19 march 2010
So its officially been 1 month since I arrived in Belgium. Doesn't feel very long but then I guess it isn't really when you put it in perspective. I've actually eaten breakfast today for a change, so I'll keep you updated on just how spritely that makes me. Excited? Me neither.
Man I slept well last night. Wish I was still in bed, but then, don't we all? It feels like my brain is being sucked out the back of my head. Not in a painful way. I'd say more uncomfortable then anything else. After work yesterday I went and brought the last 2 David Eddings books from the Elenian trilogy. The problem with long train rides, is that just on the way home I killed nearly 60 pages. Plus when I got home I had some spare time alone before the guys arrived. By the end of the night I had clocked about 120 pages. Which is an issue really because these books aren't all that long and I don't really want to have a library by the time I go home. As it is I think I'm going to have to give some books away when I go. But plenty of time to ponder upon that I supppose.
Today is Onur's birthday, so the same four from last fri are going to see if he wants to go out tonight. I'm actually really keen to chill out at a bar for a bit, grab a meal and call it a night, but I suspect I'm the only one. I will probably call on the services of Red Bull yet again. And like the phoenix I shall rise from the ashes... metaphorically speaking of course. Physically speaking I'll probably experience a mild placebo effect and feel marginally more awake. But such is life eh.
In fact I think that probably sums up quite a lot of todays commercial products, anti-aging creams and that type of stuff. PLACEBO. We all so desperately want these various products to work so in our quest for more energy, eternal youth and the chamber of secrets that our brains have a certain tendancy to... well... lie. They can be very convincing as well. Still, its a little twisted don't you think? Having said that, many people who know the above, including myself, continue to but these products. I guess sometimes a placebo effect is better than no effect at all.
Was just reading this article on Nkosi Johnson (for those of you who don't know who he is, check it out here http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=nkosi it should give a fairly good idea). I remember him being on the news a lot when I was still in South Africa. I knew what he was all about but I guess the gravity of it doesn't always sink in that much until later on.
Work is nearly over now (I also do other things - I just come back to the blog in between stuff)
The computer is dying right now so I'm going to sign off before it drives me crazy.
Cheers
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
St Patricks Day: the morning after
18 march 2010
So about that gutter I mentioned yesterday....
So yesterday I went off to Dutch, which was fairly run of the mill. Although I've noticed our class members are steadily decreasing. I think there's some morbidly obese chick who eats the occasional one when they're too slow to evade her grasping sausage fingers. We went for the traditional post-pain drinks at Delirium. I don't think a place could be more magical short of prancing pixies, frolicking fairies and possibly Gandalf himself. That old tease. I had decided to go see the STAMP media crew for drinks in Antwerp afterwards so once chilling with the AFS/EVS volunteers was done I made my grand return to the great and glorious city of Antwerp.
There's an Irish pub within 30 sec walking distance from work so that was the chosen hang out. Now remember, it was St Patricks Day, so it was packed. The pub did a lot of business last night. The staff there were actually pretty incredible- they would carry stacks of used glasses which started at their waist and ending midway up their heads (hope that kind of makes sense).This was pretty intense because they would just hold the stack with the one hand, then navigate a jostling crowd, and without dropping or breaking anything. It was an acrobatic feat. I mean for most of us it was all we could do to avoid spilling our drinks (and we mostly failed at that as well). They had some dude dressed up as a Leprechaun playing live music. Have to give him credit, he started off pretty well, but as Leprechauns are notorious drinkers (I mean duh, they're Irish)... well let's just say his music steadily went downhill. By that point not many people cared though. He seemed to know a lot of songs, unfortunately he didn't always know the entire song too well, resulting in a fairly bastardised hotel california amongst other things. It was entertaining nevertheless.
Later on, Bert, some of the other guys and myself took a walk to a cafe to play some pool. I can't remember what it was called, but something to do with broomsticks or witches or some such. Which makes sense when you go inside - every spot of wall or ceiling was covered in witches flying on broomsticks, giant hairy spiders and some other mildy spooky stuff. Oh yes, cobwebs, let's not forget the cobwebs. Me and Bert went back to his after and watched some Green Wing... random bloody show. Then I crashed on the couch for a solid few hours sleep before heading back to work.
So here I am, probably looking slightly worse for the wear. Not too bad though - me being sick the last few days stopped me from drinking much at all, which I guess I'm a little thankful for this morning. Certainly made getting up easier. I suspect I don't smell that great right now but I can live with that for now. The question is whether the others can live with it... Only time will tell. One of the co-workers is still missing in action after last night so I'm guessing she's got some stories to tell. We eagerly wait her arrival. She has to turn up at some point - all of her stuff is here at work, including cell phone, bag, and laptop. Not exactly the kind of things one can shrug off losing.
Oh yes, one more thing... I GOT A TICKET TO WERCHTER!!!
Man I'm excited. So many cool bands are gonna be there; Pearl Jam, Muse, Wolfmother, Rise Against, Jack Johnson, Greenday, Rammstein and Them Crooked Vultures. Loads of other big names which aren't my usual listening taste but it's impressive they're going anyway e.g. Pink, Corinne Bailey Rae, Arcade Fire (I know of them but never heard their music so really can't comment on whether they're my taste or not), Alice in Chains, 30 Seconds to Mars and Paramore. AND there are still 20 more names to be announced. Its basically one massive musical orgy. And I'm going to be there to enjoy every juicy second. Am I going to be near dead by the end of the four days? Hell yeah! But I have a feeling its going to be more than worth it. Now all I need to do is manage not to be sick or motally wounded just prior to the event. If that happens afterwards thats fine, but I need to be in my prime when I go to Werchter. You know, my hair's got to be perfect etc. Cause thats what happens at four day rock festivals. Pretty much a fashion event these days...
Ahem.
Took a little break from blogging and now its 15:49 and our missing in action chick still hasn't made an appearance so I'm thinking she's going to try hold out until tomorrow to get her stuff back.
My brain is MElTing. Seriously.
I'm gonna focus on staying awake now,
bye for now...
So about that gutter I mentioned yesterday....
So yesterday I went off to Dutch, which was fairly run of the mill. Although I've noticed our class members are steadily decreasing. I think there's some morbidly obese chick who eats the occasional one when they're too slow to evade her grasping sausage fingers. We went for the traditional post-pain drinks at Delirium. I don't think a place could be more magical short of prancing pixies, frolicking fairies and possibly Gandalf himself. That old tease. I had decided to go see the STAMP media crew for drinks in Antwerp afterwards so once chilling with the AFS/EVS volunteers was done I made my grand return to the great and glorious city of Antwerp.
There's an Irish pub within 30 sec walking distance from work so that was the chosen hang out. Now remember, it was St Patricks Day, so it was packed. The pub did a lot of business last night. The staff there were actually pretty incredible- they would carry stacks of used glasses which started at their waist and ending midway up their heads (hope that kind of makes sense).This was pretty intense because they would just hold the stack with the one hand, then navigate a jostling crowd, and without dropping or breaking anything. It was an acrobatic feat. I mean for most of us it was all we could do to avoid spilling our drinks (and we mostly failed at that as well). They had some dude dressed up as a Leprechaun playing live music. Have to give him credit, he started off pretty well, but as Leprechauns are notorious drinkers (I mean duh, they're Irish)... well let's just say his music steadily went downhill. By that point not many people cared though. He seemed to know a lot of songs, unfortunately he didn't always know the entire song too well, resulting in a fairly bastardised hotel california amongst other things. It was entertaining nevertheless.
Later on, Bert, some of the other guys and myself took a walk to a cafe to play some pool. I can't remember what it was called, but something to do with broomsticks or witches or some such. Which makes sense when you go inside - every spot of wall or ceiling was covered in witches flying on broomsticks, giant hairy spiders and some other mildy spooky stuff. Oh yes, cobwebs, let's not forget the cobwebs. Me and Bert went back to his after and watched some Green Wing... random bloody show. Then I crashed on the couch for a solid few hours sleep before heading back to work.
So here I am, probably looking slightly worse for the wear. Not too bad though - me being sick the last few days stopped me from drinking much at all, which I guess I'm a little thankful for this morning. Certainly made getting up easier. I suspect I don't smell that great right now but I can live with that for now. The question is whether the others can live with it... Only time will tell. One of the co-workers is still missing in action after last night so I'm guessing she's got some stories to tell. We eagerly wait her arrival. She has to turn up at some point - all of her stuff is here at work, including cell phone, bag, and laptop. Not exactly the kind of things one can shrug off losing.
Oh yes, one more thing... I GOT A TICKET TO WERCHTER!!!
Man I'm excited. So many cool bands are gonna be there; Pearl Jam, Muse, Wolfmother, Rise Against, Jack Johnson, Greenday, Rammstein and Them Crooked Vultures. Loads of other big names which aren't my usual listening taste but it's impressive they're going anyway e.g. Pink, Corinne Bailey Rae, Arcade Fire (I know of them but never heard their music so really can't comment on whether they're my taste or not), Alice in Chains, 30 Seconds to Mars and Paramore. AND there are still 20 more names to be announced. Its basically one massive musical orgy. And I'm going to be there to enjoy every juicy second. Am I going to be near dead by the end of the four days? Hell yeah! But I have a feeling its going to be more than worth it. Now all I need to do is manage not to be sick or motally wounded just prior to the event. If that happens afterwards thats fine, but I need to be in my prime when I go to Werchter. You know, my hair's got to be perfect etc. Cause thats what happens at four day rock festivals. Pretty much a fashion event these days...
Ahem.
Took a little break from blogging and now its 15:49 and our missing in action chick still hasn't made an appearance so I'm thinking she's going to try hold out until tomorrow to get her stuff back.
My brain is MElTing. Seriously.
I'm gonna focus on staying awake now,
bye for now...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sick Weekend
17 march 2010
Ok, firstly I've been sick, which is why I've been neglecting the blog over the last 2 days. So forgive me - or thank me, whichever you deem appropriate.
Right. Lets talk (really I mean monologue) about the weekend. On friday night I did end up going out with Valerie, Monica and Onur. The night was quite an ordeal all things considered. We met at 8.30ish at Antwerpen Centraal, then ill fatedly attempted to make our way to the hostel to drop off our stuff before the party. Naturally we purchased some really bad vodka plus some red bull along the way. I mean, goes without saying doesn't it? We caught a tram recommended by a security gaurd and when we got to our stop, asked further directions. We were told to go straight and then turn left and follow the highway. Like normal people, we thought "hey, lets not die" and so continued past the highway. That was our first mistake. Turns out that the dodgy looking park, with lots of dark places for an assortment of criminals to remain hidden in, contained a small meandering path we were meant to take. Incidentally, this path ran roughly along the highway. Oblivious to this, we forged on stoically in the wrong direction. To summarise the next hour or so, we flapped, fluffled and otherwise blundered time and time again. We asked directions but no one really knew anything about our mysterious hostel. Eventually we found the coolest taxi driver in the world. He tried calling us another cab (he was supposedly unavailable) but said they would take some time to get there. So he said he'd just drive us there - it was about a 10 min fast paced drive and he didn't even turn the meter on, even after we mentioned it. He charged us a grand total of 1€. I tried to give him more as a tip, because honestly this guy saved us, but he wouldn't take it no matter how much I insisted.
Having said that, anyone who's seen the movie Hostel, would initially be a little weary about shooting down the road in a Taxi who mysteriously isn't charging you, taking you to a HOSTEL that mysteriously no one seems to have heard about... There were most definately moments when I casually wondered whether I was being taken to have my organs ... redistributed. Regardless, I'm fairly sure I still have all the essential body parts, so at least if they did steal something they were considerate about it. Then again I did get pretty sick within the next 2 days so maybe they didn't do such a great job. I live on for now. Die another day etc etc.
Midway through explaining my epic fri night saga I had to go help out with the dishes (at work, which means it needs to be done for coffee = good cause).
Once we eventually arrived at the hostel, we had some drinks and set off for our night. Nothing too crazy happened, drinking, parties, bars, the usual kind of thing. So for a change I'm not going to go into detail. *Shock* Enjoy it while it lasts.
Dutch lesson again today, for better or worse. Which somehow reminds me. It's St Patricks Day. Which somehow leads everyone into claiming even the most stretched blood relation to Ireland. The Irish, of course, have even more reason to drink (Because you need a reason to drink right? Right??). All of this inevitably ends in a gutter in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps I'm just being cynical. The funny thing is, despite my views, I still I wish I was entirely healthy so I could fully do the St Patricks thing. Gutter and all. Thus the great cycle of humanity churns ever onwards towards the great abyss of predictable yet unavoidable self destruction.
Happy St Patricks Day everyone! :D
To very quickly detail my weekend after friday night... On saturday we walked around Antwerpen for a bit, I went back to Turnhout and had a quiet night watching the Sopranos - Dirk and Terry were in Germany for a family thing. The next morning I woke up really sick and stayed in bed all day, had a fever and loads of other pleasant stuff, but I'll spare you the gory details. Pretty much the same on monday, although was slightly better, tues I was getting better and now here I am. Not fully recovered but getting there.
Back to work for me, so I'll be back here tomorrow. A pleasant day to you all.
Ok, firstly I've been sick, which is why I've been neglecting the blog over the last 2 days. So forgive me - or thank me, whichever you deem appropriate.
Right. Lets talk (really I mean monologue) about the weekend. On friday night I did end up going out with Valerie, Monica and Onur. The night was quite an ordeal all things considered. We met at 8.30ish at Antwerpen Centraal, then ill fatedly attempted to make our way to the hostel to drop off our stuff before the party. Naturally we purchased some really bad vodka plus some red bull along the way. I mean, goes without saying doesn't it? We caught a tram recommended by a security gaurd and when we got to our stop, asked further directions. We were told to go straight and then turn left and follow the highway. Like normal people, we thought "hey, lets not die" and so continued past the highway. That was our first mistake. Turns out that the dodgy looking park, with lots of dark places for an assortment of criminals to remain hidden in, contained a small meandering path we were meant to take. Incidentally, this path ran roughly along the highway. Oblivious to this, we forged on stoically in the wrong direction. To summarise the next hour or so, we flapped, fluffled and otherwise blundered time and time again. We asked directions but no one really knew anything about our mysterious hostel. Eventually we found the coolest taxi driver in the world. He tried calling us another cab (he was supposedly unavailable) but said they would take some time to get there. So he said he'd just drive us there - it was about a 10 min fast paced drive and he didn't even turn the meter on, even after we mentioned it. He charged us a grand total of 1€. I tried to give him more as a tip, because honestly this guy saved us, but he wouldn't take it no matter how much I insisted.
Having said that, anyone who's seen the movie Hostel, would initially be a little weary about shooting down the road in a Taxi who mysteriously isn't charging you, taking you to a HOSTEL that mysteriously no one seems to have heard about... There were most definately moments when I casually wondered whether I was being taken to have my organs ... redistributed. Regardless, I'm fairly sure I still have all the essential body parts, so at least if they did steal something they were considerate about it. Then again I did get pretty sick within the next 2 days so maybe they didn't do such a great job. I live on for now. Die another day etc etc.
Midway through explaining my epic fri night saga I had to go help out with the dishes (at work, which means it needs to be done for coffee = good cause).
Once we eventually arrived at the hostel, we had some drinks and set off for our night. Nothing too crazy happened, drinking, parties, bars, the usual kind of thing. So for a change I'm not going to go into detail. *Shock* Enjoy it while it lasts.
Dutch lesson again today, for better or worse. Which somehow reminds me. It's St Patricks Day. Which somehow leads everyone into claiming even the most stretched blood relation to Ireland. The Irish, of course, have even more reason to drink (Because you need a reason to drink right? Right??). All of this inevitably ends in a gutter in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps I'm just being cynical. The funny thing is, despite my views, I still I wish I was entirely healthy so I could fully do the St Patricks thing. Gutter and all. Thus the great cycle of humanity churns ever onwards towards the great abyss of predictable yet unavoidable self destruction.
Happy St Patricks Day everyone! :D
To very quickly detail my weekend after friday night... On saturday we walked around Antwerpen for a bit, I went back to Turnhout and had a quiet night watching the Sopranos - Dirk and Terry were in Germany for a family thing. The next morning I woke up really sick and stayed in bed all day, had a fever and loads of other pleasant stuff, but I'll spare you the gory details. Pretty much the same on monday, although was slightly better, tues I was getting better and now here I am. Not fully recovered but getting there.
Back to work for me, so I'll be back here tomorrow. A pleasant day to you all.
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