Today was undoubtedly a workingday, Wednesday. Only 2 days before weekend!
Not that my work is so bad, no I am lucky I work in a field which has a lot to do with my personal life.
That means a lot of figures, some tekst and people. And of course my collegues.
This week we have a trainee at the office. After highschool she follows a Vocational training.
She has an islamitic background and wears a head-scarf. When she started this week she wore a black one, today a white one and maybe tomorrow nothing.
If she wears a black one again, it doesn't matter.
I don't know why it frightens people, why people get so angry like in France.
This girl has her background in Maroc. Her parents come from there.
She's raised by her parents and consequently has the same believe as her parents have, maybe (most likely) less orthodox. But still she's here in The Netherlands, speaks the language and gets her grades.
She's almost like the Dutch girls. No not really, she is much more natural, more shy than natives.
Most likely her parents don't allow her to go out. Most likely she'll get a pre-arranged marriage (North African islamic and Turkish islamic culture is known for that)
A boring day, time was very treacly. After an hour I've done work wich could be done in an half an hour.
But I didn't work slower. Posssibly the input did take more time than usually.
But there was some dull work to do. Checking the cost of maintanance of our outstanding wheelchairs (about 5000)
Todays creditors account has only 800 rolling chairs (handmoved wheelchairs and scootmobils)
I also had to pay some bills and update a register of wheelchairs.
Tomorrow there'll be a meeting about the registration of wheelchairs. Some people of the Planning & Control-department want to know something about our register.
I'm working on it for 2 years now, but this is the first time there is some interest.
Today I can't get connected to the internet. I don't know what the cause is, hopefully it's temporary. This is the first time my provider didn't connect me to the internet.
Actually it isn't bad at al. I had other things to do. I went to Ikea nearby. I went to find out if the Forsby-table is something to have in my house, to work on. Well I hope I can get him up to the fourth floor. The table is in total 64 kilograms.
Indeed it's something big. And that for 199 Euro or about 150 dollar.
Also I watched a part of the Championsship match PSV-Pannatiakos (Greece). PSV won (1-0) but they many chances.
But it's time for my sleep, I need it badly
A demain,
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
This is or was my dog. The died on March 31 1997 of a chronical kidney disease on an age of 15 years.
I let her put asleep by the vet because she was in an horrible condition.
In the park on the picture I often let her out. I still carry her with me and when I have the mood I turn on music which I played when she was with me.
That music brings me in a mood to think about the relativity of being. To think about the past, present and future.
When I'm in the kitchen preparing my meal or doing the dishes, I often sing a song or sing with the late Johnny Cash or Mark Knopfler and of course The Beatles (Strawberry fields is actualy a tribute to my dog, hahah)
But I don't make it to long now, staring at the screen gives me headaches and as my work is also screen related I'm very fed up with this bright light shining in my face.
It makes me much more pale then I already was.
the dude was here too
Monday, September 27, 2004
Mini skirts
Huh, are they back, the mini skirts? Yes they are. In Enschede they are worn even in autumn.
Hopefully this will increase the number of hits.
In the news paper there was an article about an archaeological find. Just in garden of a family living close to the harbour on one of the Dutch isles. Mostly pots and pans. But also shoes, pipes and even coconuts. Lots of them.. they must have travelled a long way because they're 300 to 400 years old and in those days coconuts were hard to find on this side of the world.
the dude was here too
Sorry folks, collegeas, I didn't have my day.......
5 Days till the demo, 4 days to get my bike. And I had an awfull day. I didn't feel well. All day thinking about could have happened. I feel weakened an dreamy. I don't know if I had some absences (a dreamy state of being the mildest form of epilepsia). I can remember what happened in working hours.
And it was a lovely day, hard work, maybe to much looking at the screen. I should have more breaks.
Got to do the dishes.
And it was a lovely day, hard work, maybe to much looking at the screen. I should have more breaks.
Got to do the dishes.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Sunday, almost a bloody Sunday
Again I cycled with a group of cyclist united it "Ledig Erf".
People who love to cycle 80 k on a Sunday afternoon.
Startpoint is a bar in the center of Utrecht.
30 Or 40 riders join there in front of the bar to wait for the startsignal at around 1 PM.
Firstly the A-rider depart (they go around 40 k/hr), after them the B-group (35 k/hr) and at last the C's (30K/hr)
Today my riding was not very focussed on riding. I could easily follow and I was the quickest uphill.
But the second hill I almost collided with an oncoming biker. I was going uphill and rode at the leftside of the road because In wanted to pass some rider. Suddenly I heard a scream; "Moron!!!"
With topspeed something passed me. I didn't see him (according to the sound of the voice it was a he). I know I was wrong and have been very lucky. From then on I rode my own race. All the hills I was first on top. Constantly my mind was focussed on that almost collission.
I made it my own race because that scream made me think about my brother and I. I always called him a moron, when he did something stupid in my eyes.
Now I was very stupid. The race went on and on the dike back home I was a bit to early for the traditional sprint. A fourth place was what a got but back on Ledig Erf a cold beer was my reward.
occasionally I drive like a mad cow, or a moron.
Stats:
93.17 k
29.07 k/hr
3.12'.17" hr
51 k/hr (maximum speed)
26604 k (total on my bike)
2894 k (total in 2004)
People who love to cycle 80 k on a Sunday afternoon.
Startpoint is a bar in the center of Utrecht.
30 Or 40 riders join there in front of the bar to wait for the startsignal at around 1 PM.
Firstly the A-rider depart (they go around 40 k/hr), after them the B-group (35 k/hr) and at last the C's (30K/hr)
Today my riding was not very focussed on riding. I could easily follow and I was the quickest uphill.
But the second hill I almost collided with an oncoming biker. I was going uphill and rode at the leftside of the road because In wanted to pass some rider. Suddenly I heard a scream; "Moron!!!"
With topspeed something passed me. I didn't see him (according to the sound of the voice it was a he). I know I was wrong and have been very lucky. From then on I rode my own race. All the hills I was first on top. Constantly my mind was focussed on that almost collission.
I made it my own race because that scream made me think about my brother and I. I always called him a moron, when he did something stupid in my eyes.
Now I was very stupid. The race went on and on the dike back home I was a bit to early for the traditional sprint. A fourth place was what a got but back on Ledig Erf a cold beer was my reward.
occasionally I drive like a mad cow, or a moron.
Stats:
93.17 k
29.07 k/hr
3.12'.17" hr
51 k/hr (maximum speed)
26604 k (total on my bike)
2894 k (total in 2004)
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Spent a lot of money
Today I spent some money on what's my so called hobby, cycling. He costs over the 1,000 euro, without accessories, such as new shoes and pedels.
With this bike I'll compete with some riders in the B-group. With an average speed above 30 k an hour on a track of 82 k. Next week I'll have him in my stable.
Also I remember that next Saturday, with the big demo in Amsterdam, I cannot go to the store to pay for the bike and take him home.
No, Friday October 1 I need to go home earlier.
I also went to the grocery to get some food for the weekend. Milk, Yoghurt, concentrated tomato, Brocolli, chop(meat), banana, paprika, beet, butter, champignons, currant bun and some huge cookies. Tonight I'll eat some macaroni with cumcumber and flesh tomato with garlick.
But now I have to ride a few kilometers if you mind.
BTW Caren, are you a little bit afraid of dentists?
the dude was here too
Friday, September 24, 2004
Today September 24 2004
September 24 1981 I cannot remember.
It is 23 years ago that a car collided with me.
Around half past six in the morning I was on my bicycle on my way to school.
It happened just in the first kilometer when hell broke lose.
A car hit me in the back and I flew between trees along the road,
over a ditch and landed on a field, 15 meters from the road.
I fell down to earth and my head struck a stone.
At that moment lights turned off indefinitely.
I cannot remember a thing until the first days of November. I've been in a coma. And that period started on September 24 1981.
When I came back to the real world, I was physically a wreck. I was paralyzed at the left side of my body. My right eye was closed. My collarbone, shoulder and arm were broken and I had a braindamage.
The funny thing is that in the early weeks I recovered I didn't realize what happened.
I was washed like a baby, I was pampered until the first weeks of October, November but went to the toilet when I could go on my own.
The only important thing for me was getting back on track and be reunited with the people I loved at that moment.
I didn't was to be locked up in a hospitalbed in the midst of yelling and sick children. I wasn't ill. Something happened to me and I had to fight it, whatever it was.
But the situation was complicated. My parents were divorced. My brother and sister were awarded to the custody of my mother (and her new husband). I chose to stay with my father (and his new wife).
So when the accident happened there was a juridical fight about when one could come on visiting hours.
The month immediately after the accident I had no problems but after that when I gained some consciousness I had problems with that visiting schedule. I wanted to go home. But it was a long way.
I tried to escape the academic hospital. But outside the door it was raining, just the weather we have now. I didn't really know what to do. I stayed outside until somebody brought me back in the hospital.
(Years later when I studied in the same city I often cycled along the hospital I realized that escape was so close)
After that escape nurses also tied me in my bed and I got a room on my own. With a comb I could untie myself and with the room I was really happy. But still there was the necessity to go away from this hell.
I had to demand to watch football games and the speedscating on television. Everything was so strange to me. It was like me being a moviestar, but perhaps it's my brain which could see quite clear.
I remember a day in November when all the kids till about 12 year of age go along houses in the neighborhood with a hollow pumpkin with a light in it and sing a song to collect lots of sweets. So did my brother and sister, thanks.
But that couldn't change me wanting to go back home, to my father and his new wife. In December 1981 I went to a rehabiltationcenter. With Christmas I went home for a few days. And after that I was home every weekend.
In the rehab center I adjusted very well. Everything was easy. I went to school and practiced a lot to bring back power in my arm, feet, etcetera.
I recovered very quickly. I just made some friend when there was a boardmeeting with my parent about sending me back home.
Well, the big day of my discharge was February 19 1982. I left the rehabcenter with great joy. Everybody was happy for me. But I know that everyone in the center wasn't as lucky as I am.
Most of them where bound to wheelchair's, have major braininjuries, have progressive illnesses and will die on the short term. And they are only youngsters.
After my discharge I went on a holiday, celebrated my birthday and went back to school were I started in September.
Again I cycled to my school; 40 kilometers a day.
It's no wonder that I collapsed in October of the next year, 1983.
Then I was send to another school, close to my home, a level lower.
I did it with great ease. After that secondary school and some other education I got my Bachelordegree. Next goal could have been University but I..... yes I quit.
The accicent damaged me to much. My short term memory isn't that good. I get tired very easily and also I more than once had an epileptic attack. The last one about 3 years ago. From then on I got pills (it's no medication).
It is 23 years ago that a car collided with me.
Around half past six in the morning I was on my bicycle on my way to school.
It happened just in the first kilometer when hell broke lose.
A car hit me in the back and I flew between trees along the road,
over a ditch and landed on a field, 15 meters from the road.
I fell down to earth and my head struck a stone.
At that moment lights turned off indefinitely.
I cannot remember a thing until the first days of November. I've been in a coma. And that period started on September 24 1981.
When I came back to the real world, I was physically a wreck. I was paralyzed at the left side of my body. My right eye was closed. My collarbone, shoulder and arm were broken and I had a braindamage.
The funny thing is that in the early weeks I recovered I didn't realize what happened.
I was washed like a baby, I was pampered until the first weeks of October, November but went to the toilet when I could go on my own.
The only important thing for me was getting back on track and be reunited with the people I loved at that moment.
I didn't was to be locked up in a hospitalbed in the midst of yelling and sick children. I wasn't ill. Something happened to me and I had to fight it, whatever it was.
But the situation was complicated. My parents were divorced. My brother and sister were awarded to the custody of my mother (and her new husband). I chose to stay with my father (and his new wife).
So when the accident happened there was a juridical fight about when one could come on visiting hours.
The month immediately after the accident I had no problems but after that when I gained some consciousness I had problems with that visiting schedule. I wanted to go home. But it was a long way.
I tried to escape the academic hospital. But outside the door it was raining, just the weather we have now. I didn't really know what to do. I stayed outside until somebody brought me back in the hospital.
(Years later when I studied in the same city I often cycled along the hospital I realized that escape was so close)
After that escape nurses also tied me in my bed and I got a room on my own. With a comb I could untie myself and with the room I was really happy. But still there was the necessity to go away from this hell.
I had to demand to watch football games and the speedscating on television. Everything was so strange to me. It was like me being a moviestar, but perhaps it's my brain which could see quite clear.
I remember a day in November when all the kids till about 12 year of age go along houses in the neighborhood with a hollow pumpkin with a light in it and sing a song to collect lots of sweets. So did my brother and sister, thanks.
But that couldn't change me wanting to go back home, to my father and his new wife. In December 1981 I went to a rehabiltationcenter. With Christmas I went home for a few days. And after that I was home every weekend.
In the rehab center I adjusted very well. Everything was easy. I went to school and practiced a lot to bring back power in my arm, feet, etcetera.
I recovered very quickly. I just made some friend when there was a boardmeeting with my parent about sending me back home.
Well, the big day of my discharge was February 19 1982. I left the rehabcenter with great joy. Everybody was happy for me. But I know that everyone in the center wasn't as lucky as I am.
Most of them where bound to wheelchair's, have major braininjuries, have progressive illnesses and will die on the short term. And they are only youngsters.
After my discharge I went on a holiday, celebrated my birthday and went back to school were I started in September.
Again I cycled to my school; 40 kilometers a day.
It's no wonder that I collapsed in October of the next year, 1983.
Then I was send to another school, close to my home, a level lower.
I did it with great ease. After that secondary school and some other education I got my Bachelordegree. Next goal could have been University but I..... yes I quit.
The accicent damaged me to much. My short term memory isn't that good. I get tired very easily and also I more than once had an epileptic attack. The last one about 3 years ago. From then on I got pills (it's no medication).
Thursday, September 23, 2004
To decide to get soaked.
Autumn has started just before the 21st of this month and since then we had a lot of rain on the wrong moments. Wrong moments are around the clock of 8 AM and 4 PM. Times to go to work and go home. So one has to calculate when to go to work. Calculation isn't a hobby of me, it's my profession. So it won't be hard however to decide to go is my worst part. I admit occasionally I get soaked. But that's a decision I made.
Since Monday the weather is bad. But the funny thing is that it will be dry and sunny on 25 and 26 September. So cycling with LE will be again with beautiful clear skies and good view.
Right now the sun shines directly in my livingroom. No, I'm not going to cycle rite now sun.
What about the female prisoners in Iraq? Will they see the sun or will the Blair sacrifice the Briton?
One thing is for sure two have been killed and the world stood there.
Tomorrow will be a day as any other but in my life September the 24th has a history which started back in 1981.
Since Monday the weather is bad. But the funny thing is that it will be dry and sunny on 25 and 26 September. So cycling with LE will be again with beautiful clear skies and good view.
Right now the sun shines directly in my livingroom. No, I'm not going to cycle rite now sun.
What about the female prisoners in Iraq? Will they see the sun or will the Blair sacrifice the Briton?
One thing is for sure two have been killed and the world stood there.
Tomorrow will be a day as any other but in my life September the 24th has a history which started back in 1981.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
No apologies
Some people tell me that my English isn't real good. An European can hear (and maybe also read) that I am from The Netherlands. But I really like to hear your opinion about that. React under the latest post.
Time (of my life)
Today I stood up at seven in the morning. It was raining and it was like everything was stood still. A kind of silence in the street I didn't experience much in the two years I rent this house. When I went to work it was still raining and the weatherservice said that especially the midday would be rainy. I decided to walk to my office. After 15 minutes I was almost arrived at the spot when I had a feeling of some time ago. Walking gives me time to think about everything and nothing, what I have to do, etcetera. Also I didn't need some time to adjust to the situation on my desk. I used to travel almost 2 hours to my work. That gave me time to think about the things I had to do. After I found an apartment in Utrecht (that is the city I live in, 300,000 inhabitants, central in The Netherlands, close to Amsterdam) I cycled 20 minutes and that gave also time for adaptation and seeing my work in perpective, also in relation with my personal life.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Prinsjesdag
This is the day on which the cabinet makes public it's plan and goals for the coming year. It's always on the 3rd Tuesday of September when the Dutch Queen speeches before the ministers and members of Parliament about the mayor issues in The Netherlands.
After that the Minister of Financial Affairs will present the "millioenennota". That is the statement on the budget for the different departments meaning how much money will be spend on different affairs.
Police and anti terror forces (my country is just doing what most countries are supposingly are doing) will have more to spend and there won't be cuts on education.
In the cabinetplans the elderly and people who are going to lose their jobs sacrifice the most.
Of course there will be a meeting in Parliament about these plans. But as the cabinet has a majority, it's most likely the plans won't be altered much.
But a vast majority is against the plans which have been leaked a week before presentation. So the demonstration against the plans should be enormous.
The last demonstration was in Amsterdam in 1982. Then we demonstrated against the nuclear power missiles as a defense against the Russian and Eastern European threat. At that time USA was head of the world and called the demo a symptom of the Dutch disease. I was very young but I'm influenced by the Dd., using my democratic rights.
After that the Minister of Financial Affairs will present the "millioenennota". That is the statement on the budget for the different departments meaning how much money will be spend on different affairs.
Police and anti terror forces (my country is just doing what most countries are supposingly are doing) will have more to spend and there won't be cuts on education.
In the cabinetplans the elderly and people who are going to lose their jobs sacrifice the most.
Of course there will be a meeting in Parliament about these plans. But as the cabinet has a majority, it's most likely the plans won't be altered much.
But a vast majority is against the plans which have been leaked a week before presentation. So the demonstration against the plans should be enormous.
The last demonstration was in Amsterdam in 1982. Then we demonstrated against the nuclear power missiles as a defense against the Russian and Eastern European threat. At that time USA was head of the world and called the demo a symptom of the Dutch disease. I was very young but I'm influenced by the Dd., using my democratic rights.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Monday, Monday
That means that the weekend is over. A new working day, fell out off bed, noticed it was still dark. My radio was on. It was 6.45 AM, wake up, find some clothes, get some food, brush my teeth and go to work. In the same order but slower as I write this down.
At the office I had to do the usual things but also I started a new thing; Making inquiries into one's rights on social benefits in relation with their disability.
I continued what I started Friday so I can't complain. That work is something new. I am learning more of the organization. Okay sometimes one can better know nothing cause the more one knows the higher one's responsibility the sooner one's **** is on a silver plate.(I don't know if the censor approves this) It's a bit sensitive in certain settings. I don't blame.
"If I'd a bucket of gold, silver would do
I'd leave the story untold Sivertown blues"
Mark Knopfler, Sailing to Philadelphia
And yesterday I had again MSN contact with Judith. I was updating this blog and was at 12.00 PM almost finished. We wished eachother goodnight. She stayed up I think, I went to my bed.
Okay,okay, I noticed that Sarah knows that I called her -my favorite webblog vamp-.
I'll not explain that. Sarah Ackerman your site is a nice place to be, to dream and sail across the ocean.
Oh time for my pill now.
At the office I had to do the usual things but also I started a new thing; Making inquiries into one's rights on social benefits in relation with their disability.
I continued what I started Friday so I can't complain. That work is something new. I am learning more of the organization. Okay sometimes one can better know nothing cause the more one knows the higher one's responsibility the sooner one's **** is on a silver plate.(I don't know if the censor approves this) It's a bit sensitive in certain settings. I don't blame.
"If I'd a bucket of gold, silver would do
I'd leave the story untold Sivertown blues"
Mark Knopfler, Sailing to Philadelphia
And yesterday I had again MSN contact with Judith. I was updating this blog and was at 12.00 PM almost finished. We wished eachother goodnight. She stayed up I think, I went to my bed.
Okay,okay, I noticed that Sarah knows that I called her -my favorite webblog vamp-.
I'll not explain that. Sarah Ackerman your site is a nice place to be, to dream and sail across the ocean.
Oh time for my pill now.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
What a beautiful day...
What a day, despite it was late last night and I drank a lot of wine, it was a pretty short night in which I slept very well. Happily my downstair neighbour doesn't cough so much lately (her bronchitus lasted the whole summer)
I woke up a bit early and the sun was shining. Weatherservice didn't forecast that. All blue skies. I could see the skies over Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam, the shore, you name it.
So I had work to do, clean my livingroom, wash the dishes and prepare myself for the 5th ride with "ledig erf". This time I was going to ride with the group and stay with them till the finish and have a beer.
Well I did it and for 86.74 K I needed 2 hours, 58 minutes and 11 seconds, that is 29.21 K an hour. My topspeed was 51 K an hour. My total distance is 26.511 K of which 2800 K this year.
Yes it was a beautiful day with interesting people.
Yes this morning I had again a moment of total happiness, maybe it was the sun shining through the window of my livingroom while I was drinking a cup of coffee, or it was the cloudiness deepblue sky with different coloures of green in the gardens I'm looking on. Wonder what brings happiness to my house. The wine did its work?
I woke up a bit early and the sun was shining. Weatherservice didn't forecast that. All blue skies. I could see the skies over Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam, the shore, you name it.
So I had work to do, clean my livingroom, wash the dishes and prepare myself for the 5th ride with "ledig erf". This time I was going to ride with the group and stay with them till the finish and have a beer.
Well I did it and for 86.74 K I needed 2 hours, 58 minutes and 11 seconds, that is 29.21 K an hour. My topspeed was 51 K an hour. My total distance is 26.511 K of which 2800 K this year.
Yes it was a beautiful day with interesting people.
Yes this morning I had again a moment of total happiness, maybe it was the sun shining through the window of my livingroom while I was drinking a cup of coffee, or it was the cloudiness deepblue sky with different coloures of green in the gardens I'm looking on. Wonder what brings happiness to my house. The wine did its work?
The Write Wing: 4 More Years? No thanks.
The Write Wing: 4 More Years? No thanks.
I just wanna let you know that some people are really anti-Bush.
I just wanna let you know that some people are really anti-Bush.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Being intellectual...
I bought a different quality newspaper instead of the other quality paper I always buy on Saturdays.
In it was an article about intellectualism. Every generation needs a few. Why? Because they can keep the mind of people and decision makers sharp. They can generate new ideas and give different opinions. That sharpens the mind. And in the world of today we need that because we live in a knowledge society.
The intellectual can provide society with views on problems by asking questions because he doesn't know but wants to know.
Okay there is some anti-intellectuality in the world. Maybe because intellectuals are often left in the political spectrum. Maybe because they ask so many questions.
But some of them do the right thing and write beautiful stuff on the web. And some of those writers are on their way to be one of them, Caren.
But happily only a few have to be them.
the dude was here too
In it was an article about intellectualism. Every generation needs a few. Why? Because they can keep the mind of people and decision makers sharp. They can generate new ideas and give different opinions. That sharpens the mind. And in the world of today we need that because we live in a knowledge society.
The intellectual can provide society with views on problems by asking questions because he doesn't know but wants to know.
Okay there is some anti-intellectuality in the world. Maybe because intellectuals are often left in the political spectrum. Maybe because they ask so many questions.
But some of them do the right thing and write beautiful stuff on the web. And some of those writers are on their way to be one of them, Caren.
But happily only a few have to be them.
the dude was here too
The unknown illness of a Dutch prime minister.
What is going on in The Netherlands. The elderly people, especially those who are physically not very well have very hard times, got to pay for everything till their last euro. The state pension is going down and health insurance gets equal for rich and poor. That means that rich people have to pay as much as old people who have no real income. Inflation is low but the inflation on the state budget is very high.
The government can't do what they promised. For many people the promise a reality for years and suddenly a new cabinet with a first class sucker as prime minister and a scholarly recluse (from my dictionary) as his deputy.(compare it with Bush/Cheney)
I say do the things you're good at. I work for the local administration because that's where my heart goes and where I belong. Reliability is the key-word.
For the Dutch prime minister the key-words are ethics and values. And he brings them into practice in such a low and shitty way. Now he seems to have a virusinfection on a foot. Normal people are dismissed from hospital in 5 days maybe less. He will stay at lest a fortnight. Maybe his foot will be ampputated and he'll walk like the last nazi-chief in the Netherlands.
The government can't do what they promised. For many people the promise a reality for years and suddenly a new cabinet with a first class sucker as prime minister and a scholarly recluse (from my dictionary) as his deputy.(compare it with Bush/Cheney)
I say do the things you're good at. I work for the local administration because that's where my heart goes and where I belong. Reliability is the key-word.
For the Dutch prime minister the key-words are ethics and values. And he brings them into practice in such a low and shitty way. Now he seems to have a virusinfection on a foot. Normal people are dismissed from hospital in 5 days maybe less. He will stay at lest a fortnight. Maybe his foot will be ampputated and he'll walk like the last nazi-chief in the Netherlands.
North America.
The United States of America stood in the middle of the dreams of many Europeans. After that and still Canada was a country for Europeans to emigrate. Still farmers emigrate to Canada to get rid of the EU legislation on farming and agriculture. Canada seems to be the land of plenty. Just as the US were before.
But now I don't hear,read and see people to emigrate to the far west. Are they afraid, don't they feel the need to emigrate or do they feel at home in a new Europe?
I think Europeans still feel their country is their home, not Europe. Though I feel as if Europe is my country and The Netherlands is were I live. The world is very small nowadays. Europe can be seen as a country with many differences.
When your 1200 K from home it's still Europe and you can do the same you do 100 K away. What's the difference. Europe is becoming more and more one nation.
I think there is less emigration of native Europeans. I think it's because of the fact that Europe has so much to offer. The nation develops itself. Maybe not quick, but as an oiltanker at sea it can't be stopped.
However there are some commentaries on this subject of globalization, for example by John Stiglitz (on my bookshelf)
the dude was here too
But now I don't hear,read and see people to emigrate to the far west. Are they afraid, don't they feel the need to emigrate or do they feel at home in a new Europe?
I think Europeans still feel their country is their home, not Europe. Though I feel as if Europe is my country and The Netherlands is were I live. The world is very small nowadays. Europe can be seen as a country with many differences.
When your 1200 K from home it's still Europe and you can do the same you do 100 K away. What's the difference. Europe is becoming more and more one nation.
I think there is less emigration of native Europeans. I think it's because of the fact that Europe has so much to offer. The nation develops itself. Maybe not quick, but as an oiltanker at sea it can't be stopped.
However there are some commentaries on this subject of globalization, for example by John Stiglitz (on my bookshelf)
the dude was here too
Friday, September 17, 2004
Reaction of Sarah on a question of me.
"Hi Jan,
I will NEVER favor Bush. I can't wait to get that idiot out of office.
And I thinkmost of my posse agrees though I do have some friends who are
registered 'independent'. America needs a democrat back in office!"
Jan Klaasen wrote on 9/15/04, 4:24 PM:
> Hi Sarah,
> whats the opinion in your innercircle. Are your friends more against Bush
> than pro Kerry or will they (or you) favor Bush in the end. (hard to
> imagine) But it's only 47 days to election... any plans?
>
> John, aka xxxxxwinter
The next day my favorite weblog-vamp- answered.
In my eyes Sarah grows definitely.
the dude was here too
I will NEVER favor Bush. I can't wait to get that idiot out of office.
And I thinkmost of my posse agrees though I do have some friends who are
registered 'independent'. America needs a democrat back in office!"
Jan Klaasen wrote on 9/15/04, 4:24 PM:
> Hi Sarah,
> whats the opinion in your innercircle. Are your friends more against Bush
> than pro Kerry or will they (or you) favor Bush in the end. (hard to
> imagine) But it's only 47 days to election... any plans?
>
> John, aka xxxxxwinter
The next day my favorite weblog-vamp- answered.
In my eyes Sarah grows definitely.
the dude was here too
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Championsleague
In Europe yesterday and today matches in the championleague have been played. Ajax Amsterdam lost it's game against Arsenal (0-1) and PSV Eindhoven lost against Juventus (0-1)
the dude was here too
the dude was here too
October 2 2004 Anti-Balkenende demonstration Amsterdam
On October 2 I gonna march in Amsterdam against the policy of this cabinet.
Everything is being downsized, even against economic principles.
Bad mistakes are being made time and time again. Also on local scale millions are wasted by lack of integrity.
And this government is the worst unreliable government.
I'll protest.
the dude was here too
Everything is being downsized, even against economic principles.
Bad mistakes are being made time and time again. Also on local scale millions are wasted by lack of integrity.
And this government is the worst unreliable government.
I'll protest.
the dude was here too
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Kiruna, Sweden will be rebuild somewhere else
This morning I heard the news that Kiruna will be rebuild somewhere else. The mine might damage the town of 25.000 inhabitants. Cracks in the ground might damage the people living in it. This summer I was in Kiruna and in the mine. The guide there told that the plan was made that around in 2006 the decision has to be made whether to go on with mining or to stop.
Well, the board has made it's decision I think. Break down the whole city for 1.2 billion Euro's is cheaper than leaving the iron ore into the ground. There is plenty to go on mining for decades. LKAB mining company has a large net-profit so they can affort it.
Well, the board has made it's decision I think. Break down the whole city for 1.2 billion Euro's is cheaper than leaving the iron ore into the ground. There is plenty to go on mining for decades. LKAB mining company has a large net-profit so they can affort it.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Baking a cake.....to live or to die.
I'm baking a cake.. maybe there are better things to do, but I'm baking a cake. Just an ordinary one with butter, eggs, flour and a bit vanilla sucre. It's gonna be delicious. Especially the mixture of the ingredients are tasty. As a child when my mum baked a cake I was always there before the she put the mix into the furnace. But that's a long time ago.
It's psygology of the mind, tastes and smells which remember you of the past. I have the same feeling when I drive along an old farm where the cows are in the meadow and you can grasp a smell of those animals, the dried grass in the farmhouse or the peculiair smell of grass stored outside under 2 feet of soil. It's not dried and the juicy smell brings me back to my youth when I was 11, 12 years old. My memory drift back to the past and goes back to the future. Good and bad times. The silent crash of the world stockmarkets, the 9-11 disaster, the tension in the world, the wars (war on drugs, on terror, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Sudan, Serbia-Montenegro, Iran-Iraq, football: Holland-Germany, the Brussels Heizeldrama (anybody remember?)you name it.)
And now the rival ban in the USA is no longer in power America will be a battlefield too. It'll be shoot to kill. To gun or to be gunned = to live or to die.
Always remember, the dude was here too and he's on your side.
It's psygology of the mind, tastes and smells which remember you of the past. I have the same feeling when I drive along an old farm where the cows are in the meadow and you can grasp a smell of those animals, the dried grass in the farmhouse or the peculiair smell of grass stored outside under 2 feet of soil. It's not dried and the juicy smell brings me back to my youth when I was 11, 12 years old. My memory drift back to the past and goes back to the future. Good and bad times. The silent crash of the world stockmarkets, the 9-11 disaster, the tension in the world, the wars (war on drugs, on terror, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Sudan, Serbia-Montenegro, Iran-Iraq, football: Holland-Germany, the Brussels Heizeldrama (anybody remember?)you name it.)
And now the rival ban in the USA is no longer in power America will be a battlefield too. It'll be shoot to kill. To gun or to be gunned = to live or to die.
Always remember, the dude was here too and he's on your side.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Bad luck today.
Yesterday I moved my furniture in my livingroom a little. Immediately the room looks bigger, space is used more efficicent.
There are some things I wanna do to make the restyling complete. Firstly the curtain on the sunside has to be replaced. It's an old one of my brother. I hung it there almost 2 years ago to have some privacy and it still hangs there. Time for something different.
Also I need a table (breakfast/dinner) Now I've one I made myself 17 years ago. At Ikea (and they are everywhere all over the world, but wether they offer the same I don't know) I saw a Forsby table. It's big (1.80 x 1.00) and robust.
Yeah, that might be something.
After enjoying the space in my livingroom for some hours and drinking a couple of beers I went to bed at half past twelve. Kinda early because Sunday I have to cycle again like friday. Surpricingly it was the same reversed route. In almost 3 hours we did it. My topspeed was 61 kilometers an hour. Total distance 85 kilomters against an average of 28.61 K an hour.
It went all very well however it was the strongest wind we had so far. (Frances!)
After a beer at the cafe where we start and finish I went home. At a moment I approched a junction with a stoppinglight (red of course), a light railroad and motoragent waiting for a stoppinglight. All directions were free, I had sufficient speed but the policeman on the BMW-motor forced me to stop. So I did. I knew that I was wrong and a bill should be the result. However when I stopped the BWM hit my last wheel. The power and weight of the motor were too much so now I've got a bent wheel. The policeman immediately stated that it was his fault and that repair will be payed. He slipped through his break he told me. Well, bad breaks are very dangerous I told him.
The last kilometers of my trip was in a police van. Bad luck today.
the dude was here too
There are some things I wanna do to make the restyling complete. Firstly the curtain on the sunside has to be replaced. It's an old one of my brother. I hung it there almost 2 years ago to have some privacy and it still hangs there. Time for something different.
Also I need a table (breakfast/dinner) Now I've one I made myself 17 years ago. At Ikea (and they are everywhere all over the world, but wether they offer the same I don't know) I saw a Forsby table. It's big (1.80 x 1.00) and robust.
Yeah, that might be something.
After enjoying the space in my livingroom for some hours and drinking a couple of beers I went to bed at half past twelve. Kinda early because Sunday I have to cycle again like friday. Surpricingly it was the same reversed route. In almost 3 hours we did it. My topspeed was 61 kilometers an hour. Total distance 85 kilomters against an average of 28.61 K an hour.
It went all very well however it was the strongest wind we had so far. (Frances!)
After a beer at the cafe where we start and finish I went home. At a moment I approched a junction with a stoppinglight (red of course), a light railroad and motoragent waiting for a stoppinglight. All directions were free, I had sufficient speed but the policeman on the BMW-motor forced me to stop. So I did. I knew that I was wrong and a bill should be the result. However when I stopped the BWM hit my last wheel. The power and weight of the motor were too much so now I've got a bent wheel. The policeman immediately stated that it was his fault and that repair will be payed. He slipped through his break he told me. Well, bad breaks are very dangerous I told him.
The last kilometers of my trip was in a police van. Bad luck today.
the dude was here too
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Cycling after work
Yesterday I finished work at 16:30. At 17:00 I was on my bike dressed in full outfit as if I were gonna attack the Olympic hills in Athens on my way to win a medal.
No, I was on my bike cycling the same route I cycle on Sundays with some other people. But now I did the reverse route. That means first through the heartland of the province of Utrecht to Amerongen. After Amerongen there it becomes a bit hilly and after 40 kilometers it's more difficult than after 25 K. After that hilly stretch of 15 K. I cycled home, to the town of Utrecht. On my way back I had a small break to eat something in a restaurant. At 9 pm I was back home. It was completely dark by then. Totals: trip, 91.39 K, average 27.85 K, cyclingtime 3".16'.56, max. speed 54 K/hr, total distance 26.314 kilometers, total 2004 2604 K.
I really cycled to much cause I worked all that, didn't eat proper food and liquids.
Probably this will be the last time to do this distance after work, it's getting colder and darker. Wintertime is coming.
the dude was here too
No, I was on my bike cycling the same route I cycle on Sundays with some other people. But now I did the reverse route. That means first through the heartland of the province of Utrecht to Amerongen. After Amerongen there it becomes a bit hilly and after 40 kilometers it's more difficult than after 25 K. After that hilly stretch of 15 K. I cycled home, to the town of Utrecht. On my way back I had a small break to eat something in a restaurant. At 9 pm I was back home. It was completely dark by then. Totals: trip, 91.39 K, average 27.85 K, cyclingtime 3".16'.56, max. speed 54 K/hr, total distance 26.314 kilometers, total 2004 2604 K.
I really cycled to much cause I worked all that, didn't eat proper food and liquids.
Probably this will be the last time to do this distance after work, it's getting colder and darker. Wintertime is coming.
the dude was here too
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Wendy's Pointless Chatter
Wendy's Pointless Chatter
Wendy is a girl Sarah knows from -I don't know- but she has a different Blog.. Also put to my webblog.
Remember to inform me for your own special webblog.
Wendy is a girl Sarah knows from -I don't know- but she has a different Blog.. Also put to my webblog.
Remember to inform me for your own special webblog.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Emailaddress and some more
Tomorrow I'll have some talks with my bank. They made a proposal about how to invest.
If you know that I'm an European guy you should know that I avoid risks as much as possible. Now my financial and social position is so much more stable than in the last few years I should re-shift my stocks, bonds, financial funds and foreign money.
The situation now should change but the proposal the bank made is not what I want. I have to tell them that and hopefully the account manager and analyst understand my feelings and situation.
When people get older often they take less risks.
So am I.
If you know that I'm an European guy you should know that I avoid risks as much as possible. Now my financial and social position is so much more stable than in the last few years I should re-shift my stocks, bonds, financial funds and foreign money.
The situation now should change but the proposal the bank made is not what I want. I have to tell them that and hopefully the account manager and analyst understand my feelings and situation.
When people get older often they take less risks.
So am I.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Work
Well my first day at the office again. And so many fresh faces again. Everyone wanted to know about my break. (No not everyone but many colleges) Also I'm asked to play volleyball next month in a little tournament (I can hear my fingers break!!!) I said yes I'll do it.
And an other cyclist in the office was also back from a fortnight in Great-Britain. He cycled from Lands End to the most northern point of the Island. It was appr. 1700 kilometers he said.
Also my break was a success. Both weather and cycling were beautiful. I already wrote about Friday September 3rd, the 218 K. Monday the 6th I completed the break with a 26 kilometers in a part of my hometown which is partly new to me. And I live only 5 to 10 kilometers away. Look at utrecht.nl
the dude was here too
And an other cyclist in the office was also back from a fortnight in Great-Britain. He cycled from Lands End to the most northern point of the Island. It was appr. 1700 kilometers he said.
Also my break was a success. Both weather and cycling were beautiful. I already wrote about Friday September 3rd, the 218 K. Monday the 6th I completed the break with a 26 kilometers in a part of my hometown which is partly new to me. And I live only 5 to 10 kilometers away. Look at utrecht.nl
the dude was here too
Monday, September 06, 2004
welkom @ hoorspel het bureau
radioplay -the office-
-Het bureau- (translated in english -the office-) is a radioplay of appr. 15 minutes in which the book with the same title is being told by several Dutch actors and actresses.
-Het bureau- (translated in english -the office-) is a radioplay of appr. 15 minutes in which the book with the same title is being told by several Dutch actors and actresses.
Holiday, bloodshed, tears, panic, a wrong reaction and a dead comedian
Hello, today is the last day of my short holiday. I'm glad that I said to my colleague, who wanted to paint the outside of his house and needed also some dry days that I wanted to have a break for a few days. I said it really a month ago. So I don't feel guilty about it. When there were signs of a warm period (25 degrees C) I made plans of a cycle tour. So in total I cycled 218 kilometers in one day, 88 K with the Ledig Erf-cyclists and today I'll cycle a short distance. But the totals aren't bad at all: yesterday 88.18 K in 3:01:16 Hr, average 29.19 kilometers an hour, maximum speed 52 K/hour, distance so far 26.195 K of which in 2004 2486 K
Friday 3 September when I was cycling for nine a halve hour, something horrible happened in Russia. Some lunatic, fundamentalist extremists who earlier on took control over a complete school (the 1st day of the new scholastic year when all the teachers, staff, students (of very young age) and family were together). The extremist hostagetakers controlled the school, but didn't really control the situation. It was an assault on harmless youngsters and the adult people at the school. It was suicide and murder. More than 700 people the killed or wounded. This doesn't make sense.
I think that the people who did this don't fight for a free Tjsetsjenia (or whatever they call it). If they are linked to the Taliban they know that teaching is very important, Taliban started to teach. Now we know they teach hate. And that no good in the long run. 600 years from now people will still feel the pain, in a different way. This won't end.
And then the reaction of the Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs, who is at this moment also the European Minister of FA (is that true?). In his reaction to Putin he asked, he wanted an explanation why there were so many casualties.
That was one step to far for the Dutch minister. He made a comment that those words were not written. In my opinion he should sympathize with the whole damned situation, with the victims and relatives, no matter if the Russian state is responsible also for the outcome of the hostage-taking.
But also a couple of day's ago a famous Dutch singer/songwriter died. Bram Vermeulen was a good one, with enormous number of songs.... Many of them are real good.. However I don't know him very well... When I read the newstag on screen I couldn't believe it. He was only 57 and died of a heartattack on vacation in Italy.
But everybody has to face his final destination, how horrifying it may be. (remember the kids in Russia. No not a good comparison really).
"Er is een deel van mij
In de Ardennen blijven steken
Een ander deel
Ligt in Italie aan zee
Weer een ander deel
Is in les Landes gebleven
Ik neem steeds minder
Van mijzelf nog mee"
Bram Vermeulen in -Verlangen-
I also heard an interview with Bram Vermeulen in which he told about the death of his mother and the way he found her after 2 days. He found her lying on the ground and he felt that everything came together. His 98 year old mother became a Greek goddess of long ago. Everything that characterizes a woman came together. Strength, sacrificing, warmth. But now he's also cold.
The older I am, the colder I get and "I take less of myself with me. I leave it behind."
the dude was here too
Friday 3 September when I was cycling for nine a halve hour, something horrible happened in Russia. Some lunatic, fundamentalist extremists who earlier on took control over a complete school (the 1st day of the new scholastic year when all the teachers, staff, students (of very young age) and family were together). The extremist hostagetakers controlled the school, but didn't really control the situation. It was an assault on harmless youngsters and the adult people at the school. It was suicide and murder. More than 700 people the killed or wounded. This doesn't make sense.
I think that the people who did this don't fight for a free Tjsetsjenia (or whatever they call it). If they are linked to the Taliban they know that teaching is very important, Taliban started to teach. Now we know they teach hate. And that no good in the long run. 600 years from now people will still feel the pain, in a different way. This won't end.
And then the reaction of the Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs, who is at this moment also the European Minister of FA (is that true?). In his reaction to Putin he asked, he wanted an explanation why there were so many casualties.
That was one step to far for the Dutch minister. He made a comment that those words were not written. In my opinion he should sympathize with the whole damned situation, with the victims and relatives, no matter if the Russian state is responsible also for the outcome of the hostage-taking.
But also a couple of day's ago a famous Dutch singer/songwriter died. Bram Vermeulen was a good one, with enormous number of songs.... Many of them are real good.. However I don't know him very well... When I read the newstag on screen I couldn't believe it. He was only 57 and died of a heartattack on vacation in Italy.
But everybody has to face his final destination, how horrifying it may be. (remember the kids in Russia. No not a good comparison really).
"Er is een deel van mij
In de Ardennen blijven steken
Een ander deel
Ligt in Italie aan zee
Weer een ander deel
Is in les Landes gebleven
Ik neem steeds minder
Van mijzelf nog mee"
Bram Vermeulen in -Verlangen-
I also heard an interview with Bram Vermeulen in which he told about the death of his mother and the way he found her after 2 days. He found her lying on the ground and he felt that everything came together. His 98 year old mother became a Greek goddess of long ago. Everything that characterizes a woman came together. Strength, sacrificing, warmth. But now he's also cold.
The older I am, the colder I get and "I take less of myself with me. I leave it behind."
the dude was here too
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