Mole), a classic Czech cartoon character.

 

Added bonus: much of Krteček is without words, so our guests this week will be able to follow along without any trouble.

Happy Halloween!
Thanks to all who entered the “What's Ben's pumpkin?” contest. Our budding paleontologist designed his pumpkin in the likeness of a triceratops.

Reality Table Manners
A popular post among parents! Our next reward restaurant has been identified: Vytopna Railway Restaurant. It comes with a personal recommendation and looks like loads of fun, especially for the railway enthusiasts among us. That should get them to straighten up and fly right.

The Final Installment
The boys love Riverside. They got swept right up in school-based Christmas activities (pageant, a mini-Christmas market, parties). Ben had a friend over for a play date right before break. (Which is three weeks long -- yikes!)

Both of them are excited about their winter after-school clubs. Ben is in the computer programming club, in which he will "discover how to create worlds, games, animations, and stories." He'll love that. Garrett will be doing the construction club, which will feature building paper airplanes, race car tracks, and Lego forts. That last bit hooked him. One of his teachers, Mr. Potter, will be a co-leader. When I spoke with Mr. Potter about the club, it was unclear who was more excited about it all, him or Garrett.

Food for thought: my sister-in-law Paula wonders if Mr. Potter, who is from England, has a broomstick and wand stashed behind the bookshelves. Hmm.

Mr. Potter at the Year 1 Christmas party. No obvious lightning bolt, but ...

Garrett the Great White
**Breaking news** One of Garrett's front baby teeth fell out this morning! We'll see what the Czech tooth fairy thinks about that tonight. He doesn't have much of a gap, given the two new ones already growing up behind the front row.



That's it for updates and insights.

One word regarding commenting on the blog. I've heard from a number of folks who've been unable to leave comments after posts. New at this blogging gig, I'd had my instructions set to accept comments only from those with accounts (at Google, I think). I've reset that and am hoping that more people will be able -- and will choose! -- to comment.

I'd love to hear from anyone reading this, whether I know you or not. Given the travel nature of some of the posts, the blog is getting traffic from all over the place. If you're so inclined, please leave a comment and let me know where you're from and what brought you here. Thanks!