La pura vida

It's been enough for today. Don't feel like studying anymore.
As I wrote about before, I'm trying to keep a smile now that the days grow darker and much shorter. So right now actually, I'm sitting with the biggest grin. Just watched the movie by Wim Wenders 'Buena Vista Social Club', a beautiful film and tribute to the streets and music of Havana de Cuba that portrays the people behind the 'project' album from 1997 with the same title. Thanks to Ry Cooder and Juan De Marcos we are able to once again enjoy much more of this kind of life-giving, life-confirming and life-enhancing music. One can only enjoy it, no way you can sit still. Musicians that had been completely forgotten can once more bring the 'son' of Cuba to the spotlight.

I mean, how else would you hear a 90 year old telling about how he used to light the cigars for his grandmother as a 5 year old. Basically telling he has been smoking for 85 years... Respect :)
Compay Segundo, he died at the age of 95, last summer, but not before leaving these 'immortal' words in the movie:
"As long as I have blood in my veins...
...l'll go on loving women
Women, flowers and romance are the most beautiful things in life
One night of romance...that has no price
I haven't forgotten it, and I'm 90 years old
I have five children
You met Salvador and Basilio. Salvador is the youngest
I have five children. But now I'm working on the sixth
I want to have one more."

From basically anyone it would sounds cheesy and like an old pig, but not him. The image of that man, in a chair, with his guitar, huuuuuuuge cigar and his white hat.

Or hearing Ruben Gonzalez talking, the pianist, who unfortunately is no longer with us anymore either, about how he came to the 'big city' and joined an orchestra, or learning how to play piano at the age of 7. He can hardly walk, but put him behind a piano, and the hands are flowing past the black and white of the instrument. One of the scenes in the film shows him playing a piano in a grand hall, where small girls are practicing ballet. They all gather around him, smiling, jumping, dancing, with him continuously improvising. Just playing for joy.

"Ay, que linda es la musica..."

I have many sweet memories with the first Buena Vista Social Club album, in the spring of 2000 we played it continuously, bringing a smile to everyones face everytime. Dancing to it at 5 am with "la mas bonita Cordobesa", with everything else quiet.
Or just playing it on a rainy day, when you feel like some sunshine in your room...

Part of the movie is taken from the concert they gave in the Carré Theatre in Amsterdam, unfortunately I didn't see it then (although I've seen an amazing Elvis Costello concert there), but last year we were so lucky to see Ibrahim Ferrer, one of the singers on the original album, in concert. Promoting his new album, Buenos Hermanos. I remember his smile, his joy for music. Of all the people on stage, the same thing you will see in the movie. So great, such joy for life is really infectious. We could use more of that here, that's for sure.
Just see the the tears of Omara Portuondo, when singing 'Silencio' with Ibrahim Ferrer on stage. Beautifully captured on film, blending the studio recording session with the live performance. Picturing the spirit and 'alma' of the music. Lovely...

Well, I know I'll be having this smile for a while, as tomorrow I am invited to a 'Fiesta Peruana', with Peruvian food, and a variety of concerts with musicians from Colombia and Peru, with following a latin club night all night... I guess I'll be practicing my Spanish a looot again tomorrow. And with sore legs of dancing on Sunday. I am looking forward...

Enjoy your life, what else is there to do to chase away the dark clouds that try to blur your mind...?

"Silencio, que están durmiendo los nardos y las azucenas..."

Advanced Languages Classes

For all of you, for the weekend... I'll come and test you on Monday ;)

Everything you always wanted to know about languages, but had to be drunk to to ask.

I know some crazy French Canadian who was writing down the same sentences in all kinds of languages, last time I saw him (wwaaaayyy to long ago) he had more than 60 languages in his little notebook.

Wonder how many he's got now... He'd love this site for sure!

Or... in their own words:
"How to insult, swear, cuss, and curse in 165 languages!

Swearsaurus is the world's largest resource of multilingual swearing. It will teach you a vast array of swearing, profanity, obscenity, blasphemy, cursing, cussing, and insulting in a massive 165 languages - because it's good to experience cultural diversity!"

As ever, as intercultural as ever. My studies weren't a total waste of time! Hehehe...

Laughter is the best medicine...

Some humor to start the day 


'They' say laughter is the best medicine, but as well that humor is mainly used in situation where the brain needs relief, such things that are important to the person are ventilated through through the use of humor...
In other words, I hope there is a medicine available for all the damage done by the above pictured person...
Seven days to go...

...and it became a bit more boring

'Legendary radio DJ John Peel dies'

Hmmmm, just came across the following, and it makes me sad somehow. Anyone in love with all kinds of good music has heard his name over the last 40 years. One of the most influential BBC dj's ever, who had a famous radio pogram, and who brought a lot of off-key and obscure music to the mainstream. Lots of (British) artists are in great debt to him.
Through him I have collected and encountered some great tunes; alternate, acoustic or totally redone versions of great songs, from Teenage Fanclub to David Bowie to Joy Division to The Who to the Sex Pistols to Jimi Hendrix to Pulp to Belle & Sebastian to...well, all others... The 'Peel Sessions' attracted many. Respected and well-liked by all. Quite a loss...

Well, mainstream radio and the coverage of the British music festivals will be a lot more boring from now on... (although the former can hardly get any worse, but that's another story!)

"It was because of him I got to hear some of the most obscure but influential music I ever heard. "
James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers

Right now, all music related sites are bringing the news, all are showing their respects and regret, the public mourning has begun once again, but this time it is real and no teddybears in sight fortunately:
"Without him generation upon generation of free thinking music fans would never have had access to so much quality music by some of today's most respected bands...."

Heheheh

Like I said: keep the smile!!

Q: What's the difference between Iraq and Vietnam?

A: George W. Bush had a plan for getting out of Vietnam.

People that make laws are seriously deranged

Ok, have to post this one.

As everyone I have a serious dislike of bureaucracy, and as a 'true' Dutchman I hate too many rules and will avoid and counter them whenever I can (which is a funny thing in DK, one of the most regulated countries ever, but that's another story)...

Therefore I give you this link: about the extreme stupidity and grand hypocrisy of bureaucrats, deskjockeys and 'mierenneukers' as the lovely and poetic Dutch word goes. Maybe the 'conscience of Emdrup' would care to give his comment and translation of the word ;) Mark, the mic is yours!

Oh... and the pictures in that link are not for the fainthearted ;) No mums or dads around when watching :)

Just smile and chase the dark clouds away

You know one of those days where everything seems to go wrong and everything is giving you troubles. Well, today and the last 2 days have been like that.
Just got back from a trip with my grandmother to the dentist, and I just have the worst headache. It's stressing me out that she's old and tired. It's getting hard to keep her going... and I am the same time trying to focus on some things that are truly important too... well, won't bother you that. Trying not to tire the entire world with all those cumbersome things...

Still...a smile is coming back to my face and I feel the headache fading, just listening to one of those songs that always will make you smile and can't fail to make you dance... Carlos Vives' 'Luna Nueva'... one of those songs that won't go away, won't leave your head.

And the text is lovely and beautiful too, very sweet and amazingly romantic and naive, but it makes you dream of far away places and beautiful smiles and... well, you'll guess the rest ;)

"Luna Nueva"

Que un beso te quite el sueño
cuando pareces dormida
que enciendas con tu mirada
la luz de la vida mía.

Que el corazón se me estalle
cuando me toques el alma
y la piel se me derrita
con tu piel enamorada.

Que un beso nos lleve al cielo
volando en tus sentimientos
que se expanda una caricia
gritando a los cuatro vientos.

Que te amo con desespero
como loco en luna nueva
que cuando no estás conmigo
la tierra se me acelera.

que tus manos y tus besos
me lleven a lo que siento
que un rayo que alumbre el sueño
destelle este sentimiento.

Que me arrulles con tus cuentos
que me robes las cobijas
que volvamos a ser niños
jugando a las escondidas.

Que bailemos en las calles
que me regreses la calma
que la piel se me derrita
con tu piel enamorada.

Que un beso nos lleve al cielo
volando en tus sentimientos
que se expanda una caricia
gritando a los cuatro vientos.

Que te amo con desespero
como loco en luna nueva
que cuando no estas conmigo
la tierra se me acelera.

Que tus manos y tus besos
me lleven a lo que siento
que un rayo que alumbre el sueño
destelle este sentimiento.

Te quiero cariño santo
te adoro mujer divina
tú eres la cosa más bella
la que me alegra la vida

Y decirte a la mañana
cuando se aparece el día
por la tarde, por la noche
que eres la única en mi vida.

Y que te amo con desespero…

Yo vine a buscarte
para que salieras
y que me llevaras
a donde tú quieras.

Yo salí a buscarte
y llueva que llueva
pero voy cantando
por la carretera.

Digan lo que digan
yo no tengo pena
que yo voy contento
pa´la luna.



...wow, am watching the sun set here, shining on the tall and old trees outside, illuminating all shades possible between green and brown. With the grey clouds being chased away by the wind... "El viento es un caballo, óyelo cómo corre, por el mar, por el cielo." as Neruda would say (today a new Danish translation of his last collection of poems came out, think I'll have a look at it).
A beautiful autumn day, let's try and keep that smile!

Guess that I am crazy...

Article: Experts fear escape of 1918 flu from lab - New Scientist

Guess that I am paranoid, but for me: here is another example of the future we are expecting and thus (sub)consciously create.
Have you ever seen "12 Monkeys" or "28 Days Later"? It's as if I am seeing the script of these movies laid out in front of me. Or many oher sci-fi films, good AND bad.

This is seriously scary...

Interestingly, I guess a morbid try on sarcasm, or just plain dumbness, on the above mentioned page is a link to the topic of 'US Elections'... Weapons of mass destruction/deception anyone?

So true...

"What can you say about a society that says that God is dead and Elvis is alive?"

Irv Kupcinet

...have a nice weekend!

"Here are the results of the Danish jury"

Suffering.... I think there it no other word for it.
Yes, we went. We did the all-you-can-possibly-stuff-in your-face-pizza-night. With few casualties, although I haven't seen anyone yet today.

The winners ate a whopping 13 pieces! Considering that these pieces were huge and thick, and full of cheese that fills you up even more, that is well done. What makes it such a great feat is that the guys who ate those 13 pieces are the smallest of the lot. One doesn't come past the 1.65 m mark. And both are thin and fit.
The look on their faces was priceless, staring each other down while eating the last pieces. Suffering, sweating, trying not to listen to the remarks of the others about throwing up, gagging and whatever you can think of to make them feel sick.
They did it, and one of us needed 10 minutes just to eat the last part of his 7 pieces.
Btw...We ate a grand total of almost 60 pieces between the 6 of us...

So, did anyone barf, throw up, jank, puke, vomit or anything? I can hear you ask, as I am famous in that department, but no... no such 'luck' ;) We were close, but...

The craziest thing is that we all went for an ice cream afterwards. It hit the spot, it was a nice taste after all the cheese, but one was seriously in pain in the bus on the way back. Hurting, sweating, gagging, but never admitting defeat. Fresh air anyone? Comment: "Glad I have firm ground beneath my feet again, after that moving bus."

Coming home, we sat for an hour or so just totally unmovable here, just not saying anything, drinking water, trying to keep it inside.
We survived... and I feel sorry for the sanitary systems here already, it will suffer today ;)
My respects!!!! I salute you!

And I forgot to bring my camera...

UpRadioed Head

My birthday is not so far away anymore, and obviously I am hoping to have a nice day/evening/night. Last year, Radiohead was so nice to hold a special concert in Earls' Court, London in my honor (let me live the dream, ok?)
Here you can hear the results. They were doing their job, while I was doing mine (getting drunk).

I am listening right now, and remembering how much I like this band. Haven't really listened to it much lately, as I have become interested in other kinds of music, but a Radiohead concert was actually one of the first ones I have ever been to, and it was the first one I saw in Nighttown, Rotterdam (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, the Pumpkins, Jeff Buckley and countless more have played there). In early 1994 it was, brilliant concert, The Bends (still in my top5 best albums EVER list) had just come out and the place was only half full. Awesome... What a bunch of freaks (and I mean that in the most positive way possible).
Have seen them in the post-OK Computer era (booooring concert, 10.000 people or so, in a big arena...bwaaaahhh), and the day before KID A was published here in DK, which was again a superconcert (if not for the stupidly drunk Norwegian dickheads that were screaming every song lyric into my ear...)
I bought KID A after that concert, really having enjoyed the new songs... and what a disappointment... what a crap album, and then Amnesiac came... well, the less said there the better, and I haven't even bought Hail To The Thief as I was a disciple led astray in those years... Still, live they can be brilliant, and get that concert, it's great! Mmmm, maybe I'll listen again to these newer albums, give them a 5th chance (I haaaaave tried before). We'll see!

Anyway, decided I'd skip lunch for today, the 'boys' are going to an all-you-can-stuff-in-you-face pizza place tonight, so...
Might as well join...

I hope more people wake up...

You all know that in previous posts I showed my interest in the upcoming election in that small country on the other side of that big puddle of water...
...and that I hope that that fart Dubbya will disappear as soon as possible, hopefully leading to a more healthy view on democracy as normal people know it (not that I think the other guy is much better, they both live in a illusionary reality, far from the truth or the streets where their people come from)

Anyway... came across this and I'll give it to you in full (as it says it all and more)... follow the links and read... and shiver... and hope that Kerry wins. We are dealing with some sick fundamentalists that use any mean necessary to obtain their goal (and I am not talking about some Afghan goat herders)

They'll See It When They Believe It

By Waremouse

I came across this Kos diary reproducing a Salon article about how willfully deep in denial Bush supporters are right now, as determined by a methodical study. And while it may be satisfying to have their ignorance scientifically proven, the implications are less than reassuring:
"The analysis says that the roots of this denial could lie in the trauma of 9/11 and people's desire to hold on to their image of Bush as a "capable protector." It offers no guidance, though, on how ordinary Republicans might be coaxed back to reality.
And while "The Separate Realities of Bush and Kerry Supporters" may be perversely satisfying to Democrats in its confirmation of blue-state prejudices, it carries a pretty disturbing question for all rational Americans: How can arguments based on fact prevail in a nation where so many people know so little?"

The brainwashed zombies of Bush's cult of personality are going to be one more thing we’ll have to deal with as a nation as we sift through the wreckage of our democracy
, assuming we even get the chance to do that (i.e. Kerry wins)."

Amen to that...

So longs, farewells and goodbyes

"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
And meeting again after a moment or lifetime is certain for those who are friends."
- Richard David Bach

Does it strike you`?

For someone like me who had to say farewell (too) many times this text hits home directly.
I've said the same in different words many times. Too many times...

Not funny

bloody hell... you probably hear me scream.

I just finished writing a loooong post with pictures and all. About history, family, me, all that...

I clicked on 'publish post' and it all dies there...

Sorry, but don't feel like writing it all again.
Just trust me, I am swearing in all languages I know...

To Gmail or not to Gmail

...still have 2 Gmail invites for you.
Hotmail has been promising increases in storage space for ages now, and still nothing...

So, how about 1 GB of space instead of 2 mb? Spamfilters and all... Fast access btw...

Drop me a line! And I'll send you the invite...

;)

Tooooo long in Denmark!

Thanks Kirsten, for sending this one...
Unfortunately I have to agree with most... I even recognise things that I do.... HELP!!


YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN IN DENMARK TOO LONG, WHEN:

You always prepare to catch the closing door if following too closely behind somebody.

You think there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

The first thing you do on entering a bank/post office/pharmacy etc. is to look for the queue number machine.

You accept that you will have to queue to take a queue number.

Inside your front door is beginning to resemble a shoe shop.

When a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that:
a. he is drunk;
b. he is insane;
c. he is American;
d. he is all of the above.

Silence is fun.

It no longer seems excessive to spend 800 kr. on alcohol in a single night.

You know that "religious holiday" means "let's get pissed".

You use "Mmmm" as conversation filler.

The word "yes" is an intake of breath.

You have only two facial expressions, smiling or blank.

You buy your own drink at the bar even when you are with a group of people

Traditional dinners may not necessarily mean a cooked meal.

You forget how to open canned beer.

Can't remember when to say "please" and "excuse me".

You will leave a pub if you can't find a seat.

Your wardrobe no longer has suits but blue shirts and mustard colored sports jackets and lots of denim.

You don't mind paying the same for a 200-metre bus ride as you do for going 10 kms.

You know the rules to handball.

You don't look twice at businessmen in dark suits wearing white sport socks.

You start to believe that if it weren't for Denmark's efforts, the world would probably collapse pretty soon.

You find yourself speaking half Swedish with Swedes.

You find yourself more interested in the alcohol content than the name of
the wine.

It feels natural to wear sport clothes and a backpack everywhere.

You know the meaning of life has something to do with the word "hyggelig".

You are very surprised when you receive compliments about ANYTHING - including your appearance/clothing! In fact when you do, you find it suspicious and start thinking they might have ulterior motives. (how sad!)

You've completely forgotten what a "date" is - no one ever comes to pick you up and unexpected gifts are VERY unexpected.

You don't think it strange that no one ever comes by to visit without being invited and you never show up at anyone's place unannounced either.

You wouldn't dream of coming even 10 minutes early to a party. (Once around the block is always an alternative)

You find yourself lighting candles when you have guests - even if it is brightly sunny outside and 20 degrees.

You offer people strange-tasting brown alcoholic liquids with their coffee in the MORNING!

Anything else?

I am important?

Heheh, somehow I guess I must be saying something of high significance, or so I'd love to think obviously...

yesterday I had this 'hit' on the blog:
"13 October 16:57 United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., United States"

Wow, so these people actually read something else than their own morbid fairytale blahblahblah...? :)

Caught in between

Weird, I am on way to sleep now, and can't help but think of the numerous conversations and messages I had today... just needed to clear up some things...

This morning the father of a friend died after a degrading sickbed, finally finding peace and ease of his pains, and today or tomorrow another friend is giving birth to her first child (maybe even in labor as I write)... The cruelty and beauty of mortality.

I have been speaking proudly of my little cousins back in Holland.... have been thinking of a partly similar situation in which the eldest was born; his greatgrandmother died 2 months before he was born. He never knew his grandfather and has scraped through a particularly hard time last year himself.

Have been thinking of people so far away, and yet so connected.

"Lightning crashes" is playing in my head now... All my love to Sarah in Silkeborg and Trish in Ottawa!

'General' knowledge...

A flirty update...

------
Ross: You couldn't let me have her, could ya?!

Chandler: What?

Ross: This is a girl that I really like and had too swoop in there!

Monica: What's goin' on?

Ross: Chandler was totally flirting with the hot delivery girl!

Chandler: Thank you for that! (To Monica) I was not flirting.

Monica: It's okay. I don't care. It's uh, it's fine.

Ross: Really?!

Chandler: Really?!

Monica: It's no big deal, I do it all the time.

Chandler: (starts to laugh, but then gets serious) So umm, you-you flirt with guys all the time?

Monica: Sure! It doesn't mean anything! Just like I know it doesn't mean anything with you!

Chandler: Okay, but there is a big difference. You are a lot hotter than I am.

Joey: True story!

Monica: Chandler, this actually bothers you?

Chandler: Yes, it does bother me! And I think it would bother a lot of people. Rachel, when you were going out with Ross, did it bother you when he flirted with other women?

Rachel: Uhh, no, no, it bothered me when he slept with other women.

Ross: And thank you, for that.

Rachel: But y'know, I never really had anything to worry about. Ross was never very good at the flirting thing.

Ross: What? (Mumbles) What-what, what are talking about? It-it worked with you.

Rachel: Oh! Y'know what? You're right! We meet, you flirted and then bamn nine years later you had me!

--------

Chandler: So uh Monica, do you, do you like the Law & Order?

Monica: Yeah, it's good.

Chandler: See, I'm finding out all this stuff about you today, like you like the Law & Order and that you flirted with every guy in the Tri-State area!

Monica: Okay, let me get this straight, it's okay for you to flirt, but not for me.

Chandler: Oh, I'm so glad we cleared that up. Look, I'm sorry, some things are different for men and for women.

Monica: Go on, teach me something about men and women.

Chandler: Okay, I've already taught you so much already, but whatever. See when you flirt with a guy you think, "I'm just flirting, no big deal." But the guy is thinking, "Finally! Somebody who wants to sleep with me!"

Monica: No way!

Chandler: It's true.

Monica: Well that's pathetic!

Chandler: Again... true...

Monica: And this goes for all guys?

Chandler: All guys that are awake. Then we go to sleep and then all the guys from the other end of the world wake up and behave the exact same way...

---

End of lesson... ;)

Growing up... part 2, or something...

In 'the good old days' you'd get emails from friends telling about all the crazy trips, travels, adventures, (wo)men, Monday nights' drinking, etc etc etc...

Now I am getting email with pictures/videos of their babies attached...
Not that I dont' like babies, I love 'em... but... it's scary! What is happening? Is this it? Is this growing up? Hmmm...


*update*
and then 5 min. after posting the above I come across this:

"By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher." Socrates

No more to add, I guess...

Politics.... I am sorry

Salon.com Politics

Sorry, got to start off with that... but some things should be spread far and wide...
Go to this page, click on free day pass (got to sit through a commercial, again: sorry) and scrolll down to "Did Cheney break the law on 9/11?"
Whatever you might think of what happened that day, where you were, how it touched you, or what you think of the resulting actions...what is clear here is that a very tiny group of people is trying to cling on to power with methods usually associated with various of their (previous) enemies... Read for yourself...

A veeery good calculator...

CostofSex.com - cost of sex with a girlfriend and wife calculator

Ahheeeemmmm.... for those of you who need a laugh, or those who dare to see what they are giving up... You decide/describe/submit...
Cheers...

Just a smile... about friends

About friends... 

Friendships

Friendship Quotes - The Quotations Page

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. "
Japanese Proverb

Do I dare ask??

My kind of music...

Today, on one of the public radio channels in Holland plays the TOP 90 requests of the 90s... the music I listened to as a teenager... In other words, the most influential music on my life.

Anyway, I found out 10 min before it started... have been listening for 40 min, and I am lovin' it!!

When a music program starts with Living Colours' 'Love Rears Its Ugly Head', and you finally hear Cypress Hill, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana (nr. 1!!!), Pearl Jam, Blind Melon, Skunk Anansie, Black Crowes, Rammstein, Depeche Mode, Offspring, Lenny Kravitz, Underworld, New Radicals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys etc etc etc being played on public radio again... you smile... a VERY big smile... I am soooo enjoying this.
Usually I listen to my cds, mp3s or if I listen internet radio, I listen to KinkFm (best Dutch radio station...)
And now... 'normal' radio ;)

Go there and click on 'luister live' in the left top... then, klik on 'breedband' for better sound :)

INSANE IN THE BRAIN is playing now... you see the size of my smile now!

ohhh yes... AC-DC's Thunderstruck is coming up... THE ultimate song on the class trip in 1990... in the bus driving up north where we would go on some sailing boats and go crazy for a week... great memories! Miss those people... The fun a 15 year old can have... heheheh...

*update*
Okokokok, shit songs too... Charly Lownoise, 2 Unlimited, Britney, Marco Borsato... But alright, for nostalgia value we'll listen to that crap again.
2 Unlimited... hahaha... quite fun to play that at a party now actually, if you reach the age I have ;) People go nuts with it... so, backwards cool-factor... Oh well!