So I open Chrome to write this post, and I glimpse the start page which shows the recently closed tabs.
Reviews of hotels, cities searches, flight engines, jobs sites and linkedin!
Kinda sums it up perfectly. Not sure there's much point in a long post now. :)
Tomorrow I need to motivate myself for a busy day in front of the PC.
I'm gonna grab the good chair and work through my lists.
Find a job and organise a wedding.
eeek.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Monday, 16 April 2012
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
17 days to go
My contract is ending at the end of March.
After one year of 3 months contracts and a very steep learning curve, I'll be (potentially) schussing
out of my current job. I'll miss the people and the atmosphere, and it's all a bit sudden.
That's the life of a Consultant, I guess.
Some other contract will come up.
And until then, I console myself with this ...
Because in 18 days I'll be here !
Wohooooooo. :)
After one year of 3 months contracts and a very steep learning curve, I'll be (potentially) schussing
out of my current job. I'll miss the people and the atmosphere, and it's all a bit sudden.
That's the life of a Consultant, I guess.
Some other contract will come up.
And until then, I console myself with this ...
Because in 18 days I'll be here !
Wohooooooo. :)
Friday, 11 November 2011
The question at Dinner
It was during our now traditional long weekend in London in November.
We started going to London a few years ago as S had not yet been. Being British I felt it was something he had to experience after 5 years in Belgium. Despite ourselves, the first time we went, we ended up shopping like mad as we were due to spend Christmas in Melbourne and therefore had lots of presents to buy.
Last year, we managed to get rained on a fair bit before, during and after some caching, but we discovered some nice places and had a good laugh in a local Indian which was not so nice.
But this year, it seemed a whole other something was planned.
I knew S was taking me to a rather swanky restaurant as there had been a “busy” entry in the calendar for some months at a very weird time slot. After repeatedly fishing for info, I was told we were going to dinner and that I should take something nice to wear.
It was the 11/11/11.
I have to say given the dinner reservation was only for 10.30pm, we organised the whole day so we would not be caught starving at 8pm and destroy our appetite. We opted for a visit to the Odeon at a 7.30 showing to keep us distracted, which would give us an hour to go back to the hotel, get changed and head off to wherever it was we were going.
The choice of film, in retrospect could have been better. S and I don’t often go to the cinema these days, mostly as we don’t feel there’s much worth spending 10€ on (or £18 if you head to the crap Odeon on Marble Arch). We decided to go see In Time.
S understandably was a bit tense and very conscious of being late or not having enough time so a whole 2 hours of people running to save their lives as time runs out was really not a good choice!
Anyway, unlike them, we had plenty of time as we headed back to the hotel to get changed, tummy’s grumbling.
On the underground all poofed up, I still had no idea where we were heading. The fact we got off at Knightsbridge did nothing to help the mystery as to be fair, I don’t know where most of the top restaurants are situated in London.
Even when we had a cigarette outside Harrods opposite the hotel (turns out we were a wee bit early), I had no idea. I think S was a bit disappointed I did not recognise the Mandarin Oriental hotel and therefore did not make the connection and finally figure out which Chef was cooking for us tonight! Bless.
Finally having to spell it out, I discover with absolute thrill that Dinner by Heston was the scene for tonight’s extravagance. Wahey!!!, I still can’t wipe the smile off my face (The food itself would require a post all of its own).
It was a bit intimidating having to walk through the whole restaurant in between diners who clearly felt VERY at ease in this environment and come here all the time.
So, it happened somewhere after the entrée and the main course. S shifted in his seat, took a deep breath and said “Right well, I didn’t bring you here just for the food, there was an ulterior motive.”
Now girls, you and I both know that in this kind of setting, on this special date (and nearing 11.11pm), there really weren’t a whole heap of other possibilities here.
So I tried to look innocent and asked “Really?”
“Well, you know we’ve been discussing recently about having kids and stuff, … well, … “
(Some time passes)
Cue sommelier to come and bring us the wine! Grrr.
“So, … , … , do you want to get married?”
Cue big grin on my face.
Nervous fidgeting on my part now, followed by “Yes.”
I was expecting something to happen now, be it him leaning over and kissing me, him producing a ring, or even just saying anything to break the tension slightly.
But nothing. I think he was as excited/nervous/embarrassed as me.
“Yes, ..., of course, … , yes” and when still nothing to move the conversation on I made the fatal mistake. “Yes, … but…”. “… but I think we should take our time.”
Now, the reason for me saying this was really only to try and break the silence of silly grinning and awkwardness and continue our conversation, not to impose a condition to my Yes. Although I fear he will forever remember the “yes… but..”
Things went back to normal after that and we got distracted by our taste buds exploding from excitement at every mouthful.
Anyway, it was an amazing dinner, a great evening and for the next few days in London we walked around holding hands in the street (for those of you who know us realise we aren’t too into PDAs)
For some weird reason, I felt really grown up and adult-like walking around with my “fiancé” by my side.
Had my head so much in the clouds the next day that I managed to bump my head something fierce on a shop window causing him to burst out laughing (initially) and me to burst into tears… It wasn’t that it hurt so much after a few minutes, more that it had been an emotional couple of days and once the tears started flowing I couldn’t stop. Pathetic really, a 34year old woman sobbing quietly with a big red mark on her forehead in the middle of a shopping center in London.
We will get married on the 12/12/12. (… and then again on the 30/12/12 in Melbourne).
- that’s if we don’t kill each other and everyone around us during the planning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to read his version of events... click here.
(That's his ring by the way. We decided we were both allowed an engagement ring.
The story of having the rings made however, will not be told here as it wasn't a very pleasant experience)
We started going to London a few years ago as S had not yet been. Being British I felt it was something he had to experience after 5 years in Belgium. Despite ourselves, the first time we went, we ended up shopping like mad as we were due to spend Christmas in Melbourne and therefore had lots of presents to buy.
Last year, we managed to get rained on a fair bit before, during and after some caching, but we discovered some nice places and had a good laugh in a local Indian which was not so nice.
But this year, it seemed a whole other something was planned.
I knew S was taking me to a rather swanky restaurant as there had been a “busy” entry in the calendar for some months at a very weird time slot. After repeatedly fishing for info, I was told we were going to dinner and that I should take something nice to wear.
It was the 11/11/11.
I have to say given the dinner reservation was only for 10.30pm, we organised the whole day so we would not be caught starving at 8pm and destroy our appetite. We opted for a visit to the Odeon at a 7.30 showing to keep us distracted, which would give us an hour to go back to the hotel, get changed and head off to wherever it was we were going.
The choice of film, in retrospect could have been better. S and I don’t often go to the cinema these days, mostly as we don’t feel there’s much worth spending 10€ on (or £18 if you head to the crap Odeon on Marble Arch). We decided to go see In Time.
S understandably was a bit tense and very conscious of being late or not having enough time so a whole 2 hours of people running to save their lives as time runs out was really not a good choice!
Anyway, unlike them, we had plenty of time as we headed back to the hotel to get changed, tummy’s grumbling.
On the underground all poofed up, I still had no idea where we were heading. The fact we got off at Knightsbridge did nothing to help the mystery as to be fair, I don’t know where most of the top restaurants are situated in London.
Even when we had a cigarette outside Harrods opposite the hotel (turns out we were a wee bit early), I had no idea. I think S was a bit disappointed I did not recognise the Mandarin Oriental hotel and therefore did not make the connection and finally figure out which Chef was cooking for us tonight! Bless.
Finally having to spell it out, I discover with absolute thrill that Dinner by Heston was the scene for tonight’s extravagance. Wahey!!!, I still can’t wipe the smile off my face (The food itself would require a post all of its own).
It was a bit intimidating having to walk through the whole restaurant in between diners who clearly felt VERY at ease in this environment and come here all the time.
So, it happened somewhere after the entrée and the main course. S shifted in his seat, took a deep breath and said “Right well, I didn’t bring you here just for the food, there was an ulterior motive.”
Now girls, you and I both know that in this kind of setting, on this special date (and nearing 11.11pm), there really weren’t a whole heap of other possibilities here.
So I tried to look innocent and asked “Really?”
“Well, you know we’ve been discussing recently about having kids and stuff, … well, … “
(Some time passes)
Cue sommelier to come and bring us the wine! Grrr.
“So, … , … , do you want to get married?”
Cue big grin on my face.
Nervous fidgeting on my part now, followed by “Yes.”
I was expecting something to happen now, be it him leaning over and kissing me, him producing a ring, or even just saying anything to break the tension slightly.
But nothing. I think he was as excited/nervous/embarrassed as me.
“Yes, ..., of course, … , yes” and when still nothing to move the conversation on I made the fatal mistake. “Yes, … but…”. “… but I think we should take our time.”
Now, the reason for me saying this was really only to try and break the silence of silly grinning and awkwardness and continue our conversation, not to impose a condition to my Yes. Although I fear he will forever remember the “yes… but..”
Things went back to normal after that and we got distracted by our taste buds exploding from excitement at every mouthful.
Anyway, it was an amazing dinner, a great evening and for the next few days in London we walked around holding hands in the street (for those of you who know us realise we aren’t too into PDAs)
For some weird reason, I felt really grown up and adult-like walking around with my “fiancé” by my side.
Had my head so much in the clouds the next day that I managed to bump my head something fierce on a shop window causing him to burst out laughing (initially) and me to burst into tears… It wasn’t that it hurt so much after a few minutes, more that it had been an emotional couple of days and once the tears started flowing I couldn’t stop. Pathetic really, a 34year old woman sobbing quietly with a big red mark on her forehead in the middle of a shopping center in London.
We will get married on the 12/12/12. (… and then again on the 30/12/12 in Melbourne).
- that’s if we don’t kill each other and everyone around us during the planning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(That's his ring by the way. We decided we were both allowed an engagement ring.
The story of having the rings made however, will not be told here as it wasn't a very pleasant experience)
Sunday, 22 August 2010
First 2010 post - how sad
Ok, I had no idea it had been over a year since I posted. Really bad.
Well yesterday I stumbled upon a great little blog about an English girl living in Brussels with her boyfriend. Besides it giving me a really good laugh in places, her observations are remarkably similar to ours with regards to Belgian life.
It has also made me want to start writing again; Not so much for the two or three of you that actually read the blog, but because I know I will love to read all this again in the coming years.
So 2010 huh?
My main news for 2010 is that this little 'burb woman (me) has, against all odds and reason, been convinced to move into the dead center of town!
You can imagine this move was a terrifying thought for me as the center was really not my favourite place in Brussels. Despite being Belgian, as any burby, I would venture into town carefully, always with a distinct purpose and walk the streets avoiding tourists and holding onto my bag for dear life.
Ok, that is a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.
Well, contre toute attente, I actually like it here.
The thing that worried me the most on arrival, was the parking situation. I was pretty sure that I was never going to find a park or that I would have to resort to parking in a dodgy street and hope the car was still intact in the morning. Well provided I get home at the right timeslot, parking is a synch and only rarely must I venture as far as Place Rouppe to get a spot.
I keep my car pretty dirty intentionally and anything I leave in the car should do nothing to whets someone's appetite. Unless empty water bottles, plastic bags and a lighter is exciting these days. I have noticed a few scuff marks that weren't there before, but that's inevitable when parking in the street and it adds to the growing charm of my ageing crappy Ikea car ... err sorry Peugeot 206.
The gorgeous apartment we found is in a back building with a courtyard where a few other people from the building park their cars. There is really only room for three cars and while two of the spots are "reserved" already; the most awkward spot is not - Although one guy would disagree with this statement.
Everyday, we get ample distraction watching the life and times of our courtyard parking situation!
More on this another time.
Well yesterday I stumbled upon a great little blog about an English girl living in Brussels with her boyfriend. Besides it giving me a really good laugh in places, her observations are remarkably similar to ours with regards to Belgian life.
It has also made me want to start writing again; Not so much for the two or three of you that actually read the blog, but because I know I will love to read all this again in the coming years.
So 2010 huh?
My main news for 2010 is that this little 'burb woman (me) has, against all odds and reason, been convinced to move into the dead center of town!
You can imagine this move was a terrifying thought for me as the center was really not my favourite place in Brussels. Despite being Belgian, as any burby, I would venture into town carefully, always with a distinct purpose and walk the streets avoiding tourists and holding onto my bag for dear life.
Ok, that is a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.
Well, contre toute attente, I actually like it here.
The thing that worried me the most on arrival, was the parking situation. I was pretty sure that I was never going to find a park or that I would have to resort to parking in a dodgy street and hope the car was still intact in the morning. Well provided I get home at the right timeslot, parking is a synch and only rarely must I venture as far as Place Rouppe to get a spot.
I keep my car pretty dirty intentionally and anything I leave in the car should do nothing to whets someone's appetite. Unless empty water bottles, plastic bags and a lighter is exciting these days. I have noticed a few scuff marks that weren't there before, but that's inevitable when parking in the street and it adds to the growing charm of my ageing crappy Ikea car ... err sorry Peugeot 206.
The gorgeous apartment we found is in a back building with a courtyard where a few other people from the building park their cars. There is really only room for three cars and while two of the spots are "reserved" already; the most awkward spot is not - Although one guy would disagree with this statement.
Everyday, we get ample distraction watching the life and times of our courtyard parking situation!
More on this another time.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
On yer bike.
Most of you will know, I am not what you call an exercise freak.
I, like most other people, find it hard to actually get my butt into gear and get going.
However, with my new job being only 2,5km away, I have decided I am going to leave the car at home and replace it with a stunningly becoming florescent yellow vest and a flashy helmet... and a bike.
Knowing that it would take me a whole 10 minutes longer to take the car or the metro, I can't really justify getting to work any other way.
So I'm proud to say, that since Monday, I have been cycling to work.
And here I am, 4 days later, and although a little less motivated that the first morning, It's going OK. I have found a relatively easy route to work, avoiding the busy streets as much as possible.
It take me a total of 9 minutes!
Testing possible routes out last weekend, I quickly noticed that while we are being "encouraged" to leave our cars at home, Brussels still has a lot to do before it becomes safe to ride a bike during rush hour.
I take a pretty busy route crossing one of our most perilous 4-lane roundabouts, and riding down main roads. And not a single cycle lane!
So not wanting to get squished by the average Belgian driver, I avoid the roundabout in the morning and take the pedestrian route (- which I'm not actually allowed to do!)
Anyway, I just thought this new hobby of mine deserved to be documented. :)
I, like most other people, find it hard to actually get my butt into gear and get going.
However, with my new job being only 2,5km away, I have decided I am going to leave the car at home and replace it with a stunningly becoming florescent yellow vest and a flashy helmet... and a bike.
Knowing that it would take me a whole 10 minutes longer to take the car or the metro, I can't really justify getting to work any other way.
So I'm proud to say, that since Monday, I have been cycling to work.
And here I am, 4 days later, and although a little less motivated that the first morning, It's going OK. I have found a relatively easy route to work, avoiding the busy streets as much as possible.
It take me a total of 9 minutes!
Testing possible routes out last weekend, I quickly noticed that while we are being "encouraged" to leave our cars at home, Brussels still has a lot to do before it becomes safe to ride a bike during rush hour.
I take a pretty busy route crossing one of our most perilous 4-lane roundabouts, and riding down main roads. And not a single cycle lane!
So not wanting to get squished by the average Belgian driver, I avoid the roundabout in the morning and take the pedestrian route (- which I'm not actually allowed to do!)
Anyway, I just thought this new hobby of mine deserved to be documented. :)
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Breaking the cycle
I've not been very talkative this last month. Mostly due to the fact that I haven't really had much time to myself, but also because I've not had a lot to say and I haven't been in the best of moods.
But tonight is definitely worth a post.
As most of you will know I'm turning 30 next week and I been really trying to push those "I'm 30, what have I achieved and what have I got to show for it" thoughts out of my mind. So not feeling altogether great about things, tonight gave me the breath of fresh air I needed!
And it was the doing of my family and friends. A surprise birthday party!!!
I must admit, I was a little freaked out by not knowing what tonight was all about. Though I had been given a few things to go on (and once you know there's a surprise you can't help but pick up on any small slip up) I was completely put off the scent by my friends who all did a brilliant job of assuring me they were not in the loop. Hats off to the one's that slipped up big time and who managed to turn it around at the last minute!
So I turn up - slightly peeved as my legendary parking had let me down and I had been circling the area for a good twenty minutes before settling my two front wheels bang in the middle of a zebra crossing - and find not only most of my family but all my closest friends were there too. PERFECT.
I had a really good night. Though it went by in such a flash that I didn't even have time to savor it as much as I would have liked. I would have liked to have spent time talking to everyone and catching up. The good thing - and I've been thinking this a lot lately - is that I have amazing people around me. People often ask me why i don't move back to the UK. This is why.
So for all you reading this that were involved. Thank You.
But tonight is definitely worth a post.
As most of you will know I'm turning 30 next week and I been really trying to push those "I'm 30, what have I achieved and what have I got to show for it" thoughts out of my mind. So not feeling altogether great about things, tonight gave me the breath of fresh air I needed!
And it was the doing of my family and friends. A surprise birthday party!!!
I must admit, I was a little freaked out by not knowing what tonight was all about. Though I had been given a few things to go on (and once you know there's a surprise you can't help but pick up on any small slip up) I was completely put off the scent by my friends who all did a brilliant job of assuring me they were not in the loop. Hats off to the one's that slipped up big time and who managed to turn it around at the last minute!
So I turn up - slightly peeved as my legendary parking had let me down and I had been circling the area for a good twenty minutes before settling my two front wheels bang in the middle of a zebra crossing - and find not only most of my family but all my closest friends were there too. PERFECT.
I had a really good night. Though it went by in such a flash that I didn't even have time to savor it as much as I would have liked. I would have liked to have spent time talking to everyone and catching up. The good thing - and I've been thinking this a lot lately - is that I have amazing people around me. People often ask me why i don't move back to the UK. This is why.
So for all you reading this that were involved. Thank You.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Life is fine.
This thought came to me this evening.
Amidst all the stuff that's going on in my life at the moment - you know, those times when you feel you're in the wrong lane but you can't figure out how to get back into the right one without bashing a few bollards along the way (no, I'm not having a premonition, J) - I've hit a really good patch !
The ending of this job is actually coming at a pretty good time.
Right at the start of the holidays!
Just what I need: to take a breath, smell the roses and enjoy life for a bit.
So tomorrow, I'm off up north with two of my friends for a day of driving, expensive food, lots of queues, mental orange kangaroos and ... oh yeah... rollercoasters!
I know to most people this is quite sad. But I can't wait.
(I think I'm starting to sound like one of those coaster fans from the States wearing flag covered sweatshirts! Sexy.)
Amidst all the stuff that's going on in my life at the moment - you know, those times when you feel you're in the wrong lane but you can't figure out how to get back into the right one without bashing a few bollards along the way (no, I'm not having a premonition, J) - I've hit a really good patch !
The ending of this job is actually coming at a pretty good time.
Right at the start of the holidays!
Just what I need: to take a breath, smell the roses and enjoy life for a bit.
So tomorrow, I'm off up north with two of my friends for a day of driving, expensive food, lots of queues, mental orange kangaroos and ... oh yeah... rollercoasters!
I know to most people this is quite sad. But I can't wait.
(I think I'm starting to sound like one of those coaster fans from the States wearing flag covered sweatshirts! Sexy.)
Sunday, 8 July 2007
The housewarming
So I'm sat here At My Computer on Sunday afternoon with a strong dose of caffeine in an attempt to kick start my body after a somewhat short night and (I think) a relatively small amount of booze and green tea. My (17) closest friends were there to help baptise the flat and I feel we did a pretty good job of it.
It's a well known fact that when you are hosting a party, you don't really have a lot of time to sit and talk to your invités. I spent most of the evening going from the sitting room to the kitchen, checking in with the English speakers at the booze and food table (who thought this was a very good place to camp out). The office was also visited on a regular basis as one of friends thought she'd like to stock up on my TV show collection and burn a couple (yes 10, Audrey) of DVDs. :)
Another friend made "capiranhas" for everyone for most of the night, he has discovered a talent for cocktail making, though sadly I did not get to taste one.
Two others thought it was hilarious to arrive at about 11.30 and ring the doorbell claiming they were the police answering a call for noise disturbance. I rush down the stairs to find them pissing themselves on the doorstep. Hmm .... very funny! :)
The friend specialised in "Wellness" proceeded to go into my bedroom and tell me that when it comes to Feng Shui, my room is a mess! Turns out having your head pointing East is not good, neither is an open wardrobe (that's being tackled today), electrical cables running behind the head board and my sister's wicker err... sculpture (dead wood). Let's not even mention the art I was planning on putting on the wall. I have decided that, apart from the wardrobe doors, I going to ignore his comments until bad things happen.
And then there's the Indian, Australian and the Irish who camped out on my sofas providing the laughs and stories (and sarcastic digs) until 5 this morning. The sun was coming up and I had to chuck them out so we could all get a bit of sleep!!
So today I have the task of going around flat with a yellow and blue and white bin bag to clean up! Ooops almost forgot, the bottles need to go in yet a different bag (my blue bags clearly state that no glass is to be put in there!!). I've also to find a place to stash all the booze and fizzies that are left over until the next "gathering".
Not a very content worthy post, granted - but I wanted to keep a trace of it while it was still clear (OK, kinda cloudy) in my head.
A very good night! (though I'm sure my upstairs neighbour can' t have thought the same.)
It's a well known fact that when you are hosting a party, you don't really have a lot of time to sit and talk to your invités. I spent most of the evening going from the sitting room to the kitchen, checking in with the English speakers at the booze and food table (who thought this was a very good place to camp out). The office was also visited on a regular basis as one of friends thought she'd like to stock up on my TV show collection and burn a couple (yes 10, Audrey) of DVDs. :)
Another friend made "capiranhas" for everyone for most of the night, he has discovered a talent for cocktail making, though sadly I did not get to taste one.
Two others thought it was hilarious to arrive at about 11.30 and ring the doorbell claiming they were the police answering a call for noise disturbance. I rush down the stairs to find them pissing themselves on the doorstep. Hmm .... very funny! :)
The friend specialised in "Wellness" proceeded to go into my bedroom and tell me that when it comes to Feng Shui, my room is a mess! Turns out having your head pointing East is not good, neither is an open wardrobe (that's being tackled today), electrical cables running behind the head board and my sister's wicker err... sculpture (dead wood). Let's not even mention the art I was planning on putting on the wall. I have decided that, apart from the wardrobe doors, I going to ignore his comments until bad things happen.
And then there's the Indian, Australian and the Irish who camped out on my sofas providing the laughs and stories (and sarcastic digs) until 5 this morning. The sun was coming up and I had to chuck them out so we could all get a bit of sleep!!
So today I have the task of going around flat with a yellow and blue and white bin bag to clean up! Ooops almost forgot, the bottles need to go in yet a different bag (my blue bags clearly state that no glass is to be put in there!!). I've also to find a place to stash all the booze and fizzies that are left over until the next "gathering".
Not a very content worthy post, granted - but I wanted to keep a trace of it while it was still clear (OK, kinda cloudy) in my head.
A very good night! (though I'm sure my upstairs neighbour can' t have thought the same.)
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Bernard's Adieu
Last night, the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie put on a concert in thanks to the outgoing director, Bernard Foccroulle. My uncle.
A friend of mine, Rudi (who wished to be named) and I were fortunate enough to get last minute tickets. And while I wasn't that up for going initially, I am really glad I went.
I'm not an opera fan, it has to be said (though I don't tend to voice this opinion during family dinners). While I do generally like parts of a performance, I will invariably come across that point (usually during a Soprano solo) when I'm too hot and uncomfortable or want to sleep. What is happening on stage is no longer enough to keep my concentration. Most times, I have managed to get back into it, but going to the opera is more something I do because I feel I should rather than because I want to.
There has been the occasional piece I have liked enough to see twice. And I find that (as with most music) once you start to recognise the music and get to know it, it becomes a whole lot more enjoyable.
I worked for a while behind the bar at la Monnaie during college, and even got the chance once to work at the canteen (no white hat and plastic shoes though!) during Carmen that was being played at the Cirque Royal.
The show ran for at least a month and I was there most days and for the rehearsals before that too. It was great fun (and hard work) and for a short period of time, I got to see the Monnaie behind the scenes. Suffice to say, if there is one Opera CD I have in my collection, It's this one.
Anyway, tonight's concert was amazing. A mix of every different kind of music and expressed in many different ways (solos, duets, dancing, speeches...). I knew some of the singers, lots of the music and there was some sort of emotional charge in the theatre that made it captivating from beginning to end.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening!
And a little extra twinkle, tonight I got to see my cousin sing on stage with José van Dam.
Now him, I could listen to for hours (and watch him too, this man's charisma just oozes!)
Beligans are very proud of him and rightly so.
So I guess tonight marks the end of an era in my life. It would take too long to explain but it's been a big part of my life, even if not because of the music.
Now I must give this saxophone playing idea some more thought.
A friend of mine, Rudi (who wished to be named) and I were fortunate enough to get last minute tickets. And while I wasn't that up for going initially, I am really glad I went.
I'm not an opera fan, it has to be said (though I don't tend to voice this opinion during family dinners). While I do generally like parts of a performance, I will invariably come across that point (usually during a Soprano solo) when I'm too hot and uncomfortable or want to sleep. What is happening on stage is no longer enough to keep my concentration. Most times, I have managed to get back into it, but going to the opera is more something I do because I feel I should rather than because I want to.
There has been the occasional piece I have liked enough to see twice. And I find that (as with most music) once you start to recognise the music and get to know it, it becomes a whole lot more enjoyable.
I worked for a while behind the bar at la Monnaie during college, and even got the chance once to work at the canteen (no white hat and plastic shoes though!) during Carmen that was being played at the Cirque Royal.
The show ran for at least a month and I was there most days and for the rehearsals before that too. It was great fun (and hard work) and for a short period of time, I got to see the Monnaie behind the scenes. Suffice to say, if there is one Opera CD I have in my collection, It's this one.
Anyway, tonight's concert was amazing. A mix of every different kind of music and expressed in many different ways (solos, duets, dancing, speeches...). I knew some of the singers, lots of the music and there was some sort of emotional charge in the theatre that made it captivating from beginning to end.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening!
And a little extra twinkle, tonight I got to see my cousin sing on stage with José van Dam.
Now him, I could listen to for hours (and watch him too, this man's charisma just oozes!)
Beligans are very proud of him and rightly so.
So I guess tonight marks the end of an era in my life. It would take too long to explain but it's been a big part of my life, even if not because of the music.
Now I must give this saxophone playing idea some more thought.
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
I have a flat
It took a total of 17 crappy places before I finally landed on this one!
I have a flat :)
... with my very own parking space.
Still in bed with the flu, but a happy day.
I have a flat :)
... with my very own parking space.
Still in bed with the flu, but a happy day.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Interrobang ?!
I love Pub Quizzes! They do them a lot around here on Monday nights.
By teams of 5 (or if you are willing to forgo potential prizes, 6).
So even though I can usually only answer a small few, I always get my moment of glory...
You see, it seems I have a specialist subject. This is not intentional and has caused me many an embarrassing moment but when it comes to identifying crappy music, I can usually come up with the right answer.
The obscure Rick Astley song, a certain album released by a now totally unknown boyband, basically questions only I have the impressive completely useless knowledge to answer!
Now, My team mates on Interrobang?! take the piss every time, and that's fine, 'cause I take the mocking in my stride, but, when it comes down to it, I know I have a sordid music past and it's actually coming in handy now!!
So anyway, Yesterday, despite a not so warm welcome at the Old Oak, and a quiz-master who's accent was so bizarre, half the time the challenge was understanding the question, NOT coming up with the answers, I learnt a few things which I will share with you now:
• Baking chocolate has more caffeine in it that cocoa.
• Mascara comes in 3 forms: liquid, cream and cake. (This one stunned even the girls on our team)
• The company that homes Revlon is the USA. (No still doesn't make sense but that's what was written on the question sheet so god forbid the quizmaster would question the logic of a question).
• The biggest port in South America is Buenos Aires.
• The "ob" in ob tampons stands for ohne binde, which means "without pad." (didn't need to know this? Neither did we!!!)
Ok that's enough useless trivia for now!
(We won by the way - joint first place but the other team got the prizes because there were 6 of us on the team and we did a tiny bit of cheating. Nelly likes her map you see!)
By teams of 5 (or if you are willing to forgo potential prizes, 6).
So even though I can usually only answer a small few, I always get my moment of glory...
You see, it seems I have a specialist subject. This is not intentional and has caused me many an embarrassing moment but when it comes to identifying crappy music, I can usually come up with the right answer.
The obscure Rick Astley song, a certain album released by a now totally unknown boyband, basically questions only I have the impressive completely useless knowledge to answer!
Now, My team mates on Interrobang?! take the piss every time, and that's fine, 'cause I take the mocking in my stride, but, when it comes down to it, I know I have a sordid music past and it's actually coming in handy now!!
So anyway, Yesterday, despite a not so warm welcome at the Old Oak, and a quiz-master who's accent was so bizarre, half the time the challenge was understanding the question, NOT coming up with the answers, I learnt a few things which I will share with you now:
• Baking chocolate has more caffeine in it that cocoa.
• Mascara comes in 3 forms: liquid, cream and cake. (This one stunned even the girls on our team)
• The company that homes Revlon is the USA. (No still doesn't make sense but that's what was written on the question sheet so god forbid the quizmaster would question the logic of a question).
• The biggest port in South America is Buenos Aires.
• The "ob" in ob tampons stands for ohne binde, which means "without pad." (didn't need to know this? Neither did we!!!)
Ok that's enough useless trivia for now!
(We won by the way - joint first place but the other team got the prizes because there were 6 of us on the team and we did a tiny bit of cheating. Nelly likes her map you see!)
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