* Hahaha ! The weather report was predicting yeaterday a "summer day" for today. It is cloudy and I had to wear a leather coat this morning. Summer... hahahah ! Where are the promised 23°C ? I am feeling cheated by www.weer.nl
* The world is exploding in a huge economic crisis and what one reads in the Dutch papers ? "Lady Gaga will perform at Formula 1" (so what ?); "Pamela Anderson half naked in a reality show" (has she ever been decently covered ?); "Many drivers in the NL stoned" (duh !); "The Zaanstad mayor makes a formal complaint about a pie accident" (really ?); "Let's make a deal with criminals - says influential police research Cyrille Fijnaut" (even more ?). Where are news such as this one (click quickly while the links lasts) ? The Dutch media completely ignores international embarrassment of politicians and bankers.
And then I read the title: "Blues legend Harry Muskee dead". After 35 years as a singer, Harry Muskee died yesterday at the age of 70 years old from cancer. Have you never heard of Harry Muskee ? Me neither !! And then I decied to read the whole article which described the ups and down of his career and his work with the band Cuby & the Blizzards. At the end of the article I read that "...photographer and film director Anton Corbijn chose the melancholic Window of my Eyes for the ending credits of his film The American, with George Clooney (2010). The band received and Edison award for the song." - a lovely song which I divide with you during this gray Tuesday.
Through the window of my eyes I can see the rainy day Sitting in the chair Of my cool room Looking for a way To be the one I am It's useless to cry For the things I once have known Thinking it will come back and reach my home
It's like a distant, like a distant face It's like the shadow on my wall Something that That I cannot touch A heavenly past that calls the shelter of my mind Hides my laugh and my tear and I keep on looking for a reason which is not here...
A very simple video with Dutch sisters Sofie and Cato on the vocals, and their brother Joost van Dijck. The band is based in Amsterdam and strongly influenced bysoul, funk en blues. The Souldiers are also: Robin van Baaren, Christiaan Dros en Daniel de Vries.
Despite the sunglasses, none of them are in the Matrix (I think...)
BLØF is a rock/pop group from south Holland (the province of Zeeland) who is since 1992 producing many hits - a total 35 singles & 20 albums so far. Below you can listen to a pretty song - "What would you do ?" that I have freely translated into English. The hit is from 19998. Oldie but good ! One of my fave songs in Dutch. (Note: "Zou" can be annoying when translated into English. It can be employed as "shall" in some situations, but in this case I have opted for "would". If, if, if... grrr ! The conditional and suppositions can drive us crazy !)
(double click on the video to go to the original Youtube page) Wat Zou Je Doen ? Wat zou je doen, als ik hier opeens weer voor je stond Wat zou je doen, als ik viel, hier voor je op de grond Wat zou je doen, als ik dat deed Wat zou je doen, als ik je gezicht weer in mijn handen nam Wat zou je doen, als ik met mijn mond dichtbij de jouwe kwam Wat zou je doen, als ik dat deed Zou je lachen, zou je schelden Zou je zeggen dat ik een klootzak ben Zou je janken, zou je vloeken Zou je zeggen dat je me niet meer kent Zou je lachen, zou je schelden, van verdriet Wat zou je zeggen, als ik met mijn vingers door je haar zou gaan Wat zou je zeggen, als we samen voor de spiegel zouden staan Wat zou je zeggen, als ik dat deed Wat zou je zeggen, als ik vertelde over al die tijd Wat zou je zeggen, als ik zei: Ik heb van al die tijd toch echt geen spijt Wat zou je zeggen, wat zou je doen, als ik dat deed Zou je lachen, zou je schelden Zou je zeggen dat ik een klootzak ben Zou je janken, zou je vloeken Zou je zeggen dat je me niet meer kent Zou je lachen, zou je schelden, van verdriet Wat zou je doen, als ik hier opeens weer voor je stond Wat zou je doen, als ik viel hier voor je op de grond Wat zou je doen, als ik dat deed Zou je lachen, zou je schelden Zou je zeggen dat ik een klootzak ben Zou je janken, zou je vloeken Zou je zeggen dat je me niet meer kent Zou je lachen, zou je schelden, van verdriet
Wat zou je doen _____________________________________ What would you do ?
What would you do, if I suddenly appeared in front of you ? What you you do, if I fell at your feet on the ground ? What would you do, if I did that ?
What would you do, if I took your face in my hands ? What would you do, if I came with my mouth next to yours ? What would you do, if I did that ?
Would you laugh, would you scold me ? Would you say I am a loser ? Would you cry, would you curse me ? Would you say you do not know me ? Would you laugh (at me) or cry from sadness ?
What would you say, if I ran my fingers along your hair ? What would you say, if we both stood up in front of a mirror ? What would you say, if I did that ?
What would you say, if I told you all about that time ? What would you say, if I said: I do not regret anything about it What would you say, what would you do, if I did that ?
Would you laugh, would you scold me ? Would you say I am an idiot ? Would you cry, would you curse me ? Would you say you do not know me ? Would you laugh (at me) or cry from sadness ?
What would you do, if I suddenly appeared in front of you ? What you you do, if I fell at your feet on the ground ? What would you do, if I did that ?
Would you laugh, would you scold ? Would you say I am an imbecile ? Would you cry, would you curse me ? Would you say you do not know me ? Would you laugh (at me) or cry from sadness ?
I have already talked about a Carlos Saldanha's film trailer before. Above, you can watch a new one. It seems it is going to be released in mid April. Looks cute and funny ! However, I hope it doesn't present all those esterotypes from Rioand Brazil, we Brazilians are so "used to" when living abroad (Grrrr !).
New posters for “Rio”. The movie features the voices of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway , Neil Patrick Harris, George Lopez, Jemaine Clement, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Mann, will.i.am, and Jamie Foxx.
Algum brasileiro por ai com alguma estorinha de ter vivido uma experiencia ruim por causa dos estereotipos a nosso respeito ?
Never thought that a Katy Perry video would bring tears to my eyes... My kids love this hit, especially the part when she sings Boom, boom, boom, even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.
... they love singing along ! Hot chic Katy wears a long romantic dress and her makeup is a composition of whites, blues and silver. She also has a hairdo/walks like a goddess. Class ! So different from her usual tacky funky outfits/makeup/wigs.
Above: fireworks in Copacabana, Rio, 2009-2010.
Foto above: New Year's Eve in Rio, 3 million people celebrate with fireworks and music in Copa. During 15-20 minutes the sky become so clear as during the day. That's a thing you should witness before you die.
And some priestesses offer food and gifts to Yemanja, a sea godess and a mother divinity of the Afro-Brazilian culture (especially woshipped in Rio and Salvador da Bahia). Below, a Brazilian girl devout of Yemanja. Her colours are blue, white and silver. More about her you can find reading this beautiful text.
No, that's not Aphrodite or any oriental goddess- that's Yemanja.
And in Rio, everybody dresses on white for the New Year, wishing peace and good vibes. Once my then Dutch boyfriend (and actual husband) spent New Years' Eve in a condo in Rio with me and a couple of friends. I had told him in advance to pack white clothes - which he didn't do (or simply didn't have any). He had instead a yellow bermuda and a colourful shirt. In solidarity to him I also dropped my white dress and picked something colourful. A girl friend of mine also opted for light yellow clothes in order to give us some support and do not let him feeling like a clueless gringo. Photo: The Independent.co.uk
Below, a video from 1975 with Clara Nunes (1943-1983), one of the best Brazilian singers and artists ever. On the video she has a (natural) straight hair and light skin. Later on her life she converted into African tradition, used an afro hair and her skin was always tanned. She also wore typical African costumes and accesssories.
Because my childhood was spent in Rio Northern zone during the 70's, I used to listen to A LOT of Clara Nunes. Cariocas were then obsessed about her voice, smile and charms. And why am I talking about Clara Nunes ? Well, when I think of New Year's Eve, I think of Clara's hits - and samba songs in general.
Clara Nunes toured Europe in the late 70's and became famous in Japan as well, during a time that there was no MTV and video clips were rare.
"O mar serenou quando ela pisou Na areia Quem dança na beira do mar É sereia"
(The sea became calm whe she stepped on the sand That who dances on the shores she is a mermaid)
Even 27 years after her death Clara Nunes keeps inspiring new artists, such as Ivete Sangalo and Vanessa da Mata, as shown above during New Year's Eve 2009/2010 in Salvador, Brazil. They sing some of Clara's old hits. I think both do not get even close to Clara Nunes' charms, talent and charisma. (**sight** ). Ivete is quite popular in Brazil - but I personally find her rustic (and this is maybe a marketing strategy?). I guess Ivete will be one the stars during the opening of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. And Vanessa... well, her voice is pretty but it saddens me she wants to help herself a bit into fame & fortune being a cheaper copy of Clara Nunes (*sight, sight *).
Now, a bit of Brazilian fab New Year's Eve superstition. Would you like to have some good luck, improve your $$$ and meet the love of your life in 2011 ? Buy some new underwear for New Year's Eve ! Depending on the colour you are going to wear, you can give a little hand to your destiny into the right direction. Ladies and gents, just try it - it doesn't hurt !
Yellow: "prosperity and optimism" Light pink: "compassion, softness and a bit of romance". Dark pink: "beauty, passion and romance". Green: "youth, freshness, calm and hope". Blue: "loyalty, idealism and dreams". Beige: "calm, passiveness, melancholy" (bleargh !). Orange: "movement, changes and spontaneity" White: "innocence and purity". (translation: 0 chances of improving your sexual life in 2011) Silver: "brings modernity, new technologies and innovations" (and sex toys ?). Gray:"stability, success and quality" Red: "elegance, class & leadership" (translation: free the dominatrix in yourself). Black: "mistery, fantasy, sophistication and luxe" (wow !). Animal prints (zebra, panther, turtles, cow, insects): "a more playful life".
Photo author: unknown.
Model: unknown.
Underwear brand: unknown
The ideal and most fashionable underwear colour pattern in my opinion according to superstition: an animal print and a dark pink background, hahahaha !!
I guess every mother has heard a couple of stories from her kids which are related to "invisible little friends". I do too - and that was much before my kids start attending a Christian basic school. Once I was in my bed playing with my girl - who was holding my hands and jumping and laughing. I said: "We two are having a lot of fun !" And she said: "Yes, we three !" And looked to her side and didn't want to add anything else. Another time I was wearing a gold medal with a cherubim on it. My son asked: "Who is this ?", "A little angel" I replied. He kept asking: "Ahn ? A child ? With wings ?". I said: "Yes. They fly !". To what he answered "Oooh, now I see ! Those who come from the roof down us via the ceiling, right ?". I fainted a bit. Anyway, let's have some fun with angels stories - from a different perspective, shall we ? I have always been a huge fan of Erich von Daniken (my father had some of his books) and it is a joy to see how enthusisastic he still is about all ancient astronauts theories.
On the video above from Sep. 2010, the 3 Js (Jan Dulles, Jaap Kwakman and Jaap de Witte) from Volendam and Ellen ten Damme. Ellen (1967) is a Dutch singer, musician and actress and even performs some acrobacies while on the stage. It seems she is famous in Germany, due to her several roles on films for the television - and she speaks German almost without an accent. The Dutch market is so small that it is not so unusual for Dutch artists also pursusing a career in other countries singing in French (Dave), English (Anouk,Ilse de Lange, The Cats) or German (Ellen ten Damme and others). I find Ellen quite special for being succesful in different artistic areas and having such an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to her career/band. A female artist with balls - and the maestro of her own life.
Below, my free translation of the refrain from Dutch into English:
What is the meaning of dreaming ? Is it hoping, aiming, wishing to know or forgetting to live ? Is it just a thought, or the waiting between giving and taking ? Is it good, is it harmful, a betrayal for a moment ? A sign ? Or has no meaning ?
The Lyrics in Dutch:
Wordt wakker schat. Je hebt een nare droom gehad. Rustig maar. Rust nog wat. Je kussen is zelfs nat.
Was het dan toch maar verbeelding? En niet iets wat me zeggen wil? Wat ik moet weten? Weet ik veel? De angst is vast een deel.
Wat is dromen? Is het hopen, streven, willen weten of vergeten te leven? Is het maar een gedachte, het wachten tussen nemen en geven? Is het goed, is het schadelijk, verraderlijk of jou om het even? Of het een teken is of van geen betekenis?
Ik vloog boven de stad. Had maling aan de zwaartekracht. En als ik val, dan land ik zacht. Terug op mijn matras. Dat was vannacht.
Toen laatst een zanger werd begraven. Ik stond erbij en keek ernaar. Mijn vrienden liepen snikkend af en aan. En noemden steeds mijn naam. Dat is toch raar?
Wat is dromen? Is het hopen, streven, willen weten of vergeten te leven? Is het maar een gedachte, het wachten tussen nemen en geven? Is het goed, is het schadelijk, verraderlijk of jou om het even? Of het een teken is of van geen betekenis?
Sometimes after visiting my hairdresser at the Bilderdijkstraat I decide to go to the center of Amsterdam zigzagging via the 9 streets.
I check the shop windows, I admire the canals, I check the last trends on bike decorations....
And then I have seen this MEGA eyecandy:
I thought I would have a fit or faint ! Instead, I put myself together, grabbed my camera and here you see the results. I have lately LOTS of idea about how to prettify my own bike (a mother bike). I am already visitng shops like HEMA, V&D and Xenos. Something vintage, kitsch, cool... Maybe I will do it next year, after spring time. Maybe I will show the metamorfose here, "before and after" sort of post entry. For now, stay with this cool video and have you all a wonderful week ! (The world would be a better place if more people decided to make more use of their bikes - when possible, of course. )
Dit is Amsterdam en dit is mijn fiets = This is A'dam and this is my bike Amsterdam houdt van fietsen = Amsterdam loves biking fietsen = to ride a bicycle (een) fiets = a bicycle
The tenth edition of Robodock Festival is happening today and tomorrow on the slope of the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North. Robodock was created in 1998 as a cultural self-defense and has become one of the most inventive cultural festivals in the world. It is a unique international festival with technology and art, theater, multimedia and industrial installations. This year, the theme is "Rhythm and Time - 10 Years of Transformation".
"Robodock presents THE FENIX: a hypnotising industrial fairytale. After a century of adventures, the mythological firebird has landed at Robodock. Her nest is drifting on the waves. In a cacophony of overwhelming mechanischal soundscapes, blazing fire sculptures and music from all over the globe, the ancient bird prepares for her last breath. " (extracted from Youtube)
Location: NDSM, Tt Neveritaweg 15, Amsterdam-Noord Dates and times Friday, September 24 terrain open: 16.00 – End musical acts: 23.00 Saturday, September 25 terrain open: 11.00 – 23.00 end musical acts
The online ticket sales proceeds exclusively through www.robodock.org and shopping at Free Record Shop and Van Leest. A limited number of tickets available at the door. Friday, September 24 presale € 20 / € 25 door Saturday, September 25 presale € 32.50 / € 37.50 door Children till 10 years € 1 (max. 2 children accompanied by an adult)
In Dutch, the days of the week are not capitalized. If you know English, it is quite easy learning the days of the week in Dutch, isn't it ?
A Bloody Sunday in festive samba rhytm. You like it ? Dislike it ? And Brazilians canibalize everything. Any rhythm (heavy metal, rock'n'roll, classic, religious mantras) can end up in samba.
Sensualis a Dutch band of Brazilian jazz and samba rythms. They compose and sing their own songs in Portuguese. Their next performances are on the 9th of October in P60 (in Amstelveen) and on the 31st of October in Tivolli de Helling (in Utrecht). Their third c.d. Trinta is to be released on the 1st of November.
Eva Kiebom: vocals Emiel van Rijthoven: keys Jasper van Hulten: drums Sven Happel: bass Gijs van Straalen: percussion
As a foreigner or expat... Do you feel like you have to hide the real "you" in order to be accepted in the Dutch society ? Your age, your flaws, your maiden's name... hide or not ? Change your hair colour, your religion, sicknesses or your sexual preferences in order to get a job/date/make new friends or just "blend" easier ? Is it important to fit in the flat landscape - or will you end up "flattening" yourself ? If you wish to know more about discrimination in the NL then visit: www.discriminatie.nl
Brazil was "discovered" by the Portuguese in 1500. The colonization lasted 322 years. In 1630 the Dutch invaded Brazil. They wanted to develop sugar cane plantages on the Northen coast. In 1647, the Dutch reach Itaparica. After many conflicts and heavy attacks from the Portuguese, the Dutch West India Company had to rush to Recife and therefore abandoned many of its members behind. The contact between foreigners and locals led to many consequences. For Capiroba, a local mestizo, for example, the taste for canibalism. _________ Viva o Povo Brasileiro: romance (in Dutch the title is: Brazilie, Brazilie) by Joao Ubaldo Ribeiro, 1984, 673 pages. One of my favorite books ever, this is an extraordinary fiction that covers over three centuries of Brazilian history. Along the years, I keep re-reading some passages and having a good time. You find here a Brazil that is mythological, terrifying, confusing, vibrant, corrupt. So familiar to all - and at the same time so far away and misterious.
Above: Nassau Bridge, Recife, Brazil. photo by wikipedia.
My second cultural tip is the documentary Doce Brasil Holandes, from Monica Schmiedt. Two historians, Brazilian Kalina Vanderlei and German Sabrina van de Ley, investigate the "Golden Age" of a Dutch Recife. Johannes Mauritius van Nassau stablished Mauritia or Maurisstad, actual Recife, in the XVII century. He plannified the city according to Dutch architectural standards, stablished an astronomical abservatorium, allowed the construction of a synagogue and ordered the construction of the largest bridge in the New World. Soon, Mauritisstad became one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. But Mauritius van Nassau was an invader: he was interested, above all, in making Holland the main distributor of Brazilian sugar in Europe. So why do the actual locals of Recife still consider him to be a humanist and the "best mayor ever" ? Doce Brasil Holandes 17th September 2010 at 20:30 Tropentheater, Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam.
(If you are having problems to watch this video, here is a trick: double click on it and you will go to the Youtube page.)
Erik en Lera are 10 and 11 years old and extremely talented dancers. On this video their performance has some South American movements and steps. Cute !
A very Dutch habit: hanging a kids school bag outside home together with the Dutch national flag when the kid has succeeded on his/her exams. For a lovely explanation about it please go here.
This week my kids started their summer vacations. My litttle girl succeeded in her toddler dance course (peuterdans). My son got his diploma B with swimming course and a medal during a judo tournament: 4th place among a group of 7 kids - and he is doing judo for just a couple of months. Not bad ! ! He also has passed his judo exam and got a yellow piece (which I still have to buy, I didn't have 1 euro cent with me, just a pin card, grrr!) for his belt. After the summer vacations he will start with the preparations for his C diploma in Haarlem as usual and he goes further with judo lessons, cause he seems to love it. I guess my little girl will do carate in the future instead of judo - she is rather fond of quick saltos than having to grab the adversary by the clothes. Pretty skinny girls must know how to defend themselves too !
The first vacation days were not easy for me. Still recovering from an eye infection and having to entertain kids doing wild. Of course they can entertain themselves but they request my participation during many times during the day. I needed a pause for some tea.
Porcelaine tea set and wooden tray available at the HEMA.
When they get to screamy and agitated it is time to go outside - or if it's is rainy then watch some DVD's (in Portuguese or Dutch, they enjoy both languages at ease). Below, you can watch the official trailer of "Rio" from the same creative director of Robots and Ice Age (I, II and III) at Blue Ski Studios, Brazilian Carlos Saldanha. Voices of Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris and Rodrigo Santoro, among other famous. It is a 3D film - it has to because Rio is a 3D city like no other ! Plot: "a nerdy macaw from Minnesotta escapes from his cage and heads to Rio where he learns how to boost his self confidence and develop another view on life". I wish I could watch it with the kids already this summer, but it seems it will be available only during April next year. Let's wait and see...
Octopus Paul is indeed smashing ! Spain won the World Cup, just as it had predicted. Here on the video you see the moment when goal keeper Iker Casillas gets emotional and kisses TV reporter (and his girlfriend) Sara Carbonero.
Iker: "I dedicate this to the people that has always supported me, my parents, my brother..."(his voice starts to crack)
Sara: It's ok. Let's talk about the match..."
Iker: "No"
Sara: "No?"
Iker: "I'd rather kiss you." (he kisses her and says goodbye)
Sara: Dear me. (**blush**) Well. We shall continue it later J., ok ?"
Anouk is in my opinion the best female singer at this moment in Holland. On the video above she acts with her actual partner and father of her fourth kid: rapper Unorthadox. Nine years ago, they had a relation that lasted three days. She was 24y. - and him 18. After being married for eight years, as soon as she divorced she took contact via telephone with "Dox" again. They have been together since March 2009.
