Remember that video... cry. I remember it being so amazing when it came out. Don't know why the thought of it has come into my head but it has....
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Thursday, November 25, 2004
The Ultimate Love Song
So after such a great weekend, I find out mid day Monday that Snow Patrol was cancelled, the record people said cause the singer was having vocal problems. I think it was cause of lack of ticket sales and promotion. At least they have rescheduled to the end of Jan, which is better than Matchbox 20 did when they cancelled after September 11th, and never re-booked. Wooses!! That reminded me of around the same time there is a festival in Holland called the Crossing Boarders Music and Words Festival. back in 2001 we paid about 100 guilders each to go because my very favorite author in the world Douglas Coupland was speaking, he talked not about his latest book but about how music and words had always been very important to him and that a few times in his life how music had affected him in a way that left him speechless. I might add that at this festival he only had a measly slot of 20-25 min and that was not nearly enough, and so many of the other authors and performers (especially from the US) cancelled at the last min, citing family issues or what not. Needless to say that in the measly 20 min or so Doug had most of us in tear including himself talking about an expereice when he happend to be in NY, and his publishers happend to get him front row seats to MTV Unplugged where Nirvana happend to by playing. He said that during the cover of The Man Who Stole the World, he said that Kurt sang with such conviction that it felt as though he exposing his insides for the world to see. It was pretty amazing to have that intimate moment with him and at the same time it was so sad that so many others were to afraid to come and share their music or words with all those people who really wanted to see them. I always felt that true "artists" wrote their words and music to be heard and to perhaps make people stop and think for once.. Anyway it does not matter unfortunately the world has not exactly improved since then, I mean apparently over half the US voted the monkey-man back into office, which really is astounding to many many many people.
So onto the present. Wednesday we had tickets to Sarah McLachlan, the venue was a really terrible seated affair, we went with our friend Nadzyra who is also a fan of Sarah. The show was really great, I mean her band are so tight it is quite something to watch, and it is always nice to hear a slightly new version of older songs, as well as all the new ones from Afterglow. What a pity my favorite song 'Stupid' from the CD was really terrible live, because I could not hear even one note from the Guitars.. not one. Whether it was to do with the tiered seating, or the PA I am not sure it was just such a pity cause it should have rocked.
And then we can talk about the audience... now correct me if I am wrong, her music is Alt/rock right? At least that is what my iTunes says. I know she writes some really nice ballads in fact she even said she has always striven to write the Ultimate Love Song, but does that warrant 99.8 percent of the audience sitting there like wax dummies!? It was like they were being held in constraints? Besides myself, my companions and a couple of people down front with glow sticks (whom I have a sneaking suspicion were Canadian) might have been the only people there actually moving in our seats, moving out bodies just enough to feel the beats and singing along to all the lyrics that we knew? It was not only disturbing but I would think insulting to the musicians on stage. After they came back and did Ice Cream and about 15-20% of the audience got up and sang along which was shocking.. only as soon as the song was done the people behind those standing were pulling on their shirts and telling them to sit down (and basically stop enjoying yourselves). Maybe I am making to much of this, In the last 5 years I have seen many many concerts, most have been standing room, with the exception of Marillion and Lamb gigs, the audience is quite either quiet and or stinking drunk enough to make noise at all the wrong moments while you are trying to get your moneys worth from your ticket price. Anyway enough bitching, it was the first time I saw her in 8 years and it was nice to see that she can still sing.. like no one I have ever heard again. Anyway the rest of the week has been spent drinking (lots) wine with some friends, work and fighting off a cold. It's weekend. Enjoy.
So onto the present. Wednesday we had tickets to Sarah McLachlan, the venue was a really terrible seated affair, we went with our friend Nadzyra who is also a fan of Sarah. The show was really great, I mean her band are so tight it is quite something to watch, and it is always nice to hear a slightly new version of older songs, as well as all the new ones from Afterglow. What a pity my favorite song 'Stupid' from the CD was really terrible live, because I could not hear even one note from the Guitars.. not one. Whether it was to do with the tiered seating, or the PA I am not sure it was just such a pity cause it should have rocked.
And then we can talk about the audience... now correct me if I am wrong, her music is Alt/rock right? At least that is what my iTunes says. I know she writes some really nice ballads in fact she even said she has always striven to write the Ultimate Love Song, but does that warrant 99.8 percent of the audience sitting there like wax dummies!? It was like they were being held in constraints? Besides myself, my companions and a couple of people down front with glow sticks (whom I have a sneaking suspicion were Canadian) might have been the only people there actually moving in our seats, moving out bodies just enough to feel the beats and singing along to all the lyrics that we knew? It was not only disturbing but I would think insulting to the musicians on stage. After they came back and did Ice Cream and about 15-20% of the audience got up and sang along which was shocking.. only as soon as the song was done the people behind those standing were pulling on their shirts and telling them to sit down (and basically stop enjoying yourselves). Maybe I am making to much of this, In the last 5 years I have seen many many concerts, most have been standing room, with the exception of Marillion and Lamb gigs, the audience is quite either quiet and or stinking drunk enough to make noise at all the wrong moments while you are trying to get your moneys worth from your ticket price. Anyway enough bitching, it was the first time I saw her in 8 years and it was nice to see that she can still sing.. like no one I have ever heard again. Anyway the rest of the week has been spent drinking (lots) wine with some friends, work and fighting off a cold. It's weekend. Enjoy.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Es wird Morgan
The weekend was everything I thought it would be and more: relaxing, fun, and stimulating . We arrived on Friday evening and got settled then went in search of beverages and food. Berlin seems to be a Jever city.. Very good!
After settling on Mexican food and some cocktails we headed off to meet Jens at the party he got us on the list for. It was not the best example of the DJ I have heard but it was really nice to get caught up with him, Matthius and Nadia. We left around 6:30 am. After some sleep we decided not to waste the entire day and headed off for coffee and some sights. Starting in Kreuzberg and heading to the more famous Fredrickstrasse, where I stocked up on some Starbucks and wandered down Unter den Linden, this is the biggest street in Berlin that connects the Brandenberg Gate to Alexander Platz with all the museams and soviet building in between.. And then we ran into Martine, a friend from Bremen who happend to be walking down the street with her boyfriend... "Das Welt is klein!" a small world indeed!
We walked all the way to Alex and then undergrounded it back to my friends apartment where we got ready to go to the concert. Both of us not feeling out best due to lack of sleep and some perhaps dodgy food from the night before. But as it happened the concert hall was just up the road a few blocks from where we were staying so it was a nice surprise.
When we got to the Columbia Halle, there already was a large crowd outside. It seems all we learn about German efficiency is not up to par here as the doors were open already for one hour, but in saying that the crowd was not pushing or shoving, and EVERYONE gave you enough room to stand.. as slow moving as it was we all got inside eventually. Too bad the venue seemed unprepaired for the cold weather and the coat check was full, so we bought teeshirts and stood in line for drinks and then moved around till we found a suitable spot near the back where we could see and not be to squished and still have to hang onto our jackets.
It was perfect because Inga the singer started the concert standing right next to us in the crowd with a flashlight on her head, security gaurd in front and guitarplayer in back... she is so tiny! Anyway, needless to say the concert was really great and fun, the Songs they sing are quite upbeat and fun and the stage show however simple is exaclty right. They reminded me a bit of Lamb on stage with the interaction and vibe... only thing really different was the guitar player seemed to be not very good, at all! But oh well I danced and sang to all the songs that I knew and had a good time despite the bum notes. Afterwards Jacco decided to stay home the rest of the night and get caught up on some sleep, But I headed out to Prenzlauerberg to join the same friends at a Birthday party being held in a small bar. I also got to see another dear friend, Sandra who was not the happiest of campers at this moment but despite that we were happy to catch up.
I find it interesting how some friendships can develop over the years depending on how you yourself grow as a person. Jens and I have a connection because we were partners for several years, and at the end of it were both so sad because we knew it was not working and not because we did not love each other it was just so! It has taken some adjustments over the 5+ years since we seperated to realise what we have still in our friendship, and how precious it is. I really have the feeling that I can call him one of my closest and dearest friends in the world, and I think he might have the same opinion of me. I am so lucky to have him and the other close and dear friends that I do, even if I don't see them as often as I would like to.
Either way, the trip home was somewhat uneventfull and of course back to work as usual. I have however booked tickets to Berlin for New Years, we did it 2 years ago and had a great time. Despite the amazing display of fireworks and noise makers that people seem to love throwing their money away on. I hope that it will be another great Berlin experince.
After settling on Mexican food and some cocktails we headed off to meet Jens at the party he got us on the list for. It was not the best example of the DJ I have heard but it was really nice to get caught up with him, Matthius and Nadia. We left around 6:30 am. After some sleep we decided not to waste the entire day and headed off for coffee and some sights. Starting in Kreuzberg and heading to the more famous Fredrickstrasse, where I stocked up on some Starbucks and wandered down Unter den Linden, this is the biggest street in Berlin that connects the Brandenberg Gate to Alexander Platz with all the museams and soviet building in between.. And then we ran into Martine, a friend from Bremen who happend to be walking down the street with her boyfriend... "Das Welt is klein!" a small world indeed!
We walked all the way to Alex and then undergrounded it back to my friends apartment where we got ready to go to the concert. Both of us not feeling out best due to lack of sleep and some perhaps dodgy food from the night before. But as it happened the concert hall was just up the road a few blocks from where we were staying so it was a nice surprise.
When we got to the Columbia Halle, there already was a large crowd outside. It seems all we learn about German efficiency is not up to par here as the doors were open already for one hour, but in saying that the crowd was not pushing or shoving, and EVERYONE gave you enough room to stand.. as slow moving as it was we all got inside eventually. Too bad the venue seemed unprepaired for the cold weather and the coat check was full, so we bought teeshirts and stood in line for drinks and then moved around till we found a suitable spot near the back where we could see and not be to squished and still have to hang onto our jackets.
It was perfect because Inga the singer started the concert standing right next to us in the crowd with a flashlight on her head, security gaurd in front and guitarplayer in back... she is so tiny! Anyway, needless to say the concert was really great and fun, the Songs they sing are quite upbeat and fun and the stage show however simple is exaclty right. They reminded me a bit of Lamb on stage with the interaction and vibe... only thing really different was the guitar player seemed to be not very good, at all! But oh well I danced and sang to all the songs that I knew and had a good time despite the bum notes. Afterwards Jacco decided to stay home the rest of the night and get caught up on some sleep, But I headed out to Prenzlauerberg to join the same friends at a Birthday party being held in a small bar. I also got to see another dear friend, Sandra who was not the happiest of campers at this moment but despite that we were happy to catch up.
I find it interesting how some friendships can develop over the years depending on how you yourself grow as a person. Jens and I have a connection because we were partners for several years, and at the end of it were both so sad because we knew it was not working and not because we did not love each other it was just so! It has taken some adjustments over the 5+ years since we seperated to realise what we have still in our friendship, and how precious it is. I really have the feeling that I can call him one of my closest and dearest friends in the world, and I think he might have the same opinion of me. I am so lucky to have him and the other close and dear friends that I do, even if I don't see them as often as I would like to.
Either way, the trip home was somewhat uneventfull and of course back to work as usual. I have however booked tickets to Berlin for New Years, we did it 2 years ago and had a great time. Despite the amazing display of fireworks and noise makers that people seem to love throwing their money away on. I hope that it will be another great Berlin experince.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Berlin party girl...
So happy girl right now, why you ask? Because I am off to one of my favourite city's in the whole world for the weekend... Berlin. This afternoon my friend Jacco and I will take off and hit the big city for a weekend of playtime and fun.
First on the agenda I think is getting to my friend's apartment where we will stay and rescue his keys from the flowerpot where he left them for us.. the wonderful person that he is, has left me his apartment while he is away on vacation..
After that who really knows, walking, shopping, eating and drinking and then later we will be at a typical German night club where one of my favorite DJ's is spinning in to the early hours.
I am just happy to spend some time in such a great city, it is just wild to walk down streeets and think of the history and to know that not that long ago people were stuck behind a wall that dictated their way of life. I know the re-unification is not the best thing to happen to Germany economically, and much of it was a political move by Helmut Kohl. But I can tell you that my friend whom I stay with there is happy it's gone. He grew up in the former East and was only allowed to be himself and work at what he enjoyed after 1989.
Details of the weekend to follow.
First on the agenda I think is getting to my friend's apartment where we will stay and rescue his keys from the flowerpot where he left them for us.. the wonderful person that he is, has left me his apartment while he is away on vacation..
After that who really knows, walking, shopping, eating and drinking and then later we will be at a typical German night club where one of my favorite DJ's is spinning in to the early hours.
I am just happy to spend some time in such a great city, it is just wild to walk down streeets and think of the history and to know that not that long ago people were stuck behind a wall that dictated their way of life. I know the re-unification is not the best thing to happen to Germany economically, and much of it was a political move by Helmut Kohl. But I can tell you that my friend whom I stay with there is happy it's gone. He grew up in the former East and was only allowed to be himself and work at what he enjoyed after 1989.
Details of the weekend to follow.
2005 Marillion Calander
So that is nice. I just saw the new Marillion calander on the eweb, and both myself and Michiel have our concert photos in it (6 I think in total).. how sweet it that? I had heard the rumours, but with the Racket crew being so busy I have not heard anything about it since the gigs in Utrecht.
That is a nice surprise, almost as much as meeting someone in Mexico who had the last web UK mag where many of our photos were gracing the beautiful colour pages of the mag, and I got to say to him "oh and that one and that one and that one....are mine". A nice feeling indeed to see them in print.
Looking forward to seeing it on a wall.
That is a nice surprise, almost as much as meeting someone in Mexico who had the last web UK mag where many of our photos were gracing the beautiful colour pages of the mag, and I got to say to him "oh and that one and that one and that one....are mine". A nice feeling indeed to see them in print.
Looking forward to seeing it on a wall.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
My mother always said...
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all...
So I will try and find some nice things to say about The Netherlands after my ranting in the last few posts... because I am pretty sure there will be more along that vien.
Living in Holland is great because:
I am still thinking about the other good points... for now those will have to do.
So I will try and find some nice things to say about The Netherlands after my ranting in the last few posts... because I am pretty sure there will be more along that vien.
Living in Holland is great because:
- I can be in almost any other European country by plane or car or train in 1 hour or more
- I can speak English at my job and not live in the UK
- I earn Euros
- I have met many good friends here, epat and Dutch alike
- Riding my bike is generally easy because it is flat
- I earn Euros
I am still thinking about the other good points... for now those will have to do.
Cerealbox Diagnosis
So a few days after the changing room incident, I can now give perhaps some perspective, or a cereal-box sociological view on why I think so many folks here are so dam rude.. Here goes.
The Netherlands has a "land mass" which is 41,526 squared km (of which 18.4% is water), with a population of 16, 318, 199 ranking it number 59th out of 193 countries for population density but ranking at 132nd out of 193 in land mass. If you compare that to a average sized country in Europe; Germany for example is 349,233 km squared (2.4% is water) with a population of 82,424,609. Ranking it 13th in population density and 61st out of 193 land mass density. The Netherlands is small, add to that the fact that most of the population live in a small area close to the coast consisting of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag and Rotterdam... A triangle of three provinces out of 12, it gets quite squishy. In fact I was reminded today that Delft has one of the most highly densely populated areas in all of Europe. It is almost impossible to go anywhere in this country without seeing someone else. There is simply no space to be free, alone and relaxed.
Most people who grow up in for example Canada (At least speaking from personal experience) have a invisible bubble around them, there is no colour or shape to it, just a bubble that is understood, the unspoken rule is that you stand at least 1-2 feet away from the person you are speaking with, you say excuse me when you want to get by and you don't reach out and touch or even push people without first saying excuse me at least once.
Here, personal bubbles simply do not exist, at least not in my experience. And oddly the average Dutch person I know is not all that touchy-feely, 3 "air" kisses on opposite cheeks seems to do the trick and as I mentioned before hate being pushed and shoved or being treated rudely.
In the supermarkets, public transportation and normal walks of life it seems very important in life to be first anywhere and no one is going to stand in your way. One of my favorite examples is when you are on a tram or train and need to get off and before the doors are even opened there are people pushing their way on while the rest are pushing there way off... Isn't it logical that if the people getting on waited for those who were getting off it would all go much smoother? Anyway putting away my cerealbox (for now).
And before people start writing me about my opinions, please remember that these are my experiences and feelings, not yours! If you have something to say, get your own blog.
Peace and love.
The Netherlands has a "land mass" which is 41,526 squared km (of which 18.4% is water), with a population of 16, 318, 199 ranking it number 59th out of 193 countries for population density but ranking at 132nd out of 193 in land mass. If you compare that to a average sized country in Europe; Germany for example is 349,233 km squared (2.4% is water) with a population of 82,424,609. Ranking it 13th in population density and 61st out of 193 land mass density. The Netherlands is small, add to that the fact that most of the population live in a small area close to the coast consisting of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag and Rotterdam... A triangle of three provinces out of 12, it gets quite squishy. In fact I was reminded today that Delft has one of the most highly densely populated areas in all of Europe. It is almost impossible to go anywhere in this country without seeing someone else. There is simply no space to be free, alone and relaxed.
Most people who grow up in for example Canada (At least speaking from personal experience) have a invisible bubble around them, there is no colour or shape to it, just a bubble that is understood, the unspoken rule is that you stand at least 1-2 feet away from the person you are speaking with, you say excuse me when you want to get by and you don't reach out and touch or even push people without first saying excuse me at least once.
Here, personal bubbles simply do not exist, at least not in my experience. And oddly the average Dutch person I know is not all that touchy-feely, 3 "air" kisses on opposite cheeks seems to do the trick and as I mentioned before hate being pushed and shoved or being treated rudely.
In the supermarkets, public transportation and normal walks of life it seems very important in life to be first anywhere and no one is going to stand in your way. One of my favorite examples is when you are on a tram or train and need to get off and before the doors are even opened there are people pushing their way on while the rest are pushing there way off... Isn't it logical that if the people getting on waited for those who were getting off it would all go much smoother? Anyway putting away my cerealbox (for now).
And before people start writing me about my opinions, please remember that these are my experiences and feelings, not yours! If you have something to say, get your own blog.
Peace and love.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
soapbox manners
It is a funny thing when the thing that can offend the most is a simple thing such as manners, or lack there of.
I have been living in this country for over 5 years and have traveled to over 10 other countries and lived in Canada, Germany, UK and The Netherlands, and I have yet to come across a people who are more rude and belligerent than here. Just yesterday I was in a shop in Delft and was standing in line to try on some clothes and another person came along and actually walked in front of me and said in Dutch "so! I was standing in line" the fucking bitch!! I said "yeah so was I what do you think?" But instead of pushing her aside or making a huge fuss and being just as big of a bitch I let her do it.. Why I asked myself again and again. I did berate her from the other side of the curtain for sometime to hope she got the point.. but why would someone do this anyways? I don't always allow people to walk over me, and sometimes I am really horrible back... But what makes so many people so fucking RUDE here????!!! This is not the first time something equally as annoying and stupid has happened here, nor I am sure will it be the last.
I was raised in a country and by a family where manners seem the norm, and perhaps it is silly to be so but I appreciate it when people say "I sorry" or "excuse me" and mean it. Did you know there is no Dutch word for "excuse me". They will say "pardon" when they need to get past you (sometimes) and might even say "sorry" when they want something from you (directions) but I have yet to experience real politeness. Is that not strange to you?
It is not just in everyday situations like shopping, supermarkets and public transportation, but it puzzles me so much. Sorry, I am standing on a bit of a soapbox right now and have been bitching about things like this for the 5+ years that I have been living here (all my expat friends and poor Dutch friends alike) and of course to no avail. And what kills me is that every person I know including the Dutchies hate it!!! And yet nothing changes, sometimes I think people are getting worse as well.
I have been living in this country for over 5 years and have traveled to over 10 other countries and lived in Canada, Germany, UK and The Netherlands, and I have yet to come across a people who are more rude and belligerent than here. Just yesterday I was in a shop in Delft and was standing in line to try on some clothes and another person came along and actually walked in front of me and said in Dutch "so! I was standing in line" the fucking bitch!! I said "yeah so was I what do you think?" But instead of pushing her aside or making a huge fuss and being just as big of a bitch I let her do it.. Why I asked myself again and again. I did berate her from the other side of the curtain for sometime to hope she got the point.. but why would someone do this anyways? I don't always allow people to walk over me, and sometimes I am really horrible back... But what makes so many people so fucking RUDE here????!!! This is not the first time something equally as annoying and stupid has happened here, nor I am sure will it be the last.
I was raised in a country and by a family where manners seem the norm, and perhaps it is silly to be so but I appreciate it when people say "I sorry" or "excuse me" and mean it. Did you know there is no Dutch word for "excuse me". They will say "pardon" when they need to get past you (sometimes) and might even say "sorry" when they want something from you (directions) but I have yet to experience real politeness. Is that not strange to you?
It is not just in everyday situations like shopping, supermarkets and public transportation, but it puzzles me so much. Sorry, I am standing on a bit of a soapbox right now and have been bitching about things like this for the 5+ years that I have been living here (all my expat friends and poor Dutch friends alike) and of course to no avail. And what kills me is that every person I know including the Dutchies hate it!!! And yet nothing changes, sometimes I think people are getting worse as well.
More Music Matters
When I got the new iPod from Wes, there was some music on there that I quite liked and now am fully enthralled with, Snow Patrol. And guess what? I have tickets to see them one week from now, and am really excited. I know that they are quite big in other countries such as the UK (Scotland) where they are from and apparently also quite big in America. But lucky me, they are playing at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. It should be fantastic. It has been awhile since I was this excited about new music.
Mark and I were talking about finding out about a band before they become big and how come you can get angry when they become huge.. What is big then I ask? One of my all time favorite band of the last years' is Matthew Good, singer songwriter and political activists from Vancouver, Canada. This is a band (or singer/ songwriter) who moves me by his lyrics and music in such a way I find myself listening to his music and being moved mentally and sometimes physically. But I am off track here, I was also going to talk about the other two band that I will see in the next week as well.
2raumwhonung from Germany who I find to be wonderful and simple music which I also find relating to. I am flying to Berlin next weekend with a friend of mine to see them play, should be fantastic!! And a weekend in Berlin on top of it all.
And then after coming back and seeing Snow Patrol, two days later Sarah McLachlan. Who, the last time I saw her, was 1997 I was on stage less than 5 meters away with a camera for my old company, it was wonderful. Sadly this time I will just be part of the crowd. But I am looking forward to it none the less.
Well off to bed and dreaming about the big 2 weeks ahead. Sorry about the earlier rant.. but there will be more on that matter you can be assured. ...
Mark and I were talking about finding out about a band before they become big and how come you can get angry when they become huge.. What is big then I ask? One of my all time favorite band of the last years' is Matthew Good, singer songwriter and political activists from Vancouver, Canada. This is a band (or singer/ songwriter) who moves me by his lyrics and music in such a way I find myself listening to his music and being moved mentally and sometimes physically. But I am off track here, I was also going to talk about the other two band that I will see in the next week as well.
2raumwhonung from Germany who I find to be wonderful and simple music which I also find relating to. I am flying to Berlin next weekend with a friend of mine to see them play, should be fantastic!! And a weekend in Berlin on top of it all.
And then after coming back and seeing Snow Patrol, two days later Sarah McLachlan. Who, the last time I saw her, was 1997 I was on stage less than 5 meters away with a camera for my old company, it was wonderful. Sadly this time I will just be part of the crowd. But I am looking forward to it none the less.
Well off to bed and dreaming about the big 2 weeks ahead. Sorry about the earlier rant.. but there will be more on that matter you can be assured. ...
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