Klini

Virtual haircut

2008-05-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

The other day I came across something funny. It is called Holophonics, which is 3D audio. The best way to listen to them is using the biggest headphones you can find.
There are a lot more. Just use "holophonics" as keyword in search engine.

And this one is even better:

Queen's Day 2008

2008-05-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (30th of April) was Queen's Day here in Holland. Which is a BIG thing here. Bcos on this day you can see the normally dull, cheap and decent Dutch go WILD! And believe me, that can be quite shocking at times. Check out here for an example (also click on the links in there).
Let me first explain to you what Queen's Day is exactly. It is NOT the birthday of our present queen (which a foreigner might think), it is the birthday of her late mother, Princess Juliana. She was loved very much by the ppl, and on her b'day a lot of things where going on, and you could even go to the palace and congratulate her personally. When Beatrix took over, she decided that, out of respect for her mother, 30th of April will still be Queen's Day, even though Queen Beatrix's b'day is on 31th of January.

But for most of the ppl it doesn't matter who's b'day it is, it is just a great day to party. It already starts the night before. All the streets in A'dam (and other cities) are turned into "open air bars" and ppl drinking and dancing everywhere on the streets. YES, it is allowed to drink alcohol here on the streets. Well, actually it is not, but the police will turn a blind eye, unless you are really misbehaving.

Another tradition is the "vrijmarkt" (free market), which means that everyone is allowed to sell just about everything (within certain limits of course). In the big cities it already is turned into a professional market with professionals selling their stuff.

In the villages it still is the way it is meaned to be. Little kids selling their old toys, and other stuff.

Basically, an ideal situation to get rid of your old junk,........OR to buy some more old junk!
Also you can see some examples of the entrepreneurship that every Dutch have inside, no matter how young:

<-- Here you pull one of the ropes, which has a price attached. -->
Here you can bet which
goldfish will finish first.

Anyway, we kept it calmly, and just strolled around in a nearby town.

Anyway, my advise to you is, if you ever wanna visit Holland, make sure that you plan 30th of april in the trip. Believe me, it's worth it!

Alec's first pets

2008-04-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

"It is with great sadness that I have to inform you, that in the night from Saturday to Sunday, one of Alec's new pets, "Goldfish 2" passed away. Even though the actual cause of death remains uncertain, suicide cannot be ruled out."

Last Saturday we have bought 2 goldfish for Alec. After all, you can't start early enough with teaching him respect and responsability for all living creatures. We have been "preparing" him all week for this event. And finally we went to the garden centre, to the pet department. At first we passed by the big fish, you know, the Koi-carps. And since they just re-arranged the place, and we couldn't see the other part, we were already afraid that we had to buy a EUR 25,- fish the size of Alec's arm. Luckily, we saw the other department with the more suitable pets. We picked out 2 small fish, a fishtank and a small plant for oxygen supply. Alec was sooooo happy. The fish had to go where ever he went. When he was outside, the fish needed to be put on the table outside, and when he was inside, the had to follow as well. Of course fish aren't as mobile as alec, so we had to slow him down and tell him the fish needed to be put somewhere calm.
In the evening, he waved goodnight to the fish, and had to have them close.
Well, you already guessed it. In the morning one wasn't moving anymore.
Alec already knew what happened:"'isje kapot" ("fish broken"), "batterij op" ("battery empty"). it sure is a nice way of putting it, and it saves a lot of explaining about "going to heaven" and/or "becoming an angel" (yet).

Me and Ajax

2008-04-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

First of all, I am sorry for not posting here for a loooooooooong time. I have been very busy at work, and also haven't found any inspiration lately (or too much inspiration to choose from).
Anyway, I am back. And what a topic I can write about this time. People who know me personally, might fall off their chair.
I have been to a soccer match last sunday. And not just any seats, no....in one of the SKYBOXES!
And I had a great time!

I have never been so interested in soccer. Sure, I went to Amsterdam, with friends whenever Ajax or the National team was playing. And yes, I yelled and cheered just as loud as the next man. But I never had that passion, that feeling of US and THEM. And never really understood the fanatical passion of some supporters. Like the Feyenoord supporter who had a tattoo of one of the players on his shoulder.

Untill now. I've always said to myself, that I wanted to go to see a soccer match, if only just once in my life. Just to feel the atmosphere, the bond between the supporters.
And now I had an invitation from a befriended GSA (General Sales Agent) who we have done a lot of business with, to go to the match of the year. The last match of the season, with a chance of Ajax winning the championship. The opponent wasn't really a match, they won quite easily. However, all depended on the results of other matches being played simultaniously.
Unfortunately THAT didn't happen. For a while it looked like it, but in the first few minutes of the second half the team that was suppose to loose in the other match (PSV) scored a goal. It immediately influenced the atmosphere in the stadium. We had view on the area where the (in)famous F-Side was seated, and immediately we saw fights between supporters who got fustrated because their team wasn't going to be champion. And despite the way they stick to their team (beating everyone that critise their team, etc), I do admire their passion and the (unintended (?)) self-sacrefising for their team. And not only the Ajax-supporters have this, but ALL supporters, whether it's PSV, Feyenoord or AZ.

But what struck me the most is the farewell-party of John Heitinga. You just felt the bond between the supporters among themselves, and between the supporters and John Heitinga. He has been with Ajax ever since he was 7 (so I heard) and was living and breathing Ajax.

Anyway, this was my first soccer match, but it sure might not be my last. Hans & Frank, if you read this, TNX for the invite, and the great day!

John Heitinga's Farewell

Riders on the storm

2008-01-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry to all the Doors-fans out there, ending up on my blog hoping to find some info on their favorite band, but this has got nothing to do with the Doors. I just needed to nice title to go with the subject on hand. You see, the other day I read an article in the newspaper about those appendixes to contracts you need to sign when you want to hire a band or artist, the so called "riders". When you want to have a band or an artist performing for you, they will show up for their gig only if certain demands have been met. Those demands are all written in the riders, and can vary from funny to damn-right outragious. One of the most famous ones is of course the one from the legendary rockband Van Halen, who demanded a big bowl of M&M's, with ALL the brown ones removed!
When I first heard it, I thought it was a bit excessive, although funny. I already was picturing the stage-hand going through an huge pile of bags, manually removing (and maybe even eating) all the brown M&M's, till he won't be eating them for the rest of his life.
Now I just read that this demand had served a purpose. Since the band always toured with complicated and some sensitive equipment, it needed some expert set-up. After one of the roadies almost got electrocuted, due to a bad connection, they needed something to be able to check if their conditions were met. That's were the big bowl came in. Whenever they found a big bowl with M&M's they knew the other part had read their contract. Pretty smart, huh?

And how about miss Britney Spears? She wants an UNLISTED OUTGOING ONLY telephone line (note the capitals). If the number of that phone line is published, the promoter gets a $5.000 fine. "Sorry, wrong number!".

And you all might know that Amy WINEhouse does her name justice. So, it may not come as a surprise that her dressing room demands is filled with alcoholics or coctail ingredients. Just a few items: 2 bottles of red Rioja wine, 1 case of beer (NO STELL OR CARLING!), 1 large (what else?) bottle of vodka, 1 bottle of champagne, 1 bottle of Courvoisier. I sure hope it's not for her alone, but considering her reputation, I fear the worst.
And she is not the only one requires alcohol. On each rider there is some alcoholic beverages.But the one from Sheryl Crow cuts the cake. She orders a drink specifically for that day, i.e. on tuesday 1 bottle of Bombay Gin and a large bottle of Schweppes Tonic.

Another funny one. Legendary hardrock band Guns 'n' Roses has listed on their wanted list "1 assortment of adult magazines (i.e. Playboy, Penthouse)

Did I mention any Diva's here already (besides Amy Vodkahouse)? Don't think so. Well, for starters there is the ever so lovely Christina Aguilera. Contact the local police station before booking her to perfomr for you, as she requests a police escort from and to her hotel.

As you already might have noticed, all links end up on the same place on the net, and that is The Smoking Gun. Here you can find a whole list of riders of all sorts of artists. Go and check it out. One tip, DO check out the one from Iggy Pop! That one is just hilarious!
Just a small fragment on his rider on how his dressing room should look like: " You know what really would be nice? If you could make his room look less like a typical rock & roll dressing room and more sort of......Interesting? Are you with me? Just let someone loose with a little bit of artistic flair..er, do you know any homosexuals?"

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Here I would like to wish you all a Happy 2008!
May all your wishes come true this year. I hope you all had a good New Years Eve. You spend it with the family, or with friends?
For us, we decided to take things easy, this year. We have been to Paris and Disneyland this X-mas (pics too follow), and Alec had enjoyed himself a bit TOO much, becoming a bit ill from too much excitement. So we just stayed at home, I bought some fireworks (read here about that crazy dutch tradition), we had some oliebollen, and woke up Alec before hell broke loose.
Nothing much, nothing special.

Thank God it's X-mas

2007-12-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

As you might already have found out, it is nearly X-mas, and I don't know about you guys, but for me, it is always a special time. The whole atmosphere changes here in Holland after "that old fart with his white horse" is gone. Lights start to appear on the houses, shops have a little more different appearance, more friendly, welcoming. It just makes the early sunset a little more bearable.
And I know that X-mas has been heavily commercialised, and that the Dutch coziness ("gezelligheid") is forced upon us with even greater force than normal, but somehow I don't really mind.

Today, we went on a shopping-spree in Amsterdam. Well, not really a spree, since we didn't really buy much, and were more window-shopping. But just the whole atmosphere is just so friendly, with the lights, and the X-mas decorations in the shops.
Of course there were also the huge amount of tourists, coming to Amsterdam for the shopping, or smoking certain products Amsterdam is famous for, or both. Somehow it just adds up to it all.

Still, I am missing the X-mas markets like they have in Germany. We actually had planned to go to Dusseldorf or Koln, but since Alec has been ill this week, we decided to take it a little easier
this weekend.
I don't know if you ever been to a German X-mas market, if you don't, just hop in the car and go. It really is worth it. Oh, and don't forget to bring your appetite!

A few years ago, Amsterdam made an attempt to have a X-mas market to. I am not sure what they had in mind with it, but it just was hilarious, if you are used to the German ones. Only the Beurplein had a few stands (for those of you who know Amsterdam) and that's about it. On their defence, Amsterdam isn't really a city where you can have a market like that, with those narrow streets, and all.
Anyway, we probably won't go to a X-mas market this year, but we sure will go next year.
Meanwhile I am just going to enjoy the Dutch "gezelligheid"!

Music makes the world go round (again)!

2007-12-11T23:22:00.000-08:00

With my new job, also comes everything that goes with it, of course. Like colleagues, goofing around with them, and listening to the radio. However, that last thing I have a little problem with that. Don't get me wrong, I love to have the radio on as background, and the radio-station isn't that bad either. But what I DON'T get is the fact that when you listen to a radio-station (especially the popular ones), you hear the same songs over and over and over again. Like, you hear a song playing, and think to yourself:"funny song". An hour later you hear the same song, and you still think it's a nice song.....but hearing it eight times a day, 5 days a week! The think I don't get here is , that those guys who are playing that song again and again, or those guys plugging it (paying for airtime) don't realise that they are completely killing the songs. If you hear a song 3 times, you still like it, and might even run to the store to actually buy it. But after hearing it eight times a day, five days a week, I start to have the urge to throw the radio out of the window. Or myself!

Traveler IQ Challenge

2007-11-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

I found this on the Geenstijl blog, and I just had to share it with you guys.
My Score is 382516, Final Level 10, Travel IQ 113. Just curious if you can beat this. Just leave a message with your score.

Enjoy!

Traveler IQ Challenge

I died and gone to heaven!

2007-11-18T23:18:00.000-08:00

If you know me personally, you might know I have one special love in my life, and that is Starbucks coffee. I set my first step in a Starbucks in Taiwan 7 years ago, and I am addicted ever since. From that day on it started to play a role in my life in an ever increasing way. When I was studying in Taiwan, I went there practically every day to get away from the hectical life, to study, or just be alone. Over there it has become a part of the culture, even though the Taiwanese don't drink that much coffee. You see students do their homework, hang out with friends or just read a book. You see businessmen (and women) have sales meetings there. And not just in Taiwan, but more or less in every Starbucks I have been in there is a special atmosphere, which is hard to describe. But the closest description we (me and YuMei) can give is like it's your living room when you are away from home. You can sit there for hours with just one cup of coffee, and no-one cares about that. Try that here in Holland.
And for all these years I have wondered why there wasn't a Starbucks here in Holland (yet). Just a few weeks ago I read somewhere, that it had something to do with one of the biggest coffee producers here in Holland (Douwe Egberts) having a monopoly on the sales of coffee or something like that. The one and only Starbucks here in Holland was the one in the Nike European Headquarters in Hilversum. UNTIL NOW!!!!! I was as happy as a kid, when I found out that there FINALLY is a Starbucks at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. So, can you believe it?? Two of my favorite places combined into one. Needless to say I already have ordered my first Dutch "Grande Cappucino". I do however really have to get used to ordering in Dutch!

Movie time!

2007-11-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

I was surfing the net earlier this evening, and i found some funny video's on Youtube, I just had to share with you guys. Enjoy!

Who is smarter? The customer or the bartender?

Here is another reason for ppl to learn english!

Here is a funny trick to play on someone:

How about this blond girl:

And this is every kids nightmare:

The next video is not much funny, but more amazingly well made:

Fingerlicking food!

2007-10-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is just nice to break away from the everyday routine, and just go somewhere different. Just for the change of scenery. Saturday we went to Düsseldorf, which is about 2 hours drive from here. We used to go to a Japanese restaurant in the center, a bit outside "little Tokyo", where the food was great and quite cheap. But they have closed that restaurant for some unknown reason. So, after a period of mourning for that loss, we have had the courage to go back a few times already to find a nice replacement, which we found in once again a Japanese restaurant, Sushi this time.
Quite funny, all our trips end up in being small food excursions. When we go to Paris (both times), we always NEED to visit one particular Japanese restaurant, which got simple but great food. Also Düsseldorf is always the same. We always visit the Japanese restaurant for lunch, and then to the Starbucks for some good quality coffee (the only good coffee from USA). We still need to find something for dinner over there, but we hardly eat dinner there, because we are always still full from lunch. Therefore we always end up at the McDrive, to great happiness of His Royal Naughtiness.

At work we have some sort of lunch service, where a list of available (and not available) sandwiches is passed around, we mark what we would like to have, we fax it, and around lunchtime a big box is delivered at our door. I always end up having 1 sandwich with egg and 1 various (sometimes meat, sometimes French cheese etc).
Even though the sandwiches are good, sometimes the one with egg is a little bit too heavy on the pepper and salt. Today a representative of that company stopped by to ask what we think of their service. So I told her that they could ease up a little bit on the pepper and salt.
Somehow I guess that remark didn't go so well with the person in charge of the pepper, AKA the "Pepperspray", because the egg sandwich I had, had enough pepper on it to last me a life time.

All this talking about food makes me kinda wonder......Where does food come from? Last month was already all about natural and biologically grown food. We have been picking apples and sweetcorn out in the field and stuff (I wanted to write something about it, but never got to it,
shame on me!). It was pretty nice, also for Alec. This way he learns that apples don't grow in the supermarket, and that chickenbreasts don't end up at the butcher's already cut up etc.

But back to the question at hand....where does food comes from? And I don't mean, apples grow on trees and the cow gives us milk. Everyone knows that (or will learn eventually). No, what I mean is, what made us eat those apples and drink that milk?
Maybe in ancient history 2 guys were sitting in their cave, saw a cow pass by with the milk- factory dangling underneath in full view. Do you think the one would have said to the other:"what if we pull those things? What will happen?". Luckily for us, they had a cow that was in a good mood, otherwise we might never have heard of milk.
Or how about this scenario? "Hey Johnny, I just found some berries on the ground, wanna try?".....one hour later "John,....you not dead yet? Hmmm...I guess those berries are eatable then"

I guess it must have all been a process of trial-and-error. Someone trying a kinds of mushrooms. Probably the last entry on his notebook was: "Avoid the red and white ones".
And how about all the herbs and spices, or tea and coffee? Who on earth would come up with the idea to throw a coffee bean in the fire, grind it and pour boiling water on top of it?

About the Chinese they say: "if it moves they'll eat it". Well, that's nice, but if I see a tarantula, the last thing on my mind would be:"how would it taste like, when it's deep-fried?"
Luckily I haven't seen those in Beijing, but there were centipedes and even complete baby-sharks on a stick.

And about meat. Somewhere along the line, someone must have put it on a stick and hang it in a fire. But why? Weren't they happy eating raw meat? Where they so desperate to try something new, that they would sacrifice a good piece of meat? "I have had enough of all this raw meat! I am gonna throw it in the fire, and see how it taste like!....No, don't try to stop me, I made up my mind."

Maybe there have been many studies about the subject, but so far haven't seen any.
Anyway, it is fun thinking about this, and come up with some other ways on how food was discovered.

For now, here are some funny jokes about food:

* "Jacky, aren't you gonna pray for that food?", "I did, mommy, but it's still there!"

* "Some people ask the secret of our long marriage, We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays."

* A waitress walks up to one of her tables in a New York City
restaurant and notices that the three Japanese businessmen
seated there are furiously
masturbating.

She says, "What the hell do you guys think you are doing?"

One of the Japanese men says, "Can't you see? We are all
berry hungry."

The waitress says, "So how is whacking-off in the middle of
the restaurant going to help that situation?"

One of the other businessmen replies: "The menu say, FIRST
COME, FIRST SERVED!

* An atheist was walking through the woods one day when suddebly an 8-foot grizzly bear began to charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could down the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was rapidly closing on him. Somehow, he can't ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. His heart pounding in his chest, he tried to run faster yet. But alas, he tripped and fell to the ground. As he rolled over to pick himself up, the bear was right over him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its right paw to strike him.

'OH MY GOD! ...' Time stopped.......... The bear froze ........... The forest was silent...........Even the river stopped moving ...

As a brilliant light shone upon the man, a thunderous voice came from all around, 'You Deny My Existence For All These Years, Teach Others That I Don't Exist; And Even Credit Creation To Some Cosmic Accident. Do You Expect Me To Help You Out Of This Predicament? Am I To Count You As A Believer???'

Difficult as it was, the atheist looked directly into the light and said, 'It would be hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?'

'Very Well.' said The Voice. The light went out....... The river ran....... The sounds of the forest resumed and the bear dropped down on his knees, brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke:

'Lord, thank you for this food which I am about to receive.'

* An Arab diplomat visiting the US for the first time was being wined and dined by the State Department. The Grand Emir was unused to the salt in American foods (french fries, cheeses, salami, anchovies etc.) and was constantly sending his manservant Abdul to fetch him a glass of water.

Time and again, Abdul would scamper off and return with a glass of water, but then came the time when he returned empty-handed.

"Abdul, you son of an ugly camel, where is my water?" demanded the Grand Emir.

"A thousand pardons, O Illustrious One," stammered the wretched Abdul, "A man is sitting on the well."

And some funny links:

http://www.hungrymonster.com/humor/Jokes.cfm?jid=17
http://www.hungrymonster.com/humor/Jokes.cfm?jid=59

BREAKING NEWS!!!

2007-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS!!!
I got a job! Finally! And it was pretty fast also. I think within 4 days, from the phonecall from the job agency till the signing of the contract. And I had to start at the 1st of October, so we only had 2 weeks to find a good daycare center for Alec. And those of you living here in Holland know that that is almost a mission impossible. Maybe for two days, or three at the most, but a full week?
We called all DCC in the area. Eventually we found 2 which we have to combine. Monday, tuesday and thursday Alec is going to one, and wednesday and friday he going to the other. Not the ideal situation, but hopefully we can change this lateron to a better deal.
Anyway, I still have a trial period, so we'll see how things are going.

You spin me 'round!

2007-09-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

We have been back in Holland for almost 3 months now, and all this time I have been planning on writing about the most scary thing happening to me in Taiwan. I never really get the chance, until now.

We arrived on Saturday, and the following thursday we went out for dinner. And somewhere during the evening I got an gigantic headache. It felt like me head would explode. I went to bed early, but just couldn't sleep bcos of it. Early in the morning (6 am), I "woke" up and sat upright in bed. Something didn't feel right. And all of a sudden it felt like my vestibular system were turned off. I woke up YuMei and said to her that she'd better call an ambulance, bcos I was in serious trouble. The whole room was spinning. I couldn't sit up straight anymore. If I did I either fell back again, or had to vomit. My arms was leading a life on it's own, making movements I didn't have control over. It was really scary.
YuMei woke up her mom, who immediately thought of a stroke, since her late husband has had two before he passed away. That scared the shit out of me, I already was picturing myself in wheelchair for the rest of my life, or worse.
They woke up my brother in law, who helped me to the car, and drove us to the hospital.

Now, I don't know how many of you have had the unpleasant experience of being in a hospital in a foreign country, not able to speak the language, not knowing what is happening around you. But believe me, it is SCARY! Luckily I had YuMei to translate, and comfort me.
Also luckily I was to sick and tired to actually notice anything around me. All I was focussing on was how to lie down without feeling sick or having to throw up. That also prevented me from noticing that I was being used as a human pin cushion.
After a few tests, also for stroke (which luckily came out negative), the doctors still didn't know what it was. Meanwhile I was feeling better already, and was send home at 12:00. But not before I was given a huge pile of medication and corresponding instructions.
(Meanwhile, Alec had the time of his life, seeing all the ambulances come and go with whailing sirens.)
I have been in bed for 2 or 3 days and felt already a bit better. Still I was walking like grandpa, and had to have support every 10 meters or so. Still, I already felt that there wasn't going to be any approvement on that Wednesday I was suppost to have those interviews, so I had to postpone them. I mean, I have send them my resume in which it said I am 35 years old. I don't think they would take that serious, when they see an 80 year old grandpa shuffling in.
Later, back in Holland, I went to the doctor, and told him all this. He diagnost it as being a classic case of Labyrinthitis, which is an infection of the vestibular system.
I just now read it back, and feel lucky. Lucky that no damage was done. However, the wikipedia and other medical books are always writing about what COULD happen if..... Basically it always looks and feels more serious than it actually is. Still, it scared the shit out of me.

Music makes the world go round!

2007-09-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted here in over 2 weeks already, and I feel a bit ashamed about it. I don't have any excuse, other than being lazy. I could also have said that I didn't have any inspiration or something like that, but that wouldn't be true, I got plenty of inspiration. Just like the other day. I was listening to some music, and BOOM!...had inspiration. The only thing was how to start it. I was thinking about starting with"I am getting old". Sure, I am getting old....aren't we all? And what does it have to do with music? So.....I am just trying a different approach.
The other day I was driving the car, and was listening to City FM finally again. This radiostation is playing all rock classics, just the kind of music I like. And when I listened, I was amazed how my music changed. Music I wouldn't dream of listening ever, I am now singing along with at the top of my longs. Music I used to love now just doesn't do anything to me.
Also songs or bands I have never have given a second thought is now constantly in my mind.
let me give you an example. I used to go crazy with the music of UB40, and had the whole collection of CD's available. Now I hardly play it anymore. And I have a little confession to make here. I was crazy about them when I was about 17 - 18 and started to go out and stuff. And (here is my confession:) also starting to experiment with hasj and weed. And I must admit, it felt great being high, sitting in the bus back home, with UB40 on the headphones of my walkman. It was "groovy".

Lateron my choice changed to a little bit more the rough side,...Metallica, Guns 'n' Roses, just about anything that has a bit of a guitar and a bit of a kick. Actually this started a bit when I went to a concert of Toto with a friend of mine. Wow....Those guys where good. Come to think of it...KFC has a slogan: "We know what to do with chicken". Well....Steve Lukather knew what to do with a guitar! Check this out! He is not playing the guitar, he making love to her and she is LOVING it!. That is what got my juices flowing at the time. And from there it "got worse". Guns 'n' Roses, Metallica. Funny thing is actually, that in my UB40-time, a friend of mine was crazy about G'n'R, and I always hated the music, and always had a "battle" with him about it. And before that I had a friend who was crazy about Metallica, Megadeth (no link here, I don't wanna scare you off) and much heavier than that. And again, same story.

Nowadays, I just listen to about anything that CityFM plays on the radio. Well, that is when I got the chance. We have aCD from Alec in the player, and it has been in there for about 2 months already, and has to be in there when His Royal Naughtyness is sitting in the car and played as well. I can sing along with all the songs by now.
Anyway, they are usually playing music from the '80's, which is the time when I start to develop a taste (or maybe lack of taste) in music. And the funny part is, like I mentioned earlier, that my taste has changed so much that a lot of songs I can really appreciate. Like Joe Jackson,...I never really thought about his music. Well, still not actually, I would never buy a CD, but the song above and this song, just keep playing in your mind, once you heard it.

Hmm....I also wanted to write about how singers could also dissappoint you. There is this song, it's one of my favorites, "One night in Bangkok" by Murray Head. It is so perfectly balanced, so massive and powerfull. So, I went searching for some other songs by him, and came across this. This voice wasn't at all as I heard in the song. Maybe he'd changed it or something, but it was kinda dissapointing.
But just earlier I went searching for it again, and came across other songs, like this one. It is so delicate, so subtile. I think I heard it once or twice, but never really payed attention to it.

"Is there a point to your story?", you might wonder? Not really, just wanted to write about this. But, if you insist, here is my point: Not only the style of the music chances, your choice in music also may chance over the years. Don't fight it, go with the flow. I remember that when I was kid I always made fun of my dad and his love for "The Platters", "The Carpenters" and so on. Now I realize, probably Alec will do the same with me in due time, as punishment for me making fun of my dad. And it probably will be something like this:"HAHAHA, you and your music, that music where they actually had to PLAY a guitar or drums! HAHAHAHA!!! So out of date!!!"

9/11 is coming!

2007-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

I am scared. I hear you ask: "Why"? Well....I tell you. There was (or is) a big demonstration planned in Brussels on the 11th of September against the Islamisation of Europe.
The major of Brussels has forbidden this demonstration, for the fear of insulting certain members of the Belgian population (read: muslims). He fears that there will be riots between the demonstrants and muslims (Islam was peace, right?). There is an online petition to protest against this decision of the major.
This is already scary to hear that people are not allowed to demonstrate, just to please a small minority of the population. We have in Europe something that is called freedom of speech, which is insulted by this decision.
The organisation therfore declared that therefore it will take place anyway, but then it will be more of a remembrance of the victims of the WTC-attacks.

And now I just read, that the AEL (Arab European League) is now planning a demonstration on (yes, you guessed it right) the 11th of September in Brussels against Islamophobia and racism.
For those who don't know the AEL, this is a very scary muslim organization, who's goal it is to convert everyone in Europe to muslim, either the easy way or the hard way.
Now, the major of Brussels has a problem. If he forbids this demonstration too, then the whole muslim world will be shouting that this is racism, bla bla bla..... If he doesn't forbid this, then it will be war. Why forbid one demonstration, and allow the other?

Meanwhile, it is so clearly a provocation of the AEL towards the western world. Why isn't this organization not on the European black list? It sure as hell is on the one from USA.

Anyway, I don't know what scares me most: The major allowing the demonstration of the AEL, or a confrontation between the 2 groups?
Either way, I fear that the WTC won't be the only thing we will remember on 9/11 in the future.

Privacy? What is that?

2007-08-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Bush had recently a small success by passing a law, that allows the CIA and other "Big Brother"-organisations to listen in on phone calls made outside USA (as long as they go through a US-based network). All in the name of his war on terrorism. Well, congratulations, mr. Bush!
I am sooo happy for you.

I don't know how things are in other countries, but here in Holland immediately everyone was against this law, being afraid of their privacy. PRIVACY???
HELLLLLOOOOOOO!!! THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL!!! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PRIVACY ANYMORE.

We gave up our privacy the moment internet became popular. Sure, you can respond anonymous to an article in the newspaper. But, ask any wizz kid, they are able to track you down in the blink of an eye. I only have to type "Osama Bin Laden", and this blog goes straight to the CIA for evaluation, where some nittwit will judge that this blog is not dangerous (well, probably he will classify it as dangerous now, since I called him/her a nittwit). And if I really wanna live dangerous and wanna have a squad-car in front of my house, I only need to write that "Saddam Hussain was my hero" (just for argument's sake).
There is not a piece of info on the net that can't be found. Just type in your own name in any search engine.

I read somewhere that in USA (where else?) there are companies that will search the entire internet for traces and remove them (if negative). (reputationdefender.com/, Defendmyname.com)
When you apply for a job, your future employer could turn you down, because you have written 3 years ago in some kind of forum, of which you don't even remember having registered for anymore, that you have smoked some weed in your childhood.

People here are making such a fuzz about the loss of their privacy. First of all, like I mentioned above, there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Second, those who are screaming the loudest against it, are also the ones with the most skeletons in their closet. Third, do you really think that the CIA is interested in a goofball like me? If they ever gonna dig in my past (which they will, after my comment about Saddam Hussain :) ), the worst thing they will find are some speeding tickets. Well, in Holland that is a more serious offence than murder, so maybe the next blog I will be writing from jail.
But seriously, do people really think that the CIA or NSA or whatever is going to listen in on your conversation with your mother-in-law about how to bake a carrot cake? Or when you are whining to your best friend that your boyfriend isn't able to raise the flag anymore? Would the CIA really be listening when you are having phone-sex with your mistress? Come on, get real! The CIA has better things to do, like.............like,..........Somebody? Help me please?

So, let George W. Bush enjoy his one and only success in a long time. He needed it!

Integration: why (not)? Part 2

2007-07-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

As you could have read in an earlier post, I was rambling on about the Moroccan society here in Holland (Integration: why (not)?). I ended with that I would get back to you on the subject of the "why" and the solution. Well, here it is:)

First, let's tackle the "why". I think what Francovic said in the comment of that last post is true. It's not the first or the second wave of immigrants causing trouble. From what I understood from his comment, is that those people were happy to be here, happy that Holland gave them a chance to change their lives in the positive way.
And like he said, (and I also hear that from other sources) it's the third generation that is causing the problems. Low education, not wanting to adjust themselves, and almost thinking that a country like Holland should be honored to have them living there.

Also, the main problem lies in religion. Where the first and second generation grateful to be here, and respecting our religion and culture, this third generation is trying to impose their religion on us, since they believe it is the one and only religion and you can't live without it. Unfortunately, they don't see (or wanna see) that there ARE other religions and/or cultures where people live happily, and also those people without religion can end up fine too.
A Muslim society have based their entire daily life on religion, and everything an imam or ayatollah is law. Therefore these people aren't tought (past tense for "to teach", help anyone?) to think for themselves.
One example is the fatwa against Salman Rushdie for writing a book which allegedly criticism against the Islam. While many Muslims never have read that book, and may not even be able to read in the first place, still they were shouting that Rushdie should be killed. If they did (or could) read the book, they might just think this book isn't so bad after all, and maybe even found some truth in the book (for the record, I haven't read the book either, but for different reasons :)).

So, if an imam is anti-western, and/or very conservative, his sermons will be too, creating a whole mosque filled with anti-western Muslims. And if the imam says that they have to spread the word of Allah in the west, even by force, then they will do just that.
Also, the fact that there is absolutely no respect for the human life is also a reason that things clash. A Moroccan might easier say "I will kill you", then a westerner. Also the fact that in the Koran is (said to be) written, that all people who don't believe in Allah, are less then dogs, and are allowed to be killed without punishment. In fact, when you kill a person that doesn't believe in Allah, you will be rewarded in paradise.
Hmmm...I am writing this, and the way I write it, sounds a lot like the time of the great crusades. If you weren't catholic, you should be killed.

Just recently I read an article about male doctors here in hospitals, who aren't allowed by Muslim men, to check their woman, since men aren't suppose to touch their wife. A lot of people are talking about a dangerous situation, since there are more male then female doctors, and if there is something serious wrong with a Muslim woman, she might die, because the husband is refusing medical aid from a male doctor.

Well, I feel I haven't tackled the "why" in a satisfactory manner, but I think it IS a very difficult subject. There are 16 million people living in Holland, therefore there are also 16 million opinions.

Also the solution. Same thing,...16 million people, same amount of opinions. And so far I have read them all, from "They are victims and we should talk to them", right up to "kill all Muslims". The first option is a bit too soft for me, I think we are beyond the point of talking here, but too kill all Muslims is a little bit TOO radical.
Unfortunately I don't hold the solution either. And I think that there won't be a good solution too this problem either. Not with that bunch of pencil-licking, camera-horny politician that are now in our parliament. But as long as there are political parties that don't see, that what's happening now as a problem, but as single incidents (SP, GL, PvdA, pvdD), political parties that don't even SEE that there is a problem (CDA, D'66), a political party that is too busy to find out who is against who within their own ranks (VVD), and a party that is in fact trying to make politicians see that there IS a problem, but are overdoing it so no-one takes them serious anymore (PVV), I don't see something will happen within the next 4 years.

What to write

2007-07-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

I want to post something for guys to read again....but too many ideas, and not enough inspiration. I am kind of a perfectionist when it comes to my blog. That is also the reason why I don't post regularly. I have a few ideas in my head, but I just need to mold them into something readable.
So.....be patient, bare with me. It won't be long!

Taiwanese and Karaoke/KTV

2007-07-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Finally I have some inspiration to write something new on my blog again. I wanted to write about the difference between Karaoke and KTV, but was never sure how to start, what angle to use etc.

Now, a few blocks down the road from where I was staying there is a massive KTV- establishment. This is actually a top-class whorehouse disguised as a KTV-bar where the top of the local Mafia like to hang out. Personally, I don't mind, but the Mayor thinks a little bit different, and had stationed 3 police cars right in front of the building, checking everyone going into the building. Thus giving me a nice opportunity to write about this.

First the difference between KTV and Karaoke ( or "kala OK" as they call it in Taiwan). At a Karaoke bar you will find a stage right in front of the place where you have to do your "thang", while at KTV you have your own private room, your own sound system etc.

I.E. with Karaoke you'll humiliate yourself in front of the entire place, while at KTV you only humiliate yourself for only the select few you have chosen yourself (or not).

Therefore KTV-bars are an excellent disguise for whorehouses. This doesn't necessarry means that ALL KTV-bars are whorehouses, no, in some of them you actually have to sing in order to get a drink.

As you can read, I assume that you will get a free drink when you sing. I have heard once there was a karaoke bar where this is custom. Now, I am not sure if this goes for all of them, and as you can read in the tone of this post, I am not exactly a frequent visitor.

So.....in short, If you at your peak, and you get a drink, then you are in a whorehouse. If you sing at your peak and STILL have to order a drink, you are at a KTV-bar

Integration: why (not)?

2007-06-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

Question: What do you do when you have guest coming over? You invite them in, threat them with respect, offers them something to drink, but at the same time you expect them to respect the rules you have set in your home, you expect them to behave in an appropriate manner. You ask what he wants to drink, he asks for a beer. You offer him to sit on the couch, and he accepts that offer and sit down in an orderly way. That's how things work, right? The guests are in YOUR house, and having to respect YOUR rules. After all, you do the same when you are in their house.

What if the guest ask for....no, demands a sixpack, instead of just one beer? What if he instead, of sitting politely on the couch, parks his big fat ass on your favorite chair, kicks off his shoes and drops his legs onto the glass table, which of course breaks from the force? What if he beats your kid, who is sitting quietly on the table drawing one of his famous one color masterpiece, just because the markers are making too much noise?
You kick that A**hole straight out the door, and tell him never to come back!
Simple, right?

The reason I am asking this is not so simple.

Nowadays here in Holland the "word of the day" today is INTEGRATION. You can't open a newspaper or watch a talkshow without at least 1 subject about integration. Every politician is lying about the subject, and every Dutch has an opinion about it.
Now, I am trying to avoid all political issues, since it usually starts a discussion nobody will be able to win anyway. And, IF I write about it, I try to write BOTH views, to avoid being stigmatized.
But I feel I just can't leave this subject untouched , since I too have an opinion about it, just like those other 16 million people living here.

First of all, I feel, integration is just one of those words, everyone talks about it, but no-one knows exactly what it is. As far as I know, it's the process in which a foreigner has converted him/herself into a real citizen of the host-country. Which in my opinion is just a lot of BS! When I hear the word "integration" I immediately have to think about that commercial from Knorr where a guy from Suriname enjoying some ice-skating, loves to hear real Dutch music, and does all the things Dutch appear to do.
Well, lets face it, a black guy from Nigeria living in a windmill, with a garden filled with tulips, walking around on wooden clogs, eating cheese, while his wife is preparing the farmer's cabbage....with Unox sausage IS nowadays the wet dream of every immigration officer. Oh, and don't forget the bike in one hand and the marijuana cigarette in the other.
But, how tempting this may seem, first of all, this is sheer impossible, and second of all, it is the charm of foreigners to still have a little bit (or a lot) of their own culture. That's what makes a multi-cultural society so interesting.

But, being our guests, they have to live by our rules and laws, and have respect for our customs and habits. And fortunately most foreigners do and a lot of foreigners embrace Holland as their second home, including all the strange habits, laws, and other things. They are grateful of being accepted by the Dutch society, and have become an active part of that society.

However, lately it seems like an ever increasing group of foreigners, mainly Moroccan muslims, are rejecting our habits, customs, and worse, our laws. They preach hatred and violence against the western society to whoever wants to hear it. They try to recruit warriors and/or suicide bombers for their "holy war", promising them 40 virgins when they get to paradise.
And if it was up to them, we would all be praying to Mekka 5 times a day.
And with every sermon held by the imam, the threat of a terrorist attack is increasing.

Two questions come to my mind now. First, why do we only have trouble from Moroccans? There are so many nationalities in here, Indonesians, Ghanese, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and I can list a hundred more. On every corner of the street you can find a Chinese restaurant here, people from Ghana (how you call them? Ghanese, Ghana-ese, Ghanadian?) come here to work for a few years, save a lot of money and go back to Ghana and set up a business or something. And the Japanese all work here for big Japanese multinationals, and are summoned back home after a few years, because otherwise they might sniff up too much of the western culture. And the list is endless with groups of people that have adapted themselves to our way of life, while still being able to maintain their own identity.

Second, if they complain so much about the western culture, why don't they just pack their stuff and go back to Morocco, instead of demanding from us to adapt to them? Well, the answer to this question is simple. Because we DO adapt to them. Or at least the government is expecting us to.

All this is not just from the last few years. This has been going on since the '60's already.
And who is to blame?
The Moroccans, being invited by the Dutch government to do the jobs the Dutch didn't want to do? They came here for, what was said a few years, with their customs, habits, and religion. And the government didn't think they needed to integrate. After all, it was only for a few years, and besides, they were so "pitiful", being so far away from home. So, here they are, living happily with their own culture. Until they look around, and see a completely different culture, where women are walking around dressed as whores (well, at least in their eyes), sex was everywhere, and on top of it all, the women's movement started to comment on their disrespect for the islamic women. Suddenly the clothes covering the head is disrespectful for the women, and why does a woman have to walk 3 meters behind the husband? "Why is the women in your society a baby-breathing slave, whose sole purpose is to please the husband?"
So, the Moroccan, fustrated as he is by all the criticism, decides to keep his wife indoors, away from all the evil outside, and hangs out only with fellow Moroccans. Which in return gets more angry reactions:"See? They don't want to integrate!"

And then the second generation of Moroccans. They are born in a country which is only geographically their country. At home, in case of the men, they are allowed to do anything they want, because if the father is making a comment on the son's behavior, it means that the father has failed raising his kid properly. Outside, they are also allowed to do basically anything they want, since they are part of that poor group of people that is so far away from home. And when things go wrong, it's like:"Yeah, you have to understand, they are being misunderstood", "They are the victim here", giving them the justification to do just anything. And when you have the courage to speak up and tell them off, then you are discriminating them.

Or the Dutch government in the '60's, '70's and '80's , who let families reunite, rolling out the red carpet, and gave them everything they asked for (or demanded), since it was so hard for them being so far away from their home land? "Oh, you want a mosque? Why not hundred?", "No, you don't have to learn Dutch, we will learn Moroccan"

Also the earlier mentioned mothering of the Moroccan community was, and still is, part of the problem. In the '80' all kinds of anti-discrimination laws were instated, protecting all foreigners. And the reason those laws have been instated is not the problem. Sometimes minorities have to be protected. However, these laws have been misused a lot of times. If you cursed on a foreigner for whatever reason, they could go to the police, who in their turn would arrest you or fine you for discrimination. If you beat up a foreigner, for whatever reason, you could get a higher punishment, just because the victim was a foreigner.

Nowadays you also hear about Moroccan kids, mostly between 10 and 14 years old, who are terrorizing entire neighborhoods, harassing girls in swimming pools, having absolutely no respect for anyone and anything. Within the last month I have already counted 5 reports involving these kids. People having to flee their houses, people having sleepless nights, being afraid of stones through the windows. And no-one dares to do a damn thing about it.

It's a long story, and is there a bottom line? Yes, there is:

- When did things go wrong? Probably in the '60's already, when we brought them here, and try to force our cultural and sexual revolution onto them.
- Who's to blame? Well, I think there are 3 parties to blame: First the previous generation, who elected a left-socialist government, who in their turn didn't treat the Moroccans the same way as they were treating the Dutch, but gave them more rights and less obligations, simply because "they are pitiful, since they come all the way from a different country, and we must make them feel at home".
Second, the Moroccans themselves, who didn't make any effort to adjust themselves even a little to our way of live, and instead demanding an ever increasing part of our culture being converted into theirs.
Thirdly, our own generation, who, not learning from mistakes made in the past, once again elect a government, who is afraid to acknowledge the fact that there is a major problem going on, and something needs to be done about it.
The solution? Hopefully there is one, but I will talk about that in another blog. I also try to answer the "why?"question in another blog.

Angel in devil's shoes?

2007-06-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

I normally wouldn't really say this here, since I rather try to be a blog where I can put my opinion and views, just for me to share them with anyone who wants to read. But this time I really wanted to share with you the fact, that our little angel (or devil) has been a model toddler.
he wasn't nagging for things, or at least not very long and was happy most of the time. Of course he had his moment, like this morning. I wanted to out by bike. After all, daddy's beerbelly doesn't disappear by itself (unfortunately). But His Royal Naughtyness insisted on going by car. Well, Ok, sure. But in the afternoon, again he insisted on going by car. So, this time I had to pull rank. And THAT didn't go so well with HRN. The sea-level rose approx. with 1 cm, but after 10 minutes of crying, he became like a tamed tiger.

One other cute thing. Since a few months Alec is going to Kindergarten one morning a week. He always has a great time there, and always "talks" all the way home. Apparently they learn more then just playing there. This afternoon I was playing a CD with all kids songs on it. And I know there are some songs with movements to go along with the melody, but I am not good in that kind of stuff. However, Alec heard one song, and immediately started to do the movements that go with the song. He didn't saw that I was watching, he was really into the song. Until he turned around and saw me watching, and immediately turned a bit shy.

Like I said, he was really sweet today!

Planes, planes and more planes!

2007-05-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

As you all may know, I am kinda plane freak. And not only that, I am so evil to drag my son along with it :). We often go to the airport, as I already mentioned, and just go check out the planes. There are 2 nice spots here, to see planes. One of them is next to the landing strip, which is an official parking lot, especially build for this purpose.

The other is not official, and you can't see them actually take off either. But you can see them pass by really closely. And Alec has figured out that when you wave to the pilots, some of them might even wave back. So, now he is waving at every plane passing by, and yes, there are actually quite some pilots that are waving back, some of them even open the window and stick their arm out. This morning one pilot even stick out his head and arms and waved at Alec with both arms. Needless to say, that this is an encouragement for him to wave even harder.

Too bad I don't have a picture of that. Well, even if I did, you never can see them waving on the picture.
Anyway, I'd just wanted to share some nice pictures with you, pictures I have taken on both places shown on the picture of Schiphol on top of this post:

What's with these job agencies?

2007-05-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

It's 1:45 am, and I am suppose to be in bed right now. Well, actually I was, but just one thing that was just bugging me a bit. Besides a nasty cough I've been having for the last few days already, that isn't getting worse, but isn't getting better either.
Anyway, what's with these job agencies nowadays? The other day I was walking in Hoofddorp, a town nearby with a lot of job agencies focussed on Schiphol Airport, and I saw a note in a window: "several openings on export at forwarding agents" or words like that. So, I thought, if they have SEVERAL, then at least there migth be one for me too. So, dropped in and agreed to send my resume by e-mail (which I did the moment I came home). I called the next day, well, actually the next Monday, since this was on Friday, to see if my resume has received in good order. Then I waited, and waited.....This was about 2 weeks ago. So today, I called since I haven't heard from them. "No sorry, we don't have anything for you at the moment."....And what happened to those SEVERAL job openings? "They are all taken already, yeah, they went so fast!".....
Would it be, that if I had called earlier, that I might have gotten a chance? I have the idea, that it wouldn't have mattered. I mean, if they have something they could have called me, right?

Another funny thing...I already mentioned in one of my posts earlier, that I don't like to work in shifts,...I just don't see the necessity of it. And I did mention it at another job agency.
The other day that agency called:" yeah, we might have a job for you. But it is in shifts from 6:00 am till 2 pm, and from 2 pm till 11 pm"..... HELLO!!!! Didn't you hear me? I DON'T WANT TO WORK IN SHIFTS!! And especially not in crappy shifts like this.
I mean, I may have to adjust my standards in the future, actually I have a little bit already at some of the latter agencies, but not this one yet.
So...what I am wondering,.......WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY DOING THERE!!! Get your thumb out of your ass, and find me the kind of job I asked for. How hard can it be?

Humor, humor me!

2007-05-20T03:14:00.000-07:00

What is humor? That question popped in my head this morning with no particular reason. Wikipedia is stating the following about it:"Humour or Humor is the ability or quality of people, objects, or situations to evoke feelings of amusement in other people." Well, pretty good description, I guess. And who has a sense of humor? Well, I guess that is a matter of taste. I know several people who have, in my opinion, absolutely no sense of humor whatsoever, while others might think they are hilarious. For me, I'd like to believe I have a sense of humor. And while others might agree to that, others probably might say I have the humor of a beached whale.

The funny thing is that each country has their own kind of humor. For me, I just love the crazy humor from the British. Recently, they are airing a rerun of the hitserie "Allo Allo", a British comedy about the second world war. It is written and directed by David Croft, the same guy behind "Are you being served?" and "Hi-de-hi".

I must say, that recently the humor is changing, even in England. I also love to watch "Two pints of beer and a pack of crisps". Compared to the humor from David Croft, this is much more direct and blunt. But as always also a bit focussed on everything "below the equator", like all British humor. Who doesn't remember the scene of Mr. Bean with his finger sticking out of his pants while greeting the queen?

Like I said, every country has his own sense of humor. The British have a rather subtle sense of humor, sometimes even a bit "dirty" and ambiguous (dubbelzinnig). The Dutch humor is more direct I think, and sometimes quite hard. The French must have a sense of humor too, but I can't think of anything, since I am not familiar with it. The American humor is quite visual, never "dirty" or ambiguous (there are exceptions). The Japanese have quite a sadistic sense of humor. The more it hurts, the harder the laughter. And the German? Do they have a sense of humor? Can't really think of a good German comedy or stand-up comedian.

Anyway, not only the humor depends on country, but also on the era. When you mention the names of Wim Sonneveld, Wim Kan, Toon Hermans, anyone can think of at least one scene of their show (sorry, couldn't find any good material of Toon Hermans). But their shows where always decent, never rude, sometimes a little on the edge (for those days I mean) when it comes to dirtiness. And still it's timeless, well, for me at least.

And remember the New Year's Eves. Every year first Wim Kan and later Seth Gaaikema looked back on the past year, politically. You were looking forward to it at the end of January already. And for politicians it was a great honor if you were mentioned in their shows. Maybe even some political decisions were made, just to get mentioned. But sttt, you didn't hear that from me!

In the '70 and '80 you get a new political shift from christian conservative to progressive left. And the humor went along with it. Freek de Jonge and Youp van 't Hek showed up, and started to ridicule everyone who didn't fit into their left-minded political image. So, down went the shares of the Ikea, and even Buckler (an alcohol-free beer brought on the market by Heineken) died a nameless death in the same year it was introduced.
You had to be afraid not to buy something or do something that was mentioned in their shows. Everyone tried not to live a middle-class life, or else you would fit the profile, ridiculed by earlier mentioned boys.

This left-winged comedy lasted for quite a while, and comedians came and went, all with the same messages, the same political correctness. It was like left had a monopoly on the humor.
Luckily, nowadays the left-winged comedians are becoming extinct. More and more comedians are just swinging from left to right, hitting on anybody and nobody in particular.

Yeah, even though the humor has changed over the past centuries, still it's an important aspect of life, and no matter what kind of humor you like, and what makes you roll on the floor, remember: "A day not laughed, is a day not lived!"

Ascension Day

2007-05-17T14:35:00.001-07:00

Remember I had said that I would tell you about the things I had done that day, and stuff? Well, I am going to make an exception on that. There are some pictures I want to share with you, and I just have to write some things about it.

Today it was Ascension Day. And all of Holland is either going on vacation, because they also took Friday off, so a long weekend, or they are just going somewhere for the day, like us. Normally the Dutch tradition is the "Furniture Shopping Malls" (Don't know how to say in English) like "Villa Arena" or "Woonmall Alexandrium". Don't ask me why, it's just is :).

Anyway, not us. We went to an amusement park called "Koningin Julianatoren". And since we thought Alec would go in for free, we already had a budget to spend, and calculated everything. BUT....we had to pay for Alec as well. Euro 15,75 per person....ouch.
Well, apart from that minor sat-back, things were just a big blast. The park is relatively small, compared to the more well-known "Efteling" and "WalibiWorld"(formally known as "Six Flags"), but I think it keeps it more visible for a kid of Alec's age.

Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer. Enjoy the pictures:

Funny jokes

2007-05-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

A fearsome pirate captain and his crew were basking about on deck one afternoon, drinking and carrying on in celebration of thier latest victory. Finally, the crew settled down some and started in to tall tales and talk of tactics and so forth. Well, one sailor decided to ask the captain why it was that he always wore a red shirt in to battle.

"Why, that's easy, lad!", exclaimed the captain. "I wear a red shirt in case I get hit. Yer see, ifn I take a slash with my red shirt on, you boys don't see no blood and don't see me wounded. That way, yer don't lose faith in me and yer fight on and win the day!"

Well, the crew nodded appreciatively and agreed that thier captain was a very wise man.

But, just then, a call came down from the nest "Captain, 6 Spanish Warships off the port bow!"

As the crew scrambled to thier stations, the captain paused from barking orders, and grabbed a crewman by the arm.

"Be a good lad and fetch me my brown pants!"

===========================================================================

Marty wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to
open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins and a
glass of water on the side table. He sits down and sees his clothing in
front of him, all clean and pressed. Marty looks around the room and sees
that its in perfect order, spotless, clean. So is the rest of the house. He
takes the aspirins and notices a note on the table "Honey,breakfast is on
the stove, I left early to go shopping. Love you."

So he goes to the kitchen and sure enough there is a hot breakfast
and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. Marty asks,
"Son, what happened last night?" His son says, "Well, you came home after 3
A.M., drunk and delirious. Broke some furniture, puked in the hallway, and
gave yourself a black eye when you stumbled into the door."
Confused, Marty asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean,
and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?"
His son replies, "Oh that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she
tried to take your pants off, you said, "Lady, leave me alone, I'm married!"

=========================================================

After getting all of the Pope's luggage loaded into the limo (and he
doesn't travel light), the driver notices that the Pope is still
standing on the curb.
"Excuse me, Your Eminence," says the driver, "Would you please take
your seat so we can leave?"
"Well, to tell you the truth," says the Pope, "they never let me
drive at the Vatican, and I'd really like to drive today."
"I'm sorry but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! And what
if something should happen?" protests the driver, wishing he'd never
gone to work that morning.
"There might be something extra in it for you," says the Pope.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in
behind the wheel.
The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the
airport, the Supreme Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to
105mph.
"Please slow down, Your Holiness!!!" pleads the worried driver, but
the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.
"Oh, dear God, I'm gonna lose my license," moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches,
but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and
gets on the radio.
"I need to talk to the Chief," he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped
a limo going a hundred and five.
"So bust him," said the Chief.
"I don't think we want to do that, he's really important," said the
cop.
Chief exclaimed, "All the more reason!"
"No, I mean really important," said the cop.
The Chief then asked, "Who ya got there, the Mayor?"
Cop: "Bigger."
Chief: "Governor?"
Cop: "Bigger."
"Well," said the Chief, "Who is it?"
Cop: "I think it's God!"
Chief: "What makes you think it's God?"
Cop: "He's got the Pope for a limo driver!

===============================================================

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I
also sit like you and do nothing?"

The eagle answered: "Sure, why not." So, the
rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle, and rested.
All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the
rabbit and ate it.

Management Lesson - To be sitting and doing nothing,
you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson Two
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to
be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the
turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my
droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with
nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, found it
actually gave him enough strength to reach the
lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung,
he reached the second branch. Finally after a
fourth night, he was proudly perched at the top
of the tree.

Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer,
who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Management Lesson - Bull Shit might get you to the
top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson Three

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was
so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground in a
large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by
and dropped some dung on it.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung,
it began to realize how warm it was.The dung was
actually thawing him out!He lay there all warm and
happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to
investigate.Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the
pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate
him.

Management Lesson -

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) When you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut !

Environmental Safety in Taiwan

2007-05-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

And finally, I have had the energy to get off my lazy ass, and translate one of my pieces about Taiwan. And this time it is about the environment and safety in Taiwan.
When I was there, I was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Well, not actually, since I have quit smoking a few years ago. But with all the fumes over there it sometimes felt like it. The scooters and other traffic are blowing so much exhaust fumes, that it sometimes just gets to your throat. That's why a lot of people are wearing a dust mask for protection while driving the scooter.

I must say, it always is fun to see what kind of exotic beauty has been hiding behind the mask. However, the result is variable, and sometimes disappointing. Some people I might even suggest to put it back on.
The funny thing is that this mask has become part of the fashion nowadays. Everyone has at least 2 or three at home, and they come in all sorts and sizes: for adults, for kids, in red, in blue, with Pokemon, Superman, etc. Some pick the right color with the outfit they are wearing that day.
And if you don't have the right color present that day, you can just go to the night market, to buy it.

The funny thing is that things are a bit contradictory. One hand side they have all kinds of recycle projects, but at the same time they drive around on poluting scooters. Also the safety on these scooters is funny to see. Well, you may have read the story about the traffic and what Taiwanese mean when they are talking about helmets. Also the payload of a scooter isn't much more than a guideline. Seeing entire families riding 1 scooter is normal over there. Picture this (well, you don't need to, just check out the picture below): Mother (with "proper" helmet) riding scooter, girl (without helmet) between her legs, behind the mother there is another girl sitting (no helmet) all squeezed between mother and aunty (with helmet again this time). Of course you can think of other varieties on this.

And what if the kid is too small to stand on the front? Don't worry, just put a chair on it:

Luckily the police doesn't think this is safe, so whenever they find something like this, you can expect quite a nice fine from them.

The thing I think is quite scary, but apparently generally accepted, is the way they drive around with those big gastanks on the back of their scooters. And I don't mean those small camping gasbottles......no, I mean those big tanks. Here in Holland, you almost need a license and a Dangerous Goods Management course, just to buy a small cannister of gas for you camping cooking set, and your car needs special preparations to drive home with it. In Taiwan you can just see them drive around town,with a special rack at the back, fit for three tanks, sometimes even with a cigarette in the mouth. What if the guy gets into an accident, tanks break open, engine catch fire, just some worse case scenarios. I am getting images of Enschede here, complete blocks being wiped off the face of the earth. I have the feeling that somehow, somewhere things must (have gone or) go awfully wrong.

Camping: ordeal or fun?

2007-04-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

We've done it. And more importantly....we survived!! Remember a few blogs ago, I told you that we had planned a camping trip? Well, this was the weekend. We found this deal on the net and we went for it.

We arrived and were treated like VIP's. It turned out that we were the VERY first to have booked this arrangement. We were showed around the place, and had our picture taken for the newsletter and internal/external documentary. There were even flowers on the table as a welcome gift. And to top it off, we could even pick up a barbecue set from the restaurant the next day, free of charge!

The tent itself had all the luxury you can find in a normal bungalow....well, apart from the heater and the toilet. And those are just the essentials I missed the most this weekend. The toilet was just a stone's throw away, even though I can't throw that far myself.
The thing I don't like is just the fact, that taking a shower isn't really private, nor is taking a dump. You might be sitting in the green fumes left by your predecessor. However........this does work BOTH ways :) (note to myself: next time, bring gas mask)

and a heater?......We had each other. Since it was COLD!!! Especially the first night, it was still freezing. Luckily we had reserved a blanket and quilt package which we slept under. And underneath it was nice and comfortably warm......but as soon as you stuck one limb out of the bed, it was COLD!! The next morning, we found there was ice on the roof of the car. Well...not ice-age thickness, but still, it was ice. So, they say camping is an outdoor sport. We did turn it into a contact sport,....a CLOSE contact sport. And I don't mean that in the dirty way. Come on...Alec was there too :)

Apart from that everything was there. It was just a bungalow, except for the stone-brick walls. I must say, normally, things aren't very private in tents, since there isn't much more than some piece of fabric between you and the outside world. But these tents were placed in such manner, that a normal conversation stayed private. However, doing other things might be less private then one might hope for. So, for newly-weds this isn't a good idea.

The park is also quite child-friendly. There are lots of playgrounds for all ages, both indoor as well as outdoor. And all really child friendly, so basically you didn't even needed to keep an eye on your kid.

Like I said in that earlier post, camping will never be my thing. But this way, I like it, and we would probably do it again, but then when the weather is more warm.

Why Taiwan?

2007-04-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

You guys may be wondering why this nutcase keeps babbling on about Taiwan. Well, first of all YuMei is from Taiwan, second, I have a sort of love/hate relationship with the country ever since the first time I have visited it (more love than hate) . If you wanna know what is so special about Taiwan, check out this video:

Adrenaline junkie

2007-04-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

We already know that Alec is close to fearless when it comes to rides, slides and other things fast. No slide too high, no ride to rough. The other day we went to the fair in a nearby city. And he found his ride in a special rollercoaster for kids. We wanted to let him ride one time, and let him ride something else. But no.......he insisted on riding it again.

Last Saturday we went to a place called Aviodrome which is a museum for anything having to do with aviation. We went there with a friend of ours and her kid, the same age as Alec. It was nice to have another kid around Alec for a change, and they both had a lot of fun.
After walking around inside the museum, we went outside, while our friend went to a different area, watching the model helicopters with her son.
The moment Alec saw this flight simulator, one of those where all the movements on the screen are being felt at the same time.
He started to point at it, and didn't stop pointing and looked at me with those big brown eyes, you know...those eyes that always are soooo hard to resist. It was
I had my doubts at first, since you never really know with 2-year old kids, what is nice and what is scary for them. I already saw myself sitting inside with him, pressing the emergency button, because Alec was freaking out.
But on the other hand,...the ride was free, and in the case this would happen, the people we would be ruining the ride for could just go again after that.
So, in we went. Alec was sitting on my lap, being enthusiastic for the ride. Then the doors closed, and I already was checking where the emergency button was.
The movie was about a fighter plane flying a mission over Iraq (where else?), and it promised to be a rough ride, by the look of the aircraft carrier we were taken to.
We took off, and the cabin started moving. Alec was already showing signs of enthusiasm, and that became even bigger, when the "plane" took a right turn while climbing high into the sky. Alec was laughing really loudly, and started pointing at the screen. All the others already started to laugh also, and saying "how cute". And then the plane took a left turn, and Alec started to laugh just as hard as before. He loved it. The whole ride he was making enthusiastic sounds, and laughed at every unexpected turn.

When we came out, he started to "tell" YuMei enthusiastic how the ride was. He was mimicking the ride, and was smiling the whole time.

Yup......he really is an adrenaline junkie!

P.S. He was a bit more enthusiastic at first, but as always we were too late with the cam.

Thank you for flying Jurgen Airlines

2007-04-07T12:30:00.001-07:00

When I was kid, we used to go on vacation to Portugal. The flights to there are usually charterflights, which usually has a certain audience. You know...the kind that applauds when the plane has landed. As kid I used to hate that. Especially since they clapped at the most dangerous period of the flight, the braking part. And this behavior is only seen at charter flights, the regular flights are free from this clapping ceremony. Well....with one exception, and that happens to be also the only exception for me to accept this behavior. On one of our flights to Taiwan we used Eva Airlines. And at the end of the flight, when the airplane was taxiing to the terminal, the stewardesses stood up, took their places in the aisles, and after a speech ("and thank you for bla bla bla") they bowed. For me, that is kinda acceptable, since you are paying respect to the stewardesses (and sometimes cute ones too :) ). Please don't ask me what is the difference between the two....I don't know, it's just the feeling I have with it, ok?

Anyway, as kid I used to hate this, and I had hoped to be liberated from this, when flying regluar flights. BUT, now I am experiencing this behavior in a VERY unexpected way. MY OWN SON is showing this behavior.....and not in an airplane.....no, IN OUR OWN CAR!!! Every time I come to a screeking halt on a parking lot, Alec starts to applaud. Is it because he is happy to have survived yet another one of dads driving adventure, or that he admires the way his daddy had parked the car beautifully between the lines (honey, don't say a word !!! :) ), or that he is just pleased with the overall service on board of flight JCR007? Well, it can't really be the last one, since we only have one stewardess, and she isn't always in the car. When she is, however, the service is just great, also for the pilot. Well, whatever it is, I guess I just have to live with it, till he decides that flying Jurgen Airlines isn't so good after all, and he has his own driver's licence. Until then......DEAL WITH IT!!!!

Jumping Jack Flash

2007-04-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

The other day I found this when I visited another blog. And while I was watching I suddenly got the eerie feeling I am getting old. Because when you start to judge things the youth do, and start to think "is THIS hot nowadays?", THEN you are old. Luckily, the author of this blog , who is , I think, the same age as those guys on the video seemed to agree with me. So, that made me feel less old. I must admit, that the simultaneous dancing (should I call this dancing?) looks pretty cool here, but from what I understand is that in a disco, where everyone does his own thing, it looks more like a bunch of baboons hopping around, while trying to shake of their flees.

Where are the Taiwanese articles?

2007-04-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

As you can read in my "about me", I sometimes would write about my views on Taiwan. Now, I can tell by the desperate look in your eyes, that you are all just dieing to know why I haven't posted them in quite a while. You wanna know the truth or wanna hear some shitty lies?
For those who choose the lies, take your pick:

1) My computer crashed (no backup?)
2) Alec deleted them (Yeah, blame it on the kid)
3) The dog ate them (Since when do we have a dog?)
4) Can't find them anymore (sure, sure!)

For those who want to know the truth,.....I am LAZY!! There, I said it. It's out in the open. The thing is, I have them on my computer, but they are all in dutch. So, I have to translate them into English. And I just keep on postpone it.
But strangely, I keep on writing other blog-entries, which might be more "exhausting" to come up with then translate an already written article.
Strange, huh?
Anyway, I know you are wanting to see them back, but just be patient, and enjoy my other entries, until I get off my lazy ass and start translate them.

City Slickers II, The Sequel

2007-04-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember the movie "City Slickers" from 1991, starring Billy Crystal and Jack Palance? Well, for the fans, there now is a sequel to this movie, starring our Alec!

Holidays are coming!

2007-03-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

The summer is coming, and with that also the vacation season (in English it is called holidays). Everone is planning their vacation, and the big question always is:"Where will we go to this year?"

YuMei is already doing her research, and checking internet for nice destinations. She is the one always making the decisions on where to go to. Hmmm....that doesn't sound so nice, does it? Hmm....she plans the vacation, and I tag along for the ride. Hmmm..no, that sounds even worse. I make it sound like I am being dragged on my hair all across the globe. Maybe I should explain the situation, before I make things even worse.

When it comes to vacations, I am quite an easy person. As long as I have a place to retreat myself once in a while, i.e. hotelroom, chalet, bungalow, tent, then I am fine. Of course there are restrictions to this, and YuMei knows those already.
Also, about 95% of her ideas for a destination are just great ideas. So, I usually just say:"Ok, looks great, go ahead and plan it." Of course, she will ask for my opinion, and I will give it to her. But because of the combination of me being easy, and her sharp nose for good deals and nice hotels, I never have to interfere much in her plans.

AND..I have to admit, she does have a certain good influence on me in that matter. Before I always have said, that I would NEVER ever go to France. I just didn't like the fact that they don't speak any English, and that we have to learn French, because they are to arrogant to learn English. Yeah, I know.....all prejudices, shame on me.
And I now know they are absolutely NOT true. You see, a few years ago, YuMei was nagging about going to Paris, and trying to make me wanna go to.
I decided to give in, and she planned the trip. And, to my surprise, I liked it. After that, she "dragged" me to the south of France, and to Normandy, and I liked that even better.

Just recently she had gotten the idea in her head to go camping. To me that sounds like fun too. I do however still have mixed feelings about this. You see, I have slept in a tent once, years ago. And I didn't get any sleep, even though I was pissed.
However, we just made the reservations on a camping for a tent with everything on it, including mattresses and kitchen. So, I am covered on that part.
But what scared me also was a DVD I saw about some Dutch camping site. And what I saw there scared me a bit. Tourism on a massive scale, coziness all around, and then I do mean the typical DUTCH coziness. The kind only Dutch among each other knows what it is. People staying on the camping in front of their tent, drinking beer all day, meeting up with the neighbours. Can't really explain exactly what is wrong with it....I think the Dutch among you guys might understand what I mean.

BUT......it can get even worse. There are Dutch people driving 2000 km to the south of Spain, to stay in a hotel owned by Dutch, eat Dutch food, drink Dutch beer, and meet Dutch people. They probably don't even speak any word of English in their entire vacation.
And of course they need to bring their own food, potatoes, vegetables, hagelslag (choclate sprinkels), cheese. I once heard on the news that a guy was stopped by the police, and they found 50 kgs of potatoes in his caravan.

I always learned that the fun thing about a vacation is to explore new cultures, eat new food, meet different people. And I always enjoyed that.
Well, I guess anyone has his/her own idea of a vacation. It's just not my cup of tea (as the English would say) to travel halfway across the world and still hear someone speak Dutch.
And about bringing own food, the only thing I have always brought along with me on my travels to USA was Douwe Egberts coffee, since the coffee there taste like sewer water, and is probably made from it too. Well,..that is, till Starbucks showed up.
And, I must admit, when I am in Taiwan, I also like to drink Heineken. And I do miss my cheese when I am away from home.

Anyway, knowing us, we just go to that camping, do our own thing, and probably won't interfere with the real die-hards that inhabit the site aswell. We'll be fine!

Funny Youtube videos

2007-03-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

The other day I was surfing on youtube, and found these funny videos. It basically is about God (in the videos called Mr. Deity) and just a day in his life. It is just hilarious.

There are more videos here: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=misterdeity

Telephone games: easy money?

2007-03-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been a discussion about a ban on the telephone games played on TV. Word goes that these games are nothing but a big fraud. DUH!! They only discover this just now?
Oh, for those who don't know what I am talking about, these games are just as simple as the person hosting it. On screen there is a word, or at least part of it, and everyone can call a telephone number (@ 1 euro per minute) and can guess that word. Once you guessed the word you can win upto 5000 euro. Wow, easy money, right? WRONG!!!
Let me tell you how a game like that goes:

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen. Today I am looking for a word with 3 letters. The first one is a D, the last one is a G. I will give you a clue: it's man's best friend, it has four legs, and it barks. Come on, people, you can call now with the right answer.............nobody is calling?.......Come on, the lines are open.......Oh, YES Finally we have a caller (This is shouted like she's having an orgasm). Hello, who is on the phone? "Uh, hello....", "What is your name?", "Uh, John", "Ok, hi John, what is the answer?", "Uh.....Uh.......I think it's CAT". "Oh, I am soooooo sorry, John, it not the right word, but please try again soon"

Meanwhile, hundred people have already tried to call, and got some computer, stating that they are not selected, but please try again.
The above already shows the intelligence one must have to play this game, to actually make the call. Or to host it. Usually the girls hosting it, are really cute...........but, that's about it. Apart from the looks, there is nothing intelligent coming out of that mouth, apart from the.......oh, no. I was about to write something disgusting, but my mom is reading this too. So I leave this to your imagination.

Anyway, not only the hosts have an IQ which matches the shoe size, also the people calling, aren't really the sharpest knives in the drawer. And having said this, I have a confession to make. The shame is already overwhelming just by thinking about this: I ALSO called a few times. YES, I know! Shame on me! It truly is an almost unbearable shame I will have to carry with me for the rest of my life!
And don't ask why. Maybe temporary insanity, or the amount of blood in my alcohol. At least I can tell you from first hand experience, that all this is a fraud on massive scale.
The answers are usually so easy, that you almost HAVE to call. I mean, sometimes I am just flipping through the channels with the remote, and I see one of those games on screen. Well.....usually within 2 or 3 seconds I have already seen the answer. And I am not a great puzzle-player. So, when I called, in that state of temporary insanity, I get a computer, stating they are looking for the fifth caller, and they are now going to check if I was the fifth caller. And guess what? Nope, BUT, I was close, I was fourth caller. And since I still was in that state, it fed my sense of determination. So I called again, only to be the sixth caller.....Ouch, so close...well, try again. And YES!! This time I was fifth caller. Oh how sweet the victory! Oh, wait...now I have to guess a number between 1 - 9. And poof!! Gone was that euphoric sensation.

In Belgium there was this game in which the hostess visibly tricked the viewers. She had a piece of paper in her hand, showing the letters I and S. And the viewers had to guess which 2 -letter word(!) they were looking for (this proofs my earlier statement of the intelligence of these games). The last caller guessed the word correctly as being "si". The hostess quickly turned the paper, and told the caller that this word was wrong. Watch the video (sorry, it's in Dutch, but I think you can see what happens):

Anyway, the justice department here in Holland is now investigating if they can build a case against two broadcasting companies. FINALLY!!

Ice, Ice, Baby!!

2007-03-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Quite a while ago, a rapper called Vanilla Ice (what's in a name) had a hit with the song "Ice Ice Baby". I never knew what he meant with that, until this afternoon. Check out the pictures of the REAL "Ice Ice Baby"!

Your comments

2007-03-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

First of all, I just wanted to mention that Alec has been so sweet today. He is every day, though. But just today, he just was able to play by himself, didn't nag for treats (much), and was just overall happy. He even "helped" with the cooking without driving me up the wall. God, how I love the little Bugger. He is my little "spookje" (Dutch for little ghost. Hmm...in English it doesn't sound so sweet).
Anyway, I just like to thank everyone who is reading my blog. Maybe you are a recidivist, and keep on coming back, or you read it for the first time. I also like to thank you for leaving comments. I must admit, even though I read then, I hardly respond to them, and I feel a bit guilty about that. I know for example most Taiwanese always respond to the comments on their blog. I even saw a guy who had to write long comments on the comments people posted, AND he mentioned everyone by name, and wrote a small remark.
Well, I do always read the comments, and I always enjoy reading them. Sometimes I just don't know how to respond.

Alec, our little devil

2007-03-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Our little angel is starting to turn more and more into a little devil. And I don't mean devil in the bad sense of the word. He can just be so naughty at times. And in those situations I never really know how to react. Should I be angry, or should I laugh and think it's funny? Like the other day, I had to go upstairs for a minute. And now I let Alec stay downstairs, since he can handle that. Sometimes he just come upstairs after a few minutes, yelling "pappa", to see where I am. However, in this case, it stayed suspiciously quiet downstairs. So, when I came downstairs, mister had opened the freezer (which is "on street level" in our kitchen", had taken out the ice-cream, and was sitting on the floor, with the ice-cream box between his legs, and spoon in his hand, ready to dig in. What can you do in this case?
And how about this? If you ever come and stay overnight in our place, Alec will be the one serving you breakfast. Some other day he decided he wanted to have fried eggs, and when I was upstairs, decided to make them himself. He took 2 eggs, and broke them in the frying pan. Luckily we can shut off our stove, because he would actually have fried them.

Also he knows how to make coffee with our Senseo machine. He grabs the pad by himself, put the bag on the floor, and really has a hard time deciding which pad to take, puts the pad on the holder, which I would have to give, and then I have to lift him up the kitchen sink, where he puts the holder in place. After that I have to lift him high enough for him to get a cup, and it HAS to be the cup HE chooses. Once the right cup has chosen, he puts it under the machine and presses the right button.

However, doing groceries alone with him can be quite an ordeal. He knows what he wants, and how to get it. Picture me with my hands full of groceries, and Alec running around in all directions, except the one I am going. Luckily, he is not one of those kids, making a scene if he doesn't get something...Well, sometimes he does, but just divert his attention is usually enough to get him quiet.

Also he already knows his way around when driving by car. He always is pointing the direction we should go. And of course Daddy never listens to him, the ****.
But Wednesday we let Alec tell us which way we should go. Just ask him to point out the directions, and I would just drive to there. And believe it or not, we actually ended up in one of the shopping malls we occasionally do our groceries.
And mind you, he is only 2 years old.

Some more funy jokes!

2007-03-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

The 11th Commandment

During a recent staff meeting in Heaven, God, Moses, and Saint Peter concluded that the behavior of Ex-President Clinton has brought about the need for an eleventh commandment.
They worked long and hard in a brain-storming session to try to settle on the wording of the new commandment, because they realized that it should have the same style, majesty and dignity as the original ten. They began their brain-storming and came up with the 11th.

After many revisions, they finally agreed that the eleventh commandment should be:

"Thou shalt not comfort thy rod with thy staff."

What Parents Know

A child will not spill on a dirty floor.

A young child is a noise with dirt on it.

A youth becomes a man when the marks he wants to leave on the world have nothing to do with tires.

An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.

For adult education, nothing beats children.

Having children will turn you into your parents.

If you have trouble getting your children's attention, just sit down and look comfortable

It now costs more to amuse a child than it once did to educate his father.

It rarely occurs to teenagers that the day will come when they'll know as little as their parents.

You can learn many things from children... like how much patience you have.

Summer vacation is a time when parents realize that teachers are grossly underpaid.

The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left.

There are three ways to get things done:

1) do it yourself 2) hire someone to do it 3) forbid your kids to do it

Those who say they "sleep like a baby" haven't got one.

The best thing to spend on your children is time.

Unfair

For his birthday, little Patrick asked for a 10-speed bicycle. His father said, "Son, we'd give you one, but the mortgage on this house is $80,000 & your mother just lost her job. There's no way we can afford it." The next day the father saw little Patrick heading out the front door with a suitcase. So he asked, "Son, where are you going?" Little Patrick told him, "I was walking past your room last night heard you telling mom you were pulling out. Then I heard her tell you to wait because she was coming too. And I'll be damned if I'm staying here by myself with an $80,000 mortgage & no bike!"

Speed Devils

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car - both could
barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they
came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went
on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I
must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red
light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection
and the light was red again. Again, they went right through. The
woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been
red but was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting
nervous .
At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was red and they went on
through. So, she turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred, did you
know that we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could
have killed us both!"
Mildred turned to her and said, "Oh, crap, am I driving?"

Some beautifull pictures

2007-03-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

It was beautiful weather outside. On the calendar it is still winter, but it looks like it is the end of spring. We just took some really nice pictures from the sky, from our backyard. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Smoking or non-smoking?

2007-03-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we went to Wijnegem to a very large shopping mall. We just wanted to have a break away from the everyday routine, and what is more perfect than driving across the border, just to spend a few hours window shopping. At one point, Alec wanted to play at a play toy where already some kids were playing. Later on this lady came, with I think an 8-year old kid.
After a little while she just lit up a cigarette, while there is a non-smoking regulation in the entire building, and was smoking only a few feet from the kids. On top of it all, when she finished the cigarette, she put it out on the trash-bin on the "not smoking" sticker.
I have been smoking for quite some time, before I quit, and I have always tried to have consideration with others. Note that tried is printed in bold, since I guess that that didn't always work. First of all, cigarette smoke is kinda going anywhere it is not suppose to go. And second, some people are just TOO anti-smoke, that you can never satisfy them, no matter what you do, except for dropping dead right there on the spot.
I have met smoker's supporters, and opponents and I noticed that this really is a typical example of intolerance from both sides. Of course, I think the majority can get along just fine, and they just have consideration with each other. But the hard core are not willing to take one step back in favor of the others, and think that they know best how other people should live (well, this in the case of the non-smokers).

Of course we all know that smoking is bad for the health. And yes, it would be better for the finance to quit. But I know from experience that it is VERY hard to quit. I will tell you about this in another post, since it is quite a long story. And I feel that the hard-core non-smokers don't realize HOW hard it really is.
And I just feel that it's quite unfair to be bitching around on the smokers, chasing them, almost criminalizing the smoking. It is not allowed anymore to smoke at work, even if the whole staff is smoking. Probably in those cases, no-one keeps to those rules, though. And now they are talking about prohibiting smoking in cafe's, restaurants and hotels. Well, I must say that I can understand about not smoking in a restaurant, but in a BAR?? I feel, when you go to a bar, you KNOW people are smoking there, the combination of cigarettes and alcohol are glued together, are inseparable, like a marriage in holy matrimony, till dead do them part, or something. So, why change a winning team?
And what about hotels? Nowadays you can have a smoking or non-smoking room. They might have a complete floor reserved for smokers (or non-smokers). When you are in the comfort of your own hotelroom, you want to be able to light up a cigarette once in a while (especially on the toilet doing a big one). So why change that?

On the other hand side, I feel smokers should also have some consideration with the non-smokers. And I can talk from first hand experience.
In one of my previous jobs, we were working with 4 persons on our department, and 3 of them were smokers. So, basically there wasn't any consideration with the non-smoker. And no-one ever really thought about it, it just had grown that way.
And when we go to a restaurant, I liked to smoke after dinner. Of course I would wait till YuMei was finished also, BUT didn't have any consideration with the other guests who were still eating at the time.
And none of the smokers do have that. Have you ever saw a smoker asking in a restaurant:"Do you mind if I smoke?".
I did ask that question once in a while. And I think lot of smokers do that. But what if the answer is "no"?
Also the lady mentioned at the beginning is unfortunately a good example of the inconsideration of the smokers.

What I think is strange is the non-smoking sections in restaurants or something. Sometimes there is a nice non-smoking section, it's about 6 feet away from the smoking section. So, even in non-smoking section you aren't smoke free. I never really understood that.

Anyway, like I said, it should be a matter of give and take ON BOTH sides. But as long as there is hardcore, the tolerance is far away.

Spam Bam!

2007-03-01T01:17:00.000-08:00

Once in a while I check my "Bulk"-folder from my e-mail, to see if any important mails slipped through, and it sometimes just amazes me the crap I find in it. It just got me wondering, who is sending all this shit? Every day I got like 15 - 20 e-mails I can just throw away. And sometimes I empty it, and the moment it reloads, I got a new one in already.
And I think I am lucky, because I know there are people out there, that receive hundreds of them,...DAILY!
Do the people who are sending this shit, really believe that people read it? Do they really believe that we are looking for cheap Viagra and jump it the moment we receive their e-mail? "Hey Honey, someone here is selling Viagra for $100 per 30, want me to order a few?".
But apparently it works. Apparently there are still people out there opening these e-mails. And why do they open it? Are they so lonely, that every time they have an e-mail, they go like: "By golly, I've got an e-mail! Who is that nice person sending me an e-mail?" Or are there actually people out there so desperate they need to buy Viagra through some sleazy internet shop?
And what about the subjects they use. Let me quote you a few from my mailbox, these are hilarious: "what further not known, my sacrifice, of Judah", "The commandments before thee; with fir having", "It ethereal of cauchy". What the F**K are they talking about? And I am sure I never send Kristie Lodge an e-mail with the subject "Hey". In fact I don't even know this lady, and if I did, I would NEVER send her an e-mail with a subject like "Hey".
And, if I go through the whole list of subjects, I am stupid going through newspapers and using job agencies to look for a job. I already got 2 job offers in this list:"Stop looking for a new part-time job - here it is." & "Best Job Offer – Don't Miss Your Chance!". Also I sometimes am not so proud of my resume. But that is not necessary anymore. I can just buy a university degree here:"Obtain a University Degree based on your professional experience.".
And these aren't made up subjects. I have made a screencap to show you.

And I saved the best for last. Apparently someone in 1960 already had a vision of the existence of the internet, and have send me an e-mail from that period. Can you believe it? Receiving an e-mail send even before you were born!!

Alec's new trick

2007-02-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

Ok, first of all a short lesson in Dutch. "Zwaaien" means "to wave at someone", and one of those lights on top of a police car or fire engine is called a "zwaailicht", literally translated "a waving light".
Why the heck am I telling you this? Well, Alec just found a new trick, and I needed to tell you the above first, otherwise you might not get the punchline.
Here in Holland, trucks that have to stop on the public road once in a while, like garbage trucks, container trucks etc, have a yellow flashing light on top, to warn other people that the truck is standing there.
Anyway, once, when Alec saw one of those lights turning, I told him as sort of a joke, that that light is a "zwaailicht" and that it is waving to him, and he should wave back. If you don't get the joke, that's ok,......he didn't get it either.
But somehow this got stuck in his little head a little bit, since a few days ago, we were waiting for the traffic light, when a truck with those lights passed by. So, Alec started to wave at those lights. And the funny thing is, that the driver saw Alec wave, and he turned on those lights while passing by. I couldn't see Alec's face, since he was sitting on my shoulders, but the way he was bounching on my shoulders said it all. So, I guess that his latest trick will be waving at trucks from now on.

Some funny jokes

2007-02-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

I found a few funny jokes again. Some of them aren't exactly female-friendly, I apologize for that in advance, and I promise, the next time I will try to find some male-unfriendly jokes.

The Geography of Men and Women

The Geography of a Woman

- Between the ages of 18 - 21 a woman is like Africa or Australia. She is half discovered, half wild and naturally beautiful with bushland around the fertile deltas.

- Between the ages of 21 - 30 a woman is like America or Japan. Completely discovered, very well developed and open to trade especially with countries with cash or cars.

- Between the ages of 30 - 35, she is like India or Spain. Very hot, relaxed and convinced of its own beauty.

- Between the ages of 35 - 40 a woman is like France or Argentina. She may have been half destroyed during the war but can still be a warm and desirable place to visit.

- Between the ages of 40 - 50 she is like Yugoslavia or Iraq. She lost the war and is haunted by past mistakes. Massive reconstruction is now necessary.

- Between the ages of 50 - 60 she is like Russia or Canada. Very wide, quiet and the borders are practically unpatrolled but the frigid climate keeps people away.

- Between the ages of 60 - 70 a woman is like England or Mongolia. With a glorious and all conquering past but alas no future (a bit like Tony Blair, maybe Blair's a women really).

- After 70, they become Albania or Afghanistan. Everyone knows where it is, but no one wants to go there.

The Geography of a Man

- Between the ages of 15 - 70 a man is like Zimbabwe - ruled by a dick.

Poisonous

One cold, rainy afternoon, there's a guy sitting at a bar, just staring into his untouched drink. He sits like that for about an hour, saying nothing. Finally, a big, rough-looking truck driver decides he's going to start some trouble, and he walks over, picks up the drink from in front of the guy, and just drinks it all down.

The poor guy just starts crying. The truck driver wasn't expecting that reaction, and he says, "Aw, come on, man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry."

"No, it's not that," the man said, wiping away his tears. "See... This has been the worst day of my life. First, I overslept, and I was late to my office, and my boss was in a terrible mood, and fired me. When I got my things and left the building to go home, I found my car was stolen. The police don't have any clues."

"So I got in a cab to go home and when I got out, I remember I left my wallet and credit cards on the seat, and the cab driver just drove away. I went inside and went upstairs, and I found my wife in bed with the gardener! I walked out and came to this bar."

"And now, while I'm sitting here thinking about putting an end to it all, you show up and drink my poison!"

Quite a mix-up

When the ark's door was closed Noah called a meeting with all the
animals.

"Listen up!" Noah said with a demanding voice. "There will be NO sex on
this trip. All of you males take off your penis and hand it in to my
sons.

I will sit over there and write you a receipt. After we see land, you
can get your penis back."

After about a week Mr. Rabbit stormed into his wife's cage and was very
excited. "Quick!" he said, "Get on my shoulders and look out the window
to see if there is any land out there!" Mrs. Rabbit got onto his
shoulders, looked out the window, and said, "Sorry, no land yet."
"Damn!", exclaimed Mr. Rabbit.

This went on every day until Mrs. Rabbit got fed up with him. Mrs.
Rabbit asked, "What is the matter with you? You know it will rain for
forty days and nights. Only after the water has drained will we be able
to seeland. But why are you acting so excited every day?"

"Look!", said Mr. Rabbit with a sly expression, as he held out a piece
of paper, "I GOT THE HORSE'S RECEIPT!!"

Mission Impossible

A man walking along a California beach was deep in prayer. Suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish." The man said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is very materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that would honor and glorify me."

The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied,
"You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Our wonderful nightlife

2007-02-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

The other day I had the change to explore our wonderful nightlife in our magnificent metropolis called Uithoorn. Well, the part about the metropolis should be taken with a pinch of salt. Our town is not really that big, it is kinda average, and has 26,951 residents. if you wanna see what I am talking about, look at Google Earth. Find Amsterdam, and go a bit south, about 20 km. There you find Uithoorn, next to the water.

Why am I telling you this? Because, the first part of my first sentence is actually correct, to my big surprise. For our relatively small town, we have quite a nightlife, and in such a diversity. And all this in an area of about 1 square kilometer.
There is a snooker bar, where you can shoot some pools or play the more sophisticated game of snooker. On one hand side is a bar, which I am not really that familiar with, but I think it's one of those bars which only thrives on the business of the regulars. On the other side is a bar, which is popular among the local youth, where they play the latest songs. A bit further, along the water you find a bar, which you can categorize in the typical dutch "bruine cafe", a brown cafe where all the dutch tearjerkers are being played, and the atmosphere can be described as a bit Amsterdam-ish. Right next to it you can find a bar, which is more to my liking, where all the classic rock songs are being played: Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana, well,....all the general guitar hero's. Around the corner, in an old station there are several types of bars, which still need some exploring.
And all this is completed with no less than 2 (!) Shoarma restaurants. For those not living in Holland, Shoarma is the national food for those who just rolled out of a bar, with more alcohol than blood in his/her veins.

I must say that in general the nightlife in every town and city is quite exciting. Already in the smallest village there is a cafe (usually next to the church). Also everything is usually within walking distance from each other. When you look at Amsterdam, there are 2 main areas where it all is happening: the Leidseplein and the Rembrandtplein. All bars and discos are in walking distance, which makes club hopping so much easier.

The town where I used to live, a few kilometers down the road, also has a pretty interesting nightlife. When I was kid, the first times I went out with a friend of mine, was to a bar, with a fairly notorious reputation. Bar-fights and knife swinging were more common than rare. Well, what can you expect in the hillbilly town where I grew up.
So, no wonder that my mom always layed awake till I finally came home. And much to her relief always by bike instead of an ambulance.
Later there came another bar-dancing here, which became our local hangout every Friday and/or Saturday evening. And even though things may have become a bit ugly sometimes, it never got out of hand. Thanks to the harsh and strict door-policy. What also may have helped is that the people running the place were friendly and well-respected people, and no-one wanted to have that place closed down.

Oh, now I came to the subject anyway, there is one experience I will always remember one time a friend of mine and me went to a discotheque on a small neighbouring town. Well...town,...3 houses and a church. When we arrived at that bar, I swear, there were 2 police cars, standing outside, with one of them the officers inside, 2 police officers were standing at the door talking to 2 bouncers on the outside door. On the inside door, there were 2 more bouncers, there you had to pass through a metal detector, and once you came in the actually disco, there were 2 more bouncers standing near the exit. Besides that army strategically positioned near the doors, there were around 3 more walking around "patrolling" the place. So...count with me...I have counted no less then 9 bouncers. Well.. ..I must say, that this was another one of those hillbilly places, with a very bad reputation. Ever since the opening, there has been a fight almost every weekend, mostly between youth from rivaling towns.

Anyway, apart from these places, things are quite nice around here. I haven't heard about anything bad happening, in the 8 years that I live here.

Another fun thing here is that every year the above mentioned bars organize a street festival. There are live stages scattered all around town, bars are build outside, and you can just stand outside, listen to live bars, while enjoying your beer. And not only Uithoorn, but the neighbouring town of Aalsmeer is also doing it. In fact they started it. And now it has grown to events the villagers are looking forward to the whole year. It usually is around August or September. So, if you happen to be visiting Holland, either send me an e-mail asking about it, or check your hotel for the music festivals. It really is worth it!

The airport

2007-02-19T00:57:00.000-08:00

I just have been cleaning up the pics on my computer, and found a few pictures of Schiphol, our International Airport I wanted to share with you. Why share pictures of an airport? What is so interesting about an airport? Well, I must admit, for most of you there are more interesting subjects, but for me, the airport is some sort of magnet. I spend some time next to the landing strip, or just love to walk around in the airport itself. For me, it represents a portal to far away places, unexplored countries, fascinating new cultures, delicious new food.

Anyway, here are some pictures taken on or around the airport. I hope you enjoy them.

Martinair Cargo taxi-ing to the runway

Another plane taking off

Can you imagine? Getting married AT the airport and go on honeymoon right away!

Nowadays you can fly "cheap" all over Europe. Only 20 euro to Berlin (+ 12 euro Airport Security Tax + 13 euro Passenger Service Charge + 2 euro Noise Isolation Charge (!) + 9 euro Insurance and Fuel Surcharge = roughly 37 euro)

The main hall at the airport, with yours truly and Alec.

"Hmmm, white wine or red wine?"

Noodles to go, still need to try

Ride near the restaurant. They had a plane too, but that was always occupied.

nostalgia galore!

2007-02-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

Recently when I zap through the dozens of tv-channels we have, I come across all kinds of tv-series and films, which were very popular in my childhood.

The other day I found a movie from Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. For those who don't know who they were, it is a bit of Laurel and Hardy mixed with Jackie Chan, and they were quite popular here in the '70's. I remember having birthday parties, where the whole gang was taken to the cinema, to see the latest of their movies. And just like the McDonalds, it was talked about for weeks afterwards. When I see it now, I notice how things have changed. Back then the humor was quite simple and decent. Now it is more direct and sometimes balancing on the edge. Anyway, it was fun to see it again, even for a little while.

I also found that RTL-7 is doing a rerun of the whole A-team series. THE A-TEAM!! Who doesn't remember those guys? Face, Murdock, Hannibal and B.A.
Looking back on that series, what amazes me is that each episode, they fire like thousands of bullets, and never someone was hit by one. They must have been really lousy shooters.
And each episode was basically a copy of the one before that: Girl in distress, meeting the handsome one from the A-team, they help her, they build a great machine, and they win.
But hey, we were 8 or 9 years old, what did we know.....or better, what did we care?
It was a great serie, and we HAD to be home to watch it, in order to talk about it next day at school. And you had to have a really solid reason why you didn't watch.
And the amazing things was, that these guys were actually hero's in our minds. Helping those who need help, fighting injustice, while they had to run from the law for a crime they didn't commit. The broadcast company who aired this series once invited them to Holland, or they were on a tour or something, not sure. Anyway, the scenes when they arrived. Kids went completely crazy. And the most amazing part is, that it wasn't the actors that did the tour, no....it was the A-team, they had to stay in character the whole time.

And what about that other hitseries, "the Dukes of Hazard". Now, that was something. Two hillbilly brothers in a pimped up car that were always speeding, and a dumb sheriff who is never able to catch these guys.
I was at the time too young to enjoy Daisy´s hotpants, but also for kids my age there was plenty to enjoy. Like the same car jump over the broken bridge, where the General Lee would fly over like a F16 fighter plane, while the sheriff´s car fell down like a brick. That is was basically the same jump shot from different angles, we didn´t care. It was always great to watch.
And at school, the next day we always had to discuss that episode on the playground.

Seeing all this makes me feel a bit longing for those times, where things were so simple: the good guys always won, the bad guys always lost.
Ah well.......the present also has it's charm, right?

The Blasphemy Challenge Part 2

2007-02-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about my previous post on this subject, and reading it back, and I feel I left out a few important things about this subject. So, sorry I made an extra post, and not adding it as comment.

I feel that a religion should not TELL you how to live, but more be like a guidance when things go rough in life. And I think that in the heart of ANY religion this was the purpose. However, somewhere along the line someone forgot this, and started to use it for their own personal agenda.
Unfortunately this happened to every religion. Well,....considering there has been thousands of years, it was bound to happen somewhere along the line.

A few years ago I was having a hard time, and I was wondering, where can I go? Who can I turn to? And you always hear people turning to a religion or to God if things turn bad. But when I thought about it, I already saw that wasn't something for me. With most religion you will have a priest, rabbi, imam or whatever telling you how to live, and not helping you with the problem on hand.
And I was thinking about those Asian religions, people praying to their ancestors, and spirits. And actually getting answers right away. Unfortunately I couldn't speak Chinese well enough to talk to someone in one of those temples about that, and no-one there speaks English.
Well....I am still working on all this.

At this moment I just feel, that everyone should have the right to choose IF and HOW they believe/worship God, Allah, or whatever. And nobody should tell them how to do it.
There are too much people who let false pretenses guide their lives. Thinking that what some big religious hotshot tells them is best for them, as long as they pray a lot, and live in a certain way.
Don't get me wrong. There must be millions of spiritual leaders trying to do the best for their people. And I don't judge them. They don't know any better. I also don't condemn them. It's just that the institution they stand for that I judge and condemn.

Anyway, I hope that everyone makes the choice, that they think is right for them, and that they don't get carried away by big promises made by people with false pretenses. And don't respond to this "Blasphemy Challenge". Choose, but choose with your mind and heart. Think before you choose, and don't get mixed up in peer pressure.

Taiwanese traffic

2007-02-12T14:22:00.001-08:00

When I was in Taiwan, I started to develop an addiction. No, not alcohol, cigarettes or even chocolate. No, I started to become addicted to adrenalin.The traffic there is giving me a massive adrenalin-rush. It always appear to me that the Taiwanese are trying to commit mass suicide, and back out of it at the last moment. Also the attitude in the traffic is completely different. As friendly and helpfull as they are in general, as homocidal and aggressive they are in traffic. And I am really talking day and night here, fire and ice, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"...well, you get the idea. There is hardly any consideration with other traffic what so ever. Once my wife and I were driving home from Kaoshiung. Nearby Taichung we got stuck in a traffic jam for no obvious reason (well, I am used to that, since that is common practise here in Holland). Since we had the idea, that we didn't get anywhere if we stayed on this route, we decided to take another route. So, we had to change lanes, to take the next exit. YEAH, RIGHT!!! Changing lanes in traffic jam? IN TAIWAN?? Good luck!!
I did everything that I was suppost to do, turn the signal lights on, move the car in the desired direction a bit already, etc. But do you think that any car would have the courtesy to let me in? They just kept on driving as if they didn't see me. Even when I was already halfway already, they still passed me, even if that meant that they had to drive AROUND me. Now, I did have some experience with Taiwanese traffice and knew a little bit what to expect, but I still was surprised. So,...I just went for it the Taiwanese way:"BOOM = HO!"

And it all looks like there are absolutely no traffic rules. LOOKS, because there sure are rules, surprisingly:

"The bigger the car, the stronger you are". This does suggest a certain hierarchy: as pedestrian you are nothing more than a notch on a gun, a bicycle is a little bit higher in the food chain (since the iron on the bike could cause more damage to your car then some flesh and bones), a Mercedes or Lexus is higher than for example a Honda, and when you are bus- or truckdriver.......yeah, you guessed it, the world is at your feet (or in this case wheels).

The following rule is also very important: If you see a gap, USE it! No matter how small it is, or how dangerous it is. With this in mind the most scooters are driving around like kamikaze-pilots, zig-zagging through the traffic as if Satan himself is chasing them.

For the next rule you need to practise a bit: when someone crosses the street, ALWAYS pass in front of him/her, NEVER behind them. And of course the trick is NOT to hit that person. Scaring the shit out of him is ok. In fact, that is mandatory.

Traffic lights are also funny. All pedestrian lights have a counter, which shows how long the light stays green.

However, does the light change to yellow, during your survival trip to the other side of the road, either run for your life or hit the deck. “Wait a minute…..you said yellow?”. Yes, yellow. Normally people should wait for their light to turn green. But here they wait, especially scooters, for the other light to turn yellow. That way they are already at warp speed when their light turns green.

On some places these lights are also there for cars, like for example in HsinChu. Except, here it is the other way around, and it shows how long the light stays red (after all, we are talking about Taiwan). The fun thing in HsinChu is that on regular basis races are being held by the youth, with earlier mentioned traffic lights as starting point.

As all the above proves, driving in Taiwan does takes some skill. However, when you are planning on driving here, you have to remember one thing: forget everything you ever learned about driving. Traffic rules are being made (and violated) on the spot. The first time I was driving there, I was really following the rules as I learned them in Holland. Not that I am driving like a saint here, but what if you run in Taiwan into a cop who haven’t met his target in tickets yet.
Well, let me tell you, you will stop driving nicely after a few days. You see, in Taiwan, the police is working on real crime, instead of small time traffic violations (unlike in Holland). So, there isn’t much traffic control.
Eventually you will get used to the traffic, slowly or in my case, fast. My wife already said several times already (when we were driving by car or bike): “you really are driving like a Taiwanese already”. Now, I don’t know if I should consider this as an insult or a compliment, but it does show how much I had adapted to the traffic. And once back in Holland, I had a hard time to get used to driving by the rules again.

By the way, do you know that people in Taiwan don’t learn how to drive a car, but how to pass the driving exam. Every morning on my way to school, I passed a driving school.

Well, actually I should put “school”, since it’s nothing more than a parking lot, changed into a track, where the basics of driving are “learned”, like turning in a street, driving backwards in a corner, and all those other VERY important skills. In Holland, all this is learned on the actual road, with “real” traffic around you. In Taiwan it is learned on previous mentioned parking lot, in a specially modified car. The car has little marks on the passengers side of the car, showing you what to do, when to turn etc. For example, when want to park backwards in line, there is a mark, which will tell you, that when that mark is aligned with for instance a lightpole, you need to turn the steering wheel a certain number of times.
So basically, people know how to drive a certain car of a certain driving school, but as soon as they get into another car, they might crash it. You learn how to pass for the exam. Experience you will learn in real life.

Therefore, this way, the worlds best and the worlds worst drivers are being created at the same time. Everyone is always doing their utmost best, with the little driving skills, not to scratch their most precious possessions, that despite the chaos, little accidents happen. Even with that huge amount of kamikaze pilots.
Once we were driving to Taroko National Park, which is in the middle of Taiwan, in the mountains. Since we left a bit later than planned, we ended up in a mist, or actually low clouds. And I am talking near zero visibility, 5 meters or less. And the road was a 2 lane road, or even a 1 ½ way lane. Now, I am not scared easily in the car, but even I was terrified. This was one of the very few occasions that I was actually keeping the speed limit, and sometimes even less. And believe it or not, even under these circumstances I was passed with a speed, even Michael Schumacher would have been scared of. Passing under these conditions either takes nerves of steel OR serious psychiatric help.

You can expect ANYTHING here in traffic. Busses are being passed in a curve on a 2-lane road, driving in the inside lane of hairpin bends, even when the end is not visible. And what if there is another car coming? Well, see the first rule I wrote earlier.

You might wonder, aren’t there any traffic signs, or traffic lights? Sure, they are there, but they are basically just for decoration. People are passing at a double line, U-turns are made at places where it clearly shows that this is not allowed, scooters are driving on places where they are not suppose to drive, etc.
Also when it comes to the cars itself, you can expect everything here. Anything goes, mirrored windows, coloured headlights.

As you might already know (or not), the national mode of transport is the scooter. And yes, in most cases this is the easiest and fastest vehicle. The fun part is that the whole infrastructure is based on this. There are special parking places for scooters, even entire parking garages. There are even special trucks to deliver the scooters to the shops.

Also there are lanes especially for scooters, like the bicycle lanes in Holland. And at the traffic lights usually the first 10, 15 meters are only occupied with scooters.

Another funny thing is the protection of the head on the scooters. A few years ago, the government had decided that everyone on a scooter should wear protection on the head, while driving the scooter. Apparently, they have forgotten to write down a good definition of that protection.

The result is, that even though everyone is actually wearing a helmet, but in some cases they might just as well not wear it at all, since it wouldn’t help anyway. People are wearing some sort of “baseball”- helmet, others are wearing helmets which are 2 or 3 sizes too big, or don’t have a chin strap. I wouldn’t be surprised if I would see someone driving around with a wok on his head. In case of an accident most of these helmets offer just as much protection as a t-shirt is protecting you from the rain. So, basically, the only protection they offer is for fines from the police.

The Blasphemy Challenge

2007-02-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

The other day I was reading an online newspaper, and I found an article about a video on Youtube. Just watch it first and judge for yourself:

Also watch an interview with one of the initiator:

When I heard about it, I had a little bit of mixed feelings. I completely understand the reasons why they are doing this. There are a lot of kids that are forced into believing and accepting a religion by their parents, and indoctrinated by the spiritual leader of that religion.
However, I feel the way they are trying to reach those kids is a little bit over the edge. They are trying to make kids denounce the existence of God, Jesus and the holy spirit, i.e. declare that they believe there is no God.
To me it looks like it is totally missing the point. It is a bit like declaring that you are vegetarian, just because you don't like chicken.
Also the impact and the meaning of a statement like that is far more than just a few words. Who knows what lies at the end? Maybe they make this statement as a joke NOW, because they think it's funny, and, hey, everyone is doing it, so where is the harm in that? But can they see the consequences of their actions? NO, they are way to young for taking these kind of actions.

However, I do agree with that initiator, when he said that this action is because they are trying to reach those kids, that are brainwashed by their parents, priests, ministers, rabbi, imam, etc. "You MUST believe in God, because God is saying that whatever your parents tell you to do is right". "You MUST pray to Mekka 5 times a day, otherwise you will NOT go to heaven". "You are not allowed to watch TV, because TV is a tool of the devil". In other words, if you don't do this, God will be very angry at you. Or, if you do that, God will be very angry at you. Live the way the imam, priest, rabbi tells you to live. Because if you don't you will not go to heaven.
Hmmm.....This sounds a bit like emotional blackmail. And that is all there is to a religion. A religion is nothing more than emotional blackmail by a small number of people, in order to gain power over a large amount of people.
And what no-one in those religion seems to see, is how ridiculous it all is. One religion is saying you can eat pork, but you cannot eat beef. While another religion is saying the exact opposite.

If you look back in history, all misery has been caused by religion. Just look at the Catholics during the Crusades, the conflict in Ireland (well,partly ecause of religion), and now the world wide war on terrorism.
And the most ridiculous thing is that they all believe in the same thing. The only difference is the name, Jehova, Jaweh, Allah, God, Jesus Christ. So, they are more fighting over, who is serving God in the best way. "Holier than Thou" comes to mind.
And look at all those muslims, blowing themselves up in the name of Allah. They are promised 40 virgins when they get to heaven. This already shows that they can't really think ahead. You are in heaven for eternity, and with ONLY 40 virgins??? Basically that means that you only have 40 nights of fun! And what about the rest of that eternity!!??

Anyway, I think that these kids should not be encouraged to denounce God, Jesus etc. but they should be encouraged to denounce religion (is that the right term for this?). Since religion has always been, and will always be a major source of misery,
pain and emotional blackmail.

(Please note that I do NOT put the existence of God on discussion. That is something everyone should make out for themselves.)

McDonalds,.....Should we laugh or cry?

2007-02-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Have we failed as parents? We try to give Alec good and healthy food, both western as Asian. Still, the golden arches are being pointed at as if it was paradise, the Burger King can only be passed with great caution, and the KFC holds no secrets anymore. Yet, this is typical of the era we live in today. Everything needs to be fast, even the food. This is something that kids already learn at a very young age. Therefore the number of McD's and KFC are ever increasing and even the smallest cities already has a number of at least one of the chainstores present.
And every time Alec is pointing at those arches, we look at each other, and ask the question:"should we laugh, because he recognize the McDONALDS, or should we cry BECAUSE he recognize the McDonalds?"

When I was kid, the McD was the first and only fast-food restaurant opening a store in Amsterdam, I think it must have been in the late '70's or early '80's. I remember having our birthday parties there, after going swimming or to the movies. Which was really special......to go to the McDonalds. It was the highlight of the party, and was talked about for weeks. Untill the time you get your own allowance, and have the possibility to visit the big city. Then it starts to become normal. It starts to become part of the every day life.

And now people teach the kids that McD stands for fast and convenient food. So, basically what Alec knows about fast food, he learned from us. And I think that even though we don't really like it, and maybe even feel a little bit embarrassed about it, I also think that maybe we shouldn't be embarrassed. It's has become part of our world, whether we like it or not, and we have to accept it. So, to answer the first question. If this situation would have occurred about 25, 30 years ago, I would have said "yes", but now? No, it is just that the times have changed.

Besides, anyone with kids knows that going to a "slow-food" restaurant with a 2 year old, or any age for that matter, can be quite a challenge, since they hardly can sit still for 15 minutes. Which usually is the time it takes for the waiter to come to take your order.
So, in a way, the fast-food restaurants are a way for parents to go out for dinner, and bring the kids along too. The only things we have to miss is the romantic candle light and the sweet guitar music. But then again.....does a 2 year old make a good combination with a romantic dinner?

Some funny jokes!

2007-02-06T02:19:00.000-08:00

I found some funny jokes the other day on the net. Enjoy!

One Drunken Night

A Drunken Night A guy wakes up in a drunken stupor, opening his eyes he sees Claudia Schiffer on the bed next to him. He thinks this is a little odd, as he doesn't remember a thing, let alone going to bed with her. He decides to get up and get himself a drink from the fridge. He gets to the fridge and opens the door and is faced with a large suitcase. He takes the suitcase out of the fridge, puts it on the table and opens it to find $1 Million. This is just a little too much for the guy who thinks he is losing his mind. He wonders if he is hallucinating, so he goes to the window and draws back the blind. Outside on his front lawn is the Klu Klux Klan and dangling from the tree is an open noose, empty. They appear to be beckoning him and shouting.

Now the guy is really freaked out, he quickly draws the blind and turns around.

In the corner of his kitchen is a leprechaun, obviously drunk as well.

He asks the leprechaun what is going on.

"Well," says the leprechaun, "I was drunk last night as well, and as I was crossing the road, I was nearly run down. You ran across the road and pushed me to safety, so I granted you three wishes in return for saving me."

"Well, I can guess the first one" says the guy, "Supermodel, bed, yeah I got that one. What about the other two?"

"The money in the fridge?" says the leprechaun, "You asked for a cool million."

"And them out there?" asks the guy,

"You said you wanted to be hung like a black man."

Code for Sex

There was a couple who did not want their children to know when they were going to have sex, so they decided on a code of ''writing a letter.'' One day, Daddy said to his daughter, ''Tell your mommy that Daddy wants to write a letter.'' The girl went and told her mommy and the mom said,

''The red ribbon is coming out, not now.'' The girl went back to the daddy and told him.

One day, Mommy told her daughter to tell her daddy that she wanted to write a letter. Daddy replied, ''Not now. Daddy already wrote the letter by hand.''

Marriage Requirements

A secretary for a foreign embassy was entertaining a wealthy foreign ambassador during lunch at a very expensive restaurant in uptown New York. The ambassador was so enthralled by the beauty and presence of this secretary that he asked her to marry him. The secretary was startled, but remembered that her boss told her never to insult foreign dignitaries, so she decided to let him down easy.

"I'll only marry you under three conditions."

"Anything, anything," said the ambassador.

"First, you must buy me a 14-karat gold wedding band with a 72 carat diamond, along with a 28 inch studded matching necklace for our engagement."

Without hesitation, the ambassador picked up his cellular phone, called his personal accountant, told him the instructions, and said, "Yes, yes, I buy, I buy!"

The secretary thought that her first request was too easy, so she thought of a more difficult situation.

"Second, I want you to build me a 58-acre mansion in the richest part of the Poconos along with a 40 acre summer home in the sweetest vineyards of Italy."

The ambassador picked up his phone, called his personal broker in New York, then called another broker in Italy, and after his quick conversation, he said, "Yes, yes, I build, I build!"

The secretary was very startled, and knew she must think of a final request that would be impossible to live up to.

"Finally," she said. "I'll only marry you if you have a 10 inch penis."

A sad face befell the ambassador, and he cupped his face in his hands. After weeping in his native language for a few minutes, the ambassador slowly lifted his head and said, "Ok, ok, I cut, I cut!"

Bill Gates Buys Some Lovin'

Bill Gates meets Hugh Grant at a Hollywood party. They are talking and Bill says: "I've seen some great pictures of Divine Brown lately, I sure would like to get together with her!"

Hugh replies: "Well Bill, you know ever since our incident, her price has skyrocketed, she's charging a small fortune."

Bill: "Hugh, money's no object to me. What's her number." So, Hugh gives Bill her number and Bill sets up a date.

They meet & after they finish, Bill is lying there in ecstasy, mumbling "God...now I know why you chose the name Divine."

To which she replies: "Thank you, Bill.....and now I know how you chose the name ..... Microsoft."

Curious Indian Boy

This Indian boy goes to his mother one day with a puzzled look on his face.

"Say, mom, why is my bigger brother named "Mighty Storm"?

"Because he was conceived during a mighty storm."

"Why is my sister named "Cornflower"?

"Well, your father and I were in a cornfield, when we made her."

"And why is my other sister called "Moonchild"?

"We were watching the moon landing while she was conceived. Tell me, Torn Rubber, why are you so curious?"

Persuasive actions

Two guys were picked up by the cops for smoking dope and appeared in court before the judge.
The judge said, "You seem like nice young men, and I'd like to give you a second chance rather than jail time. I want you to go out this weekend and try to show others the evils of drug use and pursuade them to give up drugs forever. I'll see you back in court Monday."

Monday, the two guys were in court, and the judge said to the first one, "How did you do over the weekend?"

"Well, your honor, I persuaded 17 people to give up drugs forever."

"17 people? That's wonderful. What did you tell them?"

"I used a diagram, your honor. I drew two circles like this: O o and told them this (the big circle) is your brain before drugs and this (small circle) is your brain after drugs."

"That's admirable," said the judge. "And you, how did you do?" (to the 2nd guy)

"Well, your honor, I persuaded 156 people to give up drugs forever."

"156 people! That's amazing! How did you manage to do that!"

"Well, I used the same two circles. I pointed to the small circle and told them, 'This is your asshole before prison...."

Just a cute pinguin dancing

2007-02-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share these video's with you guys. This is especially funny for kids, Alec is crazy about it. Enjoy!

Pinguin Reggae

Pigloo - Moi J'aime Skier

Le pappa pinguin

Phone sex

2007-02-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I am still up late at night, I sit behind the computer, but I have the tv on, sometimes just as some background noise, sometimes because there is actually something worth watching. Mostly it's just garbage being thrown in our living room, though. And especially the commercials late at night. It already starts around 11 p.m. Very carefully, and almost unnoticable the first commercials start to appear. And the closer you get to midnight, the more they become. And the more annoying they become. I am of course talking about those commercials for telephone sex.

The ladies are all moaning as if they are paid per decibel, and the one even more fake than the other. One is even dressed in one of those sexy police outfit and "coming" like a police siren. Can it be more pathetic? Some of the lines they use are just so...so....I can't even find a word for it, not even in Dutch. "You wanna do me from behind? Then I will turn myself around" "Wanna visit the girl of your dreams? Call me, I am wet and ready for you to come in" OH, PLEASE !! I need to vomit!!
Also our favorite trans-sexual Kelly comes along every once in a while. "What do you mean dirty? I am a very sweet girl". And then you hear someone yell "OH KELLY !!!" I think I need a bucket the next time this commercial is on, because I won't be able to keep my dinner in.
(For those of you not from Holland, Kelly has become famous, when she revealed in Big Brother, that she is a transgender, after kissing one of the other contestants. I think if that would happen to me, I would just kill myself.)

I never had the need to call those lines when I was kid. Well, even if I did, it's hard to call, when your parents pay the phone bill, and received a specified invoice every 2 months.
I think in all honesty, maybe I have called 1 or 2 times one of those numbers, when I was alone. And I think when I was with friends, you also make a call like that, to be tough, to show off.

When I was kid, it just started to become big business, and it was still a bit shady. Nowadays, it's a multimillion euro business, and probably a nice way for house-wifes to make an extra buck.
So, you can call one number and get a sexy asian girl from Thailand, who can do things to you, which you didn't even know that was possible, and call another number and you get a beautiful blonde, with legs that go on forever, and a megacup DD or whatever.
While in fact you probably get the same ugly lady, with legs you can find at the butcher's for 3,99 a pound, and breasts you need binoculars to even find them.

I am wondering, what kind of people would call those numbers? Is it only those pimple-faced schoolboys they make money from, or is that only a small percentage, and is there a certain type of guy who needs those numbers to get off? What is so attracting to hear someone say what they are going to do to you, while you know that they are probably knitting a sweater or reading a magazine while talking to you?

I never understood this whole concept of phone-sex and probably never will. Am I missing something? Well......probably not.

Alec's birthday

2007-01-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

Today is Alec's second birthday. So, before I continue, let's all sing "Happy Birthday" together. "Happy Birth....." Hey, you at the back!! I don't hear you sing!!
Anyway, I can't believe it, it's that long ago. The nights that shook the world. Well.....MY world at least. And yes,...I did say nights, plural. I remember it, as if it was 2 years ago. I went to bed quite late, as always on Saturday evening...actually it was Sunday morning at 3 a.m. Got caught up in a game, as usual and had a few drinks. I went to bed, and as usual, when I went to bed, YuMei woke up and went to the toilet. I fell asleep while she was in the toilet, but I heard her coming in again. And I still remember, the moment she climbed up the bed, I heard her say:"shit!". Since this has become an international word, you can guess what happened. But, it was late, and the true meaning of the word, didn't enter my brain yet, when I asked "what?". "I think my water broke". And that sentence always make me think of that movie with Hugh Grant, Nine Months, "My water broke!!", "Don't worry, we'll get you some new!"

Anyway, I was awake and all sobered up immediately, and somehow managed to not get into a panic, which isn't really like me. I don't know how things are done in other countries, but here we have a midwife, who checks the whole pregnancy and helps the delivery, unless there are reasons to go to the hospital. So I called the midwife, and explained the situation. but since there were no real contractions yet, we just had to ride it out, till she would come in the morning.
Meanwhile we still hadn't prepared the "emergency-bag", the bag you have to have ready in case the delivery starts and which should contain clothes for the lady, toothbrush, soap, clothes for the baby, well, everything necessary for a short stay in the hospital. So I was preparing this, while YuMei was trying to get some sleep as the midwife suggested. And now I was happy to be one of those people that "steals" the free shampoo, the free toothbrush etc. from every hotel we stayed in. This kind of stuff, really comes in handy in a situation like this.

When the midwife arrived on Sunday morning, still nothing had happened. The midwife made an appointment at the hospital for that evening for a check-up, so we went to the hospital. YuMei was hooked up to all sorts of machines, and we had to wait. After about 1 hour, the doctors came, and we had a choice to wait in the hospital or come back the next morning, since there was no direct emergency. We decided to come back the next day, and had one more sleepless night at home.

The next morning we were at the hospital at 9 am, all packed and surprisingly awake and sharp, or at least that's what I thought, since I left everything in the car. YuMei was hooked up to the machinery again, and we had to wait. When the gynecologist arrived she wanted to do some checks. With the first check, things were already started to work out a bit strange. The lady discovered that the baby was lying in breech presentation. So, we were immediately asked the question if we would still have a natural birth (which apparently is still possible in that situation to my surprise) or a caesarean.
Meanwhile the gynecologists were getting even more equipment, while we were discussing what the next step would be. They came and wanted to have one more check, while we were still deciding. Well, once the gynecologist was ready with her check, the decision was made for us. It turned out that junior was not only the wrong way up, the umbilical cord was also around his neck, and something needed to be done immediately.
The speed with which everything happened from that moment on still leaves me speechless. From the moment the decision was made to get the baby themselves till the moment YuMei was in the operation room took less than 15 minutes! And I haven't even got all the stuff needed from the car. Once I got back, I immediately was rushed to the operation room where YuMei was already prepared, and the show started.
At 11:31 am we could welcome our little devil into this world.
It was so unreal to have Alec in my arms. "So, you are the little devil that's gonna mess up my life?" JUST KIDDING!!! I can't even remember what I thought at that moment. I think I was just enjoying the moment. I do remember that I was happy to have a healthy kid with all bits and pieces attached.

Things I would miss about Holland

2007-01-27T14:02:00.000-08:00

As some of you already know, I am looking for a job, and as I already wrote before (in my post "Homesick") I have been sending out some open applications to companies in Taiwan. To my surprise 2 companies responded positively to my letter. Well.....I'll tell you all about this in another post. The thing is, that this has made me think about, what I would miss when I would be living away from Holland. I will just start and see how long this list will become. Maybe there will be additional posts afterwards.

Things I'd miss about Holland:

1) First of all my family and friends
2) Real middle eastern Shoarma
3) Dutch liquorice (drop), especially the "harlekijntjes" van Kruidvat
4) The butcher (or greengrocer, or whatever) around the corner, the one that knows you by name, and is always quick with a joke. I guess everyone has one of those here.
5) The wednesday morning market
6) Uithoorn (the town we live in)
7) Dutch and/or English tv-programs
8) Feeding ducks with Alec
9) The endless discussions in the politics over nothing (here, miss should be with big "")
10) Cheese
11) The "brown" cafe's
12) Meat rolls (kroketten) and the MacKroket from McDonalds
13) The spontaneous trips to Belgium and Germany
14) Amsterdam
15) The western music on the radio especially City FM (and I don't mean Country & Western)

This is the list so far, and except for the first one, they are in random order. I have the idea that there are still a few missing, but I will post them once I remember them.

Street names and signs in Taiwan

2007-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you can go completely crazy there with all those street names and streetsigns. At the beginning, I had so much trouble finding my way around at the beginning. All streetsigns are in Chinese. So you need to memorize and recognize some buildings, and combine them with certain routes and areas. Later you learn to combine the building with the name of the street. And when that happens you are as happy as a kid....You think! After all, we are talking about Taiwan. And Taiwan wouldn't be Taiwan, if there wouldn't be something that can turn any tourist into a mental nutcase. All streetnames can be written in more than 1 way, which would make living in Taiwan more complicated then necessary.

An example would be in place:
One day, I was looking for WenShin Road*. This shouldn't be difficult, I had a map, I had the "Lonely Planet", and I had the faith. In short, all the ingredients were there to end this daring task. Or at least, if it was any country other than Taiwan, it would be all that was needed to get you from A to B successfully. I had looked at the map in advance, so I knew a bit in what area I needed to be, and so I went on my way. After a while I had the idea that I should have been in the area by that time. So I checked the map, a different one this time, and couldn't find WenShin Road anywhere on the map. Also the streetsigns weren't very helpful. So, into another street then, hoping to find a helpful sign. And another street, and again, no useful info. Finally I found the spot (unfortunately not marked with an X). Upto this day I still don't know how I get there, but I guess luck had a lot to do with it.

Afterwards, while I was reconstructing the route, I found out what went wrong. It turned out that WenShin Road, was spelled in 3 (!) different ways. In the "Lonely Planet" it was written as WenShin Road, on the map I looked when I was on the street it was written as WenXin Road, and the streetsign read UenShin Road. It all look almost the same, but if you are there, and driving around, and not sure where to go, and in a complete strange world, then it can be very confusing. Also, consider, that nothing is what it looks like in Taiwan.
So, if you ever have this problem, try to pronounce the streetname, in english. Often you can find your way by the sound of the name.

The Lonely Planet writes the following about this:

"Perverted Romanisation
One traveller wrote to LP to complain about the use of the 'perverted' Wade-Giles Romanisation system in the Taiwan guide. Perverted? A Romanisation system may not be entirely adequate, but can it be described as 'perverted'?
Perhaps. The Wade-Giles system has everyone confused. Even the government officials who enforce its use don't have the foggiest notion of how to Romanise their own names. Street signs in Taipei are inconsistent - one side of the street has on eRomanised name while the opposite side has another. Maps and brochures produced by the Tourism Bureau consistently give different spellings for the same place - 'Hsuehpa' National Park or 'Shei-Pa' National Park?
Let's forget for the moment that Taiwan's capital is really spelled as T'aipei , not Taipei or Taibei. Is it Changrong Rd or Changjung Rd? Keelung or Chilung? Tamsui, Tanshui or Danshuei? Nanking Rd or Nanching Rd? Chiuju Rd, Jeoru Rd or Jiuru Rd? These fun questions ans more await unwary travellers trying to make sense of Taiwanese maps and street signs. Pity the poor postal clerks who have to sort out this mess and make sure that the mail gets delivered to the right place.
Things really start to get interesting when the Taiwanese newspapers take a stab at Romanising the names of people abd places in mainland China. Is the capital of China called Beijing, Peking, Peiching or Peiping? Tourists can visit the ancient city of Xi'an, Hsian or Sian, depending on what mood the editor is in that day.
Did Deng Xiaoping die or was it Teng Hsiaoping? Mao Zedong or Mao Tsetung?
Every now and then someone has the brilliant idea of trying to pursuade the government to drop Wade-Giles in favour of the more accurate Pinyin system. So they seek whichever officials are available, imploring them to make the change. Unfortunately they will soon discover that: (1) no government officials have ever heard of Wade-Giles; (2) they don't know what Pinyin is either, but if mainland China is using it, they definately don't want it; (3) no one is willing to take responsibility for making such change; and finally; no one cares anyway." (source: Lonely Planet, Taiwan issue, 4th edition)

*Can anyone who live in the Taichung area or is visiting that area, please send me a picture of that street sign?

Rockin' all over the world!

2007-01-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

Well, guys, today I got confirmed what I already knew. You guys can say anything about Alec: he got his mother's eyes, his mother's smile, his mother's good looks, I don't care! Because the most important thing he got from me: his love for good old fashioned Rock 'n' Roll!! So, honey, you can trow away those cd-s from Mozart and Beethoven, because from now on it'll be Guns 'n' Roses, Status Quo, Iron Maiden, Toto. I will teach him all about REAL culture!

Today, I heard a song of Status Quo on the radio, and I wanted to hear it again. And as you know, that isn't really possible when you are listening to the radio. But it so happens that I had this song right here on the comp. So, I started it up, and guess what? Alec was rockin' even harder than his old man! And with every song I played he was dancing along with the music. So, now I know......he is definitely MY kid !! :)

Alec's recipe

2007-01-22T02:32:00.000-08:00

earlier I posted the recipe of butter cake I made. Now I want to post a recipe Alec made: Baked Lego Muffins.

All you need is some Lego blocks, and a muffin tray.

1) Take the Lego blocks and put them in the tray, one stone per hole.
2) Set the oven at room temperature and let your kid put the tray anywhere in the oven. make sure he wears his oven glove!
3) Leave it in the oven for 1 minute.
4) Let your kid take it out of the oven again.

Enjoy your Lego!

thought the iphone was cool? check this touch screen out!

2007-01-21T03:05:00.000-08:00

YuMei showed me this video earlier. I thought it was really cool, so I wanted to share it with you guys. This is what I call touch screen!

thought the iphone was cool? check this touch screen out!

Just an empty blog

2007-01-20T01:52:00.000-08:00

So annoying today.....I have so many things in mind to write about, but I just can't get any of them on the screen. I had the idea of writing about movies, about my job-hunt, about Alec, etc. But if I write now, I'd probably end up mixing things, and will write about Alec going on a job-hunt while watching movies or something. And why is that, you might wonder? Well.....maybe because I went to bed at 1:30 after getting caught in a game I have been playing for some time already. On top of that, Junior woke up at 5:30, and YuMei had brought him to our bed to sleep. Unfortunately, he had other plans. So, at 7:30 we were already up and running. And at 9:00 we were already on our way to do the weekly groceries.
But as you probably can guess already, all three of us are a bit edgy and cranky.

Having kids is wonderful, I love Alec more than life itself. But the above is the downside of having kids. Luckily for us, this happens only once every 2 or 3 months. I think that apart from the above we are quite lucky with Alec. He is quite easy, smart, and sweet.
So, we shouldn't complain (and we don't) when once in a while he decides to give us a hard time, like today.
Next time I will write something more interesting (I hope).

Chinese and kids

2007-01-18T21:09:00.000-08:00

When we decided to go to China, we didn't know what to expect, since it is so completely different from Taiwan. We went to see some friends who have been there. They also have a kid a bit older then Alec, so they could tell us the things we needed to think about. They told us that Chinese are crazy about small kids, and then in particular the western and/or the mixed kids.

However, they also told me that sometimes kids are being kidnapped and being sold on the black market, and especially mixed kids are popular. Well, for me, I love Alec more then life itself, and I am scared to death anything big happening to him. So, when we were there, I was looking everywhere for potential kidnappers, and thugs planning to hurt Alec. In every Chinese who was watching Alec a little bit longer then normal, I was seeing someone who was calculating Alec's market value. So, it was a bit nerve-wrecking.
Especially since all Chinese are crazy about kids, and they have the tendency to stop for and pick up western kids. And especially mixed kids are very popular. Where ever we walked, heads turned our way, especially for Alec. And when we stopped at a popular touristic attraction, we BECAME the touristic attraction. In the Forbidden City we draw a crowd. A whole group of schoolgirls went crazy and wanted to take picture of Alec.

One time we were standing in a cd-shop, late in the evening, and Alec was quite tired. He was sitting on my arm, head a bit leaning on my shoulder. YuMei had walked inside and I was standing a the doorway. All of a sudden, there were three girls coming in the shop, looked at Alec, and started to go MENTAL! "Hao ke-ai!, Hao ke-ai" ("So cute"). And before I got the chance to say anything, Alec was pulled from my arm, and went from one girl to the other (every man's dream). He himself didn't mind, he liked the attention, but I was a bit afraid he might start to cry, and never stop crying.

And even though only girls/ladies pick him up, guys are also very interested. When we were in the Summer Palace, there were some guys looking at Alec, giving me lots of good advice, like to tuck him in warm, since it was quite cold.....DUH!!! Like I didn't know that already.

Well, it's not only mixed kids that are the lucky ones. Also blonde western girls have all the atttention. There was this American lady with a blond girl about 7 years old sitting in JinShan Park, with 3 or 4 Chinese ladies around the girl.

So, here's a bit of advice: You can't stop them, so just go with the flow, but try to tell them when they go to far. If that doesn't work........GET THE HELL OUTTA THERE! Well....that's my advice. If some else has a better advice, please share it with us.

boterkoek

2007-01-16T12:53:00.000-08:00

For the first time in quite a while I have been baking again. We didn't have anything at home for just eating in between meals (snaaien), like cookies, chips etc. We had a busy weekend so we forgot to buy. There is this recipe for a real oldfashioned Dutch treat, called "boterkoek" or in English "buttercake", with which I have had quite some success already in the past. I must tell you in advance that it is VERY fat, since, as the name already reveals, there is a lot of butter used.
But I just thought I wanted to share this with you.

Here's what you need:

baking tin of 24 cm diameter
250 gr. (8 oz) flour
200 gr. (6 3/4 oz) white caster sugar (fine grain)
pinch of salt
225 gr. (7 1/2 oz) cold butter
1 table spoon coffee cream (optional)

1) preheat the oven at 250 degrees celsius (480 degrees fahrenheit)
2) Sieve the flour with the sugar and the salt in a mixing bowl
3) Cut the butter with 2 knives through the flour-sugar mixture in very small pieces.
Knead all ingredients quickly into a ball
4) Put the ball into the baking tin and press it into the tin, till you have a layer which has about the same thickness everywhere.
You can make a pattern with a fork or a knife at the surface, and spread the top with the coffee cream (optional).
5) Put the tinin the middle of the oven, and bake it till golden brown in approximately 15 - 20 minutes.
6) Let the cake cool down in the tin and cut it right before serving.

One tip, when you get it out of the oven, don't be discouraged if you see the the cake still be liquid or soft or anything. It will harden when it cools down.
And I used grained sugar, and didn't use the coffee cream, so yours could look better (less grainy) than mine. But it's the taste that matters, not the looks.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think, ok? And send some pictures of the result if you want.
Maybe I will post some more recipes in the future. Keep checking regularly.

Eet smakelijk (Enjoy your cake).

The english language in music and movies

2007-01-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

The things I wrote in "The Taiwanese and the English language" matches perfectly with the following. The English language is used on every occasion possible in music. You might say, that this is nothing special. Well....it is, considering I am talking about Chinese songs. When I was there, there were 3 lovely ladies called S.H.E. and they had a hit with a song called "Superstar". A very lovely song, but the title was about the only English that was used in that song. The song was completely in Chinese, except for that sentence. And that is a very strange thing to hear. You hear a lot of Chinese mambo-jambo, woven together to form a nice song, and all of a sudden you hear something that sounded like English. Until you hear it more often, and then you hear the title.

This isn't really an exception. I have heard quite some songs, where there is English used, to "spice it up a bit". Somehow I have the feeling, that they think that if there is some English in the song, it automatically becomes a hit.
And it's not only Taiwanese and/or Chinese who do this, but the other day, YuMei was watching a Korean serie, and she loved the music. So she downloaded it. And there are also a few songs that has only one English sentence in it.

And when you consider the way they are trying to put English in their songs, they must use the English names of American and English artists. But no.....all English names are being translated into Chinese form. And not only in music, but also in films. And even more strange is that they might never heard of the English names. Like the time I asked YuMei something about the Beatles. She never heard of them before. Until I named a song of them, and played it to her. Then she knew who I was talking about. So, you can ask someone who is Arnold Schwarzenegger, and they will be looking at you, like you are asking about the devil himself (well, some might say you are). Until you mention a movie (in Chinese).

This might be a nice game to play on those cold winter evenings, in front of the fireplace. One of you mention an artist in your mother language, and the other one must guess who you are talking about.

Photocameras and Photography in Taiwan

2007-01-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

As I already mentioned in my blog yesterday, in Taiwan they are crazy about photography and everything involved. This phenomenon is not only seen in Taiwan, but everywhere in Asia. Just think of those Japanese tourist that are walking around with a camera bigger than themselves, and only seeing Europe through the lense of a camera. Asians are (like I mentioned earlier) crazy about photography, video, etc. The difference is already visible between YuMei and me. While I walk into the shop, looking for the cheapest camera with for that price the best features, is she really studying on which camera is the best, which one has the most pixels, which one is more worth for the money and so on. And not only YuMei, but all her friends. On parties cameras are being compared in the same way as the western girls compare shoes, handbags or whatever. It really looks like they are the ones who are the experts.
Also a few years ago, YuMei persuaded me that we should buy a videocamera, so that we could film all the tricks and funny stuff of our new born (yeah, this is more than 2 years ago). I don't really like videocameras, I rather stand behind them, but after a while I just gave in, although I have to admit, that she didn't needed to persuade very hard. The "Steven Spielberg" in me took over on that one. But normally, it is the guy who comes up with the idea of buying a videocamera and the woman just need to give in.

Another funny thing is taking pictures of Asians. You can't just take a picture spontaneously. There always have to be a pose. When you are lucky they just stand still with a modest smile. But don't be surprised if Churchill's famous V-sign is being showed.

I had a classmate from the Philipines from who it was impossible to take a picture without him posing for it. Even just an impression shot was impossible without him on it, with some kind of silly pose, and again with the ever present "fingers". I don't even know if I have a picture of him without the "fingers".
The same goes for 2 sisters from Indonesia, who almost freaked out, when you pointing the camera towards them without notice. They then either face away, or took on such a silly pose that taking the picture wasn't fun anymore.

Our Japanese friend also was a master in striking poses, just like the philipino. He was posing in all kind of poses and in all kind of ways, varying from the every present fingers to poses I can't show here, since there maybe children reading and watching.
Once we had a guest staying in our house, who I had to show our lovely Holland. This lovely lady had a camera (the latest model) with her, where ever she went. With this camera every opportunity was taken to take a picture of her with.....you guessed it, the ever present "fingers". And you could not take just a scenery shot, since in each photo there had to be a person in it, either me or her.

And when you think only adults are showing this behaviour, think again. The posing is already being thought at a very early age. Including the "fingers". On the following pictures you can see my 2 nephews (2 and 4 at the time). The oldest properly with the fingers, and the youngest, who couldn't count yet, so therefore putting all of them in the air.

One of the main things in Taiwan is the making of a real photoshoot. And I DO mean the real deal, with an official photographer in an official studio. My earlier mentioned nephew already had his first photo shoot at the age of four, and I think the youngest should have had his baptism of fire by now. Also graduation is usually rewarded with a session, where no trouble will be too big to make the model the best looking one in the world. My wife, who can be called a beauty by nature, has been changed into consecutively a sexy “femme fatal”, an innocent looking schoolgirl, and a sweet looking lady after a nice bath (no…no nudity :-)).

And, just like all guys married to a Taiwanese, I also had to have a go at it. In Holland, you hire a photographer DURING the wedding, in order to get an impression of the party afterwards as well.
Over there it is normal to make an album BEFORE the wedding. That way you can show (off with) your photo album during the wedding. The funny thing is that, at the beginning of our marriage, when my wife started to get to know some more Taiwanese girls living in the area (and then I mean Holland, Germany and Belgium), our album had to be dragged along with us whenever we went to visit others. So, we often sat in a restaurant with a whole group, and then there were like 4 or 5 of those books flying around the table for everyone to see.
I am already not the picture type by nature, I rather stand behind the camera than in front of it. But since YuMei was in turns twisting my arm and using her charm, I had to give in. Also it is tradition, and I am usually not the type to break traditions. (FYI, the charm worked better than the arm-twisting.)

Since YuMei had arranged everything, and everything was done in speedy Chinese, I had no idea what was going on. We arrived on a Saturday in Taichung after a long and exhausting trip. And it felt like we went straight from the bus stop to the photoshop. Everything was being talked through and arranged, and in between we also rented a dress, so I heard on the way to my sister-in-laws house.

So, on Monday morning I was dragged along bright and early to the studio by my lovely wife (well…..more early than bright). The moment we came in she was dropped in a chair to be tortured with hairspray and make-up. This whole process took about 2 hours, and in that amount of time she was turned into a lovely, elegant princess. Unfortunately I also couldn’t be rescued from my torture, and I too had to spend half an hour in the chair. And then there I was, standing in front of the firing squad, well…the photographer and his right-hand that is.
At the beginning I hated it, since as I wrote earlier, I hate being in front of a camera. Besides, everything was done in Chinese, because, as always, neither of them spoke any English. Luckily I had YuMei to translate it for me. And I must say, eventually I started to enjoy it, and I started to feel what the photographer wanted. He even told me I was a natural, can you believe that? Well…I am not gonna give up my day-job, that’s for sure.

We also did a shoot on location. This is part of the deal. The annoying part was that as good as I started to feel IN the studio, the worst I felt outside it. You go out, still in costume and wearing the make-up and all. And, yeah, being a foreigner you already are in the spot lights, and then also while doing a photoshoot, hmmm…yeah, Taichung had a temporary landmark. Luckily we went to places where there wasn’t much of a crowd.

That these shoots are common good in Taiwan, is proven by the fact that you can see photographers and their whole circus, follwed by newly (soon-to-be) weds, walking to the best spots in town, to take some nice photos. In Taichung you are most likely to see this circus in Folklore Park (where we went) or on campus of Chung Shin University. In Taipei, Damshui Harbour and Taipei WaterPark are most popular amongst photographers.

There goes my pension

2007-01-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Alec never stop to amaze me. He somehow is ahead with all technical stuff, and no vcr is safe anymore (right, Steve?). Just recently he has figured out how to put a dvd in the player, and is taking every opportunity to practise this. He puts the disk in the player, presses the "close" button, and presses the "play".
Also the computer has no borders anymore. He just loves the Cbeebies site with all their programs, especially the Teletubbies. And where he at first just pointed at the screen on the things he wanted to have pressed, he now just pushes my hand from the mouse and does it himself. His favorite games on the Teletubbies site are the Magic coloring game and Spot Noonoo. The first one is a game where he needs to brush in a picture, and the second game is where you have to find that vacuum cleaner that is driving around in that house. And if you think that the movements are going clumsy, you got it wrong. It still goes a bit uncontrolled, but he already knows what to do, and where to click.

And now, just when I finally had stopped worrying about my pension, since Alec will become a famous soccer player, he starts to develop an interest in digital cameras. And being a kid, only the newest, smallest, and most expensive one will do, since that one is the most fun to break. So, in this house that means YuMei's cam is the most interesting. Luckily we have managed to keep that one away from his tiny little tentacles.
We had an old one, which we had given him, and away he went, with a big smile only a 2 year old can produce. He has been "photographing" everything and nothing ever since.
Wonder who he got it from. Well, wait.....don't answer, because I know the answer already myself:
While I tend to see camera's as just something you bring along on vacation to shoot that famous sunset, or that cool swimming pool, YuMei is really into checking the latest models, checking out the amount of pixels, and bla bla bla, etc, etc. I think it is something Asian, since all her friends are into the latest gadgets, especially when it comes to digital cameras. Also posing is something special. Well, I will save that for my next update, once I have translated my article about this subject.
I feel I am drifting away here. I was writing about Alec, and his new toy, the digital camera.
For those curious about his pictures, here are some from the master himself:

Well, it looks like I have to start worrying about my pension again, since there isn't much money to be made in the photography business. My only hope is that he might end up working for "Playboy magazine". A man can hope, can he?

homesick

2007-01-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Well, today was just one of those days. I just had the feeling of ... yeah ... of what? It's hard to describe. Maybe the question of "Is this all there is in life?" is the closest thing I can think of. And I just don't know exactly what triggered this feeling. And this just comes up every once in a while. Those who know me personally already know my history. For those who don't know me (yet), here's the situation in a nutshell. The past years haven't been easy for us, and just recently things are going uphill again, slowly but surely.
Anyway, back to today. I just had the same idea again, that keeps on coming back. The idea of not knowing what I am still doing here, why I am still here in Holland? Every now and then I have the feeling of missing Taiwan. And I don't know why. And I just had the urge to go hunting for jobs in Taiwan (or in other parts of Asia for that matter).
When I think about me and my job hunting here in Holland, I sometimes just get a bit depressed. I still not sure what I want, what I can do. I have made the decision to go back to the airfreight again, since this line of work is still in my heart. But I feel I need to do this part time, since I have been without a job for so long, that I have to get used to it again. However, finding a part time job in this line of work is very hard. Also, night shifts and late shifts are more and more introduced. And, not that I am lazy, it's just I feel that this is such a waste of money, time and resources. There are companies, that are open 24/7. But why? During night time, you can't call any customers, since they all close at 6 pm. Making documents at night time is also a bit useless, if you just hire 1 person extra during daytime, and let him/her only make documents, is much cheaper. Apart from that, these things are hell for your biological clock, not to mention your social life.

I have send out several application letters, with the naive hope that someone will be interested.
The strange thing is, that I know that in, for example, Taiwan they are more demanding in this line of work. And still I am trying to apply for a job there, with all the things that I don't like over here.
Well, it may be not that strange though. Working there, is different kind of challenge. Life is so completely different there, that you take those things on the side, because you are enjoying the challenge of living there, enjoying the pleasure of exploring the city, exploring the life.

Recently I found a new website, TravelBlog, which is a website filled with blogs of people telling stories of their travels, or of their life living in another country.
I found 2 blogs on here, both from American girls, who moved to Taiwan to teach English there (MaryBrooks & Rachel Mathews). And reading that just made me feel homesick. everything they write is so recognisable. And reading about trips to HongKong makes it even worse.
Also reading back my articles about my life there makes me think about my time in Taiwan. And of course, living there is completely different then being there on vacation. But, I think that, as long as I have my own little private space, where I can hide in, when I want to be alone, I can make it anywhere. Even in Taiwan.

Taiwanese hospitality

2007-01-10T03:17:00.000-08:00

Like I said earlier, the Taiwanese are very friendly people, sometimes TOO friendly. I frequently visit a McDonald's nearby where I lived. As soon as someone entered the building, immediately each staffmember shouted "wan ing guang lin", which means something like "welcome to my humble adobe". This is standard procedure in about every restaurant and shop. The fun part is, that it is a bit like hospitality, which has become more like a habit. The staffmembers of the 7-eleven for example are trained (or better brainwashed) in a way, that whenever the door opens (a nice music will sound), they will greet the customer in above mentioned way, without even looking up from their work. Therefore this is also mentioned to customers LEAVING the place, because that music is playing. And since they don't see if someone is entering or leaving, they just say it whenever the music sounds. This means that those well-meant and friendly words dissappear without any effect.

Same story in the Starbucks nearby. Greeting of the customer entering the store is so much of a policy, that EVERY staffmember, even the ones all the way at the back, is welcoming you into their fine establishment. Also they know the needs of their regulars. I have been a regular for a little while now here, but already after 4 or 5 times they already knew I was going to order a "Grande Cappucino". So after a while they didn't ask what I wanted to order, but comfirming what I wanted to order. Same goes for my favorite dining place.

Also department stores are excellent in providing this kind of service. The other day I went into a department store right after opening. And at the top of each escalator, believe it or not, there were 4 employees, who as soon as I reached the top, greeted me with a humble bow. And on each department there was an employee standing in front of it, doing the same thing. And this is standard procedure. Everywhere you walk, on each department, you will hear the same words. AND...if you are lucky they even trow in a bow. When you leave they will trow a friendly "bye bye".

What also is worth mentioning in the department stores is the presence of "elevator girls". In the old days (and even now in some expensive hotels) you had those famous "bell-boys", those young boys opreating the elevator. In Taiwan, these are 20+ year old girls (and an occasional boy), who in colorfull but stiff uniform, operate the elevators. They ask you while you are waiting, which floor you need to go to, and when you enter, the lady outside will tell the lady inside. The girl inside welcomes you, and presses the button for the desired floor. This is done with white velvet gloves, so no fingerprints are left on the panel. All this with a smile that would make a man's heart run faster.

As soon as the elevator hits the floor you need to be, the lady anounces which floor you are on, and everyone who wants to go out, can go out. And while you walk out, the lady friendly thanks you for your patience (“and thank you for flying Sogo Elevator Airlines” or something like that).

As you can read, they all are very service-minded, which is quite admirable. When you ask for something in a store, they will do anything for you. That is, when they understand you. If they do, and they know, or suspect, that they have what you asked for, no stone is left unturned, untill they find it. Sometimes they are searching so hard, and so long that you almost feel obligated to buy it.

Like in the Carrefour the other day. I was looking for some items, but couldn't find them. So, I stepped to one of the employees, who went searching high and low, all around, got his boss, who in his turn did the same. After turning the whole place upside down, they reluctantly admitted, that they didn’t had that article in stock (no wonder, I went with the wrong brochure into the wrong store…oops)

Still, shopping in a department store can be annoying. The sales staff is working partially on provision basis. This means in general that relaxed shopping is impossible, since there will be an employee hunting you down like a shark. He is hoping to make the deal of the century, so pointing to something, will result in the person breathing in your neck while explaining how good that product is.

For example, I wanted to buy some earplugs the other day, since it can be quite noisy where I stayed. I was served by 2 (!) employees, who told me (crossed their heart and hope to die) that those where the best earplugs they had in stock. They even threw in a second pair for good measure. All this, the earplugs AND the excellent service had cost me no more than NTD 20,- which is about USD 0,30. I was stunned by this kind of service.

However, no matter how long you live in Taiwan, you will NEVER be completely accepted by the Taiwanese. You are and always will be a “wai gwo ren”. The president of the language center I was attending classes lived there for 15 years, and still his Chinese wasn’t “understood”. And they didn’t ask him to repeat, but they asked his wife what he just had said.

Confession :)

2007-01-08T04:23:00.000-08:00

Today I haven't been much of a daddy to Alec. I just left him a bit on his own, while I tried to keep and stay awake. And following is not an excuse, but just a reason. I have slept on the couch for the last few days, since I have a cold, and been coughing quite hard, especially during night. And to prevent Alec and YuMei from waking up, I decided to sleep on the couch. The problem with sleeping on the couch is that, when you are just watching tv, it is sooooo easy to fall asleep, but when you actually are trying to sleep on the couch, it is so hard. Anyway, I hope that I will be able to sleep in our own bed again.
I have promised Alec that tomorrow we are going to do all kind of fun things. I need to go out anyway, and need to bring him along. So, we can go to Toys 'r'Us or go to watch the planes take off.

The Taiwanese and the English language

2007-01-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

The Taiwanese people are very friendly (just look at my wife YuMei). However, they are also very hard to understand. They can be very friendly and interested, but at the same time very distant and reserved (although this might be more a part of the Chinese character in general, then of the Taiwanese in particular, in my opinion).
Whether that reservation is because of shyness, the language, or a real characteristic I don't know. Quite often, when I walk on the street, people are smiling very friendly, and some of them even say hello. But as soon as you stop and talk to them (in English), they become very shy. Even the ones with the loudest mouth, will confess very softly, that he/she don't speak english. Maybe they are ashamed because of their lack of knowledge in the English language, something which of course is absolutely not necessary.

The other day in the Geant, I wanted to ask one of the employees where I could find something. The poor guy started to panic a bit, because his English was very poor. In the only English words he knew, he told me to wait and follow him. I followed him to one of her colleagues, to whom I repeated my question. She (a girl this time) also panicked a bit, and she also asked me to follow her, this time to the service desk, where I asked my question for the third time. And once again, they hadn't the slightest idea of what I was talking about. Then one of the employees had a brilliant idea. His face lit up, he grabbed the telephone, spoke a few words, and pushed the telephone in my hands. So, there I was, in the Geant in Taichung, surrounded by no less then 5 employees, with the telephone in my hand, where I was talking to the big man upstairs (no, not God), who apparently was the only one who spoke English. So, as you can see, shopping can be an adventure where even Indiana Jones would run away from. (For your info, I never found what I was looking for.)

Still you will be able to see more English in the daily life. Also the streetnames appear in English on the streetsigns, and in MRT in Taipei, the stations are also being broadcasted in English. And nowadays more Taiwanese are studying English. And I must admit, that those who speak English (and aren't shy or unsecure about their English) will grab every opportunity to practise. Sometimes you are being stopped on the street by someone, who is hoping for a short free private lesson.

So, the will to learn English is there with most Taiwanese, and then mainly the younger generation, who start to realise that without English Taiwan will be getting a lot of trouble in the future, in this international world. Everywhere you will see ads where they look for people with English as motherlanguage, to teach English on elementary schools, and also young students from university are looking for private tutoring. Here on campus you can join a "language exchange program", you teach English to a Taiwanese, and he/she teaches you Chinese. A classmate was asked by a guy who wanted to patch up his conversation English. I also was asked by 2 guys who wanted to improve their English. And the other day, a lovely lady working in the Starbucks came up to me, and asked me with a little voice, whether I was an English teacher and what private tutoring would cost.
What unfortunately is the issue in Taiwan is the fact, that a lot of children do learn English, but hardly have any opportunity to practise. Therefore they try in every way possible to practise anyway, and stop you on the street and talk to you.
Most of the parents hardly speak English, or not at all, so the kids only use English only once a week during class.
Brant was teaching English, and he found out how hard it was to teach them. Usually they didn't have any idea what he was talking about, and just nodded their heads, if he asked if they understood. One time he wanted to do "show-and-tell", which is always quite fun for the kids. So he instructed them to bring something from home the next week. That week only 2 or 3 kids actually had brought something, the rest just hadn't understood what he had said.

The strange thing is that there is a national obsession not to learn English but American. Everywhere in Taiwan, Americans are the preferred choice for both teaching English in elementary schools as well as for private tutoring. Probably they have this strange idea, that American is the proper and the only way to speak English, almost like language is an exact science. Al this because of the many American movies and sit-coms on tv.
A funny example is the experience of a classmate of mine from New Zealand. His English was almost the same English as they spoke in the streets of London. Nothing wrong with that, you might say. Still he was frequently corrected by his students (!), because he pronounced a word incorrectly. In an American movie they saw the other day, they pronounced it completely different.
Also have I heard stories about an Italian guy who was fired, because the parents of the kids he was teaching were afraid he would teach them an Italian accent. His English was perfect, by the way.

About teaching English at elementary school, it is true that a lot of children are already been tought English, and also at even younger age. My oldest nephew is being send to an American school for English lessons. And yes, kids at the age of 8 already speak a little bit of English. Here is one example from the real life. I wanted to go to have something to eat at one of the foodstands of which what they offered looked nice. I wanted to order, but the lady had no idea what I was talking about. With expectation she looked at her husband, hoping he was able to help her out. He too didn't have a clue what I was talking about. After that their son was pulled away from his dinner, and put in front of me. He welcomed me in his best English, and asked what I would like to have. After I placed my order, he started enthousiastically to practise his English. He asked me my name, where I was from, how old I was....well, the usual. Of course I asked him the same things, after all, he had to practise. So, there I was, in the busy foodstreet, having a "conversation" with the 9 year old Jerry. And the longer I was talking to him, the taller he became. Ever since that day, whenever I passed by, I said hello to my new friend Jerry. And sometimes you could see his friends looking surprised, jealous that a "wai gou ren" said hi to their friend, and even knew his name. Life can be so satisfying sometimes :)

The other day I was reading an article in a dutch magazine about travelling to Asian countries. It was an interview with the highest diplomatic representative of Taiwan here in Holland, Mrs. Katherina Chang (they don't have an ambassador).
She said the following about the English language in Taiwan: "it already was a obligatory subject in highschool, now also children at the age of 7 are being thought English. The government desks are already bilangual, and even the government is speaking english during meetings sometimes. There are already English speaking taxi drivers drving around in Taipei, recognisable by a special sticker on the window screen. We have a national 24-hour English hotline, and there are numerous English brochures and flyers available about our country. in 2008 English will be our official second language. (She made this comment concerning the return of tourists after the SARS epidemic) (Source: Azie Magazine no. 96, September/ October 2003)*
To be honest Mrs. Chang, I find that a little optimistic. There aren't many people here that speak english, and I don't think that'll change in 2 years. However, I do find it a very good objective, and I really hope I am wrong. I really embrace these developments, and think it would be an excellent impulse for the reclining economy.

* The meaning of this quote might have been slightly changed due to the translation from dutch to english.

Dancing with the media

2007-01-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

The last few days I have seen previews of yet another series of "Stars dancing on ice". Yet another downfall in the quality of Dutch television. First we had "Idols", a program where idiots with a complete lack of talent were able to humiliate themselves in front of the entire nation, all in the name of entertainment. If it only would have stayed with one series, that would have been fine, BUT, it was such a success, that they decided to do another series, and yet another. And to make matters worse, they have sold the rights to other countries, so the entire world was able to enjoy the ear-ringing qualities of the girl next door. However, here in Holland, the winner of the first "Idols" is hardly in the picture anymore, and I wonder if anyone knows who the second and the third "Idols" have won, or who was first runner up.
And now they have the same kind of program, the X-factor, but this time you can also humiliate yourself when you can do another trick, other then singing in the bathroom without breaking the mirror.
Another program that has been broadcasted throughout the world is "Dancing with the stars". I think in England it's called "Strictly come dancing" or something like that. This time local celebrities had their chance to embarrass themselves on national tv. And yet again, with sequel after sequel.

The one of the lowest point here was reached when RTL4 came up with the idea of putting those celebs in thin ice this time. It wasn't really a bad idea to take things up a notch, when you like this sort of thing. But how things happened I don't know, but someone, a few days before RTL4 announced their bright idea, SBS6 proudly presented this as their idea, and broadcasted this along with RTL4, since neither obviously could trow their idea in the trashcan. So, at this point there were 2 versions on air. HELP!!! What's next? "Dining with the stars"? "Fucking with the stars"? "Torturing with the stars"? Well, for all of these versions I have a list of perfect candidates already, but feel free to come up with more suggestions. But wait, since the media is willing to show just about anything these days, how about "Hanging with the stars"? We already had one shown just a few days ago. So, why not another one? I already have a good candidate: how about President George W. Bush?

And just as I thought I had seen everything, I've just seen a preview of a program where they show a real autopsy with a real audience on tv. How low can you go?

Well, with all this said, I also have to say, that it's not so much those show I don't like. I don't mind having these shows around. After all, people like to watch, and even though it's not my kind of show, there ARE people who find pleasure watching this, and who am I to judge this?
For me, it's more the way they are being hyped in the media. Weeks ahead, they are already shouting that you must see it, days before they swear they have THE ultimate show for you, and the night before, they order you to watch, punishable by becoming an outcast, spitted out by the rest of the society, for being the only one who isn't watching it.
And you can't escape it. In every talkshow, you'll see someone who JUST didn't make it to the finals, in every game show you see one of the finalist doing their trick, On the news you will hear who won.
I feel that freedom of press has been taken a little to far. Of course, there must be a freedom of press, BUT please let there also be a freedom to watch!

The Great Wall

2007-01-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

Remember I was writing about how I write my blogs? And that YuMei mentioned about the Great Wall? Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is it! That moment has arrived!
By coincidence I was reading an article about the Great Wall, and all the pieces fell into place.
It was in a Dutch science magazine and it was talking about the fact that China is now going to measure precisely how long the Wall actually is. At this moment they are talking about 7300 km, without any precise idea.
They know that it would take 3 years to walk from one end to another. But then you do have to get off the Wall occasionally, since it is not one single wall, but several walls considered to BE one wall.

And we had the opportunity to visit it last year. I had never really thought about going to China or anything. Not that I wasn't interested or anything. It just simply never crossed my mind. But last year, when we planned to go to Taiwan, we decided to have a small vacation afterwards, and Beijing was our choice. And who ever says Beijing, automatically says Great Wall. So, off we went, to Huairou, which is close to Mutianyu Great Wall. It is not the closest place from Beijing, though. From Beijing you could easier go to BaDaLing, but that place is always packed with tourists, and since we don't really like to be seen as tourists (even though we are), we wanted to go to Mutianyu. Another reason for us to choose Mutianyu is the fact that usually the trips to BaDaLing are combined with a visit to "thirteen- tomb-something" (I couldn't find the Lonely Planet when I wrote this). And since we were with Alec, and YuMei don't want to take Alec anywhere close to a grave or tomb or anything involving dead people, Mutianyu was the best alternative. About YuMei, Alec and dead people, it has got to do with at first thought superstition, but I will write about this some other time, because there is a lot more then superstition.

It was a hour drive, well, at least that's what we thought. However, we spend 2 1/2 hours in the bus. And once we got there, it was still about 30 minutes to the actual place. And especially that last part was quite interesting. Once we got out of the bus, the usual pulling and pushing of the local taxi drivers started. And since we were a bit too lazy to actually haggle about prices or anything, we just more or less took the first driver, and got ourselves a deal of 120 yen, and for that money he even waited at the drop-off point. He told us to follow him, and we past some luxurious and new looking minivans. So, it was a bit disappointing to see the bus we stopped at. Words can not describe......well, no, that's a bit TOO dramatic. Let me just put it this way: I'd probably never seen a van like this before. I think I'd even seen some cellotape or velcro, but that could also have been my imagination. Well, on one of the pictures you can see the interior of this fine limo. At least the driver was my kind of driver. Come to think of it, they ALL are in both China and Taiwan. Once we got there, we had to wrestle ourselves through the stalls with all the stuff nobody wants to buy, but end up buying anyway, because it is so cheap. And now I think back about it, I always wondered the following: When you walk past the first and second stall, and you reject every item they push in your face, what makes seller number three, four, five......... up to hundred think that you will buy that exact same item from them, when you just rejected it from the previous sellers?

Anyway, Alec also did exactly what I had expected him to do. You see, we brought a babycarrier along with us, which we borrowed from friends. It's like a backpack, but then for kids. We dragged the darn thing all the way along with us for junior to sit in, and guess what???? The moment his butt touched the seat, hell broke loose. No matter what we did, and what we promised, he wasn't planning to stop crying. I think they could even hear him cry in Beijing. So, picture me, walking around with a babycarrier on my back, and the baby on my shoulders! Luckily, he also have walked by himself, otherwise I'd probably ended up with a hernia.
I must say, I was impressed with the size of it all. It really is a magnificent piece of work, and I can't find much words to describe it (feel free to help me out here).
All in all, we spent one hour on it, because Alec started to get tired. So, basically we have spend more time travelling to the site, than that we were actually there. But, would I do it again? And would I do it the same way? YES! All of the above is for me basically the thing that makes trips like this special. Even the occasional set-backs and nuisances are all part of the experiences.

Fireworks

2007-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

A few posts ago I wrote about fireworks, and how we love to light the stuff every year. And lighting it we do, by the millions! Unfortunately, for some people the lighting is more important than cleaning up afterwards. We live in a street which is shaped like a tripod, you know, the one from Neptune. Now, I know from previous years, that in our part of the street, things are usual cleaned up pretty well. Well...apart from the small bits that are hard to clean. Also, I believe this year there hasn't been much lighting done in our part. As I walked to the supermarket, I passed an area in our street where apparently a lot was lit. And there still was a lot of rubbish lying around there. And I am not talking about small pieces, but those big firepots, roman candles etc. And then I am wondering, why is it so difficult to pick it up, and trow it in the trashcan, which usually is about 3 or 4 meters away.
Anyway, what I am wondering is, how did you spend New Years Eve? Did you spend it in the city? Or with family? How do people celebrate it in your area?
I know that in Taipei they celebrate it with a massive amount of fireworks on the Taipei 101 building. Whenever I am talking about fireworks, YuMei is always saying:"that is not fireworks. We have fireworks". Well, as arrogant as this may sound, it isn't meant to be like that at all. If you know here, you'll know she is not like that. This is nothing more then a statement based on true facts. And below you can see why.

More 101 2007 fireworks

What A Kiss Means

2007-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

I don't believe in those e-mail chain-letters promising good fortune when you send it again, or bad fortune when you don't. But this one is just funny and sweet, so I make an exception:

What A Kiss Means

this is really interesting

i read this article from friend's bulletin

do u think those stuff?!

what do u think about those stuff?

if u kiss someone's ear

that mean u r horny?

WHAT A KISS MEANS
**Kiss on the belly-----"lets have sex"
**Kiss on the Forehead ----"Forever you will be mine"
**Kiss on the Ear ---"I'm horny"
**Kiss on the Cheek ---"We're friends"
**Kiss on the Hand ---"I adore you"
**Kiss on the Neck ---"We belong together"
**Kiss on the Shoulder ---"I want you"
**Kiss on the Lips ---"I love you" OR "I want you"
**Holding Hands ---"We can learn to love each other"
**A wink ---"Let's get it on"
**Slap on the Butt ---"That's mine"
**Playing with the Ear ---"I can't live without you"
**Holding on tight ---"Don't let go"
**Looking into each other's Eyes ---"Don't let go"
**Playing with Hair on Head ---"Tell me you love me"
**Arms around the Waist ---"I love you too much to let go"
**Laughing while Kissing ---"I am completley Comfortable with you"

--Advice--
*Dont ask for a kiss, take one.
*If you were thinking about someone while reading this,
you're definitely in Love (or strong like).

--Requirements--
*Post this again after reading!!
Or you will have a bad year of Relationships.

If you REALLY LIKE OR LOVE someone right now
and MISS THEM and can't get them out of your head
then Re-post this within One Minute and Whoever you are missing will surprise you tomorrow.
Repost this as
"What A Kiss Means"

View on Taiwan: To love and to hate

2007-01-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

Every 3 post or so, you may find a post that is about Taiwan. I got the idea to write about Taiwan, when I stayed there for four months to recover from a depression, after a burnout. I went there on my wife's advice, to see how it was to live (and survive) in Taiwan. This was because I was driving her crazy, by saying a lot how I wanted to move to there (my wife is Taiwanese). I wrote these pieces to send home to the wife and family to let them know I was doing just fine.

I have to make a note, that these articles have been written in the period between 2003 and present, and some things might have changed already. Also, there might be pieces missing, which will be filled in later.
And, even though I will try to give everyone credit for for photo's and such, it might be possible that I have missed someone. If you find your picture in here, please send an e-mail to jcvanrenssen@yahoo.co.uk and I will make sure you will be credited for it or take it down. Also, the pictures I have put up here are just to try to make things more clear, just to emphasise things or just for the fun of it. However, if you think you have a better, more clear, or a funnier picture about that topic, feel free to send it in. Maybe I will post it here. For some topics I am asking for pictures too, since I don't have them. These are also more than welcome.
I hope you will enjoy reading this. I also hope that those who have never been there, will still read this. And if you have any questions, remarks or just comments, feel free to leave a message.

Just like every country, Taiwan has it's habits which might look strange to foreigners. Still, those are often the things that makes a visit to, or living in those countries so interesting. I will try to point out and explain those habits here. Of course I won't know all the details and the deeper thoughts of certain things. Therefore you shouldn't really take things that serious. This is nothing more than the way I see these things.
Oh, and the subtitle would be easy to understand, if you ever have lived in Taiwan, for a short or long period of time.
For me, I always have mixed feelings about Taiwan. When I am there, I always enjoy walking around there, take a sniff on the strange, mystical culture, try all the different food. Still there are also things that can really piss me off. The always present crowds, lack of privacy (especially for a foreigner), the traffic, the language difference, etc.
And still, whether it is when I am there, or when I am back in Holland, I see that the pleasure, and even the aggrevation, are part of the charm of the country. And, even though I never expected it, every time I am back in Holland, I miss Taiwan and even feel a bit homesick. And I hope, that when you read on, you will understand why. And then you will also understand the title.

Maybe I should write down some facts about Taiwan, for those who do not know where it is situated, and/or those who love to gain information about things, which they will never use in the future anyway.
Taiwan is an island in the Pacific Ocean, between China, Japan, and the Phillipines. It is roughly the same size as Holland, but there are 23 million people living there. This means it can be pretty crowded, every now and then. You can devide the island roughly in 3 parts: the western relatively "flat" part, the middle part with the mountain range, and the small coastal strip in the east.
The capital is Taipei in the Northwest, where there are 2,9 million people living, in the city alone. Count Taipei County as well, and you will have 3 million more.
The second city is Kaoshiung in the south, with approximately 1.5 million people. And last but not least, there is Taichung, which is the third city with roughly 800,000 people. This is where my wife YuMei was born, and this is where I spend the 4 months. Therefore the most things mentioned are about this city, unless otherwise stated.
The currency they use is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The exchange rate is at this moment (03 january 2007) Eur 1.00 = 42.650 NTD.

The island is a democracy, and has an elected president, at the moment it is Chen Shui Bian. And even though it is a multiple party democracy, there are only 2 parties really important: the KMT (the KuoMinTan, the party that started it all) and the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party), the party that runs the show at the moment (but not for long anymore, I hope).

The way Taiwan started

I could write down about Taiwan started on which tectonic plates, which dinosaurs walked around there, and who was who in the 13th till 17th century, etc. But basically I think you don't really care, and to be honest, neither do I. Also, I don't know that kind of stuff. But I would like to tell you about the things I know (or looked up), and what is worth telling.

Like the following: Taiwan arose because of a civil war in mainland China. In 1895, war was raging between Japan and China about who owned the rights to the Korean peninsula. Japan won that war with ease over China, and gained control over Korea. And just trew in Taiwan as added bonus. This much to the dislikes of China and the Taiwanese citizens.
Japan ruled firm and fiercefully.

Meanwhile in China, the system of the dynasties has stopped in 1911, and Sun Yat-sen declared the Republic of China.

In 1916 Yuan Shihkai made an attempt to reinstall an emperor. This failed, and a vulnerable peace returned to China.
This was secured by Chiang Kai Shek and his Kuomintang (KMT), although there was a constant treat by the Japanese and the communist rebels.

In the Second World War the KMT and the communist rebels fought side by side against the Japanese surpression. As you all know the USA won this war.

After the war it was business as usual for the KMT and the communists as they fought against eachother again. However, in 1949 the KMT realised that they started to lose this war, and decided to pack their things and leave. The whole KMT and their families, about 600,000 soldiers and 900,00 civilians, crossed the Taiwan Straits to Taiwan, which has been handed back to China after the war. At that moment there were 6 million people living in Taiwan, and they saw their number rising with 1,5 million.
Of course the communists on the mainland didn't like it one bit, and try to regain control over Taiwan through an invasion. This was pushed back, partly bcos of the presence of the US in the Taiwan Straits.

After this the KMT started to rebuild the economy, which has made a enormous downfall because of all those years of war. Because of this rebuilding, Taiwan became one of the "Asian Tigers" in the '60's and even in present days it is this rebuilding that echoes in the present economy.

Just for all you daddies out there

2007-01-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Just for your information, this is NOT the official post I am planning to do, just some little inside info, on how to raise kids. I have noticed, that the user's manual on kids isn't that thick and hard to read. For example, earlier this morning, well, actually this afternoon, Alec had to go to bed. He always sleeps from 12 till 3 pm. But he was nagging that he didn't want to go to bed. And started to give hell when I picked him up to bring him to bed. I didn't really know what to do with this situation and told him, that he could draw for 2 more minutes. Meanwhile it was already 12:10. So he started to draw again, happily that he had "won". After 2 minutes, (3 actually), I said:"OK, bedtime for little boys". And surprise, no hell raising, no screaming, just a quiet little rascal getting ready to go to bed. The trick is however NOT to give in too much, just bend a little.
Good luck!

Saddam Hoessein

2007-01-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

I decided to do 2 posts this time, since there were 2 subjects I wanted to post, while they are still recent. I mean, wishing you happy new year in the middle of august, or talking about Hoesseins death around the same time is not really a bright thing to do.
Anyway, I wanted to write about the whole thing surrounding the death of Saddam Hoessein.
Everyone already knew it was coming weeks ago, and now finally the moment was there. I think it is safe to say that everyone agreed that he deserved the death penalty.
However, first I want to say that even though something had to be done about the situation in the Middle East and Hoessein was a threat for the area, the timing of Bush was to say the least a bit awkward. He was already involved in the war in Afghanistan, which cost a lot of money and lives already. So, I feel, that this whole war in Iraq is more of a private war between the Bushes and Hoessein. Daddy Bush has had problems with him, and couldn't finish his job, so junior had to take care of it for daddy. But since obviously George W. clearly doesn't have the brains in that family, he lied a very transparent lie to give him a reason to attack.
If Bush jr. was smart, which obviously he isn't, he only should have attacked Afghanistan. he had a good reason to do so after 9/11, and he would have had ALL his resources available for that war. Then he would have been a hero for taking out those who were responsible for 9/11. But he had to fight his personal family vendetta, and ordered his troops to march into Iraq. And you see where that has been leading to.
The other day we were talking about this, and YuMei mentioned about an article, saying that Hoessein also had done some good things for Iraq. Well, of course he had done some good things for Iraq, but I am sure Adolf Hitler has also done some good things for Germany , but it still makes him a terrible monster, and it doesn't make the crimes he committed less terrible.
Well...this is not the real reason why I write about this, but it is a good opportunity to get it off my chest.
The real reason is the fact that his execution was videotaped, and broadcasted all over the world. And I am a bit of a soft sensitive guy, and I must say that I had a bit of trouble with that.
I never like to see that kind of stuff, whether it is on the news or in movies or something. I always can almost feel the fear of the person about to be executed. So, I never seen "The Green Mile" or "Fallen", since that would make this weak children's soul have nightmares.
And it was all over the news: CNN, BBC, NBC and all the other abbreviations were broadcasting it the whole day, every damn minute of it.
in Holland we also had no way to escape these scary images. The worst is, that is was broadcasted in the 6 o'clock news. Does anyone know how many KIDS are watching around that time? I am lucky that Alec is still too young to understand what is going on, but I can already hear those children's questions from those 3-, 4- or 5 year olds:"Daddy, what are they doing there?", "Daddy, who is that man?", "Daddy, why do they put a rope around his neck?". How can you possibly answer those kind of questions? What can you say? "That man is a very bad man, and they are going to kill him with that rope"?
At least they had the decency not to film the actual event, but still. Like we wouldn't believe it, if they just told us without the video images.
I really hope that next time broadcasting networks, at least those here in Holland, have the decency not to broadcast these kind of things that early in the evening. But I am afraid that the next time it will just be the same again.

Happy New Year!!

2007-01-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

From here I would like to wish every one who's reading this all the best for 2007, and I hope all your wishes will come true this year.
I hope your New Year's Eve have been a good one with lots of fun and laughter, and with the ones you love most, or just the ones you feel most comfortable with. For me, we went to Alkmaar where we celebrated it in 2 different styles: Taiwanese and Dutch style. The Taiwanese aspect of the evening was provided by my wife and her 2 friends (also from Taiwan). And of course the Dutch aspect has been provided by the men: me, the 2 other husbands, and a friend of the couple we were at. And here I'd like to tell you how the Dutch celebrate New Year's Eve.
This event already starts somewhere in October, and I guess I have to explain this.
The Dutch government has strict laws about fireworks, so, it's usually not very spectacular, AND it's only for sale 3 days a year. However, there are a lot of things that makes this whole thing a unique phenomenon. First, the earlier mentioned strict laws. Secondly, the Dutch just LOVE their fireworks, and let NO ONE come between them, not even the government. And thirdly, in Belgium the laws about fireworks are much easier, making the fireworks heavier and more spectacular.
Therefore whole convoys of Dutch men (since it's mainly men who love fireworks) drive to Belgium in October already, to buy the Belgium fireworks, which is illegal here.
So, this means that every year there is a cat-and-mouse game going on, in the border region between the smugglers (who most of the year are respected fathers with a respected job, etc), and the Marechaussee (the Dutch military police who has jurisdiction over this region).
This year the government has decided that the fireworks may be a little bit heavier this year, to prevent the anual exodus to Belgium. And I have the idea that it works, since I heard less about confiscated fireworks this year. And I am quite happy about that, since this saves me from embarressing situations. Previous years it always has been like, me lighting legal fireworks going "pang! pauw! pang!" while the neighbours go like "BOEM! BANG! BANG!" with their illegal stuff. Also the amount of money spent on fireworks is sometimes amazing. The Dutch are known throughout the world as cheap. Well, when it comes to fireworks there are no limits. While I have spend a modest 23 euro, and my friend 35 euro, I have seen people who were paying 100 to 150 euro, without blinking their eyes. And on the news I saw 2 kids of about 12 years, spending 180 and 220 euro, their whole years savings! 12 years old !! The minimum age to buy it is 16, so they must have been standing in the shop with one of their parents. And there also was this guy on the news, who had spend 1000 euro! No, that is NOT a type error. 1000 euro!!
If I had 1000 euro, I definately wouldn't spend it on fireworks, no matter how much I love it.
I must admit, when I was a kid, I spent hours comparing prices of the different shops, and checking which shop had what the other didn't have. And still, the second week of December I am already waiting for the first flyer.
Anyway, the last three days of the year, you can see every man walk around with a plastic bag filled with fireworks, and at the bicycle repair shops they are waiting outside for their turn.
The actual lighting is permitted only on 31 December from 10 pm till 03 am next day. But already from the moment it is officially sold, everyone starts to light some fireworks already. "What does this one do?", "How loud is the bang on that one?". Even the most law obeying citizen will light at least 1 piece of fireworks before it is officially allowed, almost like it's a tradition.
Another Dutch tradition is the oliebol, which is actually nothing more than a sticky ball of dough deep fried in sunflower oil, which causes thousands of women to have to go on a diet, what they wouldn't have to do in the first place if they just stayed away from them.
Also the famous kissing YuMei likes so much is a tradition. Whenever you go back to the office on the 2nd of january, or you visit friends, you will always get 3 kisses. Well....man-woman and woman-woman, that is. NOT man-man, that is sooooo not done!. So, this means that when you are working in a company where there are 50 people working, like YuMei, you will receive 150 kisses, being a woman. As a man, this may be variable depending on the number of women working there. So, honey, looking forward to go to work again tomorrow?
It CAN have an advantage sometimes, since now you have a reason, motive, and opportunity to finally kiss that very cute colleague you secretly are in love with. Too bad, it is only kissing on the cheeks, and no French kissing.

How I write my blog

2006-12-31T03:14:00.000-08:00

When you visit my blog, you may just read it and laugh (or cry or be bored) and go on with your life, which is a smart thing to do. You may also read it and laugh (or cry or be bored) and think:"Where does he get his inspiration and idea's from?". For the last group I am writing this post today. Well, it doesn't mean that when you are in the first category, you are not allowed to read.
What I try to do here, is not write a blog about every day life, like: "at 12 o'clock I went to the bakery to buy bread, and at 12;15 I went to the butcher's." Some people may like this way of writing or reading, but I want to write something actual interesting, or something that make you think, or simply just to make you laugh.
My ideas do come from every day life. Also my wife brings up quite some ideas. 95% of her ideas are quite useful, but maybe only 50% of those actually make it up here. You see, she can sit behind the computer, and write whatever comes in mind. And that works for her, and, even though I don't read any Chinese, I am sure the result is really good. But for me, whenever I have an idea, I first start to put these ideas into words, then into sentences. Once I have the right sentences in my mind, I put that on here. So, this might mean, that an idea I had, may never make it here, or an idea YuMei had, gets posted 4 days after she gave me that idea. Like yesterday, she gave me an idea to write about our trip to the Great Wall in China, how we went there etc. And I liked that idea, so now I am writing about this subject in my mind. Once I have written it to perfection, with the right amount of humor (or the lack of it), and the right amount of information, and all the other things that are needed to make a post interesting to read.
Also, I have stayed in Taiwan for 4 months to learn Chinese, and I have written some articles about life and my views on Taiwan and life there. I am also planning to post these here, which may be interesting for those living in Taiwan. However, I still need to modify them, since in general they are fun to read, still there are some small things that I am not really happy with.
Anyway, this is how I write this blog. I must say, that it can be a bit confusing sometimes for me, since I sometimes have like 5 or 6 ideas on what to write about. But well, it's a challenge.

Funny videos

2006-12-30T03:48:00.000-08:00

The last few days I don't really have the inspiration to write anything. Well, actually I have a lot of things to write about, but just no inspiration to put these things into actual words and from there into a funny story. It's not that I don't want to post, but just for personal reasons I just can't.
But since I don't want to disappoint my huge amount of fans, both of them, I am just posting some funny videos I found.

Dont Mess With Granny

Ever thought about having cybersex? Well, don't! Here's the reason why:

Dont Cyber In Holland

Ever heard the words:" Do not try this at home"? Well, if you have a few pool tables at home, I challenge you to DO TRY this at home! :

Dominoes Pool

Same goes for this:

More Pool Trick Shots

The following proves that in order to do these kind of trickshots, you better start early:

Pool Prodigy

We all know that the Chinese are crazy about table tennis. But the Japanese have taken it a bit further. They have combined the noble game of ping pong with the special effects of the movie "The Matrix":

Matrix Ping Pong

X-mas is behind us, and some of us may have eaten rabbit of hare for X-mas dinner. Well, for thos people, better hide for the coming Easter:

Bad Easter Bunny

This guy is probably banned from the craps table in Las Vegas:

Dice Stacking

And last but not least finally a bus that is always on time:

The Wheelie Bus

Aviation Humor

2006-12-29T02:16:00.000-08:00

As you may know already, I am a bit of an aviation fanatic. Well, not really like some people, having a complete cockpit at home or spend every hour next to the runway with a book, recording each and every plane landing or taking off. But I do like to go to the runway occasionally. Next time I go, I will bring my camera (if I don't forget), and take some pictures for you. Anyway, why I bring this up is, because the other day I was surfing, and found some funny websites with some funny conversations between the control towers and the pilots. I will post the funniest ones below.

Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Frankfurt tower, Speedbird 206 is clear of the active runway."
Tower: "Speedbird 206, taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
Pilot (Speedbird 206): [silence, standing still just off of the runway]
Tower: "Speedbird 206, don't you know where to go?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by tower, I'm looking up the gate location now."
Tower (growing impatient): "Speedbird 206, haven't you ever been to Frankfurt?"
Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Yes, twice in 1944 -- but it was dark and I didn't land."

Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"
Pilot (Eastern 702): "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, as we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy the report from Eastern 702?"
Pilot (Continental 635): "Continental 635, roger, cleared for takeoff; and yes, we copied Eastern, and have already notified our caterers."

Pilot: "Bangor Departure, this is Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo."
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, Bangor go ahead."
Pilot: "Bangor, I don't seem to be making much progress here. How is my ground speed?"
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, it all depends. If you're a hang glider, you're doing pretty well."

Unknown Pilot (waiting in a very long takeoff queue): "I'm f**king bored."
Tower: "Last aircraft transmitting, please identify yourself immediately!!"
Unknown Pilot: "I said I was f**king bored, not f**king stupid."

Tower: "Flight 2431, for noise abatement turn right 20 degrees."
Pilot (Flight 2431): "Roger, but we're at 35,000 feet, how much noise can we make up here?"
Tower: "Flight 2431, have you ever heard the noise a 707 makes when it collides with a 727?"

Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Tower -- Cessna N2349 -- student pilot -- out of fuel!!"
Tower: "Roger Cessna N2349'er, reduce airspeed to best glide!! Do you have the airfield in sight?"
Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Uh ... tower, I am on the south ramp. I just want to know where the fuel truck is."

In a popular SR-71 story, Los Angeles Center reported receiving a request for clearance to flight level 600 (60,000 feet). The incredulous controller, with some disdain in his voice, asked, "How do you plan to get up to 60,000 feet?" The SR-71 pilot responded, "We don't plan to go up to it, we plan to go down to it!"

A retired Alaska Airlines Captain, flying as a dead head passenger aboard Alaska Airlines flight 498 from Seattle to San Francisco, related the following public safety announcement from memory to his laptop computer just moments after it was made:

Flight Attendant: "Hello, and welcome aboard Alaska Airlines flight 498 to San Francisco. If you're going to San Francisco, you're in the right place. If you're not going to San Francisco, you're about to have a really long evening ...

We'd now like to tell you about some important safety features of this aircraft. The most important safety feature we have aboard this plane is -- the flight attendants. Please look at one now. There are five exits aboard this plane: two at the front, two over the wings, and one out of the plane's rear. If you're seated in one of the exit rows, please don't store your bags by your feet. That would be a really bad idea. Please take a moment and look around and find the nearest exit. Count the rows of seats between you and the exit. In the event that the need arises to find one, trust me, you will be glad you did. We have pretty blinking lights on the floor that will blink in the direction of the exits. White ones along the normal rows, and pretty red ones at the exit rows ...

In the event of a loss of cabin pressure these baggy things (oxygen masks) will drop down above your head. You stick it over your nose and mouth like the flight attendants are showing you now. The bag will not inflate, but there is oxygen there -- I promise. If you're sitting next to a small child, or someone who is acting like a small child, please do us all a favor and put your mask on first. If you are traveling with two or more children, please take a moment now to decide which one is your favorite. Help that one first, then work your way down ...

In the seat pocket in front of you is a pamphlet about the safety features of this plane. I usually use it as a fan when I'm having my own personal summer -- it makes a very good fan. It also has pretty pictures. Please take it out now and play with it.

Now please take a moment to make sure that your seat belts are fastened low and tight around your waist. To fasten the belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle. To release, it is a pulley thing -- not a pushy thing like your car because you are in an airplane -- Hellooo!! ...

There is no smoking in the cabin on this flight. There is also no smoking in the lavatories. If we see smoke coming from the lavatories, we will assume that you're on fire and put you out. This is a free service that we provide. There are two smoking sections on this flight, one on the outside of each wing exit. We do have a movie in the smoking sections tonight -- hold on, let me check and see what it is ... Oh here it is, the movie tonight is 'Gone with the Wind' ...

In a moment we will be turning off the cabin lights, and it is going to get really dark, really fast. If you are afraid of the dark, now would be a good time to reach up and press the yellow button. The yellow button turns on your reading light. Please do not press the orange button (attendant) unless you absolutely have to. The orange button is your seat's ejection button. Just kidding. We are glad to have you on board with us today, and thank you for choosing Alaska Airlines."

Flight Attendant: "... Your seat cushions may be used as floatation devices. In the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

Male Flight Attendant: "Ladies and gentlemen, we aren't anticipating a full flight, so at this time please look around, and if you don't like the looks of the person sitting next to you, feel free to move to another seat in the cabin. Or, if you see someone you would rather be sitting next to -- for example, the blonde in row 10, this would be a good time to do so."

Pilot: "Sorry about the delay in pushing back from the gate, but apparently they don't take American Express at the gas pumps."

Flight Attendant: "... There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only six ways to leave this aircraft."

Flight Attendant: "... Please use the lavatory in your section. The ones in first class aren't any different, except for a little linen fold that I can never seem to get right anyway."

Flight Attendant: "... The only place to smoke on today's flight is out on the wing. Please step through, right foot first, and follow the arrows. If you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."

Flight Attendant (after a delay in taking off): "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the machine that rips the handles off luggage is broken. [cheers, laughter] The bad news is that our departure will be temporarily delayed while they fix it."

Flight Attendant: "... In the unlikely event of a water-landing, you will find a sexy yellow life-jacket under your seat, now being modeled by the flight attendants. The life-jacket is also equipped with a light -- so you can read while waiting to be rescued."

A young flight attendant, fresh out of training, did not realize that "La Guardia" and "New York" were the same place. While the plane was in line awaiting clearance to taxi to the runway, a passenger asked her what time would they be landing in New York, at which point the flight attendant exclaimed, "Oh my god, you're on the wrong plane!" The captain was immediately informed of a misloaded passenger and, without knowing anything further, requested permision to taxi back to the terminal. He instructed the attendant to make an announcement in case other people had also boarded by mistake. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, "If you are traveling to New York, we regret to inform you this plane is headed to La Guardia."

Driving in Holland

2006-12-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

I don't know how you all have spend X-mas, but I hope you all had a great time, whatever you did, and with whoever you have been. We spend our X-mas with my mom in Weert, in the south of Holland. It's 150 km, so approx. 1 1/2 hour drive. Normally traffic never really get to me, but yesterday it could drive me crazy sometimes. The road was filled with those people who drive only once a year on X-mas, and drive 90 km/hour on the right lane with their hands nicely on "10 minutes to 2", also on the parts where 120 is allowed. That is not really the worst part, no....the worst part is those people who are passing the first group at a pase of 100 where 120 is allowed.
Those who know me, probably also know the way I drive. I do drive safely, and always look out in all directions,....BUT, I always have the tendency to drive a little bit faster than allowed. So, it always makes me nervous to drive behind someone who is driving slower then the speed limit. No, I am not those a****** who will drive right up to the bumper of your car, to make it clear that you have to drive faster. I always drive behind the person, and remain cool and calm....well, on the outside, that is. Inside I am boiling and eating myself alive. The good thing is, that as soon as the car in question has vanished from my rear view mirrors, I forget about it, and go on my way. So, my stress level never really rises to dangerous boiling levels or anything.

When you are on the road, you see things, that'll make you wonder about where we are going to in Holland. And I don't mean, we are all going to visit someone. But the bigger picture.....For example: on the way back at around 7 pm, we were driving, I believe in the area of......hmmm, can't remember. Anyway, in Holland we have those signs above the road, called matrix-signs. Don't expect Keanu Reeves to jump down and land on the hood of the car, because this is another matrix. These signs shows information on the speedlimit etc, on places where there is a traffic jam, or when they are working on the road. The strange thing was, at one area, the signs showed a limit of 90 km/hour. There were no road works, no traffic jam, and it was only for a length of about 500 meters. So, I am wondering, what was the point of this? I sometimes see those things flashing when there is absolutely nothing wrong. So, the question usually is: Are those lights on because there is a traffic jam, OR is there a traffic jam BECAUSE those lights are on? I tend to say the latter.

Another strange thing I noticed is this. About a year ago, the environmentalists have claimed to have won an important battle in pushing back the use of the car, in favor of the environment. On the ring roads around the big cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and I believe Den Haag too) the speed limit was reduced to 80. This would be better for the environment, since there was less exhaust fumes, less traffic jams, etc. Now, a year later, they have found out that reducing the speed limit actually causes more traffic jams, making it worse for the environment.
Also near Utrecht I have noticed the following situation:

At one part near Utrecht, you can find the situation as drawn above (sorry for the lousy picture. I am not much of painter). On the ring road around Utrecht, the limit is 80, because of the environment. On the highway right next to the ring, the limit is 100! And this is not just a small section. No, this is about 10 or 15 km long. So, on the ring we are really doing our best to keep the environment clean by driving 80, while 5 meters further they are blowing a lot of exhaust fumes into the air by driving 100.
Don't you think we have taken this thing a little bit too far? Or maybe they haven't thought things thouroughly through? It's nice to think about the environment, and it is important for our kids too. But better think before you act. It is better to win the WAR against polution, than just A battle.
Oh, and for your information, Alec loved his X-mas toys, and can't stop playing with them.

X-mas shopping

2006-12-24T04:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we still had to do our X-mas shopping. Just like every year we always postpone it right till the last minute. It seems like it has become a tradition or something. I had bought most of the gifts on Friday already, but we still haven't bought anything for the most important person in our lives, our son Alec. Yeah, I know, I am so ashamed. We have been doubting what to buy for him. Well, I have to be honest, I have been doubting. YuMei (my wife) wanted to buy a nice kids kitchen-set we saw in one of the local chainstores, since Alec always is goofing around in the kitchen, emptying drawers, pretending to cook, and so on. For me, I had second thoughts about it, since it is a BOY we are talking about, and not a girl. BUT, on the other hand, it is a bit sexist of me to think in a boy/girl way. Alec obviously like cooking, kitchen stuff etc. So why not give him something he really likes. Still, the manly man in me keep on resisting the idea, and I have been looking at a lot of alternatives. Since I couldn't find any, I have given it a rest, and decided to go along with the kitchen idea.

YuMei came up with the idea of going to Amsterdam first to have lunch in our favorite DimSum restaurant. Which I thought was a good idea, since somehow I felt these 2 days, yesterday and today, are also a bit special. Maybe it's because the fact that X-mas is on Monday and Tuesday this year (we have 2 x-mas days in Holland). Anyway, we went to Amsterdam to a restaurant called "Oriental City" (O.Z. Voorburgwal 177-179, no, I don't get money for mentioning this).
We sometimes go there with friends, and are never disappointed with the food, and this time was no exception. Below are pictures of the things we had:

As you can see, the names of the dishes are written on the pictures, so I'll try to explain what everything is:

Lap Mee Loh Pak Koo = Fried cake of rice flour and turnip
Ho Yauw Cha Sieuw Pao = Bread filled with Beef
Ma Lai Koo = Steamed Sponge Cake
Saam Si Tja Chon Kuun = Springroll with meat and Chinese mushrooms
Qian Si Juan = Battered Paste of Shrimps and Scallops
Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun = Roll of Steamed Dough with Sticky Rice and Meat
San Sie (served cold) = Mixture of Seaweed, Beansprouts Carrot in Sweet Vinegar

I must admit, the Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun was a bit dissappointing, so we won't have that anymore. But the rest was great, as usual.

After that we went to Hoofddorp to check out Toys 'R' Us, which suppost to have a lot of toys for sale, so , you might think that we finally found the right present for Alec. Well...we spend about 1 1/2 hour there, and still hasn't come up with anything. Meanwhile Alec had the time of his life. Playing with all the toys, looking around, seeing other kids. So, we left empty handed, very tired and very dissapointed.
Well, today we finally found the perfect gift for him. A "little people pirate ship"

I will let you know what he thought of it Tuesday.

Telesales

2006-12-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

The other day I was surfing the net for just anything and nothing, when I came across an ad for the greencard lottery from the US government. Since I always liked a gamble every now and then, and I know this lottery is free, or at least I think it is, I decided to register myself. So, I filled in the form, and pressed continue. And there it was, page 2, with all the prices for a one time deal up to a 4 year subscription. Since I don't wanna pay for something that is free, I closed the page, and forgot about it.
One hour later I got a call from that same company, who had seen that i filled in my details. And they were like sharks. No matter what I did to loosing them, including hanging up, they just wouldn't let go. Just when I was about to get nasty myself too, they apparently realized that I wasn't biting, and a not really friendly manner was the conversation ended.
Annoyingly enough the same thing has happened to me before with a well-known dutch company. And this was probably an even worse violation of my privacy then here above mentioned.
I was checking the Wanadoo homepage, since we were thinking about changing provider. I had to fill in one of those zip-code locator and my housenumber, to see if they have service in this area. Next day I got a call from Wanadoo. They called bcos they saw that I have been checking their site and had a special offer for me. Them calling me, meant that they had found my telephone number through the locator I HAD to fill in, in order for me to continue to the next page. I found that the worst case of privacy violation I have ever seen.
Anyway, I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but in Holland the business of telemarketing is booming, and at the same time driving everyone nuts.
Talking of telemarketing, I found this site the other day, this is so funny: http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/

Loosing my (blog) virginity

2006-12-19T10:36:00.000-08:00

Here it is, my first post. Well, actually my second, but my first in english. I have been doubting for a while, whether to write in dutch or English. In dutch I may be able to express myself better, and don't have to worry (much) about writing errors. Although my English is good enough to express my feelings too. Besides, those 2 people reading this, could probably read English better then Dutch.
So....what is this blog about? Good question. I don't know myself either. I have been thinking about a theme or a subject or something, but always came up with lame ideas. So I decided to just go and write whatever is on my mind, and just take it from there. This means that any subject goes, from the firm and strict policy for foreigners here in Holland, to religion. But also about the more trivial questions like what brand of beer to buy. And I can also write about the things that I encounter in normal day-to-day situations. So, one time you might be sitting there almost being bored to death, next time you feel like bashing my brains in, or compliment me with my way of looking at things. Sometimes you might even will be rolling on the floor laughing your heart out. In short, this will be a roller coaster made out of words.

Enjoy reading.

View on Taiwan

2006-12-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

2007-01-03 View on Taiwan: To love and to hate
2007-01-07 The Taiwanese and the English language
2007-01-10 Taiwanese hospitality

Life

2006-12-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

2006-12-20 Telesales
2006-12-24 X-mas shopping
2006-12-26 Driving in Holland
2007-01-01 Happy New Year
2007-01-02 Just for you daddies out there
2007-01-04 Fireworks
2007-01-06 Dancing with the media
2007-01-08 Confession
2007-01-10 Homesick

Diverse

2006-12-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

2006-12-19 Loosing my (blog) virginity
2006-12-29 Aviation Humor
2006-12-30 Funny video
2006-12-31 How I write my blog
2007-01-01 Saddam Hoessein
2007-01-04 What a kiss means

Travel

2006-12-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

2006-09-30~2006-10-23 Taiwan

2006-10-23~2006-10-28 Beijing

The Great Wall